《Black Corporation: Joseon》 Chapter 0 Chapter 0 . Carry out this affair as we''ve discussed. Yes, Your Majesty. Ah, Im getting hungry. Lets grab a bite and gather back after 30 minutes. . Yes, Your Majesty. [The Historian(1)say.] Ting! Swoosh! [The love the king has for his subjects is the most wonderful thing in this world.] Ting! Swoosh! [He gave consideration so that a mere ve did not overwork. The king''s virtuous heart is like a spring sun.(2)] Ting! Swoosh! [But his retainers could not receive such a spring sun, so how could such a sad thing] Historian? Are you writing insults for me now? Im not! Your Majesty! Then why are you taking so long? Because my hand is rather slow. Is that so? Should I send you back to the Administrative Training Center? Ill do my best to write faster. Im watching you. Forgive me, Your Majesty. T/N: (1) Historian (??): An officer in charge of recording the history.? (2) Spring sun (??): The sun that shines on spring. A warming sun.? Chapter 1 Chapter 1 There is a popr saying. The mania of the manias were the Western manias. (1) But there is one above the Western manias, that is the crazy mania. * * * Outskirts of Gasan-ri, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do Province. Tang tang tang! Zssst! Jinho put the iron that was beaten by a spring hammer into the water. The water vapor rose with a loud noise. Jinho took the cold iron out of the water, examined the condition, and nodded. Good. After checking the condition, Jinho put the iron in his hand into the forge. * * * Hey! Lil bro! What are you making this time? Oh? Hyungnim! You came? Jinho, who was busy moving between the furnace and the machines, was pleased to see the person who came to see him. What are you making? I was making the ordered sashimi. Sashimi? When his cousin made a strange face, Jinho hurriedly added. Fillet knife! It was ordered by a Japanese restaurant owner in Seoul! Dont be so into your work all the time! His cousin Kim Byeongho was a detective. After hearing Jinhos exnation, Byeongho rxed his expression. Is that so? Are you making a lot of money on orders? When asked by Byeongho, he wiped his nose with his finger and grinned. I managed to make a living. Its the result of hard work. Really? Let me take a look. I just got the shape now. Hm. As if his interest had cooled quickly, Byeong-ho, who was looking at the still red iron fillet knife, turned his head to look around. Oh God, you have to clean up a bit. Yeh. Answer nicely. Nicely. Byeongho, who was looking around while giving Jinho rebuke, shone his eyes as he saw a knife covered with a soft cloth inside a wooden box. Hey! This half-moon knife, it looks like the des upside down? Byeongho, who saw Kukri for the first time ever, pointed to Jinho that he had set the de wrong. Jinhos expression changed strangely at Byeonghos words. Whats with that face? . Thats a Kukri, thats how it is shaped. . Is that so? This is very unique. Which countrys knife is it? Nepal. I guess the personality of the people in that country is unique. Jinho shook his head after a moment of agonizing over what Byeongho meant. Try to say that in front of Nepalese people. I bet youre gonna roll right off the top of Everest. I said that because theyre not here. By the way, did you call me because of that Kukri or whatever knife it is? Yes, Id like to get a license to carry a sword. Byeongho nodded at Jinhos words while measuring the size of the Kukri. Looking at the size seems like you need it. But why do you need a sword? Im going to take part in apetition in the U.S. Competition? In response to Byeonghos abrupt question, Jinho picked up the tablet that was put on the side and yed a video. Byeongho clicked his tongue after he saw the video. Che! It would have been better to make a Joseon military sword or a traditional sword. Do you know that there were some men who came out with a Katana and were then eliminated because their swords crooked? And do you think there were only one or two people who got eliminated because of a broken sword in the middle of thepetition? Although Joseon''s military swords or samurai swords were sharp, theyre not tough. In suchpetitions, heavy and tough swords are the best. Is that so? All right, Ill get the paperwork done. * * * A few dayster. Here is the document and card. Thank you very much. Byeongho was looking around while handing Jinho documents and IC cards before suddenly fixed his gaze in one ce. Whats that? What? That one! There! There was a flintlock rifle at the ce Byeongho pointed to. Ah! That? I made it because there was an order from a foreign country asking if I could make it. They are re-enactors, cosyers, and mockers of the American Revolutionary War era. Hm. Byeongho let Jinhos exnation off one ear while holding the rifle in his hand and looked at it closely. Byeongho was looking at the trigger before turning to face Jinho. This is that gun, right? Was it in the American Revolutionary War movie starring Mel Gibson? Yes. This is a Kentucky rifle. Why are you making American guns? I think the number of craftsmen has decreased a lot over there. Also, most of the guns they have had be treasures So you made it? Jinho answered Byeonghos question with a nod. For now, I made only one bag. But, if the evaluation is good, I think I can export 5 to 10 bags every year. That means if I do well, I can earn about 2 to 3 billion. Hm. Jinho looked into Byeonghos reaction before adding the following words. So, starting with this one, I need some documents. Do I have to do it again? Please, I beg you. If this one goes well, Ill treat you to a big meal. You really are a smooooth talker. Unlike his dragged-on voice, Byeongho looked at the Kentucky rifle with a serious face. He cocked the rifle that wasnt loaded with flint and pulled the trigger. ck! Whoops? Its moving properly! Huh. Is the muzzle originally this small? No. Even if gunpowder could be added, the bullets couldnt. Hm. While listening to the exnation, Byeongho found a small thread about a centimeter away from the muzzle. Byeongho carefully examined the thread before gripping the barrel and pulling the end of the thread. Poong! With a small sound, the muzzle part was separated from the barrel, and Byeongho looked inside the muzzle. There were six rows of coiled steel wires. Byeongho, who had confirmed it was a rifling, grabbed Jin-ho by the cor. The fuck, you prick! You said its a prop! Why would you dig a rifling in a prop? If youre going to make it, you need to make it right so the customers needs ar Do you think your customer is shooting any snuff films?! You bastard! Youre here to take advantage of me in this situation, arent you?! How dare you use me as cover! I cant Bastard! It was on the demand! For emergency cases- Bullshit! They are humans living in a country full of vicious things beyond their means! After a long time of quarreling, Byeongho and Jinho agreed to seal a plug to the barrel of the already made rifle by electric welding, and then add the following phrase to the rted product information on Amazon. [In ordance with thews of the country of manufacture, measures have been taken to prevent the use of live ammunition on the muzzle.] Its a bum Ssh! Jinho, who could not hide his regret, lost his spirit when Byeongho red at him. Not long after, Byeongho asked a question after he faltered over the advertisement which Jinho had posted on Amazon. It said that it was made ording to history. Did you create the same ingredients first? No way. If I made the most important materialthe barrel, using the old way from scratch, I have to add one more zero after the price. I guess so. While they were having such a conversation, an old woman came into Jinhos smithy. Is the young cksmith here? Wee! This is potato seeds, please keep it in the warehouse. Yes, I got it. After receiving a box of seeds from the old woman, Jin-o put it in a separate warehouse behind the smithy. When the old woman left, Byeongho looked at Jinho with a fresh look. You must be close to the elders in the neighborhood. Well, we are helping each other. But, why is she using your warehouse? Some chemicals used in cksmiths are sensitive to the temperature, so I paid attention to the air conditioning system when I made the warehouse. Thanks to that, its good to store seeds and fertilizer. Thats why they use it often. Really? Let me take a look. What else are you looking for? Ssh. As Byeong-hos expression became sharper, the spiritless Jinho guided him to a separate warehouse behind the smithy. Byeongho turned to Jinho when he saw piled-up steel tes in the first warehouse. Thats a lot of scrap metals. Spring steel is the best material to make knives and such. Thanks to that, I became a regr in the junkyard. Is that so? Show me the other warehouse too. . Okay. Jinho opened the second warehouse at the urging of Byeongho. The two entered a cool warehouse, and Byeongho stared at Jinho after looking at the items inside. Why would a cksmith need that kind of chemicals? It is necessary for etching decoration or additional works. You buy it the normal way, right? Do you want to see the receipt? Oh, my. Who would doubt that youre a detective? Despite Jinhos retort, Byeonghos eyes were fierce. Ill kill you with my own hands if you make trouble. Ah, I wont get into trouble! Said the one who privately made the gun? . Byeongho turned after warning Jinho before he sniffed around and grumbled. Whose field is it? How much manure has been sprayed that the smell My field. Huh? Now youre working in the fields too? Hahaha. Because of Jinhos strangeugh, Byeonghos expression became sharp once again, and he looked at the field. Half of the field that was around 500 pyeong was upied by sr panels, and the other half was covered with manure. Byeongho was observing theposition before looking directly at Jinhos face. The only good thing about your personality is that you cannot lie. Im sure this is definitely not a farm field. What is this for? This is. pyroelectric. Pyroelectric? I was thinking of making some potassium nitrate Why potassium nitrate? I need some ck powder to make sure the Kentucky rifle is well made, but its hard to Bastard! This is out of cover! Byeongho, whose face turned white because of Jinhos unexpected answer, grabbed his cor and screamed. The reason Byeongho turned white was not simply because Jinho made gunpowder. * * * Three days before Byeong-ho visited Jinho, someone who came from the National Intelligence Service (NIS), visited Byeongho and his colleagues. The NIS agents visit was about the domestic activities of Imic terrorist organizations. Since the death of Osama, Imic fundamentalist terrorist organizations have been operating independently. Currently, no organization has been found in our country, but the situation still can be very dangerous. The reason is that a considerable number of illegal workers from Pakistan and Southeast Asia Muslim countries are employed illegally. ording to the NIS agents exnation, the situation was very bad. Most of the workers who were illegally employed were often subject to overtime work, unpaid wages, and even assault. As things went on, the number of illegal workers who were hostile to Koreans and Korea was increasing, and the possibility of a self-sustaining terrorist organization being founded around them was increasing. Because of this, I cant tell whether Im a member of the NIS or an investigator at the Employment and Labor Office. The day is running out to receive and return unpaid wages for illegal workers, and to get medical expenses for those injured in industrial idents. Even if we are going to deport them, we have to get rid of bad feelings. The NIS agentined about a moment before he went to the main point. The reason I met you is that of the special nature of Yangsan. From what I know there are almost no factories in Yangsan where irregr migrants can work? When one of the detectives who attended the meeting pointed out, the NIS agent nodded. Yes, but there are lots of farms around. Another source of demand for illegal immigration workers these days is these agricultural and livestockplexes. Detectives nodded at the NIS agents reply. Farming was a tough job, but the livestock industry was even tougher. The NIS agent, whose neck was dampened, disyed several slides on the screen. The pictures you are seeing now are the bomb terror scenes starting from the Ohoma City Bombing. Whats important here is the material of explosives which is the key tool of terrorism. There have been examples of actual military and civilian explosives, but there are many cases where materials avable in the market were collected and used. In this case, the most useful ingredient is nitrogen fertilizer. A moderate mix of nitrogen fertilizer with ingredients like kerosene or diesel, or maybe lubricant makes a very good explosive. Hm. The faces of the detectives sitting around the NIS agents exnation had changed seriously. It was because of the nitrogen fertilizer consumption that overflowed on the farms around Yangsan. Of course, its not only on Yangsan where you can get nitrogen. However, there is Busan to the east of Yangsan and Changwon to the west. If you build or get a detonator from the Russian mafia in Busan, and then drag a truck carrying explosives to the Changwon defenseplex and explode it, a fatal situation will ur. The detectives nodded with a serious face at the NIS agents exnation. On the outskirts of Yangsan, fertilizers were overflowing in farms and agricultural materials shops. Fuel tanks full of fuel for vinyl houses and other agricultural facilities, as well as lubricants for agricultural machinery, weremon there. In addition, 1-ton trucks were alsomon. Last, there were quite a few people who bring in Pakistanis or other Southeast Asians to farm or raise livestock, and rumors said they were treated harshly. Sensing that the detectives were aware of the seriousness, the NIS agent began to wrap up. The cooperation that the NIS has requested for you is regarding several cases of foreigners being hired illegally. But the truth is, this is gangster surveince in Yangsan. ording to the investigation conducted by the NIS, the brokers who find ces to work for the irregr migrants are connected with the gangsters. The gangsters are involved in preventing and managing the escape of foreigners who have been employed. Please take care of this area with urgency. This is very important for our national security. TN: (1)A popr saying in Korea, that Western fans are more than a normal fan. They do their fan activity to the fullest. E.g., if they do cosy, they make the costume and do the makeup as real as possible.? Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Because of such a situation, Byeongho turned pale before nagging Jinho. Bastard! There is a limit to asking for cover! Making gunpowder? Whose head do you think is gonna fly? You punk! Not only will it fly, but my head is gonna fly from the top to bottom, front to back, and left to right! But. Obtaining gunpowder. What crap are you talking about? Theres a lot of them in the stationery stores. The impurities-. Bastard! Plow it now! After a series of quarrels, Jinho promised to plow the field. Before leaving, Byeongho once again warned him strongly. I''ll check it the day after tomorrow, so make sure to plow it! You got it? I got it! Byeongho took over the gunpowder from Jinho, then walked back while grumbling. That crazy maniac bastard. * * * Weirdo mania, It was a nickname given to Jinho by his rtives, including Byeongho, as well as his parents. Due to various idents he created while doing his fanatic activity since he was young, all of his rtives were worried about him. They said, One day, he will make a big ident.'' Crazy mania, It was a nickname given by acquaintances who got to know Jinho through social media and online hobby forums. At first, because Jinho was a maniac in various fields, they wrote it as wide (/?)''. But because of various idents Jinho had created, they changed it to crazy (/?)''.(1) Since he was young, Jinho had shown an unusual performance. He showed better concentration and memory than the children of his age. I think he''s a special kid! The words of the kindergarten teacher made the expectations of Jinho''s parents increase. By the time he entered elementary school, Jinho''s parents tested Jinho''s IQ and received the following answer from the doctor. Memory and concentration. All of hisprehension skills are above average and his IQ is on a genius level. Thank you very much! After hearing the doctor''s exnation, Jinho''s parents were greatly delighted, and their expectations grew even higher. However, their hope soon turned into despair. The most important thing to bring out Jinho''s outstanding concentration, memory,prehension, and IQ was missingand that was studying. The memory of his parents'' dark historythe fight between the couplewhen he was around the age of 3 and just barely able to have a conversation. The memory of his ck history in kindergarten, elementary school, and until he was a university student. The concentration to watch his favorite mid-series non-stop until he skipped meals and being taken to the emergency room. All of its traces could not be seen in his study. What''s the use of your smart brain! In addition to the tutoring academy, Jinho''s parents also guided Jinho in his study by swinging a stick and a carrot. However, they burst into anger whenever they epted the report card. Jinho''s grades were always in the middle, no matter whether he was in the excellent or inferior ss. His grades in memorization subjects such as the Koreannguage and history were very good. However, the situation where English stayed in the middle and mathematics stayed on the groundholding his anklemade Jinho be very frustrated. I can''t recall. Jinho whined to his friend. Recall? In Korean and history, and the other memorization subjects, I can recall them like movies while reading textbooks or questions. I mean, I have a clear memory and I can quickly understand how to solve it. But damn math.. In the end, Jinho had no choice but to pursue a career in liberal arts. Due to various kinds of stress, Jinho became more obsessed with his mania activity. From the fourth grade of elementary school until he entered middle school, he was absorbed in a famous robot animationa hardcore supporter of the original work, universal centuryand enthusiastically engaged in online activities and made acquaintances. It was in the second grade of middle school that the mania Jinho became a crazy mania. Jinho, who had be a fan of a steampunk drama set in the 19th century, eagerly sought and watched the drama. The airing of the drama ended in one season because it was a very mania-like drama, so he had to find it on the foreign sites through the dark path''. In addition, because there were no subtitles, he had to trante the script he got from the inte, and so he became addicted to the drama. Jinho''s parents were angry to see him fell into the drama, but in the meantime, Jinho was able to watch the drama safely until the end of the series because his English grades rose at a high speed. The impact of the drama in question on Jinho was great. Jinho, who was only a maniac who watches and enjoys'' became a maniac who acts''. Jinho, who had be enthusiastic about the steam engine, along with his friends, created a miniature model of Watt''s steam engine with its generator, and they entered a sciencepetition. Except for the pressure-resistant cylinder part that has to withstand steam pressure and a few motor units, the miniature model which was made of items that were easy to find in the market, showed enough performance to light up LED lights when heating boilers with alcoholmps, and won the Excellence Award. Because that award was a great help for the entrance exam, Jinho received words of thanks and pocket money from his science department friends'' parents. However, he also got reprimanded by his parents. Thanks, Jinho! This isn''t much, but you can use it for your allowance. What''s the point of a liberal arts student getting an award? Its better to use that devotion to learn mathematical forms! Honey! Dont give this kid allowance! He would use it to make something weird again! Even though his allowance was cut, the next year Jinho utilized the actual steam pressure to make a miniature model of a steam lotive and made his parents hold their necks. Under various circumstances, Jinho did his best to enter the university and passed not early admission but the worst gatethe regr admission, and epted in the In Seoul(2) public administration department just below SKY. On the day when Jinho''s eptance was confirmed, Jinho''s parents gathered their rtives to have a feast. Now that you''ve be a university student, stop doing useless things and focus on your study! Department of Public Administration? You have to work hard and be a public servant. Don''t think of anything else, just focus on your study! You know how hard your parents suffered because of you! All of Jinho''s rtives gathered at the feast gave him a mix of threats and advice. * * *Although he already entered the university, Jinho, the maniac who acts, didn''t stop. In his first year of university, Jinho made a man-made seane with the money he saved from his part-time job during the summer vacation and seeded in flying it in Han estuary. Its flying! Its flying? Police and 119 paramedics were present at the scene due to safety concerns, and they looked at Jinho''s man-made ne that was flying in the sky with a strange look on their faces. Jinho''s flight became a hot topic to the point of airing on public TV. Although Jinho took the top of TV news under the title of A University Student, Inventor Full of Talent'', his parents had to lie down with their heads wrapped. He''s not our child but an enemy. What sin I''ve done in my previous life. It was what his rtives and acquaintances called The first uprising of a crazy maniac''. Maybe it was the effect of appearing on TV news that Jinho had established himself as the infamous entric person at the university. Since then, Jinho''s entricity continued. Once, he watched a historical drama that he had thrown away, and after that, he tried to make proper leather armor from the Three Kingdoms Period and wrestled with wearing said armor. There was also a time when he spent his vacation at the workshop of a traditional swordsmith, saying that he wanted to learn how to manufacture the Joseon military sword. In the middle of the school term, he was impressed by a crusades movie that he went to hammering in a workshop every weekend to make Western full-te armor. What should I do with that punk. In order to prevent Jinho''s entricity, Jinho''s parents even beat their adult child. Nevertheless, Jinho''s parents were distressed to see their child continue his entricity. If only he hasn''t studied at all. Jinho''s parents could not give up their child even more because he devoted himself to studying during the semesterexcept on the weekendsand had excellent grades. Every time Jinho made an ident, Jinhos parents were reminded of what Jinhos career counseling teacher in high school had said. Jinho is a very smart kid. However, its not in the academic field. To put it simply, he is a child with inventor aptitude. Inventors Isn''t their life difficult these days? Therefore, this is very unfortunate. If only Jinho was born in Europe around the 18th or 19th century, he would be an inventor who would have made a name for himself in history. * * * By the time he was in his third year of university, Jinho made a huge ident. It was because of a mail from an American acquaintance he got to know online. They were gathering people to make the sailboat in the famous pirate movie based in the traditional way. Although it was made by reducing its size to a quarter, Jinho''s eyes focused on the line everything would be made ording to the actual historical research. Jinho immediately took a leave of absence and flew to the United States. It was The second uprising of a crazy mania. Because of Jinho''s flight to the U.S., Jinho''s mother once again wrapped her head and his father exploded into anger. This little bastard! I will dig you out of the family register! Jinho''s stay in the U.S. was longer than initially expected. The reason for this was the Arab rich mania who funded the project. The Arab rich, who liked the finished product, gave an offer to the participants. Actually, I need a cruising yacht, so how about making it in full size? I''ll provide you with dry funds and give you a monthly sry. Deal? Deal! Participants agreed in one voice on the offer of the Arab rich. Although the ship was converted into an engine-installed sailboatnot a 100% wind-powered sailboatwith modern convenience devices installed, most of the hull''s structure and appearance were reborn to be an exact sailboat of the age of discovery by maniacs from numerous countries. After the construction finished and theunching ceremony followed with the test voyage safelypleted, Jinho returned to Korea with a copy of the design of the ship. Jinho''s parents only spoke shortly. Go to the army! Everything is ready. Yes. Jinho bowed his head right away at the order of his parents, who were full of fire. After going to the army, Jinho continued his school life calmly. Jinho sincerely studied and prepared for the administrative exam and eventually passed the Open Competitive Exam for Grade 5 in one year after graduation. On the day when he was decided to be a central government official precisely, in the Ministry of Finance, Jinho''s parents once again gathered their rtives to have a feast. You''ve worked hard! Finally, you can take a breath! Good job! The rtives praised Jinho''s parents, not Jinho. It was because they were well aware of the hardships they had suffered from Jinho. Having experienced such ups and downs, Jinho began his career as a civil servant. Jinho''s parents sighed in relief as Jinho began his career as a civil servant, but Jinho actually had a problem. This is suffocating. Jinho was suffering from mental thirst due to his daily tasks. To solve such a thirst, he worked hard to make a model, yed online games or smartphone games, and even joined bicycle clubs on his day off. However, his mental thirst became more intense and finally, he was diagnosed with depression and took medicine. When the situation turned out like this, Jinho''s parents had to make a choice. Live and do whatever you want to do. Thank you very much. The day after his parents made the decision, Jinho submitted his resignation. He submitted his resignation letter and the unemployed Jinho immediately got a job at a smithy. After spending three years learning to work while staying in the smithy, the master called Jinho. Now open your shop. You''ve learned everything you can learn from me. From now on, all you need is experience, and only time can solve that. Thank you very much, master. Afterward, Jinho went down to Yangsan. He bought an empty house with a field attached to it using the money he had saved during his four years as a civil servant, and with some supports, he set up a cksmith''s shop. * * * After seeing Byeongho off, Jinho scratched his head and grumbled. The impurities of fireworks sold at the stationery store are too much that the barrel gets rusted. The fireworks sold on the market were mixed with various impurities to produce various colors of me and to kill the explosive power of gunpowder. And because such impurities seriously corroded the barrel, they had to clean the barrel thoroughly after fireproofing. Anyway, I have to plow it. guess I''ll go to the old Hwang''s house tomorrow and borrow a tractor. Jinho went into the warehouse after deciding what to do tomorrow. Let''s see. Jinho entered the air-conditioned warehouse and searched the warehouse shelves. He put aside a row of chemicals before taking out a small box. If this one got discovered, I''d be in jail by now. Jinho opened the lid and examined the contents while muttering to himself. Inside the box were two small ss bottles buried deep in buffer materials. Jinho let out a long sigh when he looked at the light brown liquid in a ss bottle the size of a little finger. I don''t know why I made this. The thing inside the ss bottle was nitroglycerin. After examining the ss bottle for a while, Jinho closed the lid of the box and pushed it back onto the shelf. Grrr! The moment Jinho was about toe out of the warehouse, the ground began to shake. Huh? Is there any construction work? Jinho tilted his head at the small shaking and immediately screamed as the shaking increased. No way! This is an earthquake! Jinho judged it was an earthquake, and he rushed out of the building. However, not evenpleting five steps, he had to turn around and run back to the warehouse. If that damn thing exploded, I can''t even get insurance! Grrr! Jinho ran into the warehouse while staggering due to the increasingly shaking ground. He grabbed the box and ran out. Click! After opening the box, Jinho took out two ss bottles and threw them into the field. Boom! Boom! It''s do. Just as he was relieved to see the huge explosion in the field, the ground cracked and swallowed Jinho. T/N (1) Both are ? but with a different meaning. One was wide()'' and the other was crazy()''. ? (2) abbreviation of In Seoul university. It is judged that major universities in Seoul are generally superior to local universities, but In Seoul University also has very wide differences between universities, so some universities are lesspetent than local universities. ? Chapter 3 Chapter 3 On a fine spring day with warm spring sun. Thats all for today, Your Highness. Thank you for your hard work. Didn''t he just turn 6 years old? The young boy sent out the young official with polite manners that did not suit his age before stretching out his legs and uttered foulnguage. Fuck. This is tiring. He nced out the window while squeezing his legs, which were numb from sitting on his knees. The blue sky over the tiled roof with linedyers entered his eyes. The young boy looked at the sky and sighed. Sigh~ It''s good to be born as a prince. But why should it be a crown prince? On top of that, why does King Sejong have to be my father? The young boy now let out a long sigh. Why don''t I feel good when I''ve been reborn? The boy who said reborn'', something that was unbelievable to others, was Jinho. He was reborn as Lee Hyang, the oldest child of King Sejong the Great, and King Munjong in the future days. * * *The first time he opened his eyes, Jinho thought he was in a temporary treatment facility at the scene. It was because the first thing he saw was the rafters. Which house this roof-tiled house belonged to.? Jinho, who was pondering about whose house had been set up as a temporary treatment facility he was staying at, soon realized another problem. What kind of room is this big? And why do I feel very stuffy? Is this a whole-body fracture cast? Jinho used all of his strength to turn his head before realizing something. That his body was lying on tightly secured swaddling clothes, and his body was smaller than expected. In a situation that was not expected at all, Jinho spontaneously blurted. Kkyaa? At that moment, from a ce his field of view had not reached yet, a female voice was heard. Mdy! The young master has opened his eyes! It took Jinho three days to recognize that he was born as a baby. He had to eat, sleep, and count the number of rafters while repeatedly lying down in swaddling clothes. Even so, Jinho''s head kept moving nonstop to find an answer. I''m sure I''ve been reborn, but. where is this? The background looks like Joseon. Jinho couldn''t be sure about the ce he was going to live. It was because he couldn''t understand thenguage. Is this a different world that looks just like Joseon? Well, that''s a novelty. Jinho, who had been in such confusion, could finally be sure as he understood thenguage after three months. This is really Joseon! But why is thenguage. Jinho med thenguage without thinking about the fact that over 500 years had passed. Jinho''s actionsto check on the situationhad led his parents to misunderstand. My husband, I feel like our child isnt an ordinary child. Do you feel the same way, my wife? That''s what I felt. Thats why Im worried. The same goes for me. The couple''s worry was getting deeper as they became more convinced that their child was not an ordinary child. Royal family, isn''t it? Royal family. Regardless of whether he realized that the worry of his parents from this life was getting deeper over him, Jin-ho was organizing the first round of situations he was in.
  1. My father is from the Royal family.
  2. The current residence is Kaesong. The capital of Joseon is Hanyang.
Conclusion 1: In the sum of 1 and 2, my present father is far from the throne.
  1. Judging from the voices of ves outside and my parents'' clothes, they are quite rich.
  2. As far as I know, the royal family consciously avoiding study for survival.
Conclusion 2: I don''t have to worry about making ends meet. I didn''t need to feel inferior wherever I went, and I only needed to study a little; the end.
  1. Based on the information I''ve heard so far, I''m the eldest. I would never lose my footing in this family.
  2. I remember the knowledge that I had in my past life.
  3. After growing up to some extent, even though I made problems using my previous life memories, it will be recognized as the entricity made by a royal family that has nothing to do.
Thest conclusion: Hooray! This is heaven! Jinho smiled brightly, confirming his conclusion. Looking at the situation, learning a bit of academic study should be enough. If this was after King Sejong the Great, Hunminjeongeum(1) must havee out, so I just have to learn that. Around that time, Western children who were wandering on the street must have visited China, so if I get some Chinese trantions, I can do sourceundering(2)! This is heaven! Jinho''s nanny and motherughed and talked while looking at Jinho, who was smilingdreaming of a rosy future. Oh, Mdy! The young master isughing! He is. What good things make himugh this brightly? His mother, who was holding Jinho, looked around. In the surrounding scenery, the voice of her husbandwho was reading a bookcould be heard as usual. The mother thought that her child wasughing from her husband''s voice, and she stroked the child''s head out of happiness. Looking that you are happy to hear the sound of scripture being read, our baby must have excellent literacy skills. It was a fatal illusion. Meanwhile, Jinho was diligently grasping the situation and modifying the scenario. First, if I look at my parents. The first time Jinho saw his mother''s face that became swollen because of childbirth and his father, his sentiment was simple. Baby''s got a baby. If this was the 21st century, both parents would have been in a state of chaos. However, it was understandable because this was during the Joseon Dynasty, where early marriage wasmon. On top of that, I am the eldest son. Well, I roughly understand the situation, but the problem is that outfit. Jinho tilted his head while looking at the attire his parents were wearing. If I think of the dramas that Ive watched in my previous life, this looks like the early Joseon Dynasty. If I count from the first, Tae-Jeong-Tae-Se-Mun-Dan-Se. Is this around Seongjong era? Or is it Yeonsangun? If this is the era of Yeonsangun, this would be a real headache. (3) Something more troubling happened to Jinho, who was agonizing about the era he was born. * * *After passing three to seven days and then a hundred days safely, as his first birthday came closer, people from his mother''s family came and went from the house diligently. One day in the middle of said event preparation. You guys stay out for a while. Yes, Maam. After sending the nanny and maidservants outside, Jinho''s maternal grandmother spoke to his mother in a quiet voice. Does His Highness the Grand Prince still have books close to him? As always, he is absorbed in his study. Jinho''s mother proudly answered Jinhos grandmothers question. After hearing the answer, his maternal grandmother continued while sping his mother''s hand. Nowadays, there are many words going around regarding the Crown Prince''s wild behavior. As a result, there are also many words going around regarding His Highness the Grand Prince. Now, My Lady''s father is on the move, so I hope My Lady and His Highness could wait and behave carefully. His grandmother''s words struck his mother. Mother! What kind of inscrutable words are you talking about? Please wait carefully and don''t talk about this to anyone else. It was not only his mother that was shocked by his grandmother''s words. What are you talking about? Isn''t that mean you''re gonna change out the crown prince? Who was the king whose crown prince was changed? Jinho, who wasid on a nket, frantically racked his brain. The one who seeded in recement was King Sejong the Great, and how many people who were close to being reced? Jinho was exploring his memory before he knitted his brow. There are too many variables. There have been many disputes in the history of the Joseon Dynasty because of the qualification of the crown prince. The number of cases where the problem of recing the crown prince actually came to the surface was not small, and it was impossible to identify the cases that turned under the surface and fizzled out. Our Hyang, is there anything ufortable? Are you peeing? Looking at the baby''s frowned face, the mother gave her mother a warning as she hurriedly looked at the diapers and was busy trembling to check on her child. Mother. I''ll pretend I didn''t hear what you had said today. Please, don''t say it again. I understand. I won''t see you off. His mother''s determined appearance made his grandmother leave the room quietly. His mother, who was only looking at Jinho with her back turned, sighed for a long time. Huff~. Am I going to be a ve as soon as the first birthday passes? Jinhowho was anxious about his futurefound out at his first birthday party in what era he was born and whose child he was. * * *Congrattions! Congrattions! Thank you. On the day of Jinho''s first birthday party, people wearing colorful silk clothes flocked to congratte him. Whenever the guests came, Jinho''s father diligently exchanged a bow and responded to their congrattions. This father of mine, you''re a pretty reputable royal, even though you live in Kaesong, aren''t you? Wait, isn''t that even more dangerous? While looking at the faces of the guests, Jinho wondered whether he should be happy. I''d be in big trouble if I make a wrong bet. Our Hyang, why are you not happy on this good day? Jinho''s mother, who was hugging him, took her hand to his butt when she saw Jinhos frowning face. Its not wet our Hyang, what is it that makes you not happy? Jinho let out a little sigh after hearing his mother''s word. I don''t know about other problems, but first I must live as Hyang from now on. Jinho, who still sometimes confused whether he was Jinho, concluded. From now on I''ll live as Hyang who has Jinho''s memories. As soon as Jinhono, waitHyang decided on his identity, the person who carried the most important answer appeared. Haha! Congrattions, Choongnyeong! Congrats, sister-inw! Congrattions, sister-inw. When two young menwho seemed to be in their mid-20sappeared, all guests who visited first stood up. Wee, Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Wee, Your Highness the Grand Prince. One of the young men raised his hand and responded to the people, who politely offered their respect. Yo~. Nice to meet you. The young man in question came to the top seat, fluttering the hem of his dopo, and approached Hyang''s mother. Sister-inw, can I hold my nephew? It''s an honor, Your Royal Highness. The crown prince received Hyang from his mother and he looked at Hyang''s face while humoring him lightly. Smile! Smile! Hyang smiled brightlyusing all of his effortswhen the crown prince hugged him. The crown prince saw Hyang''s smile, then he burst outughing and looked at Hyang''s father. Haha! Choongnyeong! This child looks very smart, just like you! Thank you very much, Your Royal Highness. Don''t be too formal when we are brothers. That is your problem. The crown prince rebuked his brother for always answering politely. He then returned Hyang to his mother before he sat on the very top seat, and the banquet continued. Meanwhile, Hyang was unable to escape the shock. He said Choongnyeong! Did he say my father is the Grand Prince Choongnyeong? Does that mean my father is King Sejong the Great? Then I am Munjong and my child Danjong? When Hyangwho could not escape from the sea of shockmanaged toe to his senses, the doljabi(4) event was already in front of his eyes. Now! Let''s see what will my nephew choose! Following the crown prince''s loud voice, several items were ced in front of Hyang. When all the eyes of those who attended the banquet were focused on him, Hyang, who was the center of attention, looked at the items ced in front of him. Let''s see. Brush, rice, gold nugget, jujube, thread, wooden sword it''s all just so-so. Hyang''s eye was fixed in one ce. He was thinking about what to choose. The ce where his eyes were fixed was the crown prince''s ear. To be exact, it was the earring on the crown prince''s ear. Is that kind of craftsmanship possible at this age? The curious Hyang reached out to the crown prince without realizing it. Kkyaa! Me? As soon as the crown prince hugged him, Hyang reached out his hand and touched the earring. Earring? Kkyaa! When Hyang touched an unexpected object, the people gathered at the banquet began to think about how to interpret it. T/N (1) Hunminjeongeum: A document describing an entirely new and native script for the Koreannguage. It was made by King Sejong the Great. Later known as Hangul. ? (2) Sourceundering: A word based on moneyundering. It removes the genuine source of work and redistributes it. ? (3) Tae-Jeong-Tae-Se-Mun-Dan-Se: a short for Joseon kings temple name. Yeonsangun was a Joseon King that was well-known for his tyranny and a king who doesnt have a temple name.? (4) Doljabi: A Korean tradition on the first birthday party where the baby faced some items and had to choose one or two. ? Chapter 4 Chapter 4 There was a small confusion over the unexpected doljabi, but the first birthday party continued. Hahaha! My Lord! Let me pour you a cup! You too, My Lord! Have a cup! Those who attended the banquetughed and poured each other drinks and continued to have fun. I never expected that I would be this happy to have a brilliant nephew. Grand Prince Choongnyeong smiled at the Crown Prince''s words before replying. My wife said he always smiled whenever he heard me read a book. Hahaha! Both father and child are full of talent! It''s a great joy for parents to see outstanding children. Congrattions, Choongnyeong. Thank you, Your Royal Highness. Hyang was in the crown prince''s arm while words of blessing were exchanged between the brothers. He had been there ever since he touched the crown prince''s earring. As he stayed in the arms of the crown prince, Hyang continued to daydream alone. It''s better for me to sneak in the Korean alphabet, which will eventually be created, anyway. Even if ites out earlier than historical records, it could expand my range of activities. And after that, I could get my hands on firearms. Hyang, who was making his own ns, grumbled in his mind when he suddenly felt sleepy. Damn this weak body! If I was this weak, I could only start my goal in three years. While Hyang was grumbling because he couldn''t perceive that his body was the body of a baby that just passed its first birthday, a subtle shift began to ur where the crown prince and his brothers sat around. The first birthday party wasing to the end. The bottoms of people attending the banquet started to move, but they kept on waiting for the one seated at the top seatthe crown prince. Why don''t you go back now? Don''t you have to attend the office early tomorrow? Shouldn''t Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince also return to the pce? I need to talk a little more with my brothers. You guys should go ahead. Then, excuse. Following the crown prince''s words, those who attended the ceremony greeted each other one by one and began to leave. * * *It''s a little stuffy. When the guestsincluding Hyang''s maternal grandparentshad all left their seats, perhaps because the fever was rising out of tipsiness, the crown prince untied his dopo knot. When he was about to untie the jeogori knot as well, Choongnyeong immediately stopped him. Your Royal Highness, please dress properly. Whats the problem? Humans should livefortably. Your Royal Highness is this nation''s pir. You should not forget about this. Huff~. The crown prince let out a breath filled with tipsiness at the words of Choongnyeong before he fixed up his clothes. Choongnyeong bowed his head and expressed his gratitude when he saw the crown prince follow his words. Thank you for hearing this little brother of yours, Your Royal Highness. The crown prince was pouring alcohol into a ss as he started a conversation with Choongnyeong. Choongnyeong. Yes, Your Royal Highness. I said to our mother, that you aren''t an ordinary person. You already have academic aplishments at that age, dont you? This older brother couldn''t even reach your level. You tter me immensely, Your Royal Highness. It''s just that Your Royal Highness did note close to the scripture. With a little effort, Your Royal Highness would quickly surpass the humble achievement of this little brother. The crown prince burst intoughter as he heard Choongnyeong''s answer. It was as if he was in a good mood. Hahaha! Choongnyeong, I dont know that you have a knack for ttery too! This is not ttery. If only Your Royal Highnesses a little closer with scripture Choongnyeong, do you believe in Virtue Politics and political ideology that a virtuous person should rule over a morally dark person? Isn''t that the just path, Your Royal Highness? The crown prince shook his head at Choongnyeong''s answer. That is only a utopia. Our Joseon, or that Ming, is in the age where we are ruled by force. If I ascend to the throne, I will reim those stolennds of old Samhan(1) and make Joseon into Great Joseon. Your Royal Highness! The frightened Choongnyeong warned, but the crown prince was confident. Do not worry. When I ascend to the throne, I will definitely aplish great work. Choongnyeong continued to argue despite the crown prince''s confidence. Your Royal Highness, that is impossible! Ming is a great nation! Current Joseon would definitely be defeated! You should not forget the reason King Taejo retreated from Wihwa Ind and why our father severely punished Jeong Do-jeon! Are you a prince of Ming? I am not! What I mean is that current Joseon is impossible to aplish such a dream! We need to build up our capabilities! When Choongnyeong pointed out his mean, the crown prince answered with his right hand slightly raised. Ah-ah. I am aware of that fact. I also don''t n to start great work right away. Likewise, I was thinking of spending 10 years as a preparation period. 10 years is too short! 10 years is enough! Most of the bright-star-like generals who were with Zhu Yuanzhang disappeared due to old age and Zhu Yuanzhang''s purges. Besides, all the remaining generals also disappeared because of the civil war made by the current emperor, Yongle. And the generals raised by Emperor Yongle disappeared as well because of civil war and subjugation. Hence! Once again, 10 years is enough! As if the crown prince''s answer was frustrating, Choongnyeong abruptly rose from his seat. Oh, fuck! Hyung! Do you have something called thoughts, or not? Have you forgotten how many troops Yongle mobilized after he rose to power to defeat the remnant of his enemies? It was 500 thousand500 thousand! It''s not like there has been only one subjugation. Even though every time he did subjugation, a thousand to ten thousand of his soldiers were dead, wounded, or even lost, he kept sending 500 thousand to carry out the subjugation! It was terrifying to see him mobilized such an army, but what is even more terrifying were the administration and supply systems that made such mobilization possible! Meanwhile, what about us, Joseon? The census hasn''t been done properly, and the rice field survey has not yet started! But you said 10 years is enough? Stop dreaming! This kid! It''s enough to do the field survey in one year and the next one for the census. And considering our father''s age, the time when I rose to the thronein 10 years, that so great Ming''s generals would have disappeared. You don''t think that middle-ranking officials who had gained merits through the subjugation would fill their positions, do you? If we also calcte until they''re out of politics, we will need 30 years! That too, on the assumption that the next emperor will not create any war! The crown prince and Choongnyeong had already stood up from their seats before they knew it. They were on the verge of grabbing each other''s cor as they created a menacing atmosphere and continued their verbal battle. Hyoryeong quickly hugged Hyang and moved back, then he sighed while emptying his cup. Huff~. Apple doesn''t fall far from the tree, apparently They really are sons of a military general. While Hyoryeong was grumbling, the verbal battle between the crown prince and Choongnyeong wasing to its end. Once the army maintained, the first thing that needs to be taken care of is private soldiers and Japanese pirates! You have to protect your back first! The private soldiers had already taken care of by our father! The Japanese pirates have also been calmtely. The ones that are still active and as troublesome as Japanese pirates are Jurchens! If we think about the future, we have to clean up the Jurchens first! So, have the private soldiers gone? I said the first priority is to take care of private soldiers and Japanese pirates! Shut up! I am the crown prince! I acknowledge you are smart, but the one who will rise to the next throne isn''t you, but me! All you need to do is help me! . Choongnyeong clenched his teeth at the crown princes loud exim and stared at him. Meanwhile, Hyang, who was watching the situation from Hyoryeong''s arm, opened his eyes wide and examined Choongnyeong''s face. Hyang confirmed there was a flow of subtle feeling in Choongnyeong''s face before he broke out in a cold sweat inside. Wasn''t this man pushed to be king? In his previous life, this was what wasmonly known. [The reason Choongnyeong became the king was that Yangnyeongs behavior was a mess; Hyoryeong was absorbed in Buddha''s teaching; and so Choongnyeong unavoidably became the king, which was rather a divine move.] Choongnyeong''s subtle expression was a shock to Hyang, who had thismon knowledge. In Hyangs head, an OST of a famous historical drama could be heard as he stared at Choongnyeongs face. Holy shit! So this is not a fusion historical drama, but an authentic historical drama? Don''t tell me just because I had reborn, the butterfly effect would take ce! Despite being full of worries, the body of Hyang that just passed its first birthday couldnt win against fatigue. Hyang grumbled as he gave strength to open his eyes, which kept closing. Ah! This damn weak body! Poor physical strength! Hyang didnt know, but the rivalry between Yangnyeong and Choongnyeong was gradually rising to the surface. * * *One day in December, two months after Hyangs first birthday party, Choongnyeong visited Nam Jae''s house with a lot of peoplebut Hyang didnt know about this. As the meeting continued, Nam Jae praised Choongnyeong''s deep learning and said: In the old dayswhen His Majesty has not yet ascended to the throne, I advised him to learn and said to him, A mere prince has no ce to take part, so why don''t you just take part in learning?''. His Majesty replied, Who said the king''s son couldn''t be a king?''. Now, seeing that Your Highness loves to learn like me makes me happy.(AN1) It was a very meaningful story. Nam Jae did not exin what he meant by telling that story, but because of his position and the content of his words, this news immediately reached King Taejong. However, when this news reached King Taejong, he said the following andughed it away. That old man was exaggerating. King Taejongughed it off, but thepetition about the next throne owner between the supporters of Crown Prince Yangnyeong and the supporters of Choongnyeong began to pick up its speed. The definite cause of thispetition was King Taejong''s ambiguous response. In principle, he recognized Yangnyeonghis oldest sonas the crown prince, but he continued to pay attention and favorable reviews towards Choongnyeong. Look at Choongnyeong! Whenever there was a report that Yangnyeong, the crown prince, waszy in his studies, King Taejong mentioned Choongnyeong and scolded the crown prince. Once, the crown prince, who could not stand thisparison, criticized Choongnyeong in his private audience with King Taejong. Choongnyeong is weak-hearted! King Taejong openly refuted the crown prince''s rebuttal. Although he is weak-hearted, there is no oneparable to him in facing big problems and deciding it for a great cause at this time. Apart from this evaluation, because Choongnyeong felt pity and showed his benevolence towards people''s misery, he became Yangnyeong''s strongestpetitor. Even though King Taejong was the one who caused such fiercepetition, he continued to recognize Yangnyeong as the crown prince. Eventually, whether it was based on King Taejong''s will or if it was a voluntary move by his retainers to prevent another prince rebellion'', Park Eun warned Shim Onthe head of those who supported Choongnyeong. Because Grand Prince Choongnyeong is a kind-hearted that he focused his heart on everything, the right thing for you is to ask him and conduct yourself properly.(AN2) Park Eun warned him, but Shim On ignored those and didn''t deliver that warning to Choongnyeong. Finally, Park Eun, who was tired of holding back, visited Choongnyeong in his private residence. That day''s event was one of the events which Hyang remembered. Even though he was in a situation where he had to sleep more than half a day, like a normal child that just passed his first birthday, themotion that happened outside was enough to wake Hyang up. Lord Shim! Do you have thought or not! Hoho. Lord Park. This is not like You cannot do this, Lord Shim! Would you like to once again experience the bloody tragedy that happened in the reign of King Taejo? There is no way, isn''t it? Then what would you name the conduct you''re doing right now?! Move over now! I have to meet His Highness the Grand Prince! Last time, I only forgot to tell him. This time, I''ll tell him for sure. So, please go back for now. Look, Lord Shim! Now, now Please go back for now. Even though Hyang didn''t see it with his eyes but ears, he knew that the situation was very serious. Isn''t this really a problem? Huff~. Shim On let out a long sigh after sending back Park Eun from the front gate. He watched the back of Park Eun got farther away for a while before turning his body with a stiff face. The die is cast, anyway. Shim Ons faint voice was full of determination. The current crown princeYangnyeong, was notcking. However, many people were questioning his qualifications because of his behavior. There was also the second princeHyoryeong, but he was known to have no interest in the throne. After eliminating the two, Choongnyeonghis son-inwwas the only one of the king''s legitimate children that remained. Grand Prince Choongnyeong is the only answer for the future of Joseon! The determined Shim On pushed Choongnyeong to be the crown prince. It was a move with his life on the line, but Shim On believed there was a chance of winning. The reason was that King Taejong''s reaction was lukewarm. As the number of people supporting him increased, Shim On''s confidence became stronger. Although His Majesty doesn''t like maternal rtives, everything will be solved when the Grand Prince bes the crown prince! I just need to stay low for a while until His Highness bes the crown prince and ascends the throne! And on the day the Grand Prince ascended to the throne, he would rise to the position of the king''s father-inw, the maternal grandfather of the crown prince, and the most influential person after the king. * * *A/N (AN1): Annals of King Taejong, Year 15 of reign, December 30th. ? (AN2): Annals of King Taejong, Year 17 of reign, October 6th. ? T/N (1) Samhan: Before the Korea Three Kingdoms Period, three countries were in the middle and south of Korea. Mahan, Jinhan, and Byeonhan. ? The author''s note was to tell that he took the passages from the Annals of King Taejong. Ive tried to find the English version, but I haven''t found it. I want to apologize in advance if there are mistrantions. Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Who is My Father? (3) History wont change, right? Hyang looked out of the East Pce. He was still massaging his numb legs. There were remorse andmentation in the eyes looking at the outside scenery. The summary of the battle for the Crown Prince''s position between the defender Yangnyeong and the attacker Choongnyeong, was flowing as the history recorded, with Choongnyeong as the winner. Yangnyeong was not an ipetent person. Although it wasn''t recorded, he was a man with ambition, like the one he had shown at Hyang''s first birthday party. However, like what had been recorded in the Annals, rather than learning academics, he enjoyed hunting in the mountains and fields. Yangnyeong was a free soul who liked booze and women. Because he was such a person, he could not ovee the enormous stress caused by thepetition. Eventually, in order to relieve that stress, he fell more into hunting and nightlife. It even led to an extreme incident in which hemitted a taboo, which was adultery. In the end, Yangnyeong''s defeat in the battle for the crown prince position was because Choongnyeongs talent was better than his. Also, the biggest cause of his defeat was he couldnt ovee stress and sank his own ship. * * *Although Grand Prince Choongnyeong was the winner of the crown prince''s decision, he was also severely wounded in the process. All of his wife''s family had been killed. When Choongnyeong was installed as the crown prince, Shim On emerged as the most influential figure among the influential figures. However, King Taejong was not someone who would leave such Shim On. The day Hyang came to the pce after Choongnyeong installment and saw King Taejong for the first time, he was reminded with a memory from his previous life. When JinhoHyang in his previous lifewas in high school, his Korean History teacher, Samcheonpoa nickname given because he often got sidetracked in ss, judged King Taejong like the following: If Catholic priests who assert the divine right of kings arrived in Joseon during the reign of King Taejong, he would certainly make Catholicism the national religion. Of course, after thatexcept for the minority who were obedienthe would behead the others. Teacher Samcheonpo said it was IF. But Hyang, who had entered the pce with Grand Prince Choongnyeong, couldnt help but agree with his teachers words the moment he saw King Taejong for the first time. Samcheonpo was right! Despite the old age and fatigue that filled his face, the glint in King Taejongs eyes made people feel intimidated. Wee. King Taejong, who had received the greeting from Choongnyeong couple who just became the crown prince, had an unexpectedly soft voice. Many things have happened, but from now on, you are the Crown Prince. Prepare to rule this nation after me and strengthen your ties with your brothers. "I will engrave Father''s precious words in my mind." When Choongnyeong''s answer was over, Queen Min, who was sitting next to King Taejong, began to speak. Crown princess. In the future, the inner pce will be in your rule. You''ll have to work hard to make sure there''s no mor to happen. I will engrave Mother''s words in mind. The gaze of King Taejong and Queen Min, who was giving advice, eventually fell upon Hyang. He looks very bright. Choongnyeong smiled and responded to King Taejong''s words. He''s already learning elementary learning. He is? This child, isn''t he only 4 years old now? This October he will be 4 years old. That''s so fast! I could see that he is more talented than me. King Taejong seemed satisfied with Choongnyeong''s answer. This is a blessing for our Joseon and the royal family! Hyang, who was observing King Taejong and Queen Min, quickly straightened his posture when King Taejong and Queen Min''s eyes gathered on him. When the Taejong couple showed satisfaction with Choongnyeong''s praise, Hyang grumbled inside. How much effort have I poured out! While thepetition between Yangnyeong and Choongnyeong was getting fierce, Hyang continued to agonize over what was best for him. Why isn''t he eating all of a sudden? Nanny, call the doctor! Yes, Mdy. Hyang, who was agonizing to the point his mother, Lady Shim, called a doctor, finally made up his mind. Ill upgrade my level! At worst, I need to have at least an intellectual and physical basis! No, even though the physical basis is impossible due to time problems, at least, I need to have an intellectual basis! Hyang, who was filled with determination, began to learn the Thousand-Character ssic as soon as he could speak out after passing his second birthday. I think this child is a prodigy. Yeah, I do think so! The Choongnyeong couple was pleased to see Hyang memorizing the Thousand-Character ssic, despite his voice was still being that of a baby voice. Regardless of whether Hyang knew his parents'' feelings, he worked hard to learn the Thousand-character ssic. Fortunately, the hardware is good! Is it because this body is Munjong? Maybe it was because his body was the body of the real Munjong from history, but thanks to the excellent hardware such as memory andprehension, Hyang had already passed the Thousand-Character ssic and moved to Tong-Gam-Jeol-Yo(1) at an earlier age than the others. And when Choongnyeong was confirmed as the crown prince, he was already on the Elementary Learning. It''s pleasing to see his eyes shining brightly! While bowing to King Taejong''s praise, Hyang scrutinized the atmosphere between the Taejong couple. As expected, there is an odd atmosphere between them. There is a saying, past lifes enemy bes this lifes spouse, right? If you look at the Taejong couple, this proverb fits. A love-hate couple? Hyang was reminded of Samcheonpos story before he came back to reality, right when King Taejong talked to his mother. I heard your father has been busytely. My knowledge regarding that matter iscking because I only spend my time in my room. Is that so? A smile was erased from King Taejong''s face as he asked back. I''d like it if you tell your father to live a rxed life and consider his age. Even though he is in good times, wouldn''t everything end up in vain if he lost his health? The crown princess was perspiring cold sweat as she bowed her head to the suggestive word of King Taejong. Yes. I will make sure to tell him. It was King Taejong''s warning. * * *But the history was flowing as what was recorded. On September 9th, four months after Grand Prince Choongnyeong was installed as the crown prince, King Taejong handed over the throne to him. In the message announcing the transfer of the throne, King Taejong dered: [Until the king ispletely ready to lead, I will personally judge the military, and I will order the State Council and Six Ministries to carry out the nation''s hard-to-decide matters, respectively, but I will also take part in the discussion.] It was an adamant expression to assist his son, who no matter how smart he was, would certainly be pushed by his cunning retainers, and to strengthen the foundation of the nation that is not yet firm. It indicated not only his cynicism but also expressing that he kept holding the military authority by having the office of militarymand. In spite of King Taejong''s firm expression of his power in the military rights, rumors still broke out. The start of this case was Minister of War, Kang Sangin. Despite King Taejong being the one who had the military authority, Kang Sangin only reported directly to King Sejong. Not only that, he illegally installed his brother Kang Sangrye as a senior fifth rank in the military. As a result of this event, King Taejong interrogated Kang Sangin. A series of appeals were filed to sentence Kang Sangin to a heavy sentence, but King Taejong who was taking into ount his contribution as a meritorious subject had only forced him to return home and confiscate his meritorious retainer title along with his letter of appointment as a government official. This was the first stage of the Prisoner Kang Sangin incident, whichsted from August to September. However, the reason this incident was rted to the fall of Shim On was, the chief state counselorShim Onhad to leave as an envoy to get Ming Dynasty''s approval over passing the throne. King Taejong felt a sense of danger when he got a report about his subjects and many high-ranking officials flocked to see Shim On off, who was leaving as an envoy. [Father-inw of the crown princethe next throne owner, and the chief state counselor. Not only that, his brother Shim Jeung held a key position in the Central Post of Uihuengsamgunbu(2)!] As King Taejong''s suspicion grew deeper, an event that made the said suspicion as certitude happened. On November 26th, a junior eleventh rank officer named Ahn Heonoh reported to King Taejong. Kang Sangin, Shim Jeung, and Park Heung had a private meeting the other day. And so? On that spot, they said Recently, the orders came from two ces, but it didnt seem like they came from one ce(3). King Taejong smashed the armrest as he shouted after listening to Ahn Heonohs report. What! The Prisoner Kang Sangin once again rose to the surface and zed even bigger than before. * * *As the Prisoner Kang Sangin was ignited once again, Hyangs maternal house was struck by a bolt out of blue. Kang Sangin was sentenced to goyeolhyeong(4) while Park Seub and Shim Jeung were beheaded. Shim On, who had just returned from his duty as an envoy to Ming, was harshly investigated then sentenced to death by poison, and all of his family members became ves. While these things were going on, a storm was raged on inside the pce. Is it not enough with my family that you also did this to your daughter-inw''s family? Queen Wongyeong, who saw a tragedy that had happened to herself was repeated once again, raised her voice, but King Taejong busied himself with the cleanup work. While all those chaoses happened, Hyang fell into agony. It sucks that my body is still a child! If this was a normal 4-years-old child, they wouldnt have been able to grasp the situation. However, for Hyang, who had the memories and personality from his mid-30s, it was a tough time to bear. If there is a suitable maternal rtive, they could be a strong protective wall. If I could meddle in and reduce the anger on my mothers family, wouldnt it be a great help for me in the future days? Hyang was determining what to do while thinking about the future, and the fact that King Taejong had been very fond of him since he entered the pce. Nevertheless, he decided to not meddle in. No. I think its better for me to stay still. That''s what happened in the actual history. There is a possibility I''ll be sessful if I do a bawling show'', but there is also a possibility this problem will only get bigger if this is seen as taking advantage of a 4-year-old kid. And the most important is this father of mine. Even though his inws family was falling apart, King Sejong didn''t show any response. No matter how powerful his father, King Taejong''s authority was, his unresponsiveness was beyond the limit. Hyang decided on his move in response to his father''s reaction. King Taejong and King Sejong are in a tacit agreement! Then it is best not to move! As a result, Hyang had to watch his mother shed blood tears for days and nights. King Sejong''s inws family had been shattered because of Prisoner Kang Sangin'', but the storm didn''t subside easily. It''s inappropriate for the traitor''s daughter to hold the queen consort position. We must depose her! The officials from the Office of the Inspector-General and Office of Censors had been petitioning the deposing agenda, but King Sejong put his throne in line and showed utmost opposition. In the end, King Taejong ended the dispute of the deposing agenda with the following word. There is no need to specte. It was unreasonable to depose someone who has borne three sons of the king. With King Sejong''s opposition and King Taejong''s decision, Queen Soheon(5) was able to keep her position. Hyang nodded his head when he saw the deposing dispute ended. I''m d I didn''t meddle in. Hyang praised himself. Then, after praising himself for a while, Hyang looked at the ce where the King and his vassals do their work. As expected, is it really impossible to fool your blood? [Perhaps because they were born from military blood, King Taejong as well King Sejong were cold when deciding on a matter.] My thought was right that the ultimate goal was strengthening the throne. Hyang, who had seen the situation in real-time, shook his head when he saw what was the real goal of King Taejong and King Sejong. It''s not easy to be a king. T/N: (1) Tong-Gam-Jeol-Yo: A summarized version of Zizhi Tongjian by Sima Guang that was distributed in Joseon.? (2) Uihuengsamgunbu: A military office in Joseon period that was divided into three posts, center, left, and right. Later disbanded on King Sejong 14th year reign. ? (3) Refer to even though the government was held by two kings, it should be the same because King Taejong only assisted King Sejong in military affairs.? (4) Goyeolhyeong: A death sentence by having the arms, legs, and head tied with ropes to oxen moving in opposing directions.? (5) Lady Shim, Hyangs mother.? Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Chapter 6 C Who Is My Father? (4) The issue of deposing Queen Shim ended with the rejection from King Taejong and King Sejong, and along with the end of this issue, the maternal rtives purging work ended as well. Afterward, until the day of King Taejong''s death, there were not many major obstacles except for Ming''s suspicion. Ming Dynasty that never lowered down their caution towards Joseon since the ns for the conquest of Liaodong made by King Taejo and Jeong Do-jeon in the early days of founding the country went to ashes, took issue with the sudden passing of the throne, and renounced their statement. Thanks to this, King Sejong had to spend a lot of energy and money trying to persuade the envoys sent from Ming. Because he was busy persuading Mings envoys and the military authority was in the hand of King Taejong, King Sejong could only watch the Invasion of Daemado Ind(1) unfold. This is really unfortunate. King Sejong grumbled as he was looking at the reports rted to the Invasion of Daemado Ind after cing Hyang, who came to give his greetings in hisp. Hyang had heard the grumble before turning his head to look at him, and King Sejong let out a faint smile. If only I had more strength and freedom, Im sure I could have prepared better for this invasion. Hyang racked his brain as he saw King Sejongs appearance that was full of regrets. What happened to Lee Jongmus invasion of Daemado Ind? Was it half sess? Hyang was itching out of curiosity that he reached out his hands. King Sejong smiled brightly as he saw Hyang, who was in his embrace, reached out to the scrolls of public appeals and reports on the table. It seems like my little prince has already taken an interest in political affairs? Hmm~ It takes learning to understand political affairs. King Sejong pondered for a while before turning to face Head Eunuch, who was standing on the side while bowing respectfully. Call the Chief Royal Secretary! Yes, Your Majesty. Hyang watched the Head Eunuch walk out to deliver King Sejongs order, and cold sweats began to perspire in his back. Isnt this dangerous? * * * When Grand Prince Choong-nyeong was confirmed as the Crown Prince, Hyang made his own n. The thing that will be the main basis is the fact that King Sejong is a maniac. On top of that, he is a pretty devoted man in developing engines. Hyang folded his still short arms and legsposing like a noble he wasand diligently beat the calctor in his head with a serious face.
  1. The original Munjong was indeed a maniac, especially a military maniac.
  1. Just like the earrings I saw at my first birthday party, artisans in the early Joseon Dynasty are not bad at all. In particr, artisans rted to the royal family will be superior.
  1. In Joseon, people are recognized as adults at 15. There are 11 years left now.
  1. Combining the background of a crown prince and artisans with good-dexterity, there is no need for me to suffer all alone. I just need to give orders, and particrly all kinds of calctions. That will lessen my headache because all I have to do is provide ideas. This is the most important part!
  1. Considering Sejongs maniac personality and his mindset about the importance of national defense, maybe its okay? I think I could get some support for something like a flintlock or percussion cap. Skill level? If this is about the skill of artisans from this era, I expect they could ovee the hardness. They cant? Ill force them. I am the Crown Prince after all.
  1. If I could achieve sess in this way, it would not only strengthen my position but also expand my field with solid material support.
The conclusion: Profit!!!! NOTE: Make sure to have a full understanding of Confucian knowledge by the age of 15. If I can''t, it means that it''s the end if I get behind in an argument with the ministers. Addendum: I should make the officials in charge of Crown Princes studies on my side as much as I can. When I reach the age of maturity, they will hold a position, so its better to mark them in advance. In the end, the problem is my memorization skills and the officials in charge of the Crown Princes studies. Hyang lightly tapped on his folded arms with his fingers. He was thinking about the officials from the Crown Prince Education Office. * * * King Sejong ordered the officials in charge of Hyangs study through the Chief Royal Secretary to pay more attention to his study. The four years old Hyang was only a prince before he went through the crowning of the prince. However, because of his very outstanding talent, the officials of the Crown Prince Education Office became the ones in charge of Hyangs education. Under these circumstances, King Sejong''s order to pay more attention to Hyangs study was great pressure on the officials who were teaching Hyang. The Head of the Crown Prince Education Office called all the officials, including the senior officials, and the junior officials who were in charge of Hyang''s study after he received the king''s order from Sejong. The age of Prince Hyang is only about to reach five. How far is His Highness learning now? He is learning the Great Learning. Hey you, at what age did you understand the Great Learning? It was when I was eleven. You are a prodigy, aren''t you? You tter me. Youre called a prodigy when you had learned the Great Doctrine at 11, but. His Highness still hasn''t reached 5. If we make the wrong move, there is a possibility that he will lose interest in studying. Are you talking about too much is as bad as too little? Thats right. Huff~. All the officials sighed when they heard their leader''s statement. Educate the prince who will seed the next throne. In a way, the Crown Prince Education Office was the ce where they could seize the best opportunity to go to the core of the next regime administration. However, being the one in charge of the Crown Prince''s study was indeed a chance, but also a threat. As in the case of King Taejong and Yangnyeong, the king wanted the next ruler to be smart and had no fault in his conduct. However, just like the case of Yangnyeong, it was not easy for the crown prince to satisfy the demand. If the demand was not met, the king would definitely hold the officials ountable. The problem was, the father of Prince Hyang, King Sejong, was remarkable in his learning since he was still a Grand Prince that even senior vassals admired him. As much as he had excelled, it was certain that the standards he demanded from the prince would be high. And the newly coined king''s order had made it true. The officials of the Crown Prince Education Office were worried about the prince. They were afraid that the prince who showed outstanding talents would lose his interest in learning if he received excessive pressure. After giving many thoughts, the Head of the Crown Prince Education Office drew a conclusion. The conclusion is we have no choice but to protect our moderation. That''s our principle, but. Difficult matters could only be solved by principle. The officials of the Crown Prince Education Office trained Prince Hyang ording to principles. They would praise him when he did well in his study, but they also warned him not to fall into conceit. On the other hand, if there was any ck orziness in his studies or behavior, they disciplined him severely. The King isnt an ordinary man, but Prince Hyang is also a formidable one. All the officials in charge of Hyangs education praised Hyangs achievement, and they became speechless. Hyang showed greater achievement in learning much more than what they had expected him to be. Even all of his actions were impable. If you wonder to what extent it was, it was to the point that the following jokes were circting among the officials of the Crown Prince Education Office. Is it true that Prince Hyangs age hasnt reached five? He is too mature for his age. I feel the same way. Looking at the fact that he is not simply epting the teachings, but asking questions. I was worried that it would be too much to carry out His Majestys order, but if Prince Hyangs talents and capabilities are this great, I think its not bad for us to be a little greedy. Same here. Ill have to talk with the superiors again. Officials from the Crown Prince Education Office concluded to take a step toward a more active education and discipline. The reason the officials in charge of the crown prince''s education concluded the decision was because Prince Hyang''s outstanding talents yed a big part in his achievement, but the main reason was Hyang''s own resolution. I have to advance the n! As July passed, Hyang decided to revise his n altogether. I was going to start my n when I became 15, but I cant stand it because I feel stuffy. Hyang beat his chest and didnt hide what he felt. As soon as possible! At thetest, I have to start my n when I reach 10! Hyang, who cant stand the stuffy feeling, found water and then gulped it down before letting out a breath. Huff! If I dont start soon, Ill explode inside and die! There were two reasons that made Hyang revise his ns and move them forward. One of the reasons was the Invasion of Daemado Ind. The mobilization order of the warships and troops that were sent to do the Invasion of Daemado Ind had been issued. The areas where the mobilization order was issued were Gyeongsang-do, Jeonam-do, and Chungcheong-do. The reason Hyang exploded into anger was the content of the mobilization order. [For the three areas, 200 warships and armored low-level soldiers, middle-ss in mandatory military service, soldiers in charge of military camp protection, clown, butcher, jobless people, soldiers from noble lineage, by conscripting nobles on the ship (omit) Order them to board the warship and gather at Gyeonnaeryang by June 8th.](AN1) Wonderful! This is very wonderful! Hyang was reading a copy of the mobilization order before bursting into anger. Well, lets say its fine with the reserve like warships, armored low-level soldiers, and middle ss military mandatory service, but. In charge of protecting the military camp is something like a clown, jobless and untouchable, the lowest ranking officials. Isnt noble supposed to be someone who was proficient in liberal or martial arts? Noble who is proficient in the ship, they say They just collect everyone except farmers who are busy in the farming season. Hyang sighed as he looked at the subject of conscription. Huff~. Although this is Joseon Dynasty, isnt this too much? Not only thebat troops, but the skilled naval force is toocking as well. Hyang, who was checking the contents about the conscription of troops, recalled a scene from a foreign movie he had seen in the past. It was a scene when the sailors who just returned from their long voyage in the sea were talking loudly in the bar, then suddenly soldiers with a club in their hands broke into the bar and beat the sailors up with the said club while dragging them to the warship. Amidst that, the first mate and boatswain showed their permit certificate and protested, but the soldiers answered their protest with the club. The problem is, this is not a fiction movie, but. Looking at this mobilization order, the same situation will inevitably ur. Hyang sighed as theposition of the human resources was toocking in expertise than expected, but anyway, the preparations for the invasion were over. Prince, youreing too? Yes, Father. King Sejong pondered over Hyangs words that he would join the dispatching ceremony of the expeditionary force, then nodded his head. Okay, lets go together. Head Eunuch, prepare for the Prince as well. Yes, Your Majesty. May 18th. The dispatching ceremony for the forces starting with the General of Three Forces, Lee Jong-moo was held at Baeksajeong, Seobinggo-dong. At least they are wearing their armor. Hyang was confirming the soldiers outfit before letting out a breath. It was because, unlike the historical dramas he had watched before, the lined-up soldiers were only armored on their chests. * * * The Invasion of Daemado Ind, which began just like that, ended its first round on July 3 with the expeditionary forces returned to Goeje Ind. While the forces were organizing on Geoje Ind, the Japanese pirates'' plundering urred once again, and the court discussed the second invasion. As more and more opinions were insisting on the postponement of the second invasion due to the decline in morale of the soldiers and the timing of the typhoon, there was sudden news that the Japanese pirates who invaded Ming were wiped out. Upon receiving the urgent news, the court disbanded the expedition force and sent an envoy to Daemado Ind. [Daemado Ind was recorded in the literature as a territory of Joseon. Therefore, the Chief of Daemado Ind should restore his rtionship with the king.] [All the residents of Daemado Ind must migrate to Joseon.] [Failure to fulfill the above order will result in a second invasion.] In response to the pressure given by Joseon, the Chief of Daemado Ind sent a letter through the envoy. [Since Daemado Ind has poornd conditions, let the residents of Daemado Ind move to Geoje Ind and other inds. Also, if the king of Joseon gives a title and a seal stamp to the Chief of Daemado Ind, I will obey the order as a subject of the king.] Upon receiving the letter, the court regarded it as a document of surrender from the Chief of Daemado Ind. Because there was a view that the migration of Daemado Inders to Joseon could turn Geoje Ind and its affiliated inds into Japanese pirates'' den, they gave the Chief of Daemado Ind a name Jong-ssi Dodo Ungwa''. (AN2) In the East Pce, Hyang clicked his tongue as he heard the progress of the invasion. Lenient! They''re too lenient! The strategy, the operation, and themand are too poor! First of all, they should have epted all the residents of the ind as Joseon. If they had fully epted the residents of the ind, they don''t have to pay attention to their chief! If they send all of them to the north, not the ind, it will be over! They underestimated the value of the Daemado Ind! Hyang, who was organizing the results alone, burst into anger. I cant hold it anymore. * * * AN (1) 1st year of King Sejong reign.? (2) Military strategy from Joseon Dynasty, Military Research Institute, Ministry of Defense. ? TN (1) Known widely as ei Invasion. Invasion of Tsushima Ind. You can check this link for more information. ? Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Who Is My Father? (5) The funny thing was, the second reason Hyang changed his ns was because of a physiological phenomenon. Shit! Crap! Hyang suddenly felt a need for a basic necessity before running into the room where the chamber pot was located. He threw the disturbing hem of his red dopo back, then cursed in a low voice as he did his business in the chamber pot. Oh, shit! As bright as ever! Once Hyang reached the age where he didnt need diapers anymore, the thing that bothered and annoyed him the most was relieving himself. There were bathrooms in the pce, but they were few in number and far away. Because of that, Hyang had to do most of his needs in the chamber pot, and every time he did that, he had to endure the difort. Hyang personally had aint about this, but relieving oneself was a problem that had to be solved. This pce is full of shits smell and urines smell! In every secluded ce in the pce where there were many trees, there were traces of shits and urine. The most extreme case was the tree in the favorite ce where courtdies do their business, dried up and its leaves turned yellow. It was not just a matter of smell. There was also a hygiene problem. A problem where a slight loss of attention during relieving oneself could lead to stained clothes. No, in the first ce, the attire is the problem! Hyang remembered a memory from when he was younger. It was a scene that happened back in the days when Grand Prince Choong-nyeong still lived in his private house. That day, Hyangs mother changed her clothes because she was about to wash them. How many fuck ofyers is that? First, she wore dari-sokgot, sok-sokgot, sok-baji, and after that she wore dan-sokgot, then she wore neoreun-baji and daesyum-chima, on top of that, she wore mujigi-chima made withyers of fabric of different colors, and then a skirt with a gorgeous gold pattern.(1) Hyang cried out inside as he nkly stared at such a scene. What about those movies Ive seen? Tell all those in charge of historical research to resign! Isnt ass supposed to be after the outer skirt and the inner skirt? Even if it was an erotic story, it was still a movie! Isnt this too much? Hyang went sideways. But the skirt itself, which was worn inyers, became the worst obstacle to women when they had to relieve themselves. Because it was such trouble to go to the bathroom due to the attire that was ufortable to wear or take off, it became a daily routine to use a chamber pot or go to a secluded ce to relieve oneself. There was another important hygiene issue that had arose from this attire and toilet issue. We greet His Highness the Prince. The courtdies passing by while carrying baskets ofundry saw Hyang and behaved respectfully. Yeah, you have worked hard. When they saw Hyang reply with a dignity that did not suit his age, the courtdies held back their smiles as they picked up their stuff and headed back on their way. Wait a minute, Court Lady. Pardon? Not you, but the third courtdy from behind. Is His Highness talking about me? The courtdy who was getting pointed out came forward with a clueless face. She had hoped for the thing called fortune(2))even though there would be a problem because courtdies were kings propertiesbecause the princes age had passed Jihak(3)), but the prince in front of her eyes was only a 5 years old kid. When the courtdy that he had pointed came forward, Hyang simply said, You. There is something on your back. Pardon? There is something on the back of your skirt. Pardon? There is poop on the back of your skirt! The face of the clueless courtdy who kept tilting her head reddened at Hyangs words. Then she took a look at the back of her skirt. My God! Go and change! Yes, Your Highness! As the reddened courtdy sprinted out, Hyang red at the remaining courtdies. What were you all doing? Pardon? Theres a problem with your colleagues clothes, and you dont even care about that? The courtdies bowed their heads to Hyangs scolding. Forgive us, Your Highness. Make sure nothing like this happens again in the future. Yes, Your Highness. Hyang sighed after giving a warning to the courtdies, then continued his walk. In the afternoon study, Hyang told the official in charge of his study about the thing that happened during the day and asked a question. The proper way for humans is to excrete naturally. However, if the clothes they were wearing were bothering them from doing so, wouldnt this be out of the proper way? The official in charge of the study let out an embarrassed expression as he gave an answer to Hyangs question. However, the thing called clothes isnt simply to block heat and cold but to conceal someone''s disgrace. And from there, a persons ss is shown, so we must endure the difort. ss. Isnt that also inappropriate to have ones ss determined by their clothes? Theres a saying, even if a virtuous man wears a rag, the scent of his virtue spreads through the sky, right? Well, thats true. Dont you think it needs to be changed? Ha, haha. Hyangs question made the official sweating bullets. That night, Hyang made a resolution as he lied up in his bed. I will definitely make a flush toilet and reform the attire! * * * These two reasons became the biggest reason for Hyang to change his n. Hyang always let out profanities whenever he got involved with the natural environment. I cant live because this is stuffy and dirty! The word dirty here was because the situation was really dirty that it was unbearable for him. Even in the house where King Sejong had lived in when he was still Grand Prince Choong-nyeong, the bedbugs, ticks, and fleas weremon to find. On top of that, because of the circumstance where they didnt bathe very often, and their scent was mixed with the perfume pouch(4)in their waist, it became a very dirty situation to express. The problem above, coupled with the bathroom and attire problem made Hyang determined to change his n. Even in the military of the 21st century Republic of Korea, except for a few ces, traditional toilets have disappeared. While thinking of the bathroom problem that he couldnt get used to, Hyang modified his n. So, is this ver.1.5? As he calcted the number of revisions, Hyang revised the items in the n he had in mind. This is enough. Hyang rose up from his seat after reflecting on the revised n. He opened the window, looking outside as he mumbled. Is that kid doing well? That kid that Hyang talked about was Grand Prince Suyang. When King Sejong was installed as the crown prince, a shift also happened to his family. Since Hyang was the oldest child, he came along to the pce; and the third sonAnpyeong, was born in the pce. However, Suyangwho was stuck in the middlewas living in his private home. It was a situation where he should enter the pce, but because of various events such as the coronation of King Sejong, the Invasion of Daemado Ind, and the birth of Anpyeong were ovepping, the time for Suyang to enter the pce had yet to be decided. In history, the time Suyang entered the pce was when Hyang was 8 years old and Suyang was 5 years old. Looks like this one will flow just like the actual history. Hyang recollected the memories from his past life. ording to the memories from his past life, it was a rule for grand princes or princes, and princesses to leave the pce when they became adults at 15 years old. However, in reality, it was usual to make them be independent when they reached 8. But, now are the early days of Joseon. Hyang lightly counted with his fingers. Is 3 years the earliest and 10 years the longest, what should I do with that kid during that time? Hyang racked his brain on how he should take care of this little brother of his; since he knew that his little brother, who was currently living outside the pce, would seize the throne inter days. I just let him be because I had no time until I entered the pce. But now, I should do something when he enters the pce. Should I randomly pick on him? Or should I gently treat him as a kind older brother? Hyang was deep in thought about whether to treat his brother with stick or carrot then he giggled and couldnt stop his sudden burst ofughter. Cut it out. I just reached 5 years old, and when that timees I would be around 8. If a kid picks on a kid, I will get cursed. * * * While Hyang was racking his brain about what to do with his brother, who will be the one to seize the throne inter days, Hyangs motherQueen Soheonwas also deep in thought. Yoo also has to enter the pce, but huff~. While sighing, Queen Soheon directed her eyes to the direction where Hyangs room was located. The first time Hyang saw Yoo, who was just born and was dressed in swaddling clothes, Queen Soheon detected Hyangs odd reaction. Hostility? Why? Queen Soheon was concerned about Hyang, who was showing enmity toward his newborn little brother, and she asked the nanny with worry. It looks like the eldest hates the second. What should I do about this? The nanny answered Queen Soheons question with a smile. It is natural, Mdy. Natural? When they have a little sibling, it is natural for the child who was born first to not like it. This is about the affection that was previously only given to them turning to the little one. This thing will soon get fixed when the older sibling grows a bit more and bes educated. Is that true? Yes, it is. Despite the nannys answer, Queen Soheon couldnt ease her worry and ordered the nanny. I need you to take care of Hyang. Understood, Mdy. After that, as if the nannys efforts paid off, there was no hostility shown from Hyang to his little brother. However, Queen Soheons worry couldnt fade easily. The hostility from Hyang had disappeared, but indifference, and then excessive standards, took on its ce. Hyang, what are you doing? A few days after Yoos first birthday party, Queen Soheon found Hyang who was looking for a book in the Grand Prince Choong-nyeongs study. Hyang quickly fixed his posture and politely answered Queen Soheons question. Mother, I am looking for a few misceneous books to cool my head and a book that is suitable for Yoo to learnter. Hyang, Yoo just passed his first year. Isnt it too fast to look for a book for him to learn? I learned that it is best to prepare in advance. That is not wrong, but. Queen Soheons words were fading because Hyangs words were not wrong, and she asked another question. So, what do you think is good? I think Tong-Gam-Jeol-Yo is good. His first year has passed, and when he passes his second year, I think its good for him to start. Hyangs answer made cold sweat flow on Queen Soheons face. Isnt that too fast? Is that fast? Queen Soheon nodded at Hyangs question. That is fast. Hyang, you started to learn earlier because you are a brilliant child, but the others didnt start that early. Hyang showed his dissatisfaction at Queen Soheons exnation. All the subjects of Joseon know about Fathers outstanding talent. The children of such a person are absolutely not allowed to be mediocre. Huff~. Queen Soheon only let out a long sigh after Hyangs resolute answer. * * * Huff~. Queen Soheon once again let out a long sigh as she remembered about the past event. I thought giving birth to a brilliant child is fortune. Having a child that was not only brilliant but excessively brilliant was frustrating. Compared to the first child, the second and third were brilliant, but they were a bitcking. It was like the brightness of the moon that couldnt even bepared to the sun. The problem was Hyang set his little siblings standards to be the same as him. No, the problem was not only Hyang. From the moment the princes started their education, it was certain that the retainers adjusted their standard of judgments to Hyang. Huff~. With a sigh, the sleepless night of Queen Soheon continued. T/N: (1) Check this link if you want to know more.? (2) Fortune: Love. Court Lady wasnt allowed to marry, and they were the Kings properties. If the King or prince took a liking on them, that is a fortune for them. It was possible for princes to take the courtdy as lover or concubine, but they had to get the King''s permission.? (3) Jihak: Back in Joseon days, it was the age when someone is said to reach maturity, which was 15. But someone was also said to pass Jihak when they properly could understand the meaning of learning. My guess for the minimum is Great Learning of Four Books.? (4) Perfume pouch: A traditional handmade personal adornment with a pleasing fragrance. Seems like if the scent from the pouch mixed with someone who has not taken a bath for days will bring bad news.? Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Sprout. Sprout of Cancer? (1) On October 27th, the third year of Sejongs reign (1421), Hyang was installed as the Crown Prince. Finally, he was officially recognized as the sessor of the next reignnot only a prince anymore. The others didnt know, but the night when the instation ceremony ended, Hyang tightly clenched his fist, as he was very happy. Finally, the time hase! * * * Lets see the policies that our king has carried out till this day are Hyang folded his arms after pushing back the scripture on the table. He was reviewing all the policies that had been carried out by King Sejong in his head. In the first year after the coronation, it was a mess because Prison of Kang Sang-in happened, so there is nothing except a reshuffle After that, King Sejong steadily carried out his policies. He gave tax exemption for the starving farmers in Gangwon-do; he met the officials dispatched in the provincial by himself; he expanded the Hall of Worthies and added Four Books (the Analects, Mencius, Doctrine of the Mean, Great Learning) as an exam subject for the military. After that, the Invasion of Daemado Ind took ce. Among King Sejongs policies, the policy that attracted Hyangs attention was rted to salt. A policy that refused the salt farmers request to reduce the tax on salt and simultaneously expanded the monopoly of salt was being executed. Exclusive right to sell salt well, it really makes money. King Sejong paid as much attention to national prosperity and defense as he did to the public welfare. The most important thing in national prosperity and defense was the security of the budget. The exclusive selling right of salt was used for this security of budget. To resolve the national budget problem, King Sejong had sent a credential to the Ming Dynasty. The content of the credential was about the bowl made of gold and silver to be excluded from tributary items. However, Hyang didnt give a good evaluation. Its fine to exclude gold items from the tributaries, but the problem is, that much of the tributary is being stolen by the envoy. What should I do about this Besides that, there were many that Hyang thought to be problems. However, the most concerning was thend and smuggler problem. For the problem of the greatndlords and ministers opposition to thend possession limit, the tax system needs to be changed. And then the smuggler not to mention the trade, this part of contempt in the business itself needs to be changed first Hyang let out a long sigh as he considered other various kinds of minor improvements and solutions. I cane out with several solutions, but there is one big constraint for that the government of Joseon has no money. Ah, has no gold. Gold was the ultimate solution Hyang had thought of. Hyang had kept thinking over and over again and showed a dejected expression. No matter how much I revise the n, if I cant resolve the first problem, which is money, I will only get back to the same repeat mark. Only the kings decision could solve this motherfucking repeat mark. Luckily, this is possible for King Sejong the Great. My role is seasoning him? Hyang nodded at his conclusion. Ive be the crown prince, but since I was just an eight-year-old, my authority is still weak. Its best to throw something like bait asionally. And the start is Hyang stared at the brush in the holder on the side of the desk. That is the start. * * * [December 10th in the 3rd year of King Sejong. The crown prince made a golden brush and offered it to the king. The king tried the brush and praised it for its convenience in rapid writing. The crown prince petitioned the king for the historian and others who needed to write fast to use the brush and the king gave his permission.] Around the middle of November, Hyang went to the arsenal bureau(1)). The highest senior ranking official among those who were in charge of the arsenal bureau hurriedly came out when he heard the news of the Crown Princes visit. I greet His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Youve worked hard. The senior official lowered his head even more at Hyangs praise. Is it fine for me to look around for a while? Its an honor! When Hyang was about to take a step under the guidance of Lee Chang-hothe senior official of the arsenal bureau, the craftsmen of the arsenal bureau who had heard about the Crown Princes visit came out and showed their respect. We greet His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Thank you very much for your hard work. I''m really thankful because you guys are here so that the defense of our Joseon bes stronger. The craftsmen who were prostrating themselves were touched by the crown prince''s praise and answered. We dont deserve the Crown Princes praise. It is really an honor for us! The craftsmen, who were touched by the praise of someone as high as the sky, took a lead and guided Hyang to every corner in the arsenal bureau. There were some reasons for Hyang to visit the arsenal bureau, but the biggest reason was the arsenal bureau is the ce to make weapons. Weapons, explosives from now on I''ll oftene here, so its better to leave a mark here. I do want Jang Young-sil, but he is from the royal tailor. He is a high schr and backer of King Sejong, so Hyang pushed back his regret of Jang Young-sil while he was looking around the arsenal bureau and got down to business. Who is the most talented at handling gold and iron in this ce? Gold and iron? Thats right. There is something he needs to make. Someone profound in handling gold and iron At the Crown Prince''s question, the senior official of the arsenal bureau pondered over all the cksmiths faces. The senior official who was looking for someone who was suitable enough suddenly thought of one person. There is someone who is decent enough. Not long after, a middle-aged cksmith entered the senior official room after got summoned. Did you call for me? I did. cksmith Gong, the Crown Prince said he has something to order. When he heard Crown Prince Hyang had requested for him, cksmith Gong courteously showed his respect to the Crown Prince. This lowly person greets His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Please dont lower yourself. How could a cksmith of the arsenal bureau in charge of our Joseon national defense be such a lowly person? Tha, thank you, Your Royal Highness! cksmith Gong prostrated himself because he was very touched by Hyangs praise. Raise up. There is something I urgently need your help with. Please give me your order! I will do it by risking my life! The status of a cksmith of the arsenal bureau wouldnt be low, but how much did they suffer that Hyang drew a bitter smile because the response of cksmith Gong was more than he had expected. Then he took out a paper from his sleeve and handed it out. Can you make it this way? This is This is an item that will rece the brush. The thing that Hyang gave out was a blueprint of a pen nib. cksmith Gong examined the blueprint that was given by Hyang with a serious face. Then he began to talk. It holds the ink, but the ink will flow down while it is being used the point is the ink cannot flow out all at once; and if it doesnt flow out at all, that is also uneptable. On top of that, it shouldnt get stuck in the paper, so the bead that will be installed at the tip of this nib should be round. One more, this slit where the ink flows out. There is no use if its too wide or too thin. cksmith Gong, how thin is the slit you can make? cksmith Gong pondered over Hyangs question for a while before answering. With all my capability, I could make it to five mo. Five mo? When Hyang wondered as he tilted his head, the senior official of the arsenal bureau by his side exined. It is five mo of a chon. Upon hearing that, Hyang calcted inside his head. A chon is the same as a chi, a chi is around 3cm, because it is hal-pun-ri-mo 1 of 10000? That is possible? Anyway, it is approximately around 0,15mm? Is this possible manually?(2)) Hyang was dumbfounded at the unexpected result, then quickly set his expression right and asked a question. There is a possibility that youll not only make one but dozens. On top of that, the time for you to make it isn''t months but as fast as possible. cksmith Gong calcted over Hyangs question, then answered. Because it will touch water, we must not use an iron but gold or silver, so itll not get rusty. And because it will be turned into thin tes, if I make the mold correctly then it is possible for me to make 20 in a day. If there is a problem, then it is that slit. Hyang rushed into calcting after cksmith Gongs answer. A sharp lead around 0.5 milli is okay, right? When used to write, the thickness of the stroke can be a bit more than 1 ri.(3)) Then, Ill try to set the slit standard to be 1 ri for now. So when can I see the end product? If you give me two days-. Ill give you three days. So, can you show me the best result? Your wish is mymand. I believe in you. On the way back to the pce with the escort from the officials of the arsenal bureau, Hyang turned to the eunuch attending him. Eunuch Jo. Yes, Your Royal Highness. Is there any property that I can use personally? I will check on the Royal Properties Office, Your Royal Highness. Three dayster, Hyang visited the arsenal bureau once more. cksmith Gong gave a fine wooden box containing five pen nibs to Hyang. I made it with five types of thickness. Please choose the thickness you like. Okay. Hyang wrote on the waste paper near him andpared the result. Then he chose the nibs he liked. Make 100 for this one. However, for the 10 of them cksmith Gong carefully noted down the options Hyang talked about and quickly replied. It is possible, Your Royal Highness. And can you carve a plum flower in the body of this golden brush? I can, Your Royal Highness. Then, how many days do you need? Ten days is enough, Your Royal Highness. Hyang thought over cksmith Gong''s answer for a moment, then made a conclusion. I give you an extra two days to do that. Instead, there shouldnt be any defects. Can you do it? Ill offer it to the King. I will make it with no single defect in it. All right, I entrust you with this. Ah, you should keep this as a secret until I offer it to the King. Your wish is mymand. As he finished his business, Hyang left the arsenal bureau with a joyful expression. The arsenal bureau senior officialLee Chang-ho, turned to face cksmith Gong after sending Hyang off. He is someone who ispletely out of his age. I agree, Sir. I heard this year he is eight years old, but looking only at his speeches and manners it is possible to mistake him as a man in his prime age. Well, that''s true, and you got a great deal. Lee Chang-ho couldnt hide his envy as he looked at the paper in cksmith Gongs hand. Before Hyang left the arsenal bureau, he left a thank you note for cksmith Gong. The Best Artisan of the Promising Joseon. Lee Hyang, the Crown Prince. cksmith Gong trembled with emotion when he was handed a piece of paper with a stamp of the Crown Princes palm next to his name. I will tell the wood factory supervisor and ask him to make the coolest picture mounting. This is something that is worth being an heirloom. * * * Two weekster, Hyang visited King Sejong, who was in the middle of a discussion with the officials. During his visit, Hyang presented the pen nib and pen barrel to King Sejong. King Sejong fixed the nib to the barrel and tried to write with it while listening to Hyangs exnation. He was very satisfied. What a piece of work! This is veryfortable to use and above all, the arm and wrist arefortable! You made a very good item, Crown Prince! You did splendid work, Crown Prince! Historians, record nicely what the Crown Prince did today! I dont deserve your generous praise. Hyang remained humble at King Sejongs praise. King Sejong was looking at the nib and the barrel that was decorated withcquerware before he saw a floral pattern at the pen nib. Is this flower the plum flower? Thats right. I thought it was suitable as a symbol of the royal family, so I carved it. This is beautiful! King Sejong used the pen in the paper once more before turning to Hyang. I will make good use of this. It is an honor. However, there is a favor I want to ask. T/N: (1) Arsenal Bureau (Gungi-gam): A bureau under the Ministry of Military Affairs that was in charge of manufacturing weapons, gs, armor, utensils, and misceneous items. Sometimes called Gungi-si and at Gojongs era called as Gigi-guk.? (2) Hal-Pun-Ri-Mo: An ancient unit of measure(?) Sometimes it is still used tho. 1 hal = 10 pun = 100 ri = 1000 mo. But since hal mostly counted as 10-1, 1 mo counted as 10-4. 1 chon = 10 pun = 3.03cm. So, 5 mo of 1 chon which is 3.03 cm = 30.3 mm/1000*5 = 0.1515 mm.? (3) 1 ri = 0.3 mm? Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Sprout. Sprout of Cancer? (2) A request? Tell me. When King Sejong gave his permission, Hyang turned to a eunuch. Another eunuch attending Hyang politely presented a little bigger box to King Sejong. Hm? King Sejong opened the newly received wooden box, and he showed curiosity. Pen nibs and pen barrels were filling the wooden box. The pen nib he had previously received was made of gold and iid with silver, and the pen barrel itself was a luxuriouscquerware decoration. However, the ones he received now were simply made of gold, engraved with only plum flowers, and the pen barrel as well was only made of finely carved wood. Please bestow those golden brushes to the historians and the officials. This one? Yes. The historians, without even resting for a moment, always recorded all the affairs done by Father and the high-ranking officials. Because it is a job that needs a significant amount of effort, I think there should be an item to help them even if its only for a bit. King Sejong pondered over Hyangs request for a while before discussing it with the officials. I think the Crown Princes opinion is very brilliant. What about you all, sir? All the retainers tried the mass-produced pen nibs presented by Hyang, and they agreed to King Sejongs decision. I think Your Majestys opinion is right. Even at this young age, he is already thinking of the retainers, so how is this a bad thing? With the agreement of the officials, the historians who would be the users also tried the pen and expressed their satisfaction. Thus, the pen nib and pen barrel were decided to be the official office supplies of the court and pce. Hyang erased the smile from his face when he returned to his room before muttering about something. Now, what kind of butterfly effect will this bring on? With the offering of the pen nibs and pen barrels under the name golden brush to the King, the officials'' favorability for Hyang began to take an upward trajectory. Especially the young officials, including the historians, began to show outrageous favor to Hyang. Have you tried the golden brush made by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince? I have. It is superb! The ones who were most delighted with it were the historians. It was because no matter how small the brush they used, it was quite a pain to write ording to traditional calligraphy techniquearm raised and brush upright. However, with the gold brush, the arm naturally descended, reducing the pressure on the wrist and the entire arm. After that, Hyang made a writing board and offered it to the King. In general, there are times when themanders of the military issue a suddenmand because they are positioned in a post that is lower than their rank. Thats why I made this to be of help for that. I think this is good to use along with the golden brush. Marvelous! King Sejong rejoiced and ordered to produce the board inrge quantities and distributed it along with the golden brush to the military. The responses of themanders about the distribution of the golden brush and the writing board were divided into two. The youngmanders and themanders who had knowledge of the literature showed a very favorable response, but the illiteratemanders couldnt help but showed a difficult expression. Nevertheless, Hyang could understand King Sejongs decision. As soon as King Sejong rose to the throne, he added Four Books as a subject for the military service examination. Hyang, who heard about this, nodded his head. Thats right. This is not the era to decide the oue of the war by individual dauntless vigor nor military force. That''s even more so in the future. Hyang twisted his head even more since he had predicted that the military would hold simple office supplies such as writing board and golden brush. Is Sejong even thinking about changing the military? If in the military itself there were pros and cons regarding the writing board, there were also some people who enthusiastically weed the writing board. These were the historians and the low-ranking officials of each department in the court. It was not easy to write in the book when they had to hold the rolled empty book and chase after the king as they recorded or when they investigated the inventory or other fields. It was because the book that floated in the air couldnt receive any power. However, the writing board was an item that definitely solved that problem. With all this happening, the demand for golden brush and writing board increased sharply, and the arsenal bureau became busy. With the distribution of golden brushes and writing boards to the court and the military, more and more people took out the golden brush used in the Sixth Ministries Office and Military Administration and used them outside. It was convenient to use, and the plum flower carved in the nib made the users proud. In a fish shop located in Unjongga, a young schr asked the shop owner about the fish price while choosing the fish. How much is this? Eh all is 2 mal and 3 dwe of polished rice. But since you are regr, Ill just give you for 2 mal and 2 dwe.(1) Its very expensive. Oh my~ Sir, isnt it winter now? The waves are so strong that ships cant float. In summer, the fish is expensive because it is damaged by hot weather, and in winter the fish is expensive because the waves are so strong that it is impossible to sail For real, when will the time for fish to be cheap? Hehehe. The schr stared at the merchants face, who answered vaguely with augh before reaching out his hand to the merchant. Give me your ledger. Also, the ink b. Here, Sir. The schr swiftly wrote in the ledger given by the merchant. The value of goods I buy today is two mal of polished rice. Sir! Lets make it two mal. Isnt that a good cut off? Haah~. The merchant sighed and when he saw the golden brush in the schrs hand, his eyes sparkled. Is that the rumored golden brush? Youve heard about this? Yes. I''ve heard that everyone who works in the government has one. The merchant, who was looking at the golden brush with eyes filled with curiosity, smacked his own lips. It looks very good to use. This is very good to use whether on the go or in urgent situations. Here! I have urgent business to attend to, so please deliver the fish to my house. Goodbye, Sir! The merchant who had seen off the schr, spitted out using all of his might. Kuegh~ Twegh! What a bullshit! Is going to Gisaeng house an urgent business? I bet he cut two dwe but spent countless in the Gisaeng house! The merchant clicked his tongue after cursing the schr who had cut the price recklessly. That golden brush looked so convenient Looks like it will bring money? * * * Perhaps because people who had the same thought werent small, various items that imitated golden brush began to appear one by one. The rumors about these items quickly entered the pce and became the discussion topic in the morning assembly. Your Majesty, there has been a sphemy going on in the citytely. sphemy? Tell me. The golden brush that was made by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and offered to Your Majesty was imitated, and the said imitation is being circted. When one of the officials reported this, another official quickly added. This is a very disrespectful thing! How dare they mindlessly imitate the valuables that were carved with the royalty symbol on them! You should give them a heavy punishment! Please give them a heavy punishment! After hearing the officials'' unison pledge, King Sejong fell into thought for a while, then opened his mouth. I can give my decision right away, but I think the opinion of the involved party, the Crown Prince, is important. I will hear the Crown Princes opinion then I will give my decision. Head Eunuch, summon the Crown Prince! Yes, Your Majesty. Not long after, Hyang, who had received King Sejongs order, entered the audience hall. Dear father, did you call me? When Hyang asked with courtesy, King Sejong smiled and answered. Yes. I called you because I want to ask about your judgment. What kind of judgment could this young andcking me make? I know very well about your extraordinary intelligence, so dont feel burdened and just answer, Crown Prince. I understand, Father. King Sejong exined things regarding the golden brush to Hyang. Thats why the officials personally assert that we should give hard punishment to the merchants who have imitated and distributed the golden brush. Crown Prince, what about you? Hyang closed his lips and lost in thought at King Sejongs question. The appearance of an eight-year-old kid who was creasing his forehead as he was deep in thought was unexpectedly cute. That appearance made the gaze of King Sejong and the officials gather on him as they smiled. Hyang, who had been thinking over and over again in times that were not short, finally opened his mouth. My opinion is, the arsenal bureau is the leading pursuit of making weapons that is to serve as the national defense for our nation. So * * * One monthter, the Ministry of Taxation. People gathered in one of the many rooms in the Ministry of Taxation. Have everyone here yet? All the participants bowed their heads at the young officials question. Yes, Sir. Wait a minute. The young official came out, and then Hyang entered with the lead of the Minister of Taxation. The people sitting around the table in the room rose from their seats and prostrated to the floor as soon as Hyang came in. These lowly merchants greet Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince! Raise up and sit in the chair. How could we sit in the presence of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince? As long as you dontmit any sin, its fine for you to sit in the chair. Take your seat! Because of Hyangs firm answer, the participants finally sat in their seats. Hyang, who sat in his seat with help from the officials of the Ministry of Taxation, took out the imitated pen nib and pen holder from his sleeve then put it on the table. I heard this item has been circting in the market. The merchants who saw the pen nib and pen holder that was put on the table by Hyang quickly prostrated on the floor and answered. In our merchant guild, we have never done such a disrespectful thing! Our guild is the same as well! I didnt call you to ask of your sin. Sit in your seat! In spite of what Hyang had said, the merchants couldnt easily raise themselves up. Hyang faintly clicked his tongue when he saw that and talked once again. Dont make me talk twice. Get up quickly and sit in your seats! At Hyangs warning, the Minister of Taxation quickly rushed the merchants. When the merchants sat on their seats back, Hyang proceeded to the main issue. His Majesty has given his order. The order of King Sejong that was revealed by Hyang was like the following: All merchants closed their lips and started to think after hearing the condition Hyang had just read. One of the merchants, who was calcting over various things, suddenly talked. Your Royal Highness, pardon me to talk. Is there any problem? I want to ask about the standard price for selling in the market. It is the final sale price. Why? Is there any problem? Im sorry to tell you, 60 percent of the profits are generous, but considering the wages given to the artisans, and the profits taken by the peddlers, only 30 percent of 60 percent that we could take. However, if 20 percent of that is for the nation, then what will we have. Silence! Hyang stopped the merchants word with a harsh voice. In presence of whom you dare to tell lies now? Alright, lets say that 30 percent is the amount of profit youre going to take. But, what I said is 20 percent of the profit you take. Is 20 percent of 30 percent more than 6 pence? Did you tell lies despite knowing what kind of ce is this? Minister of Taxation! Kick out that disrespectful person from the pce right now and take out his guild right to operate! Yes, Your Royal Highness! As soon as Hyang gave his order, the Minister of Taxation gave his order. The pce soldiers came inside when they heard the order of the Minister of Taxation and came out, dragging the merchant in question. Your Royal Highness! Your Royal Highness! When the loudmotion subsided, Hyang stared at the merchants. His Majesty the King and I believe that merchants are also an important presence to our people. Because it is impossible for a person to create everything they need alone in life, so it is natural that they need another person to work as a middleman. However! As long as there is someone who uses dirty tricks like him, you merchants will not be able to escape from being treated as a lowly being! Keep this in your mind! We will engrave this in our mind, Your Royal Highness! T/N (1)1mal=5.3kg 1 dwe=530gr? Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Sprout. Sprout of Cancer? (3) When the tender briefing of the golden brush'' ended, the merchants left the Ministry of Taxation one by one. Just before he passed the gate of the Ministry of Taxation, an oldish merchant started a conversation with an official. Excuse me, My Lord. What is it? How old is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince this year? It is eight. Ho~. As the merchant couldn''t hide his surprised expression, the young official of the Ministry of Taxation talked with a voice filled with pride. He is an amazing person. The reigning His Majesty the King is not an ordinary person, and even His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is also very brilliant. This is such a great fortune for our Joseon. I see. After the merchant said goodbye courteously to the official, suddenly a raging fire burned inside him. Someone''s child is that polite at eight years old! But, my grandchild is, hah! At the same time, East Pce. Hyang, who hade back to his room, was talking face to face with a man. The man was the one who had been kicked out by the officials earlier. Good work, Eunuch Jo. Its nothing, Your Royal Highness. But, do you really have to do this? I have no other choice since I am too young. Eunuch Jo thought over Hyang''s age and nodded. Then he rose from his seat and spoke courteously. I will go back to change my clothes. Youve worked hard. * * * As the production of the golden brush made by Hyang came under private management, the golden brush spread across the nation. While the golden brush became a one-time hit, an unusual scene began to happen. At a noble house in Naju, Jeo Province. An old nobleman was waiting for someone in the big living room of arge tile-roofed house that looked at least 40 units.(1) Not long after, a peddler with a rather big wood crate in his shoulder entered the yard. The peddler put off the crate in the ground, then bowed to the nobleman. My Lord, are you looking for me? Thats right, I summoned you. Do you bring the golden brush? I brought it this time. O-oh, really! When the nobleman rejoiced, the peddlerid out a piece of cloth in the yard, then took out a luxurious nacre box from the crate and carefully put it on the cloth. After putting down the nacre box, the peddler bowed down to the box, then stepped up to the big living room where the nobleman sat while holding the box carefully. When the peddler put down the nacre box on the table, the nobleman made an exmation. O-Oh! This is! When the thrilled nobleman reached out his hand, the peddler immediately stopped him. My Lord! You should pay your respect. Ah! At the peddlersment, the nobleman quickly tidying up his clothes then politely bowed in front of the box. The grace of His Majesty the King is so deep that he has given me such a precious item. His grace is immeasurable. The nobleman carefully opened the box after expressing his gratitude to the King. There were ten shiny pen barrels withcquer and golden pen nibs inside the box that was covered with soft silk inside. The silk that covered the ceiling of the box and the pen nib was clearly stamped with plum flower patterns. You put the golden brush to the barrel. While listening to the peddlers exnation, the nobleman fixed the nib to the barrel, then dipped it in the ink that had been grounded nicely, and wrote in the paper. He wrote a phrase from his favorite scripture in one stroke. The nobleman then eximed. This is really a precious item. * * * Because the golden brush had be a big hit, smiles never left the face of the Minister of Taxation. The budget, the budget is increasing! It wasnt only the Minister of Taxation that couldn''t stop smiling. The officials of the Ministry of Taxation also couldn''t erase the smile from their faces. Since the day Joseon was founded, no, since the end of the Goryeo Dynasty, the national budget had never been in an abundant statenot even once. When Joseon was founded, the royal family reduced their sry to 1/6 and the government officials to 1/4, but the budget was still insufficient. In this kind of situation, the profits that came from selling the golden brush were a very weed thing. In reality, it was an insignificant amount, just like pee in your pants for warmth in the winter, but it was inevitably good to see that the court was able to expand its scope little by little in the process of running state affairs. If there was one positive influence, it was that King Sejong and his retainers began to pay attention to the positive effects of trading. However, negative movements began to happen behind the scenes. Howe the court became a ce to do business. Youre right. His Majesty the King and the courtiers are showing too much favor to the business done by the low people. The lowest in the society are the merchants. They are part of themoners, but they are not different from those low people! At this rate, we will follow the evil practices of the former dynasty!(2) The Orthodox Neo-Confucian schrs, who were dissatisfied with how King Sejong and the retainers became interested in the funds that came from selling the golden brush, began toin. And those dissatisfied people turned their swords to Crown Prince Hyang. In the first ce, the one who started this was His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. A young person already fell down the wrong path. This is the fault of those in charge of the Crown Princes discipline! His Majesty the King is also a problem. No matter how brilliant the Crown Prince is, how could he let a young child recklessly settle an important matter! This is something that must be corrected! I also think that we must pay more attention to His Royal Highness education! He should read more even if its only one letter of sages words and keep it in his heart. How could he do a mere y when there is not enough time to make this Joseon the center of the world! This is something that shouldnt happen! We need to file an appeal right now! Thats right! When those discontent factions tried to file theirints, an unexpected thing held them back. It was the death of King Taejong. May 10th, 4th year of Sejong reign(1422), King Taejong died at age 56 years. During King Taejong''s funeral, the inquiry was suspended for 10 days and the trade for 5 days. The national affairs were continued, but because it was during King Taejong''s funeral, the controversial appeal could not be filed. Lets wait for the next chance. I think we have no choice. The people who filed a petition had no choice but to aim for the next chance. Without knowing that kind of thing was happening under the surface, Hyang was immersed in reading during King Taejong''s funeral. Hm Can this be tranted like this? Hyang had opened several books at the same time before meticulouslyparing them. The books which Hyang was looking at were books from Europe that entered China and their Chinese trantion. * * * Just before the envoys left for China, Hyang summoned the envoys'' leader. Your Royal Highness, did you call for me? I did. Im sorry to call you when you''re busy preparing for the trip. Its fine, Your Royal Highness. After such a light conversation, Hyang immediately brought up the main point. Id like to ask you a favor. A favor? Thats right. If you''re going to Beijing this time, please get me some books. Books. What kind of scripture would you like me to bring? Its not scripture but misceneous books. Misceneous books rted to medical technique and Ah! Do you know about the people who live in the west?(3) People who live in the west. Are you talking about foreigners?(4) Thats right. Please find me books about theirws or technologies. Whether it is the trantion or original copy. Why do you want the barbarians books. When the envoy leader drew out a reluctant expression, Hyang exined the reason. It is called Saimhengpilyuasa.(5)There is also a saying called Tasanjiseok gai-gongok.(6) If it helps me to straighten myself up and run my country, even though it is barbarians'' things, how can I not learn from it? . The envoy leader shut his mouth at Hyang''s exnation. If the one in front of his eyes was a mediocre prince, he would warn him in this time, please read the scriptures first. But the one in front of his eyes was a more frightening genius than his father that was acknowledged by the ministers. The Crown Prince was someone who finished the Four Books and Three ssics even before he reached 6, and when he was 7, he finished the Thirteen ssics.(7) Even at such a young age, he didnt sleep more than 6 hours and fiercely learned the scriptures. By the time he was installed as the Crown Prince, he even discussed policies with the officials from the Crown Prince Education Office. Because of this, some of the young officials who liked to be straightforward had even said the following. [If the crown prince is a little bigger and finds out what''s going on outside the pce, the court will be turned upside down.] Because of that, the envoy leader could only bow his head as he said the following. I will carry out Your Royal Highness'' order with all my heart. Please do so. After that, Hyang asked a simr favor whenever the envoys went to Beijing. Of course, after the first time, he even made a list and handed it over. I already have the books in this list, so please find me the other books. . I understand, Your Royal Highness. Thanks to that, the envoys had to work hard to find the books. It was because even though Europeans and Arabs had entered China since the Yuan Dynasty, their books were something that wasn''tmon. * * * This will solve the reference problem. Hyang smiled as he looked at the bookshelves made on one side of the room, which was three-quarters full. While confirming the industrial technology of Joseon during King Sejongs period, more and more ideas were avable for Hyang to apply. The problem is that if Ie up with all of these, there are a lot of people who will look at me with prejudiced eyes. Not to mention the medical field, in this case, it''s better to give a reference. Before he came to this conclusion, Hyang had obtained not only Chinese books but also European books that had been introduced to China through envoys to Beijing. Through the envoys, Hyang had collected books from Europete of Middle Age and the early Renaissance and also books from the Middle East. He also had collected the Chinese trantion of those books and began to read them meticulously. I need to know roughly what''s in which book. So I can make it usible when I talk about itter. Isnt theres saying that you need to know to trick? The reason Hyang thought of this was because of the hardships he had to go through when he offered the golden brush to the King. This is indeed a good item, but how did youe to think about this? Hyang quickly answered King Sejongs question. It was because I saw something unusual in the process of applying ink to the brush. Something unusual? I saw the ink rising between the brush hairs. The thing called water is supposed to move from the top to bottom, but this one contradicts it, so how can I find it not to be amusing? About this. Hyang made a usible reason why he made the golden brush and talked about it. After hearing the exnation, Sejong pped his knee and expressed his admiration. Until this time, there were many people who used the brush, but there is no one who thinks like you! If this is not an example of perfecting knowledge by studying the logic of a real thing, then what is this?! With that, the golden brush issue had safely ended, but Hyang really knew that it was hard for this kind of luck to continue. The big reason I made the golden brush and offered it to the King was to let him know that I, the Crown Prince, have this kind of skill. Because it is something that cant be put out of the blue. But, by chance only works a few times. I need a reference to make it more usible. * * * Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince hase. King Sejong, who was looking at the state affairs through appeals and reports at the little chambers he used during King Taejongs funeral, put down the appeals he was reading and answered. Let him in. Hyang entered the chamber and greeted King Sejong. Dear father, your face doesn''t seem good. Have you eaten your dinner? I ate because the ministers keep annoying me. This guy! King Sejong''s answer made Hyang enervated inside. A meat lover who can''t live without meat! Even though you cant eat meat because this is a mourning period, you should eat properly! Hyang insulted him inside before talking in earnest. Father is the pir of this nation. Even if youre in the midst of mourning, you have to eat. I will do so. So, whats happening? This son has collected misceneous books of the west people through the envoys. Yeah, I heard about that. Is there anything I could help with? Father, I need you to give your judgment. King Sejong, who was smilingfortably as if he were looking at his son acting cute, straightened his posture and made a serious expression. Tell me. Yes, father. I plead you to use their number. The west peoples number? Yes. To be exact, it is Hindu numbers. To borate, this number first started in India, then. T/N (1) The house was around 193 m2. Sorry if my calction is wrong.? (2) Four upations(????): The traditional four sses of society (schrs, farmers, artisans and merchants). The merchants were said to be low since they were seen as a social disturbance for excessive umtion of wealth or erratic fluctuation of prices.? (3) ?? (): In the past, a word used in China that meant the western barbarian'', which was used as a low-key word for the people living in the western regions.? (4) ???(ɫĿ): During the Yuan Dynasty in China, it was used to refer to foreigners from Europe, Western Asia, and Central Asia. It refers mainly to Turks, Iranians, and Arabs, but the name is given because the color of the skin and eyes are different.? (5) If three people go together on a trip, one of them must be a teacher. It means that if three people do something, they need someone who can differentiate between good and evil.? (6) Jade can be polished with stones from other mountains. Even the insignificant words and deeds of others can help one to sharpen their manners and virtues by taking those words and actions as a lesson.? (7) The Analects, Mencius, ssic of Poetry, Book of Documents, ssic of Changes, The Three Ritual ssic, Erya, ssic of Filial Piety, The Three Commentaries on the Spring and Autumn Annals.? Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Sprout. Sprout of Cancer? (4) Starting from the wordchain letterthat he had heard somewhere, Hyang diligently exined to King Sejong about the usefulness of Arabic numerals. King Sejong listened to Hyangs presentation with a serious face before stroking his beard and falling into deep thoughts. After continuing his thoughts in silence, King Sejong finally drew his conclusion. I think this is a good opinion, but I dont think it is right for me to conclude this alone. When the morning meeting starts tomorrow,e again and exin about this. Yes, Father. Hyang politely left King Sejong after he finished his business. King Sejong, who was quietly watching Hyang walking back, suddenly opened his mouth. Hyang. Yes, Father. Im really proud of your intelligence. But, youre still young. For now, focus on your physical and mental growth rather than on the national affairs. Yes, Father. Hyangs face reddened at King Sejongs praise. Then he lowered his head. King Sejong smiled while looking at Hyangs back, who left with a happy feeling. Now he looks like a kid his age. King Sejong was looking at the documents without erasing his fatherly smile before suddenly clicking his tongue. Tsk! I forgot to ask him about this. * * * The next day, when the morning meeting started, King Sejong summoned Hyang like he had promised. Hyang, who joined the morning meeting, exined the Arabic numerals to the high-ranking officials. . Therefore, I think it is much more useful to express numbers using these Hindu numbers, which are called by west people Arabic numerals. After finishing his exnation, Hyang bowed politely to King Sejong then stepped back to sit down aside. When Hyangs presentation ended, King Sejong asked the high-ranking officials. What do you think of the Crown Princes proposal? The first one to answer King Sejongs question was the Minister of Taxation, Kim Jeom. I think it is quite useful for expressing numbers. I, Minister of Personnel, Heo Ji also think that this is quite useful. The Minister of Taxation who worked the most with numbers agreed, and the Minister of Personnel who worked the most with numbers next also agreed. As the ministers from the two departments most closely rted with numbers agreed in favor, King Sejong concluded. Then, with the two departments as the center, try to use these numbers for a month. If the results are good, it should be implemented nationwide. We ept your order! When the agenda about numbers was decided, King Sejong moved to the next agenda. I think I had to hear this one with the Crown Prince to decide. Crown Prince. Yes, Father. The Emperor of Ming sent a Royal letter. Hyang let out a nk expression at the unexpected words. Pardon? King Sejong exined the full stories of the incident after looking at the Crown Princes face. [King Sejong, who was very delighted with the golden brush made by the Crown Prince, ordered the arsenal bureau to make a golden brush to be presented to the Emperor. The golden nib was iid with silver and in the shaft, two dragons werecquered with yellow dye. Emperor Yongle, who received such a splendid golden brush, expressed his satisfaction.] Emperor Yongle really liked the golden brush that he sent a royal letter through Joseons envoys, who were sent to congratte the Emperors birthday. [Tribute 10,000 pieces of the golden brush. Because I know that Joseons products are scarce, tribute a thousand pieces of the same quality that had been presented and nine thousand pieces with a slightly lower quality.] King Sejong and the retainers agonized over the official letter from Emperor Yongle. There were four grades of the golden brush that were sold with the court''s approval. The special grade was for the royal family, and it was a high-end product with pure gold that was iid with silver, and the next grades 1 to 3 were made of gold, silver, and bronze, respectively. Emperor Yongle said it was okay even if the grade was lower, but he would only be satisfied if it was at least grade 1. * * * If its 10,000 pieces, the budget. The Minister of Taxation, Kim Jeom, held his twitching head while muttering at the unexpected request of Ming. The reason the Crown Prince made such a precious item. I mean, why did His Majesty the King present that? There is a limit to bragging about your child . My Lord! Gasp! When the Vice-minister beside him warned, Kim Jeom hurriedly closed his mouth and took a look at his surroundings. Fortunately, he was in the Ministry of Taxations office and there was only the vice-minister around. Huff~. Kim Jeom let out a breath of relief, then warned the Vice Minister. Pretend you didnt hear that. * * * Hyang lost in thought after hearing about such a situation. He calcted over various things while slowly nodding his head alone before looking at King Sejong. Dear Father, why dont you run a business? A business? Business! Why such a thing! Inspector General, be quiet. Crown Prince, you can continue. As soon as Hyang let out the word business, Inspector General of Saheonbu(1), Seong Eom, quickly tried to oppose it. However, his attempt was blocked by King Sejong. Hyang then continued his speech on King Sejongs order. If Ming sent a letter and ordered us to include the golden brush in the tributary, it means the golden brush is quite liked in Ming. Lets think about the grand territory of Ming and their poption. No, just look at the numbers of people rted to literature, how many times is itpared to Joseon? If we contact the guild in charge of manufacturing the golden brush, we will be able to make more in addition to the amount asked. King Sejong and high-ranking officials tried to calcte inside their heads at Hyangs question. Then they quickly made a conclusion. We can make a profit! Hyang saw the response from King Sejong and the officials, then continued his exnation. Then, we will order the merchants to apany the envoys to Ming. They will go officially, not in secrecy like what a few of them did until now. I think it would be good to do it like this. Hmm. Hyangs exnation ended, and then King Sejong and the retainers reviewed it. While they were examining the pros and cons of the n that Hyang had said, Seong Eom suddenly talked. I, Inspector General, think that we should not run the n made by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Why do you think so? The Crown Princes n will surely bring us great fortune. However, as what already happened in the past, if we gain a lot of fortune, not only the royal family but also the people will drown in luxury, and this will lead to tyranny where people will be imbued with heavy taxes. I, Chief Censor, agree with the Inspector Generals opinion. Both the monarch and the people should be poor but honest and content with the poverty(2) while they umte virtue and spread a beautiful fragrance to the world so that the other countries admire them. I think this is the true meaning of political virtue.(3) I, Minister of Rites, agree with the previous two opinions. How could the lowly merchants participate in the trip to meet the Emperor of a great nation? This is something that defiles Joseons dignity. I know that Your Royal Highness is smart, but it seems like you dont really understand national affairs and diplomacy. It is better for you to work harder in your study and learn about national affairs and diplomacy from a kings viewpoint. In short, it was what does a young kid know about national affairs and diplomacy that he dares to intervene?. Hyang''s eyebrow raised at the remarks of the Inspector General, Chief Censor, and Minister of Rites. Huff~. Hyang breathed out while soothing down his anger, then looked at King Sejong. Dear Father, can you let this son answer that? You can. King Sejongs voice didnt sound good as if he was also offended. With King Sejongs permission, Hyang began to refute. I ask the Inspector General. Did you say that if we gain fortune, the royal family will drown in luxury and this will lead to tyranny? Thats right. If we look at what had happened in the past. If we look at that example, people had to squeeze out their sweat and blood to gain that luxury. Are you saying that I am squeezing peoples sweat and blood now? Do I not bring that fortune from outside? Maybe you can bring the fortune from outside once. However, isnt there no guarantee that it will continue like that? It may sell well because it''s the first time, but we can''t guarantee the next one. If it bes like that, the one to bear the burden will be the people. Are you living only for today, Inspector General? At the young Hyangs rude question, Head Inspector Seong Eom let out a baffled expression. What do you mean by that! Are the things sold by merchants only the golden brush? There are a lot of other things, too! And why are you sure that golden brush is only a one-time sale? Are there any of the high-ranking officials who use the golden brush? At first, we bought it because we were fascinated by it, but it was an item that cant follow the grandeur and elegance of a wooden brush! The golden brush is no more than a childrens toy! Kim Jeom, the Minister of Taxation who kept quiet, intervened at Seong Eoms words. You are wrong, Inspector General. Do you know how much the consumption of golden brush is in a month now? 60 pieces for grade 1, and the total for grades 2 and 3 is 400 pieces. This number is only in the court. The number of sales in public is more than 1000 pieces a month, with the grade 1 more than 600 pieces. Kim Jeoms additional exnation made Seong Eoms eyes widened. In a month? In a month. Seong Eom unconsciously muttered at Kim Jeoms answer. Huh. How can such a frivolous thing. Hyang immediately responded to Seong Eoms words. Im sorry. It is frivolous because it is made by a young kid. Gasp! Seong Eom, who realized that he had made an improper remark, quickly bowed his head to King Sejong. Your Majesty! Please forgive my rudeness! I forgive you. Thank you! While Seong Eom was wiping cold sweat inside, Hyang continued his attack. Inspector General and Chief Censor objected, using sangjeo-okbae(4) as an example, but this trip is necessary for the people. Eunuch! Bring a book from my room. The title is Geography of The World. Yes, Your Royal Highness. After a short time, the eunuch, who came back panting, held out a book to Hyang. Hyang opened his desired part, then gave out the book to the eunuch. Show that to my father. Yes, Your Royal Highness. King Sejong received the book and while he was looking at the contents of the book, Hyang continued his talk. That book is one of the misceneous books I collected through the envoys. Like the title Geography of The World, it is a book that records the geography and regional products of China and nearby countries. ording to that book, Gangnam in Ming harvests rice twice a year, and Daewol, which is farther south than Ming, harvests three times a year. Therefore, we have to buy rice from Gangnam or Daewol with the profit earned from the merchants who will join the trip. Then we relieve people from starvation with the rice we got. Hyang, whose mouth was dried up from constant chatter, stopped talking for a moment and swallowed his saliva. After moistening his dried mouth, Hyang continued his offense. Did you say to be proud poverty and be content with that poverty? Do you see people as a proud poverty because they want that poverty? The people are now in extreme poverty. Being content with poverty? They are drought to death in summer, frozen to death in winter, and starved to death in spring! Under these circumstances, who will praise the monarch for his virtue? Are you saying the nation''s dignity is at stake when the people are dying from hunger?! There is a saying, if their child was starving for three days, even a noble would jump over the wall. How can parents stay still when their child is hungry! A king is the father of all people! His children are crying from hunger, shouldnt he do anything for them? Wonderful talk, my boy! The court froze at King Sejongs sudden shout. Hyang and the ministers looked at King Sejong with their mouths opened, and the historians stopped their records and looked at King Sejong. Hyang, who was looking at King Sejong, suddenly remembered his first birthday party. He remembered the situation where Sejong and his brother, Yang-nyeong were in a heated discussion and was about to start a fight before clicking his tongue. Tsk! He really had endured that personality for a long time. T/N (1)Saheonbu (???/˾): Office of the Inspector General. You can check this link for more information.? (2) Poor but honest/proud poverty (??/[ؚ): Pure in character and has no desire for wealth. ????(ؚ): Being content amid poverty and taking pleasure in acting in an honest way. ? (3) Political virtue (????/): An old Chinese political idea that a virtuous person should rule a morally dark person.? (4) Sangjeo-okbae(): Chopsticks made of ivory and wine sses made of jade. It means to be on the lookout for insignificant waste that can lead to luxury that ruins the country. Another meaning of this is greed begets greed (man''s greed has no end).? Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Sprout. Sprout of Cancer? (5) King Sejong, who had realized his mistake, opened his lips with a reddened face. The historians. However, when King Sejong looked at the historians who were eager to write with their golden brush, he closed his lips then looked at Hyang. Crown Prince, you can continue your talk if you still have something to say. Yes, Father. After a brief skit, Hyang continued his attack. All the high-ranking officials here and the nobles outside the pce can hold their hunger because they have learned to reason, but people who werecking knowledge couldnt fully learn to reason that they cant hold their hunger. If we want to teach reasoning to these people and build virtue, shouldnt we at least make them not hungry?! Virtue over wealth is important, but the promotion of public welfare is also important! Thats right! King Sejong eximed as he pped his knee at Hyangs remarks. Thanks to that, the atmosphere in the court froze once again. This man is too excited, he explodes! After letting out a little sigh, Hyang looked at the high-ranking officials. Those officials who were objecting to Hyang''s n were in a dying state because of Hyangs attack. This is thest card! If I seed, I can perfectly turn them into porridge! Filled with a fighting spirit, Hyang began hisst strike. Since ancient times, it has been said that peoples heart is heavens heart. No matter how much virtue we have, how will heaven respond to us when peoples hearts are wailing? Man proposes, heaven disposes. Doesn''t that mean we should do everything we can before we wait for heavens response? But, when droughtes, you said it is because of the king''sck of virtue, when an epidemic happens, the king''sck of virtue, people dying from starvation, the king''sck of virtue. The one who tells the king to build up his virtue is you all! This order is wrong! Before droughtes, prepare water control properly. Before the epidemices, prepare medicine in advance and store grains before the year of faminees. Isnt that the right order? But you didnt do such preparations and say it is the king whocks virtue. Dont tell me . Hyang stopped talking for a moment and red at the ministers. All the sir here saying that this Joseoncks virtue? There are a lot of officials here who have been in the government since the previous dynasty. So it was unfair of King Taejo to establish a nation despite being a subject of Goryeo, and hecks virtue. It is also injustice and vice of my grandfather to draw his sword, and for my father to ascend the throne instead of my uncle who was the oldest son was also Your Royal Highness, that is certainly not! We never had such heinous and insolent thoughts! The officials were very shocked that they forgot they were in the middle of a meeting and shouted their denials. Some of them who saw unpleasant expressions in King Sejong prostrated altogether. Your Majesty! We never had such a heinous thought! Please show us your mercy! Please show us your mercy! Starting from the Chief State Councillor, Ryu Jeong-hyeon, all the officials prostrated while denying the usations, but King Sejong didnt easily open his mouth. After a long period of heavy silence, King Sejong opened his mouth. Crown Prince, youre too harsh. Please forgive me, Your Majesty. Be more careful with your words next time. Yes, Father. After warning Hyang, King Sejong looked at the officials. The tribute problems asked by Mings emperor will be executed as the Crown Princes n, so prepare thoroughly. This year, the farm is not good, and the rain is low even though summer is approaching, so I think it is right to prepare grains to relieve people. Your wish is ourmand. There was no one who objected to King Sejongs decision. After looking at the officials, King Sejong looked back at Hyang. His face softened when he looked at Hyang. Is there anything you want to add to your fathers words? When distributing the grains to people, I think it is right to give it in return for work rather than just give it. In return for work? The biggest reason for frequent drought is low rain, but it is also because the irrigation facilities arecking. Each district should repair its small castle and reservoir. If there is none, they should make a new one, and the riverbed should be dredged to prevent flooding. If we mobilize people to do this work and in exchange, we give them grains, I think we could expand the irrigation facilities and at the same time we could prevent people from idling and starving. Killing two birds with one stone, huh? I think that is good. What about you, retainers? All the officials answered King Sejongs question in one voice. We think that is a very good idea! Then let''s do it like this. We ept your order! King Sejong turned to Hyang after hearing his retainers'' answers. Crown Prince, you can go back now. Yes, Father. And when the funeral ritual ends, participate in the political discussion. Hyang was surprised by King Sejongs order that he stared at him but soon bowed his head. Your wish is mymand. Thank you for giving this young and immature son an honor to participate in Fathers political discussion. Now go back and continue what you were doing. Yes. After sending Hyang back, King Sejong looked at the officials with a stiff expression. His gentle smile when looking at Hyang had disappeared, and he was filled with a coldness like the freezing cold winter wind and snow. Lets end the morning meeting here. Now go and do your work. Yes, Your Majesty. Well, thats all, and I think I should ponder about what you all really think of this Joseon. As soon as King Sejongs words finished, the officials threw their bodies to the floor. Your Majesty! Not even once we ever thought of such disloyalty! Please show us your mercy! Please show us your mercy! With all their might, the officials plead for their innocence to the point of straining their neck. King Sejong, who was looking at them with a cold face, turned his head. Go and do your work. Please show us your mercy! I said go and do your work! Hearing King Sejongs roar, the officials left with a confused expression. * * * The officials who hade out of the office where King Sejong was staying let out a long sigh. Huff~. Haah~. This is bad. If we make a wrong move, we could invite a bloodbath. He is someone who has the blood of King Taejo and King Taejong, so. Huff~. The theme of conversation between the high-ranking officials, who were worried about when bloodshed would ur, changed to Hyang. His Majesty the King is an outstanding person, but the Crown Prince is also outstanding. He is not only outstanding but scary. He dominated the political situation with his small tongue. He is just about to reach nine, but if we only look at his speech, he is cunning, like an old man over sixty. Hes definitely not an ordinary person. By the way, Im worried about His Majestys heart. The officials who couldnt hide their wary stared at the main culprits of this incident. Why did you uselessly open your mouth! Dont you know that mouth is a door to disaster! Inspector General and Chief Censor, also Minister of Rites, continued their steps in silence despite criticism from other officials. Hey! Say something if you have a mouth! You talked well at the meeting, but why are you silent now! How will you solve this situation! As the other officials flooded them with critics, Seong Eom spoke as their representative. Sorry. Do you think sorry is enough! . The inspector general and his party moved to one side to avoid the other officials. After they passed the pce gate and came out to Yookjo Street, Inspector General and his party let out a breath. Huff~. We have been struck hard. We took him too lightly because he is young. The three people nodded at the Chief Censors words. What do you think is the best for us from now on? The Inspector General answered the Minister of Rites question. If nothings working, we have no other choice than to give our resignation letter, right? Resignation letter? Thats right. Since suspicion already bloomed in the Kings heart, disaster wille. What kind of blood does the King have? It is the blood where you cant save yourselves when he makes up his mind. If its not like that, then there would be no dispute with his brothers and he wouldnt stay still when his wifes family were broken apart. Handing out our resignation letter may be the only way to prevent the disastering to our family. Chief Censor and Minister of Rites nodded with a gloomy expression at Seong Eoms words. Seong Eom then let out a long breath. Huff~. Even though I want to build this nation with the rule of right and virtue. * * * At the same time, Hyang, who hade back to the east pce, twisted his head and reflected back. I used the phrase promotion of public welfare, but did I use it correctly? I said that because I get carried away by the situation. The moment the opposition of officials that was filled with Confucianism Principles and four upations hierarchical theory came out, anger filled Hyang from head to toe. Woah! Watching this live makes me even angrier! The angered Hyang mobilized all historical misceneous knowledge he had learned in his previous life. Among all of them, he took out promotion of public welfare which could be said to be the foundation of silhak fromte Joseon, and pped back the high-ranking officials who opposed him. Thinking back about it, there was a high possibility that he would be the one pped by those opposers if they gained even a little of time. Hyang burst intoughter while thinking of that critical moment. This is all thanks to Father. Right at that time, the shout of King Sejong the Great became a miraculous move. The appearance that he never showed even once since he became a king had made the officials stop their minds. But the historians were eager to record that. I wonder how this will be recorded in the annals. Hyang scratched his head while remembering the historians who recorded with the golden brush as if they were possessed. Then he looked far away. Im thankful to teacher Samcheonpo. * * * While the officials were worried about their futures and Hyang was reviewing his actions, King Sejong was talking with Queen Soheon. Queen Soheon sat in front of the door of the chamber that was made for the mourning period, and King Sejong sat inside the chamber. It was because ording to Confucianism manners, a married couple was prohibited to sit or sleep together while mourning. Did you have your lunch? I ate thin rice gruel. Your Majesty is this nations pir. Only when the king is strong, the nation will stay strong. Please have your meal properly. Ill keep that in mind. While they were conversing about King Sejongs health, the tea had been prepared. The tea for King Sejong was brewed by a eunuch and for Queen Soheon was brewed by a courtdy. After taking a sip, Queen Soheon spoke. I heard that the Crown Prince caused an uproar at todays morning meeting. He didnt do anything. He talked about a very good policy. It was me who caused the uproar. Sorry? I couldnt beat my excitement that I used my speech back on our old house. This is why the dignity of a king is. What? Hohoho! Queen Soheon burst intoughing at King Sejongsint. After wiping the tears from the corner of her eyes, Queen Soheon looked at King Sejong. Even so, yourplexion looks far better. Why dont you just talkfortably? Is there any need for you to worry about the historians brush? King Sejong nodded at Queen Soheons words. The skit that happened today had made him embarrassed, but it made him feel better inside. It felt like his stiff neck and shoulders were released at once. King Sejong opened his mouth after finishing his thought. Youre right, my queen. Myfort is the first priority. Your Majesty, that is a wise judgment. I also asked the Crown Prince to participate in my political discussion after the funeral ritual ended. Queen Soheon let out a worried expression at King Sejongs words. Will that be fine? He is still young. Just like the golden brush, looking at his actions today makes me think it is fine. King Sejong stopped for a moment, then let out a sigh. Huff~. Our son isnt ordinary. You also know that, right, my queen? His action, speech, everything is like a subject in his forties. He said precocious child with a troubled tone, but King Sejong was drawing a proud expression. Looking at King Sejong, who showed such an expression, Queen Soheon also smiled. Not a long time ago, you were worried because he is too smart, and he built too many barriers between you. But it seems like you are reassured now. I am. King Sejong nodded his head. Chapter 13 Chapter 13 Chapter 13 Sprout. Sprout of Cancer? (6) Since the time he was able to speak and read, Hyang already showed an unusual appearance from others. Since then, Hyang had been acting so politely to the Sejong couple. There was no w in his politeness which made Sejong couple worry instead. Even though were his parents, I feel like this child is addressing us like strangers. I feel the same. There is a strong feeling that he drew an invisible barrier, and he has been guarding that barrier. Is it because he is too smart? The only one who coulde close with that child who built such a strong wall was Princess Jeonghye. Because my noonim has strong social skills. Hyang always smiled whenever he thought about his sister. The oldest daughter of the King Sejong couple, Princess Jeonghye, was a cheerful and smart person who was loved by all the royal family, starting from the King Taejong couple. In the 21st century, Princess Jeonghye was a super insider. When Queen Soheon left after enjoying the tea together, King Sejong stared at the eunuch. Get out for a moment. I want to be alone. Yes, Your Majesty. The eunuch left, and King Sejong, who was alone, muttered in a low voice. Will they personally go, or should I make them go? No should I end it nicely, or should I shed blood? Sejongs voice that came out faintly was filled with bloody intentions. The Great Hall now is only filled with Fathers subjects. I need my own subjects. My only subjects who only hear my words . * * * After the Royal letter from Emperor Yongle came and King Sejong gave his decision, the Ministry of Taxation began to prepare the production of golden brushes that will be presented to Emperor Yongle. However, a grave problem arose amid the preparation process. The problem was, it was impossible for the merchant guild that was in charge of supplying the golden brush to meet the timing until the envoys departed. Hearing that the production schedule could be a problem, King Sejong summoned the high-ranking officials and Hyang. After hearing the situation, Hyang stared at King Sejong. Dear Father, I think we need to know the detailed situation. How about summoning a representative from the guild and hearing it from him? That is impossible! How could we summon the lowly merchant in the ce where we decide the important affairs of this nation! As soon as Hyang finished his opinion, Chief Censor shouted no. Then King Sejong stared at the Chief Censor. Then, do you have the answer? . Your job is to remonstrate, and I dont belittle your advice, but I hope you know when is the right time for that. Forgive me, Your Majesty. King Sejong, who had blocked the Chief Censors mouth, gave his order. Call the representative from the merchant. Yes, Your Majesty. After a while, the representative who came after receiving the order quicklyid down on the floor. This humble merchant greets Your Majesty the King. I summoned you because the Crown Prince has something he wants to ask. Answer his question truthfully. Yes, Your Majesty. Crown Prince, you can ask now. Alright. Mister, how does your guild make the golden brush? Does one person take responsibility in making it from the start till the end? Yes, thats right, Your Royal Highness. Really? Hyang thought over something for a while before looking at King Sejong. I think I will get the answer after talking with the craftsmen from the merchant guild. Is that so? Then I have to summon their craftsmen. Right when King Sejong finished his words, Chief Censor immediately spoke out. Your Majesty! You cannot do that! Not only summoning the merchant, but you''re also about to summon the craftsmen to this sacred pce. That is something you really cant do! Please understand this! King Sejong gave a firm answer to Chief Censors advice. So I cant summon them, although it is for the nations benefit?! Chief Censor, you better shut your mouth! Your Majesty! Shut your mouth! If you cant do that, I have no choice but to question your loyalty. The Chief Censor shut his mouth at King Sejongs roar. In this court that was frozen because of King Sejongs roar, the representative could only breathe while maintaining his prostrating position. Go immediately and bring the craftsmen. Ye-Yes! The representative, who had felt the threatening atmosphere, brought the craftsmen and came back to the pce in a short time. Woah! In this Joseon that was famous for being slow, he moves really fast! As expected, people move quickly when they are in a crisis! Hyang, who felt frustrated when looking at the people of Joseon who moved so slowly, was satisfied with how the representative moved so fast. What Hyang taught to the craftsmen in their meeting was the very basic concept of division ofbor and shift work. What do you think of this? At Hyangs question, the leader of the craftsmen rubbed his chin for a while before answering. I think this is worth trying. It will take time until we get used to it, but when we get used to it, I think we will be able to make more than now. After hearing the leaders answer, Hyang turned to King Sejong. Father, their leader says it is possible. I see. I expect you all to bring good news. Your wish is our order! The craftsmen prostrated on the floor and answered King Sejongs order. Five dayster, the representative from the guild visited the Ministry of Taxation while bringing the answer from the craftsmen. They said they can advance the deadline. Really? How about the quality? They also said theyre confident with the quality. Youve worked hard! The Minister of Taxation, who had praised the representative, rushed to King Sejong. At the Ministers report, not only King Sejong but also the other high-ranking officials had their faces lightened up. King Sejong, who was tapping the desk with his finger, looked at Hyang. Dividing the work increases its efficiency Crown Prince, how did youe up with this marvelous idea? I had visited the royal kitchen before. There, I saw the assistant chefs and courtdies divided their work ording to the head chefs order. I remembered about this and thought of that idea. You are really not an ordinary kid! King Sejong eximed his awe loudly at Hyangs answer. In the ce ignored by others, you found a marvelous idea. This is very wonderful! What are you thinking about this, sir? It is very incredible! Most of the officials slowly nodded their heads in agreement with King Sejongs brag about his child. However, there were always those people whomented regardless of the time and ce. The Crown Princes intelligence is something to congratte, but I think it is bad that he only paid attention to very trivial things. I think it is right for him to use that intelligence to learn and understand the words of the wise. King Sejongs face turned fierce at the Chief Censors words. I think it is better for you to call a doctor right away and have your eyes checked. How can you not see properly? Did you say the Crown Prince only focused on trivial things? How can you say thinking about a situation that only passed by the ordinary person and finding the meaning behind that situation as something trivial? Didn''t the old sages also ponder over the national prosperity and the welfare of the people then share their thoughts? Why are you being so narrow? In response to King Sejongs rebuke, the Chief Censor hurried to make excuses. What I mean isnt that, but Then what is it? Just like what the Crown Prince said the other day, are you thinking that the previous kings and I have no legitimacy that led you to say such a ludicrous statement? I have never had such a wicked and disloyal heart! Are you sure about that? Please understand me! The morning meeting ended with that scene. When that atmosphere ended, the historians wrote in the manuscript of the annals like the following. [It is true that the Chief Censors remark is narrow-minded, but it is also hard to say the Kings pressure to be right. The desire to brag about his extraordinary child is human nature, but it is unfitting to a monarchs dignity to press the one who does not agree with him using his authority.] * * * Without regarding the historians who wrote sentences filled with criticism in the manuscript of the annals, King Sejong led the retainers and proceeded with the works. And of course, Hyang frequently had to respond to King Sejongs summons to give his opinion. King Sejong always summoned Hyang when he had something to discuss. Hyang always did his best to give his answer, and that answer satisfied King Sejong. And afterpleting a quest like that, Hyang always grumbled when he returned to his room. No matter how I look at it, it looks like I dug my own grave. Although it was meant to make me stand out earlier.. If King Sejong was satisfied and Hyang regretted his decision, the retainersmented while staring at the sky. Ah! I want to resign! How could that father-child do this to us! Some of them, who were a bit radical, found a quiet ce with no one there, then put the hem of their sleeves in their mouths and cried out. Like father, like son! It was because whenever Hyang gave answers that pleased King Sejong, the work that they had to do kept getting piled up. * * * Hyang, who just came back after exining about division ofbor, sighed. Huff~. It was close. The best method to answer the scheduling problem of the merchant guild was only the division ofbor. While the representative went to call the craftsmen, Hyang worked hard to rack his brain. After looking for a suitable enough example for the division ofbor, the thing that came up was teamwork in the royal kitchen. It was a sess by a narrow margin. Hyang, who was evaluating himself, clicked his tongue. Thinking about it there is still no concept of work division even at this time, is it? As he thought over division ofbor, the voice of Teacher Samcheonpo could be heard in Hyangs memory. "Even before Adam Smith talked about division ofbor, it had already urred naturally. However, what made the division ofbor regrized in the industry must be the connection between the absolute monarchy and the mercantile system." The absolute monarchy. Hyang focused on the word absolute monarchy. Teacher Samcheonpo connected Joseon with absolute monarchy, then said the following. "Then what about Joseon? It was a nation with absolute monarchy, but if you look closely in the history, it can be seen as a power struggle between the king who wanted an absolute monarchy and the retainers who dreamed of a republic." After that, he said dont be happy because of that republic, right? He said in front of the republic we know, there is democracy to make it perfect. And he said the republic that was dreamed by the retainers of Joseon was power in the hands of retainers. Hyang, who was ruminating over his past life memories, massaged his head. First, what should I do if I want to make my current selffortable and my future be easy? After thinking about that for a while, Hyang finally drew his conclusion. They say Rome wasnt built in a day, right? Let''s do it one by one, too. For now, I should start with the thing that Father really wants The start is strengthening the throne. Hyang gazed at Main Pce. Definitely stretch out Fathers power even to the closed society in the countryside. What I need to do is capital. * * * After making a n, which was to strengthen the throne, we have to expand the capital, Hyang went to visit King Sejong. Dear Father, I think there is something that the leader of the envoy has to do regarding this trip and business. Tell me. I think there is something that must be confirmed by the Emperor. Something that must be confirmed? Yes. First, we have to get the exclusive rights to the golden brush sold by Joseons merchants in Ming to be recognized. Just by looking at the Emperor''s order to offer the golden brush this time, it can be seen that the response to the golden brush is very good. The Great Ming Dynasty is a nation many timesrger than our Joseon. Then, just like what I have mentioned before, the demand for golden brush will be several times higher. Thats right. But, there are also merchants in Ming, and will they just stay still? Surely there will be people who reproduce and sell the gold brush. We should prevent this from happening. King Sejong thought over what Hyang had pointed out before nodding. The Crown Prince''s opinion is valid. However, if this goes wrong, we could get trampled by the Emperor When the Minister of Rites tried to raise an objection, King Sejong cut his words. Are you a subject of this Joseon, or a subject of Ming? Forgive me, Your Majesty. Minister of Rites prostrated at King Sejongsment. Hyang, who nced at the Minister of Rites, continued his speech. The second thing was a big bomb that shaken up the court. Chapter 14 Chapter 14 Chapter 14 Sprout. Sprout of Cancer? (7) The second is, we must obtain a decree prohibiting excessive demands for goods from their envoys whoe to Joseon. Ho~? Gasps! King Sejong became surprised at Hyangs remarks, and the officials turned pale. In the midst of the frozen atmosphere, the Minister of Rites raised his voice. Your Royal Highness! You cant! I mean, we cant do that, Your Royal Highness! Why can''t we do that? The Minister of Rites quickly answered Hyangs question. This Joseon is in submission to Ming. It is not right for a nation that pays tribute to protest against a subject of a great nation. Why are you saying that is discourteous? Isn''t the subject of a big nation oppressing a small nation that should be called immoral? If all the sir here are true noblemen, aren''t you supposed to point out the immoral things? Those whoe as envoys are eunuchs. They are the closest to serving the Emperor! If they speak ill of this Joseon to the Emperor, our Joseon will be endangered! Is our Joseon such a weak country? From what I have learned, 10,000 Ming troops were deployed in Liaodong because they were worried that our Joseon might invade their great nation. Is it our Joseon that makes Ming this wary, such a weak nation? That is. And are you seeing the emperor of a great nation as a slow-witted person? That he even dered war at the provocation of someone like a eunuch? That is. When the Minister of Rites was getting pushed back in the verbal battle, the Chief Censor intervened. Since ancient times, it is natural for a small nation to be submissive to a great nation. And it is absurd for a small nation to act against a great nation. If our Joseon shows a protest, Ming and Joseon will inevitably face a military confrontation. If this happens, we have to expand our military forces, which not only wastes human resources but also bes a heavy burden to the people. This is a shortcut to a ruined nation, none other than leaving the virtue. Of course, I really understand what is Your Royal Highness saying, but how can you think a foolish idea that will incur a great loss by pursuing a small profit when Are you just saying, incur a great loss by pursuing a small profit?! I heard that every time an envoy of Ming goes back from here, a two-kilometer road is blocked by carts loaded with goods they took away! The goods that filled those carts are property that they stole from this Joseons treasury and peoples warehouse! Are you saying all of this is small? If so, Chief Censor, starting from next time, you are in charge of preparing all those goods! A sage from ancient times said that the duty of a monarch and nobles is to make people livefortably without starving! But, just because of pleasing a mere eunuch, the people are getting exploited, and the nation''s treasury is drying up. Are you saying this is the practice of virtue and contributing to society the nobles have learned? Hyang, who was panting because he spoke too long, collected his breath before continuing. And which one of the two sagesConfucius and Menciustaught us not to be submissive but to be humiliated? Your words are too outrageous! It is not to be humiliated, but The Chief Censor felt Hyang had crossed the line, hence he tried to refute. Nevertheless, Hyang immediately interrupted him. I havent finished talking! It is said that a great man is to live in thergest house, stand in the most right position, and walk on the greatest road!(1) Is there any of the three above applicable to present wealth to a mere eunuch and kissing their ass? Are you all still saying yourselves as a great man? In the old days, when Qi threatened Qufu, Confucius boldly came forward to criticize that injustice and defeated them. Are you saying your action now is the same as Confucius? The faces of the retainers reddened at Hyangs criticism. In this ce where the King was present and the historians were recording everything, what the Crown Prince just said was none other thanyou petty people!a tant insult. However, Hyang still had something to say. He turned to face King Sejong, then prostrated. I am asking a favor to Your Majesty the King! The important officials are gathering here, but rather than people risking their lives for the national prosperity and peoples welfare, there are only those who want to spend their lives wearing silk uniforms while lying up in bed! This son will go as the leader of the envoys this time! Ill go to petition the Emperor and stop this wrong practice no matter what! Please grant me your permission! Crown Prince. Whenever those retainers gather and open their mouths, they always recite the sages words and say we have to build Joseon just like those words. They say Ming is absolutely right, and they do not hide their admiration for them. But, when we strive to make Joseon like that great nation, they always use any kind of excuses to not do that. How can they im this is not treacherous? Father! That great nation has already used coins since the Song Dynasty, and of course the current dynasty, Ming, also used coins made of gold, silver, and bronze. Furthermore, now they are starting to use gold and silver to pay taxes, not goods anymore! But, what about Joseon? Even though weve worked hard to make paper money for people to use since the reign of King Taejo, we kept failing! What do you think is the cause of this? This is because the national treasury iscking! Because of this, Im trying to fill the treasury by sending the merchants to apany the envoys! Only when the treasury is filled, we can relieve the starving people and circte the currency, then we can make this Joseon more prosperous! This son earnestly asks you, Father! Please let me go as the leader of the envoys this time! Although this son is only a nine-year-old kid with a small body, Im confident that my heart is higher than high mountains! Crown Prince, the road to Beijing is far and rough. King Sejong tried to stop him, but Hyang didnt stop his charge. From what Ive read about the western peoples history, there was a great empire called Rome. It is said that Rome started as a small city. However, one day, the ground cracked, and they needed wealth to build their nation. At that time, a young noble of Rome came forward by himself to solve the situation because Rome had nothing except their people. Was it only the western people who acted like this? Please look at the hwarangs who unified the old Samhan. Not only the government but also the men from influenced families became hwarangs and were the first to jump into the battlefield! These days, Joseon is in a crisis situation, but this is a good opportunity! If we can make good use of this situation, this Joseon willy a foundation for a thousand years. But if we can''t, well just be a small, isted nation! Father! Please understand me! Go back to your room. Please understand me, Your Majesty! I said go back! Eunuch! It seems like the Crown Prince is too excited! Take him back to his room and make him calm down! Father! After Hyang was carried out by the eunuch and disappeared, King Sejong stared at the officials, who were bowing their heads. His eyes were filled with bloody intention. You petty people. Your Majesty. You are noblemen. Arent you supposed to be a wise man?! Even a kid about to reach 9 is ready to risk his life for this Joseon, but what are you doing?! Are you noblemen?! Are you great men?! And are you wise men?! We deserve to die! With the lead of Chief State Counselor Ryu Jeonghyeon, all the officials prostrated and shouted their pleas to be killed. Do you think it is enough with you asking to be killed! If you ask to be killed, that is the end! What nation are you really from? All of you, really befitting to be called yuksiral bastards(2)! King Sejong, who was always polite and kept his manners, threw his manners away and scolded the retainers in a fierce tone. Do you know how long the Crown Prince sleeps in a day? It is no more than six hours! While that kid who hasnt reached nine thinking over how to make this Joseon rich and powerful, and how to make the people livefortably, that he even reduced his sleep, what is it that all of you were doing?! These rice bugs! You bastards are always looking for the impossible way rather than the possible way! If that is not a bug attitude, then what is it?! What is the use of your big body and your white hair, huh?! You petty people whose hearts are no better than children! We deserve to die! We deserve to die! Dont only say that, but quickly find the answer! If you cant, then I will grant your wishes to be killed! Get lost now! The official quietly left at King Sejongs thunderous roar. Meanwhile, the historians who recorded all of this wrote the following. [Even if the Crown Princes remarks were extreme, there is nothing wrong with his remarks. Are the current Chief State Counselor and Six Ministers the retainers of Joseon or retainers of Ming? In order to follow the sages teaching, this situation where forgetting eating and sleeping for national prosperity and welfare is not enough, the six ministers only went to work wearing uniforms made of silk, but busy asking to sleep in bedding made of silk. In this kind of situation, what the Crown Prince has said is really refreshing.] * * * Meanwhile, Hyang, who hade back to his room, sighed after sending the eunuch off his room. Huff~. Fuck! I was too reckless. After watching the retainers action in King Sejong''s chamber for a long time, suddenly the situation ovepped with the situation in 21st century Korea. Because of that, Hyang went berserk. Does this mean I should prepare to go to Ming. But, I have no ns for going to Ming. Hyang, who was analyzing what would happen due to his outburst, scratched his head nervously and came to a conclusion. This is a race! Either I will lose my legs or the retainers lose their position! Hyang made up his mind before shouting. Eunuch! Yes, Your Royal Majesty! I have to prepare to go to Ming! Pardon? It means packing up now! * * * When King Sejong heard the newsthe crown prince was packing up his stuffhe abruptly stood up from his seat. Why is that kid packing up? That. He said that he has to go to Ming soon. Furthermore, he said he cant waste any second because this is for the nation and its people. After hearing the Head Eunuchs answer, King Sejong stormed out of his chamber. This son of mine! In the Queen''s Pce. Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Were in trouble! What is it that youre being this noisy about? Queen Soheon, who was reading a novel she obtained from a courtdy, made a questioning look when herdy-in-waiting came and talked in a hurry. Because she came in a hurry, thedy collected her breath first before speaking. His Royal Highness said he will go to Ming, and I heard he is preparing for that now! The Crown Prince will go to Ming? Why? Its not like Ming is located next to Hanseong! Why does that little kid want to go there? He said the envoys from Ming whoe here are exploiting our people, so he wants to stop that. And because the ministers said it is impossible, he wants to do it by himself. Even before herdy-in-waiting could finish her words, Queen Soheon already stood up and ran outside. Bang! Your Majesty! Move! Queen Soheon, who had roughly opened the door even before the courtdies opened it, grabbed the skirt with both hands and started running through the pce wearing only her socks. You girls! What are you doing?! Quickly assist Her Majesty the Queen! Your Majesty! Ye-Yes! The queensdy-in-waiting who came out to chase Queen Soheon shouted to the courtdies who were staying still like a log before back to chase the queen again. * * * Huff~. Who should I rmend as the leader of the envoys? Kim Jeom, the minister of taxation, was agonizing over who should be the leader of the envoys. Usually, he would offer himself as the leader, but he couldnt do it this time. If something went wrong, he could get his head beheaded by Emperor Yongle, but on the contrary, if he couldnt do it properly, his head would be beheaded for sure when he came back. Who is it. When he was deep in his thoughts, suddenly the Minister of Personnel came running, with a pale face. My Lord! This is trouble! Were in trouble! What is it that makes youe without your dignity? What is the use of dignity now?! Were in trouble! Are Jurchens on the move? Or is it the Japanese pirates? It is better if this is Jurchens or Japanese pirates! The Crown Prince is on the move! The Crown Prince? The Crown Prince said he will go to Ming and is packing up his things now! What? ng! Kim Jeom abruptly stood up at the Minister of Personnels words. The chair he was sitting on rolled far away, but without taking back his chair, Kim Jeom left the ministry of taxation office and ran to the pce. T/N (1) One of teaching by Mencius about a great man (???/ɷ). What I found about this is a great man use benevolence as a foundation, manners as guidance, and follows the right path. If one holds a position in government, they should guide people to the right path, and if one doesnt hold a position in government, they shall walk on that path alone. When one bes rich, they dont lose on their wealth. When one in a humble situation, they stay strong and not bend to power. ? (2) yuksiral(???): A curse to say you are befitting to get yuksi. Yuksi: Criminal with dead sentence, who died before the execution, will still have their head beheaded and body mutted. ? Chapter 15 Chapter 15 Chapter 15 Sprout. Sprout of Cancer? (8) King Sejong, who had arrived outside the East Pce by half running, saw the eunuchs from the East Pce who were in a hurry, then called them with his hand gestures. The eunuchs there,e here. We greet Your Majesty the King! The eunuchs immediately greeted King Sejong, but King Sejong stopped them and asked. Forget your greetings. Where are you going? I am on my way to the Ministry of Taxation. I am going to the Royal Secretariat. Why are you going to the Ministry of Taxation and Royal Secretariat? We received an order to take a note of all items that has been given to the envoys from Ming since King Taejo reign, and bring Even before the eunuchs could finish their answers, King Sejong suddenly shouted. This kid really! Seems I''ve been spoiling you too much, huh?! Filled with rage, King Sejong pped his royal robe before running to the East Pce. Your Majesty! Your Maaajesty! When King Sejong began to run, the eunuchs and soldiers who were following behind him also began to chase him. King Sejong and people attending him disappeared just like a wind, and the ones left there were the eunuchs who were on their way to execute Hyangs order. What should we do now? What do you mean by that? Don''t we just need to execute the order we received? Well, thats true. The eunuch who got an order to go to the Ministry of Taxation stared at the East Pce with a worried expression. If this goes wrong, there might be a bloodbath. * * * When the Queen and her attendees, and the high-ranking officials arrived at the East Pce, King Sejongs roars and Hyangs rebuttals already leaked out from Hyangs room. This kid! Crown Prince! Why are you being absurd like this?! I am not being absurd! I am only preparing to do the things I have to do as a crown prince! You rascal! Are you doing this despite knowing your age?! There is no age limit in doing the right things! It is just an excuse to say someone is too young to act! There are the high-ranking officials, arent there? Isnt this because they dont want to move, that I have to do it? You rascal! You dont want to give up, huh? Eunuch, get out and bring me a stick and a block! When King Sejong shouted his order to bring the stick and the block, Queen Soheon, who was at a loss what to do, cried out. Your Majesty! Donte inside, My Queen! Eunuch, what are you doing? Hurry and bring me the stick and the fulling block! Ye-Yes, Your Majesty. With the scolding from King Sejong, Head Eunuch and eunuchs attending King Sejong opened the door of Hyangs room and walked out. Queen Soheon immediately stepped up after seeing Head Eunuchs pale face and entered Hyangs room. Your Majesty! Get out, My Queen! Eunuchs, escort the Queen outside! Your Majesty! What are you doing?! After themotion, Queen Soheon was dragged out by the eunuchs. Queen Soheon, who copsed in front of the East Pce, screamed her lungs out. Your Majesty! He is our child! Please be more merciful! Head Eunuch, what are you doing?! Bring me the stick and the block! At King Sejongs shout, the Head Eunuch and the other eunuchs went to take the stick and block, then immediately came back. Are you still thinking your absurd action is right? If Father, the King of this Joseon is the father of this nation''s people, then I am their oldest brother! As the oldest, how can I stay still when my siblings wail whenever Mings envoyes! Father, didn''t you have already seen the report about the envoys evil doings! Every time an envoyes, they rob property from people in viges on their way back! Then what can those people do? In the end, those powerless people at the bottom of this society only suffer repeatedly from this! That is a problem for the retainers to solve! Those retainers are the ones who cant find the solution despite it has been decades since Joseon was established! They are bbers who only know how to have fun! If they are noblemennoblemen of this Joseon, if they are the ones who imed to have learned the sages teaching and behave like the sages, they shouldnt stay still and only watch all of these evil practices happening! All the high-ranking officials, who were standing in the yard of the East Pce and hearing the debate between that father and son, lowered their reddened faces out of shame and let out amentation that reached the sky. Hooh~. So, are you still insisting that you are right?! I don''t think I have done anything wrong! You really! Show me your legs! Queen Soheon, who was outside, paled at King Sejongs shout. Your Majesty! The Crown Prince is only an eight-year-old kid! We must punish him severely when he is still young! Show me your legs and stand on the block! Not long after, Hyangs voice broke out. Eunuch Jo! Why are you standing there?! I''m responsible for what I did! Move away! Your Royal Highness! I said move! Your Royal Highness. Hearing the eunuchs tearful voice, Queen Soheon cried and called Hyang. My son! My Hyang! Afterward, Whack! Your first mistake is being arrogant with your petty knowledge! Whack! Your second mistake is you dare to look down on the retainers when youre only a little kid! Whack! Your third mistake is stubborn with your opinion! Whack! Your fourth mistake is taking this fathers order lightly! Every time a mistake was dered, the stick struck once, and every time that stinging sound transpired, the retainers who were standing in the yard flinched. Only when he had struck him around twenty, King Sejong stopped. Reflect thoroughly about today and make sure this kind of absurdity never happens in the future. I ept themand, Your Majesty. After hearing Hyangs answerwhich said while clenching his teeth, King Sejong left the room. When he reached the yard, King Sejong turned to the Head Eunuch. Call the Royal Physician and make him treat the Crown Prince. Yes, Your Majesty. The Head Eunuch signaled with his hand, and a eunuch in the back immediately ran to the Royal Physician Office. Huff~. After letting out a long sigh, King Sejong red at the officials who were standing in front of him. With the lead of Three High Councilors(1), all the high-ranking officials who had seen King Sejongs angry face kneeled all together. We deserve to die! We deserve to die! King Sejong briefly answered their shouts. By the evening, decide the envoy leader from the Three High Councilors, and two vice leaders from the Six Ministers. It is by the evening. If you all cant do this, including the Three High Councilor, Ill judge you all with high treason. Understand, Your Majesty! While ignoring their answers, King Sejong walked closer to Queen Soheon. After bringing Queen Soheon, who was sitting helplessly with a face filled with tears, to her feet, King Sejong spoke calmly. Please take care of the Crown Prince. Thenceforth, King Sejong walked to his chamber with a tired face. Queen Soheon sent him off while still wet with tears before ring at the officials with a raging face. I wont forget what happened today and all your faces until I die! We deserve to die! Shut up! Queen Soheon shouted instead of answering them before running to Hyangs room. Hyang! Eunuch, what are you doing?! Hurry and call the Royal Physician! Hurry! *** While the Royal Physician treated Hyangs wounds, Queen Soheon cried and looked over his wounds. Of course, she also frequently added a few smashes on Hyangs back. Who is it you take after that youre this stubborn?! Why dont you listen to your father?! Mother, it hurts! I hit you to hurt you! It took five days for Hyangs wound to heal. In the meantime, even his discussion with the officials from Crown Prince Education Office was suspended, and Hyang spent his time alone. Aah! Ssss~~~. Hyang knitted his brows when the pain from his feet crept up while he was sitting on the chair, tranting a book from Europe alone. It was because of his feet that he swayed unconsciously, bumped into the chair legs, and triggered his pain. Hyang looked into his legs beforeughing. No matter in the previous life or now, these legs suffer a lot. Even in his previous life, his legs and back had truly suffered because of his outrageous maniac activity. *** Because of the big ident created by Hyang, the situation in the court was like treading on thin ice. The historians recorded the situation at that time like the following. July 2nd, Sejong 4th year (1422). After the King disciplined the Crown Prince severely, he ordered the Three High Councilors and Six Ministers to appoint the envoys leader and vice leaders immediately. Following the king''s order to finish it before evening, the Three High Councilors and Six Ministers were locked in a room in Gyeongbok Pce(2), and the kings guards watched over that room. The King ordered his guards to watch over them and ordered panuigeumbusa(3) to prepare the interrogation. This was done in preparation in case the retainers couldn''t give their answer by evening. The historian said. The crown princes action is extreme, but he didnt say anything wrong. However, because his action took a wrong direction, it is right for the King to scold him. It is also not wrong for the retainers to value the submission. But, it is also the truth that this submission is beyond the limit. However, it is unjust to corner the retainers in a room and mobilize the royal guards to persecute them. This is an action that took a wrong step from the virtue of politics and a king''s path, and at the same time leading to caprice and tyranny that the king must avoid at all costs. *** Perhaps the pressure had really worked. That day, before the night came, the appointment ended. So the leader is Chief State Councilor and the vices are Minister of Taxation and Minister of Public Works. I approve this appointment. Your grace is immeasurable. Your grace is immeasurable. When King Sejong approved, the retainers prostrated all together and replied. With this matter finished, King Sejong gave his next order. The Ministry of Taxation and Royal Secretariat note down the reports asked by the Crown Prince and bring them here. With the order from King Sejong, the officials from the Ministry of Taxation and Royal Secretariat had to sort out all the evil doings of Mings envoys who visited Joseon since it was founded and documents rted to that. As everything finally organized through such a long process, the officials who were filling out the document couldnt help but sigh. This is really going too far! How could. The young officials who were organizing the documents couldnt hold their rage that they beat their chests. King Sejong sighed after looking at the reports brought from the Ministry of Taxation and Royal Secretariat. Huff~. What the Crown Prince said is right, after all. ording to the report, after Joseon was established, the amount of tribute demanded by the envoy of Ming was increasing overtime every time the new kings were installed. The volume of demanded goods was soaring faster in proportion to the number of visits the envoys had. The years in which the tributes demanded the most were the first and subsequent years of his ession to the throne. In order to convince the envoys who were skeptical about himselfthe third sonwho rose to the throne when the crown prince, who had received the imperial recognition, was ousted; and in order to convince the envoys who doubted if the subjugation of Tsushima was real, the Joseon court had to pay huge amounts of money as bribes. The smallest amount they received was two months of a year''s budget, and the biggest was six months. If we include the goods they have robbed from small viges, four months for smallest and one year for biggest. Just like how they were rumored as recording lovers, the officials and schrs of Joseon recorded all the viges where the envoys passed by and properties of the most influential families there that they took away without missing anything. Then they sent it as reports. Thanks to that, King Sejong could know the exact value of the property that was stolen by the envoys. Take a look at this! Following King Sejongsmand, the Three High Councilors and Six Ministers read the documents in turn. Hmm. Hoh. The high councilors and high-ranking officials sighed after reading the reports. It was because they finally recognized the seriousness which they had only heard in words by confirming it with numerical values. Did youpensate the influential families who lost their wealth to the envoys? . Because it was for the nation So you didntpensate for them? No wonder, they rake in vigers wealthseveral times more than what was stolen. Haah~. King Sejong sighed before looking at the high-ranking officials. All of you couldnt even think about this thing when the young crown prince could? Forgive us, Your Majesty. The retainers bowed at King Sejongs rebuke. The words aren''t you also the same? was already at the tip of their throats, but their duty was only to bow while saying we''re honored!. Those who will go as an envoy must definitely solve this problem! Understand, Your Majesty! T/N (1) Chief state councilor, left state councilor, right state councilor. They are the leader of the state council of Joseon, the highest organ of government at that time. ? (2) You can check this link for more information. ? (3) Panuigeumbusa (?????/x) The highest position in Uigeumbu. ? Chapter 16: Sprout... Sprout of Cancer? (9) Chapter 16: Sprout... Sprout of Cancer? (9) Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light...
So, erm Yeah, I picked this up remembering I read it few years ago. But, seeing the previous trantor dropped it because of various reasons, I decided to give it a go since I love the intricate politics inside this novel plus the Hyangs whims trying to outsmart the people around him. Please be noted, that the trantions are abination of my poor Korean skills, MTL softwares, dictionaries and help from my friend whos studying Korean Language as their major. For footnotes, just click on the number next to the words, and a popup will show up. I suggest you read the footnotes to fully grasp the context of the story. Warning, all the chapters will have an unsurmountable of footnotes. I cant really help it, since I think its necessary. I guess its simr to extra notes at the end of every manhwa chapters like ORV.
The dialogue The king struck the crown prince with a club, and The officials received insults from the king began to spread as rumors throughout the capital city. Although the officials who were worried about losing face ordered people to keep quiet, it was only a matter of time before those who liked to talk would start speaking, unless it was a matter of national secrecy. As a result, the rumor spread at the speed of light, and within five days, there was not a single person living in the capital city of Hanyang[simple_tooltip content=Capital city of Joseon][1][/simple_tooltip]who did not know about the incident. Most of themon people who heard the rumor supported the crown princes words, except for the conservative aristocrats. Ah! There is nothing wrong with what the crown prince said! Every time those damn envoys from the Minge, there is endlessining!! Yes! Owner[simple_tooltip content=The raws states ?? (jumo) = A calling for female pub owner.][2][/simple_tooltip], bring us a pot of makgeolli! We should drink on a day like today! As many people in the capital expressed their support for the crown prince, simr-aged boys who resembled him, unintentionally had to shed their blood. They were boys who were simr to him in their background, ranging from the grandsons and great-grandsons of courtiers to the sons of farmers, and all had to endure simr insults. The crown prince is already so proficient in his studies that he can debate with the officials, but what are you doing? You can barely read the Thousand Character ssic! Is this the reputation of our family? I-Im sorry! Grandfather, This grandson will try harder Shut up! Ah Beom-a! Bring me a club! The crown prince is even dealing with those arrogant officials, but you, you brat, are just causing trouble in the neighborhood! Come here! Lets teach you a lesson today! Anyone[simple_tooltip content=Calling for servants.][3][/simple_tooltip]! Bring a thick club! While sons and grandsons were being beaten with insults and clubs by their grandfathers and fathers, the interest of the women who had taken over the aristocrats inner quarters, starting with Lady Jeonggyeong[simple_tooltip content=A title for wife of high officials][4][/simple_tooltip], turned to something else. I wonder how the crown princes mother raised him. We are also curious. We want to ask, but since the crown princes mothers rtives were killed in the previous rebellion The women who were looking for a connection with the crown princes mother found a connection with Lady Yeongbin Gang[simple_tooltip content=I believe it is Royal Noble Consort Yeong of the Jinji Gang n, based on history.][5][/simple_tooltip], who was the consort of King Sejong. As far as I know, the crown prince learned on his own. Really Lady Yeongbin Gangs words disappointed the women greatly. The way the crown prince teaches his younger brothers is amazing. His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince is not only exceptional at studying, but also excellent at teaching. Pardon? The way Crown Prince taught his younger siblings was very impressive. ??? Hyang, who was worried about how to educate his younger siblings, especially Su-yang, finally came to a conclusion: Its unreasonable to punish someone before theyve done anything wrong. Dont push them until they die! No, push them until they die, and then push them once more! After reaching a conclusion, Hyang immediately put it into action. If Im going to do it properly, I need to make them learn from a properly trained person! And after confirming the reality, Hyang pped his hand on his forehead, You havent even learned the Thousand Character ssic yet How am I going to deal with this? When Queen Soheon heard a rumor that Hyang wasmenting about his younger siblings academic achievements, she summoned him and said, My prince, its only because Crown Prince is exceptionally talented, not because your siblings are falling behind. Oh my god, even my younger siblings are of the same bloodline as Father. It is an undeniable fact that Father has passed the imperial examination with the highest score, and behaving like this is an unfilial act that tarnishes his reputation. As his son, I cannot bear to see this. Those deceitful guys, trying to trick me will only burn themselves![simple_tooltip content=Ermm, I guess his siblingsined to their mom. Lol][6][/simple_tooltip] With a resolute determination, Hyang thought of a way to help his younger siblings with their studies. First of all, I need to make sure they learn the Thousand Character ssic properly Hyang soon found a solution to the educational problem of his two younger siblings, Su-yang and An-pyeong. His solution was shcards. He then ordered the production of shcards from painting bereau[simple_tooltip content=An institution where it is responsible for producing official documents and records in the Joseon dynasty.][7][/simple_tooltip] (Do Hwa Won). Thick pieces of wood were covered with paper on both sides and on one side, four-character phrases from the Thousand Character ssic were written, while on the other side, a drawing that depicted the meaning of the sentence was added. In addition to the Thousand Character ssic shcards, Hyang addedpetition in addition to the carrot and stick approachmainly with the use of snacks, as well as a sense of rivalry to teach Su-yang and An-pyeong. With the appropriate use of a whip, the education proceeded, resulting in Su-yang and An-pyeong mastering the Thousand Character ssic in just 40 days. Hyangs education did not stop with the Thousand Character ssic. Using pictures that depicted the contents of the scriptures, he exined them in the form of storytelling and engaged Su-yang and An-pyeong in learning. Since my younger siblings seem to be following along well, it would be best to continue with this method of education for the time being. I am greatly impressed by the Crown Princes methods of discipline! The princes assistants who had been struggling with the education of the two younger princesespecially Su-yang, and had spent a long time in the royal court, admired the princes methods and bowed their heads in respect. Pardon us, but how long will we be using this method? We need to refine their attitudes before they can approach the Four Books and the Five ssics, so until then, this should be sufficient. Very well. Meanwhile, when King Sejong heard reports that Hyang hade up with a unique method to help his younger siblings with their studies, he was delighted and pounded his knee. He truly is a Crown Prince! Truly a great teacher! ??? After hearing about the method and results of education in the royal pce through Lady Yeongbin Gang, the womens bodies trembled with excitement and their hips shook. How can we obtain the educational tools that Crown Prince created? Crown Prince instructed to keep them well-preserved for use in teaching his younger siblings. Oh How can we obtain them? Well, Im not sure As Lady Yeongbin Gang made an awkward expression, the impatient women began to pressure their husbands. Your Excellency! Please speak to the prince about it! Oh my reputation Your Excellency! Is your reputation more important than your grandsons education? He is the future of our family! Uh okay In the end, the government officials couldnt bear the womens pleas and decided to find a solution. Whats the matter? Well, the thing is Upon hearing the officials exnation, Lady Yeongbin Gang let out a bitterugh. What am I, some sort of peddler?! Anyway, the officialsints led to a decision by Lady Yeongbin Gang. We can sell the educational tools for the Thousand Character ssic. But we need someone who can teach it properly, and those people are hard toe by. So well only teach up to the Thousand Character ssic. Is that eptable? After a brief consideration, the officials nodded their heads. Their grandsons were at the age to learn the Thousand Character ssic after all. Just the Thousand Character ssic would be enough. Thank you. How much is it? Its one hundred bags of rice. One hundred bags of rice! As the officials gasped at the unexpected price, Lady Yeongbin Gang exined the reason. Among the one hundred bags of rice, one part will be used to pay for the cost of creating the educational tools, one part will be given to the artists in the painting department for their work, one part will go to the state treasury, and thest remaining part is for my personal use. What will you use it for? Well, the cost of making the books is quite high.[simple_tooltip content=So, she likes books???][9][/simple_tooltip] One hundred bags of rice were not a small amount of money. However, the women, who were devoted to their childrens education, paid without hesitation. As a result, the artists in the painting bureau received an unexpected bonus and cheered, and as for Lady Yeongbin Gang, she smiled contently as she looked at the pile of rice bags in the corner of the Eastern Pce. Now I can pursue my own interests with peace of mind. ??? Amidst the turmoil caused by the scent-driven[simple_tooltip content=''????(ƽL) is an idiom that literally means a windstorm on a in but is used to describe political turmoil or chaos.][9][/simple_tooltip] upheavals in the pce, time passed, and the funeral period of King Taejong was almosting to an end. On September 6th, they went to Hyeonreung[simple_tooltip content=?? refers to the Royal Tomb, which is the burial site of a king or queen of the Joseon Dynasty. It was built to honor the monarchs memory and to provide a ce for ancestral rites.][10][/simple_tooltip] (Royal Tomb) to pay respects to the deceased. On September 18th, King Sejong and the officials gathered at Gwanghwamun[simple_tooltip content=''???(VТ) is one of the main halls in Gyeongbokgung Pce, where the king held official ceremonies and meetings with his ministers.][11][/simple_tooltip] Pce to perform the Jolgeokje[simple_tooltip content=''????(޼) is a ceremony held to mourn the death of a king or an emperor][12][/simple_tooltip] (memorial) ceremony. After that, for the first time since King Taejongs death, meat[simple_tooltip content=Eating meat is not allowed during the mourning period.][13][/simple_tooltip] was presented to King Sejong. At the end of the Jolgeokje ceremony, King Sejong and the officials dressed in white court robes with ck hats and ck belts. On September 20th, they performed a ritual[simple_tooltip content=''??? ?? is a ritual to appease the ancestors by calling owls. In Korean folklore, owls are believed to be messengers of the underworld and have the power tomunicate with the dead.][14][/simple_tooltip] to appease the ancestors with owl calls. On September 21st, King Sejong and the officials finally returned to the Pyeonjeon[simple_tooltip content=''??() is a temporary pce used for state affairs when the main pce is under repair or unavable.][15][/simple_tooltip] Pce (temporary pce) to attend to state affairs. ??? As the court returned to Pyeonjeon Pce and resumed its formal duties, the royal government began to regain its footing. They distributed precise scales and strengthened the regtions for those entering and exiting the pce, all in an effort to restore stability to the country that had been somewhatx during the funeral of King Taejong. King Sejong and his regents were busy trying to aplish this task. However, King Sejong and his regents were not the only ones who were busy. King Sejong had fulfilled his promise and invited the schrs to participate in a ritual (Kyeongyeon)[simple_tooltip content=Kyeongyeon (??) was a Confucian ritual that involved interpreting ssical texts. The king would invite schrs and officials to participate in the ceremony and discuss the texts meaning and implications for governance.][16][/simple_tooltip] debate. But King Sejongs event was not simply about lecturing on Confucian ssics. From the Book of Poetry Starting with a reference to a section of Confucian ssics, King Sejong and his regents engaged in a heated debate. The debate intensified not only because of the different interpretations of the ssics but also because of how Confucian ideals could be applied in actual policy. Your Majesty! The principles of sincerity and honesty are like gold and jade threads. It is essential that you keep this in mind and abide by them! The officials arguments generally maintained the same premise as above. The writings in the ssics were the teachings left behind by Confucius and Mencius, so the king must wholeheartedly follow those teachings. It is the duty of the state to cultivate its people! In cultivating the people, justice and virtue take precedence! While the deeplymitted schrs of the Sunggyunkwan[simple_tooltip content=Sunggyunkwan: It was the National Confucian Academy during the Joseon Dynasty, responsible for training officials and promoting Confucianism as the official state ideology][17][/simple_tooltip] advocated for the supremacy of virtue over wealth[simple_tooltip content=Deokbonjaemal (±ؔĩ): This phrase means virtue before wealth, indicating the belief that moral values should be prioritized over personal gain.][18][/simple_tooltip] and for cing moral values above personal gain, those who supported King Sejongs policies, including the promotion of practical benefits and the inclusion ofmoners, engaged in heated debates with them. If you read the Daewu-mo from the Book of Rites, it is clear that the Confucian schrs considered governing the world and benefiting the people to be the ideal of virtuous rule. Confucius emphasized the importance of enriching the people before educating them, while Mencius believed that providing people with a stable livelihood is the foundation for realizing the the Way of Kings[simple_tooltip content=Wangdo (): This phrase means the Way of Kings, indicating the ideal of virtuous rule, which emphasizes the importance of the rulers moral character and the well-being of the people over personal gain.][19][/simple_tooltip]. The chariots that dismantled the schrly orthodoxy and rejected Sunggyunkwans neo-Confucianism were led by King Sejong and his son, Crown Prince Yi Hyang. After a fierce debate during apetition, the exhausted and sweaty senior schrs were forced to retreat. I thought the Crown Prince was only skilled in misceneous studies You still think that way even after what happenedst time? This is the first time in my life that Im afraid of the royal examinations. Wouldnt it be better to ask for a reduction in the number of exams rather than asking for it to be easier? During the reigns of Taejo and Taejong, officials who used to argue that kings who avoided taking the royal examinations should be caught and forced to take them now found themselves thinking about reducing the number of exams. While the officials were on the brink of death, Sejong couldnt help but smile. Since he ascended to the throne, he had constantly been under pressure from his officials. Dealing with many officials at the same time was difficult, even for Sejong, who was known for his academic prowess. It was like the saying, One hand cant pull two hands. Sometimes through negotiation, sometimes through avoiding confrontation, Sejong led his administration, but it was hard to withstand the overwhelming force of the officials. If I had more officials who shared my vision After difficult debates with his officials, Sejong alwaysmented like this. People like Hwang Hui and Maeng Sa-seong[simple_tooltip content=''??? ??? C Hwang Hui and Maeng Sa-seong were two officials who were known for their reformist ideas, but they were still in lower positions at the time.][20][/simple_tooltip] were still in lower positions, and there were too few reform-minded courtiers. In such a situation, it was a blessing from heaven that Prince Hyang showed exceptional ability. Even though he was only 9 years old, far from the age of aspiration[simple_tooltip content=''?? (־W) refers to the age of aspirations in the traditional Korean system, which was around 15 years old. It was the age when young men were expected to start pursuing their aspirations and careers.][21][/simple_tooltip], his academic achievement was on par with his own, and his ability to debate was sharper than his own. When he opened his mouth, even the former king Taejong and the ministers he had worked so hard to raise would be silenced by Prince Hyangs arguments. Perhaps because of the relief of mental burden thanks to Hyang, King Sejong also regained his physical vitality. From some point, many of the illnesses that had been bothering him, such as tuberculosis, disappeared, and even headaches and shoulder stiffness disappeared. The saying that a child is a treasure seems to be true. Hahaha! If others hear what the king said now, they will say hes lost his mind. You! Thanks to Hyang, every time King Sejong faced Queen Soheon, he became nervous. However, there was only one moment when even King Sejong felt burdened by Hyang. It was during mealtime. Oh my goodness! I told you not to eat only meat! You brat! You shouldnt even touch anything except meat when you eat! Its because dogs eat meat that I dont touch it! Eating in harmony is the beginning of keeping your health, Father! To protect King Sejongs health, Hyang scolded him at every meal, and the officials followed them, and recorded the incident. Trantors Notes Hope you enjoyed this chapter! For faster updates, join Blossom Trantions discord and get this novel role there! Kirara Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light novels is just as bright and shiny, and I have a passion for bringing these stories to life through trantion. If my trantions are your cup of tea, kindly consider fueling my passion by purchasing me a Ko-fi or subscribing for early ess to advanced chapters of all my tranted works. Chapter 17: Sprout... Sprout of Cancer? (10) Chapter 17: Sprout... Sprout of Cancer? (10) Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light...
Hello! Just wondering if you like me to insert a bit of historical context in every chapter if I deem it necessary for you to understand more about the historical scene in the story.
To befortable, Sejong must live a long life, a healthy long life! Following this decision, Hyang persistently persuaded King Sejong. If we look at the medical texts obtained through emissaries during the Yuan Dynasty Hyang persuaded King Sejong with medical evidence. Father is known to prefer meat. However, biased meals disrupt the harmony of yin and yang and the five elements Eating too much meat and grains can make the blood turbid Hyang actively adjusted Sejongs diet by reciting passages from the medical texts or even spreading them out if necessary. To the point of residing in the Royal Kitchen for a month, practicing and studying with skilled and novice chefs. The broth is too salty! Do it again! Eating a little frequently is better than binge eating all at once. Offer fruits and simple desserts from time to time! Hyang didnt just turn the Royal Kitchen upside down. If you call yourself a physician, why are you still only looking at medical texts from the Tang Dynasty? There are several new texts that havee out since then, go get them and read them now! If you read medical texts, you should follow them. Whats the point otherwise! If a herb is mentioned in Mings medical texts, but not found in our Joseon, then we must either go and obtain it or find an herb in our own Joseon that has the same effect. Isnt that the duty of a physician? If we continue to sit idly by, will the herb just grow on its own? Go outside the pce walls immediately and find the herb! In the inner medical quarters of the pce, the royal physicians had to study thetest medical books and research herbs, sweating to achieve their goals. Regardless of what others may say, exercise is the best! Hyang closely observed what type of exercise Sejong enjoyed. It turned out that he enjoyed ying Geokbang[simple_tooltip content=''??: geokbang, a Korean game yed with a stick and ball, simr to hockey][1][/simple_tooltip]. Geokbang? Is it simr to golf? Although golf is quite a good sport After considering his options, Hyang chose jump rope as his exercise of choice. It may be amusing, but being a king is not a profession that allows for leisure time and space, so jumping rope is appropriate. With the help of skilled craftsmen, Hyang let out a small sigh as he held the jump rope in her hand. Even creating just one jump rope requires so much effort From making a lightweight and durable rope to creating a light and sturdy hoop, Hyang had to go through considerable trial and error. Surely the problem is not the technique, but theck of concept Do I have to roll it again? In the constantly upgraded Tech Tree[simple_tooltip content=Tech Tree: a term used in video games to describe the tree-like structure of technology and upgrades that yers can acquire.][2][/simple_tooltip], where secrecy is maintained for security purposes, there was only one item that never changed. Yes, just roll it. As Hyang grew and became morepatible with King Sejong, it became an item that would cause cheers from many. Hyang, holding a rope and a bell made through twists and turns, and a foreign book in the other hand, went straight to King Sejong. What is that? While looking for a document for Fathers health, I found this in a book written by the Western schrs. If I trante it, it says that jumping rope is a form of exercise. Jump rope exercise? Yes, Your Majesty. May I show you the book? You may. As soon as King Sejong allowed it, Hyang stepped into the middle of the convenient[simple_tooltip content=''?? (convenient hall) refers to a small building or a room in a pce where the king would conduct daily administrative affairs.][3][/simple_tooltip] hall and started jumping rope with both hands on the rope. Whip whip whip whip! Jingling! Jingling! Jingling! Jingling! Every time Hyang jumped lightly, the bell on Hyangs ankle rang cheerfully. After jumping rope about ten times, Hyang politely handed the rope to King Sejong after taking a deep breath. Upon receiving the rope, King Sejong looked at Hyang. It doesnt seem too difficult. But does this really help one improve his health? Yes, Your Majesty. ording to what Western schrs have written, If one jumps over it 100 times a day without rest, the lower body will be stronger, chronic illnesses will disappear, and if a man continues to do this 100 times a day for several years, his foundation will be stronger'', the next part was difficult to trante, so it was retranted from the Chinese interpretation: There will be no withdrawal in the matters rted to the couples intimacy[simple_tooltip content=Nightly activities Ehem][4][/simple_tooltip]. Huh? Uh? At that moment, not only Sejong but also the eyes of everyone present in the room, except for the inner courtdies, widened. Sejong tightly gripped the rope in his hand and looked at Hyang. Is that so? Yes. ording to the writings of Western schrs. They added this: Those who hold high positions or spend a long time on boats tend to have weaker lower bodies. The best way to strengthen a mans lower body is horseback riding or running, but those in high positions dont have the time, and those sailing doesnt have enough space to do so. Thats why this was developed. Indeed! Truly! Sejong pped his knee in admiration upon hearing Hyangs supplementary exnation. Both his father and Taejo had drilled into his ears the importance of a strong lower body for men, achieved through horseback riding or running. Are you saying I should jump over this 100 times? Yes, Your Majesty. It doesnt seem too difficult. But what are these bells? They are to be worn on your ankles, Your Majesty. When you jump properly, they produce a pleasant sound, and when you stumble, they make a harsh sound, helping you focus. In particr, Chief Eunuch, Yes, Crown Prince. His Majesty must carefully count the bell sounds while jumping and make sure he reaches exactly 100. As written by Western schrs, Moderation is key. Begin by aiming to jump 30 times without stopping, then gradually increase the count to 100. That is the instruction. I will bear the Crown Princesmand in mind. After passing on the precautions to Chief Eunuch, Hyang approached King Sejong. Your Highness, my utmost wish is for Your Majestys long life without illness. Please, consider the importance of a proper diet and exercise. As soon as the Crown Prince finished speaking, the court officials chimed in. For them, it was an opportunity to score points with the king after a long time. Your Highness is correct! Ensuring Your Majestys well-being is indeed the most important matter! In the end, King Sejong began his morning routine by stretching his neck and jumping rope. This is not as easy as I thought! Although he stumbled repeatedly at first, King Sejong gradually became proficient at jumping rope. ??? Upon starting rope jumping, positive changes began to happen to Sejong, and the most significant change was that he began to see things clearly. As Sejong started to see things clearly and hisplexion improved, Hyang had a gratified smile on his face. Eat plenty of fiber and stimte the organs by jumping rope; if you dont have a bowel movement, thats unfortunate! As rumors spread that rope jumping was effective for constipation, the royal concubines in the inner pce started to show interest in it. Your Highness, they say that rope jumping is so good; would it be good for me as well? At themand-like question posed by Queen Soheon, who had taken the lead, Hyang responded immediately, Oh, please forgive this sons ipetence! Hyang, who readily replied, immediately created rope jumping for the queen and royal concubines. Queen Soheon and the royal concubines, holding the splendid ropes made of twisted five-colored threads, encountered another problem. The skirt is ufortable! Should we tell His Highness? After some deliberation, Queen Soheon took the lead once again. Your Highness, rope jumping is good, but theres a problem. The clothes are a bit This son will try to find a solution. Although he answered like that, it wasnt an easy task for Hyang. Did I go too far? Hyang, who had been struggling to find an answer in order to produce a result, found an answer. He made a design by adopting the design of riding pants that Western noblewomen or upper-ss women enjoyed wearing in thete 19th and early 20th centuries and sent it to the Royal Clothing Bureau. When Queen Soheon and the courtdies received the clothes, they were slightly hesitant about the unfamiliar design, but soon began to enjoy wearing them not only during exercise but also in everyday life, as they were morefortable moving in than the clothes they had previously worn. As a result, an unexpected butterfly effect urred for Hyang, as Sejongs nightlife became busier than expected. This was due to the design slightly emphasizing the waist and hips, unlike traditional designs. ??? To maintain King Sejongs health, the rope jumping skill that Hyang had developed quickly spread throughout the country. Ironically, the speed at which it spread far surpassed that of the spread of the previous brushs invention. If the rope doesnt work, use a calf rope. But the biggest reason was vitality! While reading a document sent through Sangdan (government office), which had be a personal informationwork for Hyang during the process of supplying brushes, Hyang burst outughing. Among the reports rted to rope jumping, the most impressive one was that of a rural aristocrat who was over 60 years old and had been groaning with aches and pains, but as soon as he heard the rumors, he started jumping rope. However, there was also a butterfly effect that Hyang had never expected. Riding pants are in fashion? Oh,e on! Riding pants, which pce women loved for their ease of movement and activity, began to spread among the women of the wealthy ss. Why? While investigating the cause, Hyang discovered an unexpected fact. The riding pants that slightly entuated the curves of the waist and hips were the perfect means to lure men passing by into the inner chambers. Surprisingly, women in early Joseon were quite open-minded and active. No, the customs of the Korean Penins have been quite liberal since the Three Kingdoms period, even before the early Joseon period, and that trend has continued to this day. In such a societal atmosphere, clothes that were easy to move in and sexy(?) were enough to be a trend. So, the Gate of Virtuous Women must have been created Hyang remembered the ramblings of Samcheonpo, the teacher, once again. The fact that they say the Gate of Virtuous Women was created and even provided benefits proves that virtuous women were rare! Simrly, in the West, or even in Catholicism, they searched for saints in the same way! Come to think of it, didnt the clothing of the Tang Dynasty that exposed the corbone also spread to Si? ??? Time flowed steadily, and the departure of the official envoy to Beijing drew near. Hyang created a hypothetical scenario and educated the envoy party. So, if it goes like this, I think its best to answer like this. That may be so, but it could also lead to lying to the Emperor and cause diplomatic problems. But its not entirely false, is it? Its true that the national treasury wobbles every time a Ming envoyes and that there is a shortage of gold and silver. Its also true that we want to emte the Mings system, but we cannot because of the shortage of gold and silver. Its just not entirely urate. Its slightly exaggerated. If it gets exposed, it could cause diplomatic problems. When the Chief Envoy, Chief State Councilor[simple_tooltip content=It refers to a high-ranking government official who was responsible for the education and military training of the crown prince and other royal family members in the Joseon Dynasty.][5][/simple_tooltip] Ryu Jeong-hyeon, made this suggestion, Hyang looked at him suspiciously. If it gets exposed, it could cause diplomatic problems And the Chief State Councilor should always be honest Then, should we tell the emperor that all the war horses we have given to Ming were fakes and that we have nearly doubled the price we paid for them in Yeojin? Or should we tell him that its not that there is a shortage of gold and silver, but that we just dont mine and excavate as much as we could? Thats Chief State Councilor Ryu Jeong-hyeon was at a loss for words at Hyangs reproach. Hyang, who had been eyeing him, pressed on, Are you saying this out of concern for the safety of Joseon or just to quell my ambitions? God has never had such an unpredictable mind! Then what is the correct answer? I will follow the n of lowering the Crown Princes status. After the Chief State Councilor surrendered, the meeting proceeded more normally. ording to the rules of the tribute system established by the Ming, we, Dawei[simple_tooltip content=?? (Dawei): a former kingdom in present-day Myanmar, which was a tributary state of China during the Ming dynasty. While Seomra = Kingdom of Siam, now Thand][6][/simple_tooltip] and Seomra are granted a visit once every three years. If Ming revives this rule, what should we do? Why does Ming want to revive this rule? The magistrate, who asked the question in response to Hyangs inquiry, exined the reason. Because the size of the apanying trade delegation raises doubts about the nature of the tribute mission. In that case, just as we have established the Wae-gwan[simple_tooltip content=Japanese embassy in Joseon.][7][/simple_tooltip] for Japan, ask the Ming to create one in Joseon. It might be mutually beneficial to make it a permanent institution rather than having them apany us on trade missions. Attendant, get me some maps. Yes, Your Highness. After examining the map brought by an attendant for a while, Hyang pondered. After some time had passed, he spoke up. If we only allow sea routes, it would be best to make it in Sandong[simple_tooltip content=''?? (Sandong) is a region located in the eastern part of Chinas Shandong Province, facing the Yellow Sea.][8][/simple_tooltip], and if we only allownd routes, it would be better to build it in the Yoha[simple_tooltip content=''?? (Yoha) is an archaic name for the Liao River, a river in northeastern China that flows into the Bohai Sea.][9][/simple_tooltip] river area. Please submit a proposal to the King for his consideration. I understand. Hyang sighed as he returned to his room. Phew~. Theres no answer except for Sandong! Trantors Notes Theres parts of the historical context in this chapter that I dont quite understand. So, itd be helpful if someone could enlighten me Kirara Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light novels is just as bright and shiny, and I have a passion for bringing these stories to life through trantion. If my trantions are your cup of tea, kindly consider fueling my passion by purchasing me a Ko-fi or subscribing for early ess to advanced chapters of all my tranted works. Chapter 18-1: Sprout... Sprout of Cancer? (11) Chapter 18-1: Sprout... Sprout of Cancer? (11) Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light... The content of the meeting that took ce between the Hyang and the civil officials was immediately documented and reported to King Sejong as soon as it ended. King Sejong examined the documents with his ministers. Hmm It seems best to proceed with this matter as the Crown Prince suggested. Understood, Your Majesty. And as for the Joseon Office I think this is eptable, but if we request the Ming Dynasty to establish the Joseon Office, which location would be most likely? None of the ministers immediately responded to King Sejongs question. Observing their silence, Sejongs expression grew sharp. Why is no one answering? Is it because discussing such lowly trade is beneath you? No, thats not it Then why is there no answer? Pressured by Sejong, Kim Jeom, the chief of the Office of Taxation [simple_tooltip content=A high-ranking official position in one of the six ministries in Joseon government, responsible for managing administrative affairs and finances.][1][/simple_tooltip], stepped forward. In my humble opinion, if a market is established in the Yoha[simple_tooltip content=Liao river.][2][/simple_tooltip] region, the presence of our Joseon troops would be inevitable due to the Jurchen[simple_tooltip content=In the raws, the Koreans refer them as Yeojin people. However, I think for the sake of rity, I think writing it as the Jurchens would be clearer to readers. The Jurchens are a group of people who inhabited the region epassing Manchuria, Siberia and parts of Korea and China. They had a long history of conflict with Joseon and Ming at the time.][3][/simple_tooltip] issue. As this would not be weed by the Ming Dynasty, I believe it is more likely that the office will be established in the Sandong region. That could be possible. On the other hand, if the Ming wishes to establish a market near the Amnok[simple_tooltip content=Amnok River (???): Also known as the Yalu River, it is a river that forms part of the border between North Korea and China.][4][/simple_tooltip] River, what should we do? In that case, our Joseon must oppose it. Oppose King Sejong, who had been mulling over the words, nodded his head. It seems we have no choice. Then, what do you think about the permanent establishment of the trading posts? I believe it would be better than having them apany the envoys each time. After considering the response from the Chief State Councilor[simple_tooltip content= Prime Minister in todays time. ][5][/simple_tooltip], King Sejong turned to look at the Senior Second State Councilor. Senior Second State Councilor. Yes, Your Majesty. Convince the Ming Emperor on this mission to sessfully establish the trading posts. I will ept the order. King Sejong red at the Senior Second State Councilor, who hesitated before responding. Senior Second State Councilor. Yes, Your Majesty. Are the other officials, like the Crown Prince, concerned about Joseons security, or are they stubbornly trying to break the spirits of you and the Crown Prince? Your Majesty! The officials have never harbored such disloyal thoughts! It seems to me that I see the figure of Sam-bong (Jeong Do-jeon)[simple_tooltip content=Please read the Extra notes at the . ][6][/simple_tooltip] in you all. Your Majesty! The loyalty of the officials is as solid as a rock! Please put your doubts to rest!! Your Majesty! Please forgive us! For the officials who had experienced the Princes rebellion and King Taejongs reign, even mentioning Jeong Do-jeon was a taboo that should not be spoken of. However, the fact that Sejong had brought up Jeong Do-jeon was like a final warning. Your Majesty, please grant us your guidance! Upon hearing the cries of the officials prostrated on the floor, King Sejong stood up from his seat. We will see about that. I need to rest for a moment. This statement seemed like the final ultimatum. ??? When Sejong left the room, the officials followed suit and came out one by one. Sigh~. Its stuffy in there. Thats right. The officials faces were gloomy. Chief State Councilor Ryu Jeong-Hyeon looked up at the sky with a sullen face and red at Inspector General[simple_tooltip content=Aside from the State Council, which almost directly controlled the Six Ministries office, there is another collective body called Three Officesin which the officials provide checks and bnce on the king and the officials. The highest rank in this group is Inspector General.][7][/simple_tooltip]. Dont forget that this whole thing started because of your slip of the tongue. At the Chief State Councilors rebuke, the Inspector General became visibly angry. Your Excellency! Thats going too far! What slip of the tongue have I made? I havent said a word today! Whos talking about todays events? Whose idea was it to provoke the Crown Prince in the first ce? Hmmph. Despite the Chief State Councilors anger, the Inspector General only grumbled in frustration. Despite the legitimacy of the Crown Princes concerns about tradition, King Sejong had not brought up any rted topics except for one instance. Nevertheless, the officials had to be cautious around King Sejong for a while. However, King Sejong was always one step ahead. Just when the officials thought the tension had eased, King Sejong suddenly struck with the forbidden Jeong Do-jeon incident. The Inspector General, who had been grumbling, turned to Chief State Councilor and said, Alright! Lets say I provoked the Crown Prince! But havent you done anything wrong as well, Your Excellency? What did you do to the Crown Prince today? Even a three-foot child knows that you shouldnt underestimate the Crown Prince. If youre going to cause trouble, prepare properly and do it right! Hmph. In response to the rebuttal from the Inspector General, the Chief State Councilor had to make groaning sounds with a face that looked like he was chewing on feces. The Inspector General, whose breathing became rough due to anger, came to a conclusion. Whats the use of determining whose fault it is? We have already missed the opportunity. For the time being, we have no choice but to act ording to the will of the king. If we make a mistake, the monarchys tyranny may intensify. What can we do? We have to rely on the wisdom of the king for now. Ha~. How did we establish Joseon in the first ce? Sigh~. Not only the Chief State Councilor and the Inspector General but also the assistants who gathered around them all let out a sigh. ???History Time! Who is Sam-bong or Jeong Do-jeon? Sam-bong (??, ) is a nickname for Jeong Do-jeon, a prominent Korean schr-official and politician during thete Goryeo and early Joseon periods. The term Sam-bong is derived from Hanja (Chinese characters used in the Koreannguage) and can be tranted as Three Peaks. It symbolizes Jeong Do-jeons multifaceted talents and prominence in the fields of politics, schrship, and philosophy. The nickname reflects Jeong Do-jeons significance and achievements in these areas, as he was instrumental in the founding of the Joseon dynasty and the establishment of its legal and institutional framework. The term Three Peaks emphasizes his exceptional contributions and high regard in these fields, making him a key figure in Korean history. Why mentioning Jeong Do-jeon is considered taboo? Mentioning Sam-bong (Jeong Do-jeon) was considered taboo during King Sejongs reign due to the controversial role he yed in the founding of the Joseon dynasty and his eventual execution by Sejongs father, King Taejong. Jeong Do-jeon was a prominent schr-official and politician who yed a crucial role in the establishment of the Joseon dynasty. He was instrumental in overthrowing the Goryeo dynasty and helping King Taejo, the founder of Joseon, ascend to the throne. Jeong Do-jeon was a key figure in drafting the newws and institutions that shaped the early years of the Joseon dynasty. However, his radical reforms and increasing influence led to conflict with the royal family, particrly with King Taejos son, who wouldter be King Taejong. When King Taejong took the throne, he saw Jeong Do-jeon as a threat to his power due to his strong influence in politics and his reformist ideas, which sought to limit the monarchys authority. This resulted in a power struggle between Jeong Do-jeon and his faction and King Taejong. In the end, King Taejong had Jeong Do-jeon arrested and executed, effectively consolidating his power and marking the end of Jeong Do-jeons faction. King Sejong, the son of King Taejong, was aware of the controversial history surrounding Jeong Do-jeon and his fathers role in his execution. Mentioning Jeong Do-jeons name during Sejongs reign was considered taboo because it could bring up ufortable memories of the power struggle and remind the court of the brutal actions taken by his father to secure the throne. This could have potentially undermined Sejongs authority, as the legacy of Jeong Do-jeons execution was still a sensitive issue within the royal court. ??? As for Hyang, why did he not want the Ming officials to apany them during their tribute procession to the Ming? Apanying the Joseon envoys allowed Ming officials to monitor and control their activities, ensuring that they did not engage in unauthorized trade or diplomatic activities outside the scope of the tributary rtionship. So, how will Hyang aplish his ns of not allowing the Ming officials to apany their entourage? Well, lets just see how it rolls out inter chapters. (????)?? Trantors Notes Second half of this chapter ising soon! Kirara Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light novels is just as bright and shiny, and I have a passion for bringing these stories to life through trantion. If my trantions are your cup of tea, kindly consider fueling my passion by purchasing me a Ko-fi or subscribing for early ess to advanced chapters of all my tranted works. Chapter 19: Sprout... Sprout of Cancer? (12) Chapter 19: Sprout... Sprout of Cancer? (12) Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light... Startled by the report that The Crown Prince hasmitted suicide!, King Sejong rushed out of his pce. Then, he met Hyang as he turned around the corner of the building. Uh? Father? Where are you hurrying off to? Its the Crown Prince! When King Sejong saw Hyang, he rushed towards him and examined his body all over. Why are you like this, Father? Phew~. Youre not hurt anywhere, King Sejong breathed a sigh of relief and looked at the messenger, who had followed him in a hurry. What? The Crown Princemitted suicide? I received the report Not only Sejong but also the rest of the ministers looked at the messenger, who had reported the news. Oh, eunuch! Whats the meaning of this! the troubled messenger rebuked and turned to the servant who had reported to him, who was currently standing next to Hyang. Eunuch Kang! Speak up. Didnt you tell me this? The gods are unjust! Upon messenger Ohs words, King Sejong and the ministers all looked at the servant standing next to Hyang. At that moment, the voice of Queen Soheon was heard. Your Majesty! Whats going on? How could the Crown Prince havemitted suicide! As the king, queen, and ministers all red at the person in question, Eunuch Kang turned pale. You! Why did you even think to say something you shouldnt have? Exin it now! At Sejongsmand, Eunuch Kang prostrated to the ground and opened his mouth, Your Majesty! For heavens sake I have never told a lie! Have I ever made a false statement? When Eunuch Kang spoke, King Sejeong looked at him. He and his attendants who followed after him then turned their attention to Hyang to which thetter opened his mouth with a puzzled expression. Ah, perhaps Eunuch Kang misunderstood the treatment I received. Treatment? Misunderstanding? Seeing King Sejongs face showingplete iprehension, Hyang turned his head back. Let me show you. You,e forward. Yes? Yes! Your Highness! In response to Hyangs call, an elderly man among Hyangs entourage who followed him came forward and bowed deeply to King Sejong. T-This lowly servant greets Your Majesty! Who are you? I am called Soedori, and I take care of the royal livestock in Neobeol Ind [simple_tooltip content=''??? (Neobeol Ind) is an ind located off the coast of the Korean penins that was used to raise and care for animals owned by the royal family.][1][/simple_tooltip]. Seodori? My name means one who strikes cows well. Even as Sejong heard Soedoris reply, his expression showed that he didnt quite understand. Eventually, Sejong looked back at Hyang. Crown Prince, exin the reason. Leave nothing out! Yes, Father. In fact, while reading medical texts from the Northern Kingdom (China)
ording to Hyangs exnation, the course of events went as follows: Records in Chinese medical texts from the Song and Yuan dynasties mentioned a practice called Varition to prevent smallpox. Not only in Chinese texts, but also in the medical texts of the Western barbarians, the varition method was described. As Hyang delved deeper, both Chinese and Western texts stated that the varition method had a high probability of failure. Varition involved taking pus from a person recovering from smallpox and pricking it into the body of a person who had not yet contracted the disease or making a powder from the scabs and having the person inhale it through the nose. Naturally, this method was very risky. Taking pus from a person who had not fully recovered had little effect, while in the opposite case, the person could immediately contract smallpox and face a life-threatening crisis. While reading medical texts that detailed the risks of varition, Hyang found an unusual sentence in a Western text: Among cowherds, there were a significant number of people who did not contract smallpox. Themon factor among them was that they had contracted cowpox while tending to cows that had the disease. This is worth further investigation. Upon discovering this sentence, Hyang immediately headed to the remote ind to verify the facts. When Hyang arrived at the remote ind, he gathered the cowherds. As expected, their faces were lined with wrinkles due to hardship, but all of them, except for one, appeared clean. Among those gathered here, raise your hand if you have suffered from the disease. At Hyangs words, only one person raised their hand. Did you suffer from it after bing a herder? No, sir. I was like this before I entered the ranch. Who is the oldest person here? Upon Hyangs question, a man named Soedori came forward. Has the epidemic never urred on this Neobeol Ind and its surrounding areas? No, sir. It happened at least once a year. But why? Hyang paused. It was because the old man named Soedori, who stood before him, seemed to know something. You seem to know something. Is there any secret technique involved? Its not exactly a secret technique. ording to Soedoris exnation, the story was as follows: Soedoris family had been raising livestock for the royal family since the time of King Gongmin of Goryeo. As Soedori grew older, he too began to raise cows. One day, a cow that Soedori particrly cherished got stuck with an illness called cowpox. Although cowpox was not fatal to cows, there were cases where unlucky cows would die due to inmmation in their udders. Soedori took care of the cow without sleeping for days, but eventually, the cowpox was transmitted to him. Soedori suffered from a high fever for several days and went through a lot of hardship. However, his father looked at him with a peaceful expression. Son, you wont have to worry about the evil spirits for the rest of your life. After recovering from his illness, Soedori asked his father about the reason why he said that. His father gave a simple answer, I dont know the reason, but if you get cowpox, the evil spirits wonte for you. I see. If thats the case, why didnt you tell a physician or the officials about it? Then many people wouldnt have been bothered by the evil spirits then. Soedori answered Haengs question with a bitter smile. Do you think people would just ept it? Of course, I told the physicians, but all I got was insults and being chased away. They said how could such a trivial cow-caught disease could stop the likes of evil spirits? So, youre the only one who avoided contracting the disease? Well, Im also human I couldnt bear to see my family turn into lepers. So Although Soedori trailed off, Hyang could deduce the rest. You forcibly infected these people with the disease? Yes, thats correct. At Soedoris answer, Hyang clenched his fists tightly. Weve safelypleted the human trials! We couldnt eat, but were making progress! No, if we stop now, well be cowards! I need to try that remedy as well.
Your Highness! Your Highness! The officials and guards who apanied Hyang were shocked, but Hyang didnt care.
Well soon have to perform the royal procession, so hurry up. Is there a cow with the disease? Since there are children who need to receive treatment every year, we intentionally infect at least one cow for them. Excellent!
Thats why I received the diseases pus. Having finished speaking, Hyang examined King Sejongs face. King Sejongs face was pale, and Queen Soheon was on the verge of fainting. There was no parent who could maintain theirposure knowing their child, who seemed fine in the morning, had received an unknown treatment for a disease they had never heard of before. You, brat! King Sejong, who shouted angrily, raised his hand, and Hyang immediately knelt down. Father, mother! How many people die of this disease every year? If we can save those dying people, whats the problem? Theres no reason for you to be the first to step forward! You are the Crown Prince! Where is the distinction between noble and humble when ites to human lives? And we have healthy people here already, so why are you scared? At Hyangs response, King Sejong ced his hand on his forehead and sighed, Sigh~. You, brat Cant you be quiet for just one day? Do you think youll get a boil if you do? Sigh~, King Sejong, who sighed again, turned to Soedori. So, what happens after receiving the diseases pus? For the next five days, His Highness will have a high fever, so it is not advisable to move. Then, boils will appear on the shoulder that received the treatment but do not pop them. Wait until they naturally form scabs. After about ten days, His Highness can get up and move around. Is that so? Take this man into custody! But do not torture him, and make sure he is fed three meals a day. Yes, Your Majesty! Following Sejongsmand, Soedori was taken away. If anything happens to the Crown Prince, I will immediately take your life. However, if your words prove true, I will bestow a great reward upon you. At Sejongs words, Soedori bowed deeply and was led away to the prison by the guards. As Soedori disappeared into the distance, King Sejong looked at Hyang, who was still kneeling and tried to say something while pointing a finger at him. However, King Sejong held back his words and turned away. You will suffer for the next few days, so go and rest. The officials should take care of the Crown Prince wholeheartedly. We ept yourmand. The officials who received King Sejongsmand led Hyang to the Eastern Pce. Following them, King Sejong gave another order to the ministers. Ministers, return to the side hall first. I will briefly observe the situation in the main hall before entering. We ept yourmand. After the ministers who had paid their respects left, King Sejong looked at Queen Soheon. Are you alright? I am fine, Your Majesty. How are you? Hoo Sejong answered with a long sigh. He gazed toward the Eastern Pce and continued speaking, I cant determine whether that child will be a blessing or a curse to our Joseon. At times, he seems like a sage with no equal in the world, but at other times, hes like a thunderbolt that would not be satisfied even if it struck a boulder for a hundred days ??? Meanwhile, sitting in his room, Hyang chuckled as he examined a medical text written in Latin. So, only Jenner[simple_tooltip content=Mostly known as Father of Immunology, and the one who discovered and created the worlds first vination.][2][/simple_tooltip] was the first to know about vination, huh The medical text titled A Treatise on Diseases was written by an Italian monk whose name was unknown.
While managing cows with cowpox, cowherds showed simr symptoms to those of the infected cows. Based on my observations, these cowherds were not affected by smallpox during its outbreak. Although it piques my curiosity, it could be a simple coincidence. Especially since the doctrine states
The monk who wrote the text ended it with a negative statement, quoting Catholic doctrine. In other words, the monk, like the physicians of Joseon, had reached the same conclusion.
How can the disease of humans be prevented by the disease of a beast like a cow?
Hyang muttered to himself as he saw that both Eastern and Western doctors had reached the same conclusion in the medical texts he had reviewed for references. Didnt Teacher Samcheonpo say that? Newton was not the only one who saw the apple falling. But only Newton left his name in history because he took a step further. Hyang chuckled as he mulled over Teacher Samcheonpos words. ??? As Soedori predicted, Hyangs fever started rising that night. Have my court officials and royal physicians check and record the Crown Princes condition without missing a moment! Following King Sejongs order, the court officials and royal physicians stayed close to Hyang and observed every single move. The physicians monitoring Hyangs condition reported their findings to King Sejong and the ministers every morning and evening. ording to the physicians, its just like what that Soedori guy said. If thats the case, isnt Soedoris statement true? What do you all think? The ministers pondered over King Sejongs question. After a while, Left State Councilor Lee Won spoke up, Since the Crown Princes symptoms almost match what Soedori said, it seems that the secret technique Soedori mentioned is indeed effective. Thats right. Then, it means we can prevent the epidemic What about implementing it nationwide? King Sejongs suggestion was met with opposition from Right State Councilor Jeong Tak. I think there might be problems with carrying it out on the entire poption without exception. It could be a mere coincidence. Do you think its a coincidence, even though Soedori and his family have proven it over several decades? The number is too small. Hmm After a moment of contemtion, King Sejong reached a conclusion. If the Crown Prince recoverspletely, administer the cowpox vination to the pce women and the people of Hanyang. The number of people in Hanyang should be enough to determine whether its true or false. We will follow Your Majestysmand. The ministers unanimously responded to King Sejongs order. They had no reason to object. Trantors Notes Lol. Hyangs giving headaches to both his parents in his previous and current lives. Kirara Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light novels is just as bright and shiny, and I have a passion for bringing these stories to life through trantion. If my trantions are your cup of tea, kindly consider fueling my passion by purchasing me a Ko-fi or subscribing for early ess to advanced chapters of all my tranted works. Chapter 20: Sprout... Sprout of Cancer? (13) Chapter 20: Sprout... Sprout of Cancer? (13) Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light...
Hello! Enjoy this chapter! Please be reminded that you can click on the number footnote to read the footnote text!
After about ten days had passed, Hyang had fully regained her health. King Sejong summoned Soedori, who had been imprisoned in the pce. The crown prince has recovered. Are you confident that he wont catch smallpox? I am confident. Its my own experience, and those who live with me have also not caught smallpox. This king is still worried. Therefore, I will administer the cowpox vine to all those in Hanyang who have not yet suffered from smallpox. Can you prepare enough for everyone? Soedori thought for a moment before answering Sejongs question. We would need at least 50 cows infected with cowpox. Choose enough from the royal cattle you raise. How long will it take? We will be ready within 15 days. However, cowpoxsts for a short time, as little as a week and as long as ten days, so we need an exact date to proceed. Be fully prepared and on standby so that you can proceed as soon as you receive a message from the royal medical center. And King Sejong paused for a moment, nced at Hyang standing next to him, and continued, I am appointing you to the position of Mokchambong (Chief of Shephards) at the royal pasture on Nureub Ind. I am deeply grateful for your kindness! Upon hearing King Sejongs words, Soedori deeply bowed. Although he was considered amoner, he was now given a position closer to that of a low-ranking official. Go and prepare immediately. I shall obey yourmand! Soedori, filled with joy, left the pce. Meanwhile, King Sejong, who had returned to his quarters, looked at Hyang. First of all, Crown Prince, congrattions on your recovery. Thank you, Father. However, I will not tolerate such incidents happening again. Be sure to report beforehand and obtain permission from the officials. I will remember that, Father. Sejong then unknowingly muttered under his breath. What a glib tongue Oops! Sejong nced at the scribes in the room, but they were already busy writing. He then cleared his throat and continued speaking, Although that Soedori seems confident that the cowpox vine will prevent smallpox, this king is still worried. Therefore, we will conduct an experiment on the people in Hanyang. What do you think, Crown Prince? It is a wise decision. However, I would like to add a few things. Additions? Lets hear them. First, the royal physicians and their attendants should be the first ones to receive the cowpox vine. If the vine causes smallpox to spread, we will send out the vinated physicians and attendants. By doing so We can more confidently verify whether Soedoris im is true or false? Yes, Father. Hmm King Sejong, who was considering Hyangs suggestion for a moment, looked back at the Minister of Personnel, who was in charge of the Royal Clinic. Once the preparation for the cowpox vine is somewhatplete, have half of the physicians and female medical practitioners at the Royal Clinic receive the inoction first. Half, not all of them? Looking at the example of the new I mean, the Crown Prince, it takes at least two weeks to properly recover. So, I think its appropriate to divide them into two groups. I will do so. Hearing the Minister of Personnels response, King Sejong looked back at Hyang. Is there anything else youd like to add? Yes. When administering the cowpox vine, it would be better to visit each and every household personally and perform the inoction, rather than calling people together. And the reason is? Its because cowpox vination is unfamiliar. People are afraid of smallpox, but who would willingly step forward to receive a never-before-seen cowpox vine? Thats true. So, lets visit everyone personally and make sure they are inocted? That makes sense. In addition, when visiting to perform the inoction, officials from the Ministry of Personnel should apany and conduct a census. Brilliant! What a clever strategy! King Sejong apuded Hyangs suggestion. Conducting a census was truly a difficult task. Manymoners fled whenever a census was conducted to avoid taxes andbor services. As a result, even the capital Hanyang, where the royal pce was located, did not have a proper census. Killing two birds with one stone! What else would you like to add? King Sejong, pleased with Hyangs proposal, asked, his face beaming into a smile. Hyang promptly responded to King Sejongs question. Your Majesty might not be convinced yet, but I am certain that this cowpox vine will be sessful. Therefore, it is only natural to implement this cowpox vination not only in Hanyang but also nationwide. Thats possible. In that case, Your Majesty should receive contributions from the nobles in the provinces, as well as the high-ranking officials. King Sejongs face immediately grew serious at Hyangs suggestion. Receive contributions from the nobles? Yes, Your Majesty. Just like smallpox, a cow that has been infected with cowpox once will not contract it again. This means we must continually obtain new cows to be infected with cowpox. This alone requires considerable expenses. In addition, dispatching physicians, female medical practitioners, and officials to conduct the census also entails costs. Thats true. At the suggestion of Hyang, not only King Sejong but also the ministers nodded in agreement. Its difficult to ask themon people for money as well. Most of them are struggling to get by even after the spring season. Sadly, thats true. Its all because of this kings ipetence andck of virtue. The ministers collectively bowed their heads at King Sejongs self-me. No, Your Majesty! Themon people know well of Your Majestys great virtue! Its an inevitable natural disaster, so please dont worry! Dont worry, Your Majesty! Hearing the ministers unanimous agreement, Hyang secretly clicked his tongue. These nobles would normally me the kings ipetence Is it different this time? As the ministers conversation died down, Hyang continued, How can we take money from the people in this situation? However, isnt the situation different for the localndowners and aristocrats? Though its my personal opinion, if we collect the value of half a cow from the hundred-stonendowners, three cows from the thousand-stonendowners, and twenty cows from the ten thousand-stonendowners, we should be able to cover the costs. Hmm Not only King Sejong but also the ministers began to calcte the profits and losses in Hyangs words. After a while, the Right State Councilor opened his mouth. Although the Crown Princes idea is a good one, will they willingly give it up? We have to make them give it up. If they voluntarily give it up beforehand, we can erect a monument praising their virtue or grant them a que. If they dont, we must collect it forcibly. If they still refuse until the end Hyang paused for a moment, his eyes cold and sharp, Then we can simply not protect the vige they belong to. It seems a bit harsh, doesnt it? the Right State Councilor pointed out, and the Minister of Personnel raised his voice in opposition, Its not harsh! Even just a hundred-stonendowner is the highest-ranking person in their vige! If they are an aristocrat and an elder, they should naturally step forward as a matter of course! If they refuse that, they dont deserve the title of an aristocrat! What kind of aristocrat only recites the ssics but doesnt act ordingly? They should practice what they preach! This time, the Left State Councilor intervened, But isnt the cost the problem? Even if the cows are expensive, cant a hundred-stonendowner afford the value of half a cow? They just dont want to pay! With the conflict between the ministers and the Minister of Personnel, the ministers began to divide into two sides and argue. Aristocrats should naturally contribute! But the state cant force them to do so! Watching the ministers argument, King Sejong looked at Hyang with tired eyes. You certainly have a talent for stirring up trouble in calm waters. Thank you for thepliment. Does that sound like apliment? Upon this, Hyang showed a subtle smile, and King Sejong clicked his tongue softly, Tsk! Seeing Hyangs reaction, Sejong clicked his tongue softly again while watching the ministers debate and then clicked his tongue loudly, Tsk, tsk, tsk! Hmm! Ahem! When Sejong clicked his tongue, the ministers cleared their throats and straightened their postures. I have listened to your opinions well. Lets discuss the issue of cost again after seeing the results of the preliminary test to be conducted in Hansung[simple_tooltip content=Another name for Hanyang.][1][/simple_tooltip]. The departments of Personnel and Finance should thoroughly check and report everything from the census of households to the expenses incurred during the test. It seems better to discuss further after seeing the results. We ept yourmand. As the issue of vination for Hansung residents seemed to be somewhat resolved, Hyang quickly opened his mouth. Your Majesty, I have a request to make. A request? As soon as Hyang mentioned request, Sejong and the ministers were all on edge. This was because every time Hyang made a request, a whirlwind of events ensued. Is it absolutely necessary to make that request? I believe it is essential. At Hyangs answer, King Sejong let out a long sigh, Sigh~. Go ahead and speak. Yes. Firstly, I would like to talk about the Royal Infirmary. The Royal Infirmary? Yes. It was a subject brought up by the department of Personnel a few years ago, but the issue was that the physicians were only interested in passing the exam and getting promoted. As a result, they focused solely on memorizing the books containing medical prescriptions and neglected the actual treatment.(Note 1)[simple_tooltip content=Not sure, but the author inserted a footnote here: Sejong 3, March 18.][2][/simple_tooltip] I see, I remember that. Following King Sejongs response, the Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel interjected, Your Majesty, when I recall, we did have a public debate on that issue. At that time, His Highness ordered that promotions be based on treatment performance. Indeed, I remember. King Sejong nodded and looked at Hyang. Hyang was currently holding the horses reins. At that time, Your Majesty made a wise decision. What was the problem then? Its the same problem as this time. There are many physicians, but there are still many illnesses they dont know about, and many treatments they dont know. I see. Then we must obtain more medical books from Ming. New Chinese medical books can help, but they are not the answer. The mountains and rivers in northern kingdom are different from those in our Joseon, and so are the people. Therefore, during King Jeongjongs reign, Hometown Remedies to Save Lives[simple_tooltip content=??????? (xˎɷ, Hometown Remedies to Save Lives) is a medical book from the Joseon Dynasty in Korea. The book waspiled during the reign of King Jeongjong and focuses on various remedies and treatments for illnesses using local herbs and medicines found in the Korean penins. The primary purpose of this book was to provide practical and essible knowledge on traditional Korean medicine and treatments, catering to the specific needs and circumstances of the local poption. Thisption recognized the differences between Korean and Chinese medicine and emphasized the importance of adapting medical knowledge to the unique conditions, resources, and people of Joseon.][3][/simple_tooltip] waspiled. It must be supplemented. Supplement That makes sense. What do you think, Minister of Personnel? Upon King Sejongs question, the Minister of Personnel nodded in agreement, I believe that the Crown Princes words are indeed reasonable! Any other opinions? There was no one among the officials who contradicted King Sejongs question. Good. Minister of Personnel, cooperate with the Royal Infirmary and Jiphyeonjeon (Royal Research Institute)[simple_tooltip content=??? (t, Jiphyeonjeon) was an important institution in the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. It was established by King Sejong the Great in 1420 as a royal research institute and library. Its primary purpose was to foster the development of schrs and the study of various academic fields, including Confucianism, literature, history, science, and technology.][4][/simple_tooltip] to supplement the medical books. I ept yourmand. After deciding to supplement the Hometown Medicine Comption for Saving Lives, King Sejong turned to Hyang. Anything else? Yes. I have observed the discussions of the King and the ministers regarding state affairs, and there was one problem. What problem? When a problem arises in the management of state affairs, the ministers recall and reflect on simr cases from their memories. Isnt that what just happened? Indeed. In particr, the elder ministers here have experience working in the previous dynasty. Thats true. Simr problems tend to repeat themselves. In as short as 10 years or as long as 30 years, not only the elder ministers but also young officials will have retired. What will you do then? When a generation without memories or experience to reflect on will manage the countrys affairs. That would be problematic at Hyangs point, Sejong answered with a serious face. As Sejong became serious, the Left State Councilor interjected, Indeed, 30 years from now, old people like me will have returned to the soil, and even these rosy-cheeked young men will have retired. However, policies and systems are like a flowing river that continues endlessly, so there will still be experienced people by that time. Even if problems arise, they will be able to solve them. Is today the same as yesterday, and tomorrow the same as today?[simple_tooltip content=It is used to question whether the current situation remains the same as before and whether it will continue to be the same in the future.][5][/simple_tooltip] Hyang immediately refuted the Left State Councilors words, which left the old man speechless. Trantors Notes Hey there! Aside from the normal schedule for this novel which is 1x to 2x/week (weekdays), you can also read ahead and support me, through a couple of options avable to you. You could either opt for the pay-per-view chapter, or if you prefer, you can subscribe to this novels trantion below. Thank you so much for your support!Advanced Chapters Links BCJ Warriors $5 per monthSubscribe now Kirara Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light novels is just as bright and shiny, and I have a passion for bringing these stories to life through trantion. If my trantions are your cup of tea, kindly consider fueling my passion by purchasing me a Ko-fi or subscribing for early ess to advanced chapters of all my tranted works. Chapter 21: Sprout... Sprout of Cancer? (14) Chapter 21: Sprout... Sprout of Cancer? (14) Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light... There is a difference between acting with knowledge and acting without it. Those of you who are making and implementing policies now may know very well why those policies were made, but in just one or two generations, most people may not know why they are being implemented, and they will follow them mainly because of customs. Wouldnt that be the case? Damn customs! Bureaucracy! Its sickening! The reason why the vige suffered from depression in the 21st century was due to those damn customs, bureaucracy, and desk work. However, the opposition of the officials was not insignificant either. Thats possible. However, a properly crafted policy will work without any problems for 100 or 1000 years. It was said that even mountains and rivers change in ten years. There is also a saying that goes, Sangjeonbaekhae[1]. The world is constantly changing, so how can the same policy continue for 100 or 1000 years? Thats not a well-made policy, but rather a sign that the entire country has stagnated. If the world is changing and you are alone in standing still, it is tantamount to regression. A change in the current is inevitable. If you only follow the change in the current, you will lose depth, and eventually forget even the fundamentals. From that perspective, a consistent policy like virtue of consistency is more ideal than a policy that flows like the Bupyeong stream[2] ording to the current. The voice of the officials grew louder in response to the Left State Councilors answer, which was faithful to Confucianism. Its not that there is no change in the current, but that people cannot keep up with its flow. Then what is the reason for the many changes inws and systems since the early days? It is thew and system that has been handed down for hundreds or even thousands of years, whether it be a short or long time. That is Lets take war as an example. If we follow the words of Your Excellency, Left State Councilor, we will still be deciding the oue of the war through individual duels[3] bymanders. But what about now? Various branches of the military move together as one, and new weapons like cannons are being used. Therefore, Your Excellency, Left State Councilors words are not the virtue of consistency, but rather the ignorance of the frog in the well.'' Your Highness! Isnt that too harsh? When the officials voiced their criticism, the voice of the Left State Councilor minister rose, and Sejong intervened. Stop it! There is nothing wrong with what the Crown Prince said! Just like how the mountains and rivers change over time, people and customs also change. Therefore, it is right to discuss countermeasures ordingly! Crown Prince! Speak of your countermeasures! After King Sejong supported Hwang, the officials fell silent. Meanwhile, Hwang, who gained Sejongs firm support, spoke of his own n. All six ministries must leave a record of their governance. Whether it is a policy that is put into action, rejected, or postponed, everything must be recorded. It should be recorded monthly at the shortest and annually at the longest. For each policy, we must record the reason why it was made, the result of its implementation if it is implemented, and the reason for rejection or postponement if it is decided. We must keep all these records. Upon hearing Hwangs words, the Left State Councilor immediately opposed, Everything is already recorded in Department of Records and Daily Records of Royal Court[4]. This is unnecessary duplication. The Department of Records and the Annals[5] cannot even be seen by the king. And although everything is recorded in the Daily Records of Royal Court, it is not properly ssified, is it not? Ten years from now, finding records of policies will take several days. However, if the policies implemented by each ministry are separately ssified and preserved, how much time can we save? The Crown Princes opinion is correct. I also believe the Crown Princes opinion is correct. When the officials of the six ministries heard Hwangs exnation, they all agreed and retreated. Seeing that most of the officials agreed, King Sejong nodded his head. From ancient times, it has been said that we should learn from the past to understand the present. However, as human beings are finite, it is inevitable that there will be things that future generations want to know but cannot. Therefore, it is a natural duty for us, the ancestors, to work hard so that future generations do not lose their way and find the right path. Each ministrys officials should ept the Crown Princes suggestion and write and carefully preserve records. We will receive yourmand. Now then Your Majesty, there is another matter I wish to address. Thinking that Hwang had finished his petition, King Sejong stopped talking and looked at Hwang for a moment. He then smiled slightly and gave his permission, Go ahead. While addressing the supplement of the The Collection of Prescriptions for Universal Relief of Rural Medicines,[6], I realized that not only those who are over sixty years old, but also some farmers over seventy years old may have knowledge on agriculture that should be documented. That is true. We should seek them out, ask about their farming experiences, and record them. Upon hearing Hwangs proposal, King Sejong stroked his beard and muttered to himself, Ask them about farming and record it? Hmm After a brief pause, Sejongs face brightened. I see! They must have experienced a lot in the years theyve lived! They must also know the secrets of bountiful harvest! Its like a millstone knowing the secret techniques of pestle pounding! Hyang nodded vigorously at King Sejongs words. Yes, its not just about the secrets of farming. They will also know the signs of natural disasters such as droughts! They may seem like small signs individually, but if we gather them to make a guidebook We can prepare in advance! King Sejong pped his knee and cut off Hyangs words. Hyang nodded in agreement. Thats right. We can reduce the damage caused by water disasters such as floods by taking care of dams and reservoirs and dredging rivers, but if we dont know in advance and prepare for droughts, they can cause significant damage. Your words are correct! Instruct the Royal Observatory[7] topile a book as soon the data arrives! We shall follow your orders. Also, during the period of spring proverty[8], as well as during droughts or water disasters, we must definitely use the power of medical treatment. But if we know the signs in advance King Sejong cut off Hyangs words by pping his knee once again. We can prepare medicinal herbs in advance and be ready! Indeed! Indeed, Sejong! Your mind is really sharp! But please dont forget to turn on the light when youe in! And please dont p your knee so hard! It hurts my ears! With a mixture of admiration and irritation, Hyang nodded his head slightly. Thats right. If Bureau of State Welfare, Royal Dispensary, and Great Compassionate Temple of East and West[9] can prepare in advance, we can also prepare in advance in local government offices and significantly reduce the number of people suffering from illnesses. The Crown Princes words are correct! Instruct the Royal Observatory to implement this as well! We shall follow your orders! There were no visible objections to King Sejongsmand. In a country that prioritized agriculture, nothing was more important than bountiful harvest crops, and relieving people from the suffering of diseases was also regarded important from a Confucian perspective. Sejong was very pleased. The petitions presented by Crown Prince Hyang were worth their weight in gold. Moreover, the officials who had always opposed and criticized the Crown Princes proposals were now responding positively without any objections. King Sejong looked at Hyang with a bright face. Is there another petition? As soon as King Sejong finished speaking, Hwang opened his mouth. Yes. Not only in our Joseon but also in the previous dynasty, there hasnt been a proper geographical record. Although it is said that there are few resources in Joseon, this is not an absolute shortagepared to Ming. Therefore, we must thoroughly examine the rivers and regions of Joseon and create a geographical record. A geographical record It requires a lot ofbor. Thats true. Hwang nodded in response to King Sejong and the ministersments. Of course. However, if a proper geographical record is made, it can reduce the peoples hardships. Reducing the peoples hardships with a geographical record? Crown Prince, please exin in more detail. Yes. If we create an urate geographical record, we can precisely understand the resources produced in each vige nationwide, which can reduce the burden of offering tributes. The suffering of the people due to tribute offerings has been the biggest issue since the previous dynasty, and to solve this, we must first urately know the resources produced in each vige. Well, thats true King Sejong hesitated, and the vice minister who took the ce of the absent Minister of Taxation who left for envoy procession spoke up in his ce, Indeed, the Crown Princes words are correct and should naturally be carried out. However, thebor required for this task is not easy. Thement from the Vice Minister of Taxation reminded the high officials of something they had forgotten. Of course, that is true. However, we are in a situation where we are moving throughout the country for the sake ofpiling medical knowledge[10] intermediation and to collect the knowledge of the farmers. Since we are already sending personnel from the center to the whole country, we can take on one more task. Is one plus one not two? Ah! King Sejong and the officials both eximed in agreement with Hyangs suggestion. Thank heavens, why did we not think of this! Even this schr did not think of it! We can greatly reduce the budget! As King Sejong and the officials looked on, Hyang recalled the words of teacher Samcheompo in his mind. The people of the past were all idiots, and the people of the present are not all geniuses! Its just that people in the past had a lower influx of information, and the sight of modern people, who have an absolute amount of information, has be broader! Shall I give you an example? Multi-tasking, which is now considered basic, only becamemonce in the mid-1990s! Before that, even the greatputers could only perform one task at a time, and people were satisfied with that! With King Sejong and the officials experiencing a sort of enlightenment, Hyangs petition was officially adopted as policy. And from that day on, the famous Yukjo Street[11] of the City that never Sleeps[12] began. ??? That night. Do not follow us. Yes, Your Majesty. It is a private conversation between a father and son. When King Sejong spoke firmly, the officials stepped back. King Sejong, who had pushed the officials back, led the way to the Donggung (Eastern) Pce[13]. Hes still awake? King Sejong asked the eunuch behind him. As King Sejong looked at the brightly lit room in the Donggung Pce, the chief eunuch who was following behind him spoke, I heard that His Highness often stays awake until the fourth watch (between 1-3 AM), even though one should go to sleep earliest is between second watch (between 9-11 pm) and third watch (between 11 pm-1 am). He is still a young child, how can he push himself so hard? King Sejong said while unable to hide his concern for Hyang, as he continued to walk. Your Majesty King, pleasee in! the inner court official, who had been waiting outside of Hyangs room, announced upon seeing King Sejongs arrival and immediately opened the door. As soon as King Sejong entered the room, Hyang stood up and bowed. What brings you here at such ate hour? I was just taking a break and heard that the lights were on, so I came to check. What have you been doing until this time of night? I was reading a book for a moment. Oh really? Well, have a seat for now, King Sejong sat in Hyangs seat and looked at the book spread out on the desk. Ah, its a book by the Western barbarians. What is it about? Its a book with the title A Small Study on Alchemy. As the title suggests, it is a critique on alchemy. What is an alchemy? It is a study of adding various substances to metals like lead or iron to make gold. King Sejongs eyes twinkled at Hyangs words. Is that possible? ording to the writings of the author, even the ancient schrs studied it for hundreds of years but couldnt find an answer. However, in the authors preface, it says, Alchemy is impossible. However, creating useful alloys through further study is the true alchemy.'' Creating useful alloys through further research is the true alchemy, King Sejong concluded after pondering Hyangs words. Your Majesty is truly wise. So does Crown Prince think the same way? King Sejong smiled at Hyangs response, before picking up the book on alchemy and started reading it. Theres a tranted version. Do you want to read it together? No, I am just curious about the characters used by the Westerners. However, King Sejong did not put down the book for a long time. When Hyangs waist began to ache from standing for too long, King Sejong finally put down the book and spoke. Footnotes [1] Sangjeonbaekhae (ɣ̺) is a Chinese idiom that means a mulberry field turned into an ocean or drastic changes over time. It refers to how the world and society constantly change, just as a mulberry field can be an ocean over a long period. [2] Bupyeong stream refers to a stream in Bupyeong district that flows in a meandering and winding manner [3] Tӑ (????) is a Chinese idiom that means singlebat or duel. In the context of the given text, it refers to the outdated way of fighting wars in whichmanders fought against each other in individual battles to determine the oue of the war. [4] ????? (Ժӛ, seungjeongwon ilgi): the daily records of the royal court, recording the kings daily [5] Silok (??) refers to the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, a set of official historical records kept by the government officials during the Joseon dynasty in Korea. It chronicles the reigns of all the monarchs from the foundation of the dynasty in 1392 until its end in 1910. The Silok is considered an important primary source for understanding the political, social, and cultural history of Korea during the Joseon dynasty. [6] xˎɷ (??????? in Korean) is the name of a Korean medicinal book written during the Joseon Dynasty. It waspiled and edited by the government officials of the dynasty and published in 1613. The book contains aprehensive collection of various medical treatments, prescriptions, and remedies based on traditional Korean medicine. Its title can be tranted as The Collection of Prescriptions for Universal Relief of Rural Medicines. The book was widely used by doctors and pharmacists during the Joseon dynasty and is still regarded as an important medical reference in Korea. [7] ^O (???) refers to the Royal Observatory, an astronomical observatory established during the Joseon Dynasty in 1433 by King Sejong the Great. Its purpose was to conduct astronomical observations and calctions to create urate calendars and almanacs. The Royal Observatory yed a significant role in developing astronomy and mathematics in Korea and remained operational until thete 19th century. [8] F (???) is a Korean term that refers to the period of spring poverty, which is the time when stored food from the previous year is running low, and new crops have not yet been harvested. This was a challenging time for farmers, and it was also a time when people had to be frugal with their food and resources. The term spring poverty is used to describe this period because it typically urred during the spring season. [9] Bureau of State Welfare () was a government agency established during the Joseon Dynasty in Korea with the aim of improving the lives of themon people. Its main role was to provide assistance to the poor and vulnerable, including the provision of food, clothing, and shelter. It also oversaw various welfare programs, including healthcare and disaster relief efforts. Royal Dispensary (Ժ) was a medical institution established during the Joseon Dynasty. It provided medical treatment to the royal family and government officials, as well as to the general public. Its physicians were trained in both traditional and Western medicine and were known for their expertise in treating a wide range of illnesses. Great Compassionate Temple of East and West or Dongseo Daebiwon (|Ժ) was a Buddhist temple established during the Joseon Dynasty. It was known for its phnthropic activities, including providing shelter, food, and medical treatment to the poor and needy [10] Hyangyak Jeseungbang (???????): A medical bookpiled during the Joseon dynasty that contains information on traditional Korean medicine. [11] Yukjo Street (????) was a street in Hanyang (??), the capital city of Joseon dynasty Korea, where government officials and schrs gathered to study and discuss various topics. [12] Byulyaseong (???) was a nickname for Hanyang that referred to its lively and bustling nature, as it was a city that never slept. Therefore, the phrase implies that after the establishment of Hyangs petition as an official policy, the famous Yukjo Street of the city that never sleeps began, and it became a hub for intellectual and political discussions. [13] Crown Princes pce. Trantors Notes Hyangs making wonders, reforming here and there. ???? Kirara Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light novels is just as bright and shiny, and I have a passion for bringing these stories to life through trantion. If my trantions are your cup of tea, kindly consider fueling my passion by purchasing me a Ko-fi or subscribing for early ess to advanced chapters of all my tranted works. Chapter 22: Sprout... Sprout of Cancer? (15) Chapter 22: Sprout... Sprout of Cancer? (15) Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light... The writings of the Western Barbarians is truly fascinating. Pardon? Come here and take a look, King Sejong beckoned Hyang over to his side and pointed to the Latin script, tracing the lines with his fingers. Considering that these words keep appearing everywhere, they seem to indicate the grammatical case of the subject of the sentence. Based on the words written here, this part represents the initial sound of the word, this part here represents the medial sound, and this part represents the final sound of the word. So, theye together to form a single character. It seems that these characters, which represent the medial sound, are these ones. Looking at the way they create words and sentences, Westerners have phicized pronunciation rather than meaning. Am I right? Yes, that is absolutely right! Hyang stammered in response, half out of breath. Hes a real genius! No, a monster! In just a short amount of time reading the book, King Sejong had grasped not only the articles and indefinite articles of Latin but also the structure of words and the use of phic symbols. It was at this moment, that Hyang realized King Sejongs ingenious mind that he had only known through textbooks up until now. King Sejong returned to his book and continued to read, then turned to Hyang. Do all the Western Barbarians use this kind of writings? No, they all use this writing as a base, but it differs slightly. Hyang then selected books in French and German and ced them on the writing desk. Hmm let me see King Sejong stroked his beard as he alternated between books in French and Germanynguages, whileparing them to the previous book in Latin. The forms of the characters are generally simr, but there are some variations in the characters that determine pronunciation hmmm With a nasal sound, King Sejong turned to face Hyang with a serious expression. Prince. Yes, Your Majesty. What do you think about creating our ownnguage for Joseon? Hes asking me! Hyang inwardly cheered and promptly answered, I believe that creating ournguage for Joseon is absolutely necessary! How many people know the Chinese characters that the literati revere as true texts? And how many of those who know them actually write them properly? If Chinese characters are true texts, then why are we using a phic system? Did you have difficulty writing sentences? Hehe! Seeing Hyangs childish behavior, King Sejong chuckled and nodded his head. Haha! I too remember struggling when I first wrote a sentence. I spent over an hour pondering and writing a poem, but my father and grandfather burst intoughter when they read it. King Sejong, reminiscing about his childhood, looked at Hyang, Indeed, the Chinesenguage and our Joseonnguage arepletely different, and this is a problem. It is not easy for themon people to submit their grievances, even if they want to. The problem is that creatingnguage system is not an easy task. Your Majesty has many wise people around you, so if you decide to do it, it will be an easy task. At Hyangs words, King Sejong lowered his head, If I publicly dere that I will create anguage system, the Hall of Worthies[1] schrs will be my enemies at that moment. Your Majesty. Seeing King Sejongs face full of things to say, Hyang called out to him. However, King Sejong did not continue speaking and stood up from his seat. The night is deep. It is time for us to sleep. Yes, Your Majesty. Please get some sleep, Your Majesty. Only when Your Majesty is in good health can Joseon be stable. You little rascal King Sejong, who was about to leave the room with a chuckle, stopped in his tracks and looked back. I hope you grow up quickly and reach the age of 15, when you can devote yourself to learning. Pardon? Go to sleep. After seeing King Sejong off, Hyang prepared to go to bed. As hey down on the nkets that the pce maids had prepared, he suddenly got up and murmured. The words that King Sejong had said before leaving the room lingered in his mind. Ah, that gives me the chills. ??? As preparations for vinating the pce residents and the people of Hanyang against smallpox were underway, the pce, especially the area around the Inner Pce, was bustling. The head of the Inner Pce, the Chief of the Inner Pce, checked the situation with the medical officers. Are the needles for vination prepared? 100 have been prepared. 100 is not enough! Prepare 200 more! What about the cows? 5 cows are ready! How many people can be vinated with 5 cows? As expected, even after vinating everyone in the pce and the six ministries who has not contracted smallpox, there will still be plenty left. Good! Make sure to urately record how long the pus collected from the infected cow canst! Understood! And how much ethanol for disinfection has been secured? We are still in the process of distition. Make sure there is enough prepared, as we cant afford to run out. Yes, sir. After organizing the situation to some extent, Jeong let out a small sigh. Whew~ Disinfection the work has increased manyfold. His Highness the Crown Prince guaranteed it, but will there really be any benefits? ??? At that time, the concept of disinfection was hardly established. Not washing hands when attending to patients was the norm, and reusing needles was amon practice. However, these practices werepletely overturned with the implementation of cowpox vination. Wiping the cow? And boiling the needle? Upon hearing the question, Seodori immediately replied while scratching his head, Yes, thats right. As you can see, cows are covered in feces, arent they? If youre not careful, you could get fecal poisoning. I understand the fecal poisoning, but why boil the needle? When the cowpox vine was first administered, there was a person with a severe pus-filled infection. After using the needle on that person, it was used on another person and the infection was transmitted. Since then, needles have been boiled in hot water after each use, and they were also wiped with thoroughly dried cotton cloth that had been boiled. I see. Hearing Seodoris words, Jeong nodded his head and recorded the relevant information. Hyang, who had been watching from the side, sprinkled MSG[2]. May I add something? I will attentively listen to Your Highness words. Ive looked at some of the Western medical texts. They were collections of knowledge from military physicians of a great empire called Rome. In response to Hyangs words, Jeong dipped his brush in the ink and prepared to write. It was a well-known story that there were many valuable medical books that they did not have among the princes possessions. He wanted to see those books, but there wasnt a single high-ranking official who dared to ask the prince to hand them over or borrow them. They all just sucked their fingers, but when Hyang spoke up, they couldnt miss the opportunity. In those books, it says All tools used for treating patients must be boiled in water and then wiped clean with a clean cloth before being used on the next patient. Both the cloth used to cover the patients wounds and the one used to wipe the wounds should be boiled in water and dried thoroughly in strong sunlight before being used again.'' Dried thoroughly in strong sunlight? Oh! And another thing, Physiciansmust always keep their hands clean when touching patients. When touching one patient and then another, they must wash their hands thoroughly and wipe them clean with a clean cloth. When treating patients wounds, they must clean the wound area with alcohol.'' Wipe them clean. Is this really effective? ording to the author of the book, its very effective. So, if we follow the same methods, there shouldnt be any harm. Your Highnesss words. I will deeply consider them. Jeong bowed his head in response to Hyangs words. The members of the courtiers who saw the documents recorded based on Hyangs words were divided in their opinions. Its nice to be clean, but isnt this too excessive? No, Ive experienced it myself. When bedding and other things are clean, the recovery is much faster. Can we really trust Western medicine? They are also people who exert effort to save others. There seems to be no need to deny them absolutely. The members of the courtiers who were divided into two sides finally reached a tentative agreement: First, since these are the words of the Crown Prince, lets prepare as much as possible and confirm the results on-site. While these people were making such a decision, Hyang ssified books full of Latin and yed a small whistle. I added a little MSG, but the books of the Eastern Roman Empire were unexpected. Among the Western books that came through the envoys, a considerable number were books of the Eastern Roman Empire. However, the surprising thing was that while many other field books were tranted into Hanja, almost none of the medical books had been tranted. The reason was written at the end of the barely found Hanja trantion. The Western medicine does not consider the mutual generation and mutual restraint[3] of the Five Elements[4] in using herbal medicine and is not afraid to use a knife when treating external and internal injuries. Therefore, there is no need to be interested in Western medicine as their method is too extreme. Upon reading a sentence that made a definitive assertion, Hyang burst outughing. Just wait 500 years and see. Contrary to the evaluations of the Chinese, Hyang held the books of the Eastern Roman Empire in high regard. The quality is higher than expected. Is it because they are descendants of the Roman Empire after all? What particrly caught Hyangs attention was a book about public hygiene. As he perused the book, which was filled with information about installing sewage systems, preventing fires, and organizing urban areas, he murmured quietly to himself, Since the urban area of Hanyang is still iplete should we try creating a SimCity? It was a remarkable coincidence that during the reign of Prince Jeong when he was still a crown prince, he had improved the urban areas of Hanyang. Thats beside the point Hyang mumbled to himself as he looked through the many books that filled the room. The Western books that the envoys had brought back were quite diverse and not few in number. Since there were not a few Confucian ssics among them as well, Hyang converted one of the rooms in Eastern Pce into a study. Bookshelves lined the walls of the room, and arge desk and chair were ced in the center. What Hyang was curious about was how there were so many Western books in China. Considering the size of the Chinese continent, the books in that room were sure to be only a very small portion. There is no need to be interested in Western medicine. To be precise, there are so many books, but it doesnt seem like they have had a significant influence on Chinas industry or science and technology. Hyang, who was pondering why, recalled the review of a book she had read before. Is it Chinas pride? Hyangs spection became certain when the people who went as envoys returned. These are new books that have been newly acquired, excluding those on the book list you gave me. The books that Minister of Taxation brought in response to Hyangs request amounted to threerge wooden boxes. Thats quite a lot. Thank you for your hard work. Not at all. Looking at the number of books, it seems that the Hui[5] believers are steadilying into Ming Dynasty? If you go south of the Yangtze River, there is still some exchange, but publicly there is none. Still, there are many books. Most of the books are made by Ming Dynastys enthusiasts. Why do they make these books? Theyre doing their best to rid the remnants of the Yuan dynasty. Hyang nodded at the Minister of Taxations exnation and said, Is that so? Thank you for your hard work. After seeing off the older man, Hyang muttered quietly while looking at the books on the wooden shelves, As expected, its not without basis. During the reign of King Sejong, explosive growth was not something that fell from the sky! It was the result of absorbing the technologies that flowed out during the transition from the Yuan to the Ming Dynasty! The problem was that everything went downhill from there. Hyang nodded repeatedly, recalling the words of Teacher Samcheonpo, the great schr. ??? As the winter solstice approached, preparations for the smallpox vination targeting the pce and the residents of Hanyang were entering the final stages. Lets double-check that all the preparations are well done! I have checked each item twice. We can finish it before the start of the spring hardship[6] period, right? At the question of the chief physician, the medical officer nodded his head. We can finish it! Then I will report it to Minister of Personnel. ??? Can we definitely finish it before the start of the spring hardship period? The medical officers are confident. At the answer of the chief physician, the Minister of Personnel stroked his beard. Alright. Then I will report to the king. ??? Until the beginning of spring, we must not forget toplete the inoction without fail. Upon receiving the report of the Minister of Personnel, King Sejong issued a simr order. Minister of Personnel nodded his head in agreement with King Sejongsmand, I will do my utmost with all my heart and soul. ??? Footnotes [1] Jiphyeonjeon (???, t), also known as the Hall of Worthies, was a royal research institute established during the Joseon Dynasty in Korea (1392-1897). Founded in 1420 by King Sejong the Great, it was a ce where the most talented schrs and experts gathered to research various fields such as literature, science, and philosophy. The Jiphyeonjeon schrs yed a significant role in the development of the Korean Hangul script and various cultural and scientific advancements during the Joseon Dynasty. [2] Literally in the raws [3] ???? (w) (sangsaengsanggeuk): means mutual generation and mutual conquest. It is a concept in East Asian philosophy that describes theplex rtionships between the Five Elements. [4] ?? () (Ohaeng): means Five Elements, which is a concept in East Asian philosophy that categorizes everything into five elements: water, fire, wood, metal, and earth. [5] Historically, Hui people are a Chinese ethnic group of predominantly Muslim faith that dates back to Tang dynasty. [6] ???(F): spring hardship period, refers to the period fromte winter to early spring, when food was scarce and people suffered from cold and hunger.History Time! What happened during the transition of Yuan to Ming dynasties? During the Yuan-Ming transition, Ming dynasty experienced significant political turmoil, including wars and rebellions, which resulted in the discement of many skilled workers and schrs. As a result, many of them fled to neighboring countries including Joseon for safety in order to avoid Mings persecution. This in turn, led to significant impacts on Joseon in terms of the advancement of various fields, including science, medicine, and technology. Trantors Notes Hello readers! With the vinations underway, what do you think Hyang has in mind for his next ns? I would love to hear yourments below! Note: If you want faster updates, get this novels role on our Discord! Login below to startmenting!Remember MeLost your password? Kirara Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light novels is just as bright and shiny, and I have a passion for bringing these stories to life through trantion. If my trantions are your cup of tea, kindly consider fueling my passion by purchasing me a Ko-fi or subscribing for early ess to advanced chapters of all my tranted works. Chapter 23-1: Winds of Change (1) Chapter 23-1: Winds of Change (1) Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light...
Hey, just wanted to let you know that Im gonna start dividing these long chapters into two parts. Theyve been getting way too long, most of them are over 3k words! Also, if youre digging my trantion, please consider subscribing to this novels trantion. Hope you enjoy this chapter!
BCJ Warriors $5 per monthSubscribe nowThe most damaging season for smallpox was during the spring and early summer. The main routes of smallpox transmission were through respiratory and skin contact among people. Due to this characteristic, the season when smallpox mainly broke out was from autumn to the early summer. This was because the weather became colder, causing people to gather in family units indoors. However, the spread of smallpox was not fast in mid-winter due to people not engaging in outdoor activities because of cold weather. Moreover, during the autumn, the harvest wasplete and there was plenty of food, so even if someone got infected with smallpox, the survival rate was high. Although they might be a cripple or experience various after-effects. However, the early summer was deadly. People searched for food, wandering in and out of the mountains, causing smallpox to spread rapidly over a wide area. When they became malnourished, their resistance decreased, leading to a sharp increase in the death rate. For this reason, the government set a goal toplete the smallpox vination before the onset of early summer. ??? When the court was busy preparing for the aristocracys inoction, messengers who had gone to Ming returned. The messengers who returned from Ming reported the results of their mission. Therefore, starting from the next time, Ming will send only civil officials as envoys to Joseon. Here is the document issued by the Emperor[1]. Youve worked hard. Sejong, who had checked the contents of the scroll handed by the Chief State Councilor Ryu Jeong-hyeon, looked back at his officials. It would be best to hang this as a disy at the banquet hall of Mohwagwan. Your Majesty is wise. The officials all expressed their agreement with Sejongs words. No matter how arrogant an envoy might be, they couldnt act recklessly in front of the Emperors handwritten document. If they dared to do so, it would be equivalent to slitting their own throats. What about the major issue of creating a trading post? Indeed, reaching an agreement on that matter was not easy. To put it briefly, we decided to establish a trading post in Shandong province. Is that so? ording to the Chief State Councilors exnation, Joseon wanted the area near Shanhai Pass[2] as a strong candidate, while Ming preferred the area near the Amnok (or Yalu) River. The problem was the security in the Liaodong region. Although Ming imed to maintain defense and security based on the Wi Su System[3], the Liaodong region was where Jurchens and even bandits were located. Therefore, a certain number of troops always escorted the merchants. If a permanent trading post was established and many merchants gathered there, it was certain that a considerable number of troops would be stationed at the trading post, responsible for the protection of the post and escorting the merchants. This was where the issue arose. Joseon did not want Ming troops to be permanently stationed near the Amnok River, and Ming did not want arge number of Joseon troops stationed right at Shanhai Pass.[4] As a result, the officials from Ming and the ambassadors from Joseon had to engage in an intense war of words. The Chief State Councilor, who was reporting to King Sejong, recounted a short anecdote that urred during the heated debate. Amid the stagnant situation, one of Mings officials came up with a new proposal. A new proposal? To establish a market exactly halfway between Ming and our Joseon. Oh, and then? What happened? He disappeared from sight the next day. Hahaha! After the brief anecdote, Ming and Joseon ended up in a deadlock, continually going in circles. When both sides were exhausted from the war of words, the Chief State Councilor put forth a new suggestion. How about opening a port instead? A port, you say? Yes. The Ming officials pondered over his proposal. After some time, they nodded their heads. Thats a good idea. Its worth considering. After reaching an agreement among themselves, the Ming officials asked the Joseon envoys. Do you have a suitable candidate location in mind? We will submit the petition to His Majesty the Emperor. In response to the Ming officials favorable reaction, the Chief State Councilor suggested a suitable candidate location. How about Shandong? Shandong? Shandong, indeed When the Chief State Councilor mentioned Shandong, Ming officials stepped back and whispered amongst themselves. The Ming officials who had been whispering for a while finally stepped back. We will report this to His Majesty the Emperor. We hope there is a good answer. Three dayster, officials from Ming and Joseon gathered again in one ce. His Majesty has decided. He permits the establishment of a Joseon conste in Shandong. Upon the Ming officials words, the Joseon envoys, including the Chief State Councilor, politely responded. We appreciate His Majesty the Emperors grace. With the decision made by Emperor Yongle[5], the matter proceeded swiftly. How about naming the conste Joseon Emporium[6] and setting its location at the old Si-district (neighborhood located in Gyeongju) site? If its the Si-district site The Ming official pointed at the location of Si-district on the map. After confirming the location on the map, the Chief State Councilor nodded. That ce seems to be suitable. Once the location was decided, the next issue that came up was maintenance. To be precise, it was the construction and maintenance cost of the conste. How about charging an entry fee? We have to cross the sea by boat. You should also consider the risk burden. Ming tried to get more, while Joseon tried to give less, continuing a push and pull. Eventually, after tedious pushing and pulling, Ming and Joseon agreed to collect 1% of the transaction amount as customs duties from Ming and Joseon merchants trading at the Joseon Emporium. In return, Ming agreed to construct all buildings entering the Joseon Emporium. Thats eptable Listening to the report from the Chief State Councilor, Sejong assessed the profit and loss and nodded. As Sejong showed a positive response, not only the Chief State Councilor but also all the envoys who went and returned sighed in relief. So, when can the Joseon Emporium open its doors? We expect it to be next summer. Is that so? Hmm After a moment of organizing his thoughts, King Sejong spoke, Lets move on from that Did the apanying merchants do well in their business? At King Sejongs question, the Chief State Councilor looked back at the Minister of Taxation, who promptly answered under the Chief State Councilors re. Everyone has made a great profit. The least sessful ones have made a profit three times, and those who made the most have made twenty times more. Twenty times? What did they sell? Footnotes [1] Emperor of Ming [2] One of the passes in the Great Wall of China was one of the easternmost strongholds along the Ming Great Wall. It is located in Hebei province. [3] Wi Su System (l): A system in Ming China for maintaining defense and security in the border areas. Wei (guards) and Suo (battalions). [4] Shanhaiguan (ɽP): A pass located in Hebei Province, China, which is the eastern starting point of the Great Wall of China. [5] Emperor of Ming [6] Im taking liberty with this, the original just a state office or building, but since I wanted to differentiate it from other buildings purposes, I trante it as Emporium instead. A ce where trading takes ce. Extra Notes Kirara Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light novels is just as bright and shiny, and I have a passion for bringing these stories to life through trantion. If my trantions are your cup of tea, kindly consider fueling my passion by purchasing me a Ko-fi or subscribing for early ess to advanced chapters of all my tranted works. Chapter 24: Winds of Change (2) Chapter 24: Winds of Change (2) Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light...
Hey, just wanted to let you know that Im gonna start dividing long chapters into two parts. Theyve been getting way too long, most of them are over 3k words! Also, if youre digging my trantion, please consider subscribing to this novels trantion. Hope you enjoy this chapter!
BCJ Warriors $5 per monthSubscribe nowAnd if theres something a bit unusual, there were many merchants looking for our Joseon paper. Our Joseon paper? Yes. Compared to the paper made in Ming, our Joseon paper is of superior quality, so many people were looking for it. In the great nation, since the previous dynasty, it has been called Hae-dong-paper or Goryeo-paper and many people sought after it. King Sejong stroked his beard at Minister of Taxations response. Hmm It would be good to issue an order to increase the production at the Papermaking Bureau. As soon as King Sejongs words fell, Hyang opened his mouth, Your Majesty! Please hear my request! Speak. Please reform and abolish the Papermaking Bureau! Hyang burst the bomb thrown by the Minister of Taxation. At Hyangs request to reform and abolish the Papermaking Bureau, the atmosphere froze for a moment. King Sejong and the ministers all failed to understand Hyangs words momentarily. Abolish the Papermaking Bureau? In this situation, where many people from Ming are looking for paper? It doesnt seem to be consistent with the princes usual ims. Its an opportunity to gain new benefits. Why? Shortly after, King Sejong and the ministers all presented their criticisms one after another. It was a different statement from the usual Hyang. However, Hyang had already prepared his rebuttal. Reforming and abolishing the Papermaking Bureau is consistent with what I have been advocating. Consistent? Exin. Yes. Hyang exined the reason for abolishing the Papermaking Bureau to Sejong and the ministers. The paper currently produced at the Papermaking Bureau is of six types. However, the types of paper circted in the previous dynasty were more, and the quality was even better. What this means is that the situation is getting worse as time goes by. (Note 1)[1] If so, eventually, the merchants of Ming will no longer want paper, and this will result in losing an important market. Hmm Prince, I understand what youre saying. If the quality of the paper deteriorates as you say, the merchants of Ming will not buy the paper. But! I dont understand why thats a reason to abolish the Papermaking Bureau. Isnt it a matter of supervising the papermakers well? King Sejong, who had been listening to Hyangs exnation, interrupted him. Hyang immediately responded to Sejongs criticism, Among the words circting among themon people, there is a saying, You can lead a horse to water, but you cant make it drink. No matter how strictly you supervise, will it work properly if the artisans motivation is at rock bottom? The artisans motivation is at rock bottom? Thats right, Your Majesty. You know that I have been visiting offices with artisans, including the Military Arsenal[2], right? I know. At Hyangs question, Sejong nodded. And every time, my head ached because of the troubles you created, Crown Prince. At Sejongs remark, the ministers nodded unknowingly, and Hyang gave a bitter smile. I dont remember causing that much trouble, but lets set that aside! Hyang exined why the artisans in the officescked motivation. Their sries were miserable. The sries they received were barely enough for their families to survive. As a result, many of them had side jobs or quit their work. What do they do when they quit their jobs? Some became tenant farmers who leased fields or worked as peddlers, and some even worked in private workshops in the market. With the situation like this, would supervision be effective? Supplies are increasing and management is bing moreplicated, but the sry remains the same, which will only lead to more people quitting. Sejongs face grew serious at Hyangs words. Meanwhile, the Chief State Councilor, who had been listening to Hyangs exnation, raised a counterargument, Those who belong to the military workshop or other royal workshops receive a rank of 9th grade and the corresponding sry. However, among the officials of the same rank, very few resign. This means that the low sry cannot be an excuse for the artisansziness. Hearing the Chief State Councilor Ministers rebuttal, Hyang exposed the officials disgrace by revealing, Dont you know that those officials receive a lot of benefits behind the scenes? Even at your house, Chief State Councilor, Im sure you know that peoplee with gifts, creating a market-like atmosphere at your door. Thats just a gift! Who said otherwise? Hyang, who had silenced the Prime Minister, continued speaking while looking at King Sejong, Under these circumstances, who among the artisans belonging to the royal family and the government would do their best in their work? Whats worse is that they dont even want to pass on their skills to their children. They say that its better to be a tenant farmer than to live off the skills they inherited. How many of the techniques umted over a long period of time have disappeared under such circumstances? Also, how can progress be made when those with talent do not cultivate their skills? The Crown Prince is right. As King Sejong agreed, the Chief State Councilor immediately raised a counterargument, But what was the reason that King Taejong created the paper supply system? It was because the quality of paper collected as a tribute was not uniform, causing a great inconvenience of having to sort through it again. If the paper supply system is abolished, we will have to suffer the same damage as in King Taejongs time. Please reconsider! Please reconsider! Following the Chief State Councilors lead, the other ministers joined in the chorus. What should we do? King Sejong, making a troubled expression, nced at Hyang. This brat! He must have already known the answer! Sigh, Hyang sighed and opened his mouth, Why do we have to give out tributes? Excuse me? Have you forgotten the example of the gold brush? All we have to do is clearly specify the standards for paper quality and specifications required by the government, and then sign a contract with the cheapest supplier among those who meet the criteria. But if we do that, the expenses Is paper amodity that only the royal family and the government need? Its clear as day that royal supply will sell well in the market, just like the gold brush! The government can collect taxes on the profits they make and earn multiple times more iepared to the expenses. At Hyangs words, the mouths of the Chief State Councilor and other ministers became tight-lipped. This was because there was already a precedent with the gold brush. Hyang then went in for the kill. Didnt the Ming merchants ask us for paper recently? If our Joseon merchants can continuously produce high-quality paper throughpetition, they can make a lot of money in the big market of Ming, which means our government can also secure more revenue. The debate had ended, but there was no one among the ministers to raise any objections. After a brief silence, the Minister of Personnel spoke up, In my humble opinion, the Crown Princes suggestion seems to be quite reasonable. Minister of Personnel! The Chief State Councilor red at the Minister of Personnel, but thetter continued undeterred, Whether it is to provide relief to the people, maintain the government organization, ensure public order, or protect our borders, all of these require funding. It has been nearly 30 years since our Joseon dynasty was founded, and there has never been a clear solution to this issue. Instead, as time goes on, the difficulties only seem to be intensifying. If we have a solution, why wouldnt we make use of it? Upon hearing the Minister of Personnels words, the Minister of Rites snapped back, Minister of Personnel, watch your words! If all people were to realize the Way of the Sages and be virtuous, the country would be at peace, and even the barbarians from the border regions and Japanese pirates would be moved by our virtue and be peaceful. Therefore, our responsibility as ministers is to first think of how to enlighten the people and turn them into virtuous individuals! Your Majesty! The Crown Princes suggestion may seem right at a nce, but in reality, it is nothing more than a temporary solution that only addresses superficial wounds! For true peace and prosperity, we must first consider the enlightenment of the people! At the Minister of Rites statement, the Minister of Justice retorted, Your Majesty! While the Minister of Rites words may seem right at a nce, they are nothing more than empty talk on paper! How could starving people who have copsed from hunger understand the teachings of the sages? Enlightenment is important, but the peoples livelihood is even more crucial! Huh? Didnt I say that before? Muttering to himself, the Crown Prince observed the heated debate among the ministers with great interest. I need popcorn! As the ministers engaged in their heated argument, the Crown Prince sneakily nced at King Sejong. King Sejong had a calm expression on his face with his mouth closed, but his eyes were smiling. That man is enjoying himself! The ministers debate intensified. As they cited real-life situations and passages from the ssics, their fierce back-and-forth continued. The scribes and secretaries hurriedly recorded the proceedings with their brushes. Enough. As the debate among the ministers escted to the point of personal attacks, King Sejong raised his hand to stop them. Watching the ministers catch their breath from the intense debate, King Sejong made his decision. I have listened carefully to your opinions. Educating the people is indeed important and must be done. However, addressing the peoples livelihood is also a critical task that must be resolved. Various measures are needed for this, so I ask you all to investigate further. We ept Your Majestysmand. As for the matter of the Papermaking Bureau, I believe the Crown Princes proposal is correct. However, abolishing it immediately seems too hasty. Investigate how to resolve this issue and report back within three days. We ept Your Majestysmand. After giving orders to the ministers, King Sejong turned to the Crown Prince. Listen, my son. Yes, Father. I am well aware of your concern for the prosperity of the nation and the well-being of the people. As the Crown Prince, this is something you must naturally do, so I will neither criticize nor praise you. Your Majesty is too kind. At King Sejongs evaluation, the Crown Prince bowed his head. Did I not just get scolded? The conversation between Hyang and King Sejong continued, unlike the relief on Hyangs face. However, it is clear that the great confusion that follows whenever you express your opinion is a problem. This is because not only the officials here but also the ministers, do not know what criteria you use to express your opinions. Hence, you should exin your political views on national affairs. Yes? Your Highness, it is not unknown to the officials and ministers that your intellect is excellent, and your thoughts are deep. However, your age is still immature, so it is possible to believe that you perceive your own misguided thoughts are correct. As a father, it is also my responsibility to know this beforehand and correct it. Yes At King Sejongs words, Hyang bowed his head quietly. Do you need time to prepare? At Sejongs question, Hyang thought for a moment and then replied, Please give me five days. Alright. The end of the meeting was marked by King Sejongs decision that the Crown Prince would announce his political views in five days. The ministers leaving the meeting were visibly divided into three factions. The first faction was the group of three high-ranking officials spearheaded by the Chief State Councilor, and those who followed them. We must prepare thoroughly for the next five days. Preparation? At the question of the follower, the Chief State Councilor replied. We need to review not only the ssics but also the policies that have been in ce so far. Do we have to prepare that much for a 9-year-old child? At the question, the Chief State Councilors face turned fierce in an instant. What do you think we have been subjected to by that 9-year-old so far? Well Huh! Dont you know whos behind the Crown Prince! It may be the Crown Princes mouth speaking, but it is reasonable to think that the thoughtse from the King. Think about what has happened so far! Among the things the Crown Prince insisted on doing, was there anything the King opposed? There was none. As you said, the Crown Prince is only nine years old. Of course, his umted knowledge ismendable. However, political views cannot be achieved with knowledge alone. Experience is necessary, and only time can provide that. When the Crown Prince first started the work, I thought it was because he was a genius. But has the Crown Prince only done it once or twice? No matter how genius he is, thats impossible. Its only possible to think that the King is behind him. At the Chief State Councilors conclusion, everyone around nodded their heads. So, everyone, prepare thoroughly! How did we establish this Joseon?! Are we going to just watch the evil habits of the previous dynasty revive again! We understand. Your Excellency. Footnotes [1] Note 1) Korean Cultural Encyclopedia C Jojiseo entry. [2] I think in a previous trantion made by the TL before, the TL called this a Weapons Office or Bureau or something. But, I believe the correct term is Military Arsenal, where the artisans handle everything rted to weapons making and steel/iron. Kirara Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light novels is just as bright and shiny, and I have a passion for bringing these stories to life through trantion. If my trantions are your cup of tea, kindly consider fueling my passion by purchasing me a Ko-fi or subscribing for early ess to advanced chapters of all my tranted works. Chapter 25: Winds of Change (3) Chapter 25: Winds of Change (3) Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light... The second group consisted of officials mainly from the Ministry of Taxation, Ministry of Personnel, and Ministry of Public Works. Shouldnt we bring writing instruments in five days? At the words of the Minister of Personnel, the Minister of Taxation stroked his beard. Do we need writing instruments? They are absolutely necessary. Isnt it just the opinion of a nine-year-old child? At the Minister of Personnels objection, the Minister of Taxation exined his reason, Of course, the young prince is only nine years old. Thanks to that, some people say that the King is behind all the actions and words of the prince. However, I dont think so. The prince is a heaven-sent genius, even astonishing. Is there a reason to think that way? When the Minister of Personnel asked for the reason, the Minister of Taxations eyes gazed into the distance. There are several things. First, do you remember the day when the King wielded a club on the prince? How could I forget that? The fact that the King wielded a club means that the princes entricity was unheard of until then. Thats why he was so furious. Hearing the words of the Minister of Taxation, the Minister of Personnel immediately refuted, That can be thought of that way. However, isnt it too much to say that all other cases were the princes independent thoughts? Think about the princes age. Hes only nine years old. Isnt it more reasonable to think that he was caught by chance that day? It would be easier for an outsider to think that way. But have you been to the famous library of the Eastern Pce? I havent. Have you? I had been there when the prince asked for books and told me to take the list. I went into the library and saw that the books were all covered with fingerprints, and red lines were drawn on the passages that were considered important. Thats not all. Some books had papers inserted, and on those papers, there were plenty of writings about how to apply it when introducing it to our Joseon. And the handwriting was not the Kings. At the words of the Minister of Taxation, the Minister of Personnels face became serious. That means We are looking at a truly frightening person. Hes smart, has execution power, and has power on his side. Huh At the words of the Minister of Taxation, the Minister of Personnel sighed, either out of admiration ormentation. The third group consisted of young officials from the Office of Inspector General and the Office of Censors. What do you think? What do you mean what do I think? Shouldnt we immediately raise aint? The Crown Prince is only nine years old! What is national policy? Its what moves the country. National policy is that heavy, and what could a nine-year-old possibly know? This is the King deceiving us, his subjects! But, as you can see from this golden brush, dont you have to admit that the princes abilities are outstanding? What I regret the most is this golden brush! I should have opposed mass-producing it! Because of that, everyone from the King to the attendants only thinks about wealth, and I cant help butment! Whats the difference from the previous dynasty? Why did our Joseon enter this situation?! Unable to hold back his anger, the young officials fists trembled as those nearby seemed to agree. Lets go! We must write aint quickly! ??? The reactions of the subjects were quickly conveyed to Sejong through the inner servants. Youve worked hard. King Sejong, who gave thanks to Chief Eunuch, let out a long sigh. Sigh~. Howe there are only such stubborn people? King Sejong deeplymented upon hearing the reactions of his ministers. The officials were now openly protesting. If they had actually acted, they should have met outside the pce. Very discreetly! Seeing King Sejongs poorplexion, Chief Eunuch quickly made aforting remark, There were also quite a few who showed their loyalty. At his servants words, King Sejong bitterlyughed. Is that something to be thankful for? After all, its often hard to believe that even the crown prince is nine years old King Sejong, who had been smiling at Hyangs excellence, let out another long sigh. Sigh~. These young officials have no flexibility at all What disappointed him the most was the rigidity shown by the young officialsing from the Office of the Inspector General and the Ministry of Rites. The Chief State Councilors group was also rigid in their thinking, but they had moved somewhat flexibly when needed, based on their experience. However, the problem lies with those young bureaucrats. They were the ones who blindly upheld Neo-Confucianism as their everything. They thought that thinking and living in ordance with Neo-Confucianism was the only righteous path. To them, everything that Hyang promoted was enough to be called heresy. In fact, they were making a much unnecessary fuss. The country is going backward! Prioritizingmerce! Thats why King Jeonjo fell! Have we forgotten the principle of focusing on fundamentals and suppressing the trivial? King Sejong let out another long sigh andmented, There is ack of talent. Ack of talent. It had been five years since he had received the throne from King Taejong and over half a year since King Taejongs death, but his own fathers shadow still loomedrge. As soon as he inherited the throne, King Sejong partially reformed the cab, and the ministers followed his words well. However, he knew that he was still seen as a fledgling in the eyes of his ministers. In the end, King Sejong neededpetent talents who would follow his words well. Its still too early to call upon them The them King Sejong was thinking of were Hwang Hui and Maeng Sa-seong. Hwang Hui and Maeng Sa-seong were talents recognized by his predecessor, King Taejong. However, both had faced crises by being involved in King Taejongs efforts to strengthen royal authority. In the end, they returned to the central government but had weak grounds to be immediately ced at the core of power. The problem is whether they alone can properly control those ignorant young officials King Sejong, recalling the young officials with rigid thinking, put his hand on his forehead. I have a headache. At his remark, Chief Eunuchs face was immediately filled with concern. Shall I call the royal physician? Its not that bad. Ill feel better after a short rest. King Sejong, who stopped his servant from calling the royal physician, turned his gaze to the documents and petitions he had not yet processed. ??? King Sejong was agonizing over a problem when Hyang heard a simr story from his inner servants. So, to what extent has the distinction between us and them been made? Anyway Hyang muttered softly, tapping his writing desk with his finger, Were still in the early days of Joseon, and already at the level of the Taliban Your Highness? What did you say? Its just me talking to myself. Dont mind it. Yes, Your Highness. As the servant closed his mouth, Hyang became lost in thought while tapping his writing desk. Damn it! If were already at the level of the Taliban, what are we supposed to do? How can I deal with these people who have minds as solid as the foundation stones of Gyeongbokgung (Main) Pce? Hyang felt distant at the thought of dealing with the young officials, particrly those from the Office of the Censors and the Office of the Inspector General. After various deliberations, Hyang finally reached a conclusion. Servants, leave me alone for a while. Yes? I have some things to sort out on my own. Yes, Your Highness. Sending the inner servants away, Hyang, who was alone in the room, clenched his fist tightly. Damn it! They solve everything without considering the circumstances! Our King Sejong will surely pick out the best from within! Starting with that, Ill execute the rest as soon as I ascend to the throne! If they cant keep up, just rece them all! Those who need to go will go, and those who need to be pushed will be pushed, and things will eventually work themselves out! Having reached a conclusion, Hyang spread a nk sheet of paper. Hmm where should I start? How long had it been since he flipped his own switch? The inner servant who was standing outside the door shouted loudly, His Royal Majesty, is entering! Hearing that King Sejong had arrived, Hyang got up from his chair, checked his clothes, and politely greeted his father, Have you arrived? Your Majesty. Itste at night, and you havent slept yet? Thats not good for your health. Is sleep an issue when I have things to do? Besides, your health is more important than mine. My child King Sejong, seemingly pleased with Hyangs answer, lightly patted his shoulder and turned his head to the writing desk. May I take a quick look? Yes. However, King Sejong began to read the papers even before Hyangs answer, examining the contents carefully. Seeing this, Hyang pouted his lips and grumbled inwardly, If you were going to read before I even answered, why did you bother asking? These high-ranking people Not knowing whether he understood Hyangs feelings or not, King Sejong, who had been carefully reading the sentences written on the paper, asked Hyang a question, Hyang, what do these ? and ! mark next to the sentences mean? They are punctuation marks used by the Western barbarians. The curved ? signifies a question, and the straight ! indicates an exmation or surprise. Really? A single symbol can make the meaning of a sentence clearer! Hmm I see, I see Having learned the meaning of the punctuation marks, King Sejong examined the papers even more closely. Your Majesty, would you like to sit down and read? I was just thinking my legs were aching a bit. At Hyangs words, King Sejong sat down in a chair, showing a half-smile. Hey, you nobleman, lose some weight! Why do you still have a pyramid-shaped body even though youre jumping rope? Seeing the obese King Sejong, Hyang grumbled to himself and sat across from him. With numerous papers spread out on the desk, King Sejong examined the contents, moving back and forth, and then red at the papers with his arms crossed. Administrative reorganization, diversification of local positions, reforms to the tax system,nd system reforms This is not just a simple policy proposal, is it? My policy is indeed simple. Its the Hongik Ingan[1] that Hwanwoong[2]once mentioned. Arent the golden sayings of the sages ultimately the same meaning? Youre right. At Hyangs words, King Sejong nodded his head as if he agreed. It was called royal politics, but the conclusion was simple: Lets live in peace, from the king to themon people. To actually implement such a principle, there are many shorings in the current system. Correcting these shorings and creating a peaceful Joseon for the royal family and themon people is my dream. Thats a good dream. Honestly, just by looking at what youve written, I would want to adopt it as a policy immediately. However, there will be many people who will not listen properly, finding fault with your age of nine. At King Sejongs point, Hyang shrugged his shoulders. Isnt that not wrong? Its a fact that Im only nine years old, and because Im young, my experience is shallow. At Hyangs response, King Sejong clicked his tongue, Tsk! Prioritizing age and experience in discussing politics and governance is not the intention of the sages Doesnt that help in some ways? Help? Doesnt it make it easier to identify those who are genuinely helpful to you? Thats true! At the same time, King Sejong and Hyang smiled. It was a pleasant sight to see a father and sonughing together, but if the ministers had seen it, they would have been sweating. Feeling uplifted by Hyangs response, King Sejong stood up from his seat. Stop and go to sleep. Children should sleep early to grow well. Yes, Father. You should go to bed too. The peace of Joseon depends on your good health. Alright. With a snicker, King Sejong was about to head outside when he stopped and looked back at Hyang. Ah! I just remembered! The attendees at your presentation will include not only high-ranking officials from the central government offices (ranging from first to third rank) but also middle-ranking officials (ranging from the lower third rank to the sixth rank). Make sure youre well-prepared. Yes. Take a break. After sending King Sejong off, Hyang furrowed his brow, Damn it! The scale of the event had grownrger than he expected. Footnotes [1] Founding philosophy of Joseon. Hongik Ingan is a Korean term that roughly trantes to benefiting all mankind. The term has its roots in the traditional Confucian philosophy of Korea, which emphasizes the importance of individual responsibility and ethical behavior in creating a harmonious society. [?] [2] Hwanwoong is a figure from Korean mythology who is said to have been the grandson of the god Hwanin, the lord of the heavens. ording to legend, Hwanwoong descended from the heavens to establish a new civilization in what is now Korea. He is often revered as a symbol of wisdom, virtue, and leadership. Read more on Dangun mythology HERE. [?] Kirara Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light novels is just as bright and shiny, and I have a passion for bringing these stories to life through trantion. If my trantions are your cup of tea, kindly consider fueling my passion by purchasing me a Ko-fi or subscribing for early ess to advanced chapters of all my tranted works. Chapter 26: Winds of Change (4) Chapter 26: Winds of Change (4) Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light... The scale of the event had berger than expected, which made Hyang swear, but he had to ept the reality. Reviving memories of the lessons and assignments from the 21st century, Hyang stared at the papers with the things he thought were important and soon nodded his head. Great! Now, let me show the people the taste of no, capitalism and modern administrative organization! The next day, as soon as the sun rose, Hyang moved busily. He went to the Painting Bureau to order the production of hanging banner, and to the Military Arsenal to order the production of loudspeakers. The blueprint presented by Hyang made the head cksmith scratch his head. It looks just like a funnel. Its simr. Will it take a long time toplete? Ill have it ready by evening. Thank you. Afterpleting the physical preparations for the presentation, Hyang diligently searched through ssics and Western books. To reshape the systems of the 21st century into the 14th and 15th-century Eastern and Western world, andunder the origin through the ssics of Confucianism As he was organizing how to structure the presentation, Hyang circled the word small government. If theres a Q&A session, controversy will arise here, and if theres no Q&A, this is the part where they will bombard with memorials. To be honest Hyang trailed off, leaning against the chair back and stretching. Ugh! Your Highness! Whats wrong? Nothing. After inadvertently letting out a strange sound while stretching, Hyang sent the frightened inner servants away and muttered under his breath, Damn! Being a prince is great on everything else, but this is the problem. Theres no privacy, no privacy Grumbling, Hyang tapped the circled small government with his finger and continued speaking, In the 21st century, the so-called ssic small government would be seen as a terrifyinglyrge government by these nobles. As Hyang pondered while tapping the problematic word with his finger, he made a decision. I have no choice but to point out this issue and move on. Otherwise, nothing will change, and it will go back to the messed-up Joseon I knew. With determination, Hyang began organizing the structure. Lets put off the military-rted issues for now. Its certain that if I talk about it all at once, itll be buried As he put off the military issue, Hyang looked at the map hanging in the study. Anyway, theres going to be a huge event next year Kirara Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light novels is just as bright and shiny, and I have a passion for bringing these stories to life through trantion. If my trantions are your cup of tea, kindly consider fueling my passion by purchasing me a Ko-fi or subscribing for early ess to advanced chapters of all my tranted works. Chapter 27: Winds of Change (5) Chapter 27: Winds of Change (5) Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light... When King Sejong and Hyang were enjoying the daytime festivities, the high and low-ranking officials were bustling about, forgetting the fun. Writing tools! Writing tools! The officials who returned to their respective offices hurriedly dipped their brushes in ink and began to write on paper. What did he say? Darn it! Theres so much to write down! Those who had thought lightly of the nine-year-olds speech were now racking their brains, trying to remember and record what Hyang had said. While the members of the Council of State and the Six Ministries struggled with their papers, some were surprisingly rxed. Among them were the military officers. Hey, Your Excellency, Instructor, do you understand what the Crown Prince said? If I understood that, would I still be here as the instructor? Hehe! Thats true. Those whoughed bitterly were those who had risen through the military examination. Sejong had added a ssics section to the military examination as soon as he ascended the throne, but many of them were still more like hoodlums in official uniforms. Another group were the officials from the Ministry of Taxation. Having brought writing tools from the start, they could take notes whenever necessary. Thanks to that, during their breaks, they could enjoy the daytime festivities at ease. Hyangs longer-than-expected presentation ended around sunset. Having finished the presentation, Hyang looked at King Sejong and the ministers. Do you have any questions? There was no one who immediately opened their mouths to answer Hyangs question. Since no one spoke even after waiting for a moment, Hyang concluded, Then, I will conclude my policy presentation here. Hyang, having finished speaking, politely bowed to King Sejong on the royal dais. You did well. Lets have dinner togetherter. Yes, Father. King Sejong, who had not hidden his satisfaction, looked at the ministers. Lets end it here for today. You all worked hard. At Sejongs words announcing the end, all the officials stood up from their chairs and bowed politely. As Sejong and Hyang left the hall, the officials began to exit as well. The faces of the officials leaving the hall, starting with the high-ranking officials, were more serious than ever. The only difference was that the high-ranking officials held only writing tools, while the lower-ranking officials and intermediate officials also carried chairs. What do you think, Chief State Councilor? In response to the Left State Councilors question, the Chief State Councilor replied irritably, How can I think? My brain has gotten freezing! We must write a memorial to the throne immediately! The Crown Prince wrapped it up with fancy words like Hongik Ingan, but he is ignoring the values of tradition! Not only that, he intends to follow the teachings of Legalism rather than Confucianism when ites to establishingws. I cannot help butment! The enraged Right State Councilor headed towards the Council of State building with a quick stride. Simr reactions came from the remonstrators of the Office of the Censor. We must write a memorial to the throne immediately! Thats right! The Crown Princes words may seem right at first nce, but they follow the hegemonic path of the Legalists! This is like following the oppression of Qin Shi Huang[1] and must be stopped at all costs! Various opposing remarks jumped out chaotically, and the intensity of thements grew stronger. If necessary, we should consider recing the Crown Prince! Look at this! Isnt that too extreme? Whats extreme? Even the current king wasnt originally the Crown Prince! Shush! the colleague who silenced the official who made the problematic remark looked around and warned him. Be careful with your words! Do you think you have an iron te around your neck? Why? Did I say something wrong? A 9-year-old is making such an inappropriate statement! This is because the Crown Princes Tutoring Institute and its guests have failed to teach properly! Discipline should be strict, but only praising their achievements leads to such unfortunate events! Well, you should just say that discipline needs to be strengthened, not recing the Crown Prince Look at the current situation! Even if we try to correct, its already too twisted! For the sake of the royal way of governance, its better to rece immediately! Hey, lower your voice! the colleague warned the official whose voice had grown louder again and looked around. However, the young officers from the Office of Inspector General and the Office of Censors pretended not to hear. But the cautioning official knew very well. There were many who seemed to agree silently but would report the situation when a crisis approached. On the other hand, there were quite a few officials who actively agreed with the Crown Princes opinion. Ha! Its been a long time since I felt so refreshed! I agree! Hearing a realistic and reasonable statement after listening to nonsensical talks all the time feels like our ears are cleansed. Hahaha! Loyalty and filial piety are important, but there are things that must be protected first, and that is the trust and righteousness between the nation and its people! Wow, that was a great saying! Did you see the Kings expression? It seemed like he would adopt the policy immediately. The Crown Prince is so outstanding, and the King is wise; this is the prosperity of our Joseon! The officials who continued to praise the King and Crown Prince were mostly practical bureaucrats from the six ministries, including the Ministry of Taxation and the Ministry of Personnel. The proposals and rted measures suggested by the Crown Prince, along with the Kings positive response, were like refreshing cold water to the bureaucrats who had been struggling with various administrative issues. However, the bureaucrats of the six ministries, who were showing a favorable response to the Crown Prince and the King, heard the noise from the Office of Inspector General and the Office of Censors. Those scumbags who waste their time! Just bear with it! the six ministry officials, who heard the remarks from the inspectors and censors, cursed in response. Some hot-tempered officials tried to grab the cors of others, but their colleagues stopped and dissuaded them. The bureaucrats from the Office of Censors and the Office of Inspector General also stopped walking, and both sides stared at each other. Fake righteous men clinging to power! Fake righteous men who only have mouths! Both sides insulted each other as fake righteous men and exchanged curses. Soon, they spat on the ground and turned their backs. Ptooh~. Go! Its useless to talk with those fake righteous men; it will only make our ears dirtier! Ptooh~, Go! Who wants to talk? Go! As they turned their backs, the bureaucrats shouted to their colleagues. Write a petition! Only a petition is the answer! Agreed! This is how the debate on the correct view, had left a folk tale saying it raised the price of paper in Hanyang, took ce. ??? King Sejong and Hyang were enjoying their dinner together, not knowing whether they were aware of themotion happening among the officials. Todays speech was excellent. Thank you. Although its the wisdom of a nine-year-old, I missed a lot too. There are many policies that I want to adopt and implement right away. Thank you, Your Majesty. But honestly, the policies would be too difficult to implement right now. King Sejong nodded at Hyangs remark and opened his mouth, Is it because of the budget? Yes. To be honest, its beyond our control, but I think its better to postpone the cirction of copper coins nned for next year. Is it because of the problem with the supply guarantee you mentioned earlier? Yes, it is. Cant we start with the secured budget first? In response to King Sejongs question, Hyang put down the spoon and opened his mouth, Then, the issued coins will all end up buried in the granaries of localndowners, and the people in need will continue to trade with rice and cotton. Why would the issued coins end up in the granaries of localndowners? Its simple. No matter how well rice and cotton are stored, they cantst more than five years. But coins arent like that, right? Theyre small in size too. King Sejong nodded his head with his arms crossed at Hyangs answer, Hmm I see. So how do we solve this? In response to his fathers question, Hyang leaned towards the king and whispered after looking at the historians and scribers sitting next to him. In my opinion, we need to prepare thoroughly for at least 10 years, or even 5 years, and thenunch a decisive attack at once. Like starting a war, no, its a war. At Hyangs leaning, Sejong leaned over as well and asked in a small voice, War? In response to Sejongs question, Hyang answered in an even quieter voice, Its a war. A war that decides whether the state will move this Joseon or the localndowners who havee down from the old days of the Three Hans (Three Kingdoms) era. Only by winning this war can Joseon truly establish itself as a country of our people. I see. Bang! tter! As King Sejong nodded his head while listening to Hyangs answer, he suddenly stood up at the unexpected noise and looked towards where the sound came from. The noise came from where the historians and the scribes were. As King Sejong and the Crown Prince quietly exchanged words, the officials and scribes leaned in to listen, causing amotion when they stumbled over each other. Really If youre tired, why not take turns with others? What a disgrace! At King Sejongs scolding, the historians and scribes bowed their heads immediately, Our apologies, Your Majesty! Apologies aside, can you tell us what conversation the two of you were having? We need to record it Its a private conversation between father and son. Dont worry about it. Yes, Your Majesty. Despite King Sejongs response, the officials added the following statement. An official says that there should be no secrets in discussing the policies of a nation. However, today, the King and the Crown Prince have discussed the important matter of currency operation with many secrets, which is not right. After the smallmotion, a messenger arrived to ry the reactions of the ministers. Hearing the messengers report, King Sejong seemed to lose his appetite and put down his chopsticks. You did well. Has the Crown Prince finished eating? Yes. At the Crown Princes response, King Sejong pushed the table forward. Then, clear the table and bring the tea tray. Yes, Your Majesty. The attendants came in and cleared the tables for King Sejong and the Crown Prince, who then sat facing each other with teacups between them and continued their conversation. From tomorrow, there will be a downpour of petitions. The Royal Secretariat will have a hard time. Maybe we should send some royal cuisine to the Royal Secretariat. That would be a wise decision, Your Majesty. The father and son, who expressed their condolences in advance to the officials of the Royal Secretariat who would suffer from the influx of petitions, continued their conversation. Father, could you please tell me about the progress of smallpox vinations for the residents of Hanyang? The pce has alreadypleted all vinations, and preparations for vinating the residents of Hanyang have also beenpleted. As the New Years Day closing in three days, vinations will begin on the first day of the first lunar month. I hope many people can escape smallpox through vination. I share the same hope, my son. If we manage to prevent smallpox, you will have aplished a great feat. What have I done? Its all due to your decision, Father. I have no merits to im. My boy. At the Crown Princes response, King Sejong looked at him with admiration. If the smallpox vination brings the expected results, no one can stop you. No, even if someone tries, I will remove them! Because its an important step for our Joseon to rise! With a firm resolution in his heart, King Sejong looked at the Crown Prince. My son! You will be my greatest treasure sword! Letsy the foundation for the prosperity of Joseon together! Suddenly, the Crown Prince felt an inexplicable chill wrapping around him. What is this strange feeling? Footnote [1] Emperor Qin Shi Huang (Qin Dynasty) was a follower of Legalism and implemented many Legalist principles during his rule, such as centralizing power, standardizingws and punishments, and implementing a strict hierarchy of officials. He also established a system of spies and informants to monitor the activities of his subjects, and ordered the burning of books and the burying of schrs who disagreed with his ideas. Emperor Qin Shi Huangs use of Legalism helped to consolidate his power and establish a strong, centralized government in China. However, it also led to widespread repression and harsh treatment of his subjects, which ultimately contributed to the downfall of his dynasty. Kirara Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light novels is just as bright and shiny, and I have a passion for bringing these stories to life through trantion. If my trantions are your cup of tea, kindly consider fueling my passion by purchasing me a Ko-fi or subscribing for early ess to advanced chapters of all my tranted works. Chapter 28: Winds of Change (6) Chapter 28: Winds of Change (6) Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light... The next day, as King Sejong and Hyang had anticipated, memorials began pouring in from the morning. Truly diligent. As the rolled-up memorials piled up, the Royal Secretaryined, to which all other chiefs nodded in agreement. I thought wed have at least two days Did they stay up all night? They have such great stamina. I get scared just crossing the threshold of the inner quarters. As the chiefs grumbled while looking at the memorials, the Chief Secretary stepped forward. Willining lessen the work? Start by categorizing them. Categorize? Dont you remember from yesterday? There were those who criticized the Crown Prince and those who supported him. So, categorize them into two groups. Wouldnt there be those who fall in the middle? Would those in the middle write a memorial? Ah At the Chief Secretarys words, the chiefs unknowingly nodded. Although they didnt say it, among those who fell in the middle were the chiefs themselves. And among the chiefs, none of them had written a memorial. In any case, after half a day had passed since the morning assembly began in the Pyeonjeon Pce (audience hall), trays full of categorized memorials were brought to King Sejong. Theres so many. Looking at the piled-up memorials before him, King Sejongmented while looking around at the ministers. You are all truly diligent. At King Sejongs pointed remark, the ministers silently bowed their heads. Lets take a look anyway. King Sejong untied the string that held the rolled-up memorial and read its content. As he read through each one, his expression grew increasingly stern. Finally, irritated, he put down the scroll and ordered the eunuch. Bring the Crown Prince. Yes, Your Majesty. Shortly after, Hyang entered the hall, following the eunuch. Did you call for me? Yes, sit down. As Hyang courteously took a seat, King Sejong began rummaging through the rolled-up memorials. After a moment, he picked one up and began to speak. It seems there are still many who do not fully understand what you said yesterday, Crown Prince. Exin it to them once more. Chief State Councilor! Yes, Your Majesty. Read the memorial in front of the Crown Prince properly. Y-Yes, Your Majesty? At King Sejongsmand, the Chief State Councilor was startled. However, King Sejong continued, Shouldnt the person in question read it himself to avoid misunderstandings? Read it! At his order, the Chief State Councilor began to read the memorial he had written. I, Chief State Councilor, Ryu Jeong-hyeon, humbly bow my head and hold the brush. Your Majesty Skip the beautiful phrases and just read the main text! The Chief State Councilor paused momentarily when faced with King Sejongs sternmand, then continued reading the letter of remonstration. The Crown Princes ideas may seem correct at first nce, but they contain many incongruities. The first one is that our Joseon upholds Neo-Confucianism as its national policy. However, the Crown Prince follows the Legalist school of thought. Generally, Legalistws are harsh, inevitably leading to the peoples suffering and causing harm to the nation and its rulers. This is proven by the self-destruction of the states during the Warring States period and the fall of the Qin Dynasty. The second incongruity is the proposal to abolish the restrictions on illegitimate children. These restrictions were established by thete King Taejong, our predecessor. How can we recklessly abolish them? This would be an act of filial impiety. Furthermore, if illegitimate children were freely allowed to serve in the government, as seen in previous dynasties, they would disrupt the administration. Therefore, it would be an unjust act. The third one is increasing the number of government officials. The more officials there are, the heavier the burden on the people. Why do you think the ancient saying harsh government is fiercer than a tiger exists? The court only needs to establish broad policies. The affairs of the viges can be managed by the local magistrates and the local gentry at the administrative offices. The Chief State Councilors letter of remonstration ended with these three points. The Crown Prince, who had been silently listening, looked at King Sejong. May I respond? Granted. With King Sejongs permission, the Crown Prince began to refute the Chief State Councilors points. Your Excellency, you mentioned that Neo-Confucianism is the national policy of Joseon, but the true policy is the Kings Way politics by putting people first, as advocated by the sages. Neo-Confucianism is merely a tool to implement the national policy. Crown Prince! The Chief State Councilor immediately tried to refute the Crown Princes argument, but the Prince continued. Neo-Confucianism is just one branch of Confucianism. Insisting on Neo-Confucianism alone is narrow-minded, isnt it? Let me reiterate, the national policy of our Joseon is the Kings Way politics as advocated by the sages, and Neo-Confucianism is just a tool for that purpose. To give you an analogy, if the Kings Way politics is a dish, then ideologies, systems, and regtions are the vessels. Do we need to distinguish between Neo-Confucianism and Legalism when implementing the Kings Way politics in reality? There is a story of a king in the far west who advised his sessor to act like a bee, searching for the sweetest nectar among the flowers in the field. I believe this is the fundamental attitude a ruler should have. The Chief State Councilor closed his mouth, searching for a logical counterargument, but the Crown Prince did not give him a chance to speak. You also said that abolishing the restrictions on illegitimate children is wrong and an act of filial impiety, as it goes against King Taejongs decree. However, it is well-known that these restrictions have caused many problems. If we leave them unchanged, the issues will only worsen, and resentment will grow. This resentment will ultimately be directed at King Taejong, who established the restrictions. As his descendants, is there anything more unfilial than causing our ancestor to be the target of resentment? You mentioned that illegitimate children disrupted the government in previous dynasties, but were they the only ones responsible? Didnt people from powerful and influential families, regardless of their legitimacy, contribute to the corruption of state affairs? ming everything on illegitimate children is not fair. Lastly, did these children choose to be born as illegitimate children? Shouldnt those who sowed the seeds be the ones held responsible for their actions? Taking a break from speaking, Hyang red at the high-ranking officials gathered in the room. ording to thew, those who sleep with court women without permission should be impeached, and high-ranking officials who keep concubines should also be impeached. However, are there any among you, the esteemed officials, who do not keep concubines? Is it the way of the nobility to ignore their own wrongdoings and discriminate against illegitimate children? Ahem! Cough! Cough! At Hyangs rebuke, the high-ranking officials in the room, regardless of their status, all made ufortable faces and coughed awkwardly. The Chief State Councilor tried to speak again with a flushed face, but Hyang did not give him a chance to do so. Finally, you cited the ancient saying, harsh government is fiercer than a tiger. Are the most terrifying figures to the people of Joseon today the officials at the royal court, or the local schrs that you praised so highly? Ever since I sat beside my royal father and watched him handle national affairs, I have heard countless reports of people starving to death or bing refugees in all corners of the eight provinces of Joseon. However, I havent heard much about local schrs starving to death or opening their granaries to save the people. Chief State Councilor, do you really think those who dont even save their neighbors in their own vige can handle affairs fairly? Well, thats just a small part of If you keep adding parts to parts, they eventually be the whole! At Hyangs outcry, the Chief State Councilor closed his mouth. Hyang continued to press the Chief State Councilor. Who are the ones that take advantage of their neighbors hardships, lending them money at exorbitant interest rates until they are forced to sell themselves or be refugees, and then swallowing up their now-ownerlessnd? They are the local schrs that you spoke of, Chief State Councilor! Tell me, who is more terrifying to powerless people than the tigers? Is it the officials of the royal court, or the local schrs? That is Speak! It is the local schrs. Indeed! Upon hearing the answer from the Chief State Councilor, Sejong pped his knee and replied, while the anti-Crown Prince faction ministers, including the Chief State Councilor, tightly shut their eyes. Its over! Do you need more exnation, Your Excellency? At the question from Hyang, the ministers remained silent. Seeing this, King Sejong searched through the pile of petitions and handed another one to Hyang. The people who submitted them are all different, but the content seems as if it was copied by one person, quite amusing. However, this one is written differently, so read it. Yes. Hyang unrolled the petition and began to read it carefully. Hoo~. As Hyang finished reading the petition and straightened her back with a sigh, King Sejong opened his mouth. Its a petition from the Office of the Historiographers, would you like to summon the petitioner? No, Your Majesty. Alright, what do you think? There is no such thing as sound consumption. If consumption is encouraged, the trend of luxury will spread, and merchants, who pursue profits, will fan the mes. Artisans will only create luxury items, and farmers will stop farming and only seek quick fortune. Eventually, society will change from one that venerates virtue to one that worships wealth. Thats why the ancient sages established the hierarchy of schr-farmer-artisan-merchant. Hyang paused, lost in thought, and then opened his mouth again. It seems right at first nce, but I think the person who submitted this petition should be punished. Why? First of all, the petitioner said the ancient sages established the hierarchy of schr-farmer-artisan-merchant, but in none of the ssics Ive read have the sages ever said to establish such a hierarchy. When they mentioned the four sses, they meant all the people. However, this confusion is like covering the eyes and ears of a fool, and it is truly an act of disloyalty! I believe such a person should be strictly disciplined! Upon Hyangs insistence on punishment, the eyes of not only King Sejong but also the ministers present in the hall widened. Hyang had said a lot and had many debates up until now, but had never directly asked for punishment to be administered. This person worries about extravagant lifestyles spreading, but rather, its better to have extravagance. Its because we can tax luxury goods. But look at the nobles of Joseon now! They wear hemp clothes and boast of their frugality, but in their storerooms, grains and cotton fabrics are rotting away. Is there virtue in not wearing silk clothes? Is there virtue in reading only the ssics while wearing hemp clothes, ignoring the cries of starving people during famine and spring famine? The author of this appeal says that even with scarce resources, contentment and delight in poverty are the way to follow. Your Majesty! I dare to speak! Thats not contentment and delight in poverty, its self-abandonment! I beg you earnestly, please expel this treacherous minister who pretends loyalty with cunning words! The shocked Chief State Councilor quickly intervened in response to Hyangs strong remarks. Your Majesty! The person who submitted this appeal is a censor of the Office of the Inspector General. It is a censors job to offer remonstrance. Punishing a censor for not liking their writing is tantamount to blocking freedom of speech! What this person has submitted is not a remonstrance but a wicked word! Our Joseon has already specified in thew that there is a distinction between good people and lowly people, but there is no distinction between the four sses of schrs, farmers, artisans, and merchants. What qualification does this author have to divide the people into the four sses and discriminate? With such a wicked heart in those who should speak the truth to the monarch, will there be any right words? Punishment must be administered immediately! Kirara Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light novels is just as bright and shiny, and I have a passion for bringing these stories to life through trantion. If my trantions are your cup of tea, kindly consider fueling my passion by purchasing me a Ko-fi or subscribing for early ess to advanced chapters of all my tranted works. More Posts Chapter 29: Winds of Change (7) Chapter 29: Winds of Change (7) Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light... Upon hearing Hyangs words, the ministers tried to hastily present a counterargument, but there was none to be had. Nevertheless, the ministers could not back down. Your Highness the Crown Prince! No matter how much you are the Crown Prince, you cannot recklessly punish the ministers! As the minister directly involved in the matter stepped forward, Hyang immediately countered. Why not? I too am a servant of His Majesty! The duty of a servant is to speak the truth to the monarch, and the responsibility of a servant is to faithfully carry out the monarchs orders! Yet this man tries to cloud the monarchs vision with clever wordy; how could I, as a servant, not impeach him? Your Highness the Crown Prince! Your words are too harsh! Although I am not sure of the exact content of the petition, it is the teachings of the sages that we must distance ourselves from extravagance, as it is the disease that leads to the ruin of a nation! But are you saying that extravagance is better than frugality with such sophistry? Their frugality is not frugality but extortion! Did the sages instruct us to provide long-term benefits? Or did they tell us to suck the blood and sweat of the people through high-interest private loans? A wealthy man who indulges in luxury is more helpful than a miser pretending to be frugal! At least they scatter their wealth, do they not? You must never advocate for extravagance! Then how will you extract the wealth lying dormant in thendlords storehouses and share it with the people? A stern admonition will suffice! All schrs who have mastered the ssics Do theymit such wickedness because they are ignorant of the ssics? Do you know the proportion of those who have passed the lower-level civil service examinations among them and still make such a statement? They exploit the policy of granting tax exemptions upon passing the higher civil service examinations as a means to umte wealth! Land-owning schrs providing tenant farming and long-term benefits have been a traditional way of making a living! To call this a sin is an absurd argument! Just because something has been done since ancient times does not make it right to ignore the wrongs! With highnd rent and interest, the number ofmoners bing ves is increasing! For the country to prosper, the number ofmoners must grow, but now we are going in the opposite direction! And yet, you say we should just let it pass because it has been done since ancient times? And you still call yourself a minister of this Joseon? Your Highness the Crown Prince! Enough! As the verbal battle between Hyang and the minister went beyond eptable limits, King Sejong stepped in. Upon King Sejongsmand, both Hyang and the minister ceased their verbal battle and bowed their heads. Looking at the two and the ministers, he spoke, Although the two peoples opinions diverge significantly, I understand that they both have our Joseon in mind. However! Even if it is the right opinion, if it goes beyond propriety, it bes overboard! Both of you should stop here. Yes, Your Majesty. Yes, Your Majesty. At King Sejongs admonition, which was not exactly a scolding, the ministers bowed their heads. Show the document to the minister. Yes, Your Majesty. Minister, read the part that the prince did not mention in the document. Following King Sejongsmand, the minister read the problematic part of the document and bowed deeply. What a disgraceful ount! Your Majesty! This is merely my personal opinion, not the will of the entire office! I know that, which is why the prince did not mention it. The same goes for the other minister. Your Majesty! Curiosity filled the faces of the ministers at the reaction of King Sejong and the minister. King Sejong reached a conclusion while looking at the curious ministers. As for the punishment of the author, the minister will take some time to think and decide. Lets end it here for today. With hismand, the ministers had to leave the meeting. Some friendly ministers politely bowed to the censor as they left, while the unfriendly ones only gave a perfunctory bow before turning away. At the forefront was the minister. Look, Your Excellency. No matter what, he is the prince. Arent you afraid of future consequences? The Chief of Justice, who belonged to the same faction as the Crown Prince, warned him, but the minister scoffed. Humph! Why worry when His Majesty is still healthy and well? Isnt the problem that His Majesty is favoring the Crown Prince? I can just quit this damn position! Watch your words! I have urgent matters to attend to. Excuse me. As he said this, the minister disappeared withrge strides. The Chief of Justice clicked his tongue. Tsk, tsk, tsk Hell get into big trouble like this The ce the minister hurried to was the office. Bang! The minister violently opened the office door and looked around before grabbing the cor of one of the officials. You, bast*rd! Gah! As the minister shook the official by the cor, other officials rushed in. Please calm down, my lord! Please restrain yourself! Dont stop me! This d*mn guy is going to get us all killed! What? Growling, the minister continued to hold the officials cor. You What do you mean by talking about deposing the Crown Prince? What gives you the right! Gasp! As soon as the word deposing the crown prince came out of the high-ranking officials mouth, the surrounding officials quickly stepped back. Speak up! What makes you think you can talk about deposing the crown prince? Abandoning Confucianism and being tainted by heresy, how can we let such a person sit in the crown princes seat? So, you talk about deposing the crown prince? Deposing a crown prince who is only 9 years old? Did you really think that makes sense? In preserving the way of the sages, what does age have to do with it? You foolish man! To change the direction of great power, one needs the right timing, geographical advantage, and harmony among people! The reason the current crown prince could be the heir was because the previous kings will aligned with the right timing, there was someone with outstanding qualities to rece the crown prince which matched the geographical advantage, and the majority of the officials agreed, creating harmony among people. But now, which of the threetiming, geographical advantage, and harmony among people C do you see as unfit? Because of your pathetic judgment, not only you but also the other officials lives are hanging in the bnce! Upon hearing the high-ranking officials words, the faces of the surrounding officials turned pale. However, the official who raised the issue did not back down. A so-called aristocrat cannot call something wrong right! It is natural for an official to risk their life when remonstrating! What a foolish person! While the high-ranking official was fuming in the Office of Censor, Hyang, who had returned to the pce, let out a long sigh. Ugh, this is why I hate traditional historical dramas Trendy fusion historical dramas are the best. Preparing for the announcement of his views, Hyang had to expect and prepare for significant opposition. I have no choice but to respond to their eloquence with my own, but the problem is that their specialty is using ancient stories to dodge the issue. To win the debate, Hyang prepared by determining the anticipated questions and finding appropriate idiomatic expressions from numerous ssics. Although Hyang had an extraordinary memory from his past and present lives, this preparation was not easy. Whenever he took a break from memorizing, hhe continued to mutter. Of course, fusion historical dramas are better They dont use difficult words Hyang, who was tired from the debate, moved to the library to prepare his brush and ink. Damn it! They think theyre the only ones who can write a memorial! The next day, as soon as the royal attendance began, an inner official from the pce visited the Royal Chief Secretary. What is the matter from the Eastern Pce? In response to the question, the inner servant held out a tray containing a scroll. Its a memorial from the crown prince. Gasp! Hyangs memorial was quickly processed and delivered to King Sejong. Holding the scroll of the memorial, King Sejong put his hand on his forehead and muttered softly, This child King Sejong had experienced how Hyangs determination could cause amotion. Phew Sighing, King Sejong unfolded the scroll and read Hyangs memorial. As the content of the memorial progressed, King Sejong straightened up, and his face became serious. Finally, having read the entire memorial, King Sejong looked towards the Eastern pce andughed loudly. Ha ha ha ha! Sejong, feeling relieved by hisughter, handed the memorial to the Chief Royal Secretary. Let the Chief State Councilor and the Minister of Rites read this. Yes, Your Majesty. The Chief Royal Secretarys face turned red as he read the memorial. The Minister of Rites, who read it next, had a simr reaction. Uh-uh. Ahem! Unable to contain their curiosity at the pained expressions of the Chief Royal Secretary and the Minister of Rites, the other high-ranking officials looked on. Sejong called for the royal scribe. Scribe, deliver the Crown Princes memorial to the Inspector General. Yes, Your Majesty. Inspector, read it aloud for all to hear. Ye-yes. Upon hearing Sejongsmand, the Royal Inspector began to read the Crown Princes memorial in a loud voice. I, your loyal subject, Crown Prince Hyang, submit thisint. Some of the ministers have used me of following the ways of the Legalists. They cite the self-defeating policies of Shang Yang[1] and the downfall of the Qin Dynasty as examples. However, through Shang Yangsws, the Qin became the dominant power during the Warring States Period and eventually unified the Central ins, establishing an empire. Since then, Shang Yangsws have remained the most fundamentalws, even as dynasties and state titles have changed in the Central ins. Oh, how many Confucian schrs throughout the long history of the Central ins have followed the will of the sages and strived for the perfection of the royal governance? What could be the reason for these schrs to have based their legal systems on Shang Yangsws? Moreover, was it really the fault of Legalism that the Qin Dynasty copsed? The downfall of the Qin was due to Emperor Qin Shi Huang and his officials abandoning the righteous path. How could a nation not fall when it exploited its people, killed innocentmoners indiscriminately, and turned away from the righteous principles of Heaven? (Continued) Even in strong winds, the towering tree does not fall because it has sturdy roots, and the well does not run dry even in a drought because of its depth. Examining this, the trees roots are wide and deep, enabling it to withstand strong winds and to dig a deep well, one must start by digging wide from the surrounding area. The method of finding the way and the method of governing a country are the same. It has been only 30 years since our Joseon opened its doors. In order for our newly rooted Joseon to grow into a towering tree, bearing the flowers and fruits of the royal path, and bing a deep well that quenches the thirst of the parched people, it must be wide and deep. Therefore, I believe that in order to achieve the revival of our Joseon and thepletion of the Kings Way politics, we must see widely and embrace various thoughts. Would Confucianism, which has strived to follow the noble intentions of the sages, be limited to Neo-Confucianism alone? Simrly, isnt the ultimate goal of the Hundred Schools of Thought the same? Although the reading of the royal memorial by the Royal Inspector had ended, the hall continued to remain silent. While the officials were known for their talkativeness, no one was able to open their mouths easily. Hyangs memorial was that groundbreaking. As the silence continued, King Sejong spoke, My child is quite smart, isnt he? What do you think, Inspector General? I think so. Sejong looked at the Inspector General, who answered with a trembling voice as if he found it amusing. Although the Crown Princes memorial is groundbreaking, I think there are many things we can learn from it in various ways. Now, I would like to hear the opinions of the courtiers. Please think carefully and give an answer to the examiners. We will obey yourmand. Lets take a break for a while and then continue.??Footnote(s)
  1. ??() C Shang Yang: A Chinese statesman and reformer who established the legal system of the State of Qin during the Warring States Period.?
Kirara Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light novels is just as bright and shiny, and I have a passion for bringing these stories to life through trantion. If my trantions are your cup of tea, kindly consider fueling my passion by purchasing me a Ko-fi or subscribing for early ess to advanced chapters of all my tranted works. More Posts Chapter 30: Winds of Change (8) Chapter 30: Winds of Change (8) Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light... From the following day, petitions began to flood in once again to King Sejong. There were many who agreed with the crown princes opinions, but the forces opposing them, led by the chief state councilor and the great schrs, were not to be underestimated.
Thus, a fierce debate began between the Great Confucians faction (Daerupa[1]), who agreed with the multiple instruments theory (Dagiron[2]) advocated by Hyang, and the Small Confucians faction (Sorupa[3]), the orthodox Neo-Confucian schrs who insisted that only the Neo-Confucianism is correct, which upholding single instrument theory (Ilchigiron[4]) instead. As the debate began to unfold, it intensified with the implementation of Sejongs reformation, and throughout Sejongs sixth year (the Gapsin year, Wood Dragon Year[5]), countless petitions, resignations, and dismissals followed. This became the starting point of the Gapsin Debate, where the intellectuals of Joseon were divided into two factions and engaged in fierce battles. The announcement of Hyangs views and the ensuing debate with conservative officials soon spread to the people of Hanyang, causing a chain reaction. The victims of this chain reaction were the children of prestigious families. When our child begins his service, the crown prince will either have seeded the throne or be holding real power. Considering the crown princes disposition, simply mastering the ssics wont be enough to take on important responsibilities. So, from now on, make sure to study not only the ssics but also the various schools of thought. Yes, Father. The same goes for you. Where do you think the crown princes naturees from? For the survival of our family, you must also make an effort. Yes, Father. In the homes of officials and aristocrats who sought the prosperity of their families by analyzing the situation, they soon began to study not only Neo-Confucianism but also various schools of thought. On the other hand, the anti-crown prince faction families were not just sitting idly by. We cannot stand by and watch the king and crown prince go down the wrong path! The only solution to bring the king and crown prince back to the right path is a thorough refutation! We must delve into the various schools of thought and find their ws! Yes, Father. Why is this child not speaking? The crown prince is your age, and when you begin your service, it will be when the crown princees to the forefront. If you dont make an effort now, you will disgrace our family! This son is already working hard Is that so-called hardworking boy only now getting around to the Analects! Anyone! Bring me a cane right now! Father, please quell your anger Bring it now! Thanks to Hyang, the calves of the sons of noble families in the capital city never had a peaceful day. ??? Around the same time, Hyang was reviewing a past debate. I just said what I wanted to say, which was refreshing. And it felt good that my father seemed to be on my side Hyang spoke with a tired face. ording to the reports from the officials of Donggungjeon Hall, there were lines of petitions from ministers who agreed with Hyangs views and those who opposed them. The number of petitions was sorge that some officials in the Royal Secretary Office copsed from overwork, and King Sejong had to send them special royal meals and medicine. With a nk sheet of paper in front of him, Hyang burst into a faintugh. Am I lucky to be reborn in the early Joseon Dynasty? If I were reborn in thete Joseon Dynasty and had spoken out like this, I would have been called a vandal of culture and possibly even been locked up as a wastrel prince. Anyway, its fortunate that there are ministers who support me this time, right? Hyang paused for a moment, tapping his fingers on the desk and looking towards Geunjeongjeon Throne Hall. The vination will begin soon. If the results are good, the bnce will tip in my favor, Hyang trailed off, sighed, and looked up at the ceiling. Ah, is it all about doing ones best and leaving the rest to fate? ??? King Sejongs 6th year, the first month, the third day of the new moon. Begin! Yes! At themand of the Minister of Personnel, many medical officials, female medical practitioners, officials conducting a simultaneous poption census, and soldiers to guard them in case of emergency, left the pce gates and paired up to disperse in all directions. Hear the royalmand! At the shout of Hear the royalmand! from outside the private house, the whole family rushed out and knelt down. Seeing the bewildered expressions of the kneeling family members, the officer exined the reason. By His Majestys order, we will administer vination against smallpox. Everyone, line up! Men, go to this medical officer, and women, go to the female medical practitioner over there! Eh? You can prevent smallpox? Isnt that what they say? Line up quickly. Ah! Has anyone here had smallpox before? Theres none. Then line up! But, we dont have any rice or cloth to count. The head of the household replied, and the official responded immediately, Its free. Really? Yes, you rascal! How dare you doubt my words! The head of the household bowed his head to the ground, frightened by the officials scolding, and gestured to his family. No, no, no. Line up quickly! Hurry! Following the headsmand, the family members lined up, separated by gender. Have you ever had smallpox before? No. What about the other family members? None of them have had smallpox either. I see. Then take off your upper garment. Thus, the vination proceeded. Men were vinated in the yard, and women behind a folding screen in one corner. An official standing beside them recorded their personal information on a scroll. Hear the kingsmand, we are receiving a vination that can prevent smallpox, and its free! As the rumor about the smallpox vination spread, Hanyang was buzzing. When will theye to our house? In a day or ten days, you will have a fever and develop blisters on your shoulder. Prepare in advance. Do not burst the blisters. In houses where no one had experienced smallpox, adults were waiting outside, anxiously anticipating the arrival of the medical team. In houses that had already been vinated, people were busy preparing cold water and clean towels. Thank you for your hard work! Its nothing. We dont have much to offer, but please have some refreshments before you go. Those who visited the homes of the aristocracy or wealthier households received generous hospitality after the vination. As fine food and alcohol were served, the guestsughed and enjoyed their meal. Here, have a drink. As the homeowner offered a cup of alcohol, the official in charge of the team respectfully declined. I am grateful for your kindness, but I cannot drink while on duty. I see Offering food and alcohol to the medical team was not limited to the affluent. In neighborhoods with many poor people, they pooled together grains and food in a ten-to-one ratio to serve the medical team. You probably dont have much to eat; are you alright? We can eat sparingly if weck food, but smallpox is different, isnt it? Its cheappared to the cost of a life. Ah Hearing the peoples responses, the officials sighed. Most of the young officials who had just started their careers were moved by the peoples words and felt emotional. Indeed! What could be wrong with the princes words? ??? Not all residents of Hanyang weed the smallpox vination. A considerable number of doctors submitted a joint appeal. Generally speaking, when examining ancient and modern precedents, there has never been a case where humans and animals share the same illness. So, what is this bizarre method of using the pus of a cow to treat human smallpox? Is this really any different from bringing in shamans who believe in strange powers and performing rituals? Goodness! Reading the appeal, an infuriated King Sejong threw the document and shouted at his ministers. Do these people even know what theyre saying? The primary duty of physicians is to save lives and maintain health. To do this, they must constantly study diseases, practice new techniques, and seek out medicinal ingredients to devise prescriptions. What? Bizarre? Believing in shamans with strange powers? Can these people even be called physicians? Ry my order! Tell the Hanyang Magistrate to arrest these people right away! Yes, Your Majesty! Due to King Sejongs furiousmand, all the doctors who submitted the joint appeal were imprisoned. Its unfair! Were being wronged! The imprisoned physicians protested for their innocence, but King Sejong did not forgive them. Punish all the criminals with 20 strikes of the cane! Only after receiving 20 strikes each, by King Sejongsmand, then the physicians who submitted the joint appeal were released. Meanwhile, smallpox vinations and household surveys for Hanyang residents werepleted. After we tallied everything, there are a total of 103,328 people living within the four main gates of the capital, including both upper ss andmoners. Youve done well. King Sejong was in the process of giving his approval after hearing reports from the Minister of Personnel and the Minister of Taxation when an official entered with a tray full of petitions. The Crown Prince has been quiet these days. Oh, what kind of petition is this? Its not about the Crown Prince, Your Majesty. These are petitions rted to smallpox vinations. The petitioners are asking for vinations in their own viges. Really? Upon hearing the officials words, King Sejong quickly untied the scroll bundle. As he read the contents of the petitions, he unknowingly sighed, Phew. The petitions, written by local officials and physicians from various regions across the country, were earnest. Ministers, read these too. Yes. Following King Sejongsmand, the ministers took turns reading the petitions. What do you think should be done? It was an obvious question, but none of the ministers responded immediately. Even the Minister of Personnel and the Minister of Taxation, both known to be staunch supporters of the Crown Prince, merely looked around cautiously. Although King Sejong was angry, he could understand the situation. The submitted appeals were only a small fractionpared to the number of schrs residing throughout the eight provinces of Joseon. Considering the cost of the widespread vination and the tasks to be carried out simultaneously, there would undoubtedly be significant resistance. Moreover, such resistance could lead to defiance against the royal authority, and it was highly likely that it would proceed as impeachment of the ministers as scapegoats. The Crown Prince King Sejong was about to call for Hyang but soon stopped himself. Given Hyangs character, he would have insisted on immediately implementing the nationwide vination without question. However, if the resistance against the widespread vination turned into a political move, it could be a significant stain on Hyangs reputation. In the end, he had no choice but to step back. Lets take some time to think about this matter. Yes, Your Majesty. It was an ufortable conclusion for both Sejong and his ministers. As Sejong and his ministers were contemting a clear solution for the nationwide implementation of the vination, there were people cautiously discussing the issue in arge shop on Yunjeong Street[6]. So, what about the Crown Prince? He submitted an appeal for the immediate implementation, but it was not epted. He must be very upset. I heard hes writing appeals every day. Ah the old man sitting in the seat of honor sighed deeply as he listened to the report and became lost in thought. After much deliberation, the old man finally made a decision. Its time to use some of our wealth.??Footnote(s)
  1. ɡ (Daerupa) was a school of thought or a group of schrs who emerged during thete Joseon Dynasty in Korea. Literally, 塱 (Daeru) means great Confucian schr, and ɡ (Pa) means group or sect. The members of the Daerupa school were Confucian schrs who emphasized the practical application of Confucianism in society, rather than just studying it as an abstract philosophy. They believed in the importance of education and the need to cultivate virtuous individuals who could serve as exemry models for society. They also emphasized the role of the state in promoting the welfare of the people and the need for officials to be ountable and responsible to themon people. The Daerupa school was influential in shaping the political and social reforms of thete Joseon Dynasty, and many of its members held important government positions. However, the school was also criticized for being too conservative and for obstructing more radical reforms.?
  2. Փ (Dagiron) is a concept that originated in ancient China and was also influential in Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. The term (Taqi or Dagi) means many talents or diverse abilities, while Փ (Ron) means theory or philosophy. The Dagiron philosophy emphasizes the importance of developing and utilizing ones diverse talents and abilities to their fullest potential. ording to this philosophy, every individual possesses multiple talents and abilities, and it is the duty of both the individual and society to cultivate and utilize these talents for the benefit of the individual and themunity as a whole.?
  3. Сɡ (Sorupa) is a term that was used during the Joseon Dynasty in Korea to refer to a school of Confucian schrs who emphasized the study of the ssics and the theoretical aspects of Confucianism, rather than its practical application. The term С塱 (Soru) means small Confucian schr, and ɡ (Pa) means group or sect. Members of the Sorupa school believed that the most important aspect of Confucianism was its theoretical framework and intellectual content, and that practical application was secondary. They were often critical of the more pragmatic and utilitarian approach of the Daerupa school, which emphasized the practical application of Confucianism in society. The Sorupa school was influential in shaping the traditional Confucian education system in Korea, but it was also criticized for being overly rigid and dogmatic.?
  4. һՓ (Ilqiron) is a philosophical concept that originated in China and was also influential in Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. The term һ (Ilqi) means one talent or one ability, while Փ (Ron) means theory or philosophy. The Ilqiron philosophy emphasizes the importance of focusing on ones primary talent or ability and developing it to its fullest potential, rather than trying to develop multiple talents or abilities simultaneously. ording to this philosophy, every individual has a unique talent or ability, and it is the duty of both the individual and society to cultivate and utilize this talent for the benefit of the individual and themunity as a whole. In practice, the Ilqiron philosophy has been applied in a variety of fields, including education, art, and business management, with the goal of maximizing individual potential and achieving excellence.?
  5. It corresponds to the 28th year in the cycle in the sexagenary year cycle.?
  6. Famous street in Hanyang.?
Kirara Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light novels is just as bright and shiny, and I have a passion for bringing these stories to life through trantion. If my trantions are your cup of tea, kindly consider fueling my passion by purchasing me a Ko-fi or subscribing for early ess to advanced chapters of all my tranted works. More Posts Chapter 31: Winds of Change (9) Chapter 31: Winds of Change (9) Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light... Ten dayster, an overseer[1] arrived with a report for King Sejong. Your Majesty, the Great Head of Merchant Song group has offered up thirty pairs of cows.English Questions and Answers For D... Please enable JavaScriptEnglish Questions and Answers For Daily Conversation - Part 97 Thirty pairs? Why? King Sejong asked, to which the overseer exined, They said it was to help with the governments cowpox vination campaign, even if just a little. Hearing this report, Sejongs face immediately brightened, his mouth grinning, Is that so? I must meet this meritorious person myself. Your Majesty! Meeting a lowly merchant face to face would harm your dignity! the Chief of Censor tried to dissuade him. However, King Sejong just snorted and stood up, Hmph! That lowly merchant has offered up thirty pairs of cows that even the high-ranking officials havent! Ask yourself who truly had harmed my dignity! Silenced by King Sejongs rebuke, the Chief of Censor couldnt helped but shut his mouth. Later, King Sejong left the Geunjeongjeon Hall with the guidance of the chief eunuch and the overseer. In therge courtyard in front of the Geunjeongjeon Hall, a group of merchants were lined up. Presenting His Majesty! At the chief eunuchs deration, the gathered merchants prostrated themselves in unison. Rise. Immediately after King Sejongsmand, who was seated on a chair brought by the inner officials, the merchants respectfully stood up, with their hands folded together under their sleeves garments. So, are you the ones who offered up the cows? Yes, Your Majesty. Upon hearing rumors that you needed cows for cowpox vination, we decided to offer them. Offering thirty pairs of cows must have required a significant amount of wealth. How did you alle to such a decision? Your Majesty, abundant wealth alone bears no fruit without the presence of your loyal subjects. The prosperity of our trade shall not flourish if the people do not find sce and peace. King Sejong pped his knee at the great merchants response, eximing proudly, What wise answer to a such foolish question! Admiring the great merchants response, King Sejong discreetly shifted his gaze at the high-ranking officials who had followed him, as if to tell them to listen carefully. Trade shall not flourish if the people do not find sce and peace. Isnt that much better than those who only talk while sitting infort? . The officials had no response to King Sejongs sharp remark. Having scolded the officials, King Sejong asked the merchants standing in the courtyard. So, tell me about the cows you offered up for the cowpox vination. Yes, Your Majesty. We have thirty pairs of cows, male and female, and they have just matured. Lastly, they have never had cowpox. Hahaha! How meticulous! Indeed! Thirty pairs of cowpox-free cows will be a great help! You have given so much to the country. What do you desire? A government position? Or something else? Your Majesty, as a humble merchant, how could I dare to desire a government position? I have merely done my duty as a loyal citizen of Joseon, and I do not seek any reward for my service. However, if I may express a small wish, it would be that our families may all live in Gaeseong[2]. Your Majesty, I humbly request that you consider expanding the cowpox vination campaign, starting from Gaeseong, for the well-being of our people. Pausing briefly, the great merchant nced at King Sejong and the rest of the courtiers before adding more, This is only a small wish of a lowly merchant who only knows how to trade. I have been hearing many different opinions regarding the cowpox vines effectiveness. However, I must ask, do you all truly believe that this vine willpletely eliminate the threat of cowpox? Your Majesty, what father would not desire the safety and well-being of his children? Moreover, this matter has been decided by your wise judgment. Is there any reason to doubt your decision? Listening to the great merchants response, King Sejong burst into greatughter. Ha ha ha! Very well! Lets start with my own pce! Issue the order! At his clear answer, the merchants immediately prostrated themselves on the ground and shouted loudly, Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! As the merchants were shouting their words of gratitude, Hyang, who heard the news, entered the courtyard. Prince, have youe? Yes. King Sejong raised his hand and pointed to the merchants. Arent they truly remarkable subjects? Yes, Your Majesty. I would like to express my gratitude to them; may I? Granted. Thank you. With King Sejongs permission, Hyang walked down the stairs to the merchants. As Hyang approached them, all the merchants bowed together in unison. Your Highness, we are honored to meet you! Nice to meet you. The sight of the young child speaking politely like an adult was amusing, but the tense merchants didnt notice that the crown prince had walked towards them before grabbing the great merchants hand. I am truly grateful. Oh my! To hold the hand of such a lowly merchant like me! What an honor! Whats wrong with the hand of someone who works hard at their job? If anything, its a truly valuable hand. At Hyangs words, the great merchant bowed deeply with heartfelt gratitude. Its an honor! Truly an honor! Neither His Majesty nor I will criticize you for working hard. We will not despise you for being merchants. However, I humbly request that you conduct your business with integrity and uphold the principles of fairness and honesty. It is my hope that you will refrain from pursuing wealth through hical means that could cause harm to our fellow subjects. As long as you stay true to these values, there shall be no discrimination or persecution against you as merchants. At Hyangs request, the great merchant reacted in a loud voice, I will keep your words in my heart and follow them! After meeting the king and the prince, the great merchant, who had left the pce, turned his gaze at the pce with a satisfied face. A sage king has been born, two of them even. Upon hearing the great merchants words, the fellow merchants who had apanied him chimed in, Indeed, that is true. Ive heard that His Majesty is exceptional, but the Crown Prince is also extraordinary. Although our encounter was brief, he was certainly not an ordinary talent. I only heard rumors and what others who participated in the writing contest said, and thought of him as merely an entric individual The great merchant, who had been nodding in agreement, turned around, Lets ce a little hope on him. If the pces ruler has such character, perhaps we can roam the four seas just like our ancestors did. Yes, my lord. With a contented face, the great merchant walked down the road when his expression suddenly turned fierce in an instant. Now that I think about it Why is my grandson behaving like that, while the Crown Prince is like this! Ugh! Its infuriating! As he grumbled, recalling his mischievous grandson, someone behind him muttered softly. Its because the seeds are different Shush! Eventually, the rumor that the Song Merchant Group was relinquishing its wealth by presenting cows to the king spread quickly among the people. Its the Song Merchant group, after all. Who would have doubted for him to be a businessman? Even though hes a businessman, look at the results. They are vinating the people using the cows from the capital. As the people discussed the rumors, the local leaders of their vige and surrounding viges became the topic of conversation. Its not just the Song Merchant group. Have you heard about the schr Kang in Gamgol vige beyond the mountain? What about Schr Kang of Gamgol? They say he secured five pairs of cows that didnt have smallpox and sent them to the capital. Really? Its not just Schr Kang. Choi Saengwon from Narutogol is also busy collecting the cows. A farmer who heard the conversation spat out a curse, Those bast*rds! What is our local leader doing that its so quiet? Maybe hes too busy beating his concubines butt*cks since he recently brought her during the fall of the year beforest. Darn it When its time to umte wealth, he doesnt even move a muscle, but when its time to fill his stomach, hes suddenly busy. Thats right He only releases his wealth when its time to buy silk for his concubines butt*cks Our fate is truly miserable. As the rumors spread, the gap between the local notables and themon people widened. Of course, the notables who took the lead in spending their wealth to acquire cows and advocate for the nationwide implementation of vination received the absolute support of their fellow vigers. However, such notables only ounted for less than 30% nationwide. Receiving the reports that came up through the overseers and the petitions, King Sejong red at his ministers. What was it that you said earlier? That it is not appropriate for the kingdom to meddle in the minor affairs of rural areas? That oppressive rule is more fearsome than a tiger? At his reproach, ministers from the anti-Crown Prince faction, including the Chief State Councilor, had no way but to bow their heads. We deeply apologize! We deeply apologize! Although all the courtiers begged for his forgiveness by bowing their heads, King Sejong could no longer hide his anger and waved his hand dismissively. Enough. Prepare for the nationwide implementation of the smallpox vination. But Your Majesty, our finances are in a dire state for a nationwide implementation. Didnt we decide to finance this by collecting money from the localndowners? If we collect money for a smallpox vination whose effectiveness is not yet proven, the nobles will revolt Shut your da*n mouth right now! King Sejong exploded at the continued oppositioning from the Chief State Councilor. The mood in the hall swiftly turned icy as soon as King Sejong mentioned vulgarnguage, which was not expected during his speech. Afterward, he roughly went through the petitions and reports ced on the desk. After picking up a report, he threw it at the Chief State Councilors direction. Unbelievable! The hypocrisy that I have only heard of is right in front of my eyes! Do you even understand the contents of this report? It is about the smallpox vination campaign conducted in Hanyang! And yet, not a single official among you remained unvinated. Not one! If you have anything to say, speak now! You hypocrites! First, you all get vinated and then im that you dont know whether it is effective, and we should not roll it out across the nation? You hypocritical pseudo-gentlemen! Ugh! I cant stand the sight of you! I, the King, will personally exercise my authority on this matter, so you all better keep your mouths shut! Financial issues? If we face any mary problems, I will deduct them from your sries and properties. It will only require a small portion of your precious gifts! Leave my sight at once! At Sejongs furious outburst, all the officials, starting with the Chief State Councilor, bowed their heads to the ground and shouted, Please execute us! Your Majesty! Please execute us! Get out now! Your Majesty! Ugh! Id rather leave myself! Unable to contain his anger, King Sejong stormed out of the hall. Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Although the officials called out in unison, Sejong did not look back and left the hall. The remaining officials in the hall all directed their arrows of criticism at the Chief State Councilor. How could you act like this, Your Great Excellency! Why cant you distinguish between what should and shouldnt be said? Have you gone senile? The Chief State Councilor remained silent with his eyes closed amid the concentrated barrage from the ministers. However, his reddened face and trembling beard alone spoke for his emotions. The ministers, with the Chief State Councilor in front of them, searched for a solution. What should we do now? In response to the question from the Minister of Personnel, a member of the royalist faction, the Minister of Taxation grumbled, What do you mean what should we do? Is there any other answer besides repentance ritual[3]? After the repentance ritual, we need toe up with measures for nationwide implementation. That would be for the best. The Minister of Taxation red at the Chief State Councilor as if telling him to listen carefully. With my old, rickety knees already aching, a repentance ritual? And in this severe winter cold Do you even have any sense at all? Ugh! Lets go! Lets go. As the Minister of Taxation led the way, the royalist faction ministers filed out of the main hall. The ministers of the opposing faction, who had only been observing, soon followed suit, leaving only the Chief State Councilor, the officers, and the scribes in the main hall. With his eyes closed, the Chief State Councilor, who was now truly alone, sighed deeply, Sigh~. I have lived too long. Too long. ??? Themotion in the main hall reached the ears of the chief eunuch. So, where did the Prince go? His Highness went to see the middle-ranking eunuch. I see. Good work. Yes, sir. After dismissing the inner servant, the chief eunuch sighed quietly, Sigh~. Have the ministers in the main hall lost their ability to learn? After going through all that, they should have known how to avoid trouble by now Or are they still fighting amongst themselves? The same question was on the minds of the royalist faction ministers. Minister! Minister! While preparing a mat for the repentance ritual, the Minister of Taxation turned his head at the desperate cry of the Minister of Personnel. What is it, Your Excellency? In response to the Minister of Taxations question, the Minister of Personnel opened his mouth, catching his breath, His Excellency, the Chief State Councilor, is writing a petition saying that it is not right for the King to exercise one-sided authority! What?! At the Minister of Personnels words, the Minister of Taxation was shocked and jumped up from his seat. Has His Excellency really gone mad?! Trantors Notes Lol. The political drama in thest few chapters really cracks me up ????????Footnote(s)
  1. ??? (ּ), Doseungji was a high-ranking official who was responsible for managing and supervising royal ceremonies, rites, and events, as well as acting as an intermediary between the king and other government officials.?
  2. ?? (_): Gaeseong is a city in North Hwanghae Province, North Korea, which was an important city during the Goryeo and Joseon periods.?
  3. ϯ޻ (????) is a Korean idiom derived from the Hanja characters ϯ (?, seok, meaning mat), ޻ (?, go, meaning straw), (?, dae, meaning wait), and (?, joi, meaning crime or offense). This idiom refers to waiting for punishment or trial while sitting on a straw mat. In other words, it means to await punishment for ones crimes or offenses. Otherwise, known as the repentance ritual one would normally see in Kdramas.?
Kirara Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light novels is just as bright and shiny, and I have a passion for bringing these stories to life through trantion. If my trantions are your cup of tea, kindly consider fueling my passion by purchasing me a Ko-fi or subscribing for early ess to advanced chapters of all my tranted works. More Posts Chapter 32: Winds of Change (10) Chapter 32: Winds of Change (10) Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light... When the high-ranking officials heard the news, they rushed to the Royal Secretary Office. The Chief State Councilor had just finished writing an appeal to the king. Your Excellency! A petition? What a rash act! In a situation where it would be insufficient even to prostrate oneself before the king in remorse, you are submitting a petition? Are you out of your mind? Although the high-ranking officials gathered and criticized him in session, the Chief State Councilors expression remained calm. It is a petition that must be submitted. If we consider not the present of Joseon but its future, we must inquire into this matter and defy the kings will. Your Excellency! Are you truly possessed by a reckless spirit? When the Minister of Taxation raised his voice, the Chief State Councilor also raised his voice in session, The king has forgotten how significant it is to rule the country! He has also forgotten why there are officials! Your Excellency! Although the other high-ranking officials tried to stop him, the Chief State Councilor entered the Royal Secretary Office, holding the petition, and handed it over. Submit this petition to the king. Understood. Seeing the nervous expressions and voices of the officials, the Chief State Councilor added, Dont make such faces. This is all for the future of Joseon and the king. The official, whose face had hardened at the Chief State Councilors words, received the petition from the mans hands. I will submit it to His Majesty. ??? Its the Chief State Councilors appeal. Leave it and go. The Chief State Councilors petition was ced on King Sejongs desk, passing through the official and the courier. Without a word, King Sejong stared at the rolled-up petition and began to read it as he unfurled it. I, Chief State Councilor Ryu Jeong-hyeon, prostrate myself and submit this petition to His Majesty. In brief, the matter of state administration The contents of the petition written by Ryu Jeong-hyeon were as follows: State administration is, as the name implies, the management of a nation. Therefore, making and implementing policies lightly is something that must never be done. What must be avoided when deciding and implementing policies is changing ones mind frequently and capriciously, a fact known even to a child three feet tall. This is because the issue involves the trust of the people in the nation and its policies. However, looking at the nationwide implementation of the cowpox vination, the king has abused his power through a unteral decision. This is not right. Initially, the n was to vinate the residents of Hanyang and confirm its efficacy before implementing it nationwide, and this was something the king also agreed to. However, as a few people submitted an appeal to expand the vination nationwide quickly and made a breakthrough, reversing the initial n is not a change but rather a capricious act. The king criticized the majority of the schr-officials based only on the fact that a few schrs and merchants made a breakthrough. This is not right. The efficacy of the cowpox vination has not yet been proven. Therefore, most schr-officials are waiting for its efficacy to be confirmed. Of course, there may be some who refused to perform their duties as nobles due to their own greed, but they are an extreme minority. After all, these are the nobles who have mastered the ssics, followed the teachings of the sages, and have known righteousness and principles. State administration, that is, the creation and implementation of policies, should only be carried out through consultation between the king and his officials. What is the reason for needing officials in the management of a nation? It is because it is not an easy task for the king alone to see and judge wisely. The king and the officials must examine from various angles, gather their intentions, and make decisions in order for policies to move in the right direction. If all matters of state affairs were decided and implemented ording to the kings will, what need would there be for the royal court and officials? It would suffice to have eunuchs in charge of document management. This is not only a departure from the royal way but also from the hegemonic way and is simply a dictatorship. Furthermore, it is not right for the king to habitually abuse power as a customary practice for the future of the nation. We have no doubt that His Majesty, the present king, possesses the qualities of a dragon among men and will not deviate from the righteous path. Also, the Crown Prince has outstanding qualities, so there is less worry. However, what about the future? If a tyrant likes Jie of Xia[1] or Zhou of Shang ascends the throne and abuses power because it is custom, what will be of the fate of Joseon? In order to prevent such a situation, the consultation between the king and his officials must be strictly observed, and policies determined through that consultation must be carefully prepared and implemented. Our Joseon has barely passed 30 years since its founding. Topare it to a house, it is now justying the foundation. Ensuring consistency in the rtionships between the king, officials, and policy implementation is the only way to avoid political disasters and ensure the perpetual prosperity of Joseon. The reason Goryeo went down the path of destruction was that it neglected this. In conclusion, the nationwide implementation of cowpox vination through the abuse of power should be stopped. As initially nned, its efficacy should be confirmed first, and then a decision on nationwide implementation should be made. If it is indeed effective, I, Ryu Jeong-hyeon, will dly offer all of my property. Upon reading the entirety of the Chief State Councilors petition, King Sejong clenched his fists in anger and put down the document. What a cunning man! Holding onto the arms of his throne, King Sejong suppressed his boiling anger and issued an order to the court attendants. What are those haughty ministers doing now? They are currently performing the ritual of repentance in front of the Royal Council Hall. Order them to enter the main hall immediately! Without missing a single person! Yourmand shall be obeyed! Upon receiving themand through the court attendants, the ministers hurriedly entered the main hall. Starting with the Chief State Councilor, the ministers took their ces, and King Sejong handed the problematic petition to the court attendant. Read it out loud, so that all the ministers can hear. Yes. Upon King Sejongsmand, the court attendant read out the Chief State Councilors petition loudly. As the content unfolded, the ministers faces, which had been tense from the beginning, grew even stiffer. The petition criticized King Sejongs decision-making as dictatorial, although it was written in politenguage. The final sentence, which offered to submit willingly, could actually be interpreted in the opposite way.
I was told to get vinated, but would it really work? If it does, Ill give away all my wealth!
After finishing the reading, the court attendant quietly rolled up the scroll and ced it on King Sejongs desk. Meanwhile, the main hall was silent as a tomb. The secretaries and scribes also stopped their brushes, merely swallowing their saliva. King Sejong broke the silence, When I first learned about the vination, I have thought about implementing it nationwide immediately. However, the Chief State Councilor said it was too hasty, and I agreed with his reasoning. I ask the ministers, have I ever abused my power? Have I ever abused my power before or after that? I have always consulted with the ministers and chose the measures that everyone agreed were right. Is that also abusing power? The Chief State Councilor regards the abuse of power as a sin, but it is also one of the tools of governance a monarch possesses. When managing a country, there are times when quick decisions are necessary. However, if the situation remains indecisive, a monarch has no choice but to abuse power. Is not a monarch who misses the opportunity while waiting for his subjects to reach a conclusion truly ipetent? Whose responsibility is it that the practice of abusing power bes a routine? The monarch or the subjects? As King Sejongs rebuke continued, the ministers heads sank closer to the ground. The more I read the Chief State Councilors petition, the more cunning it appears. The sentences are beautiful, but they reek of malice. Most of the schrs know shame and propriety? Then, why reward the aristocrats who open their granaries to relieve the people during a famine? If they follow the way of the sages and know shame and propriety, shouldnt relieving the people be a natural duty? However, that is not the case, so they are rewarded to set an example for others. Why is what the Chief State Councilor says different from reality? Chief State Councilor, answer me! At King Sejongsmand, the Chief State Councilor bowed his head. Your Majesty, I humbly apologize. What are the aristocrats who, whenever theres an outbreak of smallpox or another epidemic, spend their wealth to buy medicinal herbs to treat their neighbors, even resorting to summoning shamans to perform rituals in hopes of borrowing supernatural powers? And what about those aristocrats who, like now, spend their wealth to buy cows for vination? Are they just acting hastily due to their shallow understanding? Your Majesty, I humbly apologize. However, in the case of cowpox, its effectiveness has not been definitively proven What about the cowherds of Jeju Ind! Generation after generation, they have been vinated with cowpox and avoided smallpox. Wasnt that evidence enough? Allow me to reiterate, Your Majesty. The number of cowherds alone is too small! Enough! King Sejong, who had been gripping the brush in his hand, released his grip. Fine. Ill ask you one thing. If smallpox were to break out in Gangwon Province instead of Hanyang, what would you do? Wait for it to spread from Gangwon Province to Hanyang? Even if many people die or be disfigured or disabled in the meantime? Is it worth sacrificing so many lives by not vinating, even though we have a way to prevent smallpox, just because it has not been proven sufficiently? Is it worth only following the ways of the military and abandoning civilian control? While it is heartbreaking that sacrifices are made, establishing a firm national policy is of greater value. It is pitiful for the people suffering from smallpox, but there have been smallpox victims since ancient times. If it is to properly establish thews of Joseon from the beginning, I believe we can endure that level of sacrifice! Ridiculous! There were sighs among the ministers at Chief State Councilors answer. To the ministers, Chief State Councilors response seemed stubborn. At Chief State Councilors answer, King Sejong clenched his teeth, Fine! I will definitely prove its effectiveness! Starting today, if there are reports of smallpox outbreaks anywhere in the eight provinces of Joseon, immediately move 103,328 people, including all officials in the pce and Hanyang residents, to the outbreak site! Investigate those among them who contract smallpox to verify the effectiveness! At Sejongs bombshell statement, all the ministers stood up. Your Majesty! Please reconsider! Please reconsider, Your Majesty! This is impossible! Moving 100,000 people is an impossible task! All the ministers opposed King Sejongs decision. However, King Sejongs resolve was firm. Silence! If we follow your wishes, we will have to wait until smallpox spreads from somewhere other than Hanyang or until it breaks out in Hanyang! Who will bear the resentment of the people who have been sacrificed in the meantime! And is moving 100,000 people impossible? How do the military forces move then! This is nothing but an excuse! After a brief pause to catch his breath, King Sejong stared at Chief State Councilor and concluded, I will not tolerate any objections to this, as it is for the sake of firmly establishing thews that protect the people from the whims of the military! And, Chief State Councilor, listen! If the effectiveness is proven, you will be held responsible for this sin! With his final words, King Sejong stormed out of the room. I will not tolerate any opposition, as this is to firmly establish the rule ofw to protect the orders of military officials! And, Chief State Councilor, listen! If the efficacy is proven, you will bear the guilt upon your neck! King Sejong finished speaking and stormed out of his seat. The scribe recorded everything without omission:
The Chief State Councilors objection was like pouring oil on a fire, exacerbating the situation.
After finishing the record, the scribe immediately added ament.
The implementation of royal governance requires harmony between the king and his ministers. However, harmony is merely a tool, not the ultimate goal. Todays statements and remarks made by the Chief State Councilor can be considered an inversion of priorities. My heart aches seeing the fall of the esteemed old minister in the spring.
Upon hearing about the conflict between King Sejong and his ministers, Hyang bit his tongue. It haspletely turned into a chicken race. Politics is about legitimacy, but this is going too far, isnt it? Hyang, who had been clicking his tongue at the dire situation of the court, suddenly became serious. Could this lead to a rebellion that has never happened in history? Hwang, with a serious face, crossed his arms and sank into thought. After a while of mental calction, Hwang concluded, I should start preparing just in case. That night, Sejong visited Hyangs room. Crown Prince, I assume youve heard about todays events? Yes. Do you think your father went too far? The intransigence of the Chief State Councilor is indeed frustrating. Legitimacy is important, but so is practicality. King Sejong smiled at Hyangs answer and patted his shoulder. Crown Prince, I feel reassured with you here. You tter me too much. Whew. Sejong let out a long sigh and grumbled, Now that things havee to this, I find myself hoping for an outbreak of disease nearby. You will surely achieve a favorable oue. ??? Five dayster, urgent news reached the court. An outbreak has urred! Where? In the Yeongdeungpo[2] area of Geumcheon County! Upon hearing the location of the outbreak, King Sejong and his ministers appeared relieved. They had all been exhausted from the stress brought on by the tense situation that felt like walking on thin ice. Perhaps this is for the best. Its for the best.??Footnote(s)
  1. ?? (q) C refers to the tyrant kings Jie of Xia and Zhou of Shang, who were notorious for their brutal and oppressive rule.?
  2. Southwest area of current Seoul.?
Kirara Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light novels is just as bright and shiny, and I have a passion for bringing these stories to life through trantion. If my trantions are your cup of tea, kindly consider fueling my passion by purchasing me a Ko-fi or subscribing for early ess to advanced chapters of all my tranted works. More Posts Chapter 33: Winds of Change (11) Chapter 33: Winds of Change (11) Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light... As soon as a report came in that smallpox had broken out in Geumcheon District, across of the central of Hanyang, the court moved quickly. Prohibit ferry crossings at all docks except Mapo Port[1] and Noryangjin Port[2] Yes, Your Majesty. Mobilize the soldiers of the 12 agencies protecting the center of Hanyang to prevent people from entering Geumcheon District from other regions. ess to and from Geumcheon District should only be allowed through northern Hanyang. Yes, Your Majesty. Following King Sejongsmand, the soldiers defending the center of Hanyang blocked the main entrances leading to the Geumcheon district. Not only were roads blocked, but the Han River and its surrounding waterways and estuaries were also closed off to ships. The only people allowed to enter were military personnel and officials who had received the smallpox vination. King Sejong gave them amand: Its certain that food supplies in Hanyang and Geumcheon district will be insufficient due to the blockage of transportation routes. I give you a special mission: military personnel and officials should manage rice supplies from the granary at Bupyeong Prefecture[3]. Yes, Your Majesty. The granary in Bupyeong was a newly established facility. At King Sejongsmand, based on Hyangs suggestion, the Minister of Taxation imported arge amount of grain from Ming. However, the volume was muchrger than expected. Last fall, a great harvest urred in the south of Ming, causing grain prices to drop significantly, so we were able to acquire more than we anticipated. Upon hearing the exnation from the Minister of Taxation, King Sejong showed an ambiguous expression. Should I be d or envious? Its truly a mixed feeling. I had the same thoughts, Your Majesty. Anyway, the amount of grain we obtained through the Winter Solstice envoy and the New Years envoy should be enough to endure a temporary food shortage. It is fortunate. Indeed, it is thanks to Your Majestys wise foresight. At the Minister of Taxations praise, Sejong showed a modest smile. Its not my foresight; its because the Crown Prince is smart. King Sejongs remark prompted Hyang, who was sitting next to him, to express his modesty. What did I do, Father? It is said that even a pearl needs to be strung to be a treasure. If you hadnt made the decision, how could this have been possible? You are absolutely right, Crown Prince! As soon as Hyang finished speaking, the ministers of the Six Ministries unanimously responded. While the ministers and the Crown Prince were praising Sejong, the senior officials, including the Chief State Councilor and the Inspector General, were barely opening their mouths. Ever since the recent confrontation between the king and the Chief State Councilor, these officials had been pushed away from the majority. The ministers who were with them, including the Minister of Rites, had moved to the Crown Princes faction. As a result, todays situation unfolded. King Sejong raised his hand lightly to stop the ministers praises and summarized the situation. We have deployed soldiers to prevent people from entering to and fro upper Hanyang and Geumcheon district from other regions. We have also addressed the food shortage issue by utilizing the granary in Bupyeong prefecture. The remaining issue is medical treatment Minister of Personnel, how are the preparations going? At King Sejongs question, the Minister of Personnel responded immediately while scratching his head, We are preparing to dispatch doctors and nurses from the Royal Clinic, Bureau of State Welfare, Royal Dispensary, and Great Compassionate Temple of East and West[4]to Geumcheon. Finish the preparations as soon as possible so that the sick people can receive treatment. Also, how about vinating those who have not yet contracted smallpox in Geumcheon with cowpox? Your Majestys foresight is excellent. We will prepare to execute as instructed. Great. As the Minister of Personnel responded, King Sejong nodded and turned to the Crown Prince. Do you have anything to add? How about recruiting people from Hanyang to help the doctors and nurses in Geumcheon? Among the residents of Geumcheon, the families of smallpox patients must be upied with taking care of the sick, and they should be isted as they may have contracted smallpox as well. Moreover, the doctors and nurses will be busy treating patients. If we mobilize the uninfected residents, it may lead to the further spread of smallpox. Instead, we could find people from Hanyang to work for daily wages and send them to Geumcheon. They can assist the doctors and nurses and prepare food for the patients and their families. But the smallpox could also spread among the residents of Hanyang, couldnt it? As the Chief State Councilor raised an objection, the Crown Prince chuckled and replied, Did you forget? All the residents of Hanyang have already been vinated with cowpox. The cowpox vines effectiveness the Right State Councilor, who had been about to argue against Hyangs words, suddenly stopped speaking. Hyang seized the opportunity to chime in, I understand what you are trying to say, but I have no doubt in the efficacy of vination. Hyang, who silenced the Right State Councilor, made a sincere appeal to King Sejong, Your Majesty, as a servant of Your Majesty, I request this. If the people of Hanyang hesitate, please send me! I will take the lead in treating the sick! At Hyangs words, the record-keeping officer muttered under his breath, Once again It was not just the officer who had a simr reaction. From the ministers to King Sejong himself, they all had a simr response. King Sejong, who had been ring at Hyang, made his decision, Announce my decree to Hanyangs people to gather workers. Yourmand is received. How much should the daily wage be? At King Sejongs question, the Minister of Taxation paused to recall his memory and answered, ording to thest survey, the average household in Hanyang had five members. Considering this, and since the work will be difficult, I think it would be appropriate to give them five hobs (?)[5]per day. King Sejong nodded his head as he stroked his beard and calcted, listening to the Minister of Taxations response. Five hobs then lets pay that as the daily wage and gather people. Yourmand is received. As soon as King Sejongs order was given, the royal court moved quickly. The bnce of power had shiftedpletely to King Sejong, and they needed to act fast due to the risk of an epidemic called cowpox. The soldiers who received the order began to block the roads leading to the Geumcheon district and upper Hanyang. Those who were stopped from entering Hanyang from other regions protested fiercely, but the soldiers words immediately turned them back. Cowpox is spreading. Oh my goodness! It was not just thend routes that were blocked. The ports along the Han River and other nearby rivers like the Imjin River[6] were also closed off. The royal court, having blocked the spread of cowpox from Geumcheon district, began to focus on treatment in earnest. In the vicinity of Yeongdeungpo district, a considerable number of people entered the vige. Is this the ce? Yes. At the response from the vige official, the royal officer leading the doctors and nurses from the Ministry of Personnel ordered the soldiers. Set up tents for the doctors and nurses next to the well, and set up tents for patients at a distance from the well. As soon as the tents are set up, gather the patients! Yes, sir! Following the officers orders, the soldiers began setting uprge tents next to the well and in the open area. As the tents were erected, the soldiers moved beds from the carts into the tents. It didnt take long for the beds to be prepared for the patients. While the soldiers were busy moving tents and other equipment, the doctors and nurses began preparing for treatment. Search every house in the vicinity and bring all the patients. Yes, Joo Bu elder. Also, prepare the herbal medicines, starting with Sosihotang[7], which is most needed to reduce fever. Yes, Joo Bu elder. ??? The battles with smallpox that took ce throughout the Geumcheon district were reported daily and brought to the royal court. King Sejong and his ministers would check the progress with serious expressions whenever the reports came in. From about two weeks in, increasingly hopeful reports started toe in from the Geumcheon district. The number of confirmed smallpox cases has not increased for three days! Oh! Is that right! At the report of the Minister of Personnel, King Sejong clenched his fist, and the ministers eximed in admiration. The Minister of Personnel continued with the report, Of those who received the cowpox vination ten days ago, only five have developed smallpox, and it was confirmed that they were already infected with smallpox before receiving the cowpox vination. Is that so? What about those who came from Hanyang? Not a single person has been infected with smallpox! King Sejong heaved a long sigh at the Minister of Personnels response and leaned back on the armrest of his chair. While King Sejongs face was full of relief, the Chief State Councilors face was turning dark. King Sejong nced at the Minister of Personnel, When can we confirm that smallpox has beenpletely eradicated from Geumcheon district? Since thest patient was three days ago, at least two more weeks should pass Then, are the dispatched doctors and nurses staying there until then? At his question, the Minister of Personnel immediately replied, No, Your Majesty. Since the number of patients is decreasing, we n to withdraw about half of them in five days. Is that so? After stroking his beard and thinking for a moment, he issued an order, When the doctors and nurses who were dispatched for smallpox treatment return, give them a five-day vacation, and as soon as the vacation is over, prepare for a nationwide vination campaign. We ept yourmand. Also, give the doctors, nurses, officials, and soldiers involved in this event a reward ording to their rank, from a sack of white rice to a horse. They have worked hard for the country and the people, so they should be rewarded, shouldnt they? Really? At King Sejongs unconventional order, the ministers eyes widened. At that moment, Hyang took the opportunity to intervene. Its a truly wise decision, Your Majesty! Its unfair to give them only as much as they deserve. In an extraordinary situation, it is only natural to give rewards! Loyalty and filial piety should not be subjects of trade! the Chief State Councilor shouted angrily at Hyangs words. In return, Hyangs voice grew louder, retorting, For loyalty and filial piety not to be subjects of trade, there must be even more solid trust inpensation! The belief that even if I die or be disabled, the country will take care of me and my family! The belief that my parents wont abandon me no matter how hard it is! However, with so many parents who abandon their children during famines or treat their deaths in battle as a matter of course, who will practice loyalty and filial piety! The hall fell silent at Hyangs words. Hyang continued in a louder voice, Let me say it again: who will practice loyalty and filial piety without such a belief? Instead, practicing Wu Qis benevolence[8], which sucks pus from sores, is right! Treating what shouldnt be treated as a matter of course is what destroys the country and society! Reflect on the history of the Central in and our history in the east! . In the face of Hyangs words, the ministers maintained their silence. They wanted to argue, but there was no proper counterargument. There had been several severe famines since the founding of Joseon. Each time, orphans overflowed, and there was no shortage of heart-wrenching reports about the situation. The army was the same. Even when conscripting soldiers, manymitted self-harm to avoid military service, or fled in the middle to be refugees. In the end, King Sejong concluded, Indeed, loyalty and filial piety are the basic attitudes that the people should have. However, the state and parents should also have the right attitude towards their subjects and children. I think it is best to proceed with rewarding those who were responsible for handling the incident in the Geumcheon district as originally nned. Is there any objection? Upon King Sejongs question, the ministers all bowed their heads. We ept Your Majestysmand. The scribes who recorded all this added the following at the end:
Prioritize faithfulness over loyalty and filial piety. The crown princes words may seem heretical. But considering the reality of the time, one must think deeply about it.
After confirming the reward proposal, King Sejong looked at the Chief State Councilor. Sitting on the throne above the tform, he looked down at the man and muttered in his heart, Such a pitiful old man Chief State Councilor, do we not have any more ounts to settle? At King Sejongs question, the Chief State Councilor, who had been bowing his head, closed his eyes tightly. It hase! The Chief State Councilor immediately prostrated himself on the floor and raised his voice, I, the Chief State Councilor, Ryu Jeong-hyeon, am only loyal to the country for the sake of the nation Enough, King Sejong, who had stopped Ryu Jeong-hyeons words, let out his resolute words. .Extra Info! Heres a map of todays Seoul. Geumcheon district mentioned in this chapter is located in the south of current Seoul. In the chapter, whenever the characters mentioned Hanyang, they were actually referring to central Seoul or Hanyang, which is centered in the Jongno district, where the main pce is located. ces mentioned:??Footnote(s)
  1. Located in Mapo District. Please refer to the extra info above.?
  2. Located in Dongjak District. Please refer to the extra info above.?
  3. Located in Incheon, and one of the 10 administrative divisions thatprise Incheon.?
  4. Bureau of State Welfare () was a government agency established during the Joseon Dynasty in Korea with the aim of improving the lives of themon people. Its main role was to provide assistance to the poor and vulnerable, including the provision of food, clothing, and shelter. It also oversaw various welfare programs, including healthcare and disaster relief efforts. Royal Dispensary (Ժ) was a medical institution established during the Joseon Dynasty. It provided medical treatment to the royal family and government officials, as well as to the general public. Its physicians were trained in both traditional and Western medicine and were known for their expertise in treating a wide range of illnesses. Great Compassionate Temple of East and West or Dongseo Daebiwon (|Ժ) was a Buddhist temple established during the Joseon Dynasty. It was known for its phnthropic activities, including providing shelter, food, and medical treatment to the poor and needy.?
  5. An old Korean unit of measurement, used during the Joseon Dynasty. 1 hob equals 100ml. I guess theyre referring to 5 small sacks of rice, with each sack equivalent to 100ml/100g.?
  6. Upper of Incheon. Currently located in the crossings between North and South Korea.?
  7. A traditional Korean herbal medicine used to reduce fever and treat various illnesses. Its a mix of thorow wax, skullcap, ginseng, licorice, pinellia, ginger, jujube dates.?
  8. ???? (˱֮) C Benevolence that sucks pus from sores; refers to an anecdote about Wu Qi, who sucked pus from a soldiers sore to save him from infection, demonstrating hismitment to caring for his soldiers.?
Kirara Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light novels is just as bright and shiny, and I have a passion for bringing these stories to life through trantion. If my trantions are your cup of tea, kindly consider fueling my passion by purchasing me a Ko-fi or subscribing for early ess to advanced chapters of all my tranted works. More Posts Chapter 34: Winds of Change (12) Chapter 34: Winds of Change (12) Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light... The Chief State Councilor has been blocking the nationwide implementation of the smallpox vination, saying, Its efficacy has not been proven, and It is a priority to establish thew. What happened as a result? A tragedy urred in Geumcheon district, where smallpox broke out. Look at this tragedy in Geumcheon district: so far, 25 people have died, and over 60 have be disabled, blinded, or suffered from other disabilities. Whats worse is that we dont know how many more will die or be disabled. If the vination had been implemented nationwide without dy, the tragedy in Geumcheon district could have been prevented. The Chief State Councilor caused unnecessary sacrifices by using the excuse of upholding thew as a shield to protect his power! Therefore, this court will hold Chief State Councilor Ryu Jeong-hyeon responsible for this crime! Upon hearing King Sejongs verdict, the Chief State Councilor quickly submitted and raised his voice, Your Majesty! It was not to protect my power that I did so! The efficacy of the smallpox vine was not proven, and it would be unfair to enforce it, which is why I said so! Be quiet! Are you still trying to deceive the situation with your cunning rhetoric? Look here! Summon the Royal Guards right now! Your Majesty! Your Majesty, please be merciful! As soon as King Sejongsmand fell, the ministers, chief scribe, and chief inspector immediately submitted and stepped forward. However, King Sejong did not back down. Mercy? Show mercy! Your Majesty! Although the Chief State Councilors words were somewhat excessive, they all came from his concern for the country; please be merciful! Has everyones concern for the country frozen to death? Your Majesty, please be merciful! As the ministers and the chief inspector stepped forward to dissuade him, the chief scribe sobbed, Your Majesty, although the Chief State Councilors words were excessive, his patriotism is as solid as gold and stone. Do not pay attention to superficial words but consider his true intentions! Shut your mouth! Speech is a vessel for thought, so how can superficiality and true intentions be different? If superficiality and true intentions are different, it is the epitome of hypocrisy, and how can one be called a gentleman? Your Majesty, please be merciful! Do not provoke my patience! If you keep babbling, I will consider you to be on the same side as this hypocrite! King Sejong sternly warned them, but the ministers, chief scribe, and chief inspector did not back down, Please be merciful! It is unjust to call an innocent person guilty! Please be merciful! Can a subject stand idly by when his lord is about to walk an unjust path? It is not right to use the Chief State Councilor of a crime! Please be merciful! In response to the ministers opposition, King Sejong mmed his armrest in fury: Unjust? Unjust, you say? What is unjust? The number of people who lost their lives due to the tyrannical rule over the past years was literally incalcble! Moreover, how many were there who, though their lives were spared, became ves or beggars wandering the streets? We had a n to prevent such tragedies, so why did we have to dy its implementation? Moreover, some people even sold their properties and used cattle to transport the vine. But who was it that blocked it all under the flimsy pretext of change in the morning, alter in the evening[1] overnight? Who, I ask you, is the real perpetrator of injustice here? Despite King Sejongs furious scolding, the ministers, chief scribe, and chief inspector did not back down, Once again, we advise that the remarks made by the Chief State Councilor were indeed excessive! However, the foremost principle in conducting court affairs is that the monarch and the ministers must share the same will, and once a decision has been made, it should not be taken lightly! The reason the Chief State Councilor opposed Your Majestys decision is that it vited the second principle! The consensus between the monarch and ministers and the solemn conduct of court affairs are the fundamental basis of the royal governance that the sages have spoken of! As the Right State Councilor vehemently made his case, King Sejong mmed his armrest, furiously, Truly the epitome of ttery and sycophancy, serving ones own interests, and deceitful words and appearances! Do you think you have followed the will of the sages by preventing the Kings decision? You have only acted for your own petty desires! You seek to suppress me, the King, with those same petty desires! What you desire is not the cooperation between the ruler and his subjects, but the creation of a court where the King is weak and the ministers are strong, making the King a puppet! You are even more cunning than Jeong Do-jeon, the traitor! I can never forgive you! As King Sejong mentioned Jeong Do-jeon once again, the ministers unanimously denied the usation and stepped forward: Your Majesty! We have never had such intentions! Your Majesty! Please recognize our loyalty! The court was frozen still during the heated exchange between King Sejong and his ministers. With their backs bent, the high-ranking officials who had been watching the confrontation already seemed to smell the scent of blood. Your Majesty, the Royal Bodyguard Jinmu is at your service, the chief eunuch spoke out. At the Chief State Councilors words, King Sejong could not hide his anger and immediately gave an order, Royal Bodyguard Jinmu,e in! Immediately confine the high-ranking officials, the Left and Right Chief State Councilors, the Chief State Councilor, and the Secretaries to their residences! Prepare the executioners and the provincial officials to carry out the Kings order as soon as it is issued! Yourmand will be obeyed! As soon as King Sejongs order was issued, the Royal Bodyguard Jinmu called the pce guards and took the Chief State Councilors and their party away. Your Majesty! Please reconsider! Your Majesty! This is defying the will of the sages! Your Majesty! Until the very moment they were taken away, the Chief State Councilors party tried to change King Sejongs mind. However, King Sejong remained unchanged. High-ranking officials, listen. We will listen attentively! as soon as King Sejong spoke, the high-ranking officials replied in unison. Take todays events as a lesson, and refrain from rash actions. We will bear it in mind andply! As the positions of the three Chief State Councilors, the Secretaries, and the Chief Inspector are vacant, select suitable people and report to the King. I will give you five days. Yourmand will be obeyed! King Sejong, who had been ring at the frozen officials, turned his gaze to the overseer. Overseer, tell the Royal Bodyguards to confine all the traitors families as well, and seal all their property. Yourmand will be obeyed! Lets end it here for today. Go and attend to your duties. Following King Sejongsmand to dismiss, all high-ranking officials paid their respects to him and left the royal court. Left alone in the court, King Sejong ced his hand on his forehead and sighed deeply, Sigh ??? Returning to the Eastern Pce, Hyang had a serious expression as he sorted out the situation. If this were a TV drama, the ratings would have skyrocketed in an instant. It would have been unbearable for the actors to memorize their lines So thats why traditional historical dramas were pushed out, and fusion historical dramas took off Unaware that he was mumbling to himself, Hyang shook his head vigorously, Da*n it! Should I follow Teachers Samcheonpo too? Why am I going off track? Having finished his self-reflection, Hyang sorted out the situation once more, There wont be any noisy chatter for a while due to todays events. The problem is filling the empty positions Is it finally time for Hwang Hui and Maeng Sa-seong to step up? The formation of Sejongs Avengers? Your Majesty, enters! At the announcement of the pce servant waiting outside the door, Hyang stood up from his seat. After adjusting his clothes, he bowed his head when King Sejong entered. Father, have you arrived? Yes, what were you doing? I was reflecting on what happened today. Is that so? Well then, lets sit down first. Yes. The father and son sat down in chairs with a table between them. Shall I bring the tea? Sure. Lets have a cup. But they wont be serving willow bark tea here, will they? No, they wont. At King Sejongs words, Hyang let out a bitter smile and shook his head. The willow bark tea Sejong mentioned was made from well-dried willow bark. [Intermission] The biggest problem for King Sejongs longevity is diabetes and vascr diseases Hyang, who had been searching for various ways for Sejongs longevity, recalled Teacher Samcheonpos ramblings. During a lecture on the beginning of the Imjin War, Teacher Samcheonpo suddenly went off on a tangent while talking about General Yi Sun-shin[2]. When General Yi Sun-shin broke his leg during the military examination, he wrapped it with willow bark. Why did he use willow bark? Just as a simple splint? Or was it a painkiller? Teacher Samcheonpos digression eventually led to aspirin. Since the beginning of human history, one of the most important topics has been creating a cure-all. And the closest thing to a cure-all is aspirin. It serves its original purpose of reducing fever and relieving pain, as well as treating vascr diseases and even being used as an anticancer drug. For reference, one of the people Jinhos[3] parents, in Hyangs past life, disliked the most was Teacher Samcheonpo. He doesnt teach what hes supposed to, and just talks about irrelevant things, making the kids lose interest! Anyway, recalling Teacher Samcheonpos memory, Hyang immediately ordered the pce medical staff to make tea from willow bark and served it to King Sejong. Drinking this will alleviate headaches, thin the blood to relieve chest tightness, and prevent stroke. The taste isnt very good, is it? Its medicine. Is there medicine that tastes good? By doing so, the fragrance of willow bark tea deeply caught the attention of the physicians. Its necessary for replenishing the body, but its not a medicine you should take unconditionally. Thinning blood means its harder to stop bleeding. His Majesty should take a break here and a while before drinking it. Yes, Your Highness, the physicians replied to Hyangs reminder. [Intermission ends] With teacups between them, the father and son continued their conversation. Crown Prince, Im thinking of executing the Chief State Councilor. I will also eliminate those who conspired with him. Do you think thats too much? If its done frequently, it could be a problem, but otherwise, I think its enough as a warning to a hundred. At Hyangs words, King Sejong made a face that seemed to let out a sigh of relief, Is that so? Im relieved to hear that. If you were against it too, I would have felt very lonely. The cause of this incident was those stubborn officials. Thats true. But what do you think about the Chief State Councilors appeal regarding the my authority? There is a valid point. If a ruler misuses their power, and if someone like Jie or Zhou were to seed the future throne, the nation will head towards ruin. No one knows what the future holds. The prime examples of such controversial figures are Yeonsangun and Gwanghaegun. Thetter had settled down to some extent, but Yeonsangun was exiled! Ahor is he not? Although the mainstream view is that Yeonsangun was a tyrant, there are counterarguments. Since Sejos reign, Joseons central politics have continued the pattern of a weak ruler and strong officials. Although Seongjong strengthened royal authority, it was not enough topletely overturn it. However, Yeonsangun was the one whopletely overturned it, using his mothers deposal and granting death as an excuse. But in showing off the strengthened royal authority, he lost the support of the people and his legitimacy, which was his downfall. As a result, the reign of Jungjong returned to weak ruler and strong officials. Well, Jungjong wasnt an easygoing person either.
Refer to Extra Info below on brief history of all these kings. Its tooplicated to exin here (_|||)
King Sejong nodded at Hyangs response, Thats true. I didnt know I would have a child like you When Hyang made a sullen face, King Sejong quickly added more words, Ah! I mean that in a good way! Grumbling to himself, Hyang continued, If a tyrant appears and practices tyranny, it is natural for it to lead to ruin. It is necessary to guarantee and maintain the power of officials to prevent this. However, looking at the current state of Joseon, the power of officials still threatens the royal authority. To be precise,pared to the power of court officials and aristocrats, the royal authority is very weak. He then pulled a piece of paper that had been set aside and drew a rectangle on it. He then divided the rectangle into four sections and marked diagonal lines in three of them. This represents the current state of power in the Joseon Dynasty. The sections with diagonal lines represent the power held by the aristocrats, and the remaining section is the royal authority. Even so, surely the royal authority must be more than just one section? In response to Sejongs rebuttal, Hyang lowered his head, It only appears that way because the aristocrats cooperate with the royal authority for their own power struggles. If they see that their interests will be taken away by the royal authority, they will immediately join forces. I see, King Sejong nodded at Hyangs exnation and sighed, It wont be easy to make them give up what they have. We need to use a different method. Not by directly taking away what they have, but by expanding the entire board. At Hyangs words, King Sejongs eyes began to sparkle.Extra Info Basically, following from Sejos (7th Joseon King) reign, there had been attempts to overturn the weak king, strong officials conducted by Seongjong (9th Joseon King). Seongjong (9th) Seongjong, in particr, was heavily influenced by his mother, Queen Dowager Jeonghyeon who had close ties with the powerful officials in the government. Therefore, in hister years of reign, Seongjong took steps to strengthen his authority by imnting newws that restricted the officials ability to amass wealth and influence and promoted officials who were loyal to the monarchy and willing to serve the people. Despite his efforts, Seongjongs attempts to overturn the power of the officials were only partially sessful. Although he was able to assert more control over the government and promote a more loyal and efficient bureaucracy, he was unable topletely overturn the entrenched power structures that had developed over centuries of government rule. Yeonsangun (10th) As for Yeonsangun, he took a more radical approach to enforce his authority. He abolished the Council of State, which wasposed of high-ranking officials, and created a new advisory council that was made up of low-ranking officials andmoners. He also implemented a new system of taxation that was intended to increase royal revenues and reduce the power of the aristocracy. However, Yeonsanguns attempts to centralize power were met with resistance from the officials, who saw his reforms as a threat to their own power and privileges. They conspired against him and eventually seeded in deposing him in a coup, after which he was exiled andter died. Jungjong (11th) After Yeonsanguns tyrannical rule, Jungjong was selected by the powerful officials of the royal court to be the new king, as they hoped he would be more pliable and easier to control. Initially, his reign continued the trend of strong centralization of power established by his predecessor, but as he grew older, he became increasingly weak and relied on powerful officials to govern. This led to factionalism among the officials, with the Sarim faction gaining significant power and enacting political reforms aimed at reducing the power of the royal court and emphasizing the importance of meritocracy. Ultimately, Jungjongs reign saw a return to the traditional Korean model of governance that emphasized the importance of strong regional officials rather than centralized royal power. Trantors Notes Another 2 more chapters before this arc ends. We will be moving onto the next part of the storyline soon!??Footnote(s)
  1. Being inconsistent, changing principals ording to situations.?
  2. See movie The Admiral: Roaring Currents to sort of know his background.?
  3. I believe its Hyangs previous name.?
Kirara Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light novels is just as bright and shiny, and I have a passion for bringing these stories to life through trantion. If my trantions are your cup of tea, kindly consider fueling my passion by purchasing me a Ko-fi or subscribing for early ess to advanced chapters of all my tranted works. More Posts Chapter 35: Winds of Change (13) Chapter 35: Winds of Change (13) Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light... Expand the board? It means utilizing the merchants and public officials to increase the economic and national power of Joseon. Its about expanding the size of Joseon. Hyang drew three rectangles of the same size as the first one he had drawn, then divided the area again. The foundation of their wealth lies in agriculture. The n is to fostermerce and industry, increase economic power through trade, expand territory, and gradually increase the number of self-sustaining farmers. By doing so, they will be rtively weaker. As you can see from this drawing, initially, they controlled three-quarters of Joseon, but if we grow the size like this, they will only have 3/16. Its a decrease from 75% to 25%, so they would be more than 1/3 weaker. We can then tax them as well. If that happens, they will have no choice but to follow the general trend.
At Hyangs words, King Sejong pped his knee. I see! So there was such a n!King Sejong, who was pleased with Hyangs answer and pped his knee, soon pointed out a problem,However, even if we foster merchants and public officials, in the end, those nobles must be the main consumers. Ordinary people dont have enough wealth. In that case, is it possible to grow the size as you mentioned? Your Majesty, please look at the bigger picture. Look at the bigger picture? Hmmm Ah! Youre talking about trade! Impressive! Admiring King Sejongsprehension, Hyang nodded, Yes, its about increasing the size through trade. I see. If we engage in trade, we can grow beyond the limitations of thend. If the nobles remain tied to thend, they wont be able to keep up with the speed of the growth. Theres a limit to the ie from agriculturalnds. Thats correct. As Hyang confirmed, King Sejong immediately pointed out another problem, However, increasing the size ofmerce and industry requires capital. Most of the wealth that can be capital is in the hands of those nobles. If they invest their wealth inmerce and industry, wouldnt their power grow contrary to your expectations? At King Sejongs point, Hyang nodded once more, Thats true. We need capital to growmerce and industry, and we also need capital for trade. If the royal court doesnt intervene, those nobles will be the money lords and soon monopolize all the profits. To prevent that, the royal court, or more specifically, the government should be the money lord instead. The government should be the money lord? In response to King Sejongs inquisitive tone, Hyang exined the concept of a bank, more specifically, a state-owned bank. Listening to the exnation, King Sejongs face filled with admiration, eximing, I see! In that case, merchants who need capital can borrow money at low-interest rates, and the government can control the flow of wealth! By ensuring the government holds control, we can create a new market called the investment market. Investment market? A market where capital is treated as amodity and traded. Hmmm Sejong stroked his beard, lost in thought. After a moment of contemtion, he opened his mouth to speak. As you mentioned, if we proceed this way, we will need arge number of officials. Isnt this beneficial for the aristocrats? Rather than those who have studied Confucianism, we will need professionals who are knowledgeable in specific fields. In simple terms, the number of people entering official positions through misceneous subjects should need to increase. Thats a problem too. There are more than a few who, once they ascend to an official position, put pressure on their subordinates and engage in corruption. Theres a saying, If you want power, give up wealth; if you want wealth, give up power. However, it is also true that it is difficult to maintain ones livelihood with the current sry system. We need to modernize the sry system and, at the same time, impose restrictions. Hyang exined the concept of sry reform and how to use it as a restraint, then stopped talking. Then, he continued, Although the current civil service exam allows anyone but ves to take it in principle, in reality, most of the candidates are aristocrats. Ordinary people dont have the luxury tofortably study literature. So, one solution would be to select the best and brightest among those with a minimum level of education, then train and utilize them at the national level. Are you suggesting that we educate all themoners? I believe it is appropriate to guarantee a minimum level of education for those with at least the status ofmoners. If themon people are educated, they can avoid injustices and seek redress from the country when they suffer injustices. King Sejong fell silent at Hyangs words. After a long period of contemtion, Sejong spoke again, There are two main issues: one is budget, and the other is thenguage script. We can solve the budget issue by developing mines and reforming the tax system, as you mentioned, but the script is a difficult problem. Im sure Your Majesty can find a solution. Are you putting too much faith in me? No, Your Majesty! At Hyangs unwavering belief, King Sejong smiled, Then, I must not be a disgraceful father. ??? As King Sejong and Hyang were discussing future ns, some officials of the Saganwon[1] were gathered in a courtesan house in the southern vige, sharing their thoughts. While King Sejong and Hyang were having a warm and amicable debate, the atmosphere among the officials was filled with sadness and indignation. Its uneptable to humiliate us like this! Youre right! The legal system is copsing! The drunken officials, without exception, raised their voices in anger. Among them, one was particrly loud. The culprit behind all this misfortune is the crown prince! A mere ten-year-old child is trying to control national affairs! This ispletely unreasonable! Look here, Gocheong! We must rece the crown prince Look here, Gocheong! Despite his colleagues urgent attempts to stop him, Gocheong, as the official was called, remained determined. Why! Did I say something wrong? Isnt it a fact that the legal system of national affairs has been disrupted by the crown princes meddling?! No matter what, hes still a pir of our nation. As the envoy said before, we shouldnt casually speak of such matters! I wonder what kind of tribtions that envoy must be going through right now! Thats something we can address through a formalint! Havent you heard the saying that the mouth is the door to disaster? I dont know if youre worried about yourself, but are you thinking about bringing trouble to our family and reputation? The official is speaking the truth, so whats the problem? The problem is the timing and the ce! Upon his colleagues advice, Gocheong had to keep his mouth shut. However, unable to suppress his anger, Gocheong downed a ss of alcohol. As time passed and the atmosphere turned tense, Gocheong, with his eyes half-open, put his arm around the shoulders of the courtesan seated next to him and tried to seduce her. My dear, how about sharing a night of passion with me tonight? Youve had too much to drink. Your too drunk, so lets save the night of passion for another time. As the courtesan politely and respectfully declined with a smile, Gocheongs face turned fierce, You wen*h! Who do you think you are? You should just do as I say! At Gocheongs harsh words, the smile disappeared from the courtesans face. Standing upright, she confronted Gocheong. Isnt a courtesan considered lower than farmers, artisans, and merchants, a mere beast wearing human skin? And yet, how could a nobleman like you share a night of passion with a beast? Ah! Perhaps you have a peculiar taste? You wen*h! Gocheongs face turned from red to blue at the courtesans words, as she had essentially used him of being a pervert who engaged in b*stiality. In an instant, the room that had been filled withughter and music became quiet, and Gocheongs colleague stood up to calm him down. Come on, Gocheong. You wen*h! Do you want to die? Are you trying to unt your power to a mere courtesan? You speak like a nobleman with integrity, but your actions are those of an unrivaled lowlife. Go ahead and try to kill me. You wen*h! Bang! Just as Gocheong was about to throw a punch, the door burst open. In front of the open door stood a towering giant of nine feet tall, holding a slender bamboo cane in his arms and crossing his arms. At the sight of the giant, Gocheong stepped back hesitantly. The giant, who had been ring at Gocheong, opened his mouth, Youre drunk. How about going home now? Thats a good idea! Gocheong, lets go. Although his colleague intervened, Gocheong was at a loss for what to do. He wanted to punish the arrogant courtesan right then and there, but he couldnt, given the presence of the imposing figure. Seeing this, his colleague forcefully grabbed Gocheongs arm, Come on, Gocheong! Youve had too much to drink! Lets go! Thus, the officials left the drinking party. Behind Gocheong, who was being dragged away, the courtesans voice rang out. Congrattions. Soon your name will be widely known throughout Hanyang. You wen*h! Come on! Lets go! Gocheong yelled angrily, but his colleague forcibly restrained him and left the brothels house. Naturally, they had to pay a hefty price. As the courtesan had predicted, it didnt take a day for the rumor about Gocheong to spread throughout Hanyang. An official of the Saganwon caused trouble while drinking at a courtesan house. As soon as the rumor spread, the chief officials of the court began to investigate. As the investigation began, the officials started to argue, This is an attempt to oppress the Saganwon and block our freedom of speech! This is ignoring the precedent! Officials, of course, and even the king, would risk their necks to argue if they thought something was wrong. As a result, they were granted considerable freedom in the face of the risks they faced. There was no distinction of rank among the officials, and it wasmon practice not to be punished for drinking during work hours. In other words, they had been turning a blind eye to minor troublemaking. However, this time the chief officials had a point. Trying to force a state-owned courtesan into sleeping with him, and even attempting violence C this has tarnished the name of the court officials and nobles! In the end, after the investigation, Gocheong was caught and King Sejong made his judgment. An official, who should impeach injustice,mits a great sin by relying on his power and engaging in unjust acts. The criminal shall be immediately stripped of his official position and sentenced to 500 li of exile. Yourmand is epted! ording to King Sejongsmand, Gocheong was sent into exile immediately. However, Gocheongs case was handled more severely than usual. Typically, when an official was sentenced to exile, they would depart from their home without an escort. Moreover, the country would provide horses and food, and the criminals son or servant would be allowed to apany and serve them, which was customary. However, in Gocheongs case, he had to be taken to exile in a caged cart with a knife around his neck. The reason for this was that during the investigation, it was revealed that Gocheong had said, The crown prince must be deposed. Upon receiving the report, King Sejong was furious and added to the punishment. The mention of the abolished prince is a great treason. However, since it was a lowly person who wielded violence against a courtesan, I will not go as far as to grant death. Instead, change the exile from 500 li to 1,000 li, put a knife around his neck, and send him off on a raft. We ept yourmand. Of course, King Sejong already knew about it through the previous report. The reason why he had kept silent and not punished him right away was because he was waiting for a situation like this to arise. From now on, the officials had to be careful with their words. Hearing the full story of the incident at the East Pce, Hyang lost his appetite. They say a gisaengs wit is the best in the world, and its really sharp. As Hyang said, the wit of the Joseon courtesans was famous. During the Gye Yu Jeongnan (see short intermission below) upheaval and when Suyang seized power, the court officials had a drinking party at a courtesan parlor. A heavily drunk minister asked a courtesan to sleep with him. Yesterday, you matched horoscopes with that man, and today with this man, I wonder how it would be to match horoscopes with a wandering wallflower[2] like you? The courtesan immediately retorted to the ministers words, Since yesterday, youve entered Gyeongbokgung, and today you entered Myeongnye-gung (Suyangs residence), it seems the wandering wallflower like me and the lord indeed have the best match.
The Gye Yu Jeongnan upheaval was a political conflict that urred during the Joseon Dynasty in Korea in thete 15th century. It was a power struggle between two factions, one led by Prince Suyang ter King Sejo) and the other led by his younger brother, Grand Prince Anpyeong. The conflict arose due to the sudden death of King Sejos brother, King Munjong, and the session dispute that followed. Prince Suyang emerged victorious in the power struggle and became King Sejo after King Danjong (Munjongs son). However, his ascension to the throne was not without controversy and violence. He executed many of his political rivals and their families, including Grand Prince Anpyeong, to consolidate his power and eliminate any potential threats to his reign. I guess, Hyang is insinuating that a courtesan is more adept in interpreting political events surrounding them more than ordinary people think.
King Sejong did not only judge Gocheongs crime. Convict Ryu Jeong-hyun tried to lead the king in the wrong direction with his narrow-mindedness, which can be called deceiving the king and ignoring the superior. Therefore, Ryu Jeong-hyun will be granted death, and all his family members will be turned into government sl*ves. Also, confiscate all his property. We ept yourmand. Also, exile the Right Chief State Councilor, Left Chief State Councilor, and Chief Inspector, who formed a faction with him, 2,000 li away. However, leave their families asmoners, but confiscate 80% of their property. We ept yourmand. As a result, the old ministers who had made a name for themselves in the early days of King Sejongs reign met a different end than their original historical fate. Trantors Notes Were finally hitting the end of this arc! As the chapter namesake suggests, Winds of Change, were shifting gears to the next part of the story, where things in Joseon are gonna get wild with Hyang leading the way. So, keep your eyes open until next time!??Footnote(s)
  1. ˾GԺ (Saganwon) was a government office during the Joseon Dynasty in Korea. Its primary function was to advise the king on political affairs and to monitor the conduct of other officials.?
  2. · is apound noun in Chinese characters (hanja) used in Korean. It refers to a woman who wanders around the walls of a pce or house, waiting to be summoned to entertain guests or be courted. The first character · (? in Korean) means road or path, (? in Korean) means willow tree, and (?? in Korean) means wallflower. Together, they create thepound noun ·(????) which is a poetic term used to describe such a woman in ancient China and Korea.?
Kirara Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light novels is just as bright and shiny, and I have a passion for bringing these stories to life through trantion. If my trantions are your cup of tea, kindly consider fueling my passion by purchasing me a Ko-fi or subscribing for early ess to advanced chapters of all my tranted works. More Posts Chapter 36: Laughing and Crying in Devotion (1) A new arc is here! In particr, in the case of Ryu Jeong-hyeon, he was a schr-official who experienced the turbulent period of the end of Goryeo and the beginning of Joseon. He was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Three Naval Provinces andmanded the suppression of the pirates in the Japanese inds under the supervision of Lee Jong-mu. Although he was highly regarded forying the foundation of cultural integration during King Sejongs reign, contrary to his original history, he became a criminal of rebellious delusions and met his end. It was a bitter example of the butterfly effect created by the unexpected existence of a character named Hyang. However, the most unfortunate person was the Right State Councilor. The previous year, on October 21st of Sejongs 5th year, the Right State Councilor, Jeong Tak, died at the age of 61, and Ryu Jeong-hyeon was rmended to take his ce. He lost power and property within a few months of taking the position and was eventually exiled. With the exile of Ryu Jeong-hyeon and his followers, Sejong, who hadpletely seized power, gathered the ministers in March and dered: I will carry out the reform for the sake of Joseon! With his deration, the Great Reform, which took 10 years to prepare and 5 years to execute, began. This was the start of the Great Reform, which waster regarded as havingpletely changed the constitution of Joseon. Schrs marked the day of Sejongs deration as the beginning and called it the Gapjin Reform or Gapjin Great Reform. The basis of the reform that Sejong dered to implement was Hyangs work. A long time before Sejongs deration, the people living in Hanyang were being prepared for vinations. Late at night, King Sejong sought out Hyang. Bring me the map youve made. Yes? Yes, Your Majesty. Right. Attendant, take care of the map. Yes, Your Majesty. At King Sejongsmand, the attendant took care of Hyangs map. Oh, and dont tell anyone that I took this. Yes? Yes. After King Sejong took the map, Hyang realized that he had dug his own grave. After some time had passed since the meeting, King Sejong sought out Hyang again, About this part here Yes, that is Sejong, who had questions while examining the map, asked Hyang, and Hyang answered the questions. Then, lets end here. Youve worked hard. No, not at all. After seeing off King Sejong, Hyang hit his head on the table and sighed, Sigh~ Ive dug my own grave Later on, King Sejongs visits soon became part of Hyangs daily routine. That was fine, but the problem was that the depth and sharpness of King Sejongs questions increased almost vertically as time passed. Eventually, Hyangs daily life became a series of overwork. In the morning, he had to attend the Gyeongyeon (The Reading Hall[1]), in the morning he had to debate with the guests of the Crown Princes Lecture Hall or attend the royal council to observe the operation of the government, and in the afternoon, he had to go through the regr process of training in martial arts with the military officers of the pce. And from the evening, he had to do the sourceundering work in preparation for King Sejongs visit. Who would believe me if I said, Everything came from my own head? I cant believe it myself. Otherwise, I would be exhausted from morning till night. By the time he finished the sourceundering work, King Sejong arrived. After a round of questions and answers with King Sejong, it was already past 3 gyeong (11 PM to 1 AM) and approaching 4 gyeong. And it was when King Sejong dered the reform n that Hyang learned the whole story. Using the calendar Hyang had given him as a base, King Sejong began to create a master n to reform the overall system of Joseon. The main purpose of the reform is to realize royal politics and Hongik Ingan (benefiting humanity). Using punctuation marks he learned through Hyang, King Sejong skillfully created a n for the reform. Starting with the reform of the administrative organization to the expansion of education, King Sejong made the n while building the structure and adding details. When he encountered questions or difficulties, he waited for the night and sought Hyang. When the n was about 80%plete, Sejong threw it to the Hall of Worthies schrs. This is the reform n created by this Majesty. Look carefully for improvements or problems. We ept the order! If there are improvements or problems, submit them to the minister in writing immediately. Yes, Your Majesty. Also, keep silent about this until this Majesty officially announces it. If anyone leaks information, they will be punished for treason. We will engrave it on our bones and remember it! The Hall of Worthies schrs who received the reform n from Sejong did their best to analyze it. However, they encountered difficulties from the beginning, due to the punctuation marks that only Sejong and Hyang knew. Your Majesty, what are these symbols? Oh, that is The Hall of Worthies schrs who learned about the punctuation marks from Sejong began to concentrate on analyzing the reform n. And thats when it started. The level of questions King Sejong threw at Hyang increased almost exponentially in difficulty. When the schrs found problems and reported them to Sejong, he pondered the solution. If he continued to think and couldnt find an answer, he discussed it with Hyang. Once he found a satisfactory answer, Sejong threw it to the Hall of Worthies, and they applied the solution and resumed their analysis. Upon the announcement of the reform n, Hyangined to Sejong, Wouldnt it have been more efficient if you had let me work with the schrs at the Hall of Worthies? Sejong replied with a smile, You rascal. Dont you know that there is a big difference between doing something knowingly and doing it unknowingly? When changing the entire country, if the king doesnt understand properly, the king will only be a mere existence that says Do it like this and puts a seal on it. If you had listened to the exnation beforehand Which would bring better results, the king intervening and understanding directly, or just listening and understanding? At Sejongs words, Hyang bowed deeply, I cannot help but admire Your Majestys wisdom. This was Hyangs sincerity. Although the basis of the reform n announced by King Sejong was Hyangs, it was heavily diluted to the point where it was hard to call it Hyangs. Thats how much King Sejongs thoughts went into the reform n. Thats why it took 10 years of preparation after Sejong announced the reform n, as he put in tremendous effort, almost obsessively. Although Sejong dered the reform n, he didnt immediately change everything. He started with finances, preparing step by step, dealing with various issues along the way, and refining the framework of the reform n. When he felt preparations wereplete, King Sejong issued an order to the officials. Select personnel from the six ministries. Sejong formed a scaled-down model of the new administration C more precisely, a scaled-down model of the central government C with the people selected from the six ministries and entered into an experiment. He observed the division and efficiency of tasks created through reports and petitions from the provinces and the field in real time, along with the officials, and entered into adjustments. As the experiment on the reorganization of the central government proceeded sessfully, Sejong entered into an experiment on the local administrative organizations. Select 5 counties in Hwanghae Province, 7 in Gyeonggi Province, and 5 in Gangwon Province. The selection process was not random. In Hwanghae Province, which is in the northwestern region of Joseon, Gangwon Province in the northeastern region, and Gyeonggi Province in the central and southern regions, simr environments were chosen. The areas had to be within one- or two-days distance from the capital, using ry horses. After selecting the counties, therge-scale experiment began. Personnel were assigned ording to Sejongs local administrative organization, and arge number of investigators, schrs from the Hall of Worthies, and central government officials followed. It was a huge experiment. As the experiment began, ry horses carrying reports, written by the officials in charge of administration and the investigators, ran daily from the counties where the experiment was being conducted to the capital. Sejong, Hyang, and the officials continued to make adjustments while reading these reports. Despite such meticulous adjustments, various problems emerged when it came to actual implementation. Ultimately, it took five years to solve these problems, make adjustments, and establish the system. However, now was the beginning of the reform n deration, and it was just the starting point after buttoning up the first button. ??? Upon King Sejongsmand for the nationwide execution of cowpox vinations, couriers carrying King Sejongs orders hurried to all eight provinces. Following hismand, all regional officials began preparing for cowpox vinations. Among them, some began to cause amotion; the source of this disturbance was the regional nobles. Are you asking for a contribution? Here is His Majestys handwritten order. The local nobles, the aristocrats, are advised to contribute. Upon seeing the official letter presented by the inspectors or magistrates, the nobles fell into contemtion. Since the King wishes, we must follow the order. Its not only for our family but also to help our neighbors, so we should contribute! A considerable number of aristocrats agreed without much ado and promptly made their contributions. The officials sent by the inspectors recorded these facts without fail, and this information was sent straight to the court. I cannot contribute! Our family has already suffered from the illness once, so there is no need for vination! Of course, there were also those who refused to contribute, feeling that it was a waste. The reason they could refuse was because Sejong did not force them but advised them to do so. Of course, even if the king advised, it wasmon sense to follow; however, some people were blinded by wealth and forgotmon sense. Look, Nobleman Kwon. Even so I said I cant! Although the vige magistrate and other nobles continued to advise, there were those who stubbornly refused until the end. As a result, the distressed magistrates had to write petitions seeking a response. ??? Have you ever seen such insolent people! King Sejong, who received the petition, did not hide his anger. Clenching the scroll of the petition, he nced at the vacant seats of the Three State Ministers, the Chief State Councilor, and the Chief Royal Secretary, then turned his gaze toward the six ministries. Chancellor, read this petition aloud! Yes, Your Majesty. The Chancellor, who received the petition from King Sejong, read the contents aloud in a loud voice. As the reading continued, the heads of the six ministries gradually lowered. Upon thepletion of the reading, King Sejong spoke, Are these really aristocrats and vige elders? Your Majesty, its outrageous! Even if webine all the numbers in the petitions received so far, it exceeds a hundred! A hundred! Are these truly nobles? Are these the ones who pledged to serve and enlighten Joseon? Your Majesty, its outrageous! Truly truly Unable to contain his anger, King Sejong stammered. The Crown Prince, who was watching him, became rmed. He might copse! Its dangerous! Your Majesty! Please quell your anger! You will harm your body! Hoo At the Crown Princes words, King Sejong took a deep breath and began to suppress his anger. The Crown Prince urgently continued, These people have already proven themselves to be hypocrites. How fortunate is this? From now on, we dont have to treat them as gentlemen! Its actually a blessing that we can distinguish between the good and the bad through this incident! At the Crown Princes words, King Sejong took a deep breath and spoke, Youre right, my son. Through this incident, we have learned how these people really think about this country, Joseon, and its people. Let the Ministry of Personnelpile a list of those who have not paid the vination contribution fee until the end of the cowpox vination. And ensure that the people of the viges where those who refused to pay the fee receive help from neighboring viges for vinations, minimizing the number of those who cannot be vinated. However, exclude the households of those who did not pay the fee from the vinations. If they caused the problem, they must take responsibility. Yourmand is received. Let us take a break for now. All of you ministers must be tired. We heed yourmand. As the ministers bowed and stepped back, the Crown Prince immediately spoke, I will call for the royal physician right away. Its alright, I just need a little rest. Your Majesty, your health has been greatly affected. For Joseon to function properly, Your Majesty must be healthy. At the Crown Princes words, Sejong smiled. Even just hearing your words, I feel better. Alright, lets do that. Chief Eunuch, call for the royal physician. Upon receiving the call of the merchant, the physician rushed over and immediately took King Sejongs pulse. Your pulse is beating somewhat strongly, but it is not worrisome. I will prepare a decoction, so please drink it and take a brief rest. I shall do so. A momentter, after King Sejong drank the herbal decoction the doctor brought and was seen resting with a peaceful expression, Hyang finally left the royal chamber. Returning to his own room, Hyang finally let out a sigh, Phew, that was a close call. But the bark of that birch tree seems to have paid for the meal. The decoction made from birch bark helped maintain the stability of Sejongs pulse. Sitting in a chair and drinking tea, Hyang muttered quietly, Our popr sister should live and enjoy longevity without illness. ???? 1. A ce to discuss Confucianism philosophies.[?] Chapter 37: Laughing and Crying in Devotion (2) Chapter 37: Laughing and Crying in Devotion (2) Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light... In the original history, Princess Jeongso should have died in February. The problem was the cause of death. The records she had briefly read in the 21st century were unclear about the cause. Some records said it was smallpox, while others said it was measles. What kind of 50% chance is this! Knowing that King Sejong would be deeply emotionally affected by Princess Jeongsos death, Hyang decided to vinate Princess Jeongso against smallpox, betting everything on a 50% chance. And that 50% chance proved to be true. ??? As the nationwide smallpox vination campaign neared its end, King Sejong was in the final stages of making sure everything waspleted. He called for the Minister of Personnel and ordered, Has the list of schrs who have not paid the contribution fee beenpleted? Yes, it has beenpleted. Bring it to me. A momentter, the official from the Ministry of Personnel, who had received the order, brought the list and submitted it to the minister, who then handed it to King Sejong. Looking over the list, Sejong opened his mouth, Its quite a lot. A total of 143 people. The list submitted by the Minister of Personnel included names, family lineage, residence area, and the extent of their property. After reviewing the list, Sejong issued an order: Remove all of these people from the list of local schrs. If there are any who have passed the lower-level examination and received tax exemptions, immediately revoke all their privileges. Lastly, prohibit their descendants from serving in office for three generations. We ept Yourmand! This decision caused a significant upheaval among the local schr-gentry ss. As Sejongs order was executed, the local Confucian schrs faced a tumultuous time. This is too harsh a punishment! Those who had their names removed from the list of local schrs protested vehemently, but there werent many who agreed with them. Most reactions were as follows: Tsk, tsk, tsk. You should have been modest with your greed. How much is the grain tax worth? If one ims to be of noble status and andowner, shouldnt they at least be worthy of their name? You people should know your manners and propriety! Get out of here! How dare people like youe to this ce without being nobles! Those who were expelled shouted at the closed doors of the local office. Driven away, they yelled at the closed doors of the local office. How unpolluted are you people! The aftermath of King Sejongs order did not end there. What are these petitions? Faced with a sudden influx of petitions, Sejong looked at overseer. The overseer soon replied with a troubled expression, These are petitions from fathers asking for permission to grant their daughters a divorce. A divorce? King Sejong unrolled the scroll and read the content. The content of the petitions wasrgely simr to one another. In contrast to the Goryeo period, when marriage and divorce were easy, marriage and divorce among the nobles in the Joseon period were very difficult. In order for the nobles to divorce, they had to submit a petition to the local magistrate and even to the king. Having reviewed the petitions, King Sejong made a decision. It is unbing of a nobleman to use violence against his wife. However, one cannot make a decision based solely on one sides story. Order the local magistrate in the vige where the petitioner resides to verify the facts. If the content of the petition is true, allow the divorce and ensure a fair division of property. I will follow your order. Upon King Sejongsmand, numerous couples proceeded with their divorces. Divorce was not the only oue; annulment, which did not require theplex procedures of divorce, increased several times as well. King Sejongs reform n had been meticulously prepared over a long period of time. However, surprisingly, one area was making rapid progress: the military. While discussing national affairs with his ministers, King Sejong took a break to visit the pces East Pce Hall. As the eunuch standing at the entrance of the chamber tried to announce his arrival, King Sejong gestured for him to be quiet. Hush, I want to observe the Crown Princes everyday life. At Sejongs words, the eunuch hesitated and pointed to one side, His Highness, the Crown Prince is currently in the restroom. The restroom? It is the toilet. Ah, the restroom What a charming name, King Sejong looked in the direction the eunuch had pointed. A pce maid holding a towel was standing in front of a room on one side of the East Pce Hall. Suddenly, a loud sound of water could be heard, and the pce maid quickly entered the room. A momentter, the Crown Prince emerged with a book tucked under his arm and a refreshed expression on his face. Upon seeing King Sejong, he hurried over and bowed, Father, have youe? I am sorry for my disgraceful appearance! Disgraceful? Anyway, do you always read in the toilet? Surprisingly, its quite conducive to reading. Well, I do like books, but King Sejong shook his head, looking exasperated at the princes response. ??? The Crown Princes dream of having a flush toilet dated back to his days as a prince. As soon as he was designated Crown Prince and received the kings recognition for his skills, he began attempting to create a flush toilet. However, from the outset, he encountered difficulties. The flush toilets the prince was familiar with were made of pottery, but the historical context of the Joseon period posed a problem. The source of various ceramics used by the royal family was the Office of Royal Meals, which supplied ceramics through taxes. Therefore, he had to find a kiln that produced pottery directly, and the closest ce was Gwangju in Gyeonggi Province. After the Neobeolseom Incident, Hyangs activities were limited to Hanyang, and Hyang himself had no intention of going as far as Gwangju in Gyeonggi Province. In the 21st century, it would be a quick trip by car, but now its Joseon, isnt it? In the end, Hyang had to find an alternative. Searching for various alternatives and recalling memories, Hyang finally found a solution. What Hyang found was a scene from a movie in which a one-sided love, pure-hearted machod C who shouted anaksoona-moon until the end C turned out to be a hero in the city of Jinju. Hyang remembered the iron flush toilet in the bathroom, which was the ce where the child, the key character in the movie, escaped from the train. As soon as he recalled the memory, Hyang, who created the concept and rough blueprint, immediately found the cksmith at the Military Arsenal. It was from then on that the cksmiths ordeal began. Although Hyang created the blueprint, it was close to organizing the concept. The actual measurements had to be tested by the cksmith himself. It was the same in the 21st century. When Hyang C known as Jinho in the 21st century C and his friends made steam engines, Hyang was responsible for the concept and overall design, and all the numerical calctions had to be done by his friends. Im a liberal arts person. Why should a liberal arts person do calctions too? Anyway, after all sorts of trial and error, the cksmith made an iron squat toilet. You did a great job, well done! Upon seeing thepleted flush toilet, Hyang highly praised the cksmith. He not only praised him verbally but also rewarded the head cksmith with a bag of rice, and the other cksmiths with rice ording to their rank, from a bag to a handful. The cksmith, who received an unexpected reward, bowed deeply and shouted, Please entrust me with anything in the future! I will do my best to make it! I trust and expect you to! In retrospect, the cksmith pped his own mouth. This mouth of mine is my enemy! Anyway, after seeing the flush toilet and the restroom it was installed in, King Sejong wanted to install flush toilets in the Geunjeongjeon (Main Pce) as well. However, his intentions were thwarted by the opposition of the royal physicians. In order to check Your Majestys health, we must examine the excrement! But in this condition, we cannot examine it! Is that so? I understand King Sejong backed down due to the opposition of the royal physicians, but he did not bend his will. I will have them installed someday! In the end, flush toilets were not installed in the Geunjeongjeon, but they were installed in many other ces, including the Donggungjeon. The ces where flush toilets were installed were where the queen and concubines resided. Crouching over a chamber pot was never afortable task. Especially for pregnant women with swollen bellies, a flush toilet was the best thing. Of course, it was hardbor for the pce officials and maids who had to clean the dung pots ced under the toilet floor and fill the toilet water tank. In the future, this flush toilet began to be released to the public, and various problems arose as a result. It was inevitable that the public health system had to bepletely overhauled to solve these problems. ??? The scent that came from the incense burner moved to the library with King Sejong. King Sejong, facing the scent across arge table, opened his mouth right away. Prince, I came here because I had a question after looking at the calendar you made. Whats your question? You mentioned various parts, but you didnt mention the military. It couldnt have been an oversight, could it? At King Sejongs question, Hyang smiled faintly. At that sight, Sejong shook his head disapprovingly. You sly fox If I had mentioned the military, there would have been even more chaos. At that, King Sejong nodded his head, I know. What do you think, Your Majesty? At Hyangs question, King Sejong answered firmly, The military must also be reformed. Instead of just looking at individual strength, we need to value intelligence more. Hyang nodded in return at King Sejongs response. In Sejongs fourth year, he set new criteria for the martial arts examination. The purpose of the civil service examination is to select talented individuals. The same goes for the martial arts examination. From now on, even if someone cant hit a target from 200 steps away with an arrow, if they are proficient in the ssics, select them. The statement was favored by schrs but nevertheless disdained by the warriors. However, Hyang thought differently. Even Jedi die in the jaws of the enemy. Your Majestys words are not wrong. We need smarter people from now on. Who was that? I cant remember? Anyway, Ill make use of that! Muttering to himself, Hyang opened his mouth, continuing, I think like this. In a country, civil and military are like the two arms of a person, and also like the two wheels of a cart. Its hard for a person to live with just one arm, and a cart cannot move with just one wheel. I think the civil and military are just like this in a country. Hearing this, King Sejong nodded strongly. Your words are truly right! Thats why Im thinking of reform as well. However he sighed. Those officials who are attached to the past will immediately question and listen to these words. National defense is a matter of a thousand, no, ten thousand gold coins, and they will bring up the military regime of the previous dynasty. We cannot disparage the military. If we do, this Joseon will fall immediately. Please consider the precedent of the Song Dynasty. The fragrance from the tea that eunuch brought refreshed their throats as they conversed. There was once an empire called Rome in the west. They had a saying in that country, Si vis pacem, para bellum. What does that mean? It means, If you want peace, prepare for war. Its like the phrase, Being prepared prevents misfortune. Being prepared prevents misfortune Tapping the table with his finger, King Sejong mulled over the phrase Being prepared prevents misfortune. Seeing this, Hyang added more to the conversation, Theres no need to look far. Just look at the end of the Goryeo dynasty. How many people suffered hardships due to the Jurchen and Japanese pirates? Its true that national defense consumes a lot of resources, but if youre not properly prepared when something actually happens, youll have to spend several times more resources and manpower. Youre right. You are Nodding his head, Sejong made a conclusion, Right. If we need to overhaul it, then we must! As King Sejong hardened his resolve, Hyang clenched his fist under the table, Yes! With his determination strengthened, King Sejong asked Hyang another question, Reforming the military isnt something that can be done overnight. Well have to take the time to solve it one by one. Where do you think we should start? The northern army facing the Jurchens? Or the southern army facing the Japanese pirates? Or the central army defending the capital? In response to King Sejongs question, Hyang answered immediately, We need to divide it intond and naval forces. The navy, or rather the mounted-ship army, must never be underestimated. Kirara Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light novels is just as bright and shiny, and I have a passion for bringing these stories to life through trantion. If my trantions are your cup of tea, kindly consider fueling my passion by purchasing me a Ko-fi or subscribing for early ess to advanced chapters of all my tranted works. More Posts Chapter 38: Laughing and Crying in Devotion (3) Chapter 38: Laughing and Crying in Devotion (3) Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light... Naval forces? Thats right! Hyangs voice grew stronger as he exined. When I first talked about the establishment of a trade port, I briefly considered the Shandong Penins. Butter, I deeply regretted it, and eventually, I despaired. You despaired? Why? The trade port built in Shandong wouldnt just be used by the Ming and Joseon. When the products of Ming and Joseon gather there, countries wanting to trade will inevitably flock to the port. Nearby country of Japan would head there, as well as faraway countries like the Dai Viet and even further ces to trade. Think about the wealth we could obtain from those people. At Hyangs words, King Sejong thought of the customs duties he had promised to the Ming during the negotiation. The amount anticipated at that time by the Ministry of Finance was by no means small. If you add Japan and Dai Viet, and even nameless other countries on top of the Ming and Joseon trade? King Sejong grew anxious. What if we also build a trade port? It might be a bitte, but it seems like there could bepetition. Its exactly at that point where I despaired. Our Joseon Hyang answered with a gloomy expression, before adding, We do not have a navy capable of seizing control of the seas. King Sejong looked puzzled at Hyangs words. We dont have a navy? I dont understand. We do have a navy in name, but its capability is truly pitiful. Pitiful? Have you forgotten that our navy made it possible to conquer Tsushima Ind[1]st time? Why wouldnt I know? Hyang stood up and walked over to the bookshelf. He pulled out a book from among various other books and exined its contents to King Sejong. This is the record of thest Tsushima conquest. As you know, the number of troops mobilized for thest Tsushima conquest was a total of 17,285. The number of warships mobilized was 227. I see. If we do a simple calction, it means that each ship carried 70 to 80 people, but more than half of these were rowers. That means that our actual strength is only half of that. I see. Moreover, there is another problem. The number 227 might seem like a lot of ships, but a significant number of these are small boats that had to risk their lives just to cross the strait between Busan and Tsushima (Ind). Thats right. It is a well-known fact that our Joseon forces are weak in hand-to-handbatpared to the Japanese pirates. Topensate for this, firearms are essential, but such small boats cannot carry them. Is this problem only limited to the navy of the three provinces that participated in the expedition? King Sejongs face turned serious as he listened to Hyangs exnation. It is indeed a problem. If we build a trading port, Japanese pirates and water pirates will flock to it. Ming can immediately gather the forces to defend it, but we Joseon cannot. Look at the past invasion of Tsushima. No matter how much it is a conquest, if you look at the way you recruit soldiers, you have to scrape together everyone, including the lower-ranking soldiers and the farmers who are not farming. If the Japanese pirates had taken advantage of the gap left by the conquest, what would have happened? Look at the recruitment criteria. Not only did they[2]gatherbat troops, but they also gathered people who could sail ships. In other words, the navy itself is also insufficient. King Sejong nodded at Hyangs point. At the time of the Tsushima invasion, it was reported that the southern coast of Ming was being raided by Japanese pirates. At that time, King Taejong breathed a sigh of relief when he received the report. It is truly a blessing from heaven! Recalling the past, Sejong nodded, Thats right. His face was more serious than ever when he answered. It was because the memory of that time was vivid. As a result of the Tsushima invasion, the lord of Tsushima promised to submit, and at a simr time, the Japanese pirates in Ming suffered a great loss. As a result, the Japanese pirates have been quiet in recent times, but no one can say for sure that they will continue to be quiet. Hyang continued to speak, assuming the worst-case scenario: If the Japanese pirates and water pirates be so active that they cannot be controlled, Ming may issue a sea ban. This means blocking the sea route and moving the residents living on the coast to the ind. Ming has a lot ofnd, so it can move the people to the ind, and their ind waterways are also developed, so there will be no big worries. But what about us Joseon? Do the people have any ce to move to? We can also implement the policy of vacating the inds, but this will result in tying our own hands and feet. King Sejong nodded silently at Hyangs words. After a while, Hyang took a sip of water and continued, In the end, the best means of maritime defense that our Joseon must choose is nothing but offensive defense. The Tsushima invasion was also executed for the same reason, wasnt it? We need to build bigger ships and strengthen our firepower. King Sejong nodded at Hyangs words. Your words are true. The problem is the budget. Yes, the budget is a problem. To increase the budget, we need to expand the tax revenue, but if we rely only on agriculture, the people will suffer. In the end, as I said before, we need to increase trade to expand the tax source. Thats right. Phew~. King Sejong having let out a long sigh, rose from his chair. I came here to cool my head for a while, but it feels like Ive just added more weight. I am sorry. No. For the sake of the wealth and strength of this Joseon, I, the king, must suffer. ??? Ultimately, Sejong, who was reviewing various problems, made a conclusion. No matter how you look at it, it is possible only if we have wealth! Without wealth, its all castles in the sand! Sejong, who made a conclusion, sent a letter to the provincial governors all over the country. Find those who are proficient in mining immediately and send them to the pce! ordingly, the provincial governors began to search for those who were proficient in mining in the viges they governed, and sent them to Hanyang. Meanwhile, at the court, Sejong, Hyang, and the ministers exchanged opinions on what should be sought first. We must look for gold and silver. We must not seek gold and silver! It can be demanded as tribute from Ming! But we need gold and silver to secure the funds! If Ming makes a demand for it, we should negotiate diplomatically! As the debate went on tediously, Sejong drew a conclusion, For the sess of our Joseons policies, we must mine gold and silver. If Ming makes a demand, we will solve it through diplomacy. We ept yourmand. Once the issue of mining gold and silver was resolved, the topic moved on. Well then, lets proceed with gold and silver, what else should we look for? In response to Sejongs question, the ministers answered in unison. Copper! Its essential for making weapons and minting coins! Upon hearing the ministers answer, Sejong, with a golden pen, wrote down gold, silver, and copper, and opened his mouth. And what else might there be? At Sejongs question, the ministers were deep in thought. After observing this, Hyang interjected, In my opinion, we need iron, coal, limestone, and sulfur. What is coal? Simply put, its a stone that burns. The Mings has been using it as fuel since the Song Dynasty. Hyang exined about coal in response to Sejongs question. Sejong and the other ministers nodded in agreement. If we use this kind of stone instead of firewood, we could prevent deforestation. Indeed. Weve made a lot of efforts to prevent deforestation, but it hasnt been easy. The reason was because it was used as fuel, but if we use coal, we can prevent deforestation. Following the ministers answers, Hyang then continued, If the state monopolizes the supply of coal, it could also be a sufficient source of revenue. I see! I understand about coal, and I understand about iron, but why do we need limestone? Its necessary for refining iron and also for construction. For construction? I only know the theory At Hyangs words, Sejong made a decision, Then lets postpone the priority of limestone. Yes. Although Sejong postponed the priority, Hyang wasnt particrly upset. Limestone is the mostmon thing on this Korean Penins! Listening to the conversation between Sejong and the ministers, Hyang then recalled the words of Teacher Samcheonpo. Iron, coal, sulphur! These are the essentials for the Industrial Revolution! Simply put, the basic set for the Industrial Revolution is these three! Capital? Yeah! Could the Industrial Revolution happen without it? However, the most controversial was sulfur. Your Highness, sulfur is not produced in our Joseon. Thats right. Sulfur can only be obtained from Ming or Japan. Thats true. Crown Prince, sulfur is not produced in our Joseon. Even Sejong said that sulfur is not produced in Joseon, but Hyangs will did not bend. Why are you all so confident? Couldnt it be something we havent discovered yet? We havent discovered it? Come on. It can be found in both Ming and Japanese territories, but not in our Joseon? Dont you think that doesnt make sense? Damn! Oil evenes out when you dig for it! Hmm That seems possible Hmm At Hyangs words, both the ministers and Sejong pondered with expressions that seemed to agree. Of course, unlike Ming and Japan, it could be in a difficult ce to mine. But think about the uses of sulfur. Its used as a medicinal ingredient, but the most important use is for gunpowder. Gunpowder, the most crucial item for national defense, and sulfur, the most important raw material for making gunpowder; if we depend on imports for sulfur, we could face a big loss someday! When Hyang mentioned national defense, Sejong and the ministers immediately reached a conclusion. Right! Lets search for it! Your Highness the Crown Princes opinion seems correct! I think its right to order more attention to exploring this item! In the end, sulfur was added to the list of exploration targets. As skilled miners arrived from all eight provinces of Joseon, Sejong and the ministers created an institution called the Resources Bureau First, establish it as a permanent technical office under the Ministry of Public Works, and have the Minister of Public Works serve as its chief. We ept yourmand. Thus, the miners belonging to the newly created Resources Bureau were given ranks from (senior 8th rank) to (junior 9th rank), and their sries were determined. The Minister of Public Works informed the prospectors gathered in the courtyard of the audience hall of their duties. From now on, your job is to travel around the eight provinces of Joseon and search for the minerals listed here. If you find them properly, there will be a reward, so do your best. At the Minister of Public Works words, the miners all bowed and responded, We will do our best! Your Majesty, please take a look. Upon hearing the call, the miners immediately prostrated themselves and offered their bows, We, themoners, greet Your Majesty! Rise. Who said you weremoners? You are all precious subjects of the kingdom. At Sejongs words, the miners faces filled with emotion, and they responded loudly, Your Majestys grace is boundless! We hope you remain strong and healthy forever! The miners all cried out in hopes of Sejongs eternal prosperity until their throats were sore. As Sejong raised his hand with a satisfied smile on his face, the noise subsided. When the miners quieted down, Sejong began to speak, Im sorry for entrusting you with such a challenging task. However, the prosperity and strength of Joseon hinge on the results you produce, so I hope you will do your best in your given tasks. At Sejongs words, all the miners bowed deeply once again and replied, We will devote our lives! After Sejongs instructions, the miners then scattered across the country. The miners, who packed their belongings and left the pce, checked the list of minerals they needed to find. Gold, silver, copper, iron I get it, but coal? Whats this? Ah! Ive heard of that. They say its a shiny ck stone that burns? They use it for fuel in Ming, right? They use it in cksmith shops too. A stone that burns? Well, thats peculiar. Sulfur? Is this even found in our country? We wouldnt be looking for it if we knew, would we? Limestone? Isnt this just amon stone? Is there any use for this? As they shared their opinions on the list, the miners soon focused their attention on one corner of the list. Report immediately upon finding the following ore too? A shiny ck stone, simr to coal but does not burn and easily crumbles? What is this? It seems familiar yet unfamiliar The mineral that puzzled the miners was an additional item listed by the royal secretary. That mineral was graphite. Trantors Notes Tranting this chapter reminds me of Senku in Dr.Stone in his search of finding all kinds of mineral, chemical stuff??Footnote(s)
  1. Read more on Tsushima Ind and its rtionship with wokou (Japanese pirates) HERE.?
  2. They here referring to the decisions made by the ministers and King Taejong during his reign.?
Kirara Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light novels is just as bright and shiny, and I have a passion for bringing these stories to life through trantion. If my trantions are your cup of tea, kindly consider fueling my passion by purchasing me a Ko-fi or subscribing for early ess to advanced chapters of all my tranted works. More Posts Chapter 39: Laughing and Crying in Devotion (4) Chapter 39: Laughing and Crying in Devotion (4) A ship has arrived in Jemulpo! is it? Did everyonee in without any problems? Thats right. King Sejong, who obtained a falcon for hunting by order of Emperor Yeongnak, dispatched Jineungsa (Mʹ). Naturally, merchants followed the envoys, and they returned with great pleasure. Of course, the gift in return for the falcon offered as tribute was torn off inrge chunks. And as always, half of the money received from the top was used to purchase rice. As arge amount of money was invested, the rice was brought to Jemulpo using ships from the Ming Dynasty. Have the books and supplies arrived? Yes, Crown Prince. If King Sejong and his ministers were interested in grains, Hyangs interesty elsewhere. What Hyang was interested in was the books that recorded Jeong-hwas expeditions and the best items for resale. Two dayster, a huge number of chests entered the pce. Chests were ced in the front yard of Geunjeongjeon, and not only the ministers and ministers but even King Sejong came out to the yard to check the contents. The chests were opened and the schrs of Jiphyeonjeon, who were checking the contents, looked at King Sejong in surprise. Well, Your Highness. These all appear to be originals, not copies. what? * * * Although the coordination was noisy due to the issue of nationwide expansion of cowpox vination, there were a lot of things that needed to be done separately, and King Sejong and the ministers handled them through discussion. How were the issues to be sent to the Ming Dynasty resolved? The eungsang () of the eungbang () have caught five of them and are moving them. King Sejong frowned and responded to the ministers answers. There are five It must have been a lot of hardship for the responders and the people. I am devastated. Lets study thepensation system for this. I follow your orders. After resolving the issue of the falcon to be offered as tribute, King Sejong and the ministers moved on to the next item on the agenda. What would you like to receive in return for offering a falcon as tribute? First of all, sulfur and copper would be best. The Minister of Military Affairs did not want to miss the moment and mentioned sulfur. In a situation where gunpowder weapons became increasingly important, the supply of sulfur and copper was essential. However, since sulfur was not produced in Joseon, most of it had to be obtained from China and Japan, making supply difficult. The same was true for copper. No, copper was more difficult than sulfur. Copper was also not produced in Joseon, and the problem was that copper was a mineral that was not easy to export because of therge amount of internal consumption in the Ming and Japanese countries. In the end, copper and sulfur ounted for thergest portion of the tribute trade between Ming and Joseon, with books and cotton cloth ounting for the remainder. After continued discussion, a major consensus was reached by requesting sulfur and copper ording to the opinion of the Minister of Defense. And what else would you like? As soon as King Sejong spoke, a scent came out. There is a book you must get! A book you must get? Hyangs remarks attracted the attention of King Sejong and the ministers. So what book was it? Arent there a lot of scriptures in Joseon as well? It is not scripture. Here is Jeonghwas voyage record. Jeonghwas voyage record? When King Sejong expressed doubt, Yejo Panseo pretended to know. ah! Among the emperors eunuchs, there is a man named Jeonghwa. But what are the sailing records? They say he went on an expedition with a fleet under the emperors orders. ah! Gwain also heard the rumor. King Sejong nodded at Yejo Panseos answer. It wasnt just Sejong. Most ministers also nodded. In the 5th year of King Taejongs reign, the government was in an uproar due to rumors that a eunuch who had received orders from Emperor Yongle was going on an expedition with an extremelyrge fleet of ships. At that time, the Joseon Dynasty government was on high alert when it received information that such a huge fleet was to beunched. -What is the destination of that great fleet? Is it Joseon? Or is it Waeguk? While Taejong and the royal court were keeping watchful eyes, word was heard that the fleet in question was heading for a ce farther out in the open ocean, neither Joseon nor Japan. Only after confirming that the rumor was true were King Taejong and the government able to rx. But why do you need those navigation records? In response to Sejongs question, Hyang looked rather confused. yes? Why do you need it? It is worth a thousand pounds! Sejong asked the question, but Hyangs blood pressure rose when he saw that the ministers were also making simr expressions. This guy, no! These guys are real! Hyang, who realized the seriousness of the situation, exined why Jeonghwas navigation records were important. -Jeonghwa visited countries that our Joseon Dynasty could not go to, and that record is the voyage record. -If we get the records, we can find out which countries have what our country needs. -Its not just countries that know. You can reduce trial and error by knowing in advance the route to get there, the time required, and the risks. Hmm Is that so? Hmm maybe so Hmm kkuh After hearing Hyangs exnation, King Sejong shook his head and showed little understanding, but the other ministers showed that they were still not sure. At that sight, Hyangs blood pressure rose and he became depressed. These guys are really theyre not old men from the countryside who dont know whats going on in the world Hyang regained hisposure and gave an easily understandable example. Think of the Gakgung (ǹ), the most important weapon of our Joseon soldiers. The most important material used in gakgung is water buffalo horn. But where can I get this ox shell now? It is mainly obtained from Mingguk. But is Myungguk giving it away easily? Not at all. To Hyangs question, all the ministers answered with one voice. Joseons Gakgung was famous for its powerful power. Because of this, the Ming Dynasty did not sell many buffalo horns, the main material for the horn bow. Because of this, Joseon even talked about selling the water buffalo, but there was no response until now. Therefore, although the Joseon government strictly prohibited smuggling, it actively encouraged smuggling only for buffalo horns. In the end, many of the buffalo horns that Joseon needed had to be imported through Japan and Yugu. When the ministers immediately understood, Hyang added. Are there water buffaloes only found in Gangnam? Although they exist in the southern region of Japan and Yugu, I heard that water buffalo aremon in Daewol (Խ) and Seomragok (Thands old name). In particr, in the case of Seomra Gok-guk, envoys came during the reign of King Taejo, but there was no proper trade after that. whats the reason? Isnt it because you didnt know the way to get there? ah! At Hyangs words, all the ministers gasped in exmation. It was something that was also in their memories. * * * During the reign of King Taejo, an envoy came from Thand and offered tribute, and although King Taejo was also interested in trade, he did not achieve any significant results, and in the end, it ended with Yuyamuya (ҮoҮ). No, Yuyamuya was also a good expression. At the time, most of the ministers thought, Ive been scammed! In addition, most of the ministers who ran the government from King Taejo to King Sejong believed thatmerce was one of the biggest causes of Goryeos copse. C The government became corrupted as powerful families in league with merchants indulged in extravagance, and all of the damage fell on the powerless ordinary people. Thanks to sharing such thoughts, the ministers of the government and the nobles of the private family moved as follows based on Neo-Confucianism. -In order to avoid such a situation, noblemen must be frugal, and the country must be based on the principle of no effort, no effort, no effort. As they said, the main source of ie for the noble ss, who were intellectuals andndowners, was crops produced by farmers. In the end, the hardships of life for ordinary people, including farmers, did not change much. In the end, there was a conflict between the ministers and the government who ran the government based on that way of thinking, which led to the purge of the ministers, ambassadors, and ministers. In the end, Hyangs im was epted and it was decided to obtain Jeonghwas navigation records. Then, the envoy departed for Beijing with a cage containing falcons. * * * Thank you foring. The Emperors favor is in ruin. Under the reign of Emperor Yongle, the magistrates and subordinate magistrates bowed their heads with words of gratitude. Emperor Yongle, who was looking at the falcons in the cage with happy eyes, opened his mouth. okay. I received something precious, so I have to repay it, but what does Joseon want? I want sulfur and copper. In response to the officials reply, Emperor Yongle looked back at the cab minister who had established the city. The Great Master should consult with the envoys and provide an appropriate amount of sulfur and copper. I ept the Emperorsmand. Emperor Yongrak, who gave the order, looked at the Joseon envoys and opened his mouth. And is there anything else you want? I apologize, but I would like a copy of the record of the expedition conducted by Eunuch Jeong-hwa. Hoo? Jeonghwas expedition records? After listening to the interpreter, Emperor Yongle showed curiosity. Why does Joseon want it? In response to Emperor Yongles question, the Emperor bowed deeply and exined the reason. We, Joseon, are a small country located in a corner of the vast world, and we do not know how wide the world is. Thanks to your Majesty the Emperor, such a small country came to know that there are many countries in this world. This alone is something to be ashamed of, but I have heard that Zheng He, under Your Majestys orders, announced Your Majesty the Emperor and the majesty of the Empire to the Four Seas. We, Joseon, havee to know the wideness of the world thanks to the grace of Your Majesty and the Empire, but we are like a frog that has just escaped from a well and does not know the wideness of the Yangtze River. Therefore, I want a copy of the record so that I can know the extent of the Dead Sea and the majesty of the empire that rested on the Dead Sea. It was a statement that made even the interpreter who delivered the words cringe. Of course, this line was not created by the ministers. This was a line that Hyang came up with during a mock conversation held by ministers and even King Sejong. Hyang, who came up with that line, went back to his room and scratched his arms and grumbled. cadet! Its so cringy that it makes me want to grow chicken skin! Chicken meat! I sucked it so wonderfully! Thats what I said, oh! Chicken meat! Fuhahaha! After hearing what was said through the interpreter, Emperor Yongleughed loudly. Emperor Yongle wiped away the tears that had formed fromughing so hard and opened his mouth. This king of Joseon is truly virtuous! You dont know your fractions very well! Better than your father or grandfather! Joseons envoys gritted their teeth at Emperor Yongraks words. However, the envoys tolerated this and bowed their heads. Hwang Eun is devastated! okay! A small country in the corner wants to know the extent of the Dead Sea! Make a copy and send it to Joseon! I ept the Emperorsmand! When the Emperor Yongles order was given, Joseons envoys raised their arms and shouted. Hwang Eun is devastated! Long live, long live, long live! * * * That is how the records written by Jeonghwa came to Joseon. The problem was that the original came, not a copy. Is this an administrative error? Isnt this a problem? When not only King Sejong but also the ministers and ministers were worried about encountering apletely unexpected problem, Jiphyeonjeons schr, who was opening another chest, found a seal. Here is the seal! The magistrate of Yejo, who received the sealed seal in an expensive silk envelope, opened the seal, read the contents, and tilted his head. Something? Here is a letter from the Cab Secretary. Give it to me. King Sejong, who received the letter from the royal inspector, read the contents and looked even more iprehensible. I dont know any more. Hyang intervened in the reactions of Yejo Panseo and King Sejong. Can Soja read it? okay. I want to read it. After receiving the letter, Hyang immediately checked the contents. The content of the letter was simple. -This has gone through legal procedures, so Joseon should not be suspicious and should not inquire. Hyang tilted his head after reading the contents of the letter. No matter how I look at this, I feel No matter how many times I read it, this was the mood the sentence gave off. -Just leave it there! Uh huh! Because its not stolen goods! Just leave it there! And dont open your mouth! Shh! Shh! Uh huh! I told you to just leave it there! As Hyang thought over and over again, she recalled a memory from the 21st century and muttered to herself. As expected, it was Gye-reuk (a)? What do you mean? Crown Prince, do you understand what I mean? When Sejong, who heard Hyang muttering to himself, asked a question, Hyang nodded. Yes, this is my personal opinion, but Hyang began to exin. end Chapter 40: Laughing and Crying in Devotion (5) Chapter 40: Laughing and Crying in Devotion (5) The reason I thought incense was Gyereuk was because of a lecture given by a professor of Chinese history, which I took as a liberal arts subject in college. A professor whose major was Ming and Qing exined the Great Expedition of Purification as follows. -Why did Emperor Yonglek go on a great expedition through Jeonghwa? To know that, you must first know how Emperor Yongle came to power. As you all know, the Yongle Emperor came to power through a change of tribtion. Like most leaders who came to power through a coup, they needed their achievements to boast about to the people of Yeongnak Ind. So what I chose was the Great Expedition of Mongol subjugation and purification. -But why wasnt Jeonghwas great expedition, said to be the greatest adventure of the 15th century, repeatedter? If you think about it a little, the famous Age of Exploration could have appeared first in Asia, not Europe? -This is because the form of foreign trade at the time was not trade but tribute trade. Even if you go to a far away country, there wont be much left behind. On the contrary, even if the messengeres, it is of no use. -Considering the funds that went into Jeonghwas great expedition, tribute trade is not the answer. Once you go on a voyage ande back, you have to give various rewards, repair broken ships, and build new ships that have sunk. Would this be worth a penny or two? -And what was important to Emperor Yongle was the foreign cultural relics brought by Zheng He through his voyage. It was important to show off ones dignity through exotic items. In the end, the voyage itself was not important. -Thats why, after the death of Emperor Yongle, his subjects destroyed the records of the expedition. Im afraid that the new emperor will see that record and start making money again. Because of this, Mings subjects must have thought this was a good idea. King Sejong and the ministers all nodded at Hyangs exnation. It certainly will. I guess so. An expedition requires a huge amount of money. Such an expedition was carried out simultaneously onnd and sea The expedition onnd that King Sejong referred to was the subjugation of the Mongols. There were four subjugations since Emperor Yongle took the throne, and there were rumors that another subjugation was being prepared this year. When he found out the reason why the original came instead of a copy, Yejo Panseo opened his mouth. If its so difficult for a country to erase its records, shouldnt we do it too? Several ministers nodded in response to Yejo Panseos question and smelled incense. We are different from people. The Ming trade in the form of tribute and gifts, but we must move in the form of mutual trade. Mutual trade? Simply put, its uphill. The scent was exined in more detail. -At first the diplomatic envoy will move, but after that it will move around the top. -Because the uppermerce is centered, it bes a trade where we exchange goods that the other country needs and goods that we need. It is not a tribute trade like the Ming Dynasty. -What is the role of coordination here? 1) Providing means of transportation, protecting the top, and collecting fees and taxes in this process. 2) Stabilization of prices through the resale of goods essential to the lives of the people. Judge Hojo tilted his head and intervened in Hyangs exnation. An item that is essential to the lives of the people? Is there such a thing abroad? A considerable amount of this is already happening in our country. No, even if I wasnt born in Joseon, would it really be of any use since Im already used to not having it? Hyang asked back at Judge Hojos words. Old Man Hopan. Dont you know about pepper? ah! In response to Hyangs question, all the ministers, including the Minister of Hojo, showed expressions of understanding. Pepper, brought in by Arab merchants during the Goryeo Dynasty, was a top-ss spice. Garlic and ginger were used to neutralize the spicy smell of the meat, but pepper was a powerful spice that couldpletely change the vor of the dish even in small amounts. And it was that expensive. Thanks to this, most people who did not have money had to eat mainly Cheoncho (, Chopinnamul). After hearing Hyangs exnation, Panseo Hojo nodded and continued to ask questions. I understand that you used hocho as an example, but is it really necessary to import such a product? If we do it wrong, the risk of the people spending their money to buy such products increases and the countrys wealth drains away. There is a risk of that. However, when people have more money, they start looking for good things to eat and wear. However, if you blindly block the outflow of wealth, smuggling will increase. Because it is a smuggling trade, people will pay more to buy it due to the risk, which will cause a vicious cycle of increasing prices. No, it would be fortunate if a vicious cycle of prices simply rising urred. In order to hide smuggling, officials will be bribed. Its the famous frog price. What do you think will happen then? Corruption will be rampant. okay. Judge Hojo nodded at Hyangs exnation. Before merchants were officially involved in envoy travel, much of the trade with foreign countries was smuggling. Sejong, who was listening to the story next to him, nodded and listened to the story. Its the price of a frog so I understand. Hyang bowed her head in response to Sejongs praise. I am devastated. The price of a frog was a Chinese folk tale rted to Lee Gyu-bo, a civil servant during the reign of King Munjong of Goryeo. -Tteumbugi and Oriole were fighting over which of their voices was more beautiful. When they couldnte to a conclusion, the two asked their neighbors stork for a ruling. The stork, who was in charge of the ruling, asked for three days, and during those three days, Deumbugi offered frogs to the stork without the orioles knowledge. In the end, the stork sided with Tteumbugi, and this is where the word Wairyo (D) came from. Funnily enough, King Sejong and his ministers knew about it from old records, but they learned about Hyang through their Koreannguage teacher in high school in the 21st century. -There are things you guys get confused about sometimes. First of all, Wairo and Saba Saba. At first nce, Wairo sounds like Japanese and Sabasaba sounds like Korean, right? In fact, its the opposite. Hyang, energized by Sejongs praise, continued speaking. Ill say it again, if Joseon bes richer and stronger, the lives of its people will also be richer. When life bes abundant, it is human nature to find good and delicious things little by little, no matter how frugal we are. Do you admit it? I admit it. The ministers nodded in response to Hyangs question. So, first of all, we have to resell food, which is the thing that will have the most impact. Now I understand. The ministers nodded at Hyangs words. Hyang, who was watching this, asked Judge Hojo a question. Did you hear during this trip that I asked you to save me some books instead of reducing them? Panseo Hojo, who was looking through a book listing items, answered the question. Im in. There are 20 chests back there. Is that so! Its more than I expected! Hyang was pleased with Judge Hojos answer and ran towards the chests in question. Hyang opened the boxs lid and smiled brightly. also! King Sejong and his ministers, unable to ovee their curiosity, approached the scent because they liked it so much. What was that? Hyang smiled and answered Sejongs question. Candy (sugar) ising! candy! * * * Hyang, who was looking at the list of books that the envoy had found and brought, grumbled softly. Is this because the amount of books I am getting is increasing? After all, if it were a famous country at this time, you wouldnt be able to get a new book. As the number of books brought by envoys decreased, Hyang began to worry. What should I ask you to get? As Hyang was pondering, a te containing medicinal herbs appeared in his eyes. Scent, looking at the te, snapped her fingers. This is it! Lowering? Whats going on? It is nothing! Hyang grumbled in a low voice as he answered the eunuch standing outside the door. This is it I have no privacy. Private life As expected, Mr. Samcheonpo had a big role to y in choosing sugar as the vor. -Sugar was a very precious food ingredient not only during the Goryeo Dynasty but also during the Joseon Dynasty, and if you look at the Annals, you can see how closely the Joseon Dynasty lived. When Queen Soheon, King Munjongs biological mother, fell ill, she wanted to eat sugar, but she could not get it. Thanks to this, there is a story that King Munjong, whoter obtained sugar, offered sugar to his mothers memory and cried profusely During the reign of King Jungjong, an envoy from the Ming came and offered sugar to King Jungjong, saying, In Korea, it is a cheap food that can be bought at the bottom of the market, but in Joseon Dynasty. I am sending it here because it is a valuable item that is only offered at ancestral rites. Although I spoke politely, I said, Yep! You hillbillies! Doesnt that make you feel like, This is sugar!? * * * Making sugar using sugar cane has already been practiced in India since BC. This technology was transferred to China during the Tang Dynasty, and mass production of sugar began during the Song Dynasty. Mass production of sugar began when sugar cane began to be cultivated inrge quantities in the Gangnam region. Afterwards, in China during the Ming Dynasty, using water transport including the Grand Canal, it becamemon enough that even ordinary people consumed sugar in their tea, or in other words, it was supplied at a low price. Are you secretly upset? As I remembered Teacher Samcheonpos words, the scent filled me with heat. The bottom line is sugar! The chili peppers are still a long way off, and thanks to that, even if the bright red and hot spicy taste ister, the sweet-salty-sweet-salty vor is still possible! Wow, only is now a requirement! * * * Candy, this expensive thing Crown, no matter how much of a crown prince you are, such luxury is After hearing that everything contained in the huge number of chests C 20 C was sugar, the ministers and the King Sejong all red at the incense and said a word to each other. However, Hyang smiled and asked Judge Hojo. Old Man Hopan. The purchase cost is written on the item, right? yes. how much? Eh lets see candy candy eh? 20 nyang of silver? How much do all the candies you bought for 20 nyang weigh? 200 pipes (800 kg). King Sejong and the ministers could not close their mouths at Hojopanseos answer. If you wanted to get 200 pipes of sugar from a market in Joseon, you had to pay a huge amount of money. No, it was impossible even for the royal family to obtain 200 pipes of sugar at once. But the crown prince put it into practice. And that too at the bargain price of only 20 nyang. Of course, 20 nyang was not a small amount of money. However, considering it cost 200 pipes of sugar, it was a huge bargain. Thats all sugar, and you only got it for 20 nyang? Yes, Abama. 200 coffins thats a huge amount. They are gold nuggets. Nugget of gold? yes. Maybe its a famous country, but in Joseon, its an expensive item. No, that candy, along with salt, will be a big part of the items to be resold by the government. Those candies could greatly fill the treasury. Very definitely. The ears of King Sejong and the ministers perked up at Hyangs words. After seeing the reaction of King Sejong and the ministers, Hyang first organized the situation. It would be a very long exnation to give right now. How about we start cleaning up here first? I see! In his haste to hear Hyangs exnation, King Sejong gave orders quickly. Schrs of Jiphyeonjeon, take these records and organize them immediately! Organize the locations, routes, climates, customs, habits, special products, etc. of the countries that have gone through purification in a clear and concise manner! And store those candy boxes carefully in the warehouse! I follow your orders! Okay then, Crown Prince! Lets go in! Yes, Abama! King Sejong headed toward Geunjeongjeon, holding Hyangs hand, and the ministers quickly followed behind him. When King Sejong and his ministers disappeared like the wind, only the schrs of Jiphyeonjeon and those who would carry the luggage remained. How many volumes are there in total? As the Jiphyeonjeon schr muttered to himself, the Hojo official next to him searched through a book and answered. A total of 360 volumes. three hundred. Bachelor Jiphyeonjeon, who had a dejected expression on his face, gestured to the porters. Please move the chests that Seochaek heard to Jiphyeonjeon. Yes, Nari. As the chests containing the books began to be moved, Hojos official also gave orders to the porters. Move all these boxes to the warehouse! Yes, sir! end Chapter 41: Laughing and Crying in Devotion (6) Chapter 41: Laughing and Crying in Devotion (6) Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light... Hyang returned to Geunjeongjeon Pce and began to exin to Sejong and the ministers. While listening to Hyangs exnation, the Minister of Personnel asked a question, If there is such a risk, wouldnt it be better not to import it? We have been managing without sugar so far. We already have sweeteners like malt syrup and honey, dont we? In response to the Ministers question, Hyang asked back, Honey is hard toe by, and malt syrup when we dont even have enough rice and barley to eat, is that possible? I see. At Hyangs counter-question, the Minister had to step back. In reality, it took 2kg of white rice to produce 1kg of malt syrup. Yeot[1](a traditional Korean sweet simr to toffee) required even more grains. Hyang, who didnt know this fact even in the 21st century, learned about it at the market. With Sejongs permission to explore the market, Hyang saw a yeot vendor and started haggling. However, hearing the price of the yeot, Hyang was surprised. This is pricey, more than I thought? Despite wearing a traditional overcoat (dopo) and a traditional hat (gat), the young Hyang, who is still young, started questioning the price, and the yeot vendor smiled and answered, Ah! It seems like the young master dont know the market well! Do you know how much barley or rice it takes to make this yeot? And then, the yeot vendor thoroughly exined to Hyang how yeot is made. After hearing the yeot vendors exnation, Hyang nodded his head, I see. I understand well. Then give me some of this hard yeot. Yes, sir. After Hyang who finished the deal left, the yeot vendor tilted his head. Is he a young master Im seeing for the first time? Is there a new nobleman who moved to Hanyang these days? ??? After hearing Hyangs exnation, Sejong and the ministers shared their opinions. Certainly, if we import sugar, it can rece malt syrup and yeot, thereby reducing the waste of rice and barley. I disagree. Sugar is not a product of our Joseon, so our wealth will drain out to foreignnds. However, malt syrup and yeot are made from precious rice and barley, but theye from ournd. This can prevent wealth from going out. I disagree with that opinion. Even now, those who can get sugar can get sugar. However, if wepare the purchase price of the sugar that the Crown Prince purchased, we have to buy it at least dozens of times more expensive. Moreover, since it is a prohibited import item, it is certain to give bribes every time it crosses the border, and this will lead to corruption. Rather, it would be better for the country to monopolize it to reduce corruption and stabilize prices. The ministers, divided into pros and cons, argued fiercely. The argument of the opposition was, Why spend money and import when there are alternatives?, while the proponents argued, Anyway, those who have it are eating it somehow. It is more profitable to bring it in openly! As the two sides were in a deadlock, Hyang asked a question, Has anyone here ever tasted sugar? At Hyangs question, the ministers gaze scattered here and there. I once did a long time ago When I passed the civil service exam Regrettably, I never have At the ministers answers, Hyangs eyes widened in surprise. These gentlemen who only know how to pass gas (lies)! Hyang, who was thinking such, turned to look at Sejong and realized, Now that I think about it, Ive never tasted sugar since I entered the pce! Not only when he was still the Crown Prince, but also sinceing to the pce, Hyang never tasted the unique sweetness of sugar. Having realized this fact, Hyang murmured without realizing, Our Joseon is truly obscure and backward Cough! Hmm! At Hyangs mutterings, the ministers and Sejong coughed awkwardly, their faces turning red. Cough! Crown Prince, our Joseon is frugal, not backward. Although Sejong spoke up, Hyangs face was full of disbelief. Seeing this, Sejong yelled in annoyance, You brat! Believe me, will you! Your Highness, the Crown Prince, what you said is incorrect. Thats right, Your Highness, the Crown Prince. As soon as Sejong finished speaking, the ministers unanimously agreed, supporting his statement. At this, Hyang replied with a slightly sour tone, So you say. You brat! I trust in my fathers words. And I have a request for my father. What is it? Since weve received sugar, how about distributing it as a reward to the ministers and pce staff? Distribute it as a reward? At Hyangs words, the ministers eyes began to sparkle. Just like the eyes of children looking at their father who brought home chicken, Hyang nced at the twinkling eyes of the ministers, court officials, and pce staff, and exined his reasoning: They have been taking care of state affairs and the pce with all their heart and effort. It would be nice to acknowledge their hard work and share a little. Hmm Sejong, who had been pondering Hyangs words for a moment, nodded. Thats a good idea. So how would you like to distribute it? Depending on their rank, how about distributing from 1 doe (1.8L) to 1 hop (0.18L)? Sejong, who had been calcting for a moment, nodded at Hyangs words. That seems fair. Let the Minister of Taxation do so. Your grace is boundless! No sooner had the Minister of Taxations praise ended, the ministers, as well as the pce staff, shouted in unison. Your grace is boundless! That day, when the work was over, not only the ministers but also the pce staff, pcedies, and the soldiers guarding the pce received sugar as a reward. Your Highness! Your grace is boundless! Your grace is boundless! May Your Highness live a thousand years! Live a thousand years! Long live the Crown Prince! Everyone who received the sugar eximed in unison in gratitude, Long live the Crown Prince! The courtdies and soldiers in the East Pce bowed their heads in thanks every time they saw Hyang. Your Highness the Crown Prince, we are immensely humbled by your kind gift of sugar! Were humbled! Thats enough, enough. Make your families happy with it. ??? Following Hyangs words, the family heads who received the sugar returned home with renewed vigor in their steps. Please take this. What is it? Its sugar. Oh my! How can we ept such a valuable gift? His Majesty, the Crown Prince, praised you for your good work! Oh my! Such an honor! I was just thinking about taking a bath today! Hmph! But Im a bit tired today While every household that received sugar was having their own joyous time, Hyang was conversing with Sejong. Side note, these deep night conversations that had be almost a daily urrence were thest hurdle for the officials to ovee. Are you not concerned about giving away such precious sugar? Im not. It was a necessary step to monopolize the sugar trade. A necessary step? Sejong, who had been mulling over Hyangs words, looked at Hyang sharply. You cunning fellow! Was it a bribe? To Sejongs remark, Hyang replied with a smile. ??? Whether the bribe worked or not, before long, the officials approved the monopoly of the sugar trade. Then, as soon as the construction of the Joseon office in Shandong ispleted, import sugar. But dont forget to establish the monopoly bureau before that. We obey yourmand! In the midst of tirelessly overseeing political affairs, the vacant seats were filled. The positions of the Left and Right State Councilors were filled by the famous Maeng Sa-seong and Hwang Hui, who rose to high ranks about 2 years earlier than in the original history. Hyang, upon hearing the news, muttered quietly, Are Sejongs Avengers finally emerging? At the gathering where the new officers filled the vacant seats and paid their respects, Sejong warned his ministers. You all know why the previous upants of your positions had to step down. Keep that in mind as you serve in state affairs, and help this Joseon thrive. We will engrave it in our bones and hearts! Meanwhile, Hyang was deep in thought about a new problem. Ive always been curious about something. Is our King Sejongs talent pool small, or are talents scarce in this era? Hyang, lost in thought, came to a conclusion. No matter how I see it, King Sejongs talent pool seems very narrow. The evidence is clear in the consorts Hyang had evidence to support her conclusion. And that evidence was King Sejongs consorts. Specifically, Many other consorts had simr paths to be royal consorts. Seeing this, Hyang shook her head and muttered, Does he favor these women because he sees them often, or does he choose ording to his preference and then ce them by parachute drop? Upon further observation, Hyang came to a new conclusion. Whether its about consorts or appointments this man is a procrastinator! From Hyangs perspective, if King Sejong had lived in the 21st century, he would have been the perfect introverted loner or professional procrastinator. Unlike his grandfather Taejo or Yi Seong-gye, his father Yi Bang-won, and his other brothers who enjoyed vigorous sports like polo or hunting, the only sport King Sejong enjoyed was chuiwan (a game simr to golf). Golf can be quite a workout, but its iparable to polo or hunting. What Sejong loved most was reading, pondering, and especially studying policies for the future of Joseon. Moreover, the personnel selection process in Joseon was quite exhausting. You! Be my Minister! Yes, sir! Thank you, sir!
(This part is in English in the raws)
Such situations never happened. Whether due to old age or disease, or events like purges, if a position became vacant, the king wouldmand his officials, Rmend suitable sessors. As youmand! When suitable candidates were selected, the auditors clung to them. Auditors from the Office of Censors and the Office of Inspectors scrutinized everything from the candidates work records to their reputations and presented the results to the king. This candidate cant do it for this reason, and that candidate cant do it for that reason This process was tiring not only for the candidates but also for the king. So, was our King Sejong tired of this, and thats why he overused Hwang Hui? Hyang tilted her head. In actual history, Hwang Hui was a great talent but also the main character of various scandals. Naturally, there were continuous impeachments from auditors, but Sejong did not let go of Hwang Hui until the end. In the end, Hyang concluded,
-Sejongs insistence on Hwang Hui was due to hispetence, but it was also because the personnel selection process that had to be faced after dismissing him was bothersome!
??? After Hyang imported arge amount of sugar, its consumption in the pce continued on arge scale. Starting from Sejong, the royal family began to add sugar to the tea they drank or served, and sugar started being used as a sweetener in food. Particrly, the food that became sweet and salty from the sugar incited Sejongs taste buds. Anticipating this, Hyang ordered that almost no sugar should be added to Sejongs meals, but Sejong enjoyed sugar in various ways. Has this gentleman forgotten the saying moderation? Hyang, witnessing Sejongs love for sugar, once again rolled up his sleeves. Your Majesty. I heard you have been eating a lot of sugar recently. I dont think Ive eaten that much? I just add a bit to my tea. What about the rice cake and that sugar cube ced next to the teacup! Huh Hyang, after a deep breath, began to press Sejong.??Footnote(s)
  1. Something like a hard sugar candy?
Kirara Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light novels is just as bright and shiny, and I have a passion for bringing these stories to life through trantion. If my trantions are your cup of tea, kindly consider fueling my passion by purchasing me a Ko-fi or subscribing for early ess to advanced chapters of all my tranted works. More Posts Chapter 42: Laughing and Crying in Devotion (7) Chapter 42: Laughing and Crying in Devotion (7) Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light... As Ive mentioned before, sugar not only pleases the pte but also helps prevent food spoge. Moreover, when you are exhausted, consuming a moderate amount can quickly restore your energy. However, eating too much can lead to significant side effects. First, it damages the teeth. It also leads to obesity. Cough! At Hyangs words, King Sejong coughed awkwardly. He had been gaining some belly fattely. Regardless, Hyang continued, And, the most significant side effect is that it can cause diabetes. Didnt the physician diagnose signs of diabetes in Your Majesty not long ago? Cough! Okay. Ill moderate my intake. Even though King Sejong waved a white g, Hyang didnt stop. I couldnt sleep after hearing about the signs of diabetes in Your Majesty. So, I went through the medical books. If diabetes worsens, it can cause eye diseases leading to blindness. Then, you wouldnt be able to read, which you love I told you Id moderate! King Sejong became irritated, but Hyang continued nevertheless, An even bigger problem is impotence! Impotence? At King Sejongs question, Hyang silently nced at his lower body. Following Hyangs gaze, King Sejong quietly pushed a candy jar aside. Seeing this, Hyang arrived at the conclusion. Its hard to quit due to the sweetness of sugar. Thats true. Medical books pointed out this too, but the best remedy for diabetes is to reduce the intake of candy as much as possible, and to exercise. Exercise? Yes. Besides skipping rope, you should take long walks, and increase your muscle strength. Increase my muscle strength. The medical books say Bones are like the pirs of a house, and muscles are like its walls. Just as a house with strong pirs but thin walls cant resist the heat and cold, if your muscle strength is weak, you cant resist disease.'' Increase muscle strength. Got it. I will do so. Your Majestys understanding is profound. Your muscles will know well about this issue. I got it. So, Hyangs King Sejongs Longevity Project was reinforced. Hyangs final goal was simple. If losing weight is difficult, lets make you a healthy pig! ??? As the empty spots were filled, the court affairs began to speed up. Just as the nationwide smallpox vination was nearing its end, a new debate began in the court. The new issue was cattle. The nationwide smallpox vination requiredrge quantities of cattle infected with smallpox. This was solved by the nationalndowners voluntarily culling their cattle. As a result, we received 1153 cattle. We need to think about how to handle these cattle. 1153, thats a lot. Hmm After pondering for a while, King Sejong gave an order to Chief Eunuch. Call the Crown Prince. Yes, Your Majesty. Shortly after, Hyang, summoned, entered the hall. Father, did you call me? As Hyang who showed respect took his seat, King Sejong broached the main subject. This is the situation. Crown Prince, what would you do with these cattle? Pondering King Sejongs question for a moment, Hyang asked the Minister of Taxation, Whats the gender ratio among these cattle? Answering the Crown Princes question, the old man flipped through the book he brought. There are 470 pairs of male and female. 470 pairs make 940 so the remainder is 213. Thats correct. Hmm Hyang, who had been doing some calctions, soon reached a conclusion, Father. How about creating cattle and pig farms across the eight provinces of Joseon? Raise cattle and pigs? Yes. Divide the whole area of our Joseon into north and south, and east and west, assigning two locations each, a total of 8 cattle farms, including another one in Neobeol Ind, to make 9 cattle farms in total. Then, allocate 50 pairs of cattle to each cattle farm. After about 2-3 years, we should be able to raise more than 100 cattle per farm, right? Would that be so? Can you imagine how beneficial that would be? Hyang exined the reasons for setting up cattle farms. While exining this part, Hyang added, Whats important here is that many people are ustomed to viting the cow ban[1]. The cow ban is also aw in the country. If viting such aw bes a daily routine, people will take the countrysws lightly, and they will inevitably take andmit more serious crimes lightly. Upon hearing Hyangs words, King Sejong and the ministers nodded. Hyang continued speaking, By supplying cattle and pigs inrge quantities, the nomads can be fully absorbed as the people of Joseon. By managing and operating the cattle farms, and handling the butchery in each vige, the issue of constant production is resolved. In doing so, the court can gain justification for dealing with the nomads. Will these nomads really agree? To the question of the Right State Councilor Maeng Sa-seong, Hyang answered resolutely, Anyone with a head would agree. Dont we have the example of Seodori, the headman of Neobeol Ind? Ah Upon hearing Hyangs words, the ministers nodded. While carrying out smallpox vinations nationwide, King Sejong acknowledged Soedoris contribution and granted him a surname. I grant you the surname U. The reason I give you this surname Yu ([2]) is not because you are foolish. Its because youve persistently kept your promise like the old man in the old saying y gng y shn (޹ɽ)[3]. I highly respect that, hence I give you the surname Yu. I hope that you continue to faithfully keep your duty. Sejong not only personally called him to Gyeongbokgung Pce and gave him a surname, but also exined the reason. Soedori, who couldnt contain his joy, wept bitterly, Oh! Your Majestys grace, Your Majestys grace is infinite! Sob! Sob! Long live the King! Long live! Long live forever! After a round of tearful celebration and when Soedoris emotions had settled, King Sejong asked a question, Yu headman, are you of nomadic (hwacheok) origin? Thats correct. Ive heard that it is the custom of the nomadic people to wander, so how did you settle down? My grandfather did so, I heard. He said it is natural to follow thews of a ce to which youve migrated hence, he found a way to earn a living and ended up bing a cattle farmer. Your grandfather was indeed a wise man, Sejong murmured, recovering hisposure. How nice it wouldve been if all the nomads were like your grandfather. The nomads were a thorn in the side of Joseon to the extent that Sejongmented about them. Despite having infiltrated into Joseon quite some time ago, they couldnt let go of their nomadic customs and became alienated from Joseon society. As a result, theymitted theft, robbery, arson, murder, and so on, as they moved around in groups. ??? The policy Hyang put forth using the example of Yu Seodori was quite radical. We should assign them the operations of cattle farming and ughtering, sort out the poption registry, levy taxes, and impose military duties. By doing so, they will surely settle down as citizens of Joseon. However, if they still resist, despite this policy, they should be punished and annihted. At Hyangs statement, Sejong and the ministers wore serious expressions. Isnt annihtion a bit excessive? It seems too harsh even considering humanity and justice. However, Hyangs response was cold. These people, despite living on thisnd for hundreds to tens of years, make light of ourws and customs. A stern response is necessary! The reason why Hyang made such a im was because of the reality of Joseon, whereints rted to the crimesmitted by the nomads were constantly being raised, and because of the refugee problem he had experienced in the 21st century. While Sejong and the ministers were pondering over Hyangs words, the Minister of Law Enforcement spoke up, I think the Crown Princes opinion is reasonable. Looking at theints that reach the Ministry of Law Enforcement, at least half of the perpetrators of heinous crimes such as murder and robbery nationwide are the nomads. If we dont solve this, public sentiment will be disturbed. Thats true, but Consider the Hui ethnics. Although they possess foreign religions and customs, arent they following our Joseonws faithfully? After both Hyang and the Chief Secretary agreed, Sejong and the ministers fell deeper into thought. After repeated contemtion, Sejong made a decision. Honestly, it was necessary to make a decision about the nomads. Lets sort this out on this asion. We will obey yourmand! Thus, a hard-line policy against the nomads was decided. ?? As the issue concerning the ughterhouses was decided, Hyang started talking about the final reason why we need ughterhouses. Thest reason we need ughterhouses is for national defense. National defense? Upon the unexpected mention of national defense, King Sejong and the ministers pricked up their ears. Yes, for national defense. Firstly, we need it for the soldiers provisions. Upon looking at the documents Ive gathered, I found this passage. While grains offer immediate energy, they also result in rapid hunger. Its akin to kindling that ignites quickly, burns intensely, but soon diminishes. On the other hand, meat resembles a sturdy log, requiring time to ignite, yet once it does, it provides sustained energy. Hyang proceeded after a brief pause, stating, Inparing the Ming dynasty to our own Joseon, it bes evident that our people consume a greater amount of food. When our army mobilizes, a significant portion of the space is upied by provisions for the soldiers. This is primarily due to our grain-based diet. Thus, it is imperative for us to produce preserved foods such as beef or pork jerky and salted meat, which can be supplied to the military. The words of Hyang prompted thoughtful expressions and approving sounds from King Sejong and the ministers, who stroked their beards in agreement. Although they did not offer a verbal response, their countenances conveyed a message of concurrence, as if to say, Hmm, that sounds reasonable. Hyang proceeded to present his final point, Moreover, it is of utmost importance that we harness the potential of cattle and pig manure to create fertile fields. Presently, the collection of feces, urine, and soil from private hearths yields a meager amount in our Joseon. This scarcity arises from the fact that farmers utilize them as fertilizers in their fields, leading to perpetual conflicts between farmers and officials. However, by establishing ughterhouses and collecting the manure of cattle and pigs, we can generate vast expanses of fertilend without imposing hardships on the popce. I see! What a brilliant n! King Sejong and his ministers, particrly the Minister of Law Enforcement, expressed strong approval. However, the Minister of Taxation, who had been silently contemting, raised a counter-argument. While the Crown Princes proposal ismendable, there is one issue regarding livestock feed. Cows pose no problem as they solely consume grass, but pigs are a different story. Pigs have voracious appetites yet yield less meat. Moreover, they spoil quickly in the summer. Setting aside taste considerations Upon hearing the Minister of Taxations words, Hyang concurred, saying, I agree. However, during your visit to the Ming Dynasty as an envoy, did you happen to see their pigs? Yes, I did. What were the pigs like in the Ming Dynasty? Did you observe them? I caught sight of them a few times while procuring books for the Crown Prince. Well, to exaggerate a bit, they were asrge as houses. Then, couldnt we simply import breeding pigs from the Ming Dynasty? But wouldnt theirrger size result in increased food consumption? The discussion between Hyang and the Minister of Taxation grew more heated, capturing the keen interest of King Sejong and the other ministers. To address that concern, we can cultivate soybeans in the fields adjacent to the ughterhouse. Soybeans thrive with ample water, and ughterhouses require significant amounts of it. However, that would necessitate additionalnd separate from the ughterhouse site. Upon hearing this, Hyang promptly proposed an alternative. In that case, we can negotiate with localndlords to rent theirnd. Would thendlords readily agree? They are barely managing to grow rice and barley on their farnd. We could lease exhaustednd. Ive heard that cultivating beans in a field restores its fertility. Upon hearing Hyangs suggestion, the Minister of Personnel diligently conducted calctions. Afterpleting the assessment, the Minister of Personnel nodded approvingly. It appears to be entirely feasible.??Footnote(s)
  1. Cow ban refers to a historicalw implemented during the Joseon Dynasty in Korea, which prohibited the ughter of cows. The Joseon Dynasty, whichsted from 1392 to 1897, was characterized by a strict social hierarchy and Confucian ideology. Thisw was primarily driven by Confucian principles that emphasized the importance of agriculture and the value of oxen as essential animals for farming. In an agrarian society like Joseon, oxen were crucial for plowing fields and transporting goods. By prohibiting the ughter of cows, thew aimed to ensure a stable agricultural base and prevent the depletion of valuable working animals.?
  2. It means foolish or ignorant. Other connotation would be humility or simplicity.?
  3. ޹ɽ (y gng y shn) is a well-known Chinese idiom that trantes to The Foolish Old Man Moves a Mountain in English. Ites from a popr Chinese folktale that carries a moral lesson. The story goes that there was an old man named Yu Gong who lived with his family at the foot of two massive mountains, named Taihang and Wangwu. The mountains obstructed their way and made their lives difficult. Yu Gong, despite being old and considered foolish by others, was determined to ovee this obstacle. He decided to move the mountains, believing that with persistence, they could be relocated. When Yu Gongs determination and perseverance reached the ears of the gods, they were moved by his unwavering spirit. The gods decided to help him and sent two divine beings to move the mountains away.?
Kirara Hi there! My name is Kirara and as you might have guessed, I absolutely adore everything that sparkles. My love for reading webnovels and light novels is just as bright and shiny, and I have a passion for bringing these stories to life through trantion. If my trantions are your cup of tea, kindly consider fueling my passion by purchasing me a Ko-fi or subscribing for early ess to advanced chapters of all my tranted works. More Posts Chapter 43 Chapter 43 When the Minister of Taxation reached a positive conclusion, the situation proceeded smoothly. Then lets try to operate the cattle farm, the bean field, and the pasture. As King Sejong was about to conclude, the Left State Councilor, Hwang Hui, intervened. Your Majesty, I think it is premature to build cattle farms nationwide. Why? Although the expressions of Sejong and the ministers became sharp, Hwang Hui firmly continued, The Crown Princes intention is indeed magnificent, but the environment is still insufficient. To build a cattle farm, we need vastnd and water, but if you look at the situation in the Eight Provinces of Joseon, suchnds are already upied by rice paddies and fields. If we make cattle farms, we have to take away these farnds, which will inevitably cause bacsh from the people. That makes sense. At Hwang Huis point, Sejong nodded. He had hastily made a decision in the hope of creatingrge pastures, and Hwang Hui had pointed that out. So, what would the Left State Councilor like to do? We already have a royal cattle farm on Yeomul Ind, so lets start operating the cattle farm and pasture there first, let the nomads defectors gain experience there, and then expand to the entire Eight Provinces. In the meantime, the court should buy suitablend for cattle farming. At Hwang Huis words, one of the ministers raised an objection. Dont you think we can raise cattle and pigs even without a vast in? Arent hills and slopes near springs also usable as cattle farms and pastures? What about Daegwallyeong1 Farm! At the ministers point, Hwang Hui immediately exined why it was impossible. Of course, you can do that. However, if you release cattle and pigs in such areas, they will most likely be prey to tigers and bears. Ah! Not only the minister at Hwang Huis point but also Sejong and all the ministers sighed. At this time, the mountains of Joseon belonged to tigers and bears. Bears did not cause much damage, but tigers often came down to the vige and caused harm. Reports of tigersing down to the vige and taking away livestock or people came up at least four to five times a year. Each time, the court had to dispatch a tiger-hunting soldier. Hmm The problem of tigers. As Sejong expressed regret, Hwang Hui reiterated his opinion. In addition to that reason, the issue of the nomadic defectors must also be clearly resolved. They are adept at riding and fighting regardless of gender or age. In order to assimte them with our Joseonmoners, their temperament must be pacified. By teaching them how to herd cattle at the cattle farm on Yeomul Ind and pacifying them, there will be no major disturbances in the future. Will Yeomul Ind be big enough to amodate numerous cattle and pigs, the nomads, and those who will manage them? At Sejongs question, the Minister of Personnel responded immediately, Its perfectly possible! However, even a little bit of the Han River water can be covered up with sand2, so we need to prepare for that, in case it happens. It will be quite a project. In response to Sejongsment, Hyang proposed a measure, Anyway, it is now spring. As I mentioned before, we can give rice to the people who have run out of grain, and if we enforce corve, it will be sufficient. Before Hyang could finish, the Minister of Justice interjected. If we mobilize the residents of Hanyang, Geumcheon district, and Bupyeong districts, we should be able to build the embankment. Is that so? In response to the Minister of Law Enforcement, Hwang Hui questioned him, Neobeul Ind is vast, is it possible with the people from three ces? In response to Hwang Huis question, the Minister of Justice answered, It is definitely difficult toplete it at once. However, if we build wooden fences this year, and reinforce them with stones and soil next spring, it should be finished in 3 or 4 years. Therefore, it should not be too burdensome for the people. The ministers all calcted in their heads. After roughly calcting, they all responded in unison. It seems that the Minister of Law Enforcement n is right. Lets proceed that way. By the way, Crown Prince. Yes, Father. When I think back to what you said earlier, there are 433 cows left excluding the ones to be sent to the cattle ranch. What do you n to do with them? In response to Sejongs question, Hyang answered briefly, How about vinating the people who have contracted smallpox? Vinating? Yes, even after vination, the fever persists for a while, and they must rest. I see. It is now spring. As I mentioned before, we need to repair the dam and reservoirs. It will require a lot of energy. Even if we distribute rice, their strength will definitely wane. I thought it would be good to give them beef to boost their energy. Hmm After considering Hyangs response, Sejong looked at the ministers. What do you think of this proposal? In response to Sejongs question, the ministers who had been calcting various things all responded in unison. We think its a very good idea. Then lets proceed that way. ??? That evening, after the meeting of Sejong and the ministers ended, the Minister of Taxation visited Donggungjeon Pce. You did great work today. At Hyangspliment, the Minister of Taxationughed and shook his head. It was nothing. I am rather regretful for not having thought of such a thing sooner. No, its because you didnt oppose it that things went smoothly. Hyangs mind wandering about the pigs, started when he visited Neobeul Ind because of the smallpox problem. The cksmith was washing the cows clean to vinate them against smallpox, and he took out a silver needle. Ah! I have prepared needles and various other things. Ah! Is that so? Hyang rummaged through his sleeve and pulled out a small case containing a silver needle, and another case. I understand the needle case, but what is this? Its cotton soaked in alcohol. After finishing the sterilization process and vinating procedure, Hyang took a moment to check on the animals being raised on Neobeol Ind. Is this a pig? Yes, it is. Hyang, having seen the pigs running around in front of him, looked back at the rock. Have they all grown up? Yes, they have. Wow Hyang couldnt believe his eyes. My goodness! Pigs have a slender body line! And why are they so small! The pigs running around in front of his eyes were small and slim. Returning to the pce, Hyang was immersed in thought. I need a lot ofrd for my n but with the pigs in this condition To solve the pig problem, Hyang called over the Minister of Taxation who had been leading the envoys to Ming. Together, they devised a n that was passed today. As the Minister of Taxation was about to leave after finishing the conversation with Hyang, he asked a question, By the way. Yes? Why are you looking for pigs? Pork is tasty, but isnt it notparable to beef? At the mans question, Hyang chuckled and replied, Pork is delicious in its own way. However, whats important to me isnt the pork, but therd. Ah? Youll understand in due course. Yes I see. Take care. As he saw off the Minister of Taxation, Hyang muttered softly, Soap may be clich, but soap isnt my priority. Its the byproduct that matters. And that applies to paper as well. ??? When Sejongs order was passed on, fortunate cows were brought up to Hanyang from all over the country. The remaining cows were assigned one each to the viges with many people throughout the country. Following the magistrates orders, the vigers surrounding the designated viges gathered. The magistrate read Sejongs promation at the gathering where everyone, young and old, was present. Therefore, you should ughter this cow, make a soup to nourish your body. Once you have regained your strength, sincerely repair the dam and reservoir. If there is no dam or reservoir, create new ones to prepare for a drought. As soon as the magistrates announcement ended, the people, who seemed eager, raised their arms and shouted cheers. Long live the king! Long live! Long live! Long live forever! Long live! The people were excited and shouted out the cheers. Then, amoner stepped forward and ughtered the cow. The ughtered cow was divided ording to the size of the vige, and soon a feast began in each vige. Once the vige feast was over, the magistrate mobilized the strong men and started the water management work. Repair the dam and reservoir! Dig a canal and create a reservoir! Dig a well! Amidst the peopleboring and sweating in each vige for the public works, the relief rice sent by the state arrived. The officials from the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Public Works who came with the relief rice stayed at the county office, distributing the rice ording to the poption registry they made while conducting smallpox vinations, and meticulously recorded the repairs or construction of the dams, reservoirs, canals, and wells. Not only themon people were busy while the public works were going on. Landlords, who had been rmed by previous incidents, opened their purses and ughtered cows and pigs. Eat these while working. Thank you, noble sir! We will eat well! As a result of the peoples efforts, the old dams and reservoirs were newly repaired, and a significant number of new reservoirs and dams were built. Looking at the water filling up in the repaired dams, reservoirs, and canals, the farmers swelled with hope. This year, the farming will definitely go well. ??? May 6th. I will follow yourmand. Upon receiving His Majestysmand, the Assistant Secretary of State Affairs called for Jang Yeong-sil, who was in the Royal Attire Bureau. His Majesty has ordered to make a water clock. So gather capable people and make the water clock. I will follow yourmand, Jang Yeong-sil replied, bowing his waist. ??? Meanwhile, Hyang, who had heard the news, clenched his fist tightly. Its here! Its really here! Excited, he started to rummage through the scrolls stacked in one corner of the study. After searching for a while, Hyang, who had found what he wanted, called for the inner servant. Inner servant! Yes, Your Highness! I must go to Royal Attire Bureau! Guide me there! Yes, Your Highness! Upon arriving at Royal Attire Bureau, Hyang immediately searched for Jang Yeong-sil. Who is Officer Jang Yeong-sil? At Hyangs question, one of the officials hurriedly came forward and answered, Officer Jang is currently at the water clock. Ill call him right away. No, dont. We shouldnt casually summon busy people. Did you say hes at the water clock? Yes, Your Highness. I see. Well, carry on then. Hyang immediately headed towards the water clock. ??? Is that him? At the spot where Hyangs gaze was directed, a man who seemed to have just entered his 40s was observing a water clock. Next to him was a piece of paperid out with sketches of various mechanisms drawn on it. Are you Officer Jang Yeong-sil? Turning his head at the sound of Hyangs voice from behind, the man quickly stood up from his seat and paid his respects as soon as he saw Hyang. I am humbly in the presence of His Highness the Crown Prince! Humbly If Officer Jang Yeong-sil of the fifth rank says that he is humble, people will criticize. Your Highness is too gracious! Hyang, who had moved quietly to the side of Jang Yeong-sil, began a conversation while looking at the water clock. Have you been watching the water clock? Yes, Your Highness. What do you think? Can you understand how it moves? I think I roughly understand it. Is that so? Then could you easily create it? Scratching his head at Hyangs question, Jang Yeong-sil replied, Its a bit difficult to calcte the numbers. Thats a problem. Hyangs face became serious at Jang Yeong-sils answer. Look here! Im terrible at advanced maths! If youre like that too, what should we do! While Hyang was contemting a solution to the sudden problem, Jang Yeong-sil proposed an answer, However, if Sir Jeong Cho could help a little Sir Jeong Cho? He is currently the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. I see! I just remembered! Having found the solution to the problem, Hyang handed a roll of parchment to Jang Yeong-sil. What is this? Its a clock Ive thought of. A clock? That water clock is too bulky. Therefore, this is a clock that measures time in a different way. What Hyang had designed was a mechanical clock that used falling weight as an energy source. Hmm As he looked at the blueprint Hyang handed over, Jang Yeong-sils expression grew more and more serious. While he had known that the crown prince was famous for his entric behavior, he had not expected it to be this much. A clock is not an easy thing to make, how absurd However, the moment he saw the first page of the blueprint, Jang Yeong-sil had to discard his prejudice. After scrutinizing the blueprints several times, Jang Yeong-sil looked back at Hyang. Did Your Highness design this? To be honest, about 30% of it was made using the foreign peoples knowledge.
To be precise, its 100% 21st-century knowledge
Because the mechanical clock using weights was not too difficult, various blueprints could be found on the inte in the 21st century. Not only using wood or iron, but even designs made with stic or origami were circting. In such circumstances, Hyang, who was a fan of knowledge, couldnt just pass it by. __________ ??Footnotes
  1. One of the most important sheep farm situated in Gangwon province.[?]
  2. I guess it means something like, nond is big enough if theres a major influx of people all of a sudden.[?]
___________ Chapter 44 Chapter 44 Hyang continued exining to Jang Yeong-sil1, who was buried in the blueprints. As you can see, Ive divided it based on 12 sections,, then divided the middle in half to indicate the beginning, and then divided that in half again. So, the smallest unit is 2 gak 2. I understand. But theres a problem. Its difficult to connect it to the device that tells time by sound. I wish you could handle this one. But, we have just received amand from His Royal Majesty right now Isnt it the same clock, after all? Think of it as a warm-up before you build the big one. And, Ill exin it well to His Majesty. Dont worry. At Hyangs words, Jang Yeong-sil began to ponder. Seeing Jang Yeong-sils serious face, Hyang was inwardly pleading and pleading again. Please do it, just do it! As if unaware of Hyangs feelings, Jang Yeong-sil, who had been pondering, opened his mouth, To be honest, I really want to make the Crown Princes clock. But, there is a strictmand from His Royal Majesty That problem! Ill solve it! Hyang hastily cut off Jang Yeong-sils words. Huh? What? Ill solve the problem regarding His Majesty! And, you said the calctions were difficult, didnt you? Do you know someone who is good at that? Taken aback by the sudden shift, Jang Yeong-sil stuttered in response, We have Officer Jeong Cho from the Ministry of Rites, and Officer Jeong In-ji3from the Hall of Worthies, and Ive heard that even Il-cheon from the Ministry of Law Enforcement is good at arithmetic calctions, and umm Thats enough! Got it. Keep those blueprints safe! Huh? What? What? Your Highness? Your Highness! Holding the blueprints that Hyang practically threw at him, Jang Yeong-sil desperately called out to the fading figure of Hyang in the distance. But, Hyang didnt hear him. If I cant do basic calctions, and Jang Yeong-sil cant do basic calctions, then we should find people who are good at calctions! As he hurriedly moved towards the Royal Secretariat, a warning light went on in Hyangs mind for one persons name. Wait? Jeong In-ji? That Jeong In-ji? The one whos in cahoots with Suyang4? Pausing at the name Jeong In-ji, Hyang quickly made a decision. Oh, yes! Jeong In-ji, you are definitely going to work overtime! The Crown Prince has arrived. Let him in. King Sejong, who was discussing government affairs with the ministers, granted entry at the unexpected news of Hyangs arrival. What brings you here? In response to King Sejongs question, Hyang immediately replied, I have a request to ask of you, Father. A request? At the word request, all the ministers, starting from the Minister of Personnel, froze. The storm that dyed the beginning of the year in blood was triggered by that very request. King Sejong also asked Hyang with a tense face, A request? So, what is it? Please assign people to me! People? Yes! Jeong-cho from the Office of Administration, Il-cheon from the Ministry of Law Enforcement, Jeong In-ji from the Hall of Worthies. Ah! I also need Jang Yeong-sil, and I also need military technicians from time to time. Jeong-cho, Il-cheon, Jeong In-ji King Sejong started to search his memory for information about the mentioned individuals. As King Sejong was trying to recall, the officials from the departments to which the people in question belonged turned pale. Your Majesty! These people Why? Is there a problem with them? No, its not that Looking at the hesitant ministers, the Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel took charge. Your Highness Crown Prince, the individuals you requested are important talents in each department, and if they are pulled out, it will be difficult to carry on with the work. It seems that you must have something important in mind to have made such a request, but managing the nation is also a serious matter To put it simply, it was What do we do if you take away those who work well? We will not give them up!. Is that so? Why does the Crown Prince want them? Ive contemted a few mechanisms for the advancement of Joseon. However, to implement these into physical reality requires precise calction, and for that, individuals skilled in arithmetic are necessary. Hmm mechanisms When Sejong seemed intrigued, Hyang quickly struck while the iron was hot. First and foremost, I intend to make a clock! A clock? Yes. The current water clock that Your Majesty mentioned is bulky enough to require a separate building. Thats true. However, the clock I intend to make can be as small as a full-grown man, orrge enough to be installed on top of a tower. The size of a grown man? Indeed! If properlypleted, it could be installed not only in the pce but in all government offices and provincial offices as well. Wouldnt it be great if everyone in Joseon could easily tell the time? Hmm putting them in the pce and government offices nationwide Sejong, who had been pondering over Hyangs words, came to a conclusion, Good! I will assign the people you want to you! However, this is only temporary. If you manage to create the clock, I will remove the word temporary! This is because the people you want are also talents needed for national affairs! Your Majestys generosity is boundless! Hyang responded loudly and bowed deeply. Thus, the Dream Team5 that will make Joseon fly gradually began to take shape. Those selected by Sejongs decree gathered at Eastern Hall (Donggungjeon). Oh! Your Excellency Jang! How have you been? Same to you! Its been a while! Jeong Cho and Jang Yeong-sil greeted each other with happy faces. Jang Yeong-sil, who was specially selected by Sejong, first formed a rtionship with Jeong Cho. After a light exchange of greetings, Jeong Cho asked Jang Yeong-sil a question. I heard that the Crown Prince is making a clock, is that true? Yes. He said he can adjust the size freely, is that true? Yes. At Jang Yeong-sils answers, others who were summoned to Eastern Hall gathered around. As people came together, Jang Yeong-sil brought out a bundle of blueprints he had set aside and spread them out. This is the blueprint for the clock designed by His Highness. It uses a falling weight instead of water. Hmm Huh While listening to Jang Yeong-sils exnation, people looked over the blueprint. While tracing the parts with their fingers and examining the paths of movement, Jeong Cho opened his mouth. This it seems like it uses a fixed hour system to define the whole day? Thats right. At Jang Yeong-sils response, all fell into contemtion. In Joseon, daytime was divided by the fixed hour system using twelve divisions, and nighttime was divided into five watches by the variable (temporal) hour system. However, the variable hour system had the problem of fluctuating time lengths depending on the season. His Highness said he wants the people to use it, but wont this be a problem? Just as Jeong In-ji pointed out a problem, Hyangs voice came from behind: If the length of the night determines the length of the hour, wont there be problems during the day as well? Then, it would be better to get used to the fixed hour system. Even for the sake of the future. Your Highness, the Crown Prince has arrived! an inner servant eximed. Upon discovering Hyang, everyone present respectfully bowed. Hyang, who returned a light bow, gestured with his hand. Please take your seats. At Hyangsmand, everyone gathered around the conference table. Hyang, who was sitting at the head of the table, ced a bundle of papers he had been holding onto the table and continued speaking, His Majesty referred to this asion as temporary, but I intend to smoothly shed thatbel. Have you all seen the blueprints? We have, Your Highness. What do you all think? While it only uses the fixed hour system, I believe it can certainly function. I also hold the same view. At Hyangs question, everyone present affirmed their belief in the sess of the project. Hyang, who lightly nodded his head, spoke, I too share your views. The issue now is creating a device that links to this and notifies the time audibly. I would like you to work on the calctions and designs for that part. Hmm People who had been briefly pondering responded unanimously, We will follow the Crown Princesmand! Although there was a moment of hesitation, everyone epted without dy. They were also intrigued by the project. Upon hearing the response, Hyang held out the bundle of papers to them. To begin with, Id like to gauge your arithmetic abilities. Please solve these problems. Hyang offered them problems he had found in the mathematics books of the Eastern Roman Empire. Those who received the test papers immediately brought out their gold pens and inkwells from their sleeves and began to calcte. Stop. About an hourter, Hyang dered the end of the test. After collecting the test papers, Hyang checked the answers while looking at the answer sheet he had prepared in advance. Hmm, while grading the answer sheet, Hyang looked around at the people surrounding him. First, lets start with the construction of the clock. Now that youre under mymand, there wont be any moonlighting6. So, put all your efforts intopleting the prototype of the clock. We will follow yourmand! How long do you think it will take? At Hyangs question, everyone leaned their heads together and mumbled. After a brief discussion, Jeong-cho, appointed as the representative, answered, The design of the most important part, measuring time, is alreadypleted, so we only need to design the part that announces time audibly. So, we believe we can make the prototype in about a month. Then, I will report to His Majesty that it will take a month. Not only my reputation but also yours is at stake, so you must do your best. We will do our best! Assigning a workspace for his Dream Team, Hyang returned to his library and muttered, Thats a close call What Hyang referred to as a close call was the mathematical skills of his Dream Team. The problems he had picked out in advance were selected from the maths books of the Eastern Roman Empire. The problems were of middle and high school levelexcluding calculus. When Hyang himself solved them, they were roughly 80 point problems, but among the officials just now, the highest score was 70, with most hovering around 50 to 60 points. I thought the Joseon nobles liked to solve maths problems. What should I do about this? What Hyang expressed as a difficulty was that it was hard to teach maths with his own skills. After much contemtion, Hyang soon found a solution. Ah! Theres Hui people! ___________________ A monthter, the Dream Team kept their promise. Sejong was greatly satisfied with thepleted clock. Produce these inrge quantities and install them primarily in the pce and the Six Ministries! We will follow your order! Thus, clocks were installed throughout the pce and every corner of the Six Ministries. And soon, a nightmare for all the officials present. As the bnce of power was significantly inclined towards Sejong, the official debates were drastically reduced to half in the hours of 9 AM~11 AM and 3 PM~5 PM. This was because there was no longer a need to humble the ministers through debates, as it was deemed unnecessary. When it was time for the debates, the government officials and ministers hurriedly moved to the debate hall. If anyone was even slightlyte, Sejong, who hade early and was waiting, silently nced at the tardy minister and then at the clock. Without uttering a single word, every time this happened, thete minister had to sweat coldly. If the ministers were sweating cold, for the other regr officials of the Six Ministries, the gates of hell had been wide opened for them. When can you finish this report? I can finish it by exactly 4 PM. Really? Understood. And when the promised time came, the superiors reprimanded their subordinate officials. Look at this! Its already 4 PM! Is it still far off? I apologize. Just a bit more time Hmph! Hurry up! As these incidents increased, the subordinates came up with strategies, but they too became the subject of squabbles. When can you finish this report? If its exactly by 6 PM Only by then? Its now 7 AM~9 AM. Have you given up on getting promoted? No, thats not it! Hmph! A talent from Sungkyunkwan University is this slow in doing his work tsk tsk. I apologize. Get back to work! Eventually, the highly stressed officials made it a routine to head straight to the bar or a nearby tavern to drink as soon as they got off work. Sejong kept his promise. Right. Those you wanted are now your people. What are you going to do now? Please establish an independent agency. An independent agency? Hyang exined in detail to Sejong. After listening to the exnation, Sejong fell into deep thought. After a long contemtion, Sejong spoke, Its tough to make a decision on the spot. Ill give you an answer in five days. Yes, Your Majesty. Five dayster, Sejong made his decision. I permit it. Your graciousness is immeasurable! Unable to hide his joy, Hyang bowed deeply. This is how thergest research institution in Joseon, the Joseon Science and Technology Development Institute''7 was established. __________ ??Footnotes
  1. Famous Korean scientist and engineer during Sejongs reign. Read https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jang_Yeong-sil for info.[?]
  2. , gak = quarter, 15 minutes[?]
  3. Read more about him HERE[?]
  4. Hyangs younger brother, alsoter reigned as King Sejo after setting a coup detat against his own nephew (Yi Hong-wi (or King Danjong)) for the throne.[?]
  5. Anecdote for a reality Korean TV Show, a sports game genre[?]
  6. doing 2 jobs at once[?]
  7. LOL. A Joseon version of KAIST[?]
___________ Hey folks! I''m sure some of you have spotted a few glitches on our site recently, like theyout going all wonky and login/registration hups. It''s been a bit of a bumpy road, and after wrestling with these pesky issues for a while, I figured it''s time for a full site makeover. The new look? Think aiblossom vibes! Just wanted to give a big shout-out to you all for hanging in there while we ironed out the kinks. I really appreciate your patience during this shake-up. Now, get ready to dive into this chapter! Hope you love it! Just a quick heads up for all my subscribers - we''re moving our subscription process from direct Paypal to Patreon. So, once your current subscription wraps up, make sure to hop on over to Patreon to keep getting those early ess chapters for this novel. Thanks a ton! Chapter 45 Chapter 45 The institution named the Joseon Science and Technology Development Institute was as impressive as its long name. The Joseon Science and Technology Development Institute (hereinafter referred to as the Institute) is an independent institution that only obeys the kingsmand. The chief executive of the Institute shall be limited exclusively to the Crown Prince. The Institutes annual budget is guaranteed to be a minimum of one-tenth and a maximum of three-tenth out of the countrys annual budget. The intellectual property rights obtained from themercialization of technologies or apparatus developed by the Institute are divided into three parts: 40% for the state, 30% for the Institutes finances, and 30% for the developers or the development team. (Abridged) Thanks to the Crown Prince being the chief executive of the independent institution that only obeys the kingsmand, it was freed from political influences and, due to the guaranteed budget from one to three-tenths of the national annual budget, it was the birth of a powerful institution with no financial worries. Of course, the things to uphold were as massive as the enormous benefits they received. Researchers in the Institute must announce their results at least once every two years. However, forming a group for announcement is also valid. Duplicated results are not allowed. If duplication is revealed, all benefits will be stripped and the individual will be expelled from the Institute. The use of the budget is to be thoroughly disclosed. If it is discovered that the budget is being used for non-research purposes, the provided budget will be fully reimed and the individual will be expelled. Everything studied in the Institute is treated as a state secret and if it is privately announced or leaked, it will be punished as treason. Although there were quite strictpliance matters, over time, it was the birth of an independent institution that took its ce as the highest academic institution in Joseon alongside the Hall of Worthies. And it was the birth of an institution that became a challenge and a nightmare for the following Crown Princes who wished to surpass their ancestors. The remarkable status and position of the Institute was a story of a far-off future, and at present, it was indeed pitiful. The people that Hyang was leading were the fixed members Jeong-cho, Jeong Inji, Lee Cheon, and Jang Yeongsil, along with the craftsmen from Military Arsenal and other departments, whom were called when needed. It started humbly, but the end will be grand bullshit! The staff is small, but no one can underestimate us! Sejong had allowed it, but Hyang, after seeing the reaction of the officials who were full of question marks, clenched his teeth. First of all, lets start with an organizational chart! Hyang started by systematizing the organization of the Institute. He decided that him, the Crown Prince would be the director first, and the sub-organization would be divided into the Department of Basic Science and Technology Research Development and the Department of Applied Science and Technology Research Development. The vice-director of the Institute would receive the rank of senior-rank-21 while serving as the head of the Basic Science Department, meanwhile, the head of the Applied Science Department would receive the rank of junior-rank-2 while concurrently serving as the general-director of the Institute. The heads of each research group under them, who would directly conduct research, were given at least a rank of junior-rank-3, so as topletely block any potential for political exclusion. There wont be any high-ranking official who will pick a fight with the Crown Prince as their backbone, but we have to block any bacsh from the start. Hyang, having created the organizational chart, ran straight to Sejong to request his approval. The vice-director is a senior-rank-2 isnt this too high? The Chief Schr of the Hall of Worthies is also a senior-rank-2. The head of the Board of Six Ministries is actually a senior-rank-1, and they are serving concurrently. That may be true but Seeing Sejong hesitate, Hyang added more. The Institute is not my yground. This Institute will be an academic institution of Joseon as important as the Hall of Worthies. Hearing Hyangs words, Sejong who was contemting, came to a conclusion, Alright. Do as you fit.. I will push for it. Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful! After bowing deeply, Hyang quickly left the royal court. The ministers, who had been watching his actions, expressed their concerns to Sejong. We worry that you are providing too much support. If you think about what the Crown Prince has shown so far, I believe he is fully capable. At Sejongs words, the ministers closed their mouths. They could have argued, but the words of their predecessors were still vivid in their memories. Hyang, having received Sejongs affirmation, returned to the Eastern Pce and cheerfully shouted, Now, shall we indulge a little? Alright, everyone, gather around! Jeong-cho and his party, who were crammed into a room of the same ss, immediately gathered at Hyangs call, as the workce was not yet determined. As the people gathered, Hyang went into an exnation showing the organization chart. The organization is primarily divided into two. ((Ill shorten the names of the departments into Basic Science Dept. and Applied Science Dept. for convenience)) Hyang exined the structure of the organization and the allocation of personnel. The Basic Science Dept. was entrusted to Jeong-cho and Jeong In-ji, while the Applied Science Dept. was handed over to Lee Cheon. And the chief in each department will oversee the heads of the military supply department and various other departments to create artifacts needed for research, or to make prototypes of artifacts that will go into mass production. Do you understand? I understand the allocation, but what does each organization do? To Jeong-chos question, who had unexpectedly be the representative of the people, Hyang answered immediately, Basic Science or in short, the Basic Dept., will literally study basic disciplines and technology. What do you mean by basics? From study of mathematics to metallurgy, chemistry, architecture, and more. As for the Applied Science Department, you will be tasked with advancing one step further based on the research results and knowledge already known in the Basic Science Department. At Hyangs exnation, Jeong-cho asked another question, I understand the need for studying mathematics, but why should we also consider areas like metallurgy, chemistry, and architecture as academic disciplines? Of course they are academic disciplines. If you look at the examples so far, theyve all been passed down through generations of artisans and learned from their own experience. This is not particrly good. If a skilled artisan dies without teaching his technique to a disciple or his child, everything he has worked for disappears. But what would happen if we record and ssify this? Jeong-cho immediately answered Hyangs question, If there are people who want to learn, they can learn based on that and further develop it. Thats right. Hyangs exnation continued afterwards. After quite a long time spent in exnation, Jeong-cho and the others were able to understand why the part they had said was the artisans share was actually part of academic discipline. I now understand why you call this field an academic discipline. Then, should we gather the artisans in this field? At Jeongchos question, Hyang shook his head. No. The Basic Science Department has something to do before that. What is it? Start learning arithmetic. Pardon? Hyang designated tasks for the Basic and Applied Science Departments. We have been established as an independent organization and are nning to spend a considerable budget. So you all know what would happen, right? At Hyangs words, everyone but Jang Yeongsil nodded. There will be a lot of checks and bnces. Thats right. Therefore, you need to produce visible results first. And as soon as possible. It wont be easy. At Hyangs words, Jeong-cho and Lee Cheon nodded with worried faces. Jeong In-ji, who was still a neer, looked as if he sort of understood, and Jang Yeongsil, who had been busy enough to do what he was told, looked as if he had no idea. Indeed. So, lets start with things that can yield results as soon as possible. First of all, the task of the Basic Science Department is to revise the stratigraphy2. Thats why you need to learn arithmetic. Jeongcho then pointed out Hyangs words, We are already working on the revision of the stratigraphy. But the speed is not good because most of the officials involved in the work are serving multiple roles. Thats true. Therefore, I want you, Your Excellency, and Sir Jeong, to take charge of this task. If necessary, you can recruit those who are good at arithmetic and interested in it, or you can even bring in the Confucian schrs and give them official positions. Bringing in Confucian schrs could be problematic. You can call it guidance for teaching arithmetic. If they keep objecting, just mention my name. I understand. Dont forget that we need to produce results as soon as possible. For the time being, please report the progress to me every fortnight. We will keep it in mind. Hyang, who had given tasks to Jeong-cho and Jeong In-ji, turned to Lee Cheon. My Lord, lets work together. What are we going to do? We are going to improve the firearms. Hyangs words made Lee Cheons eyes sh dangerously. He was also a martial artist. Observing such a reaction from Lee Cheon, Hyang continued speaking, Do you have anyone to rmend? In response to Hyangs question, Lee Cheon immediately replied, There is General Choi Hae-san3 who is working as the Military Equipment Supervisor. General Choi Hae-san? He is the son of General Choi Mu-seon4 Lets go immediately! Hyang, who abruptly stood up from his seat, gave an order to Jeong-cho. We are currently arranging a pavilion for use as ab. So for the time being, use this ce as ab. I understand. After assigning a task to Jeong-cho, Hyang turned to Lee Cheon. Sir, lets go! Yes! Upon leaving the Eastern Pce, Hyang turned to Lee Cheon. Where is General Choi Hae-san now? I dont think I saw him thest time I went to the Military Equipment Bureau? He is serving in the Ministry of Law Enforcement. Then lets go to the Ministry of Law Enforcement! Upon arriving at the Ministry of Law Enforcement, Hyang immediately searched for Choi Hae-san. Responding to the summons, Choi Hae-san bowed politely to Hyang, Did you call for me, Your Royal Highness? Yes. Its nice to meet you like this. Im d to finally know your name. I am honored! As Hyang disyed friendliness, Choi Hae-san responded with a hearty smile. Seeing this, Hyang cut to the chase. Lets create some works together. Pardon? In the private office set up in the Ministry of Law Enforcement building, the three of them continued the conversation. What do you mean by creating works? I mean we should upgrade the main weapons used by our Joseon. Youre talking about the weapons? Thats right. If you look at the situation of our Joseon army, we cannot evenpare with Ming, our cavalry is on par with the Jurchen but we certainly cant overpower them, and in hand-to-handbat, we are pushed back by the Japanese. Do you agree? At Hyangs pointed remark, Choi Hae-san nodded. I agree. And we cant simply increase the size of our forces given Joseons dire financial situation. Thats true. Its a sad state of affairs. So, I think we should first improve the quality of our weapons and then gradually expand the size of our forces. To Hyangs words, Choi Hae-san offered a rebuttal: Im sorry to say this, Your Highness. Our Joseons swords and spears are not inferior in quality. Swords and spears are not the only weapons. And they are the main weapons in hand-to-handbat. They dont suit the situation of our Joseon army. The weapons Im talking about are gunpowder weapons. I mean cannons and guns. Youre talking about cannons and guns? Choi Hae-sans face, asking again, was mixed with equal parts anticipation and worry. He was hopeful about Hyangs innovative ideas, symbolized by the golden brush and printing te. But as someone who had personally handled gunpowder and manufactured cannons, he was also deeply concerned. Cannons are not something anyone can mess with! Hiding his concern, Choi Hae-san continued his inquiry, You mentioned cannons and guns. How do you n to improve their quality? Right now, theres only a n, but first, we need to start by increasing their destructive power. Next, we need to improve the production materials and methods for making them. Hmm Seeing Choi Haesan deep in thought, Hyang continued speaking, First, I would like to see the actual power and operation of the hwapo5 and chongtong.''6 Would it be possible to have a demonstration? Hwapo Chongtong This requires the permission of His Royal Majesty, your Highness. I will inform Father. In response to Hyangs request to see the demonstration of hwapo and chongtong, Sejong asked a question. Is it absolutely necessary? I wont allow it if its just for your amusement. Its not for amusement. If we want to strengthen national defense, improving the hwapo is essential. So far, the courtiers have not had a proper opportunity to see the hwapo in action. After hearing Hyangs firm response, Sejong made a decision. Prepare the demonstration of the hwapo and chongtong as proposed by the Crown Prince. We will follow yourmand! And the courtiers will also attend the demonstration. Hwapo is a vital presence for our Joseon army, but the courtiers havent properly examined it since their promotion. This is an opportunity for them to see it firsthand. The attendants responded in unison to Sejongsmand. We will follow yourmand! __________ ??Footnotes
  1. ?2?, ?2?, ?3?: These are official ranks in the Joseon Dynasty. ? and ? distinguish civil and military officials respectively, and the number following is the grade of the official rank. Lower numbers indicate higher ranks. Not me trying to literally read historical books, making sense of the officials ranks during Joseon time.[?]
  2. the branch of geology concerned with the order and rtive position of strata and their rtionship to the geological timescale.[?]
  3. A general who created the first hwacha or known as handcart cannon[?]
  4. A renown militarymander during Late Goryeo and early Joseon. He is known for creating gunpowder recipe.[?]
  5. A type of hand cannon[?]
  6. A musket[?]
___________ Chapter 46 Chapter 46[ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=show ihc_mb_who=39 ihc_mb_temte=1 ] It took ten days to prepare for the demonstration of cannons (hwapo) and muskets (chongtong) in the military training ground. The reason it took so long was that the initial n for a small-scale demonstration with cannons and muskets had transformed into a formal firepower demonstration involving both cavalry and infantry, which required more time and preparation. Ever since I ascended the throne, I have yet to witness our Joseon Armys appearance since thest conquest of Tsushima Ind. In addition to the artillery demonstration that will be held this time, I will also watch the demonstration of cavalry and infantry. We humbly ept! ording to King Sejongsmand, the number of units increased from 10panies to 12panies immediately after the coronation and then decreased back to 10panies. Captains and soldiers were selected, and artillery troops and musketeers were chosen. While preparing the soldiers, the location for the demonstration was also decided. Wouldnt it be best to hold it in front of Yongsan by the riverside? That ce seems to be the most suitable. Following the decision of the officials, a venue for the demonstration was arranged in Yongsan. The firm ground facing the riverside was chosen for the demonstrations of infantry and cavalry, while the sandy beach by the river was designated for the demonstration of cannons and muskets. Even after the location was determined, everything wasnt finished. They continued working overnight, creating straw men as targets for the soldiers and painting wooden boards to serve as targets for arrows, cannons, and muskets. And after ten days, the long-awaited demonstration was held. It was a busy time for farming activities, but when the rest of the people heard that the king wasing, all peasants and nobles alike gathered on the road from the south gate to Yongsan. Halt~. Kneel! His Majesty is passing by! As the majestic music from the royal band and the sound of court officials carriages reached the street, the people who had gathered there kneeled on the ground. To see His Majestys countenance is a lifelong honor! Long live His Majesty! Long live! May you have ten thousand years of prosperity! Since the implementation of the smallpox vination, the support of the people for King Sejong was almost absolute. Although life was still tough, the fact that they had prevented the deadly epidemic called cowpox was enough for the people to show their loyalty to King Sejong, even to the point of pretending to die for him. When King Sejong climbed up the temporary stage set up at the demonstration site, the general in charge ofmanding the soldiers shouted loudly. Present arms! Attention! King Sejong responded to the soldiers salute and sat down on the chair, giving the order. Begin. Yes! Following King Sejongs order, the demonstration of the Joseon Army began. The demonstration started with the cavalry. Cavalry soldiers wearing iron tes, leather tes, chainmail, mirror armor, and helmet armor lined up and started moving slowly in formation. Abination of spear cavalry and bow cavalry, is it? As the demonstration began, Hyang, with an excited expression, unfolded a signboard. The paper attached to the signboard had characters written in Hanja, such as spear, sword, bow, cannon, and musket, and the items to be checked were listed beneath them. These signs were prepared by Hyang in advance to prevent any idents. The possible ident referred to inadvertently using Hangul instead of Hanja due to being distracted during the demonstration. Hmm. Hyang carefully observed the spear infantry preparing for a charge. The spears used by the cavalry appeared simr to the ones used by the soldiers defending the pce. If I recall the spears I saw at the pce Hyang remembered that the specifications of the spear he saw were a length of 10 cheok (210 cm) for the shaft and a de length of 1 cheok 5 chon (31.5 cm). As Hyang observed the spear infantry, he murmured softly, They seem quite short, dont they? Hyang raised his head and marked a note with an arrow symbol on the pre-prepared document. While Hyang was making a negative evaluation, the cavalry began their demonstration. Fire! Upon the order of the cavalrymander, the pce guards at the rear row simultaneously released their arrows. Swish! With a fierce sound of flight, the arrows flew in an arc towards the distant scarecrows. Charge! Yah-ah! Woo-ah! As soon as themanders chargemand was given, the spear infantry struck the sides of their horses. *tter! tter!* Amidst the sound of galloping horses, the spear infantry charged forward and skillfully adjusted the speed and direction of their horses, thrusting their spears at the scarecrows in front of them. Stab and withdraw? Slow down the speed? Hyang continued to raise his head quizzically. It was because, based on the knowledge he acquired from movies and the inte in the 21st century, he couldnt quite understand the meaning behind the soldiers actions.. ording to the knowledge from the 21st century, the role of cavalry was to break through the enemys front line like tanks. The cavalry would copse the enemys front line with their spears and then prate the enemys formation with their swords. Once the cavalry stopped, they became easy targets for the infantry. Why are they deliberately reducing their acquired speed? Hyang continued to tilt his head in confusion. However, this was a misunderstanding on Hyangs part. In order for the spear infantry to be effective, they needed to be protected on the nks. Furthermore, the attack route of the spear infantry was limited to a straight line. If the opponent in a cavalry versus cavalry battle was a skilled rider, they could slightly twist or tilt their body to dodge the attack. It was basic to thrust into the inside of the opponents spear and counterattack. And the Jurchens had skilled riders. Therefore, the test method for the horse-mounted spear technique in the Joseon Military Exam was as follows: Upon learning this factter, Hyang sighed, Sigh~ Nothing is easy. After the demonstration of the cavalry, it was followed by the demonstration of the infantry. The spearmen and shieldbearers constructed a defensive formation under the protection of archers. The enemy is retreating! Charge! Woo-ah! At themanders order, some of the soldiers who were forming the defensive formation shouted and rushed forward. However, the unit that had formed the defensive line maintained their formation and protected the main unit. After the charging unit hypothetically struck down the scarecrows, the demonstration of the cavalry and infantry came to an end with the victory cheer. Now, we will have a demonstration of cannons and muskets. When the demonstration of the cannons was mentioned, Hyangs eyes began to sparkle even more. After a while,rge and small cannons were brought out on wheeled carriages to the demonstration ground. Starting now. Upon Sejongsmand, themander ordered the artillerymen in a loud voice. Fire the cannons! Bang! Bang! ording to themanders orders, the artillerymen fired their cannons. Each time the cannons spewed fire,rge arrows soared into the sky, creating pirs of water in the Han River. Wow! Whenever the water pirs formed in the Han River, the attendants eximed in admiration. Their admiration reached its peak as they fired thest shot at the generals target. The arrows flew diagonally across the Han River towards Dongjak district (across from Yongsan) from the demonstration site, reaching the vicinity of the opposite riverbank. Amazing! How far is that? King Sejong asked in astonishment, and themander proudly replied, Its approximately 1300 bo (about 1.6km). Truly impressive! Prince, what do you think? Prince Hyang, lost in thought, couldnt answer right away when asked by King Sejong. Prince? Only after King Sejong called him again did Hyang regain hisposure and hastily responded, Yes? Yes? What do you think of the power of the generals artillery? It would be excellent to have them on our warships. Since the enemy tends to approach us and engage in closebat, wouldnt it be best to annihte them before they get close? I see. While King Sejong nodded, themander looked at Hyang with an admiring expression. To possess such knowledge of military tactics at such a young age, this is the revival of Joseon! Now, let the chiefs demonstration begin. I receive your orders! Following themanders orders, soldiers handling the chiefs artillery stepped forward, holding their weapons. The one loaded on that cart is the one-barrel musket. I see. Proceed. Fire! Bang! Pang! Pang! Following themanders orders, starting with the musket, various types of artillery spewed fire. Only the musket, with the longest range, fired towards the Han River, while the others aimed at targets about 100 bo (about 120m) away. After the demonstration ended, King Sejong praised themander, It was truly remarkable. Well done. I am humbled! Crown Prince, what do you think? With amander and soldiers so elite, I feel truly secure. I am humbled! When even the crown prince praised him, themander smiled and respectfully bowed his head. After finishing his words, Hyang turned to King Sejong. Your Majesty, may I take a moment to examine the targets and speak with the soldiers? Why are you like this? I have something to confirm. Sejong narrowed his eyes at Hyangs response. This rascal? Does he have another scheme? Sejong pondered for a moment and nodded his head, Permission granted. Thank you! General, lets go with me together! Following themanding general who directed the demonstration, Hyang headed towards the ce where the soldiers and weapons were. Upon seeing Hyang, the soldiers all saluted in unison. We greet the Crown Prince! Good job. I am truly grateful to have soldiers like you, who allow me to sleep peacefully! We are honored! The soldiers morale was boosted by Hyangs praise. Observing them closely, Hyang confirmed the situation. The armor you all are wearing, did you acquire them yourselves? Yes, we did! I see. No wonder. I heard there is a wide variety of armor avable. In the Joseon Dynasty, conscripted soldiers had to procure their own weapons and armor. Especially in the case of cavalry, they had to provide their own horses as well, which meant that the majority of them came from wealthy families. Thats why, as the number of cavalry soldiers increased, all sorts of unreliable people joined, and the true cavalrymen who devoted themselves to their studies were neglected. As a result, our defense has be a mess Damn it! Weve gone astray again! Having a brief moment of self-criticism, Hyang diligently inspected the equipment. What interested Hyang the most were the cannons and artillery pieces. After scrutinizing the inside of the cannons, Hyang nodded, As expected The main cannons of the Joseon army had the gunpowderpacted by a solid piece of wood1. The elongated shapebined with a cylindrical structure made it impossible to use y-based material as apactor. This was because the diameter of the barrel was wider than the narrowest part of the muzzle. In such cases, onlyrge pieces of y could be used. Nodding his head, Hyang carefully examined the artillery, which belonged to the celestial and terrestrial rankings. So they are the solid-wood barrier cannon type Is that correct? Yes, Your Highness. Hmm Hyang looked at the cannons with a contemtive expression. How should I handle this? Should I start with upgrading the cannons? Deep in thought, Hyang turned to the general. I would like to see the cannons. Yes, Your Highness. Hyang headed towards the location where the artillery soldiers were stationed. He meticulously inspected the cannons and examined the arrows and windage they used, then headed towards the target range. As expected. Arriving at the target range, Hyang nodded. The number of arrows stuck in the target was noticeably lowpared to the number fired. Using a single shot multiple-rounds-method for target shooting, it seems that only area suppression2 is hit. While examining the target range, Hyang turned to themander who had followed behind. What about its pration power? When you say pration power The Jurchen tribe people must be wearing armor too, right? Yes. How does our Joseonpare to them? We can consider them to be simr. For smaller tribes, they mainly wear leather armor, and for rtively powerful tribes, they wear iron or chainmail. What would happen if we shot them with these artillery pieces? Hyangs question left themander in a perplexed expression. We havent conducted any experiments However, there have been reports that even at a distance of 40 bo (about 50 meters), that shots from these artillery pieces have pierced and killed Jurchen tribe people. Hyang stroked his chin in response to themanders answer. I think Ive seen videos on the inte where arrows were even deflected at close range, right? I should start from here, as expected. I understand. Lets return now. Yes, Your Highness. As Hyang walked towards where Sejong was, he muttered softly. [/ihc-hide-content] __________ ??Footnotes
  1. Gunpowder ispacted to maximize the buildup ofbustion gas inside the barrel[?]
  2. Firing a high volume amount of rounds or projectile towards a target area as a means of suppressing the enemy in a designated area[?]
___________ Chapter 47 Chapter 47 When Hyang returned, Sejong dered the end of the demonstration. With this, I will conclude the demonstration. I will provide alcohol and meat for the hardworking soldiers, so enjoy the feast. Wahhh! Long live the King! Long live! Although the demonstration was over, Hyang shook his head and got up from his seat. I just cant stand it. I cant resist my curiosity. Hyang, who had left his seat, continued to search for and investigate the artillerymen and gunners. Im sorry for holding you up like this when our Majesty has provided a feast. Not at all! Absolutely not! At Hyangs apology, the artillerymen and gunners vehemently denied, shaking their hands. I wont let you feel disappointed, so please help me a little. Not at all! Just give us the order! Thank you. First of all What is inconvenient about using these cannons? In response to Hyangs question, the artillerymen took a moment to think and then shared their issues. Hmm I see. Hyang, who had been nodding his head and taking notes of the soldiers words, looked at the Ilchongtong they were holding. Is this the it? May I hold it for a moment? Yes, sir. Hyang, who held the weapon handed over by the soldier, murmured softly, So, the problem is the center of gravity? How much does this one weigh? In response to Hyangs question, Choi Hae-san, who was next to him, answered promptly, It weighs about 3 geun 8 ryang (approximately 2.2 kg) and is about 1 cheok 4 chon 4 bun (approximately 44.6 cm) long. What about the length of the handle? Theres no exact standard, but it should be at least 4 cheok (approximately 1.2 m). The lengths vary quite a bit for that, dont they? At Hyangs remark, Choi Hae-san replied with a perplexed expression, The difference is a little depending on the cheok (, traditional unit of length) used. Damn Hyang clicked his tongue at Choi Hae-sans response. He then noticed that the size of the one-muskets the soldiers were holding varied. This was a problem prating the Joseon era. The standard of the measurement (cheok), the unit to determine the length, was ambiguous in Joseon. What Hyang had heard was that various lengths such as Huangzhong unit system1, architectural unit system (I)2, and ceremonial artifact unit system3 were used. Isnt the unification of measurements basic in manufacturing? When we receive it as a tribute Tsk! While clicking his tongue and looking at the Ilchongtong (hand cannon), Hyang tilted his head. Even if the center of gravity is heavily biased towards the front, if you look at the size of the soldiers, it doesnt seem like they cant shoot twice and cause a fuss, right? No matter how much he thought about it, Hyang, who couldnt understand, asked a question with a slight hope, How much gunpowder is put in the cannon? 1 yang (approximately 37.5 g). What?! Your Highness! What happened?! Nearby soldiers,manders, and Choi Hae-san rushed at the startled Hyang. Hyang hastily waved his hand, Its nothing! Nothing at all! I was just surprised because more gunpowder was put in than I expected! Ah, yes Upon hearing Hyangs answer, the people finally rxed. Ive figured it out! The culprit was this! Thinking that he had found the root cause of the problem, Hyang hurriedly organized his ce. I have all the information I need now. General, Ill send meat and alcohol through my servant. Please distribute it to them. Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you, Your Highness! Bothmanders and soldiers expressed their gratitude at Hyangs words. Seeing this, Hyang waved his hand lightly. This is for those of you who work tirelessly (day and night without rest) for Joseon. Please eat well, regain your strength, and solidify the defense of Joseon. Well bear it in mind and follow your words! After the demonstration ended, Hyang spoke with Choi Hae-san on the way back to the pce. Does the operation of the cannons involve working in pairs? During the days demonstration, the artillerymen moved in pairs. One soldier held the barrel of the cannon tightly while another soldier beside him lit the fuse. After firing, a waiting soldier handed over a pre-loaded cannon, and the soldier holding the wick prepared to fire the new cannon by inserting the wick into the barrel. In response to Hyangs question, Choi Hae-san answered immediately, Basically, we operate in pairs. How do you manage when operating alone? We hold the handle with the right hand and light the fuse with the left, or we secure the barrel under the right armpit, hold it with the left hand, and light the fuse with the right hand. That must be inconvenient, isnt it? At Hyangs point, Choi Hae-san nodded. Yes, it is. So while the two-person operation is the standard, it leads to the problem of consuming more manpower, making it difficult to expand the number of artillerymen. Choi Hae-sans regretful expression was identical to a face Hyang had seen in a popr 21st-centurymercial. -Its great for the men, so what can I say? Hyang nodded at Choi Hae-sans exnation. I see. To properly fire an Ilchongtong alone, even if not at the level of the tri-bicep and dual-kidney (^ѨI, a phrase indicating extreme physical prowess), one had to be at least at the level of the dual-bicep and quad-kidney (^I, referring to considerable physical strength). Ha, ha, ha! Thats right! Back in the pce, Hyang opened an empty book and murmured, The culprit was the amount of gunpowder. In the 21st century, when Hyang was in America making gunboats, he met numerous enthusiasts. Among the enthusiasts he met, a significant number were firearm enthusiasts, especially those collecting and shooting ssic steam-powered guns. Later, he had formed a close rtionship with one such enthusiast, who had collected guns ranging from rifles of the American Revolutionary War period to firearms from World War II at a museum-level scale. Not content with just collecting firearms, the man also enjoyed shooting, and even purchased ck powder in bulk to create reloaded bullets. Just before returning to Korea, when Hyang visited his house, he had the chance to watch him reloading ammunition for a Henry rifle. This is the gun that appears in Western movies, right? At Hyangs question, the enthusiastughed and replied, Thats a Winchester, this is what you could consider its predecessor. How much gunpowder do you put in? 30 grains. [In the context of firearms, a grain is a unit used to measure the mass of bullets and the propent (powder) used in ammunition. Its one of the smallest units of weight in the imperial system, where 1 grain is approximately equal to 0.0648 grams.] As the enthusiast continued to exin while reloading, the amount of ck powder going into the 44-40 bullet was 30 grains. That seems a small amount for 30g? No, No. 30 grain(gr). not gram. Ah For reference, the amount of ck powder that was put in at that time was about 2g when converted to grams. With those 2g, they were able to shoot a lead bullet weighing about 14g at the speed of sound. ck powder has about half the power of smokeless powder, but with one nyan (traditional Korean unit of weight), it should produce at least the power of a cal 0.50 But because they hold it in such a sloppy position, problems ur Hyang recalled a video she had seen on the inte in the 21st century. It was footage of a demonstration at a Middle Eastern weapons expo. It was a shooting experience event with arge caliber hunting rifle. The Arabs, who clumsily held the gun, were unable to ovee the recoil and rolled around here and there. The video ended with someone, who seemed to have received proper training, shooting perfectly without making such a fool of themselves. Recalling the video, Hyang sighed. Theres no proper aiming device, so they have no choice but to aim visually, to get any effect they have to stuff in arrows or balls, and to get the bullets theyve stuffed in to properly exert their power, the amount of gunpowder has to increase, and then the soldiers die its a vicious cycle. Sigh~ Hyang, who had let out a sigh, came to a conclusion. I guess I have to start by making a proper personal weapon. But before that The next day, Hyang went straight to General Choi Hae-san. General, I have a question. I will answer sincerely. Are the wicks that go into the guns all the same thickness? Thats correct. Could we possibly get those wicks now? Please wait a moment. After asking for Hyangs understanding, General Choi Hae-san called for someone and gave an order. A littleter, the person who received the order handed the wicks over to General Choi Hae-san. Here they are. Could you light the candle for me, please? Uh? Yes. Hyang, who received the wicks, held a wick to the candle as soon as the me lit up. Chiik! With a harsh smoke, as soon as the wick caught fire, Hyang blew it out immediately. Fuh! Fssst! When Hyang blew, the burning wick fizzled and went out. Hyang performed the same experiment with other wicks and simr results came out. Seeing the results, Hyang nodded. As expected General, do you see what the problem is? At Hyangs question, General Choi Hae-san nodded. Yes. The wick is weak to the wind. Was there no report about this problem? No, there wasnt. If the wick goes out due to the wind, they just rece it and light it again. At the response of General Choi Hae-san, who seemed to think it was not a big deal, Hyangs expression sharpened. On the battlefield where time is pressing? Please immediately contact the military inspector and find a wick of appropriate thickness. I understand. A fortnightter, a report came from the military inspector to Sejong through the Ministry of Law Enforcement. Following the order of the Crown Prince, we conducted an investigation and found that the diameter of the line holes (fuse holes) of various types of artillery and guns was 7 ri (approx 2.1 mm), but the fire suddenly went out when firing, so we experimented with adding 1 ri to the diameter and the fire did not go out. However, there was no adjustment depending on the distance of the shots and the depth of the target hit. I respectfully suggest that the diameter of the line holes of artillery and guns should also be increased by 1 ri to a total of 8 ri. After confirming the report, Sejong gave an order to the Minister of Law Enforcement. The content of the report is absolutely correct, so adjust the diameter of the line holes of all artillery and guns to 8 ri. I understand! Sejong, who had given the order to his minister, had a pleased expression on his face. As expected, of the Crown Prince. At this, Hyang still did not know, but changing the thickness of the fuse was something that had been done in real history during the reign of King Munjong4. Sejong knew only about the wick incident, but Hyang was busily moving under the water. The Crown Prince hasnt been seentely. At the words of Jeong-cho, Lee Cheon replied, He found something very important in the documents from the Western schrs and has been conducting experiments in the separate annex building for five days already. Experiments? Yes. Through the Military Inspector and the merchants, he had obtained various types of acid solutions and mercury. Is that so? Upon hearing Lee Cheons reply, Jeong-cho turned his gaze towards the separate annex building set up on one side of the Eastern Pce. Following Hyangs request, two separate annex buildings were set up right next to the Eastern Pce. Therger of the two buildings was the main building where Jeong-cho and others worked, and the smaller one was assigned as a space for Hyang to conduct experiments alone. And this small building had be the ce that the members of the Research Institute wanted to enter the most. The Crown Prince ising! At the announcement of the inner guard, everyone who had been conversing casually straightened their posture. A littleter, Hyang, holding a long wooden stick and a blueprint scroll, entered. Everyone, please sit down. Yes. Centered around arge table, the people began a conversation under Hyangs leadership. Have you all had your meal? Yes. And you, Your Highness? I have. Its the prime of my life, so I need to eat well. Hyang, who lightened the atmosphere with a light joke, checked the progress of the work. Sir Jeong, how is the revision of the calendar method? At Hyangs question, Jeong-cho responded with a slight bow, There has been considerable progress. Weve urately identified the discrepancy between the recent established calendar method and our calendar system, and were creating rituals to correct it. What about in the case of sr and lunar eclipses? We are also creating equations for those. Upon hearing Jeong-chos response, Hyangs face brightened. Youve worked hard. So when can we expect the results? We should be able to finish by the end of this year. Upon hearing Jeong-chos response, Hyangs eyes narrowed. By the end of the year is toote. I would like to see the results before Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) at thetest. Before Chuseok? Upon hearing Hyangs order, Jeong-chos face paled. Even now, he and his fellow schr were pulling all-nighters as if it was a meal. They had nned to finish by the end of the year, fully prepared for the hard work. But the Crown Prince wanted it even sooner. Seeing Jeong-cho and his fellow schrs faces turn pale, Hyang added, If necessary, recruit more officials who are good at arithmetic. If its too much for two people, three can do it, if three cant, then four or five can do it, cant they? At Hyangs words, Jeong made a distressed face. We are short of volunteers There had been a rumor going around among the officials working in the pce and the six ministries. If you go to the Royal Library, the king will make you suffer, and if you go to the Research Institute, the prince will make you suffer. Ive told you before, bring them under my name. Why are you so hesitant, considering your high rank? At Hyangs reproach, Jeong-cho bowed his head. I ept your order. __________ ??Footnotes
  1. Measurements based on pitch system[?]
  2. Measurements used during constructions[?]
  3. Measurements used when creating ritual instruments[?]
  4. King Munjong is his reigning name, after Hyang took the throne in the future (if ording to real history).[?]
___________ Chapter 48 Chapter 48[ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=show ihc_mb_who=39 ihc_mb_temte=1 ] Having finished matters with Jeong-cho, Hyang looked back at Lee Cheon and Choi Hae-san. General Choi Hae-san. General Lee Cheon. Yes. I have an important matter to discuss with you, along with the other military engineers. An important matter? Its the improvement of the guns. Hyang unfolded the blueprint as he spoke. If made properly, it can change the course of future battlefields. Did you say, change the course of the battlefield? Yes. Hyang spread out the unfolded blueprints in the middle of the table for everyone to see. This is the gun as Ive envisioned it. Hmm Huh As soon as the blueprints were spread out, everyone in the meeting room began to scrutinize them, their eyes gleaming. While they were examining the blueprint, Jang Yeongsil was the first to speak up. Your Highness, looking at the blueprint, it appears that if one pulls on the ring-likeponent attached beneath the handle, this bentponent moves. But how do you use the fuse then? How would you do it, Astronomer Jang? In response to Hyangs question, Jang Yeong-sil pointed at the c0ck (??, a^) and the nipple of the gun drawn in the blueprint and answered, If it were me, I would attach the fuse here, and either drill a hole here or ce a te to hold the gunpowder that connects to the part where the gunpowder of the gun goes in. Then, if this lower part, pointing to the trigger with his finger, Jang Yeong-sil continued to exin, If you pull this crescent-shaped part, the portion holding the fuse above it would move and ignite the gunpowder on the te, and the fire qi created would enter the barrel and cause an explosion. Hmm I see Choi Hae-san and Lee Cheon nodded at Jang Yeong-sils exnation. It was then that Choi Hae-san opened his mouth. After hearing Astronomer Jangs exnation and looking at Your Highnesss blueprint, I see it is indeed an ingenious mechanism. With this, we wont need a separate soldier to attach the fuse, and the time from igniting the fuse to firing will definitely be reduced. That was the problem. At Choi Hae-sans insight, it was Hyangs turn to be surprised. He knew about the concept of lock time1? Although Choi Hae-san showed a positive evaluation, Jang Yeong-sil shook his head. But, looking at Your Highnesss blueprint, theres an unfamiliar protrusion instead of the hole or tray for the gunpowder that I mentioned. I see. At Jang Yeong-silsment, everyones eyes turned towards Hyang. Particrly, the eyes of Lee Cheon and Choi Hae-san, who were most directly involved, could be said to shootsers, if we were to use a 21st-century expression. Under everyones gaze, Hyang began his exnation, I have thought about that part separately. You all havent looked closely. Hyang shuffled through the blueprints on the table, found the one on the very bottom and brought it up. The blueprint Hyang found contained the design and specifications of the nipple2 and the percussion cap to be used there. Pointing at the parts drawn on the blueprint, Hyang continued, This cap is used by covering it over this nipple part. Gunpowder will go into this cap. Astronomer Jang, what do you think will happen then? In response to Hyangs question, Jang Yeong-sil looked at the blueprint and immediately replied, Then, this elongatedponent above Call it the c0ck. Yes. The c0ck moves and hits the cap attached to the nipple? Thats correct. At Hyangs answer, Jang Yeong-sil nodded his head then immediately threw out a question, But what do nipple and cap mean? I immediately understood the part you called the c0ck because it resembles a chickens head, but? At Jang Yeong-sils question, others also nodded. Hyang immediately responded to Jang Yeong-sils question. Ah! They are names given by the Westerners who developed a simr form of gun. Since theyre foreign words, its natural that you hear them for the first time.To exin the meaning, the Westerners called it the C0ck, but ??(gye-du) seemed to fit better so I changed it. I couldnt think of suitable words for the others so I just used them as is, but why dont you all give it a shot? Then we need to know the meaning of the words given by the Westerners. At Choi Hae-sans words, Hyang immediately exined the meanings of nipple, cap, and trigger. There was a brief moment of embarrassment while exining the meaning of nipple. Well, the meaning is quite Do Westernersck dignity Looking at the records of the Westerners, it seems that there was originally a different term, but the nickname attached by the soldiers has been used so widely that it has be the official term. In order to train soldiers, it has to be easily understood by them. It seems that soldiers in the East or West are all alike. Thats correct. At Hyangs response, Choi Hae-san and Lee Cheon nodded their heads, indicating their understanding. This was because it wasmonce for the soldiers of the Joseon Army to give all sorts of vulgar nicknames to the weapons they used. Shall we think about this? When Jeong-cho and Jeong In-ji showed enthusiasm in naming, Choi Hae-san put a stop to it. Before that, the main issue is the gunpowder to be put into this cap. Theres a problem with the gunpowder that our Joseon Army uses. I see. At General Choi Hae-sans critique on the matter of gunpowder, Lee Cheon immediately nodded, but the others tilted their heads. At Choi Hae-sans critique, Hyang rose from his seat. Please wait a moment. Yes, Your Highness. As Hyang left for the annex, Jeong-cho asked Choi Hae-san a question, General, what do you mean by there being a problem with the gunpowder? Well the gunpowder (^, yeum-cho) is really quite a troublesome thing to handle. Its so troublesome that its even called xative, (Mang-cho) among the soldiers. ording to Choi Hae-sans exnation, ck gunpowder was a series of dangerous processes from the moment of its production. -The act of mixing each ingredient was dangerous. If the finely ground materials are shaken excessively during the process of transferring them after mixing, they can rub against each other and explode. The container for the gunpowder has to be specific, so it must be made of wood, or brass. -Storing it was also tricky and risky. As mentioned above, if you do not manage it properly after storing it in a specific container, the mixed ingredients would separate into their original form. To prevent this, they would dampen the mix to make it sticky, then form lumps. Once these lumps were appropriately dried, they had to be ground and filtered for use. -The real problem came after. Even after making it like this, saltpeter, the mainponent of gunpowder, absorbed moisture very well, and if this absorption and drying cycle repeated, it would clump together and harden like a rock. This is where it gets genuinely dangerous. If you try to use the hardened gunpowder again by hitting it with a hammer, it explodes. It also explodes if thrown into a fire. So, the military mixes soil into gunpowder. Its not just because they want to increase the quantity due to the high price. Its because the soil absorbs the moisture instead. If youre going to use this cap that the Crown Prince mentioned, you could put inpletely dried gunpowder, but its not easy to store it since it absorbs moisture so well. Phew At the end of his sighing exnation, Jeong In-ji opened his mouth, So General, are you saying that His Highnesss design is useless? At Jeong In-jis question, Choi Hae-san answered cautiously. It was because this could be a political issue if mishandled. I cant confirm it since we havent experimented with the actual object. But one thing for certain is that it would be impossible with the gunpowder we use. General Chois statement is correct. Ah, geez! Huh! People were taken aback by Hyangs sudden interjection. I apologize if I startled you. Inner servant! In a little while, there will be a loud noise, so do not be surprised! Yes, Your Highness. Having warned the inner servant in advance, Hyang ced a spacious copper te on the table and opened the lid of the wooden barrel he brought. What is that? Should I call it my own version of gunpowder? I named it Silver Powder Silver Powder, you say? You surely didnt use actual silver, did you? Choi Hae-san questioned with a face full of worry at Hyangs statement. As a gunpowder expert, he knew all too well that gunpowder was a monster that consumed an enormous amount of wealth. Silver, of all things? In response to Choi Hae-sans question, Hyang answered with a smile, I didnt use silver. I made it with nitric acid, mercury, and ethanol. I named it silver because the ingredient contains mercury. Is that so? Upon hearing Hyangs answer, Choi Hae-san let out a sigh of relief. While mercury was mostly imported as it was scarce in Joseon, it was easier to obtainpared to sulfur or copper. Seeing Choi Hae-sans expression, Hyang ced a t copper te on the table and scooped a small amount of Explosive Silver powder into the center with a spoon. Now Master Jung. Yes? Calling out to Jung Inji, Hyang passed him a hammer. Seeing your face, Master Jung, it seems youre curious. Give it a try. Yes? Yes? Okay! Hurry. Receiving the hammer from Hyang, Jung Inji alternated his gaze between the hammer and the Explosive Silver powder, then clenched his teeth and swung the hammer down. Bang! Ah! The loud explosion caused the table to shake. Startled, Jung Inji dropped the hammer, letting out an involuntary scream. Watching this, Hyang chuckled inwardly. Ill give you a hard time from now on! Lets see. With an unperturbed expression, Hyang cleared away the hammer and examined the te. Not just Hyang, but everyone else, except Jung Inji who had retreated, huddled around to look at the te. Wow! Hooo! Seeing the dark scorch marks that radiate outwards from the te, everyone gasped in awe. General Choi, General Lee. What do you think? Upon Hyangs inquiry, Choi Hae-san responded immediately, Its certainly useful! Once Choi Hae-san made a positive conclusion, Hyang picked up a long bundle of wood that he had brought earlier. This is roughly made by modeling after the blueprint. If used on the battlefield, it will be utilized like this. Hyang then ced the butt of the rifle on his shoulder and assumed a shooting stance. Choi Hae-san, who was watching, extended his hand. May I inspect the firearm for a moment? Of course. Receiving the rifle, Choi Hae-san pressed the butt to his shoulder as Hyang had done, aiming the weapon. Hmm This is interesting. General, let me give it a try. Go ahead. Choi Hae-san and Lee Cheon took turns aiming the rifle. After examining the rifle back and forth several times, Choi Hae-san looked at Hyang. If used this way, a multi-round system wouldnt be suitable. I agree. Perhaps a single round would be most fitting. At the words of Choi Hae-san and Lee Cheon, Hyang nodded vigorously. Thats correct! Jeong-cho, who had heard Hyangs words, interjected, I dont know much about military strategy or weapons, but wouldnt it be difficult to hit a target properly with just one round? In response to Jeong-chos question, Choi Hae-san pointed to the front and rear sights attached to the rifle. It seems the role of this front metal piece and rear piece is to help with aiming. I see. As Jeong-cho was nodding, Lee Cheon added, And the elongated barrel of this gun will also help make it easier to hit the target. How so? Think of it as a sighting device and a barrel. Ah! At Lee Cheons exnation, Jeong-cho eximed in understanding, nodding his head. He too was familiar with using a bow and knew well how to use a sighting device. Your Highness, I have a question. Astronomer Jang, go ahead. With Hyangs permission, Jang Yeong-sil opened his mouth. Ive been looking at the blueprints, and Im curious. This guns barrel, it doesnt seem like its made by casting. At Jang Yeong-sils question, Hyang nodded. Youve observed correctly. With Hyangs affirmation, everyones eyes turned to him. Hyang pointed to the rifle barrel drawn on the blueprint and exined, This gun barrel will be made by forging. At those words, Jang Yeong-sils eyes widened. If its forging are you thinking of making it with iron? Thats correct. Now! Lets wrap up this roundtable discussion well continue our talk while inspecting the troops. At Hyangs words, people slowly stood up from their seats. Please make sure to take the blueprints. Yes, Your Highness! As Hyang and his group exited, the chambermaids and pce women entered and began tidying up. One of the chambermaids, who had been sweeping and cleaning the floor, grimaced. Here, whats this liquid sniff sniff! Ew! Urine! These old gentlemen who on earth The chambermaid began to chatter away about someone who had peed on the floor. Huh? Schr Jeong, why are you walking like that? At Jeong-chos question, seeing Jeong In-ji hobbling along, Jeong In-ji waved his hand dismissively. Oh, its nothing. My legs just a bit numb for a moment Maintaining physical strength is as important as studying. Ill keep that in mind. my lord. [/ihc-hide-content] __________ ??Footnotes
  1. Lock time or action time refers to the time interval (often measured in milliseconds) from when the trigger of a firearm is activated until the firing pin strikes the primer, and depends on the design of the firing mechanism C Wikipedia[?]
  2. The nipple contains a hollow conduit which goes into the rearmost part of the gun barrel, and the percussion cap is ced over the nipple hole.[?]
___________ Chapter 49 Chapter 49[ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=show ihc_mb_who=39 ihc_mb_temte=1 ] What has this boy been up totely. As Sejong was taking a brief break after dealing with his ministers and handling state affairs, he murmured to himself while gazing out the window. The boy that Sejong was referring to was Hyang. After consuming a considerable amount of human resources, buildings, and not a small budget, Hyang rarely showed up at the royal court. May I be excused from this afternoons contest? Do you absolutely have to? Yes. Very well then. In the face of Hyangs firm response, Sejong eventually gave his permission. As soon as Sejong gave his approval, Hyang began to move busily with the people he had gathered. The problem was that he did not inform them of what he was doing while moving so busily. Actually, he did tell them. Im conducting research for the livelihood of the Joseon people and for the national defense of Joseon. However, there is a problem. A problem? Understanding arithmetic knowledge and converting experience into written documents is taking some time. Is that so? Hmm After gazing at Hyang in silence for quite some time, Sejong nodded his head, As a father, I trust you, my son. Your trust, Your Majesty, will never be disappointed. A few days after the Chuseok (Mid-Autumn Festival), Hyang and Jeong-cho made an announcement at a gathering of Sejong and the ministers. The matter I and the staff of the research institute have researched. What is it? It is the forms to adjust the continuous-year-cycle, a lunisr calendar, that we receive from Ming to fit our Joseon. Really? At Hyangs announcement, Sejong and the ministers showed interest. Receiving the attention of Sejong and the ministers, Hyang continued his announcement, You must have remembered the Sr Eclipse Obsolete Ritual1 from a few years ago. Due to an error at Royal Astronomical Bureau, the timing was wrong and the person in charge at that time, Lee Cheonbong, was punished. Your Majesty must have remembered such asion well. At Hyangs point, Sejong nodded his head, I remember. The event in question urred in the fourth year of Sejongs reign. On January 1 of the 4th year of Sejongs reign, a sr eclipse was predicted. As per the tradition, Sejong and the ministers prepared for the ritual in their ceremonial robes. However, the eclipse started one dayter than the Royal Astronomy Bureau had predicted. As a result, Lee Cheonbong, who was in charge of predicting the sr eclipse at that time, was punished. Referring to past events as an example, Hyang continued his exnation, The unfortunate incident urred because the Chinese calendar did not match with ours in Joseon. To fix this, we have studied arithmetic forms to revise the calendar. Hyang, who had paused his words, gestured to the officers behind him. Upon seeing Hyangs gesture, the officers presented a few thick books to Sejong and the ministers. Revision of the Calendars Calction: Version One? Very straightforward indeed. If necessary, we are considering renaming it. Sejong, having read the title, flipped open the book and examined the contents. The forms for adjusting the solstices recorded in the calendar used by the Ming wereplexly recorded, in ordance to the actual conditions in Joseon. Its not bad. It will be helpful in many ways. As you can see from the title, this is not the final version. At Hyangs words, Sejong scrutinized the title and contents again and looked at Hyang. Indeed, the title suggests so. But, looking at the content, it seems to be already sufficiently useful, no? Sejong, who had his own insights in arithmetic, evaluated the value of the forms recorded in the book as excellent. However, Hyang shook his head. There are still many errors. The content written in the book is only an approximate calction. It needs to be corrected. Otherwise, there will be errors every year. Is that so? Filled with regret, Sejong closed his mouth at Hyangs reply. Then Ill wait for the proper one. Work diligently. Yes, Your Majesty. With his response, Hyang once again shut himself in the research institute with his people. Since then, there was no news even though the end of the year was just around the corner. Well, it wasntpletely silent. They increased their workforce by recruiting mathematically proficient members from the Huis as teachers of mathematics , brought in the Chinese astronomical calendar book from Ming, through regr trade routes, and sent people all over Joseon to measure constetions. They were moving busily. And whenever these things happened, Hyang always wrote a report and submitted it to Sejong. Astronomical observation equipment? What is this? Its literally equipment for observing celestial bodies. The report seems a bit sparse? At Sejongs observation, Hyang looked at the officials and ministers, and answered in a low voice. I will submit a separate reportter. For external purposes, this level of detail is just right. Huh? Sejong, who was pondering what Hyangs answer meant, sighed, Hoo~. I understand what youre saying. That night, Sejong, who climbed up to the pavilion alone, sighed as he looked in the direction of the Eastern Pce. Hoo~. Youre carrying a heavy burden because this father and country are weak. The astronomical observation equipment Hyang mentioned were equipments to observe specific events such as Ritual of Praying for Rain and Clear Skies2 (Hocheonui), Great Sacrificial Ritual3 (Daejangui), and Small Sacrificial Ritual[A smaller-scale sacrificial ceremony, performed on a regr basis, often in households or private settings.]] (Sojangui). To make these devices, Jang Young-sil and the craftsmen forgot the night and devoted themselves to their work. Until the results came out, the researchers at the institute traveled around the country with observation devices that were officially or smuggled in from Ming Dynasty. However, the reason Hyang did not report all this in detail was because of diplomatic rtions with Ming. Observing astronomy could be a huge diplomatic issue considering the tributary rtionship with Ming. For this reason, the calendar method was also expressed as correcting the calendar given by the Ming Dynasty, not using an independent calendar method, and the astronomical observation equipment was also reported as just simple astronomical observation equipment. In this way, Hyang made sure that even if Ming made a fusster, Sejong would not suffer direct harm. It was because Sejong knew why Hyang did this that he sighed. For this reason, although he was holding back his curiosity, what Sejong was really curious about was the military field. Since the report that he was developing a new gun with Lee Cheon and Choi Hae-san, Hyang had not submitted a report. Why is the Crown Prince not submitting a report? Its a matter that is being carried out in the utmost secrecy, please give me a little more time. Dont you know its hard to execute the budget without a report? Please give me a little more time. And since were on the topic, if we could just have a little more budget You, rascal! Even though Sejong was angry, Hyang was stubborn to the end. It wasnt just Hyang. Choi Hae-san and Lee Cheon were the same. No matter how much Sejong and the ministers coaxed and cajoled, the two mens mouths never opened. Do I have to wait until that rascal reveals it? Sejong forcibly suppressed his curiosity, but the work Hyang was doing was growing bigger and bigger. Due to major incidents in Ming between the Jurchens, Sejong elerated the pace of the military reform he had been nning. As part of that reform, the existing Training Academy was expanded into a Training Institute, and Hyang asked Sejong for support. Support for the soldiers and soldiers of theTraining Academy? Why? We need people to actually handle the newly created weapons. Hmm. Sejong, who was looking at Hyang with his eyes wide open, made a helpless expression. Ah! Cant be helped. Granted. And a little more budget. You rascal! Get out! So, a considerable number of the soldiers and soldiers belonging to the training institute were seconded and assigned to Hyang. With the manpower supported in this way, Hyang built a training ground for them to train, which was under Namsan in the southeast, a ce with a military atmosphere. The interesting thing was that the soldiers and soldiers who were assigned in this way also kept their mouths shut. There were those among the seconded soldiers and soldiers who liked to chat, but for some reason, they all kept their mouths shut about what Hyang was doing. In addition, the area where these seconded soldiers and soldiers trained was surrounded by high and dense wooden fences, and soldiers were strictly guarding it. From inside, which was hidden like this, loud explosive sounds could be heard every day. As a result, not only Sejong and the ministers, but also all the residents of Hanyang were focusing their attention on this forbidden ce C the sign hung on the pir blocking the entrance to the training ground read Area 51. As time passed, rumors began to leak out little by little, such as A great gun is being developed., A weapon that is not one-to-many, but one-to-ten-thousand is being made. Along with these rumors, a new word became popr, Game Changer4. Game Changer? What does that mean? Its a phrase from the West. At the response of the inner official who reported the rumor, Sejong unknowingly nodded his head, Its just like the Crown Prince. Sejong, guessing the source, looked at the clock. Confirming the time on the clock, Sejong lost his appetite. It must be time for him to be at the military academy. Various activities made by Hyang gave the Minister of Taxation a headache, but it wasnt easy for Sejong or the ministers to say anything to Hyang. Sejong and the ministers were all tired from their busy schedules, but Hyangs workload was also not to be underestimated. Regardless of whether it was summer or winter, Hyang got up at the precisely at 6 a.m., attended the morning meeting without fail, and received martial arts training in the afternoon. In his spare time, he went back and forth between the research institute, the military academy, and Area 51, dealing with work. To save time on thismute, Hyang began to ride a horse, and his busy movements along with his escorts became a new attraction in Hanyang. By the time Hyang finished his busy day and sat down, it was almost, just before midnight. Before the research institute was established, he used to sleepter than that, so King Sejong and Queen Soheon were rather pleased. Im relieved! You were not sleeping enough before. Yes. Whether he knew the situation or not, every night before going to bed, Hyang measured his height leaning against the doorframe, content with his growing stature day by day. Its my crucial growing period, so I should sleep well! Anyway horse riding has been helpful in many ways, hasnt it? The ministers also weed Hyangs regr daily routine because it meant no more headache like to them.. Of course, Hyang who used to visit the warfront diligently during the important incidents in thetter half of the Gabin year (a year in the 60-year cycle ording to the lunar calendar), was a wee event. However, as the end of the year approached, the ministers too found it hard to contain their curiosity. Because right after Chuseok, the Royal Military Guard (one of the six ministerial posts in the Joseon dynasty) joined the group of the curious. Even Sejong seemed to notice that the Royal Military Guard had known something, but the official too remained silent. Your Majesty! Its time we check the oue of the recent projects carried out by the Crown Prince. I agree! A lot of funds are currently being directed to the Crown Princes research institute. We need to check if the budget is being used correctly. Eventually, the curious ministers couldnt contain themselves and stood up as December began. King Sejong nodded at the unified ministers. I agree. Call for the Crown Prince. Yes, Your Majesty. Shortly after, a horse carrying the royalmand bolted from Gwanghwamun Pce. About half an hourter, Hyang, catching his breath, entered the ministers meeting. As soon as Hyang, who had paid his respects to Sejong, sat down, Sejong opened his mouth. I know youve been busy sincest spring. Among them, there were events like the correction of the calendar which, although iplete, showed good results. Im proud that you achieved such results at a young age. Thank you, Your Majesty. Hyang bowed his head at Sejongs praise. But, thats where the praises stop. There were many other events, but the ministers and officials have not received a proper report. This is different from the promise you made to the ministers and officials. What did you write in the n you submitted when you first set up the research institute? Didnt you promise to make the costs used in the institute fully transparent? I apologize. However, it was a matter that required utmost secrecy. Do the ministers and officials also have secrets they need to keep? It was a matter rted to our Joseons defense, so we had to keep it as confidential as possible until the final product came out. Just in case. Hmm Sejong fell into thought at Hyangs reply. Sejong, watching Hyangs humble appearance, opened his mouth, We cannot always execute the budget based on your word using secrecy as a reason. Even if its a work-in-progress, it needs to be examined. We must avoid wasting precious budgets on vain attempts. Therefore, I will audit the works you are carrying out. How long do you need to prepare? Hyang pondered Sejongs question and replied, Please give me five days. Good. We will start the audit in five days. [/ihc-hide-content] __________ ??Footnotes
  1. A ritual that is observed by the King when a sr eclipse urs. Since an eclipse is considered bad fortune, the king and his retainers will change into white garbs and perform the ritual, observing the eclipse until it sets.[?]
  2. Ritual that is conducted during times of drought.[?]
  3. A major sacrificial ceremony conducted to honor and pay respects to ancestors, deities or important figures.[?]
  4. This is in English[?]
___________ Chapter 50 Chapter 50 As promised, five dayster, the ministers swarmed into the Eastern Pce under the pretext of understanding the state of the research institute. They werent the only ones who came. King Sejong was with them. I will apany you as well. Theres no need for Your Majesty to. Hwang Hui tried to dissuade him, but Sejong cut him off, Im curious about what the crown prince and his team have been developing. Thats why Im going. Oh, I see Lets get moving! As Sejong took the lead, the ministers followed him reluctantly. When Sejong and the ministers arrived at the pavilion of the Eastern Pce, the Crown Prince and the officials of the research center who were waiting in advance bowed deeply. We greet Your Majesty. Youve been working hard. Now Sejong thoroughly scrutinized those standing in front of the research center. Initially, when he had sought out Sejong, it had started with Jeong-cho, Jeong In-ji, and Lee Cheon, but now there were quite a number of people standing behind them. Has the number of people increased? Its still not enough. Still not? At the Crown Princes reply, Sejong shook his head in disbelief. At least twenty people were standing in front of him. Yet, his son was saying it was still not enough. Lets discuss issues regarding personnel and budget after seeing the results. Yes, Your Majesty. This way. The Crown Prince guided Sejong towards the door of the research institute. Hmm? Entering the interior of the research institute, Sejong let out an expression of curiosity. Following the hallway of the research institute, there were various devices disyed on the shelves that lined one wall, instead of books. Lets see Daejangui and Sojangui. Sejong, who was examining the disyed devices, looked back at the Crown Prince while reading the ques in front of them. Is this all there is? Compared to the budget invested. What is disyed there are all specimens for disy purposes. Creak! In response to Sejongs question, the Crown Prince opened the sliding door of a nearby room C a roombeled Equipment Rental Room. Inside the sliding door, rows of cabs stood in five rows and ten columns. All the drawers of each cab were locked with a thick padlock. The Crown Prince continued his exnation, The actual devices in use are inside those cabs. How is the management? In response to Sejongs question, the Crown Prince pointed at the internal officials standing at the door. Two people are assigned as a team to handle the iing and outgoing devices. You are thorough. Sejong nodded as he looked at the ledger on the desk. The ledger meticulously recorded the date, the name of the visitor, the equipment taken out, and the return date. Ive heard that Im thorough. Sejong, who had been nodding his head and taking his eyes off the ledger, praised the standing internal officials. You guys have worked hard. Your hard work is for this country, so work even harder. Your Majestys grace is boundless! Exiting the equipment rental room, Sejong examined the devices disyed on the shelf again. Hmm, lets see. The level, the plumb line? Those are devices for measuring horizontal and vertical levels. Hmm? Curious, Sejong picked up the level. A metal part was inside the long wooden te. Inside the long hole in the metal te was a cylindrical piece made of the same metal. Swish, swish. Whenever Sejong moved the wooden te back and forth, the cylinder inside made a sound and moved left and right. When the cylinder stops at the exact center, its level and plumb. I see! King Sejong, who had just learned how to use the level and plumb line, was even more curious. So, where are these used? They are used in construction. In construction? Yes. The most important thing when installing devices for astronomical measurements is to ensure the base is perfectly level and plumb. With the level and plumb line, this can be achieved easily and urately. Ah-ha! At the Crown Princes answer, Sejong nodded his head greatly and burst out in admiration. The ministers standing behind him did the same. Especially the Minister of Public Works, filled with ambition, immediately made a proposal to Sejong. Your Majesty! When constructing walls, government offices, dams, and reservoirs, the most important thing is to align the levels properly! If we use this device, the task bes easier. We should mass-produce and distribute them immediately! Do you also think so, Crown Prince? At Sejongs call, the Crown Prince bowed his head. Im sorry, but what we have made so far is not a finished product. Not a finished product? Yes, Your Majesty. The ones you see now are made with iron and copper. Iron and copper rust easily. To prevent this, oiling must be done as soon as a gap appears, and careful maintenance must be done to prevent rusting, which is a cumbersome process. We havee up with a solution for this and the improved version will be out soon. Your Highness! When will the improved version be avable? Im curious too. The Minister of Public Works was aglow as if it would consume the body in heat. Hyang, noting that Sejong was wearing a simr expression, briefly responded, Do you remember the business trip report I submitted a while ago? Business trip report? Let me think Are you referring to the one where we dispatched the Hui followers to Shandong? The objective was talent acquisition, wasnt it? Yes. The speed at which theyplete their work was crucial. And what kind of talents would those be? At Sejongs question, Hyang answered immediately, They are ss artisans. ss? Yes. If we have ss, management bes more efficient. At Hyangs answer, Sejong looked back at the office for royal secretarial duties. Its a pity, but it seems better to wait. Thats not true! Even in its current state, its quite useful in the field! The expression and remarks of the Minister of Public Works were simple. So noisy! Enough with the chatter, hand it over right now! What to do about this Sejong was immersed in contemtion. There was reason in both Hyangs words and those of the Minister of Public Works. During thest spring pce rotation, when construction was undertaken nationwide, Sejong had ventured out of the pce under the pretense offorting the people and had inspected construction sites around Hanyang. Greetings, Your Majesty! As the supervisors overseeing the construction site paid their respects, themon people at work stopped what they were doing to kneel or bow deeply. Youre working hard. It may be difficult now, but once this construction is finished, it will greatly aid in farming, so I encourage everyone to exert a bit more effort. We obey yourmand! Long live the King! Long live! Long live forever! At Sejongs exhortation, themon people shouted in unison. As heforted the people and examined the site, Sejong posed a question to the supervisor in charge: Whats the most difficult part about the construction process? At Sejongs question, the supervisor answered right away. Aligning the horizontal and vertical lines, Your Majesty. Why? Simply put, constructing reservoirs to contain water or digging wells is rtively straightforward. However, connected floodgates and canals are not so simple. If the vertical alignment of the floodgate isnt correct, opening and closing it and blocking the water bes difficult, and canals without proper horizontal alignment and gradient dont allow water to flow efficiently. I see. At the supervisors response, Sejong nodded in understanding. Later, when he briefly observed the construction of a separate building in the Eastern Pce, he noted that the main focus was on aligning the vertical and horizontal lines of the pirs and crossbeams. Given the information he had heard and seen, Sejong could understand why the Ministry of Public Works was making such a fuss. What should we do about this? Sejong, who had been contemting and reconsidering, finally reached a conclusion, Crown Prince, some might say that youre not yet fully matured, but from my perspective, youre more than capable of fulfilling your duties. Please provide the rted technology to the Ministry of Public Works. Understood. I ept yourmand, Father. In rtion to this, I have a few more devices to show you. Would you like to see them? Yes, lets take a look. Hyang presented several devices to Sejong and the ministers. The devices Hyang introduced included apass, a set square, a 360-degree circr protractor, and an adjustable protractor that could measure up to 180 degrees. The adjustable protractor, in particr, had a screw-based locking device, allowing it to firmly fix at a desired angle. Artisans and many other professionals have already been using simr devices for generations. This is an enhanced version of those devices for more precise use. They are the product of the hard work of our researchers. Truly amazing! Sejong sincerely admired the value of the devices that Hyang had presented. Despite Hyangs humble words, it was clear who came up with these innovative ideas. It certainly couldnt havee from the rigid minds of bureaucrats! Sejong looked at the Minister of Public Works, who couldnt hide his eagerness to possess those devices right away. With a proud expression, Sejong teased the following ministers. Do you know what the Minister of Public Works is feeling right now? We are not sure. The Crown Prince is so remarkable to the point Im tempted to issue an amnesty decree in celebration. Your Majesty! Its a joke, just a joke. Although he said it was a joke, Sejongs expression indicated otherwise. Look! My son is this smart! Do any of you have such an intelligent child? Having made a decision about the devices rted to architecture and civil engineering, Sejong began examining the next set of items. Is this a ship? Yes. What youre looking at now is thergest warship, the Military Supply Ship, currently used by our Joseon navy. Next are the vessels that are being researched. Hmm? The sizes are all different? They are all scale models. Eh? Then Sejongs gaze, which was once again surveying the models, stopped at the model of thergest ship. Its quiterge, isnt it? That is a model of the warship that our researchers are studying. The battleship model that caught Sejongs eye was a warship. A warship? I dont see any oars? It moves purely by wind power. And the armament? The primary armament is a cannon. If calcted correctly, it can carry at least 80 cannons. 80 cannons! Hyang exined about the warship. So, these warships are designed to form a line to maximize firepower, hence the name ship-of-the-line.
Ship of the line, also known as a line-of-battle ship, was a powerful and heavily armed warship that yed a significant role in naval warfare from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Theserge sailing vessels formed a line formation during battles and engaged in broadside cannon fire. They were known for their size, stability, and firepower, with multiple decks of cannons firing from both sides. Thats an impressive name. So, Crown Prince, are you saying that based on the research results of you and the researchers, we should use these t-bottomed ships in our nearshore waters of Joseon, and these ship-of-the-line for our open ocean voyages? Thats correct. Hmm. At Hyangs response, Sejong stroked his chin beard. Now that I think about it. Sejong remembered a report that came up through the Minister of Law Enforcement not too long ago. It was a report brought up by the newly established Joint Chiefs of Staff and the training academy due to changes in international affairs. The report outlined the necessity for naval reform and the need to create ns for it. Upon reading the report, Sejong had immediately given his approval. The defense of thend is important, but its a fact that the defense of the sea nevertheless holds the same importance. I grant permission. Of course, except for the Ministry of Law Enforcement, the ministers opposed, citing budgetary issues. However, Sejong did not waver in his decision. If we do not even make ns because weck budget, its an act fit for a fool! Our budget is gradually increasing, so its not an issue at the moment! As Sejong strongly pushed forward, the ministers cowered. They did not want to tread on the old path of Ryu Jeong-hyeon. While listening to the exnations and examining the models, Sejong expressed doubt. At the end of the ship model, there was a cold noodle bowl. Why is thiscquer noodle bowl (Mukgi) here? It symbolizes a ship made of iron, not wood. A ship made of iron? Sejong and the ministers all looked at Hyang with surprised eyes. A ship made of iron, you say? Thats correct. At Hyangs answer, everyone present, from Jeong-cho to Jang Yeong-sil, shook their heads. Thats impossible. Even a child knows that iron sinks in water. Correct. Making a ship out of iron is impossible. As everyone gave a negative response, Hyang countered, You are all mistaken. Its not impossible. We just havent found the way yet. We havent found the way, you say? Yes. With a brief answer, Hyang called the attendants and gave an order, Go to the kitchen and bring a bronze noodle bowl and arge tub filled with water. Yes, Your Highness. Shortly after, the attendants came back with arge tub filled with water and the bronze noodle bowl. Put the tub on that table. Yes, Your Highness. As the attendants ced the tub on the table, Hyang floated the noodle bowl on it. As the bronze noodle bowl bobbed on the water, Hyang looked at the people. It floats, see? Chapter 51 Chapter 51 It floats, see? With this one statement, the situation was resolved. Those who had insisted that it was impossible to build a ship out of iron had no choice but to be utterly bbergasted. Hyang spoke to them, Let me reiterate, its not that its impossible, its that you just havent found a way yet. He then exined to the bbergasted people concepts associated with this, such as fragments of knowledge, volume, weight, density, and so forth. After a lengthy exnation by Hyang, Jeong-cho opened his mouth. So, if we spread the iron sheets as thinly as possible and attach them together, we can make a ship is that correct? To put it extremely, yes. At Hyangs words, Jeong In-ji pointed out a problem, However, there is a problem. That is the method of attaching the iron sheets. Is there a way to connect the iron sheets to each other firmly while ensuring that no water seeps in? That is your task to research. So that is why the bowl noodle is here. At Hyangs answer, Sejong and his ministers nodded their heads. However, Hwang Hee, representing the ministers, pointed out another problem, To make a ship out of iron ording to your exnation, its clear we can build arge ship. But can we find that method? If we do our best to research, we can find it. Is it possible? Hwang Hees negative reaction sharpened Hyangs expression. Sejongs expression was the same. Do you think its impossible? Seeing the expressions of Hyang and Sejong, Hwang Hee evaded the question, It may be possible, but I think the time and cost involved are the problem. We cant just give up because of that. There are many people like me who think the same. If we can make a ship out of iron, which is much stronger than wood, we can make arger and stronger ship, which means we can sail further. Do you want our Joseon to just sit and watch while other countries are running around? Thats not what I meant, but Seeing Hwang Hee hesitate, Hyang spoke again, more resolutely this time, In order for our Joseon to be known throughout the world, the development of iron ships must be achieved, even if it takes time! At Hyangs resolute answer, the ministers closed their mouths and looked at Sejong. Sejong, who had been pondering with a serious expression, opened his mouth, Its clear that it will take a lot of time and budget. You feel the same, Crown Prince? Yes, I do. But But you insist that this is necessary. And you keep mentioning the Westerners, is there a connection? Its not irrelevant. As you know, I have read many books by Westerners. I know. In those Western books, there are things about history. The history of the West is a history of struggle. And the ones who understand the importance of wealth through that history better than anyone else are the Westerners. Did they say that the oue of the Thirty Years War taught them that the oue of war is determined by the economy? And so? For that reason, the Westerners are doing everything they can to find ways for their country to be wealthy. But they realized that there are limits if they only look inward. So, they are turning their eyes outward. At Hyangs exnation, Sejong took over. So, the Westerners will eventually head to the sea, and they wille to Joseon? All the way to this distant country? Already, Christian missionaries have beening and going to thisnd for hundreds of years, cant the Westernerse? I suppose thats true. When Sejong nodded his head, Hyang continued, When the Westerners see a way to gain wealth, they conduct fair trade if they are equal or stronger, and if they are weaker, they immediately use force to take what they want. Of course After stopping for a moment to catch his breath, Hyang added, Of course, international rtions is a ce ruled by thew of the jungle, so every country behaves like that. However, the Westerners, who dont know the concept of saving face, would act tantly. Ah! To be precise, they do save face among themselves. Among themselves, that is. At Hyangs words, Sejong muttered quietly, As if its only the Westerners who do that Exactly. Thats enough, I understand what youre trying to say. Sejong, who had interrupted Hyangs words, fell into thought. Seeing Sejongs serious face, the ministers and Hyang quietly waited for Sejong to speak. After a while, Sejong opened his mouth, Crown Prince, do you think we can produce an iron ship in my reign? Of course, there is a higher probability that we wont see it in my reign either. Despite such a low probability, do you think we should continue to research? epting the expenditure of time and resources we dont know the extent of? Yes, I think if we give up now because the odds are low, our descendants will pay the price many times over. Hmm At Hyangs resolute answer, Sejong fell into thought again. Sejong, who had been stroking his beard and looking at the models of ships, reached a conclusion. Alright, lets do it. Thank you! But we cant blindly invest time and money. Prepare a detailed n and submit it. I am at yourmand! Hyang responded to King Sejongs order with a vigorous affirmation. The heated debate about the iron ship, which began over a cold noodle bowl, ended with King Sejong making the final decision. The sight of King Sejong, who had ovee the hurdle, was drawn to the strange device ced under the disy cab. What is the purpose of that object? At King Sejongs question, Hyangresponded immediately, Its a Herons steam ball. Heron? Steam ball? A schr who was well-known in the old times in the West. Read here on Herons Aeolipile (HERE) Hyangs argument about the potential of iron ships was convincing, but Jeong-cho had a feeling something was missing. I feel like Im overlooking something As he was contemting what he might have missed, Jang Yeong-sil pointed out the area in question. Even if we could use iron to build a ship, and even if we could make itrger than one made of wood, there is a problem. Wouldnt there be a problem moving the ship just with sails and oars if the ship getsrger? Youre right! Thats it! At Jang Yeong-sils insight, Jeong-cho and Jeong In-ji eximed in unison. At the reaction of these two men, Hyang muttered internally, I thought they were about to shout Eureka. Whileining internally, Hyang, who seemed to have been prepared already, responded immediately, The problem of propulsion is something I have anticipated. Therefore, there is something I would like to research with you all. Call the attendant! Yes, Your Highness! At Hyangs call, the attendant, who had been outside, came in, and Hyang issued the following order: Bring the device sent from the Military Arsenal department some time ago. Yes, Your Highness. A littleter, two attendants came in, grunting under the weight of arge device made of bronze. What is this? Its a very uniquely shaped object. The first to express curiosity was Jang Yeong-sil. The others also gathered around the bronze object, their eyes sparkling. Hmm? Oh. The object the attendants had brought in was indeed unique. Two bronze tubes protruding from a cylinder held up by four legs were inserted into the sides of a bronze ball made of bronze. From the bronze ball, four tubes extended out, and their shape looked somewhat like the character d (which refers to a Buddhist swastika (refer to picture above)). The ends of the tubes that extended were drilled with small holes. Bring a brazier with a me and a kettle with water. Yes, Your Highness. After some time, the attendants brought in a brazier with a me and a kettle. Hyang then put the lit charcoal in the lower part of the cylinder, opened the cap on the top, and poured in water. After closing the cap again, he gazed at the people surrounding him. Have you ever watched rice being cooked in a kitchen? Yes. At Hyangs question, everyone nodded. Unlike thete Joseon period, it was not considered inappropriate for men to go into the kitchen at this time. Have you ever seen the lid of a rice pot moving when cooking rice? The power source I thought of uses water and fire. I named it a steam engine. Steam engine? Youre using the energy created when water boils? Yes. Can that really be a power source? Its the power that moves the heavy lid of a rice pot. I believe itspletely possible. Despite Hyangs confident answer, people were still skeptical. Seeing their skepticism, he grumbled internally, What an era of disbelief! Dont they know that faith brings blessings? Anyway, as time passed, the water started to boil, and steam began to seep from the holes in the tubes that extended from the bronze ball. Theres no particr movement yet? Please wait a bit longer. Just a little more. And as time passed, the bronze ball slowly started to rotate. Whistle~. With the sharp whistling sound made by the steam spouting through the small holes, the rotation of the bronze ball gradually sped up. What do you think? At Hyangs words, the faces of the people became serious. The device was heavy enough to require two attendants to move it. Of course, it was only the bronze ball at the top that was moving, but it was obviously not a light object just by looking at it. But the steam created by boiling water was turning that bronze ball. Jeong-cho, who had been silently observing Herons steam ball, opened his mouth, It seems worth studying. If we can produce good results, it would be very good to use on a ship. Even beyond the use with iron ships. Theres no need for us to wait either for a favorable wind or to manual rowers. My belief is just that! Moreover, this engine is not only used in ships! Not only used in ships? What would happen if we made a carriage powered by that engine? Eh? Huh? At Hyangs words, the peoples eyes widened in surprise. Therefore, among the ongoing research, there is also research rted to the steam engine. King Sejong, who had been watching Herons steam ball, turned to look at Hyang upon hearing this exnation. Making a carriage that moves with a steam engine? Yes, Your Majesty. Will that be of any use? Why wouldnt it be useful? At Hyangs question, King Sejong pointed out a problem. Ultimately, a carriage is a vehicle for transporting loads. However, for the steam engine that youve mentioned, in order for it to work properly, it constantly needs to be supplied with water and fire. The issue is that to do this, the water and firewood need to be loaded onto the carriage, leaving no space for the actual load, wouldnt it? This gentleman is sharp. As expected of King Sejong! Hyang internally eximed but then answered the mans question, You may think so. However, the steam engine exerts a tremendous amount of force rtive to its size. It doesnt just pull a single carriage but can move several carriages at once, which is indeed useful. It pulls several carriages? Still unable to hide his doubt, King Sejong, along with his ministers, watched as Hyang raised his hand, pointing inside the research institute. Please,e this way. Let me show you the ultimate result of the indulgence thats been called the ultimate end-game! Here it is. The ce Hyang led them to was a room guarded not only by court officials but also by soldiers armed with swords. At the sight of Hyang and King Sejong, the officials and soldiers saluted in unison. Good work. Your graciousness is boundless! As the saluting court officials straightened their bodies, Hyangmanded, Open the door. Yes, Your Highness. Wow! Whoa! Entering through the door opened by the court officials, King Sejong and his ministers let out exmations. In the middle of therge room, about two rooms wide (approximately 4.8m) and five rooms long (approximately 14m), a huge table was ced. On that table, there were mountains, ins,kes, rivers, and oceans. And a railroad track wasid out in this small, artificially created world. Looking at the surprised King Sejong and his ministers, Hyang smiled. Its a model railway, which was also called the ultimate end-game of indulgence in the 21st century! I will show Your Majesty a carriage with a steam engine in use. Official! Prepare the lotive! Yes, Your Majesty. Following Hyangs orders, the officials ced a model lotive and connected passenger and freight cars onto the railroad track. As the officials stepped back after connecting the model train cars with hooks, King Sejong began to examine the model lotive closely. Youve connected the steam ball and the wheel you were talking about earlier? Yes. The model lotive that Hyang had created was a primitive contraption ced on a wooden carriage, with a small model of Haeons steam ball on top, connected to the wheel with a leather strap. Since its small, we will first use alcohol as fuel. As he exined, Hyang pushed amp filled with ethanol under the steam ball and lit the wick. Squeak! As time passed, steam started to escape from a pipe sticking out of the steam ball, making a sharp noise. At that sound, Hyang released the brake that had been holding the wheel. As the brake was released, the model lotive slowly began to move, pulling the passenger and freight cars with it. Chapter 52 Chapter 52 Ah! Its moving! Upon witnessing the train in motion, King Sejong pped with delight. Hyang, watching with a proud face, opened his mouth to speak, This is thend transportation system Ive been thinking about that uses steam engines. If research proves sessful, one could travel from Hanyang to Busan in a single day. No, we could move from the southernmost to the northernmost tip of Joseon in a day. If that happens Hyangs words trailed off, prompting King Sejong and the ministers to focus their attention on him. With all eyes on him, Hyang finally delivered his conclusion .If that happens, the once stagnant pulse of Joseon will beat again. The pulse of Joseon will beat again? Yes, thats correct. If we look at the current situation, the pulse of Joseon is stagnant. There is virtually no movement of goods, and themon people are unable to leave their ce of birth, they live and die on the samend. Unless a significant event happens, they wont know what is happening in the outside world, and their lives remain unchanging. Then, who do you think benefits the most? Only thendlords who rule these viges benefit. Isnt it the same even now? Why did Your Majesty prohibit usations from the popce? Even though there are as many disadvantages as there are benefits. At the mention of the Law Prohibiting usations from the Popce1, the faces of King Sejong and the ministers hardened. Upon its founding, Joseon strived to strengthen central authority. Conflict with local powers and administrators appointed by the central government was inevitable. Whenever such conflicts arose, a deluge of usations followed. The countless usations filed by local nobles against officials, either individually or in collusion, had more than once filled King Sejongs desk. Eventually, King Sejong made a decisive move. Confucius said that The military is one body! The regional officials are those who have been sent on behalf of this oneself, to carry out this oneselfs will! Just as it is not in ordance with propriety for a child to criticize their parents, it is also not in ordance with propriety to criticize them! Referring to the ssics, King Sejong created aw prohibiting usations from the popce, which even the reigning King Taejong agreed to implement. However, the Crown Princesment on the benefits and disadvantages suggested there was a problem with the Law Prohibiting usations from the Popce. So, youre saying that it was not right to prohibit usations from the popce? In the previous situation, it was an unavoidable choice to prohibit usations from the popce. But as time goes by, those who take advantage of this to satisfy their own greed will appear. Isnt Your Majesty trying to prevent this by pushing for reforms? Well, that is true. I believe that everything in this world, if it has a beginning, it also has an end. Even people have lifespans, so why shouldntws have them too? Well, thats a valid point. Upon hearing Hyangs words, King Sejong nodded in agreement. Hyang then turned his gaze towards the Minister of Law and Enforcement, Heo Jo, who was standing behind Sejong, and continued, I think the important thing about aw is not its content, but the principle it represents. Your Majesty prohibited usations from the popce because you wished for your will to be properly executed even in remote areas, so once the reforms arepleted, wont thisw be unnecessary? Well, that is true. King Sejong repeatedly nodded his head, and Heo Jo, who was known to be a strict principled person, also nodded. Hyang first knew about Heo Jo when he switched sides from the former Left State Councilor to Sejongs party. Hyang, who had predicted that if a purge took ce, Heo Jo would be washed away with the Left State Councilor, was perplexed by Heo Jos change of course. A principled person, you say? Why is he so fickle? As time passed and Hyang gathered various rumors, he revised his assessment of Heo Jo. This gentleman is a staunch royalist and Confucian fundamentalist, hes in a risky position While adjusting his assessment of Heo Jo, Hyang changed the subject. He will be a useful card if theres a problem with the Avengers in the future. And so, Hyang continued his exnation, having broached the Law Prohibiting usations from the Popce. If we look at how blocked the roads are in Joseon right now, there are famous viges for apples and pears, but it takes so much effort just to cross one mountain to see them, and if we cross two mountains, it would be fair to say, there is such a thing.'' Oh! I want to eat the mackerel from Andong Argh, my minds wandering off again! Hyang hurriedly gathered his thoughts and continued, However, if wey down these railroads and run trains, we can move many people and goods at once. Then, Joseon, which has been stagnant like a pond, will flow steadily like a stream. Hmm After Hyangs exnation ended, King Sejong stroked his beard, lost in thought. Your Excellency, look here. As King Sejong was contemting, Hwang Hee called Jeong-cho in a soft voice. What is it, Sir Hwang? When Jeong-cho asked for the reason, Hwang Hee pointed at the model lotives and trains with the tip of his chopstick and asked, Do you think these toys will be of practical use? At Hwang Hees words, Jeong-cho chuckled and responded, Do you think those are mere trifles for amusement, Your Excellency? Its not that, Im curious if they will be effective. Do you see the chunks of iron ced on the carts behind that toy? I see them. If we add those up, they weigh about 10 geun (6kg). The toy you referred to can move 15 geun, including the weight of the cart. Do you grasp the magnitude? At Jeong-chos words, Hwang Hee closed his mouth. The other ministers who were present did the same. Meanwhile, King Sejong, who had been lost in thought, asked Hyang a question, Its well known that the roads in our Joseon are in a mess from ancient times. Therefore, not only in ancient times, but also in our Joseon, we mainly use boats to transport goods. Will these railroads be able to substitute that? There would be a substantial amount of resources invested in the construction process. However, as time passes, it will not only recover the invested resources, but also more. Furthermore, if we discuss water transportation, every time we transport the collected grain from the southern regions (Chungcheong-do, Jeo-do, Gyeongsang-do) by ship, a significant amount gets lost each year. Every year, a tenth of the total amount of graining in is lost, usually due to the ships sinking in a storm or getting stranded on hidden reefs. Isnt it a sessful situation if we only lose a tenth? Indeed. Is it really? Eh? At Hyangs question, King Sejong and the ministers ears perked up. Hyang continued, looking at King Sejong and the ministers. The sailors of the cargo ships transporting the grain have a lot of experience. Do you think these people wouldnt know the signs of a storm? Or they wouldnt know the location of the reefs on a path they travel back and forth all the time? Isnt it simply theck of concrete evidence that makes us overlook it? That makes sense At Hyangs point, King Sejong and the ministers nodded. As Hyang pointed out, most of the grain collected from the southern regions was transported to Hanyang via cargo ships. During this process, a significant amount of grain was lost due to various idents. The government had tried various ways to prevent this loss, but no optimal solution had been found. Once the ship went out to sea,munication was impossible until it arrived. No! There were times when even Cheonan and Wonju were considered part of the metropolitan area! Crossing the Han River andmunication is cut off C how does that make sense! Were talking about a country thats only as big as the palm of your hand! Hyang insistentlyid out the benefits of the railroad. Its not only beneficial for the transportation of people and goods. It is also very advantageous formunication. At Hyangs words, King Sejong stroked his beard and nodded his head. Beneficial formunication indeed. If we can arrive at Hanyang from the southern or northern end within a day, as you said, we would be able to receive urgent reports more quickly. Then we could respond more rapidly and urately. That is indeed correct. Of course! When Hwang Hee and the other ministers who were about to speak appeared, Hyang raised his voice. As Hyangs voice rose, the lips of the ministers who were about to say something tightened shut. Hyang, who silenced the ministers, continued, Of course, we have the Beacon System (bongsudae C an ancient beacon system) even now, and we are still announcing emergency notices through beacon fires. However, we can only receive information rted to national defense through the beacon fires. Even then, we can only know that something has happened in a certain direction, and we have to wait until the couriers arrive to get detailed information. If were not careful, we might miss crucial moments while waiting for the courier. Thats true. At Hyangs point, the ministers nodded. Hyang continued, Emergency notices are not only confined to wars. There are things like epidemics, floods, and droughts. If we can receive news faster when such disasters ur, wouldnt we be able to handle them with a bit more leisure? Thats certainly true. The ministers also started to lean towards finding the railway useful. Hyang then called Jeong-cho. You there, submit the n to His Majesty. Yes, Your Highness. At Hyangsmand, Jeong-cho, together with Jeong In-Ji, took out a pile of thick books andid them on the table with the railway model. What is this? HmmComprehensive National Land Development n?'' It is a n to strengthen Joseons capacity based on the geography and economic situation of Joseon, which we surveyed while traveling across the country for astronomical observations, poption distribution, and the distribution of underground resources reported by the resource agency. I prepared it hoping it would be of even a little help to His Majestys reform policies. King Sejong counted the number of books Jeong-cho and Jeong In-Ji had brought. One, two, three Forty-two, this doesnt seem like a little bit? Its just a little bit. Hmm At Hyangs response, King Sejong sighed as he opened the book. Hoo~. The book was filled with sentences written in small characters. As he read the densely written sentences, King Sejong muttered quietly, I hate metal pens at times like these. The reason why the officials preferred metal pens over brush pens was that they could write smaller. Although a brush pen could also write small using fine calligraphy, a metal pen could write even smaller. This reduced the consumption of paperpared to the past, which was good, but it was a torture for the ministers whose vision was declining. Hence, King Sejong had to specify a minimum character size for official documents. Having briefly examined the content of the book that was on top, King Sejong handed the book over to Hwang Hee. I think its worth reviewing. Examine it with the rest of the ministers. Yes, Your Majesty. Having handed over the books to Hwang Hee and the ministers, King Sejong examined the interior of the room where the railway model was ced. He hadnt had the chance to look around as his attention was drawn to the railway model as soon as he entered. There are many maps? Yes. Theres a world map derived from Zheng Hes navigation records, and a map of Joseon based on the surveys by researchers who went out for astronomical measurements to correct the ephemeris2. Hmm As he examined the map of Joseon hung on the wall, King Sejong turned to look at Hyang. Its much more precise than the old maps. Its thanks to the researchers efforts. The hard work is evident. Everyone,e and see. Yes, Your Majesty. The moment King Sejongs order fell, the officials approached and began examining the maps. The one showing the deepest interest was Jo Mal-saeng3. After scrutinizing the maps, he made a request to King Sejong. Your Majesty, the army is in most need of these precise maps. Although we have gathered talents through military reform, there are many shorings in carrying out their intentions, and the maps are part of them. Please bestow these maps to the army. The Minister of Military Affairs speaks truly. Crown Prince, make sure to pass these maps to the military. I will obey your order. However, is it alright even if they are not the finalized version? They are not the final versions? The research institute has only been established for seven months. Weck people, so its impossible to produce a proper oue. Weck people? As King Sejong pondered, Jeong-cho spoke earnestly, Indeed, theck of talented personnel is a serious issue. Even now, including us, the rest of the members of the research institute can hardly go home. Is it that serious? At King Sejongs words, Jeong-cho nodded his head with a face that seemed on the verge of tears. As you can see, Your Majesty, were not just dealing with one or two tasks. There are many tasks and few people, how can we possibly befortable? Cant we gather more people? At King Sejongs question, Jeong-cho replied, almost whimpering. The rumors of the work being arduous deter people froming. Initially, we managed to bring people in with promises of promotion, but whenever the number of people increased, you assigned more work As you may see, the research institute has barely been established for over half a year, but it has produced so many artifacts and performed tasks. Among these tasks, not a single one is easy. Recalling the hardships, Jeong-chos eyes filled with tears, and he could not continue his words properly. Looking at the pitiful state of the elderly official, King Sejong red at Hyang. Upon receiving King Sejongs sharp gaze, Hyang yfully stuck out his tongue. Oops! You rascal! Enough! __________ ??Footnotes
  1. During the Joseon Dynasty, there was aw called ??????? (Bumin Gosogumjib) that prohibited the filing ofints against high-ranking officials bymoners. Thisw aimed to protect the privileged ss and maintain the social hierarchy. Under thisw,moners were not allowed to take legal action or bring grievances against the aristocracy or government officials, regardless of any injustices they may have experienced. Thew essentially shielded the elite from ountability and preventedmoners from seeking justice or challenging the authority of those in power.[?]
  2. a table or data file giving the calcted positions of a celestial object at regr intervals throughout a period.[?]
  3. Minister of Military Affairs during King Taejongs and Sejongs reign. In the history, he was a civil officer during King Taejong and King Sejongs reign. In 1401, he passed the civil service exam and became a government officer. Even though he was involved in bribery scandal in 1428, he was seen aspetent as King Sejong never allowed him to resign even if he appealed to the king about his health problems several times. In the end, he couldnt retire before his death as is often the case with King Sejongs subjects.[?]
___________ Chapter 53 Chapter 53[ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=show ihc_mb_who=39 ihc_mb_temte=1 ]
New Arc is here!
I will give the issue of personnel further thought. The research staff is working so hard, its only right to provide adequate support. Your Majestys graciousness is boundless! Upon receiving an affirmative response to hisment, Sejong and the officials embarked on a serious inspection. Here are the ount books. The officials began to scrutinize the ledgers documenting all the expenses used in the institute. While the officials conducted their inspection, Sejong went around the institute, looking at the devices in use or under construction with an expert eye. We are done. Is that so? How was it? Hwang Hee answered Sejongs question, There are no discrepancies in the books. Is that so? However, 60% of the funds have been directed to Area 51. We need to inspect Area 51. At Hwang Hees words, Sejong looked out the window. Having seen the sky transition from afternoon to evening, Sejong made a decision, Crown Prince, we will inspect Area 51 tomorrow. Understood. The next morning, Sejong left the pce with his officials. Area 51 what does that mean exactly? Sejongs question left Hyang slightly embarrassed. Is there some unspeakable hardship there? No, not at all. Its just a name borrowed from the research institutes in the Western countries, which boast excellent research achievements. I was ashamed to tell you. I was afraid wed be used of relying too much on Western things without fully understanding our own. While there were rumors about aliens in Area 51, howe theres not a single alien dropping in Joseon? At Hyangs reply, Sejong nodded, Indeed. There is an old saying: too much is as bad as too little. You must make sure you dont go overboard and maintain moderation. Yes, Your Majesty. Anyway, it feels good to be able to move around on horseback like this. Yes, Your Majesty. Both Sejong and Hyang were riding horses, dressed in full armor with helmets. Sejong was on a white horse, while Hyang, on a brown one, moved side by side toward Area 51. The officials, too, followed Sejong and Hyang on horseback. The Area 51 that Hyang had arranged was a little to the southeast of the military headquarters. In terms of 21st-century geography, the military headquarters was near Seoul City Hall, and Area 51 was in the Hoehyeon-dong1 area. Its a ratherrge site. Yes, so we had to spend a considerable amount of money to purchase thend. Well done. Even if it is for the states affairs, we should not arbitrarily seize peoples properties. Sejong did not spare his praise, apparently pleased with Hyangs work. At least they only took the market price, considering its a state affair! When Sejong, Hyang, and their party arrived at the main gate of Area 51, themander of the soldiers guarding the gate stepped forward. Halt! Only authorized personnel are allowed in! Show your identification! At themanders words, Hyang led his horse to the front. Upon reaching themander, Hyang pulled out a small wooden que from his attire and presented it to him. Here it is. After confirming the emblem on the wooden que, themander stepped back and saluted respectfully. Long live the king! Open! At the gesture of themander who gave the military salute, the soldiers guarding the door swung open the main gate. Hyang, who had returned to Sejongs side, guided him. Your Majesty, please enter. Very well. The security is indeed thorough. Without a pass, even I cannot enter. Upon Hyangs response, Sejong looked surprised. Really? Our Crown Prince certainly has put a lot of effort. Its because this is the most important ce for security. Sejong, who had passed through the main gate, shook his head as if exhausted, and looked at Hyang. To the point of obsession. Contrary to expectations that they would go straight into the interior after passing the main gate, Sejongs party moved along a white passage to the right. Both sides of the passage were blocked by high wooden fences, and soldiers stood at regr intervals behind the fences, watching the passage. Sejong, seeing the soldiers saluting him, looked back at Hyang. What on earth are they doing inside to require such strictness? Matters where confidentiality is life itself. Ugh Meanwhile, the officials following behind Sejong and Hyang looked serious. Such a strict facility for a research institute? What on earth are they researching? This is definitely a waste of budget! In the midst of these various remarks, Hwang Hee red at Jeong-cho. Your Excellency! What have you been doing while the Crown Prince was doing all this? Arent you also a subject of Joseon? If the expenditure is thisrge, even you should have stepped up and reported! Jeong-cho calmly brushed off Hwang Hees criticism. I just stood by because I am a subject. Even I feel this is still not enough. Ahem! What? Hwang Hee raised his voice, but Jeong-cho was mumbling to himself, looking far away. A nobleman should be diligent. Being so casual like this. Hey! Your Excellency Jeong! Hwang Hee shouted, but Jeong-cho continued to mumble, Thats why they say desk work doesnt work. Its not toote to talk after seeing the field Your Excellency Jeong! Just as the situation was about to escte into a fight, the second door opened, and Sejong and Hyang entered. Whoa Sejong, who had entered, let out an exmation. On a vast site C by Hyangs rough estimate, about two-thirds the size of Hoehyeon-dong, Myeong-dong, and Eulji-ro in the 21st century C buildings were erected, and ck smoke was rising on one side. To wee Sejongs party, trainees, soldiers under the Internal Security Office, craftsmen under the Military Equipment Supervisor and the Chief of the Armoury stood in rows. Salute! Charge! At themand of themander, Choi Hae-san, the soldiers saluted, and the craftsmen knelt on the ground and bowed. Well done, everyone. Thank you, Your Majesty! Sejongs praise continued, and Choi Hae-san gave an order to the soldiers. Dismissed! At Choi Hae-sans dismissalmand, the soldiers and craftsmen returned to their ces. Sejongs party, who had dismounted from their horses, moved their steps under the guidance of Choi Hae-san and Lee Cheon. What a remarkable facility. Thank you, Your Majesty. But most of the facility is what His Highness the Crown Prince has been involved with. Is that so? Then what is the main work here? Improvement of gunpowder and development of new gunpowder, improvement of cannons and gun barrels and development of new cannons and gun barrels, development of new armor, development of tactics using newly made weapons, and so on. As soon as Choi Hae-sans words ended, Lee Cheon took over. To put it simply, we are working on everything rted to the military, except for ships. Is that so? Hearing the answers of Choi Hae-san and Lee Cheon, Sejong looked around. The color of the uniforms worn by the soldiers and military officers was significantly different from what he had seen before. Do they even take care of the uniforms when they say everything? Hmm. Sejong, who had been surveying the area with a snort, turned to Hyang. Then lets see what youve been doing so far. Yes, Your Majesty. Generals. Yes! Your Majesty, pleasee this way. Choi Hae-san and Lee Cheon led Sejong and the ministers to arge open space. On the open space guided by Choi Hae-san and Lee Cheon, there were a long table and several artifacts in ce. Choi Hae-san, who had guided people to the ce with the table, started to exin, The first thing we will show Your Majesty are the gunpowders. Gunpowders? Thats correct. Choi Hae-san pointed to the dishes ced on the table. Small amounts of gunpowder were contained on the dishes made of copper. Starting from the far left, this is the explosive that our Joseon army has been using. Ourb has named it single-round (gap-sik) gunpowder. Hmm Sejong, who had been examining the explosives as Choi Hae-san exined, asked a question, How are each of these explosives different? And you said you made them easier to use, what kind of method is that? I will exin. Choi Hae-san exined to Sejong how they made them easier to use. The improvement began almost the same as the existing method. Up to this point, it was the same as before. The traditional method mixed clean oil at this point and went into storage, but Hyang added a few more steps here. Graphite? Sejong questioned the word graphite, which he heard for the first time. Hyang intervened at Sejongs reaction. Its a mineral I added to the list when the Resource Department was established and miners were being dispatched. Really? What benefits does it have? It prevents moisture pration and prevents the explosives from self-detonating. It has many other benefits, but I will exin that partter. Sejong looked at Hyang with wide eyes at Hyangs roundabout answer. What is this brat up to again. Hmm Okay. General, continue. Yes, Your Majesty. As per your exnation, when the process that is closer to coating, no, applying graphite is done, storage bes very easy. Of course, weve also added a process of making a doubleyered box for storing explosives, filling the space between the inner and outer boxes with charcoal, and covering it with oil-soaked paper to prevent moisture pration as much as possible, but its a fact that graphite is doing the most work. Coating? Sejong expressed confusion at another unfamiliar term. Immediately, Hyang jumped in. Its thenguage of the schrs. Theyve been deeply involved in the refinement process of gunpowder, and thus, their terminology has been frequently used. Were currently in the process of tranting them into ournguage Sejong raised his hand to stop Hyangs exnation. I see the situation. Thats not the important part, General, please continue. Yes, Your Majesty. Hyang, who had been watching Sejongs reaction, clenched his fists behind his back. Sess! Weve passed the 80% mark ofundering the origin! As he became more engrossed in his hobby, Hyang had unwittingly begun to consider solutions for dealing with the sudden emergence of English words. And thus, the Western and Roman books that filled the library had emerged. From then on, every time English words popped out unknowingly, Hyang navigated the crisis by saying, My apologies. Ive been reading too many of the schrs books The issue was that as such instances became more frequent, those working with Hyang also became ustomed to using English, Latin, and German words. Anyway, Choi Hae-san continued with the exnation. Next is our improved sulfur-free gunpowder. The key focus was changing the raw materialposition. Weve removed sulfur. Removed the sulfur? At Choi Hae-sans statement, Sejong and the other ministers began to murmur. Can gunpowder explode without sulfur? It can explode. At Choi Hae-sans response, the eyes of the Minister of Taxation began to sparkle. Miners had found a few sulfur mines, but the locations werent good, and the mining cost was nowhere near insignificant. We can save on budget! Wonderful! Contrary to what the Minister of Taxation liked, Sejong, with a serious face, asked, Are there any problems with removing sulfur? For example, does the explosive power decrease? The explosive power remains almost the same. But adding sulfur to gunpowder has been practiced since long ago, hasnt there been any difficulty? Are we really okay without sulfur? You raise a valid point. After taking a moment to breathe, Choi Hae-san responded to Sejongs inquiry. When you remove sulfur from gunpowder, one characteristic emerges which can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. What characteristic? With a normal fuse, the gunpowder wont ignite. So its useless Ah! Sejong, who was about to question further, looked at Hyang and Choi Hae-san. So only our Joseon army knows how to ignite that gunpowder! Thats why its both an advantage and a disadvantage! Our army can use it, but the enemy cant even if they capture it, so the disadvantage bes an advantage! Thats it! Thats correct, Your Majesty. At Sejongs words, Hyang, Choi Hae-san, and Lee Chun bowed their heads in agreement. Sejong praised them repeatedly. Its a clever strategy! So, are there any other benefits? Yes. The biggest advantage is that production costs have significantly decreased by not using sulfur. Also, both charcoal and sulfur corrode the interior of guns and artillery, but by removing sulfur, the rate of corrosion has weakened. This means the lifespan of guns and artillery has increased. Lastly, it produces less smoke when fired. At Choi Hae-sans exnation, Sejong, with a face full of doubt, stroked his beard. If there are so many advantages, why didnt Ming Ah! Is it the ignition problem you mentioned earlier? Thats correct, Your Majesty. At Sejongs self-answer, Choi Hae-san, Lee Chun, and Hyang nodded. In particr, Hyang nodded even more vigorously. Thank you, inte! The idea of removing sulfur from ck powder was something she learned while searching the inte in the 21st century. But the information was only avable on one site, and there were no exact ratios, so Hyang and the artisans had to go through numerous trials and errors. After all those trials and errors, they were able to find the optimal ratio for maximum effect and choose the right wood for charcoal. And that information was ssified as top-secret and stored in a vault located in the deepest part of theboratory. [/ihc-hide-content]
  1. Near Nandaemum Market,rgest traditional market in Korea. One of the popr tourist hotspots.[?]
Chapter 54 Chapter 54 Then, how does the improved gunpowder ignite? It uses the gunpowder that His Highness the Crown Prince made. Upon hearing Choi Hae-sans answer, King Sejong pointed out a problem. Wouldnt that make things tooplicated? Now we have another type of gunpowder going between the fuse and the original gunpowder. Upon King Sejongs remark, all the apanying officials nodded in agreement. Most of them were civil officials, but some had experience in the military, and even those who didnt knew how to use firearms. They all had heard about it at least once. They also knew from the previous demonstration that a fuse was absolutely necessary to ignite gunpowder. Choi Hae-san immediately replied to Sejongs remark. We do not use a fuse with double-strength gunpowder. Instead, we use a cap (spoken in English), no, a copper ignition cap. Copper ignition cap? As King Sejong expressed his confusion, Hyang quickly wrote the characters on a memo and handed it to him. Its written like this. Hmm Do we have a real one? Upon Sejongs words, Choi Hae-san moved a copper te on a tray to Sejongs front. The small one is for guns, and therge one is for cannons. Hmm King Sejong closely examined the copper ignition cap ced on the copper te. The one for guns was slightly smaller than the nail of an index finger, and the one for cannons was about the size of a thumb joint. As Sejong inspected the objects, he looked at Choi Hae-san. Can we have a demonstration? It has already been prepared. This way. Choi Hae-san guided Sejong and the officials a bit away from where the tray was ced. The ce Choi Hae-san guided them to was an area approximately 20 zhang (, about 60m) wide and 150 zhang (about 450m) long. Seeing the ce Choi Hae-san guided them to, Sejongmented, This ce is quite deste. As per Sejongs observation, the area was indeed deste. Aside from where the people stood, there were dirt walls at least two zhang tall on three sides. They also piled up bags of dirt up to chest height to create a wall where the people stood. Inside the wall, there were numerous pits dug here and there. As Sejong and the officials took their ce behind the dirt wall, Choi Hae-san began to speak, Then I will start the demonstration. Start! At Choi Hae-sansmand, the waiting artisans moved a small tray to the front of the demonstration area. On the tray were copper tes and small wooden barrels. The stuff in the barrel on the left is single-strength gunpowder, and in the right barrel is double-strength gunpowder. While Choi Hae-san was exining, the artisans scooped the gunpowder onto the copper tes using a spoon made of maite, then inserted the fuses. Once they confirmed the fuses were properly inserted, they lit them and retreated. Bang! Fizz. The single-strength gunpowder lit by the fuse exploded with smoke, but the double-strength gunpowder only burned the fuse and ended. This time, we will use the modified gun with a copper ignition cap. Lets start. At themand, the artisans brought two guns. The artisans who moved the gunpowder from the barrels into the guns then inserted a wad of paper and started ramming it. The artisans who had tightly rammed it pulled the striker sticking out from the back of the gun and then attached the copper ignition cap. When they finished all the tasks, the artisans held the gunstock firmly under their right armpits, gripped the cord connected to the striker in their left hand, and aimed at the wall across from them. Fire, fire, fire! Boom! After loudly shouting themand three times, when the artisans pulled the cord at once, the two guns simultaneously spit out fire. Oh! Wow! As the two guns spat out mes, the officials let out exmations of admiration. Sejong looked at Hyang. So this is why you dont use a fuse? Hmm There seem to be fewer constraints than when using a fuse. Thats correct. Indeed, you have worked hard. King Sejong looked at Hyang with an expression of admiration. However, his face quickly hardened, and he threw out a question, You said the name of the gunpowder youve made is silver powder. Youre not using precious silver, are you? No, your Majesty. It uses mercury. Of course, mercury is valuable, but it is easier to obtain than silver and is only used for ignition, so it costs less than expected. But still. Thats a relief. At Hyangs response that the cost was lower than expected, King Sejongs face brightened. Regardless, gunpowder was an item that consumed a massive amount of wealth. With a much rxed expression, King Sejong turned his head towards the demonstration area. I would like to know about the other gunpowder you made, General. Yes, your Majesty. Bring the silver powder. Yes, sir. At Choi Hae-sans order, the artisans came in carefully holding a small wooden box. Tilt the box to show the inside. The artisans tilted the box so King Sejong and his officials could see inside. In the center of the box, filled with sawdust, was a tiny ceramic bottle. Choi Hae-san, who took out the ceramic bottle from the box, pulled out the cork and tilted it slightly towards the empty ground. Boom! A single drop of silver powder fell from the mouth of the ceramic bottle onto the ground, and a loud explosion urred at that moment. Gasp! Good heavens! As the officials were surprised by the unexpected explosion, Choi Hae-san introduced it with a mischievous smile. This is silver powder. Amazing! Astonishing! My prince, its truly astonishing! It truly lives up to the name silver powder! General, then how about its power? It cannot bepared to the gunpowder used by our Joseon army. The saying sky and earth difference would be fitting. Prepare it. Yes, General. The artisans began to prepare a demonstration topare the power of the ck powder and silver powder. This is a thick cannon tube made for testing power. The amount of gunpowder used is 1/4 nyang (a traditional unit, approx. 9g) for both sides. First, its the single-strength powder. After packing 1/4 nyang of single-strength powder into the cannon tube, the artisan fastened it to a tripod set up in advance on the ground. Then, he fitted arge mushroom-shaped iron cap to the slightly tilted mouth of the cannon tube. The artisan who had pulled back the igniter with a fuse, stepped back and shouted loudly. Fire! Fire! Fire! Boom! With a loud explosion, the iron cap flew in a parabolic path and fell to the ground. The artisan began to count units as he retrieved the rope attached to the iron cap. 1 bo! 2 bo! Choi Hae-san quickly exined to King Sejong. We can measure the distance it flew using bo units. Is that so? 50 bo! (approx. 60m) Now we will experiment with silver powder. At Choi Hae-sans signal, the artisans began preparing for the second firing. The artisans handling the silver powder were extremely cautious. Youre being very careful, arent you? At King Sejongs question, Hyang immediately responded, It is an incredibly delicate substance, your Majesty. But still? Fire! Fire! Fire! In the midst of their conversation, the artisan who had finished preparing pulled the rope connected to the igniter. Bang! With an even louder and sharper explosion than the previous gunpowder, the iron cap soared into the sky and started to fly far away. The artisan who retrieved the iron cap that had flown a considerable distance shouted out the distance loudly. 110 bo! (approx. 132m) At the artisans shout, King Sejongs eyes widened in surprise. It flew over twice as far, didnt it? Yes, your Majesty. As finicky as it is, its power is extraordinary. Seeing Hyangs responding expression, King Sejong clicked his tongue. Tsk! Looking at your face, it seems its not something we can use easily. Yes, your Majesty. Given our current situation in Joseon, silver powder itself is something we cant make use of. What a shame. At Hyangs response, King Sejong couldnt hide his disappointment and licked his lips. Its a pity. I agree. Listening to the conversation between King Sejong and Hyang, the officials also had a simr expression to King Sejong. The Prince they knew seemed to prioritize performance, but surprisingly, he also took production costs into ount. However, the fact that the Crown Prince didnt mention the cost indicated that the court could bear the production cost. However, the Crown Prince had judged the item to be useless at present. How tedious could it possibly be to have you say so? Its extremely tedious. Hyang exined the reasons to Sejong. If a lightning bolt were to strike nearby, it would immediately explode. If impurities are not properly removed as mentioned above, it will self-destruct over time. Due to the issue of self-destruction, it must be stored in a cool ce. In Hyangs case, he had to dig a hole in Namsan (South Mountain) to make a storage ce. For these reasons, this gunpowder itself is absolutely useless. Truly a cursed thing. At Hyangs exnation, Sejong unwittingly spat out a curse. However, this time the ministers agreed. Truly a cursed thing. Its very powerful, but with such a terrible disposition Setting aside his regrets about gunpowder, Sejong moved on. The next gunpowder I will introduce is cotton powder. Cotton powder? Is it named cotton powder because it uses cotton cloth? Or does it use cotton cloth for the gunpowder? Sejong, who remembered the exnation given by Choi Hae-san when he first saw it, wore an incredulous expression. The ministers were the same. Do they make gunpowder from cotton cloth? Of course, cotton cloth does burn While Sejong and the ministers were murmuring with suspicion, Choi Hae-san picked up a piece of cotton cloth on the tray with tongs. Light it. Yes, General. Boom! Aack! Goodness! When the artisan set the cotton on fire, it burned to ash with a loud explosion. Laughing at the sight of the startled ministers making a fuss, Choi Hae-san opened his mouth, It is made using well-twisted cotton cloth and several types of acid. As you can see, it has powerful firepower. And theres one very important thing. Starting with that gunpowder, cotton powder, and virtuous style gunpowder are all smokeless gunpowder. Smokeless does it not produce smoke? To be precise, it produces very little. In the ensuing demonstration, the cotton powder showed enough power to be stronger than ck powder, though weaker than the gunpowder. Finally, I will show you Virtuous (Deok)-style gunpowder. Virtuous-style? Whats the reason for that name? At Sejongs question, Choi Hae-san looked at Hyang. Following Choi Hae-sans gaze, the eyes of Sejong and the ministers were all focused on Hyang. Hyang answered, scratching the back of his head. Hmm. I thought that it would be a virtue to make it convenient for all soldiers using gunpowder, and that it was thanks to Father that we could make it that way, so I named it that way. Huh? Its a little embarrassing, but its a pretty good naming. Upon hearing Hyangs exnation, both Sejong and the ministers nodded in agreement. However, Hyang couldnt help but give a bitter smile. Through my obsession with the Inte, I came across a piece of information about explosives and the manufacturing method used in Germany. I absolutely cant say that it was borrowed from a fandommunity called deok-guk which used to refer to people who were hardcore fans devoted to something! Choi Hae-san continued to exin, This virtuous gunpowder is made by mixing cotton gunpowder, nitroglycerin, and gunpowder in a certain ratio. Upon hearing Choi Hae-sans exnation, Sejong, with wide-eyed surprise, pointed out a problem, You mixed in gunpowder? Didnt you just say that the nature of gunpowder is so difficult that it cant be used? Cotton gunpowder and glycerin have neutralized that characteristic. Is that so? But the cotton gunpowder was white, why is this gunpowder ck? Its coated with graphite, or rather, its wrapped around it. In the subsequent demonstration of its power, virtuous gunpowder showed a power equivalent to that of nitroglycerin. Upon seeing its power, Sejong pped his hands in delight. Truly splendid! Excellent! As Sejong seemed overjoyed, Hyang felt proud. As expected of the hardcore fans! However, this was a mistake on Hyangs part. What Hyang remembered was not a German form, but a British one. To be precise, it was the form for Cordite MD1.. Sejong, who was very pleased with the newly created gunpowder, looked at the ministers. Since we have such good gunpowder, how about we mass-produce it? In response to Sejongs proposal, Hwang Hee asked Hyang, How much would the production cost be? It costs about 30% more than producing the same weight of smokeless gunpowder. However, even if we only put in half of the smokeless gunpowder, it has more power. Upon hearing Hyangs answer, Hwang Hee nodded and then said to Sejong, Even though it costs more, we canpensate for it by using less, so I think it would be good to mass-produce it. I think Left State Councilor Hwangs words are right. Once the ministers agreed, Sejong looked at Hyang and Choi Hae-san. Prepare for the mass production of virtuous gunpowder. Upon hearing Sejongs order, Hyang responded with a troubled expression. I am sorry to say this, but given the current situation in Joseon, it is impossible to mass-produce virtuous gunpowder. [/ihc-hide-content]
  1. Cordite MD is a type of smokeless propent originally developed by the British military as a recement for ck powder in thete 19th century. Specifically known as Modified Cordite or Modified Double Base Cordite, it consists of nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin. Cordite MD was widely used during World War II in firearms and artillery due to its improved performance and reduced smoke. However, its usage has declined since then with the introduction of newer propents[?]
Chapter 55 Chapter 55 Why! Why indeed! Upon hearing Hyangs statement, Mass production is impossible, King Sejong and the ministers all barked in unison. Especially Sejong, with an angry expression, questioned Hyang. Why is it impossible? Because it is impossible given the current situation in Joseon. So why is it impossible! Isnt this the same thing youve been saying! Rather than saying its impossible, wasnt it your belief to find a possible way! Your Majesty, I humbly insist that it is impossible with the current situation in Joseon. The reason is You kid! Sejong exploded in anger. However, Hyang merely wore a bitter expression. One of the most infuriating things is having your rice bowl snatched away. But what can you do when the situation is messed up? Observing Sejongs inability to contain his rage, Hwang Hee intervened in the conversation. Your Majesty, please calm your anger. There must be some difficulty in this. Huuh~. Hoo~. Following Hwang Hees words, Sejong took deep breaths. Barely containing his anger, Sejong red at Hyang and opened his mouth. Exin the reason. Yes, Your Majesty. I will exin in detail. It is possible to produce the virtuous-style gunpowder. However, mass production is impossible. Why? In response to Sejongs question, Hyang exined the reasons. C High-purity acetic acid and sulfuric acid are needed to make Deokgap-style gunpowder. With the current situation in Joseon, its hard to acquirerge quantities of vinegar and sulfur. C Theres also an issue with cotton cloth. The primary ingredient for virtuous-style gunpowder is high-quality cotton without any fluff. However, looking at the current situation in Joseon, the so-called Jungpo (, top-quality fabric) is only used for paying taxes, and the third or fourth quality cloth is so poor that its used as currency. As I exined above, skilled artisans are required to handle high-purity acids. Of course, as we can see from the Bureau of Royal Attire or Military Arsenal, there are skilled craftsmen. However, for mass production, their number is too small. The main ingredient of virtuous-style gunpowder, which uses nitroglycerin, presents another problem. It actuallyes from camphor oil. Why? Is camphor oil an imported good? No, Your Majesty. Its a product produced in our Joseon. Then why is it a problem? Because the main ingredients of camphor oil are pig and cow bile. Ah! Upon hearing Hyangs answer, Sejong and the ministers had to sigh in unison. To make nitroglycerin, arge amount of glycerin was needed. However, in the current situation where the petrochemical industry of the 21st century was absent, the only option Hyang had was to extract glycerin from the process of making soap. However, the issue was the supply of raw materials. The most readily avable source was pig fat, which had a fat content of about 15%. In numerical terms, if a pig weighed 100kg, that meant 15kg of it was fat. Even if you try to reim all the fat and other fatty tissues during the meat processing, you couldnt reim 100%, and the glycerin extracted through saponification would be even less. To put it simply even if all the people in Joseon eat pork for all three meals a day, its impossible to secure enough glycerin for military use. Hyang, twirling his pen, was examining the results and shook his head vehemently. Whether its the 21st century or now, the economics of eco-friendly natural products are a mess Ha! Even if theyre called the main culprit of environmental destruction, long live the petrochemical industry! Long live the heavy chemical industry! What a pity. If only I hadnt known we could make gunpowder of such high performance. It would have been better not knowing Sejong sighed deeply, to which the ministers also nodded their agreement. Your Majesty, giving up in national defense is a path to ruin. At Hyangs rebuttal, Sejong roared in anger. Who wouldnt know that! But what can we do when the state of our Joseon doesnt allow it! Why do you think Your Majesty is conducting the reform! Isnt it to break down the difficult situation of our Joseon! At Hyangs protest, Sejong stiffened. Looking at Sejong, Hyang swallowed hard and continued, Right now, at this very moment, everyone, starting with me, including General Choi Hae-san and General Lee Chun, are in deep thought to find a solution! Your Majesty, I believe survival is a challenge! Survival is a challenge against death! Giving up is death! For me, Prince Lee Hyang! Giving up is an unknown word! You are right! Sejong shook as he was filled with emotion. The moment I ascended to the regency, I made up my mind to do everything for the prosperity of Joseon! You reminded me of what I had briefly forgotten, you truly are a loyal subject! Listen, ministers! Regain your scattered minds! Risk your lives to seed in the reform! Just like Sejong, the ministers, caught in the heat of the moment, answered in one voice. We will obey the order with our lives! Later, the exhausted ministers all muttered the same words. I shouldnt have visited Area 51. This mouth of mine is the real enemy Just as he had said in front of Sejong, Hyang never gave up on mass producing glycerin. One day, while searching for a possible method even during his busy schedule, Hyang, who was sleeping, suddenly jumped up from his spot. Cooking oil! Brilliant, my brain! Its worth the meal this time! The next day, as soon as the day dawned, Hyang, who had rushed to Area 51, found Choi Hae-san. On the other hand, Choi Hae-san also seemed to be looking for Hyang, as he came running with a bright face as soon as he saw Hyang. Prince! I have been waiting! General! I think Ive found a way with sesame oil. This General also has something in mind! When they realized they were on the same page, a moment of embarrassment passed over them. Hyang, havingposed herself, opened his mouth, General, you go first. Your Highness, you should go first Its okay. Upon Hyangs concession, Choi Hae-san spoke first. I was thinking, how about using beans? I was thinking the same thing! Hyang and Choi Hae-san promptly began experimenting with making bean oil. After confirming the results of the experiment, they put their heads together. It seems promising, doesnt it? Yes, Your Highness. Lets report this to the King! Yes! Upon receiving the report, King Sejong was delighted and looked at the courtiers. The Crown Prince has made another achievement! Indeed, Your Highness! With this, we have further strengthened the defense of Joseon! We congratte you)! We congratte you! The beans initially used in the process were harvested from bean fields linked to the lumberyard on Neobol Ind. It had been confirmed from the test results that the leftover bean pulp after oil extraction could be used as feed for cows and pigs. However, the beans harvested from the lumberyards bean fields were not enough to meet the demands. Therefore, Joseon became the first country in world history to officially recycle resources. The efforts of the Joseon government to obtain oil were a war with the kitchen. Pork and beef fat gave a savory vor when cooking, so they were often used. For this reason, the government paid to collect pork and beef fat, leading to the birth of the term Pig fat collector following Beef fat collector. The governments full-scale war with the kitchen was due to beans. In Joseon at that time, beans were one of the important staple foods. Additionally, as a country that used a lot of doenjang (soybean paste) and soy sauce, the demand for beans was enormous. To solve this situation, King Sejong came up with the best solution. We buy all the beans from the pioneer farmers who volunteered to move to the northern frontier! This way, we can solve the issue of the migrants livelihood and the problem of raw material supply! We ept yourmand! With this method, a different oue urred than the original history; the number of farmers willing to move northward significantly increased. Through various attempts like this, Joseon secured a way to significantly increase the production of virtuous-style gunpowder. However, Hyangs face did not brighten much. Considering the current consumption, the current increase is not enough. The amount used by the military is increasing, but the amount used in the civilian sector is not small. Looking at the reports piled on one side of the desk, all expressing urgency due to ack of gunpowder, Hyang, who was furrowing his brow, mumbled while looking at the world map hanging on the wall. Should we look to the south again Is this all we have? Sejong, who had a heated discussion over gunpowder, looked at Hyang with a slightly regretful expression. In response to Sejongs question, Hyang shook his head. No, Your Majesty. We still have the most important things left. The most important things? First, I will show you the artillery. General. Yes, Your Highness. Look here! Call for the artillery soldiers! Yes, General! A momentter, a group of riflemen marched into the demonstration area. Hup, two! Hup, two! Stand at your ces! Left face! Clink! At themand of the supervising officer, the riflemen, each with a long rifle resting on their right shoulders, moved in perfect synchronization to face King Sejong. Present C arms! Salute! At themandersmand, the riflemen simultaneously performed the military salute. In response to the soldiers salutes, Sejong did not hesitate tovish praise on General Choi Hae-san and Hyang. These soldiers discipline and orderliness are far from ordinary! I can see the efforts of the Crown Prince and the General! Indeed, they are elite soldiers! I have been in the court for quite some time, but I have rarely seen such elite troops! In response to Sejongs praise, the ministers also did not hesitate to give theirpliments. The riflemen, having received the praises of Sejong and the ministers, were full of pride. Hyang, who was watching from the side, was also filled with a sense of satisfaction. I worked hard to train them! When he had made a satisfactory number of rifles, Hyang requested Sejong for soldiers and officers to train. When the officers and soldiers he had obtained arrived, Hyang couldnt hide his disappointment. They said these people chosen from the Office of the Royal Guards were assigned to the training center They seem elite, but Comparing to his 21st-century military life, and the 19th-century European armies and the American soldiers during the Civil War that he had seen in movies, the soldiers in front of him seemed tock spirit and elitism. Scratching his head in frustration, Hyang clicked his tongue. Tsk! Theres no helping it. We need to train them harder. Thus, the soldiers were first mobilized for the construction of their lodgings and arge-scale testing ground for various weapons. I thought we were here to solve military issues The soldiers, who were given shovels instead of rifles, were a little confused, but they had noints. It was because Hyang fed them extremely well. At least once every three days, they had pork and beef. The soldiers were delighted and had a feast with the meat. Among them, a unique object that caught the soldiers eyes was the grilling te ced over the fire. The device, made of thick cast iron, had holes on all sides. As the meat was grilled, the oil dripped down through the holes into a bowl. After each meal, the bowls were immediately sent to the artisans workshops. While the soldiers were working, Hyang coborated with General Choi Hae-san, General Lee Chun, and the officers from the training center. They created names for each part of the newly made rifles and regtions for formal training. Do you think these movements and calls, as you called them formal training, will be useful, Your Highness? We are already doing simr training. At first, the training centers officers doubted the necessity of what Hyang proposed. Theirbat experience involved shes ofrge groups. The tactic for victory in such battles was to not break the line until the end. The Joseon Army had been conducting training rted to this diligently. So, is that why the disgrace event took ce during the subjugation of Tsushima Ind? At Hyangs pointed question, the military officials shut their mouths. During the punitive expedition to Tsushima Ind, Lee Jongmu had made up his mind to attack their base to annihte the Japanese who did not give up resistance. For this assault, Lee Jongmu drew lots among the restraint officers of the left and right army to decide who would go. As a result of the lottery, the left army led by Park-silnded and began the attack, but their formation copsed due to the enemys surprise attack, causing about 180 casualties. It was a natural oue for Hyang, who had obtained and read the report at the time, to explode in anger, eximing, There was no strategy or tactics! Even if we set aside the strategy, the tactic of sending in the left army alone without properly establishing an additional operation n on how to respond when they encountered difficulties due to the enemys surprise attack or other problems was a problem. In the end, because Hyangs criticism was valid, the military officials proceeded with the study of ceremonial training and swordsmanship along with Hyang. Chapter 56 Chapter 56 Sejong praised the elite nature of the Generals troops before getting to the main point. Are the cannons they carry on their shoulders the new ones? Upon Sejongs inquiry, Hyang replied promptly. Yes, Your Majesty. Its named Fortified-style Siege Cannons1. In response to Hyangs reply, Sejong stroked his beard while expressing his appreciation. Siege Cannons Its a fitting name. However., his gaze was fixed on the shimmering barrel of the Siege Cannons. Sejong, who was looking at the silver glittering barrel of the said weapon, turned his head to Hyang. Its not made of copper, is it? Indeed, Your Majesty. Its made of iron. Iron? Listening to the conversation between Sejong and Hyang, Hwang Hee cut in. Your Majesty, while copper is expensive, iron is also costly. Sejong raised his hand to interrupt Hwang Hees words. Enough, he remarked and continued, The Crown Prince must have had a reason to use iron. We can talk about thatter. I understand. Sejong, who stopped Hwang Hees words, issued an order to Choi Hae-san. I want to see its power. Yes, Your Majesty. Upon receiving the order, Choi Hae-san gestured to the craftsmen standing nearby. As the craftsmen saw Choi Hae-sans hand signal, they brought a board the size of a human body. The red cloth-covered board had armor tes lined up in a row. Choi Hae-san pointed to the board with his baton and began exining, This is the armor te that well use as a target. Compared to the actual armor, the thickness of the iron te is increased by 1 li (a traditional Chinese measurement unit, approx. 0.3 cm) to 4 li (approx. 1.3mm) for reinforcement. Is that so? Set up the target. Yes, general. The craftsmen took the target to the opposite side of the demonstration area. Upon seeing the craftsmen installing the target far from where the cannon troops were located, Sejong called out to General Choi Hae-san. General, how far is that distance? Its about 250 bo (traditional Korean unit of length, approx. 300m), Your Majesty. Ho! Sejong began to glow with admiration. Meanwhile, the craftsmen who finished installing the target signaled and ran to the ditch made under the earth wall. Upon seeing the craftsmans signal, themander yelled at the cannon troops. Load the cannons! At themanders order, the cannon troops set up the Siege Cannons they were carrying on the ground. Clean the barrel! Add gunpowder! Add the cartridge paper2! Load the lead ball! Push in the lead ball! Following themanders order, all the cannon troops finished their process and returned to their loading stance, and themander issued an order. Front cannon! Fire the cord! The cannon troops picked up the Siege Cannons, pulled the trigger halfway, and inserted the fire cord filled with gunpowder into the knob. Pull the trigger! Aim! The cannon troops pulled the trigger all the way back, stepped forward with their left foot, tilted their bodies slightly, ced the stock on their shoulders, and aimed at the distant target. Fire! Boom! Smoke and sparks spewed out and disappeared into the air. Reload! The cannon troops who had finished shooting returned to their loading stance, and the craftsmen who had hidden in the ditch retrieved the target and returned. Amazing! Such a powerful weapon! Sejong and the ministers couldnt hide their surprise as they looked at the retrieved target te. There were 9 holes in the target te. Hyang and Choi Hae-san were full of pride as they watched Sejong and the ministers inspect the target te with amazed faces. Truly amazing. I knew that cannons were powerful but their range was significantly shorterpared to arrows. However, this Siege Cannons has a range simr to arrows, and its power is iparable. It is indeed the ultimate weapon. The craftsmen have worked hard. Hyang modestly responded to Sejongs praise. Choi Hae-san, who was listening to Hyangs reply next to him, nodded vigorously. There was a small tear in his eye. At Choi Hae-sans strong reaction, Sejong turned to Hyang. Seeing Hyangs somewhat embarrassed smile, Sejong sighed. General Choi, just how hard did the craftsmen have to work Please exin the process ofpleting this cannon. Yes, Your Majesty. So. The process of making a barrel began with the crafting of a specific tool to create the iron body of the barrel. To shape the barrel using a hammer, we need a specially made anvil, the cksmith exined. Following this instruction, the craftsmen used high-carbon steel (also known as bong steel in Korean) to create a custom anvil. Unlike a conventional anvil that has a t top, the custom anvil had a long groove shaped like a series of semi-cylindrical pirs, starting from arge semi-cylinder to a smaller one just slightly bigger than the targeted thickness of the barrel. After the anvil waspleted, the next item ordered was an iron core made of bong steel, slightly thicker than the inner diameter of the barrel. After the custom tools were made, the crafting process was guided step by step. Following the instructions, the cksmith and other craftsmen began to roll a sheet of iron of appropriate size. Once the iron sheet was adequately rolled, they inserted the iron core into the center and started hammering it on the custom anvil. When the ends of the iron sheet met as it was rolled, they sprinkled a mixture of iron and charcoal powder on the seam before cing it into a furnace. The intense heat of the furnace melted the mixture, filling the creases of the rolled sheet. Once the crevices werepletely filled, the craftsmen checked for smoothness and uracy. If everything was fine, they hammered the circr barrel to give it an angr shape. This was to facilitate the subsequent processing by stabilizing the barrel. Finally, after heating in the furnace, they buried the barrel in ashes to cool it, and then used a tool invented by the cksmith to smooth the inside. After the interior was smoothed and both the exterior and interior of the barrel were confirmed to be straight without warping, they made the barrels section octagonal. Then they made a female screw in the back and inserted a male screw with a cap attached to it. The cap was the part where the touch hole, the hole through which the gunpowder is ignited, was installed. However, the work did not end there. The wooden body made by the woodworker, including the trigger and the lock, and the barrel were assembled. Then, a trigger guard made by a brass craftsmen was attached, as well as a front sight and a rearsight. On the end of the muzzle, a robust and pointed part was installed. The real struggle started from then. There were no rifling grooves in the barrel of the gun drawn by the cksmith. This was intentional. Going forward, the number of things to make and test will gradually increase, so I cant do everything myself, can I? When five prototypes werepleted, Hyang, together with Choi Hae-san and Lee Chun, began aprehensive performance test. First, lets find out how much gunpowder it can withstand. Yes, Your Highness. The existing barrel could hold one nyang (a unit of weight in the Joseon period), but lets start from half of half nyang, shall we? That seems appropriate. Choi Hae-san, Lee Chun, and the craftsmen began the test by filling the barrel with half nyang of gunpowder and a bullet. For safety, they fixed the barrel in a rig, attached a string to the trigger, and hid behind a protective wall. Fire! Fire! Fire! Bang! The loud noise filled the testing area, and the test ended when the barrel withstood up to one and a half nyang of gunpowder. Considering the intended use of this barrel, theres no need to go up to two nyang. Agreed. Then lets try with sting powder (mercury fulminate). In the subsequent test, the barrel withstood one and a half nyang of sting powder. After confirming the results, the cksmith changed the test item. Then lets find out what the optimal amount of gunpowder is. They said that they killed a Jurchen wearing armor with a musket at a distance of 40 bo (approximately 50m), so lets use that as a standard. Yes, sir. This time, they gradually reduced the amount of gunpowder. The result of the test was two don (approximately 7.5g) of sting powder. The bullet fired from the barrel cleanly prated a four li (approximately 1.2cm) thick iron te set up as a target. After checking the result, the cksmith looked at Choi Hae-san and Lee Chun. Looking at the power, it seems possible to kill from an even greater distance, doesnt it? The further the better, right? Thats obvious. Then shall we see if its possible at 50 bo? Yes, Your Highness, Choi Hae-san responded with excitement. In the conducted test, the long gun barrel that contained two don (approx. 7.5g) of gunpowder had pierced a target up to 70 bo (approx. 85m). Beyond this range, although the bullet reached, it failed to hit the target despite shooting more than 20 times. 70 bo, thats unexpected, isnt it? Perhaps its time to start with rifling3? Despite the results exceeding his expectations, Hyang had no intention of stopping. From that point onwards, Choi Hae-san, Lee Cheon, and the craftsmen were no longer enjoying their work. General, it seems that the process of loading the gun takes too much time due to sieving and ramming. Lets try it without these steps. But without those steps, the bullet might fall out Cant we custom make the bullets to fit the barrel? Hyangs suggestion gave Choi Hae-san something to consider, and he nodded his head, It seems worth trying. Hyang nned to impose trial and error based on the content of a video he saw on the Inte. However, in the subsequent experiment, the long gun barrel caused a problem after firing five shots. The residue from the gunpowder makes it strenuous to prepare for another shot. I see. So, we need to sieve after all However, Hyang shook his head. General, think about it. Do you think cavalrymen, who ride faster than humans, have the leisure to sieve while charging at full speed? Thats true, but Choi Hae-san, Lee Cheon, and the craftsmen began to search for a solution. However, it was not easy for people toe up with ideas about rifling. Do I have to step in again? On a rainy day, when Hyang was considering his involvement, one of the artisans who had been staring nkly out of the window suddenly stood up. Ah! Whats the matter! How about drilling a groove? Drilling a groove? Hyang pointed to the ground with his finger as he exined. Do you see that ditch? The stagnant water flows down the ditch, doesnt it? The me of the gunpowder might flow in a simr way, right? If we drill a long groove inside the barrel, wont the me flow and the residue also escape through the groove? At the artisans words, Choi Hae-san and Lee Chun looked at Hyang. Hyang nodded. It seems worth a try. With Hyangs decision, seven more barrels were manufactured. Lets make two barrels each with 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 grooves, andpare them with barrels without grooves. Yes. They epted the order, but the artisans faced a new dilemma. How do we even drill the grooves? After several sleepless nights of contemtion, they finally crafted a dedicated tool, and drilled grooves in the barrels, ranging from 3 to 15. In the subsequent tests, Choi Hae-san, Lee Chun, and the artisans encountered a new problem. The power of the output seemed to diminish as the number of grooves increased. Thats expected. The more grooves there are, the more power will be lost through them, Lee Chun pointed out the cause, andter Choi Hae-san murmured with a troubled expression, Is a three-barrel gun[Triple Rifle all barrels can be fired independently, in any sequence and at any time, without them affecting each other.]][ the only answer after all? What are the exact results? In response to Hyangs question, Lee Chun flipped through the book with the results as he replied, There is little loss of power up to 6 grooves, but theres a lot of residue. From 9 grooves, the residue decreases but the power drops significantly. At Lee Chuns response, everyone scratched their heads. Do we need to go with 9 grooves The problem is that the power visibly drops from there Is 6 grooves the only answer then? But that also has the residue problem While they were agonizing over the problems that couldnt be solved at the same time, Jang Yeong-sil, who had been unable to bear watching, opened his mouth. How about twisting the grooves? Twisting the grooves? At Jang Yoeng-sils words, everyones attention focused on him. Watching from behind, Hyang clenched his fists under the desk. Ahjussi (mister), nice! Hyang quicklyposed himself and ordered Jang Yeong-sil. Astronomer Jang, please exin in detail. Yes, your Highness. So um wouldnt the length increase if we twist the grooves like a screw? If that happens, even with 6 grooves, there will be enough length for the residue to escape. And because the grooves are twisted, the force from the gunpowder explosion wont be able to escape straight away, right? The meeting room fell silent at Jang Yeong-sils exnation. As Choi Hae-san and Lee Chun pondered over what Jang Yeong-sil meant, they both eximed at the same time. Thats it! Thats it! Crown Prince, twisting (it) may be the answer! At the words of Choi Hae-san and Lee Chun, Hyang made a decision. Then lets try it. That night in his room, Hyang grumbled with a tired expression as he got into bed. Ah The path to the rifled musket is so long and difficult Exining the concept of surface area in terms of length And the ability to understand it as if its obvious Are all the people living in this era monsters? The decision to twist the grooves drilled into the inside of the barrel had been made, but a problem arose from that. How many rotations should we make? Facing this problem, people were again in a quandary. Hyang had to step in again. Make a prototype with half a rotation up to two rotations at half a rotation intervals! Orders received! And so, the artisans had to spend another night to create a new barrel.
  1. Theres no particr reference for the names, so I decided to trante it to names that kinda make the most sense.[?]
  2. Before the formation of lead bullets, ammunitions are stuffed in a cartridge paper like this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chassepot_paper_cartridge.jpg[?]
  3. the arrangement of spiral grooves on the inside of a rifle barrel.[?]
Ngl, the technical terms in this chapter will be the death of me. Not me, literally researching about grooves, barrels, and cartridge paper at 2 a.m in the morning. Really makes me wonder, how on earth did the author manage to research all these things while writing this novel? Here''s an emoji to describe me, when tl''ing this chapter: ???? Chapter 57 Chapter 57 The decision was made to carve arge rifling inside the cannon, but the artisans fell into another dilemma. In which direction should we turn it? When they began discussing the rotation direction of the rifling, Hyang remarked, When looking from the muzzle, why not make one rotate in the direction of a clocks hand, and the other in the opposite direction? Upon hearing this, Choi Hae-san opened the ledger and began to calcte. Four types of rotations ranging from a half to two turns, two types of rotation directions, and needing to check the deviation a minimum of five for each that makes 40 in total. Itll take some time. We must strive. At Hyangs words, the artisans in the room sighed lightly. However, no oneined. The work was hard, but surprisingly, they found relief in firing the cannon, and checking the results was somewhat enjoyable. Of course, for Choi Hae-san and Lee Chun, who were sandwiched in the middle, it was more of a headache than fun. In the ensuing tests, all 40 cannons showed better results than expected. All 40 were able to fire at least five times without any problems, and there was no significant decrease in power. However, an unexpected result appeared during the analysis of the test results: the hit rate was higher than expected. Surprised by the unexpected result, Choi Hae-san suggested as he submitted his report. Even before, at a distance of 70 bo (Korean measure of distance, 1 bo = 3.927m), if we fired 20 shots and hit 5, we considered ourselves lucky. But, in this test, all 40 cannons hit the target at a distance of 70 bo (~275m). We need to research this! I see. Lets do it! Be ready. Yes, Your Highness! As the excited Choi Hae-san left, Hyang clenched his fist, looking at his back. Yay! Ive got it! To determine the cause of the unexpected result and to find a way to use it, Choi Hae-san, Lee Chun, and the artisans fired hundreds of bullets. Through this process, the officials and artisans discovered several facts. -The best performance was achieved when the rifling carved inside the cannon made one and a half turns. -When the bullet was tightly bound to the fixed part and fired, it hit a target 500 bo (approximately 600m) away. However, this means it hit the target, not a bullseye. -However, this does not mean that the firing range of the cannon has increased. Regardless of the presence of rifling, 2 don (approximately 7.5g) of sting powder (mercury fulminate) can fire a 5 don (approximately 17g) bullet up to 800 bo (approximately 960m). -At a distance of 500 bo, the bullet could not prate the iron te used as a target. However, judging by the dent in the iron te, it can be assumed that it can inflict considerable damage on the enemy. -The direction of the rifling must be the same as the direction in which the cannons body and cap are tightened. If done in the opposite direction, the body and cap of the cannon loosen as more shots are fired. How about trying an experiment by increasing the amount of gunpowder? Choi Hae-san and Lee Chun showed enthusiasm, but Hyang shook his head. There is a high chance of repeating the problems of the existing cannon. Oh Instead, lets systematize the results we have obtained. Yes, Your Highness. Hyang, Choi Hae-san, and Lee Chun ssified the results as follows. -Maximum range: The farthest distance the bullet flew when firing with the prescribed gunpowder and bullet. There is almost no power in the bullet. -Maximum effective range: The distance at which at least 30% uracy can be expected when aiming and firing. However, it must retain enough power to inflict a certain level of damage on the target. -Effective range: The maximum distance at which trained cannon soldiers can hit the target when aiming and firing. ording to the ssification by Hyang, Choi Hae-san, and Lee Chun, the performance of the rifling cannon was a maximum range of 800 bo, maximum effective range of 350 bo, and an effective range of 250 bo. While Hyang, Choi Hae-san, and Lee Chun were expressing considerable satisfaction with the results, the officials and artisans of the research institute were pondering how to solve the task that Hyang had given. Analyze the reason why the performance of the cannon suddenly improved. Looking at the results of the tests weve done so far, the only reason for such a dramatic improvement in performance is the rotation of the rifling. But why did this resulte out Yes, thats the problem The most likely culprit was the rotating rifling, but the officials and artisans couldnt easily figure out what the rifling was doing. While the officials and artisans were thinking, the military strategists arrow maker put forth his opinion. Wasnt it the grooves that caused the bullet to spin? Make the bullet spin? Could you exin further? The arrow maker borated in more detail, even using gestures. When the Europeans attach feathers to an arrow, they stick it on slightly skewed. Then the arrow spins like this when it leaves the bow. This makes the arrow fly straight. Its also less affected by crosswinds. Really? The craftsmen and officials thought it seemed usible and began testing bullets of various sizes. The results confirmed that a bullet fitting into the protruding grooves of the spinning barrel improved uracy. All the knowledge and data obtained from the tests were documented and securely stored in a vault in the deepest part of Donggeubjeon (the main hall used for discussion of state affairs). This is a top-secret matter rted to our national defense. Everyone must maintain utmost confidentiality. At Hyangs warning, the officials and craftsmen answered in unison. We will bear it in mind! This confidential information was kept even during audits. Choi Hae-san did not reveal the part about the spinning grooves to Sejong while exining the process of making the barrel. Sejong only discovered this part after the audit was over. Choi Hae-san, who had an exclusive audience with Sejong, submitted a written report. After reading the report, Sejong nodded. I understand why the crown prince and the ministers were silent about it until the end. Then I must also follow suit. Chief Eunuch, bring the furnace. Sejong threw the report into the furnace and burned it. Meanwhile, as Choi Hae-san was submitting the report to Sejong, Hyang muttered while looking at the rted records. When the performance of the long barrel bes known, it will inevitably leak out. Whether its captured during a battle, stolen, or sold for a bribe. And then theyll gleefully replicate it. But by the time they understand the principle and attempt to improve it, well be one step ahead. Thats why were doing all this. Once again, you have created a truly marvelous weapon. The barrels for the riflemen will be standardized with this armor-type long barrel. At Choi Hae-sans statement, Hwang Hee tried to say something, but Sejong raised his hand to silence him. Hmm if we gradually deploy it starting from the northern regions, it should be fine. Good! Review that n. Your majestys graciousness is boundless! Your majestys graciousness is boundless! When Sejong made a positive decision about the production and deployment of the armor-type long barrel, Hyang, Choi Hae-san, and the rted officials all bowed together and shouted, Your majestys graciousness is boundless! So, have you decided on the barrel? No, there is one more type of barrel. Its called a mounted barrel. Oh? As Sejong showed interest, Choi Hae-san gestured. At Choi Hae-sans signal, a soldier wearing blue armor entered. The color of the armor This is a newly developed type of armor weve been working on. Ill exinter. Is that so? Then proceed. At Sejongsmand, Choi Hae-san continued, What Im going to show you now is an armored mounted small barrel. As soon as Choi Hae-san finished speaking, the soldier opened the long leather pouch attached to his right waist and pulled out a silver barrel. He bent his arm to point the muzzle upward. I want to see it closely. Yes, your majesty. At Sejongsmand, the soldier extended the barrel respectfully with both hands. Sejongs gaze, examining the barrel he received from the soldier, stopped at the round metal tube in the middle of the barrel. There are six holes? Dont tell me this barrel can shoot six shots? Thats correct. Huh! Surprised, Sejong turned to look at Hyang. Seeing Sejongs surprised eyes, Hyang answered with a smile, Its one of the results from the Area 51. Of course, its design already existed. The object in the soldiers hand was a remodeled Colt 1860 Army, adjusted to the situation of the Joseon army. It was a device that Hyang had been preparing as a sessor to the Kentucky rifle when he lived in the 21st century. At Hyangs answer, Sejong returned the barrel to the soldier, saying, I want to see how it shoots. Yes. In the ensuing demonstration, the warrior hit all six shots on a target board set up 30 paces (approximately 36 meters) away. The target board brought back by the artisans had six holes cleanly drilled through it. The artisans turned the board around. Behind the red cloth studded with lead pellets, iron tes were meticulously attached. King Sejong and the ministers closely examined the target board. While examining the target board, Jo Mal-saeng shared his thoughts with Sejong. Any Jurchen or Japanese pirates whoe within 30 paces will likely see hell. Do you think so? Yes! At Jo Mal-saengs affirmation, Sejong looked at Choi Hae-san and Lee Chun. Their faces, hardened from their martial lives, were filled with confidence. Seeing their faces, Sejong nodded. Looking at your expressions, I understand. Now, about the armor Your Majesty, I apologize. There are still other firearms left to introduce. Still? Sejong looked slightly bored. Just from the cannons they had seen, the hard work that the crown prince and his followers had put in was evident. If they could properly supply the gunpowder and cannons, securing the safety of Joseon would be as easy as turning the palm of the hand. No, with a little more effort, we could recover the former territories of the Three Han, just as Yangnyeong-hyungnim1 once said! While suppressing the greed that was growing within him, Choi Hae-san was reigniting the me. Just as Sejong was about to leave his seat, he sat back down at Choi Hae-sans words. General! Proceed! Your Majesty, the weapon we will introduce next is a fire bomb. We must move to a different location. Lead the way. Yes, Your Majesty. Following Choi Hae-sans guidance, Sejong moved. The distance is quite far? As Sejong started to pant a bit, Hyang exined the reason, Given the nature of the location Should I have ridden a horse? Your Majesty. It is said that a mans two legs are like the pirs of a house. A house is sturdy only when its pirs are sturdy When Hyang tried to give a lengthy speech about health, Sejong hurriedly cut him off, Just walk, walk. The legs need to be strong to prevent impotence I said Im walking! My, my, what a talkative child! Always on about impotence How did I give birth to such a child While grumbling continuously, Sejong moved his steps even bigger. The ce where Choi Hae-san and Lee Chun led Sejong was evenrger than the previous demonstration ground. Not only was itrger, but there were also taller and thicker earthen walls erected. In front of the tform where Sejong and his ministers sat, walls of dirt piled in bags were ced even higher and thicker than before. On the opposite side was the beginning of Mount Mokmyeok2, with a bare patch of ground at least 50 meters in length and width visible. Did they cut down the trees? Yes, because a fire could ur. What a shame As Sejong and his ministers took their seats on the tform, the waiting artisans and soldiers brought arge table and quickly ced various tools on it. Beside the table, Choi Hae-san began to introduce the new weapon. The fire bomb that I will show you now is a fire bomb that isunched from a trigger. Choi Hae-san pointed at a round fire bomb made of iron with a baton. We named this fire bomb Flying Strike Sky-shaking Thunder3. Flying Strike Sky-shaking Thunder Is it a kind of Sky-shaking Thunder? What is Sky-shaking Thunder? I have only read about it in records, but its said to be simr to a canister gun. It was used by the Song and Jin dynasties, ording to the records. Is Flying Strike added because it uses a trigger? The ministers shared their thoughts, trying to remember their knowledge as Choi Hae-san exined. Watching the ministers reactions, Hyang showed a smug smile. The hallmark of King Munjong is the Singijeon (fire arrow rocketuncher) and Hwacha (multiple rocketuncher), but we cant overlook the clich! The ultimate clich! On the sea, there are Turtle Ships, and on thend, there is the Flying Strike Sky-shaking Thunder!
  1. Grand Prince Yangnyeong, eldest prince of King Taejong, a.k.a. Sejongs older brother.[?]
  2. An old name for current Namsan[?]
  3. The long-ass name, LOL[?]
Chapter 58 Chapter 58 Hyang, who had more or less figured out personal weapons, immediately delved into the area of supporting artillery. Before a nk canvas, Hyang folded his arms and muttered to himself, Given the level of craftsmanship, we could afford to be ambitious, but if others cant keep up Well have to stick with whats achievable. Hyang opened a scroll hed left aside and scanned the listings. Singijeon (fire arrow rocketuncher) and Hwacha (multiple rocketuncher) They need developing too, but we need something that will certainly instill terror in the enemy. Hyang tapped his fingers on the listings of fire arrow rocketunchers and multiple rocketunchers, lost in thought. Among thete Ming era weapons, these two types of weapons were the most renowned. Their practical wartime uses could not be overlooked. However, Hyang felt they werecking in terms of cost-effectiveness. We must deliver tangible results before the year is out. After all, the councilors wont stay idle due to budget concerns. Hyang, who had been pondering what the best option for supporting artillery would be, finally reached a conclusion. Theres really no other answer. The sneak bombs 1. Turtle ships for the sea, and the sneak bombs fornd. Clichd as it may be Hyang straightened his back. Its the best for impact! Having decided on the sneak bombs, Hyang fell into another quandary. Will it turn out to be Mk.1 or Mk.22 in reality or maybe Mk.2-1? Thebels Mk.1, Mk.2, and Mk.2-1 that Hyang affixed were arbitrary distinctions depending on how the sneak bombs would explode. Mk.1, Mk.2, and Mk.2-1 were things that troubled Hyang for a while, even in the 21st century. Mk.1 was what we typically see in dramas. That is, when the gunpowder contained within explodes, the apanying star-shaped iron and iron casing shatter and spread fragments in all directions, killing the enemy. Mk.2 ignites from the inside, with the me and star-shaped iron being sprayed through the hole where the gunpowder was inserted. Due to the cement of the hole, the sneak bomb rotates, spraying mes and star-shaped iron in all directions, inflicting casualties on the enemy. The reason for the emergence of Mk.2 was the slow burning speed of ck powder used by the Joseon. It was difficult to achieve instantaneousbustion at a high speed, surpassing the threshold in a sh, and shattering the projectile with explosive pressure, scattering fragments, star-shaped iron, and mes everywhere. Instead, the inserted gunpowder would be shot out through the hole blocked by the fuse after the fuse was ignited. When Hyang heard this argument, he was skeptical. Why? The sneak bomb has two holes, doesnt it? One to insert the fuse, and the other to load the gunpowder and filler. But why only from one ce? Unable to find a clear solution to the question, Hyang simply retained a curious memory and forgot the fact. Some time passed, and the actual sneak bomb was excavated, and news of an exhibition came. Hyang, who had just quit his government job and was preparing for a forge, immediately visited the exhibition as the memory of the past came to mind. Hyang, who visited the exhibition, walked in circles around the ss barrier protecting the unearthed sneak bomb, examining it in detail. After studying the said explosive for a while, Hyang stepped back. Solved one problem, and another onees up? The problem Hyang had solved was the iron lid issue. ording to the records, it was supposed to be covered with iron lid after the time fuse3 was installed. How did they secure it when I dont see any special lock? Hyangs question was answered upon viewing the real thing. The lid of the real sneak bomb was squared, and in the center, there were holes for the round time fuse. And in the squared carved part, the answery. The carved part appeared square but was actually rectangr. And a thick groove was carved lengthwise into the wall. In other words, after cing the iron lid, if it was rotated 90 degrees, the iron lid would fit into the groove, securing it. In this way, one problem was solved, but another problem arose. The hole to load the gunpowder and the ironstone (siderite)4 was smaller than expected. The triangr ironstones depicted in various restorations was considerablyrge. The CG shown at the exhibition solved the issue by putting in ironstones before hammering in the time fuse, and loading only gunpowder through the hole on the side. Wouldnt that scatter the fragments unevenly? Thats something To solve such a question, Hyang searched the Inte diligently. And, a video he saw on the Inte raised more questions. It was the appearance of the Mk.2-1. The video was from the early 2000s, aired on a television station. A professor from a naval research institution appeared in it. There, the triangr ironstones and gunpowder were put into the time fuse entrance, the time fuse piece was hammered in, and then the iron lid was covered. After covering the iron lid, a lead sheet was inserted into the gap between the sneak bombs body and the iron lid, and hammered in to secure the lid. In the subsequent firepower test, the sneak bombs poured out fragments from the iron lid part and waspletely emptied. The nearly undamaged body of thepletely empty sneak bombs were seen. In the end, Hyang, who failed to resolve the lingering questions, decided to solve them on his own, and the result was the furnace behind his cousins smithy. Recalling the turbulent memories of the 21st century, Hyang, who was debating whether to choose Mk.1, Mk.2, or Mk.2-1, fiercely shook his head and grabbed the pen. Why should I worry about that? Since I decided to make it! Ill go with Mk.21! The 21st century version! Hyangs choice was to maximize productivity and lethality. Observing the ministers debating about the origin, Choi Hae-san opened his mouth. This sneak bomb is a device that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has personally nned and designed. Upon Choi Hae-sans exnation, the eyes of King Sejong and the ministers focused on Hyang. When all eyes were on him, Hyang spoke confidently, Your Majesty will surely not be disappointed. At Hyangs words, Sejong epted them with a proud expression. You have never disappointed this father of yours so far. General, proceed. Yes, Your Majesty. First, if you look at the structure of the sneak bomb, it is filled with gunpowder inside the shell. When the fuse is lit, it explodes. On the outside, it looks very simple, but there is a very ingenious trick hidden within. An ingenious trick? You can adjust the explosion time. Choi Hae-san exined about the use of the sneak bomb. You wind the fuse around a piece of wood, insert it into a cartridge, and insert it into the sneak bomb and seal the lid. Then, you fill it with gunpowder through a hole on the side and block the hole. After that, you put it in a cartridge filled with gunpowder andunch it. It then flies 300 paces (about 360m) to 500 paces (about 600m) and explodes. At Choi Hae-sans exnation, King Sejong opened his mouth, Do you adjust the time by winding the fuse around the wood? That is correct, Your Majesty. What about its power? I will show you now. Execute! At Choi Hae-sansmand, soldiers came into the demonstration area with arge cannon and the sneak bomb. The soldiers who stopped in front of Sejongid down all the things they had brought and saluted. Loyalty! The saluting soldiers moved the cannon and the sneak bomb to the middle of the demonstration area. The muzzle of the cannon was aimed at a vacant lot about 100 yards (approximately 330m) away in Mount Mokmyeok. There, straw dummies d in red and blue targets, stone armor, leather armor, friction armor, and other things, were densely set up. The soldiers who installed the cannon prepared the sneak bomb. They inserted a cartridge containing wood and then tightly sealed the lid by rotating a specialized tool. Simrly, they filled the hole on the side with gunpowder and sealed it using the same tool. The soldiers who had finished preparing the sneak bomb inserted it into the cannon. Afterwards, the soldiers pulled back the firing lever attached to the back of the cannon, fitted the fuse, pulled the cord attached to the firing lever, and hid behind the protection wall made at the back. Your Majesty should also take cover for a moment. Its to prevent any unforeseen danger. I understand. At Choi Hae-sans words, King Sejong and the ministers hid their bodies behind the protection wall set up in front of the podium. As soon as Sejong was safely hidden, the military officer standing next to Choi Hae-san vigorously waved a red g. Fire! Fire! Fire! Boom! Whoosh! Crash! As the hidden soldiers pulled the cord, the cannon fired the sneak bomb. The sneak bombs, which fell on the vacant lot after crossing the sky with a whistle-like flight sound, exploded soon with a huge noise. Ah! Sejong let out a small groan with the shock wave that came along with the st. Your Majesty! Whats the matter! Hwang Hee, who was standing right next to Sejong, asked urgently upon hearing his groan. Sejong waved his hand in response to Hwang Hees question. Its nothing. I just got a bit surprised. Your Majesty, you may rise. Ugh! Hyang mumbled to himself as he watched Sejong strain to stand up, using his thighs for support. He really should lose some weight Should we reduce his meals? He muttered in a small voice, but Sejong, having heard him, shouted angrily at Hyang, You brat! Are you nning to starve your father?! N-no, Your Majesty! Please look at the target! In his hurry to change the subject, Sejong muttered his displeasure and turned his head away. Huh. Sejong and the ministers, who turned their heads to look at the target, were unable to close their mouths in surprise. Even from a distance, the targets and straw men that had been set up around the field were aplete mess. Shall we go closer to see? Lets do that! With his curiosity piqued, Sejong was the first to stride forward. Good heavens This is the power of a single sneak bomb. The ministers, who arrived where the straw men were, could not hide their astonishment. There was not a single straw man left standing upright. The posts that held up the targets had been blown away with the targets, and the straw men dressed in armor were scattered everywhere. Sejong and the ministers examined the fallen targets and straw men. If these had been real people I shudder to think. If these had been real people it would have been hell. Seeing the targets and the armor full of holes, the ministers shook their heads. As they said, if this had been used against people in armor, it would certainly have been a terrifying sight, even in a dream. If there were any survivors in this situation, would it be merciful to kill them? Sejong muttered under his breath, looking at the target he held in his hand, which had a hole big enough for a fist. Not all ministers reacted negatively. Jo Mal-saeng, who was in charge of the army,pletely lost hisposure. Your Highness! Crown Prince! Can this sneak bomb be mass-produced immediately? No, please say its possible! Well, with a little effort. At Hyangs answer, Jo Mal-saeng prostrated himself in front of Sejong. Your Majesty! We must immediately start mass-producing this sneak bomb! Both the long-ranged cannons and rifles are impressive weapons, butpared to this sneak bomb, they are nothing! If we can mass-produce this weapon, we can solve the problem with the Jurchens right away! Not just the Jurchens! We can perfectly subjugate that detestable ind of Tsushima! No, not just Tsushima, we can also conquer the maind of those Japanese pirates! Hmm. Your Majesty! We must mass-produce this! Hmm. At Jo Mal-saengs persistent plea, Sejongs face softened. However, Sejong decided to take a moments pause. Weve confirmed its power, lets take a closer look before making a decision. This could be a burden on Joseons resources, after all. Your Majesty! If the resources arecking, we can gather more! If we are short of copper, we shallb every kitchen and backyard throughout Joseon! If weck mercury, well get it, even if it means engaging in wheat trade! If charcoal is insufficient, well cut down every tree in Joseon if we must! We absolutely must produce inrge quantities! Jo Mal-saeng appeared ready to grab King Sejongs legs and plead. Thats when Hwang Hee interrupted. Your Excellency! Didnt you hear His Majestys words! He said to listen to further exnations and discuss! Why are you in such a rush! Get up, this is disgraceful! Uhh Chided by Hwang Hee, Jo Mal-saeng stood up and looked at King Sejong. Seeing Jo Mal-saengs desperate expression, Hyang mumbled to himself. Why am I reminded of that cat from the movie? Exin why this sneak bomb disys such power. Yes, Your Highness. At Sejongsmand, Choi Hae-san began his exnation. -The shell of the fire bomb is made as thin as possible. It can withstand the shock ofunch and impact, but not the internal explosion, for which the strength and thickness are adjusted ordingly. -Inside the shell of the fire bomb, small iron shrapnels are embedded. These shrapnels increase the number of fragments, enhancing the lethality. -The power of the gunpowder has been enhanced. Although it is not an explosive oil or smokeless gunpowder, the power has been maintained by skipping the process of mixing soil with ck powder. Indeed, your hard work is visible. At Sejongs assessment, Choi Hae-san bowed his head and replied, The challenging part was adjusting the thickness of the shell. The rest was just following what the Crown Prince had already decided. There was a lot in Sejongs gaze when he looked at Hyang after hearing Choi Hae-sans answer. Then Sejong, who had been looking at Hyang, threw a question at Choi Hae-san: Just now, the Minister of Military Affairs requested mass production of this bomb. Is it possible? If there is enough supply of gunpowder, I think it is possible. At Choi Hae-sans answer, Hwang Hee cut in, stating, General, is it really possible? Earlier, the Crown Prince said that the reason mass production of smokeless gunpowder was impossible was due to the shortage of craftsmen. From what I know, to mass-produce such a tremendous sneak bomb, we would need many skilled craftsmen. Wont the same problem arise? At Hwang Hees point, Choi Hae-san nodded, Your point is correct, my lord. However, the Crown Prince had considered that aspect when creating this sneak bomb.
  1. Original name would trante as Flying Strike Sky-shaking Thunder. The explosive is made of casted iron, filled with gunpowder and iron shrapnels. [?]
  2. They are grenades[?]
  3. made of wood[?]
  4. [?]
Chapter 59 Chapter 59 Creating the sneak bomb in the original way was too inefficient. The original sneak bomb used a whole, casted sphere. By the 21st-century standards, this method had many issues. Of course, the technology involved in creating a hollow spherical shape was admirable, but it wasnt a particrly rmended method in terms of production efficiency. When you look at the performance, mass production without questions would obviously be better, you need a strategy. The first step Hyang took was to divide the sphere of the sneak bomb in two. Hyang changed the design so that one-half of the divided sphere would have a female screw and the other half a male screw. By matching and turning the engraved screws on the two halves, the two halves would be aplete sphere. Hyang also applied screws to the part where the fuse is inserted and the hole where the gunpowder is inserted. The idea was to make it even more secure by engraving screws on the cap that covers the fuse and the cover that seals the hole after the gunpowder is inserted. Hyang then conducted a firepower test with the prototypes made this way. First, lets try without theunching process from the weapon. Yes, Your Highness. As a result of the test, the improved sneak bomb exploded wonderfully, as Hyang expected. Thats incredible! How about we send this to the North right away? Looking at the testing area turned into a mess, Lee Chun and Choi Hae-san couldnt help but marvel. However, Hyang, smiling, shook his head. We still have many things to test. We should start with theunching test. Launch Right. I forgot about the non-standard part. In the ensuingunching test, the non-standardized sneak bomb was safelyunched. Hyang, having confirmed the result, moved on to the next task. Now, I should report to the King and arrange for Alright! Shall we try reducing the thickness of the shell? Lets start by decreasing it by a dolly (about 1.5mm) each time. At Hyangsmand, the artisans started making prototypes with the shell thickness reduced from a dolly to 4 hal (4/10ths of an inch, about 1.2cm), in increments of 5 ri. This was literally a process of trial and error. When weunched it from a weapon with twice the amount of gunpowder, the thinnest surviving shell fromunch to impact was the one we shaved down to 3 hal (about 9mm). Now, shall we try filling it with gunpowder and testing? Yes, Your Highness. In the ensuing test, the non-standardized sneak bomb, shaved down to 3 hal, survived the repeated impacts ofunch andnding and exploded properly. Seeing the results, Choi Hae-san and Lee Chun became greedy again. Since the results are good, should we report The st radius is too wide. Theres a risk of our allies being hit. Lets look for ways to increase the lethality while reducing the st radius. You are right, Your Highness. We will consider it. Upon hearing Hyangsmand, Choi Hae-san, Lee Chun, the officials, and the artisans began looking for various strategies. However, it was hard to find a way to satisfy the contradictory conditions of strengthening lethality and reducing danger radius at the same time. Eventually, Hyang had to step in again. Bring me y and paper, and chicken egg-sized iron beads. Yes, Your Highness. When the artisans brought the materials, Hyang gave them orders. Coat the inside of the non-standardized sneak bombs shell with y, about a half-inch thick, and embed the iron beads all over it. Then, once the y dries, apply paper to keep it securely fastened so it doesnt fall off. Upon hearing Hyangsmand, the officials and the artisans let out exmations of admiration. Ah! Thats the solution! In the subsequent test, the improved non-standardized sneak bomb had a reduced danger radiuspared to the first version, but its lethality was even greater. Hyang, who was examining the results, looked back at Choi Hae-san and Lee Chun. Lets try to improve it a little more. Just a bit more Yes, Your Highness. In the subsequent second phase of the improvements, the artisans and Hyang etched gold into the interior of the non-standardized sneak bomb in a pattern resembling a Go board. They alsoyered in additional explosive charges.
A Go board
After the second improvement phase, Hyang observed the results of the following tests and ordered Choi Hae-san and Lee Chun. I think this is sufficient. If we push any further, future generations will view us as bloodthirsty and ruthless. I agree! At Hyangs words, Choi Hae-san and Lee Chun nodded vigorously. The scene created by the improved non-standardized sneak bomb was a genuine ughter. Now for the report Now lets improve the cannon thatunches this sneak bomb. Excuse me? At Hyangs words, Choi Hae-san and Lee Chunn looked depressed. Hyang observed the Daewangoo rge bowl-shaped cannon) that fired the non-standardized sneak bomb. The amount of gunpowder that enters the powder chamber is 35 yang (approximately 1.3 kg) The problem is that its not an efficient design. What Hyang pointed out was the overall design of the cannon. Lets change the structure! Hyang redesigned the cannon that fired the non-standardized sneak bomb into a traditional linear form. He created a cannonball simr to those used on Western cannons of the 18th and 19th centuries. Is it too Western-style? I dont think so. Looking at his sketch, Hyang chuckled. More urately, the design Hyang created was closer to the medium-sized infantry cannons created during the Daewongun1 era in Joseon. Hyang hung up the drawing of the cannon and cannonball he had envisioned and exchanged opinions with Choi Hae-san, Lee Chun, and the artisans. Mount it on arge-wheeled cart. The mobility will improve. Considering our battles with the northern Jurchen tribes, wouldnt it be much easier if the cannon was mobile? At Hyangs words, Choi Hae-san and Lee Chun nodded. Having amplebat experience from both the south and north, the two men were able to understand the advantage Hyang was talking about immediately. Lee Chun, who was looking at the drawing, drew a conclusion. If we create a cart carrying the cannon and another cart carrying the bombs and gunpowder Even if the non-standardized sneak bomb only travels with two wheels, the Jurchens would not dare to act rashly. As Choi Hae-san and Lee Chun, who could be called the top experts in the Joseon military on cannons, agreed, the development of the cannon and cannonball progressed rapidly. A distinguishing feature of the newly developed cannonpared to the existing ones was that the back part of the internal powder chamber was round, as well as its exterior. General Choi, do you remember when we first tested the explosion? Yes. At that time, we saw that the burns created on the copper te radiated outwards. I think this suggests that when gunpowder explodes, the force radiates outwards. Choi Hae-san, who had been pondering Hyangs words, nodded his head. That seems likely. If so, wouldnt the cannon be much stronger if we hollow out the back of the powder chamber like this? It would have the same thickness at any angle. Choi Hae-san, who had been carefully examining the blueprint, nodded his head. It seems worth trying. After the first cannon was manufactured, Hyang and Choi Hae-san immediately began testing. They ced double the normal amount of gunpowder in the powder chambers of both the oldrge bowl-shaped cannon and the new type of cannon, sealed them tightly with a plug, and then inserted a heavy stone. In the four rounds of continuous firing, the new type of cannon showed no problems, but the bowl-shaped cannon developed a crack in the bottom corner of the powder chamber. Upon checking the results, Choi Hae-san opened his document and wrote: Test results confirm that making the rear of the cannon and powder chamber curved strengthens its structure. It seems appropriate to upgrade other cannons or design new cannons in a simr shape. Therefore, this non-standardized sneak bomb not only serves as a missile, but everything down to the design of the cannon has passed through the hands of His Highness, the Crown Prince. At Choi Hae-sans exnation, Sejong and his ministers once again looked towards the Crown Prince. This fellow youre making even saying astonishing tiring now. At Sejongs words, all the ministers nodded their heads. Having seen a series of amazing devices, the ministers were exhausted. No, the chief state councilors and the Assistant Secretaries of the Treasury were singing to the heavens, calcting the budget that would be required for mass production. I would like to see this newly-created cannon. As youmand. A momentter, two carts entered the demonstration area. Each cart was drawn by two horses. The first cart carries a cannon mounted on a gun carriage, and the second cart carries the non-standardized sneak bomb and gunpowder to be used for the cannon. Hmm Listening to Choi Hae-sans exnation, Sejong scrutinized the carts. On the cart connected to the gun carriage, there were two wooden boxes. Those boxes contain the missiles and explosives that are to be used immediately after the cannon is dust-proofed. The soldiers opened the lids of the boxes that were loaded on the cart. Small bags caught the eyes of Sejong who had been examining the boxes. What are these bags? At Sejongs question, Choi Hae-san opened a bag and pulled out its contents. They are a fuse (fire rope) which determines the time until detonation, a cotton wick to wrap the fuse, and a paper tube, which holds one nyang of starting explosive used to ignite the main charge, and all of which are to be inserted into the non-standardized sneak bomb. At Choi Hae-sans exnation, Sejong nodded his head. I see. The main explosive doesnt catch fire from the fuse, so we ignite it with the starting explosive. But, a paper tube? At first, we used bamboo, but there were issues with uniformity so we decided to make tubes out of paper. I see. Thats a good idea. It was the wisdom of His Highness, the Crown Prince. When Choi Hae-san credited the Crown Prince, Sejong looked back at him. I can see your efforts. It is the merit of General Choi, General Lee, and all the other military officers and craftsmen. Now, it was the Crown Prince crediting the soldiers and craftsmen in turn. Sejong, who had been looking at the cannon, stopped his gaze at the back of the cannon. What caught Sejongs interest was the part that was connected to the base of the cannon. There was a screw-engraved column standing there, and next to the gears that were connected here and there was a handle simr to a winch. Next to that, there was a half-circle dial with Chinese characters written on it C long-range, short-range, and very short-range. Crown Prince, what is this used for? Yes, it is used to adjust the angle of the cannon to control the range. Control the range? Yes. It works like this. As the Crown Prince turned the winch-like handle, the muzzle of the cannon moved up and down. Watching this, Sejong turned his head. So you adjust the distance by adjusting the angle of the cannon muzzle? Choi Hae-san, who was next to him, answered Sejongs question right away, Yes, Your Majesty. How so? Its the same principle as shooting a bow. When you want to hit a target far away with a bow, dont you lift the bow and shoot it in a parabolic trajectory? Aha! At Choi Hae-sans exnation, Sejong nodded his head and let out a sigh of admiration. Choi Hae-san exined, pointing to the semi-circr distance gauge. ording to this scale, if you adjust the angle of the muzzle, you can control the distance from 300 bo to 500 bo. (Note: The bo here is a traditional Korean unit of length equivalent to about 3.03 meters or 9.94 feet.) Sejong, who had been carefully examining the scale under the guidance of Choi Hae-san, looked back at Choi Hae-san and Lee Chun. You must have put a lot of effort into figuring out this scale. Yes, Your Majesty. At Sejongs words, Choi Haesan and Lee Chun nodded. By a mix of intentional design and fortunate discovery, they had fired hundreds of rounds of sneak bombs to urately measure a fact they had stumbled upon. Filled with soil and pebbles to reduce the unnecessary consumption of gunpowder, the firings of these sneak bombs did not rest, continually flying through the air. Eventually, they had to make nearly a hundred new sneak bombs to rece those broken from metal damage. But that was not all. A considerable number of cows raised in the nearby farms of Area 51 had died from the stress caused by the explosive noise, requiring a significant sum forpensation. The meat from these ughtered cows ended up on the tables of the craftsmen and soldiers. If we can adjust the distance like this, it would be more effective in battle. Can this be applied to other artillery? At Sejongs question, Hyang replied, The schrs at the research institute are currently studying it. But? Having heard the response, Sejong sought out Jeong Jo among the officials. Vice Director Jeong, your faith in science is immeasurable. At Sejongs words, Jeong Jo bowed his head and replied, I am honored by your words, Your Majesty. Jeong Jos voice was filled with emotion. I cant even go home right now Thanks to the same order issued by Hyang, the schrs at the research institute were clenching books that recorded the results of the artillery fire, fighting a war with numbers. They were investigating the changing range in all sorts of diverse and bizarre situations, creating charts, formting them, and making range adjustment tes for each type of artillery under Hyangs order. Due to this, the schrs at the research institute could only go home on their designated days off C 9 days of work and 1 day of rest. It was only thanks to Hyang strictly adhering to this rule. However, there were times when the schrs voluntarily worked overtime. That period was when they were fermenting meju''2. Joseon was a soybean paste country, consuming a lot of doenjang (soybean paste) and soy sauce. As consumption was high, every house was filled with jars of paste, and the neighborhoods of Hanyang were filled with the smell of doenjang. Thus, the people of Joseon were familiar with the smell of soybean paste. However, even for them, the smell of fermenting meju was a hardship. Especially, the houses with many family members inevitably had to ferment arge amount of meju. Therefore, the homes of high-ranking officials with many servants and guests suffered more from the stench of meju. The pce also fermented arge amount of meju, but because the pce had a vast space, the smell of meju was not so severe. For this reason, officials tended to dy their return home as much as possible during the meju fermenting period. In any case, due to the orders of Sejong and Hyang, Joseon became the first country in the world to create and implement a shooting range chart 3 for artillery. Having inspected the artillery firing sneak bombs and the associated equipment, Sejong straightened his waist. Hmm, it seems weve seen everything. But before we check the ounts, theres onest thing to confirm. The armor worn by the soldiers and officers here is different from what Ive seen before, exin this to me. We have prepared for that. Let me guide you.
  1. Regent and father of King Gojong (a.k.a Last King of Korean dynasty)[?]
  2. Brick of dried fermented soybeans[?]
  3. A specialized tool designed for specific firing devices such as guns, cannons, rocketunchers, etc., including the corresponding types of ammunition and their propent numbers. It is a handbook that contains the corresponding rtionships between firing angles, ranges, and other ballistic parameters. It serves as the basis for urate and effective shooting, the production of aiming devices, and can also be used as fundamental ballistic data for design andmand instruments.[?]
2 more chapters before we end this arc! Chapter 60 Chapter 60 Under King Sejongs order, Hyang and Choi Hae-san guided Sejong and other ministers to a building prepared on the side. In thergest room of the building, chairs were prepared, where Sejong and his ministers could sitfortably. Once all preparations were finished, Hyang stepped forward to start exining in detail about the new style of armor. If we examine the armor used by our Joseon troops, typically we wear chainmail ormer armor most frequently. However, these armors take a lot of work to produce and maintain. Not only the armorers who need to constantly maintain them, but also the soldiers who serve their military duties all have to prepare their own armor, and thus their quality varies greatly. (Chainmail) (Lamer Armor) At Hyangs exnation, Sejong and his ministers all nodded. This was becauseints about the hardship of the people rted to this issue and petitions requesting solutions often came up. Among the soldiers, due to financial difficulties, some wear paper armor or wooden patch armor, but its also a fact that their defense is inferiorpared to the metal armor. (Paper armor) (Wooden patch armor) Thats true. At Hyangs exnation, Sejong nodded his head. Hyang pointed to themer armor with a baton and continued, This is the twoyered armor we started using anew since the reign of King Taejo. Its reinforced by hammering ironmee (thinyer sheet) onto the back of the wooden patch armor made of cotton and pine. Judging by its defensive power alone, it can withstand an arrow shot from a distance of 50 steps. It is our strongest armor in terms of defense to date. At Hyangs words, Sejong and his ministers all nodded. Even during the previous acquisition of Daema Ind, the twoyered armor had demonstrated its supreme defensive power. Hyang continued his speech, However, this twoyered armor has several problems. Hyang pointed out the problems of the twoyered armor. C First, it requires a lot of time andbor to produce. The ironmee that are fixed with twoyers require that each piece is forged, and each one has to be hammered one by one. C Cost is also a problem. Even if we ignore the cost of iron and cotton, the prices of silk used for the lining, the fabric (cuff) at the wrists, sides, cor, and the fur for the edging is not insignificant. Of course, there are many cases where its covered with cotton or silk, but to make it properly, you need to use rabbit fur, deer fur, or fox fur. C Despite having the strongest defense, it also has many weaknesses. Not only the fabric (cuff) but also the front and sides are all open. If youre under an arrow attack from a distance, unless youre extremely unlucky, statistically, its not an issue. However, in hand-to-handbat, this bes a problem. To prevent this, additional protective gear like armpit covers or groin covers need to be worn. Even so, the problem of the front being unguarded remains. C Its hard to endure wearing it for a long time. This is because the shape of the armor takes the form of a robe. Because all the weight of the armor is supported by the shoulders, fatigue easily sets in. To solve the aforementioned problems, the new armor has been restructured as follows. C The iron scales inside the face armor have been reced by a single iron te. Both the front and the back, two iron tes secured the upper bodys defense. C Issues with front and side defense have been resolved. Because there is only one iron te, the front problem has been solved, and the nk issue was resolved by ovepping the front and back tes by half a chi (chi is an old Korean unit of length that is approximately 30.3 cm). The armpit problem was resolved by attaching a circr piece of iron to the protective part covering the shoulders and arms. C The armor was divided into two parts, called upper armor and breastte. By doing so, all the weight of the armor was not supported by the shoulders but was distributed across the entire body, making it less tiring even when worn for an extended period. C The protective capacity has also been enhanced by adding newly structured armor tes to the shin area, elbows, and thighs. This armor was created in that way. Hyang ended his words, pointing at the armor hung on thest hanger. Hooh~. Hmm. After Hyangs exnation, Sejong and the ministers closely inspected the problematic armor. Sejong, who was scrutinizing the armor, asked Hyang a question, Compared to the existing helmet armor, how much has the weight increased? It has increased by 8 geun (about 4.8 kg). The weight increased due to the addition of protection for the elbows, thighs, and shins. Thats all it increased? As Sejong made a suspicious expression, Hyang immediately exined, First of all, the number of helmets dramatically decreased, and instead of covering the iron tes with cotton face armor, it was reced with cotton cloth. Upon Hyangs report, Sejong stroked his beard and made a calction, So, the added weight is a total of 10 geun. Those who will wear these armors? Those who wear the full body armor are horsemen and swordsmen, and the remodeled upper armor will be used by themanding officers and gunners. The helmets will be used inmon by all troops. What do those whove tried this on say? They say that although the weight has increased a little, it is surprisingly bearable as the weight is distributed throughout the body. In addition, because more parts are covered by the iron armor, they feel more secure and their fear significantly reduces. At Hyangs answer, Sejong stroked his beard. That part would only be known after experiencing a real battle. I would like to look at the structure of this armor in more detail. Ive already prepared for it. At Hyangs signal, the soldiers came in carrying arge tray. On the tray were iron armors, with their cotton covers removed, neatly ced. Hmm the shape of the iron armors is truly unique. Sejongs eyes sparkled as he examined the shapes of the breastte, backte, and other tes of metal. Hyang smiled inwardly at Sejongs reaction. I must admit, even I was surprised at what I had created! When Hyang first checked the prototype of the new type of armor, he had frowned slightly. What in the world? This grotesque hybrid? The armor designed by Hyang was a blend of Western full te mail and Joseons traditional studded armor. (Studded Armor) Another example is kinda like this, as worn by Lee Sun-shin in that KR movie. In his research on the issue of armor, Hyang was at a crossroads. The full te mail had slightly superior defensive capabilities, while the studded armor led in terms of mobility. Hmm. What to do with this? Should I just skip the armor part? But Hyang couldnt just skip the armor part. There was the issue of the swordsmen, who were to bear the brunt of the infantry battle. This is troubling. The main factors that eventually led Hyang to decide to improve the armor were the maintenance problems of the chainmail andmer armor and the production cost of studded armor. The cost to properly manufacture studded armor was 16 seok and 10 du for the armor, and 4 seok and 5 du for the helmet. Why is this so expensive! Hyang looked into the reason for the unexpectedly high price. He discovered that although the material costs were significant,bor costs were also substantial. In the end, Hyang made a decision. Lets just change it! Cut down all the costs we can, including material andbor costs! To achieve this goal, Hyang adopted the design of full te mail. As Sejong was discussing his impressions of the new armor, Hwang Hee, who had been carefully observing the armor, asked Hyang a question, Your Highness, the Crown Prince. Yes. From what I see, it appears that everything from the helmet to the armors metal tes were all made from a single sheet of iron. Is that correct? Thats correct. If so, does that mean the craftsmen hammered out these tes one by one? Wouldnt that require a lot ofbor? That could lead to cost issues. At Hwang Hees remark, Hyang nodded. Youre absolutely right. I had the same concern, so., and paused for a moment, before looking at Hwang Hee, smiled, and continued, We made it by stamping (it). The start of mass production is the press! This was the reason why Hyang had to borrow the design of the full te mail. Sejong questioned Hyang with a stern expression. You said the new armor was for the cavalry and swordsmen. But as far as I know, there isnt a corps of swordsmen. Did you create a new corps? Yes, I have. Ive integrated the existing shielded infantrymen (paengbaesu), spearmen, and long swordsmen. Why? If we consider the performance of the newly made cannon and rifle, our Joseon army will operate primarily around these two weapons, and cavalry in the future. If so, cultivating shielded infantrymen, spearmen, and long swordsmen separately would be a burden on the budget. Therefore. Youve integrated these corps into one, right? Thats right. At Hyangs answer, Sejong immediately pointed out a potential issue. Your point seems valid at first nce. However, battlefield situations can change in an instant. Relying solely on swordsmen could prove difficult. If the firepower of the rifles and cannons is insufficient to suppress the enemy, and they break through the defense line of the swordsmen, what will you do? At Sejongs remark, Hyang nodded, I am aware of that. Thats why Ive prepared a number for the long rifles. The long rifles can also be used as a spear. And I am currently devising and teaching spear techniques using long rifles to our current riflemen. Using long rifles as a spear? Hmm. Upon hearing Hyangs exnation, Sejong contemted the possibility, recalling his own memory. The length of the long-barrel rifles he had seen at the demonstration site was considerable. Attach a spearhead to that? Hmm perhaps. Sejong, who was contemting various possibilities, nodded. It seems there is a possibility. However, Ill postpone adjusting all the formations of the Joseon military ording to your opinion. I believe its not toote to make a decision after confirming the results in the field. Upon hearing King Sejongs decision, Hyang bowed his head in eptance. I will follow your decision, Your Majesty. The demonstration of the new weapons created through the coborative efforts of Hyang, Choi Hae-san, Lee Chun, and the researchers and artisans from the research institute had ended. King Sejong and his ministers began preparing for a thorough review of the ounts. But its a little tiresome. Having watched the demonstration from early morning, a weary King Sejong felt hungry and turned to look at his ministers. How about returning to the pce for a while to eat some lunch? Upon hearing King Sejongs words, Hyang interjected, Your Majesty, would you like to try the rations prepared for the soldiers? Rations? Are they tasty? King Sejong showed curiosity at Hyangs suggestion. However, upon hearing Sejongs question about the taste, Hyang shook his head slightly, The rations are the food that soldiers eat when they cannot cook rice on the battlefield. I cant brag about its taste. Its not that famous French military (Meal, Ready-to-Eat) MRE! Hmm what should I do. While stroking his beard and pondering for a moment, King Sejong soon made a decision, Alright, lets try it. How can we understand the soldiers hardship without trying the rations? Ministers, lets eat together. We humbly ept your order. The ministers replied with a nervous tone, as they had to eat a meal even the king himself was not confident in the taste of. Soon after, the soldiers brought in a pot with steaming hot rice. Following them, other soldiers brought in bowls filled with white kimchi and empty bowls. The soldiers, who had cleared the armor parts and ced the pots and kimchi on the empty table, took their seats behind. Your Majesty, please try it. Hmm? Uh-huh. Lets do that. As King Sejong stood in front of the table, a soldier politely served a bowl of thick porridge scooped out from the pot. Sejong seemed to enjoy the taste, as he finished a bowl of porridge cleanly. Handing the empty bowl to a courtdy, Sejong continued to question Hyang, Do soldiers eat the same amount per meal? Yes, they do. Its porridge, not rice. How long can they endure? They canst at least until the next meal. Its not just barley and rice, but it also contains a good amount of meat. King Sejong nodded at Hyangs words while continually asking questions to identify any potential issues. Making porridge requires a lot of water. But, securing drinking water can be the biggest difficulty during a war. Whats the solution for this? Weve made a prototype for purification when its difficult to find clean drinking water. A prototype for purification? Lets see it. Ill guide you. Hyang led King Sejong to a spot outside the building. There, a wooden frame about the height of a mans calf (about 90 cm) was ced on a wooden stand, and a square rice cake mold was stackedyer byyer. This is a water purifier. How does it work? We start from the bottom, stacking charcoal or firewood, and sandyer byyer, each about 3 chi (approximately 10 cm) thick, and at the very top, we ce gravel to a thickness of 2 chi (approximately 7 cm). After giving his exnation, Hyang gestured to the soldiers standing by. Upon receiving his signal, the soldiers filled arge vat with water and dirt to create muddy water, then poured it over the area where the gravel wasid. Shortly afterwards, clear water began to trickle out from a metal pipe embedded in the barrel at the very bottom. Hyang, who collected some of the water with a cup, handed it to King Sejong. Its clear water indeed. Weve filtered out the visible sediments, but there might be invisible impurities left, so its best to boil it once before drinking. Hmm With this device, we can somewhat counteract the enemys guerri warfare at night. Guerri warfare at night was a tactic mostmonly encountered when suppressing the Jurchen tribes beyond the national borders. When the Joseon army advanced, the Jurchen tribes often spoiled the water sources by throwing dead animals into the wells or blocking them with rocks. Because of this, suppressing the Jurchen tribes was not an easy task and took a considerable amount of time. Most military officers at the Joseon army headquarters or training institutions who hadbat experience against the Jurchens pointed out this issue, and as a countermeasure, Hyang made this makeshift water purifier. Hmm King Sejong, who had been inspecting the water purifier while listening to Hyangs exnation, turned his head to look at his ministers. When theres a drought or flood, the most difficult thing for the people is securing drinking water Doesnt this seem like it could solve that problem? Its easy to make, doesnt require a lot of resources, and its performance is quite impressive. Upon hearing King Sejongs words, the ministers, who had been contemting, all nodded their heads in agreement. Truly a wise judgement! When the people face water shortages due to drought or flood, this will indeed be the best solution! There was not a single minister who opposed it. During a drought, people would dig wells to find drinking water. However, they couldnt drink the water as soon as it came up from a freshly dug well because it was muddy. The people had to endure their thirst until the wells mud settled. The same was true during floods. Not only the streams and rivers but also the wells were turned to mud, so even when water was overflowing, the people had to suffer from thirst. If the people who couldnt resist their thirst drank such muddy water, they would immediately fall ill, and this often served as a breeding ground for epidemics. When even the ministers agreed, King Sejong ordered Hyang, Make a document rted to this purifier so that it can be spread across the country. It will be distributed to all the administrative offices nationwide. Your orders are received! And for the ration, it seems fine even in the old preservation method. Once its confirmed that it can be stored for a long time, look for ways to produce it inrge quantities. We will follow yourmand. The ration, it tastes better than I thought. It would be good as a snack in the pce when hungry. Thank you very much! He finds the salty ration tasty? Good heavens! Could it be that His Majesty has a soldiers pte? The amount of types of armor mentioned in this chapter gives me headaches ?? Chapter 61 Chapter 61 The meal made of millet hade to an end at noon. King Sejong and his ministers formally began their audit. They meticulously went over the records they had kept to see if anything was missing or if there was any trace of corruption. The ministers pointed their inquiries toward General Choi Hae-san. Why have you continued to purchasend? What is the reason for this? Didnt you properly calcte the necessary area from the start? The ministers were questioning General Choi Hae-san, but in reality, they were questioning the Crown Prince. They were indirectly attacking Choi Hae-san to avoid giving a foothold against King Sejong by questioning the Crown Prince directly. In response to the ministers question, Choi Hae-san calmly replied, As you have seen, the main things researched in this Area 51 were weapons using gunpowder. Gunpowder creates loud explosions, and there were many people who couldnt stand it, so we bought theirnd. The reasons for purchasing cattle and livestock are the same. There were continued instances of livestock dying from being startled by the explosion, and we bought these dead livestock. Despite the ministers relentless questioning, Choi Hae-san confidently answered without hesitation. Since the establishment of the research center, especially Area 51, no funds had slipped through the cracks. All the budget received from the royal court was tightly held by the Crown Prince, and no one scrutinized the budget execution more rigorously than the Crown Prince himself. It was almost sunset when the audit finally ended. The ministers who hadpleted the audit reported the results to King Sejong. There seems to be no problem with the records. Is that so? You all have worked hard. After thanking his ministers for their efforts, King Sejong turned to the Crown Prince. Youve also worked hard, Crown Prince. And Generals Choi and Lee, you both did well. Seeing the weapons today, I can tell how much effort you and the Crown Prince have put in. Youve really worked hard. In response to King Sejongs praise, the Crown Prince, Choi Hae-san, and Lee Chun bowed their heads. Your high praise is too kind! Your efforts are making the defense of Joseon more robust, so please continue your hard work. We will devote ourselves wholeheartedly! Then, today is Just as King Sejong was about to rise from his seat to leave, he noticed the new armor worn by the soldiers standing guard and turned to his ministers. Before we return to the pce, lets visit the Armory. Your Majesty, it seems we may not have enough time to visit the Armory. Minister Hwang Hee stepped forward to inform him that it waste, but King Sejong shook his head. If we dy it again, state affairs will pile up. Since were here, lets go and check. Yourmand is received. Upon King Sejongs decision, Hwang Hee bowed his head immediately. King Sejongs tone was much softer than it was in the morning. If they maintained their grounds here, it was certain that King Sejongs tone would change immediately, which was a sign of King Sejongs anger. Avoid the avoidable storm. So, King Sejong left Area 51 and headed for the Armory. As Area 51 expanded, it was built next door to the Armory, so King Sejong could get to the Armory right away. The armorys managers and artisans all came out and paid their respects at the sudden news of the kings arrival. We greet Your Majesty! Seeing the managers and artisans bowing deeply, King Sejong lightly raised his hand. Rise. At King Sejongsmand, the managers and artisans timidly stood up. Seeing them standing, King Sejong turned to the Secretary of Personnel Affairs. Doesnt it seem like there are fewer managers overseeing the Armory than I thought? Thats because many of them are holding multiple positions If there are many tasks for the artisans, and there arent enough managers to supervise them, thats a problem. Prohibit those in charge of the Armory from holding multiple positions. Yourmand is received. The Secretary of Personnel Affairs who answered King Sejongs order sighed softly, Hoo. Were already short on people գࣩg! Im well aware of the shortage of people in the court. The issue ofck of personnel will be solved as soon as possible while carrying out the reform. You will have to endure it for a while. Not at all! Its not a hardship! Its not justified! The Secretary of Personnel Affairs, who felt that his inner thoughts had been exposed, hastily denied it. As he stepped into the Armory, King Sejong said to the Crown Prince, It is clear that all the weapons you have made have considerable power. However, it is also a fact that they require a lot ofbor. Am I wrong? No, youre not. So, Ill examine the production process of these weapons. As you said, the number of artisans in Joseon is small, and its a problem to mobilize them carelessly since there are also needs of the people. Therefore, I will examine the production process, weigh the power I learned from the demonstration in the morning, and decide the priority. Any problem with that? None. Its a reasonable decision. The Crown Prince obediently agreed to King Sejongs words. Given the current situation in Joseon, its necessary to choose and concentrate. Its a pity, but what can I do. Then, lets start by observing the production of the cannon. Yes, Your Majesty. Under the guidance of the officials, Sejong watched the process of manufacturing a cannon. From the start, when the cannon barrel was being wound, to the stage when variousponents were attached, Sejong looked back at Hyang. It seems quitebor-intensive. Yes. Thats why we have attempted to implement a lot of division ofbor. Division ofbor? At Hyangs response, Sejong calmly observed the production process again. Young-looking craftsmen were hammering iron tes on the anvil, shaping and assembling them. Then, an older craftsman meticulously checked the barrels made this way. The process of refining these finished barrels and carving the grooves was mostly carried out by young craftsmen as well. The more experienced craftsmen were in charge of inspecting the quality of the parts and finally assembling the whole thing. I see. Having seen the process of making a cannon, Sejong nodded as if he understood. Having had his curiosity satisfied, Sejong turned to Hyang and Choi Hae-san to resolve another curiosity. The armor worn by the soldiers in Area 51 seemed unusual. Is it made here too? Yes, Your Majesty. Id like to see that, too. Understood. At Sejongs order, Hyang gave instructions to the arsenal officials and craftsmen. At Hyangsmand, the cannon-making craftsmen stopped what they were doing and stood up. Huh? As Sejong tilted his head in confusion, Hyang exined the situation, Im sorry. We are short of craftsmen Oh dear! Tsk! At Hyangs reply, Sejong seemed regretful and clicked his tongue. Seeing Sejong like this, the apanying ministers were uneasily muttering. This is getting more worrying? Hes definitely going to demand measures Leaving behind the uneasiness of such ministers, Sejong followed the craftsmen to the ce where armor was made. Hehehe Really now Upon arriving at the ce where the armor was made and seeing the craftsmen making armor, Sejong let out a chuckle. In response to Hwang Hees question, Hyang answered, We mass produce them. And now, the craftsmen were literally mass producing them. The first thing that caught Sejongs eye was the part that covered the chest. A thin, heated iron te was ced on arge iron mold, and then another craftsman turned arge pulley, lowering another iron mold over it. Heave ho! As the two molds ovepped, a young craftsman exerted all his strength, pushing the handle attached to the upper mold down. The end of the handle was curved into a semi-circle, and as the handle was pushed, the most protruding part of the semi-circle pressed down on the mold. Thus, when the two molds werepletely attached and a little time had passed, the craftsmen pulled the handle up, turned the pulley, and separated the two molds. When the molds were separated, a craftsman standing nearby used tongs to remove the iron te. The te from the mold was perfectly shaped like a breastte. Hehehe. Having seen the peculiar way the armor was made, Sejong kept on watching,ughing. Helmets to be used with the armor, even ones with a nge, were being made from a single iron te. Unable to help butugh at thepletely unexpected and innovative method, Sejong asked the craftsmen a question, This is indeed a novel method! Whose idea was it? At Sejongs question, all the craftsmen and officials focused their eyes on Hyang. Sejong looked at Hyang with a disappointed face. You again? Hahaha! Sejong, having seen the process of making armor, wanted to see the ce where gunpowder was made, but Hyang stepped forward to stop him. Im sorry, Your Majesty, but you cannot see the ce where gunpowder is made right now. Why not? Because very dangerous substances like mercury and sulfuric acid are used, the designated personnel are equipped with specific gear and work for only a set amount of time. I see Sigh. Disappointed, Sejong looked around. He toured ces where traditional weapons like bows and arrows were made, and praised the craftsmen, but Sejongs expression had significantly faded. Your Majesty, its getting quitete. Its time for your return to the pce At the words of the apanying eunuch, Sejong looked at the clock on the arsenal wall and nodded. Indeed. Lets prepare to return to the pce. Yes, Your Majesty. As Sejong and the ministers were mounting their horses to return to the pce, a soldier carrying arge bag approached Hyang. As Hyang checked the contents of the bag and nodded, the soldier handed the bag to Choi Hae-san. Good work. As Choi Hae-san received the bag, another soldier presented wooden tags to Hyang and Choi Hae-san. These are the new identification tags for you to use tomorrow. Thank you. As Hyang took the tags and mounted his horse, King Sejong, who had been observing the scene, asked a question, I understand about the tags, but what is in the bag? It contains blueprints for the armor and cannons. I take them to the military base every morning, and retrieve them every evening. Then where do you keep these blueprints? I store them in a safe built in the deepest part of the Eastern Pce. You seem to take security seriously. Lets return to the pce then. As they hurried back, Hwang Hee summoned the chief of the Ministry of personnel. Chief Officer, contact the Ministry and have them prepare a report on the supply of iron. Make it avable as soon as we return to the pce. Pardon? When we return to the pce, His Majesty will undoubtedly want to discuss the mass production of new weapons, including cannons. So, we should prepare in advance. Ah, of course! The Chief Officer issued an order to the apanying officials. The officials from the Ministry quickly broke from the procession and galloped towards the crossroads. As Hwang Hee had predicted, King Sejong brought up the matter as soon as they returned to the pce. Seeing the demonstration today, the weapons made in the Area 51 are indeed powerful. What do you think, ministers? They indeed are, Your Majesty. Particrly, the power of the sneak bombs can certainly be considered unrivaled. The power of the cannons, too, is remarkable and iparable to the famous cannons. Upon hearing King Sejongs evaluation, all the ministers agreed. As they concurred, King Sejong went straight to the point. Thus, I would like to mass produce these. What do you think? Well At King Sejongs words, the ministers started to dodge the question, calcting this and that. Amidst this, Hwang Hee nced at the chief of the Ministry of Personnel. The Chief Officer then whispered something to the internal officer. Shortly after, a book was handed over to the internal officer. The Chief Officer then reported to King Sejong after receiving the book. Here is the amount of iron received by the courtst year. To look at the immediately noticeable numbers Gyeongju contributed 6533 geun (an old Korean measurement, approx. 1.8 kg) of cast iron, Ulsan provided 12500 geun of raw iron In total, the military base and construction department use or hold about 130,000 geun (approx. 78 tons) annually, and the stock held by each province is about 600,000 geun (approx. 385 tons).1 Does this include both cast iron and raw iron? Yes, Your Majesty. Hmm As King Sejong stroked his beard in thought, he turned to Hyang. Given this quantity, isnt it possible to mass-produce them even if it is a bit of a strain? Hyang answered King Sejongs question directly, We may have enough material, but mass production will be difficult. This is because there are too few craftsmen. Cant we recruit more craftsmen from the private sector? Hyang then exined why it was impossible in response to King Sejongs question. We have conducted experiments with the sneak bombs. The experiment Hyang mentioned was about subcontracting the projectile part of the sneak bombs. They gave the foundry prototype to the cksmiths in and around Hanyang and received the finished products. The assessment was carried out in two stages. The first stage checked if products produced in the same foundry could be assembled together. The second stage tested if they could be assembled with products from different foundries. If the original prototype was copied correctly, it should pass not only the first stage but also the second stage. Fourteen foundries were involved in the experiment, among them eight passed the first stage and only three passed the second stage. Moreover, the majority of the finished products used in the test were produced in these three foundries. Considering this example, we can estimate that only about 20% of the cksmiths are skilled enough. Thats fewer than expected The most basic type of sneak bombs took 20% effort. The more advanced types, that needed to be crafted more skillfully, wouldnt even ount for 10%. If we must mobilize the cksmiths from the civilian sector, it would only be possible to produce non-sneak bombs and armors. Hyangs response cast a gloomy look on Sejongs face. Having faced a more negative situation than expected, a tired Sejong waved his hand towards his ministers. Think about a solution to this situation. That will be all for today. That night, Sejong didnt seek out Hyangs room. Hyang, who had been waiting just in case, settled into his spot with a bitter face. He must have been shocked. The reality is a cesspit, you see. But is he going to throw everything away and give up altogether? There was a reason why Hyang said this. Sejong was 27 years old. It was a time when his experience and wisdom were still shallow. The next morning, Sejong gathered his ministers and Hyang. As Hyang and the ministers all gathered, Sejong opened his mouth, I have thought carefully, and I believe that we cannot dy the production of the long guns and cavalry guns. However, if we leave it all to the military factories, I dont think its a good solution either. Therefore, I have thought of a way to solve this. When Sejong announced that he hade up with a n, Hyang and the ministers focused their attention on him. My idea is to receive the barrel parts of the armor-piercing gun from cksmiths all over Joseon, the neck partsfrom the carpenters, and the brass parts from the metalworkers. For the cavalry gun, only the important mechanical parts are made in the military factory, and the barrel, blood trough, and wooden parts are supplied in the same way. Let the prince write precise specifications for these parts, print them, and distribute them to the craftsmen, making it a standard for review. However, that might increase the possibility of ssified information leaking. Against Hyangs objection, Sejong promptly gave his answer, What we receive from the cksmiths is parts just before processing. The steel part of the gun is limited to receiving it just before the groove is drilled, that is, it includes only the process of making the inside straight and smooth and the part of cutting the screw. Drilling the groove and assembling the parts for the final assembly are done in the Armory. Upon hearing Sejongs words, Hyang and the ministers began a cost-benefit analysis. During the calction, moving back and forth, Hwang Hee pointed out the problem: If we receive it as a tribute from the cksmiths, there may be quality issues. The weapon is the most important part of national defense, so we must solve the quality issue. At Hwang Hees words, Sejong immediately responded, We will not receive it as a tribute. Currently, direct sales offices under the Ministry of Taxation are being established nationwide. We will purchase the necessary things through these direct sales offices. This not only makes wealth circte, enriching peoples lives but also prevents the public from viewing their jobs as inferior. In other words, it aims to make more and more people be merchants and public figures. The proposal from Sejong sparked a heated debate between Hyang and the ministers. Although there were ministers who opposed it, Hyang was the first to express his consent, and after the civil servants also expressed their support, it was ultimately decided to follow Sejongs will.
  1. Lets just say Im currently dying converting the units to todays measurements.[?]
Chapter 62 Chapter 62 Ryu Jeong-hyun, along with the obstinate conservative schrs who refused to acknowledge the superiority of the new order, were eliminated, giving Sejong the opportunity to enact his reform. As these schrs were removed, the bnce of power undeniably shifted in favor of Sejong, allowing him to govern state affairs as he wished. As summer arrived, Sejong gathered his advisors. It seems Princess Jeonghye is now of age. Should we start the search for a suitable husband? I believe it is indeed the right time. Then, let usmence the search. We ept yourmand. The ministers responded enthusiastically to Sejongs directive, conscious of the need for some good news to divert attention from recent unfortunate events. The main figure of this uing event, Princess Jeonghye, was a darling member of the royal household. News of the search for a spouse for Princess Jeonghye reached Hyang, who responded with a smile. My sister is to be wed? The elders must feel somewhat sorrowful. Hyangs view of his sister, Princess Jeonghye, was straightforward. Maxed out sociability. The insider among insiders1. Princess Jeonghyes outgoing personality was such that it initially baffled the reserved Hyang, who was surprised by her ability to charm adults. Could she really be from the 21st century? Rumors began to swirl that the schrs of the Royal Secretariat were starting topile a list of potential suitors, which triggered Princess Jeonghye tosh out at Sejong. Father, mother! I want to continue living with both of you! Despite Princess Jeonghyes outburst, Sejong remained calm and affectionatelyforted his daughter. Dont I feel the same? However, its natural to meet a partner and start a family when the timees. At Sejongs words, tears began to well up in Princess Jeonghyes eyes. All I want is to spend a little more time with mother and father if I have a wish. Hmm! Even though Sejong attempted to maintain a stern facade, Princess Jeonghye continued her protest with her tear-stained eyes. I dont want to! I will keep living with father and mother! Hmm! This child! Why is she throwing such a fit? Father, I hate you! With that, Princess Jeonghye stormed out of her seat. Jeonghye! Sejong called after her, but Princess Jeonghye didnt turn back. Seeing this, Sejong turned to Queen Soheon with a downcast look. Oh dear Queen Soheon offered him aforting smile and defended the princess. She is still a young girl, isnt she? Plus, she spent more than half of the year living at the house of Hanjae2. She must want to avoid being apart from her parents. In the Joseon royal family, it was traditional to send young princes and princesses to live in the homes of ministers, and as per this tradition, Princess Jeonghye was living in Lee Myung-kyuns house. Seeing Sejongs crestfallen face, Queen Soheon reassured him, Dont worry too much. Ill calm Jeonghyes upset heart. Im relying on you. Ah~. Its always difficult when things with children dont go as nned Despite Queen Soheons intervention, Princess Jeonghye remained steadfast in her refusal. The princess refuses to eat! Oh dear! Upon hearing of Princess Jeonghyes hunger strike, Sejong was profoundly rmed. What is the queens take on this? She is trying to reason with the princess at the moment, but the princess appears unyielding Oh dear Sigh~. Upon receiving the report from the Chief Eunuch, Sejong let out a deep sigh. When one quiets down, now another one starts The following day, within the quarters of Princess Jeonghye at Gyeongbok Pce, an event unfolded. Your Highness, the Crown Prince has made his arrival. When the courtdy announced the arrival of Hyang, Princess Jeonghye responded with an almost dying voice from inside. Let him in. Yes, Your Highness. As Princess Jeonghye gave her consent, the pce servants opened the door and greeted Hyang with deep bows. Youve endured much. You are overly kind, Your Highness. As Hyang entered, the door was sealed behind him. He quickly approached the nket under which Princess Jeonghyey, and heavily sank into a seat, addressing the princess. My goodness! Sister, you are really having a hard time. Upon hearing Hyangs words, Princess Jeonghye abruptly sat up, throwing off her nket. Enough of that! Hand it over! Well, well Tsk! Hyang, making a light clicking sound with his tongue, rummaged in his sleeve, and produced a paper bag containing hard candy and another with rice cakes. Hyang had purchased these from the market after concluding his pce duties. As Princess Jeonghye bit into the hard candy from the bag, Hyang clicked his tongue in jest. Really, enjoying these market treats in a pce filled with culinary delights, is that royal conduct? Quiet! Do you think our parents would yield if I didnt resort to this? Just marry a decent young man. If you dont, people will call you an old spinster. Silence! All I do, I do for you! What? Taken aback by her surprising deration, Hyang appeared puzzled. After having her fill of candy and rice cake, Princess Jeonghye spat out the candy remnants. Hmph! I think I can survive now. My! A princess without a shred of dignity Thats enough! Okay, lets drop it. But why am I suddenly dragged into this? Even if I leave, that damned rascal Yu (reason, Grand Prince Suyang), Ill make him human before I go. Good gracious At the pronouncement of Princess Jeonghye, Hyang couldnt help but force a strained smile. In the annals of history, Princess Jeonghye was originally documented as Princess Jeongso, the first offspring of Sejong. Later, her posthumous title was changed from Princess Jeonghye to Princess Jeongso as it was identical to that of her aunt. She was expected to pass away the previous winter, but survived through Hyangs sessful vination, adding an unforeseen variable to events. Given her status as the eldest and only daughter, Princess Jeonghye held a significant ce in the royal family. Among Sejongs yet unborn children, Princess Jeonghye was the eldest and thus was especially loved by Sejong and his wife. Princess Jeonghyes personality also contributed to this. Princess Jeonghye was so sociable that Hyang called her the insider of insiders. The Taejong couple (Sejongs parents) also adored her until they died, and even Hyoreung Daegun, and Grand Prince Yangnyeong (Sejongs elder brother), who had an awkward rtionship with Sejong, found her cute. While Princess Jeonghye monopolized cuteness among the adults in the royal family, she was a bit different to her siblings. Hyang evaluated Princess Jeonghye like this. Militarymander Perhaps due to her Sejong lineage, Princess Jeonghye was also quite unique. Her vivacious nature, likely attributed to the addition of Yi Seong-gyes (King Taejo, founder of the Joseon dynasty) bloodline, was quite prominent. However, from a young age, Jeonghye, who had learned her ce and responsibilities, would scold her younger siblings harshly if they misbehaved. For such siblings, the most unfortunate thing was that Jeonghyes standard was the somewhat impably behaved Hyang. Im well aware that Hyang is not ordinary, but even taking that into ount, you guys are way too unruly! Whenever her siblings showed even a slight deviation, Princess Jeonghye would scold them sternly. She was so strict that Queen Soheon, upon seeing her scold her siblings, would scold Jeonghye herself. Im not against you disciplining your siblings. But arent you being too strict? At the Queens im of her being excessive, Princess Jeonghye responded with a firm voice. Mother, while these children are your precious offspring and my adorable siblings, they are also, concurrently, esteemed princes and princesses. How can I just ignore them causing trouble, far from setting an example? As the eldest daughter of the royal family, I cannot overlook this! At Jeonghyes firm response, all Queen Soheon could do was sigh. Sigh~ The image of her eldest son, who would argue with Sejong even if it meant getting kicked, ovepped with the sight of her eldest daughter. Queen Soheon sighed and ced a hand on her forehead. Sigh~. Its either Jeonghye or the Crown Prince The one who got scolded the most by Princess Jeonghye was Yu (Prince Suyang), followed by Yong (Prince Anpyeong). It was difficult to deny that Yus circumstances had a significant environmental influence. Yus immediate older sister, Princess Jeongyi, entered the pce with Sejong and his wife, and Yong, his younger brother, was born in the pce. However, Yu was too young to travel far at the time, so he had to live outside the pce until he turned five. Thanks to his status as a prince, there were few who dared to reprimand him, thus developing a quite carefree and reckless disposition. Being of such a nature, it wasmonce for Yu to stir up various troubles even after entering the pce. As time passed, Yong also started participating in these mischiefs. The eldest brother, Hyang, was already involved in important matters with Sejong and the ministers. It was because Yong was also at an age where he enjoyed stirring up trouble, and he got along well with Yu. And Princess Jeonghye was not one to overlook such a situation. You guys! As soon as she heard that Yu and Yong were causing trouble, Jeonghye scolded them. Knowing well that they would be severely scolded by Jeonghye, the two tried to escape immediately, but each time, Jeonghye chased after them, clutching the hem of her dress. Stop right there! And of course, if they were caught, they were severely scolded, it was a natural consequence. Through such repetitive incidents, Princess Jeonghye became a tiger-like figure to Hyangis siblings, who wouldnt dare move when she stood before them. As soon as she heard the rumors about arranging a husband, Jeonghye set a single goal. I will correct Yus habits before I get married! Anyhow, due to Princess Jeonghyes sudden protest, the decision about the prospective husband was postponed. It wasnt only because of the protest, but also because Sejong himself was reluctant to marry off Jeonghye too soon. We still have some time until Jeonghyes rites of passage ceremony. Lets postpone it a bit. As youmand. At King Sejongs decision to dy the search for a husband, the ministers gathered in groups to discuss. The King is indeed lenient with his children. She is the princess he dearly loves, isnt she? Since Jeonghye had a good image even among the ministers, there were none who objected. The only worry was If this goes wrong, we could be caught up in the royal wedding preparations. Thats correct. Once the selection of the princesss consort is over, the crown princes wedding will be imminent. Meanwhile, Yu, who received the news that The selection for Princess Jeonghyes consort has been postponed! turned pale. He was the one who cheered the loudest at the news of Looking for a consort for Princess Jeonghye!. Just a little longer, and the world is mine! The news that the one who treated him most strictly would soon be leaving the pce made Yu feel as if he had the world. However, when he heard the news The selection of the consort has been postponed not long ago, Yu felt his world darken and his body began to shudder. Im done for What am I to do? Yus nightmare had not ended yet. * * * Even Hyang could tell Yu was panicking. This was because as the rumors of the consort selection were circting, Yu, who had shown signs of rxing a bit, turned right back into the model student he had been. It seems there really is such a thing as a natural enemy. Hyang chuckled as he watched Yu and Yong, studying their texts diligently. Hyang had noints. Though history had changed, it was a good thing for him that there was definitely a figure that could instill fear in Suyang. So If my sister gets married, am I next? Hyang leaned back in his chair after putting his pen down. The conclusion This is really troubling. How do I exercise choice? I cant just get married three times like in the original Hyang fell into deep thought about the massive event named conclusion that was fast approaching. In the midst of his various thoughts, Hyang suddenly grew curious. But I wonder. Did this gentleman in the original mess up his married life because he was a yboy? Or did he be a yboy because his married life was a mess? Hyang started to wonder, recalling the stories he heard in Korean history ss. However, there was something Hyang failed to realize, or rather, refused to realize. That is, even when Hyang was living in the 21st century, he was a yboy in the terminal phase, except, him being with no luck with women. During his school days C especially in college C his legendary behavior made female students refrain from approaching him, and afterward, he built a wall between him and women due to the so-called sour grapes syndrome C to put it coldly, psychological victory. Sour grapes syndrome was amon symptom among yboys in the terminal phase. It was a reference to the fox in Aesops fable The Fox and the Grapes. The reason why I dont have a girlfriend is that my standards are too high. I need to lower these standards, but its not easy? Hahaha! This was the same for the Hyang in the 21st century. And, it was the same even now that he had reincarnated in the Joseon era. Until just now, Hyang was worrying about his own marriage, but once he established his research institute and started his antics in earnest, thoughts about marriage were thrown far away to Andromeda.
  1. Basically it means popr kid, smthg like that.[?]
  2. Hanjae (hS) is a pen name for Lee Myung-kyun, a minister in the Joseon period.[?]
Chapter 63 Chapter 63 While the princess was causing a stir in her search for her stepmother, the royal court was also in chaos. The cause of the disturbance was the sugar monopoly. The decision to monopolize sugar has been made, but how should we go about it? In response to Sejongs question, the ministers immediately offered an answer. We believe it would be best to transfer the retail rights to suitable merchants. Following that, the ministers heatedly debated, arguing whether the wholesalers or the merchants of Gyeonggang were better. However, to Sejongs ears, it sounded like I received a bribe from the wholesalers, I received a bribe from the merchants of Gyeonggang. As he quietly watched the ministers wrangle, Sejongs face gradually hardened. Finally, Sejong mmed his desk with his fist and shouted. Silence! At Sejongs shout, the arguing ministers closed their mouths and bowed their heads immediately. Over the heads of such ministers, Sejong continued to scold, Are you ministers even listening and thinking about what Im saying? Its only been a few days since I dered my intention to implement reforms and discussed preparations for reform policies! Your Majesty! Look back at your answer to my question just now! Was that an answer for the sake of reform? Or was it for the gifts that wille to your homes? Was it an answer for the sake of Joseon? Or for your own granaries? At Sejongs scolding, the ministers bowed their heads in unison. We deserve death! We deserve death! The ministers, who had all begged to be killed, started to break out in a cold sweat at Sejongs continued words, You say deserve death, deserve death, but Depending on how this policy is formed and the results it yields, Ill decide whether to grant your wishes. Gasp! Shocked by Sejongs warning, the ministers all raised their voices in unison. We will do our utmost! We will devote our lives! Seeing the ministers trembling as they answered, Sejong red at the chief state councilors who were bowing down in front of him. I will say this to the chief state councilors. I appointed you to the seats because I trusted your assessment. However, I have recently been quite disappointed. Your majesty! I deserve death! The chief state councilors bowed their heads to the ground. Sejongs gaze at them was cold. I hope you do not disappoint me any further. I warn you, if you fall short of the rumors I heard about you, there will be no reason for me to keep you in your position. Do you understand? Left State Councilor and Right State Councilor. We will keep it in mind! We absolutely will not disappoint you! Hwang Hui and Maeng Saseong, who were publicly singled out, answered with pale faces dripping with sweat. Contrary to the frozen atmosphere of the ministers, Sejong continued the meeting in a dry voice, Now, lets move on to the next agenda. Yes! The next agenda is. Next is. Tsk! Sejong clicked his tongue as he watched the ministers hurry to check the next agenda. Their frantic behavior was not at all to his liking. Since Hyang had reincarnated and started to interfere in earnest, many variables had arisen. Among those variables, some were expected by Hyang, but many were not. One of the unexpected variables was that Sejongs assessment of the ministers had be mercilessly high. Why cant they think like a 10-year-old child?! Why cant they think ahead? If I have to tell them everything, why should they even upy the positions of state councilors or ministers By themselves,pared to the solutions Hyang provided sometimes even in advance, Sejongs evaluation standards became Hyang-centric. And the victims of such raised hurdles were Hwang Hui and Maeng Saseong. Ive heard from Father that their abilities are excellent. The surrounding ministers evaluations were the same. But why? They were talented individuals recognized even by Taejong, Sejongs father. However, upon examining the abilities of the two men upying the positions of State Councilors after their appointments, Sejong could not hide his disappointment. Am I too demanding? Or was the evaluation of these two overrated? Thetter seems unlikely, given the number of people saying the same thing. The former also seems unlikely, as theirck of ability is inly visible. Sejong had to contemte deeply, observing Hwang Hui and Maeng Saseong who were underperformingpared to his expectations. Can I really trust them with important duties? For the sess of the reform, someone more capable than anyone else is needed. As Sejongs disappointment grew, so did the misery of Hwang Hui and Maeng Saseonng. Because they took over after highly respected veteran ministers were purged, for the sake of survival and retaining their power, they had to do their best. However, immediately upon upying the state councilors position, what they faced was the colossal wall of reform. That whole family is full of monsters! After reading about 20 books rted to the reform, Hwang Hui, drinking with Maeng Saseong,mented. If King Taejong, the predecessor, maintained his regime by terrorizing his ministers, the current king was oppressing his ministers with work. Not just throwing work at them and leaving it, but making everything meticulously with high quality, and then evaluating how the ministers handle it. If the ministers simply followed, they would be wasteful bureaucrats draining the budget. It was only by finding shorings in the policy and improving upon it that they could justify their title as ministers. In the case of the state councilors, they had to produce a solution that was not just a simple improvement but one that resulted in a better oue. Of course, these were not formal standards officially established by Sejong. However, each time the ministers put forth a countermeasure, they could feel it clearly. And the rumors about it had already spread all over the capital. At the end of the day, men emptying their cups at the tavern brought up the hottest topic in the capital as a side dish to their drinks. Whats the mostmon phrase you hear at the Ministry of Justice these days? Is this your best? You got it right! Well, now its my turn. Do you know what the nextmon phrase is? Its less than what I heard. Ha ha ha! Exactly! And finally. Tsk tsk tsk! Ha ha ha ha! The men sharing the conversationughed and emptied their cups. It was a sight of haughty noblemen having their noses cut down. However, the expressions of the noblemen who happened to overhear the rumor were not very good. It was because those were the mostmon words they actually heard from their superiors. And the origin of it all was Sejong. Is this your best? Every time Sejong asked this question, the ministers had to sweat profusely. And for Hwang Hui and Maeng Saseong, there was one more sentence added. Its less than what I heard. Finally, while irritably clearing away the report, Sejong clicked his tongue. Eventually, within a few months of bing state councilors, both of them felt an overwhelming desire to throw in their letters of resignation. I want to quit! In the end, the ministers who had been reprimanded by King Sejong had to wrack their brains toe up with a new n. Surely we must deploy directly from the Ministry of Taxation? From the Ministry of Taxation? To the eight provinces of Joseon? How far? For thend trade to work properly, it must at least reach the Provincial Office If we do that, the Ministry of Taxations office will bepletely empty! Then what are we supposed to do? If we entrust it to the merchants, well all be dismissed. No, itd be a blessing if we just got dismissed. Have you forgotten what happened before? All the ministers knew that King Sejong wanted the Ministry of Taxation to manage directly. However, due to theck of officials, they couldnte up with a clear answer and kept going in circles. In the end, Hwang Hui stepped forward to solve the situation, which was like a squirrel running in a wheel. Lets look at the past. Look at the past? Hmm. As King Sejong murmured while stroking his beard, Hwang Hui further exined. Yes, Your Majesty. For the fiscal expansion throughnd trade to work properly, the Ministry of Taxation must directly govern. However, the number of officials in the Ministry now is too insufficient. Therefore, we can supplement this number by referring to the past. Hwang Huis exnation continued, but King Sejongs expression did not improve much. After a moment of contemtion, Sejong tossed the topic to Hyang. A bitcking Crown Prince, what is your opinion? Upon receiving the toss from Sejong, Hyang immediately responded, Implementing the civil service examination would be a good idea, but it is urgent and costly. Thats true. So, if I may voice my opinion, I would suggest immediately deploying the Confucian students from Sungkyunkwan to practical work. The Sungkyunkwan students? Yes, Father. Please think back to the events of the Year of the Tiger. Year of the Tiger? The Year of the Tiger Ah! In the fourth year of Sejongs reign, the Inspector General of Jeo Province submitted a petition. -The Sungkyunkwan students who were taking care of their old and sick parents were appointed as local schoolmasters to serve their parents. However, as these students were restricted from taking the civil service exam due to their insufficient attendance at Sungkyunkwan, they asked for a solution. Upon receiving the petition, King Sejong allowed Sungkyunkwan students, who were taking care of their aged parents, to take the civil service exam regardless of their attendance days. As Sejong seemed to recall, he nodded, and Hyang continued. The biggest goal of the Sungkyunkwan students is to pass the civil service exam and be an official. Then what is the problem with deploying them to practical work a few years earlier? Hyangs words were interrupted by Hwang Hui. Crown Princes suggestion might seem reasonable at first nce, but what is the purpose of taking the civil service exam? It is to select those who arepetent. Just because they are Sungkyunkwan students, if we recklessly send them to official positions, we might inadvertently cloak the inept. As Hwang Hui pointed out the problem, Hyang made a frustrated expression. What about the exams the Sungkyunkwan students take every month? Why not preferentially select those with good grades? And, it would be even better to see this as a kind of exam. The administration will run smoothly when those who know the practical work be officials, right? At the mention of practical work, some of the ministers sighed and nodded. Especially, the heads of the Secretary and the Inspector in charge of the Ministry of Taxation were nodding significantly. Meanwhile, Hyangs words continued, Especially, there is a reason why the students must be involved in budget-rted work. Those who understand the importance of the budget can create proper policies, not just empty table talk. Therefore, it can arguably be their most important examination. I think your point is valid. Unable to counter Hyangs argument, Hwang Hui had no choice but to surrender. Seeing this, Sejong made his decision. Send orders to Sungkyunkwan to pay special attention to the officials of the Ministry of Taxation. Moreover, establish the Ministry of Taxations direct sale offices at least down to the army unit level. We will heed yourmand. The ministers bowed their heads in response to Sejongs decision. The loudest voice came from the Minister of Taxation, whose personnel reinforcement had been determined C a predictable result. However, Hwang Huis face was scrunched up. This was because Sejongs gaze at Hwang Hui was not very friendly. In the end, Hwang Hui, who retired from the office that day, had to drown his anger in alcohol. Damn the rich! * * * During the nationwide establishment of the Ministry of Taxation direct sales offices, an urgent message arrived from the Ming dynasty. The Ming Emperor is dead! The Ming Emperor was dead. Upon receiving the urgent message, Sejong discussed countermeasures with the ministers. Form a condolence delegation as quickly as possible. We obey yourmand. Do you know anything about the young heir, who will be the new Emperor? At Sejongs question, the ministers fell silent. Sejong clicked his tongue at this. Tsk! The ministers reflexively eximed as soon as Sejong clicked his tongue. Your Majesty, please calm down! Fine! You find a face-reader who is known to be tactful and include him in the condolence delegation right away! Also, choose someone who is good at diagnosing by observation among the medical officials and include him in the delegation as well! We obey your orders! * * * While the delegation was hastily being organized to mourn the death of the Yongle Emperor, Sejong sought out Hyang. Will you also get books through this delegation? Although it is not a good reason to send a delegation, wouldnt it be a waste to miss this opportunity? It will not be so cumbersome once the embassy in Shandong ispleted. I see. At Hyangs answer, Sejong nodded his head and took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it to Hyang. Then, please bring some books rted to this. Yes? Yes. Hyang, who received the piece of paper and read the contents, looked at Sejong with round eyes. Father. Is it phonology (Studies on phic)? Thats right. Could it be? Already? Hyang asked Sejong about the reason, barely holding back his trembling heart. Father, may I ask why? Because Im frustrated. Really frustrated. The ministers who fill the office are only ministers in name. They are rice thieves. What need is there for ministers if they can only do as they are told? New people are needed. However, looking at the situation in Joseon, that is not an easy task. Sighing with his head down, Sejong continued his words, There are too few people. No, there are plenty of smart people, but its not just one or two who are buried because they dont know the damn Chinese characters. Then, if we create characters that they can easily learn and spread them, they can also have opportunities, and I can also recruitpetent people, wouldnt that be a win-win? Hyang unknowingly nodded at Sejongs exnation. However, Hyang wanted to know more. But why phonology? Because all the letters I saw in the books you brought were letters expressing sounds. I thought it would be morefortable to read and understand if it expressed sounds rather than meanings. Then, Father, you could issue the order yourself, couldnt you? At Hyangs question, Sejong chuckled, Those damn ministers will surely not let that go without a fuss. Ah And so, Hyang was tasked with procuring what Sejong requested. Chapter 64 Chapter 64 After the condolences delegation group departed for Beijing, Sunkyunkwan schrs received the royal order of King Sejong. Therefore, the students studying in Sunkyunkwan are encouraged to follow the order of the imperial authority. The governor who read the royal order addressed the students. What is the reason you all study in this Sunkyunkwan? Isnt it to advance Joseon by going out into the world? A great opportunity hase, so dy no further. After finishing his words, the governor left the Myeongryundang Lecture Hall (A lecture hall for Confucian schrs studying in /1807/1000-won-2007_1807_03344d3fb36e7daabL.jpg (The building in this 1,000 won banknote) https://fastly.4sqi/img/general/width960/3452904_PfPtWSE_QvVfwE64LLZ7nCH7EuYE-KbrUyBUCGutIQA.jpg As the governor left, the students who remained began to discuss amongst themselves. Brother Yi, what are you nning to do? And you, brother Kim? Im thinking of venturing out into the world. Ive been at Sunkyunkwan for already 5 years, and I have no confidence in the state examination next year, so I cannot miss this opportunity. Im also the same. It bothers me to see my parents struggling, and I think this could be a great opportunity. Among the students staying at Sunkyunkwan, a considerable number decided to venture out into the world, but not a small number of students decided otherwise. Why should we venture out now and only achieve a lowly ninth-ranked position? Its foolish. Youre right. If you were born a man and dreamed of venturing out into the world, shouldnt you at least start as a sixth-rank official? Hahaha! At that time in Joseon, the system allowed for 33 people to be selected through the state examination. The top-ranked, the top-ranked state graduates (Jangwon)1, would start at the sixth-rank. The rest were divided into three groups, depending on their scores, and their rank was determined. ording to this division, the lowest 23 sessful candidates of the state examination began as ninth-rank officials. Those at the very bottom, the ninth-rank officials, were those who entered through the auxiliary examination. So, those who are making such noise now are aiming for the rank of the Jangwon (top-ranked) ss schr. However, not many among those who are so loud actually had the skills to match that level. Most of them were children from wealthy families. What was important to them was the name of being a Sunkyunkwan student. With it alone, they could at least maintain the position of the nobility for three generations, and they could benefit from tax exemption. The roster of Sunkyunkwan students who wished to venture out into the world was handed over to the senior officials by the Minister of Taxation who hadpiled the list. How many in total? 143. Hmm The answering from Minister of Taxation made the senior officials expressionsplex. It seems like a decent number but I cant understand why I feel so uneasy. I agree. The number of students studying at Sunkyunkwan was 200. Of them, 143 had applied, which was quite arge number. However, the feeling of unease crept into both the Minister of Taxation who hadpiled the roster and the senior officials who had checked the roster. Eventually, Chief State Councilor Yi-jik2 took the roster. Anyway, these are all who decided to venture out within the deadline. Lets report this to His Majesty. We must. Tsk! King Sejongs first reaction after checking the roster submitted by the senior officials was to click his tongue. 143? I know the capacity of Sunkyunkwan is 200, did the rest not apply? Thats correct. Why? At King Sejongs question, the Minister of Taxation answered, They stay at Sunkyunkwan with the aim to pass the state examination Before the official could finish his words, King Sejong clicked his tongue. Right away, the minister bowed deeply. Your Majesty, forgive me! What would make me angry? Im just dissatisfied with the schrs of Sunkyunkwan, who are supposed to be the talent that will carry the future responsibility of the court. Their vision is too narrow. Tsk! As King Sejong clicked his tongue, Hwang Hui interjected. Regardless of the situation, the students of Sunkyunkwan were indeed the future of the court. Theyck experience yet What nonsense are you talking about! The breadth and narrowness of ones vision is not a matter of experience but of innate ability! Are you nning to fill the court with such people? Chastised by King Sejong, Hwang Hui had to prostrate himself. Your Majesty! Please forgive my mistake! Goodness, why is he like this? Tsk! Your Majesty! At King Sejongs words, Hwang Hui had to bow even deeper. Watching Hwang Hui, King Sejong then asked the official. Enough about Sunkyunkwan but what should we do after this? First, the students of Sungkyunkwan will learn mathematics andmerce. The duration will be approximately three months. Three months Its currently September, so are we starting the preemption business3 next year? Yes, thats correct. During that time, we will secure sugarinventory and also build the preemption center building. Sejong nodded in response to the Chief State Councilors answer. That sounds reasonable. So, how will the personnel be arranged? First, we will assign Jiui (3rd rank) to eight provinces, as for the local provincial administrative agencies, we will send Sain4 and Jangryeong5(4th rank) officials. Lastly, in the smaller provinces and counties, we will ce Jwarang (administrative official) (6th rank). Hmm As the Chief State Councilor exined, Sejong stroked his chin and made a judgment. Its appropriate. By assigning those with lower ranks than local magistrates, we avoid provoking their pride. However, it doesnt mean that the rank is so low that the local magistrates can underestimate them. Moreover, it is an organization connected directly to the Royal Secretariat, so the local magistrates would not be able to handle them recklessly. In the end, they had obtained another means to monitor the local officials in Hanyang. The local officials will have a hard time. However, Sejong continued to bombard the Chief State Councilor with questions. Its a good method, but wont there be a shortage of personnel of that rank to send out? Thats correct. Therefore, we will select the well-performing managers and initially assign them to the provisional rank. And that provisional rank will be changed to the real rank, or promotion or demotion will be determined based on their one-year work results. So, they will have worked for at least a year when assigned to the preemption center? Yes, thats correct. We dont n to assign anyone to the same ce for more than two years, no matter how long they have worked. The items traded in the preemption center were salt and sugar. They would be essential for the peoples diet, so it was certain that a tremendous amount of wealth would circte. Considering the future additional tasks, it was essential to keep rotating the managers to prevent corruption. Then, will the Sungkyunkwan students fill the vacant positions left by the officials? Initially, we will promote the existing managers to fill the positions. The method will be the same as the managers going to the provincial preemption centers. The Sungkyunkwan students will be given a provisional rank based on their academic performance during the training period, and they will be assigned tasks ordingly. How high of a rank will the Sungkyunkwan students receive? We will start from the junior 9th-rank and go up to the junior 6th-rank. The 6th-rank Sejong once again assessed the situation. The starting rank for the existing state-level examination top-ranked graduates used to be Senior 6th-rank. However, although it was still in the lower ranks, it was now one rank higher, at Junior 6th-rank.He was nning to gradually increase the number of officials, but even as their number increased, the standards for promotion were also set to be more stringent. Sejong, who had been considering the feasibility based on the personnel n presented by the Ministry of Taxation and future ns, looked at its Minister. Everyone will work desperately. That is the purpose. Having heard the Chief State Councilors answer, Sejong reached a conclusion. Very well! Proceed with Minister of Taxations n! I will take note of it! But! Even though it is a provisional rank, make sure to pay them ordingly to their rank! If the work is difficult,they should at least bepensated appropriately. I will keep that in mind! Later, upon hearing the n, Hyang muttered with a bitter expression, Whether its the 21st century or Joseon, interns are always expected to work desperately. And those who had decided to stay at Sungkyunkwan could only regret their decision. To think its 6th-rank! * * * Meanwhile, chaos ensued as arge number of newbies entered the Ministry of Taxation. The cause of the uproar was the Rite of Initiating the Neers''6. Arge number of newbies entered Sungkyunkwan, and with the existing officials also getting promotions, the superiors werent idle. Extravagant feasts were set up as a matter of course, and when all sorts of bizarre events started to ur, the Office of Censors raised a protest about it. How dare they! King Sejong erupted in anger when he received the protest. The chaos of the Rite of Initiating the Neers was famous since ancient times, and the kings of Joseon have been trying generation after generation to eradicate this bad habit. King Sejong himself had punished officials who performed the rite justst year, in the GyeMyo (Year of ck Rabbit) year (1423). I issued an order to prohibit the Rite of Initiating the Neers justst year! Have you seen these impudent creatures? Minister of Taxation! What have you been doing?! At King Sejongs roar, the minister was literally pinned to the ground. Please, I beseech you, take my life! What did the rest of the ministers do?! The other ministers too had to be pinned to the ground at Sejongs reprimand. Please, I beseech you, take my life! What happened to those impudent creatures who conducted the Rite of Initiating the Neers! First, they kept vigil in their homes. Herald! Call the pce guards immediately! Yes, Your Majesty! Due to the furious Sejong, all the officials who conducted the rite were locked up in the pce prison. Receiving the report, Sejong gnashed his teeth and red at his ministers. A kingsmand should be obeyed no matter what do you guys think of me as a joke? Please, I beseech you, take my life! If you dont think of me as a joke, then why did this happen! Please, I beseech you, take my life! The ministers had to follow the Chief State Councilor and the Minister of Taxation, bowing down to the ground. Over the heads of such ministers, Sejongs roar flowed. Do you guys only know to say granting your death? Should I really do so? Your majesty is just! Shortly after, the summoned pce guards entered the hall. Sejong immediately issued amand to the pce guards. Immediately arrest and imprison the officials from Ministry of Taxation who are keeping vigil at home! We receive yourmand! Following Sejongs furiousmand, 23 officials were imprisoned in the pce jail. Upon receiving the report, Sejong gnashed his teeth and muttered, How should I punish these damn bastards. Hearing the rumor, Hyang ran to the pce and smirked at Sejongs figure. It was because he remembered his past life in the 21st century. The weing party for new students after entering university in the 21st century was a memory that Hyang definitely wanted to forget. Viins under the name of seniors forced him to drink bowl alcohol mixed with all kinds of weird trash, or forced him to drink until he was almost dead. This damn tradition. Remembering the nightmare of the 21st century, Hyang smirked and spoke to Sejong, Your Majesty. It seems that the officials have enough leisure to perform the Rite of Initiating the Neers. At Hyangs words, Sejongs expression turned vicious. Is that so. So they asked for more personnel because they were short-handed? Upon hearing Sejongs words, the Minister of Taxation eximed with a pale face. Absolutely not! We really do need more personnel! Even though they have enough leisure to conduct the initiation rite? That was the misdeeds of a few officials who forgot their responsibilities! The Minister of Taxation adamantly defending himself. Seeing such a scene, Hyang spoke to Sejong, Your Majesty. Judging by the wordsing from the minister, it seems that those who vited your Majestys orders this time are quitepetent. Huh? How so? Given the situation where everyone, including minister here, is screaming for more people due to the workload, the fact that they conducted the initiation rite suggests that they had spare time afterpleting their own tasks, doesnt it? Ah! I see! So they must have been quitepetent personnel! That seems so. Listening to the conversation between Hyang and Sejong, the ministers increasingly felt an unknown sense of anxiety creeping up. As the ministers trembled in fear, Hyang proposed a way to utilize them. The sorting of the registry data (census) and the preliminarynd register collected during the recent vination campaign have not yet beenpleted. These now imprisoned individuals werepetent enough to hold the initiation rite with time to spare afterpleting their own tasks. How about entrusting this job to them? That sounds right! At Hyangs words, Sejong pped his knee. Truly a bright idea! Registrar! How long did you say it will take to organize the census data and preliminarynd register? At least 5 more years Immediately assign the people involved in this incident to the organizing task! The deadline is 1 year! If they fail to finish within that time, they will be immediately sent to exile! The exile period will be proportional to the unfinished amount! If 10% is left, they will be exiled for 1 year, if 50% is left, for 5 years! Do you understand what Im saying? Yes, yes! At Sejongs words, the ministers broke out in a cold sweat and replied. Looking at such reaction, Sejong continued his words, During the organization, cut 80% of their sry and pay the rest. Theres no need for their families to suffer as well. Do you understand what Im saying? I fully understand! Then carry it out immediately! Yes! Ill heed yourmand! Thus, the saying Document organization punishment is scarier than execution or exile began to circte among the officials of the Joseon Dynasty.
  1. ????? (Jangwon Geupjeja) refers to the top-ranked state examination graduates in the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. The state examination was a rigorous and highlypetitive test conducted to select individuals for government positions based on their knowledge, skills, and moral character. They were considered the most talented and aplished schrs among the candidates who passed the examination. The title Jangwon refers to the first-ce position in the examination rankings.[?]
  2. A real person, and was Sejongs minister.[?]
  3. purchasing of goods rights before others[?]
  4. an official in charge of managing governmental documents and archives.[?]
  5. an official who takes charge of a government office.[?]
  6. In other words, hazing[?]
So, I found it a bit odd when the Minister of Taxation popped up in this chapter dealing with interns. It''s usually the Minister of Personnel''s turf, right? I had to double-check my trantion just to make sure. But then again, maybe the reason he''s managing the interns is because they''re short-staffed at the business centers that Hyang''s nning tounch soon. Chapter 65 Chapter 65 After nearly a month, the emissaries who had gone to Ming to pay their final respects for the former Emperor returned. The emissaries immediately began to report to King Sejong. King Sejong began with words offort. You must be tired from the long journey. I apologize for summoning you immediately. However, considering the importance of the matter, I hope you understand that we cannot dy any further. No, Your Majesty. As your vassals, we merely did our duty. The chief envoy who led the funeral delegation, the Minister of Rites, responded with humility. Good. How is the new emperor? He seems to have a fairly mild personality, with a rxed and gentle voice, and an easygoing demeanor. Is that so? And the assessment of his subjects? Based on brief conversations with various dignitaries, including the Grand Council, whenever the previous emperor had to leave his position for conquest expeditions, the new emperor took over, and they said he was very stable, as an acting Emperor. Is that what they said? Does it seem like the new emperor will also be active in conquest expeditions as well? At King Sejongs question, the Minister of Rites shook his head. No, Your Majesty. He reportedly publicly dered that he will not engage in conquests unless there is a major incident, as there are budget issues due to the frequent campaigns carried out by the previous emperor. Is that so? Then the situation with the Jurchens should be quiet for a while. Upon the Minister of Rites answer, King Sejongs expression brightened. Whenever the Ming Emperor moved to punish the northern barbarians, the Jurchens also became noisy. This, in turn, caused Joseon to be restless. With a brightened face, King Sejong moved on to the next topic. Where are the apanying physician and physiognomist? At King Sejongs call, the physician and physiognomist came forward and bowed deeply. Imperial physician Lee Hansu pays his respects to His Majesty. This lowly physiognomist Choi Gae pays his respects to His Majesty! Good. What kind of person did you see the emperor as? At King Sejongs question, the physician and physiognomist began to tell what they had analyzed about Emperor Hongxi. King Sejongs face turned serious upon hearing the two mens stories. So, youre saying there is a serious problem with the new emperors health? Yes, Your Majesty. That is correct. Hmm After hearing the two mens responses, King Sejong stroked his beard, lost in thought. After a long while of thinking by himself, King Sejong gestured to the two men. That was a good report. You may leave. Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Your Majesty! After the physiognomist and physician left, King Sejong threw a question at the Minister of Rites. Did you also see any problems with the new emperors health? I also did not see him in good condition, Your Majesty. The Minister of Rites recalled the appearance of Emperor Hongxi1 he had seen. The heavily obese emperor had to breathe heavily even while speaking. Well, thats Listening to the Minister of Rites, King Sejong grimaced with a bitter smile. So this is why Hyang kept making a fuss about me losing weight How to make him lose weight? was one of Hyangs biggest concerns. Because of that, Hyang controlled Sejongs diet, the amount of food he ate, and made him exercise. You brat! Someone catch him! Every time Hyang nagged, Sejong would grumble, but honestly, he didnt feel bad. It felt good that his child was caring for his health. Thinking about Hyangs work, Sejong once again smiled bitterly. Its all good, but the word obesity Sejong was 27 years old. Even if he spent time with women in every chamber, the vigor of his youth would still prove its presence every morning. Anyway Minister. So, does it mean that it will be difficult for this emperor to reign for a long time? Nobody can guarantee life expectancy, Your Majesty. At the Ministers answer, King Sejong nodded. That would be the case. Only heaven knows the length of a humans life Your Majesty. There is no need for you to worry, Minister. I was just being a bit hasty Anyway, with the change of emperor, what do you think will happen to thepletedmercial office that waspleted in Shandong? At King Sejongs question, the Minister responded in a bright voice. Ah! That was the most talked topic this time. It has been three months since the Shandongsmercial office was first built, but it is said that the merchants of Joseon and Ming have gathered to trade actively, and the taxes paid to the Ming court are increasing. That is true, even this Majesty is aware of it. The amount of moneying into our court is increasing significantly, so what are you all nning to do? For King Sejong, the issue of the retention of the trade port in Shandong was one of the most important concerns. In response to Sejongs inquiry, the minister replied, The new emperor also issued a decree, stating that the trade port in Shandong should be respected, and is beneficial to both Joseon and Ming, being akin to a symbol of Goryeo. Also, all the subjects of the Ming court have all agreed. Is that so? Thats fortunate. In addition, to brace for unexpected encounters with the Japanese or pirates, the Ming court has opted to consolidate their naval forces. An imperial decree to construct a new naval base adjacent to the trading port has been issued as part of their strategic ns. Really? Upon hearing the ministers response, King Sejongs expression hardened. However, the ministers, unaware of Sejongs expression, began to express their delight. This is indeed good news! Indeed! It is a blessing from the heavens! As the ministers enthusiastically continued their chorus of approval, almost in unison, Hwang Hui interjected, only with slightly different wording, If the Ming navy defends us, our safety will be guaranteed! This is a favor from the Ming! Tsk! The ministers, who were reveling in joy, instantly froze at the sound of Sejong clicking his tongue. Sejong red at the ministers with a furious expression. You all Im starting to wonder if maintaining connections with you all truly serves Joseons best interests. At Sejongs words, all the ministers bowed and eximed. Y-Your Majesty! If youre going to respect me, then dont do things that shouldnt be done. Isnt that right, Right State Councilor? Hwang Hui, who was directly pointed out, nervously responded, P-please punish us! I said dont do what shouldnt be done. Do you know what mistake you made? Your Majesty! Tsk! Good grief Who started this rumor Argh! Lets take a short break! An infuriated Sejong dered a recess and stormed out. As Sejong left abruptly, the ministers exchanged conversations with grim expressions. Where in the world did our mishap originate from? Im curious about that as well. One by one, the ministers turned their attention to Hwang Hui. This was because Sejong dered a recess immediately after Hwang Hui spoke. As the attention focused on him, Hwang Hui angrily shouted. Youll all find out! Hwang Hui, who stormed out, looked up at the sky, letting out a long sigh and murmured, Sigh~. Its so frustrating, I cant handle this anymore. I really should quit. Recently, Hwang Hui had often been overwhelmed with the urge to resign several times a day. Damn it! My son is the same age as you! Its so frustrating! I should just quit! Who spread the rumor? Its your father2, you brat! He wanted to say this to Sejongs face and hand in his resignation, but each time, he had to grit his teeth and bear it. My lord! You must endure! Think of your children! Especially your daughter who married into the Lord Seos family and has yet to bear any children! For her sake, you must bear it and hold on! Sigh~. Recalling his wifes desperate plea, Hwang Hui sighed while looking up at the sky. In his eyes, there were small teardrops. While the ministers were scratching their heads unable to find an answer, the Minister of Taxation left the royal court and headed to Eastern Pce. The ce he headed was an annex building next to Eastern Pce. Youve arrived, Minister? Good work. After a light reply to the guard guarding the separate building, he entered. Is Lord Jeong here? He is inside. This way. Guided by the steward, he headed to where Jeong-cho was working. Jeong-cho, who was discussing with his subordinate officers, warmly weed the Minister of Taxation. Isnt this Lord Minister of Taxation? What brings you here? Ah, I wanted to seek your opinion, so I came. An opinion? Can we have a little chat for a moment? At his request, Jeong-cho led him to his office. Follow me. The minister, following Jeong-cho into his office, began to vent his frustration as soon as he sat down. Given the situation, I cant live, I just cant live with the current situation! I need to know what kind of mistakes we made Lately, I feel the urge to hand in my resignation and return to my hometown twelve times a day. With a bitter smile, Jeong-cho consoled Hopan, who was venting his frustrations. It doesnt matter whether its here or elsewhere The main issue was that His Majesty was extremely angry. After a moment of thought, Jeong-cho stood from his seat. Lets go together. Where to? Theres someone who knows the answer. Jeong-cho headed for the main Eastern Pce. Hyang, who had just returned from Area 51 and was organizing documents, had to stop what he was doing to listen to Minister of Taxationsints. Listening to the old mans tearyints, Hyang let out a long sigh. Haah~. This is really Minister of Taxation became tense as Hyangs reaction was simr to that of Sejong. Your highness You shouldve refrained from doing anything frustrating. Arent you in charge of the finances of our nation? To a lesser extent, I am indeed in charge. Youre in charge, yet you dont understand the problem? Huh~. I cant believe it. Tsk! Upon seeing Hyang reacting just like Sejong, something hot welled up inside Minister of Taxation from the bottom, but he had to forcibly suppress it. Im frustrated. Please enlighten me on what I dont understand. Its simple. The issue is the Ming Empires naval base being constructed next to our nation. Excuse me? Is the Ming Empire overflowing with finances? Ah! At Hyangs words, Minister of Taxation let out a word of admiration. Seeing him like this, Hyang exined in more detail. The barbarians movement has decreased, but we havent fully suppressed them. That means the navy entering next to our nation is a newly formed one. How much do you think it costs to maintain it? And what about the maintenance fee? Where do you think theyll get the funds to cover these costs? From our nations taxes, I suppose. Thats right. The Ming Empires court will surely propose to raise the tax rate from our nation. But do you think thats a good thing? No. Moreover, who knows if the cost the Ming Empire is putting forward is solely for naval maintenance, or whether it includes filling the gaps in other areas? At Hyangs pointed words, Minister of Taxation bowed his head. Hyangs words echoed in his ears. You need to send someone from our nation right away to gather information. We need to know the scale of the newly established Ming Empires naval base, how much a navy of simr scale in the Ming Empire uses in a year, and so on to prepare in advance. Do you understand? Yes? Yes! Then get moving! Didnt the King tell youst time? He said hed do as you nobels wish. If you dont want to collectively drink poison, move quickly! Yes, Your Highness! Upon thepletion of Hyangs sentence, Minister of Taxation hurriedly got up from his seat, bowed respectfully, and rushed off to the side room. Watching the back of the minister disappear with the dust, Hyang turned his gaze to Jeong-cho standing next to him. Do you think the minister will report exactly as he was told? He likely will. And how do you think dear Father will evaluate it? Ifpared to a test score, it would be a grade of fail. Jeong-cho quickly replied to Hyangs question. He was already ustomed to Hyangs way of assessing. Hyang always demanded an answer that was even a penny more improved than what he said. Thats Hyang, the child of Sejong. Ive got the answer! Ive found the answer! The ministers, who hadnt been able to find an answer despite much debate, flocked to Minister of Taxation shouting Ive found the answer! led by Hwang-Hui. Well then, what is it? At Hwang-Huis question, Minister of Taxation conveyed the solution that Hyang had suggested. The ministers simultaneously brought their hands to their foreheads as they heard Minister of Taxations exnation. Oh no! How could we have overlooked that! Realizing their mistake, the ministers showed a stunned expression. If Minister of Taxations exnation was correct, they had failed to recognize the biggest problem and were obliviously happy. What should we do now. If the king evaluates us. Even if we are scolded. Hwang Hui, who was watching the stunned ministers, stepped forward. Whats done is done. Since we know the answer now, lets report it to the king. And, lets make sure this doesnt happen again in the future. Understood. After a moment, His Majesty, the king has arrived! At chief eunuchs shout, the ministers returned to their seats and straightened their clothes. Sejong, who entered the side room and sat at the top of the house, looked down at the ministers. So, do you ministers realize the mistake you made? Yes, Your Majesty. Hmm, lets hear it, Right State Councillor. At the curious Sejongsmand, Hwang-Hui cleared his throat and exined the problem. Sejong, who listened to the exnation quietly, stroked his beard. Is that all? Yes? So far At Hwang Huis answer, Sejong sighed deeply. Huh~, it cant be helped. I hope youll work harder in the future. We will abide by your order! Then, lets move on to the next agenda. Yes. The next agenda is. Tsk!
  1. Emperor Hongxi died of a heart attack, and had only reigned as an Emperor for less than a year.[?]
  2. Its kind of an insult[?]
Chapter 66 Chapter 66 The turbulent Joseon, having undergone major events such as Ryu Jeong-hyeons imprisonment and the death of Emperor Yongle, was gradually quieting down as autumn passed and winter approached. However, perhaps not content with this calm, a messenger on horseback rushed into the pce with an urgent report. An urgent message! Even before his horse hade to a halt, the messenger leaped off, pulling out a scroll from his robe and handing it to the officer on duty. The scroll was immediately delivered to King Sejong. Upon reading it, King Sejong issued an order to his scribe. Summon all court officials, from Dangsanggan (a mid-level government post) and above, to the Royal Council Chamber immediately! I obey the order! On King Sejongs emergency call, all ministers, who had been handling state affairs in various offices and the Council of Ministers, rushed to the Royal Council Chamber. The same was true for those working in Area 51. Choi Hae-san and Lee Chun, who had been riding horses, as well as Hyang, hurried towards the Gwanghwamun Pce. Upon arriving at the pce, Hyang, heading to the Royal Council Chamber, asked a question to an inner officer. Whats happening? Im not exactly sure, but Ive heard an urgent report hase from the north. The north? Hyang looked back at Choi Hae-san and Lee Chun, who seemed unusually rigid. The smell of blood somewhere. Hyang felt as if the smell of blood was wafting from somewhere nearby. As he traced the source, he realized the scent wasing from Choi Hae-san and Lee Chun, and immediately became on high alert. Is this the predatory instinct of soldiers who have been through hell? Upon entering the Council Chamber, he saw that the summoned ministers had already gathered. Sorry Imte. No, Your Highness. The ministers reassured Hyang, who apologized for histe arrival. His Majesty is entering! Not long after Hyang took his ce, an announcement was made of King Sejongs arrival. As Hyang and the ministers respectfully bowed, King Sejong, who had ascended the dais, began to speak. It may take a while, so everyone, please sit. Yes, Your Majesty. Is this one of the good points of not having ondol (Korean floor heating system) fully poprized yet? That we have chairs. Oops! Ive gone off track again. Hyang, who had been daydreaming while sitting on the chair brought by the inner officers, lightly shook his head and focused his attention. When the small disturbance caused by the arrival of the chairs subsided, King Sejong got to the point. An urgent report has just arrived from the north. Scribe, report its content. Yes, Your Majesty. After bowing to the king, the scribe began to speak to the ministers, As you might be aware, there has been turmoil among the Jurchen tribes in Jianzhou sincest year. Although the conflict urred within the Jurchen tribe, given their nature, we in Joseon cannot ignore it and have been tracking the source of this trouble. And recently, our spies found out the cause and sent the urgent report. The ministers listened intently with serious faces to the scribes words. In the deathly quiet council chamber, the scribes voice echoed. The turmoil in Jianzhou Jurchens1 urred because arge tribe from the north moved south. At the scribes statement, minister Hwang Hui spoke, What was the reason for their southward movement? They were pushed south by the pressure from the Daldan (Tatars). Whats the scale of their migration? Its said to be about 10,000 households. This is bad Thats a serious matter. Upon hearing the scale of the migrating tribe, the ministers let out sighs of despair. Unlike Joseon and Ming, who considered a family of five as one household, a Jurchens tribes household typically consisted of 15 people. So, youre saying they have at least 10,000 to 30,000 cavalry. Thats right. And they also have at least 3,000 to 10,000 infantry. This was precisely why Joseon was extremely nervous. Due to their semi-agricultural, semi-nomadic lifestyle, the Jurchens cavalry was known for their formidable skill. Looking back at history, the Jurchens tribes were not entities to be taken lightly. Although they had been subjugated by the Liao Dynasty established by the Khitans, after gathering strength, it was the Jurchens who overthrew the Liao and established Jin. The Jin had inflicted severe damage on both the Song and Goryeo dynasties. After the Yuan invaded and copsed the Jin, the Jurchens were fragmented into tribal units, and this state had continued to this day. This fragmentation of the Jurchens was the result of interference by Joseon and Ming. If there was someone who could unite the Jurchens tribes, who shared almost simrnguages and customs, it could lead to the birth of a powerful state. This was something neither Joseon nor Ming wanted. Who is the tribal leader? His name is Yi Manju. If such arge tribe moved south, its a significant issue. Did the Ming just let it happen? They say the Ming gave permission. What?! This is unbelievable! The ministers were taken aback by the scribes response. Minister Hwang Hui expressed his opinion to King Sejong with a grave face. Your Majesty, theres a possibility that this is a scheme by the Ming. At Minister Hwang Hees remark, King Sejong nodded. I thought the same. Jurchens. Hearing the report from the chief eunuch, Hyang recalled his memories of the 21st century. When he wandered the inte aimlessly for his fangirling activities, he came across a post titled The Presence of Yi Seong-gye. Whats this? The post in the blog she clicked into was created based on the annals of King Taejo. It marked the tribes of the Jurchens who surrendered to Taejo and the state of their assimtion on a map. Hyangs jaw dropped at the sight of the map. Wow. Yi Seong-gyes direct influence clearly extended beyond the northeastern border of Goryeo all the way to the Gando (Jiandao) region. His indirect influence further spread up north to the southern part of the Heilongjiang Fortress. Is this a joke? Is the source reliable? The post left a strong impact on Hyangs memory. After his reincarnation, Hyang collected bit by bit information about the rtionship between the Jurchens tribe and Joseon. It was a sort of cross-validation act for him. As he checked the collected data, he let out a softugh. This reminds me of a scene from a gangster movie? What Hyang referred to was the debate between Taejong and Yongle Emperor. That part totally reminded him of a scene from a gangster movie. (Intermission) J: Hey! Chairman Zhu2! This isnt right! J: Even though we, the Joseon gang, have joined the Ming gang, this cant be tolerated! J: Look! Those Ming gang jerks are strutting around in the Jurchens territory! M: Hey! The Jurchens area was dered ours by the previous Chairman Zhu! Dont you even know the Gangsters Code? Its against the rules! J: What? You say the Jurchens territory is the Ming gangs territory? J: Are you out of your mind? Shall we start a fight? J: Even if our Joseon gang gets beaten, do you think you, the Ming gang, will be alright? M: Huh? Huh? Shall we fight now? M: Forget about the Northern gang, shall we start a fight? At the end of the rough debate over the Jurchens territory, Taejong, who brought out Chairman Jus Assurance, managed to get a concession from Yongle Emperor. From then on, the Jurchens territory became a battlefield of the three countries. Ming and Joseon were gradually expanding their influence, trying to stab each other in the back in Geonju Jurchens3 and the savage (Yain) Jurchens4 territories, and the Northern Jurchens were watching for an opportunity to dominate the entire area. * * * Because of thisplex situation, not only the ministers but even Sejong began to suspect the Mings operations. The situation is critical, so think of a good countermeasure. Yes, Your Majesty. As the ministers began to exchange their opinions after receiving themand, Hyang recollected his memoryYi Seong-gyes5 presence and influence were indeed strong among the Jurchens tribe. However, as it descended to Taejong and Sejong, this influence was gradually decreasing. This was because, unlike Yi Seong-gye who had quite direct contact, the number and intensity of direct contact decreased as they stayed in the pce. Although the influence is decreasing, the influence of Yi Seong-gye and his descendants is still alive. The problem is that the subject exercising this influence is the descendants of Yi Seong-gye, not Joseon. Let me see Was it from Sejos reign that it became a purely profit-based rtionship? Quite a few powerful Jurchens tribe chiefs got involved in Danjongs restoration movement and died, and I think I read somewhere that the rtionship with the Jurchens tribepletely fell apart Damn it! My habit of remembering vaguely when Im less interested is causing trouble here. Hyang grumbled to himself, continuing his contemtion for a good solution. However, after much thought, the only answer he came up with was a standard one. Shit! Is this the best I can do? Cursing at the situation where he couldnte up with an innovative solution, Hyang opened his mouth with a resigned look. Your Majesty, in this situation, I believe extraordinary measures are not very useful, instead we need to take a conventional approach. Conventional? Yes, Your Majesty. I believe we need to strengthen the capacity of our Joseon, reform the military system to build a solid foundation, and then gradually assimte the Jurchens. At Hyangs answer, Sejong stroked his beard. So, thats the best option? Given the current situation, this is the only best option. Because the reality is such a mess! If I consider your usual wit. Once again, Father, I must reiterate that its difficult for us to use extraordinary measures given our current situation in Joseon. After all, extraordinary measures are a lucky shot that rarely beats a standard approach. At Hyangs response, Sejong let out a sigh. Seeing him, Hyang added, Extraordinary measures shine the most when theres room for them. Even if theres an extraordinary measure, amon foot soldier cannot beat a cavalryman, right? Well? If a foot soldier had a machine gun instead of a spear, the story might have been different Hearing Hyangs words, Sejong nodded. That seems to be the case. What a pitiful situation! Hear this, ministers! We will follow Your Majestysmand! Create and submit a n to reform the military system. This is necessary even for the financial management. I was thinking of creating and implementing it a littleter, but as the situation has rapidly changed, we need a quick solution. We receive yourmand! Themand had been issued to the ministers, but Sejong didnt seem satisfied. I think there must be a more effective solution Upon hearing Sejongs regretful words, the ministers started to rack their brains in a cold sweat. If they were to think a little further, an annoying Tsk! would soon follow, and after that, theyd be in a situation where they would have to shout Your Majesty! until their throats burst. Think, think! While the ministers were desperately brainstorming, Hyang made a suggestion to Sejong. Your Majesty. As a preliminary n, how about inviting the chieftains of the Yain Jurchens tribes to the pce? Invite the tribal leaders to the pce? Yes. There is a saying among the words in the street, If the body is far away, so is the mind. This isnt only confined to the rtionships between men and women, right? If you invite the tribal leaders, they will be touched by your benevolence, Your Highness. I see. At Hyangs words, Sejong nodded. Seeing that Sejongs response was positive, strength began to fill Hyangs voice. If our Joseon bes stronger, the chieftains who havee will have to make a choice. They will have to choose between the gift in one hand, or the club in the other. Thats a great idea! Then we would need a very sturdy club, wouldnt we? Yes, we would. At Hyangs words, Sejong nodded deeply. I like that very much. * * * Five dayster, the ministers submitted their n for military reform to Sejong. Lets see Sejong, who was reading the measures submitted by the ministers, looked up at them. Is this your best? We apologize, Your Majesty! Tsk! Did you even properly look at the financial management n that this Majesty made? We apologize, Your Majesty! In the midst of the repeated apologies, Hwang Hui stepped forward. We believe that given our current situation in Joseon, this is the best we can do Look here, Right State Councilor! Is just changing the names of the positions a reform? How is this the best you can do? We apologize, Your Majesty! Alright, enough! Id rather do it myself! Please excuse our ipetence! Do you really want that? We apologize, Your Majesty! In the end, Sejong started creating his own n for military reform, as he had said. First, based on the expansion of the governments finances in the future Sejong, who created a basic n based on his previously written financial management, passed it on to the Hall of Worthies. Review it and find points for improvement. We receive yourmand! Sejong, who received the n that had been reviewed by the Hall of Worthies, went through a re-review. After scrutinizing the n several times, Sejong frowned. Im still not satisfied Sejong, who had been pondering, sought out Hyang. I made this n, but what do you think? The work Your Majesty created after much deliberation is undoubtedly the best, isnt it? Even if you tter me like that, increasing the research institutes budget is impossible. In the end, Hyang created an improved n together with Sejong. Are we going topletely separate the military positions and fill them with the military officials? Wouldnt the civil officials resist? If we do this wrong, there might be those who cry military dictatorship.'' Thats why we are leaving the authority over budget and personnel to the Minister of War and the Chief State Councillor, arent we? And both of them wont be military officials. Wouldnt it be better if I, after all the separation, took charge of everything? Then theres a high possibility that the military officials willpletely ignore the civil officials and monopolize power. If that happens, it would be a return of the military dictatorship.'' Even if Im there? Your Majesty will be the justification for that monopoly. Would it? It definitely will. Hyang answered firmly. There actually was such an organization. It was called the Imperial Japanese Army! Thus, with this back-and-forth debate, the reform of the military system began. It was a reform symbolized by the General Staff Headquarters of the Joseon Army and the Training Institute.
  1. One of the three main Jurchen tribes identified by the Ming.[?]
  2. Birth name of Emperor Youngle: Zhu Di, lol[?]
  3. Geonju Jurchen people united with Koreans to establish Goguryeo together in the 1st century BC, and operated a joint state with Koreans until they parted with Koreans due to the destruction of Balhae kingdom and the formation of argeva area due to the explosion of Baekdusan volcano in the 10th century.[?]
  4. One of the main three factions of Jurchens. These Jurchens can be ssified into; Haixi Jurchens in Heilongxiang, Jianzhou Jurchens in Jilin, and barbarian Northern Jurchens[?]
  5. King Taejo[?]
Chapter 67 Chapter 67 Haah~. With piles of scrolls and books stacked like mountains before him, the Minister of Taxation let out a sigh. His name was Kim Jeom, a man who, in the original course of history, would have served as the Minister of Taxation in the early days of King Sejongs reign, before transferring to the Ministry of Law Enforcement, and eventually serving as the Inspector of Pyeongan Province. However, in this altered history, his fate had changed. Although several regr royal personnel reassignmentsa practice where officials would typically change positions once a yearhad taken ce, Kim Jeom had remained stationed as the Minister of Taxation. I dont know if this is fortune or misfortune. Although Kim Jeom himself was unsure whether his prolonged tenure as Minister of Taxation was a good or bad thing, his wife was quite pleased. Isnt it a good thing that you dont have to go far away to the provinces, and can just stay in Hanyang? But the true reason Kim Jeoms wife was pleased was something else entirely. If Kim Jeom was sent to the provinces, the most likely position he would be reassigned to was as the Inspector of Pyeongan Province. And the ce where the Inspector of Pyeongan Province resided was the infamous city of lust, Pyongyang. Regardless, Kim Jeoms life waspletely overturned after he remained stationed as the Minister of Taxation, starting with the appointment of Hyang as Crown Prince. The appointment of Hyang as Crown Prince was a significant event, as even if he was young, it meant he would have a certain degree of say in matters. In this sense, Hyangs ascension to the position of Crown Prince marked the beginning of a nightmare for the officials. ring at the golden pen held in his hand, Kim Jeom grumbled, All of this started because of this thing. Ever since the production of golden pens was handed over to privatepanies, the volume and intensity of work that the Ministry of Taxation had to handle started to increase dramatically. Haah~. It was good at first. When he first heard that production was being handed over to the private sector, Kim Jeom was pleased. He saw many uses for the golden pen. Compared to the traditional ink brushes, these pens were easier to maintain, had a reasonable lifespan, and even a second-tier silver pen was cheaper than most ink brushes. Moreover, thanks to this, there would be fiercepetition among manufacturers to produce these pens, ensuring a steady influx of gifts for him. I didnt realize the Crown Prince was so damn clever. The Crown Prince, who had pleaded with the King to gain authority over the production of golden pens, came up with a preposterous system. It was called open bidding. As per the Crown Princesmand, the specifications for the golden pens were distributed to all the merchants who had responded to the bid. Under this system, merchants had to state their production cost, and there was a public evaluation under the Crown Princes supervision. This was the moment when Kim Jeoms expected gifts flew away. The Crown Prince handed a small piece of paper to the Minister, Second Minister, and Third Minister of Taxation. Please exclude any merchant who quotes a price lower than this. What is this price? This is the production cost when artisans at the Military Arsenal make the golden pens. This includes the cost of materials and wages for the workers, and its an average amount. Therefore, please exclude any merchant who quotes a price lower than this. Kim Jeom expressed his confusion, Isnt it better if its cheaper? The Minister of Taxation questioned, and Hyang clicked his tongue. The materials for the golden pens made in the Military Arsenal alle from tax collections, so its hard to get a lower price than that. But if they can produce for even less? Minister, do you think thats possible? There would certainly be problems. Furthermore, the golden pens of the selected merchant will bear the Four Seasons Pattern as a sign of quality approval from the nation. If theres a problem with the quality of such products, do you think the people will trust the nation? Your Royal Highness is right. Stung by Hyangs words, Kim Jeom had to rub his temples, and as he lowered his head, he heard Hyang grumble, I cant believe the minister of a nation can be so short-sighted Tsk! And thus, starting with the golden pens, Kim Jeoms tribtions began. In a way, among all the high officials, the Minister was the first to face difficulties from Sejong and Hyang. *** The hardships experienced by the minister intensified with the nationwide implementation of the smallpox vination. In the process of executing the smallpox vination, the poption records of the eight provinces of Joseon were overhauled. The first batch of these revised records was submitted to King Sejong. Seeing the numbers, King Sejong reprimanded his court officials. Just two years ago was thest overhaul of the poption records. Youre telling me the poption has ballooned so much in just two years? Can the officials believe this? Your Majesty! Stop creating situations to be rmed about! King Sejong roared, but the court officials had nothing to say. Joseon revised its poption records every three years. The revised records were made into three copies; one copy was kept in the respective provincial office, another in the Ministry of Taxation, and thest one was sent to the local government office. However, when looking at the household heads recorded in these registers, the poption of Joseon during its foundation in 1392 was merely around 300,000. Since then, by continuously settling refugees and vigorously conducting poption surveys, Joseons poption began to increase rapidly. ording to the poption survey conducted two years ago, the poption of Joseon was about 1.9 million. But the poption of Joseon verified through this smallpox vination was around 4.3 million. Speak! Speak up! Have the people of Joseon been doing nothing but producing children for the past two years! Can the poption increase by over 2 million in just two years? Your Majesty! Stop creating situations to be rmed about! The court officials could only bow their heads in response to King Sejongs anger. However, both King Sejong and the court officials knew why this happened. Both the local administrative agencies and the people were trying to avoid tax burdens, especially public service. It was because the benefit they could gain from evading it was significant. The people could lessen the burden of public service, and the local administrators could conveniently fill their pockets. Unable to contain his anger, King Sejong, with a red face, scolded his officials. When Joseon was founded, we had a small poption and were devastated by the nobles pige, so we reduced the taxes! Naturally, as less wasing in, less had to be spent. Thats whypared to previous dynasties, the stipends for the royal family and officials were significantly reduced! But look! The actual poption is thisrge, yet the poption recorded in the registers is less than half! The state is receiving less in taxes, yet the people are still unable to escape poverty, so where has all the wealth gone! . Cant you answer? Isnt it obvious? If not the aristocrats, then who else! Those very aristocrats that you are so wary of! We apologize deeply. King Sejong grinded his teeth with frustration. In the current chaotic state of the nation, youre saying the aristocrats are without fault? These damned individuals! Sejongs fury was directed at the ministerial officials who have epted his rebuke. The officials, enduring Sejongs wrath, clicked their tongues in disapproval. It looks like they wont be released from their exile anytime soon. Considering their age, they probably wont be free from exile before they die, unfortunately. Sigh With a long, deep breath, Sejong suppressed his anger and gave an order to his officials. Immediately create precise household andnd registries! We will follow your orders! Even though this Majesty have acknowledged your hard work and included the implementation of sry reforms in the state policies! But do you think I need to show such favor while you work like this? We deeply apologize! We will work diligently toplete the task! Upon hearing the replies of the officials, Sejong showed a cold response. Lets wait and see! * * * With themand from King Sejong, the department that became the most pressed was the Ministry of Taxation. The household registry andnd registry both were under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Taxation. An official named Kim Jeom gathered all his subordinates and passed on the royal order. Therefore, we must supplement both the household registry andnd registry. Do your utmost best. Your Excellency, were already overwhelmed with work! When one of the subordinates protested, Kim Jeom exploded in anger. Then resign! Do you think anyone wants to do this job? No one is doing this because they enjoy it! At Kim Jeoms furious shouting, all the personnel were like mice, being careful and watching for Kim Jeoms mood. If you have a problem, criticize the regional officials who did a sloppy job! Firstly, find out where the poption has increased the mostpared to two years ago and report it! Two weekster, Kim Jeom presented a scroll to King Sejong. What is this? Its a list of viges where the poption has unusually increased while we were updating the household registry. Are there more than one or two such viges? Yes, there are many, especially some very severe cases. At Kim Jeoms reply, Sejong spread out the scroll and read its content. After reading the content carefully, Sejong furrowed his brows. This is too serious The viges written on the scroll, a total of 12, had their poption increased by at least five times, and up to eight times. Sejong, examining the list with a scowling face, turned his gaze. Call for the Inspector General. Yes, Your Majesty. Upon Sejongs order, officers andmanders from the Board of Censors headed towards the 12 viges. The officials who arrived at the viges thoroughly questioned the local officials, stewards, and their direct supervisors, and as a result, 26 former and current local officials, and 40 stewards received dismissal or exile as punishment. Kim Jeom and his subordinates from the Ministry of Taxation seemed to have released their pent-up anger quite refreshingly, but not muchter, they received a suitable payback. Theyvee again! Again? At his subordinates report, Kim Jeom gripped the back of his neck that was starting to ache. Where is it this time? Its Gwangju District in Jeo Province. Damn it Kim Jeom spat out a curse. As local officials were punished for irregrities in the household registry, other local officials, trying to avoid the edge of the inspection, made desperate countermeasures. They prepared exnatory documents by thoroughly examining the records left by their predecessors and their own records. They made a basis for poption increase by checking the number of refugees who sessfully settled, their children, and the number of ves who becamemoners through exemption from their servitude, although it was notmon. They also noted the scale of increasednd by developing ownerlessnd and wastnd, and the current owners, and sent these carefully created documents to the Ministry of Taxation every day. From the perspective of the Ministry of Taxation, after letting off some steam, their workload seemed to have multiplied. Hehehe Ha! Haha! Ha! With the stacks of documents piling up, the officials of the Ministry of Taxation and Kim Jeom could only let out a bitterughter of disbelief. * * * In the midst of all this work umting, the Ministry of Taxation was assigned yet another task. Establish a nationwide organization to handle the monopoly of sugar and salt. Im really going to quit my job! Were all going to die! Either way, were going to die! When everyone from Kim Jeom to the officials of the Ministry of Taxation were making grim resolutions, Hwang Hui suggested personnel reinforcement through the state exam on their behalf to King Sejong. In response to Hwang Huis suggestion, Hyang submitted a n to hire students from Sungkyunkwan considering the time and cost issues, and King Sejong approved this. When the officials of the Ministry of Taxation heard the news that The ministrys staff is being replenished with Sungkyunkwan students, they all let out a cheer. Long live the King! Long live the King! * * * Well, please bear with it a little longer. Yes, sir. After Kim Jeomsforting words, other officials put their spirits together and got back to work. However, some officials were overly energetic. What! Rite of Initiating the Neers! Kim Jeom, who was handling the piled-up reports, was shocked. He jumped up from his seat and asked the his Second Minister. Who? Where? When? Three days ago. Drag those bastards here now! Shortly after, the officials who hadmitted Rite of Initiating the Neers were brought in a line in front of Kim Jeom. How many are there? There are 23. Damn it Too many Kim Jeom shouted at the officials standing in front of him. Do you guys have any brains or not! Rite of Initiating the Neers! Why the hell Rite of Initiating the Neers! We apologize. However, Rite of Initiating the Neers is a tradition. You bastards! This tradition has been abolished! Especially, the current King punished Rite of Initiating the Neers doers just a year ago! What, tra~di~tion? Stop talking about traditions! We apologize! If you have to apologize, you should have avoided doing something to apologize for! Go home right now and reflect! Yes, my lord As Kim Jeom scolded, the concerned officials began to leave his room, shrinking back. Kim Jeom, whose clothing was disheveled due to the rage, shouted. Do you have shackles on your feet! Get out right now! Yes, my lord! Just as Kim Jeom was worried, upon receiving the report, King Sejong was furious. Looking like he would issue a severe punishment immediately, Hyang made a suggestion to King Sejong. Following Hyangs suggestion, King Sejong immediately executed the punishment. It was the Document Organization Punishment. The punishment was toplete the organization of the Family Register and Land Register, which would take 5 years even if half of the Ministry officials were working on it, within one year. If they fail toplete it within a year, an additional punishment of exile was waiting. Thanks to this, the concerned officials had to solve their lodging and meals in the newly built storage room next to the Ministry office without being able to go home. Despite the replenished personnel, the workload that the Ministry had to handle had multiplied, so everyone from Kim Jeom to the lowest-ranking officials were always overworked. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, King Sejong ordered a feast in the royal kitchen. To be precise, he held a banquet disguised as a meal. As King Sejong prepared a banquet for the Ministry officials, he encouraged the attending officials. I am well aware of the hardships you are going through. However, for the administration of Joseon to run smoothly, the Ministry must function without a hitch, so I have no choice but to ask you to work a little harder. When the administration of Joseon improves, I will increase the personnel, so I hope you will be patient and stay strong. We are forever grateful! The officials all bowed and expressed their gratitude at King Sejongs encouraging words. In this process, a new proverb was born. The day the Ministry receives a feast. This proverb was a metaphor for treating someone well before assigning them a difficult task. Meanwhile, King Sejong handed a medicine pouch to Kim Jeom through the royal secretariat. I ordered the royal physician to prepare a good tonic for you. Please take good care of it. I am forever grateful! I put a lot of valuable medicinal herbs in it, so it will be of great help to you. I am forever grateful! He kept expressing gratitude, but what Kim Jeom heard from King Sejongs words was, Youll have to pay for the medicine, right? The poor old man and his guys. ?? Chapter 68 Chapter 68 In the 7th year of Sejongs reign (1425, the Year of the Rooster), the state examination was held. This was an irregr examination, only for the literary and military branches, as it was not a regr Siknyeon exam years1. Contrary to the original history, this examination was peculiar in many ways. The reason was simple: We are short of officers! (Weck people to push around!) Due to the implementation of new positions and systems in both the literary and military branches, there was a dire need for a massive influx of personnel. ordingly, Sejong issued instructions to the observers conducting the first round of examinations: C In the case of the literary first round, do not conduct the examination for the national-ranking graduates, only for those who graduated from a local-ranking examination. C The number of sessful candidates should be 50% more than the sum of the sessful candidates from the previous national and local examinations. Eh? Although the observers who received the instructions scratched their heads, they held the local examination and selected the sessful candidates ording to the instructions. As soon as the selection waspleted, the records of the sessful candidates from the first round were immediately sent to the capital. Father, I passed the examination! Oh, it is the glory of our family! We must hold a feast! In ordance with the expanded quota, feasts were held in decent-sized viges throughout the country to celebrate the passers. There are 162 administrative regions in Joseon, including counties. Previously, through the Hyangsi (local examinations), the number of sessful candidates would be 140. As a result, about 50 viges would not produce sessful candidates. However, this time, 220 candidates passed. As a result, the number of viges that did not produce sessful candidates was only 11 throughout the 8 provinces of Joseon. The local Confucian schools in those viges were thrown into chaos. What on earth are they teaching their children! Shame, shame, where in the world is there such shame! * * * In March, the sessful candidates of the first round went up to Hanyang to take the second round of examination. Some arrived in Hanyang with sl*ves carrying sacks of rice and bundles of firewood, while schrs andmoners arrived carrying their own luggage, looking for ces to stay. Those without rtives in Hanyang sought amodation in decent-looking houses or unpacked their luggage in temporary amodations set up by the local officials. On the other hand, those who had well-off rtives in Hanyang found lodging with them. Has my brother-inw not returned from work yet? Hes beening homete every day recently. I see. In a refined hanok (traditional Korean house) located north of Jonggak, a major aristocrat residence area known as Bukchon2, a young man from the countryside was having a conversation with an aged woman. While talking about his mindset for the examination and other personal affairs, a servant informed the woman. The master has returned from work! I see. Upon hearing that the homeowner had returned from work, the woman and the young man quickly got up from their seats. That evening, the homeowner and the young man faced each other over a drink in the main hall. So, are you confident about the second round? I will do my best. Thats the right spirit. So, have you had your Daerye (Y, Hanja for wedding)? Yes. And the children? I have two sons and one daughter. Hearing the young mans response, the homeowner murmured under his breath. Fortunately, the lineage will not be broken. No one knows, but its easier to control Pardon? Im sorry, I didnt hear you well . Oh! I was just talking to myself, just talking to myself! Waving his hand to interrupt, the homeowner shifted the topic. As you may know, the number of sessful candidates in this first round has increased. The number of sessful candidates in the second round will also increase substantially. Is that so? Seeing the young mans face rx, the homeowner warned him. Thats not something to be happy about. Now, the issue is not whether you pass the second round, but what happens after. Ah. If I were to offer you some advice, youll likely want to resign at least a dozen times in a single day. Its by enduring this that youll be able to climb up the ranks. I am prepared for the civil service examination. Upon hearing the young mans response, thendlord chuckled softly. Heh! The civil service exam? Is there a big shot out there who could take that? The moment you take it, youll experience a living hell Well, theres no point in me telling you. Youll understand once you experience it. Yes? Yes. Believing the conversation to have concluded, thendlord stood up and left his seat. Your room should be ready by now. Start by rxing and clearing your mind. Then pray for luck. Thank you! * * * Three dayster, the civil service examination took ce. Seats were set up in the spacious area in front of the Geunjeongjeon, right after passing through the Geunjeongmun. Candidates who had confirmed their identities started toe in and take their seats. [T/N: Geunjeongjeon is the main throne hall of Gyeongbokgung Pce, where the king formally granted audiences to his officials. Geunjeongmun is the gate to this hall. (Geunjeongjeon Hall) (The Geunjeongmun gate at the back of the examiness) The king has arrived~! All of the seated candidates stood up and bowed their heads. Soon after, King Sejong and the ministers entered and took their seats, and the candidates paid deep respects to King Sejong. After King Sejong returned the bow and stepped forward, the attendants brought out the loudspeakers that Hyang had created before and set them up. King Sejong, standing in front of the loudspeakers, encouraged the candidates. Therefore, what we need most in order to expand our Joseon is talented individuals. I sincerely hope that you all will be those talents. We will do our best! After King Sejongs encouraging words, warnings about cheating followed. Lastly, instructions about the examination procedures were given. thus, the candidates will take the exam in two stages. The first stage will be on the ssics, and the second stage will be on arithmetic. Arithmetic? Why arithmetic? With the unexpected subject added, the candidates murmured and whispered to each other. Quiet! This is all done with the intention of selecting talent, in ordance with the kings and the ministers opinions. Do not question it! If you cannot let go of your doubts, leave the examination site immediately! At the proctors scolding, the murmuring quickly subsided. Then, let the examination begin! Thus, the first exam, which tested understanding of the Four Books and Five ssics, ended, and the second exam on arithmetic began. The second exam was peculiar from the start, as the court officials handed out printed exam papers with the problems on them to each candidate. Do not forget to write your department and name at the top! Then, begin! * * * After the exam was over, the candidates began to leave the examination hall one by one. And then, the war amongst the officials began. Lets see. Hmm? Is this interpretation possible? While the officials responsible for grading the first exam, which evaluated understanding of the Four Books and Five ssics, were in a rather rxed mood, those grading the arithmetic portion were in a tense atmosphere. There, officials from the six ministries of the court and researchers from institutes gathered and engaged in fierce arguments as they graded the exam papers. Lets see, the score is. Hey! Why are you taking that paper! Are you trying to cheat from the start! Maintain the integrity! Maintain the integrity! If they had had knives in their hands, they would already have been cutting each other down in this intense atmosphere. * * * The day began with an exchange of opinions on this years examination for government service. I have a request for your Majesty. A request? As soon as Hyang mentioned the word request, the ministers and envoys tensed up. Speak. Yes, your Majesty. Please add one more subject to the test in the uing civil service examination. Upon hearing Hyangs request, Sejong stroked his beard, expressing his doubt. Add a subject to the test? What subject do you want to include? Arithmetic. Arithmetic? Yes, there is a shortage of staff in the research institute. Therefore, we wish to hire from among the civil service examination candidates who are proficient in arithmetic. Why the civil service examination? Because those who take the advanced examination are the ones who have already been screened and hence, are more valuable candidates for your Majesty. Hmm Sejong pondered while stroking his beard at Hyangs words. A positive feeling seemed to hover around Sejongs silent contemtion. Your Majesty! The Ministry of Taxation also needs those who are good at arithmetic! Seizing the opportunity, the Minister of Taxation demanded more staff. Sejong expressed doubt at the request. Didnt the Ministry of Taxation just receive additional personnel? Your Majesty! The staff we have is barely enough to piss on an ice surface! We are severely short of staff to cover all the nationwide taxation offices, not to mention to monitor price trends and conduct surveys on source materials! Is that so? Hmm Your Majesty! The Ministry of Public Works also needs them! So does the Ministry of Military Affairs! The Ministry of Law Enfooorcement alsocks personnel. So does the Ministry of Personnel The Minister of the Ministry of Taxations request had broken the dam. Just as the Minister of the Ministry of Rites was about to open his mouth, Hwang Hui interjected. Why on earth do you need so many people? In the case of the Ministry of Public Works, the officials are working all night just to organize the status of new and maintenance projects for levees, fortresses, and bridges across the nation! To conduct research on the National Land Development Comprehensive n, we need people proficient in arithmetic! The same goes for the Ministry of Military Affairs! To organize the types of weapons and soldiers from each jurisdiction, we need people who are proficient in not only writing but also arithmetic! The same goes for the Ministry of Law Enforcement! To investigate and organize the number and types of crimes happening all over Joseon, we need people proficient in arithmetic! Each of the ministers of the departments ardently argued why they needed additional personnel. Each of you makes a valid point. Sejong mumbled with a troubled expression and looked at the ministers. Do we reallyck so many people in our Joseon? In response to Sejongs question, Hwang Hui exined the reason. Its not that weck people, but that weck the budget. At Hwang Huis response, Sejong unknowingly spat out a curse. Damn it. In the meantime, the department heads were having a heated debate among themselves. Didnt the Ministry of Taxation just get more people? They should have some conscience! Why are the ministries of Military Affairs and Law Enforcemenr, which already have a lot of people, saying that theyck personnel! Whats the use of having many people! Half of them are illiterate! Do you think those who only know how to use a sword can do paperwork! By the way, why does the Ministry of Rites need people! Why do they need to do arithmetic in the Ministry of Rites! The heads of the six departments bitterly argued back and forth. Like parents, like children. Stop! As the heated debate advanced to the point of inquiring about the condition of the opponents parents, an overreach bordering on personal insults, Sejong decisively ended the argument with a shout. Seeing the ministers fall silent in an instant, Sejong clicked his tongue. Good job! You guys are doing so well~ Your majesty! At Sejongs words, all the ministers bowed down, their heads lowered. Sejong turned his gaze to Hyang. You, brat Just like the ministers, Hyang, who had been hit with a criticism, had to bow his head as well. Your majesty! Thats enough! How many of you do I need? At least twenty Cant we fill the positions through recruitment? The caliber of the candidates may vary At Hyangs answer, Sejong clicked his tongue. I understand when you say The caliber varies. It means they must be somewhat smart if theyre considered for the lower civil service exam. It is a clear fact that were short on manpower, but theres the issue of the budget Sejong, who was summing up the situation, asked the ministers, How long did they say we would have to wait to mine gold and silver from the gold and silver mines discovered by the Resource Department? They said it would take at least half a year, your majesty. However, to get a properly refined product, it would take at least a year at the earliest. Hmm. Upon hearing the answer, Sejong started to calcte in his head. Taxes collected by the district offices and revenue from the trading post Hmm After a long time of addition and subtraction, Sejong came to a conclusion. Crown Prince, did you say we need twenty? Yes, Father. At least twenty Cut it down to ten. Your order is epted. Starting with Hyang, Sejong began to adjust the headcount. We will increase the number of sessful candidates for this lower civil service exam. And, as per the Crown Princes request, we will also hold an arithmetic exam. You ministers should coordinate the necessary people for each department and report to the exammissioner. Just now, the exammissioner has halved the Crown Princes request. I hope you ministers also will not only think about satisfying your own greed, but reach an agreement through concessions. Your order is epted! * * * And the result was the fierce stare-down taking ce now. The marking isplete. Lets see. Theyre arranged in order of grades, right? Thats correct. Upon the chief examiners answer, Jeong-cho quietly selected ten from the top and got up. At that moment, the Minister of Personnel held onto his sleeve. Wait! Why so? Does my lord truly have no morals! What is the use of just taking the smartest ones! You, your excellency Youre shameless! The research institute needs people who are good at arithmetics. Isnt that the case for all of us! Right! Lord Jeong, now that I see it, youre truly a bad man! The examination hall was filled with voices condemning Jeongcho in an instant. However, Jeong-cho didnt back down. It is the Crown Princesmand. Even though Jeong-cho mentioned the Crown Princes name, the other officials did not back down. The representative was the Minister of Personnel. Have you forgotten His Majestysmand! He said not to only satisfy your own greed! Where are you trying tomit such an impiety! Stop! Discard your greed. Ugh! Jeong-cho clicked his tongue. Everyone gathered here were first ministers. They were not people Jeong-cho could simply push around, whether it be in terms of career or age. In the end, Jeong-cho proposed apromise. Ill take five from the top, and five from the average. Dont I also have to follow the Crown Princes order? At Jeong-chos words, the moaning ministers proposed apromise. Four from the top. Among the top ten, one each must be taken, shouldnt it? After contemting the Minister of Personnelspromise proposal for a while, Jeong-cho nodded. Lets do that. * * * Once he stepped outside, Jeong-cho sighed. Phew~. His Highness was right. Beforeing here, Hyang had called Jeong-cho andid out a n. Although Id like to bring all of the top ten performers, that would be impossible. Thats right. So, I thought about it and The n Hyangid out was a bluff from the beginning. Naturally, there would be objections, and from then on, they would gradually make concessions while creating drama, aiming to secure as much talent as possible.
  1. Siknyeonsi is a regr exam held every three years[?]
  2. Popr hanok area, you can wear traditional Korean garments and walk along the streets that housed rows of traditional hanoks[?]
Chapter 69 Chapter 69 After the supplementary (bok-shi)1sogwa (preliminary civil service examination) concluded, five dayster, the announcement of sessful candidates took ce. Near Gwanghwamun Pce, the candidates who took the examinations gathered, waiting for the results. Has the list not been posted yet? Hey, move your head! Amidst the slight disturbance caused by the anxious candidates, the side gate of Gwanghwamun opened, and the officials and pce personnel came out. As the officials emerged from Gwanghwamun, themotion among the candidates quieted. They swallowed nervously, their eyes darting around. An official spread a paste on a massive billboard constructed on one side of the wall next to Gwanghwamun and attached a notice. Its the list of sessful candidates! As soon as the list of sessful candidates was posted, they hurriedly ran to the billboard to check if their names were there. Im on the list! Me too! Hahaha! Ive passed! There were those who celebrated their sess, but there were also those who vented their frustration over failing. Ive failed again!2 What should I tell my parents In front of these people expressing joy, anger, and sadness, the pce staff reappeared and set up a small podium. As the podium was set up, an official in dark blue uniform climbed onto the tform, raised a funnel-shaped object to his mouth, and shouted. Yi Soonji!3 Is Yi Soonji here? Yi Soonji from Yangseong4! Upon the officials shout, a young man who must be barely in his twenties ran forward from among the candidates. Present! You are Yi Soonji? From Yangseong in Gyeonggi-do? Thats correct. Year of birth? Its the year of Eul-yoo5. Upon hearing Yi Soonjis response, the official checked his records. Yi Soonji Yangseong Eul-yoo year Thats correct. Stand to the side. Yes? Yes. After Yi Soonji stood aside, the official called out another nine names. Lets see one, two, three, four ten its all correct. Follow me. Yes? Yes. With questions swirling in their minds, Yi Soonji and the nine other sessful candidates followed the official into the Gyeongbokgung Pce. Who are those people? Hey, look. Chief Examiner, do you know anything about this? Im not sure either. As the candidates were murmuring, an official in a blue uniform climbed onto the podium. Quiet! Quiet! Everyone be quiet! With the officials shout, the gathered candidates fell silent. The official ced the funnel-shaped object to his mouth and shouted, Sessful candidates move to the right for verification procedures! And those who failed, better luck next time! Following the officials instructions, the candidates moved in two different directions. The sessful ones went to a ce on the right of Gwanghwamun for the verification process, while those who failed turned away, looking disappointed. * * * Meanwhile, in the side hall, a conversation about this round of sogwa (preliminary civil examination) was taking ce between King Sejong and his ministers. How many are the total sessful candidates for ths times sogwa? The total is 185. 185? The number of sessful candidates has actually decreased? Hwang Hui responded to King Sejongs question. They passed the ssical literature examination, but those who failed the arithmetics exam were disqualified. Whats the failing standard for arithmetics? Those who scored below the average by 20 points. Hmm They are talents who passed the literary examination, isnt it a pity? Upon King Sejongs question, Hwang Hui exined his reasoning. It might seem so, but teaching arithmetics from the basics and deploying them in work takes too much time and resources. Is that so? I understand. They are talents carefully selected for national affairs, so they must be utilized as much as possible. Upon King Sejongs instructions, the ministers all bowed their heads. We will heed your advice! How about those who finished their education after the selection process? What about their ranks? Like the students of Sungkyunkwan, they will be divided into grades ording to their performance in the arithmetics ss. After a probation period of three months, they are nned to be evenly distributed in the six ministries. That sounds good. But what if there are those who insist on going to Sungkyunkwan? Even if they pass the Daegwa (higher civil service exam) through Sungkyunkwan, unless they are Jangwon (top-ranked) schr, they have to start from the 9th rank. If they have their own ns, they will know that it is much more advantageous here than being at Sungkyunkwan. I see. At Hwang Huis response, King Sejong nodded his head. Seeing King Sejongs reaction, Hwang Hui continued his exnation, In addition, Sungkyunkwan will have a different role from now on, so we n to make all students leave. Upon hearing Hwang Huis words, King Sejong chuckled, Huh! Those who were trying to take an easy route would end up like the dog chasing the chickens6. *** Simr stories emerged while exining the situation to the sessful candidates. so, after youplete the process, you will be assigned to your respective duties. As soon as the officials exnation ended, one of the sessful candidates quickly raised his hand. Im aiming to take the Daegwa (higher civil service exam)! Is it impossible to get back into Sungkyunkwan? The official who was asked the question gave a brief answer. No, its not possible. Sungkyunkwans duties have changed since this year. Sungkyunkwan will only conduct ceremonies for the Confucian (Munmyo) shrine and educate candidates to be high-ranking officials. Oh, and while Im at it the eligibility for the daegwa exam will also change. Simply put, if you want to be an dangsanggan (high level government officials), you need to be an official first. The official provided a simple exnation, but the actual situation was far from simple. To be an upper government officials, one had to pass another civil service exam, and to take that exam, one had to prove their capabilities in their job. However, the official didnt go into details for a simple reason. We have to weed out the unripe ones from the start! The ones in front of him now and those who would continue toe were his subordinates and potentialpetitors. While they were inpetition, they had to choose the capable ones for their immediate convenience. As the officials exnation ended, the earlier sessful candidate again swiftly raised his hand. Cant I just return to my hometown, continue studying, and then sit for daegwa exam? At these words, the exining official roared angrily. You foolish chap! Have you been listening to my exnation, or have you been eating it? What did I just say? Didnt I say the nature of the daegwa exam has changed? What rubbish are you talking about after hearing my exnation! You, dismissed! Dismissed, you say Fail! You idiot! At the officials words, the concerned sessful candidate roared angrily. But, this schr (me)! Do you even know who I am! Who are you! A rtive of mine served as a Censor in the Office of Inspector General, and my cousin is currently a Left Lieutenant in the Ministry of Law Enforcement! At his words, the official snorted withughter, Humph! So, in the end, youre saying youre a nobody. What did you say! The one who had been treated as a low-grade citizen got very angry, but the official gave an order to another official next to him. Go to the Office of the Censor-General and bring someone from the Song family. If they ask who sent you, say it was Minister Kang from the Ministry of Personnel. At Minister Kangs words, another official, who was sitting with him, nodded his head and stood up from his seat. The official who stood up from his seat red at the concerned sessful candidate and went outside. Meanwhile, the sessful candidate who had been boasting about his connections turned pale at the mention of the Office of the Censor-General. Watching such a sessful candidate, Minister Kang raised his voice, Where is this good-for-nothing bragging about his connections! This good-for-nothing! You dont think I can dismiss you as I wish? Its all orders! Got it? My backing is His Highness the Crown Prince! How dare you, a rotten thing, brag about your connections! Eventually, the sessful candidate who had caused themotion was dismissed and failed at the same time. Just forgive me once! The dismissed sessful candidate was dragged out, pleading for mercy, but the officials were unyielding. After a briefmotion, Minister Kang warned the frozen sessful candidates. If you cause trouble during the academic training and practical period, or if you cant keep up with the task, or if you cause a scandal, you will be dismissed immediately. Remember this. Understood? Yes! The sessful candidates answered in a loud voice. Meanwhile, the Office of the Censor-General immediately submitted a report to King Sejong. King Sejong, who had read the report, immediately ordered punishment. The fact that a newly sessful candidate from the entrance examination was so arrogant shows that he firmly believed in his connections he mentioned. As an old man, reading the report and recalling the past incident of Ryu Jeong-hyeon, I feel truly dejected. Your Majesty speaks the truth! At King Sejongs words, all the subjects bowed their heads. Over the heads of such subjects, King Sejongs words continued, If hes audacious enough to throw a tantrum at a royal official, we can guess what kind of audacity his connections havemitted. Chief State Councilor,mand the Board of Punishments to investigate the rtives this man mentioned and uncover any wrongdoings. I receive themand! Following the investigation by the Board of Punishments, the one who had served as a Censor in the Office of Inspector General had all his government posts revoked, and the one who had been working in the Ministry of Law Enforcement was demoted to amoner, then was given the punishment of sorting out documents. * * * While the chaos unfolded outside, Yi Soonji and his group were also steeped in disorder. Where are we heading right now? As they passed through the gates of the Gyeongbokgung Pce and continued deeper into the pce, Yi Soonji asked the leading official in a voice filled with fear. The official who had been walking ahead answered sinctly. Were heading to the Donggungjeon (Eastern Pce). Aack! At the mention of Donggungjeon, Yi Soonji and his fellow candidates for the officialdom were shocked. They were heading towards the ce where the next heir to the throne resided. Seeing the tense faces of Yi Soonji and his group, the official who had been leading the way chuckled. Rx. Anyone would think were heading into a tigers den. Yes, sir! Yes, sir! Looking at the faces of Yi Soonji and his group, who still couldnt rx, the official muttered to himself as he turned away. Maybe the tigers den would be better? * * * Wee, everyone. I am Jeong-cho, the Deputy Director of the Research Institute. The one weing Yi Soonji and his group was Jeong-cho. First, Jeong-cho conveyed his apologies. Under normal circumstances, the crown prince would have weed you all, but due to the busyness of Area 51, I am here to wee you. I apologize. Ah, no, my lord. As Jeong-cho bowed his head, Yi Soonji and his group hastily followed suit. Now, please sit down. As Jeong-cho offered them seats, Yi Soonji and his group quickly sat down on the chairs. Looking at the faces of Yi Soonji and his group, who sat rigidly in their chairs and looked only at him, Jeong-cho smirked. When I think of what these guys are about to go through, I feel sorry for them. Hmm, ehem! Clearing his throat lightly, Jeong-cho got straight to the point. Let me tell you what youll be doing from now on. First, does anyone know about the celestial chart? At Jeong-chos question, Yi Soonji quickly raised his hand. Oh? I thought celestial chart isnt widespread yet, how did you know about it? I saw the peddler who often visits my home use it. Is that so? The rest of you youre alone then. So, whats your name? I am Yi Soonji, who came from Yangseong. Okay, you will learn the celestial chart together with other students for revision. Understood. Once the learning of celestial chart is over, you all will learn arithmetics. And Jeong-cho told them what they would be learning and doing from then on. After finishing his exnation, Jeong-cho concluded as follows. You will be given a month and a half to go home, inform about the appointment, manage your household and return to Hanyang. I look forward to seeing you again. The crown prince has great expectations of you, and I too have high hopes. Well do our best! * * * After a month and a half, Yi Soonji and the other students all arrived at the research institute without fail. Nice to meet you all! Hyang warmly weed the neers. The 10 people in front of him were the ones who had been recruited through direct evaluations, different from the existing staff who had been pulled in based on nearby evaluations. I believe that you all will do great things! In response to Hyangs words, filled with expectation and trust, the new researchers all replied in unison. We will devote ourselves! And it took less than two weeks for that cheer to turn into groaning. Oh my, Im going to die Fellow brother Song, did you work overtime yesterday as well? I havent been home for five days already. Im worried if this continues, I might be seen as a bachelor. During a brief rest, the new researchers gathered in the break room andined about the toughness of the work while massaging their necks and shoulders. At least the sries are good The ones ced in Group 6 are still in practical training and dying. Theyre falling apart because theyre evaluated every day. Well, I wonder if were the lucky ones or if they are While they were discussing the hardships of the other sessful candidates who were suffering as trainee officials after receiving temporary ranks, Yi Soonji walked by in front of them. With a heap of documents in his arms and a spring in his steps, Yi Soonji had an energetic look on his face. Looking at him, the new researchers all grumbled. That schr really found his true calling. Indeed, he did.
  1. An exam held for candidates who narrowly missed the cut-off marks for the main preliminary civil service examination, or sogwa[?]
  2. The candidate failed the supplementary exam after failing the main (sogwa) examination[?]
  3. Yi Soonji is an actual historical figure, and was a civil official and astronemer during Sejongs reign. While many thought Jang Yeongsil the most famous scientist then, but Yi Soonji was thought to be unparalleled in terms of developing Joseons astronomy and calender. His notable aplishments include creating the first Hanyang-based calender or almanac, called, Internal and External Parts of the Sevenary Calctions recing the previous Mings almanac. He was also the most talented out of all many civil officials who were ordered to learn arithmetic by Sejong as well. At the end of his life, his highest position was the Royal Secretary, and also the head Judge of Central Secretariat Office.[?]
  4. ꖳ, current city of Anseong in Gyeonggi province[?]
  5. 50th year in the 60th year sexagenary cycle[?]
  6. Comes from Korean proverb/phrase: Like a dog that chased a chicken looking at the roof. Basically it means to describe a situation where someone has given their all to achieve something, but in the end, the object of their efforts is beyond their reach, leaving them feeling frustrated or empty-handed. The imagery in the proverb is of a dog that has chased a chicken, but the chicken has flown onto a roof where the dog cannot reach.[?]
Chapter 70 Chapter 70 Even when studying in his hometown to prepare for the exam in the past, Yi Soonji enjoyed solving arithmetic problems in a moment of ecstasy more than memorizing Confucian scriptures. His talent was enough to seriously concern his parents. My husband, wouldnt it be better if we let our Soonji take the chwijae examination1? The chwijae examination? Ha! Lets pretend I didnt hear that! Even if he passes the chwijae examination, he would only be a petty official, right? We have to consider our familys reputation! To be more than a low-ranking official even after passing the sogwa (preliminary civil service exam) and daegwa (higher civil service exam) examinations, we need a strong family background. Do we have that kind of power in our family? Cough! Besides, do you think our Soonji is that clever? Co, cough! Well, that may be true Yi Soonjis father trailed off. He was well aware of his sons schrly talents. While his sons Confucian studies, essential for bing a nobleman, were average, his sons mathematical skills were unparalleled. The problem was Yi Soonjis character. The son liked tough and was always jovial, but he was also capable of silencing people with just a few words or turning them into enemies with his sharp tongue. His fathers main concern was the sharp tongue of his son. Even if he makes great strides, that tongue of his will stir up trouble In the end, Yi Soonjis parents came to a temporary agreement. The preliminary examination is ending soon, lets make the decision after seeing the results. When they found out that Yi Soonji had returned from the exam and had not only passed but had been appointed to an agency directly under the Crown Prince, his parents were astounded. Round up all the cattle in the vige! ughter the pigs and chickens too! Gather everything we can! Theres a great celebration in our family! Its a feast! Yes! Hold on! Hold on! Rtives and friends who had rushed over after hearing the news of the celebration tried to calm down Lee Soon-jis father as he started to get carried away. Catching cows, ughtering pigs, youll end up getting the roots of the pir too2! Its a joyous event, but youre overdoing it! Is this an ordinary event? Our son, our son! Hes directly under the Crown Prince! What does it matter if we caught the pir roots! Its a good thing hes directly under the Crown Prince, but isnt the starting position a low-ranking official? Also, shouldnt we consider the money needed for the Soonji and his wife to live in Hanyang? Were already tight on money, do you want to make us paupers? Hmm? Oh, I see. At the advice of his rtives, Yi Soonjis father came to his senses. So the feast was smaller than initially nned, but it was still quite grand. Even the local officials who were in charge of recruitment came to give their congrattions. * * * Once he settled into the research institute, Yi Soonji made full use of his talents. He passed the basic mathematics course in just ten days, the intermediate course in a month, and the advanced course, which was administered by regr institute members, in two months. Hyang, having received the new interns mathematics education scorecards, discussed with Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji. I want to give Yi Soonji a rank of regr 5th rank. But he has just passed the preliminary exam. We might not care, but others in the court might talk. Despite the concerns raised by Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji, Hyang shook his head. If one is talented, they should be treated ordingly! Thats true, but If thats your opinion, theres nothing more to say. Convinced by Hyangs argument, Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji agreed. They too had received benefits. * * * At thest inspection, the two were recognized for their contributions and were promoted to the positions of senior 2nd rankof Jaheondaebu (2nd ss official)3. Their ranks hadnt changed, but their official titles had been raised. The benefits were not only for them. Among the institute members, those with lower ranks were promoted, and those who were of below of senior 3rd rank officials, they were granted a higher title. These benefits also extended to the craftsmen who had worked together. Jang Yeong-sils position changed from byeoljwa (misceneous, lower 5th rank official)4to jeongrang (senior 5th rank official). Youryour grace is immeasurable! Hearing that his position had changed from byeoljwa (lower 5th rank) to jeongrang (senior 5th rank), Jang Yeong-sil shed tears of gratitude to King Sejong and Hyang. It was miraculous enough for him to rise from ve status to byeoljwa, but the change from byeoljwa, a murokgwan5 who had no sry, to jeongrang, which actually yielded a sry, held another significance. Jang Yeongsil wasnt the only one who benefited. There were changes in rank and department for the master craftsmen, including Ko Yajang. They moved directly under the research institute. During this moving process, master craftsmen at the managerial level like Ko Yajang had their ranks elevated from chambong (9th rank) to bongsa (8th rank). We are immensely grateful! We will dedicate our all! At the news of their elevation in rank, the craftsmen, like Jang Yeong-sil, shed tears of gratitude. It was because a rise in status, allowing them to hear the term my lord, was made possible in the Joseon society where there was ss discrimination of the four sses6, where they were treated worse than peasants. What particrly moved them was the fact that the newly elevated ranks were directly bestowed by Sejong. This was Hyangs achievement. Would it be alright if Your Majesty personally congratted them? Me? If Your Majesty personally congrattes them, they will have hope and be absolutely loyal to Your Majesty. At Hyangs words, Sejong fell into thought. Hyangs suggestion was quite excellent. Right now, between him and themon people like them, the aristocrats had taken their ce. For a king like Sejong, these aristocrats were a double-edged sword. They were a solid support force for the king, but at the same time, they were the ones who tied the kings hands and feet. After a moments consideration, Sejong made his decision. You are right! And so, Sejong personally summoned Jang Yeong-sil and the craftsmen, bestowed the ranks himself, and encouraged them. The reason I, the king, personally distribute these ranks to you is tomend the merits you have umted so far and to give a warning at the same time. The rise in rank implies that your responsibility has increased equivalently. Do not forget this and do your best. We will keep your royalmand in mind! We will do our utmost! Seeing the craftsmen full of tears responding, Sejong saw Hyangs face, filled with pride. Looking at this, Sejong added on a whim. Currently, I address you all as you, but I hope the day wille when the prince and I can call you honorable instead of you. Can I expect that from you? We will stake our lives to meet Your Majestys expectations! We will never disappoint you! Long live Your Majesty! Long live the King! Long live the King! This was the moment when a support force, almost religious for Sejong and Hyang, was formed. * * * Because there was a precedent like this, Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji agreed to Hyangs words without any particr resistance. When the two agreed, Hyang immediately requested approval from Sejong. Senior 5th-rank? Isnt that too high? The case of thest Sungkyunkwan students and the recent top-ranked candidates also ranked at senior 6th rank. So So, my point exactly. The ones with the best grades even start at senior 6th rank, isnt senior 5th rank too much? They are fully qualified for it. At Hyangs words, Sejong firmly expressed his refusal, If their qualification is merely academic performance, I cannot ept it.If you want to give that rank, bring a result that can prove it. The rank that I can permit now is senior 6th rank at most. Yes, Father. As Hyang tried to refute, Sejong raised his hand to stop him. Crown prince. I know youre smart andpetent. And, I know you value integrity. However, the most fundamental thing for all this is fairness and justice. This Yi Soonji might be a talent as you say. No, he must be talented. However, if I give him senior 5th rank immediately as per your request, will others working in different departments ept it? They will think its not because they recognize Yi Soonjis talent, but because he entered your research institute. So, I can only give him senior 6th rank. Do you understand what I mean? At Sejongs words, Hyang nodded his head. Yes, Father. I will follow your will. Right. So, Yi Soonji started as senior 6th rank *** Ah, its impossible! Im dying, Im dying! This is hell! The neers who had joined the research institute with Yi Soonji began to whine. The industry-academia education that started as soon as they joined was tough, but the practical training was even tougher. When the new researchers began to groan, the senior researchers who were watching them said a word. Tired? Cant handle it? Then tell the Crown Prince and change your position. We only need those among you who want toe here. Instead of dragging those who are forced to work, we just have to endure a little more hardship. At the words of the senior researchers, the new researchers immediately surrendered. Life in the research institute was hell, but the outside world was just as hellish. Getting out of this hell meant resigning and leaving, but under the newly changed system, if you quit, you simply became amoner. Even if they went back to the past and started again, they had to start all over again in the same hell. As the new researchers were disheartened, the senior researchers subtly offered a carrot. Dont just think about how hard it is, look for satisfaction in your work. If you do well, not only the Crown Prince but the king will reward you greatly. And this work will also be enjoyable in time. The senior researchers of the research institute had reached a state of enjoying the pain in just a year. No, they had be fans, traveling around the country and conducting various experiments in Area 51. While the other neers were going through a hard time, Yi Soonji was actually enjoying every day. * * * Thanks to his exceptional talent demonstrated in industry-academia education, Yi Soonji was able to be deployed in the field in less than four months. However, as he was so talented, it was only natural that people who envied him emerged. Furthermore, Yi Soonji was the youngest among those who came in with him. And he was also the one who received the highest rank. In the end, they started calling Yi Soonji a freak. Hey, freak! Where are you going, freak? Every time they called him a freak, Yi Soonji dealt with them withughter. Hahaha! Why are you doing this? However, as soon as he judged that those who were jealous of him had crossed the line, Yi Soonji immediately began to hit back. One of her weapons was the highest rank among the neers, Jwarang, and the other was a talent known only to his familysharp tongue. It was Yi Soonjis job to review the assignments brought by the researchers. Here are the results. Please review them. Yi Soonji, who received the result, began to check it while snorting. Lets see. Hmmm Hmm? Uh? This calction is wrong. Eh? Where? Here, this part. You got such an easy thing wrong Were you thinking of the courtesan at your regr brothel while calcting? Uh From then on, Yi Soonjis biting remarks began to pour out to the researchers. Hehe You got such an easy thing wrong You need to take industry-academia sses again. Oh my Isnt this the most basic addition? If you get the addition wrong, use the form, use the form! You used a form for this? Do you have leftover paper? You got this wrong? You should do the calction by counting your fingers and toes! Whats the point if you get the most basic one-digit addition and subtraction wrong! Whats that thing on your neck, something you wear because you feel empty without it, or something you wear to think? Is your skull three times thicker than others? If not You could solve it with the same size brain as others Its impossible to get this easy thing wrong! Unless your brain is much smaller than others, its an impossible problem to get wrong! Do you use your power well at night? With your work like this, promotion is out of the question, you have to use your power well at night to avoid poverty, dont you? Ahhh! Ah, that freak! The researchers who were shaken down by Yi Soonji had to vent their frustration as soon as they left the pce gate after being dismissed. The notoriety of Yi Soonji even reached the ears of higher-ups like Jeong Inji and Jeong-cho. It seems this official is quite tough in his work. Jeong-chos words were immediately answered by Jeong Inji. Yes, he is. But its also true that the products are turning out better as a result. Sometimes its necessary to be tough to handle subordinates, lets leave it for now. Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji nodded at the suggestion of Lee Cheon, who was listening to the conversation. Right. In fact, the three of them didnt say it out loud, but they all had simr thoughts. It might be harsh, but this officer might get along well with His Majesty or the Crown Prince. Neither of them has a good temperament. The truth is, the three of them also couldnt hear any good words about their temperaments from their subordinates. Rather, they were all talking behind Yi Soonjis back, who was trusted by Jeong Inji and Jeong-cho. Birds of a feather flock together! Do one needs to have a bad temperament to receive a high rank?
  1. Basic aptitude test[?]
  2. A saying that its too much or exaggerated or going overboard[?]
  3. Individuals with the title of 2nd ss or Jaheondaebu can be appointed as Governors or heads of the six ministries[?]
  4. In todays words would be unpaid interns[?]
  5. non-sried officials[?]
  6. The social status of people during Joseons time is divided into four sses (from highest to lowest}: schrs, farmers, artisans, merchants[?]
Chapter 71 Chapter 71 Yi Soonji, along with the new and existing researchers, were grappling with the tasks assigned by Hyang. While the increase in personnel made some tasks easier toplete, there were quite a few that did not benefit from the extra hands. Among the remaining challenges, the most outstanding of all was the calibration of the calendar system. [Late at night] Hmm I dont understand Yi Soonji, with a book filled with forms spread out in front of him, crinkled his forehead. His current concern was that the form for calibrating the calendar system had too many variables. On leap years leap months, leap days, and the solstices He could simply add a leap month ording to the existing tradition, and adjust the solstices as taken from Chinese calendars, but then, there would be no point in revising the calendar system now. No, if I adjust the form based on the data Ive researched, the uracy would surely increase. But Ugh~ Yi Soonji stretched and continued his soliloquy with a groan. Every year Id have to calibrate it, and every two or three years Id have to recalibrate the calibration This doesnt make sense. The teachings of the sages, as well as Buddhas, were definitely simple (than this). As far as Yi Soonji is concerned, even the teachings of the sages and Buddha were simple indeed. As a result, Yi Soonji had the following principles. Truth should be simple and concise! ording to his newly gained principle, the form that he was creating (now) was aplete mess. It needed to be calibrated every year, and every two or three years, a leap month had to be added. Moreover, the two and three years were variables. In other words, it meant that there was an absurd situation where repeated calibrations were needed. Yi Soonji kept pondering this unsolved problem, even dying his departure from the office. He moved the tea cups that were next to him, mumbling. This is the earth the sun, moon, stars revolve around this earth, creating day and night cing a teapot in the middle and spinning the teacups around it, Yi Soonji suddenly stopped. Wait! What if the center of this rotation isnt this earth were living on? Yi Soonji began to calcte, drawing imaginary orbits with his own finger. After waving his hands around and muttering like a madman, Yi Soonji came to a conclusion. If the center of the rotation is the sun, then the form works! I just need to ce the sun at the center! He then grabbed the empty papers stacked on one side and started writing down the form quickly. As if enlightened by a deity, Yi Soonji wrote the form frantically, then at one moment, he put down his pen and clenched his fist. Finally! There are no more variables for variables! Hahaha! Uwaa! Yi Soonji burst outughing as if he had gone crazy, and let out a triumphant shout. A sensation stronger than when he had his first rain and sunshine1bined was flooding his entire body. He stood up, opened the window, and shouted, The center of the world is not this earth! This earth is just a dependent variable! * * * Having found the solution through an overnight epiphany, Yi Soonji dedicated himself to organizing the forms he discovered. Forgoing his departure was a given, and he even skipped meals asionally, so rumors began to circte among the researchers. The weirdos gone crazy! Upon hearing the rumor, Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji, who came to check the situation, were left open-mouthed at the sight of the papers stacked next to Yi Soonji. Whats this While scanning the shocking sight before them, they soon began to scrutinize the contents written on the papers. Hmm Huh? Wait, what? As Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji, who both had expertise in arithmetic, recognized the value of the forms that Yi Soonji was working on. With a tense expression, Jeong-cho turned to Jeong Inji. Im going to report this directly to His Highness, you stay here and keep an eye on him. Understood, sir. Not much time passed before Hyang, who rushed from the Area 51 after receiving the urgent news, examined the papers in question. Hyangs face crumpled in seriousness as he looked over the contents of the papers. Damn it! This level is even too much for me! Others didnt know, but in the 21st century, Hyang had chosen arts due to math. His most confident approach was a traditional one, where he tackled problems head on. While he couldnt understand it fully, he grasped the general concept and ordered Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji. Summon the physician right away! Understood! Also, until this friend finishes his work and formally report to my royal Father, keep this matter confidential. We receive themand! And it seems like Ive won the debate, hasnt it? Urgh At Hyangs question, Jeong Cho and Jeong Inji groaned. * * * There had been disputes among Hyang, Jeong Cho, and Jeong Inji as the institute was established and modifications to the calendar system were underway. The subjects of debate were The Earth is round., and The Earth revolves around the Sun.. Observations of celestial bodies were essential for revising the calendar system, and in the process, these conceptual conflicts arose. The The Earth is round. argument was easily won by Hyang. This was thanks to the observation report stating The horizon seen from the high mountains and sea draws a circle. and the help of the Hui people. However, the heliocentric theory had a quite long debate, as for Hyang, who only had a shallow understanding through entrance exam education, perfect refutation was impossible. Moreover, as this debate ended in a stalemate, the study hall of the institute did not have a celestial globe in ce. Ah! The damage of my entrance exam education that only knows Galileo, Copernicus, and annual parax! Hyang, who could not win the argument because he only knew the names but not the contents, shouted at the harm of his previous entrance exam education while looking up at the sky. * * * A monthter, Hyang held a presentation about calendar system correction with Sejong and the ministers. The presenter was Yi Soonji. To relieve tension, Yi Soonji, who even took Cheongsimhwan (a calming pill), proceeded with the presentation calmly. Thats all. When Yi Soonji ended the presentation, Sejong, who had been concentrating on the presentation until the end, praised Yi Soonji. Youve worked hard. It was a truly great theory. Crown prince, what do you think of this offficails theory? Ipared it with previous calendars and records of sr and lunar eclipses, and there were no discrepancies. Then, shall we say weve finally created our own calendar system? At Sejongs question, Hyang corrected the term. Its a correction method. Father. Right, its correction method. Sejong, who had been nodding with a bitter face, looked back at the ministers. What do you guys think? At Sejongs question, Hwang Hui responded as the ministers representative. I think the correction of the calendar system should be applied and used immediately. However, the problem arises when we make it into a book and use it for education. The book will inevitably be released to the outside, and that may cause issues. We need to remove a few sentences. Remove sentences? At Sejongs question, Hwang Hui responded, The world is spherical and the world revolves around the sun. These notions might cause problems with the Ming dynasty if mishandled. Hmm I see. King Sejong nodded to Hwang Huis caution. The prevailing worldview so far had been The world is t. And the center of the world is the Ming However, the theory emerging from the research institute now was contradicting this. Removing such statements did not sit well with King Sejongs pte. Of course, with the Ming being a superior nation and due to the difference in national power, they needed to be mindful of the Mings mood, but he didnt like the idea ofpromising his pride. Is there no other way? At Sejongs question, Hwang Hui replied again, We need to emphasize that these are just simple truths of nature. Simple truths of nature? Hmm I see. As Sejong nodded, Hwang Hui added, To make this im, we need solid evidence to back it up. The evidence provided by the research institute currently is insufficient. I see. Inform the crown prince. Yes, Your Majesty. Do you know what you need to do? Yes, I will gather more evidence to solidify the theory. Good. Then, what should the Ministry of Rites do? At Sejongs question, Lee Jik stepped forward to answer. We need to make them understand that these are just simple truths of nature, not straying from the rites of the four cardinal directions. Youre well aware. Minister of Rites, your responsibility is grave. At Sejongs words, the Minister of Rites, bowed his head and answered, I will receive and carry out the royalmand with utmost devotion! Then, lets wrap it up here. As Sejong announced the end of the meeting, the ministers brushed off their seats and left the room. Sigh~. My lord, youve worked hard. My lord, you have a long road of hardships ahead. As the other ministers who came out with him said a word or two, Hwang Hui burst out. Gosh! Why is the crown prince doing such unnecessary My lord! The Minister of Rites, who was about to say something about the crown prince and the research institute, immediately shut his mouth at Hwang Huis sharp reproach. Unnecessary? Do you really think that? Well, so far, just enough Youre so frustrating! Youve forgotten about the people who suffered because we couldnt follow the seasons properly because of that just enough? And yet youre a minister! I apologize. At Hwang Huis criticism, the Minister of Rites had to bow his head. In Joseon, where agriculture was everything to the economy, following the seasons was extremely important. If they didnt follow the seasons properly, the peoplesints were all directed at the king, and the king had to answer by disciplining the relevant parties. I know the burden on you and the Ministry of Rites has increased! But its your duty to solve it! How can you only look for whats convenient for you! If you want to livefortably, submit your resignation and go! Im sick of being criticized as a minister! Sick of it! Hwang Hui was sincere in hisst sentence. Therefore, to avoid a sh with the Ming dynasty, the problematic sentences were removed from the books distributed at the Astronomy department, and the original copy was treated as top-secret and stored in a safe. * * * Ever since His Majestys announcement, the ministers have changed significantly. No, they had no choice but to change. They had to adapt to Sejongs rebukes that sprang up whenever a task was even slightly unsatisfactory. At the forefront of these changing ministers were the government officials.The first to take the brunt of criticism when the work of the six ministries or those under them was inadequate were the officials. Thanks to this, the disposition of the officials also became rather harsh. Not only Lee Jik and Hwang Hui, but even Maeng Saseong, known for his amiability, would regrly spit venom when the work was inadequate. Ah! After bing an official, people change! Hes turned into a real nasty nobleman! Looking at the three grumpy people, themon assessment was made. However, the ministers had something to say too. Then do your job well! Why should I get scolded by your excellency? Am I a scapegoat? If you dont want to be scolded, dont do anything scold-worthy! If youre unfairly treated, file aint or resignation letter! Submit your resignation! Thus, being pressured for change, the ministers became quicker in their work. A prime example was when they returned after inspecting Area 51. Noticing that Sejong wanted mass production, Hwang Hui told Minister of Taxation in advance, so he could prepare the records regarding iron production and present them to Sejong. Such changes meant the ministers heard less of what they least wanted to hear. Its not as good as Ive heard These were the words. * * * Hwang Hui and the ministers were recently troubled by one issue. The issue they pondered was iron supply. With the decision to mass produce the armored gun and the b0mb, the government needed arge amount of iron, especially cast iron. During the Goryeo era and the early Joseon era, the iron distribution center was in ce where the people directly received iron, but due to severe opposition from farmers, the system had to be changed. The iron mining assembly system was chosen as an alternative to iron distribution center, where an iron mill was created near the iron mines, and farmers were mobilized during the farming off-season to produce iron. However, this center had its problems too as it involved forcedbor from the farmers, leading to their resistance and a decrease in motivation. In the end, Sejongs answer was simple. We buy those that satisfy the set standards and quality! However, the officials and ministers in charge of practical affairs had headaches. Theres no budget! No budget! Eventually, the ministers, unable to find a good answer even after putting their heads together, informed Sejong of the issue. Your Majesty, there is an issue in implementing the solution you proposed. Issue? Hmm Is it about the budget? That is correct. At the ministers reply, Sejong clicked his tongue for the first time in a while. Tsk! But this time, the ministers had something to say too. Your Majesty, we are sourcing from the amounting in through the assembly iron mill system to solve the budget issue, but there is a portion we must use. After deducting this amount, there is not much left. Your Majesty, the budget is the issue when ites to purchasing the deficit even after such sourcing. Your Majesty, to solve this budget issue, we need to resolve the taxation issue, but the preparations are insufficient. Taxes arent the only issue. When we buy iron, we have to pay for it. There are limits to the grains and cotton fabrics that can be used as payment. To solve this, we must implement currency usage, but again, the preparations are Oh dear At the ministers responses, Sejong also felt frustrated. He wanted to enthusiastically carry out the tasks, but theck of capacity in Joseon was holding him back. Lets think a bit more. Yes, Your Majesty. After sending the ministers out, Sejong sighed. Hoo What kind of a country is this Its not even all its cracked up to be Hearing the rumor, Hyang clicked his tongue. Tsk! Its so hard to build up Hyang started writing on a nk piece of paper. A state-owned enterprise would be the best, right? Ironworks! How nice would that be? * * * Sejong, who received the report suggesting, Lets create a state-owned enterprise to handle iron supply, immediately pped his knee. Thats right! However, the ministers who read Hyangs report shook their heads. How could the state engage inmerce Even if its a state-owned enterprise, it will pursue profits. How can the government pursue profits? Tsk! At the ministers responses, Sejong clicked his tongue. As soon as Sejong clicked his tongue, the ministers tensely reconsidered their words. Do you only think short-term? Does the government only benefit if it produces iron? Isnt it the case that not all regions in Joseon produce iron? In regions where iron is produced, the price is low, and in other regions, its high, causing the people to struggle. Dont you think that if the government produces iron, it can solve these difficulties? Cant you see it can also solve the trade deficit problem? Ah Please think before you speak, a bit! The ministers were lost for words at Sejongs scolding.
  1. Just a saying of having great luck or fortune[?]
Chapter 72 Chapter 72 As the reform progressed, the craftsmanmunity of Joseon, especially the cksmiths, were suffering a lot. The reason behind their suffering was a chain reaction that started from the military arsenal. As arge number of craftsmen from the military arsenal relocated to the research institute and Area 51, it became apparent that there was a shortage of craftsmen at the military arsenal itself. Select skilled craftsmen from thend provincial forces, naval forces, and the garrison forces throughout Joseon and bring them to Hanyang. Examine the skills of these craftsmen who have arrived and fill the vacancies in the military arsenal. We ept yourmand. Following King Sejongs orders, there was an uproar at military camps across the country. Craftsmen who known for their skills, who had been making swords and archery equipment at the military arsenal, came to Hanyang. King Sejong also attended the screening of these craftsmen who would work in the military arsenal. King Sejongs greed for talent shone here as well, as he chose about 30% more than the quota of the military arsenal. After satisfying the quota of the military arsenal, send the rest to Area 51. We ept yourmand! Overjoyed by the unexpected gift, Hyang immediately paid his respects to King Sejong. Your grace is immeasurable, Father! Following this event, It was inevitable that a chain reaction would ur in such a situation. If they take away the craftsmen who make swords, what are we supposed to do? Its bad enough when someone picks only the meat from the feast, but when they take people like this The military, depriving of their best skilled craftsmen, had to scout for renowned craftsmen from the civilians and bring them into military. If there was a silver lining from all this chaos, it was that the perception of craftsmen changed slightly for the better. Both officials and civilians began to value skilled craftsmen, and their treatment improved. It was a butterfly effect created by King Sejong and Hyang, who was greedy for peoples talent. * * * As soon as the decision was made to establish a state-owned enterprise that would be in charge of iron production, Hyang and the ministers exchanged opinions about preparations for it. To be precise, Hyang forced his way into the ministers discussion. Even without this, you have many responsibilities. You dont have to get involved in this Considering the volume needed for the research institute and Area 51, this is absolutely necessary. Hyang took a ce in the discussion, unfazed by Hwang Hui, who was trying to avoid a situation akin to, a sister-inw who was more mischievous than her mother-inw. Since were doing it in Area 51, Ill take care of the evaluation! Theres no need to go that far This is a great undertaking of the state! As the crown prince, I should step forward! Very well. Hyang, who had announced that he would be in charge of the evaluation, persuaded King Sejong and obtained permission. Will it be okay? In response to the worried question of the ministers, Hwang Hui answered with a nonchnt expression. Isnt it good for us? We already have plenty of tasks to do. * * * The first selection criteria for iron-rted craftsmen was proposed by Hyang. C Regions where the proportion of crude iron1is high in the total tribute. Instead of ces with an absoluterge quantity regardless of crude iron or wrought iron, they set the standard for ces that rtively produced a lot of crude iron, and quite a few regions fell away. Through this first evaluation, one ce was selected from Chungcheong Province, and Gyeongju and Hapcheon were selected from Gyeongsang Province. Although there were other ces with arge production volume of iron fields, only these three ces had a higher proportion of crude iron to wrought iron. Once the first candidates were decided, horse riders carrying the royal edict sped off. Royal edict! At the cry that the royal edict hade down from Hanyang, the local officials neatly arranged their official robes, bowed deeply towards Hanyang, and politely received the royal edict. Upon opening the seal and checking the content of the edict, the local officials sighed. Huh~, another task. * * * Following the royal edict, people selected from the three iron fields came to Hanyang. We need a ce to test their skills. At Hwang Huis words, King Sejong looked at Hyang. At his silentmand, Hyang immediately gave an answer. I will prepare a ce in Area 51. Very well. So the ce for these craftsmen topete their skills was decided, but a problem arose among them. The craftsmen refuse to forge in the same ce. At the report from the head of the cksmith, Hyang frowned and asked the reason, What is the reason? Extracting iron is a secret technique among secret techniques, and they say it cannot be shown topetitors. How frustrating Facing the awkward situation, Hyang looked around at his advisors. Among them, Hwang Hui, who had a simr expression, opened his mouth. Why not just force them? At Hwang Huis suggestion, the Master cksmith shook his head. Then they will simply storm out. Even though this is a national affair? They are all rough and proud because of the dangerous work theyve done. They would rather get beheaded than do it by force. Goodness tsk! At the Master cksmiths answer, Hyang studied the map of the Area 51. How much space is needed to build a steel foundry? Here and here, and here in the empty lots, if we make room, they wouldnt ovep each other, would they? Just a moment! Upon hearing Hyangs words, the Master cksmith, who was studying the map, immediately went out to take actual measurements. After going around the lot and taking actual measurements, the Master cksmith returned and reported to Hyang. It seems possible. Then, talk to the iron craftsmen. All the craftsmen epted Hyangs proposal right away. Through a lottery, the craftsmen determined their spots and led their people to establish their territories in the designated areas. Watching from one side of theboratory as the leader of each cksmiths group and their followers settled in, Hyang looked back at the Master cksmith. There are quite a few people joining us, arent there? With the iron forgers, iron moulders, fire-blowers, assistants, charcoal burners and charcoal carriers included, its quite a crowd. Is that so? Upon hearing Master cksmiths response, Hyang nodded enthusiastically, visibly excited. This will be fun when the realpetition begins. Will you continue to observe? When else will I see such a spectacle? I suppose so. Hyang was excited. Although he had seen the process of making iron from small furnaces when he was taught by a traditional swordsmith in the 21st century, he had never witnessed such a full-scale iron-making process. Upon deciding on the venue, Hyang gathered the craftsmen together. The venue is prepared, and the materials you all said you needed are also ready. Lets check if anything is missing. Yes, Your Highness. At Hyangsmand, the craftsmen headed to where the prepared materials were. The first thing the craftsmen checked was the most important materials: iron ore and charcoal for fuel. And then, came the first test process Hyang had prepared. Huh? When the craftsmen went to where the iron ore was stacked, they all looked perplexed and turned to look at Hyang. Your Highness, is the crude iron we should extract is from stone iron? In response to the question asked in a unique dialect, Hyang nodded. Most of it is stone iron. I found a good source of iron ore recently. Why, cant you do it? Its a bit troublesome, but its not impossible. Right. Well, its not impossible. At the craftsmen response, Hyang muttered to his inner officer standing behind him. Everyone gets one point. Yes, Your Highness. Hyang, who was evaluating the craftsmen, soon widened his eyes in surprise. The craftsmen were showing him an action that he had not anticipated. The craftsmen randomly picked out iron ores from the pile here and there, took out a hammer from the basket they were carrying, and crushed the iron ores. Once they produced a proper amount of iron ore powder, the craftsmen took out iron spikes andmps from the basket. The craftsmen sucked the iron spike once to moisten it, then stuck the iron ore powder on it. The craftsmen, who had a proper amount of iron ore powder stuck on the iron spike, lit themp and put the iron spike into the me. As the color of the me changed with the insertion of the iron spike, the craftsmen all murmured. This one has a lot of sulfur? Hyang was intrigued at this point. They knew about the me reaction! Having confirmed the status of the most important raw material, iron, the craftsmen moved to a pile of yellow soil. Without exception, the craftsmen tasted the yellow soil with their fingers and slightly shook their heads. Whats the problem? This iron stone is mixed with a lot of sulfur. If we want to make good iron, we need to get rid of the sulfur, but its a bit hard with the energy this soil has. Right! The soil is a bit poor. At the response of the craftsmen, Hyang quickly summarized the situation. Then, you guys find the appropriate soil. And, I dont see any lime. Ive prepared it. In this continued sorting process, this time the craftsmen found themselves in a predicament. Whats this stone? Its coal. You use it instead of charcoal. Master cksmith. Yes, Your Highness. At Hyangsmand, Master cksmith stepped forward and exined about coal to the craftsmen. After the miners found coal, the first ce to use it was the artisans working in the Area 51. Therefore, Master cksmith, who had the most experience with coal, stepped forward. Whether the exnation of a person from the same industry worked or not, the craftsmen soon nodded their heads. Coal it looks fun? They said it has more firepower than charcoal, right? Hmm how should we adjust the ratio? And sulfur is mixed in we need more yellow soil and lime Cant you do it? At Hyangs question, all the craftsmen shook their heads. Then, as soon as you prepare the materials, you start making the furnace. Since Gyeongjus kiln takes the longest time, we will start thepetition as soon as Gyeongjus ispleted. Yes, Your Highness. That day, when Hyang returned to Eastern Pce, he scratched his head and grumbled nervously. They knew about me reactions Really! How much did this damn Joseon forget what it had! * * * As the craftsmen began constructing the kiln with the required materials, Hyang meticulously documented the process while conducting the evaluation. A square-shaped kiln, eh? Building it this way makes it easier to pile up iron ore and charcoal. This kiln is somewhat high, isnt it? If its high, the quality of the iron improves. Is that so? While Hyang engaged in conversation with the craftsmen, the officers standing behind him recorded their conversation and added or subtracted points based on Hyangs signals. During the kiln-making process, what caught Hyangs attention was Gyeongjus team. In contrast to other ces that mainly used y to construct y kilns, Gyeongju was primarily using stones to build their kiln. Making it out of stones, whats the advantage? Is it good at withstanding heat? Stone alone cannot withstand the heat. We have to cover it with y. However, if we do it this way, theres no need to rebuild it every time, is there? Is that so? Upon hearing the response, Hyang made a small hand gesture. ording to Hyangs signal, the officer recorded the score on the table. Gyeongju bonus points: 2. Once the kiln was constructed, the craftsmen began the process of extracting iron. There were some trials and errors while using coal instead of charcoal, but Hyang didnt consider it a problem. This is a process we must experience, so I wont consider it a problem! After a brief period of trial and error, the craftsmen began the process of extracting iron in earnest. Thepetition had begun. * * * Excluding the time spent making the kiln, the winner of the two-week-longpetition was the craftsmen of Gyeongju. Hyang exined to King Sejong why Gyeongju had emerged victorious. First and foremost, Gyeongju used stones to build a stone-structure kiln. While its not that other craftsmen did not use stones, y was primary in their cases. In contrast, stone was primary and y secondary in Gyeongjus kiln. This allowed So, they can continuously use the kiln, right? Yes, indeed. Secondly, theres the matter of manpower involved in the production of refined iron. Other kilns took crude iron out of the kiln, heated it again in the kiln, and then theborers hammered it to create wrought iron. So, it requires a lot of manpower. Yes, indeed. And how about Gyeongju? Did they use a different method? Gyeongju melted the produced crude iron again after mixing it with selected scrap iron. Melt it again? Isnt that a waste of effort? It wasnt a wasted effort. When the iron mixture that was melted again was cooled, it was mostly wrought iron, and there was a substantial amount of steel. Ah~. How ingenious! Upon hearing King Sejongs evaluation, Hyang nodded. Unknown to Hyang, the double-melting process used by Gyeongju was simr to the Bessemer process, undergoing a simr transformation process. This method dramatically reduces the amount of carbon mixed in the iron during the double-melting process, simr in a basic sense to the 20th-century ironmaking method. (Note 1) * * * The craftsmen of Gyeongju, who became the ultimate winner through thepetition, were summoned to a ce where King Sejong and all the ministers were present. Summoned to a gathering where all the illustrious ministers, known throughout the kingdom, were present, the craftsmen was trembling and prostrating himself, only drawing breaths. Fellow craftsmen, be at ease. At King Sejongsmand, the craftsmen replied in a voice loud enough to burst his throat. Yo-yo-your highness, I am deeply honored! Calm down, calm down I have a question for you. We are nning to open the biggest ironwork in the country. Would you be willing to take on this task? If-if-if-if youmand, I will dedicate my life to it! At the craftsmens response, King Sejong smiled. You dont have to stake your life Arge iron mine has been discovered in Pyeongan-do. Coal was also found in Pyeongan-do. But theres some distance between the two ces. Where do you think would be the best ce to build the ironworks? As the question shifted to his area of expertise, the craftsman found his tension eased somewhat. In response to Sejongs question, the craftsman asked him. This servant doesnt know the geography well, only a countryman who knows nothing but Gyeongju. How far apart are these two ces? Its 100 li. The fortunate thing is that theres a river, so we can utilize water transportation. Upon hearing Sejongs answer, the craftsman organized his thoughts before replying. When forging iron, stone iron and charcoal are important, but the most important thing is y. If the y is good, the irones out well. This time, I saw that not only the stone iron but also the coal is heavily mixed with sulfur. To capture this sulfur, we need a lot of good y and lime. So what? We need to go and see for ourselves. Even if theres a struggle to carry the stone iron and coal, we need to go to a ce with good y. The most important thing is y. Is that so? Yes, it is! Taken aback by the craftsmans firm answer, Sejong fell into deep thought. After a long period of silent contemtion, Sejong made his decision. Very well! I will confer upon you the position of a Master! You will go, assess the situation, and find the optimal location to establish a foundry! Y-yes, I will obey yourmand! What is your name? I dont have a surname, my name is just Deok-su. I will grant you the surname Kim! As Kim signifies metal, I hope that your descendants will continue your profession! Your generosity is overwhelming! Having been granted a surname in addition to his position, the craftsman wept as he left the room. As soon as craftsman left, Hwang Hui and the ministers all looked at Sejong together. Why? Are you dissatisfied that I gave a mere foundry worker the rank of a fifth-grade official? We are not questioning your judgment, Your Majesty, but is the rank not too high? Among you ministers, is there anyone who knows how to make iron? No, there isnt. And yet you look down on a mere foundry worker? We apologize. Its been said over and over again that one shouldnt apologize unless absolutely necessary. We apologize. Tsk! Like in the days of Jang Yeong-sil, granting an official position to someone in a low-status profession would have caused a great uproar, but such incidents were bing lessmon. Because whats difficult the first time isnt so difficult the second time. And because it was now known that this was just in Sejongs character, it was guaranteed that such words would be uttered. Why dont you ministers try to make iron? * * * Ten days after Deok-su was granted a surname and left, officials dressed in court and military uniforms gathered at Deok-sus house in Gyeongju. His Majestysmand! What? What did you just say? Deok-sus family, who were working in the house and the adjacent foundry, were thrown into confusion. All family members of Kim Deok-su,e out and receive His Majestysmand! Kim Deok-su? Your fathers name is Deok-su, but Kim? Is that the problem right now? Its His Majestysmand! Quickly rushing out, Deok-sus family members all knelt in the yard. The official standing before Deok-sus family unrolled a scroll and read it out loud. Craftsman Deok-su of Gyeongju foundry is bestowed with the rank of an Iron Master, a fifth-grade official! Also, the surname Kim is granted to Deok-su! The official who read for a while afterwards asked a question while rolling up the scroll. Who is the eldest son of Master Kim? In response to his question, a sturdy young man emerged from the foundry. Its me. Congrattions. The official congratted the young man and handed over the scroll with themand written on it, along with various other documents about the bestowed rank and rewards. Where is my father? Master Kim left for Hwanghae-do as soon as he received themand. That day, Deok-sus family used all their assets to throw a feast. And the miraculous story of Deok-sus familys rise in status became a legend in that region. Note1) Research on the Operation Method of Stone-Pile Brother Iron Furnace. Shin Kyung-hwan, Kim Kwon-il, Choi Young-min. Outdoor Archaeology Issue 22 (2015.03)
  1. Its a type of iron that was used during the Joseon Dynasty. It is obtained by refining ?? (Sukcheol), which is iron with a low carbon content that can be forged. ?? was used to make strong and sharp weapons, as well as tools and decorative ironwork[?]
Chapter 73 Chapter 73 Neither less nor more, it would be great if I had exactly two bodies. As the year of the Ulsa treaty came around, Hyang frequently started to grumble like this. Because, as far as Hyang felt, there indeed had been a lot of work. And behind the work bing this busy, there was Sejong. To be exact, the problem was Sejongs purchasing habits. The Kingdom of Jin has made its own characters Mongolia also had its own letters? Try to obtain some characters of Tianzhu (India) while youre at it. I need some records about Hyangchal (writing)1. I should know where the rules of using Idu (script)2 started. Yes, Your Majesty. Every time Sejong requested a purchase, Hyang had to twist and turn to get the books. The military system of the Jin Dynasty established by the Jurchen tribe will help us understand the behavior of the Jurchen tribe. Please get rted books. Preferably, first obtain the ones recorded in the script of Jin. I want to know about the Northern Yuan, so get me records about Yuan, its predecessor. Since the ones written by the Ming Dynasty can be biased, first get the ones written in Mongolian and also get the exnatory books. Tianzhu had made significant advancements in mathematics. Could you get rted books? I need to look at the academic books written by our ancestors. Get them. The book you gotst time had a lot of Idu. Can you get some more records on Hyangchal? After twisting and turning to get the books, it wasnt over. While the actual destination was Sejong, the recipient that was made public was Hyang. Therefore, Hyang had to understand the content of the books with a reluctant mindset. Because of the questions sometimes thrown by the elder gingers-like officials. Your Highness, you said you got a peculiar bookst time? You seem to be interested in foreign books. Can we know what its about? Ah, Im still organizing it. There were many books that came with it. Is that so? Those books cost a lot Hyang instantly caught the hint of them trying to pressure him about the source of funds. Haha! Thats why my pocket is always empty. Unlike some people, I have no ties to gifts. Oh, is that the case? Hmm! Hmm! Because of such reasons, Hyang had to learn foreignnguages in addition to phics against his own will. Hyangs hardship didnt end here. He also had to open the library he made for moneyundering and reference purposes. Are a lot of books missing? His Majesty has taken them. Is that so? Listening to the answer of the interior minister, Hyang looked at the empty slots in the library. He shouldve just taken the phics books, why the math booksis heundering money too? The library in Eastern Pce has a lot of amazing books! His Majesty even borrows a few books! Those attracted by such rumors were the staff of the research institute. I would like to see a more advanced academic book I want to see the original books about city creation that Im working on for a project Unable to resist their desires, the staff members wrote a formal request and submitted it to Hyang. Sigh! Cant help it! Its troublesome to write down each one separately. With the amount obtained so far, moneyundering should be somewhat done. Hyang, who made the decision, immediately requested to build an annex in Eastern Pce. Isnt it okay to just modify and use the rooms in the Eastern Pce as we do now? I need a personal space to live. Its really convenient to visit now. Your Majesty, if you want to hide a tree, you have to hide it in the forest. Upon Hyangsst words, Sejong epted the request. Thanks to arge number of skilled builders gathered, another annex was quicklypleted. As soon as the building waspleted, Hyang moved most of the books he had there, except for a few he absolutely had to keep by himself. Now Ive moved everything, but if theres a fire, its all over? Worried about a fire, Hyang immediately took action. He ced buckets full of sand at regr intervals, and dug a small pond outside the annex. After all the preparations were done, Hyang made a request to Sejong. Please bestow it a name. A name After contemting, Sejong picked up a brush instead of a golden pen and wrote a name on the paper. Jipjiwon (Collective Wisdom Institute) Books contain knowledge. Your library has not only our Joseon books, but also books from faraway Western countries. Isnt it a ce where all the worlds knowledge gathers? The name Jipjiwon suits best. Thank you very much! With Sejongs handwriting on the signboard, Jipjiwon officially started its activities. The main business of Jipjiwon was book management and lending. There was a hierarchy in book lending: Hyang and Sejong, who were the owners of the books, had no deadline; the royal family had a maximum of ten days; the staff of the research institute had five days, and the staff of other departments had four days. After returning, they prevented one person from monopolizing the book by prohibiting immediate re-borrowing. When making rules about lending, what Hyang worried about was the royal family. Would there be royalty whoe this far to borrow books? However, one cannot predict the far future, so preparing in advance may not be a bad idea. What Jipjiwon sought out the most when he started his activities was Sejong. These are books that the prince referred to, so I thought the schrs might want to refer to them as well. Saying this, among the books that were being borrowed six at a time, there were always books rted tonguage. All the books are in their originalnguage, so there is a need for trantion Whenever the officials saw him, Sejong would give this excuse and naturally borrow linguistic books. * * * Of course, with Jipjiwon and the research institutes being built around Eastern Pce, people always came and went around Eastern Pce. This bustling scene drew Yus attention. Why are there so many people at Eastern Pce? Yu, who was just turning eight, was trying to behave more maturely. In response to Yus question, the princes tutor simply answered. Because His Highness the Crown Prince has a lot of work. My brother? Yu, who had been tilting his head, asked the princes tutor, Can I go see whats going on? Considering Yus request, the princes tutor weighed the possibilities. The prince is very active, and there are many things in the institute that could cause problems if tampered with recklessly But might he be interested in academics if he gets stimted there? I need to make him interested in learning, even if its not formal learning! Having decided, the princes tutor answered Yu, I will ask His Majesty and the Crown Prince. Upon hearing the princes tutors request, Sejong asked him. There are many delicate items in the institute that must not be touched recklessly. Wont Yu touch them? This was a question Sejong asked because he knew well that Yu was full of energy. In response to Sejongs question, the princes tutor answered in a firm voice, I will personally stay by the princes side and supervise him. Hmm Upon hearing the princes tutors words, Sejong stroked his beard and fell into deep thought. After a long time of consideration, Sejong came to a conclusion. Alright. Tell the prince to set a date. Your grace is immeasurable! Upon receiving the princes tutors message, Hyang set a date and responded. Your grace is boundless, Your Highness! Immense? Thank you for caring about Yus education. At Hyangs praise, the princes tutor remembered all his hardships and shed tears. Your grace is boundless, Your Highness! Sob, sob! Hey! A grown man shouldnt be weeping so much! Stop! A peculiar situation unfolded where a fresh-faced child wasforting a middle-aged man with a white beard. * * * When the promised date came, Yu visited the institute with the princes tutor. Your Highness, how are you? Ah, its been a while since Ive seen you too. Im sorry Ive been too busy to see you often even though we live in the same pce. No, Your Highness. At Hyangs words, Yu hurriedly shook his head. From Yus perspective, Princess Jeonghye and Hyang were the same. C People who cause others distress when seen often. This was how Yu felt about Princess Jeonghye and Hyang. Despite this, Yu couldnt help but be interested in the equipment rumored to be in the secret area. Once inside the institute, Yu gaped at the exhibits disyed in the corridor. Wow~ Wow~. Yu repeatedly eximed Wow~. as he looked at all the strange equipment. Especially at the ce where models of battleships and battleships were disyed, he couldnt even take a step, standing there like a statue. Hes a child Hyang said a single sentence when he saw Yu, who was lost in sightseeing, and everyone around looked at Hyang with an absurd expression. Then, what are you? This was amon thought among everyone present. * * * Yu, who was forced to move his feet, arrived in a room that surprised even Sejong. Your Highness, what is this room? This is the room with a geographic model of Joseon and a model of a train. Geographic model? Train model? Tutor, what are those? At Yus question, the princes tutor answered with a puzzled expression. I Im not quite This is a ce thats supposed to be confidential, so there are many things that people dont know. Especially since you, Yu, are here, I will show you. Open the door. Yes, Your Highness. At Hyangsmand, the inner officer opened the door of the room. When the sliding door opened, the first thing that entered Yus eyes was a huge table in the middle of the room. Being a young child, Yu couldnt see what was on the table. Bring the stand. Yes, Your Highness. Wow! Yu, who climbed onto the tform brought by the inner officials, yelled at the geographical model on the table. It was the most marvelous spectacle he had never seen in his life. Is this Joseon? Its a rough imitation of thend and rivers of Joseon. Its not urate. Wow. Looking at Yu, who kept eximing in amazement, Hyang grinned slightly. Hes like children whove just been to an amusement park. With a wide-open mouth, Yu kept spouting words of admiration, which brought a chuckle to Hyang. Seeing the prince, who was also staring in amazement just like Yu, Hyang had to tightly grip his fist to suppress hisughter. Your Highness, what is this path? Responding to Yus question pointing at the railway, Hyang immediately answered, Its a path for trains to run on. Its called a railway. Railway? Inner officials. Yes, Your Highness. At Hyangsmand, the inner officials brought over the model lotive and passenger car disyed on one side and ced them on the railway. The officials connected the lotive, passenger car, and freight car, then inserted antern filled with alcohol into the lotive and lit it. Just wait a little. Yes, Your Highness. Yu, who had been impatiently waiting for the water to boil, quieted down at Hyangs words. Squeak! As soon as the signal indicating sufficient pressure was heard, Hyang loosened the lever and set the lotive in motion. AhAh! Seeing the lotive move, Yu was left dumbstruck. Just opening his mouth and watching the model lotive run on the railway, Yus breathing began to hasten. Haaa~. Haaa~. Yu? Seeing Yus strange symptoms, Hyang called out to him, but Yu only kept panting and watched the movement of the train in a daze. Seeing Yu like this, something urred to Hyang. Could it be! A train fanatic! The model lotive, which was puffing steam and pulling the model passenger and freight cars, made two rounds around therge geographical model and stopped when it ran out of water. When the lotive stopped, the inner officials removed the model lotive and trains from the railway. Yu, who had been watching the model lotive being safely put back on disy, turned to Hyang in a rush. Bro, No! Your Highness, Your Highness! Do they actually move like this in reality? Just by his address, it was clear that Yu had lost his bearings. That was just a demonstration of the theory, the actual thing looks different. At Hyangs gesture, the inner officials brought over the model lotives on disy on one side. From something that looked simr to Stephensons Lotion to the steam lotive familiar through movies and dramas, four types of lotive models had been made under Hyangs order after Sejongs visit. However, unlike what Sejong and Yu saw, these models were just models and didnt move. Starting from the lotion, Hyang pointed out each one and exined. As industry and technology advance, theyll progress from this to this. Wow. When these lotives and trains areplete and the railways areid, traveling across Joseon will only take a day. Wow! Yus mouth gaped wider at Hyangs exnation. While looking at the model lotives and listening to the exnation, Yu said to Hyang. Your Highness! I want to make these lotives! But Hyang shook his head immediately. You cant. Why not! You dont study, do you? At Hyangs blunt statement, Yus face fell. Looking at Yus face, Hyang exined in more detail. To create this lotive, not only do we need skilled craftsmen, but also smart schrs. To give a simple example, at our research institute, passing the state exam is basic, and there are also quite a few who have passed the higher state exam. Of course, you may think that ssics and industry dont have much to do with each other. But do you think a guy who doesnt even properly study Confucian ssics because he finds them boring, will do well in industrial studies? Hiii At Hyangs stern words, Yu began to well up with tears. You are a prince. If you get involved in this work, youll have to start with a responsible position. Can you receive proper treatment if youre poor not only in ssics but also in industrial studies? Will you then try to get your way by crying, like youre doing now? No, no I wont! Confucian ssics are both a basic subject that you need to learn and a discipline that harmonizes human rtions. If you want to participate in this grand project, start by studying properly! Huhu! At Hyangs stern words, Yu wiped his tears with his sleeve and asked, Then, if I study hard, can I participate in this? If you have the skills! I will definitely make you satisfied, Your Highness! Looking at Yus determined eyes and his fervent deration, Hyang mumbled in surprise. What, whats with this scary passion! After that, Yus behavior changedpletely. He studied Confucian ssics with a serious attitude, not to mention his martial arts training, and whenever he had time, he spent it in the room with the train model, reaffirming his determination. Unbeknownst to him, he began to fall into the path of a train fanatic. Haaa~. Haaa~. Trains are the best~. Of course, he sometimes made such remarks, causing the inner officials to be tense. With Yus transformation, this time, it was Yong that made trouble.
  1. Hyangchal is a traditional Korean writing system that uses Chinese characters to represent the Koreannguage. This writing system is unique because it transcribes the sounds of Korean using Chinese characters, rather than using them for their semantic meaning.[?]
  2. Idu is an archaic writing system that represents the Koreannguage using hanja.[?]
Lol. Another fanatic has been born >.< Chapter 74 Chapter 74 When Yong turned three years old, he was registered as the adopted son of the Grand Prince Seongnyeong1, whoter passed away at tender age of fourteen. From then on, as he grew older, he lived between the pce and Grand Prince Seongnyeongs house. One day, while on his way to the pce, he saw a performance by the Namdasang troupe2, which became a turning point in his life. In the midst of the noiseing from outside, Yong, who was riding in a pnquin, showed curiosity. Huh. Whats all this noise? In response to Yongs question, the chambein who was apanying him assessed the situation and answered, It seems that the Namdasang troupe is putting on a show. Namdasang? Lets take a look. At Yongs words, the chambein attempted to dissuade him with a troubled expression. Its too crude for your viewing, so it would be better if you didnt. But I want to see! When Yong was stubborn, the nursemaid who was also riding in the pnquin with Yong, came forward to help the chambein. My lord, in a ce with so many vulgar things I said I want to see! As Yongs voice grew louder, the nursemaid sighed and spoke to the chambein. Lets stop and watch for a moment. Wow! Wow! Theyre so good! Yong, who had watched the Namdasangs performance, pped continuously in delight. The acrobatics of the performer, walking a tightrope hung high up, were fascinating, and the tricks of the clown spinning dishes and bowls on a thin stick while exchanging jests were also intriguing. Thus, after watching three rounds of the Namdasangs performance C originally there should have been six rounds, but Yong joined in the middle so he only saw three C Yong couldnt forget the experience. It seemed like he saw an unattainable freedom in the scene of a child of his own age flying through the sky, performing acrobatics, and dancing. And above all, it was exciting. In the end, Yong made up his mind firmly. Im going to be a Namdasang! * * * When Sejong heard that Yong, his third son, had something to say, he called for Yong. Taking a brief break from his official duties, Sejong sipped his tea and threw a question at Yong. So, what do you want to say to your father? Father, I want to be a Namdasang! What! You, this child! At Yongs absurd remark, Sejong spit out his tea in anger. Following this, not only Sejong, but also Queen Soheon and Princess Jeonghye scolded him, but Yongs stubbornness did not waver. No! No! Im going to be a Namdasang! Receiving the chambeins report, Sejong put his hand on his forehead and let out a long sigh. I thought things were getting better with Yu, but now Yong these kids * * * As the worries of the entire family, including Sejong, deepened, eventually Hyang stepped forward. Having called Yong and seated him, Hyang asked him quietly. Yong, did you say you want to be a Namdasang? Yes! Do you like to dance and sing like a Namdasang, or do you like to watch their performances? Um Unable to respond immediately to Hyangs question, Yong tilted his head in thought. Seeing Yong struggling to discern what he truly liked, Hyang asked another question. If you be a Namdasang, you wont be able to eat your favorite medicine or candy properly, would you still want to be a Namdasang? I dont want that You dont want that, but you like to watch the Namdasangs performances, right? Yes! Then its simple. You can grow up to be a great person and invite the Namdasang to perform for you, right? If your name bes prominent, you could even invite all the Namdasang troupes in the country to perform, couldnt you? Ah Upon hearing Hyangs words, Yongs mouth opened wide as he imagined the scenario in his head. Then Hyang poured cold water on his joyful imagination. But heres the thing. From what I can see, you dont seem like you can grow up to be a great person. Why not! Look at you now. Youre causing your father, mother, and sister to worry by throwing a tantrum about bing a Namdasang, how can you be a great person? I will be a great person! At Yongs outcry, Hyang shook his head. Thats difficult. No, its impossible. You dont listen, you dont study. It definitely wont work. I can if I try! I can! Really? Yes! You promise! I promise! At Yongs firm response, Hyang smiled. Good, then Ill also make a promise. If you learn properly from the prince tutor, Ill personally arrange for you to see a Namdasang performance! And if you grow up to be a great person, Ill invite all the Namdasang troupes from across the country to perform for you! You promise! Its a promise! At Hyangs words, Yong walked a simr path to Yoo. When Sejong received a report that said Hyang had set Yong straight, he was overjoyed. Hahaha! As expected of the crown prince! As expected of the eldest son! As Sejong rejoiced, the court officials also joined in. Truly, they are the good fortune of our Joseon! Indeed! Meanwhile, Hyang, thinking of his two brothers in his room, shook his head vehemently. One is a fanatic and the other is an otaku How could they have fallen into hobbies that are known to be difficult to recover from, even with all the treatments At least I seeded in making them study, I should thank my teachers for that. The teachers Hyang mentioned were those who taught him when he was a high school student in the 21st century. The teachers who knew about Hyangs notorious fanaticism habits advised him as follows: If you dont want to be criticized as an otaku, be sessful! Be a talented or sessful fanatic, then you wont be called a damned otaku, but a enthusiast with a maniac hobby! Even if you like drinking, if you empty a soju ss while dragging your slippers and slurring, youre seen as an alcoholic, but if you sip premium whiskey at a hotel bar in an upscale suit, youre evaluated as enjoying a drink! Isnt it disgusting? Thats how the world is. Hyang, ruminating on his past memories, scratched his head. Anyway, whether its me or those guys If such otakus keeping out, I wonder if there would be a Jeonju Yi n Otaku faction or something? Even though a small storm was brewing over the issue of the princes education, many court officials didnt care much. We should spend the time caring about work rather than that, which is more beneficial! They were the officials for whom the princes future paths were a story of another world, when they saw the books and scrolls piling up no matter how hard they worked. And the biggest reason they didnt care was because Hyang, who had an extremely strong presence, was holding out as the sole heir. Why would we need to worry when the Crown Prince is holding out well? * * * However, there were those who were having headaches over questions that did not get resolved amidst all this. Hassan, having joined as a 9th-rank official via the industrial-academic training course, was now an 8th-rank industrial-academic instructor. In addition, he also held the position of a research staff member at the research institute. Senior Hassan, why do you look so troubledtely? Is there a problem at home? A research institute colleague who found Hassan with an unhappy expression asked him. Since Hassans younger brother was also working as an industrial-academic instructor and a research staff member, the research institute officials were distinguishing between them by calling them Senior Hassan and Junior Hassan. The catch was that his younger brother was actually physicallyrger. When asked by his colleague, Hassan muttered with a downcast head. No, its nothing. You look like you have a big crisis at home? Well, theres a problem that I cant quite resolve At Hassans reply, his colleague sympathetically responded. If theres a problem you cant solve, you should ask that oddball! Why are you torturing yourself alone? Go ask right away! Yes, yes To Hassans lukewarm reply, his colleague stepped in. Hey! Is there a problem between you and your wife? Lets go together! No, its not that Come on! Follow me! The meddling colleague ended up dragging Hassan to find Soonji. What can I do for you? When Soonji asked, Hassan hesitated. Well, its just that Speak up quickly. Isnt time passing? Its precious time. Pressured by Soonji, Hassan steeled himself and opened his mouth. I have a problem that I just cant solve. At Hassans words, Soonjis eyes started to sparkle. A problem you cant solve? Oh? A mystery that even the great Hassan cant solve This is intriguing. So, whats the problem? Who on earth are these Western Barbarians that His Highness the Crown Prince speaks of? Huh? Huh? Both Soonji and his colleague blinked their eyes at Hassans question, which was far from what they expected. I dont understand why all of a sudden Western Barbarians? At Soonjis question about the reason, Hassan added more, As much as it sounds like self-praise, in the current court, the ones who know most about the Western Barbarians would be my brother, myself, and the rest of the rest of the schrs who entered along with us. Thats probably true. Both Soonji and his colleague nodded at Hassans words. After pausing for a moment to organize his thoughts, Hassan continued, Even though its been 30 years since our family settled in Joseon, we still had some contact with the Catholic nations known as the Western Barbarians in Joseon. Through that, we heard stories about the Western Barbarians. But * * * Hassans exnation continued for a long time. Listening to his story with a serious face, Soonji reached a conclusion. This doesnt seem like a problem that can end with my expertise. You should move with me. Yes. Soonji, who stood up from his seat, warned the colleague who hade with him. It would be best if you could keep this matter quiet. Its for your own safety. At Soonjis warning, the colleague swallowed with a pale face and responded. Yes, sure! No, you should also move with us. I will definitely keep it a secret! Theres a saying, isnt there? A body already abandoned. Stop hesitating and follow me. At Soonjis firmmand, the colleague responded with a gloomy face. Yes Hassan, who was watching the spectacle from the side, patted his colleagues shoulder. Im sorry. Its fine, I just dug my own grave. This meddlesomeness of mine Come quickly! Yes! * * * Hmm so youre saying the things that the Crown Prince imed to be from the West, are things that even the Westerners couldnt make? At Jeong-chos question, Hassan nodded his head. Do you have any concrete evidence? At Jeong-chos question, Hassan immediately responded, The most definitive proof is those ships. The ships? Yes, do you remember when I went to Ming under His Highnesssmand to find ss artisans? At Hassans question, Jeong-cho nodded his head. I remember well. You couldnt find artisan at the desired level, so your brother returned to his hometown, didnt he? Yes. The condition proposed by His Highness was an artisan capable of producing t ss and a device called a lens. And the standard for the t ss was 2 cheok (about 70cm) in both length and width. When Hassan told his rtive about this, thetter was shocked. Is this Crown Prince an Italian? What are you talking about? It was only recently in Italy that they started mass-producing suchrge t ss! We only heard the news recently! So, the Crown Prince knew about a technology that was recently developed in a country he never visited. At Hassans words, Jeong-cho immediately put forward a counterargument. Maybe the Crown Prince just set high standards? Like, It has to be at least this good.'' Its possible, but the standards were too detailed, so detailed that one could not set them without a certain degree of specific knowledge. And. Pausing for a moment, Hassan pointed to the hallway. The most iprehensible thing is those ships. Especially thest line-of-battle ship is the biggest problem. The line-of-battle ship? Why? From what Ive heard, there is not a single country in the West that has built a ship like that. Eh? Shocked by the issue of t ss, his rtive responded to Hassans question about what he was most curious about. By the way, arent there ships built by those Catholic infidels that move only with sails and dont use oars? Yes, there are. I went to my hometown with an imperial envoy from Ming named Jeonghwa. On the way back, we went as far as the Mediterranean to earn more money, and the Spaniards had built arge ship. They called it a carrack? https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipediamons/thumb/5/5d/Carrack_Madre_de_Deus.jpg/400px-Carrack_Madre_de_Deus.jpg [T/N: A carrack is a type of ship that was widely used for ocean travel in the 14th to the early 17th century. It was arge, durable vessel with high rounded sterns and a significant amount of cargo space, making it suitable for long voyages across the sea. Carracks typically had three (or sometimes four) masts and abination of square andteen sails. These ships were notably used by European explorers during the Age of Exploration. The Santa Maria, the ship sailed by Christopher Columbus on his voyage to the New World, is one of the most famous examples of a carrack.] What did it look like? Well. At Hassans question, his elder cousin remembered and drew a picture on paper. Hassan asked again after seeing the picture. So, this is thetest model used by the infidels? Thats right! The ship in the picture drawn by my rtive at that time was the ship that the Crown Prince had called 1st generation. Do you have that picture? At Jeong-chos question, Hassan searched his sleeve, took out a piece of paper, and handed it over. Jeong-chos face stiffened as he looked at the drawing on the paper. The ship drawn on the paper was a bit sloppy, but it resembled what Hassan called the 1st generation line-of-battle ship. Seeing Jeong-chos expression, Hassan continued his words, Even stranger is the new armor that started being supplied to the royal guards. Although it is covered with cloth on the outside, it is undoubtedly the Westerners te armor, no matter how you look at it. Well, the swordsmanship that the royal guards are learning is Western swordsmanship. Yes, I know. Among the books His Highness procured, there was a book on Western swordsmanship, and those royal guards swordsmen who had not learned any other swordsmanship were made to learn it. However, it is impossible to create such a perfect armor with just a few drawings. Even the Westerners didnt have the technology to stamp it out in a mold at once. Its literally a new technology. Thats why Im telling you that I dont know. Just where is this West that the Crown Prince speaks of? Your words are. Im sure the ce His Highness calls the West is mistaken. Then the question arises, Why did he say it was the West? Why is he so wary of the West?'' Hmm Its a matter that requires thought. Nodding his head, Jeong-cho gave a warning to Hassan, Yi Soonji, and the servant who was dragged along. We will have to keep this matter a secret for now. It could be a matter that affects the rise and fall of Joseon. Yes. * * * A few dayster, on the official holiday of the research institute, a servant came to Hassans house. He asks you toe to Jeong-chos house by Sulsimal (9 PM). I understand. After delivering the message, the servant bowed and quietly disappeared. At 9 PM, Hassan headed towards Jeong-chos house. A servant waiting at the main gate quietly guided Hassan into the living room when he saw him. My lord, the guest youve been waiting for has arrived. Bring him in. Yes, pleasee in. I understand. Upon stepping into the living room, Hassan turned his head and looked towards the inner room. Seeing Sejong seated at the farthest seat in the inner room, Hassan quickly bowed. Y-Your Majesty. Shh! Come in quietly. Yes. Upon Sejongsmand, Hassan entered the room and took thest seat. Now that everyones here, lets get down to business. Yes, Your Majesty. The start of this matter is with that Hassan Jeong-cho exined the circumstances of the case in detail. After listening to the exnation, Sejong nodded. Recently, Ive also been having simr doubts. Ive read the books that the Crown Prince has collected, but I couldnt find any that exin what the Crown Prince said. So, where did the Crown Princes knowledgee from? At Sejongs question, Jeong-cho took over the conversation. I also had simr doubts. Thinking about the issue of heliocentric theory most recently, it seemed as though it was self-evident, making it hard to exin. Is that possible? At Sejongs question, Yi Soonji stepped forward to answer, In my case, when I see certain forms, the answer immediatelyes to mind, but I sometimes struggle to exin the solution. It could be something simr. As Yi Soonji defended Hassan, Choi Hae-san added more, When we look back at the time when we designed and tested the musket, even though we already knew the oue, I strongly felt that he was leading us to understand it. But why? At Sejongs question, no one immediately responded. After a moment, Jeong Inji spoke up. I think its because of his age. Because of the crown princes age As Sejong nodded, Jeong Inji continued, When we look at his actions so far, he has always done something to gain approval first, and then used that achievement to do bigger things. If it werent for this process, how likely would it be that the ministers and officers of the court would listen to him? So, he anticipated this and set up a situation, using the Western barbarians as an excuse? Its the most likely possibility. Hmm. While stroking his beard and contemting the possibilities, Sejong turned to Hassan. You say youre Hassan? Yes, Your Majesty! Are these writers, the Western barbarians, really ignorant as the prince said? They indeed are! Hassan strongly affirmed the ignorance of the Western barbarians. Your Majesty, these writers, the Westerners, take great pride in being descendants of the great Roman Empire! They do not hesitate to kill those who believe in other gods under the pretense of their gods will! They also have a strong desire for technology as much as they do for wealth! Then, if we meet them without preparation, would it end up as the prince said? Yes, it would! Then. Following Hassans words, Sejong began to organize his thoughts. Imand fellow officials. We will heed Your Majestysmand! Sejong issued an order in a careful tone. I believe that most of what the Crown Prince has made or announced so far hase from the princes own mind. However, to the outside world, make it known that these are the things of the Western barbarians, as the prince had said. This is a strategy with two advantages: making other countries believe this technology is the Western barbarians to protect the prince, and spending energy and time finding them, thus buying us some time. Do you understand what I mean? We will keep this in mind! And Hassan. You know you have to keep this secret, dont you? In response to Sejongs question, Hassan bowed his head and answered. I, Hassan Ahmed Mohammed Al-Otaibi, swear that my ce to settle down and die is Joseon! I will keep the secret on my familys honor! Can you swear in the name of the god you believe in? I swear to you in the name of Ah, the one true God! I will not reveal the secret to my family! Do not forget that there will be a price to pay. And so, the secret that would be the biggest topic of debate among historians in the future and cause headaches was born in Jeong-chos house. * * * Huh! That kid! Leaving Jeong-chos house and returning to the pce, Sejong suddenly let out a chuckle. Whats the matter, Your Majesty? Its nothing important. Sejong waved his hand lightly and grumbled to himself. That kid! He probably already has some idea about the alphabet! But hes still ying coy? I have a lot of affairs to deal with, should I just pass it all to him? Thinking about his cunning son who had been dropping hints about the alphabet and making him act, Sejong shook his head. No! I cant be a worse father than my son! Huh? Its nothing. Im just saying that the ministers will be busy starting from tomorrow. Yes~. My prince! I, your father, will do my best to pave the way for you so you can rise to the throne and freely express your will! That night, all the ministers were under pressure.
  1. Sejongs younger brother of same mother[?]
  2. During the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), there were nomadic troupes of entertainers called namsadang, who traveled across the nation and engaged in a wide array of performances, including singing, dancing, ying musical instruments, acrobatic feats, mask dances and puppet ys. They were very popr amongmoners who seldom had an opportunity for entertainment or an outlet to relieve the weariness of their hardworking lives. Cr: Korean Cultural Heritage Admission.[?]
Chapter 75 Chapter 75 Argh Lee Euntak, a civil servant in the Ministry of Taxation, groaned in front of a book. This way wont work, and that way Lee Euntak, who was calcting by moving mountains of documents spread out on one side of the desk, scattered all the documents and shouted out. I cant find the answer! Theres no room to cut the budget! Aargh! Look at him! When Euntak lost his reason and went wild, his colleagues nearby grabbed him. Catch him! Catch him! Endure it! Hold on! As themotion subsided, Lee Euntak was dragged to Kim Jeom, the Minister of the Taxation. You seem to have some energy left, flipping over desks like that. Im sorry, my lord. What exactly is the problem? Were out of budget, my lord. At Euntaks reply, Kim Jeoms face crumpled helplessly. Damn it * * * The biggest problem in the reform that Sejong was gradually implementing was the budget. Since its founding, Joseon had greatly reduced the budget for use in the royal court. This was because they were well aware that the people had barely survived due to excessive taxes at the end of the Goryeo Dynasty. They minimized various misceneous taxes, and naturally, the expenditure decreased due to the reduced tax revenue for running the government. As a result, Sejong set the period for the reform to be 10 years. The goal of the reform was to gradually change the revenue part, reform the administration of the central and local governments, and ultimately strengthen Joseons capacity to expand externally. Sejong also focused on the wholesale business because he was well aware of the importance of the budget needed in this process. The wholesale of sugar, proposed by the Crown Prince at the right time, was a great boon that could greatly expand the budget. However, the budget flexibility decreased as a significant amount of wealth was consumed as investment funds for facilities when wholesale stores were installed up to the military unit level. In addition, the budget flexibility significantly diminished when it was decided to purchase the mainponents for the armored infantry rifles and cavalry rifles from private suppliers. In fact, Sejong was well aware of this issue. Hence, starting from the issue of purchasing the mainponents of the infantry rifles, he always operated with a clear understanding of the budgetary limits, even for the construction of a national steel mill. However, Sejong was not pleased with slow handling of issues directly rted to national defense due to budget constraints. To solve this, Sejong resorted to a bold move. Sejongs method involved taking control of the finances of the Naesu Byeoljwa, an institution created to manage the inherited wealth from the Goryeo royal family and the private property of the Lee Seong-gye family in the Hamgyong Province. It also managednd and wealth distributed to the royal family, and it was precisely this aspect that Sejong took advantage of. In a gathering of royal rtives, Sejong made the following request: For the prosperity of our Joseon, the sacrifices of our esteemed elders and siblings are necessary. Since there was no one who could refuse a request made by the king, all the royals agreed to Sejongs request. With the agreement of all the royal family members, Sejong distributed pledges to each of them. The content of the pledges, which Sejong himself wrote and sealed with his own personal stamp, including the jade seal and the seal of the treasurer, was as follows: C For the next 5 years, 70% of the previously received stipend will be paid. After the subsequent 5 years, the same amount as the initial stipend will be paid, and thereafter, an additional 20% will be added to the payment. The terms were fairly reasonable, so the royals suppressed their dissatisfaction. And this pledge came to be recognized as the first national bond of Joseon. In this way, flexible funds were injected from the Naesu Byeoljwa, but overall, the financial situation was still tight. One major reason for this was the research institute in Hyang and the steel mill being built in Pyeongan Province. Father, a little more budget Get out, you child! Such conversations popped up a couple of times a month, indicating how much the research institute in Hyang consumed the budget C as if they were drinking cold water. However, Hyang had a point. No! Im not recklessly spending! The budget is just too limited, what can I do? As confirmed in the previous audit, Hyang never wasted the budget. The real issue was that the absolute value of the central Joseon governments budget was simply too small. And the problem with the steel mill located in Pyeongan Province was its location. Furthermore, the steel mill located in Pyeongan Province had a problematic location. Under the direction of Kim Deok-su, the forefather of the prominent Kim family of Anju, the steel mill was situated about 200 ri (approximately 80km) from the national border. Due to its location, a new unit had to be formed and stationed for defense, which was a significant reason for the budget constraints. * * * Even though the budget had dried up, it wasnt as if the treasury waspletely empty. There was money prepared to operate the court, but the contingency funds that had been set aside for emergencies had been entirely used up. Upon assessing the situation, Kim Jeom lost his appetite. Sigh, if we could just get past Chuseok, everything would be resolved. At Kim Jeoms words, his subordinates frowned. The question is whether we can make it safely until then. If theres a flood or an epidemic, its game over. Kim Jeom raised his voice in irritation at his subordinates remarks. The problem is that you all see things so pessimistically! Cant you be a bit more optimistic? My apologies. If youre sorry, then dont cause issues to apologize for in the first ce! Go and do your work! Dont you see those piled-up scrolls over there? Yes, sir! At Kim Jeoms sternmand, the subordinates hurriedly returned to their stations. Left alone in his ce, Kim Jeom let out a long sigh. Sigh~. Its true that theck of budgetary leeway is a problem but it feels like theres no solution. Faced with a daunting problem that seemed to have no solution, Kim Jeom sighed once more and muttered to himself. Sigh~. Maybe I should just submit a request to be sent off to a provincial post? * * * Get out, you brat! After being kicked out for requesting an additional budget, Hyang headed towards Eastern Pce whileining. Even nowadays, he doesnt call me the Crown Prince anymore Damn it, what about the budget. As hemented over a situation that seemed inscrutable even to him, Hyang caught sight of monks following a court official. Whats with these monks doing here? To Hyangs question, the inner pce official following behind him immediately answered, It seems they are going to Junggung Pce1 to deliver a sermon. How audacious they are to Hyang, recalling the princes who were sensitive even at the mention of the character Buddha of Buddhism, stopped in his tracks. Your Highness? Ive got it! Lets attack Japan, no, lets sell to Japan! Huh? The court officials head tilted in confusion, but Hyang retraced his steps and hastily walked towards Geunjeongjeon Pce. Whats this sudden matter? Ill say it again; theres no budget. Sejong was the first to draw a line at Hyangs second approach. However, Hyang was undeterred. Your Majesty! How about selling books? Selling books? Selling Buddhist scriptures to the foreign nation! What? At Hyangs words, Sejongs eyes widened in surprise. Not just him, even the court ministers who hadnt left yet looked on with astonishment. * * * At this time, the rtionship between Joseon and Japan was not that bad. In the early days of the founding of Joseon, the first solution used to prevent damage from the Japanese was diplomacy. At that time, the Joseon court promised to cut off rtions with Japan on the surface, while secretly strengthening its rtions with Japan. Not only the shogunate, but also diplomatic rtions were established with local feudal lords such as the Kokujin-jshu, uchi n2, Otomo n3, and the lord of Tsushima Ind. When these policies began to take effect, an unexpected obstacle arose. The deaths of uchi Yoshihiro and S ns Kitashige. And when Wada Saimon seized the real power of Kyushu and Tsushima Ind and promoted the Japanese pirates to plunder Joseon, the efforts of Joseon lost their efficacy. However, the ties of friendship between the Korean and Japanese feudal lords still remained. Just before the Tsushima expedition in the first year of King Sejongs reign, Korea informed the Japanese feudal lords about the expedition. When Korea dered its intention to carry out the Tsushima expedition, Governer of Kyushu responded as follows: The pirates are enemies of Japan, so we ask Joseon to severely punish them with military power. (Note 1) * * * Isnt it not just once or twice that Japan has demanded a Buddhist scripture from us? At Hyangs question, both Sejong and the court officials nodded. Thats right. Just recently, as well. In April of this year, the Japanese king C to be precise, the shogun of the Muromachi shogunate, which Korea acknowledged as the ruler of Japan C had requested a copy of the Tripitaka. At that time, King Sejong had refused this request. There is only one copy of the Tripitaka, and it has been handed down from our ancestors, so we cannot simply give it away. The Japanese kings demand was very persistent, sometimes even dering war, and there were cases where the envoy was detained. However, they couldnt give the Tripitaka, and they couldnt cut ties because the copper import line would be blocked, so King Sejong merely treated the envoy well and sent him off. Eventually, discussions about creating Buddhist scriptures and woodblocks arose in the Ministry of Rites due to Japans requests. However, producing Buddhist woodblocks in Joseon, where Reverence for Confucianism, suppression of Buddhism, was the national policy, it was simply an unthinkable act. So, we are going to print exactly 10 copies of the Tripitaka. Then, one copy goes to the Japanese king, another one to Governer of Kyushu, and another one to Ouchi n as a gift. The Japanese king may not know, but Governer of Kyushu and Ouchi n have been good to our Joseon. At Hyangs words, King Sejong nodded. I see. Then what about the remaining 7 copies? We have to start apetition among other Japanese feudal lords. We will sell it to the one who offers the highest price. Hmm! Aha! At Hyangs words, King Sejong and his ministers eximed in admiration. Japan,gging significantly in terms of cultural development, was eager to acquire cultural elements from Joseon or Ming. The Buddhist scriptures were particrly coveted due to their rarity, prompting the Japanese king to request these scriptures and their corresponding woodblocks. Shouldnt we print about 50 copies instead of 10? Tsk! Sejong clicked his tongue at Maeng Sa-seongs question. Have you forgotten the fact that scarcity increases value? Why do you think the Crown Prince suggested 10 copies? I apologize! Dont apologize when theres no need to! After scolding Maeng Sa-seong, Sejong looked at Hyang with gentle eyes. So, you mean to sell those 10 copies? Yes. With the name Tripitaka alone and its limited quantity of just 10 copies, their value in Japan will skyrocket exponentially. I see. And, instruct the monks to make Buddhist scripture woodblocks and print or transcribe them into books. Those scriptures are to be sold in Japan. This way, we can see two benefits within Joseon and three benefits from them. Two benefits, three benefits? The bodies of Sejong and the ministers gradually leaned toward Hyangs words. Hyang, who cleared his throat for a moment, exined what the benefits were. The two benefits that can be obtained within Joseon, one of them is that we can reim thends still held by the temples. Ah! The consistent policy pursued by the founding of Joseon was a policy of promoting Confucianism and suppressing Buddhism. Taejong consolidated numerous Buddhist sects into seven orders, confiscated 80,000 ves from the temples and turned them into public ves, and took away 60,000 gyeol ofnd. Following this, Sejong merged the seven orders into the Seon and Gyo sects, leaving only 36 main temples across the country. He also confiscated 3,000 gyeol of goodnd out of 11,000 gyeol, and nearly took away the remaining ves. By giving a certain percentage of the proceeds from selling Buddhist scriptures to the monks, you can solve their livelihood problems. Even withoutnd, they can live. This would stabilize the peoples sentiment, and so, it serves as another benefit. I see. At Hyangs exnation, Sejong nodded. He had been consistently pursuing the policy of promoting Confucianism and suppressing Buddhism, but the presence of Buddhism was not fading, not only in the pce but also among the people. Gently easing it might also be helpful. Then, what are the three benefits we can gain from the foreign countries? The first thing thates to mind is that the Governer of Kyushu and the Ouchi n would be frienlier towards us. Thats right. Powerful n families, like Kyushu government or Ouchi n, bing closer to our Joseon is a big gain. Another benefit is that by selling Buddhist scriptures and importing rice or silver from their country, we can be relieved of our budget pressure. Thest benefit is that we can spread Buddhist scriptures, clearly marked as made in our Joseon, to them, making their people admire our Joseon. At Hyangs exnation, Sejong smiled and received the words. I like thest benefit the most, although the other benefits are also good. What do you ministers think? Its a really good idea! Then we should put it into action. Send people to the major temples of the Seon and Gyo sects right now. We ept yourmand! * * * Three monthster, the Ouchi n of the 9th Province, was busy receiving envoys from Joseon. Youvee a long way. You must be tired. Moriharu4, who seeded his deceased brother as the lord of Ouchi, graciously weed the envoy from Joseon. Thank you for your warm wee. Fortunately, there were no typhoons, so we managed to cross over safely.. The envoy from the Ministry of Rites politely returned the greeting to Moriharus gracious wee. While serving tea to envoys, Moriharu moved on to the main topic. So, what brings you from Joseon to this distant ce? Have the thieves caused trouble again? All is quiet for now. I came here on behalf of His Majesty the King. Here is a personal letter from His Majesty. The envoy untied the scroll he took out from his belongings. In front of Moriharu, who straightened up neatly, the envoy read out Sejongs personal letter. Provincial lord of Japan, heed my words After the reading of Sejongs personal letter was over, Moriharu respectfully bowed. Im truly grateful for your interest. Im all more thankful as the roots of my family are from Baekje. Here, this is a gift from His Majesty for you. At the envoys gesture, an official from the Ministry of Rites who had been standing behind came forward, carrying arge wooden box covered in silk. What is this? Do you know about the Haeinsa Temples Tripitaka Scripture? Yes, I am familiar. This is a Buddhist scripture copied from that Tripitaka. Oh! Moriharu, with trembling hands, untied the knot of the silk wrap. When the knot was untied, a shiny wooden boxcquered with ocher revealed itself. On the lid of the box, there was a Buddha statue engraved in relief and gilded. With trembling hands touching the Buddha statue, Moriharu dered to the envoy. Giving us such a precious gift Our Ouchi n will fully cooperate with Joseon in the future! A simr situation was experienced by an envoy who visited Governer of Kyushu. Only Ashikaga Yoshimochi, who was called the shogun of the Muromachi government and the king of Japan, showed a slightly disappointing reaction. After that, fiercepetition took ce over the remaining seven volumes of the Tripitaka. At the end of thepetition, the seven volumes were sold for a hefty price of 500 kwan of silver (about 1.87 tons) per volume. Not only the Tripitaka prints. The Buddhist scriptures printed or copied from other temples were also sold at a minimum price of 200 nyang of silver per volume. Its a precious scripture, but isnt it too expensive? Do you think this is an ordinary scripture? Dont you know there are only 36 temples recognized in our Joseon? Its the scriptures written by the high monks of those ces, one letter at a time with a brush, and carved out of woodblocks! Just by looking at it, your devout heart would thump! Its not ordinary! It was a premium caused by the rarity of only 36 ces. C (Note 1) Military strategy of the Joseon era. Military History Comption Research Institute, Ministry of National Defense.
  1. Queens Pce[?]
  2. One of the most powerful important families during the reign of the Ashikaga shogunate[?]
  3. Helped in the establishment of Ashikaga shogunate[?]
  4. 11th Heaf of Ouchi n[?]
Chapter 76 Chapter 76 In March of the 7th year of King Sejongs reign (1425, in the year of the Rooster), Kim Ta of the Office of Inspector General submitted a petition amid the busy preparations for the uing imperial examinations. The six-year term for local governors is unjust! It must be returned to three years! (Note 1) This petition sparked a heated debate C or more precisely, pleadings from officials C between King Sejong and the ministers. * * * At the founding of Joseon, the term for local governors was three years C or more urately, 30 months. As such, performance evaluations took ce every year, determining promotions, demotions, and dismissals. However, changes came about to these terms with the ascension of King Sejong. This wasnt a unteral decision by Sejong. The original proponent was Ha Ryun. Local governors are outsidersing to lead the vige, thus it takes time to understand the unique circumstances of the vige. The Ming Dynasty faced a simr issue and solved it by setting the governors term to six years. Having observed this over time, its proven very effective, and I believe it should be implemented here. With Ha Ryuns proposal and the strong support of the former Minister of Personnel, Minister of Taxation, and previous Chief State Councilor Ryu Jeong-hyun, Sejong extended the term for local governors to six years. To be precise, the term wasnt extended from three to six years, but rather from 30 to 60 months. Because evaluations of the local governors performance urred every 10 months, including the evaluation period made the term three years, which was then extended to six years. With the increase in their term, the local governors, the affected parties, expressed considerable dissatisfaction. Their discontent stemmed from issues of promotion. The lowest-ranking local governor, the county magistrate, was a sixth-rank post, and for a slightlyrger area, the prefecture magistrate held a sixth-rank position. However, rising to a higher rank in Joseons bureaucratic system required a considerable amount of time. Taking the civil service examination as an example, the sessful candidate was given a sixth-rank position and those who passed at a lower level received a ninth-rank post. To rise from the ninth to the sixth rank took several years at best, and more than a decade at worst. So, working in the provinces for six years was equivalent to stagnation in their careers. This damned thing! Even if I hold a ninth-rank position, shouldnt I have a shot in Hanyang! They say its better to be a seventh-rank official in Hanyang than a sixth-rank in the countryside! Despite the grumbling of local officials, they faithfully carried out their duties. A misstep in the performance evaluation held every 10 months could cost them their meager position. As a result, local administration improved significantly after the implementation of the six-year system, and the livelihoods of the people stabilized. Of course, there were some local officials whose work proceeded regardless of these issues. They were the inspectors, who held the highest rank among local officials, a second-rank post, and their term was one year. Under such circumstances, local officials lobbied influential ministers for a reduction in their terms. Whether it was due to these gifts, ministers continued to argue that six years was too long and that it should be reduced to three. If local governers serve for six years, it poses problems for taking care of their parents in their hometown. This is unfilial, against the teachings of the sages, so I think it should be reduced to three years. asionally there are local governers who narrowly avoid dismissal. Themoners in the provinces where these governers serve have expressed great difficulty in enduring six years. Being away from home for six years poses significant issues for disciplining children and arranging marriages. After all, it is said that the family is the basis for governing the nation. Six years is too long, please reduce it to three. Each time his ministers spoke in this way, King Sejong firmly expressed his refusal. Caring for parents is good, but governing the people is also an important task. Rather, bring your parents to your posting. The same goes for the discipline and marriage of children. What can be aplished in three years? Even the smallest vige has hundreds of residents, just understanding their conditions would take at least a year. Also, frequent turnover of local officials leads to discrepancies in inventory audits. This will not be allowed! * * * In such a situation, Kim Ta submitted another petition. Upon reading the petition, King Sejong looked at the ministers. I seem to recall repeatedly saying that the term for local governors would be six years? In response to Sejongs question, Chief State Councilor Lee Jik stepped forward to speak. The situation has changed, Your Majesty. Changed how? Exin. At Sejongsmand, Lee Jik exined the reasons. Last year, we started implementing thend and poption survey, but the majority of local governers still do not fully understand the process. As time goes on, the survey will continue to grow in scale. If the local governers, who are the most grassroots level of the court and closest to the people, cannot do their jobs properly, it will be a significant obstacle. Therefore, if we return the term for local governers to three years and continuously rotate the officials between the center and the localities, we can proceed more smoothly with thend and poption survey. But if the governor is reced so often, it results in the problem of discrepancies in asset inspections, including those from trading posts. How will this be resolved? At King Sejongs question, Lee Jik pointed it out immediately without hesitation. Trading posts of the Bureau of Salt Tax have already been established down to the military unit level. Although their main business is the trading of salt and sugar, another part is to inspect and manage thends and people of the army, and even surrounding counties, so there is no significant problem. Even if problems arise on the governors side, they can be blocked by the Bureau. Isnt personnel from the Bureau also reced every year? But those dispatched by the Bureau are those who have professionally learned economics, and there is no to little discrepancy as they take care of their tasks outside of standing and selling salt and candy. Hmm. Listening to Lee Jiks exnation, King Sejong stroked his beard, lost in thought. Seeing King Sejongs not-so-negative reaction, Lee Jik continued to persuade him. Please think about what happenedst year at the Bureau. How much trouble did we get into because we failed to properly understand the family registry andnd? Reminded of the famous incident known as the Bureaus self-congrattory event, King Sejong nodded. Were almost there! Having confirmed King Sejongs reaction, Lee Jik began to reinforce his point. When the reform reaches its final phase, tax and military affairs will be handed over to the managers dispatched directly by the Bureaus of Salt Tax and Military. In this way, local governors do not need to be tied up for 6 years. Hmm. Listening to Lee Jiks exnation, King Sejong stroked his beard, lost in thought. The ministers gathered in the assembly swallowed nervously, watching King Sejong deep in thought. After contemting for a while, King Sejong nodded and opened his mouth. It seems that the Minister has a point. Lets consider it. At King Sejongs decision, Lee Jik immediately bowed in deep respect and replied, Your Majestys benevolence is boundless! Long live the King! At Lee Jiks shout, the other ministers also bowed deeply and shouted. Your Majestys benevolence is boundless! Long live the King! Long live, long live! Every detail of this spectacle was dutifully recorded by the scribe. Thus, the King decided to consider it, and all the ministers were moved by the grace and shouted Long live the King. The scribe then chuckled, internally, The fellow ministers must have been tired. That day, the faces of the ministers leaving the assembly were unusually flushed. After passing through Geunjeongmun Gate, the Chief State Councillor looked back at the officials. We cant just let a day like today pass! Ill pay for the drinks, lets go! You have worked hard, your Excellency! Therefore, it should be our treat! We will take care of it! * * * Meanwhile, King Sejong, who was left alone in the assembly, chuckled and burst intoughter. Heh! Your Majesty, what is it? At the question from the calm and modest royal secretary, King Sejong waved his hand. Its nothing. Absolutely nothing. Even though he concluded this way, King Sejong knew the ministers feelings. We cant be the only ones to die! If were going to die, lets all die together! While chuckling and sorting out his thoughts, King Sejong muttered to himself quietly, Anyway, the more people who are savvy, the better, so it should be fine. The next day, King Sejong made a decision at the meeting where all the ministers had gathered. I will ept the ministers opinions regarding the local governors. Determine an appropriate implementation date. Your Majestys benevolence is boundless! Your Majestys benevolence is boundless! * * * As the past ended and the weather began to grow warmer. Just like the previous year, Joseon, having prepared in advance, was able to pass through the season of Chun-gung (spring famine) without major chaos. During the spring famine, throughout all of Joseon, ditches and reservoirs that still hadnt beenpletely repaired were tended to, and rivers were dredged. Residents in and around Hanyang were mobilized to dredge the Han River. It was quite a strenuous task, but since the country was paying wages, the residents were even willing to volunteer for the dredging work. Busy with such activities, the royal court continued to implement smallpox vination as they didst year. Thanks to the nationwide vination carried outst year, the second round of smallpox vination ended faster and smoother than expected. Meanwhile, Hyang was getting ready to release one by one, the things he and his researchers had developed. Your Highness. Are you checking the inventory? In the warehouse of Area 51, Hyang, who was looking at the goods piled up, nodded at the question from Lee Chun, who had followed him. Are you thinking of releasing them now? Yes, its about time to release them. This should alleviate some of Fathers concerns. At Hyangs words, Lee Chun nodded. Thats correct. With Lee Chuns agreement, Hyang solidified his resolve. I should contact Minister of Taxation soon. However, Hyang had to temporarily halt his n due to an incident that happened outside. The Emperor of the Ming Dynasty had died. The news of the death of the new emperor of the Ming Dynasty put the royal court on emergency. That time, the fortune teller and the physician were right. Thats correct, Your Majesty. At King Sejongs words, Lee Jik immediately replied. Prepare a delegation for the mourning visit and get the mourning tribute ready. Yes, Your Majesty. And, do you have any information about their crown prince who will be the new emperor? Before King Sejongs words even finished, Hwang Hui stepped forward to answer. There is a rumor that the previous emperor adored him greatly. How so? What kind of personality does he have personally? There are rumors that he is aplished in both civil and military affairs. Thats why the previous emperor adored him so much. Hwang Hui who answered King Sejongs questions did not hesitate. Having been heavily embarrassedst year, it was a moment where his thorough preparation shone. Hmm So, do you think the crown prince, who will be the new emperor, will lean heavily on foreign policy like the previous emperor? He is said to be very prudent. And this may be a difficult thing to say, but there is a rumor weve heard through our spies. A rumor? What is it? At the words difficult thing to say, King Sejong showed interest. Theres a rumor that Grand Prince Han has great ambition. Oh? Is the source reliable? Upon Sejongs inquiry, Hwang Hui promptly responded, It is said to be a rumor slowly spreading among the merchants in Beijing. Hmm Sejong, who had been stroking his beard and organizing his thoughts at Hwang Huis response, gave an order. Choose a suitable ambassador and send him to interact with the merchants and officials staying in Beijing. Have them gather all avable information about the new Crown Prince and Grand Prince Han without any omission. We will heed yourmand! And send a messenger to the border to strengthen our defenses. If the Ming Empire falls into chaos, the Jurchens will also start causing trouble. Sejong, who had given orders to Hwang Hui, sighed. Sigh~ This is inevitable When you try to get something done, issues arise. * * * Ah, its so frustrating! That damn Ming isnt helping at all! Your Highness! Surprised by Hyangs grumbling, the following inner pce servant became startled. I didnt say anything. Nothing at all! Understand? At Hyangs warning, the servant made a gloomy face and nodded. Yes, Your Highness. There is no privacy in this damn pce. No privacy Hyang, who silenced the servant, grumbled and moved towards the researchb next to the Eastern Pce. Crown Prince, Your Highness Shh! Everyones busy, so stay quiet. Yes. Hyang, who had silenced the about-to-chatter servant, quietly walked down the corridor. Upon arriving in front of the room with a model train, Hyang made a face. Haah~. Haah~. Awesome! The best! Hearing the excited moans andments from inside that could easily be misunderstood by anyone listening, Hyang asked the servant standing in front of him. Is that Yoo? Yes, its Prince Yoo. At the servants response, Hyang sighed. He is severely addicted Hyang swallowed the words that were about to follow. Even I, from the 21st century, wasnt that bad at his age! * * * After the newly throned Emperors death, the Joseon court could not rx due to the informationing from the Ming Empire. Upon hearing news of the emperors death, the Crown Prince who was staying in Nanjing immediately set off for Beijing. Grand Prince Han, or Zhu Gaoxu1, who had dreamed of usurping the throne, attempted an assassination midway, but Zhu Zhanji, who safely overcame the crisis, arrived in Beijing and ascended to the throne. Afterwards, the newly crowned Emperor Zhu Zhanji, like his father, was bestowing many gifts in an attempt to win over Grand Prince Han. However, ording to the information obtained by officials and merchants staying in Beijing, Grand Prince Han was eagerly awaiting an opportunity. Unable to rx due to the ongoing crisis, Sejongined to the ministers. If hes going to revolt, he should do it already. Why is he bothering to be cautious Its tiresome Thats exactly right. At Sejongs words, the ministers nodded their heads. Their workload had tripled due to the external threat crisis during the ongoing situation, which was why the ministers were tense. Sigh~. Sejong, who had sighed deeply, looked at the ministers. Lets get to work! Work! When your head hurts, work is the best! Lets work! At Sejongs words, the ministers screamed a silent scream. Shouldnt rest be best when your head hurts! - Note 1) In actual history, the imperial decree came in June.
  1. Zhu Zhanji or Emperor Xuandes uncle[?]
Chapter 77 Chapter 77 With the death of Emperor Hongxi, the political situation between Joseon and Ming became unclear, and the event to invite the tribal chiefs of the Yain Jurchens, scheduled for the fall of Eulsa Year, had to be postponed. How truly disappointing. Truly disappointing. Sigh! That it is. Sejong couldnt hide his disappointment, smacking his lips, and his ministers also nodded with the same sentiment. It seems we have no choice but to call the Jurchen tribes next year. Now, lets deal with other matters. Yes, Your Majesty. How did the research on paddy farming techniques turn out? Over two years, nationwide flood control projects were carried out, greatly reducing concerns about flooding and drought. Gaining confidence, Sejong ordered research on paddy farming techniques. It is said that therge rice yield in Ming is not only due to the climate but also the paddy farming techniques. Since our staple food in Joseon is rice, conduct research on these techniques. We receive yourmand! Following Sejongs orders, public rice farming using paddy techniques began in the Hasamdo region, where it had been conducted secretly. Officials from the Ministry of Personnel and Ministry of Public Works were dispatched to the selected areas to investigate thoroughly. In response to Sejongs inquiry about the investigation results, Minister of Personnel Heo Jo answered immediately. In terms of output alone, the least increase was 15 percentpared to traditional farming, and the most was 25 percent. On average, there was an increase of about 19.8 percent in output. Is that considered a lot? In response to Sejongs question, Hwang Hui answered, Its not as much as the rumors would suggest. Whats the reason? Plenty of fertilizer and sturdy farming tools are needed, and more importantly, we need varieties that yield more. Stroking his beard at Hwang Huis answer, Sejong said, Does this mean we have to obtain seeds from Ming? There is a problem with Mings rice as well. Whats the problem? Itcks stickinesspared to our Joseon rice. People often exchange Ming rice, given as rations or wages, for Joseon rice. The mostmon exchange rate is three bushels of Ming rice for two of Joseons. Sejongs face grew troubled at Hwang Huis answer. I thought that improving flood control facilities alone would solve the problem of paddy farming, but thats not the case. However, if we secure the necessary facilities and solve the seed problem, it will be a highly effective method. Is that so? In what way? It can reduce the number of those who farm for a living. Really? Sejong showed strong interest in Hwang Huis words. Strengthening trade and industry was a major part of the reform. Strengthening trade and industry and promoting urbanization based on this were significant. For Sejong, urbanization was important in many ways. Asmerce developed, people would gather in centers ofmerce, and when people gathered, cities would be created. Once cities were created, the mary economy, which had been the focus of previous kings, could be quickly established. In addition, when people gathered in cities, thendowners would lose control and the royal authority would be strengthened. Strengthening Joseons capacity while reinforcing royal authority. This was the core of Sejongs reform. Of course, Hyang who analyzed Sejongs reform policy pointed out problems directly to him. Urbanization may strengthen royal authority but could also be its greatest enemy. I know my child. If the livelihood of those gathered in cities is threatened, royal authority will be endangered. Thats correct. Hyang nodded, full of concern. Even the French Revolution urred in Paris! Communism was born from the poverty problem of workers! Watching Hyangs worried face, Sejong smiled. How long will it take for urbanization to threaten their livelihood? Uh? Ah. How many of those who are just starting to gather in cities will abandon their fields and leave? Not many. Then who will be the first to flock to these newly urbanized areas? It would be the refugees. At Hyangs answer, Sejong nodded. Thats right. In our Joseon, there are still many refugees without a permanent ce to stay. We need urbanization to settle them. At Sejongs exnation, Hyang nodded. Tsk. Industrialization has a different purpose and process than what Ive been taught. The industrial revolution that Sejong was promoting through reform was different in cause and progress from what Hyang had learned from textbooks. The Western industrial revolution grew out of a desire for more wealth asmercial capital grew, revolutionizing technology and systems. But Sejongs reform was simr to the economic development n pursued by South Koreas military dictatorship. *** In such a situation, Sejong took an interest in Hwang Huis words. Can we reduce the number of people who make farming their business? How? The biggest key to this method is rice nting. By nting the seedlings in water-filled paddies, the number of times you have to tie them up with straw will be greatly reduced. Hmm Thats true. At that time, most Joseon farmers used the direct seeding method, in which they scatter rice seeds into water-filled paddies to grow them. [T/N: Direct seeding method looks like this.] This method required continuous management and tying up from the point the rice seeds sprouted, and it was abor-intensive approach. We can reduce manpower Sejongs interest was piqued, and Hwang Hui gave an actual example. Theres an old couple in Gyeongsang province whose sons all died at the hands of the Japanese pirates. They were living with two grandchildren, but they were farming using this method, managing a paddy of 1 Gyul (Y, ranging from 2750 to 11000 square yards) with just the two of them, except for the transnting and harvesting times. How did they manage the transnting and harvesting? They borrowed servants from a nearbyndowner and paid wages for the transnting and harvesting. Ah? Old ginger is spicy indeed Truly, the old saying isnt wrong. Thats right. If we utilizemunalbor and cooperation, there wont be a need for most of themoners to be tied to farming as they are now. Thats indeed true! Sejong pped his knees in delight at Hwang Huis words. However, as soon as Hwang Hui finished speaking, the Minister of Law Enforcement raised an objection. Your Majesty! Communalbor and cooperation might be a solution, but it can also be another problem! Another problem? Please consider whymunalbor and cooperation were restricted. Ah Sejongs face paled at the Minister of Law Enforcements words. Communalbor and cooperation were means to bind ruralmunities. The problem was that the local nobles and aristocrats had used the bonds created in this way to strengthen their power. Even if that were not the case, most of the peasant revolts that broke out during the previous dynasty were instigated by farmers gathered throughmunalbor. So, Joseon restricted officials from mobilizing the people but stopped the creation ofmunity organizations likemunalbor and cooperation. Ironically, while the central government restricted these practices, local aristocrats advocated for the creation of hyangyak (local organizations), incorporating Confucian beliefs. These local aristocrats arguments subsided when a political incident involving Jo Gwang-jo urred , but when the schrs eventually took over the government, local organizations was spread nationwide. In the end, Sejong could only reach an ambiguous conclusion. The evidence that crop yields have definitively increased through this method iscking, and the method to resolve the manpower issue is still a bit insufficient, so lets do some more research. Understood. Lets take a break. After dering a recess, Sejong went outside and sighed heavily. Ah~ Theres no easy task indeed Your Majesty! Sejong, frowning at the unresolved problem, turned his head with a smile at the energetic voice of Hyang. What is it? Hyang shouted with a beaming smile in response to Sejongs question. Ive made a threshing machine! A threshing machine? Yes! Sejongs curiosity was piqued by Hyangs proud answer. Alright. Lets take a look. Ive ced it in the front yard of Geunjeongjeon Hall! Really? Chief Eunuch, summon the ministers. Yes, Your Majesty. A littleter, Sejong and the ministers gathered in the front yard of Geunjeongjeon Hall. Is this the threshing machine the prince made? Yes! While hearing Hyangs reply, Sejong looked at the threshing machine ced before his eyes. It was a wooden frame that looked as if it had two broken legs on one side, like an upright table, with thin iron rods densely nailed at narrow intervals. Sejong spoke his admiration for the threshing machine. It looks like ab with legs attached to it. Thats what I thought when I made it! Hyang answered with a voice full of pride. Going back and forth between the pce and Area 51, Hyang had steadily observed the farmers of Hanyang cultivating crops. Wouldnt it be a hit if I even made a tractor? Seeing the farming done purely with human and animal power, Hyang casually made a remark. However, Hyang did not proceed further. There were many other things to make. Hyang came up with the idea for the threshing machine after watching the autumn harvest and threshing. This is the second time Ive seen it Its really a symbol of inefficiency. For threshing, farmersid t stones in the yard and ced a mortar or pestle, then struck the grain stalks with all their might. Hyang called it the epitome of inefficiency upon seeing the sight. Both the beating with stones and wood, and collecting the grains that fell in all directions while swinging the straw, and the picking of the mixed soil and pebbles with the grains were all inefficient. It seems like there must be a way To find a solution to the inefficient threshing process, Hyang thought hard. But Hyang couldnt find an answer easily. Because the harvest scene Hyang saw in the 21st century ended with abine harvester. Hyang found the solution whilebing his hair after washing it. Seeing theb held by the courtdy, Hyang pped. This is it! The object in front of Sejong was created through this process. Hyang, who created the threshing machine, was filled with pride. It might have been a remake until now, but this is my original! However, the threshing machine that Hyang made was a holtae (traditional threshing machine), used from the middle andte Joseon period. Hyang was ignorant in this regard, despite being knowledgeable. After testing Hyangs threshing machine, it boasted much greater efficiency than before. Encouraged by the result, Sejong issued a royal order to the ministers. Draw the details of this threshing machine and spread it nationwide! We receive the royal order! Once again, horsemen raced across the nation. Farmers who made the threshing machine ording to Hyangs n and tested it all shouted in joy. Its really convenient! Destroy the mortar and pestle! We must use them as firewood! But who made this? Farmers curious about who made such a useful device questioned. The crown prince made it. Hearing the answer, the farmers began to murmur. How did he think of this? Indeed. Hes really exceptional. No matter how different he is! Some sons create things like this! My son just breaks pots! You brat! You better die today! * * * Sejongs 8th year (1426, Year of Byeong-o), February. Sejong hosted a martial arts tournament and hunting event in Hoengseong county, in Gangwon province. Not only existing martial officers, but well-known martial artists from all over the country gathered in Gangwon province for the grand event. If they performed well, they could be specially recruited into the martial ranks. As a butterfly effect, the mountain bandits who had settled in Gangwon province became pale. C Those with merit in subduing bandits will be given extra points. Due to Sejongs announcement, the martial artists moving to participate in the tournament formed groups to attack the bandits hideouts along the way. Thus, while the bandits, who had settled in the famous high mountains of Gangwon province, were suffering, the day for Sejong to depart approached. This weather isnt good, maybe we shouldnt go You must go, Your Majesty! Many have already moved since the order was given! We cant let those who left their homes with dreams of glory fall into disappointment! Please make a decision! When Sejong hesitated, the ministers unanimously urged him to depart. Following the ministers, Hyang also pleaded with Sejong. I believe you must proceed since the order has already been given. Hmph Groaning, Sejong finally had to move. Alright. Lets go! Go! Your benevolence is boundless! At Sejongs decision, the ministers all shouted, Your benevolence is boundless! Seeing the ministers, Sejong warned. I will check your work when I return! Chapter 78 Chapter 78 King Sejong was apanied by Hyang on his trip to Gangwon Province. Its been a while since we father and son are traveling together. Sejong had been reluctant until departure, but after leaving, he enjoyed the journey. Indeed, Father. But, undoubtedly, the roads are the problem. At Hyangs point, Sejong nodded his head. Indeed, thats true. Even for the sess of the reform project, the roads need attention. Who knows when thepletion of the railways will be? At Sejongs words, Hyang immediately lowered his head. Your Majesty, I apologize. My abilities arecking Its not your ability thats the problem, its Joseons capability. If there were other ways, that would be different. Hyang flinched at Sejongs subtle nce. He had prematurely revealed the concept of the railway as a shock therapy, but everyone knew they didnt know when they could start. However, in a situation where nobody was sure how the gradual progress of the reform project would turn out, the railway was a symbolic existence that could actually show it. Of course, there were side effects. From a certain point, the frequency with which Sejong subtly hinted and teased Hyang had increased. The procession, led by Sejong, who was giving hints, and Hyang, who started to get fed up, with heavily armored cavalry escorting them, moved slowly along the narrow road. * * * Sejong, who had been reluctant to leave Hanyang, began to get lively as the shadow of the capital grew distant. It feels good to travel abroad after a long time! Youve been too absorbed in state affairstely, Your Majesty. At the words of the apanying Chief Eunuch, Sejong nodded his head. I did feel that way. Taking a break like this from time to time seems good. Thats true, Your Majesty. Listening to Sejong and Chief Eunuchs conversation from behind, Hyang clenched his fist lightly. Even if I dont like YOLO, work-life bnce is essential! Yes! In the 21st century, Hyang, who was a self-proimed incurable geek, surprisingly hated the word YOLO (You Only Live Once). YOLO is a waste of life! It was a somewhat contradictory im, but Hyang did not particrly like YOLO or SNS. Why should a geek make it a livelihood or upload it to SNS if he just creates works? In response to the objections of his surrounding friends C not friends connected through geekery, but strictly in the dictionary sense C Hyang always answered the same way. Theres a difference in productivity! Im productive and YOLO people are consumptive! What do they think of people! Hyang made an utterly unpersuasive argument. * * * As Sejong enjoyed his leisure while heading to Hoengseong, Gangwon Province, mes soared up somewhere in Hanyang. February 15, Sejong Year 8. It was the start of the Hanyang Great Fire, an event that brought unparalleled damage, excluding wars, in actual Joseon history. Its a fire! The fire started at the house of Jangryong, a male servant belonging to the Crown Princes office. The mes that burned Jangryongs house spread to the vicinity, riding on the northwest wind that happened to blow. The thatched roofs of themoners houses in Joseon were the optimal material for fire to catch. The sparks, carried by the wind, quicklynded on the roofs of nearby thatched houses, and the number of burning houses began to increase exponentially. Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Theres a big fire! You must evacuate immediately! What? At the urgent report of the fire, Queen Soheon rushed outside. Hurry and escape! Quiet! Running away when theres a fire in the capital? Summon the pce guards right away and put out the fire! At the time, Queen Soheon, with her swollen belly because she was pregnant with Grand Prince Geumsong1, personally started to lead the response. Summon the ministers immediately! And find out how far the fire has spread! Yes, Your Majesty! Following the Queensmand, the courtdies and pce servants began to work diligently. When the courtdies and the pce servants were busily moving, the summoned ministers rushed to Queen Soheon. You ministers, immediatelymand the fire-fighting force to suppress the fire! Yes, Your Majesty! And send a messenger to Hoengseong to notify the King! Yes, Your Majesty! However, the fire, fueled by the wind, was not suppressed but spread further and further. The fire is spreading, Your Majesty! Receiving the situation report from Hwang Hui, Queen Soheon bit her lip and made a decision. Mobilize all manpower to protect Changdeok Pce2 and Jongmyo shrine3! You can abandon the offices and warehouses! This will leave us short of manpower to suppress the fire! If the fire reaches themoners houses, evacuate the people before putting out the fire. It was a harshmand, but both Queen Soheon, who issued it, and the ministers who received it, understood its necessity. If Jongmyo and the pce burned, the political responsibility was secondary, but an enormous amount of wealth would go into the restoration. * * * Your Majesty! Theres an urgent report from the capital! What is the urgent report? Taking a rest near the point he had almost reached in Hwaseong, King Sejong stood up from his chair at Chief Eunuchs words. There has been a great fire in the capital! What? Turn the horses around at once! A military official who had been awaiting Sejongsmand immediately stepped forward. Your Majesty, the sun is about to set. The road at night is dangerous Go! While heading back to the capital, send messengers to every government post along the way! Mobilize the soldiers to light the path! I ept themand! At Sejongs order, the military officials selected messengers to convey his orders. Move! Receiving the orders, the messengers spurred their horses and raced away, and Sejong gave further instructions to those waiting. We are returning to the capital at once! Prepare! Yes, Your Majesty! As Sejong urgently led his people and galloped on horseback, the sunpletely set. This seems a bit dangerous As Hyang worried about the darkening road, the path suddenly brightened. Local officials, having received the orders sent ahead by Sejong through the messengers, had mobilized soldiers to light the way. With soldiers holding torches on either side of the road, the horses carrying Sejong and his entourage thundered down the path. And then Hyang realized something. This gentleman, hes good at riding? * * * Thanks to the continuous riding, Sejong was able to return to the pce that night. Wee back. Its fortunate that you are safe. You must have suffered greatly. At Sejongs praise, Queen Soheon seemed finally to rx. Lead the Queen inside. Yes, Your Majesty. Sejong, who had seen the pregnant Queen Soheon inside looking fatigued, entered the situation room without even changing his clothes. Whats the situation? It seems the great fire is now under control. How much damage has been done? Were still assessing. Fortunately, Jongmyo Shrine and Changgyeong Pce4 were spared. Phew~. Taking a long sigh, Sejong looked into the situation further. What about the victims? Were still counting. Strengthen the security as thieves might take advantage of the chaos to steal. Yes, Your Majesty. As the weather is cold, contact the military to set up tents. Yes, Your Majesty. After an urgent night, the report came that the great fire had beenpletely extinguished. Its fortunate. As Sejong showed a sign of relief, cries of panic came from outside. Fire! Its a fire! As the cry of Fire! rang out again, Sejong leapt to his feet. Where is it! Were checking right now As Hwang Hui was about to give the order, an official rushed in from outside. Your Majesty! Theres a fire! Where! Its near Jeonokseo5! Suppress the fire at once! Yes! At Sejongsmand, the officials rushed out with anxious faces to carry out his orders. Sejong, who had taken a moment to gather himself, looked more serious. Its strange that the fire that was almost under control has red up again! Someone has set this fire! Find the arsonist! I ept themand! Thanks to the desperate efforts of the officials and citizens, the great fire in Hanyang was finally contained. With the smell of burning in the air, Sejong reviewed the situation. Report the damage we have confirmed so far. Yes, first of all, excluding infants and the elderly, there are 9 men and 23 women who have died. We areparing the household registers to identify those who were burnt to death inside their homes. Phew~. What about the houses? Even without considering the counted in the vicinity of the Crown Princes Offices residence and the previous pces, its at least over 1800 houses. This theyve lost their homes in this winter When Sejongmented, Hyang, who was beside him interjected, Father. The loss of houses is a big problem, but loss of food is an even greater problem. People without food are more likely tomit crimes. Indeed! I must contact the grain storage in Bupyeong immediately. Upon Sejongs words, Hyang pointed out a problem. Even if you contact the grain storage, it will take a long time to bring it and prepare it. The amount of dried ration in Area 51 is considerable, so use it first. Can it be done when so many have lost their homes? We can make time to prepare it from the grain storage. Good! Do so! I will obey yourmand! When Sejong gave his permission, Hyang immediately summoned an officer and ryed the orders to Area 51. When public security became an issue, Sejong issued orders to his deputies. Order the military immediately to deploy troops. Maintain order with the deployed troops and personnel from Pocheong. We will obey yourmand! Also, set up tents in the ces that escaped the mes or are left vacant, and make sure those who lost their homes can rest. We will obey yourmand! Lastly, post 5 guards at the central locations of each room and building and have the patrol officers and constables inspect each district. We will obey yourmand! After issuing orders concerning public security, Sejong paused momentarily to gather his thoughts. I noticed something strange while experiencing this fire. We nearly put out the first big fire, so why did a second one ur? Although fires can spread with slight negligence, I do not understand. Someone must havemitted arson; post the notice. Sejong decided on the content of the notice to catch the arsonist. C If you catch and report the arsonist,moners will be given an official position without distinction, and peasants will be exempted from taxes. Additionally, 200 bolts of cotton cloth will be given as a reward. * * * Although the great fire had reduced many parts of Hanyang to ashes, the recovery was surprisingly swift. The first reason was the precise household information gathered through continuous inoction campaigns. The second reason was the great contribution of the dried ration provided by Hyang. However, there was one side effect Here, take your rice. Sir. What? Can you give me the dried ration instead of rice? Huh? The side dishes were all burned. All the pickled goods are overcooked and inedible? Theres no salt Can you just give me the dried ration? The fatal side effect was that the taste preferences of the refugees had been unexpectedly upgraded. Also, merchants alike all sought Hyang in Area 51. Whats the reason for seeking me? We want to produce dried rations. Huh? Its very useful as food on the road, can be stored for a long time, suitable as emergency food, and also good in taste and vor, suitable as a special meal. Hearing the merchants exnation, the fragrance shook his head. The instinct of a merchant! * * * Meanwhile, many actively pursued the arsonists, following Sejongs arrest order. Weve caught the arsonists. How many? A total of 11. They are vile wretches, arent they? What were they up to? They are originally from Bukcheong, Gilju, Yeongheung, and most are water carriers. Water carriers? Surely not! Its as you thought, Your Majesty. Upon hearing the answer from the Ministry of Law Enforcement, Sejong mmed his armrest. Have they ever seen such shameless people! Committing such acts for their gain! Execute them immediately, all male family members will be executed, and the wives and daughters will be made sl*ves! We will obey yourmand! This judgment brought tragedy to many families, but few pitied them. Those who had lost wealth and family in an instant needed a target for their anger. * * * With the execution of the arsonists and the provision of relief grains and 300 market booths, the first phase of recovery ended. We need measures against fire, even if we build our houses again Sejong, pausing his words, looked at Hyang. Crown Prince, will you give it a try? No, youre still young; I must entrust this to someone else. I will do it! Just entrust it to me! Can you really do it? I am confident! I will trust you. I will obey themand! With a confident reply, Hyang left the hall to prepare, and Sejong watched him go, smiling. Now, what will you show me this time? How could I miss building a real-version of SimCity huh? Hyang, who had left energetically, suddenly stopped and tilted his head. Why do I feel like Ive been fooled?
  1. Hyangs 8th sibling[?]
  2. Secondary Pce, aside from Gyeongbok Pce[?]
  3. Jongmyo is a shrine housing the spirit tablets of the former kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty.[?]
  4. Pce for the Kings concubines and consorts[?]
  5. Royal Prison[?]
Lol. Hyang''s making Joseon his yground. Chapter 79 Chapter 79 Whether he was entrusted with the mission by Sejong or whether he was tricked into it was ambiguous, but Hyang gave it his best effort. The first thing Hyang did was establish an institution called the Hanyang Fire Damage Recovery Temporary Headquarters in Area 51. In Hyangs Area 51, there were several craftsmen with architectural expertise, as continuous construction rted to research had urred. Hyang conducted a meeting in the Area 51 conference hall, with senior officers like Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji in the front row, and middle-ranking officers in the back row. First, lets confirm the exact extent of the damage. Yes, Your Highness. At Hyangsmand, Lee Chun, with the title of Deputy Director, came forward. Lee Chuns soldiers hung arge map of Hanyang on the wall, and Lee Chun exined the situation with a long pointer. First, lets check the damage to the buildings. First, 106 sections in the north of Eastern Pce Office werepletely burned, along with 1630 civilian houses in the center, 150 in the east, 90 in the south, 8 sections of Jeonokseo (Royal Prison), and 200 houses around Jongno and nearby civilian areas. In total, 2,070 civilian houses have been destroyed. This number excludes the buildings in the pce and court that were destroyed. What about casualties? 9 men and 23 women were rescued but died. Furthermore, 23 elderly, 15 children, 46 men, and 89 women were identified byparing with the household register. The damage is extensive. Jeong-cho shook his head gravely at Lee Chuns report. * * * However, the actual historical damage was even greater. [TL/N: Based on annals, the bandits were responsible for burning some 2000+ houses in the city, and some other 2170 houses near main administrative district. Ref: Ji-Hee et. al. (2013). Fires and fire prevention measures in Korea from 1392 to 1910.]] Over 2,400 civilian houses were destroyed, and the record of the dead was as follows: C Excluding the elderly and children, 9 men and 23 women died. Those who burned to death in their homes could not even be identified. However, the efforts of administering vinations, the revision of the household register, and re-organization of thend registry helped in estimating the death toll more urately. Area 51 also contributed to reducing the damage. Area 51, upying most of the southern region of Hanyang (central Seoul in the 21st century), reduced the number of civilian houses in the vicinity due to its handling of various explosives and dangerous materials. A single mistake can lead to a major ident! Hyang, who was almost neurotic about it, rigorously conducted emergency response and disaster prevention drills. It wasnt just for the internal area of Area 51. Training was also meticulous for situations where an internal ident spreads outside or an external anomaly spreads inside. Thanks to this, the southern region suffered surprisingly little damage in this fire. As the fire began to spread, those staying in Area 51 responded immediately. Extinguish all unnecessary mes now! Fire prevention teams, move to your positions immediately! Even resting soldiers, return to your positions! Watchtowers, keep an eye on the situation! Yes! Under Lee Chunsmand, who was in charge of operating Area 51, they moved swiftly and efficiently. The quick response ensured that the inside of Area 51 was safe. The fire is spreading! Move ording to n 2! Yes! The gates of Area 51 opened, and carts equipped with water barrels and pumps rushed out. To stop the fire spreading from the south, those dispatched from Area 51 did their utmost. The houses they were protecting from the mes were where their families lived. Through such desperate efforts, they were able to reduce the number of houses destroyed in the southern region of Hanyang from 350 in the original history to just 90. * * * There was one ce that Jeong-cho and others intentionally did not mention during the assessment of the damage, but Hyang pointed it out. In the west, I understand, but howe Bukchon1 suffered almost no damage? That is. When Lee Chun hesitated, Hyang added, I already know. I just wanted you to say it. I apologize. What Hyang pointed out was Bukchons wealthy area. Bukchon, a luxury residential area where the major courtiers and influential nobles lived, was virtually unscathed in this fire. Unlike the thatched roofs that would burn immediately, most were tiled roofs, and houses had high walls and spacious yards, reducing the chance of fire spreading. Lastly, each house had many ves, so even if a fire started, it could be extinguished immediately. During the process of stopping this fire, thendlords of Bukchon gave these excuses and were reluctant to lend their ves. We must prevent the fire from spreading! At this, Sejong was grinding his teeth. Watch and see! * * * Having confirmed the damage, Hyang got up from his seat and went forward. Hyang, who had taken the podium, opened his mouth looking at the people gathered in the conference room. As you can see from the signboard, we have been assigned the task of rebuilding the area damaged by this fire. By rebuilding, do you mean restoring even the houses that burned down? Hyang shook his head at Jeong Injis question. Weck the resources for that. Our goal is to change the structure of Hanyang to prevent such a fire from recurring. The starting point is the area lost in this fire, and the end point is all of Hanyang. The estimated duration is 5 years. The eyes of those gathered sparkled at Hyangs words. Nearly a generation had passed since Yi Seong-gyes relocation to Hanyang. It was a time when various diforts began to appear in slow-changing Joseon. Move the map to the table. Yes, Your Highness. At Hyangsmand, the soldiers removed therge map hanging on the wall and spread it on therge table in the center of the conference room. Hyang opened his mouth, pointing at the map with a pointer. First of all, the beginning of all the work starts with the refurbishment of Cheonggyecheon2. * * * Therefore, we will connect Cheonggyecheon and the major streams flowing inside Hanyang with canals, collect the sewage in a waterway, and discharge it in a sewer. The benefits we get from this are easy sewage treatment in Hanyang, a clear partition between rooms and buildings, and quick response to not only fires like this one but also floods. The royal study room. Hyang exined the Hanyang Reconstruction n to Sejong and the ministers. Sejong stroked his beard after hearing Hyangs exnation. Its bigger than expected. I expect a period of 5 years. First, the focus is on rebuilding the area lost in this fire, and then gradually expanding the area. Hmm, I see But what is a paved road? It literally means paving the road. If you look at the roads in Hanyang now, they turn into a muddy puddle when it rains, making it hard for both horses and people. This will pave it so that people and horses can travel without inconvenience even when it rains. Thats good. As Sejong nodded his head, Hwang Hui asked a question. Does paving the road meanying stone bs? Wouldnt that cost too much? The other ministers nodded at Hwang Huis point. In the situation where the funds to support those who lost their homes and property in the fire were secured, the officials of the Ministry of Taxation even gave up going home. Thanks to this, Sejong had given a special meal twice for the overworked officials of the Ministry of Taxation. Hyang nodded at Hwang Huis point. Thats right. Laying stone bs would cost a lot. So, we wont use stone bs. To be precise, well make stone bs. Make stone bs? Hyangs answer made the eyes of Sejong and the ministers sh terrifyingly. How will you make them? With lime. Lime? In Joseon, lime was not a strange thing. It was amon mineral, and it was used a lot in construction. There was a record in Sejong Silloks Geography: -In Ganghwa Inds mines, there is turquoise (a type of turkite) and rock, where turquoise is carved into steles, and the rock is cut and roasted for use. Here, roasting means putting it in a lime kiln and burning it. Making roads with lime Is that possible? Its possible! Hyang confidently answered. With Hyangs confident answer, Sejong made up his mind. Good! Crown Prince, I trust you! Give it a try! Your grace is boundless! Although he liked the Crown Princes grand n and supported it, Sejong did not forget reality. The roads are important, but the urgent thing is to make shelter for those who lost their homes in this fire. How will you do that? Hyang answered without hesitation to Sejongs question. You are right. As I just mentioned, the road is important, but it is certain that the first thing to do is to rebuild the area that was lost in the fire. So. At Hyangs gesture, the internal officer handed over a n. The next page of the n showed the anticipatedyout after rebuilding the area lost in the fire. This is the reconstruction n for the area lost in the fire. As you can see, regtions have been set to dig one well for every five households to secure water for daily life and fire prevention. Can so many wells be secured? Hwang Huis question was answered by the Minister of Public Works. Its possible. Contrary to expectations, Hanyang is not a ce thatcks water. Seoul C particrly the Hanyang region during the Joseon Dynasty C had abundant groundwater. Among the experiences shared by the fathers and uncles of the 21st century, there was a story that they thought a sewer had burst by the side of the Jongno subway line as water flowed, but it was actually groundwater. In fact, there was also an article that among the management issues of high-rise buildings located in the Seoul Jongno area, thergest part is groundwater management. (Note 2) But why do we need water carriers? Hwang Huis question was met with a simple answer from the 2nd Minister of Public Works. There is the issue of having to dig a bit deep. Oh, goodness tsk. Hwang Hui, who was about to click his tongue, hurriedly stopped. In this court, only two people could click their tongue without punishment. One was Sejong, who had poprized this hot-tempered habit, and the other was his son, Hyang. With the support of the 2nd Minister of Public Works, Hyang exined, Digging wells is a two-fold n. It provides work for the refugees who lost their homes to the fire and an opportunity to gather funds to rebuild. Thats one part. The other is the securing of water for daily life and fire prevention. Thats good But is there a reason to pave the roads everywhere? If you look at Hanyangs alleys now, they are like a tangled maze. Consider the recent fire. The closely clustered thatched houses caught fire in an instant, and the people trapped in the maze-like alleys were engulfed in mes, resulting in death and injury. Therefore, we need to widen the roads and organize the blocks so that the people can easily escape in an emergency. Sejong and his ministers nodded at Hyangs words. And its also good for public order. Now, in the maze-like alleys of Hanyang, if the city patrol and stars chase a criminal who hides in these alleys, they cant easily find him. To solve this, many personnel must be deployed, which then creates a gap elsewhere. However, by organizing the blocks like this, efficiency is increased. Thats good. As Sejong was nodding, Hwang Hui, who had been examining the map, pointed to a ce. ording to the map, there are public baths here and there; are they really baths? Yes. Hyangs answer led Hwang Hui to point out a problem. Baths will be good for fire prevention as they collect a lot of water. However, as seen in previous times, if men and women gather together and undress to bathe, it bes a hotbed of corruption. We are well aware. So the new public baths will separate men and women from the entrance, and even the buildings themselves will be separate, and a wall will be built between the two buildings. Is there a need to build baths to that extent? At Hwang Huis words, Hyang nodded vigorously. Of course! Regr bathing can prevent epidemics! Huh? * * * When Sejong and his ministers showed interest, Hyang ordered an aide to submit a medical report. This is a medical record for those working in Area 51 and their families. Medical record? Since the area is a ce where they handle a lot of dangerous materials, there are many injuries. But setting that aside! If you look at the section on skin conditions and other diseases, you will see that the incidence of skin diseases has greatly reduced after regr bathing. If we sum up the opinions of the physicians who were in charge at that time, not only have skin diseases decreased, but maintaining cleanliness also reduced minor ailments. Hmm Hyangs words made Sejong and his ministers contemte between practical reality and Confucian propriety. Seeing their dilemma, Hyang sprinkled some MSG. Also, using these baths properly can help with corruption. How? Sejong was greatly interested in Hyangs words. Isnt it a hassle to carry cotton cloth and rice every time you want to bathe3? Ah! Funnily enough, this very issue led Sejong and his ministers to support Hyangs public baths. C Note 1) Song Jong-taek. Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Dankook University. Ceramist. February 2009. Note 2) Field Tracking 1234. June 10, 1999. KBS.
  1. Original wealthy vige. Read more on Bukchon Hanok Vige.[?]
  2. A stream flowing from west to east of current Seoul[?]
  3. In those times, rice was often used as a form of payment or gift to the bathhouse attendants. However it may sometimes be used as a bribe. Also as for carrying cotton, what Hyang meant is since public nudity is considered frowned upon, the public will usually bring a separate garment for them to wear after bathing in streams or near wells, which were a hassle in reality.[?]
Chapter 80 Chapter 80 Hmm The recovery process is well underway, so lets think about ways to prevent experiencing such a tragic event like this again. Yes, Your Majesty. Even as they replied, the officials heads automatically turned. Their expressions were uniformly uneasy, and at the end of their gaze, Hyang sat. As expected, whenever Hyangs mouth opened first, the officials could not help but let out a small sigh. We need to create an organization that can respond primarily to not only fires but also floods and other disasters. Create an organization? Upon King Sejongs interest, Hyang borated more. When I manage Area 51, I also operate a disaster prevention team. As you may know, Area 51 uses a lot of fire, but it also contains many dangerous substances like gunpowder. I see. This time, the disaster prevention team of Area 51 yed a significant role in controlling the fire that spread to the southern area of the capital. Considering this, I think we should create an organization that can protect the entire capital. Bring the fire report. Yes, Your Majesty. After reviewing the report on the fire damage, Sejong nodded. Indeed, its the result of training? It is the result of training, but also the specialized equipment. Specialized equipment? Lets see it. The following officials murmured quietly. Beating the drum and ying the gong. Sigh. What now Do they know and get along? Or do they get along without knowing? * * * At Hyangs request, carts carrying the disaster prevention teams equipment from Area 51 headed to the pce. Hmm The helmets are peculiar to begin with. The helmets worn by the disaster prevention team had a longer brim at the back rather than the front. They were made with thick leather on the outside, without metal tes, and thick padding inside to protect the head from shocks and heat. The clothing was the same. Thick padding was used to protect the wearer from shock and heat. However, what caught Sejong and the officials attention was the water-spouting vehicle. This cart puts out fires? Yes, Your Majesty. Sejong carefully examined the cart. At the back of the cart was arge water tank, and in front of it was a round bronze mechanism that seemed like a cylinderid on its side. A thick bronze tube connected the water tank and the bronze mechanism. How does it operate? Let me show you. At Hyangsmand, the disaster prevention team members connected a hose made of cloth to the bronze mechanism on the cart. Two of them held the bronze handle firmly at the end of the hose, and two more started turning the handle on the bronze mechanism. Swoosh! A thick jet of water burst out from the bronze spout at the end of the hose, and Sejong and the officials apuded. Oh, oh, oh! Its indeed perfect for extinguishing fires! Thats correct! Hyang exined to Sejong and the officials. If we deploy a special force equipped with such equipment in certain areas, we can contain the fire early on, and even if its bigger than expected, we can prevent it from spreading widely. That makes sense. Sejong and the other officials nodded, while some officials sighed in relief and nced away, as if saying not us!. There was someone there whose face was growing paler. He was Kim Jeom, the Minister of Taxation. Your, Your Highness How much are we designating for a specific area? Seeing the pale face of the Minister of Taxation, Hyang briefly calcted and answered. The fewer households in a district, the safer, but considering the budget, at least 2 ces in 1 block. And there must be at least 3 water-spouting vehicles in the designated ces. Upon hearing Hyangs exnation, the Minister of Taxation quickly calcted. 52 blocks in 5 parts of Hanyang, so at least 104 ces, each with at least 3 312 the budget but if something like this happens again As the calction gotplicated with various variables, the Minister of Taxations expression becameplex, so Hyang added. It will take a lot of money to create and equip them, and maintaining them will cost a considerable amount. But having these prepared people means quick responses when something happens, right? Then we can reduce the damage, and the cost of reconstruction can be reduced as well. At Hyangs words, the Minister of Taxation sighed deeply. Huu~. I understand that well. But the budget is the problem. The budget At the Minister of Taxations grumbling, Hwang Hui stepped forward. Your Majesty, I think we should release some of the silver from selling Buddhist scriptures and the silver stored from mining. At Hwang Huis sincere advice, Sejong nodded. That seems necessary. Upon Sejongs decision, the Minister of Taxation deeply bowed in that spot. Your grace is boundless! It was indeed a voice filled with emotion. * * * The responsibility for rebuilding the area that was destroyed by fire was entrusted to Hyang, but the royal court wasnt just idling. First, they announced the names of those who passed the regr civil service examination. ording to tradition, we would have hosted a celebration to congratte those who passed, but given the current unfortunate situation, it is hence canceled, and I apologize. Continuing fromst year The Minister of Personnel, who recited Sejongs words of apology and encouragement to the sessful candidates, looked at them and smiled brightly. Now, the situation is urgent, so practical training will follow quickly! So, follow me! Anyone who falls behind from here will have their eptance revoked and sent home at once! The shouts of joy for passing the exam had barely subsided for half a moment when the sessful candidates began to scream in terror. What followed next concerned the soldiers: C If there are families that havemitted crimes and been forced into military service after losing their homes in a fire, they will be investigated and reported. C Among those residing in the affected areas, those wishing to quit their jobs will be immediately permitted, and those volunteering to continue working will be given a two-month leave to rebuild their homes. A significant number of people chose to stay instead of retiring. C Give those who work in departments that support the pce and various government offices, such as the Royal Attire Office, seven months of leave. C Among those who havee up from the provinces to Hanyang for their duties this month, those who used to live in rented houses should be immediately sent back home. C Even if someone has a house in the affected area but muste out to work in the pce or government offices as a craftsman, count his wifesbor as well and pay the sry. At thestmand, Hyang whistled. This guy, hes really spending when he opens his purse, huh? This was the same measure as in the original history, but thanks to funds that had been diligently saved and set aside over time, there were no objections. The following reconstruction efforts led to the decision to change thendscape of Hanyang. Hyang submitted the approval documents to Sejong. There were various reasons why the fire spread so severely this time, but one of the biggest reasons among them is that the houses are too close together. Weve solved this to some extent through rezoning during reconstruction, but I need your royal approval to solve other problems. What is it? Except for the nobles houses, government buildings, and a few other structures, most have thatched roofs. We need to rece them with tiles. At the Hyangs request, Sejong nodded his head. I see. Minister of Taxation, Minister of Public Works. Yes! We await yourmand. Sire! Lets discuss our thoughts. Thus, the three officials in charge of practical matterspleted the n within a day and submitted it to Sejong. Upon reading the n, Sejong immediately stamped his approval. Let it be done. Your grace is immeasurable! Sejongs decision was gratefully acknowledged by Hyang, Minister of Taxation, and Minister of Public Works, who bowed their heads. Hyang himself was also surprised. Whats this! Theyre moving even faster than 21st-century bureaucrats! In the original history, Sejong had made the same decision. However, what had changed since the Ministers intervention was that while the original history used traditional tiles, now they were using tiles made from hydraulic lime created by the Hyang. Gather the kiln masters, y, newbor, and make kilns for the tiles. It will take a lot of time. Lets use hydraulic lime. But dont you have to bake the hydraulic lime in the kiln too? We have kilns and manpower in Area 51. All we need is limestone and coal for the kiln. You can use the sand that weve dredged and piled up on the banks of the Han River over thest two years. A good idea! At Hyangs exmation, the Minister of Taxation was pleased. I can reduce the budget! The budget! However, the Minister of Taxations joy did notst even a day. It was because Hyang had submitted a housing fund support n for themoners to Sejong. The state should support the construction fund? Yes, Your Majesty. Where would those who have lost both houses and property in this fire find the money to rebuild their homes? Even if they gather mud and straw from nearby to build the walls, where would they find the materials for the rafters, crossbeams, and columns? And where will they find the money to buy the tiles for the roof? They will have to use high-interest loans. But if the government lends them the money at a low rate, they can avoid harsh actions like selling their children or siblings. Hmm Sejong stroked his beard, lost in thought. The suffering of the people from usury was not something that had just started yesterday. What interest rate would you suggest then? 2% per year. 2% per year Building a house is no trivial expense, so thats not a low figure. Thats true. Thats why Ive thought about a installments.'' Installments? At Hyangs words, King Sejong and the ministers were all ears. After listening to Hyangs exnation for a while, Sejong pped his knee. A brilliant idea! Lets proceed with it! Call the Minister of Taxation! The Minister of Taxation responded immediately to Sejongs summons. I, I will prepare and submit the proposal immediately Truly great, Minister of Taxation! Your excellence reassures me! Your praise is too generous! The Minister of Taxation bowed in humble response to Sejongs praise, but inside, he was moved to tears. I, Kim Jeom. I might be able to save my reputation at this rate! But Hyangs remarks were not over yet. Your Majesty. While investigating property owners to rebuild the houses lost in the recent fire, I discovered something I never knew before. Simultaneously, Kim Jeom began to sweat cold beads down his spine. Above his expression hung a cry, Please stop! What have you newly discovered? To Sejongs inquiry, Hyang briefly replied, There were many leaseholders in Hanyang. Hyangs expression while answering was quiteplex. In the Joseon Dynasty, andlord of a well? I could understand if you were andowner, but andlord of a well? Hanyangs housing shortage was quite famous. Officials and soldiersing from the provinces to make a living, and those newly appointed to government positions, had no homes in Hanyang, and had to find rented houses or live in rented rooms. Hence, reading Joseon history or the writings of famous people, there were more than a few stories about the sorrow of living in rented rooms. So Hyang was astounded to learn the truth. Rented houses As Sejong was mulling over the words, several officials nodded in agreement. While many of those with a higher status had proper homes in Bukchon, there were many ministers still living in rented houses. In particr, low-ranking officials were staring at Hyangs mouth with shining eyes. Yes, living in someone elses house brings much sorrow. Ive heard the saying that a thatched roof of ones own is far better than a tiled roof of a rented house. Thats right, Your Majesty! Many officials responded loudly to Sejongs words. Do any of you live in rented houses? Oh my So what should we do? It is said that abolishing rented houses immediately is unreasonable, as renting them out is not a crime in itself. Thats true. So How about building official residences after the reconstruction? Official residences? Like those for provincial governors? Simr, Your Majesty. Well submit a proposalter. Understood. I look forward to it. Yes, Your Majesty. The scribe recording Sejong and Hyangs conversation wrote as follows: C Therefore, His Majesty ordered the Crown Prince to submit a proposal. The scribe wrote: The sorrow of living in rented rooms knows no bounds of rank or wealth; how can it not bemented? In this situation, where only the wisdom of the crown prince can be relied upon, the senior officials and ministers must surely be held ountable. Chapter 81 Chapter 81 The meeting at the government office hade to an end and the Minister of Taxation returned to his personal office with a sigh. Sigh~ No matter how endlessly I work, it never seems to end. Should I just resign? No, I cant. His Majesty surely wouldnt just let me resign like that As he was seriously contemting whether to resign or not, an inner chambein came looking for him. Your Excellency, Minister of Taxation, are you there? I am here. What is it? His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince has sent this to you. Huh? The chambein held out a cloth wrapped in silk to the Minister of Taxation. He said, I look forward to your continued support, as he handed this to me. Tell him Im deeply humbled by this gracious gift. Yes. After the chambein left, the Minister of Taxation stared at the wrapped cloth without a word for a long time. Somehow I feel that unwrapping this wont bring anything good Hesitatingly, the Minister of Taxation untied the knot of the cloth. Inside, a small wooden box was ced. Sigh. He sighed as he opened the wooden box, then sighed again. Be it the King or the Crown Prince In the box was a precious-looking wild ginseng. * * * Meanwhile, inside the Minister of Taxations main residence, the scent of tonic lingered in the air. Whats the point of all this Madam Kwon, Minister of Taxations wife was fanning the brazier with the tonic pot on it, then grumbled. The tonic currently being cooked in the pot was a precious tonic personally bestowed by King Sejong not long ago. Although she could simply order a maidservant to do it, it was a precious gift from the King. If not handled properly, there might be gossip, so Madam Kwon was preparing it herself. However, her dissatisfactiony elsewhere. Whats the use of feeding him tonic? Whats the point! Her husband, whenever he came home, was like a busy nobleman. It was hard to me him since he wasnt spending his time at pleasure houses but working for the nation until he was worn out. Madam Kwon angrily fanned the fire, muttering. This tonic isnt even worth the price! * * * With the arrival ofte February, the reconstruction work began in earnest. A temporary construction office was set up near Jonglu, and Hyang meticulously directed the work. First, lets simultaneously carry out the connection between Cheonggyecheon and nearby streams and the clearing and management of the fire-damaged areas. A government official who had joined the Public Works Department confirmed the situation once more. Shall we prioritize connecting Cheonggyecheon to Jongno and the fire-damaged areas? That would be the most reasonable, right? Its the most suitable in terms of manpower allocation. Then, lets do that. That said Hyang looked at the Public Works official before him with an expression of realization. You seem quite familiar with this kind of work? At Hyangs question, the Public Works official smiled slightly and answered, Coincidentally, my first job was the construction of the current Hanyang. Really? Your rank? Hyang eyed the living historical figure officials uniform. It was old but neat, and its color was blue. Im a 6th rank inspector. You started from the bottom, it seems? Yes, I did. Seeing the bittersweet expression on the Public Works officials face, Hyang encouraged him. This too is fate; lets create a masterpiece together. I will do my very best! At Hyangs words, the Public Works official bowed deeply in reply. He too understood what Hyang meant. He had been working hard up until now, but with Hyangs words, the Public Works official showed even more passion. Hyang softly murmured at his sight. People like him arent rare. In the 21st century, too, there were many who were talented and diligent but surprisingly unrecognized. The sad back figure of those who became self-abandoned over time, only doing what was given to them, ovepped with the back figure of the Public Works official walking away. Watching that back figure, Hyang made another decision. We need many capable people to overhaul this whole Joseon. The only answer is to select those with both skills and experience! That night, upon returning to the Eastern Pce, Hyang began drafting a new proposal. It was a proposal with an incredibly long title, On the Establishment of a Specialized Agency for National Development Management. It proposed the creation of an institution responsible forprehensive management by selecting those with both abilities and experience, regardless of rank. * * * The first thing done in the reconstruction of the disaster-stricken area was the organization of the blocks. What would be a good standard for organizing the blocks? At the question from Hyang, the executives who were momentarily ncing at each other responded immediately. Its the well. Exactly. By digging a well and organizing the blocks ording to it, we can properly align the roads and sewage system. Then, lets do that. Fortunately, the prototype of the drilling machine has beenpleted, so we can check its efficiency as well. Good. A drilling machine? The executives tilted their heads at Hyangs words. The next day, three drilling machines were dispatched from Area 51 and arrived. Is this it? Yes. The craftsman who had been in charge of the development and test operation of the drilling machine exined its benefits to the executives. It takes less time than digging a well manually. Really? The best benefit of saving time is that we can quickly determine the usability of the well after digging it. Really? Lets get started then. Yes. The drilling machines, divided into threerge parts, immediately began work in the disaster-stricken area. Hmm This seems like a good spot. After examining the rough sketch of the temporarily designated area and the terrain, the drilling team leader designated a likely spot for groundwater. We will dig here! Set it up! Yes! At the drilling team leadersmand, the team members moved quickly. They set up a sturdy iron tripod and installed a driving unit for drilling on top. Lastly, they connected a spiral-shaped drilling rod and an iron pir to the driver. Once the initial instation wasplete, the team members connected an iron pir about 1 jang (approximately 3.3m) in length to the driver and brought an ox to pull it. Go! Moo~. A light tap on the oxs hindquarters got it moving slowly. As the ox slowly circled, the connected driver rotated, driving the drill into the ground. Hmm As the drilling machine started to work, the people responsible for the area gathered to watch the process. It seems fine, doesnt it? It seems usable. The drilling team leader answered confidently to the favorable reactions of the managers. With this, weve dug wells so well in Area 51! When we were digging the ground for days and the water didnte out, how frustrating was it? But using this, that time is drastically reduced! Hmm thats true Swoosh! Water! After two days of drilling, water gushed up through the borehole. The onlookers all apuded. Its water! Wow! Look at the water spouting up! As the water sprang up, the drilling team leader dismantled the drilling machine. Then, the gathered managers and residents determined whether the well would be of sufficient quantity and quality. This seems fine, doesnt it? It seems like it will be a good well. With the conclusion reached, the drilling team leader gathered the equipment and people to move on to the next well. The remaining managers gathered the people. Now we have to build the well properly, so move quickly! Theres a mountain of work to do! Yes, My Lord! The drilling machine performed exceptionally well at the reconstruction site. With the drilling machine doing a significant part, water source procurement was quickly aplished, and the organization of the blocks rapidly elerated. The arrangement of houses and drainage channels was determined around the well, and based on thend and household registration books, housing areas were distributed to the disaster victims. Its good, but Although they had received thend, the faces of the disced people did not easily brighten up. It was because of the financial problem of building a house. Ahem! Whos thendowner of thisnd? The homeowner, who had been lost in worry, was startled and responded as the manager came looking for thendowner. Its me, sir. Whats the matter? You, do you have money to build a house? Whew~. Everythings gone up in mes; theres no way I have it. Hmm Well, the country has decided to lend money this time. Do you have a moment? At the officials words, the homeowner spread a straw mat that was on one side and extended his hand to the manager. Oh my! I have to make time even if I dont have any! First, please sit here! After listening to the managers exnation for a while, the homeowner tilted his head slightly and asked a question. I understand what youre saying, but whats a grace period? Its when you only pay interest for the duration you want, and repay the principal afterward. So if its a 3-year grace period with 3-year repayment, you only pay interest for the first 3 years, and then you pay interest and principal in installments over the next 3 years. Aha! The interest rate is only 3% per year. Youve probably tried using long-term loans, so you know that the cheapest interest is 5%, right? But only receiving that is called Bosal (meaning a kind-hearted lender). Isnt it? Thats right. So think it over. But where should I go to borrow the money? Come to the government office. Thats all. When the manager, who finished exining, brushed off his seat and got up, the homeowner quickly stood up. No, please have a ss of cold water before you go. Im good. I have many more houses to visit. So, think it over. Having finished exining, the manager hurried to the next house, walking briskly. Please take care! Having seen off the manager, the homeowner sat down in a corner of the yard and began calcting. So, to build a house, I need money What I earn in a year is If the interest rate is 3% In one corner of the yard, the homeowner moved little stones around, calcting. * * * Three dayster, having done his calctions, the homeowner decided and went to the government office. Excuse me sir Standing hesitantly at the entrance of the government office, the homeowner stopped an official passing by. Whats the matter? With a weary face from the day, the official who was leaving the government gate turned his head at the voice that grabbed him. Seeing the look of the person who spoke to him, the official made a face that said he understood what it was about. Are you here for the loan? Yes, sir. Go inside and head straight to the right, therell be a room there. Yes? Yes. Thank you, sir. With the officials exnation, the homeowner bowed his waist deeply in thanks and crossed the threshold of the government office. He quickly found the ce in question. The homeowner, heading to where people with simr looks were gathered, waited for his turn. Things went smoothly from then on. Park Soon-bok family of five? Yes, sir. Then you need at least three rooms, right? Yes, sir. Then the cost is Thus, Park Soon-bok received loan counseling and exited with a piece of paper. Go to the Supply Department? Holding the paper, Park Soon-bok moved his steps towards the Supply Department. Lets see Park Soon-bok what year were you born? Holding a copy of the household register, an official verified the person and checked the contents written on the paper. 3 rooms necessary material amount is The official read the amount of materials needed to build Park Soon-boks house and confirmed it. thats all, is there anything missing? Yes. But do we have to use tile roofing? Its expensive. What if theres another fire? You want to lose everything again in one go? That cant happen! Since cheaper roof tiles came out this time, lets try using them. If you dont like them after trying, earn some money and rece themter. Yes. So having confirmed all the materials for construction, the supply official handed the papers to Park Soon-bok. Put your thumbprint there. Excuse me? Yes. At the supply officialsmand, Park Soon-bok diligently put his thumbprint with ink on his thumb. Now, take these papers and keep them safe. One is a receipt with the list of materials, and the other is a record of how much youve borrowed and when youll repay it. Yes. The materials will The official paused, leafed through a book stacked beside him, and continued, They will arrive at your plot in four days. Hire theborers yourself. You can take turns building with your neighbors, right? Yes, sir. Then were done. You can leave now. Next! Havinge out of the supply building, Park Soon-bok blinked and muttered, What is this What is this Its not even a trick yed by a goblin * * * As the reconstruction of the affected areas began in earnest, there was a shortage of workers. Even though dayborers flocked from other parts of Hanyang, it was still insufficient. Many houses were being built simultaneously, and road construction was underway, which was the reason. In the end, King Sejong issued an order to the army. Borrow avable soldiers from the 12 divisions guarding the capital! We obey themand! Thus, the borrowed soldiers sweated on the construction sites. Meanwhile, some generals were observing the scene and sharing their opinions. Hmmm The Crown Princes suggestion does not seem entirely wrong, does it? Indeed. They were generals from the Joseon Army General Staff Headquarters. During a massive reform in the Joseon Army, a proposal was made for the creation of a new troop division. The proposed division was the engineers. However, most of the generals had reacted negatively to the proposal. -A soldier who cant chop with an axe or hammer is rare, so creating a separate division is unnecessary. This negative response from the generals changed direction to necessary! during the recovery process of the Hanyang Great Fire. Eventually, at the end of resumed discussions, the Engineer Corps was established. Even if the spear and sword rust, the shovel de shines! One shovel, one task! If given a shovel and a pickaxe, I shall move mountains and rivers! It was the birth of a division that created all kinds of rumors and legends. Chapter 82 Chapter 82 As March approached, a strange rumor began to circte in Hanyang. Hearing the rumor, Hanyangs magistrate, Kwon Jin, immediately reported to King Sejong. Your Majesty, there is a false and nderous rumor circting within the capital. A nderous rumor, you say? What is it? It is truly disgraceful to even mention Thats fine. Tell me. At Sejongsmand, Kwon Jin cautiously recounted the content of the rumor. Crows cry in the pine tree at the royal tomb, the sky ys tricks with the weather, and the ck clouds that drift as rain falls signal the time for a change in dynasty. This is what it says Before Kwon Jin finished speaking, Sejong mmed down his armrest and yelled, How audacious! At Sejongs outburst, the ministers sealed their lips and looked for cues. So, has the source of this disgraceful rumor been found? We are investigating with all our efforts. You must find the person spreading this falsehood! Understood, Your Majesty. After giving hismand to Hanyangs magistrate, Sejong gave an order to the Minister of Law and Punishment. Are there still those trying tomit arson? Your Majesty, indeed, there are still those carrying out such reckless acts. What insolence! Sejong mmed down his armrest once again, bursting with anger. After therge fire in February, there had been attempts by some to start fires, hoping to use the opportunity to steal. However, many of their attempts ended in merely burning houses. Military forces guarding the capital were deployed throughout Hanyang for reconstruction of the affected areas and maintainingw and order. Not only the military, but also the residents of the neighborhoods organized watch shifts, climbing onto rooftops to guard in all directions. As the sun set, all passage was prohibited. After sunset, those found outside without special permission for night work were immediately arrested and imprisoned in the city jail. Despite these tightened security measures, attempts at arson continued. Over 50 houses had burned since therge fire, with casualties and refugees as a result. However, thosemitting arson were quickly caught by the police and soldiers, and they were executed. While an investigation to catch the person spreading the rumor of a changing dynasty was underway, another rumor started to circte. This fire was caused by the Minister of War, Jo Mal-saeng! The Minister of War, Jo Mal-saeng, ordered a fire to burn the weapons as soon as the king left the capital, and Yon Sa-jong of Goksan tried to hatch a plot when he did not follow the king. Also, Jo Mal-saengs son, Jo Seon, and his rtive, Lee In of Gongnyeong, tried to attack the pce after setting the fire. Upon hearing this rumor, Jo Mal-saeng prostrated himself before Sejong, crying out his innocence. Your Majesty! I have notmitted such a reckless act! Please believe in my loyalty! That must be true. Since the time of the previous king, you have been faithfully serving. Consoling Jo Mal-saeng, Sejong issued amand. Find out who is spreading this groundless rumor quickly and punish them! After an extensive investigation across Hanyang, a suspect was apprehended. Weve caught the suspect. Who is it? It is a man named Kim Yong-saeng, who once held an official post. Hearing Hanyangs magistrates response, Sejong expressed doubt. An official post? That means at least a Grade 3 high-ranking official, right? Why would such a person spread this false rumor? We are currently investigating the reason. Hand him over to the Royal Secretariat for a swift verification of the facts. Understood, Your Majesty! Days passed, and the Royal Secretary personally reported the investigation to Sejong. Kim Yong-saeng held a deep personal grudge against Minister of War Jo Mal-saeng and Yon Sa-jong of Goksan, which led him tomit this act. Oh Sejong sighed at the Royal Secretarys exnation. What on earth could have caused such a grudge that led him to do this? Regardless of whether the usation is true or false, one side will be utterly ruined, will they not? Sejongs question was valid. usations of treason were life-or-death gambles for both user and used. If the usation was true, the useds entire family would be destroyed; if false, the opposite would happen. Thats Speak. At Sejongsmand, the Royal Secretary exined the situation. So, due to this bribery issue, Kim Yong-saeng, who had held a grudge, spread the false rumor. Oh Sejong was bbergasted and speechless. His eyes were fixed on Jo Mal-saeng, who was bowed to one side. Minister Jo Mal-Saeng. Yes, yes! Your Majesty! You must remember what thete king said to you. I want to give you a promotion, but Ill do it slowly, so dont decline. Your Majesty. Sejongs voice became increasingly cold. For the time being, be prudent. Auditor General, listen. Yes, Your Majesty! Investigate the bribery issues rted to the Minister Jo Mal-Saeng. Yourmand is received! The voice of the responding Auditor General was excited. And it wasnt just the Auditor General who was excited. After a long time, the officers of the Censorate investigated zealously. As a result, a bribery scandal, arguably thergest in the Joseon Dynasty during Sejongs reign, was revealed. It was a scandal recorded in the annals as the Kim Do-yeon Bribery Case. ording to our investigation, a man named Kim Do-yeon bribed former and current officials, including the Minister Jo Mal-Saeng and the Commander of Goksan, maniptingwsuits. He robbed the property and ves of brothers Kim Song and Kim Jin, who live in Hongwon-hyeon of Hamheung-bu, and made hundreds of rtives ves. Heavens. Sejongs face showed a loss for words at the Auditor Generals report. ording to the report, Kim Do-yeons case showed vividly what inhumanity beneath a human face means. The crime started with Kim Do-yeons greed for Kim Saengs property. Kim Saeng, who had migrated to Hamgyeong-do and after many twists and turns became a wealthy man with vast rice fields and over a thousand ves, was originally a friend of Kim Do-yeons grandfather. Kim Do-yeon, envious of this wealth, fabricated documents iming that Kim Saeng was originally his familys ve but had fled to Hamgyeong-do, and initiated awsuit. To win thiswsuit, Kim Do-yeon bribed high-ranking officials enormously. Thanks to those bribes, Kim Do-yeon won thewsuit, and made Kim Saengs descendants, numbering 426, and over a thousand ves, and fields, his own. So, the list of those who took bribes from this Kim Do-yeon is as follows. Sejong, unrolling the scroll handed to him by the Auditor General, checked the names written on it. Minister Jo Mal-Saeng and the Commander of Goksan are at the top. At Sejongs words, Jo Mal-saeng bowed deeply and cried out. Please grant mercy! Ignoring Jo Mal-saengs cry, Sejong gave an order to the Auditor General. The Censorate and the Inspectorate shall investigate immediately how much these people on the list have taken and report it. Yourmand is received! The voices of the responding Auditor General and the Grand Inspector were filled with vigor. Meanwhile, Hyang, who had heard the rumor while working at the research institute, hastily organized the documents. Its frustrating to just watch this happening. This is an opportunity to uproot the practice of bribery! The Censorate and the Inspectorate were bustling like fish in water. ording to the report sent by the inspector dispatched to Hamgyeong-do (a monitoring position dispatched by the Censorate to each province), a total of 19 former and current high and low-ranking officials were bribed with 132 ves. And the one who received the most was Jo Mal-saeng, with 36. The Auditor General Kwon Do who submitted the list to Sejong argued as follows: The bribes Jo Mal-saeng received, counting only the ves, amount to 780 *gwan*. Byw, we may overlook up to 40 *gwan*, but if it exceeds 80 *gwan*, it must be met with execution! Is that so? If we forgive such a person, who enjoyed the great trust of thete king, who will follow thew? Ah~. As Sejong hesitated, the Auditor General and Grand Inspector simultaneously bowed and raised their voices. Please punish him severely! He must be executed! Please punish him severely! As the Auditor General and Grand Inspector vehemently advocated for execution, Sejong looked at Minister Jo Mal-Saeng with resentful eyes. As he looked at the trembling back of Jo Mal-saeng, who was bowed down, Sejong became lost in thought. He had been a faithful servant, having earned a reputation since the reign of thete king. He was also one of those who followed Sejongs policy well and gave good advice, and that person was Jo Mal-saeng. ording to thew, execution would be the correct punishment, but the problem was that bribery was the daily practice of officials. If they punished all the officials who took bribes ording to thew, only those with little experience who only knew how to follow orders would remain in the court. I wish I could execute them all like the Crown Prince said, but the situation Your Majesty, may I express my thoughts? Reading Sejongs expression, Hyang opened his mouth, to which Sejong seemed to have been waiting, answered, Speak. The punishment of those who have taken bribes is urgent, and it is also urgent to restore the identities of those who have been wronged by unjustwsuits. How about handling this first? Indeed! Send someone immediately to restore the identities and properties of the descendants of Kim Saeng, who have been wronged by falsewsuits! I ept yourmand! Furthermore, we must punish Kim Do-yeon, whomitted such heinous crimes. Kim Do-yeons crimes are not one or two. First, he instigated falsewsuits for his own greed; thats one crime. Second, he manipted documents to treatmoners as ves and disrupted the countrys public affairs; thats another crime. Third, he spread bribes to achieve his own will; thats another crime. Fourth, he intentionally harmed his grandfathers close friend out of his own greed. This disgrace to his grandfathers name is an act of unfilial piety, which is another crime. Fifth, by deceiving people into thinkingmoners were ves and blinding your Majesty, hemitted the crime of deceiving the sovereign and disrespecting the superior; thats another crime. Evenbining just the crimes of unfilial piety and deceiving the sovereign, ording to thew, he can be sentenced to death for these major crimes. Thus, the criminal Kim Do-yeon should be executed, all his family members turned into ves, and his properties confiscated. Among the confiscated properties, return the victims belongings to them, reimburse those who purchased the victimsnd at the time of purchase, and return thend to the victims. And if there is any remaining property, put it into the national treasury. At Hyangs suggestion, Sejong pped his knee in approval. The Crown Princes opinion is indeed correct! What do the ministers think? At Sejongs question, the ministers all answered in unison, We think its an excellent n! As the ministers unanimously agreed, the chief state councilors and chief aides had a disagreement. The measures for the victims identities and the criminals punishment are indeed good, but the punishment for those who epted bribes for Jo Mal-saeng is also urgent! Please decide quickly! I will consider that part a bit more. Please decide quickly! I said I will consider it! Thats enough for today! Although Sejong said he would consider it, the Office of the Inspector General and the Secretariat did not lose momentum. From the next day, the officials of the Secretariat and the Inspector Generals Office spread mats in the front yard of Geunjeongjeon Hall and began a sit-in protest. Jo Mal-saeng and the corrupt bureaucrats must be executed! Please decide quickly! Please decide quickly! Sigh~. Hearing the shouts from the front yard of Geunjeongjeon, Sejong, who let out a long sigh, stood up. Lets take a break for now. After dering a recess, Sejong headed for Eastern Pce. Is the Crown Prince here? Yes, Your Majesty. Its been a while since Ive stayed in the Eastern Pce. After confirming with Eastern Pces steward that Hyang was staying there, Sejong ordered the following officials, Wait here. Yes, Your Majesty. Its a private conversation between father and son. Do not cross the line. The officials retreated at Sejongsmand, which was so firm that it even seemed angry. Somehow! Someday! They were officials burning with determination, recalling legends of their senior officials. Pleasee in. Yes. Hyang, who had offered a seat, opened his mouth as soon as Sejong sat in his chair. You seem deeply troubled. Sejong nodded his head in response to Hyangs question. *** Ive seen it all. I want to destroy everything just as I thought. Theres no suitable sessor, and if I handle this poorly, I could be criticized formitting an act of filial impiety by offending the subjects raised by thete king. Sigh~. Sejong heaved a long sigh, and Hyang nodded quietly. As long as Joseons state system included Confucian schrs, the shadow of thete king was not easily dismissed in personnel matters. Especially since many of the ministers involved in the current problem were intertwined with royal and familial rtionships. Seeing Sejong filled with concern, Hyang offered his opinion. Why not simply not kill them and not appoint them to new positions? Huh? How? Hyang whispered to Sejong. After listening to Hyang for a while, Sejong pped his knee. Thats an idea! * * * The king has returned. Upon hearing this, the ministers returned to the hall and took their seats. Seated on his throne, Sejong opened his mouth and addressed the ministers. Upon deep consideration, the crimes of Jo Mal-saeng and others are far from light. ording to thew, they should be executed, but Execute them! Execute immediately! Execute immediately! The moment they heard the words they should be executed, but, the chief state councilor and chief eunuch advocated for severe punishment. How dare a subject interrupt the king! What countrys etiquette is this? Realizing their mistake at Sejongs reprimand, the chief state councilor and chief eunuch knelt immediately. Please grant us death! Please grant us death! Should I really do so? Sejong, having silenced the two officials, continued. The execution is deserved, but since they were trusted by thete king, I will not kill them. However, their crime is not light, so they will be punished as follows; C First, all the official positions, ranks, merits,nds, and wealth bestowed upon the criminals will be confiscated. C Only the assets of the criminals themselves will be considered for confiscation, without touching those that were passed to their wives and children beyond thest five years. C Furthermore, I order them to serve as document organizers. They will be assigned to the Six Ministries and serve in document management. Gulp! Everyone was horrified at the word document management, since it meant dealing with a considerable amount of records, some even connected to previous dynasties. Sejongs judgment left Jo Mal-saeng utterly copsed. Above his head, Sejongsmand continued. I alsomand other ministers. I will give you one month. Those who have received bribes above the legal standards must return them to the state immediately. If anyone is discovered after one month, not only will they face additional penalties, but they will also serve in document management! We ept themand! * * * As the ministers crowded out after the meeting, the officials who had been protesting swarmed the chief state councilor and chief eunuch. What happened? At the officials query, the chief state councilor and chief eunuch looked at Jo Mal-saeng. With a face that seemed to have aged 10 years, Jo Mal-saeng, supported by those around him, was leaving the hall. Seeing him, the chief state councilor opened his mouth. Death would have been better. Chapter 83 Chapter 83 The Document Arrangement Punishment struck fear into all officials as soon as it was established. In the 21st-century inte discussions about Joseon, the nobles of Joseon were so enthusiastic about recording things that they were jokingly referred to as record-lovers. Since its establishment, the records of the countrys administration were only 30 years old, yet they were already vast. The evaluation of the local officials was harsh. You fools who stake your lives on note-taking! Their judgment was that it was like the notes of a test-taker who only believed in the saying, If you take good notes, you be an honor student, and colorfully noted down everything with various pens. The problem is how to organize and digest it afterward. Among all the meticulously recorded documents, only the official histories had gone through the process of organization. Therefore, the suggestion that Hyang made after securing his position through the crown princes appointment was to organize the documents by each department. The issue was not that they had recorded so much due to ignorance, but that it wasnt valueless. However, this task was draining. The volume of documents was tremendous, and the tasks that needed immediate attention continued to pile up. The amount of daily petitions, ounts, and other reports that came to the royal court was already huge, and the number of replies to them was also considerable. It was a repetitive situation where, When one cartload of documents is organized, two cartloads of work piles up. The Document Arrangement Punishment, which was created to punish the officials of the Ministry of Personnel who didnt understand the situation and conducted the hazing ritual, was the perfect solution. If you dont produce results within a set time, the remaining time and volume will determine the exile period. The officials who were punished with this worst punishment became a ve to some archive, literally having to deal with the work. What if someone messes up the documentation process? To Sejongs question, Hyang answered with a nonchnt expression. We have to apply the guilt-by-association system1. The guilt-by-association system? We should involve the prominent members of ns and households. If someone who is being punished for a crime is trying to mess things up, then the heads of the n and family we must summon them. At Hyangs words, Sejong pped his knee. Aha! * * * As all their property was confiscated, the couple Jo Mal-saeng had to rely on their eldest son, Jo Seon. Father, wee. Wee. As Jo Seon and his wife, Princess Jeongjeong, weed them, Jo Mal-saeng and his wife had to first beg for forgiveness. Forgive us, Your Highness, for inconveniencing you. Forgive us. No, pleasee in. So, Jo Mal-saeng and his wife had to settle in Jo Seons annex. The day Jo Mal-saeng and his wife were dependent on Jo Seons house, Sejong sent a letter to Jo Mal-saeng through a court messenger. The content of the letter was simple. Be diligent and remember who you inherited your blood from. A short but powerful warning. * * * Jo Mal-saeng, who had only heard about the Document Arrangement Punishment, was listening to the Ministry of Law Enforcements official reading a scroll cautiously. So, the criminal must do his best in organizing the documents! This was the royal decree. Do you understand? At the cautious officials words, Jo Mal-saeng nodded weakly. I understand. And since Im a criminal, please speak casually. Then are you okay with that? I am a criminal. Then I will speak informally Come. Follow me. Yes. Jo Mal-saeng, following the still ufortable official of the Ministry of Law Enforcement, looked up at the sky. Its a damn clear sky. The April sky was stunningly bright. * * * The ce Jo Mal-saeng was directed to was the newly constructed buildings next to Gyeongbok Pce, behind the Six Ministries intersection. In the vast open space where the private houses were entirely cleared away after purchasing the 21st-century Jungak-dong and Susong-dong areas from the royal court, huge buildings were erected. A tall fence surrounded the area, and at the entrance of the gate hung a signboard written by Sejong himself: Joseon National Archives It was a ce where the terrible legend was engraved: The red pirs of the Archives were stained with the tears, sweat, and nosebleeds of the officials and criminals who worked there. Phew. Seeing the magnificent scale of the Archives, which he had only heard about, Jo Mal-saeng involuntarily opened his mouth. The feeling of actually seeing it was different from just hearing about the scale and budget when he was an official. Lets go. Lets. Staring nkly at the buildings, Jo Mal-saeng had to quickly move his feet at the words of the official. Hastily approaching, the Ministry of Law Enforcements official clicked his tongue at Jo Mal-saeng. Tsk If you have such distracting thoughts Nine times out of ten, youll end up in punitivebor. Ah, understood! Jo Mal-saeng, whose face turned pale at the Ministry of Law Enforcements officials words, shook his head. * * * This is where the criminal will work. Yes. Jo Mal-saeng had arrived at one of the many buildings within the record office. On the sign hanging from the buildings main pir was written Ministry of Military Affairs. Entering the building, Jo Mal-saeng unwittingly let out a sigh. Haah~. Inside the building, in arge room at the center, nine long desks were arranged in three rows, and officials with dark circles around their eyes were flipping through scrolls, transcribing them into books. Seeing the officials, worn out from fatigue, Jo Mal-saeng felt awkward. Am I going to end up like that too? I will now exin the work process. Yes. Whether it was because he was told to speak informally, or because he realized that Jo Mal-saengs status was nothing more than that of a criminal, the Ministry of Law Enforcements officials words had be more brusque than before. First, receive the work assignment from the supervisor in front. Since you were from the Ministry of Military Affairs before, you must be familiar? Yes. His words were polite, but there was a hidden thorn in the content. The official, with a face mixed with sympathy and reproach, continued. Since its the Ministry of Military Affairs, its likely the ount books from various provinces to begin with. Check the date they arrived and find the corresponding date in the Royal Secretariat Diary2, record what happened, and if a response was given, find the date and search for the exact copy to finish recording. So I have to go to the Royal Secretariat office for this right? Follow me. The official led Jo Mal-saeng to the entrance. A standing official pointed at tworge buildings in the middle of the record office. From here, on the left is where the Royal Secretariat Diary is stored, and on the right is where the copies of responses are stored. They are sorted by year and month, so finding them should make the work easy. Yes Seeing the tworge buildings, Jo Mal-saeng replied with a defeated voice. The officials exnation was nearing its end. When the bell rings once, you get a break of one gak (15 minutes). During that time, go to the side room to rest and stretch. When the bell rings twice, go out to the left to the dining hall for a meal. Meals are provided once a day, at noon. Finally, when the bell rings three times, you will leave. Understood? Yes. Then, begin your work. Yes. Feeling the eyes of the Ministry of Law Enforcements official behind him, Jo Mal-saeng approached the supervisor. Lets start with these ten for the criminal. The supervisor pulled out ten scrolls from the shelf behind him and handed them to Jo Mal-saeng. Receiving the scrolls, Jo Mal-saeng unwittingly read the date on the top one. Hongmu () 26th year (1393, Taejo 2nd year) Gasp! Startled, Jo Mal-saeng looked at the supervisor with surprised eyes. The supervisor nodded, understanding his expression. A bit old, isnt it? There are hardly any criminals in the Ministry of Military Affairs. Or they arepletely ignorant Our goal is to reach Taejongs 6th year within this year. That was a total of 14 years of records. Seeing Jo Mal-saengs stupefied expression, the supervisor urged him on. Hurry up and work! Dont forget that dy or error will result in punitivebor! Especially for a criminal,mitting an offense deceiving the king,3 is a grave crime. Even a single mistake will result in immediate punishment! Yes, yes! Hurried by the supervisor, Jo Mal-saeng found an empty seat and unrolled a scroll. A brush with ink Heh, heh Looking for the ink, Jo Mal-saeng became despondent. On the long tables center were several brushes in an inkwell, an inkstone filled with ink, and a stack of nk paper. Literally, he was reduced to the status of a desk-bound clerk who had to write documents. * * * Meanwhile, at a house in Joseon, Jo Mal-Saengs wife, Madam Shin, wasining to Princess Jeongjeong. Your Highness, cant you help us in any way? Despite Madam Shins plea, the princess shook her head with a troubled expression. Its beyond my ability. His Majesty these days is quite obstinate about this matter. Sigh~. What are we to do then At the princesss reply, Madam Shin beat her chest in despair. In the history before Hyangs intervention, Jo Mal-Saeng, who was found to have been bribed, had to be exiled.4 Not long after the exile, he was pardoned, and after 2 years, he could return to central politics. However, that was the end. Jo Mal-Saeng never sat in the promised ministerial position until his death. His evaluation in the records at the time of his death was as follows: C He had good character and waspetent, but the w in a gem (?? ?) blocked his way. He was a good talent for Sejong, who was ambitious for talents, but he was not on the same level as Hwang Hui. Simply put, he was used because he was needed, but he was not apletely satisfactory talent; this was Jo Mal-Saeng. However, with Hyangs intervention, the range of changes grew, and with the emergence of a brilliant processing tool called Document Sorting Type, Jo Mal-Saengs politicaleback became an unknown variable. * * * Meanwhile, during the one month period set by Sejong, an enormous amount of wealth flooded into the national treasury. Land documents, ves, gold, silver, horse meat5 and horse harnesses6 . Coral, jade All the wealth obtainable in Joseon is here. At Sejongs words, the officials could only bow their heads. Staring at the bowed officials, Sejong continued. How they ate up and without any losses I must admire the cunning of the tax officials. Truly, an incredible skill. With Sejongs thorny words, the officials all prostrated themselves, crying out, Please kill us! I wish I could do as the tax officials say or throw them all into the Document Sorting Type, but I made a promise, so I will let it go this time. However, if this happens again, dont hope for my mercy. We will keep that in mind! Then, lets get to the main point. Yes, Your Majesty. Thus the bribery issue was sealed, and national affairs began to move on track again. Outside the pce, people were busy rebuilding, and inside, they were busy conducting state affairs, but amidst the busyness, a subtle ripple urred among the officials. It was because of Sejongs directive regarding the female servants in the office. When the central and local female servants give birth, they will be given 100 days off as a rule. We ept the order. Sejongs order had its validity because there were frequent cases where the discharged female servants got sick or their babies died as they had to work without properly taking care of themselves. However, the reason this order caused a ripple was different. What! Female servants get maternity leave, and what about us? The officials, exhausted from their strenuous duties, began toin. Theirints reached Sejong and Hyangs ears through the inner officials. Hearing theints, Hyang chuckled. Hmph! If they feel wronged, tell them to write a resignation letter! What aint over such a small benefit! Do they think power is so easily gained? Sejong went a step further. I heard there are manyints about giving maternity leave to the female servants? As soon as Sejongs words fell, Hwang Hui began to defuse the situation. Isnt it natural to have those whoin everywhere? I wish I could catch them all and make them sort documents for 100 days or so. Bestow your mercy, Your Majesty. Tsk! Alright! But its really annoying. Im not even denying them holidays! Your Majesty is wise! In Joseon at that time, there were holidays. Lunar New Year, Daeboreum (the Great Full Moon), Dano (the Spring Festival), Chuseok (the Harvest Moon Festival), the 24 sr terms, the kings birthday, and the 1st, 8th, 15th, and 23rd of every month were official holidays. Besides these official holidays, there were days off ording to the regtions of each institution, as Hyang had allowed one day off every 10 days. Thus, if the sr terms, festivals, official holidays, and regted days off ovepped, there were cases where they rested for 4 or 5 consecutive days, and every year, when the calendar was distributed from the Office of Astronomy, officials flocked to check their holidays. Because of this, Sejong was furious when the officialsined. After sending the officials away, Sejong grumbled while looking at Chief Eunuch. How about rounding them all up and putting them in the Document Sorting Type for 100 days? Chief Eunuch closed his eyes tightly and sincerely answered Sejongs question. Please spare them, Your Majesty!
  1. I guess you could call it collective punishment. But for urate meaning, Guilt by association (???/B()) means the implicative system that any person suffers unfavorable treatment or punishment on ount of an act not of his own doing butmitted by a rtive. (credit: KR Wikipedia)[?]
  2. Seungjeongwon Diary or Royal Secretariat Diary is an official document recording from royal edicts to reports on the nations subjects petitions.[?]
  3. Gigungmangsa, a term derived from Chinese characters, It is derived from the Chinese characters (to deceive), (king or ruler), ), and (above)[?]
  4. In Sejong Veritable Records, it is stated as such, (1) Minister of Military Affairs Jo Malsaeng received twenty-four (nobi: ves). and (2) Jo Malsaeng had [his] letter of appointment š revoked, and was sent to Hoein in Chungcheong Province Ҝ[.[?]
  5. Horse meat is considered valuable since the amount of wealth needed to raise one horse is significant at the time[?]
  6. Saddles, bridles, belts, horse gags, and others are considered expensive as they are made of high quality materials[?]
Chapter 84 Chapter 84 There had been plenty of unpleasant incidents, such as the fire disaster in Hanyang and its recovery, Kim Doryeons riggedwsuit, and bribery case, but the daily affairs and good things continued without interruption. Among these ongoing matters, Princess Jeonghyes search for her husband, which had been suspended, resumed as well. In the pce room where the queen resided, Sejong and Queen Soheon were conversing with tea cups between them. How is your body? Its still alright. The childbirth is near, ording to the doctor. Ive told my doctors, and you must be cautious too, Your Majesty. Im sorry. As the birth of the prince was approaching, Sejong had been focusing on Queen Soheons care, instructing his doctors to pay close attention. The conversation about the child soon to be born naturally turned to Princess Jeonghyes wedding. She wont throw a tantrum again, will she? Shes not a child anymore, is she? Rather, she seemed to be looking forward to it. Indeed I feel both relieved and disappointed At Queen Soheons reply, Sejong spoke with an expression of mixed feelings. Seeing this, Queen Soheon smiled and said, Sending children off when the timees is the natural course of things, isnt it? Thats true, but Sigh~. Sejong, letting out a small sigh, changed the subject. After sending Jeonghye off, we must prepare for the Crown Princes wedding too, right? Thats true. Its going to be busy. Things just turned out this way. Sejong briefly replied and then prayed with a sincere expression. I hope that only good things continue to happen from now on. If His Majesty wishes so earnestly, it will surely be so. * * * Near the Amnok River1. A group of Joseon cavalry, dressed in new armor covered with green fabric, was moving quickly. They were heading north, where ck smoke had been rising for some time. Could it be the work of the Jurchens? Isnt it toote in the season to start a fire? To his subordinates question, Training First Officer Lim Gyeong-seok answered in a firm voice. I agree with you. Is this good luck or bad luck? I feel the same. At the grumbling of his subordinate, Lim Gyeong-seok nodded. With the supply of new weapons created in Area 51 and the reform of the military system, the Training Academy was expanded and reorganized. Their task was to develop tactics to make the best use of newly developed weapons, and to train soldiers. The talented ones, not only in strength but also in intelligence, were assigned to the Training Academy from both central and local armies. Even ordinary soldiers and armorers were the same. Talented individuals from the army across the country, including the 12 divisions defending the capital, were selected and gathered in the Training Academy. Their straightforward mission was simple but not easy, leading to significant rewards for those whopleted it. They all received nation-sponsored equipment and wages, and those above the rank of armorer were promised at least a one-grade promotion. Thanks to these tangible incentives, the officers and soldiers assigned to the Training Academy were highly motivated in their training and education. Some continued their previous duties at the academy, while others were dispatched to other units for training. Now, the cavalry led by Lim Gyeong-seok were part of those dispatched for real-world evaluation. Thats why they were saying that they werent sure whether they had encountered luck or misfortune. If the ones who caused the smoke were the Jurchens, and their scale was moderate, it would be a good opportunity to earn honor. Conversely, if the scale wasrge, they could either be killed in an attack or find themselves in a crisis where they had to run away with their tails between their legs. * * * The Jurchens are here! Damn it! Whats the scale? Upon hearing the report from the scout cavalry who had previously gone out for reconnaissance, Lim Gyeong-seok spat out a curse. Lim Gyeong-seok immediately asked the scout soldier. It appears to be about 40 horsemen! 40 horsemen? How many civilian houses were attacked? About 10 households! Hmm Upon hearing the report from the scout soldier, Lim Gyeong-seok stroked his beard and pondered. Calcting this and that gain and loss, he asked a subordinate standing next to him. Should we engage? It doesnt seem like well be at a disadvantage. Is there anyone opposed? There were no cavalrymen who raised their hands in response to Lim Gyeong-seoks words. Rather, the fighting spirit of the cavalrymen was growing stronger. Seeing the demeanor of these cavalrymen, Lim Gyeong-seok chuckled. Typical of you guys The cavalrymen before his eyes were those boasting of experienced veteran status, having gone through many battles. Furthermore, they were in a situation where they had received weapons that were very much to their liking from the training center. The men before Lim Gyeong-seoks eyes were not the sort to back down in a situation like this. I was getting restless myself; lets let off some steam! Yes! At Lim Gyeong-seoksmand, the cavalrymen responded vigorously. Charge with spears first! Then follow up with horseback gun tactics and wipe out the enemies! Will you not use the musket gun tactics? Didnt you say its only about 40 horsemen? If we use muskets, theyll run away. Draw them in as much as possible and sweep them all away! Dont let a single one escape! Understood! Hearing the response of the cavalrymen, Lim Gyeong-seok began to prepare for battle in earnest. Dont forget the protective goggles and face cloths! Yes! At Lim Gyeong-seoksmand, the cavalrymen tightly tied the protective goggles they had loosely hung around their necks over their eyes, and then covered their mouth and nose with the towels they had also been loosely wearing around their necks. The goggles and towels were also items that hade along with the newly distributed weapons. The goggles were made to allow the charging cavalrymen to maintain a clear line of sight. Thinly cut crystal fitted into a thin metal frame, cushioned with leather, protected the eyes from harsh dust storms. The face cloth made of cotton fabric served as a handy item to protect the respiratory system from the smoke created by burning gunpowder. Quickly putting on the goggles and face cloth, and tightly tying the reins of his steed, Lim Gyeong-seok swung his arm wide. Lets go! * * * Shit! Its the Joseon army! The Jurchens tribe chieftain, who was surveying the battlefield, spat out a curse. So soon the Joseon army is here! Damn!2 Cursing at the unexpectedly early appearance of the Joseon army, the chieftain was in a dire situation. This raid had been an unavoidable choice for him. The years of continuous famine had brought his tribe to the brink of survival. Moreover, as the merchants who had been trading with Joseon and Ming began to disappear, the crisis for his tribe deepened. And as the tribes from Manchu in the north expanded southward, his tribe was gradually cornered. He asked for help from other rted tribes, but even that had reached its limit. With the disappearance of merchants, and even the grains for seeds consumed, the chieftain had no other choice. We cross the river! ording to his decision, leaving behind only a minimum for tribe defense, he formed a squad and crossed the Amnok River. After crossing the river, the chieftain immediately attacked a suitable vige. Leave only the grains for seeds and children to be sold as ves, and kill the rest! Uwaaa! Not long after the battle began, the Joseon army appeared. * * * The Jurchens chieftain assessed the approaching Joseon cavalry, who were kicking up a cloud of dust from afar. The number of Joseon cavalry is about 20 Considering the Joseon army likes fivefold numbers, 25 must be the most urate. Hmm Were they patrolling nearby and rushed over after seeing the smoke? Then they must be all that there is? The chieftain who had summarized the situation called the warriors. Gather around! Kill the Joseon army! Were not retreating? They must be cavalrymen patrolling nearby! Then its an easy kill! Well take them all down! The quality of the Joseon armys weapons is good, so theyll be useful to us! The most experienced warrior agreed with the chieftains words. Thats true. Isnt it? In response to the chieftains question, the warrior shed a fierce smile. It seems were very lucky today. Its a lucky day. Everyone, move! The Joseon army is only half our number! Kill them all! Uwaaa! Shoot the arrows! At the chieftainsmand, the Jurchens warriors pulled bows from their saddles and drew the strings. Whoosh! Arrows! As arrows began to fly, Lim Gyeong-seok shouted loudly, signaling. Upon Lim Gyeong-seoks signal, the Joseon cavalrymen, who were running in two horizontal lines, widened the gap. Though arrows were flying towards them, the Joseon cavalry showed no fear. They knew very well that the newly issued armor and helmets would easily deflect such arrows. Unlike the old armor that only protected the torso, the new armor gave them confidence by covering their arms and even legs. Charge! At Lim Gyeong-seoks signal, the cavalrymen extended theirnces, which had been hanging from the saddle, on the saddles hooks. The red tassel attached to the middle of thence fluttered wildly in the wind, and the Joseon cavalry collided head-on with the oing Jurchens tribe. Lance charge? Theyre taking us too lightly! The Jurchens warriors, seeing the Joseon cavalry charging withnces aimed forward, scoffed. A straightforwardnce charge, which can only attack the front, was considered a novice tactic among the Jurchens tribe. A skilled Jurchens warrior could easily dodge thatnce and attack the enemys nk. This much is Urk! As he prepared to dodge the approaching tip of the Joseon armys spear, a Jurchen warrior stared in disbelief at the spear that had pierced through his body. The Joseon armys spear that had pierced him was much longer than the one he knew. The Joseon armys cavalry spear was not just longer. All kinds of tricks devised by Hyang were incorporated into the cavalrys saddle and spear. The newly made Joseon armys cavalry spear was 3 cheok (approx. 1 meter) longer than before. It was not just longer, but the spearhead was made as thin and sharp as possible, and the tassel usually attached below the spearhead was hung down lower. This was to confuse the enemy when they measured the distance from the front. The saddle was no different. The length of the spear holder, where the spear was ced while moving, was maximized downwards to prevent urate assessment of the spears length. Moreover, a support stand was installed on the saddle to hold the spear during a charge, reducing the burden on the cavalry. It was Hyang who had enhanced the power of the cavalry charge through these tricks. In the first sh between the Joseon army and the Jurchen, over ten Jurchen warriors became skewered meat in an instant, rolling on the ground. Without slowing down, the Joseon cavalry, who had prated the Jurchen formation in an instant, drew a circle and charged again at the Jurchen. Elya! Elya! Ha! Ha! The Joseon cavalry, moving their horses with just their legs, had strange-shaped curved des in their right hands and unfamiliar heavy metal objects in their left hands. Its hand-to-handbat! Lets finish this! Elya! When the Joseon army challenged them to hand-to-handbat, the Jurchen warriors also swung their curved des in response. However, the situation betrayed them again. Bang! Bang! Bang! The Joseon cavalryman, who blocked the Jurchens de with the curved de in his right hand, pulled the trigger of the musket in his left hand. Ugh! The bullet, aimed and fired at close range, unerringly pierced the vital parts of the Jurchen warriors. In just two collisions, the Jurchen who had crossed the Amnok River and piged the viges were annihted. The situation is resolved. Any dead or injured? There are no such fools. Any enemies escaped? It appears none. Receiving the report from his subordinate, Lim Gyeong-seok finally exhaled a long breath. Phew~. Well live now! With the tension finally released, Lim Gyeong-seok issued orders to his subordinates in a much softer voice. Clean up the battlefield and prepare to move the survivors. Understood. Watching his subordinates clean up the battlefield, Lim Gyeong-seok let out a small sigh. Im worried about writing the report. Writing the same content in three parts It was ording to a maxim he had heard at the training center. -Always write a report in three parts. One part for submission to superiors, another for unexpected urrences, and thest for your safety. And this battle became the beginning of the infamy of the Green Demons among the Jurchen.
  1. Or Yalu River. Currently in North Koreas territorial borders.[?]
  2. The incorrect grammar here is intentional by the author[?]
Chapter 85 Chapter 85 After the battle was over, Lim Gyeong-seok and his men prepared to move to the rear with the few surviving vigers, livestock, and the corpses and spoils of the Jurchens tribe loaded onto wagons. One of his subordinates, with a pitiful expression, spoke to Lim Gyeong-seok as he watched the survivors board the wagons. All of them are just children. Thats because the only things worth money are the children. The faces of Lim Gyeong-seok and the cavalrymen were somber as they exchanged words. The Jurchens tribes raiding strategy was essentially hit-and-run. In order to quickly escape after attacking and plundering frontier settlements and small viges near the border, adults were cumbersome. Moreover, the Ming merchants who bought the captured Joseon people also preferred children. Children were less likely to resist, easier to handle, and some Ming people preferred young girls or boys over adult women. The burial work is all done. Is it? Lim Gyeong-seok looked at the two mounds that had risen prominently between the burnt-down houses. The mounds were where the Joseon people killed by the Jurchens tribe were buried, separated by gender. Bowing his head briefly in silent prayer toward the mounds, Lim Gyeong-seok mounted his horse. Lets return! Lets return! Including the horses taken from the Jurchens, the expanded troop of Lim Gyeong-seok began to move slowly toward their garrison. * * * Your Majesty, a report has arrived from Pyeongan-do1. A report? It says there has been a raid by the Jurchens tribe. Hastily, Sejong reached out for the report and untied the knot. Oh my this. With trembling hands, Sejong read the contents of the report and handed it to the Chief State Councilor. Read it. Yes, Your Majesty. After the Chief State Councilor, the other officials took turns reading the report. Once all the officials had read the report, Sejong opened his mouth. The victims of this cmity were settlers who opened firefields without permission, but it is certain that they are our people of Joseon. The General deployed in the area requested a punitive expedition, and the Pyeongan-do Military Commander also requests permission. How do you all feel about this? In response to Sejongs question, Hwang Hui asked Kim Ye-ji, the Minister of Military Affairs, Which tribe of Jurchens did this to the vige? Based on the decorations on the saddles of the dead and the way they tied their hair, it seems to be the Dong tribe2. The Dong tribe is quiterge, isnt it? Is it possible with the currently deployed troops? In response to Hwang Huis question, Kim Ye-ji briefly answered. Its not about facing the entire Dong tribe, and considering the power difference shown in this battle, it is sufficient. Hmm If we dy further, the rainy season will begin, making suppression difficult. The Minister of Military Affairs advocated immediate suppression. However, Sejong was hesitant to make a quick decision. People have said that when you get a good sword, you want to swing it. Isnt it foolish to move hastily and alert the snake in the grass? At Sejongs point, Kim Ye-ji immediately answered. The Jurchens are like old foxes, taking us lightly if we dont respond properly and continually attacking, but bowing their heads and asking for trade if we go strong. Showing them their ce is a good strategy for the future. After hearing the Minister of Military Affairs, Sejong, who had been stroking his chin beard in thought, made a decision. Very well. Tell the Pyeongan-do Military Commander he has permission. However, the current troop strength seems weak, somand the General Staff Headquarters to select appropriate forces that have received new guns and cannons from the training centers and various camps in Pyeongan-do to join them. Also, tell them they are not allowed to stay across the Amnok River for more than a month. At Sejongsmand, the Minister of Military Affairs bowed deeply and answered. I ept the order! After ordering the military, Sejong turned his gaze to the civil officials. Civil officials, listen. We shall listen to Your Majestys words! The act of crossing the border to hold the Jurchens ountable is true. Since the Ming may make a fuss about this, prepare an appropriate response and send an envoy to Ming. I ept the order! So, Operation Retribution was activated. Many military officers at the training center volunteered and stepped forward when it was mentioned that troops would be organized to subjugate the Jurchens. Send me, sir! No, send me, sir! I will risk my life to make the operation a sess! Confidence filled the expressions of the officers who were requesting to be assigned. They were confident for a reason; they trusted the performance of the new weapons they were familiar with. And the report from the Amnok River only boosted their confidence further. A mere single unit without artillery support and without even using the general gun had annihted the Jurchens, twice their number, without any harm. The young officer, Lim Gyeong-seok, whomanded the unit ording to his major, was scheduled for promotion. I cannot miss this opportunity! To seize this opportunity given by heaven, the officers of the training center mored to be sent ahead. *** Curse this. Weve been hit again. Where? On the side. Damn it! How many times have we been hit now? Its the 12th time, Beiru (lord or prince). st it! Crash! At his subordinates report, the leader of the Saruta tribe overturned the table in front of him. For the tribes belonging to the Dong region, the Joseons punishment was like a red band in the dark night. Six groups of Joseon forces, each consisting of about 400 cavalry and 100 gunners, carried out sudden attacks on the Dong tribes and neighboring tribes residential areas. Caught off guard by the unexpected attack from Joseon, the chiefs of the Dong tribes busily prepared their defenses while trying to find out the reason. And the reason they found was incredibly simple. Its because of Dong tribes Beiru, or rather, those bastards, who plundered over 10 houses in Joseon, and this is retaliation for that? Yes. The tribal leader of the Saruta wore a dejected expression. *** With almost a month having passed since the start of Joseons punishment, over 12th time, almost all the other tribes troops had been wiped out. These were not evenparable to the original tribe that had caused amotion, they were 12 groups of a much smaller scale. Almost one tribe disappeared every two days. The desperate ones were those attacked by the Dong region. For those who had lived a half-farming and half-pastoral life, this was the time to stake everything on farming. If they missed this opportunity, they would face a terrible situation in the uing winter. To resolve the situation, the tribal leaders of the Dong region, including the leader of the Saruta tribe, requested mediation from Ming. However, the response from Ming was impossible. -Joseon has already sent a national letter. This is a legitimate act in response to the damage suffered by Joseon, and there is no reason for us to intervene. The leaders of the Dong region were forced to ept Mings response. What about forming the niru (alliance) now? If all the men are gone, farming will be ruined. If we pick only some Have you not seen the power of Joseons army? If we dont use all our power, we will surely fail! Gathered to find solutions, the tribal leaders threw out various opinions, but they were unable to find a good solution and continued to struggle. They struggled mainly for three reasons. First, as already mentioned, it was the farming season. Even if women and ves were mobilized, without the men, they could not properly farm. They could not afford to take away warriors for the already doomed tribes. Second was Joseons military power. Joseon conducted operations aimed at killing the Jurchens as much as possible. As a result, there were almost no survivors in the areas swept by Joseon. Most of the few survivors found were in a state of severe mental disorder or were seriously injured and unable to speak properly. Nevertheless, based on the scant information they gathered, the Joseon forces were actively using firearms. Facing the Joseon forces, who had be much stronger than before, there were hardly any leaders willing to put their precious warriors at risk. Thest reason was deeply rted to the second. It was the Uriankhai(s)3, with whom they were in a standoff nearby. The Dong region and Uriankhai had been consistently shing. If they lost their strength against Joseon, Uriankhai would not simply let it go. *** Beiru, Tung-han has regained consciousness. Unable to contain his anger, the leader of the Saruta tribe, who was gritting his teeth, quickly stepped outside. The ce the Sarutas leader headed to was the house of a Ming Chinese doctor in the vige. He was almost forcibly brought over, almost akin to kidnapping, but over time he became known as Master Wang and was respected. Master Wang, how is he? At the leaders question, Master Wang, who was wiping his blood-stained hands with a towel, shook his head. Its difficult. Ive eased the pain with medicine, but it wontst long. If you have something to say, now would be the best time to say it. At Master Wangs words, the leader hurriedly walked to the bedside. Taking Tung-hans hand as he breathed heavily, the leader softly called him. Brother, are you conscious? Oh, brother Im d to see you before I die. I will surely avenge you. At the leaders words, Tung-hans face struggled to shake its head. Dont do it. The Joseon people Struggling to continue speaking, Tung-hans voice trailed off, and he stopped breathing. Putting down Tung-hans hand that he had been holding, the leader looked back at Master Wang. What on earth I heard that the Joseon army used cannons. Is that so? Not just cannons, it seems they even used guns. At Master Wangs words, the leader examined Tung-hans bloody body. Shaking his head at the bullet-riddled body, he said, Guns? Ive seen them. They cant even hit properly Bad luck, I suppose. Guns arentmon, so it could have been unexpected, couldnt it? Haah~. At Master Wangs response, the leader sighed. Beiru. Master Wang, who had stopped the leader from leaving, warned him in a quiet voice. I heard that the Joseon army is retreating. Do not act rashly. I dont want to live as a ve to another tribe at this age. I understand. Exiting Master Wangs house, the leader kicked a stone on the ground with all his might. Damn it! Such a dog-like situation! Meanwhile, after sending the leader away, Master Wang picked up a bowl and examined its contents. Inside the bowl were small blood-soaked steel balls and fragments of iron. These bullets are too small for guns And these iron fragments, what on earth What puzzled Master Wang were fragments of a bomb. Facing an inscrutable dilemma, Master Wang furrowed his brow. He was haunted by the words of Tung-han, who had died in confusion. What does it mean that Joseon has obtained the power of the dragon * * * Afterpleting the operation and crossing the Amnok River, the Joseon army immediately sent a report to Hanyang. Reading the report, King Sejong rejoiced. Ha ha ha! Our Joseon soldiers have achieved a great victory! A great victory! Has there ever been such a joyous asion? As Sejong rejoiced, his officials bowed their heads and shouted in unison, Congrattions! Thank you, thank you very much! Raising his hand in acknowledgment, Sejong summarized the situation. With this expedition, we have punished 12 tribes, including the insolent ones who crossed our borders and plundered. This should keep the area around the Amnok River quiet for a while, right? At Sejongs question, the Minister of Military Affairs replied with a bow, They wont even dare to cross the Amnok River for a while. Thats right. However, if we let our guard down, we could be hurt at any time, so give orders to strengthen surveince at the border. As youmand. And have preparations been made for rewards for those who distinguished themselves in this operation andpensation for those who were killed or injured? Yes, Your Majesty. Those who distinguished themselves will be promoted in rank considering their merits, and those who were killed or injured will receive monthly grain and wealth ording to the newly establishedw. In addition, support is nned for those among the bereaved families who wish to take the literary or military examinations. Nodding at the reply of the Minister of Military Affairs, Sejong added, Care for the casualties is a given, but also pay attention to their livelihoods. They have met such a fate fighting to protect this Joseon, so they must be treated adequately. That way, others will also be willing to risk their lives, wont they? I will keep it firmly in mind. Sejong, who never forgot to admonish until the end, moved on to the next subject. The Jurchen tribes around the Amnok River will be quiet for a while, but what about the eastern or western Jurchens? Hwang Hui stepped forward at Sejongs question. As time passes, word will spread to them, so they will not act rashly. I would like them to be frightened if possible then they will listen well when called in the fall, wont they? Thats true, Your Majesty. Sejong firmly admonished his ministers. The matter with the Jurchen tribes is just the beginning. Proceed step by step with certainty so that our Joseons eastward expansion is carried out without hindrance. Do not forget that this is a grand n that our Joseon must aplish. I will keep it firmly in mind!
  1. Pyeongan Province, was one of the eight provinces during Joseon. Situated in the northwest of Korea before the split of the Korean penins[?]
  2. Also known as Yejeok people of Mohe or Malgal tribes (ancestors of the Jurchens). Originated from northeastern China.[?]
  3. Mongols of the north[?]
Chapter 86 Chapter 86 While the Joseon army announced a victory near the Amnok River, Hyang was still busily moving about. Has the connection of streams reached some level ofpletion? Yes, Your Highness. Looking at the map spread across therge table, Hyang and his officials were exchanging opinions. By connecting the Cheonggyecheon and major streams, we will solve the sewage problem throughout Hanyang. If this was Hyangs final goal, then what had been carried out so far was a phase-one process that prioritized the small streams in areas where houses had beenpletely burned down in fires. ording to Hyangs n, the exposed streams were densely connected using sewage channels. Most of the sewers were exposed channels above ground, but those crossing major roads were dug and buried underground. Of course, for that task, sewer pipes were supplied in bulk, made using cement and steel in Area 51. * * * Making sewer pipes with cement and steel? Fascinating. Its called reinforced concrete. Reinforced concrete? This is the first time Ive heard it. Not only King Sejong but also the ministers tilted their heads at a term they had never heard before. Its abination of Hanja and Western words. The Westerners call the mix of cement, sand, and gravel [concrete (written in English in the raws)]. I couldnt think of an appropriate name, so I used it as it is. Its due to myck of skill, and Im ashamed before Your Majesty. Please forgive me. No, the prince has much to do, and time is limited, so its an inevitable situation that everyone knows. Lets think about how to change that strange nameter. What do you think, ministers? In response to Sejongs question, the ministers all bowed their heads and answered in unison. Its a wise decision, Your Majesty! However, there were those who were frantic about Sejongs decision. They were the officials recording the meeting and the main scribes of the Royal Secretariat. How to write concrete? For a moment, they fell into a state of panic and froze on the spot. So, whats the utility ofbining this steel and concrete? To Sejongs question about utility, the officials regained theirposure and began to write diligently. The space where the problematic concrete would be ced was left nk using the punctuation mark (_), which had begun to be used widely centered around the Royal Library and the research institute. Hyang exined its utility in response to Sejongs question. Yes, mixing cement, sand, and gravel is like artificially making a stone. This stone endurespressive forces well but is vulnerable to tensile forces. Is that so? To Sejongs question, the chief secretary immediately answered. Yes, Your Majesty. Thats why, in the quarry, they insert a wedge into a crack and pull the stone out by attaching a rope to it. I see, then? Steel, on the other hand, endures tensile forces well but is weak topressive forces. So bybining the two, theyplement each others weaknesses and strengthen their advantages. Ho, really? Huh! Such a method. Gasps of admiration came from all around the room. Ha~, truly, this is like a symbol of harmony using the interdependence and opposition of the Five Elements! What a clever method indeed! Not only Sejong but also the ministers were sincerely admiring. * * * You may leave. You mustve been busy with disaster recovery. Thank you, Your Majesty. Having finished the report, which began with sewer pipes and ended with reinforced concrete, Hyang bowed to Sejong. Once Hyang had left, Sejong looked back at the ministers. Lets take a short break. Thank you, Your Majesty! As soon as Sejong announced a recess, the officials and writers briskly left their seats and scurried out. Huh? Noticing the strange behavior of the officials and writers, Sejong quietly followed them. Your Highness! Your Highness! Discussing the construction progress with his officials, Hyang stopped when he heard someone calling him. What is it? Heh, ha~, huff. Your Highness, that word. Catch your breath first, then speak. I apologize, Your Highness. And do some exercise. How far is it from the office to here? Tsk! As Hyang scolded, the red-faced officials caught their breath. During that time, Hyang continued to exchange opinions with his officials. Its not that how should we write the word concrete? While talking with the officials, Hyang extended his hand without looking back. Writing brush. Here it is, Your Highness. As an official hastily handed over the writing tablet and brush, Hyang absentmindedly moved the brush. Conc Ah!1 Your Highness! Suddenly, Hyang screamed, causing everyone around to be taken aback. Its nothing, its nothing. Frantically waving his hands to calm the people down, Hyang made a thick blot of ink on the characters he had been writing diligently with a golden brush. Making sure the characters were erasedpletely, Hyang wrote anew. [Concrete] Its written like this in the foreign characters. If you cant think of a proper Hanja, just use these characters as they are. Yes, Your Highness. Thank you, Your Highness. Then, since Im busy with work Once again confirming that he had erased it properly, Hyang moved swiftly away. Phew! That was close! Though he maintained a calm expression on the outside, inside, he was forcibly calming his wildly beating heart as he passed the gates of Gwanghwamun. Get a grip, Hyang! You almost made a major ident, on the level of a meteorite crash! He had been so engrossed in discussing national defense that he almost unconsciously wrote the Korean word ???? (Concrete). Fortunately, he realized his mistake midway through and erased it, but even now, Hyangs back was soaked with cold sweat. If something went wrong, Id be finished! Fanaticism is wee when done willingly, but when its forced, its a no-go! How should I trante this? The officer who learned the word from Hyang returned to the war room, pondering. His fellow officers and scribes were also deep in thought, looking for the right word to trante. Should we use Fanqie ()? That seems best The problem is ? and ?. For ?, we canbine ? and ? While discussing how to transliterate the word ???? (Concrete), Sejong called them over. Officers and scribes,e here. Yes, Your Majesty! What did you ask my son? Ah We were asking how to write concrete. Can I see it? Upon Sejongs request, the officers briefly discussed and then respectfully handed over the wooden b. Its not a private letter It is doable. Receiving the b, Sejong read the word. Concrete As Sejong read the word, the eyes of the officers and scribes widened. Your Majesty, can you read it? I learned it while reading foreign books brought by the crown prince. But Whats this ink blot? He suddenly blotted it out. Suddenly? What character was it? At Sejongs question, a sharp-eyed officer replied. It was a character Ive never seen before. Never seen before? Not one of the foreign characters written here? It was apletely different shape. Really? After a brief reply, Sejong thought for a moment and then returned the b to the officer. Youve looked at it well. Thank you, Your Majesty. Remember! If you remember what it looked like, write it down before you leave. I saw it only briefly, so I dont remember Ah! With an exmation, the officer wrote on the b. He wrote two characters, but both started with the same shape. Sejong received the b written by the officer and looked at it. ??2 King Sejong looked at the characters inscribed on the stone tablet and furrowed his brows, tilting his head. He handed the tablet back to the official. The official who received the tablet back bowed politely and returned to his post. After sending the officials and scribes away, King Sejong stood like a general, lost in thought with his hands behind his back. The characters, no, the patterns written by the official are entirely unfamiliar. Could they be from Cheonchuk (India) or Hoehoegyo? No, to my knowledge, there are no simr characters. Moreover, there are westerns words and westerns characters, so why use the characters of Cheonchuk or Hoehoegyo? The same goes for Geums and Mongols characters Could they have simplified the Hanja themselves? Its not unlikely, but theres no need to smudge them like that The simple curiosity began to grow in Sejongs mind. Sejong recalled a gathering he had attended at Jeong-chos house not long ago. Everyone knows the crown prince is exceptional. But few know how exceptional. He tends not to show more than is necessary. Why is that? Sejong unknowingly muttered to himself. He schemed just to do what he wanted. A cunning fellow. Your Majesty? Just talking to myself. Sejong briefly answered to Chief Eunuchs question and continued to organize his thoughts. The crown prince has been subtly mentioning our own characters since he received his appointment. And most importantly, the phonology books The brat has already read them all. The books on phonology that Sejong had requested were not sent to him immediately. To avoid the prying eyes of the inquisitive ministers, they had to be hidden away for some time. But when he went to borrow them, he often received this answer: I beg your pardon, Your Majesty, but its already checked out Who checked it out? The crown prince. I see. As Sejong recalled, he realized something he had overlooked. If you listen to the crown princes answers to the sly questions from me and the ministers That brat has read them all! And not just read them! Hmm Sejong finally reached a conclusion after organizing his thoughts. That brat has already produced some results! This clever fellow! Doubt turned into conviction. Sejong smiled mischievously and muttered, I was feeling a bit stucktely, but this is good news. Ill have to squeeze him for information when I find the time. Your Majesty? Just talking to myself. Lets go! After stretching lightly, Sejong headed toward Geunjeongjeon Pce. Listen, Chief Eunuch. Yes, Your Majesty. Sejong, leisurely walking, spoke to Chief Eunuch following him. Dont you think having a talented child is a blessing? At Sejongs words, Chief Eunuch paused to recall his memories. Having been with Sejong almost 24 hours a day, he knew well what Sejong was up totely. After a moment of reflection, Chief Eunuch replied, It is, Your Majesty, but moderation is the best policy. Hes still young. Sejong smiled slyly at Chief Eunuchs pointed response and answered, With people its not like hes going to eat them up, right? At Sejongs words, Chief Eunuch silently looked toward Geunjeongjeon. The faces of the officials and ministers walking towards Geunjeongjeon were filled with fatigue. He wont eat them, but he will push them to the brink of death Eh? No, nothing. * * * Ugh! While directing the construction site vigorously, Hyang suddenly felt a chill throughout his body and began to shiver uncontrobly. Whats the matter, Your Highness? A sudden chill Seeing Hyangs suddenly pale face, the supervisor quickly gestured to the inner chambein. Summon the medical officer! The medical officer, who had been on standby in case of an ident, received the call from the inner chambein and hurriedly ran to Hyang. Your Highness, Ill check your pulse momentarily. Please do so. Taking Hyangs wrist and feeling his pulse, the medical officer examined his body temperature andplexion before diagnosing him. Youve been umting a lot of fatigue. You need to rest. Theres no time to rest for now. Even so. Im sleeping at least 4 hours a day, so I should be fine, right? At Hyangs firm response, the medical officer sighed softly and replied, Ill send over some herbal medicine. Thank you. After the medical officer left, Hyang looked back at the supervisor. Lets move on to the construction of the road to Hansung (capital). Yes, Your Highness. All preparations are nowplete. Good. Lets start with the road connecting Gyeongbokgung and Sungnyemun3. Yes, Your Highness. As the supervisor who had received the order stepped outside the tent, Hyang still rubbed his trembling body. What on earth is this? A sudden, strong feeling * * * We must finish the construction before the rainy season begins! Toplete the road construction before the rainy season, Hyang mobilizedborers and soldiers on arge scale. After digging about one jang deep (a traditional Korean unit of length, approx. 3.3 meters), they excavated sand and gathered gravel to fill the holes. Once the holes were filled, theborers began to tamp down the gravel using tools that looked likerge pestles. Afterpacting the gravel, rebar produced in Area 51 was brought in andid on top of the gravel. Then, the supervisor shouted to the workers and soldiers. Pour the ster (ster)4! At the site, the term concrete had been reced with ster. Upon the supervisorsmand, carts filled with well-mixed ster came in a line, and they poured the ster over the rebar. [TL/N: Rebar is reinforced steel. ] Once the ster was poured, theborers standing by stirred it vigorously with long wooden sticks to make sure it settled well between the rebar. Over there! Dont step your foot into the rebar ster! Do you want to get scolded?! Sorry, sir! Aborer who identally stepped on the concrete retreated quickly after the supervisors scolding. Without protective gear like rubber boots or waterproof safety shoes, the best that Hyang could do was to use long sticks to carry out the concreteying. Going as far as South America is an unimaginable dream for now Reality is always a mess. Hyang grumbled every time he saw such a sight. However, knowing that failing to seize the opportunity created by the great fire would cost several times moreter on, he proceeded with the construction reluctantly.
  1. Hyangs written this in Hangul (Korean writing) which hadnt existed yet since Sejong didnt create them yet at this point.[?]
  2. Pronounced as Keu[?]
  3. Near Namdaemun Market, southward from the main pce of Gyeongbokgung[?]
  4. They are taking the term from Hanja here[?]
Chapter 87 Chapter 87 The first construction phase of the highway began at Gwanghwamun and ran through Sungnyemun, cutting through the north and south of central Hansung. Since it was one of the most important roads in Hansung, along with Unjongga that crossed east to west, Hyang mobilized all avablebor. As he coordinated the schedule, Hyang discussed the n forbor mobilization. If Hansungs avable workforce is insufficient, mobilize manpower from nearby provinces and counties. The farming season has just begun. Mobilize one person from every other household, but only for ten days. After that, mobilize one person from a different house. After momentarily calcting in his head, the official nodded at Hyangs words. It seems reasonable. Thus, the method forbor mobilization was determined, and during a short rest, Hyang grumbled. Phew, its fortunate that we dont have to bring people from the southern regions like in the days of Taejo or Taejong. Hyang heaved a long sigh of relief at the reality that it was fortunate to be able to mobilize manpower from near Hansung. Phew. If only we had a few forklifts and bulldozers and ready-mix concrete Starting the construction made Hyang long for the 21st-century construction machinery. With most tasks done by human power, and for the more demanding tasks using oxen or donkeys, Hyang further resolved himself. I must create a steam engine, no matter what! Huh? Whats this sudden chill? You too? Officials and craftsmen who had been researching steam engines and various devices at the research center and Area 51 suddenly felt chills throughout their bodies. We probably need to brew some medicinal herbs Is there a good physician around? * * * Even in the 21st century, a project of this size would have been divided into sections. Hyang also had to divide the construction into sections. However,pared to the 21st century, the scale of these sections was so small it was almostughable. Still, Hyang made every effort to maximize efficiency. He not only mobilized manpower from the nearby areas of Hansung but also created tools to increase efficiency. Among them, the most produced were concrete mixers and wheelbarrows. Hyang made everything from small ones turned by hand torge ones powered by oxen or donkeys and exined their use to the managers and supervisors. For the main road connecting Gwanghwamun to Sungnyemun, use therge mixers, and for the surrounding small roads, use the small ones. This will be fine. The mixture called ster needs a proper mix of sand, gravel, and lime, and these mixers will be incredibly useful. The managers and supervisors were quite pleased with the mixers. As they reported to Hyang, the most crucial part of using ster was to ensure that the main ingredients, lime, sand, and gravel, were well-mixed. Traditional lime ster was mixed with water, sand, and lime, but the ster, being more fluid than lime ster, was not easy to mix. When lime was first produced in Area 51, the first thing that was pointed out was this problem. Eventually, Hyang drew on his 21st-century knowledge and proposed the idea of mixers, and the craftsmen were able to produce the mixers after several trials and errors. * * * Stop! Stop! The workers, who were pouring ster over the gravel and rebar, stopped at the supervisors shouting. Who mixed this ster here! The supervisor, pointing to a spot where a cart was standing and loaded with ster, was infuriated. Who mixed this ster! Over there at that mixer Bring that damn thing here! Theborer who had pulled the cart, with a mournful face, followed the supervisor. Here? Yes. Upon hearing theborers answer, the supervisor picked up the ledger that was attached and found the name of the person responsible. Team leader Jang! Team leader Jang Man-gok! Where are you? A scruffy-looking man ran up at the supervisors call. Whats the matter? How can you send this kind of ster mix! Huh? Is this ster? It looks like gruel! What? The foremans loud scolding made Deputy Foreman Jang examine the mortar in the cart, and his face turned into a look of failure. The mortar in the cart looked exceedingly thin to him. Do you think this will solidify if you pour it like this? No, never mind solidifying for a moment, do you think it will even have the proper strength? I apologize! Knead it again and send it! If something like thises again, know that your head will be the first to fly off! I will send it properly! Ugh! Were already pressed for time, and you cant even mix this mortar right! After giving Deputy Foreman Jang a thorough scolding, the supervisor left his seat with a click of his tongue. Having been scolded by the supervisor, Deputy Foreman Jang red at theborers responsible for stirring with a visibly angry face. Who made this? When no one raised their hand in response to Deputy Foreman Jangs question, he yelled out angrily. Which bastard made this mortar! If no onees forward in the count of three, you all will be beaten under the scorching sun! At Deputy Foreman Jangs cry, all theborers eyes focused on one person. Was it you? I, I apologize! You idiot! I said to cook the mortar, not to cook something dead! I told you to keep the proper ratio, even if its hard, didnt I tell you that? I apologize! Thats enough! Take this and cook it properly! If you mess it up again, know that youll be fired immediately! Yes, yes! Theborer, warned, pulled the cart towards the mixer he was responsible for. Such incidents urred several times on the site and were even reported to the county magistrate. Cant you even properly supervise the mixing of mortar? We apologize! The supervisors all had to bow their heads at the county magistrates reprimand. It is certain that we have no time to spare for the construction period. I understand that it is not an easy job, but what should we do if these shoddy jobs keep happening? This will never happen again! Dont forget that you are officials who have received rank. And dont forget that these civil engineering works will continue. If you mess up, there will be no promotion!, a warning from the magistrate filled with meaning, was answered by the supervisors in loud voices. We will do our best! After this road construction, a new proverb was born among the people. He cooks death when asked to cook mortar. It was a proverb mocking those who couldnt do a job properly even when entrusted with it. * * * At the road construction site, many devices suggested by the county magistrate and made by craftsmen were used. Among those devices, there was one item that was well-received not only by those working on the site but also by ordinary people. That was the handcart. Carts were alreadymon items in Joseon. However, existing carts had a very high loading tform. However, the magistrate, based on the rear carmonly used in the 21st century, created a new handcart. Handcarts made with mass-produced iron from the first state-owned ironworks built in Anju under the direction of Kim Deok-sust year were even sturdier than carts before. This, this is a treasure! Theborers who used the handcart for the first time were unanimously praising it. Seeing the reaction of theborers, the supervisors immediately reported upwards. Carts, carts, more carts! Of course, the only regret was that the wheels had to be made of wood and metal tes due to the absence of rubber. Themon people instantly recognized the value of the handcart used on the construction site. That looks quite nice, doesnt it? The merchants who observed the peoples reactions smelled money. Itsing! Itsing! I smell money! The merchants who traced the origin of the smell of money and found its source were dismayed. Again, Area 51? Again, the Crown Prince? But, the real quick merchants hurried to find the authorities. Excuse me, sir. Which way should I go to reach the Intellectual Property Management Office? Upon receiving the merchants question, the official scrutinized the merchant from head to toe and opened his mouth. To register, or to use? To use, please. At the merchants reply, the official raised his hand and pointed in a direction. Go through there and turn left at the building, then go to the door on the right. Thank you very much. Just make sure to pay your taxes. Let those government people die. Damn them ying around with the budget Excuse me? Never mind, go on with your business. Yes With that, the official and the merchant went their separate ways. * * * The Intellectual Property Management Office was an agency requested by Hyang to be formally established in central government by Sejong. Uh I understand what guaranteeing the property rights of the creator of a new piece of machinery means. But, you call it intellectual property, which seems to include knowledge as well, correct? Hyang nodded at Hwang Huis question. Yes. It includes both technology and knowledge. Physical objects like machines are visible and easy to prove, but knowledge is intangible. Wont it be hard to acknowledge? Indeed. So, it has to be written in visible sentences and reviewed. But isnt the beauty of knowledge in sharing it with each other? When Hwang Hui and other schrs showed confused expressions, Hyang gave an example. Your excellency, do you know why the word revision originated? Yes. Imagine that you spent years revising and creating beautiful sentences. But what if someone takes those sentences and bes famous with them? Or, if someone passes the civil service exam using those sentences and people consider them as his? How would you feel? Eventually, the purview of the Intellectual Property Management Office extended to include intangible knowledge. Many patents began to be registered in this newly established office. Most were from Hyangsboratory and Area 51, but there were others as well. Interesting things began to happen as the office operated, such as inventors or those with unique technology or tools registering their works and suddenly finding themselves prosperous. This led to an increase in craftsmen, merchants, and even impoverished aristocrats devoted to inventing or developing new technologies. Slowly, the spark of the Industrial Revolution began to ignite in Joseon. * * * The handcart was establishing itself as a new hit product, and someone was carefully scrutinizing it. Astronomer Jang, do you have a grudge against the handcart? Why do you re at it so fiercely? Caught by a colleague passing by, Jang Yeong-sil awkwardly smiled and stood up. Ah I just wanted to take a closer look at its structure. If you want to see the blueprint, you can go to storage Area 51, or the researchbs storage room With your close rtionship with His Highness, you can even take it out from the royal treasury, cant you? Blueprints are important, but I must see it with my own eyes to feel satisfied Ha ha ha! Master Jang is quite entric! The rumor that Jang Yeong-sil is interested in handcarts reached Hyangs ears a beatte. Hyang had been swamped with the restoration of the fire disaster and road paving construction. Upon hearing the rumor, Hyang immediately summoned Jang Yeong-sil. Surely, it couldnt be that? Astronomer Jang, I hear you are interested in handcarts these days. Yes, Your Highness. Actually, I want to create a new pnquin by taking inspiration from the handcarts structure. This pnquin will be able to move on its own Do not ever try to make it alone! Its an order! Form a development team and proceed immediately! Also, everything must be done with my approval! Hyang interrupted Jang Yeong-sil in shock. Surprised by Hyangspletely different reaction, Jang Yeong-sil humbly bowed his head. Yes, yes! I will do as you say! Though he said he wouldply, Hyang, not feeling entirely at ease, called for the inner courtier. Bring Grand Schrs Jeong-cho and Lee Chun right away! Yes, Your Highness! After giving orders to the inner courtier, Hyang red at Jang Yeong-sil. You, sir! Your head might fly off if you make a mistake! Why that aggrieved expression? [TL/N: In actual history, Jang Yeon-sils pnquin incident was hisst achievement before he was punished. In Sejongs Annals, Jang Yeong-sil made a royal pnquin, but it was not sturdy. As the pnquin broke down and copsed, he was sent to the State Tribunal for interrogation. You can also watch the Korean movie, Forbidden Dream, 2019 if you want to know more.] After responding to Hyangs summons, Jeong-cho and Lee Chun were instructed to organize a development team. Is it necessary to form a development team just to create a pnquin? Astronomer Jang, exin. Yes? Yes, Your Highness. Upon Hyangs order, Jang Yeong-sil exined his n for the self-moving pnquin. After hearing his exnation, Jeongcho and Icheon looked a bit bewildered. A pnquin that moves by itself? Is it possible for it to move by itself? Hyang interrupted Lee Chuns response. If you question that, isnt the lotive the same? Ah At Hyangs point, Lee Chun made an Ah! face, but Jeong-cho raised an objection. A lotive isrge, and it moves on a dedicated track. But a pnquin moves on already established paths, and its size is smaller than that of a lotive. Thats why were forming a development team. If sessful, wont it be useful in various ways? It could benefit the peoples livelihoods and even the military aspects. Hyangs words plunged Jeong-cho and Lee Chun into deep thought. After much consideration, they responded. Its worth a try. Even if it fails, there will be something to gain. Good! Form a development team immediately! Thus, the pnquin that had erased Jang Yeong-sil from history surprisingly took an unexpected turn. Chapter 88 Chapter 88 Under Hyangs leadership, the road construction proceeded smoothly. Standing on the gate tower of Gwanghwamun with Hyang, Sejong marveled at the road stretching out before him. [TL/N: The gate tower would be something like this.] Hoo~, rebar and concrete Ah, did you say its called ster? Yes, Your Majesty. Upon Hyangs reply, Sejong nodded. Before his eyes was a bright gray road starting from Gwanghwamun and extending all the way to Namdaemun. Designed to slightly curve to prevent direct flow of fire energy from Gwanaksan from extending directly, the road boasted a width of 50 kan (approximately 100 meters) and stretched north to south. How refreshing! While admiring the road stretching smoothly to the south, Sejong turned his head to look at Unjong-ga Street1. Ovepping with the main road leading to Namdaemun, another road that cut across Hansung (Seoul) from east to west also had a width of 30 kan (approximately 50 meters) and stretched refreshingly. Is it allpleted? Hyang lowered his head at Sejongs inquiry. We have finished about 60% of it. Only 60%? We still have finishing touches to apply, as well as drainage and sidewalk construction on both sides of the road. Is that so? Listening to Hyangs exnation, Sejong descended from the gate tower and left Gwanghwamun. Make way! Clear the path! His Majesty is proceeding! The workers scattered to the sides and prostrated themselves on the ground. Continue with your tasks. At Sejongsmand, theborers rose and resumed their work. Um, Your Majesty Yes? Hyang looked back at Sejong as a hesitating official approached him. Your Majesty, may I step aside for a moment to check on something? Go ahead. Your grace is boundless. After paying respects to Sejong, Hyang moved to the side, following the official. Sejong watched Hyang as he conferred with other officials and supervisors over the map, his eyes filled with pride. Hasnt he grown up a lot? The Chief State Councillor answered Sejongs query promptly. He has always been mature, but now he certainly can be called a man. Do you think so too? Sejong continued to watch Hyang with a satisfied smile. Due to family circumstances, Hyang had grown up quickly. Now at the age of twelve, he was a head taller than his peers. His growth wasnt limited to his height. He had also befortable using respectfulnguage when dealing with officials and craftsmen. However, Hyang had his own frustrations. Im getting at least 8 hours of sleep and eating well! I wish I could grow faster! Hyang was feeling anxious as his younger siblings were growing at an unprecedented rate. Before the rainy season began, the road construction across Hansung waspleted. Thanks to ayer of graphite-mixed asphalt, the road turned a deep gray. With the edges filled with white lime, it was even visible at night. People strolling on the newly-constructed road couldnt help but exim their amazement. Isnt this a marvel sight? Right? Right? Was it the crown prince who did this? Yes, indeed! Wow, how does such a young nobleman know all these amazing things? Indeed, hes of a different breed The residents of Hansung marveled at the newly paved road. Their awe transformed into praise for Sejong and the crown prince when the rainy season began. No matter how much it rained, the new road never turned into a mud pool. Water did pool in some areas, but most of the road remained clear, with the rainwater draining through the gutters on both sides. The sidewalk next to the road was no different. A sidewalk built with sand and concrete blocks also only got wet in the rain, but it didnt turn into a muddy puddle. Thanks to this, the people of Hanyang could walk around without bing mired in mud, even when it rained. Come see Hanyangs newly made road path! Lets go! I heard the newly paved road in Hanyang is something extraordinary!'' People from various local cities and viges flooded into Hanyang, their interest piqued by the rumors spread by merchants and petty traders. Of course, it wasnt some average farmer; it was those with some means. With the influx of peopleing to see the new road, a new business was born in Hanyang. It was an inn that doubled as a restaurant. Of course, there were already guesthouses and taverns, but cheaper amodation facilities were now established. Hearing the report that was submitted to Sejong, Hyang had to hold back hisughter. Even in the 21st century, people flocked to see the 63 Building2 built during my fathers young days, didnt they?'' Sejong, who had received the report, also smiled. Its only natural to be amazed. When I first saw a paved road, I felt the same However, where crowds gather, so do miscreants. Be thorough in security measures. We receive yourmand! *** The tourism for Hanyangs new road peaked as the autumn harvest ended. The reason being, farmers who now had some free time joined the tourism brigade. And those who toured and returned started to ruffle the feathers of their vige leaders and nobles. Lets have such a road in our ce too! Ah, it was darn good! Especially strong petitions came from various ces, especially in the provinces of Jeonju, Gyeongju, Yeongheung, and Pyongyang. Whats wrong with our area? Lacking in history? Lacking in poption? The nobles of these regions jointly filed petitions to Sejong. Faced with petitions from across the country, Sejong summoned Hyang and his ministers. What should we do about this? Representing the ministers, Hwang Hui stepped forward. The intention is good, but theres no viable method. Even looking at the construction of Hanyangs new road, a third of the resources were spent waiting for iron from Anju. If we ept these petitions, well run into supply issues. Thats true Acknowledging Hwang Huis point, Sejong looked at Hyang. Hyang immediately responded, What Right State Councilor Hwang Hui pointed out is urate. Anju is already working on increasing its production. If we divert the iron needed for civilian use to road construction, the people will suffer. The same goes for asphalt. The supply from Area 51 is already insufficient. First, we need to build a factory specializing in production. The budget is the problem, then Its fortunate that silver and gold mines have been developed. Sejong mumbled in frustration. The most crucial part of the development n was securing finances. Explorers sent nationwide by Sejongs orders brought back information on mines. Based on that, Sejong and his ministers selected mines to be developed first. The most important criterion for selection was ces difficult for Ming to notice. For this reason, ces like the Unsan gold mine, whererge amounts of gold and silver were confirmed, were excluded for the time being if they ovepped with the routes taken by envoys from Ming. [TL/N: Back inte 1890s, an American-basedpany was established near Unsan situated in south of Pyongyang, to mine for gold. From a geographical standpoint, its also a major route towards Mings capital.]] Lets mine there when we be stronger. Your order is received! Both Sejong, who gave the order, and the ministers who received it, didnt look particrly pleased. Its tough to aplish even straightforward tasks when the nation is weak. Sejongined, and the ministers all bowed in agreement. Please forgive our ipetence! Please grant us death! *** In this process, mines in the Gangwon-do area were prioritized for mining. The exception was the Gahak Mountain gold mine located in Geongmegol in Siheung-gun (now Gwangmyeong). In case we urgently need funds, there should be at least one mine nearby, was King Sejongs decision to prepare for emergencies. Unbeknownst to many, Sejong was storing gold and silver while expanding trade with Japan. Find out what the Japanese people like other than the Buddhist scriptures! Upon Sejongsmand, the officials and traders in Dongnae discovered that ceramics were the next big thing after the scriptures. Sejong then transformed the public offices in Gwangju into a state-owned enterprise called the Joseon Ceramics Corporation. Later, Minister of Taxation who was ordered by Sejong, then underwent discussions with the Dongnae merchants. We will give priority, but not monopoly. Although the Dongnae merchants wanted a monopoly, they had no choice but to ept Sejongs firm decision. *** Later, the Japanese posts in Sampo-Busanpo, Naeipo, Yeompo were consolidated into a single location in Busanpo. This was to prevent illegal trade due to the influx of Japanese. Sejong, while cracking the whip, also dangled the carrot. He significantly increased the variety and quantity of goods that the Japanese merchants in Busanpo could trade. The biggest beneficiaries of this situation were the Ouchi and Kujo regions. They were granted preferential trading licenses as they already had strong rtionships with Joseon. In addition, the positions of the Ouchi and Kuj regions were strengthened by allowing them to buildrge buildings in the Port of Busan. As a result, Tsushima became desperate. So Sadamori, the lord of Tsushima, had to personally rush to Hanyang and bow deeply in front of King Sejong. After thest military expedition, you promised loyalty, but theres no evidence that you have kept it! How long should we bear with your tribe? Please forgive our disloyalty, Your Majesty! At the end of So Sadamoris desperate plea, Tsushima was barely able to keep its trade vessels. *** Thus, the trade area built in the Port of Busan thrived due to trade with Japan. Although there was a trade port established by Ming in Shandong, the Japanese merchants preferred Busan. Mings navy had arge presence in Shandong, but their main tasks were protecting the sea routes between Ming and Joseon and defending Mings southeastern coast. Therefore, Japanese merchants preferred the less risky Busan over Shandong. In Busan, Japanese merchants mainly imported Joseons Buddhist artifacts and ceramics, paying in silver. And the silver that came in as tax was diligently stacked in the treasury of the King of Joseon. Sejong was able to push forward with his reform n based on these umted funds. Although there were unexpectedrge expenditures to recover from the massive fire in Hanyang, no issues arose in implementing the reforms. Despite this, the officials in the Ministry of Taxation had to give up their normal lives in this prosperous times. *** Sejong warned his ministers. Despite the desperate wishes of themoners, the fact that we cant fulfill their needs means not only that theres a problem with the government, but also that the ministers capabilities are stillcking. Keep this in mind and strive to do better. Well heed your words! Although they replied energetically, the ministers felt as if they were facing death. Just kill us! Kill us already! How much more effort is he expecting from us here? Sejong, having had his say to the ministers, turned his attention elsewhere. Crown Prince, why has the performance of the Anju National Steel Mill faltered? The scale of operations has been expanded once again, and new facilities have been introduced. The process of implementing these changes is ongoing. Normal operations will be possible before the end of the year. If thats the case, it would indeed be good news. Lately, I have been increasingly aware of the importance of iron. Your Majesty is wise. The Anju National Steel Mill was shouldering all of Sejongs expectations. Kim Deoksu, employing not only his colleagues but also people from the surrounding areas, had established a steel mill. After oveing various trials and errors, they soon began mass-producing soft iron and steel. Minister of Taxation, who calcted the mills production, immediately reported it to Sejong. With just one national steel mill, our court can meet its annual need for soft iron and steel. Is that so? However, starting with the military, the demand for iron continues to rise. Issue orders to the steel mill to devise a way to increase production. I shall carry out yourmand! Upon receiving the royalmand, Deoksu immediately rushed to the capital to exin the situation to Minister of Taxation. In order to increase production, we would need to expand the kilns or build new ones, but manpower is the issue! Manpower? In summary, Deoksu exined that doubling the production would require at least four times more manpower. The part that requires the most manpower is the furnace workers. Continuously fueling the fire is not an easy task! Upon hearing Deoksusint, Hyang immediately responded. Is that so? Ill find a solution as soon as possible. The solution that Hyang came up with was to significantly erge the centrifugal pump installed on the water barrier, turning it into arge centrifugal blower. Instead of manpower, we have horsepower. If used correctly, this could be a big help. The centrifugal pumps created by Hyang were quickly moved to Anjus foundry. Along with the arrived manpower and the blower, Deoksu constructed new,rge kilns and proceeded to trial production. Any defective iron produced through these trial and errors was all moved to Area 51. What a waste, right? Lets find a way to use them. While looking for ways to recycle the defective iron, a fire broke out in Hansung, and all of those iron pieces were turned into rebar, consumed in road construction.
  1. Todays Jongno. An area connecting the east gate of Heunginmun with the west gate of Donuimum.[?]
  2. Famous skyscraper overlooking Han River built in the 80s[?]
Chapter 89 Chapter 89 After Chuseok had passed, Princess Jeonghye finally had her wedding ceremony. The man who became her husband was the second son of someone who had held the position of Minister of Military Affairs of the third rank. After the wedding ceremony ended, Hyang had a separate meeting with his new brother-inw. Take good care of my sister. Yes, Ill do my best. My sister has always been loved by our dear royal Father and Mother. She may be a little clumsy, but shes wise and will soon be a good wife. Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince. In the consistently gentle atmosphere, Hyang exchanged pleasantries, then quietly drew close to his new brother-inw and whispered, If a teares to my sisters eye, youll die at my hands. Heekgulp! Hyangs warning turned the face of his new brother-inw, who was two years older, pale white as he nodded. * * * While Princess Jeonghyes wedding had concluded, preparations for another wedding were underway. Issue the Marriage Ban Edict1,manded King Sejong. Hwang Hui stepped forward, What age range should I specify? King Sejong briefly considered, The Crown Prince will soon be twelve, so how about up to fifteen years old? Would up to fifteen be alright? Fifteen then After a moments consideration, King Sejong nodded, Proceed that way. As youmand! Thus, a Marriage Ban Edict was issued across all of Joseon. We expected this, but its not really wee, grumbled the countrys noblemen families. Why did they have to make this damn selection system? The discontent was palpable among the older members of the noblemen families. * * * The selection system had been created by King Taejong. Before that, there had been no such system; marriages for princes or princesses typically urred through social connections. However, Taejong created this system afterments made by a man named Yi Sok during the process of marrying off his daughter, Princess Jeongshin. Straw is best for making straw shoes, he had said. This was taken to mean that their social status was not a match, and it ended there. However,ter on, the true meaning of Lee Seoks words became clear and caused an uproar. My son cant marry a servants child even if she is a princess! [TL/N: King Taejong sent a messenger to Lee Seok, his friends house to express his proposal for marriage offering the hands of his own daughter, Princess Jeongshin. The remark by Lee Seok was made in regards to the social status of Princess Jeongshins mother, who was previously a maidservant of Queen Wongyeong (Taejongs official wife). As a retaliation for a rude remark towards his favorite concubine and daughter, a punishment was given to Lee Seok and his son.] Due to this statement, Lee Seok received a hundred strokes and was demoted; his son was put under a lifetime marriage ban, and their rtives were also punished, showcasing Taejongs ruthless retaliation. Thus, Taejong established the selection system, ironically after his own three sons had already married. * * * Nevertheless, with the Marriage Ban Edict in effect, not only the noble families but alsomoners faced marriage restrictions. Why are our humble lives affected by the crown princes marriage? Commoners, particrly those who were close to getting married, were openlyining. Local noblemen were also disgruntled. Good grief! Even if they are selected, they are cut from the same cloth anyway. Why bother obstructing a marriage! You think they dont have anything to worry about? Will they be able to see their household safe after making their daughter the Queen? Both generations of the noble families had simr reactions, having seen the disastrous inw rtionships that had urred during Taejong and Sejongs reigns. * * * Upon hearing that the Marriage Ban Edict had been issued to find him a wife, Hyang lost his appetite. Sigh, I prefer someone younger Ah! Would it be a crime at my age to like someone younger? No, as long as the age difference is within a digit, its not a crime. Muttering to himself, Hyang then broke off with aplex expression. Marriage Hyang, who had no romantic ties in the 21st century and was known as a certified weirdo otaku, found himself in contemtion. Hmm With a mixed expression of anticipation and concern, he remembered the words of his old mentor, Teacher Samcheonpo. -The biggest cause of Danjongs tragedy was Munjong2! Danjong was born in 1441, when Munjong was 27! Considering Sejong fathered Munjong at 17, thats a wasted 10 years! Even if Danjong had been born 5 years earlier, Grand Prince Suyang3 wouldnt have dared to make his move! In Joseon, you are considered an adult at 15! Remembering his teachers words, Hyang rose from his seat with determination. I must act for the future! Plus, theres something Ive been considering. Its a good opportunity! Its a two-for-one deal! Attendant! Yes, Your Highness! Ask if I can see my royal father and royal mother right now! Yes, Your Highness! * * * After a brief moment, Hyang received permission and entered Gangnyeongjeon Hall4. Wee. Sejong, who had just finished a meeting and was sharing tea with his ministers, warmly greeted Hyang. Youre here? What brings you to see your father at this time, not during the regr visiting hours? Upon Sejongs words, Hyang got straight to the point. Please grant me discretionary funds5. Discretionary funds, not budget? When Sejong showed curiosity, Hyang promptly replied. The royal treasury office (Insoonbu) that was destroyed in thest fire has not yet been restored. Insoonbu, one of the key treasuries of the royal family and managed by the crown prince once hees of age, was lost in the previous fire. At Hyangs words, Sejong nodded. I see. So, you put off restoring the Insoonbu because you prioritized other restorations. Why do you need the funds? Its due to a matter rted to my marriage. Marriage? Have you taken a fancy to a young woman while traveling between Area 51 and the pce or during the restoration work? If her family is very wealthy, youll need more than just funds. Sejong joked with a sly smile. Although Joseon was newly founded, it was certain that Hyang would be recorded in the history of Joseon as the crown prince who had engaged in the most external activities. Thats why Sejong made the assumption, half-jokingly but also half-serious, that Hyang must have found someone during his travels. The real problem was that, whether in the 21st century or now, Hyang was wholly engrossed in otaku culture. Thats not the case. Then why do you need the funds? Im considering a visit to the Gisaeng house6. Pfft! Cough! Cough! Snap! At Hyangs words, Sejong spat out his tea, and the ministers choked on their salivas. The officials and clerks who were writing dropped their golden pens, puncturing holes in the paper and damaging the pens, looking quite upset. Cough! Cough! You this fool! After a few coughs, Sejong angrily shouted at Hyang. However, Hyang looked back at him calmly. At Hyangsposed face, Sejong reluctantly calmed himself. Youre only twelve years old. Whats your reason for wanting to go to a Gisaeng house? If its for romantic reasons, I wont allow it. Its due to my marriage matter. What does a marriage have to do with a Gisaeng house if its about intimacy between a husband and a wife, youll naturallye to understand that. Is this why s*x education is socking in the 21st century? Muttering inwardly, Hyang exined in more detail. Though it may sound arrogant, since learning to read at a young age, Ive devoted myself to academia. I see. Thus, I do not know what beauty is in women. When ites to marriage, a man and a woman must live happily for a hundred years. To do this, neither should have any dissatisfaction with the other. Typically, the first thing a man evaluates in a woman is her appearance. Since Ive only read books, I dont know what the standard of beauty is for women. Although historical texts mention phrases like Fish Sink and Wild Geese Drop (~) and to Outshine the Moon and Put the Flowers to Shame (]߻), Ive never seen such beauty myself. Hence, I cant even discern whether my standard of beauty is correct or not. However, the beauty of Gisaeng is what people talk about first, so Im nning to visit a Gisaeng house to see for myself. [TL/N: Both idioms describe peerless beauty. These idiomses from the legendary of the four beauties; Xishi, Wang Zhaojun, Diaochan, Yang Yuhuan. To further exin the idioms, Seeing the beauty of the four women, moon and flowers feel embarrassed, and fish and geese are so stunned that they forget why they are doing, so the fish sink in the water and the geese fall from the sky. Cr: https://.shine/feature/art-culture/1709113498/] I see In response to Hyangs words, Sejongs expression becameplex. The very idea that a twelve-year-old would openly go to a courtesan parlor made him want to pick up a stick and smack the boys calves. However, something about Hyangs argument was reasonable. Good heavens oh dear. Even Sejong, who was famous for his intellect, found himself at a loss for words. At that moment, Hwang Hui stepped in. Crown Prince, since ancient times it has been said that internal beauty is more important than external beauty. Whether one is male or female, physical beauty is fleeting. Whats truly important is inner beauty. I can say this with certainty having lived to this age. But isnt inner beauty something you cant recognize at first nce? I hear people say, What use is a good-looking face? Are you going to eat it? Yet, there are also sayings like Might as well wear a red skirt and What looks good, tastes good too. Why then do these courtesans have such a bad reputation? And why do you engage in such moralizing? Ahem! Ahem! Caught off guard by Hyangs counterargument, the ministers could only clear their throats awkwardly. Sejong looked around at the others. The internal ministers were staring off into the distance, while the schrs and secretaries had their heads buried, fidgeting with their pens. Hyang continued to speak. Once I marry, I have no intention of taking any woman other than my queen. Crown Prince, expanding the royal family is one of your important duties. Father, I already have seven half-brothers. Isnt one queen sufficient if I follow your example? What I often see in Area 51 and the reconstruction sites are men getting caught cheating and getting beaten by their wives. Since olden times, its been said Home is where harmony resides, and Even Buddha loses patience if he sees a monk too often. If one cant control ones desires and brings mistresses into the home, how can one govern the nation and bring peace to the heavens? Both Sejong and the ministers were at a loss for words. After a moment, Sejong spoke. I understand your intentions. Knowing your temperament, youd find a way even if I forbid it. Sigh Letting out a long sigh, Sejong finally conceded. Fine, Ill inform the Ministry of Personnel. Your kindness is immeasurable! However, staying overnight is not permitted! I will obey! Having obtained permission from Sejong, Hyang cheerfully exited the pce. After Hyang left, Sejongined to the ministers. Smart kids can also be a problem. I want to be alone for a while. Ill see youter in the study. Yes, Your Majesty. * * * Meanwhile, Hyang, having received permission from Sejong, was overjoyed. This is the moment to verify what Ive always suspected! While overseeing the pce maids, traveling to Area 51, and supervising reconstruction sites, hed glimpsed many women who would be considered beauties even by 21st-century standards. His middle-school art teacher in the 21st century had once said: Dont confuse aesthetic perspectives with actual standards of beauty. Dont trust judgments like Shes an Eastern beauty or Western beauty. If you look at photographs of Korean courtesans taken by Westerners during the reign of King Gojong, many would still be considered beautiful today. The only issue being their short stature. That advice waster echoed by a famous Australianedian. Tired of being asked about the differences between Eastern and Western beauties, he finally concluded, Whether its Westerners or Koreans, mens eyes are all the same!'' * * * A few days after Hyang received permission from Sejong, a curious rumor was circting among the courtesans of Hanyang. Theres a young nobleman who leaves without drinking, just looking at the faces of the courtesans! As the rumor spread, the courtesans were curious about the identity of the main character. I found out! Who is it? A countryside nobleman from some distant ce? If its close, its close; if its far, its far. Enough with the riddles! Whose son is he? Does hee from a well-off family? A family we canfortably milk without getting into trouble? The courtesan who gathered the information clicked her tongue. Tsstssts. Be careful. One wrong move and your heads might roll. Whose child is he, for heavens sake! Hes the eldest son of the owner of Gyeongbokgung Pce! The owner of Eastern Pce! Goodness gracious! Upon learning that the protagonist was Hyang, the courtesans divided into two groups. One group was extremely cautious, while the other applied more borate makeup and dressed in lighter clothes. You fool, youll freeze to death like that! What if? What if I catch the eye of someone for the royal harem? Keep dreaming. Contrary to the courtesans hopes for a life-changing opportunity, Hyang, who had visited all the courtesan houses in Hanyang, disappeared from the alleys. * * * So did you take a good look around? Yes, Your Majesty. What a boring fellow. Sejong gave a briefment on Hyangs reply. Though Sejong had granted permission, he was still uneasy and had instructed his guards and officials to report on Hyangs every move. After receiving reports from his guards and officials, Sejong put his hand on his forehead. What to do with this kid Hyang did indeed call upon the courtesans, but he had done nothing more than observe their appearances. He had conversed and even admired their artistic skills, but it ended there. Is this kid a eunuch? Sejong was worried about an absurd possibility. When Hyang responded, Sejong threw a truly curious question. So, which courtesan seemed the most beautiful to you? Each had their own unique charm. Based on 21st-century standards, they could be scouted by talent agencies. The problem would be their height, though Thats true. So, what kind of woman would be the best match for you? After pondering Sejongs question for a while, Hyang borrowed a phrase poprized by a female duo in the 21st-century Korean music scene. Your Majesty, either the most beautiful among the kind-hearted women, or the kindest among the beautiful women Get out, you!
  1. A decree prohibiting marriage of all unwed maidens of marriageable age ahead of the selection of crown princess. Usually lifted after the first selection.[?]
  2. Hyang himself. King Danjong is his son.[?]
  3. Hyangs younger brother Yu. The train maniac in this series[?]
  4. Kings living and sleeping quarters[?]
  5. Funds that are spent for things that may not be necessary. Basically, pocket money.[?]
  6. Courtesan house[?]
Chapter 90 Chapter 90 After being admonished by King Sejong, Hyang sighed softly. Phew~. The responsibility has left my hands It might be a bit difficult, so Father and the ministers will have their work cut out for them. But what can I do? Its something I cant even personally take care of No, its something thats almost impossible even if I do. Im not skilled in that area Your Highness, did you say something? Its nothing. Just talking to myself. Briefly answering his attendant who was following behind, Hyang sighed again. Phew~. Being a Crown Prince has its perks, but theres no private life, no private life at all Suddenly thinking of something, Hyang turned to look at his attendant. By the way, how many days are left until this months full moon? Five days. Five days? Thats exciting. Once again, muttering to himself, Hyang turned his gaze over the pce walls. *** Hyangs appearance itself was an unexpected event in the gisaeng house. No one who hasnt performed the formal rites can enter here. A young child dressed in an expensive top-grade silk garment hade to the gisaeng house, causing the head gisaeng to personallye out and block Hyang. To her words, Hyang tapped his hat with his finger and responded. Do you see this hat as mere decoration? Eh? Still The head gisaeng hesitated, prompting themander of the apanying guards to step forward. He is more than qualified. In that case Overwhelmed by the guards, the head gisaeng stepped aside, and Hyang and his party were able to enter the gisaeng house. Take them to thergest room. Yes. After leading Hyang and hispanions inside, the head gisaeng gave orders to another servant. Tell the others to prepare, just in case. Yes. Who exactly is that young master? Even after ushering gisaeng into the room where Hyangs party had entered, the head gisaeng sat by the door and monitored the situation within. Her eyes were focused solely on Hyang. Hes definitely not an ordinary young master! The head gisaeng concluded as she observed Hyangs behavior. Her conclusion had grounds. Hyang was extremely natural atmanding those beneath him. And it wasnt merely the air of someone used to bossing around ves; he wasfortable even directing those who looked to be on an equal footing. I wonder if today will be a busy day The head gisaeng anxiously chewed her nails. Inside, meanwhile, they were having a rtively enjoyable time. The aroma of alcohol is wonderful! Hyang took a quick sniff and set it down, prompting the gisaeng beside him to smile and respond. Its not alcohol; its tea aroma. Tea aroma? The king has issued a ban on alcohol. How could we brew alcohol freely? We simply steep tea in alcohol. Ah? Hahaha! Hyangughed genuinely at the gisaengs reply. Ever since King Sejong ascended the throne, there hadnt been a year without famine. Therefore, Sejong had to issue an alcohol ban every year. Some leniency had begun as national construction projectsmenced, but the ban still continued. Courtesan parlors, as a result, had their own workaround. Were not selling grain alcohol; were selling alcohol-infused tea! It was a case of closing ones eyes to avoid seeing, but they got away with it because it was a gisaeng house. *** Hyang, who had been observing the appearances of the courtesans in the brothel, changed the subject as the atmosphere started to getfortable. Im new to the brothel scene, but Ive heard that there are people here who handle any disturbances. Is that true? Upon hearing Hyangs question, the courtesan sitting next to him responded in a haughty manner. Yes, indeed. We have very strong gatekeepers here. Can I see them? Excuse me? Well, Ive heard rumors. Even officials from the Saheonbu (Office of the Inspector General)1, known for their strictness, are intimidated by their mere gaze. Im curious about these people. Oh my~, that doesnt apply to our brothel. Still, Id like to meet them. Could you call them? Very well. The courtesan went out and ryed Hyangs request. Shortly after, she returned with a somewhat troubled expression. The gatekeepers told me to convey that they are not clowns of Sadang troupe.'' How rude! The bodyguards sitting with them were enraged, loudly protesting and getting up from their seats. Sit down. My lord! Quickly! Yes. The guards took their seats at Hyangs order. Enjoy a cup of Gokcha (strong tea mixed with alcohol). But dont get intoxicated by the fragrance. Yes, My Lord. At Hyangsmand, the escorting guards emptied the cups of alcohol in front of them. Watching this, Hyang turned to look at the courtesan seated next to him. Drinking Gokcha is an interesting choice. Yes, My Lord The courtesan replied with a tense face, realizing she was in thepany of very dangerous individuals. What on earth is this kid? The courtesan was curious about the identity of the young lord seated next to her. A momentter, words that escaped from Hyangs lips turned the courtesans face pale. Go tell those gatekeepers, Dogs that guard the gate and scavenge the leftovers from the table shouldnt talk too much.'' My Lord! The courtesan rushed to stop him, but Hyangs expression remained unchanged. Deliver the message as I said. *** Shortly after, a gatekeeper appeared to guard the brothel. Which noble The gatekeeper, appearing ready to stir up trouble with his insults, paused and became visibly tense. It was because of the stern faces of the people in the room. Every man present, except Hyang sitting at the top seat, emitted an extraordinary aura as they red at him. If I mess this up, today next year could be my, Kang Samtaes, memorial day. Samtae clenched the hilt of his Changpogeom (korean sword) tightly and opened his mouth. [TL/N: Changpogeom Sword is a sword named after cmus nt (changpo in Korean). May I know who summoned me? Are you the leader of the gatekeepers guarding this ce? Upon hearing Hyangs question, Samtae answered. Are you looking for Daehyung? Bring him here. Frustrated by Hyangs incredibly haughty words, Samtae gritted his teeth but answered due to the intimidating aura of the people sitting with him. I will bring him. Shortly after, an extraordinary-looking man followed Samtae into the room. Ive heard you were looking for me. Come in. At Hyangsmand, Daehyung strode into the room. I have a conversation to hold with this man. The rest of you may leave. Yes. At Hyangs words, the courtesans filed out of the room one by one. After the courtesans left, Hyang gave the same order to the bodyguards and attendants. You may also leave for a moment. My lord! Absolutely not! Its fine, step out. I will leave two behind. Firmly resisting themand, themander of the bodyguards made his case. Hyang nodded. So be it. And so, only Hyang, themander leading the bodyguards, his subordinate, Daehyung, and Samtae were left in the room. Why did you seek me out? Daehyung asked. Hyang smiled thinly and threw a question back. Judging by your appearance, you seem like the child of a concubine. Is that correct? Yes. Are you satisfied with your current life? What can a dog that survives on scraps from the banquet table hope for? I guess Im content as long as Im not starving. Hmm Hyang let out a small sigh through his nose, observing Daehyung, who sat right in front of him. Its a clich but seems useful, doesnt it? Stop staring, youll bore a hole in my face. Youre not into men, are you? Unfortunately for you, Im quite normal. Do you lot have contracts? Why do you ask? If you have a contract, tell your contract master. One dogs life can be quite different from anothers. Come find me at midnight on the full moon this month. Daehyung looked astonished at Hyangs words. Ha! Do you even know who I am? If you cant do even that, youll have to spend your life guarding the gates of the pleasure district. Hyang emptied the cup in front of him. Whew! Thats strong! Setting down his cup, Hyang rose from his seat and walked out. Settle the bill. Yes, my lord. As the inner servant was settling the bill, Hyang looked back at Samtae and Daehyung. Take a good look and remember. Dont take my words lightly. After finishing his words, Hyang moved away briskly with his bodyguards and inner servants. Watching Hyang fade into the distance, Daehyung ordered Samtae, Follow him. Yes, Daehyung. However, Samtae who returned after a while, had to shake his head. I lost him. How? His traces were lost in the Unjong neighborhood. Unjong neighborhood? Upon hearing Samtaes words, Daehyung briefly thought of the terrain of Hansung. Vanished from Unjongga? Where to? That ce is filled with officials Wait, officials? If its officials, then its connected to the pce, and if its the pce Daehyung immediately realized one fact. The Crown Prince in the rumors would be about the same age as the boy I saw earlier! During thest fire in Hansung, wasnt the Crown Prince inmand? Has anyone here seen his face? Aigoo, Daehyung! Our kids are all night owls who sleep during the day, arent they? Damn it! Cursing, Daehyung scratched his head furiously and reached a conclusion. Ill have to speak to the innkeeper. It had only been three days since Hyang started frequenting the pleasure house, and his true identity was already revealed. On the third day, while walking, Hyang posed a question to the guard escorting him. Commander Kwon, did you say this ce is called Hwayeollu? Is it famous? Yes, its the best in Dadong [Tea Cave]. You know it well? From my youth Your family must be proud. Haha! As the conversation mixed with jest and earnest continued, they arrived at the pleasure house in question. Hyang chuckled. Ive been caught. Well, it was only a matter of time Standing in front of the wide-open gates of Hwayeollu were what appeared to be a high-ranking courtesan and Daehyung. It is an honor to serve you, My Lord. Upon seeing Hyang, the high-ranking courtesan quickly bowed deeply, and Daehyeong also followed suit. Ho? Hyang was impressed with the courtesy that Daehyung disyed, observing that it strictly followed etiquette. This suggested that Daehyung likely came from an extraordinary background. In any case, Hyang moved forward for the purpose he had in mind. Thank you for weing me. I look forward to it. *** Around the promised full moon, as midnight drew near, Hyang issued orders to the guards guarding Eastern Pce. Open the gates and wait outside. A guest will being. But, Your Highness Its an order. Dont question it, just obey. Faced with Hyangs strongmand, the guards had no choice but to retreat. Inner Pce Guards, step back too. I will notply. Inner Pce Guards! Even as Hyangs voice grew louder, the Inner Pce Guards refused to budge. Even when my subordinates reported it, Your Highness didnt inform the King. This alone makes me an unforgivable sinner. I cant leave you alone! Do you think things will go well if you stand your ground, Inner Pce Guards? Your Highness! Even then, its not allowed! Inner Pce Guards! This is for the sake of Father and this Joseon! My life is a small price to pay for it! Its an order! The standoff between Hyang and the Inner Pce Guards continued, but they couldnt break Hyangs stubbornness. Eventually, the Inner Pce Guards proposed apromise. Then, lets leave only two behind. I cant concede more than that! If you even refuse this, I will report to the King immediately! Sighing deeply at the Inner Pce Guards firm stance, Hyang agreed. Fine, lets do it like that. Thank you, Your Highness! After bowing to Hyang, the Inner Pce Guards left Officer Kwon and one other guard behind and exited the room. That stubborn nobleman While Hyang was grumbling, Officer Kwon and the other one were muttering internally. Is this really necessary, Your Highness?
  1. An agency responsible for monitoring government administrations and officials in both central and local governments for corruption, malfeasance, or inefficiency.[?]
Chapter 91 Chapter 91 Its midnight~~ As the bell tolled midnight from the bell tower, Officer Kwon informed Hyang that it was midnight. I heard it. Even the clock is pointing to midnight. He probably wont make it. To get to Donggungjeon, there are more than one or two walls to climb over. Plus, the guards stationed there are also more than a handful As Officer Kwon reported that they would not be able to enter, a faint voice was heard from outside the door. Still, if the master of the Eastern Pce calls, I have toe. Upon hearing the unexpected voice, Officer Kwon and the guards drew their swords and stood on either side of Hyang. Thene in. Yes. With a quiet reply, three men entered. Looking at the men, covered from head to toe in ck, Hyang said a word. Take off your masks. Yes, Your Highness. The leaders of the Sword Guild respectfully bowed to Hyang after removing their masks. We, the humble leaders of the Sword Guild, greet Your Highness the Crown Prince. Sitfortably on the chairs over there. Your grace is immense. As the leaders of the Sword Guild sat down, Hyang went straight to the point. Which parts of Hansung are your guilds responsible for? In response to Hyangs question, the leaders described the areas where they held influence. I lead a guild in Bukchon. I am in Dadoong I am in Unjongga Hmm East and west of central Hansung, and north too. Is there nothing in the south? If I were to put it simply, its like gangsters splitting up the goldmine of 21st-century Seoul Gangnam. The guild leaders exined the reason. There are no guilds settled in the south because there are no Guilds and theres that Area 51. Ah! There are small fries who, calling themselves Gibu (˷), hustle in disreputable activities, targeting Area 51 and nearby soldiers. They are nobodies. I see. The reason I called you all today is Hyang went straight to the point again. The area Hyang wanted to use them for was surveince of the officials and early detection of unclean groups. Dont we already have the Office of Inspector General and Ministry of Law Enforcement for monitoring officials? Yes, but what Ive learned from multiple incidents is that by the time the Office of Inspector General or Ministry of Law Enforcement catches on, its often toote. But you guys could act faster, given the information you can pick up from brothels and other ces, right? That is true. When the Dadoong guild leader nodded, the Bukchon guild leader asked. I understand early detection of unclean groups, but why entrust such a heavy responsibility to us? The dark corners are your specialty, arent they? At Hyangs words, the guild leaders closed their mouths. It wasnt that it wasnt true; they frequently heard various things at the pleasure houses and used them for extortion or to seize opportunities. If we take on the work As the Dadoong guild leader began to speak, Hyang cut him off immediately. Official punishment and execution will not be imposed on you and your guild members for the time being. Actually, to be honest, it will be almost nonexistent even if I inherit the throne, and my fathers rule continues. Only a very few besides me and my father will know about your existence. However, if you die or get seriously injured during the work, it will be your full responsibility. The guild leaders turned serious upon hearing Hyangs words. Should we not have crossed the wall? All three regretted crossing the wall but had no choice. The Emperor and the crown prince had only been fueling their psychological hunger. Do we have to give an answer right now? I think Ive already given you enough time, havent I? At Hyangs pointed remarks, the leaders fell silent again. That was because what Hyang said was true. After learning Hyangs identity, they had more than thirteen days before the full moon to think things through. Among the members of the guild, there were many intelligent people, and the conclusion they reached was quite simr to what Hyang had just proposed. A decision had already been made. We will follow your Highnesss suggestion. Good! When they epted, Hyang finally leaned back in his chair and rxed. A leader from Dadoong broke the newly softened atmosphere by throwing a jest at Hyang. Werent you being too careless? What would you have done if we harbored ill-will? Well, I have guards beside me Hyang moved aside the books on the table. Underneath them, two loaded guns in c*cked states wereid. At least two of you wouldnt have made it out alive. No sooner had Hyang finished speaking than the Inner Guards leader said, Actually, none of them would have made it out alive. Eh? Both Hyang and the leaders turned towards the source of the voice and froze. Royal guards with loaded crossbows were aiming at them, and behind them stood Sejong. With eyes brimming with a menacing aura, Sejong stared at Hyang. Crown Prince, youve really started something interesting, havent you? Gulp! * * * Before long, Hyangs room was filled with people. While royal guards aimed their crossbows at the leaders of the guild, ready to fire at any moment, Sejong made his way to Hyangs seat. Please, sit here. You and I will have a lengthy conversationter. Yes. Sejong, who had ced Hyang next to him, sat down and looked at the three kneeling leaders in front of him. So, you are the leaders of the assassins that rule the nights of Hanyang, huh? That, that is correct, Your Majesty. It is an honor to witness Your Majestys presence in person. Long live the king! Long live the king! Long, long live the king! As the king, Im not pleased. Assassins How should I judge you? Faced with Sejongs question, the leaders remained silent. They called themselves Sword Guild among themselves, but amongmoners, they were known as assassins, inducing fear. Sejong opened his mouth after silently staring at them. If you follow the twomands that I issue now, I will guarantee your lives. No, although unofficially, I will even grant you honor. The leaders looked up at Sejong. The twomands you must follow are simple. One is to fully execute themands just given by the Crown Prince. The other is to make the nights of Hanyang safe. How should we go about making Hanyangs nights safe? Many people live in Hanyang; crime is inevitable. However, crimes that harm human life, especially crimes like the recent arson that harm innocent peoples lives and property, are unforgivable! Therefore, prevent such incidents from urring! That is your secondmand. Are you ordering us to prevent crimes in advance or to report after the fact? That is your choice. If you have time, report in advance; otherwise, acting first and reportingter is also eptable. However! If it is determined to be a false usation, the punishment will not be light! The leaders closed their mouths and pondered Sejongsmands. We ept your royalmand. The first to make the decision was the leader of Dadoong. We ept yourmand! We ept yourmand! After Dadoongs leader made his decision, the other two leaders also epted Sejongsmand. Good. Then from tomorrow, execute themand immediately. And I will soon select someone tomunicate with me and inform you. We ept yourmand! Then leave! And keep todays matter a secret until you die! We ept yourmand! Answering Sejongsmands, the leaders bowed deeply and courteously stepped backward out of the room. Watching them, Hyang felt something familiar. Is this like a Joseon version of Las Vegas? * * * Las Vegas had been heavily influenced by the mafia since its inception. Interestingly, the method the mafia used to attract tourists to Las Vegas was to enhance security. Swindlers, prostitutes operating in unauthorized areas, and drug dealers all disappeared without a trace into the desert sands, courtesy of the mafia. *** Follow them and figure out where they came in from. Roger! Upon the order from the Royal Commander, the royal soldiers followed the intruders out of the room. The faces of the royal soldiers following the intruders were stern. After the pilgrimage to the Hyangsst visit to the brothel, the Royal Commander had been paying extra attention to the pces night security. Yet, today, their defenses had been breached. If the reason for todays failure was due to a simple human error rather than an unknown weakness, the Commander was sure that there would be repercussions starting tomorrow. *** Meanwhile, in Hyangs room, only King Sejong, the Royal Commander, Officer Kwon, and another warrior were present. Do you have five spare lives? Did you pull this off relying solely on those two guns? To Sejongs words, Hyang answered with a smile. Would that really be the case? You find this situation funny! Realizing the mood was getting heavy, Hyang hurriedly removed the helmet he was wearing and offered it. I did make some preparations, Your Majesty. Taking the helmet, Sejong felt its unexpected weight and flipped it over to examine the inside. It was lined with metal tes. That might protect your head, but what about Hyang quickly loosened the royal robe he was wearing. Inside his robe was a breastte, and a slightly oversized copper button covered the neck area, serving as a neck guard. The spaciousness of this robe is indeed useful. Hoo~ Sejong sighed deeply after listening to Hyangs exnation. Choose: 100 days of document sorting or getting caned right now. Should I bring the stepping stones? Sigh~. At Hyangs words, Sejong sighed and pointed to the desk. *** This is your fathers first andst warning. I understand the importance of what youre trying to do, and the need to keep it a secret. But hiding it even from your father is unforgivable. If youre caught again, youll be sorting all the documents from the Ministry of Taxation and Ministry of Personal offices! Yes! I will definitely report to Father and Mother! Forgetting the pain in his calf, Hyang immediately stood up to reply. He knew the notoriety of document sorting, as he was its creator. Then retire to your chamber. Your grace is boundless. As they left the Eastern Pce, the inner Royal Guard Commander asked Sejong a question. May I dare to ask, Your Majesty, why you have epted those assassin defectors? Each has its own use, as they say. Even if theyre assassins, they must have their uses. Are they capable? Given that they broke through the Inner Royal Guards, they must have some skills, right? I will further train the royal guards. Firmly! At Sejongs words, the Royal Guard Commander grit his teeth. Todays events were a disgrace to the royal guards. In that case, take your leave. Your grace is boundless. Make sure todays events dont leak. I have entirely trustworthy subordinates. Good. As Sejong was walking away, a thought urred to him. Hmm Ive just thought of a good way to test the assassins abilities. *** Five dayster, Officer Kwon was promoted from 8th Rank Lower Officer for Bravery to 8th Rank Upper Officer for Valor at the administrative division where he was stationed. He stepped in and said, Ivee to meet the leader. To whom shall I announce your arrival? Tell him Ivee for the Unjongga. Yes. A momentter, the guild leader, upon hearing someone was looking for him, appeared. He hesitated momentarily upon seeing Officer Kwons face but soon came forward to greet him. Its been a long time since west met. Thank you for remembering me. Most likely, it will be me who wille. If not, someone with the name Bukak hase. Bukak, understood. May I ask what brings you today? The first thing is to teach you this secretnguage, and second, the elder wishes to meet you. The elder? Officer Kwon silently lifted his right index finger. Ah! When? In three days, at midnight. Also, make sure toe through the north gate of the pce. Dont try to climb over the wall likest time, otherwise, my guards will warmly wee you. They had some venting to do because of the mess you guys madest time. Then, Ill take my leave. Would you like a drink before you go? Ill be frequenting the bar from now on, so I have to umte some goodwill with my wife first. Upon hearing Officer Kwons words, the guild leaderughed. Hahaha! Next time youe, Ill prepare a tonic liquor thatll help your vitality! Ill count on that! *** Three dayster, at midnight. The leaders who entered through the north gate of Gyeongbokgung Pce met Sejong at Gangnyeongjeon Hall. Did you summon us? Yes, I have a task for you. What task might it be? Its rted to the Crown Prince. Youre aware of the recent royal marriage decree? Yes, Your Majesty. That foolish Crown Prince has made a ridiculously challenging requirement for his future wife. Yes? Sejong exined to the leaders what traits the Crown Princes wife should possess. So, a marriage bureau has been set up to find suitable candidates, but its not easy. Therefore, you guys should try to find some. Yes. This will also test your capabilities. The one who brings the best and fastest results will secure a higher position. The leaders responded with nervous expressions. We shall do our very best! Chapter 92 Chapter 92 After meeting with King Sejong, the guild leaders summoned their faction members with grave expressions. Whats going on? An imperial decree hase down. We need to seed faster than the other factions. Hearing their leaders words, the faction members eyes lit up. After all, this was an opportunity to gain merit now that they had be part of the Kings secret operatives. What is His Majestysmand? Facing the members questions, the guild leader spoke with an awkward expression. Themand is to finddies who meet the following criteria. Yes? Huh? Hearing the exnation, the faction members also looked perplexed. So you mean, among thedies who are rumored to be kind-hearted, find one who is exceptionally beautiful, or among those rumored to be beautiful, find one who is exceptionally kind-hearted? And she must be between twelve and fifteen years old? If shes that beautiful, her figure will naturally be slender and voluptuous Hearing his members, the leader nodded silently. Is he searching for his harem? Its not for the Gangnyeongjeon, but for the Eastern Pce. Its a direct request from the Eastern Pce. Upon hearing this, all the faction members eximed. Ah! That gentleman certainly knows how to enjoy life! In any case, since the decree hade down, potential candidates soon emerged among the faction members. Another criterion is a noble family that was once prominent but has declined, or a family just beginning to rise The second daughter of the Jo family in the West Vige is pretty close The eldest daughter of the Lee family in Seongbuk-dong is also good As suitable candidates started to be suggested, someone urgently spoke up. The second daughter of the Jo family is dangerous; rumor has it that Zebi is targeting her! The same goes for the Lee family! Leader! Hearing this, the guild leaders face turned serious. Zebi? You mean those lowlife swindlers? Yes! Stop them immediately! Yes! At the guild leadersmand, the faction members quickly left the room. [TL/N: The so-called Zebi were scoundrels targeting the daughters of middle-ss merchants and farmers. The term originated from drummers and percussionists who yed traditional Korean instruments to enhance performances. When these musicians messed up the rhythm, it would ruin the performance, particrly for female performers. For this reason, men who manipted women were derogatorily called Zebi. Zebi has evolved into Zebijok, which roughly means swindler, especially in the context of the 21st century. It is the term most feared by households with daughters of marriageable age and some wealth.] * * * The targets of these Zebi were women who closely fit the aforementioned criteria. These women usually belonged to families with a certain level of wealth and reputation, and were rumored to be good-looking, making them the prime prey for these swindlers. The women who were most likely to be targeted were either those close to being engaged or those that influential men wanted to take as concubines. If these Zebi seduced the women beyond a certain point, their aplices would approach the womans parents with rumors. Bad rumors about your daughter are circting, you see. I heard shes about to get married Then the parents would either have to part with a considerable amount of wealth to silence them or send their daughter as a concubine (yangcheob C a legitimate concubine frommoner background) to the influential man involved. * * * It seems like its not toote yet! Upon hearing the reports from their subordinates, the guild leaders made a decision. Stop those Jeop-ies moners) activities! Make sure to stop them! Make sure? Shall we kill them? You idiots! Do you want to create chaos in the castle town? After a moment to gather his thoughts, the guild leader issued hismand. Shatter all of the Jeop-ies legs! Make sure they cant roam around until the decision of the Eastern Pces marriage is made! Yes! Following the leaders decision, arge-scale Jeop-ie hunt wasunched by the so-called Assasination guilds. *** *Pant, pant, pant!* In the eastern area of Hanseong, a man was running through the maze-like alleys, gasping for air. His hat was nowhere to be seen, probably fallen somewhere, and his Durumagi (traditional Korean overcoat) was stained with dirt. The man sighed as he rounded a corner. Damn it! It was a dead-end. Turning around, the man couldnt take another step. Three men in ck Durumagi were blocking the alleyways entrance. Where do you think youre running? Ah! Brothers! Why are you doing this? No big deal. You guys have been causing some trouble while we have an important task at hand. Were just making sure you stay put for a few months. Ah! Shit! If thats the case, just tell us to stay home! Why are you crippling people? You think youd stay home just because we say so? And dont talk about crippling like its some evil thing. Were just breaking a single leg. Youll heal after lying down for a few months. Shit! Help! Help! Shouts of Help! caused heads to pop up over the nearby thatched roofs, but the menacing gazes of the Assassin guild members quickly drove them back inside. Alright Just be quiet. Itll be over soon. If you keep resisting, we might have to break more than your leg. What will it be? Damn it! Finally giving up, the many down on the ground. Ah, screw it! Do whatever you want, cook me or boil me! Shouldve done that earlier. Youve been causing us trouble. One of the Assassin guild members approached the resigned man and offered him a wooden stick. Bite down on this. If you dont, youll bite your tongue. Damn it! Shit! I knew something was offst night when my sleep was restless! Tsk! Spitting, the man bit down on the stick and clenched his eyes shut. Ah! A scream soon erupted in the alleyway, and two members of the Assassin guild came out, carrying the man between them. Take him home. And while youre at it, call for a doctor. Right, we wouldnt have had this trouble if hed just stayed home. Ahhhh Lets move. We still have others to deal with. The Assassin Guilds Jeop-ie hunting was relentless. Countless people were caught after futile attempts to escape, their legs broken. Even those who were home or at the inn were not spared. Their legs were broken by intruding Assassin Guild members. Thanks to this, the doctors had a lucrative ie. *** Ah, crap! Ill have to leave Hanseong for a while! In the end, the scammers who still had legs intact took all their belongings and crossed the Han River. Well have to hang in there in the south for a while! The moment scammers disappeared from Hanseong and its surrounding areas, an emergency was dered in both Left and Right Law Enforcement Agencies due to intelligence that a series of mysterious assault incidents are urring within the city! Find out whats happening and report! Upon themanders orders, thew enforcement officers led their subordinates andunched an investigation. Officers investigating the victims reported back with puzzled expressions. Is it true that all the victims are scammers? Yes, it seems someone angered by the scammers schemes has taken thew into their own hands. Both the victims and the perpetrators are criminals As the Left Law Enforcement Agencysmander pondered, one officer suggested, Why not just let it slide? These are the same guys we couldnt catch due tock of evidence, right? Whats the point of havingws andw enforcement agencies then? Think before you speak! My apologies! Themander, having reprimanded the officer for his inappropriate remark, reached a decision. We need to consult the King lets also visit the Right Law Enforcement Agency After reading the report submitted by bothmanders, King Sejong immediately summoned them. I have read your report. However, theres something I dont understand. What is this scammer? Since the term was newly coined, King Sejong who didnt know its meaning, asked. Hmm Having learned the meaning of scammer, King Sejong pondered while stroking his beard. Is this their response to the order I issued? Surprisingly fast and effective. I shouldnt use it often but asionally its useful No, that would erode the rule ofw. Laws must be upheld. Finally, Sejong reached a decision. If you catch these thugs in the act, arrest them on the spot. Otherwise, continue the investigation until substantial evidence is secured. Personal vendettas cannot supersede thew. Do you understand? We obey yourmand! Upon receiving King Sejongs guidance, bothmanders looked at each other. Do you understand what the King meant? Catch them in the act or let them go. Right? To be honest those crippled scammers deserve to die, dont they? Indeed. Meanwhile, the schemers, who had heard the Kings orders through their connections in thew enforcement agency, gathered. What does the King mean? Should we just let the scammers go? Wouldnt that cause problems with the selection of the Crown Princess? Amid various discussions, the smarter ones spoke up. This seems like a warning from the King. A warning? Hes telling us not to make a fuss. Thest scam hunt was too noisy, wasnt it? We turned Hanseong upside down. Hes probably telling us to keep it down. Ah! Youre really smart! Ugh! Annoyed by the nickname he hated, one schemer red before exining to the chief. If we create amotion like thest scam hunt, thew enforcement agencies will take action. Its ufortable for both the pce and us. So if youre going to do something, do it quietly. The King has given us a quiet warning along with a strategy. Ah, I see. The guild leader nodded at the schemers exnation, while the surrounding members of the organization softly grumbled. Sheesh Whats with all the roundabout talking? This is why I dislike high-and-mighty people. Always acting so superior Quiet! Having silenced the members, the leader summarized the situation. Is the roundup of the Jeop-ie finished? Yes. Among those still in Hanyang, theres no one with an able body. Ive heard that the cleanup of people in Bukchon and the Unjong-ga families is alsoplete. Good. Then, ording to His Highnesss criteria, select as many suitable members as possible! Only by selecting many can we properly sift through! Understood! As time passed, Hyang, who received the report via the inner chamber, chuckled to himself. Zebis? What theyre doing is like sparrows? Just because their legs are broken? All the able-bodied ones have crossed the river to the South? A hypothesis popped up in Hyangs mind, who was chuckling. Could it be, the sparrow from the Heungbujeon tale is this Zebi?1 *** Meanwhile, as Hanyang was in the midst of a Zebi hunt, a trading ship arrived at Jemulpo. Amidst a dock full of ships going back and forth between Shandong and Jemulpo, theborers unloading cargo curiously looked at the unfamiliar ship. Wheres that ship from? It doesnt look like its from Ming. As theborers showed curiosity, the soldiers in charge of inspections approached the ship that had just docked, along with military officials. Who are you and where are you from! Responding to the military officials shout, a foreigner in official attire disembarked from the ship on a small boat. Greetings. I am Sayid Ahmed Mohammed Al-Otaibi, working on the Korean Penins from a research institute. I am on my way back frompleting a mission under His Royal Majestys decree. Here Sayid rummaged through his sleeve and pulled out a scroll. This document contains the decree. After untying the scroll and checking its contents, the military official looked at Sayid. Its been nearly 2 years since you returned? Thats correct. Youve had a hard journey. Permission to disembark granted. Ah, dont forget to go through customs! Understood. Take care. Following Sayids signal, people started to disembark through the small boat. Wait! The military official who had been scrutinizing those disembarking raised his hand to halt them and then searched for Said. Look here! Whats the deal with those prisoners! The military official pointed at two Westerners, hands and feet shackled. Looking at the individuals pointed out by the military official, Sayid replied with an expression indicating it was not a big deal. They are ves. Shackled in case they attempt to escape. Where would they escape to, theyre on a ship? We are now onnd, are we not? Well, yes, but theyre ves To be precise, they are ss artisans. __ Note 1: Korean University Newspaper, 2003.09.25.
  1. Its from a folklore of Heungu and Nolbu.[?]
Chapter 93 Chapter 93 Sayid, who arrived at Jemulpo port, sent a pre-written memorandum to Hanyang. Upon reading the memorandum, King Sejong convened his ministers and summoned Hyang. Please read the memorandum, Sejong ordered. The ministers and officials read the memorandum and then looked at King Sejong. Crown Prince, exin again the necessity of ss artisans. Yes, Your Majesty. Although ss existed as far back as the Samhan period1, there are no artisans who can craft it now. The main reason is that we already have pottery. We have limited the utility of ss to merely making containers or ornaments. However, considering the properties of ss, we need to secure ss production technology. Firstly, theres the industrial need. For example, when making gunpowder or processing metals, we use various acids. These acids are usually stored in pottery containers, which are inconvenient for several reasons. The biggest inconvenience is the inability to check the contents. To do so, one has to open the lid and look inside, which could cause severe injuries if done incorrectly. But if we use ss, we can check the contents without opening the lid. This is not limited to acids; it can also be applied to food, allowing us to check for spoge without opening the container. That seems useful. Sejong, who enjoyed gourmet food, immediately showed interest. Seeing this, Hyang breathed a small sigh of relief. My Royal Father, when will you lose weight Even if youre a healthy pig Talk to your liver and exercise more Crown Prince? Caught daydreaming while observing the still portly King Sejong, Hyang quickly focused as Sejong called for him. Yes? Ah, Your Majesty. I was organizing my thoughts. The second reason involves the military. We can process ss to create lenses, which can be used to see distant ces up close. Additionally, we can ce ss devices onnterns to project light further away. Hmm Sounds good. Ministers, listen. The reason the crown prince had to exin the necessity of ss artisans again is due to the route Sayid and his entourage took to search for one. The ministers nodded at King Sejongs exnation, and Hyang grimaced. Sayid has scored a windfall * * * Following Hyangs order to Find and bring a ss artisan, Hassan and Sayid tried to gather information in the Imicmunity in Ming, but they were unable to find any ss artisans. Brother, let me go back to my hometown. Hometown? Distance is an issue, but can we find a ss artisan there? Sayid, you heard, right? This te ss is something those Italians are producing these days. Still, we cant return empty-handed. That would certainly mean losing this golden opportunity. Lets give it a shot. Hassan nodded at Sayids words. The nation had changed from Goryeo to Joseon, and the situation was increasingly dire. They had no choice but to either move everything to Ming or return to their hometown. And even if they did return, the chances of seeding again were very low. In such a circumstance, the crown princes offer was truly a golden opportunity. Ultimately, Hassan had no choice but to agree with Sayid. Be careful on your journey, my brother. And so, Sayid hitched a ride on another merchants ship and headed for his hometown. However, even upon arriving in his hometown, Sayid could not easily find a ss artisan. There were ss artisans, but they were either working at the factories of their targets or were part of a powerful familys workshop. I should go to Alexandria. Deciding thus, Sayid requested help from his own family. A family member from Joseon is asking for help. Having heard the story through Sayids grandfather, the elders of the Otaibi family exchanged opinions. Do we need to find a ss artisan? Thats what they say. An artisan capable of making te ss, to be specific. Is te ss not something that only artisans from Murano Ind in Venice, Italy can make2? Ive heard that artisans in Florence have started making it as well. Wouldnt we need to go to the ve market in Alexandria for such an artisan? Thats why hes asking for help. What kind of help does he want? Transportation to and from Alexandria, financial support for buying a ve, and a ship back to Joseon. Joseon? The country that rose after destroying Goryeo. Hmm The elders deliberated and had heated debates. Despite the tension, they came to a conclusion. Lets provide the support! The familys eldest member made the decision, influenced by a letter from Joseon that Sayid had brought. If you help us find a ss artisan, I will support Otaibis trade with Joseon. I guarantee this as the crown prince of Joseon. Isnt it good to help when the crown prince, who will inherit the throne, has made a guarantee? He is just a crown prince. Indeed, hes only a crown prince. But in Joseon, such a letter cannot be written without the kings permission. There were objections until the end, but support was decided when Sayids grandfather exined the letters importance. With the full support of his family, Sayid headed to the sl@ve market in Alexandria. Through divine interventionor what was written as Ahs help in Sayids recordsnot long after Sayid arrived, Barbary pirates put Italian te ss artisans on the ve market. These artisans were highly valuable, and a fiercepetition ensued with Arab merchants and even Northern European merchants. Sayid was able to barely secure the artisans. However, the money spent on securing these artisans was sorge even for the Otaibi family that two of its elders apanied Sayid back to Joseon. This was the main content of the records. The reason King Sejong convened the ministers and schrs was due to the amount spent by the Otaibi family. As written in the records, the Otaibi family spent 20,000 Ducat (about 7 kg of gold). Its not a small amount. I want to confirm whether its justified to spend this much to obtain ss artisans. Sejong paused and looked at Hyang. If it were up to the Crown Prince, he would say go ahead. But since its a lot of money, I want to hear the opinions of the ministers. Hmm The ministers pondered. They knew that the Crown Prince did not spend money frivolously. At times, they questioned his purchases, but they always turned out to be necessary. Thats why they couldnt easily say, Thats not eptable! Even Minister Kim; Minister of Taxation, who would foam at the mouth if spending exceeded 10 nyang of silver, was deep in thought. While the ministers were pondering, the Crown Prince spoke up. Father. I have something to say. Speak. If we consider only the cost of the artisans, its a huge amount. However, if we think about the ss they make, it has more value. Of course. But isnt that why we are discussing this, because were not sure? Father, earlier I mentioned that I could create a device using ss that would bring distant objects closer. Indeed. Consider its military value. If we can identify the Yeojin tribes or foreign invaders from a greater distance, think of the enormous benefit it would bring us. The advantage gained by our troops being able to prepare faster than the enemy is substantial. We may not recoup the initial investment in 1 or 2 years, but we can certainly do so in 10. Upon hearing Hyangs words, Sejong began to tip the scales in favor. However, he was still hesitant to make a decision right away. Can you guarantee it will be made? I will take it upon myself to make it! Convinced by Hyangs resolute answer, Sejong looked at his ministers. In response to his unspoken question, one by one, the ministers opened their mouths. The military value alone makes it worthwhile. I agree. When the ministers concurred, Sejong made his decision. Then, lets settle the ounts with the ssmakers. *** Meanwhile, people from the Otaibi tribe, who had settled in an Imicmunity near Hansung, were equally concerned. Will Joseon pay the right price? They will. Despite Sayids answer, the elders of the Otaibi n were full of worries. Coming all the way to distant Joseon, if the prince doesnt pay the right price, it would be a significant loss for the n. The authorities they had dealt with had routinely failed to pay, either with petty excuses orrger sums. If they were ssmakers from Italy, we could have easily resold them for a huge profit Seeing the worried expressions on the elders, Sayid and Hassan did their best to reassure them. Dont worry. The prince of Joseon will certainly pay the right price. I have been working closely with the prince of Joseon. From my experience, theres absolutely nothing to worry about. Is that so? Despite Sayid and Hassans words, the elders remained worried until the end. A royal decree! A royal decree? At the shouting from outside, Hassan and Sayid hurriedly rose from their seats and went out. Are you the Hassan and Sayid brothers? Yes, we are. Receive the royal decree! At the messengers shout, the brothers straightened their clothes, bowed towards the pce, knelt, and sat down. You are to bring the elders of your n and the ssmakers to the Geunjeongjeon Hall by noon tomorrow. We receive the decree! After bowing once more, the two brothers politely received the scroll. As the messenger left, the elders who had been watching came out. What is that? Its an order containing the kingsmand, and also an invitation. I see. Finally, everything will be settled tomorrow. How did the ordere down so quickly? One of the elders with more experience asked. The authorities he knew would make them wait for at least three days just to see their faces. However, since arriving in Joseon, Sayids report had been filed, and a royal decree had been issued on the day they arrived at themunity outside Hansung. In response to the elders question, Hassan gave a slight smile and replied. The current king and crown prince of Joseon are quick to handle matters. *** The next day, at noon. Hassan and Sayid, apanied by the elders and ss artisans, headed to Gyeongbokgung Pce. Upon seeing Hassan and Sayid in traditional garments, the soldiers respectfully saluted and then spoke. Who are these people behind you? They are apanying me by royalmand. Hassan fumbled through his sleeves and presented a scroll written with the royal order to the gatekeeper. Upon confirming the contents of the scroll, the gatekeeper stepped aside and returned it. Pass! *** Your Majesty, we have arrived! Reaching the front yard of Geunjeongjeon, the Hassan brothers knelt and bowed deeply. The apanying elders and even the ves followed suit, kneeling and bowing. They seemed to understand that a misstep could put their lives in jeopardy, at least at this moment. You may rise. Your graciousness is immense. At King Sejongs words, the Hassan brothers stood up and spoke politely. Who are the people that havee with you? They are the elders of our family. Is that so? Tell them theyve worked hard. Upon hearing Hassans trantion, the elders bowed their waists politely as their response. Are those behind you the ss artisans? Yes, Your Majesty. Hmm After inspecting the ss artisans, Sejong spoke to Hassan. We will urately calcte and repay the expenses you incurred while rescuing them. Plus, for their nearly two years of hardship, an additional 10% will be given. Your graciousness is immense! Upon hearing Sejongs words, Hassan and Sayid bowed deeply. The elders, who heard through Sayid, also bowed even more respectfully than before. From now on, converse with the crown prince. As Sejong stood up from his chair, the Hassan brothers knelt again. When Sejong left, the Crown Prince Hyang stepped in. First, lets have a brief discussion with the ss artisans. We shall do so. Sayid will interpret. No need. Stopping Hassan from interpreting, Hyang directly spoke to the artisans. Exspectata ut Hao Coreanica regnum. (Wee to the Korean Kingdom.) Upon hearing the somewhat clumsy but familiar Latin from an Eastern pagan, the ss artisans looked at Hyang in astonishment. Hic autem non est servus. (You are not sl@ves here.) Upon saying this, Hyang ordered Hassan. Free them from their restraints. Following Hyangsmand, the elders ordered those behind them to unshackle the artisans. Now free, the artisans bowed deeply to Hyang in genuine gratitude. Venite post verba autem ex illis. (Well speak with youter.) Ita! (Yes!) As the artisans promptly responded, Hyang gestured to the soldiers. Take them to Area 51. Yes, Your Highness! The soldiers escorted the ss artisans away. Witnessing all of this, the elders couldnt gather their wits. When Hyang initially spoke in Latin, one elder quietly asked Hassan. Did you teach him Latin? He already knew it. Just who is this Crown Prince of Joseon? They had heard the words enormous talent from the Hassan and Sayid brothers, but seeing it firsthand made it all the more unbelievable. Meanwhile, after sending the artisans away, Hyang looked at the elders and spoke. Now, lets discuss how well handle the payment.
  1. Samhan, or Three Han, is the collective name of the Byeonhan, Jinhan, and Mahan confederacies that emerged in the first century BC during the ProtoCThree Kingdoms of Korea.[?]
  2. Murano Ind is famous for their ss craft making[?]
Chapter 94 Chapter 94 So, how would you like the payment to be processed? Through the trantion of Hassan, the elders heard Hyangs question. They responded to Hassan, who immediately conveyed their answer to Hyang. They say they do not quite understand your question. Simply put, do you want to receive the payment in gold, or would you prefer to choose other goods in exchange? After a moment, We thank Your Highness. However, they ask if it would be possible to see the goods first before making a choice. Thats a good idea. We can also verify the quality of the goods, cant we, Minister of Taxation? At Hyangs question, Kim Jeom nodded. Yes, certainly, certainly. Seeing Kim Jeoms very affirmative response, Hyang faintly smiled. Youve finally got the hang of spending money youve changed a lot. Just as Hyang said, the chief justices and administrative officials were slowly bing addicted to the pleasure of spending money. What they were spending on was not individual luxuries, but the strengthening of the nations capabilities. The expansion of trade and subsequent increase in tax revenue, supplemented by arger budget, was enhancing the central governments control over the provinces. Moreover, as evidenced in the recent subjugation of the Jurchens tribe, strengthening national defense also provided the momentum for their long-term strategy of Eastern Expansion. Therefore, the administrators were gradually bing addicted to earning and spending money. Lets go see the samples. Hyang and the Minister of Taxation led the elders to a warehouse on one side of the pce. As they walked towards the warehouse, Hyang conversed with the Minister of Taxation. Right now, weve dedicated this warehouse, but if the ss craftsmen do their job well, well have to build a better exhibition hall, wont we? Absolutely. Ive been looking for a suitable location already. It had been a while since Hyang and the Minister of Taxation were in such perfect agreement. The warehouse they entered was unlike any ordinary warehouse. In contrast to regr warehouses built with thick walls and heavy doors focused on securing goods, this one hadrge windows that let in ample light. Lets go in. Upon entering, Hyang showed them the samples. These are different types of paper. Oh~. The elders were quite impressed with the various paper samples. Papermaking technology had traveled from China to the Imic world mainly through warfare and had be fairlymon. However, the price remained rtively high. In Europe, although paper mills had been built, valuable documents were still written on parchment, and moremonly on papyrus. This state of affairs continued until the time of Leonardo da Vinci and Galileo Galilei. Thus, the paper they were now looking at was of the highest quality, and the elders could not help but be interested. That was the reason Hyang presented the paper first. Paper from Joseon was highly regarded even in Ming. After Hyang initiated reforms to break the monopoly of the paper industry and instigatepetition among civilian merchants, both the quality and variety of paper rapidly increased. Moreover, it became one of the lucrative export items in trade with Ming and foreign countries. The quality is good, but they say the price is a concern. We have cheaper options too. At Hyangs response, Hassan nodded knowingly. Are you referring to the yellow paper? At Hassans question, Hyang nodded. Hassan immediately exined to the elders, who showed interest. We cant keep relying on these expensive papers! We must find an alternative! Yellow paper was a product Hyang painstakingly developed to meet the growing demand for paper in the research institute and Area 51. While traditional Hanji paper1 could be recycled by washing, the low rate of recycling at the research institute and Area 51 burdened the finances. Eventually, Hyang came up with a new hybrid. Instead of using traditional mulberry, he usedmon misceneous trees. After pulverizing the trees into small pieces with a mechanical shredder, he boiled them to make pulp. The traditional manual papermaking process was reced by mechanical methods. Right now, were using mechanical power, but as soon as steam engines arepleted, well switch immediately! While its not as high-quality as the paper made by craftsmen, its sufficiently usable. Especially, the production cost is very pleasing. Upon calcting the quality and production cost, Jeong Cho and Jeong Inji, along with Lee Cheon, made the passing evaluation, and Hyang immediately took action. Hyang bought nearbynd in Area 51 and built arge paper mill. The characteristic of the paper Hyang made was that it was yellowish, as its name Hwangji''2 suggests. Bleaching is possible, but what about environmental pollution? I dont know about that part either. Even though he was knowledgeable, Hyang didnt know everything, so hepletely omitted the bleaching part. As a result, yellowish paper was produced. When Hwangji was mass-produced, both the research institute and Area 51 were liberated from their paper problem. Also, upon receiving a report about Hwangji, King Sejong immediately summoned his ministers. What do you think about recing papers for general office use with Hwangji? Its a truly wise decision! As soon as King Sejong spoke, Minister of Taxation, Kim Jeom, praised the idea enthusiastically. Ultimately, due to Hojos fervent approval, Hwangji was used in the royal court, andter even in provincial administrative agencies. Over time, amongmoners, Hwangji began to be called Akji Among the papers sent from government offices, good newslike being awardedcame written meticulously on high-quality paper, attached to a silk scroll. On the other hand, bad newslike paying taxes, appearing in court, joining the military, or engaging inbor servicescame written on yellowish paper. After checking the quality and price of the yellow paper, the elders immediately decided. The quality is good, and the price is reasonable; this is certainly profitable! Even considering the shipping costs to our hometown, we will still make a profit! Although they were resolved, the elders did not make an immediate decision. Is there any other product? they asked. Of course, there is. If we didnt have other goods, we wouldnt be merchants, they thought. At Hyangs gesture, an officer from the revenue service opened the lid of a box next to him. Its called soap, said Hyang, introducing the product. *** Soap was a by-product obtained during the process of extracting glycerin for making nitroglycerin. Looking at the first-ever soap, Hyang chuckled. Its ironic. Typically, you make soap to obtain glycerin, but I did the opposite. The first soap had an ugly, unappealing color. Initially named Sukgan, which means alkali, due to its rock-like appearance, it was soon renamed to Bijo (soap) since it removed skin issues and was made from fats. This newly-born soap went up to Sejong, who was suffering from a skin disease at that time. The soap helped dramatically improve Sejongs condition. Its a wonderful product! Produce it inrge quantities immediately; manymoners are suffering from skin diseases. As youmand! Hyang confidently replied to Sejongs order, as he had just figured out how to efficiently extract soybean oil. However, when actually using soybean oil, they discovered the yield was low. Why? While searching for a reason and solution, Hyang discovered that used cooking oil had a higher yield. So, thats why they used waste cooking oil? Although he found a solution, it was an iplete one. Traditional cooking doesnt use much oil. We cant just fry pancakes every day, nor can we waste good oil While pondering a solution, Hyang saw some chicken porridge that came from the royal kitchen and snapped his fingers. This is it! He immediately chose one of the royal chefs to create fried chicken. Its delicious, said Sejong after tasting the dish, and it soon became one of his favorite foods. Since its oily, lets also fry some garlic with it. Understood. Fried chicken was not just popr with Sejong. Soldiers and officers in Area 51 loved it, too. Whenever chicken was on the menu for dinner at the districtsmunal dining hall, some people would even skip lunch to save room. Due to its immense poprity, the royal poultry farm on Nobeol Ind began raising chickens on arge scale. It wasnt just limited to Nobeol Ind. Hearing rumors about fried chicken, some merchants sought out Hyang, knocking on the doors of Area 51. Wed like to obtain the recipe for fried chicken and the oil, they said. Upon hearing this, Hyang immediately summoned the revenue officer. Once seated, the officer went straight to the point. How much are you willing to pay? Thus, the consumption of soybean oil increased, enabling mass production of soap through the extra waste oil that was generated. *** After listening to how to use soap and actually using it, the elders nodded. Its a product thats worth its value. But I want to know why one has a scent and the other doesnt. The scented one is for washing your face and bathing, and the unscented one is forundry. Hearing Hyangs answer, the elders nodded, when suddenly one elder urgently shouted, Goryeo! After listening to the elders words for a while, Hassan interpreted for Hyang. Hes asking if you can sell spices. At Hassans words, Hyang smiled. Ah, you know well. Since the era of the Samhan, spices have been famous Spices and aromatic oils were among the rare luxuries around the world. The Korean penins also heavily used them since the ancient Goguryeo era. Being frequently used, they became one of the main trade goods even during the Goryeo era. Massive profits were made by importing raw materials from China and exporting processed products. And these exported spices flowed into Imic regions. Hyang pointed to the ceramic jars and small boxes disyed on one side. The aromatic oils are in there, and whats in the boxes is scented powder. Upon hearing the exnation, the elders took out the stopper from their jars to smell it, or picked up a little scented powder to confirm its scent, nodding their heads. They say the quality is very good. Of course. These were made by recognized artisans. Listening to Hassans interpretation, the elders nodded. Their eyes were fixed on their jars as they returned them to their ces. For a while, the elders who were staring nkly at the jars started talking with Hassan. At the end of the brief conversation, Hassan interpreted for Hyang. Theyre asking if they can purchase just the jars. We dont sell them separately, but Hyang signaled again to an official. At his gesture, the official moved. There were wooden boxes that looked precious at a nce, stacked up diagonally. The official carefully opened the lids of the boxes. Wow! Seeing the contents of the boxes, the elders eximed. Hyang said to Hassan, Ask them whether they prefer cdon or white porcin. Upon Hassans interpretation, the elders unanimously answered. Hassan smiled at their response. They say both. Hahaha! Hearing that, Hyangughed heartily. In the end, the elders not only received their purchase payment in goods instead of gold but also spent all the funds they had brought to purchase goods. What they focused on buying were toiletries, spices, and pottery. Checking the quantity, Minister of Taxation Kim Jeom said to Hassan, The requested quantity will be delivered within three days. Yes. Upon hearing Hassans interpretation, the elders expressed their gratitude. Hyang said to Hassan, Also exin that this time were sending it as a gesture of gratitude, but from next time there will be tariffs. Let them know beforehand to avoid confusionter. Also, tell them they cant buy goods without a trade license. Yes, will do. Hassan immediately interpreted, and a response came shortly after. Theyre asking about the tariff rate and how to obtain a trade license. When the goods are delivered, well let them know. Shortly after, Hassan interpreted the elders answer. Theyre asking for the benevolence of the king. Ill discuss it with the king. Three dayster, the goods arrived at the Imicmunity. As the elders and those who came with them checked the quantity and quality of the goods, Hassan took out a scroll and presented it. Were giving it to you as a gesture of gratitude this time. When youe next, purchase a license and pay the taxes. How much? For one time, its 50 gold pieces, which is 500 ducats. For a two-year license, its 2000 ducats. The purchase tax rate is 1%, and the selling tax rate is 1.5%. Hearing Hassans answer, the elders huddled and exchanged opinions. It seems a bit expensive? Considering the goods were taking, it seems reasonable. Its not reasonable! Its really cheap! Didnt he say that without a license, we cant buy goods? That means our family alone can monopolize it! Ah, right! Having reached a conclusion, the elders said to Hassan, Convey our gratitude for the benevolence to the king and prince of Joseon. Tell them well return as soon as possible. Understood. As soon as Hassans words ended, the person in charge of inspection responded. Everythings fine! Then lets go back to the ship as quickly as possible! *** The ship carrying the elders sailed back at full speed. The sailors who had been promised rewards did their utmost to keep moving. Due to supply issues, they reduced the number of ports they had to pass through by taking on as much supplies as possible each time they docked. Whenever they encountered headwinds, they would break the routine of resting at nearby ports and instead move zigzag, never stopping. As a result, the only ones who suffered a loss were the pirates who had ambushed them. They always managed to escape the pirates ambush by moving more swiftly than anticipated. Thanks to their efforts, when they returned to their homnd, they made an enormous profit from the goods they had brought from Joseon. Excluding the initial capital, its 72,000 ducats! Thats three times the profit! Prepare a ship to Joseon immediately! It was the birth of the Great Eastern Trade Route, which not only stirred up the Imic regions but also excited merchants across the Mediterranean.
  1. Paper made from bark of mulberry trees. Its expensive.[?]
  2. Paper made from a mixture of bamboo, straws, and paper mulberry barks.[?]
Chapter 95 Chapter 95 Not long after the Otaibi family rejoiced at earning a fortune of 48,000 ducats from a single voyage, they found themselves gritting their teeth in frustration. Though the Otaibi family had a proud history and sizable influence, they were situated next to the Sindwa family, an evenrger merchant family. The Sindwa family was one of the five major merchant families controlling Aden1. Even when the Otaibis brought over ss artisans from Alexandria as ves, they had to give considerable gifts to the Sindwa family. We of the Otaibi family have not acquired ves to establish a ss workshop. We bought them because they were requested from a ce called Joseon. I swear to Ah that this is not intended to rival the Sindwa family. Due to the earnest exnations and gifts from the Otaibi familys patriarch, the Sindwa family decided to overlook their purchase of ss artisan ves. They also had their own intelligencework and knew that next to China was a country called Goryeo, which had recently fallen and been reced by a new country called Joseon. When the Otaibi family started selling goods brought back from Joseon, an envoy from the Sindwa family arrived. Give us all your goods at a good price. Excuse me? Even if you sell to other merchants, the goods will eventually end up with our Sindwa family. So, just hand it over directly. Do you have the confidence to safely transport a ships worth of goods to Alexandria? Understood. And so, negotiations began between the envoy from the Sindwa family and the Otaibi familys patriarch. 200,000 ducats? Isnt that too expensive? Think about the round trip to Joseon. Pirates from Mya2 and Majapahit, let alone from Jipangu3, are swarming those waters. Do you think its easy to travel through such dangerous waters? Still, 200,000 ducats are too much. Lets settle on 100,000. This is outrageous, even for the Sindwa family! Are you saying you dont want to trade? Isnt it just too expensive? Fine, 180,000 ducats! 100,000! 175,000! Thats my final offer! Do you think were not aware of how much you paid for those ss artisans? 20,000 ducats, right? Even if you had to bring extra funds, your family couldve afforded at most 30,000 ducats. Who are you trying to fool? Since were both merchants in Aden, Ill go up to 100,000! We have promised rewards to the crew! Thats why I said 100,000! Any more and it would be hard for you to do business in Aden! Confronted with the Sindwa merchants words, the patriarch of the Otaibi family realized he had no other options. Fine. Well hand it over for 100,000. It was a good deal. In the end, the Otaibi family handed over their goods from Joseon to the Sindwa family for 100,000 ducats. After transferring the goods, the patriarch ground his teeth in frustration. These people are worse than pirates! However, the family elders were actually pleased, iming they had made triple the profit. Arent they basically pirates? Making three times the profit is a sessful deal! We should prepare to go to Joseon again instead! Exactly! Without a permit from Joseon, other merchants cant procure goods! We should seize this opportunity for greater gains! Hoo~. Lets do just that. The patriarchr had no choice but to step back at the words of the elders. Left alone in the room, the leader thumped his chest. Damn it! Damn those Sindwa bastards! While waiting for a favorable wind to go to Joseon, the Otaibi n began to procure what was requested from Joseon. They asked for horses from Joseon. They said theyd pay well for horses with good pedigree. Horses? Horses in Joseon are really adorable. Arabian horses at the time were famous for being excellent. They wererge and had both agility and endurance. Is that so? Then we should procure the best pedigree horses. As the Otaibi n members were busy procuring horses, news of the Sindwa n reached their ears. They heard that the Otaibi n had bought goods from Joseon for 100,000 ducats and sold them in Alexandria for 1,100,000 ducats. Especially silk and spices had caused bloodshedliteral bloodshedamong the European merchants crossing the Mediterranean. Damn it! Damn it! Everyone in the Otaibi n, even those who had been happy about doing three times the business, exploded in anger. Considering the time and risk it took to go to Alexandria, doubling the profits was a big win, but they had missed out on the opportunity to make almost 40 times the profit. While the people of the Otaibi n were grinding their teeth, merchants from another n approached them. People havee from the Am n. From the Am n? The n leader of the Am n hase as well! Bring them in! The news that someone, even the n leader, hade from the Am none of the five major ns of Adenmade the Otaibi n leader jump from his seat. A momentter, the merchants entered, and the leader greeted them respectfully. Wee. It is an honor to meet the greatest elder of the Am n. Thank you for weing us. Please sit. As the Am n merchants sat in the designated seats, tea was served. Members of both the Otaibi and Am ns prepared to converse while sipping tea. Ho? This aroma is unique. Its tea from Joseon. A rtive who works at the Joseon royal court gifted it to us. It has a different aroma from Chinese tea. Its indeed a rich aroma, fitting for the sessor state to Goryeo, which was famous for its fragrances. Starting their conversation with talks about Joseon tea, they soon got to the main point. I heard that your recent venture was a great sess. By Ahs grace. But it must be a bit disappointing because of the Sindwa n? We still made a profit. The leader of the Otaibi n chose his words carefully. The power of the Am n was significant, but so was that of the Sindwa n. And the Sindwa n was right next to the Otaibi n. A wrong move could result in their ships at the docks going up in mes or their warehouses being burned down. However, the profits gained by the Sindwa n in Alexandria dwarf yours. Isnt it a matter of capability? An elder from the Otaibi n interjected. The merchant from the Am n nodded at the elders words. I agree with that. But unfair is unfair. Let me get to the point. How would you feel about partnering with our Am n? Are you saying that our n should join the Am n? As the atmosphere among the Otaibi n members grew tense, the leader of the Am n hurried to defuse the situation. Not at all. The Otaibi n is a n with a long history, how could we suggest that? Do you promise in the name of Ah? I promise in the name of Ah. At the firm assurance of the leader of the Am n, the atmosphere among the Otaibi n members cooled down. So when you say lets join together, do you mean to form a partnership? Is it true? The Otaibi family is preparing to go back to Joseon? Yes. It looks like your family is mobilizing all three of its merchant ships. Our family will also contribute the same, three ships. Alexandria will support us as well. Well divide the profits 6:4, with us getting 6 and the Otaibi family 4. The leader of the Am family made the offer, and the leader of the Otaibi familys face turned serious. After pondering for a while, the leader of the Otaibi family asked the leader of the Am family, Its a very generous offer, almost too much. Whats your reason for making such an offer? To not miss an opportunity. Youre going to Joseon because of that rtives request, right? That means the Otaibi family has ties with the Joseon royal family, which is an opportunity we cannot miss as merchants. The leader of the Am family exined, locking eyes with the leader of the Otaibi family. Although he was smiling, his eyes werent. By Ah, I swear I have no hidden motives! So please make your decision! Oh, and let me advise you in advance; doing business with Sindwa is not a good idea. Can your family protect ours from Sindwa? On the name of our family and Ah, we will! The leader of the Otaibi family sighed deeply at the promise from the Am family leader. We have no choice. We ept the Am familys offer. A wise decision. Satisfied with the negotiation, the leader of the Am family stood up from his seat, a smile on his face. It was a delightful meeting. Starting today, well send our people to the docks and the warehouse. Thank you. The leader of the Otaibi family thanked him. After seeing off the Am family, an elder of the Otaibi family spoke, I wonder if weve jumped out of the frying pan into the fire. Were weak right now, what can we do? The Otaibi family did have some strength, butpared to the five great families, they were lesser. * * * As soon as the rumor that the Otaibi and Am families have joined hands spread, people from the Sindwa family stormed in. Why have you joined hands with Am! Have you forgotten about us, your neighbors, Sindwa! Though the emissary from the Sindwa family was furious, the leader of the Otaibi family responded calmly. Didnt you enjoy your time in Alexandria? Well Merchants move where the profit is, dont they? Profit is important, but so is faith! Did the Sindwa family keep that faith? Hearing that the Otaibi family was resolute, the Sindwa emissary left with a warning. Dont expect any favors from our family from now on! Were prepared for that. After the envoy from the Sindwa family left in a huff, the leader of the Otaibi family ordered the elders, Even though the Am family has promised to help, just to be safe, increase security at the docks and warehouses. Yes. Pay close attention to the stables as well. Our most important goods are there. We will. The leader of the Otaibi family looked up at the sky. If this voyage was sessful, and they could replicate it just two or three more times, the Otaibi family could be the sixth major family of Aden. However, they had now turned the Sindwa family into enemies, and the Am family was a threat that could swallow them up at any moment. Staring at the sky silently for a while, the leader of the Otaibi family muttered as he turned around, Inshah (God willing) * * * Upon securing the selected mares and stallions as requested by Joseon, the Otaibi family began preparing for departure. We also wish to apany you! Small merchants from nearby pleaded to join, but the leader of the Otaibi family tly refused. The journey is long and filled with pirates; I cant guarantee your safety. We dont care! Its well known that the sea route is dangerous! However, if theres an opportunity, a merchant risks his life for it! As the merchants continued to pester him, the Otaibi familys leader yed his trump card. Joseon only allows trade with those who have this permit! Without it, you wont even be able to disembark. Ah Certainly, Joseon was selling permits, but the leader of the Otaibi family had no reason to disclose this. Thus, the Otaibi and Am family merchant ships set sail from Aden port. On board thergest of the Otaibi familys ships was its leader. As he watched Aden harbor recede into the distance, he clenched his fist. There will not be a second failure!
  1. A major port/harbor in ancient Yemen.[?]
  2. a strait which borders current Mysia and Indonesia, was a major sea route.[?]
  3. Old name Japan[?]
Chapter 96 Chapter 96 The ss artisans brought by the Otaibi family were heading to Area 51 under the watchful eyes of the soldiers. Why the hell Why am I with you? Among the two artisans, the taller one looked at his colleague with an expression as if the world had wronged him. However, the target of hisints, the shorter artisan, replied with aid-back expression. Well, it was a bit tough physically, but wevee to a foreignnd weve never seen before, right? Maybe we can escape the humdrum life of an ordinary craftsman in cramped Murano? You idiot! Is this a good thing? A good thing, you say? The chance of our lives getting messed up is higher! Wow, the great Raphael is cursing? Wow! Just for that,ing all the way here was worth it! This bastard of a friend Dear God how did I end up with someone like this Tall Raphael looked up at the sky and grumbled. Then his colleague patted him on the shoulder and said, Dont be like that. Weve known each other since we were 8. Damn it! *** Raphael and his colleague Pietro had be friends on Murano Ind. Both had entered the renowned Murano ss guild as apprentices and had be close friends in no time. Having gone through their apprenticeships, they were now in their early 20s and were recognized as journeymen1. Pietro is 23, and Raphael is 22, correct? Yes, Master. Bing a journeyman at your age is no easy feat. It means you both have talent and have put in the effort. Congrattions. Thank you, Master. Both bowed their heads in response to the guild masters praise. You both can read and write, right? Yes, Master. The guild master then handed them a letter sealed with wax. Weve decided to revive the tradition of the journeymans travel. This is an introduction letter for the ss guild master in Florence. Go to Florence and gain experience. Understood. Thank you! While Raphael responded with a stoic face, Pietro thanked the guild master exuberantly. The guild master then looked at Raphael. Raphael, the reason I am sending you both together is precisely because of that guy. Pietro has good skills but is too frivolous. I worry he might get into or suffer from an ident. You need to guide him well. Must it be me? At least he listens to you. Understood. And so began their journeyman travel. While nning the route by looking at the map, Raphael simply chose to go bynd, but Pietro insisted on taking the sea route. Why bother crossing mountains? Lets take a ship from Genoa! Its a bit of a detour, but its faster! What if we get caught by pirates? Is going bynd safe? What about the bandits? Either way, the risk is 50-50. Lets take a ship from Genoa and use the spare time for sightseeing! I heard theres a lot to see in Genoa, Pisa, and Florence! Should we? Pietrosst words made even Raphael consider it. He, too, had felt stifled from working on Murano Ind for over 15 years. In the end, they took a ship from Genoa. Unfortunately, they were captured by pirates and sold as ves in Alexandria. *** Pietro, youre not worried, not being in Alexandria but instead here? Why worry in advance? Ah~ Raphael sighed deeply at Pietros optimistic reply. Hey, even those ruthless pirates treated us well because we are ss artisans, right? They even unlocked our shackles as soon as we got there! They wouldnt treat us as ves! True, but Cheer up! Were in the East! The East! Damn the Record of the Eastern World Raphael cursed. One of the things that had gotten them through the hard days of apprenticeship was the Record of the Eastern World. Imagining the distantnds described in the book had helped them forget their fatigue. Is this really the East? Could this be Jipangu2? Raphael looked around the surroundings of Hanseong, captivated. *** Upon arriving at Area 51, the two waited for Hyang in a small room. Im hungry Pietro, feeling his stomach growl, opened the door, only to be met with a stern re from the soldier guarding it. Excuse me! Im hungry! Pietro gestured to his mouth and rubbed his stomach, trying tomunicate his needs through bodynguage. Observing Pietros gestures, the soldier exchanged some words with arade and left his post. Momentster, the soldier returned with a sizable tray covered with a cloth. Gratias. (Thank you.) Pietro gratefully received the tray and went back into the room. It smells good, doesnt it? Sniffing the air, Pietro uncovered the cloth on the tray. Is it fried? Judging by its size and shape, is it fish? Upon smelling the food, Raphaelmented, and Pietro looked dejected. Darn it I dont like fish It reminds me of the hard times in Murano Back in the day, they would go fishing near the coast when hungry and had eaten more than their fill of fish. As Pietro hesitated, Raphael picked up a piece of the fried dish and took a bite. Its chicken? Its delicious! Chicken? In no time, the two had devoured the chicken on the tray. In that moment, theypletely forgot where they were and what their circumstances were. They were utterly engrossed in the chicken. * * * What did you say? Returning to Area 51 after wrapping up trade with the Otaibi n, Hyang was bewildered by the report he received. Is this true? Yes, the two of them together ate eight chickens. Did the Otaibi n starve them before bringing them here? Hyang was incredulous. Frankly, even the average Joseon person could eat one chicken alone. Those who ate well could have two, and sometimes even three. But four was unheard of. Either way, Hyang called Raphael and Pietro into his office at Area 51 and asked Hassan to interpret. I understand Latin, but not fluently. Let Hassan interpret. Yes, Your Highness. Did you enjoy your meal? Through Hassan, the two nodded in satisfaction. The food was excellent. Im d to hear that. Lets talk about your future arrangements. Listening to Hyang through Hassan, both of them looked intently at him, their faces tense. Firstly, neither of you is a ve. Lets make that clear. Thank you! At Hyangs words, both men, especially Raphael, expressed their gratitude. Your job here in Joseon will be to teach and oversee ssmaking. The term is initially ten years. Afterwards, we can renegotiate. Any objections? Is it initially ten years? And after that? We can either extend the contract or send you back home. Will you really let us go back home? At Raphaels question, Hassan responded immediately. The Crown Prince always keeps his promises. If he didnt intend to keep them, he wouldnt have set you free. Taking a moment to consider, Raphael spoke first. Fine. At this point, we have no choice but to rely on the goodwill of the Prince of Joseon. I agree too. Raphael, always cautious, had already made up his mind, leaving Pietro no choice but to agree. We ept the contract. With Hassans trantion, Hyang moved on to the next point. So, how much were you paid? Pietro answered immediately. Eight silver ducats! Raphael stared at Pietro in disbelief; they were actually paid two silver ducats a month. You idiot! Raphael knew why Pietro had inted the number. Seeing their situation and knowing how much the Joseon needed ss artisans, Pietro saw this as a golden opportunity. What if they find out you lied? Why would you inte the numbers in this situation? You fool! Raphael kept shooting him disapproving nces, but Pietro just grinned back, seeming confident. So how much is eight silver ducats in terms of skill level? At Hyangs question, Hassan pondered for a moment before answering. Its been a long time since I left my homnd, but ording to my childhood memories, skilled artisans would earn about four silver ducats. How long ago did you leave your homnd? Twenty years ago. Hmm Considering the rising cost of living even at their age is it a scam? It must be a scam. Hyang, now certain that it was a scam, silently looked at the two men. The tall man kept shifting his eyes, looking visibly ufortable, whereas the short man was grinning and looking at Hyang. Hyang then made up his mind. Four silver coins. Upon hearing Hyangs decision, Hassan immediately tranted it to the two men. Four silver coins. Thats four ducats if you prefer. Eight silver As Pietro insisted on eight ducats, Raphael interrupted him. Four ducats! Fine! We will do it for four ducats! We will proceed with four ducats. At Hassans words, Hyang nodded. Good. Lets prepare the contract. Once the contract, written in both Hanja and Latin, was drawn up, Pietro and Raphael read it carefully. Is the content the same on both sides? Yes. Upon hearing Hassans answer, Raphael hesitated for a moment and then extended his hand. Hand me a pen. As Hassan took out a gold pen, Hyang interjected. Ah, I have an additional condition. You will learn our Joseonnguage within three months. Until then, I will pay you two silver coins a month. If you fail to learn it within three months, you will receive only one silver coin per month. Isnt that too harsh? As Raphaelined, Hyang replied directly, without needing a trantion. Do you expect me or Hassan to follow you around and trante for you? Hyangs words silenced Raphael and prompted Pietro to speak up. What if we learn it faster than three months? Hyang chuckled at Pietros question. Confident, are we? Isnt that something wed have to try to find out? If you learn our Joseonnguage faster than three months, I will add one more silver coin per month. Before Hyang could finish, Pietro handed a piece of paper to Hassan. Include that condition as well! And so, with the modified contract signed and sealed, Pietro and Raphael returned to their designated rooms. Please keep an eye on them for the time being, Hassan. I understand, Your Highness. However What concerns you? Isnt four silver coins per month too generous? With that amount, it exceeds the sry of our current officers of rank 9. Upon hearing Hassans concern, Hyang nonchntly responded. If their skills are worth that much, then so be it. Besides, they better make it worth the cost, right? For a moment, Hassan felt sorry for the two Italians. ***
  1. a trained worker who is employed by someone else[?]
  2. Old name for Japan[?]
Chapter 97 Chapter 97 As autumn deepened, the nation began calcting the collected taxes, leading to a financial review of the Joseon Dynastys ie and expenses. Hmm Weve narrowly avoided a crisis. Yes, Your Majesty. Upon King Sejongs evaluation, all the ministers nodded in agreement. *** Ever since the tax reform had begun, the expenses of the Joseon government had been steadily increasing. The numbers of officials and professional soldiers had been growingalbeit graduallyand there wererge expenditures for mines and steel mills. The problem was that the rate of increase in tax revenue, the most critical source of ie, wasgging behind the rate of increase in expenditures. Of course,pared to the first year of the tax reform, the Gapjin year, the tax revenue had been continually increasing. However, the rate of expenditure increase had always been a step ahead. To solve this problem, King Sejong had to implement a series of daring policies. Firstly,nds granted to the government officials, starting with the meritocratds, were continually being reimed. From now on, the right to collect rent from thends given to the officials will be reimed. In return, the monthly sries will be paid in kind and will be increased. ording to Sejongs decision, meritocratds and other agriculturalnds that were given to the meritocrats and ministers began to be reimed in batches. The only people exempted from this action were the royal family. As promised, Sejong increased the amount of stipends given to his subjects. As mentioned before, Joseon had significantly reduced the stipends given to the royal family and officials when the country was founded. For the royal family, it was reduced to 1/6, and for the officials, it was reduced to 1/4, reflecting the initial circumstances of Joseon. Sejong increased the stipends based on the following criteria: C Low-ranking officials would receive halfpared to those during the Goryeo period, and high-ranking officials would receive a third. C Instead of hereditarynds like Sushinjeon (Dowernds) and Hyeollyangjeon (patrimonialnds for minor descendants), they would receive a monthly stipend equivalent to what a minor rank-1 official would get. However, this would be limited to 10 years. [TL/N: Sushinjeon, also known as dowernds, are meritocratds that were once owned by deceased government officials and are subsequently allocated to their widowed spouses, who can either cultivate thesends or collect rent from them. As for Hyeollyangjeon, in the case where both government officials and their spouses have died, these meritocratds are transferred to their heirs.] Through these criteria, Sejong reimed thends as royal property. *** Inter years, historians assessed this period as Sejongs first crisis. If there had been opposition during the process of reiming the economic foundations of the meritocrats, Sejong could have been ousted from power. However, this crisis was ovee by three variables. The first was the purge of senior ministers, including Ryu Jeong-hyeon. Though the immediate cause was the conflict between Sejong and senior ministers over smallpox vination, the deeper issue was a sh between Sejong, who sought royal authority, and senior ministers who wanted shared power with the king. Inter years, even historians thought that the immediate nationwide implementation of smallpox vinationwhich had not yet been proven effectivewas risky. Therefore, the senior ministers revolt was inevitable. However, when the effectiveness of smallpox vination was proven through an outbreak near Hanyang, the senior ministers were ousted from power. Their ousting, following the purge of Queen Wongyeongs Min family during Taejongs reign and the Shim On faction when Sejong ascended the throne, significantly weakened the power of the senior ministers who had been influential since the founding of Joseon. [TL/N: Read more on Queen Wongyeongs Min familys purge HERE. As for Shim On, he was Sejongs father-inw and Queen Soheons father, and was also the Chief State Councillor before being framed of treason by his political rivals.] As a result, there was no focal point for forces to gather to oust Sejong, allowing him to ovee the crisis. This was the first variable. This was the third major purge since the founding of Joseon, significantly diminishing the influence of the senior ministers. As a result, the focal point for any forces that could oust Sejong was lost, enabling him to ovee the crisis. This was the first key factor. The second variable was the Crown Prince. Sejongs eldest son, Hyang, was made Crown Prince and developed various cultural artifacts and technologies, including metal types. Because the Crown Prince also excelled inmercialization, this led to the expansion of Joseons trade and, consequently, an increase in tax revenue. As a result, the officials in the government, convinced of their economic security, actively cooperated with Sejongs policies. The military was no different, and Sejong was able to secure considerable power. The third variable was punishment. A form of punishment called document sorting punishment was the most non-violent yet cruel punishment. However, there was an unexpected effect of this punishment. Among the punishmentsmonly applied to the ruling ss of Joseon, exile was the most frequent. Being ousted from the power circle with the king appeared superficially harsh, but if the person had the will and maintained adequate security, they could maintain or even increase their power while in exile. However, the document sorting punishment fundamentally blocked such opportunities. The convict had to move within the kings sight, and the physical and mental fatigue umted from organizing the documents almostpletely halted the convicts external activities. *** Due to the Hanseong fire, we had unexpectedrge expenditures. However, fortunately, this years harvest has been good, and weve profited greatly from trade with Japan, so it seems we will have some flexibility in next years budget. Upon hearing the report from the Ministry of Taxation, King Sejong reviewed the documents once again and looked at the government officials. What do you think about inviting the tribal chiefs of Yain Jurchens this year? The officials pondered Sejongs question briefly. After a moment, the Right State Councilor, Lee Jik, spoke up. Given that things are going well this year, it seems fitting to extend an invitation that we couldntst year. Following Lee Jiks statement, Hwang Hui spoke. Agreed. There are unusual movements in Geonju, so I think we should expedite our eastward expansion. Hwang Huis words were followed by reinforcement from Maeng Sa-seong. Do you remember the previous event with the Odori tribe? They profit by going back and forth between us and Ming. We should solidify our boundaries on this asion. With everyone in agreement, King Sejong made his decision. Very well. Select emissaries and send them to the Jurchens. What date should we choose? Hwang Hui responded as if he had been waiting for the question. Sanggang (the day the first frost falls, around October 24th in the sr calendar) would be suitable. Sanggang, huh Sounds good. Upon settling the date, King Sejong looked at the ministers. Advance eastward starting from this years Sanggang. Understood! *** Advancing eastward was a significant part of the military strategy that King Sejong created for the growth of Joseon. Due to Li Manzhus southern invasion, the influence of the Ming over the Jurchens increased, and conversely, the influence of Joseon weakened. To counter this situation, Sejong fell into deep contemtion. [TL/N: Li Manzhu or known as Ni Manju in Korean, was amander of Jianzhou Guards during Ming dynasty. I dont know the specifics of his importance during this time but there are mentions of his name multiple times in Sejongs Veritable Records.] Witnessing this, Hyang suggested establishing a specialized agency to Sejong. Establish a specialized agency? Yes, your Majesty. You dont need to take responsibility for everything. Like sharing opinions with ministers on administrative matters, wouldnt it be best to discuss military affairs with militarymanders? That makes sense, but the civil officials will oppose it. Neither the military should look down on the civil sector, nor should the civil sector look down on the military. Convinced by Hyangs words, Sejong nodded. It sounds reasonable. If there is the Hall of Worthies for schrs, there should be something simr for the military. Having made up his mind, Sejong acted swiftly. Its toote to prepare after a war breaks out. Therefore, we need an organization that can research countermeasures in advance. This is in line with our policy to strengthen the nation and the military. With the promation to establish a new military organization, Sejong and Hyang joined the newly formed group. The institution that was born out of these efforts was the Joseon Army General Staff. In the General Staff, well-known militarymanders including Choi Yoon-deok, and young talents like Lee Jing-ok, gathered. The first task Sejong assigned to the General Staff, consisting of those highly regarded for their wisdom and strategy in the army and navy, was as follows: Based on our ongoing policy of strengthening the country, establish the most basic strategies rted to the Jurchen region, Japan, and Ming. Whew~ Upon confirming Sejongs order, Choi Yoon-deokmanded his subordinates. Dont n on going home for a while. First, we need information! Gather all the information you can get! Following Choi Yoon-deoks orders, themanders searched all avable archives from pces to Six Ministries. They scraped together every record that seemed even slightly relevant. If necessary, scrape together even the records from the previous dynasties! Yes, sir! Following Chois orders, the officers of the General Staff gathered all necessary records, even from the Goryeo period. And it was not only military-rted material that the officers gathered. One should know oneself before fighting others. Go to the Ministry of Personnel and request all the data! Yes, sir! The officers went to the Ministry of Personnel and obtained copies of all data, including household registers and economic indicators like tax revenue. After obtaining the copies, the General Staff immediately began mass printing. It takes too long to circte just one copy! Using the acquired data as a foundation, the General Staff immediately began formting strategies. The part that His Majesty is most interested in is rted to the Jurchens. Lets start nning the strategy around this area. Understood! *** Lee Jing-ok, who had been sitting at the far end, raised his hand to object to Choi Yoon-deoks decision. Is that you, military officer Lee Jing-ok? Speak your mind. Strategy is about the big picture. If we focus on just one area without grasping the overall framework, the picture will be a mess. So, what are you suggesting? Considering our current situation in Joseon, were troubled by the Japanese pirates in the south and the Jurchens in the north. th. While its not wrong to prioritize the Jurchens issue, I believe we should first have at least some basic countermeasures against the Japanese pirates, and then think about policies concerning the Jurchens based on that foundation. Your point is valid. Any differing opinions? No one else raised objections to Choi Yoon-deoks question. Then lets start by considering the distribution of troops to counter the pirates. Thus began the study of what the minimal number of troops needed to defend against the Japanese pirates would be. During the study, the need for force distribution to protect the fortress stood out, and the research restarted from scratch. After many trials and errors, the staff at the General Headquarters, having finally decided on an appropriate troop distribution, began their research to establish a strategy concerning the Jurchens. After more than three months of relentless research, the staff at the headquarters looked grave upon seeing the end product named advancing eastward. Weve done our best, but we can only reach as far as the Tumen River Is this the extent of Joseons capabilities? General Choi Yoon-deok, who reviewed the result, also had a gloomy expression. This cant be He read the report several times, but the conclusion was the same. With the current capabilities of Joseon, even at the end of their nning phase, crossing the Tumen River would actually be a disadvantage. *** Why only up to the Tumen River? King Sejong asked, to which Choi Yoon-duk exined. The Jurchens main force is cavalry. To counter cavalry, we would also need optimal cavalry, but in Joseon, cultivating cavalry takes time and a lot of resources. While it was easy for the semi-nomadic Jurchen to supplement their cavalry, it was not the case for Joseon. Although Joseon also had horse archery as a military skill, acquiring and training horses required economic support. On the other hand, the Jurchen could easily supplement their forces because horses and archery were a part of their daily life. So thats why we can only go up to the Tumen River? Exactly. If were fighting only with bows and spears, using the natural barrier of the Tumen River to block the Jurchen would be the best course of action. I see Sejong couldnt hide his disappointment. Thends where the Jurchen roamed used to be the territory of Goguryeo, one of the Three Kingdoms of ancient Korea. Not being able to advance beyond the Tumen River, which was so close, was disappointing. General. Hyang, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, interrupted. Yes, Your Highness. If we only fight with bows and spears, the Tumen River would be our limit. What if we had a more powerful weapon, would a more aggressive strategy be possible? Upon hearing Hyangs words, Choi Yoon-deok pondered for a moment before answering. It would be possible. At Choi Yoon-deoks answer, Hyang turned to look at King Sejong. There is ongoing research in Area 51. If it seeds, a more aggressive strategy could be possible. Lets look forward to it. *** In the audit conducted in December, weapons developed by Area 51 were publicly unveiled. As soon as King Sejong issued an order for their mass production based on the performance of the weapons Area 51 had created, the Joint Chiefs of Staff immediately started revising their strategy, named Grand Strategy of Advancing Eastward. By the time the year changed and spring arrived, a new version of this so-called grand n had been formted. Chapter 98 Chapter 98 The military finallypleted the new Advancing Eastward n and presented it before King Sejong and his ministers. The person who stepped forward to announce the n was Lee Jing-ok. Dressed in a red iron helmet, Lee Jing-ok formally saluted and began speaking. I am military officerLee Jing-ok, honored to present this n. I will now brief you on the grand strategy called Advancing Eastward that has been devised by the General Staff of the Joseon Army. Although the audience was filled with the king, the crown prince, high-ranking officials, and ministers, Lee Jing-okmenced his announcement with aposed voice. Firstly, the n for advancing eastward is divided into two major phases. The first phase will begin with securing Baekdu Mountain and the Tumen River as starting points. ording to Lee Jing-ok, the strategy would start with securing areas south of Baekdu Mountain and the Tumen River. The objective was to assimte or eliminate the residing Jurchens tribe in these regions, and to solidify control by relocating Joseon citizens there. Next, they would annex the entirety of the Orangkhai tribes and advance further eastward. Why continue advancing eastward? asked King Sejong. Lee Jing-ok immediately replied, First, the goal is to avoid provoking Ming. Second, ording to records, if we advance a bit more eastward from the Tumen River, we would encounter the Great Forest region. We n to secure essential resources like timber from this area. Also, the connected coasts and nearby inds are abundant in valuable animals like seals. These would be utilized for trade. The Great Forest region, huh As Sejong mulled over this, Hyang quickly interjected. Your Majesty, we may have trees standing tall in the forests of Joseon, but not in abundance. True, nodded Sejong. Wood was the mostmonly used material in almost every aspect of life for the citizens. But the Great Forest region has ancient trees that have grown for hundreds of years. These are ideal for construction, naval ships for the military, and trade vessels, all requiring straight and dense timber. Of course, afforestation will also be essential, thought Sejong as he nodded. I see, I understand why were advancing eastward then. Whats next? Once we assimte the Orangkhai region and the Great Forest area east of the Tumen River into our territory, we will enter the second phase, said Lee Jing-ok, pointing at the map. Using the Great Forest as a base, well start encroaching upon the Udiha tribalnds from the east. Pausing briefly, Lee Jing-ok signaled to an aide who flipped the map. The newly revealed map showed some Jurchen areas and all of Joseon colored in green. Slowly but steadily, we aim to annex at least half, if not all, of the Udiha tribalnds into our territory. This concludes the brief overview. Hmm Sejong contemted while stroking his beard and staring at the map. During this time, Lee Jik asked, The military should know that Orangkhai lives both to the east and west of the Tumen River and Baekdu Mountain. Theres also the Odoli tribe in between. How do you n to deal with them? Will you only target eastern Orangkhai? We will target both sides. This will exert pressure on the Odoli tribe, forcing them to make a choice: either pledge allegiance to Joseon or leave for either the sea or Jianzhou Jurchen areas. Its one or the other. Lee Jing-oks answer left Lee Jik with a regretful expression. Its a shame, the Odoli tribe was once loyal to us * * * The Odoli tribe, which controlled the upper regions of Baekdu Mountain and the Tumen River, was once a steadfast Jurchen tribe that had sworn allegiance to Lee Seong-gye (King Taejo, Founder of Joseon) and had acted as a strong defense for Joseon. When Lee Seong-gye was alive, the Odoli tribe was a powerful ally that protected the northern border of Joseon. However, the rtionship between Joseon and the Odoli changed as the Emperor ascended to the throne of the Ming Empire, and Taejong (Sejongs father) seized power in Joseon. Ahachu, who was a high-ranking official in the Guanzhou Guard Command and also Emperors father-inw, introduced Odolis chieftain, Dong Menngetemur1, as his rtive. Consequently, Emperor sent emissaries to Dong Menngetemur, insisting he join the Ming court. In response, Taejong attempted various measures to win over Dong Menngetemur, leading to disputes with the Emperor. Caught between Ming and Joseon, Dong Menngetemur chose the Ming. It was at this point that issues arose between Taejong and him. * * * It has been over 20 years since we served King Taejo. We will continue to follow Joseon. Although he said this to Taejong, Menngetemur had joined Ming and taken an official position. In addition, through the imperial decree of the Emperor, he had his rtives, who were hostages in Joseon, returned. Upon this, Taejong mobilized his military forces and massacred tribes near Menngetemurs tribe. Feeling threatened by Taejongs retaliatory measures, Menngetemur led his n and moved their base from the Tumen River region to the Yalu River (Amnok River) region. Afterwards, when Taejong died and the power of the Mongols rose again, Menngetemur led his people back to their original base. Upon his return, Menngetemur suggested sending his son, Dong Guntu (Battalion Commander of Jianzhou Guard), as a hostage to Sejongs court, but Sejong refused. He was perceived as someone who might defect again by relying on the power of Ming. * * * While Lee Jik wasining about Odori, Sejong quietly muttered, There must be inevitable casualties among the neighboring tribes as we attack Orangkhai Sejong was determined to eliminate the Odori tribe. When nning to pioneer thend with four armies and six towns before returning to history, Sejong gave one more order to Choi Yoon-deok while ordering him to subjugate Dong Guntu, the grandson of Ahachu and themander of Jianzhou Guard: Kill Menngetemur. In subsequent history, not only Menngetemurs children but also Sejo, who seized power through a coup, pursued and killed Dong Guntu, the descendant of Ahachu. In the Joseon royal family, Ahachu, Menngetemur, and their descendants were traitors and children of traitors who had betrayed Lee Seong-gye, and they must be eliminated. * * * Meanwhile, the Minister of Rites was concerned about Mings intervention. Invading the Orangkhai region may provoke Ming. We need a clear justification. Before Lee Jing-ok could respond, Sejong spoke, We have a reason. A very clear reason. The region where Odori is settled and the Tumen River region are the origins of our royal family. How can we just leave them to their descendants? Hwang Hui added, Thats right! How can we, as descendants, leave our ancestorsnd in others hands? We must reim it! Good point. Ming wont be able to say anything. At Sejong and Hwang Huis words, the Minister of Rites backed off. It was a valid reason, even in his opinion. However, Minister of Rites pointed out another issue, We can block Ming through diplomacy up to the invasion of the Orangkhai region. Advancing eastward from there is fine too. But wouldnt it provoke Ming if we invade the Yain-Jurchens region from there? Lee Jing-ok promptly answered, The areas secured through the two-stage n are tribes that were under the shadow of King Taejo. If we emphasize this and promise not to covet Haixi Jurchens and Jianzhou Jurchens regions, Ming wont be able to say anything. Their influence doesnt extend all the way to the eastern end, does it? [TL/N: Haixi, Jianzhou and Yeren Jurchens are three major Jurchen tribes.] Everyone nodded. Joseon and Ming were both suffering from the Jurchens raids. Lee Jing-ok continued, The military is fully aware that we must avoid a sh with Ming. As stated in various military manuals, and as King Taejo said, a small country waging war against a big country is something to be avoided. Thats why weve excluded Haixi and Jianzhou Jurchens. This is the best strategy of the military. The rest is the work of diplomacy. Maeng Sae-seong then spoke, I understand that it is the job of diplomacy. But the most difficult part is when the other side is on high alert. How long does the military anticipate this strategy will take? To which Lee Jing-ok replied, We anticipate a minimum of 10 years for thepletion of the first phase and a total of 30 years when the second phase is included. 30 years in total Thats why we call it a grand strategy. At Lee Jing-oks answer, Sejong and the ministers showed a perplexed expression. The number 30 years was a generation-changing period. Both Sejong and the ministers who were evaluated as excellent talents could not easily imagine this number. Father, may I say a word? Speak. I believe the militarys judgment is appropriate. Although 30 years is long, as the saying goes, emptying a mountain is work of patience. Please consider the time it takes to expand the territory of our Joseon and to assimte the new Jurchens as our citizens. Hmm Also, its good to think long-term for the Ming Dynasty. If such a situation is created in just a few years, Ming will, just as the Left State Councilor just said, will refuse to talk to us with heightened tensions. Thats true. Sejong nodded. Hyang continued his statement. Comparing the Ming Dynasty and our Joseon, its like an adult and a child. When an adult and a child start running together, the child cant catch up with the adult. Even if we dont provoke a war with Ming, an arms race would be fatal for us. True. Sejong nodded his head at Hyangs words. Not just Sejong, the ministers also nodded in agreement. The Minister of Taxation especially nodded quite strongly. Hyang continued, Looking at our Eastern history, and even the history of the Central ins, and even further, the history of the West, they all have the same result. If an arms race urs, the small country will reach its limit first. In such a situation, small countries easily make extreme choices. They trust in the strength they have umted, but if they wage war relying solely on hope, ignoring the absolute difference in capabilities, theyll meet defeat in despair. Thats true. So, even though 30 years seems long, it is better than hastily proceeding. Hmm Hearing Hyangs words, Sejong stroked his beard and became lost in thought. 30 years, huh Will I be able to see it before I die? Looking up at Hyang who was looking down at him, Sejong chuckled to himself. Yes! I have a child who worries so much about my health! Im going to live a long life! Even if I cant live long, that child will make Joseon stronger than it is now! Firm in his resolve, Sejong looked at the ministers. Imand my ministers. We are all ears! We will proceed with the grand strategy Eastward Advancement for the growth of Joseon. However, do not act hastily and move cautiously. We ept yourmand! *** Sejongs determination led to the implementation of the grand strategy of Advancing Eastward, and the topic shifted to the finer details of the policy. What is most needed to seed in this strategy? Choi Yoon-deok answered Sejongs question. People and budget. Ugh! As soon as the word budget came out, Kim Jeom, the Minister of Taxation, reflexively gagged and received res from the other ministers. Tsk, tsk, tsk The Minister of Taxation seems quite weak. I will inform the royal physician. Your grace is boundless! Although Kim Jeom expressed gratitude, his expression was the opposite; he looked unhappy. Tsk, tsk, tsk To save on medicine, hes putting in more energy at work. He has to be healthy Its dangerous if the Minister of Taxations position bes vacant. We have to send some medicine to the Ministers house. The ministers around him had the same thought. *** While the reform was progressing, all the ministers worked hard. However, the ones suffering the most were the people working in the Ministry of Taxation. Ironically, the strongest supporters of Sejongs reform were the officials of the Ministry of Taxation. Their thoughts were simple. If the reform goes as nned, the Ministry of Taxation will be divided into several departments! That means promotions are certain! Just wait and see! Youre all dead! If the officials endured thinking of the future, the higher-ups relied on medicine to get by. Its not a metaphor; it was real. The houses of the senior officials in the Ministry of Taxation were filled with medicines, not only from the king but also from other ministers. Dear, not only the King but also other ministers seem to care about you. At his wifes words, Kim Jeom chuckled dryly. The medicine from the King is to save on medicine costs, and the medicine from other ministers is saying, endure and dont transfer the workload to us! *** [TL/N: Locations of Tumen River, Yalu River (Amnok River), and Baekdu Mountains]
  1. Left Guard of Jianzhou Guard[?]
Chapter 99 Chapter 99 In the military headquarters, King Sejong and the ministers continued their discussions on the increased budget and personnel reinforcements that had been requested. Budget and manpower Increasing both immediately is beyond the capabilities of our current Joseon Dynasty, said Minister of Taxation. Choi Yoon-deok immediately responded, Were aware. While nning this strategy, the armys foremost consideration was synchronizing its execution with the progress in our frontier territories. Therefore, the required budget was also determined ordingly. Upon saying this, Choi Yoon-deok signaled the officers standing behind him. In response, the officers handed out thick booklets to the ministers and King Sejong. After receiving the booklet via the ministers, King Sejong nced at the title. C Required Budget for Gap-ho n. The Gap-ho n? Gap-ho n is a code name used as a substitute for advancing, exined Choi Yoon-deok. Hmm As King Sejong flipped through the booklet, he softly muttered, Hmm The booklet detailed how the military was to be grown over a period of 30 years and included an organized summary of the increased budget needed. This seems eptable, King Sejong thought. Just then, a sigh resounded from somewhere. Phew~ Startled by the unexpected sigh, King Sejong looked up. Who was that? Who just sighed? Crash! Upon King Sejongs question, a chair was noisily tipped over. The Minister of Taxation, the owner of the chair, immediately fell to his knees. Please forgive this humble servants sins! I understand why you did that. Its okay, take your seat. Your grace is boundless! Relieved by King Sejongs words, the Minister of Taxation gratefully took his seat, which had been set upright again by an internal officer. Sighing is understandable, thought King Sejong. The budget the army needed for the execution of this grand strategy had been calcted on quite a reasonable basis. Taking into ount the yearly growth of the poption through vinations, the increase in tax revenue, and secretly stockpiled gold and silver, the budget wouldnt pose a huge strain on national finances, if everything went as nned. However, the sheer amount of the budget was astronomical. Understandably, as the person responsible for the budget, the Minister of Taxation had no choice but to sigh. I find the proposal reasonable, King Sejong said, The hard work of the staff officers at the Army Headquarters is quite evident. Your grace is boundless! Choi Yoon-deok and the officers bent their waists in gratitude. Choi Yoon-deok then added, The Crown Prince has also made a significant contribution to the creation of this budget. Is that so? King Sejong and the ministers looked at the Crown Prince, as if to say, You again? Noticing the focused gaze, the Crown Prince modestly bowed his head and replied, I merely added a spoonful to what the staff officers at the Army Headquarters had already prepared. Hearing this, Lee Jing-ok, who was standing in the back, muttered under his breath, Not a spoon, but a shovel Shush! Hmph! Startled by the soft warning from a colleague standing next to him, Lee Jing-ok quickly shut his mouth and looked around cautiously. *** As soon as the General Staff Office began nning for the Advance, Hyang quickly intervened. I wont interfere with the militarys operations. However, lets discuss the budget rted to military preparedness. Civilian politics is for diplomats! In the 21st century, leveraging his experience as a civil servant involved in financial matters, Hyang offered advice on the budget proposal drafted by the military officers at the General Staff Office. And then, the officers found themselves in a hell of numbers. In setting the budget, anyone who showed even a slight bit of greed was mercilessly reprimanded by Hyang, from General Choi Yoon-deok at the top down to the newly joined clerks at the General Staff Office. Is the General dreaming of reviving a military regime? Do you know what it means to lose sight of the original intention? Pay attention! Budget is blood!'' It didnt end there. Is this what you call a calction? Shouldnt an officer be strong in numbers? Ill pose a problem for you. Weve discovered the enemys formation! The enemys lines are spread over four columns for one mile. Then, what is the total number of approaching enemies? Thanks to Hyangs stringent scrutiny, the officers at the General Staff Office became as adept in calction as researchers at Area 51 or top-level managers at Minister of Taxation, mastering arithmetic more skillfully than anyone else. Afterwards, just like how Sungkyunkwan, originally an institution for fostering high-ranking civil officers, shifted its purpose to produce high-ranking military officers, the most crucial subject taught at National Military Academy became arithmetic. It led to the maxim, If you cant do arithmetic, you cant advance in rank even if youre an exceptional soldier. *** Unless a major variable arises, it seems best to go ahead with this n. What do you ministers think? Although the question was directed towards the ministers, King Sejongs eyes were fixed on Minister of Taxation. If the economic capabilities of our Joseon continue to grow as they are now, I believe it will be manageable, the Minister of Taxation replied positively. Satisfied with the response, King Sejong moved on. So the budget is settled, what about the issue with people is it talent? Yes, Your Majesty, Choi Yoon-deok answered. Stroking his beard, King Sejong posed another question. Hmm preparations for the establishment of the National Military Academy are underway, as is the establishment of the Hall of National Merits1. Are there any other issues? Both institutions are in the preparation stage, so theres a problem with the immediate supply of necessary talent. Also, considering the current atmosphere of emphasizing literature over martial arts, it will be difficult to gather a lot of talents, Choi Yoon-deok answered. Thats also an issue *** The discrimination against military officers by schrs had been continuing since the Goryeo period. Of course, unable to withstand such discrimination, a military regime was established, but with the invasion of the Mongols and the end of Goryeo, schrs gained power, relegating military officers to inferior status. ording to nationalws, both schrs and military officers should receive the same treatment. The lowest rank of local governors, the county magistrate, was also a military position. However, those who were actually appointed were almost always schrs. Therefore, those who applied for military examinations were mostly those whocked academic skills, which was a point of concern raised by Choi Yoon-deok. *** Choi Yoon-deok exined further. When Your Majesty executed the military reforms, you broke the custom where positions that should have been upied by the military were held by schrs. Yes, King Sejong nodded. As was evident in the case of the county magistrates, positions that belonged to the military were often appointed to schrs. Especially, those who entered the military path through the military examinations faced all sorts of hardships in the field, while high-ranking positions were often upied by schrs. At first, when preparing for military reforms, King Sejong took this matter lightly. However, Hyang insisted on a clear separation between the military and schrly ranks. A lengthy debate ensued, and the final winner was Hyang, who argued for separation citing examples from Chinas Song Dynasty. As the separation between the military and schrly ranks progressed, many military officers were pushed out due to their illiteracy and ck of schrly achievements. The pushed-out military officers began to study writing, but ssical Chinese was not easy. Damn it! Who created these Chinese characters! Could it have been because of this experience? Later, those who weed King Sejongs creation of Hangul2 the most were the military. *** Therefore, I humbly request your Majesty to solve the issue of talent shortage. Please lift the ban on individuals from the Northwest and annul the Concubine Lineage Exclusion Act (Seo-eolgeumgo Act). [TL/N: Concubine Lineage Exclusion Act is an act in which even the descendants of noblemen during the Joseon Dynasty could not advance to government positions if they were descended from a concubine.] Upon hearing Choi Yoon-deoks request, the high-ranking officials began to murmur. Lift the ban on the Northwest natives and annul the Concubine Lineage Exclusion Act? Hmmm I thought those matters were already included in the reform? To King Sejongs question, Choi Yoon-deok immediately responded. Indeed, they are, your Majesty. However, ording to the reforms timeline, the ban on Northwest natives would be lifted in the 8th year of the reform process, and the Concubine Lineage Exclusion Act annulment would be effective in the 10th year. I request that these timelines be expedited. The ban on the Northwest region was an edict of King Taejo, and the Concubine Lineage Exclusion Act was enacted by King Taejong. Thats why we have dyed the lifting of the bans. However, it is also true that we are missing out on a lot of talent because of these bans. Hmmm. King Sejong began to stroke his beard in deep thought upon hearing Choi Yoon-deoks words. All the high-ranking officials were tight-lipped. Everyone knew that there was a talent shortage, especially as the reform progressed. They generally agreed that the Northwest discrimination and Concubine Lineage Exclusion Act should be lifted. However, they remained silent for two main reasons. Firstly, these two policies were enacted by Kings Taejo and Taejong. From the Confucian perspective, alteringws set by previous kings could be seen as an act of disloyalty and could be grounds for impeachment. Secondly, there was the issue ofpetition. High-ranking positions were always scarce. Even with the reorganization due to the reform, thepetition would only get tougher for those who were eyeing these positions. In the end, it was King Sejong who made the decision, offering apromise. I understand that we are short of talent in the army. However, we cant simply change the priorities of the reform. A slight mistake could derail the entire process. Therefore, I propose a middle ground. Lets reassess the situation in the 6th year of the reform and then decide to lift the bans on the Northwest region and the Concubine Lineage Exclusion Act. If the reform is progressing well, we should be able to absorb the shock. Keep this in mind and continue to make extreme efforts. I ept yourmand! Choi Yoon-deok immediately responded to King Sejongs decision. When he first spoke, he was prepared to risk it all. However, King Sejongs decision to expedite the process by two years was the best answer he could have hoped for. Thus, the reforms continued to progress steadily. * * * As the day of the royal audience drew near, arge number of people were moving from Hamgil Ind to Hanseong. Those dressed differently from the Joseon people were the chieftains of the Jurchen tribes, heading to Hanseong at the invitation of King Sejong. However, the atmosphere among the chieftains en route to Hanseong was not one of enjoyment. No, the closer they got to Hanseong, the tenser they became. Did the king of Joseon call for us? The chieftains of the Orangkhai tribe were puzzled by the orders brought by the Joseon envoy. Unable to find an answer even after deep thought, the chieftains sought the opinions of other chieftains they were on good terms with. What should we do, brother? We should go, brother. I am a little uneasy about the sudden summons. Can we afford not to go? Youve heard what happened to the warriors in the Guanzhou region, havent you? Thats what worries me. Since the time of Myeongjong, who dered the Jurchen region under his rule, and after Lee Seong-gyes death, the rtionship between the Jurchen tribes and the Joseon royal family had been gradually distancing. Of course, Joseon tried to maintain rtions with the Jurchens by offering official positions and trading, but the intimacy from the era of Lee Seong-gye hadrgely disappeared. Refusing Joseons invitation also meant worrying about the bloodshed that had befallen the Jurchens in the Guanzhou region. In a situation where they could neither go one way nor the other, it was the older chieftains who first made up their minds. We have to go if the person who carries the blood of our great elder wants to see us! The elderly chieftains, who still had memories of Lee Seong-gye, stepped forward to persuade the younger chieftains in tribes that had gone through a generational shift. Be cautious. Even if he is a descendant of our great elder, its certain he has inherited even his temperament. Remember what happened to the warriors in Guanzhou. In the end, the chieftains of the Jurchen tribes in the Tumen River area and the Orangkhai region had to move toward Joseon.
  1. Same like Hall of Worthies, but for military officers instead of schrs[?]
  2. Korean Alphabets[?]
Chapter 100 Chapter 100 As they headed towards Hanseong, the tension among the Jurchen tribal chiefs escted. The cause of their unease was the Joseon cavalry who imed to be escorting them. Are those the so-called Green Phantom Ghosts weve heard about? The tribal chiefs muttered softly, looking at the green-armored cavalry moving on either side of them. Until recently, the Joseon cavalry they had been ustomed to seeing had armor that was not even uniformly colored. While more standardized armor was increasingly being adopted, generally they were an eclectic mix of all kinds of armor. If it werent for their military discipline, they could have easily been mistaken for Jurchens. However, as ofte, entire units had been standardized to new green armor, and now most Joseon forces in the border areas had done the same. When the Jurchens in the Tumen River area first saw the unified armor of the Joseon army, their initial reaction was lukewarm. Changed armor, huh? Has the current king started to loosen the purse strings? Looks decent, should we try to loot themter? The reaction from the Jurchens, initially indifferent or seeing the soldiers as easy prey, shifted dramatically after hearing rumors of a massacre in the Geonju region. Green Phantom Ghosts? Yes, thats what the injured soldiers in Geonju were calling them. Isnt that just an exaggeration by Geonjus wounded? When they first heard the rumor, the chiefs of the wild Jurchen tribes dismissed it as an exaggeration. * * * In order to gain control of the Jurchens, both Ming and Joseon exhibited simr moves. On one hand, they worked diligently to absorb them, and on the other, they would use force to suppress any sort of rebellion. However, what they focused on more was to divide the Jurchens to prevent them from uniting. As a result, the Jurchen tribes disparaged those from other regions and bickered among themselves. The crippled soldiers of Geonju, The beggar bastards of the wilderness, The mongrels of the West. They were all expressions of frustration, as neither could catch the other. * * * As strong as Joseon might be its just that the soldiers of Geonju are stupid. Initially, the reaction of the tribal chiefs of the Jurchens was simr. However, as detailed information started to flow in from Geonju, their faces turned serious. 12 warrior troops were annihted? And those troops were each over 200 strong? By just 500? At that time, the total military strength of the Joseon troops deployed to subdue the Geonju Jurchens was around 3,000. The Joseon troops were divided into six groups,posed of 400 cavalry and 100 artillery each, sweeping away 12 warrior troops. This was the point where the chiefs of the Jurchens became alert. With more than 200 men, a warrior troop was a force that traditional Joseon cavalry numbering 500 would find difficult to handle. If it were truly a crisis, a warrior troop could summon between 600 to 700 cavalry. Given the capabilities of Jurchen cavalry, a group of 500, or even 400 Joseon cavalry would have no choice but to retreat, suffering severe casualtiesupwards of 50%. If it were the Ming, they would be virtually wiped out. However, if the current rumors were true, the opposite had happened. Dont just bring rumors, bring credible information! Yes, Khan! Also, tell those who went hunting not to touch any Joseon people or soldiers in the border areas for the time being! Yes, Khan! *** The tribal leaders of the Jurchens realized that a real crisis hade, after spending much time and effort gathering information. 12 warrior troops have been destroyed, and there are hardly any survivors? The Joseon army suffered almost no damage? Theyve obtained the power of the fire dragon? What kind of nonsense is this? The tribal leaders of the Jurchens focused on the word fire dragon. The Joseon army used arge amount of firearms? So thats why they call it fire dragon? Idiotic fools of the settled Jurchens! Have you lived next to the Ming and not even seen a firearm? Upon learning that fire dragon referred to firearms, the tribal leaders of the Jurchens soon discovered the truth. The Joseon army had begun to deploy and use firearms on a scale greater than even the Ming forces. * * * In the face of the growing military might of the Joseon army, the tribal leaders of the Jurchens had no choice but to increase their level of alertness. In such a situation, King Sejong sent an invitation. Eventually, as stated in the invitation, the tribal leaders of the Jurchens had to head towardsMount Gak with only a small escort. * * * As they headed towards Hanseong, the tribal leaders of the Jurchens grumbled. Is this really an escort for us, or is it more like were being transported as prisoners? Their target ofint was the Joseon cavalry that surrounded them on all sides under the guise of an escort. The Joseon cavalry, all armed with green armor, exuded an overwhelming sense of intimidation just by their unified appearance. The new type of armor that the tribal leaders saw upon arriving at Mount Gak looked incredibly sturdy, even to their eyes. Unlike the older armor, this new armor seemed to protect the entire body while maintaining mobility. How could they make such armor? The armor is a problem, but the fact that theyve mass-produced it is even more terrifying. The current King of Joseon is no ordinary man. Gathered at a temporarily assigned residence, the tribal leaders of the Jurchens exchanged opinions with serious faces. The older among them looked even more grim. We havent seen the King of Joseon yet, so we cant make a judgment, but the real big problem is that the morale of the Joseon troops has increased. Indeed. Before, they were awkward opponents, but now they give off a feeling that we wouldnt want to meet them in battle. The Joseon soldiers they met upon arriving at Mount Gak had a different atmospherepared to before. Before, only the cavalry gave off an ufortable feeling, but now even the soldiers guarding the forts and watchtowers disyed an aggressive vibe. It wasnt just an aggressive vibe; they even had an air of lets have a go at it! After the death of the great elder, we havent felt this way in a long timesigh. The tribal leaders sighed, feeling once again the strong presence that King Taejo had once possessed. Their sense of burden grew as they moved towards Hanseong. The Joseon cavalry escorting them maintained a distance of at least 10 jang (approx. 30 meters) from their procession at all times. While this was a distance that could be closed quickly with a swift charge, it was also enough for trained cavalry to prepare for battle. And whenever a wide in appeared, new cavalry forces would appear and set up anotheryer of defense. When passing through valleys and hills where the road narrowed, the Joseon cavalry would change positions to the front and back of the procession. The tribal leaders, wedged in the middle as they traveled, sighed as they glimpsed glimpses of green armor in the forests. Sigh Seems like they just want us to go to Hanseong without any thoughts. And to think, Im envious of Chief Nangutai. He got lucky. Tribe leaders who had been sighing now sent envious nces toward another leader who was rxed. At the ce where the Nagutai tribe was situated, there wererge wooden prison, wooden prison used to transport criminals. [TL/N: /image/2022/1209/cover/841210-1985625015.png] Within those wooden prisons were disheveled men and women, wearing mixed attire of Joseon and barbarians. These people filling the wooden prison were butchers and bandits who had been fleeing from the Joseon army. * * * While pushing for reforms, Sejong issued a decree about the butchers groups to regional leaders nationwide, and those leaders posted the written decree on the walls of provincial government offices. All butchers in the eight provinces of Joseon should appear before the government by the end of the year to register. Those who havepleted the registration will be given resources after education, and be upright citizens of Joseon. However, those who do not appear by the end of the year will be treated as traitors and will be strictly punished. Upon seeing the decree, people ryed the message to the rted butchers, who had to make a decision. A not insignificant number of butchers led their families down from the mountains and voluntarily registered. They were moved to Nobeol Ind for herding training and prepared to be ced in the soon-to-be-established herding centers nationwide. I want to do something other than herding. Those who wished for other jobs were amodated as much as possible, joining the increasingly short-staffed merchants and craftsmen. And after some time, with the lifting of the ughter prohibition order and the trend of poultry farming, people began to umte wealth in the butchering and catering industries. Of course, this is a story of the future, and the number of butchers who voluntarily registered was not as many as expected. To be precise, those who registered were mostly already adapted to living closely with the people of Joseon, while the majority of the unregistered butchers continued to be criminals. In other words, they outright rejected Sejongsmand. Refusing the decree of a superior! No, not just refusing but terrorizing the citizens? Mobilize the military and exterminate them! Your orders are epted! With Sejongs order, a nationwide crackdown on butchers began. The butchers, who were descendants of the Khitan or other nomads, were skilled in horseback riding and had strongbat abilities, making them a headache. However, when Joseon began organized and meticulous suppression, they had to die. Later, historians from both the East and West studying the era of Sejong and Munjong would fiercely debate whether this suppression was genocide. In the end, the butchers who couldnt withstand the relentless pursuit of the government forces had to flee northward. They moved in a northeastern direction. During this escape, new individuals joined their groups. They were the bandits. The bandits were also pursued by the government for simr reasons. The reason they were pursued was due to the Hansung fire incident. These individuals, who had enjoyed looting during the fire, continued tomit arson. Eventually, angered by their criminal activities, Sejong issued a hunting order. If you cant catch them alive, you may kill them on the spot! Ultimately, these bandits also had to flee to the northeast to escape the relentless pursuit of the government forces. And most of these fleeing butchers and bandits were captured by tribes like the Nagutai, who were part of the Jurchen. Their fate was not good after being captured. All their possessions were confiscated, and most were beheaded on the spot. Women and children were spared but became ves of the Jurchen or were sold to Ming. Even those now captured by the Nagutai tribe were not lucky. As soon as they were transferred from Hansung, most of them faced decapitation. * * * In reaching a ce 10 li away from Hanseong, the chieftains of the Jurchens tribe became increasingly tense. On both sides of the road leading to Hanseong, soldiers in green armor stood tall, grippingrge swords like canes, waiting for them at regr intervals. And behind the soldiers, who stood like totem poles, crowds ofmoners gathered to gawk at them. Heo-eo~. Has the great elder truly returned to life? The old chieftains sighed after observing the soldiers imposing manner. The aura exuded by the soldiers standing by the road was as strong as that of the troops led by Lee Seong-gye during his prime. As the Jurchens chieftains entered Honghwa Gate, the color of the soldiers armor changed from green to a deep navy. These were the elite troops guarding Hanseong. However, what surprised the Jurchens chieftains greatly was something else. What kind of road is this The gray avenue leading to the pce was something they had never seen before in their lives. The smooth road, where not a single stone or dirt was visible, seemed to symbolize a transformed Joseon. * * * When the chieftains arrived at Gwanghwamun, they all had to dismount their horses and walk inside. On either side of the road leading to Geunjeongjeon Pce were guards in ck armor, also grippingrge swords, standing. By then, the chieftains hadpletely let go of everything and rxed. Upon arriving in the front yard of Geunjeongjeon, the chieftains raised their heads to look at Geunjeongjeon. There, sitting on his throne, was Sejong, looking at them. The moment the chieftains saw Sejong, they immediately knelt. We pay our respects to Your Majesty! Chapter 101 Chapter 101 Seated on his throne, King Sejong exuded an imposing aura. Feeling the weight of this aura, the tribal leaders immediately knelt in deference upon seeing him. Seeing the leaders bow before him, Sejongmanded in the Jurchennguage, Stand up. The tribal leaders rose from their seats, their faces showing astonishment at Sejongs fluentmand of the Jurchennguage. The current King of Joseon was born and raised in Joseon! How could he be so proficient in Jurchen? Seemingly unaware or uncaring of what was going through their minds, Sejong continued to speak. It has been quite some time since I inherited the throne, and due to various circumstances, I have not had the chance to meet with you all. You were all loyal to my grandfather, King Taejo, so I owe this meeting to his virtue Therefore, I have called you here. Your grace is boundless! Amodations have been made for you at Bukpyeong Hall . Rest there for tonight; we will meet again tomorrow. We ept yourmand! The tribal leaders bowed once more. After Sejong retreated indoors, they were escorted out of Gwanghwamun gate by interpreters and the royal guards, heading toward Bukpyeong Hall. Once they had settled in at Bukpyeong Hall, the leaders immediately convened in the banquet hall. Food and drink were prepared for the tribal leaders, and geishas entertained them with dances, but the mood was unusually serious. Shall we ask the courtesans to leave? We have matters to discuss among ourselves. At the leaders request, the courtesans exited the banquet hall. Now alone, the leaders let out a long sigh. Ah, that family I thought our ties with that household ended when the elder passed away But couldnt this be a good opportunity for us? Have we ever been at peace as we were under the elders rule? Those who had experience with or memories of living under King Taejo (whose birth name was Lee Seong-gye) conversed with mixed feelings of worry and anticipation. In contrast, the younger leaders, unfamiliar with Lee Seong-gye, discussed the situation with faces full of concern. Why do you think the King of Joseon has called us? He probably wants us to submit voluntarily. Even with Ming around? Do you think the Ming fools will care about us, who live at this far eastern edge? Plus, theres another reason. Do you know the original state of thends our tribes have settled in? Its the region that old man Lee Seong-gye used to rule. Ming probably cant say much about it either. So is this a choice between surrendering to Joseon or leaving? Another tribal leader added, Theres another option. Being annihted. The word annihtion cast a dark shadow over the leaders faces. This is I dont even want to think about that. * * * The following day, a feast was held at Gyeonghoeru Pavilion. In attendance were not only the invited tribal chiefs of the Jurchens, but also King Sejong, Hyang, and various ministers and officials. I am truly delighted to meet those who had ties with my deceased father! Unfortunately, due to the circumstances of our Joseon, we could not offer you proper hospitality; this is regretful and shameful on our part. Among the tribal chiefs, the oldest, Hatui, spoke as the representative. It is not so, Your Majesty! Its quite an honor to be remembered and invited after such a long time has passed! We are grateful! Upon hearing the chiefs words of gratitude, Sejong smiled. Is that so? Even though such a long time has passed, you do not consider us as strangers? At Sejongs words, Hatui hastily waved his hands. It is by no means so! Is that so? That it is! Hmm Despite Hatuis response, Sejong silently observed the chiefs. The chiefs nced around nervously. At the top seat sat Sejong, and next to him was a boy who appeared to be the crown prince. Around them, guards stood in stern formation. I will trust your words. I hope this goodwill can be maintained for a long time. We shall make it so! The chiefs all responded in unison. Having subdued the tension, Sejong gradually eased into conciliation. The reason we invited you this time is to apologize for our previous neglect. Aspensation, although modest, we have prepared something for you to take on your way back. What might it be? At Hatuis question, Hwang Hui stepped forward to answer. It is salt. Depending on the size of your tribe, we will distribute it from ten carts to dozens. Your grace is boundless! Your grace is boundless! At Hwang Huis words, the chiefs courteously bowed, expressing their gratitude. For those who led a semi-agricultural and semi-pastoral lifestyle, salt was extremely essential. Ironically, they were near the sea butcked artisans who could produce salt. Softening the atmosphere with the gift of salt, Sejong immediately pivoted. Its been already 30 years since the establishment of our Joseon. However, thend where our royal family originated and where King Taejo rode his horse is not yet under our control. What do you think about this? Pardon? At Sejongs words, Hatui couldnt immediately think of a response. Thend where you all reside is where King Taejo started his great undertaking. But now, its not within our Joseon territory. What should be done about this? Here ites! Damn it! The tribal chiefs blinked at Sejongs question. Though the question seemed to ask for an answer, the implication was the exact opposite. Our Joseon will take thatnd! What will you guys do? Why is there no answer? At Sejongs question, Hatui stammered. That, that is something we never considered Does it mean that while staying on thend founded by King Taejo, you had no thoughts about the original owners of thend? Hmm, what am I supposed to make of this? That, that is Under Sejongs pressure, Hatui was visibly sweating and stuttering. At this, Mutoi, who belonged to the younger generation, retorted. Your Majesty, it seems you have already made up your mind. What would you have us do? At Mutois question, Sejong briefly replied. Its simple. Either join us or leave. I will not stop you if you choose to leave. However, if you cannot be with us, you will regretfully realize the power of our Joseon army. If we join forces, what benefit is there for us? Your Majesty has many subjects to rule over, and you take care to see them prosper. Our tribal chiefs are the same. Although our numbers may be fewerpared to Joseon, we have tribe members to look after, and we also have to ensure their well-being. At Mutois words, King Sejong nodded. Thats a fair point. If you join our Joseon, youll receive the same treatment as our subjects. However, theres a precondition. If you follow thews and customs of Joseon, the ministers and the court will treat you without discrimination. Over time, your sons or grandsons could even be officials in Joseon. Is that a promise? A kings words are not empty. At Sejongs response, Mutoi closed his mouth. After contemting for a moment, he answered. I need some time to think. And the others? We also need time. When the tribal chiefs asked for more time, Hyang opened his mouth. Father, may I offer some advice to them? Granted. After permitting Hyangs request, Sejong introduced him to the tribal chiefs. This is my eldest son. He is the one who will lead Joseon after me. Listen well to the advice he offers you. Yes. With the attention of the tribal chiefs on him, Hyang stood up and spoke softly, with a small smile. I am the Crown Prince of Joseon. It is a pleasure to meet all of you. Its an honor to meet you. Thank you. What I wish to discuss now is why it would be beneficial for your tribes to join Joseon. What troubles you the most now might be the problem of starvation, isnt it? Thats correct. Responding promptly to Hyangs question, Mutoi listened as Hyang continued. If you join us in Joseon, the issue of starvation will be resolved. Currently, Joseon is expanding its trade with multiple nations and is growing economically. This growth means we need more workers in various sectors. Even ves in Joseon are paid for theirbor, as mandated by nationalw, so wont the issue of starvation be solved? However, we mainly know how to ride horses and herd sheep. Ive heard that youre also skilled in sailing? Im well aware of the infamy of the Jurchen pirates. At Hyangs pointedment, Mutoi closed his mouth. Hyang continued speaking. As Joseon grows, the demand for various goods also increases, including meat. Isnt livestock farming your expertise? If you join us, you wont have to worry about starvation. Consider this well. After finishing his speech, Hyang sat down, and Sejong looked at the tribal chiefs. A long silence ensued before Mutoi reluctantly spoke. Please give us a little more time. I hope to receive your answer before you leave. *** After the banquet, King Sejong returned to his quarters and gave orders to his ministers. Regardless of their family background, proceed with the operation starting this winter ording to n. We must cross the Tumen River when the waters are frozen. Yourmand is received! Also, has the selection of envoys to send to Ming been finalized? At Sejongs question, Lee Jik immediately answered. The Left State Councillor and Minister of Rites will go personally. Both of them? Looking at Maeng Sa-seong, the Minister of Rites, Sejong nodded his head. Thats fine. And has the appointment of the Special Administrative Official, who will be in charge of the administration in the newly settled area, been finalized? Your Majesty, not yet At the Left State Councilors answer, Sejong clicked his tongue. Tsk! Still not yet? Is there no one willing to go? Your Majesty. Finalize the appointments as soon as possible. Yourmand is received! Lee Jik, who was scratching his head, had something he didnt say to the end. It wasnt that no one was willing to go, but that there were too many. * * * While the Pyeongan Province Surveince Commissioner was in charge of strategic nning and administrative organization in the western region of the Odori Tribe, but due to the special peculiarities of the area, a Special Administrative Official had been appointed for the Hamgyeong-do area1. There will be those who surrender peacefully, but also no shortage of those who resist! Considering the size and poption of the new territory, its too much for the Hamgyeongdo Surveince Commissioner to handle! We need a dedicated Administrative Official! Following the suggestions from the military and the royal court, Sejong ordered the Council of State to select the Administrative Officials who would work alongside the Special Administrative Official. As soon as Sejongs order came down, an enormous number of requests flooded the officials at the Council of State. Send me! No, send me! Ill show you what devotion and hard work mean! Me! Me! Officials from all six ministries, and even those from the Censorate and the Office of Special Advisors, submitted boastful self-introductions. The thoughts of all the applicants were the same. Once I go, I can hold out until the development roughly concludes! Its a chance to legally get away from the royal court! And it wasnt just the self-introductions. Massive gifts began pouring into the homes of the officials. *** My lord husband, is there some good news? Gifts are suddenly pouring in. The officials who returned home after work were shocked to see a mountain of gifts. Good heavens, what are these people thinking! Is there any reason to send us gifts like were in need of favors? Wife! Send all of these back immediately! What? Even these precious items? Do you not know what happened to Lord Jo? Do we want to make our house a subject of gossip? My goodness! Ill send them back right away! The officials who were sending the gifts back were also in a desperate situation. Thepetition is too fierce! No matter whom we choose, there will definitely be someone whos dissatisfied! We need to stop this right at the bud! Trantors Notes They just want to get away from overworking under Sejong and Hyang ??????
  1. Located northeast of Joseon[?]
Chapter 102 Chapter 102 Hmm Sitting idly with personnel records meant for special administration appointments, Hwang Hui is called upon by Lee Jik. Right State Councilor, what are you doing? Ah! I was lost in thought for a moment I apologize. Maeng Sae-seong, who was sitting beside him, chided him upon hearing Hwang Huis apology. We have a mountain of work to do On top of that, His Majestys scrutiny is unfavorable. Do it properly, will you? Im sorry Good grief, that nobleman has be quite irritable! Where did His Excellency Lord Maeng I used to know go? Comining about Maeng Sae-seong, who had be irritable from receiving harsh criticisms from King Sejong and from his exhausting duties, Hwang Hui skimmed through the Personnel Records. These kinds of individuals are just perfect for receiving criticism from the King Id rather I Suddenly stopping mid-sentence, Hwang Hui abruptly stood up. I will take my leave first! Wait, Minister Hwang! Minister! Watching Hwang Hui hastily leave, Lee Jik and Maeng Sae-seong called after him anxiously, but Hwang Hui did not look back. * * * That night. At Gangnyeongjeon Hall. King Sejong lit some incense and discussed various matters rted to state affairs. After some time had passed, he subtly hinted to the scribes and secretaries. How about the scribes and secretaries also slowly withdraw? At Sejongs words, the scribes and secretaries uniformly expressed their refusal. How can we leave while Your Majesty is attending to official duties? We must perform our duties. Thank you for your hard work. Tsk! These people need to leave so I can finally have some time for researching letters! I found a gap in time after so long because my studies have been stuck recently! If they stick around, my precious time will be reduced! Sejong, losing his taste upon seeing the scribes and secretaries who stubbornly stayed put to record his every move, finally began organizing the documents. Even the schrs now Your Majesty. The Right State Councilor has arrived. Upon hearing the courtiers words, Sejong halted his document organizing and straightened his posture. Let him in. A momentter, Hwang Hui entered and politely greeted the room with a bow. King Sejong received the bow and asked Hwang Hui, What brings you here at thiste hour? Would you please dismiss the scribes and the secretaries? Upon hearing Hwang Huis request, Sejong shook his head. If its something that the scribes and secretaries shouldnt hear, then even I wont listen. Frustrated by Sejongs refusal, Hwang Hui gritted his teeth. Then I shall proceed. Go ahead. During the conversation between the two, Hyangs thoughts drifted elsewhere. Are these two going to y Go-Stop or something? Finally, Hwang Hui got to the point. Its regarding the appointment of the Special Administrative Officer for the development of the Tumen River. Hmm Couldnt that matter wait until tomorrows court session? Although its been six days since I issued the decree. Only six days have passed! Do you think this is as easy as roasting beans on a bonfire? Internally, Hwang Hui screamed in frustration. *** Despite the ministers working themselves to death, King Sejong was always dissatisfied. Is this the best you can do? Does it really take this long to handle just this much work? Every time a report came in, eight out of ten times there would be criticism. Of course, when Hwang Hui first became a government official, the criticisms were ten out of ten. However, the ministers had little room for excuses. It was because of the crown prince. The volume of work that Sejong had to process to effectively govern was overwhelming. To improve efficiency, a significant amount of work was also assigned to Hyang. Despite juggling responsibilities at the research institute and Area 51, Hyang showed impressive efficiency. And the quality of his work left little room for criticism even from senior ministers. Compared to what Ive heard, its extraordinary. Ill do my best! Hyang was able to handle tasks so effectively not just because of his skills derived from his 21st-century experience, but also for another reason. The majority of the tasks that Hyang handled were rted to financial matters, starting from the Ministry of Taxation. Even mental calctions have limits, and as for using counting rods Maybe I should just use divination. Among the things Hyang had difficulty adapting to in Joseon was the counting rod. To solve this problem, Hyang actively promoted the newly introduced abacus. However, those who saw the abacus, whether nobles or merchants, all had lukewarm reactions. Why bother learning and using an abacus when counting on fingers is more than enough? No matter how many times Hyang tried, he could only give up in the face of the same reactions. These nobles spend all day looking at logographic characters; they even calcte with them In the end, the abacus became a tool used by only a few, including Hyang. Anyway, Hyang, who was obsessed with numbers, had no choice but to grumble while looking at his report. Ah I miss the CASIO calctor that used to sit on my desk in the 21st century. Recalling the calctor that was always ced wherever calctions were needed, from small shops to government desks, Hyang suddenly snapped his fingers. If its a calctor you want, I have a high-performance one right here! Look! Yes, Your Highness! Go and summon Official Lee Soon-ji! Yes, Your Highness! Eventually, thanks to a ss artisan they were able to find, Hyang was able to use a human supeputer by using the high-performance telescope as bait. Of course, Hyang clenched his fist at Lee Soon-jis expressions, which gave off a vibe of You dont even know that? Ill definitely make that calctor! Even if it means working Jang Young-sil to the bone! *** King Sejong grumbled inwardly at the nagging, but there was something he had to acquire, so Hwang Hui gritted his teeth and spoke. I deeply regret that our abilities have failed to meet Your Majestys expectations. Therefore, I have taken special care regarding the appointment of this special administrative officer Which is? I rmend myself! Huh? What? When Hwang Hui rmended himself as the administrative officer, both Sejong and Hyangs eyes widened. Why do you choose to go, especially stepping down from a ministers position? In Joseon, theres no one who doesnt wish for a ministers position. Hwang Hui exined his reason. The special administrative officer to be appointed must operate a groupposed of six subordinates. To operate this group smoothly, someone who has experienced all six departments is needed. I have the experience in all these six departments and can control them adequately. That may be true, but its still insufficient. At Sejongs first denial, Hwang Hui brought up another reason. During development, there is bound to be conflicts between military and administrative officials. In such cases, if the rank of the administrative officer is low, of course promotions will happen, but adjustments will still be difficult. If I am appointed, I can smoothly handle these adjustments based on my experience. Hmm That could be possible. But its still not enough. Colonization almost involves creating something out of nothing. While working, sudden variables that need immediate treatment often ur. In such cases, the decision between acting first and reportingter and reporting first and actingter can determine sess or failure. If someone with low rank or less experience is sent, they might hesitate out of fear for consequences; therefore, someone with high rank and ample experience should go. Is that so? So, will you go? Upon hearing Sejongs question, Hwang Hui answered with a resolute voice. Yes, Your Majesty. It is a risky endeavor. Are you confident you can seed? Its the nations long-term n. We must seed. Hmm Seeing Sejongs hesitation, Hwang Hui reached into his sleeve and took out a scroll. Allow me to present this to Your Majesty. Sejong, who received the scroll via a tray, looked at Hwang Hui without even untying the knot. What is this? Its a list that records all of my assets. Should I fail in my mission, or fail to meet the standards Your Majesty has in mind, please add all my property to the national treasury. Its a punishment for failing toplete the task properly, and Ill ept it willingly. Upon hearing Hwang Huis words, the air filled with tension. Hwang Hui, all in! Is it a jackpot or aplete loss! Hmm Sejong gave a small snort and unrolled the scroll to take a look. Then he eyed Hwang Hui again. Ive heard rumors circting among themoners that you intend to divide your wealth among your children. This list is from before the reform, isnt it? How did you know! Taken aback by Sejongs unexpected question, Hwang Hui hesitated for a moment before answering. Its before the reform. If we investigate through the Office of Records, it will alle out. It is definitely before the reform. I see Sejong, looking uncertain, nced at the list once more before looking back at Hwang Hui. Right State Councilor. Yes, Your Majesty. Are you truly confident? Ill devote my entire being. Its a long-term n for our Joseon. Even the smallest failing is uneptable. Let me ask you again: Are you confident you can bear all the responsibility and bring this topletion? If I fail, Ill be buried there! If you fail, the ce where youll be buried will be the Office of Records. Ill bear that in mind! At Hwang Huis answer, Sejong rolled up the scroll and set it aside. I understand your resolve. However, its not something that can be decided here and now. Lets discuss it further in tomorrows meeting. I will heed Your Majestysmand! Then, I shall take my leave. May you have a restful sleep. Be careful on your way. Upon leaving, Hwang Hui looked up at the night sky. Although the moon often appeared gloomy, tonight it seemed oddly refreshing. Hwang Hui clenched his fist tightly. I did it! After sending off Hwang Hui, King Sejong turned back with a face full of regret. There were many more things I wanted to discuss with you, but it looks like well have to end it here for today. Lets talk again next time. Yes, Your Majesty. Please rest well. Very well. As he left Gangnyeongjeon, Hwang Hui looked back at the hall with a face full of unease. I have a bad feeling about this The reason King Sejong had called for him today seemed unclear. Although it was supposedly for discussing state affairs, the matters they went over were not of great importance. Staring at the lit Gangnyeongjeon, Hwang Hui muttered to himself. Isnt it time for me to take action, rather than Chief State Councilor? *** The next morning. As soon as the court meeting started, King Sejong brought up an agenda. Has the appointment for the Special Administrative Officer in charge of this development project been finalized? At King Sejongs question, Chief State Councilor Lee Jik slightly nodded his head. If I may speak, Your Majesty, the ministers are not very sharp Hmm We are short on time Your Majesty! So, Ive given it some thought. Right State Councilor, you will take charge as the Special Administrative Officer. With your experience, you should be able to resolve various issues. All eyes from the ministers focused on Hwang Hui at King Sejongs decision. Receiving the gazes of the ministers, Hwang Hui bowed deeply and responded. This humble servant, Hwang Hui, will devote himself to fulfill the grand ns of Joseon! I will trust you. Absolutely! I will not betray the trust you have shown, Your Majesty! On the other hand, all the ministers who had been listening to the conversation had the same thought. Something smells fishy here. *** That afternoon, a report came in that the chieftains of the Jurchen tribes who had been invited to Hanseong were leaving. Assembled in the courtyard in front of Geunjeongjeon, the chieftains all bowed respectfully as King Sejong appeared. King Sejong lightly returned their salute and got straight to the point. So, have you reached a conclusion? At King Sejongs question, Hatui and Mutoi stepped forward. Thends of our tribes were originally the territories of King Taejo, so its only natural for Your Majesty to inherit them. Moreover, the oath of loyalty we gave to King Taejo is still valid! Therefore, we gratefully ept your favor and willingly obey yourmand! At Hatuis response, King Sejong answered with a bright expression. Im truly grateful! Now that you have joined Joseon, you will have no regrets! Your kindness is immeasurable! Hatui and the chieftains expressed their gratitude. Chapter 103 Chapter 103 After seeing off the tribal chiefs who had received generous gifts in addition to the promised salt, King Sejong turned to his ministers. Now we can breathe a sigh of relief. Lets pick up the pace! Right State Councilor. Yes, Your Majesty! Since you have been appointed as the administrative officer, proceed with the final selection of personnel immediately. I expect the results within three days. Given your capabilities that Ive heard from the Crown Prince, this should be feasible, right? Upon hearing Sejongs words, Hwang Huis face paled. That malicious king was already plotting to send him to the Office of Records! Why? Doubtful? Then, lets go with someone else I will definitely finish it within three days! Good, I look forward to it. Hwang Hui returned alone to the Council of Ministers building and began sifting through the list of personnel records. While going through the list, Hwang Hui ground his teeth. I am Hwang Hui! Its me, Hwang Hui! Even King Taejong valued me! Although he had been exiled for some time due to the Crown Prince Yangnyeong affair, as soon as Sejong ascended the throne, the king had immediately lifted his exile and summoned him to the court. He was that trusted. Ill make them all understand why King Taejong acknowledged me! Why I am Hwang Hui! Grinding his teeth, Hwang Hui sifted through the personnel names one by one. Eliminate those who put themselves in! We must select from other departments! We need to find people who work well but are reluctant to move! After going through the list of hundreds of personnels, Hwang Hui first picked one from the Ministry of Personnel. This guy will do! Kim Jong-seo from the Ministry of Personnel! As for the colleagues and supervisors evaluations of Kim Jong-seo: Hes a cow who doesnt want to leave the barn. He thinks anywhere outside the capital is hell. He does his job well but loves the capital too much. Kim Jong-seo adored the capital, Hanseong. In Taejongs fifth year (1405), he had passed the civil service exam at the youngest age (13th rank) and had been walking the path of an orthodox schr-official. His rank had increased while handling various duties both within and outside the pce, yet he had never received a bad evaluation. Everyone who knew Kim Jong-seo therefore added this after their evaluations: Although he loves Hanseong too much, hell likely be in a high-ranking officials position no less than ten years from now. However, as evident from the nicknames, Kim Jong-seo loved Hanseong too much. Originally from Suncheon in Jeo Province, and having spent his childhood in Chungju and Suncheon, Kim Jong-seo was enamored by the grandeur of therge city of Hanseong. Some said that when he was assigned tasks in the provincial areas, he worked diligently and meticulously solely to return to Hanseong quickly and to avoid being sent out again. Even in a history unaltered by scents, when a situation known as the Change of the Earth urred causing chaos in the Northeastern region, he had sent petitions filled with content expressing his wish to return to Hanseong as soon as possible after being dispatched as an inspector to Pyeong-an Province. If its him, hell work himself to death just to return to Hanseong that he loves so much! Hes perfect for middle management! Hwang Hui, who had taken a liking to Kim Jong-seo, chose administrators with simr tendencies. Thinking they were the best choices, Hwang Hui summoned his adjutants and gathered the people he had selected. So you all will go north with me. If you do well, a new path will open up before your eyes. First off, most of you, like Kim Jong-seo, hold the rank of lower-5th-rank. However, the moment you be part of the frontier administration, you will be promoted by one rank. Then youll at least reach a higher-5th-rank, right? Yes! If you work hard in the North for about five years ande back, His Royal Majesty will grant you at least the rank of lower-4th-rank, if not higher. That means you would have advanced at least two ranks. Do you think thats possible if you just work here in Hanseong for 5 years? Probably difficult, right? At Hwang Huis question, everyone nodded without even realizing it. Except for one person. I think its possible? It was Kim Jong-seo. At Kim Jong-seos words, Hwang Hui angrily retorted. You brat! You have to go with me, no matter what! Dont even think about slipping away! Unhappy with Hwang Huis scolding, Kim Jong-seo closed his mouth. Hwang Hui, who had red at Kim Jong-seo, continued to exin to the others. And theres another important point. ording to the current n, the area we will acquire is about one and a half times the size of Hamgyeong Province. Thats vast Ha Upon hearing Hwang Huis words, the gathered administrators all sighed. Do you have any idea how many Jurchen tribes will be there? Huh? Just as everyones ears perked up at Hwang Huis words, Kim Jong-seo interjected. But wont there be a policy of moving people anyway? Wouldnt the workload be not small? Why not just stay in Hanseong Youre going with me, no matter what! Im Thinking of resigning? Just try it! Ill report you to His Royal Majesty and have you recorded at the royal archives! At Hwang Huis warning, Kim Jong-seos mouth closed again. Having silenced Kim Jong-seo, Hwang Hui continued. As that guy mentioned, there will definitely be a relocation policy, so the work wont be easy. But think about it. Even if the frontier is vast, is it as big as the entire Korean penins? Would you rather be swamped with working from all over the penins here in Hanseong, or handle the work of just one province? At Hwang Huis words, everyone except Kim Jong-seo responded in unison. We will go north! I Youre going north with me, no matter what! Hwang Huis stern words left Kim Jong-seo disheartened. Having received unanimous agreement from the first round of selected personnel, Hwang Hui moved on to the next point. Alright, you cant handle everything from start to finish, right? So, youll need to select people to work under you. How many would be good? Of course, the more the merrier, but having too many could make it unmanageable, so choose a reasonable number. At Hwang Huismand, the administrators began calcting in their heads what a reasonable number would be. Just then, Kim Jong-seo spoke up. For personnel, well need about 5 6th-rank local magistrates or police chiefs to manage the viges in the frontier. And their aides would number around 10, plus another 5 to analyze administrative issues arising from the frontier. That makes a total of 20 people. Ah! Well also need about 20 physicians, especially to prevent diseases like smallpox. And within that, we should have about five nurses. In the case of the military affairs, most tasks will be handled by the military force expanding into the frontier, so about 6 people should suffice. For the public works, around 8 people. The Law and Enforcement office will also mostly rely on the military for public safety, so 6 people should be enough, Kim Jong-seo began to pour out. Hwang Hui looked at him with disbelief. Kim Jong-seo continued his exnation, seemingly unaware of Hwang Huis gaze. As for officials handling rites, we should prepare for any possible encounter with Ming China, so including the deputy officials, 4 people should suffice. The biggest problem is with officials from the Ministry of Taxation. We must organize the household registries of the newly appointed civilians, as well as resolvend disputes among the Jurchens and migrants, and also create newnd ledgers. We will likely continue to provide tax exemptions to promote civilian settlement, but we also have to resolve financial expenditure issues such as construction, so ideally we should have 48 people. However, given the current situation, thats not feasible. So, 30 people would be optimal and 24 would be the minimum tost for about 5 years. Everyone blinked at Kim Jong-seos rapid-fire response, including Hwang Hui. Hwang Hui was the first to snap out of it. Just as I thought! When its urgent, things go smoothly! I picked the right man! The other officials who came to their senses then began to review Kim Jong-seos suggestions. They all nodded their heads, recognizing the merits of each others expertise. Kim Jong-seos suggestion seems the best. Alright, then. Start by selecting one and a half times the number of candidates and bring them to hort-term meeting. You all better pick wisely if you want to make your lives easier. You have one day. Get moving! Yes! Upon Hwang Huismand, the officials scattered quickly. Watching them disappear into the six ministries, Hwang Hui muttered to himself, If it takes one day to select the candidates and another day for screening to finalize the team, itll be done in two days. Then, His Majesty shouldnt have anything more to say. Just as Hwang Hui was nodding in satisfaction, the door burst open and Maeng Sae-seong rushed in. Your Excellency, how could this happen! What are you talking about? Maeng Sae-seong shouted in response to Hwang Huis question. You bribed His Majesty! Is this even possible! Its not a bribe! I was just showing my resolve! Besides, how did you find out? I found out from a scribe who recorded the private meetingst night No, thats not the point right now! What am I to do if you also escape? Before long, Younguijeong will send for me as an envoy! Then, Ill be the only remaining government official! Dont worry. The Left Right Councilor will return soon and my position will be promptly filled. Whats there to worry about? You, seriously! Maeng Sae-seong was about to grab him by the cor but restrained himself. I apologize. Im also desperate! Ever since the days of King Taejong, Ive been recognized for my abilities, but do you know what I hear most often from His Majesty nowadays? This is my chance to get the recognition I deserve! Otherwise, it negates my entire life! Ah Upon hearing Hwang Huis words, Maeng Sae-seong sat down on the chair with a disappointed expression. This was because he somewhat understood Hwang Huis feelings. Eventually, as time passed, Maeng Sae-seong had to face reality. Please take care. Thank you. Two dayster, Hwang Hui prepared a list of officials who would apany him and submitted it to King Sejong. Very well. Proceed. Yes. Also, take care. If you lose your life, it would be a great loss. At King Sejongs words, Hwang Hui deeply bowed. I am infinitely grateful to Your Majesty! Ah! I almost forgot. The administrative staff going north this time should learn horseback musketry at the training center before departure. Musketry, you say? Answering Hwang Huis question, Sejong exined the reason. The cunning of the Jurchen tribes is well-known, isnt it? Shouldnt we at least prepare a minimum level of self-defense? Its all for the safety of the expedition members. Good heavens, if even the civil officials have to carry muskets, arent we done for? Suppressing the urge to argue as such, Hwang Hui bowed again. Your Majestys concern for the gods is truly immense! Thus, Hwang Hui and the officials had to learn horseback musketry, shooting techniques, and management at the training center until two days before departure. *** Soldiers who were to pioneer the Jurchen territories gathered in Hanyang and conducted a departure ceremony. At the ceremony, King Sejong alerted the soldiers to the gravity of their task. Everyone knows that moving in winter is no small feat! However, this is the grand n of our Joseon! Do not forget that the future of Joseon rests on your shoulders! Go forth with valor! At King Sejongs exhortation, the soldiers raised their arms and shouted, Long live His Majesty! Long live His Majesty! Afterpleting the departure ceremony, the soldiers passed through Heunginjimun Gate and headed north. *** The development of the Tumen River area went fairly smoothly. Most Jurchen tribe chiefs kept their earlier promises and willingly submitted to Joseon rule. asionally, some tribes broke their promises and resisted with force, but they were annihted by the overwhelming firepower of the Joseon army. While the Joseon troops were gradually expanding their territory at the front, administrative officials led by Hwang Hui were swiftly adjusting administrative districts at the rear. Farnd was allocated to the submitted Jurchen tribes and peasants who had moved up, and local officials were appointed. Appointing our people to key points and tribal chiefs as leaders in other areas seems to be the best course of action, suggested Kim Jong-seo. That would be the best, agreed Hwang Hui. And so, Hwang Hui kept nodding in agreement as Kim Jong-seo reported on suitable local officials and the areas they would govern, appearing pleased. I chose well! Hes trying to get this done as quickly as possible to return to Hanyang! Just when everything seemed to be going smoothly, a major ident erupted in Hanyang. Chapter 104 Chapter 104 In the 9th year of King Sejongs reign (1427, the year of Jeongmi), in the month of May, an incident urred. Seo Dal, the son of Seo Seon from the Ministry of Law and Punishments, severely injured Pietro, a ss craftsman. The origin of the incident was truly absurd. The reason was that as Seo Dal was walking down the street, both Raphael and Pietro passed by him without any courtesy. Have you ever seen such insolence? Do they know who I am? Bring them to me immediately! The humble servant who had been following Seo Dals orders stepped forward to restrain him. Young Master, they are foreigners. Havent you heard? They are people that the Crown Prince values highly! I dont want to hear it! Regardless of the Crown Princes favor, one cant simply overlook such rudeness! Bring them to me at once! Young Master Do it now! At Seo Dalsmand, the humble servant sighed softly and signaled to the other servants. Upon the his gesture, the servants picked up their clubs and began to chase after Pietro and Raphael. Run! Without a second thought, Pietro and Raphael, who had been heading toward Area 51, began to sprint away at the sight of the men with clubsing after them. Damn it all! Did you woo another woman from some household again? Raphael shouted at Pietro while running. Getting used to the Koreannguage, Pietro had found the interior of Area 51 stifling and had rented a ce outside. Living outside with Raphael, Pietros flirtatious Italian nature had been fully exposed. Because of this, he had been beaten up or chased several times. Hence, the reason they ran as soon as they saw men with clubs was obvious, and thats what Raphael was getting at. In response to Raphaels words, Pietro replied with a look of indignation. Not this time! Probably not! Probably? What the hell are you talking about! * * * Caught him! I didnt start it, I swea What nonsense! At the end of the chase, Seo Dals servants caught Pietro and began to beat him mercilessly with their clubs. At that very moment, soldiers from Area 51, who had initially escaped with Raphael, rushed over. You fools! How dare you assault an official dressed in official attire! Arrest them all! Upon hearing the report that Pietro had been severely injured, Hwang sighed deeply. Phew~. Did he woo another woman from some household again? No, Your Highness. He was beaten unterally for not showing respect. What kind of nonsense is this? After receiving a report from the captain of the security forces in Area 51, Hyang delved into the details of the incident. Learning the origin and development of the issue, Hyang mmed his desk. Who does this damn scoundrel think he is? Where is he abusing his power now? We must counter such abuse with more abuse! Hyang immediately rushed to Sejong. Your Majesty, have you heard? I have. It is indeed a vile incident. The criminal Seo Dal must be severely punished. Its a serious crime to beat a government official dressed in official attire! Also, there have been continuous allegations that the criminal had been carrying out all sorts of evil deeds, relying on the influence of his own father. This is also a grave crime! We must eliminate this from its roots before the social norm of innocent if you have authority, guilty if you have none; innocent if you have money, guilty if you have none takes hold! Hmm As Sejong pondered over Hyangs words, Seo Seon, looking devastated, approached Sejong with a scroll. What is it? It is my letter of resignation. I take full responsibility for not disciplining my son properly, leading to this incident. I intend to resign and take on his punishment. Your Majesty, I wish to refute the words of the Minister of Law and Punishments. Please allow me to do so. Granted. With Sejongs permission, Hyang criticized Seo Seon. Do you really think that resigning will make all sins disappear? Even if you resign and return to your hometown, you will still live a prosperous life, leveraging your wealth and influence. Is that a punishment? Your Highness! I beseech you! Sentence the criminal as dictated byw! Upon hearing Hyangs words, Seo Seon immediately fell to his knees and pleaded earnestly. Your Majesty, the criminal is my only son! Please bestow your mercy! In the end, Seo Seon was dismissed and his noble titles were revoked. Seo Dal, who caused the incident, received 100shes and was demoted, banned from the pce for three generations. His servants and ves who had participated in assaulting the government official were all sentenced to death. We are innocent! Shut up! You assaulted a person in official attire, which means you knew he was a government official. What is unjust about this? Itse to light that youmitted numerous crimes using Seo Dal as an excuse. Execute the sentence immediately! On the day Seo Dal was to be flogged, Hyang gave an order to the soldiers. Strike with all your might! Yes! That day, Seo Dal was left crippled after receiving 100shes exerted with full force. Having taken in his now-crippled son, Seo Seon returned home, shedding tears of blood. My son may havemitted a crime, but this is too much! Your Highness! I will never forget this! *** Back in the capital, Hwang Hui sighed deeply upon hearing this news through a messenger. So, what did my wife say? If I think about all the grudges shes held I understand. Could it have been the influence of destiny? The course of history was subtly altered. The daughter of Hwang Hui who had married Seo Dal could not bear an heir. If Hwang Hui had not been her father, she would have been in a situation where there would be no question of her being sent away. However, because of Hwang Hui, she was able to hold her position. Yet, after the birth of a son by Seo Dals concubine, she faced the sorrows of a difficult married life. Eventually, Hwang Hui had to send a formal petition to King Sejong, requesting permission for his daughters divorce. Handing over the petition, Hwang Hui let out a long sigh. Heo-eo~, why do I still feel uneasy when the issue has been settled? Unfortunately for Hwang Hui, an evenrger issue awaited him. It was an incident involving both of his sons. That summer when the Seo Dal incident urred, a heavy rain poured down during the monsoon season. Polluted water leaked from the Gahaksan gold mine into the nearby fields. Old Jang! Old Jang! Quickly go check the fields! Theres a disaster! Eh? Running to his fields upon hearing his neighbors cries, Farmer Jang Dol was frozen in shock. The field was filled with foul-smelling muddy water, and the rice nts that were growing well were turning yellow. What on Earth is going on? Immediately dispatch investigators to find out the cause! Upon receiving the report, King Sejong dispatched investigators right away. For Sejong and his court, the mine in Gahaksan was a valuable asset. Joseon kept the development of gold and silver mines a secret to avoid Ming interference. Most of the mines were located in remote areas like Gangwon-do. As a result, while the secret was maintained, transporting and storing the mined gold and silver became problematic. King Sejong issued an order to the prospectors. Focus the investigation on areas close to Hanyang. Thus, the discovered locations were Bupyeongs silver mine and Gahaksans mine. In terms of scale, Bupyeongs silver mine wasrger, but precisely for that reason, Sejong decided to forgo Bupyeong for the time being. If Ming finds out that a lot of silver is produced in our Joseon, they will attack. Keep it hidden for now. An excellent decision, Your Majesty! So, the chosen location was the mine in Gahaksan. Although the amount was small, it was the perfect mine for Sejong as it could produce gold, silver, and copper, giving him a suitable excuse to tell the Ming. Weve found the mine, but as you can see, the mining yield is too small! Ming should not concern themselves! *** Upon hearing news of the ident near Gahaksan, Hyang immediately knew the cause. It mustve been the waste from the mine. During the refining process of gold, silver, and copper, a high concentration of acids were used. As a result, wastewater containing heavy metals was generated inrge quantities. Additionally, the water leaking out of the tunnels was also heavily mixed with heavy metals. In such circumstances, the fields nearby were inundated due to the heavy rainfall during the monsoon season, mixing with the wastewater and tunnel leakage. After personally inspecting the site, Hyang, along with the investigators, reported the situation to Sejong and suggested a solution. We need to purchase all the damaged fields. Ive heard the soil is poisoned. Buy it Why not remediate it instead? Remediation isnt cheap either. Its better to buy thend and then create arge-scale purification facility. Whos to say something like this wont happen again? Ultimately, Sejong issued an order to the Ministry of Taxation to buy the contaminated fields. * * * During the process ofpensating the farmers and purchasing the contaminated fields, Hwang Huis sons conspired to scheme. Brother! Brother! Have you heard the rumors? Hwang Bosin, who found his older brother Hwang Chisin, caught his attention with the rumor. What rumor? The country is buying the fields around Gahaksan! Its not a rumor; its a fact. At Hwang Chisins reply, Hwang Bosin looked around cautiously and quietly got to the point. Brother, lets have some fun. Fun? What fun? Lets smell the money. At Hwang Bosins words, Hwang Chisin looked intrigued. Money? Good, but how? You know thends beingpensated? The Ministry of Taxation is in charge, right? Yes. You should take care of it. The Ministry of Taxation has been swampedtely, and people areining. Wouldnt they be happy if you stepped in? You mean tampering with thend register? You got it! Change low-gradend to high-grade, and we can increase the value by at least double. How much will thepensation be then? Hwang Chisin nodded at Hwang Bosins suggestion. In Joseon,nd tax was collected based on gyeol, a unit of area that could produce 300 catty of grain. Therefore, the area of a gyeol differed depending on the quality of the soil. Roughly, the area of one high-grade gyeol was 4/9 that of one low-grade gyeol. This was exactly what Hwang Bosin was targeting. We lost our public offices, cant even ept bribes Its been so long since weve smelled money, right? Even now, the concubine is asking for a gold ring; you need wealth to either give it or not! After pondering for a moment, Hwang Chisin nodded in agreement. Alright, lets do it! In the end, Hwang Huis two sons coborated to forge thend registry documents, upgrading low-grade fields to high-grade, and then embezzled the difference inpensation money they received as a result. The eldest son of Hwang Hui, who worked in the Ministry of Taxation, specifically innd management, manipted the documents, while the younger son deceived thendowner to produce a receipt confirming they had received the proper amount. *** The secret was eventually discovered due to Hyang. Seems like youve taken on work again today At this rate, I wouldnt be surprised if you end up at the Royal Audit Office. While grumbling, Hyang, who was checking the records that hade up from the Ministry of Taxation, raised an eyebrow. Why do the costs for purchasing contaminatednd in Gahaksan look like this? Gahaksan was a neighboring town where Hyang lived in the 21st century. Because of such a connection and its importance as a source of revenue, Hyang knew quite a bit about Gahaksan. This is weird Eunuch! Calling his aide, Hyang immediately gave an order. Go to the Ministry of Taxation and bring thend registry for the Gahaksan area. Also, bring the copy stored in the record room. Yes, Your Highness! After cross-checking thend registry stored in the Ministry of Taxation and the copy stored in the record room, along with thend records that hade up during the recentpensation process, Hyang confirmed that the documents had been manipted. These wretched scoundrels! I must inform Father! Upon hearing from Hyang that official documents had been manipted, King Sejong became furious. What unforgivable deeds! Summon the Royal Inspector immediately! Yes, Your Majesty! After summoning the Royal Inspector, Sejong immediately issued an order. Even if it requires a thorough investigation of all the officials in the Ministry of Taxation, find the culprit! I ept themand! Following King Sejongs orders, the Inspectorate General scrutinized every single official in the Ministry of Taxation. As a result, they discovered Hwang Huis children. With both sons imprisoned, Hwang Huis wife, now in a grim mood, sent another servant to Hwang Hui. Upon hearing the news from the servant, Hwang Hui felt as if the sky was falling. Staring nkly at the sky, Hwang Hui began to write his letter of resignation. Its not the end with this Even in the history before Hyangs involvement, Hwang Huis sons had caused a major incident by forging official documents. And this time too, they had caused a big problem. *** Authors Note. Seo Dals case is based on the real-life murder case at Sinchang Estate, which I adapted for the story. Hwang Huis sons case is adapted from incidents involving his real-life sons, Hwang Jungsang and Hwang Bosin, who were involved in crimes like theft in the royal pce and were dismissed from their positions. The incident where the fields were destroyed due to contaminated water leakage from the Gahaksan gold mine is based on a real event that urred during the great flood in 1972. Chapter 105 Chapter 105 Holding his letter of resignation, Hwang Hui returned to Hanseong. On his way back, he overheard the punishment meted out to his children. Many argue that since these criminals are skilled enough in document maniption to falsify records, they should be assigned to clerical work! However, they cant be trusted with that! Send the criminals to the coal mines in Pyeongan province and make thembor for 20 years! Let them endlessly regret their actions while digging for coal! Also, confiscate all their assets! Upon hearing King Sejongs decision, Hwang Hui tightly closed his eyes. Foolish ones if youre going to deceive, at least dont get caught Hwang Hui, who had returned to Hanseong, immediately headed to the pce. Hwang Hui, the Administrative Officer, is seeking an audience. Let him in. Upon entering the hall, Hwang Hui respectfully bowed. What business brings you here from afar? I wish to submit my resignation. Resignation? As the sins of the children are the sins of the parents, I request to resign. Do you understand that deceiving the king, is a high treason? Yes. Hmm At Hwang Huis answer, Sejong hesitated for a moment, then pointed at the stacks of scrolls beside him. These are petitions demanding your execution. This stack only includes todays submissions; if we include the previous ones, it would easily fill a cart. What should I do? To King Sejongs question, Hwang Hui replied while kneeling. I will follow whatever judgment Your Majesty deems fit. Hearing this, King Sejong quietly looked down at Hwang Hui. What should I do? As he looked down at the kneeling Hwang Hui, Sejong turned his eyes toward Maeng Sa-seong, who was standing on one side with a solemn face. To be honest,pared to his father King Taejongs praises, Hwang Hui had not been impressive. Especially whenpared to the Crown Prince, the difference was clear. However, whenpared to the ministers currently in the royal court, Hwang Huispetence was exceptional, along with Maeng Sa-seong. Getting rid of him now would surely mean a difficult time ahead. Sigh~ King Sejong, after a long sigh, came to a conclusion. You have two paths. One, excluding the house you currently live in, return all your property, including your pension, to the national treasury and continue to work for the royal court for the rest of your life. Ah! Your sry will be forfeited. In response to Sejongs words, Hwang Hui had nothing to say. Observing Hwang Huis silence, Sejong proposed a second option. The second is to handle document organization until the day you die, owning only half of your house and property. Upon hearing the phrase until the day you die for document organization, Hwang Huis face turned pale. Still, he could not open his mouth. The first option requires living solely on your official stipend, but you can survive with your influence in the royal court. The second option allows you to at least leave some assets for your children. What will you do? After a long pause, Hwang Hui made his decision. I choose the first option. Understood, then proceed as such. Minister, return to your post immediately. Yes, Your Majesty. The Chief State Councillor and the Chief Justice, who had intended to impose capital punishment on Hwang Hui immediately, closed their mouths. Their eyes, once filled with ferocity, were now brimming withpassion. Until the day you die! Although its called influence, isnt it essentially the life of a servant working in the royal archives? Especially when under the kings constant surveince, what use is power? The scribes who recorded all of this concluded as follows: C Thus, the punishment for Hwang Hui was decided. Among the servants in the royal archives, there was no one who opposed or advocated capital punishment. Then the scribes argued, Considering the two recent incidents, only one conclusion was reached: educate your children well. *** After opening the door to a career in public service with no retirement, Hwang Hui acted with a concealed bitter heart to wrap up the work at the Gahaksan mine. People of this era may not know the risks of this issue, but I knew, didnt I? This is my mistake. Hyang felt a great sense of responsibility for the recent mining ident. To be honest, although Hyang had some expertise in mining, his knowledge about things like wastewater treatment was limited to basic skills learned in high school and setting up a workshop. So when the mining began, he took the issues of polluted and leached water lightly. Thisnd has been mined for ages, and nothing happened before, right?'' And the result was arge-scale pollution incident affecting farnd near the Gahaksan mine. Heading to the mine, Hyang firmly resolved, We must move to minimize the damage, even if we only know the basics! With that resolution, Hyang started constructing arge wastewater treatment facility in the mine. Although it was a primitive facility that heavily used sand, gravel, charcoal, and limestone, Hyang had a resigned expression. Right now, this is the best we can do. Due to the limitations of knowledge, therge-scale wastewater treatment facility was the solution they hade up with, and all that was left was to hope for a slight improvement. After returning to the pce, Hyang resolutely vowed, Well have to conduct research using the experts from theb and Area 51. We cant afford any more dys. *** Hyang, having wrapped up matters concerning the mine, moved towards the residential area near Area 51. We have a long way to go, and yet youre dilly-dallying. Hyang grumbled as he quickened his pace. He was currently on his way to see Pietro and Raphael. After the incident was temporarily concluded with Seo Dal bing a cripple, Hyang had been busy resolving the mining ident and had not visited them. Now that the mining issue was finally resolved, Hyang was visiting them for the first time. Pietro, whose right arm had been broken from being beaten by Seo Dals minions, was receiving treatment at his own home. We need to fix this quickly. Im not getting this treatment for free, you know. Just as Hyang, who had personally intervened for Pietros speedy recovery, arrived in front of his house, a sharp voice reached his ears. You wench! What are you doing here, you hussy? What did you say? Who are you calling a hussy? Ahh~ I can more or less guess whats going on. Tired of the womens sharp and piercing voices, Hyang signaled to his servant. Open the gate. Yes. As the door opened, the scene that Hyang had expected unfolded. Two women were grabbing each other by the hair, wrestling. Sighing at the sight of the two women, who looked like lunatics, fighting fiercely, Hyang gestured to the escort officers. Ugh, stop them. Yes, Your Highness! At Hyangsmand, the escort officer yelled sternly. You wretches! What kind of appalling act is this in broad daylight? The Crown Prince is present! Stop immediately! Do you really want to taste punishment? The women, who had been fighting, instantly dropped to the ground, kneeling. Your Highness, please spare our lives! Spare us! Hoo~. Hyang let out a long sigh and pointed outside the main gate. Get out, now. Yes, yes! Obeying Hyangsmand, the two women scampered away. Watching their departure, Hyang turned to Raphael and Pietro, who were kneeling and showing respect, and asked, Doesnt the God you believe in teach not tomit adultery? At Hyangs question, Raphael replied in his still awkward Korean, pointing at Pietro, Pietro is a damn, good-for-nothing adulterer. Huh. Hyang then entered the room conducted a check on Pietros condition. How is it? Upon hearing Hyangs question, the physician who had examined Pietros broken arm immediately answered. It has set well. Really? Then he can return to work starting tomorrow. At Hyangs words, Pietro rubbed his arm and winced in mock pain. My arm still hurts a bit Can I rest a little more, Really? Raphael is already working hard, doing your share too. The ss workshop is also ready to resume. That means we can get by just with Raphael, so Hyang paused, then red at Pietro. Then why should I keep both of you on a high sry? I might as well employ only diligent Raphael and have you resold or put tobor in the mines Before Hyang could finish speaking, Pietro quickly responded. I will start work on time tomorrow! Dont forget toe in on time. You have a lot to do. After Hyang left, Pietro couldnt hide his regret and clicked his tongue. Good times are over. Thats why you should have stopped bragging. You still dont know what kind of person that prince is? Tch! Pietro still couldnt hide his regret and clicked his tongue again. * * * With Pietro back to regr work, the ss workshop began to operate normally. Are the materials ready? The ash is the most important, how is it? In response to Pietros question, Raphael showed a barrel full of gray ash. Ah, weve made some good ash this time. After tasting the ash with his finger, Pietro nodded. Its good. It feels rewarding for all the hard work weve put in. Upon hearing Pietros words, Raphael also nodded and epted thepliment. Right? Its rewarding. Thinking of the trials and tribtions they went through to make this ash, they were filled with mixed emotions. Melting silicon, the mainponent of ss, requires an extreme temperature of 1500 degrees Celsius. Since reaching such high temperatures was difficult, European craftsmen found a way to make ss at lower temperatures. What they discovered after numerous trials and errors was ash made from burning seaweed. Seaweed? What type? Upon Pietro and Raphaels request, Hyang procured all sorts of seaweeds like seaweed and kelp from the market. Its a bitcking Lets find it ourselves then! After confirming the ash made from the seaweeds that Hyang had procured, both Pietro and Raphael shook their heads and headed towards the west coast with their escorts. Eventually, they found coral weed along the shores of the west coast. So it exists in this country too! Lets try it! They immediately set the coral weeds on fire and checked the ash. Upon tasting it, both men looked at each other and smiled brightly. Yes, this is it! Finally, after numerous trials and errorsfrom preprocessing the seaweed, deciding how much to dry it, to achieving the proper me temperaturethey produced the ash they have now. Pietro, who was checking the barrel of ash, stretched his right arm and looked back at Raphael. Shall we start now? Sure. After checking the ingredients, Pietro yelled at the waiting Joseon craftsmen. The ever-smiling face of Pietro suddenly turned stern as he yelled at the Joseon artisans. Light the furnace! Hot! Make it really hot! Understood! Responding to Pietros shout, the Joseon craftsmen began to shovel coal into the furnace and started to turn the handle of the centrifugal fan with all their might. Hoo-woong~. Alongside the loud noise of air being sucked in, the coal in the furnace began to burn blue. Put in more coal! More wind! While giving orders to the Korean craftsmen, Raphael and Pietro inserted a crucible containing the mixed ingredients into the furnace. After some time had passed and confirming that the materials had properly melted, Pietro and Raphael took out the crucible and poured it into the mold, then connected it to the fulling mill. As the pipe was inserted properly, the two began fulling. It was the cylinder method, developed in Germany and refined in Venice. (Note 1) The Joseon craftsmen observed this entire process standing beside Pietro and Raphael. It wasnt just the craftsmen. Clerks dispatched from the research institute recorded every move made by Raphael and Pietro. What they recorded would be made into a book and be a valuable textbook. * * * Finally, the test-produced sheet ss cooled down. Pietro and Raphael carefully lifted the sheet ss to check the result. Both burst into smiles upon inspection. We did it! Its a sess! It was the moment the first sheet ss was made in Korea. When the sheet ss waspleted, a local official came in to check the final product. Very well done! Good work! Thank you! Ill grant a bonus of 20 silver coins! Upon hearing about the bonus, Pietro bowed deeply and responded. The Kingdom is in decline! At Pietros words, the internal official beside him blurted out. Its not decline, its manggeuk (greatly)! My apologies. Ah! Never mind. The official who was about to say something was interrupted by the local official as he looked at Pietro and Raphael. Youve sessfully made sheet ss. You can make vessels and bottles as well, right? Yes. You know how to add color too? Yes. And mirrors? At the question from the local official, Pietro looked at Raphael. Raphael, unlike his usual self, confidently answered. We can make it. Hearing Raphaels response, the local official grinned. Is that so? Then lets make everything. Its finally time to reap the benefits! Note 1) The Roots of ss. Kim Cheol-young. Ceramist. Vol. 11, No. 2. April 2008. Chapter 106 Chapter 106 Ever since, Raphael and Pietro had been extremely busy. The first task they undertook was training Joseon artisans for the mass production of sheet ss. Looking for artisans who can craft a new material called ss! Seeking applicants from among those who craft pottery, jars, tiles, and bricks! Craftsmen and artisans working in government kilns and private kilns, along with those who had been working with pottery, jars, and tiles, began to apply one by one in response to the announcement from the court. Hey! Weve finally got a livelihood, why are you quitting now? Their colleagues tried to dissuade those who had decided to change jobs. Their jobs had be stable as Sejong and Hyang started to value the artisans, lifting them from a previously despised status. However, those who left had their reasons. There are plenty of artisans doing the same work! To survive, we must learn new skills in a new ce! Its worth the challenge! They were individuals looking for new opportunities and willing to take risks. As these men came with a spirit of challenge, they spared no effort to learn, and naturally, Joseon artisans quickly acquired the new skills. As the artisans skills improved, mass production of sheet ss became possible. If mass production is possible, then execute it immediately! About the budget Ah, damn it! Just use the reserve funds! Whats there in life to lose? If worstes to worst, well just get scolded by the kingter. So what? Upon Hyangs decision, the mass production of sheet ssmenced. As sufficient funds were invested, sheet ss began to be produced inrge quantities. Immediately, Hyang reced the paper-covered doors at Donggungjeon with ss doors. The Crown Prince is recing the doors at Donggungjeon! Upon hearing the rumors, Sejong promptly visited the work site with his ministers. So this is the ss? Yes, Your Majesty. Its so clear. Its amazing that such a material can be made from sand and limestone. Sejong, marveling at the transparent ss, toured the doors that had already been installed. Just then, he noticed the ss sparkling in the sunlight and immediately gave an order. Rece the external doors of Geunjeongjeon and Gangnyeongjeon with ss doors as well. Upon Sejongs decision, Hyang immediately bowed his head. We will prepare and execute immediately, Your Majesty! Gotcha! The Geunjeongjeon and Gangnyeongjeon Halls were adorned with ss doors, and upon seeing this, Queen Consort Soheon and the royal concubines requested that their own residences also be installed with ss doors. Their requests were promptly approved, and before long, the pces in Hanyang started to be surrounded by ss doors. As ss began to be used extensively in the pces, rumors started to circte around Hanyang. *** Near Seosomun, at a poultry shop. Men who were standing to buy chickens were engaged in conversation. Hey, have you heard the rumor? Rumor? What rumor? They say that the King has reced the paper doors and windows of the pce with crystal. Crystal? That must have cost a fortune! Is this why our taxes are going up? Lifes already hard enough Picking up on the other mans concern about taxes, another man spoke. Its not actually crystal. Someone I know works at the workshop started by the Crown Prince, and they say its made by melting sand. Sand? You mean the sand thats lying all over by the Han River? Yes. Huh~. Wow, really? They make crystal out of sand? People around who heard the exnation couldnt hide their astonishment. Its fascinating, but for people like us, isnt it just pie in the sky? Those things wont be cheap, right? Only those high up in Bukchon will probably use it. As one person among those listening showed a skeptical reaction, the man exining added, Ah, you sir! Have you ever heard of products made famous by the Crown Prince being exclusively for the nobility? Has there ever been a product that only the nobility could use? At the mans words, everyone around looked surprised and nodded their heads. Huh? Thats really true? Really! I asked the gentleman next door, and he said even though its a bit expensive, if we save up, we could even install those windows. Really? Should we start saving too? While people were mumbling among themselves, the owner of the poultry shop yelled out angrily. Hey! Are you going to buy chickens or not? Stop blocking the entrance to someone elses shop with your nonsense! Ah! Give me one chicken! Ill take two! As themon people had pointed out, there were no restrictions, like user limits, on Hyangs first invention, Golden Pen. As a result, anyonewhether a noble or amoner, and even the low-bornmonerscould buy what they wanted as long as they had the money for it. This led to an unexpected consequence that Hyang had not anticipated: the instinctive sense of obedience that themon people had towards the Yangban was gradually waning. *** With the mass production of sheet ss being handed over to the artisans of Joseon, Hyang gave Pietro and Raphael another task. Can we make bottles out of ss? Yes. And we can also color the ss? Yes. But why? After confirming once again, Hyang gave an order to Pietro and Raphael. Make brown ss bottles. Lets have four sizes, with thergest holding roughly 1 mal (Korean volume unit). Can you do that? Why brown? Raphael inquired. For storing acids. We use a lot of acids in the research facilities, Area 51, and various other ces. Ah Upon hearing Hyangs words, both Raphael and Pietro nodded in understanding. While working with ss art, they often had to do etching work that required the use of acids. Therefore, they quickly understood the need. Brown ss bottles, manufactured as per Hyangs orders, were soon warmly weed by those who used acids. Having seen the positive reaction, Hyang reallocated the Joseon artisans to ramp up the mass production of these brown bottles. *** Hyangs exploitation continued. The increasingly frequent visits by Hyang were making Pietro and Raphael visibly uneasy. Can you make white ss this time? White ss? In response to Pietro and Raphaels question, Hyang rummaged through his sleeve and pulled out a piece of paper. Im thinking of amp. The white ss will be used for thempshade. Hmm Upon examining the design of themp, Pietros eyes lit up. Though both Raphael and Pietro had obtained the qualifications of a guild master, they had different strengths. Raphael, true to his diligent nature, excelled at straightforward, mass-produced items like sheet ss and ss tes. Pietro, on the other hand, had a ir for the mboyant and creative aspects. Aware of these characteristics, Hyang gleefully whistled to himself. Isnt this almost like a cheat code? As a result, Pietro was assigned the task of making themp. Teaming up with Go Yajang, Pietro demonstrated his craftsmanship. *** Upon receiving the finished product, Hyang highly praised Pietro and Yajang before presenting the first approved piece to King Sejong. Your Majesty loves reading and often works on state affairste into the night, straining your eyes. Thats why I created thismp, said Hyang. Thank you. King Sejong was deeply pleased as he turned on themp, thinking of Hyangs thoughtful gesture. Its truly bright! Because of the rarity of the material beeswax, candles were valuablemodities not only in Joseon but around the world. Therefore, in Joseon, oilmps were mainly used by everyone from the royal family tomoners. Lamps were adorned with bronze tes to serve as a reflector, but these bronze tes were rtively inefficient. However, thempshade made by Hyang was far more efficient than the bronze tes on the candleholders. Satisfied, King Sejong immediately ordered mass production for use in all government offices. Of course, there were side effects. Upon hearing this news, the spirits of the officials copsed. Damn it! Now we have to work at night too? Hyang then recruited new craftsmen to work in the ss workshop. As we look forward, well need more and more craftsmen! The current situation isnt sustainable! Thus, the ss workshop expanded, and Hyang purchasednd next to Area 51 to build arge ss workshop. * * * Meanwhile, Pietro coborated with Go Yajang and caused a stir. Eh? Whats that you have on your eyes? Ah, Your Majesty. Its Crown Prince! Corrected by chief eunuchs stern expression, Pietro rified in halting Korean. Crown Prince, this is to protect my eyes. To protect your eyes? My main job involves looking at mes in the furnace, which strains my eyes. So, I made these. Hmm Let me see. Upon examining Pietros creation, Hyang looked at Go Yajang. Do you also frequently work with fire? Yes, Your Highness. Thats why cksmiths like me suffer from poor vision as we age. Hmm As Hyang pondered, holding the object, Pietros face grew increasingly pale. If he keeps this up, hell certainly order mass production Momentster, Hyang gave it back andmanded, Start mass production. Dont mind the grumbling. Confused, Go Yajang looked at Hyang. Excuse me? Why are people so mean? Arent you guys also suffering from the re of the furnace? Upon hearing Hyangs words, Go Yajang bowed his head. It is truly gracious of you to care for lowly craftsmen like us! Touched to the point of tears, Go Yajang received a smiling reply from Hyang. Thats an overstatement Ah! Also, make two extra for yourself. Yes! Ill make them to the best of my ability! Thus, the worlds first sunsses were born. It was an interesting coincidence that the invention of sunsses in Hyangs past was simr to Hollywood actors using them to protect their eyes from strong stage lights. King Sejong, who received the sunsses, was satisfied once again. Though he was only just 30, his eyes had been strained for a long time and would ache even in moderate light. However, when he wore the sun-blocking sses, which Hyang presented, even a daytime walk wasfortable for his eyes. Highly satisfied, King Sejong gave anothermand to Hyang. Make a few more. Ill use some, and theyd make great gifts. Yes, Your Highness. Thus, with the king and crown prince adopting them, along with Sejongs favored ministers starting to receive them as gifts, sunsses became a leading fashion item. Not only in the capital, Hanyang, but all across Joseon, affluent and trendy people, regardless of gender, considered it a staple to wear these sunsses. This trend soon spread to Ming China and Japan as well. *** Artisans in Joseon who had learned how to make t ss diligently produced it. Among these hard-working artisans, one named Han Seok-gu was quite dissatisfied with the t ss he had produced. Cant I make it tter andrger? The cylinder method taught by Pietro and Raffaello was more efficient than other t ss-making techniques. However, there were limitations in size, and the issue of inconsistent thickness. To solve this problem, they used hot, molten steel, but it required muchbor and carried the risk of burns. Eventually, while struggling to find a suitable solution, Han Seok-gu found a new method of making t ss, inspired by the fact that water and oil dont mix. Water always remains level and smooth, no matter whats underneath it. The oil floating on top behaves in the same way. Han Seok-gu continued his line of thought. ss, when melted, is like water. No, we need something like oil to float the molten ss on. After arriving at a conclusion, Han Seok-gu found the optimal material. Mercury wont work. Iron makes the ss bubble Copper is the same What would be good? After trial and error, what Han Seok-gu found was tin. By gently pulling molten ss poured over arge frame containing molten tin with an iron rake, they could easily makerger sheets of t ss. Its truly splendid! Having received the report, Hyang greatly praised Han Seok-gu and hurried to make a request to King Sejong. About the patent, I get it. But how about giving him some equity? Yes, doing so will make the artisans more invested in their work and encourage new technological development. So, how much equity are you thinking? One percent. Reasonable, but will you grant equity for every new technology? No, we will only permit equity for technologies that can generate profits. After briefly contemting Hyangs exnation, King Sejong immediately granted permission. Thus, Han Seok-gu became the first Joseon person to acquire equity through his technology. Chapter 107 Chapter 107 It wasnt just sunsses. The bowls and dishes made using clear and colored ss were given as trial pieces to King Sejong and Queen Soheonand the royal consorts were presented with them through Queen Soheon. Having received these new items, King Sejong and Queen Soheon were greatly satisfied, and dishes made of ss began to be used extensively in the pce. As they started to be used en masse in the pce, the news quickly spread to the marketce. This meant that a substantial demand had emerged. Immediately produce them inrge quantities. Yes, Your Highness. Upon issuing themand for mass production, Hyang smirked and muttered to himself, This is what they call VIP marketing. *** ss began to flood the markets of Joseon and soon started to attract considerable attention in Ming and other foreign countries. An envoy from Ming, after seeing the pce in Joseon, reported to the Emperor, resulting in an order arriving from Ming to supply them with pane ss for the Forbidden City. Hyang personally took it upon himself to deal with the envoy from Ming. Pane ss for the Forbidden Cityfor the entire Forbidden City? The entire thing, yes. Well supply it. But can Mings finances handle it? What do you mean, Your Highness the Crown Prince? Upon the envoys question, Hyang borated, If we look at past conventions, whenever Joseon supplied something, His Majesty the Emperor would return gifts many times over. Thats correct. But this pane ss is a precious item that takes 8 silver coins to make just one piece. If you n to use ss for all the buildings in the Forbidden City, can you imagine the quantity required? Then, wouldnt you need a corresponding amount of wealth for the return gifts? Ah After doing some quick calctions based on Hyangs words, the envoy started to sweat profusely. He was reminded of internal debates within the Forbidden City. Due to excessive expeditions initiated by the Ming Emperor, Mings finances were in serious trouble. The current Emperor was desperately trying to patch up the hole. Therefore, when the suggestion to import ss from Joseon arose, there was a significant amount of opposition. The rationale behind the opposition was simr to what the Crown Prince of Joseon had just stated. Maybe we should request Joseon to send artisans instead Are you suggesting that we dere war on Joseon right now? Have you forgotten what happened to the Jurchens tribes in Liaodong not long ago? Have you forgotten why our past emperors have always warned us to be cautious with Joseon? Even though Joseon was a tributary state, Ming was always on alert. In a situation where caution was exercised against Joseon, the recently ascended Emperor Zhu Zhanji was looking to avoid unnecessary conflicts in order to restore the countrys finances. Ultimately, the conclusion reached after a fierce debate was as follows: Even if Joseon, a tributary state, is using ss for pce decorations, we, the superior state, cannot stand idly by. However, His Majesty is frugal, so we should negotiate to only request the materials to decorate the Taihedian Hall in the Forbidden City, while keeping reciprocation to a minimum. However, the envoy assigned with the task had, due to his sense of justice, asked for enough material to cover the entire Forbidden City, and was now being counterattacked by Hyang. Sweating profusely, the envoy listened as Hyang spoke: And considering our production capabilities in Joseon, it would take at least five years to provide enough material to cover the entire Forbidden City. Of course, if we encounter storms or attacks from the Jurchens tribes, it will take even longer. What do you suggest? To Hyangs question, the envoy immediately offered apromise. We can start with just the material for the Taihedian! Wouldnt that put you at a disadvantage? If its for the friendship between the two nations, what does my personal safety matter? However, we will minimize the reciprocation. Hmm Pretending to ponder over the envoys words, Hyang threw him a bone. For the sake of friendship between the two countries, we in Joseon should also make a concession. Well provide ss for the Taihedian, the Zhonghedian, and the Wenhedian. In return, well only ask for the cost of the ss for these three halls. How does that sound? Really? I am truly grateful! Hearing Hyangs words, the Ming envoy bowed deeply to express his gratitude. At that, Hyang threw in a curveball. However, there is one condition. From now on, we wont be sending any pce women or eunuchs. Ah The envoys face turned awkward at Hyangs proposition. After quickly weighing the pros and cons, he responded. The issue of sending pce women is beyond my authority and will require consultation. Ill return immediately to seek His Majestys advice. I assure you, well find a mutually beneficial solution, so please uphold your current offer! Very well. After reaching a tentative agreement with the envoy, Hyang immediately went to inform King Sejong about the oue. So, we will be providing ss to cover the exteriors of the three halls in the Forbidden City, receiving a reciprocation calcted at 8 liang of silver per hall, and we have proposed to stop sending pce women and eunuchs. Hearing Hyangs exnation, King Sejong and his ministers nodded their heads in approval. Good job. Following Sejongs praise, the ministers alsoplimented Hyang. Youve done well. Indeed, you have worked hard. Among them, Left State Councilor Lee Jik pointed out an issue. But, as far as I know, 1 nyang of silver is enough to make a single sheet of t ss, isnt it? At Lee Jiks question, Hyang chuckled. The hearts of Sejong and his ministers sank upon seeing Hyangs expression. Every time Sejong made such an expression, things that exceeded their imaginationwhat Sejong would call a sucker punch in broad daylightoften urred. The most recent instance was a major incident where half of Insoonbus storehouse was emptied while mass-producing t ss. Fearing that those ignorant of the utility and value of t ss would interfere with budget execution, Sejong had even considered imprisoning Hyang in the record office. Initially, that was the case. But now, 4 jeon of silver will suffice. How so? Do you remember the work of Han Seok-gu? Did his innovation reduce the cost that much? At Sejongs question, Hyang nodded. Yes, thats why we gave him equity. *** Han Seok-gu getting equity became a hot topic among the artisans. While working on-site, the artisans could anticipate that ss would rake in a lot of money. Hence, Han Seok-gu became the object of the artisans envy. If youre envious, then think up something yourself! Yes! The artisans were fired up by Hyangs words. Not just the ss workshop, but everyone in the Area 51 and the research institute was inmed with a sense of challenge. *** Hyang was immediately questioned by the Left State Councilor. So, if the outer walls of halls are covered in ss, a substantial amount of money will be saved, right? Yes. As soon as Hyang answered, Sejong interjected. But the even better point is, we wouldnt have to send pce maids and eunuchs. Of course, its still a possibility. At Sejongs point, Hyang answered firmly. We must make it a reality. Sending pce maids and eunuchs to Ming Dynasty was an act that turned numerous families into seas of tears. If they seeded in this endeavor, public support would rise even more, and Sejongs political standing would strengthen. Hyang suggested to Sejong. Therefore, when the envoy leaves, we should also send one to secure a solidmitment. Of course, we should secure themitment. As Sejong nodded, Hyang rxed and smiled. In that case, I shall go. This child! *** Sejong raised his voice in anger, but Hyang calmly exined the reason. If the envoy is to go, negotiations with the Emperor must be conducted. Therefore, a certain level of status is required. Negotiate with the Emperor? Think about it. We havent yet received a definitive answer regarding thest military expedition in the Tumen River area. Even though the Chief State Councilor himself went as the envoy. Hmm Upon hearing Hyangs point, Sejong groaned. Just as Hyang mentioned, even though the Chief State Councilor went as the envoy, they returned empty-handed. As a result, the ongoing Tumen River development was unterally carried out by Joseon. Poking at Sejongs sore spot, Hyang continued to borate on the reason why he had to go. Furthermore, this time there are significant expenses linked to the ss issue, as well as the issue of the tribute women. Even if its the Emperor of Ming, I will attempt to negotiate, and I will put forward the envoys status to gain an upper hand in those negotiations. Therefore, I must go. Please allow me! Allow me to go! The reasoning makes sense, but it isnt absolutely necessary for the Crown Prince to go. Sejong refused, but Hyang brought up yet another reason why he had to go. Currently, our Joseon is trading significantly with both Ming and Japan. To continue this trade freely and securely in the future, we need to get the Emperor on our side. Get the Emperor on our side? No, before that, are you suggesting that there will be issues in the trade? Indeed. And the reason? Nobody likes it when their own assets are taken by others. Ah Sejong involuntarily nodded at Hyangs words. *** Trade with Ming was rapidly increasing. However, the majority of this trade was incredibly favorable to Joseon. Certainly, they were buyingrge quantities of grain for emergency supplies, and bulk amounts of sugar for resale. But when looking at the absolute numbers, the expenditures were minisculepared to the ie. Therefore, information had started toe in through the merchants that there had been some unfavorable talk in Ming recently. *** So you want to win the Emperor over to our side? How? I propose a joint venture. A joint venture? Yes. Hyang borated more to Sejong. C The Joseon court and the Emperor of Ming will form a joint tradingpany. C Products manufactured in the royal workshops of Joseon will be purchased by this jointpany and sold to merchants in Ming. C The revenue acquired from these sales will be distributed at a certain ratio between Joseon and the Emperor of Ming. The reason its limited to royal workshops is that most of the products reaping the most benefits in our current trade are made there. Thats true. Indeed. In response to Hyangs words, Sejong and the ministers nodded their heads. Gauging their reactions, Hyang continued. Not long from now, our ss products will enter the market. Given the current circumstances between our Joseon, Ming, the Jurchens, and Japan, the ss products produced by the royal workshop will have a perfect monopoly. Anyone can foresee that conflicts will arise. I see. So, although it may seem like a loss at the moment, preventing conflict could actually be more beneficial. I understand that. But for the Crown Prince to go in person To negotiate with the Emperor of Ming, it is necessary to meet as equals. Why only the Emperor of Ming Ah! Suddenly letting out an exmation, Sejong red at Hyang. Youre a frightening individual. At Sejongs words, Hyang offered a polite smile. As expected from King Sejong! He caught on immediately! The atmosphere was gradually tilting in Hyangs favor. However, I must say, establishing a joint venture solely for the purpose of securing safe trade and avoiding Mings pressure seems a bit underwhelming. Isnt there a way to further secure our benefits? In response to Sejongs question, Hyang immediately answered. One important thing was omitted from the exnation; its about preserving the value of the royal emblem. Ah, thats it! At Hyangs words, Sejong pped his knee in agreement. The slight sense of somethingcking just moments ago now feltplete with Hyangs statement. The merchants of Ming are notorious for making counterfeit goods! Right now, were the only ones making ss products, but once they learn its profitable, Ming merchants will likely hire ss artisans from the West to produce simr items. And then, to easily reap profits, theyll probably manufacture counterfeits with fake royal emblems! Realizing the value of the pear flower pattern, which is stamped on quality-approved products, Sejong made a decision. [TL/N: The emblem or I guess product brands stamped on Joseon goods is probably like this ] Very well! Let the Crown Prince go and return! Chapter 108 Chapter 108 The next day, when Sejong announced at the royal council meeting that Hyang would be sent to Ming, all the ministers, excluding the senior officials, vehemently opposed the idea. Crown Prince, exin yourself. Yes, Father. At Sejongsmand, Hyang repeated the exnation he had given to Sejong and the senior officials the day before. Therefore, it is necessary for me, the Crown Prince, to go to Ming. Even so, to send the foundational pir of our nation recklessly to another country is The newly appointed Minister of Law and Punishments showed his displeasure, prompting Sejong to re at him. Then who should confront the Emperor? Would you, Your Excellency, go? Faced with Sejongs question, the Minister of Law and Punishments closed his mouth. How could a mere minister from a tributary state face off against the supreme ruler of a sovereign nation? The overwhelming difference in status was evident. Moreover, if anything went wrong, the Minister would surely have to bear all the responsibilities. In the end, the Minister of Law and Punishments had no choice but to keep his mouth shut. Seeing this, Sejong clicked his tongue. Tsk! You might as well have said something. Your Majesty. Tsk! Sejong clicked his tongue again, causing the Minister of Law and Punishments to tightly shut his eyes. So this is why the other high-ranking officials hate the sound of a tongue click. I get it now! Sejongs constant reproach made the Secretaries and ministers detest the sound of tongue-clicking intensely. However, it had also be routine for them to click their tongues when pointing out the faults of their subordinates. Alright, since there seems to be no opposition to appointing the Crown Prince as the emissary for this mission, let us proceed. We heed Your Majestysmand. Crown Prince, go back and attend to your duties. We heed Your Majestysmand. As the Crown Prince left the chamber, Sejong looked around at the ministers with a proud face. Having such a talented child is indeed a great blessing, dont you think? Indeed, Your Majesty! The Crown Prince is so exceptional; this is truly a fortune for Joseon. Absolutely! It is indeed the fortune of Joseon! The ministers eagerly echoed Sejongs words. The official who recorded all of this added the following note: C All the ministers at the royal court praised the Crown Princes excellence. The official opines: Recently, it is said that in the homes of officials ranking higher than Councilors, the cries of children are incessant. Moreover, the number of people entering officialdom through merit-based exams is also decreasing. No further words will be said. *** As the officer said, the noblemans house was filled with incessant scolding from adults and the cries of children. His Highness the Crown Prince has already umted such achievements, what are you doing?! I-I apologize! I will strive harder Quiet! Kneel! Children of the same age as Hyang, or even younger, were constantlypared in terms of academic achievements and scolded every day. The situation was no better for their adult offspring. You fool! Why does the evaluation written in the Royal Service Corps look like this! You are disgracing your fathers face! I apologize! If yourefortable in your official robe because of nepotism, you should be working even harder! What were you doing to get such an evaluation? I apologize! Starting tomorrow, report to work earlier and leaveter than anyone else! If I catch you frequenting brothels? Ill report you and have you jailed in the Records Office! Father, please, not that! Those who obtained their posts easily through nepotism, carrying the reputation of their father and lineage on their backs, were going through hard times. Those who had passed the state exams in the past and climbed thedder by following the proper protocol looked down on those who entered through nepotism. The increasingly harsh work environment made life even more difficult for those who had parachuted into their jobs. The most critical issue was the recent incident involving the sons of Hwang Hui. After receiving reports that Hwang Huis sons had easily climbed to key positions through nepotism, King Sejong issued an order: Reevaluate the job performance of those who have been appointed through nepotism! Not many received good evaluations in the new assessment process, which involved both the Censorate and the Office of Special Advisors. Because these evaluations would also adversely affect their fathers and lineages, chaos ensued. Ultimately, as the new system stabilized, even the children of power-holders started entering official positions through the formal route of passing the state examinations rather than nepotism. It was considered safer to climb thedder step-by-step from the bottom rather than enter a middle-management position through nepotism and receive a below-average evaluation. *** After finalizing the personnel in the mission, Hyang boarded a ship with diplomats from Ming and departed from Jemulpo. Standing at the bow of the ship, Hyang talked to the Ming diplomat. Is the public order in Liaodong really that bad? The Ming diplomat nodded at Hyangs question. Yes, the Jurchens in the areas near Geonju and Haeseo have been growing increasingly ferocious recently. Some tribes from Haeseo and Geonju, who had long been under Ming influence and had shifted from a nomadic to a sedentary lifestyle, were living fairly well. However, other tribes were increasingly facing hardship. The biggest reason for this change was Joseons intervention in Shandong. Once an official office was established in Shandong and merchants began to travel through maritime routes, the wheat trade that had been ongoing in the Liaodong area disappeared. This was a matter of survival for the Jurchen tribes in the area. It was because the money earned by either raiding the wheat trade convoys or escorting them was significant. Moreover, the economic hardship worsened as traders from the Ming moved to the horse markets established to avoid conflicts with the Northern Yuan. Ultimately, the Jurchen tribes, pushed to the edge, attacked other tribes or raided Ming viges. Some even crossed the Yalu River to raid border viges in Joseon. However, the Jurchen tribes that attacked either Ming or Joseon faced greater losses. Both Ming and Joseon mobilized their armies and set out to suppress them. In particr, Joseon conducted retaliatory operations that wiped out not only the responsible tribe but also nearby tribes. As a result, the sight of Jurchen tribes crossing the Yalu River was no longer seen. What remained for the Jurchen tribes was infighting amongst themselves. Thus, the atmosphere in the Liaodong area became extremely tense. *** What are your ns for resolving the situation in Liaodong? Hyang asked. With a slight smile, the diplomat lowered his head. What could a minor official like me know? The Emperors continued attention will surely provide a good solution soon. What does the Crown Prince think? In response to the diplomats question, Hyang wore a simr expression and answered, How could I, who am just learning statecraft, make a judgment? I simply hope that great cmity does not befall Joseon. But seeing that you are on this diplomatic mission, arent you trusted? Upon the diplomats casual probe, Hyangughed and answered, Hahaha! Im just a frog that has just escaped the well, eager to grasp the breadth of rivers and oceans! The rumors suggest otherwise. Rumors are just rumors. *** The envoy that had offered incense and made offerings to the gods briefly stopped in Shandong to rest and resupply before sending a messenger to Beijing. After resting for three days in Shandong, the envoy set sail for Tianjin. When the envoy arrived in Tianjin, a group of officials were waiting to greet them. Wee, on behalf of the Crown Prince of Joseon! Receiving formal courtesy from the waiting officials, Hyang respectfully returned the gesture. Thank you for such a warm wee. Apanied by the officials and military escort, Hyang headed for Beijing. * * * Upon entering the Forbidden City in Beijing, Hyang was immediately greeted by Emperor Zhu Zhanji. Wee, the Crown Prince of Joseon. Its truly an honor to meet Your Majesty, the Emperor. Long live the Emperor! Long live, long live, long, long live! Ha ha ha. Receiving cheers of long live from the Crown Prince of Joseon truly lifts my spirits. Lets have a drink first and then talk. Your Majestys consideration is much appreciated. Three dayster, Hyang formally entered the official event. So, I have heard from the envoy who went to Joseon. Youll cover the outer three ces with ss? Yes, Your Majesty. And youll only charge for the cost of the ss in return? Thats correct. Upon hearing Hyangs response, Emperor Zhu Zhanji burst into heartyughter, pounding his armrest. Ha ha ha! Excellent! Ive heard that ss is a truly beautiful material. But I was wary of wasting state funds on its beauty, and here you are, Joseon, with such a generous offer! Seeing Emperor Zhu Zhanjis positive reaction, Hyang cautiously advanced the matter. Maintaining good neighborly rtions with Your Majestys nation is the desire of our Joseon. Bring in what weve prepared. At Hyangsmand, Joseon officials who had been waiting brought inrge and small boxes covered with silk cloth. What is this? Merely some trivial things made of ss. As Hyang spoke, he lifted the silk cover. Ooh! Oooh! Seeing the exposed objects, not only Emperor Zhu Zhanji but also the surrounding bureaucrats and eunuchs couldnt help but exim in admiration. It was a beautiful table held up by four ss dragons. Truly beautiful. Unconsciously, Emperor Zhu Zhanji murmured. Although he usually emphasized frugality, he could only admire the beauty that the ss possessed. Next, Hyang opened the other boxes. Upon seeing the ss objects wrapped in sawdust, Emperor Zhu Zhanji praised Hyang. Since ancient times, Haedong (Korean Penins) has been famous for creating beautiful objects. Seeing these ss items, I realize that the reputation is not unfounded. Your praise is too generous. Its not excessive. As the attendants cleared away the tribute items, Emperor Zhu Zhanji moved on to the main point. Once again, ording to what the envoy said, you will rece all the outer gates at the three outposts with ss and ept only the price of ss aspensation. Is this correct? Yes, Your Majesty. In return, you said you would cease sending pce maidens and eunuchs. Is that correct too? Yes, Your Majesty! Sending pce maidens and eunuchs causes many parents in Joseon to shed tears andment. Is this not a tragic matter? Indeed. Upon hearing Hyangs words, Emperor Zhu Zhanji nodded his head. The custom of sending pce maidens was initiated by the Yuan Dynasty. His previous predecessors were the one who continued this practice. Theres no reason for our illustrious nation to continue a custom performed by barbarians like the Yuan. However Calcting back and forth, Emperor Zhu Zhanji began to negotiate. If you also cover my inner pce with ss, I will ept your proposal. However, the cost will be 6 silver tael per yard for both external and internal projects. Your Majesty! It takes 8 silver tael per yard just to produce the ss! Taking into ount potential damages during transportation, 6 tael would be unreasonable! Hyang vehemently refused, but Emperor Zhu Zhanji was not willing to relent. Is the king of Joseon reluctant to spend money to stop his peoples tears? Faced with Emperor Zhu Zhanjis question, Hyang bit his lips. At this, Emperor Zhu Zhanji gave a small smile. Well, what will you do? Your fathers honor is at stake! After much deliberation, Hyang looked at Emperor Zhu Zhanji. I propose 7 silver tael per yard, and I would like to make an additional suggestion to Your Majesty. A suggestion? Speak. As youve just seen, our Joseon makes various artifacts with ss. We are nning to sell these ss artifacts to the Ming Dynasty soon. Is that so? Joseon will make a lot of wealth. Is there a problem with that? Therefore, I would like to propose a partnership to Your Majesty. A partnership? With me? Why? Upon hearing Emperor Zhu Zhanjis questions, Hyang began to exin the joint venture. Hmm Ive heard your exnation well. But why me? The owner of the royal ss workshop that produces this ss is my father. Although we are a vassal state, you are the ruler of a country, so the most suitable business partner would be none other than you, Your Majesty. Hmm Emperor Zhu Zhanji began tapping the armrest of his chair with his fingers, pondering. Chapter 109 Chapter 109 Due to frequent expeditions led by his grandfather, Emperor Yongle, the finances of the Ming Dynasty were in tatters. For this reason, Emperor Zhu Zhanji constantly preached frugality. It wasnt just lip service; he genuinely led a very austere lifestyle. However, Zhu Zhanji was only human. I am the Emperor, after all! Sometimes, he would grow weary of frugality andment in solitude. Of course, as the emperor, he could indulge in luxuries that no one else could afford, but that woulde at the cost of facing the scrutiny of his advisors. Your Majesty! The financial situation is dire! Please abstain from luxuries! I understand. Its my mistake. It was inevitable that such a confrontation would ur, and losing his temper to execute someone would only create more headachester. In such a situation, was there moneying in just for the emperor? Zhu Zhanjis mouth watered. Those ssware products will definitely sell well. That means huge profits. And those profits are mine to keep? That sounds fine. Joseon will handle the manufacturing, and Ill manage the trading Wait a minute? Zhu Zhanji, who was calcting the benefits, asked Hyang a question. Whats the profit-sharing ratio? Hes taken the bait. But considering what just happened, I shouldnt be greedy! y it cool! Hyang, assessing the situation, started with a reasonable ratio. Its 7 to 3. Joseon takes 7, Your Majesty takes 3. No sooner had the words left Hyangs mouth than Zhu Zhanji proposed a counteroffer. 8 to 2. I take 8. This guy doesnt know the first thing about negotiation! Hyang presented a logical reason for not epting the emperors terms. Considering production and shipping costs, that would be too difficult. 65% for Joseon, 35% for you. Zhu Zhanji quickly ran the numbers in his head. If its about shipping, were not to be trifled with either! As for shipping Youre aware of how vast the territory of Ming is, arent you? But I understand the situation in Joseon as well, so 7 to 3. I take 7. What? Will you deliver it yourself? Are you a fool? Hyang pointed out an aspect Zhu Zhanji had not considered. Does the joint venture need to handle shipping? The purchasing parties cane to Shandong themselves. Therefore, this ratio is optimal. At Hyangs words, Zhu Zhanji closed his mouth. Hes not wrong Ive been outmaneuvered. What can I use to negotiate further? Ah! Offer the ss for the three external pces and the three inner courts at a price of 7 silver coins. Also, guarantee that we wont take eunuchs and pce maidens. And since Joseons interests also need to be protected, lets make it 6 to 4. I take 6. No sooner had Zhu Zhanji finished speaking than Hyangunched his counterattack. Even if its seven hundred thousand taels of silver, a deficit is still a deficit. Plus, adding three outside provinces and three rear pces wont bring any more benefits to our treasury. Therefore, if you officially confirm the issue with the princess and the empress dowager in a document, Ill agree to a 6 to 4 split. 6 for Joseon. Emperor Zhu Zhanji subtly exerted pressure on Hyang, who seemed to retreat but was actually looking out for his own interests. Have you forgotten that I am the Sovereign Emperor? How dare a vassal state make such a brazen proposal? Huh? Hyang, however, firmly pushed back. Trade is based on mutual benefit. Especially, you are the emperor of the Grand Empire. As you said, our Joseon is a loyal vassal. However, we are not mere subjects. Making an unfair proposal is not mutual benefit. Ugh Emperor Zhu Zhanji felt a headacheing on at Hyangs words. Damn it! Im losing on moral grounds. At that moment, a courtier who had been listening to the conversation between the emperor and Hyang interjected. Your Majesty! Its inappropriate for you to personally discuss this matter. Let the ministers handle it Enough! How dare you interrupt when the Crown Prince of Joseon and I are in discussion! Do you think youre worthy? Emperor Zhu Zhanjis rebuke made the courtier immediately kneel and bow his head. Discussing matters of financial interests in court demeans Your Majesty! I implore you to reconsider! Ha! Youre concerned about my dignity and you think you can handle things? Why dont you show that concern by actuallypleting the tasks that are still sitting on your desks! Take that insolent man and lock him in prison! By Yourmand! The imperial guards dragged the audacious courtier out of the hall. Your Majesty! I beg for your mercy! Your Majesty! The hall fell into a cold silence after the uproar. Courtiers, who had never seen Emperor Zhu Zhanji behave like this, stood paralyzed, their faces turning pale. I just touched the dragons scales. I should keep my mouth shut no matter what happens. Emperor Zhu Zhanji, who had effectively silenced the courtiers, turned to Hyang. Fine! Ill give in to one more of Joseons requests. But the ratio will be 55 to 45. I get 55. At Emperor Zhu Zhanjis final offer, Hyang began to bring up something he had long considered. We have served as your vassals and offered tributes ording to propriety. However, the record of our royal lineage has been erroneously documented and has not been corrected. Please rectify this! Upon hearing this, Emperor Zhu Zhanji showed a slightly awkward expression, as if such a matter had never urred to him before. *** sses were exchanged, pushed, and pulled, but it was inevitable to feel sorry for Joseons Crown Prince who would possess great wealth in the future. Another thing, our Joseon has unified the Tumen River region. This is a restoration of the ce of origin by our founding father. If you can confirm these two things in writing, we will ept themand bestowed by Your Majesty! At Hyangs words, Zhu Zhanji called the internal secretary and asked for the facts. Rectification by Emperor Yongle has been promised, but not yet carried out., Previously, an envoy from Joseon had advised, but His Majesty has not given a clear answer yet., reports like these were received, and Zhu Zhanji nodded his head. Heh, if the genealogy of our ancestors is incorrect, its our duty as descendants to correct it. Fine, I will correct the family lineage. I will also confirm it in writing. Same goes for the Tumen River basin. Is that okay? At Zhu Zhanjis question, Hyang immediately bowed deeply. Your Majesty is infinitely wise! * * * Thus, the diplomatic mission was sessfully concluded. While setting the terms, Hyang requested strict control over those who fake Pear Blossom trademark as an additional condition, and Zhu Zhanji readily epted. It was something Hyang also had to protect for his own benefit. On the ship returning to Joseon, an apanying officer asked Hyang with a worried voice, Anyway didnt you give too much advantage to the Ming Emperor? It could be an issue in the court. At the officers concern, Hyang chuckled and replied. Do you really think so? Huh? Hyang looked at the water without further exnation. Ive given the emperor a poison now. If the current or future emperor is benevolent, it will be spent for the good of the country. But if its a tyrant, it would immediately be a lethal poison. The pleasure derived from spending money is as intense as drugs. Staring nkly at the water, Hyang suddenly sighed. Speaking of which, a marriage proposal * * * Having received the official document containing the solution to the problem of family lineage and the princess, they finally concluded a contract regarding the terms. A slight rupture had urred during the contract writing process; it was regarding the distribution of profits. -The currently agreed upon distribution rate will be maintained, and if a request for modification arises, the contract will be nullified immediately. This is a bit tricky, pointed out Zhu Zhanji. Hyang immediately replied, A contract is about trust. How can we continue the contract if one party cannot curb their greed and breaches that trust? Do you not trust me, the Crown Prince of Joseon? Zhu Zhanjis expression turned fierce, but Hyang calmly responded. Would Your Majesty think that I harbor such irreverent thoughts? This is merely a warning for future generations. A warning for future generations Chewing over Hyangs words, Zhu Zhanji nodded. Thats fine. Whoever takes my ce would find this useful for testing. Having made his decision, Emperor Zhu Zhanji smiled at Hyang. But since its a double-edged sword, arent you worried that it might be used against Joseon? Well have to educate them properly. Smiling in reply, Hyang muttered under her breath. Looking at history, the odds are much higher on their end, arent they? Thus, the contract was drawn up, and both parties C except for Ok-sae, who was absent C took photos and exchanged contracts. Once everything was concluded, Emperor Zhu Zhanji turned to Hyang and asked a question. By the way, have you married? Not yet, but Im nning to marry soon. I have some eligibledies in mind Hearing Emperor Zhu Zhanjis words, Hyang broke out in a cold sweat. As soon as I resolve the issues at hand, Ill arrange the ceremony. But divorcing now would damage the royal familys reputation. Although I dont know how to repay your grace, I believe in keeping my promises. Thats true. Emperor Zhu Zhanji immediately agreed and withdrew, since the question was a spur-of-the-moment one. *** Thinking back to the crisis, Hyang lost his appetite. If it was a Taiwanese member from a 21st-century girl group, I might have considered it Whether fortunately or unfortunately, the beauty of the pcedies he had seen while staying in the capital did not appeal to him. Do I have to ask Father to lower the standards? Hyang seriously pondered changing the criteria he had set. *** Upon returning to Joseon, Hyang immediately went to a war council and reported on the negotiations. Especially upon hearing that the diplomatic issues Joseon had long wished to resolve were settled, not just King Sejong, but even the ministers couldnt hide their joy. Marvelous! Absolutely marvelous! The Crown Prince has solved our royal familys long-standing issues! Truly a happy asion! Let us extend our deepest congrattions! Let us extend our deepest congrattions! Unable to contain his joy, King Sejongmanded his Minister of Law and Punishments: Immediately pardon those among the prisoners throughout the country whose crimes are minor! Your order shall be obeyed! The atmosphere inside the war room was more than just harmonious; not only had the royal familys long-standing wish been granted, but even the political obstacles to the development of the Dumangang region had been simultaneously removed. However, the harmonious atmosphere ended there. What awaited next was a heated debate. The spark that ignited the debate urred when the crown prince was speaking with Sundeok and used the term vassal state at one point. The first to attack was the Chief State Councilor. While the results Your Highness has achieved are indeed significant, there is a problem. Why did you refer to us as a vassal state? Although Joseon pays tribute, we are not a vassal state. The Minister of Rites retorted: Isnt paying tribute and being a vassal state the same thing? Were both calling ourselves subjectsand offering tribute! They are distinctly different terms! The Chief State Councilor, loudly objecting, turned to King Sejong. If Your Highness had instead said we were a suzerain state, it would not have been a big issue! Before he could finish, Hwang Hui rebutted: Suzerain state? Are you saying that Joseon is a piece of the Central ins? What kind of sophistry is this! Why was the term suzerain even created in the first ce? It was created after King Wu of Zhou destroyed the Shang dynasty and divided up its territory! If were discussing it that way, then what does it mean for Joseon to be a suzerain state? Are you saying that Joseons borders should be part of Ming territory? For a good while afterward, the ministers continued to argue intensely, citing various historical instances. Enough! Stop! King Sejongs shout brought the ministers heated debate to a halt. Sejong looked at the crown prince and posed a question. Tell me, did you ever actually say we were a vassal state? Father. How could I not understand the gravity of the term vassal state? However, smooth words must be apanied by a good demeanor. Just as Han Xin crawled between the legs of thugs, what cant be done for the sake of fulfilling our grand n? I mentioned the principle of serving the strong while biding ones time. In the future, we will definitely repay this. So, was the grand n sessful? Yes. Hyang briefly replied and handed the contract to Sejong through a courier. Sejong picked up the contract and carefully checked its contents. Hmm The profit sharing is 45% to 55%, huh? We get 45% so the other party is an emperor? Yes, its the emperor. Well done. You did it right. Please also look at the terms regarding contract termination. Termination, you say Reading the relevant uses in the contract by running his fingers through the lines, Sejong smiled. You really did it right! Excellent! Marvelous! Thank you, Your Majesty. All thanks to the trust bestowed upon me by Father. The ministers who were listening to the conversation between the father and son wore expressions of iprehension. What does he mean by well done? Were a vassal state, scraping and toiling just to survive. And now were going into business with them, and they get to take more of the profit? Seeing the ministers expressions, Sejong extended the contract to Chief Eunuch. Let the ministers read it as well. Yes, Your Majesty. Having received the contract from Sejong, the Chief Eunuch handed it over to the Chief State Councillor. Chapter 110 Chapter 110 After reading the contract in its entirety, the ministers looked even more puzzled. Tightening the control over the Pear Blossom trademark is a good move, but this alone Sejong carefully examined the facial expressions of the ministers. Left State Councilor and Right State Councilor Maeng Saseong, as well as Minister of Taxation Kim Jeom, looked like they almost grasped something but couldnt quite make sense of it. The other ministers still had puzzled expressions on their faces. In that situation, only one personHwang Hui, who had returned to Hanyang for the quarterly reporthad an expression that indicated understanding. Do you understand, Ministers? I understand. Then, what is your assessment? At first nce, it appears to be a loss, but the more you look into it, the less damage there is to our Joseon. Exactly right. Sejong briefly replied and red at the ministers. I am deeply disappointed in you all today. Can I really entrust the fate of Joseon to you? Please take our lives! At Sejongs reprimand, all the ministers bowed their heads and shouted. From now on, do not only examine the surface of all matters, but also scrutinize the inner part meticulously. We will keep it in mind! And listen, Minister Hwang Hui. As you can see, there is no one in the court who understands matters as you do. Keep your eyes on the affairs at Tumen River until they are resolved. I look forward to your return. At Sejongs words, Hwang Hui deeply bowed and responded. Your Grace is boundless! * * * As soon as the meeting was over, Hwang Hui was immediately taken to the Office of the Royal Secretariat. What exactly do you mean by saying that His Majesty and the Crown Prince are on the right track? Hwang Hui retorted to Lee Jiks question. Do you really not know? Your Excellency? It seems rted to the Ming royal family, but I cant really Thats As Hwang Hui was baffled, the other Six Ministries officials eximed in unison. Then exin it! Pressured by the Six Ministries officials, Hwang Hui exined what Sejong and Hyang aimed for: C Even though Mings financial scale isrge, the amount they expend is also significant. Hence, the amount that the Ming Emperor will directly receive from this partnership is not insignificant for him. To protect this gain, the Ming Emperor will take various measures, which will benefit Joseon immensely. C First and foremost, by cracking down on counterfeit items marked with the Pear Blossom trademark, people in Ming will naturallye to perceive products with the Pear Blossom trademark as expensive and precious. As a result, products with the Pear Blossom trademark will be treated as superior in quality,pared to those from other countries. I understand that much, but I still cantprehend why His Majesty and the Crown Prince are pleased. It feels like theres something more that I cant quite grasp. Hoo~. Upon hearing Maeng Sa-seongs words, Hwang Hui let out a soft sigh and briefly responded. It may not be in the short term, but in the long run, the Crown Prince has effectively poisoned Ming. Poisoned? Poison? Startled by Hwang Huis words, Maeng Sa-seong was shocked. My God! Who could think of such a thing the Crown Prince! To harbor such malice at that age! What on earth are you talking about! Dont just make cryptic statements. Exin! Under pressure from the other ministers, Maeng Sa-seong opened his mouth after looking at Hwang Hui. See if my thoughts align with yours. Go ahead. So Maeng Sa-seong began to borate on what he was thinking. C The wealth thates in through tributes is passive ie for the Emperor. C If the Emperor is wise, hell use a reasonable amount for enjoying luxuries, but if not, hell be addicted tovishness and seek even more of it. C If one tries to adjust the profit-sharing ratio in this situation, the partnership will be broken ording to the contract, and the Emperor, whos already addicted to luxuries, will tamper with the finances to maintain his lifestyle. C Ultimately, due to such extravagant tendencies, Mings finances will falter and internal distress will ur. Thats why I said its poison. Hwang Hui nodded at Maeng Sa-seongs exnation. I had the same thoughts. The Minister of Rites, who was listening to Hwang Hui and Maeng Sa-seong, raised an objection. Isnt that too optimistic? Lets say the partnership breaks because of this. Do you think Mings Emperor will just watch as our Joseon trades independently? Thats why Im saying, look at it in the long term. Eh? The ministers showed faces of confusion at Hwang Huis words. Just when Hwang Hui was about to speak, Minister of Taxation interjected. We dont necessarily have to go to China to sell goods. Consider when the current construction is finished. If things go as nned, we can build a trade port in our Joseon. Then, merchant ships from all over the world, including those from Ming, will gather there. In that case, theres no need for us to go all the way to Ming. Aha! I see! And in such a scenario, goods from our Joseon will be even more valuable in Ming. The ministers nodded at the Minister of Taxations words. At that moment, Maeng Sa-seong looked at Hwang Hui and said, Of course, this will bring about more issues in the North. Ugh. Hwang Hui felt overwhelmed by the thought of increasing responsibilities. *** Meanwhile, at the Gangnyeongjeon Hall, Sejong and Hyang were having a discussion over tea. Indeed, youve done well. Youve endured hardship and sessfully carried out the n. I dont need to see it to know your efforts. I dont know how to respond to such excessive praise. You modest fellow. Sejong gave a slight smile at Hyangs humility. However, that smile quickly faded, and his face was filled with concern. But what concerns me is the constant mention of being a tributary and a vassal state. Hyang replied indifferently, Its a fight for justification. Weve requested and the Ming Emperor has acknowledged that this trade is between states. Weve thrown them a bone in terms of justification to get real benefits. True. Thanks to that, the long-standing issues rted to tribute and diplomacy were solved in one go. Issues rted to royal princesses and hostages were also resolved. Then Hyang spoke again, There is a saying among the schrs, If you want to appease someone, suck on even their toes. Why cant we deceive them to achieve our ns? Hyang hesitated to directly say the cruder version of the saying, Suck on their assholes until they cave in. However, Sejong still had a worried look on his face. But it does hurt my pride. Especially when their envoyse and subtly mention being a tributary or a vassal state, it infuriates me. Once the tribute ceremony is over, and the eastward campaign isplete, they wont be able to say that anymore. Unless they have spare lives, there wont be anyone bold enough toe here and make such ims. True, but wont they talk like that among themselves? Sejong questioned, to which Hyang replied with a look of indifference. So what if they do? Theres also a saying among schrs, Even a king is cursed behind his back. Whats the point of worrying about what theyre mumbling among themselves? Its ratherughable. I may overlook the Ming talking like that, but Im sure there will be people within Joseon who will speak simrly, and that concerns me. At Sejongs statement, Hyang coldly smiled. Isnt that a good thing? Those are the people we should weed out early on. It might actually be a good opportunity. That could be. The scribes who were recording the conversation between the father and son were nervously taking notes. -The scribe muses, One must have strong resolve to be a general. But the Crown Princes strong resolve could be considered a deadly poison. A momentter, Hyang gave an order to the scribes and the main officials. Scribes and main officials, step out for a moment. Upon hearing Hyangs words, the scribes unanimously expressed their refusal. Our duty is to record all matters of state to pass onto future generations. At their words, Hyang scoffed, Heh! How would you know if what youve written will be seen or properly recorded for future generations that cant even see it? Step out. Thats uneptable! Hyang warned against the refusal of the officers and royal scribes. What I am about to say is top-secret. If word gets out, there will be serious consequences. In that case, your heads will be the first to roll. No, to prevent that, I should take your heads right here and now. Will you still stand your ground? Its the will of the gods! As the officers and scribes firmly resisted, Sejong spoke. This is my order. Leave. Its against thew! We cant leave! What? You wretches? As anger began to cloud Sejongs face, an idea suddenly came to Hyang. Wait! Its already a foregone conclusion that the Chinese will make noise about thister. Then, why not create an official record that can serve as evidence? Hyang, having made his decision, calmed Sejong. Your Majesty. How about letting them stay? Let them stay? Yes. In the future, it could serve as evidence to silence those who make rash judgments and mor. Hearing Hyangs words, Sejong contemted deeply, finally understanding Hyangs point and letting out a chuckle. A man who catches fish even when he falls into the water, youre not one to simply let things slide. Your words honor me. With a small smile, Sejong red at the officers and scribes. Fine. Sit down and record everything, without leaving a single word out. Your generosity overwhelms us! However, if even a single word from our discussion here leaks out, I will have your heads! Faced with Sejongs stern order, the officers and scribes broke into a cold sweat. We ept yourmand! As they nodded in agreement, the scribes pen didnt pause. -Thus, the dialogue between the Emperor and the Crown Prince was recorded. The scribe reflects. Recording everything urately is the basic attitude of a scribe, but being forced to do so leaves a bad taste. Amidst the presence of the officers and royal scribes, Hyang continued his conversation with Sejong. Have you heard the rumors about Daewol nation? The rumors about Daewol nation? [Daewol nation here refers to ??i Vi?t, a Vietnamese kingdom.] Its about Emperor at Home, King Abroad, said Hyang. King Sejong nodded at Hyangs words. Ive heard. The Tang Emperor recently bestowed a title to the King of Annam, right? Thats correct. So, are you suggesting that our Joseon should also adopt the policy of Emperor at Home, King Abroad? To Sejongs question, Hyang shook his head. No. My wish is not for such superficiality, but for us to genuinely be an empire and don the imperial robe of emperor on Your Majesty. At that moment, all the officers and scribes froze. They all had the same thought: Damn it! Why did we stubbornly stick around for this! A subtle emotion flickered across Sejongs face. Imperial robe, you say Why do you think Taejo sent a letter calling himself the Great King of Goryeo state after he returned from his military campaign? Its about power. Frankly, even Ming had to bow down to a Barbarian King who dered himself an Emperor. Ultimately, power determines everything. The statements grew more audacious, making the officers and scribes either frown or murmur. Nheless, Hyang continued. If Joseon bes prosperous and its sphere of influence expands, no one will oppose His Majesty ascending to the throne. Of course, the issue of poption is a concern, but that will also increase rapidly as Joseon grows stronger. Then, even if we dere ourselves an empire, it will only be seen as a delusion by the Ming. A so-called mental victory seen by them. Mental victory? Just say it! Mental victory? At the unfamiliar term, Sejong expressed curiosity, and Hyang exined its meaning. Listening to Hyangs exnation, Sejong nodded. Thats an interesting term indeed. Yes, it will be amusing if the Ming think of it as a mental victory. But listen, my Prince. If what we are doing now fails, then the mental victory will inevitably be ours. Never forget that. To Sejongs admonishment, Hyang responded strongly. Ill bear it in mind! Rest assured, we will achieve genuine victory and reassert our status as a hegemon inpetition for world supremacy, a status not seen for a thousand years. If were going to change history, go big or go home! A simr emotion was lurking at the corners of both Hyangs and Sejongs mouths. The officers were also frowning, but they couldnt erase the feeling of ambition welling up from a corner of their hearts. Chapter 111 Chapter 111 While Sejong and Hyang were having a conversation, the ministers were also continuing their discussions. What do you think His Majesty and the Crown Prince genuinely desire? asked the Minister of Rites. I believe they desire to proim themselves as Emperor, calmly replied Maeng Sa-seong. Emperor? Emperor, yes. I see. I am a bit concerned, though Upon hearing Maeng Sa-seongs words, the ministers nodded their heads in agreement. For the ministers of Sejongs era, the title Emperor was not unfamiliar. The prior dynasty, Goryeo, had adopted the title of Emperor under the tributary system with foreign empires. Even though that system was abolished during the Yuan Dynastys influence and failed to be revived in the subsequent era of King Gongmin1 due to Ming pressure, internally, they continued to use titles and etiquette reserved for emperors. Therefore, for those who had experienced the transitional period between Goryeo and Joseon, the word Emperor was not hard to utter. You all seem to take this lightly, Hwang Hui suddenly interjected, drawing everyones focus towards him. What do you mean? Have you not heard the news from Annam (Dai Viet)? Theyve already proimed themselves as an independent empire. That Annam. At that time, Annam was perceived as a backward country by Joseons upper ss. Upon hearing Hwang Huis words, Maeng Sa-seongs expression became serious. Could it be! Is His Majesty really intending to be an Emperor? Picking up on Maeng Sa-seongs question, Hwang Hui responded, Im not sure about His Majestys intentions, but the Crown Prince certainly has such aspirations. Do you have any evidence? Astronomy. And this recent agreement. Upon hearing Hwang Huis brief answer, exmations erupted among the ministers. Ah! Come to think of it! Observing the celestial bodies was something only possible in an empire. However, Hyang had been actively observing them under the pretext of correcting the lunar calendar. The recent cooperation agreement was also a simr case. As everyone was still in shock, Hwang Sang, the newly appointed Minister of Law Enforcement, spoke up. Indeed, it might seem excessive to avoid Ming interference while expanding Joseons influence by appeasing the Ming. But from a military strategy perspective, its an ingenious n. Military strategy? As the civil officials looked puzzled, Hwang Sang borated, There is amon saying in all military strategies. When the enemy is stronger than us, there are two standard options: one is to diligently increase our capabilities; the other is to weaken the enemy. The Crown Prince is currently employing both strategies. Hmm The ministers fell silent, each deep in thought. After a moment of silence, Hwang Hui spoke up again. If you look at the history of the Central ins, the dynasties that conquered and ruled all eventually fell due to internal strife, not external invasions. Only Yuan is an exception. So what about this recent cooperation agreement? Why do you think the story of Ivory Chopsticks and Jade Wine Cups came up? [TL/N: The term Ivory Chopsticks and Jade Wine Cupses from when King Zhou considered making chopsticks from ivory. Ji-zi, King Zhous uncle, concerned about the fate of the nation, believed that the adoption of ivory chopsticks would gradually lead torger-scale extravagances, eventually ruining the countrys finances and causing its downfall. Ji-zis predictions came true as King Zhous extravagant ways led to the downfall of the Shang Dynasty. So, I guess in this case, the ministers finally understand why Hyang made a deal personally with Emperor Zhu Zhanji, hoping that thetter would fall into extreme indulgences and lead his own nation to ruin in the future.] Ah! Upon hearing Hwang Huis words, the faces of the ministers indicated their realization. Maeng Sa-seong muttered to himself, looking as if he had been hit on the back of his head multiple times. The Crown Prince merely said, make a contract with the Emperor, and His Majesty who understood that Are they even human? Even if His Majesty is one thing, what about the Crown Prince? To be so filled with malice in such a short period The Minister of Military Affairs interrupted the ministers assessment. ording to the military strategy books, what amander must possess is malice. The Crown Prince has already mastered the ancient military strategy, so such malice is entirely possible. Heh While the ministers were at a loss for words about the malicious intent, Hwang Hui stood up, shaking off his seat. Then, everyone, take care. You all have much to do, so take care of yourselves. What do you mean by that? Were turning Joseon into an empire. Will that not be a busy task? Hwang Hui asked the ministers, smiling as he looked at Maeng Sae-seong. Lord Maeng, you were worried about more issues arising in the North earlier, werent you? Surely youre not expecting it to be as busy as Hanyang? Oh, you Ha ha ha! Take care, everyone! As Hwang Hui left the room with a heartyugh, Maeng Sae-seong muttered softly, I should have gone Watching Hwang Huis departing figure, the other ministers thought simrly to Maeng Sae-seong. I should have gone If I had known Hwangs thoughts, I should have acted sooner That position should have been mine! While everyone was thinking this way, the Minister of Rites, Kim Jeom, stood up. I should prepare a tonic for lord Hwang. What do you mean? Why would lord Hwang be special? Answering the ministers questions, Kim Jeom chuckled. Have you forgotten? Lord Hwang must oversee government affairs until the day he dies. Ah! All the ministers burst out in exmations, each wearing a draining smile. Right, then lord Hwang must live a long, long life. He has to finish the reforms, strategies, and great tasks. He must live a long, very long life! I must prepare a tonic with excellent efficacy! I have some saved ginseng; I should send it! For lord Hwang, who has to work for the nation until the day he dies! The ministers were united in enthusiasm. Among them were also the Chief State Councilor and the Left State Councilor. * * * Meanwhile, once the conversation concluded with Sejongs permission, Hyang brought up the next topic. Father, may I ask how my marriage is proceeding? Your marriage? Were currently scrutinizing suitable candidates for the Crown Princess. Why? Its been quite some time, and no conclusion has been reached yet. At Hyangs question, Sejong cleared his throat lightly. Ahem! AHEM! Its the Crown Princess, so were putting effort into the selection. It takes time. But why? Sejong, asking the reason, wore a mischievous smile. Why? Youve been pretending not to care all this time, now suddenly you want to get married quickly? Its not that. The Emperor asked what I thought about making his daughter the Crown Princess. Kuheuk! Startled by Hyangs shocking statement, King Sejong choked on his tea and coughed. Cough! Cough! So, what did you say? As King Sejong asked while continuously coughing, Hyang calmly replied, The selection has already ended, and all thats left is to set a date. What did the Emperor say to that? He simply expressed regret and moved on. Although it may have been a passing remark, it could be a problem if my marriage is dyed. King Sejong analyzed the situation with a grave expression on his face. So, youre saying a casualment could turn into a serious matter? Exactly. Hmm By the way, why is the selection taking so long? Well, it just happened that way Hyangs inquiry left King Sejong hesitating for words. *** Thanks to Hyangs diligence, candidates meeting Hyangs criteria hade forward. Heo-eo~. They are all so beautiful! King Sejong was amazed at the beauty of the candidates who passed the screening. The assassin guild had put in so much effort that their education and character were also up to the mark to be Crown Princess. [TL/N: In previous chapters, the assassins were tasked searching for suitable candidate for Hyang secretly] However, a problem arose at that point. Is this kid going to mess things up by being enthralled by their beauty? King Sejong had his suspicions, and concurrently, the courtdies who were judging had all given negative opinions. All the candidates have a lovely appearance and sufficient character and education, but their allure could potentially distract the king from his duties. All of them have beautiful figures, but that beauty poses a problem. One of the main responsibilities of a queen is fertility, and with those body types, it would be difficult for them to withstand the strains of pregnancy and childbirth. Since all the courtdies had given negative opinions, King Sejong selected additional candidates, who met traditional criteria. However, upon seeing these newly selected candidates, King Sejong was puzzled. This is not it. The new candidates were also educated and had good character. But their appearance was the issue. They were healthy and plump but that was it. Given his personality, hell surely stay confined to Area 51 and nevere out! *** Hyang had set strict standards for himself as soon as marriage talks came up. Huwoo~. This is a dilemma. King Sejong sighed at the difficult problem he was facing. Come to think of it, I was lucky. And is that why my older brother Yangnyeong spent so much time outside? The first wife of Yangnyeong, Taejongs eldest son, had the traditional look of a first daughter-inw. Like the second batch of candidates, she was good in every way butcked beauty. If my sister-inw had been as assertive as him, there would have been so much trouble several times. The legal wife of Taejong, Queen Wongyeong, was as strong-willed as Taejong himself. Thanks to her, they often shed due to Taejongs affairs. King Sejong, recalling the past, sighed lightly. Was I just lucky? Being the third son and not the eldest, Sejong had the privilege of marrying Soheon, a woman who met his preferences. The problem of fertility is valid, as pointed out by Hyang As Hyang had pointed out, eight children had been born so far to Sejong and Queen Soheon. Considering the age difference among the children, Queen Soheon had been almost continuously pregnant or nursing. If the scope included the concubines brought in after Sejong became king, at least one among them, including Queen Soheon, had been pregnant every year. While King Sejong was grappling with the dilemma in selecting the Crown Princess, the casually dropped remark by the Ming Emperor had turned into a ticking time bomb. *** When Sejong hesitated, Hyang pointed out the urgency of the situation. Your Majesty. A quick decision is needed. Neither you nor I can afford to keep living with the issue of the Crown Princess, can we? Thats true. We cant continue like this. I know my standards may have been a bit high, but considering the time weve spent so far Im considering it! Im still considering it! Interrupting Hyangs words, Sejong quickly summed up the situation. Lets stop here for today. A decision will be made on this matter soon! Yeyes. After sending Hyang away, Sejong went straight to Queen Soheon. Ho ho ho! Queen Soheon, who had been looking after the recently born Prince Pyeongwon, covered her mouth and burst intoughter at Sejongsint. This is noughing matter. Considering that childs personality, its a real conundrum. At Sejongs words, Queen Soheon nodded with a smile. True. Given Hyangs personality, hes more than capable. What should we do then? At Sejongs question, Queen Soheon answered immediately. Do as Hyang wishes. Given his personality, he wont neglect his duties over some distraction, right? Hes more likely to immerse himself in his work and neglect his family. Sejongs long-standing observations of Hyang had proven urate. Therefore, theres no need to worry. The matters of the household can be handled by our attendants. Hmm After mulling over Queen Soheons words, Sejong came to a conclusion. Its best to follow the Queens advice. Im indeed fortunate to have you by my side. The feeling is mutual. Though she answered with a smile, a tinge of sadness was hidden in Queen Soheons eyes
  1. 31st King of Goryeo[?]
Chapter 112 Chapter 112 Simr timeline, the Forbidden City. That guy he really is something, isnt he? After finishing his political duties, Emperor Zhu Zhanji muttered under his breath as he returned to his chamber. The person he was talking about was Hyang. From what Ive heard, hes definitely not your average guy. *** The phrase The Crown Prince of Joseon is not ordinary was universally echoed by envoys who had visited Joseon. Not ordinary? To Emperor Zhu Zhanjis question, the envoys uniformly responded. Indeed, Your Majesty. His schrly aptitude is exceptional, despite his young age. He humbly says hes inadequate, but as you converse with him, its impossible to measure the depth of his knowledge! Oh? What about his appearance? When asked about Hyangs appearance, the envoys responded immediately. Hes incredibly handsome! He may be young, but he cant hide his handsomeness! If the legendary Song Yu and Pan Yue were reincarnated, it would be this Crown Prince of Joseon. If he were to walk the streets of Beijing, we would witness fruits filling the cart! [TL/N: Fruits filling the cart simply means gifts, favors, praises are given in great abundance.] [TL/N: In Chinese history, (Sng Y) and (Pn Yu) are celebrated both for their literary talents and exceptional good looks. Sng Y, a poet from the Warring States period, was not only a master of words but also known for his physical beauty. Simrly, Pn Yu, who lived during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, was famous for his allure and poetic prowess. Their reputations as handsome men are well-documented in historical texts and have been immortalized in art and literature.] Oh? Is that so? When the term fruits filling the cart was mentioned, Emperor Zhu Zhanjis eyes sparkled. Fruits filling the cart refers to a tale about Pan Yue, who would fill his cart with fruits thrown by admiring womenand even grandmothersas he passed by, following an old custom of women offering fruits to men they fancied. The envoys uniform praise piqued Emperor Zhu Zhanjis curiosity. Should I invite him over? As Emperor Zhu Zhanji pondered, coincidentally, Hyang arrived in Beijing, leading his delegation. Ah, as expected! Internally impressed by Hyangs courteous bow, Emperor Zhu Zhanji was filled with admiration. Despite being so young and yet to have hising-of-age ceremony, hes so respectful! Although he still looked like a young boy, his towering height and clean-cut face made it obvious that he was a very handsome man. In the following banquet and literary discussion focused on calligraphy and painting, Emperor Zhu Zhanji grew increasingly fond of Hyang. Humble but not servile, polite but not excessive! Truly a talent! It wasnt just Emperor Zhu Zhanji who was impressed. The Crown Prince from Joseon is a strikingly handsome! Through pce maids and eunuchs who attended to him, the rumor spread, reaching every corner of the Forbidden City and even the whole of Beijing. When Hyang eventually left the Forbidden City to return to Joseon, the spectacle unfolded where residents of Beijing flocked to witness the Joseon delegations procession. *** Seems like hes destined for greatness If Hyang were to hear it, he might respond internally with Look here! Im the Crown Prince! Of course, Im destined for greatness! Emperor Zhu Zhanji muttered, deep in thought. Marriage is the ultimate form of alliance, but He had jokingly told Hyang, We have suitable women here, startling him. But even if Hyang had epted, there wereplications. His daughters, with the eldest now being 7 years old, were too young. On the contrary, his sisters were too old to be sent. Its a pity. In that case Take a look! Yes, Your Majesty! Summon the Chief Secretary immediately! Yes, Your Majesty! Emperor Zhu Zhanji, having given the order to Hwanguan, hardened his resolve. If all else fails, adopting a daughter is an option. The priority is to first confirm whether what the Joseon crown prince has said is true or an excuse. Time passed, and the Chief Secretary who had hastily returned received another order from Emperor Zhu Zhanji. Send someone to Shandong and gather detailed information on the Joseon Crown Prince! Especially focus on his marital status! Marital status, you say? Havent you, the Chief Secretary, seen? The Joseon Crown Prince is no ordinary person. He needs to be restrained! I will send someone right away! Finding a way to control the Joseon Crown Prince was exactly what the Chief Secretary had wanted to say. When Emperor Zhu Zhanji said the same thing, the Chief Secretary promptly sent someone to Shandong. *** To counter whatever schemes Ming has, I need to act quickly! This is a race against time! As the situation grew urgent, King Sejong began to act decisively. First, he sent the second-tier candidates back home, and from the first-tier candidates, began selecting the final ones for Hyangs harem. Those who were rejected from the selection received various gifts like silk and went back home. Surprisingly, these candidates found a spouse quickly because they had been selected for the harem in the first ce. Who could be a better daughter-inw than someone who was a candidate to be Crown Princess! Moreover, these rejected candidates started a trend when they returned home; to be precise, they elerated certain trends. The first was the flush toilet. Although it was alreadymonly used in the pce, it had not yet spread to themon households. This was because renovating the bathroom would be a significant task. However, the candidates who had returned home shared their experiences and soon households began buying and installing flush toilets. Next were ss products made in ss factories. These ss products became explosively popr. And among them, the most recent product, thepact mirror, became a must-have for women at that time. From decorative mother-of-pearl mirrors to full-body mirrors, to small hand-sized mirrors, women started buying these ording to their circumstances. No, even stylish men, whether they were nobles ormoners, considered these mirrors a must-have. And among those who admired themselves in the mirror, there was Hyang. Hmm If I do say so myself, I have quite a handsome face. Standing in front of the full-body mirror installed in his room in the Eastern Pce, Hyang admired himself in various poses. With a face thatbined the best features of both King Sejong and Queen Soheon, and having entered a proper growth period with a bnced diet, at least 8 hours of sleep, and training in horseback riding and martial arts, Hyang had grown tall and broad-shouldered. Objectively speaking, not just by the standards of the Joseon era but also by those of the 21st century, Hyang was handsome. Its funny how this Hanbok, especially the Dragon Robe, only looks good on those who are tall and have broad shoulders. Just as Hyang said, traditional Hanbok was the type of clothing that looked dignified on those with broad shoulders. Alright, enough self-admiration. Time to go work. Adjusting his clothes in the mirror, Hyang opened the door to his room. Lets first stop by the researchb. Yes, Your Highness. As always, Hyang headed to the researchb apanied by his stewards, where he ran into Yu. Isnt that Yu? At Hyangs call, Yu rushed over and bowed. Brother, no, Your Highness the Crown Prince. Are you well? Ah, yes. Youve learned to bow properly. Youve been diligent, havent you? Hehehe. Pleased by Hyangspliment, Yu smiled brightly. So, are you on your way to see the trains again today? No, I am going to learn mathematics today. Hearing Yus answer, Hyang was taken aback. Already learning mathematics? If its at the researchb, then thats an advanced course, isnt it? Hyang looked back at the princes tutor following Yu. Is Yu properly mastering the ssics? Yes, Your Highness. He is working hard. Hmm. Hyang patted Yu lightly on the shoulder. Keep up the good work. You havent given up your dream about trains, have you? No! My dream is toy railroads throughout Joseon! Upon hearing Yus answer, Hyang smiled and patted his shoulder again. Work hard. Yes! Upon entering the researchb, Yu respectfully bowed to Hyang. Your Highness, I will now go to attend my ss. Work hard. After seeing off Yu, Hyang spoke to his steward standing behind him. Hasnt Yu grown a lot? He will soon be 11 years old. He will also soon be appointed as a Grand Prince. I see Although he said so, Hyang was grumbling internally. Why is an 11-year-old this tall! Ive worked so hard to grow taller! He grows like a sprout with just water! Recalling Yus robust shoulders, which seemed uncharacteristic for an 11-year-old, Hyang corrected his words. Revised! He grows like a bad sprout with fertilizer-infused water! A lot had changed since Hyang created the butterfly effect that led to Princess Jeongso surviving, including the titles given to Hyangs younger siblings. The year Yu was supposed to be appointed as Grand Prince Jinpyeong was this year, Sejong 10th year (1428), but he had not yet been appointed. The main reason was that due to Princess Jeongsos survival, the sequence of titles starting from Hyang had all been pushed back. *** Back in his daily life and busy with work, Hyang suddenly received a summons from Sejong. What could it be? Sejong, who rushed to meet Hyang, who had arrived in haste due to hisck of understanding of the whole situation, soon headed for the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion with Sejong in the lead. The candidates for the crown princess have been decided. Is that so? At Sejongs words, Hyang visibly tensed up. It was because news had recently arrived from Shandong. C Several officials are inquiring about the crown prince. They are particrly investigating whether he is already married. Because the contents of the urgent report were grave, Hyang had been quite anxious. We cant rush, can we Father? If we make a mistake, my married life could turn into a nightmare Sejong, whether he understood Hyangs concerns or not, continued walking and borated. Right now, the queen is sharing refreshments with the candidates at Gyeonghoeru. Lets discuss who catches your eye. Wouldnt that be improper? If we make a mistake, we could ruin the lives of these poor youngdies! This isnt some 21st-century matchmaking event! To Hyangs question, Sejong fumbled in his sleeve and pulled out an object. You recently created a decent device, didnt you? What Sejong produced was a telescope. Standing some distance away from the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, Sejong and Hyang observed the site through the telescope. Wow Upon seeing thedies sitting at the tables in Gyeonghoeru, Hyang unconsciously let out a small exmation of admiration. My God! If this is the standard, they would qualify as members of a girl group in the 21st century! And from a major talent agency at that! Which candidate do you like? I need a little more time to observe. After examining them further with the telescope, Hyang sighed and lowered the telescope. So, have you decided? At Sejongs question, Hyang replied with a troubled look. Please let my royal mother decide. I find it difficult to make a decision. The difficulty level of the multiple-choice is too high! That night, Sejong was lost in thought. This child has really thrown me a nasty curveball. From Sejongs perspective, the three candidates were neck-and-neck, creating a deadlock. Hold on! Do I really have to choose just one? After pondering for a while, Sejong looked at it from another angle. One of the duties of a king is to produce many heirs to ensure the stable continuation of the royal family. And its not enough just to have many heirs; they have to be intelligent. The crown prince is already academically gifted, and these candidates are also well-educated. So then Sejong paused momentarily to gather his thoughts, and his expression darkened again. Oh no theres this issue as well. Another problem suddenly came to Sejongs mind. Chapter 113 Chapter 113 After much deliberation, King Sejong finally came to a decision. Theres no other way. All three must be decided. Following Sejongs decision, the three chosen women were all set to be royal consorts. Firm in his resolve, Sejong summoned Byeon Gyeryang and Yu Soondo. Examine the destinies of these women to see who is most suitable to be the Crown Princess. The other two will be royal consorts. Thus, Byeon Gyeryang and Yu Soondo selected the most suitable woman to be the Crown Princess. This is the one. *** After the royal consorts were selected, King Sejong once again called for the Crown Prince. The Crown Princess has been decided. Who is it? She is the daughter of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Is that so? And the other two will be royal consorts. What? Father, I thought I was only to have one consort Sejong promptly cut off the Crown Princes words. Having many children is also a duty of a king. I will not entertain any arguments. But Father When the Crown Prince continued to protest, Sejong revealed his true intentions. Do you wish to ept a princess or ruler from the Ming as a consort? We cannot give them an excuse! Ah The Crown Prince immediately understood Sejongs point. If the Crown Prince had only one consort, then Ming could find various pretexts to push in another as a royal consort. Then a problem arises. Even if a woman pushed in by the Ming bes a consort, she essentially wouldnt be a mere consort. However, if there are official consorts already in ce, then the Ming, out of their pride, will not send another, and even if they do, she will just be one among many. Convinced by Sejongs firm words, the Crown Prince bowed his head. My personal beliefs may differ, but I will obey your royalmand. Sejong, observing the Crown Princes expression, spoke. You child! Wipe that smile off your face! Youre grinning so much, it looks like your mouth will tear! This spectacle was diligently recorded by the official. C And so, the royal consorts for the Crown Prince were decided. The officialments. Whatever the reason, the Crown Prince was a man with no other options. *** After such a minormotion, the wedding of the Crown Prince was set. The rumor, The Crown Prince is getting married! soon spread throughout Hanyang, and people couldnt help but discuss it whenever they gathered. Not only a Crown Princess, but with additional royal concubines? Thats what they say. Heh~. The crown prince will have his hands full now. Why? Look at the houses thosediese from. Have you ever seen concubines getting along? Aha~! It might be good now, but just wait a few years. But honestly, Im envious. Three at once Yeah, thats true. The unique marriage of taking three royal consorts at once had been the talk of the town every day. In the history before Hyang got involved, Danjong was the first. But after Hyangs involvement, the title of first was now his. Most people who heard the rumors discussed the peculiar marriage where one groom, three brides, but some were talking about other subjects. Do you think another royal pardon will be issued? Well Hasnt it been a short time since thest royal pardon? Might be difficult. I wish one would be granted Its heartbreaking to see my enemy-like son imprisoned. After solving the long-standing problems of Joseon and the royal family, King Sejong issued a nationwide royal pardon. However, crimes are unavoidable where people live, so those whomitted crimes and were imprisoned still remained. Amidst the expectations for another royal pardon, some officials submitted a petition to King Sejong. The topic was about the pardon of Shim On, Sejongs father-inw. This happened one year earlier than it did in the history before Hyang got involved. The reason they brought up Shim Ons pardon was also rted to Hyangs marriage. Both the groom and the brides lineage had to be recorded, and a problem arose from the crown princes mother, Queen Soheon. The daughter of a major criminal as the crown princes mother its uneptable. Indeed. Given the sensitive nature of the matter, ministers and senior secretaries gathered at the Royal Secretariat to hold an intense debate. As a result of the debate, the officials reached the following inference and conclusion: -King Taejong executed the rted persons, including Kang Sang-in, before Shim On returned. It must have been to exile Shim On. -Therefore, Shim On dying without even being properly interrogated was unjust. The ministers submitted their petition based on these conclusions. However, King Sejongs response was ambiguous. I will consider it. With that, King Sejong did not mention it again. * * * While rumors about Shim Ons Pardon were circting in the pce and government offices, Hyang called for Jeong. Lord Jeong. Yes, Your Highness. Whats been troubling you these days? You dont look well. Its nothing. Jeong-cho denied it, but seeing his unhappy expression, Hyang quietly asked. Is this rted to issues with my maternal side? No, its not! Although Jeong-cho waved it off, Hyangs expression hardened even more. Lord Jeong, Ill soon be getting married. The age of blissful ignorance is past. Even though I was just 4 years old at the time, I remember clearly how people shed tears of blood. Lord Jeong, if you know something, speak. At Hyangs words, Jeong-cho let out a sigh. Hoo~. I forgot that the crown prince has an extraordinary memory. Lord Jeong! Still keeping his mouth shut, Jeong-cho finally spoke as Hyangs voice grew louder. At that time, I participated in Lord Shims interrogation as a member of the the Judicial Office. Despite the torture, Lord Shim tried to make excuses. Thats when Lord Ryu Jeong-hyeon told Lord Shim, Judging by the circumstances, confession is the only option. Hearing this, Lord Shim gave up any further arguments and epted his punishment. Upon hearing Jeong-chos words, Hyangs expression became even more rigid. Hyang, with an equally rigid voice, asked Jeong-cho. What does circumstances mean? To Hyangs question, Jeong-cho briefly answered. It would mean the royal will. [TL/N: Royal will here means the kings intentions. So in this context, Shim On thought that it was King Taejongs intentions to kill him, but unbeknownst to him, he was actually deceived by Ryu Jeong-hyeon at the time.] Hmm With a grunt, Hyang, who was tapping his desk with his finger, stood up from his seat. Lord! Lets go! Eh? Where to? To Gangnyeongjeon! * * * Having arrived at Gangnyeongjeon with Jeong-cho, Hyang reported Jeong-chos words to Sejong. Lord Jeong, please exin once more. At Hyangs request, Jeong-cho repeated what he had said earlier to Sejong. Hoo Upon hearing Jeong-chos exnation, Sejong let out a long sigh. With aplex expression full of mixed emotions, Sejong finally spoke. If we go by what Jeong-cho said, Shim Ons confession must be considered coerced. But how would King Taejong have known this? Sejong was desperately trying to exonerate Taejong. If it came out that Taejong killed Shim On out of personal malice or a misjudgment, it would be a significant issue. Lord Jeong, would you please step aside? Eh? Yes. Your Majesty, may I, Shin Jeong-cho, be excused? Go ahead. Much obliged. After Hyangs request and Sejongs permission, Jeong-cho respectfully bowed and exited Gangnyeongjeon. Advisors and scribes, leave as well. Yes, Your Majesty. I wont repeat myself. At Hyangs firmmand, the officers and secretaries looked toward Sejong. Its my order. Leave. Yes. As Sejong gave the samemand, the officers and scribes silently stood up and left the room. They could have stayed put if theyd wanted to, but they left promptly due to the previous incident with the Hwangryongpo. To be precise, as soon as they left the room, they sat right next to the door and pulled out their pens. In any case, once the officers and scribes disappeared from view, Hyang got straight to the point. Your Majesty, it seems bestowing favor upon my maternal grandfather has its limits. Havent all but him already been forgiven? Its already been 10 years Its only been 10 years. The pce is still full of those who served not only thete king but also under the reign of Taejong. If were not careful, there will be those who will take this opportunity to undermine royal authority. What Sejong was worried about was precisely this point. If he acknowledged the errors of his father, Taejong, it would give those who wished to undermine royal power a reason to do so. Hyang responded firmly after hearing Sejongs concerns. Father. We must confront this head-on. Confront it head-on? Admitting the possibility that it may have been a mistake on Grandfathers part. You impudent child! Instead, please employ Ryu Jeong-hyeon and me. You and Ryu Jeong-hyeon? Yes. Hyang exined a n to Sejong that involved using himself and Ryu Jeong-hyeon. -First, ording to what Jeong-cho said, Shim-on gave up his protest after hearing Ryu Jeong-hyeons words. The question is whether Ryu Jeong-hyeon was truly speaking about Taejongs concerns. Taejong only had suspicions, but there is a strong possibility that Ryu Jeong-hyeon eliminated Shim-on, who could have been Sejongs loyal force, as part of a plot. The reason this can be said is because of Ryu Jeong-hyeons actions. Before being purged, Ryu Jeong-hyeon had carried out various schemes to strengthen his power. Therefore, it is likely that Ryu Jeong-hyeon used the hint of Taejongs concern to make Shim-on step down. In that case, Father had no choice but to punish my maternal grandfather since he surrendered himself. Rather, you acted strictly ording to thew, despite him being the grandfather of his grandson. I see! ording to Hyangs solution, the downfall of Shim-on wasnt what Taejong wanted. However, Shim-on surrendered himself, and Taejong had no choice but to punish him. In this process, Taejong acted impartially and strictly followed thew. Then, what does sending you mean? Sejong asked, and Hyang immediately replied. Father, I am soon to be wed. Isnt it thanks to you and Mother that I have lived trouble-free until the age for marriage? Therefore, I implore you, Father, to pardon my maternal grandfather. Mother is deeply upset. How can I, as her child, ignore the fact that she suffers because of her grief? I humbly beg you to acknowledge the minor merits I have aplished and grant my request! Hmm. Pondering Hyangs words, Sejong thought deeply. The use of Ryu Jeong-hyeon was indeed a possibility that couldnt be dismissed. The fact that Ryu Jeong-hyeon had spoken such words to his father-inw was known to those who were in the royal council at the time, excluding Jeong-cho. However, there was no concrete evidence to establish that Ryu Jeong-hyeons words represented the true intent of King Taejong. Considering the acts Ryu Jeong-hyeon hadmitted to strengthen the new authority after Taejongs death, it wasnt unlikely that he had been maneuvering things from behind the scenes. Moreover, Hyangs filial piety was an excellent element to capitalize on. In Joseon, a state where Confucianism was the national ideology, few things were as highly praised as filial piety. Lastly, the biggest concernroyal authorityseemed almost irrelevant in the current situation. Sejongs own power was solid, and the presence of the crown prince, Hyang, was undeniable. Particrly, looking at the military, the support was so strong that Sejong sometimes wondered, Is the army of our Joseon mine or the crown princes? After weighing the pros and cons, Sejong finally came to a conclusion. Alright, lets proceed that way. * * * The next morning. As the royal council meeting began and all the ministers took their seats, Sejong ordered Chief Eunuch. Go and summon Jeong-cho. Yes, Your Majesty. Thus summoned, Jeong-cho repeated the words he had spoken the previous night in front of Sejong. Once Jeong-cho finished speaking, Sejong addressed the ministers. How do you think? Was the situation Ryu Jeong-hyeon spoke of really King Taejongs intent? On the contrary, considering Ryu Jeong-hyeons past behavior, it is likely that he was acting for his own benefit. Therefore, I think that the disfavor shown to Sim On was a misjudgment caused by Ryu Jeong-hyeons scheming. Hence, I will restore Sim On to his position. What do you think, ministers? In response to Sejongs question, the ministers spoke in unison. As Your Majesty wishes! Chapter 114 Chapter 114 The news that Shim Ons fate has been decided! spread instantly in all directions. Upon learning that the Crown Prince was the driving force behind this event, Queen Soheon offered a prayer of gratitude. Your Highness! Thank you so much! I am truly grateful! Responding to Queen Soheon, who was holding his hands and sobbing, the Crown Prince spoke politely. It was my duty as your son. Now, please calm your heart and live long and prosper! You must live to see not only your grandchildren but also your great-grandchildren. Of course! Yes! I must, indeed! That night, King Sejong, who visited Queen Soheons chamber, held her hands and spoke. Im sorry for being so indifferent all this time. Please forgive your unworthy husband. No, Your Majesty! No, Your Majesty! There are no more obstacles now! Queen Soheon, once again, became a whirlwind of tears. *** After all these events, the day of the Crown Princes wedding finally arrived. He followed four of the six traditional rites (Napchae, Napjing, Gogi, Chaekbin) and was about to perform Chinyeong before the Imheonchogye1. [TL/N: The 6 Traditional Rites of Royal Wedding are as follows;
  1. Napchae (??, {) C sending formal proposal letter and the royal grooms four pirs to Detached Pce
  2. Napjing (??, {) C sending wedding gifts to the Detached Pce
  3. Gogi (??, ) C choosing date and alerting the Detached Pce of the chosen date for the wedding
  4. Chaekbi (??, ԋ)/Chaekbin (??, ԋ) C coronation ceremony for the Queen or investiture ceremony for the Crown Princess
  5. Chinyeong (??, Hӭ) C the royal grooms procession to the Detached Pce to greet the royal bride
  6. Dongroe (??, ͬ) C the royal bride would enter the pce on that day and exchange bows, drinks, and food with the royal groom beforepleting the first night ritual.
Credit: /2021/02/09/wedding-and-marriage-in-joseon-part-3-royal-style/ ] Crown Prince, Ive seen your conduct, and I have no particr worries, but still, one can never be certain about human affairs. You are now the head of a family. Be cautious in all matters. I will heed your words carefully. Havingpleted the Imheonchogye, the Crown Prince mounted his horse to go to the Detached Pce. As he rode toward the Detached Pce, the Crown Prince murmured to himself. Do I have to do this two more times? Due to the different fortunes of the princess consort and the women in the inner pce, the Crown Prince had to perform the wedding ceremony three times in total. While riding his horse, which was restrained at a walking pace, he let his thoughts wander. The first night, huh Come to think of it, both in the 21st century and now, its my first first night. Hmm As soon as the word first night came to his mind, a variety of sensual scenes unfolded in his imagination. His eunuchs, who had been following him, started to whisper. Isnt this the first time weve seen the Crown Prince like this? He looks like the young prince who used to gaze at toy train models. It must be great I also want to get married One of the eunuchs grumbled, and a colleague next to him looked at him with a strange expression. Why? In response to the question, the colleague still looked at him strangely. Youve been going out a lottely at night Caught off guard by the question, the eunuch looked around cautiously before whispering to his colleague. Shh! Do you want to see someones head roll? There was a reason for the eunuchs rm. While Ming Dynasty eunuchs underwent full castration, in Joseon, only the testicles were removed. However, in Joseon, erections were still possible, making it likely for scandals to ur with the pce women who lived in the same environment. For that reason, a colleagues mere slip of the tongue could be a life-threatening major ident. That eunuch seems like he wants to get married. Ive noticed hes been going out a lot these nights. would turn into, That eunuch said he wants to get married, but he seems close with the pce maid so and so. Could they have some sort of rtionship? and eventually transform into, That eunuch and that pce maid are having an affair! And when such rumors reached the ears of the merchants or the pce maids, a storm of blood would inevitably ensue. The internal regtions for the eunuchs and the pce maids were far more strict and brutal than one could imagine; a tiny misstep and the individuals involved in the rumors would disappear without a trace. Another eunuch official gave a reproachful look to his colleague, who was sweating bullets just for saying, I want to get married. Why are you so surprised? If you want to get married, then get married. In the Joseon Dynasty, unlike in China, eunuchs could marry, hence the statement. However, the reprimanded eunuch answered with a glum voice, I dont have money Thats why I told you to cut down on the drinking. While the internal eunuchs were scolding, Hyang was still entrusting himself to the flow of consciousness. I knew it. Ah! I didnt delete the Hidden folder on theputer in my room at the repair shop! *** At the pce, during the selection ceremony, Hyang was able to see the Crown Princesss face for the first time. Wow! Shes the center! [TL/N: Center here usually means the visual in an idol group.] Hyang shouted cheers in his heart upon seeing the Crown Princesss face. When he had secretly observed the Gyeonghoeru Tea Party hosted by Queen Dowager Jeong, Hyang had judged them as a girl group. If its a girl group, of course theres a center! Thinking so, Hyang busily moved his telescope. Goodness! Whoever I choose I made a great choice! The beauty of the remaining three finalists was a tough choice to make. He had worked hard and ultimately chosen the center, but the other two were neck and neck, so Hyang, who had choice paralysis, handed the ball over to Sejong. If Ill regret it no matter what, I might as well find an excuse! However, due to internal and external circumstances, he ended up taking all three finalists, and from that point on, Hyang fell into another dilemma. So, who is the Crown Princess? And at the highly anticipated selection ceremony, Hyang, who saw the Crown Princess for the first time, couldnt help but smile. *** As anticipated, Hyangs choice for Crown Princess was revolutionarypared to the past conventions. Not just in terms of beauty, but the biggest difference was that all the candidates were tall. Not as elongated as 21st-century fashion models, but they were rtively taller than the average of that era. This was influenced by the Office of Royal Wedding officials, who were in charge of selecting the candidates. Having received King Sejongs orders, the members of Office of Royal Wedding were discussing what kind of candidates would be suitable. Why dont we set more specific criteria, apart from them being beautiful and kind-hearted? More specific? Isnt being roughly beautiful and kind-hearted enough? You fool! Were not just picking a daughter-inw for a wealthy family; this is the Crown Princess were talking about! Dont be ignorant! So you say! Idiot! At least Ive read the Analects! You ignorant fool! Seeing his subordinates bickering, the director spoke up. Seeing you guys argue like this lets add schrly knowledge to the criteria for selecting consorts. Upon hearing their directorsmand, the bickering subordinates stopped and asked a question. Schrly knowledge, you say? Yes. As you all know, should the Crown Prince be smart or not? Do you want to invite ridicule by choosing a beautiful but dumb consort? Ah After schrly knowledge was added to the criteria for selecting consorts, height was the next addition. Height? Why height? Think about it. Not just our current ruler, but even starting from the founding emperor, have there ever been short aristocrats? When one of the subordinates mentioned height, citing historical examples including King Sejong, the others expressed admiration. Ah! To wield a sword effectively, you need to berge in stature, you see. Does His Highness ever wield a sword? Its better than being weak, isnt it? Among the hesitant subordinates, one cautiously presented another opinion. Then how about choosing a robust consort What if that consortter conflicts with the Crown Prince? Then letspromise with height for now And so, height was included in the criteria for selecting a consort, to everyones satisfaction. *** After the ceremony, Hyang returned to the Eastern Pce and proceeded with the Dongroe (a ritual where the Crown Prince and the consort share a meal and drink). After Dongroe was over, changing from heavy ceremonial attire to lighter clothing C though still in a dragon robe and dangui2C Hyang and the Crown Princess Consort sat face to face. This atmosphere is really tense Hyang grumbled toward the screen door with a face full of discontent. Do we really have to have people standing right outside the door like this? Seeing the inner pce attendants and maids gathered tightly outside, the Senior Pce Lady, who was sent by the Queen, responded with a smile. Its thew. At the sound of the Senior Pce Ladys reply from outside the door, Hyang clicked his tongue. Tsk! Theres no privacy, no privacy Fine! But never open that door! Yes, Your Highness. *** [TL/N: It was a custom back then, for certain servants to wait outside on the first night of marriage of royals.] Sitting outside, the Senior Pce Lady listened carefully to the movements inside the room. Will tonight go well? Unlike Sejong, who even had a child beforeing to the pce, Hyang was experiencing his first night in the pce. Moreover, Hyang had no prior sexual experience. Thats why the Senior Pce Lady had to pay extra attention to the movements inside the room. Because if needed, she had the authority to enter the room, even if the Crown Prince objected. Listening closely, the Senior Pce Lady was baffled. Inside the room, Hyang and the Crown Princess Consort were just having an unexpected conversation. So, what are your hobbies, Crown Princess Consort? I enjoy reading books and sewing, but my favorite activities are horseback riding and archery. Archery? Wow. How skilled are you? Ive rarely lost when wagering among the pcedies. Amazing! Do you also enjoy archery, Your Highness? I enjoy archery, but these days I prefer shooting something else. Wait here for a moment. After a brief rustling sound, Hyang continued speaking. Ive been using this matchlock gun that the Joseon cavalry uses these days. Its really fun to shoot with it. Is that so? Lets do it together sometime. Yes. Listening to the conversation in the room, the Senior Pce Lady hit her chest. Oh my! Is this really the time to be chit-chatting about guns when theres so much to do? Although the Senior Pce Lady was feeling frustrated outside, Hyang was just as restless. Even in the 21st century, Hyang had always been distant from romantic rtionships. He was a well-known geek throughout middle and high school, and after going to college, he had even traveled to the U.S. to indulge in his fandom. As a result, he wasbeled a Global Geek, and no women approached him. I need to create some kind of atmosphere I cant just simply say lets lie down! Strip! Hug! I cant do that! The movies and dramas Ive watched are all unrted to romance! This is driving me crazy! Making a romantic atmosphere was an entirely unknown territory to him. What made Hyang hesitate further was the age of the Crown Princess (Seja-bin). The Crown Princess was 15 years old. Hyang was 14, but he was more concerned about the Crown Princesss age than his own. Despite trying to forget, he was continually held back by psychological barriers. Ding~. The atmosphere was broken by the sound of a bell from the bell tower. Hearing the bell, Hyang checked the time. Its already midnight. Lets sleep. Yes. The Crown Princess, who humbly bowed her head in response, was flushed red from embarrassment and tension. The Senior Pce Lady, who had been listening outside, clenched her fist lightly. Finally! As the lights in the royal chamber went out, a few courtdies who had followed Senior Pce Lady tried to drill a hole in the door to peek. However, behind the papered windows were ss panes, and beyond those, anotheryer of paper obscured their view. Give it up. This Eastern Pce (a pce within the royal grounds) is the first ce where ss doors were installed. Did you think His Majesty would just let it pass? Upon hearing this from the courtdies working at Eastern Pce, the faces of the courtdies who hade with the Senior Pce Lady filled with regret. Hmm Once the Crown Prince and Crown Princess finished their first night, the Senior Pce Lady had a peculiar expression. It seems average but also a bit short Since the duration and frequency of the first night were rted to the aftercare, the Senior Pce Lady began a serious analysis. Just then, Hyangs voice was heard. Now that I roughly know, lets do it properly. Excuse me? Your Highness? What do you mean by that? Today is my first time dealing with marital affairs; Ive only learned from books until now. Now that Ive grasped how to do it, lets do it properly! Yes, Your Highness? From books? Suddenly, the Crown Princesss words stopped, and shortly after, a strange moan began to leak out. Ah-hm! Following that, the atmosphere inside the room grew hot. Now, lets try it like this Again? Yes, and also this Listening to the soundsing from the inside, the Senior Pce Lady looked outside. The dawn was breaking. What in the world is this The Senior Pce Ladys eyes began to darken as the sounds kepting. *** Footnote 1) It is said that the eunuchs in Joseon, unlike those in China, were capable of sexual activities. [Link to Korean Wikipedia Article on Eunuchs](https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/??)
  1. R܎, the king instructing the Crown Prince on moral boundaries[?]
  2. Korean traditional clothing[?]
Chapter 115 Chapter 115 As morning broke, the Senior Pce Lady reported the events of the first night to the Queen. Is it true that the Crown Prince safely made it through his first night? Yes. His Highness passed his first night without any issues. Then why does your voice sound like that? Your voice is very nasal, why is that? I had a nosebleed Slightly lifting her head, both of Senior Pce Ladys nostrils were packed with blood-stained cotton. Oh my! You must have been tiredtely. Anyway, are there any concerns regarding the concubines? The Senior Pce Lady answered the Queens question resolutely. Theres absolutely no need to worry about the issue of the concubines! After that day, rumors began to circte that The Crown Prince is a genius in that aspect as well. Meanwhile, families with sons or grandsons around the same age as the Crown Prince began to move discreetly. Find that book the Crown Prince has read! * * * Perhaps he had gotten sufficiently acquainted through the Crown Princess, the Prince had an even more heated first night with his two concubines. As a result, King Sejong asked the Prince the following. There was talk of a book Ahem. Where and what kind of book did you obtain? At King Sejongs question, the Prince answered with aplicated expression. Among the books Ive collected through schrs, there were a few rted to the rtions between men and women. I cant possibly say I learned it from the Inte! At the Princes response, King Sejong made a subtle request. Really? There was such a book? How embarrassing. I must confirm this for myself. Bring it to me. I found the contents too embarrassing, so Ive already burned it. What, you brat! In that moment, King Sejong burst into a shout. The startled Prince looked at Sejong and replied, Wh-what did I do wrong To which Sejong retorted, Do you think its eptable to treat books so lightly? Burning it! I-it was too embarrassing Even so! The Prince quickly responded to Sejongs exaggerated reaction, Considering the number of my blood brothers and half-brothers, theres really no need for you to consult such books Learning should nevere to a halt. At Sejongs answer, the Prince simply lowered his head and mumbled. * * * Rumors that the Crown Prince is extraordinary even at night have spread like wildfire within the pce! Thanks to this, even the water maids busy with odd jobs around the pce began to engage in chatter about the rumor. The water maids were not pce maids. They were strong andpetent women from the general popce, selected by the chief courtdies to work in the pce. Hence, there were both single and married women among them. Once selected as a water maid, they received a special pass that allowed them tomute to and from the pce. True to their name, the water maids main job was drawing water for the pce, but they also managed a variety of chores, such as tending the furnace. Since the work was strenuous and most water maids were experienced married women with robust personalities, all sorts of candid conversations unfolded when they gathered. Girl, have you heard the rumor? What rumor? Its about the Eastern Pce! As they waited their turn by the well, where buckets were lined up, the water maids started talking about Eastern Pce. However, mentioning the name of the Crown Prince directly could lead to punishment, so they simply referred to him as Eastern Pce. Eastern Pce? Ah, is he that extraordinary? I heard the Senior Pce Lady had her nose bleed three times! Oh my goodness! The Senior Pce Lady is a person with considerable reputation, isnt she? She nosebleed three times? Wow, he must be Two fives, Twenty-fives. As her fellow water maid eximed, the one who initially opened her mouth sighed. Phew~. Some make the Senior Pce Lady nosebleed, while my useless husband can only snore No joy in life, no joy in life. I dont wish for two-fives and twenty-five, but Id be content if he were just good in bed.'' Goodness? If hes even just good in bed, I would cook meat soup every morning! Hohohoho! Hohohoho! The water maidsughed uproariously as they continued their conversation. Watching this, a young water maid asked an older water maid next to her, What does two-fives and twenty-five mean? You dont need to know yet. Come on~. What does it mean? Huh? What does it mean? Persistently pestered by the young water maid, the older one began to tell a story. *** In a certain rural vige, there lived a couple with a very good marital rtionship. One day, just before dawn, both woke up at the same time and began to get busy. In the midst of their fervor, the kitchen maid called for thedy of the house. Madam, madam~. How many servings of rice shall I cook for breakfast? Madam? Madam~. Annoyed by the foolish maids incessant calling, the madam answered from the room. Just, More! Just! More, Yes, more! (Two-Fives, Two-Fives, Twenty-five) Okay, got it. When dawn fully broke and the madam came into the kitchen, she was shocked to see therge pots full of cooked rice and grabbed the maid. You wench! Are you out of your mind? Why did you cook so much rice? But madam, you told me to! When did I!'' +++ Exnation: two-fives and twenty-five The term itselfes from a story about the misunderstanding between a maid and her mistress revolving around the mistresss ambiguous phrase ?? ?? ???, during an intimate course. In this phrase, ? ? is a traditional Korean unit of measure for rice, and ?? ? implies twenty-five units. The maid misinterprets the phrase by taking each ? ? (five units) separately and then adding it to ?? ? (twenty-five units). In other words, she calctes it as 5 + 5 + 25, arriving at a total of ? ? ? ? or thirty-five units of rice. In the end, the servant then cooked that much rice, which led to thedy of the houseter chastising her for making too much. *** The Mistress said, Da, Dat! Dahat! Dahat! Do! If its Dat Do, its one word, and Da Dat means two words. Combined, it bes Three words, Dat Do, right! So thats how the phrase Three words, Dat Do came about. Alright, lets line up! Lets get some water! Having finished the story, the elder water carrier headed toward the well with big strides, followed by a young water carrier whose face had turned red. *** Meanwhile, families that had be inws through the marriage were also busy. Is everything packed? Yes, Father. Hoo~. Parents sighed deeply at the sight of their sons preparing to leave. The sons had to leave for the distant and dangerous north for the sake of the familys well-being and their own safety. *** After the marital arrangements were made, King Sejong invited everyone who was to be a family member. Sitting at the main seat in the hall of Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, King Sejong conducted the gathering. Upon the asion of the Crown Princes betrothal, weve invited you who will be royal inws. We are deeply honored. Everyone who had been invited to Gyeonghoeru Pavilion bowed their heads at King Sejongs words. The gathering had begun, but the inws-to-be were intently focused on King Sejong. One mistake and its the end of our family lineage! After some time had passed, King Sejong finally got to the point. The reason Ive invited you here today is that theres something I wish to say. We will listen carefully. Is this the moment? The inws-to-be swallowed dryly and looked at King Sejong. King Sejong slowly opened his mouth. Once the Crown Princes marriage is over, many visitors wille to your homes, will they not? Well close the front gate immediately! All the prospective fathers-inw answered in unison. Indeed, as soon as the words The Crown Princes candidatesalso future consortshas been chosen spread, not only gift packages but rtives and acquaintances who hadnt visited for a long time began to swarm in. Hehe~ Closing the gate indiscriminately is also rude. Do entertain them, but avoid causing trouble for the royal family. We will keep that firmly in mind! The prospective inws all bowed their heads and answered. And your sons are indeed loyal. Its too much praise. They are fortunate if they can at least earn their keep. Is that so? Seeing one lets you know ten, as they say. So have they taken the civil service examination? At King Sejongs question, the brothers of the Crown Princes wife and future consorts answered one by one with trembling voices. I am currently working at the Office of Taxation. The Office of Taxation? Truly, it must be hard work. Work a little more, since there isnt much time left for the rank promotion. If you give your best, good results will follow. I will do my utmost! Soon after, a strapping young son spoke up. I have recently passed the military service exam. The military service exam, you say? You should strive even harder to be a shield that protects our nation. I will redouble my efforts! Among the nine sons of the three families attending the banquet, one worked in the Office of Taxation another had passed the military service exam, and the remaining seven were preparing for the civil service exams. It was just as reported. Sejong, having confirmed the situation, lightly stroked his beard and opened his mouth. Would it be eptable to give an opportunity to the sons other than the one working at the Office of Taxation? At Sejongs question, the fathers bowed deeply. Your Majestys grace is boundless! Not just the fathers, but the sons themselves also bowed deeply. Your Majestys grace is boundless! However, what followed from Sejong was not good news at all. I have prepared ces in the northern frontier. Go there and build your achievements and merits. When the time is right, you will be used even more valuably. Upon hearing Sejongs words, the previously delighted sons froze. However, the one who had recently passed the military service exam responded loudly. I shall heed your words! For granting such an excellent opportunity, Your Majestys grace is boundless! The other sons, although reluctant, replied in the same manner. Your Majestys grace is boundless! I have expectations. Having thus concluded one matter, Sejong then red at his inws. Titles of nobility andnds will soon be granted to do to your position as inws. Therefore, I have something to ask of you. Please, instruct us. Simple. Never forget whose blood you carry. If necessary, you too couldmit the same actions. Upon hearing Sejongs words, the atmosphere inside the venue literally froze. Everyone except Sejong bowed their heads with pale faces. Eventually, the three fathers answered with trembling voices. We shall remember and heed your words! *** So, the sons of the three families, excluding the one working at the Office of Taxation, all prepared to leave for the north. Father, I shall now depart. Yes, yes *sobs* The mothers wiped their tears with their sleeves, looking distressed as their sons bowed deeply while taking their leave. Fathers sitting beside tried to maintain aposed face, encouraging their sons. Think of this situation as an opportunity and do your best. Yes. Father, mother, please stay in good health. After bowing, the sons thus left their families and headed north. Except for the hurriedly arranged wedding of the Crown Prince, which seemed like roasting beans in a wildfire, thetter half of the tenth year of King Sejongs reign appeared to pass peacefully. However, on October 16th, an impeachment motion was raised in the Office of the Censors. The subject of the impeachment was Hwang Sang, the Minister of Law and Enforcement. C Chief Prosecutor Lee Soon-mong was caught having an affair with Hwang Sangs concubine Wol-hwa-bong, and both of their heads were shaved off by Hwang Sang. Consequently, Lee Soon-mong falsely used Hwang Sang of neglecting his duties. Hwang Sang had illegally taken the concubine, and Lee Soon-mong had falsely taken sick leave to avoid work. Both should be severely punished. Upon receiving the motion, King Sejong immediately issued an order. Detain the parties involved and interrogate them at the Royal Investigative Department. I will carry out yourmand! Meanwhile, Hyang, who heard the story, lightly shook his head. What? In this era, there are still things like extramarital affairs and false usations? Those old gentlemen seem too energetic In the end, when everything was proven true, Sejong issued another order. Reim all the previous titles and merits given to Lee Soon-mong and Hwang Sang. Confiscate half of all their property. Also, subject both to indefinite document-sorting. I will carry out yourmand! On the other hand, the court official added a note while documenting all these events. C When His Majesty decreed the document-sorting punishment for the criminals, all ministers unanimously agreed. The official then reflected. C Nowadays, there are hardly any exile punishments. C Itsmentable that there are hardly any respectable elders left. * * * With Hwang Sang receiving the document-sorting punishment, the position of the Minister of Law and Enforcement became vacant. Who would be suitable? Although he had asked his ministers for rmendations, King Sejong himself was also pondering suitable candidates. As King Sejong was thinking about candidates, Chief Eunuch entered the room carrying a scroll. What is it? Its the document-sorting recordspleted this month. Leave it and go. Yes. King Sejong unfurled the scroll left by Chief Eunuch, and his eyes fixated on one spot. Does the Ministry of Law and Enforcement department achieve these much results? How? While examining the excellent performance of the Ministry of Law and Enforcement that surpassed other departments, King Sejongs eyesnded on one name. Jo Mal-saeng, The man who had disyed remarkable ability in swiftly organizing the documents of the Ministry of Law and Enforcement after receiving the document-sorting punishment. Upon confirming the name, a smile crossed King Sejongs lips as he muttered, It looks like there is someone useful after all. Chapter 116 Chapter 116 Correction Note: Ive made a mistake regarding Hwang Sans position in previous chapters. His actual position is Minister of Military Affairs not Minister of Law and Enforcement. This position was assumed by Jo Mal-saeng before he got punished with documentation sorting. The next day, as soon as the morning court meeting began, King Sejong summoned the Chief Royal Secretary to check the situation. So, have you found suitable candidates? Yes, we are currently in the process of selecting them. Still? As King Sejongs voice turned stern, the Chief Royal Secretary immediately exined the reason. Many of the suitable candidates are currently involved in the northern frontier development. Ah, I see. Hearing the Chief Royal Secretarys answer, King Sejong nodded. The northern frontier development, which King Sejong and his court were ambitiously pushing forward, was going rtively smoothly. ording to the reports arriving every ten days, the northern territories of Joseon, especially in the northeast, were steadily expanding. Furthermore, these expanding territories were drawing in more and more people. One of thest reasons for this influx was military conflict. Joseons army had demonstrated its power so effectively that there were hardly any Jurchen tribes daring to provoke through force. However, the reason so many people were needed was not only because of the smooth subjugation of the Jurchen tribes, but also because the policy of civilizing them was going smoothly. * * * If you go to the north, the country will give yound! And you dont have to pay taxes for five years! When the rumor first started, the peasants showed little enthusiasm. Consequently, local officials in the southern regions, whose evaluations depended on this matter, began to think about how to increase the number of peasants willing to join the frontier development. One of these local officials submitted a proposal to King Sejong. C Currently, there are no peasants willing to participate. Give us an appropriate incentive to attract them. What else could be more appropriate than a tax exemption? In response to King Sejongs question, Minister Hyang immediately answered. In order to increase the production of our new form gunpowder, the production of potassium nitrate needs to increase. Promise that the court will buy all the soybeans if they cultivate them. Upon hearing Hyangs words, all the civil ministers and aides responded. Truly a brilliant idea! Please proceed with it! I also agree. Thus, an official answer was dispatched to the local officials in the southern regions. Upon receiving the official answer, the local officials immediately spread the word. C If you cultivate soybeans, the court will buy all of them! Upon hearing the rumor, the peasants started to show a slight interest, but no significant movement had urred yet. Its good that the country will buy our soybeans, but will they really buy that much? And for what purpose do they need so many soybeans? Its not like the king is eating soy sauce instead of rice. Well Ah! Among those who had expressed doubts, the quick-witted ones immediately left their seats to join themoners. This lord must be drunk! Why suddenly go north out of nowhere! How am I supposed to live! Naturally, those who unterally made decisions got an earful from their wives, and the husbands exined their reasons. Think about it, darling. What food can that foolish boy not live without? Hey Foolish Boy! Whats your favorite food these days! Chicken! Chicken! At the young foolish boys reply, his father continued speaking. You hear that? These days, every household eats chicken at least once or twice a month, right? But, why? Do you know whats the most important thing in chicken besides the meat? Its oil, oil! And its soybean oil! Ah! The foolish boys mother instantly understood and started bustling about. When are we heading north? I have some thingsid out here and there that I need to collect! *** To produce glycerin needed for manufacturing gunpowder, the Joseon dynasty distributed arge amount of meat, especially pork, and soybean oil. However, unlike in 20th and 21st-century Korea, where chemical extraction methods were used, traditional pressing methods couldnt yield arge amount. So, arge sum of money was invested in purchasing soybeans, and the government was operating at a loss. In this context, Kim Jeom, a royal advisor, made a request to King Sejong. I think it would be wise to postpone the production of the new type of gunpowder, considering the circumstances. That cant be! Please reconsider! Absolutely not! As soon as Kim Jeoms words ended, vehement opposition erupted from the military sector. Since thete Goryeo period, the militarys core strength had been artillery, especially for the navy. As soon as gunpowder was improved by Hyang, the navy immediately adopted it. Then, when blueprints for a new type of ship were released, they tested its performance and immediately requestedrge-scale production from Sejong. Mass produce? Yes! The hull isrge so it can withstandrge waves, and most importantly, it can carry far more artillery than existing warships! Hyang nodded, fully understanding the navys enthusiasm. In the end, Admiral Yi Sun-sin didnte from nowhere! For the navy, the new type of gunpowder was invaluable. If it had the same power with only half the amount, then each ship only needed half the gunpowder, allowing them to carry more supplies. Thus, both the army and the navy strongly opposed Kim Jeom, insisting that they would rather sink the ships than stop the production. Eventually, King Sejong sided with the military. Even if its at a loss, this is a necessary sacrifice. Therefore, I will not ept the royal advisors proposal. I obey yourmand. Kim Jeom had to ept King Sejongs decision. Later, it was said that Kim Jeom almost came to blows with the Minister of Military Affairs. Damn it! Let His Majesty take a look at the financial statements! I insist! Anyway, as the problem of permanentnd was resolved, the number of farmers willing to migrate to the North increased enormously. More quickly than expected, and with arge number wanting to migrate, more military forces were required in the North. Another unexpected event urred in the North, just as the number of migrating farmers had surged beyond expectations. The other unforeseen event in the North was the mass return of the Jurchen people. When initially nning the northern expansion strategy, the military had estimated that the return rate of the Jurchen would be at most 60%. Even 60% is generous. Looking at the nature of those Jurchen, the majority would either resist or leave. Look at the Odori tribes. The maximum figure the military had based their ns on, citing the example of the Odori tribes who left due to the persuasion of Ahachu and Ming Emperor, was 60%. However, as the northern expansion actually proceeded, the return rate of the Jurchen people started from 70% and was continuously rising. Why? Isnt it all thanks to Your Majesty? Upon hearing the Left Chief Councilors words, King Sejong gave a slight smile in response. That would be an excellent merit, but find out the reason immediately. Dont just gloss over it, thinking its good; we might run into big troubleter! Understood! Thus, the government officials quickly found the cause. A monopoly store? * * * As farmers migrated to the North, the Ministry of Taxation monopoly store was also established in the newly formed vige. Upon the establishment of the monopoly store, it caught the attention of the neighboring Jurchen people. What is that ce? Answering the fluent Korean-speaking Jurchens question, the farmer responded nonchntly. That? Its a monopoly store. Whats a monopoly store? You can buy salt or candy there. Upon hearing the farmer, the eyes of the Jurchen who had asked the question widened. You can buy salt? Yes. Can I also buy it? Go and ask. At the farmers words, the Jurchen got on a horse and headed toward the monopoly store. Whats going on? As the Jurchen entered the monopoly store, not only the dispatched Ministry of Taxation officials but also the soldiers on guard all looked at the Jurchen with tense faces. I heard you can buy salt here. At the Jurchens question, the expression of the Ministry of Taxation official rxed. Salt? Ah, if you are a returning Jurchen, you can buy it. Do you have a return certificate? Here it is. The Jurchen searched through his belongings and handed over the certificate. After confirming the document stamped by the officials, the Ministry of Taxation official checked the residence of the Jurchen on the hanging map and nodded. You are within our jurisdiction. Then you can buy it. Will you buy it now? Can I really buy it? Faced with the Jurchenss question filled with distrust, the Ministry of Taxation official replied, Do you think Id lie to you, all the way up here in the North? So, will you trade or not? Were already in a busy situation; make it quick. At the Ministry of Taxation officials urging, the Jurchens came to his senses and responded, Ah! I havent brought anything worth selling now. What should I bring? Anything of value will do. Cattle, horses, sheep, grain, and even furs, gold, and silver are all eptable. Understood! Ill be back soon! As the Jurchens hastily started to leave, a Ministry of Taxation official quickly called him back, Wait! Take this certificate! Without it, youre just a bluff! Eh? Yes! Thank you! Having secured the certificate for tributary submission, the Jurchens carefully stored the crucial document and hurriedly left. Cases simr to that of the Jurchens urred all over the northern frontier. Being able to secure a stable supply of salt, an essential item for survival, was like manna from heaven for the Jurchens tribe. Eventually, the Jurchens people who had already submitted tribute began to offer livestock and grain in exchange not only for salt but even for sugar, prompting other Jurchens people to eagerly follow suit. As a result, there was a significant increase inbor requirements in the North. The existing troops had to be redeployed to secure the rapidly expanding border, leaving a shortfall for maintaining internal order. *** The rapid northern expansion was good, but it has had some unintended consequences. We need to fill the position in the Ministry of War quickly Upon hearing the response from Chief State Councilor, King Sejong spoke with a regretful expression, at which point Ministry of Law and Enforcement interjected, Although the previous Minister of Military Affairs, Hwang Sang,mitted a grave error, Lee Soon-mong should be considered important again Enough! Speak sensibly! A high-ranking censor official cut him off before he could finish, What was Lee Soon-mongs duty? He was a royal guard, responsible for apanying the kings carriage. Not only did he rebel, but he also falsely imed to be ill! How can we re-employ such a reckless man? Chief Censor is correct. Siding with the Chief Censor, King Sejong issued an order to Chief Eunuch, Go and call Jo Mal-saeng. Yes, Your Majesty! As King Sejong ordered for Jo Mal-saeng to be called again, Chief State Councilor immediately inquired, Your Majesty, do you intend to reemploy Jo Mal-saeng? Yes. In response to King Sejongs words, Chief Censor immediately objected. Your Majesty! This should absolutely not be done! Criminal Jo Mal-saeng has not even served two years of his sentence. To employ such a criminal again is absolutely uneptable! I implore you to reconsider! Chief Censor, your point is valid. However, Jo Mal-saeng is diligently serving his punishment, and he has proven that. Chief Eunuch, hand this to the Chief Censor. Yes, Your Majesty. Chief Eunuch took the report that came up from the Record Office and handed it to Chief Censor. Heoh~. Upon reading the report, Chief Censor let out a sigh. The report was neatly organized with graphs and tablesundoubtedly simr to the work of Crown Prince Hyangshowing Jo Mal-saengs exemry performance in military service. Haah~. Chief Censor let out another long sigh and waved a white g. There are results, and a rationale has been established. Its hard to break it with just reason alone! Proceed as you wish, Your Majesty. Chapter 117 Chapter 117 The Chief Censor soon waved a white g, and not long after, Jo Mal-saeng entered the hall. Seeing Jo Mal-saeng walk in, d in white robes and wearing a traditional hat, Hyang thought he heard the theme music from a famous western movieposed by Ennio Morricone1. All he needs is a cigarette in his mouth! Jo Mal-saeng, emitting an air of perilousness, strolled up to the tform where King Sejong sat and deeply bowed. Sinner Jo Mal-saeng has arrived, heeding His Majestysmand! So, hows life at the Records Bureau? I hear its terribly strenuous for everyone? In response to Sejongs query, Jo Mal-saeng forcefully answered. How could Iin when not only have you spared this deserving sinners life but also granted me a chance to atone for my past sins? Heh heh heh. Upon hearing Jo Mal-saengs reply, King Sejong chuckled, making the ministers uneasy. Did he go to the Records Bureau to learn documentation or just to practice fawning? As much as the ministers felt disgusted, Sejong, who had been chuckling, suddenly became serious and looked at Jo Mal-saeng sternly. This King intends to give sinner Jo Mal-saeng an opportunity. The post of the Minister of Military Affairs is vacant. Can you handle the responsibilities of this position? Faced with Sejongs query, Jo Mal-saeng prostrated himself on the ground and responded loudly, Sinner Jo Mal-saeng! If you entrust me with this task, I will do my utmost, pouring in every ounce of my energy! Sejong made his decision. Start your duties from tomorrow. If you fail to do well, you will be immediately dismissed and returned to the Records Bureau. Jo Mal-saeng firmly nted his forehead on the ground and shouted, I will bear it in mind, and remember it again! Lets see how you do over the next three months. If you manage your duties well, I will grant you a piece of suitablend in Bukchon and build you a new house. Otherwise, who knows what will happen? Jo Mal-saeng promptly answered, I understand! Even if I die, I will die at the desk of the Minister of Military Affairs! Then go and rest. Minister of Military Affairs. Your Grace is boundless! May Your Majesty live a thousand years! A thousand years! A thousand years! After shouting A thousand years three times, Jo Mal-saeng cautiously backpedaled out of the hall. King Sejong looked around at his ministers. Well, now that weve filled the position, lets get back to work. We dont have much time left before the end of the royal examination. We heed your words! Meanwhile, the scribe who had documented all these proceedings added a note. -Thus, the ministers did not oppose the reappointment of Jo Mal-saeng. The scribe mused, His Majesty is fearsome. * * * The next day, Jo Mal-saeng, dressed in proper official attire, immediately started working on improving the militarys issues. As the northern stronghold expands, there aremunication problems arising. Aprehensive overhaul of the ry stations is needed as a solution, he suggested. A revamp of the ry stations, you say At Jo Mal-saengs suggestion, King Sejong stroked his chin beard, lost in thought. Starting in China and being introduced into Korea since the Three Kingdoms period, the ry stations or beacon system had been one of the most critical elements in the administrativework. Does the Minister of Military Affairs have any thoughts? First, we need to identify the problems that have arisen from the existing system. Until now, weve grantednd to residents living around the ry stations and entrusted them with its management. Horses required for the stations were secured by levying the Stand-horse Labor Tax on local residents, servants at the stations, and government soldiers. However, this has caused significant drawbacks. ording to the records that I reviewed at the archives, the number of diplomatic missions between Joseon and Ming has increased, raising the demand and cost of horses. Its even leading to people selling all their assets to afford this Stand-horse Labor. Consequently, the number of people running away from the ry stations or bing vagrants is increasing. (Note 1) At Jo Mal-saengs report, King Sejongs expression became serious. That is indeed a problem Whats the solution then? The easiest method is to recruit residents living near the stations as Auxiliary Labor Households and levy the Stand-horse Labor on them. The next option would be to supply government horses from pastures stationed in each region. I believe thetter is the best choice. Thetter, you say? Jo Mal-saeng continued to advocate for its necessity. Recruiting Auxiliary Labor Households may be convenient for now, but people will eventually run away or be vagrants again. The current taxation reform aims to simplify the tax obligations of the people, so the first option doesnt align with this goal. Thats true. At Jo Mal-saengs words, both King Sejong and the ministers nodded in agreement. Seeing the positive reactions, Jo Mal-saeng continued. Thus, distributing government horses bred in regional pastures would be the best solution. Kim Jeom raised an objection. Although His Excellencys opinion is valid, the supply of horses is the issue. Why is the supply a problem? Have you forgotten the petition that came up from Jeju Ind in January? Kim Jeom hastily rummaged through his memory at Jo Mal-saengs reminder. Seeing this, Jo Mal-saeng clicked his tongue. Youve forgotten, despite nothing changing How could a Minister of Taxation be so careless? Uh Stunned by Jo Mal-saengs sharp criticism, Kim Jeom could only mutter. Jo Mal-saeng turned to King Sejong. In January, there was a petition transferred to the Ministry of Military Affairs from Jeju Ind. It was a petition sent by Jejus local militarymander, rted to the horses in Jeju Ind. King Sejong, after a moment of recollection, responded. I remember. It was about regrly releasing the horses from Jeju Ind, right? Exactly. * * * Authors Notes Note 1: x (Yoo-ri) refers to the act of wandering aimlessly, often due to extreme circumstances like war or famine. It indicates people who have be disced and are drifting from ce to ce. *** In January, a horse breeder from Jeju submitted a petition.(Note 2) C The residents of Jeju rely solely on horses for their livelihood, so they are eager to sell them to the maind. However, the government has prohibited the sale of female horses, causing problems. Male horses are often sold for a low price when they are not even two years old, leading to a skewed sex ratio and decreased fertility rates. Therefore, they requested that female horses also be allowed to be sold to the maind every two to three years. The issue in Jeju was connected to Joseons tribute system. As Jeju rose as a critical horse breeding ground, regional officials focused on increasing the number of breeding horses. As a result, only the female horses that could bear foals were left, while the male horses were sold off. This led to hardship for the residents of Jeju. Although most of Jejusnd was pasture, there were some who farmed. However, horses from the ranches trampled or ate the crops, causing significant damage. Eventually, people in Jeju increasingly gave up farming and relied more on livestock. As a result, theck of grains became an everyday issue, and the horses they were raising began to starve and die. What made things worse was that the horses that couldnt get proper nutrition grew poorly. Also, the loss of prime male horses and repeated inbreeding led to the overall degradation of Jeju horses. The foals born in Jeju be smaller in size no matter how good the breed is, became almost amon saying. This was a disaster caused by short-sighted decisions of regional officials and residents. * * * When King Sejong recalled, Jo Mal-saeng exined more about horse management. Currently, due to excessive livestock farming in Jeju, the condition of the horses is not good. We should reduce the number of horses raised in Jeju to a reasonable level, raise them well in the ind ranches, and supply them to the offices, post stations, and the army. Upon hearing Jo Mal-saengs counsel, King Sejong looked at the other ministers. Is there enough pasturnd in the ind areas? Kim Jeom immediately responded. Early in your reign, Your Majesty, we have been expanding ranches nationwide. However, there is a shortage of pasturnd at present. If what I have verified while organizing records is correct, we will have increasingly more pasturnd in the future. At Jo Mal-saengs counterargument, King Sejong looked at Kim Jeom. Kim Jeom looked at a distant mountain. Jo Mal-saeng continued to propose policies. If ack of pasturnd in the ind is a problem, employing the wealthy Jurchens tribe can be another solution. They are well-known for raising good horses. We can acquire good horses, and the Jurchens can quickly assimte as they are guaranteed a stable livelihood. Can we trust the Jurchens? If we keep being suspicious, the Jurchens will never be our people! But, even though we are expanding ranches following the new policy, there is a limit! A limit! Have you forgotten about the Eastward Expansion movement? ording to Eastward Expansions n, well advance to the Greater Khingan ranges once the battlefronts in the Tumen River basin are over. Isnt thend we acquire in the process notnd but waste? The ministers continued to counter, but they kept losing to Jo Mal-saeng, who had data on his side. Eventually, King Sejong made a decision. It seems that the Minister of Military Affairss opinion is correct. Decide on the policy with his opinion at its core. I ept the order. At King Sejongs decision, Jo Mal-saeng loudly expressed his thanks. Your grace is immense! The scribe who recorded all this added. C And so, a decision from above was made. The scribe pondered. What had the Minister of Military Affairs experienced in the Records Office? Meanwhile, Hyang, who had been watching the debate between Jo Mal-saeng and the ministers, suddenly remembered something. Come to think of it Otaibi, what are these noblemen doing taking so long? Are they nning to start from pairing the horses and then bring them? * * * The situation was dire for the Otaibi family as Hyang found himself lost in thought about them after a long time. Just a little more and well be in Joseon! Put in a little more effort! Yes! Responding to the leaders orders, the ships captain shoutedmands to the crew. Shoot the arrows! Shoot! Following the captains orders, the crew fired ming arrows at the pursuing pirate ships. But it wasnt just the Otaibi familys merchant ships that were firing arrows at the iing pirates. The merchant ships of the apanying Azram family were also desperately fending off the pirate attacks. The pirates were equally desperate. Catch them quickly! Boss! Were almost in the patrol zone of the Joseon Navy! Its dangerous! Upon hearing his subordinates report, the leader of the pirate fleet, Wang Gahak, gritted his teeth and replied. I know! But if we catch those ships properly, we wont have to imitate these foreigners for another 2-3 years! These men were dressed as foreigners, but they were actually fake Japanese, who were Chinese. Shishi-shik! ming arrows! Put out the fire! Shoot our ming arrows! As the Otaibi and Azram families merchant ships and pirate fleets engaged in a frantic chase, smoke rose in the distant northern sky. Puff-puff-bang! Multicolored smoke clouds burst in the air, and the subordinates shouted towards Wang Gahak. Boss! Its the Joseon Navy! Damn it! Turn the ship around! The pirate ships are turning! Are you sure? Im sure! Upon hearing the captains report, Otaibi rushed to the bow of the ship and looked at the pirate ships. The pirate ships that had been chasing them with intent to kill were now changing their direction dramatically. Its fortunate, but why? Surviving by the skin of his teeth, Otaibi was more curious than relieved. It seems to be rted to the smoke that burst in the sky earlier. That smoke? Otaibi immediately recalled the multicolored smoke cloud that had burst in the sky earlier. What on earth is that? As Otaibi couldnt hide his confusion, a crew member who had been looking through the lookout at the top of the mast shouted. Ships areing from the north! Upon hearing the sailors words, the leader and the captain rushed to the bow. As the sailor said, ships with yellow sails were approaching them from a distance. Its not any kind of ship. Indeed. On these square-shaped vessels, multicolored gs depicting various animals were fluttering. * * * Note 1) Korean Cultural Encyclopedia https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Item/E0036639#self Note 2) January 6th, in the 10th year of Sejong.
  1. Probably referring to the movie called, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.[?]
Chapter 118 Chapter 118 Tension soared among the crew, the captain, and the head of the Otaibi family as a mysterious fleet approached. Enormous As the unknown ship drew near, the crew of the merchant ship became increasingly disheartened. Though the Dhow they were on was arge ship also known as a Bagh (a type of dhow), the approaching ship was even more massive in size. [TL/N: A type of ship usually used by Arabs a long time ago. ] To be precise, their own ship was longer, but the approaching ship was noticeably taller. This is definitely not a ship from Ming. The design is entirely different. Then is it from the Western Barbarians? The Western Barbarians dont have ships that big. Then whose ship is it? The increasingly restless leader vented his frustration, but even the captain had no answers. I dont know. Shortly after, a small boat detached from the mysterious fleet and came their way. When it got close enough to distinguish the uniforms of the people onboard, an elder among them shouted excitedly. Its the Joseon army! Leader! Its from Joseon! Joseon, you say? At the leaders question, the elder nodded vigorously. Yes! I am certain; its the uniform of the Joseon army that I saw when I visited Joseonst time! Then why didnt we recognize the ship? Faced with the leaders question, the elder replied with an awkward expression. I didnt see suchrge ships back then. Upon hearing the elders answer, the leader looked at the ships presumed to be from Joseon with surprised eyes. Have they constructed such ships in just a little over a year? Enough to form a fleet? Adding to the leaders monologue, the captain spoke. As soon as those pirates saw that ship, they fled. By the looks of it, those ships must have dominated these seas for a while now. At the captains words, the leader nodded. That seems to be a fair assessment. While the leader and the captain were talking, a Joseon soldier on the boat that had drawn near shouted through a peculiar device. Identify yourselves! Responding to the soldiers question, the interpreter onboard replied in Mingnguage. We are merchants from Aden! We havee with goods requested by the Prince of Joseon! After hearing the interpreters shout, the Joseon soldiers onboard the small boat discussed something among themselves and then shouted again. Stand by for a moment! Understood! After that, the small boat went back and forth a few times for a short verification process, and the decision of the Joseon naval forces was made. Follow us! We will protect you! Understood! Thank you! As the small boat turned back, everyone from themanders to the captains and the crew members let out a sigh of relief. Phew~. Were safe now. Thats right. In this way, the merchant ships of the Otaibi and Azram familiesfortunately without a single lossbegan to head back to Joseon, escorted by three Joseon naval ships. Of course, during this process, all the Arab crew members were dumbfounded when they saw the Joseon ships making a turn on the spot. Is that even possible? Im seeing it for the first time as well The captain answered with a stunned expression, to which themander mumbled to himself again, What kind of country is Joseon? *** Meanwhile, as safety was assured, the more rxed crew members were observing the Joseon fleet that moved parallel to them at a distance. The ships are quite unique. Theyre shorter in length than our ships, but much taller. As the crew members said, the panokseon (a type of ship) operated by the Korean navy were indeed quite tall. [ (Panokseon)] Judging by the position of the Joseon naval forces behind the walls attached to the sides of their ships, the top of the cabin at the stern of therge Dhow merchant ship that the Arab merchants were on was almost at the same height as the first deck of the Joseon warship. Among the crew observing the Joseon fleet, the older and more experienced ones nodded their heads. It would be difficult to give up their ships without a fight. Captain, arent those protruding things on the side of their shipsrge arrows? Arrows? Upon the younger crew members point, the one referred to as Captain narrowed his eyes and observed the Korean fleet. Indeed those are arrows but why would they have something used in sieges? Observing the loadedrge arrows, the captain showed an expression of further iprehension. What kind of crossbow could use arrows spaced so closely? *** Not only the crew but also the leaders and captains of the Otaibi and Azram families were observing the Joseon fleet and discussing the objects that looked like crossbows. Its not a crossbow. The captain, who had been observing as closely as possible, concluded. The spacing is too close for it to be a crossbow, and the position of the arrows is too low. Then what is the most likely? Upon the leaders question, the captain thought for a moment and then answered briefly. A cannon. A cannon? The leader briefly responded to the captains words and bowed his head. From what I can see right now, there are at least 10 arrows visible, which means that there must be at least 20 cannons on that ship. Even those Catholic heretics dont carry that many. At this, the captain retorted. Arent they not Catholic heretics? Heh The leader muttered, taken aback. Are there any people crazy enough to carry more than 20 cannons on each ship? Is there an excess of gunpowder or something? *** Meanwhile, a simr discussion was unfolding on the Joseon front. Do you think those people are really merchants authorized by the court? Mokpos naval chief, who led the fleet, posed the question, to which the officer in charge of civil affairs replied. The trading license has been verified. The problem is that we have never seen merchants with such licenses in our jurisdiction in Jeo Naval District, isnt it? At the naval chiefs point, his subordinate officer answered. Thats true, but licenses with the same names have already been issued to traders traveling to and from the Shandong region, and the official seal on the documents was indeed that of the court. Hearing this, Mokpos naval chief sighed softly and concluded. Lets send an investigator after we return. Besides Mokpos naval chief changed the topic. Its a pity that we missed those damn pirates. They are bing increasingly difficult to catchtely. As soon as we fire the small-signaling cannons, they run away. Small-signaling Cannons are quite useful, but they have this side effect. Exactly. To Mokpos naval chiefsint, the subordinate officer nodded and added, Theres also the issue with this Panokseon ship. *** In a world influenced by Hyang, not only were there rapid advancements in weaponry. We should make and use useful things! ording to Hyangs decision, weapons that originally existed in history were also made. Of course, they were not replicas. A prime example was the Small signaling cannons. *** Hyang developed the Small-signaling Cannons for two purposes within this new weapon system. One was a long-range suppression weapon that used gunpowder as a propent, and the other was for signaling. By loading the frontpartment of the paper cylinder attached below the arrow with gunpowder, various minerals, and dyes, it could emit various colors of smoke during the day and various colors of mes at night. They created it so that various situations could be quickly understood based on the type and order of the colors exploding. The newly born signaling cannons were highly favored by the military. Moreover, thebination of the telescope made by Hyang by grinding Pietro and Raphaels work and the signaling cannons greatly expanded the operational range of the Joseon Army. It was particrly useful for cavalry engaged in skirmishes with the Jurchens tribes. However, where the signaling cannon was most usefully deployed was in the navy. It wasnt just the small-signaling cannons that were useful. Excluding the fact that its body was made of paper instead of iron, the warheads were made to be identical to non-traditional torpedoes, which were masterpieces. Though its power was half that of the non-traditional torpedoes, its range was 250 paces (approximately 300m) longer, bing a monster with a frightening range of 800 paces (approximately 960m). *** The subordinate officer mentioned the Panokseon they were aboard, and Mokpos naval chief nodded. Exactly. I like everything about this Panokseon, except for one thing C its slow speed. Thanks to that, pirates now run away as soon as they see either the signals from the cannons or the Panokseon itself The Panokseon that Hyang had advanced was satisfying to the navy. Initially built for mass artillery deployment, its tall andrge hull made it difficult for the ships of Westerners or pirates to approach and board. Moreover, its high altitude made it possible to destroy enemy ships from a farther distance using arrows and cannons. Also, the hull had been reinforced as much as it had grown in size, making it possible to even destroy the ships of Westerners or pirates through collision. However, the Panokseon had the fatal w of being slow. The rectangr-shaped hull was useful in coastal waters but problematic when taken to the open sea due to the speed issue. Because of this, Westerners and pirates who initially underestimated it ended up fleeing as soon as they saw a Panokseon. Of course, there were those among the Westerners and pirates who believed in their own speed and attacked anyway, but after seeing their ships destroyed by cannonballs flying in from a distance farther than that of arrows, none dared to do so. Mokpos naval chief turned his head, muttering. We need a ship that is faster and sturdier more than we need good artillery. The Crown Prince and the elites are in Area 51; well have good results soon, said the subordinate officer. Mokpos naval chief lowered his head, saying, Area 51? There are many obsessed with artillery there, but none obsessed with ships. Thats the problem. However, this was a misunderstanding on the part of Mokpos naval chief. If Hyang had heard this, he would have replied, Why dont you try and get a budget allocation from His Majesty! Im getting cursed out once a day saying You brat! these days! *** The ships of the Otaibi and Azram families, after a five-day voyage, dropped anchor in Jeos port. A message has been sent to Hanyang. They said to wait a few days. Very well. Ah! They asked if we need anything. At the interpreters question, the chief looked at the captain. In response to the unspoken inquiry, the captain immediately replied. Ask for provisions first. Understood. While waiting for a reply from Hanyang, the chief of the Otaibi family and the captains of the merchant ships took the opportunity to explore the area around Jeos port. Do not wander around the military base carelessly. Understood. May we go and explore the market outside? Hmm today happens to be the market day, so go ahead. With permission from the Commander of the Left Navy, the chief of the Otaibi family led people out to the market. A look of disappointment filled the chiefs face after seeing the marketce. Is this all Its nothing. It can hardly be called a marketpared to the one Ive seen in Ming before. The chief, who was grumbling while browsing the market, suddenly stopped in his tracks. Whats that! The chiefs eyesnded on a small guesthouse. On the dining tables vacated by diners, white porcin and ss cups were sparkling. How could such extraordinary items be found in such an underdeveloped ce? Caught off guard by the unexpected incongruity, the chief was thrown into confusion. What on earth is this country of Joseon? Chapter 119 Chapter 119 After surveying the marketce, the level of confusion among the leaders had intensified upon the captains reports. We didnt get a chance to see inside the Joseon naval base, but we scrutinized the warships setting sail. The ships that escorted us, as well as slightly smaller ones, were all equipped with cannons. All of them? The leaders question was filled with disbelief, to which the captains replied sinctly. Every single one. Goodness The leader let out a long sigh upon hearing the captains responses. To this, the most experienced captainformerly of the Otaibi familys shipSuleiman, added more information. Of course, the ships armed with nearly 20 cannons were of the same ss as those that escorted us. The smaller ships had about 2 to 4 cannons each. The even smaller ones didnt have any cannons at all. The leader shook his head disapprovingly at the captains report. Its impossible to pin down the identity of this nation. Looking at the marketce during the day, it seems as backward as a remote vige market far from Aden, but the alleyway restaurants have expensive porcin and ssware on the tables, and the navys warships are loaded with those costly cannons What kind of country is this Joseon, exactly? To the leaders musings, Suleiman responded tersely. I really dont know. I, too, simply cannotprehend this country. The elder, who had previously visited Joseon, stepped forward as the leader was immersed in confusion. Hassan and Sayid, who work as officials here in Joseon, told me that since the current king ascended the throne and the crown prince was designated, the country has been developing rapidly. Thats right. The leader nodded lightly in agreement and let out a small sigh. Hmm. I need to reflect. I was disappointed by just the sight of the market outside the base. Had I not seen those ceramics and ssware The leader critically reflected on himself. * * * Having learned of the great value of the products from Joseon brought by the elder, the leader embarked on the ship with high hopes. Were a bit behind schedule, but lets work hard. Theres a lot of money at stake! It had taken some time to acquire the fine breed of horses requested by the prince of Joseon, but the leader wasnt particrly worried. The merchant fleet that set sail from Aden endured a grueling journey, navigating through the pirate-infested waters of the Strait of a and the South China Sea. It was after surviving such dire straits that the leader arrived at the marketce of Joseon, only to fall into disappointment. Having lived in the grand city of Hangzhou during the Yuan dynasty in his youth, the leader couldnt help but feel let down by the modest marketce of Joseon, especially whenpared to the splendid culture he had experienced in Hangzhou. Can there really be anything worth money in such a country? Was that incidentst time just a stroke of luck? I wouldve never thought a country right next to Ming could look so shabby. However, the moment he saw the small items hidden in that shabbiness, the leader had to eat his words. A guy who has the goal to greatly expand his family! A guy who aims to be a great merchant! While Ive repeatedly told others not to be deceived by appearances, I actually forgot about it myself! The leader deeply reflected on his mistake. Five dayster, a messenger who had returned from Hanyang delivered a royalmand through an interpreter. His Majesty orders you to depart at dawn tomorrow ande to Hanyang. Our navys ships will escort and guide you. At the messengers words, the leader was overjoyed. Thank you very much! With the departure date set, the crew of the fleet prepared to set sail throughout the night. The next morning, at the prow of the ship heading north, the leader made a firm resolution. There will not be a second mistake! * * * After several days of sailing, the merchant ships arrived at Jemulpo and began to unload their cargo. The cargo from the sixrge dhows was substantial, so the leader of the Otaibi family requested carts from the Joseon resident rtives waiting at the dock. Well prepare them right away. Id be grateful. While the carts were being arranged, the cargo was meticulously checked by the Ministry of Taxation. A Ministry of Taxation official, after recording the list of goods, their quantity, and their prices, busily clicked his abacus and then spoke to a customs officer. The customs officer conveyed the message to thepanys interpreter in Chinese, and the interpreter ryed it to the leader. You are to pay 40 nyang in customs duty. 40 nyang of gold? Even for the goods brought at the request of the Joseon prince? To be precise, what had been requested by the prince was only the fine horses, but the leader, reluctant to pay the tax, emphasized at the princes request. However, despite the emphasis, the official was unmoved. Eventually, a dispute arose between the Ministry of Taxation, the customs officer, and thepanys interpreter. The quarrel was somewhat calmed when a rtive who had gone to arrange the carts returned. If you look here at the permit, there is a use that requires you to pay the set tariff rate. Even for the items and horses brought at the request of the Joseon prince? Yes. Ah. The merchant-like instinct of the leader was triggered, and he wore a look of emptiness. Comforting him, the elder said, Think of it as an investment. Investment. At the elders words, the leader groaned. Ugh Thats how I have to think of it, yes. But whats with the administrators being so inflexible? Well They mayck flexibility, but theyre not corrupt, are they? Ugh The interpreter, sharing the leaders sentiments, faithfully ryed their conversation to the overseer. The overseer chuckled in response. Have you heard of a recorder? A recorder? After a brief exchange, the leader of the Otaibi n, having paid a tremendous sum of 40 gold taels, or the equivalent of 400 ducats, set out for Hanyang with a heavy heart. * * * The leader of the Otaibi n led his people to amunity residence south of Hanyang. While the leader of the Otaibi family was unwinding from the journey, the elegant Hassan and Sayid sought him out. Brothers Hassan and Sayid are here to see the leader. With a polite yet warm greeting, Hassan and Sayids approach was reciprocated by the leader. Im truly delighted to see how well Hameds children have grown! Especially Sayid, you look even better than thest time you were in Aden Or not? Are you ill? Noticing the dark circles under the brothers eyes, the leader asked with concern. Its nothing. Weve just been a bit busytely Oh! You must stay healthy for our n to be strong. Shall I give you some medicine? As soon as the leader mentioned medicine, the Hassan brothers panicked and waved their hands in refusal. No, no! We dont need any medicine! Thank you for your concern, but we absolutely dont need any! Hmm? Perplexed by their reaction, their father, Hamed, exined the reason. Among the officials of this Joseon, medicine or tonic is taboo. Hmm? The leader could not hide his confusion at Hameds exnation. Recently, among the court officials, the act of giving medicine or a tonic had the same implication as saying go drop dead! When a superior offers medicine to a subordinate, it means Ill work you to death!, and when colleagues give medicine to each other, it signifies Ill soon give you a hard time!. After the brief disturbance subsided, the Hassan brothers delivered the document to the leader. His Majestymands you to enter the pce tomorrow. Tomorrow? Understood. Hmm Can I enter the royal pce every time Ie to Joseon in the future? Hassan gave a negative answer to the leaders question, which was full of anticipation for an unforeseen opportunity. No. This time, you were summoned as a courtesy because you brought the items requested by the Crown Prince, and you came in person. From next time on, you will probably need to discuss matters with an official from the office called Ministry of Taxation. Is that so? Thats disappointing. Tsk. The leader smacked his lips in regret at Hassans answer. * * * The next day, the leader, properly dressed, headed to the pce with the Hassan brothers and the elders. Here are the people who havee at His Majestysmand. The gatekeeper, upon receiving and checking the document handed by Hassan, gestured, and Gwanghwamun Gate opened, allowing the merchants to step inside. The gatekeeper and his men, who had been looking on with curiosity, soon widened their eyes in surprise. Whats that? * * * May His Majesty receive our greeting~! At the merchants loud call, the traders respectfully paid their homage. You have worked harding from afar. Please be at ease. Through Hassan, the merchants heard King Sejongsmand and carefully rose to their feet. Young man! Is that why he is so active? The leader, after sneakily checking King Sejongs face, introduced himself politely. It is an honor to meet the esteemed King of Joseon. I am Mansur Mohammed Kamal Al Otaibi, the leader of the Otaibi family! King Sejong, having received Mansurs greeting through Hassan, replied with a smile. I am also pleased to meet you. Leader Mansur, please stand at ease. Thank you, Your Majesty. After a brief exchange of greetings, King Sejong went straight to the main point. I hear you have brought the horses the Crown Prince asked for. Have they arrived safely? To King Sejongs question, Mansur immediately replied. Yes, they are a bit worn and thin from the long voyage, but all have arrived safely. May I see them now? The horses have been ced outside the gate, so you can see them right away. At Mansurs response, anticipation began to flicker on the faces of Sejong and the ministers who had followed him out. Notably, it seemed Jo Mal-saeng was the most expectant of them all. Bring them over. As Sejongsmand was given, the Geunjeongmun Gate opened, and the horses came in. What is that! Is that supposed to be a horse! The ministers, looking through the open gate at the iing horses, had their gaze fixed on the horses at the very back. It was just as surprising for Hyang too. What is this! A horse that seems fit for an end-of-century monarch to ride! The horses leading the way were also about 1 cheok (approximately 34 cm) taller than the Jeju horses or those of the Jurchen tribes. But the four horses that enteredst were another cheok taller than those. As the horses came in, Sejong stepped down from his dais to take a closer look at the horses. Though they are big, they are remarkably agile in their build. Pleased with Sejongs generous appraisal, Mansur responded with a face full of pride. In terms of running speed and stamina, theres hardly any breed that canpete with them. Is that so, what does the Minister of War think? To Sejongs inquiry, the Minister of War, Jo Mal-saeng, bowed his head and replied. Though they appear lean, if we judge by their muscles and bones, it seems difficult to match them with Jeju horses. How aboutpared to the Jurchens horses? They seem superior to those of the Jurchen tribe as well. Of course, well need to confirm this properlyter I see. And Sejong then moved towards therge horse that he was most curious about. Ive never seen such a giant horse in my life. At Sejongs assessment, Mansur immediately replied. This humble one has also never seen such before. We acquired the horse through Catholic merchants in the process. They said its a horse that came from a Western country called France. Sejong expressed his doubt at Mansurs answer. Huh? I heard that you have bad rtions with the Westerners who believe in a religion called Catholicism? Just because rtions are bad, it doesnt mean we cant do business, right? There are merchants with the same faith whom we dont get along with, and there are those with different beliefs whom we have good rtions with. At Mansurs reply, Sejong burst intoughter. Ha ha ha! What a foolish question (from me) and a wise answer (from you)! Chapter 120 Chapter 120 After the evaluation of the horse was finished, Sejong turned his attention to the other goods. However, the more he looked at the products Mansur had brought, the more his expression clouded. There are many luxury items Upon hearing Sejongs words through Hassan, Mansur asked with a serious face. Does the king of Joseon not favor luxury? The ministers of this country dislike it when the king indulges in excessive luxury. Of course They themselves have indulged in luxury and suffered for it. Mansur fell into deep thought at Hassans answer, which he held back from finishing. Most of the products he had brought were spices like pepper and turmeric. Who dislikes spices, almost no one, especially the nobles who would buy them regardless of the cost Mansur continued his various calctions and then asked Hassan. Do people in this kingdom not eat spices like pepper and turmeric? They eat native spices that have simr effects. Imported spices like pepper are very expensive. They dont dislike pepper, do they? They cant afford it because its expensive. Whats the usual price? How much does the storage manager purchase it for? Upon Hassans question, Mansur shared the price at which he had bought the pepper in Aden. After hearing Mansurs response, Hassan answered briefly. Multiply that by twenty. Thats the lowest price here. Goodness! Startled, Mansur suddenly had a brilliant idea. If I buy pepper in bulk from Aden, I can get it for less than the market price! And the Joseon people dont dislike pepper. If I dont pass it through middlemen and ept a slightly lower profit, I could monopolize the market! The reduced profit can bepensated for by increasing the sales volume! No, I can reap even greater profits! While he concluded that small profit, quick return was the best strategy, Mansur could note to an easy decision. He had the obstacle of the merchants of the Azram family to consider. Theres no helping it. Hassan, can you get permission from the king of Joseon for some time? Why is that? Mansur said, looking back at the merchant of the Am family behind him. Theres another party I must sessfully negotiate with first Upon Mansurs words, Hassan replied with a grave face. Ill try, but be careful, as it could make you a criminal. A criminal? Would it be proper for a mere merchant to suggest to a king of a country to postpone negotiations? Joseon is a nation that values courtesy. A mistake could imprison not only myself but even our leader. Oh dear Mansur found himself in an awkward situation, unable to move forward or backward. Its a mistake! I rushed into this blinded by the prospect of making money, without proper investigation! This is a major blunder on my part! Indeed, as Mansur berated himself, this incident was a result of his own oversight. He had brought a cargo focused on spices without question, thinking only of European and Chinese merchants who would open their purses without hesitation at the mention of spices, and this had led him into a crisis. Meanwhile, having observed the situation, Hyang suggested to King Sejong. Your Majesty, may I handle this negotiation? The Crown Prince? Hmm King Sejong pondered for a moment at Hyangs request, his face filled with worry. There was much talkst time you dealt with those merchants. They said that it is unseemly for the Crown Prince of a nation to be involved in trade negotiations. Its a matter concerning the national interest. I would like to take charge of this matter along with the Minister of the Taxation. Kim Jeom, overhearing the conversation between Sejong and Hyang, inwardly eximed. Why me! I already have piles of documents to deal with! Sejong, whether he knew Kim Jeoms feelings or not, turned to look at him with a smile full of kindness. Minister, could you assist the Crown Prince? Although there was a smile, the request was an implicitmand, and Kim Jeom had to suppress the No! I cant do it! that nearly escaped his lips. Ah, I will do my best! I trust you will, Minister. I will do my best! With Kim Jeom and Hyang entrusted with the negotiations, Sejong conveyed through Hassan to Mansur. This trade involves the court, and I too have taken part in it. However, as I am upied with state affairs, I have delegated the matter to the Crown Prince and the Minister of the Taxation, hoping for a sessful deal. Thank you so much! Mansur felt a breath of relief hearing Hassans words and expressed his gratitude sincerely. * * * As Sejong and the ministers left, Mansur let out a long breath. Phew~. Releasing a long breath and easing the tightness in his chest, Mansur asked Hassan. Is that prince the prince? Yes, he is. And the one beside him is the Minister of Taxation of this country. I see. The Minister of Taxation seems stringent, but since the prince looks quite young, he must have been appointed to watch over him. I just need to be cautious of the Minister of Taxation. Mansur made this assessment based on the young Hyangs appearance, to which Hassan warned. You will suffer a great loss if you think so lightly of them. Huh? I, too, will not borate further because of this countrys bureaucracy, but if you let your guard down even a little, you will face a great disappointment. Upon Hassans warning, Mansur nced at Hyangs face once more. Seeing Hyang, who still had traces of youth, Mansur looked back at Hassan. However, noticing Hassans expression, which was even more tense than when the king was present, Mansur muttered to himself unknowingly. Good grief * * * Minister of Taxation. Do you have a list of the items they brought? Yes. With a short answer, the Minister of Taxation gestured, and an official from the Ministry of Taxation swiftly presented a scroll listing the items. Taking the scroll from the Minister of Taxation, Hyang perused the list. Lets see here ck pepper, turmeric Turmeric? Hyangs fingertips paused at turmeric on the list, and his mind began to race. Turmeric, as in curry? Curry rice is great! Wait there are no potatoes, no onions either Hold on, Im aware that the history of onions is quite long. Didnt Teacher Samcheonpo mention that? If the vegetable isnt from the New World, then mostmon vegetables have been in China since the Tang Dynasty. Hmm Ill need to check thatter. After organizing his thoughts about turmeric, Hyang continued to check the list. Most of these, no, excluding the horses, are spices? Why is that? Hyang pondered in his head. Hmm ording to the report, the ship they came on wasnt that big, right? If so, its certain that the space would have been mostly taken by horses and the hay for them to eat. Therefore, it indeed makes sense to carry goods that are small in volume but high in value, hence the spices. Spices are expensive regardless of East or West. Hyang nodded as he perused the list and then stopped at thest item. ck bean tea? What is this? I havent heard of it before Ah, Hassan! Yes, Your Highness! What is this ck bean tea? ck bean tea? I am hearing of it for the first time as well. Hassan paused for a moment and then asked Mansur. After hearing Mansurs response, Hassan replied to Hyang. Its an ingredient used to make a beverage called Qahwa. Qahwa? Its also called ka-pa-ra. Ka-pa-ra? Kapa-ra As Hassan exined, Hyang, who had been pondering deeply, suddenly eximed. Coffee! Joy was evident on Hyangs face. Coffee! Its coffee! I thought it would be impossible to taste it at least until the Western Fleet was established! Like most Koreans living in the 21st century, Hyang too was a caffeine addict. Moreover, it had beneficial effects. It will make a great gift for the ministers fighting off sleep. Of course, if one only thought about caffeine, green tea could be an alternative, but the rich taste of caffeine and the unique aroma of coffee were irreceable. Seeing the joy-filled expression on Hyangs face, Hassan asked with a face full of curiosity. Your Highness, do you know of Qahwa? Oops! Caught off guard by Hassans question, Hyang hurriedlyposed himself and answered. I came to know about it through books. It is said to be a tea with various benefits, so how could I not be pleased to see the real thing? Is that so? Although Hassan still had his curiosity, he stopped asking further questions. There will be a day to solve this mystery Hassan made a note to himself to write about this in the book he was secretly keeping and devoted himself to interpreting the conversation between Hyang and Mansur. *** Although it is a story of the far future, the book Hassan wrote titled Various Doubts Concerning Crown Prince Hyang became the cause of all sorts of controversies and conspiracy theories among historians of the East and West as soon as it was discovered. *** Meanwhile, Mansur persuaded the merchants of the Azram family. Therefore, the situation is not favorable. Thus, I wish to reduce the profit margin on these spices and sell them. Cutting down the profit margin Rajab, who apanied as a representative of the Azram family, became visibly troubled. Mansur continued to persuade him, seeing his expression. Wouldnt we benefit more if the reduction in margin attracts more buyers? So, how much do you intend to reduce it? When we earned the most, it was tenfold, but I would like to reduce it to about sixfold. Hmm Very well! Lets do that! But I will participate in the negotiations. Rajabs response made Mansur contemte briefly before epting his suggestion. Lets proceed with that. Leader! They say they want to negotiate the price. Understood. Lets go. Upon Hassans words, Mansur walked towards Hyang with Rajab. * * * Eh? There are more people? Who is that person? Hyang asked, and Mansur ryed the question to Hassan. Wecked enough ships, so we borrowed some from the Azram family. Hassan slightly altered Mansurs response when reporting to Hyang. He says weve borrowed ships from other merchants due to a shortage. Hyangs gaze sharpened upon Hassans answer. It seems like its not just the ships that have been borrowed? The trading license is exclusively granted to your Otaibi family, isnt it? This is our first official transaction; are you nning to deceive us from the start? Oh, no, that is not the case! Hassan replied in an urgent voice, but Hyang continued with a cold voice. Tell the head of your family very clearly. What are you thinking trying to trick us from the first deal? Mansur, having heard Hyangs words through Hassan, hurriedly made excuses, and Hassan also desperately defended himself. He says that it was truly because the ship was insufficient, and that he only borrowed the ships of other merchants! Just borrowing ships, then why is another merchant intervening in this matter? If that person is involved here, it means its not just about borrowing ships! Are you taking me for a fool? Does the head of your family think I am a joke, and that this country of Joseon is aughing matter? As Hyang pressed on, Mansur immediately knelt down on the floor and answered. I assure you, it is not so! Its just that, seeing this trade venture as a great opportunity, we overreached, and the other merchants, worried, decided to follow! Hyang, having heard Mansurs response through Hassan, red at Mansur with a fierce face while crossing his arms. At that sight, Hassan too knelt down next to him and made excuses. Your Highness! The head of the family had no intention to deceive you! It was just greed for a greater profit! Hyang, who had been silently ring at Hassan and Mansur, gestured with his hand. Fine! I will choose to believe those words for now. Stand up. Your mercy is immense! After Mansur and Hassan stood up, Hyang turned around. Now, lets talk about the deal, Your Excellency, is there a suitable room in the Minister of Taxation? There is. Hearing the response of the minister, Hyang ordered Hassan. Tell him to follow. Yes. Mansur, upon receiving Hyangsmand through Hassan, sighed and looked back at Rajab. This wont be easy. Chapter 121 Chapter 121 As Mansur had anticipated, the bargaining was not easy. Lets start with pepper, which is familiar to us in Joseon, he suggested. Yes, Your Highness, came the response. With the first item for negotiation decided, the serious bargaining began. So, how much do you want to charge? Tell me in the currency unit of Ming, not your traditional unit, Hyang ordered. Mansur did some quick calctions and ryed an approximate price to Hyang. Is that cheap? Hyang inquired. Kim Jeom immediately replied, Its about half the price of what it goes for in Ming. Half, you say Chief Mansur. How much do you sell to the merchants of Ming? As far as I know, Ming obtains it directly from India. Hmm Listening to Kim Jeoms reply, Hyang began to click away on his abacus with fervor. I remember hearing that pepper was once more expensive than gold of the same weight. Though the teacher at Samcheonpo expressed his doubts, saying, Was it really so? In Joseon, where they could still obtain pepper through smuggling, it was certainly possible. Despite opening a trade office in Shandong, pepper remains a luxury item, doesnt it? Before the trade office was established in Shandong, the price of what the Joseon people called pepper was exorbitant. How expensive it was could be understood by the fact that not only the wealthy noble families but also the royal family had to be determined to obtain pepper. Even after the establishment of a trade office in Shandong, the price of pepper did not fall significantly. This was due to the profiteering by both Ming and Joseon merchants. As the economy grows and peoples pockets be fuller, they immediately try to change their food, clothing, and shelter. Hyang was confident that the Joseon people would increasingly seek out pepper. Even now, thanks to the flood control projects, droughts and floods have decreased, and crop yields have improved. And with the newfound surplus, rice is selling like hotcakes. Thinking of the economic situation of the Joseon people through the informationing from the grain monopoly offices spread throughout the country, Hyang made a strong resolution. I might not know about other spices, but pepper must be included as a monopoly item. If not, spection will ensue, and prices will be chaotic. Then go for it! Hyang initiated the negotiation with a firm proposition. Thirty percent of the original price. Thirty percent? Thats ridiculous! Are you suggesting we shouldnt make a deal? Mansur appeared ready to storm out of his seat with indignation, questioning Hyangs stance. But Hyang did not back down. Indeed, it wasnt just ack of retreat; he pressed the issue further. How much profit did you make with the goods you took from our Joseonst time? Twice the profit. Heo With an expression of disbelief, Hyang looked over at Hassan. Didnt you say your family is a deeply rooted merchant lineage? Thats correct. And youre telling me you only made twice the profit? Indeed, should I continue trading with your family? Challenged by Hyangs words, Hassan immediately fell to his knees and eximed. I am deeply humbled! Please, do not cast aside my familys trading house! I beg for your reconsideration! Hassan, what in the world is going on? Startled by Hassans sudden plea, Mansur inquired urgently. To Mansurs question, Hassan answered hastily. His Highness is considering severing trade with our family! Hes upset that we only made twice the profit from thest goods we took from Joseon! Why would that be! If it were the new merchants from Joseon, even they would make more than double the profit with such goods! Even the neers! Ah! Mansur sighed upon hearing Hassans words. The deal they had settled for under the pressure of the Sindwa family had now be a shackle. Hassan, take your seat. Yes, Your Highness. After seating Hassan back down, Hyang pressed Mansur further. Pulling out a golden brush from his sleeve, he pointed at the pear blossom pattern and continued. You might not have been told by Hassan, but our Joseon goods, especially items with this pear blossom pattern, are quality assured by the state. Mansur was pressed by Hyang who exined the value of the gold-finished pear blossom pattern. Even the newest merchants make at least four times the profit in Ming and Japan with such products. But you only made twice the profit? How should I consider this? Hassan ryed Hyangs words exactly to Mansur. Really, they make that much profit? Mansur asked Hassan with an incredulous look. To Mansurs question, Hassan immediately replied. Its true. Especially, the products from the royal workshop are extremely valuable. There are rumors that in Japan, people are willing to engage in sword fights just to have a chance to buy items from the royal workshop. Ah Mansur sighed deeply and knelt before Hyang, rising from his chair. I beg for your forgiveness, Prince. Please forgive my ipetence. After hearing Mansurs words through Hassan, Hyang spoke. Mansur of the Otaibi family, rise and take your seat. Yes. Ive taken the initiative! Ive crossed the 8th part of the ridge! Hyang, having seized the initiative from Mansur, began to solidify his position. Although its only 30%, it will still be much more than the cost. If you take this from our Joseon and sell it properly, you can reap several times the profit. What do you think? But, 30% is too little! Do you really think so? What do you think will happen if the price is that low? At Hyangs question, Mansur began to sweat. The idea he had praised himself for being ingenious was already beneath the young prince in this conversation. How frightening! Was this what they meant by not to underestimate youth? However, Mansur could not readily ept the proposal. Just like in the incident with the Sindwa family, if he started to be led around, it would inevitably end in loss. Trade was ultimately a fight for control. Please consider 50%. Given the risk involved, it needs to be at least 50%. Risk? Experienced merchants like you should be able to anticipate natural disasters to some extent, shouldnt you? Natural disasters can be anticipated unless its in the middle of the vast ocean. However, the problem is pirates. Pirates Hyang trailed off as Mansur mentioned pirates. Were these the pirates of the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean, older even than the pirates of the Caribbean? Lets consider up to 40%. Kuk! Mansur gritted his teeth at the proposal. 40 percent is fine, but the problem is pirates! Its unlikely that our luck will always be this good! What to do Ah! Suddenly, an idea struck Mansurs mind like lightning. Mansur hurriedly made a new proposal to Hyang. Please provide me with the cannons used by the Joseon navy! Then I will agree to the 40 percent. Leader! At Mansurs words, Hassan eximed in shock, calling out to Mansur. Official Hassan, what did he say to make you so surprised? Oh, its that As Hassan trailed off, Kim Jeom pressed him for an answer. Do not hide it, speak inly! Cornered by Hyangs questioning and pushed by Kim Jeom, Hassan closed his eyes tightly and replied. He said if you provide the cannons used by the naval forces, he would agree to the 40 percent! Cannons? Cannons! Such audacity! The word cannons immediately made Kim Jeom yell out loud. However, Hyang was tapping an abacus with a thoughtful expression. Cannons After all, newer models with better performance have been created. The problem is the butterfly effect The history is already in chaos, should I even worry about this? Or is that too irresponsible? Amidst various thoughts, Hyang asked Mansur. Why do you need cannons? The sea route between Joseon and Aden is infested with pirates. On our way here, I noticed that the pirates were avoiding the Joseon navy. I believe that it is because of Joseon navys cannons. Hence, if you give us cannons, I will ept the 40 percent. Hmm Hyang pondered while drumming his fingers on the desk upon hearing Mansurs response. After all, its not like they dont know about cannons on the other side. Those who can use them are already doing so However, Kim Jeom was increasingly bing uneasy. Your Your Highness. Wait a moment. Hyang, holding Kim Jeom back, continued to think. Its too dangerous to give away the general cannons, especially since the new model cannons are scheduled to rece them soon. As Hyangs memory wandered, he thought of an appropriate type of cannon. Hmm Perhaps a Matchlock Cannon would be suitable? The Matchlock Cannon, measuring about 2 cheok 4 chon (approximately 74.2cm) in length and 2 chon 1 bun 5 ri (approximately 6.7cm) in caliber, was two-thirds the size of the general cannons mounted on Panokseon warships. Yet, the Matchlock Cannon had a firing range several times greater than arrows and could certainly make a definitive hole in any ordinary ship if aimed correctly. At that moment, as Hyangs deliberation prolonged, Kim Jeom, with a pale face, tried to persuade him. Crown Prince! We cannot give away cannons! Cannons are Minister, cannons are not unique to our Joseon. The Ming Dynasty has them too. Perhaps even the pirates might have them. That may be so, however Upon Hyangs pointed observation, Kim Jeoms words faltered. As Hyang had said, cannonry was not unique to Joseon. Ming China had them, and even the Northern Yuan possessed a few. Among the neighboring countries of Joseon, it was only Waeguk, Japan, thatcked cannons. No, recalling the behavior of the Japanese pirates that had troubled Ming China, perhaps even Waeguk might have them. Hyang continued to organize his thoughts. For our Joseons future foreign activities to proceed smoothly, more nations must be familiar with our country. For that to happen, from now on, our Joseons goods must spread far and wide. Ming and Japan alone are insufficient. We must reach at least as far as the Arabian Penins and the Mediterranean region. Hmm Lost in thought, Hyang looked at Mansur and began to speak. Theres something we must verify first. Did you say the Otaibi family resides in Aden? Yes, Your Highness. Would the ruler governing the Aden region not be angered if the Otaibi family freely possessed cannons? Mansur responded promptly to Hyangs query. There is currently no ruling monarch in Aden. It was once governed by the Abbasid Caliphate, but that was over 200 years ago; now, it is a free city of merchants. Ah Enlightened by Mansurs answer, Hyangs eyes sparkled. Since the Abbasid Caliphates fall at the hands of the Mongols in 1258, the region of Aden had be a free city, ownerless territory. Of course, there was the Mamluk Sultanate in Egypt, but their power did not extend to where Aden was located. And the famous Ottoman Turks were yet to expand beyond the Anatolian Penins. With Mansurs response prompting further thought, Hyang made another proposal. 30 percent. Ill also guarantee exclusive trade rights for five years. Then Ill speak well of you to my father regarding the cannons. Grant us exclusive trade rights for ten years, Mansur countered. Hyang tly refused. Ten years wont do. Five years is the basic guarantee, and thereafter well negotiate annually. This is my final offer. Will you ept, or reject? Upon hearing Hyangs words, Mansur did some mental calctions of profits and losses. After much deliberation, Mansur reached a conclusion. I will ept the princes proposal. As Mansur epted the proposal, Hyang rose from his seat. Then, I shall speak to my father. Lets pray that it goes well. If Father does not ept it, we will have to endure another tedious quarrel. Yes. Well then. Hyang left the room with Hassan and Kim Jeom. Mansur, the elder, and Rajab, who remained in the room, discussed the results of the negotiation. Isnt 30 percent too excessive? If its 30 percent of the original price, thats only three times the amount. As I said before, though the profit per item might significantly decrease, consider the volume. It could actually be more profitable. But wasnt the conclusion six times the amount? As Rajab persisted, Mansur pointed out something he had forgotten. Have you forgotten? With the goods from Joseon that were taking, we can reap several tens of times the profit. That may be true, but the greater the profit from spices, the more we can buy from Joseon! To Rajabs words, Mansur smiled. If thats the case, Joseons goods will be cheap. Lets look further ahead. A monopoly for at least five years. Monopoly means we can adjust the prices and extract the maximum profit. Still Although Rajab couldnt hide his reluctance, Mansurs expression brightened. With Ahs blessing, if we even get cannons, we wont have to worry about pirates. If that happens, being careful of storms will be enough to ensure a profit threefold. With the prospect of free navigation bing possible, trade could be even more active than now, and the credibility of the merchant group would also increase, making this an opportunity not to be missed. Chapter 122 Chapter 122
Hello everyone. This is Kirara. Ive made the decision to stop uploading chapter updates on NovelUpdates going forward, in order to sidestep any potential DMCA conflicts with the publishers. Additionally, as an extra precaution, Im going to secure all the chapters of this series with passwords. You can find the password for this series on the BT Discord. My apologies for any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you for your understanding.
Theyve asked for cannons? And Crown Prince, you are considering it positively? Yes, Your Majesty. At Hyangs response, King Sejong looked at him with a face full of worry. You do know what a cannon is, dont you? How could I not? Sejong nodded at Hyangs answer. After all, the person who had been most deeply involved in the research and development of various types of cannons, including the new models that were about to be deployed, was none other than the troublemaker standing before him. So Which cannon do you wish to provide them? The Matchlock Cannons, Your Majesty. Matchlock Cannons At Hyangs answer, not only King Sejong but also the ministers seemed relieved. However, because of the responsibilities they bore, they continued to question Hyang. Why the Matchlock Cannons? ording to the reports, the merchant ships that havee this time arerge but do not seem to be very sturdy. In the case of the General Cannons, even cargo ships cannot withstand the recoil, hence they cannot be equipped with many of them. Therefore, even if we gave them General Cannons, they wouldnt be able to use them effectively. At Hyangs words, the ministers who had experienced battles from the conquest of Tsushima to the early Joseon period all nodded in agreement. They had received simr reports several times before. Seeing the ministers reaction, Hyang continued. The firepower of cannons lower than Matchlock Cannons isparable to or slightly superior to bows and arrows in terms of range and lethality. Their rate of fire is even worse than that of bows and arrows. Thus, hasnt the military unified the use of Reinforced Cannons and Small Reinforced Cannons for both the navy and thend forces, and melted down the ones lower than Matchlock Cannons? With Hyangs point, the ministers were once again faced with the reality. Thats true. That was the case. It wouldnt be feasible to make new cannons just for these merchants, so the Matchlock Cannons seems most appropriate. As the ministers attitudes shifted to favor, the Chief State Councillor voiced his concerns. I understand what the Crown Prince is saying, but what if, just if, these Westerners copy our cannons? What if they mass-produce them and turn them against us? Hyang replied with a smile to the Chief State Councillors words. You are worrying too much. Our Joseon is already armed with cannons far superior to the Matchlock Cannons. The ministers nodded at Hyangs point, murmuring among themselves. Thats true. The Chief State Councillors face flushed at the ministers murmurs, and Hyang added an exnation. Besides, copying it is a matter of technology. Just looking at the shape of a cannon and replicating it? If they had such technology, they wouldnt need to ask us for cannons. Cannons have been around since the Yuan Dynasty and have spread to many countries. Ah At Hyangs words, the Chief State Councillor closed his mouth. With the closing remarks of the Chief State Councilor, none of the ministers opposed the proposal. Observing the reactions of the ministers, King Sejong reached a conclusion. The ministers have no particr objections, and I also think that offering the Matchlock Cannons would be appropriate. So, how much will you offer them, Crown Prince? First, it would be right to judge after inspecting the condition of the ship they arrived on. King Sejong nodded at the reply. That seems appropriate. Then, what about the payment? I am thinking of substituting half of it with the coffee they have brought. Coffee? King Sejong perused the list of items. Coffee Coffee There is no such item on the list? It is written here as ck bean tea. With the exnation, King Sejong searched the list again. ck bean tea Ah, here it is. And there is green bean tea as well? ck bean refers to coffee beans that have been roasted for drinking, while green bean refers to the raw, unroasted coffee beans. Is that so? What are the benefits of this tea? Upon King Sejongs inquiry, the minister exined the effects of coffee. When one is tired, drinking it can quickly restore vitality, it helps those who have difficulty urinating to do so properly, and it has various other benefits. However, the most important thing is its distinctive vor. King Sejong stroked his chin as the answers flowed smoothly. How do you know so much? The minister, who was excited at the prospect of being able to drink coffee, suddenly looked embarrassed at King Sejongs question and made an excuse. I read it in a book. At the mention of a book, King Sejongs eyes lit up. A book? I would like to see it myself. It was mistakenly mixed with the books that were burnedst time Please forgive my carelessness! Oh no! Treat books with more care. King Sejong lightly admonished him and moved on. However, the ministers did not let it pass so easily. Your Highness, you burned books? Books are precious. They contain the knowledge of our ancestors. The minister, steeped in Confucianism to the bone, replied with an embarrassed look. It was a collection of frivolous texts s, it was you who once said there is something to learn even from frivolous books! Dont you think this sounds like an excuse? When faced with the Chief State Councilors criticism, Hyang quickly racked his brain for a solution. To get through this predicament Thats it! If I say it was a book that this gentleman would despise, thatll be the end of it! Finding his escape, Hyang answered with a troubled expression. The book in question was about the rtions between men and women It seemed detrimental to public morals, so I promptly burned it. Oh dear Well done! As Hyang anticipated, the Chief State Councilor immediately changed his stance and praised him. However, the expressions of King Sejong and the other ministers darkened. The book that had influenced Hyangs notorious nightlife was precisely the book that had been burned C or more urately, the book he imed to have burned. Hmm! Ahem! Cough! Since the subject was not one to be openly discussed, King Sejong and his ministers all coughed ufortably. Noticing their demeanor, the Chief State Councilor muttered in confusion. Why, what is it? Startled by the unweing gazes directed at him, King Sejong hurriedly changed the topic. What about the other half then? What do you n to do? As King Sejong continued his inquiry, Hyang calmly proceeded to exin. Slowly, the corners of the mouths of the King and his ministers began to rise. Enough! Crown Prince, listen! I entrust this trade matter to you, and you are to take care of the firearms issue as well. Do your utmost with the nations interest in mind! Upon King Sejongs decision, Hyang bowed her head and replied. I will bear yourmand in mind and act ordingly! * * * After leaving the council hall, Hyang smacked his own mouth. This cursed tongue! Cant you discern time and ce? Lets stay focused. Warning himself, Hyang mumbled as he walked toward the Eastern Pce. Now that I think about it Why were the Imic folkste in arming themselves with firearms? Wasnt it them who introduced gunpowder to the West? Why then? While pondering this sudden question, the bell of the watchtower rang, indicating the time. Dong~ Hearing the distant bell, Hyang recalled a passage from a book he had read before. Was it all thanks to the bell, after all? When the first cannons were made in Western Europe, their creators welded iron tes to construct them. However, these cannons, aside from their performance issues, were incredibly prone to exploding. Nevertheless, cannons were a useful weapon, so countries across Europe conducted extensive research to create safe and convenient cannons. This led to the birth of the bronze cast cannons. These quickly became the standard. The widespread adoption of bronze cast cannons was facilitated by the numerous church bells across Europe. Bell makers, skilled in the art of castingrge objects from bronze, easily transitioned to producing bronze cast cannons. (Note 1) *** Bell casters were involved in the casting of cannons, and this was true during the Goryeo period as well. It was thanks to the presence of skilled bell casters that it was possible to produce cannons suitable for battle not long after the introduction of gunpowder. After Buddhism was introduced to the Korean penins, metal casting technology rapidly advanced. The Bell of King Seongdeok is an object that proves the casting technology of the Unified Si period. It was during the Goryeo period that this casting technology further developed. As Buddhism reached its zenith and many temples were built, skilled metal casters emerged through the process of supplying bells needed for these temples. Upon this conclusion, Hyang uttered a bitter smile and murmured, For a religion that preaches peace, the finely honed technology to be used for ughter It is indeed one of themon ironies of history. * * * Hyang, who had been entrusted with all the processes by Sejong, diligently proceeded with the work. Contact the Ministry of War and ry a message to find out how many cannons without firing mechanisms are avable for use. Yes, Your Highness. Not long after, upon hearing the message delivered by the eunuch, Jo Mal-saeng came to Hyang and asked, Did you mention cannons without firing mechanisms? Thats right. Wouldnt cannons with firing mechanisms be more useful? To Jo Mal-saengs question, Hyang pointed out a problem. Its because of the gunpowder. Were already stretched to supply our own needs, how can we afford to supply them as well? Realizing the oversight, Jo Mal-saengs face showed a sudden realization. Ah! Of course! Ive made an error! No, its not your fault. Thanks to you, weve identified an additional item to be procured. What might that be? Upon Hyangs newfound item to add based on his own remarks, Jo Mal-saeng showed interest. It must surely be something rted to the military because of me! To Jo Mal-saengs question, Hyang briefly replied. Mercury. Ah! Of course! If we can procure mercury properly, we can increase the production of gunpowder! Jo Mal-saengs face brightened at Hyangs response. In Joseon, to obtain mercury, cinnabar had to be imported from Ming and processed, but this process resulted in a number of people being harmed, making mercury a difficult product to mass-produce. Therefore, Joseon had to opt for the alternative of purchasing mercury from Japan. But, will they be able to procure a lot of mercury? To Jo Mal-saengs question, Hyang leaned back in his chair and answered, That I do not know for certain. However, the Westerners have been using a lot of mercury in their study of alchemy, so I presume it should be easier for them to procure. *** Thanks to Sejongs permission, the contract proceeded swiftly. Before we finalize the contract, we must inspect the ships youve arrived on. Yes, why is that? Mansur and the captains faces grew serious at Hyangs words about inspecting the ships. A ship was a captains territory. It was unthinkable to casually allow outsiders onto ones territory, which is why the captains expressions had turned so stern. Hyang exined to them the reason for needing to inspect the ships. Due to the significant recoil of the cannons, if the ship is weak, it cannot bear their weight. Ah I understand. Two dayster, naval officers and artisans responsible for Joseon went down to Jemulpo to inspect the condition of the merchant ships Mansurs group had arrived on and submitted a report. Considering the size and strength of the hull, it is absolutely impossible to mount heavy cannons, and at most, only three light cannons can be mounted per ship. After reviewing the report, Hyang negotiated with Mansur based on these findings. Alright. Then lets purchase a total of nine cannons at three per ship. For the nine cannons, the gunpowder, gun carriages, and sighting rings, what will you pay with? Faced with Hyangs question, Mansur replied with an awkward expression. Its quite a strain to buy goods from Joseon right now, so maybe on credit No credit for the full amount. Lets do this instead. Pay half the purchase price in cash, and for the remainder on credit, but we will send some of our naval personnel with you. Cash? At Hyangs proposal, Mansur discussed with the elder, Rajab. Ah! We will calcte the cash part without any interest, based on the price you paid. The additional demand from Hyang made Mansurs party look displeased. However, after Hasan subtly signaled with his eyes, they epted Hyangs terms. Fine. But why must you embark Joseons navy on board? Do you think you can aim and fire the cannons properly just by learning? Ah Its a task that requires long practice. Besides, even though our rtionship began with trade, shouldnt we continue it for a long time? Hyang spoke gently, with a rather kind expression. Mansur replied with a bewildered expression, taken aback by Hyangs sudden change in demeanor. Ah, I see what you mean As they proceeded, it would serve as sufficient training. Moreover, it would be even better if you could bring someone capable of determining the value of the items you acquire. At Hyangs words, Mansurs party once again put their heads together to discuss. Theres merit in what you say. *** Could it be a ruse to figure out the sea routes? To Rajabsment, Mansur made a face that suggested it wasnt a big deal. Of course, thats possible. But whats the problem? Its a sea route well-known to the merchants of Ming. After a long discussion, Mansur epted Hyangs suggestion. We will follow the princes proposal. Good. Then take the coffee with you today without fail. * * * That evening, Mansur had to deeply regret his decision. They said it was the entire lot, but they really swept it all away! The Joseon officials took all the coffee that Mansurs party had left over to drink. * * * (Note 1) Cannon, Sailing Ship, Empire by Carlo Cipo, published by Unknown Books Chapter 123 Chapter 123 Meanwhile, a storm was brewing in the Ministry of Military Affairs. From the Junior Assistant Minister to the Minister, everyone gather here! Upon Jo Mal-saengs call to everyone below me and above you, the officials hurriedly gathered in front of his desk. Has everyone gathered? Yes, Your Excellency! At the confirmation that everyone had assembled, Jo Mal-saeng threw a report on the desk and shouted. If youre going to do things this way, resign immediately! What? Suddenly The report about the Huihuis (Muslim traders) ships submitted to His Majesty! Really, is this the best you can do? Where is the detailed report on the structure and strengths and weaknesses of the Huihuis ships? That, we have yet to instruct the craftsmen to write it Thats the problem! If youre only going to do as youre told, why sit in a high-ranking position? Wouldnt it be better to prepare in advance before His Majestymands? If you think a little, theres no need to do things twice! We apologize! If youre sorry, then dont create situations to be sorry for! Do you know how embarrassed I was at the royal audience! * * * The incident began with a statement made during the royal audience. By the way, may I see the report on the structure of the ships the Huihui arrived in? At Hyangs question, Jo Mal-saeng stuttered in response. The re-report on the structure of the Huihuis ships? Thats still As you know, we are researching ships for ocean voyages, arent we? We even bought ships from Ming and Japan to inspect them. I am aware of that. But how can we be so slow when we have an opportunity that money cant buy? We need the report to analyze it, andter, to make up for the shorings when mounting cannons on the ships. Hmm. * * * With the active exchange between Ming, Japan, and particrly the Ouchi n, Hyang persuaded King Sejong to purchaserge ships from Ming and Japan. If only we had enough budget, we could have even bought and inspected Yus (Ming) ships Its all about the budget. Hyang grumbled, remembering the scolding he received when he asked for additional funds to purchase ships. Are ships something you can just buy in a marketce! Do you think budgetes out of nowhere? Get out! Thinking of the scolding, Hyang and the craftsmen thoroughly dismantled and inspected every corner of the purchased ships. Unbeknownst to Hyang, this was something that Shin Suk-ju1 did during the reign of King Sejo. * * * As Jo Mal-saeng groaned, Hyang continued. Let me repeat, the Huihui brought new ships, and we had the opportunity to scrutinize them thoroughly due to the issue of mounting firearms. Isnt this an opportunity given by heaven? Thats true Seeing Jo Mal-saeng stutter, Hyangs face turned stern. Dont tell me theres no report? Thats not it As Jo Mal-saeng fumbled, King Sejong interjected. Is there no report? With King Sejong stepping in, Jo Mal-saeng hastily replied. No, thats not it! Its currently being organized. We prioritized the report on mounting firearms, thinking it urgent! Is that so? King Sejong nodded at Jo Mal-saengs response and added, I thought you had forgotten your diligence from your days as a recorder. Forget? Never! Jo Mal-saeng vehemently denied, sweating profusely at King Sejongs words. So, when can I expect to receive it? Within five days. You said it just needs to be organized, right? I want it in three days. I will do so! And so, a storm descended upon the Ministry of Military Affairs. * * * Why! Why! Why make us do twice the work for something that could be finished in one go! Why! We apologize. If youre sorry, then dont make mistakes to be sorry for! Do you even realize how much paperwork piles up every time you handle things foolishly? Do you know? Havent I repeatedly said not to increase unnecessary paperwork! With Jo Mal-saengs return as the Minister of Military Affairs, several new rules were established in the ministry: C Do not create unnecessary documents. C Actively use tables. C Keep sentences concise and clear. As a result, the documents produced by the Ministry were remarkably clear and concise. King Sejong even praised them, saying, The documentsing from the Ministry these days are a pleasure to look at and read. They are simple and clear, getting straight to the point. Other departments should follow this example. We will heed yourmand! After scolding his subordinates for a long time, Jo Mal-saeng shouted onest time. What are you waiting for! Start writing the report and bring it to me! If its not on my desk within two days, we all die! I wont die alone! Yes, sir! * * * The military officers and craftsmen who had prepared the report were astounded at being told to write it again. Write the report again? Unable to hide their astonishment, the craftsmen repeated the question, and the official nodded. Yes. Thest report was about whether the Huihuis ships could use firearms. This time, report on their structural strengths and weaknesses. Structural strengths and weaknesses? Yes. Remember the reports we made recently on the Ming and Japanese ships? Make it like those. The head craftsman scratched his head and responded, Understood. By when should weplete it? Within two days. Got it. Well, Im off. Dont forget.Two days! Yes, we understand! Safe travels! After the official left with a quick stride, the head craftsman, once alone, cursed under his breath. Damn it! We wouldnt have to do this twice if they handled it properly the first time! These officials! Alwaysining about being busy! The head craftsman, cursing the unnecessary extra work caused by ack of foresight, gathered his subordinate craftsmen. Gather around! Gap-sik, get ready to take notes! * * * While the storm was raging in the Ministry of Military Affairs, Kim Jeom, the Minister of Taxation, was reporting to King Sejong. and so, the merchant Mansur has selected his merchandise. Hmm King Sejong pondered as he reviewed the list of items chosen by Mansur. As expected, porcin and spices are popr. King Sejong was pleased to seerge purchases of porcin, a cutting-edge high-value product of the 15th century, and traditional luxury items like spices. While spices weremon, porcin was exclusively produced in the royal workshop, significantly enriching the national treasury. Kim Jeom added more details in response to Sejongsment. The variety in porcin shapes has boosted sales. The Crown Princes idea was spot on. Is that so? King Sejong nodded in satisfaction at Kim Jeoms words. * * * Traditional porcin is nd! Itckspetitive edge! It wontst long like this! Upon seeing familiar pottery designs, Hyang immediately sketched modern designs and handed them to the porcin craftsmen. These shapes are quite unusual, Your Highness. Thats intentional. Arent these shapes also made in Ming? But dont the Ming and Japanese eagerly buy them as is? Hyang nodded at the chief potters words and exined. That may be true. However, the Ming might soon replicate them. We need to stay ahead. I see. The chief potters expression was a mix of understanding and confusion, prompting further exnation from Hyang. Moreover, the Westerners love porcin too. Their dining habits are different from ours, so wouldnt catering to their preferences boost sales? Ah! I understand now! The chief potter nodded in realization at Hyangs exnation. * * * Oh? King Sejongs pleasant perusal of the list halted at one particr item. They bought so much ssware? Wasnt ss originally from their region? At Sejongs question, Kim Jeom immediately responded. Though its origin is from them, the beauty and utility of our Joseon ssware surpass theirs. Is that so? Indeed, the Crown Prince As Kim Jeom subtly mentioned Hyang, King Sejong burst intoughter. Hahaha! The Crown Prince has indeed done much! The huge sess of the ss products owed much to the craftsmen, but Hyang also yed a significant role. For the artisans who traditionally worked with ceramics and earthenware, ss was a gift from heaven. Unlike pottery, where the oue remains uncertain until its fired after shaping, drying, and zing, ss revealed its final form as soon as it cooled. If they didnt like the result, they could simply melt it in the kiln and start over, a convenience that greatly ignited their creative passion. Hyang subtly fueled this fire. Can you make this shape? Is this design also possible? What if we mix colored ss liquid into the clear one? Every time Hyang suggested designs based on 21st-century ss products he had seen, the artisans creativity red even more intensely. Thanks to the properties of ss and Hyangs interventions, their products were superior in design to contemporary European and Arab counterparts. I have hundreds of years of evolved designs at my disposal Stimted by Hyangs ideas, not only Pietro and Raphael but also the Joseon artisans energetically blew into their blowpipes. * * * King Sejong, unable to hide his delight at Hyangs achievements, suddenly looked around. Now that I think about it, where is the Crown Prince? What is he up to? Sejong, ustomed to the Crown Princes frequent requests for more budget, felt a sense of emptiness in his absence. Responding to Sejongs inquiry, an official replied, The Crown Prince is currently experimenting with making tea using Qahwa. Qahwa? Ah, ck bean tea. Hmm After a moments pause, King Sejong stood up. I think I need a break. Yes, Your Majesty. Dering a recess, King Sejong left the hall and headed towards the Eastern Pce. * * * Hmm, hmm, hmmm Ah! Perfect aroma! Having finished roasting the green coffee beans acquired from Mansur, Hyang smelled the aroma and was visibly pleased. Dissatisfied with the roasted beans Mansur and the Muslim traders used, Hyang decided to roast them himself. All those hours being scolded for my diverse interests, and now theyre paying off. When Hyang watched dramas set in 21st-century coffee shops, he was more fascinated by the coffee than the protagonists love stories. Consequently, Hyang developed a considerable expertise in coffee, to the point where he was advised to open a coffee shop instead of a smithy. Using a brazier and a panjeol (traditional Korean pan), Hyang finished roasting the coffee. He then ground the beans in a small mortar and brewed his coffee. Hmm~. This is the aroma. Reminds me, I should make some professional tools for this. As Hyang was about to pour the freshly brewed coffee, feeling pleased at the thought of enjoying it, an eunuch announced the arrival of King Sejong. His Majesty the King has arrived! Ah! Hyang quickly adjusted his official attire and respectfully greeted King Sejong as he entered. I am honored to see you, Your Majesty. Ah, is that the Qahwa? At Sejongs inquiry, Hyang nodded affirmatively. Yes, Your Majesty. The tea the Westerners drink? Serve me a cup as well. Yes, Your Majesty. Following Sejongs request, Hyang poured the freshly brewed coffee into a coffee cupa prototype made for Europeansand presented it to Sejong, along with a dish of sugar and a jar of milk brought in from Neobeolseom that morning. Please try it as is at first, Your Majesty. Then, you can adjust the vor to your liking with the sugar and milk here. Is that so? Sejong took a sip and frowned slightly. Its quite bitter, but the vor is rich. Lets see After mixing in some sugar and milk, Sejong tasted it again and nodded in approval. Not bad. After slowly savoring the coffee, Sejong looked at Hyang. Indeed It seems to invigorate one quickly. Its a very effective tea, Your Majesty. I believe the ministers would enjoy it. At Sejongsment, Hyang wore a troubled expression. I just hope they dont end upining about it.
  1. a Chief State Councillor during Sejos reign[?]
Chapter 124 Chapter 124 After tasting the coffee, King Sejong introduced it to his ministers. This is the Qahwah brought by the Arabians, lets drink it as tea. Is that so? The ministers, seated in the conference room next to the main hall of Geunjeongjeon, looked at the tea cups in front of them as they listened to Sejongs words. The color is quite unique. Lee Jikmented on the ck color of the coffee, carefully phrasing his words that were initially inclined to say the ck color is not very appealing. Sejong smiled and agreed with Lee Jiks remark. Right. The color is indeed unique. At first, I thought it was a medicine. The scent is also unique. Maeng Sa-seong, after smelling the bitter aroma of the roasted coffee, made his observation, to which Sejong nodded in agreement. I felt the same. Lets drink! First, take a light sip, and then you can add sugar to adjust the vor. Adding sugar makes the vor smoother, though its hard to obtain, but its still good without sugar. Yes, Your Majesty As Sejong encouraged them to drink, the ministers nodded continuously, but hesitation was evident on their faces. Just looking at the color, it seems like a herbal tonic But is this Qahwah a medicinal or a poisonous brew? Eh? Why arent you drinking? We are, we will drink now! Prompted by Sejong, the ministers tightly closed their eyes and lifted their tea cups. Bitter, so bitter! After taking the first sip, the ministers quickly sought out sugar to dissolve in their cups. As the sweetness was added, the coffee became easier to drink, and the ministers began to enjoy the coffee with a more rxed expression. How is it? Responding to Sejongs question, the ministers began to share their thoughts one by one. At first, it was just bitter, but then a hint of nuttiness and sourness is felt, truly mysterious. The scent is also unique. Its hard to define it in a single word, but it has its own charm. Right? I think so too. In a much more rxed atmosphere, Sejong and his ministers enjoyed their coffee while engaging in various conversations. After finishing their coffee and returning to the main hall, Sejong asked the ministers. How do you feel? The ministers, with surprised expressions, responded. Its truly amazing! Before drinking that tea, I felt physically and mentally tired, but now I feel revitalized! Indeed! Its a miraculous tea! Looking at the rejuvenated faces of his ministers, Sejong was pleased. The Crown Prince has indeed discovered something wonderful. Indeed! Well then, now that we have regained our energy, lets get back to work. To work! Yes, Your Majesty! Ahh, and distribute this Qahwah powder adequately to each office, so everyone can have a cup when they feel tired. Your grace is immeasurable! Later, Hyang, having heard this news through the eunuchs, chuckled to himself. Those noblemen who always drank green tea are now drinking coffee Its like moving from regr coffee to a high-caffeine energy drink in the 21st century. The effect must be astonishing. If King Sejong did this knowingly, hes quite a cunning man. Hyang shook his head at Sejongs cleverness while bringing his coffee cup to his lips. * * * Not long after, the ministers were astounded by Sejongs trick. I cant sleep! The officials, who had leisurely enjoyed their coffee after dinner, were surprised to find themselves free from the drowsiness that usually gued them. Whats the cause? The officials, freed from their sleepiness, sought the reason. The only difference from usual is this Qahwah. Could it be that it not only energizes but also wards off sleep! Realizing the reason, the officials looked towards the kings quarters and the crown princes pce. Are we now expected to work without sleep?! * * * Despite their words, everyone from Sejong to the high and low-ranking officials quickly became addicted to coffee. At dawn, officials arriving at the court with sleepy eyes would drink a cup of coffee and feel their focus and energy return, thanks to the powerful effects of the high-concentration caffeine, an addiction they couldnt escape. So it was a kind of poison after all! But why cant I stop drinking it? Filling their empty cups with coffee, the officials shed tears. Initially, when they first experienced the effects of caffeine, they grumbled, Are we not supposed to sleep anymore? But their reaction changed to: I need this to keep going! As the officials increasingly sought coffee, the workload for lower-ranking officials and servants increased. They prepared by setting pots of water on the stove and clean cloths for brewing coffee before the high officials arrived. They also prepared jars filled with roasted coffee powder and jars of sugar as part of their morning routine. Whenever possible, they cleaned the used cups, replenished the washed and dried cloths, and roasted and ground fresh coffee beans to refill the used coffee powder. However, after several trials and errors in understanding the importance of roasting, a new position of ck Bean Tea Officer, a ninth-rank official, was established at Sejongs request, bing the worlds first official barista. All these developments urred within a month of Hyang introducing the taste of coffee to Sejong. * * * However, an unexpected side effect of coffee urred in a certain ce. In the queens chamber. Sejong, who had briefly fallen asleep after conducting state affairs and lying beside Queen Soheon, woke up to her constant movement and asked in a sleepy voice. Are you ufortable? No, Your Majesty, I just cant seem to sleep Upon hearing Queen Soheons words, Sejong sat up. Is there something troubling you? No, Your Majesty. Its just that I cannot sleep. Shall I call the physician? Its not that serious. Ah Queen Soheon trailed off, murmuring to herself. Could it be because of that tea? Tea? What tea? Recently feeling a bit down, I had some of that ck bean tea. Ah Drinking that tea does make it hard to sleep. King Sejong nodded in understanding at Queen Soheons words. He gently patted her shoulder. Dont worry too much about not being able to sleep. Just rx, and soon youll fall asleep. Lets rest. Aye~. At Sejongs words, Queen Soheon yfully snorted and snuggled closer to him, eliciting a cough from Sejong. Cough! Ahem Itste at night Aye~. Oh dear. After all, Sejong, who had just entered his thirties, was in the prime of his life. Charmed by his wifes yfulness, he responded in kind. The next day, for the first time in a while, Sejong overslept. When such urrences became frequent not only with Queen Soheon but also with other concubines, Sejong eventually issued an edict: C Concubines are prohibited from drinking more than two cups of ck bean tea per day! C Drinking ck bean tea after evening is forbidden! * * * Meanwhile, merchants who had heard about the ck bean tea sought out the Ministry of Taxation. We wish to purchase ck bean tea. ck bean tea? Upon hearing the merchants request, the official from the Ministry of Taxation checked the records and appeared troubled. The quantity of beans Mansurs group had brought was notrge, and in just over a month, the pce and government offices had consumed a significant amount. If were going back, it will be at least a year before the next shipment so, subtracting the amount we need to keep While calcting the quantity on an abacus, the official responded. Theres not much left from this shipment. If we sell, it would only be about 1 kan (approximately 3.75kg). Is it 1 kan per merchant? No, 1 kan in total for all. Ill buy it! No, I will purchase it! As the merchants mored, the official sipped his coffee leisurely and asked. So, how much are you willing to pay? After a fierce pricepetition, a merchant was selected, and as the official handed over the sack containing 1 kan of coffee beans, he inquired. But how did news about this tea spread so quickly? Ah, dont even mention it! Those preparing for the civil service exams are fervently seeking it! A few officials working in the government offices had taken small amounts of coffee home, and from there, the word about coffee had spread rapidly among the public. The rumor that just one cup can keep you awake all night! spread, and coffee even earned the nickname Studious Tea. At the merchants response, the Ministry of Taxation official sipping his coffee chuckled and muttered. Even if they pass the exams, a life of hardship awaits them To which the merchant inwardly grumbled: Well, of course you can say that since youve already made it! In the 21st century as in 15th century Joseon, a government official symbolized stability. Especially since King Sejongs implementation of reforms led to increased recruitment of officials and a sry sufficient for actual living expenses, more people pursued civil service examinations. Furthermore, rumors that the ban on people of northwest origin and serfs entering civil service would soon be lifted, prompted these groups to join thepetition as well. * * * Amidst these changes in Joseon, Mansurs groups departure was approaching. Is the investigation into the ship the Arabians came onplete? Yes. At Jo Mal-saengs answer, Sejong continued his inquiries. Did you find anything new? The strength of the ships hull cantpare to our Panokseon, but the material used for waterproofing was quite unique. What did they use? They used bitumen. Its different from the resin we know; its a ck, sticky oil extracted from the ground. Is that so? Huh~. Sejong was impressed. Theres so much in this world we dont know. Indeed, Your Majesty. Father, I have a question for General Jo. Proceed. Thank you. Hyang, expressing his gratitude to Sejong, asked Jo Mal-saeng. Do you know the cost of the bitumen they use? Yes. Upon investigation, its a tenth of the price of the resin-based bitumen we use. At Jo Mal-saengs response, Hyang suggested to Sejong. Father. Waterproofing is crucial in shipbuilding and maintenance. If we purchase their bitumen, we could do it more cheaply. How about adding bitumen to the list of items to request from them? A fine idea. Lets do that. Thank you, Your Majesty! With the decision to import bitumen made, Sejong moved to the next topic. Has the selection of naval officers and interpreters for the uing voyage beenpleted? At Sejongs question, the Minister of Rites and Jo Mal-saeng promptly replied. Preparations areplete. We selected six young interpreters fluent in Ming Dynastynguage. We also chose six naval officers skilled in both cannonry and navigation. Well done. Youve made sure they understand the importance of their mission, right? They are fully briefed and eager to serve. Good. After pondering for a moment, Sejong spoke. Prepare a banquet to honor the naval officers and interpreters setting off. I will personally encourage them. At Sejongs decision, the ministers bowed in unison. Your personal encouragement will surely inspire them to give their best. We are deeply grateful, Your Majesty! Two dayster, a banquet was held at Gyeonghoeru Pavilion. At this gathering for those about to venture beyond Northeast Asia for the first time, Sejong personally filled their cups, offering words of encouragement. As Joseon steps out of its confines and ventures into distant foreignnds, the work you do will shine brightly. Thus, give your all in this voyage and fulfill your assigned duties. We will bear this in mind and dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly! Five dayster, Mansurs fleet set sail from Jemulpo, marking the departure of the first Joseon people venturing into the open seas. Chapter 125 Chapter 125 Sejong Year 11 (1429, the year of Giyu) As thetter half of the reform era approached, King Sejong and his court officials, including the government ministers, all fell into a peculiar tension. The reason for this tension was that the time hade for a major overhaul of the administrative system. For a smooth progression, the Six Ministries and the schrs of Hall of Worthies were working tirelessly, staying up nights to review and modify ns. The ultimate goal of the economic reform is to ensure that as many citizens as possible have a stable source of ie, freeing them from poverty, said Sejong, nodding in agreement to the exnation by Hall of Worthiess Head Schr, Byeon Gye-ryang. Sejong looked at Byeon with eyes full of concern. Byeon seems to have grown quite frail * * * Appointed as the Head Schr of Hall of Worthies in the second year of Sejongs reign, Byeon Gye-ryang solidified his position during the economic reform. Byeons continuous tenure ensured consistency in the work of Hall of Worthies. Although his personal life was riddled with scandals and controversies, his academic brilliance enabled him to maintain his position. As Sejongs reforms progressed, other ministers and officials of the Six Ministries envied Byeon, especially since he managed to avoid the harsh crackdowns on corruption and bribery. Though he had to relinquishnds granted by former kings, his position as Head Schr, considered somewhat marginal, meant he received fewer gifts and hence faced less scrutiny. If not for his unsavory personality, he could have been a prime minister candidate, remarked some, acknowledging his role at Hall of Worthies despite his notorious character. Despite his controversial nature, Byeon dedicated himself to his role, his meticulousness aiding policy research. This attention to detail, though sometimes limiting his perspective, was bnced by his quickness to address any pointed-out ws. However, this intensity of work often resulted in harsh treatment of the schrs under him. The pressure of researching and improving policies for the economic reform took a significant toll on Byeon, aging him more rapidlypared to his contemporaries. * * * Its time to prepare a sessor for Byeon, Sejong thought, noticing his frailty. What is our ultimate goal, there are still many issues to resolve beforehand, Sejong inquired. Indeed, Your Majesty. The Hall of Worthies, along with the Ministries of Personnel and Taxation, believe its crucial to decide the priority between two major issues, replied Byeon. And what are these two issues? Sejong asked, turning to the ministers of Personnel and Taxation for an answer. Currency and administrative reform, Your Majesty. The question is which should be implemented first for efficiency, answered Kim Jeom. Sejong, stroking his beard, asked, Hadnt we decided to start with the restructuring of administrative regions? That was the original n, but the situation has changed, Kim Jeom responded. Changed, how so? Initially, the n was to reform administrative regions before enforcing the cirction of the new currency, especially considering the previous resistance to using currency, Sejong recalled. Exactly, Your Majesty, confirmed Kim Jeom. But now the circumstances have shifted? Sejong queried further. Yes, indeed, Kim Jeom responded to Sejongs query about the change in circumstances. Why so? Or rather, how? Wait did the encouragement ofmerce and industry change the situation? Sejongs question was met with a slightly perplexed look from Kim Jeom. While there are significant reasons for this change, its somewhat surprising what actually prompted the people to demand currency. What are those reasons? Public bathhouses and fried chicken. Huh Sejong was visibly astonished by Kim Jeoms response. Bathhouses and fried chicken leading to currency use Wait, the bathhouse idea came from the Crown Prince, right? Sejong recalled a previous conversation, and Kim Jeom immediately confirmed it. Yes, Your Majesty. During the reconstruction following the great fire of Hanyang, it was suggested that building public bathhouses would necessitate the use of currency. Right, I remember now. I thought it had potential, but I didnt expect to see results so soon. Byeon Gye-ryang then joined the conversation, highlighting the publics positive response to the concept of public hygiene. Public hygiene? More precisely, soap. Sejong was increasingly puzzled by these unexpected developments. * * * During the reconstruction of the areas devastated by the great fire, the Crown Prince had installed public bathhouses and organized seminars on the importance of public hygiene, not just once, but repeatedly before and after the monsoon season. The medical staff from the Royal Clinic and the military doctors, already familiar with the Princes endeavors and having read tranted medical texts he had brought from the West, readily embraced his ideas. As a result, improved hygiene in the pce and the military led to a noticeable decrease in contagious diseases, especially skin diseases. Observing these tangible benefits, civilian doctors began emphasizing the importance of public hygiene, and cleanliness became a focus for the general popce. Coinciding with this shift, the introduction of soap in the markets spurred people to pay more attention to cleanliness. People may find it a bit bothersome, but if simply washing hands can prevent diseases, why not? The poprity of bathhouses increased as people became more conscious of cleanliness. In early Joseon, still bearing strong traces of the Goryeo era, there was less resistance to the concept of public bathing. The redevelopment areas saw a trend in bathhouse construction, which soon spread to other parts of Hanyang. Bathhouses not only charged for bathing but also sold soap. It becamemon for people to buy soap and take a bath in the same trip. Initially skeptical about soaps utility, the people soon celebrated its versatility. It proved useful not just for personal hygiene but also for cleaning dishes whenthered on a sponge. Many women treasured soap, treating it almost like a precious item. This widespread use of soap led to various issues, eventually prompting the demand for currency. One of the first problems identified was the lifespan of soap, primarily due to moisture. Despite efforts to minimize moisture content during production, soaps proximity to water in use led to high consumption rates. Without modern moisture-proof packaging, soap often dissolved prematurely, especially during the monsoon season. Consequently, urban residents started buying small quantities of soap from stores or bathhouses, given its affordability. But the inconvenience of bartering with cloth or grains, which were themon modes of payment, became apparent. Simrly, paying bathhouse fees in kind was cumbersome formoners who frequented them weekly. Eventually, residents of neighborhoods with bathhouses resorted to keeping tabs, leading to frequent disputes over unpaid dues during regr settlements. Exasperated by theseplications, the people reached a consensus. Damn it! Lets just use those copper coins or whatever currency they have! That sounds better! * * * Its surprising that the need for currency emerged from such unexpected ces, Sejong remarked with a look of disbelief, following Kim Jeoms report. At Sejongs words, Kim Jeom and the other ministers nodded in agreement. Is the case with fried chicken the same then? Sejong inquired. Yes, Your Majesty. The fried chicken, being reasonably priced, also saw high demand, leading to simr inconveniences among the people, Kim Jeom replied, bowing his head. Sejong, deep in thought, hummed thoughtfully. After a moment of silent contemtion, Sejong addressed his ministers. From what I hear, it seems you all wish to prioritize the cirction of currency, though you speak of deciding its order. Is that correct? The Chief State Councilor stepped forward to answer. Indeed, Your Majesty. And the reason? The people are voicing their difort, Your Majesty. Difort leads to dissatisfaction, and umted dissatisfaction can easily turn into dissent. Sejong, tapping his fingers on the armrest, fell deep in thought again. After a while, he posed another question. I have a question for the ministers. Please ask, Your Majesty. It appears that those demanding the use of currency mainly reside in urban areas. Is that not so? Its true that the majority are urban residents, Your Majesty. How widespread are bathhouses and fried chicken shops? They are almost ubiquitous in cities with a poption of over 5,000, Your Majesty. In cities of over 5,000 So, they have spread to the county level? Yes, Your Majesty. But arent there overwhelmingly more people living in smaller viges than in such towns? Are those residing in smaller ces also in favor of using currency? Are we not hastily deciding based on only the views of urban dwellers? Sejong continued to question with concern. He himself deeply felt the need for currency and ardently wished for it. However, he was well aware that previous attempts to promote currency use had failed because the people did not embrace it. Therefore, Sejong could not hastily ept the ministers opinions. As Sejong hesitated, Kim Jeom stepped forward to report. ording to reports from the government trading posts, there is an increasing demand for currency even in smaller viges below the county level. Its not yet the majority view, but its growing Sejongs expression brightened slightly at Kim Jeoms report, but he remained meticulous in his questioning. Its encouraging to hear that even smaller viges below the county level are increasingly demanding currency. However, it could be risky if we dont fully understand why this demand is increasing. Have you received reports on this? Yes, Your Majesty. At Kim Jeoms gesture, an official from the Ministry of Taxation stepped forward with a tray holding a document. Sejong received the document and Kim Jeom continued, As you will see in this report, peddlers who travel through small vige markets are strongly advocating for the use of currency. They find the bartering of cloth and grains burdensome. But peddlers alone are not enough. The farmers are also in favor, Your Majesty. They find it challenging to store and preserve grains. Hmm Reading the report carefully, Sejong absorbed the details. After thoroughly reviewing the report submitted by Kim Jeom, he came to a conclusion. I understand the opinions of the ministers. However, I cannot make an immediate decision. One reason we focus on small localities in the economic reform is to break the pattern of people taking the king and the court lightly, often showing more allegiance to localndlords and the gentry. Breaking this pattern is essential to pursue the public good and ensure the majority of the people can lead peaceful lives. Therefore Sejong paused momentarily, gathering his thoughts as the ministers focused their attention on him. A hasty decision might be worse than no decision at all. Let us contemte this further. At Sejongs decision, the ministers bowed. We shall follow Your Majestysmand. Lets take a short break now. Yes, Your Majesty. As the ministers left, Sejong remained alone in the main hall, deep in thought. He then called for his attendant. Attendant. Yes, Your Majesty. Summon the Crown Prince. Yes, Your Majesty. As the attendant went to convey Sejongsmand, Sejong muttered to himself. This isnt the time for him to govern on my behalf, but its time to give him some tasks. The days of him only doing what he wishes are over Chapter 126 Chapter 126 Father, have you been looking for me? Yes. I called you because I have a task to entrust to you. For me, Father? Upon hearing Sejongs words, Hyang became extremely tense. Although he had dealt with many of Sejongs tasks, Sejong had never passed on a task like this before. There are many matters that need attention. Could you start by organizing them? This was how Sejong usually delegated tasks to Hyang. But he mentioned a task without any direct orders? Hyangs tension reached its peak at Sejongs unusual words. This is going to be a challenging task! Pleasemand me, Father. I will do my utmost best. Upon hearing Hyangs response, Sejong slowly began his exnation. When I first started the reforms, I anticipated it would take 10 years. And now, we are entering the second half of that period. Yes, Father. Many things have happened in the past five years. Thanks to the support of the court officials and the people, the reforms have been progressing smoothly. Its all thanks to your wisdom, Father. Thank you for saying so. But, Crown Prince, your contributions are not small either. I am deeply honored by your words, Father. In the midst of their warm conversation, Sejong slowly steered towards the main topic. However, we are now entering the second phase of the reforms. But there are problems arising. Sejong exined to Hyang the dilemma they faced: whether to prioritize administrative structure reform or the cirction of currency. thus, the officials prefer to prioritize currency cirction. However, many regions still have more power in the hands of localndlords and influential figures than in the governments. Hyang nodded in agreement with Sejongs observation. That is true. In the 21st century, incidents like the Ind ve Scandal showed that even the most basic human rights were being vited continuously. Crimes often centered around exploiting people with intellectual disabilities or undocumented immigrants, with local influential figures and colluding authorities at the core. My aim in initiating these reforms was to ensure as many people of Joseon could live peacefully. Therefore, Crown Prince, I am entrusting you with this task. If we reform the administrative structure without ensuring proper currency cirction, it will lead to excessive use of resources. And if we implement currency cirction first without administrative reforms, it will only create opportunities for localndlords to exploit the situation. Hyang vigorously nodded in agreement, understanding Sejongs concerns were not just worries but real potential issues. That is true. What would you have me do, Father? Find a way to weaken the power of the localndlords. Whether its through goods or a system. Sejongsmand made Hyang pause for a moment. After some thought, Hyang asked Sejong a question. Do you seek coexistence with the localndlord powers, Father, or their elimination? They are also the people of Joseon, so coexistence should be the priority. However, if they wish to y kings, they must be dealt with decisively. Understanding Sejongs intent, Hyang nodded. I will keep your intentions in mind, Father, and develop the best strategy possible. I trust in you. By when should Iplete this task? If its difficult by the start of spring, then I would like to see it by the spring equinox at thetest. I will remember that, Father. I have great expectations for your wisdom and talent. Sejongs final words were met with a deep bow from Hyang. I will devote myselfpletely. The historian recording this father-son conversation added: C Thus, Sejong instructed the Crown Prince to devise a strategy concerning thendlords. The historian then reflects: The history ofndlords goes back to the Three Kingdoms era. Over time, many families have risen and fallen, some even beingpletely eradicated. However, a significant number of these families still hold their positions, indicating the depth of their power and influence. While somendlords are indeed exemry, many are not, posing a challenge to the reforms that Sejong is implementing. As the interests of thendlords and the reforms sh, a solution is urgently needed. * * * Really, this is the utmost difficulty. Haah~. After receiving Sejongsmand, Hyang stepped outside and let out a long sigh. This is really something Overwhelmed by the sudden difficult task, Hyang took off his official hat, Ikseongwan, and scratched his head before putting it back on and clenching his fist. After all, history has changed. Better to handle it myself than leave it in someone elses hands Ill finish it on my own terms! With a firm resolve, Hyang turned and walked away. Your Highness, where are you going? To the Archive! * * * Upon arriving at the Archive, Hyang began to thoroughly search through the records of the Ministries of Taxation and, Law and Enforcement.. Your Highness, what are you looking for? Asked by the official in charge of the archives, Hyang stated his purpose. Im looking for records on long-term interest, self-sale, and nd tax. Hearing Hyangs request, the official let out an involuntary groan. Oh dear Why? Are there no records? Its not that The official, hesitating at first, then decided to speak up. Your Highness, please follow me. The official led Hyang to a section of the Archive. These shelves contain records ofwsuits rted to long-term interest issues, petitionsining about excessive interest on long-term interest, and responses to thosewsuits and petitions. Looking at the shelves, which seemed to be twice asrge as those in Hyangs research institute and filled with documents, Hyangs face turned pale. So many? These are records from the reign of King Taejo onwards. And The official guided Hyang to the shelves where the records he sought were kept. As Hyang saw the massive shelves packed with documents for each category, he was speechless. Staring nkly at the shelves, he soon regained hisposure and turned to the official. Youve done well. Go back to your duties. Do you not need my assistance? No, thank you. Very well. Call me if you need anything. After sending the official back, Hyang let out a long sigh. Phew~, no wonder I felt it was too quiettely After checking the shelves again, Hyang rummaged in his sleeve and took out a small writing case. Anyway, its a task Ive been given, and one that must be done. Ill have to do it thoroughly. From that moment on, Hyang became one with the Archive. * * * Hmm as expected, the biggest source of ie for the localndlords is notnd rent, but rather long-term interest At one side of the Archive, Hyang was deep in thought, surrounded by a plethora of books and papers sprawled across a massive desk, arriving at a preliminary conclusion. The real issue was the repayment of grain loans After reviewing numerous documents rted to grain repayment, Hyang sighed deeply. Only 30 years in, and were already facing a crisis * * * The origin of the grain repayment system traced back to the Land Tax Law, established during the reign of King Gogukcheon of Goguryeo. Thisw evolved into the righteous granary system in Goryeo and continued to be used in Joseon. The grain loan system of Goryeo, over time, became corrupted as the powerful gentry mergednds, leading to the copse of independent farmingmunities. Joseon, which reced Goryeo, put considerable effort into realigning the grain loan system. They focused on securing and increasing Military Grain Reserves to stabilize public sentiment and prepare for threats from border areas. Following the downfall of the Goryeo nobility and through consistentnd reforms, by the 13th year of King Taejongs reign (1413), the national granaries, including military ones, had amassed up to 3.57 million seom (a unit of volume). However, the stockpiled grain and the system soon started to falter. From thete reign of Taejong to two years into Sejongs reforms, almost every year was marked by droughts and floods, leading to continuous poor harvests. The continuous bad harvests emptied the national granaries and marked the beginning of a tragedy for small independent farmers. Localndlords, who had passed the civil service examination, began to re-mergends using their tax exemptions and other privileges. Those who lost theirnds to thendlords and became tenant farmers lost their eligibility for grain loans and had to rely on high-interest loans instead. As the number of independent farmers decreased, the recovery of grain loans became increasingly difficult. This vicious cycle, where one problem fed into another, led to the decline of independent farmingmunities, culminating in the current situation. After reviewing the gathered information, Hyang reached a conclusion. If things continue as they are, independent farmers will face ruin. The stagnation in agricultural production and economic growth until the Imjin War after Sejongs reign was probably because of this. Having understood the situation, Hyang, with arms crossed, stared at a nk piece of paper on the desk. After a long moment of contemtion, Hyang finally spoke. The solution is a bank. Only through a bank can we break the link between tenant farmers andndlords, and thus weaken thendlords power. Hyang wrote the word bank on the paper, then crossed it out and wrote a new term. For the current era, a national bank would be more appropriate * * * Having organized his thoughts, Hyang prepared a policy to apany the establishment of the national bank and sought an audience with Sejong. Youve returned in just 20 days. I apologize for taking so long. My limited wisdom is to me for the dy. Im not chiding you. Its impressive that you found a solution in just 20 days. I am deeply grateful. Acknowledging Sejongs praise with a bow, Hyang looked at him. May I present my findings? With Sejongs nod of approval, Hyang moved to the center of the Geunjeongjeon Hall. Standing before the gathered officials with King Sejong at his back, Hyang lightly bowed and began to speak. For the past few days, I have been conducting research under Fathersmand. The topic of the research was Strategies to counter localndlords obstructing the progress of currency cirction and administrative reforms.'' The ministers swallowed hard upon hearing the topic, well aware thatndlords were the primary obstacles to the reforms. After a brief pause, Hyang ordered the attendant. Unroll the diagram. Yes, Your Highness. As the attendants set up the scroll, Hyang began to exin, turning the pages of the diagram. The current issue with localndlords in the provinces is that, unlike the noble families of the previous dynasty, they are mostly schrs. Of course, many of the former noble families have rebranded themselves as schrs, but the majority are those who studied Confucianism and passed the civil service exams, then used various privileges as means of amassing wealth. The ministers nodded in agreement with Hyangs exnation. Hyang continued his analysis. The problem with these schrlyndlords is, firstly, they are causing the decline of independent farmers by mergingnds. As you all know, through the reforms, the number of people relying onmerce and industry as their main livelihood is increasing. However, most people still depend on agriculture. Sejong and the ministers all nodded in acknowledgment of this reality. But, as previously mentioned, the current situation in Joseon is such that the number of tenant farmers is increasing as independent farmers decline. Looking at the currentnd tax rate in our Joseon, its set at 5 pun (a unit of currency) per gyeol (a unit ofnd area) ording to publicw. As Hyang mentioned the tax, Kim Jeom, the head of the Ministry of Taxation, began to listen more intently. Independent farmers, as long as they dont ck off, can pay their taxes, support their families, and even umte some wealth. However, tenant farmers cant do the same. Why? Because half of what they earn goes straight tond rent. And then, for various reasons, they have to keep paying thendlords. Hyang continued, making eye contact with the ministers, and then took a brief pause before raising his index and middle finger. Here arises the second problem. These tenant farmers, having fallen into such a state, are unable to utilize grain loans properly and must resort to high-interest loans fromndlords, further entangling them with thendlords. After outlining the problems resulting from thendlordsnd consolidation and the ensuing issues for independent farmers, Hyang moved towards a conclusion. If these problems umte, eventually, the power of thendlords will surpass that of the monarchy, just like the noble families of the previous dynasty. And the solution? Prompted by Sejongs question, Hyang turned to thest page of the diagram. The establishment of a national bank. We would use the gold and silver weve umted, as well as the grain from military granaries and righteous granaries, to break the financial chains binding tenant farmers to thendlords. Chapter 127 Chapter 127 Breaking the link between tenant farmers andndowners. Hyangs shocking statement caused a small stir in the Geunjeongjeon Hall. However, the murmuring soon subsided. The Crown Prince has made another bold statement. The ministers were already ustomed to Hyangs announcements always leading to unimaginable developments. Since this had be routine, the ministers quickly regained theirposure and pointed out potential issues. You said you would establish a bank to break the ties that bind the tenant farmers. Does this mean using the banks funds to pay off all their debts? Heo Jo, the Minister of Personnel, led the questioning with a sharp look at Hyang. If thats the case, I oppose the establishment of the bank. While I sympathize with the tenant farmers, mere debt forgiveness is not enough to break their shackles. Hyang nodded in agreement at Heo Jos point. Indeed, its naive to think that just forgiving debts can break the cycle of bad practices. My n is to have the bank, essentially the government, take over the debts owed by tenant farmers to thendowners. The bank bes the creditor? Yes. The bank will pay off the debts owed by the tenant farmers, who will then owe the bank. This applies to both tenant farmers and ordinary citizens needing urgent funds. Will the farmers and citizens use the bank? Kim Jeom, the Minister of Taxation, answered Heo Jos question. We can make them use it. The simplest way is to set low interest rates. Lower interest rates The current situation is so bad that people say, If you only have to pay the principal as interest in a year, you might as well call them a Bodhisattva. If our bank charges half that rate, its doors will wear out from overuse. Hmm The ministers pondered Kim Jeoms words. Hyang then spoke up. Im considering a maximum annual interest rate of 30%. At Hyangs mention of 30%, the ministers were shocked. 30%! Isnt that too low? When the ministers reacted negatively to the 30% interest rate, Hyang pointed out something they were overlooking. Dont forget that the ones in urgent need of loans are the tenant farmers. We know, but? Hyang reminded them of a crucial fact they had forgotten. Have you forgotten that they lose at least half of their harvest asnd rent? Ah Living on sries has made us forget The ministers looked incredulous, recalling their past reliance on tenant fees. These nobles, who lived off tenant fees until just the other day! Thend redistribution and sry system changes made by King Sejong meant that the ministers, who used to live off tenant fees, now had to return theirnds and live on sries. There could have been opposition, but the situation then wasnt conducive to dissent, especially after the recent purge of senior ministers like Ryu Jeong-hyeon. Ultimately, the ministers had to relinquish all theirnds. Its human nature to forget when you get used to something, but have you already forgotten so much? Hyang continued with a bitter tone. Therefore, a 50% interest rate is an exorbitant burden. Hyangs statement sparked a counterargument from Heo Jo. But 30% is too low an interest rate. If we start lending at such low rates, the tenant farmers and citizens might be happy, but they might also forget the dangers of debt and indulge in irresponsible borrowing. Thats why its set at 30%. 50% is too high. Plus, it could lead topetition. Competition? From thendowners perspective, a 50% interest rate, though lower than what theyre used to, is still lucrative. This might make them want topete with the government-established bank. Thats outrageous! Heo Jo was outraged, but Hyang countered with a question. Theres now preventing private entities from setting up banks. We could prohibit it, but that might drive illegal financial activities underground. What do you think about this? That means underground funding could skyrocket! Ugh Heo Jo groaned at Hyangs point. Hyang continued with more details. Like the Ministry of Taxations monopoly stores, setting up banks down to the county level could be beneficial in many ways. Hyang then exined the banks functions:
  1. Loan money to independent and tenant farmers in need.
  2. Exchange the grain and cotton brought by the people for currency.
Working together with the Ministrys monopoly stores on this second point could double the effectiveness. At the mention of coboration, Kim Jeom tensed up and asked. What do you mean by coboration? The goods sold at the monopoly stores, especially salt, are essential for the people. If we make it mandatory to buy these monopoly items with currency, the use of currency will definitely be established. That makes sense. Kim Jeom nodded at Hyangs exnation. There must be other benefits as well. King Sejong interjected during Hyangs exnation. I will listen attentively. The ministers focused their attention on Sejong. As they listened, Sejong shared his thoughts. Regarding the newly established tax offices in the reform of the Six Ministries. Make it mandatory to pay taxes in currency at these tax offices. This will elerate the use of currency. That will indeed be the case. Also, the Crown Princes idea of having the bank handle the exchange of grain and currency is excellent. This way, the government can collect the grain lying idle in the peoples granaries, which can be used for military provisions and relief food. Thats absolutely true! We are in awe of Your Majestys wisdom! Haha! You tter me! Sejong responded with a pleasedugh to the ministers praise. Meanwhile, Hyang, holding a manuscript for the announcement, flipped through the pages and grumbled to himself. That was supposed to be my line! Ah, well! Rock-paper-scissors! Anyway, the bank that Hyang proposed was a very good idea. Since King Sejong also showed a favorable response, the ministers agreed to establish the bank. Establishing the bank is important, but there are issues that need to be addressed first. Issues to address first? At Hyangs words, King Sejong and the ministers refocused their attention on him. First, we must deal with the problem of usury. Even though establishing the bank is a solution, it will take time to build the building, assign officials, and prepare the funds. However, many people are currently suffering from usury, so we need to implement a solution for them immediately. Heo Jo agreed with Hyangs statement. Thats right. Recently, not only in Hanyang but also in various cities, there have been petitions against high-interest debts. Do people in the cities incur debts at high interest rates? How high is the interest? The interest can be ten times the principal. Ten times! And people still borrow at such rates? King Sejong asked in surprise, to which Kim Jeom responded. Recently, as the number of people engaged inmerce and industry has increased, so has the number borrowing seed money. The amounts borrowed are significant, and many who start businesses fail, so the high interest rates are justified as covering the risk. At Kim Jeoms response, King Sejong murmured with a bitter face. As more people engage inmerce and industry, such problems arise. This is dangerous! The probability might be low due to the current favorable economic conditions, but if mishandled, it could lead back to suppressingmerce and industry as inferior pursuits! At King Sejongs words, Hyang quickly spoke up. Your Majesty! As people try new ventures, many will fail! The problem lies with those who rush intomerce and industry without proper preparation! King Sejong nodded at Hyangs point. The Crown Prince is right. No matter how small or trivial, proper preparation is essential to avoid failure. So, what should we do? In the banks established in cities, we should set up a business evaluation department to assess those who want to start businesses and decide whether to loan them money. A business evaluation department? King Sejong showed interest, and Hyang exined further. Yes, Your Majesty. The officials of the Ministry of Taxation, who deal withmerce and industry, should have a good understanding of which industries are thriving and which are highlypetitive. Therefore, selecting officials with this knowledge to work in the business evaluation department is advisable. At Hyangs words, King Sejong was impressed. Indeed! They would know what is thriving in those cities and be able to advise those who want to start businesses inpetitive industries! What does the Minister of Taxation think? Kim Jeom responded hesitantly. Well, that would be appropriate. Then As King Sejong was about to add this task to the Ministry of Taxation, Kim Jeom quickly interjected. While the Ministry of Taxation indeed deals with the tax affairs of merchants and artisans, the Ministry of Personnel is responsible for matters rted to starting and closing businesses! Avoiding excessivepetition is crucial for business sess, so the Ministry of Personnel is better suited to provide such advice! I refuse to take on more responsibilities or be easily exploited like a dried persimmon! Thanks to his quick thinking, Kim Jeom skillfully passed the hot potato of responsibility to the Ministry of Personnel. King Sejong considered Kim Jeoms suggestion and nodded. Is that so? Well then. Minister of Personnel, what do you think? Caught off guard with the sudden responsibility, Heo Jo stuttered in his response. Indeed, the matters of starting and closing businesses fall under the Ministry of Personnel. Then, lets have the Ministry of Personnel primarily appoint the officials for the business evaluation department. However, since starting a business is about gaining wealth, the Ministry of Taxation should also appropriately assign their officials. With King Sejongs decision, Heo Jo and Kim Jeom bowed in agreement. We obey Your Majestysmand! * * * Thus, the proposal for establishing the bank initiated by Hyang was approved. Lets end todays session here. Go and attend to your duties. With King Sejongs dismissal, the ministers bowed and gradually left the Geunjeongjeon Hall. Cough! Cough! As they left the hall, Kim Jeom and Heo Jo nced at each other with a forced cough. Kim Jeom had managed to pass the responsibility to Heo Jo, who was now directly affected. Although Kim Jeom was not entirely off the hook, he was not as directly hit as Heo Jo. Ah, Your Excellency, as if we dont already have enough on our tes As Heo Jo grumbled, Kim Jeom retorted. Who are youining about manpower shortage to? Just when things are running smoothly, you swoop in and snatch our officials like eating dried persimmons! To this, Heo Jo groaned and responded. Ugh Ive got some fine ginseng at home, Ill send some your way soon. Youre working so hard, you could use some tonic, couldnt you? Kim Jeom quickly replied. Now that you mention it, Ive recently received about ten softshell turtles. Ill send them over to your residence. Theyre great for strengthening the body C boil them well and enjoy. Cough! Cough! Cough! Cough! The two ministers coughed loudly, turning away from each other as they strode down the Six Ministries street. To an outsider, it might have seemed like they were showing concern for each other, but those familiar with the politics of the Six Ministries would recognize this as a deration of a subtle but intense rivalry. Ginseng is known as a powerful medicine, said to revive even the dying, so saying Eat ginseng was akin to saying Work yourself to death. Softshell turtle is known for its health benefits, particrly for rejuvenation. However, its also famous for its tenacity, symbolizing the saying, Even if its head is cut off, it wont let go. So, Kim Jeoms offer of sending softshell turtles was essentially a veiled threat of I wont go down alone, even in death. Chapter 128 Chapter 128 Five days after the decision to establish the bank, a report came to King Sejong. Is the Crown Prince residing in the Record Bureau? Yes, Your Majesty. Why? At the question posed by King Sejong, the ministers tensed up. What is he nning this time? What kind of trouble is he going to cause now? Please, dont bring any more trouble! Really! While the ministers internally cursed, prayed, and hoped, the chief secretary answered. ording to reports from the attendants serving him, the Crown Prince is there to supplement the response to themand you gave, Your Majesty, as it was slightly inadequate. Ha! Truly befitting of the Crown Prince! King Sejong burst intoughter, filled with pride and admiration, upon hearing the report, while the ministers clenched their eyes shut and cursed inwardly. Damn it! At the same time, Hyang, organizing documents in the Record Bureau, was cursing as well. Damn it! The conclusion is, after all, civil engineering! * * * Five days after the chief secretarys report, and ten days in total, Hyang appeared before King Sejong. Father, I have brought the second proposal regarding themand you issued. King Sejongs face lit up with joy. I have been waiting. Present it quickly. Yes, Father. As Hyang walked to the center of the main hall, the ministers focused their attention on him. Its been a while since Ive seen all of you. After greeting the ministers lightly, Hyang cleared his throat and began to speak. The first thing I thought of in carrying out themand you gave, Father, was the bank. There is no change in my belief that the bank is the optimal solution to break the economic shackles between thendlords and tenant farmers. Upon hearing Hyangs statement, King Sejong and the ministers all harbored the same question. But what is the problem? Sensing their confusion, Hyang continued to speak. But, if only a bank is constructed, unexpected problems may arise. What kind of unexpected problems? At King Sejongs inquiry, Hyang immediately responded. It is the problem of transportation. Transportation? As Hyang brought up the issue of transportation, King Sejong and the ministers began to ponder why it would be a problem. King Sejong was the first to understand. Indeed, thats true. The people need hundreds, if not thousands, of different goods, but these goods are not produced everywhere. If thendlords monopolize these goods, it could be another form of shackles. At King Sejongs response, Hyang blinked in surprise, unable to close his mouth. I hadnt thought of that? Prince? Frozen by an answer he hadnt considered, Hyang was jolted back to reality by King Sejongs call and bowed his head. I am overwhelmed, Your Majesty. I was momentarily bewildered when you pointed out something I hadnt considered! I am deeply impressed by Your Majestys wisdom! At Hyangs ttering remarks, King Sejong smiled and replied. It was merely good fortune. But as a father who has lived longer than you, its only natural that I have seen things you havent. The ministers looked frustrated at King Sejongs reply. So what are we? Damn it! If were talking about age, Im as old as his grandchild! Are you saying we should just die? Eh? Why do you all look like that? At King Sejongs question, the ministers quicklyposed themselves and bowed their heads. We were simply in awe of Your Majestys wisdom! Your Majestys intelligence is a blessing to Joseon! The ministers, represented by the chief ministers, showered King Sejong with praise, to which he replied with a slightly embarrassed face. Ha! As I said to the prince, it was just a bit of luck. How can Ipare with your insights and wisdom? The difference in our ages speaks for itself. Your words are too generous! We are deeply grateful! Despite bowing their heads in unison at King Sejongs words, the ministers had mixed feelings. Is this really apliment? It doesnt feel like one It sounds like hes saying were not living up to our age Regardless of what the ministers thought, King Sejongs attention was focused on the Crown Prince. So Prince, what was your solution to the problem? At King Sejongs question, Hyang discussed the issue he had considered. As Your Majesty instructed, not all goods are produced in one ce. Therefore, goods needed from other ces must be transported. However, with limited transportation, the volume of goods is restricted, and those far from the production sites must pay higher prices. Consequently, tenant farmers with low ie will inevitably have to borrow money fromndlords again. At Hyangs words, the Minister of Punishments posed a question. Why would they borrow money fromndlords if theres a bank? The Minister of Personnel, Heo Jo, immediately responded. Unless the banks storage continuously produces unlimited wealth, and considering theres a limit to the property that can be used as coteral, infinite lending is impossible. Isnt that the same forndlords? Still puzzled, the Minister of Law and Punishments asked another question. At this, Kim Jeom raised his voice. Look here, Your Excellency! Unlike the bank,ndlords charge interest on the loans they provide! Do you not see the difference? Ahhh Chastened by Kim Jeom, the Minister of Law and Punishments closed his mouth with an embarrassed expression. As he fell silent, Hyang continued. This is the first problem arising from limited transportation, and the next issue ismunication. Due to dys in reporting urgent matters like droughts, floods, or epidemics, theres insufficient time for response. This dy in the banks response means the people will again be bound to thendlords. I see. King Sejong and the ministers nodded in understanding. Believing that King Sejong and the ministers grasped the issue, Hyang presented his proposed solution. Therefore, the solution I propose is to expand the roadwork throughout Joseon. Immediately, the Minister of Public Works objected. Road construction is already being carried out continuously. Indeed, but the issue is with the duration and nature of the road construction. Lets consider the current situation. Construction begins after the harvest and enters into winter,sting for about five months until the end of the hungry season. Is that correct? Yes, thats correct. During the harsh winter, construction requires significantbor and progresses slowly, right? Yes, thats correct. The Minister of Public Works nodded in agreement with Hyangs points, acknowledging their validity. Digging through the frozen ground in winter was an extremely difficult task, especially in 15th-century Joseon without modern heavy machinery. Most of the work had to rely on manualbor and animal power. As the Minister of Public Works kept nodding, Hyang pointed out the resulting problems. Just like the construction of canals and reservoirs, road construction started as a form of relief work. However, if the bank bes established, this kind of relief-oriented road work must stop. Kim Jeom then intervened. I understand what the Crown Prince is saying. However, the reason for construction in that period was not only for relief purposes but also due to the avability ofbor. During the farming season, it is not possible to take people away. Its easier to take people out during the farming season. What? Eh? Hyangs response, which contradicted conventional wisdom, made everyone from King Sejong to the scribes recording the session doubt their ears. Prince, the farming season is called so because its a busy time for agricultural work. How can it be easier to take people away then? King Sejong questioned, to which Hyang exined. Its because of the transnting method, Your Majesty. The transnting method? Hmm Wasnt that used to increase yield? King Sejong remarked, and Kim Jeom added. Yes, although the increase in yield was less than expected. Kim Jeomsment led Hyang to continue. Yes, the increase in yield was less than expected, so even now, researchers and farmers are working hard to find varieties that can increase yield. But the number of farms using the transnting method is increasing, isnt it? Kim Jeom replied with a slightly embarrassed face. Thats true. Even if the increase is less than expected, the poorest soils show at least a 10% increase. As Kim Jeom mentioned, the number of farms adopting the transnting method was growing, as it allowed for at least a 10% increase in yieldpared to the direct seeding method. In the best fields, where even spitting brings a great harvest, the yield increase was at least 80%. Hyang then exined another effect brought about by the transnting method. The ministers have focused only on the yield increase brought by the transnting method, missing its other effects. This caught the strong interest of Kim Jeom, who was in charge of financial matters. For him, it was something he couldnt overlook. What other effects are you referring to? Sowing and transnting seasons only require intensebor for a short period. Once these are over, theres a surplus ofbor until the harvest season. Really? Hyang then exined the changes brought by the transnting method. C The transnting method, where seedlings grown to a certain extent are transnted, allows rice to grow strongerpared to direct seeding, as long as the seedlings can withstand the initial shock. C Due to the characteristics of flooded rice fields, the variety of weeds that can grow is limited. This significantly reduces the frequency and manpower needed for weeding. C Thus, apart from the initial seeding and growing of seedlings and the harvesting period, a significant amount ofbor is avable. Let me give an example. Two years ago, there was a petition from Muan County in Jeo Province. The county magistrate reported that after the transnting waspleted and there was sparebor, they were able to finish road maintenance before the rainy season. King Sejong nodded as he recalled the incident. Thats right. At that time, I praised the magistrate for his wise handling and gave a favorable assessment. Indeed, indeed As King Sejong continued nodding, the discussion between Kim Jeom and Hyang progressed. So, Prince, you suggest using the surplusbor from the farming season for road construction? Not exactly drawingbor. That would not sever the link betweenndlords and farmers. Im thinking of establishing a guild specialized solely in road construction. That would lead to unnecessary expenditure! Its not feasible! Kim Jeom strongly opposed the idea, raising his voice, and Hyang responded just as emphatically. My intention in forming a guild is not for relief work. It is to create a professional group focused on civil engineering as a regr industry! Really? Taken aback by this unexpected proposal, Kim Jeom hesitated, and then Heo Jo interjected. Are you suggesting moving the surplusbor from rural areas to urban settings? Exactly that! At Hyangs firm affirmation, Heo Jo looked troubled. But whether there will be enough workforce to draw from the rural areas is questionable As Heo Jo expressed his doubts, Hyang turned to Kim Jeom. Minister of Taxation! How much has the rural poption increased? Or rather, how much has it decreased? Kim Jeom promptly answered Hyangs question. Since the newnd survey, the annual average death rate has decreased to about 60%pared to before the survey. Ah! I see! At Kim Jeoms response, King Sejong eximed in realization. I had forgotten! Since we started vinations against smallpox and distributed medicinal herbs, the mortality rate has significantly dropped! Its an oversight on my part! I cannot express enough apologies to the ministers! When King Sejong acknowledged his oversight, the ministers unanimously disagreed. Not at all, Your Majesty! Its our fault for failing to assist Your Majesty properly! Please punish us! Punish us! After theical scene of everyone insisting on their own apologies ended, King Sejong turned back to Hyang. I will consider deeply the policy youve proposed. Your graciousness is overwhelming! At King Sejongs decision, Hyang bowed deeply. Chapter 129 Chapter 129 Although King Sejong had said he would consider deeply Hyangs proposal, his mind was already leaning towards epting it. The next day, King Sejong summoned Hyang. Exin your n in more detail to me and the ministers. Yes, Your Majesty. Following King Sejongsmand, Hyang began a more detailed exnation to King Sejong and the ministers. C First, suitable regions in each of the eight provinces of Joseon will be selected to initiate pilot projects. King Sejong, who had initially shown a moment of confusion, quickly nodded in understanding. Pilot projects? Ah I see. I have also been selecting counties for trial implementation before reorganizing the local administrative offices. Its a simr approach, isnt it? Yes, Your Majesty. Depending on the terrain, like whether its nd or mountainous, and the avability of gravel and sand, the cost of construction varies. By assessing these factors, we can prevent the guilds from making exorbitant profits. The ministers nodded at Hyangs exnation. Kim Jeom then asked a question. As this construction is not meant as relief work, workers must be paid. Should we leave the determination of wage standards to the guilds? Hyang paused briefly before responding. I intended to exin thatter, but since youve asked, I will share my thoughts. In my opinion, the minimum standard should be that workers earn enough for a meal after half an hour of work, and enough for a family of four to live for a day after a full days work (12 hours). Kim Jeom nodded after doing some calctions in his head. That seems reasonable. Lets add one more condition to that. As King Sejong interjected, the ministers and Hyang turned their attention to him. We are listening attentively, Your Majesty. Its not a grand condition, but I think its good to add that the guild responsible for the work must provide lunch and tea free of charge. The guilds will strongly oppose this, iming their profits will decrease. At Kim Jeoms remark, King Sejongs expression sharpened. So, its alright for guilds to pursue profit, but those working at the very bottom arent allowed to seek it? Thats not what I meant If theyre only supposed to be content with just enough to fill their stomachs each day, why would they leave their viges? Even now, if you go to the marketces, youll see many people working day-to-day asborers. The purpose of revising thend system is to allow them to umte wealth and seek a better life! If we only enrich the guilds, how is that different from empoweringndlords? At King Sejongs rebuke, Kim Jeom prostrated himself. Please forgive my thoughtlessness! Stand up. And think before you speak in the future. I will bear your words in mind. With his head bowed, Kim Jeom sighed inwardly. That was a close call. Over time, the ministers had learned to interpret King Sejongs tone to gauge the severity of a situation.
  1. He uses formal speech for regr matters.
  2. He uses respectfulnguage when ministers or the Crown Prince achieve significant aplishments.
  3. If someone fails to understand his intentions or opposes him, he switches to a more direct and less formal tone.
  4. In more serious situations, he shows visible annoyance and uses blunt, forcefulnguage.
  5. In extreme cases, the Royal Secretariat intervenes.
ording to these criteria, Kim Jeom had narrowly avoided a major crisis. This job is really tough! Grumbling internally, Kim Jeom focused on Hyangs continued exnation. Amidst the now tense atmosphere, Hyang proceeded with his exnation. I believe Your Majestys thoughts on the wages for those working at the bottom are most appropriate. Next, we must find guilds to undertake construction in every province of Joseon, ensuring that at least three different guilds are contracted in each province. Three or more, does that mean at least three? asked Kim Jeom. Hyang nodded in affirmation. Then, Jo Mal-saeng, another minister, chimed in. Wouldnt it be easier to manage if there are fewer guilds in charge? Just as Hyang was about to respond, the Chief State Councillor interjected. Its to avoid the problem of monopoly. While simplicity in militarymand improves efficiency, in civilian construction, monopolies lead to more people suffering losses. This is why the sages have always cautioned against monopolies in trade. The Chief State Councillors observation is urate. If only one guild is chosen per province, eventually they will control everything. The funds for these constructions are the peoples taxes; we cannot waste them recklessly. If thats the case, bringing in guilds from other provinces ah, but then there would be efficiency issues. Hyangs words caused Heo Jo to pause mid-sentence as he realized the implications, then he closed his mouth. Hyang continued his exnation. The governments role is to prevent monopolization and collusion among these guilds while fosteringpetition. Once they gain experience and skill, we can select the mostpetentpanies to develop the northeastern frontier. By then, they should have sufficient experience and skill to minimize trial and error. That makes sense. As time passed and Hyang finished his detailed exnation, he began to summarize. Lets summarize the proposals rted to earth construction and the previous one about the battlefield. C The smallpox vination and the distribution of medicinal herbs have reduced deaths from diseases. C Counteracting the provision of relief rice with irrigation projects and expanding flood control facilities has increased agricultural productivity and reduced famine deaths. C With fewer deaths from disease and famine, the poption is continuously increasing. C Even with direct seeding methods, the workforce was in excess. The spread of the transnting method has exacerbated this surplus ofbor. C Although the transnting method slightly increased yields, the growing poption meant both self-sufficient and tenant farmers inevitably fell into debt. C To address this, we establish battlefields to break the connection betweenndlords and tenant farmers. C Start with road expansion andunchrge-scale earth construction projects to draw excess ruralbor outwards. Thats all. Afterpleting his statements, Hyang bowed respectfully. The ministers, who had been attentively listening to Hyangs words, fell into deep contemtion. King Sejong was simrly thoughtful. After a prolonged silence, he finally spoke. I have a question for the ministers. We are all ears, Your Majesty. Do you remember the National Development n proposed by the Crown Prince previously? We remember it well. The ministers unanimously answered. The currentnd revision wasrgely guided by that n. Combining the current proposals of the Crown Prince with that n, what do you think? Chief State Councillor Lee Jik stepped forward to answer. The ultimate goal of the National Comprehensive Development n aligns with these proposals, so I believe it is appropriate to adopt them. Are there any objections? The ministers silence served as their response, leading King Sejong to make a decision. Then, we will actively adopt the proposals put forth by the Crown Prince and develop an implementation n. Submit this n to me. We shallply with Your Majestysmand! The ministers responded in unison. Every word in the n you ministers will draft affects the fate of Joseon. Please put your utmost effort into it. At King Sejongs earnest request, the ministers prostrated themselves in unison, responding with deep sincerity. We will remember your words and redouble our efforts! This was indeed the ministers true sentiment. Despite the constant fatigue from daily overwork, the asional threats of resignation, and their disorientation over policies that seemed to contradict their Neo-Confucian beliefs, the ministers held their positions for one primary reason. If this endeavor seeds, it will birth a Joseon unlike any we have known, thought of, or pursueda far better Joseon. I want to be recorded in history as having been part of this process! * * * Five days after King Sejong and the ministers unanimously decided to implement the battlefield and earth construction projects, Your Highness, His Majesty summons you. Late in the evening, as Hyang was organizing documents and preparing to spend a pleasant time with his second consort C he had even devised a schedule to regrly spend nights with three consorts C he was puzzled by the eunuchs message. At this hour? Yes. Very well, lead the way. Guided by the eunuch, Hyang arrived at Gangnyeongjeon, located behind Geunjeongjeon. Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has arrived. Let him in. Yes, please enter. Entering Gangnyeongjeon, which served as King Sejongs personal office and bedroom, Hyang noticed Heo Jo was also present. Your Majesty, did you summon me? Yes, sit down. Yes. Once Hyang was seated, King Sejong began speaking. I summoned the Crown Prince to discuss the issue of very. Mention of very caused Hyangs expression to harden. The inevitable has arrived. Noticing Hyangs expression, King Sejong continued. Since before my time, only marriages between ves were allowed, and marriages betweenmoners and ves were forbidden. However, as societal customs evolved, such intermarriages increased, leading to the implementation of the Follow the Mother Law for children born from these unions. Yes, I am aware of this from the records. After Hyang acknowledged his knowledge, King Sejong paused to clear his throat before continuing. In cases of intermarriage, it is overwhelminglymon for amoner man to marry a ve woman. Therefore, my predecessor established the Patrilineal Law, determining the status of children based on their father. Yes, I am also aware of that. However, there are manyints arising from the current implementation of the Patrilineal Law. At King Sejongs statement, Hyang responded. King Taejong established the Patrilineal Law to increase the number ofmoners as the ve poption was growing and themoner poption decreasing, causing issues in national finance and defense. Are those opposing thisw suggesting their minor benefits are more important than the countrys welfare? If so, they should be severely punished. Hyangs stern remark prompted Heo Jo to respond. The issue is moreplex than it seems. Complex? How so? Yes. Heo Jo began to exin theplexities that had arisen from the implementation of the Patrilineal Law. C The Patrilineal Law determines the status of children born betweenmoners and ves based on the fathers status. Its primary goal was to increase the number ofmoners. C This led to a significant increase in the number ofmoners but a rtive decrease in ves, causing discontent among ve owners. Wasnt the purpose of the Patrilineal Law to reduce the number of ves? If thats the case, isnt it working as intended? Whats the problem? Confused, Hyang asked, prompting Heo Jo to exin further. In principle, yes. And if the decrease in ves was natural, it wouldnt be an issue. However, the problem lies in the absolute decrease and its impact on rural customs. Why? How so? Due to another custom rted to the Patrilineal Law. Specifically, the custom of manumission. Manumission? [TL/N: Manumission means release from very] Unable to understand, Hyang listened as King Sejong interjected. Typically, when a female ve bears a child of amoner, she is granted manumission. Thats where the problem arises. Aha! Hyang suddenly grasped the issue. A female ve could bear children until menopause. From a ve owners perspective, granting manumission to such a female ve meant losing potential future vespotentially at least ten more. I understand. But what about the issue with customs? Heo Jo immediately answered Hyangs question. There are frequent cases where, despite having a ve husband of the same status, a woman ims her child is of amoner. Or cases where the paternity of a child is uncertain. In such instances, the mother invariably ims the father is amoner, due to the prospect of manumission. Ah As Hyang sighed, King Sejong continued. Do you remember what you said before you were married? Even a Buddha turns away in the face of temptation. Thats the situation were facing. Yes. The logic is the same. There are numerous cases where women, manumitted along with their children for being recognized as offspring of amoner, be homeless due to mistreatment by the legitimate wife. Its a tragic situation. Prompted by King Sejongs words, Hyang asked with a firm expression. Your Majesty, do you intend to abolish the Patrilineal Law? King Sejong shook his head in response. No, I have no intention of abolishing it. Thats why I called you here. Theres something you need to do. Please, give me your instructions. Find a way for manumitted female ves and their children to make a living! At King Sejongsmand, Hyang bowed and responded. I will heed Your Majestysmand! Though he responded energetically, inwardly, Hyang was struggling. Dammit! Another incredibly difficult task! * * * Note: King Sejong the Great: A Single-Volume Comption by Park Young-gyu, published by Woongjin Knowledge House. Chapter 130 Chapter 130 Ive epted themand, but the easiest route is often the best. First, I need to check some prerequisites! Hyang, who was just about to enjoy his happy time before being summoned, began by verifying some initial conditions. One ideaes to mind. When a private female ve) marries amoner, she should be required to inform her master and obtain a document of permission. For government-owned female ves, a simr document would be required from the relevant government office. Heo Jo quickly responded to Hyangs suggestion. For private ves, the master will likely grant permission or refuse it. Most private female ves probably wont ever get married. Hyang nodded thoughtfully at Heo Jos response. That makes sense. And in the case of government-owned ves, they usually dont seek marriage. Why is that? A significant number of government-owned female ves are from noble families. Aha Hyang slowly nodded, processing Heo Jos exnation. * * * When officials or schrs of the nobilitymitted serious crimesoften treasontheir entire families were implicated and disgraced. Adult males were typically executed, while young boys and women became government ves. Many of these women from noble families, now government ves, chose to remain chasteat least outwardly. This also applied to women who became private ves, either given to meritorious subjects or for various other reasons. The decision of these women, reduced to a lower status, to remain chaste often stemmed from a faint hope of restoration. The family of King Sejongs father-inw, Sim On, had its honor restored early in Sejongs reign, excluding Sim On himself. Inspired by such rare instances, these women clung to that slim hope and maintained their chastity. * * * After hearing Heo Jos exnation, Hyang paused to gather his thoughts and then asked another question. Your Majesty has issued a decree, but considering the bacsh from the ve owners, it wont be easy. As a secondary option, what if all children born betweenmoners and female ves be government ves? Heo Jo immediately responded. Private ves would all wish to be government ves. Many are already eagerly seeking this status. So, naturally, they would be desperate to findmoner husbands. Hyangs expression fell into disappointment. Indeed After a moment of silence, Hyangposed himself and replied to King Sejong. I have received Your Majestysmand, and as your servant, I will do my utmost to find a solution. I trust the Crown Prince. I will give my all. With a promise to himself, Hyang bowed to King Sejong and left Gangnyeongjeon. Watching Hyang leave, King Sejong, once Hyang was out of sight, turned to Heo Jo. What if we hadnt carried out thend reform, and the Crown Prince hadnt shown such prominence? After a moment of silence, Heo Jo replied. Forgive my boldness, but if that were the case, I, or rather, all ministers, would have advocated for the Follow the Mother Law. Without it, Joseon might have plunged into civil unrest. Civil unrest King Sejong murmured with a bitter expression. Its usible in that scenario. Heo Jo was known for his principled stance. His foremost principle was the peace of Joseon. He believed in enforcing even unfairws if they were for the sake of peace, as he had strongly advocated for thew prohibitingints from themon people. Following this principle, he initially supported Ryu Jung-hyeon, butter shifted his support to King Sejong. As King Sejong trailed off, Heo Jos expression grew more serious. Your Majesty, its not toote. We must deal with Prince Yangnyeong. Even so, he is my brother, and currently, thend reform is proceeding well, public sentiment is on my side, and the Crown Prince is demonstrating exceptional ability, so lets overlook it. As youmand. With King Sejong deciding to put aside the issue with Prince Yangnyeong, Heo Jo had no choice but to ept it. It was the kingsmand, after all. A subject can advise, but should not unduly pressure the sovereign. This was Heo Jos second principle. * * * ves Back in his room at the Eastern Pce, Hyang muttered softly. Do you wish to take your meal now? At the eunuchs inquiry, Hyang replied briefly. I have work to do. For the time being, I will be alone. Inform them ordingly. Yes, Your Highness. After giving his orders, Hyangs lips twitched in frustration. If they darein about my dyed session again, Ill turn everything upside down. After sending the eunuch away and left alone, Hyang sat at his desk and mumbled to himself. ves This really isnt easy. From the perspective of local lords, nobles, or schrs, ves are their economic and military backbone As Hyang grumbled while reviewing the current situation, he recalled the words of his teacher, Samcheonpo. Joseon has a wealth of historical records and documents, which allows for extensive research. Thats why there are so many controversies and debates about the figures from the Joseon era. Should I start from more recent times and work backward? There are Yi Myeong-bok and Min Ja-young. Were they patriots who strived to protect the nation during the imperialist era, or were they delusional dreamers longing for the revival of absolute monarchy and external family regimes? Above them is King Jeongjo, embroiled in controversy as either a reformist monarch or a cunning yer in a high-stakes game of power. Then theres King Yeongjo, either a suspect in his brothers death and a power-hungry ruler who killed his own son, or a savvy politician who maintained a delicate bnce of power. King Gwanghae is debated as either a madman or a master of bncing diplomacy during the Ming-Qing transition. The most famous figures include Admiral Yi Sun-sin, hailed as either a national hero or overrated due to military regime propaganda, and Won Gyun, who some say has been excessively vilified. And now, the criticism has begun to emerge against Sejong the Great. Critics mainly point to his policies like the ban onmonerints, the Follow the Mother Law, and forced social stratification. Theybel King Sejong as an absolute monarch and a king for the privileged. But then, why did he create Hangul? If he wanted to favor the privileged, keeping the lower sses ignorant would have been ideal. Why create a script for themon people? Was it out of intellectual vanity, to show off his intelligence? Does that make sense? Doesnt something feel off? * * * Is it all just apromise for the sake of maintaining political stability? Reflecting on Samcheonpos words, Hyang spoke seriously to himself. ording to Samcheonpos Acknowledged Random Talks, thews like the ban onmonerints and the Follow the Mother Law were a result of apromise between the Joseon royal family, originating from northern military factions, and the southern regional power-holders. King Taejong, seeking to strengthen his power and extend central authority to the provinces, initiated the ban onmonerints. The local lords of the granary regions, who had lost their military bases due to the private army abolishment and Daimyo (Japanese lords) expeditions, had to ept thisw. On the other hand, the local lords, who regained economic power in their regions by eleratingnd consolidation during the recurring famines around King Sejongs ession C Samcheonpopared them to those who aggressively umted wealth during the IMF crisis C pushed for the Follow the Mother Law, which King Sejong had no choice but to ept. Samcheonpo concluded his talk with the following: -Why did King Sejong, who inherited King Taejongs strong monarchy, get pushed back just over a decade into his reign? Firstly, the Jurchen issue in the north, and secondly, the primitive ind transportation issues of Joseon. If a rebel movement in the south, even with armed forces, erupted, it would be hard to freely move the military concentrated in the north, and even if they tried to mobilize scattered forces in the south, the terrible road conditions would make timely response difficult. Both sides would suffer more losses. So, they reached a kind of agreement with the Follow the Mother Law. Well guarantee your interests to some extent, so listen to the central government. Reflecting on Samcheonpos words, Hyang smirked. Now that I think about it, we used to joke that he was an alien because his theories were so usible Recalling Samcheonpo, Hyang chuckled and continued. Looking at the current situation, maybe he really was an alien. * * * The next day, Hyang, upon arriving at Area 51, sought out Jang Yeong-sil. While waiting for Jang Yeong-sil, Hyang muttered softly. Clich as it may be, there are things that must be done. Soon after, Jang Yeong-sil, summoned, respectfully greeted Hyang. Your Highness, did you call for me? Its been a while, Astronomer Jang. How is the Annr Gear project progressing? At Hyangs question, Jang Yeong-sils face paled, and he knelt down immediately. I am sorry! We havent yet produced useful results. Seeing Jang Yeong-sil kneeling and confessing, Hyang gestured dismissively. Stand up. Sit down on the chair; we have much to discuss. Yes. Having seated Jang Yeong-sil, Hyang inquired about the progress of the project. How long has it been since the Annr Gear project began? Its entering its second year. What seems to be the problem? For self-operation, a mechanism to supply power is needed. Since we dont have a steam engine yet, we are researching the use of springs. Wow Hyang remembered the disaster of using a spring mechanism in the past. Isnt that heavy for the Annr Gears structure? Thats why were considering using iron for the framework. But then, the weight would be Hyang abruptly stopped mid-discussion about the Annr Gear. No, thats not the urgent matter. I summoned you here for an order from His Majesty. At the mention of King Sejong, Jang Yeong-sil straightened up, looking tense. Please give yourmand. We need to create a loom. A loom? Yes. Current looms require a lot of manualbor and handiwork. We need to modify them to use water or animal power for weaving and threading. Jang Yeong-sil tapped his fingers on the desk, deep in thought. Do you foresee any difficulties? Hyang wondered if he should intervene, considering his workload. Jang Yeong-sil shook his head. No, I need to study an actual loom first, but it seems feasible. Good. Ill arrange for a loom to be delivered soon. You have one year for development. Jang Yeong-sil responded with a worried look. If I could have a little more time Its a royalmand. Yes. Then start preparing. Ill have a loom sent to you shortly. Yes, Your Highness. After sending Jang Yeong-sil off, Hyang looked towards Gyeongbokgung Pce and muttered to himself. Now, how will I secure the budget for this * * * After offloading the task to Jang Yeong-sil, Hyang immersed himself in the records at the Record Bureau. Merely focusing on the textile industry wont yield quick results While rifling through a vast amount of documents and rubbing his tired eyes, Hyang spread out a nk sheet of paper and muttered to himself. If they insist on treating ves as property, then we must treat them as such. * * * Four days after receiving themand from King Sejong and delegating the task to Jang Yeong-sil, Hyang, carrying a bundle of papers, went to see King Sejong. I believe I have found a solution to themand Your Majesty issued. Speak. King Sejong and the ministers focused their attention on Hyang, waiting for the solution he would present. Standing in the center of Gangnyeongjeon, Hyang took a deep breath and began. Your Majestymanded me to find a solution to the ve issue. I believe we need tobine several policies and tools. Using abination of various approaches As King Sejong pondered Hyangs words, Hyang continued. Yes. But first, we need to secure a livelihood for those who have been manumitted and change the perception of ve owners, making them realize that owning more ves is disadvantageous. Hyang took a brief pause, then addressed the ministers. The tools for the livelihood are currently being researched in Area 51. And to change the perception of ve owners, I believe we need to modify the tax system. Change the tax system? At the ministers question, Hyang nodded. Yes, if ves are considered property, then they should be treated as such. * * * (Note 1) 14th year of King Sejongs reign (1432, Year of Imja) Chapter 131 Chapter 131 The ministers pondered what Hyangs words meant and soon began to voice their thoughts one by one. A tax on property you mean to levy taxes based on the ownership of ves? Imposing taxes There will be considerable resistance, but if implemented, it could be a good strategy. The problem is the resistance. I too find the Crown Princes proposal innovative, but I believe resistance will be an issue. The ministers reactions werergely simr. The idea seems good, but the worry is the resistance to taxation. Hyangs response to the ministers answers was straightforward. If they resist, we simply crush them. What? The ministers were stunned by Hyangs extreme hardline approach, asking briefly with bewildered expressions. In response to their expressions, Hyang asked: Originally, to whom does thend of Joseon fundamentally belong? Fundamentally speaking. After a moment of thought, Maeng Sae-seong replied. Fundamentally, it belongs to His Majesty the King. Fundamentally speaking. Correct. Therefore, were essentially paying rent for using His Majestysnd. Wouldnt you agree? The concept of publd isnt so different! Maeng Sae-seong nodded at Hyangs point. Fundamentally, that is one way to see it. You are advocating the idea of royalnd ownership, Your Highness. However Hyang cut off Maeng Sae-seong. But! Thats exactly the problem! Its His Majestysnd, but we recognize it as owned through generations. If someone passes the civil service exam, its natural for them to start a government position. But! If they choose to further their studies and then enter public service, they are granted tax exemptions. Hyang paused to catch his breath before continuing. Through numerous buts, they have amassed wealth. This is shameless! And now, they resist? Where are such shameless people! At Hyangs outburst, Lee Jik and Maeng Sae-seong quietly conversed. The Crown Prince is on a rampage again. But fundamentally, hes correct. Fundamentally Thats the problem. While Lee Jik and Maeng Sae-seong conversed quietly, Hyang continued. Thats why I implore His Majesty. If thesendowners consider ves as property, then tax them ordingly! Hyang then exined the tax system he had in mind. C The people of Joseon pay a basic tax once a year. This tax will be named Property Ie Tax. C This Property Ie Tax is calcted based on the ie earned and the assets owned over the year. C Assets include ownednd, houses, ves, livestock, etc. C A progressive tax rate will be applied. C A particrly high progressive rate will be set for ves. By doing this, thendowners will have no choice but to reduce their number of ves. As the number of ves decreases, they will have to either give their agriculturalnd for sharecropping or employ wageborers. Hmm The ministers nodded thoughtfully at Hyangs exnation. The ie from sharecropping was significant for the regionalndlords, but their primary source of revenue came from the fields directly cultivated by their ves. Most of thend being sharecropped had originally belonged to small-scale farmers who had been forced into tenancy. If Hyangs proposal to impose a high progressive tax rate on owned ves was implemented, the regionalndlords would have no choice but to reduce their number of ves. The problem is the resistance from thesendlords. Most of them are registered in the local registers. Hyang responded firmly to Maeng Sae-seongs point. If the local registers are the problem, then we simply abolish them. What! The ministers were shocked by Hyangs decisive response, but Hyang looked at them with a puzzled expression. Why are you so surprised? Didnt King Taejong already abolish the Yuhyangso? [TL/N: Yuhyangso or Local Government Advisory Committee, is an organization made up of retired high-ss officials in charge of watching out for immoral politico-cultural behaviour and conduct of the local authorities.] Well, thats true, but The ministers replied with hesitant expressions at Hyangs point. *** Retired high-ranking officials sought to distinguish themselves from the local vigers in their hometowns. To assert their dominance in rural society, they needed an organization centered around themselves. This led to the creation of the Yuhyangso. However, the Yuhyangso constantly shed with the local officials. The main reason was that the members of Yuhyangso often belittled the local officials due to their higher social status. While going through the records, Hyang chuckled upon reading this. Even in the Joseon era, the problem was back in my day'' As these conflicts intensified, the Yuhyangso was eventually abolished. *** If the Yuhyangso could be abolished, whats the problem with the local registers? Well thats true. When Hyang mentioned the Yuhyangso, the ministers backed down. As the ministers stepped back, Hyang pressed forward. The local registers are also a problem. What are they? Theyre just records of the noble families in the regions, right? Yes. Isnt that a problem? As Ive said before, and repeatedly, those who pass the civil service exams should serve the country. Is it right for them to hole up in their hometowns, reaping benefits without contributing? Is that the way of the wise? Thats not right Unable to refute Hyangs points, the ministers had no choice but to retreat further. As they stepped back, Hyang continued to press them. When the initial 30-year tax exemption was granted, those with integrity should have devoted themselves to their studies and then served the state. However, those who prolong their stay in their hometowns under the excuse of inadequate learning fall into two categories. One, the genuinely dull whock schrly talent, and two, the cunning opportunists who use this as an excuse to enrich themselves. Neither type is needed in Joseon. Maeng Sae-seong responded almost to himself. Well, that is true, but Therefore, its only right to redirect the benefits not only from the ves but also to those who truly need them. Upon hearing Hyangs words, Heo Jo spoke up. And who are those who truly need them? They are the families of those who died or became disabled before reaching retirement age while serving the country. Their children should be taken care of by the nation at least until they reach adulthood and can fend for themselves. I see Heo Jo nodded in agreement with Hyangs words. With Heo Jos agreement helping to rify the situation, Hyang summarized the discussion. In summary, reducing the number of ves is not just about decreasing their numbers; its about diminishing the power held by the regionalndlords. The ministers nodded in agreement with Hyangs final words. The ministers present were high-ranking officials, and reflecting on their own hardships to reach their positions, they had little sympathy for those who livedfortably in the regions without much effort. Regarding the rted policy Wait As Hyang was about to exin the rted policy, King Sejong raised his hand to interrupt him. Listen, Crown Prince. Yes, Your Majesty. Your opinion is good, but it requires further discussion. Lets end it here for today. I obey Your Majestysmand. And King Sejong paused for a moment, looking at Hyang with a slightly worried expression. I understand somewhat what youve learned from examining the records in the Royal Archives, but do not forget that the regionalndlords are also subjects of our Joseon. I will bear it in mind. Good. Youve worked hard today. Go and rest. Yes. Following King Sejongsmand, Hyang bowed respectfully and then left the Gangnyeongjeon Hall. After Hyang left, King Sejong sighed. Hmm What do you think of the Crown Princes opinions? Responding to King Sejongs question, Lee Jik answered. Though extreme, his words are not incorrect. Is that so? What do the Left State Councilor and the Minister of Personnel think? Addressing the question to Maeng Sae-seong and Heo Jo, known moderates in the court, they took a moment to organize their thoughts before replying. In the past few years, the increase in ves due to frequent famines is a fact. However, it is also true that the number of new ves being born has sharply decreased due to the ve and Concubine Law reducing the number of female ves. But overall, the increase in the number of ves is undeniable, so some adjustment is necessary. Following Maeng Sae-seongs response, Heo Jo continued. Its true that the regionalndlords have expanded their influence by exploiting frequent famines. Their growing power challenging the authority of His Majesty and the court is also a fact, necessitating a response, Maeng Sae-seong acknowledged. With Maeng Sae-seong and Heo Jo showing support for Hyangs proposal, King Sejong stroked his beard thoughtfully. I too find merit in the Crown Princes opinion. However, the problem lies in the bacsh from the regionalndlords. The ministers hesitated to respond immediately, wary of making a slip of the tongue that could lead to repercussions or leave a significant blemish on their record. While the ministers were carefully formting their thoughts, Kim Jeom spoke first. Regarding the budget, its true that thendlords are exploiting tax exemptions, causing issues in revenue. This is indeed shameless and disloyal. Is the Ministry of Taxation suggesting that we actively adopt the Crown Princes proposal? That is our position. What if the regionalndlords respond with armed resistance? At King Sejongs question, Jo Mal-saeng stepped forward. Thanks to the smooth progress of the northern frontier development, there is flexibility in troop deployment. King Sejong seemed pleased with Jo Mal-saengs response but cautiously confirmed the reality. Does this mean that we can suppress any armed resistance that may arise? The majority of the troops stationed in the northern region are cavalry. I believe suppression is feasible. Hmm As King Sejong pondered Jo Mal-saengs response, Kim Jeom intervened again. Your Majesty, as you have been reforming the administration both centrally and regionally by setting examples and conducting experiments, I suggest using the same approach for tax reform. This way, if any rogue elements resort to armed resistance in the experimental areas, they can be effectively subdued, serving as a strong example to other regions. A strong example An example Mulling over the idea of setting an example, King Sejong looked around at his ministers. Make an example of them The Ministry of Taxations view is correct. Ministers, based on the Crown Princes and the Ministry of Taxations opinions, deliberate and devise a policy. We obey Your Majesty! Thus, in this session led by King Sejong, a decision was made to implement one of the most drastic policies. The historian recording these events added a note: C ordingly, the ministers began to deliberate policies concerning ves andndlords. The historianments: Its true that the regionalndlords abused their privileges. However, the courts decision is extremely harsh, and thendlords bacsh is foreseeable. It seems a storm is brewing. *** The next day, King Sejong summoned Hyang. Crown Prince, announce your proposal rted to the policy discussed yesterday. Yes, Your Majesty. Following King Sejongsmand, Hyang first outlined some precautions before discussing his proposal. C All these policies are interconnected with strategies regarding war, construction, and ves. C Thus, each policy requires careful consideration, but overall coordination and adjustment are also essential. I understand the precautions. Now, tell me about the policies youve thought of. Yes, Your Majesty. Hyang cleared his throat and began to exin. C First, we need to impose restrictions on the interest rates charged byndlords on their tenant farmers. Ive thought about this aspect too. I n to prohibit charging interest exceeding the principal amount. That seems appropriate. Responding to King Sejong, Hyang continued: C Limit the proportion of rent paid by tenant farmers, and prohibit additional charges for seeds and fertilizers. C Developrge-scale horse breeding, especiallyrge breeds, using horses brought in by traders, to enhance terrestrial transportation. C Utilize this improvednd transportation to enhance the movement of goods and facilitate the relocation of people. In simple terms, we use post stations to operate horse-drawn carriages. Horse-drawn carriages? C Distribute a standardized identity document, made by the state, to all adult citizens. C Make it mandatory for citizens to register their departure and arrival when relocating, enabling urate tracking of their movements and efficient management of household registration. C Strengthen the management of household registries to enhance the mobilization capabilities of the military. As Hyangs speech grew longer, the faces of Heo Jo and Kim Jeom gradually turned pale. Hyangs proposals continued for a considerable duration. That is all. Whew As soon as Hyang finished speaking, King Sejong and the ministers let out a collective sigh of relief, while the historians and clerks massaged their sore wrists. King Sejong, after reflecting briefly on Hyangs words, instructed the historians. Historians, listen. Yes, Your Majesty. The Crown Princes remarks are quite extensive, and there might be parts that the ministers missed. Therefore, summarize those parts and distribute them to the ministers. We obey Your Majestysmand. At King Sejongsmand, the historians and clerks answered with gloomy faces. Chapter 132 Chapter 132 If the ministers have any questions, feel free to ask, King Sejong encouraged. Prompted by Sejongs invitation, the ministers began to raise their questions. You mentioned operating horse-drawn carriages using post stations. Could you borate on this? Jo Mal-saeng, whose concerns were primarily military-rted, was the first to ask about the post stations. Responding to Jo Mal-saengs query, Hyang exined: Currently, when the people of Joseon travel, they have to walk endlessly to their destinations. This is not only time-consuming but also dangerous. Although most bandits have been dealt with, some still remain, along with wild beasts. The ministers nodded in agreement with Hyangs point. Even putting bandits aside, the greatest danger to traveling civilians were wild animals. For this reason, peddlers never traveled alone. Seeing that the ministers understood, Hyang continued: However, theserge horses from the West are not only big but also strong, capable of pullingrge carriages. Regr operation of these carriages would make travel not only more convenient and safer for the people but also significantly quicker. Indeed The ministers nodded, recalling the impressiverge horses they had seen, which seemed capable of effortlessly pulling heavily loaded carriages. Moreover, operating horse-drawn carriages centered around post stations will lead to the development of new industries. New industries, you say? As Jo Mal-saeng asked, King Sejong answered on behalf of Hyang. There will be shops selling food and establishments providing lodging. It will also increase the demand for currency. Exactly! Hyang enthusiastically agreed with King Sejong. Following Jo Mal-saeng, Kim Jeom chimed in: You mentioned distributing the same kind of identity documents to all adult citizens of Joseon. Considering the budget and personnel required, wouldnt it be better to have them made by the citizens themselves? At first nce, that seems reasonable. However, if everyone makes their own identification tags, the standards and materials will vary greatly. How easy would it be to recognize them? Kim Jeom responded with a hesitant face to Hyangs counter-question: Well, thats true, but And the wealthy will make their identification tags from expensive materials. If something happens and soldiers have to check these tags, can they perform their duties impartially? Well Kim Jeom fell silent, unable to respond. Would the soldiers be able to act impartially toward those possessing such extravagant identification tags? If theyre lucky, they wont get pped in the face. This thought wasnt just Kim Jeoms but was shared by other ministers and even King Sejong. As Kim Jeom struggled to respond and others showed simr reactions, Hyang continued: Distributing the same standard identification tags to all citizens is a symbol. At the unexpected use of the word symbol, King Sejong showed interest. A symbol, you say? Yes, Your Majesty, a symbol indeed. Though there are distinctions among Joseons people, in the eyes of thew, everyone is an equal citizen. Thats the symbol. Ah! What a splendid symbol indeed! King Sejong eximed in admiration, pping his knee. The ministers also shared a simr expression of admiration. Observing King Sejong and the ministers reactions, Hyang barely concealed a smile. Remembering my college days and the benefits of a liberal arts education. *** During Hyangs early college years in the 21st century, he had chosen Law and Democracy as an elective. The professor, a dignified elderly gentleman, conducted the lectures engagingly. During one lecture, he pulled out his ID card and said: You might have heard this in TV dramas or movies: All are equal before thew. Its a phrase that must be adhered to, but rarely seen in practice. However, this ID card is the most concise symbol of that phrase. Whether its someone living day-to-day or the chairman of S Group(Samsung ????), their legal identity is proven by this little piece of stic. *** With the exnation of the identity tags concluded, Hyang finished his supplementary exnations. After Hyang had finished, Kim Jeom let out a long sigh. Whew To implement all these initiatives simultaneously would be a concern in terms of both manpower and budget. Confused by Kim Jeoms words, Hyang asked: What? What do you mean simultaneously? Kim Jeom looked equally puzzled by Hyangs question. Didnt you say these were interconnected policies? I assumed that meant they were to be implemented simultaneously. Hyang sighed deeply in response to Kim Jeoms answer. Whew Themand I received from His Majesty was to devise strategies concerning the ve issue, specifically regarding the ve and Concubine Law. Thats right. King Sejong nodded in agreement with Hyangs statement. Seeing the ministers also nodding, Hyang continued: So, in contemting strategies, I thought that weakening the power of thendlords was the best solution to address the ve issue and benefit Joseon. Therefore Hyang paused, swallowed, and moistened his throat before continuing. Therefore, as part of the rted strategies, I considered fixing the interest rates for tenancy, establishing military facilities, promoting the use of currency, transforming the tax system, and improving roads for environmental change. However, I never said all these policies must be implemented simultaneously. I mentioned they should be interconnected, but thats all. Ah The ministers looked as if they had been taken aback by Hyangs words. They had only remembered Hyangs track record C initiating multiple tasks simultaneously and expanding the scope of his projects rapidly C and had prematurely assumed this situation would be the same. Noting the ministers expressions, Hyang looked incredulously at them. Did you gentlemen actually think all these initiatives were to be implemented simultaneously? Does our Joseons budget even allow for that level of expenditure? Or did you think you could handle all these tasks by yourselves? If I were a lower-level official, the moment these policies were to be executed simultaneously, Id tender my resignation, take my pension, and either retire or look for another job. The ministers were left speechless by Hyangs sessive points. Meanwhile, the historians and clerks were frantically checking their records while writing down the facts. The Crown Prince is right! He never said to implement them all at once! Hyang borated further for the ministers. Based on this years civil service examination being open to people from the northwest region and serfs, I considered these policies. They are predicated on arge influx of new officials and their limation to public service, with the assumption of executing well-coordinated,rge-scale policies in a sequential manner. Hearing Hyangs exnation, Lee Jik candidly responded. We assumed so because, until now, whenever the Crown Prince was in charge, proposals were made to execute multiple tasks simultaneously. At Lee Jiks frank admission, Hyang awkwardly replied. If thats what you want, I could revise the ns to make them executable simultaneously Before Hyang could finish, the ministers unanimously responded. No! The current n is the best! We will determine the sequence and execute ordingly! Following the ministers, King Sejong also chimed in. I also think it would be best to coordinate the sequence. Ministers, ensure you well-coordinate and execute these policies. We obey Your Majesty! We shall diligently follow Your Majestysmand! At the reaction of King Sejong and the ministers, Hyang looked puzzled. Why is everyone so in sync today? Seeing Hyangs perplexed expression, King Sejong turned to the ministers. I would like to have a moment alone with the Crown Prince. Everyone, please leave the room for a while. Yes? Yes At King Sejongsmand, the ministers hesitantly bowed and quietly left the Gangnyeongjeon Hall. Historians and clerks, please step outside as well. But Your Majesty I wont repeat myself. Leave. At King Sejongs stern warning, the historians and clerks also quietly gathered their ink brushes and papers and vacated their seats. Leave the writing materials behind. Following King Sejongsmand, the historians and clerks left the Gangnyeongjeon Hall empty-handed. However, as soon as the door closed, they quickly took out their writing tools from their sleeves, crouched down, and pressed their ears against the door. Seeing this from the courtyard of Geunjeongjeon, the ministers wanted to say something but soon closed their mouths. It was just the nature of the historians work. *** Meanwhile, inside Geunjeongjeon, only Sejong and Hyang remained. Crown Prince. Yes, Your Majesty. Theres more, isnt there? Go ahead, recite them. Confronted with Sejongs direct question, Hyang promptly responded. There are several more. Expanding education, establishing a press organization, creatingbor standardsws, and so on Thats quite a lot? At Sejongs question, Hyang responded with an awkward smile. What Your Majesty isying down are the foundations, and the policies I exined to the ministers and the ones I just mentioned are like pirs built on those foundations. Hmm As Hyang spoke, Sejong stroked his beard in thought, then stepped down from his seat to stand in front of Hyang. Youve grown up a lot. I always thought of you as a child. I am deeply grateful. But, you know, listening to what you just said, it seems like by the time all these policies are implemented and settled, it might be about time for you to take over the regency or ascend the throne, right? How could that be? My only wish is for Your Majesty to live a long and healthy life. Even so, Ill be the one facing all the troubles implementing these policies, and youll just have to make minor improvements. Youve thought that far ahead, havent you? Never! How could your son harbor such unfilial thoughts? Despite Hyangs strong denial, Sejong looked at him suspiciously. Why are your eyes looking elsewhere, then? Absolutely not. As Hyangs gaze still drifted away, Sejong suddenly raised his voice. Hey, you! Get out! *** While these events unfolded inside Geunjeongjeon, the ministers outside were engaged in a heated discussion. Even if we n the sequence for implementing these policies, it wont be easy, remarked the Minister of Public Works. Kim Jeom nodded in agreement. Thats true. Just when we thought arge influx of personnel would give us some breathing room Sigh. As Kim Jeom sighed, Jo Mal-saeng spoke up. The Minister of Personnel and the Minister of Taxation will have a tough time. You guys will have to work hard. Eh? Why do you think its just us who will suffer? Heo Jo retorted, bristling at Jo Mal-saengsment. Well isnt it the Ministry of Personnels job to organize the system, and the Ministry of Taxations job to handle the budget and economic affairs? At Jo Mal-saengs reply, Kim Jeom scoffed. Hmph! You think things are that simple? Immediately, expanding and repairing roads is the job of the Ministry of Public Works. Oh no Chapter 133 Chapter 133 As the Joseon court was experimenting and revising various aspects for the transformation of Joseon, changes were gradually taking ce in the country. These changes were slowly happening among the people of Joseon as well. Although the changes seemed minor, their effects were spreading wider and wider. *** In Yeongdeung-po, near Hanyang. In a cksmiths shop located on one side of a vige, the loud sound of hammering echoed. Bang! ng! Bang! The hammering ceased, and the cksmith wiped the sweat from his forehead, looking at his creation. Hmm this turned out well? With a satisfied smile, the cksmith gazed at arge square frame with criss crossed iron wires C a wire mesh. *** Song Il-chul, known as cksmith Song C his parents and acquaintances called him Han-soi C had made the wire mesh as a side job. The reason Il-chul had to take up a side job was due to Hyangs development of weapons in Area 51. At that time, Hyang had evaluated cksmiths in Hanyang and nearby areas to check the feasibility of rapid supply. In the evaluation, Il-chul was eliminated in the final stage. His quality was excellent, but he failed in standardizing his products. Its okay! Its better not to deal with the hassle of government conscription! Though Il-chul had boasted loudly when he received the results, his pride was hurt. Shit! How am I inferior to those guys! As time passed, the number of customers at Il-chuls cksmith shop began to decrease. This was due to the changed perception of the people in Hanyang and nearby areas. Those who supply to Area 51 are skilled, those who dont are not. As the peoples perception changed, Il-chuls shop began to lose customers. Of course, neighbors who knew Il-chul well still frequented his shop, but customers from afar dwindled. The decrease in distant customers was a significant loss for Il-chul. Ironware had a long lifespan, so relying on neighbors was not profitable. *** Eventually, Il-chuls wife stepped forward. We should start a side business. A side business? Il-chul, who would have scoffed at such a suggestion in the past, now listened seriously to his wife. Seeing her husband attentive, Il-chuls wife raised her voice. You know about fried chicken, right? Of course. Jang-soi and Dol-soi would wake up from sleep to eat fried chicken. Why, thinking of opening a fried chicken restaurant? Yes. Selling fried chicken is not an easy business As Il-chul hesitated, his wife made a sullen face. Am I not famous for my pancake skills? Have you forgotten how often Lady Ohs family calls me for feasts and rituals? Hmm As far as I know, the flour used for the coating has to be bought from the market, and its quite expensive. Ive tasted it and think I know what goes into it. Thats why I want to try making it myself. Hmm Contemting his wifes words, Il-chul did some calctions. The most important ingredients for fried chicken were chicken, flour for coating, oil, and finally fuel. Theres a soybean oil mill nearby for the oil, and fuel No worries about coal supply due to the cksmith shop A soybean oil manufacturing facility was nearby, thanks to the beans grown in Neobeolseom, and the cksmith shop ensured they had no concerns about fryers or coal. The problem lies in sourcing the chickens and the taste Il-chul shared his concerns with his wife. Where will we get the chickens? At Il-chuls question, his wife replied nonchntly. There are more ces selling chickens these days, and if things get a bit tough, we can raise them ourselves. We just need to think a bit about the taste. Hmm Despite his wifes confidence, Il-chul couldnt make a decision right away. Lets think about this a little more. Honey! Just give me a few more days to think! Eventually, after being pestered by his wife for over two weeks, Il-chul had no choice but to wave the white g. *** A monthter, Mom, fried chicken again today? Mom, now whenever I open my mouth, I smell like chicken poop. Wife, lets give up on this. Il-chul and his children were pleading with his wife. A month after the decision to open a fried chicken restaurant, Il-chuls family had to endure a not-so-pleasant ordeal. Im creating my own unique blend! Il-chuls wife had decided to make her own frying powder for fried chicken instead of buying it from the market. Its not just about money, but we wont profit much if it tastes the same as other ces. After making the decision, Il-chuls wife spent a month frying chickens in search of the perfect blend, and Il-chul and his children were forced to eat chicken to the point of exhaustion. Ah! Im confident this time! Despite the protests of Il-chul and his children, his wife confidently ced a te of fried chicken on the table. Weve heard that for a month now Just shut up and try it! At his wifes fiercemand, Il-chul and his children reluctantly picked up pieces of fried chicken. Huh? The pieces are smaller this time? Sniff sniff! It has a unique smell? It smells good. This time, noticing a pleasantly different aroma, Il-chul and his children bit into the fried chicken with a glimmer of hope. A momentter, Mom! This ones delicious! Really tasty! Not bad! Il-chul and his children gave their highest praise to Il-chuls wife. Her face, which had been tense for so long, finally rxed at her familys approval. *** Three dayster, Il-chul and his wife, carrying their fried chicken, visited Mr. Oh, a respected schr. Do we really have to do this? Its just fried chicken. Filled with apprehension, his wife asked, to which Il-chul replied, This is how business thrives. Hearing that cksmith Il-chul and his wife hade to visit, Mr. Oh leisurely appeared on the front porch. Seeing Mr. Ohs face, Il-chul and his wife bowed deeply. Schr sir, how have you been? Well, Ive been fine. What brings you here today? At Mr. Ohs question, Il-chul respectfully replied, Yes, sir. This ones wife decided to open a fried chicken shop. Wevee to ask you to taste it. Fried chicken? Yes, sir. At Il-chuls gesture, his wife carefully climbed up the stone steps and respectfully extended the basket. Hearing their voices, Mr. Ohs wife came out of the inner room, received the basket, and sniffed it slightly. Ho! The fragrance is unique. Yes, madam. Since the fried chicken tastes are simr, my wife has tried her hand at them. Your cooking skills promise good taste. Sir, why dont you try some? Ho! Tasting the fried chicken brought by Il-chuls family, Mr. Oh eximed in admiration. Even though its a bit cold, it tastes good! The seasoning is spot on, especially the aroma is exceptional! People will flock to this! Your cooking skills indeed need to be recognized. We are humbled! As Mr. Oh and his wife praised them, Il-chuls family beamed with smiles, bowing repeatedly. Il-chul secretly rejoiced. Its done! If Mr. Oh approves, its a sess! Mr. Oh was known as the wealthiest and a gourmet in the area. His approval meant guaranteed sess. So Have you named the shop? Not yet. Shall I name it for you? That would be an unparalleled honor! ted, Il-chul watched as Mr. Oh moved his writing desk closer. Indeed, such things are better with a brush than a gold pen. Dipping a top-quality brush made of marten fur into the ink, Mr. Oh swiftly wrote a name on the paper. Unique vored Fried Chicken I cant guarantee its the best in the world, but it could be the best in Hanyang. Thank you! Sir, were truly grateful! May it prosper. I want to eat it often myself. Yes! *** Thus, Unique vor Fried Chicken emerged in Yeongdeungpo, gradually attracting more visitors through word of mouth. Eventually, even people from inside the city walls crossed the river to buy it after hearing the rumors. Is this the famous Unique vor Fried Chicken? Yes, Your Highness. Hyang picked up a piece of the fried chicken brought by the eunuch and tasted it. This vor and scent are they pepper and turmeric? Its like curry chicken! Not bad. Hmm Good. Invite the maker of this fried chicken to the pce sometime. His Majesty might enjoy it too. Yes, Your Highness. After eating a couple more pieces, Hyang pushed the te away andmanded. Tell the pce, and you all share it too. We are deeply honored! At Hyangsmand, the eunuch bowed deeply and joyfully took the te away. Watching him, Hyang murmured to himself. I need to revise the royal tribute system Ive be too ustomed to it and forgot. Time for some reflection. *** A few dayster, Il-chul and his wife were summoned to the pce. Seeing the couple trembling with nervousness, an official smiled reassuringly at them. Your fried chicken is renowned as the best in Hanyang, and His Majesty has requested to taste it. Show us your culinary skills. If you do well, there could be a great reward. Yes, yes! At the mention of a great reward, Il-chuls wife was instantly energized. After tasting Il-chuls familys fried chicken, King Sejong was so pleased that he awarded them ten rolls of the finest silk. With the rumor spreading that even the King praised its vor, Il-chuls fried chicken shop thrived. *** However, as the saying goes, good fortune and cmity lie side by side. Just when it seemed that Il-chul and his wifes fried chicken shop was doing well, they encountered a stumbling block: The chickens. From today, the price of chickens has gone up. What do you mean, raising the price all of a sudden? As Il-chul protested, the poultry shop owner shrugged. It cant be helped. fried chicken shops are increasing, but the supply of chickens is limited. This is frustrating Il-chul was vexed by the poultry shop owners words. Unlike pigs or cows, chickens were amon source of protein. Almost every household raised at least a few chickens. As fried chickens poprity increased, the demand for chicken meat rose, and the supply from household-raised chickens was not enough. Consequently, professional poultry farmers appeared, but the demand still outpaced the supply. Whats the price increase then? At Il-chuls question, the poultry shop owner answered briefly. Its increased by 10%. At the owners words, Il-chul shouted in anger. 10%? You thieves! Despite Il-chuls anger, the poultry shop owner remained calm, cleaning his ears as he replied. Then dont buy it Ugh In the end, Il-chul had no choice but to buy the chicken at the increased price. And not even a fortnightter, the price went up by another 5%. But soon, Il-chul was deeply frustrated to discover that only his shop was being charged the increased prices. Ill report you to the authorities! The infuriated Il-chul threatened, to which the poultry shop owner responded with the same calm demeanor. Go ahead. Have I sold spoiled meat? Have I lied about the quantity? Ive just sold it at a higher price. Isnt the selling price up to the seller? Listen here! Really! Why are people like this? If youre making money, you should share it with us too, right? Grrr! Grinding his teeth in frustration, Il-chul visited other poultry shops. However, as soon as he mentioned the name Unique vored Fried Chicken, they all tried to charge him more. Eventually, Il-chul, unable to contain his anger any longer, picked up a hammer. Dammit! Ill raise chickens myself! I just need to build a coop! *** Deciding to raise chickens himself was one thing, but actually doing it was another challenge. The first problem was the chicken coop. When raising just a few chickens, a corner of a barn or shed would suffice. But forrge-scale rearing, a dedicated facility was needed. To solve this problem, Il-chul secretly observed nearby poultry farms. They all look simr The chicken coops at each farm had a simr design. They constructed pirs and roofs out of wood, and the lower half of the walls was covered with boards or y. The upper half had wooden shutters, left open during the day and closed during rain or at night. Therefore, the biggest challenge for those raising chickens was keeping them confined. If they looked away for even a moment, the chickens would escape through the open shutters, jumping over the fence or invading neighboring yards to peck at crops. However, closing the shutters risked suffocating the chickens or causing them to die from heat. After identifying these issues in poultry farming, Il-chul was deep in thought. The coop needs to allow air flow but also prevent the chickens from escaping As he pondered a solution, Il-chul absent-mindedly fiddled with some wire. Hmm While contemting, Il-chul suddenly looked at the wire in his hand. His eyes sparkled as he looked at it. This is it! Chapter 134 Chapter 134 Looking at the wire in his hand, Il-chul felt confident. I might not know much else, but Im confident with wire! Il-chuls cksmith shop was not only known for its metalwork but also for skillfully crafting items from iron and copper wires. The grills Il-chul made were sought after not only by wealthy households nearby but also by restaurants in Hanyang. Moreover, the chainmail he created by intricately weaving the wire was so smooth it felt like wearing cloth, earning a reputation that drew customers from afar, even after the introduction of full te mail armor in Area 51 by Hyang. Confident in his skills with wire, Il-chul had a self-assured n. Lets see Il-chul roughly sketched a blueprint on the ground using a nearby branch. The size of the chicken coop should be He estimated the area of his backyard and nodded. About two kan (approx. 4m or 12-16ft) should do. Having decided on the size, Il-chul sought out his wife. Honey! Wife! What is it? Were going to raise chickens! Really? So After hearing Il-chuls exnation, his wife immediately agreed. Why not! Lets do it! I was getting sick of those poultry shop owners tricks anyway! With his wifes agreement, things moved quickly. Il-chul ced an order with a carpenter living nearby. You want me to build a chicken coop? Thats not too difficult, I can do it quickly. Please do. Ill pay you properly, just make sure its sturdy. And so, in just three days, a two-kan chicken coop was built. With the coop ready, Il-chul crafted square frames out of wire mesh. The sturdy-looking wire mesh, interwoven like warp and weft threads on a thick iron frame, seemed very reliable. Looking proudly at the chicken coop he had fitted with iron mesh, Il-chul called out to his wife and children. What are you doing? Hurry up and put the chickens in! Yes! Kids! Il-chuls family quickly herded the hens and roosters into the coop. The wire mesh windows proved effective. No chickens escaped, and with good airflow, they didnt suffer from the heat. Thanks to the meticulously sealed bottom with stones and ster, the coop was safe from weasels and snakes, and the chickens leisurely roamed around. As the word spread about Il-chuls remarkable coop, people from nearby poultry farms began to show interest. Seeing this, Il-chul stroked his chin. Lets see I bet someone will try to copy this. Pondering various thoughts, Il-chul got up. Who knows how to write around here? After searching for someone literate, Il-chul eventually persuaded a low-ranking clerk from the oil mill to write for him, in exchange for two fried chickens. Whether others follow suit is a problem forter. I cant stand the thought of people copying without saying anything or doing as they please. Ah! That would be terrible! Nodding at Il-chuls exnation, the clerk swiftly wrote up the documents. Thank you! Dont mention it Anyway, Ill enjoy the fried chickens! With the paperworkpleted, Il-chul promptly registered his wire mesh at the Intellectual Property Management Office. Reviewing the documents through an office employee, Hyang smiled. Finally, people are starting to take initiative on their own. *** After the wire mesh window was patented, the poultry farms that heard about it ordered from Il-chuls cksmith shop. Many cksmiths from the countryside, seeing the demand, also came to Il-chuls shop to make use agreements. With each contract, Il-chul proudly eximed to his wife, Im not done yet! His pride as a cksmith, which had dimmed for a while, was revived. *** With a steady supply of chickens, Ilmi Gyechak began to attract more customers again, and the number of poultry farms increased to three. As the poultry farms expanded, Il-chul encountered a new problem: Feed. Il-chuls children spent all day catching worms, frogs, and grubs for the chickens to eat. But it was clear that this was not sustainable. Hmm Pondering a solution, Il-chul headed to the oil mill. Hey, isnt that Song the wealthy! Oh,e now, Im no wealthy man! Waving off the clerks jest, Il-chul noticed a group of workers carrying sacks and piling them up. Whats that? That? Its the leftover soybean pulp after oil extraction. Thats a lot. Must be a hassle to dispose of. Its good feed for pigs and cows. At the clerks response, Il-chuls head snapped around. Cows and pigs eat it? Even horses. Why? Could you sell some to me? Its two pecks of beans per sack. Just wait a moment! Rushing back home, Il-chul left the clerk flipping through his ledger. Lets see Does this mean all the nearby poultry farms will be supplied? *** Thus, many citizens began to break out of their traditional molds in pursuit of a better life. These small movements under the surface, though seemingly minor, created ripples that reached Hyang. On a day in March, after thete spring cold snap, Hyang, as usual, mounted his horse and headed towards Area 51. Ho there! Make way! His Highness the Crown Prince is passing! As the leading eunuch shouted, the people on the main road split to either side and bowed down. This is really Its inconvenient to do this every day. Maybe I should change thew Riding through the parted crowd, Hyang muttered to himself with a troubled expression. *** Unlike Sejong or other kings mentioned in history, who spent most of the year in the pce and only asionally ventured outside, it wasnt a big issue. However, the problem with Hyang was that he spent most of the year traveling between the pce and Area 51. Even though he reduced the number of apanying guards and eunuchs to a minimum, he could only cut down by a third due to safety concerns. Consequently, whenever Hyang left the pce, at least 30 people had to move together. Its too much! We can reduce more! Hyang advocated for reducing the number of personnel, but Sejong was unyielding. Do not forget that you are the Crown Prince. As policies rted to thendowners were being prepared, Sejong issued anothermand. Strengthen the Crown Princes security! Unpredictable actions by unruly individuals cannot be ruled out! As a result, this scene unfolded every morning and evening when Hyang traveled to and from Area 51. If I cant avoid it, I need to reduce the time! Eventually, Hyang continued horseback riding, initially started for health and growth, as a means for quickermuting. Ironically, Hyangsmutes, which he worried and felt sorry about, became a spectacle for the residents of Hanyang. Especially Hyangs appearance, which even the Emperor admired, was a matter of pride for them. Hey, you country folks! Have you ever seen the Crown Princes face? We see him every day! You dont know how handsome he is! Thanks to various reform policies implemented by Hyang and Sejong, the peoples support was enthusiastic. On days when Hyang couldnte out of the pce due to affairs, the people on the streets looked towards Gyeongbok Pce with worried eyes. I hope hes not unwell *** Ho there! Make way! Whether the eunuch knew of Hyangs concerns or not, his shouting continued. As the main gate of Area 51 came into view, suddenly, the loud sound of a gong was heard. Gwang-gwang-gwang-gwang! Your Highness! Please grant my wish! Stop! Stop! Protect His Highness! When a man, unexpectedly banging a gong, ran into the middle of the road, the procession was thrown into emergency mode. As the guards quickly surrounded Hyang, the vanguard riders encircled the man. What are you doing, you fool! Your Highness! Please grant my wish! What are you doing, I said! Ignoring the questions and only seeking the Crown Prince, the guards, mistaking the man for a boy due to his young appearance, drew their swords. Under the threat of the guards sword, the young man hurriedly replied. I, I am Malbok! Please spare my life! As Malbok prostrated himself, begging for his life, he internally screamed, I must have been crazy to die! Curse that liquor! Its my enemy! Blocking the Crown Princes procession was not something Malbok could have done sober, so he had emptied a jar of crude liquor. The bravery created by the alcohol vanished instantly when confronted by the guards drawn sword. As Malboky trembling on the ground, he overheard the conversation between Hyang and the guard. Bring that man here. But, Your Highness! He might have approached with malicious intent! Then just conduct a simple body search and bring him here. If he stopped the procession to fulfill a wish, we should at least know what its about, right? But He knew the grave consequences of obstructing the Crown Princes path and still rushed in. Doesnt that show his desperation? Bring him here. As youmand. Following Hyangs order, the guards searched Malbok and then brought him before Hyang. Hyang dismounted his horse to face Malbok, who had been brought before him. How old are you? I, I am fourteen, Your Highness. The same age as me. So, what pressing matter made you block the road? Malbok, ncing nervously at the surrounding guards, stammered in response. Not, not a grievance, but something I just cant solve Something you cant solve? Yes. No one in my vige could give me an answer, so I thought since youre the second smartest person after His Majesty, you might have an answer And what is it that you want to know? What can I do? What job is suitable for me! Ah Out of the blue, career counseling? Taken aback by the unexpected response, Hyang smelled the scent of liquor on Malbok. Sniff, sniff. Thats the smell of alcohol. Have you been drinking? Yes, I couldnt muster the courage to do this sober Ha ha ha! Hyang burst intoughter at Malboks response. After a longugh, he looked at Malbok. Before we talk in detail, go to the police office, take a whipping, and thene back. What? If youre willing to cause such a scene, you must have a serious issue. But, there is a thing called nationalw. Youve broken thatw, so its only right that you receive punishment. Go and get punished first, then return. Yes. Dejected, Malbok answered. Seeing his reaction, Hyang instructed the guards. You and you, take this wait, whats your name? I am called Malbok, Your Highness. Right, take this Malbok to the police office and ensure the punishment is carried out. Yes! The guards responded energetically to Hyangsmand. Hyang then gestured for the guards toe closer. Listen Hyang whispered to the guards who came close. Bring him back in one piece as much as possible. If, perchance, he looks too beaten for my liking, Ill hold you responsible. Convey the same to themander of the guard. Yes, Your Highness! The guards replied, sweating nervously. Hyang then addressed Malbok. Ill say it again, the nationalw is strict. Go, receive your punishment, and return. We will discuss your wish afterward. Yes. Thus, the practice of the oral petition system was officially recorded earlier than in actual history. Meanwhile, the residents of Hanyang who witnessed themotion ryed the situation to their neighbors, saying, Have you ever seen such a just yet stern nobleman? Have you ever seen one? Chapter 135 Chapter 135 It was afternoon by the time the guards and Malbok returned from the police office. How was the punishment? I received five strokes of the cane. I see. Upon seeing Malbok follow the guards, Hyang pointed to a chair in the corner of the office. Come and sit here. Yes, Your Highness. As Malbok hesitantly sat down, Hyang shook his head. Sitfortably. Are you in too much pain to sit? No, not at all! Its just that Im not used to being in such a ce Malbok responded, to which Hyang let out a chuckle. And yet you dared to block the Crown Princes way on your first time? At Hyangs words, Malbok immediately knelt on the floor and bowed his head. I havemitted a grave sin! Its alright, sit back on the chair. Yes Once Malbok was seated again, Hyang got to the heart of the matter. You wanted to know what kind of work you can do? Yes, yes! Observing Malboks appearance, Hyangmented. Let me think For someone asking for a job, youre dressed neatly and look sturdy. You dont seem like someone whos been struggling without work. Well, about that Malbok shared his life story with Hyang. When Malbok was five, his parents died of an infectious disease. Orphaned at a young age, he was raised by his grandmother, who did all sorts of menial jobs to support him. Seeing his grandmother struggle, Malbok, at the age of eight, started working as a errand boy for a shop. Was there work for an eight-year-old child? Well, I did chores inside the shop and ran errands nearby. The shop owner was kind and hired many kids like me. Is that so? He sounds like a good person. Then why dont you continue working there? Why are you looking for work? At Hyangs question, Malbok scratched his head and replied. Most of my peers who started with me learned reading and arithmetic and are now managing the shops business. Im not bright, I know only about 300 characters, and Im not good at arithmetic. Last year, I started lifting heavy stones and finally earned a decent wage, but the shop has enoughborers for that kind of work. I felt out of ce So, youre looking for a job because of that? At Hyangs question, Malbok nodded vigorously. Thats right! I considered working as a porter at Mapo Wharf, Noryangjin, or even in Jeoja, but there were already too many people there, so it wasnt profitable. I thought about bing a soldier or a peddler, but then I worried about leaving my grandmother alone. Hmm Hearing Malboks words, Hyang put down his pen and fell into thought. Tapping his fingers on the desk, he asked Malbok a question. So youre notpletely illiterate, but only know about 300 characters, and though you know arithmetic, youre not proficient at it Yes, thats right! Thats quite a dilemma. Ahh Hyang let out a long sigh. In the 21st century, the most troublesome category was kids like this! Even back then, such kids were a real headache. At least Hyang was a nerd but with good grades, so things turned out well for him. The kids who yed around at the back found their niche quickly and settled into their roles. But solving the career path issues for kids who were mediocre like this had caused many teachers to suffer from hair loss. Of course, there were also teachers who just left them alone, thinking, Theyll manage somehow. As Hyang pondered while looking at Malbok, he continued his questioning while holding the pen. Apart from letters and arithmetic, Malbok, what are you good at? What do you enjoy? I like to move around! Thats why I always volunteered first for deliveries when I worked at the shop! So you wanted to be a peddler because of that? Yes! Anything else youre good at or proud of? At Hyangs question, Malbok eagerly replied. I have memorized the entire geography of Hanyang! I know the geography of all four main gates of Hanyang, north, south, east, and west! I even memorized the geography of the viges that were rebuilt after thest fire. If I go somewhere once, I memorize the way immediately! Hyang genuinely admired Malboks boasting. Although it wasntparable to 21st-century Seoul, current-day Hanyang was also aplex and bustling city. Thats impressive! Hehe! Its just a small talent! ttered by Hyangspliment, Malbok awkwardly scratched his head. Hyang smiled at this but quickly became troubled again. This is really tricky However, he couldnt disappoint Malbok, who had trusted him and risked his life. But I cant lie either. Hyang honestly exined the situation to Malbok. I wish I could give you an immediate answer, but its not easy. Yes At Hyangs response, Malboks face fell. Come back in fifteen days. Ill have an answer by then. Wait for me at the main gate of Area 51 in fifteen days. Until then, continue to work hard at your current job. Yes? Yes! Yes! The dejected Malbok perked up at Hyangs words, nodding continuously with a brightened face. Then you may go back now. Your grandmother must be worried. Yes! Yes! Thank you so much! Thank you! Malbok stood up and repeatedly bowed deeply as he left the room, his head almost touching the ground with each bow. After sending Malbok away, Hyang let out a long sigh. Ive made a promise, but its perplexing. *** That evening, Hyang, who had returned to the pce, was sought out by Sejong. Did you call for me? Yes. I heard amoner presented you with a difficult problem? At Sejongs query, Hyang sheepishly smiled and replied. Yes, its not easy. I trust you. I believe you will produce a good oue. Ill do my best. At Hyangs response, Sejong smiled and nodded. The ministers who remained in the room also looked at Hyang with warm smiles. Having the people trust and rely on us is the greatest blessing and gift for a ruler. Its truly a good thing. The Chief State Councilor, Lee Jik,mented, and Sejong responded in agreement. Yes, it is good. Hyang, however, threw a dampener on the warm atmosphere. But, Your Majesty, shouldnt newws be established? Laws? What kind ofws? At Sejongs question, Hyang pointed out the reality. There are more than just one or two people who saw what happened today. Will they just stay quiet in the future? At Hyangs remark, not only Sejong but also the ministers let out curses in unison. Damn it! Ugh! Realizing they had cursed unwittingly, Sejong and the ministers looked at each other with embarrassed faces. Cough! Cough! After clearing his throat, Sejong instructed the ministers. It seems likely that simr incidents will ur frequently. Although there is the Shinmungo (royal suggestion box), the number of people who will speak up is not small. Lets think about it. Yes. Seizing the moment, Hyang quickly excused himself. I shall return and ponder over Malboks situation. Do so. As Hyang swiftly left the hall, Sejong watched him go with a re, then gestured for him to leave. Hyang quickly bowed and left the Geunjeongjeon Hall. The historian who recorded all these events concluded with the following statement: Therefore, the King and ministers discussedws to prepare for cases simr to what happened today. The historian notes: It seems the area around Gwanghwamun will be noisy for a while. * * * This is not easy Although Hyang had promised Malbok a solution, he muttered in frustration, unable to find a clear answer even after five days. I thought I could find an answer quickly after hearing about Malboks specialties Sigh Struggling with the difficult problem, Hyang was lost in thought. Initially, Hyang thought of delivery services. Since he knows the geography of Hanyang well He thought of just handing over a handcart, but soon realized the issue. There are too many alternatives to a delivery service! At ports or in front ofmercial buildings, there were not only delivery workers from shops but alsoborers with carrying poles looking for work. Moreover, households that could afford to have goods delivered already had servants. So, the conclusion is that a delivery service is out of the question Overwhelmed by the situation, Hyang opened the office window. Damn it! The weather is so horribly nice! As he cursed at the spring scenery, Hyang heard theughter of soldiers. Run, run! What? Hyang heard the soldiers encouraging each other as two handcart-racing soldiers approached. It seemed they were returning from construction work, carrying pickaxes and shovels in the carts. Watching this scene, Hyang chuckled to himself. Yes, such simple pleasures are needed Suddenly stopping mid-sentence, Hyang had an epiphany. Thats it! Inner Guard! Yes, Your Highness! Bring High Official Ko! Yes, Your Highness! *** On the day of the promised fortnight, Malbok was pacing nervously in front of the main gate of the 51st District. The gatekeeper remarked upon seeing him. His Highness wont be here for a while. Whye so early? How can I, a meremoner, bete when waiting for His Highness? At Malboks reply, the gatekeeper nodded unknowingly. Well, thats true Amoner couldnt be kept waiting for a prince. About two hourster, a cavalry troop approached the 51st District from a distance. His Highness ising! At the gatekeepers call, the soldiers guarding the gate straightened up, and nearby, curious civilians began to gather. Why are these civilians here? A tense gatekeeper asked, to which a subordinate replied. They heard about Malboks story. They are just curious. Typical of our people to be so curious The gatekeeper muttered under his breath about the characteristic curiosity of Koreans and instructed the soldiers. Have the people step back, just in case! Yes! Following the soldiers control, the civilians slowly stepped back. Shortly after, Make way for the Crown Prince! Clear the path! At the Inner Guardsmand, Malbok and the surrounding people promptly prostrated on the ground, and the gatekeeper and soldiers saluted. Attention! Thank you for your hard work. Heres the pass. After receiving and checking the pass from the Inner Guard, the gatekeeper stepped back. Pass confirmed. Proceed! Open the gates! Open the gates! While waiting for the gate to open, Hyang, who was surveying the surroundings, noticed Malbok prostrated on the ground and was delighted. Hey! Malbok! Follow me inside! I think Ive found a suitable answer! Yes, Your Highness! At Hyangs response, Malbok energetically answered and got up from his ce. *** Inside Area 51, Hyang led Malbok to a certain location. Here is the answer to the problem you posed. What is this? Looking at the object in front of him, Malbok asked, and Hyang responded with a smile. This is a rickshaw. A rickshaw? Hyang exined in detail as he and Malbok circled the rickshaw. so you carry passengers in this seat behind and transport them to their destination. Youll receive payment for this service. How about it? You like to wander around, right? Thank you so much! Im extremely grateful! At Hyangs words, Malbok prostrated on the ground to express his gratitude. Seeing this, Hyangughed and spoke. Ha-ha! Im d youre satisfied! But how will we settle the payment? Settlement? Malbok looked puzzled, and Hyang, feigning a stern expression, asked. Were you nning to take advantage of the Crown Prince of Joseon for free? No, not at all! That would be utterly unreasonable! Do you have anything to settle the ount with? I will earn and pay back. If I cannot, you may take me as a servant. Thats settled then! Heres what well do! Come here every fortnight for six months and report your experiences with the rickshaw. What issues did you encounter, or any problematic streets in Hanyang, for example. Report every fortnight for six months, and if you do well, the rickshaw is yours. Report? Yes. Just let me know things like, This part was troublesome when I was pulling it, or this street in Hanyang has issues. If you report properly every fortnight for six months, the rickshaw will be yours. I will definitely do so! Dont forget. Its a promise with me. I will never forget! Then Hyang climbed onto the seat of a rickshaw and looked at Malbok. Lets give it a go to Gwanghwamun! Yes, Your Highness! Malboks rickshaw, as it left the 51st district, immediately caught the attention of the residents of Hanseong. Upon arrival at Gwanghwamun, Sejong, having heard the story, personally came out to inspect the rickshaw. Did you say his name was Malbok? Yes, yes! Your Majesty! Work hard and take good care of your grandmother. Yes, Your Majesty! And thus, Malbok became the worlds first rickshaw driver. Chapter 136 Chapter 136 After burning incense and making rounds between Gyeongbok Pce and Area 51, Malbok, pulling a rickshaw, headed to the tradingpany where he used to work. Ding-a-ling~. Look at that! Look at that! Children, their eyes filled with curiosity, chased after the rickshaw ringing its small bell cheerfully, an alternative to a horn. Elder, its me, Malbok! Arriving at the tradingpany, Malbok sought out the manager. The manager,ing outside, saw the rickshaw and asked Malbok, Is that the one made by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince? To the managers question, Malbok nodded vigorously. Yes, elder! I see Listening to Malboks response and examining the rickshaw, the manager turned to Malbok. Is this for carrying people? Yes! Hmm The manager, continuing to inspect the rickshaw, questioned Malbok, The back seat seems to sway, doesnt it? Yes. The Crown Prince intentionally made it that way. Is that so? Hearing Malboks answer, the manager bent down to examine the part with wheels. Two iron tes, each about a quarter inch (approximately 0.8 cm) thick and the width of two fingers, were ced above the axle of the wheel, connected to the seat. Why was it made this way? Containing his curiosity while inspecting the rickshaw, the manager discovered a cover wrapped around the back of the chair. Is this for use during rain? Yes! Excited, Malbok unfolded the cover attached to the rickshaw. By spreading this cover and lowering the cloth curtain, customers wont get wet even in rain or snow, he exined. I see, really I see! Impressed by Malboks exnation, the manager genuinely eximed in admiration. How did youe up with such an idea? The manager continued to express his admiration at the simple yet clear exnation, which didnt contain any useless parts. After observing the rickshaw for a while, the manager turned to Malbok. Did you perform the first ride ritual? In response to the managers question, Malbok searched his sleeve hem and pulled out a small lump of silver. The Crown Prince was the first to ride it! Is that so? Although Im sorry I couldnt do the first ride ritual, let me take a ride. Yes! Responding energetically, Malbok took out the step that had been ced behind the rickshaw and set it down. Please get on, elder. Alright. * * * Truly wonderful! The manager, having taken a ride around the neighborhood in the rickshaw pulled by Malbok, eximed in admiration once again. It doesnt require learning how to ride like a horse or donkey, and it doesnt shake as much as a pnquin. Its a truly ingenious mode of transport! The Crown Prince indeed knows a lot and creates many miraculous things C its really true! Hehehe! Malbok beamed with joy at the managers praise, as if he himself had beenplimented. The manager, looking at Malbok and the rickshaw, asked the most important question. So, how much have you decided to charge? Ah, about that! His Royal Highness the Crown Prince told me to ask you! He said that you would know the answer! Oh! He also told me to convey this message: Considering your conduct that I have heard about through Malbok, you will surely give a good answer.'' At Malboks words, the manager let out a wry smile. His Highness has given me a challenging task. Well, since hes assigned it, I muste up with an answer Lets see Hmm The manager, with his arms crossed, pondered and then spoke to Malbok. In my opinion, traveling within the inner half of Hanyang centered around Gyeongbok Pce should cost two hop of white rice or one doe of beans, and going up to the vicinity of the Four Great Gates should be about four hop of white rice or two doe of beans. Upon hearing the managers answer, Malbok immediately bowed his head. Thank you very much! I will charge ordingly! And, to add one more thing, once you start working in earnest, go to Bukchon before dawn. Malbok tilted his head at the managers words. Bukchon, you say? Yes. Ordinary people will find it hard to ride this, but it will be quite useful for those living in Bukchon who go to the pce to attend court and their families. After pondering the managers exnation, Malbok bowed deeply once again. Thank you very much! Elder manager! I will also convey this to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince! Why to His Highness? Malbok exined the condition set by His Highness to the manager. After hearing Malboks story, the manager was impressed once again. He is truly a person of deep thought! Its a blessing for Joseon to have such a person as the Crown Prince! Thats right! Their conversation was nearly at its end. The manager patted Malbok on the shoulder, encouraging him. Live diligently. You must provide afortable life for your grandmother who has suffered because of you. Yes, Manager! Then, I shall go inside. Please do! After finishing the conversation with Malbok and turning around, the manager saw a crowd of people gathered around the store and the rickshaw. Seeing the envy in the eyes of men about Malboks age or a bit older, the manager stroked his beard. Hmm After pausing and pondering for a moment, the manager soon called out to Malbok. Malbok! Yes, elder! Come here early tomorrow morning No, wait! Come with me somewhere right now! Where to? Just wait a moment! The manager went inside the store, quickly put on his hat, and came out to board the rickshaw. Lets go! Yes! As Malbok started the rickshaw, he asked the manager. Where shall I take you? To Area 51! Yes? Hurry, we have no time! Yes! Urged by the manager, Malbok set off quickly while the manager muttered to himself, I cant be the only one who thought of this * * * Lets call it a day for now. Ending the meeting about the activities in Area 51, Hyang added, Were close to bringing good news to His Majesty the King. Lets put in a little more effort. Yes, Your Highness. After concluding the meeting and finishing up with the paperwork, Hyang was preparing to return to Gyeongbok Pce when a court official entered and reported, Your Highness. Malbok and the manager Lim Ga who was apanying him are requesting an audience with you. Manager Lim Ga? Hearing the court officials report, Hyang stroked his chin. Have they already made a move? That was fast. After a moment of thought, Hyang instructed the official, Let them in. Yes, Your Highness. Even after the official left, Hyang, still stroking his chin unconsciously, muttered, Is my beard growing already? Should I make a razor? And while Im at it, some skin Ah! Ive digressed again. Damn it! Hyang chided himself for letting his thoughts wander too far when he wasnt careful. Shortly after, the official announced, Your Highness, Manager Lim Ga and Malbok are here for the audience. Let them enter. Yes. A momentter, entering Hyangs office, the manager bowed deeply to Hyang. The humble merchant Lim greets Your Highness. Its nice to meet you. Seeing Malbok again so soon? Yes, yes! Please, take a seat over there. Your Highness, I am deeply grateful. As the manager took the seat offered by Hyang, Hyang examined the managers appearance. Are you from a Ban-ga (schr-official family)? Yes. Have you passed the civil service exams? Yes, I passed the preliminary exam. Hearing the words passed the preliminary exam, a curiosity sparked in Hyangs eyes. Having passed the preliminary exam, why did you choose to go into business? Responding to Hyangs question, the manager cautiously answered, My family is from Uiju Ah Realizing the managers answer, Hyang unwittingly trailed off. The person before him was a victim of discrimination against people from the northwest. Nevertheless, starting this year, people from the northwest will not be barred from official service, so if anyone among your rtives has the ambition, tell them to try. Your Highness, I am immensely grateful! Upon hearing Hyangs words, the manager bowed his head in gratitude. So, what brings you to see me? Please sell us rickshaws! Rickshaws? Why? Hyang asked, his eyes twinkling with curiosity. I can understand what kind of person he is! Whether or not he understood Hyangs thoughts, the manager calmly exined his reasoning. Your Highness, the rickshaw you created is truly a useful device. However, with just one, it is merely a novel sight to behold. If we can operate at least twenty, it can be a new, steady source of ie for the people. Passed! Excuse me? Startled by Hyangs sudden exmation, the manager looked bewildered, prompting Hyang to quickly rify. Oh, nothing. I just think your suggestion is good. However, its not something I can permit on my own. In that case Disappointment flickered across the managers face at Hyangs words, but Hyang continued, To implement what youve proposed, we need His Majesty the Kings approval. But with just our conversation, getting approval will be difficult. Can you prepare a proper proposal by this time tomorrow? I can do it! Pleased with the managers response, Hyang made a decision. Prepare the proposal ande to Gyeongbok Pce by this time tomorrow. But! Hyang cautioned the manager. If yourete, no matter how good the n is, I wont consider it on my part. You know why, right? Of course! In business, trust is everything! Then, we shall see tomorrow. You may go now. Yes! I will definitelye to Gyeongbok Pce tomorrow! After seeing off Malbok and the manager, Hyang let out a chuckle. Heh! Will taxis appear before buses? * * * Having returned to Gyeongbok Pce, Hyang immediately sought out King Sejong to report about the managers proposal. Hmm Do you think theres a high chance of sess for the managers n? Yes, Your Majesty. Hmm Sejong, stroking his beard and weighing various factors, turned to his officials. Increasing a stable source of livelihood so that our people can live more abundantly is a good thing, dont you think? At Sejongs question, Kim Jeom immediately responded. It is a wee development! Providing more types of jobs for the people is a good deed that can help alleviate their hunger! Starting with Kim Jeom, the officials expressed their support. Seeing the ministers support, Sejong turned back to Hyang. You told him toe to Gyeongbok Pce tomorrow? Yes, Your Majesty. What did you think of him? He seemed to be of great use. At Hyangs answer, the eyes of the ministers began to sparkle. The ministers had been serving under Sejong and Hyang for several years now. Thanks to this, they had be adept at catching the underlying meanings in such seemingly lofty conversations. Upon hearing Hyangs answer, Sejong, with a face full of curiosity, concluded, Is that so? Then I must see for myself tomorrow. * * * I am Merchant Lim, here on themand of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Please wait. The next day, having arrived at Gyeongbok Pce, the manager informed the gatekeeper. Soon after, he was led by a court official who rushed out and taken into Geunjeongjeon Hall. Are you Merchant Lim? Yes. The humble merchant Lim greets Your Majesty! Facing King Sejong directly, the manager, sweating profusely, answered while lying t on the ground. What is your name? My name is Soonwook! Lim Soonwook, thats a good name. Have youpleted what the Crown Princemanded? Yes! With a spirited response, Soonwook searched his sleeve and pulled out a scroll. Receiving the scroll through an attendant, Sejong began to read the contents written on it carefully. Hmm Oh? What? As Sejong read the document, showing various reactions, he asked Soonwook, A means of transportation for residents who are not affluent? What is this? Yes. I have heard that among the horses recently brought in from the West, there are some with iparable size and strength. The idea is to makerge carriages pulled by these horses, moving along fixed routes for the people to use. There has been a simr discussion in the court. Using post horses for long distances. That is for moving long distances, while what I have proposed is for movement within Hanyang or the urban areas. Only moving within Hanyang? Is there a need for that? At Sejongs question, Soonwook exined the reason for it. People walk on two legs, which is slow. Therefore, many citizens choose to live near their workces. But in most cases, they end up renting, which bes a heavy burden. However, if there is a means to reduce that travel time, even if its a bit farther, the burden of rent for the people can be lessened. I see Thats a good point. Let the ministers see this scroll. Nodding his head, Sejong handed the scroll to an attendant. As the ministers received and began reading the scroll through the attendant, Sejong questioned Soonwook, You passed the civil service exams in the past? Yes, Your Majesty. When did you take them? It was 20 years ago. Really? What was your rank? In the supplementary examination, I ranked Eul-gwa (4th to 10th ce). At Soonwooks answer, the ministers stopped reading the scroll and focused their attention on him. Greed filled their eyes. Oh? So you were a talent. Ministers, listen. I think the n submitted by Lim Soonwook is worth implementing. It is indeed! Crown Prince, listen. Yes. Coordinate with the Minister of Taxation to adjust Soonwooks n. Understood, Your Majesty. As Hyang bowed his head, Kim Jeom loudly eximed, Your Majestys grace is immense! Chapter 137 Chapter 137 Once Sejongsmand was issued, Kim Jeom took Lim Soonwook and began to move. Alright, lets have a discussion. His Highness should alsoe. As Kim Jeom left the scene, a sense of urgency began to emanate from the other ministers. What is it? Do you have something to say? At Sejongs inquiry, the Heo Jo stepped forward to answer. Your Majesty! Having read the n submitted by Lim Soonwook, it seems that its not just a matter for the Ministry of Taxation! It requires coordination among various ministries! Hmm Is that so? At Heo Joss words, Sejong, stroking his beard, asked. Heo Jo replied urgently, Yes, Your Majesty! Hmm Theres merit in that. Chief Secretary, go and bring back the Crown Prince, the Minister of Taxation, and Lim Soonwook. Yes, Your Majesty. Shortly after, Hyang, Kim Jeom, and Lim Soonwook returned to Geunjeongjeon Hall with the Chief Secretary. Sejong, seeing the expressions of Hyang, who wore a subtle smile as if understanding the situation, Kim Jeom, who looked as if he had lost everything, and a bewildered Lim Soonwook, smiled faintly andmanded the Chief Secretary. It seems like a long discussion, so bring chairs. Ah! And a desk too. Yes, Your Majesty. Thus, chairs and arge desk were ced in the middle of Geunjeongjeon, and the ministers and Hyang sat around it. The chief seat was left vacant to not obstruct Sejongs view from the throne, and Lim Soonwook sat directly facing Sejong. The Crown Prince will lead the proceedings. Yes, Your Majesty. As Hyang took charge ording to Sejongsmand, Heo Jo was the first to speak. Firstly, as he is a graduate of the civil service examination, can we address him as Schr Lim, the Schr, instead? Yes. Once the matter of addressing Soonwook was settled, Heo Jo dove into his question. Do you think rickshaws and carriages have enough potential? Looking at Hanyang alone, they definitely have potential. Why is that? After the recent fire, the main roads connecting the east, west, south, and north of Hanyang have been paved with gravel. This means that even in rain or snow, the roads wont turn into muddy paths, allowing for the effective use of wheeled vehicles. I see As Soonwook answered, Heo Jo nodded, and the Minister of Public Works also chimed in. But arent many of Hanyangs roads still dirt paths? That part also needs to be paved soon. The citizens of Hanyang are already experiencing the convenience of gravel roads. But Before the minister could finish, Soonwook continued. Of course, paving roads requires a significant investment. However, even looking at Hanyang, theck of stable jobs means more people are resorting to daybor. Paving roads would provide these people with a stable source of ie. As Soonwook mentioned the issue of stable jobs, the ministers nodded in agreement. After clearing his throat, Soonwook continued, Moreover, as people gain experience through this project, we can eventually expand road paving nationwide. This growth in construction and rted industries can help move people from solely focusing on agriculture to other sectors. At Soonwooks words, Sejong and the ministers all turned their gaze to Hyang. Hyang shook his head, indicating that he hadnt given Soonwook any prior information. Sejong and the ministers eyes began to sparkle even more upon confirming this silent answer. A talent indeed! A capable talent, ready to be employed immediately! We must recruit him, no matter what, for my ministry! While harboring their desires, the ministers proceeded with their cautious verification. Schr Lim, you argued for the immediate sale of 20 rickshaws. Whats the basis for that? At Kim Jeoms question, Soonwook answered with a slightly embarrassed face, Thats due to the limit of my resources. And if there were no financial constraints? Then I would start with 100. I would set up stations around Jongno, Bukchon, Namdaemun, and Seodaemun, with 25 rickshaws each. Of these, 20 would operate daily, and 5 would rest. Hmm That makes sense. Lim Soonwooks exnation led Sejong and the ministers to nod in understanding. Bukchon was mainly inhabited by high-ranking officials. Namdaemun and Seodaemun areas were popted by lower-ranking officials, but also served as gateways for noblesing from the provinces. The Jongno area was a gathering ce for those working in government offices and nearbyrge tradingpanies. Unlike the ministers who nodded, Hyang tilted his head in thought. Setting up stations means having rickshaws wait there, but wouldnt roaming the streets of Hanyang attract more passengers? Recalling 21st-century taxis, Hyang posed this question, to which Lim Soonwook exined why that wouldnt work. Roaming around increases the risk of bing victims of crime. Not stationing at a designated ce means constantly carrying fares, which poses a safety risk. I see, I had forgotten that. Hyang nodded at Lim Soonwooks exnation. Not some GTA Hanyang Despite efforts to strengthenw enforcement, Hyang grumbled inwardly about the still precarious security in Hanyang, or rather Joseon. Lim Soonwook continued his exnation: The stations where the rickshaws will be positioned will serve several functions: First, they will collect fares in advance from passengers to minimize disputes and ensure the safety of the rickshaw pullers. Second, they will manage the shifts of the rickshaw pullers. Third, they will maintain and repair the rickshaws. Concluding his presentation with the standards for the fares, Lim Soonwook ended his proposal. With this, I conclude my suggestions regarding the operation of rickshaws. Well done. Good work. Now, lets talk about the carriages. Excuse me? Exhausted from exining the operation of rickshaws, Lim Soonwook was taken aback by Kim Jeoms suggestion to discuss carriages. May I take a brief rest before we proceed? Seeing Lim Soonwooks panicked reaction, Kim Jeom chuckled and exined, We have many more issues to address besides your proposal. Yes As Lim Soonwook weakly responded, Hyang interjected, Still, through the rickshaws, we have understood the necessity and benefits of such operations. The carriage part should be somewhat easier now, right? What do you think? That sounds reasonable. Phew~ Realizing that his exnation would be significantly shorter, Lim Soonwook let out a sigh of relief. Observing Lim Soonwook, Hyang smiled and offered some advice, Rx. Being too tense will only tire you out faster. Theres much more to do ahead. Thank you immensely. Lim Soonwook bowed his head in gratitude at Hyangs advice. But why do I feel so uneasy? Suppressing a rising sense of foreboding, Lim Soonwook sat down to prepare for the next agenda. * * * The discussion about the carriages proceeded more smoothly than expected, just as Hyang had anticipated. Considering the size of Hanyang, the length of the city walls is over 40 li (approximately 16 km). Internally, from Heunginjimun to Donuimun is slightly over 10 li (about 4 km), and from Gwanghwamun to Sungnyemun is just under 5 li (about 2 km). Exining the area of Hanyang, Lim Soonwook added, Its a vast city. Of course, its modestpared to a metropolis like Beijing, but I believe we can pride ourselves on its cleanliness. At Lim Soonwooks words, the ministers turned their gaze to Hyang. The size of Hanyang had already been determined during the relocation of the capital, but the issue of cleanliness wasrgely addressed by Hyang. Receiving the ministers gaze, Hyang replied with an embarrassed smile, As the saying goes, a blessing in disguise. We benefited somewhat from that fire. * * * During the reconstruction following the great fire that turned more than half of Hanyang into ashes, Hyang focused most on road paving and sewage management. Its an opportunity! Like SimCity! In the reconstruction process, Hyang implemented sewage facilities by recalling books from the Roman Empire and his memories from the 21st century. U-shaped concrete conduits were constructed not only under roads but also linked to newly developed residential areas to facilitate sewage discharge. The system was designed to handle not only domestic wastewater but, if possible, even human waste from toilets. Do we really have to do it this way? Despiteints from officials and citizens, who found Hyangs meticulous supervision almost oppressive, Hyang silenced them with a single retort. Do you all want to eat rice cooked with sewage? Silence followed. In Joseon, it was alreadymon sense to build wells and toilets far apart, so no one could argue against Hyangs point. Watching the officials and people grumble, Hyang continued, It may be bothersome and hard now, but think of the future. People are already flocking to Hanyang. If we dont handle this properly from now, in less than ten years, everyone in Hanyang will be living with diseases. With thepletion of the reconstruction nearing, Hyang petitioned Sejong to enact Laws on Road Usage. Thews included regtions on segregating pedestrian walkways and roads for horse-drawn carriages, directions for carriage traffic, and prohibitions against urinating or defecating on streets. Although residents of Hanyang and people from other citiesined about these newws, Sejong strongly pushed them through. Initially called a harshw, the people soon couldnt deny its benefits as they saw cleaner streets and enjoyed a morefortable living environment. * * * Lim Soonwook continued exining about the operation of carriages. Since carriages can carry more people at once, they can operate effectively even with lower farespared to rickshaws. That makes sense. The ministers nodded at Lim Soonwooks observation. Before long, arge map of Hanyang was spread out, and Lim Soonwook pointed to the east, west, south, and north on the map as he continued. 10 li east to west, 5 li north to south. It might seem short, but its actually a considerable distance when you decide to traverse it. At Lim Soonwooks words, the Minister of Law and Punishments nodded in agreement. It would be challenging in summer or winter. Not just the seasons, but also the time wasted by those who need toe to the central areas for work is an issue. But with carriages, we can reduce this waste of time. Hmm The ministers nodded at Lim Soonwooks words, and Hyangs eyes sparkled. Hmm maybe its a good test! Deciding on this, Hyang asked Lim Soonwook, Schr Lim, as more people areing to Hanyang, what do you think could be a solution to this issue? Lim Soonwook pondered for a moment before responding to Hyangs question. The most basic solution is to eliminate the need for people toe to Hanyang. People are flocking to Hanyang because they cannot sustain their lives in their viges or other cities. Thats true Everyone, starting with Sejong, nodded in agreement at Lim Soonwooks answer. Clearing his throat, Lim Soonwook continued, Therefore, if the entire territory of Joseon is properly developed, people wont need to flock to Hanyang. Of course, this might sound like an armchair theory, but I still believe we need to strive to make it a reality as much as possible. You said the most basic solution and an armchair theory, then what would be a more practical approach? Following Hyangs question, Lim Soonwook immediately responded. We need to develop the areas within ten li (approximately 4 km) of Hanyangs walls. First, extend the paved roads beyond the four main gates, and extend the carriage operations to those areas. Only then can we prevent excessive poption concentration in Hanyang. Preventing poption concentration is key to addressing housing, sustainable livelihoods, and health issues. At Lim Soonwooks answer, Hyang clenched his fist and nodded vigorously towards Sejong. Sejong, noting Hyangs reaction, asked Lim Soonwook, What is your eldest son doing now? Excuse me? He is currently learning the trade at a tradingpany. Is that so? How long has he been learning? Its been five years. Then, you could hand over the business to him? Excuse me? Lim Soonwook, baffled and unable toprehend Sejongs words, stared nkly. Sejong then spoke, Wrap up your business ande to the court. Five days should be enough, right? Excuse me? Yes? Yes? Yessss! Lim Soonwook was taken aback by Sejongs bombshell announcement. [T/L Notes: Another ve worker acquired! +1] Chapter 138 Chapter 138 Faced with the unexpectedmand to enter official service, Lim Soonwook desperately tried to excuse himself. Although its an honor to bemanded to enter service, am I truly qualified? To this, Heo Jo stepped forward. Isnt it true that you passed the civil service examination? But As Lim Soonwook hesitated, Kim Jeom gently persuaded him. Shr Lim, why did you take the civil service exam in the first ce? Wasnt it to fulfill your aspiration of bing a distinguished schr of this country? Circumstances might have forced you to give up on that dream, but now you have another opportunity to realize it. However Still unable to decide, the Inspector General intervened. Schr Lim! Taking the civil service exam and entering official service is a duty of Joseons schrs! Why hesitate? Such hesitation is unfaithful! Ah At the mention of unfaithfulness, Lim Soonwooks face fell, and he inadvertently let out a sigh. At this, Kim Jeom exined the situation in the court. It might sound like a bolt from the blue to you, Schr Lim, but the court is in a difficult situation right now. We are short of people. But havent the civil service exams been wide open for a few years now? Lim Soonwooks objection was met with a sigh from Kim Jeom. Hoo~. Thats true. But many of those who have entered since then are still in minor positions. Additionally, the ongoing reforms have caused new problems. What kind of problems? Theres ack of proactive individuals. Its something we too must reflect upon. But currently, the officials are too busy keeping up with the reforms initiated by His Majesty. Kim Jeom borated on the situation in the court. With Sejongs reforms, the number of officials began to rapidly increase. There were two ways this increase was being aplished. In the central government, people were recruited through the civil service exams, and in the provinces, local subordinates were promoted to formal official positions. Promoting local subordinates to official positions was a double-edged sword. It provided them with a sry and opportunities for promotion but also subjected them to the strict application of the avoidancew, which prevented officials from serving in their hometowns. As a result, the subordinates either had to leave their positions or move to a different region. Despite thisrge-scale recruitment of officials both centrally and provincially, problems continued to arise. The first issue was that both the new officials and the former subordinates struggled to adapt to the reforms. Both groups were having difficulty learning arithmetic, which had be a basic requirement for officials. While this process allowed for the identification of promising individuals, their numbers were limited, which was a concern. Continuing his exnation, Kim Jeom added, Of course, from this year, we are giving more opportunities to people from the northwest and the serfs, which should help us recruit more talent. Forgive me for saying so, but it seems like a mistake on the part of the court. Lim Soonwooks assertion that the court had made a mistake drew the focused attention of the ministers, as well as Sejong and Hyang. Whether he was aware of their focus or not, Lim Soonwook exined what the problem was. Those who take the civil service exams are still primarily preparing by studying the ssics and poetry. Of course, some may prepare for arithmetic if they have rtives who are current officials, but how many can that be? It needs to be clearly stated what will be assessed in the exams C whether its the ssics, poetry, or arithmetic. Only then can people avoid double efforts. Continuing, Lim Soonwook pointed out what the court had missed. Simrly, its necessary to inform those who fail the exams exactly why they failed. Ive witnessed several exams in Hanyang, and they only announced who passed or failed. A little effort to exin the reasons for failure would help those aspiring to enter service to prepare properly and would more clearly distinguish the outstanding candidates. Ah At Lim Soonwooks observation, Sejong and the ministers all nodded in agreement. However, the one who was most shocked was Hyang. I forgot about this! Reflect! Reflect! Sejong looked at Lim Soonwook with a pleased expression. Indeed, a talent! Definitely needed in the court! Your Majesty, but I am As Lim Soonwook tried to excuse himself, Kim Jeom interjected again. The issue of junior officials can be addressed as such, but the problem lies with the middle and senior officials. Excuse me? The provinces havent seen much change yet, but the central government in Hanyang is undergoing significant changes. The most noticeable change, as just mentioned, is the significant increase in the number of officials. As the number of junior officials rises, its natural that the number of middle-ranking officials who manage them should also increase, isnt it? Thats true. Lim Soonwook was unwittingly drawn into the conversation by Kim Jeoms articte speech. As the number of middle-ranking officials quickly increased, problems arose. Whether its due tock of experience or issues with work distribution and management, the challenges are there. The only answer to that problem is time, unless the top-ranking officials take decisive action Lim Soonwook abruptly stopped talking. He realized he was indirectly criticizing the ministers present, and even the king seated above. Im doomed! Realizing his blunder, Lim Soonwooks face turned pale, and he began to sweat profusely. However, neither Sejong nor the ministers reprimanded him. Instead, Kim Jeom nodded in agreement. Your observation is correct! That is the problem! Frankly, His Majesty and the Crown Prince are leading the reforms, and we are barely keeping up. Thats why we need people like you! I fear you may overestimate me Honestly, we dont know the extent of your capabilities. Perhaps we are seeing too much in you. But its clear that you possess what weck. Lim Soonwook became curious at Kim Jeoms words. What do they see in me? Finally, Lim Soonwook asked Kim Jeom, What do you see in me? Your perspective. The ability to see what we have missed. Kim Jeom exined frankly to Lim Soonwook. -We keep saying this, but with the current capacity of the ministers and senior officials, were overwhelmed just implementing the policies set forth by His Majesty and the Crown Prince. This is not just a matter of capability, but also the workload is excessive. Cough! Cough! Sejong coughed slightly ufortably at Kim Jeoms statement, but Kim Jeom continued undeterred. If they dont like it, let them dismiss me! -The overall atmosphere in the court is bing passive. From the ministers down to the lowest-ranking officials, everyone is just executing orders. -While this may not seem problematic now, it will be a major issue in the future. There are too few who can ensure were headed in the right direction. There are a few suitable people. Huang Mo and his group But the problem is they are all busy up north right now. Seizing the opportunity to criticize Hwang Hui, Kim Jeom concluded his point to Lim Soonwook. Therefore, we need people in the court who can ensure that we are headed in the right direction. Isnt His Majesty and the Crown Prince already doing that? I am uncertain of my ability to contribute. Lim Soonwook continued to argue, but his initial defiance had significantly weakened. Sejong interjected, addressing Lim Soonwooks self-doubt. You have sufficient capability, which is why the ministers have stepped forward. Thus, Schr Lim, I would like you to enter service and assist me. When Sejong humbly requested using the term I (referring to himself as Gwain), Lim Soonwook fell into deep thought. Ive not been without dreams of grandeur myself For 20 years, he had considered such lofty aspirations beyond his reach, but now they resurfaced,pelling him to ponder. Meanwhile, the ministers whispered among themselves with mixed emotions. Heh Its been a while since His Majesty referred to himself as Gwain Thats right Before the purge of senior ministers symbolized by Ryu Jeong-hyun, Sejong frequently used the term Gwain. However, after the purge of the senior ministers who had been pressuring the royal authority, Sejong rarely used that term. After much contemtion, Lim Soonwook finally spoke. As a subject, its my duty to follow themand of His Majesty. However, I run a tradingpany. You say I could hand it over to my child, but if something goes wrong, it could tarnish His Majestys reputation. Kim Jeom interrupted Lim Soonwooks hesitance. Does your tradingpany sell exclusive goods for the Ministry of Taxation? No, it does not. Or are you involved in construction? No. Then whats the problem? However a mere merchant bing a court official could create unfavorable rumors. At Lim Soonwooks hesitance, Sejong asked, Do you doubt your ability to avoid the concerns youre worrying about? No, I do not! Then theres no problem. Why do we have the Inspector General and the Minister of Law and Punsihments in the court? Speechless at Sejongs words, Lim Soonwook fell silent again. After more contemtion, Lim Soonwook stood up and bowed deeply to Sejong. I, Lim Soonwook, ept Your Majestysmand! I am profoundly grateful for this immense opportunity given to such an unworthy person like me! As Lim Soonwook epted Sejongs offer, Sejong made a remarkable move. He stepped down from the throne and approached Lim Soonwook. Schr Lim, stand up. As Lim Soonwook stood up, Sejong lightly patted his shoulder. I am counting on you in the future. I will devote myself fully, Your Majesty! Lim Soonwook was moved to tears, feeling honored by Sejongs personal encouragement. Thus, a person who was not visible in the history before Hyangs intervention now rose to prominence. * * * Then start attending the court after five days. In the meantime, I and the ministers will decide where you will work. Your Majesty, I am truly grateful for this honor, but may I request a fortnight? A fortnight? Why? When Sejong asked for the reason, Lim Soonwook calmly exined. As per Your Majestys word, it will take about five days to sort out my tradingpany. However, I am not well-versed in the reforms implemented by the court. Although I have observed a lot from the outside, I am unaware of the details, and I need time to understand them. I see. That makes sense! Sejong was even more impressed by Lim Soonwooks exnation. Then, as you wish, I will give you a fortnight. However, the key records of the reforms are confidential, and they cannot be circted outside. Minister of Law and Punishments, listen. Yes, Your Majesty. Sejongmanded the Minister of Law and Punishments. Grant Schr Lim ess to the archives where he can study these records. I shallply with Your Majestysmand. Lim Soonwook bowed deeply again, expressing his gratitude. I am immensely grateful for Your Majestys kindness! * * * Sejong, particrly pleased with Lim Soonwook, apanied him to the entrance of Geunjeongjeon Hall. Lim Soonwook, overwhelmed with emotion, burst into tears, creating a bit of a spectacle. After seeing off Lim Soonwook, Sejong returned to the throne. Now, with whom shall Schr Lim work? Having sessfully recruited Lim Soonwook, Sejong asked with a light tone, rubbing his hands together. p! p! Immediately after Sejongs words, the sleeves of the officials robes fluttered as the Chief State Councillor and the ministers raised their hands. Huh? Lets hear from the Chief State Councillor first. Surprised by the unexpected turn of events, Sejongmanded the Chief State Councillor, Lee Jik, to speak. Schr Lims greatest strength is his discerning eye, making him most suitable for the State Council. The State Councils work involves coordinating issues raised by various departments, and Schr Lim Soonwooks insight will shine brightest there. That sounds usible. As Sejong nodded, Heo Jo urgently cried out, Your Majesty! Schr Lims capabilities are perfectly suited for the Ministry of Personnel. The work of this ministry involves managing administration across Joseon. Given Schr Lims insight and experience running a tradingpany, he is fully capable of handling these responsibilities! Your Majesty! Considering his experience in running a tradingpany, Schr Lim is urgently needed in the Ministry of Taxation! Bncing the national finances is a task of utmost importance! Starting with Heo Jo and Kim Jeom, the ministers from each department mored, each iming that Schr Lim was necessary for their respective ministries. Chapter 139 Chapter 139 Starting with the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Taxation, ministers of all six ministries insisted that Lim Soonwook was essential for their respective departments. Even Jo Malsaeng of the Ministry of War joined in, emphasizing Lims necessity. Your Majesty! A person with the insight and ability of Schr Lim is most needed in the Ministry of War! While many in the military and the Ministry of War are skilled in martial arts and military tactics, few possess such discerning insight! Ultimately, those arguing for their need for Lim Soonwook began to quarrel with theirpetitors. The heated exchanges quickly escted, reaching a point where they even inquired about each others parents, prompting Sejong to intervene. Silence! What disgraceful behavior! We are deeply sorry, Your Majesty! Chastised by Sejong, the ministers and state councilors all bowed their heads. Watching this, Sejong grumbled, Being envious of Schr Lims qualities is understandable, and I can evenprehend the arguments that ensued. But enough with inquiring about each others parents! We obey, Your Majesty. The historian who recorded all these events concluded as follows: -thus, His Majestymanded the ministers not to engage in disrespectful criticism. The historian notes: It is indeed regrettable that those educated in proper conduct resorted to such disrespectfulnguage in their arguments. Naturally, obeying His Majestysmand is appropriate. The problem is, the historians themselves are short-staffed, but no one seems to care about that. I too wish to return home on time. The historians grumbling had its reasons. As all matters of the court were being documented, this task fell upon the historians and clerks. Originally, the historians and clerks were responsible for recording decrees and orders and then distributing them to the six ministries and the censors. However, with the ongoing reforms, the volume of work had increased exponentially. Despite continuous proposals to increase the number of historians from eight due to the burgeoning workload, other departments staffing needs were prioritized, and even now, in thetter stages of the reforms, the eight historians had to work day and night without rest. * * * It was Hyang who resolved the fiercepetition among the ministers to secure Lim Soonwook. Father, may I speak? At Hyangs request, Sejong was delighted, and the ministers were ignited with resolve. This time, we wont lose him to Area 51! Whatever it takes, well stop it! We need a strong argument! While the ministers were firmly resolved and prepared, Hyang spoke, Isnt there a n to pick some from the departments for a trial run before reshuffling them? Yes Ah! Responding thoughtlessly to Hyangs question, Sejong suddenly eximed in realization. We can assign him to coordinate that mock trial! Indeed, Your Majesty. Considering the considerable workload already assigned to the ministers and state councilors, there is no need to add more burden. Moreover, as an outsider, he may find and solve issues that the court has overlooked. That makes sense. So Nodding repeatedly, Sejong looked around at the ministers. For now, I would like Schr Lim to handle the mock trial. What are your thoughts? The ministers and state councilors began to weigh the pros and cons, ncing at each other. Its a bit disappointing not to have him directly under me, but its the same for the other departments too When the mock trial starts, evaluating and coordinating it will also be a significant task Theres already so much work; any more would be nightmarish! After much deliberation and cost-benefit analysis, the ministers reached a consensus. We believe the n proposed by Your Majesty is the most suitable. Indeed, Your Majesty! Though its named a mock trial, its significance is iparable! We believe Schr Lims insight is sufficient for the task! Starting with Chief State Councillor Lee Jik, the ministers voiced their agreement one after another. With the ministers unanimous support, Sejong made his decision. Very well. Then, Schr Lim Soonwook will oversee the mock trial. What rank should he be given? Sejongs question sparked another debate among the ministers. The topic of the debate was whether to recognize Lim Soonwooks 20 years of experience outside officialdom as a valid career experience. Given Schr Lims insight, its only fair to recognize that time! Considering those 20 years and his insight, a rank and position of Third Rank Senior Secretary would be appropriate! While I acknowledge Schr Lims capabilities, recognizing all 20 years he spent as amoner is unreasonable! How many of those who entered service around the same time have reached the Third Rank? A rank of Junior Third Rank Chief Secretary is more fitting! Arguing to give him the Junior Third Rank just because few have reached the Third Rank is absurd! Why should we consider those who failed to get promoted due to theirck of ability? Its not right to ignore the efforts of those who have served dutifully in government positions for decades! How will you address the demotivation of these officials? As the ministers argued, Hyang stepped in. Father, may I say something? Speak your mind, Sejong said, already exasperated by his officials quarreling. As Hyang joined the conversation, the ministers ceased their debate and turned their attention to him. After taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Hyang spoke. The arguments of the ministers all have merit. Schr Lims 20 years of experience and insight living as amoner certainly qualify him for a high rank. Simrly, the efforts of those who have been in official service during the same period must also be acknowledged. However, the reason we are appointing Schr Lim Soonwook now is due to a shortage of internal staff, right? Moreover, for the mock trial, we need someone of a sufficient rank to direct the officials. Sejong nodded at Hyangs statement. Right. Who would listen to someone of the same rank who just came in from outside? Encouraged by Sejongs receptive response, Hyang continued. Furthermore, opportunities for those who have been loyally serving in the government should also be increased. The solution, as Father has already established using Sungkyunkwan, should be expanded. With the ongoing reforms, Sejong had also revised the civil service examination system. The preliminary and main exams were streamlined to facilitate the recruitment of lower-ranking officials. Sungkyunkwan, traditionally a Confucian academy, had been transformed into a ce for preparing outstanding officials for high-ranking positions based on their career and performance evaluations. Hyang was suggesting increasing the enrollment at Sungkyunkwan. I think the Crown Princes proposal is good. What do the ministers think? Sejongs question put the ministers on high alert. He used Gwain and even spoke in a casual tone. This is a warning! Theres nothing to lose by agreeing! Its time to yield! Recognizing the warning embedded in Sejongs words, the ministers all bowed in agreement. We agree with Your Majestys decision! With unanimous support from the ministers, Sejong made his decision. Then, I will appoint Schr Lim Soonwook to the rank of Third Rank Senior Secretary. Once Schr Lim officially begins attending court, he will be tasked with preparing and executing the mock trial. We shallply with Your Majestysmand! And so, Lim Soonwooks role was decided. * * * After the meeting concluded, Hyang returned to the Eastern Pce and muttered bitterly with a wry smile. The passive behavior of these officials It really is a proud tradition in its own right. In the 21st century, Hyangs first encounter with public service as a Grade 5 official was the passive approach of just do what youre told and the prevalent old-school mentality. Hey! You dont have to work so hard! Working like that wont increase your sry! Try as you might, when the administration changes, everything goes back to square one. Despite being popted by highly capable individuals from renowned universities, the work attitude of most government employees in central government administrative positions was just like that. Worse still was the prevalence of old-timers who adhered to the back in my day mentality. Thats nothingpared to what we had to deal with! Such statements were the least of concerns and could even be considered endearing. What do you know about struggling? Theres no precedent for this! Precedent! If you want to do things your way, start by building a track record! Hyang and peers, who had managed to secure a reasonably high position as Grade 5 officials, gradually lost their motivation upon hearing such remarks from their superiors. Even more frustrating was the fact that many of these superiors were individuals who had previously left their positions due to frustrations with such old-timers, only to return and be even worse. Many who re-entered the administration ended up bing more rigid and conservative than the very old-timers they had once criticized. Frustrated with the situation, which was a poor fit for his temperament, and sickened by the old-fashioned attitudes of his superiors, Hyang eventually developed depression and had to resign. Recalling these painful memories from the 21st century, Hyang clenched his teeth. Things must change! * * * Meanwhile, Lim Soonwooks appointment caused a huge stir throughout Joseon. A man who passed the civil service exam 20 years ago, a native of the Northwest, has been appointed as a high-ranking official! The news prompted various reactions depending on peoples circumstances. In the Northwest region, people were inspired. We can do it too! We cant miss this heaven-sent opportunity! We must seize this chance before the kings favor changes again! While the Northwest was aze with enthusiasm, the reaction in the southern regions wasrgely the opposite. Have you heard? A mere merchant who passed the exam ages ago has be a high-ranking official? Ha! Is that fellow some kind of Lu Buwei? Its the end of times! [TL/N: Lu Buwei was a wealthy merchant whoter be a chancellor during Qin dynasty] While many criticized, in the shadows, others, particrly smallndowners and younger members of less prosperous families, were motivated. This father was content just toiling in the fields, but you must rise in the world. Yes, father. The current king is earnestly seeking talented individuals, so work even harder. Yes, father. Dont forget this is an opportunity to uplift our family. Yes, father. As these various reactions unfolded, Lim Soonwook, having settled his tradingpany, took up residence in the archives to analyze the records of the reforms and the Eastern Advancement n. Sighing deeply as he reviewed the records, Lim Soonwook said to himself, If things proceed like this, our Joseon could im the title of Empire without any shorings. The problem is that the path is not an easy one. Assessing the situation, Lim Soonwook smiled wryly. Maybe I should have just stuck to my business? But Though he said this, a deep ambition was taking root in Lim Soonwooks heart. If done right, Joseon can certainly be called an empire without any shorings! It would be like a second founding of the nation! To have my name recorded in such a glorious moment Thinking of the distant future and various possibilities, Lim Soonwook came to a decision. Yes! To have a cause worth dedicating my life to is a blessing for a man! With his decision made, Lim Soonwook quickly moved on to the next step. The biggest problem is theck of talent! Identifying the issue, Lim Soonwook sought out the archive manager. Could I get some writing brushes? Just a moment, please. The manager, having heard of Lim Soonwook, responded politely and quickly brought him the writing brushes. Receiving the brushes, Lim Soonwook returned to his seat, spread out some paper, and fell into deep thought. Soon, he began to write a memorial. This was the beginning of the famous Lim Soonwooks Strategy for the Times. Three dayster, the Minister of Justice presented the memorial to Sejong. Your Majesty, here is a memorial from Schr Lim Soonwook. A memorial? Sejong, curious to hear that Lim Soonwook had submitted a memorial, unrolled the scroll. After reading its contents, Sejong spoke to his secretary. Where is the Crown Prince now? He is in Area 51, Your Majesty. Send someone to tell him. Weve found a good man. Chapter 140 Chapter 140 Let the Chief State Councilor read this petition aloud for all ministers to hear. Yes, Your Majesty. Receiving the petition from Sejong, the Chief State Councilor cleared his throat and soon read it aloud. Schr Lim Soonwook, performs a deep bow with his head touching the ground twice, and now picks up the brush The petition read by Lim Soonwook was divided into two major parts. One was a proposal on methods of recruiting talented individuals. The other was pointing out overlooked aspects in the recent reforms and suggesting alternatives. Firstly, regarding the recruitment of talents, Lim Soonwook criticized the current implementation of the civil service examination system. C The timing of the civil service examinations should be changed. Currently, they are usually held from January to May. However, holding them between March and April is problematic, as this period limits the examinations to a specific group of people. This is because March to April coincides with the spring hunger period and the nting season. Many people lose their strength after the spring hunger period and must devote themselves to farming during the nting season. Therefore, holding examinations during this time does not align with the goal of finding proper talents. Only those who have the leisure, mainly the children of the local gentry, can afford to take the exams during this period. Holding exams from January to February is equally unsuitable. This period is in the midst of a harsh winter, not suitable for traveling long distances. Thus, it is appropriate to conduct examinations between May and June, or between September and November, after the harvest and before the onset of winter. After addressing the timing of the examinations, Lim Soonwook pointed out the next issue. C The nature of the examination itself for those who sit for the civil service exams is problematic. Looking at the records from the year 1428 (10th year of Sejongs reign), decisions were made based on literaryposition. However, the debate between focusing on scripture recitation and interpretation versus literary ability has been ongoing. The issue with choosing scripture recitation is that the exam period can take almost a month, and there is a risk of corruption if the examiners and candidates know each other. Choosing literaryposition, on the other hand, risks undervaluing Neo-Confucianism and encouraging a focus solely on literary ir. (Note 1) To resolve this issue, it is suggested to set essay writing as a subject. If the exam involves discussing current or nned state policies, it can filter out those who rely solely on their writing skills. C Additionally, as arithmetic bes increasingly important, an arithmetic exam should also be formally included in the subjects, and this should be widely publicized so that candidates can prepare adequately. The method of announcing examination results should also be improved. Instead of merely publishing a list of sessful candidates, it should also include why the unsessful candidates failed. This will allow them to understand their shorings and decide whether to try again or pursue other careers. Next, Lim Soonwook proposed a method of recruiting talents without the civil service exams. C It should be widely publicized that the great benevolence of His Majesty has allowed me to enter the royal court. C As the saying goes, Start with following Kui, this will let people know that His Majesty and the court highly value talents, thereby attracting them. C First, widely publicize my story, and then issue the following decree nationwide: Discuss improvement strategies for the current affairs of the court. Those who provide good answers will be valued highly. Seeing my example, those with aspirations will surely present good strategies, and by selecting the excellent among them to fill the roles of the courts leadership and support, the nation can thrive for a thousand years. C This applies to those already in government service as well. Not only those studying at Sungkyunkwan to advance to higher ranks above Junior 5th Rank, but all officials from the rank of Chamhagwan (Junior 7th Rank to Junior 9th Rank) must submit at least one proposal rted to state governance every two years. This is to select those who actively engage in governance, not just those who are passive. Upon hearing Lim Soonwooks suggestion that one must submit at least one paper every two years, the ministers nodded. Thats a good idea. Well be able to find those who work independently. The problem is that were already hearing groans. Hearing the ministers whispers, Kim Jeom shook his head in disapproval. Dont you realize that we are also included in this? Oops! As the ministers faces turned pale, the Chief State Councilor continued reading Lim Soonwooks petition. C The biggest problem in the current reforms is the increasing number of items under state monopoly, starting initially with salt and sugar, and now expanding to ss products, iron materials, spices, etc. While its acknowledged that the monopoly benefits the state budget and the households, like the case of paper, excessive monopolization can demotivate artisans and increase illicit production. Thus, its crucial to decide on items to be released from monopoly as the reforms progress. (Abbreviated) * * * After the Chief State Councilor finished reading, Sejong looked around at the ministers with a pleased expression. It seems we have found a truly valuable talent, havent we? In response to Sejongs remark, Chief State Councilor Lee Jik replied. That is true, Your Majesty. Of course, there are areas where his enthusiasm might be too much, but I believe those will be resolved with experience. Sejong nodded at Lee Jiks words. Thats true. We should leave those matters to the wisdom of the experienced officials. At Sejongs words, the ministers faces fell. Does this mean more work for us? Im writing a resignation letter! I will do it! Whether Sejong knew the ministers inner thoughts or not, he looked towards the Eastern Pce and continued. Our Crown Prince seems to have great fortune in attracting talents. How does he manage to find such capable people? Hearing this, the ministers inwardly groaned. Its not a fortune in people but a fortune in work! Whether he knew the ministers feelings or not, Sejong reached a conclusion. Lets proceed to announce thews regarding market regtion andnd taxes as nned. Yes, Your Majesty. And regarding the civil service exam issue, since Schr Lims points are valid, lets give some thought to it. Also, devise ways to uncover talents hidden in remote rural areas. We ept yourmand. The ministers replied with mixed emotions, prompting Sejong to add: Do not forget that having more talented individuals will alleviate the burdens of the officials. We will bear it in mind! The ministers responded loudly to Sejongs words. Lets take a break for now. Upon Sejongs deration of adjournment, the ministers hurried out of Geunjeongjeon and headed towards the States Council. * * * Upon arriving at the State Councils meeting room, the Minister of Rites was the first to speak. Which topic should we discuss first? The civil service exam or the strategy to recruit talents outside the traditional system? Hearing this, the ministers all answered simultaneously. The strategy for talent recruitment, of course! The talent recruitment strategy seems more pressing, doesnt it? What else is there to discuss besides the talent recruitment strategy? With the ministers unanimous reaction, Chief State Councilor Lee Jik concluded. Since everyone agrees, lets start with the talent recruitment strategy. That sounds good. Indeed. As the ministers agreed, Maeng Sa-seong continued the conversation. This will be an extremely challenging task, so take care of your health in advance. Turtle soup is excellent for strengthening vitality, isnt it? Following Maeng Sa-seongsment, the Right State Councilor added: Speaking of turtle soup reminds me. We should send some turtles to Governor Hwang in the northeast. He seems to have weakened from working in the distantnds, and its difficult to see him except during regr reports. The development in the northeast also seems slower. If we help restore his vitality, he might be able to handle the affairs in the northeast more swiftly and return. Thats a good idea! Ill ask the physicians at the royal medical office to find herbs thatplement turtle soup. The ministers responded cheerfully to the Right State Councilors words. In the following days, every turtle that entered the medicinal shops of Hanyang mysteriously disappeared. While these events were unfolding in Hanyang, Hwang Hui, overseeing the administrative work in the pioneernds of the northeastern region, furiously rubbed his little finger in his ear. Why is my ear so itchy? Did a bug get inside? Hearing Hwang Huis mumbling, Kim Jong-seo, who was processing documents next to him, spoke up. Maybe someone is speaking ill of you, Governor. Ill words? Who would? Well Kim Jong-seo stuttered, then buried his eyes in the documents. Hmm Squinting at Kim Jong-seo, Hwang Hui muttered to himself. Too many suspects! From Kim Jong-seo working closely beside him to his sons and children mining coal in the distant mines, his wife worried sick about them, andstly, his colleagues struggling in Hanyang. As Hwang Hui chuckled at the thought of all those who might be bad-mouthing him, heughed softly. Pfft! Is that really the issue now? I have bigger problems to deal with. Let them talk if they wish. The reality of having a lot to do with few hands in the northeastern pioneernds was a more urgent matter. I refuse to be tied down to the clerks desk until death! Reinvigorated, Hwang Hui called out to Kim Jong-seo while reviewing the documents. Hey, Jong-seo! Please call me Deputy Administrator! Right, Deputy Administrator! This document is wrong! Arent you going to work properly? Do you want to go back to Hanyang working like this? nning to celebrate your 60th birthday here in the northeastern region and then return? Huh? Is that it? Understood! Receiving Hwang Huis reprimand, Kim Jong-seo took the problematic document to fix it. Grinding his teeth while reviewing the document, Kim Jong-seo was frustrated. These fools! I told them to refer to Yuseopilji for guidance! Using vernacr script in official documents! Yuseopilji, literally meaning What Confucian Schrs and Clerks Must Know, contained various official document formats and writing guidelines, and was a constant on the officials desks. After identifying who prepared the problematic document, Kim Jong-seo immediately rushed to their location. Are you really going to work like this? Do you want to return to Hanyang after this? Remember! If I cant go back, neither can you! Not even in death! Kim Jong-seo was increasingly resembling Hwang Hui. * * * Amidst this busy routine, Sejong was troubled by a request from Hyang. You want to build a new building? Yes. The budget? We n to use the budget from the Crown Prince Management Bureau. That aside, why do we need a new building? The censors might rise in protest, using us of extravagance. Its not about luxury. Its a necessary need. A necessary need? What kind of building is it? To Sejongs question, Hyang replied briefly. A dining hall. A dining hall? Yes. ording to Hyangs exnation, the purpose of building a dining hall was to cater to the staff of the research institute, the eunuchs and courtdies working in the Eastern Pce, and the royal guards. Firstly, for the research institute staff, who exhaust their minds daily with intense work, there was an issue of significant energy depletion. Thats why we aim to provide proper meals for lunch and dinner to replenish their energy. That seems reasonable. Sejong nodded in agreement with Hyangs exnation. The reason for including courtdies, eunuchs, and the royal guards is due to sangmullim (leftover food from superiors). Sangmullim? Why? In Joseons custom, it wasmon for lower-ranking people to eat the leftovers of their superiors. Therefore, it was considered polite for the higher-ups to eat neatly using the front te. In the pce, it was a routine for courtdies and eunuchs to share the leftovers from the king and royal family, with additional side dishes C in Sejongs case, usually meat. This also addresses hygiene issues, hence the shift tomunal dining. Lastly, I too will dine in the cafeteria. Why? That goes against the protocol. To Sejongs concern, Hyang emphasized a different aspect. Its a matter of security. Surely, no one would risk poisoning me while endangering hundreds of others? Ah Moreover, showing that high-ranking individuals eat the same food can boost loyalty. After pondering Hyangs exnation, Sejong nodded. It seems like a good idea. Go ahead with it. Your benevolence is immense! After Hyang left, Sejong, deep in thought, turned to the Chief State Councilor. Quite a good idea, isnt it? * * * Note 1) In April of the 10th year of King Sejongs reign, following a petition from Byeon Gye-ryang, Sejong, after discussions with the ministers, decided to center the civil service examination on literaryposition. From the book King Sejong the Great: A Single-Volume Chronicle by Park Young-kyu, Woongjin Knowledge House. Chapter 141 Chapter 141 As soon as the word got out that Hyang intended to dine with the staff of the research institute, courtdies, eunuchs, and royal guards in the newly established cafeteria, the censors immediately objected. This goes against etiquette! How can the Crown Prince of a nation dine with those of lower status? Hyang responded with the same points he had mentioned to Sejong: C First, theres a hygiene issue. Even with the use of separate tes, there are still potential hygiene risks. C Second, although they would dine in the same space, it wouldnt be a joint meal per se. The dining times for himself, the research institute staff, courtdies, eunuchs, and royal guards would be distinct. C Lastly, and this is a personal opinion, but those working in the pce are also of a certain rank. Why should they be treated like beggars? As the censors turned to Sejong for his opinion, he defended Hyangs n. I too find the Crown Princes opinion to have merit. Reflecting on it, when superiors skip meals, those below them tend to do the same. The issue of prolonged meal times due to sangmullim (leftovers) is regrettable. I wont borate on hygiene issues, as they have been pointed out by various medical texts and physicians. With Sejong defending Hyangs idea, the voices of the censors weakened. However, they continued to cling to the issue of etiquette. But, ording to traditional etiquette As the censors persisted with their etiquette argument, Sejong added, What is the origin of toisun (retiring the meal), or the start of sangmullim? Its the king sharing his precious food with his subordinates. This signifies the kings affection and trust for his subjects through his actions. Isnt the cafeteria initiated by the Crown Prince a meaningful form of toisun, beyond just sharing a meal? Faced with Sejongs logic, the censors had no choice but to remain silent, as they were out-argued. On the opening day of the Eastern Pces Grand Cafeteria, established by Hyang, began its operation, Sejong left Geunjeongjeon and headed to Eastern Pce. Wee, Your Majesty. Awaiting Sejong, Hyang bowed deeply to greet him. Apanied by the Crown Princess, Yangje, Yangwon C titles for the Crown Princes concubines C along with the staff of the research institute, including Jeong-cho, as well as the eunuchs and courtdies, all bowed in unison. The royal guards guarding the vicinity of the Eastern Pce saluted respectfully. Long live the King! Chung! You all have worked hard. After Sejongs acknowledgment, those who had bowed straightened up. Sejong, having encouraged those working at the research institute in the Eastern Pce, turned to Hyang. Lets take a look at this cafeteria. Yes, Your Majesty. Led by Hyang, Sejong toured the cafeteria. Exploring themunal dining area, which was an extension of Eastern Pces small kitchen, Sejong asked Hyang questions. Have you divided the cafeteria into several sections? Yes, Your Majesty. Even though we eat together, its burdensome for lower-ranking individuals to dine with their superiors. Is that so? At Sejongs inquiry, Hyang firmly responded, Yes. The lower-ranking officials following them nodded in agreement. Eat with superiors? Id rather take poison! Not enough to get scolded during work hours, now they want us to swallow insults with our meals? But wouldnt dining together foster camaraderie and facilitate discussions about work? Meal times are for rest. A proper break enhances efficiency. That makes sense. Agreeing with Hyangs response, Sejong nodded. With no furtherments from Sejong, the lower-ranking officials sighed in relief. Phew~. Meanwhile, Hyang exined the different sections to Sejong. This area is for dining with officials of rank, including myself and Chief Schr Jeong-cho. Very neat. Touching the polished tables and chairs, Sejong nodded and followed Hyang to the next area. Sejong continued asking questions as they inspected the dining areas for middle and lower-ranking officials, and a separate area for eunuchs and courtdies. Youve separated the courtdies area? Yes, ording to protocol Well done, but isnt the space too cramped? Weve arranged shifts for dining. Hmm What about the meal times? From 11 AM to 1 PM. Good. Its almost time for lunch, isnt it? ncing at the clock on the wall, Sejong looked at Hyang. I should have lunch before leaving. Please do. Hyang quickly agreed. At this, the faces of Jeong-cho and Jeong In-ji behind them turned pale. Dammit! After washing his hands at a nearby sink, Sejong followed Hyang, carrying a tray along the serving line and filling it with rice and side dishes. As the kitchen staff and courtdies bowed deeply to Sejong at the counter, he said with a smile, No need for formalities during mealtime. I came to eat, not to receive bows. Your grace is immense! Sejong enjoyed the experience as he received his meal. This is interesting. One can take as much or as little as they want. Done right, this could reduce waste. Thats right. But, Your Majesty, perhaps take some more lettuce. My son For your health, Your Majesty. You should eat more greens to avoid More! Pack it in! Interrupting Hyang, Sejong ordered the kitchen staff in an irritated tone to add more lettuce to his te. Observing the heap of lettuce, Sejong red at Hyang. They say even dogs are left alone while eating. But dogs dont eat lettuce, do they? As I mentioned before Anyway, if only I could eat in peace Sejong, grumbling about Hyangs interference, brightened up upon seeing a griddle at the end of the serving line. Grilled pork belly was sizzling tantalizingly on the griddle. Oh, pork belly? Yes. Pork belly has its own unique vor. Fill it up, please. Yes, Your Majesty. With a tray full of rice, vegetables, and grilled pork belly, Sejong settled at a table with Hyang. The alternatingyers of fat and meat are quite unique. What do you call this? Its called Samcheong Jeyuk. Hyang showed Sejong how to wrap the pork belly in lettuce. Intrigued, Sejong followed Hyangs instructions. Is it already the season for lettuce? We grew it experimentally in a sshouse. The yield is good. I see. They say Fall lettuce should be eaten behind closed doors, indicating its delicacy. Im curious about this early lettuce. Sejong assembled arge wrap with several lettuce leaves, added a piece of thinly sliced garlic, a dab of ssamjang (Korean dipping sauce) with his chopsticks, and then rolled it up to eat. Hyangs eyes widened at the enormous wrap Sejong prepared. No way! Is he performing a penalty like thoseedians on eating shows? Is that really just one bite? Sejong, who swallowed the huge wrap in just a few bites, was impressed. This is really delicious! * * * After enjoying a pleasant lunch in the cafeteria and coffee in Hyangs room at Eastern Pce, Sejong leisurely returned to Geunjeongjeon. Your Majesty has returned~. Hearing the Chief State Councilors announcement, the waiting ministers in Geunjeongjeon straightened their postures and bowed deeply. Sorry to keep you waiting. As Sejong ascended the throne, Chief State Councilor Lee Jik shook his head. Not at all, Your Majesty. How was your lunch at Eastern Pce? It was truly vorful. You ministers should also try it when you have time Sejong, who was happily sharing his experience, suddenly stopped mid-sentence and fell into thought. Your Majesty? Worried by Sejongs abrupt silence, Lee Jik cautiously called out to him. Sejong, raising his hand, said, Wait a moment, please. The ministers looked at Sejong with anxious faces. What is he nning now! This happens every time His Majesty and the Crown Prince are together! The ministers were silently screaming in terror, their faces filled with dread. Seemingly unaware of their panic, Sejong, deep in thought, finally spoke. We should establish cafeterias in Geunjeongjeon and the Six Ministries simr to the one in Eastern Pce. What? The work of the court consumes a tremendous amount of mental energy, does it not? While I have meals ording to protocol, the ministers and officials of the Six Ministries do not, which is a significant problem. Overexertion leads to rapid depletion of energy. If we establish cafeterias like the one in Eastern Pce for them to have meals, wouldnt it help replenish their energy? The ministers pondered Sejongs words. Even now, many officials sneak out at noon to buy food nearby or have their meals brought from home. This wont be a loss. Convinced there was no downside, the ministers agreed with Sejongs proposal. Please proceed as you wish, Your Majesty! Consequently, cafeterias were established in Geunjeongjeon and the Six Ministries. The response from the officials was mostly positive, but a few had reservations. Whats the matter? You look like youre counting rice grains. A colleagues inquiry prompted a hesitant response from one official. It feels like were being fed like cattle before plowing the fields. Even so * * * On a deep night transitioning from March to April. I cant sleep. Chief Eunuch, lets take a walk. Yes. After finishing his work and before retiring to bed, Sejong quietly left Gangnyeongjeon and started walking. Wandering around Gyeongbokgung, Sejongs steps eventually led him to Gwanghwamuns watchtower. Climbing up, he looked over the night view of Hanyang, his gaze settling towards the area where the Six Ministries were located. Lights are still on at this hour. Recently, many officials have been workingte, the Chief Eunuch informed him. Is that so? Hearing the Chief Eunuchs response, Sejong continued his walk. The next morning, as soon as the court meeting began, Sejong, recalling the scene he had witnessed the previous night, asked the Chief State Councilor. Are there many officials workingte into the night? Quite a few, Your Majesty. Ah, then they must be tired. Do the officials have a ce to rest? There are duty rooms in each office, but they are not sufficient in number. Hmm Thats problematic. Working so hard without proper rest Sejongs concerned expression prompted the ministers to silently plead. Please, reduce our workload! If only the workload could be lessened! What to do After pondering for a while, Sejong reached a decision. Construct buildings for duty rooms in each office. Install double-decker beds in these rooms so that as many officials as possible can restfortably. Also, include washrooms for basic hygiene. As youmand, Your Majesty. The ministers replied, their voices trembling. The officials, upon hearing Sejongs decree, reacted simrly. First they make us eat at the office, now they dont want us to go home! Our children wont even recognize their fathers! I might as well submit my resignation now Although they talked of resigning, the officials couldnt actually submit their resignation letters. Leaving their posts would mean losing their pensions and many other benefits. Chapter 142 Chapter 142 With the arrival of April, the nnedws were promulgated. The first to be announced was about long-term interest: C Prohibiting interest on borrowed goods from exceeding the principal amount. C Capping monthly interest at no more than three percent of the principal. The announcement of this interest rate limitationw was met with significant bacsh. However, the court pushed back, stating: C Even in the Great Ming Law, it is stated that monthly interest should not exceed three percent, and no matter how long the term, the total interest should not surpass the principal. Those opposed continued their resistance: Joseon is Joseon, and Ming is Ming! Thats always been the courts stance! The court rebutted: So you argue to follow the The Great Ming Law when convenient, but now im Joseon is different from Ming? Your argument holds no merit! Having countered the opposition, the court began revising the Six Codes of Governance. [TL/N: Six Codes of Governanceprises all thews, customs and decrees released sincete Goryeo Dynasty to early Joseon dynasty.] * * * Not long after the promulgation of the Interest Rate Limitation Law, the court announced another new decree: C From this year, the civil service exams (literary exams) will be held annually, limited to the initial test and retest. C The initial test will be conducted on the first five days of May each year, and the retest a month and a halfter, on June 20. C The exams willprise of essay writing and arithmetic. Failing in either subject results in disqualification. C The military exams will be held annually on October 1. C In addition to the existing military skills test, Confucian ssics and military studies will be added. C The military exam will continue for the next five years, after which it will be reced by entrance exams for the Military Academy. What is this Military Academy? The term, unfamiliar to many, piqued the interest of those preparing for the military exam. C The Military Academy is an institution for training officers to lead Joseonsnd and naval forces. C Eligibility for application ranges from ages 15 to 20. The age restriction for the Military Academy, akin to a military college in the 21st century, made those over the age limit anxious. We only have five years left! We must work tirelessly! The struggle for entrance was as intense for military aspirants as it was for those preparing for the literary exams. * * * The Interest Rate Limitation Law and the revision of the civil service exam system caused a stir among the local gentry. Its finally begun. Those who had been closely observing the courts reforms thought, The time we anticipated hase. The good days are over. Thats right. Perhaps next, the court will focus on us, the local gentry. Starting with the loss of our tax exemptions. Indeed. Anticipating the courts next move, the local gentry agonized over countermeasures but struggled to find a clear solution. Theres no counter-argument against the courts justifications. While the local gentry were pondering their response, the court issued a new decree, which elerated their division. * * * In mid-May, after the initial exams, the court disseminated King Sejongs decree throughout Joseon. C It has been 11 years since I ascended the throne, and I have strived for the well-being of Joseon. However, I have keenly felt the shortage of talents. The ministers of the court, with their intelligence and experience, assist me well, but their number is too few. Since we have broadened the path to officialdom, it will take time for these newly recruited talents to gain experience. Thus, I intend to follow the saying Start with following Kui. Just as King Xiao of the State of Zhao was able to gather talents from all over by valuing his minister Kwak Wai, I n to do the same. Many are already aware that Lim Soonwook, a schr from Uiju, has received the rank of Chanwi and started his official career. (Abbreviated) King Sejongs edict stirred the local gentry. This is an opportunity! His Majesty is heading towards dictatorship! This is our chance to stop him! No, this is His Majestys trap! We must unite more than ever and resist His Majestys tyranny! The local gentry were divided into two camps, each fiercely debating. However, more and more were inclined to follow Sejongs edict, fueled by their own aspirations for advancement. Thus, from the bustling city of Hanyang to the remote viges in the Jirisan and Taebaeksan mountains, everyone from wealthyndlords draped in silk to impoverished schrs who studied day and night picked up their brushes. * * * Although Sejong had generously set a 100-day deadline, countless proposals flooded into the court in less than half that time. Seeing the proposals arriving by the cartload, the Chief Justice and Senior Secretaries appealed to Sejong about the overwhelming volume. Hmm I see. But reviewing these proposals is absolutely necessary The ministers interjected. Your Majesty, with the ongoing education of the sessful candidates of the retest, we are already short-handed. Perhaps its best to postpone this task and focus on other urgent matters Sejong pointed out a practical issue in response to the ministers suggestion. If its overwhelming now, postponing it will only make it more difficult, wont it? Yes, but The ministers trailed off, aware that the volume of iing proposals was increasing. Reports from those handling the submissions indicated that some individuals had submitted multiple proposals. With the 100-day deadline C plus an additional two weeks considering Joseons poor transportation infrastructure C the final volume of submissions was expected to be astronomical. The conclusion is we need to filter them as soon as theye in to make the task manageable As they sought a clear solution, Maeng Sa-seong offered a suggestion. How about enlisting the staff from Hall of Worthies and the research institute? Hall of Worthies and the research institute? Sejong stroked his beard, pondering Maeng Sa-seongs proposal. During the ongoing reform, Hall of Worthies had established itself as a policy research institution directly under the king. Its schrs, like the officials of Hyangs research institute, did not hold concurrent posts. As a result, the Bestowed with Leisure to Read, a practice of granting reading leave, which had emerged in the pre-Hyang history, did not ur. Hmm Hall of Worthies and the research institute Muttering to himself and contemting, Sejong finally made a decision. Good! Lets do that! Chief State Councilor! Go and bring the Grand Schr and the Crown Prince! Yes, Your Majesty * * * So, we are tasked with the initial review of these proposals. I see Hearing Hyangs exnation, Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji nodded with faces as if chewing on bitter pills. Were already so busy to the point of exhaustion! The ministers think were just idling around! As Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji suppressed their internalints, Hyang continued speaking. We all have a lot to do, but this task is essential for the future of the country. What are some of the tasks that we can postpone for now? At Hyangs question, Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji sifted through the records to identify tasks that could be dyed without major consequences. They quickly identified a few and called in the responsible parties to exin the situation. Alright! Its going to be a headache, but lets get it done quickly! Ill join in as well. Well help too. With the Crown Prince, Hyang himself, stepping in, Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji had no choice but to participate, albeit reluctantly. Watching the carts full of proposals roll in, Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji looked crestfallen. I knew it! I had an uneasy feeling in my dreamst night! I had a feeling! I wish I could go to Area 51! Envying Mr. Lee Cheon, whos there! * * * Evaluating the proposals from all over Joseon was an immensely draining task. Phew~. The task itself is simple, but its very mentally exhausting. Hyang sighed deeply, which Jeong-cho, Jeong Inji, and the officials of the research institute echoed with weary eyes. The process was straightforward: C First, record who the sender is. C Open the sealed envelope to check the contents. C Evaluate the content and categorize them as pass or fail. C Send the categorized proposals to the State Council. C The State Council prepares the passed proposals for King Sejong to review. The evaluation process, though simple, required significant mental effort. So many heads, but so few brains Many dreamers, but few thinkers Does Joseon reallyck such talent? Hyangs grumbling was met with nods from Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji, reflecting the abundance of impractical proposals. Phew~. Hyang sighed deeply again and picked up the next envelope. He mechanically recorded the senders name, opened the seal, and reviewed the contents. The problems in governing the nation arise from ss discrimination and wealth disparity. To solve this, the state must nationalize all production facilities such asnd, workshops, and merchant associations. Then, distribute food and materials differentially based on the number of family members? Isnt this a radical idea ahead of its time? While Hyang was shocked, Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji showed interest. Ho? An interesting concept, isnt it? Indeed? Hyang pointed out the w in their response. It might seem so at first nce But if distribution is based only on family size, wouldnt it lead to a situation where people neglect work and just focus on having more children? Ah right. Realizing the problem, Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji nodded in agreement. Hyang then set aside the problematic proposal. Fail! Following that, a series of proposals advocating collective production and equal distribution continued to surface. Really the concept of collective production and equal distribution sounds good, but who will determine the varying amounts ofbor? Right. The criteria are too vague. Having already dealt with numerous simr documents, Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji nodded in agreement with Hyangs frustration. Eventually, Hyang set a new standard. From now on, lets initially reject proposals that mention collective production and equal distribution.'' Yes. Understood. Pfft! Ha! While Hyang, Jeong-cho, and Jeong Inji were seriously discussing,ughter suddenly erupted from one side. Eh? Surprised by the unexpectedughter, the trios gaze turned to where Lee Soon-ji was chuckling while reviewing the proposals. Pfft! Fail! Seeing this, Jeong Inji called out to Lee Soon-ji with a stern face. Schr Lee Soon-ji, whats so funny? At Jeong Injis question, Lee Soon-ji scratched his head and replied. These proposals are just too absurd Jeong Inji criticized his reaction. Those who wrote these proposals poured their lifelong beliefs into them. Arent you taking it too lightly? Lee Soon-ji responded with a more serious expression. While that may be true, there are just too many proposals filled with empty rhetoric, hoping for some improbable luck. I think its a waste of my time to take them all seriously. Hearing Lee Soon-jis response, Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji nced at the documents in their hands. Indeed Much like Hyangs assessment that they were mostly dreamers, there were too many proposals filled with appealing words butcking substance, written in hopes of unlikely fortune. As Jeong-cho and Jeong Injis resolve waned, Lee Soon-ji added. To minimize mental exhaustion, we shouldnt take everything too seriously from the start. Hyang agreed with this approach. Thats a good idea. Lets do that. We have a lot more to review, after all. Understood. That approach seems better. With Hyangs support, Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji stepped back. Following Hyangs decision, everyone adjusted their evaluation approach. * * * Huh? Why is this so heavy? Hyang, picking up a thick envelope, expressed surprise at its unexpected weight. After mechanically recording the senders name, he opened the envelope to check its contents. Thunk! As he tilted the envelope to retrieve the paper inside, something fell out. Whats this? A knife? A small dagger had dropped from the envelope. Carefully holding the dagger by its handle, Hyang drew it out. Seeing the freshly sharpened de, he murmured in disbelief. What in the world After examining the dagger, Hyang took out the paper from the envelope and unfolded it. Deep in trouble, now a blood letter? The sudden appearance of the dagger drew Jeong-cho, Jeong Inji, and Lee Soon-ji closer. Together, they read the contents of the blood letter. The prosperity of the nation relies on its strong defense. The only way to ensure robust defense is through iron and blood? What is this, Bismarck? After reviewing the disturbing content, Hyang, Jeong-cho, Jeong Inji, and Lee Soon-ji exchanged nces. After a prolonged silence, Jeong-cho made a decision. If it were up to me, I would pass it. Its brief and to the point, but it shows a clear conviction about national defense. I agree Me too With Jeong-cho, Jeong Inji, and Lee Soon-ji also agreeing to pass it, Hyang silently added the blood letter to the pile of approved proposals. Chapter 143 Chapter 143 Following the separation of proposals into pass and fail by Hyangs research institute and Hall of Worthies, they were sent to the State Council for a second phase of processing. Is this interesting? Whats interesting? The Senior Secretaries presented the Chief Justice with the results of the categorization from Hall of Worthies and the research institute. The evaluations on the proposals about collective production and equal distribution are contradictory. Hall of Worthies has passed many, but the research institute has mostly failed them. Hearing this, the Chief Justice stroked his beard, looking troubled. This could be a problem. If we leave it as is, issues might arise. Sensing a crisis, the Chief Justice immediately reported to King Sejong. Upon receiving the report, King Sejong also looked perplexed. Different standards of evaluation This is an oversight on my part. Chief State Councilor! Immediately summon the Crown Prince and the Grand Schr! Yes, Your Majesty! * * * Thus, in front of King Sejong and the ministers, Hyang and the new Grand Schr C Hayeon, who had reced Byeon Gye-ryang due to illness C engaged in a fierce debate. If the people can earn ie equally without discrimination, then the distinctions between rich and poor, and among the four sses, will disappear! Hyang countered the Grand Schrs argument. Thats just an ideal. Even if its an ideal, striving towards it could create a better world, couldnt it? Grand Schr, collective production and equal distribution sounds good in theory. However, collective production means jointbor, and there are various types ofbor. Theres agriculture, fishing, even the scribes sitting there are performingbor. How would you equate the value of such diversebor equally? Well And equal distribution has its own issues. No matter how equally you divide, someone will always feel they deserve more. After the continued debate, King Sejong and the ministers sided with Hyang. The theory of Common Production and Equal Distribution is idealistic but not realistic. Therefore, Grand Schr, reevaluate the results. At King Sejongsmand, the Grand Schr bowed his head with a resigned look. As youmand, Your Majesty. Hyang quietly murmured to himself. Ive seen how theories attached with the term munism end up * * * Thus, over 100 days C precisely 110 days C the evaluated proposals led to 15 individuals being selected to enter government service. The ministers fiercelypeted over these 15 selections. Actually, thepetition was over 14 of them. The remaining individual was strongly advocated for by Jo Malsaeng and was the proponent of the Iron and Blood theory. This individual is absolutely essential for the Ministry of Military Affairs! Jo Mal-saengs insistence left King Sejong, Hyang, and the ministers in a difficult position. Iron and blood Isnt that too radical? While King Sejong and the ministers were concerned about the radical nature of the proposal, Hyang was worried about a different aspect. This could easily slip into militarism or a military-first policy However, outright opposition was difficult since strengthening national defense was essential for Joseon at the time. This left Hyang in a difficult position. This is really tricky Finally, influenced by Jo Mal-saengs strong advocacy, Sejong issued amand. Bring the person who made this proposal immediately! I will question them directly and decide their fate! * * * Thus, the person who proposed the controversial idea was summoned to the court. I greet Your Majesty! The burly, bearded figure in traditional attire bowed deeply to Sejong upon seeing him, shouting out robustly. At this, Sejong smiled slightly. Pleased to meet you. With such a voice, you sound like a general. I am greatly honored, Your Majesty! The owner of the booming voice was Jang Hang-seon, a junior schr from Cheolsan County, Pyeongan Province. Like Lim Soonwook, despite passing the exam, Jang Hang-seon was confined to rural life due to the ban on northwest natives taking office. Unlike Lim Soonwook, living close to the border meant frequent shes with the Jurchen tribes. So, you advocate the Iron and Blood theory? At Sejongs question, Jang Hang-seon responded immediately. Yes, Your Majesty! The Jurchen dont dare to attack if we are strong! Hence, our national defense must be strong! Hyang intervened in the conversation. Your Majesty, if I may Go ahead. Now hes giving permission before I even finish speaking. Automatic, isnt it? Muttering under his breath, Hyang posed a question to Jang Hang-seon. How strong do you think our defense should be? Jang Hang-seons reply was immediate. The stronger, the better! But there must be a limit! Sejong and the ministers eyes lit up at this statement. A limit? Yes, Your Majesty! National defense is to protect the people, not oppress them! Hearing Jang Hang-seons response, Hyang turned to look at Sejong, who involuntarily clenched his fist and eximed. Pass! And so, Jang Hang-seon was taken into the Ministry of Military Affairs. Later on, an overworked Jang Hang-seon woulde to regret his enthusiasm. I should have kept quiet *** During the hustle and bustle at the court, an important task waspleted in Area 51. Do you remember the task you assigned me earlier, Father? A task I assigned to you? Let me think After pondering for a moment, Sejong looked at Hyang. There are only a few orders of mine that are yet unanswered. But looking at your face Is it about the issue with the maidservants of Hangsan? Yes, Your Majesty. Hyang replied with a slight smile. Previously, Sejong had ordered Hyang to find a solution for the living conditions of female servants who, despite bearing children of free men, were isted due to usations of infidelity. Sejongs face lit up upon hearing Hyangs response. Really? Have you found a solution? Yes, Your Majesty. What is it? Its a loom, Your Majesty. Sejong initially seemed disappointed at the answer but then changed his expression, knowing Hyangs tendency to think innovatively. Given your past actions, I assume its not just any ordinary loom. What is it? Its an automated loom. An automated loom? * * * Unable to contain his curiosity, Sejong led the ministers to Area 51. As Sejongs procession left the pce, the people on the streets bowed deeply and shouted: Long live the King! Long live Your Majesty! May you live ten thousand years! While the cries of May you live ten thousand years echoed around, Sejong, seated in his royal carriage, looked pleased as he surveyed the people. Observing their faces, Sejong spoke to Hyang and the apanying ministers. The people seem to be in good spirits. Its all thanks to Your Majestys grace. The Chief State Councilor replied, to which Sejong responded with a modest smile. Lets not credit me alone. Its also thanks to your assistance. While exchanging pleasantries, Sejongs entourage arrived at Area 51. The personnel of Area 51, waiting in anticipation, bowed deeply as soon as they saw Sejong. Long live the King! Chung! You all have done well. Stand up. Sejong responded with a gentle voice and turned to Hyang. Lets see that loom then. Yes, Your Majesty. This way, please. Led by Hyang, Sejong moved towards where the looms were set up. Is that the loom? Yes. We have connected three for demonstration purposes. I see. Sejongs gaze fell on three looms lined up in a row. The shape is quite unusual for a loom. Yes, the overall design changed because we installed mechanisms to transmit power. Hmm While Sejong meticulously examined the structure of the looms, he noticed arge beam overhead, with sizable discs attached at intervals. Leather belts connected these discs to the looms. At one end of the beam was arge gear, which interacted with a simrly sized horizontal gear. Attached to the horizontal gears shaft was a cow. Hmm After observing the looms structure for a while, Sejong turned to Hyang. So, this cow powers the loom? Fundamentally, yes. Currently, its an animal-driven system, using cows, horses, or donkeys, but it can be reced with steam engines once they are developed. Why not use waterwheels or windmills? Sejong quickly grasped the operating principle and sounded slightly disappointed. Indeed, but many areasck sufficient water supply, reducing the feasibility of such methods. Regrettable. That steam engine is a distant concept for now. Ill consider installing them in areas with abundant water supply. Alright. Anyway, Id like to see it in operation. Yes, Your Majesty. Following Sejongsmand, Hyang signaled, and several men and women stepped forward to bow to Sejong. Go ahead, do your best. Upon Sejongsmand, the men headed to the area with the cow and beam, while the women took their ces at the looms. Sitting on stools in front of the looms, the women signaled, and a man shook the cows reins. Move! Moo~. As the cow started moving, the wooden beam began to rotate, and the loom came to life. Clink-nk! With unfamiliar noises, the looms body moved up and down, starting to weave cloth. Remarkable As Sejong watched the cloth being woven, Hyang provided further exnation. Traditional looms required manual operation, limiting productivity and beingborious for women. This automated loom, however, uses animal or steam power for the most strenuous part, enhancing efficiency. I see. After demonstrating both the automated textile loom and a yarn-spinning machine that also used animal power, Hyang moved to the office to continue exining to Sejong and the ministers. One major advantage of this machine over traditional looms is that it can produce much wider fabrics like cotton or silk. At Hyangs gesture, staff brought in machine-woven cotton and silk, along with those woven traditionally. Oveying the hand-woven fabric onto the machine-woven fabric, Sejong marveled. Its at least three times wider! Indeed. This increases its utility significantly. Traditional looms struggled to weave fabrics wider than one ja (, about 33cm) due to the physical limitations of the weavers. However, with machine weaving, this limitation was significantly expanded. Hyang continued to highlight the benefits of the machine-woven fabric. Using this automatic loom, we can produce wider cotton and silk fabrics with finer quality. Finer quality? With the same width, we could weave up to 20 threads. Oh? At this time, the standard for tax-cotton was 5-thread fabric. Fabric with 80 threads per bundle, totaling 400 threads, was considered standard and used as currency. However, the value of cotton or silk skyrocketed with more threads. More threads meant finer yarn, and consequently, softer fabric. Thus, royals and nobles often pre-ordered or imported 12-thread or 15-thread fabrics from Ming for their clothing. * * * After exining the advantages of the automated loom, Hyang discussed its value in terms of empowering women, especially those ostracized for bearing illegitimate children. Although its a machine-operated automatic system, the overall method is simr to traditional looms. This is the first reason why it bes a useful tool for women who have been marginalized despite bearing children. I see. Secondly, the intricate weaving process makes it difficult for men withrger, coarser hands to handle delicate tasks. Women, with their smaller and nimble hands, are actually at an advantage here. At the end of Hyangs exnation, Sejong appeared satisfied. Well done. It seems the next step is for the nation to set up factories to lead by example. At Sejongs decision, Hyang suggested an alternative. Father, how about entrusting this project to private guilds this time? Entrust it to private guilds? Why? At Sejongs query, Hyang exined his reasoning. So far, the state has always led by example, and the private sector followed. However, this approach limits the ability of the guilds to develop discernment. How long will we spoon-feed them? Hyang emphasized the need for the guilds to strengthen their self-reliance. They need to develop the ability to discern value and lead sessful ventures formerce to progress. Hmm As Sejong pondered, Kim Jeom, who had been anxiously shuffling his feet behind, quickly chimed in. Your Majesty! The Crown Princes proposal is indeed the best way to grow Joseonsmerce! He realized that if this became a state project, their workload would increase. Is that so? Yes, Your Majesty! Persuaded by Kim Jeoms fervent argument, which was more about avoiding extra work, Sejong came to a conclusion. Lets think about this a bit more. Crown Prince, you have done an excellent job. Well done. Thank you, Your Majesty. * * * After three days of intense debate, it was decided to experimentally entrust the textile industry to the private sector. As the royal decree was announced nationwide, guilds across the country sprang into action. This is an opportunity to rake in profits! Thus began a bidding war that would go down in history. Chapter 144 Chapter 144 During the three-day debate leading to the decision to entrust the establishment of textile factories using automated looms to private guilds, the primary argument of the opposition was straightforward: Automated looms arent free. If the cost of a loom is higher than expected, will any merchants step forward? Acknowledging this valid point, Sejong asked Hyang about the cost. How much does it cost to make one loom? Thirty silver taels, Hyang responded. Hearing this, Sejong couldnt hide his disappointment. Thirty taels of silver is equivalent to ten bushels of white rice; thats expensive. Perhaps the state should take the lead As Sejong considered nationalizing the initiative due to the cost, Hyang stepped in. Yes, its quite expensive. And formercial profit, one would need at least ten looms. But buying in bulk could reduce the cost per unit. Encouraged by Hyangs point about reducing costs, Sejong pointed out a problem. Even if the cost is halved, its still high. Besides the looms, there are expenses for building structures, hiring staff, acquiring animals or waterwheels for power. Would anyone be willing to invest that much without proven results? Responding to Sejongs doubts, Hyang confidently said, There are merchants who will! There are? Yes, Your Majesty. Many guilds have survived from previous generations. They are fully capable! Sejong turned to Minister of Taxation Kim Jeom, seeking confirmation. Kim Jeom immediately bowed his head in agreement. The Crown Prince is correct, Your Majesty. Is there evidence? Kim Jeom replied promptly. A third of the goods traded with Ming through Shandong are ssware and ceramics from the royal workshops. The rest are from private guilds. This ratio has been maintained since the introduction of ssware. Maintained? So the sales of private guilds are increasing? Yes, Your Majesty. Trade with Japan through Wae-Gwan has also surged. Im aware. Thats why I considered building markets on Daenae-shisnds. Yes, Your Majesty. Remembering his previous reports, Sejong asked Kim Jeom. From what I know, the Japanese pay in silver. So, guilds trading with Japan must have substantial silver reserves? Indeed, Your Majesty. Not just those trading with Japan, but also those trading with Ming have significant silver reserves. Thats why I fully support the Crown Princes proposal. We need to absorb as much silver from the guilds as possible. Sejong raised a question. Why is that? In Joseon, Ming, and Japan, silver is used as a trade medium. Therefore, we need to maintain its value at an appropriate level. Is that so? As Sejong seemed unconvinced, Kim Jeom emphatically assured him. Yes, Your Majesty! Listening to Sejong and Kim Jeoms conversation, Hyang internally celebrated. Yes! Old man Kim Jeom, nice! All those talks about price stabilization paid off! * * * While Hyangs consistent education on market trends yed a role, Kim Jeom and the officials of the Ministry of Taxation were increasingly uneasy due to the growing intion and fluctuating prices in the market. This unease stemmed from the trends reported by the monopolies and customs, as well as the size of taxes collected annually. The Ministry of Taxation officials, trained by Hyang, diligently scrutinized the guilds for tax evasion. Through taxes, they closely estimated the actual scale of the guilds transactions. The scale of the guilds transactions is growing. Not only the scale, but their profits are also increasing. While reporting on the guilds, the officials noted a peculiar fact: It seems the guilds possess a significant amount of silver. Previously, they would have paid in kind with copper or sulfur, but now theyre mostly paying in silver. In silver? Piqued by this, Kim Jeom had the officials bring out the records. The list of customs and taxes paid by the guilds. As you can see, during the initial establishment of the trade post in Shandong, many paid in kind, but now most are paying in silver. Hmm Kim Jeom examined the records thoughtfully. Initially, most of the goods imported from Ming through Shandong were luxury items, and the early Joseon guilds paid a substantial part of the customs in kind. But now, most guilds were paying in silver. Hmm As Kim Jeom pondered over the reports, other officials brought in more documents. Whats this? These are the ounts from the monopolies. And? The amount of silver received as payment has been steadily increasing. Increasing silver means Kim Jeom, pausing, then ordered another official. Bring me the records of the silver paid out by the government. Yes, sir. Afterparing the governments expenses in silver to the amount circting in the market, Kim Jeom realized there was significantly more silver in cirction than what the government had distributed. Realizing the increase in silver cirction, Kim Jeom issued another order. Bring me the records of the market price of a bushel of white rice! Yes, sir! Reviewing the price trends of rice, a staple food in Joseon, Kim Jeoms expression turned graver. Definitely When the economic reforms began, a bushel of rice was traded for one tael of silver or less. Though prices were higher during the lean season, they remained below one tael during the harvest season. However, rice prices had been gradually increasing sincest year. The rise wasnt drastic, but a month-by-monthparison revealed a steady increase. Somethings not right Feeling the crisis, Kim Jeom sought out Lim Soonwook. Recently, the asking prices for goods have been slowly rising. Rushing in from coordinating the new administration, Lim Soonwook nodded in agreement. This could be problematic. Mishandled, it might lead to enormous profits for those holding physical assets like grain ornd. Whats your solution? Give me a few days, please. Kim Jeom, after seeking more time to ponder, revisited Lim Soonwook three dayster. Lim Soonwooks conclusion was consistent: the court must absorb as much silver circting in the market as possible and distribute currency widely. Additionally, he suggested that the newly nned mint should not only issue loans but also umte wealth. Kim Jeom, deeply contemtive upon hearing this, eventually decided to draft a memorial to the king. The task wasplex, requiring urate depiction of cause and effect, so Kim Jeom spent days drafting the initial version of the memorial. Just as hepleted the draft, news of Hyangspletion of the automated loom arrived. Witnessing Hyang advocating for the textile factories establishment by private guilds at the demonstration of the loom, Kim Jeom felt a thrilling opportunity. This is it! Its a chance to absorb the silver in private hands and also reduce my workload! Brilliant! * * * Hearing Kim Jeoms exnation, King Sejong asked with a serious expression, Is it really that serious? Kim Jeom replied, Its not apparent yet, but it will soon be evident to everyone. By then, well need to exert multiple times the effort to address it. King Sejong sighed deeply, expressing regret about the influx of wealth into Joseon, which he initially thought was beneficial. Kim Jeom assured Sejong that the influx was not a mistake, as it indeed improved the peoples livelihood. However, when Jo Mal-Saeng, listening to the conversation, expressed confusion about why abundance could be harmful, Hyang stepped in to exin. He likened the situation to feeding an amount of food meant for adults to a child or presenting a feast to a starving person C essentially, Joseon was not ready to handle such a wealth influx. Understanding the analogy, Jo Mal-Saeng nodded, and King Sejong sighed again,menting the unexpected rapid growth. Hyang reassured him that facing such issues was inevitable. King Sejong, realizing the gravity of the situation, decided to ept the proposal by Hyang and Kim Jeom. He ordered the summoning of guilds for a bidding process, taking full responsibility for the decision as a royal decree. Upon King Sejongs firm deration that he would not entertain any opposition, all the ministers bowed in acknowledgement, epting themand. The historian, recording all these events, added, All these actions are undertaken under my authority, and I shall bear all the responsibility. With such a decisive statement from the king, all the senior and junior officials bowed in agreement, not daring to object. The historian reflected on how, just a few years ago, the nation worried about ack of funds, but now, the concern had shifted to the excess of wealth circting in the market. Yet, the historian himself had never seen such wealth. Following King Sejongs decision, the ministers immediately began preparations. * * * Returning to his room in the Eastern Pce after King Sejongs decision, Hyang looked at the piled-up reports on his desk and muttered to himself, Its fortunate that we still have some capacity to handle this situation. Since the Three Kingdoms period, merchants on the Korean Penins had been actively engaged inmerce. The term Shi Merchants emerged, indicating how these merchants traveled back and forth to China for trade. Thismercial activity continued robustly during the Goryeo period. However, the invasion by the Yuan Empire, the rise of powerful aristocratic families causing economic turmoil, and the worsening economy due to Japanese pirate raids had gradually weakened the merchants on the penins. Hyang considered it fortunate that this was the early Joseon period. At this time, not just a few, but manyrge and small guilds still existed. After reflecting on the situation, Hyang sighed, pondering, Ho~ If this were the middle of the Joseon period, it would be dreadful to even think about. Would it have been better if it were theter Joseon period? Chapter 145 Chapter 145 A royal edict of significant importance has been issued, summoning the leaders of all merchant associations throughout Joseon. It is imperative that each leader attends. Such was the content of the edict that soon spread to every major and minor merchant association across Joseon. therefore, this edict has been issued, so do not forget and ensure your attendance. Yes, my lord. The leader of a merchant association, bowing respectfully, received the edict from the Minister of Taxation official and cautiously asked a question. May I inquire what this important issue might be? To the leaders query, the Minister of Taxation official replied with an awkward expression. How would a low-ranking official like myself know? If theres anything Ive heard, its that His Majesty is conducting some kind of test involving the merchant associations. A test you say? Its not certain. Just make sure toe to the pce on the appointed day without dy. Take care on your journey! After seeing off the Minister of Taxation official, the leader of the merchant association gathered the subordinate leaders and managers. so, we must travel to Hanyang by the appointed date. The subordinate leaders and managers, passing around the royal edict stamped with King Sejongs official seal, looked at each other with serious expressions. Do any of you know why the king has summoned us and the details of the matter? Thats the problem. We only know its His Majestys test.'' A test, you say? A test Look here, manager, have you heard anything from Area 51? A middle-aged manager, scratching his head upon being questioned, responded. Indeed, I have. A contact ced near Area 51 informed me that a few days ago, the king visited Area 51 along with some ministers. Hmm Upon hearing this report from manager, not only the Merchant Leader but also the subordinate leaders and managers grew more solemn. It was a well-known fact among the people of Joseon that whenever King Sejong visited Area 51, something world-shaking would soon emerge. Consequently, every prominent merchant in Joseon had ced informants around Area 51. Many had expanded their businesses several times over by being the first to hear and act on such news. Some had obtained the recipe for the rations consumed by soldiers for long journeys or emergency food during disasters, while others manufactured and sold Gami-bun (added vor powder) used in cooking emergency food ration. Of course, they had to pay a significant amount to the government under the newly created Intellectual Property Management Law, but the profit they gained was muchrger. Despite much contemtion, those who couldnt discern the reason for King Sejongs summon eventually had to opt for a temporary solution. If its a test conducted by His Majesty for merchants, wouldnt it likely involve wealth? Lets first check how much resources our merchant association can immediately mobilize before we set off. Yes, Merchant Leader. The Merchant Leader, having issued the order, seemed somewhat relieved. Its fortunate that our association is located in Gyeonggi-do, close to Hanyang. Indeed. * * * While the merchant associations of Joseon were preparing in response to King Sejongsmand, the court promulgated a neww that shook the rural viges of Joseon C the Sharecropping Law. C The rent collected byndlords (Jeonju) from sharecroppers must not exceed half of the harvest. C Landlords are not allowed to collect seed and fertilizer costs (Sibi-dae). This is absurd! Why should we even sharecrop then! Manyndlords were outraged by these provisions, as it wasmon for them to charge extra for seeds and fertilizers, practices now explicitly prohibited by the court. C Sharecroppers must bring all the grains harvested from their fields and paddies to the government-controlled marketces. C At the marketce, Hojo officials will verify the exact amount of the harvest. Afterward, taxes levied by the state are to be paid, followed by the payment of rent to thendlords. C All these processes are to be supervised by Hojo officials. C Secretly extorting additional rent before or after this collection process will be considered as deceiving the king and punishable ordingly. Despite manyndlords submitting petitions and rebelling against the Sharecropping Law, the court remained unmoved. C It is written in the Book of Songs that Under the heavens, there is nond that is not the kings; to the ends of the earth, there is no one who is not the kings subject. C Allnd in Joseon belongs to the king, but concessions have been made to allow those studying Confucianism to do so without the worry ofnd management. C Just asndlords are subjects of the king, so are the sharecroppers. C Therefore, it is the kings duty to ensure that sharecroppers live without the fear of starvation. The courts justification based on the Kings Land Theory left thendlords rebellion with dwindling momentum. Damn it all What choice do we have This was due in part to the courts invocation of the deceiving the king principle. If the heavens are not on our side, then we must change the heavens! Quiet! Keep it down! While some extremists suggested rebellion, those nearby quickly silenced and buried their ims deep. Their power, built during the prolonged famine at the end of Taejongs reign and early in Sejongs reign, had no chance against the Joseon military, which remained fiercely loyal to King Sejong. * * * The greatest beneficiaries of Sejongs military reform were the military itself. Although there was a civilian-led administrative body, the Byungjo, the actual positions (Siljik) in the military were all assigned to military officers. This meant double trouble for the military officers, who now had to be skilled both in martial arts and schrly pursuits. But the officers preferred it this way. Before the military reforms, high-ranking posts in the military were exclusively upied by civilian officials. A clear example of this civilian dominance was the position of Hyunryeong, which, by structure, was a military post. However, most Hyunryeongs were held by civilian officials. ording to rumors, with the uing reorganization of the local administrative bodies, the position of Hyunryeong was expected to return to the military. Moreover, the soldiers, including the Gapsa, were now receiving proper sries and supplies from the court, resolving their living concerns. As a result, the entire military showed absolute loyalty to King Sejong from top to bottom. King Sejong and his ministers didnt just rely on this loyalty. Opening official positions to people from the northwest and Serfs was a strategy to counterbnce the power ofndlords from the southern regions, serving dual purposes of talent recruitment and power check. Lastly, there was an entity known only to King Sejong, Hyang, and a very few others C the secret organization. At least in Hanyang and its surrounding areas, the movements of the powerful families were being reported directly to King Sejong through the secret organization. And Hyang was not idle either. Sitting in the Eastern Pce, Hyang opened a long wooden box and examined its contents. I hope there will be no need for these, but if there is, Ill make sure the other side experiences a nightmare. Just try crossing Gwanghwamun. Inside the wooden box were five long rifles, reminiscent of those seen in Western movies. * * * While the Sharecropping Law was causing a stir across the nation, leaders of merchant associations from all over Joseon flocked to Hanyang. Long live Your Majesty! In the front courtyard of Geunjeongjeon, the merchants prostrated themselves on the ground in unison, shouting out their greetings. We, the humble merchants, greet His Majesty, the Supreme Sovereign of Joseon! You have all worked hard toe here. Stand up straight. As the merchants straightened up, King Sejong continued. Recently, the officials from Area 51 have developed a new device. While this device could be used to establish a royal workshop, I believe it would be more beneficial for our nations interests to entrust it to you. Upon hearing this, the merchants perked up their ears. Seeing the merchants keen interest, King Sejong gave an order to the Chief Eunuch. Bring the Crown Prince. Yes, Your Majesty. Shortly after, Hyang appeared in Geunjeongjeon, prompting the merchants to pay their respects once again. Stand up. Yes, Your Highness. After the merchants rose, Hyang paid respects to King Sejong. Then, Father, I will take them and return. Do so. I look forward to good results. I will do my best. After bowing to King Sejong again, Hyang descended the stairs of Geunjeongjeon and stepped onto the courtyard, gesturing to the merchants. Follow me. Awaiting the merchants who followed Hyang out of Gwanghwamun wererge horse-drawn carriages, each pulled by two massive horses. The carriages are huge, Your Highness. Ive never seen suchrge horses before, Your Highness. Merchants, particrly those from the provinces, were amazed, and Hyang exined with a smile. These will soon be running on Hanyangs main roads. Please, get on. Yes, Your Highness. After ensuring that the merchants were seated in threerge carriages, Hyang mounted a horse. Lets go. Yes, Your Highness. * * * Wow This is truly another world! The merchants in the horse-drawn carriages continuously expressed their amazement. The paved roads were not unfamiliar to them, as some of therger provincial towns had started to have paved roads. What amazed the merchants was the scale. The roads in Hanyang were so wide that eight of therge carriages they were in could move side by side without any issues. These broad and straight roads stretched from east to west across Hanyang and extended southward. Rickshaws, the subject of much rumor, were running on these roads, carrying not only the nobility but also daughters ofmon households and courtesans. One merchant, observing the courtesans riding in rickshaws with a coquettish air, muttered, I heard that flower-patterned parasols (Hwamunsan) are the trend in Hanyang these days Now I see why. Both the courtesans and daughters ofmon households in the rickshaws were using colorfully flower-patterned parasols to shield themselves from the sun. * * * Hyang, guiding the merchants to Area 51, introduced them to the Automatic Loom. This is the device I wanted to show you. As the merchants examined the loom powered by an ox, they bombarded Hyang with questions. How many looms can one ox operate at maximum? Up to six looms. If more than two oxen are employed and the pulleys are connected properly, its possible to operate up to twenty simultaneously. Does it have to be an ox? Horses or donkeys can be used too, and in areas with ample water, water wheels are also feasible. What is the highest thread count it can weave? Responding to the merchants question, Hyang gestured to someone waiting behind. Following Hyangs gesture, that person brought a rolled-up cotton cloth. Take a look. Yes, Your Highness. The merchants, inspecting the cotton cloth offered by Hyang, then re-examined the cloth woven by the automatic loom with surprised eyes. Your Highness! This appears to be at least a 10-thread count? Exactly, its 15-thread count. With a bit more attention, even 20-thread count is possible. The merchants faces grew serious as they scrutinized the cotton cloth after Hyangs exnation. Your Highness, what about regr cloth (Jeongpo)? If this cotton cloth bes widespread, the value of Jeongpo will Could it be! Is currency finally going to be reintroduced? To the merchants inquiries, Hyang nodded. Currency will be operational within this year. After the exnation about the automatic loom, Hyang broached the main topic. Id like to sell these looms to you. The cost per loom is 35 nyang of silver. Its a bit expensive If you order more than 20, Ill reduce the price to 30 nyang each. The merchants fell silent, starting to do their cost-benefit calctions. To truly add value to the product, at least 20 looms need to be operated simultaneously. The Crown Prince mentioned 20 looms probably for that reason. Moreover, even though its automatic, human intervention is necessary. That means we need to hire skilled weavers and pay them While the merchants were pondering over various issues, Hyang added, The contract will be limited to the three merchant associations ordering the most looms. Area 51s production capacity has limits, and there are many projects underway. In return, Ill grant an exclusive right for five years. Upon hearing Hyangs words, the merchants made up their minds. Lets go for it! This is an opportunity! Exclusive rights mean a chance to lead the market! This time its too risky! Ill gather capital for five years and grow bigger! Its a time for strategic patience! The merchants, having decided their course of action, quickly wrote down their association names and the number of looms they desired on paper and submitted them to Hyang. Thus, the three merchant associations were selected. Chapter 146 Chapter 146 In the 11th year of King Sejongs reign (1429, a Gyu year ording to the Chinese zodiac), events unfolded thatter historians would describe as a period of shock and terror for the Joseon aristocracy, especially the local influential families. As spring arrived, the state examination was postponed to June. Unlike the dyed examination, the court openly recruited talented individuals from theypeople (Ja-ya), cing them in middle and upper echelons of the government, allowing greater control over lower-level officials. However, what truly shocked and terrified the local aristocrats were thews announced subsequently. Starting with the Interest Limitation Law and followed by the Sharecropping Law, these legitions devastated the economic foundations of the aristocrats. We cannot just let this pass! Exactly! Since schr Ahn is good at writing, let him draft the petition! We will all sign it together! Agreed! Influential figures known for their literary skills among the local aristocrats took the lead in drafting petitions and presented them to the local officials. * * * I think this is a mistake Goyang County Magistrate Han Min-cheol cautiously advised as he received the petitions from the aristocrats, but their response was harsh. Hmph! The mistake is being made by His Majesty! Indeed! Theres a limit to underestimating people! The magistrate just needs to ept our petition, thats all! Faced with the aggressive and arrogant responses of the aristocrats, Han Min-cheol, suppressing his anger, epted the petitions. Very well. But you are responsible for the consequences. Hmph! Dont worry about it! Leaving the magistrates office, the aristocrats gathered at the house of the eldest, schr Nam, raising their voices in discontent. The magistrate is too presumptuous! Handle the consequences yourselves? Is this some kind of threat? We must demand the repeal of the No Petition by Commoners Law! Its because they cant be sued that they dare to be so insolent! While most of those gathered loudly criticized the magistrate, there were some who worried about the future. But what we are doing now is surely going against His Majestys wishes. A young schr expressed his concerns, only to be scoffed at by a middle-aged schr. So, should we go back and retrieve the petitions? iming it wasnt us but our pet dogs who wrote them? The young schrs face reddened at the middle-aged schrs sarcasticment, who implied that he was behaving like a dog. The young schr retorted, his face flushed. Thats not what I meant, but His objection was cut off by schr Nam, the most senior among them. We are not the only ones writing petitions, so dont worry. Such concerns are unfounded. I apologize. After silencing the young schr, schr Nam looked around the room and continued. Its not just us writing petitions. Aristocrats from Honam and even Yeongnam are doing the same. Some are writing individually, and others collectively. Oh! Exactly! Upon hearing schr Nams exnation, the gathered aristocrats cheered. As the noise subsided, schr Nam advised the schrs. Now is the time to act boldly. Worrying about the future is just a needless concern (Ki-woo), and a behavior of cowards. Cough! Thest remark was directed at the schr who had spoken about the kings displeasure. The young schr, feeling humiliated, bowed his head in shame. * * * Sigh Such foolish people Han Min-cheol sighed as he looked at the pile of petitions in front of him. Writing so many of these, I wonder if His Majesty will even blink an eye. It would be fortunate if these dont end up as fuel in Gyeongbokgung Pces furnace. Tsk! Shaking his head at the schrs behavior, Han Min-cheol called out to someone outside. Is anyone out there? Yes, my lord! When a subordinate entered, Han Min-cheol pointed at the mountain of petitions. Record the names of the petitioners and send this to Hanyang. Yes, my lord. Following Han Min-cheols order, the subordinate gathered the petitions and left. As Han Min-cheol picked up his writing brush to draft a report, he suddenly burst into a slyugh. It would be interesting if His Majesty doesnt retaliate but instead responds. Maybe well see some of them suffer a stroke from rage? Han Min-cheol was previously an official in the Ministry of Personnel in Hanyang. A few years ago, after a collective protest by the ministers and senior secretaries, the tenure of local officials was shortened, and a rotation system between central and local officials was established. Han Min-cheol, who was part of the first group selected in this rotation, came down to serve as the Goyang County Magistrate. Having worked in the Ministry of Personnel as a fourth-rank official, Han Min-cheol had witnessed many debates where King Sejong or Hyang utterly defeated the ministers with sharp rhetoric. These nobles dont understand how logically and gently scraping at someones insides is more lethal than blunt force. Theyre practically begging for their demise. Remembering the ministers who, after being harshly rebuked by King Sejong, actively supported reducing the frequency and duration of the debates, Han Min-cheol quickly shook his head. Yikes! Forget it, forget it! I might have nightmares tonight if I keep thinking about it! As the magistrate of Goyang, Han Min-cheol certainly did not want to lose his peaceful sleep. * * * Haha this is really something Just as Han Min-cheol predicted, King Sejong burst intoughter upon seeing the pile of petitions. I expected this, but how can they be so blind to the reality Chief State Councilor Lee Jik responded to King Sejongs remarks. Its because they have so much vested interest at stake. Its the duty of the educated to know when to let go Tsk! After clicking his tongue, King Sejong began reading through the scrolls. Reading a few petitions, King Sejong irritably tossed one aside. Damn it! Theyre almost all the same except for the handwriting! No creativity! No creativity at all! Each petition started with So-and-so from such ce cultivates money trees and continued with The policies implemented by His Majesty are against tradition and vite the Way of the King. The quotations used were also mostly simr, prompting Sejongs critique of theirck of creativity. Read them. Yes, Your Majesty. The ministers, receiving the petitions through the royal messenger, also scoffed cynically. Kim Jeom reported to Sejong after examining the petitions. Seeing these writings, it bes evident how outstanding the recently specially recruited talents are. Indeed. As the ministers agreed with Kim Jeoms remark, King Sejong sighed. Sigh Even those who barely pass the lower-level examinations and express desire to study more, I granted them tax exemptions for 30 years, and this is all they can produce Danger! If were not careful, we might end up receiving another sermon! Sensing Sejongs displeasure as a warning sign, Maeng Sa-seong quickly interjected. Thats why the legition we prepared should be announced as soon as possible. Exactly! Please announce it quickly, Your Majesty! Sensing the same danger, the ministers promptly echoed Maeng Sa-seongs suggestion in unison. After finishing state affairs with the ministers in the royal study, King Sejong sighed again, looking at the petitions. Sigh Sejong, feeling stifled just by looking at the pile of petitions,manded the royal messenger. Go and summon the Crown Prince. Yes, Your Majesty. * * * Did you summon me, Father? Yes. I need the Crown Princes assistance. What is the matter? At Hyangs question, Sejong pointed to the pile of petitions. Hyang, seeing the stack, looked at Sejong. What are these petitions about? They are from those dissatisfied with the Interest Limitation Law and the Sharecropping Law. What would you have me do? To this, Sejong simply replied. Write responses to these petitions. Excuse me? Hyangs eyes widened in surprise, something that hadnt happened in a long time. Sejong exined more clearly. There are many petitions, but none worth reading. However, we are obliged to respond to the petitions that have been submitted. Wouldnt the Office of Censors and the Office of Inspector-General have something to say about entrusting such an important task to me? As long as you and I know, its fine. No, if you handle it, neither the Office of Censors nor the Office of Inspector-General will say, or rather, can say anything. Really? The tenacity of the inspectors is As Hyang continued to bring up the inspectors, Sejong responded with a dismissive expression. Choose. Either debate with me every morning and evening for a month, or stay silent. Those inspectors would choose to stay silent. Havent they already been bested by you several times? Still As Hyang attempted to evade the task, Sejongs expression turned stern. Make a choice. Excuse me? Decide whether you will govern in my ce until I write responses to all these petitions, or if you will organize records in the archives. Immediately after Sejong finished speaking, Hyang quickly approached and asked. Which would you prefer I do? Sejong, bemused by Hyangs quick change of attitude, silently pointed to a pile of petitions. Oh dear As Hyang read through the petitions, an expression of disbelief crossed his face. I see why Father called me. Just as Sejong had observed earlier in the day, the handwriting and structure of the sentences varied, but the content was essentially the same. Its not like Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V. The only difference is the rhyme at the end? No creativity! No creativity! Although Hyang and Sejong criticized theck of creativity, this was inevitable. Creating sentences in Chinese characters required strict adherence to rules, with rhyme (Yun) being the most basic and important. Whether in poetry or prose, maintaining this rhyme was essential for a work to be considered distinguished. To maintain rhyme whileposing sentences, a rhyme dictionary (Yunmu) C a list of characters allowed for rhyming C was essential for Chinese and Korean schrs. The problem was not just with the rhyme, but also the quotations used were mostly simr. This is really something Writing responses to each one would be tedious. If it were the 21st century, thered be an autoplete feature Ah! Struck by a sudden idea, Hyang began categorizing the petitions he had read into several groups. What are you doing, Crown Prince? Watching Hyangs actions, Sejongs curiosity got the better of him, and he asked. To Sejongs question, Hyang continued sorting the petitions and replied. I noticed that many petitions are about simr topics, so Im grouping them together. And what will you do after that? After sorting them by type, Ill draft responses and then print them. Huh? Upon hearing Hyangs response, Sejong moved to sit beside him. Sitting next to Hyang, Sejong closely examined the categorized petitions. After thoroughly reviewing the sorted petitions, Sejong nodded in agreement. Indeed. Though there are many petitions, the intent behind them is singr, so theres no need to respond to each individually. Nodding his head and giving a favorable evaluation, Sejong then let out a small sigh. Sigh The issue then bes one of sincerity. It would be said that we responded insincerely to the petitions raised by the people. If were to discuss sincerity, have they ever shown any to Your Majesty? After passing the examinations, they are supposed to serve in government. However, theyve been exploiting their studies as an excuse, just enjoying the benefits without contributing. That is hardly sincere, is it? Thats true. Eventually, most of those who submitted petitions ended up receiving printed responses. What impertinence! Even if he is the king, such disregard for us is not right! Many were outraged, but those who examined the content of the responses became solemn. Although printed, the content is clear andpelling! We have been outargued on the grounds of principle! Meanwhile, a very small number of schrs who received handwritten responses from Sejong himself were also there. Not long after, these few schrs received a royalmand toe to Gyeongbokgung Pce. Chapter 147 Chapter 147 In response to the heartfelt petition returned as a mere formality by the authorities, the local gentry immediately implemented their next strategy. Who among us has a rtive serving in the court? The second method chosen by the local gentry was to leverage their connections. In a tiled house in Hanyangs Bukchon area, among many of simr stature, two schrs were engaged in conversation within a moderately sized dwelling. Look here, nephew! So, youre saying you want to speak directly to the king on our behalf, right? The elderly schrs words were met with a troubled response from the homeowner, Kang Cheong-soo. Uncle, its not as easy as it sounds. Although I am a junior official attending the court, I am at the very lowest rank! And you would just stand by during our familys crisis? Are you not a part of our family? At the mention of family crisis, Kang Cheong-soos expression hardened. It wasnt just his expression; even his voice and the honorifics he used became rigid. Family crisis Uncle, may I ask something? Apart from myte father and us brothers, how many in our family have taken up official posts? Uh, well, you see Confounded by Kang Cheong-soos question, the uncle faltered. Kang Cheong-soo pressed on relentlessly. How many passed the civil service exams in my generation or above, and how many in the student exams? I know of more than twenty! But how many have taken up official posts, excluding my father and us brothers? None! Absolutely none! Thats because Kang Cheong-soos pointed remarks left the uncle struggling for words. Kang Cheong-soo continued his relentless interrogation. Bing a schr-official and passing the exams should naturally lead to serving the government. What have they all been doing? Just sitting back in our hometown? And doing what? Only expanding theirnd holdings without any regard for the broader world? That was for the familys prosperity There are limits to what is eptable in the name of prosperity! Ive heard rumors that within a hundred miles of our familysnd, one cant take a single step without treading on our property. Is that something to be proud of? Well, you see Even those who passed the exams yetcked schrly depth were granted the privilege by His Majesty to study further before taking office. And now you speak of a family crisis? Thats a bit harsh Kang Cheong-soo exploded at his uncles im of harshness. Harsh? How so? Thanks to this, do you know how much the court is struggling to bnce ie and expenditure? Those who caused the crisis should be the ones to resolve it! Dont bother me with such nonsense! Look here, nephew! Arent you also a member of our Kang family? Onlying to me when theres trouble and then talking about family ties! Kang Cheong-soos words made the uncles face turn beet red as he shouted back. How dare you! Disrespecting your own roots and yet serving as an official to His Majesty! I will not let this go! I will report you to the Office of Censorship! To this, Kang Cheong-soo retorted loudly. Go ahead, try it! Do you think I have nothing to say? Lets see if exploiting the benefits granted by His Majesty for personal gain after passing the exams is justifiable! Ey, tsk! The uncle spat on the ground, stood up, and turned away in response to Kang Cheong-soos words. I will never speak to you again! In fact, I will see to it that you are expelled from the family! Undeterred, Kang Cheong-soo replied. Please do! I have no desire to be associated with such unscrupulous people! With that, as the uncle left amidst the shouting, Kang Cheong-soo called for his servant. Maksoi! Go to the barn and bring some salt. Sprinkle it in front of the gate! Yes? Yes! The argument between Kang Cheong-soo and his uncle symbolized the division between the gentry residing in Hanyang, that is, the bureaucratic gentry, and the local gentry. * * * At the end of the Goryeo Dynasty, the newly emerged schr-officials, the Sinjin Sadaebu, became sharply divided with the founding of Joseon. One group remained loyal to Goryeo C not so much loyal, but rather keen on repairing and maintaining the Goryeo system. The other supported the coup led by Yi Seong-gye and Jeong Do-jeon. With the sess of the coup, the Sinjin Sadaebu who supported Goryeo went into seclusion in the provinces. Meanwhile, those who aided Yi Seong-gye and Jeong Do-jeon in the coup established a new power group centered around Hanyang. This was the first major split among the Sinjin Sadaebu. [TL/N: Sinjin Sadaebu is the elite Neo-Confucionist gentries] As time passed and the Joseon government structure was established, another rift began to form. The cause of this new split was the excessively small scale of the Joseon government, which had been founded on the principles of kingly way politics. This is the problem of good intentions but a disastrous reality,'' Hyang pointed out while preparing for the deration of policies at the start of economic reforms. From the perspective of Neo-Confucianism, or rather the essence of Confucianism, kingly way politics based on benevolence and virtue did not require arge government. Arge government could easily hinder the governance of the people through benevolence and virtue. Therefore, the early reformers of Joseon made its government exceedingly small. They also implemented the civil service examination system to widely recruit and appoint talented individuals. Up to this point, everything was well. However, the issue arose from the limited positions in the court and the continuous production of sessful exam candidates through the annual and special civil service exams. The tax exemption system was created by the court to ensure the livelihood of those who couldnt enter the court and to encourage a steady flow of individuals aspiring for public service. To study without the pressure of livelihood and thus introduce more exceptional talents into the court. This was the original intention, but it soon became a means of personal enrichment. Consequently, some pursued the exams not for public service but for personal gain, aiming for the tax benefits symbolized by the white and red tablets awarded for passing the student and schrly exams. As these individuals tax exemptions neared their end, their sons would pass the exams to continue the benefits, and the inheritednds through family division became capital for acquiring morend. The central bureaucrats were not meless either. They too enriched themselves through various meritorious service records and bribes and perpetuated their power through the unofficial appointment system. Thus, central schr-officials started taking the exams to monopolize power, while local schr-officials did so for wealth. The divide between central and local was not just about power and economics. Another reason was the ostracism faced by bureaucrats who returned to their hometowns after serving in the central government. This was a mutual fault. Those who returned to their hometowns often dismissed the local schr-officials C even their own rtives C as country bumpkins. Conversely, the local schr-officials scorned the returnees as arrogant opportunists. This umtion of attitudes eventually created a divide between the schr-officials centered around Hanyang and those in the provinces. All this happened in just over 30 years. As Hyang prepared for the policy presentation, he couldnt help but mutter bitterly with a sardonic smile. Didnt Teacher Sampeoncho say so? The reason Joseon became a mess with factional politics in itster years was due to its power structure being a terribly small pyramid. C Regardless of the era or history, the power structure is always a pyramid. And the very top of that pyramid is always upied by those who share the highest authoritys interests. The problem with factional politics was not just that the factions and their hangers-on upied the top of the pyramid; they consumed the entire structure. The power mechanism of Joseons court was too small, and that led to its downfall. To solve this problem, Hyang included in his policy proposal, which Sejong adopted and actively implemented, the quantitative expansion of the central government symbolized by the court. Moreover, opening the gates to people from the northwestern regions and the serf ss was a strategy to block the monopoly of power by certain groups. * * * While central and local areas, particrly in the south of Hanyang, were abuzz with shes, the northspecifically the northeastern regionswas equally tumultuous. The noise here stemmed from the various trials and errors encountered in the process of settling Joseon people who had risen through the Sa-min policy and the noble Jurchen. [TL/N: Sa-min policy is the policy that induced Joseon citizens to migrate to Hwang-hae and Pyeong-an province in the north.] Crash! Bang! These fools! Ill kill them all! With a loud crashing noise, as a table was overturned, the door of the administrative deputys office burst open. The one who kicked the door open was Kim Jong-seo. Swiftly descending to the yard, Kim Jong-seo reached the horses in just a few strides and mounted one. Block him! Block him! Catch him! Catch him! As Kim Jong-seo mounted his horse, those nearby hurriedly surrounded him. Make way! Ah! Deputy Chief! Whats happened now? These fools messed up the documents again! I already gave up on Woon-mok, and now Ive given up on writing my will too! But if they even get the numbers wrong, whats the point! Ill kill them all! Kim Jong-seos sides were adorned with two viciously glittering horseback archery bows. Seeing Kim Jong-seo armed and determined, not just the civil officials but even the surrounding soldiers rushed to stop him. Hey! Calm down! Calm down! Please, restrain yourself! Even if you go, leave the bows behind! Leave the bows and go! Ill assign some guards to you! The ensuing chaos was abruptly halted by an unexpected gunshot. Bang! Startled by the sudden gunshot, Kim Jong-seo and those trying to restrain him froze and looked towards the source of the sound. There stood Hwang Hui, who had just exited the administrative office, with a stern face. Where is it? Noktundo Ind. Ill send a dispatch. Youe inside with me. But Shh! Come into my room right now! Yes At Hwang Huis sternmand, Kim Jong-seo, who had been brought to heel, dismounted his horse and entered Hwang Huis administrative office. A soldier, observing this, spoke to a colleague standing beside him. Even the Tiger Kim Jong-seo is tame in front of Magistrate Hwang, huh? The hawk catches the pheasant. By the way, todays dispatch duty falls on Dong-su, you and me, right? At his colleagues words, Dong-su cursed. Damn it! Going all the way to Noktundo Ind will burn our butts! * * * As the Northeastern Frontier Development progressed, a rumor started circting among the newly relocated Koreans and the nobly surrendered Jurchen people, especially among the Jurchen. A pack of tigers hade from faraway Hanyang. Among these tigers, the most fearsome were two: Kim Jong-seo and Lee Jing-ok. The group the Jurchen referred to as a pack of tigers included not just the Joseon military but also civil officials. The initial appearance of the civil officials who came to the northeastern frontier with Hwang Hui was that of typical bureaucrats. However, as time passed, these officials became much rougher in their demeanor. More precisely, they had transformed into Jurchen dressed in official robes. As they carried out administrative work in the frontier development zone, the horsemanship skills of the officials affiliated with the development team improved dramatically. Initially, the officials stayed quietly in the development team headquarters and the new administrative offices, attending to their duties. But as the development areas expanded and the number of Joseon people and Jurchen within them grew, this became problematic. Eventually, the officials had to ride horses to various locations to carry out their duties, hence their remarkable improvement in horsemanship. But it wasnt just their horsemanship skills that made them akin to the Jurchen. Many Jurchen had surrendered, but there were also those who refused and resisted, as well as those outside the development areas who preyed on the settlers. Consequently, the officials often had to participate inbat. When they were told in Hanyang to train with bows, the officials had said: If a civil official needs to use a bow, isnt that the end of it? However, such situations frequently urred in the Northeastern Frontier, and the civil officials adapted. They became adept at using both the carbine and horseback bows, and when they ran out of bullets, they resorted to bows and arrows they had carried just in case, effectively taking down the Jurchen. Good heavens A Jurchen from the Orangkhai tribe, who had surrendered and was assigned to guard the Joseon civil officials along with Joseon soldiers, asked a Joseon soldier nearby. Are those noblemen really civil officials? How can they shoot arrows so well? The Joseon soldier replied nonchntly. In Joseon, even women can shoot that well. Archery was one of the basic skills of schrs, and among women from affluent families, archery was a popr hobby. Good heavens The Jurchen, hearing this response, couldnt close his gaping mouth. Truly, its thend of the great elders! Experiencing such events, the civil officials had essentially be Jurchenized, and among them, the most fearsome had be Kim Jong-seo. Meanwhile, Hyang, reviewing the reports sent from the Northeastern Frontier, clicked his tongue softly. Is this the Wild Wild West or what Chapter 148 Chapter 148 Kim Jong-seo earned the nickname Fierce Tiger through his struggles with the Jurchen people. The battle in January particrly solidified this nickname. January, the 11th year of King Sejongs reign. My lord! Theres trouble! As a worker attending to chores at the development headquarters rushed in shouting, Hwang Hui, who was reviewing documents, asked with an annoyed voice. Whats the matter? Weve been attacked! At the word attacked, Hwang Hui sprang up from his seat. An attack! Tell me more! Yes! ording to the report, the attack urred while the carriages, which had set off from Musan, were en route to Gilju, where the development teams headquarters were located. As soon as the word trouble was mentioned, Kim Jong-seo, who had just entered Hwang Huis office, took over the questioning. Where exactly did it happen? ording to the messengers report, near Sincham. While listening, Hwang Hui traced his finger across the map. Sincham Sincham Sin here it is! Having located Sincham on the map, Hwang Hui shouted angrily. Damn it, theyvee this far! Sincham was midway between Musan and Cheongjin. At the time of the incident, Joseons northeastern region had expanded up to Hoeryeong and Najin. Musan, bordering the Tumen River, was a frontier area heavily guarded by the Joseon military. The incident in Sincham, located in the middle of the Hamgyong Mountains, urred in an area believed to be already secured. This is maddening. It gets breached as soon as we let our guard down a bit To Hwang Huisment, Kim Jong-seo pointed out the reason. Were short on troops. Reinforcements are supposed to being soon. Well have to trust that. Meanwhile, whats the damage? The furs and wool collected by the Jurchen in Musan and nearby areas, along with the family registry andnd registry Magistrate! Upon hearing that the family andnd registries werepromised, Kim Jong-seo was enraged. Hwang Hui, without further ado, gave his permission. Take half of the men with you. Yes! With his response, Kim Jong-seo burst out of the office, shouting. Everyone out! At Kim Jong-seosmand, officials who had been working in various parts of the headquarters building rushed out. Kim Jong-seo exined the situation to the officials. Some damn thieves have stolen the carriages carrying the family andnd registries! What a damned situation! Those who deserve to have stones tied around their necks and thrown into the Tumen River! At Kim Jong-seos words, the officials, without exception, spat out curses and became furious. Itll take forever to rewrite all that! This was the reason for the officials anger. The prospect of having to redo their work. Seeing the officials fury reaching the sky, Kim Jong-seo gave an order. Form two columns! Snap! As soon as Kim Jong-seo finished speaking, the officials quickly lined up in two columns. This column! Get ready immediately! We must reach Sincham before sunset! Yes! Upon Kim Jong-seosmand, the designated officials hurried back to their rooms to don armor and grab their bows. Their movements were as quick and efficient as well-trained soldiers. In less than a quarter hour, about twenty fully armed officials rode out of the development team headquarters with Kim Jong-seo. Thud, thud, thud! Leaving behind a loud tter of hooves and a cloud of dust, the cavalry-like officials vanished. A merchant running a shop near the development team headquarters waved his hand to clear the dust and grumbled. What stupid Jurchen fools have caused trouble this time? By the time Kim Jong-seo and the officials arrived in Sincham, Lee Jing-oks troop, which had rushed from Geumpae, was also arriving. Hey! Chief Lee! Long time no see! Deputy Kim, its been a while! After exchanging greetings, the two men rode side by side, sharing information. Do you know which tribe it was? To Kim Jong-seos question, Lee Jing-ok replied with a voice full of sarcasm. Do you think theyll speak the truth? The they Lee Jing-ok referred to were the surrendered Jurchen people. Every time such an incident urred, the Joseon army would question the affected tribes and those nearby to gather information. However, the Jurchen would typically use tribes with whom they had deep grudges when responding to the Joseon armys inquiries. It was a strategy of borrowing anothers knife to kill C using the power of the Joseon army to eliminate rival tribes. At Lee Jing-oks cynical response, Kim Jong-seo nodded in agreement. Well, thats true. When Kim Jong-seo agreed, Lee Jing-ok added, As I always say, subjugation is more efficient than taming. How can we trust those Jurchen! At Lee Jing-oks words, Kim Jong-seo smirked and slightly shook his head. Lee Jing-ok, among those who were in charge of King Sejongs northeastern frontier development n, was a notorious hardliner. He had entered the military as a foot soldier and then passed the military examination. He had been at odds with the Jurchen before joining the Joseon armys general staff. If history had proceeded as before Hyangs intervention, after passing the military examination, Lee Jing-ok should have continued to oversee military affairs in Pyeongan-do and Hamgyong-do as a fourth-rank Jolje If were dyed even a day in those five years? Im dead, and so are you! So, tighten up! Mess up the data collection and have to start over? Youre dead. Make a mistake in document preparation and dy the approval time? Youre finished. Lose or damage documents that took so much effort to create and have to redo them? Ill cut off your air supply! Understand? Yes! The officials immediately responded to Kim Jong-seos threats, not hiding his extreme love for Hanyang. For the officials, returning to Hanyang early was a desired oue. They were all drafted from the court in Hanyang. Their families and acquaintances were all in Hanyang. * * * As things progressed, the officials of the development team came to regard Hwang Hui and Kim Jong-seo as mother-inw and sister-inw, respectively. Consequently, whenever Kim Jong-seo was scolded by Hwang Hui, the officials found it amusing and felt relieved. Why do you only scold me? After being repeatedly scolded, Kim Jong-seo confronted Hwang Hui, who simply replied, Because youre the Deputy Administrator. Excuse me? Should I go around scolding everyone for every problem in the paperwork? Its your job to first check for problems to reduce my workload. Conversely, finding the right person for the tasks I assign is also your responsibility. Silenced by Hwang Huis logic, Kim Jong-seo had no retort. But why me? Because youre good at your job. That doesnt sound like apliment. Right. But its all good experience for you. Who knows? Maybe youll take my ce after Im gone. At Hwang Huis words, Kim Jong-seo inadvertently revealed his inner thoughts. I feel like Ill die first. Quiet! Get out and work! Chased out by Hwang Hui, Kim Jong-seo grumbled to himself, What old manes here and gets healthier? As Kim Jong-seoined, Hwang Hui indeed seemed to have more color in his face since leaving Hanyang. Returning to his room, Kim Jong-seo saw Hwang Huis servant brewing medicinal herbs and grumbled again. Damn this tonic. * * * Recently, the ministers in Hanyang had been consistently sending tonics to Hwang Hui. The friendship among you ministers is truly admirable. As Kim Jong-seo admired the tonics wrapped in silk cloth, Hwang Hui grumbled, Friendship, my foot They just want me to keep working till I drop dead. This isnt a gift; its poison, poison! How about I take that poison off your hands Shut it! Go work! Whether it was an expression of friendship or malice, Hwang Hui diligently consumed the tonics whenever they arrived. The effectiveness of the tonics seemed evident, as Hwang Huisplexion was rosy, and he was more energetic than ever. So much so that rumors spread among the officials in Gilju and the entire Hamgyeong Province. Hwang Magistrate is aging in reverse! * * * After washing off the dust and fatigue with a bath and changing into his official robe, Kim Jong-seo returned to his office. Sigh. Seeing the pile of documents on his desk, Kim Jong-seo let out a sigh. Sitting in his chair and staring nkly at the documents, he muttered softly, The position of Magistrate He couldnt deny being intrigued by Hwang Huis words. For any official who had entered civil service, ascending to the rank of Minister or Secretary and being addressed as Magistrate was a dream. So thats why hes been dragging me along. Working in the Northeast Development Area was incredibly demanding and stressful. Therefore, Hwang Hui had set a system where officials took turns receiving ten-day leaves with each monthly report, allowing them a brief respite from the harsh conditions of the frontier. Considering the travel time from the development area to Hanyang, the actual days spent at home during these ten-day leaves were only about two or three days at most. Consequently, the officials would race back to Hanyang on horseback, sometimes even outrunning the cavalrymen carrying the reports. The advantage for the officials in the development team was the ability to acquire high-quality horses at a low price. In the Northeast, where excess meant skilled fighters and horses, and scarcity everything else, strong and fast horses bred by the Jurchen were plentiful. Thanks to this, the officials could return to Hanyang quickly without relying on ry stations. * * * Of course, Kim Jong-seo never received such leaves. Magistrate! Why not me? Damn it! Youre stuck with me until death! Kim Jong-seo only went to Hanyang with Hwang Hui for the quarterly reports directly submitted to King Sejong. Even in Hanyang, Kim Jong-seo couldnt enjoy life in Hanyang. He had to present reports in front of King Sejong with Hwang Hui, and after leaving the court, he didnt go home but apanied Hwang Hui to a gathering ce. At the gathering ce, other ministers, secretaries, and officials of simr rank to Kim Jong-seo congregated. The ministers and secretaries formed their own group, while Kim Jong-seo joined those in simr situations. Whats the point of all this? To Kim Jong-seos grumble, a man sitting opposite him responded with a simr expression. Are you also dragged here, Deputy Administrator Kim Jong-seo? Yes. And your name is Kim Jong-seo cautiously started speaking, and the man across from him responded with a smile. What an oversight! Sorry! My name is Hwangbo In. Currently, Im being dragged around by Minister Hyungpan over there. At Hwangbo Ins words, Kim Jong-seo also smiled and replied, As you know, Im Kim Jong-seo, currently on a leash, dragged around by Magistrate Hwang Hui over there. Initiated by the conversation between Kim Jong-seo and Hwangbo In, the group started introducing themselves to each other. The ages varied from their 20s to 40s, but their ranks were quite simr. However, they all shared one significantmonality: each of them was being harassed by the older ministersughing and chatting away nearby. Gradually, this gathered group started to bond andugh together. Even though courtesans were present, the sense of camaraderie from shared hardships quickly led to a warm and informal atmosphere among them. Its truly a good sight. Indeed. The ministers and secretaries at the main seats observed them with smiles. Sipping from the cup filled by a courtesan, Minister Kim Jeommented, In 10 years, maybe 20, those young officials will be the ones filling the royal court, enduring the monarchs whims. Thats likely. Other ministers nodded in agreement with Kim Jeoms words, emptying their cups. Their faces were filled with a mix of emotions as they did so. Weve indeed aged quite a bit. Yes, we have. Its been a tumultuous life. As Maeng Sa-seong mentioned, their lives had indeed been eventful. They had navigated through numerous significant events, including the transition from Goryeo to Joseon and the Princes Rebellion, surviving these crises with their resilience. While we bear traces of Goryeo, those young ones will not. They will be the true officials of a proper Joseon. Amidst the conversation tinged with a sense of resigned wisdom, Heo Jo jokingly addressed Hwang Hui. Of course, Magistrate Hwang is suffering along with them. At Heo Josment, the other ministers burst intoughter. You have a hard time too, Magistrate Hwang. Im making sure to take my tonic regrly. Responding to their teasing with a slight smile, Hwang Hui joked back, Do you know whats abundant in the northeastern region? Ginseng, deer antler, and musk from beyond the Tumen River. Ill send some to match your numbers. Since were all aging together, its better to go down the same path, isnt it? With that single retort, Hwang Hui effectively silenced the other ministers. * * * Hmm the position of Magistrate Muttering the word Magistrate repeatedly, Kim Jong-seo recalled the radiant faces of Hwang Hui and the other ministers and shook his head in disbelief. They all seem to be aging backward What tonic are they taking? I wonder if the royal court will be swarmed with old monsters in the future Contemting the rejuvenated appearance of the ministers, seemingly revitalized by the tonics they exchanged, Kim Jong-seo thought about Hwangbo In, whom he had met at the gathering. I wonder how Hwangbo In is doing? Sir! The Magistrate insists that you process and send the documents quickly! Understood! Roused by the servants urging from outside, Kim Jong-seo hurriedly unfolded the documents. * * * The report about the ministers and the poor souls dragged around by them was sent directly to King Sejong through the royal inspection system. Look at this? After dismissing the historians for the reason of rest, King Sejong, who received the report, sparkled with interest. The discernment of the ministers and secretaries is notoriously strict. Yet theyre dragging these men to pleasure houses, not even rted by blood? Hmm Should I summon them? Muttering to himself, Sejong soon shook his head. No, thats not right. It could expose the inspection system. Deciding that the risks outweighed the benefits, Sejong soon shelved the idea. After cing the report in a secretpartment, Sejong took out some books on phonology. Lets see what Ive theorized so far. Chapter 150 Chapter 150 Not long after the release and bidding of the Automatic Loom ended, good news came from Area 51. The research institute and Area 51 had started research simultaneously with their establishment, but it was only after almost six years and a lot of budget that a product Cmercially viable C was created. Its a sess! Sess, indeed! Wow! Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji, along with the researchers and artisans of the institute, hugged each other without discrimination, shedding tears of joy. Your Highness! Its a joyous asion! Indeed, Your Highness! Toplete it in six years! Sob! Hyang responded with a smile to the people who were crying with joy. You all have truly worked hard. While organizing a report to report to Sejong, Hyang grumbled softly. Its not just only six years; it took as long as six years. Hyang, in the 21st century, had made a model of a steam engine and a steam lotive that actually boiled water and moved. Initially, when Hyang exined the concept of a steam engine with the model of Herons steam device, the researchers and artisans were clueless, not even able to shovel, so to speak. In the end, Hyang had to use himself as a cheat key. Ive been thinking. Hyang started teaching the researchers and artisans with the blueprint of the early steam engine made by Savery and Neen. Even with Hyangs intervention, it took a year and a half for the researchers and artisans to create a model of the steam engine made by James Watt. The real shoveling began only after making the model and confirming its proper movement. To make a proper, or rather,mercially valuable steam engine, there was an uncountable number of experiments and creations the researchers and artisans had to undertake. The first thing they made was measuring equipment. Measuring equipment to gauge the force generated by the steam engine, equipment to measure the steam pressure created in the boiler of the steam engine, and devices to measure quantities and temperatures C the researchers and artisans had to headbutt the bare ground, so to speak, tirelessly. In this process, an unexpected by-product was created. * * * The first was a pencil and a pencil sharpener. Writing and calcting with a golden pen dipped in ink every time is annoying! We must find a solution! The eyes of those seeking an alternativended on graphite. A craftsman, examining graphite powder that had started to be used as a lubricant for machines that pressed armor, after being used for coating various gunpowders, created something of his own. The craftsman, who mixed graphite with y and kneaded it with water before drying and wrapping it in paper for writing, tilted his head in thought. It writes, but its too soft, isnt it? It breaks easily too. The craftsman, who tried various experiments in his spare time, eventually sought Hyang when he couldnt find the answer. Whats the matter? Oh, its nothing. At that time, Hyang was about 10 years old. Seeing Hyangs face still full of youthful innocence, the artisan waved his hands and stepped back. Hyang, intrigued by the artisans suspicious behavior, asked, If you came looking for me, there must be a problem, right? Speak up. Though young, the artisan, overawed by the powerful background of the Crown Prince, soon shared his concerns. Listening to the artisans worries, Hyangs eyes sparkled menacingly. Its a pencil! I always said Id make one, and here it is! Thats interesting. If done well, it could turn out to be a good product. Lets research it together. Hyang then joined the artisan in research. Or rather, he pretended to participate while giving advice. Instead of just drying it, lets try baking it. Bake it, you say? The artisan, pondering Hyangs suggestion, nodded. Right. While simply dried y breaks easily, properly baked ceramics are more durable. Thus, the experiment began. They mixed quality y and graphite evenly, shaped it into thin rods, and then baked them in a smelting furnace. Hyang, after wrapping the baked graphite rod in paper, tried writing on a nk sheet. After examining the result, Hyang turned to the artisan. Its decent, but lets experiment a bit more. Through experiments with different ratios of y to graphite and varying furnace temperatures, they created graphite rods with useful strengths. These three types of strength seem to be quite versatile. Yes, they do. With the graphite rodspleted, Hyang began to really y his tricks. And so, the worlds first pencil was created. They put a mixture of y and graphite into a noodle maker, pulled it out like noodles, and then baked it in a furnace. The resulting lead was ced between two grooved wooden nks, which were then glued together with adhesive. Even after further post-processing steps, the pencils soon became favorites among the researchers and artisans of the institute. Seeing this, Hyang, along with the artisan who initially suggested the idea, registered a patent and immediately prepared formercial sale. Seeing Hyangs ted demeanor, Jeong-chomented with a slightly troubled face. This might not sell well. Huh? Why? Firstly, the inconvenience of having to sharpen it. Thats also true for ink. Ink can be ground thoughtlessly, but with a pencil, you might end up bleeding if youre not careful. I see. Jeong-cho then pointed out the next problem. Secondly, it has a significantly shorter lifespanpared to a gold pen or a brush. People might say its not worth the money. That problem can be solved with mass production. But how many people in this Joseonnd write enough to use pencils in bulk, other than those at the research institute and Area 51? Why not sell them to Ming? At Hyangs counter-question, Jeong-cho promptly responded. That brings us to the third problem. Sharpening pencils produces a lot of wood shavings and graphite dust. Disposing of that is a task in itself. It can mess up the prepared paper. Schrs who value neatness before calligraphy will dislike it as itcks elegance. Thinking Jeong-chos point made sense, Hyang murmured with a face full of disappointment. I see. Seeing Hyangs disappointed face, Jeong Inji hurriedly interjected. Certainly, there are such problems, but if we solve the first and third issues, there could be some marketability! Is that so? Yes! Hyang, reminded of his 21st-century memories, thought. Ill have to make a pencil sharpener too! Determined, Hyang looked back at Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji. For now, lets just use the pencils ourselves. We find them more convenient than gold pens. Yes. Thus, the mercialization of pencils was submerged below the surface. However, it took a long time for pencils to resurface. It was because of the pencil sharpener. Being a de, it required high-quality steel, and that too inrge quantities. The next issue was the size. When the overseers saw the prototype of the pencil sharpener, resembling a miniaturized ne, they all sighed in unison. If we have to individually refine those tiny des. Hyang knew what the unspoken words meant. It would be more trouble than its worth. Back in his office, Hyang summarized the problems and muttered. To make it cost-effective, the des must be mass-produced. But manually there are issues. To produce them with machines. a steam engine is needed. Again with the steam engine? This isnt like 21st-century politicians ming others for everything. Grumbling, Hyang earnestly searched for solutions. However, it took longer than expected for pencils to be amercial product. * * * Although it was concluded that pencils would only be used internally, there were various issues with creating measuring equipment and a practically sized steam engine. Eventually, Jeong-cho gathered Hyang and other key officials to exin what the problems were. The first issue is the standardization of measurements. There are several units for simply measuring length, starting with Hwangjong Cheok (SR), followed by Jucheok (ܳ), Yeongjo Cheok (I), and Jorye Gi Cheok (Y). We need unification in this area. [TL/N: Theyre all standards of measurements] Upon hearing Jeong-chos statement, Choi Hae-San and Lee Cheon immediately agreed. Even when making various new weapons, including the matchlock cannons, we faced the same issue. As we unified to Hwangjong Cheok at that time, it seems appropriate to standardize to Hwangjong Cheok this time as well. Hearing the opinions, Hyang nodded. That makes sense. Lets standardize to Hwangjong Cheok. Once the issue of measurement standards was settled, Jeong-cho brought up the next problem. The next issue is with the measuring equipment. The institutes researchers havepleted calctions, design, and measurement units, but practical verification is not proceeding properly. At this, Hyang clicked his tongue softly. Tsk! I dont have much to say about this part I used to buy and install ready-made products for this. Having nothing to say on this matter, Hyang could only give a general answer. I think we have no choice but to learn through actual experimentation. Jeong-cho showed a slight expression of disappointment at Hyangs response. Does even His Royal Highness the Crown Prince not have an answer for this? I was expecting some clear solution. Expecting a solution from Hyang and ending up disappointed, Jeong-cho soonposed himself. I should reflect! His Royal Highness is just entering 11 years old! Even if he is extraordinary, would it be humanly possible to know all this at the age of 11? Rposed, Jeong-cho nodded. I also believe that only experiential learning is the answer in this case. Thus, it was decided that the researchers would embark on grueling repeated experiments. * * * Amidst these exhausting repetitive experiments, Jeong-cho, having discovered a problem, approached Hyang again. This is what I consider thest problem. It may be thest, but I evaluate it as the most important issue. The final problem is the issue of materials. Hyang immediately grasped the meaning of Jeong-chos words. Materials? Are you talking about iron? For now, lets try making it with brass. Jeong-cho shook his head at Hyangs suggestion. We thought the same and experimented with brass. However, we encountered issues with uracy. At this response, Hyangs face grew serious. Why is that? In response to Hyangs question, Jeong-cho exined the cause. The problem with brass is that the ratio of copper to other elements varies depending on the artisan. So then Yes, we are experimenting to find the optimal alloy ratio. However, the biggest issue is that it again consumes time. Budget is also a concern. Hearing Jeong-chos words, Hyang unconsciously ced a hand on his forehead. But after a moment, Hyang responded with a resolute face. I will do my best to work on the budget. Please, Your Excellency Jeong, research ways to reduce the time required. Yes, I understand. After finishing the conversation with Jeong-cho, Hyang went to see Sejong. However, before Hyang could finish speaking, Sejong scolded him. No budget! You, get out! But Hyang persisted and did not back down, eventually securing the necessary budget. Watching Hyang leave, delighted after obtaining the budget, Sejong grumbled. That child cant even confine him to the records office. Chapter 151 Chapter 151 The problem with materials was not an easy one to resolve. Finding the optimal ratio for copper alloy to make parts for measuring instruments consumed time and funds, and the same was true for finding the right material for the steam engines body. Hyang, along with the researchers and the overseers, created a scaled-down model of the early steam engine made by James Watt using brass. Following the sessfulpletion of this experiment, Hyang gathered all the researchers and overseers for a meeting. Would it be too much to make the engine parts out of brass? When the researchers proposed making the engine parts from brass, the overseers shook their heads. There would be problems with the supply of copper. Then, is iron the most suitable material? At Hyangs question, all the overseers nodded. It has to be iron. Would pig iron (raw iron) be unsuitable? To Hyangs question, the overseers unanimously nodded. Of course not. Its not suitable due tock of sticity. After a continued discussion, it was decided that the material for making the engine parts would be soft iron (mild steel). Returning to his office after concluding the meeting, Hyang couldnt hide his disappointment. Its a bit regrettable that mass production of steel is difficult with our current technological level. Although the ironworks in Anju produced iron inrge quantities, most of what was produced was soft iron. Of course, a lot of steel (hardened iron) was also being produced, but the quantity was barely sufficient for manufacturing various weapons and tools. I wonder if things will improve once the expansion of the Anju ironworks, as nned, proceeds. The court ministers, having seen the performance of the Anju ironworks, had all agreed to its expansion. Despite his disappointment, Hyang soon found a positive aspect and encouraged himself. Soft iron is good too! The iron rails and lotives that were prominent during the Industrial Revolution were made of soft iron, and even the Eiffel Tower was made of it! Instead of just waiting idly for steel to be abundantly avable, lets start making and using what we have! Once people get used to convenience, they naturally seek better things! With that, the production of steam engines using soft iron began in earnest. However, the manufacturing of the steam engine was sluggish. Whats the reason? At Hyangs question, Jeong-cho immediately responded. The quality variation of the iron we receive is too great. Really? Upon receiving Jeong-chos report, Hyang summoned Jang Yeong-sil and the senior overseer to investigate the cause. Following Hyangs order, Jang Yeong-sil and the senior overseer went to Anju to conduct the investigation. After gathering data, they exchanged opinions. The iron ore alwayses from the same mines, and the coal is also always the same. Eliminating suspects one by one, Jang Yeong-sil and the senior overseer identified the most likely culprit. Could it be the wind? It has to be the wind. Having identified the problem, Jang Yeong-sil and the senior overseer immediately reported back to Hyang. The issue isnt with the raw materials, the iron ore and coal. The problem lies with the wind. The wind? ording to Jang Yeong-sil and the senior overseer, the problem arose during the process of melting iron in furnaces. The furnaces were supplied with air by bellows operators, but manually operating the bellows resulted in inconsistencies due to various factors like physical strength and experience. But hasnt this issue been overlooked until now? Jang Yeong-sil quickly responded to Hyangs point. Because we havent made devices like steam engines before. Ah. To solve this problem, Hyang recalled his memories. It has to be that. Thinking of the centrifugal blowers used in 21st-century forges to supply air to furnaces, Hyang immediately started designing. With a working prototype created by Jang Yeong-sil and the senior overseer, Hyang proceeded to manufacture arge centrifugal blower using animal power. Thepleted blower was dismantled into parts and sent to Anju. It reced the bellows operators, supplying arge amount of air consistently, thereby maintaining a uniform quality in the produced iron. This process of oveing trial and error brought significant changes to Joseons metallurgical technology. Immediately, the ssification and quality of copper alloys and iron improved, enhancing the quality of tools, weapons, and metal products made from these materials. With the stable supply of high-quality iron and copper alloys, new artillery for the Joseon army was developed and deployed. Furthermore, these metal materials were used to improve the quality of printing types, leading to advancements in printing technology. The development in printing technology, in turn, spurred the growth of the paper industry. Not only traditional papers but also mass-produced yellow paper developed in Area 51 using pulp started to be widely used. After the Hanseong Great Fire, centrifugal pumps, derived from the blower technology, were manufactured. These pumps were used in water wagons by the Goldhwagun (܊) C the official name for the fire brigade C and for channeling water from rivers and reservoirs into canals. However, the greatest benefit came from the vast amount of data obtained in the process of resolving these trials and errors. The researchers at Area 51 and the institutepiled this data into books, enabling Joseon to move beyond relying solely on artisans experience. Unintentionally, through this ssification process, the field of statistics began to develop. Statistics, of course, means charts and graphs! Thanks to Hyangs input, the people at the institute and Area 51 began to skillfully use tables and graphs. The spread of these charts and graphs from the Treasury Department to the rest of the government was only a matter of time. * * * Hyang grumbled about the nearly six years it took, but this was a misjudgment on his part. Despite various trials and errors, sessfully creating amercially viable steam engine in about six years was indeed a remarkable achievement, especially considering the level of Joseons metallurgical technology. Eventually, while reviewing the rted records, Hyang had to critically assess himself. This idiot. This isnt the 21st century! * * * Amercially usable steam engine has been created! As soon as this report was submitted, Sejong, along with his ministers, headed to Area 51. Chug-chug, puff-puff! Watching the steam engine operate amidst loud noises, Sejong eximed in admiration. Ho! Truly marvelous! Well done, everyone! You have all worked hard! Your Majesty is too generous! At Sejongs praise, Hyang, the researchers, and the overseers all bowed deeply in gratitude. Sejong, looking at the steam engine with curious eyes, asked Hyang. Crown Prince, ording to your report, this steam engine can be used for many purposes. Where will it be used first? At the Anju ironworks, ss workshops, and mines, Your Majesty. Ironworks, ss workshops, and mines? Yes, Your Majesty. You may be aware that we sent a blower to the ironworks due to the issue with bellows operators. I know. It was quite expensive. Sejong, who was immediately concerned about the price, was vigorously nodded to by Kim Jeom behind him. At that time, the budget was tighter than now. The Treasury Department had struggled to allocate funds for the blowers manufacturing costs. Yes, it was expensive. But to properly use that expensive device, this steam engine is necessary. Hmm Sejong looked over the steam engine again carefully. While observing the moving parts of the steam engine, he nodded. I see. As long as the steam engine is supplied with water and fuel, it can operate continuously without resting, making it far more advantageous than manpower or animal power. The same applies to the furnaces in the ss workshops. That is correct, Your Majesty. And I understand the ironworks and ss workshops, but in the mines Sejong was about to ask about the mines when he suddenly stopped, then nodded. Ah, I see. Ive heard that draining water from the mine shafts is a major task. If we connect the water pump from the water wagons to the steam engine, that should work. At Sejongs words, Hyang nodded vigorously. That is indeed the case! Sejong the Great, indeed! Hmm Can we also connect these engines to the automatic looms? Now hes thinking about applications! Hyang couldnt hide his admiration and continued to enthusiastically agree with Sejong. Absolutely! Well then. Apart from the bidding price, well need to collect additional funds, wont we? No, Your Majesty. It wont go to auction this time. Oh? Why is that? When Sejong expressed his confusion, Hyang immediately went into exnation. Its because of the limited production capacity of Area 51. Ah I see. Nodding at Hyangs exnation, Sejong made a remark. With all the tasks youve taken on, its not just one or two. Its only a matter of insufficient personnel. If you give us more time and budget. Shush! Hyang, who tried to seize the opportunity to request additional budget, promptly shut up when he saw Sejongs fierce look. Anyway, you always ask for more budget whenever theres an opportunity. How long will it take to distribute steam engines to the public? I am thinking about 5 years. By then, we will have developed even better models. And the trade guilds willpete more fiercely, wont they? To Sejongsment, Hyang responded with a smile. At this, Sejong shook his head slightly. Ruthless child Terrifying Who did you learn it from The ministers standing behind simultaneously thought the same thing. Whose child is he! Whether Sejong knew the ministers thoughts or not, he made his decision. While we need to deliberate on the budget with the ministers, lets proceed with your n for now. I ept themand! * * * A few dayster, while Hyang was doing paperwork at the institute, a visitor came to see him. Your Highness, Prince Jinpyeong C the future Su Yang C requests to see you. Upon hearing the report from the eunuch, Hyang stopped his work and looked up. Is it? Let him in. Yes, Your Highness. Shortly after, Yu entered Hyangs office. Your Highness, its been a long time. Yes, it has. Despite receiving an official title, I heard you have been diligently working at the institute. Commendable. Thank you. Jinpyeong, who had always found Hyang intimidating along with his older sister Princess Jeongso, smiled as Hyang praised him. So, what brings you to me today? At Hyangs question, Prince Jinpyeong quicklyposed himself and spoke. Its nothing else, Your Highness, but I heard that the steam engine has beenpleted. As soon as Jinpyeong mentioned the steam engine, Hyang immediately realized the purpose of his visit. This guy is a metal fanatic! Yes, itspleted. But it will be a while before we can make a lotive. Why is that? While a usable steam engine has been made, its not quite perfect yet. It needs more time. Couldnt we develop it concurrently with the lotive? The lotive requires more advanced technology. We need to develop and refine these technologies first. Still The people at the institute and Area 51 have many tasks other than the steam engine. Therefore, weck the personnel, and the budget is tight as well. What could be more important than the railway! We should allocate all our budget and manpower to it. Before Jinpyeong could finish, Hyang shouted. You! Out! * * * After being scolded by Hyang and chased away, Jinpyeong immediately ran to Sejong. Therefore, we urgently need more people and budget. You! Get out! Chased away by Sejong as well, Jinpyeong walked towards Gwanghwamun, grumbling to himself. How important the railway is! Especially since Hyang created it and even His Majesty Mutteringints about Sejong and Hyang, Jinpyeong made a resolution as he crossed Gwanghwamun. Ill do it myself! However, Jinpyeong was not Hyang. No matter how much I think about it, its difficult to do this alone. But gathering people is another challenge Remembering that everyone he knew who was capable was already at the court, the institute, or Area 51, Jinpyeong struggled to find a solution. After much contemtion, he finally reached a conclusion. If there are no people, then Ill just have to raise them! A few dayster, Hyang received an unusual report from an eunuch. Jinpyeong is taking around Gu C the future Prince Imyeong? Yes, Your Highness. They came together again today. Where are they now? At the location with the railway model Lets go and see. Upon arriving at the room with the railway model, Hyang paused at the voicesing from inside. This is a railway and a lotive. Impressive, isnt it? Yes, big brother! It will be amazing once its actually built, right? Yes, big brother! Would you like to join me in this? Yes, big brother! Hearing Jinpyeong persuading Gu to join his work, Hyang muttered to himself without realizing. Is this a pyramid scheme? Chapter 152 Chapter 152 With the invention of the automatic loom and the winners of the biddingpetition determined, themercial world of Joseon began to prepare for its expansion. If things continue this way, Joseonsmerce will revive! No, it will grow evenrger! Many merchants started to actively seek opportunities, dreaming of a hopeful future. What could be profitable? Hmm shall I try trading with this item? Merchants searched all over the eight provinces of Joseon for items that would bring profit, as the scope of their trade expanded. In fact, their search was not limited to Joseon. More proactive merchants explored Ming China and Japan as well. Why go to Japan? Whats there to gain? Who knows? Its a ce where you could lose your head unexpectedly in a tavern, right? Thats why Im only nning to travel around Daehae and Guju! Many merchants sought new opportunities throughout Joseon, Ming, and Japan. However, not all merchants were equally proactive. As merchants who chase profits, we shouldnt recklessly embark on such ventures. Right. Formerce to truly expand, we need currency, which Joseoncks. We shouldnt risk it. We must face reality. Despite their varying values and choices, the overall scale of Joseonsmerce continued to grow. It wasnt justmerce that was growing. Craftsmen with their own skills began to actively utilize them. They had exemry models to follow. For instance, the couple Song Il-chul, who was gathering wealth in Hanyang through metalworks, and his wife, who was collecting wealth through financial investments, were the most notable examples. Not just the Song Il-chul couple, but the presence of craftsmen in Area 51, who hade to be called local lords, also motivated other craftsmen in Joseon to take risks. Among the craftsmen who took up the challenge, those who specialized in mother-of-pearl iy work saw the greatest increase in earnings. With the introduction of ss mirrors made by Italian craftsmen to the market, these artisans started producing variouscquerware furniture and essories with attached mirrors. These furniture and essories became a Must have not only in Joseon but also among women in Ming and Japan. Jihwaja! When the wateres in, row the boat! Hyang, upon reviewing the report from the Ministry of Taxation, immediately requested King Sejong to organize apetition. It was the 1st Joseon Furniture Competition. The first prize was 10 nyang of silver, a modest amount. However, renowned craftsmen from all over the country gathered in Hanyang. It was because of thepetitions supplementary prizes: From first to fifth ce, the pce would purchase all products made. The names of the winners from first to fifth ce would be promoted in government offices nationwide, in Shandongsmercial offices, and in Japanese offices. The key aspect was that the products would have a varying number of pear blossom designs ording to their rank, from five for first ce to one for fifth ce. Will it really be sessful? Upon hearing Hyangs proposal, Sejong was not fully convinced, but Hyang was confident. As it was already known through gold and silver articles, the pear blossom pattern symbolized the highest quality. Moreover, the situation involved ranking them. He anticipated a fiercepetition for ranking in the future. It will definitely be a hit! And the result was just as Hyang had predicted. The judges that were appointed, Queen Soheon and the other concubines, the crown princess, Yangje, and Yangwon, examined the submitted works with sparkling eyes. Seeing their reactions, Hyang muttered to himself, I recognize that look! Its the same one my mother and aunts had when they saw a luxury bag! Thus, the rankings from first to fifth ce were determined. As a result, both Sejong and Hyangs wallets were emptied. Though the submitted works were sent to Queen Soheon as a form of tribute, they had to spend money for the other participants. Despite the financial setback for Sejong and Hyang, what followed was as Hyang had predicted. The products made by the craftsmen who won awards in thepetition hosted by the King of Joseon were eagerly awaited by merchants from Ming and Japan, forming long lines. *** Not everything went as smoothly as Hyang had expected. Already discontented with Sejongs actions, the local officials began to fill carts with their writtenints once again. Upon reading theseints, Sejong called for Hyang again. This time, Hyang was prepared, having heard rumors of the influx ofints from the provinces. Do you know what to do? Yes, Father. Shall I start with these? Quickly pulling a pile ofints toward him, Hyang untied the scrolls and began reading them. How is it? Any worthwhile writings there? As Hyang diligently read and sorted theints, he sighed in response to Sejongs question. Phew What a waste of paper. Is that so I had hoped for some decent ones this time Sejong couldnt hide his disappointment at Hyangs response. He still couldnt suppress his desire for talented individuals. Well Given the ongoing shortage of talent Hyang understood Sejongs feelings. Despite being filled time and again, there was still a shortage of talent in the current Joseon government and administrative structure. Phew Whether this guy or that, they all go on about luxury being the fast track to the ruin of a nation, etc., etc. They should stop wearing silk robes themselves. While grumbling and irritably untying the knots of theints, which mostly argued that luxury would lead to the nations downfall and thatmerce should be strictly controlled, Hyangs expression suddenly changed as he straightened up and his eyes sparkled. Will you look at this. Hyang, meticulously reading theints, approached Sejong with one in hand. Father, I think Ive found something. Oh? Let me see it. Sejongs face lit up as he received theint from Hyang. As he read through it, Sejong pped his knee in approval. Excellent! Its been a while since Ive found someone with such deep thoughts! Indeed, Your Majesty. Theint Hyang found foresaw a trade dispute. No one would simply watch as others take the wealth stored in their own granary. Looking at Joseons current situation, we are garnering substantial profits from Ming and Japan. Fortunately, the products currently sold to Ming and Japan are mainly luxury goods, posing little risk of major issues. However, merchants will increasingly desire more profit, eventually even selling low-priced, high-volume goods. If we start selling everything from luxury items to cheap goods, we risk arousing hostility from Ming and Japan. If it gets severe, Ming, as a major trading nation, might exert pressure, and Japan could see a resurgence of pirate activity. To solve this, we need to carefully select items that wont harm Joseon, produced and sold in Ming and Japan. This way, the wealth obtained from these countries circtes within their borders, and Joseon can maintain a steady trade by only taking a reasonable amount of wealth, thus preserving good rtions. This is good. After reading theint, Sejong nodded approvingly and sorted it into a separate pile. Now, evenints were being used as opportunities to discover talent. This practice eventually became a trend, giving rise to a phenomenon called Trial of Expression, where people usedints as a means to achieve rapid career advancement. *** Ultimately, the local officials exploded in frustration when their arguments were once again disregarded. This is tyranny from the monarch! Can we even say that free speech exists in this situation? If this continues, Joseon will fall! In the eyes of the local officials, Sejong was turning a deaf ear and a blind eye, ruling tyrannically. What measures should we take? Indeed. Among the local officials, a tense and uneasy atmosphere was increasingly palpable. As the harvest season of Sejongs 11th year approached, Sejong threw several bombshells at the local officials. The first was the ve Law. A child born to a female ve will inherit the status of the father. If the father of the child born to a ve is amoner, the child will have the status of amoner. If the child born to a ve is ofmoner status, the mother ve will be granted freedom. If the father of the child born to a ve is married, the above uses will not apply. This specific part sparked some debate among Hyang, Sejong, and the ministers. Isnt this too heartless? To Hyangs objection, Sejong and the ministers all shook their heads. No, its not. A minimum level of morality must be maintained. Exactly. Without this use, there would be daily disputes in the viges. Faced with the firm stance of Sejong and the ministers, Hyang had no choice but to step back. Well, given the times Hmm A bit disappointing, but it seems fair enough. This was the general reaction of most local officials. However, what caught their attention the most was thetter part of thew. A use about granting freedom? Why suddenly bring up freedom? Thetter part of the ve Law dealt with the emancipation of ves. Emancipation of ves cannot be done during the spring hunger period. When emancipating a ve, one must provide enough wealth for them to live for three months. If a ve has a family, they must be emancipated as a unit. However, unmarried adult ves, both male and female, are excluded. At this point, Hyang clicked his tongue. Tsk. If they had included adults, it would have caused an uproar But still Pausing for a moment, Hyang let out a wryugh. This is the poison pill of thew. It seems that even Father has a strong knack for cunning strategies. The most surprising element in the continued regtions on emancipation was thest use. ves over the age of 60 cannot be emancipated. Ironically, this was a point strongly advocated by Hyang. Crown Prince, ording to your usual arguments, this part seems illogical, doesnt it? In response to Sejongs question, Hyang replied immediately. Not at all, Your Majesty. It is consistent with my usual stance. How so? Whenbined with other uingws, the local officials will inevitably have to emancipate their ves. In that case, the first to be emancipated would be the elderly, who have no value asbor. Ah! Upon hearing Hyangs exnation, Sejong and the ministers eximed in admiration and nodded in agreement. To himself, Hyang mumbled, Didnt my American history professor in the 21st century say something like this? The American history professor back then had told the students: -Before the war, Southern ntation owners were so opposed to freeing ves. But after the war ended, they weed it. Why? Because it gave them an easy way to get rid of old ves who were just consuming food without providingbor. Recalling her 21st-century memories, Hyang muttered with a bitter expression, Given the current state of Joseon, we cant even dream of welfare for elderly without family. Its inevitable that we have to pass this burden onto the local officials. *** Thus, in the fall of Sejongs 11th year, when the ve Law was promulgated, the reaction of most local officials was somewhat uniform. Its notpletely satisfactory, but its eptable. However, a minority of the officials scrutinized thews with suspicion. The uses about emancipation seem dubious. Why suddenly introduce regtions on emancipation? The mere establishment of criteria for emancipation is too suspicious to simply overlook. But why now, of all times? With these doubts, the officials focused their attention keenly on the movements in Hanyang. Soon after, anotherw was promulgated, causing the officials topletely forget their suspicions. Following the ve Law, the new legition was about the treatment of those who passed the civil service exams (like the saengwon and jinsa exams) but had not taken up official positions. The content of the newly announcedw was straightforward. Those who passed the saengwon exam more than 10 years ago and the jinsa exam more than 5 years ago, but have not taken up official posts, will be deprived of their tax exemptions. Furthermore, they will be removed from the local records. Only those who have retired from government positions or have been awarded honorary positions for their contributions may be recorded in the local records.'' It was aw that stripped the local gentry, who prided themselves as schrs, of their prestige and honor. Chapter 153 Chapter 153 As soon as the Law Regarding the Treatment of Non-Official Degree Holders, colloquially known as the Noble Law, was promulgated, a massive storm swept through the local officials all over Joseon. We must submit a petition immediately! This is the worst of badws! Right! Right! The bacsh from many local officials was natural as they saw the benefits they had taken for granted disappear. It was inevitable that a stream of petitions once again flooded into Gyeongbokgung Pce. Facing this influx of petitions, Sejong publicly criticized the officials bacsh. What is the purpose of the civil service examination? It is to select talents among those who wish to serve the country and its people! The distribution of red and white badges to the exam passers and the provision of various benefits were intended to enable those who were unprepared to get ready and contribute to making Joseon stronger! However, many are exploiting the countrys kindness for their own personal gain! Therefore, the country will no longer show such kindness. Only those who truly wish to serve the nation and those who have served will be treated ordingly. Sejongs public deration that without official service, there will be no benefits infuriated the local officials. Is this what a country is supposed to be! What are the ministers doing? If the king is going astray, shouldnt they risk their lives to stop him! Since the departure of former Chief State Councilor Ryu Jeong-hyeon, only cowards remain in the court! Gathered at the Confucian academies under the pretext of offering sacrifices to the sages, the local officials, one and all, bitterly criticized Sejong and the ministers. In the midst of this, praises for Ryu Jeong-hyeon and his supporters began to surface. However, there were no outright acts of resistance. They knew they were losing in terms of moral high ground. Thus, in secluded ces, subversive talks began to circte. The kings tyranny is a sign of the nations downfall! To save Joseon, we must change the heavens! We must restore the ousted legitimate heir of the former king! If we think about it, the expulsion of the former kings legitimate heir was dubious! This surely indicates a conspiracy! Among the local officials in the provinces, nderous remarks began to circte gradually. Naturally, if these remarks were caught by the local authorities or reported, it would cause an uproar. Therefore, the spread of these nderous remarks was exceedingly slow. Not all local officials in the provinces were engaged in such subversive activities. Exactly! This is how it should be! This is the properw! Surprisingly, there were local officials who actively supported thews promulgated by Sejong. Those expressing support were mostly retired officials from the local aristocracy. These officials, regardless of whether they were from the military or civil branches, were actively endorsing Sejongsws. They supported Sejongs decisions because, to them, the local aristocrats were an eyesore. While some are toiling away in the court, others are just sitting around filling their own bellies And acting all high and mighty Whats wrong with being a military official! As mentioned before, those who had served in the bureaucracy and returned to their hometowns often faced considerable ostracism in the local gentry society. Those who were ostracized weed Sejongsws. Now well see who the real nobles are! *** Sejongs view of the local officials was straightforward. The enemy of royal authority. Thus, Sejong aggressively implemented reform policies to corner the local officials. The intensity of these measures was such that even Hyang, who tended to view the local officials negatively due to his 21st-century memories, felt a sense of crisis. Isnt this dangerous? Ultimately, Hyang sought an audience with Sejong. Let the historians leave for a moment. After sending out the historians, Hyang instructed the inner court officials. Likely, the historians will cling to the door. Make sure they are sent far away. Yes, Your Highness. And you all wait outside the door. Upon Hyangsmand, Chief Eunuch looked at Sejong. Sejong responded to the unspoken question. Follow the Crown Princes order. Yes, Your Majesty. In the Kangnyeongjeon Hall, only Sejong and Hyang remained. Hyang, with a voice full of concern, asked Sejong, Father, isnt this approach too aggressive? What do you mean? Regarding the policies towards the local officials. At Hyangs point, Sejong smiled, but there was no warmth in that smile. Crown Prince, I know you often read military texts. I do have an interest in them. Hyang had extensively studied military texts to better understand and convey tactics to the military officers, particrly regarding the more efficient or 21st-century use of infantry and artillery. Sejong continued his questioning based on Hyangs response. So, what do those military texts say about pressing the enemy? Or rather, what does Sun Tzus Art of War, in the chapter on waging war, advise? After a brief moment of recollection, Hyang replied, When moving troops, be as swift as the wind, and when not moving, be as silent as the forest. When attacking and seizing, be as fierce as fire, and when defending, be immovable as a mountain. When hidden, be as unseen as ck clouds obscuring the stars, but when moving troops, strike as swiftly as lightning. You know it well. Then, what stage do you think we are in right now? Prompted by Sejongs question, Hyang began to analyze the current situation. In the midst of this analysis, Hyang sighed. Phew If this were a war, its the stage where the troops have already been mobilized. Upon hearing Hyangs words, Sejong nodded with a pleased expression. Thats right. Looking at the current situation, the enemy is unprepared, and we have struck a decisive blow. Can we stop here? If we stop now, the enemy will regroup and counterattack. But, they also have considerable power. To Hyangs counterargument, Sejong rebutted, Thats exactly why we cant miss this opportunity. Do you think they will be reformed under the current circumstances? No, they wont. Correct. Stopping here in the hopes of reforming them would only repeat the folly of Duke Song Yang. Sejong, referencing the overlypassionate approach of Duke Song Yang, left Hyang with no choice but to concede. I will follow your will, Father. I was merely concerned that those driven into a corner might resort to reckless actions. That would be a good thing. It would give us an opportunity to address potential problems. Yes. Though Hyang responded, the worry was evident in his expression, prompting Sejong to speak again. Crown Prince, what do you think a king must do for our Joseon dynasty tost a thousand years? Hyang hesitated, overwhelmed by the multitude of theories that came to mind. Seeing Hyangs struggle, Sejong smiled. You is it that you dont know the answer? No, its just that too many thoughts areing to me Sometimes, seeing you like this, I feel excess is just as bad as deficiency isnt wrong. I apologize. No need for apologies In my view, there are two ways: one is for the king to do everything, and the other is for the king to do nothing. Is it about being an absolute monarch or a constitutional monarch? Upon Sejongs words, Hyang quickly replied, There is also a way to appropriately share responsibilities with the ministers. Sejong shook his head in disagreement with Hyangs statement. Republicanism sounds good but is the worst of the worst strategies. Power and wealth, the more one has, the more one wants. If we rashly implement republicanism, there will be disputes between the king and ministers, among the ministers themselves, between the king and the people, and between the ministers and the people. The result would be nothing but the ruin of the country. But, Father, the two options you mentioned are also difficult to realize. Sejong nodded at Hyangs observation. Thats true. The first option, if the king is ipetent or a tyrant like Goujian, would lead straight to the ruin of the country. The second can see the country crumble due to the schemes of eunuchs or ministers. Theres only one way to prevent this. When Sejong paused, Hyang immediately asked, What is that method, Your Majesty? Sejong answered firmly, The people must be enlightened. Enlightened people must guard against the king and ministers straying onto the wrong path. Hyangs eyes widened at Sejongs words. Oh my! Is he suddenly shifting from an absolute monarch to an enlightened monarch? Seeing Hyangs expression, Sejong smiled slightly and continued, And this is in line with the political views youve expressed before, isnt it? Yes. What Im doing now is removing the obstacles between the king and the people. What do you mean by obstacles? True schrs who learn the way of the sages should enlighten and awaken the people. But instead of doing so, they are exploiting the people. Such people are only useless barriers. I will remove these barriers and enlighten the people. As Sejong exined his intentions, he looked at Hyang. For more people to be enlightened, we must create a new script. The current Chinese characters only lead to the monopoly of knowledge. Thats true. Hyang strongly nodded in agreement with Sejongs point. Well, its gettingte. Lets rest for today. Yes, Your Majesty. Have a peaceful nights sleep. *** Upon leaving Kangnyeongjeon, Hyang looked back at the hall and murmured softly. Listening to Father, it seems hes determined I just hope things dont get too out of hand. Hyang couldnt hide his worry over Sejongs firm stance against the local officials and sighed deeply. Phew I just hope everything goes smoothly. As he headed back to the Eastern Pce, Hyang continued to organize his thoughts. At least one positive aspect is that Father is stillmitted to creating a new script. Considering the materials weve procured so far, there must be significant progress After this issue settles, I can subtly offer advice. At the same time, Sejong, now in his nightclothes, looked in the direction of Eastern Pce and mumbled, Judging by his reaction when I brought it up, he seems to have thought about the creation of a new script to some extent. Once this matter is resolved, and theres more leeway in the research institute and Area 51, I should involve him in the work. A little help from him when we hit a snag should wrap things up quickly. The father and son, thinking differently while lying in the same bed, were a perfect example of same bed, different dreams. *** While the local officials were stirring in the provinces, an undercurrent was also flowing in Hanyang. Sir Leader. What is it? The leader of the secret police in Dadoong looked up as his subordinate approached. Whats up? Is there something? At the leaders inquiry, the subordinate cautiously spoke up. Recently, some strange characters seem to be entering Hanyang. Strange characters? Yes, they seem to be from our line of work, but they dont appear to be affiliated with Bukchon or Unjongga. Huh? The leaders face grew serious at the subordinates words. If the subordinate referred to them as eating the same rice, it implied that these strangers were either private soldiers or part of their own secret policework. The issue was that they were not recognizable faces. The leader of the secret police was well aware that the current atmosphere outside Hanyang was not normal. I have a bad feeling about this After pondering for a moment, the leader stood up. I will pay a visit to Bukchon and Unjongga. Meanwhile, gather our men and see if you can find more of these characters. Yes. And if we find them, well see where theyre heading. Yes. *** In a gisaeng house in Bukchon. The leaders of the secret police, who held sway over Hanyangs nightlife, gathered together. so I told the guys to follow them. After hearing the leader from Dadoong, the leader from Unjongga joined in. Our guys are saying something simr. Theyve seen a few suspicious characters around the Unjongga guesthouses. Hmm The leaders from Dadoong and Unjonggas words made the leader of Bukchon stroke his chin thoughtfully. Its true that the current state of affairs is a bit problematic. Sensing the gravity of the situation, the Bukchon leader looked around at the other leaders. Lets report this to the higher-ups. Chapter 154 Chapter 154 Late at night, at Kangnyeongjeon. Lets call it a day for now. You have all worked hard. May you restfortably tonight. After sending the officials away, Sejong had just changed into his night robes when an eunuch standing outside reported. Your Majesty, the Chief of the Royal Guard requests an audience. Let him in. Shortly after, the Chief of the Royal Guard entered Kangnyeongjeon, bowed respectfully to Sejong, and took his seat. What brings you here? In response to Sejongs question, the Chief of the Royal Guard nced around and then spoke softly. Urgent news has arrived from Cheonggyecheon. Sejongs face tensed up at the report and he extended his hand. Let me see it. Yes, Your Majesty. Following Sejongsmand, the Chief of the Royal Guard pulled out a well-sealed letter from his robe and handed it to Sejong. Sejong opened the envelope, took out the letter inside, and slowly read through its contents. After reading the letter for a while, Sejong let out a long sigh and handed it back. Hmm. Read it. Yes, Your Majesty. The Chief of the Royal Guard respectfully took the letter and began to read it carefully. After finishing, the expression on the Chiefs face was more serious than ever. Have you finished reading? Yes, Your Majesty. Immediate orders must be issued to the left and right bureaus of surveince. Sejong shook his head at the request. No, I wont issue them. If we issue orders now, we mightmit the folly of startling the snake by beating the grass. Inform Cheonggyecheon as follows: Find out who they are meeting with and where they are staying. Also, warn them not to be blinded by a sense of righteousness and make mistakes. I will convey your instructions. And, can the Royal Guard and the Golden Army be trusted? At Sejongs question, the Chief of the Royal Guard responded firmly. The Royal Guard is loyal only to Your Majesty. I will trust only you, Chief of the Royal Guard. At Sejongs words, the Chief of the Royal Guard saluted. I will not betray Your Majestys trust! After the Chief of the Royal Guard left, Sejong looked at the letter with a troubled face. Opening the ss cover of themp, he set the letter on fire and watched it burn on a copper tray, muttering to himself. Brother, I hope its not you. *** Upon receiving orders through secret channels, the secret police investigators immediately began their operation. Utilizing their members skilled in tailing and the beggars around Cheonggyecheon, they eventually started gathering approximate information about the subjects in question. Weve found them. Really? Where? At the house of former Minister of Law and Punishment . The report from the member made the leader of Bukchon secret polices face grow serious. Former minister of Law and Punishment Seo Dals father? Yes. At the members report, the leader smacked his lips. Tsk! Theyre really going ahead with their ns. At the leaders remark, all the members nodded in agreement. Everyone in Hanyang knew about the bad blood created between Sejong, the Crown Prince, and former Minister of Law and Punishment Seo Seon and his son Seo Dal. Will you report this immediately? At the members question, the leader shook his head. No. Well gather more information first. Who among our kids is good at scaling walls? Seems like its time for a game of cat and mouse. Upon hearing their leaders words, the members of Bukchon secret police started listing those among them who were skilled at such tasks. Simr activities were underway in the secret police of Dadong and Unjongga. The problem is the duplication and poor organization of information. At a meeting with only the leaders present, the leader of Dadong secret police pointed out the issue, to which the other leaders all nodded in agreement. It seems best for us to join hands and move together this time. Lets do that. Following their agreement, a kind of temporary joint headquarters was established. The more intellectually inclined members, serving as strategists, gathered to analyze the informationing in from members of each secret police. Those flocking to Hanyang now areing from the Gyeonggi region. Thats unexpected. I thought theyd be from the noisy Samnam region. Gyeonggi region Cant be helped. Its too far for them toe from Samnam. The strategists of each secret police started putting together arger picture with the iing information. As they pieced together this picture, the strategists realized they were missing something important. This feels a bit unsettling, doesnt it? What exactly? Can lord Seo really pull off this operation on his own? There are other nobles involved, arent there? Those nobles are just feathers, and the problem is lord Seo might be the body, but hecks the head, the brain. After initiating an act as serious as Bumgweol (trespassing the royal pce), do you think he can just retreat? The Bukchon secret police strategist, well-versed in the ways of the nobility, made a point that led the other strategists to nod in agreement. That makes sense. Its absurd to think lord Seo himself aspires to the throne As they pondered the question Who then is the brain behind this?, a strategist from Dadong secret police suddenly stood up. Gwangju! Gwangju? The one in Jeo Province? No, you fool! Gwangju in Gyeonggi Province! Ah! The other strategists gasped at the revtion from the Dadoong secret police strategist. In Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, was Grand Prince Yangnyeong. Yangnyeong had all the qualities to be the mastermind. He was originally the eldest son of the former king and the crown prince before being demoted. If hes involved, the influx of people from Gyeonggi region isnt just a matter of distance! The main force is from Gyeonggi! With Yangnyeong as the presumed head, the picture they were painting rapidly came together. *** Though demoted from the position of crown prince, Yangnyeong continued to live a life of turmoil. He constantly caused trouble with alcohol and women and roamed around under the pretext of hunting, creating problems. Suddenly, Yangnyeong would appear, conscripting local vigers as beaters for his hunts and squandering the resources stored in government offices and monopolies during his feasts. Comints from local officials and Ministry of Taxation officials became frequent,menting the hardships caused by his extravagance. Moreover, he frequently ignored the order not to enter Hanyang and visited the pce. As a result, numerous petitions from ministers demanding Yangnyeongs punishment poured in, but Sejong did not ept them. For Sejong, Yangnyeong was his political Achilles heel. *** Upon hearing the strategists reports, the leaders immediately issued orders. Find out where that nobleman is right now! Thats not advisable! The strategists countered the leadersmands. We control Hanyang, but we are outsiders elsewhere. Well be discovered immediately! Thats right! Its better to start trailing him the moment he enters Hanyang! He might already be in Hanyang! We should report to the higher-ups first and then scour Hanyang again! Following the strategists advice, the leaders sat back down to reassess the situation. After exchanging opinions, they quickly reached a conclusion. First, we report to the higher-ups. *** The report prepared by the secret police was promptly delivered to Sejong. Seo Seon, huh Should we arrest him right away? Sejong, grinding his teeth as he repeated Seo Seons name upon seeing it in the secret polices report, was asked by the Chief of the Royal Guard. Sejong shook his head in response to the Chiefs question. No, we will not act rashly for now. However, Chief of the Royal Guard, prepare the Royal Guard quietly. Its likely that we will need to move soon. Such an event is bound to happen. Understood. The Chief of the Royal Guard bowed and acknowledged Sejongsmand. As Sejong was burning the letter, he suddenly remembered something he had forgotten and quickly turned to the Chief of the Royal Guard. Chief of the Royal Guard! Yes, Your Majesty. How much does Seo Seon know about the armament of the Royal Guard? In response to Sejongs question, the Chief of the Royal Guard paused to recall and then answered. He was aware of the deployment of the muskets. What about the semi-automatic muskets? When Sejong mentioned the semi-automatic muskets, the Chief of the Royal Guard quickly grasped the crux of the question. At that time, it had not been deployed yet, but if its lord Seo, he would have anticipated even that. Indeed? Then prepare the long-range cannons well. But ensure that no rumors spread. I willply with yourmand. Its imperative that no rumors leak out. The Chief of the Royal Guard promptly acknowledged Sejongs emphasis on secrecy. We can use Area 51 for that purpose. I see. I will speak to the Crown Prince about this matter. The weapons used by the Royal Guard and the Golden Army were regrly maintained in Area 51. It wasnt just for maintenance. Area 51 was also the location where the Royal Guard and the Golden Army soldiers conducted live-fire training. After the Chief of the Royal Guard left, Sejong looked at the ashes of the burned letter. He had not shown the letter to the Chief because of one name written on it. Brother, please take care of yourself. *** Despite the unrest in Hanyang, Sejong did not cease his offensive against the local gentry. The final and most devastating attack on the gentry was the Tax Reform. From this year, all those earning an ie will be taxed. The tax rate will be based on the amount of property and ie one possesses. The new tax system, dubbed Property Ie Tax, was to levy taxes on everyone from tenant farmers to the local gentry. -The self-sustaining farmers will pay taxes ranging from a minimum of 4 pun to a maximum of 6 pun, based on their harvest, owned houses, fields, and the number of livestock they raise. -Tenant farmers will also be taxed ording to the same criteria, paying a minimum of 1 pun to a maximum of 1 pun and 5 ri. -However, if a tenant farmer cultivatesndrger than the average size owned by a self-sustaining farmer, and their harvest exceeds the average of self-sustaining farmers, then they will be taxed at the same rate as self-sustaining farmers. -Tenant farmers who properly pay their taxes will have their rights protected by the state. Although there was initial dissatisfaction among tenant farmers over being taxed, this quickly subsided. The tax rate was low, and there was an added incentive that proper tax payment would ensure protection from the state. For self-sustaining farmers, the system was rtively favorable. Although the tax rate slightly increased, the burden ofpulsorybor (tribute) waspletely eliminated. However, the local gentry faced a tax bombshell. The tax rate differed based on whether their houses were thatched or tiled, and the number of rooms in the house further influenced the rate. Taxes were also variably applied to thend they owned, based on its area and productivity. The biggest issue was rted to ves. The tax rate changed depending on the number of ves owned, especially those of working age. Furthermore, this tax rate was progressive. As a result, the taxes to be paid by the local gentry were significantly higherpared to those of self-sustaining farmers. The least taxed individual paid 30% of their yearly harvest, with an average tax rate of 46 pun. There were not a few who were taxed at an astonishing rate of 58 pun. However, gentry with names recorded in the local registry received a slightly more lenient standard. These individuals have served the country with the toil of dogs and horses, and thus deserve proper respect. Another blow was dealt to the gentry who now faced the burden of unexpectedly high taxes. All taxes must be paid in currency! -The currency can only be exchanged at the newly established National Joseon Exchange. Upon Sejongs announcement, the more astute among the gentry began to quickly find solutions. Its a hint to manumit our ves. Since ie is what remains after expenses we may not feel it this year, but from next year onwards, well have to hireborers. Those who quickly found answers were mostly those who had recently retired from government positions. Others, the majority of the gentry, chose to react not with eptance but with resistance. Lets submit a petition! Yes, thats right! Once again, petitions started pouring in, followed by news that local gentry from the provinces were nning toe to the capital to protest. Receiving these reports, Sejong assessed the situation. If it ends with just a protest, that would be fortunate. But theres a chance these fools might start something. Then, those in Hanyang will seize the opportunity. They know theres a limit to the forces that can be deployed to the pce, so they wont miss this chance. Traditionally, when the Jurchen tribes in the north or the Japanese pirates in the south caused disturbances, the troops guarding the pce were redeployed to the front lines. Therefore, those nning to trespass the pce were likely hoping for the gentry to rise up. Knowing this, Sejong had already devised a covert n, mobilizing the Chief of the Royal Guard and a few military officials. Having assessed the situation, Sejong sighed deeply. Hmm. With this opportunity, its time to settle some matters. Chapter 155 Chapter 155 In the Bukchon area of Hanyang. It was a wealthy vige of Joseon, where tiled houses of current and former high-ranking officials clustered. In arge 70-room tiled house in Bukchon, an elderly schr was seated in thergest room of the guest house. With all the doors and windows wide open, the schr stood with his hands sped behind his back, gazing at the moon in the night sky. Your Excellency, its dangerous to be in such an open ce. Hearing Nam Junseoks words from the front yard of the guest house, the schr chuckled softly and replied. Haha. What use is the life of this old man who has no power? If someone wanted me dead, I would have been long gone by now. At the schrs response, Nam Junseok implored once more. The great undertaking is not far off. You must be more cautious, especially now. With you here, what do I have to worry about? I trust only in you. Your Excellency! Alright, Ill be careful. Acknowledging Nam Junseoks words, the schr nodded with a resigned look. As the schr stepped back, Nam Junseok gestured to his followers, who silently entered the guest house and closed the doors. Leave the southern window open. I still want to enjoy the moonlight. Yes, Your Excellency. With that, Nam Junseok closed the doors and quietly ordered his men in a low voice. The great undertaking is near. Pay extra attention to Your Excellencys protection and vignce. Yes, Captain. Following Nam Junseoksmand, a group of warriors took up positions around the guest house for security, while others patrolled along the walls. Leaning on the window frame and looking at the moonlight, the schr murmured softly. A great undertaking Revenge would be more fitting. The schr was Seo Seon, who had returned from his hometown. * * * Seo Dal had to be imprisoned in the Royal Inspectorate jail for ordering an assault on an official in official attire. To prevent Seo Dals punishment, Seo Seon submitted his resignation, but due to strong insistence from the localmunity, Seo Dal had to endure 100shes. Furthermore,ints poured in about Seo Dals misdeeds, relying solely on Seo Seons power, prompting officials to demand punishment for Seo Seon as well. Yielding to the officials demands, Seo Seon was stripped of his public service merits and military titles, and was also expelled from his position as Minister of Law and Punishments. Your Majesty! I will ept my punishment, but please, show mercy to my only son! Seo Seon pleaded for clemency for his son Seo Dal, but Sejong ordered the execution of the sentence. The situation was further exacerbated by the Hyang (localmunity). Dont let him off easily! Under the order of the Crown Prince, the future authority, the soldiers carrying out the punishment struck Seo Dal with full force, a total of 100shes. A flogging of more than 10shes was often fatal. Therefore, the executing soldiers usually didnt strike so harshly unless the convict truly deserved it. Moreover, it wasmon for the soldiers to ept bribes from the criminals family andsh more leniently. However, the circumstances were dire this time. Hyang had stationed himself at the ce of punishment to ensure its proper execution. As a result, Seo Dals pelvic bones werepletely shattered. It seems he will not be able to walk on his own for the rest of his life. Upon hearing the physicians response, Seo Seon asked anxiously. What about his lower body? Can he still have children? The physician shook his head silently to Seo Seons question. Look here! This boy is the only son of our family! I will give whatever wealth you ask for, just please cure him! Sighing, the physician responded to Seo Seon. There is little I can do at this point. First, his wounds need to heal, and he needs to recuperate in afortable ce. Ah, I understand! Following the physicians advice, Seo Seon led his family to their main residence in Icheon. However, Seo Dal did not recover. The injuries sustained from the flogging led to necrosis of the skin and muscles, causing multipleplications. Eventually, Seo Dal died within 100 days. Seo Dals death brought tragedy to Seo Seons family. Unable to bear the shock of her precious sons death from the beating, Seo Seons wife also passed away. After conducting funerals for his son and wife, Seo Seon cried tears of blood and vowed. Your Majesty! I will avenge this grudge! And I will take revenge on those who worked with me for decades yet said nothing! Seo Seon, determined for a blood revenge, began to n his vengeance. I cannot do this alone. I need others to join me. To gather people, I need a cause. A cause As Seo Seon struggled to find a cause, an unexpected person approached him. Your Excellency, a visitor has arrived. A visitor? Who would seek an old man with no power in the backroom Who did they say it was? The servant cautiously answered Seo Seons query. He said you would know him by the name Yangnyeong. Crash! Startled by the servants response, Seo Seon pushed away his desk and rose to his feet. Grand Prince Yangnyeong is here! The heavens have heard my prayers! Thank you, heavens! Barefoot, Seo Seon rushed into the courtyard, where he saw Yangnyeong dressed in a splendid robe, surrounded by warriors. Seo Seon ran towards them and prostrated himself. I greet Your Highness the Grand Prince! I came quickly upon hearing of your sorrow, but it seems I amte. My apologies. No, not at all! Please,e inside! It was a meeting of two individuals who harbored resentment against Sejong. * * * In front of Sejong, he wore a frivolous smile, but his resentment towards Grand Prince Yangnyeong could never be appeased. That ce was mine! Each time Yangnyeong looked down at Sejong seated in Geunjeongjeon, he had to forcibly suppress the rage boiling within him. Yangnyeong, in his own right, was capable, but hispetence was overshadowed by various incidents and idents. At the root of such incidents caused by Yangnyeongy his intense self-love. Behind this extreme narcissism of Yangnyeong were Taejong and Queen Wongyeong. ording to records, Grand Prince Yangnyeong was Taejongs eldest son. However, in reality, there were three sons older than Yangnyeong, but all three passed away at a young age, too young to even be recorded in the family registry. Born in such circumstances and having survived the crisis, the affection Taejong and Queen Wongyeong had for Yangnyeong was iparable. Of course, they also loved Hyoryeong and Chungnyeong ter Sejong but the one who received the most love was, undoubtedly, Yangnyeong. Receiving excessive affection from his parents, Yangnyeong became self-centered. Due to his strong narcissism, Yangnyeong turned into an extreme egotist, which led to significant problems after he became the Crown Prince. Before considering the responsibilities of the Crown Prince, Yangnyeong, intoxicated by the power it brought, caused various incidents. Among the incidents caused by Yangnyeong were many rted to women. He also caused Taejong headaches by recklessly catching and raising falcons under the guise of hunting. Whenever such incidents urred, the court officials would be in an uproar, and Taejong had to reprimand Yangnyeong. However, Yangnyeongs response to the reprimands was short-lived. Later, he even began to rebel in those very situations. What to do with this Taejong, seeking a solution for the ever-wayward Yangnyeong, turned his attention to Chungnyeong. [TL/N: Chungyeong is Sejongs birth name before he was enthroned as King.] At that time, Chungnyeongs outstanding schrship and orderly life were widely renowned. Yes! If I elevate Chungnyeong, even the Crown Prince wille to his senses! Taejong chose Chungnyeong as a stimulus for Yangnyeong. However, this led to an unexpected oue: a rivalry ensued between the Crown Prince and Chungnyeong. Eventually, unable to ovee the aftermath of the purge resulting from the rivalry with Chungnyeong and Taejongs frequent abdication disturbances, Yangnyeong ended up ruining his own life. When Taejong decided to rece the Crown Prince, Queen Wongyeong opposed it. Ousting the elder brother to ce the younger is the root of rebellion. It cannot be done! (Note 1) Taejong even considered making the young prince the Crown Prince due to Queen Wongyeongs valid opposition. However, the young prince was only five years old at the time. Taejong, whose health was deteriorating due to a stroke, could not make a choice that would destabilize royal authority. Thus, on the day the change of the Crown Prince was decided, the now deposed Grand Prince Yangnyeong, yelled at Prince Chungnyeong, who had taken his ce. All of this happened because you tattled to father about everything I did! (Note 1) * * * Although Yangnyeong was ousted from power, he never gave up. The throne of Geunjeongjeon should have been mine! Every time he heard the people on the streets praising Sejong, Yangnyeong had to grit his teeth. I could have done just as well! In his residence in Gwangju, consumed with rage, Yangnyeong resolved himself. I will surely reim it! I was called Kwa Haji Yok (a term of contempt, literally meaning the one who crawled between the legs). I will thoroughly humble myself! As Yangnyeong recited the anecdote of Han Xin crawling between the legs of bandits, he resolved himself to endure humiliation and bide his time. Dreaming of a resurgence, Grand Prince Yangnyeong began his preparations step by step. Under the pretext of hunting, he traveled across Joseon, gathering men of exceptional valor. iming to make arrows for hunting, he covertly collected iron by raiding local government storerooms. Of course, to avoid suspicion, he gathered little by little from various ces. Then, under the guise of throwing a feast, he raided the storerooms again to amass wealth for military funds. Even amidst these activities, he made sure to appropriately support Sejongs initiatives. When Sejong proposed reducing thend grants to the royal family and providing them in kind instead, Yangnyeong subtly resisted but eventually supported the decision. He followed this pattern of mild criticism andpliance with other policies as well. This was his way of reassuring Sejong while also maintaining favor with other royal family members. * * * Despite his meticulous preparations, Yangnyeong faced a significant shortfall. I need someone in the court to support me. Anticipating a major purge when he reimed the throne, he needed individuals to fill those positions. It was clear that filling these roles with outsiders from the literati would not work efficiently. He needed someone in the court who could move the officials on his behalf. Who could be suitable for this role? While pondering over candidates suitable for these positions, Yangnyeong heard that Seo Seon, who had been dismissed from his post, had returned to Icheon. Its divine providence! With this thought, Yangnyeong sprang into action. Grand Prince Yangnyeong and Seo Seon, sharing amon enemy, quickly joined forces. With Yangnyeongs support, Seo Seon moved swiftly and quietly. The soldiers guarding Gyeongbokgung are armed with muskets. We need muskets too. Can you acquire them? We cant get the ones made by the Crown Prince, but we can find craftsmen who can make older models like the conventional muskets. The problem is the gunpowder. Seo Seon began searching for retired gunpowder makers. Having located these retired individuals, Seo Seon took their families hostage to coerce them into making gunpowder. The most crucial ingredient, sulfur, was surprisingly easy to obtain, as a significant amount was avable in medicinal herbs collected for treating sores. Thus, by February of the 11th year of Sejongs reign, with preparations somewhatplete, Seo Seon reported to Yangnyeong. The time hase to enter Hanyang. This year, something big will happen in Joseon. Are you suggesting we use the uing tax reform, as per the Economic Reforms policy, to our advantage? Yes. Given his nature, he will definitely stick to the schedule, and the local leaders wont sit idly by. Being one of the central figures in the Economic Reforms project, Seo Seon could choose the right moment. Upon Seo Seons suggestion, Grand Prince Yangnyeong swiftly made his decision. Good. Lets proceed. * * * Note 1: Sejong Daewang Sillok: A Single-Volume Read by Park Young-gyu, Woongjin Knowledge House. Chapter 156 Chapter 156 Once Yangnyeong made his decision, he and Seo Seon began to move quietly. Well enter Hanyang in March. But if we all go in at once, well draw attention. Lets divide the people and enter in small groups. Yes, My Lord. Na Jun-seok, the leader of the warriors, promptly responded to Seo Seonsmand. Then, lets proceed. My Lord. What about the gunpowder artisans? The gunpowder artisans Were there other craftsmen too? Yes. Including those brought in for making muskets, there are five craftsmen, and their families number 23 in total. Upon hearing Na Jun-seoks report, Seo Seon pondered for a moment before issuing his order. Silence them permanently. Na Jun-seok lifted his head in shock at Seo Seons ruthlessmand. Seeing the worry on Na Jun-seoks face, Seo Seon continued. Its for the greater cause. Sacrifice the small for the greater good Its an unavoidable action. Carry out the order. Na Jun-seok bit his lip and bowed his head. Yes, My Lord. After receiving the order and stepping outside, Na Jun-seok sighed deeply. I gave up on paradise when I took up the sword, but now Im certainly destined for hell. Following Seo Seonsmand, Seo Seon and Yangnyeongs private soldiers dealt with the craftsmen and their families. *** Could this be discovered? Looking at the scattered corpses around, a subordinate asked the question, to which Na Jun-seok calmly replied. Wild animals will take care of them in less than five days. Leave the bodies, but search for and destroy any potential evidence. Yes. As the subordinate led the other soldiers to search the cksmiths and gunpowder workshops, another subordinate rushed in with a report. Should we burn down the workshops? Large smoke will attract the attention of the officials. Just demolish them. Understood. Thus, the craftsmen and their families fell victim to a merciless purge. *** After organizing their surroundings, Seo Seon and Grand Prince Yangnyeong began to discreetly move their private soldiers into Hanyang in small groups. Seo Seon was the first to enter Hanyang. Returning to his house in Bukchon, Seo Seon immediately called his servants and began to win over officials in the court. Seo Seon, having served as Minister of Justice, knew that many officials were dissatisfied with Sejongs Economic Reforms. Moreover, Seo Seon rejoiced upon hearing that this year Sejong had appointed external talents as court officials through various channels. Theyre digging their own graves! Seizing the opportunity of the local leaders strong opposition to external talent recruitment and various reform policies, Seo Seon gradually won over the officials. His targets were those who wished to rise higher but were blocked by the new talent recruitment, as well as those who prioritized their familys interests over the state and its people. Another criterion was those with middle and lower ranks. These are the waist and limbs of the court. With them, we can easily gather information and paralyze the court when necessary. Seo Seon was cunning in his approach. To the officials he won over, Seo Seon said: Observing the kings actions from the outside, it seems quite perilous. Then why not submit a petition? If its from you, My Lord, the king will surely take interest. Seo Seon shook his head at the officials suggestion. I would like to petition, but as a man guilty of great crimes, I cannot. I am merely waiting for the right time. Thats why Im asking for your help. Help in what way? If the situation bes more perilous, then I must submit a petition. At that time, lend me your strength. That wont be difficult. And one more thing. Being disconnected like a kite without a string, I only know of Hanyang and the area around my hometown. Can you keep me informed about the national situation? So I wont miss the right moment. Understanding Seo Seons right moment as the time to submit a petition, the officials readily nodded. Yes, we will do so. This way, Seo Seon could quickly gather information about movements in the provinces. *** However, with continuous arrival of private soldiers from Icheon and Gwangju, it was inevitable that they would attract attention. It seems like rats are scurrying about. Rats? Yes. Upon hearing Na Jun-seoks response, Seo Seons face hardened. Have we been discovered? However, after briefly analyzing the situation, Seo Seon smirked and muttered to himself. It cant be Gyeongbokgung. With his lineage, he wouldnt stay quiet like this Then, could it be the Secret Police? Recalling his time at the Ministry of Justice and memories of Hanyangs security, Seo Seon turned to Na Jun-seok. Is it the Secret Police? It appeared so. Upon Na Jun-seoks reply, Seo Seon quickly gave an order. Eliminate them. Can you make it look like a fight among the Secret Police themselves? Its possible. Then do so. Yes. Thus, the night in Hanyang was stained with blood. A quiet yet deadly battle ensued between the Secret Police agents seeking more information and the private soldiers trying to stop them. Consequently, bodies stabbed with swords began to float up in Cheonggyecheon every two to three days, creating unrest among Hanyangs citizens and leading to intensified security operations by the police. As the situation escted, the leaders of the Secret Police reported to Sejong. The order has been given by the king. At the leadersmand, the agents straightened up and focused their attention. The leader, gritting his teeth, conveyed Sejongs order. The king has ordered us not to approach the danger any further. Isnt there going to be any revenge? No, not until those damned dogs make their move. Damn it! This is infuriating! The agents exploded in frustration at the leadersmand. As expletives flew from every direction, the leader shouted. Quiet! You bastards, shut up! As the agents fell silent, the leader continued. I understand your frustration, but we must not act rashly and disturb the peace. When they make their move, we can exact our revenge. Understood? Yes, leader. Instead, the king has ordered us to thoroughly investigate who this damned traitor is meeting with. Find every single person who enters and leaves that traitors house and identify them. This is the kingsmand. Understood. The agents suppressed their anger and epted the orders. As the mood among the agents settled, the leader brought out a small wooden box. The king sent this for those who died or were injured. Opening the lid, the box revealed yellow gold and silver ingots, and on top, a namete with names personally written by Sejong. The kingsmand is to distribute these to the families of the deceased and injured. However, the nametes must be stored separately here. His grace is boundless! Ah! The agents were deeply moved, prostrating themselves on the ground and expressing their gratitude. Observing this, the leader continued. Even for the likes of us, the king keeps his promises. Commit your lives to this cause! Yes! *** Not long after Hanyangs Secret Police came under Sejongs control through the efforts of the aromatic operation, Sejong went out in disguise to meet with the Secret Police. Greetings to His Majesty! The agents from Bukchon, Dadong, and Unjongga, gathered at one of Unjonggas pavilions, trembled and prostrated themselves as soon as they saw Sejong. Shh! Quiet! I am incognito right now. Sejong, with a smile in his voice,manded them. Yes, Your Majesty! Having gathered the Secret Police, Sejong then told them the truth. I have taken you under mymand, but I cannot announce this fact. Firstly, because you are the Secret Police. The moment I make this public, there will be more than a few who will rise in rebellion. Furthermore, your wrongdoings be my wrongdoings. Yes. The agents nodded, understanding Sejongs words. They themselves were well aware of their own conduct. The leader continued, observing their reaction. Secondly, and most importantly, you must be my hidden eyes and ears. If your existence is revealed, those harboring ill intentions will hide deeper, and greater sacrifices will be required. Do you understand? Yes, Your Majesty! Therefore, I regretfully must put you through hardship. Others may not know, but I and those who follow me will recognize your struggles. I promise! I cannot give you public rewards or rights! But if you die or are injured, I will surelypensate, and you will be remembered. This is a promise on my royal honor. At Sejongs words, the leaders and agents all replied in unison. We will spare no effort for His Majesty and the country! *** Following Sejongsmand, the Secret Police stepped back. Recently, we havent seen any Secret Police activity. Hearing Na Jun-seoks report, Seo Seon casually responded. They must have felt the difference in strength and backed off. What if they have something else nned? Those are just parasites living off the money of courtesans. Do they even have the capability for such a n? Responding to Na Jun-seoks concern, Seo Seon pointed out the reality. Scared of them hastening our grand n? Moving now would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. The best course is to strengthen our guard and make thorough preparations. Understood. As Na Jun-seok left, Seo Seon muttered softly. Revenge against him and his offspringes first. The sess or failure of the grand n is secondary. Stepping outside, Na Jun-seok sighed deeply. Ah Seo Seons words are not wrong, but why this unease But the sword is already drawn Na Jun-seok hastened his subordinates to stay vignt. However, he knew well that for Seo Seon, the priority was not the sess of the n, but revenge. That was the source of his unease. *** Secretly bring the hidden military explosives into the pce. Ah Receiving the secret message through the captain of the royal guard, Hyang sighed deeply. After burning the message, Hyang asked the captain. What about attacking now? The issue with the military explosives and the need to keep some hidden until the end make it impossible, asmanded. I see. Ah Hyang sighed again, considering other issues. Can we trust the loyalty of the Inner Pce Guards and the Golden Army? Weve already identified potential suspects. I see. Next issue, using the secret military explosives requires cannons, but does the Golden Army have artillerymen? Yes, we do. Hmm Hyang pondered the situation, considering the words of the Inner Pce Guard Captain. Relying solely on the walls of Gyeongbokgung for defense is impractical, and firing cannons from Gwanghwamun Gate Tower could destroy nearby civilian houses Ultimately, the battle will need to be fought near Geunjeongjeon, but the cannons could be too cumbersome there Analyzing various scenarios, Hyang irritably scratched his head after removing his official hat. Ah! If only we had machine guns at a time like this! What is a machine gun? At the Inner Pce Guard Captains question, Hyang waved his hand dismissively. Ah! Its a type of firearm Im conceptualizing! But why do we need the secret military explosives? Because lord Seo is already aware of the existence of firearms, hell surely be well-prepared for them. Indeed Hyang nodded at the captains words but looked displeased. The lethal range of the secret military explosives is too extensive After a moment of contemtion, Hyang stood up. Would you apany me for a moment? I believe there might be a more suitable solution than the secret military explosives. Yes? Yes. Hyang led the Inner Pce Guard Captain to the testing area of Area 51. When they arrived at the testing ground, a prepared item was already there, brought by a court eunuch sent ahead. What is this? It looks like a juggling ball. Seeing the unfamiliar object, the Inner Pce Guard Captain turned to Hyang. Hyang briefly replied to his question. This is called a throwing bomb. It was a hand grenade. Chapter 157 Chapter 157 A throwing bomb? Yes. Its like a smaller version of the secret military explosives that can be used by regr soldiers. Hmm As the Inner Pce Guard Captain inspected the throwing bomb, Hyang gestured to a soldier standing nearby. Let me show you how to use it. Yes. The soldier approached, and Hyang opened the bottom cap of the bomb by twisting it. The lower part of the opened pouch was sealed with paper, bulging out in the middle. This bulging part contains a detonator. The wick inside the pouch connects to the explosive head on top. After exining the key parts, Hyang handed the bomb to the soldier. Throw! Throw! Throw! The soldier, after receiving the bomb, shouted warnings in all directions, then struck the bulging part of the bomb against a protective wall and hurled it far away, quickly ducking behind the wall. Hyang and the Inner Pce Guard Captain also ducked for cover. Boom! Soon after, a loud explosion urred. As the bomb detonated sessfully, Hyang stood up and turned to the Inner Pce Guard Captain. What do you think? After inspecting the explosion site, the captain stroked his beard and said, Its simr to a traditional firecracker. Its more convenient than that. Theres no need to carry a me to ignite it. I see Nodding, the Inner Pce Guard Captain turned to Hyang. How much stock do we have now? Following the captains decision, arge quantity of throwing bombs was discreetly distributed into Gyeongbokgung Pce. Meanwhile, as the situation grew increasingly serious, Hyang called the Inner Pce Guard Captain to inquire, Is there a n in ce for the Queens evacuation? Not yet What about an emergency evacuation n for the Central Pce where the Queen resides? Not yet At the captains response, Hyang sighed softly. Ah Every time a coup urred, the king was captured because he couldnt escape. There was a reason for that. Seeing the Inner Pce Guard Captains face, unable to hide his remorse, Hyang calmly took out a piece of paper. Lets prepare. While devising the emergency evacuation n, Hyang gathered the Crown Princess, the concubines, and a very few trusted eunuchs, exining the escape n to them. Remember this well. If an emergency arises, act ording to this n. As Hyang finished speaking, the Crown Princess asked him, Will Your Highness not be joining us? To the Crown Princesss question, Hyang replied firmly, I must stay and suppress the enemy. The Crown Princess bit her lip at Hyangs response and made a shocking statement. Then I will stay as well. Crown Princess! Its dangerous! If something happens to Your Highness, living would be meaningless. Whether I live or die, I will be with Your Highness! At the Crown Princesss words, Yangje and Yangwon also stepped forward. [TL/N: Yangje and Yangwon is Hyangs second and third consorts] I too will stay! I as well Faced with the derations of the Crown Princess, Yangje, and Yangwon, Hyang looked troubled. Ah Yet, Hyang didnt stop trying to persuade them. If a conflict breaks out, it will be dangerous. The Crown Princess smiled and responded, Have you forgotten? My skills with the firearm are better than yours, Your Highness. Ah Hyang was left speechless. *** On the first night, trying to break the ice, Hyang discussed firearms with the Crown Princess, leading to a conversation about gunnery. Intrigued by the Crown Princesss confidence in archery, Hyang taught her how to shoot with both the shoulder-fired and horseback muskets. And the result was Folks, we have a sniper here! Hyang was astounded to witness the Crown Princess, using the horseback musket notorious for its reduced uracy at 30 paces (about 36 meters) urately hit a target at 50 paces (about 60 meters). How do you feel about shooting the musket? Better than archery! The Crown Princess replied with a flushed face. Bing fond of shooting, the Crown Princess regrly visited the shooting range with Yangje and Yangwon, turning it into a daily routine. Naturally, frequent practice led to valuable feedback. Your Highness, I have something to suggest The Crown Princess hesitantly started, and Hyang, smiling, encouraged her to speak. What is it? Responding to Hyangs question, the Crown Princess broached the main topic. Shooting the musket often, Ive noticed a few issues Hyangs face grew serious. Problems? Is it serious enough to call a physician? No, its not that. Its just when shooting the horseback musket, I thought it might be better if there was something to support it Something to support it? Go on. Encouraged by Hyangs interest instead of criticism, the Crown Princess confidently exined. It would be helpful to have something to rest the musket on the shoulder, like with the long musket. Hmm? Hyangs mind raced with images of 21st-century firearms with buttstocks he had seen online. A revolver with a buttstock? Pondering whether it would fit, Hyang recalled a simr firearm from a Western movie and nodded. That could work. I understand. Ill give it some thought. And the longer the musket, the farther it can urately shoot, so it would be great if its length could be extended. Ill consider that as well. Thank you, Your Highness. Then lets continue! Aha! Their honeymoon was aze with excitement. *** Not long after, Hyang created a custom musket as the Crown Princess had desired. It had a detachable buttstock and an extended barrel. Seeing the custom musket, Hyang chuckled. In the world I must be the only guy who made a custom pistol for his wife. Then, taking the newly created custom pistol to the shooting range with the Crown Princess, Hyang was astounded. The Crown Princess turned a target 80 paces (about 96 meters) away into a honeb. As a postscript, when the military saw the newly improved musket, they begged Hyang for it. Please supply the army with this musket! Why? Its the perfect weapon for cavalry! The horseback musket is useful in closebat but has a short effective range. The long musket is good for one shot, then its just a club! Ah Eventually, Hyangs custom pistol was supplied to the cavalry as long-range muskets. When the artisans received the design of the long-range muskets, they were puzzled by the Western characters written at the top of the diagram. What does this say? I dont know. Another whim of His Highness, I guess. At the very top of the diagram, next to long-range muskets, it was written in English: -Queens custom *** When the Crown Princess talked about her shooting skills, Hyang had no choice but to keep quiet. Then perhaps others I am the same. I can hold my own in musket shooting as well. Ahem At the derations of Yangwon and Yangje, Hyang could only smack his lips in resignation. As the Crown Princess and Hyang grew closer through musket shooting, Yangje and Yangwon also devoted themselves to improving their shooting skills. Their proficiency soon surpassed that of the royal guards, and Hyang had to make custom pistols for them too, for domestic peace. This led to some unintended consequences for Sejong. From the Queen to the concubines, they subtly prodded Sejong. When Sejong noticed the unusual reactions from the Queen and the concubines, he investigated the cause. Discovering it was due to Hyangs gifts to his family, Sejong muttered, Do I have to make cannons as gifts now? The eunuch shook his head. Surely not? If he does, hell be firing cannons from the Central Pce to the Kangnyeongjeon. Ultimately, Sejong had to empty his pockets. *** As the Tax Reform was announced, the local leaders, especially those in the Samnam region, feltpelled to make a decisive stand. Were at a dead end now! We have no choice but to rise up! While the number of nobles advocating for an uprising increased, there were also many who advised against it. Calm down! Thats rebellion! Better to submit a petition instead! How many times have we submitted petitions, and what was the response? It was like reading scriptures to a cow! Now, the only solution is to use force! But an uprising is nothing but treason! Despite the fierce debate over the use of force, there was one thing everyone agreed on. If we remain passive, its the end for us! But we need a just cause! We need a reason! While those determined to rise were pondering over a usible cause, a few came up with a suitable one. Purging treacherous officials seems a good cause! Purging treacherous officials? Its because of these treacherous officials that the king is blind and deaf to our plight! We must eliminate them and enlighten the kings vision and hearing! Exactly! Correct! Purge the treacherous officials! Purge the treacherous officials! Those united in the cause of purging treacherous officials began gathering like-minded individuals. As influential figures joined, the discussions took a more serious turn. The issue of military force Each household has its own private soldiers, right? Lets mobilize them. With the frequent incursions of Japanese pirates, the southern local leaders had been maintaining private soldiers under the pretext of defending against pirates. However, some nobles, iming to be knowledgeable in military tactics, pointed out another issue. Private soldiers alone arent enough. We need more numbers. That can be solved by mobilizing the serfs. The serfs? Hearing the suggestion of mobilizing the serfs, the nobles pondered and then nodded in agreement. Thats a good idea. Just hint at exemption from serfdom, and theyll fight fiercely. The issue of arms Even spears would suffice for the serfs. Hmm After further discussion, the local leaders who had somewhat formted a n came together to resolve thest remaining issue. When would be the best time to mobilize forces? Neither too hot nor after the harvest. Winteres right after the harvest. After much heated debate, the chosen date for mobilization was three days after the Mid-Autumn Festival. The Mid-Autumn Festival is when everyone from the family gathers, so we can rally more support. And it avoids the impiety of missing the Mid-Autumn Festival sacrifices. Lets pray for the sess of our cause to our ancestors and the deities through the festival. Agreed! However, with many people gathering, word inevitably leaked out, and several local officials who obtained intelligence reported it to Hanyang. A few dayster, the local officials who had sent the intelligence reports were discreetly visited by the Golden Army. This is a secret response from His Majesty. The local official, filled with suspicion, scrutinized the Golden Army envoy. Without any notice? And why this attire? Usually, in formal circumstances, a fully dressed military officer or official woulde, publicly read or deliver documents in front of everyone. However, the person in front of him was wearing a in robe, iming to have been sent from Hanyang. To the officials question, the Golden Army soldier looked around cautiously and whispered. Its confidential. Please ept this secret response. Ah Upon hearing this, the official broke the seal of the letter and bowed deeply after cing it down. The letter, stamped with Sejongs seal, was written in Sejongs own handwriting. The official read the content of the letter with trembling hands. To thoroughly suppress the actions of the rebellious, avoid rash actions. In case of an incident, ensure the transfer of the family registry andnd registry to a safe location. After confirming the content, the official looked at the Golden Army soldier. I have understood. Then, please return the letter. Why? Its a royalmand. Ah Without further question, the official returned the letter. The Golden Army soldier immediately burned the letter upon receiving it. The officials body stiffened at the sight. What! That precious document! Its His Majestys own handwriting! Its a royalmand. Dammit Chapter 158 Chapter 158 Around the same time, messengers dispatched from Hanyang hurried to military bases and naval stations located in strategic areas throughout Joseon. In Gangjin, Jeodo, at the Jeo Military Base: This is an order sent from the Chongcham (Joseon Army Headquarters). Let me see it. Nam Kang-il, the militarymander overseeing thend forces in Jeodo, received the order with a calm demeanor and broke the seal. Thinking it was a routine order, Nam Kang-ils expression gradually grew serious as he read through it. Is this true? It is considered a fact at the Headquarter. Ah At the military officers reply, Nam Kang-il sighed deeply. After reading the order again, Nam Kang-il asked the messenger. So, when is this supposed to happen? The Headquarter anticipates it will ur around the Mid-Autumn Festival. Hearing this, Nam Kang-il calcted the date. The Mid-Autumn Festival was about ten days away. To avoid alerting the snakes lurking in the grass , I should inform only a minimum number of people first. As he briefly pondered whom to consult immediately, Nam Kang-il realized the messenger was still waiting. Tell the Headquarter that I will stake my life to suppress this. As Nam Kang-il responded, the messenger produced another sealed document What is this now? Its from His Majesty. Hearing this, Nam Kang-il quickly stood up, adjusted his official robe, knelt down, and respectfully received the secret letter from Sejong. After breaking the seal and reading the contents, Nam Kang-il instructed the messenger. If His Majesty asks, tell him my response is Jinchung Boguk (Loyalty and Protection of the Country). Understood. * * * After sending the messenger away, Nam Kang-il immediately called for his deputy militarymander, Jung-eun. These damned traitors! Upon reading the urgent report from Hanyang, the Jung-eun, Lee Han-jong, cursed angrily. Who are these damned scoundrels? We must rush there and deal with them immediately. The problem is, we still dont know who these damned scoundrels are. Thats why the Headquarter has only issued a high alert. Nam Kang-ils words made Lee Han-jong nod in understanding. Ah I see. Its not something to be broadcasted publicly Thats why I called you, to make preparations in advance. At Nam Kang-ils words, Lee Han-jong walked over to a map hanging on the wall. After studying the map for a while, Lee Han-jong turned to Nam Kang-il. If those traitors are gathering forces, theyll have the numbers, but they wont be well-armed. That seems likely. In that case theyll try to acquire weapons before advancing to the capital. Especially firearms. That makes sense. Nam Kang-il nodded in agreement. Many had witnessed the effectiveness of firearms in the battles against Japanese pirates since thete Joseon period. Pointing to a location on the map, Lee Han-jong suggested a strategy. This ce, Bulsijaes, must be secured first. The fastest route from here, the Jeo Military Base, to the capital passes through Bulsijaes. If we deploy cannons and muskets here to block them, we can send the cavalry to nk them. Thats a sound n. We should call the cavalrymander first, right? Yes. The cavalry will be crucial. The two proceeded to call the cavalrymander, responsible for leading the military bases cavalry forces. * * * Simr urrences took ce across military bases in the nation. Each military base, upon receiving the orders, began to quietly deploy troops at key locations on the routes to and from their bases and Hanyang, preparing for any possible incidents. The busiest movements were seen in the Left and Right Military Bases of Gyeongsangdo. If an incident urs, they will try to quickly move to Hanyang. The fastest route from Gyeongsangdo to Hanyang is through Mungyeong Saejae, so the rebels will gather there! Well intercept them at Mungyeong Saejae and crush them! Following the orders of the Chongbyongsa (the militarymander overseeing Gyeongsangdo, established during the Kyungjang era), the militarymanders of the Left and Right Bases began moving their cavalry to Mungyeong Saejae. * * * As the Mid-Autumn Festival approached, an inexplicable tension began to pervade throughout Joseon. The air feels strange these days. Right? It feels like something big is about to happen. Ive been having restless dreams. Even themon people, oblivious to the actual situation, could not hide their unease as the atmosphere grew increasingly ominous. Then, on the Mid-Autumn Festival, the mes of rebellion were ignited. The local leaders in the Samnam region rose in revolt. Drive out the treacherous officials! * * * Although the circted documents among the rebellious local leaders specified three days after the Mid-Autumn Festival as the date for the uprising, the revolt urred earlier than nned due to significant opposition. Absolutely not! An uprising is treason! My children and I will not participate! Listen! Cousin! Do you not understand the current situation? Are you suggesting we just sit and be destroyed? But rebellion! My sons and I would rather die! Kill me if you must, but if not, I will report this to the authorities! How can you think ofmitting treason? Do you want to ruin our family? Many who attended the Mid-Autumn Festival rites and heard of the uprising fiercely opposed it. Ultimately, those leading the rebellion had no choice but to deal with the opposition. We cant kill our own kin. Lock them up in the granary for now. Yes. Some were imprisoned in granaries because they were family, but others who vehemently resisted joining the rebels lost their lives. With the situation escting, those who had dreamt of uprising were forced to change their ns. We have no choice! Lets move! Lets do it! Thus, the uprising began on the Mid-Autumn Festival. * * * Amidst the unfolding rebellion, local officials across the country sprang into action upon receiving the news. Magistrate! Theres a rebellion! A rebellion! Ill be damned! Why here, of all ces! As news of the rebellion spread, local officials began to move swiftly. How many are in this band of traitors? A great many! This is serious! Having assessed the numbers involved in the uprising, the local officials scrambled to respond. In towns where the garrisons were small, magistrates and local governors hurriedly loaded the family andnd registries onto carts and retreated with their clerks to stronger defensive positions. Sir! Arent youing too? Yet, amidst this chaos, some officials, as per their prior ns, sent the registries away and stayed to defend their offices. How can I, who receives stipends from His Majesty, flee in this crisis? My men and I will defend this office! Thus, not a few local governors and magistrates stood their ground against the rebels. Of course, many of those who resisted the rebellion lost their lives at the hands of the insurgents, and those who survived often suffered severe injuries and were imprisoned. * * * News of the rebellion continuously reached Hanyang via messengers. Jo Mal-saeng gathered this iing information and regrly reported to Sejong. Therefore, the total number of rebels participating in this uprising across the country is about 70,000. Yeongnam and Honam have around 30,000 each, and Chungcheong just over 10,000. What about the movements of the relevant military bases? Chungcheong has mobilized to suppress the rebels, Gyeongsang is intercepting at Mungyeong Saejae, and Jeo has started interceptions at the Jeo Military Base and the naval station. Hmm As Sejong pondered over the map, hearing Jo Mal-saengs report, Hyang, who was also examining the map, asked, The rebels in Jeo are targeting the naval station and the military base for weapons and warships, right? That is the assessment at the Headquarter as well. The behavior of the rebels in Honam and Gyeongsang was somewhat peculiar. Those who rose in Gyeongsang were fullymitted to advancing north, while those in Jeo moved towards the naval station and military base. The rebels in Jeo aimed to seize warships to move directly to Hanyang via the West Sea, and those in Gyeongsang sought to quickly advance viand routes. The Headquarters predicted routes are almost urate. Indeed. But it seems the scale is smaller and the movement slower than expected? At Sejongs observation, Jo Mal-saeng exined the reason. In the areas where the rebellion broke out, those opposing the rebellion have joined forces with the authorities to block them. * * * In several areas where the uprising urred, unexpected chaos unfolded. In Iksan County, Jeodo. Whizz! Aah! Ugh! Arrows! Shields! Get the shields! The rebels attacking the Iksan County Office were forced to halt their assault due to a sudden barrage of arrows. There shouldnt be this many soldiers from the military here? Before schr Park Soon-hwi, who was leading the rebels, could finish his sentence, dozens of men wielding bows appeared on the wall. Next to the firmly closed main gate of the office, an elderly man with white hair leaned out and yelled at the rebels. Hear this, you treacherous viins! I am Kang Hyun-su, a former head clerk of the Ministry of Taxation! Lay down your weapons and surrender now! If you dont, you will be executed! Kang Hyun-sus shout was immediately countered by Park Soon-hwi. Old man! We are notmitting treason but rising to eliminate treacherous officials! Silence! Who are these treacherous officials you speak of? It is you who are ruining this country! The exchange of words continued without progress, leading to a siege around the Iksan County Office, with the rebels outside and defenders inside. Take over the office! Kill the traitorous scum! Simr scenes unfolded in various regions affected by the uprising. Thus, the rebellion,ter known as the Gi-Yu Rebellion, became increasingly tragic. People living in the same regions but supporting different causes shed, leading to grudges and a series of brutal acts of revenge. * * * Sejong, nodding at Jo Mal-saengs exnation, pointed out a critical variable. What about those hiding in Hanyang? There has been no movement yet. At Jo Mal-saengs report, Sejong pondered the situation and then murmured, They must be waiting for the Golden Army to make a move. The Golden Army, primarily responsible for defending the capital, also functioned as a rapid response force in times of national crisis. Realizing why Grand Prince Yangnyeong had not yet made a move, Sejong reached a decision. Deploy the Golden Army. You know what to do, right? Yes, Ive already ryed yourmand to themanders. As Jo Mal-saeng reported, Sejong nodded in agreement but didnt forget to caution. Ensure everything proceeds without any issues. Yes, Your Majesty. The next morning, the gates of Gwanghwamun opened, and the cavalry charged out. Quickly passing through Sungnyemun, they joined other waiting forces and swiftly disappeared southward. * * * News that the Golden Army had left Hanyang quickly reached Seo Seons residence. My lord. The Golden Army has finally left the city. I see. After Seo Seon briefly responded to Nam Jun-seoks report, he turned to Grand Prince Yangnyeong, who was seated at the high seat. The Golden Army has finally left. Ive heard. Yangnyeong, adorned in a studded armor with golden dragon epaulets on the shoulders, responded briefly. While wiping his sword with a cloth, Yangnyeong asked Seo Seon, Shall we move today? Not today. They will be on high alert with the troops having left. At Seo Seons reply, Yangnyeong nodded. That makes sense. When would be a good time then? Two days from now would be suitable. After a moment of thought, Yangnyeong agreed. That sounds good. The moon is still bright, making it an opportune time. Yes. I will prepare ordingly. Thus, the day for their action was set. * * * Two dayster, at around 11 PM. The main gate of Seo Seons house silently opened, and armed men quietly began to emerge. It wasnt just Seo Seons house. From the homes of officials who had promised active cooperation due to Yangnyeongs influence, groups of warriors also began to quietly step out. Creak, creak. At the forefront of these emerging warriors wererge shields mounted on wheels. The massive shields, capable of covering a warriors entire body, were made of thick iron tes. The weight of these tes necessitated wheels at the bottom. From the house of Hangangin, who held a position in the Ministry of Personnel, warriors were also exiting. Watching the warriors leave, Hangangins wife, her face filled with worry, turned to him. Is it toote to report this? Its already toote. Hangangin replied with a heavy heart. Initially, his cooperation with Seo Seon was fueled by dissatisfaction over being overlooked for promotion. However, upon realizing it was a counter-revolution involving Yangnyeong, it was far toote. By then, his family had already be hostages. Hangangin looked up at the sky and murmured, Now, I can only hope for sess. Meanwhile, a member of the Secret Police, hiding in the shadows of an alley and observing the scene, spoke to a colleague standing behind him. Report to the top. Theyre moving. Chapter 159 Chapter 159 At Gwanghwamun Gate. The main and smaller gates of Gwanghwamun were firmly closed, and the gatekeepers on watch were intently observing the approach to the gate. Gate Captain, sir! What is it? In the guardhouse beside Gwanghwamun, the gate captain, who had been reviewing documents, stood up as a soldier from the Inner Pce rushed in. Urgent news from the Inner Pce Guards! Urgent news? Sir, there are viinous individuals nning to revolt today! What?! Shocked by the urgent news, the gate captain hurried out of the guardhouse and scrambled up to the watchtower. The soldiers on duty at the watchtower looked puzzled as the gate captain hurried towards them. Sir, whats the matter? Its an emergency! Keep a close watch! Sir? At the captainsmand, the soldiers leaned out of the watchtower to survey the area. Likewise, the gate captain, who had been observing the road leading to Gwanghwamun, turned to look inside the pce. He saw a considerable number of soldiers gathering in front of Heungnyemun Gate. If following normal protocol, a significant number of soldiers would also be gathered at Geunjeongmun. The gate captain bit his lip as he assessed the situation. Were short on troops. Its regrettable that the Golden Army has left the city. Currently, only 200 soldiers from the Inner Pce Guards were defending Geunjeongjeon. Usually, in addition to the Inner Pce Guards, additional Golden Army troops would be stationed, but most had left two days earlier to suppress the uprising. The total number of defenders in the pce was now barely 250. Sir! As the gate captain was surveying Heungnyemun and organizing his thoughts, he turned his head at the sound of someone calling him. What is it? There are suspicious individuals, sir! Upon the soldiers report, the gate captain stood up on the watchtower to survey the outside. From the intersection where Yukjo Street meets the south of Unjongga, a group was rapidly approaching Gwanghwamun. Sound the drum! Yes, sir! Dum-dum-dum! At the gate captains order, a soldier began to beat therge drum behind him. While the drum was being yed, the gate captain counted the approaching group, clenching his teeth. At least 500 seems today might be the day of my demise. The sound of the emergency drum alerted not only the pce but also the nearby residences, which began to light up. * * * As the sound of the emergency drum spread, people working in the pce and residents from nearby neighborhoods lit their homes and hurried outside. Whats happening? I dont know. Suddenly theres some trouble. As the residents gathered in the alleys,rge explosions started to erupt from the direction of Gwanghwamun. Boom! Bang! Bang! The unexpected drum sound and explosions caused panic among the people who hade out, leading them to run frantically. * * * Halt! Who goes there! At the gate captains shout from the watchtower, Yangnyeong, positioned behind the soldiers, turned to Seo Seon. Lets begin. Understood. Advance! Yes, forward! At Seo Seonsmand, Nam Jun-seok began to lead the soldiers forward. Rattle, rattle, nk! As therge shields at the front began to advance, the soldiers crouched and followed behind them. This is yourst warning! Stop where you are and identify yourselves! Upon the gate captains warning, the soldiers waiting behind the shields raised their muskets. Muskets! Get down! Chi-chick! Boom-boom! At the soldiers shout, the gate captain and soldiers on the wall quickly ducked down. At that moment, the muskets thunderously discharged their rounds towards the watchtower. Keep firing! Dont let the enemy raise their heads! At Nam Jun-seoksmand, the soldiers with muskets continuously fired. While the soldiers suppressed the watchtower, Nam Jun-seok ordered the soldiers carryingrge bags. Now is the time! Blow up Gwanghwamun! Yes, sir! Following Nam Jun-seoks order, the soldiers with the bags rushed towards Gwanghwamuns closed main gate. Reaching the firmly closed wooden gate, the soldiers stacked the bags carefully against it. After piling up all the bags, a soldier who appeared to be their leader used a dagger to pierce a hole in a bag in the middle and inserted a fuse he had unwound from his wrist. Once the preparation wasplete, the leader opened a small wooden container at his waist. Inside was an ember. He blew life into the ember with his breath, lit the fuse, and quickly retreated. Everyone, retreat! Retreat! Bang! Bang! As the soldiers retreated, the gatekeepers on the watchtower fired their muskets through the loopholes, causing screams as some of the retreating soldiers fell to the ground. Boom! Shortly after, Gwanghwamuns main gate burst open with a loud explosion. Argh! The shock of the explosion knocked the gatekeepers on the watchtower to the ground. As the mes and smoke cleared, the broken and copsed wooden main gate of Gwanghwamun was visible. Seeing the gate breached, Nam Jun-seok swung his sword forward and shouted, Charge! The gate is open! Uwaaah! At Nam Jun-seoksmand, the soldiers let out a battle cry and charged towards Gwanghwamun. Bang! Bang! Some of the soldiers on the watchtower, regaining their senses, opened fire, but the fallen soldiers were quickly reced by others. Uwaaah Huh? The soldiers who energetically vaulted over the broken gate slowed down as they saw about twenty soldiers arranged in two horizontal lines in front of Heungnyemun. Fire! The front row knelt while the back row stood, all aiming their long muskets. At themand to fire, they pulled their triggers. Rat-a-tat! Ugh! Argh! The unified gunfire of the Inner Pce Guards decimated the ranks of the attacking soldiers. Shields! Rumble-rumble. Upon Nam Jun-seoksmand, therge shields that had passed through Gwanghwamun came to the forefront and began to advance. As the shields moved forward, the Inner Pce Guards pulled out their muskets and began to fire at them. Bang-bang-bang! Despite continuous firing, the thick iron shields withstood the gunfire. Observing this, the squad leader ordered a retreat. Retreat! Fall back! Following the leadersmand, the Inner Pce Guards quickly retreated over Heungnyemun towards Geunjeongmun. Chase them! Push the shields! Uwaaa! At Nam Jun-seoksmand, the soldiers pushed the shields forward. As several soldiers pushed together, the heavy shields quickly advanced. While advancing, the soldiers lifted the shields over the threshold of Heungnyemun with abined effort. After all the shields had crossed Heungnyemun, the soldiers started to move in formation behind them, not wanting to be easy targets for the Inner Pce Guards muskets before the crucial moment. As the soldiers breached Heungnyemun and approached Geunjeongmun, the Inner Pce Guards continued their musket fire. Most of the shots were blocked by the shields, but they still gradually reduced the number of attacking soldiers. The attacking soldiers werent just passive targets. Though their archers fired diligently, the Inner Pce Guards armor repelled the arrows. Ultimately, it was the aimed rounds from the soldiers muskets that brought down the defending Inner Pce Guards. Retreat! Outnumbered, the Inner Pce Guards eventually fell back over Geunjeongmun into the courtyard in front of Geunjeongjeon. Those fools! Are they nning to surrender Geunjeongjeon? Grand Prince Yangnyeong, following the soldiers, was furious at this sight. So these are the weaklings Chungnyeong (Sejong) has raised! Was I cowering all these years in fear of such feeble men? Lets go! In his frustration, Yangnyeong grabbed the reins of his horse. Soon, the horse carrying Yangnyeong crossed the threshold of Geunjeongmun and entered Geunjeongjeon. Beside Yangnyeong, Seo Seon immediately issued an order to the soldiers as soon as they crossed Geunjeongmun. Attack Eastern Pce! Yes! At Seo Seonsmand, a group of soldiers, led by tworge shields, rushed towards the pce gate leading to Eastern Pce. Is this about revenge? Observing this, Yangnyeong asked. Seo Seon replied with a cold voice, He too should understand the pain of losing a child. I see * * * Finally, its happening! Attendant! Yes, Your Highness! Startled by the emergency drum signals, Hyang sprang up and hurriedly donned his breastte. No need for the lower part! Yes, Your Highness! After putting on the breastte and helmet, Hyang opened a chest and handed rifles to his attendant. Lastly, taking out arge bag filled with ammunition, Hyang looked at his attendant. You know what to do, right? Yes, Your Highness. I will hand you the loaded muskets, and Chambein Jang will load the bullets into the muskets. The direction of the bullets? The pointed end goes in front. How many bullets per musket? Eight. Good. Satisfied that his attendants knew their tasks well, Hyang took the rifle and went outside. Your Highness! As Hyang opened the door, the Crown Princess, Yangje, and Yangwon also came out from another room with their courtdies. Seeing the Crown Princess holding the modified musket, Hyang asked worriedly, Are you determined to join us? As I said before, if anything happens to Your Highness, our lives would be meaningless. epting her firm response, Hyang could only agree. Understood. Be careful. Yes, we will. The second and third just need to do as I told. Understand? Yes, sister. Yes, sister. Huh? Sister? Hyang expressed his surprise at their conversation, to which the Crown Princess simply replied, Living together, we have be sworn sisters. Huh What? The Gwanghwamun Three Princesses Faction? No, the Three Queens Faction? Or the Crown Princes What are you doing? Time is of the essence! Lost in thought over the unexpected term sworn sisters, Hyang was snapped back to reality by the Crown Princesss rebuke. Right. Lets go! Hyang and his group, including the Crown Princess, joined the waiting pce guards. Your Highness, you should flee now. If His Majesty arrives Seeing Hyang and thedies-in-waiting dressed in armor, a pce guard expressed concern. However, Hyangs orders were firm. Shield bearers to the front. Your Highness! Should I just sit and wait while my Royal Mother is in danger? Shield bearers, forward! Yes, Your Highness. At Hyangs resolutemand, the pce guard responded with a somber face. Rumble. The iron shields, slightlyrger and thicker than those made by Seo Seon, rolled forward with a heavy sound. His Majesty will be furious. The attendantsment was met with a scowl from Hyang. I cant just put the Royal Mother in danger, can I? Though there were various options, this was the best under the circumstances. Avoiding immediate danger could lead to unforeseen risks, especially if there were traitors among the rebels. It was better to stand firm with proper firepower. Another reason was to signal the severity of the situation, justifying the crown princes direct intervention. This could lend more weight to the subsequent cleansing of traitors and the progress of the reforms. By the way, the Royal Mother has taken refuge, right? * * * Your Majesty, please! Enough! King Sejong reprimanded the attendants and guards blocking his way. Theres no need for panic! Now is the time for me to act! King Sejong deemed it the right moment for his direct involvement, to show that the situation was critical enough to warrant the kings personal action. This would serve as justification for the subsequent suppression of the rebels and the continuation of reforms. The attendant, with a worried face, remarked, The Crown Prince will be shocked! But King Sejong looked sternly at the attendant and retorted, Isnt that why I told you not to inform the Crown Prince? As he picked up a musket and walked towards where the rebels wereing from, King Sejong paused momentarily and cautiously asked, By the way, the Crown Prince has taken refuge, right? Chapter 160 Chapter 160 Upon Seo Seonsmand, a group of soldiers started to run towards the Eastern Pce. Yangnyeong, watching them, muttered with a frosty expression. Its a shame, hes such a clever child. That was the end of Yangnyeongs sentiment. His gaze returned to the Geunjeongjeon Hall. Little brother, you wouldnt have run away, would you? Boom! Bang, bang, bang! But soon after, from the direction of the gate leading to the Eastern Pce, loud gunshots and explosions began to be heard. Whats happening? Yangnyeong and Seo Seon, who had been looking towards the Central Pce, turned their eyes towards the Eastern Pce. There, behind shields that seemed even sturdier than the ones they had made, they could see the figures of Hyang and the Crown Princess Consort, ceaselessly firing their muskets at the soldiers. What the * * * Following behind the shields, Hyang and his party reached the gate leading from the Eastern Pce to the Geunjeongjeon Hall and spotted soldiers rushing towards the Eastern Pce. Prepare for battle! Prepare for battle! Click! Click! Following Hyangsmand, the echo of his order was followed by the loud noise of cocking rifles. Click! After loading his rifle, Hyang looked at the opposing shield and smirked. Peoples thoughts are all the same, arent they? Throw the grenades! Throw the grenades! Upon Hyangsmand, a few handpicked Inner Pce Guards took out grenades and unscrewed the back caps. Hyang jokingly yet seriously said to them, Show them the skills you boasted about in the local stone wars. Yes, Your Highness! As the soldiers came within 20 steps, Hyang gave the order. Throw! Throw! Something flew over the shields, causing the surrounding soldiers to be startled and look at it. Whoa! Be careful! It looks like they are hurling stones! Ssssss! Just then, with a strong smell of gunpowder, smoke started to rise from the end of a sack, and a soldier eximed in rm, Is, is this? Argh! In an instant, with a loud st, the bodies of those who had been staring nkly were caught in the explosion and hurled in all directions. Boom! Bang, boom! The grenades thrown by the Inner Pce Guards shattered the line of the soldiers shields. As the shields fell over from the explosion of the grenades, Hyang promptly pulled the trigger. Fire! Bang! Bang! Rat-a-tat! With the firing from Hyang, the Crown Princess Consort, and the Inner Pce Guards, the soldiers running towards the Eastern Pce screamed and fell to the ground. Hyang, having crushed the soldiers rushing towards the Eastern Pce and reaching the gate leading to Geunjeongjeon, saw soldiers swarming into the courtyard in front of Geunjeongjeon. Annihte the traitors! Annihte them! * * * Ah Watching Hyang attacking the soldiers from the direction of the Eastern Pce, Seo Seon sighed in disbelief. That Crown Prince Weve been hit hard. Tch! Yangnyeong, smacking his lips, surveyed the battle situation. Although they had crossed the Geunjeongmun Gate with great momentum, most of the Inner Pce Guards were already entrenched in the courtyard in front of Geunjeongjeon. Especially, the Inner Pce Guards, like themselves, had set uprge shields even bigger and sturdier in front and were aiming their muskets. Seeing this, the soldiers hesitated and watched cautiously. Yangnyeong shouted angrily at this sight. What are you doing! Geunjeongjeon is right in front of us! Stopping here only leaves execution as our fate! Bet everything on this fight! Their muskets will also take time to reload! Charge! At Yangnyeongsmand, Nam Jun-seok yelled, Its now or never! Victory brings you wealth and glory! Charge! Encouraged by Yangnyeong and Nam Jun-seoks words, the soldiers started charging with curses. Damn it all! Better to die this way than that! Its do or die! Charge! As the soldiers charged, the Inner Pce Guards simultaneously pulled their triggers. Rat-a-tat-tat! Aargh! Ugh! Shield bearers! Rolling. As the soldiers shields advanced again, the Inner Pce Guardmander ordered his troops. Throw the grenades! Throw! Boom! Bang! The grenades thrown by the Inner Pce Guards caused the soldiers shield line to copse. Dont stop! Charge! Charge! Despite the shield line copsing from the grenade explosion, the soldiers continued to charge. Seeing this, the Inner Pce Guards standing right behind their shield line drew out their horse muskets and simultaneously pulled the triggers. Bang, rat-a-tat-tat! The Inner Pce Guards who fired six shots in an instant stepped back, and the next line of guards came forward to fire their horse muskets. As the firing continued, the soldiers forces rapidly diminished. This is dangerous Uwaaaah! While the demoralized soldiers hesitated, a loud cheer burst out from behind. Huh? Turning their heads towards the cheer, Grand Prince Yangnyeong and Seo Seons expressions turned to dismay. The Golden Army, which was thought to have left the city, had returned. * * * Fortunately, we havent missed the opportunity. Themander in charge of the Golden Army let out a sigh of relief. After departing from Hanyang, the Golden Army had galloped at full speed towards Gwangju in Gyeonggi Province. The destination of the Golden Army was the Gyeonggi Military Camp located in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province. Reinforce our troops at the Gyeonggi Military Camp and suppress the traitors! The mid and low-rankingmanders and soldiers, without any doubt, followed their trainingmander, earnestly riding their horses. The reason for this was that whenever there were invasions by Japanese pirates, a simr method was used to gather troops for battle. The Golden Army, having departed from Hanyang early in the morning, was able to reach Gwangju Garrison before sunset that day. This was possible because the entire dispatched Golden Army consisted of cavalry and artillerymen. Even in the early Joseon period, the main force of the Joseon army in both quality and quantity was the cavalry, and the Golden Army was a prime example of this. Upon arriving at Gyeonggi Garrison, the trainingmander immediately sought the Gyeonggis Military Governor. That evening, all military officers of the Golden Army, regardless of rank, were summoned. There will be a meeting about the operations to be conducted in the future. All military officers are to attend. Following the order conveyed by the messenger, the officers of the Golden Army, who were resting, gathered in the inner quarters of themand post where the Gyeonggis Military Governor was staying. Has everyone assembled? Yes! Once it was confirmed that all the officers of the Golden Army had gathered, the trainingmander took out a small piece of paper from his pocket. Those called upon, step forward. The number of officers called out by the trainingmander was five. After confirming the officers who stepped forward, the trainingmander ordered the surrounding soldiers. These are traitors! Bind them immediately! Yes, sir! In this way, the trainingmander weeded out the Golden Army officers who were in collusion with Seo Seon and then split the Golden Army into different groups. Send 2 units to the residence of the criminal Yangnyeong, and send another 2 units to the residence of the criminal Seo Seon in Icheon. Bind everyone inside the houses, search the houses, and secure all evidence rted to the treason! Execute anyone who resists! This is a royalmand! Yes, sir! Following themanders order, the Golden Army raided the house of Grand Prince Yangnyeongn in Gwangju and the ancestral home of Seo Seon in Icheon. The remaining troops will return to the army immediately! Following themanders order, the remaining troops of the Golden Army immediately left Gyeonggi Garrison and marched northward. The Golden Army moved via a different route than the one they had taken toe down. Using back roads and crossing the river near Paldang, the Golden Army passed through Wabueup, circumventing Hanyang to the north. Having passed through Sukjeongmun1, the northern gate of Hanyang, the troops concealed themselves in a nearby forest. They chose this location because it was an area with almost no pedestrian traffic. As soon as theres trouble in the pce, well push down immediately. Until then, not even a breath should be heard! Yes, sir! Hiding the cavalry in the mountains was not an easy task, but fitting their reputation as elite troops, the Golden Army quietly concealed themselves. Two days passed, and as soon as the sound of drums and explosions signaling turmoil in the pce were heard, the trainingmander mounted his horse. Were moving! Protect His Majesty! Uwaaaah! Not long after Chuseok, still relying on the bright moonlight, the Golden Army spurred their horses and began to race towards the pce. *** As the Golden Army poured in through the Geumjeongmun Gate, the battle temporarily subsided into a lull. As the battlefield quieted down, King Sejong, who had been under the protection of the Inner Pce Guards, got up. Is it time for me to step in? Just then, Hyangs shouting resonated across the courtyard in front of Geunjeongjeon. Who ordered to stop the bombardment? The traitors muskets are still aiming for His Majesty! Do not stop the bombardment! Fire! Simultaneously with his shout, Hyang raised his rifle and aimed at a soldier nearby holding a musket, pulling the trigger. Bang! With Hyangs shot as a signal, the momentarily ceased firing of the Inner Pce Guards resumed. Bang, bang! Rat-a-tat-tat! Bang, bang! Following Hyang, the Inner Pce Guards who had apanied him and those blocking the front of Geunjeongjeon resumed firing at the soldiers. The Golden Army, who had been holding the rear, also began firing at the soldiers. Do not stop the bombardment! Hyang continued to pull the trigger and shouted. When you have to shoot, shoot! Dont talk! Why does the viin boss die! Its because they bber at crucial moments and get killed! Hyang, recalling a famous line from a Western movie2 and the traditional clich, pulled the trigger. Click! Eunuch Go! Yes! Hyang handed his empty gun to the eunuch and received a reloaded rifle. He then spoke to the Inner Pce Guard officer who wasmanding beside him. I will go to see the Father! Keep annihting the enemy forces until the end! Ill assign troops to apany you! You men, escort His Highness! Yes! Crown Princess Consort! Lets go! Yes! Guys! Hyang and the party of the Crown Princess Consort, escorted by Inner Pce Guard soldiers, hurried towards Geunjeongjeon. * * * Arriving quickly in front of Geunjeongjeon, Hyang shouted at the Inner Pce Guard soldiers standing in front. Make way! I must see the Father! Yes! As the Inner Pce Guard soldiers cleared a path, Hyang ran towards King Sejong. Upon finding Sejong, Hyang immediately inquired about his well-being. Father! Are you unharmed? I am fine. But not quite reassured, Hyang carefully inspected Sejongs body. Phew~. It is the mercy of Heaven. Relieved that Sejong was safe, Hyang sighed with relief and then gritted his teeth. Those scoundrels! Shield bearers! Follow me! Yes! Eunuchs too, follow! Yes. Carrying a shield, an Inner Pce Guard soldier followed Hyang up the stairs of Geunjeongjeon. As they ascended the stairs, the situation in the courtyard in front of Geunjeongjeon became clear to Hyang. Shields! Defend well! I will defend with my life! The Inner Pce Guard soldier crouched behind the shield, and Hyang, concealed behind him, began sniping at the soldiers. The Inner Pce Guard soldiers blocking the front of Geunjeongjeon, the soldiers who had emerged from the Eastern Pce, and the Golden Army who had returned through Geunjeongmun Gate started to press the enemy soldiers. Then, a shout came from the direction of the Central Pce. Annihte the traitors! Uwaaaah! Fire! Rat-a-tat-tat! The Golden Army soldiers who had emerged from the direction of the Central Pce also opened fire upon seeing the enemy soldiers. No! The Golden Army, who should be evacuating the Queen and the consorts When King Sejong expressed his confusion upon seeing the Golden Army pouring out of the Central Pce, the voice of Queen Soheon was heard. Your Majesty! Where are you? Your Majesty! Why do I hear the Queens voice here? King Sejong, perplexed at hearing Queen Soheons voice unexpectedly, was at a loss for words. Shortly after, upon seeing Queen Soheon appear escorted by Inner Pce Guard soldiers, Sejong was speechless. Her usual wig was nowhere to be seen, seemingly lost. Hastily dressed in a dansam with a jeontong (traditional wrap) around it, she held a bow in her hand. [TL/N: Dansam is an outer lining garment. See /564x/85/99/d5/8599d5f3d9d28b70b29632218e86829e.jpg ] My, mydy wife Seeing Queen Soheon, Sejong forgot his formalities and called her by the title he used during his days as a prince. Your Majesty, are you safe? I am unharmed. Like Hyang, Queen Soheon touched Sejong all over to ensure he was unharmed and then, finally relieved, slumped to the ground. My wife! Your majesty! As Sejong and a courtdy supported Queen Soheon, Hyang, who had been observing with astonished eyes, let out a bitterugh. Now that I think about it my Mother is indeed a warrior. It was Queen Soheon who had endured the hardship of her family being destroyed due to treason3 and who had directed firefighting efforts while heavily pregnant during a great fire in Hanyang. The final phase of the battle in front of Geunjeongjeon came with the arrival of Prince Suyang. Annihte the traitors! Uwaaaah! Seeing Prince Suyang rushing in with soldiers guarding Myeongnyeong Pce, the will of the enemy soldierspletely broke. However, there was one who continued to fight till the end. It was Nam Jun-seok,manding the soldiers. Our lives are forfeit whether we surrender or not! Break through with all your might! We live only if His Highness the Grand Prince and His Excellency Seo Seon survive! Uwaaaah! In a desperate situation, the soldiers, driven to frenzy, charged at the Golden Army to break through. But what came in response to these desperate soldiers was a barrage of grenades and bullets.
  1. Sukjeongmun is one of the eight gates of Seoul which surrounded the olden city during Joseon period.[]
  2. A line from the character Tuco in the movie The Good, the Bad and the Ugly 1966[]
  3. Read the case of Shim On, the Queens father.[]
Chapter 161 Chapter 161 The concentrated attack by the Inner Pce Guards and the Golden Army led to the annihtion of the soldiers brought by Yangnyeong and Seo Seon. Thest charge to break through the escape route for Yangnyeong and Seo Seon proved to be a fatal misjudgment for the soldiers. As the soldiers charged, the firing from the Inner Pce Guards and the Golden Army intensified. Until just before the soldiers charge, the situation was such that the Inner Pce Guards and the Golden Army, having converged from the Eastern Pce and the Central Pce, were surrounding the area and gradually reducing the intensity of their fire to prevent idental friendly fire. However, as the soldiers charge began and their formation stretched sideways, the Inner Pce Guards and the Golden Army did not miss this opportunity. After the intense gunfire, the courtyard in front of Geunjeongjeon was transformed into a mountain of bodies and a sea of blood. Clean up the battlefield! Following the trainingmanders order, the Golden Army began to clear the bodies that filled the courtyard in front of Geunjeongjeon. Physicians and female nurses, who had rushed upon receiving the order, were frantically treating the wounded Golden Army and Inner Pce Guard soldiers. Simrly, the wounded enemy soldiers, after receiving basic first aid, were kneeling to one side under the watch of the Golden Army. Meanwhile, King Sejong and his family were under the strict protection of the Inner Pce Guards. Sejong, positioned at the very center, was calmly leading the situation. Where are the leaders of the traitors? In response to Sejongs inquiry, the trainingmander answered cautiously. Although the man in question was a traitor, he had once been the crown prince and also the current kings brother. Finally, the trainingmander chose a safe expression. Answer briefly and concisely, omitting the subject. They are confined separately. Are they unharmed? Yes. Upon the trainingmanders response, Sejong stood up, brushing off his robes. Your Majesty? I must see the leader of the traitors. Understood. Escort His Majesty! Yes! Escorted by the Inner Pce Guards, Sejong walked towards where Yangnyeong and Seo Seon were bound. *** Seo Seon, why did you undertake such a reckless act? Arriving where Seo Seon and Yangnyeong were bound, Sejong addressed his first question to Seo Seon. To Sejongs question, Seo Seon retorted with a fierce face. I ask you. Why did you do that to my son? It was ording to thew. Was his crime so severe to deserve such a beating? I repeat, it was ording to thew. Those who use violence against a government official in official robes are to be punished with 100 strokes of the cane, as thew dictates. To Sejongs firm response, Seo Seon shouted as if spitting blood. He was my only son! Couldnt you have shown some leniency? After all Ive done for this country! If I excuse one, I must excuse a hundred, then a thousand! Then what is the point of havingws! Does a former Minister of Law and Punishments not understand the weight of thew! Argh! Biting his teeth in frustration, Seo Seon was confronted by Sejongs continued words. Your attempt to harm me and even the Crown Prince is absolutely unforgivable. I will scour all thews to make you pay for your crimes. To Sejongs words, Seo Seon responded with aposed face. What a pity. I wanted to make you experience the same sorrow as me. Seo Seons mention of Hyang darkened Sejongs expression. Lock him up! Make sure he cannot take his own life by binding him with chains and gagging his mouth! Yes, Your Majesty! Upon Sejongs order, the Inner Pce Guards gagged Seo Seons mouth with a cloth and dragged him to the prison. *** After dealing with Seo Seon, Sejong turned to Yangnyeong. What were you thinking? I was merely seeking my rightful ce, which was cunningly taken from me by your schemes. At Yangnyeongs words, Sejong sighed. Huh Your stepping down from your position was a decision made by our Father. Yangnyeong roared back at Sejongs words. That was all your scheme! You exaggerated my minor faults and blinded Father! Even if it wasnt me, Fathers ministers would have informed him! And exaggeration? Do you not know what kind of person Father is! Sejong, countering Yangnyeongs usation, let out words he had kept in his heart. Honestly, who was the most cherished child to the Father and Mother? It was you, Grand Prince! Things that would have brought thunderous punishment upon Prince Hyoryeong1 or me, were overlooked when it was you who did them! Even such parents pushed you away from your position! A minor fault? Speak sense! I was to be the King of Joseon! Such faults could have been overlooked! But because of you! If only you hadnt interfered! Who are you to scrutinize every little thing! Yangnyeong was referring to the time when Sejong was Grand Prince Chungnyeong. It was Sejong who had continuously criticized and tripped up Yangnyeong for his unrestrained and disorderly lifestyle. *** A typical example was an incident that took ce in September 1416, the 16th year of King Taejongs reign. On September 19th, Yangnyeong, the previous crown prince, along with other princes, visited Heungdeoksa Temple to offer incense in memory of Queen Sinui, Taejos first wife and Yangnyeongs grandmother. The issue arose when, immediately after the ceremony, Yangnyeong called three people to y Go at Heungdeoksa. This act was naturally criticized by Grand Prince Chungnyeong. As a royal prince, its inappropriate to engage in games with lowly people, let alone at the memorial service of our grandmother. Chungnyeongs remark irritated Yangnyeong, who retorted loudly. Why dont you go to Gwaneumjeon and sleep! (Note 1) [TL/N: Gwaneumjeon is a Buddhist temple] Such confrontations continued, and as Yangnyeongs misbehaviors escted, the situation increasingly turned against him. Consequently, Chungnyeong reced Yangnyeong as the crown prince. *** Sejong raised his voice in response to Yangnyeongs attempts to shift all the me onto him. What minor fault? Was trying to sleep with your brother-inws concubine a minor fault? Was sneaking in and sleeping with the concubine of a meritorious subject, just because she was said to be beautiful, a minor fault? Any powerful man naturally attracts women! Dont make meugh! Theres a proper way to enjoy thepany of women! Do you have any idea how much worry and sorrow you caused the Royal Father and Mother with that incident? You were dismissed because of your disgraceful behavior! Whats the use of lofty dreams if your daily conduct is a mess? Such a fault for a king is Shut up! Sejong interrupted Yangnyeong harshly. If a king behaves like that, the country will be ruined! Commander! Yes, Your Majesty! Imprison him! He is no longer a royal! Gag his mouth and bind him ording to thew! Yes! Take away the traitors leader! Following themanders order, the Inner Pce Guards gagged Yangnyeongs mouth and dragged him away. The fierce battle ended, and the courtyard in front of Geunjeongjeon gradually regained its peace. Thanks to the Golden Army clearing the bodies, only bloodstains remained in front of Geunjeongjeon. Huh Sejong sighed deeply and looked around. Ministers were rushing through the wide-open Geunjeongmun Gate. Queen Soheon, the Crown Princess Consort, Princess Yongwon, and Princess Yongje were receiving care from female nurses on the stairs leading up to Geunjeongjeon. And there, on one side, was the Crown Prince, carrying an unusual long rifle on his shoulder, giving instructions to the Inner Pce Guards. Look at him Sejong watched Hyang with a contented expression, and then his gaze fell upon Jinpyeong. [TL/N: Jinpyeong is childhood title for Prince Suyang.]] Like a chick following its mother hen, Jinpyeong was closely trailing behind Hyang. *** When Jinpyeong arrived at Geunjeongjeon leading the Golden Army guarding Myeongnyeong Pce, the tide of battle had already turned in Sejongs favor. Consequently, the Golden Army led by Jinpyeong was deployed to support thebat from the rear. After the battle ended, Jinpyeong immediately sought Sejong. Father! Are you all right? I am fine. Relieved at Sejongs safety, Jinpyeong let out a sigh of relief. Huh His relief was brief as Jinpyeong quickly turned his attention to his most pressing concern. Jinpyeong grabbed a nearby Inner Pce Guard soldier and asked, The lotive! No, the research No, is the Eastern Pce safe? To Jinpyeongs question, the Inner Pce Guard soldier answered with a bewildered expression. Yes? Yes! The Crown Prince has already subdued it. My brother? Muttering softly, Jinpyeong looked around for Hyang. Ah! There! Upon spotting Hyang, Jinpyeong hurriedly ran to him. Your Highness! Your Highness! Eh? Jinpyeong? What brings you here amid such danger? To Hyangs question, Jinpyeong quickly responded. How could I stay away when Father, Your Highness, and the railroad are in danger? Eh? Ahahaha! Amused by Jinpyeongs response, Hyang burst into heartyughter. Thats right! Thats like you! Laughing, Hyang patted Jinpyeong on the shoulder. Anyway, thanks foring! Your praise is too generous, Your Highness. But While humbly responding to Hyangs praise, Jinpyeongs expression soured slightly due to an unpleasant smell. The smell Eh? Sniff sniff! Ah, it must be the smell of gunpowder. As Hyang brought his sleeve to his nose to sniff, Jinpyeong took another look at him. Hyangs face was smeared with gunpowder soot, and an indescribable aura of intimidation emanated from him, with the smell of gunpowder strongly wafting from his body. Seeing this, Jinpyeong stopped a passing Inner Pce Guard soldier and asked, Did His Highness also participate in the battle? He fought most valiantly. Is that so? Understood. Go back to your duties. After sending the Inner Pce Guard soldier away, Jinpyeong looked at Hyang with a newfound expression of amazement. The usual impression Jinpyeong had of Hyang was that of a typical, stern schr. This was due to Hyangs role in teaching him when Jinpyeong was young and his usual demeanor in the researchboratory. However, the way Hyang was interacting with the Inner Pce Guard soldiers, lightly patting their shoulders, embodied Jinpyeongs ideal image of a man. As Jinpyeong gazed at Hyang, his eyes grew dreamy. So cool *** Father! Your Majesty! As the situation settled, the consorts and princes who had taken refuge returned to the pce. The first to rush to Sejong was Yong or Grand Prince Anpyeong. Yong, who had not yet received a military title or fiefdom and was thus staying in the pce, had taken refuge with Sejongs consorts when chaos erupted in Geunjeongjeon. Father! Are you unharmed? I am fine. Thank you for your concern. Sejong, pleased by Yongs concern, noticed the face of the eunuch following Yong and asked, Why does your face look like that? The eunuch, with his disheveled face, hesitantly answered Sejongs question while looking at Yong. The prince Yong? As Sejong turned to him with a stern look, Yong hesitantly replied, I wanted toe to you, Father, but he tried to stop me by force At Yongs response, Sejong smiled faintly. They say blood does not stray far *** Though the battle inside Gyeongbokgung Pce had ended, the fight outside the pce walls was still ongoing. Huh! Huh! A group of warriors was desperately running along the back alleys of Unjongga. Breathing heavily with a sweet taste in their mouths, these warriors were soldiers who had escaped from Gyeongbokgung Pce. They had broken through Gwanghwamun, but had not yet seized control of the gatehouse. The soldiers who had split off to take over the gatehouse engaged in a battle with the defending troops stationed above the gatehouse. However, subduing the defending soldiers on the narrow stairs leading up to the gatehouse was not an easy task. As the soldiers engaged in a fierce battle, their faces turned pale upon seeing the Golden Army approaching. Were done for! Scatter! Following the order of their leader, the soldiers who were attacking the gatehouse retreated, leading to their current frantic run through the back alleys of Unjongga. Where are you rushing to in such a hurry? Eh? The soldiers, in the midst of their desperate escape, stopped in their tracks as they were confronted by men dressed in ck. The men blocking the soldiers way were members of the secret police, a group of swordsmen. The leader of the secret police at the front, with a smile full of murderous intent, said, Seems like we have quite a few scores to settle with each other, dont we? *** Note 1) A Single Volume Read of King Sejongs Annals. Authored by Park Young-Gyu. Woongjin Knowledge House.
  1. Sejongs second son.[]
Chapter 162 Chapter 162 The battle between Seo Seons remaining soldiers and the secret police was fierce. The remaining soldiers fought desperately to escape, while the secret police, seeking revenge for past grievances, fought with a do-or-die attitude. Why are you blocking us? Didnt I tell you? Debts must be repaid! ng! sh! Crash! Chase them! Catch them! In the back alleys of Unjongga, a battle even more brutal than the one at Gyeongbokgung Pce unfolded. The martial skills of the soldiers, gathered by Yangnyeong as he roamed the country, were outstanding. However, the secret polices members were no less formidable. They were either soldiers from powerful families or skilled martial artists who had not passed the military service examination. Moreover, the secret police had the advantage in numbers and knew how to fight dirty. Swoosh! Cough! Still so tough after Ive already killed three of you As Ki Nam, who had just shed open a the secret police members chest, surveyed the area to find a way out, sharp throwing knives flew from behind, piercing his arms and legs. Ugh! As a knife struck his leg, Ki Nam staggered with a short cry. Seizing the moment, a the secret police member plunged a sword into Ki Nams chest. ng! As the sword pierced his chest, Ki Nams sword fell from his hand. The the secret police member who had stabbed Ki Nam kicked him away. As the sword was pulled out, Ki Nam reached out his hands. He tried to speak, but with his pierced chest, his breath escaped him. Eventually, Ki Nam copsed to the ground with a look of despair. The battle that ensuedsted for over an hour before it finally ended. Weve killed them all. Good work. What about our losses? Eight in Dadoong, six in Bukchon, and we lost eight. Tch What a loss! The head of Unjonggas the secret police clucked his tongue upon receiving the report. The damage was more severe than anticipated. Adding to the losses suffered in battles against those cursed traitors, they had lost about half of their members. What about these bodies? Gather all the weapons and dump the bodies in front of the government office. Yes, understood. After issuing orders to his members, the head of Unjonggas the secret police walked over to the other leaders. Our losses are significant. Indeed. The leader from Dadoong agreed briefly, but the leader from Bukchon looked particrly distressed. At least the dead will be taken care of by our lord, but filling our ranks will be a problem. The other two leaders nodded gravely at the words of the Bukchon leader. The leader from Dadoong, pondering the problem of replenishing their numbers, looked at the other leaders. It seems targeting those who failed the military exams would be our best bet. With the ongoing reforms of Sejong, the distinction between the literary and military branches became more pronounced. Positions nominally in the military branch, but actually held by literati, had disappeared. Consequently, the number of applicants for the military exams had significantly increased. Especially with the impending official confirmation of rumors about the establishment of a military academy, thepetition had be even fiercer. With the increasingpetition, the expansion of military recruitment opportunities had not brought much change. Hence, the leader from Dadoong suggested targeting those who failed the military exams. At this suggestion, the leader from Bukchon pointed out a problem. The idea of targeting those who failed the military exams is indeed the best, but the problem is how to handle their stubborn pride, especially since they have attempted the exams. Dont they see us as uncultured swordsmen? The leaders from Bukchon voiced this concern, and the other two leaders responded simultaneously. Werent we uncultured rascals until not so long ago? Thats what Im saying These people, really! After some back-and-forth, the leaders eventually agreed to recruit those who failed the military exams and moved on to the next topic. What do you think will happen next? What do you mean? The uprising in the pce has been quelled, but isnt the south still in chaos? At Dadoongs leaders words, the leaders from Unjongga and Bukchon fell into thought. After a prolonged silence, the eldest leader from Bukchon spoke up. For now, we shouldy low. Except for executing orders from our lord, we should not take any initiative. The other leaders from Dadoong and Unjongga nodded in agreement to the words of the Bukchon leader. Thats the best approach. We should preserve ourselves for the time being. A harsh winter storm seems to be brewing over Gyeongbokgung. Theres also the saying about being discarded after use. The leaders believed that while they might be useful tools for Sejong, they could also be a nuisance politically. Now is the time to stay low and just observe the situation! * * * As the leaders had anticipated, a severe storm was brewing inside Geunjeongjeon. Seated in the council hall still in armor, Sejong red down at his ministers with a fierce expression. The ministers, unsettled by Sejongs demeanor, could only swallow their words in difort. What should we say Its been a while since thest regr dismissal! I wondered why these past few days felt unusually peaceful! The council hall of Geunjeongjeon was filled with silently protesting ministers, councilors, and senior officials. With the uprising in the south, Sejongs attention had been focused solely on the Ministry of Military Affairs. While he had notpletely neglected other matters, given the circumstances, all affairs of the court revolved around military concerns. Furthermore, due to the uprising, various petitions and administrative reports from the provinces had ceased. Consequently, departments other than the Ministry of Military Affairs had unexpectedly found some respite. As a result of this newfound leisure, officials in the Six Ministries enjoyed the rare pleasure of regr dismissal from court duties. However, this period of ease was disrupted by the unimaginable event of the pce uprising. Amidst this silent observation of Sejongs mood, Chief State Councilor Lee Jik cautiously opened his mouth. Despite the grave situation, Your Majesty remaining unharmed is truly a blessing from heaven. Indeed! It is surely divine protection! Echoing Lee Jiks words, the ministers unanimously praised the heavens protection. To the ministers words, Sejong responded briefly with a calm face. I think so too. However, great credit goes to the Inner Pce Guards and the Golden Army, including the Crown Prince, who exerted all efforts to suppress the traitors. Immediately, the Royal Inspector raised an objection. As Your Majesty says, their contribution is significant, but the sin of allowing the uprising is also great. This must be scrutinized. It was mymand. Your Majesty? Confused by Sejongs response, the Royal Inspector raised his voice further. Then the sin is even greater! Regardless of Your Majestysmand, allowing traitors into Geunjeongjeon is unthinkable! If Your Majesty were to be harmed, it would be a disaster shaking the very foundation of the nation! Themanders of the Inner Pce Guards and the Training Commander initially insisted on my evacuation. It was my unteral decision, so they cannot be med. Sejong, referring to himself as I, humbly protected the Training Commander and themander of the Inner Pce Guards. However! As the Royal Inspector continued to object, Sejongs voice sharpened. Royal Inspector! Then, what would you have considered the right course of action? Should we have allowed the traitors to incite a street battle outside Gyeongbokgung Pce? Would it have been right to turn the many alleys of Hanyang into battlefields, using innocent citizens as shields and firing muskets at each other? If things had turned out that way, could we have suppressed the rebellion in such a short time? Challenged by Sejongs rebuke, the Royal Inspector fell silent. Sejongs point was valid. If a battle had taken ce outside Gyeongbokgung Pce to suppress the uprising, it would have led to a fierce urbanbat. Such a scenario would have undoubtedly resulted in tremendous civilian casualties. There had already been a precedent for such an event. The urbanbat in Gaegyeong between the armies led by Yi Seong-gye1, who had turned back at Wihwa-do, and those led by Choi Young was one such example. [TL/N: Turning back the army from Wihwa Ind refers to the 1388 episode in which General Yi Seong-gye of the Goryeo dynasty was ordered to march north with his army and invade the Liaodong Penins (northeast China, which was under the control of the Ming dynasty), but instead decided to turn back to Kaesong and trigger a coup dtat, thus securing the government. This was the first of a series of Yis rebellious actions that eventually led to the establishment of the Joseon dynasty, with him being installed as King Taejo. Read more on the Wihwa-do Retreat https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wihwado_Retreat] Finally, the Royal Inspector had to bow his head and admit his mistake. Please forgive my short-sightedness. I understand that you said this out of concern for me, but it was a decision made after much deliberation, so let us not speak of it further. I will take your words to heart. As Sejong silenced the Royal Inspector, Maeng Sa-seong, who had been quietly listening, spoke up. Your Majesty, did you anticipate that such a treacherous and unfilial event might ur? To Maeng Sa-seongs question, Sejong responded briefly. There was intelligence. Then, wouldnt it have been better to apprehend the traitors beforehand? Are you suggesting I should have arrested my own brother without solid evidence? At Sejongs question, Maeng Sa-seong too had to bow his head. Please forgive my short-sightedness! I was merely concerned for Your Majestys safety! I understand why you said so, and I will not fault you for it. However, know that I too had much to consider. I am profoundly grateful. As the conversation with Maeng Sa-seong concluded, the Minister of Punishments stepped forward. How shall we deal with the culprits? The unrest in the south has not yet been quelled. Once that is settled, we will handle the cases together. I shall obey Your Majestysmand. Not long after Sejong finished speaking, the Chief Eunuch entered to report. The Training Commander requests an audience, Your Majesty. Let him in. Shortly after, the Training Commander entered Geunjeongjeon, paid his respects to Sejong, and then spoke. I have imprisoned the leaders of the traitors. Good work. Also, a message has arrived from thew enforcement office. A group of bodies has been left in front of the office. Judging by their attire, they appear to be traitors involved in the recent uprising. Is that so? Seems like the secret police has wrapped things up. Sejong, having a rough idea of who was behind this, immediately gave an order. Find out who has done this good deed and report to me. Yes. Additionally, reports havee from our soldiers sent to Bukchon. They have secured a list of the leaders and aplices of the traitors. Those who have received training are at risk of fleeing. Apprehend them immediately and imprison them. I obey Your Majestysmand! And what about the handling of the traitors family estates? ording to the report brought by the messenger, the suppression has beenpleted. Send messengers at dawn to transport them all. Yes! And ensure the soldiers are given sufficient rest. They may need to move to the south immediately if required. Yes! Having received Sejongs orders, the Training Commander saluted and promptly exited. The smell of blood is overwhelming I feel like I might vomit As the ministers listened to Sejong and the Training Commanders conversation, they were hit by a strong scent of blood, evoking a sense of nausea. It was a reminder of the gruesome political purges they had experienced during King Taejongs reign, which had left asting impression of bloodshed and revulsion in their minds. * * * As soon as day broke the next day, a messenger rode swiftly to the Gyeonggi military camp. Sejong continued to conduct state affairs while still d in his armor. Your Majesty, isnt it time to take off the armor now? Chief State Councilor Lee Jik suggested Sejong should remove his armor, but Sejong decisively refused. I will not remove it until the unrest in the south has been resolved. The ministers had no choice but to remain silent in response to Sejongs firm decision. Reports of the battle between the rebel forces in the south and the Joseon army reached the court on the sixth day after the uprising began. Your Majesty! A report from the Chungcheong military camp! Its a great victory! Entering Geunjeongjeon breathlessly, Jo Mal-saeng announced the victory of the Joseon army and handed the report to the Chief Eunuch. After receiving the report from the Chief Eunuch, Sejong quickly read through it. Having finished reading the contents of the report, Sejong turned to the ministers. This is indeed good news. The soldiers of the Chungcheong military camp have annihted the rebels in Cheonan. It was the first victory report that the court had been eagerly awaiting.
  1. King Taejo[]
Chapter 163 Chapter 163 The sh between Joseons government troops and the rebel peasant army in Cheonan was inevitable. The rebel forces rising in Goesan, Jeungpyeong, and Jincheon areas[1] of Chungcheong province headed towards Cheongju-mok[2] to expand their forces and secure more weapons. However, facing fierce resistance in Cheongju-mok, the rebel forces had to change their route. The leaders of the Chungcheong rebellion spread out a map and debated intensely. We cant just waste time like this! Lets head north immediately! Theres no other way! The hardliners insisted on heading north right away, but there were many opposing voices. If we head north like this, well end up facing the Gyeonggi garrison head-on! We need to wait for the forcesing up from the southern provinces! Dont forget its currently harvesting season! We need to get this done as soon as possible and head back to bring in the harvest! Amidst the heated debate, a kind ofpromise proposal was made. If we head north like this, well sh with the Gyeonggi garrison. So lets detour to Cheonan[3] and head up to Hanseong (Seoul). As we take the detour north, we must rally as much supporting forces as possible to expand our numbers. It was a n that left both the hardliners and the cautious faction dissatisfied, but there was no other option for the moment. Damn thosezy bastards down south! The usually leisurely and easy-going people of Chungcheong were cursing people from other regions for being slower than them an absurd situation. With the decision made to detour through Cheonan on the way north, the rebel forces changed direction and started moving towards Cheonan. However, with the majority of their 12,000 troops being infantry, their speed of advance was not fast. Thanks to that, the Chungcheong garrison was able to prepare quickly based on the intelligence brought back by their scouting troops. Fools. If you wanted to start something, you shouldve done it before the provincial forces mobilized. Looking over the reports brought back by the scouts, Chungcheong Provincial Commander Yang Jong-cheol scoffed at the actions of the rebels. *** As Sejongs military reforms progressed, the Joseon army also had to undergo massive transformation. ording to the military registry[4] established since the beginning of Joseon, the Joseon military had around 330,000 troops. However, the main force of this Joseon army was the auxiliary army[5] filled through conscription. And the upkeep cost of this regr army was borne by the bo-in (sponsors)[6]. However, this system had already shown cracks since King Taejongs reign. Therefore, as Sejong pushed ahead with military reforms, he also had to reform the military. In this area, Hyang made great contributions. The mass-produced iron armor, muskets, and finally the fearsome mass destruction weapon Divine Thunder Strike cannons allowed the transformation of the Joseon military to proceed more smoothly. A hundred spears are no match for a single cannon! A horse is faster than a man! Fitting such slogans, the Joseon military reduced its pure numbers and became faster and more powerful. And it was in this situation that the transformed Joseon military took to the field to be tested against the rebel forces. *** Yang Jong-cheol looked around at themanders participating in the meeting and continued speaking. The rebel scums are scheduled to pass through Cheonan. Therefore, we will annihte them at Cheonan. Any other opinions? No, sir! Then theposition of the units participating in this operation will be ording to Yang Jong-cheols n, the Chungcheong garrison left the Haemie Fortress (or Haemieup-seong) with only the minimum personnel to defend the garrison itself. [TL/N: The castle, located near Seosan in South Chungcheong, was the background of the Donghak Rebellion in 1864. This fortress, originally built to protect against Japanese pirates, was a historical site where thousands of Catholics were executed during the French Invasion in 1866.] *** The Joseon forces led by Yang Jong-cheol closely monitored the movements of the rebel forces as they moved. With the main forces being cavalry and artillery, the Joseon army was able to arrive in Cheonan earlier than the rebel forces and set up camp. Apart from the other things the Crown Prince made, the idea to mount cannons on carts is truly astonishing. Isnt that so, Colonel? Observing the troops movements from atop a low hill, Yang Jong-cheol asked Colonel Lee Jae-hyun next to him. At Yangs question, Lee nodded his head. Yes. Thanks to that, the cannons can move as fast as the cavalry. Hyang, who created the Divine Thunder Strike cannons and the new cannons to fire them, also made new gun carriages to mount the cannons. Created in the form of Western-style gun carriages used until thete 19th century and early World War 1, the new gun carriages gave Joseons cannons unprecedented mobility. Pleased at the troops movements, Yang Jong-cheol rapped his palm twice with his baton. Good, very good. Now all thats left is to sweep away those rebel scums. Yes, sir. It wasnt just the topmanders burning with fighting spirit. Even themon foot soldiers at the very bottom were ame with vigor. How far have those rebel scumse? HmmI heard theyre about a day away? Are those bastards crawling here? Maybe theyre taking their sweet time enjoying the scenery. Scenery? Hahahaha! Cracking jokes, the soldiers looked upon the cannons they would wield. The soldiers eyes were full of trust as they gazed at the cannons shining gray. With these babies They were troops anticipating the time they would get to use the fearsome Divine Thunder Strike cannons theyd heard about from the north. *** The government troops have gathered in Cheonan! How many are there? Around 6,000! Hearing that government forces had set up camp in Cheonan, the leaders of the rebel forces put their heads together. Where are those bastards from? Must be the Chungcheong garrison. Should we detour? When some schrs suggested detouring, schr Ahn who had read some military books shook his head. If we detour, well end up facing the Gyeonggi garrison. And theyll be forces fully prepared while we waste time detouring. They say there are 6,000 troops in Cheonan now. It seems they werent properly prepared and moved hurriedly. Facing them would be better. Schr Ahns words seem correct. However, them moving in a hurry means their main force is cavalry. Schr Ahn, receiving criticism, pointed out their weakness. Even if we detour, do you think the cavalry of the Chungcheong garrison will just sit still? Theyll chase right after us. With most of the forces weve brought being ves, do you think we can respond properly? Ah Ahn came to a conclusion. To somehow make the ves fight decently, we have no choice but a frontal sh. Fortunately, Cheonan has no fortress and we have numerical superiority, so we have a chance. Eventually, the leaders of the rebel forces decided on a frontal collision. Even to them with little knowledge of military tactics, there seemed no other way when ves made up the bulk of their forces. But that was it. The leaders of the rebel forces knew nothing of the firepower held by the government troops and had no interest in finding out. In the end, almost all of us are armed with spears and swords! In times like these, we with superior numbers have the advantage! It was the result of them shutting their eyes and blocking their ears, only caring about their own interests while being cooped up in their hometowns. *** And so the next morning, the government forces and rebel forces confronted each other in the eastern region of Cheonan. Since the rebels were also aware of the government troops presence, they had made some preparations on their own. Were the ves given a hearty breakfast? Theyve eaten their fill. No chance of them losing strength mid-fight. Most of the preparations made by the rebel forces was feeding the ves an early breakfast. Then lets begin. Lets do it! I wish you good fortune! Good fortune! Exchanging formalities wishing each other good fortune, the schr-leaders headed towards the ves they led. Soon after, the ves standing at the vanguard of the rebel forces let out a war cry and rushed forward. Wooaaah! Even though most of them were only armed with a single spear, seeing their fellow men around them, they were burning with fighting spirit. The rebels have begun to move! I see them too. Hmmm. Observing the rebels movements through the spyss personally gifted by Sejong, Yang Jong-cheol gave orders. As expected, hardly any are properly armed. And most seem to be ves. Andspears? Pah! Looking over the rebels charging towards them, Yang turned his gaze towards the rebel leaders in the back. Donkeys? Do they think war is some festive asion? Seeing most of them were riding donkeys with the horse-riders extremely few in number, Yang scoffed and ordered his subordinates. When the enemys main force enters within 200 paces, fire the Divine Thunder Strike cannons! Yes, sir! Concentrate the bombardment on one area as trained! Yes, sir! And the musketeers will attack from alternating positions as trained! Yes, sir! Inform all troops! The rebels are a motley crew! If we just do things properly as trained, we wont have to eat memorial rites food[7] next year on this day! Yes, sir! The messenger let out a smallugh at the joke-like order before hurriedly moving to ry themands. *** 200 paces! Open fire! Boom! Bang! Boom! The artillerymen, having finished loading beforehand, immediately pulled the trigger cords at themand. The number of cannons specialized for firing Divine Thunder Strike cannons mobilized by the Chungcheong garrison this time were 40. Excluding the 10 kept in reserve, the 30 cannons were trained to move in groups of 10 cannons, forming artillery batteries. As trained, once the Divine Thunder Strike cannons were fired, huge holes were created in three ces of the rebel formation charging towards the government troops. Craters too big to be filled up. In those craters created, amidst the countless corpses, the injured were shrieking in agony. Arghhhh.! Save me! My leg! My leg! Amidst the screams of the wounded, the rebels charge ground to a halt where they were. The bulk of their forces, the ves, had fallen into panic. Observing the situation through spysses, the government troopsmanders sensed victory and raised their voices. Do not cease fire! Shoot! Shoot! Keep shooting! Boom! Bang! Sensing victory like theirmanders, the soldiers quickly reloaded and continued firing. What, what is this! Cannons of such might! Watching the situation from the rear of the rebel forces, the schrs cried out in shock. With every huge pir of fire rising from the rebel formation, holes too big to be filled were opening up in their ranks. What do we do now! Unable to find a solution, schr Ahn who had unknowingly taken on the role of military advisor flustered at the leaders question. That, that is Schr Ahn! Please give me some time to think! Ive never even heard of cannons with such might! At the leaders urges, schr Ahn also raised his voice. But he had alreadye to a conclusion inwardly. Its over Schr Ahn! What do we do now The enemy is moving! Huh? Just as they were pressuring schr Ahn, the leaders turned their heads at word that the government forces were moving. Indeed, as the barrage of the government artillery eased up a bit, the infantry ranks began advancing forward. Seeing this, schr Ahn let out a sigh of relief. An opportunity! Once they get close and the distance between us narrows, they wont be able to shoot the cannons! Then a chance wille our way once more! We must reorganize the troops into formation right away! Ah, youre right! At schr Ahns words, the leaders hurriedly dispatched messengers. Seeing the rebels ranks beginning to reorder at the messengers words, schr Ahns face was full of hope. Alright! If we ovee this crisis, victory will be ours! But the situation developed beyond his predictions. First row, aim muskets! Take aim! Having advanced to around 150 paces from the rebels, the musketeers from the Chungcheong garrison raised their equipped arquebuses at theirmanders order and took aim at the rebels. Fire! Rat-a-tat-tat! In an instant, thick smoke obscured the Joseon troops vision and the second row that was waiting in the back surged past the first row to the front. Watching the situation on the battlefield for a moment, themander soon gave orders. Second row, take aim! Aim! Fire! Rat-a-tat-tat! And so when it came to be the fifth rows turn after rotating through the rows, the rebels formation hadpletely copsed. Observing the situation, Yang Jong-cheol gave orders. Inform the cavalry! Do not let the rebels escape! Yes, sir! And so the sh between the Chungcheong garrison and Chungcheong regional rebel forces was decided in less than half a day. An overwhelming, massive victory for the Joseon Chungcheong garrison troops.
  1. Gooesan, Jeungpyong and Jincheon are counties of Norther Chungcheong in todays Korea[]
  2. Read history of Cheongju-mok here: /story/cheongju-center-for-local-governance-and-korean-buddhist-culture-cheongju-early-printing-museum/wQVhwE7DvWIQeQ?hl=en[]
  3. Cheonan is a city in todays South Chungcheong[]
  4. () refers to military registers or records. The Joseon Dynasty maintained a system of military service, and the was a record of eligible men for military conscription. It included information about individuals martial abilities, family background, and other relevant details.[]
  5. A unit organized to support the regr army ( or ) by individuals serving in lieu of active duty as mandatory military service personnel during the Joseon Dynasty.[]
  6. Supporters providing economic assistance to the auxiliary army () for the provision of military funds during the Joseon Dynasty.[]
  7. meaning they wont be dead, since usually memorial rites food usually offered during their death anniversary[]
Chapter 164 Chapter 164 As the rebel forces were getting decimated like this in Cheonan, shes between rebel and government forces were also drawing near in Gyeongsang and Jeo provinces. *** Jeo Provincial Military Headquarters Spread out on the table in the middle of the meeting room was a map, withrge and small wooden chips scattered about on top. Whats the current movement of the rebels? At Jeo Provincial Commander Nam Kang-ils question, a military officer moved threerge wooden chips as he answered. The rebels have splitrgely into three groups and are moving ordingly. One group is heading towards our Jeo garrison, while the other two groups are moving towards the Jeo Left and Right Naval Stations each. What are their sizes? The groups heading towards the naval stations number around 6,000 each. The number of the grouping towards our garrison is estimated to be around 25,000. Their numbers have grown quite a bit. The number of ves joining the rebels has increased a little. Still not enough to execute six times over! At the military officers report, Colonel Lee Han-jong immediately spat out profanities. Most military officers participating in the meeting nodded their heads at his words. Quietly looking over the map, Nam Kang-il threw a question at the officer. For what reason has the number of criminals joining the rebels increased? They probably heard the rumors about the pce invasion and still joined despite knowing it had failed. Huh? They joined the rebels thinking the court, also in shock, woulde out conciliatory? They seem to have judged the possibility was high. Clenching his teeth at the officers report, Nam Kang-il said, Fools! Are they that bad at judging the situation? I want to see the face of the imbecile who came up with such a thought! Nam Kang-il, very curious about just who came up with a dream or hope-filled expectation that the shocked king would adopt a conciliatory policy after the rebellion and then the pce invasion, couldnt help wondering. Well, the dumber the opponent, the more advantageous for us, so its a good thing in its way, but Anyway, no matter how dim they are, for them to think of attacking the Navy Im starting to feel bad for them now. Hahat! Hahaha! At Nam Kang-ils assessment, the meeting room was filled withughter. If asked right now who in Joseon was knowledgeable about firearms, the military would point out two. One was the Training Center associated with Area 51. And the other was the Navy. Since thete Goryeo period when Choe Museon[1] developed firearms, the Joseon Navy and cannons have been inseparable. As such, when the opinion was raised at court to decrease the production of gunpowder especially the gunpowder the one most actively opposed was the Navy. It was a moment you had to feel bad for the rebel forces swarming an entity with the most skilled personnel on firearms within the Joseon military. In any case, with the royal order already given to suppress the rebels, the Jeo garrison steadily prepared step-by-step. The rebels areing! Which direction? As expected, they areing from the direction of the fire! At the scouts report, Nam Kang-il rose from his seat. Good! We will annihte the rebels! Yes, sir! *** In the ensuing battle,ter named the Wolchulsan Battle, the Jeo garrison annihted the rebel forces. Blocking off the embers and utilizing the natural barrier of the neighboring Wolchulsan and Saenggeumsan mountain ridges, they struck the deeply advanced rebels from three sides. As the fatally damaged rebels attempted to retreat, the cavalry unit detouring around Wolchulsan struck the rear of the rebels, leading toplete annihtion. It was a textbook Three-front Siege. *** The battle at Mungyeongsaejae[2] was the same. Infantry wearing full body iron armor like the cavalry blocked the pass. While artillery and musketeers in the rear pinned down the rebel forces, cavalry concealed at Jigok-ri and Gakseo-ri[3] struck the rear of the rebels a hammer and anvil tactic. Though the rebels surrounded front and back struggled fiercely, with ves making up most of their forces quickly surrendering, the tide was irreversible. But the most pitiful were the rebel forces who went to attack the Jeo Left and Right Naval Stations. Having received word the rebels areing, the Jeo Left and Right Naval Commanders took all cannons off their docked ships and ced them facing the path the rebel forces woulde from. As such, the rebel forces approaching to upy the naval stations were blown apart by all the naval artillery, from Divine Thunder Strike cannons (Bigyeokjincheonrae) to joranhwan (Joseons version of Grapeshot). [TL/N: Watch this video on Bigyeokjincheonrae: /watch?v=OWafbD79Ix4&t=1s ] Especially the Jeo Left Naval Station used a unique tactic switching around the gunpowder used for the cannons and firearms. ording to the new doctrine, enhanced gunpowder was to be used as propent for artillery while double-strength gunpowder was distributed for the equipped arquebuses and horse muskets. But the Jeo Left Naval Station went through the cumbersome process of taking apart and reassembling the cartridges distributed for the arquebuses and muskets just to switch out the gunpowder. Out on the sea, the wind blows nicely to disperse the smoke so its not a big issue, but not onnd! Switch them! It was done ording to the Jeo Left Naval Commanders order, but it was a brilliant move. Though they said the amount of smoke decreased, double-strength gunpowder was also a ck powder that generated a lot of smoke. However, by using the enhanced gunpowder, the amount of smoke generated greatly decreased, allowing the naval musketeers to snipe the rebel forces much more efficiently. *** And so with theplete annihtion of the rebel forces, the Gi-Yu Rebellion that broke out in Hasamdo came to an end. While cleaning up the battlefields, the provincial militarymanders and navalmanders wrote up reports to send to Hanseong and split up their forces to suppress the regions where the rebellion first broke out. Through seeding in suppressing this Gi-Yu Rebellion, the court obtained an unintended extra result as well. That was the annihtion of private armies. Though they endlessly pushed policies to stamp out private armies since the founding of the nation, private armies had tenaciously survived. Especially in the southern regions of Joseon, they were even expanding the private armies little by little using the rationale of defending against Japanese pirates. However, through the failure of the Gi-Yu Rebellion, private armies thoroughly copsed. Not only the private armies who sided with the rebels, but also the private armies who sided against them werergely depleted during the battles. After this, private armies were no longer able to form inrge scales. Because after the Gi-Yu Rebellion, the principle cultivating private armies = rebellion was established at court. Later, romanticist historians appended the subtitle Twilight of Private Armies to the Gi-Yu Rebellion. *** Though the rebellion had ended, the blood had yet to cease flowing. Capture the families of the rebel scums! Following the orders they had received beforehand, provincial militarymanders dispatched troops towards the regions where rebellions urred. In the process of capturing the rebels, the troops had to confront unexpected individuals. They were families who had lost their lives for opposing the rebellion. Sigh. Dear me. Entering a vige near Naju, military officer Gang Choon-bae sighed as he agonized over the solution for the incident he had to handle. The grand tile-roofed gate of schr Oh who started the uprising was wide open, and a group of men holding blood-stained clubs came out to greet them. Wee! Who are you people! Tense, Choon-bae questioned the men. From among them, one schr stepped forward. I am Jo Il-gu, second son of schr Jo from the neighboring vige. As the man politely answered, revealing his identity, Choon-bae asked again in a slightly relieved tone. I see. What business does schr Jo have here? My father and older brother lost their lives at the hands of the rebels. How can I leave this hostile household thatmitted unforgivable acts alone! Feeling the deep blood ties exuded from Jo Il-gus answer, Choon-bae hurried into the house. Dear me. Schr Ohs house was a bloodbath inside. Bloodstains were all over the walls and fence, and corpses were lying everywhere inside the house. Seeing the sight, Choon-bae red at Jo Il-gu. No matter how a rebels household, you cannot just kill them indiscriminately! Do you not know that? So are you telling me to just forgive those who killed my father and brothers! Sigh. Whether he knew of Choon-baes frustration or not, Jo Il-gu calmly replied. Other than taking the lives of the culprits family members, we didnt touch a single hair or possession. My lord will be able to find evidence of that. Sigh You know this wont just blow over, right? At Choon-baes voice unable to hide his frustration, Jo spoke in a deste tone. Of course I do. But having exacted revenge on mortal enemies, I have no regrets. Sigh. Heaving a long sigh, Choon-bae briefly replied. For now, put them in prison. Hey you lot! Imprison them! Yes, sir! Following Choon-baes order, the soldiers took away the clubs from the hands of the men who came with Jo Il-gu and dragged them to the side. Knowing the circumstances, the soldiers did not treat the men harshly. Watching the scene, Choon-bae let out another long sigh. Sheesh So do I have to write up a petition too on top of the report? *** These kinds of incidents urred frequently in regions where rebellions took ce. Soldiers broke into sweats trying to stop people rushing in for revenge, or had to figure out the culprit through questioning after cleaning up houses already turned into bloodbaths. In the worst cases, overlooking the revenge on the condition that assets would not be touched also urred. As the situation grew severe, there were also cases of entire rebel householdsmitting mass suicide. Though tragedies urred here and there as a cycle of violence erupted with blood repaid with more blood, the turmoil in the southern provinces gradually began settling down. Reinforcements of troops and officials quickly dispatched by the court receiving these urgent reports was the reason why. *** Only after reports of the rebellion has been suppressed came in from Jeo and Gyeongsang Provinces did Sejong take off his armor. Only after Sejong removed his armor were the ministers of court able to breathe a sigh of relief. As Sejong took off his armor, the tension at court that had been like walking a tightrope eased a little. So how far has the organizing of the rebels ns progressed? At Sejongs question, the Minister of Law and Punishment answered. The ringleaders families have already been imprisoned and their assets have all been sealed up. Good work. As Sejongs words ended, Heo Jo stepped up to point out a problem. The issue is with their rtives. Byw, their ns should be exterminated, but the scope is toorge. Hmm. If we follow regtions and arrest them all to turn into ves, it would number in the thousands. Also, they need to be dispersed to prevent collusion but few want to take in ves due to the newly changedws. So there were such problems. Also. Though they may be from the same ns as the rebels, there are those who opposed the revolt but were imprisoned or lost their lives. At Heo Jos words, Sejong who was trying to find solutions asked the Minister of Law and Punishments. What does thew prescribe in cases like these? ording to the Great Ming Code, the criminal of rebellion should be executed by slow slicing and his father and sons above 16 years old should receive strokes of the bamboo. Sons under 16 years old and his mother, wives, and daughters, as well as siblings, their spouses and grandchildren should all be made into ves of meritorious retainers. All their assets will be confiscated. Even if they lived apart, paternal uncles and nephews will be exiled 3000 li. This is what is written. Hmmm Let us think a little more. While the rebels must be punished severely, in this case the scope is the problem. Yes, Your Majesty. Just as they got over one peak, another emerged.
  1. A medieval Korean scientist, inventor, and militarymander during thete Goryeo Dynasty and early Joseon. Famous for introducing gunpowder locally[]
  2. Mountain in central South Korea[]
  3. Viges in South Chungcheong[]
Chapter 165 Chapter 165 Everyone gather! At Jeong-chos order, officials of the research facility promptly gathered in the front courtyard. Everyone has gathered. Good work. Hearing Jeong-chos report, Hyang standing on the pavilion tform got straight to the main point. Work at the research facility will be suspended for a while. Exchanging nces with each other at Hyangs statement, the research facility officials made amotion. When the bustling died down a bit, Hyang exined his reason. A lot of manpower is needed for the selection process regarding those involved in the revolt. So cooperation requests havee in from the Office of Taxation and the Office of Law and Punishment. But doesnt the Ministry of Taxation already have enough personnel? At Hyangs exnation, Jinpyeong raised objections. To Jinpyeongs objections, Hyang replied. The Ministry of Taxation needs to collect taxes and circte currency in time for the autumn harvest this year. The harvest this year stopped all across Joseon because of this rebellion. If the timing is missed, all farming for this year could turn to naught. At those words, Jinpyeong and other officials who wereining fell quiet. But the railroad research. Ahem! As Jinpyeong started to say something about lingering attachment to lotives, Hyangs re turned fierce so he immediately shut his mouth. After suppressing the pce invasionst time, Jinpyeong simultaneously feared yet respected Hyang. So when Hyangs expression turned severe, he quickly closed his mouth. With Jinpyeong ceasing to speak, the bustlingpletely disappeared. Then bring in the carts! At Hyangs order, the magistrates and gold troops brought in about 20 carts filled to the brim with books. In front of the carts, Hyang continued speaking. The lists of rebels surrendered by the ministries of Taxation and Law and Punishments, registry records of the regions involved, and confiscated genealogies of the rebels ns. Checking these will determine who is included in collective punishment. Yes. *** With the investigation into the rebels and their ns proceeding ording to Hyangs order, the research facility officials heaved sighs. The noblemen of Hasamdo will have their family lines cut off for sure. Though people often say when one is caught nning revolt his three ns will be exterminated, his nine ns will be exterminated, genuinely exterminating three and nine ns have been rare in the past. To give the most recent example, even those implicated in Gang Sang-ins Conspiracy just had Gang Sang-in and his brother Shim On executed while their families were reduced to government ves. Most others came out unscathed. But this time, those who fall under exceptions were very few. Because the rebels gathered under the pretext of ancestral rites for their ns before rising up, almost all members of the ns were involved. It was the same for the wives of the instigators. While normally even the wives would be reduced tomoners and the wifes ns left alone, ns whose wives also joined the rebellion were not small in number. What the heck! While organizing the register of names, Yi Soonji threw down his writing brush and shouted in frustration. No matter how disconnected from the world they lived, are they idiots! How can anyone be so stupid! The order Sejong passed down through Hyang was simple. Though applying the Great Ming Code may be customary, we have our ownws in Joseon. Follow thosews to handle matters fairly and urately. While issuing this order, Sejong added the following. I feel like following the Ming Emperors example and exterminating beyond nine ns to ten ns. However, asws exist, we ought to follow them. However, the scope of collective punishment for rebels ording to Joseonws or the Ming Code were mostly identical. Additionally, most of these revolt cases consisted of members of a n gathering together on the pretext of ancestral memorial rites before taking up arms. So those who could be excluded by applying collective punishment were extremely few. This was exactly why Yi Soonji was so angry. Would you look at this! For crying out loud! Calm down! Stay calm! The colleagues around hik tried to restrain Yi Soonji, but he could not hold down his anger. Look at this! This!! At Yi Soonjis words, his colleagues nced over the report he had been examining and unconsciously let out sighs as well. Sigh At his colleagues reactions, Yi Soonji raised his voice. Even frogs stuck at the bottom of a well are smarter than this! Since when did 11 year olds participating in revolt make sense! Sigh There were that many idiots. Concur. Hearing Yi Soonjis words, even the colleagues who were restraining him had to heave sighs. ording to the overall trend that one is treated as an adult once married even if they have yet to formallye of age at 15 years old, ns with boys still in early teens participating in the revolt were not rare. In the end, there were many ns where all males of the n joined the revolt and as a result, the whole n was obliterated. *** Having produced the results after a whole month of overtime, Hyang looked at the thick scrolls and sighed. Phew Dammit! Why is the summary report so freaking thick. Seeing the scrolls and thick books situated in front of him, Hyang stood up with a helpless expression. Still need to report though. Magistrate! Load all of these into carts! Yes, Your Highness. *** Your Majesty, Crown Prince Hyang requests an audience. Let him in. Entering the closed quarters, Hyang offered respectful greetings to Sejong before looking around at the ministers. Seeing the previously glowing ministersplexions now rough and coarse, Hyang had a sorrowful expression. Their skin were shining just a few days ago The elders must have suffered. Is the organizing done? Tearing his sorrowful gaze from the ministers at Sejongs question, Hyang promptly replied. Yes, Father. Magistrate. Yes, Your Highness. The magistrate following behind Hyang handed three thick scrolls to the high official. Receiving the scrolls from the high official, Sejong undid the knots and examined the contents. Sigh. Seeing what the scrolls Hyang submitted contained, Sejong let out a sigh before he knew it. To think so manymitted such foolish acts. At Sejongs sigh, Hyang immediately responded. It means there were that many who werepletely ignorant of worldly matters among those who held the highest positions in those regions. It must be so. Answering in a bitter tone at Hyangs words, Sejong looked over the numbers written at the very front of each scroll. The three scrolls respectively summarized the situations in Chungcheong, Gyeongsang, and Jeo where rebellions urred this time. As you can see from the scrolls. Hyang gave a verbal exnation summarizing the contents. The scale of involvement in each region was as follows: *Chungcheong 23 ns 1218 people Private forces 654 ves 7,855 *Gyeongsang 32 ns 2,198 people Private forces 3,421 ves 24,328 *Jeo 26 ns 1,887 people Private forces 10,578 ves 21,894 A great many. Especially in Yeongnam and Honam. Listening to Hyangs exnation, Sejong looked around at the ministers. Hold on. As I recall, we prohibited possessing and cultivating private armies long ago. At Sejongs words, Jo Mal-saeng stepped forward to answer. That is correct. However, it seems powerful ns in the three southern provinces just changed the names and raised them. Passing them off as personal guards and merchants and so on. Sejong quietly nodded at Jo Mal-saengs answer. After all, even his own older brother, Grand Prince Yangnyeong, called up private forces on the pretext of merchants skilled at hunting. We will have to strictly crack down so that no more private armies can be cultivated because of this incident. While nning a policy to newly implement and examining the report, Sejong questioned the ministers again. What is the reason there are so many private forces and ves in Yeongnam and Honam? At Sejongs question, Kim Jeom immediately answered. Yeongnam and Honam have been famous granaries since long ago so there were frequent raids by Japanese pirates. So most ns raised private forces. The reason for therge ve numbers is because sharecropping ismon, but there is also a lot ofnd directly farmed using vebor. And all those vastnds were tax-exempt? At Sejongs question, Kim Jeom promptly answered. That is correct. Hmm. Hearing Kim Jeoms answer, Sejong looked over the scrolls again, brooding in thought. After a long period thinking alone, Sejong turned to the ministers. Thoughter generations may see this as cruel measures, I will have to make a resolute decision. Let us purge them. At Sejongs decision, the ministers shut their eyes tight. Purge meant merciless mass cleansing. But we have no grounds to stop this! They dared armed rebellion. There are no grounds! And so in the end, the ministers could only bow their heads and give the same answer. We shall heed your orders! The scribe who recorded all these events appended the following at the end: Thus, when the King decided to purge those who instigated revolt, not a single minister opposed his will. The scribements. When the choice of a moment caused ones own n to perish, whom can they me? *** Though the decision was made to inflict extreme penalties on all officials rted to the revolt, that did not end matters. What is this book? From among the books that came with the scrolls, Sejong picked up the thickest tome and looked at the title. Record of a Loyalty-Oriented Individual with Contrary Views.? Seeing Sejong expressing puzzlement at the title, Hyang immediately answered. It is the list of those, though from rebel ns, who did not participate in treason and kept their loyalty until the end. Is that so? Eyes shining, Sejong looked over the names of those recorded in the list. However, in not long, he was full of regret. There are quite a lot of dead. Many were killed for refusing to join the revolt. At Hyangs reply, Sejongs voice turned severe. By this, the rebels guilt grows heavier. No matter how you disagree, harming your own kin! Can such people still call themselves officials! Minister of Law and Punishments, listen! Yes, Your Majesty! Those from ns who killed their own kinsmen will all be executed through dismemberment! They should not die easily! Yes, Your Majesty. Discussion regarding how to handle those involved with the rebellion continued after that. As the punishments for the rebels had already been decided, the discussion was mainly centered around meritorious subjects. After quite a lengthy debate, the reward criteria for those who achieved merit in suppressing this uprising was formted. 1st ss meritorious subject Commanders who suppressed the pce invasion. Commanders who suppressed the uprising. Variousmanders who died suppressing the pce invasion. 2nd ss meritorious subject. Intermediate and low rankmanders who suppressed the pce invasion. Intermediate and low rankmanders who suppressed the uprising. Soldiers killed suppressing the pce invasion. The heads of ns who opposed those who started the uprising. 3rd ss meritorious subject Variousmanders killed suppressing the uprising. The heads of families who opposed those who started the uprising. 4th ss meritorious subject Those killed or injured in suppressing the uprising. Through these determined standards, rewards were conferred on rted parties. Through the newly implemented honors system devised at Hyangs suggestion, many received military orders and rewards. However, in the process of giving rewards, Sejong gave them a choice. I will either givend or an annuity choose. At Sejongs proposal, those received rewards fell into thought. If they chose the annuity, in addition to payments at set rates over a designated period, their children gained the benefit of admittance to military academy or exemption from corveebor. For country noblemen, Sejong additionally granted ques personally inscribed with n of Loyalty and Righteousness. In contrast, if they chosend, all the additional benefits like mentioned above werepletely gone. Moreover, the rewardednds were given a 5 yearplete tax exemption, with taxes halved for the next 5 years that was it. Most meritorious subjects had no choice but to pick annuities. It was Hyang who formted this policy. While firsting up with the idea, Hyang muttered, I didnt know you could apply policies like this *** While rewards for the meritorious subjects ended like so, the suffering of rebel participants families had only just begun. With the youngest rebel participant only 11 years old, male descendants had withered away from the ns involved with the rebellion. Additionally, with vews changing and the tax system transforming, there were no meritorious subjects who wanted to take on ves. Should we send them north? If it was just a few, sending them north wouldnt be an issue, but the numbers are too great. We cant make the entire northern region into rebel sympathizers, right? After all kinds of discussions, the settled punishment was sentenced tobor in mines. All family members of rebel participants were dragged off to work 30 years of forcedbor in iron and coal mines. Chapter 166 Chapter 166 Following Sejongs order, the rebellious ns were shattered. With the adult male heads of families and ns all participating in the uprising, it was frequent for 15 year old boys to now be the eldest of families. However, that was just the beginning of tragedy. Regardless of age, those participating in the uprising were executed. Especially those who killed rtives opposing participation were dismembered. That was not the end of the affairs. ording to both Joseons Economic Primary Six Codes and Economic Land War (the revised version), sons of rebel participants over 15 years the proper age to hold ancestral rites were all given strokes of the rod. With rebels moving by entire ns, it brought even greater disaster. Byw, collective punishment reached up to 3rd cousins of the offender. And those who fell under collective punishment were sentenced to exile. Of course, depending on the will of the powerful, that scope could be expanded. However, with entire ns participating in this uprising, there were no such exiles to take ce. As a result, through this uprising, the noblemen society of the three southern provinces received a destructive blow. Looking solely at the percentage of noblemen who faced destruction through this uprising 40% for Chungcheong Province, 38% for Gyeongsang Province, 33% for Jeo Province. But when looking at the economic side 55%, 62%, and 69% of farmnds respectively fell into government hands. Or more precisely, into Sejongs hands. So did they have to raise a rebellion after all. Looking over the report raised by the Ministry of Taxation, Sejong was so shocked he couldnt speak properly. Nearly half, or more than half, of Joseons important granary regions except for Gyeonggi Province had been under these noblemens control. The contents in the thick tome report from the Ministry of Taxation were more than just that. As Sejong looked over thetter half, his expression turned fiercely sinister. Is this truly a fact? At Sejongs question, Kim Jeom promptly replied. It is true. Those bastards need to be ripped to death! Sejong revealed his anger in full. The contents of thetter half of the report was about property seized from ns joining the uprising. Even excluding real estate like farms and forests, the total value of seized assets rivaled 15 years of tax revenue for the court. Simply put, it meant the court could run the government for 15 years if the missing tax revenue were truly collected. Those ungrateful bastards. With those gnashed teeth words, Sejongs jowls shivered. Your Majesty! Please quell your justified anger! Please quell your justified anger! Urged by ministers like Kim Jeom to settle his anger, Sejong took deep breaths to quell his rage. After a long bout of deep breathing, having cooled his rage to some extent, Sejong spoke while gazing at the ministers. From the final years of thete kings reign all the way until my first 5 years, we held rites, praying for rainevery year. And every year, petitions from across the country reporting people starving to death poured in endlessly, followed by regional governors persistence that this should be resolved. That is correct. In such a situation, to have amassed wealth like this Is it possible that this happened through legitimate means? . The ministers said nothing to Sejongs question. Because they had their fair share of sore spots as well. A significant portion of gifts that officials ended up giving away during the Kim Doyeon incident were provided by these sorts of improperly enriched individuals. With the ministers remaining silent, Sejong looked over the report once more. Staring at the report as if to pierce it through with his re, Sejong called for the high official. Immediately summon the Crown Prince and Chief State Councilor. Yes, Your Majesty. Soon after being summoned, with the Chief State Councilor and Hyang in front of him, Sejong gave a brief order. While executing those directly involved in revolt is unavoidable,e up with ideas on how to utilize those who have fallen to very, and report back on this. The price must be paid for favoring their fellow colleagues for this long. We shall obey your order. The Chief State Councilor and Hyang lowered their heads respectfully as they answered. And so the answer that came out from the Hall of Worthies and research facility was 30 years ofbor in mines. *** There is only harshbor. Having received Sejongs order from Hyang, officials at the research facility immediately mentioned hardbor. At the officials answer, Hyang nodded as he added on. While that may be the answer, I dont think its the correct solution. Where and how the penal servitude is carried out is the issue. Others must clearly see they are paying the proper price right now. Additionally, those doing the same work cannot receive simr treatment. Lastly, escape must not be easy. Ah At Hyangs stated conditions, all the officials cocked their heads. Amid deep thought, Jeong Inji made a proposal. What do you think about assigning them to the road constructions currently in progress? At Jeong Injis words, Jeong-cho raised objections. Hasnt it already been decided that road constructions will be handled by private consortiums? That is true. However, ording to the ns just formted, very little of the roads will be straight. Due to mountains and rivers. Thats a fair point. Bringing over a map and spreading it out on the desk, Jeong Inji continued his exnation tracing lines with his finger. Im saying we assign them to the straightening reconstruction process for these roads. Drilling tunnels through mountains and rather than just picking narrow parts of rivers for bridges, erecting them at points closest to a straight line. Of course construction difficulty and capital investment will be significantly greater. We use criminals for that challenging construction work. Hmm. Sounds decent. At Jeong Injis words, officials at the research facility all had expressions as if it made sense. However, the head supervisor of the project, Hyang, shook his head. No good. Why not? Asked for the reason, Hyang immediately exined it. First, road construction sites are ces where people live. Risk of escape is high. If separate detention facilities are built for the regions undergoing challenging constructions. No matter how many detention facilities you build, road work sites have viges right over a mountain or two. Plus those sites are covered with dangerous tools like hoes, axes, and shovels. If something goes wrong, it could lead to casualties for neighboring viges. Still though. Secondly, handing road constructions to private consortiums also serve the purposes of circting funds, gathering personnel, expanding currency cirction, and expanding Joseons economic scale. Mass assigning criminals there? It may fall short of expected goals. Ah. As Hyangs exnation continued, Jeong Injis head drooped lower and lower. Seeing that, Hyang looked around at the other officials. Lastly, theyll be building bridges and digging tunnels through mountains. Challenging constructions. As those types of projects are underway, theborers will gain experience and be skilled technicians. Taking a short break and catching his breath, Hyang pointed out a critical problem. However, teaching such important skills and techniques to criminals, and especially those convicted of treason does it seem reasonable to you? For ordinary criminals providing skills and reforming them makes sense so they nevermit crimes again, but rebels are different, are they not? As Hyang pointed out the political issue, Jeong Inji waved the white g. My thinking was a bit shortsighted. While the idea was good, you didnt consider the political problem. Go back and ponder this a little more. Yes. As such, Hyang and research facility officials put their heads together agonizing over one proposal after another while going over various reports and maps from the Boards of the Interior and Revenue. What made Hyang and his officials rack their brains was the issue of disdained statuses tied to certain professions. Itd be perfect if we use them for either minebor or oarsmen for ships. With that disdained status problem, theres already fewer and fewer who want those roles. How will we handle securing manpower in the future? Ugh. One day while Hyang was going over documents at Area 51, Lee Chun came to find him. Your Highness, have you heard the news? What news? As Hyang asked in puzzlement, Lee Chun made a faint smile and continued speaking. Though an official report will soon reach the court, arge iron mine has been discovered in a newly pioneered region. At Lee Chuns words, Hyangs eyes lit up. An iron mine, you say? Where is it? At Hyangs question, Lee Chun took down a map from the wall and spread it out on the desk, pointing to one spot. Right here. Nodding as he looked over where Lee Chun indicated, Hyang said, Looks decent. Well need to research more on this. Thank you, general. You tter me. As a retainer of Joseon, Im just doing my assigned tasks. Following Hyangs order, officials from the research center immediately rode off northward. What brings people from Hanseong here? The Crown Prince sent us. The dispatched official held out Hyangs letter of introduction to Hwang Hui. After checking the letters contents, Hwang Hui called for his scribe. Go and Im right here! Hearing Kim Jong-seos voice from right next door, Hwang Hui scowled. That rascal dashes to Hanseong no matter rain or shine. In a low voice, he mutteredints as he gave orders to Kim Jong-seo. Hand over duplicated written materials on the mountain to them and if necessary, carry out on-site investigations as well. Yes, sir! Then please follow me! With high spirits, Kim Jong-seo led the research center officials off. Where is the most popr pleasure quarter in Hanseong these days? How about gisaengs Listening to Kim Jong-seos very excited inquiries about this and that regarding Hanseong, Hwang Huis face crumpled up. His love for Hanseong is always. *** Having obtained data through that process, Hyang and research center officials soon chose Muan-san as the most ideal location. With the mountain and Tumen River surrounding on three sides, the only exit is the Cheongjin road. Surveince will be easy. Since it is an open mine, utilizing female penalbor will also carry less burden. Additionally, it is the optimal position to supply iron to the second imperial ironworks scheduled for construction near Cheongjin. Following the report by Hyang and research officials, Sejong made his decision. Send the criminals to Mt. Musan forbor! *** ording to Sejongs decree, surviving members from rebellious ns had their status demoted to very and were dragged off to the iron mines in Mt. Musan and coal mines near Gyeongheung, which was discovered recently called Aoji in the 21st century. Once Sejong made his decision, those locked up in regional offices prisons and garrison prisons started heading north. The number of people who began relocating like this reached approximately 110,000 n members and ves owned by ns. In this process of moving north, considerable sacrifices urred. Those who tried escaping when chances appeared, were caught and killed. Those in despair over their circumstances,mitted suicide. As well as many who copsed from mental shock and physical exhaustion, dying on route. Those that died were carelessly buried in hillsides nearby. Move it! At the escort soldiers shouts, those remaining had no choice but to move their unsteady feet, tears flowing. Having suddenly gone from living well as noblemen to the wretched status of ves overnight. At the torment of having to bury their own family without proper rites, they went on moving. The minds of these survivors grew increasingly devastated. *** One day in the distant future, progressive schrs used this incident and the earlier Purging of Rebels event tounch fierce criticisms on Sejong. Sejong was a tyrant! The heated debates between these progressive historians and their conservative counterparts stirred up the field of history. *** The Southern Provinces Uprising sent massive ripples across Joseon society. As an aftermath of this uprising, the courts centralization of power was further strengthened while local noblemen became increasingly subdued. In the process, an unexpected victim emerged vige schools scattered across the nation. Having received reports that the rebels began their conspiracies and formed cliques in vige schools, Sejong ordered their abolition. Though created for holding memorial rites to the shrines of Great Schr, and cultivating schrly principles, they have be hotbeds for the unrestful! Thus vige schools will be abolished! Memorial rites to past sages will be handled by the Sunkyunkwan, so those desiring to hold rites ought to properly do so bying to the Sunkyunkwan! In the past, once this order came down, not only would ministers but local noblemen across thend rise up in defiance. However, with Sejongs royal authority being absolute and righteousnesspletely in his grasp, no prominent local nobleman dared to resist. And so before that year Gi-Yu ended, vige schools across Joseon were dismantled. Chapter 167 Chapter 167 The day Sejong decided to dismantle vige schools, Phew~. Exiting the morning court session, Minister of Rites Lee Maeng-gyun heaved a deep sigh. Seeing Lee Maeng-gyuns face, other court ministersforted him. Your Excellency, lets leave on time today and have a drink. Ill buy you a drink. Let us go together, my lord. At his colleagues words, Yi heaved another long sigh as he nodded. Ive been avoiding alcohol for a while, but I need a drink today. Thank you. Lets go together. Indeed. Lets drink until our noses are crooked today. And so, receiving thefort of his fellow ministers, Lee Maeng-gyun headed off to the pleasure quarters, gritting his teeth as he crossed the threshold of the Ministry of Rites government office. Damn those rebel scums! Of all times! We ought to exterminate not only their family but all their nine ns and more! Spitting curses at the rebels on his way in, Lee Maeng-gyun immediately gathered officials of the Ministry once inside. Once the officials gathered, Lee Maeng-gyun spoke in aplicated tone, Just earlier, His Majesty made his decision in the court. That decision was. Stopping briefly, Lee took a deep breath before continuing, His Majesty has ordered the dismantlement of vige schools. What? Are you serious? At Lees statement, officials looked around at each other with stunned faces, mumbling. Then what about the Confucian memorial rites. With the Sunkyunkwan. Watching his officials discuss one of the key functions of vige schools memorial rites Lee raised his voice, That is not the problem! If thats not the problem, then. Among the confused officials at Lees words, those quick on the uptake turned deathly pale. Could it be! Has the initial initiatives of establishing Four Peoples Schools already been decided? Could it be! Wasnt the establishment of Four Peoples Schools nned after thepletion of the courts departmental reforms?? As the quick-witted mentioned Four Peoples Schools, the faces of other officials also started paling. Seeing their expressions, Minister Lee Maeng-gyun nodded with a heavy look,, Nothing hase out formally yet. However, I and other ministers believe His Majesty will soon make his intentions known. For what reason? At the officials question, Lee simply replied, Because unexpected massive wealth flowed in due to the rebels. Ah. At Lees reply, the officials shut their mouths and nodded in understanding. *** The educational institution Sejong termed Four Peoples School was by the standards of the time, a highly progressive and sensational institution that couldnt be seen anywhere else in the world. At Four Peoples Schools, any freeborn child regardless of ss or gender could receive basic education. It was while listening to Hyangs presentation of ideologies that Sejong thought of Four Peoples Schools. Joseon has small barren infertilend and scarce resources. For Joseon to develop in such bleak conditions, there is nothing we can rely on but people. That means investing in people. Investing in people means providing them education. Lowering the entry barrier of education and widening ess must be done in order to foster greater numbers of talents. Sejong was deeply impressed by Hyangs opinions. Sejongs greatest purpose had also been the enrichment and military strengthening of Joseon. Hyangs words demolished the wall Sejong had been stuck behind, allowing breakthrough. Is this not the ideal those past sages had dreamed of! Falling to his knees at Hyangs views, Sejong devised policies fitting the basic ideology of Expanding Both Quality and Quantity of Education whileying out military reformation ns. Of course the schrs of Hall of Worthies, who had been aiding to realize Sejongs grand military ns, showed mostly negative reactions. While ideal, such a thing is impossible in reality, would it not? Though the intention of educatingmoners children is good Would ignorant masses living scrappily hand to mouth even consider sending their own kids to school? At the Hall of Worthies schrs words, Sejong roared curses at them in a coarse voice. Watch that trash-spouting mouth this instant! Mouth Your Majesty! Suchnguage As Hall of Worthies schrs tried to protest Sejongs cursing, he immediately talked over them. I said watch it! Do you lot truly want to spread the sages teachings in this world! Blinded by tiny bits of sense of superiority! Look at sessful civil service exam passers for starters! Are all those who attempt and pass the exam sons of noblemen? No small number are sons of farmers! And so what? Those masses wont send their kids to study? What do you see Joseon subjects as! Do you still feel my trash mouth words unjust! Please forgive our thering! At Sejongs roar, the Hall of Worthies schrs could only prostrate t. And so was how the Four Peoples Schools came to be created. ording to contents nned in the military reforms, all people of Joseon, when their children reached ages 5-7 years old, in other words, old enough to express their own will to some extent, had to send them to Four Peoples Schools, regardless of gender. What the Four Peoples Schools taught were basics of Hanja characters, arithmetic, and ethics. After receiving education at Four Peoples Schools, children could enter more advanced educational institutions afterwards, ording to individual circumstances and aptitudes. For those seeking officialdom ormercial upations going to vige schools was arranged for further education, while those pursuing military or naval careers would enter local academiesfor further education that was the basic framework. And the administrative agency in charge was the Department of Education. Through military reforms, the Ministry of Rites was set to be divided into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Department of Education. The Department of Education would manage the oversight of schools, entrance examinations including civil service exams, and other overall education policies. However, because of this uprising, grave disruptions arose in this schedule. With vige schools named as hotbeds of dissenters, they were demolished. *** Lee Maeng-gyun continued his exnation. While we only caught bits and pieces, His Majesty seems to n on taking this unfortunate incident as a lesson, and devote more attention to education. That means. Making a brief pause and looking around at each official, Lee resumed speaking. It means, depending on how we handle things, the budget scale could greatly increase or decrease. As Lee brought up the budget, officials gazes began sharply shining. With encouragement ofmerce and implementation of various economic policies, tax revenue flowing into the courts coffers continuously grew. However, expenditures were also massive matching what came in. As such, the Six Ministries making up the court waged bloody battles to squeeze out even just a little more budget. If the budget grew, they could increase personnel as well as boldly implement experimental policies. The most representative were the Ministries of Military and Taxation. And recently, the Ministry of Public and Works was right on their heels. Minister Lee Maeng-gyun hence encouraged the his ministrys officials. His Majesty likely wont spend all the confiscated assets of the rebels in one go, but its certain the next budget will have an enormous increase! The portions going to Military and Taxation ministries cant be helped and the Public Works as well due to newly implemented policies! But the budget cannot be snatched by other departments! Especially so for the research facility and Area 51 budgets! Yes! The officials unanimously responded to their superiors words. Do you want to leave work on time? Yes! There are lots of new junior officialsing in so you want a morefortable work environment? Yes! Then we must take the initiative to move first! Only then can we secure a more abundant budget! Is that not so! Yes. Indeed! Then get moving! Yes! At the cry-like response, Ministry of Rites officials hurried back to their posts. Simr activity was taking ce in other agencies around the same time. Thoughts of all officials were identical. More budget More personnel Comfortable work environment Leaving work on time Family happiness While the officials may have beenforted with what minister Lee Maeng-gyun was saying when exiting the closed quarters, in truth, almost all reached the same conclusion.. *** While ministry officials waged bloody battles to secure even a little more of the budget, executions for the rebel instigators also steadily continued. Once executions for uprising participants ended, all that remained was administering punishment on Grand Prince Yangnyeong and Seo Seon. For Seo Seon and his n, administer ording to stiptions byw. Yes, Your Majesty. While Seo Seons verdict quickly ended, the issue was Grand Prince Yangnyeong. For quite a while, Sejong agonized over what adjudication to pass down on Grand Prince Yangnyeong. While inclined to handle things ording tow to end matters promptly, Grand Prince Yangnyeong was Taejongs eldest legitimate son, former Crown Prince, and Sejongs own older brother by blood. Whether he lived or died, whatever verdict passed down would definitely remain a continuing political burden on Sejong himself. How to handle this matter. And so regarding Grand Prince Yangnyeongs punishment, Sejongs anguish could only deepen. Even my hands are tied on this issue. While Hyang understood well what was troubling Sejong, this time even he could not interfere. No matter his status as Crown Prince, it was an extremely precarious political issue involving the kingwho was Hyangs own father and the kings own brother. With Sejongs worries worsening this way, Grand Prince Hyoryeong came to find Sejong. Your Majesty, yourplexion does not seem very good. Your face holds deep concerns. At Hyoryeongs words Sejong let out a lengthy sigh. Sigh~. The burden on my shoulders is too heavy. Quietly observing Sejong, Hyoryeong asked, Is it because of our oldest brother? Not speaking a word, Sejong nodded at Hyoryeongs question. Silently watching Sejong, Hyoryeong gently remonstrated with him. Judge ording to nationalw. But he is my brother. Fathers eldest son and former Crown Prince. Yet Father passed the throne to Your Majesty instead of our eldest brother. Thus everything was settled. Sigh~. At Hyoryeongs words, Sejong heaved a long sigh. In a quiet,posed tone, Hyoryeong continued speaking. Whatever decision Your Majesty makes, it will be arge shackle on you. Then, choose to stand by thews strictness. If you lean towards sentiment, in the distant future if simr situations arise, it could turn into a disadvantageous precedent. I suppose you are right. At the powerless tone of Sejongs voice, Hyoryeong continued his words. Anyway living in this world means crossing an ocean of suffering. One must endlessly get injured and feel anguish. Regrets and guilt will remain with you due to our brothers situation. But please stand up over that and make Joseon even greater and more prosperous, with the people living in even more peace. Then the popce will praise you greatly. That shall be my atonement. At Hyoryeongs words, Sejong seemed to have hardened his resolve. Hisplexion gradually calmed and strength returned to his voice. Older brother, thank you. Thanks to you I have awakened from the dream. At Sejongs words, Hyoryeong faintly smiled as he answered. It is all due to Buddhas grace. [TL/N: Grand Prince Hyoryeong is Taejongs second son, and also older brother of Sejong. He became a monk following Sejongs instation as King.] *** Having hardened his resolve by Hyoryeongs words, Sejong announced the next day in front of gathered ministers. I will decide the criminal Yangnyeongs punishment. Making it hase expressions at Sejongs announcement, the ministers nervously swallowed their saliva. After a brief moment to catch his breath, Sejong continued speaking. ording tow, criminal Yangnyeong and sons over 15 years old will be executed. However, given his status as royalty, punishments like sliced to death or hanged, will not be used. Instead, sentence to death by poison shall be administered. Additionally, the entire family including the criminal will be deleted from Register of Royal Genealogies and remaining descendants will be demoted tomoners. While all assets possessed by the criminals n will be confiscated, 10% shall be allotted to those demoted tomoners for minimal livelihood. Lastly, those demoted tomoners will be exiled by families to inds in the southern sea. As Sejongs words ended, ministers uniformly bowed down to the floor. Your order is received! The day sentence was carried out, having heard about his family, Yangnyeong bowed in the direction of Gyeongbokgung Pce. I am grateful for His Majestys bestowed grace. Chapter 168 Chapter 168 Despite the swirling storms of upheaval following the uprising, there were those who remained undeterred, focusing solely on their tasks. On one side were those pioneering in the northern territories, and on the other, the Ministry of Taxation. The officials of the Ministry of Taxation, led by Kim Jeom, were all intensely driven. The time hade for the distribution of currency, coinciding with the harvest season. *** As economic reforms progressed, the economy of Joseon gradually expanded. With the growth of the economy, the governments finances also increased in scale. Tax revenues rose, but so did expenditures. Therefore, the Ministry of Taxations office was bustling every day, except on New Years Day and Chuseok. The officials had to work tirelessly overnight to prevent leakage in tax collection and to suppress expenditure as much as possible, all in an effort to secure funds for the operation of the new currency system. After a relentless struggle, when the nned year of Giyu arrived, the Ministry of Taxation was somewhat prepared. If we hadnt developed the gold and silver mines, this would have been impossible. And, the help from the Ouchi family was significant too. Kim Jeom murmured to himself while reviewing the reports. *** Previously, trade with Japan involved intermediary trade via Tsushima Ind. Most of the Japanese living in the Japanese enves (waegwan or wakan)[1] in Gyeongsang Province were from Tsushima. However, with King Sejongs active economic reforms, theposition of Japanese residents in Waegwan began to change gradually. We cant trust those Tsushima scoundrels! Following King Sejongs decision, the local government offices managing the Waegwan scrutinized them closely. If any Japanese resident showed the slightest fault, the Joseon officials would use it as a pretext to immediately expel them to Tsushima. As vacancies arose, Joseon would promptly fill them with Japanese sent by the Ouchi family and the Governor of Kyushu. This arrangement benefited the Ouchi family, the Governor of Kyushu, and Joseon alike. The Ouchi family and the Governor of Kyushu could import cultural goods from the more advanced Joseon directly, bypassing Tsushima and reducing costs. They could then resell these goods in their neighboring territories for a profit. For Joseon, this arrangement was beneficial as well. Unlike Tsushima, which was just a small ind, the Ouchi family and the Governor of Kyushu were lords ofrge domains, thus capable of mobilizing significantlyrger funds. Moreover, their friendly stance towards Joseon made maintaining a good rtionship easier. Particrly in the case of the Ouchi family,munication was smooth, partly because they considered themselves descendants of the Baekje kingdom. As a result, Tsushima suffered the greatest loss. With the Ouchi family and the Governor of Kyushu formidablepetitors for Tsushima entering the scene, Tsushima was inevitably pushed out of thepetition. Moreover, since the Tsushima Campaign, Joseons attitude towards Tsushima had not been favorable. Otori in the north, Tsushima in the south King Sejong and his court already viewed these two as targets to be eliminated. Tsushima was in a dilemma. Although they wanted to employ their old tactics of using pirates to adopt a hardline approach, they couldnt underestimate the power of the Joseon military. Especially with the introduction of new warships known as Panokseon in the navy, the maritime supremacy between Joseon and Tsushima was increasingly shifting in Joseons favor. [TL/N: Panokseon. Also know as Turtle /wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Panokseon-as-the-origin-of-the-korean-turtle-ship.jpeg?x57477 Additionally, Joseon held control over Tsushimas lifeline through its trade ships, the Segyeonseon[2]. Although Tsushima had its agriculturalnds, they were insufficient to provide enough food for the people of Tsushima. Consequently, the Japanese in Tsushima had no choice but to lie low and be cautious of Joseons influence. With these changes in the forces managing trade between Japan and Joseon, theposition of the Japanese residing in the Waegwan underwent significant changes. By the time of the Giyu year, theposition of the Japanese in the Waegwan was approximately Ouchi 3.5: Governor of Kyushu 3: Tsushima 2: various merchants including those from the Shogunate and ten other regions in Japan (Jipcheo Waesa, the ten Japanese territories permitted to send envoys to Joseon) 1.5. With the Ouchi family and the Governor of Kyushu bing central to trade, Joseon was able to resolve long-standing issues. One such resolution was the smooth import of copper and sulfur. Joseon, by encouragingpetition and checks among the Ouchi family, the Governor of Kyushu, Tsushima, and other forces, managed to resolve the supply issues of copper and sulfur. Furthermore, continuous mining activities within Joseon eventually led to the discovery of copper and sulfur mines, finally allowing King Sejong to breathe a sigh of relief. We have ovee one of the major challenges that troubled Joseon! *** While reviewing reports, Kim Jeom called for the officials of the Ministry of Taxation. Everyone from the lower to the higher ranks, gather in the meeting room! At Kim Jeoms summons, intermediate officials up to the rank of Jeong 4-pum and senior officials up to the rank of vice minister gathered in the meeting room. Once all the officials were seated, Kim Jeom reviewed the situation. Have all the marketces been set up? Yes. We built them quickly thanks to the extra space allocated during the construction of the existing monopoly stores. What about the supply of copper coins and both the white and yellow bronze coins? We prepared them based onst years tax revenues, with an additional 20% surplus. Is that so? Listening to the responses of the officials, Kim Jeom went through the records ofst years tax revenues. Lets seest years tax revenues focusing only on what was collected from the farmers Humming like he was singing a song, Kim Jeom found the relevant section and recited the details. Looking atst years tax revenues from the farmers we have rice 113,840 seok, field rice 70,013 seok, soybeans 36,650 seok, cotton fabric 28,750 bolts, cloth 57,550 bolts(footnote 1) Is that correct? [TL/N: 1 seok is roughly around 100kg to 145kg depending on type of grains.] At Kim Jeoms question, the officials, after checking the records, all nodded in agreement. Thats correct. Did you prepare ordingly based on these figures? Yes, we did. Hmm And the transportation of the currency? We transported it with military escort, and its almostplete everywhere except for Jeju Ind and a few other inds. Thats a relief. Receiving the reports from his subordinates, Kim Jeom showed a sigh of relief. Since the Goryeo era, sessive Joseon kings had tried but failed to circte currency. Now, King Sejong was making another attempt. Having startedter than initially nned, they took extra care in preparation, fullymitted to ensuring its sess. While Kim Jeom was reviewing the readiness, an official asked him a question. What about the tenant farmers working on thends confiscated in the Samnam region? Follow thew as already announced for this year. Right after this harvest, there will be a decision from His Majesty. Understood. At Kim Jeoms words, the officials all bowed their heads. Any other questions? Or new matters to report? When the officials responded with silence, Kim Jeom stood up. Then, go back to your duties. If we do this right, next year will be easier. Well keep that in mind! Returning to his office, Kim Jeom muttered with a worried expression. The Crown Princes words are still troubling me *** The issue of handling the real estate, including the fields confiscated from the nobles who failed in the uprising, was a new topic of discussion. Shouldnt we make it state property? At Lee Jiks suggestion, King Sejong and the other ministers nodded in agreement. Seeing their reaction, Hyang posed a question. Does making it state property mean managing it as Gungbangjeon (Real Estates Owned by the Royal Household)? Probably, yes. But Gungbangjeon is tax-exemptnd owned by the royal family, isnt it? Wont that cause issues with tax revenues? Ah! At Hyangs point, the ministers and King Sejong showed a realization. King Sejong had temporarily allowed the management of the royalnds, except for the Royal Household Finance Office, naesusa[3], by the government to facilitate economic reforms. This was a temporary measure. During this process, King Sejong had even promised in writing to the royal rtives that the privileges taken away would be returned when the time was right. Once the economic reforms wereplete and Joseons economy grew further, it was certain that the royal rtives would demand the fulfillment of this promise. Eventually, King Sejong and the ministers had to reconvene to find a solution. The decision made was to turn the confiscated fields and real estate into state-ownednds. As Joseon operated under an absolute monarchy where Joseon = King, there were no significant issues. Thesends would be managed separately from Naesusa and Gungbangjeon fields, minimizing impact on tax revenues. Of course, the problem will be how much rent to charge. Well need to deliberate on this aspect too. At Kim Jeomsment, King Sejong nodded. Thats true. However, if theres a discrepancy between Gungbangjeon and these statends, it might lead to discontent among the tenant farmers and promote illegal activities. Lets think this through. Thus, apromise was reached after thorough discussion: The rent for those who lease state-owned agriculturalnd will be the same as for Gungbangjeon. Those leasing Gungbangjeon and state-ownednds will pay taxes at the same rate as regr tenant farmers. That seems reasonable. But lets think a bit more. Something feels off. Yes, Your Majesty. The ministers epted King Sejongs vaguely expressed concerns without objection. They didnt have much time. Dying further could result in the harvested rice in the fields rotting. They needed to harvest and collect taxes as soon as possible, which would ease the burden on both the people and the officials, allowing them to n next years budget morefortably. Minister of Taxation. Yes, Your Highness. As Kim Jeom was leaving the Geunjeongjeon after the meeting, he stopped when Hyang called out to him. Kim Jeoms unease stemmed from Hyangsst remark. Why suddenly mention restorative tonics? Everyone in the Six Ministries Street knows thats thest thing one should talk about these days, especially around the Crown Prince. Though his eyes were on the documents, Kim Jeoms mind was increasingly troubled. The father and son duo of the Geunjeongjeon and Easter Pce were always a step ahead. While it was often possible to anticipate the Kings actions to some extent, the Crown Prince was utterly unpredictable. Additionally, the Crown Prince had recently developed a concerning habit. Even if he identified issues in new policies, unless they were critical matters affecting the nations survival, he wouldnt mention them beforehand. Instead, he would vaguely hint at them to the ministers, quietly prepare countermeasures, and then present them to King Sejong when the situation escted.
  1. Read https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waegwan_(enve)[]
  2. Japanese trading ships[]
  3. A government office in charge of managing royal finances during the Joseon Dynasty[]
Chapter 169 Chapter 169 As the autumn of the Giyu year arrived, the harvest and tax collection began amidst a mix of anticipation, fear, and tension. This harvest, taxes will be collected in currency only! This announcement from the court had been made well before the uprising, so the people of Joseon were already aware and had somewhat prepared themselves mentally. At the entrance of a bathhouse near Seochon (West Vige) in Hanyang. Two men were chatting at the entrance. Have you heard theyre distributing new currency? Yeah, I heard itspletely different from what weve used so far. Really? Wonder if itll actually be useful this time. Well see Are you here to bathe or just block the entrance chatting! Decide already! Oops! The men, absorbed in their conversation, hurried to the bathhouse counter at the owners scolding. Heres the fee. Me too! They presented small sacks of grain, which the bathhouse owner opened to inspect. Beans, huh? Lets see He poured the beans into a scales pan to weigh them. Got the right amount this time. Go on in! As the men entered, the bathhouse owner grumbled while filling arge sack with beans. Darn it! Its not like making money is birthing a baby, why does it take so long! They should release it quickly once decided. Even weighing these is a hassle! In Joseons urban areas, the general sentiment was in favor of the currency. However, the majority of rural dwellers responded negatively. Making new money? Just wasting good copper! Cotton fabric was good enough, why bother with this Whats the use? Theyll just stir up trouble catching counterfeiters again. Even if they make it, theres nothing you can buy with it, just a nuisance Rural and fishingmunities were still ustomed to bartering. Additionally, the low trust in previously issued currencies fueled their skepticism. Finally, on the day the harvest and tax collection began, the people of Joseon got their first look at the newly minted Joseon currency. *** As the harvest began, the officials from the Ministry of Taxation dispatched across the nation were exceptionally busy. The officials monitored the farmers packing the harvested rice into sacks, ensuring there was no malpractice. Lets see Kim Gap-seoks rice, 22 seom so, ording to the tax rate The official informed Gap-seok of the amount of tax he needed to pay. You understand how much you need to pay, right? Yes, sir. Then,e to the grain market next to the trading post within five days and exchange it for currency to pay your tax. Yes, sir. Dont forget, ate fee of 1% per day will be added if you miss the five-day deadline! Ill make sure toe within five days! Ah, and remember, the trading post also only epts currency, so bring enough! Yes! I understand! After repeatedly cautioning the farmer, the Ministry of Taxation official hurried off to inspect another households harvest. *** Farmers, carrying or carting sacks and bundles of rice to the grain market to exchange for currency to pay their taxes, found the area beside the market teeming with people. Why are so many people gathered here? Gap-seok, like other farmers carrying rice sacks to pay taxes, asked a nearby farmer the reason for the crowd. The farmer exined in a disinterested tone. Before entering the market, we need to attend a brief exnation about the currency. Thats why everyones waiting here. Is that so? Gap-seok craned his neck to see ahead. Indeed, soldiers with spears were organizing the farmers into lines, and an official, seated behind a desk, was pointing at various items on the desk while exining something. Next! After about two hours of waiting, it was Gap-seoks turn. Along with other farmers, he approached the officials desk. On the desk were colorfully marked paper bills and yellow copper coins, along with white silver coins, allid out in abundance. The official, after taking a sip of water to clear his throat, began exining to Gap-seok and the other farmers. First, Ill exin about the coins. This white one here is the white-copper coin[1]. The smaller sizes are 1 and 5 pun. Ten of these white-copper coin make one yellow-copper coin, which is worth 1 won. Do you understand so far? The farmers blinked and nodded at the officials exnation about the coins. I think I get it. Different sizes should make it easy to distinguish, right? Yes, sir. Satisfied with their response, the official pointed to the yellow coins and continued his exnation. These are yellow-copper coin. The smallest ones are 1 won, then 5 won, 10 won, and 100 won. As with the white-copper coin, the size varies for different values. Do you understand? Yes, sir. Having exined the coins, the official moved on to the paper bills. This bill with a diagonal blue stripe is worth one nyang of silver. So, this paper bill is equivalent to one nyang of silver. The farmers widened their eyes as they examined the bill. Its edges were decorated with red and blue lines, simr to traditional Korean dancheong, and it wasbeled Silver 1 Nyang (1). Beside thebel was a beautifully drawnndscape painting. [TL/N: Dancheong is the decorative coloring on traditional Korean wooden buildings and artifacts for the purpose of style. See some of the designs below. The official continued, One thousand won of yellow-copper coin equals one silver nyang. Do you understand? Yes? Yes. And ten of these silver nyang bills make He pointed to another paper bill. One gold nyang. Understand? Though, you wont see a gold nyang bill often. The farmers nodded, almost reflexively. Gold was something they might only see once or twice in their lifetimes. They had heard stories about someone finding rare ginseng in the mountains and buying a gold ring for their wife, changing their households fortune, but those were just stories. After a brief basic education, the official posed a question to the farmers. So, which one is 1 pun? Uh that is *** Having received education about coins and banknotes, Gap-seok and other farmers moved to the location of the grain market. The market was set up in the spacious front yard of arge mansion that once belonged to a noble who participated in the Giyu Rebellion. The 70-plus room mansions yard hosted several desks, where officials were exchanging the farmers grain for currency. Wait here until a spot opens up, then move one at a time. Yes, sir. The farmers obediently waited in line as instructed by the military officer guarding the area. When it was his turn, Gap-seok moved to an empty spot and set down his jige frame carrier. [TL/N: Jige carrier.] Where do you live, and what is your name? Im Kim Gap-seok, or rather, Kim Gap-dol, from Angol. Kim Gap-seok from Angol Upon hearing Gap-seoks response, the official stood up and sifted through piles of documents at the back. He searched through dozens of well-arranged ledgers, picked one, and returned to his seat to check its contents. Kim Gap-seok from Angol here it is. Is your yield this year 22 i? Yes, sir. Then the tax rate is After calcting with an abacus, the official asked Gap-seok. The tax you owe is 1 mal and 1 deo of rice, correct? [TL/N: 1 mal and 1 deo is around 2L] Thats right. Upon confirming with Gap-seok, the official used the abacus again. One mal and one deo of white rice equals Lets see, 1 seom of white rice is worth 1 nyang and 200 won of silver, so thats 110 won in copper coins. Did you bring the rice? Yes, sir. Gap-seok then unloaded a bag of rice from his carrier. You brought a bag of rice? Yes. I need to buy some salt and a few other things at the trading post. They only ept money now I see, you there! Yes, sir! Responding to Gap-seok, the official signaled a waiting soldier. The soldier opened the rice sack to check for contamination and weighed it, then reported back to the official. There are no issues. Good. After receiving the soldiers report, the official opened a wooden box beside him and took out copper coins. Receiving the coins, Gap-seok involuntarily let out a gasp. Ack At Gap-seoks reaction, the official chuckled slightly. Not much, is it? But its money guaranteed by the government. Yes, yes Gap-seok still looked unconvinced. Regardless, the official opened another wooden box and carefully took out a banknote, handing it over to Gap-seok with both hands. Here you go. This is worth one nyang of silver. Why are you giving it to me with both hands? Do you see the red seal at the bottom? Yes. Thats His Majestys royal seal (, Ok-sae). Good heavens! Startled, Gap-seok vigorously rubbed his hands on his trousers before respectfully epting the banknote. Its an item marked with the royal seal of His Majesty, so handle it with care and dont damage it. Yes! I will be careful! For paying your taxes, please go inside the main house. Yes, sir! *** After paying his taxes, Gap-seok stared at the banknote in his hand. Its turned into a hot potato in no time. The banknote felt like a burden to Gap-seok. He couldnt just shove something stamped with the Kings royal seal into his underwear, and carrying it around was an open invitation to thieves. After a brief contemtion, Gap-seok bit his lip resolutely. Best to get rid of this hot potato quickly! Lets spend it and see how it goes! He headed straight to the nearby trading post. That day, Gap-seok bought sacks full of salt, sugar, various spices, and even treats and alcohol for his children, before returning home. He then faced a lively scolding from his wife. What were you thinking! Who told you to buy so much salt and sugar? Are we going to nt salt in the fields instead of rice seeds? *** With the introduction of currency, naturally, merchants were among the most interested. Hmm Carefully examining the newly circted currency, the merchants soon reached a conclusion. Anyone skilled enough to forge these new coins could make much more money doing other things. Indeed. The merchants assessed the coins as unforgeable. The merchants, scrutinizing the newly minted coins, were certain of their assessment. Definitely not cast using traditional methods. Its certain that the press method the Crown Prince introduced was used. Because of that, as we mentioned, counterfeiting them would be tough. As the merchants pointed out, the new coins were indeed minted using a press. The skills of the craftsmen in the royal foundries, honed through producing armor for the military, had reached a peak. With the introduction of animal-powered machinery recing human force, they could apply much greater pressure. Utilizing high-quality steel from the foundries, they were able to create more precise molds. The merchants high regard for the coins wasnt just because of the difficulty in counterfeiting them. The metal value of the white-copper coin and yellow-copper coin, if melted down, is much less than their face value, so no smart person would melt them for other uses. Indeed. This was Hyangs doing. Aware of incidents during the IMF crisis where 10-won coins were melted for their metal value, leading to changes in their design and size, Hyang boldly reduced the size of the coins. The important thing is the number on the coin! And that the country guarantees its value! Convinced by Hyangs argument, King Sejong and the ministers epted this approach. The merchants were unanimous in their praise for the coins. The varying sizes corresponding to different values, reducing confusion, was another aspect that received des. The discussion among the merchants then shifted to the banknotes. When they first saw the banknotes, their eyes were drawn to King Sejongs royal seal stamped on one corner, and their assessment was straightforward. If you dont want to be branded a traitor, dont even dream of counterfeiting it! Traditionally, counterfeiting currency was akin to treason, punishable by death. However, these new banknotes carried the Kings royal seal. Counterfeiting them was tantamount to undeniable treason. In simple terms, it wasnt just the counterfeiters head that would roll it would mean the execution of their entire family. With this, we dont have to worry about counterfeiting. Right. Having concluded the banknotes were unforgeable, the merchants started to examine other aspects of the paper money. Quietly inspecting the banknotes, they all tilted their heads in wonder. How exactly did they print these?
TL/N: A little reminder of the currency introduced in this chapter. Coins Bills
  1. Coins made withbination of copper, nickel and zing[]
Chapter 170 Chapter 170 The banknotes that puzzled the merchants were Hyangs brainchild. In fact, Hyang had taken on the entire responsibility for designing the currency. Why would the Crown Prince? Why is the Crown Prince? Seeing Hyangs enthusiasm, everyone from King Sejong to the ministers was puzzled. Usually, Hyang avoided taking on additional responsibilities beyond their work in the research institute and Area 51, slipping away like an eel. As time passed, King Sejong and the ministers came to understand the reason behind Hyangs involvement. It makes sense now Typical of the Crown Prince. Hyang was harnessing all of Joseons technology to produce the currency. * * * We must make the best use of what we have! Thats how progress happens! Sorting through the technologies for the currency manufacturing process, Hyang made a point that left the eunuch thinking internally, Why does thatmente up now? Regardless, Hyang mobilized every technology avable in Joseon that could be applied to currency production. The coins were not just simply pressed out. The molds used to imprint designs on the coins were products of thetest technology. The steelprising the molds body was high-quality, difficult to find in neighboring countries. Once the ironworks in Anju were fully operational, they began producing wrought iron and steel inrge quantities. These materials were used extensively in parts deemed necessary by the court mostly in Hyangs research institute and Area 51. However, as always, Hyang didnt just passively receive and use these materials. Each batch of steel from the ironworks was rigorously quality checked, and feedback for improvements was continuously ryed to Anju. Through this feedback process, the quality of steel produced by the ironworks steadily improved, a testament to the growing skills of the craftsmen there. Using the supplied steel, the craftsmen created precise molds. Like 21st-century coins, serrations were added to the edges of the coins, a measure to prevent counterfeiting. * * * The coins incorporated these advanced technologies, but the banknotes were a culmination of them. The printing technology, evolving since the Goryeo Dynasty, had reached an unparalleled level, far surpassing that of Japan and even Ming China. Hyang maximized the use of this technology. Eachponent of a banknote was divided into separate parts, creating individual tes for each. The banknotes were then printed in a manner simr to fabric dyeing. Its boring to just print the amount, right? While were limited with coins, banknotes offer more flexibility. For the coins, due to size constraints, only the value was inscribed on the front, and Joseon National Currency () on the back. However, for banknotes, Hyang wanted to do something more. Struggling to find a clear solution, Hyang had an epiphany while passing by a ss workshop. Aha! With a great idea in mind, Hyang immediately sought out Pietro and Raphael. Do you guys know how to do etching? Etching? Pietro and Raphael expressed confusion, prompting Hyang to realize their mistake. Ah thats English. I mean, using acid and metal to After hearing Hyangs exnation, Pietro turned to Raphael. Etching? Etching. After a brief exchange, Raphael and Pietro responded to Hyang. Yes, we know how. Its a technique we often use to incorporate metal decorations in ss crafts. Hearing their response, Hyang smiled triumphantly. I need your help with something. Really? While Raphael looked apprehensive, Pietros eyes sparkled. What new challenge is this? This sounds exciting! Having found a way to bring the idea to life, Hyang next visited the Royal Painting Bureau, Dohwawon. Whos the best at paintingndscapes? Ah, theres a painter named An Gyeon[1]. Wow! The same person I read about in textbooks is actually here! Delighted, Hyang quickly gave an order. Bring him here, please. Following Hyangsmand, An Gyeon painted severalndscapes, adjusted to the size of the banknotes. Good. Lets use these two. Choosing two of the submitted paintings, Hyang instructed the painters of Dohwawon. Replicate these paintings 100 times each. What? Yes, yourmand will be followed. The head of Dohwawon, momentarily puzzled, quickly bowed andplied. The Crown Princes entricities were already well-known. With 200 paintings secured, Hyang directed Pietro and Raphael. Make copper tes from these. Yes. And if there are any failures, let me know immediately, and Ill get more paintings. Having arranged the crucial elements of the banknote design, Hyang mobilized the craftsmen from the Royal Mint to make the printing tes. Having already verified the skills of Royal Mint craftsmen in making coin tes, Hyang had no particr concerns. Now, Hyang was ready to tackle the final hurdle. The issue is counterfeiting To address the anti-counterfeiting measures, Hyang went straight to King Sejong without much hesitation. Your Majesty, I have a request regarding the new currency were producing, especially the banknotes, to prevent counterfeiting. King Sejong showed interest in Hyangs proposal. Indeed? You alwayse with clear solutions. What can I do for you? Could you please make a new seal for us? Hmm? King Sejong pondered for a moment before asking Hyang for rification. You understand the significance of a royal seal, right? Thats exactly why Im requesting it, Your Majesty. Who would dare to counterfeit something stamped with Your Majestys seal? I see your point. After a brief contemtion, King Sejong made his decision. I grant your request! Thus, 100 new seals were created, each bearing the inscription King of Joseon () written by King Sejong himself. * * * With the printing tes for the currency ready, the court established a new government agency. This new agency was named the Mint Bureau and was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Taxation. Hearing the news, officials from the Ministry of Taxation sought out Kim Jeom to express their concerns. Another task for us? Why is it always our department among the Six Ministries? Facing his subordinatesmentations, Kim Jeom responded with a gloomy expression. This is a task we must undertake. If another department handled it, we would be the ones criticized. Sigh Just a bit more hardship for us. With all preparationsplete, the actual printing process began. Craftsmen dispatched from the Royal Mint to the Mint Bureau worked alongside Ministry of Taxation officials on the printing process, which had a unique aspect. Every morning, upon arriving at work, the craftsmen and officials would maintain the printing press a hybrid model that Hyang developed, inspired by Gutenbergs printing press. They retrieved the printing tes from the vault and installed them in the press ording to the printing schedule. After setting up the tes, the craftsmen and officials would proceed to thest vault. The officials carefully opened thest vault, cautiously taking out a wooden box containing King Sejongs seals. cing the box on the table, the officials and craftsmen deeply bowed to the box before opening it. Everything is in order! After checking the seals count and ensuring no issues, the officials carefully handed out one seal at a time to the craftsmen. The craftsmen, receiving the seals with great respect, meticulously ced them into the printing press. Only after this process was the preparation for printing the banknotesplete. * * * On the day the first gold nyang and silver nyang banknotes were sessfully printed, Hyang brought a full sheet of thepleted notes to King Sejong. Your Majesty, here are the new banknotes. Are they finally finished? Yes, Your Majesty. Hyang handed over the sheet to the high official, who then presented it to King Sejong. King Sejong unfolded the sheet and marveled at it. Wow! Truly beautiful! Its almost too fine to be used as currency! The ministers should see this! We are deeply honored, Your Majesty! The ministers also expressed their admiration upon seeing the sheet. After examining the banknotes, King Sejong handed the sheet back to Hyang. Youve made excellent currency. The people will surely appreciate it. These two sheets are the firstpleted ones. It seems fitting for Your Majesty to keep them. Is that so? Then I must frame them and hang them in a ce of honor. King Sejong, looking pleased, examined the sheet of banknotes and noticed a small sentence written at the bottom. Exchangeable for 9 jeon of silver in physical goods. Did you intentionally write this in small print? At King Sejongs question, Hyang bowed and replied, Yes, Your Majesty. King Sejong responded with a yful smile, Therell be a lot of people caught off guard by this. Those who are greedy deserve a little lesson. Hyangs face also wore a mischievous grin. The ministers, observing this father and son exchange, inwardly grumbled, Such a cunning duo! * * * The face value is one nyang of silver, but if exchanged for physical goods, theres a 10% deduction. This was Hyangs suggestion. Why do we need to do this? Its a kind of acquisition tax. The primary reason for buying actual silver is for wealth umtion, so we should tax it. However, tracking every transaction would be too cumbersome, so were imposing the tax from the start. Hearing Hyangs exnation, King Sejong turned to the ministers. What do you think? As soon as King Sejong finished his question, Kim Jeom answered loudly, Its an excellent n! It ensures proper tax collection and reduces the need for manpower. Its a strategy that benefits us in two ways! Thus, the worlds first form of indirect taxation was born. * * * The newly circted currency quickly began to be used nationwide without much resistance. In urban areas, many had been in favor of currency cirction from the beginning, so it settled in swiftly. In rural and fishingmunities, the currency also surprisingly began to take root smoothly. At first, I wondered why we needed this, but its surprisingly handy! I know, right! Initially skeptical, farmers and fishermen soon realized the convenience of the currency and began to use it frequently. The widespread use of currency among farmers and fishermen wasrgely influenced by the trading posts. These posts sold essential items like salt and candy without discrimination based on social status, as well as luxury items like spices. However, these items were avable only for those who paid with currency. Thanks to the trading posts, even those who were initially skeptical about the currency began to adapt quickly. Furthermore, as currency started circting, enterprising merchants began to create new products to capitalize on this change. One such invention was the wallet. * * * With banknotes bearing the royal seal, people needed a way to handle and store them properly. Noticing this need, merchants crafted wallets with leather exteriors and lined with cotton or silk. These wallets soon became hit products. In urban areas, it became fashionable among the young affluent ss to carry wallets adorned with a charyeong (traditional Korean pattern) and filled with several silver nyang banknotes, tucked into their sleeve cuffs, strolling around with an air of leisure. Interestingly, the banknotes, made from the finest quality hanji (traditional Korean paper) known for its durability, survived for hundreds of years. Those that survived, especially the first batch with serial numbers starting with (gap), became highly sought-after items among collectors worldwide. * * * The banknotes produced by Joseon also impacted trade among the three Northeast Asian countries. Merchants from the Ming Dynasty and Japan began to favor Joseons banknotes, especially the one nyang silver notes. Ming China had been using silver as currency much earlier than Joseon. Silver was deeply ingrained in their system, used for tax payments and various transactions. In this context, Joseons one nyang silver banknotes proved to be incredibly useful. As they were backed by the guarantee of the Joseon government, their value as currency was solid. Therefore, for long-distance travels or trade, Joseons banknotes made it easier to avoid the hassle and risk of carrying actual silver ingots and the burden of verifying their purity. The banknotes effectively eliminated the need to carry cumbersome silver and streamlined the process of trade, not just within Joseon but also in its dealings with neighboring nations. The convenience and security offered by these banknotes rapidly enhanced their eptance and usage across the region, significantly influencing the dynamics of trade in Northeast Asia.
  1. Famous Joseon painter[]
Chapter 171 Chapter 171 Certainly, there was the issue of a 10% deduction when exchanging banknotes for physical silver. However, King Sejong acted swiftly upon learning of the poprity of Joseons banknotes in Ming China. He sent envoys to the Ming emperor towards the end of the Giyu year. After the establishment of the joint tradingpany, the Ming emperor treated envoys from Joseon with great hospitality. Thanks to this, the newly dispatched envoys were quickly granted an audience with the emperor. What brings the ambassador from Joseon again so soon after yourst visit? Your Majesty, Ie with an important matter to discuss, if I may Through this audience, the Joseon envoys managed to obtain a decree from the Ming emperor stating that in matters concerning Joseons currency, Joseonsws shall be followed. The Ming emperors consent wasnt just out of favor for Joseon. He had his own calctions. Merchants are quick to see profits and avoid losses. With this decree, they will never willingly hand over silver to Joseon. At the emperors words, his chancellor bowed deeply. Your judgment is truly wise, Your Majesty. With this decree from the Ming emperor, the response in Ming China was rtively calm. There was no issue as long as they didnt exchange the banknotes for physical goods. In Japan, the response was even more enthusiastic. * * * At that time, only Ming China had the technology to refine high-purity silver. However, Hyangs intervention introduced a variable. What was it the cupetion[1] method? Thanks to Hyang, Joseon could produce silver of a purityparable to Mings, more easily. The cupetion method Hyang verified was more productive than the amalgamation method used in Ming at the time. However, due to the significance of this technology, neither Ming China nor Joseon shared the cupetion or amalgamation methods with Japan. Consequently, the silver ingots produced in Japan had lower purity. Therefore, when trading with Japan, Joseon usually demanded high-quality silver from Ming. If not, three nyang of Japanese silver was valued as one nyang in Joseon, and this rate was officially recorded. For instance, the 500 kan of silver (about 1.87 tons) recorded as the official price for the Tripitaka Koreana sold to Japan by Hyang was the final amount converted into Joseon silver. In reality, Japan had paid with 1,500 kan of their lower-purity silver. Given these circumstances, Joseons one nyang silver banknotes became an optimal tool for trade and wealth umtion for Japanese merchants. Japanese merchantsmonly loaded their ships with silver ingots, exchanged them for Joseons banknotes upon arrival, and this practice became routine. Thus, Joseons banknotes were bing the official trading currency of the three Northeast Asian countries. * * * Japan wasnt the only country exchanging silver for banknotes. Merchants from Ming China also brought silver to the trading ports in Shandong, exchanging it for Joseons banknotes. At Joseons trading ports, the purity of the silver brought by the merchants was meticulously inspected, and only exchanges for high-quality silver were epted. The exchange wasnt immediate; the silver had to arrive in Joseon and be verified before the newly printed Joseon banknotes were shipped back to Shandong and handed over to the merchants. This stringent process ensured that only high-quality silver was epted in exchange for the banknotes, maintaining the integrity and value of Joseons currency in international trade. Although it took time, the merchants of Ming China were satisfied with the process. Joseons officials dont take bribes! If we send 10 nyang of silver, we exactly get 10 banknotes in return! Such positive reputations bolstered the trust in Joseons banknotes, attracting more Ming merchants to bring silver to Shandong. The remarkable aspect was that this surge in trade happened within just a few months, from the fall of Giyu year to the spring of Kyungshul year. * * * As substantial amounts of silver began flowing in from Ming China, Kim Jeom rushed to report the situation to King Sejong. Your Majesty, a significant amount of silver ising in from Ming China. Didnt you report the same thing recently? At King Sejongs query, Kim Jeom borated in greater detail. The amount has exceeded our expectations. Untilst month, it was 50,000 nyang of silver, but this month its nearing 1 million nyang. 1 million nyang! King Sejong was visibly shocked at Kim Jeoms report, and so were the ministers. ording to a recent report from the Ministry of Taxation, the total value of wealth circting in the entire Joseon Dynasty, converted to silver, was about 2 million nyang (Note 1). In simple terms, it meant that half the circting wealth of the entire Joseon Dynasty was being imported. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Faced with an unexpected scenario, King Sejong was more worried than pleased. At King Sejongs reaction, minister Jo Mal-saeng immediately responded. Traditionally, it is said that more is better, so isnt this a good thing? We just printed a few sheets of paper, and in return, a vast wealth ising in. Isnt this a cause for celebration? Jo Mal-saengs optimistic view was immediately countered by Kim Jeom. But theres also an old saying, too much is as bad as too little. And just a few sheets of paper? Do you understand the value and effort behind those banknotes? This marked the beginning of a heated debate. The ministers engaged in a fierce argument over whether the influx ofrge amounts of silver from Ming China was beneficial or detrimental. A notable difference from past debates was the absence of personal attacks involving each others parents. Instead, they now attacked based on the others ranking in past civil service exams. Eventually, King Sejong had to intervene. Enough! What disgraceful behavior! Are we here to solve the problem or to boast about ourselves? At King Sejongs reprimand, the ministers immediately bowed. We apologize for our behavior! Please forgive our disgraceful conduct! Tsk! King Sejong, displeased,manded the high official. Go and summon the Crown Prince! Yes, Your Majesty! Meanwhile, a historian seated in a corner of Geunjeongjeon diligently recorded everything. As the ministers debate intensified, the King halted their arguments and called for the Crown Prince. The historian noted: The ministers have served in their positions for decades, and in terms of schrship, they are among the most respected in Joseon. Yet, whenever aplex issue arises, they struggle to find solutions, often relying on the Crown Prince, who has just reached adulthood. This is problematic. I, too, wish to amass a stack of banknotes. The sry of this low-ranking official is too meager. * * * The situation is a crisis, a major one at that, dered Hyang, who had hurried over after being summoned. His expression turned serious after hearing the exnation of the problem. Why so? asked King Sejong. Hyang countered, Your Majesty, among Joseon, Ming, and Japan, which country produces the most silver? Ming. And between Ming, Joseon, and Japan, where is silver most needed? Ming As King Sejong responded, he trailed off, his face growing grave. This is a disaster of the highest order! Exactly. Hyang and King Sejongs exchange left the ministers muttering to themselves. Here they go again with their cryptic exchanges! Do they think theyre the only ones who need to understand? Finally, Minister Heo Jo stepped forward as a representative to ask for rification. Your Majesty, why is this situation a disaster? With a look of frustration, King Sejong turned to Hyang. Crown Prince, exin. Yes, Your Majesty. Your Excellency. Yes, Your Highness. Do you remember what I once said? No one likes it when the wealth from their own granary is taken by others. Thats what Im referring to. Remember when I mentioned that no one likes to see their wealth being taken away by others? The same principle applies here. Do you think Ming would be pleased with their silver flowing out of the country? That makes sense. But even if the Ming emperor doesnt object and lets it happen, it poses a problem for us. Why is that? Because Joseon simply doesnt have the capacity to absorb all this silver. At this point, Heo Jo raised an objection. We have many ns that were dyed due to funding issues. With this influx of funds, we can execute those projects and increase Joseons capacity to utilize the resources, cant we? Your point has merit. However, the silver currently entering our country is ours but also not ours. What do you mean? Heo Jo looked perplexed, and he wasnt alone. Seeing the confused faces of the other ministers, Hyang sighed. Sigh Your Excellency. Yes, Your Highness. Imagine we start using this silver for various projects, and suddenly, arge group of Ming merchantses demanding to exchange their banknotes for silver. What would we do then? Could such a situation really happen? At Heo Jos question, Hyang responded decisively. Unlikely scenarios have a way of catching people off guard. Hyang internally recalled the IMF crisis, a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of financial markets. * * * In 1997, the financial instability triggered in Southeast Asia severely impacted South Korea. When the Korean capital market showed signs of instability, Japan was the first to pull out its funds, followed by other Western capital investors. As a result, South Korea had to seek assistance from the International Mary Fund (IMF). The support from the IMF led to a harrowing experience for Koreans. Stablepanies copsed, and the middle ss was decimated. The trauma of the IMF crisis became deeply ingrained in the Korean psyche, embedding a belief that we are not a developed country. This mindset persisted even during the global pandemic of 2020. Despite Koreasmendable handling of the situation and international praise, many Koreans felt perplexed rather than proud. Themon sentiment was, Koreans undervalue themselves, but even this recognition was met with skepticism by many Koreans. In this context, Japans ongoing anti-Korean sentiment seemed almost natural to the wary Korean public. * * * Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Hyang continued. Grain or rice can be re-cultivated annually. Cotton and hemp are simr. Even timber, though it takes time, can be regrown from saplings. But gold and silver are different. They arent unlimited; they have an end. Right now, Ming produces the most silver, but that supply isnt eternal, is it? Thats true, agreed Heo Jo and the other ministers, nodding in understanding. If we use the influx of silver for various projects, it might seem easy and fast. But thats just superficial growth. A hollow husk without substance is like a barren cob of corn its inedible. We need to bnce both the external and internal growth. The ministers all nodded in agreement with Hyangs exnation. After a brief silence, King Sejong spoke. We must send an envoy, then? At King Sejongs suggestion, Hyang nodded. Yes. We should propose to Ming to create and circte their own banknotes. If we dont handle this carefully, it could lead to a military conflict with Ming. I regret giving up the position of a key currency, but Joseon is still too small for that role. That seems best, King Sejong concurred, but then Jo Mal-saeng interjected. Should we apply the same method for the silvering from Japan? Hyang shook his head. No. The silver from Japan is in smaller quantities and lower in purity. It requires further processing by us, so its harmless to let it be. But Japan might also react negatively. Theres a sea between Joseon and Japan, and our navy guards that sea, Hyang pointed out, emphasizing Joseons maritime strength and strategic advantage. Understanding the strategic importance of Joseons navy in controlling the waters between Joseon and Japan, Jo Mal-saeng finally nodded in agreement. Hyang internally grumbled about the ministers dyedprehension. Maybe he should be reassigned to the record-keeping office? Ultimately, the assembly decided on theposition of the emergency diplomatic mission to Ming. * * * So, youll be the chief envoy to Ming. Youre the most knowledgeable about the banknotes, arent you? Kim Jeom addressed the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Taxation. The vice minister expressed his displeasure, Isnt lord excellency more knowledgeable about banknotes than I am? Im already swamped with work. Why me? Kim Jeom replied calmly, I need to stay here to oversee the unfolding events, dont I? Besides, at my age, should I be traveling all the way to Beijing? The vice minister grumbled internally, Unbelievable! Were both getting old, and yet he pulls this! As soon as the diplomatic mission is assembled, the Crown Prince will give a special lecture. Make sure to prepare well. Yes. And when youre in Beijing, take the opportunity to indulge in all the healthful delicacies they have. It might do you some good. The Vice Minister almost choked in frustration. * * * Note 1: The tax revenue list mentioned in Chapter 168 is a fictional estimate based on the authors imagination.
  1. Cupetion is known as a process where ores are treated under high temperatures and controlled operations to separate noble metals i.e Gold and Silver, from base metals like lead, Copper, Zinc, and others present in the ore.[]
Chapter 172 Chapter 172 After the suppression of the Giyu Rebellion and the execution of the punishments for those involved in the uprising werepleted, the court and the military began their post-rebellion handling. Though its called post-rebellion handling its more urate to say that it involves identifying and refining the deficiencies encountered during the suppression of this rebellion, said the Minister of Military Affairs, who was leading the meeting, to which King Sejong, Hyang, and the ministers all nodded in agreement. The Minister of Military Affairs continued speaking. Just before the recent rebellion, we had drafted an escape n which, in the event of an emergency, involved immediately escorting His Majesty and key figures to Changdeokgung Pce. Of course, during thest treasonous incident, no one had to flee Ehem! Cough! Sejong and Hyang turned away, trying to cover their embarrassment with a cough at the pointed remark of the Minister. After the incident, both of them had been in trouble with Queen Soheon for a while. * * * When Grand Prince Yangnyeong led the counter-insurgency during the rebellion, the Golden Army soldiers guarding the Junggungjeon followed the n to escort Queen Soheon, the concubines, and the princes to Changdeokgung Pce. Has His Majesty already evacuated? Queen Soheon, upon learning that Sejong was still holding out in Geunjeongjeon, scolded the Golden Army military officer who was about to take her away. You fool! His Majesty is facing a crisis, and youre dallying here! At Queen Soheons rebuke, the officer responded awkwardly. This is the established n and procedure Silence! Chief Court Lady! At Queen Soheons call, the Chief Court Lady, who was standing nearby, rushed over. Yes, Your Highness! Bring me my bow at once! Your Highness The Chief Court Lady hesitated at Queen Soheons order to fetch her bow. Queen Soheon, grasping the hem of her skirt, went back inside the room and came out with her bow. Were heading to Geunjeongjeon! Soldiers, follow me! Your Highness! Quiet and follow! Following the Queensmand, the officer in charge of the Golden Army soldiers at Junggungjeon resignedly instructed his subordinates. First and Second Squads, follow me. The rest, escort the concubines, princes, and princesses to Changdeokgung Pce. Move out! Yes! * * * Thus, after leading the soldiers to Geunjeongjeon, Queen Soheon copsed from relief once the situation was resolved. Afterwards, Sejong and Hyang had to plead earnestly for forgiveness from Queen Soheon. I am sorry, Sejong, sitting in front of the bedridden Queen Soheon with his head bowed, sincerely apologized. Hyang, sitting beside him, felt the same. Royal Mother, please forgive us. Ugh Groaning in difort, Queen Soheon propped herself up and admonished Sejong. Your Majesty You are the sole sovereign of this nation. How could you stay in such a perilous ce? Well, there were guards Your Majesty! Even with guards, that ce was extremely dangerous! It was fraught with arrows and iron bullets flying in every direction! I, I am sorry. And the Crown Prince too! How could the future foundation of our nation wander around the battlefield! What were you thinking? I have made a mistake! Ugh! Groaning again, Queen Soheony back down and turned away. This is serious Realizing that Queen Soheon was deeply upset, Sejong turned to the court physician, who silently shook his head. Sejong let out a long sigh. Sigh Ultimately, Sejong and Hyang had to repeatedly seek Queen Soheons forgiveness over the next three days. * * * As Sejong and Hyang coughed awkwardly, the Minister of Military Affairs continued the meeting. After the situation was resolved, the Joseon Armys General Staff revisited the n. Upon review, we concluded that the n implemented this time was quite wed. wed? Sejong, showing interest, prompted the Minister to nod. Yes, Your Majesty. If the scale of the rebels attempting an uprising had beenrger, simply moving the royal pce would not suffice to ensure Your Majestys safety. Hmm Sejong stroked his beard, looking unconvinced, which prompted Hyang to join the conversation. I believe it is a valid point. Although the pces are separated, they are not far apart. If the rebels arerge in number, they could easilyunch simultaneous attacks. Are you suggesting another rebellion might ur? Sejongs question was promptly answered by Hyang. While we hope it wont happen again during Your Majestys reign, we cant be sure. Moreover, simr situations could arise in the future. Sejong nodded in agreement with Hyangs reasoning. Thats a sensible point from the Crown Prince. So, whats the alternative? At Sejongs query, the Minister of Military Affairs quickly responded. We propose building fortresses to the north and south of Hanyang. Heo Jo immediately objected to the Ministers suggestion. Build fortresses? Isnt that a bit excessive? Its not excessive. The purpose of building fortresses is not only to prepare for rebellions. In case of foreign invasions, though our Joseon army would valiantly resist and repel the invaders, if we are unable to protect the capital and its in danger, these fortresses would also serve as strategic points for His Majesty to continue the resistance. Heo Jo challenged the Ministers statement again. Do you really think foreign enemies could prate this far into our capital? Is that even possible? The Minister of Military Affairs retorted briefly. Have you forgotten the events of the previous dynasty? Ah At the Ministers reminder, Heo Jo fell silent. During the reign of King Gongmin of Goryeo, remnants of the Red Turban Army had invaded Goryeo and even captured Gaeseong. At that time, King Gongmin had to retreat as far as Andong. And it wasnt just the Red Turbans. In the first year of King Gongmins reign, Japanese pirates invaded, ravaging Ganghwado and even threatening Gaeseong. With the Minister of Military Affairs citing these events from just two generations prior, the opposition was effectively silenced. Having quelled the opposition, the Minister of Military Affairs continued speaking. The fortresses to the north and south are not merely for His Majestys evacuation. They serve to regroup our forces and defend against the enemy, allowing time to gather the Joseon troops stationed in other regions to attack the enemys rear. This is one of the most fundamental tactics, the hammer and anvil, where these fortresses act as the anvil. Sejong posed a question upon hearing the Ministers exnation. What if the invading enemies ignore these fortresses and pass by, heading either south or north of the capital? Hyang responded in ce of the Minister. The enemies cannot simply bypass these fortresses. How so Ah! Sejong, about to ask for an exnation, stopped himself and nodded in understanding. I see. These are the ces where the King of Joseon resides; they would not dare to simply pass by. It makes perfect sense. Nodding in agreement and understanding, Sejong turned to Hyang. Is this your doing? I just added a little touch. At Hyangs response, Sejong chuckled. Just a little touch? You must have set the whole table. Knowing the kind of person you are. Exactly! Of course, it is! The Crown Prince is like a snake in the grass, full of cunning! How many times have we been deceived by that face! The ministers vigorously nodded in agreement with Sejongs words, each of them internally acknowledging Hyangs shrewdness. However, for Hyang, this was somewhat unfair. Even before Hyangs involvement, the renowned military enthusiast Munjong, during his time as Crown Prince, had advocated for the construction of Bukhansanseong. The issue was that Bukhansanseong was constructed muchter, during the reign of King Sukjong. What Hyang had done was merely suggest the addition of Namhansanseong[1] alongside Bukhansanseong. Bukhansanseong Source: /hyunukpark/docs/____________2017_ Namhansanseong * * * Let the one who expanded the n exin in more detail. Yes, Your Majesty. Upon Sejongsmand, Hyang stood up. As Hyang took the lead, the Minister of Military Affairs quickly handed over the pointer and returned to his seat. The reason for this was not theplexity of the matter, but rather the pressure from the high-ranking officials. Although the Minister himself was among the high-ranking, the array of dignitaries in front of him was dauntingly eminent. As Hyang stood in front, the ministers began their questioning. We understand the need for fortresses. Do you have suitable locations in mind? Yes, there are. Eunuch, bring the map of Hanyang and the surrounding area. Yes, Your Highness. At Hyangsmand, an eunuch brought a scroll with a map attached. As the strategic discussion progressed, several items, including maps, were always kept on hand in Geunjeongjeon. Hyang ced the map beside him and pointed to a location on it with the pointer. For the northern fortress, we n to expand Jungheung Fortress. In the south, we are considering the site of Jujang Fortress[2] from the the Three Hans period, located in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province. What is the reason for choosing that site? Yes, the location has been historically significant as a fortress site since the Three Hans period. Its distance from Hanyang is also ideal for quick movement. Lastly, it allows us to actively utilize the Han River, a crucial geographical defense. Hearing Hyangs exnation, the ministers nodded in agreement. If an attackes from the south, the Han River can serve as the first line of defense, while Bukhansanseong prepares for a defensive stance. Conversely, if the attackes from the north, the Han River again serves as the first line of defense, and Namhansanseong can be fortified. Seeing the ministers convinced, Hyang pointed out another location. To prepare for any incursions through the Han River from the sea, we will construct a fortress here in Haengju. This site, too, was once a fortress during the Three Hans period, making it a strategically significant location. Hyang continued to exin how these three fortresses would interconnect. The fortresses in the north and south wont just serve as temporary capitals during wartime. Properly integrating these three fortresses will significantly strengthen the defense of Hanyang. Hmm Sejong and the ministers weighed the effectiveness of Hyangs n. This is promising At Sejongs words, the ministers nodded. Indeed, as Hyang had exined, building fortresses in these locations would greatly enhance the defense of Hanyang. The fact that these sites were once military fortresses in the Samhan period further underscored their strategic importance. However, there was an issue. After a moment of contemtion, Kim Jeom spoke up. Although I acknowledge the necessity, constructing fortresses in such terrain is no easy task. I have not been to the southern site, but the northern site is visible from Bukhansan and Inwangsan, which reveals the ruggedness of the terrain. Constructing fortresses in such harsh mountainous areas will require significantbor from the people, not to mention the considerable construction costs. Youre right. Building fortresses requires a lot of stone, and transporting it to those high and rough mountains is no ordinary task. Starting with Kim Jeom, the ministers pointed out the geographical challenges of construction. At these concerns, Hyang, along with the Minister of Military Affairs and military officials, smiled knowingly. The ministers, noticing Hyangs smile, felt a sense of unease. Whats going on? What am I missing? While the ministers were pondering, Hyang spoke up. Have you forgotten? We have iron-reinforced concrete. Ah At Hyangs words, the ministers looked as if they had been hit with a realization. The concrete first used by Hyang in road construction, had been officially named Iron-reinforced concrete. The ministers were well aware of its usefulness. With proper formwork, iron-reinforced concrete could be used to construct buildings in shapes and forms that were impossible with traditional wood or stone construction. I had forgotten about that. Of course, transporting aggregates, reinforcing bars, and concrete mix to the fortress sites is not an easy task. However, it requires lessbor than quarrying, refining, and moving stone. At Hyangs exnation, the ministers had nothing to do but nod in agreement. Eventually, Sejong made a decision. I will ept the proposal of the Ministry of Military Affairs. The Ministry of Taxation should calcte the necessary budget, and the Ministries of Public Works and Personnel should devise ns for sourcing the requiredbor for construction. We shallply with Your Majestysmand! Kim Jeom and the heads of the relevant departments responded with a somewhat troubled expression, understanding the magnitude of the task ahead. In contrast, at Sejongs decision, Hyang, the officials of the Ministry of Military Affairs, and the military officers bowed their heads in deep gratitude, loudly expressing their appreciation. Your grace is boundless!
  1. Namhansanseong was designed as an emergency capital for the Joseon dynasty (13921910), in a mountainous site 25 km south-east of Seoul.[]
  2. Jujang Fortress is from the period of Unified Si, also a current site for Namhan Fortress or Namhansanseong[]
Chapter 173 Chapter 173 Upon seeing Sejongs favorable reaction, Hyang opened his mouth once more. Your Majesty, I have another request to make. When opportunity knocks, row your boat! he thought. As soon as the word request popped out, Sejong replied in a stern voice. Another? If its about the budget for Area 51, there isnt any. Its not about Area 51. Its for the defense of our Joseon. Sejong, who had been tense in anticipation of another budget-rted request, slightly rxed upon hearing Hyangs words. Lets hear it. Yes, Your Majesty. Eunuch, go to the Eastern Pce and bring the fortification model.'' Yes, Your Highness. Following Hyangs order, the eunuch hurried out of the Geunjeongjeon Hall. The ministers, especially those from the Ministry of Taxation, Ministry of Personnel, and Ministry of Public Works, swallowed dryly and prayed inwardly. Please! Anything but a budget-heavy project! Something with minimal personnel! The best would be for His Majesty to refuse it! A momentter, four eunuchs entered, groaning under the weight of arge board covered with a cloth. The ministers closed their eyes tightly, rmed by its sheer size. Its doomed! Were doomed! Look at the size of that! I can already hear us groaning! I wont look! I refuse to look! Sejong looked at the model ced on therge conference table brought in by other eunuchs. Its quiterge, isnt it? What is it? In making the terrain model, it became somewhatrge. The actual thing isnt as big. The ministers, who had their eyes tightly shut and werent even looking, cautiously opened their eyes upon hearing the conversation between Sejong and Hyang particrly Hyangs words It isnt as big. Remove the cloth. Yes, Your Highness. As the eunuch removed the cloth, a mock terrain made of ster and weeds was revealed. At the center of the terrain was a slightly elevated hill. Hyang began his exnation, holding a pointer. Upon examining the geography, our Joseonsnd features an east-high-west-low terrain. Hence, looking at the records of invasions since the ancient Three Han period, the western ins have been the main route of attack. Thats true. However, even in this western in, the traffic routes are limited, and one must inevitably pass through hills and valleys. Thats also true. Sejong nodded thoughtfully in response to Hyangs words. Even as he earnestly answered her questions, Sejong couldnt hide his curiosity. Why is he so diligently discussing facts that we all know? Whether Hyang knew what Sejong was thinking or not, he continued his exnation with enthusiasm. Stationing defense forces at all these strategic points would be a waste. In fact, with Joseons military budget, its impossible. Im well aware of that. Therefore Hyang pointed to the wooden model ced on the hilltop. Therefore, I propose installing rockfall barriers at these strategic points. Sejong began to show great interest in Hyangs exnation. Rockfall barriers? Put simply, its like causing andslide with human intervention. What Hyang was proposing was akin to the anti-tank rockfall barriers that could still be seen in the northern areas of Seoul in the 21st century. In the 21st century, these might be considered somewhat outdated, but their effectiveness now would be tremendous! Sejong, descending from his throne, examined the model Hyang had created in detail. The ministers also gathered around Sejong and scrutinized the models closely. Hmm So, these pirs hold it up, and then we ce these square structures on top of them, is that right? Thats correct. Just like this. When Hyang tapped the support holding the rocks with a pointer, the square wooden pieces on it came tumbling down. O-ho~? Seeing the wooden pieces blocking the road, Sejong let out a small exmation of admiration and his eyes lit up. Hyang continued, pointing to the wooden pieces. Although we used wood for this model, in actual construction, we would use iron-reinforced stones. If were using iron-reinforced stones, the weight will be considerable. The supports must be very strong. The Minister of Public Works interjected into Hyangs exnation, to which she nodded. Thats right. Therefore, the supports will also be made of iron-reinforced stones. Responding to Hyang, the Minister of Public Works raised a concern. With the strength I know iron-reinforced stones to have, their sturdiness is iparable. If we use them for the supports, wouldnt it take a long time to trigger the rockfall? The ministers all nodded in agreement with the Minister of Public Works point. After a brief pause, he continued. Its intended to block the enemys advance, but if mishandled, it could hinder our own troops retreat or miss the timing and allow the enemy to advance. Wouldnt that reduce its effectiveness? Thats a valid point. Hyang did not argue but simply nodded in agreement to the Minister of Public Works remark. Surprised by Hyangs unusual response, the Minister of Public Works momentarily wore an expression of doubt. Leaving the Minister of Public Works reaction behind, Hyang continued to exin to Sejong and the other ministers. Of course, relying purely on manpower or mechanical force would consume a significant amount of time. In the urgent context of a battlefield, this can be extremely dangerous. Therefore, in situations where we need to block roads with rockfalls, we use gunpowder. Gunpowder? Gunpowder As Sejong looked skeptical, Hyang picked up a model that he had set aside. This is a scaled-down model of the support. As you can see, weve pre-drilled holes of appropriate size in the middle of the pirs. If necessary, we ce gunpowder in these holes and detonate it. Is this to scale? Yes, Your Majesty. Sejong, assessing the size of the holes drilled in the pir, turned to Hyang. Is the amount of gunpowder that fits into these holes sufficient to bring it down? Yes. Weve tested it. Hmm Sejong closed his mouth upon hearing Hyangs reply that he had already tested it. He wanted to ask when? but it wasnt necessary, considering the reputation of Area 51. Area 51 is known for its work; if theres no sound of gunpowder exploding, thats when theres a big problem. It was the ce where various devices were tested daily, along with gunpowder, cannons, and firearms. As Sejong was inspecting the rockfall barrier model, he turned to Kim Jeom. You, as the Minister of Taxation, probably have the most to say. Please, speak first. Yes, Your Majesty. Kim Jeom, who had been impatiently waiting in the background, immediately started to question Hyang as soon as Sejong gave him the opportunity. I understand what the Crown Prince has stated and its effectiveness. However, the issue is the cost. Though its called a rockfall barrier, its still a structure. Structures require continuous maintenance. Considering that, wouldnt the cost outweigh the benefits? Hyang nodded in agreement with Kim Jeoms words. Thats true. However, such rockfall barriers dont have elements like doors or windows, so they dont require a lot of time and money to build. As for maintenance, only structural issues like cracks need to be managed. Well, if thats the case Satisfied with Hyangs clear exnation, Kim Jeom stepped back, rethinking his position. Several other ministers took turns asking questions, but Hyang had no difficulty answering them. Finally, Sejong posed thest question. So Crown Prince, your exnation makes it seem effective in hindering the enemys movement. But wouldnt it also obstruct us if we were pursuing the enemy? If we prepare enough horses and cattle in advance, it wont be an issue. But wouldnt the enemy do the same? At Sejongs question, Hyang once again exined the purpose of installing these barriers. The purpose of this rockfall is not topletely block the enemy, but to dy their advance momentarily, allowing our forces to reorganize. Whether the enemy clears the rockfall, crosses over it, or finds a detour, they will waste time. This time can be used for our troops to regroup, reducing our own casualties in the process. To reduce our own casualties Sejong pondered Hyangs words. Sejong was not ignorant of military strategy. ording to military tactics, an army suffers the most casualties when retreating under enemy attack. Unstoppable momentum, overwhelming victory was a phrase pleasant to the ears of the attackers, but utterly dreaded by those on the receiving end. Therefore, in such cases, it wasmon to organize units to hold back the enemy, even at the cost of high casualties. However, with the equipment the Crown Prince mentioned, we can hold back the enemy while reducing our losses. But the problem is After organizing his thoughts, Sejong posed a final question to Hyang. All this is well and good, but Im not pleased with the assumption that were allowing an enemy invasion. Is our Joseon army so weak? At Sejongs question, Jo Mal-saeng responded loudly. Absolutely not! Our Joseon army would never permit an invasion by foreign enemies! I, Jo Mal-saeng, swear it on my life! Hearing the militarymanders response, Sejong turned to Hyang. What do you say to that? Hyang calmly replied. The words of the militarymander are correct. The primary objective of our Joseon army is to defend the homnd and ensure the safety and peace of Your Majesty and the people. Hence, they are vigorously training and vigntly guarding against enemies on the border. This is beyond doubt. As Hyang spoke, Jo Mal-saeng and the other military generals nodded vigorously. ncing at them, Hyang continued. However, it is said, Better safe than sorry. Preparing for the worst-case scenario allows us to establish more effective measures. This is not a matter of pride, but of survival. Not pride, but survival Sejong, mulling over Hyangs words again, let out a long sigh. Sigh Lord Kim, Minister of Public Works, and Minister of Personnel. At Sejongs call, the ministers, starting with Kim Jeom, bowed their heads. Yes, Your Majesty. You all will need to put in some extra effort. And to the rest of fellow ministers, please review the matter and coordinate with other departments as necessary. We will heed yourmand. The ministers bowed and replied. Another task added to the pile Its a regrettable necessity with no grounds for objection. * * * Back in the court, Sejong turned to Jo Mal-saeng. Is this the end of the military issues? No, it is not. At Jo Mal-saengs response, Kim Jeom asked with a trembling voice. Is there more? Responding to Kim Jeoms waterden question, Jo Mal-saeng replied softly. My apologies. What is the issue, militarymander? Speak. At Sejongsmand, Jo Mal-saeng brought up his concern. Yes, Your Majesty. Though it may seem disloyal to mention, during the recent suppression of the rebels, the Crown Prince used a new type of musket. Both the Royal Guard and the Inner Pce Guard praised its performance, suggesting we mass-produce and deploy these muskets to the Joseon army. Ah? A new type of musket? Now that I think about it Sejong, recalling the past event, turned to Hyang. He remembered that at that time, the Crown Prince had a musket he had never seen before. He hadnt seen it properly, but it definitely wasnt the standard matchlock musket. But, the Crown Prince hid it immediately after the situation was resolved, didnt he? Sejong, piecing together his memories, red at Hyang. I remember that too. Crown Prince, you indeed used a new musket then. Exin what that was about. At Sejongs words, Hyang red at Jo Mal-saeng. Ah, this old man! Why must he speak so much! Cursing Jo Mal-saeng inwardly, Hyang exined to Sejong. Yes, I did use a new musket. However, that musket was experimental and has many issues that prevent its mass deployment in the Joseon army. Chapter 174 Chapter 174 What is the issue? No, let me see the real thing while we discuss this. King Sejong, second to none in his curiosity,manded that the actual object be brought to him. Following King Sejongs order, Hyang brought the replica of the problematic Winchester rifle. How smoothly its made. It feels odd to say this about a rifle, but its beautiful. King Sejongs first impression upon seeing the new rifle model was that it was beautiful. After returning the rifle to Hyang, King Sejong descended from the hall. I wish to see its performance. Yes, Your Majesty. King Sejong moved to a newly built archery range at one side of Gyeongbokgung Pce. With King Sejong watching, Hyang demonstrated shooting with the Winchester rifle. Bang! How truly remarkable! As thest of the eight shots rang out, King Sejong was full of admiration. To be able to fire eight shots continuously without pause! And its range surpasses that of a horseback rifle! Truly, its a magnificent rifle! King Sejong was impressed, but Hyang shook his head. This rifle cannot be used for military purposes, Your Majesty. Why is that? The problem lies in the reloading process. Hyang demonstrated the loading process of the Winchester rifle. As you can see, each bullet must be loaded individually. Loading takes time, and firing is quick, leaving a significant gap in between. We could do alternating firing! Although Jo Mal-saeng countered, Hyang exined why that would not be feasible. During that rebellion incidentst time, I had to rotate using five rifles. Even then, eventually, there wasnt enough time, and I had to use a gun loaded with only five bullets instead of eight. Alternating firing is not the solution. And Hyang then showed a bullet. As you can see, instead of paper, the part containing the gunpowder is made of copper. Therefore, mass production is impossible. But arent we receiving a good supply of copper? Moreover, copper mines have been discovered! Jo Mal-saeng continued to persistently counter. However, Hyang was equally resolute. The amount of copper supplied has increased, but so have its uses. We still dont have enough to manufacture casings out of copper. Casings? At King Sejongs expression of curiosity at the unfamiliar term, Hyang briefly exined. Yes, I have named it so. But the man who wouldnt give up, Jo Mal-saeng, persisted. If we could recover the casings to the maximum extent Lord Cho! While it may be possible to recover them during training, how feasible is that in actualbat? Will you stop fighting to pick up casings? Hyangs words silenced Jo Mal-saeng. Observing Jo Mal-saengs reaction, Hyang delivered the final blow. Even the Gapshik rifles currently used by the Joseon army are unmatched by Japan, let alone Ming China. And you want to make a new rifle? What if Ming, like the Tang Dynasty did with Si in the past, demands the new rifles as tribute or asks for our craftsmen? What will you do then? What Hyang referred to was the Thousand Step Crossbow (Cheonbono) incident between Tang and Si. Back then, Tangs Emperor Gaozong coveted Sis crossbow and demanded craftsmen be sent to him. The craftsman Gu Jin-cheon, who was sent over, deliberately dragged out his work, and ultimately, Tang failed to acquire the Cheonbono. Referencing the past incident, Hyang pointed out a reality. Ming China! Right now, maintaining a lead of just one step is the best course! Even if we have technology that is two steps ahead, externally showing that we are only one step ahead is the optimal strategy! Joseon is just beginning to sprout! We absolutely must not provoke Ming! At Hyangs words, Jo Mal-saengs expression turned gloomy. King Sejong, who was listening to Hyang, sighed. Hmm. It seems the Crown Princes words are correct. Regrettably, let us consider this matter as if it never happened. We must avoid excessively provoking Ming. Iply with Your Majestys decision. Ultimately, Jo Mal-saeng had to relinquish his ambitions regarding the Winchester rifle. * * * After resolving the issue with the rifle, King Sejong, back in the council hall, proceeded with the meeting. Lets move on to the next agenda item. Yes, Your Majesty. The one to step forward on King Sejongsmand was Chief State Councilor Lee Jik. I, Chief State Councilor Lee Jik, have reflected upon this recent matter and examined various situations. While I identified several issues, most of them can be resolved through reforms. This is a testament to Your Majestys wisdom, bringing great fortune to Joseon. Lee Jik began his speech with praise for King Sejong. At hismendation, King Sejong responded with a modest smile. It seems you are gilding my face. Its not gilding. The words of the Chief State Councilor are correct. Your Majesty is indeed a great blessing to Joseon. The ministers continued with their chorus of praise for King Sejong. Although King Sejong was pleased by the ministers ttery, he remained careful not to exceed proper bounds. Theres a saying, too much is as bad as too little, and excessive courtesy is indeed discourtesy. I believe the same applies to praise for a monarch. Lets stop here. The kind words Ive heard so far are sufficient. Although said with a smile, it was a clear warning, so the ministers promptly got to the point. Chief State Councilor Lee Jik stepped forward again to continue. From the recent reckless incident in the southern provinces, weve identified issues withmunication. Communication issues At Lee Jiks statement, King Sejong stroked his beard. The smile had vanished from his face. Lee Jik continued with his exnation. Excluding rebellion incidents, there are many situations that require urgent reporting, like foreign invasions or the outbreak of epidemics. Thats true. King Sejong nodded in agreement. Weve had simr discussions in the Ministry of Military Affairs before, and Ive ordered the refurbishment of the ry stations. But youre saying thats still insufficient? Under normal circumstances, the ry stations would suffice. However, even with fast horses, it takes at least three days to travel from southern ces like Dongnae or northern ces like Gilju. And for the messengers, it can be as quick as five days. Thats during peace, but what about in times of emergency? I see. In times of chaos, indeed, time is more precious than a thousand gold pieces Sejong nodded at Lee Jiks words. Do you have a solution then? Yes, Your Majesty. The instation of beacon towers. Beacon fires King Sejong stroked his beard thoughtfully, his head nodding slightly. Certainly beacon fires would be faster. Convinced by Lee Jiks proposal, King Sejong asked further. If we were to install beacon towers, have we identified suitable locations? Lee Jik smoothly responded to King Sejongs question. Yes, Your Majesty. Since the founding of our Joseon, we have records of the fortresses from the ancient Three Han states and the Goryeo period. Many of these sites already have foundations for beacon towers, which can be utilized as references for selecting locations. I see. King Sejong nodded at Lee Jiks exnation. Lee Jik, pointing to a map that was already set up, continued his exnation. After discussions in the State Council, we believe that forming a line of beacon fires extending from Mount Mokmyeok (located in Namsan) in Hanyang to the cardinal directions of Joseon would be sufficient to fulfill its role. That sounds good. King Sejong continued to nod at Lee Jiks exnation. Indeed, in Joseon, as well as in Ming and Japan, there was no faster means ofmunication than beacon fires. Hyang, who had been listening to the conversation, frowned. Its a good suggestion and probably the most appropriate one. But I cant shake off this feeling that something is missing As Hyang pondered over what might becking, the ministers and officials, noticing Hyangs expression, began to tense up. The Crown Prince looks displeased! Look at that troubled face! Im not looking! I absolutely refuse to look! In the midst of the ministers silent mor, King Sejong, sensing the odd atmosphere, surveyed the surroundings. Hmm? Detecting the suddenly uneasy atmosphere, King Sejong sought the cause. Following the ministers gazes, he turned his head and saw Hyang, then muttered softly to himself. Is it you again? After murmuring to himself for a moment, King Sejong raised his voice to address Hyang. Crown Prince, what concerns you so? Why such a troubled expression? Do you see an issue with the instation of the beacon towers? At King Sejongs question, Hyang immediately shook his head. No, Your Majesty. How can I be dissatisfied with beacon fires, when nothingpares to their swiftness? Its just that I have a curiosity Curious? About what exactly? Yes, as far as I understand, the number of fires and the smoke from the beacon towers convey different situations. Thats correct. At Hyangs words, King Sejong and the ministers nodded. The number of beacon fires indicated everything from normal conditions to the breakout of a battle. But what are you curious about? King Sejongs inquiry led the ministers to fix their gaze on Hyang, as they too found the Chief State Councilors suggestion quite fitting. Responding to King Sejong, Hyang walked to the front of the map and continued. Like the Chief State Councilor suggested, if we align beacon towers throughout Joseons territory to the north, south, east, and west, we can quickly understand the situation. I understood this much. However, what I am curious about is how do we then determine the exact location where the incident has urred? Hmm? Eh? Ah! At Hyangs words, King Sejong and the ministers simultaneously showed expressions of realization, as if they had all overlooked a crucial point. Of course, being able to quickly know from which direction north, south, east, or west the enemy invades is a significant advantage. However, until the messengers or fast horses bring more detailed information, we can only prepare general countermeasures. While this is better than having no information at all, its still inferior to preparing with detailed knowledge. Thats true. Indeed. King Sejong and the ministers nodded at Hyangs words, looking at him once again. Hes my son, but how can he be so thoughtful? Despite his young age, such insight! Its always surprising! Whether aware of the admiring nces or not, Hyang continued to point out the aspects he foundcking. As the Chief State Councilor initially mentioned, its not just wars that require urgent information. Epidemics also need quick reporting and response, just as urgently. What then is the solution? At King Sejongs question, Hyang looked troubled. Im sorry, but I am not yet sure. I only just thought of this issue Is that so? Yes. Hearing Hyangs response, King Sejong turned to the ministers. In my view, there is nothing wrong with the Crown Princes observations. I ask you all to consider what might be a good solution to this issue. Iply with Your Majestysmand. Crown Prince, you should also ponder on this matter. At King Sejongs order, Hyang bowed in agreement. I will do asmanded. * * * Back in the Eastern Pce, Hyang removed his official headdress, Ikseongwan, and scratched his head. This mouth of mine always stirring up trouble, creating more work. At the same time, in the State Council Hall, the ministers gathered and discussed Hyang. Usually, I just thought he was entric, but sometimes, on days like today, the Crown Prince can be quite daunting. I agree. To think of such insights at his age What will happen when the Crown Prince ascends to the throne While the high officials and ministers were busy discussing, Kim Jeom interjected with a remark. I may not live to see the Crown Prince ascend the throne, but this much I know for sure. He is the blood of our current King, and having observed how the King rules, it wont be easy for the officials. Oh dear At Kim Jeoms words, the ministers clicked their tongues briefly. However, the young officials who had followed the ministers to the State Council Hall turned ashen-faced, clearly unsettled by the prospect. Chapter 175 Chapter 175 Following King Sejongsmand, Hyang actively sought a solution. The first person Hyang consulted was Lee Cheon, who was in charge of Area 51. Are you referring to beacon fires? Yes. Beacon fires rely on fire and smoke, but they cant be used during rain, can they? Thats true. What is done in such cases? Lee Cheon stroked his beard, recalling relevant information. Hmm If I remember correctly, high poles with white or red gs are used as substitutes for beacon fires. Is that so? Thank you. Returning to his office, Hyang tapped his desk with his fingers, muttering to himself. This is really tricky. If only we had telegraphs, we could use Morse code. Wait Hyang suddenly stopped talking. His eyes widened as he reconsidered his own words. Morse code? Codes? Bang! Hyang abruptly stood up and rushed to the wall where maps were hung. The locations of garrisons and military camps are The positions of each provincial government office are Pointing at various ces on the map and murmuring to himself, Hyangs face lit up with realization. Ive found it! * * * Five dayster, Hyang visited Geunjeongjeon with a bright face. So, what brings you here today? Seeing your bright face, it must be good news. At King Sejongs words, Hyang smiled broadly in response. Indeed, Your Majesty. Oh? What good news has made our Crown Prince so happy? Themunication issue you ordered to be resolved a few days ago has been solved. King Sejongs face lit up with delight. Really? Yes. Eunuch, hang it up, please. Yes, Your Highness. Following Hyangs order, an eunuch hung a chart on one side of Geunjeongjeon. Standing next to the map, Hyang began to exin to King Sejong and the ministers. On this map, the red dots represent the garrisons and naval bases installed throughout Joseon. The blue dots are the military posts established through recent reforms. And the green dots are the ry stations across the country. That makes sense. King Sejong and the ministers nodded at Hyangs exnation, but their faces were filled with a look of So what? Noticing their expressions, Hyang continued his exnation while turning the pages of the chart. The second map disyed interconnecting red and blue lines. As you can see from this map, connecting the garrisons, naval bases, military posts, and ry stations allows us to link the entire territory of Joseon. Thats true. Your point seems to be about using thiswork formunication, but we are already doing that, arent we? The problem is the slow speed of this method, hence the use of beacon fires. However, beacon fires alone make it difficult to convey detailed information about the incidents. King Sejongs observation prompted Hyang to nod in agreement. Thats correct. That was the very point I raised. What I want to propose is that thiswork can be used for rapidmunication. Hyang turned the chart to reveal the third map to King Sejong and the ministers. This third map had two-digit numbers assigned to each provinces garrisons and naval bases. We designate the capital, Hanyang, as 0 and assign two-digit numbers to each provinces garrisons and naval bases. Then, we assign two-digit numbers to the military posts along theirmand lines and to the nearby towns as well. This way, we can identify any area with just six digits. Really? King Sejong, who had been skeptical, now leaned forward with interest. That makes sense. With a six-digit number, we can instantly know the location. But then? Surely youre not suggesting we convey this using beacon fires? That would require an excessive number of beacon towers. Exactly. To convey not just the location but also the content would mean far more than the current five smokestacks at each beacon tower. Thats right. So, I propose building watchtowers along the ry stations. Watchtowers? Yes, erecting watchtowers every 5 li (about 2 km) and conveying messages through hand signals. Hand signals? At Hyangs words, King Sejong looked puzzled, and Jo Mal-saeng appeared somewhat confused. Ive heard that the navy uses gs to send signals. Simr, but different. Responding to Jo Mal-saengsment, Hyang turned to another page. The fourth sheet listed four-digit numericalbinations for various scenarios. Starting with 1111 to indicate no issues, we can usebinations of numbers to convey not only the invasion of Japanese pirates but also their scale, and even report natural disasters and outbreaks of epidemics immediately. Interesting. But were talking about a 10-digit number here. Are you suggesting we use watchtowers to convey this? How? King Sejongs question was echoed by nods from the ministers. Hyang confidently responded to the query. Just two gs will suffice. Two gs? We have prepared a demonstration in the front yard of Geunjeongjeon. Really? Lets all go out and see. Yes, Your Majesty. Following King Sejongs lead, the ministers stepped out of the hall and walked briskly. * * * As King Sejong and the curious ministers arrived at the front yard of Geunjeongjeon, the waiting soldiers and military officers saluted in unison. Military salute! Respect! Thank you for your hard work. After King Sejong acknowledged the salute, the military officers and soldiers straightened up, and King Sejong turned to Hyang. Lets see how its done. Yes. Proceed with the demonstration! At ease! Signalmen, forward! At the officersmand, four soldiers stepped forward, each holding two gs, one red and one yellow, diagonally divided in half. Once the soldiers were in position, the officer gave the order. Ready! At themand, the soldiers extended their arms forward, holding the gs. One! Two! Three! Four! With each count, the soldiers moved the gs in various directions, indicating numbers. After confirming that the soldiers could represent numbers from 1 to 0 with the gs, King Sejong nodded. Indeed, with this method, its possible to represent all numbers with just two gs. Hmm Lets summarize. Crown Prince, what youre suggesting is to build watchtowers every 5 li and use trained soldiers like these formunication? Thats correct. Regrmunication will be conducted every hour, and in case of urgent news like Japanese pirate invasions, a red g will be raised at the top of the watchtower to signal an emergency and convey the message through hand signals. Additionally, to prepare for contingencies, we will station a fast horse at each watchtower. King Sejong continuously nodded as he listened to Hyangs exnation. Thats good. Very good. As King Sejong expressed his approval, Lee Jik raised a concern. However, the gs seem quite small. Considering the distance of 5 li, wouldnt it be difficult to see? Jo Mal-saeng stepped in to answer on behalf of Hyang. Not at all, its entirely feasible. With therge single-lens telescopes used on naval battleships, even 10 li is possible. Is that so? Yes, it is. Responding to Lee Jik, Jo Mal-saeng bowed to King Sejong and said: Your Majesty! Although the Crown Prince suggested a distance of 5 li, considering the deployment and operation of the troops, that interval seems too narrow. With therge telescopes used by the naval forces, it would be feasible to discern targets from a distance of 10 li. Hmm 10 li King Sejong pondered, stroking his beard, upon hearing Jo Mal-saengs words. Indeed, training soldiers and maintaining facilities all require money. While its good to spend less, the Crown Prince must have considered this too After a moment of contemtion, King Sejong reached a decision. Let the Ministry of Military Affairs test which telescopes used by thend and naval forces are more effective. Also, test to find the most appropriate distance between the watchtowers and report back. I will follow Your Majestysmand! Jo Mal-saeng replied energetically to Sejongs order. The increase in work was a wee development due to the potential of a fastmunication method for the military. * * * Returning to Geunjeongjeon and ascending to the royal chamber, King Sejong looked around at his ministers. Ive given orders to the Ministry of Military Affairs, but Id like to hear your opinions. The first to respond to Sejongs inquiry was Heo Jo. I, Heo Jo, Minister of Personnel, humbly report to Your Majesty. The method proposed by the Crown Prince is indeed very useful. Even excluding times of war, rapid response to epidemics or disasters can minimize damage. Utilizing the Crown Princes proposal, we can achieve a response iparably faster than what we have now. Is that so? Any differing opinions? Upon Sejongs query, Chief State Councilor Lee Jik stepped forward. I believe the proposal made by the Crown Prince is the optimal solution. With the endorsement from the Chief State Councilor, the situation seemed settled. Or it almost did, until the Chief Royal Secretary stepped forward. Your Majesty, I have a question for the Crown Prince, if I may. The Chief Royal Secretary? Well, its been a while since weve heard from you. Go ahead. Your graciousness overwhelms me. Granted permission, the Chief Royal Secretary turned to the Crown Prince and asked: I have a question for the Crown Prince. Yes, I am all ears. At the Chief Royal Secretarys words, Hyang tensed up and straightened his posture. Known for being particrly meticulous and critical, the Chief Royal Secretary and the Chief Schr were the epitomes of such characteristics. Upon hearing Hyangs response, the Chief Royal Secretary slowly began to speak. I am not well-versed in military tactics, nor am I knowledgeable about these devices. However, I do understand the usefulness of what the Crown Prince has discussed today. What? Praise, all of a sudden? Surprised by the Chief Royal Secretarysmendation, not only Hyang but also King Sejong and the other ministers looked at him with astonishment. To reiterate, the Chief Royal Secretary was known for his thoroughness. If there was even a slight issue, he would persistently delve into it. Therefore, Hyang looked at the Chief Royal Secretary with even greater tension. Whether he knew of Hyangs feelings or not, the Chief Royal Secretary continued. Again, I am not familiar with these devices. Thats why I have a question for His Highness. The g signal system is indeed useful, but it relies on human eyes for verification. What happens in cases of fog, rain, or during the night when the gs cannot be seen? Ah! Everyone in Geunjeongjeon realized the oversight at the Chief Royal Secretarys remark. King Sejong looked at Hyang with eyes full of worry. My son! Its within the expected range! Relieved by the Chief Royal Secretarys question, Hyang inwardly sighed. After catching his breath, Hyang responded to the question. As the Chief Royal Secretary pointed out, g signals are indeed problematic in situations like fog, rain, or at night. Then, do you have an alternative? We are currently researching it. The reason I havent presented it yet is because the decision to build the watchtowers needs to be made first, as its a subsequent issue. So, you do have an alternative? Yes, I do. Upon Hyangs response, the Chief Royal Secretary bowed to King Sejong and spoke. My curiosity is satisfied, so I have no further questions. Then, do you also support the Crown Princes proposal? Yes, Your Majesty. Hearing the Chief Royal Secretarys response, King Sejong looked at the other ministers. I will now make a definitive decision. The Ministry of Military Affairs will conduct the experiments as I have earlier instructed, and the heads of other departments shall proceed with the construction ofmunication towers nationwide based on the results presented by the Ministry of Military Affairs. We will follow Your Majestysmand! After hearing the ministers responses, King Sejong turned to Hyang. You have done well, Crown Prince. I look forward to seeing more excellent oues in the future. At King Sejongsmendation, Hyang deeply bowed. I shall heed Your Majestysmand! * * * Returning to the Eastern Pce, Hyang, relieving the tension in his neck, muttered to himself. Teacher Samcheonpo, that old man was right. Its not that people in the past were foolish, they just seemed so because they had ess to less information. His words are absolutely correct. Chapter 176 Chapter 176 Episode 176: The Climax of the Reform (Part 1) In the Giyu year, towards the end of the year, King Sejong gathered his ministers in Geunjeongjeon andmanded: Prepare to initiate the Household Registration Law[1] as nned in the reform. https://mblogthumb-phinf.pstatic/MjAyMjExMThfMTI1/MDAxNjY4NzQ3ODI3MjE4.vWoUxXPvVLEAXwd9qE12zTfZhDioBTB2S5-1wzeUx4gg._wkF-Gqr0TqKDekUnW7S24_hveprdxtcG9kHg9OHsDQg.JPEG.unesco114/20061116151949762000.jpg?type=w420 (Identification tag) We shall follow Your Majestysmand! The ministers replied in unison to King Sejongs order. The Household Registration Law was not a novel concept introduced by Sejong; it was first attempted during King Taejongs reign but led to various side effects and eventually became obsolete. The failure of the Household Registration Law under King Taejong was primarily because the identification tag, intended merely as an identification document, turned into shackles that restrained the people. In an economy centered on agriculture, the citizens had no freedom to relocate, and the identification tag served as a mechanism to prevent them from arbitrarily leaving their hometowns. While the identification tag made it easier for Joseon to collect taxes and impose corvebor, it simultaneously intensified the suffering of merchants and lower-ssmoners. As a result, many started forging identification tag to im the status of Cheonmin, a ss exempt from certain duties especially military service, leading to the obsolescence of the Household Registration Law attempted during King Taejongs time. However, Sejong was determined to give the Household Registration Law another try. This time it will be different! This time! Sejong was fueled with determination, reflecting on the failures of King Taejongs era. * * * With King Sejongs order, carts loaded with tools and materials for making identification tag, along with artisans, began to move across the nation. I would like to deploy artisans and equipment in every corner of the country, but the situation does not permit it, Sejong remarked. The ministers bowed their heads in agreement. That is true, Your Majesty. So, where should we start? At Sejongs question, the ministers began to discuss, suggesting the optimal regions for the initial implementation of the Household Registration Law. Unlike previous debates, this discussion was conducted calmly and ended with a decision to start the production and distribution of identification tags on a trial basis in Hanyang (present-day Seoul), followed by implementation starting from the Samnam region (the southern provinces). Why is that? At King Sejongs inquiry, Chief State Councilor Lee Jik exined the reason. Due to the rebellion incident that urredst autumn, a considerable amount of state-owned farnd has emerged in the Samnam region. To utilize thesends without missing the farming season next year, we need to find tenants. If the issuance of identification tags and the organization of household registers are dyed, we risk missing the nting season. Sejong nodded at Lee Jiks exnation. Your opinions are sensible. Then, lets begin the distribution of identification tags starting from the Samnam region. We will follow Your Majestysmand! Thus, the distribution of identification tags started in the Samnam region. On the day the artisans and officials set out, King Sejong summoned those in charge to Gyeongbokgung Pce. Due to theck of space, tents were set up in front of Geunjeongjeon, and severalrge braziers were ced to warm the area, where a feast was prepared. The artisans and officials, seated in front of thevish banquet, looked at the table with stern faces. Wasnt there a saying, The day you receive Ministry of Taxation provisions?'' It seems this task will indeed not be easy. Long live His Majesty! The officials and artisans, who were grumbling in front of the banquet, quickly rose from their seats at the sound of the royal approach. We greet His Majesty! Receiving the bows of the artisans and officials, King Sejong sat down and gave amand. Everyone, please take your seatsfortably. As the officials and artisans sat down, Sejong began his address. The task you all are about to undertake is of great importance. It is crucial for you to adhere to the schedule, as starting from the road construction, all policies of the reform rely on timely execution. I sincerely wish for you all to do your best. At Sejongs exhortation, the officials and artisans responded loudly. We shall devote ourselves wholeheartedly! Then, since tomorrow will be the start of busy days, enjoy this evening. Let the music begin! As the musicians started ying, the officials and artisans began to enjoy the food and drink. The next day, the production of identification tagsmenced in all areas of Hanyang. It was the beginning of a major endeavor that was expected to take about 5 months if everything went smoothly, or 7 months if anyplications arose. * * * Naturally, Hyang got involved in the process of creating and distributing the identification tag. Visiting the Ministry of Taxation, Hyang grabbed hold of Kim Jeom and started a discussion. Minister Kim. Yes, Your Royal Highness. In the process of making the identification tag, dont you think its a waste of time to make them in the order of arrival? What do you mean? Perplexed, Kim Jeom asked for rification, to which Hyang exined with a simple example. Imagine the first person toe is born in the year of Gap, the next in the year of Byeong, and then Eul. Wouldnt it be cumbersome for those stamping the identification tag? Realizing Hyangs point, Kim Jeom nodded. Ah! That does make sense! So, what if we use a bit of strategy? What kind of strategy? The first day, we only invite those born in years starting with Gap and Eul, and the next day Byeong and Jung, and so on. We can also examine the household registry in advance to determine which years have the most people and adjust the schedule ordingly. Hyang suggested applying a methodmonly used in the 21st century to Kim Jeom. Kim Jeoms face brightened upon hearing Hyangs suggestion. A brilliant idea! It would reduce the workload of the artisans and minimize errors! I will implement it immediately! Thank you very much! Its nothing Hyang humbly dismissed the praise with a nonchnt expression. * * * Thus, after one improvement, the procedure for creating identification tags was established. Today, all adult men and women born in years beginning with Gap and Eul shoulde to the town hall to receive your identification tag! Those who fail to do so will be fined! At the promation of the town criers, people from all over Hanyang, who met the criteria, headed to the town hall. Soon, a long line formed at the venue. While the town criers and soldiers managed the line with their batons, inside the hall, officials with the household registry and artisans were busy verifying information and creating the identification tag. Your household number, name, year of birth, birthce, and residence, please. An official called out, and a person came forward to receive the identification tag. My household number is 134 in Chang-dong, my name is Han Pan-sul, born in the year of Gap-Sul. I was born in Gyeonggi Province. After Pan-suls response, the official checked the household registry, verified the information, and nodded. Correct. After verifying the details, the official wrote the birth year, birthce, and name on a piece of paper with a golden pen and handed it to the artisan seated behind him. Wait over there, and youll receive your identification tag in due time. Yes, sir. Following the officials instructions, Pan-sul moved to the waiting line set up beside them. After Pan-suls processing waspleted, the official called out for the next person. Next! * * * The production of the identification tag that followed the verification of personal details was akin to a Ford-style assembly line operation. The artisan, receiving the paper with personal details,bined the typeset letters ordingly and ced them into a frame. Once the frame was ready, a thin metal te was ced over it, and the artisan turned arge wheel attached to the printing press. As the wheel turned, a heavy iron block pressed down on the metal te, imprinting the details of the identification tag owner onto the soft cast iron te. After turning the wheel to lift the iron block, the artisan removed the te to check if the imprint was clear. Satisfied with the imprint, the artisan passed the te to the next artisan sitting beside him. The second artisan ced the imprinted te inside a thin metal frame and covered it with another metal frame. This top frame had a hollow center, fitted with a piece of ss. The artisan aligned the two frames and screwed bolts into the holes at each corner. As the screws tightened, the two frames securely interlocked. Once the frames were properlybined, the artisan handed over the assembly to the next artisan. The final artisan, upon verifying the assembly, poured melted lead into thergest hole among the corner screw holes and waited for it to cool before stamping the official seal. After sealing, the artisan handed thepleted identification tag to a waiting official. The official receiving the identification tag called out the name written on it. Born in the year of Gap-Sul, Han Pan-sul! Where is Han Pan-sul? Here! I am here! Pan-sul, who had been waiting, stepped forward, and the official marked the registry before handing over the identification tag. Take good care of this. If you lose or damage it and need a reissue, youll have to pay 300 won. Goodness! Thats expensive! Thats why you need to take good care of it. At the officials words, Pan-sul pointed to the ss in the center of the identification tag. This has ss embedded in the middle? To Pan-suls query, the official added an exnation. Do you see the ironting embedded in the ss? Upon the officials question, Pan-sul examined the identification tag again. Indeed, there was a finely woven iron inside the ss. The official continued the exnation. That ironting makes the ss stronger. I see And remember, this identification tag is a proof of your identity. Dont be careless with it. If some miscreant steals it and uses it for ill, you could face serious trouble. Yes! I will keep that in mind! Leaving the town hall, Pan-sul looked at the identification tag in his hand with aplex expression. Its really peculiar. What is this really It makes me feel as if Ive be someone important. The identification tag, with its expensive ss, seemed to imbue Pan-sul with a sense of unexined pride. Pan-sul scrutinized the identification tag, murmuring to himself. Whose idea was this? Truly a marvelous invention * * * Indeed, the design of the identification tag was Hyangs work. Simply carving wood takes too long, and securing materials is a problem If the identification tag were to be made of wood like the previous ones, there would be many issues with preservation. What would be better? While pondering for a solution, Hyang snapped his fingers as a soldier passed by and saluted. Thats it! What Hyang remembered was the dog tags worn during military service in the 21st century. Based on the design of the dog tags, Hyang made some modifications. Instead of rubber, he wrapped the edges with metal, inserted ss to add a touch of sophistication, and finally, secured it with screws, covering it with lead and stamping an official seal to prevent forgery. Hyang presented this prototype to King Sejong. Excellent! Lets proceed with this design! King Sejong immediately approved the prototype upon seeing it. * * * The distribution of the identification tag began with King Sejong and was carried out methodically. Afterpleting the distribution in Hanyang, the smooth progress of the identification tag distribution starting from the Samnam region was reported daily, and Sejong praised Hyang. Your contribution is truly significant! It was merely good fortune on my part! Receiving King Sejongs praise and returning to the Eastern Pce, Hyang stopped by the research institute. Looking at the various devices on disy, he mumbled to himself. We have created so much. The problem is Observing the empty spaces in the disy case, Hyang continued. Theres still so much more to make. I wonder if, a few hundred years from now, historians studying Fathers and my reign will criticize us? Imagining the distant future, Hyang let out a wry chuckle. Who knows?
  1. A legal system established to enforce the carrying of (identification tags). It was implemented during the reign of King Taejong, the third king of the Joseon Dynasty, and was temporarily abolished before being reinstated in 1458, the 4th year of King Sejo, the seventh king of Joseon. It remained in effect almost until the end of the Joseon Dynasty. Under this system, those of the second rank () and above in the Dongban (Eastern ss) and Seoban (Western ss) carried a specific type of tag (), those of the third rank () and below and those who passed misceneous examinations carried another type (), schrs such as (students) and (licentiates) carried , and lower-ranking officials,moners, minor clerks, and local officials carried a (small rectangr wooden tag). Public and private menials and temporary officials carried a rge rectangr wooden tag).[]
Chapter 177 Chapter 177 By February of the twelfth year of King Sejongs reign (1430, the year of Gyeongsul), the distribution of household registration tes was nearingpletion not only in the three southern regions but also throughout most of Joseon. Upon reviewing the situation, King Sejong issued two edicts: These two royal decrees issued by King Sejong triggered a massive poption movement across the entire nation. *** The first significant change was the emancipation of ves. Landowners, who had been required to pay high taxes in the fall of the Giyu year due to their possession of ves, began to emancipate their ves hastily following the issuance of King Sejongs special order. However, the process was not entirely smooth. How exactly should we go about emancipating someone? ording to the edict issued by Sejong, the criteria for emancipation were as follows: Hmm Since its allowed to emancipate during the spring hunger period just for this time, that shouldnt be a problem Those who owned ves began to struggle with the dilemma of whom and how to emancipate. Of course, those who were pondering this werendowners who had survived the recent rebellion. This issue was a concern for those who owned between 20 to 30 or more ves, while households with only four or five ves found the decision rtively straightforward. In the courtyard of a modestly sized tile-roofed house of an aristocrat in Chungcheong Province, barely exceeding 20 rooms, the house owner, Schr Song, was discussing with his ves. This time, your children havee of age, havent they? Ill grant them their freedom. Oh, thank you so much, my lord! Sitting next to Schr Song, his wife addressed the ve couple with a gentle expression. You two are of age as well, so just grow old with us. Thank you, madam. It wasmon practice to prioritize the emancipation of adult children among the ves. Among those observing the changing times, some took a more proactive approach. In the tile-roofed house of Schr Kang in Haenam, Jeonam-do, he made a groundbreaking announcement to the gathered ves. Ill grant freedom to all of you this time! It wouldnt be fair if some were emancipated and others remained ves, would it? Ill free everyone! At Schr Kangs generous decision, the ves bowed deeply in gratitude. Thank you, my lord! From now on, youll continue the farming and household work youve been doing, but youll be paid for it. Thank you, my lord! While the ves repeatedly bowed in thanks, Kangs family was filled with worry. Dear, are you sure this is okay? Father, about this decision Seeing his familys concern over changing all the ves to paid workers, Schr Kang rebuked them instead. Wife! Do you not see how the world is changing? And you, you call yourself the eldest son of this household, yetck such foresight, how can I trust this family to you? At Kangs scolding, his eldest son, Kang Jun-man, had no choice but to prostrate himself on the floor. I am deeply ashamed! These are times of great change. To survive, our family must stay a step ahead of others! I will bear that in mind. You say the right things at least Schr Kang, looking disappointed at Jun-man, exined why he had made such a decision. The king has made such a decision primarily to secure tax revenue, but also to weaken the power ofndlords like us. Its likely that the kings following him will only strengthen these policies, not reverse them. So, what should we do? Should we rise up like those foolsst autumn? No, we shouldnt. Disappointed by his eldest sons response, Schr Kang clicked his tongue. Tsk! Think before you speak! *** Throughout the nation, many ves fromrge and small aristocratic families were emancipated and ventured outside. The first ce the emancipated ves visited was the local government office. In Gijang County, Gyeongsang Province, Have youe here having been emancipated? Yes, my lord. After hearing the ves stories, the magistrate of Gijang County called an official from the Ministry of Taxation. After listening to the stories, the official from the Ministry of Taxation looked at the ves. Follow me. Yes, my lord. After issuing orders to the ves, the official from the Ministry of Taxation respectfully bowed to the magistrate. Thank you for your cooperation. We are all serving the nation together. Cooperation is natural. Take care. Thank you. After exchanging pleasantries, the official from the Ministry of Taxation led the ves to the Ministrys building. After the Ministry of Taxation official left, the magistrate of Gijang Countys expression turned grave. Look at those dark circles under that noblemans eyes Hmm The magistrate rose from his seat and walked towards the clock mounted on the pir of the main hall. Looking at the time and the calendar beside it, his expression grew anxious. My term isnt much longer What noble should I send a gift to now? These days they dont seem to ept gifts Who should I send it to so I can avoid the Ministry of Taxations scrutiny The magistrate of Gijang County was deeply worried, pondering over his connections. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Taxation official who had led the ves into the adjacent building looked at them as they sat down. So youvee after being emancipated? Yes, my master said we need to update our identification tag as well Of course! Tell me your names, birth years, and whose household ves you were. Yes. I was a ve at the house of Oh Saeng-won in Baenamugol After hearing the personal details of the ves, the official rummaged through the bookshelves for the family registry books and pulled out the relevant one. Here it is. After verifying the registry, the official wrote down the date in the remarks column and added the word emancipated. Hand over your identification tag. Yes, my lord. The official received the identification tag from the ve and passed it to a craftsman in the back. The craftsman skillfully dismantled the identification tags frame and took out the metal te. cing the te on an anvil, he positioned a steel stamp on one side of the te and struck it hard with a hammer. Bang! After ensuring a proper imprint, the craftsman reassembled the frame, resealed it, and handed it back to the official. Here you go. Hmm Do you have a job? No, my lord. I was considering tenant farming, but there are no avable positions. Upon hearing the ves response, the Ministry of Taxation official began to fish for information. Is that so? Hmm This spring, there will be road construction projects across Joseon I heard that work on the road from Dongnae to Hanyang is starting. How about it? Why not go and work there? Until spring, you could work at the port. Why sit idle? The ve eagerly took the bait offered by the Ministry of Taxation official. Is that so? Id like to go! I will do it! Pleased with the ves response, the official continued. Really? Just wait a bit. Traveling alone can be dangerous and lonely, right? If there are enough people, we can arrange transportation, so itll be safe and convenient, wont it? Yes, Id like that! Hearing the ves eager response, the official nced over the faces of the other ves standing behind. Noticing that most of the young male ves had simr expressions, the official internally celebrated. Yes! A big catch! A full haul! With the anticipation of mass emancipation, the court had already devised a n. This is a situation we anticipated, so proceed as nned. Yes, Your Majesty. Following King Sejongs orders, couriers were dispatched to all Ministry of Taxation offices and the Joseon Textile Factory. Themand sent to the offices and the textile factory was straightforward: Following the courts orders, the Ministry of Taxation officials began to lure the newly emancipatedmoners. Having sessfully sent the emancipated male ves to the construction sites, the official now turned his attention to the female ves. So Have you found a ce to work? Not yet, sir. Do you know how to weave? At our age, who doesnt know how to weave? With a triumphant smile at the womens responses, the official made his pitch. Theres going to be arge spinning mill opening in Daegu and Gyeongsan soon. Theyre looking for skilled weavers. How about it? Interested? Its a bit far Seeing the women hesitate, the official gently waved the bait. Staying here, you said there arent proper job opportunities, right? Then what will happen? Youll end up living day by day as a dayborer, or worse, fall into destitution, wont you? That is true When the Ministry of Taxation official pointed out the harsh reality, the female ves nodded gravely. Many of them had already endured harsh treatment simply for being female ves. Although such acts were illegal ording to thew, there was often a gap between thew and reality. In the end, the women had no choice but to take the bait offered by the official. We will do as you say, my lord. But It seems like a good opportunity, but the journey to Daegu is long Seeing the women hesitate at thest moment, the official confidently reassured them. Indeed! Would I send you women alone on that long and perilous journey to Daegu! If there are enough of you, Ill arrange transportation! What do you say? Eventually, the women agreed to the officials proposal. *** With their identification tag updated to show their status as freemoners, the emancipated ves were approached by another individual. Listen, everyone, shall we discuss our future together? Eh? The future? Just hear me out for a moment. Ivee from the textile factory. Have you heard about it? Yes, weve heard it was established by His Majesty Exactly! I work for the establishment set up by His Majesty, so no need to doubt, just follow me for a bit. Following the textile factory employee, the ves crossed the threshold of the factory, their faces showing a mix of curiosity and bewilderment. *** Upon entering the textile factory, the factory official led the ves into arge meeting room formerly the parlor of the original owner on one side of the factory. Please, take a seat. Wow As the ves awkwardly found their seats, the factory employee began to get to the point. Now, what do you see outside the window? Prompted by the employees question, the ves turned their heads. As they looked through the wide-open windows of the meeting room at thendscape of the mountain beyond, they responded in unison. We see a mountain. Right. So The employee closed the window. With the paper-covered window now shut, the employee asked the ves. Then you cant see anything, right? Yeah Thats your future. Nothing visible In other words, if you go out like this, youll be at a loss. Really? As the ves looked puzzled, the employee reopened the window and continued. Seriously, think about it! Youll leave this ce and go elsewhere to work, right? And when you work, youll earn wages, wont you? What will you do with that money? With cash in hand, all sorts of peddlers and opportunists will flock to you. After a few days of excitement, youll be left with nothing. Youll live penniless until you receive your next wages. Wont you? Hearing the employees words, the ves nodded involuntarily. They had experienced this themselves when they first became emancipated and left their masters house, only to be swarmed by various traders. Chapter 178 Chapter 178 The employee highlighted the harsh reality. What will the end be if you live like that? While others save money to buy houses, open stores, or purchase fields, what will you do with nothing to your name? Others are getting married, having children, and even seeing their grandchildren, but do you want to end up scratching yourself alone in a tiny room, clutching a bottle of cheap liquor, wallowing in misery? Now that youve been emancipated and bemoners, shouldnt you buy a house, get married, and start a family? At the employees words, the ves nodded their heads in a daze, as if they were under a spell. And what do you think will happen if you just save up whatever wages you get? You wont be able to sleep properly at night or day for fear of thieves, right? Thats true As the ves nodded in agreement, the bank employee raised his voice. Thats why! Create an ount at the bank! Make an ount and deposit all the wages you earn from your work! Withdraw money only when you need it! Then your money will umte! As you know, the bank is run by the state! Theres no chance of your money being embezzled! Not only that, but you also get interest! If you deposit 1 nyang of silver, you get 12 won of interest in a year! How great is that? Go out and try digging up thend! Will 12 won just appear out of nowhere? At the employees words, the ves vigorously nodded their heads. Seeing them, the bank employee continued in a softer voice. This is all because His Majesty the King and the government pity you. Think about it! Thanks to His Majestys grace, youve bemoners! Now that youremoners, shouldnt you try to live a decent life? That day, dozens of ounts were created at the Joseon bank located in Gijang County. *** Simr incidents to what happened in Gijang County urred all over Joseon. After reviewing the reports organized by the Ministry of Taxation, Sejong looked around at his ministers with a pleased expression. As the saying goes, Many a little makes a mickle. Gathering the funds of those who have been emancipated has indeed created a significant sum. Moreover, it has also made it easier to secure manpower for road construction. Indeed, Your Majesty. Not only that, but it has also be easier to replenish the workforce for the textile mills. The ministers all bowed their heads and responded to Sejongs words. Ironically, the first person toe up with this idea was not a merchant but Sejong himself. While reviewing reports on the uing revisions to the tax and vews, Sejong suddenly had a thought. It seems that the wealth received upon emancipation is not insubstantial, is it? Prompted by this thought, Sejong immediately instructed the Ministry of Taxation to estimate the amount of wealth that would be generated through emancipation. Another task Despite theirints, the officials of the Ministry of Taxation faithfully followed themand. As they calcted the estimated amounts, the expressions on the faces of the Ministry officials grew increasingly grave. This is quite a lot? If all these assets are released at once, it could cause problems with intion With serious expressions, the officials of the Ministry prepared a report and submitted it to Kim Jeom. Upon reading the report, Kim Jeoms expression turned grave. This could lead to serious trouble if mishandled. Kim Jeom immediately rushed to the State Council. The Chief State Councillors, recognizing the severity of the situation, convened to discuss the matter. If the ves are emancipated all at once, there will definitely be problems. Not only intion, but crime and housing issues could also escte significantly. Hmm Perhaps we should limit the number of people who can be emancipated each year? That seems like a reasonable solution. It would also reduce the burden on the officials. Having reached a consensus, the Chief State Councillor and fellow ministers submitted the proposal and their opinions to Sejong. Kim Jeom felt an ominous sense of foreboding. What is this uneasy feeling? *** His ominous premonition proved urate when Sejong, having received the report from the Chief State Councillor, erupted in anger. Limit the number of emancipations? Do the ministers have any sense at all? Do they thinkndlords, desperate to reduce their tax burdens, will ept this decree? And what about those who have worked side by side, where some receive emancipation and others do not? Cant they foresee the resentment this will cause? At Sejongs reprimand, the ministers hastily bowed their heads. Your Majesty, we are deeply regretful! Our considerations were indeed shallow! We beg for your forgiveness! As the ministers and high officials bowed, Sejong continued, Human nature is such that receiving one favor leads to the desire for another. Therefore, instead of imposing limitations, we should devise a n that is eptable to all. Reflect upon this and present a new proposal! The ministers had no choice but to bow repeatedly to Sejongs sternmand. *** Sejong didnt stop with just issuing orders to the ministers. He himself also delved deep into finding a solution. Hmm There must be a better answer While reviewing the policies he had initiated, including the reforms suggested by Hyang and his own banking policies, Sejong paused at the section on the Joseon bank. Creating deposit and loan ounts for themon people at the bank? After reading and re-reading this section several times, Sejong struck his knee with his hand in realization. This is it! The next day, Sejong shared his idea with the ministers. Therefore, lets persuade as many of the emancipated ves and serfs as possible to supply manpower to the road construction sites and textile mills. This will also benefit the guilds, so they should have noints. The ministers all nodded in agreement to Sejongs insightful n. We are in awe of Your Majestys wisdom! With no opposition from the ministers, Sejong continued, Furthermore, lets send officials from the bank to the ces where emancipations are verified, and absorb as much of the wealth brought by the emancipated individuals into the bank as possible. Given the progress with the bank, arent we already nning to create deposit and loan ounts for the general popce? That is correct. Then lets start by creating ounts for those being emancipated! Seeing this, other citizens will follow suit and open their ounts at the bank as well. What do you think? As the ministers mulled over Sejongs words, they began to nod their heads one by one. Truly a brilliant idea! If executed properly, the government could secure more funds, and we could also stabilize market prices! The ministers unanimously supported Sejongs proposal. Meanwhile, Hyang, upon hearing this news, widened his eyes in surprise, unable to hide his astonishment. The King himself came up with this idea? Could it be that he too? Hyang continued his thought with a what if expression but soon shook his head. Better not get ahead of myself. Might end up getting stoned for it. Although he acknowledged it as a good n, Hyang felt something wascking. Ultimately, Hyang decided to add a bit of MSG to the n and sought out Sejong. What brings you here? Ive seen the n you proposed regarding the emancipation of ves. It was indeed an ingenious solution. It was a bit of work. Would it be too presumptuous of me to add a spoonful to this? You? Sejong paused for a moment at Hyangs words but soon nodded. There hasnt been a time when your involvement has led things astray. Alright. You have my permission. With Sejongs approval, Hyang immediately shared his idea. If the emancipated individuals are to open ounts, why not have the guilds directly deposit the wages of their workers into these ounts? Direct deposits? Yes. The payments to the guilds from the Ministry of Taxation are already processed through the bank. If we instruct the guilds topile a register of their workers names and ount numbers, and based on this, directly deposit their wages into the workers ounts, it would eliminate the need to do the work twice and also minimize tax evasion to the greatest extent. Mmm After pondering Hyangs words, Sejong soon nodded in agreement. Indeed! That would be the best approach! Thus, the first instance of a workers sry being directly deposited into a bank ount was established. *** Hyangs MSG didnt stop there. He continued his exnation in the presence of Sejong and the ministers. Simply forcing people to create ounts could lead to resistance. Thats true. They might even feel like theyre being robbed. Sejong and the ministers nodded in agreement with Hyangs observation. After clearing his throat, Hyang continued. Thats why the officials at the bank need to persuade those who have been emancipated to open ounts. Persuasion? That wont be easy. Acknowledging Sejongs point, Hyang nodded. Indeed. Thats why we must target their most significant concern. Hyang borrowed advertising techniques from a 21st-century bank to craft persuasive rhetoric. This was the very method used by the bank employee in Gijang County to captivate the emancipated ves. After witnessing Hyangs demonstration, Sejong and the ministers looked at him in astonishment. After a moment, the still-dazed ministers turned to Sejong. Your Majesty, we too should open ounts. I was thinking the same. Convinced by the effectiveness of the approach, Sejong and the ministers readily epted Hyangs suggestion. With the method decided, officials responsible for the task at banks across the country were summoned to Hanyang. In the Eastern Pce, Hyang once again demonstrated the art of persuasion to the assembled officials. And that day, the bank employees opened ounts in their own names at the bank. Regardless Its clear that the officials from the Ministry of Taxation and the employees of the bank have fulfilled their responsibilities well in this matter. Therefore, ensure that the promised rewards are distributed. At Sejongsmand, the ministers bowed their heads again. We shall heed Your Majestysmand! Thus, Sejong acquired another worlds first title: Of course, there had been systems in ce to recognize and reward military achievements on the battlefield, but this was the first time an official reward system was used for regr administrative tasks outside of warfare. *** Amidst these significant and minor upheavals, as the spring of the Gyeongsul year arrived, a nationwide road construction project began. Rumors of a road paving project connecting the entire Joseon region attracted young people who had received emancipation and left rural areas, as well as those who could not find jobs in urban areas, to the construction sites. But they werent the only ones. A considerable number of farmers from viges near the construction sites also visited. The farmers were drawn to the construction sites because of the rice transnting method. As mentioned before, one of the significant advantages of the transnting method was that it required lessbor. Apart from the times of nting and harvesting, the transnting method did not require arge workforce. Thus, farmers who found themselves idle for a month or two turned to the construction sites for side jobs, intending to make extra ie. It wasnt just the farmers. Small merchants and itinerant vendors, upon learning that those involved in the construction received regr monthly wages, gathered around the sites, leading to the formation of small markets. As these developments ovepped, an increasing number of Joseons citizens began to engage in economic activities outside of agriculture. *** If therge-scale emancipation was one factor driving the massive poption movement in Joseon, another was the vast amount of farnd that became state-owned through the Giyu Rebellion. -The government is looking for tenants to cultivate the confiscatednds. Priority is given tomoners who have established families. -The rent for the state-owned farnd is set at 30%, the same as for royal granaries, and the tax rate imposed on tenant farmers follows thew. Upon seeing the governments promation, tenant farmers were all abuzz. 30%? The rent for thend Im currently farming is 50%! Is there any state-owned farnd nearby? Does that matter? Even if its a thousand li away, we should go if we can get tenancy there! Ultimately, many tenant farmers began to leave their current residences to seek tenancy on the state-owned farnd. Chapter 179 Chapter 179 In the twelfth year of King Sejongs reign (1430, the year of Gyeongsul). Mid-January. With the New Year festivities concluded and state affairs resuming in earnest, King Sejong issued a decree to his ministers. Proim an edict regarding the national farnds confiscated during the Giyu Rebellion. Yourmand shall be obeyed! Clearly disclose all information rted to eligibility for tenancy,nd rent, taxes, and such, so that the people are well-informed and can act ordingly! At King Sejongs admonition, the ministers bowed once more and responded. We shall bear it in mind! Thus, the ministers reviewed the contents of the promation once again. Finally, after King Sejongs ultimate approval, the promation was posted throughout the entire Joseon territory, not only in the Samnam region but also in the Gyeonggi and Seobuk areas. It was an official promation rted to the national farnds secured through the Giyu Rebellion. While the previously issued promations had the nature of prepare for this uing event, this time, the posted promation contained detailed information rted to the matter.
    1. The court is seeking tenants for the farnds confiscated this time. The priority is given to freemoners who have established households.
    2. Thend rent for the national farnds is set at 30% simr to that of pce farnds, and the tax rate imposed on tenant farmers follows thew.
    3. The size of the farnd to be allocated ranges from a minimum of 2 Gyeol to a maximum of 5 Gyeol, based on the grade of thend and the number of family members of the applicant.
    4. Those who were tenant farming thend before it was confiscated as national farnd must choose ording to the following scenarios.
A. Those who had their ownnd but had to entrust it to bandits due to unavoidable circumstances. In such cases, one of the following two options must be chosen i. Review the family register and reim the entrustednd to be an independent farmer. In this case, the ownership of thend is recognized, and new family andnd registers are created. However, since they have transitioned from tenant farmers to independent farmers, they are subject to the corresponding tax obligations. ii. Choose not to reim thend and continue living as a tenant farmer. In this case, the right to tenant farm is guaranteed until the death of the individual who signed the tenancy agreement, and the taxation is adjusted ording to the standards for tenant farmers. However, the contract bes void upon the death of the party who signed it. B. Those who continued to live as tenant farmers without entrusting theirnd to anyone. Individuals in category B follow the same approach as the second option for A, but the contract duration extends to the current tenant and his son. i. Those who own their farnds but cannot harvest a minimum of 1 Gyeol due to the small size of theirnds, and those who have been tenant farming but simrly own small plots that yield less than 1 Gyeol, can tenant farm up to an additional 2 Gyeol. However, this is only applicable if there are remainingnds after distribution to those who applied for tenancy. ii. Those in category B, those who were tenant farmingnds not belonging to bandits, and those who have been exiled along with their families and arendless, can move without regional restrictions to receive tenancy. This, however, is limited to those who possess a document issued by the magistrate of their hometown, proving one of the three conditions mentioned above. As the Promation on Tenant Farming of National Farnds was posted in government offices nationwide, the tenant farmers had to think hard. Some pondered so intensively that there was an increase in visits to physicians. In Boeun, Chungcheong Province, a farmer visited a physicians office located in the marketce. Physician, I need some medicine Have youe because of a headache too? Yes. Hearing the farmers reply, the physician casually selected a few medicinal herbs, mixed them, and handed them over. That will be 50 won. Grumbling, the farmer opened his purse. Ive been living carefree all my life, and now in my old age, what kind of trouble is this Are you also troubled by the tenancy issue? Yes. The schrs family I was tenant farming for got swept away in this recent rebellion And now my heads about to burst from the worry. Hearing the farmersint, the physician offered some advice. Its not just about you, but your childrens future as well, so give it some careful thought. Dont just drown your sorrows in alcohol and make rash decisions. Yes As the farmer left with a nod, another farmer entered the physicians office. Have youe because of a headache too? Yes Ugh With a soft groan, the physician mechanically mixed the medicines. As such incidents became frequent, the physician piled up bundles of paper-wrapped medicine in front of his office and put up a sign. Until the issue regarding the national farnds was somewhat resolved, the physician managed to achieve unprecedented sales. *** Most of those who were seriously contemting to the extent of bing indebted to the physicians office belonged to the category outlined in section 4, A, of the promation. These individuals would sit on the wooden tforms set up in their front yards, sharing a bottle of rice wine with neighbors in simr situations, as discussing their options had be part of their daily routine. Should we just continue living as tenant farmers? Man! A true farmer should have his ownnd, even if its no bigger than a booger, right? The homeowner nodded in agreement with his neighbors words, but pointed out the issue. That seems right, but its the taxes, you see. The taxes. Of course, the tax rates are worrying since theyre more than double right now, but opting for tenancy isnt the solution either, is it? Excluding taxes, everything fromnd rent starts to add up! Plus, you have to consider that tenancy rights end abruptly with your death! Our eldest is smart, so maybe he doesnt need to stick to farming What about the second and the third? Ugh Groaning at the neighbors pointed observation, the farmer looked at his second and third sons covered in dirt as they came in and shouted at them. You good-for-nothing kids! Your father is here worrying himself sick over your futures, and all you do is gallivant around! I ought to teach you a lesson! Good heavens, man! Why are you suddenly taking it out on the kids, causing such amotion! As the farmer, unable to contain his anger, picked up a stick nearby to discipline the children, his wife rushed out of the kitchen to stop him. Amidst the chaos, the neighboring farmer who had been partaking in the conversation swiftly retreated to his own home. Back in his house, the farmer opened the door to a room that had been newly addedst spring. Heaven above, earth below Watching his son diligently reciting the Thousand Character ssic with a content smile, the farmer made up his mind. Listen, wife! Lets have a talk! *** Unlike those who were pondering their choices after entrusting theirnds and bing tenant farmers, those who had always been tenant farmers didnt have much to worry about. In fact, some were even getting a bit greedy. Really? You want to continue with the tenancy? Yes. I dont have anynd of my own, nor do I have any other skills, so Ill continue with the tenancy. Is that so? I just want to increase the size of the tenancy a bit. Want to expand the cultivated area? Show me your household register. Here you go. Receiving the household register, the official from the Ministry of Taxation reviewed the family andnd records. You qualify, but wont it be too much for you? The farmer replied with a smile. My eldest can now do the work of an adult. The eldest? Hmm But hes only twelve, isnt he? He lifted a millstone not long ago. Oh! Impressed by the farmers response, the Ministry of Taxation official let out a light exmation of admiration. During the Joseon Dynasty, sons of the nobility, known as sadaebu, would tie their hair in a topknot and wear a traditional hat called a gat between the ages of 15 and 20, while daughters wouldb their hair and secure it with ornamental hairpins. Since weddings often took ce around this age, there was amon belief that marriage equated to aing-of-age ceremony. However, strictly speaking, theing-of-age ceremony and wedding were separate events. For themon people, theing-of-age ceremony was somewhat different. Demonstrating strength by lifting a deul-dol, a stone weighing about 100 geun (approximately 60kg), and offering food to the elders of the vige in a gesture known as jinsurteok were ways to be recognized as an adult. (Note 1) *** Impressed by the farmers im, the Ministry of Taxation official did not immediately stamp the document. The matters of the state must be handled with rigor. Bring that eldest son of yours to demonstrate. Then, Ill consider your request. Cant you just take my word for it What did I just hear? This is a state matter. If your words are true, whats the issue? Juste and lift a stone, and its settled. Yes, understood. Chastened by the officials sternness, the tenant farmer left the government office. Watching the farmers retreating back, the official grumbled. One wrong move and its straight to the records office for me. Who does he think hes dealing with *** As time passed, many tenant farmers began to leave their ancestral homes and move to the southern provinces, known as Samnam. Their targetnds were those cultivated directly by thendlords who had participated in the rebellion, using ves forbor. Thesends, being the economic foundation of thendlords, were prime for farming. Through either appealing to the authorities, using strong-arm tactics, or employing ves for water management projects, thesends were well-prepared to withstand most droughts or floods, making them the best avable for agriculture. To ensure the safety of the tenant farmer families during their relocation, the royal court devised various measures. With a household register and an ount book for thend, you wont go hungry! Before they set out, local officials andnd management officers exined the use of the ount book and the support measures provided by the government. So, if it looks like night will fall while youre on the road, stop by a nearby government office or military camp. Theyll provide a ce to stay. Even if its just a tent, its better than sleeping outdoors, right? Sleeping outside could end up making you a tigers meal. Understood! And if you run out of food along the way, just speak to the officials at the government office or military camp. Theyll sell you grain at a low price. Thank you, we understand! Thus, the families of the tenant farmers were able to move smoothly. In some cases, they were even escorted by nearby soldiers. With such escort and support, the tenant farmers praised King Sejong. A sage king indeed! A sage king hase to us! Indeed, a true sage king! *** While the tenant farmers were praising King Sejong, back at the court, Kim Jeom was reporting to King Sejong. Thanks to this initiative, we have been able to significantly reduce the stock of grain that was close to expiring. Well done. The primary purpose of King Sejong and the courts support for the migrating tenant farmers was to maintain public order. Its good that they have set out, but if they be vagrants, everything will have been in vain. We need a n for this. Following King Sejongs order, the ministers convened and came up with the support measures mentioned above. The greatest difficulties faced by those setting out on relocation are finding a ce to sleep and securing food. There will certainly be those who seek to exploit these challenges for profit, using various tricks. We must prevent this in advance. Sejong nodded in agreement with Heo Jos exnation. Thats a reasonable concern. So, what solution have youe up with? Yes, Your Majesty. Heo Jo then shared the solution the ministers had devised. The solution thought up by the ministers was to provide sleeping amodations for the tenant farmers at local government offices, military barracks, and magistrates offices located along the route to the southern provinces. If the scale is small, we can provide vacant rooms in the government buildings. If the scale isrge, we can set up tents for them. Its better than sleeping outdoors. Sejong, nodding at the ministers exnation, pointed out another issue. We can manage sleeping arrangements that way, but what about food? At Sejongs question, Jo Mal-saeng stepped forward. We will sell the militarys grain at cost price. The militarys grain? Yes. Among the grains currently stored, there is a considerable amount that is nearing the end of its storage period. If we start by disposing of these grains, we can recover the funds invested in their production and solve the storage problem as well. Sejong thought for a moment and then let out a chuckle. It seems the ministers have be quite cunning. To Sejongs remark, the ministers internally eximed in unison. How could wepare to Your Majesty and the Crown Prince! Anyway, its a solution that serves two purposes. Implement it immediately. Yourmand shall be obeyed! Chapter 180 Chapter 180 Throughout Joseon, numerous tenant farmers began migrating to the Samnam region, bing dependent on various local government offices, military barracks, and provincial offices. As these tenant farmers and their families stayed for a day before departing, the respective government offices, barracks, and provincial offices promptly reported to their higher authorities. These reports were eventually collected and organized at the Ijo office in Hanyang. The organized reports were submitted daily to King Sejong. After reviewing the reports, King Sejong looked around at his ministers. Things are progressing smoothly. Indeed, Your Majesty. How long do you expect the migration of the tenant farmers to continue? Heo Jo immediately responded to King Sejongs question. It is expected to continue until the early part of March. Then, will there be enough farnd for them to return to? Kim Jeom promptly answered King Sejongs query. If the current trend continues, we will run out by the end of February. Hmm Upon hearing Kim Jeoms response, King Sejong nced at the calendar. The end of February is not far off. Then, we must immediately implement the third n and also prepare for the fourth n without any dy. Yourmand will be obeyed! As the ministers bowed, King Sejong reiterated his instructions. The sess of this strategy depends on the safepletion of the fourth n. Bear this in mind and devote your utmost sincerity. We shall heed and execute Your Majestysmand! The ministers responded in unison. * * * As the mass migration of tenant farmers progressed, a question began to circte among them nationwide. Why do we have to give half of our crop rent to thendlords? This question marked the beginning of doubts about the long-unchallenged practice of Byeongjak Bansu (sharing half the harvest with thendlord) among many tenant farmers. *** The traditional practice of Byeongjak Bansu, where the harvested crops were split equally between thendlord and tenant farmer, dates back to the Goryeo Dynasty. At the end of each farming year, during the harvest, the crops were divided equally betweenndlords and tenant farmers. This system was somewhat rational under a rice farming system with irregr yields due to inadequate irrigation facilities. However, over time, various problems began to emerge. In years of poor harvest, the rent might be reduced or even waived, but this only happened if the yield decreased by more than 70%pared to an average year. In simpler terms, the situation had to be dire, bordering on starvation, for the rent to be reduced. Then there was the issue of by-products after the harvest, with straw being a prime example. Straw was crucial for farmers, used for thatching roofs, making ropes, weaving sacks, and more. However, whenndlords provided the seeds, they often took all the straw as well. Another problem was rted to taxes. Originally, tenant farmers were exempt from taxes. However, due to various reasons, taxes were imposed. In northern regions,ndlords often bore the tax burden, but in the southern granary regions, it fell upon the tenant farmers. Lastly, there was the issue of excessive interference byndlords. From the tenant farmers perspective, Byeongjak Bansu was advantageous during lean years but a loss during bountiful ones. Landlords also saw downsides due to the fixed distribution rate, as it could lead to tenant farmers cking off or secretly taking crops before the harvest. Therefore,ndlords either personally intervened or appointed overseers to manage and supervise tenant farmers. However, this oversight was often harsh, leading to constantints among the tenant farmers. *** The undercurrents of discord that had been gradually umting came to the surface due to King Sejongs water management projects. With King Sejongs initiation of active governance, the water management projects led to a reduction in droughts and floods. Yearly crop yields steadily maintained average levels, and the frequency of bountiful years increased, bringing these grievances to the forefront. The primary catalyst for these emergingints was the vast scale ofnd confiscated by the state through the Giyu Rebellion. Almost 60% of the farnd in the Samnam region was transferred to the royal court, and those farming on thisnd were only required to pay 30% of their produce as rent, which was a significant provocation for the tenant farmers. How is it fair that just across a ditch, some only have to pay 30%, while others have to pay 50%? Landlords who had not participated in the rebellion breathed a sigh of relief for surviving, but it created a paradoxical situation where tenant farmers vented their frustrations. Another factor that stirred the tenant farmers was the development ofmerce and industry. Participating in road construction earns a steady monthly wage, they say! And if managed well, its better than tenant farming! Even daybor in the city earns as much as tenant farming! The state is about to establish schools where anyone but ves can send their children to learn! Rumors like these circted, prompting tenant farmers to seriously consider relocating. * * * This was the Third n that King Sejong had ordered his ministers to implement. Until now, too many of our people have been solely reliant on agriculture. To address this issue, we encourage the relocation of tenant farmers. The sess of the Third n, designed with this goal in mind, was facilitated by agents of the government discreetly spreading rumors. Eventually, many tenant farmers began to make decisive choices. In a small rural vige near Anseong in Gyeonggi Province. Wife, lets have a talk! At his wifes behest, Gapseong sat down on the wooden porch again. Whats the matter? Lets move. Gapseong looked astonished at his wifes words. What? Are you out of your mind, talking nonsense after a hot meal? Its not nonsense, Ive heard some news. Over in Suwon, theres a merchant group nning to expand their medicinal herb gardens significantly. They aim to sell these herbs to Ming and Japan. Realizing his wifes words werent mere fanciful talk, Gapseongs expression turned serious. And then? They need people to manage the vast herb gardens and are offering a monthly sry. Two silver taels a month! Gapseongs curiosity faded with his wifes words. With such good conditions, locals must have already snapped up the opportunity. Thats not the case. The merchant group is specifically looking for people with experience in growing herbs. Is that so? Gapseongs expression changed again, sensing an opportunity. Sensing the shift in her husbands mood, Gapseongs wife spoke with more conviction. Thats why we need to act fast! Where else can you find a monthly sry of two silver taels? We toil away at tenant farming, barely scraping by after paying the crop rent and taxes, and thats after swapping our white rice for mixed grains. Thats true Gapseong nodded, agreeing with his wife. Thanks to the medicinal herbs youve grown in our backyard garden, weve managed to hold on a bit longer. So, why not take on the herb garden ourselves? It sounds promising, but Torn between interest and fear, Gapseong hesitated. Seeing her husbands reluctance, his wife brought up their children. This spring, we should consider sending Gapsik and Byungsik to school! We cant just let our kids end up as tenant farmers like us. That makes sense. Mentioning the children made Gapseong nod in agreement. *** Among many non-aristocrats at the time, there were quite a few who were proficient in Chinese characters. Although not as perfectly literate in Chinese characters as the aristocracy, a considerable number of people possessed some knowledge of them. Merchants formed thergest group among these literate individuals. The necessity of writing contracts, keeping ledgers, and creating promissory notes for transactions made literacy indispensable for conducting business. Following the merchants were the physicians. To properly read medical texts written in Chinese characters, knowledge of them was essential. Craftsmen, especially those connected with the government, came next. To fulfill orders from the court, military barracks, and administrative offices on time, it was necessary to be able to read official documents. Lastly, the situation for peasants and fishermen was somewhat unique. While a significant number could read, very few could write. This wasrgely due to public notices posted by the government offices. Since most of these notices were closely rted to their lives, many peasants could read the Thousand Character ssic to some extent. Of course, when a public notice was posted, they could ask a nearby schr-official to read it aloud for them. However, this often resulted in significant humiliation, as not all schr-officials would read the notices kindly, with many disying scornful expressions while reading. Due to such grievances, even the lower-ss peasants had a strong desire to educate their children. Of course, during the early Joseon Dynasty, education was an unattainable dream during years of famine, but as living conditions improved, the enthusiasm for education began to rise again. Rumors about Samin Hakdang (schools formoners) discreetly spread by the government began to circte, causing excitement among mothers with children. * * * Mentioning their children made Gapseong seriously contemte. For Gapseong and his wife, their two sons were precious. Originally, they had three brothers, Gapeulbyung, but lost one to famine and disease. After much deliberation, Gapseong made a decision. Which merchant group in Suwon was it? It was the Daejin merchant group in Suwon. Suwon is about 50 li (approximately 20km) from here Wife, pack some rice balls! Ill be back in two days! And gather some coins too! Yes! At Gapseongs words, his wife excitedly rushed to the kitchen. The tenant farmers actions prompted a reaction from thendlords. What are you doing, Mansik! Its almost nting season! In a rural area of Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, a dispute was unfolding between a nobleman and a peasant. In response to thendlords question, the peasant replied in a brusque tone. Cant you see? Im packing up! The sight of the peasant loading bothrge and small household items and bundles of clothes onto a sizable cart caused thendlord to beat his chest in frustration and raise his voice again. Thats exactly what Im asking, why are you packing up? Im moving! Moving? To where? To Suwon! I heard theyre opening workshops at a merchants there and hiring people, so Im moving! But if you leave, whos going to tend to the crops? What do I care? Even after ving away on the farm, half of it just disappears. Whats the point in farming? But weve shared a life here! How can you just leave without saying anything? Shared a life? Thats augh! So much for shared life! Every time theres a feast or a memorial service, my wife gets dragged away to work in the kitchen all day, I have to chop wood and haul it over, and if the big master decides to go fishing, I have to drop everything and go set thes in the stream Is that what you call shared life? Yeah, right! Well, thats Thendlord was taken aback by Mansiks retort. Thendlord had a habit of relying heavily on tenant farmers instead of keeping many ves, confident in his control despite knowing the farmers growing discontent. Thendlord, who had always been dismissive of the tenant farmers grievances to his fellowndowners, was taken aback. Let them be dissatisfied! If they dont work on mynd, what will they do! Alright then! As Mansik, with his children loaded onto the cart, grabbed the handle to leave, thendlord hastily blocked his path. Alright, I get it! Ill only take 30% of the harvest, isnt that enough? Hmph! Forget it! As Mansik rebuffed him, thendlord grew desperate. Nearly half of his tenant farmers had already left, and Mansik was influential among the remaining farmers. It was clear that if Mansik also left, there would hardly be any farmers left. Finally, thendlord made another offer. 30%, and whenever I need yourbor, Ill pay you for it! How much will you pay? Ill give you 50 won each time! Hows that? 100 won! 100 is too much, lets settle at 60 won! After a moments hesitation, Mansik nodded. Fine. Lets go to the trading center and write up a contract! Do we need to go as far as writing a contract? To which Mansik replied curtly. Thew requires it, so we must follow! * * * Simr incidents unfolded across the country, leading mostndlords to reduce the rent to 30% along with various other conditions. These changes were all documented in contracts, and reports about them were sent up to Hanyang. King Sejong, after reviewing the reports, smiled and looked at his ministers. It seems the Third n has been quite sessful. Indeed, Your Majesty. Then proceed with the Fourth n! Yourmand will be obeyed! * * * Reference: Encyclopedia of Korean National Culture (EncyKorea) http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Item/E0058714 Chapter 181 Chapter 181 Im sorry, but all the tenant farming spots have been filled. Oh, what shall we do now! The tenant farmer, who hade to apply for a lease on state-owned farnd, slumped down in despair upon hearing the officials words that no spots were avable. Oh dear, my husband! Dad! As the head of the family slumped down, his family members rushed to his side, trying to help him to his feet. Darling, please get up! Hurry! Father, stand up! Despite the familys tearful efforts to lift him, the farmer, having lost all strength in his legs, sat despondently on the ground, muttering to himself. I traveled thousands of miles, lured by the promise of leasing one of Joseons finest fertile fields at a cheap price What are we to do now What shall we do Father! My husband! Watching the familys turmoil with a look of sympathy, the official cautiously began to speak. Listen, could you spare a moment to hear me out? Yes? Its a bit difficult to just turn back now, isnt it? Tearfully, the tenant farmer responded to the officials question. It is, but what choice do we have? Disgraceful as it may be, well have to beg if necessary. How about this then? Are you aware that were currently developing the northeastern area? Light began to return to the tenant farmers eyes upon the officials question. Yes, Ive heard rumors. Wasnt itst year or the year before that many people moved there? As part of the development, weve expanded thend significantly. But, were in need of people to cultivate it. How about it? Would you be willing to give it a try and build your fortune there? But clearingnd is no easy task. The official nodded in agreement to the farmers words. Im well aware. Thats why His Majesty has decreed a tax exemption for the first five years, followed by a halving of taxes for the next five years. Additionally, food support and farming tools will be provided for the first two years, and even a draft horse will be provided. Upon hearing the officials words, the tenant farmer sprang to his feet as if nothing had happened. A draft horse as well? Even that expensive item? Indeed, its all thanks to His Majestyspassion. Such grace is truly immense. Overjoyed, the farmer rushed towards the official. Then! How muchnd will you provide? At least two gyeol (approximately 2 jeongbo (roughly ~20,000m2,) or 36 majigi (~ 75,000m2)) to start, and up to four gyeol. What do you think? Are you willing to give it a try? Hearing the officials question, the tenant farmer looked back at his family standing behind him. Having listened to the officials exnation, all family members nodded in agreement. Seeing his familys positive response, the tenant farmer grabbed the officials sleeve. Well do it! Well go! Well set off right away! The official smiled in response to the tenant farmers enthusiasm. The journey to the northeastern area is a long one. Weve prepared a ship, and as soon as we gather enough people, well depart immediately. For now, youll stay in Gyeongsang Left Navy Command. Once there, well provide amodations and food, all for free. Its by His Majestysmand. Oh, my! Overwhelmed by the officials reply, the tenant farmer prostrated himself in the direction of the north. Your grace is boundless! We pray for your long and prosperous reign! Thousand years! Thousand years! Thousand years! The tenant farmer was praying for the longevity of King Sejong. * * * In the Samnam region, it had bemon for tenant farmers who arrived a bitte and missed their chance againstpetitors to choose to move northward. Of course, not a few chose to return to their hometowns where they had lived before, but the majority opted for the new opportunities awaiting them in the north. Land! Ill have my ownnd! The biggest reason for tenant farmers choosing to go north was the prospect of having their ownnd. Meanwhile, officials from the Ministry of Taxation busily went about their duties among the tenant farmers. Do you have your departure certificate for you and your family? Yes? Yes. Prompted by the officials question, the tenant farmer rummaged through his piled belongings and pulled out a sheet of yellow paper. Here it is. And your household registration certificate as well. Yes. After confirming that the names and family registry on the certificate matched those on the household registration certificate, the Ministry of Taxation official recorded the information in his ledger and moved on to the next matter. And do you have your ount book? Yes, right here! Upon receiving the ount book, the official verified the ount holders name and the household registration certificate number, recorded the additional information in his ledger, and then returned the book to the tenant farmer. The Ministry of Taxation official returned the household registration certificate, the proof of departure, and the ount book to the tenant farmer, advising him of the precautions to take. Once you settle in the newly developed area in the north, you must report to the local office within five days. If you fail to do so, you wont be eligible to receive the benefits promised by His Majesty. Yes? Yes! I will definitely do so! Then make sure to take good care of your belongings. Having finished his duties, the Ministry of Taxation official moved on to another group of tenant farmers. As the official left, the tenant farmer looked at the certificate in his hand and muttered to himself. This is as good as gold * * * Once a certain number of people had gathered, the tenant farmers began their journey northward. The tenant farmers from the Honam and Yeongnam regions were transported by military ships to the north, while those gathered in the Chungcheong region started their journey northward bynd, escorted by the military. As people set off, couriers spread out across the entire Joseon Dynasty. Some couriers headed to the hometowns of those who had gone north, while others went to Hanyang. The reports brought by the couriers to Hanyang were immediately reviewed by officials from the Ministry of Taxation, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Ministry of Military Affairs. The reports, verified and organized by the officials, were then submitted to King Sejong. King Sejong, reviewing the daily reports, looked around at his ministers with a relieved expression. It seems that the fourth and fifth phases are proceeding smoothly as well. Indeed, Your Majesty. I believe all this is thanks to your hard work. Your Majesty is too generous! None of this would have been possible without Your Majestys initial nning! Hearing this, the other ministers nodded in agreement, murmuring to themselves. Truly, this father and son are beyond ordinary. Could such a cunning n reallye from a mere mortal? The ministers, while praising King Sejong, felt a sense of awe. * * * Immediately after the sessful suppression of the Giyu Rebellion, Sejong set this n in motion. The strategy, starting from the first phase and extending to the sixth, was a supplemental measure to the ongoing reform of thend system. The amendments aimed at rapidly and massively implementing thend reform took advantage of the weakened power of the local nobility following the Giyu Rebellions outbreak and suppression. If these strategies seeded, thend reform, reaching its seventh year, could be sessfully concluded. Among these strategies, Phase 4 aimed to persuade as many tenant farmers as possible, who had moved to state-owned farnd through Phase 3 but did not receivend, to relocate north. This was a n to solve the sluggish northern migration, which persisted despite various incentives. Phase 5 was designed to test the condition of Joseons terrestrial transportation routes and the capacity for information movement. Couriers departing from their origins had to meticulously record the number and condition of ry stations they passed, the state and size of the roads, travel times, and more, reporting these details to their superiors. The reports werepared and updated against existing records held by the Ministry of Taxation, Ministry of Works, and Ministry of Defense, as well as records from research institutes that traveled nationwide for astronomical observations. Based on the finalized version, road construction would proceed. Additionally, local offices and military camps that received administrative documents from the couriers had to verify changes andpile reports to be sent to Hanyang. In Hanyang, administrative documents from the origins, destinations, and those received directly werepared to check for discrepancies and their extents. This entire process constituted Phase 5, which wasrgely conceived by Sejong, albeit with a slight addition of MSG for vor. * * * Even as Phases 4 and 5 progressed smoothly, Sejong did not forget to admonish his ministers. Phases 4 and 5 will soon conclude. So, do not let your guard down until the end and continue to give your best for sess. Only then can we sessfully embark on Phase 6 starting this fall. The ministers bowed deeply in response to Sejongs admonition, pledging theirmitment. We shall devote ourselves entirely! Thest Phase 6 that Sejong and his ministers were preparing for was the establishment of Sa-min Schools. * * * Lets conclude here for today. After ending the discussion on Phases 4 and 5 and addressing several pressing issues, Sejong dered the meeting adjourned. As Sejong announced the adjournment, the ministers respectfully bowed and exited the Geunjeongjeon Hall. With the ministers gone, Sejong, his face filled with fatigue, sighed deeply. Sejong let out a weary sigh, Phew, Im exhausted. Do you wish for the royal physician to be summoned, Your Majesty? inquired the chief eunuch. Sejong shook his head in response, Its not that serious yet. Id like to be alone for a while, so please step out. Yes, Your Majesty. And have the scribes step out as well. ustomed to Sejongs requests, the scribes promptly gathered their writing materials, bowed respectfully, and exited the Geunjeongjeon Hall. Descending from the throne, Sejong quietly stretched and made his way to a wall adorned with maps. Standing before a map that depicted the entirety of Joseon, the Jurchen territories, the unchartednds to the east, as well as parts of Ming Chinas Shandong region and some areas of Japan, Sejong raised his finger to the northeastern region, contemting deeply. Sejong dered with resolve, By the end of this year, we will have reimed all the regions we promised to Ming. Furthermore, the resettlement policy will bepleted. Once the relocated people have fully settled, even the Jurchen tribes will be subdued. And then His finger traced eastward to the unchartednds. Then, it will be time for an eastward expansion. By exploring these virginnds and integrating them into Joseons territory, our nation will flourish even more. If executed properly, even Ming wont be able to treat us lightly. Pausing there, Sejong sighed deeply. Phew, the problem, though, is theck of people. The poption difference is just too vast. ording to the annual household surveys, Joseons total poption, including the lowest sses, was nearing 5 million. This was a significant increase from the 4.3 million recorded at the start of thend reform, but Mings poption was estimated to exceed 60 million. (Note 1) Even a simpleparison showed a disparity of more than 12 times. This difference in potential military strength made it impossible to rashly antagonize Ming. If a war breaks out, we might win the initial battles. But if Ming decides to continue the conflict, we will be the ones to lose. It was evident to anyone, even without an analysis from the Joseon Military Headquarters, that in such a situation, defeat was inevitable. The conclusion is clear; we need to increase our poption. Just as the Crown Prince stopped smallpox with varition, we need to control other diseases to minimize poption loss. Food supply isnt an issue with the expanded territory, but the real challenge is human resources Sejong tapped on the map of Joseons maind, murmuring to himself. The Sa-min Schools will be the starting point. From there, well cultivate and utilize talent. If necessary, we might even have to appoint women. If we fail to do so Sejong sighed once more, deeply. Phew. Joseon will falter. With a troubled expression, Sejong shook his head, dismissing his own thoughts. I will never let that happen. Not ever! Firm in his resolve, Sejong turned around. The ministers are unaware, but if Phase 6 seeds, we must quickly proceed to Phase 7 without dy. We must prepare as swiftly as possible to seize the moment. Mentioning the yet undisclosed Phase 7, Sejong opened the door and called for the chief eunuch. Chief Eunuch, Ill head to Kangnyeongjeon. I n to retire early tonight due to fatigue. Yes, Your Majesty. *** Note 1: Poption changes and social transformations in China. Northeast Asian History Network. http://contents.nahf.or.kr/item/item.do?levelId=edeah.d_0004_0030_0020_0010 Chapter 182 Chapter 182 As March arrived, Hwang Hui returned to Hanyang for the regr report. Please forgive my disloyalty during the reckless incidentst year, Hwang Hui pleaded for forgiveness as soon as he entered Geunjeongjeon, prostrating himself t on the floor. The incident he sought forgiveness for was his inaction during the Giyu Rebellion when he had not moved an inch from the north. * * * Sensing the chaotic atmosphere just before the Giyu Rebellion and the invasion by nomads, Sejong had immediately sent a secretmand to maintain your position. However, receiving the secretmand and not moving from his spot was enough to be criticized for disloyalty. A slight misstep could have led to impeachment, intertwining with past incidents. Fully aware of this, Hwang Hui had immediately consulted with the military to start forming a special mobile unit upon receiving themand. However, gathering suitable personnel from the troops spread out in the northeast, let alone the unexplored territories west of Baekdu Mountain, and assembling them all took time. By the time he heard of the uprising in the south and was about to deploy the troops, the situation at Gyeongbokgung had already been resolved. -Thus, you and the militarymanders in the north should fulfill your duties as assigned. Upon receiving Sejongs subsequent order, Hwang Hui clicked his tongue lightly. Tsk! Ill have to prostrate myself when I go to Hanyang this time. * * * Given the circumstances, Hwang Hui immediately prostrated fully upon entering Geunjeongjeon. As Hwang Hui sought forgiveness with full prostration, Sejong responded nonchntly. I had already issued an order before the incident, and you faithfully followed that order, so you have done no wrong. You may rise. At Sejongsmand, Hwang Hui bowed deeply. Your mercy is boundless! Gathering himself, Hwang Hui cautiously walked forward and handed over a document to the Chief Eunuch. Receiving the document from the Chief Eunuch, Sejong carefully reviewed the contents of the report. After quietly going through the report, Sejong turned to Hwang Hui. Have you received reports about the peasants currently settling in? Yes. We have already secured sufficientnd. And how have the Jurchen tribes reacted? Given their sparse poption, they seem unthreatened. In fact, some of the Jurchens who have been farming all along are even hopeful of learning agricultural techniques from the Joseon farmers. Relieved by Hwang Huis response, Sejong sighed. Thats fortunate. Its good that they didnt react hostilely despite foreigners entering what they considered their territory. Sejongsment prompted an exnation from Hwang Hui. The effectiveness of the vinationw yed a big part. At Hwang Huis words, Sejongs eyes sparkled. The vinationw? Has smallpox finally been eradicated in the Jurchen territories? Yes. *** The Jurchen region was no stranger to the ravages of smallpox. Fortunately, thanks to incense, Joseon had almostpleted vinating against cowpox early on, and as a result, no cases of smallpox emerged among the peasants who moved north or their families. Why do the Joseon people not sumb to smallpox? The sight of Joseon people unaffected by smallpox filled the Jurchens with curiosity. Their questions were answered when they witnessed the Joseon people administering cowpox vinations. After settling in the north, vinations were given to children who were born there and had safely passed their first year, a practice that naturally piqued the interest of the observing Jurchens. What is being done there? That? Its to prevent smallpox. Smallpox? Their eyes widened at the Joseon peoples exnation. Just by receiving that needle, one is spared from smallpox? Thats right. Truly? Has this man lived his whole life being deceived? If it were a lie, why would the king have issued a decree? A decree? By decree, all Joseon people received that injection. Since then, there have been no new cases of smallpox. Hearing this, the Jurchens flocked to the government offices. Please allow us, or at least our children, to receive that injection! We are now subjects of Joseon too! So please, allow us to receive it! Convinced by the Jurchens pleas, Hwang Hui immediately contacted the capital to request cowpox vinations for the Jurchens. Sejong readily agreed to the request, and arge medical team was dispatched to the north. Through their efforts, widespread vinations were administered, and for the esteemed Jurchens, smallpox ceased to be a terror. * * * Hwang Hui continued his report. With the spread of cowpox vinations, even tribes that were previously hostile towards settling have begun to settle. This has significantly reduced armed conflicts. Thats a relief. As Sejong expressed his relief, Hwang Hui presented a gift. The settled Jurchens have offered a tribute to Your Majesty. A tribute for me? What is it? It awaits in the courtyard of Geunjeongjeon. Is that the sound of horses Ive been hearing? Lets take a look. Sejong descended from the royal residence, his face filled with anticipation. Ah~. Stepping out into the courtyard of Geunjeongjeon, Sejong couldnt help but exim in awe at the sight before him. Dozens of horses filled the space in front of Geunjeongjeon, each one disying an extraordinary appearance. Hwang Hui, standing beside Sejong, continued with additional information. These are the finest horses selected from those raised by the settled Jurchen tribes. There are ten males and thirty females. Descending the stairs of Geunjeongjeon to inspect the horses, Sejong was filled with admiration. Such splendid horses indeed! The settled Jurchen tribes presented these steeds as a tribute? That is correct. Upon Hwang Huis response, Sejong instructed the following to the royal secretaries. Send these horses to Majang-dong and Jayang-dong as per the usual practice. Yes. And order the Ministry of Royal Stables to breed these horses as well. Yes. Following Sejongsmand, the royal secretaries immediately gathered pce attendants to execute the orders. * * * The Jurchen tribes had presented more than just horses. Treasures like leopard skins, bear galldders, and dried sea cucumbers, obtained from the uncharted easternnds still untouched by civilization, were presented to Sejong inrge and small boxes. Showing the contents of the boxes to Sejong, Hwang Hui exined, These items are tributes from the Jurchens, moved by the grace youve extended, including the cowpox vinations. The loyalty of the settled Jurchens is profound. All of this is thanks to Your Majestys virtue. Sejong responded with a slight smile to Hwang Huis praise. How could this be solely due to my virtue? Is it not also thanks to the efforts of many officials and soldiers of Joseon, including yourself? Could mere effort alone have achieved this? It was possible because Your Majesty persuaded the Jurchen chiefs. And it was possible because Your Majesty widely propagated the cowpox vinations. Now, the shamans of the settled Jurchen tribes are proiming, A sage king has arisen, and are praying for Your Majestys longevity. Is that so? Im grateful for that. Sejong smiled at Hwang Huis words, but his eyes flickered subtly. After a brief response, Sejong turned away. Lets proceed quickly; theres much to do! * * * The settled Jurchen tribes have presented fine horses and various gifts to His Majesty! The settled Jurchen tribes are praising the King as a sage monarch! The news about the gifts Hwang Hui brought spread quickly throughout the capital and the entire Joseon. It was only natural for the people who benefited from Sejongs reforms to react. Look at that! Even those Jurchen folks are praising His Majestys virtue, and what are we doing? Indeed! We live in suchfort under a sage king; we cant just sit idly by! Consequently, all sorts of valuable items from across Joseon started flowing into Gyeongbokgung. And it didnt stop there. In our vige, thend is barren and we have nothing to offer as tribute, so lets erect a Stele of Virtue! Indeed! In viges where the harsh environment left nothing suitable for tribute, the people came together to erect Steles of Virtue. They rushed to their local government offices, urging the officials. Were not well-versed in writing, and our handwriting is poor, so could you please write it for us, sir? Of course! The local officials dlyplied with the peoples requests. It was an opportunity to showcase their literary talents and add a notable achievement to their records. * * * Every time reports came in of various tributes and Steles of Virtue erected across Joseon in honor of Sejongs virtue, the ministers unanimously praised Sejongs benevolence. The people erecting Steles of Virtue in Your Majestys honor is a sign of a peaceful era! All of this is thanks to Your Majestys virtue! Grateful for the ministers praises, Sejong responded with a smile. Thank you. Its all thanks to your assistance as well. As reports of the peoples adoration became frequent, a hint of bitterness tinged Sejongs smile. Eventually, Sejong began to drink alone at night. When Hyang heard that Sejongs drinking had be frequent, she was immediately concerned. This man! After all the effort weve put into maintaining his health, now he turns to alcohol? In Joseon, liver failure could mean the end! That night, upon hearing that Sejong was once again drinking alone, Hyang sought him out. Where is His Majesty? He is at the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion. Lead the way. Yes, Your Highness. * * * Upon arriving at Gyeonghoeru, Hyang found Sejong. Your Majesty, its gettingte. The air is still chilly, perhaps its time to head inside? Sejong, slightly inebriated, looked at Hyang with a broad smile and spoke. Ah, my eldest! Its been a while since weve shared a drink, hasnt it? Chief Eunuch, bring a cup for the Crown Prince. Yes, Your Majesty. Father, I As Hyang attempted to decline, Sejong, with exaggerated gestures and voice, ushered him to sit. Ah! When your father speaks, you sit! Where are you trying to go? Sit down, sit! Lets enjoy a drink together, just father and son, after so long! Realizing Sejongs condition was not good Sensing that Sejong was not in the best state, Hyang quietly took his seat. Facing Sejong across the drinking table, Hyang cautiously asked, Is there something troubling Your Majesty? Sejong shook his head dismissively in response. Troubles? In such a peaceful time, what troubles could there be? Yet, I see worries in Your Majestys eyes. You must be mistaken. Despite Sejongs denials, Hyang persisted with his questions. Father, what worries you so much? At Hyangs question, Sejong emptied his cup several times before speaking. My Crown Prince. Yes, Father. Do you also believe that I am a sage king? Hyang replied immediately. You are a sage king. In the 21st century, denying that would get you stoned! At Hyangs response, Sejong frowned and shook his head. No, I am not a sage king. How can I be when I disced my elder brother, the rightful heir, to seize the throne and was responsible for his death? Father Before Hyang could finish, Sejong continued. I am a tyrant, a dark monarch! I exaggerated minor faults to execute and exile loyal subjects and founding contributors of the country. When local nobles opposed my will, I chose suppression over persuasion. Even in dealing with themon people, I didnt spread virtue and enlightenment but manipted and coerced them into following my lead. How can such a person be a sage king? Hyangs face hardened as Sejongs pent-up outburst flowed out. Father If you hadnt discovered cowpox, I would still be conceding much to my ministers and local nobles in governing the country! Sejong beat his chest, criticizing himself as if spitting blood. When I was powerless, I was cautious, but once I gained power, I resorted to the sword instead of persuasion! How cunning is such a person! Me, a sage king? Do you think that makes sense? Faced with Sejongs self-reproach, Hyang responded with a stern face. One of the prime ministers in the West once said, The ends justify the means.'' Thats sophistry! Sejong firmly denied Hyangs words. No matter how noble the goal, if the means are wrong, the oue will only be a corruption of that goal! Thats nothing but sophistry and a cowardly excuse. Hyang held a sad smile in response to Sejongs angry outcry. This gentleman must have been under a lot of stress from everything thats happened. After all, Im probably the only one he can speak so openly with. As the head of the family and the king, Sejong couldnt express such concerns to Queen Soheon or even more so to his ministers, who could be considered his political adversaries. However, the rtionship between Hyang and Sejong was somewhat special. For Sejong, Hyang wasnt a threat to the royal authority but a partner with aligned goals, akin to a chief strategist devising various ns and strategies for implementing reforms. Thus, Sejong feltfortable revealing his innermost thoughts to Hyang. Hyangs expression softened slightly, and with a voice calmer than ever, he spoke to Sejong. Yet, do not the people rejoice in Fathers actions? And was it not the decision of Grand Queen Dowager to disce the former Crown Prince, and was Father notpelled to act against him because he rebelled? And as for the traitor Ryu Jeong-hyeon, did he not receive his punishment for failing to recognize Your Highnesss grand vision and for being solely preupied with preserving his own power? Listening silently, Sejongs lips were tightly sealed as Hyang continued, almost as if soothingly telling him not to be pained. Lastly, those who instigated the rebellion did so not for a greater cause but to protect their own privileges, thus deserving their fate. At Hyangs words, Sejong let out a sigh filled with regret. Sigh~ But he was my own brother, a loyal subject who dedicated his life to the foundation of Joseon, and they were the nobles of various localities. Hyang then asked further. Then, will Your Majesty abandon the reforms? And will you recall the exiled meritorious subjects who are still alive? Will you restore the families of the nobles who were sent to very? Sejong answered decisively. No. To recall them would be to revert to the old ways. Such an event must never ur. They must die in exile. Confirming Sejongs firm resolve, Hyang pointed out the reality. In my humble opinion, the people call you a sage king and show absolute loyalty to Your Majesty. Would they do so if Father were truly a tyrant or a cruel monarch? Taking a moment to catch his breath, Hyang concluded. Your Majesty, you are a sage king. The people themselves are the proof. The people are the proof? The people are the proof Sejong pondered over Hyangs words in a daze. Continuing to mull over Hyangs words, Sejong smiled. It was as if he no longer had any reason to worry. Then I must be a sage king. Having donned the mantle of a sage king, I must do my utmost until death. Sejong emptied his cup and rose from his seat. I should refrain from drinking for a while. There wont be enough time to work otherwise. As Sejong stood up, Hyang followed suit and respectfully responded, Please restfortably in your chambers. As Sejong was turning away, he looked back at Hyang. With a visibly rxed face, Sejong extended his hand to Hyang, who was bowing his head. Thank you. My heart feels lighter because of you. After lightly patting Hyang on the shoulder, Sejong left Gyeonghoeru and returned to Kangnyeongjeon. As Sejong disappeared into the distance, Hyang, with a bitter smile, muttered to himself, Sometimes I forget that he, too, is human. Perhaps its because I first learned about my father through books. Chapter 183 Chapter 183 The tribute of horses and various other tribute items by the Jurchen tribes sparked a nationwidepetition amongst people in disying loyalty. Precious fruits, seafood, herbs, and more from across Joseon were presented, and in regionscking such offerings, steles praising King Sejongs virtues were erected. As more and more of these steles were established, thepetition even spread to the northern frontiers. The intensity of thispetition was such that King Sejong had to issue an urgent decree. Since the farming season has begun, let the people focus on their livelihoods! Hyang, witnessing this entire spectacle, muttered with a look of disbelief. There was a reason why that ruler in 21st-century Pyongyang was called a tyrant He grumbled about the phenomenon, which seemed not just enthusiastic but almost fanatical, and then a question popped into his mind. But did the Jurchen tribes also erect steles? Curiosity piqued, Hyang diligently gathered rted information. After marking the gathered information on a map, Hyang whistled lightly. Whew~ Looks like it covers the Donggan region, right? Its uncertain how much Joseons territory will expand through Dongjin and Seojin, and how long it can be maintained, but at least up to the Gando region, there will be solid physical evidence. *** Meanwhile, despite themotion, the court officials remained diligently focused on their tasks. Or rather, they had no choice. If we dont meet the deadline, its overtime! Do you want toe to the office even on holidays? No, sir! Driven by the goal of protecting their holiday off days, the court officials were aze with motivation. With the arrival of the Gyeongsul year, the list of officials suffering from overwork expanded to include those affiliated with the Ministry of Rites. The cause of the busy schedule for the officials of the Ministry of Rites was the Academy for Commoners. *** The Academy for Commoners was the embodiment of the expansion of education use written in the reform n. Initially, only boys were allowed to enter the academy. However, after the suppression of the Giyu Rebellion, King Sejong added amand. Our Joseoncks talent! Its a disgrace that such incidents ur when there are restrictions on learning! Therefore, allow girls to also enroll in the Academy for Commoners, which is responsible for the most basic education! Despite King Sejongs firmmand, the Minister of Rites found it difficult to ept. Is there a need for girls to learn as well? In response to his ministers question, King Sejong retorted briefly. So, are the daughters of your household illiterate? I shall heed Your Majestysmand. Faced with King Sejongs question, the Minister of Rites had no choice but to bow his head immediately. For the children of noble families, even girls were expected to have a basic schrly foundation, starting with learning the Thousand Character ssic. King Sejong, looking at the Minister of Rites with a look of disappointment, turned to the other ministers. It is said that children follow in their parents footsteps. How can a mother, who spends the most time with her child until adulthood, be a good role model if she is ignorant? At King Sejongs remark, all the ministers had to bow their heads in agreement. Your Majestys words are most wise! *** Having received King Sejongs decree, the officials of the Ministry of Rites were troubled. Its good that His Majesty, in his generosity, has allowed even girls to attend. But will the parents actually send them? Given the current situation, there are many who wouldnt even send their boys. The ordinary citizens they had observed would put their children to work as soon as they were old enough. If the children were too weak to help with farming, they would at least be sent to herd cattle as part of their daily routine. Having seen such practices, the officials of the Ministry of Rites were skeptical about King Sejongsmand. This was a misconception among the officials, or rather the schr-officials. The middle and lower-ranking officials who were in charge of the practical work had seen the citizens back in their days before passing the civil service exam during thete reign of Taejong and early Sejong when Joseon was going through a series of severe famines. Back then, the priority for Joseons peasants was survival over their childrens education. However, whenever there was even a slight bit of leeway, themon folk were keen on their childrens education. Their emphasis on education was also for survival. Its important to know whats written on the governments public notices to avoid being taken advantage of. Indeed, and its not just about understanding the public notices from the government. When ites to sharecropping, do you know the kind of tricksndlords can pull with the contracts? Have you heard? Go and learn! In such circumstances, most farmers knew at least half of the Thousand Character ssic. Even in these tough times, if their child showed any talent, these ordinary Joseon citizens, whom the officials tended to overlook, would go through all sorts of hardships to provide them with education. This was evident from the fact that a significant number of those who passed the civil service examinations each year were not from the noble ss but from themoner ss, something that the nobility unconsciously disregarded. *** Regardless, a royalmand was a solemn matter, so the officials of the Ministry of Rites had to diligently seek solutions. In a meeting room established within the Ministry of Rites, junior and senior officials were brainstorming and sharing their opinions. Lets start by tackling the easier tasks first. The easier tasks? Lets start with choosing the locations for the schools. Werent we going to use the Confucian schools for that? When the term Confucian schools was mentioned, one of the clerks looked puzzled and raised a question. *** After the suppression of the Giyu Rebellion, King Sejong issued a decree to dismantle all Confucian schools across Joseon. These buildings were made for the nobility to gather, offer rites to the sages, and build connections! Gathering in groups to form corrupt factions is better off abolished! Following King Sejongsmand, all Confucian schools nationwide had to close their doors. The ancestral tablets of the sages that were housed in the Confucian schools were all moved to the Sungkyunkwan in Hanyang, and the rites for the sages were to be conducted only at Sungkyunkwan. It was the Ministry of Rites that intervened to prevent the demolition of the now-closed Confucian schools. At that time, the Minister of Rites risked his own position to plead with King Sejong. It would be wasteful to demolish the carefully constructed Confucian schools! They should be repurposed for a good cause! What good use do you have in mind? King Sejong inquired. The Minister of Rites presented an idea he and the officials of the Ministry had conceived. They should be utilized as academies formoners! Establishing schools requires buildings. It is more sensible to repurpose the Confucian schools than to expend resources on constructing new ones! Hmm? The proposal from the Ministry of Rites piqued King Sejongs interest. He sought the opinions of other ministers, and Kim Jeom, the Minister of Taxation, among others, responded positively. With the ministers in agreement, King Sejong approved the request from the Ministry of Rites. Thanks to this, most of the Confucian school buildings were spared, except for a few that had already been demolished. *** I am well aware that we decided to use the Confucian schools. However, did not a new royal decreee down to educate girls as well? Therefore, we need to look for new locations. Its problematic enough that theres no distinction between the sses; if we remove the distinction between genders, it could lead to significant issues. The officials became serious at the exnation given by the official who initially raised the concern. When King Sejong ordered the establishment of the academies formoners, he emphasized something in particr. Think carefully about why I named it Academy for Commoners.'' After pondering King Sejongs words, the officials of the Ministry of Rites soon grasped his intentions. Commoners referred not only to the four sses of societyschrs, farmers, artisans, and merchantsbut also to all the people. Ultimately, what King Sejong desired was for everyone, regardless of ss, to learn andpete together in one ce. Given the decree to open education to girls as well, the concerns of the Ministry of Rites officials were not unfounded. Amidst the deep contemtion for a viable solution, one of the senior officials in the room spoke up. I think we can continue to make use of the Confucian schools. Really? Confucian schools arent small buildings, right? If we divide them appropriately, we can create separate spaces for teaching boys and girls. Hmm The officials began to recall the Confucian schools in their hometowns, assessing the feasibility of the suggestion. Indeed No matter how impoverished a vige was, it didnt have single-room Confucian schools. The officials, having done their mental calctions, all nodded in agreement. That seems reasonable. The issue is with viges that dont have Confucian schools nearby; well need to construct buildings there. While we could ask boys to travel even if its a bit far, its risky for girls due to potential dangers. Thats a valid point. Then, lets settle this matter as such. Any objections? None, right? With no one raising their hands to the presiding officials query, the proposal was epted without dispute. It was a n with no significant ws, and no one wanted to waste time nitpicking only to end up working overtime. With that hurdle crossed, the meeting began to pick up pace. The next major challenge arose when discussing how to ensure children attend the academies. As soon as the topic was introduced, one of the officials raised a concern. The biggest issue is the farming season. Except for very young children, others are expected to help with farm work. And if theyre young enough to not be of much help on the farm, traveling to and from the academy would be difficult for them. In principle, children as young as five can attend, but realistically, isnt that impractical? Thats true. Therefore, the educational schedule should avoid the farming season. Only then can we ensure high attendance rates. That makes sense. So, we should definitely avoid summer, right? Yes. Apart from being the farming season, the heat is also a problem. Remember how much we struggled with our studies in the heat? The mention of studying and the heat had all the officials nodding in agreement, recalling the hardships of studying during the peak summer heat. The difort of sweat-soaked seats was just the beginning, as the heat often led to decreased concentration, resulting in reprimands from their teachers. Yet, eliminating summer would disrupt the continuity, wouldnt it? remarked the presiding official, prompting another official to raise his hand. Thats why I propose starting the sses after the harvest season ends and concluding them before the nting season begins. How about that? Hmm? Upon hearing this suggestion, the officials took a moment to consider and then nodded in agreement. Thats a good idea! *** After many meetings, the finalized n was submitted to the Minister of Rites. Having reviewed theprehensive n from start to finish, the Minister nodded in approval. This looks good. Ill report this to His Majesty. Well done. Thank you. If theres nothing else, it seems you can leave on time today. A broad smile appeared on the face of the official who had submitted the report at the Ministers words. Thank you! *** Hmm King Sejong, reviewing the n submitted by the Minister of Rites, nodded in approval. This appears to be a sound n. Its proper to educate boys and girls separately, and setting the ss period from after the harvest until before the nting season is wise. I can see the effort put in by the officials of the Ministry of Rites. Well done. Your Majesty is too kind. The Minister bowed deeply, letting out a small sigh of relief at King Sejongs praise. Weve ovee a major hurdle! But about this part here, providing meals for those who attend to increase attendance rates. I think this needs some exnation. Within expectations! The Minister felt a sense of relief at King Sejongs predictable inquiry and immediately began to exin. Yes. Even after the harvest, families often face food shortages through the winter. Although the hardships of the spring famine have lessened, it remains a burden for many. Therefore, providing even a single meal can encourage parents to send their children to the academy. Thats a sound suggestion, but preparing food supplies for the children attending the academy wont be an easy task, will it? Thats why the meals provided at the academy will be based on the dry rations supplied to the military. Dry rations? Yes. Hmm King Sejong pondered for a moment. The dry rations developed by Hyang and popr within the military were quite decent. They were not just dried grains ground into powder; they also included sufficient dried meat, making them suitable for a meal. If each academy has a skilled cook, the meals should be quite edible. After contemting, King Sejong made his decision. Proceed as nned. Yourmand shall be obeyed! Yes! I can leave on time today! The minister responded joyfully, pleased with the oue. Chapter 184 Chapter 184 On the day King Sejong granted his approval, all the officials from the Ministry of Rites left work punctually. While some rushed to the pleasure quarters in small groups to celebrate their timely departure, most officials headed straight home. My dear, what brings you home so early today? Tired, the official replied to his wifes question. I was able toe home early because the project Ive been working on has sessfully passed the initial stage. Work will pile up again from tomorrow, so I decided toe home early today. Is that so? Then, for dinner Ive already eaten at a restaurant. Ill go to bed first. The wife sighed deeply as she watched her husband disappear into their private room. Ah, to think were still newlyweds Its as if Im living the life of a widow without being one With a face full of discontent, the wife gazed towards the private room. * * * Not long after their wedding, her husband passed the civil service examination. Both families were overjoyed with the double celebration, as passing the exam was considered a great honor. However, the joy ended there. Since her husband started his career as a bureaucrat at the royal court instead of a local official, it became difficult to even see his face. Leaving at dawn and returningte at night became his routine, and overnight stays away from home were frequent. Even when he was home on holidays, he spent most of his time sleeping. At first, the wife suspected he was spending time with courtesans or having an affair, but she eventually realized his absence was due to the overwhelming amount of work. Unsure whether tough or cry about the situation, she was torn between feelings. Could it be said that when it rains, it pours? Not only her inws but also her own parents started to mention the topic of having children more frequently. Eventually, the wife confided in her mother about her situation,menting, Even though I have a husband, Im living like a widow. What should I do about this situation! Her mother also looked troubled upon hearing her daughters words. Her husband, too, was a government official and had been burdened with heavy duties for several years. Maybe some tonic Dont even mention tonics! Just bringing it up causes him to have a fit! What am I supposed to do! At her daughters response, the mother remained silent. Her husband also reacted strongly whenever the topic of tonics was mentioned. In the end, the women from both families came together to brainstorm, but since both the inws and her own family were involved in government service, they all shared a sense of empathy for each others situation and were looking for solutions to the same problem. Eventually, they decided to seek advice from Madame Jeonggyeong, a woman of respect and acquaintance. After hearing theirints, Madame Jeonggyeong also sighed deeply. Do you think your husbands are the only ones like this? Our man is the same Sigh. Then, is there no solution? Madame Jeonggyeong shook her head in response to the question. You must insist on them taking tonics. Thats the best solution. Force it if you have to, and make sure to be together on holidays, no matter if its morning or night. And perhaps dress a bit more lightly. Wouldnt that be somewhat improper? The wives looked embarrassed at Madame Jeonggyeongs suggestion, but her expression remained serious. Do you prefer to end your lineage then? Her words made the faces of the wives turn serious as well. Madame Jeonggyeong pointed out the harsh reality. Remember, even if you feed him tonics like fodder to a cow, the strenuous duties of serving the nation drain all his energy. Your only option is to press on with sheer numbers. Ah Thanks to this, ever since the initiation of the health regime, the medical clinics in Hanyang were always thriving. And the tradingpanies supplying herbs to these clinics actively engaged in cultivating medicinal herbs to meet the demand. The ultimate recipients of these tonics, the officials,ined to their colleagues. My wife keeps brewing these tonics for me, but somehow, I feel they are not meant for my benefit You too? Ive started to dread weekends * * * Nevertheless, with King Sejongs approval granted, the officials of the Ministry of Rites were busily in motion. To check the condition of the Confucian schools, especially those in the southern provinces, and to find suitable locations for new schools, they requested the cooperation of the Ministry of Public Works. Seeing the officials from the Ministry of Public Works setting off on their missions, the officials from the Ministry of Rites could not hide their envy. We should be the ones going As they busied themselves with solving the location issues, the Ministry of Rites was deeply engaged in curriculum development. Theres no disagreement that the Thousand Character ssic should be the first thing taught, but how is the progress on the mathematics textbook? At the Minister of Ritess inquiry, the Assistant Minister promptly responded. Yes, its currently undergoing final review at the research institute. The Minister of Rites frowned slightly at the Assistant Ministers response. At the research institute? Isnt that ce filled with math geniuses? I hope its not tooplex. I assured them that its for children to learn, so dont worry Despite the Assistant Ministers reassurance, the Minister of Ritess concern seemed to trail off with uncertainty. * * * With the initiation of the reform, Hyangs research institute, which opened concurrently, showed remarkable growth as time progressed. Especially notable was its achievement in the field of mathematics. During the early Joseon Dynasty, those who applied for the misceneous exams were required to take the arithmetic test without exception. As a result, many studied arithmetic using methods like the Chinese-imported Commercial Arithmetic, Yang Huis Arithmetic, and the Enlightenment of Arithmetic. While the Commercial Arithmetic taught the most basic mathematical concepts based on the four fundamental operations, Yang Huis Arithmetic and the Enlightenment of Arithmetic were of a higher level. Particrly, the Enlightenment of Arithmetic covered topics as advanced as higher-order equations. However, among the mathematical texts introduced from China, many had issues. A significant number of these imported books recorded only problems and solutions without any exnation of the solving process. As a result, many who studied arithmetic had to research the solving process on their own. It was natural that progress in this field was slow. However, with the establishment of the Hyang Research Institute and its active operations, the level of arithmetic in Joseon improved dramatically. One of the first steps was the introduction of Arabic numerals, named Cheonchuk numbers in Joseon, and the active recruitment of Im residents in Joseon who were proficient in arithmetic. Additionally, envoys to the Ming Dynasty were used to bring back and trante mathematical texts from the Roman Empire that had spread to the West, distributing them to the researchers at the institute. As a result, Hyangs proficiency in Latin reached an expert level, which was an added bonus. Furthermore, by discreetly integrating the mathematical knowledge that was basic in the 21st century, the arithmetic skills of the institutes researchers surged. Though it may sound like self-praise in this era, there might be no one across all nations who surpasses the mathematical skills of the institutes researchers. Hyangs self-praise was by no means an exaggeration. The reason was that Hyang had sprinkled the ultimate MSG on the researchers at the research institute. The MSG Hyang sprinkled was none other than symbols representing arithmetic operations. Until then, recing what was written in characters, regardless of East or West, with simple symbols led to an explosive growth in the researchers abilities. It was as if Hyang had pulled forward the history that began in 1489 when the German Widmann first used the + and symbols by nearly 60 years. Thanks to the MSG Hyang sprinkled, talented researchers like Lee Soon-ji had advanced to the level of solving 10th-degree equations. Especially in the case of Lee Soon-ji, he was even delving into the concept of calculus, albeit at a rudimentary level. What a good thing! Do not spare your support! Yes, Your Highness! Having received the report about Lee Soon-ji through the official document, Hyang outwardly rejoiced but was inwardly crying. Calculus! How much I suffered because of calculus and probability and statistics! In the 21st century, when Hyang took the Grade 5 civil service exam, especially for the finance position, economics was apulsory subject, and optional subjects included ounting, business administration, etc. All these subjects required not only calculus but also probability and statistics. *** Thus, with the research institutes researchers unmatched mathematical abilities, there was concern when it was heard that they were assigned to write the math textbook. However, this was almost a groundless fear for Minister of Rites. Because Hyang was there. Upon seeing the math textbook created by the ordered researchers, Hyang immediately rejected it. Are you nning to teach running to a child who cant even walk properly yet? Make it again! Make it very easy! Yes. Rejected by Hyang, Jeong-Cho turned to Jeong Inji. This should be easy enough? Indeed. While the two were grumbling, Hyang was voicing his dissatisfaction. They say a frog does not remember its tadpole days Are we creating a situation akin to teaching the theory of rtivity to kids just learning numbers? After rejecting it three more times, Hyang participated in the textbook creation himself. Recalling his elementary school days, Hyang significantly revised the content of the textbook. Of course, he added MSG as usual. The MSG added to the textbook was the multiplication table. And when learning mathematics, lets also teach how to use the abacus. Yes. Thus, the math textbook created satisfied not only the Minister of Rites but also Sejong. *** However, the Minister of Rites also faced rejection from Sejong regarding the textbook issue. The textbook that the Minister of Rites was rejected for was about conduct. When initially nning the Four Social sses School, Sejong had subtly broached the subject. How about educating on proper posture and lifestyle from a young age? Upon hearing Sejongs suggestion, the ministers weed it with open arms. Truly wise words! We are in awe of Your Majestys insight! For them, being Confucian schrs, educating the popce was a must-do task, so there was no room for objection. However, in the initially nned curriculum, this part was not mandatory but an elective course. That is, it was decided to be taught not through dedicated ss time but through moral stories. Sejong was slightly dissatisfied with this but did not object. It was due to staffing issues. However, an event that shook the era urred in the 10th year of Sejongs reign when a man named Kim Hwa from Jinju murdered his own father. Enraged, Sejong sentenced Kim Hwa to death. It is due to myck of virtue! Seeing Sejong me himself, Byeon Gye-Ryang suggested creating and distributing a book of filial piety, which Sejong epted. But when the Giyu Rebellion broke out the following year, Sejongmanded that loyalty and filial piety be formally included in the curriculum of the Four Social sses School. Teach and learn about loyalty and filial piety properly to ensure such incidents never happen again! We shall obey themand! Thus, the Minister of Rites created the textbook based on the book of filial piety. However, upon receiving the first draft of the textbook, Sejong immediately rejected it. What use is a book filled with characters to children who cant even read yet? Make it again! Thus, the Minister of Rites had to create the textbook once again. Pondering over the issue, the Minister of Rites sought advice from Hyang. Upon the Minister of Ritess request, Hyang responded immediately. When I used to teach my younger siblings, I found that incorporating illustrations helped them learn more easily. Why not include pictures rted to the content? Ah! What a solution! Armed with Hyangs advice, the Minister of Rites created a revised draft of the textbook and submitted it to Sejong. And it was rejected again. Do we not have filial sons, loyal officials, and virtuous women in our own Haedong? Why is it filled with figures from Ming? My thought was shortsighted! Please forgive my offense! Make it properly once again. And so, after three attempts, the textbook was created. It was the birth of the (Illustrated Conduct of the Three Bonds). Chapter 185 Chapter 185 Your Majesty, it hase to our attention that our merchants are extensively using banknotes issued by Joseon. As the Cab Secretary reported, Emperor Xuande stroked his beard. Banknotes from Joseon? Wasnt there a diplomat here not long ago discussing issues of exchange and forgery? But what issue have our merchants caused now? To Emperor Xuandes question, the Cab Secretary began his exnation. A significant number of merchants are exchanging silver for Joseons one-nyang banknotes, seeking to acquire them. Why is that? Because the Joseon government guarantees the value, and its believed to be more reliable and convenient than carrying physical silver, our merchants prefer to exchange for Joseons banknotes. And how much silver has been lost to this? We have yet to determine the exact amount, but reports suggest its significant. The report turned Emperor Xuandes expression grave. The economy of the Ming Dynasty was heavily reliant on silver. The proportion of taxes collected in silver was gradually increasing, and market transactions were also predominantly conducted in silver. The outflow of such a crucial resource could pose a serious problem. With a grave look, Emperor Xuande instructed the Cab Secretary. Verify the facts immediately and report back. Yes, Your Majesty. A monthter, the Cab Secretary reported back to Emperor Xuande. The exchange of silver is taking ce at the Joseon trade office in Shandong, withst months transactions alone amounting to 1 million nyang. 1 million nyang Is that a serious amount? At Emperor Xuandes question, the Cab Secretary pondered for a moment. Considering the current scale of our Ming Dynasty, 1 million nyang isnt an unbearable burden. However, thinking ahead Should I dere it a serious matter? No, considering the substantial benefits the Emperor has gained through Joseon, especially from the Crown Prince of Joseon, speaking carelessly could endanger my own position. Contemting the best response, the Cab Secretary cautiously began to speak. At present, the burden isnt significant. However, if the volume of transactions continues to increase at the current pace, it will eventually be a major problem. Is that so? Then what should be done Emperor Xuande frowned at the Cab Secretarys words. While the Cab Secretary often preemptively worried, he was far from ipetent. On the contrary, under the Cab Secretarys leadership, the Ming empires finances were bing more robust. But to pressure Joseon Applying pressure on Joseon to reim silver through tribute or other means seemed the easiest route, but it was not favorable for him. Joseon had been enriching his personal coffersnot the state treasury of Ming but the emperors own finances. Recklessly pressuring Joseon could lead to a foolish act akin to killing the cow to straighten its horn, where excessive measures lead to adverse oues. As Emperor Xuande and his ministers mulled over their options, urgent news arrived from Shandong. A diplomat from Joseon hase? After reading the message, Emperor Xuande turned to the Cab Secretary. Is now the time for a diplomat to visit? It is not. Whats the matter then? Im curious about what issue has arisen this time. As Emperor Xuandes curiosity peaked, the envoys sent by King Sejong arrived at the Forbidden City. * * * So What brings the envoys from Joseon here? After the exchange of pleasantries adorned with all sorts of polite expressions and their corresponding replies, Emperor Xuande quickly got to the point. At Emperor Xuandes inquiry, the head of the envoy, the official from the Minister of Taxation, immediately knelt and raised his voice. Your Majesty! Please spare our small border country, Joseon! Eh? Taken aback by the unexpected plea, both Emperor Xuande and the Cab Secretary blinked in surprise. After regaining hisposure, Emperor Xuande, with a face full of questions, asked, To my knowledge, neither I nor my empire have caused harm to Joseon. What is this absurd im? Who wouldnt know of Your Majestys special consideration for Joseon? However, currently, an excessive amount of Mings silver is flowing into our Joseon! Our nation is small and struggles to bear this burden. We beseech Your Majesty to bestow your grace and control the flow of silver! Hearing the Ministry of Taxation officials plea, Emperor Xuande turned to the Cab Secretary. It seems that this influx of silver is also a problem for Joseon. It appears so. With the Cab Secretarys nod, Emperor Xuande turned back to the Ministry of Taxation official and spoke, I too am aware that a significant amount of our Mings silver is entering Joseon and have been seeking measures to address it. However, this involves legitimate trade by merchants, and its not something we can easily interfere with. Does Joseon have any proposals to manage this situation? At Emperor Xuandes final question, the Cab Secretary looked at him with slightly surprised eyes, realizing that if Joseon didnt have a suitable answer, it could be used as a pretext to pressure them. Yet, Emperor Xuande wasnt thinking of pressure; he genuinely hoped for a solution, believing that the Crown Prince of Joseon, whom he knew well, would not stand idly by. Its clear, he thought. Faced with Emperor Xuandes inquiry, the Ministry of Taxation official slightly changed the topic, How could a small nation interfere in the affairs of a great one? However, this issue pertains not only to my empire but to Joseon as well. Thus, Joseon must have contemted some solutions. Speak now. It is an imperialmand. Upon Emperor Xuandesmand, the Ministry of Taxation official hesitated for a moment before speaking, Our Joseon believes that the best solution would be for the great nation to also mint and circte its currency. Create currency? Hmm Upon hearing the Ministry of Taxation officials suggestion, Emperor Xuande looked towards the Cab Secretary. The Cab Secretary shared a simrly troubled expression with Emperor Xuande. They were well aware of the Yuan Dynastys issuance and cirction of Jiaochao (paper money) and had attempted to circte paper money (Jizhuan) in the Ming as well. However, the cirction of paper money was heading towards failure. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipediamons/d/de/Yuan_dynasty_banknote_with_its_printing_te_1287.jpg The primary reasons were the intion caused by Emperor Yongles frequent military expeditions and the depreciation of paper moneys credibility due to counterfeiting. Eventually, the Cab Secretary intervened on behalf of Emperor Xuande. Let the envoy from Joseon listen. Our Ming empire also attempted to circte paper money, but it did not go well. And now, you suggest we issue it again? The Ministry of Taxation official replied to the Cab Secretarys question, How could we in Joseon not know? However, seeing Ming merchants seeking our Joseon banknotes, we believe there must be a solution. At the Ministry of Taxation officials response, both Emperor Xuande and the Cab Secretary nodded in agreement. The fact that merchants sought after Joseons banknotes indicated that the concept of paper currency itself wasnt the issue. Hmm After quietly observing the envoy, Emperor Xuande posed a question to the Ministry of Taxation official. Is the envoy sent by the Crown Prince? Eh? No, Your Majesty! I am here by themand of our king. The Ministry of Taxation officials response elicited a slight smile from Emperor Xuande. Ive heard that the King of Joseon is a remarkable person. However, Ive also heard that he is more of a schr. The answer you just gave sounds more like that of a merchant. In the current Joseon pce, the only one capable of thinking like a merchant would be the Crown Prince. Am I wrong? As the Ministry of Taxation official continued to deny, Emperor Xuande concluded with a smile, Very well. Let it be known as such. So, Joseon is suggesting that we reintroduce paper money. But to suggest reissuing a form of currency that has already failed implies theres a solution to its problems. What might that be? Promptly, the Ministry of Taxation official answered, Trust. Trust? The belief that if a paper note is marked with the value of one nyang of silver, it genuinely holds the value of one nyang of silver. And the belief that it cannot be counterfeited. Emperor Xuande murmured in a slightly disappointed tone upon hearing the Ministry of Taxation officials response, Thats a well-known principle Everyone knows this principle. The Crown Prince would surely be aware of it. Emperor Xuande was disappointed because this wasmon knowledge. However, the Ministry of Taxation official calmly replied, To establish currency, there is no other strategy but to adhere to these two principles to the best of our ability. Why are you so confident? Because I, too, was involved in the issuance of our banknotes. At the Ministry of Taxation officials response, Emperor Xuande, who had been observing the envoy, turned to the Cab Secretary, Now that I think about it if merchants seek it out, it must be because they trust it. But I have never seen Joseons paper money. Do you have it, Cab Secretary? Upon Emperor Xuandes inquiry, the Cab Secretary immediately knelt down. Although curious about the rumors of Joseons paper money, the Cab Secretary had deliberately refrained from seeking it out, a matter of pride. How could the currency of a minor nation be of any consequence! I do not possess it either. Please forgive my disloyalty, Your Majesty. As the Cab Secretary sought forgiveness, Emperor Xuande waved his hand dismissively. Such a trivial matter is hardly disloyalty Rise. Your grace is boundless! Meanwhile, the Ministry of Taxation official, witnessing the exchange, clenched his teeth. Being somewhat proficient in Chinese, he understood the conversation and felt slighted. To dismiss it as such! Do they not realize the effort it took to create and properly circte our currency? If they havent seen it, they could have simply asked me! How belittling towards Joseon! The Ministry of Taxation official suppressed his anger, recalling the advice given before departure. Given our current circumstances, Joseon is not in a position to confront Ming. For now, and for the foreseeable future, leave your pride and ego behind in Joseon! There wille a time when we can repay any debts. Remembering this counsel, the Ministry of Taxation official calmed himself and interjected into the conversation. I have one with me. Is that so? Let me see it. At Emperor Xuandes request, the Ministry of Taxation official took out a wallet from his sleeve. With careful movements, he extracted a one-nyang banknote and handed it to the eunuch. This is a banknote from Joseon. Is it? Though his tone was nonchnt, Emperor Xuande carefully received the banknote. He was aware that Joseons banknotes were stamped with a seal. This is truly beautiful! This is not just a banknote; its closer to a work of art! Upon seeing Joseons banknote for the first time, Emperor Xuande involuntarily eximed in admiration. Blue and red lines framed the banknote, and within these bordersy a beautifulndscape painting. In one corner of the banknote, marked with one nyang, was King Sejongs seal, clearly imprinted. The seal looks slightly different from the one on official documents? At Emperor Xuandes inquiry, the Ministry of Taxation official promptly responded, This is a new seal created specifically for use on currency. Is that so After examining the Joseon banknote thoroughly, Emperor Xuande handed it to the Cab Secretary. Take a look, Cab Secretary. It seems we wont have to worry about counterfeiting, at least. As the Cab Secretary examined the banknote, he looked at the Ministry of Taxation official in astonishment. Is this truly printed? It is indeed printed. Hearing the Ministry of Taxation officials confirmation, the Cab Secretary stared at the banknote in a daze, murmuring to himself unwittingly. Ive heard that the printing technology from the East has always been superior Regaining hisposure, the Cab Secretary presented the banknote back to Emperor Xuande, saying, Your Majestys insight is correct. It seems we need not worry about the issue of counterfeiting. Right? Let the envoy take it back. After returning the banknote through the eunuch, Emperor Xuande murmured as he gazed into the distance, The one that got away is always the biggest Truly a pity. Emperor Xuande was evidently regretting the missed opportunity regarding the technology. Weve understood the solution to counterfeiting. But what about maintaining its value? The first step is to issue currency only up to the value of the predetermined budget. This builds trust among the people, who will gradually ept an increased cirction, provided there is an equivalent amount of physical assets backing it. Furthermore, any additional issuance should only be in exchange for an equivalent amount of silver brought by those wishing to exchange, meticulously assessing the quality of the silver to urately determine its value. Thats the standard approach. Pleased with the Ministry of Taxation officials sinct exnation, Emperor Xuande nodded and then looked towards the Cab Secretary. Now I see why we failed. Indeed, Your Majesty. The Cab Secretary nodded in agreement with Emperor Xuandes observation. To secure the budget for Emperor Yongles military campaigns and voyages of exploration, the Ming cab at the time had recklessly printed paper money. This led to the devaluation of the paper currency. The envoy may withdraw. Following Emperor Xuandesmand, the envoy bowed respectfully and withdrew. After the envoy left with a three-fold cheer for the emperor, Emperor Xuande turned to the Cab Secretary. If we prepare properly, we could manage it, couldnt we? It is entirely feasible. Right? The humiliation of our state-issued paper money being treated as inferior to a merchant guilds promissory notes must end. And Pausing briefly, Emperor Xuande revealed his true thoughts. It would be absurd if we couldnt seed in something even that small nation has aplished. Indeed, Your Majesty. Thus, the Ming empire embarked on another attempt to issue paper currency, marking the beginning of a challenging period for Ming craftsmen. Chapter 186 Chapter 186 Upon hearing the imperial decree from Emperor Xuande, the ministers pestered the Prime Minister for answers. Esteemed Minister! Even if His Majesty has made a decision, you should have dissuaded him! Prime Minister! Reintroducing the old currency is by no means an easy task! Not only the schrs in the cab but also the ministers from various departments scolded the Prime Minister. However, they were silenced by the Prime Ministers words. Our people of the Great Ming are using the banknotes of Joseon. To think that they trust the banknotes made by that small Joseon more than our own Ming currency. How shameful is this? Until when shall we bring dishonor to His Majesty? *** The schrs and ministers remained silent in response to the Prime Ministers question. It was indeed a shameful matter that the people trusted the money of another country, especially one significantly smaller, more than their own Ming currency. The Prime Minister continued in a stern voice. Lets say the banknotes of Joseon are one thing. Looking at the current situation, its apparent that the bills issued by the merchant guilds are trusted more than the official currency issued by our court. Where else can such disloyalty be found? Therefore, no matter what, we must seed in circting our currency this time. Hearing the Prime Ministers words, the schrs and ministers let out long sighs. Sigh Although it is an exceedingly difficult task, lets attempt it. We cannot bring more shame to His Majesty. *** Though they agreed in words, the ministers faced numerous challenges to ovee. The first hurdle was deciding how to deal with the previously issued currencies. If the people were not using this currency at all, it might be a different story, but the problem is that its still in use. Even if we print new currency, failing to solve this issue will only perpetuate the vicious cycle. As the ministers and schrs pondered over a clear solution, their eyes caught the Joseon envoys who were slowly starting to prepare for their return. Wasnt this not the first time Joseon used paper money? Indeed! I heard that Joseon also faced a significant failure once! We should learn from their experience! The ministers and schrs, after exchanging opinions hurriedly, went straight to the Prime Minister. How about we summon the officials from Joseon? Yes, if we understand how they managed, we can handle things more swiftly and urately! Hearing the words of the schrs and ministers, the Prime Minister nodded and rose from his seat. It seems you are right. Lets propose this to His Majesty together. Yes! With the Prime Minister leading, the ministers and schrs followed. The presence of the Prime Minister reduced the risk of receiving an imperial rebuke. *** Your opinions are valid. After hearing the Prime Ministers exnation, Emperor Xuande nodded in agreement. With the Emperors consent, the Prime Minister continued. Then, regarding the selection of the envoy to send to Joseon Whyplicate things? Arent the experienced ones already here? Excuse me? Recalling Emperor Xuandes words, the Prime Ministers face lit up with realization. Ah! Yes! The chief envoy of the delegation that came this time was involved in that matter! Exactly. So, call the Joseon envoy. Yes, Your Majesty! Shortly after, the Vice-Minister of Taxation, having been informed by the eunuch that Emperor Xuande was summoning him, arrived before the Emperor. Your Majesty, did you summon me? Yes. You mentioned to mest time that Joseon had participated in the process of creating and circting currency. Is that correct? That is correct, Your Majesty. Is that so? Then, I shall ask. As far as I know, before the current king of Joseon ascended the throne, there was an attempt to circte paper money and coins, which failed. But this time it was sessful. What methods were used? The Vice-Minister of Taxation promptly responded to Emperor Xuandes inquiry. Indeed, that was the case. Therefore, to avoid failure this time, we epted taxes exclusively in our currency. Just that? Danger! Sensing imminent peril instinctively, the Minister of Taxation scrambled to justify further. There were several other measures, but exining them all would require much time. Upon my return, I shall report in detail to His Majesty However, before he could finish, Emperor Xuande raised his hand to stop him. Enough, my time is precious. Thus, the envoy shall stay here and cooperate with us. I will send an envoy to the King of Joseon. With no other option, the Vice-Minister of Taxation had to bow in acknowledgment of the Emperorsmand. I shall obey Your Majestysmand. *** Returning to Huitong Hall, the lodging for the Joseon delegation, the Minister let out a long sigh. Am I still working overtime even here Burdened with an unexpected task that disrupted his schedule, the Vice-Minister began drafting a report. Although it felt like locking the stable after the horse had bolted, he had to inform King Sejong of the entire situation and seek approval, as that was the protocol. As he spread out the paper, pondering how to phrase his report, a memory suddenly shed through his mind. Before departing, Kim Jeom had said to him, There are many fine tonics in Beijing; make sure to take good care of yourself! Reflecting on Kim Jeoms words, the Vice-Minister gazed eastward with a spective look and murmured, Could His Excellency have anticipated such an event back then? But soon, he shook his head in dismissal. No way, if that were possible, he wouldnt be a minister but rather a fortune-teller instead Meanwhile, Kim Jeom, grappling with paperwork, suddenly rubbed his ears vigorously. Whos speaking ill of me so fervently Muttering to himself, the subordinates around Kim Jeom inwardly remarked, Would it just be one or two? Unaware of his subordinates thoughts, Kim Jeom grumbled while staring into the distance, How long has the Vice-Minister of Taxation been gone? Did he find a pretty concubine in Beijing? *** Upon reading the official letter from Emperor Xuande delivered by the envoy who had hurriedly arrived from Ming, King Sejong turned to his ministers. With the situation having turned out this way, we must tell the Vice-Minister of Taxation, who went as an envoy, to endure for a while longer. That would be wise. None of the ministers objected to King Sejongs words. Although they were swamped with work here as well, it was better than aggravating Ming and dealing with the headache of their displeasure. Hyang, who had attended the meeting due to the importance of the matter, actually weed the news with enthusiasm. This is indeed a great opportunity! Ming is ourrgest counterpart, so this chance to learn more about the internals of Ming more definitively is invaluable! Really? Initially puzzled by Hyangsment, King Sejong quickly gathered his thoughts. Certainly, Emperor Xuande must need our experience, hence hes borrowing the Vice-Minister of Taxation for a while. In that case, he will likely suggest circting currency in the manner we did. If that happens I see! This could be a chance to firmly grasp information such as Mings financial scale and poption! A good opportunity to learn the truths and falsehoods of Ming! Realizing Hyangs thought process, King Sejong smiled warmly at him. You always have good ideas. Your praise is too generous! Listening to their conversation, the other ministers grumbled internally. Here they go again! The exclusive dialogue between the two! Do they think if they understand each other, thats enough? Is it really? What do the rest of you think? Uh? What? Caught off guard by King Sejongs sudden question, the ministers responded in a bewildered tone, causing King Sejongs expression to turn stern. Yikes! Think! Must think! No more sighing, thats forbidden now! As the ministers desperately racked their brains, Maeng Sa-seong was the first to respond. Indeed, it is an excellent opportunity. By doing so, we can numerically ascertain the scale of Ming, which could not be a better opportunity! Maeng Sa-seongs response eased King Sejongs expression. With a now milder voice, King Sejong replied, Indeed, that is so. While Ming and our Joseon are on friendly terms, no one knows what the future holds. We must send a secret letter to the Vice-Minister of Taxation. A wise decision indeed! The ministers unanimously agreed with King Sejongs decision. After the meeting concluded, the ministers rushed to Maeng Sa-seong to repeatedly express their gratitude. *** Meanwhile, in Hanyang, as these events were unfolding, the Vice-Minister of Taxation in Beijing found himself in heated discussions with Ming officials. When the new currency is issued, the previously issued notes must be collected as much as possible. However, we should set a timeframe for this collection to prevent unnecessary expenses. The Ming officials nodded in agreement to the Vice-Minister of Taxations words. The meeting room was filled not only with court officials but also eunuchs and the Imperial Guard. The organization of the eunuchs, known as the Eastern Depot, was sorge and structured that it constituted another government. Furthermore, the Imperial Guard was akin to a political police directly under the emperor. Thus, members of the Eastern Depot and high-ranking officials of the Imperial Guard also needed to attend the meeting. Emperor Xuande, seated at the highest position, presided over the meeting. A eunuch from the Eastern Depot[[The Eastern Depot was established as a separate department with espionage being a primary function as well as also observing and eradicating political threats.]] raised an objection to the Vice-Ministers suggestion. However, the amount of currency issued since the Hongwu era is enormous. To collect it implies that it must be exchanged for physical silver or the newly issued notes. While this might be feasible for a small country like Joseon The eunuchs face, dripping with sarcasm as he trailed off, was filled with mockery. The Vice-Minister of Taxation clenched his teeth to suppress the rising anger within him. This damned eunuch! With a sigh, he calmed his anger and responded to the objection raised. Of course, that may be the case. However, ignoring the scale of the old currency and introducing a new one will only lead to the new currency being treated the same way. Therefore, it is imperative to collect as much of it as possible. At his words, the same eunuch raised another issue. But given the massive volume of it The Vice-Minister then pointed out the reality in response to the eunuchs words. What is the current value of these banknotes? In transactions at the Shandong trading posts, they barely fetch fourteen percent of their face value. Surely, you werent considering exchanging them at their full nominal value? Well, no, but The eunuch faltered under the Vice-Ministers scrutiny. However, not only Emperor Xuande but also the other officials and Imperial Guard officers gazes were far from friendly. Ever since the Eastern Depot had been officially established, various scandals had been leaking out. Finally, Emperor Xuande stepped in to conclude the matter. The exchange of the old banknotes will be based on the current market rates. A timeframe will be set for this exchange, after which the old banknotes will no longer be recognized as legal tender. We shallply with Your Majestysmand! At Emperor Xuandes decision, everyone in the meeting room bowed and responded in unison. It was a drastic decision, but there was a consensus that there was no other solution at this point. *** With the matter of exchanging old for new currency settled, the meeting moved on to the next agenda item. The issuance of currency should be managed by an independent agency and produced in only one location. Otherwise, controlling the issuance bes difficult, and it opens the door to counterfeiting issues. A Ministry of Revenue official from Ming raised a concern in response to the Vice-Minister of Taxations statement. Our Ming territory is vast, making distribution challenging if done from a single location. Ming is not a small country like Joseon. Despite the repeated jabs at Joseons size, the Vice-Minister of Taxation maintained hisposure and patiently exined his reasoning. If currency is printed in multiple locations, its impossible to control the issuance volume. Do you want the new currency to suffer the same fate as the old ones? Thats not what we want, but We need to distribute the pre-printed new currency starting from the furthest locations first, and then begin the exchange simultaneously. If we create multiple printing locations for the sake of convenience, it leads to issues in controlling and monitoring the issuance volume. What if a location, far from Beijing, decides to print and distributerge quantities on purpose? How would we manage that? The Vice-Ministers points left the Ming officials speechless. One of the reasons the current currency had be worthless was exactly that. Once again, Emperor Xuande had to make a decisive call. The ce where the new banknotes issued will be printed right here within the Forbidden City! Chapter 187 Chapter 187 Although the selection of the location for issuing new paper currency had concluded, an even greater obstacle awaited. The question was, Who would have the authority to manage it? In principle, all authority resided with the Emperor Xuande. However, in reality, it was those delegated by him who were issuing the currency. It was at this juncture that the three major political forces of the Ming shed head-on. The bureaucratic faction centered around the Cab Secretaries, the eunuchs, and the Imperial Guard all imed that they should oversee and supervise the issuance of the currency. The officials in charge of national affairs should bear this responsibility! We, the eunuchs closest to His Majesty, should take charge! Please bestow the authority upon us, Your Highness! Please entrust this important task to the Imperial Guard, the strongest sword of His Majesty! The ensuing debate grew heated. None of the three bodies could back down. They could not pass up the opportunity to control the financial lifeline of the vast empire of Ming to another organization. The moment another organization seized that authority, they would have to watch and heed their directives. We must not let those bastards gain control at any cost! This thought was so strong that those engaged in the debate forgot before whom they were speaking. If the eunuchs had any conscience, they wouldnt step forward to take charge! Isnt it said that no matter how loyal and diligent one is, without bribing the superiors, one would have to spend a lifetime shoveling shit? And are you lot clean? Do you think the people call the governor a gold-hugging official for no reason? We, the upright warriors, should be in charge! Shut up, you bandits! Bandit? Coming from men who cake their faces and dribble urine? The exchange between the officials, eunuchs, and armed Imperial Guards crossed the line. As the situation escted, the Cab Secretaries, senior officials, the chief eunuch, and themander of the Imperial Guard, with their faces gone pale, tried to intervene. But it was toote. sh! Enough! Emperor Xuande, who had been watching the argument from the high seat, picked up a porcin vase from the table beside him and hurled it at those who were arguing, shouting loudly. Startled by Emperor Xuandes roar, everyone immediately fell to the floor, sweating cold sweat. Is there no one outside! Yes, Your Majesty! At Emperor Xuandesmand, the Imperial Guard soldiers and eunuchs waiting outside hurried in. With a face distorted by anger, Emperor Xuande ordered the soldiers and eunuchs who had entered, Take all those prostrated on the ground, except for the Cab Secretaries, senior officials, the chief eunuch, and themander, and imprison them! I will personally inquire into their crimes! Yes, Your Majesty! The Imperial Guard soldiers and eunuchs began to drag the designated individuals out by their arms. Your Majesty, have mercy! Please show us your mercy! Sensing that their lives were over, they screamed for mercy, but Emperor Xuandes anger did not subside. You rascals! Do you truly not know the gravity of your offenses! What ce is this! In front of me! And in the presence of a foreign dignitary, you show such disgrace! And you still hope to live! Take heed! Imprison them immediately! I have clearly memorized their faces, and anyone who tries to scheme, will be punished just the same! Take them away now! Your Majesty! Your Majesty! The individuals who had caused the uproar were dragged out, calling out to Emperor Xuande with pitiful voices. After themotion, the meeting room was utterly frozen in silence. The remaining individuals, including the Cab Secretaries, were all pale-faced, dripping with cold sweat, and clinging tightly to the ground. However, the most awkward were the Vice-Minister of Taxation and the trantor. As the subjects of Ming prostrated themselves, the two, having done the same, were sweating profusely and muttering to themselves, Why here? Why me? Ah! I want to go home! Let the subjects of Joseon rise. We heed Your Majestysmand. At Emperor Xuandes order, the Vice-Minister of Taxation and the trantor cautiously got up. And you, rise as well. Your Majestys grace is boundless. After the subjects stood up and resumed their seats, Emperor Xuande warned, If such disgrace urs again in my presence, not only the involved parties but also you will be held responsible. We will bear that in mind! Hearing the stiff responses of the subjects, Emperor Xuande asked the Vice-Minister of Taxation, Who is in charge of issuing and managing currency in Joseon? Legally, it falls under the Ministry of Taxation, but half of the operations are managed by an independent agency called the Mint. Half is independent? Yes. While the Ministry of Taxation has jurisdiction over determining the monthly issuance volume, the Mint manages all printing. However, the management of the seal used for printing the currency is under the eunuchs purview, and the inspection of issued currency and disposal of defective ones are conducted in the presence of officials from the Office of Inspector General and the Board of Censors. The subsequent processes are. Itsplicated. At the lengthy exnation of the Vice-Minister of Taxation, Emperor Xuande slightly furrowed his brows and murmured. Emperor Xuandes assessment was urate; the process of issuing paper currency in Joseon was indeed veryplex. To be precise, it wasnt the printing process itself that wasplicated, but rather the procedures before and after it. Retrieving the seal used for the currency from the vault was the responsibility of officials from the Mint, which was under the Ministry of Taxation. However, once printing waspleted, the task of collecting the seal, verifying its condition and count, and returning it to the vault fell to the eunuchs department. Inevitably, defective prints would ur during the printing process. After the final printing stage, before cutting, the inspection process identified any currency deemed defective, which was then stamped in red with (Rejected) and recorded by its issuance number. After the currency was cut, those marked as Rejected were separated and incinerated. Officials from the Office of Inspector General and the Board of Censors were involved in this disposal process. With officials from these departments present, the recorded issuance numbers were verified and confirmed to be properly incinerated, marking the end of the first phase. The officials from the Board of Censors and the Office of Inspector General who participated in this oversight process were randomly selected and assigned each morning. This was a measure to prevent potential corruption. After these procedures, the prepared currencies underwent another verification to count the total number of bills, which was then reported to the king. Upon receiving these currencies, storehouses throughout Joseon and the Koreanmercial agencies in Shandong immediately conducted inspections and sent reports back to Hanyang. Comparing the figures in these reports with those from the initial issuance report to ensure urate delivery marked the second phase of the process. In simple terms, if 100 bills were issued, the total number mentioned in the reports from the recipients should also add up to 100. The Vice-Minister of Taxation nodded in agreement to Emperor Xuandes assessment. Your Majestys words are urate. It isplex, cumbersome, and requires much effort. However, there was a royal decree stating that we must endure this to maintain the trustworthiness of the paper currency. Is that so? After a brief response to the Vice-Minister of Taxations words, Emperor Xuande fell into thought. There was a long silence as Emperor Xuande pondered with a serious expression. Finally, nodding, Emperor Xuande slowly began to speak. Indeed. That is correct. Maintaining trust is the only right answer through the proper way and standard practices. The King of Joseon is truly wise. Then, how is the cirction of the currency managed? At Emperor Xuandes inquiry, the Vice-Minister of Taxation exined about the national storehouses. Emperor Xuande, being no fool, immediately understood and expressed great admiration. Truly meticulous and ingenious! Indeed! I see why Joseon seeded this time! Emperor Xuande, who did not cease his admiration, then ordered the Cab Secretaries and the chief eunuch among others. Refer to Joseons policies to devise ones that suit us! We will heed Your Majestysmand! Hearing the response from the Cab Secretaries and others, Emperor Xuande issued a stern warning to them. However, bear in mind that those who offer trivial excuses for decentralization or the like must be prepared to forfeit their lives at that very moment! Gasp! We will bear it in mind! Seeing the Cab Secretaries and the chief eunuch startled, Emperor Xuande continued, The deadline is Joseons envoy, listen. I have a question for you. Please ask, Your Majesty. How long did it take for Joseon to prepare for the cirction of this currency? It took five years to secure the budget and one year to prepare for issuance and cirction. Right. The budget is the most crucial aspect. Imand you all: Refer to the path Joseon has taken andplete our own n within three months. This n must urately include the time needed to secure the budget. It might be difficult for Joseons envoy, but cooperate until the n ispleted. Hearing Emperor Xuandesmand, the Vice-Minister of Taxation looked distressed but had no choice but to ept the order. Given that an envoy from Ming had already been sent to Joseon and they had some anticipation of the response from Joseon, they thought, After all, Ming is ourrgest trading partner, so lets take this opportunity to learn in detail. We will heed Your Majestysmand. Emperor Xuande, seeing the tearful face of the Vice-Minister of Taxation, thenmanded the chief eunuch, Provide the envoy from Joseon with medicinal herbs to maintain his health. Its natural for ones body and spirit to weaken when staying in a foreignnd for a long time without returning home. Find the best medicinal herbs from my storehouse and give them to him. We will heed Your Majestysmand. Hearing the responses from Emperor Xuande and the chief eunuch, the Vice-Minister of Taxation knelt and eximed, Your Majestys grace is boundless! Long live the Emperor! Long live! Long, long live! Herbal medicine here too! Though he was shouting Long live the Emperor! outwardly, the Vice-Minister of Taxation was inwardly shedding tears of blood. *** Following Emperor Xuandesmand, the ministers and eunuchs set out to develop a n for currency management. Naturally, the design of the currency was also being developed alongside this. Didnt Joseon avoid creating high-denomination notes? At the question from a minister of Ming, the Vice-Minister of Taxation from Joseon responded with a slight smile, Joseon is a small country, so Initially, Joseon had nned to issue high-denomination notes, but faced strong opposition from the local elites, leading to the abandonment of the n. Theres no need for high-denomination notes given Joseons current scale! If made, they would only serve to inte prices! The local elites provided detailed reasons for their opposition. Convinced by their rationale, King Sejong and his ministers decided to scrap the high-denomination note n. Indeed, Joseon is a small country Oh, really? Saying that to my face? This is something to be recorded in history as disgraceful! The Minister of Taxation was seething with anger at the condescending remark about Joseon being a small country, but he clenched his teeth and held back his anger. Time passed, and finally, the new currency design of Ming waspleted and presented to Emperor Xuande. Hmm Not bad. Upon reviewing the new currency design, Emperor Xuande immediately ordered a eunuch, Summon all the ministers and high officials. Yourmand will be obeyed! Following Emperor Xuandes order, all the officials working in the Forbidden City gathered in one ce. His Imperial Majesty, please grant us an audience! At the eunuchs call, all the officials bowed in unison and paid their respects. The design for the new currency has beenpleted. You are all to review it and share your opinions. As the long-rumored design was finally revealed, the officials eyes sparkled with interest. After the design made its round among the officials, Emperor Xuande spoke, I find it satisfactory. What are your thoughts? At Emperor Xuandes inquiry, the officials responded loudly, It is excellent! A currency that embodies the majesty of the empire! Is that so? As positive responses emerged from various quarters, a smile began to spread across Emperor Xuandes face. Just then, a challenging voice cut through the air. I object! This is an ominous sign! Who is it? Who opposes? At Emperor Xuandes inquiry, an old man stepped forward from among the ministers. And who might you be? I am Won Tae-so, an instructor at the National Academy. Emperor Xuandes expression turned serious upon learning the mans identity. The National Academy was an educational institution operated by the Ming government. An instructor from such an establishment could not be disregarded for his schrly background. Very well Instructor Won, why do you oppose? Won Tae-so exined his reasoning. In the design of the new currency, there is a ming pearl at the center top, with two dragons facing each other around it, their bodies encircling the perimeter of the currency. Thats correct. As Emperor Xuande nodded, Won Tae-so took a moment to gather his breath before continuing. Traditionally, a dragon is consideredplete only when it has a ming pearl. However, in the new currency design, two dragons are depicted facing each other over a single ming pearl, which symbolizes a dispute over imperial power within the Ming Empire! Such an ominous design must not be used! Hmm? At Won Tae-sos words, Emperor Xuande took another look at the currency design. Chapter 188 Chapter 188 Won Tae-sos argument had Emperor Xuande re-examining the design of the currency closely. Indeed The image of two dragons facing each other, with a magical orb between them, seemed as if they were growling at one another. Thats when the heated debate among the officials began. The main participants were the assistant instructors of the National Academy. What if we just add another magical orb, if its all about the one orb? The problem is the two dragons. Twoplete dragons in one ce? That implies the nation will be divided! Even numbers easily split into two! We must never have an even number! How about three dragons, then? That wouldnt be bnced, would it! Look at the Ding (, an ancient cooking vessel, symbolizing nobility). It stands on three legs, doesnt it! Yet its perfectly bnced and held in high esteem! How many corners does the currency have? Four, right! And you suggest putting in only three dragons? Does that make sense to you? We need to put in four! Four dragons on that small currency? Do you not know the meaning of excess ()? Ah, to think a high official of this empire could be so ignorant! Ignorant? Such insolence! The fierce debate escted dangerously. However, considering the recent incident that led to many eunuchs, officials, and warriors being imprisoned, and eventually executed, they were careful not to cross the line of danger too tantly. One dragon is enough! Arent you considering the harmony of Yin and Yang? Can harmony be achieved with just one? In all my years, Ive never heard of dragons having genders! Dragons, by definition, are mythical creatures that ascend to heaven by absorbing the qi of the universe through cultivation! The idea of sacred dragons mating likemon beasts and having offspring is ludicrous! While watching the heated debate among Ming officials and eunuchs, the Vice-Minister of Taxation muttered to himself in frustration. Just use andscape painting! He wasnt the only one with this thought. Emperor Xuande, looking tired and irritated, suddenly shouted in anger. Enough! Stop this at once! At the emperors sternmand, the officials immediately ceased their arguing and prostrated themselves on the floor. Emperor Xuande, with a face full of annoyance, turned to the Minister of Taxation. I ask the envoy from Joseon! How did Joseon resolve this issue? As you know, we used andscape painting. Right. Hearing the Vice-Minister of Taxations response, Emperor Xuande looked back at his Ming subjects. If we must include an image on the currency, let it be andscape painting instead of dragons. That would be uneptable! The objection came immediately from the Minister of Internal Affairs. Why is that? Dragons symbolize the emperor and the empire itself! We cannot possibly remove the dragon! Thats right! The dragon must be included! With those words, the previously arguing parties united in support of the Minister of Internal Affairs. Emperor Xuande, cing a hand on his forehead, sighed deeply. Ah, how shall we resolve this After a long and intense debate, Emperor Xuande finally made a decision. If a dragon must be included in the new currency, then it shall be only one. There is but one emperor, and one empire. Thus, there shall only be one dragon. Like the emperors sovereignty epassing the four seas, the dragon shall encircle the four corners of the currency. We obey yourmand! Long live the emperor! Long, long live! At Emperor Xuandes decision, the officials and eunuchs all prostrated themselves and responded in unison. Watching from the side, the Minister of Taxation joined in the cheers but grumbled to himself. Really, if he was going to decide it all along, why put us through all this trouble! * * * Two weekster, the Vice-Minister of Taxation was finally able to return to his homnd. Theres Jemulpo! Hearing the shout of a subordinate official, the Vice Minister of Taxation rushed out of the cabin to the bow of the ship. Finally, back to Joseon! Ive returned to Joseon! Emotion filled the Vice-Minister of Taxations voice. * * * Upon arriving at Jemulpo, the Vice-Minister of Taxation and his entourage switched boats and traveled via the Han River directly to Hanyang. Entering Geunjeongjeon, the Vice-Minister of Taxation and his party reported their return to King Sejong. You have endured much hardship, taking on unexpected tasks. It is our duty to follow Your Majestysmands. Though their words were respectful, the faces of the Vice-Minister of Taxation and the envoy were worn. Seeing their weary faces, King Sejong gave an order. There must be much you need to report, but seeing your current state, rest is paramount. Take two days off, thene to report. Upon King Sejongs words, the Vice-Minister of Taxation and his entourage immediately prostrated themselves and eximed, Your benevolence is boundless! Long live the king, long, long live! The historian who recorded all these events added a note at the end. -The historian remarks, (Were) full of envy. * * * Two dayster, the Vice-Minister of Taxation went straight to Geunjeongjeon upon his court appearance. In the presence of King Sejong, high-ranking officials, and senior ministers, the Vice-Minister of Taxation reported everything that had transpired in Ming. Therefore, Ming is preparing to circte new currency. They anticipate the new currency will be in cirction in about two years. I see. What about the poption andmercial scale of Ming? At King Sejongs inquiry, the Vice-Minister of Taxation paused to recollect before responding. While I could not ess detailed information to provide exact figures, it is estimated that the poption is about 12 timesrger, and themercial scale is about 20 times that of ours. Twenty times! The words themercial scale is 20 times caused a stir among the ministers gathered in Geunjeongjeon. On what basis can you make such a im? King Sejong asked with a trembling voice. He was aware that Ming was a great nation, but the notion that theirmercial scale was 20 timesrger was hard to believe. In response to King Sejongs question, the Vice-Minister of Taxation exined the basis of his im. Although I couldnt ess precise information, during the nning for the new currency, I had a brief opportunity to see the household registers and tax lists prepared by Mings Ministry of Taxation. Based on the poption recorded in the household registers and the tax amounts listed, I estimated themercial scale to be 20 timesrger. Even so, 20 times is As King Sejong shook his head in disbelief, Hyang intervened. Couldnt it be possible? You think its possible? Yes, the founding of Ming predates ours in Joseon. Moreover, we in Joseon have hindered the growth ofmerce and industry. Combining these two factors, its entirely usible. Is that so Sejong nodded, persuaded by Hyangs exnation. * * * Hyangs argument had some merit. Ming was established in 1368, while Joseon was founded in 1392, leaving a gap of about 24 years between their foundations. Additionally, Joseon emphasized agriculture in ordance with Neo-Confucian ideals. Of course, the 24-year gap was during thete Goryeo period, which had a tradition of favoringmerce. However, during this gap, the Korean Penins was devastated by invasions from Japanese pirates and internal strife among political powers, making it unsafe formerce and industry to flourish. The time gap and the agricultural focus of political ideology contributed to this significant disparity. * * * Hearing Hyangs exnation, King Sejong and the ministers nodded in agreement. I thought we had somewhat caught up, but to still be so far behind Sigh. King Sejong sighed deeply andmanded his ministers, It seems we still have a long way to go. Lets put in more effort. We will follow yourmand! Once again, King Sejong and his ministers reaffirmed their resolve. * * * The Vice-Minister of Taxation then began to speak about what he considered to be the most crucial issue. Your Majesty, during my stay in Beijing, I deemed one matter of utmost importance, which I shall report. As you might already be aware, the value of silver in Ming continues to rise. King Sejong turned to Hyang upon hearing the Minister of Taxations words. I have received reports. Is it that serious? Right before my return, one could exchange 1 nyang of gold for 8 nyang of silver. Consider this in light of the time when Joseon attacked Tsushima Ind and we obtained sulfur from Ming for gunpowder production, where the exchange rate was 1 nyang of gold for 10 nyang of silver. Hmm King Sejong pondered for a moment. The conquest of Tsushima Ind had urred 11 years prior. During the preparation for that campaign, there was a need to increase the stockpile of gunpowder by obtaining sulfur from Ming. I see. The value of silver has risen significantly. Whats the reason? The consumption of silver has increased. Ming had already started collecting taxes in silver and conductingmercial transactions in silver long before Joseon. As a result, the consumption of silver outpaced production, leading to an increase in its value. I understand. So Pausing briefly, Sejong turned to Hyang, recalling the flurry of activities that ensued upon receiving information about the influx of silver from Ming. Reflecting on Hyangs actions, Sejong asked the Minister of Taxation, What do you think would have happened if we hadnt mentioned the currency cirction issue to Ming this time? I tentatively brought up the subject with the Ming officials weve established rapport with, and it seems there was a considerable likelihood that they would have recouped silver in the form of tributes. Is that so? That was a close call. Hearing the Vice-Minister of Taxations response, Sejong sighed deeply and brushed his chest in relief. If themercial scale of Ming was as immense as described by him, there was a risk of all of Joseons silver being drained away as tribute, without properpensation. Sejong looked around at his ministers. As youve heard from the Minister of Taxation, with the increasing demand for silver in Ming, we must find ways to protect our silver. And we must do so without provoking Ming, a superior nation. We will follow yourmand! As soon as the ministers responded, Hyang joined the conversation. Your Majesty, may your son speak? Proceed. With Sejongs permission, Hyang quickly got to the point. To prevent our silver from being drained into Ming, we must consider various strategies. However, the first thing we should do is prevent Joseons merchants from bringing gold into Ming. Why gold of all things, not silver? At Sejongs question, Hyang sinctly replied, Even if individual merchants profit, its a loss for Joseon as a whole. Hmm? Hyangs answer made Sejong and the ministers stroke their beards as they pondered the underlying meaning. After a moment, Sejong, Minister of Taxation Kim Jeom, and Maeng Sa-seong simultaneously eximed in realization, I see! For every nyang of gold thates in from Ming, we lose two nyang of silver! Exactly! What Hyang was referring to was the arbitrage opportunity and loss between the gold-to-silver exchange rates of Ming and Joseon. * * * When they first introduced paper money, Hyang and the Ministry of Taxation set the gold-to-silver exchange rate at 1:10. This rate was decided not only based on production and cirction volumes but also for ease of management in various economic aspects, including taxation. However, if the gold-to-silver exchange rate between Ming and Joseon differed, as it currently did, it was clear that merchants would exploit this difference. Immediately, merchants buying gold in Ming and bringing it to Joseon to exchange or to pay for goods would gain an additional two nyang of silver for every nyang of gold, due to this rate difference. While this was profitable for individual merchants, it was a loss for the nation as a whole. This was not just a theoretical concern. During thetter part of Ming and the Qing Dynasty, European merchants trading with China maximized their profits precisely through such arbitrage. Until the 17th century, Europes exchange rate maintained a traditional level of 1:12. However, Chinas rate was 1:6. Simply put, European merchants could buy gold in China and sell it upon returning to Europe for a 100% profit. Thus, the merchants of the East India Company busily traversed between Europe, China, and Japan, reaping substantial profits through arbitrage. They would take silver from Europe and Japan to China, exchange it for gold, take that gold to Japan to exchange for silver, and then bring that silver back to China to exchange for gold again before returning to Europe to sell it for a profit, multiplying their earnings several-fold. (Note 1) * * * Understanding the issue Hyang raised, King Sejong and his ministers decided to immediately enact relevantws. Then, Hyang made another assertion. We must bring Japan under control. Subjugate Japan? Isnt that too hasty? Sejong, who equated subjugation with war, expressed his concern in a worried tone. Hyang borated further. Im not suggesting we subjugate them through military force. We need to make the Japanese market exclusively ours. * * * Note 1: The Story of the Jews How They Created the History of Wealth, by Hong Ik-hee. Published by;B Leaf. Chapter 189 Chapter 189 As March arrived, promations were posted at government offices throughout the nation. A (). Responsible for education at the School for Commoners (Samin School or School of Four Social sses). B (). In charge of managing the Samin Schools buildings and its attached farnds. Applicants for category A should be men and women ofmoner background, distinguished in schrship, upright in character, and talented in teaching. For schrship, the selection is based on the results of the employment examination conducted by the Ministry of Rites. For character, applicants who pass the employment examination will initially be screened through interviews, and their character will continue to be evaluated throughout the subsequent training process. For teaching talent, it will be identified during the training process among those who have passed the above two stages. In addition to the above criteria, womens skills in sewing and weaving will also be assessed. Women who have received the titles of Filial Wife () or Virtuous Widow () will be given preference. * * * The courts promation stirred the nobilities of Joseon for the following reason: Is teaching children at the Samin School considered an official service? To think that teaching the Thousand Character ssic to children counts as an official service! And that too, in a school where anyone but the children of ves can attend! Many were trapped in the traditional mindset that schrship is for the nobility to learn and master, showing a negative reaction, but there were not a few who thought otherwise. The world is changing. The number ofmoners is decreasing, and evenmoners can enter official service if they try hard! Why is official service the only answer? Look at Joseon now; the number of merchants and artisans is increasing! Its only when those who are properly educated be merchants and artisans that the world can be set right. The Samin School is truly the ce of enlightenment that the ancient sages longed for! As Mencius once said, one of the three joys of a gentleman is to find and teach the talented youth of the world! Though it may just be teaching the Thousand Character ssic, simple arithmetic, and basic morals, who knows if through this, someone who will take responsibility for the future of Joseon might emerge! Despite the heated debates, to cut to the conclusion, on the day of the civil service exam, numerous nobles gathered at the examination sites set up at the offices of the provincial governors formally, the Provincial Surveince Commissioners. However, the aspect that Sejong pondered over the most was the employment of female teachers. * * * Before officially deciding on the matter, the one who spent the most time with Sejong was Hyang. Late at night, with all the historians sent away, Sejong and Hyang were discussing the topic of educating women. In this fathers view, if necessary, women in Joseon should also be allowed to take official positions. Its because Joseon is short of people. In Sejongs judgment, it was wasteful to spend time distinguishing between men and women in current Joseon. Regardless of gender, even the hands of children needed to be utilized for the sess of the reformation and for Joseon to stand proudly on its own, making it a natural concern. And one more thing. Creating a gap in the gender barrier would be advantageous in the eventual debate over the ss system that would surface. Thats true. However, the problem is that if you reveal your intentions now, there will be tremendous opposition. At Hyangs point, Sejong sighed deeply. Hoo~. Thats the issue. Seeing Sejong like this, Hyang also sighed inwardly. Even in the early Joseon, when womens status was somewhat higher, its still like this. As Hyang mentioned, womens social status was rtively high until the early Joseon period. However, this was more about respecting womens domains within the traditional gender roles. The idea of taking official positions was about women entering mens domains, which was bound to face significant opposition. Amidst this prolonged dilemma, Hyang made a suggestion to Sejong. It might be a bit of a workaround, but what about using the Samin School? The Samin School? Youve already dered girls admission to the school, and there was no opposition. So, why not find women to teach these girls? Thats true. With the distinction between men and women, even if they are teacher and student, we cant cause problems. Nodding at Sejongs words, Hyang continued. So, we establish criteria for these women to be teachers. Bing a teacher should be an honor for the vige and the family. An honor for the vige and the family As Sejong mulled over the words, his face brightened. I see! If we make Filial Wives and Virtuous Widows teachers, it would be justified! Exactly. Thats how we gradually expand the scope. Lets proceed with that n! Seeing Sejongs enthusiastic response, Hyang couldnt help but smile bitterly. Filial Wives and Virtuous Widows In the future, this might just be a controversial topic ripe for criticism. But in the current era, this was the most effective and best strategy avable. Stimting the Confucian sense of honor among the schr-nobles was the best course of action. Thus, the employment standards for female teachers at the Samin School were established. * * * While men voluntarily applied for the examination, an unexpected situation arose for women. It became amon sight to see local elites and provincial officials pleading with recognized Filial Wives and Virtuous Widows to take up teaching positions. What would a mere woman know? Ah,e now! Please, for the sake of our vige, lend us a bit of your strength. How wonderful it would be if the girls of our vige grew up emting your proper conduct? Receiving the titles of Filial Wife or Virtuous Widow from the country was already a matter of pride for the vige, but producing a teacher for the children would elevate the viges honor even further. Amid this chaos, a series of petitions with simr content began to pour in from local officials. There were women who, despitecking formal education, were recognized as Filial Wives or Virtuous Widows and had exceptional skills in weaving and sewing. The petitions requested that these women be allowed to teach. Upon receiving these petitions, Sejong made a decision. Loyalty, filial piety, and chastity cannot be learned from books alone. These virtues must be observed and emted in action. Even if they are uneducated, they have enough qualifications to teach. Especially since children learn most from their mothers, why bother distinguishing the importance? Following Sejongs decree, women known for their chastity and filial piety, though they might not have been formally educated, were rmended to discipline and teach the girls. Sejongs decision quickly spread among the people. Many citizens nodded in agreement with Sejongs decision. Thats right. The elders must set a proper example for the children to learn correctly. Exactly! But do we really need to teach the girls sewing separately? Cant they learn that at home? And thats why your clothes are stitched the way they are? . Regardless of social ss, when the male head of a household was absent, it became the responsibility of the women to manage the households finances. Themon jobs for these women included daybor in the fields or paid sewing work. Especially those skilled in weaving or with exceptional sewing abilities could live somewhat morefortably than those working as dayborers in the fields and paddies. Hence, there were hardly any objections to educating girls in sewing and weaving. The reason Hyang said hardly is because a significant number of officials from the Ministry of Rites raised objections. Now that textiles are being produced in factories, do we still need to teach weaving? Thats a valid point. Lets omit weaving. Its better to spend that time teaching them even one more character. Convinced by his subordinates arguments, the Minister of Rites proposed to Sejong that weaving be removed from the curriculum. While Sejong and the ministers were nodding in agreement, Hyang raised an objection. The foundation of the automatic looms used in textile factories is still the loom. To quickly identify the quality of the fabric or troubleshoot issues with the loom, those with weaving experience are morepetent than those without. Ah Enlightened by Hyangs point, Sejong and the ministers nodded in agreement. That could be an issue. Weve never weaved ourselves, so Muttering internally, Hyang grumbled about the privileged lives of these nobles. Weaving is generally considered womens work, but men often participate in the process as well. Especially in tasks like weaving decorative patterns, mens participation is quite high. However, most of the ministers filling the Geunjeongjeon Hall were from generations that never had to worry about making a living, so they were unaware of this aspect. Of course, as automatic looms continue to evolve, there maye a time when knowing how to weave bes unnecessary. But for now, its essential. That makes sense. We were short-sighted. In the end, the proposal from the Ministry of Rites was dismissed. As April arrived, the screening process to appoint teachers began. Men and women who passed the civil service examination had toe to Hanyang for interviews. During the interview process, the examiners carefully observed the candidates tone of voice, demeanor, and other aspects to assess their character. Due to therge number of candidates, a spacious venue was required, for which Sejong offered Changdeok Pce[1], an unprecedented move. Your Majesty! Offering the pce for this purpose is utterly preposterous! Despite the ministers unanimous uproar, Sejong stood his ground. Who are we selecting? Those who will teach the children of Joseon! And who are these children? They are the ones who will bear the future of Joseon! For such a significant endeavor, why should we hesitate to temporarily lend the pce? Faced with Sejongs firm stance, the ministers could no longer oppose. The ministers, having stepped back, gathered at the Council of State Affairs, where Maeng Sa-seong was the first to speak. Lets turn this crisis into an opportunity. A crisis into an opportunity? Among the criteria for selecting teachers, schrship is important, but we cannot overlook character, can we? Thats true, but The ministers nodded in agreement to Maeng Sa-seongs words, as Sejong had emphasized character in the selection criteria. The most important quality in a teacher is character! If there isnt a significant difference in schrship and talent, prioritize those with good character! Maeng Sa-seong continued. However, can we truly know ones character from just one or two meetings? And with so many other matters at hand, we cannot allocate arge workforce to the teacher appointment process. Kim Jeom, who had been listening quietly, pped his hands lightly and added. Thats right! Changdeok Pce[2] already has many courtdies and eunuchs. They can observe the candidates! Thats exactly what I meant. Hearing the conversation between Kim Jeom and Maeng Sa-seong, the other ministers soon nodded in agreement. Indeed, this could be turned into an opportunity. Thus, the candidates had to stay at Changdeok Pce, undergoing a second round of interviews and receiving training. While staying at Changdeok Pce, the candidates were required to wearrge numbered badges on their chests. The eunuchs and courtdies managing the pce meticulously observed the candidates attitudes and behaviors in daily life. The reportspiled by the courtdies and eunuchs were sent to the Ministry of Rites, serving as guidelines for eliminating candidates during the process. * * * Not only the Ministry of Rites was busy with the Samin School, but also Hyangs Area 51. The Area 51 was bustling due to the textbooks needed for the Samin School. The number of children expected to enroll in Samin Schools nationwide was at least between 200,000 to 300,000. The entry criteria were boys and girls aged between 5 to 7, but those up to 12 could enroll if they wished, leading to the estimated numbers. Printing textbooks for all these students was impossible for the Type Foundry alone. Hence, the task was handed over to Area 51. Why Area 51 again? Young officials at the court frequently posed this question to their superiors, bing wary of Area 51 as it gradually took on more responsibilities and expanded its influence. The superiors had a simple answer to the young officials inquiries. Area 51 is the only ce capable of handling the volume of paper needed for the textbooks. There are many guilds dealing with paper, though. Their capacity is insufficient for the supply, and the budget involved is significant. Faced with their superiors exnations, the young officials had no choice but to concede. The Area 51 had ess to straw paper[3], which made it uniquely equipped for the task. Footnotes
  1. One of the five grand pces built during Joseon dynasty.[]
  2. One of thefive grand pces aside from Gyeongbokgung[]
  3. Yellow-colored paper, typically made from oat straw. Used for scriptures and other books[]
Chapter 190 Chapter 190 As mentioned before, the paper consumption at Area 51 and theboratory was enormous. The amount of paper used for various reports, proposals, and research records was no joke, and the cost of purchasing the necessary paper was also significant. Damn it! Im going to use up the entire budget just buying paper! Feeling the crisis, Hyang mobilized artisans to create a papermaking machine using pulped wood. The paper made from pulp using trees cut from the mountains surrounding Hanseong, rather than the limited supply of dak trees[1] used for traditional Hanji[2], hence it was much cheaper. Well the quality isnt top-notch, but Holding the paper, Hyang muttered with a voice full of regret. There was no problem using brushes or gold pens to write documents, but the yellowish paper felt undeniably cheap. We could bleach it, but what about the environmental pollution? I dont even know about that side of things However, the cost-effectiveness of the yellow paper was iparable to traditional Hanji, so government offices began to use yellow paper for non-critical documents. As a result, as mentioned before, among themon people, yellow paper began to be called Yeokji (unlucky paper). * * * Hyang, who was ordered to produce textbooks for use at the Samin School, faced a simr dilemma. I can manage to produce the paper somehow but the problem is the printing Printing hundreds of thousands of textbooks was a significant challenge for Hyang. I dont like the idea of just throwing manpower at it, isnt there a smarter way? Hyang spent days wracking his brain, pondering over and over. Of course, orders were also given to the artisans in theboratory and Area 51. Find a way to print the textbooks in the shortest possible time! Following the Crown Princes orders, researchers and artisans had to rack their brains as well. Amidst the ongoing deliberations, the one who found the answer was Jang Yeong-sil. Your Highness! Theres no need to change the typefaces one by one for textbooks, right? Thats true, but? At Hyangs response, Jang Yeong-sil spread out the blueprint he had brought on the table. Engrave the pictures and letters on arge cylinder, and then roll it over the paper! Upon seeing the blueprint drawn by Jang Yeong-sil, Hyang, Jeong-cho, and Jeong In-ji eximed in unison. This is it! It was primitive, but it was a printing press and method suitable for mass production. And it was Jang Yeong-sil who had created it. * * * Based on Jang Yeong-sils blueprint, the researchers and artisans at theboratory began creating a prototype. For convenience in production, the method of casting was used. For ease of transport and management, the cylinder engraved with characters was cut vertically, cast, and then assembled. Following this n, the researchers at theboratory adjusted the size of the typefaces and the books. Jeong-cho was the most diligent in this process. Do you know whats the most critical part to pay attention to? Yes! The characters must not be split at the seam where the two parts join! Jeong-cho nodded in satisfaction at the researchers response but did not forget to emphasize again. Listen well! This is a textbook that will teach the future talents of our Joseon! It must be made with all your heart! Yes! Satisfied with the researchers response, Jeong-cho left to attend to other matters. After politely seeing Jeong-cho off, the researchers returned to their seats and murmured among themselves. Why is that gentleman so concerned about this? Have you forgotten what you learned during your studies of Mencius? Dont you know whats written in Mencius, The Part of Exerting Ones Utmost? The one who asked the initial question blushed at his colleagues rebuke. The Mencius, The Part of Exerting Ones Utmost contains the famous Three Joys of a Gentleman. The first joy is having both parents alive and siblings unused of crimes. The second joy is feeling no shame before the heavens above and before the people below. The third joy is obtaining the talents of the world and teaching them. The story of the Three Joys of a Gentleman circted in connection with the Samin School. Hearing this story, Hyang murmured to himself. Come to think of it, this reminds me of my high school Korean teacher. * * * In the 21st century, when Hyang was a high school student, his school mainly scheduled core subjects likenguage arts, math, and science in the morning. The reasoning was that these key subjects should be taught when students minds were the clearest. However, due to scheduling constraints, some sses were inevitably arranged after lunchtime. As afternoon sses began, it wasmonce for many students to sumb to post-lunch drowsiness. Every time the Koreannguage teacher, who was in charge of Hyangs second year, saw this, he would click his tongue. Theres an old saying about the Three Sorrows of a Gentleman, and one of them is teaching the durds of the world Wake up, you lot! It wasnt until Hyang was in his third year of high school that he realized The Three Sorrows of a Gentleman was a y on The Three Joys of a Gentleman. I thought it was real! * * * As prototypes were made and printing tests were repeatedly conducted, an optimal form gradually emerged. Of course, working with steel was challenging, so most experiments had to be conducted using cylinders made by connecting wooden boards. Sess! Then lets try it with steel! Yes! On the day the first steel prototype was tested, even Hyang attended the experiment. With a hissing sound, the steam engine connected to the roller with engraved typefaces started moving, and therge cylinder began to slowly rotate, pulling in the paper. As the cylinder continued to turn, papers with printed characters and images began to emerge in a steady stream. Stop! Stop! With another hiss, the steam engine stopped, halting the printing press, and Hyang, Jeong-cho, the researchers, and artisans examined the printed papers. It seems to have been printed correctly. Yes, it was printed correctly! Once Hyang and Jeong-cho approved, the researchers and artisans burst into cheers and apuse. Wow! Its a sess! As the cheers and apuse subsided, Hyang spoke up. Now, lets properly set the typesetting and try it. Remember, both sides of the paper need to be printed without any errors in the sequence. Yes, Your Highness! The artisans and researchers responded with uplifted spirits in loud voices. After achieving sessful results, Hyang turned to Jeong-cho and asked, What should we name this new device and printing method? Hmm As Jeong-cho stroked his beard in thought, he soon seemed to have an appropriate name in mind and answered with a bright expression, Since it prints characters by turning arge wheel, how about calling it Yunjeon (, wheel-turning)? Since its a printing press, we could call it Yunjeon-gi. That sounds good. Wait Is this how a real rotary press works? Ah, never mind! Hyang irresponsibly made a quick decision after a brief moment of contemtion. * * * Now that the textbook issue is sorted out Having resolved the textbook problem, Hyang immediately tackled the next issue. Well need notebooks if we have textbooks Especially for studying arithmetic, since it involves solving equations But Hyang paused for a moment and then sighed with a troubled expression, Sigh The problem is the paper. If we make notebooks out of paper, pretty much all the mountains in Joseon will be bare. The person who insisted on afforestation projects causing deforestation? Id deserve all the criticism. Although Hyang was adamant, Joseon traditionally invested effort in forest management. The problem was that this effort was limited to pine trees. Therefore, Hyang advocated for systematic management that included not only pine trees but also fruit trees. Convinced by Hyangs argument, Sejong and the ministers established a Forestry Department within the Ministry of Works to start active management. While contemting trees, Hyangs thoughts drifted off again. Lush forests can reduce the damage from droughts Wait a minute? Speaking of which, the current ratio of irrigated rice fields in Joseon seems surprisingly low. Hyangs thoughts had seamlessly shifted to the issue of irrigated rice fields. Indeed, during this period, Joseon had surprisingly few irrigated rice fields, not because the proportion was initially small, but because the irrigation works continuously conducted under Sejongs direction had expanded the waterways, nearly eliminating irrigated fields in t areas. The terraced fields on mountain slopes that Hyang mentioned,monly seen in the 21st-century Korean Penins, were those that couldnt be farmed properly without powerful water pumps. However, such terraced irrigated fields were scarce at this time. Contemting the reason, Hyang burst into a wry smile. Tigers are actually useful in times like these. During this era in Joseon, the mountains were home to not only tigers but also bears, leopards, and wolves. Thanks to these predators, unless one was in a situation of being eaten by a beast or starving to death, the effort to cultivate such terrains was almost non-existent. For there to be a need to cultivate to such an extent due to ack of food, the poption on thisnd would have to exceed 30 million. Weve just barely surpassed 5 million, so its still a distant concern, and were already improving crop varieties and diligently developing the north, so theres no worry there. If all else fails, we could explore the North American continent. But then wed need to build steamships. The improvement of steam engines. The form of the propulsion system should initially be that of a paddle steamer? Hyang, who had been aimlessly wandering in his stream of consciousness, suddenly pped his forehead. Oh no! Ive gone too far! Realizing he had veered off course, Hyang hurriedly returned to the original topic. So notebooks are impractical right now. Then. After a moment of contemtion, Hyang reached a conclusion. Chalkboards are the answer. After all, the teachers neededrge chalkboards for arithmetic lessons, and we can make small personal chalkboards to rece notebooks. Having concluded that chalkboards were the solution, Hyang chuckled. Ha! Does this mean homework checks are off the table for a while? * * * The production of chalkboards was straightforward, allowing for the rapidpletion of prototypes. Additionally, chalk was made using limestone, which was mined inrge quantities for the production of cement. This seems quite useful! Sejong was greatly impressed upon seeing the prototypes of the chalkboards and chalk. The ministers shared his sentiment. This will be useful not only for teaching children but also for conducting meetings! Not just for meetings. It will be beneficial for work processes as well! With overwhelming support from the ministers, mass production of chalkboards and chalk was decided. Once again, items that diverged from the original history were created, marking a first in the world. * * * As the ministers predicted, the distribution of chalkboards made the courts work more convenient. Large and small chalkboards were hung at the entrance of the Six Ministries offices, in meeting rooms, and in the offices where various officials worked. At the entrance of the offices, the names and reasons of those who were on leave that day were recorded. In meeting rooms, officials wrote on the chalkboards during discussions, and in offices, the chalkboards listed who was doing what, facilitating smoother management. Soon, merchants in the marketce also started using chalkboards, writing down the products they handled and their prices on chalkboards hung at the entrances of their stores, allowing customers to easily check. As chalkboards spread,munal dining halls in the Six Ministries and the pce also began to use them, posting daily menus outside the dining halls. This led to variousical situations. One day, in an office of the Ministry of Personnel, Look here, Steward Song. Yes, Director Oh. Did you see whats for lunch today at themunal dining hall? Its rice with five-colored seasoned vegetables and tofu soybean soup. At Steward Songs reply, Director Ohs face soured. Damn it! Looks like Ill have to eat out again today! What, did the cook get a beating from his wife? Why are all the side dishes just greens? At Director Ohsint, Director Ko beside him made a joke. Why not go to the dining hall at Gyeongbokgung then? At Kos jest, Oh shouted back, Are you wishing to see me get indigestion and die from eating there?! Themunal dining hall at Gyeongbok Pce was where Sejong and officials of higher rank than councilors dined. Thanks to Sejongs taste, the dining hall nevercked meat, and in principle, any official could dine there. However, among the officials below the rank of councilor, no one ventured to eat there. Footnotes
  1. Koreas mulberry tree[]
  2. Korean handmade traditional paper made of mulberry trees[]
Chapter 191 Chapter 191 Meanwhile, the Samin School was continuously embroiled in controversy. After the dispute over the eligibility criteria for children enrolling in the academy was resolved by King Sejong, another debate arose, this time over the term Teacher. -The use of the term Teacher, especially the word Sa (, master/teacher), should not be taken lightly. Why does the phrase The king, teacher, and father are one exist? It signifies the great grace of a teacher and their esteemed presence! Why is their presence esteemed? It is because their schrship is exceptional, and they teach precious children! How then can we attach such a noble word as Sa to those who teach, including teaching girls, whose origins we can hardly ascertain! As petitions with such content were submitted, the ministers were outraged and appealed to King Sejong. Please punish those who dare to submit such insolent writings at once! The reason the ministers were incensed was that their grandchildren or great-grandchildren were enrolling in the newly established Samin School. With the purging of extreme conservatives like Ryu Jeong-hyeon and the progress of reforms, the ministers perspectives had significantly evolved as they faced the realities of Joseon and its future challenges. Thats why they did not oppose when King Sejong mentioned the establishment of the Samin School. Moreover, they had actively advocated for their grandchildren and great-grandchildren to enroll, fitting the term Samin (four sses of people). Even so, they could not tolerate being included among those whose origins they did not know. At the ministers opposition, King Sejong sighed. Sigh. How soon after seeing blood do you wish to see it again? Am I a demon starved for blood? At King Sejongs words, the ministers immediately bowed their heads. Please forgive your subjects disloyalty! Our thoughts were indeed short-sighted! Its alright. Its understandable why you would say such things. Your grace is immeasurable! Having dismissed the ministers mistakes, King Sejong looked at the petitions with a look of disdain and continued. These people are not malicious but foolish. They cram all standards of life into a small frame and pity those who cannot escape it. Hmm King Sejong paused, pondering for a moment, then resumed. Such people dislike even the smallest loss to themselves. Listen well. Establish byw that the eligibility for entering the Intermediate Academy and Military Academy that will follow the Samin School is limited to those who havepleted the Samin School, and make sure this is documented. We shall obey yourmand! Additionally, legite that the royal familys children also start their education at the Samin School. Your Majesty That is As the ministers looked troubled, King Sejong spoke firmly. The royal family and the people are like fish and water. Without water, fish cannot live; without the people, the royal family cannot exist! Only by understanding the lives and hardships of the people from a young age can one be respected as a member of the royal family! Though King Sejongs words were radical, they were justified, so the ministers had no choice but to ept them. We shall obey yourmand! Thus, what had been merely talk became established byw and documented. King Sejongs response did not end there. Not long after the petitions were submitted, King Sejongs reply was posted on bulletin boards in government offices across the country. -Many oppose the idea of calling those who discipline children at the Samin School teachers. However, such opposition is merely short-sighted, akin to the perspective of a frog in a well. They question how the noble word Sa can be attached to those who only teach basic academics to children. Yet, it is precisely these individuals who are fitting to be called Sa. As stated numerous times before, the Samin School is not merely a ce for teaching academics. It is where children are taught proper conduct and mindset, and how to live uprightly, and those who undertake this task are indeed worthy of the title Sa. King Sejongs reply was a direct criticism of the nobles who were nitpicking over the term teacher. Faced with such criticism, the nobles had no choice but to remain silent. Following the suppression of the Giyu Rebellion, King Sejongs royal authority had reached its peak. Of course, as the sayings go, Even the full moon wanes or Power does notst ten years, and No flower stays in bloom for ten days, there woulde a time when his power would diminish, but it was impossible to predict when that would be under the current circumstances. This was because, aside from a very conservative minority of nobles, the vast majority of the people supported King Sejong at almost a religious level. As a result, the conservative nobles were reduced to venting their frustrations only in their private gatherings. In thisnd of Joseon nowadays, its impossible to find the teachings of the sages! Indeed! Speak up! Its the end of times! Seeing the reaction of these conservative nobles, other nobles and themon people scoffed. Hmph! And what will you do about it? Start another rebellion? If you were so dissatisfied, you should have joined inst year when everything blew up! Whether it led to sess or failure! But instead, you all just watched quietly like mice Tsk! Dont go around calling yourselves nobles! Youre just bringing shame to the title! The conservative nobles faced criticism for a simple reason: their opposition was not genuinely based on Confucian principles. They were criticized because they merely wanted to revert to the state before King Sejongs reforms, not out of any principled stance. Not long after King Sejongs reply, an official promation from the court was posted on the bulletin boards. -In line with the newly reformed court, the method of appointing officials will also change. This will be further announced in due course. -Only those who havepleted the Samin School course and subsequent courses will be eligible to take the uing civil service examinations. In essence, this meant that those who had not attended the Samin School would be barred from entering officialdom. This effectively blocked the conservative nobles from entering politics. How is this any different from the tyranny of a dictator! The conservative nobles vented their frustration again, but that was the end of it. Meanwhile, Hyang, who had observed the court meetings or heard about the publics reaction through the eunuchs, shook his head disapprovingly. Conservatism is as necessary as progress. But these people are not conservatives; they are reactionaries. Thus, King Sejong resolved the issues surrounding the Samin School and the teachers. Some may criticize this as radical or dictatorial, but I hope they understand that this had to be done. I especially implore the Chief State Councillor and the Chief Schr to understand. At King Sejongs words, the ministers unanimously responded. Not at all. It was a justified decision! The specifically mentioned Chief State Councillor and Chief Schr made it clear that they supported King Sejong. Enlightening the people is our duty. This is something even the ancient sages would have dreamed of. Opposing this goes against the sages wishes. Their arguments cling to the trivial and fail to grasp the essence, so theres no need for worry. Thank you. King Sejong was genuinely grateful for the responses from the Chief State Councillor and the Chief Schr. Their support meant that the supervisory officials were on his side, indicating that even the most troublesome figures were backing him. * * * While these events unfolded at the court, debates were also taking ce in Changdeok Pce. Those who had passed the first written exam and the second interview were residing in Changdeok Pce, undergoing their educational courses. However, since the curriculum of the Samin School was unprecedented, the officials from the Ministry of Rites were also navigating this new territory for the first time. As a result, most of the curriculum was being established through discussions between the Ministry of Rites, the officials, and the candidates. During this process, the teaching materials created by Hyang received high praise from the candidates. Seeing the Thousand Character ssic word cards made by Hyang for the education of Jinpyeong and Anpyeong[1] who had received the title of Bonggun in the Gyeongsul year the candidates were unanimous in their acim. These teaching materials are truly useful! If utilized well, they could make it much easier for children to learn the Thousand Character ssic. Indeed. But who created these materials? At the candidates inquiry, an official from the Ministry of Rites answered with a proud expression. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. And he made them at the age of eight, no less, to teach his younger brothers, the princes. Good heavens! The candidates were astonished by the officials reply. Seeing their faces filled with disbelief, the official continued solemnly. Do not doubt it. Many have seen these materials. The rumors of His Royal Highnesss wisdom being not of this world are not just rumors, but reality. Incredible Most of the candidates were left speechless with their mouths agape. However, a few candidates with rtives working as bureaucrats in the court nodded in understanding. They had seen and heard about their rtives, burdened with work due to the genius of King Sejong and his projects based on that genius. Seeing such rtives, not a few had chosen the path of teaching rather than bing officials, aiming to avoid such overwork. Yet, even those who had chosen the path of teaching felt a foreboding sense upon seeing the teaching materials created by Hyang. Surely, teachers wont be overworked as well, right? * * * Through these discussions, the method of educating children became more systematic. It was natural for heated debates to arise as men and women of various ages from across the nation gathered to discuss their opinions. Most debates found a consensus quickly, but some required significant time and energy to reach an agreement. One of the fiercely debated topics was corporal punishment. It has been said since ancient times that the more precious the child, the less one should spare the rod. Since teachers are not merely imparting knowledge but also disciplining children in ce of their parents, we should not spare the rod! Thats correct! Its not correct! Im not saying we should never use corporal punishment, but indiscriminate physical discipline is worse than not using it at all! Exactly! As children grow, they be stronger and bigger, but parents grow weaker with time. What happens then? The children no longer fear the rod! This leads to the worst oues! I agree! The more one is beaten, the more ustomed one bes to it! Once ustomed, one no longer fears the rod! If one doesnt fear the rod, one wont fear doing wrong. And if that happens, one wont fear breaking thew! The rod should not be wielded too frequently! The candidates, drawing from their own life experiences and backgrounds, divided into two camps and engaged in intense debates. Ultimately, it was Madam Cho, one of the eldest participants, who resolved the situation. Havinge from Jeo Province, Madam Cho spoke in a calm voice, sharing her thoughts. I have lived a bit longer than many of you here, so Id like to offer some words based on my experiences. Would you listen? We will listen attentively. As Madam Cho, who was honored with titles such as Filial Wife and Virtuous Woman, began to speak, not only the candidates but also the officials from the Ministry of Rites fell silent and listened. Having lived for some time, Ive had the chance to see children from my vige grow up into adults. Ive seen children from households that did not spare the rod, as some of you have mentioned. These children tended to grow up into two types. Some became the troublemakers of the vige, causing disturbances because they no longer feared punishment, while others became subdued, like cattle, doing only as they were told without any thought of their own. Do you think such individuals would be beneficial to our country? Madam Chos words were gentle, yet they carried a profound weight. Footnotes
  1. Hyang younger brothers. These are their birth names[]
Chapter 192 Chapter 192 As Madam Chos words came to an end, another person began to speak. The ancient sages, when teaching their disciples, did so through questions and discussions, not by corporal punishment, did they not? The point is not to abolish corporal punishment entirely, but to minimize it as much as possible. That, in fact, would be a more effective way to teach our children. The discussion continued for a while, but the consensus eventually leaned towards minimizing corporal punishment. * * * The next major debate revolved around the concepts of A Woman Must Follow Her Husband and The Three Obediences. (Note 1) The debate began with Madam Chos statement. It is my belief that teaching A Woman Must Follow Her Husband and The Three Obediences indiscriminately is not appropriate. Why do you think so? Many of the male participants were surprised by Madam Chos question, expressing shock on their faces. It was unexpected because Madam Cho, known for her fidelity and virtue, was criticizing A Woman Must Follow Her Husband and The Three Obediences. Responding to the question, Madam Cho calmly exined her reasoning. A Woman Must Follow Her Husband and The Three Obediences are not included in the Three Bonds and Five Rtionships. Really? * * * The Three Bonds and Five Rtionships, represent the three cardinal principles and five virtues that one must adhere to in Confucianism. The Three Bonds are the rtionships between ruler and subject, parent and child, and husband and wife, indicating the duties that must be upheld in each. The Five Rtionships outline the ethical standards that one must follow as a human being. * * * Madam Cho continued in her usualposed tone. The reason I fulfilled my duties as a faithful wife and virtuous widow is because myte husband fulfilled his duties towards me. As the head of the family, he adhered to the principles of The father is the model for his son) and The husband is the support for his wife, and he observed the The distinction between husband and wife from the Five Rtionships, ensuring that we respected each others boundaries. It was because he fulfilled his duties that I was able to fulfill mine. Ah Upon hearing Madam Chos words, many nodded in agreement, especially the virtuous widows and dutiful wives, who almost unanimously showed their assent. After taking a moment to collect her breath, Madam Cho continued. But what do we see in the capital today? How many are there who do not uphold human decency themselves yet demand it from their partners? At this, a few coughed awkwardly. Madam Cho, undeterred, pressed on with a pointed remark. Even the lowest of ruffians im to uphold a code of honor. If they can do so, then insisting solely on A Woman Must Follow Her Husband or The Three Obediences in such times can only be harmful. Honor, you say Though it may seem like a convoluted discussion, it alles down to honor. The division of honor among parents, children, and spouses is what forms the basis of the Three Bonds and Five Rtionships. Therefore, the most crucial task is to ensure a thorough education in these principles. Despite the controversy sparked by Madam Chos bold statements, the womenrgely held the upper hand. This wasrgely because most of the female attendees who supported Madam Cho were themselves recognized as virtuous widows and dutiful wives, providing a strong foundation for their stance. Additionally, these virtuous women had endured all manner of hardships to uphold their families honor, developing a resilience that was not easily matched by those who had merely pursued academic studies. *** Ultimately, without an easy resolution in sight, the matter escted to King Sejong. The debate among the ministers who heard the story was no less intense. Surprisingly, the Chief State Councillor and the Chief Schr came out in support of Madam Cho. It is only natural that the Three Bonds and Five Rtionships should be upheld first! There is nothing wrong with Madam Chos words! Indeed! Nowhere in the Three Bonds and Five Rtionships are A Woman Must Follow Her Husband and The Three Obediences mentioned! With the Chief State Councillor and the Chief Schr, known for their stringent adherence to Confucian values, supporting Madam Cho, another voice added weight to their argument. As Madam Cho said, unless the duties represented by the Three Bonds and Five Rtionships are fulfilled, A Woman Must Follow Her Husband and The Three Obediences will only serve as shackles. This will turn into a greater poison in the distant future. Ultimately, King Sejong issued a formal decree. A Woman Must Follow Her Husband and The Three Obediences, being adjuncts to the Three Bonds and Five Rtionships, are not as crucial! Exclude this part! Sigh, does this reduce the potential for future criticism? Muttering to himself, recalling the gender debates of the 21st century, Hyang suddenly realized something he had forgotten. Damn it! The textbooks need to be reprinted! *** However, King Sejongs decision sparked immense controversy. Even if the world changes, A Woman Must Follow Her Husband and The Three Obediences are virtues that all women must uphold! Indeed! We must inform His Majesty of this injustice! Not only the staunchly conservative schrs but also the more moderate conservatives were united in their opinion this time and began drafting petitions. The uproar was not confined to the schrs. Among the general popce, too, word spread, stirring simr sentiments. Whats this? Are we regressing to the Goryeo era? Is it like the song from Ssanghwajeom ying all over again? The lyrics of the song from Ssanghwajeom went as follows: I went to a dumpling shop and the Mongolian owner grabbed my wrist; I went to a temple and the head monk grabbed my wrist; I went to draw water from the well and the dragon of the well grabbed my wrist. This metaphorically referred to sexual acts. The song hinted at the promiscuous sexual culture of the time, leading many schrs to derogatorily refer to it as words of mutual pleasure between men and women. One of the main criticisms that Neo-Confucian schrs founding Joseon had against Goryeo was this very licentious sexual culture. In an effort to eradicate it, they sought out and honored virtuous widows and dutiful wives, promoting A Woman Must Follow Her Husband and The Three Obediences. When the hen crows, the house will fall, they say. A woman should just listen to the mans words at home Exactly. It seems the King has made a grave mistake this time. While the men murmured among themselves, the women also had their say. Oh really? What did His Majesty say? That the duties of humanitye first, right? And what are these men doing after the harvest? Drinking, gambling, and fooling around with women, and then they talk nonsense! Acting all high and mighty when they cant even keep their eyes off a pretty maid * * * During the agricultural off-season, many men would engage in gambling. While some stayed at home making ropes or preparing for the next farming season, for the majority of peasants, spending their surplus time drinking and gambling was a routine part of the off-season. This scene was also typical in the rural areas of South Korea in the 20th century, even before the military government initiated the Saemaul (New Vige) Movement. Following King Sejongs decree, the incidence of gambling during the off-season decreased as people were mobilized for water management works. However, this had unintended consequences. The wages earned from these public works projects became stakes for evenrger gambling games. The authorities were vignt in cracking down on gamblers and peasants involved in these games, but gambling persisted stubbornly. The homes of the schrs were no quieter. In fact, they were even more tumultuous. The cause of the uproar was the issue of concubinage. The issue of concubinage often led to discord, and the most effective tool to quell such disputes was based on A Woman Must Follow Her Husband and The Three Obediences, encapsted in the Seven Grounds for Divorce.(Note 2) Indeed,pared to theter Joseon period, the status of women was rtively higher in the early Joseon era. Divorce was more essiblepared toter times, and in matters of inheritance, sons and daughters had equal rights. Yet, Sejongs decision still faced significant bacsh. * * * As the situation developed, even the ministers began to suggest a retraction of their stance quietly. Your Majesty, while Your Majestys intentions are undoubtedly just, it appears the timing may not be right. Might it be prudent to postpone this matter for now? To Chief State Councilor Lee Jiks suggestion, King Sejong firmly shook his head. There will be no postponement. But the circumstances As Lee Jik faltered, King Sejong cut him off with a brief remark. If we always acted ording to the current trends, the position of Chief State Councillor would still be held by the criminal Ryu Jeong-hyeon. At King Sejongs words, the ministers fell silent. What are the Three Bonds and Five Rtionships? They are the most fundamental duties that a person must observe, the very essence. A Woman Must Follow Her Husband, The Three Obediences? As Ive said before, these are secondary. If the people do not adhere to the most basic duties, what use is there in enforcing these two? The ministers remained silent. How can a man who indulges in debauchery demand his wife to observe her duties, or a woman who engages with multiple men demand her husband to observe his? The most important are the Three Bonds and Five Rtionships! It is only when the Three Bonds and Five Rtionships are firmly established that we can proceed to the next steps! Ah! Did Madam Cho not say it was about loyalty, not just duty? That is the correct answer! In life, one must have loyalty! No one among the ministers dared to counter King Sejongs words. While King Sejongs statements were principled, they were undeniably correct. Ultimately, King Sejong had to issue another royal promation. While A Woman Must Follow Her Husband and The Three Obediences are important, they are secondary. The primary and most essential duties that one must adhere to as a person are the Three Bonds and the Five Rtionships. Merely reciting passages from the Liji (Book of Rites) or the Yili (Book of Etiquette and Ceremonial) without truly upholding these principles is akin to building a pagoda on sand! Therefore, the most important teachings in the schools for themon people should be the Three Bonds and the Five Rtionships! This is because they represent the fundamental duties and loyalties that everyone must observe! Faced with King Sejongs firm response, the schrs had no choice but to remain silent. Continuing to argue will only make us look like the fools fromst year. The King was thought to be wise, but now it seems otherwise. Even if not now, he is creating a snare that will strangle future generations * * * The ministers shared a simr sentiment to the schrs. At the Office of Royal Decrees, Heo Jo voiced his concerns with a worried tone. This matter is a great mistake by His Majesty. While there is no issue with His Majesty and the Crown Prince being wise, the future is concerning. If a sessor to the thronecks the necessary qualities, it will undoubtedly bring about great cmity. Listening silently to Heo Jos points, Maeng Sa-seong nodded and, looking towards Geunjeongjeon Hall, responded. Who wouldnt know that? His Majesty must surely be aware of it too. The problem is that despite this, he persists in his stubbornness. * * * Hyang was also aware of the issue. The foremost among the Three Bonds is the bond between ruler and subject Father must be aware of this Ultimately, Hyang sought an audience with King Sejong. What brings you here? Its unusual for you toe to me first. I apologize for the intrusion. Alright, whats the matter? But let me forewarn you, I have neither time nor budget to spare. A fleeting smile crossed Hyangs face at King Sejongs jest before fading. Ivee to discuss the recent promation you issued, Father. The promation? There were no errors in it, were there? As King Sejong continued to jest, Hyangs tone became more serious. Father, surely you understand its not about typographical errors? While the Three Bonds and Five Rtionships are fundamental duties, they could create a trap that might ensnare even a king. At Hyangs words, King Sejong smiled and spoke. Youre referring to the bond between ruler and subject and the righteousness between them, arent you? Why would you say that? Hyangs expression grew even more serious, realizing that King Sejong had spoken with intention. Despite Hyangs earnest demeanor, King Sejong remainedposed in his response. There are several reasons, but two stand out most prominently. The first is to liberate women from the shackles that bind them. For Joseon to progress further, we need more talented individuals. That means if a woman is talented, she must be recognized as such. However, those with vested interests find it hard to ept new entrants. When the timees, thosecking in ability but full of greed will use A Woman Must Follow Her Husband, The Three Obediences, and the Seven Detestable Sins to block progress. Even now, there are many women who bear the responsibility of providing for their households. That makes sense. Hyang nodded in agreement with King Sejongs point. It wasmon to see women taking on the role of breadwinner for their families due to war or disease. Even among those working in the pce, there were many such cases. With Hyang convinced, King Sejong moved on to the second reason. The second reason is to prevent ipetent individuals from ascending to the throne of Joseon and ruling over it. As Ryu Jeong-hyeon said, no one can guarantee that tyrants like Jie of Xia and Zhou of Shang will not emerge. Even if not a tyrant, if someone who cant even uphold the Three Bonds and Five Rtionships ascends to the throne, can Joseon truly be safeguarded? In such cases, the king must be reced. King Sejong paused briefly, his gaze drifting into the distance. For the sake of the royal family, the people, and for Joseon itself, such individuals must not ascend to the throne. Do you think the ministers have realized this? At Hyangs question, King Sejong chuckled and replied. By now, they probably have some inkling. They are smart people, after all. * * * After concluding the conversation with King Sejong and exiting the Gangnyeongjeon Hall, Hyang turned towards the Eastern Pce, then paused to look back in the direction of Gangnyeongjeon Hall, situated beyond Geunjeongjeon Hall. After a moment of contemtion, Hyang shook their head in disbelief and turned away. Truly a formidable figure. * * * Note 1: In the Confucian cultural sphere before modern times, this term refers to the moral norms specifying the status and roles of women. Known as the Three Obediences and Four Virtues. Source: Encyclopedia of Korean National Culture Note 2: A set of seven grounds from Confucian ideology during the Joseon Dynasty that justified a husband in divorcing his wife. Source: Encyclopedia of Korean National Culture Chapter 193 Chapter 193 As mentioned before, with the advent of the Gyeongsul year, Yong received the title of Anpyeong along with his fiefdom. Having established his independence from the pce, he indulged in his passions within his own residence. Now, I can freely pursue the dreams Ive had! His dream was to gather the itinerant troupes from all over Joseon and enjoy their performances. As a child, having been utterly captivated by a performance by a local troupe, Anpyeong caused a stir with his fervent desire to join such a troupe. To prevent this, not only the Queen Soheon but also King Sejong himself had to intervene with a disciplinary rod. However, Anpyeongs stubbornness was unyielding. He says he cant stoop to petty theft What are we to do with him? Ultimately, unable to bear the Queen Soheon and King Sejongs dilemma, Hyang stepped forward to coax Anpyeong. If you adhere well to the teachings of the royal tutors and achieve schrly sess, I will arrange for you to watch the troupes performances! Hyangs persuasion worked wonders, and Anpyeong devoted himself to his studies. Of course, Hyangs coaxing wasnt the end of it. Each time Anpyeongpleted a ssic text as part of his studies, Hyang would arrange a performance by a local troupe near Hanyang as a sort of reward. Whenever such performances were held, the Queen Dowager Soheon among others from the pce joined to admire the troupes talents. These performances served as a rare refreshment in the otherwise stifling pce life. In any case, having received his fiefdom and gained independence, Anpyeong soon set about realizing his long-held desire. I shall see every itinerant troupe across Joseon! However, it was not feasible for Anpyeong to summon all the itinerant troupes from across Joseon just because he wished it. The road conditions in Joseon were still poor at the time. As a result, the troupes werergely divided into major regions like Gyeonggi and Hoseo (Gyeonggi Province and Western Korea), Yeonghonam (Southern Korea), and Seodo (Hwanghae and Pyongan Provinces), with numerousrge and small groups active within these regions. As a result, Anpyeong was still gued by an unquenched thirst. He had seen all the famous troupes from the Gyeonggi region, but he had not been able to see those from other regions. If they cante to me, why not go to them myself? Havent I already gained my independence? With his mind made up, Anpyeong soon packed his bags and set out to find the troupes. As Anpyeong set off on his quest, the person who suffered the most was his wife, Lady Yeongil of the Jeong n. Having only recently married, she found herself living an unexpected widows life as her husband roamed outside. * * * Anpyeongs unusual behavior quickly reached the ears of King Sejong. This rascal! Upon hearing the report, Sejong immediately sent for Anpyeong. However, upon learning that Anpyeong had gone to the southern provinces to watch a troupes performance, Sejong immediately dispatched a messenger to the Jeo military camp. Send Anpyeong to Hanyang immediately upon finding him! To prevent any possible danger, ensure he is strictly guarded during the journey. The true intent behind the secondmand was well understood by both King Sejong, who issued it, and the military governor of Jeo, who received it. That scoundrel! We cant let him slip away, so bind him tightly and send him back! Upon receiving Sejongs dispatch, the military governor of Jeo sighed deeply. Sigh. They say the most challenging farming is raising children Nevertheless, a royalmand was a royalmand. The military governor called his subordinatemanders and ryed the orders. Dispatch soldiers immediately to locate Prince Anpyeong! Yes! Following the order, it took ten days before Anpyeong was finally apprehended. Upon receiving the report, the military governor chuckled and looked at his staff. People say our Joseonnd is small, but it seems thats not quite the case. Indeed, sir. Once the prince arrives, ensure he is escorted and sent to the capital without dy. * * * Thus, Anpyeong waspelled to head to Hanyang. Of course, under the guise of escort, a considerable number of cavalrymen surrounded Anpyeong and his servant. This is really something Anpyeong clicked his tongue in disappointment, but there was nothing he could do. Meanwhile, the servant moving alongside him started trembling uncontrobly as they neared Hanyang, his face turning pale. Have you caught mria? Why are you shaking so? Your Highness! Arent you afraid at all? Why would I be afraid Wait a moment Anpyeongs face, which had been nonchnt at his servants words, turned serious. Wait Did he say it was a royalmand? Realizing the gravity of the situation upon remembering the military governors mention of a royalmand, Anpyeong understood he was in a predicament. I suppose I did roam around quite a bit. Intuiting that he was in for a severe reprimand from Sejong upon his return to Hanyang, Anpyeong looked back at his servant. Seeing you shiver so, it seems you might indeed have caught mria. Me? But I feel perfectly fine, Your Highness. Shh! Anpyeong urgently signaled his servant to be quiet and whispered softly. Youve contracted mria. Understand? You must insist that you have mria. Yes? Yes With Anpyeongs directive, the servant had no choice but to nod in agreement. Upon entering Hanyang, Anpyeong selected one of the escorting cavalrymen to send to Gyeongbokgung Pce. -The servant apanying me has contracted mria. Theres a risk of contagion, so Ill wait a few days to assess the situation before entering the pce. After sending the message through the cavalryman, Anpyeong directed his horse towards his residence. Weve had a long journey here, so let me treat you to a meal. Come to my house with me. If you insist Themander of the cavalrymen nodded with a brightened face. They had been camping out and eating dry rations on the journey due to the royalmand to ascend to the capital as quickly as possible. But being treated by a prince meant they could expect a decent meal, if not a feast of the finest delicacies. As Anpyeong and the cavalry were heading towards Prince Anpyeongs residence, the messenger horse sent to Gyeongbokgung returned. Here is a decree directly from His Majesty! Anpyeong took the sealed letter handed over by the cavalryman with courtesy, broke the seal, and pulled out the letter inside. After reading the content, Anpyeong sighed deeply. s, it seems I must go to Gyeongbokgung after all. The letters message was straightforward. -Stop the nonsense ande immediately! Tsk. It didnt work Clicking his tongue and grumbling, Anpyeong instructed his servant. Take them back and treat them to a meal. What about you, sir? I have to enter the pce. Yes. After giving his instructions to the servant, Anpyeong courteously bowed to the cavalrymander, bidding him farewell. Follow the servant and have your meal first before you go. I appreciate your efforts during this time. Not at all. Thank you. * * * You rascal! As soon as he saw Anpyeong, Sejong roared in anger. What are you doing wandering around after having established your own household! I am deeply sorry. At a time when you should be contemting how to contribute to the country as a prince of Joseon, you waste time and resources chasing after troupes! Such recklessness! I am deeply sorry! Anpyeong had to bow his head and seek forgiveness under Sejongs scolding. After a long reprimand, Sejong came to a conclusion. Had it been before you received your fiefdom, I would have taken the rod to you, but its regrettable that I cannot do so now that you have been granted one and are independent! Imand the royal secretariat! Issue an order immediately to the Internal Affairs Bureau and the Pce Affairs Bureau to cut the provisions allocated to Anpyeongs pce by half! Your Majesty! Anpyeong, realizing the funds for his indulgences were being cut, called out to Sejong in a pitiful voice. However, Sejong was resolute. All the wealth youve squanderedes from the hard-earned taxes of the people! Its unforgivable to waste such precious resources in this manner! Go back and reflect on your actions! Yes Anpyeong had to withdraw with a gloomy expression, following Sejongsmand. Monthster, a new report about Anpyeong was brought to Sejong. Upon receiving the report, Sejong sped the back of his neck in frustration. Ah, this wretched boy! ording to the report submitted by the audit office, Anpyeong was still wandering in search of troupes. It was only natural that his household became impoverished with the reduction of his stipend. Ultimately, Anpyeongs wife, Lady Yeongil of the Jeong n, had to speak to her family to borrow food and funds to sustain their household. Bring this rascal to me at once! Hyang, who heard the rumor while working in Area 51, shook his head in dismay. This is serious As he continued to shake his head, Hyang stood up. It seems I must intervene after a long time. After all, ording to the history before my regression, this younger brother of mine will be a strong shield for me; I must nurture him I will attempt to resolve Anpyeongs issue. At Hyangs words, Sejong was delighted. Thats right! We have the Crown Prince! Since you resolved itst time, Ill trust you to handle it this time as well! I will do my utmost. * * * Having received Sejongs permission, Hyang intercepted Anpyeong as soon as he was brought in, taking him straight to the Eastern Pce. What a sight you are~. At Hyangs short but potent remark, Anpyeong immediately bowed his head. Your Highness Do you realize your wrongdoing? I am deeply sorry. What have you to be sorry for to me? You should apologize to your wife. Due to your reckless handling of household affairs, her family had to intervene. How disgraceful is it for a prince of Joseon? With Hyangs reprimand, Anpyeongs head drooped even lower towards the ground. Tsk! At Anpyeongs demeanor, Hyang clicked his tongue lightly and continued. Im well aware that since your childhood, youve had a fondness for the ys of itinerant troupes. But tell me, what remains after you watch those ys? What remains? What do you mean by that? What else stays with you besides the memories? Well Anpyeong hesitated, unable to find a response. While the troupes performance unfolded, bringingughter and joy, all worries seemed to vanish. But once the show ended, a sense of emptiness prevailed. Of course, his mind was filled with the various feats and sounds exhibited by the troupes, but that was all there was to it. Youre aware that various rumors are circting about your behavior, arent you? Yes, there are talks of me shaving my head and retreating to the mountains You know of them then. Faced with Hyangs reproach, Anpyeong could only bow his head. * * * Until the early Joseon period, itinerant troupes had a strong Buddhist influence. The term society hall used for these troupes originated from the Goryeo period, denoting the ritual performances conducted by shamans for the nations well-being. Over time, these society halls adopted Buddhist influences. Thus, watching the performances of these troupes would often involve a head monk or a master leading the recitation of Buddhist prayers and conducting water andnd rites. However, as time passed, these rituals evolved into traveling theater performances, incorporating various skills and musical elements, altering their original character. Therefore, amidst the still prevalent Buddhist influences in the itinerant troupes performances, there were rumors among both themon people and the ministers that Anpyeong, who was deeply immersed in these ys, might take refuge in Buddhism. The ministers worries were not unfounded, given the precedent set by King Sejongs brother, Prince Hyoryeong. Although Prince Hyoryeong had not fully entered monkhood, the emergence of a royal family member deeply engrossed in Buddhism was a serious concern for the Confucian ministers. * * * I have absolutely no intention of bing a monk! To Anpyeongs protest, Hyang nodded lightly and continued. I would think not. I know your character well enough not to worry about that. Thats why Im suggesting Hyang paused for a moment and looked directly at Anpyeong. As Hyang stopped speaking, Anpyeong turned his gaze towards his older brother. His Highness will have some solution! Recalling his own experiences and the actions Hyang had taken in the past, Anpyeong looked at Hyang with hopeful eyes. Observing Anpyeong, Hyang broached the main subject. How about you take on the task of documenting and organizing the ys and music of the itinerant troupes? Excuse me? * * * Note 1) Korean Folklore Encyclopedia, entry on Itinerant Troupes. Chapter 194 Chapter 194 Surprised by the unexpected suggestion, Anpyeong momentarily experienced cognitive dissonance, prompting Hyang to exin in more detail. Starting with the music and dances of the sadangpae[1], we will record the music and dances of the gisaeng, as well as the music and dances of themon people. For what reason? How much do we really know about the music and dances enjoyed by our ancestors? Prompted by Hyangs question, Anpyeong, after a moment of reflection, responded. Hardly anything, Your Highness. Indeed. Then will our distant descendants, a few hundred years from now, know what we did and yed, what songs we sang? Anpyeong fell into silent thought at Hyangs inquiry. I think I grasp the gist of His Highnesss words, but Realizing the significance of Hyangs proposal, Anpyeong pondered it seriously. After a long contemtion, Anpyeong looked at Hyang. The ministers and the nobility may disapprove, Your Highness. Why? They diligently record their own poems, writings, and deeds in books, do they not? Are they the only people of Joseon? Certainly not, Your Highness. Its not just the schrs who are the people of our Joseon. Shouldnt we also record the lives of other citizens? Prompted by Hyangs words, Anpyeong was once again lost in thought. However, unlike before, the negative aura on his face gradually dissipated. After much deliberation, Anpyeong finally made up his mind. Thats right! If I enjoy it alone, it ends with me, but if I record it, dozens, hundreds, thousands of people will know about it! This is also the work of a schr! Anpyeong, determined, looked at Hyang. Though I amcking, I shall undertake this task, Your Highness. Good! Hyang pped his hands lightly and moved on to the next point. To record and organize properly, you need experience. As it happens, Park Yeon, the judge of the Bongsangsi (Office of Music), is in charge of organizing the music used in the pce. Gain experience by helping him. Yes? Since he is exceptionally talented in the musical arts, he will be of great help when you undertake your own taskster. Its mutually beneficial, right? Yes, yes. Then I will work alongside him. I will speak to His Majesty and arrange a position for you, so wait a little while. Yes. Anpyeong, after finishing his conversation with Hyang, continued to tilt his head. Why do I feel so uneasy? *** On the other hand, Hyang, who had entrusted Anpyeong with the task, went straight to Sejong. Thus, I humbly ask Your Majesty to allow Anpyeong to learn under Park Yeon. As soon as Hyangs words ended, Sejong immediately replied. Granted! As soon as Sejongs decision was made, Heo Jo, the Minister of Personnel, stepped forward and objected. Your Majesty! The Grand Princes rank is First Senior Grade. Park Yeons rank is only Fifth Senior Grade Judge. How can a First Senior Grade superior work under a Fifth Senior Grade as a subordinate? Sejong pondered for a moment at Heo Jos point, then quickly came to a conclusion. Until Park Yeons work is finished, Anpyeong will retain his newly rank as Fifth Junior Grade Assistant Director. The Ministry of Personnel shall announce the corresponding personnel changes. Heo Jo had no choice but to bow his head at Sejongsmand. I obey yourmand. This was because even Heo Jo thought Sejongs order was extremely fair. And so, in the fourth month of the year Gyeongseul, Anpyeong entered Park Yeons service and became engrossed in the task of organizing the Aak[2]. [TL/N: Aak musicians] https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipediamons/thumb/d/d3/NogoIMG_6088.JPG/330px-NogoIMG_6088.JPG *** It was six years ago that Park Yeon was entrusted with the organization of the Aak. In the sixth year of Sejongs reign, Sejong issued an order to his ministers. The music used in the court needs to be organized. Rmend suitable candidates. At Sejongsmand, the ministers rmended Park Yeon. Sejong, epting the ministers rmendation, appointed Park Yeon as the head of the Office of Music. I order you to organize the musical scale. I obey yourmand! Park Yeon, having received Sejongsmand, devoted himself wholeheartedly to the task. Park Yeon checked the items needed to organize the musical scale and made a report to the Ministry of Rites. The Ministry of Rites, after reviewing Park Yeons report, immediately submitted the report to Sejong. The Ministry of Rites request is reasonable. After reading the report submitted by the Ministry of Rites, Sejong immediately epted their request. ordingly, Park Yeon, while serving as the head of Aaks Music, was granted the position of Judge of the Office of Music and was put in charge of organizing the Aak. The reason for this was because the Office of Music was responsible for managing the musical instruments. Thus, six years passed, and in February of this year, Park Yeon made another suggestion. In his petition, Park Yeon argued that the instruments and music used in ceremonies should be restored to their old standards. Judge Park Yeon is right. With Sejongs decision, Park Yeon began to move more actively. It was in this situation that Anpyeong came to work under Park Yeon. *** I havee to work with you by royal decree. Please take care of me. I have received the royal decree. Are you sure it is okay for you to work under me? Park Yeons attitude towards Anpyeong was very stiff. This was because he had been doing everything on his own, and now, out of nowhere, an outsider, and a Grand Prince at that, hade in. It doesnt matter. I am just a Fifth Junior Grade Assistant Director now. To Anpyeongs answer, Park Yeon immediately replied. I see. Then lets get started right away. Huh? Anpyeong was momentarily taken aback by the sudden change in Park Yeons attitude. What are you doing! Are you nning to stay up all night! Ah Yes, no, Im going! At Park Yeons words, Anpyeong quickly followed after him. *** Even after that, Park Yeon continued to treat Anpyeong without any regard for his rank. To Park Yeon, who had received the royal decree, Anpyeong was not a Grand Prince. He was simply a subordinate official who was supposed to faithfully carry out his orders. Hyang, who heard about this situation through the eunuchs, muttered to himself. Isnt this like a drama I saw in the 21st century? A capable executive who treats the heir of a conglomerate who parachuted in like a spoiled child. The only difference from the drama is that in the drama he is the heir, but here he is far from the heir. But isnt he being too obvious about it? Even though he was far from the line of session, Anpyeong was still Sejongs legitimate son. No matter how fair Sejong was, if he made a single mistake, Park Yeon would fall from grace. However, Park Yeon demonstrated his abilities without reservation. When Park Yeon made and presented a Seokgyeong (stone chime, one of the instruments of Aak), Sejong said this: People say that Park Yeon knows nothing about the world and only knows music, but that is not true. Park Yeon is a schr who is also proficient in worldly affairs. (Note 1) This was how much Park Yeon was trusted by Sejong. In the end, all Hyang could do was call Anpyeong, who was leaving, and offer him some words offort. I heard youve been having a hard timetely. But dont give up and keep working hard. Then, you will be able to do your job properlyter, right? To Hyangs words, Anpyeong answered with a strong voice. Your Majesty doesnt have to worry! There are not many days when I dont learn something new these days! Is that so? Yes! Little by little, Im starting to see what I need to do! Hyang patted Anpyeongs shoulder with a pleased expression on his face at Anpyeongs strong appearance. To Hyang, he was just a child who had suffered a stroke of luck, but even in the history before Hyangs intervention, Anpyeong was considered one of the greatest writers of early Joseon. It was not umon for envoys from Ming to visit Anpyeong and ask him to write for them, and he was so famous as a calligrapher that even the emperor of Ming was impressed. He was also a talented artist who was proficient in instruments such as the gayageum. As Anpyeong was rigorously trained by Park Yeon, his professional abilities were developing rapidly. This became a catalyst for Park Yeon to elerate his work on organizing the Aak. *** After seeing Anpyeong diligently handling his work, Hyang went to the Crown Princess. Im sorry, but could you please take care of Anpyeongs wife? Are you referring to Grand Prince Anpyeongs wife? Yes. Its good that this child has made up his mind and is working hard, but hes working too hard. It hasnt been long since they got married, and Anpyeongs wife is constantly alone, isnt that a pity? It is said that peace in the family leads to peace between brothers, so I would like you to please take some trouble, Crown Princess. At Hyangs words, the Crown Princess nodded her head gently. I will do as you say. Grand Prince Jinpyeongs wife alsoes often, so the two of them will get along well. Yes. Thats good. Lets call it a day. *** In a gathering where the wives of Jinpyeong and Anpyeong were also present, talk turned to their respective husbands. After talking about their husbands for a while, the Crown Princess sighed softly and muttered. How can the three brothers be so alike Indeed. At the Crown Princesss words, not only Hyangs concubines, Yangje and Yewon, but also Jinpyeong and Anpyeongs wives nodded their heads. Of course, Hyang, as well as Jinpyeong and Anpyeong, were all living a life of practicing virtues. Jinpyeongs wife, who had been nodding her head at the Crown Princesss words, let out a long sigh andined. At least His Highness the Crown Prince and Grand Prince Anpyeong maintain some semnce of decorum. But looking at my husband, it seems like the railroad is his main wife, and I am just a concubine. Oh dear At the tearfulint, the Crown Princess felt genuinely sorry. *** Jinpyeongs life, having be a train fanatic, was literally a life of the railroad, by the railroad, for the railroad. He spent most of his time participating in railroad-rted experiments at the research institute and Area 51, and whenever he had a free moment, he would travel all over Joseon to investigate railroad construction sites. Jinpyeongs horsemanship and martial arts skills were excellent, but it was also all thanks to the railroad. In the case of horsemanship, it was for the purpose of moving quickly and conveniently when investigating areas where railroads were beingid or nned. The same was true for martial arts. Although he had to learn martial arts ording to the royal code, his training had a different purpose. Hyang asked Jinpyeong why he was learning not only the traditional archery, swordsmanship, and hand-to-handbat, but also musketry and spear fighting. Jinpyeongs answer to Hyangs question was simple. As I travel around toy railroads, there may be times when I encounter wild animals or bandits. This is in preparation for those times. I see. Work hard. Hyang, who had encouraged him and turned back, muttered with a troubled expression. If I think about my brother, this is something he should like. But why do I feel like Ive lost a perfectly good child? *** Perhaps because they shared simr sorrows and pains, the Crown Princess, the concubines, and the wives of Jinpyeong and Anpyeong quickly bonded. The women who had grown close enjoyed having tea together, shooting arrows at the archery range, and indulging in musketry. Eventually, even the princesses began to join their circle. Hyang, upon receiving the report, scratched his head and muttered, Are we going to end up creating a Gyeongbokgung Mafia at this rate? *** Anpyeong carried out his duties vigorously. As a result, Park Yeon began to trust him more, gradually entrusting him with more responsibilities. However, during this process, a rift began to form between Anpyeong and Park Yeon. The cause was their differing views on court music, including Aak, Hyangak, and Dangak. *** Note 1) A Comprehensive Read of the Annals of King Sejong. The Park Yeon Section. Authored by Park Young-kyu. Woongjin Knowledge House.
  1. A group of masked dancers who perform at vige shrines and festivals.[]
  2. Traditional Chinese court music.[]
  3. A book on music theory written by Chen Yang () during the Southern Song dynasty (11271279).[]
  4. Also known as the Comprehensive Compendium of Du You, it is an encyclopediapiled by Du You () during the Tang dynasty (618907).[]
  5. A section of the Rites of Zhou (), a ssic Chinese text on (l), or ritual and propriety.[]
  6. Korean indigenous music[]
  7. Traditional Korean court music[]
Chapter 195 Chapter 195 Hoo~, another day is over. After stretching his arms, Hyang tidied up the papers in his office and stepped outside. Hyang got on the horse that the eunuch had brought for him and waved to the cavalrymen and eunuchs waiting in front. Lets go back. Yes! Lets go! *** Hmm Its quiet and peaceful. Hyang, who was now free to look around thanks to his horse knowing the way, muttered as he looked at the surrounding scenery. As Hyang said, the journey from Area 51 back to Gyeongbokgung Pce was peaceful. *** After the Malbok incident, there had been several more cases of geukjeong (striking a bell or gong to appeal for justice). However, at the suggestion of the ministers, who pointed out that it could be a safety issue if such incidents urred while Sejong was away, a new office was created to receive petitions. The creation of this new office had the biggest impact on the Law Prohibiting Commoners from using Local Officials. The Law Prohibiting Commoners from using Local Officials, which stated thatmoners cannot use the local officials who govern them, had been the subject of numerous petitions calling for its abolition. Even if the corrupt officials do something wrong, we cannot report it, so please abolish thew! Petitions with simr content continued to be submitted, but Sejong never epted them. The sages said that the military and the people are one! The local officials are those who have gone out to carry out my will! Just as it is not right for a child to criticize his parents, it is also not right to criticize them! Sejong rejected each petition with these words. The reason Sejong was so strongly opposed to it was because he saw allowing citizens to use local officials as a weakening of the royal authority. The vast majority of those who could write such petitions were the local literati. The biggest reason why these local literati wrote petitions was to weaken the power of the local officials and protect their own interests. Thus, the Buminkosogeumjibeop, which had been maintained by Sejongs strong will, was gradually losing its effectiveness as the reforms progressed. At least the Office of Monopoly[1] of the Ministry of Taxation, which was deployed at least at the military unit level, was a major institution that checked the local officials in addition to its assigned tasks. The Household Register and Land Register that were ced in the local government offices had to be copied and kept at the Office of Monopoly. In addition, inspectors regrly went down to check if the contents of the Hojeokdaejang and Tojidaejang held by the two institutions were the same. Another reason was that the power of the local literati had greatly declined due to the Giyu Rebellion that took ce the previous year. Finally, in the year Gyeongsul, Sejong officially abolished the Law Prohibiting Commoners from using Local Officials. It is the duty of the king to listen to the appeals of the people, and it is only natural to do so. However, those who falsely use local officials for their own gain will be punished for the crime of deceiving the king. Sejong, who posted promations throughout Joseon, established an independent department in the government office where each provincial governor stayed to receive petitions. The task of this department was to transcribe the petition in two parts as soon as it was received, send one part to the governor and the other to Hanseong. In addition, a receipt with a date was always issued to the petitioner. The governor who received the petition reviewed the contents of the petition and made a fair judgment, and reported the result to the petitioner and Hanseong. If the petitioner could not ept the result, he could go directly to Hanseong to appeal. At this time, the first thing those who received the appeal in Hanseong checked was the receipt that the appent brought. With the date and petition number recorded on the receipt, the officials of the reception office checked the reports that came up from the local area. If there was any omission in this process, it was a serious crime that could cost the governor his life. If everything was in order, the appents appeal was immediately sent to Sejong and the ministers. Then, the answer was given after coordinating the opinions of Sejong and the ministers. At this point, the appent epted the result regardless of the oue. It was the kings judgment. It was only natural that Hyangs influence was felt in this whole process. By introducing the double-check process, which was the most basic in the 21st century, the possibility of fraud was greatly reduced. Of course, when Hyang first proposed the idea, the ministers opposed it, saying that it would increase the workload of the officials. However, Sejong epted Hyangs opinion as it was. The officials may say it is difficult, but it is right to do so because it will reduce the injustice of the people. Thanks to this, the number of people who filedints or appealed to the court decreased, and Hyangsmute to and from work became quieter. *** It was quiet on the streets of Hanseong because it waste at night. Looking at the quiet street, Hyang turned his head and spoke to the eunuch who was following him. Its too quiet. Wouldnt it be interesting if someone came out and blocked our way? At Hyangs words, the eunuch spoke his mind without realizing it. That must never happen! Oh! The eunuch, who realized his mistake, looked at Hyang with a terrified expression. Hyang burst outughing at his reaction. Haha! Thats right! Such a thing must never happen! I was just joking! Sorry! As Hyangughed it off, not only the eunuch in question, but also the other eunuchs and the soldiers of the Royal Guard who were guarding him let out a small sigh of relief. *** Hyang, who had thus returned safely to Gyeongbokgung Pce, immediately went to Sejong and reported his return. After a brief conversation with Sejong, Hyang went to Queen Soheon and repeated the same thing. Having thus concluded the day in ordance with etiquette, Hyang headed for the Eastern Pce with the eunuchs. Walking towards the Eastern Pce, Hyang saw a young official standing around at the entrance of the pce and focused his eyes. Soon, after confirming the identity of the official, Hyang tilted his head. Hmm? Isnt that Anpyeong? Anpyeong, who had been standing around at the entrance of the Eastern Pce, approached and bowed his head as soon as Hyang recognized him. I greet Your Highness. What are you doing here at thiste hour? Are you working overtime? That is not the case. Then you are leaving work. Why are you here? At Hyangs question, Anpyeong looked around for a moment and then spoke quietly. I have something I would like to ask Your Majesty. Hmm? Hyang looked at Anpyeong closely, unable to understand his words. Seeing Anpyeongs serious face, Hyang soon began to walk. Let me hear what it is. Hyang and Anpyeong entered Hyangs study and sat down facing each other across the desk. Bring us some tea, Hyang said to the eunuch. Yes, Your Highness. After a while, the eunuch brought teacups and Hyang spoke first. So, what is it? As Hyang spoke first, Anpyeong sighed deeply. Hoo~. What is it? Just tell me. At Hyangs urging, Anpyeong opened his mouth cautiously. I dont think its proper for a schr to criticize his superiors without reason, but As Anpyeong continued to hesitate, Hyang pointed out the problem first. Is it about Magistrate Park Yeon? Yes. Hmm Hyangs face also became serious at Anpyeongs answer. Since Anpyeong was involved, Hyang had also heard various rumors about Park Yeon. ording to the rumors, Sejongs trust in Park Yeon was considerable. In addition, he was so capable that he was scheduled to be promoted from a 5th-rank magistrate to a 4th-rank junior councilor soon. Whats the problem with Magistrate Park? Is there a problem with his character? After hesitating for a moment, Anpyeong finally opened his mouth. He has a narrow perspective. A narrow perspective? Exin it in more detail. Yes. That is Anpyeong told Hyang about Park Yeons narrow perspective. To summarize Anpyeongs story, Park Yeon looked down on all music other than Aak. No, he didnt just look down on them; he ignored them as if they had no value. At that time, Joseon music was divided into the Left and Right Music Bureaus. The Left Music Bureau was Aak, and the Right Music Bureau was Hyangak and Dangak. Aak, which Park Yeon imed was the only music, was originally the music of ancient China. This Aak was brought in from Song during the reign of King Yejong of Goryeo and was used for royal events. So Park Yeon went through the ssical Chinese sources to create reference materials, and based on those materials, he created Aak instruments and Aak scores. Park Yeons goal was to return to the original Aak as described in the Chinese ssics, that is, the Aak yed in the Zhou Dynasty. Hmm Hyang listened to Anpyeongs exnation and pondered with a serious face. So in simple terms, theyre fighting over whether its bibimbap or tteokbokki, but originally it was bibimbap that could only be eaten in a restaurant, so its like saying that neither bibimbap nor tteokbokki is tangsuyuk? Hyang, who had sorted out the situation in his own way, became even more worried. Bute to think of it this doesnt make sense ording to my memories of studying Korean history in middle and high school, Park Yeons achievements were to organize Aak andy the foundation for Joseons unique music. Is this also my influence? Hyang, who was bing more and more worried about the story that was so different from what he had learned, raised his head and looked out the window to cool his head. As Hyang looked around, he saw the roof of Geunjeongjeon and fixed his gaze on it. After a while, a smile began to spread across Hyangs face. That old man is there! Hyang, whose face had be much warmer, turned to Anpyeong. Park Yeons narrow perspective will soon be broadened. At Anpyeongs question, Hyang shook his head. No, Im not good at music. Someone much better than me wille forward. Someone better than Your Highness Anpyeongs face brightened as he pondered Hyangs answer. Thats right! Theres Father! As Anpyeongs face brightened, Hyang continued. So, go back and do your best. Yes! As Anpyeong, whose face had brightened, turned to leave, Hyang muttered to himself, looking at Geunjeongjeon. Im just a cheater, but the fact that that old man is literally out of bounds is scary. *** Lets perfectly restore the Aak described in the Zhou dynasty Park Yeon, who set this goal and worked hard, reported the results to Sejong. This is truly wonderful! It seems that your hard work has paid off! At Sejongs praise, Park Yeon bowed his head and replied. I am overwhelmed by your praise. So, whats next? Yes. I suggest that we use only Aak for all royal and Confucian ceremonies and sacrifices. Use only Aak? You mean we shouldnt use Hyangak and Dangak? At Sejongs question, Park Yeon made a puzzled expression and asked back. Isnt that obvious? Although it has not been fully restored yet, the Aak of the Zhou Dynasty has been restored, so why would we use inferior things like Hyangak or Dangak Your thinking is wrong. Sejong cut off Park Yeons words with a stern expression. Aak is originally not the sacred music of our country, but that of China. The Chinese people would be used to hearing it, so it would be natural to y Aak at sacrifices. However, our people always listen to Hyangak while they are alive, so wouldnt it be strange for them to hear Aak when they die? Sejong paused for a moment and looked around at Park Yeon and the ministers before continuing. Officer Park Yeon wants to correct the music of the court, but doing it right is not easy. Even the New Book of Music and L (written by Cai Yuanzheng of the Song Dynasty) is just a formality. Although our music cannot be said to be perfect, we do not necessarily have to be ashamed of it. Can we say that Chinese music is correct? The ministers nodded at Sejongs words. This was because if Chinese music books like the New Book of Music and L were properly written, there would have been no need for Park Yeon to do the restoration work. After that, Park Yeon continued to be rejected by Sejong and had to reorganize the music. In another sense, he too was beginning to be divided in his principles.
  1. Jeonmaecheong Office of Monopoly () was a government agency during Koreas Joseon dynasty that held legal monopolies over specific goods and services.[]
Chapter 196 Chapter 196 Year 1430, Spring With the arrival of spring, Joseon once again buzzed with activity. Various sectors that formed the backbone of the economy were growing rapidly in the wake of the Land Reform. However, agriculture still remained the mainstay of the economy, and rice cultivation was its cornerstone. As the full-fledged nting season began, all corners of Joseon gradually began to stir. In the aftermath of the Giyu Rebellion, Joseons rural areas had started to undergo subtle changes. The most significant change was the marked increase in the number of regions implementingnd consolidation. The state of Joseons agriculturalnd madend consolidation an absolute necessity. When Hyang first saw the rice paddies of Joseon, she could only mutter, Is this some kind of giant puzzle? For Hyang, who had only seen neatly organized fields resembling checkerboards in the 21st century where mechanized farming wasmonce, this was a natural reaction. However, there was a reason for this state of affairs. Two-thirds of the Korean penins is mountainous. People lived on the remaining third, the ins, where they cultivated farnd and built their homes. The ownership of farm roads of each household varied, which inevitably led to the irregr shapes of the fields and plots. This situation inevitably led to problems. The biggest problem wasnd management. The fields were so intertwined that it was almost impossible to manage farm roads, irrigation canals, and drainage ditches. As a result, it was impossible to use carts on the narrow farm roads, and disputes over agricultural water weremonce. Of course, the countries of the Korean penins had not given up on solving this problem. However, due to various issues such as manpower mobilization and ownership disputes rted tond consolidation, they had not seen much sess. Joseon was no exception. In 1419, the governor of Go-bu County and the governor of Jeo Province petitioned to build a dike called Neulje[1] in Gobu County and reim 10,000 gyeol of farnd below it. Jeo Provincial Governor Yi An-woo implemented the Jeongjeon System (Land Division System)[2]. However, the results were not good. In August of the following year, a major flood broke the banks of the levee, destroying about 600 gyeol of rice paddies. In the end, Jeo Provincial Governor Jang Yun-hwan rmended the closure of Neulje, which was eventually closed. This situation began to improve slowly after Hyang received the title of Crown Prince. Hyang, who began to assert his presence with the royal seal, advocated for nationwide flood control projects using relief funds. Sejong and his ministers, who agreed with Hyangs proposal, began flood control projects using relief funds. The scale of these projects was gradually expanded as their effectiveness was demonstrated. As the scale of the projects grew, so did the variety of works undertaken. Once the construction and repair of dams and reservoirs were nearingpletion, the court focused on river management. During the short period between harvest and the freezing of ice, and again between the melting of ice and the start of nting, the court concentrated manpower on river maintenance. The riverbed was dredged of umted sand, and the surrounding area was cleared to widen the riverbed and reduce the risk of flooding. In the early stages, stone was used to build underwater dams. Later, after the development of cement called Hoeju (a type of cement made from lime and y), reinforced concrete was used to build dams to prevent drought and salinity damage caused by seawater intrusion during high tides. While the proposal to utilize relief rice for flood control projects came from Hyang, the knowledge and technology used in these projects were not his own. Over thousands of years, humanity has umted a wealth of knowledge and experience in river management. This was also true in Joseon. Since the Three Kingdoms period, Koreans have built dams and reservoirs, demonstrating their technical expertise. However, the reason why Joseon and previous dynasties had not been able to properly manage their rivers was a problem of mindset. Traditionally,rge-scale civil engineering projects such as river management were considered corvebor. As a result, Joseon officials often resorted to forced mobilization ofbor. This meant that there was no incentive for workers, and they often had to provide their own food. This situation led to many people bing ves or vagrants. It was here that Hyang applied his knowledge to great effect. Initially, he offered relief rice in exchange forbor. Later, as the financial situation of the court improved, he introduced the concept of performance-based pay to these projects. Officials who oversaw the projects and managed to shorten construction time or prevent idents were promoted. Laborers involved in the projects were also given additional rewards in addition to relief rice. As Hyang said, Praise can make even whales dance, but incentives can make them fly! With these incentive measures in ce, river management projects gained further momentum. As a result, by the year Giyu (1429), the sixth year of King Sejongs reign, river management efforts across Joseon were beginning to show significant results. *** In this situation, arge number of ves were exempted as thend tax system was reformed. This was followed by the Giyu Rebellion and its aftermath, which caused arge-scale migration of tenant farmers. Thendlords, who had previously managed many ves and tenant farmers, now had to farm with far fewer. With fewer hands, they had no choice but to increase agricultural efficiency if they wanted to maintain the same level of production as before. The answer wasnd consolidation. Before the nting season, thendlords recruited not only tenant farmers but also people from nearby towns to participate in thend consolidation. They demolished the uneven and tangled ridges of the paddy fields and fields to create onerge field, and they also improved the irrigation system. It was not just a simple improvement of the irrigation system. With the water level of the rivers stabilized by reservoirs and various types of dams, waterwheels, which had previously been known but not widely used, were introduced on arge scale to supply water to the irrigation system. As the irrigation system and cultivatednd were improved, it was natural that the farm roads would also be widened. The narrow farm roads, which previously could only be passed by one person carrying a backhoe, were now wide enough for carts to pass through. *** As thend reform progressed, the court received an unexpected gift. It was the spread of carts. Sejong had worked hard to encourage the people to use carts widely. The effort to spread the use of carts began during the reign of Taejong. Jang Jahwa, who had been sent to Ming as an envoy, reported as follows: There is nothing like a cart for transporting goods. Is that so? After receiving the report, Taejong ordered the craftsmen to make carts, but he met with strong opposition from Yeonguijeong Ryu Jeong-hyeon. Our Joseon is a mountainous country, so carts have their limits! Considering the resources, time, and effort required to make them, their usefulness is too low, so there is no need to make them! In the end, Taejong had to give up on spreading the use of carts.(Note 3) The same was true during the reign of Sejong. A look at the history before Hyang made its introduction shows that in 1435 (Eulmyo year, 17th year of Sejong), Sejong and his ministers shed over the issue of carts. However, Sejong pushed ahead, and after confirming its usefulness, he said to his ministers: Some people may not like it, but there is nothing more convenient than a cart for carrying things like bricks, tiles, and stones. If you load them all on a cart at once, you can carry twice as much as three people carrying them, so how beneficial is that? Gaining confidence, Sejong decided to expand the use of carts to the Dongbuk and Seobok regions[3]. However, the ministers, including Hwang Hui, continued to oppose it. Carts are convenient, but they are only good on t roads. They cannot be used on rough or muddy roads. Even in Pyongan Province, the road to Anju is good because it is t, but the roads in other areas are too rough to use them. Pointing out the geographical problem, Hwang Hui continued. And carts are not something that anyone can make. If we want to spread the use of carts, the country has to send craftsmen to make them, but they will break down as soon as they are used and be unusable within a few months. It is not possible for the country to keep sending craftsmen, is it? In the end, Sejong gave up on spreading carts to rough terrain. After that, carts gradually disappeared in Joseon. It is funny that 350 yearster, Park Je-ga, a Silhak[4] schr during the reign of Jeongjo, strongly advocated for the use of carts in his book Discussion of Northern Learning[5]. And Sejongs frustration made him hand over more and more work to the crown prince. Sejong, who was frustrated by his health deteriorating due to a diet too heavy on meat and stress, and his continued failures to push through various reform policies, began to hand over government affairs to the crown prince. Having handed over the work to the crown prince, Sejong began to focus on studying the Korean alphabet. *** However, after Hyang intervened and changed history, the number of carts gradually increased. The expansion ofmerce and industry yed a role in the increase in the number of carts, but Hyangs virtues also yed a role. The handcarts (or rearcars in the 21st century terms) produced in the Area 51 by Hyang were a huge hit during the Great Fire of Hanseong. The handcarts, which had frames made of iron that was mass-produced from the ironworks in Anju, were sturdy. If only we had rubber. Unlike Hyangs regret, the wooden cartwheels were more sturdy than expected. Another reason for their poprity, along with their sturdy structure, was their convenient size. The fact that they were small enough for one or two people to push and pull instead of using horses or oxen was actually the reason for their sess. Although the carts were small, they could carry at least as much as four or five men could carry on their backs in one go. Even the rough terrain that Hwang Hui had pointed out, and the narrow paths thatrge carts pulled by oxen or horses could not go through, were mostly passable by handcarts. Since two or three men could push and pull them to pass through rough terrain, peddlers became the biggest buyers of handcarts. It gradually became amon sight to see peddlers carrying goods on handcarts pulled by donkeys. The same was true forrge merchants. They needed a lot of carts to transport their goods. Whilerge carts pulled by oxen or horses were useful, handcarts pulled by manpower were perfect for short-distance deliveries. Finally, thanks to cksmiths suddenly bing symbols of high-ie professionals, the problem of maintenance was also solved as cksmiths increased nationwide. In this way, the number of carts began to explode due to aplex web of causes and effects. After the fall of Goguryeo, which was known as the Land of Carts, carts had gradually disappeared, but they made a spectacreback during this period. *** Even though it was unintentional, asnd reform was actively carried out and the countryside was waking up, the court finally began road construction. It is finally starting. At Sejongs words, the ministers looked at him with tense faces. Sejong continued with a serious expression. There is also water transportation, and they say that railroads are being researched, but water transportation is vulnerable to natural disasters, and we dont know when the railroads will bepleted. Therefore, we must improve thend roads of this Joseon so that the people can befortable. So you all know how important this road construction is that we will be undertaking from now on. We will keep it in mind. The ministers answered in unison, but Sejong continued to urge them. Keep in mind that the development of this Joseon depends on the sess or failure of this project. We will engrave it in our hearts! The ministers answered Sejongs urging with loud voices.
  1. One of three mainkes that were used as embankment[]
  2. It is and system that is said to have been implemented during the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties of China. It is a system in which thend is divided into nine sections in the shape of a well, and the centralnd is cultivated as publd and the proceeds are used to pay taxes.[]
  3. Northwest regions[]
  4. Silhak (Practical Learning) was an intellectual and reform movement in Korea that aimed to address societal problems through critical analysis and practical solutions.[]
  5. The book addressed issues of social inequality and the rigid ss system. Park Je-ga proposed some reforms, though he wasnt radically advocating for overthrowing the social order.[]
Chapter 197 Chapter 197 [TL/N: This chapter mentions a vast number of locations. Refer this while reading.] CLICK HERE TO VIEW MAP Click to load embedded content with third-party consent. Then lets review the construction n again. Yes, Your Majesty. At Sejongsmand, the Minister of Public Works gestured to the officials behind him. A momentter, the Vice-Minister of Public Works, who had set up arge map next to him, bowed respectfully to Sejong. Lets begin. I obey. The Vice-Minister of Public Works, who had bowed to Sejong, turned to the ministers and bowed humbly before speaking. I will now report on the road paving n that will begin this year. Why do I feel like Im hearing a familiar BGM[1]? It was a feeling as if he was hearing a BGM that he had grown ustomed to hearing over the generations, as it was used in the weather forecast corner. The Vice-Minister of Public Works, who had bowed respectfully, turned the page with a long pointer. p! The lines drawn on this map are the main roads connecting the major regions of Joseon. Hmm Ooh~. Sejong and the ministers, who saw the map, expressed their interest with murmurs. The roadwork drawn on the map was a masterpiece created by the officials of the Ministry of Public Works after working tirelessly, even forgetting to leave work. In order to create this roadwork, the Ministry of Public Works had requested cooperation from the Ministry of Military Affairs and even the Research Institute. Does it go all around Joseon? Yes, Your Majesty. The Vice-Minister of Public Works answered Sejongs question respectfully. A red solid line, representing the roadwork, surrounded the Korean Penins. To the north, the red line followed the Amnok River and the Tumen River, and in other parts, it followed the coastline. Inside, a red line was drawn in the shape of an X, centered on Hanseong. The Vice-Minister of Public Works continued his exnation, pointing to the red line with his pointer. We will start with the northeastern region first. The northeastern route will start from Heunginjinmun[2] in Hanseong, pass through Pocheon[3] and Cheorwon[4], and arrive in Wonsan[5]. After that, we n to build an outer road along the coastline from Wonsan to Noktundo Ind[6]. Then can we say that Wonsan is the real starting point of the northeast direction? Yes, Your Majesty. Why did you choose Wonsan? At Sejongs question, the Vice-Minister of Public Works turned the page to the next chapter. The next page showed a close-up map of Wonsan. As you can see, Wonsan is a natural deep-water port. The Wonsan Penins, which juts out so far, protects ships from high waves. In the future, when we develop the virginnds to the east, we will need to move materials by road, but ships will y the biggest role. Therefore, we chose Wonsan, which has the best location as a port, as the starting point. I see. I understand. Once Sejong understood, the Vice-Minister of Public Works continued his exnation. He spoke eloquently, and thanks to his concise and easy-to-understand exnation, Sejong and the ministers were able to quickly grasp the gist of it. I think that vice-minister would be more needed in the Ministry of Rites than in the Ministry of Public Works. Wouldnt he be better suited for the Ministry of Personnel than the Ministry of Rites? As the ministers of each department began to covet the vice-ministers eloquent speaking skills, the Minister of Public Works stepped in to block them. Dont even dream of it until Im dead and in my coffin. Tsk! The other ministers clicked their tongues at the Minister of Public Works firm response. *** The exnation, which had been going smoothly, came to a halt at the part about Mungyeong Saeje[7]. Why do we have to go through Mungyeong Pass? I know very well that the terrain of mountain pass is dangerous. Did we choose the wrong route? At Sejongs question, the Chief exined the reason. Yes, Your Majesty. There are four main routes from Dongnae to Hanseong. One is the Mungyeong Saeje Pass that we have chosen as the main road, and the other is the Hwaryeong Pass that goes through Sangju, Boeun, and Chungju. The third is the Chupungnyeong Pass, also known as the Left Road, and the fourth is the Jungnyeong Pass[8], also known as the Right Road. I know that too. Tell me the reason. The vice-minister took a moment to catch his breath before speaking. Yes. The reason we didnt choose the Left Road or the Right Road is because they would require arge detour. The Right Road was excluded because the terrain of Jungnyeong Pass is just as dangerous as mountain pass, and we would have to go through the Danyang Gorge. The Chupungnyeong Pass on the Left Road is lower, but it would require an evenrger detour, and it was also excluded because of the Geumgang Gorge. The Hwaryeong Pass is better, but it was also excluded because it would require a detour to Boeun and Cheongju. However, Sejong continued to point out the problems. Yes, I understand that the route through mountain pass is the shortest distance. But how will we deal with the dangerous terrain of mountain pass? At Sejongs question, the vice-minister turned the page of the map. The next page showed a road drawn in a winding shape. This is a road design that we have named S-shaped Road. It looks like a path that a snake would have taken. Is there a reason why you made it like this? Yes. The overall length of the road is definitely longer, but it is less strenuous and suitable for climbing steep passes. Are you sure? At Sejongs question, the vice-minister nodded. Yes. The researchers at the Research Institute confirmed the results while building the road on Mt. Mokmyeok (Mt. Namsan) located in Area 51. At the vice-ministers answer, the eyes of Sejong and the ministers focused on Hyang. You again? Is it the Crown Prince again? As the gazes gathered, Hyang spoke in a shy voice. I studied it because the road to Mt. Mokmyeok is a bit dangerous. You better report it properly. I did, but? Sejong, who had paused for a moment at Hyangs answer, soon changed his expression and ordered the vice-minister. Alright. Since you said you have already confirmed the results, I will not make any furtherments. However, considering the winter of our Joseon, the terrain of mountain pass is dangerous. We should also develop a detour using Hwaryeong Pass. It will take additional time and budget, but it is a necessary measure if we consider the safety of the people. I obey yourmand! The Minister of Public Works and the Chief answered in unison. Behind them, the officials of the Ministry of Public Works took out paper and writing brushes to record Sejongs additional orders. Next, the focus turned to the roadwork being built along the Amnok River, the Tumen River, and the coastline. Why are you building roads around the outside like this? Yes. If you look at the terrain of our Joseon, 2/3 of it is mountains. Crossing these mountains is the biggest challenge. Therefore, taking a boat was the best way to travel north and south of Joseon. However, water transportation requires arge scale, so it is difficult for the people to use it easily. However, if we build roads along the coast and the riverbank, it will be much easier to travel. Hmm. Sejong stroked his beard and calcted the pros and cons as he listened to the Chiefs exnation. But wont it take too long? At Sejongs question, the Chief turned to the next page. The next page showed a map of the Korean Penins with many blue lines drawn on it. These are the secondary roads connecting to the main roads. If we connect them well, we can minimize the loss of time. The Vice-Minister turned to the next page right away. The next page showed a red and blue line intertwined, connecting all parts of Joseon. Its not bad, but. Sejong couldnt hide his disappointment after seeing the picture. Isnt there any way to reduce the travel time a bit more? At Sejongs question, Hyang stepped forward. There is one way, but it is impossible for now. What is it? It is to dig a tunnel through the mountain. Why is that impossible? Arent we already digging tunnels into mountains to mine ores? The scale is different. In a mine, the tunnel is only big enough for one or two people to enter, but for use as a road, at least one or two carts need to pass through. It takes too much time, money, and manpower to dig a tunnel that big. Sejong was discouraged by Hyangs answer. Hyang, who used toe whining for a budget all the time, was saying it couldnt be done because of the budget. Seeing you make a fuss about the budget tells me it must indeed be an impossible task. With the current level of technology in Joseon, it is quite difficult. However, it may not be entirely impossible given more time. At Hyangs words, Sejong smiled faintly. It does offer some constion. After continued exnations and a Q&A session, a few additional matters were added. It seems weve decided whats needed. Lets proceed as nned. I shall obey themand. This is an important task that will invigorate Joseon. I hope everyone will give their best. I will bear it in mind and act ordingly! With this meeting, the evolution ofnd transportation in Joseon began. * * * As soon as Sejongs approval was given, road construction started throughout Joseon. Roads began to be organized in all directions from Hanyang east, west, south, and north. Simultaneously, from the north in Anju and Wonsan, and from the south in Mokpo and Dongnae, roads started to beid towards Hanyang. The first phase was toplete this cross-shapedwork of roads, followed by the construction of outer ring roads. With themencement of road construction across Joseon, many people began to move. Workers participating in the construction, those supervising them, and merchants and prostitutes targeting the workers earnings all became active. The world is changing! Exactly. If things go well, we might see a better world. A better world wille. With such a virtuous king, how could it not? Yes! A virtuous king hase! Amidst the bustling energy, the people began to harbor a tentative hope. However, not everyone was pleased. A flurry of petitions against the road construction began to flood the court. Their content was almost identical. Although the roads in our vige are narrow and rough, there has been no trouble in the movement of people and goods. Now, with the new road construction underway, how can this not be distressing? It is distressing that resources and people are being mobilized for an unnecessary task, and the gathering of men at the construction sites is attracting prostitutes and gamblers, corrupting the purity of our vige. How can this not be distressing? Lastly, wide roads are also detrimental to national defense, how could this not be distressing? If the enemy invades through well-maintained roads, they will strike like a tempest. Therefore, the construction must rightly be stopped Reading the petition, Sejong crumpled it irritably and tossed it aside. These schrs know one thing but are ignorant of another! Can they truly be called educated? As Sejong burst out in frustration, Hyang gave a bitter smile. Wasnt there a simr situation just before the Imjin War? * * * Just before the Imjin War, although it was concluded that the Japanese forces would not invade, fortresses were still being repaired everywhere as a precaution. As soon as these repair works began, petitions opposing them were submitted, most of which contained the following arguments: -The moats of our vige fortresses are narrow, yet no one can leap over them. The walls may be low, but even the nimble cannot easily climb over them. Despite this, mobilizing the people for repairs is unnecessary and tyrannical, and thus should be immediately halted. * * * And then, what happened when the Imjin War broke out? Werent they all swept away? Recalling those who opposed with limited insight, Hyang wore a bitter expression and approached Sejong. Your Majesty, it seems they do not trust Your Majesty. Me? Their opposition reflects theirck of faith in our Joseon military. Doesnt that imply they alsock faith in Your Majestys wisdom in leading the military? That seems to be the case Nodding at Hyangs words, Sejong looked at him and smiled wryly. If you werent the Crown Prince, you would have made the most formidable of traitors. Truly a fearsome fellow. At Sejongs remark, the officials involuntarily nodded in agreement. Hyangs ability to frame the petitioners as disloyal with just a few words was indeed intimidating. The historian recording all these events added the following note: -The historian states: The Crown Princes eloquence is not just outstanding; it is fearsome. When the Crown Prince ascends to the throne, the officials must be wary of their words.
  1. Background Music[]
  2. moremonly known as Dongdaemun is one of The Eight Gates of Seoul[]
  3. an ind city in the far northeastern region of Gyeonggi province in South Korea.[]
  4. a county in Gangwon province. Located right next to North Korea today[]
  5. In Kangwon province, North Korea today[]
  6. Noktundo was an ind in the delta of the Tumen River on the border between Primorsky Krai, Russia and North Korea.[]
  7. Mungyeong Saejae held immense significance during the Joseon period as the primary gateway connecting the southeastern Gyeongsang province to the capital of Hanyang (modern-day Seoul). This mountain pass served as a crucial conduit for schrs, government officials, and traders traveling between the regions. Its strategic location made it a key point for defense and control of movement, while also facilitating cultural exchange and the flow of goods.[]
  8. is a mountain pass located in South Korea. It is situated on the border between the provinces of North Gyeongsang and North Chungcheong, and it is part of the Sobaek Mountain Range. Its also known as one of the strategic routes during Joseon dynasty[]
Chapter 198 Chapter 198 As petitions against the road construction continued, King Sejong issued a response. There are those who oppose the road construction currently being undertaken by the court. They im that the roads in their own regions are sufficient for the transport of goods and people, and thus the construction is unnecessary, urging for its cessation. However, this perspective is akin to that of the frog in the well, narrow-minded and deeply saddening. Considering the current state of Joseon, the roads are narrow and treacherous, making it difficult for the produce of one region to reach the neighboring ones, and people have grown ustomed to abandoning long journeys. Thus, the people of Joseon remain unaware of the vastness of the world, confined within narrow limits, bing increasingly isteda truly sorrowful state. The road construction was initiated to address this issue. By widening and improving the roads, we aim to ease the movement of many people, enlightening them to the vastness of the world. It is essential for the prosperity of Joseon that its people understand their ce in the world and their duties. Secondly, the concern that the customs of the regions may be chaotic is valid. To prevent this, additional soldiers will be deployed, so the people should not worry and focus on their livelihoods. Lastly, the im that well-maintained roads pose a problem for national defense is the epitome of folly. It is argued that well-maintained roads would facilitate enemy movement and thus are undesirable. However, isnt it also true that such roads would allow our Joseon soldiers to move more swiftly? And why do you not trust our Joseon soldiers? They who conquered Tsushima years ago and continue to bravely defend against the barbarians in the north are the soldiers of Joseon. Is it the soldiers of Joseon you do not trust, or is it me? The final sentence of King Sejongs promation silenced the protesting schrs, reducing them to submission. Questioning the national defense was equated to doubting the king, leading to usations of disloyalty. Foolish honesty could lead one to disaster! Realizing the gravity of the situation, the local schrs hastily put away their petitions. * * * Meanwhile, Hyang, upon reading King Sejongs promation, burst intoughter. These noblemen Do none among their kin serve in the military? Or perhaps is it fortunate that they do not? Had they heard theints about national defense, their heads might have been cracked open. Such was the state of Joseons strengthened military that not a single court official or military officer could deny Hyangs significant contribution. The first creations of Area 51, which Hyang had persuaded King Sejong to establish, were gunpowder weapons and armor. Though I was called a jack of all trades, my true passiony in military affairs! With me around, such nonsense cannot stand! Besides, I am the crown prince! Who would dare obstruct the future kings focus on national defense? Do they have a solid insurance n in ce? Hyang, making full use of his political background, consistently produced weapons. The weapons created by Hyang were recognized for their performance and were mass-produced and deployed. It does cost quite a bit to manufacture them. However, the performance is worth several times the investment. And with His Majestys approval, what other choice do we have? The Ministry of Taxation, responsible for budget execution, grumbled, but Sejong pushed forward vigorously. The military was an area of great interest to Sejong as well. With his dream of northern expansion, Sejong deemed the weapons created by Hyang absolutely necessary. Thus, amidst the supply of weapons with unmatched performance, unable to be followed even by Japan or Ming, Hyang persuaded Sejong. Numbers on a ledger are just that, numbers! We must cultivate proper soldiers and military officers! Joseon operated a conscription system. ording to the system implemented since the era of King Taejo, Joseon could theoretically muster an army of 300,000 in times of emergency. Theoretically. However, due to the irrationality of Joseons taxation system and the contradictions within the conscription system itself, there were many who avoided military service. As a result, during the Tsushima campaign in the first year of Sejongs reign, everyone from schrs living in the southern provinces to themoners had to be conscripted by force. The only exception was the ves. ves were considered people and yet not people. As long as I have started this! I will ensure that the portrayal of Joseons army as mere cannon fodder in dramas ceases to exist! Determined, Hyang overhauled the military conscription systempletely, involving not only military officers but also officials from the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Taxation. Through such birthing pains, aplete transformation of the Joseon army was achieved. Thats why Hyangughed at the schrs who submitted petitions after reading Sejongs promation. * * * There are still many who are unaware of how the world works. Such people should be dealt with decisively and drafted into the army Military officers who read Sejongs promation shared a reaction simr to Hyangs. Among the military officers who scoffed at the schrs, one named Kang Kyung-in suddenly grabbed his colleague. Listen, what did you just say? Huh? What do you mean? Didnt you say we should drag them into the army and put them to work? Yes, I did Why? Unlike his bewildered colleague, Kang Kyung-in spoke with a serious expression. Arent there areas where werecking, even with a military academy? Like administration or logistics. Thats true. Kang Kyung-ins point made his colleague nod in agreement. With Sejongs ascension, military officers were also expected to have schrly knowledge, raising their academic standards. However, as military officers, their promotions were most influenced by martial skills and specializations. As a result, the support units at the rear alwayscked personnel. So, lets pull in those who submitted the petitions and assign them tasks. Kang Kyung-ins suggestion made his colleague shake his head. Would they do it? Theyre nobles, after all. If they rage about the countrys concerns but refuse when actually asked to contribute, theyre hypocrites! Theyve made their stance known, so they should take responsibility, right? Indeed? Intrigued by Kang Kyung-ins argument, his colleague appeared persuaded. He wasnt the only one; the military officers who overheard the conversation seemed to share the sentiment. Why not flesh out this n in more detail? Should we? The spontaneously devised n was quickly formalized into a document and submitted to Jo Mal-saeng. Not bad. Lets see a well-developed n. Yes! As the enthusiastic military officers retreated, the Minister of Military Affairs asked with concern. Your Excellency, is this really alright? To the Ministers worry, Jo Mal-saeng responded nonchntly. If they are nobles and gentlemen, they should follow through. They wouldnt want to bebeled as hypocrites who go back on their word.'' Isnt the problem that most of those who talk big cant actually deliver? We know from experience, right? Once put to the task, theyll manage. If not, well hold them ountable for recklessly advising the king, and dump them in the Royal Archives. Theres beenints about shortages there anyway. Works out well. While exining the solution to the Minister, Jo Mal-saeng suddenly paused and stroked his beard. After pondering for a moment, he smirked wickedly. Hmm actually, this could work out well. We could filter out thepetent ones for the Minister of Military Affairs, send the mediocre ones to the northern frontierGeneral Choi and Minister Hwang Hui have beenining about shortagesand dump the utterly ipetent ones in the Royal Archives Perfect. Couldnt be better, right? To Jo Mal-saengs rhetorical question, the Minister of Military Affairs nodded. The initial worry on his face was reced by a cunning smile. As the reform progressed, amon enemy emerged for the ministers and officials of the court. Thismon enemy was the local nobility. Each time petitions from the local nobles arrived, the court officials would unleash a torrent of curses. Damn it! As if we werent busy enough already! If theyre so great, why dont theye forward and do the work themselves! The orders and tasks from Sejong were challenging but fulfilling. It was clear to them that Joseon was steadily advancing towards bing a wealthy and powerful nation. However, the local nobles were seen as worthless fellows who could be cursed for three days and nights without issue. Presuming to advise without proper understanding! This was themon sentiment among the central government officials. Ironically, the most hostile reactions to the local nobles petitions came from the officials of the Office of Censorship and the Office of Inspector-General. This was because the petitions invariably included criticisms of these two bodies. -It is the fault of the Office of Censorship and the Office of Inspector-General that they did not prevent His Majesty from making a misjudgment! Therefore, they should be severely punished! Each time such a sentence appeared, Sejong would smile and hand the petition to the Chief Royal Secretary and the Chief Inspector. What do you think? This insolent person must be severely punished! Indeed! If the petitioner had been present, the Chief Royal Secretary and the Chief Inspector would have erupted in fury, as if they were about to beat them to death. The other ministers felt the same. It was human nature to dislike sharing power once one had it. However, as the reform progressed and the ministers became exhausted from overwork, they unanimously criticized the petitions whenever they came. Let them try doing it themselves for once! Do they even understand the field? Who are they, and where do they live? Find out! Shake them down! *** Eventually, the n devised by the officials of the Minister of Military Affairs and the military department was presented to Jo Mal-saeng. Good! I will submit it as it is! Taking the n, Jo Mal-saeng rushed to Sejong to present it. After carefully reading the n submitted by Jo Mal-saeng, Sejong ordered the Chief State Councillor. Summon all the Ministers and the heads of the various departments. Yes, Your Majesty. Soon after, the Ministers and heads gathered at the Geunjeongjeon Hall. Once everyone was assembled, Sejong handed the Minister of Military Affairss n to the senior officials. Read this and lets discuss. Yes, Your Majesty. The Ministers and heads took turns reading the n in detail. Huh After reading the n, one of the officials, Lee Jik, exhaled in astonishment. In all my years Lee Jik trailed off, but his expression as he looked at Jo Mal-saeng said everything that needed to be said. The faces of the other ministers who read the n mirrored Lee Jiks reaction. What do you all think? At Sejongs question, the chief ministers and ministers looked towards him. After a moment, Maeng Sa-seong spoke up. Its indeed a wicked n, one that a true gentleman should not lightly entertain. However, it seems to be the perfect scheme to acquaint those ignorant of reality with the harsh truths of life. Even though its wicked? Is not reality often harsher? At Maeng Sa-seongs response, Sejong smiled slyly. The Left State Councillor is correct. The n proposed by the Minister of Military Affairs is indeed malevolent. But, given the harshness of reality, lets use this opportunity to broaden the horizons of those frogs in the well. Thus, the Talent Acquisition n proposed by the Minister of Military Affairs was unanimously approved. The historian who recorded this event added the following note: -Thus, with the unanimous consent of the ministers, His Majesty approved the execution of the Minister of Military Affairss n. The historian remarks: Looking at the current court, it seems all the gentlemen who debate morality have vanished. Even in the n proposed by the Minister of Military Affairs, theres not a trace of moral principle to be found, no matter how hard one looks. It is filled with deceit. Yet, even I, the historian, find myself in favor of the Minister of Military Affairss n, which is truly disheartening. I cannot be the only one to perish. Chapter 199 Chapter 199 Hyang sighed deeply after reviewing the proposal sent up from the Ministry of Military Affairs. Phew~. Theyve all turned into water ghosts Who on earth brought in such foul water? Had the ministers and Sejong heard this, they would have been taken aback by Hyangs casual manner in addressing such serious matters. * * * Two weekster, at a tiled house in Andong. By royalmand! Schr Kim Chang-seop,e forth and receive the royal decree! At the loud voice of the county magistrate outside, therge gates of the tiled house swung open, and the person in question, Kim Chang-seop, hurried out. Are you Kim Chang-seop? Despite being acquainted for a long time, the magistrate asked with a stiff expression as if they were meeting for the first time, to which Kim Chang-seop quickly replied. Yes, that is correct. The kingsmand is to be followed without dy. Dress in your official attire at once! Following the local officials order, Kim Chang-seop quickly turned around to change into his official robes. He then solemnly performed the pre-reception ritual before the magistrate began reading the royal decree. Schr Kim Chang-seop, listen well. Having read your petition, I could not hold back tears at your patriotic loyalty. Though you have lived in obscurity, your devotion to the country shines bright. How can this not bring joy? I am thankful, profoundly thankful, to the heavens and earth that such talents still exist in Joseon. How can we allow a person of such patriotic loyalty to remain hidden in obscurity? Thus, Kim Chang-seop, upon receiving this decree,e at once to Hanyang and report to the Ministry of Military Affairs. Reveal all that you have for the well-being of Joseon at the Ministry of Military Affairs. After reading the decree, the magistrate handed it to Kim Chang-seop. Congrattions. Such opportunities are rare, and to be called to service by royalmand is trulymendable. Ah? Yes? Thank you. Still in a daze, Kim Chang-seop received the decree as the magistrate offered one more congrattion before turning to leave. Such events were unfolding all across Joseon. Noblemen who received Sejongs decree were filled with dreams and hopes, heading towards Hanyang. * * * Meanwhile, in the northeast frontier, there was much discussion about Sejongs promation. It seems there are still many down south who are unaware of how the world works. Choi Yoon-deoks remark was met with a nod from Hwang Hui. Frogs in a well, indeed. Its giving me quite the headache. A headache? Why? At Choi Yoon-deok[1]s question, Hwang Hui pointed to the promation. This promation is the cause of my headache. Considering the current situation with the Jurchen tribes, quite a few have submitted to the might of the Joseon army led by the Commander-in-Chief. However, I worry that this promation might embolden some to underestimate Joseon and engage in foolish acts. Hmm At Hwang Huis concern, Choi Yoon-deok also stroked his chin beard with a serious expression. Hwang Huis worry was not unfounded. To the average Joseon person, the Jurchens were seen as ignorant barbarians. However, the Jurchens were far from ignorant barbarians. They were cunning. Moreover, many of them possessed intellectual capabilities rivaling those of Joseons schrs. If such individuals underestimated Joseon and caused trouble, it could bring great turmoil to the northeastern region, which was just beginning to find stability. Yet, contrary to Hwang Huis concerns, Choi Yoon-deok soon responded with a slight smile. I believe it would be manageable. Really? With the current capabilities of the Joseon army, we can certainly suppress them. In fact, hiding too much might lead them to suspect and distrust us,plicating matters further. Hwang Hui stroked his chin beard at Choi Yoon-deoks words. There is some merit to your point, but This is guaranteed by me, who has fought against the Jurchens in the north and the Japanese pirates in the south. Hmm As Hwang Hui pondered, Choi Yoon-deok added, Unless the Jurchens wish to confront the Green Tiger Army, no fool would act rashly just because of a piece of promation. I see. Hwang Hui nodded in relief at Choi Yoon-deoks words. * * * The Jurchens referred to the Joseon army as the Green Tiger Army. This was because the Joseon armys te armor was covered with dark green cloth. It was Hyangs idea. The te armor, covering most of the body, would be unbearably hot under the sun. To prevent this, Hyang wrapped the te armor in cotton cloth. While were at it Hyang dyed the cotton cloth dark green. As a result, the armors reflection of sunlight was reduced, allowing Joseon soldiers to approach the Jurchens more closely. Thus, the dark green armor became a symbol of the Joseon army. And as the northeastern frontier was developed, the Joseon army began to be called the Green Tiger Army. Jurchens who had never shed with the Joseon army mockingly called them the Green Racoon Group, underestimating them. No matter how many racoons swarm together, a racoon is still a racoon! Cunning racoons that only know how to ambush! They ridiculed the Joseon army, which primarily used ambushes and surprise attacks as their tactics, calling them racoons. However, for the fortunate Jurchens who survived an encounter with the Joseon army, the Tiger in Green Tiger Army was not a racoon but a tiger. Its not a racoon, but a tiger as cunning as a racoon! Its a pack of such tigers swarming together! Those who survived the Joseon armys assaults cried out in fear, captured by terror. *** Hwang Hui felt a wave of relief wash over him at Choi Yoon-deoks confident words and nodded in agreement. Now that the Commander-in-Chief is so assured, I feel relieved. By the way, what are your ns regarding the Odori tribe? When Hwang Hui mentioned the Odori tribe, Choi Yoon-deoks expression turned troubled. Thats a bit worrisome. They hardly show any weaknesses Wouldnt it be better tomand Lee Jing-ok[2] to handle it? Choi Yoon-deok shook his head at Hwang Huis suggestion. That wont do. His Majesty ordered us to handle it discreetly. But Lee Jing-ok is the type to forcefully attack without regard for diplomacy. He wouldnt consider diplomacy at all. That is true. Hwang Hui nodded in agreement with Choi Yoon-deoks assessment. * * * King Sejongs order to deal with the Odori tribe stemmed from a longstanding grudge that dated back to the reign of King Taejong. The leader of the Odori tribe, Tong Mengge Temur (Aisin Gioro Mengtemu), had been a chieftain of the Jurchen tribes who had submitted to Joseon since the time of King Taejo. However, when Taejong seeded the throne and Emperor Yongle ascended to the throne in Ming, Temur defected to the Ming. This marked the beginning of the hostile rtionship between the Odori tribe and Joseon. Taejong did not want the Odori tribe, located near the ancestralnds of his family, to defect to the Ming. Consequently, there were continuous shes between the Joseon army and the Odori tribe, leading the Odori tribe to migrate to the area controlled by Aha Chus Huligai tribe. Later, after Sejong ascended the throne, the Odori tribe returned to their original settlement near Hwaryeong. Temur expressed a willingness to resubmit to Joseon and offered his son as a hostage, but Sejong refused. We dont need hostages. If you need something, say it. We will provide support. Though outwardly a peaceful rtionship was established, Sejong was determined to eliminate both Aha Chus Huli Gai and Temurs Odori. One cannot entrust the border to such bat-like beings! Elimination is the best course of action! Thus, Sejong had given Choi Yoon-deok the order. Eliminate the Odori at the first sign of vulnerability. * * * Exining that entrusting the task to Lee Jing-ok would bring more harm than good, Choi Yoon-deok continued with a slight smile. Fortunately, the Orangkhai tribe is located on both sides of the Odori. Moreover, the Orangkhai tribe has definitively submitted to our Joseon, and even better, they dont get along with the Odori. At Choi Yoon-deoks words, Hwang Hui stroked his chin beard and nodded. Then an opportunity will arise soon. It will. It all depends on how long Temur and his n can hold out. I hope it wont take too long. You have no idea how much my impatient subordinate has been pestering me Hwang Huisint elicited a knowing look from Choi Yoon-deok. An impatient one are you talking about Kim Jong-seo? At Choi Yoon-deoks question, Hwang Hui silently nodded. *** Meanwhile, Kim Jong-seo was discussing matters with Lee Jing-ok. Look here, Jing-ok. It seems like the reorganization of the Jurchen tribes is almostplete, but why hasnt the Commander-in-chief ordered a withdrawal yet? Brother Kim, isnt there still one left? No, perhaps two? At Yi Jing-oks words, Kim Jong-seo nodded as if he understood. Ah, the tribe from Mount Baekdu? Exactly. Those reed-like fellows. The other one is the Imangju. Tsk. Kim Jong-seo clicked his tongue lightly at Lee Jing-oks words. For Joseon, Aha Chu and Tong Mengge Temur symbolized betrayal and were entities that must be eliminated eventually. Besides the reason for their betrayal, both Imangjus Huligai and Tong Mengge Temur needed to be eliminated for national defense reasons as well. Their locations near the northern banks of the Amnok River and the northeastern banks of the Tumen River, as well as near Baekdu Mountain, were strategic. Securing the natural defenses of the Amnok River, Tumen River, and Baekdu Mountain required the elimination of these two tribes. Lee Jing-ok grumbled with a face full of dissatisfaction. Id like to just march in and sweep them away, but the problem is that both have received official positions from Ming This is why I hate politics! Im no fan of politics either. Arent you an official in the court? How can a nobleman like you dislike politics? Its a job, just a job. Id rather enjoy the nights in Hanyang as a man of culture. At Kim Jong-seos words, Lee Jing-ok grumbled to himself. Thats why he gets called a dandy. In the northeastern frontier, Kim Jong-seo was famously known as a dandy. Even the Jurchens called him an old horse, implying that he would do well when asked but would dawdle and try to escape until then, much like an old horse thats been through much and only has tricks left. Whether Kim Jong-seo was aware of Lee Jing-oks grumbling or not, he continued toin. Ah~ I miss Hanyang. I long for the courtesan alleys of Ungjongga and Bukchon! Im even starting to miss the smell of dung from Cheonggyecheon! Expressing his longing for Hanyang openly, Kim Jong-seo then suggested a n to Lee Jing-ok. How about using the Jurchen cavalry? The Jurchen cavalry? Ah! You mean the scouts? Exactly! Kim Jong-seo was referring to a newly organized unit within the Joseon armyposed of Jurchens. *** As Joseon expanded into the northeastern frontier, many Jurchen tribes submitted to their rule. Hwang Hui pondered over how to manage these surrendered Jurchens efficiently. While Hwang Hui struggled to find a solution, Kim Jong-seo presented an answer. Wouldnt settlers from the south be arriving soon? Thats right. Theyll need to clearnd for farming, given the situation where we have vastnds but not enough people, right? Indeed. What if we recruitbor from among the Jurchens? Hmm? Kim Jong-seos n was as follows: Thats a good idea. As Hwang Hui responded positively, Kim Jong-seo quickly added: Of course, wed need His Majestys approval for the payment of wages. In that case, you should go to Hanyang, right? Since you said we should always move together, Ill prepare to go to Hanyang! Hey! How did the conversation turn to that! Despite Hwang Huis loud protest, Kim Jong-seo had already disappeared. Watching Kim Jong-seos departure, Hwang Hui grumbled: That dandy fellow
  1. A militarymander. First introduced in Chapter 97[]
  2. Another prominent military officer first introduced in Chp.97[]
Chapter 200 Chapter 200 Kim Jong-seos proposal quickly took shape under the hands of the officials. However, it was Kim Jong-seo himself who did the lions share of the work. As he epted Kim Jong-seos proposal, Hwang Hui spoke a word to him. Your idea sounds usible, so were going to go ahead with this n. But let me tell you something, if you dont do it right, youll be going back to Hanseong having only seen Gyeongbokgung Pce. O-ho, my lord. Im doing it properly, I assure you. Hwang Hui snorted at Kim Jong-seos words. Hm! Really? Have you forgotten who the one approving this n is? If you just make something half-assed, youll be packing your bags and heading back right away. Gulp! Kim Jong-seo gulped at Hwang Huis words. Knowing Hwang Huis personality as he did, he knew that was entirely possible. Seeing Kim Jong-seos expression, Hwang Hui continued. But if you do it properly and get approval, youll be spending a long time in Hanseong, starting with preparing funds for implementation and handling all sorts of other tasks. How long do you think it will take? At least a month Kim Jong-seo found himself blurting out an answer, before quickly tensing up. Please leave it to me! I wont do it twice! Do it well. Because the time you spend in Hanseong rests in your hands! Yes! Kim Jong-seo was filled with a renewed sense of determination. From then on, until the n was finalized, Kim Jong-seo relentlessly drove his subordinates. You idiot! The numbers are wrong here! No! I told you not to use the vulgar form! Oh my~. Look at this mess! Did you write this sentence with your hands or your feet? Do I have to rewrite it myself? Kim Jong-seo berated his subordinates using the regional dialects he had learned while living with officials from all eight provinces of the country. *** After about a month of preparation, Hwang Hui and Kim Jong-seo returned to Hanyang with their proposal. As they traveled down the east coast, connected through the northeastern frontier, passing through Wonsan and Cheorwon via the Goguryeo structures, Hwang Hui turned to Kim Jong-seo. Were currently nning to rebuild the entire roadwork of Joseon. The route we took through the northeast seems the best option, doesnt it? Kim Jong-seo nodded in agreement. Definitely better than identally crossing the wrong mountain range and ending up as tiger feed. Make a note of that. Understood. At Hwang Huismand, Kim Jong-seo pulled out a writing board with ink and brush, and despite riding, his writing flowed smoothly, a skill honed from his long stay in the northeastern regions. Hwang Hui internally grumbled as he watched Kim Jong-seos calligraphy. This guy his handwriting is bold and earnest, but his actions are nothing but dawdling How am I supposed to deal with this Wow! Well written! Truly a master of calligraphy! Oblivious to Hwang Huis concerns, Kim Jong-seo, having finished writing, admired his own work without cease. Hwang Hui looked up to the sky and sighed deeply. Phew~. How did I ever get saddled with such a lifetimemitment to this fellow How am I supposed to handle these damn sons of mine Hwang Huis thoughts of his own misfortune made any sympathy for his sons vanish into the distance. ** After going through various events, Hwang Huis group finally passed through Sukjeongmun, the northern gate of Hanseong, and the cityscape of Hanseong came into view. Hanseong! Im back! Woof woof woof! Shush! At Kim Jong-seos loud voice, the sound of a dog barking came from a nearby thatched-roof house. When Kim Jong-seo, who was startled by the sudden barking, shouted, Hwang Hui, who was next to him, spoke a word. Stop talking nonsense with your friend and lets go. We need to get to Gyeongbokgung Pce before sunset. Yes Yes? My lord! Friend? Are you calling me a dog? Thats a bit harsh! Shush! The two of them continued their banter and headed towards Gyeongbokgung Pce on horseback. The guards following them behind whispered quietly. Theyre really a match made in heaven. I agree. Every time I see them bicker like that but still stick together *** Hmm Sejong sniffed as he looked through the report submitted by Hwang Hui. He had already heard the exnation verbally from the ministers, but he was going through the process of checking it again by looking at the actual document. After reading it all, Sejong closed the book and looked at the ministers. He saw Kim Jeom counting something with his fingers, his eyes fixed on the distance, and muttered softly. I guess I have the answer However, there was a procedure to follow, so Sejong coughed loudly. Ahem! Ahem! Sejong gathered the attention of the ministers with his cough and got to the point. What do you think, ministers? At Sejongs question, the ministers took a moment to collect their thoughts and opened their mouths one by one. In my opinion, I think it is a very good idea. I agree. The Jurchens are inherently violent people, and if their lives are not stable, they will immediately show their viciousness. It will require a lot of money, but it is not a loss at all if we can stabilize and pacify the Jurchens. The ministers evaluated Hwang Huis proposal as useful. Sejong looked back at Hwang Hui after hearing the ministers evaluations. I will ept the proposal you have brought. Immediately consult with the ministers of the Six Ministries and finalize the scale of the necessary resources. You havee a long way, so take a day off first and then start working. Thank you very much! Hwang Hui bowed deeply to express his gratitude to Sejongs order. It was a good thing that Sejong epted the n that Kim Jong-seo had made, but what he was most grateful for was the day off. Kim Jong-seo felt the same way. Thank you very much! Sejong smiled and opened his mouth at the sight of Kim Jong-seo expressing his gratitude in a loud voice. Are you Kim Jong-seo? Yes, Your Majesty. Ive heard rumors. Sejong continued, looking at Kim Jong-seo with a mysterious smile. I wont say anything if you just guard the border. Thank you very much! *** The drinker of Hanseong has returned! The news of Kim Jong-seos return quickly spread to the Gisaeng district. Which house will he go to first this time? The Gisaengs customers waited for Kim Jong-seo to arrive, looking out the street. Not long after, Kim Jong-seo appeared in the Gisaeng district and shouted loudly. Im back! Oh, my dear! Wee! Dear! Come to our house today! No,e to our house first! Kim Jong-seo looked back at Hwangbo-in at the even more fierce solicitation of the customers than expected. Why do you think the solicitation has gotten worse? Because business is not good in this neighborhood either. Huh? At Kim Jong-seos puzzled expression, Hwangbo-in exined the reason. The officials are too busy working to have time to go to the Gisaeng houses. Ah Kim Jong-seo nodded at Hwangbo-ins exnation and dragged him into his favorite Gisaeng house. Since its been a while, bring us a good table! Yes, sir! After a while, the table was set and the Gisaeng came in. The Gisaengs performance began and Hwangbo-in, who had taken a sip of the alcohol, frowned. This alcohol is tasteless! Bring us a proper one! Otherwise, I wont pay the bill! Oh my! Yes, sir! At Hwangbo-ins shout, the Gisaengs quickly moved to change the alcohol jug. Hmm? Wasnt this the original taste? At Kim Jong-seos question after tasting the alcohol in his ss, Hwangbo-in answered briefly. You may not know it, but I have to go to court tomorrow. If I want to avoid getting scolded for beingte, I have to eat quickly, get drunk quickly, and go to bed quickly. Huh Kim Jong-seo shook his head at Hwangbo-ins exnation. It has always been said that alcohol should be drunk slowly Youll have to get used to it if you want to survive in Hanseong. Kim Jong-seos face became filled with a sense of loss at Hwangbo-ins answer. This is not the Hanseong life I had in mind By the way, drinking alone to get drunk quickly and end the night quickly became a custom and bad habit passed down from generation to generation among Joseon officials. Just as the sailors and lower ss people of the Age of Discovery sought rum to get drunk quickly and cheaply, so did the Joseon officials seek solo recitals. *** Hwang Hui, who had obtained Sejongs approval and even secured the necessary funds, set off on the road back to the northeastern frontier with Kim Jong-seo. No, did you really hate leaving Hanseong that much? You look like youve lost everything. At Hwang Huis question, Kim Jong-seo answered in a gloomy voice. Thats As Kim Jong-seo told him about what he had experienced every time he went to the Gisaeng house, Hwang Hui burst outughing. You idiot! Do you know what the mostmon saying in the court these days is? Its There are not enough people! Do you know how bad it is that theres even talk of the ministers of the Six Ministries gathering to evaluate every single petition thates up? With a shortage of people and a pile of work to do, do you have the time to drink alcohol leisurely? Even so, alcohol has always been At Kim Jong-seos expression, still unable to hide his regret, Hwang Hui sighed softly. Thats true Alcohol does taste better when you drink it slowly. In that sense, wouldnt the drinking parties in the frontier be better? The alcohol may be a bit rough, but theres also decent clear alcohol if you go to a local tavern. That is true Kim Jong-seo nodded unconsciously at Hwang Huis words. The work in the frontier was hard, but the drinking parties still had a certain charm to them. Right? So what do you think? This time, lets settle down in the northeast region for good. Soon, well start reiming the virginnd in the east Absolutely not! Im going back to Hanseong as soon as the frontier is sorted out! Kim Jong-seo strongly rejected Hwang Huis words before he could finish. Hwang Hui clicked his tongue at Kim Jong-seos reaction. What a pity He was almost there *** With the funds provided by the central government, Hwang Hui and Kim Jong-seo soon created a new organization. Labor Support Agency After creating the organization and appointing officials, Hwang Hui and Kim Jong-seo immediately began recruitingborers from the defected Jurchen people. So youre saying youll pay us? Yes! Thats not all. While working onnd remation and agricultural assistance, you can learn how to farm and get a job right away by learning civil engineering skills by participating in road construction! Many Jurchens had stern expressions at the officials sweet talk. Among the Jurchens, there were quite a few who farmed, but their farming methods had hardly developed since the old Samhan period. However, the Joseon farmers were in a more developed situation than that. Of course, to the eyes of Hyang, who had experienced the 21st century, it was all the same. Nevertheless, the number of Jurchens applying for the job was increasing as the government guaranteed wages. The main reason was that it could solve the problem of survival, which was the biggest problem that the Jurchens had to live a nomadic life. Thats why many Jurchens, regardless of gender, knocked on the door of the Labor Support Agency. The existence of the Labor Support Agency was also a great help to the farmers who were promoted to the policy ofmon people. The average area of farnd that farmers received per household was 2gyeol. When converted tond unit measurement, this was an area of about 12,000 to 16,000 pyeong. Although they received as muchnd as they wanted, it was very difficult for one household to reim it. Even though the country provided oxen and horses for farming, it was still too much. It was also a problem to cooperate with neighboring farmers. The area to be reimed also increased in proportion to the number of people working. At this time, the Jurchens who were supported by the Labor Support Agency were a great help. The Jurchens were tenacious as they had endured the harsh environment. Although they worked with gestures and gestures because they didntmunicate well, the Jurchens and Joseon people gradually reimed the farnd while talking in a mixture of Jurchen and Korean. Through the remation of farnd and the expansion of irrigation facilities, the frontier of the northeast region gradually changed into the appearance of Joseon. Chapter 201 Chapter 201 The lives of the Jurchens gradually stabilized with the help of the Labor Support Agency established by the Joseon court. Although it was not a high ie, the fact that money came in steadily every time they worked was a great blessing for the Jurchen people. Except for therge tribes, the lives of the Jurchen people were even more difficult than those of the Joseon farmers. Thats why many Jurchens had robbed the viges of Joseon and Ming people. However, now they had money and could go to the Ministry of Taxations monopoly store whenever they wanted to buy the goods they needed. The monopoly store of the Ministry of Taxation was the symbol of the capital and its darling. *** As the development project progressed, the monopoly store of the Ministry of Taxation was able to escape its status as a backwater. At first, it was just a ce where salt and sugar were sold as a monopoly. Therefore, the Ministry of Taxation officials who were initially assigned to the monopoly store were quite dissatisfied. I studied so hard and passed the civil service exam, and now Im a merchant! The officials were quite dissatisfied, but none of them resigned immediately. The reason they had to study so hard was for one goal: to serve the country. So, the officials who were assigned to the monopoly store and grumbled began to scream soon after. They were not only selling salt and sugar, but also given an enormous amount of work. The Ministry of Taxation officials at the monopoly store, after seeing the order from Hanseong, looked nonchnt. Its been a while since Ive used my writing brush. Its a lot of work, but its not that difficult. The officials at the monopoly store consulted with the officials at the neighboring monopoly stores to adjust the number of counties they would be responsible for and immediately began working. Although the amount of work was considerable, the two Ministry of Taxation officials assigned to each monopoly store proceeded quickly. The reason they were able to work so quickly was because the monopoly store was only open once every five days, on market days. However, the workload descending from Hanyang continued to increase. Survey the number of serfs owned byndlords in each military post and county. Record the yields of barley in spring and rice in autumn, noting the increases or decreasespared to the previous year and recording the average changes to report back to Hanyang. Especially with the yield records, by the fourth year of reform, it became necessary to document the fluctuations and average changes to send to Hanyang, a task far beyond the capability of just two officials assigned to each trade post. As a result, by thetter half of the reform period, the number of officials from the Ministry of Taxation stationed at each trade post had increased to four. Yet, the workload continued to grow. The establishment of the Joseon bank was underway, and with the preparation for currency cirction, the workload showed no signs of diminishing. Additionally, the range of products handled at the trade posts was gradually expanding. Some items were added by the government, including high-value, low-volume goods like spices, while others were added in response to the demands of the people. For instance, in remote areas like Gangwon Province, there was a notable demand for paper. Are you asking for paper? Yes. In the area where we live, not even peddlerse by. So, we dont even have paper to hang on the doors. So, you traveled 30 ri (about 12km), crossing over those mountains? Yes. The Ministry of Taxation officials were perplexed but could understand the plight of the people. Not just in Gangwon Province but in many parts of Joseon, there were areas that peddlers rarely entered due to difficult terrain. Althoughrgermunities like counties would have markets every five days, attracting more peddlers, the chances of finding needed items precisely when required were slim. Thats why the people flocked to the trade posts run by the Ministry of Taxation. Even though they still had to travel to the county level, trade posts consistently received regr shipments of goods. Eventually, the officials had no choice but to amodate the peoples requests. Alright, Ill see what I can do. But it might take at least a month. Is that okay? Yes! Is there anything else you need besides paper? As such proxy purchasing became more frequent, the matter eventually reached the agenda of the government discussions. Ultimately, the court decided to increase the variety of goods handled by the stores. Simply increasing the number of items is a great waste. Order them to urately identify the items that are absolutely necessary but difficult to obtain in each region. At Sejongsmand, the ministers bowed in unison and replied. A most justmand! We receive yourmand! Thanks to this, the work of the officials assigned to the stores also increased. As things progressed, the variety of goods handled by the stores began to increase rapidly. I wonder shouldnt we call it Joseon Mart instead of a store soon? Hyang was so surprised after receiving the report. *** Even though the variety of goods sold at the stores increased, themon items sold were salt, sugar, and medicinal herbs. Medicinal herbs were sold as much as salt and sugar. *** The people of the countryside treated diseases through folk remedies passed down through the generations. There were many effective remedies, but there were also many that were not. At this, Sejong summoned the imperial physicians and gave an order. There are many people who suffer greatly because there is no proper prescription for diseases that can be easily treated! Find an answer to this with your knowledge! We receive yourmand! Although they responded immediately because it was a strict royalmand, the imperial physicians looked troubled. The only thing that the people can easily eat is medicine boiled in water, but isnt it taboo to make medicine recklessly? Thats right. It is fundamental to examine the patients condition through questioning and pulse diagnosis The imperial physicians were unexpectedly cautious. However, they could not help it because the patients they treated were mostly members of the royal family or high-ranking officials. Even a small mistake could result in exile, or even death in severe cases. Therefore, they had no choice but to be cautious. Theres nothing we can do. Lets go to the Crown Prince! Thats right! After listening to the imperial physiciansints, Hyang immediately asked a question. Ive read quite a few medical books myself. If I look at the medical books, I think the amount of ingredients to be added is also determined in addition to the list of ingredients? That is the approximate amount. To make a proper medicine, you need to urately identify the patients condition and make the medicine by adding and subtracting the amount of ingredients. The medicine we need now is emergency medicine. It is not a cure, but a medicine to stabilize the condition, so it seems that we can adjust the amount based on medical books and experience. However When a major epidemic broke out in the past and I went out to treat it, didnt I boil medicine inrge quantities unless the patient was in critical condition? Think of it as the same situation. Aha! The imperial physicians, who had caught on to Hyangs words, brightened their faces and bowed in unison. Thanks to your insight, we have found the answer! We are truly grateful! Thank you! As the imperial physicians expressed their gratitude, Hyang waved his hand as if it was nothing. It is thanks to the excellence of the imperial physicians that the work has be easy. Hyang, who had seen off the imperial physicians, had a vague expression on his face. Emergency medicine Its something that I cant quite grasp Hyang, who had been frowning and thinking as if he was chasing something that was only slightly visible in the fog, suddenly snapped his fingers. Thats right! Opium! Hyang hurriedly got up from his seat and looked for the eunuch. Eunuch! Prepare to go to His Majesty! Its urgent, so get ready right away! Yes? Yes! Hyang, who had visited the Geunjeongjeon, immediately told Sejong his business. To stop the cultivation of poppies? Why? Sejong asked, and Hyang immediately answered. You are aware that many people use the sap of poppies as an emergency medicine, are you not? I know. I heard it is quite useful. However, if you take too much of this poppy sap, you will hallucinate and be addicted. Once you be addicted, you will start looking for more and more poppies, and if you cant get them, you will resort to violence and crime to get them. What is your evidence? It is something that ismonly pointed out in many medical books. At Hyangs words, Sejong looked around at the ministers. Thanks to the fact that reading medical books was a hobby of the schrs, as was mathematics, quite a few of the ministers nodded their heads. After confirming the reaction of the ministers, Hyang continued speaking. There are many pharmacies all over Joseon, and this time, medicinal herbs will be sold through the stores. Therefore, I ask that you prohibit ordinary people from growing poppies and have a separate person cultivate only the amount needed to supply the hospitals. Sejong looked around at the ministers at Hyangs words. What do you think, ministers? At Sejongs question, the ministers, who had been calcting in their minds, answered in unison. We think it is reasonable. In the absence of opposition from the ministers, Sejong immediately came to a conclusion. Then lets do it. Now that the people can easily obtain medicinal herbs, it is right to prevent them from associating with dangerous things like poppies. Thus, an order was issued to ban the cultivation of poppies throughout Joseon. However, there were always those with the Blue Tiger symbol, so there were those who secretly manufactured and distributed poppies. Therefore, the cat-and-mouse game between drug organizations and crackdowns continued throughout Joseon history. However, in the process, the sparks flew to an unnecessary ce, and that was to Sejong. Addiction is really scary. Thats probably why the saying too much is too much and the saying excess is in proportion exist. Thats right. As the ministers responded to Sejongs words in unison, Hyangs gaze turned elsewhere. Hyangs gaze was directed at the candy jar ced on the table below the hall, where the officials were seated. Father. Doesnt the candy jar you put there seem bigger than before? Ah Ive been drinking tea a lottely, so Father, as I told you before, if you eat too much candy, you will get thirsty, and then Im still fine! I know what Im doing! Even though Sejong cut him off, Hyang continued speaking, looking at Sejong in a certain way. Well, you see the rate at which my younger siblings are being born You rascal, get out! After chasing Hyang out, Sejong ordered the eunuch. Change it to a smaller jar. Yes, Your Majesty! Sejongs eyes narrowed at the eunuchs bright voice. You, why do you like it so much? I was also worried Ugh go change it right now. Sejong groaned and held out his hand. The people visited the stores more and more as the Ministry of Taxation sold medicinal herbs. Of course, there was a criterion for selling medicinal herbs at the stores: only in ces where there was no pharmacy within a radius of 5 li (about 2 km). However, there were countless such ces. The fact that they could now buy medicinal herbs at the stores was a great blessing for the people. Now we can live a little! Thats right. Now the number of minor illnesses bing major illnesses will decrease! This is all thanks to the grace of the King! Thats right! We have a wise ruler! A wise ruler! Words of praise for Sejong flowed throughout Joseon, and his support among the people reached the sky. Chapter 202 Chapter 202 The most popr items sold at the royal store were undoubtedly candy and salt. * Candy was an item imported from Ming and sold by the royal store, with its import and distribution strictly managed by the court. The demand is gradually increasing, but its a problem that we have to import all of it. We need to find a substitute As Hyang pondered over this issue, he casually brought it up to Suksu, the head chef of the royal kitchen. Hey, Suksu. Yes, Your Highness. What ingredients can we use to create a sweet taste? Theres rice syrup, isnt there? Doesnt rice syrup consume a lot of precious grains? Thats why we import candy in the first ce. Thats true Suksu fell silent for a moment, trying to recall something from his memory. After some time had passed, Suksus face lit up. Ah! Did you remember something? We have radishes! Radishes? Ah! At Suksus answer, Hyang suddenly remembered something. It was an old TV program he had watched aimlessly on an inte video site back in the 21st century. The program was about the origin of the phrase Eat yeot! (equivalent to Eat sh*t! in English), and one of the origins was rted to radishes. Radishes are also sweet Although Hyang nodded in agreement, Suksus expression wasnt very pleased. However, to obtain sweetness equivalent to candy using radishes, we would need an enormous quantity. Thats true. Anyway, thank you. After expressing his gratitude to Suksu, Hyang turned around and continued muttering to himself as he walked. Radishes There was something Something However, Hyang couldnt dwell on radishes any longer as he had a lot of pending work at the research institute and Area 51. A few dayster, while sleeping with the Crown Princess, Hyang suddenly woke up shouting. Sugar beets! Thats what it was! I found it! Well done, my brain! Your Highness! Your Highness! What happened all of a sudden? The Crown Princess, who had also woken up startled by Hyangs sudden outburst, called out to him in a panic. Your Highness! Whats the matter? Did you have a bad dream? Ah, no. I just remembered the answer to a problem I had been pondering over. Is that so? Hyang reassured the Crown Princess, who was looking at him with a worried expression, and got up from his seat, heading towards the nearby writing desk. As he wrote sugar beet on the paper on the desk, Hyang suddenly panicked and frantically scratched the paper with the tip of his gold pen. Argh Hey, you bastard! Your Highness! Whats wrong? Ah, its nothing. Although Hyang repeatedly said it was fine, the Crown Princess didnt back down. Ill call the royal physician. I said Im fine No! Hey, eunuch! At the Crown Princesss call, the eunuch waiting outside promptly responded. Yes, My Lady. Did you call for me? Bring the royal physician right away. Right now! Yes, My Lady! * In the end, thiste-nightmotion reached King Sejong and Queen Soheon the next day. Take care of your health. Yes, Father. King Sejong brushed it off briefly, but Queen Soheon was different. What did the royal physician say? The Crown Princess immediately answered Queen Soheons question. He said its because His Highness has been exerting a lot of mental energytely. So he prepared a tonic to nourish his energy. Well done. Listen, Crown Prince. Yes, Mother. I hope you will keep in mind that everything about the Crown Prince does not belong to the Crown Prince alone. I will keep that in mind, Mother. Queen Soheons nagging continued for a long time after that. Of course, the pressure for a second child was not left out either. In the end, Hyang had to leave the Crown Princesss pce feeling drained. Then, Ill go and take care of work, so the Crown Princess can go ahead first. Yes. Please take care of yourself. I will do so. After sending the Crown Princess ahead, Hyang let out a long sigh. Phew~. Its hard, so hard. As he grumbled, Hyang pped his own mouth with his hand. No matter how much you wake up from sleep, this damn mouth of mine is the problem, this damn mouth of mine! Your Highness? Its just me talking to myself! Go on ahead! When the eunuch called out to him with a worried expression, Hyang staggered away with a look of nothing happened. * That night, King Sejong summoned Hyang. In a situation where even the eunuchs were sent out, let alone the royal historians, King Sejong confirmed the truth with Hyang. I didnt say it in the morning because it was awkward, but what did you write on the paperst night that made you react like that? I was writing down something I remembered, and I made a mistake in writing the characters You made a mistake in writing? Yes. Hmm When King Sejong narrowed his eyes and red at him, Hyang furtively averted his gaze. King Sejong, who had been ring at Hyang, threw another question. Have you finished reading the phonology books that were brought in some time ago? Yes. Good. Ill go borrow them soon. Yes. Go and rest. Yes, Father, please get somefortable sleep as well. King Sejong watched Hyang politely bow and leave, then muttered softly to himself. That guy, I need to catch him one day and interrogate him Meanwhile, Hyang, who hade outside, let out a long sigh. Phew~. Ill have to be damn busy for the time being. It was a fierce battle of wits between a father who wanted to make his son work and a son who didnt want to work. * Despite themotion, Hyang, who had remembered sugar beets, sent out promations not only throughout Joseon but also to the eastern pioneer region. Of course, it was natural that he had to go through various hardships while creating the promations. Whats the Chinese character for radish? As Hyang pondered over the word for radish while writing the document, Jeong-cho, who hade to report at that moment, intervened. Its called nabok (). It uses the character na () for mistletoe and bok () for radish. Ah! I see! Thank you! As Hyang looked delighted and searched for the character dictionary, Jeong-cho asked a question. Whats the reason for suddenly looking for the Chinese character? In response to Jeong-chos question, Hyang promptly exined the reason. Hmm Hyangs exnation made Jeong-cho stroke his beard and be lost in thought. After briefly recollecting his memory, Jeong-cho soon opened his mouth. Come to think of it I remember eating a simr vegetable in Ming. The name was probably Ah! It must have been written as chamchae''[1] Is that so? Thank you! As Hyang expressed his sincere gratitude, Jeong-cho smiled. Although Hyang was his superior and the Crown Prince of this nation, he sometimes gave the impression of being like Jeong-chos own grandson. While smiling warmly, Jeong-cho soon remembered the purpose of his visit and held out the book he had brought. This is a report documenting the development progress of the steam engine. Ah! Thank you. Were there any good results? The performance has improved a littlepared to thest quarter, but there are still many parts that need further improvement. At Jeong-chos answer, Hyang clicked his tongue. Tsk! Its fortunate that the performance has at least improved a bit. Although there are various rumors circting from all directions, there is a saying, Ubo cheon-ri (, walking a thousand li at the pace of an ox. Slow but steady). Please encourage the craftsmen and officials not to give up. Yes, Your Highness. Jeong-cho bowed his head and answered Hyangs request. * In this way, a promation seeking chamchae was distributed nationwide. However, there were several types of vegetables with that name. This was because the term chamchae itself meant sweet vegetable. The conclusion is that I have to go through some physical hardship. Looking at the vegetables that had been brought up, Hyang began to taste them one by one, dividing them by type. Through this process, Hyang was able to find sugar beetsto be precise, primitive sugar beets before the development of improved varieties. After tasting the result of boiling the juice extracted from the sugar beets he had found, Hyang shook his head. Its nd. There was a reason why sugarcane beat it. In fact, sugarcane showed an insurmountable difference in profitabilitypared to sugar beets, which is why it maintained its dominant position even in the 21st century. After confirming the results, Hyang made a decision. Its not profitable as it is. Ill have to breed improved varieties. Hyang passed on the sugar beets to the department in charge of breeding various grains. Oh my goodness The researchers in the department that had been given a new assignment by Hyang became perplexed. Just like the oriental melonst time, why is he always looking for sweet things? Whether its oriental melons or this, its like trying to catch a cloud. The officials who received the assignment from Hyang muttered in a perplexed tone. * Anyway, the main products of the royal store were undoubtedly salt and candy. However, as the year of Giyu (1429) arrived, a powerful product emerged that threatened the status of these two items. The name of that product was goyak (medicinal sters)''[2]. The invention of goyak was also Hyangs work. * One hot summer day in the 10th year of King Sejongs reign (the year of Musin, 1429), Hyang, who hade out to take a short break, noticed a soldier of the Inner Pce Guard. Hey, whats wrong with your walking? The soldier answered Hyangs question, which was prompted by curiosity at the sight of him walking unsteadily, with an embarrassed face. Some time ago, a boil appeared on my buttocks, and it got badly inmed, so Oh dear! Go see the royal physician right away. At Hyangs words, the soldier replied with a troubled expression. I already went to see him, but he said it needs to benced Ah At the soldiers answer, Hyang unknowingly nodded his head. Ill write an order for you, so go home and recuperate for a while. I am deeply grateful! The soldier sincerely thanked Hyang and bowed deeply at his words. However, his posture was awkward due to the pain from the boil. Hyang, who had returned to his room and written the order to give to the soldier, muttered with a serious expression. I had forgotten about this At that time, boils were a fatal disease in Joseon. The best treatment was tonce them, but considering the hygienic conditions in Joseon at the time, this was a dangerous gamble. A little safer, a little cleaner! Eximing this, Hyang spread the method of disinfection using alcohol (ethanol) and improved hygiene by supplying soap. However, surgical procedures were still thest resort. This was not just a problem in Joseon. In the West, the situation was simr until the introduction of modern disinfection methods in thete 19th and early 20th centuries. Surgery or procedures were considered putting one foot in the grave. Come to think of it Father also suffered from boils, right? And wasnt it said that the cause of death for King Jeongjo was a boil? Hyang muttered with a serious expression. Hyang didnt know, but in the history before his intervention, some schrs even mentioned abscesses as the biggest reason for King Munjongs short life. How much did Munjong suffer at that time? King Sejong, who could no longer bear to see the Crown Prince writhing in pain, issued a royal order with a heart of praying to the heavens to unconditionally pardon criminals with sentences below hardbor among the criminals nationwide. (Note 1) However, Munjongs boils recurred frequently, and he eventually died just two years after his enthronement. (Note 2) I need to find a solution As Hyang walked around trying to find a solution, he soon stopped and snapped his fingers. Thats it! Medicinal sters! * The ce where Hyang had set up a cksmith shop in the 21st century was a rural area on the outskirts of Yangsan. It was a ce where elderly people with an average age easily exceeding 70 gathered, so it wasmon to see people with various ailments. If you went out a little, there was a hospital in Yangsan City, but the ce most frequented by the residents was a nearby traditional Korean medicine clinic. It was run by a traditional Korean medicine doctor who was as old as the residents, aging together with them, and the residents would visit this clinic whenever they felt even slightly ill. The most famous thing at that clinic was medicinal sters. * Note 1) The very thing that made the kings of Joseon tremble. The Hankyoreh. 2014.07.25 http://.hani.co.kr/arti/science/science_general/648527.html Note 2) Joseon, fighting a battle against boils. Written by Bang Seong-hye. Window of the Era.
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Chapter 203 Chapter 203 In the 21st century, before moving to Yangsan, Hyang didnt even know about medicinal sters. To be precise, he knew the name but had never actually seen the product. However, after settling down in Yangsan, Hyang became familiar with medicinal sters. This was because medicinal sters were a staple medicine for the elderly living in the area. Whenever Hyang went to repair farm tools or fix the electrical facilities at the vige hall, he would say with a worried expression: But why dont you go to the big hospitals in Yangsan City right next door? Whenever Hyang asked, the elderly peoples answers were simr. We do go. But its bothersome to travel back and forth. Well, its not like we have any serious illnesses Despite their words, the elderly relied heavily on medicines. The familiar medicines Hyang saw every time he visited their homes were digestive medicines, painkillers, medicated patches, and medicinal sters. It was inevitable for medicinal sters to bemon in the homes of the elderly. As people age, it is unavoidable for all bodily functions to weaken. In particr, problems with blood cirction were the mostmon, leading to frequent urrences of skin diseases, including boils. It would be better to just go to a dermatologist Hyang would grumble whenever he saw those elderly people, but he gradually became curious. So Hyang sought out the traditional medicine clinic that made and sold medicinal sters to the elderly. Hyang visited the clinic with a few bottles of good soju and probed the old traditional medicine doctor about medicinal sters while treating him to a drink. Why do you make and sell medicinal sters? Theyre sold at pharmacies, arent they? They do sell them. But those old folksin that the efficacy isnt the same as in the past. Thats why I make them myself. There must be a prescription for medicinal sters, right? Ha! This is a different secret method from that! Could it be that the efficacy is lower? If the efficacy was lower, would those old hags buy them? The more Hyang conversed with the doctor, the stronger his curiosity grew, so he scoured the inte. After obtaining information about medicinal sters through a few clicks, Hyang showed a surprised expression. Oh? The origin of this was Western medicine? ording to records about the most famous medicinal ster, Lee Myeong-raes Medicinal ster, it was created by Lee Myeong-rae, a Catholic, bybining the knowledge of herbology learned from a Western priest with traditional Korean medicine. (Note 1) This unexpected information piqued Hyangs curiosity even more. In this vige, the traditional medicine doctor makes them. Whats the difference? Hyang kept visiting the doctor and asking about medicinal sters. Why do you keep asking about medicinal sters? Are you going to make and sell them yourself? When the doctor asked with suspicion, Hyang waved his hands in denial. Without a medical license, why would I make and sell them and face the consequences? Im just curious because the elderly use them a lot. The doctor gave a rough answer to Hyangs response. Ill only tell you two things. Purne and pine roots. Could you be more specific Not transmitted to non-humans! * What the hell is not transmitted to non-humans As Hyang recalled his memories about medicinal sters, he soon moved to the bookshelf. Medical books While searching for medical books, Hyang suddenly hit his forehead. Idiot! Why should I suffer by looking it up myself? Hyang, who had a change of thought, immediately visited the Royal Clinic. Who is the most knowledgeable about medicinal herbs? At Hyangs question, the royal physicians pointed to one doctor. Whats his name? It is Oh Han-byeok. Alright, Doctor Oh, work with me on something. Pardon? Having recruited a doctor in this way, Hyang immediately began developing medicinal sters with Doctor Oh. * The development of medicinal sters was, as expected, a series of trial and error. Selecting andbining medicinal herbs that were said to be effective for boils full of pus, and then boiling them down into the sticky form of a medicinal ster, required a lot of effort. Therefore, even the female physicians were mobilized to help make the medicinal sters. When prototypes of medicinal sters made with variousbinations were produced, Hyang prepared for the next step. We need to conduct clinical trials As Hyang pondered over finding a suitable subject, he recalled his memories from the 21st century. ording to records he had seen through the inte in the 21st century, Lee Myeong-rae had visited beggar viges to confirm the efficacy of the medicinal sters he had made. (Note 1) Hyang clicked his tongue after recalling and confirming his memory. Tsk. Ill have to use my authority. Eunuch! Im going to Geunjeongjeon Hall! Prepare for departure! Entering Geunjeongjeon Hall, Hyang told his purpose to King Sejong. After hearing the details, King Sejong reconfirmed with Hyang. You want permission to experiment with a new medicine on patients at Public Medical Service, Hyeminseo[1], and Relief Center, Hwarinwon[2]? Yes, Father. At Hyangs words, King Sejong fell into deep thought while stroking his beard. Indeed, boils may seem minor, but they are unexpectedly serious diseases. It would be good if a medicine that can easily treat them is developed. However, my son. It is a medicine to be used on people. Are you certain? In theory, it seems to be the answer, but we need to confirm it because we dont know for sure in practice. At Hyangs response, King Sejong looked around at his ministers. What do you think, ministers? The ministers could not easily answer King Sejongs question. After all, medicine was something rted to human life. Therefore, they had to oppose the immediate use of a new medicine. However, they could not thoughtlessly oppose it because of the case of Ryu Jeong-hyeon. If they had blindly opposed it, they could have ended up drinking poison like Ryu Jeong-hyeon and his colleagues or being sent into exile for an indefinite period. After a long silence, Chief State Councilor Lee Jik took the lead. If what the Crown Prince said is true, it would indeed be a wonder drug, but what concerns me is that its efficacy has not been proven. Hyang immediately responded to Lee Jiks answer. It is natural that the efficacy has not been proven. We havent even used it on patients yet. Thats why were proposing to conduct experiments, isnt it? That is true, but In the end, King Sejong had to decide whether to approve or reject this matter. After pondering silently for a long time, King Sejong finally made a decision. Alright. The Crown Prince may conduct experiments on patients at Public Medical Service and Relief Center. However! Coercion is not permitted! Only conduct experiments on volunteers! When King Sejong gave his permission, Hyang bowed deeply. I ept yourmand! I am immensely grateful for your permission! With that, they began recruiting volunteers among the patients with boils who visited Public Medical Service and Relief Center. Who made this medicine? It is a medicine that the Crown Prince made together with the royal physicians. Then, I will try it. The Crown Prince is trusted by His Majesty, so how could it be unreliable! Surprisingly, the volunteer rate among the patients was very high. In the background was the smallpox inoction that Hyang had pushed forward. The people who had experienced the effectiveness of the smallpox inoction firsthand were showing full trust in Hyang. Thanks to this, Hyang and the royal physicians were able to confirm the efficacy of different types of medicinal ster prototypes. Fortunately for Hyang and the patients, all the prototypes showed some degree of efficacy. Its because we gathered medicinal ingredients that originally had such effects Relieved by the positive results, Hyang began to select thebinations with the best effects among them. Although they started with half doubt and half distrust, when positive results emerged, the royal physicians and female physicians began to work on the project enthusiastically. They were not the only ones. Some of the royal physicians who heard the news volunteered to join the project. If we can properly treat boils, we can save many lives! Please give us a chance too! Youre wee to join. As the research team was further reinforced, the development of medicinal sters gained even more momentum. Thanks to this, the final version of the medicinal ster was unveiled before the year of Musin (1429) had passed. When it showed good results not only among the patients at Public Medical Service and Relief Center but also among those who came from nearby Hanseong after hearing the rumors, Hyang immediately went to see King Sejong. It was a sess! We must sell this medicine to the people! All the ministers expressed their agreement with Hyangs proposal. It would be right to sell it through the royal stores! Agreed! Please allow the sale through the royal stores! When all the ministers agreed and came forward, King Sejong also gave his consent. In this way, the medicinal ster began to be sold through the royal stores established nationwide. The medicinal ster, named Balgeun-go''[3], meaning to pull out the roots of boils, began to be sold nationwide under the official product name Royal Secret Form Balgeun-go''[4]. * Not long after Balgeun-go officially went on sale, its sales began to rise vertically through word of mouth from the people who experienced its efficacy. Although the price of a soy sauce cup-sized container of the medicinal ster was quite expensive, equivalent to one doe of white rice, people purchased it without hesitation. Thats how much boils tormented the people. The body must be clean to prevent boils from forming! Following King Sejongs subsequent promation, the sales of bino (soap) also naturally increased. * The medicinal ster that began to be sold in this way became a hit product not only in Joseon but also internationally. It was not only Joseon that suffered from boils. Boils were quite a troublesome disease in Japan, which suffered from a humid climate, as well as in Ming, where people enjoyed oily foods. Merchants from Japan and Ming who saw Balgeun-go at the trading posts in Waegwan and Shandong and experienced its efficacy vied to purchase it. It was not only Ming and Japan. Merchants from Dai Viet and Siam, who frequently visited the trading post in Shandong, also purchasedrge quantities of Balgeun-go. This Balgeun-go proved effective in an unexpected ce, which was the settlements of the Jurchen people. There were quite a few Jurchen people who suffered from boils as they spent a lot of time sitting on horse saddles. * As Balgeun-go recorded tremendous sales, attempts to replicate it naturally urred. However, within Joseon, no one dared to dream of replicating it thanks to the four characters (Royal Secret Form) and the apricot blossom engraved on the lid. Therefore, the ces that mainly attempted to replicate it were Ming and Japan. However, the results of those attempts were not very good. This was because all the characteristicssuch as scent and colorof the ingredients used disappeared during the numerous manufacturing processes required to make the medicinal ster. Therefore, they also searched through medical books and tried to manufacture by gathering medicinal ingredients with simr effects, but they failed to create a product with the same efficacy as Balgeun-go. The reason was that Hyang had yed a little trick with the raw materials and manufacturing process. It was due to a few ingredients that Hyang added based on his memories from the 21st century, in addition to the ingredients recorded in traditional medical books. * Through this huge hit product, the royal stores were able to firmly establish their position. In particr, in the pioneer region of the northeast, the royal stores became the most powerful institution for absorbing the Jurchen people into Joseon. The fact that they could proudly purchase products such as salt, candy, and Balgeun-go just like the Joseon people as long as they had goodter moneywas a great shock to the Jurchen people. There was no need to feel humiliated while receiving charity like before, and there was no need to risk their lives to plunder. They could simply visit the royal stores with their loyalty certificates and goods and obtain what they needed without discrimination. Moreover, they could legally obtain these goods by volunteering at thebor support centers or selling the horses, cattle, and sheep they raised. Finally, as the naturalized Jurchen people received the same identity tags as the Joseon people instead of loyalty certificates, they pledged their loyalty to Joseon. * Note 1) Korea Agricultural Policy News. 2017.04.15. http://.ikpnews/news/articleView.html?idxno=29703
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Chapter 204 Chapter 204 As the loyalty of the naturalized Jurchen people increased, serious discussions began in the military and the Ministry of Military Affairs about incorporating the Jurchen people into the Joseon army. Is it really a good idea to ept the Jurchen people? Wouldnt there be a problem of betrayal? The most pressing issue that the officials, from Choe Yun-deok at the frontlines to Jo Mal-saeng in Hanseong, were deeply concerned about and debated over was the matter of trust. Can we trust the naturalized Jurchen people? The debate on this issue soon went beyond the scope of the military and the Ministry of Military Affairs, and even King Sejong and the ministers began to participate in heated discussions. Those in favor argued as follows: They have pledged loyalty to our Joseon, and they rely on our Joseon for their livelihood to maintain their food, clothing, and shelter. In this situation, its okay to incorporate them into the military. However, those opposed were also formidable. The Jurchen people pledge loyalty in front but stab you in the back. Its not like it hasnt happened once or twice to Joseon and even during the Goryeo era, right? As both sides had valid grounds, a fierce tug-of-war continued. At this, Hyang proposed a third option. What about imposing qualification restrictions? Qualification restrictions? We only ept the children of those who hold high positions in the tribe, or those who have started a family and have children, into the Joseon army. Hmm That might work. King Sejong and the ministers were intrigued by Hyangs proposal. However, there were also those who raised objections. Please consider the case of Mentemu Dudu of the Odori tribe. He pledged loyalty to our Joseon by entrusting hostages, but in the end, he defected to Ming. And we had to send all the hostages back under pressure from Ming. Considering this, its not the best n. Hearing the objection, Hyang refuted again. Of course, there are such cases. However, its even more dangerous to just leave them be. Think about the brutality of the Jurchen warriors. We need to incorporate them into the military and control them. But Then how about this method? Hyang put forth a revised proposal. The next generation of power holders, such as the chiefs sons, are ced in Seonggyungwan to receive civil official education and be utilized. The children of the elders are ced in the military but maintained as hostages. The Jurchen warriors who join the military are grouped by tribe but divided into units (of 15-25 people) and mixed with other tribes. They are given opportunities for promotion to encourage loyaltypetition. King Sejong and the ministers showed increasingly positive responses to Hyangs revised proposal. However, as there were still those who opposed, Hyang presented an additional revised n. Arquebuses are not provided to the Jurchen units. The Jurchen people only use traditional bows, spears, and swords as weapons. Armor is also limited to helmets and breasttes. The full-body armor used by Joseon cavalry or spearmen is not provided. If arquebuses are not provided, I will not oppose. Even those who had expressed opposition turned to agree with the additional revisions Hyang proposed. Following the decision of King Sejong and the court, a wave of change swept over the Jurchen people. The chiefs of the naturalized Jurchen tribes held onto their sons who were leaving for Hanseong and gave them instructions. Securing a position in the court is not only an opportunity for you but also a great opportunity for our tribe. There will surely be discrimination, but grit your teeth and endure it. Yes, Father. I dont expect you to reach the level of Prime Minister or Minister. However, you must at least rise to the rank of Danghagwan (Senior 3rd Rank to Junior 6th Rank). Yes, Father. Then go. Take care of yourself. The families of the chiefs sons who left in this way settled in Hanseong. For their convenience, the court assigned them houses near Dongdaemun. Later, this would be the birth of the vige called Dongyeochon. For the sake of our Joseon, for the sake of your tribes, andstly, for the sake of your own sess and fame, do your best. At the weing banquet for the chiefs sons who arrived in Hanseong, King Sejong gave the above instructions. The Jurchen people attending King Sejongs instructions all answered in unison. We will engrave it in our bones and hearts! Three days after the banquet, they all entered the Hall of Appointment. The Hall of Appointment, who was in charge of guiding them, spoke to them about their future schedule. For the next six months, you will study here and receive practical training. Throughout this process, you will be graded based on your attitude and performance, which will determine the rank bestowed upon youter. Also, how well you speak the Joseonnguage will affect the rank you receive, so I hope you do your best. Yes! Thus began their eventful school days. Since most of them had brought their families, they were paid the sry of officials of the 9th junior rank. In addition, those with excellent grades received an additional fixed amount each month, so theypeted with fiery eyes. After a fiercepetition, they were assigned ranks ranging from the 8th junior rank to the 6th junior rank and assigned to the court. Sigh~. On the first day of reporting to the government office they were assigned to, they all sighed as they stood in front of the threshold. Im Jurchen, I wonder how much discrimination Ill face? They were full of worries, but the Joseon officials weed them enthusiastically. Come on in! Wee! Youvee to the right ce! Wee! The Jurchen people couldnt help but be suspicious of the overly enthusiastic wee. Is this a trap? However, in less than three days, they understood why the Joseon officials had weed them so enthusiastically. The work never stops! Overtime every single day! Save me! This ce is hell! As the Jurchen people cried out hell, a passing Joseon official chuckled and struck up a conversation. This is just the entrance to hell. Do you know where the real hell is? The Joseon official raised his hand and pointed to where the record-keeping office was located. That ce is the real hell. Work hard. If you make a mistake, youll be sent to that hell. Overwhelmed by work, the Jurchen people seriously considered resigning. Should I abandon my tribe and flee far to the north? However, their attempts were met with strong opposition from their wives and children. Where do you think youre going? Dont you dare ruin the childrens future! Where in the world can you find a house and household goods like this? Just endure it for a bit! Your father said the same thing! He said to live without your liver and galldder for the time being! This isnt a matter of pride, Im dying from work! But the children arent starving, are they? At the wifes final words, the men were deted. It was because, even as the sons of chiefs during their nomadic life, they had to live worrying about hunger. In the end, they had to go to work with their shoulders drooping. It was the sad portrait of husbands burdened by life. * However, their wives also had their reasons. Although the sry their husbands received was meager, it was an enormous amount from the perspective of the Jurchen people. Even from the Joseon perspective, the sries received by the officials were substantial. As the economy expanded through the reforms, King Sejong began to gradually make the sries paid to officials and royal family members more realistic, as promised. Of course, in return, if even a small amount of corruption was detected, most of their assets would be confiscated, and they would be thrown into the records office or mines. Therefore, unlike in the past, the officials had to show an extreme aversion to bribes. Anyway, the standard of living they enjoyed with the sries they received was far higher than what they had experienced during their nomadic life. Moreover, the treatment their wives and families received from the surrounding Joseon people was different. They were not simply Jurchen tag-alongs but my lord who serves the country and my lords family members. Additionally, ording to rumors, the Samin schools were scheduled to open soon. Rumors were rampant that if they received a little more advanced education through the Samin schools, they could work not only as officials but also in merchant groups with good treatment. Hearing the rumors, the Jurchen women gritted their teeth. There are Samin schools nationwide, but the number of higher-level schools is much smaller! Its obvious that the ones located in Hanseong will be the best! We must hold out in Hanseong no matter what! It wasnt just Joseon mothers, but Jurchen mothers also began to show their ambition. * Meanwhile, the situation was simr for the Jurchen people who joined the Joseon army. Although they were also cavalry, the Jurchen people only received breasttes and helmets, unlike the Joseon troops. As for weapons, the Jurchen people were not given the arquebuses used by the Joseon troops. The Jurchen cavalry had no choice but to continue using the bows, spears, and swords they had always used as their main weapons. However, the Jurchen people seemed satisfied. Although the power of the arquebus is good, its range is short! The Jurchen people pointed out that the range of the mounted arquebus, the main weapon of the Joseon cavalry, was short. The Joseon cavalrys counterargument was also formidable. Its true that the range is short. However, the range of the new mounted arquebus is much longer. And the range of the armored long arquebus is even longer. Lastly The Joseon cavalry ended their words while tapping on the armor they were wearing. The distance at which the mounted arquebus can pierce the Jurchen armor is much farther than the distance at which the Jurchen arrows can pierce this armor! At the words of the Joseon cavalry, the Jurchen cavalry nodded their heads. Yeah, we admit that. Thats why were not saying anything. Although they only received breasttes and pointed helmets, the Jurchen cavalry had noints as they were given armor and helmets with exactly the same performance as those worn by the Joseon cavalry and spearmen. Rather, the Jurchen cavalry preferred receiving only the breasttes and helmets. The full-body armor worn by the Joseon cavalry has good defense, but its too heavy and cumbersome to move in! The above was the assessment of the Jurchen people. It was more convenient to wear only the breastte and helmet to perform the dazzling mounted martial arts that the Joseon cavalry described as closer to acrobatics than martial arts. In this way, when the Jurchen cavalry was incorporated into the Joseon army, the Joseon military leadership organized them into a vanguard unit. Utilizing the unique mobility of the light cavalry, they scouted enemy positions ahead of the Joseon cavalry units and delivered that information. If the size of the enemy was manageable, they would independently strike the enemy and tie them down. Once the enemies were immobilized, the Joseon cavalry with superior firepower would charge in and inflict irrecoverable damage, which became the main tactic. * When they were first incorporated into the Joseon army, many Jurchen cavalry had the same concerns as the Jurchen people who went to Hanseong. What if the Joseon bastards discriminate against us? Although they pledged loyalty to Joseon upon surrendering, the rtionship between the Joseon and Jurchen people until then had often involved bloodshed. However, when the Joseon soldiers encountered the Jurchen military officers whomanded the units, the g units (consisiting of 3-5 units)manded by the gmanders, and the higher-ranking Jurchen military officers, they politely saluted them. The polite salutes were so respectful that the Jurchen military officers who received them were rather flustered. This was due to the royalmand that Hyang had issued through King Sejong when the incorporation of the Jurchen people was decided. King Sejong and the ministers were concerned about the disharmony that would arise from incorporating the Jurchen people into the Joseon cavalry. Seeing this, Hyang advised King Sejong. The military etiquette prescribed in the military code is not about respecting people but about respecting ranks. Therefore, it is the military code to salute superiors regardless of whether they are Joseon or Jurchen. Failure to follow this is a serious crime of viting the military code. Borrowing a line from a drama about U.S. airborne troops during World War II that he had seen in the 21st century, King Sejong was impressed by Hyangs advice and pped his knees. Those are truly fitting words! Indeed! What does it matter if the superior is Jurchen or Joseon! It is only natural to salute a superior, as it should be! Chapter 205 Chapter 205 In this way, King Sejongs royal decree was delivered to the entire Joseon military. Military etiquette is about paying respect to rank! Therefore, it is only natural that those who do not adhere to military etiquette, even if they are not Joseon natives, should be punished for viting military discipline! As the stern royal decree was issued, the Joseon military strictly adhered to etiquette for their superiors, regardless of whether they were Joseon natives or not. During this process, there were those who unexpectedly benefited from it, and they were the Hangwae (Koreans of Japanese descent). Since thete Goryeo period, there had been a small number of Hangwae, and most of them served in the military. The problem was that most of them were discriminated against for being Japanese, just like the Japanese pirates, regardless of their rank. Even the Hangwae who had risen to the rank of military officer through their military achievements were discriminated against. However, with the issuance of King Sejongs royal decree, they too were able to receive the treatment befitting their military officer status. * The situation did not end with their incorporation into the Joseon military. They also had to engage in fiercepetition, just like their kinsmen who had gone to Hanseong. Since weve joined the military, we should aim to be generals, right? Yes, thats right! Then youll have to work hard. For now, ranks have been determined based on the size of the tribe or origin, but thats the end of the special treatment. From now on, its up to you to handle your responsibilities. At the words of Joseons thousand-manmander in charge, the Jurchen military officers gulped. Which ones get promoted quickly? Its not simply the ones who fight well alone, but those who are good atmanding will be promoted faster. Keep that in mind. Yes, sir! When epting the Jurchen people, the Joseon military had set two conditions. Must be well-versed in Hanja (Chinese characters). Must be able to speak the Joseonnguage. The first condition was due to the paperwork that amander naturally had to handle, and the second condition was also an essential requirement. Thanks to that, there were no Jurchen people starting from the Thousand Character ssic, but military strategy was not an easy subject to learn, so they had to rack their brains. Studying at this age! Whenever the Jurchen people gathered among themselves, they wouldment to each other, but they also had to study fiercely. This was because the Joseon military officers working beside them were intensely engaged in studying. And it was because they had to face a frustrating reality. The reality they faced was that they had to pay respect and give deferential treatment to their young superiors who were still wet behind the ears. The royal decree that military etiquette is about paying respect to rank, not to the person did not only apply to Joseon natives. The Jurchen people and Hangwae also had to show the utmost respect to their Joseon superiors. * Traditionally, and for the most part, the Joseon militarys superiors were still rtively old. Therefore, there was little psychological difort in paying respect to them. Even for the Jurchen people, who were called barbarians, it was basic to show courtesy to the elderly. However, in the process of strengthening the military, the Joseon army was getting younger. As a result, while the high-ranking officers were still middle-aged and elderly with gray beards, the mid-level and lower-level officers were getting younger. Because of this, many Joseon officers desperately studied military strategy and strived to achieve results in order to avoid seeing unsightly scenes. And this atmosphere quickly spread to the Jurchen people and Hangwae as well. * Of course, Hyangs influence yed a significant role in bringing about these changes in the Joseon military. The rule that behind every change, there is the Crown Prince, which was openly circted among the officials, did not spare the Joseon military either. Hyang yed a significant role in supplying new weapons and establishing tactics to maximize the effectiveness of those new weapons. This was not only because Hyang was a military enthusiast but also because he had knowledge and experience gained from serving in the military in the 21st centuryalthough his knowledge was barely superficial, and his experience was only at the level of a private. The value of military knowledge that had continuously developed over a long period of more than 500 years, approaching 600 years, could not be carelessly discussed. During the extensive reforms that involvedpletely dismantling and reassembling the Joseon military, Hyang, the Ministry of War, and the top-ranking military officials focused on the issue of nurturingmanders to lead the new generation. Even now, there are many young military officers in the army. And through the military academy established by His Majestys strengthening of the military, more and more officers will join. Indeed, that seems to be the case. At Hyangs words, the elderly generals and officials nodded in agreement. They also seemed to have high expectations for King Sejongs policies. Confirming the favorable response from the elders, Hyang continued, However, the most important thing is to identify talented individuals among them, isnt it? Looking at the history of our country and China, there have been quite a few wars where great losses were suffered due to overlooking talented individuals. Thats right! Absolutely! The elders vigorously nodded at Hyangs words. As veterans who had experienced all sorts of battles, Hyangs words resonated deeply with them. I, too, have read many books out of interest in the military and military studies. I have also read all the military histories I could get my hands on. After reading and pondering over them, I came to the following conclusion. Eunuch. Yes, Your Highness. At Hyangsmand, the eunuch hung up a chart. Hyang flipped through the pages with a pointer and continued speaking. So, Ive ssified the types of militarymanders as follows. What Hyang had written down was the famous Four Types of Officers. On the paper of the chart, four main types were listed. Chonggeun (clever and diligent), Chongtae (clever butzy), Ugeun (foolish but diligent), Utae (foolish andzy). Hyang continued his exnation. Chonggeun refers to those who are intelligent and diligent. Being intelligent, they are well-versed in military strategy, and being diligent, they perform their duties well. However, these individuals have their own fixed framework, so when something happens outside that framework, they struggle to find solutions quickly. Moreover, since they are smart and good at their jobs, if they harbor ill intentions, they can cause immense harm. Therefore, they should be assigned to staff or administrative roles, and a strict system of rewards and punishments must be in ce. Indeed The elders nodded at Hyangs exnation. Next, Chongtae refers to those who are intelligent butzy. Their characteristics are As they listened to the description of those who are intelligent butzy, the elders looked at Hyang with a peculiar gaze. Isnt he talking about himself? Based on what they had seen and heard so far, Hyang himself was a prime example of an intelligent butzy person. Regarding the development of new weapons and various tools, there was no one who couldpete with his excellence. However, when it came to delegating tasks, Hyang was also unrivaled. This sounds like self-praise, doesnt it? But based on my experience, Chongtae (clever butzy) is indeed the most suitable type for topmanders. The elders pondered over various thoughts while listening to Hyangs exnation. That is all. As soon as Hyangs exnation ended, all the elders nodded in agreement. It is truly a clear ssification. Indeed, when observing the militarymanders, they can be categorized in such a way. It reminds me of my former superior. He was the epitome of a foolish but diligent person. I cant even count how many life-threatening crises I faced because of him The elders, who had experienced all kinds of battles, strongly resonated with Hyangs ssification. Seeing their agreement, Hyang proceeded further. Therefore, I believe the evaluation ofmanders should be conducted ording to these four criteria. Of course, the evaluation alone shouldnt be limited to that. I think the tactics should also be aligned with this. Hyang began exining the concept of mission-typemand system to the elders. * The military elders, who strongly resonated with Hyangs proposal, immediately started applying it to the military. Consequently, not only the military officers but also the soldiers began to move busily. Especially the military governors who were assigned ranks from jeong to jong-9 (ranks), and the soldiers who were scheduled for promotion to military governors, had to go through hardships to pass the new standards. * The four types of military officers mentioned by Hyang clearly demonstrated what a ripple effect was. Upon receiving the report, King Sejong posed a question at a meeting with his ministers. Have you all heard about the four criteria that the Crown Prince mentioned? Yes. Despite his young age, the Crown Prince shows such profound insight. This is a great fortune for Joseon. As the ministerspeted to praise Hyangs insight, King Sejong smiled contentedly. No parent dislikes hearing their child being praised. Soon, King Sejong brought up the main point afterposing himself. In my opinion, the four criteria ssified by the Crown Prince should not be limited to only military officers. Is the fierce struggle for survival and victory limited to war? Daily life is just as fierce as war, so wouldnt it be wise to apply these criteria to all departments of the government and evaluate the promotion and demotion of officials ordingly? At King Sejongs words, the ministers closed their mouths and began to ponder. His Majestys words are not wrong. But why do I have a feeling that Ill be exhausted? Why? Its certain that personnel evaluation will be even more tiring! As if knowing the ministers thoughts, King Sejong continued. Of course, the tasks rted to personnel affairs will be a bit more difficult, but there is a saying that personnel is everything. Considering the future of our Joseon, I believe it must be applied. Realizing that King Sejong had already made up his mind, the ministers had no choice but to surrender. Do as you wish, Your Majesty! In this way, the criteria for evaluating government officials changed. The reactions of the officials who heard the news werergely divided into two types. One group worked even harder, while the other group simply focused on diligently carrying out their assigned tasks. I know my limits well. I dont have the capacity to dream of bing a high-ranking official, so Ill just get promoted moderately and receive a pensionter. Thats it. The ministers clicked their tongues at the officials reactions. Rather, it bes easier to differentiate them. Is this also a good thing? * Due to this situation, the Jurchen people had to suffer to the point of their mouths reeking, both at the northern borders and in the Six Ministries. You should live an ordinary life! Dont even dream of living off the governments rice! The heads of households who returned after enduring such hardships said those words to their children, but whenever they said that, their wives eyes gleamed with determination. Talk some sense! Are you telling him to just farm? No matter what anyone said, in Joseons situation at the time, the fastest way to rise in status was to be a government official and live off the governments rice. Therefore, in the households of the surrendered Jurchen people, they began urging their children to study. The same was true for the neighboring Joseon viges. * As a side note, after the establishment of the Samin schools and as Jurchen and Joseon children began learning in the schools, thepetition became even fiercer. In particr, to enter government service or be a regr employee of arge merchant group, a graduation certificate from a higher education institution was mandatory, leading to intensepetition for entrance exams. Joseon and Jurchen mothers started running around, fluttering their skirts for their childrens education. As a result, the prestigious educational institutions in Joseon were located either in Hanseong or the northeast region. The nightmarish period for Joseon and Jurchen children began 500 years earlier. * Putting aside the side story, as Joseon elerated the absorption of the surrendered Jurchen people, there were also those who found themselves in a difficult situation. Those who faced difficulties were the ones who chose Ming instead of Joseon, symbolized by Odori. Chapter 206: Dilemma – Odori (3) Chapter 206: Dilemma C Odori (3) As Joseon secured the northeastern region by baking and boiling Seondeokje, the Odori tribe fell into trouble. The area where the Odori tribe resided was the Hoeryeong area, centered on Baekdu Mountain. To the east and west of the Odori tribe were the Olryanghap tribes. The problem was that the rtionship between Odori and the Olryanghap tribe was not very good. Because nomadic herding of sheep was the center of the economy, the Jurchen people neededrge areas ofnd. The reason was because of the sheeps appetite. Unlike cows and horses, which eat only leaves and stems, sheep eat even the roots, so they needrge pasturends. This issue was the biggest cause of the worsening rtionship between Odori and the Olryanghap tribe. * * * Virus. Another coteral tribe fell to Joseon. Whoa~. Muntemu let out a long sigh at the report of his subordinate warrior. Is this your fourth time? Yes, Vira. In response to his subordinates answer, Muntemu pressed his temples to relieve his pounding headache. I get it. Go away. Yes, Vira. After sending his subordinates away, Muntumu let out a long sigh again. Whoa~. Muntumu, who was left alone, looked into the distance with eyes full of regret and muttered. Did I make a big mistake back then? * * * Aisingaoro Muntemu (X_ , Aesingakra Maengteukmok, ͯ͸ľ, Yeongyeonggacheommoka) is a symbol of the fiercepetition between the Ming and Joseon in the regionter called Manchuria in the early Joseon Dynasty. It was the same person. Muntumu, who became the chief of the Odori tribe at a young age, was famous for his outstanding resourcefulness. Muntemu and Ahapchul () came into contact with Yi Seong-gye, an emerging powerhouse in the northeastern region, and became his subordinates. Lee Seong-gye granted him the Hoeryeong region. This rtionship with Yi Seong-gye became soured when Yi Seong-gye entered Goryeo. The saying When the body bes distant, the mind also bes distant did not only apply to the rtionship between men and women. As Yi Seong-gye entered Goryeo and entered into full-scale political struggle, the rtionship between Yi Seong-gye and Muntemu began to grow increasingly distant. Even when Yi Seong-gye founded Joseon and ascended to the position of King Taejo, their rtionship became estranged but did notpletely break off. However, the rtionship between Muntemu and Joseon waspletely severed when Yi Bang-won ascended to the throne and at the same time, Emperor Yongle began work to strengthen his control over Liaodong. The reason Muntemu and Emperor Yeongrak formed a rtionship was because of Ahapchul, who also worked as a subordinate of Yi Seong-gye. When Emperor Yongrak was King of Yan, Ahabchuls daughter became King of Yans wife. Afterwards, when King Yeon ascended to the throne as Emperor Yongrak, Ahapchul was given the official position of Jianjuwijeongjeong (l). The mission given to Ahabchul, who was given a government position, was to invite the Jurchen people under his name. This was Emperor Yongraks n to keep Northern Yuan and Joseon in check at the same time. It was a n to keep Northern Yuan in check by using the Jurchen tribes that were adjacent to Northern Yuan, and to weaken Joseons power by bringing in the Jurchen tribes linked to Joseon under itsmand. * * * At the time when Ahapchul visited Muntemu, Muntemu was worrying about the future. Although he established a rtionship with King Taejong, the human aspect of the rtionship with Joseon disappeared without Lee Seong-gye, and only a political rtionship that concerned profit and loss remained. At this time, Ahap Chul, who visited Muntemu, rmended that he go under Emperor Yongle. Ahabchul persuaded Muntemu by saying the following. For the well-being of the tribe, it is best to step into the shadow of the Great Man. Now that our elders have passed away, Joseon cannot be in our shadow! Now there is no longer a shadow of Lee Seong-gye, a great person! We need new shade! Is that shadow the Emperor of Ming? of course! Myeong is now a loser that no one can surpass! Of course I can provide shade! Yes, but . Seeing Muntemus hesitation, Ahapchul pped his chest with his hand and said, Trust me! Even so, he is the emperors father-inw! In response to Ahapchuls assurances, Muntemu met Emperor Yeongrak. Indeed, as Ahapchul said, Emperor Yongrak had the spirit of a great man. In the end, Mentemu pledged allegiance to Emperor Yongle. After Mentemu pledged his loyalty, the Yongle Emperor appointed him asmander of the Jianzhou throne. I will give you thest name Dong. Hwang Eun is devastated! * * * As soon as it was reported that Muntemu had obtained a government position and pledged loyalty, King Taejong immediately took action. They stopped trade with Odori and attacked Morinyu. Muntemu counterattacked by plundering Gyeongwon. As the rtionship between the two became difficult, Myeong intervened. Emperor Yongrak threatened the Joseon envoy who came to protest as follows: What is important to you is Joseon or Munteomoo? Under pressure from Emperor Yongna, Joseon had to give up Muntemu and send away all the hostages it had held hostage. Your family is persistent. It is best to stay away for the time being. Muntemu, worried about Joseons re-invasion, led his tribe from Hoeryeong and went north. * * * However, what happened afterwards was not a happy ending. Ming, symbolized by Emperor Yongle, did not want the Jurchen tribe to be powerful. Therefore, he constantly appeased and subjugated the Jurchen tribes, and created divisions between the tribes to prevent them from joining forces. And the tribes that became stronger were deployed in the conflict with the Northern Yuan (called Daldan (^) in the Ming Dynasty). The same was true for the Odori tribe in Muntumu. The size of the tribe gradually grew, but many warriors had to lose their lives in the conflict with Northern Yuan. In addition, the rtionship with the surrounding Jurchen tribe deteriorated due to Mings separation policy. Finally, in the second year of King Sejongs reign, Muntemu sent an envoy to Joseon. -I am sorry for what happened in the past. I hope for forgiveness. And please allow me to return to Hoeryeong. At Muntemus request, King Sejong (although Taejong was behind it) epted the request. * * * When the Odori tribe of Muntumu returned, King Sejong provided support for their settlement. Trade resumed and various goods were granted, but the envoys report was negative. I couldnt find any favor in the eyes of the young King of Joseon. this . Phew~. Muntumu let out a long sigh upon hearing the messengers report. In the end, for the well-being of the tribe, Muntemu had to lead the warriors and keep busy. He had to act as a beon (, fence-forming barbarian) to block other Jurchen tribes that threatened Joseons borders, and he also had to fight against the Jurchen tribes that were harassing the Ming. * * * During this critical period, the surrounding environment began to change again. Imanju, the grandson of Ahab Chul, had led his tribe down to the south. Then, after King Taejong died, King Sejong, who had made all power his own, began to promote Gyeongjang in earnest. As King Sejong promoted Gyeongjang, the rtionship with the Joseon military also changed. The opponent whom I thought was easy in many ways was starting to turn into an increasingly difficult opponent. Then, a few years ago, the rtionship took aplete turn when an incident urred in which a Korean vige on the border was looted. The Joseon army had be an object of fear through retaliatory warfare that massacred not only the tribes that had plundered the Korean vige but also the tribes nearby. And, as the situation changed, the dark ages of the Odori tribe began. * * * The full-scale dark age began when Emperor Seondeok ascended to the throne. In the eyes of Emperor Seondeok, the values ??of Muntemu and Lee Manju were far apart. On the contrary, the value of Joseon was gradually increasing. Muntemu, who noticed that Mings interest was cooling down,mented. Should I look for another shade? Where should I look for it? While Muntumu was worrying, his subordinates brought him urgent news. Joseon soldiers have upied Baekdu Mountain! what! When Muntemu led his men to Mt. Baekdu, themander of the Joseon army presented Emperor Seondeoks edict. -We allow Joseon to regain its ancestralnd. All nearby Jurchen tribes must actively cooperate with this. The cunning Joseon Dynasty even dragged the officials of Ming Dynasty and waited for them. His Majestysmand is clear, so please follow hismand. I understand. ording to the words of the Ming Dynasty official, Muntemu had to beg his subordinates. He was pushed out in terms of cause and power. We will define the border along the foot of Mt. Baekdu. Saying the above, the Joseon military confirmed that thend with a radius of 50 ri (approximately 20 km) north of Baekdu Mountain was Joseon territory. Isnt that too much! Muntemu protested against Joseons decision, but Ming officials tolerated his opposition. This was the order of Emperor Seondeok. -It is certain that Joseon will be greedy. But dont stop it. The worse the rtionship between Joseon and Jurchen, the better for us. Ming officials faithfully followed Emperor Xiandes orders. * * * After that, the situation of the Odori tribe continued to worsen. The young king of Joseon had called the tribal chiefs of the Jurchen tribes under Yi Seong-gye. The problem was that Lee Man-ju and Muntemu were absent from this call. Because of this, Muntemu was able to clearly understand King Sejongs intentions. Lee Man-ju and Muntemu are subject to elimination! Muntumu, who realized the precariousness of the situation, had to think about it. Should I go up north again? However, in that case, it was certain that it would end up being used as an arrow can in the conflict with Northern Yuan, just like before. What if Ipletely surrender to Joseon? It was certain that if Joseons subjects became Joseons subjects, the Ming Dynasty would not remain silent. This is because a subject of a famous country moves to another country. Even though Joseon was in the position of calling itself a subject to the Ming. Conversely, what if I be a naturalized Ming citizen? If that happened, it was certain that they would all die at the hands of the Joseon army. -Twice he had rtionships with the military and ministers, and then betrayed them both! It would have been the worst act of self-destruction, putting the sword in Joseons hands. Haa~. Muntumus sighs became deeper and deeper as he couldnte up with a good answer no matter how he tried. In that situation, something happened that pushed Muntumu closer and closer to the cliff. After seeing the wealthy Jurchen people living better and better, the coteral tribes began to move over to Joseon one by one. The problem was not the level of leading the tribes, but the territory in which the tribes lived was handed over to Joseon. And, every time they made such a return, Joseon dispatched soldiers to confirm Joseons territory. Muntemu protested to the Ming, but the answer that came back from the Ming was devastating. -I checked the records and found that the area was ruled by Lee Seong-gye. Therefore, it is recognized as the territory of Joseon in ordance with the previously issued edict. Muntemu, who received the reply sent by Myeong, broke down with a devastated expression on his face. * * * In this situation, something happened that broke Muntumusposure. Virus. A Joseon military officer came to visit. Joseons military officer? yes. however . When the warrior reporting did not look very happy, Muntemu got up and went outside. Outside, a group of Joseon cavalry were confronting warriors from the Odori tribe. Put the knife in! At Muntumusmand, the warriors of the Odori tribe sheathed their swords. When Muntumu stepped forward, the military officer standing in front showed a knowing attitude. Hello, Vira, how are you? you! Muntumu couldnt believe his eyes. The Joseon military officer smiling before his eyes was the tribal chief of the Olryanghap tribe, which had the worst rtionship with the Odori tribe. The smile of the tribal leader of the Olryanghap tribe, who was wearing the military uniform of a Joseon military officer and battle helmet, became increasingly deeper. This time, I received the favor of His Majesty the King and became a Pachong (ѓ). Even though it is an earthen pipe that protects mynd. Lets get along well in the future. Although he said to get along, the smile he gave was extremely cruel. Chapter 207: Dilemma – Odori (4) Chapter 207: Dilemma C Odori (4) April, 12th year of King Sejongs reign (Gyeongsulryeon, 1430). Byeon Gye-ryang died. Byeon Gye-ryang, who was born in the 18th year of King Gongmin (1369), was renowned as an outstanding literary schr and was favored. However, while he was on his way to bing a monk, he was falsely used of being a traitor or suspected of murder by his older sister and her daughter, and suffered from gossip. Fortunately, King Taejong used his talent to conduct a thorough investigation, and the defense was epted, resulting in an acquittal. However, his position was greatly damaged, and King Taejong had to rebuild his position. Even after that, Byun Gye-ryangs life was not smooth. He was used by his father-inw of abusing his wife. ording to theint posted by the father-inw, the mental and physical abuse inflicted on his wife by Byeon Gye-ryang was very serious. In the end, Byun Gye-ryang wrote a long letter defending himself to King Taejong. However, in that article, there were only a few sentences that reflected on oneself, and most of them were sentences that showed off ones own writing. In the end, King Taejong, who highly valued Byeon Gye-ryangs outstanding literary talent, stopped the impeachment of Byeon Gye-ryang. (Note 1) * * * Because of these incidents, Byeon Gye-ryang was ridiculed by the educated ss, but he was recognized for his level of schrship and literary talent and was respected by King Taejong and King Sejong. However, as Hyang intervened, his life began to change little by little. In history before the intervention of Hyang, he was highly regarded by King Sejong until his death, and was treated as the head of Jiphyeonjeon and as the ambassador of Sungkyunkwan. Even though his private life was in trouble, his schrly status never copsed. However, the great purge of powerful officials triggered by Hyangs intervention, and the sudden execution of Gyeongjang that followed, greatly reduced Byeon Gye-ryangs position. * * * It started with King Sejong handing over the draft of the scriptures. Review this strategy. At King Sejongs order, Byeon Gye-ryang and Jiphyeon-jeons schrs gathered in one ce and began to look at the draft. This is the Crown Princes . Right. The strategy named Gyeongjang () was the crown princes political opinion. To be precise, although a lot of King Sejongs thoughts were put into it, we could see that the basis was the crown princes political views that he had announced not long ago. I told you to review it, so I guess I should review it. At Byun Gye-ryangs words, the schrs began to review the contents of the sutra. But soon enough, all the bachelors had the same reaction. This is ridiculous! This is not the Confucian way! The schrs, for whom Neo-Confucianism was the center of everything, rebelled fiercely. Seeing that, Byeon Gye-ryang sighed. Keep in mind that the Lords heart is contained within it. No matter how harsh it may be . If you dont like it, find the problem! I think youre doing this because you like me! Hearing Byeon Gye-ryangs words, the schrs of Jiphyeonjeon immediately began to find the problem. As I mentioned before, Joseons government was an extremely small government. Most of the officials held two or three official positions concurrently. However, this did not mean that the sry was doubled or tripled, and bribery became a routine matter for officials due to the drastically reduced srypared to the Goryeo Dynasty. Therefore, the schrs at Jiphyeonjeon were familiar with practical work, and it was easy to find problems. Whenever a problem was found, Jiphyeonjeons academics prepared and submitted a long report. The end of the report was almost identical. Considering these issues, it is better not to do it. Every time such a report was posted, King Sejong soon came up with a solution to the problem. The problem can be solved this way, so take this into consideration and make improvements. Because the king gave an answer and it was a clear answer, the Jiphyeonjeon schrs dug deeper and deeper and pointed out the problem. From then on, it began to take time for Sejongs answer toe. ats! The schrs of Jiphyeonjeon, who felt that they had been exploited by King Sejong, dug deeper into the scriptures, found problems, and reported them. If you try just a little harder, even the Lord Sang will give up! If that happens, this ridiculous and unreasonable n will return to nothing! However, this attempt by Jiphyeonjeon schrs ended in failure. Although it took a little longer than before, the answer came back. And, the answer was clear. In the end, Jiphyeonjeon schrs had no choice but to point out a more fundamental point and move on. -This is a n that does not fit the will of the Holy Spirit. Science must be useful in governing the world is important, but it should not be the model. They imed that King Sejongs sutra book was an apostate that deviated from the Neo-Confucianism they had learned and practiced. In response, King Sejong delivered a reply full of anger. -Have you not seen the people? We, the poor people of Joseon, live lives that only think about our daily survival. Before considering the degree and the apostle, it is a situation of no path! Isnt dealing with the difficulties of these people the first thing to be resolved? Now your arguments are empty! It did not end with just delivering a reply. King Sejong summoned Byeon Gye-ryang and severely reprimanded him. What does Gyeong do? When ites to doors, it is said to be the best in Haedong! But, did you not properly understand the lightening measures I took? No. In response to Byeon Gye-ryangs answer, King Sejong raised his voice and tapped Seo-an with his hand. But why should I receive text that is just a waste of paper! Bachelors are taught solely from a purely academic perspective . Shut up! What you say now is an excuse worse than the barking of a dog in a private house! Whats the point as long as the sentences are beautiful? The content in the sentence is bullshit! Do it right now! Yes, yes . Byeon Gye-ryang, who resigned after being scolded by King Sejong, had to train the schrs of Jiphyeonjeon. Are you not going to do your job properly? Why should I be criticized by the chief minister? Get rid of all the bullshit about whether its a degree or an apostle, and just do it right! However, if you do that, you will be criticized as being an extra use . Byun Gye-ryang raised his voice in response to thements of the bachelors who were worried about the usation that they were coborating with power. As long as you guys are wearing official uniforms, thats ridiculous! If you dont like it, get rid of it and get out! In the end, bachelors who could not ept this ended up submitting their resignations and leaving their schools. If I do this, the king will be scared! This is a king who values ??his subjects and schrs! If this continues, even the king will get scared and retreat! However, the results were far beyond their expectations. King Sejong epted all of their resignations. why? While the bachelors were distraught over the result, which was far beyond their expectations, an even bigger shock hit them. King Sejong purged arge number of senior ministers, symbolized by Ryu Jeong-hyeon. As soon as the purge of the ministers waspleted, King Sejong made a deration to the ministers. We will proceed with the renovation! In the end, the bachelors who submitted their resignations ended up falling behind and had to drop out of school. * * * As things progressed like this, Byun Gye-ryangs position became increasingly narrow. It was not just Byun Gye-ryangs position that was narrowed. Jiphyeonjeons position also began to shrink. As soon as Gyeongjang began, the bachelors of Jiphyeonjeon no longer had concurrent positions. Their work was limited to policy advice for King Sejong and other academic research. Isnt it rather a good thing? youre right. On the contrary, it was difficult to find time while working as a government official, but I was able to conduct proper research. At first, it was Jiphyeonjeons bachelors who responded positively. However, they soon had to face seriouspetition. The scent was what created theboratory. * * * When Hyang first established the research institute, the schrs of Jiphyeonjeon did not have much to worry about. Well, you are such an unusual person . Many Jiphyeonjeon schrs thought of the research institute as nothing more than an excursion. On the contrary, there were even people who felt sorry for those who were taken as officials of the research institute. I can barely believe I have to work in industry or academia or making various objects . I felt pitiful. I feel sorry for the Chief of Staff of Jeongcho and the old man, Inji Jeong. There were many people who felt pity for those who had suddenly switched affiliations to the research institute, and there were also many who felt relieved. The representative of these people was Byeon Gye-ryang. I feel relieved because there are no people who only bet on everything! It was very frustrating for him that Jeong Cho, who criticized him, was dragged into Hanjik. However, contrary to their expectations, the research institute quickly grew into the strongestpetitor. The research institute, which gained recognition for creating amazing objects, expanded its human resources with the full support of King Sejong and the crown prince. As the number of talented people increased, the research institute umted performance in more diverse fields. He renovated the Joseon militarys weapons, and subsequently produced a tremendous result called revision of the calendar. Okay, thats trivia! The schrs of Byeon Gyeryang and Jiphyeonjeon consoled themselves and hid their anxiety, but this was just the beginning. In an audit of the research institute for the purpose of monitoring the use of the budget, the research institute came up with an unimaginable n called railway. No, the railroad wasnt the problem. The research institute came up with something ridiculous called the Comprehensive National Development n. The n presented by the institute attracted the attention of King Sejong and ministers. It is truly full of good content, so please refer to it in the sutra. You are truly right! As King Sejong and his ministers continued to receive favorable reviews, the institutes position became increasingly solid. Thanks to this, the frequency with which the research institute is assigned the task of creating and evaluating various policies began to increase. Sejong openlypeted. Thanks to King Sejongspetition, the schrs of Jiphyeonjeon had to desperately stick to their work. However, it was not easy for bachelors whose only interests were Neo-Confucianism to expand their scope of thinking. Eventually, the bachelors turned to researchers at the institute for help. Although they were rivals, there were many people who shared a meal together for a while, and in the end, they were subjects of Joseon. Whoa~. Its not easy. How did you expand your horizons so much? Researchers at the institute answered the questions of Jiphyeonjeon schrs with sad smiles. Its easier to give up. huh? It would be easier if I gave up on leaving on time, gave up seeing my wife and children, and gave up on all these things. If you give up everything and do what you are told, you will realize the Tao. ah . However,petition waspetition, and Jiphyeonjeon was gradually losing out to the research institute. Even though Byeon Gye-ryang was supporting him as much as possible with his literary talent and authority as a background, anyone could see that Jiphyeonjeons status was not as good as it used to be. In that situation, Byeon Gye-ryang died. * * * The schrs of Jiphyeonjeon who gathered at Byeon Gye-ryangs house to pay their respects all spoke with gloomy expressions. Now that Master Dae has gone here, what should we do? Shouldnt we try harder? Is that effort? Isnt this colluding with power? Then what are you going to do? Should I beat him up and leave? Anyway, were being criticized for being abusive . Are you saying that after hearing those words, you give up your morals and conscience in despair? Then what if we go back to Choya? Dont you know what the current situation is? It was a group of people struggling to find a ce to go after therge tree had disappeared. * * * Note 1) The Annals of King Sejong, read as one volume. Written by Park Young-gyu. Woongjin Knowledge House. Chapter 208: Homecoming. (One) Chapter 208: Homing. (One) July of the year of Gyeongsul (1430). Arge fleet arrived in Jemulpo. It was a fleet of two veryrge dhows and three regrrge dhows. Foreign ships that entered Jemulpo under the escort of the Joseon Navy Panokseon carefully docked at the dock. As the ships docked at the dock, people began to disembark, with Koreans at the forefront. Those who had left for Aden in the year of Musin (1428) had returned. * * * Likest time, the fleet approaching Joseon encountered the Joseon Panokseon in the middle. Do you think the patrol area has increasedpared to when we left? Thats right. To the question of Oh Ha-seok, a subordinate officer who saw the Panokseon approaching from afar, Seon Dong-jin, a junior officer next to him, nodded and answered. Oh Ha-seok, who saw the Panokseon opening its bow to simultaneously maintain the effective range of the artillery and project maximum firepower, gave an order to Seon Dong-jin. Youre very nervous. Tell the captain not to act rashly. yes. If possible, I tell you to pray a white prayer. ancient! The fleet that encountered the Panokseon headed to Jeosuyeong. Just likest time, Woo Soo-young immediately sent a dispatch to Hanseong. A few dayster, Pabal returned from Hanseong. As expected, the returned dispatch came with an order to send it to Jemulpo. Thats how Mansurs fleet came up to Chemulpo. The fleet, which sailed north through the Yellow Sea under the escort of the Joseon Navy, arrived safely in Jemulpo. * * * At the dock where the fleet docked, soldiers who had been waiting in advance stood guard. The official who saw Oh Ha-seok and his group getting off the boat with Oh Ha-seok at the head approached them first. This is Byun Kang-seok from Hojo. Wee back safely. This is Oh Ha-seok, a naval officer. Nice to meet you. But the personnel . After quietly checking the number of people in the group, Byeon Kang-seok cautiously opened his mouth, and Oh Ha-seok answered in a bitter voice. I lost five. Two of them met pirates on the way, and three of them encountered endemic diseases. ah . Rest in peace. Thank you on behalf of the bereaved family. After a short conversation, Hojos officials, including Byeon Kang-seok, quickly got back to their work. The number of crew members in the fleet was confirmed, and the people were asked not to leave their residences carelessly. The types and quantities of goods brought were recorded and an inventory was created. Does work get done faster? Byeon Kang-seok smiled bitterly at Oh Ha-seoks answer. You know what mediation is like, dont you? If you dont want to get cursed instead of eating, you have to be diligent. ah . yes. Oh Ha-seok, who was nodding his head, muttered without realizing it. The return hase. * * * The Koreans led by Oh Ha-seok headed straight to Hanseong. Oh Ha-seok and his party passed through Gwanghwamun and entered Geunjeongjeon Hall and bowed deeply to King Sejong, who was sitting on the temple. Seven people, including Sergeant Oh Ha-seok. I inform you that I have returned from a mission! King Sejong responded to Oh Ha-seoks report. It was a truly long and difficult journey, and I am truly grateful to have returned here. Good job. I am devastated. okay . I heard you lost five. Are all the others okay? Thanks to heavens protection, everyone else is safe. Thank goodness. Do Seung-ji, please listen. Yes, Your Highness. King Sejong gave orders to Do Seung-ji. In ordance with the newly established ordinance, send a letter from the Seungjeongwon to the families of those who died, informing them of the death, and ask them to pay condolences in the name of the deceased. And, support the bereaved families in ordance with establishedws. I follow your orders. To Sejongsmand, Do Seung-ji responded with a sigh. After hearing King Sejongs order, Oh Ha-seok bowed with great gratitude. I am devastated. A thousand years! A thousand years! A thousand years! * * * As an aside, the local government had a strong influence on the procedures and support measures for soldiers and officials who died in battle or other official duties. The Veterans Act (취) was the firstw to be established when the military police began. And as the royal pce progressed, it was one of thews that was further strengthened as King Sejongs royal authority was strengthened. It was said that he was wise to the military. How can subjects only be those who wear official uniforms and work in the royal pce? He died and was injured while working for the country, so it is the countrys duty to uphold its loyalty! Because King Sejongs will was so strong, the ministers had to follow his will. The Lords will is so strong . How can you be the only chief minister? Cant the Crown Prince be seen behind that? He remembered the fact that he had strongly advocated for measures to protect veterans from the time he announced his political views. However, the scent went one step further. If the king does not honor the people, will the people honor me? The people are the children of Abamama. So I think he should be respected. I see. Tell me where and how you want to do it. Hyang said what he thought. Sejong, who listened to Hyangs story for a long time, nodded. You are right. Afterwards, it was legited that those who left their hometowns and died while serving in the military, or who died from idents or overwork while performing official duties, were to be visited by persons with a rank of at least Pachong or Jangryeong (4th grade) or higher to inform them of their deaths and pay their condolences. If the child for whom the funeral is to be held is too young or the only parents are elderly, it is also specified byw that an official who has paid condolences remains to perform the funeral. This equally applied to noble Jurchen people and anti-Japanese rebels. As a result, the Jurchen people and the anti-Japanese soldiers fought more fiercely than the Korean soldiers. And the struggles of the Jurchen people and those who resisted the Japanese had a chain effect that further fueled the fighting spirit of the Korean soldiers. * * * After reporting to King Sejong at Geunjeongjeon, Oh Ha-seok and his party were able to receive three days of vacation. When I returned to the military unit and the Sayeokwon and announced my return and a three-day vacation, my colleagues in the military unit and the Sayeokwon all responded in the same way. Rest for three days! Absolutely rest! Dont even dream about things like Gibang, just rest! Regardless of whether your back is exposed or not, just lie down and rest! huh? Still, I came back after two years, even if it was just alcohol . Shut up and rest! Oh Ha-seok and his group, who were tilting their heads at the words of their colleagues, were able to understand the reason three dayster. * * * Three dayster, as soon as they arrived, the first people to visit them were medical doctors from the National Assembly. Lets go to the internal medicine clinic for a moment! yes? yes? What a name. Oh Ha-seok and his group, who were taken to Naeuiwon, were robbed from head to toe. They looked at theirplexion, checked their eyes for jaundice, and even checked whether they had gained or lost weight. The medical doctors concluded their investigation by sticking out their tongues to examine the white skin and feeling the pulse. They then delved into the most important issue. You said there were people who died from endemic diseases, right? exactly. Rest in peace. Thank you. What are the symptoms of endemic diseases? What is the treatment? to That means . As soon as they joined the group, Oh Ha-seok and his group were robbed at the Naeuiwon until they had to leave. * * * Their work did not end there. Interpreters belonging to the Ministry were required to write lengthy reports on the Arabic and nativenguages ??they had learned in the Aden region. The report did not end there. Subsequently, he wrote a detailed report on the Aden regions geography, customs, and peoples tendencies. You went to a ce called Alexandria? yes. To sell goods brought from Joseon at auction . Write a report and bring it to me. In particr, dont forget how much it was sold for and what the reaction of the people in the western region was. yes . But how should I write Alexandria in Idu? well . The superior who gave the order and the person in charge of carrying out the order had no choice but to look worried. In particr, the person in charge of writing the report had to turn white and break into a cold sweat. Alexandria is not the only ce name like this . Starting from Aden right now . Damn it. The superior swore without even realizing it. * * * A simr thing happened in the military unit. Did you call me? okay. I called you. Starting with Oh Ha-seok, Byeongjo Cheomjeong (Jong 4th Rank), who gathered together those who participated in the voyage, got straight to the point. You must have kept proper records during the voyage, right? yes. Write a report. Write down the length of time the voyage took, the ports you visited, changes in wind direction, etc. yes. Oh Ha-seok and his group responded with calm expressions. This was because I had already expected that I would be writing a report on the voyage. However, as Cheomjeong continued to speak, the faces of the group began to turn yellow. What Ive said so far is basically what needs to be written, and there are things that need to be written in separate reports. First, make a detailed report on the defense status of the ports we stopped by along the way. In addition, a report was written on the characteristics of the port residents and their reactions to foreigners. And you also met pirates along the way, right? Whether the pirates we encountered along the way were Chinese, Japanese, or something else, and wepiled a report on their armament, the size of the pirate ship, whether or not it was equipped with artillery, and how vicious they were. Yes, I understand. And, I heard theres a really big one among the boats that came this time? I also write a detailed report on that. yes. All right. There are a lot of people waiting up there, so youll have to fill it out properly. Hearing Cheomjeongs words, Oh Ha-seok and his group swallowed their dry saliva. Looking at the faces of the group, Cheomjeong added. Oh, the deadline is six days. Its toote. Give it at least ten days . Oh Han-seok came forward and protested, but Cheomjeong shook his head. Did you know that a record of the voyage of a eunuch named Jeonghwa came from the Ming Kingdom in the past? You have topare it and write a separate report. But you guys are procrastinating? The Chief of Byeongpan will be scolded by the Chief Minister, and then, from the Chief of Byeongpan to the superiors immediately above you, will they leave you alone? still. You rested well for three days, right? Now I have to work. Come on, write a report. After saying those words, Oh Ha-seok and his group left the room of the peak and looked nkly at the sky. Oh Ha-seok looked up at the sky and let out a long sigh. Whoa~. I guess there was a reason why I told you to rest. * * * Meanwhile, Hojos officials, who were organizing the goods brought by Mansur, paid attention to one product. Did ck bean teae in? ck bean tea . The Hojo official who was searching through the items cheered. there is! Its in! The surrounding officials flocked to the colleagues shout. there is? How much is the quantity? The officials had been suffering from withdrawal symptoms since they ran out of coffee in the second half of the year. * * * Meanwhile, at the Huihoe peoples residentialplex, Mansour gathered together people working in the court, including Hassan. I have a favor to ask of you. What do you ask? Let us obtainrger and more powerful artillery pieces. At Mansours words, the faces of Hassan and other officials gathered in the room turned white. Canvas! Are you out of your mind? I cant help it. Mansour continued speaking with an earnest expression. We need artillery to ensure the safety of trade routes and to protect our family in Aden. And the Fuhrers. her . Mansour briefly concluded the current situation. Right now, our family is crossing a cliff on a single rope. Joseons artillery is absolutely necessary to protect our family. Chapter 209: Homecoming. (2) ?Chapter209: Homing. (2) What happened to protecting the family? In response to Hassans question, the elder next to Mansour began to exin on his behalf. Now Aden is split in two. * * * The goods Mansurs fleet brought from Joseon shook Aden. Since the quantity was muchrger than thest time they brought the goods, the Otaibi family and the Azram family once again moved to Alexandria and sold the goods. At the auction house in Alexandria, Joseon goods were sold at exorbitant prices C an average of 30 times the price they were purchased for in Joseon. Its good for us to see more benefits, but why? In response to Mansours question, the Arab merchant who had purchased a lot of Joseon goods raised his finger and pointed to the box. The merchants fingertips were pointing towards the golden cucumber flower engraved on the inside of the box. Its because of that flower. ah . Mansour nodded at the merchants exnation. * * * Before starting the first and current auctions, Mansour exined the cucumber flower engraved on the items. After hearing the exnation that the quality of the plum blossoms varied depending on whether they were made of gold, silver, or copper, and how many flowers there were, the merchants asked Mansour questions. I understand the difference, but why that flower pattern? In response to the merchants questions, Mansour exined the reason. That flower is a symbol of the Joseon royal family. In other words, the quality of these products is guaranteed by the King of Joseon. Of course, there is a warranty. Lets look at the warranty. Which product do you want a warranty for? The merchant who was pointed out by Mansours question pointed out a box of teaware made of ceramics that he really wanted to get. I want to see that. Mansour opened the box, took out a warranty card and handed it over. The merchant must have been familiar with Chinese characters, so he read the contents of the warranty skillfully and nodded. Im sure. It is stamped with the date of manufacture, the name of the manufacturer, and the inspector, and there is also an official seal. Mansur, who received the warranty from the merchant, resealed the box and answered. A good merchant never lies. That is correct. * * * As I became more confident about the product, thepetition became more intense. Many merchants participated in the auction as they brought in various types and grades of Joseon products. Merchantspeted with other small and medium-sized merchants for goods of a grade suitable to their ability to purchase. Of course, there were merchants with enormous capital who attempted to sweep away, but the type and quantity of goods Mansour brought with him made that impossible. While this was going on, some European merchants showed unusual behavior. Thats the gore from Gonne (Gun), right? I think so? What a unique Gon. Ask if you can sell it. They showed interest in the Masang chongtong worn by Korean military officers for self-defense. Im asking if I can sell that Fuhrer you guys are wearing. Oh Ha-seok responded in a blunt voice to the words that went through several stages of interpretation. Tell them its not for sale. They say they will give you 20 times the purchase price. Tell them that they cannot sell it because it was given to them by the government. After hearing Oh Ha-seoks answer through an interpreter, the European merchants stepped away with a disappointed expression. However, their eyes were still full of greed. Oh Ha-seok, who saw the European merchants like that, gave orders to other military officers. Those idiots have unusual eyes. Pay attention to the management of the Fuhrer. no. Dont even think about leaving the dorm until you get back. yes. * * * The auction ended sessfully. The Alexandrian merchant who brokered the auction approached Mansur, who was preparing to return with arge amount of gold and silver coins. Thanks to you, I have benefited a lot. So do we. Thank you for conducting a fair auction. The merchant who saw Mansour politely expressing his gratitude in the Arabic style gave a careful warning. Be careful on your way. There are many people targeting you. yes? Can you think of just one or two wolves targeting plump, fat sheep? ah . May Ah bless you on your way back . Inshah. * * * The Alexandrian merchants warning was true. As Alexandria disappeared far beyond the horizon, thieves attacked, aiming for the merchants wealth. In order to prevent attacks not only by real bandits but also by other merchants pretending to be thieves and return to Aden, Mansour and his party had to clear a blood road. Of course, Mansour also expected it, so he brought in arge number of private soldiers with the help of the Azram family, but the situation was not easy. In this situation, it was Joseons military officers who provided a breakthrough. The military officers faithfully used the assets they had. While scouting all around with a monocr telescope, he noticed the thieves approach from afar and issued a warning. They are guests. good? bad? Seeing as he came in with a knife drawn, he is not a good customer. In response to his subordinates report, Oh Ha-seok called an interpreter. Uninvited guests areing. After a while, shouts rang out from all directions, and the soldiers began to form a circle for defense. In the battle that took ce, the military officers long guns demonstrated their power. That guy over there riding around behind him on a ck horse looks like the boss. I knew. When Oh Ha-seok pointed out a target, the military officers aimed their guns at the target. Bangpo! Ta-ta-tang! When an important person falls like that, the thieves who were attacking them tend to retreat. Of course, contrary to expectations, if it was not the leader or executive who fell (added), it would have been a bit of a difficult fight. And at such times, Ma Sang-chong had to breathe fire non-stop. * * * Its Aden! Wow! Im back! When the earthen wall protecting Aden was seen in the distance, everyone cheered. Upon returning to Aden, the members congratted each other on their safe return. However, the real big war started from then. Hold a banquet! Wow! The private soldiers and merchants who unpacked their luggage shouted at Mansurs words. However, the elders of the Otaibi family and the people of the Azram family came running. Please postpone the banquet for a while! why? When Mansour frowned and asked the reason, the elder answered. Sindh and Pae are about to make a move. what! * * * Originally, Aden was controlled by five families. These five families ruled Aden through checks and cooperation with each other. However, the Otaibi family led by Mansour shook up this situation. After hearing the rumor that the Sindwa family was putting pressure on the Ottaibi family by force, the Azram family immediately joined hands with the Ottaibi family. This was not due to a sense of justice. It was a check to prevent the power of the Sindhwa family from growing stronger. Thanks to this, even though they were at odds with the Sindhwa family, the Azram family was confident. This was because the most powerful family in Aden was the Azram family. Based on that confidence, the Azram family cooperated with the Otaibi family and set off on a journey to Joseon. The Sindhwa family snorted at the sight. joy! It looks like Ahs blessings will continue twice! The sea route to Korea, or more urately to China, had to pass through the narrow strait between a and Mazapihit. And this strait was notorious for pirates. Even if the strait passed safely, it was still a dangerous passage for Chinese pirates and Japanese pirates. Therefore, when the Otaibi family returned from their first trade with Joseon, the Sindwa family concluded this. -There is no such thing as continuous luck! This will be our only trade with Joseon! Based on that conclusion, the Sindhwa family suppressed the Otaibi family by force, andughed at the second voyage in alliance with the Azram family. However, the second voyage also resulted in a sessful return. Although traces of a severe battle remained, the ship returned without a single loss. The executives of the Sindhwa family looked serious when they saw the cargo being unloaded from the six merchant ships. If this continues, we will be the 6th family, not the 5th! Im d thats all it is. The Azram familys dominance may begin. The Sindhwa family, feeling threatened, began to persuade other families. -If this continues, the Azram family will take over Aden! -We must defeat the Azram family and the Otaibi family! Soon, rumors began to circte throughout the city of Aden. The Sindhwa family is trying to attack the Azram family! The Azram family, which confirmed that the rumor was true, also responded. The head of the Azram family sent a messenger to the Zayed family, another great family with whom they had a marriage alliance. Lets join forces! If we defeat them this time, Aden will be ours! After hearing the Azram familys proposal, the Zayed family immediately called the elders and held a meeting. The problem was that alliances through marriage were not limited to the Azram family. All five families had a tangled rtionship of threads, connected by inws through marriage. All else aside, lets think about what is in the best interest of our family. What profit would there be in looking at Joseons goods that arrived at the port? Who has the monopoly on trade with Joseon? At the point made by the head of the Zayed family, the elders put aside their worries and immediately came to a conclusion. We must join hands with the Azram family! In this way, the Otaibi, Azram, and Zayed families united, and the other two families joined forces around Sindwa. In this way, Aden was split in two, but it was not possible to immediately begin the demonstration of skill. This was because thebined power of the Azram family and the Zayed family and thebined power of the other three families were simr. because. The standoff continued as they growled at each other. This was the situation right before Mansour left for Alexandria. * * * Unless Sindwa goes crazy . When Mansour looked like he couldnt understand, the elder gave a short answer. The benefits I gained this time were so great. Has the rumor already spread? Sindwa sent someone to Alexandria. this . Mansour, whose eyesight went dark, looked devastated. What should I do about this . Mansour, who was struggling to find an answer, saw Joseon military officers. Its them! We need to ask them for help! Mansour felt his eyes brighten. Those Joseon military officers were soldiers. They were people who had proven through actualbat that they were not just warriors, but people who had learned and mastered systematic military methods. Ah Hu Akbar! Mansur, who found the answer, unconsciously uttered words praising Ah. huh? Why that guy? Does this feel bad? me too. When Mansour shouted Ahu Akbar, the military officers, including Oh Ha-seok, felt cold. It was because nothing good happened before or after those words were said. * * * Ah hu Akbar means Ah is great. During the voyage, Oh Ha-seok, who heard the meaning through Saeok-wons interpreter, frowned and muttered. To be great is a mess . This was because after a fierce battle with pirates, the sailors, starting with Mansur, were shouting Ahu Akbar! If he was such a great god, he should have stopped me from grabbing pirates. These were words that Oh Ha-seok, who lost the military officers he left with from Joseon, could not agree with at all. * * * Thats why Oh Ha-seoks premonition got worse when Mansour shouted Ahu Akbar. The leader is asking for help. They say its a family crisis. Oh Ha-seoks face crumpled after hearing the business through the interpreter. Holy shit! Chapter 210 Chapter 210 Although he cursed to his hearts content, Oh Ha-seok had no choice but to help Mansur. He believed that if Mansurs family copsed, the chances of them returning to Joseon from Aden were almost none. If were ruined, well most likely be ves. Mentioning ves, Oh Ha-seok shuddered. It was because the image of the ves he had seen at the ve market in Alexandria came to mind. Therefore, its do or die. Everyone, steel yourselves. Yes, sir! At Oh Ha-seoks words, the military officers responded, gritting their teeth. Oh Ha-seok turned to the interpreters. You should also prepare yourselves. I saw that you were all skilled archers on the way here. Im counting on you this time as well. Understood, sir. The interpreters replied, fingering the mounted rifles and bows at their waists. Having made his resolve, Oh Ha-seok headed to where Mansur was. I will assist the leader. Thank you! *** Having made up his mind, Oh Ha-seok moved proactively. First, we need a map. There is no map, sir! At Mansurs answer, Oh Ha-seok cursed inwardly. Taking a deep breath to quell his rising anger, Oh Ha-seok spoke. Then draw a rough sketch on the ground. Understood. Mansur picked up a nearby branch and drew a rough map on the ground. Seeing the sketch of the Ottaibis mansion and the neighboring houses, Oh Ha-seok went outside the main gate topare it with the actual streets. Hmm Stroking his dusty beard entangled with sand, Oh Ha-seok observed the surroundings and returned inside tomand Mansur and the military officers. Go to the ship and bring all the long guns, gunpowder, and pellet shots. Yes, sir. And leader, are you close with the neighbors nearby? Most of them are either our rtives or the homes of those who work for us. Then gather them all Pausing for a moment, Oh Ha-seok used the branch to point at various spots on the rough map drawn on the ground and continued. Fortunately, the back is facing the sea, so theres no road. Therefore, the enemies can onlye from the front. There are three main roads leading to the mansion. Block the other two roads and small alleys immediately, except for thergest one in the middle. We need to minimize the enemies approach routes for easier defense. I will do so. Responding to Oh Ha-seoks words, Mansur immediately issued orders to the elders. Upon hearing Mansurs orders, the elders promptly mobilized people to carry out Oh Ha-seoksmands. Meanwhile, Oh Ha-seok continued to assess the situation. That Azzam, was it? Did you request support from the family that was moving together with you? I sent someone, but theres no reply yet. Damn it Hearing Mansurs answer through the interpreter, Oh Ha-seok unknowingly cursed. Seeing Oh Ha-seoks expression, Mansur continued. They are probably not in a good situation either. Weve turned three out of the five families that shake Aden into enemies. In response to Mansurs answer, Oh Ha-seok made a cutting remark. That family may not be finished, but dont forget that your family will be. Now your nose is three feet long, and youre thinking about whom to spare Tsk! Clicking his tongue, Oh Ha-seok noticed the camels and horses being led inside and hurriedly turned to Mansur. Dont tell me Youve already distributed the wealth brought from Alexandria? Not yet. Hearing the answer, Oh Ha-seok let out a sigh of relief. Phew~. Thats fortunate, at least. Keep the wealth brought from Alexandria in the deepest part of the mansion. And send someone to that Azzam family or whatever and tell them, If we fall, you fall too.'' But if the Azzam family holds a grudge As Mansur hesitated, thinking Oh Ha-seoks words were too extreme, Oh Ha-seok raised his voice. Theres no room to worry about future matters now! Save those concerns for after we survive this ordeal! Ah, understood. At Oh Ha-seoks words, Mansur called for an elder. Although it was radical, Oh Ha-seoks words were not wrong. Seeing this, Oh Ha-seok grumbled. Whats with that man? He was so decisive at sea, but why is he like this onnd? Is he afflicted with a disease that turns him into a coward the moment he steps on shore? However, Mansur had his reasons. The five families of Aden, especially the Azzam family, were the families with the longest history and the greatest power. That was why Mansur had to be intimidated, whether he knew it or not. *** Shortly after, the military officers who had headed to the pier returned with the crew of the Mansur family. Weve brought all six long guns, pellet shots, and gunpowder! Did you also bring the gunpowder and bullets for the long rifles and mounted rifles? Aye, sir! Hearing the military officers response, Oh Ha-seok took an officer skilled in gunnery and went outside the main gate again. Oh Ha-seok pointed to a small puddle in the center of the square in front of the gate. Do you see that puddle? Yes, sir. Oh Ha-seok continued, pointing to the road stretching beyond the puddle. Currently, all other roads are being blocked except for that one. Then the enemies will all flock to that road, right? The military officers immediately understood Oh Ha-seoks words. We can fire the pellet shots from the left and right, using that puddle as a reference point. Exactly! Hmm The military officers turned their bodies and examined the walls extending to the left and right of the main gate. It would be good to position ourselves about one zhang (, approximately 3 meters) away from the main gate. Rather than copsing it, it would be better to make holes. Including the spares we brought, there are six long guns, so we can divide them into three each and take turns loading and firing. Words about what to do poured out of the military officers mouths. Seeing this, Oh Ha-seok couldnt hide his reassurance. As expected of Joseons naval officers! Among Joseon, or even including Ming China and Japan, the most familiar with firearms were Joseons naval forces. And the individuals in front of Oh Ha-seok were the cream of the crop among those officers. What are you doing? Move quickly! Yes, sir! *** Inside the Ottaibis mansion, people were moving busily. Ya (, quickly)! Ya! Amidst the shouts urging them to move fastering from all directions, Oh Ha-seok continued to issue orders. Remove the leaves covering the roofs of those sheds and stables! ce buckets of water at the entrances of the buildings! We need to be able to extinguish fires immediately if they break out! Gather all the cloth and make them into bandages! Prepare medicinal herbs in advance too! The interpreters had to shout until their throats were hoarse to convey Oh Ha-seoks orders. Although the conversation took ce through the interpreters, the work progressed quickly. It was because the workers were well aware of the desperate situation. Watching this, Oh Ha-seok gave a bitter smile. I never thought Id use what I learned while being gued by the Jurchen and Wako here. As the hurried preparations were nearingpletion, those keeping watch shouted. Theyreing! Its the g of the Sindwa family! Hearing the shouts, Oh Ha-seok and Mansur climbed the temporarily constructed watchtower next to the main gate. The private soldiers of the Sindwa family were approaching, filling the only road leading to the Ottaibis mansion. *** The private soldiers of the Sindwa family stopped their march at the entrance where the road entered the square. A man on horseback came forward through the silently standing soldiers. Recognizing the mans face, Mansur muttered a curse under his breath. Damn baldy The one who hade forward was the bald merchant who had visited when the first voyage waspleted and seized everything brought from Joseon. The merchant who had entered the square raised his voice. Listen, Ottaibis! The Ottaibis and our Sindwa family have maintained a good rtionship for a long time! Lets resolve this peacefully without incurring great harm over a small profit! At the merchants words, Mansur shouted loudly. How do you propose we resolve this? We wish to share the wealth obtained from Alexandria The bald merchant couldnt finish his sentence. It was because the arrow shot by Mansur had pierced his heart. Mansur, who had fired the arrow, muttered with a satisfied expression. Damn baldy. The Ottaibis fired an arrow! Its a battle! Charge! At the charge order from behind, the private soldiers of the Sindwa family rushed into the square with a roar. Uwaaaaah~ *** It has begun. Indeed, sir. Hearing the roaring sound from ahead, the head and elders of the Sindwa family knew that the battle had finallymenced. There was an optimistic atmosphere among the head and elders. The military power of the Sindwa family was overwhelming the Ottaibis. ording to what was known, the number of private soldiers of the Ottaibis, including the crew, did not exceed 200. However, the Sindwa family had over 400 purebat troops, excluding the crew. Of course, the Azzam and Zayed families were a concern, but currently, the private soldiers of the other two families allied with the Sindwas were blocking the entrances and keeping them in check. Although their shallowness is evident The head of the Sindwa family licked his lips. It was because he could see the shallow scheme yed by the two families allied with him to avoid losses. However, the Sindwa family had to overlook it despite knowing. For them, the best course of action was to mobilize their overwhelming military power and crush the Ottaibis in the shortest time with minimal losses. If weunch a single overwhelming attack with our superior forces, they will crumble on their own. At the elders words, the head of the Sindwa family nodded. Dealing with the two foxester will be a bigger problem. The head of the Sindwa family was more concerned about the two families that had formed an alliance with his family. At that very moment, a tremendous explosion shook the square. Bang! Kaboom! *** Theyreing! Hold! Hold! At Oh Ha-seoksmand, the archers of the Ottaibis nocked their arrows and swallowed their saliva. The main force of the Ottaibis was the crew. Through the training they had received in Joseon and the real battles they had experienced on the way back, they had transformed into well-honed warriors. And the crew understood Oh Ha-seoks orders without the need for interpretation. Although those orders consisted of only four: Hold!, Aim!, Fire!, and Shoot!. Of course, they had be several times more familiar with Joseon curses. In any case, through the battles they had experienced on the way back, the crew had absolute trust in Oh Ha-seoks judgment. Mansur also trusted Oh Ha-seok just as much. In fact, Mansur had even issued the following order to the crew. When the battle begins, obey themands of the Joseonmander absolutely! My orderse next! Therefore, the crew members who had climbed onto the scaffolding along the walls and held their bows were waiting ording to Oh Ha-seoksmands. Even though the private soldiers of the Sindwa family were approaching right in front of them. As the vanguard of the Sindwa family passed the puddle while approaching, Oh Ha-seok shouted and pulled the trigger of his mounted rifle. Fire! Bang! The gunshot became a signal, and the waiting military officers ignited the fuses of the long guns. Kaboom! With a thunderous explosion, two long guns spewed fire. A total of about 200 pellet shots loaded in the long guns rained down on the private soldiers of the Sindwa family. With a single volley, the front line of the Sindwa familypletely copsed. Experiencing this for the first time in their lives, the private soldiers of the Sindwa family stood frozen in ce. Seeing the gruesome scene unfolding before their eyes, the soldiers unknowingly muttered. O Ah Therades who had been charging forward with high spirits until just a moment ago were now lying in a sea of blood. The newly improved pellet shots by Hyangmaintaining lethality while minimizing size to allow more to be fired at oncehad once again proven their effectiveness, this time against soldiers instead of pirates. Shoot! At Oh Ha-seoks following shout, the waiting crew members fired their arrows in unison. It was not only the crew members standing behind the walls. The soldiers of the Ottaibis, who had been hiding behind the roofs and windows of the houses located around the only entrance, revealed themselves and began to draw their bows, aiming at the private soldiers of the Sindwa family. Chapter 211 Chapter 211 As the front line was annihted by the crossfire of the long guns, the soldiers stood frozen in ce, merely observing the situation. This wont do! Sensing the crisis, the head of the Sindwa family shouted at the soldiers. To the first one who crosses the gate of the Ottaibis, I will give a reward of 100 gold coins! I swear it in the name of Ah! Uwaah! At the leaders words, the soldiers roared again and stepped forward. 100 gold coins was arge sum that would allow one to live idly for a lifetime. The leader continued to encourage the soldiers. Charge! Charge! The wealth of the Ottaibis is ours! Charge! It takes time to reload the cannons! Use that gap! Charge! Uwaaaaah! The soldiers shouted and suppressed the fear they had felt just moments ago. Its a once-in-a-lifetime chance anyway! Charge! Charge! The head of the Sindwa family waved his sword in the air and shouted like a madman. *** That fellow over there, the one shouting on the horse, he seems quite high-ranking. Who is he? At Oh Ha-seoks question, Mansur narrowed his eyes and examined the person in question. After staring intently, Mansur gritted his teeth and answered. Hes the head of the Sindwa family. So, the ringleader who started this mess? Thats right. In that case Oh Ha-seok picked up the armored long rifle he had set aside and aimed it. Isnt it too far? Its enough. Answering briefly, Oh Ha-seok controlled his breathing. *** Leader! Its dangerous! Youve gone too far forward! At the elders warning, the head of the Sindwa family sneered. He knew he had stepped forward, but he was outside the range of arrows. Hmph! At this distance, even an elephant cant Bang~. The head of the Sindwa family fell from his horse before he could finish his sentence. At the same time, a distant gunshot was heard. Leader! Leader! The elders of the Sindwa family rushed to the leaders side. However, the leader, with a hole in his forehead,y motionless with his eyes wide open. Oh no Oh dear As the elders were at a loss due to the unexpected tragedy, another loud explosion was heard from the direction of the square. Kaboom! In the end, the battle that day ended with the defeat of the Sindwa family. The Sindwa family lost nearly half of their mobilized forcesabout 100 died, and a simr number were severely injuredand to make matters worse, they suffered a fatal loss with the death of their leader. *** With the battle ending in the defeat of the Sindwa family, a storm of blood swept through Aden. The Sindwa family was the target of that storm. The two families that had joined hands with the Sindwa family attacked them. With the leader dead without properly determining a sessor and more than half of their soldiers lost, the Sindwa family was a delicious prey for them. In the end, the Sindwa family copsed less than half a month after their defeat in the battle against the Ottaibis. The families that devoured the Sindwa family began to catch their breath for a moment to digest what they had consumed. In the rapidly changing situation, the Ottaibi, Azzam, and Zayed families, feeling the threat to their survival, had no choice but to unite even more firmly. *** So, Aden is currently split in two. The Azzam and Zayed families have even moved their base near our family, and we are in a situation where we are building defensive walls surrounding the three families. Is the situation that dangerous? At Hassans question, Mansur and the elders nodded silently. Mansur, moistening his throat with a sip of tea, continued. Thats why we need firearms. It would be nice to obtainrge cannons, but we need to acquire arge quantity of the firearms we obtainedst time. Those were the ones that yed the biggest role in the previous battle. Mansur was greatly impressed by the power of the long guns utilizing pellet shots. Mansur and the elders werepletely captivated by the charm of firearms in the desperate struggle against pirates and the battle with the Sindwa family. Hearing the story, Hassans face turned troubled. I understand the leaders words and the crisis facing the family, but its not an easy matter. Firearms are the most important weapons in both Ming China and Joseon. Im well aware of that. So please, let me meet with the Crown Prince. You mean His Highness the Crown Prince? At Hassans question, Mansur nodded. If we can persuade the Crown Prince, cant we also persuade the king? Sigh~. At Mansurs words, Hassan let out a long sigh. After pondering silently for a while, Hassan spoke. Have you already informed the Joseon military officers who apanied you? I did. But the reaction wasnt good. Thats to be expected. As I said before, firearms are the most crucial weapons. Thats why Hassan interrupted Mansurs words. However, the military officers will definitely submit a report on the matter. And His Majesty will either summon you immediately or provide an answer. You must wait until then. At Hassans answer, Mansur raised his voice. Isnt that why Im asking you to arrange a meeting with the Crown Prince, as theres a high possibility of it being rejected! Meeting the Crown Prince directly may worsen the situation! Last autumn, there was a rebellion in Joseon. A rebellion? A rebellion, you say? As Hassan mentioned rebellion, the faces of Mansur and the elders stiffened. Hassan lightly nodded and continued. Yes. Local nobles who disregarded His Majestys royal authority rebelled. The rebellion was thoroughly crushed, and anything that threatens the royal authority is strictly forbidden in the current situation. But meeting the Crown Prince instead of His Majesty? This is an act of disregarding His Majestys authority. Doing so will turn even feasible matters unfeasible. Oh no At Hassans answer, Mansur and the elders couldnt hide their regret. For a king, any action that disregarded his authority was an unforgivable act. And the prince who would seed him was also the most formidablepetitor. That was why Mansur and the elders couldnt conceal their disappointment. Seeing the faces of Mansur and the elders, Hassan concluded. Therefore, for now, focus only on trade while maintaining a friendly rtionship. During that time, the military officers report will be submitted, and an opportunity will surelye. I understand. *** As Hassan said, the report written by Oh Ha-seok was immediately delivered to Sejong through the Ministry of Military Affairs. It had to be delivered so quickly because of the battle that took ce in Aden and the firearms requested by the Ottaibi family. After reading the entire report, Sejong ordered the eunuch. Go and summon the Crown Prince. Yes, Your Majesty. And you, ministers, read this report thoroughly. Yes, Your Majesty. By the time the ministers of the Six Ministries, except for Jo Mal-saeng, and the Chief State Councilors had finished reviewing the report, Hyang arrived. Father, did you call for me? Yes. I thought I should hear your judgment as well, so I summoned you. Lets read the report first and then discuss. Yes, Father. *** Phew~. After quickly reading the contents of the report, Hyang let out a long sigh and put down the report. So, what do you think? I would like to hear the opinions of the ministers. At Hyangs words, Sejong nodded. Indeed. That would be the natural course. What are your thoughts, ministers? The first to answer Sejongs question was Heo Jo. I believe we should prohibit the sale of firearms. Firearms are an important weapon of Joseon. Selling them to barbarians would bring more harm than good. As soon as Heo Jo finished speaking, Kim Jeom stepped forward. I believe we should sell the firearms. They are important trade partners to us. At Kim Jeoms words, Heo Jo became agitated. Look here, Minister of Taxation! No matter how important they are as trade partners, there are lines that should not be crossed! Firearms cross that line! Moreover, we also have Ming China and Japan as trade partners! In response to Heo Jos words, Kim Jeom immediately countered. Considering the growing production capacity of Joseon, Ming China and Japan alone have limitations! We need more and more trading countries! Having refuted Heo Jos words, Kim Jeom directly appealed to Sejong. Your Majesty! Themerce and industry of Joseon are growing in size! If we consider the future of Joseon, we must further expand that size, but Ming China and Japan have limitations! What is the reason for that? At Sejongs question, Kim Jeom promptly answered. Im not sure about Japan, but Ming China has many craftsmen with skills on par with Joseons craftsmen. Thats true. At Kim Jeoms point, Sejong and the ministers all nodded. What Joseon could make, Ming China could also make. That was why Hyang had to lure Emperor Xuande. Looking at the current situation, apart from ss products and soap, there was nothing that Ming couldnt catch up to without the protection of the apricot flower emblem. Of course, there were various gunpowders developed by Hyang, but these were items that werent even sold in the first ce. Seeing the reaction of Sejong and the ministers, Kim Jeom gradually put more strength into his voice. Therefore, Joseon must listen to the request of the Ottaibi family. This is also essential for Joseons future advancement into the distant oceans! Aden, where the Ottaibi family is located, will be a ce that Joseon absolutely needs! Absolutely necessary? Why? Because of the Hui people and Alexandria reported by military official Oh Ha-seok. Alexandria is where therge market where merchants from the Western world gather is located. We must secure Aden to secure the route to Alexandria! Hmm At Kim Jeoms passionate speech, Sejong nodded. Watching the scene from the side, Hyang cheered for Kim Jeom in his heart. Well done, our side! Fight, our side! Win, our side! Does the Minister of Taxation believe that Joseon has benefits in advancing that far? As Heo Jo questioned again, Kim Jeom instead asked back. Has the Minister of Law Enforcement not even heard the rumors? The rumors that therge ships they brought are even bigger than Joseon Navys panokseon? At that time, thergest ship in Joseon was the panokseon that Hyang had modified. At Kim Jeoms question, Heo Jo faltered. I have heard, but As Heo Jo hesitated, Kim Jeom pressed again. The officials of our Ministry of Taxation have personally seen and confirmed it. Minister of Law Enforcement! Think about it! Would profit-seeking merchants have built suchrge ships without any calction? At Kim Jeoms point, Heo Jo had no choice but to remain silent. Having silenced Heo Jo, Kim Jeom bowed to Sejong again and appealed. I, Kim Jeom, the Minister of Taxation, appeal to Your Majesty! Aden is a valuable port for Joseons ships to head to. It would be best if those friendly to us secure this valuable port! Therefore, please allow the sale of firearms to the Ottaibi family! Not long after Kim Jeom finished speaking, the Minister of Rites opened his mouth. The Minister of Taxations words are not wrong, but considering the power of firearms, they should not be given carelessly. I think it would be better to sell armored rifles instead. Armored rifles wont do! If it must be an rifle, the long gun is the only answer! As soon as the Minister of Rites finished speaking, Hyang stepped forward to express his opposition. Why is that? Yes, why? Isnt the long gun closer to a cannon than an rifle? Even Sejong asked for the reason, and Hyang answered. Cannons are asrge as their power. Therefore, they can be seen and prepared for from afar. However, armored rifles and mounted rifles are small in size and easy to conceal, so if mishandled, they can potentially cause even greater damage than cannons. Secondly, cannons are difficult to manufacture. Rifles are also difficult to make, but not as much as cannons. That means armored rifles can flow even to those we dont want, unintentionally. But the armored rifle you made is useless without fuse cord, isnt it? Even without fuse cord, cant they be used by inserting a wick? Hyang didnt back down from his opposition until the end. Thats why AK and RPG are troublesome! In thetter half of the 20th century, the weapons that inflicted defeats on the Soviet Union and the United States, which divided the world, and caused headaches for regr armies even in the 21st century, were not the most advanced weapons. They were the AK rifle and RPG-7, which were easy to conceal and easy to manufacture. Chapter 212 Chapter 212 The heated debate continued. At some point, the topic had shifted from Should we sell the cannons or not? to Which ones should we sell? Cannons are out of the question! We should limit it to rifles! Have you forgotten what the Crown Prince said? What if the rifles end up being distributed indiscriminately? Wouldnt the same issue apply to cannons like the chongtong? The high-ranking officials gathered in Geunjeongjeon raised their voices as they argued. In the end, Sejong had to step in and take control of the situation. Silence! Quiet down! At Sejongs thunderingmand, the officials all fell silent. Sejong turned to Hyang. Are rifles even more problematic than cannons like the chongtong? Yes, they are. Hyang gave a brief response and paused for a moment. After pondering deeply over something, Hyang bowed to Sejong and spoke. First, let me rify the terminology. The gapsikchotongtong will now be called jangchong (long cannon). The masangchotongtong will be renamed masangchong (mounted cannon). Oh? Jangchong? Jangchong Given its length, thats a fitting name. Masangchong is also appropriate since its primarily used by cavalry. And we will only use the term chotongtong for the ones mounted on wagons. [TL/N: These are all the names of the cannons. They vary in length and size. I may have tranted them as literal English names for earlier chapters but Im going to stick with their Korean transliteration instead from hereon.] Hmm After a brief contemtion, Sejong nodded in agreement. Very well. That will make it easier to distinguish between them. If anything, this change is overdue. I apologize for my shorings. Its not solely your fault, so dont dwell on it. With the terminology sorted out, Hyang continued his exnation. I am confident that the guns currently used by Joseons soldiers are far superior to those used in Ming, Japan, and even the Western barbarians. That is precisely why its a problem. Its a problem because theyre superior? Isnt the secret of the fulminating silver carefully guarded? Sejong still looked perplexed. In his view, the most outstanding aspect of the new guns was the ignition method using fulminating silver (mercury fulminate). Seeing his reaction, Hyang provided a more detailed exnation. As I mentioned earlier, even without fulminating silver, it can be reced with matchlock. Therefore, this aspect cannot be considered a strength. The greatest advantage of the new guns lies in their unrivaled range and uracy. Ah Finally, Sejong seemed to grasp the situation to some extent. Observing his understanding, Hyang continued. Ming and Japan are nearby. As a result, Joseon has the luxury of observing their situations and preparing ordingly. However, Aden is far away from Joseon. If the secrets of our guns are leaked there, we would have no way of knowing. No, we could even tolerate the leakage. The real issue lies with the Westerners beyond Alexandria. Pointing to the Europeans, Hyang borated further. They wage wars against the Muslims and among themselves. From what Ive heard about the state of affairs through the Ottomans, the situation there resembles the Warring States period of China. If our gun technology falls into their hands, what do you think will happen? They will relentlessly refine and improve upon it. Oh Atst, Sejong and the officials understood why Hyang had been so vehemently opposed to the idea. Throughout history, both in China and on the Korean Penins, whenever wars broke out, various weapons and rted technologies rapidly advanced. Even during thete Goryeo period and the founding of Joseon, firearms had quickly evolved tobat the wokou (Japanese pirates). Although Sejong and the officials seemed toprehend the situation, Hyang provided additional exnations. I need to ensure they clearly understand the dangers. Let me reiterate: Ming and Japan are close by. As long as we remain vignt, we have ample time to prepare. But those Westerners are different. They are so far away that it bes difficult for us to take precautions. However, blindly assuming that they will always be ahead of Joseon and continually investing in military preparations can ce an excessive burden on our finances. That is why we absolutely cannot allow the guns to fall into their hands. I see Sejong nodded in agreement with Hyangs argument. *** Hyangs concerns were not unfounded. After gunpowder was introduced to Europe through the Mongols and Muslims, European nationspetitively developed gunpowder weapons. Looking at the situation in Europe during this period, they were gradually moving away from the traditional hand cannons used by Joseon and Minga design where a wooden stock was attached to the back and held under the armpit. It was around this time that primitive trigger mechanisms and serpentines, leveraging the principle of levers, began to appear on handgonnes with wooden stocks, such as the Tannenberg Handgonne. [TL/N: The Tannenberg handgonne was an early hand cannon, likely the oldest surviving one from Germany. Made of cast bronze, it was a bulky weapon with a caliber of around 15mm. It represents the very early stages of firearm technology in Europe.] *** As Sejong nodded along with Hyangs exnation, the Inspector General pointed out a problem. In that case, wouldnt cannons also be an issue? In response to the Inspector Generals question, Hyang smiled slightly and answered. As for cannons The Westerners wont be particrly fond of Joseons cannons. Pardon? In terms of both performance and size, Joseons cannons will not meet the standards of the Muslims and Westerners. Pardon? The unexpected answer provided by Hyang left not only the Inspector General who had raised the question but also the officials and even Sejong wide-eyed in astonishment. Seeing their reactions, Hyang began to exin the reason. *** After the concept of cannons was introduced through the Mongols, the European and Middle Eastern countries primarily viewed cannons as siege weapons. To breach the high, thick, and sturdy walls of enemy fortifications, European and Middle Eastern cannons gradually increased in size. As the cannons grewrger, they became heavier, more cumbersome, harder to aim, and slower to reload. It wasnt until thete 15th century, when France realized the limitations of theserge siege guns and began developing small-caliber bronze field guns, that cannons started to change. However, the pace of change was slow until thete 16th century, when the distinction between siege cannons and field cannons became clearer. (Note 1) And it was at this crossroads that the Imic countries, which stubbornly adhered to traditional purposes, began to fall behind Europe. The Muslims had always overwhelmed European armies on the battlefields they typically fought onvast opennds. For them, cannons had limited applications. To the Muslim nobles, cavalry symbolized their identity. Bing infantry was considered humiliating for them. (Note 1) For them, the only times they needed cannons were when breaking through the walls and fortifications of enemies they had surrounded. These choices they made wouldter cause them to kneel before Europe when the era of imperialism arrived. *** Having understood the big gun mentality of the Europeans and Muslims through Hyangs exnation, Sejong asked a question. Then, should we also produce big guns? In response, Hyang shook his head. The disadvantages outweigh the advantages. There are many operational issues, and production is costly. Moreover Pausing for a moment, Hyang confidently dered. I am certain that, at least in terms of firepower, we are ahead of them. And we will continue to stay ahead. A single bigyeokjincheonroe (Fying Thunder Strike Shocking the Heavens) alone makes us invincible for the time being! [TL/N: I cant remember what I tranted this as in earlier chapters. But if you see this pic, maybe youll remember. ] Sejong smiled contentedly at Hyangs self-assured response. Hearing that puts my mind at ease. That level should suffice for resolving disputes between merchants or protecting trade caravans. Yes, Your Majesty. Its just the right amount. In conclusion Its eptable to provide cannons, but absolutely not rifles and simr weapons. Is that your intention? Yes, Your Majesty. After hearing Hyangs answer, Sejong looked around at his officials. What are your thoughts on this matter? At Sejongs question, the officials took a moment to gather their thoughts before responding one by one. I believe the Crown Princes words are reasonable. I share the same opinion. As most of the officials expressed their agreement, Jo Mal-saeng pointed out an issue. I humbly beg your pardon, but given the current production rate of cannons, we are struggling to even equip our own military. Couldnt we provide the dmissioned old cannons? In response to Sejongs question, Jo Mal-saeng turned to Kim Jeom. Under Jo Mal-saengs silent pressure, Kim Jeom answered while breaking out in a cold sweat. We have already melted down most of the dmissioned cannons At Kim Jeoms response, Sejong clicked his tongue. Tsk! Didnt I order to keep them in storage for at least three months, just in case? We followed Your Majestysmand! Oh? As Sejong expressed his puzzlement, Kim Jeom exined what had transpired. *** The old cannons of the Joseon military were mostly concentrated in the navy. Onnd, they were primarily deployed in the northern regions facing the Jurchen people. However, since Hyeokjincheolloe were more suitable for dealing with the Jurchens, the northern regions had already reced their cannons with those specifically designed for Hyeokjincheolloe. As a result, the only remaining old cannons were those used by the navy. However, as Hyang developed new cannons and mass-produced them, the old cannons gradually made their way into warehouses. The problem arose after the Tsushima campaign, when the Japanese pirates became less active. Consequently, every three months, the old cannons lying dormant in the warehouses were all sent to the furnaces. *** So, how many old cannons are currently stored in the warehouses? In response to Sejongs sharp question, Kim Jeom wiped the cold sweat from his brow and answered. I would need to check the records for the exact quantity, but its approximately 40 or so What about those still mounted on the ships? At Sejongs inquiry, Kim Jeom turned to Jo Mal-saeng. This time, Jo Mal-saeng answered while perspiring heavily. Around 120, Your Majesty. Hmm Upon hearing Jo Mal-saengs response, Sejong tapped his fingers on the armrest of the throne, deep in thought. The two of them didnt disobey my order. In fact, they faithfully followed it. Its ironic that the wokous inactivity has led to this situation But how should we handle this? As if sensing Sejongs thoughts, Hyang interjected. Given their urgent situation, we should start by providing the 40 cannons currently in storage. However, considering the contents of the report, they will undoubtedlyin about the insufficient quantity if we only provide 40. As Sejong pointed out this issue, Kim Jeom, who had been sweating profusely, chimed in. There is a solution! We still have the iron molds used for the Crown Princes iron molding method. We can cast new cannons using those! Jo Mal-saeng immediately supported Kim Jeoms suggestion. That will work! That way, we can meet the minimum No, the maximum quantity they require. Other officials also chimed in to support the two. Seeing the officials reactions, Sejong took a moment to consider before reaching a conclusion. Proceed with that n. It was the moment when the Gungisi (Military Supplies Office) craftsmens grueling overnight work was decided. *** Many yearster, among the historians of the East and West who studied Joseon history, the era of Sejong and Hyang was referred to as The Great Leap Era. The development achieved during this period was so rapid that no neighboring country, nor any nation in Europe or the Middle East, could keep pace with Joseon, hence the name The Great Leap. The sheer volume of documents recording this development and its aftermath was staggering, making this era one of both amazement andment for historians. Since the progress made during this time was iparable to any other part of the world, it was only natural for conspiracy theories to emerge. The development was so illogical that even renowned schrs entertained conspiracy theories. Among them, the most prominent one revolved around the meteorite recorded in the Annals of Sejong. -Sejong Year 5 (Gyemyo Year, 1423), October 1st: A meteorite fell in Gangeum-hyeon, Hwanghae Province, creating a sound like thunder. Officials were dispatched to perform the Haegwae ritual (a ritual to dispel strangeness). (Note 2) Using this recorded fact, conspiracy theorists imed the Alien Arrival Theory. It wasnt a meteorite that fell, but a UFO crash! They utilized the aliens rescued from that UFO to achieve this great leap! Mainstream schrs scoffed at such ims. One of the key figures of the transformation, the Crown Prince, began to stand out after being appointed as the Crown Prince in Sejong Year 3 (Sinchuk Year, 1421). Check the calendar first! Putting that aside, the fact that countless worlds first achievements urred during this period gave rise to such conspiracy theories. Among them was the worlds first mass production of standardized cannons. And this, too, was Hyangs work. Until then, themon method of casting cannons was the y mold method, which involved creating a mold using casting sand, pouring molten bronze into it, andpleting the process. The problem with the y mold method was that it was time-consuming to create the mold using the casting sand. To address this, Hyang introduced the iron mold method. The cannon was divided into several parts, and corresponding molds were made from cast iron for each part. These molds were then assembled into one, with an iron core ced in the center, and molten bronze was poured into it toplete the cannon. Once the poured bronze had cooled sufficiently, the outer iron molds were disassembled, and the iron core at the center of the cannon was removed, instantly producing one cannon. This made the mass production of cannons much easier. This wasnt entirely Hyangs original idea. It was the method used for mass-producing cannons in Joseon during thete Joseon period after adopting the technology from Qing China. (Note 3) *** Note 1: Guns, Sails and Empires: Technological Innovation and the Early Phases of European Expansion, 14001700 by Carlo M. Cipo Note 2: The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, National Institute of Korean History, http://sillok.history.go.kr/id/kda_10510001_002 Note 3: Weapons and Armor of Joseon by Min Seung-gi, Garam nning Chapter 213 Chapter 213 While the court was deciding on the reproduction of old cannons, the craftsmen at the Military Supplies Office were enjoying a brief respite. Phew~ Its finally done. Its been a while since we had a break. As the craftsmen sat down, massaging their tired shoulders and backs, a small jar of takju (cloudy rice wine) made its way among them. Lets just have one bowl each. Agreed. If Hyang had seen this, he would have thrown a fit, but it was a long-standing tradition. The alcohol in the takju helped alleviate fatigue, and since it was made from rice, it could also serve as a simple snack. However, when Hyang witnessed this scene, he was appalled and overturned the practice, resulting in the dismissal of three craftsmen who had been drinking heavily. Concerned about safety idents, Hyang banned drinking within the workshop from then on, but the craftsmen discreetly enjoyed their small pleasure by having just a cup or two. As the bowls of takju made their rounds, the youngest craftsman asked a question. But what should we do about that? About what? In response to his seniors question, the youngest pointed towards the warehouse. The iron molds for the janggun-hwatong (general cannons) filling up Warehouse No. 3. Shouldnt we start melting them down soon? At the youngests words, the craftsmen all nodded in agreement, each making ament. Thats true. With the amount filling up that warehouse, how many kwan (a unit of weight, 1 kwan=3.75 kg, 8.3lb) of cast iron would that be? But we have no choice since weve been told to keep storing them for the time being. Damn it Were already mass-producing the new cannons The craftsman cursing under his breath suddenly stopped and shuddered. Whats wrong? I suddenly got the chills At his words, some of the othersmostly the senior craftsmenmuttered with simr expressions. Now that you mention it, I also feel a sudden chill You too? Same here Hey, kid! Go check if the forge fire has gone out! The forge is fine, though? Hearing the youngests response, the senior craftsmen brushed off the goosebumps that had risen all over their bodies and muttered. Whats going on all of a sudden? The moment they felt the chills was the exact time when the court decided on the craftsmens overnight work. *** Meanwhile, Sejong, who had decided on the reproduction of old cannons for the Ottomans, changed the subject. Come to think of it What are the fieldmanders evaluations of the newly deployed cannons? In response to Sejongs question, Jo Mal-saeng bowed and answered. They are very satisfied. Although heavier than the previous janggun-hwatong, the panokseon can sufficiently handle the weight, and their firepower and range are superior to the old ones, so everyone is pleased. Is that so? Thats a relief. Satisfied with Jo Mal-saengs answer, Sejong turned to Hyang. Crown Prince, your contributions are immense. You overpraise me. I was simply fortunate. Hyang responded humbly. Seeing his modesty, the officials grumbled inwardly. Look at him, feigning humility! Ugh, so annoying! If only he were my grandson! Just openly brag about how great you are! That would be better! The officials knew all too well that when the Crown Prince disyed such humility, the Kings boasting about his son would drag on, and they would have to listen helplessly. *** As mentioned earlier, during the era of Sejong and Hyang, there were numerous worlds first achievements. The new cannons that Hyang had personally overseen the creation of and were now being intensively supplied to the navy were also items deserving of such a title. The new cannons made by Hyang, the eul-sik-janggun-hwatong (Second Model General Cannon), were the worlds first cannons to useposite materials. Hyangs decision to redesign the cannons stemmed from the issue of copper. Cannons were made of bronze, and bronze was an expensive material. We need to find a way to reduce the usage of bronze This concern was not unique to Hyang. All nations producing and using cannons faced the same dilemma. The mostmon material used for making cannons was bronze. It was the optimal material for withstanding the explosive pressure due to its toughness and sticity. However, as bronze was expensive, nations were preupied with finding alternative materials. As a result, during this period, there were primarily two materials used for manufacturing cannons: bronze and wrought iron. However, cannons made of wrought iron had inferior performancepared to those made of bronze. Aware of Joseons economic situation, which had begun to grow but was still meager, Hyang had to rack his brains to reduce the burden of military expenditure. Iron, specifically steel, would be the best solution, but Its still too early Althoughrge quantities of iron materials had started toe out of therge ironworks established in Anju, the quality still had a long way to go. As a result, Hyangs concerns deepened. Looking at the navys situation, they need many high-performance naval guns Wait a minute! Naval guns? Naval guns! A solution shed through Hyangs mind. Ive found the answer! Long live the big ship, big gun doctrine! The source of Hyangs answery in the main guns of the battleships built during the big ship, big gun era. At that time, the major powers chose one of two methods to enhance the power of their battleship main guns. One was to fire evenrger and heavier projectilesweighing close to a tonto even greater distances, while the other was to fire projectiles of moderate weightstill easily exceeding several hundred kilogramsat even faster velocities. Whichever method was chosen, the gun barrels needed to be long and sturdy. This was where the difficulty arose. To fire projectiles farther and at faster velocities, the propent explosives needed to be more powerful. As the power of the propent increased, the gun barrels had to be sufficiently thick and strong. Moreover, to fire the same amount of gunpowder to greater distances, the gun barrels needed to be long enough forpletebustion. These two conditions came into conflict. The gun barrels, made thick and long to withstand the explosive pressure of the gunpowder and improve efficiency, could not support their own weight and bent downward. If the barrels were made thinner to prevent this, they could not withstand the pressure of the gunpowder. To solve the challenge of withstanding the explosive pressure of the propent while maximizing the range and minimizing the weight, engineers devised various methods, one of which Hyang had recalled. *** Hyang changed the structure from a single barrel to a tripleyered barrel. The innermost barrel, which had to withstand the explosion of the gunpowder, was made of bronze, and its exterior was wrapped with steel cordsthin steel wires twisted together like ropes. Using cattle, the most powerful source of energy avable in Joseon at that time, the cords were wrapped with the maximum possible tension. Once this first process waspleted, the primary barrel was inserted into a secondary barrel made of wrought iron. This insertion was not a simple matter either. The secondary barrel, with an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the primary barrel, was heated to expand and then the primary barrel was inserted before rapid cooling. Finally, the secondary barrel with thepleted primary barrel inside was inserted into a heated tertiary barrel made of cast iron, following the same process as the secondary barrel. When Hyang introduced the prototype made through this process, Sejong and all the officials reacted negatively. It requires too much manualbor. It would be difficult to mass-produce. With the amount of manpower required, the cost would be high. Despite the negative reactions from Sejong and the officials, Hyang was confident. Lets first take a look at the performance. In the ensuing test, the new cannon demonstrated outstanding performance. Using the same amount of gunpowder as the existing janggun-hwatong, it flew 200 more bo (a unit of length). The maximum range of the existing janggun-hwatong was 1,300 bo (approx. 1.6 km), while the prototype flew 1,500 bo (approx. 2 km). The performance is indeed good, but with the amount ofbor required The cost would be As Kim Jeom, the Minister of Taxation, could not hide his regret, Hyang provided a clear answer. Even includingbor costs, we can reduce the cost by 20%pared to the existing cannons. At Hyangs words, Kim Jeom immediately took the bait. How so? In response to Kim Jeoms question, Hyang promptly replied. We were able to reduce the amount of copper used by 60%. Upon hearing the exnation about the production cost, the Minister of Taxation ran straight to Sejong, prostrated himself, and eximed. I humbly advise that we adopt it immediately! In the end, with the enthusiastic support of the officialsespecially the Minister of Taxationthe adoption of the new cannons was decided. As an aside, when European nationster obtained information about these cannons, they made a serious misconception. Mistaking these cannons as being made of cast iron due to the outer cast ironyer, European countries had to waste tremendous amounts of time and money trying to create cast iron cannons with even better performance than bronze cannons. *** Since the sale of cannons to the Ottomans had been decided, the court entered into negotiations with Mansur. Minister of Taxation, go ahead and finalize the deal. As youmand! Kim Jeom, having received Sejongs order, summoned Mansur, who was staying in the guest Muslim quarter. Wee. You must have had a difficult journey. As Kim Jeom greeted him warmly, Mansur also politely bowed and replied. Thank you for the warm wee. After a brief exchange of greetings, with interpreters and trantors between them, the tug-of-war between Kim Jeom and Mansur began. ording to the report written by Official Oh Jong, you wish to obtain Joseons cannons. Is that correct? Yes, thats right. Would the chongtong you purchasedst time suffice? That would be good too, but we were hoping to acquire evenrger cannons if possible. Evenrger cannons? Are you nning to go to war? In response to Kim Jeoms question, Mansur exined the reason. Considering the pirates lurking along the route between Aden and Joseon, its as good as war. Moreover, for the safety of our headquarters and partners in Aden,rge cannons are a must. Your headquarters is in danger? Theres a Chinese proverb that goes what the eye sees, the heart desires.'' Ah At Mansurs answer, Kim Jeom nodded in understanding. Having confirmed Mansurs definite intention to purchase, Kim Jeom casually brought up the topic. His Majesty has reviewed the report submitted by Oh Jong-sagwan and has authorized the sale. How many cannons do you require? Considering the number of cannons to be mounted on the newly built ships and the quantity to be installed in Aden Mansur stated the desired quantity. Hearing Mansurs answer, Kim Jeom stroked his beard and asked. For that quantity, the payment would be quite substantial. Would that be feasible? In response to Kim Jeoms question, Mansur immediately replied. I would like to see the performance first. If the cannons meet the desired performance, we will pay. Lets proceed then. *** Five dayster, a demonstration of the janggun-hwatong was held by the Han River. After witnessing the firing demonstration ofrge arrows used for targeting ships andrge iron balls called cheonja-cheoltan-ja, Mansur made an additional request. Can it also fire hollow shells (joranhwan)? Of course it can. I would like to see that as well. After observing the ensuing demonstration of hollow shells, Mansur was greatly satisfied. The hollow shell firing of the janggun-hwatong was iparable to that of the chongtong. Having seen all the demonstrations, Mansur made an immediate decision. We will purchase them. Considering the number of cannons to be mounted on ships and the quantity to be deployed at our headquarters As Mansur attempted to move straight to the main point, Kim Jeom raised his hand to stop him. Lets first take a look at your ships before discussing that matter. Pardon? Ah, yes *** Three dayster, military officers rushed to the craftsmen who were finishing up work on a sailing ship designed by Hyang. Listen up! Stop what youre doing and prepare to depart immediately! Pardon? Whats going on? In response to the head craftsmans question, the military officer exined the reason. The ships the Muslims arrived on this time are muchrger than the ones they came onst time. The Muslims want to mount janggun-hwatong on those ships, so youre ordered to go and assess the feasibility and thoroughly examine the structure. At the military officers words, the head craftsman let out a long sigh. Phew~ Understood. Well prepare right away. Carriages are standing by, so get ready as quickly as possible. Yes, sir! After sending off the military officer, the head craftsman turned to the other craftsmen. You heard him? Pack your bags! Yes, sir! The craftsmen scattered in all directions to gather their belongings. Meanwhile, the second-inmand craftsman approached the head craftsman and asked. We wont have to dismantle and modify the whole thing, right? He was pointing to the ship that was in the midst of being finished. Designed by Hyang, the ship had a never-before-seen appearance in Joseon. The head craftsman, upon hearing the question, let out a long sigh. Phew~ Lets hope it doesnte to that. And it shouldnt. That ship has the sturdiest frame Ive ever seen. Itll probably be my pride and joy. It is indeed sturdy. The eyes of the two men gazing at the ship were filled with pride. Chapter 214 Chapter 214 The craftsmen tasked with investigating the ships structure spent seven days meticulously examining the extrarge dhow. They measured not only the length and width but even the height by pulling the ship ontond. They thoroughly inspected everything from the top of the masts to the bilge, where water collected at the very bottom of the hull. They didnt just conduct a single inspection either. The head craftsman divided his subordinate craftsmen into three groups to carry out cross-validations. For heavens sake, werent we supposed to inspect whether the ship can carry cannons or not? When the captains voiced theirints about the excessively thorough inspection, the head craftsman curtly replied. Do you want the cannons you load to be mere decorations? Upon hearing his words through the interpreter, the captains promptly fell silent. Having silenced the captains, the head craftsman urged his subordinate craftsmen. What are you doing? Hurry up and inspect! Are you going to let our own ship rot while gawking at someone elses? Yes, sir! At the head craftsmans shout, the craftsmen scurried into action. *** After seven days had passed in this manner, a lengthy report made its way to the Ministry of Military Affairs. The report was immediately transcribed and delivered to Sejong, the ministers of the Six Ministries, and Hyang. Having read the entire report, Sejong issued an order to Kim Jeom. Based on this report, secure the best possible oue. I will devote my utmost efforts, Your Majesty! Other ministers, provide full support if the Minister of Taxation requests it. We shall obey yourmand! After finishing his discussion with the ministers, Sejong turned to Hyang. Did you read the report? Yes, Your Majesty. It states that the new warship we built this time is superior to the ships the Muslims recently constructed. Its not biased reporting from the craftsmen, is it? That shouldnt be the case. Hyang responded confidently to Sejongs question. Upon hearing Hyangs answer, Sejong didnt forget to remind him once more. Dont forget that a considerable amount of resources went into building the new warship. At Sejongs words, Hyang bowed his head and replied. I always keep that in mind. After all the hardships we went through to build it! *** The ship Hyang was leading the construction of was a galleon, yet not a galleon. To be precise, its prototype was the central pirate ship from a certain pirate movie. To create the ship featured in the movie, enthusiasts had even produced blueprints. To realize the movies ship, which was a fusion of Eastern and Western designs based on a galleon, the enthusiasts had mobilized all their knowledge and experience. As a result, a ship that was only 1/4 in size but fully capable of actual sailing was born. Impressed by this, a wealthy Middle Eastern enthusiastmissioned a 1:1 scale version, leading to the construction of an actual-sized ship. At the time, Hyang, whose enthusiasm ran deep in his bones, had taken a leave of absence from university and ran away to the United States to participate in the entire process. Thanks to this, he returned home with a considerable amount of pocket money, knowledge rted to his passion, and a copy of the ships blueprints, only to immediately enlist in the military. Even without the final remark, through the ships construction process, Hyang had acquired theoretical knowledge and practical experience regarding galleons, as well as theoretical knowledge about the higher-tier ships of the line. Despite this background, building the new warship was no easy task. The main reason was that even if the blueprints werepleted, the craftsmen who would actually build it couldnt understand them. The craftsmensck of understanding stemmed from the significant differences between the traditional shipbuilding process and the new one. Therefore, Hyang had to go through countless trials and errors to find the appropriate integration points. Innumerable blueprints were created and discarded, and various scaled models were built and discarded as well. During this process, Hyang decided to take a bold leap. If we start with a carrack, Ill die of frustration! Lets begin with a ship were familiar with! For the sake of my leadership without illness! Through that decision, he skipped over the carracks and caravels disyed in the research institute and jumped straight to galleons. And thus, a headache for future historians, especially those specializing in naval history, was born. *** Meanwhile, Kim Jeom, the Minister of Taxation, entered into negotiations with Mansur. ording to the report written by the craftsmen, the maximum number of janggun-hwatong that can be mounted on therge ships you brought is 20 per ship. 20 per ship? Thats right. In response to Kim Jeoms answer, Mansur immediately replied. Then well start by contracting 140 cannons. 140 cannons? Surprised by the higher-than-expected number, Kim Jeom soon eyed Mansur with suspicion. Only 40 cannons will be loaded onto the ships Are you nning to build a fortress? No. We will be loading 120 cannons onto the ships. Pardon? When Kim Jeom failed to properly understand the unexpected exnation, Mansur provided additional details. Within six months at thetest, two morerge ships simr to the ones that arrived this time wille to Joseon. And within the next six months after that, another two ships will arrive. A total of six ships will be in continuous operation. My word Did your family invest its entire fortune? In response to Kim Jeoms astonished question, Mansur smiled slightly and answered. Three families, including ours, have joined forces. I see At Mansurs exnation, Kim Jeom had a look of great realization. Is this the scale of merchants who trade across the seas? Our Joseon merchants should observe and learn from them. Hmm Alright. 140 cannons. In that case, what quantity of gunpowder and cannonballs would you prefer? In response to Kim Jeoms question, Mansur took out a piece of paper from his bosom, examined its contents, and replied. For gunpowder, an amount sufficient for four full-scale battles will do. After that, we can procure craftsmen from Alexandria. As for cannonballs We dont need anything else, hollow shells (joranhwan) alone will suffice. Pardon? Only hollow shells will suffice? Yes. Mansurs answer was short and concise. *** During the previous voyage, they had to engage in a fierce battle with pirates on the way to Aden. At that time, each ship equipped with cannons had crew members trained in their usage, as well as skilled Joseon military officers proficient in gunnery. However, therge arrows fired from the chongtong had low uracy and power. In the end, what blew away the pirates who hade close despite the cannon fire was arge quantity of hollow shells. Moreover, in the bloody battle that unfolded in Aden, it was the hollow shells that led to the annihtion of the Sindwa family. Through these experiences, Mansur had be deeply enamored with the charm of hollow shells. *** Even the most skilled gunner cannot sink an enemy ship with a single shot. In that case, we would need to keep firing to sink the enemy ship, but these are merchant ships. Theres already ack of space to load goods, so we dont have the luxury of carrying more gunpowder and cannonballs than necessary. Its more efficient to deal with the enemy at an appropriate distance using hollow shells. The same goes for cities. The cannons of those damned Catholics or Ottomans are toorge to be of any use in urban warfare. Ah, I see. Kim Jeom nodded at Mansurs exnation. He also found Mansurs answer to be reasonable. In that case, lets focus on hollow shells. How shall we handle the payment? Lets deduct it from the proceeds of selling the goods we brought. Agreed. Having easily reached a consensus, Mansur and Kim Jeom parted ways with smiles. This is just the beginning. After seeing Mansur off, Kim Jeom steeled his resolve. The truly important matter was at what price they would purchase the goods the Muslims brought and sell Joseons goods. *** Amidst the tug-of-war negotiations and bargaining between the two sides, the exchange of goods brought by Mansur and Joseons goods proceeded. The trade was evenly matched. Since most of the goods Mansur brought were items requested by Joseon, it was difficult to simply drive down the prices. Simrly, most of the goods Mansur sought were products exclusively made in Joseon, making it challenging for him to strong-arm the prices. In the end, the trade was concluded with both sidespromising to a reasonable degree. As the goods were transferred from Mansurs caravan to the governments warehouses, there was one item that all the officials sought out first. Take out the ck bean tea first! It was those addicted to coffee who had flocked together. *** Meanwhile, there was also an item Hyang had been eagerly awaiting. Your Highness, it has arrived! Whats the quantity? Here is the report. After verifying the items and quantities listed in the report, Hyang felt relieved and immediately issued an order. Send it to the shipyard. Yes, Your Highness! As the ordered official hurried away, Hyang muttered with a look of relief. With this, the waterproofing issue is one less concern. The item Hyang had been waiting for was pitch. *** Waterproofing was essential for a ships safety. The traditional method involved filling the ship with hemp and applying a mixture of oil and lime on top, then drying it. Hyang, who found this method unreliable, had ordered pitch instead. However, coating the entire ship with pitch from top to bottom would be too costly Worried about the scolding he would receive from Sejong due to the budget, Hyang applied a hybrid method. He coated the ship with pitch up to the odd-numbered decks, then applied lime on top and performed smoking. This method proved to be surprisingly effective, leading Joseon to actively utilize it. Hyang also made changes to the sails. Instead of using the typical yellow cloth or European-style white cloth, he had the sails dyed gray. Why did the navies of the 21st century paint their ships gray as if their lives depended on it? The gray hull, resulting from the smoked lime, and the gray sails made the ships less visible when sailing far out at sea. Due to Hyangs clever tricks, Joseons warships earned the notorious nicknames Sea Ghost and Gray Devil. It also led European warships to sacrifice their individuality and uniformly paint their ships gray. As a result, European captains, enraged by this decision, began cursing Joseon whenever they drank. *** Amidst the ongoing trade, there was a new product that caught the attention of Mansur and his group: Balgeungo, a medicine for boils. The people of the Middle East also suffered from boils caused by hygiene issues. After hearing about the medicinal effects, Mansur purchased Balgeungo inrge quantities. And please give us some ginseng as well. Ginseng? Yes. At Mansurs request, Kim Jeom had a look of surprise. Do Muslims also know about the efficacy of ginseng? Korean ginseng has been famous since ancient times. Moreover Pausing for a moment, Mansur added with a chuckle. Those damned Europeans are dying to get their hands on it. They call it the Mandrake of the East and treat it as a miraculous panacea. Well, well~ Good things are recognized by everyone. While eximing in admiration at Mansurs answer, Kim Jeom suddenly became worried. Oh no Does this mean we cant freely consume our own tonics anymore? *** Ginseng, which had be possible to cultivate inrge quantities a few years prior, was Joseons star product. Merchants from Ming and Japan, who knew about the excellent efficacy of Korean ginseng, vied to purchase ginseng. Although its medicinal effects were inferior to wild ginseng, the mass-cultivated ginseng had no quality issues, so the merchants from Ming and Japan weed its sale. Of course, it was only natural for not only the government but also private merchant groups to take special care to prevent the secrets of ginseng cultivation from leaking. The Europeans, who encountered ginseng for the first time through Mansurs merchant group, were enthused by its effects. An old and frail person who was bedridden suddenly got up after consuming ginseng! A 70-year-old man had a child after taking ginseng! As testimonies from those who had experienced the effects of ginseng spread, European merchants flocked to Alexandria in search of ginseng. Due to the human-like appearance of ginseng roots, European merchants began calling it the Mandrake of the East. Chapter 215 Chapter 215 The products Mansur chose were diverse. Among them were many unique items, including Balgeungo, ginseng, and the newly added Clear-Mind Pill[1]. Clear-Mind Pill? Have you tried it? In response to Kim Jeoms question, Mansur nodded. There was a time in Aden when I nearly copsed from excessive stress, and thats when I experienced its efficacy. Hmm Thats fortunate. Thanks to that, I n to stock it as an emergency medicine for our family rather than for sale. At Mansurs answer, Kim Jeom tilted his head. The quantity seems high for that purpose. Well, we have three families, and there are quite a few elderly among us. Hmm I see. However, Mansursrge-scale purchase of Clear-Mind Pill encountered an unexpected obstacle. The royal physicians from the responsible department, the Royal Clinic, opposed the idea. Although Clear-Mind Pill is an emergency medicine, the dosage must be adjusted based on the patients condition. It should never be sold indiscriminately! If mishandled, it might gain a reputation as a poison rather than a medicine! When the royal physicians voiced their opposition, Sejong, upon receiving the report, summoned them. Sejong posed a question to the prostrated physicians. Why are you opposing this? Hasnt it been sold sessfully to Ming and Japan? Arent there physicians in those ces who are well-versed in Clear-Mind Pill? Indeed. Nodding at the physicians exnation, Sejong turned to Kim Jeom. I find the physicians opinion to be reasonable. They say that the difference between medicine and poison is as thin as a sheet of paper. If it is misused or abused, we will face criticism. Exin this to them. I shall obey yourmand. As Sejongs decision was made, Kim Jeom conveyed that decision to Mansur. Thats unfortunate. Does this mean it cant be sold at all? For the time being. If its truly necessary, send a physician. Only by understanding the proper usage can dangers be avoided. Yes, I understand. Mansur had no choice but to look forward to the next opportunity. Meanwhile, Hyang, upon hearing the news, had a look of surprise. Oh? The nobles of this era are surprisingly stricter. In the 21st century, Clear-Mind Pill was a medicine that could be easily obtained at pharmacies. As a result, it was used in various situations. Even Hyang had the experience of chewing a pill in advance before facing a situation where he might get scolded by his parents. However, Joseons royal physicians were extremely particr about the use of Clear-Mind Pill. Of course, Hyangs influence had also reached this medicine. He had intervened to remove cinnabar (zhsh) from the ingredients of Clear-Mind Pill. Cinnabar has traditionally been used as a medicinal ingredient, but Mercury is the problem. Mercury is also used as a medicinal ingredient, but ording to records from the Westerners, consuming mercury causes physical deformities and adversely affects ones offspring. However As the royal physicians continued to show negative reactions, Hyang forcefully conducted an actual experiment. He demonstrated the problems by feeding mercury to chickens. Of course, it was a long-term experiment thatsted nearly a year. Having confirmed the actual harm, the royal physicians decided to exclude cinnabar from the ingredients. *** Apart from such medicinal products, Mansur maderge-scale purchases of perfumes and aromatic oils. Fragrances are products that unexpectedly prize preferences. Do they sell well? In response to Kim Jeoms question, Mansur nodded. Yes. The scents are subtle yet longsting, making them popr. Even those damned Catholics enjoy them. Is that so? At Mansurs answer, Kim Jeom muttered to himself. The response to fragrances is positive. I must remember this. As Kim Jeom noted, the fragrances produced by Joseon were receiving unexpected praise and selling well in the Middle East and Europe. The fragrance manufacturing techniques of Joseon, which had been passed down since the Three Kingdoms period, were shining brightly. Meanwhile, Hyang was urging the craftsmen who supplied fragrances to the royal court to attempt the creation of new fragrances. The new attempt Hyang instructed was to make fragrances by dissolving them in alcohol. Hyangs reason for this attempt was simple. I need skin lotion! As he reached an age where his beard was bing thicker, Hyang began to pay attention to shaving and attempted to create the essential product, skin lotion. *** The dealings between Mansur and Kim Jeom continued for several days. The reason it took so long was not due to issues with the unit price. There was a difference between the quantity Mansur desired and the quantity Joseon could supply, necessitating constant adjustments. No! Im telling you Ill pay for it! Whos talking about payment issues? Its about the quantity. What about the goods piled up in the warehouses at Jemulpo? Those already have owners. Then if I purchase them at a higher price Nonsense! When Mansur mentioned higher price, Kim Jeom immediately dismissed it. Although Im not a merchant, I well understand the importance of trust! Dont even utter such filthy words! In response to Kim Jeoms resolute reaction, Mansur nced at Hassan. Seeing Hassans nod, Mansur politely apologized. I apologize for my imprudence. My greed got the better of me Be mindful. As the leader of arge merchant group, you should be well aware of the importance of trust, shouldnt you? But I brought so many ships, and the quantity iscking Still, its more thanst time, isnt it? More and more workshops are being established in Joseon, so the day will soone when well have more than enough to fill the holds of those ships. In that regard Pausing for a moment to draw Mansurs attention, Kim Jeom subtly dangled the bait. Are you perhaps interested in cloth? Cloth? We call it wide cloth[2]. Its also known as machine cloth. At Kim Jeoms words, Mansur pondered for a moment. If this gentleman rmends it, it must be no ordinary item! May I see the actual product? Of course! When Mansur showed interest, Kim Jeom cheered inwardly. Hooked him! Upon seeing the wide cloth Kim Jeom presented, Mansurs eyes sparkled. The width is quite substantial! And the tight weave is to my liking! Aden, where the Ottomans resided, faced the sea and was hot and humid. However, just a short distance ind, the intense sunlight dried out both humans and animals, creating an arid climate. Moreover, the temperature difference between day and night was considerable. In such a climate, tightly woven cloth that effectively blocked sunlight was popr. Therefore, Mansur had recognized the marketability of the cotton fabric rmended by Kim Jeom. How much of this can be procured? How much do you need? Thus, Kim Jeom was able to reap an unexpected harvest. *** After seeing Mansur off, Kim Jeom handed the relevant documents to his subordinates. Organize them well and bring them to me. Yes, sir. As quickly as possible. I need to report to His Majesty. At Kim Jeoms words, the face of the Ministry of Taxation official turned deathly pale. Seeing his expression, Kim Jeom remarked. Whats a night or two of overtime? Its been four days now Just do it. Ill make sure you get overtime pay. Yes, sir. Having passed the documents to his subordinate, Kim Jeom poured water from a kettle he had prepared and quenched his thirst. Talking non-stop has made me thirsty. After quenching his thirst, Kim Jeom muttered with a much more rxed expression. Anyway, one task is resolved. The task he referred to was wide cloth. Both Hyang and the merchants had anticipated that wide cloth would be a huge sess. However, when wide cloth actually hit the market, the response deviated far from their expectations. Paying money for cotton cloth? Paying money for cotton cloth that we can simply weave ourselves? Is money growing on trees? Themoners, ustomed to weaving cotton cloth at home, showed a lukewarm response. As time passed, wide cloth made its way into even small viges, but themoners reactions remained negative. Its good, but paying money for it is a bit The current cotton cloth is fine The cotton cloth produced in factories failed to satisfy themoners in terms of cost-effectiveness. As a result, the factory-made cotton cloth was only sold to the wealthy ss ustomed to high-quality cotton fabrics. Selling such high-quality products at this price! For the wealthy, it was actually an affordable price, making it popr. However, the number of such wealthy individuals was limited throughout Joseon. Consequently, an increasing amount of inventory began to pile up in the warehouses. The government and merchant groups engaged in promotional activities in Ming and Japan to find sales channels, but the situation was simr to Joseon. In Ming, cotton cloth of simr quality wasmonHyang referred to it as a victory of the Ying-Hai strategy. In Japan, theycked the funds to purchase such cotton cloth. In the end, while struggling to find sales channels, Mansur became the solution. *** Finally, in the third month of his stay in Joseon, Mansur was ready to depart. Visiting Geunjeongjeon and prostrating before Sejong, Mansur expressed his gratitude. I am deeply grateful for the generous treatment bestowed upon a mere merchant. I am d there were no inconveniences. I wish for your safe return to your homnd. I am humbled by Your Majestys royal concern. Your sess is the sess of our Joseon, so I hope for good results. I will do my utmost. As Mansur bid farewell to Sejong and exited Geunjeongjeon, Kim Jeom apanied him to the very end. As His Majesty said, have a safe journey back. Thank you. I am truly grateful for the kindness you have shown, from the cannons to everything else. Not at all Isnt it all for our mutual benefit? That is true. While listening to Mansurs response, Kim Jeom gestured to the Ministry of Taxation official following behind. At Kim Jeoms gesture, the official promptly handed over arge bundle. Take this with you. What is this? Its a tonic. Health is always the most important thing, so boil it well and consume it. Yes Receiving the tonic, Mansurs expression became peculiar. He too had heard the rumors circting among Joseon officials about tonics. Seeing Mansurs expression, Kim Jeom immediately added. There have been strange rumors about tonicstely, but this is truly given with goodwill. Goodwill! Thank you. To live in an era of distrust where goodwill is doubted! I am truly grateful! Having bid farewell to Kim Jeom, Mansur asked Hassan, who was apanying him. Its genuine goodwill, right? It should be goodwill. Probably? Hassan kept thest word to himself. *** Five days after Mansurs group departed, Sejong led Hyang and the ministers to Gyeonggi Province. Is this the newly paved road? Yes, Your Majesty. Looking at the road stretching out before them, Sejong had a delighted expression. It is truly a wide and straight road! I hope the future of our Joseon will be like this! In response to Sejongs words, Hyang promptly replied. With Your Majestys firm resolve and the capable ministers in ce, it will certainly be so. Your words are correct. Smiling at Hyangs response, Sejong turned to the ministers following behind. I shall trust in you all. We will devote our utmost efforts! The ministers answered in unison with loud voices. However, their insides were burning ck with exhaustion. This is clearly a sign that he will assign more work! I need to escape! I must submit a resignation letter! The ce Sejongs entourage headed to was the shipyard of the Gyeonggi Naval Station. In Namyang Hwaryangman (South Yangflower Bay) of Gyeonggi Province, there was a ce where the warships of the Gyeonggi Naval Station were built. And it was here that the construction of the new warship, led by Hyang, was taking ce. Greetings to Your Majesty! At ease! Responding to the military salute led by the Navy Commander (Susa) of the Gyeonggi Naval Station and the naval soldiers, Sejong entered the naval station, dismounted from his horse, and inspected various parts of the station. In particr, Sejong inspected the condition of the warehouses storing various spears and swords, the warehouse storing cannons, and finally, the warehouse inspecting gunpowder. He then turned to the Navy Commander and praised him. Not a single speck of rust on the spears, swords, and cannons. I can see the efforts of the Navy Commander and the soldiers. It is thanks to the generals and soldiers that the seas of Joseon are at peace. I am truly grateful! At Sejongs praise, the Navy Commander and soldiers had proud expressions on their faces.
  1. also called uhwang-cheongsimhwan () and cheongsimwon (), is a pill formted with thirty odd herbs and other medicinal ingredients, including calculus bovis, ginseng, musk, and Chinese yam root. It is used to treat various symptoms, such as numb limbs and fit of apoplexy, epilepsy, and others in traditional Korean medicine.[]
  2. Yards of cloth. Weaved by machine[]
Chapter 216 Chapter 216 After spending a night at the naval station, Sejong moved to the shipyard. I wish I could have gone directly from Hanseong to the shipyard, but the title of king makes it difficult. As Sejongined with a wry smile, Hyang unconsciously nodded in agreement. In the 21st century, the distance from Seoul to Namyang, Gyeonggi Province, would not take much time. If the president were to visit Namyang, the travel time would be further reduced through traffic control. However, Joseon was the opposite. The newly built roads made travel convenient, but the upation of being a king held him back. If there was a county along the way, Sejong had to enter the government office and personally check the local officials work, pointing out any shorings. Thanks to the supplemented systems, there were hardly any instances of people rushing to Sejong with petitions as soon as he arrived. However, themotion caused by the people flocking to present precious items to the esteemed king prolonged the travel time. It was the same when they arrived at the naval station. They had to receive the salute from the Navy Commander and soldiers, and hold a feast with meat and alcohol to acknowledge their hard work. Only after spending a night at the naval stations official residence could they move to the shipyard. If things go well at the shipyard, there will be an additional nights stay there. The couriers will be the only ones busy. Even though Sejong was here, work continued, so the couriers were the only ones moving at a breakneck pace. Meanwhile, the faces of the ministers and high-ranking officials apanying Sejong were filled with delight. Unlike when working in Hanseong, their workload had significantly decreased, and they had the benefit of resting while visiting government offices under the pretext of inspecting their work. Even if we die from work when we return, its truly wonderful now! When its time to rest, we should rest! Thus, half for work and half for vacation, Sejong and the ministers entered the shipyard. Greetings to Your Majesty! I, Han Tae-woo, am honored to see Your Majestys countenance in this remote ce. This is the glory of three lifetimes! Long live the king, long live the king, long live the king! Han Tae-woo, a low-ranking official in charge of managing the shipyard in the Joseon era, shouted long live the king with teary eyes. As someone who had entered through the selection of talents and held a misceneous position, he never thought he would see the king in his lifetime. Moved by the fact that he could directly see the king he thought he would never meet, Han Tae-woo showed an enthusiastic reaction. Youve truly worked hard. When Sejong offered words of appreciation, the elderly Han Tae-woo could not contain his emotions and prostrated on the ground. I was merely doing what I am supposed to do, yet you praise me so highly. It is truly an honor! Sob! Seeing Han Tae-woos overly enthusiastic reaction, Sejong gestured to Hyang. As Hyang approached, Sejong whispered softly into his ear. Was he like this when you came too? In response to Sejongs question, Hyang also replied in a soft voice. It was simr, but he seems even more moved today. Its probably because you are here, Your Majesty. I see. Tsk. Clicking his tongue, Sejong actually felt pity for Tae-woo. How many people are there who diligently do their work in situations where no one recognizes them? I have a lot to do. Rise. Dont you have a lot of work to do? Yes, yes! At Sejongsmand, Tae-woo stood up from the ground. Wiping his tears with his sleeve, Tae-woo immediately raised his arm and pointed to the interior of the shipyard. This way, Your Majesty. *** Following Han Tae-woos guidance, Sejong entered the shipyard and meticulously examined its interior. Seeing the old ships being dismantled, Sejong asked Tae-woo. What happens to the nks from the dismantled ships? We inspect their condition and use the good ones on other ships, while the ones deemed defective are used as firewood or raw materials for hwangji (oiled paper). When the term hwangji was mentioned, Sejong turned to Hyang. In response to the unspoken question, Hyang simply replied. We have to be frugal to live well. Thats a wise answer. Sejong thoroughly examined various parts of the shipyard. Huh? What is that building? Noticing arge warehouse built on one side of the shipyard, Sejong asked Tae-woo. Its where we disy Mings fuchuan (fortune ships) and Japans wasen (Japanese ships). (Fuchuan) (Wasen) Ships from Ming and Japan? Lets take a look. His curiosity piqued, Sejong headed towards the building in question. Inside the building,rge and impressive Ming fuchuan and small wasen were disyed in disassembled states. Beside them, Korean ships were also disyed in a simr manner. They are all disassembled. We can properly examine their structures. It was an order given by the Crown Prince. At Tae-woos exnation, Sejong and the ministers looked at Hyang. I had it created for the craftsmen who will build Joseons warships in the future to refer to. Tae-woo immediately added to Hyangs answer. Even now, not only the captains of the Gyeonggi Naval Station but also captains and apprentices from all over Joseon visit at least once to observe before leaving. Hearing the exnation, Sejong nodded. Indeed. The current shipwrights[1] cannot continue working forever. Yes. Thats why we n to build a school to teach not only housing construction but also shipbuilding skills to the carpenters. Carpenters? Not just carpenters, but we will establish a school to systematically teach the skills of craftsmen such as ironworkers and potters. If we continue with the current apprenticeship system, many techniques will disappear. I see. Try nning it out. Yes, Your Majesty! When Sejong granted permission, Hyang replied with a delighted expression. Behind them, Kim Jeoms face turned deathly pale as he witnessed the scene. The budget, the budget *** After touring the ship exhibition hall, Sejong finally reached his destination. It was the drydock where the new warship, into which Hyang had poured his heart and soul, was located. It is trulyrge and beautiful! Seeing the new warship, Sejong eximed in admiration. The new warship, sleek from bow to stern, was iparably elegantpared to the ships he had seen until now. It wasnt just Sejong who was amazed. The ministers also showered it with exmations of admiration. It is indeed a beautiful ship! The pointed bow resembles an arrowhead, so it seems like it will move very swiftly! Hearing the evaluations from Sejong and the ministers, Hyang muttered to himself. It will be slightly slower than the original galleon. The galleon Hyang had built was slightly different from the traditional galleon. While traditional galleons had a width-to-length ratio of about 1:4, Hyangs had a slightly wider ratio of about 1.5:4. This was something he had learned when building a ship for a wealthy Middle Eastern enthusiasts request in the 21st century. At that time, the American enthusiast in charge of the design had persuaded the client. Ill follow most of your requests, but the width needs to be wider. Traditional galleons have too high a risk of capsizing when turning at high speeds! Observing this scene, Hyang had increased the width when building galleons in Joseon. Its already a ship with an unfamiliar shape, so if an ident happens, itll be buried! Safety first! As Hyang expected, if this new warship were to face a real galleon, it would definitely be slower. However, Hyang was not worried. Even if the speed is lower, the firepower and defense will be better, right? If they were to encounter Western naval powers at the time Hyang anticipated, they would be armed with evenrger and more powerful cannons by then. Even if they were to meet within the next 4-5 years, Joseons current gunpowder weapons would not be inferior. Hyang had also designed the ship to increase its defensemore precisely, its survivabilityusing the knowledge he had gained in the 21st century. Andstly, regarding speed What did that person say back then? Why worry when well be installing an engine?'' Hyang also had the intention of immediately retrofitting the ship once a proper steam engine was developed. I like the American style. If the speed iscking, we can just install a more powerful engine, right? *** Before theunch, Sejong boarded the ship and looked around. The ce Sejong showed the most interest in was the second deck. As far as I know, on panokseon (board-roofed ships), this spot is where the rowers are positioned. But on this ship, even this spot is used for cannon cement? Yes. The new warship moves solely by wind. Only by wind? Wouldnt that make it slow? In response to Sejongs point, Hyang promptly replied. It is sufficiently possible. And if the steam engine is improved enough, we can install it. Steam engine At Hyangs answer, Sejong tried to recall his memory. Last year, thepleted steam engines were sent to coal mines and ironworks. They were deployed to rece oxen and horses in pumping water out of mine shafts and blowing air into st furnaces, and the results were observed. The reports from the coal mines and ironworks were full of praise. A single steam engine performs the work of more than 20 oxen or horses, making it the best device! Remembering the evaluation, Sejong nodded. It seems like a good idea. So how many cannons will be installed on this warship? 50 eul-sik janggun-hwatong (Second Model General Cannon) and 20 grapeshot cannons currently under experimentation are nned to be mounted. Sejong seemed satisfied with Hyangs answer. With that many, we wont be inferior in firepower anywhere. Sejongs words astonished not only Hyang but also the ministers. Inferior in firepower, you say? If everything goes as nned, it will be the bully of the seas! Your Majesty! There are 50 cannons alone! Before Hyangs intervention, the Golden Hind, the galleon Francis Drake used for his circumnavigation of the world, wasunched in 1577. However, the number of cannons mounted on the Golden Hind was 22. (Note 1) Leaving behind the ministers who were dumbfounded by the difference in the concept of cannon quantity, Sejong, who was examining the second deck, turned to Hyang. Youve installed many bulkheads, havent you? Seeing the sturdy wooden bulkheads erected on both sides of each cannon position, Sejong asked, and Hyang immediately exined the reason. Yes, the bulkheads are installed to prepare for the event of being hit. Hmm While Sejong was nodding, Kim Jeom muttered softly. No wonder the budget was so high Having finished inspecting the second deck, Sejong descended to the lowest part, the hull bottom. The bulkheads are substantial here too. Survivability was prioritized. Well done. Satisfied with Hyangs answer, Sejong did not hesitate to praise him. When designing the hull bottom, the part below the waterline, Hyang had focused the most on installingpartments. He allocated space for the steam engine that might be installed in the future and installed a total of 6partments, 3 on each side, around it. And the doors installed in the passageways connecting thepartments were made as sliding doors instead of hinged doors. This was because sliding doors provided slightly better stability than hinged doors with the stillcking metalworking technology. And the pitch, which had recently been obtained through Mansur, was thoroughly applied to the exterior and interior of the hull for reliable waterproofing. *** Having finished inspecting the interior of the hull, Sejong went up to the main deck and observed the rest. After examining the captains quarters and the officers quarters, Sejong noticed four protrusions on the sides of the hull and turned to Hyang. What are those? The parts protruding from the hull, surrounded by a roof and walls. Looking at the ces Sejong pointed out, Hyang simply replied. They aretrines. Pardon? Hahaha! At Hyangs answer, Sejong burst intoughter. Wiping the tears from the corners of his eyes, Sejong nodded. It is indeed a ce befitting its name! It was a y on words using the fact that the cheok in cheokgan means the edge of a bench. Laughing like that, Sejong climbed to the sternmore precisely, the roof of the captains quartersand called Hyang again. What is that over there? It cant be anothertrine, can it? At the highest point of the stern, there was a structure in the center, surrounded by thick wooden boards on all sides and covered with a roof. There were gaps between the roof and the walls to allow a view of the outside. In response to Sejongs question, Hyang, who had seen the structure, simply replied. Its the wheelhouse. Wheelhouse? *** Note 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Hind
  1. carpenters who build ships[]
Chapter 217 Chapter 217 The wheelhouse? Hmm Sejong fell into thought for a moment at Hyangs answer. He said wheel But Sejong pondered the meaning of the word, but he couldnt quite grasp it. He could have simply epted it as the ministers did, thinking the Crown Prince said it, so it must be so. However, Sejongs nature wouldnt allow him to let it pass. In the end, Sejong had to ask Hyang a question. As far as I know, the rudder is located at the rear of the ship, connected to a long pole, and controlled by the boatman. However, the wheelhouse you mentioned doesnt seem to have such a pole, so Im very curious about its principle. Hyang promptly answered Sejongs question. The principle of moving the rudder left and right attached to the stern to control direction is the same. Its just that the control method has been slightly modified. Slightly? At Sejongs query, Hyang opened the door to the wheelhouse. Inside the wheelhouse, which was spacious enough tofortably fit four or five adult men, there was only a single thick wooden pir. The wooden pir, about chest-height for an adult man, hadrge wheels attached to the front and back. This is the steering wheel. The rudder is controlled by turning this wheel. Oh? Eyes sparkling, Sejong went back inside to examine the mechanical devices connected to the steering wheel. Seeing the steering mechanismposed of long metal rods, gears, pulleys, and ropes, Sejong eximed in admiration. How ingenious! It allows for more precise control of the rudder with less force. I see! After inspecting the steering device, Sejong turned to Hyang. Can this device be installed on turtle ships as well? Its under research. I really hope it can be installed. As soon as its performance is verified, it will be installed immediately. Just as Hyang assured, this steering wheel began to be installed on turtle ships as well. In the cabin created below themand tower of the turtle ship, the helmsman could control the direction of the hull from the wheelhouse. This provided considerable advantages in battle. Previously, the helmsman was exposed, so inbat, they were frequently killed or wounded, making it difficult to control the warship. However, the situation changed with steering from the wheelhouse surrounded by thick wooden nks. Asmands from themander in the tower were immediately ryed, they could gain the upper hand in battle, which enhanced thebat capabilities of the turtle ships. *** As an aside, this steering wheel waster called the nightmare of historians or the Princes bad taste. Among the things that emerged from Joseon during the Great Leap Period, there were quite a few that transcended the era. Still, many of the things created in that way notably, longsting metal type, wires, and others. were things that could be rationally exined to some extent by the level of technology, science, and historical background at the time. However, the things called nightmares or bad tastes were beyond the scope of such exnations. Among such things that even the general public could understand, the sting cap was a prime example. The steering wheel was one of those nightmares. The steering wheel that suddenly popped up caused historians to suffer from insomnia. Interestingly, the people of the time when the steering wheel was first invented, both in the East and the West, simply went Oh? This is quite useful? and moved on. However, it was different for the schrs who had to academically reorganize this inter generations. Lets say they could make Challenger-ss ships! Turtle ships existed not only in Goryeo but also in the Si period, and they weremon in neighboring countries too! No, if we say they made the Challenger-ss based on information brought by Middle Eastern merchants, who were major trading partners, it can be exined to some extent! Carracks and caravels existed in Europe around the same time! The schrs burst out in frustration, throwing away their materials. But what about this steering wheel? At that time, both the East and the West used the tiller method!(Note 1) The rudder in the East was even more primitive than in the West! But how did the steering wheel pop up? Theres no intermediate process! In fact, in the history before Hyangs intervention, the steering wheel only properly emerged around the 1700s. When many of the worlds historians were voicing such grievances, Korean historians instead responded with a serene face. Back then, there was already a saying like this: The Crown Prince did what a Crown Prince does. It was a period when geniuses emerged one after another. Theres got to be a limit, even for a genius! There are records, records. There are the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, and the National Archives have very well-organized records and blueprints. When Korean schrs mentioned the records, schrs from other countries had to shut their mouths and quell their anger inwardly. There was no w in what the Korean schrs said. In addition to the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, the records held by the National Archives had everything clearly preserved. The records contained detailed and urate contents ording to the Six Elements (5W1H). The most definitive evidence was the blueprints,ponent performance specifications, and production logs. The uracy of the blueprints drawn to the correct scale and proportions, the specification sheets recording the requiredponent standards, and finally, the documents meticulously recording the manufacturing and testing processes were unrivaled. In fact, there were numerous instances where objects or ships made with those blueprints and records using the technology of the time functioned properly. Therefore, when records were mentioned, schrs from other countries shut their mouths. Eventually, as such incidents became frequent, all sorts of conspiracy theories emerged. Yi Hyang was an alien! There are records of when he was born and when he died, what nonsense are you spouting? Theres a record that the real Yi Hyang was sickly as a child! The real Yi Hyang died young, and an alien When such crossing the line remarks popped up, thats when the government stepped in. The spokesperson for South Koreas Ministry of Foreign Affairs gathered reporters from each country and issued a statement. It was a statement full of all sorts of diplomatic and political modifiers, but the content was simple. Do you want to die? You want to die? Should I kill you? For Koreans, the monarchs who led the Great Leap Period were invible. *** After examining both the interior and exterior of the new warship, Sejong turned to Hyang. Now I want to see it float. Yes. Then we will hold theunching ceremony. Shortly after, an altar was set up at the dock where the experimental ship was located. All the craftsmen and officials gathered in neat attire, and the ritual began. Starting with the announcement of the beginning of the ritual by the presider, the ritual proceeded calmly, and it came to the part of reading the prayer. At this, Sejong stepped forward and read the prayer. In the year of Gyeongsul, the 7th month Sejong read the prayer with all his heart. I proim to the gods of heaven and earth and the Dragon King of the sea, please allow this ship to safely carry out its duties. Then, following the sequence of the first and final offerings and bows, he burned the prayer paper. Lighting the prayer paper on the altar with a candle, Sejong flicked the paper upward. The prayer paper that left Sejongs hand soared into the sky, burning brightly as it rode the wind. Seeing this, not only Sejong but all those who attended the ritual could not hide their joy. Its an auspicious sign! *** Gaining confidence from the auspicious sign seen at the end of the ritual, the craftsmen prepared for theunch of the experimental ship with renewed courage. Release the fasteners! At themand of the head shipwright, the craftsmen released the fasteners that were securing the hull. All released! Good! What about the state of the mooring ropes? Theyre well prepared, right? Yes! Having checked everything, the head shipwright shouted loudly. Alright! Let the water in! Let the water in! The craftsmen who received the order began to open the sluice gate blocking the small waterway. Shortly after, seawater rushed in through the waterway. Will there be enough water? Hyang immediately answered Sejongs concern. It should be sufficient since it was timed with the high tide. Although he answered promptly, Hyang was slightly worried. Considering the time lost in between, its a bit tight As the level of seawater filling the dock rose, the experimental ship slowly began to lift. Its floating! Its floating! Amid the craftsmens shouts, Sejong and the ministers watched the situation with sweaty palms. Finally, the experimental ship floated naturally on the seawater that filled the dock. Put the gangway in ce! With the experimental ship safely afloat, a gangway was ced, and the craftsmen swarmed in to inspect the interior. No abnormalities! There are no leaks! Having confirmed there were no problems with flooding, the head craftsman proceeded to the next step. Now lets bnce it! Following the instructions of the head craftsman, who checked the tilt of the ship through observation instruments installed onnd, shell limestone blocks pre-made with oyster mortar were moved to the bottom of the hull. They used shell limestone, not just ordinary stones? Hyang promptly answered Sejongs question. Ordinary stones are irregr in shape, so they take up a lot of space. However, by using shell limestone blocks made in advance to fit the interior shape of the hull, space waste can be minimized. I see After going through a tediously meticulous process, the new warship, having achieved bnce, still floated elegantly. Is going out to sea the only thing left now? Hyang immediately answered Sejongs question. No. First, we will load the cannons, gunpowder, as well as the cannonballs and iron shots, and while loading other materials and provisions, we will verify how much can be loaded. Once that process ispleted without issue, the captain and crew who willmand the ship will board, and test sailing will begin at sea. If the test sailing and short-distance solo sailing arepleted without incident, it will finally be independent. Sejong could not hide his disappointment at Hyangs exnation. I thought it would be done with theunching, but there are truly arduous processes remaining. It cant be helped since everything about this new warship is literally unprecedented. We must consistently and meticulously prepare, conduct, and record everything. Only then will the operation of the ships that will be built and deployed after this be easier. I understand that well. Its just that I wanted to board that ship and sail through the blue sea, so its a bit regrettable. You will be able to fulfill that wish once that ship is deployed in actualbat. Id like to, but theres too much to do. Dont you have capable ministers? At Hyangs words, Sejong looked around at the ministers. Receiving Sejongs gaze, the ministers unanimously bowed their heads and responded. We will serve with utmost loyalty! Thank you! It is the natural duty of a subject! Sejong showed a pleased expression at the ministers responses. However, Hyang, standing beside him, clicked his tongue inwardly. Why do the old mens voices sound so watery Tsk tsk tsk *** Is everything wrapped up now? One thing remains. We need to give it a name. A name At Hyangs words, Sejong fell into thought, stroking his beard. ording to Sejongs memory, the existing warships were named after the regions where the naval forces were stationed. So if there were multiple warships belonging to that naval station, numbers such as one, two, three were added after the name. Then the first matter is which naval station this ship will be assigned to But it feels somewhatcking to decide that way. Finding it unsatisfactory to name it ording to the existing method, Sejong agonized repeatedly. While agonizing, Sejong nced at Hyang. Seeing Hyangs twinkling eyes and mumbling mouth, Sejong burst intoughter. You rascal! You already decided everything and were just being coy! Alright! What name do you have in mind? The Challenger! The Challenger? Challenge After thinking for a moment, Sejong nodded his head. Considering the tasks this ship will undertake in the future, its a fitting name! Lets decide on that! Your grace is immeasurable! At Sejongs decision, Hyang immediately bowed and responded loudly. It was the moment of birth for the Challenger-ss warships, which would go on to ount for thergest number among Joseons naval vessels, sweep across all the seas east of Africa for decades toe, and gain all sorts of notoriety starting with the Ruffians of the East. *** Note 1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiller Chapter 218 Chapter 218 As thetter half of the reform era progressed, the people living in Joseon began to change gradually. During the transition from the 7th to 8th month of the Gyeongsul year (1430), farmers were sweating profusely in the midsummer heat. Its a bumper crop this year too! In the major agricultural areas of the Korean Penins, farmers shouted in joy, looking at the rice paddies filled with rice nts. The flood control projects initiated by Hyang from the transition period between the 3rd year of Sejong (1421, the Sinchuk year) when he was appointed as Crown Prince, to the 4th year of Sejong, continued year after year, resolving the water supply issues throughout Joseon. As the water shortage problems began to be resolved, and as the climate gradually became warmer, the harvest started to improve steadily. However, the people did not stop and be satisfied with that. Themoners madepost and maintained the waterways to increase the yield even slightly. It was not only themoners who made efforts. The court was also busy. *** We shouldpile a book gathering the knowledge of the people familiar with farming! Who will do it? At Sejongs question, Hyang immediately stepped forward. I will do it, Your Majesty! Having taken on the task, Hyang returned to the research institute and summoned Jung Cho and Jung In-ji. It is a royalmand from His Majesty. Select those who will lead this project. Yes, sir. Although it was an abruptly assigned task, Jung Cho and Jung In-ji did not express any dissatisfaction. Whatever the reason, it was the responsibility of the officials to free the people from hunger. As a result of the dedicated efforts by the research institute personnel, the Nongsa Jikseol (Straight Talk on Farming) waspleted in the 9th year of Sejong (1427). It was an appearance 2 years earlier than in the history before Hyangs intervention. Print this book and widely distribute it! Following Sejongs order, the Straight Talk on Farming was mass-printed and disseminated nationwide. The distribution of Straight Talk on Farming elicited a huge response not only from farmers in the provinces but also from the officials encouraging agriculture. It was because, unlike the old Chinese agricultural books that had been used as guidelines until then, this was an agricultural book tailored to Joseons environment and circumstances. As agricultural output increased in this way, some undesirable things also happened. The localndlords who gained more profits from the increased yields became greedy. As they pursued their own interests in this way, they crossed the line, and the Giyu Year Rebellion broke out, which ended with them being annihted by Sejong. *** Hyang did not stop atpleting the Straight Talk on Farming. First, Hyang obtained from Sejong a portion of the royal farmingnd in Heukseok-ri, Habuk-myeon, Gwacheon-gun present-day Heukseok-dong. 2 gyeol of rice paddies, 1 gyeol of fields, and Mount Seodal should be enough. Having secured the farnd and the hillside, Hyang posted notices and sent out cooperation documents to gather renowned farmers and officials interested in agriculture. From now on, your task will be to improve crop varieties. Hyang had created a research institute dedicated to seed improvement. Reporting on this, Hyang concluded as follows: It will take at least 10 years for this research institute to show some results. 10 years Can you wait that long? Knowing Hyangs nature of trying to see results as quickly as possible, even staying up all night once he set his mind to start something, Sejong asked with genuine concern. At Sejongs question, Hyang answered with a helpless expression. Farming is not something that can yield immediate results no matter how impatient I am, is it? In response to Hyangs answer, Sejong made a briefment. Thinking of the folly of plucking seedlings to help them grow ()[1], you have really matured. Sejong praised Hyang, mentioning the story from Mencius Gongsun Chou chapter. *** Because Hyang said it would take at least 10 years, the researchers at the research institute were envied by other researchers. We are gued with work every day, but it must be truly enviable to leisurely farm! Whenever they heard such remarks, the researchers at the Seed Research Institute burst into anger. If you envy it so much,e and try doing the work! The work at the Seed Research Institute was no easy task either. Whether it rained or the sun was scorching hot, they had to go out to the fields every day to record the growth status, and if there were problems with pests and diseases, they had to investigate the causes and results one by one and write reports. That was not all. The tasks they received from Hyang were also out of the blue. The best example of such an unexpected task was the oriental melon. The oriental melons of this period were not the same as the ones Hyang had tasted in the 21st century. Theyre not oriental melons, theyre radishes To the extent that Hyang called them radishes, the oriental melons of this period had low sugar content. In most cases wheremoners ate oriental melons, it was when there was a barley famine and there was nothing to eat. Although the sugar content was low, they contained carbohydrates, had firm flesh, and had adequate moisture, so they could fill the stomach. Because oriental melons were closer to emergency food rather than a fruit vegetable symbolizing summer, Hyang immediately added a task to the Seed Research Institute. It was a truly random order for the officials. Theyre not sweet, so make them sweet? How? *** It was not only the rural areas that changed. Cities also began to change. The urban areas designated asrge capital-level cities {Daedohobu) , pastoral cities (Mok), and small-level cities (Dohobu) also slowly started to change their appearance. The first thing that began to change was the roads. I heard the new roads in Hanseong are so good! Not heard they are good, they are good. Then, lets pave new roads too! The paved roads that Hyang supervised and constructed during the restoration process after the great fire that burned Hanyang in the 8th year of Sejong (1426) were called new roads and became a hot topic. It became not just a talk of locals but a nationwide topic. I heard the newly paved roads in Hanseong are so amazing! I heard they dont turn into mud even when it rains! This was the part that drew the attention of the people from other regions. At that time, it wasmon for Joseons roads to be a mess as soon as it rained. Even the roads in urban areas that were solidlypacted turned into puddles and mud as soon as it rained. Eventually, the rumors spread and became more and more exaggerated. I heard that no matter how much it rains, if you walk on the new roads, you wont even get wet! In reality, unless you wore straw sandals, it was impossible to avoid getting your feet wet no matter how new the road was. However, it was true that the degree was less. From the beginning of paving the roads, a slight slope was given so that the center of the road was slightly raised, allowing rainwater to flow to both edges, and drainage ditches were dug along those edges. As a result, it prevented feet from bing muddy like the previous dirt roads and greatly reduced the degree of getting wet. In the end, unable to resist their curiosity, people from the provinces set out on excursions to Hanseong. The rtively well-off provincial schr-officials moved first, and the farmers went up to Hanseong after the autumn harvest was over. It was solely to see the new roads. As people came to Hanseong for excursions, it had a butterfly effect of newly establishing or properly setting up lodging businesses and restaurants along the way to handle amodation and meals. Having seen the new roads paved in Hanseong, the people from the provinces, especially those from urban areas, rose up and demanded that new roads be paved in their cities as well. As petitions poured in one after another, Sejong gathered the ministers. Amidst the fierce debates for and against, Hyang voted in favor. Why is that? If only Hanseong has this convenience, everyone will flock only to Hanseong. We must prevent this. This is the first reason. At Hyangs words, Sejong and the ministers nodded their heads. Although there was a saying circting by the locals, Send people to Hanseong and horses to Jeju Ind, those people were talents, not all sorts of riffraff. Hyang continued to exin the reasons why new roads should be paved in provincial cities as well. There are many people looking for work in the cities of the provinces as well. We can provide them with jobs. We can mobilize these experienced individuals for the nationwide road construction projects to be carried outter. And since we need to have people to manage the newly built roads, new jobs will be created. This is the second reason. Thats good. At Hyangs exnation, Sejong immediately gave a positive assessment. Even in this period, there were unemployment problems. Hyang continued. Lastly, if the roads in the downtown areas are well organized, permanent markets can be established. As people gather in this way, it bes easier to know what themon people are saying. If you pay just a little attention, that is. I really like that! As Sejong showed a pleased expression, Kim Jeom immediately stepped forward to oppose. Although what the Crown Prince is saying is good, the budget is an issue! The budget is insufficient to pave all the urban areas of Joseon. In response to Kim Jeoms opposition, Hyang immediately presented an alternative. Is there a need to construct all urban areas simultaneously? For now, we can start with the most populous urban areas. If petitionse from urban areas that have been pushed back in order, tell them to bear the financial burden. Arent the granaries of thendlords full of wealth? Tell them to use it. Will they take it with them when they die? My boy! Well said! At Sejongs exmation, which popped out for the first time in a long while since the debate with Ryu Jeong-hyeon, the court froze on the spot. The historian should Sejong, who tried to stop the recording, saw the historians already enthusiastically wielding their pens and shut his mouth. Anyway, in that way, the roads in provincial cities also began to be paved. It was in the 9th year of Sejong (1427). *** As the paving of roads in provincial cities began, the officials who had supervised the paving construction in Hanseong and those who hadmanded the workers went down to the provinces. Among the provincial cities, the first to start paving were Gaeseong, which was treated as the second capital, and the bu (major cities: Jeonju, Gyeongju, Yeongheung, Pyongyang) nationwide. Those who came down from Hanseong gathered the officials and merchants in charge of the construction in the respective bu (vige)and took out a thick book. What book is this? Its about the rules to follow and the facilities that must be installed when paving new roads. The thickness Looking at the book boasting a tremendous thickness, people gulped. Seeing those people, the supervisor who came down from Hanseong strongly warned: There were quite a few who were scolded or kicked out by His Highness the Crown Prince for not properly following whats written here during the construction in Hanseong. In that sense, read these. The supervisor carefully took out an order from his sleeve and handed it over. Read it carefully. Those who saw the order turned pale. Not only was the content written in the order formidable, but the problem was the handwritten approval of Sejong at the end of the order. Perhaps due to the power of the order personally signed by Sejong, the construction proceeded thoroughly ording to the principles, literally. The supervisor, of course, and the foremen who came down together meticulously carried out the construction. They say Seoul (Note 1) people are nitpicky, but theyre really strict! Not only the local officials and merchants directing the construction but also theborers clicked their tongues, but the supervisor and foremen were thorough. The reason they had to be thorough was soon revealed. As the construction progressed to a certain extent, inspectors periodically came down from Hanseong to check everything. Even the supervisor and foremen who acted like grim reapers at the site were shaken down like mice in front of cats before the inspectors. *** Note 1) The origin of the name Seoul is considered by academia to date back to the Si period of the Three Kingdoms era. Source: Seoul History Publication Institute. https://history.seoul.go.kr/nuri/etc/sub_page.php?pidx=153716087297
  1. https://.cultureyard/blog/chinese-idiom-ya-miao-zhu-zhang[]
Chapter 219 Chapter 219 The road paving in provincial cities, which started and progressed steadily in this way, faced a significant change in the 12th year of Sejong, the Gyeongsul year (1430). The construction of thend roadwork connecting Hanseong and the whole country had begun. The first step was to build main roads stretching from Hanseong to the east, west, south, and north. Through the construction of these main roads, major cities in the provinces began to be connected. In this process, an unexpectedly region emerged as a transportation hub: Wonsan. Wonsan, which had been a small vige under Deokwon-bu (renamed from Uiju, its name during the Goryeo Dynasty), was upgraded by a whopping 5 levels to Wonsan-mok. Has the court gone mad? Where is Wonsan? Why Wonsan? Is gold buried there or something? The people were all curious about the reason for Wonsans sudden promotion. However, before long, the people especially the merchants came to know the reason. While Gangneung, thergest city in the East Sea region since ancient times, had to cross the Taebaek Mountains, the route to Wonsan was rtively easier. Moreover, the port being built in Wonsan drew the attention of merchants. Its a natural good harbor! Thanks to the natural breakwater of the Wonsan Penins, the port being built in Wonsan was safe from storms. Confirming that the roads and sea routes that would not only connect to the newly pioneered northeastern region but also extend to the virgin territory to its east started from Wonsan, the merchants immediately took action. We need to secure a spot first! In this way, Gangneung and Wonsan would fiercelypete for the position of the central city in the East Sea region in the future. *** The situation where Joseon was rapidly changing was not good for everyone. In the 8th month of the Gyeongsul year, all the gisaeng in Hanseong submitted a joint petition. How can such an outrageous thing happen? The lowly gisaeng submitting a petition! The officials who received the petition all made a fuss, saying it was a rude act, but Sejong showed a different reaction. The gisaeng are also subjects of this Joseon, so they can submit a petition if necessary. Therefore, bring it. Your Majesty, it is a petition from lowly gisaeng. It will only taint Your Majestys eyes. The ministers tried to dissuade him, but Sejong did not back down. Dont they know their own status? Yet, if they submitted a petition, doesnt it mean there is an injustice significant enough for them to do so? Bring it. At Sejongs insistence, the Chief Royal Secretary submitted the joint petition from the gisaeng to Sejong. Receiving the petition, Sejong immediately unrolled the scroll. The handwriting is truly beautiful and elegant. Whoever the gisaeng is, she wrote it very well. Admiring the petitions handwriting, Sejong soon began to carefully examine the content. Excluding the customary greetings and words praising the king, the main content was aint about how difficult it was to make a living these days. Hmm Sejong, who read the joint petition from the gisaeng, stroked his beard and fell into thought. After pondering for a moment, Sejong handed the petition to Chief Eunuch. Chief Eunuch, read it out loud so everyone can hear. Yes, Your Majesty. When Chief Eunuch finished reading, Sejong asked the ministers. What do you think? The ministers could not immediately answer Sejongs question. It was because they, too, had reduced the number of visits to the gisaeng houses, citing fatigue as the reason. In the end, the ministers had no choice but to give a theoretical answer. It is the narrow view of the gisaeng. Do not worry, Your Majesty. At the ministers answer, Sejong showed a displeased expression. ording to the petition, they said they do not go to the gisaeng houses because they have a lot of work and few days off. As far as I know, the officials days off are not few, right? At Sejongs point, the ministers shut their mouths again. *** In fact, the guaranteed holidays for Joseon officials were not few. Most basically, they did not work on the 1st, 8th, 15th, and 23rd of every month. It was simr to the 6-day work week system in 20th-century Korea. In addition, they also rested on the days corresponding to the 24 sr terms. (Note 1) It was the same for traditional holidays. They rested for 7 days during the Lunar New Year, 3 days for the first full moon, 3 days for Dano, and a day for Chuseok. (Note 2) Moreover, each government institution had additional holidays set ording to their internal regtions. For example, in the case of Seonggyungwan, the 8th and 23rd of every month were holidays. (Note 3) Hyang also gave a day off every 10 days to those working at the research institute. When these cases werebined, there were often consecutive holidays of several days. Therefore, at the beginning of the year, Seoun-gwan was crowded with officials. It was to calcte the consecutive holidays created bybining the legally set holidays, seasonal divisions, and traditional holidays. *** Sejong, who was well aware of this, questioned the im that there were insufficient holidays. Are the holidays really insufficient? Or have the holidays that should be enjoyed been forcibly reduced? At Sejongs question, Chief State Councilor Lee Jik took responsibility. The holidays have not been reduced, Your Majesty. Then, are you saying the holidays are insufficient? As far as I know, the holidays were the same during the reigns of the previous kings, but such words did note out. Your Majestys words are correct. The reason this situation has urred is Lee Jik, who paused for a moment, took a deep breath, closed his eyes tightly, and continued. The officials have too much work to do! Poison or the Office of Records? Let it be as it may! With a sense of resignation, Lee Jik answered. Sejong asked with an absurd expression. A lot of work? A lot! Even though the number of officials has increased so much? For every one official added, two or three tasks increase! Hmm At Lee Jiks report, Sejong stroked his beard. Does this mean we need to further increase the number of government officials? Thats right! This is also necessary for the smooth progress of the reformation! I thought it had already been increased sufficiently. Considering the increase in local officials as well At least 30% more must be added! Then the budget When Sejong mentioned the budget, Kim Jeom stepped forward. Of course, it is true that there is no room in the budget! However, as the national wealth of this Joseon is gradually increasing, if we can continue this, we will be able to handle the increase in officials! Thats not an easy task, is it? At Sejongs point, this time, Heo Jo stepped forward. Your Majesty, increasing the number of officials also means giving opportunities to those who have been discriminated against. It means widely opening the door to those who were banned from serving in the government because they were illegitimate sons or from the northwest. What could be better than this? That is true. As even Heo Jo, who was in charge of personnel management in the court, stepped forward, Sejong took a step back. Seeing this, Maeng Sa-seong stepped forward. Your Majesty, we, your subjects, will do our best for the wealth and military strength of this Joseon that you desire. However, there is a limit with a limited number of personnel. Therefore, the number of personnel must be increased for certain. Your Majesty! We will do our utmost to govern the lower-ranking officials and assist Your Majesty! So, please allow the replenishment of personnel! Please allow it! All the officials gathered at Geunjeong-jeon prostrated themselves regardless of their rank and pleaded for an increase in officials. Seeing this, Sejong answered in a solemn voice. As your intentions are firm, I will trust you. However, there are limits to the finances, so expand gradually. Your grace is immeasurable! Convey my intentions to the gisaeng who submitted the petition as well. Tell them that if they endure for just two or three years, good days wille. We shall obey yourmand! And since the number of personnel will continue to increase, there will be no need to increase the holidays, right? Huh? Yes The ministers, who hesitated for a moment at Sejongs words, soon bowed their heads and answered. Hearing the answer, Sejong summarized the matter in a much brighter voice. Alright then! Lets handle this matter in that way! What is the next agenda? Next is The historian who recorded all of this added the following: The historian discusses: Josam-mosa (, ). *** In the end, the replenishment of the workforce was decided. However, since it was decided to be implemented over time, the officials of the court had to continue working overtime. On ate night in the 8th month, bright lights were still leaking from the windows of the government offices on Yukjo Street. What time is it now? An official from the Ministry of Taxation, who was wrestling with numbers using an abacus and counting rods, raised his head and opened his mouth. Starting with him, the officials began to straighten their backs and open their mouths one by one. Its already past haesi-ban (10 p.m.) Already? Time flies. I know, right? Theres still a mountain of things to deal with Grumbling while looking at the still plentiful workload, the officials stomachs growled. How long has it been since we had dinner Quite a while. By the way, Im really getting hungry. The restaurants are closed, and if we go outside, the city gates are closed, so theres a curfew While everyone was grumbling with an empty stomach, one official took out a basket wrapped in a cloth. Untying the cloth and opening the lid of the basket, the official frowned. As expected, the rice has gone bad! Damn it! As the official grumbled, having confirmed that the rice he had bought had spoiled, a colleague beside him remarked. Wouldnt it be stranger if the rice was fine in this heat? Thats true, but In the end, to soothe their bodies tired from overtime work and to forget their hunger, the officials began to chat. They chatted about this and that, but the hunger led the topic of conversation to food. Ah~. At times like this, the tang-guk (soup with meat) from Myeongwol House is perfect. The tang-guk from Myeongwol House? Is it that delicious? The one who mentioned Myeongwol House nodded at his colleagues question. They boil the beef bones well, add sliced boiled beef and noodles, and top it with green onions! That milky-white broth is truly outstanding! Gulp! The officials listening to the description swallowed simultaneously. Whether he knew it or not, the talk continued with tang-guk as the topic. Having a drink with that tang-guk is the best! The hot broth goes well with either clear rice wine or cloudy rice wine! Ah~! Stop it! Im already hungry enough as it is! As a colleague reacted sharply, the one who talked about the tang-guk immediately raised his hands. Ah, sorry. The situation was settled for now, but soon, one by one, they began to open their mouths. By the way, Im really, really hungry. Its our mistake for forgetting to buy snacks before the curfew while working. *** As the officials of the Six Ministries worked overtime every day, a new sight was created on Yukjo Street. A group of merchants appeared in time for the officials leaving work. The merchants sold yeot (taffy) or tteok (rice cakes) to the officials who remained due to overtime work. Since the curfew was immediately imposed when the gates of the capital closed, it was a daily routine for the officials who had to work overtime to purchasete-night snacks from the merchants. However, those who missed the timing like today due to the heavy workload had to gulp down water or tea to fill their hungry stomachs. *** Among the officials grumbling while holding their hungry stomachs, one suddenly brought up an unexpected remark. Shall we order delivery? Order delivery? We can just send someone to Myeongwol House and tell them to bring tang-guk, right? But its curfew. We can issue a night travel permit. Ah! The officials who found a loophole immediately put it into action. They issued a night travel permit, confirmed the number of people who would eat thete-night snack, and then sent a servant to Myeongwol House. Oh my The head gisaeng of Myeongwol House, who heard the message from the servant who had hurriedlye from Yukjo Street, had a perplexed face. However, the head gisaeng soon made a decision. In a recession like now, what cant we do? Wait a moment! It was the moment of birth for Joseons first food delivery. *** Note 1) The Academy of Korean Studies. http://story.ugyo/front/sub01/sub0103.do?chkId=S_KSH_0021 Note 2) Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_holidays_in_South_Korea Note 3) Naver %2F Chapter 220 Chapter 220 After the officials from the Ministry of Taxation opened the floodgates, delivery quickly took hold among the officials working in the Six Ministries. The officials enjoyed delivery, as it allowed them to eat delicious food from the gisaeng houses they frequented. As delivery rapidly gained a foothold, a spectacle was created in Hanseong. In time for the officials arrival at work, servants from the gisaeng houses would flock out and distribute flyers. We have a new dish this time! If more than ten people order, well give pyeonsu (Gaeseong-style dumpling dish) and boiled pork as extras! The servants from the gisaeng houses raised their voices, promoting their respective establishments while handing out flyers. The flyers distributed by the servants had detailed information on the avable dishes for delivery and their prices. Watching the servants from the gisaeng houses promoting like this, Hyang slowly began to worry. This is starting to look dangerous. As the gisaeng housespetitively engaged in delivery, signs of overheating began to appear. Moreover, not only the gisaeng houses but also nearby restaurants joined thepetition, elerating the pace of overheating. It was certain that if the degree of overheating crossed the line, the risk of problems urring would rapidly increase. However, not long after, the delivery issue surfaced for a different reason. The censors from the Office of the Inspector General and the Office of Censors submitted impeachment memorials. Upon hearing the news of the memorials submitted by the Office of the Inspector General and the Office of Censors, officials from other government offices simultaneously cursed. What nonsense are these bastards spewing! Didnt they order delivery for themselves? What nonsense are these rootless fellows, who drink even during the day, spouting? As mentioned before, the censors were quite free-spiritedpared to other departments of the court. The censors were the ones who would risk their necks to confront and argue if they thought something was wrong, not only with the ministers but also with the king. So, in exchange for the risks they faced, it was customary for the censors to have no hierarchy of superiority and inferiority between ranks and not be reprimanded for drinking to intoxication during work hours. The officials of the Six Ministries cursing them as rootless fellows was also due to this part. Amid thismotion, Sejong, who received the memorials from the Office of the Inspector General and the Office of Censors, quickly reached a conclusion. It is natural for officials to feel hungry when workingte. However, it is certainly unjust to issue travel permits through loopholes. Therefore, the Ministry of Personnel should establish a system and create travel permits and usage methods rted to delivery. We shall obey yourmand! Your Majesty! This is Enough. When the Chief Censor and the Chief Inspector opened their mouths to refute Sejongs decision, Sejong raised his hand to stop them from speaking. Ill say it again, it is natural to feel hungry when workingte. However, it is not efficient to keep themunal dining hall opente. And isnt it also a good thing that money flows into the gisaeng houses and markets through delivery? Therefore, I think it is better to guide them in a good direction rather than unconditionally prohibiting it. If this is not right, I will first punish the censors of the Office of the Inspector General and the Office of Censors for drinking and getting heavily drunk during work hours. At Sejongs threat, the Chief Censor and the Chief Inspector had to shut their mouths. The historian who recorded all of this added the following: The historian discusses: It has been said since long ago that even a dog is not disturbed while eating. *** Since Sejong granted permission, the Ministry of Personnel deliberated to create regtions rted to this. After several days of deliberation, the Ministry of Personnel came up with the Regtions on Night Delivery. The contents of the newly created system were as follows: This detailed and meticulous bill was submitted to Sejong. After reviewing the bill, Sejong immediately stamped his seal. Its good. Execute it as is. Your grace is immeasurable! In this way, delivery began to be systematized. As soon as the bill was enacted, the Ministry of Personnel printed and distributed it to the gisaeng houses and restaurants in Hanseong. If you dont follow this bill, be prepared to close your doors. We will keep that in mind! *** The gisaeng houses and restaurants that saw this enacted bill had to agonize. It says to divide the food into bowls ording to the number of people? Until then, the delivery method was to put the soup in arge soup container, put the noodles or other toppings in a separate basket, put the empty bowls in another basket, and deliver by carrying them. Upon arriving at the destination, they wouldy out the empty bowls, put the noodles or toppings in them, and scoop the broth with adle to serve. However, doing so required usingrge serving trays or jars. And a serving tray or jar of that size wasrge enough to hide several long swords. Therefore, it was natural for the Office of the Controller General or the Police Bureau to be suspicious. Well, dividing the food into bowls ording to the number of people is not a big deal, but The issue the gisaeng houses and restaurants were agonizing over was not the problem of dividing the food. What they were worried about was the transportation method. How do we carry and deliver this? In a situation where no answer came out no matter how much they thought about it, the head gisaeng who ran a gisaeng house in Unjong-gained to a regr official. We can somehow manage dividing the food into bowls. But we dont know how to transport it! At the head gisaengsint, the regr official tilted his head. After pondering for a long time, the official let out a long sigh. Ah~. Its a difficult problem! A difficult problem! As he was pondering over the problem without an easy answer, the officials face suddenly brightened. I dont have the answer, but there is someone who might know it! Really? Absolutely! If you find the answer for me, not only will I give you free drinks today, but Ill also give you two more free meals in the future! Dont forget that promise! *** The official, who had gotten free drinks the day before, headed straight to Hyangs research institute. He sought out a colleague who had passed the civil service examination together with him. Hey, what brings a busy official from the Ministry of Personnel here? I have something I need your help with. If you do it right, Ill treat you to free drinks! What is it? The official from the research institute, after hearing the problem from the Ministry of Personnel official, immediately started thinking, but an answer did not easilye out. I cant think of it right away, but as soon as I find the answer, Ill let you know. Im counting on you. *** The researcher who took on the homework tried to think about it in various ways, but a good solution did not easilye to mind. Oh my The official, who was suffering from a headache in the difficult situation, brightened up as soon as he saw Hyang. Of course! His Highness is here! Having found the optimal person, the official hurriedly got up from his seat. Your Highness! Your Highness! *** Hyang, after hearing the story from the official, briefly searched his memory and immediately answered. When I went to the Ming Dynasty before, I saw them attaching square boxes to the front and back of long bamboo poles and putting bowls in them to transport. Wouldnt that work? At Hyangs exnation, the official immediately pointed out the problem. The bamboo will sway with each step. Unlike the food of the Ming Dynasty, our Joseons food has a lot of broth, making it difficult to use. Also, in our Joseon, the bowls arerge, so not many can fit. Hmm At the officials exnation, Hyang muttered to himself. The conclusion is none other than a metal container. Having reached a conclusion, Hyang said to the official. Just wait three days. Yes, Your Highness. Then go and take care of your work. Have you finished all the tasks you need to do? I will finish them right away! At Hyangs question, the researcher ran off as if his tail was on fire. *** Arriving at Area 51, Hyang summoned the night workers and began the production of metal containers. After adjusting the size to fit the soup bowls and rice bowls currently used in Joseon and creating the optimal prototype, Hyang stroked his chin. Wait This could make money, couldnt it? Smelling the scent of money, Hyang registered a patent for the metal container with the Intellectual Property Management Office. *** The metal container, born in this way, was warmly weed. With one metal container divided into appropriate sizes, six bowls of soup could be transported. Therefore, with two delivery workers, they could deliver meals for 10 people, including soup, rice, and side dishes. No, not even two people were needed. Using the handcart made by Hyang, one person could deliver more than 20 portions. The advantage of the metal container was not only the ease of transportation. The silver-colored, shiny metal container looked clean just by looking at it. And it was easy to clean even if the broth spilled inside, and it did not retain odors. Also, even if it was dropped or dented by hitting something, it could be repaired with a few hammer strikes, so it had a long lifespan. In the end, there was no gisaeng house or restaurant delivering food in Hanseong that did not have a metal container. And before long, this metal container spread nationwide. This was because provincial government offices also suffered from overtime work. And women who wanted to eat the famous delicacies of the gisaeng houses but found it difficult to enter the gisaeng houses frequently used delivery. It was the birth of a new market. What was interesting was that, unlike in Hanseong where the market was mainly formed targeting the officials working overtime, the market targeting ordinary households was formed first in the provinces. And that spread to Hanseong through word of mouth. Thanks to this, delivery workers carrying metal containers in both hands or pulling handcarts full of metal containers ran through the streets of Hanseong and provincial cities day and night. As this new market was created, a butterfly effect urred. Pottery artisans began to stay up all night to develop porcin bowls that would not easily break even when subjected to shocks during delivery, and brassware artisans began to ponder how to make light yet heat-retaining brass bowls. It was not only the bowl artisans who were pondering. Gisaeng houses and restaurants across Joseon began to think about creating dishes that could represent them. Hearing this news, Sejong smiled and turned to Hyang. We should set a date and tour the whole country once the road construction is finished. Pardon? With such delicacies overflowing throughout the country, shouldnt we taste them at least once? At Sejongs words, a lightning bolt struck Hyangs mind. Michelin Guide! Then, Your Majesty, how about also giving scores? Scores? Yes, the gisaeng houses or restaurants that receive high scores from Your Majesty will gain poprity and prosper. Seeing that, would other restaurants stay still? If such a thing is repeated, how delicious will the food of our Joseon be? Thats right! In this way, the Kings Gourmet Guide, boasting history and tradition, was created. Chapter 221 Chapter 221 Two months had passed since the Challenger was safelyunched. From this time, Sejong began to gradually urge the Ministry of Military Affairs and Hyang. Is the Challenger still not ready? Are they still under training? Every time Sejong urged, Jo Mal-saeng and Hyang had to give the same answer. The naval forces training level is still insufficient, so they are training day and night, forgetting about the time. A little more time is needed. Oh my~. Every time he heard the answers from Jo Mal-saeng and Hyang, Sejong did not hide his impatience. Isnt the establishment of the 1st Ocean-Going Fleet almost finished? Yet, the preparations for Ship No. 1, the Challenger, are still not done? At Sejongs reprimand, Hyang immediately answered. The hull form of the Challenger is different from the Korean ships that have been used until now, so it is taking time to master its characteristics. Those who have mastered the characteristics of ocean-going ships through the Challenger will be the core personnel for the ships that will follow, so we are taking every precaution in training. Its taking time because the hull form is different Tsk. At Hyangs exnation, Sejong had to click his tongue. Seeing this, Hyang continued. Yes. Fundamentally, the ships that form the backbone of our Joseon Navy have been t-bottomed ships for generations. However, the Challenger is a sharp-bottomed ship. Speaking of this sharp-bottomed ship *** Hyangs exnation was not a mere excuse. Since the Goryeo Dynasty, t-bottomed ships had been the mainstream for Korean ships. This was because the main area of activity for Korean ships was limited to the West Sea and the South Sea. Therefore, t-bottomed ships, which focused on safety rather than speed overall, became the mainstream. In the West Sea, which had a strong character of a calm ind sea and arge tidal range, and the South Sea, which had aplex coastline and strong tidal currents, t-bottomed ships with a shallow draft, small turning radius, and good bnce even when stranded on tidal ts at low tide were advantageous. However, sharp-bottomed ships like the Challenger had a deeper draft and a wider turning radius, unlike t-bottomed ships. Also, due to the characteristics of sharp-bottomed ships, if they were to be stranded on tidal ts, they would immediately tilt and run aground. Because of these differences, it took more time for the Joseon Navy to handle the ships. However, Hyang had no choice but to insist on sharp-bottomed ships. This was because when going out to the ocean, the advantages of t-bottomed ships would be disadvantages, and the disadvantages of sharp-bottomed ships would turn into advantages. *** Sejong, who was listening to Hyangs exnation, pointed out the problem. Then, the most important thing would be themander who will move the ship I have already reported As Hyangs words slightly trailed off, Sejong searched his memory. Sejong, who had to find the memory he had deeply buried while dealing with dozens to hundreds of reports every day, finally remembered who the captain of the Challenger was. We promoted and appointed Assistant Commander Oh Ha-seok as Manho (, Commander of 10,000 men), right? Thats right. We appointed him because he had experience sailing the ocean and had mastered the characteristics of sharp-bottomed ships through the ships of the Hui people. [TL/N: Sharp-bottomed ships or sharp-schooner are ships with sharp curved midsection on its /uploads/monthly_2020_04/image.png.bd8d7c738d1bd05b6a6c3cb86e8e4280.png ] Hmm I see. At Hyangs exnation, Sejong nodded his head. ording to his memory, those who had safely traveled to Aden with Oh Ha-seok were all assigned to the Challenger. They would gain experience in ocean navigation through the Challenger and then move on to be captains of the newlyunched ocean-going ships. In the end, Sejong had no choice but to take a step back. It is natural to be cautious as it is a matter upon which the future of our Joseon depends. However, we must prevent the dy of progress by putting in too much effort. I will keep that in mind! Hyang bowed his head and answered at Sejongs words. However, Hyang kept grumbling inwardly. Your Majesty! I am more urgent! Im saying we need to assemble the fleet as quickly as possible to send them to South America! *** Once the fleet is assembled, we must send it to South America under any pretext. Hyang muttered while examining the report recording the training situation and improvements of the Challenger. What we will bring from South America is not just gold or silver. There is something even more important. What we will bring from South America are potatoes, sweet potatoes, and rubber. No, even if we skip everything else, we absolutely need rubber. For Hyang, rubber was an item that he had to obtain at all costs. Hyang tapped the desk with his fingers and muttered. If we can just get rubber, we can warp this Joseon right away. *** The starting point for Hyangs desperate desire for rubber was the steam engine. Connecting the pipes through which high-temperature steam passed required copper gaskets. However, the steam engines currently being continuously improved in the research institute and Area 51 required copper gaskets for all parts that needed sealing, even if they were not exposed to heat. If its like this, the manufacturing cost will be too high, even if I dont know about the lifespan. It was not just a matter of the unit cost of steam engines. As more and more devices were being made, the need for rubber was increasing. The water hose attached to the water pump used by the Geumhwa-gun (Firearms Corps) to spray water towards the fire also needed rubber. The water hose made of thick and tough cotton cloth had a short lifespan, and its water discharge performance and pressure resistance were poor. If the pressure increased even slightly, the hose made of cotton cloth would burst first. As a result, the centrifugal pump mounted on the water pump could not be utilized to its 100% capacity. That was not all. Rubber was also needed for the housingplex for homeless officials, which hadpleted its design and only had thend purchase process remaining. The part where rubber would be used in the newly designed housing was the well pump. Hyang, who remembered the well pump installed in the kitchen sink in the Western movies he had seen in the 21st century, was agonizing over how to apply it. I remember the structure well, but the problem is the packing, as expected. The piston of the well pump, which was one of the few remaining in rural viges of Yangsan, had to have a packingponent made of rubber. Of course, it worked even when using a copper-made, hinge-type packing, but rubber had to be used for better performance. It could be somewhat substituted with wood, bamboo, or even paper, but there was the issue of decay. However, what made Hyang desperately want rubber was to create a device he considered most important along with the steam engine. If this ispleted, Joseon can develop not just by leaps but at warp speed! What Hyang was determined to make was a generator. *** In the 21st century, it was an era where survival itself would be a problem without electricity. Being so ustomed to the existence of electricity, Hyang absolutely could not give up on it. Its not like I dont know the structure of a generator During his high school days in the 21st century, Hyang had the experience of making a model steam lotive that actually moved by heating water and won a prize in apetition. Of course, Hyang did the overall system design and conceptualization, while his science-track ssmates did all the actual numerical calctions. At that time, it was mutually beneficial. Hyang, who was immersed in steampunk, was happy to indulge in his interests, and his science-track ssmates could acquire a card that would be advantageous when applying to university. Of course, Hyang had to receive both praise and scolding from his parents at the same time. Itsmendable that you won an award. But what will you use this award for as a humanities student! Although he was scolded like that, the following year, Hyang made and submitted a model of a generator connected to a steam engine. Therefore, Hyang had definite knowledge about generators. Thats why Hyangpleted the basic design of the generator as the steam engine was being made, but he had to stop there. The problem is the electric wire. The electric wire To be precise, it was the problem of the insting material to wrap the electric wire. Of course, electric wires could be made even without rubber. For simple instion, it would suffice to wrap the wire with paper or cloth soaked in oil. In fact, the wires inside the radio used by the Japanese military during World War II were wrapped in oil-soaked cloth. Hyang, who confirmed the relevant records through the inte, clicked his tongue. They had rubber-producing areas under their control, yet they made wires like this? No wonder they lost. Anyway, since there were relevant records, Hyang had thought of borrowing this method, but he soon abandoned the idea. It was because of the Great Fire of Hanseong, the devastation of which he had witnessed with his own eyes. Most of the houses have thatched roofs and are made of wood, and the wires are soaked in oil It will burst into mes. Hyang gave up on the idea of using oil-soaked cloth or paper as an instor. *** In addition, there were numerous devices whose performance would dramatically increase with the use of rubber, from water bottles to shoes. Hyang had thought of making synthetic rubber, but unfortunately, he did not know the process. Therefore, Hyang wanted the rapid deployment of the ocean-going fleet more than anyone else. Thats why, while soothing Sejongs impatience, Hyang was internallyining. If theres anyone here whos as anxious as me,e out and show yourself! *** Returning to his office, Hyang let out a long sigh. Phew~. For the ocean-going fleet to function properly, we need at least 15 ships. And thats just warships. Hyangs n was to operate the fleet by having 3 ships go to the Middle East, another 3 ships return from the Middle East, and another 3 ships rest and undergo maintenance. After allocating 9 ships in this way, out of the remaining 6 ships, 3 would be on standby as a reserve force, and the other 3 would be sent to the New World. This was Hyangs scenario. Fortunately, sending them up north and having theme down south is safer and can receive more reliable support than having them cross the Pacific Ocean unconditionally. Hyang spread out the world map he had made which was nothing more than a rough sketch, regardless of scale and checked his n. Starting from Wonsan, passing through Sakhalin, using the Kuril Inds as a signpost, passing through the Kamchatka Penins, crossing the Bering Sea from there to arrive in ska, and then going down along the west coast of North and South America will ensure maximum safety while moving. Of course, we have to be careful that the northern route bes inessible as soon as winteres Then, will the first forward base be the Kamchatka Penins? Or divostok? Its not Russian territory now, so what should we name /92/243492-050-0340B2AD/Locator-map-Kamchatka-Penins.jpg Looking at the map and fantasizing alone, Hyang suddenly realized the reality and burst intoughter. Hah! Its like a dream. Were currently struggling to secure wood to build ships, yet *** The state of Joseons forests during this period was not easy. Although coal was being supplied more and more, many trees were still being cut down for cooking and heating. Therefore, efforts were being made to protect the forests and restore the destroyed forests from the early days of the founding of the nation. However, trees do not grow rapidly, and the need for quality wood was not limited to shipbuilding, so the supply and demand of wood were not smooth. Therefore, even when building turtle ships, there was a saying, Every time a turtle ship is built, a forest disappears. Knowing this situation, Hyangughed in dismay. The conclusion is that we must secure the Siberian forest zone. Dense and strong wood is the best for building ships. Why do you think French ships of the line and American frigates were called ruffians? Recalling the movies and inte records he had seen in the 21st century, Hyang reaffirmed the need to secure the Siberian forest zone. The problem is that the stabilization of the pioneer areas in the northeast is not yetplete. Roads will be built and people will enter only when this area is stabilized Continuing to check the situation, Hyang let out a long sigh. Phew~. When will that ever happen Chapter 222 Chapter 222 Although he grumbled When will that ever happen~, Hyang and the Joseon Navy did their best to shorten that time. As soon as they confirmed the potential of the new warships, the Navy elerated the construction speed of the shipyard they were building in Wonsan. It was not just the construction speed they increased. They began full-scale preparations so that they could immediately start work as soon as the construction of the shipyard waspleted. Hyang and the Navy paid attention not only to the construction of the shipyard but also to the cultivation of sailors who would operate the new ships. We simply cannot train them with the existing warships or turtle ships. At Hyangs words, the officials of the Ministry of Military Affairs, starting with Jo Mal-saeng, and the Naval Commanders nodded their heads. I agree. However, the problem is that the only ship currently avable for training is the Challenger. I have something in mind. Hyang ced the paper scroll he had brought on the table and unfolded it. What is this? Its a training mock ship. To put it simply, its like cing a ship split in half onnd. Hmm At Hyangs exnation, the officials of the Ministry of Military Affairs and the Naval Commanders carefully examined the blueprint. After examining the blueprint for a while, the Naval Commanders were the first to express their opinions. I think it will be good. Although its training onnd, if we be familiar with the structure through this, we will be able to quickly adapt even when boarding an actual ship. I also think the same. When all the Naval Commanders agreed, Jo Mal-saeng opened his mouth. The problem is where to build it. If we think about the immediate situation, it would be good to set it up in Namyang, but if we think about the future, wouldnt Wonsan be better? At Jo Mal-saengs words, the Naval Commander of Jeo Province pointed out a problem. Thats right. However, there is the issue that the construction of the shipyard in Wonsan takes time not only for the construction of the drydock but also for the construction of auxiliary facilities. In response to the Jeo Commanders point, the Naval Commander of Gyeongsang Province raised an objection. But there is a budget problem if we build training facilities in both ces, isnt there? The Ministry of Taxation will not stay still. At the Gyeongsang Naval Commanders point, everyone, including Hyang and Jo Mal-saeng, nodded their heads. Thats the problem Currently, all the departments of the Joseon government especially the Ministry of Military Affairs, which only spent money and did not earn anything were busy being mindful of the Ministry of Taxation. So much so that there was a saying openly circting in the government circles, In Joseon, the one person below ten thousand[1] is not the Second State Councilor but the Minister of Taxation. Of course, every time he heard such rumors, Kim Jeom would shout angrily. Who the hell is the stupid bastard spouting such nonsense? Does anyone want to feed them poison? No, actually, have you ever seen a one-in-ten-thousand who suffers from overtime work every day? Have you? However, the authority of the Ministry of Taxation, which held and shook the budget, was mighty. Sometimes even Hyang had to be mindful of the Minister of Taxation. Your Majesty, about the budget When such words came out, Sejong would immediately look at Kim Jeom. Depending on Kim Jeoms expression, it was decided between Yes? Lets think about it. and Get out, you bastard! So even when rumors about the Ministry of Taxation and its Minister were heard, Hyang would just shrug his shoulders. Well, it cant be helped. Even in the 21st century, the flower of central government officials was the fiscal department. *** When Hyang was taking a major course at university, the professor in charge had said this: How powerful is the fiscal department? Shall I give an example? Even the Kwantung Army[2], which looked down on the Imperial General Headquarters. When the budget officer from the Ministry of the Army came, they even held a parade to wee him. Do you understand what this means? At the professors words, all the students taking the ss burst intoughter. The professor concluded with the following words at that time: Its no joke that time and budget rule the world. *** In the end, the choice of the construction site for the training facility was given to Hyang. After pondering for a moment, Hyang immediately reached a conclusion. Lets build it in Wonsan. After all, the only ce where the Challenger and other ocean-going ships can trainfortably and properly is the East Sea. Understood. There was no objection from the participants at Hyangs decision. Confirming that no one objected, Hyang turned to Jo Mal-saeng. Then, please report this to His Majesty as is. Yes. I will organize the document right away. Hyang, who always showed genius-level talent in delegating work. *** Confirming the contents submitted through the Ministry of Military Affairs, Sejong immediately approved it. Tell them to implement it right away. Your grace is immeasurable! As Jo Mal-saeng immediately bowed and answered, Kim Jeom stepped forward. Your Majesty, the budget going into the Ministry of Military Affairs is gradually increasing. At Kim Jeoms words, implicitly objecting, Sejong waved his hand. Of course, its a costly matter, but wouldnt it be cheaper than losing ships due to the mistakes of improperly trained sailors? Your words are absolutely correct! As Jo Mal-saeng answered in a loud voice, Kim Jeom had to shut his mouth. *** With Sejongs approval, facilities were quickly established in Wonsan. Once the facilities werepleted, Hyang and those involved headed to Wonsan to check the situation. They really split a ship in half and ced it up. Seeing thepleted facility, all the Navy officials uttered the same words. The facility built for the training of sailors waspleted in a form that looked like the bottom part of the hull of the new ship and one side of the hulls outer wall had beenpletely cut out. Seeing thepleted facility, Hyang muttered with a satisfied expression. Watching the making films of dramas or movies helps at times like this. As Hyang said, the training facility built in Wonsan was created by bringing in the concept of a set created to film the interior in movies or dramas. In the training ground, which was made to be able to see through like that, a space for instructors was created to match the height of the deck. The purpose was for the instructors to observe the movements of the sailors and conduct training from that space. After inspecting the facility, Hyang turned to those involved. Then lets start. Yes, Your Highness. At Hyangs order, the instructors put the sailors to be trained into the facility. Raise the anchor and hoist the sails! At the order of the instructor, who put a megaphone to his mouth, a shout was heard from all directions. Raise the anchor and hoist the sails! Raise the anchor and hoist the sails! The sailors who received the order ran to the parts they were in charge of. The sailors who headed to the bow clung to the handles of the capstan, which looked like arge wagon wheelid down. Turn it! Heave-ho! Heave-ho! As the sailors holding the handles turned the capstan in unison, pulling up the anchor, other sailors began eagerly turning the pulleys connected to the masts. Creak! Creak! As the sailors turned the pulleys, the yards holding the sails began to rise one by one along the masts. This was Hyangs experimental challenge. If it were a traditional galleon, the yards holding the sails would have been pulled up once when the ship was first built and then remained fixed to the masts. And to unfurl or furl the sails, the sailors would have to climb up the masts, hang on the yards, and unfurl or furl the sails. However, in Hyangs view, this seemed to be an extremely dangerous task. If the waves sway even a little, its perfect for bing disabled or dying. Therefore, Hyang applied the Oriental method to this sail part. It was to use pulleys to pull up the yards holding the sails onto the masts. Of course, the sails themselves were Western-style sails, but the operating method was apromise with the Oriental method. After fixing the yards to the masts like this, the method was to adjust the direction of the sails using pulleys and ropes. This was amon method in both the East and the West. Watching the actual sails being raised, Hyang muttered softly. Hanging the yards and unfurling the sails, or pulling up the yards with the sails attached. I dont know which one will be superior, but the next version will definitely be even more superior. The problem is Hyangs face became even more serious. Sailing ships require too much manpower. Hyang racked his brain desperately to reduce the number of sailors required for operation. That was the reason for actively using pulleys. However, to reduce the fatigue of the sailors, a somewhat ample number of crew members was necessary. And the number of sailors required by sailing ships was not small. As the anchor was raised and the sails were fully unfurled, the instructors checked the time. The instructors, who checked the time using the hourss made as the supply of ss became abundant, talked among themselves. It took 3 gak (about 45 minutes). It takes too long. The instructors were not satisfied with the 3 gak spent preparing to depart by unfurling 6 sails on 2 masts and pulling up the chain with a 20-gwan (about 75kg) anchor attached. It is reasonable to consider it slow because it is not yet properly familiar. Then lets take a look at the artillery battle. Yes! The instructors answered with a salute at the order of the trainingmander. Ding~. A littleter, a loud bell sound rang, and a shout erupted. Enemy ship spotted! Prepare for battle! Prepare for battle! Prepare for battle! With the shouts popping out from here and there again, the sailors moved busily. The sailors, who were wrestling with the pulleys and ropes on the 1st deck, scattered in an instant and began preparing for battle. The doors of the warehouse at the stern of the 1st deck opened, and small canister shots and gun shields were brought out and took their ces in the fixed gun mounts built on the deck. The gun captain shouted for each properly assembled gun. Preparationplete! Bring gunpowder and chain shot! While they were moving like that on the 1st deck, they were also busy moving on the 2nd deck. Open the powder magazine! As the door of the powder magazine, which was tightly closed for safety, opened, the waiting sailors received sacks containing propent gunpowder and ran to the artillery they belonged to. Meanwhile, sailors were also busy moving around the artillery pieces separated by bulkheads. The lids of the boxes containing the iron balls, which had been taken out in advance for immediate use, were opened, and the gun captains examined the condition of the artillery fuses. Other sailors, holding loading sticks to load gunpowder and iron balls into the artillery, waited for the gunpowder to arrive. Set the distance to maximum! At the order of the military officermanding the artillery, the gun captain turned the handle attached to the carriage to adjust the angle of the barrel. The gunpowder is here! As the soldier arrived carrying sacks of gunpowder in both hands, the gun captain grabbed a powder bag, poked it with a skewer, and handed it to the soldier in charge of loading. After the loading of gunpowder and the loading of shells werepleted, the sailors pulled the thick rope connecting the carriage and the ribs of the hull. As the rope was pulled, the carriage moved to the firing position and was fixed. Finally, the gun captain, who inserted the fuse into the firing mechanism and pulled thenyard, grabbed the cord connected to thenyard and shouted loudly. Ready! Fire! Fire! With the shouts, the gun captains pulled the cords. Boom boom! With a loud explosion, shells were fired from the artillery, and a littleter, columns of water rose in the distant East Sea. The instructor who counted the number of water columns with a monocr telescope reported to the trainingmander. All fired without any problems. Really? The time? Just under half a gak. At the report of the instructor who checked the hourss, the trainingmander let out a small sigh. Phew~. At least the battle preparation was fast. We have a long way to go. The trainingmander, who made the evaluation, turned around. On the seat located in the back, Hyang and other high-ranking gentlemen would be making an evaluation. I hope they look at it favorably Themander was already worried about the fastidiousness the high-ranking people might show.
  1. , holding a lofty position or wield real power[]
  2. Imperial Japanese Army from 1919 to 1945[]
Chapter 223 Chapter 223 Contrary to the concerns of the trainingmander, the high-ranking officials, including the navalmanders, gave a rather favorable evaluation. Overall, the effect seems to be good, remarked Jo Mal-saeng, and the other navalmanders nodded in agreement. Indeed, I believe it would be beneficial for the Turtle Ships to create simr facilities and use them for training as well. I concur. Unlike onnd where there is no rocking, even a slight breeze can cause the sea to sway. However, if the trainees know beforehand how to move, they only need to get ustomed to the rocking. This is especially advantageous as it allows us to weed out those who cannot properly grasp the rhythm of the sea from the beginning. Precisely. Grasping the rhythm of the sea is crucial. We cannot afford to have an unlimited number of people on board. The navalmanders became more vocal in advocating for the extensive use of the training facilities. As the officials from the Ministry of Military Affairs and high-ranking military officers were discussing their opinions, they turned to Hyang. What are your thoughts on this matter, Your Highness? Upon being asked, Hyang replied with an awkward expression, As you all have given a positive evaluation, I have nothing further to add. I am simply satisfied that it proves to be effective in nurturing a strong navy. With everyone present giving their approval, a report documenting the results was submitted to King Sejong. After reviewing the report, King Sejong fixed his gaze on his ministers, particrly Kim Jeom, and spoke. The report states that the training facilities are highly effective in cultivating the crew members who operate the ships and suggests implementing a simr process for the Turtle Ships. I believe this is an excellent proposal. What are your thoughts? At King Sejongs words, Kim Jeom began to calcte the potential gains and losses. It will undoubtedly require financial investment. However, building the facilities onnd makes maintenance easier. Moreover, considering the potential losses that may ur if inexperienced crew members were to venture out to sea immediatelynot only in terms of human lives but also the ships themselves After carefully weighing the pros and cons, Kim Jeom promptly bowed his head and replied, It is true that constructing the facilities desired by the navy will incur considerable costs. However, if we can cultivate skilled crew members through this, it will ultimately reduce losses in the long run. In the grand scheme of things, I believe it will prove to be profitable. Does the Minister of Taxation agree with this? Yes, Your Majesty. Upon hearing Kim Jeoms answer, King Sejong looked around at the other ministers. As the Minister of Taxation, who held the purse strings of the court, had given his approval, no other ministers opposed the idea. After confirming the reactions of his ministers, King Sejong asked once more, Do the other ministers also agree? Yes, Your Majesty. With a clear confirmation, King Sejong made his decision. Then, ept the navys request and proceed with the construction of the training facilities. We shall obey yourmand! The court historian who recorded all of this added the following: When the King inquired, the ministers unanimously agreed, and thus, the King ordered for the navys request to be carried out as proposed. The historian remarks: It is surprising that the Minister of Taxation, who usually opposes any expenditure, has given his approval. Perhaps he has been consuming too much medicinal tonics. *** Meanwhile, the Challenger was engaged in realbat training in the East Sea. Unlike the West Sea or the South Sea, the East Sea was an optimal training ground for ships like the Challenger. As the Challenger roamed the East Sea at every opportunity, the shouts of its captain, Oh Ha-seok, resounded throughout the ship. You scoundrels! Move faster! Lets finish quickly and return early! Is this your first time on a ship? Get your act together! Each time Oh Ha-seoks reprimands echoed, the crew members responded like startled rabbits. We apologize, sir! Captain! Yes, Captain! Move swiftly! Yes, si Captain! As the crew members scurried away with their responses, Oh Ha-seok let out a long sigh. Phew To think these fellows will be in charge of the second ship The tasks currently assigned to the Challenger were numerous. As a result, most of the crew members currently operating the Challengerfrom the military officers to the sailorswere not the original crew but those who would be manning the second ship. Oh Ha-seok served as both the captain of the Challenger and the instructor tasked with training these individuals. Given the immense responsibility, Oh Ha-seoks nerves were on edge. You scoundrels! Move properly! Is this how you call yourselves the navy of Joseon? Dissatisfied with the movements of the crew, Oh Ha-seok raised his voice once more. You scoundrels! At this rate, Ill retire before we even reach Aden! Well? Can you see your feet? *** One day, as Oh Ha-seok was berating the crew while the Challenger was traversing the East Sea, the lookout at the top of the mast frantically rang the bell. Ding! Ding! Ding! Startled by the sudden ringing, Oh Ha-seok, who wasmanding the ship, ran to the base of the mast and shouted through a megaphone. Lookout! Whats the matter? Japanese ships on the starboard side! Starboard? Upon hearing the lookouts response, Oh Ha-seok dashed to the stern deck. Reaching the highest point of the stern, Oh Ha-seok took out his spyss and scanned the sea. Noticing several ships in the distance, Oh Ha-seok observed them more closely. Definitely Japanese ships. Judging by their size, they appear to be fishing boats. After examining the Japanese ships that looked tiny even through the spyss, Oh Ha-seok issued an order. Helmsman! Starboard full rudder! Aye! Starboard full rudder! As the helmsman responded, the Challenger began to tilt diagonally, turning its bow. Drummer! Beat the drum! Were engaging inbat! Aye! At Oh Ha-seoksmand, the drummer began striking therge drum. Boom! Boom! Boom! As the drumbeat resounded at regr intervals, the voices of the crew members erupted from all directions. Battle stations! Battle stations! Simultaneously with the cry of battle stations, the crew members moved swiftly. Observing their movements, Oh Ha-seok shook his head slightly. At least theyre quick in preparing for battle Despite his constant grumbling, Oh Ha-seok gave his all inmanding the ship. Unfurl all the sails! Advance at maximum speed! Aye! Hoist the sails! With all six sails unfurled, the Challenger began to increase its speed, heading towards the faintly visible Japanese ships in the distance. *** Old man! A ship is approaching! A ship? What ship? Ooshiro, who was joyfully directing the fishing expedition after a long-awaited bountiful catch, lifted his head at the young fishermans shout. Where? To the north! The north? Did you say the north? At the young fishermans response, Ooshiro raised his hand to shield his eyes from the sun and scanned the northern horizon. Theres nothing Just as Ooshiro was about to say, Theres nothing, he couldnt finish his sentence. A massive ship with gray-dyed sails was rapidly charging towards them. Where did such a shipe from? Old man! What should we do? Ooshiro, who had been staring at the rapidly approaching ship with bewildered eyes, came to his senses at the young fishermans cry. Throw away thes! Then hoist the sails! Were fleeing! And row with all your might! At Ooshiros shout, the fishermen on board threw thes they had been holding into the sea and immediately prepared to escape. The fishermen unfurled the folded sails and began rowing with all their strength. The fishing boat carrying Ooshiro and the other boats desperately attempted to flee, but the gray warship in question drew closer at an increasingly rapid pace. What kind of ship has such speed? As the gray warship approached, Ooshiro turned pale. Therge ship, with its sails that appearedrger than the sails on Ooshiros boatand there were six of themcontinued to advance swiftly. As the distance rapidly closed, allowing Ooshiro to discern the individuals on the problematic ship, he eximed in dismay. Damn it! Its the Joseon military! Ooshiro, who had experience raiding Goryeoor more precisely, the newly established Joseonin his youth, recognized the military banners and the sight of soldiers wielding swords. If it was the Joseon military, they would undoubtedly possess firearms, and given the size of the ship, the number of firearms would be substantial. The nightmare of the past resurfaced in Ooshiros mind. Although Ooshiro was unaware, the battle that had given him nightmares was none other than the First Tsushima Ind Conquest that took ce in the fifth year of Taejos reign (1396). Gritting his teeth, Ooshiro shouted, Damn it! If were caught, its a death sentence! Flee with all your might! There are a total of four Japanese ships! Hmm Oh Ha-seok assessed the situation. The Japanese ships desperately fleeing ahead were undoubtedly fishing boats, judging by their size. Firing cannons at such small boats would be akin to wasting gunpowder. However,unching small boats to pursue them was also impractical. In times like these the Joseon Matchlock is the best! Gather the musketeers on the deck! Prepare only the grapeshot cannons! Aye! Captain! Following Oh Ha-seoks orders, the musketeers assembled on the deck, and the cannons were loaded with grapeshot. Oh Ha-seok thenmanded the helmsman. Overtake them and block their path! Aye, Captain! The pursuit ended with the Challenger overtaking the fleeing fishing boats and blocking their escape route. Is there anyone who can speak Japanese? At Oh Ha-seoks question, one of the crew members raised his hand. I can speak a few simple phrases. Thatll do. Tell those wretches to stop immediately. Yes. Taking the megaphone, the crew member shouted towards the fleeing fishing boats. (Tomare, Stop)! ! Despite the crew members throat-rending shouts through the megaphone, the fishing boats continued their attempt to escape. Observing their actions, Oh Ha-seok shook his head and grumbled. These fellows never listen to words Gunnery Officer! Aye, Captain! Fire the starboard cannons! Tell them to block the path of those fishing boats! Aye, Captain! Upon receiving Oh Ha-seoks order, the Gunnery Officer stood at the entrance leading to the second deck and shouted through the megaphone. Starboard cannons, fire! Dont sink them, just give them a scare! Boom! Boom! Boom! Shortly after the Gunnery Officersmand, the 25 cannons positioned on the starboard side of the second deck fired in unison. Momentster, huge columns of water erupted in front of the fleeing fishing boats. What? Huh? The Joseon naval forcesfrom Oh Ha-seok to the lowest-ranking sailorswere astounded by the sight. The fishing boats caught in the water columns created by the cannon fire hadpletely capsized. What kind of boats No matter how small, this is Are they made of paper? The Joseon navy had not yet realized the formidable performance of the cannons improved by Hyang. It was only natural, as it was the first time they had been used in actualbat. During the previous training exercises, they had not fully grasped the cannons true power. *** Witnessing the iling fishermen who had been flung into the sea, Oh Ha-seok promptly issued an order. Lower the small boats and rescue them. Dont forget to have the musketeers apany you. Aye, Captain. If they resist, shoot them on sight. Aye, Captain. Following Oh Ha-seoksmand, two small boats carried by the Challenger were lowered into the sea. Each small boat, carrying a squad of five musketeers, headed towards the capsized fishing boats. After making two more round trips, the surviving Japanese fishermen were brought aboard the Challenger. Oh my Tsk! Oh Ha-seok clicked his tongue upon seeing the fishermen kneeling on the deck. The fishermen were in a state of shock due to the impact of the cannon fire. Theyre in no condition for a proper interrogation, and we dont have an interpreter After assessing the situation, Oh Ha-seok ordered the helmsman. Set course for home! Aye, Captain! Tie up these wretches and lock them in the hold! And keep a strict watch over them! Aye, Captain! At Oh Ha-seoksmand, the fishermen were escorted to the hold under the surveince of the crew members. As the bow turned towards Wonsan, Oh Ha-seok pressed his fingers against his brow. Im dreading the report Ill have to write Chapter 224 Chapter 224 When the news of the captured Japanese fishermen from the Challenger and the report written by Oh Ha-seok reached Hanseong, the court was put on high alert. As a result, even Hyang had to attend the meeting. Seated in Geunjeongjeon, King Sejong issued an order to Jo Mal-saeng. The Ministry of Military Affairs shall exin to the ministers the report sent by Oh Ha-seok and the findings of the investigation thus far. Yes, Your Majesty. At King Sejongsmand, Jo Mal-saeng gestured to an official standing behind him. The Chief of the Ministry of Military Affairs, who stepped forward, bowed respectfully to King Sejong and then turned to the ministers, offering a slight bow. After paying his respects, the Chief of the Ministry of Military Affairs exined the situation. During the capture attempt by the Challenger, a total of 14 Japanese fishermen were taken prisoner. At the time of capture and upon arrival in Wonsan, they were not in their right minds, but after about three days, they regained their senses, and we proceeded with the interrogation. ording to the interrogation, these fishermen are from the Oki Inds of Japan. Where are the Oki Inds located? In response to King Sejongs question, the official promptly answered. It is a group of Japanese inds located approximately 400 ri (about 160 km) southeast of Usando (Dokdo). (Note 1) Upon hearing the officials answer, King Sejong tapped his armrest with his finger and muttered. 400 ri Thats quite far. Then, who governs the Oki Inds? The Kygoku n[1]. Hmm King Sejong fell into thought, making a humming sound at the officials answer. As King Sejong remained silent, the Minister of Rites took the opportunity to ask a question. What is the size of the fishing boats? ording to Oh Ha-seoks report, thergest boat is about the size of a medium-sized ship. How many people can fit on a boat of that size? Based on our naval organization, 30 men. (Note 2) Then, how many fishing boats did the Challenger sink? Four boats. The officials answer filled Geunjeongjeon with the murmurs of the officials. Even with a simple calction, thats 120 people Usando is right next to Mureungdo (Ulleungdo). And Mureungdo is just a stones throw away from Gangwon Province. This is not a matter to be taken lightly. For many of the ministers gathered in Geunjeongjeon, the Japanese pirates were not unfamiliar. Amidst themotion, Chief State Councillor Lee Jik spoke up. The Ministry of Military Affairs used the term capture instead of sink. And the number of Japanese brought in is a mere 14. A simple calction suggests that only one-tenth survived. Something doesnt add up. Lets hear a more detailed exnation. At Lee Jiks words, the murmuring subsided, and the Chief of the Ministry of Military Affairs was able to continue his exnation. To be precise, among the boats the Japanese arrived in, only one was asrge as a medium-sized ship. The remaining three were about the size of a fast boat. ording to the fishermens statements, a total of 32 men were together, and 14 of them were captured. Upon hearing the officials words, those who had been anxious just moments ago showed signs of relief. However, they simultaneously had the same thought. You should have said that from the beginning! As they were grumbling, King Sejong spoke. Then, did Oh Ha-seok attack not Japanese pirates but mere fishermen? At King Sejongs remark, the faces of those who had shown relief turned grave. On behalf of them, the Minister of Rites opened his mouth. This must be rified! If they attacked unarmed fishermen, it will be problematic! Those cunning Japanese will use this against us to cause trouble! If necessary, we must behead Oh Ha-seok! Minister of Rites! Lets not get ahead of ourselves! The exnation isnt over yet! The Minister of Rites, who had even mentioned Oh Ha-seoks execution, closed his mouth at Jo Mal-saengs words. The Minister of Military Affairs is right. It is proper to listen to the report without prejudging. Continue the exnation. Yes, Your Majesty. The Chief bowed slightly and cleared his throat before continuing. First of all, they were indeed fishermen, but they were not unarmed. Bring it here. At the Chiefs order, two officials waiting in the back came forward, carrying a small table. On the table covered with a white clothy three Japanese swords (wato) with their sheaths. ording to Oh Ha-seoks report, after the rescue of the fishermen waspleted, as a precaution, crew members skilled in diving were selected to investigate the capsized fishing boats. During this process, these Japanese swords were found in the cabin of thergest fishing boat. There were Japanese swords on a fishing boat? Yes. Hmm At the officials answer, King Sejongs face hardened. Seeing this, Jo Mal-saeng stepped forward. Considering the past behavior of the Japanese pirates, it is understandable. Most of the boats used by the Japanese pirates who have targeted ournd have been simr in size to medium-sized ships. Moreover, a boat is not something that just anyone can operate. In other words, it is reasonable to view those Japanese fishermen as Japanese pirates ready to take up arms and engage in plundering at any moment. That seems to be the case. King Sejong, the ministers, and Hyang nodded at Jo Mal-saengs exnation. Even in the 21st century, operating a boat, especially venturing out to distant seas, was a task only qualified individuals could undertake. This held true even in the 21st century, where boats were equipped with all sorts of advanced devices, starting with GPS. As Hyang nodded in agreement, he asked Jo Mal-saeng. In that case, there is only one issue to verify. Where were those Japanese ships located? In ce of Jo Mal-saeng, the Chief answered Hyangs question. ording to the report, they were 30 ri (about 12 km) southeast of Usando. Upon hearing the Chiefs answer, King Sejong called for the Minister of Rites. Minister of Rites, in this matter, it is not Japan who should question us, but we who should question Japan. That is correct, Your Majesty. Lets discuss this part in a moment. For now, lets hear more of the exnation. Ive read the report, but theres something I dont understand. It says that with mere warning shots, the boats capsized and broke apart? Is that possible? It is possible, Your Majesty. Oh? ording to Oh Ha-seoks report, he ordered the cannon fire tond as close as possible to the Japanese fishing boats without directly hitting them. With the 25 eul-ss general cannons mounted on the Challenger, it is entirely possible. Hmm Even if we ept that they capsized, what is the reason for them breaking apart? At King Sejongs question, Hyang stepped forward. I will exin that part, Your Majesty. Go ahead. To research the construction of new ships, I procured and examined boats from Ming and Japan. I remember. I saw them being disassembled in Namyang. Yes. During this process, I learned about the characteristics of Japanese ships. Unlike our ships, the nks that make up the hull are extremely thin. Moreover, the crossbeams and bulkheads supporting the hull are subpar. Therefore, even impacts that our Turtle Ships and new warships can easily withstand can have a devastating effect on Japanese ships. However, their speed is something our Turtle Ships cannot match. They chose speed over durability? That is correct. King Sejong, who had been nodding at Hyangs answer, looked at Hyang with surprised eyes. You said the Japanese sacrificed durability for speed. And our navys main ships, the Turtle Ships, sacrificed speed for durability. However, the new warships are fast enough to not only catch up to fleeing Japanese ships but even overtake them, and they are sturdier than the Turtle Ships. What on earth have you created? As Hyang was about to answer King Sejongs question, Kim Jeom unconsciously muttered. A budget-devouring monster Gasp! Kim Jeom covered his mouth in surprise, but it was toote. In the end, Hyang had no choice but to answer with a bitter smile. As the Minister of Taxation said, I have created an expensive one. There was a reason for Kim Jeoms remark. The size of the new warships was slightly more than twice that of the Turtle Ships. However, considering only the construction costs, it was enough to generously build five Turtle Ships. Of course, a significant portion of the cost was not purely from construction but from the losses incurred in processing the timber to fit the ships design. In addition, the cost of manufacturing therge-scale equipment required for the construction process was not insignificant. Therefore, as the craftsmen gain experience and reduce trial and error, and since therge-scale equipment is alreadypleted, we can significantly reduce the budget. Are you certain? Yes. Probably. Although Hyang answered, his gaze was directed elsewhere. King Sejong, who had been looking at Hyang with narrowed eyes, cleared his throat and changed the subject. Ahem! Well For the sake of protecting the nations borders, we must endure the necessary expenditures. I have heard the report from the Ministry of Military Affairs well. Reward the captain of the Challenger, Oh Ha-seok, and the crew members ording to their ranks. They have done deeds worthy ofmendation. We shall obey yourmand! Jo Mal-saengs face was filled with joy as he answered in a loud voice. In the past, before the Gyeongjang, he would have been reprimanded for causing unnecessary disturbances. However, as the reform progressed, Joseons economy grew, and trade with external forces expanded, Joseon was bing increasingly proactive, active, and aggressive. *** Now, lets discuss what our Joseon should do. At King Sejongs words, the Minister of Rites immediately stepped forward. We must strongly protest to the Japanese kingthe shogun of the Muromachi bakufu[2], whom Joseon referred to as the king of Japan at the time (Note 3)while returning the captured fishermen. That goes without saying. Im talking about the defense of the East Sea. At King Sejongs words, Jo Mal-saeng promptly replied. We must station troops on Mureungdo. Additionally, to make it clear that it is the territory of our Joseon, we should have people live on Mureungdo and erect a monument on Usando. At Jo Mal-saengs words, Maeng Sa-seong asked with wide eyes. The residents of Mureungdo? Are you suggesting abolishing the repatriation policy? That is correct. Oh my~. The ministers showed troubled expressions at Jo Mal-saengs statement. *** In the third year of King Taejongs reign (1404), Taejong decided to summon the residents of Mureungdo to the maind. At that time, many people had fled to Mureungdo to avoid military service. As the number of residents increased, there was a high probability that Japanese pirates targeting them would also target Gangwon Province. However, Ulleungdo was too far to station soldiers. In such a situation, Taejong created a policy to repatriate the residents of Mureungdo to the maind. However, due to various circumstances, this policy could not be implemented immediately. Then, in the sixth year of King Taejongs reign (1407), an incident urred. So Sadashige, the protector (shugo) of Tsushima Ind, sent an envoy. The envoy conveyed the following message: I wish to live on Mureungdo together with the residents of Tsushima Ind! Upon receiving this proposal, Taejong discussed it with his ministers. If we allow this, wont it create an opportunity for the king of Japan to use me of harboring rebels? In response to Taejongs concern, Nam Jae immediately replied. When the Japanese rebel, they always follow someone else. This happens all the time, so they cannot prevent it. Who would dare to devise such a scheme? Despite Nam Jaes answer, Taejong shook his head. Even if it is amon urrence within Japan, crossing the border is different. They will surely say something about it. Worried about the issue escting into an international problem, Taejong rejected So Sadashiges proposal. And as time passed, in the 19th year of King Taejongs reign (1416), the repatriation policy was actually implemented. (Note 4) *** Now, 14 yearster, Jo Mal-saeng proposed the abolition of the repatriation policy. ording to the books from the West, territorial rights can only be imed if there are people. In hindsight, isnt this a matter of course? In response to Maeng Sa-seongs point, Jo Mal-saeng promptly replied. The Japanese would deny it. They are that kind of people. At Jo Mal-saengs answer, Hyang unconsciously nodded. Correct! *** Note 1) The basis for referring to Usando as Dokdo is referenced from this material: The Truth of Dokdo. Sejong University Dokdo Research /wp-content/uploads/2015/04/%EB%8F%85%EB%8F%84%EC%9D%98-%EC%A7%84%EC%8B%A4-1_%EC%9A%B0%EC%82%B0%EA%B5%AD%EA%B3%BC-%EC%9A%B0%EC%82%B0%EB%8F%84.pdf Note 2) Korea Creative Content Agency. /content/contentView.do?search_div=CP_THE&search_div_id=CP_THE010&cp_code=cp0232&index_id=cp02320048&content_id=cp023200480001&search_left_menu=2 Note 3) As the shogun established a tributary rtionship with Ming, he gained the title of King of Japan. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_of_Japan Note 4) Sejong University Dokdo Research /wp-content/uploads/2015/04/%EB%8F%85%EB%8F%84%EC%9D%98-%EC%A7%84%EC%8B%A4-2_%EC%A1%B0%EC%84%A0%EC%9D%98-%EC%9A%B8%EB%A6%89%EB%8F%84-%EC%87%84%ED%99%98%EC%A0%95%EC%B1%85.pdf
  1. The Kygoku n (, Kygoku-shi) were a Japanese daimy n which rose to prominence during the Sengoku and Edo periods. The n descend from the Uda Genji through the Sasaki n. The name derives from the Kygoku quarter of Kyoto during the Heian period. The Kygoku acted as shugo (governors) of mi, Hida, Izumo and Oki Provinces in the period before the nin War.[]
  2. Bakufu were governments which ruled Japan from 1185 until 1868. Also called shogunate, a bakufu was technically limited in authority to the feudal overlords domains and the men who owed close allegiance to him.[]
Chapter 225 Chapter 225 The court engaged in a heated debate over the issue of having people reside on Mureungdo (Ulleungdo). Overturning the policy implemented by the previous king after much consideration is an act of unfilial piety! Causing His Majesty tomit an unfilial act is an act of disloyalty! Some opposed, arguing that reversing the policy implemented by King Taejong was a disloyal act, but a rebuttal immediately emerged. The reason the previous king implemented the repatriation policy was for the national interest of Joseon! As time has passed and circumstances have changed, it is natural to change the policy! As they were losing ground in the justification argument, the opposition brought up another reason to continue their opposition. If people are allowed to reside on Mureungdo, soldiers must also be stationed there for defense! Its an unnecessary expense! Its not an unnecessary expense! Its for national defense! We must consider the finances! As the opposition mentioned finances, King Sejong stared silently at Kim Jeom. Receiving the unspoken question, Kim Jeom gave an unexpected answer. As for the finances If we dont wage a war to conquer all of Japan right now, and if we dont try to do everything at once on Mureungdo, we can manage it. Are you certain? At King Sejongs question, Kim Jeom answered firmly. Our Joseon, although still in progress, has grown significantly. With Kim Jeoms answer, King Sejong made a decision. Establish a naval garrison on Mureungdo. Once the garrison is properly established, relocate the residents there. At King Sejongs determination, the ministers all bowed and replied in unison. We shall obey yourmand! With King Sejongs decision made, the next steps proceeded swiftly. Is it the aftermath of the purge still lingering? Or has the constitution changed through the Gyeongjang Reforms? While Hyang was observing the ministers with a newfound perspective, the ministers were diligently coordinating the situation. Is there a ce to build a port on Mureungdo? At Lee Jiks question, Jo Mal-saeng unfolded a map and answered. Before the repatriation order was implemented, a pacificationmissioner was dispatched. This is the map created by those who apanied him at that time. After providing a brief exnation about the map, Jo Mal-saeng pointed to the eastern part of the ind and spoke. The most suitable area is this small bay on the east side. There is an evenrger bay to the south, but it is directly adjacent to a mountain slope, making it difficult to construct a garrison. Moreover, the entire bay is directly exposed to the open sea, so when high waves surge in due to storms, it is impossible to stop them. The ministers nodded at Jo Mal-saengs exnation. While nodding, Maeng Sa-seong pointed out the next issue. It seems like a suitable location. Then, what type of warship do you think would be best to station there? The Turtle Ship again? As Maeng Sa-seong mentioned the Turtle Ship, Jo Mal-saeng shook his head. The Turtle Ship wont do. The Turtle Ship cannot catch up with the Japanese ships. Furthermore, while the Turtle Ships hull design is superior in ind seas like the West Sea or the South Sea, it bes unstable when venturing into the open sea. Then what about medium-sized ships orrge-medium ships? They are also not suitable for the open sea. Moreover, they cannot carry sufficient cannons. Then what kind of warship Surely not the new warship? When Maeng Sa-seong mentioned the new warship, Kim Jeoms face contorted. As if understanding Kim Jeoms feelings, Jo Mal-saeng shook his head. The new warship is too excessive. Jo Mal-saeng, who also rejected the new warship, bowed to King Sejong and spoke. Your Majesty, may I ask the Crown Prince? I permit it. With King Sejongs permission, Jo Mal-saeng asked Hyang. How long would it take to design and create a warship with a hull shape simr to the new warship but slightly smaller in size? At Jo Mal-saengs question, Hyang promptly replied. Please provide specific criteria. How many cannons should it carry, what should be the overall size, and how long should it be able to stay at sea once it sets sail, and so on. At Hyangs request, Jo Mal-saeng stepped back and began discussing with the officials from the Ministry of Military Affairs and the naval officers from the General Staff Headquarters. Although their voices rose a few times, Jo Mal-saeng quickly coordinated their opinions and returned to answer Hyang. For the cannons, around 10 eul-ss general cannons and 20 grapeshot cannons. Also, since the main mission is to patrol the vicinity of Mureungdo and Usando, the food and water supply should be sufficient for a maximum of 3 to 5 days. However, the more cannon shells and gunpowder it can carry, the better. How many ships do you need? A minimum of 6 ships. They will operate in pairs, rotating between patrolling, standby, and maintenance. Hmm Give me a moment. While Hyang was calcting in his head, King Sejong intervened. Isnt 10 general cannons too few? Wouldnt it be better to increase it a bit more? King Sejong, who was deeply enchanted by the cannons, felt uneasy about the small number of cannons. However, Jo Mal-saeng rejected King Sejongs request. Considering the performance of the Japanese ships, around 10 cannons should be sufficient. Still Thebination of eul-ss general cannons, grapeshot cannons, and arquebuses will be more than enough to deal with the Japanese pirates. Is that so? Hmm I will trust your words. While King Sejong was hiding his regret, Hyang was enthusiastically engaging in his hobby. Considering the number of cannons and the duration of operations, a two-deck ship is unnecessary. Then a clipper? A sloop? A clipper would be better for speed, so a mini-clipper? Yes! Lets go with a clipper! Having finished his mental indulgence and reached a conclusion, Hyang answered Jo Mal-saeng. It will take about four months for the design, model testing, and construction of a prototype ship. If the performance is satisfactory, we can build 6 ships within 2 years. Isnt that too much time? There are quite a few new warships currently on standby. Ah If thats the case So youre saying we can receive 3 ships within a year? One year and four months. At Hyangs answer, Jo Mal-saeng nodded. Thats eptable. Its a bit regrettable, but if the desired performance is achieved, 3 ships should be sufficient for the time being. Wait a moment! Just then, Kim Jeom intervened. Building the new warships already requires a significant budget, and now you want to develop another new ship? Lets just use the Turtle Ships. Turtle Ships! Or just use the new warships! At Kim Jeoms words, Hyang promptly replied. Since its smaller than the Challenger-ss, it wont require as much budget. Still Isnt it a waste to create a new ship just to build 6 of them? Kim Jeoms point was valid. While Jo Mal-saeng, backed into a corner, was contemting an answer, one of the officers who had been discussing in the back approached Jo Mal-saeng and whispered in his ear. Huh? Hmm I see Yes Thats right. Jo Mal-saeng, who had been nodding while listening to the officers words, looked at Kim Jeom with a bright face. It may not end with just 6 ships. What kind of novel idea is that Gasp! While ncing at Kim Jeom, who was blocking his unfiltered words, Jo Mal-saeng bowed to King Sejong and spoke. Your Majesty, if the performance of the newly designed warship proves to be satisfactory, Japan will not be able to venture out to sea as they please! Exin in detail. Yes, Your Majesty. At King Sejongsmand, Jo Mal-saeng gestured to the officer standing behind him. The officer who came forward at Jo Mal-saengs gesture saluted King Sejong. Loyalty! I am Son I-seop, a navalmander (manho, rank 4)! Very well. Provide your exnation. At King Sejongs order, Son I-seop gestured to his colleagues. Shortly after, arge map was ced on a scroll stand. This map depicts our Joseon, Japan, and Ming. Son I-seop pointed to Japan with a pointer and began his exnation. These three inds here are Japan. ording to the Japanese merchants who frequent the Japanese settlement, there is arge ind in the north, but it is not yet Japanese territory. At Son I-seops exnation, Hyang muttered to himself. Hokkaido is not yet Japanese territory? We should quickly seize it. During this period, Hokkaido was a foreignnd even to Japan. Hokkaido became part of Japans territory during the Sengoku period. However, it was only recognized as a proper part of Japans territory after the Meiji Restoration. While Hyang was having such thoughts, Son I-seop continued his exnation. As you can see on the map, the merchant ships of the Muslimsing for trade turn their bows northward near Jeju Ind ande up. And the trade route with Japan starts from Dongnae and goes to either Tsushima or Kyushu. Thats right. King Sejong nodded at Son I-seops exnation. Son I-seop pointed to Jeju Ind with the pointer and continued his exnation. If the ships currently being developed are stationed on Jeju Ind, we can ensure the safety of the maritime trade routes. Oh? Furthermore Son I-seop paused for a moment and pointed to Tsushima and Kyushu with the pointer. If we incorporate Tsushima and Kyushu here into our Joseons sphere of influence, the Japanese pirates will not easily look down on our Joseon. Thats true. Indeed, it is. King Sejong and the ministers nodded at Son I-seops exnation. Son I-seop continued to point to Mureungdo and drew an imaginary straight line to the northeast. The previously developed eastern advancement strategy is not only important fornd routes but also for sea routes. If we secure Wonsan, Mureungdo, and the inds that may exist in the north and establish naval bases, the sea east of Ming will fall into our Joseons hands. If that happens, our Joseon will need the Challenger-ss ships and the newly developed ships more than the Turtle Ships. Wouldnt that endanger the coastal defense? As Chief State Councillor Lee Jik, who had been listening to the conversation, pointed out, Son I-seop promptly replied. We can change the navys warship operation strategy from passive defense to active defense. Active defense? Instead of waiting for them toe, we go out first and strike them. To make this possible, fast and powerful ships are the best. Hmm After contemting for a moment, King Sejong turned to Hyang. What do you think? At King Sejongs question, Hyang immediately replied. The issue with the shipyards can be resolved by expanding the shipyard in Wonsan and hiring more personnel. However, the biggest problem is the supply of timber. If we only obtain timber from Joseon, all the mountains in Joseon will be bare. Unlike inter periods, Joseon during this time did notck forest resources. However, there was fiercepetition to obtain the straight and tall timber used for constructing warships. This was because the timber with straight and solid wood grain was not only used for warships but also for construction. Moreover, trees did not grow quickly. The trees used for warship or construction materials were at least 10 to 20 years old. That meant if they recklessly engaged in deforestation without any consideration, they would find themselves in a situation where they couldnt do anything due to theck of trees. Having pointed out this problem, Hyang immediately continued. I think we should start exploring the area east of the Tumen River starting this year. If we can find the forest area that I have only seen in books, we can immediately solve the timber problem. Thats the only answer. I should send an order to Hwang Hee. If the timber issue is resolved, does that solve everything? At King Sejongs question, Hyang looked at Kim Jeom and answered. It solves 90% of the problem. Building warships inrge quantities means that the craftsmen will continue to work. The more work there is, the more skilled the craftsmen will be, which means we can reduce unnecessary budget waste. I see. What does the Minister of Taxation think? At King Sejongs question, Kim Jeom answered with a resigned expression. If Joseonsmerce and industry can continue to grow in size as they are now, you will achieve your goal. I will trust only you. I will do my utmost until I die. As Kim Jeom waved the white g, King Sejong reached a conclusion. Proceed ording to the Ministry of Military Affairs n. If we can block the foreign enemies threatening Joseon at sea, we can prevent our territory from being harmed, so how could it not be a good thing? Despite making the decision, King Sejong did not forget to give a word of caution. However! If you cannot control your greed and overdo it, the people will suffer, and the Gyeongjang Reforms will fail, so you must keep this in mind and act ordingly. At King Sejongs admonition, the ministers replied in unison. We will keep it in mind and carry it out! The court historian who recorded all these events added the following: The historianments: It is natural to strive to protect the royal ancestral shrines and the peoples well-being and to devote efforts to defense. However, as His Majesty said, it is something that should be avoided if other areas are harmed for the sake of defense. For the time being, I should not even go near the Ministry of Taxation. The Minister of Military Affairs seems likely to serve for a long time. Chapter 226 Chapter 226 With the decision made to develop and mass-produce new warships different from the Challenger ss, King Sejong brought up another agenda item. Earlier, the Ministry of Military Affairs stated that we should incorporate Kyushu Ind into the sphere of influence of our Joseon. Is this a substantive annexation or something else? At King Sejongs question, Jo Mal-saeng stepped forward. I believe that a substantive annexation would be a poor move. Although the Ouchi n, who rules northern Kyushu, and the Kyushu Provincial Governor, who governs other regions of Kyushu, have friendly rtions with our Joseon, they are also powerful ns of Japan. If we proceed with a substantive annexation, we will either have to engage in armed conflict with them or guarantee their vested interests. The costs may outweigh the benefits. In response to Jo Mal-saengs words, Heo Jo raised a question. Considering the character of the Japanese, they are weak to the strong and strong against the weak. If our Joseon demonstrates its might by deploying military force, wouldnt they immediately submit? At Heo Jos remark, Jo Mal-saeng immediately shook his head. We do not have sufficient military strength. Pardon? What? King Sejong and the ministers all expressed confusion at Jo Mal-saengs answer. Witnessing their reaction, Hyang grumbled inwardly. These gentlemen, really Did they eat crow meat and forget everything, or have they been swayed by the magic of numbers? Jo Mal-saeng, seemingly sharing Hyangs sentiment, exined the reality in a slightly rough voice. When we conquered Tsushima Ind, how much did we struggle even in the preparations? However, hasnt the militarys strength greatly increased since then? In response to Heo Jos question, Jo Mal-saeng simply replied. And havent the responsibilities the military must uphold during peacetime also significantly increased? Ah At Jo Mal-saengs point, Heo Jo let out a small groan and fell silent. The militarys strength has increased, but so have the areas it must protect. This was the magic of numbers Hyang had mentioned. Observing this, Jo Mal-saeng bowed to King Sejong and continued. A substantive annexation is a poor move. If Your Majestymands it, I, Jo Mal-saeng, will stand at the forefront and strike the Japanese enemies. However, I earnestly implore Your Majesty. It is still premature to confront Japan with military force. Premature What is the reason? Firstly,pared to Japan, Joseon has smallernd and a smaller poption. Smallernd means lower output. This makes it difficult to procure war funds when engaging in warfare. A smaller poption means it is challenging to replenish the military. No matter how well-equipped with new weapons, losses are inevitable when war breaks out. Secondly, the one holding power in Japan is formidable. Unlike the Hongwu period when it was divided into two, now the authority of the King of Japan is strong, so Japan will move as one body. The Minister of Military Affairs is correct! The words of the merchants traveling between the Japanese settlement and Kyushu were simr. The Minister of Rites also lent support to Jo Mal-saengs statement. Encouraged by the Minister of Rites assistance, Jo Mal-saeng spoke with even greater force. Lastly, it is not easy even if we limit the battlefield to Kyushu. Although the Ouchi n and the Kyushu Provincial Governor, the Minamoto n, are powerful, they do not haveplete control over Kyushu. There are more ns who oppose them. Therefore, I earnestly implore once again. A forceful and substantive annexation employing military force must never be pursued. Hmm At Jo Mal-saengs words, King Sejong stroked his beard with a grave expression. The greatest achievement of a monarch is the expansion of territory. Wouldnt the annexation of Kyushu be a good opportunity? However, the Minister of Military Affairs words are not entirely wrong Observing King Sejongs contemtive appearance, Hyang sensed a crisis. Not yet! No to military adventurism! Feeling the danger, Hyang immediately joined the conversation. Your Majesty, forgive my presumptuousness, but I believe the Minister of Military Affairs words are extremely reasonable. Reasonable? Exin. At King Sejongsmand, Hyang calmly exined the reasons. In general, for a country to wage war against another, its rear must be secure. Take the example of Emperor Wu of Wei in ancient times. Why did he attack Goguryeo? To ensure the safety of his rear before conquering Shu and Wu. This situation is simr. To deal with Japan, we must first stabilize the Jurchen in the north, but the situation in Liaodong remains unstable. Conversely, if we were topletely conquer the Jurchen, Ming and Japan would intervene. Putting Ming aside, Japan must be dealt with, but it is beyond our military capabilities. Beyond our capabilities As King Sejong showed a displeased expression, Hyang firmly replied. It is beyond our capabilities. The navys strength is not yetplete, both in quantity and quality. Moreover, the final conclusion of a war requires our military to enter the enemy country and upy it, but the manpower of thend forces is insufficient. If were not careful, we may end up removing the lower stone to support the upper one,mitting a foolish act. Thats true. Nodding at Hyangs point, King Sejong let out a long sigh. The Crown Prince and the Minister of Military Affairs are correct. I only saw the apparent strength before my eyes and failed to consider the distant dangers. This is myck of virtue. As King Sejong reproached himself, the ministers prostrated themselves and responded in unison. No, Your Majesty! This is the fault of us, your subjects, for failing to properly assist you. Please punish us! Please punish us! Seeing his subjects pleading for their own punishment, King Sejong calmly spoke. Rise. Yes, Your Majesty. Let us learn from this incident and work even harder in the future. Yes, Your Majesty. *** Once the situation was somewhat settled, King Sejong asked Hyang. Previously, you said that making the Japanese market ours is tantamount to subjugating Japan. I heard that when our goods cross over to Japan, they sell out. Doesnt that mean the subjugation is alreadyplete? Currently, the majority of the goods crossing over to Japan are luxury items. We need to make even themon people of Japan buy our products. We must make even the ordinary Japanese people admire our Joseon for the subjugation to beplete. Hyang provided a more detailed exnation. Why is that? Didnt our Joseon only produce the goods? The ones buying from Joseon are also Japanese merchants, and those giving them money and buying the goods are ultimately the Japanese ns, arent they? In response to Heo Jos point, the Minister of Rites answered on Hyangs behalf. If our Joseon hadnt made such goods, they would have thought there was no reason for them to suffer, wouldnt they? Ah As Heo Jo nodded, Hyang added. The Minister of Rites is correct. If this discontent umtes, the Japanese people will gradually be hostile towards our Joseon. If the control of the Japanese ns falters even slightly, they will turn back into Japanese pirates. Look at the captured Japanese fishermen this time. Even the fishermen carry swords on their boats. Thats how the Japanese are. At those words, King Sejong and the ministers nodded in agreement. Then, Crown Prince, how do you n to seize the Japanese market? At King Sejongs question, Hyang promptly replied. We just need to make the Japanese people work. Pardon? Hyang provided a more detailed exnation. As they aremoners, it wont be easy for them to buy expensive goods. However, instead of expensive ceramics, we can sell them earthenware, and instead of silk, we can sell them cotton. If this happens King Sejong interrupted Hyang. They will gradually want better things! Our Joseon also went through those stages! That is correct. Moreover, we can also eliminate the hostility the Japanese people hold towards Joseon. They will be grateful to Joseon for providing them with the wages to make a living. Then the discontent of the Japanese people will be directed towards the ns ruling over them! It is a truly ingenious strategy! It would be even better to subtly give advance notice to the ns we need, such as the Ouchi n and the Kyushu Provincial Governor, the Minamoto n. Indeed! Especially the Ouchi n, who openly im to be descendants of Baekje, would be perfect to use as our agent! King Sejong eximed in admiration, pping his knee at Hyangs exnation. Seeing King Sejong and Hyang, father and son, exchanging ideas in such a manner, the ministers grumbled inwardly. Again! Again! Theyre starting! Only they understand and move on! Its not like they nned this in advance, but how do theyplement each other so well? Oh my Will people with poor intelligence live in misery? Despite their grumbling, the ministers were not unintelligent and quickly grasped the concept. As they understood, the ministers looked at Hyang with renewed eyes. I realize it again, but the Crown Prince is not just intelligent, hes cunning! Has Emperor Wu of Wei been reincarnated? Those who will work under the Crown Prince when he ascends the throne will have a hard time! Oh dear Should I give His Majesty some medicinal tonics? To live a long life In any case, King Sejong, who was very pleased with the strategy presented by Hyang, turned to the ministers. I would like to proceed based on the strategy the Crown Prince has proposed. What are your thoughts? At King Sejongs question, the ministers eagerly responded. It was truly a brilliant proposal! It is a strategy that achieves two goals with one action, so it is appropriate to adopt it! With all the ministers in agreement, King Sejong made a decision. Since you all agree, let us properly devise a n and implement it! To ensure the peace of our Joseon, we must minimize external concerns. We shall obey yourmand! The court historian who recorded all of this wrote the following: Why do I feel sorry for the people of Japan? *** As Hyang left Geunjeongjeon after the meeting, his expression gradually darkened. Did I do the right thing? Hyang, who muttered with a face full of worries, let out a long sigh. Phew~, to think that I would n the most sophisticated imperialism with my own hands Its bitter. What Hyang had proposed to King Sejong and the ministers was the Global Value Chain born amidst the frenzy of 21st-century neoliberalism, slightly modified to fit the current era. *** With the end of World War II, imperialism came to a close. To be precise, ssical imperialism ended, and a new form of imperialism was born and began to evolve. During the Cold War, the system referred to as colonial capitalism orprador capitalism evolved once again as the Cold War ended. While ssical imperialism physically colonized and exploited, the new imperialism was invisible. It had evolved into a sophisticated system called the Global Value Chain, whereponents were made using thebor and resources of developing countries, assembled in the home country or other developing countries, and sold to all nations worldwide. Under this system, politicians and workers in developing countries did not antagonize the capitalists of developed countries but rather weed them. A situation different from ssical imperialism had unfolded. Chapter 227 Chapter 227 With the strategy for dealing with Japan decided upon, the court swiftly sprang into action. The first and foremost thing we must do is to clearly notify that Usando (Dokdo) is the territory of our Joseon, stated Heo Jo. At Heo Jos words, the Minister of Rites asked in astonishment, But why do we need to bother with our ownnd? We should also record it in an official letter to other countries. To prevent them from making any other ims in the future. Everyone nodded at Heo Jos exnation. We must send an envoy to Ming. Since Japan also pays tribute to Ming, we must use Ming to warn Japan. This will give us justification against Japanter on. King Sejong responded to Heo Jos words with a smile. Sometimes, even ttery is necessary. It also serves as a legitimate reason for us to build ships. In a position where they still had to be mindful of Ming, there was no better excuse than this. Thats a good method. Are there any other ways? We should erect a stone stele on Usando. We must engrave a clear deration that thisnd is our territory, along with the date, leaving no room for argument. Additionally, the navy should periodically check the condition of the stele. If its damaged? We must sternly reprimand the King of Japan. Thats not bad either. As King Sejong listened to their discussion, he had another thought. It would be wise to do this in advance in other ces as well. King Sejong was already thinking ahead, preparing to stake his im for the future, even if it wasnt immediately apparent. Afterward, various other agenda items were brought up, and the ministers selected the two most effective ones to report to King Sejong. Very well. In addition to sending an envoy to Ming, lets also dispatch an envoy to Japan. We can send them together when we return the captured fishermen. You mean not to hand them over to the Lord of Tsushima? At King Sejongs decision, the Minister of Rites immediately sought confirmation. Until now, when Japanese fishermen in distress due to storms or other idents were rescued, they were handed over to the Lord of Tsushima. King Sejong exined the reason for the Minister of Rites question. In the past, we did so because they were poor souls who had lost their boats and were in distress due to various circumstances. But this time, the situation is different, isnt it? The Lord of Tsushima is an untrustworthy person, and we dont know what trickery he might employ in the middle, so its better to send them directly to the King of Japan. Come to think of it, isnt the Ouchi n closer to the King of Japan? There are such rumors. Then, inform the Ouchi n to convey our Joseons intentions to the King of Japan. I shall obey yourmand. Once King Sejong made the decision, the Ministry of Rites moved swiftly. Due to the importance of the matter, the Minister of Rites personally visited Ming, while the Vice Minister of Rites sought out the Ouchi n. An envoy hase from Joseon? Yes. They wish to meet with the Shogun. Upon hearing the retainers answer, Ouchi Moriharu (Ouchi Morimi) expressed his puzzlement. Why? They say they captured fishermen who were illegally fishing in Joseons waters. However, weapons were discovered on their boats. At the retainers response, Moriharu clicked his tongue. Tsk! Thats just asking to bebeled as Japanese pirates! The envoy from Joseon is saying the same thing. Thats why they want to discuss this matter with the Shogun. Damn it Moriharu let out a brief curse at the retainers reply. The current Shogun was a very ruthless individual. He didnt want to get involved with him. Were in a bind. Realizing there was no solution no matter how much he calcted, Moriharu ordered his retainer. Send someone to the Bakufu to inform them that the envoy from Joseon requests an audience. Yes, my lord! *** And so, the Vice Minister of Rites was able to meet with Ashikaga Yoshinori, the 6th Shogun of the Muromachi Bakufu. I am pleased to meet the lord of Japan. I am delighted to meet the envoy from Joseon. You must have faced many hardships on your long journey. Thank you. The formal diplomatguage continued for a long time after that. After theplicated greetings ended, Yoshinori brought up the main topic. So, what is the reason the envoy from Joseon wanted to see me? As you may have learned from the report, some fishermen were caught recklessly fishing in our Joseons waters. I am aware of the report. However, Japanese swords (wato) were discovered on their boats. Therefore, our Joseon suspects that they may be the vanguard of Japanese pirates. At the Vice Minister of Rites words, Yoshinori looked at the retainers apanying him. Receiving an unspokenmand, one of the retainers answered on Yoshinoris behalf. Ah! Those are weapons for the fishermens self-defense. Japanese pirates are a headache for us as well, you see. So, you mean to say that even fishermen carry weapons to protect themselves from Japanese pirates? As the Vice Minister of Rites pressed the issue, the retainer nodded. That is correct. Self-defense, my foot! Inwardly cursing up a storm, the Vice Minister of Ritesposed himself and continued. In that case, we will understand and overlook that part. Then, the next issue is Japanese fishermen crossing the border and fishing. At the Vice Minister of Rites point, the previous retainer spoke up. Where were the fishermen captured? Near Usando. Usando is It is 200 li away from Mureungdo. Isnt that too far? The Vice Minister of Rites smiled and replied to the retainers remark. It is more than 400 li away from Japans Oki Inds. Ah At the Vice Minister of Rites point, the retainer fell silent. After a brief silence, Yoshinori opened his mouth. Very well. We acknowledge that part as our fault. I will issue an order for the fishermen to be more cautious in the future. They must be extremely careful. Our Joseon navy stationed on Mureungdo will soon enforce strict measures. At the Vice Minister of Rites words, the faces of Yoshinori and the retainers turned unprecedentedly grave. Did you say the Joseon navy will be stationed there? That is correct. Along with warships? How can there be a navy without warships? How many? That is a state secret. Ah At the Vice Minister of Rites response, Yoshinori and the retainers couldnt hide their disappointment. However, they couldnt recklessly pressure the envoy. In the end, Yoshinori had no choice but to answer in a serious tone, unlike before. I understand. I will strongly caution them. Thank you. Thus, the talks concluded, achieving the desired results. Yoshinori hosted a grand banquet, trying to extract information, but he was blocked by the Vice Minister of Rites imprable defense. Even though I may not look like it, my body has been tempered by pure alcohol in the alleys of Hanseongs pleasure quarters! Did you think I would be swayed by a few drinks? Eventually, after seeing off the Vice Minister of Rites, Yoshinori summoned his retainers. What do you think is the best course of action? For the time being, it would be wise to move ording to Joseons wishes. At the retainers answer, Yoshinori spat out a curse. Damn it! Seeing Yoshinoris reaction, the retainers tensed up and carefully observed his mood. *** Yoshinori, who had newly ascended to the position of Shogun, was ruthless. He greatly strengthened the military forces under the Shoguns direct control and used it as a foundation to reinforce the Shoguns power. Yoshinori believed that his bing the Shogun was the will of the gods. The 5th Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshikazu, had died young, and the 4th Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimochi, had served as the acting Shogun. Yoshimochi did not designate a sessor until his death. Therefore, the Bakufus leaders selected multiple candidates and drew lots at a shrine. They sought the will of the gods. In two rounds of drawing lots, Yoshinori was chosen both times. As a result, Yoshinori believed that his bing the Shogun and all his actions as the Shogun were the will of the gods. Consequently, he considered opposing his will as defying the will of the gods and punished them cruelly. *** Because of Yoshinoris nature, the retainers were highly anxious and carefully observed Yoshinoris mood. Suppressing his anger, Yoshinori issued an order. Execute all the men Joseon sent back! How dare they cause such a problem! They deserve to die! Yes, my lord! And which family governs the Oki Province? The Kygoku family. Tell them to pay attention! Yes, my lord! With that, Yoshinori concluded the situation. Yoshinoris retainers let out sighs of relief. Fortunately, a storm didnt brew! Indeed. However, not long after, an envoy sent by Ming arrived, turning the Bakufu upside down. If such incidents be frequent, the rtionship between Joseon and Japan will inevitably be strained. There is nothing more unfortunate than the deterioration of rtions between vassals, so the King of Japan must exercise the utmost caution. While the envoy read Emperor Xuandes imperial edict, Yoshinori respectfully knelt and, once the reading was finished, politely paid his respects. I ept themand of His Majesty the Emperor! A few dayster, after the envoy from Ming had departed, Yoshinori exploded. Send someone to the damn Kygoku family and tell them to severely punish those responsible! Yes, my lord! As Yoshinoris order was delivered, the middle and lower-ranking samurai managing the Oki Inds had to take responsibility bymitting seppuku or being beheaded. It was a desperate measure to avoid being subjugated by Yoshinori. *** While such a diplomatic battle was unfolding, Hyang was busily working to build the new warships requested by the navy. Although the shape of the hull was quite different, the experience gained through the Challenger elerated the progress of the work. As a result, the prototype ship could beunched in two and a half months instead of the initially estimated four months. Oh Ha-seok was tasked with the test voyage of the prototype ship. What about my ship? It cant be helped. Theres no one as skilled with such ships as you. I understand. At Jo Mal-saengs words, Oh Ha-seok set out to sea with the prototype ship and a group of carefully selected crew members. This is insane! As Oh Ha-seok ventured into the East Sea, he couldnt help but be startled. The prototype ship, properly catching the tailwind, rushed through the sea at a truly crazy speed. It was a mad speed that neither Oh Ha-seok nor the crew members had ever experienced before. Afterpleting the test in an unarmed state, Oh Ha-seok and the crew members hurriedly returned to Wonsan. Load the cannons and ammunition immediately! Oh Ha-seok and the crew members loaded the prototype ship with the designated amount of cannons, gunpowder, ammunition, food, and drinking water, and set out to sea once again. Three dayster, Oh Ha-seok returned to Wonsan and concluded his report with a single sentence. Its the best! *** Upon reading the report documenting the final test results, King Sejong ordered the ministers. Ill make a quick trip to Wonsan. Pardon? We shall apany you! And so, King Sejong and the ministers, who had headed to Wonsan, expressed their admiration upon seeing the newly built warship. This ship has its own charm as well! At King Sejongs praise, Hyang bowed deeply and expressed his gratitude. Thank you! Since its said to be so fast, I should also take a ride. Its dangerous! I trust you, Crown Prince. I trust only you. The ministers also boarded the ship, following the stubborn King Sejong. Their thoughts were unanimous. Rather than dying from the aftermath if something goes wrong Contrary to Hyangs concerns, the ship safelypleted its voyage and returned. King Sejong, who had even witnessed the firing of cannons during the voyage, highlymended Hyang as soon as he disembarked. You have truly created a remarkable ship! Its truly amazing! Thank you, Your Majesty. I have decided on the name for this ship. Since its as swift as a falcon, I shall call it Haeung (Sea Hawk)! *** And so, the Haeung-ss high-speed ships, born in this manner, gained fame alongside the Challenger-ss battleships. If the Challenger-ss was called the Ruffian of the East, the Haeung was known as the Gray Seagull or the Gray Watchdog. These nicknames were given due to the inherent limitations of the Haeung. As its primary mission was high-speed patrolling near ports, the Haeung had limited cargo capacity and couldnt venture far from the ports. Consequently, merchants weed the Haeung, calling it the Gray Seagull. Spotting a seabird on the vast ocean was an auspicious sign indicating nearbynd. Simrly, encountering a Haeung meant that a port would soon appear. To pirates, the Haeung was a spine-chilling watchdog. The basic tactic of the Haeung-ss was to move in groups of at least two ships, so encountering one meant another Haeung was nearby. Moreover, its speed was unrivaled, making it nearly impossible to shake off and escape. ording to the standard speed criteriater agreed upon by Europe, Ming, and Joseon, the Haeung recorded a top speed of 18 knots (approximately 33.3 km/h). This record remained unbroken for nearly a generation. Chapter 228 Chapter 228 With the decision to mass-produce the Haeung-ss high-speed ships, the allocation of the budget and the expansion of the shipyards began. That meant the Ministry of Taxation was going to suffer. Seriously Even if we only carry out the ns made at the beginning of the year, the finances will be in a hole, so why do unexpected situations keep arising? In the conference room of the State Council, Kim Jeom exploded with frustration. At Kim Jeoms anger, Lee Jik and Maeng Sa-seongforted him. What can we do when the situation flows that way? If we could know everything in advance, wed be immortals, not humans. The shipyards are still under construction, so if we expand them a bit more while were at it At Maeng Sa-seongs words, Kim Jeoms eyes rolled back. Do you think expanding the shipyards doesnt cost money? Do you think its a feast that ends with adding just one spoon? M-Minister, calm down! Calm down! Aaaah! Bring the calming tea! Bring the calming tea! *** Although he had erupted in the State Council, Kim Jeom couldnt overturn a decision that had already received final approval. In the end, to create a budget for the expansion of the shipyards, Kim Jeom had to rack his brains with his subordinates. At least we have the gold and silver mines to save us At Kim Jeoms words, a subordinate official who was calcting with an abacus responded. Didnt those fools who rebelled and went utterly broke also help us? Kim Jeom grinned and nodded at his subordinates remark. Those fools did help indeed. *** Joseons economy was continuously growing in size, and tax revenue was steadily increasing. However, the governments budget was always in deficit. Firstly, money was continuously being spent on flood control projects, andrge-scale construction projects such as the maintenance of the roadwork were underway. Lastly, an enormous budget was being consumed on the reorganization of the administrativework and the military. Even the local clerks, who were unpaid until the Gyeongjang Reforms, began receiving official ranks and sries, and various irregr positions in the government were converted into official positions. As a result, the loyalty of the local clerks and irregr officials, who were treated poorly, increased towards the government. Consequently, government expenditures rose significantly. The conversion of local clerks and irregr positions into official positions seems a bit excessive. At Kim Jeoms words, King Sejong red at Kim Jeom. Then, how was it possible in the previous dynasty? At King Sejongs point, Kim Jeom had to shut his mouth. In the case of the previous dynasty, not only the royal family but also the officials received higher sriespared to Joseon. (Note 1) Of course, during the chaotic period at the end of Goryeo, it became a mess, but when Goryeo was functioning properly, the sry system also worked well. In any case, what resolved the crisis of deficit, where expenditures exceeded tax revenue, was the gold and silver mined from the mines. The gold and silver from the mines secretly mined, apart from the publicly known mines, provided a lifeline for the finances. However, they had to avoid attracting the attention of Ming. Therefore, they couldnt actively use the gold and silver mined from the mines, and Joseons development was not proceeding at a fast pace. Of course, this assessment of being slow was entirely from Hyangs perspective. In the 21st century, or rather the 20th century, they would have used foreign debt to get it done quickly But now, we have to spend cautiously even with what we have Whenever he was alone, Hyang grumbled while reviewing the reports. However, Hyang soon changed his mind. No? Isnt this gold and silver the foreign debt of this era? In such a situation, the Giyu Rebellion had taken ce. After the rebellion was suppressed, the government confiscated all the property of the local schrs who participated in the rebellion andunched an investigation. Oh my goodness The confiscated property amounted to a staggering quantity, equivalent to 15 years worth of the Joseon governments budget. While themon people are suffering from hunger, they have umted such enormous wealth! Severely punish those who participated in the rebellion! Following the decision of the enraged King Sejong, the members of the families who participated in the rebellion had to face merciless punishment. However, the government, especially the Ministry of Taxation and the Ministry of Military Affairs, cheered in joy. We can breathe now! We can make it through! *** While the Ministry of Taxation wrestled with the budget, the government gathered to devise ns for dealing with Japan. First, theres something Im curious about. Isnt the one we call the King of Japan not the real king of Japan? At King Sejongs question, the Minister of Rites answered. That is correct, Your Majesty. Although there is an Emperor as the nominal monarch, in reality, the Ashikaga n rules Japan and has received the title of King of Japan from Ming. At the Minister of Rites exnation, King Sejong shook his head. There is a king, but someone who is not the king exercises the authority of the king? I have heard of it, but it is truly immoral. After making that criticism, King Sejong continued his critique. For someone who is not the king to act as the king, they will surely rely on military force. The problem arises when such a person loses that military force, dont you agree? That is correct, Your Majesty. At the end of the previous dynasty, the Kamakura Bakufu in Japan copsed, and the Japanese royal family split into two, leading to a conflict. And from that point on, the Japanese pirates began to run rampant. Hmm Then, is it better for us to have a King of Japan? Even if someone who is not the king acts as the king. At King Sejongs question, the Minister of Rites promptly replied. Although it is immoral, I believe that is the most beneficial for our Joseon. Is that so? At the Minister of Rites answer, King Sejong trailed off. As King Sejong showed a dissatisfied expression, the ministers became extremely tense. Its been a while since Ive seen that expression If he clicks his tongue there Oh no! Its terrible! Think! Think! No matter how much I think about it, I feel uneasy. Pardon? The system of that country of Japan is truly unstable. What is the meaning of Bakufu? Doesnt it mean the ce where the general has set up camp? In simple terms, isnt it the same as the military regime of the previous dynasty? Th-That is correct, Your Majesty. How long did the military regimesst? Except for the Choi ns regime, was there any longsting regime? At King Sejongs question, Lee Jik stepped forward. There wasnt, Your Majesty. However, the Kamakura Bakufu, which this Ashikaga n overthrew,sted for 150 years How much military force do you think they built up tost that long? Thats why the Japanese pirates immediately ran rampant when the Kamakura Bakufu copsed! Ah At King Sejongs point, Lee Jik had to close his mouth. King Sejong continued to express his concerns. Isnt it certain that the Ashikaga n, who has seized power this time, will also implement a carrot-and-stick approach to maintain their authority? What is the reason for the Kings of Japan to ask us for Buddhist scriptures and plead for trade? At King Sejongs question, Maeng Sa-seong answered. It must be a conciliatory measure to appease the ns within. They will pacify the ns with the goods sent by our Joseon. They will also reap the benefits. I think so too. And with the profits they gain, they will strengthen their military power. And if necessary, they will turn a blind eye even if the local ns engage in piracy. That is correct, Your Majesty. At King Sejongs point, the ministers nodded in agreement. Observing the faces of the ministers, King Sejong moistened his throat and continued. What worries me even more is whether the King of Japan might deliberately gather the power of the ns and attack our Joseon. Wouldnt it be greatly beneficial for the King of Japan to attack Joseon? He can exhaust the strength of the ns that threaten him, and at the same time, he can plunder our Joseon to his hearts content. Surely not Heo Jo muttered softly at King Sejongs words. In response to the Minister of Taxations reaction, Jo Mal-saeng spoke up. Its not impossible. Its quite possible. For those Japanese, swords and spears are the means to seize power. Hmm As even Jo Mal-saeng joined in supporting King Sejong, the expressions of the ministers hardened even more. What truly worries me is The very existence of this so-called King of Japan is an entity that has abandoned righteousness. There is already a king, yet he does not hesitate to be called a king, so where is the righteousness? If there are people of integrity in Japan, would they sit idly by and watch this? That is true. At King Sejongs point, the ministers unanimously nodded in agreement. Observing this from the side, Hyang unconsciously nodded as well. As expected! They immediately understand when the word righteousness is mentioned! Aside from that ncing at King Sejong, Hyang muttered inwardly. Did this gentlemany out a mat or something? King Sejongs remarks actually came to pass. Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who ended Japans Sengoku period,unched the Japanese invasions of Korea, and in the 19th century, self-proimed shishi (men of purpose) who rose up in the name of Sonn ji (Revere the Emperor, Expel the Barbarians) toppled the Tokugawa Bakufu. Men of integrity, my foot Grumbling inwardly, Hyang listened attentively to King Sejongs words. The Japanese in the south and the Jurchen in the north are the greatest cmities for our Joseon. I have only heard stories, but I was told that there was an incident where our Joseon nearly lost its sovereignty due to the Japanese pirates and the Jurchen. At King Sejongs mention, Heo Jo promptly replied. Are you referring to the Conquest of Japan Theory, jeongwaeron and the Northern Conquest Theory, bukjeongron? Thats right. At King Sejongs answer, Lee Jik let out a long sigh. Phew~. Just thinking about it is devastating. At Lee Jiks answer, King Sejong nced at Hyang and ordered Lee Jik. I dont know the details well since I was young, and the Crown Prince must be hearing about it for the first time, so please exin in detail. One must know the past well to prepare for the future. Yes, I shall obey yourmand. Lee Jik began to recount the events of that time. *** In the 17th year of King Gongmins reign (1368), Zhu Yuanzhang ascended the throne as the Hongwu Emperor of Ming and issued the Imperial Ming Ancestral Instructions. The content of the Imperial Ming Ancestral Instructions was simple. In other words, countries that paid tribute to Ming through the tributary system would receive economic and cultural benefits, while those that refused would be punished with military force. Having dered this national policy, when the raids of the Japanese pirates intensified, the Hongwu Emperor sent an envoy to Japan with a diplomatic letter requesting to stop the piracy. However, both the Northern and Southern Courts of Japan rejected Mings request. In response, Emperor Yongle sent a diplomatic letter to Joseon in the 13th year of King Taejongs reign (1413). The content of the letter can be summarized simply. Upon receiving the letter, the Joseon court immediately went on high alert. The reasons for the Joseon courts high alert were as follows: At that time, Ming prohibited having a friendly rtionship with Japan, so it could definitely be a problem. The next problem pointed out was even more serious. In the end, Joseon delivered information through Tsushima Ind and requested the control of Japanese pirates. As Joseon stalled for time in this way, Ming raised the Northern Conquest Theory. Joseon had no choice but to go on high alert again. If the Northern Conquest were to be actually implemented, the barbarians pushed back by Ming would cross Joseons borders. Then, Ming would use the justification of conquering them to send troops into Joseon. As Ming pressured with the Conquest of Japan Theory and the Northern Conquest Theory, the ministers, unable to endure it any longer, rose up. The ministers, led by Left Prime Minister Ha Ryun, advocated for a Joseon-Japan Alliance to King Taejong. Lets rather form an alliance with Japan and engage in a decisive battle against Ming! However, their argument was rejected by King Taejong. King Taejong sent an envoy to Ming, offering to annihte the Japanese pirates on the west coast and provide information on the Japanese pirates passing through the west coast to Ming, temporarily resolving the situation. However, as the degree of Japanese pirate invasions became excessive, the conquest of Tsushima Ind was carried out in the first year of King Sejongs reign. (Note 2) *** As Hyang listened to Lee Jiks exnation, his expression gradually crumpled. The Conquest of Japan Theory is the Conquest of Ming Passage Theory when reversed Whether its the 21st century or now Being pressured from all sides In the end, Hyang let out a long sigh and muttered. Phew~. Of all ces to set up base, it had to be such a filthy Gasp! Startled by the words that inadvertently slipped out, Hyang covered his mouth and looked at King Sejong. King Sejong, who received Hyangs gaze, also showed a bitter smile. Crown Prince, it is truly so. How did we end up establishing our base in such a filthy ce? *** Note 1) Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, Nokbong (Official Sry) section. http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Item/E0012978 Note 2) Military Strategies of the Joseon Dynasty. Institute for Military History Comption. Chapter 229 Chapter 229 As the situation surrounding our Joseon is like this, we need a solution to resolve it. I will give you five days. I hope that you, my ministers, will deliberate repeatedly and present good opinions. At King Sejongsmand, all the ministers bowed their heads and replied. We shall obey your order! After issuing the order to the ministers, King Sejong turned to Hyang. Crown Prince, the same goes for you. I shall obey yourmand. *** Having received the order, Hyang returned to his office at the research institute and grumbled with pouted lips. Oh, goodness I should just make a steam lotive and be done with it In Hyangs mind, the issues rted to Japan were the most difficult of challenges. Even the name of this country is problematic The part Hyang mentioned was Japans official name. Japans formal country name was Nippon. Therefore, when looking at the records of official documents regarding envoys sent by the Bakufus shogun, it was always recorded as Envoy of the King of Nippon. It was the same for Ming. When Ming sent envoys to Japan, the diplomatic letters they sent along always addressed the recipient as the King of Nippon. However, both Ming and Joseon referred to them as Wae, dwarfs () internally. But this derogatory term was not only applied to Japan. Both Ming and Joseon had their own derogatory names. Therefore, Hyang had no choice but to conclude by clicking his tongue. Tsk! This issue probably wont be resolved until humanity goes extinct Since Waeguk rolls off the tongue better than Ilbon, lets keep calling it Waeguk and Lets get to the main point, the main point *** Hyang gathered his thoughts and immediately summarized the situation. First, the question is whether Japans current political system is truly beneficial to our Joseon. This was where Hyangs prediction was correct. Looking at the history before Hyangs intervention, this shogun eventually met his end through assassination. If the central government of Japan became a mess, the Japanese pirates would immediately start rampaging. Having summarized the situation thus far, Hyang sighed. All of this has been repeatedly mentioned before. Its like beating a dead horse. To find a brilliant solution to the difficult problem, Hyang continued to ponder deeply. The second problem arises here. The Kyushu Provincial Governor is known to be loyal to the Bakufu, but the Ouchi n is the issue. Hmm Having organized the situation up to this point, Hyang pondered his next move with his arms crossed, looking at the documents and maps. Should I mobilize the warships and wreak havoc on every single port? Hyang, who had considered an extreme method, immediately shook his head. Theres no justification. And if we do such a thing, it immediately leads to an all-out war with Japan. Joseon stillcks the capacity to handle an all-out war. Moreover, the number of warships is too small, so gaps will inevitably form. ording to the records Hyang had read, the Japanese pirates who invaded Goryeo and Joseon mobilizedrge numbers of small and medium-sized ships rather thanrge ships. If the Japanese pirates started rampaging again and flocked with such small and medium-sized vessels as before, aplete blockade would be impossible. The same applied to blockading Japans ports. The ports of this era were not like the ports of the 21st century, which required massive time and costs to rebuild if destroyed. As long as it was a ce that could avoid waves and had a suitable depth for ships to dock, it could be used as a port anywhere. Japanese ships were the same. Of course, it wasnt that they didnt require any cost at all, butpared to iron ships, they consumed less cost and time. Hyang, who had been calcting the option of using force, shook his head. So, to resolve this situation, the army would eventually have to go in and upy Anyway, the army is a numbers game, and thats our Joseons weakness. The poption of Joseon during this period was slightly below 6 million. (Note 1) However, Japan had arger territory than Joseon and arger poption. And this situation had never been reversed. Moreover, Hyang, who was ustomed to international news in the 21st century, had a negative view of military annexation. Even if they fight to the death among themselves inside, the ones invading from the outside are more hateful. If were not careful, we might exhaust ourselves trying to maintain the upied territories, and the foundation might crumble. Hyang let out a long sigh. Phew~. The problem is that Japan is not Africa. Ennd was lucky. This was Hyangs misunderstanding. *** Until the era of imperialism, most of the African continent operated on a tribal level. Therefore, Ennd easily expanded its colonies by employing the tactic of using barbarians to control barbarians. However, in ces where national identity had already begun to emerge to some extent, they had to struggle quite a bit. A prime example was the Anglo-Zulu War. And entering the 20th century, they had to endure continuous resistance. *** If our Joseon wants to pursue military expansion, its an issue to consider after the poption exceeds 10 million. 10 million At least one generation (about 30 years) must pass. During this period in Joseon, it was not surprising to see grandchildren even in ones 30s. To put it bluntly, there were hardly any contraceptives, and childbirth urred during the most fertile age. And until then, high birth rate, high death rate wasmon due to hygiene issues, but it was steadily improving through Hyangs intervention. Therefore, Hyang had reached a conclusion through his own calctions. In the end, no matter what, we need to increase the poption first. Only with a sufficient headcount can we do anything. *** In conclusion, economic invasion is the best option after all. Although it is also risky, its still better than other methods. Having reached a conclusion, Hyang sighed again. Damn samurai They always make things difficult! Having decided on the strategy, Hyang rummaged through the reports to find a suitable tactic an economic tool. What would be appropriate What As Hyang was sifting through information rted to Japan, he shook his head. Theyre all rumors, and their freshness has deteriorated The most recent one is from half a year ago Hyang, who wasining about the quality of information, took out a sheet of paper and grabbed a gold pen. The first thing to do is to establish a trading post on the Japanese maind. Even if we overlook the reliability, the freshness deteriorates too much when ites from across the sea. Hyang wrote Establish Trading Post on the paper and unfolded a map. It was a map created bypiling information obtained through envoys sent by Joseon and merchantsing from Japan. The map depicted the rough shapes of the three main inds of Japan, and the names of the ns governing those regions and the names of major areas were marked. Hmm Where would be good? Hyang examined the map as if he were selecting an item from a disy case. Hyangs behavior seemed to suggest that a trading post could be established anywhere in Japan. However, this was not Hyangs arrogance. As the reforms progressed, the level of Joseonsmerce and industry, especially the craftsmen, had improved by leaps and bounds. The products they made, from high-end items with five golden plum blossoms attached to straw shoes made by a neighborhood craftsman, were rapidly improving in quality. As a result, merchants from Ming and Japan were eagerly buying Joseons goods. While Mings merchants mainly purchased high-end products, Japans merchants bought low- to mid-priced products inrge quantities. Although they were low- to mid-priced goods, considering Japans technological level, they could reap significant profits beyond sufficiency. Therefore, Hyang was confident about establishing a trading post. There would be no foolish Japanese lords who would miss out on the benefits of having a trading post in their territory. No, considering the temperament of the Japanese, there might be such people. Hyang examined the map with a more serious expression. After scouring the map for a while, Hyang focused on one location. Nagato would be good. Its under the control of the Ouchi n, so its convenient to observe the situation As Hyang was examining the map, he snapped his fingers upon seeing the region east of Nagato. I forgot about this region! If we y our cards right, we can control the Ouchi n! The ce Hyang pointed to wasbeled as Iwami on the map. In Japanese, it was called Iwami. It was the location of a mine known as Japansrgest silver mine from the Sengoku period to the Edo period. Having confirmed Iwami, Hyang rummaged through the relevant reports to assess the situation. There are rumors of a silver mine, but no rumors of full-scale development. Reading the record, Hyang showed a puzzled expression. Huh? In the novels I read in the 21st century, this was the ce that had to be seized no matter what. Because of the immense silver mine. But why not yet? The Iwami silver mine began full-scale development in 1526, nearly 100 years from now. However, unaware of that fact, Hyang came up with the most usible reason. With Japans current metal smelting level, it must have been difficult to dig deep This was somewhat true. Japans technological level did not surpass Joseons until they brought arge number of Joseons craftsmen during the Japanese invasions of Korea. *** Hyang, who had written down the location for establishing a trading post and the Iwami silver mine on the paper, muttered with his arms crossed. This is a bitcking Is there any good card? While Hyang was pondering for a suitable card to persuade the Japanese lords, a eunuchs voice was heard from outside. Your Highness, someone hase from Area 51. Let them in. After a brief moment, an official entered and bowed to Hyang. What is the matter? Your Highness, the cotton gin you had ordered has finally beenpleted. At the officials report, Hyangs face lit up brightly. Thats truly great news! Please give me the report! Here it is, Your Highness. Hyang quickly received the report from the official and swiftly examined its contents. After reviewing the report, Hyang issued an order to the official. Tell those involved that they have done a great job, and prepare rewards ording to the internal regtions. Yes, Your Highness! As the official left, Hyang clenched his fist. A fantastic card has arrived! The race begins! With a confident smile, Hyang added a sentence to the paper. Having written the sentence, Hyang showed a self-assured expression. With thepletion of the cotton gin and the sess ofrge-scale cotton cultivation, cotton fabric will be cost-effective! And Pausing for a moment, Hyang red at the map of Japan. The first button will be fastened to make Japans economy dependent on our Joseon! *** Note 1) Koreas History from an Economists Perspective (13), The Korea Economic Daily. /news/article/2014051670741 Chapter 230 Chapter 230 Five dayster, King Sejong asked the ministers. So, have you devised a n to resolve the situation surrounding our Joseon, especially Japan? At King Sejongs question, Chief State Councillor Lee Jik stepped forward. The high-ranking officials have gathered and deliberated, and we havee up with a n to some extent. Is that so? Please exin it. At King Sejongs words, Lee Jik gestured to an official seated behind him. The official brought forward arge map depicting parts of Joseon and Japan on a scroll. In our opinion, forcefully annexing Japan is an overreach. However, it is also evident that leaving Japan alone will be a source of constant concern for our Joseon. Therefore, we must tame Japan. Why is the prologue so long? Hyang, who was grumbling inwardly at Lee Jiks words, nced at King Sejongs face. Oh no! His blood pressure is rising! At Lee Jiks presentation, which followed the lengthy ssical style, King Sejongs expression was gradually turning fierce. Finally, King Sejong interrupted Lee Jik. Thats true So? Realizing that King Sejongs tone was unusual, Lee Jik hurriedly got to the main point. Therefore, we believe the most appropriate course of action is to first establish Tsushima Ind under our Joseons effective control and support the lords in Japan who are favorable to us to expand our influence! At Lee Jiks answer, King Sejong softened his expression and stroked his beard. After briefly reflecting on Lee Jiks statement, King Sejong asked Lee Jik. I know Tsushima Ind is subservient to us, but it is also subservient to Japan. If we exert effective control, will Japan remain silent? The issue of Tsushima Inds dual subservience was known to all three countries in Northeast Asia. Therefore, if mishandled, it could escte into an international problem. At King Sejongs point, Lee Jik promptly replied. Of course, if we im it as Joseons territory right now, there will be a conflict. However, we can rule it without making it our territory. At Lee Jiks frank answer, King Sejong briefly asked. How? Lee Jik gestured to the official standing next to the map. As the official turned the page, arge map depicting Tsushima Ind appeared. Lee Jik pointed at the map with a pointer and continued his exnation. We will demand the cession of Asama Bay, where our Joseon army first set up camp during thest conquest of Tsushima, and the Ofunakoshi area on the opposite side as naval ports. Whats the justification? The Asama Bay area is for patrolling and protecting the route from Dongnae to Japan, and the Ofunakoshi area is for patrolling and protecting the route from Japan, especially Kyushu, to Dongnae. Not bad. King Sejong, who was nodding at Lee Jiks answer, immediately found a problem. But will the Lord of Tsushima agree? Given the current situation in Tsushima, the Lord will surely agree. Hmm At Lee Jiks answer, King Sejong tried to recall. *** Although the conquest of Tsushima had dampened the momentum of the Japanese pirates, Joseon did not stop being vignt towards Tsushima. This intensified as the reforms progressed, as theposition of Japanese merchants residing in the Japanese settlement had changed. Over time, merchants from Kyushu began to dominate, while most of the merchants were originally from Tsushima. This was not a natural change. Joseon sought out even the slightest w to expel merchants from Tsushima and give their positions to Japanese merchants from other regions. As a result, Tsushima had no choice but to rely on the intermediary trade conducted by the few remaining merchants and the grain provided by Joseon. *** Hmm It might be possible King Sejong muttered while nodding his head. Hyang, who was watching this from the side, had the same reaction. Amazing! These gentlemen thought of such a move! I was thinking of a policy of starvation through economic blockade and istion *** Hyang also knew that Tsushima was a thorn in the side. As a method to solve this problem, Hyang was assuming the use of force. The problem is finding a justification To umte justification for the use of force, Hyang had thought of a method that the United States had frequently employed in the 21st century economic sanctions. Noticing that the area controlled by the Ouchi n was the northern part of Kyushu and the Chugoku region of Japan, Hyang had considered aplete economic blockade of Tsushima. This was Hyangs n. However, the method devised by the ministers, led by Lee Jik, was less economically burdensome than Hyangs method and more fatal. As Lee Jik had mentioned, Tsushimas current situation was at its worst. Its as serious as when the boycott movement urred in the 21st century. With most of the ind being mountainous, Tsushima could not survive independently. Therefore, Tsushima had to rely on intermediary trade. However, as both Goryeo and Japan fell into turmoil, intermediary trade became impossible, and they began to engage in piracy, symbolized by the Japanese pirates. However, as mentioned earlier, with the conquest of Tsushima and the progress of the reforms, the Japanese pirates were suppressed, and Tsushima was gradually declining as it was pushed out of the trading market. *** It seems like a good method, but is it feasible? If I were the Lord of Tsushima, I wouldnt easily ept it no matter how dire the situation. There is a way to make them ept. Theres a way? Lee Jik answered with a confident expression. Yes. We can use two things. One is the port usage fee, and the other is the monopoly office. I understand the port usage fee, but using the monopoly office? How? Tsushima is subservient to Joseon. Therefore, legally speaking, the Japanese of Tsushima are our Joseons people. Consequently, there is no problem in establishing and using a monopoly office. King Sejong nodded at Lee Jiks exnation. Not bad. So, what amount are you considering for the port usage fee? 50 nyang of silver per month for the two locationsbined. 50 nyang of silver? The white rice bestowed upon the Lord of Tsushima is 100 seom per year.(Note 1) The Lord of Tsushima will surely agree. At Lee Jiks exnation, King Sejong recalled the information he had received regarding prices. Although there were fluctuations depending on the harvest and prices were gradually rising recently, the price of one seom of white rice was roughly between 1 and 1.5 nyang of silver. As King Sejong showed a positive response, Lee Jik spoke with emphasis. However, the usage fee paid to the Lord of Tsushima will not be in actual silver but in paper money, and the transactions at the monopoly office will also be conducted only in currency. At Lee Jiks words, King Sejong burst intoughter. Hahaha! If that happens, Tsushima will have no choice but to obey our Joseon without using force. Excellent! Regarding Tsushima, implement that n! At King Sejongs decision, all the ministers bowed and replied. We shall obey yourmand! *** With the matter of Tsushima settled, King Sejong moved on to the next topic. Now that Tsushima is taken care of What are your thoughts on dealing with the Japanese maind? As I mentioned earlier, we have decided to move in the direction of encroaching on Japans economy (gyeongse)(Note 2) based on the lords who are favorable to our Joseon. We are still deliberating on the means to achieve this. At Lee Jiks honest answer, King Sejong nodded. It is indeed not an easy task. Taking control of a countrys livelihood. As King Sejong gently moved on, the ministers all bowed their heads. We will do our utmost! After the ministers response, Hyang spoke up. I have also deliberated on something. May I speak of it? At Hyangs words, King Sejongs face lit up. Oh? I permit it! Speak quickly. With King Sejongs permission, Hyang moved to the scroll where the map was hanging. Lets see Hyang found theplete map of Japan after flipping through a few pages and began his exnation. I also had simr thoughts to the ministers. So I came up with a few ideas. First, the method that can be implemented the soonest is here. Pointing to Nagato on the map, Hyang continued. Establishing a trading post in Nagato. A trading post? Yes. Looking at Nagato, it can be directly reached from Dongnae without going through Tsushima. And its the territory of the Ouchi n, who are friendly with us. I see. As King Sejong nodded, Kim Jeom raised a question. If a trading post is opened in Nagato, wont the number of Japanese merchants visiting Joseon decrease? The tax revenue will decrease. On the contrary, we will have to pay trading post taxes to the Ouchi n, so expenditures will increase. Of course, that aspect exists. However, if we look at the Japanese merchants entering our Joseon, half of them are indeed merchants, but shouldnt we consider the other half as spies? And arent the problems caused by the warriors who entered under the pretext of escorting the merchants also significant? If the number of Japanese merchants decreases, the number of warriors will also decrease, reducing the burden on public order. And conversely, cant we also send merchants to learn about the situation in Japan more quickly? Thats true. While Kim Jeom was nodding, Jo Mal-saeng eximed in admiration. That is indeed true! Its a brilliant move! If this gentleman gets too excited, he might even p like a seal! Hyang, who responded to Jo Mal-saengs ttery with a slight bow, continued. The number of Japanese merchants visiting Joseon may decrease, but it wontpletely disappear. Not all of our Joseons products are avable at the trading post. Japanese merchants will continue to visit the Japanese settlement to find products they need that are not avable at the trading post. The ministers nodded at those words. It was a situation they had already be ustomed to through the trading post established in Shandong. Although the scale of the trading post established in Shandong was enormous, not all of Joseons products were avable there. Therefore, a considerable number of merchants from Ming consistently visited Jemulpo. This is the first proposal. The second proposal is right here. Hyang pointed to Iwami and continued. A ce called Iwami. ording to the records, there is a silver mine here. As if the gods and spirits are aiding us, this ce is also under the control of the Ouchi n. Therefore, we will develop the silver mine together with the Ouchi n. As soon as the words silver mine were mentioned, the eyes of King Sejong and the ministers began to sparkle fiercely. Goodness! Look at those eyes! Theyre piercing! Observing the eyes that seemed to emitsers rather than just sparkle, Hyang continued. We will provide the mining tools, and in return, we will directly employ the Japanese to develop the mine. The ore extracted in this way will be divided between the Ouchi n and us in an appropriate ratio. What is the reason for directly employing the Japanese? To pay wages to the employed Japanese. Once they have wealth in their hands, they will naturally spend it. At Hyangs answer, Kim Jeom showed a regretful expression. If we could establish a monopoly office there, we could make a significant profit We will establish a monopoly office. What do you mean? Its possible with Tsushima since they are subservient to us, but that ce is the Japanese maind. Although the Ouchi n is friendly with us, iming their roots are in Baekje, is that even possible? We will send Joseon mining technicians. Around 100 people. Of course, this includes their families and the troops to protect them. At Hyangs answer, King Sejong and the ministers collectively eximed in admiration. Aha! The justification was sufficient. What could they say about establishing a monopoly office for Joseon people? Of course, they could find fault and prevent the Japanese from using that monopoly office, but there was always a backdoor everywhere. *** Note 1) ording to the Gyehae Treaty signed with the Lord of Tsushima in the 25th year of King Sejongs reign (1443), 200 seok of annual tribute rice and beans were given to the Lord of Tsushima. This is the authors imagination based on that information. Note 2) The word gyeongje is known to be a shortened form of gyeongsejemin (governing the world and saving the people). It is said that the word gyeongje acquired the meaning of economy as we know it in thete 19th century, originating from Japan. Therefore, in the text, the word gyeongse is continuously used instead of gyeongje. https://.korean.go.kr/nkview/nklife/2000_1/2000_0111.pdf Chapter 231 Chapter 231 Hyangs proposal to mine silver in Ouchis territory received a favorable response. However, they never forgot to point out anticipated problems, rather than unconditionally agreeing. Heo Jo began first. Will uchi really agree to this? In response to this point, Hyang answered immediately. Since starting regr trade, the uchi n has reaped great benefits. They will not refuse. What if the Ashikaga n blocks it? Minister of Rites answered on Hyangs behalf regarding Heo Jos question. Although the uchi n has the shoguns trust, they are notpletely loyal to the bakufu. Is there a reason? As trade with the uchi n increased, we received a lot of news. While organizing this information, we uncovered the reason Its due to how the previous lord of the uchi n died. Was he poisoned? Minister of Rites exined the reason in response to Heo Jos query. When the previous lord was alive, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, who led the bakufu at the time, provoked a rebellion and the lord died. *** uchi Yoshihiro, the 25th lord, was expanding his power, seeding the previous generation. However, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the 3rd shogun, began to keep uchis growth in check. To thwart uchis rise, Yoshimitsu schemed using a new vi he built in Kyoto. Sendndscaping trees to the vi I recently constructed! At Yoshimitsusmand, the other lords all sent gifts, but Yoshihiro refused. Using this as a pretext, Yoshimitsu and Yoshihiro shed. Yoshihiro, allied with lords resentful of Yoshimitsus tyranny, engaged Yoshimitsus forces in battle at Osaka Sakai. In this battle, Yoshihiro was hit by an arrow and died, resulting in defeat. uchis ambitions for hegemony were frustrated. *** So they dont like the bakufu? Theres more to the story. Yoshimitsu seized most of their territory, granting Nagato and Su Provinces to the deceased lords brother. However, the current lord, another brother, objected to this decision and had to wage an internecine conflict. Now, the present lord strives to regain their former glory. Heo Jo continued to press for details after the Minister of Ritess exnation. Are you certain of this? Their advance into northern Kysh is proof. The Ministry of Rites judges that his loyalty to the bakufu was to obtain the position of tandai[1] in the northern Kysh region. As tandai, he would hold military and taxation authority. After hearing the Minister of Ritess exnation, Heo Jo stroked his beard. Someone who feigns obedience while plotting betrayal This is a bit Having heard about uchi Masahiro, the current head of the uchi n, Heo Jo showed a negative reaction. Heo Jo stepped forward and spoke to Sejong. Your Majesty, I believe we must reconsider partnering with the uchi n. Based on the Ministry of Rites exnation, he seems to be a duplicitous figure. Hmm At Heo Jos words, Sejong sank into thought, stroking his beard. Seeing this, Hyang interjected. What if we look at it from a different perspective? A different perspective? Hyangs remark drew the attention of Sejong and the ministers. While he could be seen as two-faced, couldnt he also be considered as someone biding his time for vengeance? Hmm Perhaps Sejong nodded at Hyangs words. Noting Sejongs reaction, Hyang continued his exnation. His ambition, with military and taxation authority over Kysh, could benefit us. To attempt something grand, the first thing one must secure is funding. The Iwami silver mines will be his most crucial financial resource, so he will ensure that Kyotos eyes remain blind to it. I see. Such a scheme Sejong and the ministers nodded at Hyangs words. It was no ordinary mine, but a silver mine. If the bakufu discovered this, they would not remain idle. To prevent such an urrence, uchi would do his utmost, which was not a bad thing for Joseon. To borate further, there is a saying in the art of war: The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Also, Kyoto is too far. They know little of Joseon, and we, too, know little of them. Sejong and the ministers nodded again at Hyangs point. After briefly wetting his throat, Hyang continued. Even in terms of national defense, the uchi n is a good match for us. I reiterate, Kyoto is distant. But Kysh is close at hand. We can quickly learn of and prepare for any developments in Kysh. Isnt that the same for the uchi n? Hyang nodded at Heo Jos point. Correct. Thats why its even better. As our Joseon navys shipse and go, the uchi n will witness the might of Joseon with their own eyes. As you said, whether he is a man who feigns obedience while plotting betrayal or one biding his time for vengeance, such a person will coldly assess the situation. If being on good terms with Joseon benefits him and he cannot surpass our military strength, he will maintain friendly rtions with us and handle matters in Wa on our behalf. Well, thats true. Heo Jo nodded at Hyangs exnation. Hyangs words were undoubtedly correct. The most significant characteristic of duplicitous individuals was swallowing the sweet and spitting out the bitter. As long as allying with Joseon proved advantageous, the uchi n would be their greatest coborator. If Joseon continues to grow as it is now, the uchi n will have no choice but to rely on us. Having made his judgment, Heo Jo reported to Sejong. I believe the Crown Princes words are correct. An old saying goes, Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Though the uchi n may be two-faced, having them in in sight will make them a good match for Joseon. Your words are wise. With Sejongs reply, the uchi n was chosen as their partner. *** Having ovee one hurdle, another obstacle emerged. Kim Jeom asked about the aspect he was most interested in. Then, what would be an appropriate distribution ratio? 8 to 2. With Joseon taking 8. At Hyangs answer, everyone from Sejong to the ministers squinted at Hyang. Sejong and the ministers were already well-ustomed to Hyang. Speak of the real distribution ratio we must secure, not the bait. Time is precious. At Sejongs words, Hyang slightly pouted his lips. 8 to 2 is the best! However, Hyang knew very well. The problem is that ratio is just asking to be called a bandit The optimum is 65% to 35%. The line we must defend at all costs is 6 to 4. Since we are providing all the prospecting and mining technicians, as well as the tools, we must uphold this ratio. Sounds reasonable Wouldnt it be better to transport refined silver ingots rather than ore? Kim Jeom fiercely retorted to the Minister of Public and Works suggestion. Are you saying we should hand over silver refining techniques to them? Ah That was a slip of the tongue. No wonder you passed the civil service exam with a eulgwa[2] When Kim Jeom started attacking using past exam results, the Minister of Public Works burst out angrily. Lord Kim! Did I say anything wrong? Grrr The Minister of Public Works ground his teeth at Kim Jeoms innocent response. After Sejongs royalmand prohibiting mentioning parents during arguments, the ministers began using civil service exam results as a source for personal attacks. The fatal effect of this attack was the difficulty in responding. It was not as hical as inquiring about ones parents well-being and merely dug at facts. Defamation by stating facts doesnt exist in this era! As Hyang was muttering while observing the Minister of Public Works reddening face, Sejong intervened. Lord Kim, your words were a bit harsh. I am deeply humbled. And Minister, I ask that you think a bit more carefully. I am deeply humbled! Lord Kim wins! As Sejong stepped in to handle the situation, Hyang continued. Of course, transporting refined silver ingots instead of ore could improve efficiency. However, as Lord Kim said, there is a high risk of refining techniques being leaked. Moreover, there is another reason why we must bring in ore. Silver ore often has lead and tin mixed in. For Joseon, lead and tin are essential minerals. Lead was widely used as a material for bullets and soldering. Tin was an indispensable ingredient in making copper alloys. In the end, it was decided that Hyangs opinions would be heavily reflected in formting ns regarding the silver mines. *** With the silver matter settled, Sejong asked Hyang. Do you happen to have any other proposals? Im asking just in case. At Sejongs question, the ministers turned to Hyang. If hees up with something else here, the Crown Prince is not human! Please, dont make us feel inadequate! However, Hyangs answer betrayed the ministers hopes. I have one more. Oh! Is that so? Quickly, tell me! Sejong was delighted, while the ministers inwardly sighed. His Majesty will scold us for not keeping up with our age again! They say the heavens are fair! Ugh! What a filthy world! The ministers were makingints that themoners outside Gyeongbok Pce would curse at for 3 or 4 days if they heard. Anyway, at Sejongsmand, Hyang promptly replied. Cotton. Cotton? Yes. The low sales of the wide cloth produced by the merchant groups this time were because the people were unsatisfied with the prices. I received a report. The issue with the price was not due to merchants adding high margins. It was because the price of raw cotton was expensive. And the reason cotton is expensive is that few cultivate it. After Mun Ik-jeom introduced cotton in thete Goryeo period, the cultivation area for cotton had been gradually increasing. However, hemp cloth was still the norm for the people of Joseon. Because cotton was so precious, cotton cloth was used in ce of currency. This was precisely the point Hyang was making. To endure the cold Joseon winters, cotton padding is essential. However, because cotton is scarce, the padding is also scarce. And in order to stay warm during winter, people burn a lot of fires, making wood precious. To break this vicious cycle, we need cotton inrge quantities. Kim Jeom interjected at Hyangs words. In that case, shouldnt we mass-produce it in Joseon instead of Wa? Then we wouldnt needlessly give wealth to Wa. Then where will we grow grain? Ah Kim Jeom closed his mouth with an awkward expression at Hyangs retort. Seeing this, the Minister of Public Works showed a gratified expression. Wont Wa face the same food problem? Hyang immediately answered Sejongs question with a grin. Cant they just sell it for money? They can buy it cheaply from the Jiangnan region of Ming and sell it. Its a good answer, but The people of Japan will dislike it. The ministers nodded at Sejongs point. If they were told to grow cotton instead of the crops they had been farming and to buy the grain they needed to eat immediately with money, there would not be a single farmer who would be happy. In response to Sejongs words, Hyang presented an alternative. Do we have to be the ones selling it? Cant the lords of Wa sell it? Joseon can simply purchase and deliver it. For the lords, its an easy way to make money sitting down, so they will be thrilled. At Hyangs answer, Sejong and the ministers had the same thought. How devious!
  1. is a Kamakura and Muromachi period colloquialism for any very important governmental, judiciary or military post in a determinate area.[]
  2. The second-tier group in the Joseon civil service examination results, below *gapkwa* (), the top-tier group.[]
Chapter 232 Chapter 232 Although Sejong and the ministers shuddered at Hyangs deviousness, they also thought his method was the best course of action. Hyang continued his exnation. In the process of recruiting Japanese to work in the mines and cultivate cotton, we will try to exclude the Japanese lords as much as possible. At Hyangs words, Maeng Sa-seong immediately asked a question. Does excluding the Japanese lords mean that Joseon will directly recruit the workers? In principle, yes. Once we obtain permission from the Japanese lords, Joseon will step in and make the contracts from then on. In response to Hyangs answer, Sejong expressed his doubts. Will the lords allow it? We just need to create a justification. We will personally select diligent workers. Isnt that a good reason? They will profit by collecting taxes from the wages we pay. Thats true. As Sejong nodded, Hyang made a meaningful remark. Lords who can see the big picture will rise to greatness, while the petty ones will shorten their own lives. Sejong and the ministers, after briefly pondering the meaning of Hyangs words, shook their heads. So devious! How cold! Amidst their head shaking, the Minister of Rites pointed out a problem. But if we do this, wont too much power be concentrated in the uchi n? If were not careful Hyang promptly responded to the Minister of Rites concern. I dont n on entrusting this to the uchi n. Then who? Isnt there Minamoto no Michisada, the Kysh Tandai? At Hyangs answer, Sejong and the ministers all eximed in admiration. Aha! *** Hyang, who had selected Minamoto no Michisada as the second lord to bring under Joseons influence, exined his reasoning. First, Michisada is an outsider directly appointed by the bakufu. If Joseon wins over such a person, we can expand our influence against the bakufu. In response to Hyangs exnation, Sejong asked a question. What kind of person is Michisada? The Minister of Rites stepped forward to answer Sejongs query. ording to our investigation, his original surname is Shibukawa. He originally ruled Bitch and Aki Provinces but was appointed as the Kysh Tandai. After being appointed Kysh Tandai, he was ordered by the bakufu to govern Hizen Province and has established his base in Chikuzen and Hakata. How are his rtions with neighboring regions? The reason the bakufu dispatched Michisada was to strengthen its control over Kysh. And in recognition of his merits, it was decided that the Shibukawa n would inherit the position of Kysh Tandai. Sejong immediately grasped the meaning of the Minister of Rites answer. In other words, their rtionship is not good. That is correct, Your Majesty. He is particrly in constant conflict with the Shni n, who originally ruled Hizen and the surrounding areas. Moreover, the Shni n is suspected to be the mastermind behind the Wokou pirates who troubled Goryeo since thete period. Is that so? Sejongs voice following the Minister of Rites words had turned bitterly cold. The Ministry of Rites spection that the Shni n was behind the Wokou had considerable basis. The biggest evidence was that the S n, the lords of Tsushima Ind, were under the Shni n. The second piece of evidence was that conflicts between the Shni n and the Muromachi bakufu intensified as the bakufu began to take full control of Kysh, and from then on, the appearances of the Wokou (Japanese pirates) became more frequent.(Note 1) When the Wokou were mentioned, Sejong immediately made up his mind. Strengthening the Minamoto ns power will benefit Joseon. Hyang immediately followed up on Sejongs words. If we can get both the uchi and Minamoto ns in our hands, we can control the regions of Kysh and the main ind of Japan that are closest to Joseon. Hmm At Hyangs words, Sejong looked at the map hanging on the stand. Connecting the areas Hyang and the Minister of Rites had just mentioned would create a defensive line blocking the sea routes heading toward Joseon. With his mind made up, Sejong turned to the ministers. I will tell you, my subjects. We are listening with utmost attention. Handle Tsushima Ind as you have suggested, and for Kysh, proceed based on the Crown Princes n. We shall obey yourmand! If this strategy seeds, not only can Joseon break free from the threat of the Wokou, but we can also subjugate Japan, the home base of the Wokou, so we must ensure its sess. We will engrave it in our bones and minds! Thus began the operation named Laughing While Concealing a Knife. *** Once Sejongs determination was set, things progressed rapidly. I believe securing the navys strength is most important for this operation to truly seed. I ask the Crown Prince, how is the production of the high-speed Haeung-ss warships going? Hyang promptly answered Sejongs question. We are currently constructing the third warship. The shipyards are being expanded, and the craftsmen are bing more skilled. By the end of this year, we should be able toplete about eight ships. Upon hearing Hyangs answer, Sejong immediately made some calctions. The warships to be deployed to Murung Ind And the training of the naval forces to board the warships The time it will take to build the naval base and port on Murung Ind It will take at least three years for the facilities on Murung Ind to function properly, right? Yes. At Hyangs response, Sejong looked at Jo Mal-saeng. Can the turtle ships handle the South Sea until the Haeung ships are deployed? If we can properly deal with Tsushima Ind, it will be more than enough. Jo Mal-saeng answered immediately. There was a basis for Jo Mal-saengs answer. The Joint Chiefs of Staff had previously devised ns and conducted map exercises under the premise of using military force against Japan. With favorable winds, it only took a day to travel from Dongnae to Tsushima Ind. Therefore, even with just the turtle ships, they could exert sufficient deterrence. Hearing Jo Mal-saengs answer, Sejong showed a relieved expression. Phew~. Thats fortunate. Very fortunate. Then, we can start the operations against Tsushima and Kysh as soon as possible. The Ministry of Rites shall select the envoys to send to Tsushima, the uchi n, and the Minamoto n. Yes, Your Majesty. I trust you understand the importance of this matter. Yes, Your Majesty! Sejong did not forget to urge the Minister of Rites. *** Sejong showed particr interest in selecting the envoys. As a result, the Minister of Rites had a harrowing experience. And the reprimands continued. Theyve already been rejected twice! Do they not want to do their job properly?! I, I apologize. Whenever the Minister of Rites shouts rang out, the officials of the Ministry of Rites became docile and apologized profusely. They selected candidates they deemed suitable, created a list of names, and submitted it to Sejong along with their performance evaluation reports. Here is the list of names we consider suitable to send as envoys this time. Please select from among them. At the Minister of Rites words, Sejong ced the list on one side of his desk and replied. I will do it as quickly as possible. Pardon? The Minister of Rites involuntarily raised his head to look at Sejong, surprised by his response after urging him so hastily. In response to the Minister of Rites reaction, Sejong pointed to the documents piled on his desk and exined his reason. As the Minister of Rites can see, there are many matters that require immediate resolution. Also, considering the importance of this matter, I want to carefully examine the envoys. Ah, yes I understand. The Minister of Rites answered Sejongs words and left Gangnyeongjeon Hall. And five dayster, Sejong summoned the Minister of Rites. None of them pass. Pardon? Sejong exined the reasons for failing the candidates one by one. They all seem capable, but their mouths are too loose. Pardon? Rumors are rampant in the alleys of Hanseong. They say that when these people get drunk, everyone in Hanseong learns about the courts affairs. Ah What is most important in this matter? Isnt it to conceal our intentions as much as possible? At Sejongs point, the Minister of Rites bowed his head. I will select the candidates again. Work hard. The Minister of Rites, having been rejected by Sejong, once again selected candidates and submitted them to Sejong. And he was rejected by Sejong again. What made it worse was that among the candidates put forward, there were some with suspicions of taking bribes. I had warned you before, yet another person who took bribes has appeared! Not only that, but you rmended such a person to me? Minister of Rites! Do youck discernment to that extent?! Please have me killed! This was why the Minister of Rites, after being severely reprimanded, was now urging his subordinates. Where did you keep your eyes and ears to select a bribe-taker as a candidate?! Do you know how much I was scolded by His Majesty?! Should I have to be scolded at this age?! We, we apologize! Select them again immediately! Yes, sir! Someone capable, tight-lipped, and not crooked! Yes, sir! As soon as they answered, the officials who left the Minister of Rites room let out a long sigh. After catching their breath to some extent, the officials discussed the criteria. Find someone capable, tight-lipped, and not crooked? Does such a person even exist? Ever since they weeded out people over the bribery issue before, there are quite a few who arent crooked, but the first two are the problem No, thats not it. There are many capable people, but the problem is finding someone tight-lipped. Is there anyone in the court these days who can keep a secret? At their colleagues words, the officials quietly nodded their heads. *** What loosened the lips of those working in the court was alcohol. Officials suffering from overwork relieved their stress by drinking hard liquor at gisaeng houses. As they drank hard liquor and got drunk quickly and heavily, all sorts of words they had kept inside burst out. It started lightly withmenting the hardships of work and went as far as boasting about the tasks they were in charge of. The real problem was that among the words that spilled out, there were many confidential matters. Even those who would rather die than open their mouths when sober had lips lighter than feathers after a bottle of the famous hard liquor called hongjoo (red wine). And all these incidents were reported to Sejong by the secret royal inspectors, and Sejong was creating his own personnel evaluation reports. *** The grumbling officials clicked their tongues as they watched the military officers from the Office of the Inspector General rush in. The number of human pirs at the Office of Records will increase again. Youre right about that. How did they end up taking bribes? Foolish fellows As they were grumbling, the Minister of Rites voice rang out from behind them. Hurry up and get to work! Do you want to be pirs too?! Yes, sir! Well do it, we will! And so, the Ministry of Rites selected new envoy candidates and submitted them to Sejong. This is the third time Are you confident? In response to Sejongs doubtful question, the Minister of Rites answered while sweating profusely. We did our best! They say the third times the charm! Please! Hmm Leave it and go. Yes, Your Majesty. Five dayster, Sejong summoned the Minister of Rites. Form the envoy groups with those I have selected. I shall obey yourmand! The Minister of Rites steps as he left with Sejongs order were as light as if he could fly to the sky. Fifteen dayster, Cheongjin. As the development of the northeast region progressed, Hwang Huis governor-generals office also moved up to Cheongjin. Jong-seo~. Yes, sir. Youll have to go on a business trip to Kysh. Kysh? At Hwang Huis words, Kim Jong-seo turned his head to the map hanging on the wall. Ive heard the name Kysh before Not this Kysh, the one across the sea. Kim Jong-seo asked with a pale face at Hwang Huis words. Kysh across the sea? Dont tell me Are you talking about Kysh Ind in Japan? Thats right. When I go on a boat, I get severe seasickness Dont worry. The royal physicians will go with you. I get terrible motion sickness even with slight waves What about that fishing trip you went on with mest time? Is the East Sea ake? Sir Shut up and pack your bags right now! *** Note 1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sh%C5%8Dni_n Chapter 233 Chapter 233 On his way back to Hanseong, Kim Jong-seosints were ceaseless. What kind of officials life is like a floating weed? Going north, going south Kim Jong-seo, grumbling like this, returned to Hanseong. After arriving in Hanseong, Kim Jong-seo stopped by the Ministry of Rites as per the orders he received. Huh? Isnt it Ji-bong? Oh? Jeol-jae! Long time no see! Hwangbo In and Kim Jong-seo, who ran into each other at the Ministry of Rites, greeted each other with pleased faces. As the two conversed withughter, an official from the Ministry of Rites came out and guided them to arge room. In therge room, those who would participate in the envoy group to Japan this time had gathered. Shortly after, the Minister of Rites, who entered the room, asked the official who had entered first. Is everyone here? Yes. Good work. The Minister of Rites, after lightlyplimenting him, opened his mouth as he looked at those gathered in the room. The reason I gathered you all here today is that we must soon send envoys to Japan. At the Minister of Rites opening remarks, one of those gathered asked a question. Are we going as a diplomatic mission? Simr. Pardon? Most of those in the room stared at the Minister of Rites face, filled with doubts. The task of going to Japan this time *** After the Minister of Rites exnation ended, the faces of those leaving the room were unprecedentedly serious. It was because the mission they heard through the Minister of Rites was unprecedentedly grave. Kim Jong-seo was among those who came out with such serious expressions. Emerging with a deeply furrowed face, Kim Jong-seo spat out a curse. Damn it! Of course! With my luck *** When he received the sudden order from Hwang Hui to go to Kysh, Kim Jong-seo had thought optimistically. While going to Kysh isnt an easy task, its still better than just looking at documents here. I obviously dont have what it takes to be the chief envoy, so at best, I might be the vice envoy. No, considering my career, I probably dont have what it takes to be the vice envoy either. Then, Ill be one of the officials in the envoy group? In that case, Ill have plenty of free time Is the old man letting me rest a bit? Having assessed the situation, Kim Jong-seos mood improved. I wonder what Japanese gisaeng houses look like? What would be good for my wife? Kim Jong-seo had a grateful heart toward Hwang Hui in his own way. *** However, Kim Jong-seos optimistic hopes were ruthlessly shattered. Seed in negotiations with the uchi n, who controls the northeastern region of Kysh! The items to negotiate are What Kim Jong-seo had to seed in were the establishment of a trading post and joint silver mining. Damn it! Just one of these could cost me my neck if things go wrong! As Kim Jong-seo was grumbling about being tasked with such a risky job, Hwangbo In walked up beside him. How about a drink? At Hwangbo Ins words, Kim Jong-seo nodded. All right! Lets have a drink! On a day like this, we should drink! Which gisaeng house is famous these days? In response to Kim Jong-seos question, Hwangbo In suggested an unexpected ce. Lets have a drink at my house. At your house? Why? Isnt it a safe ce even if we cant resist the alcohol and bber? At Hwangbo Ins words, Kim Jong-seo clicked his tongue. Tsk! What a wretched fate that I cant even go to a gisaeng house with peace of mind! What sins did Imit in my past life?! *** Anyways, the two ended up drinking at the mens quarters of Hwangbo Ins house. When they were well into their cups, Hwangbo In asked Kim Jong-seo. Why do you think His Majesty and the court are conducting this matter in such aplex and secretive manner? What do you think? Me? Hwangbo In, after pondering for a moment with a flushed face from the alcohol, grinned and opened his mouth. Shall we imitate an old story? An old story? Hwangbo In took out a sheet of paper from the desk pushed back, tore it in half, and held out one half to Kim Jong-seo. Seeing this, Kim Jong-seo chuckled and epted the paper. Shouldnt it be the palm, if were doing it properly? Isnt it bothersome to wash hands while drinking? True Kim Jong-seo, nodding at Hwangbo Ins words, rummaged through his sleeve and took out a gold-tipped brush and ink stick. A momentter, the two checked what the other had written and burst intoughter. Hahaha! Haha! On both pieces of paper, the word subjugation was identically written. Afterughing heartily, Hwangbo In and Kim Jong-seo continued their drinking session, but at some point, the task they were assigned had turned into a drinking snack. But you know, why do you think we need to use such a strategy instead of a direct approach? In response to Hwangbo Ins question, Kim Jong-seo gave a short answer. Because Joseon is weak. At Kim Jong-seos words, Hwangbo In tilted his head. Joseon is weak? Right now, out at sea, the pirates are busy fleeing at the mere sight of our turtle ships, and in the north, the Jurchen tribes are continuously submitting to us. We cant catch those who flee, so the number of pirates isnt decreasing, and were already struggling just to pacify the Jurchen tribes who have submitted. Kim Jong-seo, pointing out the reality, emptied his cup and continued. If we were truly a strong nation, pirates wouldnt even think of appearing nearby, and we would have strength to spare even after pacifying those who submitted. While pouring alcohol into the empty cup, Kim Jong-seo reached a conclusion. Joseon is still weak. At Kim Jong-seos words, Hwangbo Ins face turned serious. To that extent? Even with the weapons created by the Crown Prince, which are said to have the best performance? The performance of the weapons is good. The problem is that we stillck the ability to make those weapons earn their keep. Kim Jong-seos face was filled with regret as he emptied his cup again. To put it simply, with Joseons current capabilities, its easy to win battles but difficult to win wars. To that extent? Think about it. The main weapons of the Joseon military all use gunpowder. That means if the logistics dont function properly, theyre useless. Looking at the current situation in the northeast region, worries are piling up like a mountain. Were worried about the east because we dont know whats there, and were terrified of the west because we know too well what kind of bastards are holding out there. Ah Oh! Hwangbo In, who was nodding at Kim Jong-seos words, suddenly eximed as if he had thought of something. If gunpowder is the problem, cant we import it from Ming? Do you think Ming will give it to us? That precious gunpowder? Those guys who wouldnt even give us rhino horns? Ah At Kim Jong-seos point, Hwangbo In smacked his lips with a regretful expression. Seeing Hwangbo Ins expression, Kim Jong-seo added. Also, Mings gunpowder has poor performance. Poor? Compared to the gunpowder the Crown Prince has refined, its so poor in performance that its filthy. And after using it once, you have to disassemble and clean the barrels and cannons because of the dirty residue left behind. In a word, its too filthy to use. I see Hwangbo In kept nodding at Kim Jong-seos harsh evaluation. *** The issue of gunpowder supply was always a headache. And the main culprits causing this problem were potassium nitrate and sulfur. Although Hyang used the pastures on Nabi Ind to make firecrackers and mobilized various methods to increase the production of potassium nitrate, the consumption kept rising. Fortunately, as trade with Japan increased, the inflow of sulfur grew, and several sulfur mines were discovered, providing some relief. However, the problem was potassium nitrate. This alone remained a suffocating situation. How about reducing the training that uses gunpowder? In response to Kim Jeoms suggestion, the Ministry of Military Affairs, of course, and even Hyang strongly opposed. Talk sense! When all the main weapons of the military use gunpowder, are you saying not to train at all?! Arent you a former general?! Jo Mal-saeng, heated up, jumped around, forgetting that they were in Geunjeong Hall, and Hyang calmly exined the reason. Gunpowder weapons emit a loud explosion and mes. One must be ustomed to these to be able to properly engage in actualbatter. Hyangs exnation had a precedent. In the 17th-18th centuries, gunpowder was also an expensive item in European nations. Therefore, when training, they trained without using gunpowder. In other words, they fired nk shots. In contrast, Britain, which could obtainrge quantities of potassium nitrate at low prices, usedrge amounts of gunpowder in the training of its army and navy. And that difference manifested as the unstoppable advance of the British forces. This time, the Minister of Military Affairs and the Crown Prince are correct. When even Sejong sided with Jo Mal-saeng and Hyang, Kim Jeom had to close his mouth. However, Hyang had no intention of just letting this part pass. Once enough Challenger-ss ships are built, we must immediately start building merchant ships. As soon as we have a sufficient number of ocean-going merchant ships, we must head to India. Staring at India on the map, Hyangs eyes shone. Hyang knew well where Britain purchasedrge quantities of potassium nitrate from. Until potassium nitrate was discovered in Chile, thergest producer of potassium nitrate was India. The problem was not knowing exactly where in India. To resolve this, Hyang subtly probed Mansur. Do Muslims also use gunpowder? Yes. Of course. Where do they obtain the ingredients for gunpowder? We procure them through trade from various ces. Then where do you obtain potassium nitrate from? We get it from Delhi. Your Highness, shall I procure some for you? Mansur, who had now grasped Joseons situation to some extent, cautiously made an offer, but Hyang shook his head. No need. Its just personal curiosity. Hyang, tly rejecting Mansurs proposal, muttered inwardly. Anything else can be intermediary trade, but not potassium nitrate! Its a defense material! I absolutely cannot ce my lifeline in someone elses hands! Having found out the location in this way, Hyang was now just waiting for the right time. *** While the education for the diplomatic mission and envoys to be sent to Japan was underway, the court continued to refine the n. But, Your Highness, if all the cotton is produced in Japan, wont those who produce cotton in Joseon suffer a great loss? In response to Kim Jeoms question, Hyang expressed doubt. As far as I know, there are none who have staked everything on cotton, right? At Hyangs point, Kim Jeom exined in more detail. Of course, thats true. However, there are quite a few who earn a tidy profit from cotton cultivation. Of course, if we only consider the wide cloth, this n is the best, but there will be a lot ofints. Thats probably true. Hyang nodded with a bitter face. Although it could be called an inevitable sacrifice or victims of change, it was certain that there would be those who med the country. So, Ive thought of something. I n to order cotton seeds from Mansurs merchant group that will arrive soon. Cotton seeds, you say? I heard that the cotton from a country called Egypt is of such good quality. Do you mean Well make the cloth to be sold cheaply with cotton imported from Japan, and for the expensive high-end products, well use cotton cultivated from seeds imported from Egypt. Then, those who grow cotton in Joseon will also be somewhat satisfied. *** Hyang learned about Egyptian cotton due to a connection from his university days. Among the very few people Hyang built friendships with during his university life, there was one gold spoon. Hyang gave him, who was also his senior in the department, the nickname Stealth Gold Spoon. It was because he gave almost no impression of being a gold spoon with his in attire. However, that was a trap. Those in-looking clothes were ultra-high-end luxury brands that only famous foreign celebrities wore, most of which were unheard of in Korea. One day, Hyang, out of boredom, investigated the prices of the clothes that senior was wearing and almost fainted. When he added up the prices of everything he wore from head to toe, the price of a mid-range car from the German Big Three popped up. When you go out into society, you need to have a few luxury items for when its absolutely necessary. It may seem materialistic, but still. While advising Hyang, that senior exined various things. In the process, Hyang learned about Egyptian cotton. *** Kim Jeom, nodding at Hyangs words, asked again. But Egypt and Joseon have different climates, so will it grow well? Well test it first, and if it doesnt work, well have to improve the variety. Hyang nonchntly said something that would make the officials of the Seed Research Institute gasp in shock. Chapter 234 Chapter 234 While the highest echelons of the court were establishing and executing various ns regarding Japan, Joseons internal affairs were steadily progressing. This is indeed the best oue obtained through the reform. Hyang was making a positive assessment as he observed the court operating without issue. *** From the perspective of Hyang, who had experienced the 21st century, the court before the reform was an embodiment of irrationality, given tasks and authority beyond its capabilities. The founding group of Joseon, believing that a big government close to Confucian ideals was not good for the people, intentionally created a small government. Before the reform, the total number of civil service positions in the Joseon government was around 500. However, this small government ced excessive burdens on its members. Lower-level officials were reced every few months by new officials, and it wasmon for officials of considerable rank to concurrently hold at least two positions. No matter how capable one was, there was a limit to the work that could be handled in a day. As a result, the mindset of whats good is good inevitably spread, leading to subpar administrative handling. This situation posed a serious burden to both those working as officials and those aspiring to be officials. Only 33 individuals could pass the higher civil service examination and be officials through the regr triennial examination. Naturally,petition was fierce. Moreover, even after bing an official, it was difficult to lead a proper life on sry alone. There were many che-a-jik positions, where people worked irregrly and received sry only when working, despite having a rank. As mentioned earlier, even officials who entered through the civil service examination were reced every 3 to 6 months. There were also many mu-rok-jik[1] positions without any sry at all. Of course, most of the mu-rok-jik positions were honorary positions given to long-lived elders, but there were also a significant number of other positions. This sry issue was even more serious for officials who entered through the misceneous examination (jap-gwa) recruitment. Therefore, factors such as excessive workload, frequent job rotations due to the absolutely small number of positions, and insufficient sry levels to ensure afortable life led to subpar administration and corruption. Despite this precarious and unstable situation, the Joseon court somehow functioned. The reason was that the king was as overburdened with work as the court. Thus, unless the king possessed exceptional abilities, many issues were overlooked. The most striking example of this, before Hyangs intervention, was the case of Seo Dals assault and manughter involving Hwang Hui, Maeng Sa-seong, and Seo Seon. If Sejong had not ordered a reinvestigation, stating that the fabricated report differed from the previously received records, the incident would have been buried. These problems and irrationalities umted over time, bing solidified as traditions and precedents. The festering boil that burst as a result was the turmoil of the mid tote Joseon period. During Hyangs high school days, Teacher Samcheonpo left a critical assessment. -Joseon ended up in that state because of the Japanese invasions and the Manchu invasions? Nonsense! The internally festering boil ate away at Joseon, leading to its copse in the face of foreign invasions! Simply put, it caught the flu and held a funeral in a situation where its immunity was a mess! Therefore, Hyang had advocated for the expansion of government organizations from the moment he presented his political views. And Sejong, greatly epting those political views, significantly expanded the size of the government through the reform. *** Although Hyang was making such a positive assessment, he was not satisfied. However, its still notplete. Comints about overtime work are popping up everywhere But this part requires time. It will probably take my fatherying the foundation, me refining it, and my son fine-tuning it for things to settle into ce. That way, it can endure well in the future. The court Hyang envisioned was as follows: A court that supports rapid progress when encountering a wise ruler, enables steady development under an average monarch, and allows the country and people to endure even under an ipetent ruler. Having organized his ns for the court, Hyang moved on to the next matter. Once the court is somewhatplete like this The next step would be to properly determine a sessor, right? Hyang, who had been muttering the word sessor, shook his head. This issue should be pondered after the sessor is born first. Right now, the problem is the birth *** Although it had been over three years since Hyangs wedding, there was still no news of an heir. This deepened the concern of Sejong and Queen Soheon, and the royal physicians had to take every opportunity to check the pulse of the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje. It was not limited to the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje. Hyang also had to undergo continuous examinations by the royal physicians. There are no particr abnormalities. All four of you are very healthy. The royal physicians reports only deepened the concerns of Sejong and Queen Soheon. Then why is there still no heir? They are still young, so you can rx a little At the royal physicians words, Queen Soheon remarked. When His Majesty was the Crown Princes age, he already had two children. Ahem! Ahem! At Queen Soheons words, Sejong coughed awkwardly for no reason. Princess Jeongso, the eldest, was born when Sejong was fifteen, and Hyang was born when Sejong was seventeen. Given this situation, Hyang was also secretly worried. Why? Im diligently trying whenever I have the chance, but why? Could it be As Hyang pondered the reason for theck of an heir, he came up with a usible hypothesis. Even if the exterior is like that, could it be because the core, me, is an Irregr? Hyangs worries were deepening. However, without knowing the correct answer, there was only one conclusion Hyang could reach. Well, it cant be helped. Ill just have to try harder. *** As various matters continued in this manner, time passed, and the opening of Samin School was just around the corner. Im going to die because of this! With a pile of documents stacked like a mountain in front of him, the Minister of Rites had a haggard expression. A pile of documents regarding the selection of envoys to secretly dispatch to Japan and the selection of diplomatic mission to openly send formed arge stack. On one side, there was another pile of thetest information on the situation in Ming, sent from the trading post established there. And on another side, reports rted to Samin School were piled up. At least with Samin School opening soon, the number of reportsing in has decreased The Minister of Rites eyes were fixed on the pile of documents next to it. Documents rted to the establishment of Middle School and Military Academy, which were set to open next year, formed arge stack. As for the Military Academy Weve been preparing step by step, so its not an issue But Middle School The Minister of Rites ground his teeth as he examined the documents. Damn those bastards! Raising a rebellion for no reason! The targets of the Minister of Rites teeth-grinding were those who had rebelled in the year of Gi-yu (11th year of Sejongs reign, 1429). Before they staged the rebellion, the n established by the Ministry of Rites was as follows: -Construct a new building for Samin School and teach the children there. For those who wish to study further afterpleting Samin School, their education will take ce at the local Community School. The teachers to instruct them will be recruited from the local Hyangban (rural elites) with excellent skills. However, when the rebellion broke out, all ns were disrupted. In particr, as the aristocrats who participated in the rebellion were all purged, there was a shortage of those who could take charge of Middle School. As a result, the establishment of Middle School, which was supposed to be established simultaneously with Samin School, was dyed by a year. To do it properly, at least three more years were needed, but due to Sejongs pressure, it was reduced to one year. And the officials of the Ministry of Rites had to suffer due to the stress. But now, Samin School is opening! Weve ovee one hurdle! Positive officials rejoiced at having ovee one hurdle. However, the pessimistic officialsplexions worsened even further. And reports on unexpected problems will pile up like a mountain. Well suffer trying to find solutions to them *** Sejong was also deeply interested in matters rted to Samin School. The condition of the buildings to be used as schools is also fine, and the deployment of teachers is well done. Hyang, observing Sejong assessing the situation while looking at the reports, opened his mouth. Is there anything that displeases you? No. It seems like theres something bothering you. At Hyangs words, Sejong let out a sigh. Phew~. Its just that there are some issues with the teachers who will instruct the girls. Their qualifications dont seem to be a problem, though? Sejong nodded at Hyangs point. Theres no problem with their qualifications. As for qualifications Sejong, who paused for a moment, let out another long sigh. However, the shackles are too heavy. Ah Hyang nodded, letting out a brief groan at Sejongs words. The women who would educate the girls at Samin School were those who had received the titles of virtuous women and filial daughters-inw in each town. Among them, those with deep schrly knowledge would teach academics, while those with shallow knowledge would teach weaving or other necessary life skills. However, the shackles Sejong referred to were the societal notions regarding women. Because they were women, they could not leave their hometowns. As a result, efficient deployment became impossible, and in ces with many women, the number of male teachers had to be reduced. This was quite a daring attempt. How can a woman teach a boy?! When the promation regarding the deployment was first posted, there were quite a few who protested like this. However, Sejong did not allow opposition. It was Mencius mother who raised Mencius! The content of the teaching is important, not the gender of the teacher! With this justification, one issue was ovee, but there was no answer to another problem even for Sejong. That other problem was the avoidance system. Since teachers were also government officials, they had to be subject to the avoidance system. This was where the problem arose. In the case of male teachers, there was no issue with deploying them to ces other than their hometowns. Official residences and even public ves to assist with chores were assigned for them. However, this was not possible for women. I must guard the family. I must serve my elderly inws. Because all the female teachers had received the titles of virtuous women and filial daughters-inw, the avoidance system could not be applied to them. Therefore, in ces with many such women, the number of male teachers had to be reduced. Should we select unmarried women from now on? Hyang immediately shook his head at Sejongs words. There will be an uproar about blocking their marriage prospects. I suppose so Phew~. Sejong sighed at Hyangs answer. Sejong had also anticipated this part. If the avoidance system were applied to unmarried female teachers and they were sent to other regions, there would be an immediate uproar. The Office of the Inspector-General and the Office of the Censor-General would be the first to be turned upside down, citing chastity and virtue. To prevent this, strict security measures would have to be implemented at the womens residences, which would be an unnecessary waste. Of course, unlike the notoriouste Joseon period, womens rights and freedoms were still guaranteed, but sending women to other regions was a risky move. Wait? No No Hyang, who had been making various judgments, came up with apromise. Your Majesty, unmarried women may not work, but what about married women? Huh? Now, we have recruited teachers from among virtuous women and filial daughters-inw. However, as time passes, even they will have to step down due to age. And as the poption grows, the number of those who need to be taught will also increase, resulting in a constant need to fill vacancies. Thats true. It is impossible to fill these vacancies solely with virtuous women and filial daughters-inw. Right? Right. In that case, we select talented individuals from among married women to fill the positions. Select married women? Yes, Your Majesty. Official residences are already prepared. Then, there should be no problem even if a couple moves in. Wait a minute? Wait At Hyangs words, Sejong began to seriously consider the possibility with a sincere expression.
  1. Voluntary officials[]
Chapter 235 Chapter 235 Hmm It seems like it could work As Sejong muttered with a slightly perplexed expression, Hyang immediately provided additional exnations. Your Majesty, women with enough schrly knowledge to teach children would be from noble families. I suppose so. Then, wouldnt their husbands also be men from noble families? Thats right. Sejong nodded, increasingly furrowing his brows at Hyangs exnation. Theres something, but what am I missing? Seeing Sejongs expression, Hyang muttered inwardly. This person is sometimes weak to irregr attacks Having confirmed that Sejong was struggling, Hyang exined in more detail. If the husband hasnt passed the civil service examination At that moment, Sejong pped his knee. Thats it! What does it matter where they study for the exam?! Even if they move with their wife, as long as they have the will and determination, they can certainly achieve good results! Hyang smiled brightly at Sejongs words. Thats right. Or, the couple could work together as teachers. Exactly! Exactly! Sejong pped his knee in delight at Hyangs words. Hyang came up with this idea because of the aristocrats culture at the time. *** For men born into the aristocrats ss, which included both civil and military officials, the ultimate goal was to enter government service. To achieve this, men from noble families, especially civil officials families, had to study diligently. This was precisely the part Hyang focused on. ording to Hyangs survey of officials, the average age at which boys from noble families began studying was around 5 years old. They started learning the Thousand Character ssic at this age and began studying in earnest around the age of 10. Through this process, those with excellent abilities passed the civil service examination in their mid-teens, but the average age was in the 30s. In other words, theyre long-term exam preppers who prepare for nearly 20 years. The difference from the 21st century is that most of them self-study without private tutors or prestigious academies. They solve economic problems through tenant farming and dont even manage it themselves by employing overseers. Given this situation, Hyang hade up with the idea of having married women from noble families not virtuous women, but those with husbands enter the teaching profession. If a married woman with a husband entered the teaching profession and was subject to the avoidance system, she would still be able to relocate. As mentioned earlier, teachers were provided with official residences and public ves. And if the couple serving as teachers were from a well-off family, they could even bring their familys private ves. In that case, even if the husband followed his wifes relocation, he would be able to continue his studies without much issue. Wasnt there a saying? In the 80s and 90s, pharmacists were ideal spouses, in the 2000s, female teachers, and after that, any kind of civil servant *** Sejong, after hearing Hyangs exnation, kept nodding. Excellent! One of the most pressing issues in Joseon was theck of people, but this could solve that problem! This time, Hyang showed an expression of iprehension at Sejongs words. Your Majesty? Could it be that you intend to open government positions to women as well? Sejong nodded at Hyangs question. Of course, there will be many limitations, but if they have the will to do it, why should we stop them? Hyang spoke with a pale face. It seems too radical, Your Majesty. This person! Its already causing an uproar for being too fast! Now youre determined to put people who have just gotten used to the speed of a running horse on a KTX! Seeing Hyangs expression, Sejong chuckled and continued. Dont tell me you think it can be implemented right away? It will probably take a long time. Perhaps Sejong paused for a moment and looked at Hyang with mischievous eyes. Around the time you ascend to the throne? Hahaha Hyangughed strenuously while breaking out in a cold sweat. Itste. I should go and rest. Yes, Your Majesty. Hyang, leaving Gangnyeongjeon Hall, let out a long sigh. Phew~. Anyway, you always warp as soon as you take a single step Im afraid to say anything. Hyang, who had been shivering while recalling the conversation that had just taken ce, suddenly counted his fingers. When I ascend to the throne At least 20 years? No, even now, Your Majesty is properly managing his health, so a minimum of 30 years Thats quite a long time. Your Majesty is taking it easy too. Hyang, who had been walking with relief, suddenly stopped and was startled. No! Yes, Your Highness! Whats the matter? Ah, its nothing. Its nothing Hyangs voice trembled as he told the eunuch it was nothing. Hyangs mind was in a state of panic as he headed to Donggung Pce. I forgot! How my father ascended to the throne! Sejong had ascended to the throne through Taejongs abdication. Having experienced it himself, he could abdicate the throne at any time. No, not just abdication! Theres also that regent rule! There was a fact that Hyang didnt know because it wasnt covered in the curriculum and Teacher Samcheonpo didnt mention it. In the history before Hyangs intervention, during thest 8 years of Sejongs reign, Crown Prince Munjong had served as regent. Anyway, Hyang desperately tried to organize his thoughts. Dont panic! This is Gongmyeongs trap No, thats not it! Anyway, its not confirmed yet, so dont be afraid in advance! His Majesty is still vigorous! As Hyang was struggling to assess the situation, his thoughts suddenly jumped to apletely irrelevant ce. Thats right! Lets quickly produce an heir! Even if His Majesty wants to abdicate or have a regent rule, there will still be at least 10 more years. Lets quickly have an heir, raise them, and then toss them! Hyangs train of thought had jumped not to Samcheonpo, but to Andromeda. Eunuch! Yes, Your Highness! Tell the royal physicians to procure some medicinal ingredients good for nourishing and strengthening the body. Pardon? Ill need to exert a lot of effort from now on. Pardon? *** Although it was Hyangs momentary wit, Sejong, who liked this n, told the ministers about it. so, I had this thought, and it seems quite good. Therefore, I hope you will find and supplement any shorings and create a n. Pardon? Yes Yes We shall obey yourmand. At Sejongs order, the ministers were perplexed, then showed expressions of disbelief, and finally epted Sejongsmand with resignation. The ministers gathered in the State Councils meeting room let out long sighs. We already have a lot of work to do, and suddenly this out of nowhere Heo Jos grumbling was immediately followed by Kim Jeom. But, doesnt His Majestys words also make sense? Joseon has a long way to go, and there are quite a few things we cant do due to ack of people. But to go as far as women When were desperate for people, should we discriminate between men and women now? Tsk! At Kim Jeoms point, Heo Jo and the other ministers ended the situation by smacking their lips. Although it was a groundbreaking royal decree that shattered the values they had held until now, they empathized with the necessity more than anyone else. This was something that most officials working in the Joseon court at the time could rte to. The daily heavy workload made them acutely aware of the need for a supply of talented individuals. Therefore, the court quickly entered the process of materializing Sejongsmand. Of course, there were also those who refused until the end. Those who refused in this way eventually fell behind inpetition and disappeared, or had to conclude their careers at the Office of Records. Of course, unlike this ending, everyone who took on the task was curious about one thing. But who was the first to think of this? Isnt it His Majesty? Hes the one who issued the royal decree. Have you worked with His Majesty for just a day or two? Although His Majesty is a transcendent figure, hes not someone capable of such a radical move, is he? Thats true Who could it be? It was a question that everyone from the ministers to the low-ranking officials was curious about. However, they soon found the answer. It must have been the Crown Prince Who else could it be besides His Royal Highness the Crown Prince? *** Anyway, since most of those in charge of state affairs agreed to it, this soon became a new policy. And as time passed, it began to produce results that even Hyang had not anticipated. The way of thinking of Joseon people began to change. No, the social position of women, which had continued from the Three Kingdoms period through Goryeo and began to be suppressed with the start of Joseon, began to find its ce again. Of course, until this period, womens rights were rtively well guaranteedpared to theter period. They could travel freely. Although the procedure wasplicated for daughters of noble families, they could divorce if they wanted to. Moreover, when parents passed away, they divided the property equally with their brothers. However, only their n origin was recorded in the genealogy as so-and-so n of such-and-such ce. Women who became official government officials, albeit as teachers, began to have their full names recorded in the genealogy. Although they were women, it was because they had aplished the honorable feat of entering government service, which was prestigious for both their husbands family and their own family. And as womens social advancement gradually increased and their rights improved in this way, historians of the distant future foreign historians studying Joseon history had to rack their brains. It skipped again! In response to the screams of foreign historians, Korean historians replied with a calm expression. Since the ancient times of the Three Kingdoms period, womens social participation was free. That wasnt the case in Joseon! It was like that. However, the period of suppressing women was only about 30 years from the early founding of the dynasty to the end of Sejongs reform. It was too short a time to fully take root. Although it seems radical, if you look closely, its correct to view it as a reaction against such suppression. Does that make sense?! Yes, it makes sense. In the end, as various controversies continued, the Lee Hyang Extraterrestrial Theory or Lee Hyang Time Traveler Theory popped up again. Then, the Korean government intervened once more. Do you want to die? Do you want to perish? Do you want to go to your grave? Once again, Sejong and Hyang, who led this period, were sacred and invible figures. *** These matters were for the distant future, and Sejong and Hyang had to spend each day busily. The Muslim merchant ships have arrived at Jemulpo! Hyang, who was working in Area 51 and received the report, frowned and grumbled. They said they would arrive within 3 months They exceeded it by a whole month However, Hyang quicklyposed himself and immediately assessed the situation. Has the Ministry of Taxation dispatched officials? Yes! Since they have passed through the hot season, there may be patients with infectious diseases, so send physicians to check. Yes! After giving the orders, Hyang got up from his seat. I should go to Gyeongbok Pce. *** While Hyang was paying attention to the Muslim ships, Samin School finally opened across the country. Children flocked to the schools established nationwide, fromrge cities to the smallest administrative units, the hyeon (district). Noble family boys riding on ponies or donkeys pulled by servants, mischievous boys who came with the vige children, noble family girls holding their nannies hands, and girls in worn-out skirts and jackets all gathered at the school entrance. Shortly after, the teachers came out as the doors of the school, renovated from the Community School, opened. Boys, this way! Girls, this way! The official schedule of the school began by separating the gathered boys and girls. It was the start of a grand journey that wouldter be called the greatest driving force of Joseons great leap forward. Chapter 236 Chapter 236 Samin School, started by Sejongs strong will and urging of the court, also received a positive response from the people. On the opening day of Samin School, it was not only children who flocked to the schools. The childrens parents also gathered in front of Samin School, chatting and gossiping. They say theyll feed the kids? Thats right. They say theyll definitely provide one meal a day. The man who asked the question sighed in relief at the answer from the neighboring man beside him. Phew, thats one less worry. Why? Worried the kids might starve? Thats not it. Those little brats, with bodies the size of puppies, eat like oxen, so I was worried. But if they eat one less meal, thats fortunate. Hey! Talking about people! Shortly after, the doors of Samin School opened, and the teachers who would instruct the children came out. As the teachers emerged, the mor that had been bustling immediately died down. Peoples attitudes toward the teachers were very cautious. Their cautious attitude was partly due to showing respect in front of the teachers, but the teachers attire also yed a role. The male teachers were all wearing ck Confucian robes (note 1) and Confucian hats (note 2). On the forehead part of the Confucian hats, there was a circr gold ornament with the Chinese character (teach) engraved on it. The female teachers were wearing ck skirts and jackets, and they were also wearing ck short-sleeved tops called dansam (note 3). One distinctive feature was that they did not wear the gache (wig), which was an essential item for royal and noble family women. Instead, they wore a ck jokduri (a type of traditional Korean hat), and in the center of the jokduri, there was also a gold ornament with the character engraved on it. Lastly, both the Confucian robes and dansam had gold lines on the sleeves, and in the center of the gold lines, there was a gold-leaf peony flower pattern. *** All of this was also Hyangs idea. They say you shouldnt even step on a teachers shadow, but there are women too, right? Problems could arise. We need something to prove authority. What would be good? As Hyang pondered a good item, a 21st-century university graduation ceremony came to his mind. He remembered the professors and students all wearing ck gowns and square academic caps. Thats it! The ck uniforms the teachers were wearing now were a suitable adaptation based on that memory. When Sejong first saw the uniforms Hyang had made, he shared his impression. Isnt the ink-ck color too intimidating? In response to Sejongs point, Hyang exined the reason. Its not solely for the authority of the teachers. Ink-ck is the heaviest color. This serves as a constant reminder of the gravity of the teachers duties. What is Samin School? A ce that simply teaches letters and numbers? No! It is a ce that teaches children who do not yet properly know right from wrong, nurturing the pirs who will support this Joseon. How is this task not important? Those words are correct! At Hyangs exnation, Sejong loudly eximed his agreement. The ministers also had the same expression as Sejong. Because even whenpared to the teachings of the sages, Hyangs words were not wrong. Thanks to this, Hyangs words were printed and distributed to Samin School schools nationwide after undergoing a mounting process. The ce where these mounted frames were hung was the teachers office. The ck teacher uniforms created in this way became themon uniform worn by teachers not only in Samin School but also in Middle School (middle schools). These teacher uniforms became the pride and tradition of those who dedicated themselves to the teaching profession in Joseon. As time passed and changes in attire urred, the ck Confucian robes, dansam, Confucian hats, and jokduri remained unchanged as the teachers uniforms. Of course, there were those who cried out for a new era and rejected such teacher uniforms, but most teachers did not abandon the uniforms, even if they made minor improvements. Abandoning these teacher uniforms means abandoning the sacred intentions of our great ancestors! In the end, there was a sh between the old fogeys and the foolish dreamers over the teacher uniforms. *** Regardless of what happened in the future, with the opening of Samin School, many parents in Joseon gained hope. Our children must be in a better position than us! Perhaps because that hope was overheated,ughable incidents urred in a few ces. In a vige near Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. Were there always this many children in our vige? As one man tilted his head while looking at the children filling the area in front of the doors of Samin School, a neighboring man beside him scolded him. Dol Soes father, havent you heard the story? What story? You know Madam Kang from the neighboring vige is among the teachers at our viges school, right? Who is Madam Kang? As the man named Dol Soes father stood on tiptoe to look at the teachers, the neighboring man raised his hand and pointed. Over there, the third one from the right. Dol Soes father, who found the female teacher in question at the neighbors words, nodded his head. She looks a bit feisty. Youre saying the number of children at Samin School increased because of that teacher? Why? That teacher has three sons, and while raising her inws alone, she made all three of them pass the civil service examination. Oh my! And she taught them herself and made them pass without even a writing teacher. Oh my! At the neighbors words, Dol Soes fathers eyes grew as wide as they could. As Dol Soes father couldnt hide his surprise, the neighbor continued excitedly. Although they didnte in first ce, all three sons passed the higher civil service examination in the first and second divisions at the age of weak capping (20 years old)! And without even going through Seonggyungwan (Confucian academy)! Oh! Impressive! As the story continued, Dol Soes father couldnt conceal his astonishment. Seeing Dol Soes fathers reaction, the neighbor continued the story with excitement. So, when His Majesty heard the rumor He told her to teach at Middle School, but she declined. Why? The moment Dol Soes father expressed his question, those nearby also showed the same expression. Before they knew it, those around them had also be immersed in the story. In response to Dol Soes fathers question, the neighbor swallowed his saliva to wet his throat and continued. That teacher replied, It was only because the children were intelligent that such results were achieved, and she did nothing special.'' How humble! Right? In response to that answer, His Majesty spoke again, saying, Even if the childrens talents are bright, if there is no one to properly teach them, those talents cannot blossom.'' As expected of His Majesty! His insight is different! So, even when he ordered again, she declined? The reason was Those who have reached Middle School aim for the civil service examination, so they must figure it out on their own. However, Samin School is for children who are just starting to learn, so they must be taught the joy of learning. And she remained as a teacher at Samin School. Oh my Dol Soes father, who had been expressing admiration at the neighbors words, tilted his head again. I understand that the teacher is amazing, but why did the children flock here? If its for the civil service examination, they should go to Middle School, right? In response to Dol Soes fathers words, the neighbor gave a simple answer. You fool! You need to look further! What did you hear earlier? She said those who have reached Middle School must figure it out on their own, right? Whats the most important thing to figure it out on your own? You need to know how to study. But that teacher said, They must be taught the joy of learning Ah! Before the neighbor could finish his words, Dol Soes father and those nearby who were listening to the story all eximed in admiration. *** Three months before the opening of Samin School. My lord, what do you think about us moving? Moving? Kim Saengwon asked back with a puzzled face at his wifes sudden suggestion to move. In response to Kim Saengwons question, his wife, Madam Han, answered with more emphasis. Yes. Id like us to move to the neighboring vige. Why? I heard that among the teachers at the Samin School being established in the neighboring hyeon (district), there is Madam Kang. Who is Madam Kang that you say that? In response to Kim Saengwons question, Madam Han exined in detail about Madam Kang. After hearing the story, Kim Saengwon still couldnt hide his puzzlement. Although she is an impressive woman, I dont quite understand why we should move because of that Husband! Madam Han raised her voice. Look around you! The people in the vige call you Saengwon and call our house the Saengwons house, but ording to thew, we are also justmoners, right? At Madam Hans point, Kim Saengwons head drooped. As Sejong changed thew, Kim Saengwon lost his Saengwon (student) qualification by a narrow margin. Therefore, Madam Hans words were like rubbing salt on Kim Saengwons painful wound. Seeing Kim Saengwons reaction, Madam Han gently consoled him. Of course, theres no need to worry since you are preparing for the civil service examination again, but we need to think about our childrens future too. If wey a good foundation from now on, wont it be easier for our children to pass the civil service examination in the future? To study well, one needed not only a good mind but also to persist and cling to books. The best way to have this persistence was to enjoy studying. Therefore, after hearing Madam Hans words, Kim Saengwon had no choice but to nod. All right Lets do it, lets move. This incident didnt only happen in Kim Saengwons household. *** Seeing Dol Soes fathers expression, the neighbor concluded. Thats why the noble families nearby sent all their children who are just starting to learn to read and write here. Is that possible? Didnt you see the tile-roofed houses that were built inrge numbers around our vige recently? If it were Jeo or Gyeongsang Province, it would be a problem, but if its nearby, they just gloss over it ande in. At the neighbors words, Dol Soes father couldnt close his gaping mouth. Oh my It was the first case in the history of the Korean Penins of fake moving to pursue a good school district. This wasnt just happening here. Simr incidents urred near Samin School schools where there were rumors of a female teacher who was known for providing excellent education to her children or a teacher who had outstanding scores on the teacher appointment exam. In the end, a report was submitted to Sejong. After reading the report, Sejong looked at Hyang and the ministers. How should we handle this correctly? In response to Sejongs question, the ministers answered with a nonchnt expression. There is a saying, Mencius mother moved three times for his education, so how about just letting it slide? Isnt it for the purpose of educating their children well? Is that so? That could be the case. As Sejong nodded at the ministers words, Hyang stepped forward. We must thoroughly prevent it, Your Majesty! Why? Firstly, if they keep moving like that, it will cause problems with the household registers. If the household registers be a mess, everything from taxes to everything else will be disrupted, so we must stop it! Secondly, if they move to follow famous teachers, it will create discord among the teachers! This will also have a negative impact on the learning children, so it must be prevented! Lastly, in the case of teachers, they are rotated every 3 years! If this happens every time, it will be a nightmare! As the ministers listened to the Crown Princes points and tried to make predictions, their faces, especially Kim Jeoms, gradually turned pale. In the end, the ministers instantly reversed their opinions. The Crown Princes words are truly reasonable! Eventually, by Sejongs strict order, a thorough investigation into fake moving was carried out. As a result of the investigation, children confirmed to have fake moved had to transfer to the Samin School they were originally supposed to attend, and the households that had fake moved had to pay a hefty fine. *** Note 1) Image of Confucian robes. http://dh.aks.ac.kr/Encyves/wiki/index.php/%EB%B0%95%EC%84%B8%EC%B1%84_%EC%B4%88%EC%83%81(%EC%9C%A0%EB%B3%B5%EB%B3%B8) Note 2) Image of Confucian hat. https://folkency.nfm.go.kr/kr/topic/detail/7137 Note 3) Image of dansam. https://theqoo/square/759337965 Chapter 237 Chapter 237 Although there were people who showed a passion for education to the extent of even falsely transferring their residency, there were also those who did not. Jugyohyeon near Boryeong, Chungcheong Province. Teacher Lee Chung-ho, who checked attendance every morning, furrowed his brow. Still absent Lee Chung-ho, who was checking attendance through the student roster created by the Board of Finance, had a serious expression. Its been five days since school started, and theyre still absent Sensing something strange, Lee Chung-ho opened his notebook, made a record, and led the children into the school building. That evening, after the lessons ended, Lee Chung-ho pointed out this issue at the teachers meeting. So, there are students who have note to school for five days. How many are there? Three. They are siblings. At Lee Chung-hos answer, the teachers expressions turned serious. It was definitely strange for all the siblings not toe to school. Are they sick? Only those siblings are sick? That doesnt make sense. Thats true, but As everyone trailed off, Ahn Sook-hee, the most senior teacher, spoke up. Their parents must have stopped them. At Ahn Sook-hees words, the teachers fell silent. The situation they least wanted to think about had urred. Fortunately, there are no sses tomorrow, so Teacher Lee and I will visit those siblings home. Yes, I understand. The next day, Ahn Sook-hee and Lee Chung-ho visited the home and heard the answer they expected. Whats the use of those brats learning to read? Its enough if they can read and write their own names! But for that, they need toe to school The vige clerk can teach them everything, so why go to school? Its much better to feed the cows and plow the fields during that time! You never know, the children might achieve sess Hah! Do you think everything thates out of your mouth is sensible? Dont put silly ideas in their heads! In the end, their persuasion failed. On the way back to school, Ahn Sook-hee let out a long sigh. I think well have to write a petition. A petition? Did you see those childrens eyes earlier? They were full of frustration at wanting to learn but not being able to. Ah At Ahn Sook-hees words, Lee Chung-ho showed an expression full ofpassion. However, Lee Chung-ho also knew the reality. Even if we submit a petition, will we receive a response? And even if we do, it will probably just end with a perfunctory We encourage you. Will such peopleply with that? At Lee Chung-hos words, Ahn Sook-hees voice rose. So should we give up? Should we abandon those children? Thats not what I mean, but Then a petition is our only option. And so, a petition signed by Ahn Sook-hee, Lee Chung-ho, and the other teachers working with them was sent up to Hanseong. *** Ten dayster, as the sun was slowly setting in the west. A group of cavalry rode into the vige where Ahn Sook-hee and Lee Chung-hos private school was located. The cavalry that entered the vige headed towards the private school. As soon as word spread that the cavalry entering the vige headed to the private school! the vigers flocked to the school. Whats going on all of a sudden? I know, right? The vigers looked at the private school with worried eyes. There were only two reasons for the military to swarm into the vige. Either a rebellion had broken out, or there was treason. But arent the people at the private school chosen by the government? Yes, thats right Then has a rebellion broken out? Say something! As the residents whispered among themselves, the teachers came out of the private school. Where are you gentlemen from? Ahn Sook-hee, the most senior among the teachers, stepped forward. The children are in the middle of ss. Where are you gentlemen from? At Ahn Sook-hees question, one of the men who had dismounted from the cavalry stepped forward and answered. We havee escorting His Highness the Crown Prince. Pardon? The startled teachers immediately knelt on the ground and loudly proimed. We pay our respects to His Highness the Crown Prince! We pay our respects to His Highness the Crown Prince! As the teachers offered deep bows in unison while proiming We pay our respects to His Highness the Crown Prince!, the children who had followed behind them and the residents gathered around also erupted in chaos. Oh my goodness! Wow! Oh! All sorts of exmations burst out as the children and vigers prostrated themselves on the ground. We pay our respects to His Highness the Crown Prince! Among those bowing was also the local magistrate who had rushed out of the government office upon hearing that the cavalry had arrived. Receiving the peoples bows, Hyang ordered the eunuch beside him. Tell them to rise. Yes, Your Highness. Everyone, please rise! At the eunuchs shout, those prostrating on the ground hurriedly got up. Your Highness. This humble one is Lim Jae-seok, the magistrate of Jugyohyeon. At the greeting from the magistrate who had hurriedly approached, Hyang lightly nodded his head. Is that so? Its a pleasure to meet you. It is an honor for this humble one to meet Your Highness as well. But may I ask why you havee here I came to meet someone. Who is Teacher Ahn Sook-hee? At Hyangs question, Ahn Sook-hee stepped forward. That would be me. I read the petition that you and the other teachers jointly submitted. There were a few things I was curious about after reading it, so I came. Is that so? For a matter that could have been inquired about in writing Sometimes there are things that need to be seen directly rather than through documents. But we never imagined you woulde in person. Hyang smiled and replied to Ahn Sook-hees words. Hahaha! His Majesty was going toe directly, but I came in his stead. What an immense honor As Ahn Sook-hee showed an overwhelmed expression, Magistrate Lim Jae-seok was fainting with his eyes rolled back. His Majesty was going toe directly! Sir, sir! Qu-quickly call a physician! As the clerks fussed about supporting the copsing Lim Jae-seok, Hyang, who was watching, issued an order. The magistrate seems to be ill. Clerks and physician, take good care of him. Yes, Your Highness! Amidst themotion, Ahn Sook-hee informed Hyang with a still overwhelmed face. We are utterly astounded and at a loss for words that His Majesty was going toe personally because of the petition we submitted. Please forgive our transgressions. I did note to punish you teachers. I simply had something I was curious about. Pardon? The teachers showed puzzled expressions at Hyangs answer which they could not grasp at all. Seeing their expressions, Hyang spoke. Where is the house of the man who made you write the petition? Guide me there. Pardon? *** A short whileter, Hyangs group arrived at a small thatched-roof house on the outskirts of Jugyohyeon. This is the ce. At Ahn Sook-hees words, Hyang turned to the eunuch. At Hyangs signal, the eunuch stepped forward and called out. Come here! Come here! At the eunuchs call, a woman came out from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. Who is it? The eunuch answered the womans question. Is this farmer Chus house? My husbands surname is Chu, but who are you? Ahn Sook-hee stepped forward to address the woman who was full of suspicion at the group of people who hade. Do you remember me? Oh my, arent you the teacher? Where has Jang-soes father gone? Hes still in the fields. An esteemed guest has arrived, so tell him toe quickly. Pardon? Yes Mak-soe! Chus wife called her youngest son who was inside. Go and get your father Huh? Dad! However, before his wife could finish speaking, Mak-soe called out to his father with a happy face. What? Beyond the low brushwood fence, Chu was running over in a hurry. Chu, who had run over in a rush, immediately prostrated himself upon seeing Hyang and shouted. This lowly farmer Chu pays his respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince! Hyang spoke with a surprised expression. How did you know toe? The neighbors told me Is that so? Rise. Yes. Chu, who had hurriedly gotten up, stood awkwardly, observing Hyangs expression. Seeing Chu, Hyang spoke with a slight smile. But how long are you going to make us stand outside? Pardon? Ah! This way! Chu tried to escort Hyang to the main room. However, Hyang shook his head and walked towards the wooden bench in the yard. The weather is still hot, so lets talk here. Pardon? Yes. As Hyang sat on the wooden bench, Chu knelt on the ground next to it. Seeing this, Hyang pointed to the empty space on the bench. Come up here. Oh no! How could I! At those words, Hyangughed and responded. Haha! I did note to see you as the Crown Prince today, but as a guest who has something to ask you, soe up here. Its fine like this. As Chu continued to refuse, Hyang put on a stern expression. Then it is an order. At those words, Chu hurriedly climbed onto the bench and knelt. Teacher Ahn, youe sit here too. Yes, Your Highness. Once the situation had settled to some degree, Hyang brought up the main topic. You refused to send your children to the private school? At Hyangs words, Chu immediately pressed his head to the bench. I will send them right away! I will send them immediately! No, I am not trying to punish you. Of course, sending the children is something you should naturally do. Chu, who had raised his head at Hyangs words, sat politely on his knees. First, sit morefortably. This isfortable! Hyang showed a resigned expression at Chus posture, kneeling rigidly at a right angle, and continued. But why did you say you would not send the children to school? This ignorant one thought wrongly! I will send them! I will send them right away! I am curious about that wrong thought. To be honest, His Majesty was quite disappointed. He worked hard to prepare this for the people, but the people are refusing it. Hyang spoke as if it was no big deal, but it was different for Chu and Ahn Sook-hee who were listening. The two immediately turned pale and pressed their heads to the bench. I havemitted a capital offense! I am deeply apologetic! Our teachers ipetence has caused His Majesty distress! As I said again, I did note to punish you, so dont worry and sitfortably. Come on. At Hyangs order, the two straightened their postures but were breaking out in a cold sweat with pale faces. So. What was the reason? It was written in the petition, but I want to hear it properly. That that Seeing Chu unable to answer with a frightened face, Hyang nced at the sky and ordered the eunuch. Has it already be evening? Im hungry. Go and buy some snacks and alcohol. I will have it prepared immediately by informing the government office. And bother the people who are already flustered just by our arrival? I saw a chicken joint on the way here. Go buy a few fried chickens and some alcohol. Did you say alcohol? Is there a ce that sells chicken but no alcohol next to it? I dont think they sell soju in a ce like this. Makgeolli is fine too. Buy a jar of makgeolli. Ah, yes And buy plenty for you all to eat as well. Yes. At Hyangs order, the eunuch selected a few from the soldiers who hade along and disappeared. After issuing the order, Hyang smiled at Chu. The conversation seems like it will be long, so shall we have a drink while we talk? When the eunuch returned with the fried chicken and makgeolli, a simple drinking table was set up on the bench. With the well-fried chicken and pickled cucumbers made by Chus wife, Hyang and Chu sat facing each other across the table. Now Its just us two men left, so lets drink and talk frankly. Considering the asion, Hyang sent Ahn Sook-hee away and used a gourd to fill his and Chus cups to the brim with makgeolli. Then lets drink. Yes, yes! With those words, the two raised their cups simultaneously. Whew! Hak! Twisting his body to down the makgeolli, Chu unintentionally let out an exmation of admiration but flinched. Seeing that, Hyangughed and refilled his cup. Indeed! You empty it well and in a forthright manner! And so, for the first time in Joseon history, an inspection of the peoples affairs was conducted with the Crown Prince and amoner sharing drinks. Chapter 238 Chapter 238 Hic! As the jar of makgeolli brought by the eunuch was emptied and about a third of the newly brought makgeolli was consumed, Chu finally couldnt ovee the effects of alcohol and started huping. Seeing this, Hyang smiled brightly, while the eunuch watching from the side broke out in a cold sweat. I feel it asionally, but His Highness is truly a frightening person! While drinking with Chu, Hyang was truly cunning. Although it seemed like they were emptying their cups equally, the amount Hyang drank was only about two-thirds of Chus. However, even two-thirds was a considerable amount, but there was no hint of intoxication on Hyangs face. Indeed, blood doesnt lie, does it? From Taejo Lee Seong-gye, they were a family that could hold their liquor well. Moreover, looking at the royal familys events, alcohol was never absent, and the alcohol used at such events was strong soju.Therefore, being able to hold ones liquor was also one of the qualities a king should possess. And in that regard, Hyang was showing definite talent. Anyhow, seeing that Chus guard had fallen due to the effects of alcohol, Hyang slowly proceeded with the matter at hand. So, what is your name? Muh name? Jus call me Chu. Whas the use of knowin the name of a lowly farmer? Im just curious. At Hyangs words, Chu, who was looking at Hyang with bleary eyes, answered. Han, hic! Its Hansu. Hansu, a good name. Here, have another drink. After making Hansu drink another bowl of makgeolli, Hyang asked what he was truly curious about. But Hansu, why didnt you send your children to school? Hic! Ah! Ill send em, I said! Sending them from now on is one thing, but why havent you sent them until now, Im asking. At Hyangs question, Hansu picked up the cup in front of him and downed it in one go. Seeing this, Hyang quickly refilled his cup. After consecutively emptying three cups, Hansu exhaled roughly and spoke. Phew~. Yer Highness. Whas the use of the children of a man who barely gets by farming learning to read? Who knows? They might have a talent for writing and serve the country. Puhahaha! At Hyangs words, Hansuughed loudly and waved his hand. As expected, hic! Yer Highness also doesn hic! Phew~. Yer Highness also doesn know the ways of the world. Dont know the ways of the world? Phew~. Dya know how much, hic! One of those books full of Confucius this and Mencius that costs? Ah At Hansus question, Hyang let out a short sigh. *** Although there were metal movable type printing presses, books were expensive items not only in Goryeo but also in Joseon. This was because the characters used to fill the contents of books were in Chinese. Chinese characters, which are ideograms, had to be made into movable type one character at a time. Although Hyang had created a cylindrical printing method where text was engraved in units and printed, the books printed in this way were only those used in private schools. In the end, books were still items that boasted high prices. How expensive were they? Books like the Great Learning or Doctrine of the Mean cost the equivalent of two to three seom of rice. In other words, to buy a single book, one had to spend the entire yield of two to three majigi of rice paddies. (Note 1) *** Seeing Hyangs expression, Hansu continued speaking with a flushed face. Hic! Phew! Listen, hic! Although I may look like this, hic! Listen. When I was young, people called me a, hic! Prodigy. Do ya know how happy muh parents were? Phew! But dya know what happens when a child from a tenant farmers family is called a prodigy? Hic! Well? When Hyang pretended not to know, Hansu raised his voice. The young masters of thendlords family tormented muh father! They said thendlord scolded em, sayin they were worse than me! Oh my! Tsk tsk As Hyang clicked his tongue, Hansu beat his chest and exploded with resentment. Those immature brats! Hic! They were upset about gettin scolded! They beat up muh father on a straw mat! What crime did muh fathermit! Hyang, whose heart felt heavy at Hansus cry, downed his cup in one go. Still feeling suffocated, Hyang consecutively emptied three cups. Your Highness. Youre drinking too quickly. When the eunuch approached and spoke, Hyang red at him. If it were you, would you not drink and endure it? At Hyangs question, the eunuch shut his mouth. *** Having relieved his stifling feelings with makgeolli, Hyang asked Hansu. No matter how much of a tenant farmer one is, recklessly using violence against an innocent person is illegal. Did you report it to the authorities? Puhah! Hansu, who burst into a hollowugh, emptied his cup and looked at Hyang. Yer Highness. Phew! I, hic! Although it may sound like boasting, my father and I hic! Phew~. Have heard the saying One can live even without thew. But listen. Phew! From what Ive seen living, there are two kinds of people who live without thew. Two kinds? Yes. One kind is the bastards who can ignore thew and get away with it. The other is the bastards who are ignored by thew. Hic! Which kind do ya think folks like me are, Yer Highness? Hyang couldnt answer and emptied his cup. Seeing this, Hansu smirked and also emptied his cup, then continued. Folks like me are the kind ignored by thew. Then shouldnt you study hard to avoid such a fate? Fuck As Hansu spat out a curse, the eunuch beside him shouted. You bastard! Enough. When Hyang raised his hand to stop the eunuch, the eunuch spoke to Hyang. Your Highness! That lowly bastard to Your Highness Hes drunk. Hes just drunk on alcohol and resentment. Just stay still. Yes The eunuch had a face full of dissatisfaction but had to step back. Hyang filled Hansus cup to the brim with makgeolli and spoke again. Of course, its an ignorant thing to say, but wouldnt it still be good to have them study? At Hyangs words, Hansu shook his head greatly. Yer Highness! What did I say earlier? The cost of books is so damn expensive, but yer tellin me to study? Phew! As I said before, I know cause I was also called a prodigy. Learning is like drinking salt water. When ya drink salt water, ya get thirsty and look for water, right? Learning is the same. Once ya learn, ya go crazy wantin to learn more! Then should I risk pullin out muh roots? But with learning, cant you appeal to thew when you face injustice? At Hyangs words, Hansu pounded his chest. Argh! Its so frustratin! Even if there arew books, who makes the judgments! Its people! Then whose side dya think theyll take? Once again, Hyang shut his mouth. Hansu continued, beating his chest. Lowlifes like us! We dont need anyws or anythin! We just need to grovel and prostrate to survive! We gotta rip out our liver and guts, swallow our pride, and grovel to survive! We gotta give up on everythin and live! Hic! But listen! If young punks spout some Confucius bullshit after learnin a few lines, it aint gonna work! Theyll waste their lives tryin to pass the civil service exam and gain fame, or theyll take the military exam and be arrow fodder for the Jurchen bastards up north! Hic! Thats if theyre lucky! If they thoughtlessly argue right and wrong, their heads will fly off! In the end, Hyang, who was at a loss for words at Hansus remarks, had no choice but to empty his cup again. Is that so? I see. Lets have another drink. After that, Hyang and Hansu diligently emptied their cups. Completely drunk, Hansu continued to vent his grievances while beating his chest, and Hyang nodded along, listening to his words. In the meantime, the eunuch had to go and buy another jar of makgeolli. After some time passed, unable to ovee his drunkenness, Hansu copsed sideways, still holding his cup. Phew~. Phew~. Seeing Hansu, who had fallen asleep while exhaling alcohol fumes, Hyang emptied hisst cup and stood up from his seat. As Hyang stepped down from the wooden bench, Hansus wife, who had been anxiously watching, hurriedly ran over and prostrated herself. Please forgive my husband for the nonsense he spoke while drunk. At the wifes plea, Hyang smiled and replied. I didnt hear anything bad. I only heard himmenting his lot in life. Your husband seems quite drunk, so quickly take him inside. Wouldnt it be terrible if he caught a cold? Pardon? Yes! Jang-soe! At Hyangs words, Hansus wife called her eldest son. Jang-soe, who had deeply bowed to Hyang, hoisted Hansu onto his back and moved him to the room. Watching this with a smile, Hyang turned to the eunuch. Give me the purse. Yes. When the eunuch respectfully held out the purse, Hyang took out a banknote worth one nyang of silver and handed it to the wife. Tomorrow, make a good pot of hangover soup for him. Such arge sum! I truly dont know how to express my gratitude! Raise your children well. After giving the wife his well-wishes, Hyang turned around. Well have to impose on the local government offices guesthouse today. I have already sent word. Good work. And Hyang lowered his voice. Make sure no unnecessary rumors spread. At Hyangs warning, the eunuch immediately bowed his head. Yes. The next morning, Hyang, who had risen early from the magistrates residence, headed to Hansus house with his entourage. Did you sleep well? Is your stomach alright? At Hyangs question, Hansu prostrated himself t on the ground and answered with a trembling voice. This lowly onemitted a capital offense yesterday! Crime? What crime? Hyangughed yfully and turned to the eunuch beside him. Do you know? I do not know. There you have it. Ah! We did make one promise! Starting from today, you said you would send your children to school. Have you prepared them? Pardon? Yes! Hearing Hansus answer, Hyang shifted his gaze. Beside Hansu and his wife, the three siblings were also prostrating themselves on the ground, only observing the situation. You children must study hard! For the sake of your parents, for your own sake, andstly, for the sake of this Joseon. Understood? Yes, Your Highness! When Jang-soe, the eldest, answered loudly, Hyang, who was watching with a pleased expression, spoke to Hansu. Trust in His Majesty. I apologize for only being able to say this much now. Oh, not at all! Then take care. After bidding farewell to Hansu, Hyang stopped by Jugyohyeons private school to encourage the teachers. Lastly, Hyang visited the magistrate of Jugyohyeon tomend him, then turned to his entourage. Were returning to the pce! Yes! *** Your subject has returned. When Hyang announced his return, Sejong weed him with a delighted face. Good work. So, how was it? The petition had not onlye from Jugyohyeon. Simr petitions hade from all over Joseon, and Sejong had to suffer from stress. Why in the world? In the end, unable to bear seeing this, Hyang had personally taken action. Jugyohyeon was chosen because it was the first ce the petition hade from. If they were preventing the children from going to school for an absurd reason, I was going to punish them severely! It was with this determination that Hyang had gone down. At Sejongs question, Hyang smiled and answered. I met a good teacher. Oh? A good teacher? When Sejong showed curiosity, Hyang reported his conversation with Hansu. My word! When Hyangs long story ended, Sejong eximed in admiration. They say Among any three people walking, there must be one who can be my teacher! You met a good teacher! You gained a good teacher! What do you think, ministers? At Sejongs question, Lee Jik stepped forward and answered. Although he was called a mere peasant, his words are full of profound wisdom. Following Lee Jik, the Minister of Justice continued. That is so, Your Majesty. When making judgments, we must take to heart the saying Even if there arew books, it is people who make the judgments, and ensure there are no unjust verdicts. Truly so. And Sejong paused for a moment, then continued with a face of genuine admiration. Learning is like a thirsty person who drank salt water seeking fresh water. The more one learns, the more one wishes to learn. This is indeed the proper attitude of those who pursue learning, is it not? I believe it is our duty to quench this thirst of the people. It is indeed so, Your Majesty! Then let us devise a n. We heed yourmand! The ministers answered in unison. The ministers also had no reason to oppose. One of the ideals of Neo-Confucianism was to educate the people. And part of that education included the people learning. Therefore, the ministers participated enthusiastically. Two things came out of that meeting. One was making it mandatory for children to attend private schools. It was not merely a rmendation but was made into something that must be done, implementing the worlds firstpulsory education and the worlds first free education. The second was the creation of a schrship system for students studying at secondary schools who came from poor families. As these systems were established, many historians in the future had to suffer from stress, clutching their hair and going bald. And on the Korean inte, the number of people looking for the culprit increased. *** Note 1) The History of Books and Knowledge in the Joseon Dynasty by Kang Myeong-gwan. Cheonnyeons /site/data/html_dir/2014/01/04/2014010400558.html Chapter 239 Chapter 239 Izuhara, Tsushima Ind. Theyre finallying. Watching the Joseon envoy ships entering the harbor under the escort of three guard ships, Tsushimas daimyo, Todo Takayuki, muttered with a tense expression. *** Two months ago, Todo Takayuki had received a letter sent by the Joseon court through a merchant at the Waegwan (Japanese trading post). We have an important matter to discuss with the shogun of Japan, so we will be sending an envoy in two months. Suddenly? Why? Upon reading the letter sent by the Joseon court, Todo Takayuki was thrown into confusion. Since the founding of Joseon, there had been a few instances of Joseon sending envoys to the shogun. However, they had never unterally informed them like this.Looking at the previous procedures, Joseon would send an envoy in response to the Japanese Kings Envoy sent by the shogunate. When Joseon announced they would send an envoy in this manner, numerous negotiations would follow. First, they had to decide on a suitable time for the visit. The periods to avoid were when typhoons were frequent and when public order was unstable due to natural disasters such as droughts. Next was the rank of the chief envoy. The chief envoy dispatched to Japan was limited to the lower third rank among government officials. As it took several months of various negotiations like these before the envoy would depart, Todo Takayuki was flustered. Joseon rarely does things in such a hurry Feeling a vague sense of unease, Todo Takayuki issued orders to his retainers. Tell the merchants who have gone to Waegwan to gather information on the situation in Joseon! Yes, my lord! Then what should we do with this letter? Send it to Kyoto. They need to prepare as well. Yes, my lord! And two monthster, Joseons ships had flocked to Izuhara. *** As the gangway was connected to the ships, the Joseon envoys disembarked. As the envoys got off the ship, Todo Takayuki,posing his expression, warmly weed them. Wee! We wee you to Tsushima! Upon hearing Todo Takayukis words through the interpreter, the chief envoy politely bowed and replied. Thank you for the wee. This humble one, althoughcking, hase as an envoy on the orders of His Majesty. My name is Nam Gi-ju. Come,e! After a brief exchange of greetings at the pier, Todo Takayuki and the envoy moved to Kaneishi Castle in Izuhara. *** Avish banquet was held at the daimyos residence. Amid the exchange of cups and various conversations, Todo Takayuki looked at Nam Gi-ju. Todo Takayukis lips were smiling as he looked at Nam Gi-ju, but his eyes were not. Hes a man whose true intentions are impossible to discern! As he observed Nam Gi-ju, Todo Takayuki was inwardly tense. Nam Gi-ju, the chief envoy who hade this time, was being impably polite. Although it was a small ind, the lord who governed Tsushima was by no means in a low position. Therefore, the envoys who had visited here until now had shown courtesy on the surface, but their eyes had been full of condescension towards Todo Takayuki. However, he could not find any emotion in the eyes of this man called Nam Gi-ju. He maintained perfect decorum and spoke in a gentle voice, but Nam Gi-jus eyes revealed no emotion. Nam Gi-jus eyes were as transparent as ss beads. In the end, Todo Takayuki had to speak first. By the way, Lord Nam, where were you serving before bing an envoy? To Todo Takayukis question, Nam Gi-ju gave a brief answer. I was in the Ministry of Military Affairs. Ministry of Military Affairs? Upon hearing the answer, Todo Takayukis face momentarily stiffened. Among the envoys Joseon had sent until now, there had never been a chief envoy from the Ministry of Military Affairs. They had all been civil officials. Of course, being from the Ministry of Military Affairs did not necessarily mean he was a military official. However, Todo Takayukis instincts were issuing a sharp warning. Hes definitely a military official! One who has experienced the battlefield! Considering the ranks of the envoys Joseon sent to Japan, if the man before him, Nam Gi-ju, was actually a military official who had experienced the battlefield, he would have held the position of at least an armymander, called Jeomjeoljaesa. *** The highly tense Todo Takayuki forced a smile and continued the conversation with Nam Gi-ju. But why did His Majesty send an envoy so suddenly? To Todo Takayukis question, Nam Gi-ju put down his cup and replied. Although you may think its sudden, there is a reason behind it. Do you remember the incident that urred near Muryeongdo Ind a few months ago? Yes. Todo Takayuki nodded at Nam Gi-jus question. It was an incident where several lives were lost because they had been caught while fishing near Joseon. Nam Gi-ju calmly continued. At that time, Joseon took this issue very seriously. Looking at the current situation between Joseon and Japan, trade is increasing. Thats true. Responding to Nam Gi-jus words, Todo Takayuki felt bitter inside. *** As Nam Gi-ju said, the volume of trade between Joseon and Japan was gradually increasing. However, in the process, Tsushima was being increasingly pushed aside. In Waegwan, where Tsushima merchants used to be at the center, they were gradually being pushed out, and merchants from other domains were gaining power. This is Joseons doing! Upon hearing the situation, Todo Takayuki gritted his teeth. The Joseon officials managing Waegwan would find the slightest pretext to expel Japanese merchants from Waegwan. And most of the merchants being expelled were from Tsushima. Todo Takayuki gnashed his teeth but had no countermeasures. If he argued, Joseon had justification on their side, and if he used force, Tsushima could once again be a battlefield. Therefore, Todo Takayuki had to endure. *** Whether he knew of Todo Takayukis feelings or not, Nam Gi-ju continued. In that situation, Japanese fishermen were caught near Muryeongdo Ind. The problem is that weapons were found on their ships. In other words, our court became suspicious of whether they were real fishermen or pirates. As Ive already said, that was for the fishermens self-defense That may be so, but for us who have suffered from pirates since the end of the previous dynasty (Goryeo), its not something we can easily believe, is it? Thats true Todo Takayuki had no choice but to nod weakly at Nam Gi-jus point. Having gained the upper hand, Nam Gi-ju finally got to the main point. As trade increases between our Joseon and Japan, many merchant ships areing and going. Our court cannot help but worry about the safety of these merchant ships. So is that why His Majesty sent you, to discuss that matter? Thats correct. Todo Takayukis face no longer showed any hint of a smile. With a stiff expression, Todo Takayuki asked Nam Gi-ju. What measures has His Majesty devised? Joseon wishes to borrow ports in Tsushima. You mean the ports of our Tsushima? Thats right. *** As the conversation between Nam Gi-ju and Todo Takayuki grew serious, the banquet hall fell silent. Todo Takayukis retainers and the Joseon envoys all listened intently to the conversation with grave expressions. Ports Do you want Izuhara here? To Todo Takayukis question, Nam Gi-ju shook his head. No. Do you have a map of Tsushima? At Nam Gi-jus request, Todo Takayuki called a retainer in a rough voice. Matsumura! The map! Yes, my lord! *** A short whileter, a map depicting the geography of Tsushima was spread out on therge table where the dishes had been cleared away. Nam Gi-ju pointed to two locations on the map with his finger. Joseon hopes to borrow the areas of Asako Bay (\é, present-day Aso Bay) and Ofunakoshi on the opposite side. Asako Bay is to ensure the safety of ships departing from Busan, and Ofunakoshi is to protect ships departing from the main ind of Japan. Hmm Examining the map while listening to Nam Gi-jus exnation, Todo Takayukis expression becameplex. Asako Bay, the first ce Nam Gi-ju pointed out, was the area where the Joseon army had first anchored when they attacked Tsushima. Quietly studying the map, Todo Takayuki turned to Nam Gi-ju. Does His Majesty desire the cession of these ces? At Todo Takayukis question, the retainers swallowed nervously. Depending on the words that came out of the Joseon envoys mouth, Tsushima might have to prepare for war. However, the answer that came from Nam Gi-jus mouth was unexpected. His Majesty wishes to lease them. Lease? You want to borrow them? Thats correct. Todo Takayuki, unable to immediately understand Nam Gi-jus answer, asked again. You really want to borrow them? Thats right. At Nam Gi-jus reply, Todo Takayukis mind becamepletely chaotic. To him, no, to the people of this era, it was a method they could not possiblyprehend. I need some time to gather my thoughts! Todo Takayuki, needing time to collect his thoughts, called a retainer. Matsumura, tea ()! Yes, my lord! After giving orders to his retainer, Todo Takayuki turned to Nam Gi-ju and spoke. It seems the conversation will be a bit long, so lets have some tea for a moment. Thank you. *** Please have some. This person is a renowned tea ceremony master even in Kyoto. Thank you. As Nam Gi-ju bowed his head in gratitude, the tea ceremony master also politely reciprocated and expressed his thanks. It is an honor to serve tea to someone from Goryeo, which is famous for tea ceremonies. Tea ceremonies flourished on the Korean Penins until the Goryeo period. This was the influence of Buddhism. However, as Joseon was founded and advocated the policy of revering Confucianism and suppressing Buddhism, the tea culture gradually began to decline. However, at this time, they still had a more advanced tea ceremony culturepared to Japan. While enjoying tea in a much more rxed atmosphere, Todo Takayuki diligently organized his thoughts. He definitely said borrow. Is it really simply borrowing? Then what is the price? The continuation of my position? Or more than that? Although he tried to gather his thoughts, Todo Takayukis mind only became moreplicated. *** After enjoying the tea, the group once again gathered around the map. Examining the map, Todo Takayuki asked Nam Gi-ju. Ill be frank with you. His Majesty said he wants to borrow them, but how will Joseon use these ces? As I mentioned earlier, the purpose is for Japan to protect the merchant ships traveling between Joseon and Japan. If we dispatch our warships for this purpose from Dongnae, it will take too long. Therefore, we n to build ports in Asako Bay and Ofunakoshi, using them as anchorages for our warships and as a ce for merchant ships encountering bad weather to take shelter. How many warships will be stationed there? About 10 to 20 ships each on both sides. Hmm As Todo Takayuki pondered, one of the retainers standing behind approached and whispered softly. Nodding his head as he listened to the retainers words, Todo Takayuki turned to Nam Gi-ju. Borrowing means paying a price. How much is His Majesty thinking of paying? 20 nyang of silver per month for the two cesbined. If we hire residents of Tsushima asborers, that portion will be paid separately. At Nam Gi-jus answer, Todo Takayukis retainers side instantly fell into amotion. Quiet! Settle down! After calming themotion among his retainers, Todo Takayuki made a request to Nam Gi-ju. As it iste today, I would like to continue the rest of the discussion tomorrow. What do you think? Very well. With that, the days events came to an end. Returning to the prepared lodging, Nam Gi-ju was writing a report when he nced out the window. Looking towards where Todo Takayuki and his retainers were, Nam Gi-ju muttered softly. They must have quite the headache. Chapter 240 Chapter 240 As Nam Gi-ju anticipated, a heated debate was taking ce between Todo Takayuki and his retainers at his residence. We must oppose this! Its like cing a de at our throats! Exactly! Even if we allow Asako Bay, Ofunakoshi is too close to Izuhara! We must stop this at all costs! On the other hand, there were quite a few retainers in favor of the proposal. We should ept Joseons proposal! Those pirates are troublesome for us anyway. Its a n to borrow a knife to kill someone! Agreed! Those pirates disobey us more often than they listen! We should deal with them using this opportunity! Watching his retainers fiercely arguing for and against, Todo Takayuki felt a headacheing on. Both sides had a point. After the previous Joseon invasion, Tsushima had been on high alert for any moves by Joseon. They needed military strength they could use in case of emergency.The pirates were also in a difficult situation. As the Muromachi Shogunate firmly grasped power, the pirates began facing restrictions in their movements. On top of that, they had suffered a decisive defeat and great losses in their offensive against the Ming Dynasty during the Tsushima Invasion in the first year of Sejongs reign. Since then, they needed a suitable ce to hide. Since the interests of both sides aligned, the pirates often used Tsushima as a hideout. No, it could be seen as the number of pirates among Tsushimas residents had increased. However, as things turned out this way, it became a headache for Todo Takayuki as well. It was not easy to control the pirates. As both sides were in a deadlock, Hatoyama, the eldest among them, spoke up. In my humble opinion As Hatoyama began to speak, not only the retainers but even Todo Takayuki lent an ear. It was because someone who had remained silent until then had spoken up. With everyone listening attentively, Hatoyama shared his thoughts. I believe we should ept Joseons proposal, but with some adjustments. Adjustments? Yes. We can lend out Asako Bay, but we must not give up Ofunakoshi. It would pose a problem for the defense of Izuhara. Not only the retainers but even Todo Takayuki nodded at Hatoyamas words. Hatoyama continued. While it is appreciated that Joseon is offeringpensation, 20 nyang of silver per month is too little. No matter how barren Tsushima may be, we cannot give it up for such a cheap price. Exactly! Todo Takayuki strongly nodded at Hatoyamas words. However, another retainer cautiously raised an objection. But will Joseon really agree to that? 20 nyang of silver per month amounts to 240 nyang of silver in a year. Considering we receive 100 seom of rice from Joseon as annual tribute, thats double the amount. Joseon will think its sufficient. At those words, Hatoyamas voice grew louder. Thend value of Tsushima is even higher than that! If they want to end it with a mere 240 nyang, its better not to ept Joseons proposal at all! Hatoyama, who had shut down the objector, bowed to Todo Takayuki and advised. ording to rumors heard recently, those Joseon bastards enjoy haggling. 20 nyang of silver is surely just bait! If we swallow it whole, the whole world will know of our retainers ipetence! We must obtain as much as possible through negotiation! Obtain as much as possible Hatoyama, what else should we gain besides more money? Monopoly offices! Monopoly offices? Hmm At Hatoyamas words, Todo Takayuki stroked his beard. Tsushimas environment was barren. Therefore, they had to obtain many necessities from outside the ind, and in the process, they had to suffer from merchants profiteering. However, if monopoly offices were established, this problem could be greatly resolved. But will the King of Joseon allow the establishment of monopoly offices? They are also a subject of Joseon. If a subject makes a request, would the king not grant it? Additionally, we should add a use stating that the families of the naval forces stationed at the port must also reside there in exchange for lending the port. The families of the naval forces? Ah! As hostages? Todo Takayukis words were met with a nod from Hatoyama. Thats right. Furthermore, it provides a solid basis for establishing monopoly offices. Arent there Joseon subjects there? Indeed! As Todo Takayuki seemed to lean towards lending the port, a retainer who had been opposed hurriedly spoke up. Even with hostages, its too dangerous! Although Asako Bay and Izuhara are separated by mountains, if the Joseon army truly sets their mind to it, they can cross over at any time! And other lords willugh at us for giving up territory for a mere pittance! Hearing the objection, Hatoyama countered again. A visible enemy is safer than an unseen one. If the Joseon army enters Asako Bay, we can quickly prepare by cing a few swift soldiers in between! But if wepletely block the Joseon army, do you think Joseon will sit still? They will surely hold a grudge, and well have to spend several times more troops to monitor them! And do you think a mere 20 or 30 warships worth of soldiers can take over Tsushima? In the previous Tsushima Invasion, the Joseon army had mobilized a total of 227 ships,rge and small, with a force of 17,285 men. (Note 1) *** Hatoyama paused for a moment and caught his breath. Afterposing himself, Hatoyama bowed to Todo Takayuki and spoke. Let the other lordsugh at us! There is a saying, sleeping on firewood and tasting gall. We must diligently save up the wealth Joseon provides, strengthen our military preparations, and umte war funds. Dont we need to reim the lost territory taken by the Ouchi n? Indeed! At Hatoyamas words, Todo Takayuki leaped up from his seat and shouted. The Ouchi n, having suffered great losses in the armed conflicts on the main ind of Japan, had advanced into Kyushu. In the process, a conflict arose with the native power of Kyushu, the Shoni[1] n. As a result of that armed struggle, the Shoni n lost a significant portion of their territory, and the Todo n, who were backed by the Shoni, had to retreat, losing their dominance over Kyushu. Having made his resolve, Todo Takayuki shouted to his retainers. Let the other lordsugh! Sleeping on firewood and tasting gall, sleeping on firewood and tasting gall! We will thoroughly prepare our military and reim our lost territory! Until then, we will thoroughly cater to Joseons whims while taking as much as we can! Yes, my lord! At Todo Takayukis order, the retainers replied in unison. *** The next day, Todo Takayuki, his retainers, and the Joseon envoys gathered again. After exchanging simple greetings, Hatoyama resumed the negotiation on behalf of Todo Takayuki. We have deeply considered the proposal you mentioned yesterday. Is that so? Have you reached a decision? To Nam Gi-jus words, Hatoyama replied. I think some adjustments are necessary. Adjustments, you say? Thats right. First, we have decided to lend only one port to Joseon, Asako Bay. Only Asako Bay? Yes. Ofunakoshi is too close to Izuhara. Many residents of Tsushima are still haunted by the nightmare brought by the previous Joseon invasion. For the sake of reassuring the residents, Ofunakoshi is absolutely out of the question. But you are free to use Asako Bay as you wish. At Hatoyamas words, Nam Gi-ju nodded and muttered to himself. His Highness the Crown Prince was right again. Does this mean we proceed with n B? During the brainstorming session while formting ns before departure, Hyang had predicted that Tsushima would propose in this manner. Since the possibility of things going as Hyang predicted could not be ignored, a revised n for this situation was also created and approved by Sejong. Anyway, since Tsushima had made a proposal, Joseon also had to give an answer. This is not a decision I can make alone, so could you give me some time? Very well. Pausing the meeting briefly and returning to his lodging, Nam Gi-ju discussed with the vice envoy. Its just as His Highness the Crown Prince predicted. Indeed. Then we should proceed with n B, right? We should. Lets take some time. How about a game of Go? Sounds good! As the Joseon envoys took quite a long time to return, Todo Takayuki turned to Hatoyama. Its taking quite a while. They may actually be taking time to coordinate, or they may be deliberately stalling. Deliberately? Theyre probably trying to unsettle us. Its amon tactic. I see. *** It took about two shichen (approximately 4 hours) for Nam Gi-jus group to return to the meeting room. Have you reached a decision? If you fully lend Asako Bay, we will ept the proposal. You are free to do as you wish with Asako Bay. Thank you. Then is everything settled? No. 20 nyang of silver per month is too little. At Hatoyamas words, Nam Gi-jus voice slightly rose. Youve already reduced the ports from two to one, and now you want more money? To Nam Gi-jus words, Hatoyama exined the reason. If we lend Asako Bay to Joseon, we need to relocate the people living there. Considering the relocation costs for those people, the tax revenue we wont be able to collect until they settle in their new location, and the cost of consoling those disced people, 20 nyang of silver per month is too little. So how much do you want? 40 nyang of silver. Youre cutting the ports in half but doubling the cost? Does that make sense? Then depart from Dongnae. At Hatoyamas words, Nam Gi-jus face turned fierce. I guess Tsushimas merchants dont need Waegwan. This time, Hatoyamas face turned fierce. They had each taken a jab at each other. The verbal sparring continued between the two sides. Since they had started off with strong blows from the beginning, the words exchanged were not pleasant. In the end, as the atmosphere on both sides turned hostile, Todo Takayuki intervened. Now, now! This is a negotiation where everyone should benefit, so how can we proceed like this? Ill make apromise! Frankly, 20 nyang of silver is too little. But since weve also reduced the ports to one, lets make it 30 nyang of silver. What do you say? At Todo Takayukis mediation, Nam Gi-ju and the envoys withdrew and whispered among themselves. After a short while, Nam Gi-ju, who had taken his seat again, replied. Since you have proposed apromise, we will ept it. Thank you! Delighted by Nam Gi-jus words, Todo Takayuki gave Hatoyama a slight wink. This was something the two of them had nned. By doing this, Todo Takayuki would be perceived as being favorable to Joseon and gain a positive evaluation. The problem was that Nam Gi-ju and the vice envoy were also exchanging nces. *** After that, fierce negotiations took ce over various issues. The Joseon naval forces stationed at Asako Bay must reside there with their families. When Tsushima made this proposal, Joseon replied as follows: Then we will build walls for the safety of the people. There was a lengthy verbal sparring over this issue, but in the end, Joseon emerged victorious. Instead of building walls, we will establish monopoly offices in the civilian residential area. And these monopoly offices will be essible to unarmed residents of Tsushima. Since the monopoly offices were also desired by Todo Takayuki and his retainers, an agreement was quickly reached on this matter. And through this agreement, Joseon was able to construct defensive facilities at a strategically important location. In this manner, fierce debates continued, but almost all the issues were as Joseon had anticipatedmore precisely, as Hyang had anticipated. The Joseon envoys and Todo Takayuki, who had reached an agreement through the coordination of opinions, smiled with satisfied expressions. Then all that remains is going to Kyoto. To Nam Gi-jus words, Todo Takayuki immediately replied. We will do our utmost to assist you. Then lets depart as soon as possible! *** At that moment, the ship carrying the secret envoys set sail for Kyushu. *** Note 1) Chapter 2, The Tsushima Invasion. Military Strategies of the Joseon Dynasty. Institute for Military History Comption, Ministry of National Defense.
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Chapter 241 Chapter 241 The envoy group departing from Tsushima headed to Kyoto via the sea route. Im worried about pirates. Although Todo Takayuki, who had boarded the ship with the envoys, expressed concern, Nam Gi-ju unexpectedly did not seem very worried. Surely there wouldnt be anyone bold enough to attack these panokseons? Not only the three ships carrying the envoys but also all the escort ships were panokseons. Of course, the panokseons carrying the envoys and cargo had to reduce their gunpowder and fire arrows by about half to amodate them, but the three escort ships were loaded with the designated amount of gunpowder and fire arrows. There were few daring pirates who would attempt to attack a panokseon fleet so heavily armed. However, as the saying goes, Misfortunees from the least expected, and there were pirates who attacked on the way from Tsushima to Shimonoseki. *** Unidentified fleet approaching! Fleet approaching!Prepare for battle! Prepare for battle! Confirm the number of approaching ships! Approximately 30 ships and increasing! Boom boom boom! At the shouts of the soldiers watching the sea from the watchtower, the battle drums rang out loudly, and the naval forces of the fleet hurriedly began preparing for battle. Shortly after, two panokseons broke formation and blocked the path of the approaching fleet, while another one supported them from behind. The three ships carrying the envoys formed a formation at a slight distance and began battle preparations. Once the preparations wereplete, the interpreter on the panokseon forming the first line of defense shouted into a megaphone. This is a ship carrying envoys of the great Joseon nation! Retreat! Retreat! If you do not retreat, we will attack! Despite the interpreters shouts, the unidentified fleet continued to approach. Retreat! Retreat! As the interpreter shouted once more, there was a response from the fleet. Uwoah! The Japanese on the approaching ships began raising their swords and spears, shouting battle cries. At the same time, as arrows began to fly, drums sounded from the panokseons, and a new g began to be raised. The newly raised g signified battle. Its a battle! Fire the cannons! Boom boom boom! The two panokseons forming the first line of defense simultaneously spewed fire. Each time therge cannons mounted on the panokseons fired, the number of pirate ships carrying the pirates rapidly decreased. Ships directly hit byrge arrows or iron pellets were immediately riddled with holes and disappeared beneath the surface. Even if they were not directly hit by therge arrows or iron pellets, it was problematic if they fell right next to the ship. The small ships carrying the pirates often capsized due to the waves created by therge arrows and iron pellets falling nearby. Enemy ships approaching! However, there were tenacious pirates who tried to approach and cling to the panokseons of the Joseon forces despite the barrage. At the soldiers shouts, the shipsmander shouted. Fire the scattershot cannons! Fire! Bang! At themanders order, the soldier in charge of firing the scattershot cannon pulled thenyard. With a thud and a spew of fire from the scattershot cannon, the small boat targeted was stained with blood. The pirates standing on the boat and letting out terrible screams were dismembered without even a chance to scream. Reload! Reload! The scattershot cannons that had finished firing were quickly reloaded. The loaders in charge of reloading pulled the breech at the rear of the cannon and turned the handle of the breech containing the pellets and gunpowder. As the handle turned, the engagement with the barrel was released, and the breech was removed. The loaders then inserted a new breech by turning it. Meanwhile, the gunner, who had attached thenyard to the breech, aimed at another small boat and pulled thenyard. Bang! *** After a total of four rounds of bombardment, even the tenacious pirates had no choice but to retreat. The number of pirate ships that had initially attacked was about 40,rge and small. However, when they retreated, there were less than 10 remaining. The pirates are retreating! Check for casualties among our forces and inspect the condition of the ships! Yes, sir! After issuing orders to his subordinates, themander turned to the deputymander beside him. I never thought they would be bold enough to attack us. Indeed, sir. *** In the seas between Ming, Joseon, and Japan, the panokseons of the Joseon navy had a notorious reputation. Pirates or fake Japanese pirate ships consisting of junks or small ships would immediately retreat upon seeing a panokseon. The panokseons, which had berger under Hyangs influence, were equipped with the most cannons and were the sturdiest ships among the warships of the three countries in Northeast Asia. The only drawback was their damned slow speed. However, even with their slow speed, the value of the panokseons was not diminished. The narrow straits between Joseon and Japan and the routes in the West Sea to Shandong could be sufficiently covered by the panokseons. *** By the way When this report goes up, there will be another verbal battle between the Ministry of Military Affairs, the Supreme Council, and the Naval Command. Is it about the scattershot cannons? Themander nodded at the deputymanders question. The ships mainly used by the pirates were junks and small boats. The pirates favorite tactic was to tie small boats behind junks with ropes or attach them to the rear, then deploy the small boats along with the junks to swarm merchant ships or raiding targets when they got close. To counter these pirates, pellets were superior torge arrows or iron pellets. Of course, the arrows shot by the pirates were threatening, but the gun shields equipped on the scattershot cannons and the shields lined along the side railings of the panokseons protected the soldiers. Therefore, the Ministry of Military Affairs and the Supreme Council wanted to change the armament of the panokseons in charge of the South Sea. Its excessively heavy armament for dealing with the pirate ships, so lets remove therge-mounted cannons and increase the number of scattershot cannons! The navy strongly opposed the opinion of the Ministry of Military Affairs and the Supreme Council. The pirates also haverge ships, and therge-mounted cannons can also fire pellets! They can fire them, but when actually used, dont they all fly over the pirates heads? Considering the height of the panokseons, even if therge-mounted cannons was fired at the maximum depression angle, the pellets often passed over the pirates heads. Thats why therge-mounted cannons are only effective against the fake Japanese pirate ships when firing pellets! Reducing them is more economical! The fake Japanese dont only operate in the West Sea, and the pirates dont only operate in the South Sea, right? We cannot ept the removal of therge-mounted cannons! Then lets adjust the numbers! No way! Over my dead body! The navy could not give up firepower even if they were used of being overarmed. Seeing this, Hyang had to smile bitterly. Was the tradition of overarmament a deep-rooted tradition passed down from the Joseon Dynasty? He recalled the image of the 21st-century Korean Navy, which was evaluated as a moving powder keg or Its a wonder they can float with that much loaded. The Ministry of Military Affairs and the Supreme Council insisted, but the navy had justification on their side. Damn it! Then at least build more panokseons! Since they had not yet deployed an adequate number, the navy was sailing the seas with as much armament as they had. *** After a fierce battle, the fleet, having checked their condition, continued their voyage. This is why our Joseon navy wants to establish a port in Tsushima. Yes At Nam Gi-jus words, Todo Takayuki nodded with a pale face and trailed off. Todo Takayuki inwardly screamed. Is this the power of the new Joseon naval ships that Ive only heard rumors about? He had certainly heard rumors that the panokseons of the Joseon navy possessed tremendous power. If you encounter the new ships of the Joseon navy, flee with all your might. Otherwise, youll end up as fish food. It was a rumor that had been circting for the past 2-3 years. The new ships of the Joseon navy seem to be powerful. Having heard the rumors, Todo Takayuki discussed it with his retainers. It seems so. However, it appears their numbers are not yet great, so its not something to be too concerned about. Indeed. At his retainers words, Todo Takayuki nodded and lost interest. Even after that, rumors about the new warships called panokseons continued to circte, but the prevailing opinion among the retainers was nothing to worry about. ording to the merchants traveling to and from Waegwan, their numbers are still notrge. The sea is vast, and their numbers are few, so they dont pose a significant threat. Wouldnt it be a problem if those ships enter the ports? If they enter the ports, that ce will be their graveyard. The main weapons of the Joseon navy use gunpowder, so if we shoot fire arrows from all directions, they wont be able to withstand it. Recalling the confident answers given by his retainers, Todo Takayuki looked at the retainers beside him and growled softly. They wont be able to withstand it if we shoot fire arrows from all directions? We are ashamed. At the answer from Hatoyama, the leader of the retainers, Todo Takayuki replied softly. Well see when we return. My lord! At Nam Gi-jus call, Todo Takayukiposed himself and replied. Where do you think these pirates came from? At Nam Gi-jus question, Todo Takayuki took a moment to gather his thoughts and answered. They seem to be pirates from the east. The east? Where in the east? The east of the Chinese region. China? Do you mean our Joseon? At Nam Gi-jus question, the interpreter beside him exined instead. It refers to the area facing Joseon from the main ind of Japan. Ah Nam Gi-ju nodded at the interpreters exnation. Not missing the opportunity, Todo Takayuki added. They probably mistook this fleet for a simple merchant fleet and attacked. If they are pirates, they should be well aware of the panokseons, shouldnt they? Well, thats At Nam Gi-jus words, Todo Takayuki struggled to find an answer with an embarrassed expression. Seeing Todo Takayukis expression, Nam Gi-ju answered himself. Perhaps they knew our fleet was carrying envoys to Japan and attacked. Considering the traditional scale of envoys to Japan, they might have thought the panokseons would have reduced their armament and loaded people. Isnt that right? That could be the case. Then it means they knew in advance that our fleet was carrying envoys As Nam Gi-ju trailed off and red, Todo Takayuki hurriedly waved his hands. No! I didnt utter a word. Could it be among your retainers They are all my loyal retainers! There must have been pirates hiding in the port. Is that so? Yes, it is! Hurriedly resolving the situation, Todo Takayuki pointed to the scattershot cannons beside him and changed the subject. By the way, these small cannons are very powerful! At Todo Takayukis words, Nam Gi-jus face brightened as he replied. They are cannons made by His Highness the Crown Prince! They are truly remarkable! Few can withstand them in closebat. Except for those insane Divine Thunder Strike cannons! Nam Gi-ju replied to Todo Takayuki with a face full of pride. *** As Nam Gi-ju said, the scattershot cannon was the strongest weapon in close navalbat. This cannon with the simple name scattershot cannon was a modified version of the cannon called Bulganggi (ǙC) in the history before Hyangs intervention. Hyang had yed a little trick on the simple method of inserting the breech into the barrel, lighting the fuse, and firing. He made it so that the breech and barrel would be firmly engaged by aligning the grooves and turning it sideways. Additionally, he extended the muzzle part of the breech and made it engage more tightly with the barrel for better sealing. In actualbat, the loader would insert the breech into the barrels groove and turn the handle. If properly engaged, the position of the vent on the breech would precisely align with the position of the breech on the barrel. *** Arge fleet is approaching! The fleet heading to Shimonoseki after the battle tightened their guard once again at the lookouts shouts. As the naval forces of the fleet tensed behind the cannons again, the approaching fleet stopped its approach. Shortly after, a small boat was lowered and approached the fleet carrying the envoys. The interpreter, who had spoken with the warrior on the small boat, reported with a relieved expression. Its the escort fleet sent by the Ouchi () n. At the interpreters report, Nam Gi-ju also showed a simr expression. Thats a relief. Under the protection of the fleet belonging to the Ouchi n, Nam Gi-jus group entered the main ind of Japan. Chapter 242 Chapter 242 The Joseon fleet, having encountered the fleet sent by the Ouchi n, dropped anchor at Shimonoseki. Wee, esteemed envoys! Ouchi Morimori, the heir of the Ouchi n, enthusiastically weed Nam Gi-ju and his entourage. *** The reason Ouchi Morimori warmly weed Nam Gi-jus group was that the Ouchi n was one of the biggest beneficiaries since Sejongs military reforms. Among the Japanese merchants staying at Waegwan, a significant portion were merchants sent by the Ouchi n. That was not all. One of the only ten remaining copies of the Tripitaka Koreana in Japan was housed in the Rurikou Temple in Yamaguchi, and many monks and Buddhist devotees were making pilgrimages there. The wealth generated from these monks and pilgrims was not insignificant either. *** During their four-day stay in Shimonoseki, Nam Gi-jus group had a busy rest period.They had to attend banquets hosted by Morimori without fail and receive visits from schrs or various ns from the vicinity. It is an honor to meet the highly erudite envoys from Joseon. Engaging in discussions, writing, and drawing pictures to distribute to the visiting intellectuals and n leaders left Nam Gi-jus group with little actual rest despite taking a break. While the envoys spent their time in this manner, the naval forces on the panokseons that had carried them were busy. Theypleted maintenance and procured water and food supplies. Workpleted, sir. Good work. But The shipsmander, receiving the report, nced at the soldiers working below and turned to the deputymander. The soldiers havent caused any trouble, have they? *** Themanders concern had a reason. He knew that before departing from Dongnae, all sorts of rumors about Japanese women had circted among the naval soldiers. They say Japan is overflowing with women! Japanese women, evenmoners, not just courtesans or entertainers, will not only let you stay the night if you ask but even sleep with you! And for free! When it became known that such rumors were spreading among the soldiers, the higher-ups were troubled. Once a ship set sail and until its return, everything had to be entrusted to the heavens. If they encountered a storm midway, the ship and its crew could all be ghosts of the sea in an instant. As a result, not only the naval soldiers but most of the crew on civilian merchant ships tended to live without regard for tomorrow. If such men heard rumors about a foreign country and went there, military discipline could break down, leading to international problems. In the end, the Naval Commander had to step up and warn the soldiers. Those who recklessly vite military discipline in Japan will face extreme punishment! *** Knowing the situation from Dongnae, the shipsmander could not hide his concern. If any unsavory incidents urred, it could hinder his own promotion. To themanders question, the deputymander replied with a smile. The soldiers also value their lives, so such things wont happen. At the deputymanders answer, themander sighed. Whew~. Thats a relief, but sometimes those who cant control their youthful vigor are the problem. Thats true, but theds are refraining from going out after the first day. Oh? Why? They say the Japanese women smell bad What? Surprised by the unexpected answer, themander doubted his own ears. *** Since Hyang mass-produced soap and strengthened hygiene education, the people of Joseon had be much cleaner. As they paid more attention to hygiene, the incidence of skin diseases and various illnesses decreased, and the people, having confirmed the effects, began to pay even more attention to hygiene. Before long, the people living in Joseon had be the cleanest among the three countries of Northeast Asia. *** The issue of Japans sexual culture was also a topic of controversy in the royal court. If we obtain a naval base in Tsushima, open a trading post in Japan, and begin mining, it will definitely be a problem. Even if we send only single men to the naval base, trading post, and mines, they will be influenced by Japans customs and cause issues. And if we send men with families, their entire families will be influenced by Japans customs. When such people return to Joseon, the morality among the people will surely crumble! Sejong nodded at the point raised by the Office of the Inspector General. This is indeed a matter that requires serious consideration. Therefore, gather people and devise countermeasures. We shall heed yourmand! At Sejongs order, the ministers summoned senior and junior officials to begin a strategy meeting. Including young officials in the meeting was quite unusual. However, the ministers also had their reasons. These days, my body is not what it used to be. Its time to start preparing for the future. You too? Im also Having served in official positions since thete Goryeo period, they were preparing to step down. It was a move to entrust their sessors to those with long careers and have the young ones observe and gain experience in how things operated. The problem was that Sejong was not one to let them go easily. Through this process, the ministers formed a kind of task force and entered the meeting. Making a decision based only on fragmentary rumors risksmitting a fatal error, so we must investigate thoroughly! I agree with that statement. Following this decision, they began an investigation into Japans customs and culture by questioning the Koreans in Japan and the merchants at Waegwan. And upon seeing the Japanese customs they had gathered, the young officials were all appalled. Such promiscuous customs! Its barbaric! Barbaric! While the young officials were appalled and in an uproar, the reaction of the older officials was slightly different. Japans civil warsted quite a long time, didnt it? When I took office, I heard it was still in the midst of a civil war, so its been a while. ording to the records, itsted for nearly 60 years. The senior officials, discussing the civil war that had taken ce during Japans Northern and Southern Court period, nodded and reached a conclusion. With a civil war of that scale, its understandable that such customs would develop. Pardon? The young officials expressed doubts at the senior officials conclusion. Seeing this, Chief State Councilor Lee Jik stepped forward to exin. Have you young ones ever experienced a war? We have experienced a few invasions by the Japanese pirates. At the young officials answer, the Chief State Councilor waved his hand dismissively. Ah~. The Japanese pirate invasions you experienced at your age are nothingpared to those at the end of the previous dynasty. That was indeed the case. *** The Japanese pirate invasions at the end of the Goryeo Dynasty had devastated the southern regions of Goryeo. To stop them, the Goryeo army made desperate efforts, and in the process, Lee Seong-gye, who had made a name for himself, went on to found the Joseon Dynasty. The rampant Japanese pirates activities began to subside after they suffered heavy losses to the Goryeo army, which had introduced gunpowder weapons in thete Goryeo period. Afterwards, as Joseon was founded, they pacified the Japanese lords,unched offensive campaigns including the Tsushima Invasion, and finally suffered a crushing defeat in Ming during the period of the Tsushima Invasion. Even after that, the Japanese pirates attempted to invade Joseon several times, but they were thoroughly defeated by the Joseon navy, which had been strengthened through military reforms, making it difficult to find Japanese pirates in the seas near Joseon. Therefore, Lee Jik had given such an answer. *** Taking a sip of ck tea, Lee Jik continued. If a situation like the rampant Japanese pirates at the end of the previous dynasty persists, what do you think is the first to be wiped out? Im not sure. Men. Especially the low-ranking soldiers who were farmers or fishermen. Those who only knew how to fistfight end up being used as sword and arrow fodder, and their line is the first to be wiped out. Next are the middle and low-ranking military officersmanding them. Hearing Lee Jiks words, Hyang recalled a line from a movie he had seen in the 21st century. In the Vietnam War, do you know the average survival time of a newlymissioned second lieutenant when first deployed inbat? 16 minutes! A fucking 16 minutes! Whether then or now While Hyang was lost in thought, Lee Jiks words continued. Then what happens? You may not know in the cities, but if you go a bit out, it bes difficult to see men. Then what follows? Seeds be precious. To obtain those seeds and continue the family line or have children to farm and support, the things you call promiscuous happen. The Chief State Councilors words were filled with the pain of those who had survived a period of chaos. So dont simply look at one piece and condemn it as promiscuous or whatnot. Theres now saying simr things wont befall our Joseon. As Lee Jik finished speaking, Kim Jeoms words followed. Those Japanese are not ignorant of morality either. If you had properly examined the records, you would have seen the small n in the corner of Japan that was wiped out. When the lords daughtermitted suicide, unable to bear the shame of being raped, look at what happened as a result. If they were simply promiscuous and barbaric, such a thing would not have urred. Therefore, as the Chief State Councilor said, dont make rash judgments based on fragments, but examine more broadly and deeply. Yes, sir. The young officials replied sincerely to Kim Jeoms advice. Those elder statesmen had left them advice that would be their bones and flesh. Watching that scene, Hyang was immediately filled with doubt. Then what about the videos in myputers hidden folder and the inte stories from the 21st century? With that question in mind, Hyang directly asked the elder statesmen. Then, is there no possibility of such primitive and promiscuous customs persisting? To Hyangs question, Lee Jik replied. If the current regime established by the Ashikaga n is maintained stably for a long time and the peoples lives be stable and well-educated, there is a high possibility of it disappearing before long. However, if the lifespan of the Ashikaga regime is short and another long period of civil war follows, it may be a traditional custom. I see. Hyang replied briefly but inwardly shouted. The Sengoku period! However, the young officials point was not entirely wrong. Its unfortunate that Japan has developed such customs. But considering our Joseon people who will immediately settle in Japan, this is a big problem. Then what do you think we should do? We should build walls around the residential areas of the naval base and trading post to cut off contact. Is that possible? It doesnt seem so in the Waegwan area. The elder statesmen showed a skeptical reaction to the young officials answer. Despite the strong social sentiment of hostility towards the Japanese due to the pirates and strict entry and exit control, Japanese customs had considerably infiltrated the Joseon people around Waegwan. Therefore, the elder statesmen had shown a skeptical reaction. Afterward, various measures were proposed, but most of them were methods to block contact, so they did not receive much support. Watching the scene from one side, Hyang intervened in the meeting. Instead of blocking contact, how about educating them? Educate them, you say? Should we dispatch schrs? The Joseon people going to the trading post and mines will mostly be families anyway. Then shouldnt we also establish private schools to educate the children of those families? Ah! The officials, simultaneously eximing at Hyangs words, immediately proceeded with the meeting. From then on, the meeting progressed swiftly. The results of the meeting can be summarized as follows: Watching the process of reaching this conclusion, Hyangs expression turned bitter. Not Japanization but Joseonization The hypocrisy is unreal *** Note 1) https://.huffingtonpost.kr/2016/12/26/story_n_13780142.html Chapter 243 Chapter 243 The envoy fleet departing from Shimonoseki headed to Kyoto under the escort of the warships belonging to the Ouchi n. Although the envoy hade suddenly, the fleet had to stop at famous Japanese ports along the way for diplomatic procedures and to replenish supplies. Well the need for frequent replenishment is definitely a problem. At Nam Gi-jus words, themander of the panokseon carrying him nodded. Indeed. Its likely an inherent limitation of the panokseon itself. The panokseon was a ship born with the mission of operating in coastal waters. Moreover, being heavily armed with cannons, a significant portion of the ships interior was upied by gunpowder,rge arrows, and iron pellets. Therefore, the operational period of a panokseon could not exceed five days at most. Of course, as Hyang made improvements, the size of the panokseon increased, but the Joseon Navy filled the expanded space with cannons and supplies for the cannons. This problem will be resolved once the Challenger-ss ships are deployed inrge numbers. At themanders words, Nam Gi-ju lightly shook his head.That wont happen. The Challenger-ss ships will be deployed as an ocean-going fleet. The seas near Joseon will still need to be guarded by the panokseons. Of course, the Japanese pirates and the fake Japanese will have their butts scorched when the Haeung-ss battleships arrive. Ah! Ive heard the rumors. They say the Haeung is incredibly fast? Nam Gi-ju nodded at themanders question. If the pirates encounter the Haeung at sea, theyll have to choose between two options. Surrender and beg for mercy or take a trip to the Dragon Pce. Having said that, Nam Gi-ju nced back slightly. The retainers of the Tsushima daimyo and the Ouchi n, who had been listening to the conversation between themander and Nam Gi-ju, were hurriedly averting their gazes. Seeing this, Nam Gi-ju chuckled and looked at themander. Themander also nodded slightly with a subtle smile. We will soon arrive at Ushimado. At the navigators report, Nam Gi-ju joked with a smile. Ah, my arm will ache from wielding the brush again. Take care, sir. Then I should start preparing. As Nam Gi-ju descended from themand tower of the panokseon, the retainers of Tsushima and Ouchi also followed him down. Watching this, themander chuckled and muttered. I heard Tsushima and the Ouchi n were rivals The retainers of the two ns, who had boarded the ship together under the pretext of guiding the envoy group, never stayed close to each other. However, it was evident that they were not mere guides. Although all conversations were conducted through interpreters, it was noticeable that they understood the Koreannguage well. Therefore, it was uneptable to let them linger inside the ship, especially near the cannons. That was why Nam Gi-ju had deliberately gone up to themand tower to talk with themander. To eavesdrop on the conversation between the two, the retainers of the two ns could not leave the tower. It was a situation where they both knew and yed along with each other. The retainers of the two ns knew Nam Gi-ju was keeping them in check, but they couldnt easily make a move. This was because, like before, bits of information they didnt know were slipping out among the words casually dropped. Of course, even the content of these leaks was something Hyang and the ministers had devised. *** The voyage from Shimonoseki to Osaka took over a month. This was because they had to stay at least four to five days at each port they stopped at along the way. Nanba (y, Naniwa, the old name for Osaka)! At the shout of the lookout watching the sea, Nam Gi-ju, standing on the observation deck, turned to themander. We have finally arrived. Indeed, sir. As the fleet carrying the envoy approached Osaka Harbor, numerous ships filled the waters off Osaka. Looking at the ships crowding the waters off Osaka Harbor, the retainer of the Tsushima daimyo introduced them. Its the shoguns fleet. Looks to be about 100 ships. At Nam Gi-jus words, the retainer of the Ouchi n chimed in. Since this envoy visit was decided hastily, the number seems a bit small. Originally, 200 ships would have gathered. Is that so? Listening to the answers of the retainers from the two ns, Nam Gi-ju looked at the Japanese ships filling his view. Despite the enormous fleet filling the sea, and being told it was only about half the size, neither Nam Gi-ju nor the Joseon Navy seemed particrly intimidated. This was because the vast majority of the ships gathered in such numbers were junks and small boats, much smaller than the panokseon. There were just over ten ships of simr size to the panokseon. Even if they were to turn hostile, the Joseon ships had the ability to break through and escape. Even if we cant escape, 80% of those ships will be ghosts of the sea with us. Nam Gi-ju, who had made calctions with his usual emotionless eyes, showed no sign of fear. The shoguns attempt to unt his might to the Joseon envoy and exert psychological pressure had little effect. *** The panokseon docked at the pier of Osaka Harbor, and the gangway was connected. Just before disembarking, Nam Gi-ju conversed with themander. Thanks to you, we have arrived safely. Please take care in Kyoto as well. You take care too, Commander. After exchanging farewells, Nam Gi-ju descended the gangway. The panokseons carrying the envoy group docked at the pier, and various cargoes, horses, and wagons were unloaded onto the pier. Once the horses unloaded from the ships had stabilized to some extent, cavalry soldiers approached and began saddling them. Seeing the cavalry soldiers saddling the horses, equipping Gapshik rifles and cavalry guns, and mounting the horses, the eyes of the Japanese sparkled. The armor is unusual? When the Japanese asked about the full-body te armor worn by the cavalry soldiers, Nam Gi-ju replied with a nonchnt expression. Its a new type of armor we started using recently. Is that so? The expressions of the Japanese listening to Nam Gi-jus answer wereplex. Although covered with cloth on top, its definitely armor made of iron! Its certainly steel! And judging by their movements, theyve been wearing it for a long time and are ustomed to it! Making armor that covers the entire body with that expensive steel and equipping them with it! What has happened in Joseon? The Japanese, distracted by the cavalrys armor, hadpletely forgotten about the Gapshik rifles and cavalry guns tucked into the saddles on both sides. My lord, the horses are ready. Is that so? Good work. Following the cavalrymans guidance, Nam Gi-jus group mounted their horses. What about the retainers of Tsushima and the Ouchi n? They have also finished their preparations. Confirming that the retainers of the two ns who had apanied them were also on their pre-arranged horses waiting for them, Nam Gi-ju steered his horse towards them. The matter is urgent, so lets move a bit quickly to Kyoto. Yes, sir. The retainers of the two ns all agreed with Nam Gi-jus words. *** In their view, this envoy was unusual in many ways. Until the previous visit to Japan, all envoys had used pnquins. And most of the escort troops were a small number of infantry. However, this envoy waspletely different. With the reason of an urgent matter to discuss, they brought horses and all the escort troops were cavalry. Moreover, their number seemed to fully fill one Gi (, usually consisting of 3-5panies, up to 125 men) ording to the Joseon military organization. Having received this news in advance, the shogunate had also sent an escort and guide unitposed entirely of cavalry. The number of Japanese cavalry troops that arrived was about 500. The retainers sent by Tsushima and Ouchi muttered to themselves as they saw the cavalry. Sending out 500 cavalry Is it to boast that Kyoto is that safe? In particr, the retainer of the Ouchi n had a very serious expression. Does this mean they have definite military power and authority to the extent that they are not worried even after sending out that many? The cavalry unit sent by the shogunate carried an unspoken warning to Joseon and the Japanese ns. The shogunate is this powerful! Dont harbor any vain thoughts! Depart! Depart! At the order of the Japanese cavalrymander, who confirmed that the envoys preparations wereplete, the Japanese cavalry at the forefront began to move ahead. And the envoy group followed behind them. And Japanese painters were diligently capturing that scene in paintings. *** The journey to Kyoto was smooth. As the movement progressed smoothly, the retainers of the two ns and the retainers sent by the shogunate conversed with Nam Gi-ju. Joseons cavalry soldiers look very solid. With frequent shes with the Jurchen tribes, it cant be helped. Ah At Nam Gi-jus answer, the retainers nodded. They also knew about the disturbances caused by the Jurchen tribes in the northern part of Joseon. But the cavalry soldiers dont have bows? Isnt Joseon famous for archery? Were traveling for diplomatic rtions, so theres no need to bring bows, right? Having enough to defend against any unforeseen circumstances is sufficient. Thats true. Although the retainers nodded at Nam Gi-jus words, they had different thoughts in their minds. I heard Joseons angr bows are vulnerable to moisture, and it turns out to be true! Its not that they didnt bring them because they werent needed, but because they cant use them! The retainers were making their own military judgments. As they reached their own conclusions, the retainers showed interest in the Gapshik rifles and cavalry guns quietly resting on the saddles of the Joseon cavalry horses. What are those long weapons? Those? Theyre hand cannons. Hand cannons? At Nam Gi-jus answer, the retainers from Tsushima and Ouchi showed expressions of unfamiliarity, but the retainer from the shogunate pretended to know. Ah! Ive heard rumors! They say Ming and Joseon use a small hand cannon that individual soldiers carry around! Thats right. Hmm At Nam Gi-jus answer, the retainer sent by the shogunate organized the situation in his mind. The retainer in question had experience going to Ming and Joseon with the Japanese pirates. When I went to Ming and saw it, the hand cannon could only be used as a club after firing one shot. So they carry two of them? It seems they brought them instead of bows. Two shots are enough for basic defense. The retainer from the shogunate, reaching his own conclusion based on his experience, nodded his head. Just as the retainers from Tsushima, Ouchi, and the shogunate tried to gather intelligence on Joseons military power, Joseon also observed the situation in Japan. In fact, even Nam Gi-ju, who was appointed as the chief envoy, had experienced actualbat with the Jurchen tribes in the north until he took a position in the navy. Therefore, while engaging in various conversations with the Japanese, his eyes constantly surveyed the surroundings and memorized them. Even on the way to Kyoto, Nam Gi-ju organized data for his daily reports to the point of falling asleep. Nam Gi-jus observations were surprisingly urate. As Joseon and Japan probed each other, the envoy group finally arrived in Kyoto. Upon arriving in Kyoto, Nam Gi-ju took a deep breath. Phew! Weve finally arrived. We must seed! Chapter 244 Chapter 244 Standing on a hill near Kyoto, Nam Gi-ju had a peculiar expression as he gazed at the city. It looks more like China than Japan. The downtown area of Kyoto wasposed of a square-shaped city wall on a wide in with a grid-patterned cityscape. As sea routes became more active, Joseon envoys frequently traveled to China via the sea. The appearance of Kyoto was almost identical to the old capitals of China that they had passed through on their way to Beijing while escorting the envoys. Shall we go? Lets go. Nam Gi-jus group, who had been briefly admiring theyout of Kyoto from the hill, began moving towards the city at the words of the retainer sent by the shogun. *** Passing through Rashomon, the southern gate of Kyoto, Nam Gi-jus group headed north along Suzaku Avenue.At the end of the avenue, a pce surrounded by high walls appeared again. This is the imperial pce where the Emperor resides. At the words of the shogunate retainer in charge of the guide, Nam Gi-ju briefly asked. Then should we go in and pay our respects? At Nam Gi-jus words, the retainer shook his head with a slight smile. There is no need for that. Is that so? I understand. Nam Gi-ju responded briefly to the retainers words. This was because Nam Gi-ju had also heard about the political situation in Japan beforehand. Arriving at the shoguns residence under the escort of the shogunate cavalry, Nam Gi-ju forced back a wryugh that threatened to escape and inwardly cursed. Damn it! Its someone elses country, but just look at the state of this nation! The arrangement of the shogunate buildings and the imperial pce was utterly disrespectful. Even in Gyeongbokgung in Hanseong and the royal pce built in Gaeseong during the previous dynasty, no other buildings were allowed to be built behind the pce. This was not only for safety reasons but also a matter of etiquette. If buildings werepared to people, the only ones who could sit behind the king were the most senior members of the royal family, such as the former king who served as regent or the Queen Dowager. It was unthinkable for a subject to sit behind the king. And the same applied to the arrangement of buildings. Of course, if the pce was built in the very center of the city, like the Forbidden City in Beijing, with the idea that the emperor C the center of China C was the center of the world, it could be an exception. However, if the pce was located in the north, as in Gaeseong, Hanseong, and Kyoto, such an arrangement was the epitome of disrespect. It was a matter for which one could be treated as a traitor for insulting the king, with no room for argument. However, the shogunate building was located right behind the imperial pce. Although not as massive as the imperial pce, it was arge-scale building that boasted an imposing presence. Therefore, even Nam Gi-ju, known for hisck of emotional expression, momentarily lost hisposure and inwardly cursed. I heard Japan has two kings! Its really true! However, since it was ultimately another countrys affair, and considering the task at hand, Nam Gi-ju suppressed his emotions as much as possible. *** Entering the shogunate, Nam Gi-jus group had an audience with Ashikaga Yoshinori, the 6th shogun. I pay my respects to the King of Japan. You must have had a long journey. Lets first relieve your fatigue and then have a conversation. Hearing Yoshinoris words through the interpreter, Nam Gi-ju bowed his head and replied. I am grateful for your hospitality. That night, after a grand banquet, Yoshinori met separately with the retainers of Ouchi and Tsushima. Why did your lords note with you? Generally, when envoys came from Joseon, at least the lord of Tsushima would apany them to Kyoto. However, this time, neither the lord of Tsushima nor the head of the Ouchi n came along, and only their retainers hade. In response to Yoshinoris question, the retainer of the Ouchi n lowered his head deeply and answered. Our lord suddenly fell ill Fell ill? He was suddenly stricken with a severe cold and fever Instead, here The retainer of the Ouchi n, prostrating on the floor, took out a letter from his bosom and raised it above his head. The shogunate retainer, who took the letter on behalf of Yoshinori, removed the seal and confirmed that there was nothing unusual. Having verified that there was nothing amiss with the envelope and its contents, the shogunate retainer respectfully presented the neatly folded letter to Yoshinori. Hmm Reading the contents of the letter, Yoshinori red at the Ouchi retainer and spoke. Its regrettable that he couldnte due to a severe fever from a cold. I hope he recovers soon. I am deeply ashamed! What about Tsushima then? Just beforeing, there were signs of pirate movement, so he couldnte. Is that so? Pirates Well~. It is indeed a big problem. The lord must be having a tough time. The retainer of Tsushima also presented a letter to Yoshinori. After reading the letters, Yoshinori waved his hand. You have done well. Convey my words to your lords. I will let it slide this time. Understood? Yes, my lord! The retainers of Tsushima and Ouchi answered while breaking out in a cold sweat and politely withdrew. Watching their departure, Yoshinori turned to his retainers. Why do you think Tsushima and Ouchi couldnte? In response to Yoshinoris question, one of the retainers answered. They are probably preupied with calcting the gains and losses that Joseons proposal will bring. Thats likely the case. Yoshinori nodded at the retainers answer. The letter from Joseon stating, We have an urgent matter to discuss and will send envoys, also briefly mentioned the issues to be discussed. Joseon had conveyed two agenda items. One was the lease of ports in Tsushima, and the other was the desire to open a trading post in the Ouchi region. The shogunate had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Joseon envoys due to the end of Joseons letter stating, We wish to discuss and coordinate the details through the envoys we send. Based on the current situation, it seems that both Tsushima and Ouchi have epted Joseons proposal, right? It appears so. Then what should I do? Should I p hands in agreement or make a fuss? Both Tsushima and Ouchi are not to my liking. At Yoshinoris words, the retainers began to discuss their opinions among themselves. After exchanging opinions, the retainers advised Yoshinori. If Joseon provides sufficient benefits to our shogunate, it would be best to ept the proposal. Why? Both of them dont listen well to me. Arent Tsushima and Ouchi rivals? At the retainers answer, Yoshinori pped his hands. Thats right! From the shogunates perspective, both Ouchi and Tsushima were undesirable ns. Ouchi was a powerful n that had built up its capabilities while engaging in trade as much as the shogunate. Concerned about this, the previous shogun had devised a scheme, and the head of the Ouchi n, falling for this scheme, had rebelled and died in battle. Afterward, someone who seemed likely to obey the shogunate was appointed as the heir, but a civil war broke out, expelling him, and the current head, Morimi, seeded the position. The shogunate tried to make an issue of this, but the ns surrounding Ouchi all recognized Morimi as the head, forcing the shogunate to acknowledge him as well. Tsushima was no different. As a member of the Shoni n in Kyushu, which disobeyed the shogunate, Tsushima was a n that paid lip service to the shogunate. The only fortunate thing was that Ouchi and Tsushima, or more precisely, the Shoni n of Kyushu, were mortal enemies. Ouchis move to regain their lost power was to advance into Kyushu, and in the process, the Shoni n had to suffer enormous damage. The weakening of the Shoni n, the native ruling power in Kyushu, was what the shogunate wanted, so they even granted Ouchi the position of Tandai (̽}) of Kyushu, and Ouchi and Tsushima became rivals who couldnt wait to devour each other. Therefore, Yoshinori reached a straightforward conclusion. I like this very much. Lets ept Joseons proposal to some extent while securing benefits for ourselves. Yes, my lord! *** With the shogunate having predetermined the direction, the talks proceeded smoothly. Of course, it was smooth in the sense that there were no major debates or disagreements, not that the talks themselves progressed quickly. With Yoshinori stepping back, Nam Gi-jus group and the shogunate retainers coordinated their opinions. Lets proceed with the leasing of Tsushimas naval base as agreed upon between Joseon and Tsushima. Very well. Then lets move on to the next agenda. Regarding the establishment of trading posts, Joseon wants two locations, right? Yes. Initially, Joseon had decided to establish only one trading post. However, a point was soon raised regarding this. If only one location is designated in the Ouchi ns territory, the shogunate may oppose it. We need to provide an appropriate bait to the shogunate as well. As the objection was valid, a meeting was held on this matter. And the number of trading posts to be established increased to two. Where does Joseon want them to be located? To the shogunate retainers question, Nam Gi-ju promptly replied. First, we would like to establish trading posts in one of Shimonoseki or Nagato, and one location rmended by the shogunate. Is that so? Hearing Nam Gi-jus answer, the retainers had troubled expressions. There are too many options to choose from! In the end, the retainers had to dere a recess. Because of this, although the mood of the meeting was good, it ended up consuming an enormous amount of time. After a series of time-consuming meetings, the locations for the Joseon trading posts were finally decided. Nagato and Naniwa (Osaka). With all agreements reached, Nam Gi-ju boarded the return journey with a sense of relief. On the observation deck of the panokseon heading to Shimonoseki, Nam Gi-ju inwardly muttered as he gazed at the sea. I wonder if the secret envoys did well? *** My lord! I have returned! As the retainer prostrating on the ground announced his return, Morimi calmly replied. Good work. So, where was it decided to establish the trading post? In Nagato. At the retainers answer, Morimi frowned. As expected of the shogun. He used a clever trick. Shimonoseki was a traditional trading port, and Ouchi had long established solid defense facilities there. However, with the designation of Nagato, Ouchi had to spend manpower and resources to enhance defense facilities in Nagato as well. That was why Morimi referred to it as a clever trick. My lord! Please forgive my mistake! As the retainer pleaded for forgiveness, Morimi replied with an unconcerned expression. Its alright. I had already anticipated the high possibility of Nagato being chosen. Joseon had also initially pointed out Nagato. And Pausing for a moment, Morimi brought a teacup to his lips and continued. In the meantime, a secret envoy came from Joseon. A secret envoy, you say? Yes. The official envoys were just a decoy. At Morimis words, the retainer gulped. What did Joseon offer? Joint development of the Iwami silver mine. Gasp! The Iwami silver mine had been discovered quite some time ago but had not been properly mined. The reason was that Japans technology could not yet dig deep enough. Morimi and his fellow retainers continued with joyful expressions. With Joseons technology, the mining output will increase several-fold! And Joseon will even pay the wages, its the icing on the cake! Indeed! This will give us room to breathe in strengthening our military! Nodding at his retainers words, Morimi showed a slightly regretful expression. Its just a bit disappointing about the distribution ratio. 65% to 35% Of course, its not a big loss since Joseon agreed to pay the wages, but Its a profitable deal since we can learn Joseons mining techniques! It would have been nice if we could have obtained refining techniques as well Unable to hide his disappointment, Morimi gave orders to his retainers. Try reaching out to Ming. Ask if we can find refining technicians. Yes, my lord! Having given orders to his retainers, Morimi once again licked his lips. By the way, was his name Kim Jong-seo? He seemed quite useful The reaction was the same for Won Do-jin, the Governor-General of Kyushu. Was his name Hwangbo In? Joseon has many talented individuals. Chapter 245 Chapter 245 The retainer who finished reporting to Morimi asked his fellow retainers about something he was curious about. Kim Jong-seo, was it? Was the secret envoy from Joseon really that remarkable? This is the first time Ive seen our lord covet someone so much. At the question about Kim Jong-seo, the fellow retainers who had interacted with him nodded in unison. He was extraordinary. He seemed like the reincarnation of a hero from the heroic tales. Indeed, indeed. He always acted boldly without losing his smile, but he never suffered a loss. He seemed to gloss over things, but he never missed a thing. He appeared to have sufficient ability to run a nation. He seemed to enjoy drinking, indulging in the arts, and being extravagant, but his loyalty was firmer than a rock. Huh There was such a person?When the questioning retainer showed a look of disbelief, another retainer spoke up. The day before that Kim Jong-seo returned to Joseon, our lord hosted a banquet. *** The day before Kim Jong-seo, who had sessfully concluded negotiations with Ouchi Morimi, was to return, Morimi held a grand banquet. Morimi, Mochiyo, the posthumous son of Morimis deceased brother and designated heir, and even the retainers who had not gone to Kyoto all attended the grand banquet. Officially, it was to bid farewell to Kim Jong-seo, who was returning to Joseon, but internally, it was a banquet to entice Kim Jong-seo. Therefore, renowned beauties and talented women from the domain were gathered and seated around Kim Jong-seo. As the banquet was in full swing and everyone began to feel the effects of alcohol, Morimi casually brought up the topic. Arent they truly beautiful women? Indeed, they are. It feels like I have be a butterfly fluttering in a flower garden. Hahaha! A butterfly fluttering in a flower garden! What a splendid expression! Morimi, who had burst intoughter at Kim Jong-seos words, spoke again. Lord Kims literary talent is truly remarkable. May I request a poem? My skills are too trivial to boast about. After declining a couple of times, Kim Jong-seo finally had to recite a poem. Although my skills are trivial, please enjoy it lightly. Kim Jong-seo, who lightly sang the tune, turned his head and looked outside. Gazing at the moon visible through the window, Kim Jong-seo began to speak. Is the round moon in the sky the same in Hanseong? Why does the singing voice of the beautifuldy sound so sorrowful? Is it because she cannot forget the sincere love in Jongno? Ah Morimi was left speechless by the poem recited by Kim Jong-seo. Although it was a short poem, it was filled with unwavering loyalty towards the King of Joseon. I should give up Forcibly hiding his disappointment, Morimi unleashed a series of exmations. Truly! It was truly a magnificent poem! Lord Kims literary talent is indeed extraordinary. You tter me. I am ashamed to have tainted your ears with my trivial skills. As Kim Jong-seo replied humbly, Morimi shook his head. No! No! Although my learning is shallow, I have ears to listen! It was a truly outstanding poem! It can be called the best under the heavens! To Morimis words, Kim Jong-seo responded modestly. There are many in Joseon who surpass me. As Kim Jong-seo continued to express humility, one of the retainers chimed in. Did you say there are many in Joseon who are even more outstanding than you? Thats right. Its embarrassing, but my rank in the civil service examination was 13th. At Kim Jong-seos words, Morimi and the retainers were left speechless. Meanwhile, the Joseon officials who had apanied Kim Jong-seo to assist him had to pinch their thighs and desperately manage their expressions. They say dream interpretation is more important than the dream itself! Look at their faces! They definitely misunderstood! That damned Hanseong addiction! Even in a situation like this! Its a severe case, a severe case! As a side note, the poem recited by Kim Jong-seo at this banquet waster included in a Korean middle school Koreannguage textbook. And thementary on this poem was as follows: *** The next day, after seeing off the Koreans, including Kim Jong-seo, and returning to his residence, Morimi became speechless. Morimis face, gazing at the well-manicured garden, was more hardened than ever before. Seeing Morimi like this, Mochiyo and the retainers had unusually tense expressions. Whats going on? The negotiations went well, though? Why on earth? As Mochiyo and the retainers were anxiously observing the situation, Morimi spoke. Frogs Morimi, who suddenly uttered an iprehensible word, turned around and looked at Mochiyo and the retainers. What do you think of the secret envoy sent by Joseon this time? In response to Morimis question, Mochiyo stepped forward and answered. He was a remarkable talent. Indeed, he was a remarkable talent. But do you know whats truly frightening? That such a talent ranked 13th in the civil service examination. Simply put, it means there are 12 more talented individuals above him. Ah At Morimis words, Mochiyo and the retainers nodded their heads. They also knew about the civil service examinations conducted in Ming and Joseon through rumors. However, they looked down on the civil service examination system itself. Literature is weak! The world is dominated solely by military power! It was a thought befitting those who had lived through the era of turmoil, the division of the Northern and Southern Dynasties. Of course, military power is the most important for aspiring to rule the world. But! Morimi paused for a moment and clenched his fist. With military power alone, even if you gain the world, its nothing more than a fleeting dream! To be the true master of the world, not just a momentary dream, what is absolutely necessary is literature! Despite Morimis impassioned speech, Mochiyo and the retainers showed signs of not readily agreeing. Seeing this, Morimi shouted angrily. Thats why you are frogs! Frogs in a well! Look at Joseon now! Who holds dominion over the sea, not only the Tsushima Strait but also the sea leading to Ming? Its Joseon. What do you think is the reason for Joseons rapid growth? Mochiyo, who pondered for a moment at Morimis words, asked in return. Is it the power of literature? Yes! Its clear that strengthening military power is the most important task! However, it is literatures role to foster and maintain that military power! Look at Joseon! Its because individuals like that Kim Jong-seo support them that they could grow so quickly! Mochiyo! Yes, my lord! Why did Ouchi Yoshihiro, your father, my brother, and the previous lord, have to pass away? It was because of the scheme of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the previous shogun! Why did he fall for the scheme? It was because there was no one who could see through the scheme. There were those skilled in military strategy but none skilled in political strategy! Morimi passionately lectured Mochiyo and the retainers. It is said that defending a castle is more difficult than attacking one. Governing a nation is more difficult than founding one! To be the true master of the world, the dream of our n, we need the power of literature! I will issue an order! Gather not only your children but also the children with literary talent from across the domain! Send the gathered children to study in Joseon! There may be financial issues! When one of the retainers pointed out the problem, Morimi shouted angrily. Have you forgotten about the trading post to be established in Nagato and the Iwami silver mine? I am ashamed! This is why I call you frogs! While its important to nurture children with military talent, literature must not be neglected! To be the true master of the world, marching to the capital is not everything! We must thoroughly prepare for whates after as well! At Morimis cry, Mochiyo and the retainers bowed their heads in unison and replied. Yes, my lord! It was a moment when another turning point in history was created. *** The panokseon carrying Kim Jong-seo, who had sessfullypleted his mission, did not head towards Tsushima but instead took a detour towards Jeju Ind and arrived at the Left Naval Station of Jeo Province. As the mission itself was secret, the panokseon belonging to the Left Naval Station of Jeo Province moved instead of Dongnae, where there were many Japanese eyes. Kim Jong-seo, who had safely arrived at the Left Naval Station of Jeo Province, immediately mounted a horse and headed to Hanseong. What a diligent fellow! He could have rested for a day, but hes going straight up! The Commander of the Left Naval Station of Jeo Province saw off Kim Jong-seos group with a pleased expression. However, Kim Jong-seos entourage red at him with narrowed eyes. Diligent, my ass! As if youve only known him for a day or two! Hes definitely doing this to finish early and go to the pleasure house! Although they grumbled inwardly, Kim Jong-seos entourage all agreed on one thing. Still, he does his job thoroughly! *** Kim Jong-seo, who arrived in Hanseong amidst numerous misunderstandings and prejudices, immediately went to Sejong. Well done. Sejong, who received the report through the eunuch, said to Kim Jong-seo. Rest for two days and then report to me. I have many things to ask. Just give me one more day. Although grumbling inwardly, Kim Jong-seo bowed his head and replied. Your grace is immeasurable. You may leave. After paying respects to Sejong and leaving, Kim Jong-seo counted his fingers and muttered. If youre going to use me, use me thoroughly. Whats with two days, two days Where should I go first? Kim Jong-seo continued to count his fingers, pondering where to go. *** After two days of rest, Kim Jong-seo had toe before Sejong again. In your opinion, what kind of person was the head of the Ouchi n? He seemed to be a very ambitious person. Ambitious? Why? As Sejong showed interest, Kim Jong-seo recounted his observations. When he heard the proposal for joint mining of the Iwami silver mine, if he were loyal to the King of Japan, he would have first mentioned obtaining the Kings approval. However, until I left, he never mentioned such a thing even once, and there were no signs of him sending someone to the King of Japan. Hmm I see. Sejong nodded his head, stroking his beard at Kim Jong-seos exnation. If he is that ambitious, he must be hostile to the King of Japan. He did not show such an attitude in front of me, but he did not show more respect than necessary. I see. Kim Jong-seo had to answer Sejongs questions for a long time after that. Having extracted enough information from Kim Jong-seo to his satisfaction, Sejong gave him an order. Good work. There is someone waiting for you at the State Council, so go and see. I shall heed yourmand. As he left after paying respects to Sejong, Kim Jong-seo tilted his head. Who is waiting for me? Jong-seo! Gasp! Hearing the familiar voice calling him, Kim Jong-seos face turned pale as if he had seen a ghost. In the distance, Hwang Hui was walking towards him, waving his hand. Why is the Minister here? Why here? As Kim Jong-seo was muttering with a pale face, Hwang Hui, who had walked right up to him, spoke. You finished reporting to His Majesty, right? Pardon? Yes. Then pack your bags. We need to get back to work soon. Minister! It hasnt been long since I returned from the envoy mission As Kim Jong-seo grumbled with a sorrowful expression, Hwang Hui shouted angrily. Listen! In my days, I went back to work the very day I returned from an envoy mission! You had plenty of rest while on the mission! Minister! I crossed the sea! Listen! In my days, I passed through areas swarming with Jurchen tribes! Pack your bags now! Minister The more you resist, the further away your return to Hanseong will be. Choose. Do you want to lead the virginnd expedition team, or do you want to work with me and then return to Hanseong? At Hwang Huis words, Kim Jong-seo replied with tears welling up in his eyes. I will go home, change into my official robes, and return. *** After that, Sejong continued to receive reports rted to Japan. After reading the reports from Hwangbo In, who had met with Won Do-jin, the Governor-General of Kyushu, following a secret order like Kim Jong-seo, and Nam Gi-jus group, who had met with Ashikaga Yoshinori as official envoys, as well as the analysis reportspiling these reports, Sejong looked at his ministers. To reach a conclusion, the situation in Japan is like antern in the wind, right? That is correct, Your Majesty. Chief State Councilor Lee Jik immediately answered Sejongs question and added. Judging from the fact that not only the head of the Ouchi n but even the Governor-General of Kyushu, Won Do-jin, who is said to have the trust of the King of Japan, kept the contents of their meetings with the secret envoys confidential, it seems that although the King of Japans rule may appear strong on the surface, it is unstable on the inside. I see. Then lets also establish a n assuming the worst-case scenario. We shall heed yourmand! Chapter 246 Chapter 246 Prince Henry the Navigator (Infante Dom Henrique, o Navegador) Northern coast of Moro, Ceuta. Knock, knock. At the light knocking sound, Prince Henry, who had been reviewing documents, answered in a low voice. Come in. At Prince Henrysmand, the door opened, and a knight entered. What is it? The ships have returned from Alexandria. Is that so?At the knights report, Henrys face brightened, and he rose from his chair. *** Watching the cargo being unloaded from the ships docked at the pier, Henry turned to the captains. What about the goods from Joseon? They are being unloaded over there. At the captains words, Henry moved to that location. Unload carefully! If the goods are damaged, you bastards wont be able to pay it off even if you work your entire lives! Careful! Careful! Amidst the shouts of the supervisors managing the unloading of the cargo, the sailors and ves were carefully unloading the cargo boxes. Examining the amount of cargo being unloaded from the ships, Henrys expression hardened. Isnt the quantity less than expected? At Henrys observation, the manager in charge of purchasing answered, sweating profusely. Those Italian bastards put up a fierce fight Fucking mongrels! At the managers response, Henry spat out a curse, forgetting his dignity as a prince. *** From a few years ago, extraordinary goods had begun to arrive at the auction houses in Alexandria. In terms of quality and beauty, these products were far superior to the goods being traded in the Imic and European markets at that time. Where were these made? European and Imic merchants who had flocked to Alexandria asked the Aden merchants who had brought the goods about their origin. Its a secret. Come on, tell us! I said its a secret! The Aden merchants kept their mouths firmly shut, but the merchants who purchased the goods kept trying. And so, one merchant, swayed by a suitable bribe and alcohol, finally opened his mouth. We didnt obtain these goods ourselves. One merchant from Aden paved the way. So where is that ce? He said it was called Joseon. Joseon? Where is Joseon? I dont know that much. Because of this, Joseon had to be treated as and of mystery for a while afterwards. This curiosity of the merchants was resolved starting from when Joseon goods were released for the second time. The merchants who brought Joseon goods the second time, from the Ottaibi and Azram families of Aden, released an even more diverse andrger quantity of goods to the auction houses in Alexandria. The expectation that prices would fall due to the increased quantity was greatly off the mark. Even more merchants had flocked than the first time, having heard the rumors. The merchants who had gathered in this way asked the same question again while obtaining the goods. Where is this ce called Joseon located? The merchants from the Ottaibi and Azram families answered frankly. It is located east of Kitai (a transliteration of Khitan, another name for China). East of Kitai? Then isnt it Zipangu[1]? Its a country situated between Kitai and Zipangu. I see, thank you. Having received an answer, the merchants expressed their gratitude and withdrew. Seeing this, the merchants from the Ottaibi and Azram families smiled with satisfaction. Why? Are you going to try to find it? The reason the Ottaibi and Azram families were so confident was due to the issues of sea routes and permits. Europeans didnt know the sea routes to Kitai at all. Of course, there were quite a few Imic merchants who knew the routes to Kitai, but they were well aware of the dangers of those routes. Lastly, the merchants who had some information about Kitai and Zipangu were well aware of the existence of trade permits. They knew that without these permits, only dangerous and unprofitable smuggling was possible. Now that Joseon goods have been released like this, smuggling wont be profitable! As Joseon products became popr in this way, the ones who rushed in most enthusiastically were the Italian merchants. Based on the economic power they had secured through intermediary trade, the Italian merchants bought up Joseons goods indiscriminately. These are goods that will turn into several times their weight in gold once they cross the Mediterranean! *** It was in this situation that the merchants led by Prince Henry entered thepetition being waged by the Italian and Imic merchants. Prince Henrys involvement in thispetition was for both economic and religious reasons. Portugal, which had been established after driving out the Muslims from the Iberian Penins, invaded North Africa as soon as it gained strength and secured Ceuta. Securing Ceuta[2] was for the purpose of iming a share in the Mediterranean trade routes and for expelling Imic forces. Lets conquer Moro! Henry, who had made the greatest contribution to the upation of Ceuta, persuaded his father and other brothers to conquer Moro. He came to make this argument because of a story he had heard from a merchant in Ceuta. -There is a trade route where gold travels from the south of Africa, across the desert, to Moro in the north. Upon hearing this story, Henry strongly advocated for the conquest of Moro. If we conquer Moro and secure that golden trade route, Portugal can be a great power in an instant! The king and the other princes all agreed with Henrys argument. They, too, had heard and seen things. It was a famous rumor from long ago that a considerable amount of the gold entering Moro came from somewhere in southern Africa. However, Henrys challenge immediately ran into the reality of the situation. What blocked Henry and Portugal were the mountains and deserts of Moro. Conquering Moro by crossing these mountains and deserts was beyond the capabilities of Portugal, a newborn nation. In the end, Henry continued to steadily expand Portugals share in the Mediterranean trade routes while also conducting explorations of the western coast of Africa. If thend route is difficult, we can go by sea! It was in this situation that information and goods rted to Joseon came in. *** The start of Henrys explosive interest in Joseon was the golden pen. Disguised as an ordinary merchant and wandering around the market in Alexandria, Henry heard the shout of an Imic merchant. Buy pens! Pens from Joseon for sale! Joseon? That rumored Joseon? Why are goods that should only be at the auction houses here? Curious at the mention of goods from the country that merchants were going crazy over, Henry walked over there. Lets see these so-called pens from Joseon. Yes, sir! These are excellent pens called gold pens in Joseon! At Henrys words, the merchant hurriedly took out a box containing the gold pens and opened the lid. Oho! Henry let out an exmation upon seeing the contents of the opened box. Inside the box were a silver-gleaming gold pen and a handle in which to insert the pen. The patterns engraved on the gold pen were beautiful, but the handle, boasting vivid patterns and luster with mother-of-pearlcquerware, was also an extraordinary item. As Henry showed interest, the merchant continued his enthusiastic introduction. Its remarkable, isnt it? Do you see the flower pattern engraved on the inside of this box? It has three flowers! Although not as good as the ones made of gold with five flowers, its still sufficiently high-ss! If its such a high-ss item, why are you selling it here instead of putting it up for auction? At Henrys question, the merchant answered with an embarrassed expression. When I went to Joseon following the elders, I spent all my private funds to buy just one And people dont buy pens made of expensive silver when there are light and easily obtained quill pens. Wouldnt wealthy people buy them? Such people dont know me. Hmm At the merchants words, Henry looked over the merchants appearance and nodded. Indeed The merchant in front of him was so young that it would be more fitting to call him a boy. And while his clothing was clean, it was not of good quality. A neer. Hes running it alone to gain experience. Henry understood the merchants efforts to sell the gold pen. It was one of the ways that quite a few merchants raised those who would seed them. They would give some funds to young people who had sufficiently learned the trade within the merchant group and have them obtain and sell goods, allowing them to purely umte their own experience rather than being taught by others. Seeing such a merchant, Henry felt a strange sense of kinship. It felt like himself, who had set out to conquer Moro only to fail. With that feeling, Henry asked the price. How much is it? *** Having bought the gold pen and returned to his lodging, Henry inserted the pen into the handle, dipped it in ink, and wrote sentences on paper. Oho! Henry let out an exmation after trying out the gold pen. This foreign silver pen, called a gold pen, had a truly astounding writing feel. The letters flowed as smoothly as a ship sailing on a calm sea. And it wrote well on both expensive paper and rough cheap paper. Henry examined the gold pen closely. It was definitely an alloy of silver and other metals, thin but with the necessary strength. The groove running along the center of the pointed nib allowed the ink to be drawn up and the letters to be written. However, what impressed him the most was the very tip of the nib. It was not simply pointed, but slightly rounded to allow smooth writing even on rough-textured paper. Remarkable. Smiling with the joy of having obtained an item more impressive than expected, Henry suddenly had another thought. Should I try making and selling these? The French would go crazy for them As he was gauging the possibility while examining the box, Henry saw the warning engraved on the inside of the box lid. The warning, written in Chinese characters, Arabic, and Latin, was as follows: -Those who reproduce without permission from Joseon will not engage in any trade with the country whatsoever. How arrogant. Such great confidence. Henry, who had been chuckling while reading the warning, soon thought differently. The rumor is that all the Joseon goods on the market now are extraordinary. If a country that makes such goods were to directly engage in trade Having thought that far, Henry sighed. Whew~ Its not simple arrogance. *** In this way, Henry, who had be interested in Joseon, obtained Joseon goods that had actuallye on the market and confirmed their value with his own eyes. These are goods that will bring definite profits! With this conviction, Henry immediately rushed to his father the king and his brothers and persuaded them that they must purchase Joseon goods no matter what. Henrys persuasion was sessful, and Portugal also joined thepetition to purchase Joseon products. However, they kept being pushed back by Italy, which put forth enormous capital, and it was then that Henry had spat out a curse. *** As thepetition intensified in this way, Henrys interest in Joseon only grew. Just what kind of people live in that country to be able to produce such goods? Porcin dishes and tea sets engraved with beautiful patterns, subtle yet captivating fragrances, etc.the productsing from Joseon invariably caught the eyes of merchants and people alike. In the end, interest in Joseon was not Henrys alone. In the process, information about Joseons location was released. -A country located between Kitai and Zipangu. Upon hearing that rumor, Henry, gazing at the gold pen inserted in the pen holder, muttered to himself without realizing it. Could it be Prester John? The name of a powerful Christian nation said to exist somewhere in the far east, appearing since the days of the Crusades and even in Marco Polos travelogue, urred to Henry.
  1. Another name for Japan. Also called as Land of Gold by Marco Polo[]
  2. A city in Spain[]
Chapter 247 Chapter 247 The reason Henry thought Joseon might be the country of Prester John was because of the gold pen. When Henry became involved in Mediterranean trade, he mainly dealt in gold, ivory, ves, pepper, and spices. In the midst of this, goods from Kitai (a transliteration of Khitan, the name used for China in medieval Europe)mostly porcin and bookswould asionallye in, and these were mainly bought by wealthy Italians or European nobles. As they were quite high-priced items, there were many counterfeits, and European merchants had considerable knowledge about the characters and culture of Kitai to distinguish genuine products from counterfeits. The problem was that knowledge about Kitais culture was based on Marco Polos travelogue. Even putting aside the question of whether the contents written in the travelogue were truethere were over 100 types of manuscript copiesit had been well over 100 years since the book had been published. Anyway, Henry also knew a fair amount about Kitais characters. And he also knew about the brushes used to write those characters. When judging the gold pen with such background knowledge, Henrys assessment was that this metal pen called a gold pen was not suitable for writing Kitais characters. Its inconvenient for writing Arabic too. The most suitable script is considering the era Latin and Greek. Henry, who had reached a conclusion that would make those in the know clutch their bellies andugh.*** While he was growing more convinced, a merchant working under Henry rushed to him. Your Highness! Please look at this item! What the merchant held out was a ss bottle containing perfume. Its a beautiful ss bottle. So what? At Henrys question, the merchant continued. Please look at the bottom! The bottom? As Henry examined the bottom of the ss bottle at the merchants words, his eyes widened. This is? A cross was engraved on the bottom of the ss bottle. Seeing Henry unable to hide his surprise, the merchant offered his opinion. There was a rumor some time ago that several Vian craftsmen had been captured by pirates. Quite a few among them had unknown whereabouts, so could it be that the ssmakers among those captured craftsmen were taken to Joseon? That could be. But look at the shape. Isnt itpletely different from the ss products made by Italians? They might have been ordered to make it that way At the merchants words, Henry shook his head. Its too natural for that. This doesnt seem to have been made by Italian craftsmen. Then by whom? Could it be Prester John after all Pardon? As the merchant was surprised, Henry cautioned him. Shh! Its not certain, so keep it to yourself. Yes, sir! And is this the only one with a cross engraved on it? No. There are a few more. Bring them all to me. Yes, Your Highness. Having given orders to the merchant, Henry took the perfume bottle and returned to his room. Sitting in a chair, Henry muttered while looking at the gold pen and perfume bottle on the desk. I feel certain, but I cant jump to conclusions recklessly. I cant repeat the failure from before. Recalling the disappointment of having advocated for the conquest of Moro, Henry opened the door and called a knight. Jos! Yes, Your Highness! Theres something to be done! Yes! *** Following Prince Henrys orders, Portuguese merchants and knights entered Alexandria and diligently gathered information about Joseon. The merchants who went to Joseon have arrived! Just in time, Mansurs group, who had gone to Joseon, entered Alexandria. The Portuguese merchants circling around Mansurs group to dig up information were able to obtain unexpected information, which was that they hade by ship from Aden. Upon hearing the rumor, all the merchants in Alexandria shook their heads. They came to Suez by ship? Are they crazy? All the merchants in Alexandria shook their heads, calling them crazy. They reacted that way because the sea route from Aden to Suez passed only through the Red Sea, and the Red Sea was notorious for pirates. The pirates of the Red Sea were normally fishermen catching fish. However, when they spotted a merchant ship of a suitable size to hunt, they would immediately transform into pirates and plunder. Therefore, the merchants of Alexandria judged it reckless. However, the merchants who spread the rumor presented new information. Theyre not crazy, the ship they came on is said to be enormouslyrge. Still. There would be a difference in numbers They mounted cannons. When the merchant who brought the rumor mentioned cannons, the eyes of the merchant who had shown a negative reaction widened. Cannons? *** As mentioned before, due to the pirate problem in the Red Sea, merchants heavily usednd routes when transportingrge quantities of valuable goods. The reason they moved in the opposite way of generally using ships when transportingrge amounts of cargo was because of pirates. The existence of ships itself had limitations on personnel. On top of that, the weapons used by sailors and pirates alike during this period were only bows and spears. Moreover, the Red Sea was not a wide ocean but a narrow sea blocked on both sides. Under these constraints, if pirates attacked in numbers beyond what the sailors could handle, merchant ships had no choice but to be plundered. However, it was different when traveling bynd. Unlike ships, they could secure sufficient personnel, and in the desert environment, they had the time to spot approaching bandits from farther away and find appropriate countermeasureswhether to fight, flee, or negotiate. Therefore, in the Middle East, usingnd routes for safety was the norm. But this time, the merchants who came from Aden broke that norm. What made that possible was the existence of cannons. *** Cannons, where did they get such expensive items? They said they got them from Joseon Theyre not the cannons we know. Theyre said to be very small. Whats the use of small cannons? The merchant who had shown interest at the mention of cannons rapidly lost interest when told they were small. In response, the merchant spreading the rumor waved his hand. They may be insufficient for destroying fortresses, but theyre perfect for killing people. Even so They say the pirates in the Red Sea were annihted. Huh? At those words, the merchant who had been losing interest began to show interest again. Meanwhile, behind them, the merchant sent by Henry was diligentlymitting it to memory. *** The information obtained through these machinations was immediately conveyed to Henry. Reading the reports in which the information was recorded, Henry gradually started to reach hopeful conclusions. -Joseon people believe that the son of a god named Hwanung descended to theirnd and founded a nation. They say the reason Hwanung descended to earth was to widely benefit humans. The one true God and Jesus Christ? -Joseons nobles persecute shamans. Joseons nobles believe that shamans deceive innocent people and lead them to ruin. -Joseon people, especially the nobles, emphasize fidelity between husband and wife. This is the same formoners. Those whomit adultery after marriage receive severe criticism. They follow the Ten Commandments! -Joseons officials must refrain from work one day out of seven. Commoners have also begun to live somewhat simrly. At least the nobles observe the Sabbath? Analyzing the information that piled up in this way, Henry finally reached a conclusion. Joseon is the country of Prester John! Although many parts have changed, this urred due to long istion! It was Henrys fatal misjudgment. There were several religions that believed in one God besides Catholicism, such as Judaism and Im. The Sabbath was the same. Jews also observed the Sabbath, and Muslims also observed the Sabbath. The negative view of adultery between husband and wife was also the same in Catholicism, Judaism, and Im. The negative reaction to shamans was also the same. Not only Joseon but also Ming did not give a good evaluation of shamanistic beliefs. This was the influence of Confucianism. Although Henry imed to exercise caution, in the end, he forcibly fit the evidence to his own conclusion. *** Around the same time. At the ss workshop in Hanseong. You damn bastard! What is it this time? At Pietros nonchnt response, Raphael raised his voice. Is the cross a talisman, huh? Let it be ording to your faith. Dont you know? Fuck! Raphael grabbed Pietro by the cor and gnashed his teeth. The whole story was as follows. ss, due to the characteristics of its molecr structure, was a truly fragile item. Therefore, it was a daily urrence for ssmakers to encounter idents where the products they had painstakingly made broke due to unintended mistakes. Seeing Joseon people sighing over such incidents, Pietro had yed a prank. Theres a talisman we use in our homnd, would you like to try it? Talisman? Bring paper and cinnabar? Its not that kind of talisman What Pietro taught them was to engrave a cross on the bottom of ss products. Hmm The Joseon people who heard Pietros exnation looked at him with doubtful expressions. Because they knew his usual behavior well. Then one day, an incident urred where a product a craftsman had painstakingly made fell to the bottom during the cooling process. Gasp! Not only the maker but also all the colleagues around him had faces filled with surprise and disappointment, but an anomaly urred. The fallen ss product was intact. Not only the person concerned but also nearby colleagues approached in surprise at the sight of the intact ss product that had fallen from a height perfect for breaking. How The craftsmen carefully examining the problematic ss product discovered the cross engraved on the bottom. I engraved it just in case, but the divine power is awesome! Indeed! Let me try it too All the Joseon ssmakers began to engrave crosses on the bottoms of the ss products they made. Of course, just because they engraved a cross didnt mean all the products would be sturdy. Naturally, products that encountered situations where they would break did break, and only an extremely lucky few survived. However, the craftsmen all shouted in unison. Wow! The divine power of that Western talisman is awesome! Therefore, Raphael ended up grabbing Pietro by the cor and growling. You unbelieving bastard destined for hellfire! Is the cross a talisman?! Well, they used it simrly in Italy too, you know? Fuck! Despite Raphaels shout, Pietro shrugged with a nonchnt expression. *** Meanwhile, Henry, who had reached a conclusion, sought out his father the king and his brothers. Therefore, we must secure a route to Joseon. Are you certain that Joseon is the country of Prester John? At the kings question, Henry answered with determination. I believe so! Seeing Henry like that, his older brother Duarte, who was beside him, spoke up. Even if Joseon is not the country of Prester John, if we can pioneer a trade route, it will bring tremendous profits. At Duartes words, King Joo I nodded. He, too, was well aware of the poprity of Joseon goods that had spread not only to the Mediterranean region but also to Northern Europe. In the end, after contemting for a moment, Joo I reached a conclusion. You may proceed with the n. Chapter 248 Chapter 248 As King Jo?o I gave his approval, Henry quickly took action. First, we must strengthen the defense of Ceuta. Ceuta, known to be the location of the southern pir of the Pirs of Hercules, was the region Portugal had acquired when invading Moro. It was a strategic stronghold that had to be passed through for travel between the Mediterranean region and the areas of Ennd and France. Of course, it was possible to travel bynd from Italy, but the barrier of the Alps stood in the way. Therefore, to transport goods desired by nobles of Ennd, France, and various countries of Northern Europe, one had to pass through the Mediterranean and go up to the North Antic. For that reason, the value of Ceuta was bing increasingly important. The Marinid dynasty of Moro, which had lost Ceuta, was continually building up its strength and waiting for an opportunity to recapture it. It was not just the Marinid dynasty. The Crown of Aragon and the Crown of Len-Castile, which had driven out the Imic dynasties from the Iberian Penins through the Reconquista, were also aiming for Ceuta. To guard against this, the first task was to ensure the defense of Ceuta, which would be the forward base for the route to Joseon. For this, Portugal invested funds to strengthen the defense of Ceuta. First, the moat of the fortress, which had been built by Muslims and renovated for use, was dug wider and deeper, and arge number of cannons were deployed. However, not all resources were spent solely on the defense of Ceuta. Henry began sending out exploration ships to survey the western coast of Africa. The goal of the exploration ships was not to explore routes but to find supply bases. -Find a suitable ce on the western coast of Africa to serve as a supply base. -A ce with a geographical environment where ships can take shelter in adverse weather. -A ce where food, water, and timber for ship repair are easily obtainable. -A ce with a climate simr to Europe. -A ce where contact with ve traders is convenient. Portuguese ships departing from Ceuta searched the western coast of Africa to find a ce meeting the above conditions. *** Funds are the problem. Already? At the report from the managers in charge of the exploration work, Prince Henrys face crumpled. With the kings approval, considerable finances were allocated to Henrys exploration work. However, the finances invested in this way were already starting to run out. Whats the reason? There is ack of ships. There is also ack of sailors. Ugh At the managers report, Prince Henry had no choice but to groan while clutching his head with both hands. Exploring the western coast of Africa was not something that could be done with just one or two ships. At least every six months, more than two ships had to be sent out at a time for the exploration work to proceed. The reason it had to be this way was due to the limitations of wooden ships andmunication issues. Compared to the rtively calm Mediterranean, the seas west of Africa were fierce. Therefore, even a small mistake could make both the ship and its crew disappear. The problem was that even if the ships at sea met with such a disaster, those who sent them had no way of knowing. Until the ships returned on the scheduled date, the shipowners and the families of the sailors could only visit the church and pray for their safe return. For this reason, at least every 6 months, more than 2 ships had to be sent out. If 2 or 3 ships moved together, at least 1 could survive and return with the survivors. This method of exploration necessarily required many ships. Even now, shipyards in maind Portugal were diligently building ships, but somehow a shortage of ships had already urred. The issue of sailors was even more serious. Even if a ship that went out for exploration returned safely, it was close to a miracle for all the sailors who had boarded the ship at departure to return unharmed. Whether catching diseases or encountering pirates, there were inevitably casualties while experiencing various incidents and idents. Moreover, there was a constant urrence of sailors who became physically and mentally weakened due to long-distance voyages in harsh environments, making them unfit for life on board. Therefore, when the returned ships finished maintenance and set out again, it was not umon for more than half to be filled with new sailors. What is the answer to this? At Prince Henrys words, the managers answered in unison. We must recruit more sailors! The managers opinions were as follows. -By recruiting and operating arge number of sailors, experienced sailors can be cultivated. -If there is a sufficient number of sailors, adequate rest can be provided to sailors who have returned from long-distance voyages. Hmm I see. Proceed as stated. As I mentioned again, there is a problem with funds. At the managers answer, Prince Henry frowned. The solution? At Prince Henrys question, the managers presented various solutions. We must purchase and sell more spices and Joseons goods. That part is not easy because of those Italians. Thats why were trying to find a route to the East, isnt it? We must get our hands on the African gold trade route. That issue is not easy because of those Muslims. We can strengthen the ve trade. At thest managers words, Prince Henry nodded. Thats good. Anyway, as we pioneer the route, a way to acquire ves will also open up. Try toe up with a n. Yes, Your Highness. In this way, the unpleasant exchange between the European and African continents proceeded more quickly and on arger scale. It was an unfortunate butterfly effect caused by Hyangs intervention. *** Following the managers proposal, Prince Henry began recruiting sailors on arge scale. Prince Henry of Portugal is recruiting sailors and prospective captains! I heard you be rich if you go to Africa once! At the rumors spreading in Europe, sailors and prospective captains flocked to Portugal from Italy and various other countries. Young people who had been living as serfs or apprentices in guilds with no future set out for Portugal in hopes of making a fortune. They were not the only ones. Those who had gained experience by steering other peoples ships in the Mediterranean also moved to Lisbon, Portugal. I cant work under others forever, can I? Those who gathered in this way were transferred to Ceuta. Prospective sailors began training in Ceuta, and prospective captains were also appointed as first mates on newly assigned exploration ships to test their qualifications. In this process, manynot only prospective sailors but also prospective captainswere eliminated along the way. This was due to a superstition circting among European seafarers at the time. In order for Prince Henrys goal to be achieved, crossing the equator and going south was an inevitable gateway. However, not only for new recruits but also for Portuguese sailors who were ustomed to living in the rough seas around Portugal, crossing the equator was taboo. Such a taboo was based on experience. The ce name Cape Non, located at 29 degrees northtitude on the western coast of Africa, was given because none of the seafarers who passed through there had ever returned.(Note 1) Therefore, there were quite a few who gave up and turned back on their own. Crossing the equator is a profane act! However, there were even more people flocking in with lofty dreams than those who gave up. Because there were neighbors who were immediately making a fortune by selling ves from Africa and goodsing from far away ces like India, China, and Joseon. *** Prince Henry was well aware of this problem. To solve this, he gathered geographers in Sagres while also recruiting sailors and prospective captains. The task of the geographers gathered in this way was to conduct research based on the nautical charts of Im, Byzantium, and the logbooks recorded by captains during navigation. The results that came out and the newly iing information were delivered to the expeditionmanders and captains setting out for exploration. It was natural for funds to be consumed in this entire process. In the case of sailors, training costs could be deducted during the process of settling profits after returning from a voyage, but this was not possible for schrs. In the end, Prince Henry sought out his father the king. We will have to borrow the hands of merchants. *** Prince Henry is gathering funds from merchants. The purpose is to find a detour route to the East! Such rumors swiftly flowed into the ears of Italian merchants. Italy. Florence. The cowards have found courage. Upon hearing the rumor, Cosimo de Medici, the head of the House of Medici, chuckled and muttered. There was a reason Cosimo disparaged them as cowards. He, who wouldter build the House of Medici that continued to wield prestige and notoriety, was an outstanding intellectual. From a young age, he learned Latin, Greek, Arabic, and Hebrew and interacted with schrs and artists. Especially as the eldest son, in return for epting his fathers wish to carry on the family business, he was able to collect ancient books, and he diligently collected them.(Note 2) The ancient documents he gathered in this way from Europe and Byzantium, along with the information obtained through Imic merchants, continually fattened his knowledge. Therefore, Cosimo used the word cowards. As mentioned above, people in Northern Europe at the time firmly believed that they could not cross the equator. However, Cosimo knew that Imic merchants, albeit bynd, were crossing the equator back and forth without any problems. Of course, excluding unavoidable natural disasters and attacks by bandits. Moreover, he also knew that the newly emerged great empire called Ming in Kitai had sent arge fleet to the end of Africa. He was also aware that quite a few Imic merchants had attempted to use ships to go from the eastern to the western sea of Africa. And he knew that those attempts had ended in miserable failure. *** The sea near the southernmost tip of Africa, the apex where the eastern and western coasts of Africa meet, had be a graveyard for Imic ships due to its geographical characteristicsnatural adversities such as ocean currents and winds. The triangr waves created by the meeting of the two oceans were difficult to ovee with the dhows used by Imic merchants. In the end, due to such natural limitations and the reason that profitable trade took ce in the Mediterranean region, Imic merchants gave up on that challenge. In the end, it was because Cosimo knew through various information that the development of a detour route was possible that he evaluated Prince Henrys challenge as the cowards have found courage. *** Hmm What should I do? Having grasped Prince Henrys movements, Cosimo pondered his future response. As mentioned above, the knowledge Cosimo possessed was tremendous. If he cooperated with Henry, there was a possibility that Prince Henrys attempt would seed in a short time. However, the problem is that its not profitable for me. Behind Cosimos umtion of immense wealth was the Medici Bank located in 16 European countries. However, the capital that maintained that bank came from the intermediary trade between Im and Europe. Therefore, Cosimo did not release the knowledge he had. Of course, there were many others with outstanding academic knowledge besides him. However, there were hardly any whoprehensively umted such knowledge while also being in a position to exert political and economic power. *** Note 1) The Age of Exploration. Korea Daily News Time Life. Published in 1978. Note 2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosimo_de%27_Medici Chapter 249 Chapter 249 Although the Challenger and Haeung had beenpleted, Hyang did not stop designing new ships. Its impossible to cross the Pacific with just the Challenger. Of course, we could establish sufficient supply bases in all directions, but considering issues like resource transportation, we needrge ships. If we start building only when the need arises, the gap will catch up. We must prepare in advance. Considering the future and raising the necessity, Hyang persuaded Sejong about this. Therefore, I think we should at least make designs and scale models. If theres an opportunity, it would be good to experimentally construct about one ship. At Hyangs exnation, Sejong and the ministers looked at Hyang with wide eyes. The reason sounds usible, but Sejong, who had been looking at Hyang with a dubious face, examined the report Hyang had submitted along with it. A proposal for the development of a new firearm? Yes, thats correct. Why the sudden new firearm again? ording to what we found out from the Muslims who trade with us, Muslims and Westerners also use firearms like us. At Hyangs words, Sejong and the ministers nodded. If they have knowledge of gunpowder, they should be able to make firearms too. But why do you say we need to make new firearms? Didnt they buy firearms from us because they didnt have any? At Sejongs point, Hyang exined the reason. Thats because Muslims and Westerners dont have small firearms like the ones Joseon uses. Small? At Hyangs words, the expressions of Sejong and the ministers changed slightly. Joseons firearms were the pride of Joseon that made even the Japanese pirates and Jurchen tribes tremble. Hearing the Crown Prince call them small, Sejong and the ministers pride was slightly hurt. Even while seeing Sejong and the ministers reactions, Hyang continued speaking. Even looking at Joseonsrgest firearm, the Janggunhwatong, the weight of the Janggunhwatong made before improvements was 104 geun 10 nyang (about 67.2 kg).(Note 1) In the case of the newly made Eulsikjanggunhwatong through improvements, it is 140 geun (about 85 kg). However, in the case of the stone-throwing siege cannon used by Westerners, it exceeds 11,000 geun (about 6.6 tons).(Note 2) 11,000! Its 11,000 geun. Of course, firearms of such enormous size cannot be mounted on ships. However, for those ustomed to suchrge firearms, the firearms mounted on ships will also be considerablyrge and powerful. Indeed. And for Westerners who are busy fighting Muslims and among themselves, they will make warships that can safely operate such firearms and withstand attacks from such firearms. At Hyangs point, Sejong and the ministers nodded with serious faces. Sejong and the ministers also thought Hyangs words were reasonable. It was because Joseon had also experimented with the defensive capabilities against firearms while newly making the Panokseon, Challenger, and Haeung-ss warships. If Westerners had brains, they would definitely mount firearms on their warships, and those firearms would certainly boast considerable size even if miniaturized. And to win in battles between warships equipped with such firearms, the defensive power would also have to be considerable. While pondering over various matters while listening to Hyangs exnation, Sejong looked at Hyang. But its too suspicious So how much time do you need for development? The more funds are invested, the time Hyang, who had been eagerly continuing, changed course slyly when Sejongs expression gradually became fierce. There are limits to the governments finances, and the research institute also has limitations in budget and manpower We expect about 5 years for ships and about 10 years for firearms. Hmm Sejong stroked his beard and red at Hyang. No matter how I think about it, its confusing. Is that guy really doing it for Joseons future, or is he doing it for his own enjoyment However, there was little justification to reject the n Hyang had presented. It was because as trade increased, the need forrge and powerful warships and cargo ships was growing. On top of that, there was also intelligence that Ming China, which had heard various rumors about Joseons firearms, had also begun improving firearms. *** Hyang, who thought it was necessary to quickly obtain information about Ming China, persuaded Sejong to insert a royal merchant group into the trading post established in Shandong. From the outside, the royal merchant group was indistinguishable from ordinary merchant groups. However, internally, its mission was to win over Ming Chinese merchants connected to high-ranking officials in Beijing and obtain rumors leaking from the Ming court. ording to the intelligence that came in through the royal merchant group in Shandong, information from a very small number of Jurchen survivors who narrowly survived the battle with the Joseon army and Ming Chinese merchants who witnessed the battles between the Joseon navy and pirates had entered the Ming court. Having obtained such information, the Ming court had also begun improving firearms. ording to the information sent by the royal merchant group, there were officials who proposed receiving firearms from Joseon as tribute. At the suggestion of such officials, Emperor Xuande reportedly became furious. Stupid fools! If we receive and use firearms from Joseon like that and the route to Joseon bes blocked, what will we do then? Then if you tell us to send craftsmen Have you forgotten the old tale of the thousand-step crossbow! Are those fellows living in thend of Samhan easy to deal with? To have such stupid fools as officials! Many officials who had angered Emperor Xuande received severe punishment and were expelled from their posts. Upon this information, Hyang reported to Sejong. When I spoke with the emperor, I felt he was not ordinary. I see. But arent you the only one? At Sejongs words, Hyang smiled and bowed his head. That is too much praise. At Hyangs answer, Sejong muttered softly. Did it sound like praise? Pardon? What did you say? I didnt hear well. When Hyang expressed confusion, Sejong turned his head and continued. I praised you. Praise. However, Chief Eunuch, who was standing nearby, knew Sejongs true feelings. *** Putting aside Westerners, it was a worrisome matter that Ming China had also begun improving firearms. The issue was not simply that the Ming militarys power would increase but that those weapons could be leaked to Japan or Japanese pirates. There was a considerable possibility of leakage through plunder in battles, but the biggest threat was Ming Chinese merchants. If it was Ming Chinese merchants who valued only profit above all else, there was a high probability they would hand over firearms to Japan or Japanese pirates. In the end, no matter what, there is only one answer. Smiling bitterly, Sejong had no choice but to reach a conclusion. I permit it. Proceed with the research to the extent that it does not strain the finances of the government and the research institute. I receive yourmand. The historian who recorded all of this added the following: -Thus, His Majesty permitted the development of new firearms and warships. The historian discusses: Looking at the current situation, enormous resources are being consumed for national defense. However, as we cannot neglect national defense, it is unavoidable. Is it a vain dream for the people of the four seas to interact with each other without conflict? *** As Sejongs order had been given, Hyang immediately began designing. The first thing he considered was up to what stage he should proceed. After pondering over this and that, Hyang soon reached a conclusion. Lets exclude ships of the line. The cost-effectiveness is too low. Generally, the ultimate weapon ofbat sailing ships was considered to be ships of the line, but in terms of cost-effectiveness, they were not an attractive option. Looking at the three elements of offense, defense, and mobility, their attack power and defensive power were unmatched, but mobility was the problem. Therefore, even in the era when ships of the line were the flower of naval battles, the main force in mobile operations were the smaller and faster frigates. However, due to the problem that only ships of the line could face ships of the line, ships of the line had to continue to exist. But Hyang had a countermeasure for this problem. It was cannons and cannonballs. If cannons, no, cannonballs are well improved, ships of the line will just be big targets. In the end, the final evolved form ofbat sailing ships that Hyang thought the Joseon Navy would use was the heavy frigate used by the United States. Next, engines should be installed. Hyang wrote Heavy Frigate, Engine, Irond, etc. on paper and circled them. Hyang, who lifted his head for a moment to refresh his mind, lightly shouted and hit his forehead. Ah! Your Highness, whats the matter? At Hyangs voice, the eunuch outside hurriedly entered. Its nothing. You may go. Hyang sent the eunuch out and scribbled Clock, Chronometer on the paper with a gold pen. I was forgetting an important issue. For this, Ill have to call Jang Yeong-sil. Having reached a conclusion, Hyang dipped the gold pen in ink and drew lines through the words written on the paper. Not satisfied with that, Hyang thickly dipped the brush in ink and scribbled over it. Looking at the paper covered in ink, Hyang grumbled in a small voice. Until when do I have to do this? Should I slowlyy the groundwork with Father? Or should I pretend to be crazy and shout We need our own writing system! in front of the ministers? Hyang was getting tired of having to find and write each Chinese character one by one and repeating the process of writing in Hangul and then erasing it. *** That night, when Hyang retired to his bedchamber, the eunuchs moved. The eunuchs emptied the trash cans and cleaned Hyangs study in the Eastern Pce, his office in the research institute, and Area 51. Its finished. The quantity? At the senior eunuchs question, the eunuch lifted the bin he was holding and showed the inside. Its a bit less today. Take it there. Yes. The eunuchs who received the order headed to Gangnyeongjeon. The eunuchs who arrived at Gangnyeongjeon went around the corner and entered through the back door of Gangnyeongjeon. The eunuchs who entered through the back door in this way went into a secret room created in one side of Gangnyeongjeon. We brought it. Good work. Lets see. The eunuch who received the bin handed over by the eunuchs who had entered through the back door took out the papers inside and sorted them. The eunuch first picked out the papers that had no ink stains at all and handed those sorted papers to the waiting eunuch. Send them to the paper washing room. Yes. Paper was an expensive item, so even in the pce of Joseon, hanji (Korean traditional paper) was washed and recycled. The papers picked out first this time would be moved for that process. Having sorted the papers once, the eunuchs carefully sorted them again. The eunuch gathered the ink-stained hanji in one ce and separately collected the ink-stained hwangji (yellow paper), then ordered the waiting eunuchs. Begin the work. Yes. The eunuchs began the process of handling the sorted papers. The ink-stained hanji were soaked in a basin filled with water and washed, then checked to see how much ink had been removed. If enough of the ink coating had been removed to reveal the letters underneath, the eunuchs hung the papers on a line to dry. And they took down the papers from the previous days work that had finished drying and attached them to a folding screen located on one side. For the hwangji, they held them up to amp to check the letters written under the ink stains. Lets see This shape is The eunuchs, after confirming the shape of the letters revealed by themplight, copied those letters onto another paper and attached them to the folding screen. *** Is all the work finished? Yes, Your Majesty. Sejong, who appeared around the time the work was beingpleted, approached the folding screen and examined the papers. Hmm, mm Hmm Sejong, who had been nodding his head with light nasal sounds, turned to the eunuchs. Good work. Go and rest for today. Yes, Your Majesty. Dont forget to keep it secret. Yes, Your Majesty. Sejong, who had sent all the eunuchs out, opened another secret room door that had been closed. Inside the secret room, there was a desk, a chair, and amp located in the center. However, on the remaining two walls, excluding the wall with the outward-facing window and the sliding door entrance, there were bookshelves, and they were filled with books on phonology and grammar books written in Latin, Greek, and other Westernnguages. And not only on the floor but also on the empty spaces of the walls, numerous papers with Hangul letters and strange symbols that were neither Hangul nor the alphabet were attached. Sejong, who sat down, brightened themps me and opened a book. Where did I leave off yesterday? *** Note 1) Weapons and Armor of Joseon. Written by Min Seung-gi. Garam nning. Note 2) Gunpowder and Galleys: Changing Technology and Mediterranean Warfare at Sea in the 16th Century. Written by Carlo Cipo. Miji Books. Chapter 250 Chapter 250 In the 13th year of Sejongs reign (1431, Sinhaenyeon), as soon as January began, the royal court moved busily. It was busy because it was the start of the new year, but also because the reorganization of the government was finally being implemented. First, change the State Council to the Ministry of State Affairs. Its role is overallmand of state affairs. Starting with the change of the State Council, Sejong changed the structure of the government. It was a change that could be called nothing short of unprecedented. -Change the State Council to the Ministry of State Affairs. -Rename the Chief State Councilor to Prime Minister, and the Second State Councilor and Third State Councilor to Left and Right Deputy Prime Ministers. -The role of the Ministry of State Affairs is to oversee the work of administrative organizations and coordinate work conflicts between departments. -Change the Ministry of Personnel to the Ministry of General Affairs. -The role of the Ministry of General Affairs is to oversee administrative affairs throughout Joseon. -Exclude education, taxation, justice, military affairs, and public order from the administrative affairs directed by the Ministry of General Affairs. -Change the Ministry of Taxation to the Ministry of Finance and Economy. -Separate budget-rted affairs from the Ministry of Taxation. (omitted below) ording to such policies, the Six Ministries that had been modeled after the systems of Chinese states like Tang and Song had to go through a chaotic process of changing names and being divided and merged. These changes simultaneously drew the wee and opposition of working-level officials. However, most officials were in a weing mood like those of the Ministry of Rites. As the Ministry of Rites was divided into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education, most officials belonging to the Ministry of Rites weed the reorganization. Yesterday I dealt with foreign affairs, and today I dealt with education-rted matters, but now I only have to deal with one. Concentration will increase too But the best part is As the organization differentiated and work became specialized, officials had hope. Work intensity will definitely decrease, and overtime will definitely decrease too! Hearing the mood of these officials, Hyang chuckled and muttered. Will it really be like that? *** The core of the government reorganization carried out by Sejong was differentiation, specialization, and clear specification of work areas. For example, in the case of the Ministry of Punishments (Hyeongjo), it was divided into the Ministry of Justice, the Police Agency, and the Court of Judgment, and their duties were separated. The Ministry of Justice was in charge of revisingws over time, examining the expiration ofws that had be dead letters, etc. The Police Agency was responsible for public order in Hanseong and throughout the country, and the Court of Judgment made judgments based on thew code. By splitting one department into several in this way and clearly defining the work areas, officials came to have a clear grasp of the work they were in charge of. *** Although the overall flow of the reorganization was differentiation, there were also ces that were integrated on the contrary. The ces that were integrated in this way were the Censorate and the Office of Inspector General. Sejong integrated the Censorate and the Office of Inspector General to create an auditing organization called the Board of Audit and Inspection. The duties of the Board of Audit and Inspection included inspecting government officials and investigating civilints filed by the people. However, one duty was added that made not only government officials but even Hyang widen their eyes. Protection of whistleblowers? Thew created by Sejong explicitly stipted the states protection for those who reported for the public interest. -An internal whistleblower who exposes corruption rted to public service shall be promoted by a minimum of 2 ranks to a maximum of 3 ranks ording to the severity of the report. In addition, retaliatory measures such as demotion to idle posts are prohibited. All of these measures shall be reported to the king. The reason for establishing such methods was to prevent ostracism and the like against internal whistleblowers. If there was no change in rank or only one rank was raised, it was clear as day that they would be ostracized. However, if raised by about 3 ranks, they could not be treated recklessly. On top of that, even if the rank was raised, to prevent retaliation by sending them to idle posts, all measures were to be reported to the king. Such protection for internal whistleblowers was also clearly applied to the private sector. -In civil affairs, a person who reports for the public interest shall receive personal protection byw. The state shall investigate the situation every 6 months and report to the king to ensure that the whistleblower does not suffer disadvantages in making a living. In addition, even if it is not a regr investigation period, the state shall investigate the situation and report to the king whenever the kingmands. If it is confirmed that a public interest whistleblower is receiving unfair treatment, the state must severely punish the perpetrators. Because the Board of Audit and Inspection was given such powerful authority, strict criteria were also set for personnel selection. A person who has worked in a practical administrative organization for 10 years or more, has excellent work evaluations, and is clean and honest. A person who has worked for 6 months or more after passing the state examination, is physically and mentally healthy, diligent, and clean and honest. In simple terms, auditing duties were entrusted to those who had worked in practical organizations for 10 years or more, knew the work well, and had no scandals, or to diligent and sincere new recruits who had just passed the state examination. Of course, as the reports submitted in writing could not bepletely trusted, officials belonging to the Board of Audit and Inspection secretly monitored the candidates. Sejong additionally used secret inspectors. However, Sejong did not stop there. -A person who exposes corruption within the Board of Audit and Inspection shall be promoted by a minimum of 3 ranks to a maximum of 5 ranks. It was a preemptive measure to prevent corruption among officials of the Board of Audit and Inspection through mutual inspection within the Board of Audit and Inspection. Regarding this action, quite a few officials opposed it as being too harsh, but Sejong enforced it as is. If you do notmit corruption, it doesnt matter, does it? At Sejongs point, the officials had to shut their mouths. Of course, it was natural to also clearly stipte punishment for false usations. Those who recklessly made false usations would at minimum face ruin of their family, and if severe, had to perform hardbor in mines for 10 years or more. *** Lee Jik, who was examining the matters rted to this government reorganization, clicked his tongue and muttered. I wonder what expression Lord Ryu Jeong-hyeon would have had if he had seen this. Shh! Ahem! As Maeng Sa-seong warned while looking around, Lee Jik coughed exaggeratedly and shut his mouth. The change that urred through the reorganization carried out by Sejong was the transfer of royal authority. Important state policies were decided in the State Council Meeting attended by the king, the prime minister and deputy prime ministers of the Ministry of State Affairs, and the ministers of each department. Of course, this was something that had been done before as well. It was precisely the morning court that Sejong and the ministers held every day by gathering at Geunjeongjon Hall. However, what had fundamentally changed was explicitly stipting that policies shall be decided through meetings and consultations between the king and officials. On top of that, personnel authority for each department was transferred to each department and the Ministry of General Affairs. Each department would send personnel transfer-rted matters to the Ministry of General Affairs, and the Ministry of General Affairs wouldpile them and report to the king. The king only had to confirm this. As the mighty authority of personnel rights was transferred, responsibility also became heavy. If corruption was detected through the Board of Audit and Inspection or internal whistleblowing and facts were confirmed, the future of those involved was one of two things. Confiscation of property followed by exile to the Records Office, or confiscation of property followed by exile to the mines. Although Sejong transferred a significant portion of power to the government through various provisions and policies, he firmly held on to what he deemed absolutely necessary. It included the independent operation rights of royal assets, the operation authority of the Board of Audit and Inspection, and the authority to reject budget execution. Sejong, who had preemptively stipted that royal assets shall not be recklessly increased, prevented interference in the operation of royal assets. The Board of Audit and Inspection was the same. Although it was a won (Ժ) lower than a seong (ʡ) or bu (), the head of the Board of Audit and Inspection attended the State Council Meeting. In addition, by establishing the right to reject budget execution, he checked the arbitrariness of officials. And he kept secret inspectors to the end, giving them the role of a hidden de. One of the reasons for insisting on the independent operation rights of royal assets was for the operation of these secret inspectors. In this way, by protecting what needed to be protected and transferring what needed to be transferred, Sejong reduced the burden of work that he (the king) had to handle. It was the perfect way to save face by holding officials ountable for the sess or failure of policies while reducing his own workload. The ministers were not unaware of this either. However, no fool would oppose the king sharing and transferring power. Knowing its a poisoned cup We have no choice but to drink it! In the end, due to this situation, Lee Jik mentioned Ryu Jeong-hyeon. He became curious about what reaction Ryu Jeong-hyeon, who advocated for harmony between royal authority and ministerial authority and republican politics, would show. Would he praise it as an ideal reform? Or would he curse it as turning a blind eye? It was themon thought of the senior ministers who knew Ryu Jeong-hyeon and those who had been purged along with him. *** Meanwhile, Sejong summoned Hyang and asked for his impressions on this. What do you think? It is something Father has done. How could I recklessly evaluate it? At Hyangs answer, Sejongs eyes narrowed. Answer properly, not with glib words. Tsk! Just let it slide for once! These days, the hurdles are getting higher and higher! Hyang, who hadpletely forgotten about the things he had done so far and was grumbling inwardly, cleared his throat and answered. An outstanding king would control his officials, an ordinary king would consult with his officials, and an ipetent king would be swayed by his officials. Indeed. Then what should a king do? Shouldnt he ceaselessly strive to improve himself? You know well. At Hyangs answer, Sejong smiled inscrutably and replied. However, the ministers who saw Sejongs smile simultaneously had the same thought. Its a warning. Its a warning. Its a warning not to act recklessly and arrogantly just because he conceded power. Both His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince At least until His Majesty hands over the throne to the Crown Prince, we wont be able to make a move. The ministers who understood the warning conveyed by the conversation between Sejong and Hyang lightly shook their heads. Hyang was the same. Is it a warning to not pay attention to other things? Should I slowly give up my hobbies now? *** After that, the meeting continued with various agenda items. As the atmosphere of wrapping up slowly began to linger, Sejong suddenly threw an odd question at Hyang. By the way, Crown Prince. Please ask. I was curious about Westerners, so I read the books they wrote. Yes. But when I looked at those books, their calligraphy was peculiar. While we use the right-to-left vertical writing method, they write horizontally from left to right. What do you think is the reason for that? Isnt it because the characters they use are suitable for horizontal writing? Is that so? Then which do you think is morefortable to look at? At Sejongs question, Hyang shut his mouth. After arranging his thoughts for a moment, Hyang opened his mouth and answered Sejongs question. Generally, when a person examines objects, theyrgely look at the whole, then examine from left to right, and then from top to bottom. In that case, wouldnt horizontal writing from left to right be slightly morefortable? Why is that? I see. Lets end it here for today. Nodding at Hyangs answer, Sejong ended the meeting. Hyang, who came out, tilted his head. Why is that? And why so suddenly? But a sense of crisis he couldnt exin brushed past his spine. Meanwhile, the historian who recorded all these events added the following: -The historian says: Why? Chapter 251 Chapter 251 As the reorganization n was finalized, Street of the Six Ministries moved busily. The government purchased nearby civilian houses, demolished them, and began constructing new government office buildings. When the buildings werepleted at the end of such construction, officials loaded books, scrolls, and bundles of letters onto carts and carried out the relocation. Check the list of documents to be moved! Nothing left out? Hey! These are documents that should be left behind! Yes! Yes! Ill organize them! Oh! Oh! Its copsing! I told you to stack them properly! Amidst all sorts of shouts and reprimands, mid and low-level officials had to move the luggage while sweating profusely. Move them properly! Make a mistake and see what happens! Ill have you stuck in the Records Office for life! Eek! *** The relocation that had been proceeding with a hugemotion paused for a moment. Take a lunch break and reassemble! Yes! The officials who had stopped work for a moment scattered in groups of three or five. While a considerable number of the scattered officials moved to themunal dining hall, others opened their pockets, collected money, and called servants. Malbok! Bunnam! The servants who were called parked their carts and came running. Yes, my lord! Did you call for me? You go and buy dried rice cake soup ording to the headcount and bring it back, and you buy three or four crocks of takju (cloudy rice wine). No, tell them to deliver it. Yes, my lord! The servants who received the order put the coins in their pockets and quickly disappeared. One of the officials watching them grumbled to his colleagues. If those bastards could read, we could get work done more conveniently One of the colleagues smirked at theint. What? You think its possible for them too since themoner schools are going well? The official who first brought up the topic silently nodded at his colleagues question. *** As the operation ofmoner schools that openedst fall continued for about 4 months, reports on the academic achievement of children attending the schools came up from all over the country. C In 3 months, they perfectly acquired an average of 500 Chinese characters, and children with fast progress finished the Thousand Character ssic and entered the Elementary Learning. In the case of mathematics, they achieved the ability to calcte basic addition and subtraction. Sejong and the ministers who confirmed these reports were encouraged by the positive results. If this situation continues, the people can escape from ignorance! Therefore, the idea of teaching writing to nobi (ves) came up. *** The conversation that started as a casual joke gradually turned into a serious discussion. The official who brought up the idea of educating the ves presented grounds for his argument. Arent they human too anyway? Then if we teach them, they can learn. To that, the official who mentioned themoner schools shook his head. Its difficult. Did you forget the reason those schools produced those results? Didnt they do that by teaching the children from morning until sunset? *** The sses atmoner schools were limited to the agricultural off-season. As a result, sses started in the morning and continued until around sunset. Lunch was provided at the school, using dried military rations as Hyang had nned. It was a porridge that was so thick it was chewy, but the children liked it. The reason was that it contained arge amount of meat as it followed the same standard as the rations supplied to the military. Of course, starting with dried rice cake soup, the meat consumption of ordinary people had increased, but meat was always wee. Moreover, it was not simply providing dried rations. The cooks hired by themoner schools showcased their skills and made soups and side dishes to eat with the rations. Soybean paste soup with dried radish greens was a staple, and there were always types of soups made with seaweed or kelp and salted vegetables. asionally, fruits donated by the wealthy of the vige where the school was located were served as special treats, and the childrens nutritional status actually improved. *** The official who presented the ss hours ofmoner schools as a counterargument continued. Even if the ves want to learn, do you think theyll have time to learn? At those words, the official who first presented the opinion was at a loss for an answer. Seeing that, the official who had expressed opposition pressed on. They say knowing the Thousand Character ssic is roughly enough, but thats not actually the case, is it? The situation is that you need to know at least 3,000 characters to be considered somewhat literate. At that, another official chimed in. Nah~ 3,000 characters arent necessary. If you know about 1,500 characters, you can understand what the official bulletins posted on the walls are saying, right? 3,000 characters or 1,500 characters, its six of one, half a dozen of the other. Anyway, its impossible to teach the ves writing and make use of it. It would be better to find ways to encourage the studies of those learning atmoner schools and middle schools instead. Thats the right answer. Even if they know up to 1,500 characters, its still insufficient for official documents, right? Official documents contain at least 10,000 characters. At those words, all the officials nodded. As soon as he finished speaking, the official who had opposed from the beginning continued. Theres also the issue of idu (characters writing). Ah As idu was mentioned, all the officials who had been listening to the conversation around them greatly nodded. *** For letters or contracts exchanged between close acquaintances, most could be resolved with the aforementioned 1,500 characters or so. However, that was not the case for formal official documents or memorials submitted to the king. Therefore, on the desks of officials, there were always official document writing textbooks and dictionaries like Yupian along with writing instruments. Even officials who had thoroughly studied the Four Books and Five ssics, or in severe cases the Thirteen ssics, and had passed the state examination and were confident in their writing had to break out in a cold sweat without textbooks and dictionaries. *** This problem became even more unsolvable when it came to idu (including hyangchal, gugyeol, etc.). Gugyeol, which was used as a substitute for Korean particles, consisted of about 20-30 characters, so it was not a significant problem. However, the situation becameplicated starting with hyangchal. It was because one had to consider whether the hyangchal notation written in a sentence represented meaning or pronunciation. Of course, there were customary methods to distinguish between meaning and pronunciation, but those methods did not always fit. To make matters worse, as Joseons trade range expanded and Joseons territories increased, the concerns of officials deepened. Ming, the suzerain state of Chinese characters, could be set aside, but Japan was also in the same Chinese character usage sphere, so if the Chinese characters they used were written as is, the situation was resolved. Although Joseons pronunciation and Japans pronunciation were different, if written in sentences, conversation was possible even without interpretation. However, the situation was different for the Jurchen people who had recently entered inrge numbers. In severe cases, all records had to be made, including the name bestowed by Joseon, the one received from Ming, and the transliteration of the name called among the Jurchen people themselves, in order to prevent errors from urring. Fortunately, there was a way for the Jurchen tribes to write their names or unique words in Chinese characters. Errors could be reduced by using their Chinese character notation. For Muslims and Westerners, it was even moreplicated. To record their names like Pietro, Raphael, Mansur, or ce names like Aden or Alexandria, officials had to go beyond simple recording and into the realm of creation. If an official was good at writing, they made a transliteration notation that could be inferred to some extent, but in most cases, the best they could do was bring Chinese characters with the closest pronunciation to the original and attach them. The most representative example was transcribing Alexandria as Araegusanduria (ɽ). When the officials who first checked the report submitted by Oh Ha-seok called him without reading it. What is it? What kind of sentence is this? This is a ce name. Its a city called Alexandria.'' At Oh Ha-seoks answer, the officials sorting documents all frowned. What kind of city name For us, it would be like taking the name of a famous king from the old Three Han States era and attaching a word meaning city to it. The name of a king? They say its Alexander. Alex Ugh In the end, the officials had no choice but to use Araegusanduria (ɽ) as is. Of course, a few officials who didnt know how to give up sought out Hyang with a glimmer of hope. Upon receiving the report, Hyang asked on the spot. Do you have time to worry about that too? You have a lot of free time, dont you? No! Well just use it as is! The startled officials had to run away with their tails between their legs. *** Idu is definitely a problem. Indeed. We need some kind of alternative. An alternative? You mean directly using their writing systems? The official who was asked shook his head. Isnt that impossible? The countries we will trade with in the future will keep increasing, so isnt it impossible to learn all theirnguages and writing systems? Then what? Isnt the best solution to create a writing system that makes that possible? As soon as the officials answer ended, the surroundings became quiet. After a brief silence, the officials around them simultaneously waved their hands. Nah~ Say something that makes sense! Youre talking nonsense! Are you dreaming in broad daylight? At the negative reactions around him, the official who spoke also asked with a bitter smile. Its probably difficult, right? Isnt that obvious! From the old Three Han States era when Chinese characters first came in until now, for nearly a thousand years, do you think there havent been people who had such thoughts? But what are the results? There arent any, right? Thats true The official who had spoken also nodded at that point. In the end, the most senior official among those chattering stepped forward and reached a conclusion. Creating a writing system is not an easy task. And creating a perfect writing system like the one you mentioned is even more difficult. If someone capable of that appears, they would go down in history for that alone. I suppose so. Indeed. Ah! The dried rice cake soup and takju have arrived! Hurry and eat, then get back to work! Yes! With that, the officials ended the discussion and started their meal. *** These days, our father is being too suspicious. Hyang, who was organizing documents in the study of the Eastern Pce, muttered while looking in the direction of Geunjeongjon Hall with his arms crossed. It was because recently, the number of times Sejong asked about writing was gradually increasing. Although he casually threw questions as if he just thought of them in passing, the difficulty level of the questions was gradually increasing. It was the same at the morning court. Ah, by the way. Crown Prince. I was reading a book by Westerners about city hygiene and As the court ended and Hyang and the ministers were hastily gathering their writing tools and reports, Sejong suddenly spoke to Hyang. Yes, Father. Please ask. Anyway, Father is also non-standard. Way off at that. When he first encountered Latin books, Sejong needed Hasans help. However, before long, Sejong no longer needed Hasans help. Thats why Hyang evaluated him as non-standard. But what book did Father bring these days? While Hyang was trying to remember, the question Sejong threw was absurd. The letters that make up the speaking form of words are usually about 5-6. Youre talking about vowels! Having grasped the meaning of Sejongs words, Hyang immediately answered. Yes, thats right. Is it possible to express all pronunciations with such a small number? Regarding that issue, Westerners express it by pairing the letters representing that form or mixing the pronunciations of other letters. Its a bitplicated. Indeed. Therefore, the vowels of Hangul are basically based on the three elements of heaven, earth, and man Oops! Hyang forcibly held back the words that were about to automaticallye out. Endure it! Youll be beheaded if youre not careful! You have to endure! Sejong, who was ncing at Hyang struggling to hold back the words that were automatically trying toe out, leaned back on the backrest. I see. Go and take care of your work. Yes, Father. Sejong, who had sent Hyang and the ministers out, descended from the throne. I will take a brief nap at Gangnyeongjeon, so the historian should not follow. Yes, Your Majesty. *** Sejong, who had returned to Gangnyeongjeon, entered the secret space and unfolded a paper. It would indeed be a problem if the number of medial vowels is too small. Sejong had already established the basic structure of initial consonants, medial vowels, and final consonants. But its not good to indicate each one with a different shape either Pondering, Sejong observed the traces of Hyang scattered in the other room. Hmm Sejong, who had been tracing the shapes with his finger, suddenly became stiff. Aha! Based on the three elements of heaven, earth, and man Ive solved it! *** Chapter 252 Chapter 252 The reorganization of the central administrative organization was immediately announced nationwide through express messengers. The promation documents on the reorganization brought by the express messengers were enormous in volume. The bulletin boards installed in each local government office were not enough to handle them, so one side of the wall surrounding the government office had to be filled with the promation documents. However, the ones with the biggest headaches were the local governors and clerks of each region. It looks well over 10 sheets. Precisely 18 sheets. Oh my Looking at the promation documents on the governments reorganization n brought by the courier, the local officials and clerks sighed. Lets read it before posting it outside. As Hanseong has started to move, its certain that the sparks will spread to us soon. No way Were those rumors true?At the local officials words, the clerks faces turned pale white. *** Fromst year, strange rumors had been circting among local clerks. -The government is doing something strange! -Theypletely renovated the government offices of counties within a days distance from Hanseong! -They say they will change all government offices throughout Joseon like that someday! When those rumors first circted, clerks working in regions far from where it happened scoffed. Hmph! Do you think its easy to renovate the structure of a government office? Were already dying from being swamped with work, and they want to create more work? Are they crazy? Hmph! Do you know how many local government offices there are in Joseon? Where are they spouting nonsense? Most local clerks, except for those in counties near the region undergoing the experiment, denied the rumors with a sneer. The majority of local clerks were those who were worn out from practical work. They knew well how difficult it was to change the organizational structure. Thats why they scoffed. Although it is immensely appreciated that His Majesty changed the clerks positions from unpaid to paid, he really doesnt know much about the work on the front lines, even if he doesnt know the details! The clerks at local government offices evaluated it as a reckless act done by Sejong because he didnt know much about local affairs. However, they didnt know how meticulous Sejong was. Even in the history before Hyangs intervention, Sejong was cautious and meticulous enough to select a ce to pilot the reorganization of the tax system before starting it, and then decide on the nationwide implementation of the new system based on the results. Although his caution decreased slightly after Hyangs intervention as his control over state affairs reached its peak, Sejong maintained his meticulousness. Therefore, the local clerks did not know that long before this announcement, Sejong had created a scaled-down model of the newly reorganized structure, checked whether it operated properly and how much efficiency improved, and made adjustments several times. Likewise, they scoffed without knowing that the reorganization of local government offices had also gone through the same process. *** However, as the promation documents arrived and they saw the governors faces bing serious, the clerks realized that the rumors were true and that the aftermath would soon befall them. Therefore, the clerks faces turned pale white. It was no longer a situation to watch someone elses house burn but a situation where they had to put out the fire in their own house. Examine these promation documents carefully and check how they are connected to the positions you are in charge of. Perhaps some of you will have to move your ce of work Understood. At the governors words, the clerks began reading the promation documents in turns. Then someone cursed. Damn it Its really 18 sheets. Shit! The joke that followed the cursing made the atmosphere even more gloomy. Even while cursing, the clerks meticulously examined the promation documents. It was a matter of their livelihood. The promation documents that the clerks read until they were worn out were posted on the wall of the government office. What promation documents all of a sudden? Its a surprise, but why are there so many? Seeing the enormous volume of promation documents posted on the wall, the people all grumbled but clung to the wall to know the contents of the promation documents. Hey! Choi Seobang! Why dont you read it as a representative! Thats why I told you to study a bit! Forget it! Read it! In the end, someone who knew some letters and had a good voice stepped forward to read the promation documents on behalf of those who couldnt read. Lets see Ahem This time, the governments organizational structure has been changed As the volume of the promation documents wasrge, the person reciting them drank water and even takju in between while reading the documents. After the recitation was finished, people gathered in groups of three or five to exchange opinions. Its a story about the government in Hanseong, do we need to pay attention to it? You fool! The ce you have to pay taxes to has changed! Until now, you had to pay to the government office, but they say to pay to a ce called the National Tax Service! Oh? Is that so? At first, people thought lightly of it as a story that happened in Hanseong, but upon realizing that it was deeply rted to their lives, they started exchanging opinions with serious faces. It was the same for the rural schrs. Officer Oh, what do you think? The noble who visited Officer Ohs office after seeing the promation documents asked Officer Oh. At the nobless question, Officer Oh stroked his beard and answered. His Majesty seems to have considerable confidence. Confidence? If you look at the promation documents, didnt he distribute a significant portion of royal authority to his subjects? This shows confidence that he has firmly grasped the government, doesnt it? At Officer Ohs exnation, all the nobles nodded their heads. Indeed Looking at the contents of the promation documents, Sejong transferred authority to the governmentwhich would now be renamed the cabexcept for a few essential powers such as themand of the military and the right to execute the budget. Officer Oh continued his exnation. With this system, if done poorly, the king may be dragged along by his subjects. Even a mere viger andmoner like me knows this danger, so how could His Majesty not know? Ah At Officer Ohs exnation, the nobles all nodded their heads. As the nobles gathered in the office nodded as if they understood, Officer Oh continued. Those gathered here who are still young or have sons of age to take the state examination should pay some attention. Ah At Officer Ohs words, the eyes of the nobles gathered in the office began to shine. The contents of the promation documents were not simply a change in the signboard of government ministries. As the government organization was reorganized, the demand for officials was also certain to increase tremendously. Even until now, the government had recruited arge number of new officials every year, but judging from the contents of the promation documents, even the number of people selected in that way would be insufficient. Entering government service was the glory of a family, so the eyes of the nobles began to sparkle. *** Of course, not everyone viewed the contents of the promation documents positively. In a small vige near Gongju, Chungcheong Province, a father and son who had returned after finishing a days work were talking. Father. Did you see the promation documents? I did. What do you think? I have no thoughts. As the sons eyes widened, the father answered with an indifferent face. Whats the point of paying attention to the lofty words of nobles whose heads are full of ink? If its something that will go well like that, it will go well even if we dont pay attention, and if its something that will go wrong, its thew that it wont work no matter how much we struggle. For bottom-dwellers like us, the best way is to just live like that without any thoughts. At his fathers words, the sons mouth twitched as if he was full of dissatisfaction, but he didnt talk back. If it was his fathers personality, a chamber pot would fly at him the moment he talked back. Instead, the son made a firm resolution inwardly. They say they will soon select people to work on road construction, so thats when Ill leave this rural corner! The son was reaffirming his thoughts of leaving his hometown and going to a bigger ce. *** Not long after that, express messengers scattered nationwide again from Hanseong. Local officials who received the order delivered by the express messengers immediately summoned the clerks. Gather skilled carpenters right now. Carpenters, you say? Yes. As expected, a royalmand has arrived from Hanseong. We need to renovate this government office, and there are quite a few buildings that need to be newly constructed, so recruit them quickly. Yes, understood. As it was something they had already expected to some extent when the previous promation documents arrived, the clerks moved swiftly. However, the number of carpenters skilled enough to build tiled-roof houses was far insufficientpared to the demand. As a result, apetition to host carpenters broke out throughout Joseon. It was an unexpected boom for carpenters who built houses. *** In the reimednd of the northeast region. Hey, Jongseo! Yes, My lord. Hwang Hui, who had called Kim Jong-seo, handed him the order sent by the express messenger and asked a question. Its an order from the government to reorganize the local administrative organization. Are the preparations finished? At Hwang Huis question, Kim Jong-seo immediately answered. We just need to attach the signboards. Is that so? Then lets attach the signboards. At Kim Jong-seos answer, Hwang Hui began writing the order with a gold pen in his hand. The officials who heard Hwang Hui and Kim Jong-seos conversation nearby lightly shook their heads. Those two. Even though they bicker, their work skills are no joke. Is that why they are called His Excellencies and are candidates for Prime Minister? *** Hwang Hui, who had obtained information that Sejong was selecting targets to experiment with the reorganized local administrative organization, immediately took action. Hwang Hui sent letters to the Prime Ministers and ministers in Hanseong to obtain the structural diagram of the new local administrative organization to be implemented, and immediately called Kim Jong-seo. What do you think? Did His Majesty conceive this? Probably? Such thoughts could nevere from the rigid minds of the Prime Ministers and fellow Excellencies that I know. Hmm Kim Jong-seo, who was examining the structural diagram, answered Hwang Hui. Although it looksplicated on the surface as its split into small parts, if it operates properly, I think the work will go well. Right? Then the possibility of realization is high? It was conceived by His Majesty. Then even if the possibility of failure is high, wont it still be implemented? Look at the ox-hornw. Hey! Hwang Hui looked around and warned in a small voice. Dont mention that. You might lose your head if youre not careful. Ah The ox-hornw was not only Sejongs achievement but also a taboo for Sejong and the ministers. It was because senior ministers, including Ryu Jeong-hyeon, were purged as a result of the political struggle over the issue of nationwide implementation of the ox-hornw. After cautioning Kim Jong-seo, Hwang Hui tapped the desk with his finger and analyzed the situation. Even if its not His Majestys idea, the possibility is quite high, right? Thats right. Its divided quite efficiently. Hmm Hwang Hui, who had made various calctions again, turned to Kim Jong-seo. What if we configure the local government offices in the northeast region that are currently being organized to fit this? At Hwang Huis question, Kim Jong-seo shut his mouth tightly and began to re at the structural diagram. Kim Jong-seo, who had been silently staring at the paper until it was pierced, finally opened his mouth after a long time. I think it would be fine. The possibility of realization is high, and as the northeast region also has the issue of Jurchen adaptation, theres no harm in preparing in advance. Then reorganize the structure to fit this. You have three days. Yes. Instead, Ill move up your trip to Hanseong by three days. The return date remains the same. Then you can spend three more days in Hanseong, right? Ill do my best! *** In this way, the northeast region was put in a situation where they only needed to attach the signboards. Chapter 253 Chapter 253 Spring of the 13th year of King Sejongs reign (1431, the Year of the Metal Boar). A cavalry unit arrived at the administrative headquarters of the pioneer group located in the northeast region of Gilju. A royal decree has arrived! As the military officer who dismounted from his horse announced the arrival of the royal decree, Hwang Hui, Kim Jong-seo, and other officials who were attending to official duties inside hurriedly rushed out. Chief Administrator Hwang Hui, receive the royal decree! Yes! Shortly after, a straw mat wasid out in the front courtyard of the administrative headquarters, and Hwang Hui, neatly dressed in his official robes, paid his respects toward the capital and knelt down. Once all the preparations wereplete, the military officer unrolled the scroll and read its contents. Chief Administrator Hwang Hui, listen.The contents that followed began by praising Hwang Huis merit in establishing the administrative organization in the pioneer area of the northeast region. Furthermore, it stated that the newly expanded territory, including the northeast region, would be renamed as Hamgil Province and officially incorporated as a province of Joseon. ordingly, the name of the newly created province shall be called Hamgil Province. Hamheung shall be elevated to Hamheung-bu (prefecture), and Gilju shall be designated as Daedohobu (grand protectorate prefecture). The officials who were respectfully standing and listening to the contents of the royal decree inwardly cheered at the news that the northeast region was being promoted to Hamgil Province. It meant that their hardships thus far had not been in vain. The military officers reading on behalf of the king continued. In recognition of his meritorious service, Chief Administrator Hwang Hui is hereby appointed as the Provincial Governor[1] of Hamgil Province. Take charge of this position and solidify the stability of Hamgil Province. However, the quarterly face-to-face reports in Hanseong shall continue as before. After some minor details, the reading of the royal decree concluded. The military officer, who neatly rolled up the scroll, handed it to Hwang Hui and congratted him. Congrattions, Your Excellency. Thank you. By the way, what happened to General Choi Hae-san? He has been promoted to the Chief of Staff of the Joseon Army Headquarters. Thats wonderful news. He has endured so much hardship, so its fortunate. Indeed, Your Excellency. If you meet the general, please convey my sincere congrattions to him. Yes, Your Excellency. Hwang Hui expressed his heartfelt congrattions upon hearing the news of the promotion of General Choi Hae-san, who hade up north with him and was in charge of pacifying the area west of Baekdu Mountain. By the way When General Choi Hae-san returns, the shape of the fortresses located on the ins, excluding the mountain fortresses, will all change. *** During the conquest of the northern regions, which was carried out under the pretext of reiming thend of their ancestors origins, the Joseon army established fortresses and military camps at strategic points in the newly reimed areas. In the process of constructing these fortresses and camps, the Joseon army unveiled a new material: they used iron-reinforced concrete, which they had introduced through road paving projects, to build the walls of the fortresses and camps. The Jurchen tribes, who were eagerly eyeing their lostnds, had to shed tears of blood in front of these walls. This was because in the time it would have taken to erect mere wooden fences, solid stone walls had been built instead. While constructing the facilities inside the stone walls took additional time, the mere existence of the sturdy stone walls itself had crushed the Jurchen tribes morale. Moreover, the shape of the erected stone walls forced the attacking Jurchen tribes to make unnecessary sacrifices. The walls, which the Joseon army named thorn-shaped defensive walls''[2] because the four corners of the fortresses protruded like sharp thorns, were a simplified variation of star-shaped fortresses. The fortress walls, which had a rectangr shape with rounded corners, concentrated the gunfire of the musketeers positioned on the walls into a single spot. The thunder bombs fired from the cannons ced on the cannon mounts built at the center and four corners of the walls inflicted fatal damage on the Jurchen tribes clustered along the walls. These walls, which made the Jurchen tribes shudder in tears, were also the work of Hyang. While the fortresses were responsible for the first line of defense, the military camps were responsible for the second line of defense. The fortresses installed in these camps were built ording to the standard star-shaped fortress design. The walls, constructed with two to threeyers intersecting each other, were designed to rain crossfire upon the Jurchen tribes. Moreover, there was the location where these camps were established. Hyang had set the positions so that the mainnd transportation routes would pass through the center of the camps. This made it impossible for the enemy to advance into Joseons interior without capturing the camps. Of course, to prevent falling victim to the Trojan Horse tactic, where enemies disguised as civilians attack from within, the military and civilian areas were internally segregated. The camps and fortresses constructed in this manner were of considerable size. This was to amodate nearby civilians and reduce casualties when the Jurchen tribes attacked. Lastly, Hyangs ingenuity was fully demonstrated. In the case of the fortresses, the walls were built with a strength that could withstand the Jurchen tribes attacks but would crumble under friendly cannon fire. In the case of the camps, secret passages were created for counterattacks when the enemy captured the fortresses. These secret passages were top secret, and rted information existed only at the Army Headquarters in Hanseong. Even those serving in the respective camps were unaware of these disguised secret passages. With such multiyered countermeasures, the camps and fortresses were built, and the Jurchen tribes had to retreat after suffering heavy losses without even being able to cross the fortresses. And the Jurchen tribes who retreated in such a manner were pursued by the Joseon army and vanished into ashes, leaving no trace behind. An extremely small number of survivors crossed over to the Ming Dynasty, but that was the end of it. The fate of most Jurchen tribes who dared to challenge the Joseon army and people was to be food for wild beasts. And Choi Hae-san, who had developed a taste for thebination of concrete walls, guns, and cannons, was nning to transform Joseons main defensive bases in a simr fashion. *** The military officer handed a thick scroll to Hwang Hui. What is this? Its a personnel transfer order. Personnel transfer? Hwang Hui nodded his head as he received the scroll. The officials had endured hardships for several years in the remote and rugged northeast region. Appropriate rewards were a must. Many of our friends will be delighted. The offices in Gilju will be busy. Haha! Laughing at the military officers words, Hwang Hui assigned lodgings for the military officers party to rest and returned to his office. Back at his desk, Hwang Hui unrolled the scroll and examined its contents. The scroll was densely filled with the names of those being promoted, the ranks they would be promoted to, the positions they would be transferred to, and other details. As Hwang Hui meticulously reviewed the contents, he smiled contentedly upon reading one section of the scroll. These people Theyve been properly rewarded. Having finished the review, Hwang Hui handed the scroll to Kim Jong-seo, who was fidgeting impatiently in front of him. Make a copy and post it on the bulletin board. Yes, Your Excellency. Kim Jong-seo immediately unrolled the scroll and checked its contents upon receiving it. Huh? No! Your Excellency! As he read the contents of the scroll, Kim Jong-seo clung to Hwang Hui with a flushed face. What is this? Assistant to the Provincial Governor[3]? What kind of bizarre position is this that Ive never heard of before? Its a newly established position this time. Did you see the rank? Its a junior 4th-grade position. Congrattions on your promotion. Going from a senior 5th-grade to a junior 4th-grade is a rapid advancement. Your Excellency! Is promotion the issue here? Many of our other friends are going to Hanseong, so why do I have to stay here? But youre getting promoted quickly in return, arent you? Im telling you, is promotion the problem right now? In response to Kim Jong-seos protest, Hwang Hui leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms, and looked at Kim Jong-seo. So, what? Are you going to submit a resignation letter? How can I not submit one? At Kim Jong-seos words, Hwang Hui chuckled. You brat. Do you think its within my power to raise your rank by several grades at once? Pardon? Kim Jong-seo paused and pondered the hidden meaning behind Hwang Huis words. After a moment, Kim Jong-seo muttered with a pale face. Dont tell me Dont tell me That dont tell me is what gets people in trouble. Hwang Hui pointed his index finger toward the ceiling and continued. Our king has a great desire for talented individuals. I wrote in your evaluation that youre a talent hard toe by twice, and you did a great job during thest secret envoy mission. Do you think His Majesty will let you go easily? I could even bet half a years sry that he wont let you go.'' Damn it At Hwang Huis words, Kim Jong-seos head drooped low. Seeing his reaction, Hwang Hui rubbed salt into the wound. Of course, if you want to give up the promotion and remain a 5th-grade civil service examiner until retirement, Ill send you to Hanseong. But you know what, Jong-seo? How much is the sry of a 5th-grade civil service examiner? Will it be easy to support your family and enjoy a life of luxury with that sry? Can you endure that? A dog can hold in its poop. If you do that, the only answer is bribery. And if you get caught, youll end up in the Records Office No, with your personality, youll likely end up in the mines. Ugh Kim Jong-seo could only let out a groan at Hwang Huis words. Even he thought that in such a situation, the chances of epting bribes would be high. And given King Sejongs personality, if a capable person engaged in corruption, he would give an even greater punishment. A trip to the mines was certain. Seeing Kim Jong-seos reaction, Hwang Hui gently persuaded him. So, Jong-seo. Do you want to receive a meager sry in Hanseong, be mindful of your wifes gaze,ment your light purse, and live holed up, or do you want to endure a little hardship but get promoted, boast to your wife, and live while being treated well doing what you love? You know it well, dont you? Customers whoe frequently and spend a little are treated better than those whoe asionally but spendvishly each time. Ugh Kim Jong-seos groaning grew louder at Hwang Huis words. Seeing his reaction, Hwang Hui dangled a tempting bait. Ive be the Provincial Governor this time. You know, right? The term of a Provincial Governor is usually 2 or 3 years. Given the situation here, Ill probably serve the full 3 years. If you endure hardship for just 3 years, youll return to Hanseong. What do you want to do? Suffer for 3 more years and continue to get promoted and treated well, or go to Hanseong now and live while being mindful of others? At Hwang Huis words, Kim Jong-seo fell into deep thought with his lips tightly sealed. After much contemtion, Kim Jong-seo burst out shouting. Keep that promise! If you leave me behind after 3 years, I dont know what Ill do! Hey! You just need to stick close to me and follow my lead! So go and do what youre told to do! Shit Muttering a small curse, Kim Jong-seo returned to his office. As Kim Jong-seo disappeared outside, the officials who witnessed the scene cautiously approached Hwang Hui. Your Excellency, we too The same goes for you all. Just work hard! Yes, Sir! At Hwang Huis reprimand, the officials hurriedly returned to their respective positions. Suddenly, as if he had just remembered something, Hwang Hui called a subordinate official. Hey, you! Go and tell Jong-seo to prepare properly since he needs to go to Hanseong in five days! Yes, Sir! *** A few dayster, Hwang Hui and Kim Jong-seo entered Hanseong. It was for the regr face-to-face report with King Sejong. Hwang Hui and Kim Jong-seo, who entered Geunjeongjeon Pce, respectfully paid their respects to King Sejong, who was seated on the throne. Your subject, Hwang Hui, Provincial Governor of Hamgil Province, humbly presents himself before Your Majesty. Your subject, Kim Jong-seo, Assistant to the Provincial Governor of Hamgil Province, humbly presents himself before Your Majesty. Youve worked hard on your long journey. Thanks to your excellent handling of affairs in the northeast region, the northeast region could be promoted to Hamgil Province. I am truly grateful. In response to King Sejongs praise, Hwang Hui bowed his head and replied. Your grace is immeasurable. And Kim Jong-seo, you have also worked hard. Both your secret envoy mission to Daenai and your diligent assistance in the northeast region. I am truly grateful to have an outstanding talent like you. Your praise is far too generous. I am at a loss for words in the face of such undeserved praise. No, not at all. Aftermending Hwang Hui and Kim Jong-seo, King Sejong received reports on their work. The report proceeded in a warm atmosphere from beginning to end. The court historian who recorded it added the following: -Thus, His Majesty praised the merits of Hwang Hui and Kim Jong-seo. The court historianments: Kim Jong-seos abilities are outstanding, so he will likely be very busy.
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Chapter 254 Chapter 254 Whenever King Sejong asked questions about the northeast region that had been upgraded to Hamgil Province, Hwang Hui and Kim Jong-seo answered to the best of their abilities. Are the Jurchen people who have surrendered obeying well? Yes. Since surrendering, they have shown their loyalty to Joseon. What do you think is the reason? It is all because Your Majestys virtue is so great. In response to Hwang Huis answer, King Sejong smiled slightly and replied. I appreciate the praise, but please give a proper answer. That way, the court historians wont curse at me, right? At King Sejongs words, the eyes of all the ministers inside Geunjeongjeon Pce turned toward the court historians. The ministers eyes looking at the court historians seemed capable of killing a person with just a nce. Gasp!Your Majesty! How could we! The court historians, subject to the ministers res, immediately prostrated themselves on the floor and appealed their grievances. In response to the court historians appeals, King Sejong turned his head, gazed into the distance, and spoke. Well Seeing what you guys have been doingtely As King Sejong slightly trailed off, the court historians immediately realized the situation was turning against them. Fortunately, the court historians currently in charge of recording were senior members. Your Majesty! It seems to be the result of the excessive zeal of the newly appointed court historians! We will make sure to instruct them thoroughly! We will ensure that Your Majesty need not worry! At the court historians replies, King Sejong turned his head and looked at them. Are you certain? Please dont concern yourself, Your Majesty! Really? Then, Ill trust you. Carry on with your duties. Your grace is immeasurable! As they returned to their positions, the court historians gnashed their teeth. Which one! Which bastard did it! *** As lectures on Confucian ssics given to the king proceeded, a fierce struggle had taken ce between King Sejong and the court historians. No, it was a continuation of the struggle that had been going on since the time of Taejo Yi Seong-gye. It was a struggle between the kings who wanted to maintain a minimum of privacy and self-esteem and the court historians who sought to record everything in writing. King Sejong was no exception. Even when he wanted to engage in solitary contemtion or have secret conversations with Hyang, the court historians would not back down. Therefore, King Sejong had to wield his authority to drive away the court historians. And the court historians who were chased away hid behind the door and made every effort to record the conversations between King Sejong and Hyang. In the end, King Sejong had to make a request, not a demand, to the court historians. It ismendable that you are devoted to your duties. However, being too excessive is not good. Shouldnt you at least give me time for my own contemtion? In response to King Sejongs words, the court historians tly refused. The monarch is a public figure. We have the duty to record everything about the monarch! At the court historians principled answer, King Sejong gnashed his teeth. Is that so? Is that what youre saying? Very well. From the next day onward, a fierce battle C to be precise, King Sejongs relentless nagging C took ce between King Sejong and the court historians. The day before the battle, King Sejong summoned Sangseon. Sangseon, youll have to endure some hardship from now on, but please prepare some diapers. Pardon? The next day, King Sejong entered Geunjeongjeon Pce wearing diapers inside his pants. From that moment, the battle began. King Sejong never once descended from the throne while attending to state affairs. The only times he descended from the throne were when he went to the dining hall to eat and when he returned to Gangnyeongjeon Hall after finishing the morning court session. From then on, the court historians and ministers had a terrible time. The court historians who recorded the sacho (ʷ, draft history) and the court diarists who wrote the Seungjeongwon Ilgi (Journal of the Royal Secretariat) were assigned to Geunjeongjeon Pce in pairs. The reason for assigning them in multiples was so that even if one of them had to leave their post due to toilet needs or other matters, the recording could continue uninterrupted. However, as King Sejongs nagging began, the court historians and diarists had no choice but to be petrified statues. Whenever a court historian, desperate to relieve himself, tried to get up from his seat, King Sejongs reprimand immediately followed. Where are you going? I, I need to relieve myself In response to the court historians answer, King Sejong made an exasperated expression. Oh my, state affairs are currently proceeding without pause, yet the court historian who is supposed to record this is leaving his post? B-but this is a physiological phenomenon Im also staying at my post. There is another person Dont two people need to be present to cross-check and ensure urate records? Sit down. Yes. And so, just before the court historians were about to burst from holding in their urine, King Sejong would slightly release them. Judging by your face, it seems you cant hold it any longer. We cant have you soiling Geunjeongjeon Pce, so go take care of your business ande back. Your grace is immeasurableee. When the court historian who disappeared with an echo returned to his seat, King Sejongs nagging resumed. How can a man with such weak endurance handle important responsibilities? I-I apologize deeply! The court historian had to bow his head whenever King Sejong reprimanded him, and the other court historians and diarists had to record this while squirming ufortably. The hardships of the court historians and diarists continued even during mealtimes. Where are you gentlemen going? Do you expect any conversations to take ce during mealtime? When the court historians and diarists were heading to the dining hall used by ordinary officials instead of the one where King Sejong and the ministers ate, they had no choice but to apany King Sejong to the dining hall at his words. Upon arriving at the dining hall, King Sejong suddenly spoke as if he had just remembered something while eating. Come to think of it Chief State Councilor. Yes, please speak, Your Majesty. Just as King Sejong was about to say something to the Chief State Councilor, he looked at the court historians and diarists. What are you doing? Arent you going to record? Y-yes, yes! The court historians and diarists had to put aside their meal trays and take out their writing brushes and ink. King Sejong leisurely ate his meal while conversing with the ministers. However, there were absolutely no pauses. As a result, the court historians and diarists had to starve throughout the entire mealtime while recording. **** This situation continued even after King Sejong moved to Gangnyeongjeon Hall. After reading the remaining memorials and reports on the agenda items to be discussed the next day, King Sejong got up from his seat. Its time to sleep now. May you have a peaceful slumber. Where are you going? At King Sejongs question, the court historians who were organizing their seats paused and looked at him. Even while sleeping, I might wake up and handle state affairs if somethinges to mind. Are you just going to leave? B-but Sit back down. Yes, yes In the end, the court historians had to sit back down and spend time aimlessly. However, the court historians were also human. Thanks to King Sejongs scheme, the court historians had to work from the morning court session until just before the next days morning court session without fail. This was a considerable amount of overwork, and eventually, as time passed, the court historians began to doze off. The next morning, when the court historians opened their eyes, they had to be startled. The dragon robes worn by King Sejong and the nkets he used to sleep were draped over their shoulders. Gasp! As the surprised court historian turned his head, King Sejong was sitting there, watching them. Did you sleep well? Please punish us with death! As the court historians prostrated themselves and pleaded guilty, King Sejong replied in a nonchnt voice. Death? No need for that If youre tired, it can happen. Chief Eunuch. Yes, Your Majesty. At King Sejongsmand, Sangseon collected the dragon robes and nkets that the court historians had been using. King Sejong, wearing the dragon robes that Sangseon had retrieved, left Gangnyeongjeon Hall. *** Upon arriving at Geunjeongjeon Pce, King Sejong ascended to the throne and began the morning court session. After opening with various small talk, King Sejong looked at the Chief State Councilor. Chief State Councilor. Please speak, Your Majesty. It seems the court historians work is quite demanding. Its not an easy job. Did something happen, Your Majesty? Last night, I suddenly woke up with a thought, and when I opened my eyes, I saw the court historians all slumped over their desks, sleeping. They looked so pitiful that I covered them with my dragon robes and nkets. Gasp! The Chief State Councilor and ministers, startled by King Sejongs words, red at the court historians as if they were going to kill them. Maeng Sa-seong, angered by the appalling incident, spoke in a stiff voice. What an impudent act! We must immediately seize those insolent individuals and punish them for their crimes! In response to Maeng Sa-seongs words, King Sejong shook his head. No. It is natural for people to sleep when they are tired. How can we punish them for that? It happened because they were diligently carrying out their assigned duties, so I will not hold them ountable. At King Sejongs words, the ministers bowed their heads in unison. It is Joseons fortune to have a king who shows such magnanimity! Although they said those words, it was obvious that the ministers would rush to the Office of Royal Decrees after the court session ended and scold the court historians. *** The fierce battle between King Sejong and the court historians also affected the ministers. As King Sejong refused to move from Geunjeongjeon Pce, the ministers also could not leave Geunjeongjeon Pce. Since they had to be in Geunjeongjeon Pce during the day, all their work had to be done in the evening and at night after leaving Geunjeongjeon Pce. For the elderly ministers who were old enough to retire at any time, this was an unbearable ordeal. Why is His Majesty doing this? The ministers, who were suffering from King Sejongs torment disguised as advice, investigated the cause. His Majesty is acting this way because of the court historians. As expected Grr! They caused such disputes even during the reigns of King Taejo and King Taejong Tsk! The ministers, clicking their tongues or grinding their teeth, immediately rushed to the Office of Royal Decrees and scolded the court historians. You people! How are you doing your job? Dont you know flexibility? However, the duty of court historians is to record everything! However, the court historians continued to protest, citing principles as their reason. In response, the ministers clicked their tongues and said a word each. Who told you not to record? Were telling you to record what needs to be recorded, but distinguish between what must be recorded and what can be omitted! How can you be so frustrating! B-but You people! Who told you not to record at all? You must record the official duties and events that His Majesty attends to, but you can just overlook the private matters that His Majesty engages in! In any case, how can youck flexibility to this extent! *** The suffering of the court historians did not end there. Following the ministers, the court historians had to answer the summons of Queen Soheon, the queen consort. I have heard about the recent incidents in Geunjeongjeon Pce and Gangnyeongjeon Hall. We apologize deeply. I understand your duties, but I believe it would be better to show some flexibility. However What do you mean by however! Do you know how many days it has been since His Majestyst visited the queens quarters? Seven days! Seven days! Youre saying however! If something terrible happens to him due to overwork, will you take responsibility? Huh? Will you take responsibility? The court historians, who witnessed Queen Soheons notorious temper firsthand, had to immediately bow their heads. We deeply apologize! In any case, if anything happens to His Majesty, not only I but also the concubines will not let you off easily! Keep that in mind! Yes, yes! The court historians, who had been scolded by Queen Soheon and came out with pale faces, looked up at the sky. Phew Why If ites to this, the only one left is the Crown Prince As one of the court historians muttered those words, a eunuch hurriedly approached and informed them. His Highness the Crown Prince summons you immediately. Understood. Some of the court historians, following the eunuch, muttered softly. Should I just submit my resignation? Seeing the court historians pale faces, Hyang inwardly muttered. If I nag them too, these people will all go insane. They already look 80% insane Clicking his tongue inwardly, Hyang ended it briefly. Please handle it well on your own. Goodbye. Yes! *** In the end, the court historians had no choice but to wave the white g to King Sejong. From then on, whenever there were various incidents C most of which involved Hyang C and King Sejong gave a slight hint, the court historians would silently pack up and leave without a word. Moreover, instead of hiding behind the door and eavesdropping like before, they would stay far away until a eunuch came to fetch them. Chapter 255 Chapter 255 This was what King Sejong wanted. Having thoroughly tamed the court historians, King Sejong breathed a sigh of relief. Phew Now I can finally feel at ease. I can conduct my research without worries now. The biggest reason King Sejong had be sensitive to the presence of the court historians was because of his research on writing systems. The only ones who knew that King Sejong was researching a unique writing system for Joseon were the eunuchs who were his close aides. King Sejong had no particr concerns about these eunuchs. The eunuchs, who knew well that they would struggle to be treated as human beings once they left the pce, showed absolute loyalty to King Sejong. Even if an eunuch with different intentions appeared, King Sejong was not very worried. ording to what King Sejong had heard here and there, if an eunuch with different intentions was caught, they would be dealt with quietly among the eunuchs without anyone knowing. In the end, King Sejong had gone through all this to tame the court historians, who were the most awkward presence for him and his research. Having seeded in taming the court historians, King Sejong offered them a suitable carrot. He promoted the Office of Royal Decrees, which supervised the court historians, to the National Records Office and expanded the number of court historians from 8 to 32. As it was promoted to an office, opportunities for promotion increased, and by increasing the number of personnel, the intensity of work was reduced. And in return, the court historians had entered into a sort of gentlemens agreement to leave their posts whenever King Sejong wanted.However, among the newly appointed court historians, there were some who broke this agreement. *** As the court historians took their positions again, King Sejong subtly warned them. It seems the new members havent grasped the ropes yet, so make sure to teach them well. We will engrave it in our minds! The court historians, answering in a loud voice, busily moved their pens. -The court historianments. Which bastard is it? -The court historianments. It seems we need to have a very deep conversation with the new members. *** After the storm caused by King Sejongs nagging of the court historians had passed, King Sejong continued the conversation with Hwang Hui and Kim Jong-seo. So, can we trust the Jurchen people who have surrendered? In response to King Sejongs question, Hwang Hui immediately answered. If we guarantee the safety and livelihood of the surrendered Jurchen people as we do now, they will continue to be loyal. Is that conditional loyalty? At King Sejongs words, Hwang Hui and Kim Jong-seo responded with silence. Seeing their reaction, King Sejong nodded and spoke. Well, it hasnt been many years since they surrendered I dont trust them, so why would they unconditionally trust me? But you said its conditional loyalty? Yes. The surrendered Jurchen people can be trusted as long as their safety and livelihood are guaranteed. Following Hwang Huis words, Kim Jong-seo continued. They are tribes that have had deep ties with King Taejo since before the founding of Joseon. I believe it was our mistake that our rtionship with them grew distant. Our mistake? Why? In response to King Sejongs question, Kim Jong-seo answered based on his own experience. ording to what I saw and heard while visiting the surrendered tribes, the elders of the surrendered tribes still had a deep admiration for King Taejo. However, the reason they grew distant from Joseon was that after the founding of the dynasty, as we focused on internal governance, our rtionship with them became estranged. King Sejong nodded at Kim Jong-seos words. After Yi Seong-gye founded the dynasty and firmly established his position on the Korean Penins, the rtionship with the Jurchen people gradually grew distant. However, the one who provided the biggest cause for the distancing of the rtionship with the Jurchen people was King Taejong. There were quite a few Jurchen people in King Taejos personal guard. However, they were disbanded during the abolition of private armies by the previous king, King Taejong, and in the process, anti-Joseon sentiment began to spread among the Jurchen people who returned to their hometowns. Recalling the memories he had seen and heard when he was young, King Sejong nodded. Hmm That could be the case. As King Sejong showed understanding, Kim Jong-seo continued speaking with more force in his voice. It takes a lot of effort to bring a rtionship that has grown distant back to closeness. The behavior of the currently surrendered Jurchen people may be seen negatively as conditional loyalty, but if we consider them as the people of Joseon and treat them sincerely, they will also be loyal subjects of Joseon. The Assistants words are correct. King Sejong nodded at Kim Jong-seos exnation. The ministers who were listening to the conversation also nodded their heads and muttered inwardly. As expected of a talent chosen by Minister Hwang. While everyone was admiring Kim Jong-seos insight, Hwang Hui had different thoughts in mind. This guy I heard he emptied his pockets trying to win back the heart of his estranged beloved courtesan while staying in the north Dont tell me hes alluding to that? Alright, Ive heard the exnation well. Since Joseon has no reason to mistreat the surrendered Jurchen people, can we entrust them with important responsibilities? Hwang Hui, pondering the meaning behind King Sejongs question for a moment, asked King Sejong in return. By important responsibilities, do you mean to start the eastward expansion? King Sejong nodded at Hwang Huis question. Thats right. *** Shortly after, military officers from the Army Headquarters and Hyang entered Geunjeongjeon Pce. Once the preparations wereplete, a military officer ced arge map on a stand beside him and began his exnation. Last autumn, the Challenger-ss ships No. 2 and No. 3 were newlyunched. Before the officialmissioning of ships No. 2 and No. 3, we conducted training in the East Sea to increase the proficiency of the navy personnel in charge of their operation. Starting with an exnation of the Challenger-ss ships, the military officer began his report. Although King Sejong and the ministers had already heard the contents, none of them showed any signs of boredom. When the Army Headquarters judged that the navy personnels proficiency had reached a certain level, we issued orders for three Challenger-ss warships to survey the East Sea. And the result is this map. The military officer used a pointer to flip the cover of the map hanging on the stand. Oh! Hwang Hui let out a small exmation upon seeing the newly revealed map. The map showed the terrain in more detail than before. The military officer continued with a more detailed exnation. The Challenger No. 1 departed from Wonsan and sailed northward along the northeastern coastline of Joseon. Through that voyage, Ship No. 1 was able to confirm the general shape of the coastline east of the Tumen River. And after about half a month of sailing, they discovered thisrge penins, which the Army Headquarters named Landing Point No. 1. The ce the military officer pointed to was divostok. Tapping divostok with the pointer, the military officer provided a more detailed exnation. As you can see from the map, this penins has the optimal terrain for building arge port and shipyard. Indeed. Hwang Hui nodded at the military officers exnation. In his view as well, that penins had a very suitable terrain for avoiding harsh weather. But building a shipyard? Hwang Hui, tilting his head, immediately asked King Sejong. Your Majesty, are you nning to build a shipyard there? Thats right. ording to the report from the Challenger No. 1, whichnded and surveyed the nearby geography, there is a vast forest area nearby. I believe its better to build a shipyard there rather than hauling the timber from there to Wonsan. That is true Hwang Hui, nodding in agreement with King Sejongs words, inwardly deduced the next part. Your Majesty is considering expanding up to that ce! And you n to ce the Jurchen people at the forefront, which is why you inquired about their loyalty! King Sejong, watching Hwang Huis expression, ordered the military officer. Continue the exnation. It seems the Provincial Governor Hwang doesnt fully understand yet. Yes, Your Majesty. The military officer immediately responded to King Sejongs order. Seeing this, Hwang Huis face was filled with questions. I dont understand? Leaving Hwang Hui aside, the military officers exnation continued. While Ship No. 1 moved along the coastline, Ships No. 2 and No. 3 took a route slightly further out to move. As a result The military officer flipped the map with the pointer. Seeing the map drawn on the next page, Hwang Hui unconsciously let out a loud exmation. Oh! *** On the second map, the penins named Landing Point No. 1 was located in a small corner, and the coastline continued endlessly to the northeast. And to the east of that coastline, another terrain was drawn. To the south of it, arge ind was depicted, and to the northeast of that ind, small inds were lined up. The military officer continued his exnation while pointing to the terrains. ording to the survey by Ship No. 2, this coastline extends endlessly to the north. While sailing along that coastline, they discovered a new coastline to the east. However, as the weather worsened, they had no choice but to return, so they were unable to gather further information. Therefore, it is unknown whether this new coastline is an ind or a penins like Landing Point No. 1. The unidentified coastline the military officer exined was the coastline of Sakhalin Ind. Oh my At the military officers exnation, Hwang Hui was half-dazed. It was because the information he received far exceeded the capacity of the geographical knowledge he had known until then. Seeing Hwang Hui in such a dazed state, King Sejong smiled slightly. Minister Hwang is the same. *** The moment they read the reports submitted by the Challenger-ss warships that had returned from the voyage, King Sejong and the ministers had a calm discussion. It seems there is quite a vastnd to the northeast. It appears so. King Sejong and the ministers, who had thought of it as quite arge unexplored territory, had to be astonished when the reports and mapspiling the information brought by the warships were presented. The information contained in those reports and maps far exceeded the concept of geographical knowledge and scale they had known until then. Is this truly real? So much so that King Sejong, after receiving and reading the report, summoned the senior officials of the Army Headquarters to inquire about its authenticity. In response to King Sejongs question, the senior officials of the Army Headquarters answered in unison. ording to the information brought by the ships, it is true, Your Majesty. Oh my We also couldnt believe it at first, Your Majesty. However, not only the soldiers but also the military officers all gave the same answer. We couldnt find any traces of fabrication in the ship logs either. Then its true? King Sejong, looking around with an incredulous expression, flinched upon seeing Hyangs expression. While everyone else was unable to hide their astonishment like King Sejong, Hyang maintained aposed expression. Whats with this guy? As King Sejong watched Hyangs calm face, he fell into suspicion. Is he bold, or did he already know? In the end, King Sejong threw a direct question at Hyang. The Crown Prince doesnt seem surprised? In response to King Sejongs question, Hyang answered in a calm voice. I had anticipated it to some extent. You had anticipated it? Yes. Hyang exined the reason to King Sejong. *** This world is round! Through the debates and research that had taken ce, those who were conducting research at the research institute and Area 51 knew that the Earth was round. The next thing that piqued the researchers curiosity was the size of the Earth. Then how big is this world? How do we measure it? We cant just go around with a ruler and measure it bit by bit, right? While studying methods to measure the size of the Earth, the researchers utilized not only Zheng Hes ship logs but also the geographical information obtained through Mansur as reference materials. As a result, the researchers had reached the following conclusion. Although we dont know exactly yet It seems it could at least reach the hundred-thousand unit range? *** Therefore, I had anticipated that there would be vastnds to the northeast as well. At Hyangs answer, King Sejong and the ministers couldnt hide their admiration. Oh my They say one can see a thousand miles while sitting I thought researchers were just entities that consumed budgets By impressing King Sejong and the ministers in this way, the research institute and Area 51 gained an unexpected benefit. The reprimands King Sejong and the ministers used to give during the process of securing and executing budgets had decreased. Chapter 256 Chapter 256 Hwang Hui and Kim Jong-seo, who were unable to hide their confusion due to the sudden influx of information exceeding their eptable level, regained theirposure and returned to their usual expressions after a brief moment. The world seems to be truly vast. In response to Hwang Huis words, King Sejong replied with a slight smile. I felt the same. Continue the exnation. Yes, Your Majesty. At King Sejongsmand, the military officer briefly responded and pointed to arge ind with the pointer. This ind was discovered by the Challenger Ship No. 3. ording to the measurements by Ship No. 3, its overall size is estimated to be simr to thebined area of the Three Southern Provinces (Chungcheong, Jeo, and Gyeongsang). Oh! At the military officers exnation, Hwang Hui let out an exmation, and greed began to swirl in his eyes.If its an ind of that size If a vastnd existed as terra nullius (no mansnd), it was only proper to make it Joseons territory. For a monarch and ministers responsible for running the country, expanding the territory and ensuring the peoples well-being were the foremost tasks. With his eyes filled with greed, Hwang Huis mind began to spin rapidly. The poption issue The deployment of troops The expansion of the navy The finances While calcting various problems and examining the map, Hwang Hui noticed another ind drawn south of the ind in question and asked a question. Is the ind to the south Japan? Yes. It is Japans main ind. At the military officers concise answer, Hwang Huis face turned serious. If the distance is that close, Japan would also be aware of its existence. Then, would Japan also? Hwang Hui asked with a serious expression. Are the Japanese aware of the existence of that ind? Yes. Since Japans main ind is located directly to the south, we inquired with the Japanese merchants at the Japanese trading post and found out that they are aware of its existence. Then, is that ind Japanese territory? No. The Japanese consider it a foreignnd. At the military officers answer, Hwang Hui immediately remonstrated to King Sejong. Your Majesty! Above all else, we must annex that ind into Joseons territory! In response to Hwang Huis words, King Sejong nodded and replied. The cab and I have reached the same conclusion in the state council meeting. However, if we proceed without proper preparations, it may result in significant losses, so we n to have a preparation period. How long of a preparation period do you have in mind, Your Majesty? In response to Hwang Huis question, Lee Jik answered on behalf of King Sejong. For now, we expect it to be three years. At Lee Jiks words, Hwang Hui strongly objected. Three years is far too long! We mustplete the basic preparations within a year and put them into action! As Hwang Hui insisted on one year, Maeng Sa-seong stepped forward to oppose. Its too rushed! This is a matter of conquering a massive ind the size of thebined Three Southern Provinces! If we hastily proceed without proper preparations, we will suffer great losses! However, Hwang Hui did not back down from his stance. One year is sufficient! Look here! How long does it take to travel between that ind and Joseon? Based on the Challenger-ss warships, if they receive favorable winds and sail without rest day and night, they can reach the southern protrusion of the ind within five days from Wonsan. Five days! Is that certain? It is the result of trials. At the military officers answer, Hwang Hui was delighted. Seeing Hwang Huis reaction, Hyang muttered inwardly. They were lucky. *** The maximum speed the Challenger could reach, with favorable winds, was 10 knots per hour (approximately 18 km/h). Applying this to Joseons unit system, it meant it could cover about 90 li (36 km) in one shichen (approx. 2 hours). However, this speed was only possible when all heavy items, such as food, cannons, gunpowder, and ammunition, were unloaded. ording to the test report, the distance from the southern protrusion of Hokkaido to Wonsan is about 2,800 li (approximately 1,120 km), right? If we calcte it simply arithmetically, it would take a little over a day and a half to arrive, but this is the Joseon era. Its an era without automatic navigation functions or GPS. The idea of sailing straight through the night is just a dream Above all, if we load the ship to the brim, it wont reach top speed even if we die trying. Thats why it takes five days Excluding everything else, the ship is too slow! As Hyang was calcting inwardly, he unconsciously let out a small sigh. Phew Crown Prince, why the sudden sigh? Ah, its nothing. It doesnt seem like nothing. Be honest. At King Sejongs words, Hyang answered with a helpless expression. The ship is a bit slow. At Hyangs answer, King Sejong and the ministers all showed exasperated expressions. *** The Challenger-ss warship used in the trial was not only thergest but also one of the fastest warships in the Joseon navy. Of course, there was the Haeung-ss warship, which was even faster and elicited reactions of theyre crazy even within the Joseon navy, but the Haeung-ss had too little cargo capacity. Therefore, King Sejong and the ministers looked at Hyang with exasperated expressions. The ministers, in particr, looked at Hyang as if they were seeing a monster. He says thats slow? I heard hes researching a new type of warship, but what kind of monster is he thinking of creating? What about the budget? The budget! *** Regardless of King Sejong and the ministers reactions, Hwang Hui delightedly remonstrated to King Sejong. Your Majesty! Its only five days! Then even a year is too long! We should make the maximum possible preparations within six months and start the conquest. If there are any shorings, we can immediately supplement or revise them as needed! Five days is worth attempting! At Hwang Huis words, King Sejong showed a troubled expression. But wouldnt that be close to gambling? In response to King Sejongs question, Hwang Hui answered in a strong voice. No, Your Majesty! What kind of people are the Japanese? The information that we have been inquiring about the northern ind will have reached the Japanese king (shogun) as well. Look at the location of that ind! It is much closer to Japan than to Joseon! If I were the Japanese king, I would not just sit back and watch Joseon take an ind situated right in front of me! Its not just a matter of territorial expansion but also rted to national defense! If he were the type to have such thoughts, wouldnt he have left it alone until now? At Lee Jiks point, Hwang Hui pointed out one fact. Until now, Joseon had no interest in that ind, right? But now, Joseon has started to show interest. Would the Japanese king just let it slide? There is a point to that. At Hwang Huis point, King Sejong nodded his head. As King Sejong agreed with Hwang Huis words, the scales began to tip in Hwang Huis favor. Are there only three Challenger-ss warships currently? One more has been built since then. Starting next month, all five ships from Challenger No. 1 to No. 5 can be deployed for operations. If you add one to three, isnt it four? At Hwang Huis point, Jo Mal-saeng stepped forward and answered. The navy dislikes the number four. Huh? Ah Hwang Hui, who was expressing confusion at Jo Mal-saengs words, immediately nodded his head. It was well-known that the pronunciation of the number four (sa) and the word for death (sa) was the same, so it was avoided even among themon people. Moreover, it was a well-known fact that the degree of avoidance was severe among the sailors and navy who had to risk their lives in the unknown realm of the sea. Minister of Mil- no, Minister of National Defense, how much can be transported if all the Challenger-ss warships are mobilized? In response to Hwang Huis question, Jo Mal-saeng answered. We can barely transport enough to establish a beachhead. At Jo Mal-saengs answer, Hwang Hui bowed his head to King Sejong. Your Majesty! If the Japanese king has learned of Joseons movements, he will certainly take action! We must preemptively im this ind before that happens! Hmm At Hwang Huis words, King Sejong stroked his beard, deep in thought. As King Sejong became lost in thought, the ministers other than Hwang Hui began to eagerly calcte on their abacuses inwardly. We may need topletely revise the n. The problem is that Minister Hwangs words are reasonable Well suffer from overtime work again. Should wepletely revise the budget execution n? Thend in the northeast region wont run away even if we leave it alone for a while, but that ind is different The ministers were grumbling inwardly but making their own preparations. They, too, didnt want to see Japan preemptively im it. Meanwhile, Hyang, watching that scene, clicked his tongue seeing the ministers expressions change. Anyway, the greed fornd is In any case, they say the morend, the better. *** The initial n that came out after analyzing the information brought by the Challenger-ss warships was as follows: C Construct a port at Landing Point No. 1. C Secure and transportation route from east of the Tumen River to Landing Point No. 1. C Use the connectednd transportation route to send personnel and materials, build a shipyard at Landing Point No. 1, and expand the scale of the port. C Use the newly built Challenger-ss ships from the new shipyard to conquer the newly discovered ind. C Once the conquest of the ind has progressed to a certain extent, resume the exploration of the northeast region of Landing Point No. 1 and the northern sea routes. However, due to Hwang Huis proposal, this n was about to be scrapped. The problem was that there was hardly anything wrong with Hwang Huis point. Half of the merchants at the Japanese trading post were also tasked with being spies. On one hand, they traded with Joseons merchants, and on the other hand, they constantly monitored Joseons internal affairs. In such a situation, there was no way the Japanese king wouldnt know. And it was only natural for the Japanese king to react once he became aware of Joseons movements. In the end, the ministers had no choice but to me themselves. We were toocent in our thinking! *** As the atmosphere changed in this way, Hyang fixed his gaze on Hwang Hui. Judging from what he has done in the northeast region and the current situation, he is a man of great ability, but Hwang Hui was one of those who perfectly fit the description of having great ability but being problematic as a person. As Hyang looked at Hwang Hui in that way, he now turned his gaze to Jo Mal-saeng. Looking at Jo Mal-saeng, another person who matched the description of human qualities inversely proportional to ability, Hyang muttered inwardly. Whether its Minister Jo or Minister Hwang, they received the punishment of dying when they retire, so is it a happy ending in a way? As those gathered in Geunjeongjeon Pce were lost in various thoughts, King Sejong spoke. I will draw a conclusion. At King Sejongs words, Hyang and the ministers focused their attention on him. Receiving everyones attention, King Sejong stated his conclusion. The original n we devised was reasonable, and I also find the opinion of Hwang Hui, the Provincial Governor of Hamgil Province, to be reasonable. However, with Joseons current capabilities, it would be difficult to execute both ns simultaneously. So we have to make a choice, and I intend to implement Hwang Huis proposal first. Are there any objections? After a brief silence, the ministers soon bowed their heads at King Sejongs question. We will follow Your Majestys will! Thank you. Then, please revise the n ordingly and submit it. How much time will you need to make the revisions? Lee Jik, who had done some calctions, answered King Sejongs question. We will need about a month. A whole month? That long? As King Sejongs voice hardened, Lee Jik exined the reason. We need to re-examine the inds terrain, recalcte the scale of troops we can deploy, and recalcte the budget. To do all of this properly, we need at least a month. After briefly calcting upon hearing Lee Jiks answer, King Sejong said to him. No matter how I think about it, a month seems a bit long. It will be difficult, but Id like to receive the revised n within half a month. Although it was a suggestion, it was an order. In the end, Lee Jik bowed his head and replied. I will follow yourmand. Lets take a break after this. As the meeting ended, the ministers who left Geunjeongjeon Pce vented theirints to Lee Jik. Did you forget His Majestys personality? You should have asked for more time! You should have said two months! Just when I thought we wouldnt have to work overtime for a while Chapter 257 Chapter 257 Thanks to King Sejong cutting the timeframe in half, personnel selected from the Ministry of National Defense, the Army Headquarters, and the Ministry of Finance and Economy gathered in one ce to revise the n. The first to speak were those from the Ministry of National Defense and the Army Headquarters. First, lets base the geographical data on what we acquiredst time. Wouldnt that be risky? We have no choice but to prepare as thoroughly as possible before starting, and then deal with any variables or shorings that arise on the spot. There are limits to on-site response as well. Thats true. As the debate continued, the attendees had to agonize over finding a suitable alternative. How about this?As a naval officer who was searching through various reports to find an alternative spoke up, the attention of everyone in the meeting room focused on him. Do you have a good idea? Its using the Haeung-ss warships. The Haeung-ss? Considering their size, they cant carry much An immediate objection was raised, but the initial proposer shook his head. Im not suggesting we entrust transportation to the Haeung-ss. Im saying we use them as dispatch ships. Use the Haeung-ss as dispatch ships? The eyes of those gathered in the meeting room began to sparkle. Please exin in more detail. At the urging of the others, the proposer soon began to exin in detail. Among the Haeung-ss shipsunched so far, there are a total of 6 warships that have been assigned to the navy andpleted training. We will rotate these 6 ships. Rotate them? It would go something like this. 2 ships will be on the ind to be conquered, another 2 ships will be at Wonsan Port, 1 ship will head towards Wonsan, and thest 1 ship will head from Wonsan to the ind. Among the 2 ships staying in Wonsan, 1 will maintain a standby state, and the other will be under maintenance. Among the 2 ships staying on the ind, 1 will handle regrmunication with the shiping from Wonsan, and the other will be in charge of delivering urgent news. Its like a waterwheel turning. Thats right. What do you think? The attendees who heard the proposers exnation huddled together and began to murmur. It seems pretty good, doesnt it? But wont we be short on warships to deploy to Tsushima and for East Sea patrols? For Tsushima, we should be fine with panokseon for the time being, right? To be honest, the main purpose of deploying warships to Tsushima was to deal with the Japanese pirates, right? Its to keep the Lord of Tsushima on a leash. And for the East Sea patrols, cant the Haeung-ss ships in charge of regrmunication handle that as well? Still, its a bit Before this summer ends, 5 more Haeung-ss warships and 3 more Challenger-ss warships will beunched, so we just need to endure a little. In that case After the conversation continued in this manner, it was decided to establish a high-speedmunicationwork using the Haeung-ss ships. *** As one agenda item was settled, a debate erupted over another issue. The topic of the second debate was Where should wend? With the map of the target ind ced in the center, the opinions of the attendees were divided into two. The bestnding spot is the bay on the east side of this southern protrusion! The bay on the west side of the ind is better than that! In 21st-century terms, it was a division of opinions between Uchiura Bay and Ishikari Bay. The opinions of those supporting Uchiura Bay were as follows: C Looking at the inds terrain, this bay is the optimal location for defense. C This is because the shape of this southern protrusion is like a curved finger. The bay located inside is shaped like a jar, so if we construct fortresses on the southern and northern protrusions of the bay, which are like the mouth of the jar, defense will be easy. C Considering the subsequent exploration of the ocean located to the east of the ind, there is no better ce than this. Once we exit the bays entrance and head east, we will immediately reach the ocean. However, the rationale of those supporting Ishikari Bay was also formidable. C To reach the bay on the southern protrusion, we must pass through the narrow strait between Japans main ind and the ind. C This has a high possibility of causing conflicts not only with the Japanese pirates but also with Japans navy. C Rather than wasting time andbat power in unnecessary armed conflicts, it is more efficient to select the bay on the west side of the ind as thending point. C ording to the report from Challenger Ship No. 3, the bay on the west side directly connects to a wide in. However, the bay on the south does not. Considering the subsequent expansion of territory and the relocation of people after securing the beachhead, the bay on the west side is optimal. C The subsequent exploration n should continue with the unfinished exploration of the northern waters of the ind, not the exploration of the ocean to the east of the ind. The ocean explorationes after that. The confrontation between the two sides continued in a stalemate. As both sides presented reasonable arguments, a decision could not be easily reached. In the end, the attendees, exhausted from the endless debate, keenly felt the need for a mediator. Lets ask the higher-ups! Lets do that! And so, this issue was elevated to the Army Headquarters and the Ministry of National Defense. However, even the Ministry of National Defense and the Army Headquarters ended up being split into two, and it ultimately reached King Sejong. *** A difficult problem remains a difficult problem. Even King Sejong, who received the report, muttered with a perplexed expression. What do you all think? At King Sejongs question, the ministers also split into two, and a debate ensued. Watching this scene, King Sejongs eyes turned to Hwang Hui and Kim Jong-seo. Since it was his proposal, Hwang Hui could not return to Hamgil Province and was stuck in Hanseong. Thanks to this, Kim Jong-seo, who had unexpectedly seized good fortune, was enjoying the Nights of Hanseong. Seeing Hwang Hui remaining silent even amid the ongoing debate, King Sejong spoke. What does the Provincial Governor think? (The official title was Provincial Governor of Expulsion and Promotion[1]. However, due to the tongue-twisting name, it was often shortened to Provincial Governor, andter, Provincial Governor became the official title. [Note 1]) At King Sejongs question, Hwang Hui took a moment to organize his thoughts and then spoke. Will you proceed with the matter of sending Kim Jong-seo as a secret envoy, as we didst time? Thats right. In that case, I rmend the bay on the west side. The incident in Kyushu is rted to the choice of the bay? Hmm I see. King Sejong, who had been pondering Hwang Huis words for a moment, nodded his head and turned his gaze. Seeing Hyang seated below the throne, King Sejong asked a question. What does the Crown Prince think? At King Sejongs question, Hyang immediately answered. I agree with the opinion presented by the Provincial Governor. The actions in Kyushu will also provoke the Japanese king, so if we openly cause incidents in the north, he may overreact. Thats right. But it seems like you have something more to say? Its because of the people living on that ind. I read a record that there are indigenous people. Ah. At Hyangs point, King Sejong nodded his head. *** It wasnt just the military that took action after confirming the report submitted by the captain of Ship No. 3 and the subsequent copy of the ships log. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also took action. In the ships log of Ship No. 3, there was a record of contact with the indigenous people of the ind. To avoid unnecessary conflicts, the captain of Ship No. 3 attempted tomunicate. However, since he couldntmunicate with the indigenous people, the effort to find someone capable of writtenmunication continued. Through this process, he found someone who knew Chinese characters and exchanged written messages, learning that they called themselves Ainu. ording to the captains report, the reactions of the indigenous people were not favorable, but they were not unconditionally hostile either. After having a more in-depth conversation, he was able to ascertain that they were not on good terms with Japans main ind to the south and returned. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after thoroughly analyzing the captains report and the ships log, searched the records of the Records Office. By analyzing the records from the Records Office and the information obtained from inquiring with the merchants at the Japanese trading post, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs deduced that the title Seii Taishgun''[2], referring to the shogun of the bakufu, was rted to them. The pieces seem to fit roughly, dont they? They do. Report it. **** Seeing King Sejongs reaction, Hyang continued. Considering the securing of the beachhead and the expansion of the upied territory, contact with the indigenous people there is inevitable. In that case, I think we should also prepare in advance a way to ept them as the people of Joseon. Shouldnt we avoid causing conflicts by going unprepared? Thats true. However, it wont be easy. It might be surprisingly easy if we fill in theircking aspects. Wasnt it the same with the Jurchen people? At Hyangs words, King Sejong and the ministers nodded their heads. Filling in theircking aspects As King Sejong muttered, Hyang immediately followed up. Dont we have the Office of Monopoly? Aha! As Hyang mentioned the Office of Monopoly, King Sejong and the ministers simultaneously eximed. Seeing this, Hyang smiled slightly and muttered inwardly. While Western explorers lured indigenous people with ss ornaments, we have the Office of Monopoly! As Hyang mentioned the Office of Monopoly, Hwang Hui added. The Office of Monopoly will certainly be much more useful than force. There are Jurchen tribes that surrendered because of the Office of Monopoly. I think so too. As King Sejong agreed, Jo Mal-saeng interjected. Its better to establish a rtionship through trade rather than prioritizing force. The mostcking thing for our Joseon military is manpower. At Jo Mal-saengs words, King Sejong let out a long sigh. Phew Is it only the military thats like that? At King Sejongs sigh, Kim Jeom, the Minister of Finance and Economy, interjected. As Joseons poption is rapidly increasing, Your Majestys concerns will soon be resolved. I hope that dayes quickly. King Sejong replied to Kim Jeoms words with a genuinely earnest expression. *** As royal lectures progressed, Joseons poption began to increase. The spread of cowpox vination, the strengthening of hygiene education, and the pre-preparedrge quantities of medicinal ingredients prevented the spread of epidemics. In addition, as irrigation facilities and farnd were improved, food production also started to increase. Moreover, the surrender of the Jurchen people also ounted for a significant portion of Joseons poption growth. With the addition of various conditions, the graph representing Joseons poption growth was showing an increasingly steep upward trend. Confirming the graph, Kim Jeom muttered with a face full of delight. If we continue like this, we will soon surpass 7 million. And when the children born these days reach adulthood, form families, and have children of their own, even 10 million wont be a dream. A poption of 10 million. If Joseons capabilities continued to be strengthened as they were now, and new technologies were introduced, surpassing a poption of 10 million would mean no longer having to unconditionally bow down to the Ming Dynasty. It was the revival of a powerful nation that even the rulers of China in the past could not treat recklessly. *** Although the conversation briefly went off on a tangent, King Sejong reached a conclusion. I will draw a conclusion. Our Joseon army will establish a beachhead at the bay on the west side. We will follow yourmand. And while preparing thoroughly in case of armed conflict, make sure that Joseon does not take the initiative in attacking first. Lets have faith in the Office of Monopoly. We will engrave it in our minds! Following King Sejongs decision, the operation to conquer this unimed ind entered full-scale preparations. Although slightly derailed, Joseons external expansion had officially begun. *** Note 1) In 1466 (12th year of King Sejos reign), the title was changed from Provincial Governor of Expulsion and Promotion to Provincial Governor. This is based on the authors imagination.
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Chapter 258 Chapter 258 While preparations for acquiring territories across the sea were steadily progressing, a smallmotion urred in Gyeongbokgung Pce. Themotion began in the Crown Princes pce. Your Majesty! The royal physician says he has an urgent matter to report. King Sejong, who was continuing a meeting with the ministers in Geunjeongjeon Pce, paused the meeting upon hearing Sangseons report. The royal physician? Let him in. Yes. King Sejongs expression was slightly tense at Sangseons report. Thebination of the words royal physician and urgent news was never to be taken lightly. The ministers felt the same way. There are no elders in Gyeongbokgung Pce right now. Then, who could it be? The Queen Consort or the other concubines? Surely not, theyre all in their prime, just like His MajestyCould it be an epidemic? No. Its not the time for epidemics to spread, and if it were such a matter, a dispatch rider would havee, not the royal physician. Amid the slight tension between King Sejong and the ministers, the royal physician entered Geunjeongjeon Pce and paid his respects to King Sejong. After receiving the salute, King Sejong asked the royal physician. So, what is the urgent matter to report? The Crown Princess is with child. What? King Sejong leaped up from his seat at the royal physicians report. Furthermore, Yangwon and Yangje are also with child. [TL/N: Yangwon and Yangje are titles for crown princes concubines] Such joyous news! King Sejong could not hide his delight at the royal physicians report. The ministers, who had been tense at the words urgent news from the royal physician, soon came to their senses and bowed their heads to King Sejong in unison, eximing. This is a great celebration for the royal family! Your Majesty! We offer our respectful congrattions! Congrattions, Your Majesty! Congrattions, Your Majesty! Everyone in Geunjeongjeon Pce offered their congrattions to King Sejong. Thank you! Thank you so much! King Sejong, who had sat back down, could not contain his joy, with his mouth stretching from ear to ear. It had been over four years since the Crown Princes marriage. During that long time, theck of an heir had been a growing concern. Ha, haha! Hahaha! To have three pregnancies at the same time! He truly is no ordinary fellow! Hahaha! King Sejong, barely suppressing hisughter, looked around at the ministers. Its truly a great celebration, so shouldnt we announce it? We will dispatch riders throughout Joseon. As it is a great celebration for the nation, how about issuing an amnesty decree, Your Majesty? Thats good, but it seems somewhatcking. Pardon? The ministers raised their heads and looked at King Sejong. Usually, when such a celebration urred, it would end with issuing an amnesty decree. However, the current king had said that it was not enough. What would be good? What should we do to make the people rejoice and pray for a safe childbirth? Ah The ministers nodded at King Sejongs murmur. It was news of pregnancy that came after a long time since the Crown Prince had taken a consort. It was the heart of a parent wishing for a safe delivery. After a brief contemtion, King Sejong soon reached a conclusion. For the next fifteen days, reduce the price of all goods sold at the Office of Monopoly by 10 percent. Pardon? Yes. And so, a special sale began at the Office of Monopoly throughout Joseon for fifteen days. The court historian who recorded all of this added the following: -Thus, when His Majesty made the decision, Minister of Finance Kim Jeom bowed and epted it. The court historianments: The issue of an heir had been a concern for the royal family. It is a great celebration among celebrations to have it resolved. I should take this opportunity to buy a lot of salt and sugar. They dont spoil, so its a good chance. *** While King Sejong was generously opening his purse strings in Geunjeongjeon Pce, filled with joy, the Queen Consorts pce was also full of delight. Is there such a celebration! One would be grateful enough, but three! Congrattions, Your Highness. Congrattions, Your Highness. Queen Soheon smiled and replied to the congrattions from the courtdies and servants. Thank you. Thank you all. While responding to the congrattions from the courtdies and servants, Queen Soheon suddenly seemed to remember something and ordered the head courtdy. Oh my! Look at me! Listen, head courtdy. Yes, Your Highness. How could we let such a celebration pass by? Double the amount of offerings sent to the Great Monk this time. Yes, Your Highness. And Queen Soheon, thinking about the next steps, rose from her seat. We cant sit still during such a celebration. Lets go to the Crown Princes pce. Yes, Your Highness. We will prepare immediately. *** That day, the Crown Princes pce was bustling with people. Not only King Sejong and Queen Soheon but also King Sejongs concubines all visited the Crown Princes pce to congratte the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje on their pregnancies. Truly a joyous asion. Indeed, it is. Following the words of King Sejong and Queen Soheon, who were seated at the head of the table, King Sejongs concubines also offered congrattory words to Hyang, the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje in order of their rank. Each time the congrattions continued, Hyang, the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje respectfully bowed their heads and repeated their responses. Thank you. Thank you very much. After the congrattions, the table was piled high with all kinds of tonics and medicinal ingredients for the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje. Hyang, who had seen off the elders, including King Sejong, expressed his sincere gratitude to the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje. Thank you. Not at all I know how much concern you all must have had until now. From now on, I hope you will only see, hear, and think of good things. Thank you very much. *** That night, Hyang, who was alone in his bedroom, looked at the moon beyond the window. His expression as he gazed at the moon in the sky wasplex. Pregnancy Hyang mulled over the word pregnancy. Come to think of it, in my previous life, I was far from the word marriage. In his previous life, Hyang had lived a life far from marriage due to his reputation as a famous entric otaku. Suddenly, the faces of his 21st-century parents shed through Hyangs mind as he looked at the moon. Are they doing well? Hyangs parents, who had been worried about the narrowing employment opportunities and the insecure working environment, had insisted on a stable job as a civil servant. However, when Hyang couldnt endure the depression and quit being a civil servant, his parents had suffered from guilt. Therefore, even when Hyang went down to Yangsan, opened a workshop alone, and insisted on living single, his parents couldnt persist in their opposition. As Hyang recalled his parents from his previous life, who were always filled with regret and sadness whenever they saw him, he had to calm his mncholic feelings. I hope they live a peaceful life Hyangs mncholy did notst until the next day. Refrain from sharing a bed for the time being? Yes, Your Highness. Its still dangerous as it hasnt been long since the pregnancies were confirmed. Hyang nodded at the royal physicians answer. I understand. Please take good care of them. Yes, Your Highness. As the royal physician left the room, Hyang clenched his fist and shouted softly. Ol! *** Having received an official prohibition on sharing a bed from the royal physician, Hyang immersed himself in the research institute and Area 51. Opportunity is chance! If you miss this moment, youre a fool! Hyang passionately devoted himself to various tasks. First, focus on miniaturizing and increasing the output of the steam engine! How many years has it been since the steam engine was introduced, and its still in this state! Speed up the production of position measurement devices and precisepasses for ocean navigation! Under Hyangs whip-cracking, driven by excitement, groans escaped from the mouths of the people at the research institute and Area 51. Their groans were not solely due to the increased work intensity. He still hasnt gone home? Yes. At the answer from the subordinate official with a gloomy face, Jeong Cho sighed while looking at the clock. Oh my Its already past haeshi-cho (9-10 pm) and approaching haeshi-jeong (10-11 pm) Oh my Sighing once more, Jeong Cho rose from his seat and went to Hyangs room. Huh? Youre not going home yet, Your Highness? At Hyangs nonchnt question, Jeong Cho suppressed the sudden surge of anger and asked back with a forced smile. Arent you going home, Your Highness? For me, even if I go back, its an empty workshop, so Im thinking of working. Is that so? But youre still not going home Could it be because of me? Seeing Jeong Chos silent affirmation with a troubled face, Hyang leaned back in his chair and ordered. Convey that those who have no urgent tasks to handle by today should go home immediately. Yes, Your Highness. This order remains in effect from now on. Understood. Although Hyang gave this order, few followed it straightforwardly. What if I fall out of favor? While everyone was just being mindful and enduring, there was one person who dared to leave work on time. It was Lee Soon-ji. Oh, that weirdo! Everyone shook their heads at the sight of Lee Soon-ji. However, the moment they confirmed that Lee Soon-ji suffered no harm, everyone started leaving work on their own. *** There were others who became gloomy due to Hyangs behavior. They were the courtdies working in the Crown Princes pce. There were quite a few courtdies who dreamed of turning their lives around by catching the Crown Princes eye, as he couldnt control his spring passion due to the prohibition on sharing a bed with the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje. In principle, courtdies were the kings women, so such an act would be a scandal, but the world didnt always operate ording to principles. However, their dreams of one big break in life turned into fleeting dreams as Hyang immersed himself in the research institute and Area 51. *** Meanwhile, Hyangs actions were reported to King Sejong almost in real-time. Upon receiving the report, King Sejong smiled with satisfaction. Is that so? Then when would be a good time? King Sejong was delighted at the thought of dragging Hyang in and shaking him down. *** Dispatch riders carrying King Sejongs royal decree rushed throughout the country, and soon after, a discount sale began at the Office of Monopoly across Joseon. The people of Joseon were also delighted by the discount sale at the Office of Monopoly. Honey! Did you hear the news? Go to the market right now and find some money! I already found it! Then lets go to the Office of Monopoly before its toote! If we miss the timing, well have to wait at least three days! And so, with A-frames on their backs and baskets on their heads, the people flocked to the Office of Monopoly like a herd of African buffalo. To control the crowd that had gathered, the police officers from thew enforcement office had to shout at the top of their lungs with megaphones. Line up! Get in line! Please line up! Line up! Damn it! Line up! During the fifteen-day discount sale period, the Office of Monopoly recorded its highest sales ever. Upon receiving the report, Kim Jeom made a serious suggestion to King Sejong. Your Majesty, it would be good to hold regr discount events at the Office of Monopoly. Meanwhile, an amusing joke was circting among the people who had excitedly swept up the goods. Should we offer purified water every night and pray for this? What should we pray for? For the Crown Prince to have a son. Why should you pray for that? The person who had started the conversation beat his chest at the neighbors question. Youre such a frustrating woman! Think about it, woman! The child born this time will be the Crown Princes firstborn, right? But what if that firstbornes out with a pepper (penis)! They gave a 10 percent discount for the pregnancy, so if its a son, wouldnt they start with at least half off? Wait, wait, that makes sense, doesnt it? Right? Right? But will it work if we pray for it? Who knows if a slim chance might actually work? Is that so? A few dayster, King Sejong received a secret report from the secret royal inspector. The number of people in Hanseong praying for the safe delivery and birth of a son for the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje is increasing? Is there such a grateful thing? King Sejong, who was reading the report with a pleased face, smiled wryly as he read the following sentence. They are looking forward to the discount event that will be held at the Office of Monopoly? With an even greater discount than this time? Oh my, oh my At that moment, King Sejongs face turned into one of dismay. Chapter 259 Chapter 259 While Joseon was bustling with various affairs, a thundercloud that would bring a storm was growing in size north of Mount Baekdu. Beile[Lord title]. We have captured the traitors. Is that so? Upon his subordinates report, Mentemu rose from his seat and stepped outside. In the wide yard in front of the wooden house where Mentemu resided, four bloodied men were kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs, surrounded by Mentemus personal guards who exuded a menacing aura. Seated on a chair brought by his subordinate, Mentemu addressed the captives. Why have you betrayed your brothers? At Mentemus question, the man on the far right protested loudly. We did not betray anyone!Did not betray? Thats right! We merely wanted to enter Joseon because it was difficult to live here! It is our nature to leave when life bes tough! That may be true. However, betraying and killing your brothers is uneptable. The man raised his voice again at Mentemus words. He betrayed us! When we tried to leave, he attempted to take the furs we had collected at a dirt-cheap price! So, when we protested, he drew his sword first! We only resisted to survive! Mentemu shook his head at the mans protest. Those who died at your hands were the Han who led you and his brothers who held the Ming Emperors decree. The Han deceiving the tribesmen? Who would believe that? The man spat on the ground at Mentemus words. Ptooey! Then kill us! Why waste time if you wont believe us anyway? There is no Han who deceives the tribesmen? Hah! Look at yourself first, Beile! You took our well-living brothers to Kaiyuan and sold them as arrow fodder in the war between the Ming and the Mongols! Kill them! Enraged by the mans words, Mentemu immediately ordered his subordinates. As soon as Mentemusmand was given, the subordinates beheaded the men without hesitation. Throw their corpses in the field to feed the beasts. Yes, sir. At Mentemus order, the subordinates tied ropes to the dead mens legs and attached the ropes to their saddles. Holding the severed heads in one hand, the subordinates mounted their horses and rode off towards the ins. *** Returning inside, Mentemu sat on a chair and let out a long sigh. Huu~ Mentemus face, filled with remorse as he gazed into the distance, seemed to have aged several years. Was it a mistake? The cry of the man who had just died, using him of selling his kinsmen as arrow fodder, kept echoing in Mentemus mind. He was well aware that this was a rumor circting among the tribesmen these days. Clutching his head with both hands, Mentemu muttered. There was no other choice at the time *** When Mentemu met Yi Seong-gye, he had just started leading the tribe. As a young tribal leader, Mentemu had made a name for himself by cleverly trapping and killing the tribes enemies, and releasing survivors in exchange for ransom. As the tribe grew in size, Mentemu settled in Hoeryeong and became a subordinate of Yi Seong-gye, known as the Tiger of Liaodong. After Joseon was founded and Yi Seong-gye disappeared into history, the Yongle Emperor of Ming extended his hand to Mentemu. However, Mentemu refused the Yongle Emperors proposal. I will live as a Joseon subject. Despite rejecting the proposal, the pressure from the Yongle Emperor intensified. Moreover, the Taejong in Gyeongseong was Taejong, not Yi Seong-gye. Eventually, Mentemu had no choice but to join hands with the Yongle Emperor. Later, when Joseon discovered Mentemus alliance with Ming, a series of revenge attacks followed, and the conflict between the two could only be resolved through Mings mediation. However, knowing that Joseon could attack again at any time, Mentemu had to leave Hoeryeong and head west. Settling in Kaiyuan, where Aruktai had established himself, Mentemu was able to expand his tribes size with Mings support. If I grow the tribe like this and return to the Ussuri River, even Joseon wont be able to act recklessly. However, Ming betrayed Mentemus expectations. -If ten thousand Jurchen gather, the world cannot withstand them. This was amon saying in Ming. Knowing how the Song Dynasty had suffered at the hands of the Jin Dynasty, a Jurchen state founded by Aguda, Ming prevented the Jurchen forces from growing too powerful. With this goal in mind, when Mentemus Odoli tribe grew in strength, Ming conscripted the Odoli warriors for conflicts with the Mongols or imposed the role of a first line of defense against the southward-advancing Mongols. On the other hand, they also exploited the weakness of the Jurchens living in harsh environments. The Jurchens had to trade with Ming merchants to obtain the necessities they needed. And the Jurchen merchants who wanted to trade with Ming merchants needed a permit issued by the Ming Emperor, known as the Imperial Decree. With this Imperial Decree, Ming controlled and manipted the Jurchens. If they were even slightly displeased, they would revoke or refuse to issue the decree.(Note 1) In the end, Mentemu had no choice but to return to the Ussuri River once again. At least I returned with a thousand warriors, unlike when I barely left with five hundred. I suppose thats a constion? Comforting himself in this way, Mentemu, who had returned to the Ussuri River, immediately sent an envoy to Joseon to inform them of his submission. I will live as a loyal subject of Joseon. If necessary, you may take my son as a hostage. However, Sejong refused. How could I take the son of one who has received an official post from the superior state of Ming as a hostage and have him reside in Hanseong? I do not permit it. Although he refused, Sejong provided Mentemu with adequate food and clothing. However, Mentemu, who learned of all this news through his son, could understand Sejongs intention. Yi Bang-won and his son still want my head! In the end, Mentemu had no choice but to stay put in the Ussuri River. However, as Sejong carried out the reformation n and strengthened national defense, Mentemu began to feel a threat to his survival. In particr, the news that Sejong had obtained a decree from the Xuande Emperor allowing him to reim the birthce of Yi Seong-gyes family was the worst news for Mentemu. After that, as the Orankhai tribes around Mentemu defected to Joseon, their territories became Joseonsnd. Moreover, Mentemus rtives, the Odoli tribes, began to surrender to Joseon one by one. The Mentemu tribe had be isted. *** Huu~. Where did I make a mistake? Regretting his past actions, Mentemu soon shook his head vigorously. No! I have always chosen the best course of action for the tribe! And the same goes for now! Mentemu rose from his seat and went outside. Chungseon! Chungseon! Where are you? At Mentemus call, his son Chungseon came running and knelt down. Did you call for me, Father? Gather your brothers by this evening and summon Pancha! Yes, Father! *** That evening, Mentemus children and his half-brother Pancha gathered at Mentemus house. The time hase for us to make a choice for the survival of our tribe. At Mentemus words, the faces of his children and Pancha turned grave. After a brief silence, Pancha, representing those gathered, posed a question. By choice, do you mean we will sh with Joseon? We strike them hard and retreat to Geonju. Or we can go to Kaiyuan. The fortresses built by the Joseon bastards are impregnable. And even if we gather all our warriors now, we barely exceed seven hundred. Of course, if we scrape together everyone, we can reach twenty-five hundred, but Pancha trailed off. That number of twenty-five hundred included boys who had juste of age. They knew how to handle horses, bows, and swords, but they had never experienced real battle. Mentemu nodded at Panchas point. Scraping together like that will lead to great losses. But seven hundred is far from enough, so lets at least reach a thousand. Its still reckless. Im well aware of that too. Thats why I Mentemu paused for a moment to catch his breath before continuing. I will join hands with Manchu. You mean Manchu? Pancha responded with an ufortable expression at Mentemus words. Yes, Manchu. Beile, Manchu leads arge tribe of over ten thousand households. He wont be easy to sway. If things go wrong, we will be the ones bleeding while Manchu reaps the benefits. I know. But theres no other way. With the forces we have, we cannot face Joseon. Chungseon, Mentemus son, posed a question at his fathers answer. Then why dont we simply leave this ce? Regardless of the reason, our tribe is Joseons Fanhu (barbarians in charge of border defense). If we leave this ce without reason, Joseon will pursue and kill us, iming that we have betrayed them again. Even though you hold an official post from Ming? Joseon has the justification. Chungseon looked troubled by Mentemus words. But will Manchu even agree to this? At Panchas point, which he had been pondering, Mentemu provided the reason. He has no choice but to agree. Since those damned Joseon bastards started cultivating ginseng, the number of Ming merchants visiting Liaodong has decreased, and they have been constantly losing out in trade. And Mentemu paused to wet his throat before revealing the mostpelling reason for Manchus participation. Manchu knows very well. That after me, its his turn. And that the ce he is in now is closer to Joseon than to Ming. At Mentemus words, Pancha and Mentemus children fell silent. They, too, were well aware that their tribe was now backed into a corner. The Orankhai tribes surrounding their tribe had already be Joseons faithful hunting dogs. And other Odoli tribes, who shared the same bloodline as them, were also defecting to Joseon. They could not be certain that even their fellow kinsmen would not ughter them as Joseons spearmen and swordsmen. Allying with Manchu was not very appealing either. Although Mentemu said such a thing would not happen, it was almost certain that Manchu would use them as arrow fodder. However, there was no other choice. Eventually, Pancha spoke as the representative. I will prepare the warriors. When do you n to depart? We will depart tomorrow. Understood. Keep in mind that Joseon must not find out until we carry out the n. I will bear that in mind. The faces of those leaving Mentemus house after the meeting were filled with worry, concern, and unease. Huu~ Pancha, who had been gazing at the sky with a long sigh, red at the south and muttered. Even when surrounding an enemy, one should leave at least a minimal path of retreat, as the military texts have taught It was a remark full of resentment towards Sejong, who forced them to choose between withering to death and dying in battle. *** The next morning, as soon as the day dawned, Mentemu set out with his escort warriors towards the Pazhu River, where Manchus tribe was located. *** Note 1: %2F Chapter 260 Chapter 260 Wee. Its been a while. Seeing Manchus arrogant demeanor as he greeted him, Mentemu had to muster all his strength to suppress his sense of humiliation. Damn bastard! Did you forget the rtionship between your father and me? Manchus father, Aruktai, had been a subordinate of Yi Seong-gye alongside Mentemu. However, while watching the situation between Joseon and Ming, Aruktai had sided with Ming first C more precisely, his son-inw Zhu Di had be the Yongle Emperor C and thats how he was able to expand his power. As a result, even though they both served as arrow fodder for Ming, Manchu was able to expand his influence. Mentemu, exercising superhuman patience, entered the room with Manchu. I heard youve been struggling because of Joseontely. Are you all right? Not good. Thats why I think Ill have to reach a conclusion soon.As Mentemu got straight to the point, Manchu straightened his posture and looked at Mentemu. Are you thinking of using force? Nodding at Manchus question, Mentemu went directly to the main issue. Thats why I need your help. I want us to join hands and strike Joseon. Thinking for a moment at Mentemus words, Manchu shook his head slightly. I hold the position of Mings militarymander. If were not careful, it could cause a conflict between Ming and Joseon. Mentemu immediately countered Manchus words. I also hold the position of Left Commander of Geonju. But is Ming properly taking care of us? At Mentemus words, Manchu attempted to say something but closed his mouth. However, he was inwardly mocking Mentemu. Why would they bother with a small tribe like yours? As if sensing Manchus thoughts, Mentemu continued with a smirk. Of course,pared to you and your tribe, who have a rtive as the third empress of the former Yongle Emperor, we are indeed a much smaller tribe. But let me tell you. These days are different from the past, arent they? Ahem! At Mentemus words, Manchu had to cover his expression with a fake cough. Mentemus words were urate. After moving south to the Pazhu River under pressure from Dalian, Mings treatment had be increasingly meager. Especially after the death of the Yongle Emperor, the extent of the meagerness was visible to the eye. It was natural for Ming to do so. *** The reason for treating Aruktai well was not only because he was the Yongle Emperors father-inw but also because he led arge number of tribesmen. During the Yongle Emperors Mongol expeditions, Aruktai had participated in the campaigns alongside the Ming army and had also been at the forefront of blocking Mongol or Dalian invasions. Therefore, Ming had no choice but to provide good support. Of course, they did not forget to constantly consume them to prevent them from growing too powerful. However, Manchu had abandoned Kaiyuan and migrated south. And from that point on, Mings support began to dwindle. If I told you to guard the house, why should I feed a dog that ran away first? Its better to raise another dog instead. Of course, finding a new dog that would be loyal to Ming took time, so the support and treatment continued to some extent, but both the quantity and quality began to deteriorate. Moreover, as Ming reduced the number and intensity of conflicts with the Mongols through various economic exchanges, including horse markets, Manchus value was steadily declining. Mentemu had pointed out precisely this aspect. *** Observing the change in Manchus expression, Mentemu continued. Think about it carefully. These days, Ming is getting along fairly well with the Mongols, and they are conducting significant trade with Joseon through the sea routes of Shandong. That means the value of Liaodong is gradually decreasing. From Mings perspective, Liaodong is no longer an entity to be coaxed and tolerated as before. Its more profitable for them to throw some scraps and make three or four obedient dogs growl at each other. So you want to attack Joseon? If we, who have received official posts from Ming, attack Joseon, Ming may take the initiative to strike us first. Manchus point was valid. Even in the history before Hyangs intervention, when the Jurchens of Geonju grew in strength and harmed Ming, Ming had dered a campaign against the Jurchens and demanded Joseons participation. Seizing this opportunity, Joseon had purged Manchu. Of course, theres a high possibility that Ming will take such action. But let me ask you. How long will we continue to y the role of hunting dogs? You mean There is a saying circting among the court andmoners of Ming, isnt there? If ten thousand Jurchens gather, the world cannot withstand them. How long must we serve as house-guarding dogs for Ming and Joseon? At Mentemus words, Manchus eyes began to shine. Do you mean we should rebuild the Jin Dynasty? Whats stopping us? Dont you dream of bing a hero in history while leading arge tribe of ten thousand households? Mentemu was gradually stimting Manchus ambition. While being tempted by Mentemus provocation, Manchu tried his best to think rationally. Alright. Thats a good idea. As you said, Beile, breaking away from Joseon and Ming and establishing our own independent country. Its a great notion. However, there are numerous things we need to achieve that. Where will we obtain them? Should we strike Ming? Or Joseon? Joseon. At Mentemus simple answer, Manchu immediately shook his head. Are you insane? You want to attack Joseon even after seeing the fortresses they have built along the border these days? Of course, Im well aware of Joseons damn fortresses. If you know that Mentemu interrupted Manchus words and continued. However, we can strike the ces where those damn fortresses havent been established yet, the ces that are Joseon but not quite Joseon, cant we? ces that are Joseon but not quite Joseon? Are there such ces? Yes, there are. The ones who have grown fat and plump by attaching themselves to Joseon. Ah! At Mentemus words, Manchus eyes began to shine again. If its those ces, theres still a possibility! The ces Mentemu pointed out were where the Jurchen tribes that had surrendered to Joseon were located. *** The first thing Joseon established when Jurchen tribes surrendered was a trading post. The officials stationed at the trading post investigated the exact poption and territory of the surrendered tribe. Once the rted reports were submitted, those in charge of creating identity tags woulde down and distribute the tags to the Jurchens. As long as they possessed those identity tags, the Jurchens could easily obtain salt, sugar, and various spices from the trading post. It wasnt just convenient to purchase. The prices were also much cheaperpared to those offered by Ming or Jurchen merchants. Of course, money was needed to buy these goods. To earn money, the surrendered Jurchens brought furs, wild ginseng, and various other items to exchange for cash. During this process, the Jurchens were surprised once again, as the officials in charge of the transactions at the trading post were fair in setting prices and conducting trade, unlike the merchants from Ming or other Jurchen tribes. Ah! You are now a subject of Joseon, so you must pay taxes, right? Although a considerable amount had to be taken as taxes, it was still a much more profitable tradepared to previous dealings. As this process repeated, the Jurchens genuinely became Joseon subjects. Once that happened, Joseon would relocate farmers from the south. The Joseon people who migrated in this way introduced advanced farming techniquespared to the Jurchens methods at the time, and the Jurchens who learned those techniques while working alongside them also began to yield more and more from their own farnds. Then we must pay taxes, right? Of course, it was painful every time they paid taxes, but it was the same for both Jurchens and Joseon people. And once they were fully settled, Joseon military fortresses woulde and establish themselves. It seemed like the order of things was slightly reversed, but considering the deep-rooted distrust towards the Jurchens, it was inevitable. Thats how the Jurchens who had grown fat and plump, as Mentemu described them, came to be. Through the trading posts, they became affluent in goods, and by learning Joseons farming techniques, their yields increased, giving them economicfort. However, they were not yet under theplete protection of the Joseon military. Of course, they were well aware of their situation, so they had formed self-defense organizations to prepare themselves. However, if an army beyond their capacity to resist were to invade, the self-defense organizations would be useless. *** Hmm Sensing that Manchu was nearly persuaded, Mentemu put strength into his voice. If we capture these pigs who have only grown fat and plump, we can secure sufficient resources to establish a new base and foundation. No, if its not enough, we can even prate further into Joseon. Those damn fortresses may be blocking the transportation routes, but theres more than one way, isnt there? But Ming is a bit of a concern. Is it only Ming? Joseon will also be in chaos. Thats why, as soon as we start the operation, the tribes must begin migrating immediately. Hmm Staring intently at Mentemu, Manchu, who had been deep in thought, asked. So, have you thought of a ce to settle down? Hes almost convinced! Inwardly cheering, Mentemu answered promptly. North of the Mudan River, in the Samseong region. That area belongs to the Udige tribe, doesnt it? Its the northern border of the Udige tribes territory. Hmm At Mentemus words, Manchu pondered with his arms crossed. After a long silence, Manchu asked Mentemu. So, how many troops are you nning to mobilize? Hes convinced! One thousand. However, only about seven hundred will actually engage inbat. We need to leave at least three hundred to protect the tribes moving north. Then I will mobilize two thousand. However, theres something we must do first. Manchu rose from his seat and walked outside. Calling a soldier who was waiting outside, Manchu immediately gave an order. Gather the tribal leaders. Yes, sir! *** Most of the tribal leaders under Manchu who had gathered agreed with Mentemus n. They, too, had been feeling the worsening situation. Three dayster, Manchu was seeing Mentemu off. The day of execution will be in ten days. In ten days, the great undertaking will begin, starting from Jaseong. At Manchus words, Mentemu promptly replied. Then I willmence from Muchang. I wish us good fortune. May fortune be with you. After sending Mentemu off, Manchu returned to his house. A tribal leader who had remained behind asked with a worried expression. Can we trust that fellow? What if he stirs up trouble and then puts the me on us? At the tribal leaders question, Manchu answered with a slight smile. That guy has no choice but to go through with it. Hes already cornered with no way out. And if he tries to me us? Hell be the first to die by our hands. What can he do with a measly force? The tribal leader nodded at Manchus words. The downfall of the Mentemu tribe was already a well-known story among the Jurchens in the Liaodong region. If Mentemu were to betray them, that moment would be the end of Mentemu. Even if he were lucky enough to escape that crisis, the fate of Mentemu and his tribe would be sealed. Having betrayed the children of the great elder Yi Seong-gye, and now betraying Ming and stabbing them in the back once again, there would be no Jurchens anywhere who would wee such a person. Chapter 261 Chapter 261 Ten dayster, at the Manpojin fortress near Jaseong. In themunication tower that stood tallest at the center of the Manpojin fortress, a group of soldiers and a military officer were leisurely spending their day. Keep a close eye on the telescope! Dont end up like those guys who got dragged away for peeking at Jurchen maidens bathing and missed themunicationst time! Yes, sir! The soldiers answered loudly at the officers words. *** Therge binocr telescope installed in themunication towernamed the Gapsikrge telescopeboasted an enormous size. As a result, it was called the Generals Telescope by the soldiers, in reference to the generals firearms. Thanks to its immense size, the soldiers could quickly and urately confirm regr and emergencymunications. However, there was also a drawback.The lenses installed inside to match its tremendous size were also enormous and caused great fatigue to the soldiers eyes. Therefore, the soldiers had to take turns holding the telescope in two-gak (approx. 30 minutes) intervals. *** Huh? While observing the surroundings after receiving the warning, one soldier noticed something unusual. Sir! A group of riders is heading towards the vige at full speed! What? How many? Three! Upon receiving the report, the officers expression turned grave. When two or three people came on horseback, they were usually messengers or hunters. And such people never rode at full speed. However, the fact that they were galloping at full speed now meant that something was wrong, which was why the officer became tense. At that moment, the soldier who was checking themunication from the east shouted. Urgent news from the east! The number is The soldier read out the numbers while looking at the light signals sent from themunication tower installed in the east. The officer, who had written down the numbers the soldier was calling out and checked the content, hastily inhaled. Huff! Jaseong under attack. Enemy number over 3,000. Hey! Send amunication to the south right away! Yes, sir! The soldier, who received the paper with the numbers written on it from the officer, began to hurriedly operate the light signaling device towards the south. Just then, the soldier observing the vige shouted. Sir! A cavalry ising here from the vige! The number is one! Blow the emergency horn! At the officersmand, a soldier ced a horn trumpet installed on one side of themunication tower to his lips and began to blow the horn. Puu-woo~ It was a trumpet heralding the start of a war. *** Two si-jin (4 hours)ter, soldiers burst into themunication officers room at the General Staff Headquarters. Urgent news! Jaseong under attack! Enemy number over 3,000! Urgent news! Muchang under attack! Enemy number over 1,000! What? Issue an alert! Yes, sir! The officer who gave the order clutched the papers brought by themunication soldiers and dashed to where his superiors were. One gak (approximately 15 minutes)ter, the high-rankingmanders, staff officers of the General Staff Headquarters, and Choi Yoon-deok gathered in the conference room. Report the situation. Yes, General. At Choi Yoon-deoks order, an officer exined the situation to themanders. Two si-jin ago, a surprise attack by the Jurchens began in the north. The Jurchens attacked two ces: one is Jaseong, and the other is Muchang. The number of Jurchens who attacked Jaseong is estimated to be around 3,000, while those who attacked Muchang are estimated to be around 1,000. Have the identities of the attacking Jurchen tribes been confirmed? Still under investigation. Upon hearing the officers answer, Choi Yoon-deok sighed. Haa~. Of all times, an incident urs right after I return Uttering words filled with regret and disappointment, Choi Yoon-deok looked around at themanders and staff officers gathered in the conference room. Whats the n? First, we will mobilize the soldiers ording to the pre-established measures. Here is the operation n. Looking at the operation n handed over by the staff officer, Choi Yoon-deok sighed. All thend and naval forces of Joseon are on the move. It cant be helped. We still have a shortage of soldiers. Thats the problem Haa~. Choi Yoon-deok, who had replied briefly, sighed again. *** ording to the military system established when Joseon was founded, if it operated properly, the Joseon army should have maintained approximately 300,000 soldiers. However, that system was already showing signs of strain in various aspects, even though it had only been 30 years since the founding of the country. The maintenance cost of a soldier was supposed to be covered by attaching five po-in (supporting individuals) to each soldier. However, as soldiers began to treat the po-in like ves, many of them left their hometowns and became wanderers. As a result, the burden that should have been borne by the po-in fell directly on the soldiers, leading them to abandon their military service and be wanderers or bandits. Consequently, a shortage of military personnel urred, and during the conquest of Tsushima Ind in the first year of Sejongs reign, all those who could sail a boat or fight, regardless of whether they were yangban ormoners residing in the three southern provinces, were forcibly recruited to fill thecking military strength. Therefore, as the reformation n began, the military system also underwent a major reform. The expenses for operating and maintaining the military were entirely covered by the governments finances. In other words, the po-in system was abolished. The court utilized the taxes paid by the people and the gold and silver mined from the mountains as finances to operate the military. The soldiers clothing, equipment, and food were provided by the court, and their sries were urately paid every month. As a result, the Joseon army, which had been reduced to 70,000 troopsbined from the army and navy, focused on building its internal strength while gradually expanding in size. This year (13th year of Sejongs reign, Sinhaenyeon, 1431), the goal was to train 100,000 soldiers. However, a war had broken out. In order to repel the invading Jurchens and maintain the northern border, thend and naval forces across Joseon had to leave their garrisons, leaving only the minimum number of troops behind. *** First, mobilize the troops ording to the n. And quickly identify those bastards whomitted this atrocity that deserves six deaths. Yes, sir! And prepare to report to His Majesty immediately. Understood. I will go to Geunjeongjeon. With those words, Choi Yoon-deok rose from his seat. As Choi Yoon-deok stood up, the othermanders and staff officers also rose and saluted. Execute the n as quickly as possible. Yes, sir! *** Half a si-jin (1 hour)ter, tension and murderous intent permeated Geunjeongjeon. A strong murderous aura emanated from Sejong, who was seated in the pce hall. This was the second time Sejong had emitted such a murderous intent since the pce intrusion incident. So, what are the countermeasures for the incidents in Jaseong and Muchang? First, we have ordered the mobile strike forces stationed in the nearest regions to pursue them. Pursue? Not annihte? As Sejong questioned with a displeased expression, the ministers muttered inwardly. Blood ties dont disappear easily. They say one cant steal seeds Choi Yoon-deok exined the reason on behalf of the ministers. We still dont know which Jurchen tribes are responsible for this act. The number of Jurchens who carried out the attack in the east and westbined exceeds approximately 4,000. Of course, with this number, if we mobilize all the mobile strike forces in the north, we can annihte them. However, to ensure that such incidents do not happen again, we need to eradicate the root cause. Thats true. But given the current situation in the north, arent there influential figures? There are. Mentemu and Manchu. Those bastards! Tsk! An even thicker murderous aura began to flow from Sejong, who was gritting his teeth. Hyang, who was receiving that murderous intent from beneath the pce hall, grumbled inwardly. Just live casually! Why stir up trouble! Argh! While Hyang was grumbling inwardly, Sejong moved on to the next topic. So, what are our uing countermeasures? We are mobilizing thend and naval forces. At Choi Yoon-deoks gesture, a waiting officer stepped forward with arge military map. The officer, who had saluted Sejong, stood beside the map and began to exin. The General Staff Headquarters has prepared emergency ns in anticipation of such incidents. ording to the n The officer flipped the indicators on the map with his pointer. As the cover was flipped, the map that appeared depicted the entire Joseon territory, with numerous arrows moving in various directions. Currently, the mobile strike forces are pursuing the Jurchens who carried out the attack. Additionally, Jurchen scouts are being deployed to identify the identity of the Jurchens responsible for this incident. And for a full-scale suppression, one division from Pyeongan Province and one from Hamgil Province will be mobilized for the operation. At full strength? At Sejongs question, the officer promptly replied. At full strength, Your Majesty. Well done. Upon hearing the answer, Sejong nodded, but Kim Jeoms face was gradually turning pale. Full strength? Full strength, you say? The smallest unit in the Joseon military organization was the o (squad), consisting of five members. And ording to the principles of yin-yang and the five elements, as the units moved up to higher levels, their size increased fivefold. Of course, this was the case when the full strength was filled, and normally, excluding the o, the higher-level units were three times the size. However, the officer had just reported that two divisions at full strength would be entering the operation. That meant over 30,000 troops would be mobilized. Eventually, Kim Jeom intervened in the conversation. Isnt the number of troops being mobilized excessive? If the one behind this incident is Manchu, this much is necessary. Ah Kim Jeom had to close his mouth. The Huligai tribe led by Manchu had over 10,000 households. Then, are the other arrows filling the gaps? Yes, Your Majesty. The officer promptly answered Sejongs question and continued his exnation with the pointer. Following the already issued orders, thend and naval forces across Joseon had left their garrisons, leaving only the minimum number of troops for maintenance. The units stationed in Hwanghae Province and Gangwon Province would take charge of the defense of Pyeongan Province and Hamgil Province, while the units from Gyeonggi Province and Chungcheong Province would form the reserve forces. The units from Jeo and Gyeongsang Provinces would be responsible for defending the vicinity of Hanseong. After hearing the subsequent operation ns, Sejong nodded. Looks good. That should be enough to properly handle the situation. Then the issue is supplies Are preparations made? Yes, we are already retrieving the pre-stocked supplies. Well done. Sejong nodded, seemingly satisfied with the militarys response. Meanwhile, Kim Jeom was calcting with a face that had turned not just pale but yellowish. To fill the hole left by the military funds I think the military aspect is sufficient Minister of Foreign Affairs. Yes, Your Majesty. Sejong called for the Minister of Foreign Affairs and immediately gave an order. You are to go to Beijing right now. Go to Beijing as quickly as possible, inform them of this incident, and argue that our subjugation is justified. Yes, Your Majesty. And try to dy receiving the Emperors response as much as possible. Pardon? The Minister of Foreign Affairs, who did not fully understand the unexpected order, was taken aback. Seeing his reaction, Sejong exined the reason. Your task is simple. Hold out as long as possible to prevent Ming from interfering! At Sejongs order, the Minister of Foreign Affairs immediately understood and replied with a loud voice. I will make sure it is aplished! Chapter 262 Chapter 262 The reason Sejong ordered the Minister of Foreign Affairs to hold out as long as possible in Ming was to prevent Mings interference. Although their value had diminished to almost nothing, Manchu and Mentemu held high-ranking positions in Ming. Moreover, they were figures that could be immediately mobilized whenever trouble arose between the Ming people and the Jurchens. Therefore, it was certain that Ming would definitely attempt to intervene and mediate at an appropriate point. In the end, Sejong, the ministers, and the military, who were well aware of the entire situation, had all reached the same conclusion. -Finish the job before Ming interferes! -If that is impossible, kill as many as possible before withdrawing! However, Manchu, Mentemu, and their families must be eliminated! -If they are left in a state beyond recovery, the nearby Jurchen tribes will take care of the aftermath themselves, as they have always done. Sejong instructed Choi Yoon-deok.No matter what happens, this incident was orchestrated under Manchus leadership. Even if those who have invaded our Joseon territory belong to other tribes, it was instigated by Manchu! At Sejongs words, Choi Yoon-deok promptly replied. Indeed, that is certainly the case. Jurchens who are aware of Joseons situation would nevermit such an atrocious act! There is only one possibility for such an incident to ur! It is only possible with Manchus instigation! Following Choi Yoon-deoks statement, Maeng Sa-seong continued. Hwang Hui, the governor of Hamgil Province, reported that the Jurchen tribes who have surrendered remain loyal to Joseon. Moreover, even the Jurchen tribes beyond our borders wish to establish friendly rtions with Joseon and have no intention of provoking us. There are foolish ones who only prioritize plundering and have invaded our territory, but they have all been annihted by our Joseon army. The same holds true for Pyeongan Province. However, the fact that there are those who dare to invade Joseons territory is impossible without someones instigation! And the only one capable of such instigation is Manchu! Absolutely right! Manchu is the only mastermind behind this incident. We must subjugate Manchus forces! As soon as Maeng Sa-seong finished speaking, other ministers stepped forward and argued for punishing Manchu. Sejong, who had been quietly listening to the ministers discussions, spoke. Minister of Foreign Affairs. I await yourmand, Your Majesty! Sejong summoned the Minister of Foreign Affairs and immediately gave an order. Search through all the records in the Archive and report to the Ming Emperor about all the conflicts instigated by Manchus Huligai tribe. And earlier, I told you to depart immediately, but Pausing for a moment, Sejong turned to Choi Yoon-deok. How long will it take for the soldiers of Hamgil Province and Pyeongan Province to cross the border? The main forces can cross the Amnok and Tumen Rivers within three days, Your Majesty. Indeed, Minister of Foreign Affairs. I will give you three days. Ah! And if by any chance the Ming Emperor asks when we received the intelligence, tell him that we knew immediately through the beacon system and learned the detailed information two days after the incident urred. I trust he will understand the reason. It is to avoid revealing our lightmunicationwork! I, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lee Maeng-gyun, stake my life on fulfilling Your Majestys will and returning! I trust you! Having shown his trust in Lee Maeng-gyun, Sejong turned to the ministers. That Manchus actions since moving south have been a thorn in our side! As that atrocious man has drawn his sword against us first, we must eliminate him decisively and firmly imprint the terror of Joseon in the minds of all Jurchen tribes who have not surrendered! Pour all of Joseons capabilities into this great undertaking! We obey yourmand! The ministers responded in unison to Sejongs order. Joseons total war against Manchu and Mentemu was about to unfold. The court historian who recorded all of this wrote the following: -His Majestymanded to exert utmost effort, and all the subjects responded in agreement. The court historianments. Whether Manchu is indeed the mastermind behind this incident is still unknown to anyone. However, it is true that Manchu poses the greatest threat. Meanwhile, Hyang, who had been observing the entire situation from beneath the pce hall, muttered to himself. Its been a while since I remembered the random stories of Teacher Samcheonpo. -The conquest of the Four Commanderies and Six Garrisons by Sejong is covered in textbooks, right? But theres a part thats not mentioned afterward, which is the thrashing of Manchu and the assassination attempt on Mentemu, the ancestor of Nurhaci. -Why did Sejong try to eliminate Manchu? It is said that Mentemu dug his own grave by going back and forth between Ming and Joseon, but still. Ah! Mentemus actions can be considered pragmatic diplomacy by todays standards, but even now, behaving like that would likely result in being abandoned. Sejongs attempt to eliminate Manchu was not solely because Manchus father, Aruktai, had abandoned Yi Seong-gye and joined hands with Ming. It was the result of bloody international politics. *** In the history before Hyangs intervention, in the 15th year of Sejongs reign (1433), two years from now, Sejong had ordered Choi Yoon-deok to subjugate Manchus Huligai tribe. The incidents origin could be traced back to the previous year, the 14th year of Sejongs reign (1432). December of the 14th year of Sejongs reign. Approximately 400 Jurchen cavalry attacked the Yeoyeon region. Upon receiving the report, Sejong expressed his intention to establish defense measures against the Jurchens and simultaneously carry out arge-scale subjugation campaign. Moving into the new year, January of the 15th year of Sejongs reign (1433). Manchu returned 64 Joseon prisoners. During this process, Manchu imed that the perpetrators of this incident were the Uriankhai and had nothing to do with him. Meanwhile, Joseon sent a report to Ming regarding this matter, characterizing the Jurchen forces in the Pazhu River region and other areas. The problem was that ording to the information gathered until then, the perpetrators were the Hn Uriankhai. However, Joseon insisted that they were Jurchens from the Pazhu River regionmore precisely, Manchu. Until then, the Joseon court had been engaged in a fierce debate over the subjugation of the Jurchensspecifically, Manchu. However, following Sejongs strong will, the subjugation was carried out, and an envoy was sent to Ming. The issue was the date the envoy was sent. Sejong dispatched the envoy to Ming one week before the Joseon army set out. It was a timing chosen when Ming would have difficulty intervening even if they knew. The Joseon army, with Choi Yoon-deok as themander, achieved great military sess in the subsequent subjugation campaign. The reason Joseon, or rather Sejong, was relentlessly targeting Manchus elimination was due to Manchus position. -Manchus tribe was the core tribe of the Jurchens in Geonju. If Manchus influence grew further, it was certain that Joseons influence over the Jurchens would gradually diminish. -Manchu was pro-Ming. He had received a high-ranking position from Ming and greatly emphasized this fact. Joseon did not want Ming to expand its influence through him. -In connection with the above reason, Manchu did not acknowledge Joseon as a superior state. If this were left unchecked, it was evident that Joseon would lose its initiative and dominance in the Amnok River region.(Note 1) Therefore, Joseon relentlessly targeted Manchu until the reign of King Sejo, ultimately killing him. *** No matter how you look at it, Manchu was destined to die. International politics Recalling the random stories of Teacher Samcheonpo, Hyang, who had been slightly smacking his lips, suddenly remembered one fact and was startled. But within three days, the main forces of Hamgil Province and Pyeongan Province will cross the Duman River and Amnok River? Even if I have used my abilities, isnt this too much? If it was the full strength of one division, that would be at least 15,625 men. With two divisions, it easily exceeded 31,000 men. Even if it was only a portion, if it was called the main force, it meant a minimum of 6,000 to 7,000 men per division. Simply put, even if the soldiers scattered throughout Hamgil Province and Pyeongan Province were gathered and mobilized immediately, three days was an absolutely impossible timeframe. This would be unreasonable even for the South Korean military in the 21st century! Unless preparations are made in advance Having thought that far, Hyang looked at Choi Yoon-deok. Crown Prince, why are you looking at the Chief of Staff like that? Sejong, who noticed Hyangs gaze, immediately questioned him. Hyang promptly answered Sejongs question. I was surprised by the fact that the main forces can cross the Amnok andTumen Rivers in just three days. At Hyangs remark, Choi Yoon-deok responded with a slight smile. We were fortunate. Pardon? As Hyang did not fully understand, Choi Yoon-deok provided a more detailed exnation. Originally, every spring famine season, Pyeongan Province and Hamgil Province deploy their soldiers forward in anticipation of Jurchen invasions. I remember. I received a report and approved itst February. Sejong interjected, pretending to know, at Choi Yoon-deoks exnation. Choi Yoon-deok immediately continued. Thats correct, Your Majesty. And after the beginning of spring, as the number of Jurchens surrendering from the Odoli tribe increased, we were paying attention to the unsettled atmosphere within the Odoli tribe when this incident urred. I see. It was a situation befitting the saying, In times of peace, prepare for war. The generals contribution is truly immense. The credit goes to the General Staff Headquarters. It is the result of continuous research in anticipation of such times. Seeing Choi Yoon-deok attributing the credit to the General Staff Headquarters, Hyang muttered to himself. Is this the limit of praising virtue? Although Hyang had brought about many changes in the military aspect, they were mainly focused on equipment and small-scale tactics. Large-scale strategies and tactics were the responsibility of the General Staff Headquarters. And this was where Sejongs choice shone. As Sejong unfolded the framework of the General Staff Headquarters, the generals who had gained experience in the battlefield spread their wings. This was an area where Hyang had limitations. *** The next day, amunication officer from the General Staff Headquarters urgently sought out Choi Yoon-deok. Urgent news from the north. Let me see! Choi Yoon-deok snatched the paper and examined its contents before sighing. Haa~. General, whats the matter? As the nearbymanders hurriedly approached and questioned him, Choi Yoon-deok handed over the paper. The identities of those responsible for this incident have been confirmed. Manchu and Mentemu. Ah At Choi Yoon-deoks words, themanders all expressed relief. Representing their sentiments, Choi Yoon-deok muttered. Fortunately, theres no need forplicated schemes Choi Yoon-deok retrieved the paper and rose from his seat. I must go to Geunjeongjeon! Contact the units in Pyeongan Province and Hamgil Province and tell them to cross the river as soon as possible! For an incident of this scale, the tribes must have emptied their hideouts! We must capture them before they escape our grasp and before Ming finds out! Yes, sir! After issuing orders to themanders, Choi Yoon-deok mounted his horse and immediately rode to Gyeongbokgung Pce. *** Once the identities of those responsible for the incident were confirmed, all information was swiftly delivered to Hanseong. The Jurchen scouts dispatched by Joseon quickly tracked the traces of Mentemu and Manchu. The scouts who discovered the traces immediately rushed to the nearby Joseon military camps and garrisons to ry the information. And the garrisons and camps that received the information sent it to Hanseong using the lightmunication devices. It took time for the Jurchen scouts to reach the garrisons and camps, but after that, it took only about 2 si-jin (4 hours) for the information to be delivered to Hanseong. Based on this information, not only the General Staff Headquarters but also Sejong and the ministers could receive updates on where Manchu and Mentemu were moving almost in real-timeording to themunication speed of that time. Observing the discussions between the General Staff Headquarters, Sejong, and the ministers, Hyang muttered to himself. Didnt Teacher Samcheonpo say that Joseons attitude toward the Jurchens during this period was almost paranoid? Thats a fitting statement. In the case of invasions by the Japanese, only the term Waegu had a designated number code, but for the Jurchens, over 100 codes were assigned for all therge and small tribesbined. *** Note 1: Reading Joseon through Wars. Compiled by the Kyujanggak Institute for Korean Studies. Geulhanggari. Chapter 263 Chapter 263 While the fierce pursuit and search for the traces of Manchu and Mentemu were underway, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lee Maeng-gyun boarded a ship to Shandong. At full speed! We must reach Beijing as quickly as possible by any means necessary! Yes! You bastards! Hurry up! At Lee Maeng-gyuns shout, Captain Han Song-ro answered loudly and urged the crew. The ship Lee Maeng-gyun was on was thergest and fastest among the ships operated by private merchant groups. *** Among the naval warships, the only ship faster than the others, excluding the Challenger-ss and Haeung-ss, was the Kwaiseon (fast ship). However, this Kwaiseon had a capacity of only around 10 people. Therefore, the delegation led by Lee Maeng-gyun rented a ship from a private merchant group and headed towards Ming. The ship built with the capital of private merchant groups was weaker than the Panokseon but faster.This was simr to the history before Hyangs intervention. After thete Joseon period, when water transportation was entrusted to private merchant groups and even construction rights were handed over, the evaluation of the ships that emerged was simr. Based on these reports, the navy even came up with a n to create new warships using these ships as a foundation. Many people were interested, but the reason it was abandoned was that the ships built by merchant groups were designed primarily for cargo transportation, so to convert them forbat use, they had to bepletely dismantled and rebuilt from scratch, which was deemed economically unfeasible. And not long after, a monster that was iparable to even the private merchant ships, the Challenger-ss, emerged. *** We must reach Shandong as quickly as possible and head to Beijing! Whose ship is the fastest? At the words of the official from the court, the captains and shipowners gathered at the pier all pointed to one person. Hans is the fastest! Who is it? Han Song-ro, who was chosen in this way, had to reluctantly take the court officials on board. I will pay any amount for the cost! We need to get to the Joseon Consul in Shandong as quickly as possible! For that, we need additional skilled sailors and a navigator. Dont worry about the cost and recruit them immediately! At the officials words, Han Song-ro persuaded other captains and shipowners to borrow sailors and navigators familiar with seafaring. Of course, the court paid the costs right on the spot. Do you prefer a promissory note or cash? When the official asked, those who were suddenly burdened with the task answered in unison. Cash, of course! *** How long will it take to reach Shandong if we move as quickly as possible? At Lee Maeng-gyuns question, Han Song-ro looked up at the sky and promptly replied. If a favorable wind blows, we can reach there in seven days, but now is the time for headwinds Even if we go as fast as possible, it will take eleven days. Eleven days Its cutting it close. Please do your best. Yes, sir. At Lee Maeng-gyuns words, the captain answered with a serious expression. Han Song-ro, who had stepped back tomand the crew, sought out the navigator. Hey, Mr. Chu. Dont you think something has happened in the court? Havent you heard the rumors? They say theres trouble in the north. At the navigators answer, Han Song-ro cursed under his breath. Damn it! If were reallyte, our heads will roll. Well have to give up on sleepingfortably until we reach Shandong! *** As Lee Maeng-gyun couldnt hide his impatience, a subordinate official beside him asked. Wouldnt it have been better to use the Challenger or Haeung instead? At his subordinates words, Lee Maeng-gyun red at him with a fierce expression and growled. Have you not considered the time it would take to bring the ships from the East Sea to Jemulpo? And if a country that is struggling due to the Jurchens shows up on a ship loaded with cannons, what do you think Ming will think? Ah My thoughts were short-sighted. I apologize. If youre sorry, dont do things youll be sorry for! At Lee Maeng-gyuns reprimand, the subordinate official had to retreat, turning pale. *** While Lee Maeng-gyun urged his subordinate officials and headed toward Shandong, the General Staff Headquarters, the Ministry of National Defense, and the court were busily moving. The entire Huligai tribe led by Manchu is on the move! Direction is northeast! Mentemus tribe is also moving! Direction is north! The reports from the Jurchen scouts sent to locate the two tribes were delivered to the General Staff Headquarters in Hanseong as quickly as possible. However, as the distance grew and the time for the information to arrive became longer, Sejong made a decision. The General Staff Headquarters shall move to Hamheung! We obey yourmand! Sejongs order was a wee development for the General Staff Headquarters as well. *** In principle, themand of the military should be the responsibility of themander at the front lines. Even when several units werebined as they were now, it was natural to appoint amander-in-chief and delegate authority to him. This was the same in Joseon. When the incident first urred, the General Staff Headquarters rmended Lee Suk-mo as themander-in-chief, and Sejong approved it. It was a decision without any particr issues, as he had consistently built his career in the military after passing the military service examination. The problem arose as more detailed information about the movements of Manchu and Mentemu came in. Most of the tribes led by Manchu and Mentemu have left their residences! The court was in an uproar over the urgent news. The reason for the courts uproar was the size of the Huligai tribe led by Manchu. The size of the tribe governed by Manchu was approximately 10,000 households. In the case of Joseon, based on average life expectancy and various other conditions, the average number of family members constituting one household was 4 to 5 people. However, for the Jurchens, it was at least 7 to 8 people. Based on this, the poption of Manchus tribe was at least 70,000 to 80,000. Of course, not all of these many people were directly ruled by Manchu, and there were numerous tribes and tribal chiefs under him. ording to the investigations conducted so far, the average size of a Jurchen tribe was about 150 households with a poption of around 1,000. The problem was that about half of those 1,000 people were soldiers. In that case, the number of troops Manchu could mobilize if he was determined could exceed 30,000. *** The fate of Joseon in the future depends on this battle! We must pour all of Joseons capabilities into it! Upon receiving the report, Sejong decided on a total war. And there was no minister who opposed this decision. They were well aware of the severity of the situation and had faith in the elite Joseon army they had nurtured. Having decided on a total war, Sejong moved the General Staff Headquarters to Hamheung. And in less than half a day, Sejong made another additional decision. I will also go to Hamheung! That must not happen! As soon as Sejongs words were spoken, all the ministers began to oppose. Absolutely not! If Your Majesty goes to a dangerous ce and encounters an unexpected situation, the ancestral shrine and the state will be in danger! The ministers had only one reason for their opposition. If the king goes up and dies or gets injured, the country will be turned upside down! Despite the fierce opposition from the ministers, Sejong did not back down either. What is the reason Manchu and Mentemu are acting so brazenly? Its because they look down on me! When the Great King Taejo was alive, those who only watched their step now look down on me and the royal family! If we just stand by with our hands behind our backs, such brazen individuals will continue to emerge! I must personally move and let those Jurchens know whose blood I and the royal family have inherited! I will not ept any opposition! At Sejongs resolute stance, the ministers had to close their mouths. That familys temperament Sejong, who had silenced the ministers, turned to Hyang. The Crown Prince shall remain in Hanseong and act on behalf of state affairs! I will also go with you! Although Hyang requested to go together, Sejong rejected his request. The Crown Prince has things to do here in Hanseong. While we achieve great things in the north, it is your job to ensure that the supply lines are not cut off. With your usual talents, you will do well. Right? I will do my best. Hyang, who reluctantly bowed his head and answered, grumbled inwardly. I said I would go together because I knew this would happen Well, this is the principle, so theres no helping it. Quickly giving up, Hyang grumbled about another issue. But even if many things have changed due to my intervention, isnt this too much? You should also consider the future test-takers, Father! Sejongs subsequent movements were literally like lightning. The day after tomorrow, at sunrise, we depart! Make sure all preparations arepleted by then! Following Sejongs order, all personnel at the General Staff Headquarters had to work through the night to pack their belongings. On the morning of the day he set out for his hometown, Sejong, wearing the te armor made by Hyang, ordered the ministers who hade to see him off. Assist the Crown Prince and ensure that there is not the slightest deviation in the administration of state affairs. We obey yourmand! The Crown Prince will not disappoint this father, will he? Such a thing will never happen! I trust you! Lightly patting Hyangs shoulder, Sejong mounted his horse. As Sejong passed through Gwanghwamun, the people of Hanseong who hade out upon hearing the rumors all bowed deeply and shouted. Achieve great things! We pray for your good fortune! Hyang, who had apanied Sejong to Heunginjimun (currently named as Dongdaemun), turned his body and looked at the ministers. Now! Shouldnt we go and do our work? If we arezy, the soldiers at the front will starve or have to fight with bare hands. I believe you all know very well what Father will do if such a thing happens. Yes! At Hyangs threat, the ministers hurriedly returned to Gyeongbokgung Pce. *** Sejong and the General Staff Headquarters, who had left Hanseong, moved northward at the fastest possible speed. Its definitely good to have paved roads! Indeed, Your Majesty! Thanks to the well-paved roads to Wonsan, the speed of movement was much faster than before. Even while moving, information continued to pour in from the front lines, and the collected information was processed through meetings held during mealtimes or before bed. Based on the direction of Manchu and Mentemus advance, where do you think their destination is? At Sejongs question, thrown while filling his stomach with dried rations and dried meat, Choi Yoon-deok examined the map and pointed to a ce. It will be north of Udige. Probably in the Samseong region near the Mudan River[1]. Samseong Sejong, who had been examining the map, looked at Choi Yoon-deok. Are they thinking of establishing a country? If its the Samseong region, its far from both Ming and Joseon, and with the scale of the forces Manchumands and the amount of plundered wealth, they will think its possible. Hmm Sejong, who had been silent for a moment at Choi Yoon-deoks answer, soon issued an order. Deliver mymand not only to the surrendered Jurchen areas but also to all the tribes of the wild Jurchens. The descendants of the Great King Taejo are about to punish the traitors, so mobilize your forces and join us.'' At Sejongs order, Choi Yoon-deok expressed difficulty. Delivering the message is not difficult, but will they really follow Your Majestysmand? At Choi Yoon-deoks question, Sejong answered with a cold smile. Wouldnt it be good to distinguish between friend and foe this time? Ah I see. Choi Yoon-deok, who had grasped Sejongs intentions, broke out in a cold sweat. How many moves ahead is Your Majesty thinking? Meanwhile, Sejong, who had reviewed the report summarizing the situation, continued to check the next agenda item. How are the units selected from the armies of Gyeonggi Province and Chungcheong Province doing? Yes, they have finished organizing and are currently moving to Wonsan. Has the navy prepared the warships? Yes. The Challenger-ss and Haeung-ss warships are on standby in Wonsan to transport the spearmen and artillerymen who need to be moved first due to the issue of movement speed. ording to the calctions of the General Staff, it is estimated that about five round trips will be sufficient to transport the initially required numbers. Have they prepared the carts to load their equipment onto the warships? Preparations are progressing steadily. By the time the troops being transported from Wonsan arrive in Onsong, the carts will also be fully prepared. Manchu and Mentemu will be in for a real shock. At Sejongs words, Choi Yoon-deok nodded. Watching Choi Yoon-deoks face, Sejong turned his head and looked to the south. I thought the Crown Prince was just being stubborn about the carts, but were benefiting from it this time.
  1. a river in Heilongjiang province in China[?]
Chapter 264 Chapter 264 Sejong, who had been recalling the debate over the carts and the Crown Princes stubbornness, once again discussed with Choi Yoon-deok over the map. Do you think Manchu or Mentemu expected us to move this quickly? At Sejongs question, Choi Yoon-deok promptly replied. They probably did not expect it, Your Majesty. *** Choi Yoon-deoks words were partly true and partly false. Manchu and Mentemu had also heard rumors that Joseonsmunication system had be much faster than before. Therefore, they had begun moving their tribes northward while simultaneously attacking the Jurchen and Joseon viges near the border. However, what they did not anticipate was that Joseonsmunication system had not just be much faster but extremely faster, that the Joseon army had deployed troops in advance to the north in preparation for possible Jurchen invasions during the spring famine season, andstly, that the Joseon armys movement speed was very fast.*** Choi Yoon-deok did not forget to point out the problems as well. Thanks to themunication system developed by the Crown Prince, we were able to find out quickly, but the regret is also great. Regret? What is it? At Choi Yoon-deoks remark, Sejong asked with gleaming eyes. Once we leave Joseons territory, we cannot use lightmunication. The problem is not the presence or absence ofmunication facilities, but the inability to use pre-determinedmunication codes, which is the biggest cause. Hmm Sejong nodded at Choi Yoon-deoks point. *** Although Joseonsmunication system had be very fast, it was only a partial sess. For situations that could be anticipated in advance, such as diseases or foreign invasions, the numerical codes developed by Hyang could be used to deliver information quickly. Regarding the Jurchens, over 100 codes were assigned. However, most of those codes were assigned to therge and small tribes under Manchu and Mentemu and the regions where they resided. Therefore, the moment Manchu and Mentemu left their dwellings, nearly 70% of the codes assigned to the Jurchens became useless. Another important issue was the selection of which words to encode. There were countless military and administrative terms. If all those terms were coded, in a situation where urgentmunication was needed, one would end up flipping through the codebook until the situation was over. Therefore, the selected terms were only those with the highest risk, such as diseases, natural disasters like floods, and the invasions and scale of the Jurchens or Japanese pirates. As a result, for arge portion, most of themunication had to rely on the traditional methoddispatch riders. *** Choi Yoon-deok, who had pointed out this part, concluded with a face full of regret. The lightmunicationwork is very useful not only for administration but also for military purposes, but in the current situation, it is like ame duck. We need to resolve this issue. However, to do so, we would have to convert all those numerous terms into codes, which would make itpletely unusable, so it is only full of regret. Where do you think that problem started, General? At Sejongs question, Choi Yoon-deok promptly answered. Its because of the writing system, Your Majesty. Chinese characters are ideograms, so we can immediately understand their meaning by looking at them, but we have to assign separate codes for each character. I see Sejong, who had been nodding his head, slyly brought up a topic. I noticed that the Westerners use a phic writing system. What do you think about that? A phic writing system Ah! I met the Westerners in Area 51 regarding the telescope issue, and are you referring to the writing system they use? Yes, they write the sounds they speak as they are. Hmm At Sejongs words, Choi Yoon-deok fell into thought. After a brief moment of contemtion, Choi Yoon-deok promptly replied. Since the number of pronunciations people use in conversation is almost fixed, a phic writing system seems suitable. However, looking at their sentences, it seemed like it would take a lot of time to learn. It would take a long time to be ustomed to using it. In that case, it would be better not to use it in the military. That seems to be correct. With that conversation, the meal ended, and as soon as the seats were cleared, Sejong and the members of the General Staff mounted their horses again. While riding on horseback, Sejong muttered softly. It should be easy to learn and easy to use. And if the military supports it *** It took six days to reach Hamheung from Hanseong. This was a new record. It only took six days despite detouring through Wonsan. Its almost a 1,000-ri (approx. 400 km) distance, and it took only six days Even if they only moved on horseback Sejong, who had been making various calctions, lowered his head. Looking at the well-paved roads, Sejong turned his head and gazed to the south. I am seeing the Crown Princes virtue again. Sejong, who had been smiling slightly while recalling Hyangs insistence on properly refining the roads throughout Joseon, turned to Choi Yoon-deok. How have the Jurchens who have defected from Manchu and Mentemu been dealt with? Yes. We have mobilized the cavalry from the reserve units of Hwanghae Province and Gangwon Province. They say they will arrive within the next two days. Is that so Sejong nodded at Choi Yoon-deoks answer. *** As soon as it was determined that Manchu and Mentemu were the perpetrators of the attack, the units that had departed from Pyeongan Province and Hamgil Province immediately dispatched cavalry to the locations of the two tribes. The task given to the cavalry was simple. Beat them as much as they hit us! And tie their feet when those who caused trouble return! When the ordered cavalry arrived, what they saw were empty headquarters. Upon confirming that the tribes under Manchu and Mentemu had left their bases, the Joseon army cavalry immediately began pursuit. Not long after the pursuit, the Joseon army cavalry encountered Jurchens holding white gs. Seeing the Joseon army cavalry, the Jurchens desperately waved the white gs and shouted. We surrender! Huh? All troops, halt! Halt! The Joseon cavalry, who were about to charge while gripping their spears, had to hurriedly stop their horses. The Joseon cavalrypletely disarmed the surrendered Jurchens and immediately sent a report to Hanseong. The General Staff Headquarters in Hanseong had immediately dispatched the cavalry belonging to the armies of Hwanghae Province and Gangwon Province, who were in charge of defending Hamgil Province and Pyeongan Province as reserve units, to the north. *** Hmm As Sejong nodded at Choi Yoon-deoks report, a group of officials entered his sight. Who are they? Its Governor Hwang Hui. I see. The officials waiting, led by Hwang Hui and Kim Jong-seo wearing cheonlyeok (heavenly wings) and jeonlip (battle helmet), all saluted in unison with discipline. [TL/N: Cheonlyeok and Jeonlip is a type of battle armor] Chung! Huh? Oh? Youve worked hard Sejong, who had answered with a bewildered expression, dismounted from his horse and walked towards Hwang Hui. The officials are truly disciplined. After working in Hamgil Province for a long time Is that so? Most of them have been with me since the beginning of the Dongbuk-myeon development. Is that so? Sejong looked at the officials with a newfound expression. The posture of the officials, who had fixed their gaze on him, exuded not the aura of civil officials but that of military officers, particrly veteran generals who had experienced numerous battles. Seeing such officials, Sejong turned his head to look at Choi Yoon-deok and muttered softly. That exins it In Choi Yoon-deoks eyes as he looked at the officials, there was an undeniable ambition. Lets go in. As Sejong turned his body and entered the Hamheung government office, the officials and the personnel of the General Staff also began to follow him inside. Choi Yoon-deok quickly approached Hwang Hui. Excuse me, Governor Hwang Absolutely not. However, I will assist only in the areas where they are knowledgeable about this region. Tsk Choi Yoon-deok had to smack his lips at Hwang Huis attitude of cutting him off before he could even speak. *** That evening, numerous Jurchen tribal chiefs flocked to the temporary royal pce established in the Hamheung government office. Upon receiving the report, Sejong asked a military officer. I already met the surrendered Jurchen tribal chiefs during the day, so who are they? They are the tribal chiefs from the wild Jurchen regions. Really? Lets meet them. Sejong rose from his seat and went outside. His Majesty the King has arrived! The Jurchen tribal chiefs, who had been huddled together in the front yard of the Dongheon (Eastern Annex), immediately knelt on the ground when Sejong appeared. We pay our respects to the King! Long live the King! Long live the King! Long live the King for ten thousand years! Seeing the tribal chiefs chanting Long live the King ording to the etiquette, Sejong spoke in a calm voice. Where are you from and who are you? We are the Udige n! Udige? You have indeede from a far ce. Have you seen the letter I sent? Yes! We have brought our soldiers in ordance with Your Majestysmand! I am truly grateful! Although it is wartime, this is not a matter that can be overlooked. Attendants! I will hold a simple banquet, so prepare for it! Yes, Your Majesty! And so, on the first day of Sejongs arrival in Hamheung, a meeting between Sejong and the chiefs of the Udige tribe took ce. *** The next day, the chiefs of the Udige tribe who had met Sejong left Hamheung with their subordinates and headed north. It was to join the Joseon army that was advancing ahead. Ten thousand cavalry Its reassuring. At Sejongs words, Hwang Hui immediately responded. It is all thanks to Your Majestys virtue. It is not my virtue but the prestige of the Great King Taejo. Sejong evaluated coldly. That was because the words unanimously spoken by the Jurchen tribal chiefs at the previous nights banquet implied such. -The discipline of the soldiers reminds us of the time when the Great Elder was here! In the end, the reason they heeded Sejongsmand was not because they feared Sejong but because of the shadow of Yi Seong-gye. In any case, with 2,000 reinforcements from the surrendered Jurchens and 10,000 cavalry from the Udige tribe, the Joseon armys strength was greatly enhanced. After assessing the situation, Sejong looked at Choi Yoon-deok. Now, all that remains is to choose a suitable location and eliminate Manchu and Mentemu. Indeed, Your Majesty. *** Meanwhile, as Sejong properly settled in Hamheung,munication with the front lines became even more active. On the third day after Sejongs arrival in Hamheung, amunication officer entered the conference room. Urgent news from the Pyeongan Province army! They have caught up with the moving Manchu tribe! They report that they will nowmence the crushing operation! Finally! As soon as they heard the urgent news, the conference room was filled with murderous intent. After a persistent pursuit, they had finally caught up with the fleeing Huligai tribe of Manchu. Not long after, more detailed information arrived. The location where the Pyeongan Province army caught up is here, Maeha-gu. It is approximately 180 ri (about 72 km) from the Pazhu River. I dont understand how they could have only gotten that far since the time they started the incident. Its iprehensible. At Sejongs question, Choi Yoon-deok promptly answered. Although some have remained and surrendered, nearly 10,000 households are on the move, so it cannot be fast. Moreover, they are likely to be the rearguard. Sejong nodded at Choi Yoon-deoks exnation. I see. In that case, the burden on the Pyeongan Province army will also be reduced. They can defeat them individually. That is correct, Your Majesty. If they are careful about ambushes and traps, they can easily defeat them individually. And General Lee Soon-mong, whomands the Pyeongan army, is a cautious man, so he will handle it well. Sejong, who had been nodding at Choi Yoon-deoks words, continued with the next question. Then, have the movements of Manchu and Mentemu, who caused this incident, been found? Yes. They are currently in the Daedun region, continuing to move northward. Their speed is also slow? Yes, it seems to be due to the issue of moving the plundered goods and waiting for their own tribes. Sejong, who had been examining the map while listening to Choi Yoon-deoks exnation, looked at Choi Yoon-deok. Can our army block their path? It is fully possible. We have already determined a ce to meet them. Where is it? Choi Yoon-deok pointed to a spot on the map with his finger. Right here, Gilim. Chapter 265 Chapter 265 As the battlefield to confront Manchu and Mentemu was chosen, the temporary pce in Hamheung bustled with activity. Among those who were busy, the busiest were those involved in supply issues. In the meeting regarding supplies, the officials under Hwang Hui were literally flying around. The most urgent matter is the supply for the Pyeongan Province army, which has caught up with Manchus tribe. When a young military officer from the General Staff pointed out the issue, everyone gathered in the meeting room nodded their heads. At least during this period, there were nomanders in the Joseon army who took logistics and supplies lightly. *** As the main weapons of the Joseon army shifted from cold weapons such as spears and swords to firearms using gunpowder, the importance of supplies was increasingly emphasized. Therefore, those who excelled in administrative abilities among the military service examination passers were immediately sent to the supply division.This was also an opportunity for rapid promotion for the sessful candidates. As a result, with arge influx of those who had avoided the fiercelypetitive civil service examination and applied for the military service examination entering the supply division, the Joseon armys supply system began to establish a sound system at a fast pace. Of course, it was natural that Hyangs various interventions were involved in this process. The most reliable route of advance on the battlefield is a road paved with steel! Not only Choi Yoon-deok but all themanders nodded at Hyangs exmation. In particr, Choi Hae-san, the son of Choi Mu-seon and the Joseon armys top artillery expert, nodded so vigorously that one might worry his neck would fall off. *** With no objections, the military officer who stepped forward as the speaker continued, pointing at the map with a pointer. Therefore, the supply for the Pyeongan Province army will first be transported to Uiju. Next, it will be transported to a suitable point using the Amnok River, and then supplied bynd. Two locations have been nominated for this secondary supply base: one is Chosanjin, and the other is Manpojin. The advantages of the two locations are [TL/N: Both locations are located in modern North Korea] Wait a moment. As the military officer was exining with a confident voice, an official from Hamgil Province interrupted him. Speed is crucial for supplies as well. But youre suggesting sending them to Uiju and then back up the Amnok River? Its a waste of time. How about this method? The official picked up another pointer and tapped various spots on the map. First, we gather the supplies sent from Hanseong and the south in Wonsan. Then, we transport them to Hamheung using sea andnd routes. From there, we connect supply lines from Hamheung to Manpojin and Hyesanjin. Manpojin sends supplies and reserve troops to the Pyeongan Province army, while Hyesanjin sends them to the Hamgil Province army heading towards Gilim. It certainly shortens the distance. At Sejongs assessment after listening to the exnation, the official bowed his head. Indeed, Your Majesty. With Sejongs favorable evaluation, another military officer from the General Staff objected. The route is shorter, but the problem is that it passes through the Kaema teau[1]. The Kaema teau is the most treacherous terrain, teeming with all sorts of ferocious beasts. Your Majesty, tiger attacks ur even in Hanseong, which is full of people. However, it is uneptable to traverse the Kaema teau, which is filled with not only tigers but also bears, leopards, and wolves! The soldiers will quickly be exhausted from being on guard against the beasts! The officers objection was reasonable. *** Joseon, a country with many mountains, was also known as the nd of ferocious beasts. Joseon viges were often surrounded by mountains. The mountains near the viges had be almost bare due to the trees being cut down for firewood or building materials, but just beyond the vige boundaries, there were numerous mountains filled with trees. And in these mountains, there were plenty of ferocious beasts such as tigers, leopards, bears, and wolves. What was even worse was that these mountains were connected in a series, forming mountain ranges throughout the Korean Penins. Therefore, in such terrain, a fierce struggle between humans and ferocious beasts continued. For half of the year, tigers chase people, and for the other half, people chase tigers. During the day, people catch tigers, and at night, tigers catch people. These sayings were not jokes in Joseon. And among the notorious ces in Joseon, the most notorious was the Kaema teau. *** Although all the military officers from the General Staff objected, the officials from Hamgil Province smiled and responded. We can guarantee the safety of the transportation routes in the Kaema teau. At least for Joseon people. Pardon? Huh? When not only themanders of the General Staff but also Sejong expressed doubts, Hwang Hui stepped forward and answered. Your Majesty, do you remember the skins of ferocious beasts that were presented to you starting from the second year of the Dongbuk-myeon development? I remember. The quantity was quite substantial. Thats not even half of what these fellows caught. What? At Hwang Huis exnation, Sejong looked at the officials with surprised eyes. Hwang Hui exined the reason in detail. *** As the Dongbuk-myeon development began, the officials suffered from overwork. The area to be handled was vast, and there were not enough people. As a result, all the officials had to be masters of horsemanship, and while dealing with the troublesome Jurchens, they became masters of marksmanship and archery. In a situation with a heavy workload and a shortage of personnel, the shortest possible routes had to be taken to increase efficiency. The problem was the Kaema teau. To pass through the treacherous terrain teeming with ferocious beasts, military escort was essential, but it was impossible to receive support whenever needed. In the end, the officials took up muskets, horse guns, and bows and mounted their horses. Damn it! Whether we die from overwork or get bitten by beasts, its all the same! Whenever they were off duty, the officials would gather in groups and roam the Kaema teau, hunting down the ferocious beasts. As a result, the beasts living in the Kaema teau began to suffer. And the officials marksmanship and archery skills improved by leaps and bounds. At first, they had to hit a tiger with more than ten bullets to kill it, but in less than a year, they developed the skills to sever a tigers lifeline with a single shot. *** So, we collected the skins of the ferocious beasts in good condition among those we caught and presented them to Your Majesty. At Hwang Huis exnation, not only Sejong but also the military officers from the General Staff could only gape. Oh my Well then Even Sejong was stammering with an embarrassed expression when Choi Yoon-deok, who hade to his senses, asked Hwang Hui. Then, have the ferocious beasts in the Kaema teau gone extinct? At Choi Yoon-deoks question, Hwang Hui shook his head. Thats not the case. Its just that these beasts, as if they have some sense of thought, immediately flee when they sense the presence of Joseon people. Whats funny is that its not the case for the Jurchens. Thats why I said its limited to Joseon people. Can the Governor confidently guarantee the safety of that transportation route? As long as they dont fall behind the main force, they dont need to worry about attacks from ferocious beasts. At Hwang Huis answer, Sejong began to weigh various possibilities. Hwang Hui does not make false ims. In that case Sejong reached a conclusion. Since speed is important, set the route to pass through the Kaema teau! We obey yourmand! At the decision of the suprememander, everyone answered in unison. *** While such a decision was being made in Hamheung, the first battle between the Joseon army and Manchus Jurchens was about to begin at a ce 15 ri (about 6 km) northeast of Maeha-gu. Khan! Its the Joseon army! Tribal chief Agudai, who had briefly dismounted to take a rest, shook his head in disbelief at the warriors shout. The Joseon army cant possibly move this quickly! Are you sure you didnt see it wrong? No! Khan! Its the Joseon army! Really? The real Joseon army, not those who have attached themselves to the Joseon army? At Agudais repeated denial, the warrior shouted angrily. It is indeed the Joseon army! Im telling you its the proper Joseon army! Damn it! Cursing, Agudai mounted his horse and asked the warrior. Where? To the southwest! Lets go! At the warriors answer, Agudai rode his horse and climbed a nearby hill. Over there! Agudai turned his head in the direction the warrior was pointing and involuntarily cursed. Damn it Far in the distance, a huge cloud of dust was rising. The glinting between the dust clouds was definitely the gleaming of des. Beile said we would encounter the Joseon army only after we joined forces! But theyre already in pursuit! Pondering the unexpected situation, Agudai hurriedly turned his horses head and galloped towards his tribe. Its toote! Now, the only thing left is to fight! Agudai, who had rushed to the tribesmen moving withrge and small carts loaded with all sorts of household goods, shouted loudly. The Joseon bastards are chasing us! Everyone,e out! Having given orders to the tribesmen, Agudaimanded the warrior beside him. Blow the horn! Tell the scouts to return! Yes, Khan! The warrior who received the order hurriedly blew the horn trumpet. Puu-woo~. Puu-woo~. As the sound of the horn trumpet spread far and wide, the warriors who had gone out scouting in the distance were seen rushing back. From various parts of the moving procession, those who had put on armor and armed themselves emerged on horseback. The ages of those gathered ranged from boys who had just started to grow fluffy hair to wrinkled old men. In front of the assembled men, Agudai exined the situation. The Joseon army has caught up faster than expected. Now, we have only one thing to do. We strike the Joseon army with all our might to tie their feet, and then we flee with all our strength to join the other tribes! Understood? Yes! You know well what will happen to our families if we cant stop the Joseon army here, right? At Agudais question, the men silently nodded. The recent rumors about the Joseon army were not to be taken lightly. There were rumors that more than a few tribes had disappeared after crossing the Joseon border, thinking it would be easy like before. In fact, among the tribes that Agudais tribe had been in contact with, there was a tribe that had disappeared in such a way. When a battle broke out with the Jurchens, the Joseon army was even more brutal than the Jurchens. Unlike the Jurchens, who kept some alive to enve them, the Joseon army killed them all. Therefore, all the men of the tribe were tense. Just then, the warriors who had returned after hearing the horn sound joined, and Agudai gave the order. Intercept the Joseon army as far away as possible! Lets go! Lets go! With a loud battle cry, a cavalry of over 1,500 began to ride their horses in the direction the Joseon army wasing from. *** The Joseon army also immediately noticed that Agudais warriors had set out to intercept them. General! The Jurchen bastards areing! Their number is about 1,500! Distance? At Lee Soon-mongs brief question, the scout promptly replied. Approximately 10 ri (4 km)! Hmm At the scouts answer, Lee Soon-mong made a quick calction. Based on his experience, they would not charge at full speed from that distance. Among the armor worn by the Jurchens, the properly made ones weighed about 30 geun (18 kg). Usually, they wore lighter leather armor, but even the leather armor weighed 20 geun (about 12 kg). About 1 gak (approximately 15 minutes)? Having estimated the time it would take for the Jurchens to arrive, Lee Soon-mong immediately issued an order. Prepare for battle! Formation is a straight line! Arrange as previously trained! Yes, sir! As soon as Lee Soon-mongs order was given, the messengers ran in all directions. After a moment, with various shouts erupting from all around, the Joseon army began to form their formation. The Joseon army quickly started to build their formation. The cavalry lined up in three rows at the very front, followed by the spearmen and swordsmen, then the musketeers, and behind them, the artillerymen took their positions. Finally, themand post where Lee Soon-mong was located and the reserve unitposed of musketeers took their positions and looked forward. It took about 10 minutes for the 15,000 soldiers toplete the formation. Lee Soon-mong was very satisfied with the speed at which the soldiers formed the formation. The training weve done so far is paying off! Indeed, sir. The staff officers apanying him also had the same expression at Lee Soon-mongs assessment. The Joseon army, which had transformed its constitution through the reformation, was worthy of being called elite. Moreover, they had benefited from being fully armed and expecting battle since catching up with the rearguard of the Huligai tribe. Having confirmed thepletion of the formation, Lee Soon-mong issued an order. Ill say it again, their main objective will be to tie our feet. Therefore, they will probably target the cavalry. Thats why I ced the cavalry at the very front. As soon as the Jurchens enter firing range, the cavalry will immediately fire one volley and move to the left and right of the formation. Did you convey it properly? Yes, sir! Satisfied with the staff officers answer, Lee Soon-mong mounted his horse. Then, lets have a proper fight. Yes, sir!
  1. The Kaema teau is a hignd in North Korea. It is surrounded by the Rangrim Mountains, the Macheollyeong Mountains and the Bujeollyeong Mountains.[?]
Chapter 266 Chapter 266 And not long after, the Jurchen cavalry appeared in the distance. Prepare for battle! Prepare for battle! Following the orders of themanders, the soldiers prepared for battle, calming their trembling breaths. *** Ah, damn it Sundol, dressed in full armor as a spearman, cursed while rotating his right arm. What are you doing? At the question of the senior soldier standing next to him, Sundol answered with an embarrassed face.The tattoo area is itchy. Thats why I told you to get it done properly at a good ce, even if it costs a bit more. You tried to save a few coins and now youre in trouble. Tsk Sundol could only smack his lips with a perplexed face at the senior soldiers reprimand. At that time, Joseon soldiers would get their personal information such as name, date of birth, and hometown tattooed on their bodies before going to war. It was a kind of identification tag. This tradition, known as Bubyeong Jaja (), was prohibited when Hyang created identification tags, but many soldiers still followed the tradition and got tattoos on their bodies. Whos chatting in this situation! At the shout of a nearby officer, Sundol and the senior soldier quickly shut their mouths and looked forward. The sound of horse cries began to be heard in the distance. Kneel down! Spears! At themanders order, the spearmen knelt on one knee and rested their spears on their right shoulders. *** While the soldiers at the front were bracing themselves, themand post, located on a slightly elevated hill at the very rear of the Joseon militarys formation, was observing the situation with monocrs. The enemy has entered a distance of 170 jang (about 510 m)! Shall we fire the cannons? Fire. At Lee Soon-mongsmand, the staff issued the order, and the signal bearer frantically waved the signal g. The artillery captains, who had been looking only at themand post from the very rear of the formation, shouted in unison. Fire! Fire! Fire! At themanders orders, the artillerymen pulled the fuses in unison. Boom! With a thunderous roar, the waiting cannons spewed fire simultaneously. As the recoil from the firing caused the gun carriages to stagger backward, the waiting artillerymen pushed the gun carriages forward again and started reloading. Use one less round of fuse on the ignition tube! Yes, sir! At the artillery captains order, the artillerymen wrapped fuses around the ignition tubes. Already telling us to reduce by one round? Some had such doubts, but an order was an order, and the artillerymen silently followed themand. Boom! Argh! Neigh! The cannons that flew like this inflicted injuries on the front line of the approaching Jurchen. Although the wounds were very shallow, Agutai and the warriors took the situation seriously. Is that the rumored Joseon militarys fire bullet? Boom! Another simultaneous explosion urred, and this time, it left slightly deeper wounds. Seeing the situation, Agutai sent hand signals and shouted at the top of his lungs. Charge at full speed! Neigh! Thud thud thud! Aaaah! As soon as Agutais order was given, all the warriors simultaneously kicked their horses sides. With a loud cry, the horses began to gallop forward roughly. As thousands of horses charged at full speed simultaneously, the ground began to shake. Before he knew it, Agutai, who had ridden right behind the lead, diligently calcted the possibilities. Those damn cannons cant easily adjust the range! Although we had to charge at full speed from a farther distance than expected, this much distance is fine! *** As the Jurchen charged at full speed, Lee Soon-mong gave a satisfied smile. Theyve fallen for it. Charging at full speed required tremendous stamina. No matter how renowned they were as the strongest under the heavens, if they wore armor and held spears and swords and charged at full speed, they couldnt even go 30 jang (about 90 m) before panting and unable to run properly. The same was true for horses. Carrying a load of nearly 140 geun (about 80 kg) to 150 geun (90 kg) on their backs and charging at full speed was a serious overexertion. For cavalry to deliver a proper impact, it wasmon to start charging at full speed between 100 jang (about 300 m) and 150 jang (450 m). If it was shorter than that, they couldnt reach their proper speed, and if it was farther, the horses would get tired and slow down. Therefore, Lee Soon-mong had used the cannons to force the Jurchen to expend their stamina. Of course, the distance of 10 to 20 jang (30-60 m) might seem short, but on the battlefield, that short distance could determine victory or defeat, life or death. Tell the cavalry to prepare! Fire when they enter 100 jang (about 300 m)! Yes, sir! The staff officer who received the order urgently rode his horse forward. *** Boom!!!! Aaaargh! Damn it!!! Hearing the screams of the warriors, Agutai gritted his teeth and spurred his horse. Those damn Joseon militarys fire bullets were exploding in the air. Whenever the fire bullets exploded in the air, warriors and horses rolled on the ground together with terrible screams. In such a situation, instant death was a blessing. It was certain that even if one survived that situation, it wouldnt be truly living. Ride! Ride with all your might, even if it kills you! Seeing the deaths of theirrades who had been like brothers, the warriors with bloodshot eyes gritted their teeth and kicked their horses sides. The sight of the Joseon militarys cavalry lined up in a row entered the eyes of the Jurchen warriors riding with rough breaths as if they were about to die at any moment. Seeing the Joseon militarys cavalry quietly stopping and waiting, Agutai and the warriors grinned bitterly. Stupid fools! How can cavalry just stand there! Do they only believe in those measly cannons? Anyway! The match is decided! We win! Agutai pulled out the bow he had hung on the saddle, held it up, and leaned on the saddle as he nocked an arrow. Shooting a bow from a running horse was a basic skill of Jurchen warriors. The Joseon bastards also performed simr tricks, but they couldnt keep up with them. Thinking simrly, the Jurchen warriors in the second and third rows simultaneously drew their bows. If the second and third rows provide cover with arrows, the lead warriors will charge at the enemy. It was a tactic that had been honed for generations since their ancestors, and it always worked well. Just a little more, and the arrows will reach! Well pay them back several times over! Just as he was pulling the bowstring with force and looking at the Joseon military, the Joseon cavalry formation was suddenly enveloped in smoke. And a thunderous roar followed. Ratatata! Swish! Swish! Kaaaargh! With sounds several times sharper than the sound of arrows flying, the warriors riding at the lead fell to the ground one after another. Dont stop! Ride! Uaaaaah! However, the Jurchen warriors rode their horses, shouting battle cries that sounded like screams. C Cavalry dies if they stop. It was knowledge ingrained in their bodies through a long history of conflict. Having crossed another line of death like that, the Joseon militarys formation clearly entered the eyes of Agutai and the Jurchen warriors. The Joseon cavalry that had been blocking the very front were splitting and moving to the left and right, and the infantry holding spears had formed a formation in the center that had be empty, waiting for them. A head-on collision wont do! The moment were blocked by that wall and stop, well be attacked from all sides! We have to bite and cling to the cavalry! Agutai, who had taken the lead before he knew it, waved his arms to send hand signals. At Agutais hand signals, the Jurchen warriors split into two groups and began to chase the Joseon cavalry moving to the sides. Seeing that sight, Lee Soon-mong shouted, gripping themand baton. Theyve fallen for it! *** The moment the Jurchen warriors split to the left and right, exposing their nks, themanders of the musketeer units, who had been waiting in a horizontal formation about 5 jang (15 m) away from the spearmens formation, shouted in unison. Fire! Fire! At themanders orders, the musketeers in the first row pulled their triggers simultaneously. Ratatata! With a thunderous gunshot, the muskets spewed fire, and the soldiers in the first row passed the empty guns back and received new guns from behind, preparing to fire. Fire! Ratatata! Having fired again, the soldiers in the first row passed the empty guns once more and received loaded guns. The tactic that Hyang had devised and the frontlinemanders had refined was finally making its debut. The limitation of muzzle-loading rifles is that it takes too long to reload Knowing the problem of muzzle-loading rifles, Hyang found the answer in his 21st-century memory. It was a tactic born in the European armies of the linear infantry era. To ovee the limitations of muzzle-loading rifles, the first thing Europeanmanders thought of was to rotate the soldiers like a waterwheel. When the first row of soldiers lined up in three or four rows horizontally fired, they would immediately retreat backward, and the next row woulde forward and fire. However, this method required high-level training, and the short engagement distance of the smoothbore musket era meant that if the enemy took advantage of that momentary gap and charged, there was no answer. As time passed and the rifled musket era arrived, another change in tactics urred, which was the same as what the Joseon military was doing now. The people stayed in ce, and the guns rotated like a conveyor belt. The soldiers in the second to third or fourth rows would load gunpowder, load bullets, and pour priming powder like machines, and the soldiers in the first row would continuously fire the guns passed to them. However, the problem with this method was that it only shone when there was a facility that could protect the soldiers in the first row. A typical example was the Fredericksburg Killing Machine Battle during the American Civil War. When the Union Army, which had looted Fredericksburg, attacked the Confederate Army positioned behind the city, the Confederate Army relied on a stone wall for defense. Unfortunately, due to the fog that urred at the time of the battle, the Union artillery could not provide support fire, and only the Union infantry had to charge. And in the battle that unfolded like this, the Confederate Army, relying on the defensive structure of the stone wall, maximized efficiency through gun rotation, and the Union Army had to retreat after suffering enormous casualties. The Confederate Army suffered about 5,000 casualties. It was a defeat that caused a staggering 12,000 casualties for the Union Army. *** However, the Joseon military had human barricades in the form of spearmen and swordsmen armed with full-body armor. As long as the Jurchen were not armed with firearms, these spearmen and swordsmen were certain to be a sturdy barricade. Moreover, the spearmen provided another advantage to the musketeers. It prevented the musketeers shots from concentrating on a single target. As long as the spearmen were in front, aiming was simple for the musketeers. Just aim and shoot between the spear on your left and the spear on your right in front of your eyes. Thanks to hearing it until it was ingrained in their ears, the musketeers almost mechanically aimed only between the spears. *** Although casualties continued to ur due to the musketeers firing, Agutai and the Jurchen warriors were persistent. If we just catch the cavalry! If we just catch the cavalry, victory is ours! Even if the infantry is armed with cannons, theyre slow as snails! If we catch the cavalry, we can turn the tide at any time! The Jurchen warriors were tenaciously chasing the Joseon cavalry, gritting their teeth with persistence. As the Jurchen warriors chased the Joseon cavalry while bleeding, the Joseon cavalry turned around in front of them. Finally! As the Joseon cavalry turned around and charged with spears in hand, Agutai and the warriors drew their curved swords and rushed head-on. *** The head-on collision between Agutais warriors and the Joseon cavalry ended in aplete victory for the Joseon cavalry. As the horses carrying the Jurchen grew tired and their feet slowed down, the reactions of the Jurchen warriors became dyed. And once again, the Joseon cavalrys sturdy full-body armor and six-barreled horse guns shone. And the Jurchen tribe led by Agutai ceased to exist. Afterpleting the operation, Lee Soon-mong called themander. Good work. Take a rest here today and resume the pursuit tomorrow. Keep in mind that there are still many Jurchen tribes to deal with. Yes, General. The nightmare of the Huligai tribe was not over. Chapter 267 Chapter 267 Starting with the annihtion of the Agutai tribe, the Pyeongan Army began to erase the Huligai tribes led by Manchu one by one. Phew I cant even do this anymore. Lee Soon-mong let out a long sigh as he looked at the miserable scene with smoke rising from all directions. Starting with the Agutai tribe, the Pyeongan Army persistently caught up with the Huligai tribe and erased thegging tribes one by one. As a result of catching up with and dealing with the Jurchen tribes at one- or two-day intervals, the number of Jurchen tribes that had disappeared under Lee Soon-mongsmand now exceeded seven. And now, the soldiers under Lee Soon-mong were under severe mental pressure. Annihtion is easier said than done. Severing lives as precious as ones own is not an easy task Lee Soon-mong was unable to continue speaking as he looked at the gruesome scene with no Jurchen survivors at all. The problem is that the size of the Jurchen tribes we encounter is getting bigger and bigger.At the staff officers words, Lee Sun-ji nodded with a heavy expression. Starting with the case of the Agutai tribe, the first Jurchen tribe they encountered was small in size. Compared to the military strength under Lee Soon-mongsmand, there was an overwhelming difference in military power of 5:1 on average, so they were able to suppress them easily in the initial stages. However, as they approached the center of the Huligai tribe, the difference in military power had narrowed to 3:1. As the difference in military power decreased, the consumption of gunpowder began to soar. Managing this gunpowder consumption was another burden. Just then, if the supply unit that had traversed the Gaema teau had not provided supplies, Lee Soon-mongs pursuit would have been thwarted halfway. However, as supplies continued steadily, Lee Soon-mong was able to take a breather. As gunpowder and food were supplied, and from the second round, reserve troops filled the vacancies left by casualties, the situation became somewhat more manageable. However, the problem was that even those who had joined like that were gradually showing their limits due to the continuous ughter. General! Supplies have arrived! Really? Lee Soon-mong, who had been looking at the battlefield, turned his head with a delighted face. *** The scale isrger than expected. Could they be reinforcements? The cloud of dust raised by the supply unit was evenrger than before. Come quickly. Im d youre safe, General! At Lee Soon-mongs warm wee, the supply unitmander saluted and answered. After a brief return salute, Lee Soon-mong asked what he was curious about. The supply units size isrger than expected. Did support troopse along? Yes! After a moment, the supply unitmander introduced someone. This is General Hong Sa-seok, whomands the support unit. Nice to meet you. It is an honor to meet someone who has gained fame for eradicating the Jurchen. After exchanging brief greetings, Lee Soon-mong and Hong Sa-seok immediately got to the point. How many troops havee? 5,000 drafted from Jeo and Gyeongsang Provinces. Upon receiving the report on the number of support troops, Lee Soon-mongs expression brightened considerably. 5,000 This will definitely give us some breathing room! Here is the royalmand issued by His Majesty. At the mention of royalmand, Lee Soon-mong immediately knelt on the ground and bowed toward the south. Following the traditional etiquette, Lee Soon-mong received Sejongs written order and opened it on the spot, tearing off the seal. After reading the entire content of the written order, Lee Soon-mong let out a long sigh. Phew~. Stop the annihtion of the Jurchen tribes and focus solely on pursuit. Indeed, the burden was growing as the size of the Jurchen tribes increased, so this is fortunate. However, in this case, who will deal with those Huligai tribes? The Wudihe tribe will handle it. Wudihe? Yes. As you may have received the information, 10,000 Jurchen cavalry centered around the Wudihe tribe have joined our Joseon military. They will press the Huligai tribe and drive them toward Gilim. Hmm At Hong Sa-seoks exnation, Lee Soon-mong stroked his dusty beard. Is the n to force Manchu and Mentemu to head toward Gilim with no other choice? Yes. We are making it so that they have no choice. If I were Manchu, I could consider breaking through the 10,000 and finding another route. Our mobile strike units are also doing their part. Ah Only after Hong Sa-seok mentioned the mobile strike units could Lee Soon-mong nod his head. The mobile strike units, consisting of 1,500 to 2,000 troops, were unitsposed solely of cavalry and artillery. And theirbat power was considered iparable. In fact, they had been proving their worth by maintaining an undefeated record since their establishment. And all three of those mobile strike units were mobilized for this operation. Observing the unfolding situation, Lee Soon-mong muttered softly. If I were Manchu or Mentemu, the current situation would be truly terrifying. They will have no choice but to bet on a desperate move for a miraculous turnaround. Nodding at Hong Sa-seoks words, Lee Soon-mong summarized the situation. Then our task is to conserve our strength while pursuing them from behind? And if Manchu tries to use us as a breakthrough point, we block that attempt? Thats right. At Hong Sa-seoks answer, Lee Soon-mong sighed. Phew~. It wont be an easy task. It will be quite dangerous. Thats why I brought my subordinates. As they are units that were stationed in Gyeongsang and Jeo Provinces in preparation for the Japanese pirates, they have a knack for cannons. We have also brought fire wagons. Even fire wagons! Lee Soon-mongs face brightened in an instant. Lee Soon-mong looked north with a satisfied smile. Id like to see the faces of Manchu and Mentemu for once. *** Damn it! Its terrible! As Lee Soon-mong predicted, Manchu, who had assessed the current situation, was grinding his teeth and exploding with anger. There are at least 20,000 troops holding out in front, and 10,000 troops are chasing from behind! What do you think we should do? At Manchus question, Mentemu looked at the map and asked back. What would be good? Should we turn our troops back and deal with the 10,000 first? Nonsense! The moment we turn our horses heads, those 20,000 Joseon troops in front will charge at us to devour us! If we try to move to the side, the Wudihe bastards and the Joseon cavalry will grab our ankles and cling to us, and the 30,000 Joseon troops will devour us! In this frustrating situation, Manchu beat his chest and exploded with anger. *** Manchu and Mentemus ns began to go awry because the Joseon militarys response was far faster than they had anticipated. As a result, the tribes that had startedte and were at the rear were defeated one by one. To prevent the sacrifice of the tribes, Manchu stopped the movement and began to gather the tribes together. While the scattered tribes gathering together prevented them from being defeated individually, they could not stop the Joseon military from overtaking them. It was because the Wudihe mongrels and the Joseon cavalry thoroughly blocked their sight. No, it wasnt just blocking their sight, but fixing their route to Gilim. How will we escape this trap! Despite Manchus condemnation, Mentemu, who had been examining the map, answered in a calm voice. Although its a trap, it could also be a desperate move for a miraculous turnaround. What do you mean by that Mentemu, who had interrupted Manchus words, pointed at the map with his finger and exined the situation. Look at the Joseon militarys forces. 10,000 behind, 20,000 in front. Indeed, its arge force. However, to put it another way, this means that these are all the forces Joseon can mobilize in the north right now. In other words, if we break through them, Joseon will need a lot of time to chase us. Huh? At Mentemus exnation, Manchu examined the map with shining eyes. Even though Manchu only cared about Ming, he had been continuously gathering basic information about Joseon. Although it wasnt the most up-to-date information, ording to the information obtained that way, the current Joseon military was not the same as when Yi Seong-gye was alive. Of course, there were reports of them being strengthened again recently, but the Joseon military had weakened. Hmm Manchu examined the map with shining eyes. The 30,000 Joseon troops blocking the way in front and behind were, as far as he knew, the entirety of the forces Joseon had deployed in the north. If, as Mentemu said, they could get rid of the 20,000 in front of their eyes, it was certain that Joseon would be unable to exert strength for the time being. With that time, they could regain their strength in the north, sweep away the damn Wudihe mongrels, and grow in size. I see what you mean. Then we need to gather as many troops as possible. Cavalry is important, but infantry is also crucial. Using only cavalry is not cost-effective in shattering the infantry formation, right? Indeed. So how many troops can Odoli send? 2,000, including infantry. Thats heartbreaking. Manchu, who had slightly sneered, called his subordinate. Tell the tribal chiefs to gather! Yes, Buyeo! After a while, all the chiefs of the Huligai tribe had gathered. The chiefs who heard the exnations of Manchu and Mentemu agreed to stake everything on a single battle. Its a trap anyway! Since it hase to this, well smash those Joseon bastards and make a miraculouseback! *** Three dayster, the two great armies confronted each other on the ins southwest of Gilim. Manchu, who had been examining the Joseon militarys formation, cursed. Theyre deployed by the book! By the book! The Joseon military, with their backs to the Songhwa River, had built their formation centered around a slightly elevated hill nearby. On the left and right nks of the main camp, the cavalry was positioned, and in the main camp, soldiers holding long spears stood at the forefront, building a defensive line. Where are those Wudihe mongrels Manchu, who had been looking around to find the Wudihe tribes cavalry that had been holding them back, gnashed his teeth. Those damn jackals! The Wudihe tribe was lined up long to the north of the hill where the Joseon military was positioned. It was a position that clearly showed their intention to attack the nks of their allies or target the tribes in the rear if the Joseon military properly held them back. Manchu called a nearby chief. Take your men and make sure those bastards cant move properly! It will be tough, but you just need to hold out until we crush the Joseon troops! Yes, Buyeo! The chief who received the order soon left with his warriors. Seeing those who had left to keep the Wudihe tribe in check slowly taking their positions, Manchu turned to Mentemu. Begin. As Mentemu silently nodded, Manchu shouted. All troops advance! Advance! Advance! As soon as Manchus order was given, therge cavalry force slowly began to move forward. And behind them, infantry holding shields and spears slowly began to march. *** Theyreing! All troops! Prepare for battle! Prepare for battle! At themanders shouts, the spearmen and swordsmen at the very front swallowed their dry saliva and red forward. The musketeers behind them also looked forward, taking deep breaths. Lee Suk-myo, who had been watching Manchus army approaching from the top of the hill, gave a brief order with an indifferent expression. Prepare the fire wagons. Yes, sir! Will the fire wagons begin, sir? At the staff officers question, Lee Suk-myo nodded briefly. The generals fire cannons are a waste of iron balls, and the cannons has a short range, so the fire wagons are just right. Continuous fire is important, so have them properly prepared. Understood, sir. And so, the fire wagons were tasked with beginning the Battle of Gilim, which would go down in history. After a while, a report from the staff officer came up. The fire wagons are ready! What about the enemy? They have entered the fire wagons range. Then give the order to fire. Yes, sir! Fire! At the staff officers order, the signal bearer vigorously waved the signal g. A momentter, Swish! With an ear-splitting noise, thousands of singijeon fired from the fire wagons filled the sky. Chapter 268 Chapter 268 Fire rockets! Fire rockets! As thousands of rockets flew, leaving white smoke trails behind them, the Jurchen cavalry riding at the very front began to scatter to the left and right, shouting. Fire rockets were not unfamiliar to the Huligai tribe. The Ming military also had a simr gunpowder weapon propelled by gunpowder called fire rocket. The Huligai tribe, who had often seen the Ming military use fire rockets against the Northern Yuan cavalry, learned the countermeasures devised by the Northern Yuan cavalry. Following those observed and learned countermeasures, the Jurchen cavalry quickly dispersed to the left and right. Although they would lose the density and speed, which are the most important factors in the cavalrys specialty of breakthrough tactics, density was a secondary issue, and speed could be sufficiently recovered at the current distance. However, there was something the Huligai tribe did not anticipate. The fire wagons and singijeon of the Joseon military were quite different from the fire rockets and theirunching device, the swarm of arrows, which they were familiar with from the Ming military.[TL/N: Singijeon is a type of fire arrowuncher. Click here for image: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipediamons/thumb/0/04/Hwacha-Shinkigeon_Style.jpg/330px-Hwacha-Shinkigeon_Style.jpg ] *** It may be clich, but when ites to King Munjong, the fire wagon is a must-mention, and I cant just gloss over it, right? Im supposed to be that fellow. And it will be quite useful for the time being. At the decision of Hyang, the fire wagon and the singijeon to be loaded on it were greatly improved. The first thing Hyang touched was the singijeon. It was decided that the singijeon to be mounted on the fire wagon would be the medium singijeon, not the small singijeon. As the capacity of the propent increased, the singijeon fired from the fire wagon gained even faster flight speed, a range of 500 bo (about 600 m), and pration power to pierce leather armor even at that distance. Afterpleting the development of the singijeon, Hyang also worked on the fire wagon. In the history before Hyangs intervention, one could choose between two options: the arquebuses or the medium singijeon, but Hyang boldly stipted to use only the medium singijeon. He also modified the cart on which the rack was ced, designing it for easy attachment and detachment of theunch rack. Therefore, when a battle urred and 100 rounds of simultaneous fire werepleted, the time to bring a newunch rack that had been ced in a safe zone and rece it could be greatly reduced. The fire wagon developed in this way made a significant difference in powerpared to the fire rockets and their mounting device, the yiwofeng arrows, used by Ming. Mings infantry could fire 32 fire rockets at once using the arrows. However, Joseons fire wagon fired 100 rounds at once. Mings fire rockets could theoretically fly 400 bo (about 480 m). However, due to the fact that they had to be carried and fired by a person, the effective range was around 200 bo (about 240 m). However, by using the fire wagon, the Joseon military could properly utilize the theoretical maximum range. *** The singijeon fired by the Joseon military flew over the heads of the Huligai cavalry. Huh? The cavalry, who had turned their eyes to follow the singijeon flying over their heads, realized that the target of the singijeon fired by the Joseon troops was not them. Targeting the infantry? Upon confirming that the target of the singijeon was the infantry, the Huligai cavalry burst intoughter without even realizing it. Foolish! The infantry had shields. Although fire rockets had the advantage of being able to fire arge number of arrows simultaneously at once, the power of a single fire rocket was not significantly stronger than that of a single arrow. It could be effective against mounted archers who could not have shields, but for infantry holding defensive shields, its power was notably weak. Fire rockets! Raise shields! Shields! Seeing the singijeon filling the sky and flying toward them, the infantry of the Huligai tribe raised their shields above their heads and crouched. Swish! Thunk! Thud! The singijeon began to stick into the shields covered with leather on the outside and copper tes around the edges. The soldiers eyes were filled with fear as they saw the arrowheads pierce through the wooden boards, revealing themselves with the sound of wood splintering. Dont be afraid! Trust your shields! The soldiers, for whom this was their first battle, had to forcibly suppress their fear at the shouts of themanders and veteran soldiers. Ugh! Argh! In the midst of that, some unfortunate ones screamed as singijeon pierced their shoulders, arms, or legs. And another unexpected event unfolded for the Huligai tribe. Bang! Boom! Aaaargh! Ack! My eyes! I cant see! My ears! My ears! Aah! My arm! My leg! My leg! In an instant, screams overflowed among the infantry of the Huligai tribe. The singijeon that had stuck into their shields and bodies had exploded. The screams erupted as wooden fragments created by the exploding singijeon stuck in the shields and the iron pellets inside the singijeon flew out, causing permanent damage to their vision or hearing. Even worse off were those who had singijeon stuck in their shoulders, arms, or legs. Broken bones were a given due to the shock created by the explosion, and some even had their arms or legs severed. Those who had singijeon stuck in their shoulders or chests died instantly on the spot. *** In the history of Joseon before Hyangs intervention, Joseon had also agonized over strengthening the power of the singijeon fired from the fire wagon. As a result of that agony, they came up with the idea of creating a separate space filled with gunpowder in front of the propent container attached to the singijeon. The explosion of the gunpowder stored in this extra space could inflict additional damage,rge or small, to the soldiers or facilities hit by the singijeon, and the singijeon that fell to the ground could explode, causing confusion in the enemy formation. And Hyang had touched this extra space. He filled it with Deokgap-style gunpowder, which had even stronger power than ck powder, along with 5-6 small iron pellets used in cannons. As this space exploded, the iron pellets inside would scatter in all directions, inflicting additional damage. *** Leaving behind their unfortunaterades, the infantry of the Huligai tribe had to continue advancing, covering their heads with shields. Keep moving! If you stand still, youll end up like those guys! Although they suffered considerable losses as more than 1,000 singijeon poured down in an instant, the infantry of the Huligai tribe had no choice but to advance. Swish! Whoosh! Theyreing again! Run! Run! Theres no other way than running! As the loud flight sound was heard from the sky once more, the infantry of the Huligai tribe gritted their teeth and began to charge at full speed. As the infantry started running, the Huligai cavalry moving ahead also had to speed up. Their mission was to crush the enemy formation and allow the infantry to safely break through. Therefore, they had to move ahead of the infantry. *** The n is falling into ce nicely. On the hill where the Joseon military had set up their formation, Lee Suk-myo looked at the staff officers with a bitter smile. C Break the enemys morale, make them exhaust their energy, and put our troops in an advantageous position. This was the first thing Lee Suk-myo had thought of. In his opinion, the greatest strengths of the Jurchen were that most of them were skilled horsemen and their brutality. To prevent these strengths from being properly utilized, Lee Suk-myo had to thoroughly use his head from the selection of the battlefield. Using the mobile strike units and the Wudihe cavalry, he forced Manchu and Mentemu to head toward Gilim and made them pass through the narrowest of the passages in the southwestern region of Gilim. And in the middle of that narrow passage, he built a defensive line with spearmen, swordsmen, and musketeers, and deployed the artillerymen on both hills. And to the left and right of that, he positioned the Joseon cavalry and the Jurchen cavalry of Wudihe, making it so that Manchu and Mentemu had no choice but to choose a frontal breakthrough. And using the long range of the singijeon mounted on the fire wagons, he had shaken the advancing warriors of the Huligai tribe. It will be 50 jang (about 150 m) at best Seeing the warriors of the Huligai tribe charging while raising a cloud of dust, Lee Suk-myo held back the rest of his words. An additional 50 jang or so would not be a big problem physically for the cavalry. However, for the infantry who had to take the singijeon with their bodies like that, 50 jang would be a demonic distance that gnawed at their willpower and stamina. As the cavalry of the Huligai tribe began their charge, Lee Suk-myo immediately issued an order. Fire the cannons. Yes, sir! Fire the cannons! At the staff officers order, the signal bearer waved the signal g. After a moment, the cannons that had set up formations on both hills simultaneously fired the cannons. Boom boom boom! As both hills were enveloped in smoke, Lee Suk-myo muttered. Lets see how useful the tricks learned from the navy are. By the way Lee Suk-myo smiled deeply, feeling the wind tickling his cheeks. The wind is very good. I like both the wind direction and the wind speed. The smoke will dissipate quickly. While Lee Suk-myo was enjoying the wind, about 100 explosions simultaneously spread over the heads of the charging Jurchen cavalry. Boom boom boom! Aaaargh! Neigh! Nearly 100 cannons exploded simultaneously above the heads of the charging Huligai cavalry. As the cannons exploded, numerous fragments and the iron pellets inside scattered in all directions, and the Huligai cavalry and horses riding beneath them rolled on the ground, covered in blood. *** The first to think of using the ignition tubes of cannons for aerial explosions was the navy. While fighting against the Japanese pirate ships or Chinese pirate ships, the navy became dissatisfied with the cannons mounted on their warships. Its over if we just hit the pirate ship. The problem is that hitting it is difficult. Engaging in a naval artillery battle on the waves was difficult to expect an uracy rate above a certain level, no matter how well-trained the navy was. Therge arrows used in the generals fire cannons, such as the generals arrows or iron pellets, showed an uracy rate close to wastage even with slightly rough waves. Therefore, the navy fired four slightly smaller arrows than therge arrows or filled the cannons with iron pellets and fired at the pirate ships. At this time, young naval officers came up with a new tactic. Since the cannons has the best power, lets try using it! So, when they used the cannons, they saw better effects than expected. And whether by chance or intentionally, the navy confirmed that the cannons that exploded in the air by wrapping less fuse had the most deadly effect, and they began to frequently use the cannons against pirate ships. And this tactic was passed on to the army. *** Boom! Although there were slight differences depending on whether it exploded higher in the sky or at a lower altitude, whenever the cannons exploded above the heads of the Huligai cavalry, dozens to hundreds of cavalry had to roll on the ground. This is insane! The Huligai cavalry, with bloodshot eyes, kicked their horses sides like crazy. Blood seeped from the horses sides that were kicked by the spurs, but no one had the leisure to care for them. We need to escape this hell! We must get as close to the enemy formation as possible! If we get close, they wont be able to do as they please either! Even if we die, we must ride! With the quick judgment of veteran soldiers with extensive battlefield experience, the cavalry charged like madmen. Riding alongside the warriors of the tribe, Mentemu shed tears of blood. We should have detoured even if it meant taking damage! Due to the pressure from the Wudihe tribes mongrels and the Joseon cavalry, Manchu and Mentemu had to head toward Gilim. However, the problem was what came next. The ce where the Joseon military had pushed them into was the narrowest of the many paths leading to Gilim. The width of the road between the low hills rising on both sides and the connected hilly terrain was about 400 jang (about 1.2 km). It would have been a width without any problem usually, but it was not so when tens of thousands of troops were gathered like now. Especially now, it was a narrow space for nearly 20,000 cavalry to maneuver. For the Joseon military, which had cannons as their main force, it was pushing the warriors of the tribe into the optimal killing ground. Joseon troops! Joseon troops! Joseon troops ahead! Hearing the shouts from around, Mentemu looked ahead. In the distance, the formation of the Joseon military blocking the way with long spears could be seen. Gauging the distance, Mentemu instinctively grabbed his bow, took out a long arrow from the quiver hanging on the right side of the saddle, and pulled the bowstring with all his might. Hng! Mentemu straightened his body, steadied his breath, and released the bowstring. Swish! Whoosh! Soon, the arrows shot by the Jurchen cavalry drew parabs and fell over the heads of the Joseon troops blocking the way ahead. Chapter 269 Chapter 269 Battle (8) Stand spears! Shield from arrows! As soon as themanders order was given, the spearmen positioned at the very front of the Joseon armys formation simultaneously pressed the upright spears tightly against their right shoulders and held them firmly. The way they held the spears was very peculiar. The right arm, bent in an L shape, was tightly gripping the middle part of the spear, and the left arm, raised to face level, was covering the face and gripping the upper part of the spear. Between the soldiers who took that posture, the shouts of officers and veteran soldiers erupted. Keep your eyes only forward! Dont look up at the sky trying to see the arrows and get one stuck in your eyeball! How much gap between your left arm and helmet? Just enough to see outside slightly! If youre nervous, ce your left arm right under the helmet brim! Dont hold it loosely and get your eyeball blinded by a stray arrow! Trust your armor and helmet! Theres a reason theyre annoyingly heavy! As the shouts of themanders and veteran soldiers echoed from all directions, the arrows shot by the Huligai cavalry began to pour down from the sky. tter! Thud! ng! Thwack! The arrows that poured down like rain hit the upright spears and bounced off in all directions with a loud noise. Feeling the vibration through the spear shaft, the spearmen gritted their teeth and gripped the shaft even more tightly. The noise and vibration made by the arrows hitting the spears were eerie, but the vibration and noise made by the arrows bouncing off the helmets and armor C especially the sound of the green cotton cloth covering the outer surface of the iron armor tearing C were even more eerie. Aaargh! My eye! While blocking the arrow rain with their bodies like that, an unwanted scream erupted. You idiot! Thats why I told you to cover properly! Take this guy away. Fill the spot! Fortunately for the other spearmen, there were hardly any soldiers who were injured and had to retreat like that. Damn it! If I survive this battlefield, Ill have to bow three times a day toward the East Pce! Long live the Crown Prince! The spearmen unconsciously nodded their heads at the veteran soldiers shouting from one side. *** The armor worn by themanders, cavalrymen, and spearmen of the Army was also Hyangs creation. Thanks to the ultimate cheat of 21st-century memory, the production cost of te armor became very low as press techniques were introduced. The supply issue of the main material, steel, was resolved with the establishment of arge steel mill in Anju, and the mass production of armor elerated. The overall design followed Western te armor, but one part was distinctly different. It was the helmet. The Western-style helmet that covered the entire head was not suitable for Joseons climate. Joseons summers were damn hot, and winters were damn cold. Of course, it wasnt that Europe didnt have summers and winters, but not as much as Joseon. Various measures could be taken by adopting European methods, but Hyang, who had the memory of military service in the 21st century, shook his head. Soldiers hate bothersome things at the gic level, and you want to create more work? Not a single soldier will do it properly. Therefore, Hyang created a new helmet based on the cheomju[1] (, a helmet with a brim). Overall, he increased the size of the brim, and despite having a neck guard made through te work, he added a dream (a type of cloth) that covered the left, right, and back of the head. Of course, he did not forget to secure protection by fixing iron tes inside the dream as padding. The brim of the cheomju shielded from the strong sunlight in summer, and by tying the left and right dreams upward, some heat could be released. Also, since the helmet and dream were spacious, when winter came, a hat made with cotton could be worn and carefully wrapped with the dream to protect the head from the cold. *** Damn it! The Huligai cavalry, who had been shooting arrows at Joseons spearmen, simultaneously cursed without exception. It was because they saw with their own eyes that the arrows they had shot with all their might were not causing much damage. A few of the Joseon spearmen standing like scarecrows fell, but their positions were soon filled. And the Joseon spearmen were steadfastly maintaining the defensive line. Seeing the Joseon spearmens defensive line being firm, the Huligai cavalry nced back. In the midst of that damn hail of bullets from the Joseon troops, their tribal brothers kept falling but still charged forward. Seeing that, the cavalrymen gritted their teeth and looked forward. Retreat was not an option. The moment they turned their horses heads, they would only be fodder for those damn bullets while getting tangled with the brothers charging from behind. There was only one answer. It was to charge with resolve to die and stick arrows in the faces of those Joseon troops, and then immediately move to the side. Only by shaking the formation like that would the brothers following behind thoroughly avenge what they had suffered so far. Hiyah! Ha! Lets go! The cavalrymen shouted and spurred their horses. *** Theyll be within musket range soon. The spearmenmanders, who had been gauging the distance from the charging Huligai cavalry, shouted in unison. Kneel down! Spear formation! As soon as themanders orders were given, the spearmen immediately knelt on their right knees and thrust their long spears diagonally forward, shouting. Formation set! The spearheads of the long spears held by the spearmen were aimed at the chest and head of the charging horses. The long spears held by the spearmen were literally long spears with a length of 1 jang 5 cheok (about 4.5 m). The front line of the Joseon armys formation had literally turned into a wall bristling with thorns. If the spearmen had turned into a thorny defensive wall, the musketeers were in charge of the attack. First row! Ready muskets! Aim! As soon as the spearmen, who had been blocking the view, simultaneously lowered their bodies and the view opened up, themanders of the musketeer units shouted in unison. Simultaneously with themanders orders, the musketeers in the first row raised their muskets and aimed. Fire! Ratatata! With a loud noise, the first row of the musketeer unit was enveloped in smoke. However, that smoke was swept away by the blowing wind. And the musketeers, who received newly loaded muskets from theirrades behind them, aimed at the target again. Fire! Ratatata! *** Under the concentrated fire of the musketeers, the leading group of the charging Huligai cavalry began to copse. The Huligai cavalrymen who leaped over their fallen brothers, whether they fell from their horses or copsed on the ground with their horses, were relentlessly shot down by the following bullets. The unceasing concentrated fire shattered the charging will of the Huligai cavalry. Eventually, about 70 jang (about 200 m) away from the Joseon armys formation, the Huligai cavalry split to the left and right. The n was to avoid the attack by splitting to the left and right while simultaneously shooting arrows. It was a tactic ingrained like instinct in the long history of struggle that had continued through the Yao, Jin, Mongolia, and Ming. However, the Huligai cavalry had forgotten about the presence of the Joseon cavalry positioned on the nks. *** As the Huligai cavalry, who had split to the left and right, entered firing range, the Joseon cavalry pulled out the muskets they had stuck in their saddles. Aim! Fire! Ratatata! The hills where they were positioned were momentarily obscured by the smoke from the muskets fired by the cavalry units and then reappeared. The cavalrymen who finished firing took out powder bags from small pouches they were carrying, tore off the bottom with their teeth, and poured the gunpowder into the gun barrel. Then, they began to shove the powder bag into the barrel with the ramrod. The powder bag contained both gunpowder and ammunition. The ammunition, whose size was precisely matched to maximize the effect of rifling, was difficult to load, but the powder bag made of oiled paper soaked in bean oil made it easy to load the bullet. The Joseon cavalrymen, who finished reloading by recing the flintlock with familiar hand movements, aimed at the Huligai cavalry and all had the same thought. Come to think of it Its notmon to fire muskets consecutively against Jurchen on horseback, right? Typically, after firing a musket, they would either immediately take a cavalry spear and charge, or engage in closebat with a six-barreled horse gun in one hand and a cavalry saber in the other. Sitting in the saddle and leisurely firing muskets consecutively like this was unusual. While the Huligai cavalry copsed like a sand castle washed away by seawater under the gunfire from the front and nks, the infantry who had made a death charge approached the Joseon armys formation. Seeing that, the spearmenmander sent a hand signal to the musketeermander. Confirming the hand signal, the musketeermander shouted loudly. Cease fire! Cease fire! Stand muskets! At the shouts of themanders and lower-ranking officers, the musketeers stopped firing and stood their muskets beside them. As the musketeers stopped firing and avoided the danger of friendly fire, the spearmenmanders ordered their subordinates. All rise! At themanders orders, the spearmen rose from their positions, relying on their spears. Second row! Third row! Draw swords! At themanders orders, the spearmen positioned in the second and third rows drew their swords in unison. They were real long swords, with a length from the tip of the de to the end of the hilt reaching up to the chest of an adult male. *** Early on, when Hyang was acquiring Western books from Ming, he discovered a peculiar book among the Western books brought by the envoys. Why is this appearing here? What Hyang discovered was a longsword fencing manual published in Germany. Even the envoys who purchased the book were unaware that it was a fencing manual. They had just done a sweeping shopping spree from a Ming merchant. So Why is this fencing manual written by an unknown fencer in Ming As Hyang examined the book this way and that, he found the reason on the veryst page of the book. C The swordsmanship of the Westerners is full of murderous intent, so it is not good for spiritual cultivation. Therefore, the descendants of the Sei family should neither see nor learn this fencing manual. So Since they told you not to learn it, you just sold it? By the way, Sei family? Could it be Namgoong? Anyway, now that the fencing manual had arrived, Hyang immediately began his obsession. Hyang, who tranted the book written in medieval German into Chinese characters as much as possible, sought out a skilled swordsman. And he found a master at the closest ce, who was themander of the Royal Guard. At Hyangs request, the Royal Guardmander, who examined the fencing manual, gave an unexpected answer. If there is a sword suitable for this swordsmanship, it seems like it would be quite useful. How about teaching it to the Royal Guards or the Gabsa? The Royal Guardmander, who pondered for a moment at Hyangs words, soon nodded. It should be fine. Although there are those from long-standing military families or those who learned swordsmanship from renowned masters, not all of them are like that. In this way, the Royal Guardmander and Hyang joined forces to make longsword fencing into Joseon military swordsmanship. And the result was the longsword held by the spearmen. *** Shoulder sword on the right! The spearmen who drew their long swords ced the swords on their right shoulders and red forward. First row! Thrust! Thrust! At themanders order, the spearmen in the first row simultaneously thrust their long spears forward and shouted loudly. After confirming the state of the first row, themander soon shouted loudly. Advance! Thud! Thud! With the sound of heavy footsteps, the spearmen maintained their formation and narrowed the distance with the Huligai infantry charging from the front. Watching the scene from behind, the musketeermanders raised their voices. Musketeers! Bays! At themanders shouts, the musketeers turned the bay scabbards hanging from their left hips upside down. The connecting part of the bay de inside the scabbard slid into the left hand due to gravity. Attach! At themanders order, the musketeers, who had pulled out the bays, inserted the connecting part into the protrudingtch on the muzzle of the musket and twisted it. The musketeers who had attached the bays to their muskets shouted loudly as they stood their muskets upright. Attached! (Note 1) With this, the musketeer unit was prepared for any potential closebat while observing the battle situation. *** Note 1) For those who want to see this process in video, please watch the 1964 film Zulu. Chapter 270 Chapter 270 Battle (9) While the musketeer unit was preparing for closebat, the spearmen unit was advancing step by step to confront the Huligai infantry while maintaining their formation. As Joseons spearmen unit began to move, the cavalry unit of the Huligai tribe, which had retreated to the left and right, began to turn their horses heads to intercept the spearmen unit. It was because as the spearmen unit advanced, a gap began to form between them and the musketeer unit behind them. And although Joseons spearmen unit tried their best to maintain their formation, they were gradually dispersing. It was because if they prated that gap and wreak havoc, the Huligai infantry could deliver a proper strike. Lets go! Ha! As the Huligai cavalry drew their sabers and moved toward the spearmen unit, the Joseon cavalry unit firing from the hill also reacted. The cavalry unit, who re-inserted their smoking muskets into the saddles, pulled out the cavalry spears hanging from the saddles and aimed them forward. Charge! Uwaaa! As soon as themanders order was given, the Joseon cavalry unit, gripping their spears, rode their horses down the hill. Their target was the Huligai tribal cavalry, who were starting to show their backs in front of their eyes. The primary objective of the cavalry unit was to prevent those cavalry from attacking their allied spearmen unit. No matter how thick the iron armor worn by the spearmen unit was, they couldnt withstand horse hooves. Those spearmen were as valuable as the cavalry unit. They were not mere consumables. For the Joseon military, there were only three types of soldiers who wore full te armor, excluding themanders. The Royal Guards who protected the king in the pce, the cavalry, and the spearmen. Those who relied on iron armor covering their entire bodies and fought enemies with only spears and long swords, without even shields, could not be mere consumables. The Army had selected the strongest men, painstakingly trained them in swordsmanship using long swords, and equipped them with iron armor that even arrows or des couldnt pierce. They were Joseons barricade. They were the spearmen. Because they were carefully selected, their numbers were notrge. The spearmen of the Hamgil Provincial Army advancing in the front and the spearmen of the Pyeongan Provincial Armying from behind constituted the majority of the spearmen in the Joseon military. *** After the spearmen unit was created by Hyang, themanders who had confirmed its value through various training and mock battles insisted on making arge-scale C tens of thousands C spearmen unit. These people! Before Kim Jeom could explode at the opinion from the military department, Hyang stepped forward and opposed the militarys dissent. There are several problems, sorge-scale organization is problematic. Why is that? Yes, why? When not only the military department but also Sejong expressed doubt, Hyang exined the reason. First, its a matter of cost. Its true that the cost has be cheaper as the Anju Steel Mill supplies steel inrge quantities andbor is reduced using presses. However, its still expensive. When he pointed out the cost issue, Kim Jeom nodded greatly. However, the military department did not easily back down. ording to the military tactics so far, all soldiers wear armor. Especially the units in charge of defense, such as the shield bearers, spearmen, and swordsmen, must wear at least chain mail. We are integrating those units and turning them into spearmen. The cost may have decreased, but it wont increase to a problematic level. Of course, it can be seen that way. However, considering the lifespan of the spearmen unit, it will cost too much. The lifespan of the unit? Does the Crown Prince believe that the spearmen will soon be useless? Yes, Father. Why? Because of arquebuses. After taking a brief breath, Hyang continued his exnation. In the case of the matchlock arquebus, it prates te armor even from 100 bo (about 120 m) away. To borrow a vulgar expression circting in the market, te armor is prated in front of arquebuses like the paper door of a newlyweds room on the wedding night.'' Ahem! Ahem! Cough! At Hyangs expression, Sejong and the ministers coughed in unison. The historian Seeing the historian already writing it down excitedly, Sejong let out a small sigh and brought up a counterargument. Isnt that because the matchlock arquebus you created is superior? When the matchlock arquebus appears on the battlefield, Ming will also immediately follow and make it. Although they wont be able to match the performance of the matchlock arquebus right away, their performance will still be much better than the arquebuses currently in use. If such arquebuses are deployed inrge numbers, the spearmen will be useless. My estimate is 30 years at most, 10 years at shortest. Kim Jeom interrupted Hyangs words. Then, isnt armor unnecessary for the cavalry as well? Dont the cavalry have horses? Of course, the cavalry will also take off their armor someday. Hmm At Hyangs exnation, Sejong, the ministers, and themanders of the military department fell into serious contemtion. Hyangs exnation was too realistic to be considered an excessive spection. They also thought that if Ming knew about the existence of the matchlock arquebus, they would surely follow and make it. Joseon also secretly brought in good weapons used by Ming or copied and made them. While everyone was pondering, a youngmander from the military department asked Hyang. Then, why did the Crown Prince create the spearmen? Because for those 10 to 30 years, they will definitely be worth it. Even now, if we confront the Jurchen and Japanese pirates, they will demonstrate the greatest power. Ah *** And so, the number of spearmen organized did not exceed 5,000. Of those, 4,000 were divided into two and deployed in Hamgil and Pyeongan Provinces. And through this battle, the spearmen were clearly proving their worth. Therefore, the cavalry stepped forward to prevent their meaningless loss. *** The Joseon cavalry unit, which had gained even more speed by utilizing the eleration obtained while descending the hill, charged into the Huligai cavalry with their spears aimed forward. Oh no! Its the Joseon army! As the Joseon cavalry unit struck, the Huligai cavalry fell into confusion and panicked. Forgetting about the Joseon cavalry on the hill was a clear mistake. However, the Huligai cavalry, from themanders to the rank-and-file cavalrymen, were in a state of not being in their right minds. Normally, themanders of the Huligai cavalry would have deployed troops to keep the Joseon cavalry on the hill in check. However, the bombardment using cannons and the gunfire from the musketeers and cavalry had turned their minds into a mess. On top of that, there was the desperation to break through the Joseon troops and go north. In the end, themanders could note to their senses, and they ended up exposing their backs and nks to the Joseon cavalry. *** The Joseon cavalrymen who had made a full-speed charge simultaneously thrust their spears. Skilled cavalrymen aimed at the Jurchen cavalrymen on horseback, but many cavalrymen aimed at the horses the Jurchen cavalrymen were riding. Neigh! The horses of the Jurchen cavalrymen, fatally wounded by the spears of the Joseon cavalry, copsed to the ground with a pitiful scream. The Jurchen cavalrymen who escaped from the saddle with agile movements had to desperately roll on the ground. If they were even a littlete, they would lose their lives by being hit or trampled by the hooves of the Joseon cavalrys horses that followed. Among the Jurchen cavalrymen who lost their horses like that, a few brave ones tried to grab and pull down the nearby Joseon cavalrymen, but they had to be skewers, pierced by the spears of the Joseon cavalry that followed. Therefore, the Jurchen cavalrymen who lost their horses had to desperately roll their bodies for survival. It was because they were outnumbered for such an adventure, and the Joseon cavalrymen were not easy opponents either. The Joseon cavalrymen ignored those Jurchen cavalrymen and charged at the Jurchen cavalrymen who were still on horseback, drawing their six-barreled horse guns and cavalry sabers. The threatening presence to the Joseon cavalry was the Jurchen cavalrymen on horseback. The Jurchen and horses were inseparable. However, saddles were expensive items, and most Jurchen were ustomed to riding horses without saddles from a young age. The problem was that to ride a horse without a saddle like that, they had to tightly squeeze the horses body with both legs. As they lived like that during their prime growth period, the leg bones of most Jurchen men became deformed. Therefore, Jurchen without horses had to be considered as having almost no mobility, and the Joseon cavalrymen ignored the Jurchen cavalrymen who had lost their horses. The treatment of the unseated Jurchen cavalrymen could be der or left to the infantry. The ones that needed to be dealt with first were the Jurchen cavalrymen who were still on horseback. *** While the Joseon cavalrymen and Huligai cavalrymen were fiercely engaging in closebat, the spearmen were also confronting the Huligai tribal infantry. These crazy Theyre madmen The spearmen at the very front, gripping their long spears, all cursed without exception. The eyes of the Jurchen charging toward them were filled with only madness. What was even more surprising was that most of the Jurchen charging like that were bare-chested. With eyes full of madness, the bare-chested Jurchen were charging toward them, holding sabers or axes in their hands. *** What had driven the Huligai tribal infantry into this state of confusion was the singijeon and cannons, no, the cannons. The Huligai tribal infantry had somehow endured with armor and shields until the singijeon. However, in front of the cannons, neither shields nor armor were of any use. Whenever there was an explosion in the air, many brothers died or copsed to the ground with severe injuries, covered in blood. Watching such a tragedy, the Huligai infantry looked forward. There were no attacks from those damn fire bullets where the cavalry was. Then While running at full speed, the Huligai infantry threw away their shields and took off their armor. In a situation where they had to run as fast as possible, the useless armor and shields were cumbersome items. All they needed now were weapons to kill those Joseon bastards blocking the way ahead. If we break through those Joseon bastards, everything will be solved! Only this thought remained in the minds of the running Huligai infantry. There was no thought about the next situation. *** Those damn bastards are begging to be killed! Grant their wish! At themanders shouts, the spearmen at the very front gripped their long spears even tighter. First row! Thrust! Yah! Cha! As soon as themanders order was given, the spearmen in the first row thrust the long spears they were holding into the chests of the Jurchen and immediately withdrew them. The simple awl-shaped spearhead aided in quick retrieval. Ugh! Ack! Those stabbed in vital points copsed to the ground with a short scream. However, the Jurchen who were stabbed while missing the vital points grabbed the spear shaft. At that moment, themander of the spearmen unit shouted. Second and third rows, advance! Uwaaa! Through the space created between the spearmen in the first row, the spearmen in the second and third rows leaped forward, holding their long swords high. The spearmen who leaped forward immediately cut off the necks of the Jurchen holding the spear shafts and swung their swords at the Jurchen charging behind them. ng! ng! Soon, a fierce closebat broke out with loud sounds of swords shing from all directions. Although they had suffered heavy losses from the singijeon and cannons bombardment during the charge, the number of Huligai infantry was about 5,000, and the Joseon spearmen they were facing numbered 2,000. However, the situation on the battlefield was even, no, the Joseon troops were gradually gaining the upper hand. The biggest reason was that the morale of the Huligai infantry had been greatly dampened due to the singijeon and cannons. And by taking off their armor, the Huligai infantrys defensive power had be non-existent. However, as madness took the ce of their broken morale, the Huligai infantry charged like crazy. In this chaotic battle, those who had only recently be spearmen found themselves in a difficult situation. Although they had be ustomed to swordsmanship through rigorous training and sparring until they had a foul taste in their mouths, they were constantly driven into a crisis as they encountered the overflowing murderous intent in actualbat. In the end, to win and to survive, they drew other weapons they had prepared in advance. The weapons they drew were sickles and axes. Chapter 271 Chapter 271 Battle (10) Until they joined the military, most Joseon soldiers were farmers. To them, axes and sickles, especially sickles, were very familiar tools. Joseon farmers could handle sickles almost like their own hands. And Joseons sickles C more precisely, wooden sickles C were that versatile. Starting with cutting rice or barley during harvests, removing weeds, trimming branches, and cutting trees were the basics, and they even caught vipers or snakes that popped out of bushes. When encountering a snake, a noble catches it with a bow, and amoner catches it with a sickle. This was themon sense of Joseon at that time. Interestingly, those who wielded sickles and axes like this were the new recruits who had only recently be spearmen. At least for three years or more, the veteran soldiers who had learned swordsmanship for an average of five years and experienced realbat conducted closebat with just a long sword. Looking at the long swords of those veteran soldiers, the only thing that was the same was the length of the de. The specifications of the long sword issued to the spearmen were all the same. With the progress of the training, it was 4 cheok (about 1.2 m) ording to the standard Yeongjocheok (I, a standard of measurement). Of that, the de length was 3 cheok (about 90 cm), and the handle length was 1 cheok (about 30 cm). The shape was a double-edged straight sword. All spearmen were trained and put into realbat with long swords made in this uniform way. And the veteran soldiers who had experienced various realbat situations and gained experience through sparring began to touch their beloved swords. The part the veteran soldiers touched was the handle. The first thing they touched was the guard. Some attached heavy iron hammers to both ends of the guard, while others lengthened the guard and made it pointed. Or there were those who made both ends in the shape of small axes and even sharpened the de. Changing the shape of the guard like this was to win in closebat. When holding the sword upside down and striking the enemy, this modified guard took the upper hand from the enemy. Veterans who were not satisfied even after modifying the guard also touched the pommel. At the end of the sword handle issued to the newly formed spearmen, there was arge round lump of iron attached. It was to bnce the sword and use it as a blunt weapon in closebat. However, veterans who had experienced realbat made this pommel even heavier. By intentionally moving the center of gravity to the back, they were able to handle the direction of the de more quickly and freely with just the movement of the wrist. It was an improvement made through experience ingrained in the body without even knowing the principle of leverage. Those who gained even more experience changed the shape of the pommel to a nail shape. The purpose was to strike the back of the neck or back of the enemy trying to grab and knock down their body in closebat, inflicting fatal injuries. With various decorations added to it, the swords of senior spearmen had their own unique shapes except for the de. *** The spearmen wielding these long swords, axes, and sickles engaged in closebat with the Huligai infantry. Die! To block the sickle swung down by the spearman, the Huligai infantryman instinctively raised his arm to cover his face. Aaargh! The Huligai infantryman who blocked the sickle with his arm screamed. The sickle swung down by that Joseon soldier not only cut through the well-crafted leather armguard but also more than half of the forearm. The terrible paining from the arm drained the strength from the Huligai infantrymans body. At that moment, the Joseon soldiers sickle pierced this unfortunate Jurchens neck from the side. Next to him, another spearman struck down the pommel with a sharpened de toward the back of the Huligai infantryman who was trying to grab his waist and knock him down. The Jurchen, whose chest was pierced by the awl-like sharp pommel, suddenly had difficulty breathing and couldnt even make a sound. Due to the sudden shortness of breath, the Jurchen began to struggle, and the spearman freed from the restraint swung his long sword at the Jurchens neck. The Jurchens head fell to the ground like an apple falling from an apple tree by the spearmans sword swung down like that. *** Although the spearmen were blocking and engaging in a bloody battle with the infantry of the Huligai tribe, Huligai infantry who had broken through their defensive line also began to emerge. The Huligai infantry who had climbed over or bypassed the spearmens wall like that began to run toward the Joseon musketeers and artillerymen who had set up a formation about 20 jang (about 60 m) away. As the Huligai infantry charged, the musketeermander shouted. Prepare for alternating fire! Advance! First row, aim! Fire! Ratatata! As soon as themanders order was given, the musketeers in the first row simultaneously pulled their triggers. Breaking through the smoke that rose in an instant, the musketeers in the very back row stepped forward. Aim! Fire! Ratatata! Following themanders orders, the musketeers moved their positions like a spinning wheel and continued advancing and firing. The Huligai infantry, under the concentrated fire of the musketeers, faltered on the spot. No, they were copsing as they came forward one by one, receiving gunfire. As the musketeers made two rotations like that, the distance between the Huligai infantry and the musketeer unit narrowed to about 10 jang (about 30 m). Gauging the distance, the musketeermander issued another order. Retreat! First row, aim! Fire! Ratatata! Following themanders order, the musketeers in the first row who pulled the triggers quickly moved to the very rear of the formation. And the musketeers in the second row, who had be the lead, raised their muskets and aimed at the Huligai infantry. Fire! And so, after the musketeer unit repeated advancing and retreating three times, there were no more Huligai infantrying over the spearmen unit. To be precise, the Huligai infantry had been annihted. Coinciding with the annihtion of the Huligai infantry, the Joseon cavalry units also began the process of finishing off the Huligai cavalry. The Huligai cavalry desperately resisted the Joseon cavalry, but they could not withstand the six-barreled horse guns held by the Joseon cavalry. Seeing the attempt of the Huligai warriors to break through the Joseon armys formation being thwarted, Lee Soon-mong ordered his staff officer. Send a signal to the 2nd and 3rd Mobile Strike Units and the Wudihe tribes. Tell them to clean up whats left behind. Yes, General. After a moment, the signal bearer waved the signal g. As the Mobile Strike Units, confirming Lee Soon-mongs order, moved toward the remaining tribesmen of Manchu and Mentemu, the cavalry of the Wudihe tribe also began to move. *** As the cavalry of the Wudihe tribe moved in coordination with the movement of the Joseon militarys Mobile Strike Units, the cavalry of the Huligai tribe, which had been keeping the Wudihe tribe in check, had to block the Wudihe tribes path. However, their morale had hit rock bottom. It was because they had clearly witnessed their main force being annihted with their own eyes. Fight! If we copse here too, our families will all be ves! At the tribal chiefs blood-spitting shout, they forcibly mustered their strength and blocked the Wudihe tribes path, but the situation of being outnumbered by about 1:3 was unavoidable. In the end, thest warriors of the Huligai tribe fought desperately to block the Wudihe tribe and were literally swept away. Watching all the warriors of the tribe die, the remaining people of the Huligai tribe and the Odoli tribe desperately tried to turn their wagons and attempt to escape. However, those targeting them clung to them tenaciously. As a significant number of the remaining men turned into corpses, the tribespeople of the Huligai and Odoli tribes gave up everything and epted their end. And so, the survivors of the Odoli and Huligai who fell into the hands of the Joseon military and the Wudihe tribe numbered about 20,000. And most of them were women and children. With the survivors of the Huligai and Odoli tribes in the middle, the Joseon cavalry and the cavalry of the Wudihe tribe surrounded them inyers. While the survivors of the Huligai and Odoli were shedding tears of blood, thinking about their bleak future, Lee Soon-mong was discussing the distribution of the spoils with the Buyeo and chiefs of the Wudihe tribe. Our Joseon will take 80% of the spoils. Thats a bit At Lee Soon-mongs words, the Buyeo of the Wudihe tribe had a troubled expression. Although they yed a supporting role, the sacrifices that urred in the small-scale battles on the way to Jilin were not insignificant. Therefore, if it were up to him, he would want to overturn the table right away, but the problem was that he couldnt do that. If we overturn the table here, we will end up like those Huligai and Odoli! Considering the overwhelming firepower the Joseon military had shown against the Huligai and Odoli warriors just before, it was something that should never be overturned. Moreover, ording to the report of the scouts who had gone out for reconnaissance and returned, there were nearly 20,000 Joseon troops that hade up to 20 ri away. If they made even a small mistake, the Wudihe would also follow the fate of the Huligai and Odoli. However, taking only a mere 20% of those many spoils was a huge loss. As if knowing the mind of the Wudihe Buyeo, Lee Soon-mong continued. Ah! The spoils mentioned by our Joseon do not include the people. Does that mean you will hand over all those people to us? Thats right. At Lee Soon-mongs answer, the face of the Wudihe Buyeo brightened. This changes things! Most of the survivors of the Huligai and Odoli over there were women and children. They were the most valuable beings. With that number of heads, not only could they fulfill the number of ves they needed, but they could also sell them to Ming or other tribes and make a tidy profit. In the end, after a few more back-and-forth negotiations, the negotiation ended. C Joseon takes 70% of the spoils, including warhorses, various weapons, and agricultural tools. C The Wudihe tribe takes the survivors of the Huligai and Odoli tribes and 30% of the spoils. After the negotiation between the two sides ended, the soldiers of the Joseon military and the Wudihe tribe began the distribution work. Lee Soon-mong and themand post stepped aside and directed the distribution work and battlefield cleanup. Separate the corpses of our troops from the enemys corpses! Wrap the corpses of our troops in nkets and load them on wagons! Dont forget to pay respects! The Joseon soldiers silently paid tribute to their fallenrades and collected the corpses as carefully as possible. However, the corpses of the Huligai and Odoli tribal warriors who killed them did not receive such treatment. The Joseon soldiers roughly stripped the armor from the corpses, gathered the weapons separately, and loaded them onto wagons. On one side,rge pits began to be dug to dispose of the corpses of the Huligai and Odoli tribal warriors after the collection work was finished. Once those pits werepleted, the corpses of the Huligai and Odoli tribal warriors would be thrown in and cremated. Watching the soldiers busily moving around in all directions, a staff officer said to Lee Soon-mong. Wasnt it too generous to hand over the prisoners to those Wudihe bastards? It was the royalmand issued by His Majesty. The General Staff also agreed. I know that, but now that I see that number of heads, Im saying its a waste. Joseoncks everything, but isnt the mostcking thing people? At the staff officers words, Lee Soon-mong clicked his tongue softly. Tsk! Did you see the eyes of those prisoners? They were brimming with venom. Do you think it will be beneficial to bring those venomous bastards to Joseon? Do you want to suffer catching bastards like Hwacheok again? If we tame them moderately The best thing to do is to leave it to those who know how to properly remove the venom. Pointing at the Wudihe tribe with his chin, Lee Soon-mong concluded. By the time the eastern expedition is over and we head west again, those guys will have removed the venom on their own. Thats the best way. Chapter 272 Chapter 272 While the pursuit was underway in the north, Lee Maeng-gyun, who had departed from Hanseong, was also preparing for a battle. The morning before arriving in Shandong after sailing the sea at full speed, Han Song-ro informed Lee Maeng-gyun of the expected arrival time. We will arrive in Shandong around lunchtime tomorrow. Is that so? Thank you. Then I should start preparing. Han Song-ro, who had informed Lee Maeng-gyun of the expected arrival date and left the cabin, tilted his head. Preparation? What preparation? Before long, Han Song-ro found out what the preparation was. Lee Maeng-gyun, who had been diligently eating meals without seasickness even on the rocking ship, started fasting and only drinking water. And the officials apanying Lee Maeng-gyun sternly warned Han Song-ro and the crew.Dont forget. His Excellency has been weak in strength since boarding. Pardon? Yes At the officials words, Han Song-ro and the crew had no choice but to nod their heads. They wanted to ask the reason, but the fierce gaze of the military officer standing behind the official was making them keep their mouths tightly shut. The next day, at the scheduled time, Han Song-ro docked the ship at the Joseon conste pier in Shandong. Good work As Lee Maeng-gyun left the cabin with the support of young officials, he offered words of gratitude, and Han Song-ro politely answered. Not at all. Then, have a safe trip. Thank you. Lee Maeng-gyun, who briefly answered in a weak voice, got off the gangway with the support of the young officials. Seeing that, Han Song-ro scratched the back of his head and muttered softly. Its not like its some ghost y *** Lee Maeng-gyuns party, who arrived in Shandong, headed to Beijing using carriages. Around Lee Maeng-gyuns party heading to Beijing, not only the Joseon military but also the Ming cavalry were moving together for escort. Such Ming cavalry had the task of escorting Lee Maeng-gyuns party, but they also had the task of monitoring them. Lee Maeng-gyuns party, who traversed about 1300 ri (about 500 km) from Shandong to Beijing in 7 days, immediately requested to have an audience with Emperor of Ming. A Joseon envoy has arrived? Why? There should be no reason for an envoy toe. Emperor, whose curiosity was piqued by the sudden arrival of the Joseon envoy, immediately granted an audience. Lee Maeng-gyun, who came before Emperor with the support of young officials, bowed deeply. Jin, Lee Maeng-gyun, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Joseon, having an audience with Your Majesty the Emperor of the Great Ming Empire Lee Maeng-gyun couldnt even finish his words and copsed on the floor. Your Excellency! Your Excellency! The vice envoy and officials who came in with Lee Maeng-gyun ran up and lifted Lee Maeng-gyun, who had copsed on the floor, and the Ming officials nearby were also greatly startled and in a state of confusion, Emperor, who was startled, got up from the throne and shouted. Doctor! Call the doctor! The doctor, who was hurriedly summoned to check the pulse, reported to Emperor. His strength has greatly weakened, and he has temporarily fainted. Is that so? Then have the envoy recuperate in the guest house. Yes. The vice envoy shall remain for a moment and report to Us what the matter is. Yes. After a while, the eunuchs came in, loaded Lee Maeng-gyun on a stretcher, and went out. Emperor, who was watching that, turned his head to look at the vice envoy and had an even more serious expression. The vice envoysplexion is also not very good. What on earth has happened in Joseon? It is such a horrific event that it is difficult to even speak of. That must be the reason you sought Us, so do not hesitate and speak. At the Emperorsmand, the vice envoy immediately answered. C Manchu and Mentemu have invaded Joseon! Manchu and Mentemu? That is correct, Your Majesty. Hmm. I understand. We will also verify the facts. The vice envoy should also go and recuperate. Your grace is immeasurable. The Emperor, who had sent the vice envoy out, turned to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister. Could their words be true? Logically thinking, they wouldnt lie about such a grave matter, would they? That may be so, but why Manchu and Mentemu? No, above all, why has this report not reached Us? Is Liaodong, no, Manchus territory not close to this Beijing? That is The Prime Minister, who could not properly answer the Emperors rebuke, immediately prostrated himself. Please forgive our sins! Please forgive our sins! If you know your sins, immediately verify the situation! To escape Emperors anger, an express messenger was urgently dispatched from Beijing to Liaodong. However, that urgently dispatched messenger returned the next day. It was because a messenger carrying an urgent report recording the incident that urred in Liaodong came running to Beijing. C Manchu and Mentemu have crossed the border and invaded Joseon viges! The moment he saw the contents written on the first page of the report, the Emperor immediately closed the cover. Its over. Meanwhile, Lee Maeng-gyun had been recuperating at the guest house. *** The Emperor, who saw a senior official faint in his presence for the first time, ordered an investigation into their journey. He barely ate half a bowl of porridge at each meal? Using our Ming bowls? Yes, Your Majesty. After confirming the report, the Emperor looked at the Prime Minister with a serious expression. Did the chief envoy of Joseon copse due to the cmity that has befallen Joseon? Or is it because he starved? As he poured his efforts into the cmity, his body weakened, and in the end, he couldnt eat properly, isnt that right? If it were me, I dont think I would be able to eat properly when my country has suffered a great disaster. Hmm At the Prime Ministers words, the Emperor fell into thought, stroking his beard. It would be good if that were the case, but Why do I feel like its because he starved? Koreans were also known for being big eaters. But he only ate half a bowl of porridge at each meal? It was natural for him to copse from hunger. The Emperor, who had been carefully considering the possibility of a conspiracy, soon reached a conclusion. But what can we do even if thats the case? The justification is already on their side And so, it was five dayster when Lee Maeng-gyun rose from his sickbed. **** After Lee Maeng-gyun returned to his position, a fierce diplomatic battle unfolded against the Emperor and the Ming court. However, throughout the talks, Ming was being led by Joseon. Since Manchu and Mentemu had crossed Joseons border and caused trouble, the justification was on Joseons side. Starting with the matter of the persons of Manchu and Mentemus families, most of the agenda resulted in the direction Joseon wanted. However, there was a part that Ming could not easily concede, and that was regarding the territory. An urgent report has arrived that Joseon troops are staying on thend where the tribes of Manchu and Mentemu resided. Does Joseon intend to upy this territory? At the question of the Prime Minister, who stood as Mings representative, Lee Maeng-gyun immediately answered. Ah, they are probably the ones staying to protect the supply route. The supply route Then is Joseon saying that it will not upy theirnd? We will withdraw from the Pazhu River basin, where the ringleader Manchu resided, as soon as the punishment is over. However, we will upy the basin that Mentemus n had taken. Why is that? Have you forgotten? The ce where the Odoli tribe led by Mentemu was located is where our Joseon royal family originated. You havent forgotten the imperial decree issued by Your Majesty, have you? At Lee Maeng-gyuns retort, the Prime Minister shut his mouth. When the Joseon Crown Prince first came to Beijing, the Emperor had permitted the recovery of thend where the Joseon royal family originated. The ce where the Odoli tribe was located was definitely within that territory. As expected, Joseon was gaining the upper hand on this agenda item as well. However, thend ruled by Mentemu belongs to our Mings Jianzhou Left Wing Prime Minister. As the Emperor, who had been listening to the conversation from behind, called the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister shut his mouth. It seemed he knew the reason why the Emperor was calling him. Yes, Your Majesty. Joseons words are correct regarding thend ruled by Mentemu. Do not harm the goodwill between the two countries with needless stubbornness. Yes, Your Majesty. By Emperorsmand, thend upied by the Odoli tribe was officially recognized as Joseons. Listen, Joseon envoy. At the Emperors call, Lee Maeng-gyun rose from his seat and politely answered. Yes, Your Majesty. For the sake of the goodwill between Ming and Joseon, Joseon must also abandon its greed. I will engrave it in my bones and remember it. At the Emperors warning, Lee Maeng-gyun bowed his head and answered. Lee Maeng-gyun, who had bowed his head like that, muttered inwardly. For the time being *** As the negotiations ended and Lee Maeng-gyuns envoy party was about to depart from the Forbidden City, a messenger from Liaodong entered the pce and reported. C Manchu, Mentemu, and the Joseon army are getting closer and closer. It seems a battle will take ce in the Jilin area. C Considering the results of the battles so far, it is highly likely that the Joseon army will win. Upon receiving the report, the Emperor red at Lee Maeng-gyun. Listen, envoy. It seems Joseon will win, so how do you feel? From what I see, Joseon has been putting in a lot of effort, knowingly or unknowingly. I and the officials of Joseon pour our efforts solely for the safety andfort of our Joseon. Is that so? The Emperor, who had been ring at Lee Maeng-gyun, leaned back on the backrest of the throne and gestured. Return to Hanseong. The justification for this matter is with you. However, We will be watching your Joseon from now on. Your grace is immeasurable. Lee Maeng-gyun, who politely bowed, retreated backward from where the Emperor was seated. Having left the Wenhuan Hall where the Emperor was seated, Lee Maeng-gyun let out a long sigh. Phew~. It will be tougher from now on. *** Around the time the Joseon army was wrapping up the final battle in Jilin, a merchant ship departed from Shandong to Jemulpo. At the bow of the ship, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lee Maeng-gyun looked to the east with a face full of concern. I wonder if it went well? Seeing Lee Maeng-gyun looking to the east with a face full of concern, Han Song-ro spoke to Lord Chu, the navigator. Old man. I should never let my son be an official. Huh? Didnt you say before that as soon as he finishes themoner school, youll send him straight to the middle school? What wind has suddenly blown? At Lord Chus question, Han Song-ro pointed to Lee Maeng-gyun and answered. Seeing how that man is doing, being an official isnt an easy job either. Id rather have him seed me and do ship work. At Han Song-ros words, Lord Chu nodded his head. Indeed When I saw him getting off the ship to go to Beijing, he could have been a con artist. *** Thanks to the favorable weather, the ship carrying the envoy party was able to return to Jemulpo in five days. Good work. The remaining payment will be made immediately. At Lee Maeng-gyuns words, Han Song-ro bowed deeply and answered. Thank you. Please use our services anytime! At Han Song-ros words, Lee Maeng-gyun smiled and answered. It would be better for me not to ride your ship! Pardon? Take care! Lee Maeng-gyun, who bid farewell to Han Song-ro, mounted a horse that had been prepared in advance and headed to Hanseong. Its an urgent matter, so move as quickly as possible! Lets go! Lets go! As the envoy party on horseback disappeared into the distance, Han Song-ro, who had straightened his back, turned to Lord Chu. What did he mean just now? Wasnt the reason he rode this time because of the trouble in the north? Would such noblemen have any reason to ride our ship if there was no trouble? Ah Lord Chu muttered inwardly at the sight of Han Song-ro, who seemed to understand after the exnation. Its not that the captains son wont be an official, but that he cant. Where would that blood go? *** Lee Maeng-gyuns party, who had returned to Hanseong, immediately headed to Gyeongbok Pce. Wee! You must have had a long and difficult journey! At Hyangs warm reception, Lee Maeng-gyun politely bowed and answered. Not at all. I have merely done what I had to do. Having answered like that, Lee Maeng-gyun gestured to the official who followed him in. At Lee Maeng-gyuns gesture, the official handed a tray containing a thick scroll to the eunuch. This is Mings decision regarding this punitive expedition. Is that so? Hyang, who received the scroll and unrolled it to check the contents, nodded his head. You have truly worked hard. I will make a copy of this and send it to Father right away. How is the situation at the front? The result has not arrived yet, but considering the results so far, it doesnt seem bad. Ah~. Thats a relief. At Hyangs answer, Lee Maeng-gyun showed a relieved expression. Watching Lee Maeng-gyun like that, Hyang added. Please rest and recover for two days and attend court starting the day after tomorrow. Things are very busy now. Yes. A littleter, Lee Maeng-gyun, who had left the Eastern Pce, looked up at the sky and muttered. Should I have starved on the way back too? Chapter 273 Chapter 273 Your Majesty! We have great news! Has word finally arrived? Sejong, who had been reviewing reports sent from Hanseong, asked in delight at Choi Yoon-deokks exmation. Yes, Your Majesty! News has arrived! It is a great victory! Choi Yoon-deokk handed the report sent by Yi Sun-mong to the attendant. Sejong received the scroll from the attendant and unrolled it to read the contents. As Sejong read through the report, his expression grew brighter and brighter. Having finished reading the entire report, Sejong leaned back and exhaled deeply. Whew~. We have finally alleviated the greatest concern in the north! Indeed, Your Majesty!Where are their heads? They are in the courtyard. At Choi Yoon-deokks words, Sejong rose from his seat and went outside. In the inner courtyard of the Hamheung Temporary Pce, long wooden boards wereid out in a row on the ground, and dozens of severed heads were ced on top of them. These are the heads of the Mentemu n, and these are the heads of the Manchu n. Mentemus face is quite a mess? We found him dead on the battlefield. Is that so? As Sejong examined the severed heads while listening to Choi Yoon-deokks exnation, he noticed something peculiar. Many of the heads belonging to the Mentemu and other Odoli tribes were badly damaged, but the heads of the Manchu n had fewer such injuries. In particr, Manchus head was in pristine condition. Compared to Manchu, Mentemus forces were said to be extremely few Recalling the contents of the reports that had arrived before and after the war, Sejong muttered softly. They were driven to the front lines as arrow fodder, given their lesser stake Pardon? When Choi Yoon-deokk expressed confusion at Sejongs mumbling, Sejong pointed to the heads of the Mentemu n. Seeing how badly their heads are damaged, it seems most of them were in the thick of the battle. ording to the report, that is correct, Your Majesty. Hmm Silently observing the severed heads, Sejong turned around. We have another reason for Joseon to grow stronger. Pardon? If our nations power is weak, we will be prey to stronger countries. If we are mediocre, we will be arrow fodder like Mentemu. Dont you agree? That is indeed the case. While immediately nodding in agreement with Sejongs words, Choi Yoon-deokk felt slightly worried. What the King had just said was the righteous path. However, even the righteous path had its limits. If all the nations power was poured into defense, it would no longer be the righteous path but a tyrannical one, leading to despotic rule. As they returned to the main hall of the temporary pce, Sejong continued. Even if we do not need the power to coerce others, we must ensure that others cannot recklessly coerce us. Dont you think so? Your words are wise, Your Majesty! Choi Yoon-deokk replied loudly, feeling relieved. How are the preparations for the soldiers victory paradeing along? Yes. We are preparing step by step. Please ensure that everything is taken care of. This was the first battle where Joseon had fully exerted its military might since the conquest of Tsushima. Unlike the lukewarm conclusion of the Tsushima conquest, this campaign ended in a great victory. Sejong intended to widely publicize this to boost the morale of the people and simultaneously warn the neighboring Jurchen tribes not to act recklessly. Your Majesty, here are the expenditure reports. And this is the budget for the welfare policy for those who died or were injured in this campaign and their families. Lastly, this is the war expenditure confirmed up to today. Receiving the reports handed over by a young official from the General Staff Office, Sejong reviewed the numbers with a serious expression. Are these numbers urate? Sejongs voice trembled slightly as he questioned the official. The official replied with a somewhat troubled look. These numbers have undergone at least three rounds of verification. Confirming the numbers, Sejong let out a long sigh. Whew~. There will be an uproar in Hanseong. The Crown Prince will have a hard time. Thinking of Hyang, who must be struggling in Hanseong, Sejong looked south with a gloomy face. Have I entrusted him with too heavy a burden? *** As Sejong worried, Hyang was engaged in fierce debates in Hanseong. However, his opponent in these debates was always the same person. Kim Jeom, the Minister of Finance. As the war expenditure soared during the campaign, Hyang and Kim Jeom continued to argue, and watching their debates became a daily routine for the other ministers. *** The war expenditure is substantial. At Minister of Finance Kim Jeoms words, Hyang replied with a helpless expression. War is a great matter, so it cannot be helped. Kim Jeom let out a long sigh at Hyangs response. Whew~. Still, the war expenditure has exceeded our expectations. Especially the cost of gunpowder weapons. Gunpowder is indeed quite expensive. As he answered, Hyang felt a bitter taste in his mouth. **** As the focus ofbat shifted from spears and swords to firearms, the consumption of gunpowder had greatly increased. However, gunpowder was by no means a cheapmodity. Gunpowder requiredrge quantities of sulfur and saltpeter, which were difficult to obtain in Joseon. To address this, Sejong and the court had to do their utmost. In the case of sulfur, a few mines were discovered in Joseon, but their profitability was extremely poor. Therefore, only the two rtively more profitable mines were operated, and the rest had to be imported from Japan. Fortunately, the newly arrived Japanese merchants at the Waegwan were cooperative, ensuring a steady supply, but it was still an expensivemodity. As for saltpeter, it was being supplied by operating pastures and niter beds throughout Joseon, but there was still a shortage. The saltpeter issue was particrly serious because it was an essentialponent not only in the existing ck powder called Gap-sik gunpowder but also in the improved brown powder called Eul-sik gunpowder, nitroglycerine (called as Pokyoo), mercury fulminate (called as Pokeun), and Deok Gap-sik gunpowder. In short, anything with the character explosive () in its name contained saltpeter or nitric acid made from saltpeter. Therefore, Hyang nned to send Haeung-ship to India as soon as he fulfilled his quota. There were rumors of saltpeter deposits in neighboring Ming, but like in the case of horn bowsthe export of cow horns was prohibitedMing did not like the idea of Joseon strengthening its military power. As for sulfur, Hyang had Hokkaido in mind. Wasnt there a famous sulfur hot spring in Hokkaido? While pondering the supply of sulfur, Hyang looked at Baekdu Mountain marked on the map. That ce is also a volcano There must be sulfur there *** Kim Jeom continued to pressure Hyang over the war expenditure. Looking at this campaign, the amount of gunpowder consumed during the mere 20-day period is immense. We have exhausted the gunpowder ingredients umted over the past two years! Two years worth of supplies! Hyang and the ministers could not say anything in response to Kim Jeoms words. In the first year of Sejongs reign, the Military Equipment Office submitted a memorial to Sejong. -The current amount of saltpeter in the military arsenal is 3,316 geun (approx. 2,100 kg), but the annual consumption of saltpeter is 4,000 geun (approx. 2,400 kg). Additional production is necessary. As the military reforms progressed, gunpowder production continued to increase, but Joseon still did not have sufficient gunpowder reserves. *** So, what does Your Excellency suggest we do? In response to Hyangs question, Kim Jeom immediately replied. I believe it would be best to reduce the live-fire training conducted by the military. That is not possible. Your Highness! When Hyang immediately rejected the idea, Kim Jeom raised his voice. However, Hyang did not back down from his decision. Your Excellency, have you forgotten the disgraceful behavior of the soldiers when the Gapsik Jangchong muskets were first mass-produced and distributed? That is Kim Jeoms face turned troubled at Hyangs question. (TL/N: Note that Im retaining the weapons original names here as mentioned in few chapters back) *** Through the demonstration held in Area 51, the adoption of the Gapsik Jangchong muskets was decided, and the mass-produced muskets were supplied to the Royal Guard, the Five Military Commands, and the Gyeonggi Provincial Army. During the first training session conducted by the Royal Guard using the newly supplied Gapsik Jangchong muskets, even the Royal Guard soldiers, considered the elite of Joseon, were startled by the loud st of the muskets they fired and showed signs of panic. *** Hyang continued to exin the reasons for his refusal. Soldiers handling muskets and artillery must be ustomed to the loud noise produced by their weapons to fight properly in actualbat. The same goes for the war horses they will ride. And hasnt the effectiveness of this been proven in the recent campaign? I acknowledge that, but I am merely suggesting that we reduce the number slightly. Hyang immediately clicked his tongue at Kim Jeoms words. Tsk! As soon as Hyang clicked his tongue, Kim Jeom flinched. Ugh! That sound of his tongue clicking! With a disdainful look, Hyang red at Kim Jeom. You want to reduce the training where soldiers fire a mere 10 rounds each, only once a month? Do you think we can achieve the same military aplishments as this time with such training? If there is will, then If will alone can win battles, we might as well send soldiers with just a stick instead of spears and swords. Or perhaps Your Excellency alone can defeat an army of 100,000? Kim Jeoms mouth immediately shut at Hyangs sarcasm. Although Kim Jeoms face turned bright red, he had nothing to say. Ugh! If he were my grandson, I wouldve hit his legs with a stick Grinding his teeth inwardly, Kim Jeom proposed another solution. I understand about the muskets and artillery. However, the fire arrow rocket must be definitely retired! Hasnt it achieved results? The gunpowder consumption is too highpared to its effectiveness! This time, it was Hyang who fell silent. As Kim Jeom pointed out, the amount of gunpowder consumed by the fire arrow rocket was enormous. Although it had achieved some results, they paled inparison to the amount of gunpowder used. Kim Jeom highlighted the problems of the fire arrow rocket byparing it to the Divine Thunder Strike cannons. The Divine Thunder Strike cannons also consumes arge amount of gunpowder, but its effectiveness is iparable to the fire arrow rocket! Therefore, the fire arrow rocket must be retired! In the end, Hyang waved the white g. It seems there are aspects to consider regarding that matter, so lets review it. *** After handling a few more agenda items, a short break followed. The other ministers expressed their curiosity at the sight of Kim Jeom leaving the Crown Princes residence while humming a light tune. Minister Kim, did something good happen to you? Ah! I feel great after achieving my desired goal. Desired goal? At Kim Jeoms words, the ministers tried to recall, but there was nothing significant apart from the part where he was verbally defeated by Hyang. After pondering for a moment, Maeng Sa-seong looked at Kim Jeom with surprised eyes. Could it be about the fire arrow rocket? There is a saying, Killing two birds with one stone. Hahaha! Laughing heartily, Kim Jeom walked away with a swagger. Meanwhile, in the Crown Princes residence, Hyang scratched his head and muttered. I feel like Ive been had Kim Jeom, who had enjoyed a pleasant afternoon, grabbed the back of his neck upon reading the report from Hamheung. A victory parade? A victory parade, you say! *** It may seem like excessive spending now, but lets think about the future. As Hyang spoke, looking at Kim Jeom who seemed ready to rush to Hamheung at any moment, Kim Jeom shouted. Your Highness! The future, you say! If such victory parades be customary, it will be a problem! Maeng Sa-seong chimed in at Kim Jeoms words. If wars be frequent enough for victory parades to be customary, wouldnt that also be a problem? Thats right. Following Maeng Sa-seong, Heo Jo spoke. ording to the report, His Majesty has summoned all the chiefs of the nearby Jurchen tribes to this victory parade. If we show them the might of our Joseon army, would they dare to cause trouble in the future? This is the future that Your Highness speaks of. You have keen insight. Responding to Heo Jos words, Hyang provided additional exnation. Through the victory parade, the Jurchen tribes will clearly witness the strength of our Joseon army with their own eyes. Then, they will engage in trade instead of plundering and may even submit to us. Wouldnt that save us more money than conducting campaigns every time? At Hyangs words, Kim Jeom let out a long sigh. Whew~. I understand. Retreating, Kim Jeom inwardly ground his teeth. If they dont bring back the spoils of war properly, Ill have them all killed! Chapter 274 Chapter 274 When Ming learned that Manchu and Mentemu were engaging in a fight with Joseon, they paid close attention to the progress of the war. The reason for Mings keen interest in this conflict was because of Joseon. *** Although Joseon was a vassal state of Ming, it was the country that Ming had to be most wary of. During the reign of Yi Seong-gye, Joseon exerted tremendous influence over Liaodong, and after Yi Bang-won ascended to the throne, Joseon maintained ties with Japan despite the orders of Emperor Yongle of Ming. Moreover, although its influence was gradually waning, Joseon was the country that consistently engaged in schemes to maintain its influence over the Jurchen tribes in Liaodong. Therefore, just as Joseon could not fully trust Ming, Ming could not fully trust Joseon either. Due to this background, when the Japanese invasions of Korea urred in the history before Hyangs intervention, Ming had pondered: -Could it be that Joseon and Japan are colluding to lure our Ming army into a trap?In the end, realizing that it was not a trap but a genuine attack, Ming btedly sent reinforcements. *** Every day, dozens of messengers moved from Beijing to Liaodong and from Liaodong to Ming. While the Ming soldiers stationed at the garrisons in the Liaodong region maintained a state of highest alert, scouts followed the Joseon army and the Jurchen tribes, monitoring the situation. And all that they saw and heard was documented and reported to Emperor Xuande. Upon receiving the documents, Emperor Xuande gathered the Grand Secretariat, led by the Senior Grand Secretary, and the civil and military officials to hold a meeting. It is said that the scale of the troops mobilized by Joseon in this conflict is around 40,000. It seems Joseons determination is quite significant. At Emperor Xuandes words, a military official stepped forward, bowed his head, and replied. In my humble opinion, it appears that Joseon has exerted its full strength. Oh? Why do you say so? I have inquired with our merchants traveling between Shandong and Jemulpo. ording to the merchants, not only the troops guarding the vicinity of Hanseong but also the soldiers guarding the southern coast have moved north, causing amotion throughout Joseon. The southern soldiers have moved north? Why? To fill the positions of the soldiers who have been dispatched to pursue Manchu and Mentemu. Hmm Having heard the military officials exnation, Emperor Xuande tapped his fingers on the desk, deep in thought. It is the most usible answer, but After pondering for a moment, Emperor Xuande turned to the Senior Grand Secretary. Senior Grand Secretary. I am at Your Majestysmand. I heard that when I was young, Emperor Taizu had worried that Joseon might mobilize 300,000 troops to invade Ming. Is it that Joseon is struggling so much even when mobilizing a mere 40,000 troops? At Emperor Xuandes question, the Senior Grand Secretary took a moment to gather his thoughts before answering. To my knowledge, Yi Seong-gye, who founded Joseon, had remarkable control over the Jurchen tribes. A significant portion of that 300,000 figure must have been Jurchen tribesmen. Is that so? Emperor Xuande, who had been lost in thought again at the Senior Grand Secretarys answer, turned to him. Then, should this be considered a case of internal strife? I believe so, Your Majesty. All the tribes that have caused this turmoil were once loyal to Yi Seong-gye. However, after Yi Seong-gyes death, they rebelled against Joseon. That makes sense. In that case, is Joseon currently engaged in an all-out war? It appears to be so. An all-out war against just two tribes Has Joseon grown that weak? Emperor Xuande began to ponder whether he should reassess his evaluation of Joseon. Seeing the Emperors contemtion, another military official stepped forward. Your Majesty, it is said that the King of Joseon has personally led the campaign. At the officials report, Emperor Xuande, who had been sitting in a rxed posture, straightened his body and asked. The King of Joseon has personally led the campaign? Yes, Your Majesty. Upon hearing the answer, Emperor Xuande immediately burst intoughter. Hahaha! Indeed, it is so! Indeed! It is indeed so! Repeatedly eximing, It is indeed so! whileughing, Emperor Xuande addressed his subjects. To sit idly in the pce when exerting all efforts for the royal cause that must be defended is a disgrace to a monarch! Indeed, it is so! It is said that Yi Seong-gye, who founded Joseon, was a formidable general. His blood has not gone to waste! Hahaha! Seeing Emperor Xuandes overjoyed demeanor, the Senior Grand Secretary inwardly sighed. His blood hasnt gone to waste either. Early in Emperor Xuandes reign, there had been an invasion by the Oirat tribe. At that time, Emperor Xuande had personally led 3,000 cavalry and repelled the invading 10,000 Oirat tribesmen. Emperor Xuande raised his voice with an exceptionally bright face. What about Emperor Taizong, Emperor Yongle? Whenever the Northern Yuan caused trouble, they personally led the campaigns! Inform those responsible for educating the Crown Prince! A monarch of a nation must take the lead on the front lines when the country faces a crisis! We shall obey Your Majestysmand! The officials immediately replied and bowed their heads, but the Senior Grand Secretarys face turned pale. This is dangerous! If the monarch personally leads the campaign and something goes wrong, the country will be in peril! The Senior Grand Secretary was about to remonstrate but hesitated for a moment. However, not only Emperor Taizong of the previous dynasty but also Your Majesty have personally led campaigns and achieved victories. If I rashly advise against it in this situation, how will I bear the consequences of your anger? In the end, the Senior Grand Secretary decided to remain silent. *** Records of the battles taking ce in Liaodong continued to be sent to Beijing. While examining these records, Emperor Xuandes attention focused on the weapons used by the Joseon army. They mount fire arrows on carts and deploy them inrge numbers? At Emperor Xuandes question, a military official immediately stepped forward and answered. Yes. Our army also uses simr weapons. We assemble carts to form a wall and mount a cluster of fire arrows, then fire them toward the enemy. To my knowledge, fire arrow clusters are used to suppress arge number of enemies at close range. However, it is recorded that the Joseon army used them from a long distance. That is because the Joseon armycks courage. Lacks courage? Yes. The power of a fire arrow ultimately does not exceed the power of a single arrow. The role of a fire arrow cluster is to suppress arge number of densely packed enemies at close range. If they shoot from such a distance, the dispersion will be too wide, greatly reducing its effectiveness. Is that so As he listened to the officials exnation, Emperor Xuande made his own analysis. Is it because the Joseon army is so timid that they mobilized such arge force? Emperor Xuande analyzed the situation based on his own experience. The reason his 3,000 cavalry, which he had personallymanded during the Jurchen invasion that urred shortly after his ascension to the throne, could repel the invading 10,000 Jurchen tribesmen was that the Ming cavalry was armed with arquebuses. Against cavalry, gunpowder weapons were highly effective. And to his knowledge, Joseon was a country that focused tremendous efforts on firearms. If the concentrated deployment of gunpowder weapons performed properly, there would be little need to mobilize such arge army and even personally lead the campaign against just two tribes. Even if the Manchu tribe was arge tribe with over 10,000 households and possessed more than 30,000 cavalry, if brave soldiers knew how to properly use gunpowder weapons, they could easily achieve a resounding victory. Is that why the King of Joseon personally led the campaign? It makes sense. However, this conclusion was shattered within a few days. ording to the subsequent reports, the Joseon army steadily annihted the Manchu tribes while pursuing them, and finally engaged in a decisive battle in Jilin. And on the day the report arrived, the head of the official who had imed that the Joseon army was cowardly was severed. *** The Ming scouts meticulously observed the Battle of Jilin, wrote reports, and sent them to Beijing. Upon reviewing the reports, Emperor Xuande carefully examined the military achievements. In the process, the officials reported their analyses as meticulously and objectively as possible to avoid losing their heads. As expected, the power of the fire arrows is weak. The Joseon army seems to have increased the range, but considering the amount of gunpowder used in the fire arrows, the military aplishments are too meager. That is indeed the case. However, what is this explosive shell that detonates in mid-air? It seems to be a weapon simr to the Thunder Crash Bomb. Thunder Crash Bomb? When Emperor Xuande expressed his curiosity, a military official provided a detailed exnation of the Thunder Crash Bomb. So it is a weapon where gunpowder is ced inside an iron shell with a fuse attached, and when thrown, it explodes and kills the enemy? That is correct, Your Majesty. The only difference is that the Joseon army appears to have loaded it into a cannon and fired it. Loading it into a cannon and firing it Hmm It would fly far. Indeed, Your Majesty. Upon hearing the officials report, Emperor Xuande became lost in thought. It flies far. Thats good. However, cannons are heavy weapons. Considering transportation and the gunpowder needed for the cannons, wouldnt it be better to use them from a safe location? After further contemtion, Emperor Xuande reached a conclusion. It seems it would be excellent for defensive purposes. We also thought the same, Your Majesty. Looking at the tactics of the Joseon army against the Jurchen or the Japanese pirates, their priority is to focus on defense. In that case, loading the Thunder Crash Bomb into a cannon and firing it or throwing it would yield the best results. I see. Nodding his head, Emperor Xuande issued an order. Command the craftsmen who make cannons to create simr weapons for us as well. Have them installed in the fortresses of the Northern Yuan and Liaodong. We shall obey Your Majestysmand! *** Following the Flying Thunder, or rather, what drew the most attention from Emperor Xuande and the Ming military officials was the Gapsik Jangchong (Improved Long Gun) used by the Joseon musketeers. A small cannon that can be carried by one person? Yes, Your Majesty. Dont we already have those? That is true, but it is said that the ones used by the Joseon army have a considerably longer range. A longer range Emperor Xuande stroked his chin, trailing off. As someone who had also benefited from it, Emperor Xuandes interest was piqued. Tapping his fingers on the desk, lost in thought, Emperor Xuande immediately issued an order. Add amand to the cannon craftsmen. Tell them to develop a small cannon with a long range that can be operated independently by a single ordinary soldier.'' We shall obey Your Majestysmand! Thus, the Ming Empire also began weapons development. *** As befitting a great power, the Ming Empire had more cannon craftsmen than Joseon. Thanks to that, the craftsmen who received Emperor Xuandes orders began developing Thunder Crash Bombs that could be fired from cannons and small cannons with long ranges. Bang! Aaaargh! An ident! As a loud explosion and screams erupted, the craftsmen in the workshop rushed outside. The craftsmen who ran to the source of the explosion and screams quickly took action. Extinguish the spreading fire! Move the people! After amotion of extinguishing the fire that had spread to the clothes of the craftsmen near the explosion site, and moving the dead and injured, the head of the workshop assessed the situation. Another small package? Yes. Upon hearing the answer, the head of the workshop immediately cursed. A small cannon with a long range that can be operated by a single person. When the Ming craftsmen first received the order, they thought it would be easy. They were already familiar with small cannons that could be operated by a single person. However, the long range kept bringing death. How long is the long range? At least 30 jang. (approx. 100m) What? What the military wanted was an even longer distance than they had thought. *** The best method they could think of was adding more gunpowder. However, adding more gunpowder caused idents like the current one, where the gun barrel exploded. The reason was that they insisted on using the method of stacking gunpowder and projectiles inyers within a single gun barrel, just like the Joseon army before Hyangs intervention. Therefore, idents urred as soon as they increased the amount of gunpowder. In the end, the head of the workshop clutched his head and cried out. How did those Joseon bastards do it! Chapter 275 Chapter 275 As the evaluation came out stating, There is a problem with the small cannons. There is no solution, retired craftsmen returned to the workshops. Wee, Master Wang. Youve been working hard. When the head of the workshop warmly weed him with great respect, Wang Sam, who responded lightly, immediately got to the point. I heard there was a problem with the so-called small cannons? Yes, Master. Let me take a look. Seeing the small cannons brought by the craftsmen, Wang Sam tilted his head. If we only consider the size, this is not a small cannon but a firence, right? In Ming, small guns simr to the four-barreled guns used by Joseon were called firences. Just like the Joseon army, they were attached to long handles, hence the name nce. In response to Wang Sams question, the head of the workshop immediately answered. The higher-ups referred to them as small cannons Do those in high positions know the types of cannons well? Grumbling while thinking of those lofty individuals in the Forbidden City who only gave orders, Wang Sam asked another question. In response to Wang Sams question, the head of the workshop spoke about the conflict between Joseon and the Jurchens that had taken ce in Liaodong. After listening to the story, Wang Sam red at the head of the workshop. From what I just heard, its clearly a firence, so why are they calling it a cannon? I also thought the same, but since the higher-ups called it a cannon So you were going to make it like a firence but report it as a cannon? Yes. Tsk! Wang Sam clicked his tongue, seeming displeased. However, he could understand the head of the workshops sentiments. If it doesnt please them, not only his own head but also his familys lives will be at stake Well aware of what happens when one falls out of the Emperors favor, Wang Sam began to solve the problem. Putting that aside, you said the small cannon exploded? How much gunpowder did you put in, and how did you do it? One and a half liang (approximately 50g), Master Wang. As for how we put it in Upon hearing the head of the workshops exnation, Wang Sam was astonished. You put one and a half liang in this small cannon? Are you crazy? We heard rumors that Joseon does it that way You fool! If Joseon had done it the way you said, not a single Joseon soldier would have survived! But there were such rumors Rumors are just rumors! You should have confirmed it with your own eyes! And you call yourself a workshop head! After severely scolding the head of the workshop, who continued to make excuses, Wang Sam continued. Listen carefully. The ones who learned gunpowder technology from us are Joseon. Both Joseon and we use the same gunpowder. What do you think that means? In response to Wang Sams point, the head of the workshop immediately answered. It means our method was wrong. Exactly! As far as I know, even in Joseon, the amount of gunpowder that goes into a small cannon is around one liang, and after grinding the gunpowder, theyyer it with iron pellets. If you want to do it the way you did, you should make arge cannon, not a small one! I know that too! I know! The head of the workshop appealed to Wang Sam. But what the higher-ups want is a range of at least 30 zhang (approximately 100m) You fool! Then you should have found another way! Just putting in more gunpowder wont solve it! Listen up, all of you! Wang Sam raised his voice, looking at the head of the workshop and the craftsmen. You all know very well what kind of thing gunpowder is, dont you? You know exactly what will happen if one and a half liang of gunpowder goes into such a small thing, yet you work like this! Were sorry! Enough! Tell me what youve thought of! At Wang Samsmand, the craftsmen brought out what they had been thinking so far. This situation was not unique to this workshop. There were a total of three weapons workshops located in Beijing. The weapons that were made here and approved for adoption were soon replicated and spread throughout Ming. Therefore, the craftsmen had to rack their brains for the sake of their honor and future survival. In that process, something simr to the four-barreled guns before Hyangs intervention was created. It can hold 4 thin long arrows together, and 1 slightly smaller arrow can be loaded. At the head of the workshops exnation, Wang Sam added. Since the thin long arrows wont reach the desired range, lets exclude them altogether and tell the higher-ups that its possible with the slightly smaller arrows. Yes. The head craftsman who made the prototype soon contacted an official and submitted the prototype. In addition to Wang Sams workshop, other workshops also submitted prototypes at intervals of a few days. Looking at the prototypes submitted by the workshops, Emperor Xuande ordered a eunuch. Summon the soldiers who witnessed the battles of the Joseon army in Liaodong. Yes, Your Majesty. A few dayster, the soldiers summoned by Emperor Xuande entered the Forbidden City. It is an honor to be in Your Majestys presence! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! The soldiers paid their respects with three cheers of Long live! Emperor Xuande lightly acknowledged them and ordered the eunuch. Bring those things. Yes, Your Majesty. After a while, the eunuchs entered carrying arge table. On the table covered with white silk were the prototypes made by the workshops in Beijing. Emperor Xuande asked the soldiers. Did the small cannons of the Joseon army that you saw in Liaodong look like this? At Emperor Xuandes question, the soldiers carefully examined the prototypes. After a long examination, one soldier spoke up. We, lowly soldiers, had to observe from afar, so we couldnt see in detail, but they did not look like this, Your Majesty. Thats right, Your Majesty. As the other soldiers agreed, Emperor Xuande asked again with a serious expression. Are you certain? Yes. They definitely had a different shape. At the soldiers answer, Emperor Xuande made a light gesture. I understand. You have done well. Since you have endured hardships in a difficult ce, I shall bestow rewards upon you. Your grace is immeasurable! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! After sending the soldiers out, Emperor Xuande turned to the Senior Grand Secretary. We will have to send an envoy to Joseon. The Senior Grand Secretary, immediately understanding Emperor Xuandes words, pointed out a problem. Will Joseon respond properly? There is the story of Sis thousand-step crossbow, isnt there? At the Senior Grand Secretarys point, Emperor Xuande silently nodded. To obtain the thousand-step crossbow, the most powerful weapon among Sis arsenal, Tang pressured Si and brought the crossbow maker Gu Jincheon to Tang. Gu Jincheon, who was dragged to Tang, continued to sabotage by making various excuses. In the end, no record of Gu Jincheon could be found anywhere after that. Citing the historical anecdote, the Senior Grand Secretary presented a negative opinion. However, he had to remain silent at the subsequent question. Then, does the Senior Grand Secretary have an answer to solve this? Looking at the Senior Grand Secretary who fell silent, Emperor Xuande continued. I also dont believe Joseon will act honestly. I would do the same if I were the King of Joseon. However, we just need to know what kind of thing they use and how they use it. We also have craftsmen and gunpowder. We wont be fooled like with the thousand-step crossbow in the past. That is indeed the case While answering Emperor Xuandes words, the Senior Grand Secretary couldnt shake off a nagging feeling. What am I missing? What have I overlooked? Your Majesty. Among the officials listening to the conversation between Emperor Xuande and the Senior Grand Secretary, a military official stepped forward. What is it? Shouldnt we make it so that Joseon cant use tricks even if they want to? Make it so they cant use tricks even if they want to? How? As Emperor Xuande showed interest, the military official spoke with a bit more force in his voice. We demand their small cannons while giving them a tight deadline. Give them a tight deadline? Yes, for example, we only give them a period of ten days or half a month. Additionally, we demand arge quantity. For instance, a deadline of ten days and a quantity of about 1,000 units. Thats not bad. paAs Emperor Xuande showed a positive reaction to the military officials exnation, a schr from the Cab pointed out a problem. paIf we ask them to produce 1,000 units at once, Joseon will strongly object. paIn response to the schrs point, the military official who first spoke immediately continued. paThat is true. Therefore, we use the 1,000 units as bait. We only need 20 or 30 units at most. So, while pretending to make a reasonable concession, we drastically reduce the deadline. That way, Joseon wont have an easy opportunity to use tricks. paWhat an excellent n! What does the Senior Grand Secretary think? paI think its a good>ea. paThe Senior Grand Secretary immediately agreed. It was because the nagging feeling he had while listening to the military officials exnation had mostly disappeared. paWith even the Senior Grand Secretarys approval, Emperor Xuande made a decision right away. paThen lets send an envoy immediately! pa*** paIn ordance with the decision, Ming followed the custom and sent a messenger in advance to notify Joseon that an envoy would being. paUpon receiving the message sent by the messenger, Joseon was put on high alert. paWhy on earth now? paStarting with Sejong, the ministers couldnt hide their bewilderment. It was not a regr envoy but an urgent one. paIn particr, due to the messenger who only informed them of the date of arrival but never revealed the reason foring, their curiosity deepened. paThe most likely reason is the recent Manchu conquest. paAt Heo Jos words, Lee Maeng-gyun immediately refuted. paDidnt we already obtain the Emperors approval for that matter? Changing his word is a matter of the Emperors honor, so would he do it recklessly? paBut other than that, there are no issues between our Joseon and Ming, right? paAmid the various debates, Sejong turned to Hyang. paWhat does the Crown Prince think? paI believe it is most likely because of the Manchu conquest. However, it seems to be a different issue, not the matter of the territory we have imed as our own. paA different issue? paThe weapons used by our Joseon army. paAh paAt Hyangs answer, Sejong and the ministers nodded their heads. paIt was a ce where all kinds of new weapons developed by Joseon had been showcased. paAs Hyang said, it was sufficient reason for Ming to send an envoy. paIt was expected, but their reaction is quick. paIndeed, Your Majesty. paAt Sejongs words, all the ministers nodded. Weapons, especially those used inrge quantities, were not something that could be hidden forever. paMoreover, confronting Manchu and Mentemu was not something that could be won by hiding these weapons and fighting. paFurthermore, the ce where the battles took ce was also where Mings eyes and ears were located. paIt was an act done with the expectation of exposure, and considering what was gained from it, it was sufficiently worth enduring. paHowever, what Sejong and the ministers regretted was that Ming reacted faster than expected. paBut Hyang had the opposite opinion. paYou say their reaction is quick? I think its veryte. paOh? paAt Hyangs words, Sejong and the ministers looked at Hyang again. paExin your reason. paAt Sejongs question, Hyang immediately exined the reason. paHow many years has it been since the Gapsik Jangchong and the mounted guns were created and used in actualbat? During that time, there have been numerous battles in the north. But only now has Ming shown a reaction. This means that the surveincework Ming has established in Liaodong is more flimsy than we thought. paIt can be viewed that way as well. paYes, Your Majesty. paAs Sejong nodded at Hyangs exnation, he asked Hyang again. paThen, what do you think caught Mings attention? paThe long guns. paAt Hyangs assertion, Jo Mal-saeng interjected. paBut other weapons also disyed powerful might. paIn response to Jo Mal-saengs question, Hyang exined the reason. paThe fire arrow rocket, fire carts, and Flying Thunder Ming also has simr weapons. However, thats not the case with long guns. Of course, they have firences, but they are notparable to our long guns. paThat is indeed true. paJo Mal-saeng nodded at Hyangs words. paListening to Hyangs exnation, Sejongs expression turned serious. paThe story of Sis thousand-step crossbowes to mind. paIndeed, Your Majesty. paAt Sejong and the ministers words, Hyang interjected. paWe cannot hand over the craftsmen. No, Ming may not even ask for the craftsmen. paWhy? paThey would also know the story of the thousand-step crossbow. paAh paAt least thats a relief, but paAmid the growing conviction that the reason for Mings visit was because of the long guns, Sejong and the ministers pondered to find a solution. paWatching them, Hyang suddenly asked an out-of-the-blue question. paFather, how should a sparrow catch up to a stork? Chapter 276 Chapter 276 What does that suddenly mean? Not only the ministers but even Sejong couldnt immediately understand Hyangs abrupt words and asked back. In response to Sejongs counter-question, Hyang continued. There is a saying among themon folk, A sparrow, trying to keep up with a stork, tears its crotch. Has Father also heard of it? Ive heard it. Isnt it a saying that means Know your ce and dont act beyond your means? At Sejongs answer, the ministers also nodded. Seeing their reaction, Hyang asked again. But if you must catch up no matter what, what should you do? Put in several times the effort Sejong, who was unconsciously answering, continued with a slight smile. My son, I understand what youre trying to say. However, it doesnt fit the situation our Joseon is currently in. Pardon? To implement the n you have in mind for the situation you described, external assistance is necessary. In the current situation, is there a reliable ally? At Sejongs words, Hyang, who was pondering his own words, immediately bowed his head. I apologize. I, with my shallow learning, have been acting pretentiously. Be careful in the future. So, what n do you have in mind? Yes. Its Just as Hyang was about to exin, Maeng Sa-seong interjected. Im afraid to speak, Your Majesty. We, your humble subjects, are not bright enough to understand the conversation between you two. At Maeng Sa-seongs words, not only the ministers but even the royal scribes nodded in agreement. Stop having those cryptic conversations that only you two understand! How can a person with a poor brain live feeling sad? Should I take an intelligence-boosting tonic instead of a health tonic? As if sensing the ministers sentiment, Sejong spoke. Left State Councilor, if you were a sparrow and a stork was following behind, eyeing the prey caught by the sparrow. What should you do to avoid being caught by this stork? Ah At Sejongs question, Maeng Sa-seong finally understood the cryptic conversation between the father and son. Hyang hadpared Joseon to a sparrow and Ming to a stork. The problem was that ording to themon saying, it would be a situation where Joseon was chasing after Ming. Sejong had pointed out to Hyang that the analogy was wed. I, Maeng Sa-seong, now understand. Ugh! This damned cryptic conversation! Yes. What would the Left State Councilor do? Shouldnt you run with all your might? But in the end, wouldnt you still be caught? Thats What do the other ministers think should be done? At Sejongs question, the ministers became lost in thought. Amid the continuing silence, Kim Jeom answered. Since the difference in power between our Joseon and Ming is clear, there is a limit to the orthodox approach. I believe that now, rather than the orthodox approach, an unorthodox strategy is needed. At Kim Jeoms words, Jo Gye-saeng, the newly appointed Minister of Education, immediately objected. No matter how urgent the current situation is, an unorthodox strategy is not eptable! An unorthodox strategy cannot ovee the orthodox approach! We must keep in mind why the ancient sages valued the orthodox approach! At Jo Gye-saengs words, Jo Mal-saeng, the Minister of National Defense, immediately refuted. Who here doesnt know the importance of the orthodox approach? But consider the gravity of the current matter. As Minister Kim said, the difference in power between Joseon and Ming is as clear as day, so is this a situation to discuss the orthodox approach? All the more reason to value the importance of the orthodox approach! Jo Gye-saeng and Jo Mal-saeng engaged in a heated debate, their voices raising. Seeing that sight, Sejong, Hyang, and the ministers all had the same thought. The brothers are really good at fighting. *** The mes of the debate that continued in this manner spread even to Sejong. Your Majesty! When ites to employing an unorthodox strategy, one must ponder a hundred times and hesitate a thousand times, and even that is not enough! An unorthodox strategy may provide temporary sweetness, but it cannot providesting benefits! As soon as Jo Gye-saengs words ended, Jo Mal-saeng immediately refuted. Your Majesty! Among the ministers gathered here, no one is unaware of the importance of the orthodox approach! However, the situation demands an unorthodox strategy! Although an unorthodox strategy is a gamble, it must be used when necessary! Your Majesty! The conduct of the ministers sets an example for the people! If the people emte the preference for unorthodox strategies over the orthodox approach, what do you think will happen? If results alone justify everything, will morality remain among the people of Joseon? Thats an exaggeration, isnt it? At Sejongs remark that Jo Gye-saengs words were excessive, Jo Gye-saeng firmly denied it. Its not excessive at all! If you think lightly of it and neglect it, at some point, you will find yourself in an unfathomable quagmire! At Jo Gye-saengs words, Jo Mal-saeng raised his voice again. Then! Minister of Education, answer this! Ming, which is several timesrger than our Joseon and has a stronger national power, is closely following us! In this situation, what is the orthodox approach? Develop technologies superior to Ming, trade with more countries to make the nation prosperous, and ensure thefort of the people! Thats not the answer to Mings current demand for what we have! It may be the orthodox approach, but its the wrong answer! How can you be certain that the purpose of the envoying from Ming is the long gun? Do you have proof? Huh? For a moment, the inside of Geunjeongjeon froze. Jo Gye-saeng had just made a dangerous remark. Jo Gye-saeng bowed his head to Sejong again and remonstrated. Your Majesty! All we know right now is that An envoy ising from Ming. Thats it! We know nothing! Yet, to presume It will be like this and discuss an unorthodox strategy as a countermeasure is something that must be strictly prohibited! At Jo Gye-saengs words, Jo Mal-saeng interjected again. If not that, then what else could it be? Isnt that what we should discuss from now on? What is the reason for the ministers to gather in this hall? Enough. As the debate was about to intensify again, Sejong stopped the conversation. When the Jo brothers fell silent and stepped back, Sejong continued. There is no w in the Minister of Educations words. However, Minister of Education, in the current situation, what the Crown Prince mentioned is the most likely scenario, so I was trying to hear a countermeasure for it. Even the Minister of Education doesnt know whether the Crown Princes proposed countermeasure will be an unorthodox strategy or the orthodox approach, right? At Sejongs point, Jo Gye-saeng, who was pondering his own words for a moment, bowed his head. Please forgive my wrongdoing. I will overlook it, considering your heart for the country. Your benevolence is immeasurable! It seems the atmosphere has be too heated, so lets take a moment to cool our heads>(approx. 1 hour). We shall obey yourmand. As Sejong dered a recess, the ministers rose from their seats and left Geunjeongjeon. Crown Prince, shall we have a cup of tea together? Hyang, who was about to follow the ministers outside, turned around at Sejongs words. *** Meanwhile, outside Geunjeongjeon, a second round of confrontation was about to unfold between the brothers. Ah! Brother! Do you have any sense at all? About what? At Jo Gye-saengs nonchnt answer, a vein popped on Jo Mal-saengs forehead. In this situation, what else could be the reason for Ming sending an envoy? Isnt it because of our Joseons weapons? How can you be so certain about that? A person who is supposed to be a minister cant think seriously! Its because what the Crown Prince said is correct! Even if what the Crown Prince said is correct, it is our duty as ministers to think it over again and report it to His Majesty! If you only see whats in front of your eyes like that, youll end up like this! At Jo Gye-saengs scolding, Jo Mal-saengs voice grew even louder. Whats wrong with me? Because you only saw what was in front of you and acted rashly, you ended up bing a spectator in Geunjeongjeon! Whats so great about you? Brother! Oh? You want to hit me if youre good enough? Go ahead and hit me! Hit me! Aaaargh! As Jo Mal-saeng, unable to contain his anger, charged at Jo Gye-saeng, the ministers nearby stepped in to stop them. Hey! Calm down! Calm down! After amotion, the ministers had to leave Geunjeongjeon while keeping the Jo brothers apart. Seeing the Jo brothers heading to their respective offices, the ministers had to let out a long sigh. Whew~. How can brothers be so different? I know, right? *** The brothers of the Yangju Jo family were all from a family of government officials. All five brothers held high-ranking positions, but the eldest, Jo Gye-saeng, and the fourth, Jo Mal-saeng, were receiving pr opposite evaluations. In the case of Jo Gye-saeng, he was known for his solemn demeanor, integrity, and being a schr who never put down a book. Thanks to that, he was appointed as the minister of the newly established Ministry of Education through the military reforms. It was an appointment that received the highest praise from not only Sejong but also all the ministers. As for his younger brother, Jo Mal-saeng, he had outstanding abilities but was frivolous and fond of bribes. As a result, he was caught in a bribery case in the past and was stuck in the Office of Records before being transferred to the Ministry of Military Affairs. *** Meanwhile, Sejong was sharing tea and snacks with Hyang. The scribes should leave for a moment. At Sejongsmand, the scribes and secretaries quickly rose from their seats and went outside. Having removed the listening ears, Sejong and Hyang conversed while drinking tea prepared by the eunuch. There is a saying among themon folk, Old ginger is spicier, right? Yes. Its not a wrong saying, is it? At Sejongs question, Hyang immediately grasped the meaning. Hes talking about that person. Indeed. At Hyangs answer, Sejong continued while sipping his tea. That is where the value of the ministers existence lies. Pointing out what I have overlooked or failed to consider. The Crown Prince must also keep this in mind. When you ascend to the throne, the ministers who will deal with you will be the ones they have raised. I will keep that in mind. However, there is a proper way. If they try to overstep royal authority, you must decisively purge them. Dont forget that. I will engrave it in my bones. Bowing his head at Sejongs warning, Hyang muttered inwardly. Minister Ryu Jeong-hyeon left a big scar on everyone. The purge of Ryu Jeong-hyeon and the elder ministers was an undeniable big scar left on both Sejong and the ministers. *** Half a shichenter, Sejong, Hyang, and the ministers gathered in Geunjeongjeon again. Crown Prince, exin your thoughts concisely and clearly. Yes, Father. At Sejongs warning, Dont beat around the bush unnecessarily, Hyang inwardly licked his lips and rose from his seat. In front of the ministers, Hyang began his exnation. First of all, this countermeasure is based on the assumption that the envoying from Ming will demand our Joseons guns. Slightly avoiding the issue pointed out by Jo Gye-saeng from the start, Hyang continued. It is undeniably true that our Joseongs behind Ming in most areas whenpared. However, there are a few areas where we are significantly ahead of Ming, and one of them is firearms. At Hyangs words, the ministers nodded. But we cant just hand over this firearms technology if Ming demands it. As we can see from the example of the horn bow, Ming didnt budge on this matter either, right? Thats right. If Ming demands long guns from our Joseon, our basic n is to hand over long guns with reduced performance. At Hyangs words, Maeng Sa-seong immediately questioned. What if they demand craftsmen instead of long guns? Do you think Ming would believe that the craftsmen we send will do their best? Ah At Hyangs point, the ministers nodded. Even though they had dered their vassge, when it came to national defense, Ming had many things to hide from Joseon and constantly monitored Joseon. If we reduce the performance, wont Ming notice it right away? They have already seen it in Liaodong. As Maeng Sa-seong pointed out again, Hyang nodded and answered. Thats right. So, we have made the performance of the long guns to be handed over to Ming mediocre. It will be definitely superior to the guns currently possessed by Ming, but its performance will be inferior to the long guns we have. And it will make Ming go down the wrong path. The wrong path, you say? Yes, there are two ways for a sparrow to stay ahead of a stork that is following behind. One is to tie the storks feet, and the other is to make the stork go down the wrong path. Chapter 277 Chapter 277 The ministers listened attentively to Hyangs exnation with serious expressions. Heo Jo, who had been carefully listening to Hyangs words, opened his mouth. First, I would like to ask about tying the storks feet. I think it means to hinder what Ming wants to do, but wouldnt we need an ally to help our Joseon for that? Thats right. Thats why Father said it was inappropriate. The only potential allies to hinder Mings actions are the Northern Yuan or Japan, but the losses would outweigh the gains with them. At Hyangs answer, all the ministers nodded. Using the Northern Yuan or Japan to hold Ming back was too likely to backfire. Even if Joseon supported them, there was a very high possibility that they would attack Joseon, which seemed easier than Ming, which would be burdened. *** Once the exnation about allies was over, the ministers interest shifted to Hyangs second method, making them go down the wrong path. Please exin the second method. At the ministers request, Hyang gestured to the eunuch. Go to the research center and ask for the Dong Gun.'' The Dong Gun, you say? Yes. The Dong Gun. Understood. The eunuch who received Hyangs order left Geunjeongjeon with quick steps. *** Arriving at the research center attached to the Eastern Pce, the eunuch immediately conveyed Hyangs order. The Crown Prince has asked for the Dong Gun. The Dong Gun? The eunuch belonging to the research center tilted his head for a moment but soon nodded. Ah! The Dung Gun! Please wait a moment. Dung Gun? While the eunuch from Geunjeongjeon was tilting his head, the eunuch who had gone inside came out with a long wooden box and handed it over. Here it is. Thank you. *** Here it is, Your Majesty. Good work. Put it here. The eunuch who had gone to the research center ced the box in question on the table surrounded by the ministers. As he opened the lid of the box, Hyang continued. This is the long gun to be shown to Ming. Huh? Upon seeing the long gun taken out of the box, the ministers expressions momentarily turnedplex. The shape is a bit peculiar. Indeed, it is. Hyang, who answered lightly, respectfully presented the problematic long gun to Sejong. This is the deception n I have devised. Examining the long gun he received, Sejong turned to Hyang. The shape is indeed peculiar. What Hyang had presented was a musket. Take a look, ministers. Yes, Your Majesty. The ministers, who received the musket through the eunuch, took turns examining it and made their evaluations. Its quite heavy. It looks a bit dull. Amid various evaluations, the one who assessed it most thoroughly was Jo Mal-saeng. There is no shoulder rest, and all the aimingponents have been removed. And Jo Mal-saeng, who was examining the muzzle and trigger mechanism, turned to Hyang. There are no rifling grooves? No, thats not the issue. Does this long gun not use mercury fulminate? Yes. Will the performance be adequate? It falls far short of the Gapsik Jangchong, but it is far superior to their existing guns. Oh my At Hyangs exnation, Jo Mal-saeng let out a sound that could be either admiration ormentation as he put down the musket. So, what do you think? Sejong asked a question, seeing that the ministers had finished their observations. At Sejongs question, the ministers inwardly weighed the pros and cons diligently. However, as most of them wereymen when it came to firearms, an answer did note easily. Seeing their reaction, Sejong ordered Hyang. Crown Prince, exin why you created this long gun. Yes, Father. After taking a brief breath, Hyang soon began his exnation. First of all, the development of this long gun, which the research center and Area 51 call the Dong Gun, began when the Gapsik Jangchong waspleted and started to be deployed. It was certain that once the long guns experienced realbat in the north, they would be exposed to Ming. I have already exined this part. At Hyangs words, Sejong and the ministers all nodded. Seeing the ministers reaction, Hyang continued his exnation. Therefore, we anticipated that if Ming learned of the existence of the long guns, they would definitely make some kind of demand to Joseon. They could demand craftsmen like in the ancient tale of the thousand-step crossbow, but we expected the possibility to be low as Ming would also know the historical anecdote. That is indeed the case. Maeng Sa-seong nodded at Hyangs words and continued. It was natural for him to have done the same. So, I thought the highest possibility was that Ming would demand the actual long guns from our Joseon. Of course, Ming would certainly expect us to y some tricks, but still. Therefore, I created this Dong Gun. Starting with a performance that is definitely superior to the guns used by our Joseon or Mings simr firences, we will deceive Mings eyes and make them go down the wrong path. My son, what is the exact performance? With ordinary marksmanship, a soldier can hit>(approximately 30m). An exceptionally skilled soldier can hit the>(approximately 60m) with luck. And it can pr>(approximately 90m). Isnt that too superior? It needs to be at this level for Ming to have less suspicion. That may be so, but At Hyangs exnation, Sejong understood on one hand but couldnt hide his regret on the other. Hyang took out a round lead pellet from the box. This is the lead ball used in this Dong Gun. It>(approximately 34g). It has apletely different shape from the bullets used by our military. As Jo Mal-saeng pretended to know, Hyang immediately exined the reason. The conical bullets used by our military only perform optimally in long guns with rifling grooves. If we provide bullets that dont even match the gun with deliberately lowered performance, they will contemte to achieve that performance, and if that happens The very thing we want to avoid will ur. Hyang nodded at Sejongs interjection. Thats right, Father. The bullet used in the Gapsik Jangchong was the Lorenz bullet. It could be called the terminator of bullets for muzzle-loading rifles. Of course, it was not 100% identical to the original Lorenz bullet, but its shape was definitely that of a Lorenz bullet. As someone who even made guns, I cant just let this pass, can I? *** After exining the bullets, Hyang continued to exin other aspects. -Removal of the stock (buttstock). -Removal of aiming devices. -Removal of rifling grooves. These three measures were taken to reduce the uracy of the Dong Gun. It was intended to make Ming also ponder over improving uracy, consuming time in the process. In particr, the removal of aiming devices was Hyangs deliberate decision. The musket also had aiming protrusions. Perhaps it will take quite some time for them toe up with the idea of attaching that simpleponent. Theres a reason why the saying Columbus egg exists. Hyang was employing every possible trick to buy as much time as possible. -Deterioration of the ignition mechanism. The technology of mercury fulminate primers must never be handed over. However, using the existing fuse ignition may raise suspicion, so the ignition method is modified to use specially designed firecrackers. Hearing the exnation up to this point, the ministers were all impressed. Truly ingenious! Indeed! It is definitely superior to the previously used methods, but it is clearly inferior to the methods used by our Joseon military! At the ministers praise, Hyang inwardly gave a bitter smile. Ingenious, my foot I just traced history in reverse Although, I did trace back hundreds of years. As the ministers praise died down, Hyang exined the final part. The part I paid the most attention to in this Dong Gun is the barrel. As Hyang pointed to the barrel, the ministers once again focused their attention on it. Jo Mal-saeng, who was closely examining the Dong Gun on the table, turned to Hyang. Is it made of bronze? Yes. It is a trap made using the craftsmens knowledge. Oh At Hyangs exnation, Jo Mal-saeng let out another groan that could be either admiration ormentation, and the ministers focused their attention on him. Feeling the other ministers gazes, Jo Mal-saeng exined the reason. The barrels of our Joseons guns are made of iron. The difference between iron and bronze The ministers began to ponder the reason why Jo Mal-saeng was showing an unexpected reaction when only the material had changed. After a moment, Kim Jeom spoke up. Ah! Is it to increase the production cost? That is also one reason. Huh? The ministers continued to ponder but couldnt easily find an answer. My son, exin it. Im also not sure about anything other than the cost. Yes, Father. At Sejongs order, Hyang exined why he had made it out of bronze. -Until Hyang made gun barrels out of steel, both Joseon and Ming made cannons out of bronze. Therefore, Mings craftsmen would not be suspicious of this bronze barrel. -For the same reason, Hyang produced the barrel by casting. Until Hyang led the production of long guns, both Joseon and Ming made guns by casting (of course, cannons were still being produced by casting). Producing by casting requires a considerable level of difficulty. If there is even the slightest defect inside the cast barrel, it is dangerous. Significant time will be consumed to solve this. -Lastly, bronze is a material that has severe limitations in performance improvement. Limitations? Weight, Father. Hyang held up the Dong Gun and continued his exnation. The barrel of this Dong Gun is about 2 chon (approximately 7cm) shorter than the barrel of the Gapsik Jangchong. However, this Dong Gun is much heavier in overall weight. The heavier the weight, the more effort is required from the soldiers handling it. I see. Whether it was the Dong Gun or the Gapsik Jangchong, they were weapons carried by soldiers. If the weight was heavy, it was certain that the soldiers would tire more quickly. If Mings craftsmen try to improve the performance, this is where they will spend the most time. The most important aspects of a long guns performance are How far can it shoot? How urate can it be? There are four ways to solve this problem. One is to increase the amount of gunpowder, another is to make the barrel longer, the third is to attach aiming devices, and thest is to add rifling grooves. Bronze makes the first and second conditions difficult. I see. Sejong, who was unconsciously nodding at Hyangs answer, looked at Hyang and muttered inwardly. Scary fellow! How many traps did you set in a single gun? You made it impossible for them to even dream of modification or improvement! The ministers had a simr reaction. Scary, so scary! You didnt just teach them the wrong path; youpletely blinded them! To be able to set traps to that extent at that age! Vicious, so vicious! Sejong, who was shaking his head slightly at the relentlessly set traps that sent shivers down his spine, asked Hyang. My son, how long do you think it will take for Mings craftsmen to ovee these obstacles? It is difficult to predict as I am not well aware of the level of Mings craftsmen. However, assuming that the skills of Mings craftsmen are simr to our Joseon craftsmen, it will take 5 years if they are lucky, and at least 10 years if not. However, these numbers are based on the assumption that Ming does not obtain the actual long guns used by our Joseon military. Then, we should diligently run away in the meantime, right? Yes. Do you have something in mind? I have prepared to some extent. At Hyangs answer, Kim Jeoms face turned pale. Chapter 278 Chapter 278 ncing at Kim Jeoms face, Hyang immediately added. Of course, we dont n to develop and deploy it right away. We need to observe the situation of Ming and neighboring countries and respond ordingly. If we recklessly develop and deploy in advance, all our efforts so far will be in vain. Thats true. Well thought out. Nodding in agreement with Hyangs words, Sejong looked at Lee Maeng-gyun and Jo Mal-saeng. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of National Defense, never stop observing not only Ming but also the neighboring countries. As our Joseons power is not yet strong, we must be cautious and careful. We shall obey yourmand. With Sejong giving orders to Lee Maeng-gyun and Jo Mal-saeng, the meeting regarding the topic Hyang mentioned was concluded for the time being. Putting the Dong Gun back into the wooden box and preparing for the next meeting, Hyang looked at Kim Jeom. Seeing Kim Jeoms face gradually returning to its original color, Hyang muttered inwardly. Ill have to be careful for the time being. If I make a slight mistake, that person might copse.Meanwhile, Kim Jeom, who felt someones gaze and was looking around, made eye contact with Hyang. As Hyang slightly bowed his head and sent a greeting with his eyes, Kim Jeom, who inadvertently responded, grumbled inwardly. Oh, shoot! What kind of trouble are you trying to cause by looking at me? Now, just making eye contact with the Crown Prince makes my heart flutter! *** Afterward, the meeting continued regarding the agenda that Mings envoy would bring this time. Hmm. I have heard your opinions well. I also think the territory acquired from the Odoli tribes led by Mentemu and the matter of the long guns are the most likely, so prepare focusing on these two aspects. As Sejong reached a conclusion, Hyang and the ministers all bowed their heads and answered in unison. We shall obey yourmand. Then, lets end it here for today. As Sejong dered the end, Hyang and the ministers gathered their documents and rose from their seats. *** That night, Hyang quietly visited Gangnyeongjeon. Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has arrived. As the eunuch announced Hyangs visit, Sejongs response came from inside. Let him in. Yes. Pleasee in. Thank you for your hard work. Hyang, who entered through the door opened by the eunuchs, politely bowed to Sejong. Have a seat. As Hyang sat on the chair brought by the eunuch, Sejong smiled warmly and spoke. You never came before I called for you, so what brings you here today? I have a confidential matter to discuss with Father. Could you dismiss the scribes and secretaries? Huh? Scribes and secretaries, please step outside for a moment. At Sejongsmand, the scribes and secretaries immediately rose from their seats and went outside. Once the scribes and secretaries were outside, Sejong asked Hyang in a low voice. So, what is it that youre doing this? Please mobilize the Geomgye (secret police unit). The Geomgye? Come closer. As Hyang uttered the word Geomgye, Sejongs face turned serious. The father and son, sitting close together, conversed in low voices. Suddenly mentioning the Geomgye, whats the matter? Mings interest must have heightened due to the recent events in Liaodong. That would be the case. Thats why Ming is sending an envoy this time. Even if the envoyes for another reason, Ming will show curiosity about the firearms we possess. The capabilities demonstrated in Liaodong are not something they can simply ignore. At Hyangs words, Sejongs face became very grave. Are you saying we should mobilize the Geomgye to secretly monitor the craftsmen rted to firearms because there is a high possibility of secretly approaching them? Thats right. Hmm At Hyangs words, Sejong stroked his beard with a serious expression. Seeing Sejongs face, Hyang continued his exnation. Regarding the long guns and mounted guns, we have gone through the maximum division ofbor, so acquiring one or two of the lowest-level craftsmen wont easily reveal the overall framework. Wasnt the division ofbor process done to increase productivity? Productivity was an issue, but there was also a purpose of maintaining secrecy. Listening to Hyangs exnation, Sejong felt goosebumps all over his body and muttered inwardly. Hes my son, but Crown Prince, this scary fellow! *** As Hyang said, the Gapsik Jangchong and Gapsik Six-barreled Mounted Gun went through a thorough division ofbor process. In the case of the long gun, even the trigger mechanism was modrized. It was assembled by attaching a bronze box containing internalponents such as springs and levers to the gun body, so even the craftsmen in charge of the final assembly process were unaware of the overall framework and how eachponent functioned. The only ones who knew the entire process were Hyang and the craftsmen who initially participated in the development with him. *** After exining this part, Hyang continued. We have minimized the risk as much as possible through division ofbor for the guns and cannons, but the biggest problem is mercury fulminate. Due to its danger, craftsmen make it alone in their individual rooms. I see. Sejong, who knew the process of making mercury fulminate by reading the report submitted by Hyang, nodded. As Sejong examined the situation with a serious expression, a sudden question arose. I understand the importance and danger of the matter. So, Im curious about something. Wouldnt it have been better to speak openly about this and devise countermeasures? To Sejongs question, Hyang answered the reasons why it was not possible. If we openly monitor or protect, it will ce a heavy mental burden on the craftsmen who are the targets. Then they wont be able to work properly. At Hyangs answer, Sejong shook his head slightly. Anyway, you cherish the craftsmen too much. Craftsmen with that level of skill are hard to find, so it cant be helped. However, the biggest reason is Hyang paused for a moment and let out a sigh. Whew~. Its to prevent those with unnecessary patriotism from stepping forward and making a fuss. Unnecessary Sejong, pondering Hyangs words, nodded his head with a solemn expression. Seeing his reaction, Hyang added. There will definitely be those who will step forward and say we should send the craftsmen to Ming, shouting sacrificing the small for the greater good. They will say we should preemptively prevent the tragedy that will unfold in the future by sending the craftsmen. Fortunately, there are no such individuals among the ministers currently leading the cab, but if it bes a public discourse, they will definitely emerge. Those who confuse what is small and what is great for our Joseon. That is indeed true. Whew~. Sejong, who let out a long sigh like Hyang, reached a conclusion. As you said, we will have to contact the Geomgye. We must instruct them to carefully monitor outsiders approaching the craftsmen. And not only the craftsmen but also their families should be closely watched. Hostages? Yes. Understood. Having finished his business, Hyang bowed and left Gangnyeongjeon. Sejong, who was staring at the empty space with a serious expression, called for Chief Eunuch. Chief Eunuch. Yes, Your Majesty. Summon themander of the Royal Guard. *** Two dayster, the chiefs of the three major Geomgye in Hanseong summoned their members. A royal order has been issued. At the chiefs words, the eyes of the members began to sparkle. The members had never had such exciting days. They were once those who had dreams of sess but had given up on those dreams due to various constraints or reasons. Having given up and spending their days aimlessly as destitute people, they were now working for the country and the king. Although they couldnt openly say it, their pride was immense. Seeing the members whose recently cking attitudes had disappeared and whose aura was like a sharpened sword, the chief conveyed Sejongs order. The order is to monitor those who attempt to approach the craftsmen working in Area 51. The craftsmen, you say? Yes. You all have heard about the recent war in the north, right? Yes, didnt we achieve a great victory? I heard the firearms yed a significant role in that war. And those firearms were made in Area 51. Having heard the exnation up to that point, the members immediately understood what they had to do. So, you mean to monitor what kind of people approach those craftsmen? Exactly. And also monitor if there are any who try to use the craftsmens families. The members nodded at the chiefs words. Its definitely not something to take lightly, so pay special attention. Understood? Yes. In the shadows. Protect the nation. Having chanted their own motto, the members soon began to arrange shifts and teams. In the shadows, protect the nation. It was the motto given by Sejong when the Geomgye transformed into the kings secret guard force. Moreover, it was not simply written on paper but engraved on the iris swords carried by the members and distributed. Therefore, this motto was not just a simple motto but the creed and pride of the Geomgye. The members of the Geomgye staked their lives on these four characters. As the members who had arranged their shifts and teams left, the chief of the North Vige Geomgye let out a small sigh. I hope there wont be a need to use the license this time The license the chief mentioned was a license to kill. *** Last time, during the suppression of the pce intrusion led by Prince Yangnyeong, the Geomgye had engaged in a bloody battle with the rebels. After the incident was over, the Police Bureau (Podocheong) conducted arge-scale pursuit of the Geomgye. They considered it arge-scale ughter taking advantage of the chaos in the capital. At this time, Sejong secretly sent licenses to the chiefs. The content written on the scroll with Sejongs royal seal was simple. -The crimesmitted by the holder of this license are for the sake of the country, so do not question their crimes and prohibit their physical detention. The chiefs who received the licenses immediately submitted them to the Police Bureau, and all the arrested members were able to be released. Since when has the Geomgye Seeing the head of the Police Bureau with an expression of disbelief, the chief answered meaningfully. Its not that the Geomgye, but we are within the Geomgye. Ah! So, I ask for your discretion. I understand! The head of the Police Bureau nodded deeply. They are the ones who have hidden within the Geomgye! This line that led the head of the Police Bureau to misunderstand was Hyangs creation. After that, Sejong and Hyang revised the license once more. -The license is personally kept by the king and only issued when deemed necessary or when a justifiable request is considered. It was the birth of the license to kill that wouldter be a staple in dramas and movies set in the Joseon era. *** Fifteen days after the messengers visit announcing the envoy ising, Mings envoy arrived at Jemulpo. At the pier in Jemulpo, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, who was waiting for the ship carrying Mings envoy, grumbled to a subordinate official who had apanied him. Ming was in a rush. It usually takes about a month and a half to arrive, but they came in just half a month. Besides that, there isnt much to gain even if theye to Joseon, so they probably want to finish quickly. Is that so? At the subordinates words, the Vice Minister burst intoughter. Previously, Hyang had rebelled against Sejong, citing the extortion by Mings envoys, and his shins had been shattered. Afterward, through an envoy sent by Sejong, they received an imperial edict handwritten by the emperor prohibiting extortion, greatly reducing the envoys extortion. Moreover, after Hyang personally visited Beijing, the extortion by envoys from Ming dramatically disappeared. As a contract was established between the emperor and the Joseon royal family, it became difficult to treat Joseon recklessly. In fact, there was once a fool who didnt realize the situation had changed and came to Joseon to extort as before. Immediately after the envoy returned, Joseon sent a letter to Emperor Xuande. Receiving the letter filled with subtle thorns and greatly angered, Emperor Xuande immediately imprisoned the problematic envoy. Do you wish to live after smearing excrement on my face! Greatly enraged, Emperor Xuande exterminated the nine familial extents of the envoys family. After that, there were no more Ming envoys who came to Joseon and recklessly extorted or made unreasonable demands. Instead, it became customary for envoys to handle their business and return immediately. Chapter 279 Chapter 279 How a Sparrow Catches up to a Stork (5) The envoy delegation from Ming that arrived at Jemulpo was weed by the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs. Wee, Your Excellency. You must have had a long journey. Thank you for the warm reception. After a brief exchange of greetings, the Ming envoys boarded the carriages prepared by Joseon. As extortion was prohibited, the Ming envoys, who could no longer enjoy much pleasure even if they stayed longer, chose to handle their business as quickly as possible and return. Therefore, they preferred traveling by sea rather thannd and began to use carriages instead of pnquins for transportation. The time it took to travel from Jemulpo to Hanseong by carriage was merely half a day. To travel a distance of over 100 ri (approximately 40 km) in just half a day The chief envoy from Ming repeatedly expressed his admiration. As the nationwide road construction project progressed in earnest, one of the first roads to be constructed was the one connecting Hanseong and Jemulpo. The Ming envoy delegation, who had crossed the Han River by boat near Seonyudo, boarded the carriages again and headed towards Donuimun (Donuimun, Seodaemun). In front of Yeong-eunmun, the entrance to Mohwaru (Mohwaru), which was built outside Donuimun, Crown Prince Hyang and officials were waiting for the Ming envoy delegation ording to custom. Your Highness, the envoys areing. At the eunuchs words, Hyang checked his attire once more and stepped forward. Shortly after, the envoys alighted from the carriages that had arrived in front of Yeong-eunmun. Following the established etiquette, Hyang performed a double bow, and the Ming envoys also respectfully reciprocated ording to protocol. You must be tired from the long journey, Your Excellency. We are grateful for such a warm wee. Pleasee in. Yes. Upon the arrival of the Ming envoy delegation, a grand banquet was held at Mohwaru to wee the envoys. As courtesans performed dance and music to the rhythm, adding to the excitement, the Crown Prince and the chief envoy engaged in conversation. I had the pleasure of meeting you once before when you visited Beijing, Your Highness. I was amazed then, but seeing how much more elegant you have be, I cannot help but be astonished. Hahaha! I am immensely grateful for your kind words. No, its true. At that time, there were rumors circting among thedies of the Forbidden City and Beijing. Is that so? Yes, indeed. The chief envoy, who answered firmly, was sincere. Moreover, those who came from Ming had almost the same reaction as the chief envoy. *** When Hyang visited Beijing, his handsomeness had shaken the Forbidden City. If he were to step out onto the streets of Beijing right now, he would reenact the ancient tale of throwing fruits to fill a carriage. Hyangs physical features were such that even Emperor Xuande and the ministers who heard the rumors all agreed. In the end, the pce maids of the Forbidden City who heard the rumors gathered to see Hyangs face, causing amotion. And these rumors about Hyang spread beyond the Forbidden City, so on the day Hyang left the Forbidden City to return to Joseon, many women flocked to the streets to catch a glimpse of him. *** Even afterward, the Ming envoy seemed unable to escape Hyangs charm. Especially when Hyang was requested topose a poem during the ongoing banquet, the chief envoy was moved to tears upon receiving it. It is truly an honor! Hahaha! Thank you for your kind words! Hyang grew increasingly embarrassed by the excessive praise. *** After the banquet ended and they left Mohwaru, Hyangs face turned gravely serious. Too much of a good thing, they say? Hyang grew even more suspicious of the Ming envoys excessive goodwill. Meanwhile, the Ming chief envoy discussed in a serious tone with his entourage gathered in his room. It wont be easy. At the chief envoys words, the deputy envoy immediately responded. It seems so. I also had a conversation with Joseons ministers, and they are not to be taken lightly. The Crown Prince is the same. While expressing gratitude for the goodwill, he remains cautious, and while enjoying the praise, he remains vignt. If the Crown Prince takes the lead in the negotiations The chief envoy, feeling frustrated, took a sip of tea to soothe himself and continued. If the Crown Prince takes the lead in the negotiations, it will be quite challenging. Having reached a conclusion, the chief envoy let out aint. I truly wonder how the King of Joseon has educated his son. Such a talent Indeed, youre right. *** Two dayster, the Ming envoy delegation, having recovered from their journey, entered Gyeongbokgung. Sejong, who weed the envoys passing through Geunjeongmun, exchanged greetings with the envoy ording to protocol. Shortly after, Sejong, Hyang, and the ministers knelt in the courtyard of Geunjeong Hall, and the chief envoy climbed the steps of Geunjeong Hall and untied the seal on the imperial edict. Listen, King of Joseon The imperial edict from Emperor Xuande, read aloud by the envoy, was simple. -I have heard that the small firearms used by Joseons individual soldiers are highly superior. If they are that superior, present an appropriate quantity as tribute. After the reading was finished and the formal proceedings were over, the chief envoy respectfully presented the scroll containing the imperial edict to Sejong. Receiving the scroll, Sejong immediately got to the point. You mentioned an appropriate quantity, but exactly how much do you want? Literally, an appropriate quantity. You mean to negotiate. I wont deny it. Eventually, a negotiation room was set up in the Uijeongbu building, and people from both sides gathered to begin the negotiation. Oh my The Ming envoys, who had taken their seats in the negotiation room, cursed under their breath when Hyang stepped forward as Joseons representative. For them, he was the one they most wanted to avoid as a representative. You said an appropriate quantity, so how much do you want? As Hyang directly got to the point, the Ming chief envoy immediately responded. First, we would like to see the performance of the small firearms used by Joseon. Didnt you say you came after hearing the rumors? Rumors and reality are often different. Isnt that right? At the chief envoys words, Hyang turned his head and ordered the eunuch. Inform the Royal Guard to prepare. Yes, Your Highness. After a while, the negotiation teams from both countries moved to the shooting range prepared inside Gyeongbokgung. At the shooting range, scarecrows wearing helmets were set up at regr distance intervals. And at the very back, a wooden target board was erected. In front of it, a small table was ced, and on top of it were muskets and essories. Those are the small firearms the envoy mentioned in the rumors. We call them long guns. Is that so? The Ming envoy delegation went down to the shooting range and examined the muskets. After the observation process waspleted while listening to the exnation from the military officer in charge, a shooting demonstration was immediately conducted. As three Royal Guard soldiers stood by with muskets, Hyang exined to the envoys. A well-trained soldier can hit a target from a distance of 10 jang (approximately 30m). At Hyangs gesture, the military officermanded the soldiers. Fire! Bang! With a loud gunshot and thick smoke rising, the scarecrow standing 10 zhang away swayed. May we examine the scarecrow? Do as you wish. With Hyangs permission, the Ming envoys immediately went down to the shooting range and examined the scarecrow. Impressive. Truly impressive. The chief envoy, who examined the scarecrow, eximed repeatedly. The helmet worn by the scarecrow, which was located 10 jang away from the shooting tform, had clean holes punctured through the front and back. A Ming general who apanied the envoy delegation examined the helmet and spoke. Its a properly made helmet. With this level of power, even the Northern Yuans cavalry would be like fallen leaves in the wind. Is that so? After witnessing the subsequent demonstrations, the Ming envoys engaged in a brief conversation as they returned to the negotiation room. It definitely has limitations. Still, it is far superior to the firences used by our military. And The Ming general, suppressing his urgent desire, immediately continued. If it is used not by one or two people but on arge scale, its power will be tremendous. I see The chief envoy nodded at the generals words. *** Returning to the negotiation room and taking his seat again, Hyang asked the Ming chief envoy. Have you confirmed the performance? Yes, we have thoroughly confirmed it. So, what do you think? It is as the rumors say. Is that so? Then, what would be an appropriate quantity? 1,000 units. We would like to receive them within a month. Bang! As soon as the chief envoy finished speaking, Hyang mmed his fist on the table and shouted. Nonsense! Right now, Joseons musketeers barely number 5,000! And they are troops we have trained for nearly 10 years! Yet you want us to present 1,000 units? Is that the intention of His Majesty the Emperor? His Majesty clearly spoke to me about the friendly rtions between our two countries and made a promise! Chief Envoy, answer me directly! Is 1,000 units the Emperors intention? No, thats not it Faced with Hyangs intense reaction beyond expectation, the chief envoy began to break out in a cold sweat. Ming, no, the Emperor of Ming and the Joseon royal family had a rtionship of shared interests. If something went wrong and their rtionship turned sour, the consequences would surely fall upon him. I was too greedy. The Ming chief envoy was filled with regret. *** Beforeing to Joseon, Emperor Xuande had given the following orders: -If the small firearms used by Joseon are as rumored, acquire an appropriate quantity and bring them to Ming. -However, this appropriate quantity only needs to be sufficient for Mings craftsmen to study. Instead, it is enough to bring back a quantity that can be acquired as quickly as possible, preferably when returning to Ming. -Time is more important than quantity. If too much time is given, there is a high possibility that Joseon will tamper with the firearms. Having heard Emperor Xuandes orders, the chief envoy and deputy envoy summoned the head craftsmen before their departure and asked. How many units should we bring back? The head craftsmen who were asked the question put their heads together and exchanged opinions. After a long discussion and murmuring, the craftsmen suggested an appropriate number. About 70 units would be suitable. We can divide them into 20 units each for research, and the remaining 10 units can be used for performanceparison. 70 units, you say? Understood. *** Although he had heard from Mings craftsmen, the chief envoy couldnt resist his greed upon actually witnessing the performance. Lets take as much as possible! Since our Ming is the superior country, Joseon will give as much as we ask! Thats how it has been so far! If Joseon pleads that its too much, we can pretend to be lenient while minimizing the time as much as possible! Its a strategy that kills two birds with one stone! However, Hyangs reaction was beyond the chief envoys expectations. Instead of pleading, he directly confronted the Emperor. Say it clearly! Is that number of 1,000 units definitely the intention of His Majesty the Emperor? Can the Chief Envoy stake his life on it? We didnt even pay that many horses as tribute! If this is truly the Emperorsmand, I will personally go to Beijing and discuss it! At Hyangs rough voice, the deputy envoy sitting next to the chief envoy became anxious. As Hyang said, if they were to provide the quantity the chief envoy mentioned, it was a foregone conclusion that Joseons national defense would be greatly weakened. If it took 10 years to produce 5,000 units, that meant 500 units per year. It was only natural to be angry when asked to present two years worth of production. In the end, the deputy envoy intervened on behalf of the chief envoy, who was half out of his mind. Your Highness, please calm down for a moment. His Majesty only ordered an appropriate quantity. Then why was the number 1,000 units mentioned? We simply didnt know that Joseon only had 5,000 units of small firearms. We thought there would be at least 20,000 to 30,000 units. Is our Joseon asrge as Ming? Do you know how much copper goes into making one of these long guns? Ming is well aware that copper is scarce in our Joseon! We apologize for that part. While the deputy envoy was trying to resolve the situation, the chief envoy, who had regained his senses, bowed his head to Hyang. I am truly sorry. I misspoke. We do not need as many as 1,000 units. Then how many do you want? How many can you provide us? 50 units. Thats too few. Please give us 200 units. Are you trying to bargain when our Joseons national defense is at stake? Even the soldiers guarding this pce where my father resides are only assigned a mere 100 units! The heated debate continued back and forth. However, Hyang held the upper hand in the conversation. In diplomacy, sometimes the loudest one wins. As a result of the ongoing debate, it was decided that the Ming envoys would take the 100 units assigned to the pce. You can provide them right away, right? If His Majesty the Emperor desires it, shouldnt we endure at least this much? As Hyang answered in a voice full of dissatisfaction, the Ming envoys immediately bowed their heads. We are truly grateful! Done! With this, we have taken away Joseons time to y tricks! Its regrettable, but lets be satisfied with this! Its all for the friendly rtions between our Joseon and the superior country. Caught them! Fortunately, we can end this with the 100 units we had prepared in advance, just in case! Congratting themselves on their respective gains, the negotiation came to an end. Two dayster, in the presence of the Ming envoys, the muskets were collected from the Royal Guard soldiers. The Ming envoys, who had moved the wooden boxes containing the muskets and essories to Jemulpo, immediately departed for Shandong. Chapter 280 Chapter 280 A month had passed since themotion with the guns. In the 3rd Workshop of Area 51, Hyang and the key figures from the research institute and Area 51 had gathered in front of the workshop that primarily producedrge equipment. Although it was the sweltering midday of midsummer, the heat radiating from the assembled people was even more intense. Itsing out! As the workshop door opened, the artisans cry drew everyones gaze to the open door. Click! nk! Chug-chug, puff-puff! Apanied by the morous sound of escaping steam, a cart equipped with a steam engine began to emerge from the workshop. Ooh! Its moving! It moves! Wow!Seeing the cart in motion, the researchers and artisans cheered and rejoiced. Even the soldiers standing guard nearby stared at the carts movement with wide eyes, witnessing a machine they had never seen before. Hyung-nim! Hyung-nim! Its finally moving! While everyone present was delighted, the most ted was Prince Jinpyeong. Utterly excited, Jinpyeong forgot all decorum, grabbed Hyangs arm, and hopped up and down. Now we just need toy railroad tracks across Joseon and have that self-propelled cart run on them! Not yet. Pardon? Hyang pointed at the cart and continued. Weve only confirmed that it moves. We havent even verified if it performs as expected, have we? Ah At Hyangs words, Jinpyeong nodded with a face full of disappointment. However, he quickly regained his spirit and shouted with a confident expression. The performance will surely be excellent! Im confident! Really? Considering what happened not long ago, I dont think so. As Hyang narrowed his eyes and spoke in a doubtful tone, Jinpyeongs face reddened as he yelled. Ah, Hyung-nim! I told you that was a mistake! *** A few days before the prototype of the steam lotive waspleted, Hyang and Jinpyeong had been conversing in the Eastern Pce. The topic was, of course, the steam lotive. The self-propelled cart equipped with a steam engine will be finished soon. We must prepare and execute the railroad construction in advance. The actual product hasnt evene out yet. And its performance hasnt been confirmed either. Its not toote to think about railroad construction after that. Your Highness! Do you want to persuade His Majesty and Lord Kim of the Ministry of Finance? At Hyangs question, Jinpyeongs mouth mped shut like a m. By the way, its terribly hot today. Eunuch, could you fetch some ice water? Ill bring it to you! As soon as Hyang finished speaking, Jinpyeong left the room. Seeing this, Hyang burst intoughter. The kid must be afraid to face His Majesty. Jinpyeong was no match for King Sejong and Lord Kim of the Ministry of Finance. Jinpyeong knew this well and was trying to get Hyang on his side. Shortly after, Jinpyeong returned with a ss filled with ice water and handed it to Hyang. Your Highness! The water is very cold! Drink it quickly! The ice will melt and overflow the ss! Than- As Hyang received the ss from Jinpyeong and began to express his gratitude, he suddenly stopped and stared at Jinpyeong. Whats the matter? Go to the research institute right now and study physics again. Pardon? Figure out what was wrong with what you just said and report back to me. Go! Huh? What? Tsk! As Hyangs expression turned grim, Jinpyeong scurried out of Hyangs room with his tail between his legs. cing the ss with beads of condensation on the desk, Hyang rested his hand on his forehead and muttered. Even if it kills him, that guy is a science student Even I, a liberal arts student, know this Im worried if the lotive will turn out properly. No, putting that aside, is this why Joseon ended up in such a state after that guy staged a coup? Well, I suppose such a thing wont happen this time? Oh dear, should I start worrying about this too? Hyang began to worry about various things because of Jinpyeong, who had forgotten the most basic knowledge about volume. In the history before Hyangs intervention, the evaluation of Jinpyeong C whoter changed his military title to Prince Suyang C was that his literary talent wascking, but his military talent was excellent. However, Teacher Samcheonpo had a different assessment. A noble whocks literary talent participates in creating Seokbosangjeol[1]? That evaluation came fromparing him to his father and brother! That evening, Jinpyeong submitted a written reflection to Hyang, proving Teacher Samcheonpos assessment correct. *** While Hyang teased Jinpyeong about the incident, the steam lotive that had emerged from the workshop slowly moved back and forth along the pre-installed railroad track. Before cing it on the test track installed along the boundary of Area 51, they were checking its condition. How is it? In response to Hyangs question, the artisan operating the lotive promptly answered. No issues! Is that so? Then lets proceed with the formal testing. With Hyangs permission, the steam lotive ascended onto the test track. The official testing had begun. *** As the ongoing tests yielded positive results, Hyang formally reported to King Sejong. A self-propelled cart utilizing a steam engine has beenpleted? Yes, Your Majesty. Upon Hyangs report, King Sejong immediately descended from the council hall. Then lets go and see it. Your Majesty! The state affairs The ministers rose in surprise, trying to stop King Sejong, but he simply replied. I can attend to them after I return, cant I? Its not the first time Ivee home a littlete, is it? That is true The ministers answered in a subdued voice and hastily rose from their seats to follow King Sejong. *** As they approached Area 51, King Sejong turned to Hyang. It seems to be expanding. At King Sejongs observation, Hyangs expression turned troubled. As the reform progressed and the types, quantities, and sizes of items manufactured and tested in Area 51 grew, the district itself was steadily increasing in size. Initially, it upied about half of the southern district of Hanseong, but now its territory had expanded beyond the city walls to cover approximately half of Yongsan in. From an aerial view, Area 51 epassed everything except the eastern slope of Namsan (South Mountain). As the size of the equipment we make and test grewrger, it became inevitable. Have you considered establishing additional sites elsewhere? Communication and confidentiality would be difficult. At Hyangs answer, King Sejong clicked his tongue. Nothing is ever easy. *** Arriving at Area 51, King Sejong and the ministers observed the Iron Horse and eximed in admiration. Seeing it d in iron armor all over, it truly looks sturdy! The sound of the escaping steam is like the breathing of a ferocious beast! Against the backdrop of the ministers exmations, King Sejong, who had been examining the steam lotive, asked Hyang. How much does it weigh? 900 gwan (approximately 3.4 tons). Its heavier than it looks! As King Sejong marveled at the weight, which was far heavier than its appearance suggested, Hyang exined the reason. Thats because everything is made of iron. Is that so? Then how much can it carry? Including the weight of the connected carts, it can carry 2,500 gwan (approximately 9.4 tons). Its quite powerful! And how fast can it travel? With a load of 2,500 gwan, it can travel 90 ri (approximately 36 km) in half a shichen. The speed is impressive too! King Sejong showered Hyang with exmations of admiration as he listened to his exnations. Meanwhile, Kim Jeoms eyes, who had been listening to Hyangs exnations from behind, began to gleam fiercely. Hmm? If we do this right, it could be profitable. As King Sejong meticulously inspected the freight and passenger cars connected to the steam lotive, he turned to Hyang. Can it move now? Yes. Would you like to take a ride? Certainly! King Sejong answered as if he had been waiting for this, and Hyang guided him and the ministers to the passenger car. The interior is quite in. Seeing the passengerpartment with two rows of wooden bench seats, King Sejongmented in a matter-of-fact tone. We n to divide the passenger section into different ssester. Divide into sses? Like thatched and tiled houses? Then youll also differentiate the fares? Yes. As Hyang answered, King Sejong, who had been nodding his head, turned to Kim Jeom. Minister of Finance. Yes, Your Majesty. When this machine eventually travels throughout Joseon, study how we should handle it. I shall obey yourmand. Kim Jeom answered with enthusiasm. His mind had already been racing furiously from the moment Hyang mentioned dividing into sses. I hear the sound of moneying in! *** The train carrying King Sejong, Hyang, and the ministerspleted twops around the test track in Area 51. Bleurgh! As they disembarked from the train after the test run, many of the ministers began to vomit as soon as their feet touched the ground. And the scribes recorded all of this. It was officially recorded motion sickness. King Sejong, who had disembarked from the passenger car with a slightly pale face, turned to Hyang. Its a bit dizzying. This aspect needs improvement. We are currently researching it. Make sure to improve it. Yes, Your Majesty. After repeatedly urging Hyang, King Sejong moved on to the next matter. So, has an official name been chosen for this self-propelled cart? Not yet. Please bestow a name, Your Majesty. At Hyangs request, King Sejong pondered for a moment and soon found a suitable name. Since it carries many people and cargo and moves swiftly, Iron Horse would be fitting. A truly excellent name. Indeed, Your Majesty! As King Sejong named it the Iron Horse, Hyang and the ministers all bowed their heads, echoing that it was a fine name. They say people think alike Hyang, who had been the first to respond, muttered inwardly. *** After the test ride of the Iron Horse, King Sejong and the ministers returned to the pce and soon exchanged opinions on how to utilize it. I certainly believe its a useful machine. What do you think? Although the Crown Prince said it needs some improvements, I believe it will be sufficiently useful even in its current state. I agree, Your Majesty. Traveling 90 ri in half a shichen means it can cover 180 ri (approximately 72 km) in one shichen. Considering the cargo capacity of the Iron Horse, this can bring tremendous benefits! While all the ministers provided positive responses, the one who stepped forward most actively was Jo Mal-saeng. We must adopt it as soon as possible! Imagine using the Iron Horse for troop transportation. The soldiers can travel long distances without getting tired! As most of the ministers showed favorable reactions, King Sejong turned to Hyang. How long will it take to have the Iron Horse running throughout Joseon? Its impossible in a short period. We should expect at least ten years. Why is that? In response to King Sejongs question, Hyang exined the reasons. First, the ironworks in Anju alone cannot supply the necessary amount of iron. Not only is the quantity required to build the Iron Horse substantial, but the amount of iron needed toy the railroad tracks is also considerable. Hmm Thats true. As King Sejong nodded, Hyang exined the next reason. The second reason is even more problematic. Its the rivers that run through Joseons territory. As a simple example, even the Han River that flows south of Hanseong must be crossed by boat. I see. At Hyangs point, the atmosphere in the council hall grew heavy. These gentlemen! What are they, teenagers? Why are their mood swings so extreme? Grumbling inwardly, Hyang promptly proposed a solution. The issue of bridges will be solved as soon as we gain experience through the ongoing road construction. As we build bridges one by one over therge and small rivers across Joseon, we will gain the experience to construct bridges even overrge rivers like the Han River and the Daedong River. Hyangs exnation somewhat brightened the mood of King Sejong and the ministers. Hyang continued his exnation. The most crucial aspect is training those who will operate the Iron Horse. Therefore, I humbly suggest recing the horse-drawn carriages moving within Hanseong with the Iron Horse. Oh? Pardon?
  1. Seokbosangjeol is a collection of Buddhist hymns and chantspiled during the reign of King Sejong in the Joseon Dynasty. It contains musical notations and lyrics for various Buddhist rituals and ceremonies. The term literally means Detailed Exnations of the Musical Notations for Buddhist Chants.[?]
Chapter 281 Chapter 281 At Hyangs words, King Sejong and the ministers, who had been uttering questions, soon nodded their heads. That would work. Indeed, Your Majesty. In that case, its rather fortunate that the n was postponed. As they say, The old man lost his horse, but who knows if it might be a blessing in disguise?'' Following King Sejongs positive response, the ministers also showed simr reactions and added their remarks. *** Based on Im Sun-wook and Hyangs proposal, a n was devised to prioritize operating horse-drawn carriages connecting the east, west, south, and north of Hanseong. The n was promptly prepared. However, the actual implementation was pushed back due to the issue of horses to pull the carriages.For the small carriages ridden by the nobles of Ming and Goryeo, there were no significant problems even with the small-sized Joseon or Jurchen horses. However, the horse-drawn carriages to be operated within Hanseong were muchrger in size. The carriages weve used so far cannot ensure profitability. At Hyangs words, Im Sun-wook also nodded. Thats right. To generate proper profits, we need to carry at least 30 to 40 people at a time. The problem is that the current Joseon or Jurchen horses are not up to the task if we do that. Calctions showed that if small Joseon or Jurchen horses were used, at least six horses would need to be harnessed to each carriage, prompting the officials to seek new measures. Consequently, it was decided to use horses from the Western Regions, especially extrarge horses, imported through Mansur, to pull the horse-drawn carriages. The issue was that although they continued to import stallions and mares through Mansur, they could only bring in 20 to 30 horses at a time, and the extrarge horses were particrly limited to just 2 to 4. To intensively manage the imported horses, horse pastures were established near Hanseong and Gyeonggi.(Note 1) The purpose of these horse pastures was to breed and manage the horses from the Western Regions imported through Mansur and to crossbreed them with Joseon and Jurchen horses to raise superior breeds. Although foals were born in the horse pastures established in Hanseong and Gyeonggi, it took at least 4 to 5 years for those horses to mature, so the operation of Hanseongs horse-drawn carriages had to be postponed until then. However, when the first-generation horses born in the horse pastures reached maturity, a war broke out in Liaodong. To pursue Yi Manchu and Montemu and block their path for interception, not only the cavalry but also the infantry needed to move swiftly. As a result, all the mature horses in the horse pastures, except for the stallions, were requisitioned by the military, and the operation of Hanseongs horse-drawn carriages was pushed back again. And with Hyangpleting the Iron Horse, it was decided that the Iron Horse would pull the horse-drawn carriages instead of horses. *** Seeing the positive reactions from King Sejong and the ministers, Hyang gestured to the eunuch. Noticing Hyangs gesture, the eunuch brought arge diagram. Hyang turned the cover and continued. This is the Hanseong circr train utilizing the Iron Horse, as proposed by the research institute and Area 51. The picture revealed after turning the cover depicted Hyangs Iron Horse, small freight cars supplying the necessary coal and water for the Iron Horse, and two connected passenger cars. Hyang pointed at the passenger cars with a pointer and exined. Each passenger car can carry 60 passengers. Since we will be operating with two connected cars, it can carry a total of 120 passengers. Whats the basis for that calction? At King Sejongs question, Hyang turned the page of the diagram. The next page showed a top-down view of the passenger car. By creating seats along the left and right walls of the passenger car, 15 people can sit on each side. And by attaching poles to the ceiling in front of those seats and hanging loops on the poles, we can create standing spaces for an additional 30 people. Thats how we arrive at 60 people. Of course, if we disregard proper spacing and maximize the capacity, it can carry up to 130 people. 130 people? Are you certain? As King Sejong asked, unable to believe it, Hyang promptly answered. We conducted experiments in Area 51. The Iron Horse sessfully pulled and moved two fully-loaded passenger cars, each carrying 130 people, for a total of 260 passengers. Impressive. Of course, if we carry that many,fort is out of the question. At least in this era, I wont create a hell train! Hyang inwardly made a firm resolution while exining to King Sejong. At Hyangs exnation, the ministers exchanged opinions among themselves. If webine two cars, its 120 people Will it be profitable? The ministers questions were directed at Kim Jeom. Receiving the gazes of King Sejong and the ministers, Kim Jeom immediately answered. Wouldnt that depend on the route, the distance between stations, and the operating frequency? As Kim Jeom replied, the gazes of King Sejong and the ministers turned back to Hyang. Hyang once again turned the page of the diagram. The newly revealed page featured a route map based on the map of Hanseong. It resembles the Chinese character for Jeong (). Anyway Based on that route, it seems we would need to pass through Sungnyemun Gate or reconstruct the city walls. Am I right? Thats correct. Hyang traced the route map with the pointer and exined. The most basic axis is the east-west axis that runs back and forth across Hanseong. Thergest station will be built in front of Six Ministries Street. I understand that, but the issue is the route that goes out through Sungnyemun Gate. Why was that route created? The Iron Horse and passenger cars require constant maintenance. However, Hanseong is already filled with houses and people, so theres no space to build maintenance facilities. Therefore, we will create maintenance areas in the west of Area 51 and the north of Maponaru. And on thend between Sungnyemun Gate and these maintenance depots, Id like to construct a housingplex for officials without homes. As soon as Hyang finished speaking, the eyes of young officials, including scribes and clerks, began to sparkle. As the saying Send people to Hanyang and horses to Jeju proves, from this time, Hanseong was showing signs of poption concentration. Families of nobles who passed the civil service examination and became central government officials, those who came to the capital in search of potential opportunities, and others with various reasons gathered in Hanseong. As a result, the number of people making money by renting out houses increased, and so did the number of people struggling with the hardships of living in rented rooms. Especially for newly appointed officials from impoverished families who could not receive support from their parents or ns, they had to live in rented rooms. And this rented life was by no means easy. In the history before Hyangs intervention, the 15th-century Joseon schr-official Kim Jong-jik (1431-1492) wrote the following poem: The few houses in the city, Ive stayed in all of them. At times, Ive been driven out, Wandering frequently east and west. (Note 2) Therefore, the eyes of the young officials began to gleam fiercely. Hyang pointed to the southern route with the pointer and continued his exnation. When officials or government workers seek rented rooms, the first thing they consider is easymute to and from work. Due to this issue, the rents for rooms near Six Ministries Street and Gyeongbokgung Pce are very high. However, if we build a housingplex on the outskirts of Hanseong like this and assign train routes, we can solve the housing problem for officials and also lower the high rents in Hanseong to some extent. Hmm I see. What does the Minister of Finance think? At King Sejongs question, Kim Jeom promptly answered. Its worth considering! Is that so? Listening to Kim Jeoms answer, King Sejong slightly raised his head and surveyed the inside of Geunjeongjeon Hall. The officials, scribes, and clerks present to assist the ministers were concentrating on the meeting like never before. It seems fine, but something feels off. Feeling somewhat uneasy, King Sejong reviewed Hyangs exnation. After pondering for a moment, King Sejong realized what he had overlooked. Hyang, about the train operation you mentioned earlier. Please ask, Your Majesty. When will you start and end the train service? We will start operating when the sun rises and end when the sun sets. In that case, wont the southern route be problematic? Even now, officials often workte into the night. If they leave work after sunset, wont they have to walk a long distance to get home? At King Sejongs question, all the officials in Geunjeongjeon Hall simultaneously shouted in their minds. Then please reduce our workload! However, as the apple doesnt fall far from the tree, Hyang immediately provided an answer to King Sejong. We can arrange special schedules for that part. In the morning, we will operate at 2-gak (approximately 30-minute) intervals. Around the time of leaving work, we will also operate at 1-gak intervals for 1 shichen (2 hours). And after the sun haspletely set, we will operate at 1-shichen intervals until haejeongssi (10 PM or 10:30 PM). We chose haejeongssi as the standard because its the time when Sungnyemun Gate closes. King Sejong nodded after briefly calcting based on Hyangs exnation. That sounds good. Most officials already sleep in their lodgings if they work past that time anyway. Indeed, Your Majesty. Listening to the conversation between the father and son, the mid and low-level officials had to hold back their tears. Ugh! Why dont you just tell us not to go home at all? Afterward, there was a discussion about the train frequency on the east-west route of Hanseong, but there were no significant objections, so they quickly moved on. However, what drew the ministers attention was the space that the railroad tracks for the train would upy. The Iron Horse and passenger cars are quiterge. Will the turning space at the end of the route be sufficient? In response to the question from the Minister of Construction (formerly the Minister of Public Works), Hyang promptly answered. Based on the experiments conducted in Area 51, its sufficient. The Iron Horse, which made its first appearance this time, was slightlyrger in size than George Stephensons Rocket. Therefore, it did not require much turning space at the end of the route to change the trains direction. After various opinions were coordinated, King Sejong reached a conclusion. Then, proceed with operating the Iron Horse instead of the horse-drawn carriages. We shall obey yourmand. Having settled the agenda, King Sejong turned to Hyang. Hyang, about the housingplex for officials without homes that you mentioned earlier. Please ask, Your Majesty. Its a good idea, but wouldnt it be insufficient to have just houses? I have considered that as well. As a significant number of houses will be built, we will also establish stores, markets, and clinics. The same goes for police stations and fire stations. Furthermore, we will establish a marketce, amoners school, and a middle school together. King Sejong, who had been imagining it in his mind for a moment based on Hyangs exnation, nodded. The families of the officials will be delighted. Indeed, they will. What do you think, ministers? In response to King Sejongs question, the ministers immediately bowed their heads. We, too, have suffered greatly from the hardships of living in rented rooms in our youth. If such a housingplex is built for officials without homes and their families to reside in, their praise will resound to the heavens. Is that so? Then lets study it. Yes, Your Majesty. Thus, the second nned city in Joseons history was created. The first was led by Hyang during the process of restoring the district that was lost in the Great Fire of Hanseong, and this was the second. Inter years, this housingplex led by Hyang became the most valuablend in Joseon. The fact that various amenities were established from the beginning, making life convenient, yed a part, but the biggest reason was themoners school and middle school located in this housingplex. As they were the children of officials working in the government, the educational level of themoners school and middle school also exceeded the average. Moreover, since all the neighbors were officials, they boasted an immensework. Eventually, wealthy merchants orndowners built houses near this housingplex and enrolled their children and grandchildren in themoners school of the housingplex. *** Note 1: Research on horse pastures in the Joseon Dynasty. Lee Hong-doo, Professor at Hongik University. Northeast Asian History Journal, Issue 55. Note 2: Joseon Dynasty schr-officials Yi Hwang and Kim Jong-jik also lived in rented rooms. Ju Young-jae, Reporter. Kyunghyang Shinmun. 2015.03.09. http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?art_id=201503080851491 Chapter 282 Chapter 282 The agenda regarding the Hanseong Circr Train and the Officials Housing Complex was decided. However, the agenda rted to the railroad did not end there. A weekter, a state council meeting was held at Geunjeongjeon Hall. Then, the next agenda is about the Establishment of the Third Ironworks.'' As the Third Ironworks was brought up as an agenda item, the atmosphere of King Sejong and the ministers became heavy. Didnt the Second Ironworks in Musan begin producing iron not long ago? In response to King Sejongs question, Jeong Yeok, the Minister of National Development, promptly answered. Thats correct, Your Majesty. However, the amount of iron required by the people of Joseon is continuously increasing, and its bing difficult for the First Ironworks in Anju and the Second Ironworks in Cheongjin to meet that demand. Is it that severe? Yes, Your Majesty.At Jeong Yeoks gesture, a lower-ranking official who had been waiting in the back stepped forward with a diagram. After bowing to King Sejong, the lower-ranking official hung the diagram on a screen and stepped back. Jeong Yeok turned the cover of the diagram with a pointer. As the cover was turned, arge line graph with various colors was revealed. This line represents the monthly production of the First Ironworks. The next line represents the monthly production of the Second Ironworks. And this line is the total sum of the production from both ironworks, and thest one is the consumption of iron throughout Joseon. King Sejong examined the graph while listening to Jeong Yeoks exnation, showing an intrigued expression. The people are consuming a lot of iron? Yes, Your Majesty. Looking at the graph hung by Jeong Yeok, the graph recording the amount of iron consumed in Joseon showed a steep upward trend. Meanwhile, Hyang, who was looking at the graph, had a different thought. These gentlemen are using graphs to the fullest extent, arent they? When they first learned about graphs, the ministers and officials had reacted with What is this item used for? But now, graphs and charts were appearing like licorice in a pharmacy. What is the reason for the people using so much iron? In response to King Sejongs question, Kim Jeom answered on behalf of Jeong Yeok. There is an increasing trend of recing items previously made of wood or earthenware with iron. The most famous example is the water bucket.'' *** As the reform progressed, individuals who became wealthy emerged. While there were merchants, surprisingly, cksmiths also ounted for a significant number. The cksmiths were able to acquire wealth thanks to the Intellectual Property Office. The cksmiths immediately registered the new products they devised at the Intellectual Property Office. The registered items were then introduced throughout Joseon through the official gazette. Among the products introduced this way, the useful ones were immediately sought after by merchants who either made production contracts or paid royalties to mass-produce them in their own guild workshops. Through this process, various items experienced what was called a big hit. The most famous among them was the water bucket. Previously, people used buckets made of wood or suitable-sized earthenware to draw and carry water, but the water bucket took their ce. As soon as it was released in the market, the water bucket monopolized the love of housewives. It was light and sturdy, making it convenient to draw and carry water, and it was also useful for boilingundry or cooking glue in the kitchen. Thanks to this, the cksmith who created the water bucket became wealthy enough for three generations to live in luxury. *** Kim Jeom, who had been exining using the water bucket as an example, continued. With the mass supply of well-refined wrought iron from the ironworks at low prices, many of these items are being produced. In particr, the mass production of sturdy farming tools is greatly benefiting agriculture. Is that so? Yes, thanks to that, tax revenue is steadily increasing. Thats excellent news. At Kim Jeoms words, King Sejongs face brightened. Seeing this, Hyang muttered to himself. Indeed, the rice of industry. *** As arge quantity of iron materials C guaranteeing above-average quality C were supplied at low prices from the two ironworks, Joseons iron culture flourished. It was thanks to the state taking responsibility for the iron smelting process, which consumed the most resources in the production of iron products. cksmiths across Joseon could obtain the iron materials they needed through the state-run stores to create their products. This was a blessing for the cksmiths. Less skilled cksmiths acquired superior materialspared to when they made them themselves, and skilled cksmiths could easily and quickly produce even higher-quality iron materials with a little extra effort. The items made with this supplied iron, especially farming tools, demonstrated superior efficiency. When reiming agriculturalnd or plowing furrows in fields, the newly made farming tools did not easily break and could plow deeper furrowspared to before. As proper deep plowing methods were utilized, agricultural productivity increased. *** I understand, but wouldnt it be better to expand the two existing ironworks instead? In response to King Sejongs question, Kim Jeom moved to stand beside Jeong Yeok and began exining. Thats one method, but it also has problems, Your Majesty. In the case of Anju, expansion construction has already been carried out, and the location itself is difficult to expand further. What about the Second Ironworks in Cheongjin? The Second Ironworks has limitations in the materials themselves, making it difficult to ensure profitability. At Kim Jeoms words, King Sejongs expression became serious. What is the issue with the materials? Firstly, regarding the iron ore, the quality of the iron ore mined in Musan is somewhat inferior. Additionally, the quality of the coal mined in Aoji is also significantly poor. As Kim Jeom mentioned, the iron ore mined in Musan and the coal produced in Aoji had quality issues. *** In the history before Hyangs intervention, the iron mine discovered in Musan had problems. The Musan iron mine was discovered during the colonial period. Although it was an open-pit mine, making extraction easy, the iron content was only 37-40%, so Japan did not pay much attention to it. However, as Japans imperialistic behavior intensified, the Musan mine began to be fully developed. The coal from Aoji was the same. The coal mined from the Aoji coal mine was lignite. It ignited easily but produced arge amount of ash and had lower calorific value. This was the fundamental problem that prevented the production of the Second Ironworks from easily increasing. *** So, we need to build the Third Ironworks? Yes, Your Majesty. Is the funding sufficient? No, seeing that the Minister is taking the lead, it seems there is ample funding. At King Sejongs words, Kim Jeom answered with a small smile. Thats correct, Your Majesty. Although we will need to be frugal for a while,pleting the ironworks will allow us to solve even greater difficulties, so it is something we must do. So, are there any suitable candidate sites? In response to King Sejongs question, Jeong Yeok stepped forward again and answered. Yeonil County, Your Majesty. Yeonil County? At King Sejongs question, Jeong Yeok immediately turned the page on the screen. The new page depicted a map of Yeonil County and the nearby Ulsan and Dalcheon County. This is Yeonil County. Why that location? In response to King Sejongs question, Jeong Yeok pointed to Dalcheon County and exined. Here, in Dalcheon County, there is arge iron mine. Although it is difficult to obtain fuel for the st furnaces, and the surrounding areas are all farnd and urban areas, making it challenging to locate, considering the size of the iron mine alone, it has sufficient profitability. Isnt the fuel issue still a problem? At King Sejongs point, Jeong Yeok immediately turned the page. The next page depicted a map of the entire Joseon. Jeong Yeok traced the eastern coast with the pointer and continued his exnation. If wey railroad tracks along the tnd of this eastern coast and transport coal mined from Gangwon Province, it will be resolved immediately. What about the means of transportation? The Iron Horse, Your Majesty. The Iron Horse? At the mention of the Iron Horse, King Sejong briefly analyzed the situation. They came up with this n in less than a week after seeing the Iron Horse? King Sejong soon red at Hyang. It was you, wasnt it? In response to King Sejongs unspoken question in his gaze, Hyang answered with a slight smile. Seeing this, King Sejong let out a small sigh. Phew~. Now hes even manipting the ministers to move as he wishes. He must be afraid of getting scolded if he speaks directly. But you know what? Thanks to him, my work seems to be getting easier. King Sejong looked at Hyang with a meaningful smile. What Im currently researching seems like it will yield results in about two years, so lets see then. At King Sejongs enigmatic smile, Hyang suddenly felt a chill run through his body. Whats this? Suddenly feeling chilly? Anyway, King Sejong soon focused on the agenda. If we use the Iron Horse like that, theres no need to build it specifically in Yeonil County, is there? At King Sejongs point, Jeong Yeok answered while pointing to Dongnae. Its right in front of the Japanese settlement. If the Japanese pirates are the problem, then Yeonil County is even more King Sejong stopped speaking while examining the map and nodded. Janggi County and Heunghae County will block them from both sides. I understand. Having heard the exnation, King Sejong turned to the other ministers. What are your opinions? At King Sejongs question, the ministers took a moment to organize their thoughts and began to speak one by one. I believe it is reasonable. As the people of Joseon increasingly require iron, it is something we must do. Thats right, Your Majesty. If the demand increases but the supply is insufficient, there may be a resurgence of illegal mining to seek unjust profits. Before the ironworks were established, illegal mining was prevalent in Joseon. However, as the ironworks began supplying iron materials with guaranteed performance, illegal mining had be outdated. Nevertheless, if a situation of supply shortage urred, illegal mining could flourish again. Seeing that most of the ministers were in agreement, King Sejong reached a conclusion. Very well. I approve the construction of the Third Ironworks. I ask all of you to work together to ensure that the necessary tasks can be carried out smoothly. We shall obey yourmand! *** After the meeting, Kim Jeom, who had returned to the Ministry of Finance and Taxation building, quickly assessed the situation. Have you finishedpiling the list of items and quantities to bring back from Ming? Surely its not still iplete, is it? Here it is! As Kim Jeoms voice became sharp, a subordinate official quickly ran over and submitted a thick report. Kim Jeom turned the cover of the report and swiftly checked the items and quantities. Hmm Flipping through the pages and verifying the numbers, Kim Jeom handed the report back to the official standing in front of him. The quantities are too small. Adjust them ande back. Its already more than double, though? You fool! Is doubling something to boast about? In my days, let me tell you! If you paid tribute to Beijing and brought back double, they would scold you, saying, Did you just go and y around? Tripling was the bare minimum, quadrupling would get you a You did some work, huh? and quintupling was needed to be evaluated as Youll be sessful!'' Where do you get off whining about doubling? If were not careful, it could cause diplomatic issues You fool! Why are you worrying about that? Thats for those fellows in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to worry about! Still Do you want to take the antler medicine bestowed by His Majesty instead of me? Ill revise it right away! As soon as Kim Jeom finished speaking, the official grabbed the report and disappeared. Seeing this, Kim Jeom clicked his tongue. Tsk! These days, theds only know the tricks and not the essence! Kim Jeoms voice resounded throughout the building. The problem was that the administrative buildings located in the area called Six Ministries Street (Six Ministries Street) were tightly packed together, and right next to the Ministry of Finance was the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As a result, the officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building had to grit their teeth while trembling as they held their brushes. Grrr! *** Note 1) Jeong Yeok, a civil official during the reign of King Sejong of Joseon, from the Haeju Jeong n, holding the position of Chanseong. Comprehensive Information System of Korean Historical Figures. Chapter 283 Chapter 283 A few days after the decision to build the Third Ironworks, the ministers of each department, including Lee Jik and Maeng Sa-seong, gathered at a gisaeng house. Its been a long time since we left work on time Indeed, it is. At least these days, the lower-ranking officials are handling the workload well, so we can catch a breath. Thanks to that, we can leave work on time like this. Hohoho! Thats right. Hahaha! The ministersughed cheerfully and exchanged their cups. As the gisaengs entered the room and livened up the atmosphere with singing and dancing, one cup turned into two, one bottle turned into two, and the ministers faces gradually became flushed with intoxication. Observing this, Maeng Sa-seong spoke to Lee Jik.Minister, how about we wrap things up soon? However, the tipsy Lee Jik waved his hand at Maeng Sa-seongs suggestion. Ay! Were just getting started, and youre already thinking of ending it? Who knows when well be able to leave work on time again? Lets drink properly for once! Dont you agree, ministers? In response to Lee Jiks words, the ministers replied loudly. Aye! Thats right! Indeed! Minister Maeng, are you showing weakness already? Seeing the ministers reactions, Maeng Sa-seong quietly stepped outside and discreetly called for the head gisaeng. Did you call for me? After half a shichen (about 1 hour), dismiss all the gisaengs. And the rooms to the left and right of this room are all empty, right? Yes. Then, until this gathering ends, dont ept any guests in those rooms. And leave all the doors open. Except for the doors facing outside. Pardon? For what reason are you requesting this? There shouldnt be any ears listening. There was not a hint of intoxication in Maeng Sa-seongs eyes as he answered. At Maeng Sa-seongs sharpmand, the head gisaeng immediately bowed her head and replied. Yes, Minister. I will do as you say right away. And bring in about three jars of the strongest soju. We need to get them dead drunk and send them off before any trouble urs. Yes, Minister. Maeng Sa-seongs orders were swiftly carried out. As the doors of the rooms adjacent to the room where the ministers were gathered were all opened, the ministers pped their knees in delight. Haha! It feels so refreshing and spacious! Indeed! The breeze is truly refreshing! Haha! With my chest feeling so open, it seems the alcohol is going down well! Im not even getting drunk despite drinking? Isnt that thanks to the tonic you took, Minister? As soon as one of the intoxicated ministers mentioned the word tonic, the atmosphere instantly froze. At that moment, when the atmosphere had turned icy, Lee Jik filled his cup with soju, rinsed his mouth, and spat the alcohol into an empty bowl. Seeing Lee Jiks action, the ministers also rinsed their mouths with alcohol and spat it out, ring at the one who made the problematic remark. There are things you shouldnt say, even if youre drunk I, Im sorry! Anyway, lets drink again! Yes! And so, the ministers continued their drinking. As half a shichen passed, the gisaengs left one by one as per Maeng Sa-seongs order, but none of the ministers paid attention to it. Because they had reached the stage where the alcohol was consuming them. And as they reached that stage, arguments began to break out here and there. The incident started with Kim Jeom and Lee Maeng-gyun. Minister! Isnt this too much? What are you talking about? If you suddenly say that, how am I supposed to know? As Kim Jeom questioned back, Lee Maeng-gyun raised his voice even more. The reciprocal gifts well receive from Ming this time! Five times the cost of manufacturing a hundred guns! Is that even possible? Well, its not that much. Why are you making such a fuss? Not that much? Why dont you go and receive them yourself, Minister? You have no idea how stingy the Ming officials are! Even if theyre stingy, if the Emperor allows it, they have no choice but to hand it over, dont they? If its the Emperor we know, it should be easy, right? As Kim Jeom asked back with an expression of iprehension, Lee Maeng-gyun beat his chest and vented his frustration. That was before we crushed Yi Manchu and Mentemu! So, what do you want me to do about it? Dont put unnecessary pressure on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Im telling you! Unnecessary? At Lee Maeng-gyuns words, Kim Jeoms expression turned fierce. If youre that unconfident, submit your resignation to His Majesty! Dont whine about this trivial matter! Trivial matter? This guy, seriously! If youre going to whine about such a trivial matter, then why do you keep asking for so much budget? Do you think the governments budget is abundant? Should I make you start peddling goods like in the old days to cover your travel expenses for this uing envoy mission, huh? Why, you little! Whoa! Ministers! Please calm down! As the atmosphere between the two men intensified, Maeng Sa-seong intervened to try and defuse the overheated situation. Now, now. How can we help it if the countrys situation is not good and work is difficult? The hardship is the same for everyone, so lets forget about it with a drink. Come on! Have a cup each. Stepping in between them, Maeng Sa-seong repeatedly offered drinks to the two men. Finding it difficult to refuse the drinks offered by Maeng Sa-seong, the two men continued drinking until they became heavily intoxicated, and before they knew it, they had reconciled. All of this is because theres so much work to do. Theres a lot of work, but we stillck people! Youre right! Our kids are already traveling around the provinces! They need to check the crop yield in advance to know how much tax revenue well have this year! Already! Being an official is not a job for humans! Thats right! Come on, lets have a drink to that! Lets drink, Minister! Phew~. As the atmosphere between the two men improved, Maeng Sa-seong let out a long sigh of relief. Now I can rx a bit They say words be seeds, dont they? Before Maeng Sa-seongs muttering could even finish, shouts erupted from another side. Minister! Why are you doing this? I did what I was supposed to do! Seeing where the shouting came from, Maeng Sa-seong hung his head. There, Jo Mal-saeng and Jeong Inji, the new head of the Censorate, were engaged in a verbal dispute. *** The reason for the heated debate between Jeong Inji and Jo Mal-saeng was because of Lee Soon-mong. When his false sick leave due to an affair was exposed,Lee Soon-mong had to be confined in the Office of Records along with the perpetrator, Hwang Sang, receiving the punishment of document organizing. However, as the military reform progressed, Lee Soon-mong and Hwang Sang were released from the Office of Records and beganmanding the military in Pyeongan Province and Mureung Province. Not long after Lee Soon-mong tookmand of the Joseon army in the Pyeongan Province region, Yi Manchu and Mentemu caused trouble. In the process of suppressing Yi Manchu and Mentemu, Lee Soon-mong achieved decent results, and Jo Mal-saeng naturally rmended to King Sejong the rewards to be given to Lee Soon-mong. However, Jeong Inji objected to this. While it cannot be said that Lee Soon-mongs contributions in suppressing this rebellion were small, they are not significant enough to warrant praise. Above all, his sins are too grave. His sins are too grave? In response to King Sejongs question, Jeong Inji immediately answered. The one who holds the critical responsibility of protecting Your Majesty from danger while being by Your Majestys side not only engaged in an affair, causing a disturbance, but also falsely took sick leave and abandoned his post! This is an unforgivable great sin that cannot be washed away by anything! Promotion and rank advancement are absolutely uneptable! As many ministers agreed with Jeong Injis protest,Lee Soon-mong only received a medal through the newly established system of awarding meritorious service based on the grade of meritorious deeds. *** Jo Mal-saeng objected to this very point. Considering the meritorious deeds he achieved in the process of suppressing this rebellion, his past sins can be overlooked! They cannot be overlooked! He neglected his duty of protecting Your Majestys well-being while being by Your Majestys side! But nothing happened, did it? Nothing happened? Have you already forgotten about that incident, Minister? The pce intrusion in the Gyeyu year! That was afterLee Soon-mong was punished! Dont force the connection! Dont force the connection? Such incidents can happen at any time! Yet, the one who should always be vignt in his position forgot his duty! I dont think what I did was wrong! This guy! Whoa! Ministers, why are you doing this in a good ce? Please calm down! As the atmosphere on this side also became overheated, Maeng Sa-seong hurriedly intervened to try and extinguish the mes. It took nearly half a jar of alcohol to quell the heated debate between Jeong Inji and Jo Mal-saeng. It was thanks to Maeng Sa-seongs efforts, arge amount of strong alcohol, and finally, using the mon enemy of heavy workload that he seeded in extinguishing the mes. *** As the drinking continued, simr incidents kept urring. The reason for these heated debates was that most of the policies implemented by the government were not the sole responsibility of a single department but required the coboration of multiple departments. In the process of gathering and coordinating, the participating departments repeatedly shed and cooperated ording to their own interests, and as a result, resentment umted. Moreover, the ministers who took charge of the newly established departments were burning with the ambition to make their departments presence firm by sessfully carrying out their assigned tasks. Naturally,petition intensified between departments. And whenever suchpetition intensified, there was amon phrase uttered by the heads of each department. You think I dont know about that? Before the reform, the government was small in size. In order to operate state affairs with such a small size, officials of a certain rank not only held concurrent positions but also moved between central and local posts, experiencing various duties. As a result, by the time they reached the rank of Dangsangwan[1], they could quickly adapt to any department they were assigned to. Because the ministers had been trained through that process, they were also well-versed in the affairs of other departments. And they used that knowledge to gain an upper hand in thepetition. *** The resentment that had sprouted amidst suchpetition was now erupting at this drinking party. As a result, heated debates broke out here and there, with voices being raised, and Maeng Sa-seong had to diligently move around to extinguish them. The method Maeng Sa-seong chose to extinguish the debates was alcohol, more alcohol, and a mon enemy. He kept making them drink until they were heavily intoxicated and made the topic of heavy workload the focus, directing the ministers anger towards their working conditions rather than their fellow ministers. Perhaps Maeng Sa-seongs desperate efforts were sessful, as the heated debates that had been rampant at the drinking party were reced by songs sung in heavily slurred voices. In the midst of this, four more jars of soju were brought in, in addition to the initial three jars. Assessing the situation, Maeng Sa-seong sent word to the ministers residences through the head gisaeng. Before long, servants from the ministers residences came and carried the ministers away on their backs. Phew~. This is why I dont attend drinking parties these days Maeng Sa-seong sighed and grumbled. Why dont you wet your throat a bit? What is it? Its cold water with honey. Thank you. Receiving the bowl of water handed to him by the head gisaeng, Maeng Sa-seong gulped down the honeyed water. After returning the bowl, Maeng Sa-seong put on his shoes and turned to the head gisaeng. How much is the bill? It has already been paid. Huh? At the head gisaengs words, Maeng Sa-seong tried to recall. No matter how much I try to remember, I dont recall settling the bill. Which minister paid for it? It wasnt paid by the ministers but by the person in the west annex. When told that someone else had paid on their behalf, Maeng Sa-seongs expression turned serious. Take me there. Pardon? Despite my appearance, I am a person who serves the country. Even if its just the cost of drinks, I cannot carelessly ept it from someone I dont know. Take me there. At Maeng Sa-seongs words, the head gisaengs expression became troubled. As the head gisaeng hesitated, Maeng Sa-seong urged her. Hurry! Yes. Yes The head gisaeng led Maeng Sa-seong to the west annex. Although it was called an annex, it was not far away, just around the corner. Confirming the location of the annex, Maeng Sa-seongs expression became slightly troubled. They must have heard everything It was a matter that could potentially lead to a scandal if mishandled, so Maeng Sa-seong pondered to find a solution. Leaving the contemting Maeng Sa-seong behind, the head gisaeng arrived at the annex and entered. Pleasee in. Alright. Entering the annex with a serious face, Maeng Sa-seong saw the person who had settled the bill and prostrated himself with a pale face. Your, Your Majesty!
  1. Dangsangwan refers to high-ranking government officials in the Joseon Dynasty who were allowed to sit in the upper hall (dangshang) during court meetings. These officials held positions such as ministers, vice-ministers, and other high-level posts. The term literally means officials of the upper hall.[?]
Chapter 284 Chapter 284 Why is Your Majesty here? Prostrating on the floor, Maeng Sa-seong muttered to himself while breaking out in a cold sweat. Although he had drunk less than the other ministers, Maeng Sa-seong had also consumed a considerable amount. However, the intoxication had somehow disappeared. Come here. This is perfect. I was feeling a bit lonely drinking alone anyway. Come and have another drink with me. Yes. Yes Approaching on his knees, Maeng Sa-seong respectfully received the cup King Sejong offered. Maeng Sa-seongs hand trembled slightly as he held the cup. Seeing Maeng Sa-seongs appearance, King Sejong continued with a slight smile. Hearing the ministers enjoying a banquet together without formality truly put me at ease. Pfft! Cough! Hup!At King Sejongs words, Maeng Sa-seong spat out the drink he was sipping and immediately prostrated on the floor, bowing his head. Please forgive me for my unseemly behavior! Unseemly behavior? On the contrary, hearing the ministers enjoying a banquet without worries put me at ease. I am unworthy! That aside Is the work that burdensome? N-No, Your Majesty! We are the ones who stepped forward to serve Your Majesty and Joseon with utmost dedication! Although Maeng Sa-seong answered with a raised voice, he was inwardlymenting his predicament. Why? Why only me? Why? Why! Why do I have to be here? Why! Why! Seeing this, King Sejong continued with a smile. As expected of Minister Maeng. If Minister Hwang were here, he would have startedining right away. Surely not, Your Majesty. Despite his answer, Maeng Sa-seong inwardly agreed with King Sejongs words. Minister Hwang would certainly do that. Indeed. Hwang Hui, who had received the punishment of lifetime service due to various scandals, was known for his increasingly sharp tongue after the punishment. When Maeng Sa-seong expressed concern about Hwang Huis behavior of pointing out issues even to King Sejong, Hwang Hui simply replied. Why should I worry about the future when Ive already thrown myself away? Minister! *** Continuing to offer drinks to the trembling Maeng Sa-seong, King Sejong continued. Today, as the state affairs ended early and I had some free time, I decided to go on a secret outing to observe the lives of the people for a while. However, when I heard that the ministers had gathered to drink, I came to see. Thanks to that, I was able to hear various inner thoughts. P-Please spare my life! Why would I kill you, Minister? It is I who should reflect. N-No, Your Majesty! It is our sin. Its not a sin. Now that I have learned of my ministers hardships, I will contemte a solution. I am unworthy, Your Majesty. Then, lets have another drink. Yes, yes. Your Majesty. *** After a few more rounds of drinks, Maeng Sa-seong was finally able to leave. Hmm, the night is deep, so lets meet tomorrow. Yes, Your Majesty. I will see you tomorrow. Be careful on your way back. Seeing Maeng Sa-seongs back as he politely bowed and left, King Sejong stroked his beard while making a small nasal sound. Hmm *** King Taejongs evaluation of Maeng Sa-seong could be summed up in two characters. -Like water (ˮ, yeo-su) Maeng Sa-seong is like water. Just as water does not discriminate between containers, he does not discriminate between positions. And just as water always maintains its level, he is always impartial. Being like water, that is Maeng Sa-seongs greatest strength and weakness. After King Taejongs passing, King Sejong, who had fully grasped power, came to understand what the greatest strength and weakness meant. Compared to the Crown Prince Hyang, all the talents rmended by King Taejong, such as Hwang Hui and Maeng Sa-seong, had shorings, but they were not so noticeable as to be uneptable. Therefore, King Sejong appointed Maeng Sa-seong to important positions, and Maeng Sa-seong fulfilled his duties sufficiently. Especially after bing the Left State Councilor, he had been truly living up to his reputation by coordinating disputes between various departments and handling affairs impartially. However, King Sejong clearly saw Maeng Sa-seongs weakness. Maeng Sa-seongs greatest weakness was his indecisiveness. His unpretentious personality andck of discrimination between people led to his indecisiveness. Just as Maeng Sa-seong did not like to say unpleasant things to others, he also disliked hearing unpleasant things from others. Therefore, when a dispute arose, he tried his best to reach a conclusion impartially and reasonably. That way, there would be no gossip afterward. Moreover, he always paid attention to coordination to prevent disruption of work due to conflicts among officials in charge of state affairs. As a result, he rarely took the lead in expressing his opinions. While Hwang Hui would openly point out issues even to King Sejong if necessary, Maeng Sa-seongs nature was to provide solutions only after problems were discovered. Even at the drinking party earlier, when debates broke out, Maeng Sa-seong diligently moved between the ministers to defuse the overheated atmosphere. **** Even if not as the Prime Minister, he is the optimal candidate for the Deputy Prime Minister position. Anyway Now that the ministers are struggling with overtime work, how should I solve this? Is it best to increase work concentration and handle as much as possible in the shortest time? King Sejong was contemting a solution to the harsh working environment. However, most of the methods would make the ministers or officials beg for their lives if they heard them. The reason for this was the gossip about King Sejong that had emerged from the ministers drinking party earlier. Although King Sejong himself was not well aware of it, he was a person with a strong sense of lingering resentment. *** Your Majesty, shall I bring the Secret Police Unit Heads back in? Brought back to reality by the question of the Imperial Guard Commander, King Sejong straightened his posture and answered. Send them in. Yes, Your Majesty. After a short while, three Secret Police Unit Heads entered the room again. Composing himself, King Sejong continued the conversation with the Secret Police Unit Heads. Last time, I ordered you to observe the surroundings of the artisans closely. So, have there been any changes? Not yet, Your Majesty. Is that so? Thats a relief. Well, are there any inconveniences in carrying out the work? At King Sejongs question, the faces of the Secret Police Unit Heads brightened, and they immediately answered. Weck manpower. Please allow us to increase the number of members. Increase the personnel? At the request of the Secret Police Unit Heads, King Sejong stroked his beard and organized his thoughts. Come to think of it, the Geomgye suffered heavy losses during the suppression of the pce intrusion in the Giyu year. However, although they are currently obeying my orders, they are essentially ruffians If were not careful, the public order in Hanseong could be a problem. In the end, King Sejong bluntly asked the Secret Police Unit Heads. Its not that I distrust you, but I am concerned about the public order in Hanseong, and I cannot shake off the worry that your existence may be exposed due to imprudent individuals. We will stake our lives to maintain that, Your Majesty. Is that so? But you know, as far as I know, the time when you lost a significant number of people was in the Giyu year. However, why are you making this request now, when there has been no request to increase personnel until now? King Sejongs point was valid. In response to King Sejongs question, the Secret Police Unit Heads of the Bukchon Geomgye exined the reason. Although we lost many in the Giyu year incident, the remaining members were sufficient to handle the affairs within the four gates. However, to properly handle the current task, we need people to go as far as Jemulpo. But we are severely short-staffed to do that. I see. King Sejong nodded at the Secret Police Unit Headss answer. With the establishment of a branch office in Shandong and the maritime trade routes taking shape, Jemulpo was bustling with Chinese merchants from Ming. Not only merchants but also Chinese warriors who came to escort them were not few. The moment they set foot in Jemulpo, their weapons were confiscated, but they could not be trusted. As King Sejong nodded at the Secret Police Unit Headss words, another thought suddenly shed through his mind. Wait, Jemulpo is not the only ce where external spies are a concern. Theres also the Japanese settlement in Dongnae and Gaeseong, which is still a bit unstable. In that case Just as King Sejong was about to speak, he suddenly stopped. But if their power expands, can it be properly controlled? After considering various possibilities, King Sejong reached a conclusion. Alright. I will allow it. However, I will add an additional order to it. An additional order, you say The Secret Police Unit Heads swallowed their saliva and looked at King Sejong. It was because King Sejongs orders were rarely easy. Since youre increasing personnel and expanding your power anyway, expand your surveincework as well. Start with Jemulpo, Dongnae, and Gaeseong. Ultimately, it should cover the entire Joseon. Jemulpo, Dongnae, Gaeseong The Secret Police Unit Heads, who had been mulling over the areas King Sejong had pointed out first, nodded slightly. Jemulpo and Dongnae were ces full of Chinese and Japanese merchants. Therefore, there was no way there were no spies. Finally, Gaeseong was the royal capital of Goryeo. Although it had mostly disappeared now, in the early days of Joseons founding, it was a ce where the spirit of anti-Joseon was rampant. Its not an easy task, but if we do it well, we can dominate the nights of Joseon! Having finished their calctions, the Secret Police Unit Heads immediately bowed their heads. We shall obey yourmand! And one more thing. At King Sejongs words one more thing, the Secret Police Unit Heads of the Geomgye became alert. Looking at the faces of the Secret Police Unit Heads, King Sejong continued. You are a secret organization that follows my orders. However, looking at the current situation, its in disarray. Properly organize the organization. At King Sejongsmand, the Secret Police Unit Heads looked at each others faces. Sensing the suddenly grim atmosphere, the Imperial Guard Commander sitting next to King Sejong quietly ced his hand on the hilt of his sword. What? Is it a difficult task? In response to King Sejongs question, the Secret Police Unit Heads looked at each other and answered. No, Your Majesty. However, the atmosphere among the Secret Police Unit Heads remained grim, and seeing this, King Sejong asked a question. Come to think of it, how is the Secret Police Unit Heads of the Geomgye selected? The previous Secret Police Unit Heads nominates a sessor before retirement, but ultimately, the Secret Police Unit Heads is determined through a duel between the nominee and the challenger. So, in other words, the strongest one bes the Secret Police Unit Heads, right? That is correct, Your Majesty. Then, if you integrate into a single organization ording to my order, the three of you will have to duel for the position of the leader, right? Most likely, that will be the case. It wont be a duel to the death, right? If a duel to the death is necessary, it would be a great loss Yes, duels to the death rarely ur. It is a loss to lose a skilled fighter who would step forward as a challenger. Is that so? Hmm King Sejong, who had been observing the Secret Police Unit Heads eyeing each other, spoke again. Would it be alright if I rmend a candidate? If Your Majesty nominates someone, we will follow. No, the rules must be followed. Thats how you prevent discord. Im thinking of putting forward a suitable candidate topete with you. A suitable candidate, you say? When the Secret Police Unit Heads of Unjongga cautiously asked, King Sejong turned his head and looked at the Imperial Guard Commander. Imperial Guard Commander. You will be the candidate. I shall obey yourmand. As soon as the Imperial Guard Commanders answer came out, the Secret Police Unit Heads simultaneously shouted. Oh, for f***s sake! Huh? As the Imperial Guard Commanders face turned fierce upon hearing the Secret Police Unit Headss profanity, the Secret Police Unit Heads immediately bowed their heads. We, the lowly ones, have misspoken! Please forgive us! Please forgive us! Ill pretend I didnt hear it. We are unworthy! Although they expressed gratitude, the Secret Police Unit Heads inwardly screamed. Isnt this too much? The nickname of the Imperial Guard Commander sitting next to King Sejong was known to every child in Joseon. The Imperial Guard Commanders nickname was Joseons Best Swordsman. In the end, the Secret Police Unit Heads of Dadong waved the white g to King Sejong. We will ept the Imperial Guard Commander as the leader here and now. At the words of the Secret Police Unit Heads of Dadong, King Sejong shook his head. No, rules are rules! Shouldnt we follow the established practice? If the Imperial Guard Commander bes the leader, there will be no one to oppose it. Even the Secret Police Unit Heads of Bukchon stepped forward, but this time, the Imperial Guard Commander spoke up. Who knows about that? Its best to decisively settle it. And Im not the same as before, so who knows? No way At the Imperial Guard Commanders exaggeration, the Secret Police Unit Heads shook their heads and inwardly shouted. Like hell youre not the same as before! Chapter 285 Chapter 285 Minister, good morning to you! Early in the morning, a young official greeted the Imperial Guard Commander as he was heading towards the Imperial Guard Garrison. The Imperial Guard Commander replied with a bright face. A fine morning it is! Have a good day! Thank you, Minister! After exchanging greetings with the Imperial Guard Commander, the young official suddenly stopped walking and turned his head to look at the Imperial Guard Commander. Did he dream of being granted resignationst night? His face is so bright The young official, who had been tilting his head, stopped his thoughts there. Is that the problem now? If Im not careful, I might have to work overtime again today! The Imperial Guard Commanders steps towards the Imperial Guard Garrison were lighter than ever before. It wasnt just his footsteps that were light. A smile never left his face.*** Five days from now, you will determine the leader of the newly formed organization. Until then, everyone should prepare thoroughly! That was King Sejongs order to the Secret Police Unit Heads of the Geomgye yesterday. Although the Secret Police Unit Heads had long faces, once a clear decision was made, they burned with fighting spirit. We will prepare thoroughly! After the meeting with the Secret Police Unit Heads ended and while returning to the pce, King Sejong asked the Imperial Guard Commander. Imperial Guard Commander, youre confident, right? I will surely fulfill Your Majestysmand! A duel with the Geomgye Its been a while since my blood has boiled. Hot energy surged from the body of the Imperial Guard Commander as he headed towards the Imperial Guard Garrison. The Imperial Guard Commander was overjoyed by King Sejongs order. *** The time when he first set foot in the world was during the transition period between Goryeo and Joseon. With dreams of sess, the Imperial Guard Commander threw himself into the storm of the turbulent times. Starting as a mere nameless warrior, he faced numerous life-and-death crises and gradually rose higher and higher. Finally, with the founding of Joseon and King Taejong taking the throne, he earned the title of Joseons Best Swordsman. And when the previous Imperial Guard Commander, Kang Sang-in, disappeared into the dew of the execution ground through Kang Sang-ins Prison, he became the Imperial Guard Commander. However, as Joseon stabilized, he had to spend his days in boredom. For him, who had been ustomed to risking his life in duels to the death since his youth, peaceful daily life brought him a sense of deadly boredom. The only times he felt alive while suffering from boredom were when the Jurchen or Japanese pirates invaded. Each time, he would leave the pce, rush to the front lines, and engage in battles, feeling that he was truly alive. Afterward, he submitted requests several times to be sent as a general to the front lines, but both the Retired King Taejong and King Sejong did not ept his requests. Only you can protect the King! In the end, the Imperial Guard Commander was withering away day by day in the shadows of Gyeongbokgung Pce. *** Minister! Youre here! Wee, sir! Indeed! Responding energetically to the greetings of the Imperial Guard soldiers, the Imperial Guard Commander entered his room. Examining the swords ced on a rack built into one wall, the Imperial Guard Commander fixed his gaze on two swords. Is my life blooming again after meeting His Highness the Crown Prince? The Imperial Guard Commander smiled even more deeply as he recalled Hyangs face. When they first met, Hyang seemed like just a slightly intelligent child, but as time passed, he began to upy arger ce in the Imperial Guard Commanders heart. *** The rtionship between the Imperial Guard Commander and Hyang deepened because of the spear and sword soldiers. Your Highness, did you call for me? Yes. When I searched for someone renowned in swordsmanship, everyone pointed to the Imperial Guard Commander. They said you are Joseons Best Swordsman? I have also been called by that empty title. Please take a look at this book. Pardon? Hastily receiving the book Hyang handed to him, the Imperial Guard Commander examined the cover. Unlike the books he had seen before, the cover of the book, which was bound in the opposite direction, had characters he had never seen before. After turning the cover and examining the contents inside, the Imperial Guard Commander turned to Hyang. Is it a swordsmanship manual? Yes. Its the swordsmanship used by Westerners. I havent reported it to His Majesty yet, but Area 51 is developing a new type of armor. The armor resembles the one worn by the Westerners in that swordsmanship manual, so I thought it would be good to use their greatswords and techniques. May I see the armor? And so, after trying on the armor under development and re-examining the swordsmanship manual, the Imperial Guard Commander responded to Hyang. It seems possible. After that, the Imperial Guard Commander and Hyang put their heads together and developed a greatsword technique for the spear and sword soldiers. During this process, the Imperial Guard Commander made an assessment of Hyang. The subordinates say your military talent is outstanding, and indeed it is. Its a pity that your archery skills are a bitcking though The Imperial Guard Commander, who couldnt hide his disappointment as he recalled the memory of Yi Seong-gye, who was called the Divine Archer, had to revise his assessment after seeing Hyang shoot the Jangchongtong and the Masangchongtong. They say you cant steal skills *** Having established such a connection, Hyang sometimes gave the Imperial Guard Commander headaches, but he became a truly precious existence to him. Although Hyang made him break out in a cold sweat by causing trouble to have a private meeting with the Secret Police Unit Heads of the Geomgye, it was Hyang who took the lead more than anyone else in suppressing the rebels during the pce intrusion in the Giyu year. As he became involved with Hyang, the Imperial Guard Commander gradually regained his vitality. *** The coboration between the Imperial Guard Commander and Hyang took ce again after that. The opportunity for the coboration arose because of the Geomgye. After the pce intrusion in the Giyu year was suppressed, Hyang asked the Imperial Guard Commander. What kind of sword is the Iris Sword[1] used by the Geomgye? Why are you suddenly asking about the Iris Sword? The Geomgye made a significant contribution in suppressing this pce intrusion, so I personally want to make a few swords to reward them. When I asked the artisans in Area 51, they said they had never made swords of such low ss. The Imperial Guard Commander corrected the fact at Hyangs words. Its not that the ss of the sword is low, but the ss of the user is low. Its because the Geomgye uses it. Hmm But since Your Highness wishes for it, I will procure them for you. Dont go through the trouble. Lets meet the users directly. Pardon? At Hyangs words, the Imperial Guard Commander grumbled inwardly. What trouble are you trying to cause again? In the end, under the condition that the Imperial Guard Commander will personally escort, Hyang met with the Geomgye again. Is this the Iris Sword? Yes, it is. Hyang, who received the Iris Sword from the Secret Police Unit Heads of the Bukchon Geomgye, drew the sword and muttered with a chuckle. They say peoples thoughts are all the same Pardon? Your Highness, what do you mean? Ah, its nothing. Hyang, who had muttered some iprehensible words, engaged in various conversations with the Secret Police Unit Heads. So, you mainly use thrusting techniques, you say? Thats right. The alleys of Hanseong are too narrow to swing a sword. As expected Pardon? Just talking to myself. And so, what Hyang made and gave to the Geomgye was a modified rapierwith a foldable guard. And on the de, the four characters l (Existing in the Shadows to Protect the Nation) were engraved. *** Seeing the rapier Hyang had made, the Imperial Guard Commander requested Hyang to make a rapier exclusively for the Imperial Guard. You want the Imperial Guard to use the Iris Sword? Why? The pce is a ce filled with narrow andplex passageways, just like the alleys of Hanseong. Its quite awkward to swing a long sword in such ces. But its difficult to deal with armor using the Iris Sword. As you saw in the recent pce intrusion, te armor or brigandine are not easy to obtain. At best, it would be chain mail or padded armor. Chain mail or padded armor can be handled sufficiently with the Iris Sword. And most importantly, the main armament of the Imperial Guard is the Masangchongtong. The sword is likely to be used for finishing blows. I see. I understand. And so, Hyang began supplying properly made rapiers to the Imperial Guard. *** Looking at the two rapiers he had received from Hyang through such a process, the Imperial Guard Commander drew one and attached it to his waist before going outside. All members, assemble! At the Imperial Guard Commanders order, the Imperial Guard soldiers who were training quickly gathered. Examining the lined-up Imperial Guard soldiers and officers, the Imperial Guard Commander spoke. Top 50 in swordsmanship, step forward. At the Imperial Guard Commanders order, 50 Imperial Guard soldiers and officers stepped forward. Seeing them, the Imperial Guard Commander immediately stated his purpose. For the next three days, I want you to spar with me. Hup! Eek! At the Imperial Guard Commanders words, the faces of the 50 turned pale. *** Five dayster, at a safe house of the Dadong Geomgye located somewhere in Hanseong. Thanks to the mes lit in various parts of the courtyard, the courtyard was brightly illuminated. King Sejong and Hyang were sitting in the main hall of the inner quarters. Selected Imperial Guard members were standing guard around the two, and on the opposite side, the Secret Police Unit Heads and members of the three major Geomgye in Hanseong were seated. Well then, lets begin. Yes, Your Majesty. And so, the duel to determine the leader of the newly formed secret organization began. The winner of the duel, whichsted for about 1 shichen (2 hours), was none other than the Imperial Guard Commander. 25:0 That was the result of the duel that took ce over 1 shichen. In an attempt to chip away at the Imperial Guard Commanders strength even slightly, the Geomgye engaged in a war of attrition, but anyone who stepped forward had to taste bitter defeat at the hands of the Imperial Guard Commander. The result is clear. Any objections? At King Sejongs question, none of the Secret Police Unit Heads or members raised any objections. No, Your Majesty. Its rather an honor to have crossed swords with Joseons Best Swordsman. It was a swordsmanship Ive never seen before in my life. Indeed, he is Joseons Best Swordsman. At the mention of a swordsmanship Ive never seen before, the Imperial Guard Commander looked at Hyang with a smile, and Hyang also responded with a smile. The hobby I started for business purposes has paid off. *** In the 21st century, Hyang did not open a cksmith shop simply as a hobby. He had chosen it as his livelihood, so Hyang diligently ran his business. Thepetition for Joseon swords or Japanese swords is too fierce. In that case, it should be Western swords. Direct purchase is expensive, but its alsoplicated to go through customs. Having reached that conclusion, Hyang targeted clubs that studied Western swordsmanship for his business. In the process, it was a bonus that his hobby expanded to include Western swords and Western swordsmanship. And that hobby paid off handsomely when he coborated with the Imperial Guard Commander to develop swordsmanship. *** With the leader determined, King Sejong moved on to the next step. Taking out a piece of paper from his bosom, King Sejong handed it to the Imperial Guard Commander. This is the name of the newly formed organization. The Imperial Guard Commander unfolded the paper and examined the contents. Only two characters were written on the paper. -Milwi (l, Secret Guard) As the name suggests, I hope you will protect the king and the nation while remaining hidden. At King Sejongs request, the Secret Police Unit Heads and members of the Geomgye quietly bowed their heads. Yes! *** With the name of the organization determined and the leader chosen, the movements of the Geomgye became active again. The first step is to recruit people. Should we absorb other Geomgye? At the Imperial Guard Commanders question, the Secret Police Unit Head of Bukchon immediately answered. That would be the fastest way. I was already checking the rumors around Jemulpo, and I heard that the Geomgye there is gradually expanding in size. Its best to take action early before they grow anyrger. Of course, we should also send our guys to find and bring in capable individuals. Nodding at the Secret Police Unit Headss answers, the Imperial Guard Commander spoke. Then lets utilize both methods. However, I have a request. Make sure to fill the ranks with people who have no issues with their character. Arent we now His Majestys secret royal guard? Suddenly, the safe house fell silent. The Secret Police Unit Heads and the members all closed their mouths and looked at the Imperial Guard Commander. What? Did I say something wrong? At the Imperial Guard Commanders question, the Secret Police Unit Heads of Dadong answered with a dumbfounded expression. Minister, as you know, we are the Geomgye. The ones who will join us in the future are also Geomgye. Do you think there are any guys in the Geomgye who dont have issues with their character? At the Secret Police Unit Heads of Dadongs answer, the Imperial Guard Commander put his hand on his forehead. After pondering for a moment, the Imperial Guard Commander spoke. Lets make a correction. Choose and fill the ranks with guys who can be reformed.
  1. Changpogum, also known as the Iris Sword, is a type of Korean sword named after the iris flower (changpo). It is characterized by its slender, single-edged de and often features a decoration resembling an iris flower on the swords guard or handle. The term literally means iris sword.[?]
Chapter 286 Chapter 286 The issue of talent recruitment was immediately reported to King Sejong. Upon receiving the report, King Sejong had a secret meeting with Hyang that night. Sending out not only the scribes and clerks but also the eunuchs, King Sejong vented his frustration. Even when I want to have a conversation between father and son, I have to be so cautious At King Sejongsint, Hyang gave a wry smile. We have no choice since thats the protocol. If we recklessly change the protocol, it could be abused byter generations. Thats the problem Lets stop theints here and get to the main point. Yes. At King Sejongs words, Hyang straightened his posture once again and paid attention to King Sejongs words. The Geomgye, no, the Milwi reported an issue. Its about the recruitment of personnel.King Sejong told Hyang about the issue of talent recruitment that had been reported through the Imperial Guard Commander. After exining in detail, King Sejong threw a question at Hyang. Hyang, what was your reason for choosing the Geomgye? Was it simply because you wanted them to serve as hidden ears? At King Sejongs question, Hyang immediately answered. I thought the Geomgye would be capable of sustaining themselves, so they would be useful. And I thought it would significantly reduce time and cost. Time and cost? King Sejong briefly asked back and soon nodded. Indeed, it would take a lot of time and cost to formally train individuals with the same level of skill as the Geomgye members. Seeing King Sejong nodding, Hyang inwardly added. If it were the 21st century, we would have recruited personnel through a rigorous selection process from special military units, but now Joseon is struggling just to fill the military with people The task of creating a real, usable military, not the 300,000-strong army that existed only on paper, was still ongoing. As you said, choosing the Geomgye can definitely save time and cost. But the future is the problem. Should we continue to recruit Milwi members from the Geomgye? King Sejongs question was also a concern for Hyang. Selecting individuals with capabilities but social constraints to create a royal guard force. This was the mostmon method used when creating a loyal guard group for the monarch, regardless of East or West. Among the groups organized in this way, the most famous ones were the Janissaries. However, there was also a problem that over time, these groups woulde to control and shake the kings they were supposed to protect. Besides the issue with the Janissaries, didnt we also have political thugs in our history? Wait, is it appropriate to include political thugs in this category? After contemting back and forth, Hyang honestly answered King Sejong. To be frank, although their merits are great, it is an undeniable fact that the Geomgye is a criminal organization. Therefore, we cannot continue to recruit members solely from the Geomgye. However, recruiting members through the civil service examination or talent selection also has problems. Its not simply a matter of time and cost, but they may transform into another bureaucratic group and lose their original purpose. My thoughts are the same as yours. Everything has its pros and cons. Indeed, Your Majesty. If you already knew, why did you ask? While grumbling inwardly at King Sejongs words, Hyang outwardly kept nodding. The father and son, who had pondered to find the best solution, inevitably reached a conclusion. -Looking at those currently involved in the Geomgye, some entered the Geomgye due to their evil nature, but many others gave up their dreams and joined the Geomgye due to various circumstances. For now, we will focus on recruiting thetter and gradually shift towards finding and recruiting upright individuals. It feels like a makeshift n, but this is the best we can do. Indeed, Your Majesty. Alright. Lets end it here for today. Yes, Father. Then, please have a peaceful rest. After sending Hyang out, King Sejong sighed. Phew~. Its not an easy task. *** Two dayster, while working at the research institute, a eunuch came to Hyang. What is it? Yes. Prince Jinpyeong requested permission to enter with the young princes to see the railroad model. Jinpyeong? Yes. Hmm Is it because of the princes? The research institute and Area 51 were areas where entry was prohibited except for those with permission. Jinpyeong had permission, but the princes did not yet. Let them in. Yes, Your Highness. The eunuch who received Hyangs permission withdrew. After sending the eunuch out, Hyang grumbled softly. Is this guy really nning to do multi-level marketing or something? *** Unable to contain his worries, Hyang eventually rose from his seat and headed to the room with the railroad model. Stopping the eunuch who was about to announce his arrival, Hyang carefully listened to the voicesing from inside. Did you see it well? Isnt it amazing? Yes, Prince. What do you mean Prince Call me brother. Brother. Yes, brother! So, study diligently and join the research institute to dedicate yourself to railroad research with me. Understood? Yes! Huh? Why isnt Lim responding? I, I prefer music more. Oh my! How can a prince say such a thing! As Jinpyeongs voice rose, Hyang immediately opened the door and entered. Stop right there! At Hyangs intrusion, the room froze. Hyang looked at Lim, his seventh younger brother. Seeing the child, still full of baby fat, looking at him with teary eyes, Hyang looked at Jinpyeong with a stiff face. Jinpyeong, lets have a little talk. Sensing the unusual tone in Hyangs voice, Jinpyeong answered in a timid voice. Yes, Your Highness. Moving to a ce slightly away from the research institute with Jinpyeong, Hyang began to ask questions. Jinpyeong. Yes, Your Highness. Did I ever pressure you to study railroads? No, you did not. Then, when you said you would study railroads, did I stop you? No, you did not. Then why are you doing this? I simply thought that railroads would be the core of Joseon in the future, and as a member of the royal family, it is natural to work hard for it. Its not a bad thought, but let me ask you this. If you force them, will it yield good results? But the railroad is Is the railroad the only important thing for Joseons peace and prosperity? Thats not the case. The railroad is important, but everything else is important too. The music that Lim likes is also important. Music is low-ss, and for women What about the musicians and trainees of the Royal Music Institute? And what about the task His Majesty assigned to Baek-yeon? I apologize. As long as you understand. Jinpyeong, I am well aware of your dedication to the railroad. And I am proud of you too. But you know, you are so passionate about it because you like it, right? Yes. And because you like it, you want to rmend it to your younger siblings too? Yes! But you see, there is a saying, ten people, ten colors. People have different preferences, so how can you rmend it thoughtlessly? Isnt that right? That is true. I was foolish. Youre not foolish. You were just too eager. So reflect on this and dont do it again in the future. Understood? Yes! After giving advice to Jinpyeong, Hyang returned to the research institute with him. Lim, lets have a little talk. Huh? Yes At Hyangs words, Lim timidly left the room. Unlike the princes who were not much younger than Hyang, such as Jinpyeong or Anpyeong, for the younger princes, princesses, anddies below them, Hyang was as intimidating a figure as their father. It was not simply because he was the Crown Prince, but because whenever they werecking or made mistakes, the teachers in charge of their education would mention Hyangs name. When His Highness the Crown Prince was your age, he had already mastered not only the Four Books and Three ssics but also all kinds of Confucian scriptures As they heard the teachers words, in the eyes of the young siblings, Hyang was someone who resided in a ce far out of reach. So, I think its a bit too early for you to decide your path now. What you should do now is to diligently learn the teachings of your teachers and keep your body healthy. Understood? Yes, Your Highness. Good. Then lets go back. Comforting the timid Lim and giving him career counseling, Hyang returned to the research institute. After the princes and Jinpyeong left, Hyang let out a long sigh. Phew~. Suddenly doing child psychology counseling By the way Pausing for a moment, Hyang opened the window and looked at Jinpyeong disappearing into the distance. What should I do with that guy? Well, he had that kind of personality Later on, he would overturn everything, but Jinpyeongs personality was one that focused solely on one thing once he set his mind to it. It was the same now. Studying and practicing martial arts were all for the railroad. If king reced the position of railroad, the Sejo from the history before Hyangs intervention would emerge. I have so much to do, and I have to worry about that guy too Damn it! What a life I have! Hyang found himself uttering a curse without realizing it. *** Hyangs concerns did not end there. Your Highness, Princess Jeong-ui has arrived. Jeong-ui? Let her in. A momentter, Princess Jeong-ui, who entered the room, politely greeted Hyang. Jeong-ui greets the Crown Prince. Yes. Its been a while. Im d to see you healthy. Please have a seat. Sitting on the chair opposite Jeong-ui, Hyang asked about her purpose with a gentle expression. So, what brings you here? Your Highness, please make a request to His Majesty on my behalf. A request? What request? I want to study mathematics and astronomy and participate in research. Huh? Hyang froze at thepletely unexpected request. Even in the history before Hyangs intervention, it was recorded in the annals that Princess Jeong-ui showed exceptional talent in mathematics and astronomy. Hmm I heard about it. Jeong-ui, they say you are good at mathematics and astronomy. You praise me too much. I have only had a taste of it. His Majesty is well aware of your talent, so cant you make the request directly? Its not easy for a woman to pursue academics, is it? Especially since I havent even had my wedding ceremony yet, I may be the subject of gossip. Ah At Jeong-uis words, Hyang nodded. Jeong-ui was 16 years old this year. Considering the current trend in Joseon, it was the perfect marriageable age, or rather, a bitte. If an unmarried woman were to study mathematics and astronomy and participate in research at a research institute filled with men, it would certainly be the subject of gossip. Hmm After pondering for a moment, Hyang soon made a decision. Alright. I will make the request to His Majesty. However, there is a high possibility that you may have to have your wedding ceremony first. If necessary, I will have my wedding ceremony first. Do you like mathematics and astronomy that much? Yes. Understood. Well, there is a suitable reason, so lets give it a try. *** In the end, Hyang made the request to King Sejong on behalf of Jeong-ui. Jeong-ui said she wants to learn mathematics and astronomy and participate in research? Thats right. At Hyangs answer, King Sejongs expression turned troubled. The ministers wont stay still. Many of the current teachers at themoners school are women, arent they? Whats the problem? That may be true, but they may take issue with a child who hasnt even had her wedding ceremony working among men. Jeong-ui said she is willing to have her wedding ceremony first if she must do it. At Hyangs words, King Sejong sighed. Having exceptional talent is also a problem. Isnt it thanks to inheriting your blood, Father? Since you are outstanding, your children are all outstanding. ttery wont work after causing trouble. Despite his words, King Sejong seemed to have softened a lot. After pondering for a moment, King Sejong reached a conclusion. Well have to give an order to the Milwi (Secret Guards). Tell them to find a humble but well-respected family. Chapter 287 Chapter 287 Princess Jeong-ui has shown interest in mathematics and astronomy and wishes to learn them. I am considering having her study at the research institute. What are your opinions on this matter? As soon as the morning court session began, King Sejong brought up this agenda item, and the ministers gazes unanimously turned to the head of the Censorate. Although his current namete read Head of the Censorate, the one he had worn until recently was Inspector General. Jeong Inji, who received the gazes of King Sejong and the ministers, organized his thoughts for a moment and immediately answered. Although they are considered misceneous studies, it is praiseworthy that she has set her mind on learning. However, since she is still unmarried, it would be better to assign a separate teacher for her to study. Father, may I interject? You may. As Hyang interjected after hearing Jeong Injis remarks, King Sejong immediately granted permission. With Hyangs participation, Jeong Inji became tense. I am grateful that the head of the Censorate regards Jeong-uis studies favorably. However, assigning a separate teacher is not possible. Why is that, Your Highness? If an unmarried princess studies among men, it may lead to a scandal.Currently, all those who can teach mathematics and astronomy in the pce and the research institute are men. And you suggest leaving just two of them in a room? It will lead to an even greater scandal. It would be more helpful in preventing scandals to have her study in a public ce. At Hyangs point, Jeong Inji had nothing to say. After pondering for a moment, Jeong Inji immediately withdrew his opinion. I believe the opinion presented by the Crown Prince is correct. It would be better for her to study confidently in a situation where many people are watching. Is that so? Hmm I will ask the Crown Prince. Please ask, Your Majesty. I heard that the level of mathematics and astronomy taught at the research institute is very high. Will Jeong-ui be able to keep up? Ive heard that Jeong-uis skills are quite remarkable. And since its something she wants to do, she will do her best. Wont it be a hindrance to others? When King Sejong expressed doubt, Hyang answered with a wry smile. What could be more embarrassing than having inferior skillspared to a mere woman? At Hyangs answer, King Sejong and the ministers simultaneously had the same thought. This fearsome fellow! He never does anything that would put him at a disadvantage! Scary, so scary! When the Crown Prince ascends the throne, there will be endlessmentations! Regardless, Hyang continued his exnation. In our Joseon, the research institute is the only ce that intensively studies and educates mathematics and astronomy. Since there are nopetitors, the atmosphere has be somewhatx these days, so there is a need to instill a sense of urgency. Is that so? Hmm After pondering while stroking his beard, King Sejong reached a conclusion. Very well. Listen, ministers. I think it would be best to follow the Crown Princes opinion regarding Jeong-uis studies. Diligent study and refinement If it can serve as a good stimulus for those studying mathematics and astronomy, that alone is a good thing. We shall obey yourmand! And so, it was decided that Princess Jeong-ui would learn mathematics and astronomy at the research institute. *** When the news about Princess Jeong-ui reached the research institute, Jinpyeong muttered with a worried face. The path of hardship lies ahead. Pardon? When a nearby researcher tilted his head, Jinpyeong continued. I know my sister Jeong-ui well. Jeong-ui will persist until she understands. Ah, is that so Jinpyeong gathered his reports and concluded. The person teaching Jeong-ui will probably sweat quite a bit. After Jinpyeong left, the remaining researchers whispered in a small voice. Is this what they mean by the bloodline of His Highness? *** A few dayster, while Hyang was organizing his work in his study at the Eastern Pce, a eunuch came to inform him of a visitor. Your Highness, Princess Jeongso has arrived. My sister? Hyang pushed the documents aside and ordered the eunuch. Let her in. Yes, Your Highness. A momentter, seeing Princess Jeongso enter with the eunuchs guidance, Hyang weed her with a delighted face. Sister, wee. Greetings to Your Highness. Haha! Why are you being so formal? Were all family here. At Hyangs words, Jeongso smiled and replied. Thats true. Indeed. Come, have a seat! After offering a seat to Jeongso, Hyang sat across from her and looked at her. So, what brings you here? I have a favor to ask of you. A favor? When Princess Jeongso mentioned a favor, Hyangs face turned troubled. Even after his rebirth, Hyang had maintained a psychological boundary with his family for a while. King Sejong and Queen Soheon felt a sense of disappointment, whether they realized it or not, when they saw the young Hyang, who had just started speaking naturally and learning characters, paying respectful courtesies to them. The first to break through this psychological boundary was Princess Jeongso C initially granted the title of Princess Jeonghye, but due to the ovep with her aunt, Princess Jeonghye, she was re-titled as Princess Jeongso. As a result, among King Sejongs biological children, Jeongso was the closest to Hyang. Seeing Hyangs troubled expression, Princess Jeongso continued. Oh my. Its been a while since Ive seen our little brother make that face. Is it the first time since my hunger strike back then? Dont worry, its not a dangerous favor. What would you like to ask of me? I want to try being a physician. Pardon? At the sudden remark, Hyangs face turned nk. Seeing Hyangs expression, Princess Jeongso exined the reason. A while ago, our child suddenly developed a high fever at night, and it was a big fuss. Fortunately, we were able to send servants to bring a physician and provide treatment, but theres no guarantee that we can always time it well like that every time, right? So you want to provide treatment yourself? Thats part of it, but when I look at the maidservants in the household or the women in the neighborhood, quite a few of them have minor illnesses that turn into major ones because they dont receive proper treatment. I wondered why and realized its probably because the physicians are all men. Ah At Princess Jeongsos words, Hyang unknowingly nodded. The main diagnostic methods used in traditional Korean medicine were observation (, wang), auscultation and olfaction („, mun), inquiry (, mun), and palpation (, cheol). These methods included observing the patients condition or changes in excreta (, wang), examining the patients cough sound, speech, or the smell of excreta („, mun), inquiring the patient or caregiver about various things to identify the illness (, mun), or taking the pulse (}\, maekjin) or pressing on the affected area (\, anjin) as part of palpation (, cheol). However, when examining female patients, it was mostly limited to asking the patient about her symptoms or taking her pulse. Carelessly touching a womans body was a grave discourtesy. Of course, there was a solution to that. Arent there female physicians? How many female physicians do you think are assigned to the Welfare Bureau, Hyeminguk () and the Dongseohwarinyeon (|Ժ)? At Princess Jeongsos question, Hyang fell silent. The number of female physicians assigned to the Hyeminguk or Dongseohwarinyeon was notrge. Seeing Hyangs expression, Princess Jeongso repeatedly emphasized the need for her to learn medicine. As a child of Father and a member of the royal family of this nation, shouldnt I at least take care of the health of the women in the vige where I live? As Hyang was making a nk expression at Jeongsos words, he unknowingly muttered. Noblesse oblige? What did you say? Ah, no I understand. Since your intention is good, I will speak to Father No, if its such a good intention, Father would immediately approve of it, so why did youe to me? At Hyangs question, Princess Jeongso gave a yful smile. Do you think I dont know? If I tell Father, everyone from Father to the ministers will object, but if you say it, that wont happen, right? It usually just passes without much issue. Why make thingsplicated? Its troublesome Troublesome At Hyangs deted expression, Princess Jeongso delivered the final blow. Isnt that why Jeong-ui did the same thing? In the end, Hyang waved the white g. I understand. I will speak to Father about it. Since your intention is not bad, I think we will get a good result. Really? Please do. Having achieved her purpose, Princess Jeongso quickly disappeared to meet Queen Soheon and chat. Seeing Princess Jeongso disappear into the distance, Hyang grumbled softly. I mistook it for the same case as mine By the way, have I been deceived by both my older sister and younger sister? Then, am I the royal familys pushover? Anyway, although it was Princess Jeongsos request, Hyang also thought it was a necessary task. Since were doing it anyway Hyang began to spread out a sheet of paper and draft a proposal. *** Two dayster, Hyang submitted a memorial to King Sejong. Producing female physicians for women? Upon seeing the title of the memorial, King Sejong immediately looked down at Hyang. Crown Prince, please exin it yourself. Yes, Father. Hyang began by telling the story of Princess Jeongsos visit to him. So, she wants to learn medicine. Isnt this a beautiful thing? At Hyangs words, King Sejong and the ministers nodded. Indeed, its truly a beautiful thing that Jeongso had such a thought. It is, Your Majesty. It is truly a beautiful thing for someone in a noble position toe down to a lower ce and work for the people. As the ministers unanimously praised it as a beautiful thing, King Sejong got to the main point. But why has that story developed into a memorial like this? Arent there countless women throughout Joseon who suffer from illnesses? At Hyangs question, Heo Jo, the Minister of General Affairs, immediately raised an objection. Female physicians are already being dispatched. How many of those assigned female physicians are there? Looking at the history before Hyangs intervention, the female physician system was established during the reign of King Taejong as medical personnel for women living in the pce. Later, during the reign of King Sejong, two female ves were sent from Chungcheong, Jeo, and Gyeongsang Provinces to receive medical education and then sent back. However, this was literally a drop in the bucket. At Hyangs point, Heo Jo fell silent. After silencing Heo Jo, Hyang exined to King Sejong why it was necessary. Looking at the situation in Joseon, the number of physicians is notrge, and there are virtually no physicians who can treat only women. To properly diagnose and treat a patients illness, it is crucial to urately identify the symptoms first, but no matter how much of a physician one is, they cannot carelesslyy hands on a womans body outside of their family. Therefore, I believe the best solution is to select women and train them as physicians. Moreover, the status of female physicians is also a problem. Hyang continued to point out the problems with the current female physician system. The girls selected as female physicians were mostly government ves. Selecting female physician candidates from among government ves was because it was easy to fill the positions. However, due to their low status, they were often subjected to contempt and mobilized for tasks other than medical activities. After pointing out the problems with the female physician system, Hyang presented his conclusion. Through themoners school, even women of themoner ss have been able to acquire knowledge. Among them, we must select bright girls who wish to learn medicine and teach them medical skills. Thereafter, this issue was debated back and forth for several days. As the issue remained unresolved and only arguments were being made, King Sejong stepped in, and a decision was immediately reached. After continuous deliberation, I believe the Crown Princes opinion is reasonable. I hope you will establish policies ordingly. Any objections? As soon as King Sejongs question ended, all the ministers answered. None, Your Majesty! Huh? King Sejong tilted his head for a moment and then smiled enigmatically, reaching a definite conclusion. Since the ministers have no objections, establish the policies as quickly as possible. We shall obey yourmand! The scribe who recorded all of this added the following: -Thus, when His Majesty reached a conclusion, the ministers began to create policies to train female physicians for women. The scribements: Compared to the arguments that went on for several days, the conclusion was reached too easily. This is not limited to this case alone. Previously, issues that would have been quite sensitive are now being passed immediately once His Majesty makes a decision. Have the ministers been caught with some weakness? *** That night, in Gangnyeongjeon, where the scribes had been dismissed, King Sejong and Hyang had a conversation. Women are increasingly making their presence felt. As you said, Father, Joseoncks people. We dont have the luxury to discriminate between men and women. At Hyangs answer, King Sejong nodded. By the way, Im looking forward to 10 or even 20 years from now. There will be individuals breaking through barriers and emerging from various ces, starting with themoners school. I only hope they dont be another barrier themselves. Well have to prevent that. Chapter 288 Chapter 288 While Yi Manchu and Mentemu were engaged in a bloody battle of cat and mouse in the north, operations targeting Tsushima and the Nine Provinces were steadily progressing in the south. As Sejong personally oversaw matters in the north from the Hamheung temporary pce, Hyang took charge of the southern front from Eastern Pce in Gyeongbokgung Pce. The operations against Tsushima and the Nine Provinces must never stop. However, most of our military strength is currently focused on the north, and a significant portion of our finances has been consumed by war expenditures, with uncertainty about how much more will be spent. Might it be wise to postpone our ns? As Kim Jeom argued for a dy, Jo Mal-saeng immediately objected. Absolutely not! The Japanese merchants near trading posts are aware of the unfolding war in the north. They will meticulously gauge the extent of Joseons capabilities! If we show weakness now, the Japanese pirates may wreak havoc once again! Hyang nodded gravely at Jo Mal-saengs words. Its a possibility. But all our challenger-ss warships have been deployed to the north!Kim Jeom remained skeptical, citing the absence of their challenger-ss vessels. Although few in number, the challenger-ss warships had be the backbone of the Joseon Navy. They boasted far superior firepower, transport capacity, and operational endurancepared to the existing panokseon and other vessels. In response to Kim Jeoms remark, Jo Mal-saeng countered again. Wasnt it already decided that the panokseon would take over their duties? Why do you keep mentioning the challenger-ss warships? Are you genuinely concerned, or are you opposing for the sake of opposition? At Jo Mal-saengs pointed question, Kim Jeom raised his voice. Its because of our finances! Our finances! Enough. Hyang interjected, having observed their heated exchange. I understand the Finance Ministers concerns, but in this case, I believe it would be wise to proceed as the Minister of Defense suggests. Now that the eyes and ears of Japan are fixated on us, we must disy confidence, even if its a mere show of force. Although it may be akin to pissing with a morning erection, we shall allocate funds from the Insubu, the Crown Princes personal treasury, if necessary. With Hyangs strong push, Kim Jeom fell silent. Thus, the series of policies targeting Japan were able to continue unimpeded. *** Tsushima was the first to undergo the operation. Joseon first dispatched an envoy to the Lord of Tsushima. As promised, we will begin constructing our base in As Bay. Understood. We look forward to your cooperation. After informing the Lord of Tsushima about the base construction, Joseon promptly transportedborers and materials tomence the project. The first areas where Joseon broke ground were Mizusaki and Toyotama. Ideally, we would transform this entire As Bay region into a Joseon naval base in one fell swoop, but that would make Lord So of Tsushima exceedingly wary. Let us gradually encroach upon it instead. Yes, sir. Where should we begin first? The Mizusaki and Toyotama areas seem suitable. They are not too deep into the ind, and there is ample space to establish a naval station. Then let us proceed ordingly. Following Hyangs decision, a fleet of panokseonden with vast quantities of materials and arge contingent ofborers entered As Bay. News of Joseons movements in As Bay reached the Lord of Tsushima almost in real-time. Mizusaki and Toyotama Upon receiving the report, So Sadamori, the Lord of Tsushima, stroked his beard as he examined a map. His retainers, who were studying the map alongside him, began to speak one by one. They have an eye for strategic locations. Indeed, my lord. Those areas provide easy ess to the outer sea. As Sadamori listened to his retainers exnations while observing the map, he lifted his head and red at them. What about their approach to Izuhara? The retainers promptly responded after re-examining the map. The terrain is most unfavorable. If theye by ship, they will have to circumnavigate the ind, making their approach visible. If theye bynd, they must cross As Bay and then traverse the mountains, which is not ideal. At the end of his retainers responses, Hatoyama, the most senior among them, pointed to a specific location on the map and spoke. The only concerning factor is Komoda. They couldnd troops there and then advance. Therefore, it would be wise to construct a mountain fortress at Shimobaru to block that route. Sadamori nodded at Hatoyamas suggestion. That would be best. Make it so. Yes, my lord! Having issued his orders, Sadamori reminded his retainers once more. Although Joseon speaks of peace now, we must never trust them. Yes, my lord! Following the turbulent period of thete Goryeo Dynasty, when the Japanese pirates invaded Joseon, and the Tsushima conquest led by Yi Jong-mu[1] in the first year of Sejongs reign, Joseon and Tsushima harbored mutual distrust. *** As Joseon and Tsushima maintained their vignce, the Joseon military began constructing the naval station. The first task undertaken by the Joseon forces was to build a mountain fortress surrounding Mizusaki and Toyotama. A mountain fortress with a radius of approximately 300 jang (990 meters), centered on Mizusaki, began to take shape along the ridgeline encircling Mizusaki and Toyotama. Naturally, this process did not escape the watchful eyes of the scouts dispatched by the Lord of Tsushima. Upon receiving reports from his scouts, Sadamori could not conceal his bewilderment. They are constructing a mountain fortress first? What are they thinking? Building a mountain fortress is no simple feat! Sadamoris retainers nodded in agreement, wearing simr expressions. Joseon-style mountain fortresses were not unfamiliar to Sadamori and the people of Tsushima. Through their interactions with Goryeo andter Joseon, Sadamori and the Japanese had gained some knowledge of Joseon-style mountain fortresses. Moreover, an actual example of a Korean-style mountain fortress called Kanataki existed atop Mount Kurosei in Mitsushima. As a result, following the Tsushima conquest, Sadamori and his retainers had built Joseon-style mountain fortresses at key defensive points. During that process, they hade to understand that constructing a Joseon-style mountain fortress was no easy task, leading to their current puzzlement over the Joseon Navys actions. Wouldnt it be logical to first establish a dock and then build defensive structures? Indeed. I cannot fathom what the Joseon military is scheming. Unable to find an answer despite their contemtion, Sadamori had no choice but to issue a fundamental order. Send more scouts. Yes, my lord! The additionally deployed scouts continued to report on the movements of the Joseon forces. As the scouts reports poured in, Sadamori grew increasingly perplexed. They are dredging sand? Yes, my lord! The Joseon military was not only extracting sand from the rivers flowing into Mizusaki but also haphazardly excavating sand from the nearby white sandy beaches. Upon receiving the report, Sadamoris head began to ache. I have no idea what they are up to. *** While Sadamori writhed in frustration, unable to solve the mystery, the Joseon forces were busily at work. The mountain fortress will be built from here to there. An official from the Construction Department, who had apanied the navy, examined the map and turned his head to survey the ridgeline where the fortress would be built. After roughly estimating the scale with his eyes, the official soon spoke. We will need a lot of sand. As soon as the water-lifting machines arrive, we must begin work. The water-lifting machines will arrive with the next shipment in three days. Then we should inspect the actual site where the mountain fortress will be constructed. As the official rose from his chair, Kim Gyeong-sik, themander of the Tsushima garrison, added. I will assign an escort for you. Thank you. Three dayster, with the arrival of the water-lifting machines,borers, and materials, the work began in earnest. Start by dredging the sand umted in the rivers first. Yes, sir. Following the officials orders, the foremen led theborers tomence work. While one group ofborers scooped sand from the rivers and transported it, another group began digging along the ridgeline. Soon,bat engineers dispatched from Joseon arrived, elerating the pace of the work. As trenches of considerable depth were dug, resembling defensive trenches, arge quantity of steel reinforcement bars was transported. Upon the arrival of the steel bars, skilled workers wove them together using wire. Once the steel bars were properly positioned, wooden molds coated with pitch were used to create formwork. After the entire process waspleted, well-mixed concrete was poured into the formwork. Five dayster, when the wooden molds used for the formwork were removed, sturdy fortress walls were revealed. Naturally, the sand dredged from the rivers alone could not meet the required volume. Therefore, theborers began extracting sand from the white sandy beaches. During this process, the water-lifting machines brought along yed a crucial role. Chug-chug-chug! As the steam engines moved with a loud roar, freshwater from the rivers was sprinkled over the sea sand piled up in the filtration area. After being rinsed with freshwater for several days to remove the salt, the sand was promptly loaded onto carts and transported to the construction site. Upon the sands arrival, theborers in charge of mixingbined the sand, gravel, ked lime, and water in a mixer and began the mixing process. The properly mixed concrete was then poured intorge containers and loaded onto carts using a crane. When the carts arrived at the formwork location, sturdy steel pulleys lifted the containers above the formwork, and the workers poured the concrete into the formwork. Both the crane and pulleys were Hyangs creations. The ministers, who had doubted the utility of the crane and pulleys, apuded enthusiastically when they witnessed their remarkable performance at the reconstruction sites of Bukhansan Fortress and Namhansan Fortress. We must immediately distribute these to all construction sites across the country! As the ministers chorused in unison, Sejong nced sideways at Hyang and muttered. Indeed I should seize him and shake him down thoroughly someday He only releases bits and pieces when he needs something Unaware of Sejongs thoughts, Hyang grumbled to himself. Once the miniaturization and high-output of the steam engine are achieved, I must immediately create a power crane. A single scoop would suffice *** After two months, a mountain fortress made of sturdy stone walls following the ridgeline was revealed. Unbelievable! Upon receiving the report, Sadamori jumped up from his seat. Sadamori and his retainers left Izuhara and visited the Joseon military garrison. Wee. Thank you for the warm wee. I should have visited sooner, but I was dyed due to pressing matters. Not at all After a formal exchange of greetings, Sadamori broached the main topic. I heard that a mountain fortress waspleted in a short time since the arrival of the Joseon Navy. It is truly remarkable. In response to Sadamoris remark, Commander Kim Gyeong-sik replied nonchntly. It was a small mountain fortress, so the work progressed quickly. Constructing a fortress is no easy feat, is it not? Everything bes easy with determination and a clear path. May I take a brief tour of it? By all means. With a frank response, Commander Kim personally guided Sadamori to show him the fortress walls. How can this be! Upon examining the walls, Sadamori was rendered speechless. Although they were clearly made of stone, there were no visible seams. Returning with a deted expression, Sadamori stammered as he shared his impression with Commander Kim. It is truly astonishing. This is merely ordinary. In Joseon, there are numerous fortressesrger and sturdier than this one. Is that so? *** On the way back to Izuhara, Sadamori muttered, still wearing a dumbfounded expression. How on earth Is such a thing truly possible? *** Footnote 1: Joseon-style mountain fortress on Tsushima. Lee Deok-il. The Chosun Ilbo. July 22, /site/data/html_dir/2008/07/22/2008072201622.html
  1. was a Korean general who led the Oei Invasion of Tsushima Ind in 1419[?]
Chapter 289 Chapter 289 Sadamori was not the only one who was dumbfounded. His retainers also wore deted expressions. To erect an impregnable fortress wall in just two months This is no mere sorcery As one of the retainers muttered with a dazed look, the surrounding retainers nodded in agreement. Amidst the collective astonishment, the first to regain his senses was Hatoyama, the eldest among the retainers. If we were to attempt to breach that Joseon fortress wall, fire arrows would be utterly useless. Sadamori nodded at Hatoyamas words. Indeed. Such a stone wall would render fire arrows ineffective. The stone wall itself is not the issue. Did you observe the surroundings of the fortress wall? I was so focused on the stone wall that I failed to take a proper look. What other tricks have those Joseon bastards employed?They have cleared all the trees within a width of 10 jang (approx. 33 meters) inside the fortress wall and 30 jang (approx. 100 meters) outside. Even if we fire countless fire arrows, they will be rendered useless. I see. With Hatoyamas exnation, Sadamori finally nodded in understanding. And theres more. Another retainer chimed in, following Hatoyamas exnation. If you look at the fortress wall, there are no protrusions on the side facing the enemy. However, on the inside, there are protrusions at various points. These spots are undoubtedly where they will ce their cannons. Cannons Sadamori muttered with a troubled expression. Sadamori and the other lords of Japan were not unaware of the existence of cannons. Ever since Choe Mu-seon had developed them, Goryeo and Joseon had been steadily employing cannons. Among the Ming Dynasty, Joseon, and Japan, only Japancked cannons. To ovee this situation, the Japanese lords had approached Ming merchants in an attempt to acquire cannons. However, even the Ming merchants, renowned for their willingness to overlook anything for money, adamantly refused to provide cannons. In the end, Sadamori had no choice but to ept the situation. Since those Joseon bastards are building a fortress, it means they intend to focus on defense. I suppose thats a small constion. *** Not long after, Sadamori received an absurd report. There are bizarre rumors circting among the people? Yes, my lord. They are whispering that the Joseon people are employing oni (demons). Oni? The retainer ryed the rumors spreading among the Tsushima residents to Sadamori. Joseon had not conducted the fortress construction in secrecy. Simultaneously with digging the foundations for the fortress walls, they had cleared all the surrounding trees. This served not only to improve visibility but also to use the felled trees as construction materials. As the work progressed in the open space created by the logging, numerous Tsushima residents witnessed the fortress construction. Moreover, a considerable number of Tsushima residents were hired asborers to extract sea sand, remove the salt, and transport it to the construction site. The Tsushima residents who were employed and worked at the site gossiped about what they had seen to their families and nearby neighbors. Those Joseon soldiers brought huge chunks of metal and assembled them in a jiffy, creating a contraption asrge as a house. And then what? After making that contraption, they put some ck rocks into what seemed like a furnace or a muzzle at the bottom and set them on fire. They put rocks in and set them on fire? Yes! The rocks actually caught fire! The neighboring men listening to the conversation waved their hands in disbelief. Hey! How can there be rocks that burn in this world? Didnt you mistake them for charcoal? In response to the mens remarks, the man exining raised his voice angrily, his veins bulging on his neck. You fools! Do you think I cant distinguish between charcoal and rocks? They were real rocks! The rocks caught fire! Okay So what happened next? When those rocks caught fire, bluish mes shot up. And before long, a tremendous noise erupted from that contraption! Ive never heard such a loud and terrifying sound in my entire life! So? What did the Joseon bastards do with that contraption? They connected pipes to both sides of the contraption. One pipe led to the nearby stream, and the other pipe was drawn to where the sea sand was located. But do you know whats amazing? The water from the stream gushed out through those pipes onto the sea sand! And in enormous quantities! Enormous? How much? It seemed like the amount that would take all the people in our vige half a day to scoop up if we worked together! Really? From the next day onward, the residents who heard the rumors stealthily lurked around the construction site to catch a glimpse of the water-lifting machine. Chug-chug-chug! Whoosh! Oh my goodness! Dear me! Namu Amitabha! Namu Amitabha! Whenever the loud noise and steam burst out from the steam engine powering the water-lifting machine, the Tsushima residents watching would be startled and create amotion. However, after a short while, they would gather again to observe the machine in action. Its extraordinary Forget that, what about those rocks? Rocks that emit such blue mes As the Tsushima residents whispered among themselves, they were even more amazed when they witnessed the process of the fortress wall construction. They mixed the sand, washed free of saltwater, with a never-before-seen gray powder. The mixture was poured between wooden molds erected where the fortress wall was to be built. After just five days, a seamless stone wall was revealed. They pour water, and when it dries, it turns into stone? Isnt that like limestone? Its limestone, isnt it? Even the Tsushima residents, who were ignorant of worldly matters, had some knowledge about limestone. Thinking it was gypsum, some residents sneaked closer to the fortress wall to investigate, only to be shocked. Its stone! They touched it here and there, and some even secretly struck it with hammers, but the fortress wall before their eyes was indeed very hard stone. A seamless stone wall had appeared in just a few days. As the situation unfolded, rumors began to circte among the Tsushima residents. C The Joseon people are employing oni! C The contraption that draws water from the stream is a transformed oni! C They mixed sand with a strange powder, and a stone wall appeared! This is undoubtedly the sorcery of oni! C The rocks that burn with blue mes are magical objects that fuel the onis power! As such rumors spread, the fortress wall built by the Joseon people came to be known as The Fortress Wall Built by Oni. As the rumors snowballed, the Tsushima residents began to fear the Joseon military. Over time, this fear spread further, and those living near the fortress wall and docks built by the Joseon people left their homes, taking their families with them. *** Upon receiving the report through his retainer, Sadamori muttered with an absurd expression. Ha! If we were to attempt to breach that Joseon fortress wall, would we need to seek the legendary Momotaro? Although he brushed it off with a joke, both Sadamori and his retainers understood the unspoken truth. C As long as the people of Tsushima fear it, there is no way to conquer that fortress wall! War was not something that could be waged with just oneself and ones retainers. Soldiers who would serve as the hands and feet of the samurai at the lowest ranks were essential, and those soldiers had to be recruited from among the people of Tsushima. However, it would be a guaranteed defeat to lead soldiers who were so gripped by fear. In the end, Sadamori and his retainers reached a conclusion. For the time being, we should just observe. Indeed, my lord. With the increased wealth provided by Joseon, it would be wiser to focus on building our own strength. *** Joseons decision to conduct the construction openly was Hyangs strategy. Wouldnt it be dangerous to make it public? If were not careful, the Japanese might discern the structure of the fortress. As the ministers objected to Hyangs n, surprisingly, Jo Mal-saeng sided with Hyang. Its just the construction of a simple fortress wall. It doesnt matter if they see it. Rather than wasting time and money trying to conceal it, its better to do it openly and swiftly. When the Minister of National Defense stated that there was no issue, the ministers no longer persisted in their opposition. In particr, Kim Jeom immediately switched to agreement upon hearing that it could reduce time and costs. Observing the ministers reactions, Hyang continued. There is another hidden scheme within this strategy. Another hidden scheme, you say? Yes. How did you feel when you first saw reinforced concrete or the steam engine? It was astonishing. We were also envious. That was even after I had exined the principles beforehand. What if you had been unaware of those principles? How did the people of Hanseong react? In response to Hyangs question, Heo Jo answered. Hmm Everyone was amazed. Especially the steam engine, it seemed like sorcery As Heo Jo answered absentmindedly, he stopped mid-sentence and looked at Hyang with a surprised expression. It was not just Heo Jo. The other ministers also gazed at Hyang with astonished eyes. After a moment, Heo Jo calmed his mind and continued. Indeed, if one is unaware of the principles, it would appear as sorcery or magic. The Japanese people, in particr, have a great fear of various deities and demons Upon seeing the steam engine or concrete, their fear would precede their curiosity. Thats right. By nature, when fear takes precedence, people cannot fully disy their own abilities. If we sow such fear in Tsushima, the Nine Provinces, and various parts of the main ind, the Japanese will not dare to underestimate Joseon. The ministers all nodded at Hyangs exnation. Amidst this, Lee Jik drew a conclusion. It is said that the greatest victory among victories is to win without fighting. Your Highnesss strategy is indeed the ultimate strategy. No minister objected to Lee Jiks words. Thus, following the strategy devised in this manner, the construction was carried out openly in Tsushima. Later, when Sejong returned from Hamheung and received the report, he nced at Hyang. This fellows schemes are unparalleled! Even the Martial Emperor (Cao Cao) wouldnt be able to match your schemes! *** While the garrison was being hastily constructed in Tsushima, a fleet set sail for Japan. There were three fleets heading towards Japan. One fleet was moving to establish trading posts in Nagato and Naniwa (Osaka), while the other two fleets were heading towards the Ouchi n and the Navy Commander of the Nine Provinces, the Won family. The fleet moving towards Nagato and Naniwa departed from the Gyeongsang Right Naval Station. It was a fleet that moved openly, conscious of the eyes of the Japanese merchants staying in Japan Trading Post. However, the other two fleets were moving in secret, so they departed covertly from the Jeo Right Naval Station and the Gyeongsang Left Naval Station. In particr, the fleet heading to the Iwami silver mine had to employ a deceptive tactic, initially turning north and then changing course southward in the open sea. As a result, the spies hiding in Japan Trading Post reported the following regarding the movements of the Gyeongsang Left Naval Station: C A fleet departed from the Gyeongsang Left Naval Station to support the conflict unfolding in the Liaodong region. *** After the deceptive maneuvers, when the fleet from the Gyeongsang Left Naval Station arrived in Iwami, a report was delivered to Ouchi Morimori, who had arrived in advance. People havee from Joseon. Is that so? After a brief response, Morimori addressed his apanying retainers. The time hase for us to move towards our ns long-cherished dream of bing the ruler of the realm. Everyone, do your utmost. Yes, my lord! Chapter 290 Chapter 290 The secret fleet dispatched from Joseon dropped anchor at Yunotsutsu. Although it was about 20 ri (approx. 8 km) away from Iwami, where rumors of a silver mine had spread by word of mouth, the deep indent of the coastline made it an optimal location to conceal the ships. Wee. As Ouchi Morimori, the lord of the Ouchi n, extended his greetings, the Joseon military officer who disembarked from the ship offered a respectful military salute. I am Ahn Sang-taek, amander of the Joseon Navy. Thank you for your efforts ining here. But Morimoris words trailed off as he nced behind Ahn Sang-taek. There were five Joseon panokseon ships anchored along the coastline. The scale seems smaller than expected. As if sensing Morimoris thoughts, Ahn Sang-taek promptly exined.We decided to move with a smaller force to avoid drawing the attention of others. A second fleet will arrive within a few days. Upon hearing Ahn Sang-taeks exnation, Morimoris face brightened slightly. Is that so? Then how many more wille? For now, the n is to have three waves. The first two waves will mainly consist of troops to defend this area and the mine, while the final third wave will bring the mining craftsmen. Once the craftsmen properly assess the scale of the mine, adjustments will be made ordingly. As Morimori nodded at Ahn Sang-taeks words, he introduced the person who had apanied him. This is my nephew, Ouchi Mochimori. He willmand the defense of this ce and Iwami from now on. I look forward to working with you. I, too, look forward to our coboration. Mochimori and Ahn Sang-taek exchanged courteous greetings, bowing respectfully to each other. Both of them were well aware of the importance of the person standing before them. Following their exchange, the military officers under Ahn Sang-taek and the samurai under Mochimori greeted each other. As the Joseon militarymanders and the key figures of the Ouchi n engaged in formal introductions, the Joseon soldiers were diligently unloading cargo from the ships. Once the unloading of the cargo wasplete, the military officers and soldiers began constructing their encampment in earnest. The samurai observing the movements of the Joseon forces soon noticed something unusual. The Joseon soldiers were unloading an enormous quantity of sacks from the ships and stacking them to one side. What are those items used for? As Morimori, Mochimori, and the samurai were ovee with curiosity, Ahn Sang-taek approached and inquired. Ah! Theres something I need to confirm. Has contact with the surrounding area been thoroughly cut off? Upon hearing Ahn Sang-taeks question ryed to him, Morimori promptly replied. All the residents within a radius of 5 ri (approx. 2 km) from this location have been relocated. The remaining residents are those who will work in the mine. Ah, I see. Speaking of which, what are those sacks used for? In response to Morimoris query, Ahn Sang-taek answered with a hint of pride in his voice. They are used to construct defensive walls. Used to construct defensive walls? May I take a look? By all means. With Ahn Sang-taeks permission, the people of the Ouchi n observed the Joseon soldiers utilizing the sacks. Oh my Such a method The Ouchi people could not conceal their astonishment. Along the defensive line surrounding the dock and the encampment, the soldiers dug soil and filled the sacks. Once a sack was fully filled with soil, they tightly tied the opening and began stacking the sacks along the defensive line. Witnessing the scene, one of the retainers spoke up. If we reinforce those dug trenches a little, they will be sturdy moats. At the words of the retainer, known for his keen eye for defense, Morimori and the others approached closer to examine the sacks. My goodness Morimori and his retainers, who had picked up an empty sack to examine its material, were rendered speechless. The fabric used to make the sacks was no ordinary material. The sack cloth was slightly thick but very densely woven. Its quite high-quality. As Morimori made that assessment, some of the middle-ranking and lower-ranking samurai trailing behind him were quietly sighing whileparing the fabric of the sacks to the cloth of their own clothes. The higher-ups had ess to silk and high-quality cotton through various channels for their attire. However, the samurai of middle rank and below, apart from one or two sets of formal attire, were in a situation where they wore clothes made of coarse quality hemp or cotton. Yet, the fabric of the sacks used by the Joseon military to fill with soil and stack was of even better quality than the cloth of the clothes they were wearing. The fabric of the sacks is quite remarkable. Isnt it too excessive to use them for mere sacks to fill with soil and stack? In response to Mochimoris question, Ahn Sang-taek replied with a slight smile. Its made of gwangmok, so its not very expensive. Gwangmok? Its a fabric woven using a device created by His Highness, the Crown Prince. Ahn Sang-taeks face was filled with pride as he mentioned the Crown Prince. *** When gwangmok first began mass production, the merchants were perplexed by the lower-than-expected sales performance. At this time, Hyang appeared like a savior. The low sales performance is due to theck of pricepetitiveness in the selling price. Moreover, the people are not yet well aware of the usefulness of gwangmok. After pointing out the reasons, Hyang immediately offered solutions. C Cultivate cotton in Japan and import it cheaply. C Have the government and the military use gwangmok inrge quantities to demonstrate its usefulness. Hyangs proposals were promptly epted. In particr, the first solution also carried the intention of economically subjugating Japan. However, neither Sejong nor any of the ministers heard Hyangs monologue. Although its a proposal I put forward, it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. The military is always the easiest solution. Hyang recalled the painful memories of the 21st century when, in the event of problems in pig or poultry farms, people had to consume pork and chicken meat until they were stuffed. If they were going to handle it like that, they should have outsourced it to proper restaurants or chicken joints. It would have stimted the market economy and been better, right? Instead, we had to eat the hit-or-miss meals cooked by the military chefs every time And so, the very first product supplied to the military and the government was those sacks. These sacks had also been touched by Hyangs hands. They were simply made by ovepping two pieces of cloth and stitching them firmly. Hyang had called for Jang Yeong-sil. Lets try to devise a loom that can weave sacks! Pardon? Yes Upon receiving the order from Hyang, Jang Yeong-sil returned to his workshop and shouted. Everyone, gather under me! Right now! Thus, the development of the loom began, but it was uncertain when the prototype would be ready. As a result, although the sacks were sewn by hand, the military units that received them quickly recognized their usefulness and began using them inrge quantities. The sacks demonstrated their true value in the process of hastily constructing defensive facilities in newly acquired territories. It wasnt only the military that took a liking to the sacks. The government also soon recognized their usefulness and began utilizing them effectively at disaster sites, especially during floods. As people frequently encountered gwangmok, the demand for it gradually increased among themon folk as well. *** In any case, Morimori, who had be captivated by the sacks, asked Ahn Sang-taek. Is it difficult to obtain those sacks? Not at all. If you need them, please send us a document. We will inform Hanseong through themunication line. Hmm After a brief contemtion, Morimori made an immediate decision. I will have a document prepared and delivered to you soon. Understood. With that conversation concluded, Morimori left the dock. Upon reaching the fork in the road that split towards Iwami and Nagato, Morimori reminded Mochimori once more. You havent forgotten why your father, my elder brother and the previous lord, had to lose his life, have you? I am well aware. To avenge that grudge and fulfill our familys long-cherished desire of bing the ruler of the realm, that silver mine is absolutely necessary. No matter what happens, we must defend the silver mine. Yes, my lord! At Mochimoris resolute answer, Morimoris face finally brightened with relief. Seeing Morimori like that, Mochimori asked. By the way, will you definitely ce an order for the sacks? What do you think? I believe they will be suitable for building defensive structures at the mine. Although I would like to construct a fortress, that would be too conspicuous. You have a keen eye. Also, they might be needed in Buzen as well. The Shoni and Otomo ns continue to be obstacles until the end. The two local ns of the Kyushu region had be the biggest obstacles in the process of the Ouchi n taking control of Kyushu. As Mochimori mentioned the Shoni and Otomo ns, Morimori nodded. To be the ruler of the realm, we must put an end to those two ns first. Speaking of which Joseons artifacts are remarkable. At Morimoris words, everyone surrounding him nodded in agreement. Even the fabric of the sacks used for scooping soil or sand boasted an incredible quality. Moreover, the military equipment and the strict discipline of the Joseon soldiers who disembarked from the ships were not those of mere foot soldiers. The lord and retainers of the Ouchi n had unknowingly begun to feel psychologically pressured by Joseon. *** As Ahn Sang-taek had mentioned, the third fleet that arrived carried the mining technicians. Having recovered from their fatigue at Yunotsutsu, which now clearly disyed the appearance of a dock and a garrison, the craftsmen set off for the Iwami mine under the escort of Joseon soldiers and the Ouchi ns troops. This is the ce. Guided by Mochimori and the samurai, the craftsmen who arrived at the mine set up tents and immediately began exploring the surroundings for prospecting. The Ouchi samurai followed the Joseon craftsmen as they moved. The orders given to the samurai were simple. C Even if you have toy down your lives, protect the Joseon craftsmen! After about a month had passed, the craftsmen reported to Ahn Sang-taek and Mochimori. Spreading out the map they had drawn while traversing the mountains, the craftsmen pointed to three locations. We rmend these three veins. There are other veins as well, but it would be best to start with these first. Upon hearing the craftsmens words through the interpreter, Mochimoris face lit up. Then I will immediately deployborers! The Joseon craftsmen shook their heads at Mochimoris words ryed to them. We need to bring in tools from Joseon first. Thats right. We saw the pickaxes and shovels of the Japs no, the Japanese, and they are all useless. Also, we need some gunpowder. Mine carts, water-lifting machines, and venttors are also essential. At the craftsmens remarks, Ahn Sang-taek nodded and replied. Organize and tell us everything you need. Prepare a report and send it to Hanseong. Understood. Mochimori, who had been listening to the conversation through a Japanese interpreter, interjected. What are mine carts, water-lifting machines, and venttors? They are essential for safely extractingrge quantities of silver ore. I dont know much more than that, but After briefly exining to Mochimori, Ahn Sang-taek asked the craftsmen. What else? And once all the equipment is ready, when can mining begin? Mining can begin immediately once the equipment is properly prepared. Ah! Please sendborers as well, not just craftsmen. The Japanese are quite clumsy. Got it. As Ahn Sang-taek nodded and responded, a military officer sitting beside him diligently recorded on a wooden tablet with paper attached. Once all the recording was finished, Ahn Sang-taek said to Mochimori. Although the equipment hasnt arrived yet, we should start constructing the necessary buildings first. Pardon? Yes. Mochimori replied with a half-dazed expression as he observed the actions of the Joseon people. I have no idea what theyre talking about I cant understand a single thing! *** When the equipment requested by the craftsmen arrived and the preparations for full-scale mining began, Mochimori and the samurai were dumbfounded. They erected a frame using steel reinforcement bars and wooden boards to create formwork. Then, they poured a mixture of sand and an unknown gray powder into it. At some point, sturdy warehouses and lodgings made of stone appeared. This is no mere sorcery Mochimori had unwittingly be Mochimori in Wondend. Chapter 291 Chapter 291 Where on earth am I? Who am I? As the Iwami silver mine began operating in earnest, Mochimori remained trapped in a state of confusion. *** The first thing that caught his eye was the stark difference between the residential areas of the Japanese miners and the Joseon people. Separated by a single road leading up to the mine, the two residential areas hadpletely different appearances. The Japanese residential area resembled the typical sights seen in Japan. The walls were constructed using mud and wood, with wooden nks forming the gabled roofs that shielded against rain and sun. However, the area inhabited by the Joseon people consisted of single-story buildings and warehouses made using that mysterious gray paste. The differences did not end with just the buildings.What plunged Mochimori into confusion was the fact that everything, except for the houses where the Japaneseborers lived and the clothes worn by the Japanese miners, had transformed into the Joseon style. It began with the mining tools used for excavation. *** They want us to dig the mine with these? Might as well tell us to dig with our bare hands. Nigimi What a waste of iron, a fucking waste of iron Upon seeing the shovels, pickaxes, and other tools brought by the Japaneseborers, the Joseon people clicked their tongues and cursed. What are they saying? Ah, well That is When Mochimori asked the interpreter about the Joseon peoples chatter, the Japanese interpreter stammered, breaking out in a cold sweat. Seeing his reaction, Mochimori let out a small sigh. I can roughly guess what theyre saying. Phew~. A few dayster, a transport ship sent from Joseon arrived, carrying tools made in Joseon. The Joseon craftsmen unloaded the wooden crates from the wagons and opened the lids, meticulously examining the tools inside one by one. Not only the Japanese miners but also the samurai gathered around to inspect the Made in Joseon tools. My goodness! They use such fine iron to make mere shovels and pickaxes? The samurai were rendered speechless upon seeing the shovels, pickaxes, saws, and other tools gleaming in the sunlight. The quality of the iron used for the tools utilized by the lowlymoners was extraordinarily superior. At a nce, it was evident that the iron used was simr in quality to the iron used to forge the swords cherished by the samurai. The Japanese swords (wado) used by the samurai represented the pinnacle of Japans ironworking technology at the time. The Northern Song Dynasty poet Ouyang Xiu had evenposed a Chinese poem titled Ode to the Japanese Sword, attesting to the exceptional quality of the Japanese swords. The Japanese swords had reached their zenith through countless trials and errors, oveing the limitations of primitive ironworking techniques. As a result, the Japanese swords were precious items, painstakingly crafted by skilled artisans. However, unlike Japan, where the introduction of new technologies had ceased after the Three Kingdoms period, ironworking techniques had continuously advanced on the Korean Penins. With Hyangs intervention, high-quality iron materials were being mass-produced, further enhancing their quality. The Japanese miners, examining the tools in their hands and those held by the Joseon people, were disheartened. What kind of pickaxe shines brighter the more you use it? Never mind the chisels. Our chisels bend, break, or be blunt after striking a rock a few times, but the Joseon chisels dont have that problem. Having witnessed the difference in tools firsthand, the Japanese miners soon conveyed their demands to Mochimori through the supervisors. They want us to procure Joseon tools? Yes. With those tools, we can increase the mining output several-fold. Upon hearing the supervisors words, Mochimori immediately approached Ahn Sang-taek. Ahn Sang-taek, who was working at themand headquarters in Yunotsutsu, made a slightly troubled face at Mochimoris request. As far as I know, the tools used for work are supposed to be supplied independently by each nation, correct? Joseons tools are exceptionally superior At Mochimoris words, Ahn Sang-taek pondered for a moment before reaching a conclusion. I will send a letter to Hanseong. However, you will need to pay for the cost. I will pay. And Is there something else you need? I would like to import steel materials made in Joseon. I will include that in the letter as well. I would appreciate it. Having finished his business, Mochimori stepped outside and muttered with a bewildered expression as he looked around. Is this Japan or Joseon? The Yunotsutsu he once knew no longer existed. As mining technicians, their families, and troops to protect them and defend the port arrived in full force from Joseon, Yunotsutsu had rapidly be Joseon-ized. The defensive walls, previously constructed solely with sacks filled with soil and sand, had mostly been reced by walls made of the same material used for the buildings at the mine. Houses built bybining that unknown material with traditional materials were arranged along neatly trimmed streets resembling a Go board. And among those houses, Joseon children with braided hair ran around. However, there were other buildings that caught Mochimoris eye. Another Sesintang (public bathhouse) has been built. As the ce name Yunotsutsu (hot spring port) suggests, Yunotsutsu had hot springs. The Joseon people who formed the residentialplex had drawn the hot spring water to create public bathhouses called Sesintang. Through these public bathhouses, the Joseon people, regardless of their status, enjoyed bathing. The same applied to the Joseon people working in the mine. Bathhouses were built in the Joseon workers quarters, and after finishing their daily work, the Joseon people would wash off the dust in the bathhouses, change into clean clothes, and enjoy their rest. On their days off, they would visit their families residing in Yunotsutsu, soak in the hot spring baths of the public bathhouses to relieve fatigue, and bond with their loved ones. However, the buildings that attracted Mochimoris greatest interest were the Jeonmaeso, also known as Joseon government licensed store and the Joseon marketce. Located in the heart of Yunotsutsu, the Joseon government licensed stores and Joseon marketce were housed in a single building. The Joseon marketce paid the wages of the Joseon craftsmen, while the Joseon government licensed stores sold all sorts of goods needed by the Joseon people, including craftsmen and even soldiers. And at some point, most of the Japanese in Iwami, from Mochimori to the miners, had be patrons of this Joseon government licensed stores. As long as they had money, even the Japanese could purchase various useful Joseon products without having to travel to Nagato. Among the items most sought after by the Japanese who visited the Joseon government licensed stores were spices and bino (Korean distilled liquor). As they grew ustomed to this lifestyle, even the Japanese in Iwami gradually became Joseon-ized. With the situation unfolding in this manner, the Joseon government licensed stores in Yunotsutsu was steadily expanding in size. As the Yunotsutsu government-licensed stores grew, an event urred that would surprise even Hyang: the birth of the worlds first cashless transaction. *** The incident began when Jang Hak-chul, a mining craftsman, visited the marketce. While withdrawing money from his ount to purchase items for himself and his family at the Joseon government licensed stores, Hak-chul suddenly had a thought. Excuse me, sir. What is it? The ountant at the marketce, who was busy recording the withdrawal amount and bnce in the ount book, looked up when Hak-chul called for him. As the ountant raised his head, Hak-chul continued his questioning. Sir, all the wages I receive are recorded in this marketces ount book, right? Thats right. And to buy things at the Joseon government licensed stores, I need to withdraw money from the ount book, correct? Indeed. And the money that goes into the Joseon government licensed store eventuallyes back to this marketce, right? In response to Hak-chuls questions, the ountant asked back in an irritated voice. My goodness! Why are you asking such obvious things? At the ountants irritated question, Hak-chul shared his idea. Then, wouldnt it be much less work if we could transact using the ount book at the Joseon government licensed stores checkout counter? Huh? Hak-chuls proposal was as follows: C At the Joseon government licensed stores checkout counter, not only the Joseon government licensed stores officials but also the marketces ountants would be present. C When a person who has purchased goods presents their ount book, the marketces ountant deducts the amount used for the purchase from the ount book. C This way, the hassle of withdrawing money from the ount book, using it at the Joseon government licensed stores, and then transferring the money that entered the Joseon government licensed stores back to the marketce would be reduced. What do you think? Hmm Indeed. Before he knew it, all the employees of the marketce had gathered around Hak-chul. Regardless of their position, the employees who heard Hak-chuls story analyzed the feasibility with serious expressions. It would certainly reduce the workload. It seems like a good idea. However, if not handled properly, there could be issues of unauthorized use. When the issue of unauthorized use was brought up, Hak-chul added. Come on! How many Joseon people are there in this Oncheon-jin, which is the size of a palm, and Seokgyeon-san? Huh? Wait a moment. At Hak-chuls words, the mood of the employees who had been negative changed drastically. Indeed, excluding the soldiers, there arent many. We know the faces of almost all the people dispatched to Seokgyeon-san and their families. Seeing the positive response from the employees, Kang So-hwi, the branch manager of the Joseon marketces Oncheon-jin branch, stroked his beard and pondered deeply. After much contemtion, Kang So-hwi soon reached a conclusion. Draft a n! Yes, sir! At Manager Kangs order, the employees of the marketce responded with enthusiasm. If it worked out well, their workload would be greatly reduced. The process of giving out money and then receiving it back was also quiteborious. Eventually, a meticulous n was devised, and experiments were conducted based on it. As the results were very positive, Manager Kang made a decision. Implement it! I will prepare the report. *** The report on the cashless transaction implemented in Oncheon-jin quickly made its way to Hanseong. The report soon garnered the attention of Sejong and the ministers. The cost of producing and circting currency was not insignificant. It seems like a quite useful method, but I believe its still premature to expand it. The ministers all agreed with Sejongs assessment after reviewing the report. Indeed, Your Majesty. In Oncheon-jin, unauthorized use can be prevented since there are few people, but it cannot be implemented in ces withrge poptions. It is very difficult to verify identities with the identity tags currently in use. Expanding the Oncheon-jin system to other regions is unfeasible. The current identity tags in Joseon did not have photos like modern-day resident registration cards. Therefore, there was no way to verify identities. Seeing the ministers reactions, Sejong turned to Hyang. Receiving the unspoken question, Hyang immediately shook his head. With even Hyang showing a negative response, Sejong smacked his lips and reached a conclusion. Although its regrettable, lets not expand its application for now. We shall obey yourmand. As the ministers bowed their heads, Hyang grumbled inwardly. Photography was never my area of interest! *** As the Iwami mine began full-scale operations and the number of Joseon people staying in Yunotsutsu grew considerably, the court established a new facility in Yunotsutsu. The new facility established by the court was the School for Commoners. With the establishment of the School for Commoners, the Joseon people who had settled in Yunotsutsu, both soldiers and civilians alike, breathed a sigh of relief. Phew~. I was worried about how to educate my children, but now I can put my mind at ease! Indeed! While the adults were sighing with relief, the childrens faces turned gloomy. The good days are all gone! *** The rumors about the School for Commoners quickly reached Mochimori. School for Commoners? Yes. It is said to be a ce where they teach academics to children. Upon hearing the report from his subordinate, Mochimori let out a chuckle. Hah! As expected of the Joseon people! They provide education even aftering all the way here? But still, even though Yunotsutsu is full of Joseon people, there cant be many of high enough status to educate their children, right? At Mochimoris remark, the subordinate immediately pointed out the error. They teach children of all ages, regardless of their status, including girls. What! It is said that the name School for Commoners was given because it is a ce where the children of all themonerse to learn. Upon hearing the subordinates report, Mochimori jumped up from his seat. I must inform His Lordship immediately! Chapter 292 Chapter 292 Upon receiving the subordinates report, Mochimori immediately jumped up from his seat and headed to Yunotsutsu. What brings you here? When Ahn Sang-taek, who weed Mochimoris visit, inquired about the reason for his arrival, Mochimori promptly got to the point. I heard an interesting story, so I came. I was told that a school for teaching children has been established. A school? Ah, are you referring to the School for Commoners? Yes. I heard that they teach regardless of ones status. Is that true? That is correct. Is that alright? As Mochimori asked with concern, Ahn Sang-taek instead replied with a puzzled expression.What do you mean? Is it possible for lowly worms to learn to read and write? No, even if they learn a little, wont they just rebel orin when given orders? At Mochimoris question, Ahn Sang-taek scratched his mustache and answered. I dont think thats likely to happen Pardon? Just talking to myself. That part is merely an unfounded concern, and I can confidently assure you of that. It is a matter that the esteemed ministers and His Majesty have examined before establishing the School for Commoners. Mochimori fell silent at the words implying that the King of Joseon had considered everything before making the decision. Honestly, the previous remark was closer to criticism for the sake of criticism. Seeing Mochimori like that, Ahn Sang-taek provided a more detailed answer. When themoners acquire some level of education, the benefits far outweigh the losses. They can more quickly understand and execute the orders issued by the country, and they can more easily inform the central government about the hardships in the provinces that the central government is unaware of, thereby reducing the worries of the nation. And most importantly, it allows us to discover talented individuals hidden like gems in the dirt. Thisst part is the most crucial point. Ahn Sang-taek muttered inwardly. The biggest problem facing Joseon, which was on a path of expansion in terms of both quality and quantity, was the shortage of talented individuals. This was also true for the military. As a result, a joke circted among the military officers: The ones who most fervently wish for peace in Joseon are the military officers. Why? Because they are already overwhelmed with work, and they dont have the capacity to wage a war on top of that. It was the grumbling of military officers who had made a trade-off between promotion and overwork as Sejong began favoring military officials with literary talents after his ession to the throne. Discovering talented individuals Mochimori, who had been mulling over Ahn Sang-taeks words, stood up from his seat. Thank you for the good exnation. I wont forget the valuable lesson. You tter me. Having met with Ahn Sang-taek, Mochimori immediately prepared and headed to Suo, where Morimori was located. *** Meeting Morimori at the lords castle in Suo, Mochimori reported about the School for Commoners. A school As Morimori muttered while stroking his chin, Mochimori continued. My lord, you have already expressed your intention to gather talented individuals from the domain and send them to Joseon to study. However, sending them to study requires a considerable amount of wealth. If its for the future of the domain, how could a thousand gold pieces be a waste? Of course, my lords words are correct. However, even if we wish to send them to study, few know the Joseonnguage, and even fewer have learned the most basic academics. Thats true As Morimori nodded, Mochimori spoke with emphasis. Therefore, please request Joseon to support the establishment of a school. Just like Joseon, we should teach without discrimination and discover hidden talents! Hmm Morimori sank deep into thought for a long time. Mochimori and the other retainers looked at Morimori with tense expressions. After much deliberation, Morimori made up his mind and spoke. I believe Mochimoris words are reasonable. However, the great endeavor is at hand, so let us resolve it first and then consider this matter. At Morimoris words, Mochimori hurriedly spoke up. My lord! When you say the great endeavor, does that mean its finally starting? Its finally ready. We will punish the Shoni and Otomo ns. At Morimoris deration, Mochimori hastily knelt down and bowed his head. My lord! I wish to participate in the battle as well! You must guard Iwami. My lord! As Mochimori raised his voice, Morimori rose from his seat and walked over to him. Crouching in front of Mochimori, Morimori gently patted his shoulder and spoke. Iwami is not the rear but the front. The very front line. Thats why I entrusted it to you. Convinced by Morimoris words, Mochimori prostrated himself on the floor and shouted. I will guard it with my life! Yes, Im counting on you. Having finished his conversation with Mochimori, Morimori stood tall and looked around at his retainers. The preparations areplete! Inform Shibukawa in Hakata! Its time to advance! Yes, my lord! *** Three dayster, the Ouchi army led by Morimori crossed the sea and headed towards northern Kyushu. At the center of the fleet transporting the Ouchi ns forces was arge ship carrying Morimori. On the stern deck of the ship, Morimori and his retainers sat on chairs, examining a map and exchanging opinions. Morimori, who sat in the highest seat, had a rather peculiar attire. His helmet was that of a traditional Japanesemander, but the armor he wore underneath was not the -yoroi (grand armor) but the dureonggap (Korean-style armor). *** Morimoris wearing of the dureonggap was the work of Hyang. Oda Nobunaga wore nanban-kote (Western-style armor), didnt he? Recalling memories of his 21st-century indulgences, Hyang immediately issued an order to the craftsmen of Area 51. You want us to make a dureonggap? Why all of a sudden? Its a gift for someone. Ah! You are well aware that the Japanese have smaller physiques than us, right? Keep that in mind. Pardon? Yes. Since it will be given to a high-ranking person in Japan, please put some effort into it. Yes, sir. The dureonggap, created in this manner, was delivered to Morimori through the hands of Kim Jong-seo, who was dispatched as a secret envoy. Oh! What an honor! Receiving the dureonggap delivered by Kim Jong-seo, Morimori was overwhelmed with gratitude. Joseons dureonggap was renowned for its exceptional defensive capabilities. Moreover, the dureonggap gifted to Morimori was a masterpiece crafted with even greater care and attention. As Morimori was unable to conceal his joy at the unexpected gift, Kim Jong-seo conveyed Sejongs words. His Majesty said, The Ouchi n originally has roots in Samhan. Upon close examination, they are like brothers to Joseon. Therefore, I wish for the head of the Ouchi n to lead the family well and engage in mutual support with our Joseon for a long time.'' Upon hearing the words conveyed by Kim Jong-seo, Morimori immediately responded. Please convey to His Majesty that the Ouchi n will continue to maintain a friendly rtionship with Joseon! From then on, Morimori began wearing the dureonggap. However, not long after, Morimori discovered one problem with the dureonggap. Its quite hot. Knowing the climate of Japan, the dureonggap given to Morimori had undergone slight modifications. The neck, front p, and sleeve ends were finished with cloth instead of fur, but it was still hot. This was a problem inherent to the structure of the dureonggap itself. Thick and sturdy outer fabric was filled with cotton, and the inner lining was made of silk or the finest cotton cloth. Finally, iron tes were fixed inyers, creating the dureonggap. In the end, Morimori wore the traditional helmet of his n and donned the dureonggap underneath. The Joseon-style helmet, which tightly secured the left and right sides, was too suffocating. Pleased with the dureonggap, Morimori summoned craftsmen to have his retainers wear dureonggap as well. However, the craftsmen all shook their heads. It is impossible to make armor of the same quality as Joseons dureonggap. What is the reason? It requires an enormous amount of iron, the kind of iron that would be suitable for making renowned swords. Following the craftsmens answer, the retainer in charge of finances added. Its not just the iron. It also requires a lot of cotton cloth, silk, and copper. Is that so? In the end, only Morimori could wear the dureonggap. *** Crossing the sea and entering Kyushu, Morimori joined forces with his ns troops stationed in the Kyushu region. And not long after, the forces of Shibukawa Yoshitoshi merged with them. Entering the tent where Morimori was staying, Yoshitoshi raised his voice. Its finally time for revenge! Indeed. Finally, finally! Yoshitoshi couldnt hide his excitement, trembling his fists. Seeding his father as the Kyushu Provincial Magistrate, Yoshitoshi had lost his territory of Chikuzen a few years ago when he was attacked by the Shoni and Otomo ns. In the history before Hyangs intervention, Yoshitoshi not only lost Chikuzen but also Hakata and had to entrust his fate to Morimori. However, in this history where Hyang intervened, he was able to defend Hakata. Nevertheless, his forces were still at a disadvantage, leaving Yoshitoshi with no choice but to rely on Morimori. When Yoshitoshi lost Chikuzen, the Shogunate immediately dered Chikuzen as a direct domain of the Shogunate and appointed Morimori as its proxy. Receiving the document sent by the Shogunate, Morimori eximed with joy. We have gained justification! Thanks to the document sent by the Shogunate, Morimori had obtained the justification to fully project military power in Kyushu. However, the Shogunate also had its own ulterior motives. The Shoni and Otomo ns, who had attacked Yoshitoshi, were powerful local forces in the Kyushu region. And they were hostile to the Shogunate. Moreover, the Ouchi n was steadily strengthening its power, threatening the Shogunate. In the end, the Shogunate hoped that the Ouchi n and the Shoni-Otomo alliance would wear down each others strength through mutual destruction. However, Morimori also had his own scheme. If we recover Chikuzen through this subjugation, can you promise to hand it over to me? I promise. Morimori answered Yoshitoshis question without hesitation. This was a secret agreement between Yoshitoshi and Morimori. By handing Chikuzen over to Yoshitoshi, Morimori brought Yoshitoshi under his control. With this, Yoshitoshi nominally belonged to the Shogunate, but in reality, he became a lord under Morimorismand. Of course, Morimori didnt stop there. In exchange for handing Chikuzen over to Yoshitoshi, he gained control over the Kitakyushu region. With this, if they emerged victorious in this war, the Ouchi n would be able to exert absolute influence in the Kyushu region. Now, let us review the strategy once more. Lets do that! Themanders of the Ouchi and Shibukawa ns gathered around a map and began reviewing their strategy. *** Having recovered from fatigue andpleted the maintenance of their forces, the allied army of Morimori and Yoshitoshi immediatelyunched an attack. Utilizing their superior forces and the advantageous situation, the allied army attacked Tachibana Castle and swiftly advanced towards Chikuzen. Upon receiving news of the advancing Morimori-Yoshitoshi allied army, the Shoni-Otomo alliance also engaged in a defensive battle, moving forward to confront the enemy. The Shoni and Otomo bastards are gathering! How far? We will make contact in about two days! Receiving the report from the scout, Morimori examined the map. Two days Pondering the timeframe while studying the map, Morimori pointed to a specific location. We will meet the enemy here. The ce Morimori indicated was to the east of Chikuzen. *** Three dayster, a battle unfolded at the location chosen by Morimori. Before the battle began, Shoni Mitsusada, surveying the battlefield, gritted his teeth. This wont be easy. He didnt know what trick that cunning Morimori had employed, but the vast in to the east of Chikuzen, which had be the battlefield, was soaked with water. And the battle progressed just as Mitsusada had anticipated. Although it hadnt turned intoplete mud, the water-soaked ground made it difficult for the soldiers to move. While his own soldiers struggled and moved sluggishly on the wet ground, Morimori and Yoshitoshis soldiers relied on fortifications and sacks filled with earth, erected on drynd, to strike at Mitsusadas forces. In the end, Chikuzen fell into the hands of Morimori and Yoshitoshi. Having lost a significant portion of their strength, the Shoni-Otomo alliance had to retreat and bide their time for another opportunity. This was another turning point that differed from the history before Hyangs intervention. Chapter 293 Chapter 293 The sacks imported from Joseon were the top contributors to the victory in the Battle of Chikuzen. Morimori used the sacks to draw water from the Iksan River into the agriculturalnds that had be the battlefield. The farnds, which had been plowed to dig ditches and nt rice, absorbed the water at an rming rate, quickly turning into mud. The role of the sacks did not end there. Defensive positions made by encircling the main points of the battlefield with sacks were established, and spearmen armed with long spears and archers struck the enemy. It was because of these defensive lines that Mitsushida remarked, This wont be easy. However, Mitsushida could not retreat. Behind the Ouchi armys formation, in thergest fortress, Morimori was prominently present. Retreating from a battlefield where the enemymander was present was an uneptable act. If they were to retreat at this point, Mitsushidas honor would undoubtedly be tarnished, and there was a high possibility that the small lords who followed him would abandon him and defect to the Ouchi. As a side note, the warfare waged by the Japanesemanders of this period was quite ssical. An example was the ikkito (singlebat), where amander would advance alone on horseback, dere the name of his n and himself, and engage in one-on-onebat, simr to when the Mongol-Goryeo allied forces invaded.When a Japanesemander confronted the Mongol-Goryeo allied forces with this ssical tacticwhich had disappeared from the Korean Penins after the Battle of Gwanchang during the Hwarang erathe Mongol-Goryeo allied forces responded with a barrage of arrows. Due to these constraints, Mitsushida had no choice but to push his troops into the muddy field. The Ouchi forces are fewer than expected! Its a do-or-die situation! The fate of our n hangs in the bnce, so give it your all! Following Mitsushidas outcry, Otomo Mochihisa also raised his voice. We must win at all costs! If we win, Kyushu will be ours once again! However, the soldiers and samurai, their feet stuck in the mud, could not exert their strength properly, and arrows rained down upon them as they became targets. The soldiers who managed to cross the muddy field with all their might and reach the Ouchi armys positions had to face multiple spears thrusting at them, two or three per person. Unlike the Shoni and Otomo soldiers, whose feet were stuck in the mud and unable to move properly, the Ouchi and Shibukawa soldiers attacked the enemy with full force. They were able to move like that because the walls made of sacks blocked the water from entering, allowing them to fight on dry ground. While the Shoni and Otomo armies were being held back by the defensive positions made using mud and sacks, the main force of the Ouchi army, which had departed the previous day and circled around the mountainside, struck the rear of the Shoni-Otomo alliance. Thus, the Battle of Chikuzen Fukae ended in victory for the Ouchi-Shibukawa alliance. *** This battle became a significant turning point in the subsequent history. In the history before Hyangs intervention, this battle had also taken ce. However, in that battle, the Shoni-Otomo alliance emerged victorious. It was not a mere victory; Ouchi Morimori was killed in that battle. With Morimoris death, a civil war erupted to determine his sessor, and the Ouchis growth was temporarily halted. However, with the battle ending in the Ouchis victory, they firmly gained control over the northern Kyushu region. And the local lords of southern Kyushu were on high alert due to the Ouchis movements. *** The defeat in this battle put the Shoni n in a difficult situation. While resisting the Ouchi armys nking attack, Mitsusada and his son Suketsugi were killed in action. As the father and son of the Shoni n perished, Otomo Mochihisa narrowly escaped with his retainers. We must return to Bungo as quickly as possible! Now that we are in a situation where we share a border with those damn Ouchi bastards, we must dedicate all our efforts to defending the castle! Yes, my lord! Damn it! Its infuriating and unjust! Otomo Mochihisa retreated with his soldiers, shedding tears of blood. As the alliance withdrew, the Shoni brothers, Yoshiyori and Noriyori, who had lost their father and elder brother, had to seek refuge and find a way out. The retainers of the Shoni n agonized over how to save the young sons of their lord, but there was only one answer. We will escort them to Tsushima! Please do. Thus, the brothers boarded a ship with the surviving retainers and headed to Tsushima Ind. *** Despite the victory in battle, Morimori did not engage in further battles. The southern lords must be on high alert. If we keep moving in this situation, it will be to our detriment. Morimori exined the situation to his retainers. With this, northern Kyushu is in our hands. However, our main force is still across the sea. We need to build up more strength. Yes, my lord! As he listened to his retainers response, Morimori turned his gaze and surveyed the battlefield. Examining the sacks that had been the top contributors to this battle, Morimori looked at the dureonggap he was wearing. Touching the few torn marks on the chest area of the dureonggap with his hand, Morimori muttered softly. Monkey business My lord, what did you say? In response to the retainers question, Morimori sighed and answered. Phew~. I said its monkey business. Suddenly mentioning monkey business, what do you mean by that? Pointing to the sacks, Morimori replied. Look at those sacks. We are sitting here, making sacks out of high-quality fabric that we would only use for formal attire. And look at this armor. The arrows couldnt even prate it. If Joseon, with such capabilities, were to witness this battle, what do you think they would say? They would probably say that monkeys are ying war games. Ah At Morimoris words, the retainers nodded in agreement. They, too, had seen Joseons capabilities in Yunotsutsu. The Joseon warships they saw in Yunotsutsu lookedrge and sturdy. Not only were they massive in size, but they also had numerous cannons. Moreover, the physique of the soldiers operating those warships was extraordinary. They were at least half a head taller than the samurai who prided themselves on theirrge stature. Furthermore, their military discipline was strict, and they never wavered. Even the lowest-ranking soldiers knew what they had to do and moved proactively. Morimori continued. The world is changing, and its clear that we are failing to see it. Now, we need to open our eyes and look outside. We must learn what we can and seek help, even if we have to beg for it. We should also properly investigate the school that Mochimori mentioned the other day. Yes, my lord! Then lets prepare to return. Yes, my lord! As the retainers responded to Morimoris order and busily cleaned up the battlefield and prepared for the return march, Morimori gazed at the setting sun and sighed. Phew~. Theres so much to do, but so little time The victorious Morimori moved swiftly. The Shogunates order to subjugate the Shoni and Otomo was both justification and shackles. Having carried out the subjugation as ordered, he had to prepare and submit a report rted to it. This was akin to the Ouchi acknowledging their subordination to the Shogunate. Gritting his teeth, Morimori wrote and sent the report. He then assisted Shibukawa Yoshitoshi, the Kyushu Provincial Magistrate, in solidifying his control over Hakata and Chikuzen before embarking on his return journey. Crossing the strait again and returning to Suo, Morimori was greeted by Mochimori, who hade from Iwami. Congrattions on your great victory. Thank you. Here is the portion of the ore mined in Iwami that has been allocated to us. Is that so? Let me see it! Morimori received the report rted to the Iwami silver mine with delight. As he looked at the numbers written in the report, Morimoris expression became a mix of joy and regret. The amount of raw ore is considerable. This should be enough to cover the military expenses and still have some left over. However, its regrettable. If only our craftsmens refining skills were on par with Joseon and Ming, we could have reaped even greater profits Smacking his lips in disappointment, Morimori issued an order to another retainer. Approach the Ming merchants again and ask them to procure some silversmiths for us. It doesnt matter if they demand arge sum of wealth. As long as we acquire the technology, we can quickly make up for the loss. Yes, my lord! Having issued the order, Morimori unfolded another report. Requesting cattle? Thats correct. Are they nning to expand the tunnels? At Morimoris question, Mochimori answered with a troubled expression. They are for consumption. Consumption? Hearing Mochimoris answer, Morimori examined the report again. After confirming the numbers written in the report, Morimori looked at Mochimori. Do the Joseon people only eat meat instead of rice? They eat rice evenmore. Oh my *** One of the cultural shocks Mochimori experienced was the Joseon peoples love for meat. The Joseon people working in the mine ate meat whenever they had the chance. It wasnt that their rationed meals had no meat at all. However, the Joseon people ate meat at every opportunity. Ive been feeling a bit weaktely. Should I eat some meat? Thats a good idea! When one person suggested an idea, the others would respond in agreement. Once decided, they would immediately pool their money, procure a cow, and ughter it. The sight of the Joseon people eating meat was unfamiliar to the Japanese. During moments when they worked together and couldmunicate to some extent, the Japanese would ask questions using gestures. Isnt eating meat too often? Whenever they received such questions, the Joseon peoples response was always the same. You need to eat well to have strength! Do you know why markets are held every five days? Its so that you can eat meat at least once every five days! Eating meat gives you the strength to have meat as a side dish the next morning! Meat begets meat! Meat is the truth, and among them, chicken ismon sense! Ah, damn! Speaking of chicken, Im craving some I wonder if theres a chicken restaurant in Yunotsutsu? The Japanese couldnt adapt to the sight of the Joseon people passionately expounding on meat. Sigh However, it wasnt long before some Japanese started sneaking into the Joseon peoples meat feasts. It wasnt that the Japanese didnt know the taste of meat. In the distant past, after Emperor Tenmu proimed the Meat Eating Prohibition, the public consumption of meat was banned. However, they ate meat by deceiving others, iming it was medicine or birds or fish. But eating in secret and eating openly were entirely different stories. The Joseon people openly ate enormous amounts of meat. Thats why some Japanese began sneaking into the feasts, carefully gauging the mood. Oh my, my body is shivering My goodness! Our work is our livelihood! Come over here and have some medicine with us! The Japanese who joined in this way never came empty-handed. They brought alcohol from who knows where, and these individuals received warm hospitality from the Joseon people and indulged in the medicine. Thisrge-scale consumption of meat didnt only ur in the mines. A significant amount of meat was consumed in Yunotsutsu as well. *** Cant they just bring it from Joseon? At Morimoris question, apanied by a troubled expression, Mochimori exined the reason. They need to bring other goods as well, and transporting cattle and pigs along with them is not profitable. Oh my After pondering for a moment, Morimori quickly reached a conclusion. Create pastures nearby. If we keep buying like this, well end up spending all the wealth from the silver mine on meat. Yes, my lord! That night, as he sat alone reviewing the reports, Morimori pondered with a serious expression. Joseon people Meat Hmm Should I feed meat to the people of our country as well? *** Amusingly, the Joseon people were able to consume meat freely only after the Reformation n took ce. With the establishment of pastures and chicken farms throughout Joseon, the supply of meat became smooth. Of course, memorials were asionally submitted, stating, The people are eating too much expensive meat, so we must be cautious. However, Sejong, a renowned meat lover, didnt even treat them as proper memorials. Chapter 294 Chapter 294 While a greatmotion had erupted in Liaodong and turmoil had unfolded in the Nine Provinces of Japan, Joseon was moving towards stability. The war that had broken out in Liaodong at the beginning of the year came to an end as a short-term battle beyond the border under Sejongs activemand, who had dered total war. The conflict that had urred in Japan had not even had an impact. However, the court was carefully observing the movements in Japan. One of the two trading posts established in Japan was located in the territory of the Ouchi n, and there was a silver mine being mined in cooperation with the Ouchi n. We must secure the silver mine, no matter what it takes! Kim Jeom, the Minister of Finance, emphasized the importance of the silver mine as if he were coughing up blood. At his impassioned speech, the other ministers nodded in agreement. Although the mining had just begun, the raw ore being extracted was not to be taken lightly. The silver content was extraordinary, and even though it had not yet reached its full potential, the output was considerable. If the Iwami silver mine were to begin operating properly, it was certain that Joseons economy would soar. If the Ouchi n is endangered, I believe Joseon should be prepared to dispatch troops!Isnt that too extreme? While Maeng Sa-seong reacted that Kim Jeoms words were excessive, Kim Jeom shook his head. It is not extreme! Kim Jeom bowed his head to Sejong and exined the gravity of the situation. Your Majesty! Currently, Joseon is aiding the convenience of the people as more and more devices are being produced! The problem is that these devices must all be purchased with money, but the peoples means of earning money are limited! The means of earning money are limited? At Kim Jeoms words, Sejong pondered the situation with a serious expression. After silently organizing his memories, Sejongs face turned gloomy. Indeed. Although we have increased the number of officials and teachers, there are not enough positions to amodate all those who have acquired knowledge. And for those seeking work other than farming, we cannot provide sufficient jobs beyondbor at construction sites. That is correct. If we fail to address this issue, it will not only destabilize the Reformation n but also the governance of the nation. Therefore, we must create various jobs for the people, but this requires an immense amount of wealth. Of course, we are currently mining gold and silver in various ces, but the mining is not being done properly, is it not? At Kim Jeoms point, Sejong and the ministers fell silent with ufortable expressions. Through the prospecting conducted thus far, a considerable number of gold and silver mines had been discovered, and many of them had sufficient profitability. In particr, gold mines were located in several ces nationwide, and an enormous gold vein had been discovered in Unsan, Pyeongan region. However, Joseon could not properly mine them. It was because of the Ming Dynasty. Themon belief among Sejong and the ministers was that the time to mine those deposits would be when Joseon became prosperous and could proim an emperor and establish a reign title. That is why the silver mine in Iwami is something Joseon must possess. Isnt it fully possible with the military strength of the Joseon army that has subjugated the Jurchens? At Kim Jeoms words, Sejong replied with a tired expression. I understand your words well. However, let us not get ahead of ourselves. Yes, Your Majesty. Although the matter was settled for the time being, Sejongs worries did not subside. When Kim Jeom argued for deploying military means, a significant number of ministers seemed to agree with his opinion. They say victory can sometimes be poisonous Even when facing the Jurchen and Mentemu, the ministers had been cautious, worrying about the possibility of an extended war. But now, they were beginning to view the use of military force in a positive light. However, as time passed and news of the Ouchi ns victory arrived, the argument for dispatching Joseon troops sank below the surface. Nevertheless, Sejong remained wary of the ministers belligerence. Hyang felt the same way. Theyre not even the Japanese bastards during the Japanese colonial period Why are they so warlike? I should put aside the idea of ass-sters for the time being. *** Having decided to postpone weapons development for the time being, Hyang focused on other matters. Summon Jang Yeong-sil, the Ji-pyeong. Upon arriving at Area 51, Hyang immediately called for Jang Yeong-sil. Jang Yeong-sil had been steadily umting achievements since the Reformation n and had been promoted to the rank of Ji-pyeong. Shortly after, Jang Yeong-sil, who had been summoned by Hyang, entered Hyangs office. Your Highness, did you call for me? Yes, how is the development of the loom I mentioned before progressing? Has there been any progress? In response to Hyangs question, Jang Yeong-sil bowed at a 90-degree angle and answered. I apologize! There has been no significant progress yet! Please forgive me! Its alright. I was well aware that it was not an easy task. I am ashamed. I told you its really okay. Hyangs words were sincere. It was such a struggle to make the loom, so how could weaving cloth in a cylindrical shape be easy? Hyangforted Jang Yeong-sil, who was bowing profusely while sweating heavily, and brought up the main topic. So, lets think about this differently. Think differently, you say? What was the reason I asked you to create a loom that weaves cloth in a cylindrical shape? It was for sacks, right? That is correct. Why did I do that? Because sewing thick cloth is not an easy task Exactly. Hyang nodded at Jang Yeong-sils answer. Looking at the current process of making sacks, housewives were sewing them one by one by hand. It was simplebor, but the intensity of the work was by no means light. It was because the cloth used to make the sacks was thick. As a result, the demand for sacks was steadily increasing, but the supply was limited. Therefore, Im suggesting that we think differently and create a device that makes this sewing easier. A device that makes sewing easier? Ive named it a sewing machine. As Hyang spread the blueprint on the desk, Jang Yeong-sil approached and began examining it. As Jang Yeong-sil examined the blueprints of eachponent that made up the sewing machine, his eyes began to sparkle. Seeing his reaction, Hyang smiled with satisfaction. That cosy craftsman can be helpful at times. In the 21st century, Hyangknown as Kim Jin-ho at the timehad engaged in various hobbies and had formed a diversework of connections as wide-ranging as his hobbies. One of those connections was a cosy enthusiast. She mainly cosyed as characters from games and animations and made the costumes herself. Hyang, who had be close to her while making props for her cosy, was captivated by the sewing machine she used. Hey, Kim Jin-ho! If you disassemble that, Ill kill you! When she warned him, knowing Hyangs personality well, Hyang replied with a chuckle. I dont really like thetest models. Youre a weird one. Just like his love for steampunk, Hyangs preferences were clear. An ultra-modern sewing machine that could perform all kinds of sewing by simply pressing a button or turning a dial was not to Hyangs taste. In fact, not just sewing machines, but all the machines he liked had a strong analog feel to them. Thanks to his preferences, Hyang had scoured Hwanghak-dong and other antique markets to acquire an old sewing machine and disassembled it to examine its interior. Through the information he had gathered from the inte and the actual machine, Hyang was able to obtain detailed knowledge about sewing machines. Thanks to these past memories, Hyang was able to create a fairly decent design for a manual sewing machine. The reason it could only be described as fairly decent was that the sewing machine depicted in the blueprint had a rather crude and bulky appearance. Although Joseons metal processing technology had advanced quite a bit, there was still a long way to go. It looks quite promising. Jang Yeong-sil gave a positive assessment after seeing Hyangs blueprint. Isnt it? Then lets try making it. If this sewing machine is properly made, it will not only help in making sacks but also in making sails, dont you think? Indeed, Your Highness. Jang Yeong-sil nodded at Hyangs words. Although the cloth used for making sacks was thick and durable, the cloth used for making sails was even thicker and more resilient. Sewing such thick and durable cloth to create arge sail was abor-intensive task. As Jang Yeong-sil nodded in agreement, he pointed out another issue. Even if the loom can be put aside, I need to focus on making the spring-driven clock right now Lets start with the sewing machine. Yes, Your Highness. At Hyangsmand, Jang Yeong-sil silently gathered the blueprints. *** After finishing his days work by visiting the craftsmen with Jang Yeong-sil and exining the structure and operation principles of the sewing machine, Hyang returned to the pce with a light step. Hyang informed Sejong and Queen Soheon of his return and then went to the Eastern Pce to see the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje. Nothing unusual happened today as well, right? Yes, Your Highness. The Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje, who now had significantly swollen bellies, promptly answered Hyangs question. Since the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje had be pregnant, Hyang had been meticulously managing their health. From their diet to light exercise, Hyang paid close attention to every detail. Hyangs actions quickly became the talk of the town, and Queen Soheon and the concubines, who were envious, subtly incited Sejong. *** After exchanging pleasantries with the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje, Hyang returned to his room. Entering the study attached to his room, Hyang muttered a curse under his breath as he looked at the pile of reports on his desk. Damn it The reports prominently ced on the desk were rted to state affairs. In the 21st century, despite barely bing a civil servant and belonging to a core agency of the central government, Hyang had to quit due to depression. To that extent, state affairs or administration was a source of severe stress for Hyang. However, after being reborn and appointed as the Crown Prince, Hyang had purged the elder ministers through various means and made significant contributions to the Reformation n initiated by Sejong. This was not something Hyang did because he enjoyed it. For his own safety, his father needed to have strong power. Also, for the sake of his hobbies, Joseon had to develop. Hyang had worked so hard for these reasons. The problem was that in the process, Hyang was being burdened with more and more political responsibilities. And the resulting stress was considerable. *** The next day, after finishing the morning court session, Hyang muttered to himself as he headed to Area 51 with a tired expression. Ill probably get scolded for saying this, but I hope its a son Pardon? What did you say, Your Highness? Its nothing. Giving a brief answer to the eunuch, Hyang began making his own calctions inwardly. Considering the history I learned in the 21st century plus the management program Ive implemented so far, he should remain healthy for at least 20 more years If my to-be-born child is a son, by that time, he would have solidified his own foundation to some extent, right? Then I would inherit the throne and do it for 3-4 years out of courtesy before abdicating And I would immediately settle down in Area 51. If it seems a bit too much, Ill tie my three children together, making one the king, another the Chief State Councilor, and the other one Ah! What if its a daughter? No, it doesnt matter even if its a daughter, right? The advancement of women has already begun, so in 20 years, it should be somewhatmonce. If it seems a bitcking, I can pull some strings before handing it over. As Hyang was writing his own scenario, the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje were enjoying a conversation over a tea table. Oh my! The threedies, who were in the midst of a lively conversation, simultaneously caressed their bellies. Fetal movement? For the three children to move together, it seems they have a strong bond. Indeed. Im looking forward to when these children are born. The threedies were delighted to feel the strong fetal movement, unlike their usual experience. *** Meanwhile, Sejong was also making his own calctions. About 10 years, perhaps? Pardon? Just talking to myself. Giving a brief answer to Chief Eunuch, Sejong muttered inwardly. There are only a few years left until the Reformation n ispleted In about 10 years, most of the trial and error will be ironed out. And by then, the current ministers who are ustomed to the old system will have all retired, and those familiar with the new system will fill their positions. Then, I can have the Crown Prince serve as regent or abdicate and dedicate myself to properly shaping Joseon. Changing the administration alone doesnt change everything. And by then, the Crown Princes children will be 10 years old. If they inherit the Crown Princes bloodline, their qualities should be good, so if we cultivate them early on *** Oh my! Fetal movement again? Hoho! These little ones must think were talking about them! The smiles never left the faces of the threedies. Chapter 295 Chapter 295 As the summer heat of the 13th year of Sejongs reign (1431, the year of Sinhai) passed and autumn approached, the Jeo Right Naval Station was busy preparing for the departure of the challenger-ss warships. Youre going on a long journey, so inspect everything thoroughly! Yes, sir! If theres even the slightest suspicious part, make sure to mark it and report it! Yes, sir! No, wait. If theres even the slightest odd part, rip it out and rece it immediately! Pardon? Its better to rece it in advance than to have a leak in the vast ocean! If theres anything strange, rece it right away! Yes, sir!ording to the records thus far, Mansurs merchant group always arrived in Joseon around the end of summer. After conducting trade and repairing their ships, Mansurs group waited for the change of seasons and set sail when the seasonal winds shifted. Therefore, as the time for Mansurs group to arrive drew near, the challenger-ss warships were busy preparing for departure. Three challenger-ss warships were set to depart this time. One was to head to Aden alongside Mansurs group and then sail up the Red Sea. Afterward, it was scheduled to cross the desert and reach Alexandria. The destination of another ship was TianzhuIndia. What Joseon desired from Tianzhu was realgar. Thest ships mission was to take over and carry out the task in case any of the other ships were lost due to unforeseen idents or disasters, or to deal with pirates. The other two challenger-ss ships had to carry moremodities than gunpowder and fire arrows for trade, so this final third ship had to handle most of thebat. As it was Joseons first ocean voyage and they had to pass through seas and straits notorious for infamous pirates, the officers, sailors, and craftsmen inspected the ships repeatedly, making them in the best condition possible. Meanwhile, the captains had to be busy traveling between the Jeo Right Naval Station and Hanseong. The research institute and Area 51 in Hanseong were creating various items for long-distance voyages or selecting existing items to present to the captains. Among those items, the first thing the captains encountered was earthenware jars, followed by distition pots. With Hyang observing from behind, a researcher from the institute exined to the captains. The purpose of the earthenware jars and wooden barrels is to store drinking water. Through this voyage, we need to test which one, between earthenware and wooden barrels, is more suitable for storing drinking water. In response to the researchers exnation, the captains immediately voiced their opinions. Usually, earthenware is used No, wooden barrels are often used as well. Earthenware is fragile. Thats true, thats the problem with earthenware. Listening to the captains words, Hyang nodded slightly. As expected, wooden barrels? But considering the issue of spoge, I think earthenware would be better During the Age of Exploration, the biggest problem that gued sailors was the issue of drinking water. Water stored inrge oak barrels spoiled quickly, and sailors had to suffer because of this spoiled water. To solve this problem, Hyang had chosen earthenware. Traditional earthenware had good antiseptic properties. However, earthenware had a fatal w: it was easily broken. In that regard, wooden barrels were far superior to earthenware. In the end, Hyang had designed a section that could safely store earthenware from the beginning. It involved creating partitions with wood and cing earthenware in eachpartment. However, theory was theory, and reality was reality. Therefore, starting with this voyage, the n was to find the optimal solution through several voyages. But when we were deployed to the war in Liaodong earlier this year, wasnt earthenware good enough? Researchers, craftsmen, and even navalmanders expressed doubts, but Hyang still insisted on conducting the test. We cant be certain just from moving for a few days, can we? We have to pass through vast oceans, unexpected weather, and regions with different climates than Joseon, so the circumstances are different. That is true. Thus, the test was set to proceed. *** The next items the research institute showed the captains were distition pots and water purification frames. With the distition pots in front of them, the researcher exined their use to the captains. During a long-distance voyage, there may be situations where you lose your drinking water due to unforeseen circumstances. Thats true. The captains nodded at the researchers exnation. Those appointed as captains of the challenger-ss ships were individuals whose experience and abilities were recognized by others. The issue of drinking water was something they had experienced many times as well, even though most of their voyages were in coastal waters nearnd. Seeing the captains reactions, the researcher continued his exnation. In such a situation where youve lost your drinking water, you use seawater to produce fresh water. The water purification process the researcher described was as follows: Scoop up seawater and filter it using the water purification frame. Although the purification frame cannot remove the salty taste, it eliminates any potential impurities. Take the clean seawater obtained through filtration, put it in the distition pot, and distill it to secure fresh water. How does the fresh water obtained in this way taste? In response to the captains question, the researcher answered with a slight bitter smile. It has no taste. Compared to actual fresh water, its still salty. However, in an emergency, it will definitely serve its purpose. The captains nodded at the researchers words. Well, its certainly better than having nothing. Indeed. Its definitely better than just drinking seawater. Seeing the captains reactions, the researcher continued. These water purification frames and distition pots are also good for fresh water. When using fresh water from other regions as drinking water, filtering it through the purification frame and then processing it with the distition pot can prevent stomach ailments caused by changes in water. There have been many experiences of suffering after drinking water that looked clear, havent there? The captains nodded once again. *** Before Hyang created the water purification frame, Joseon people suffered from various waterborne diseases. During droughts, they drank dirty water from dried-up ponds or wells and fell ill. After floods, they drank muddy water from damaged wells or rivers and became sick. Hyangs water purification frame solved that problem. Using the purification frame, even muddy water became clear. In addition, through Hyangs repeated admonitions, people were required to boil the water they had purified before drinking it. As a result, the frequency of waterborne illnesses in Joseon greatly decreased. *** Since the captains also sympathized with the necessity, the water purification frames and distition pots were loaded onto the ships without much resistance. Of course, there were sailors who curiously lit up their eyes and smacked their lips while looking at those distition pots. I should procure some yeast in advance The tradition of making secret alcohol,mon among sailors across the East and West, was something even Joseon could not escape. *** Having confirmed the issue of drinking water, the captains now had to discuss the food items with the researchers. Its a given that well carry soy sauce and soybean paste, so lets move on. I also understand loading dried grain, salted meat, and jerky. But why are we loading dried radish greens? Were already loading pickled vegetables of various types, arent we? Soy sauce and other ingredients also contain a lot of salt. The physicians say that not eating salt at all is problematic, but consuming too much salt is also troublesome. They say that using dried vegetables to remove the saltiness will allow us to endure long voyages. Hmm I understand. Well, if the physicians say so, we should follow their advice. The captains had no choice but to nod at the researchers answer. They didnt immediately ept it, but they had toply. If the physicians say so, we should follow. Also, if we enter a port or have to stay somewhere, make sure the sailors can consume plenty of fresh fruits. Especially fruits with a sour taste should be stored on the ship so that they can be consumed during the voyage. Fruits with a sour taste? I mean things like immature citrons (jisil). Immature citrons? When one captain tilted his head, the captain next to him added an exnation in a small voice. Citrons. Ah Is there any benefit to fruits with a sour taste? Theponent that gives fruits their sour taste is said to have an awakening effect, dispelling fatigue and maintaining health. The captains all nodded at the researchers exnation. I see. They say theres nothing useless in this world Fruits with a sour taste *** The parts about dried radish greens and fruits were where Hyang actively stepped in. If we continue to suffer casualties from scurvy or gue, they might insist on closing the doors like before. While preparing for long-distance voyages, this was Hyangs biggest concern. Of course, officials who had tasted the benefits of trade through the ongoing exchanges would not revert to seclusion, but there was still a high probability that they would insist on passive trade, only epting those who came, rather than actively engaging in trade. Such passive trade was absolutely not what Hyang wanted. In the past or present, no, no In the present or future, information is the most important. Just sitting and receiving information brought by others will only leave us behind. We need to actively engage. To do that, we need to actively trade. So, Hyang paid attention to the ingredients to maintain the health of the sailors who embarked on long-distance voyages. Did you say to include dried radish greens? Yes. Looking at the ingredients weve prepared so far, theyre all salty and meat-based. For a person to maintain vitality for a long time, shouldnt the food also bnce the harmony of yin and yang? At Hyangs point, the physicians all nodded. Medicine and food have the same origin and Harmony of yin and yang were the most emphasized concepts in traditional Korean medicine. Thanks to that, it was easy to include dried vegetables in the ingredients. How did you solve the vegetable issue, but what about vitamin C? While searching through medical books to solve the problem, Hyang soon found the best answer. Immature citrons are very effective as a qi-regting medicine when ones qi is deficient and easily fatigued. They are also effective for stomach ailments and food poisoning. The symptoms match perfectly. Having found the optimal answer, Hyang informed the physicians. The physicians, who were nodding their heads, asked Hyang a question. Its true that citrons have such effects, but do other sour fruits have the same effects? What is the most distinctive feature of citronspared to other fruits? Isnt it the sourness? Wouldnt that sourness be caused by theponent that has those medicinal effects? At Hyangs answer, the physicians put their heads together and discussed. Among them, the physicians well-versed in medicinal ingredients soon voiced their agreement with Hyangs words. We believe Your Highnesss opinion is reasonable. Thus, the issue of vitamin C was also resolved. As a side note, through this decision, a new tradition emerged among the Joseon Navy and sailors. It involved starting the day with a cup of citron tea during long voyages. It was also a rite of passage for new recruits and sailors, as it was one of the hardest things to get used to the bitter and astringent taste. However, thanks to the tradition of eating a bnced diet of grains, meat, and vegetablesif not possible, there was a royal order to pick and consume seaweedand consistently consuming citrons, lemons, and limes, the Joseon Navy and sailors were able to reduce the damage from scurvy and gue even during ocean voyages. Ship owners in the West, who suffered great losses from scurvy and gue, took note of this aspect and adopted the Joseon-style shipboard menu. Of course, the sailors who had to eat it vehemently protested, saying, Are we cows? Chapter 296 Chapter 296 As the ships hull was being thoroughly maintained and the equipment necessary for a safe voyage was being finalized, Mansurs merchant ships arrived. As always, they arrived at the Jeo Right Naval Station, underwent a simple inspection, and took a rest. During this time, the challenger-ss warships caught Mansurs eye. Have the Catholics finally reached Joseon? Startled, Mansur sought out the captain of his fleets gship. Hey! We have a big problem! A big problem, you say? There were no issues with the ships or cargo, though. Thats not the issue! The Catholics are here! The Catholics! Pardon? Come over here! Lets go and check together! You guyse too!Mansur led the captains to the location where the problematic Catholic ships were visible. Hmm Oh my Observing the expressions of the captains as they looked at the ships in question, Mansur spoke again. Its them, right? Theyre definitely the Catholics ships, arent they? It does seem that way Hmm As they were examining the ships with grave expressions, the gships captain spoke up. Theyre not the Catholics ships. Im certain of it. Huh? The gships captain exined in detail to Mansur. They may look simr, but there are slight differences in many aspects. The biggest difference is the number of gun ports. Among the Catholics ships Ive seen, none had as many gun ports as these. In my experience, theres only one insane country that would load such a crazy amount of cannons. And where is that? The gships captain answered briefly to Mansurs question. Right here, Joseon. Huh? Hearing the answer, Mansur tried to recall his memories. Indeed! The Joseon warships he had encountered when he first came to Joseon were also equipped with more than 20 cannons. Seeing Mansurs face as he pondered whether it was possible or not, the captain added. And look at the bow. The shape of the bow is sloped, right? If you look at the ships of those Spanish or Portuguese bastards, its almost vertical. And judging by the shape, the bow and stern are not as high as the Iberian bastards ships. Considering these various characteristics The captain paused for a moment and carefully examined the ship in question once more. Convinced that his conclusion was correct even after a second look, the captain shared his conclusion with Mansur. Its definitely a ship made by Joseon. At that answer, Mansur looked at the ships in question with eyes full of doubt. The country at the eastern end is making ships simr in shape to the countries at the western end? Without any exchange? How? As Mansur pondered over the unsolvable question, the words of Hassan, who worked as an official in Joseon, came to his mind. The Crown Prince of Joseon is no ordinary person. Since he stepped forward, Joseon has been changing in unbelievable ways. The King of Joseon is a fearsome individual, but the Crown Prince is even more terrifying. Recalling Hassans words, Mansur shook his head. No matter how much of a genius he is *** Havingpleted their maintenance at the Jeo Right Naval Station, Mansurs fleet headed north towards Jemulpo. It would be nice if we could just go straight up. In response to Mansursint, the captain immediately replied. If we were moving with just one ship like when we first came to Joseon, we could go straight. But moving as a fleet like this and going straight? Wed be fish food halfway through. At the captains words, Mansur fell silent. *** As Mansur continued to trade with Joseon, he made efforts to gather information about Joseon and its neighboring countries. Among various businesses, the most profitable one is the weapons trade. Not only are the weapons themselves profitable, but brokering weapon craftsmen also yields significant profits. In search of profitable items, Mansur diligently collected information. Among them, he stumbled upon the Japanese pirates and Jurchen. He learned that these two entities had caused Kitai (China) and Joseon to develop a paranoid wariness towards foreigners. The problem is that there are no weapons to sell. During this period, Kitai and Joseon possessed the worlds best weapon-making technologies. Especially in the case of Joseon, they had given up on any attempts at replication. Should I try selling to Cipangu (Japan)? When Mansur brought this up, Hassan was startled and dissuaded him. Cipangu is full of damn thieves! The moment you sell weapons or craftsmen to Cipangu, our trade with Joseon will be over! Due to this situation, Mansur had no choice but to focus on trade with Joseon. And to maintain a good rtionship, he repeatedly went through the Jeo Right Naval Station and up to Jemulpo. *** Upon arriving at Jemulpo, Mansur handed over the goods ordered by Joseon to the officials from the Ministry of Finance and settled the payment. In three days, enter the pce at Gyeongbokgung. Understood. Mansur politely replied to the officials message. As promised, three dayster, Mansur entered Gyeongbokgung Pce. After a simple inspection and guided by a eunuch, Mansur entered Geunjeongjeon Hall and, upon seeing Sejong, offered a deep bow ording to Joseon etiquette. The humble merchant Mansur is honored to be in Your Majestys presence. You must have had a tiring journey. Seeing you safe and sound is truly reassuring. I am unworthy of Your Majestys concern and benevolence. With the formal greetings concluded, they finally moved on to the main topic. *** The reason Sejong summoned Mansur was to gather information about Tianzhu (India). Therefore, in principle, only the ministers of foreign affairs, national defense, and finance needed to stay, but all the ministers and even Hyang remained present. As you may have heardst time, this year, our Joseon will also dispatch a fleet. Your homnd is one of the destinations, but Tianzhu is also an important destination for our Joseon. Therefore, if theres anything you know about Tianzhu, Id like you to tell us everything. Yes, Your Majesty. Responding to Sejongs order, Mansur cleared his throat and waited for questions. The first to ask a question was Hyang. Based on the knowledge Ive gained from books, Ive heard that Tianzhu is a country with a vast territory. So, who is the ruler currently governing Tianzhu? In response to Hyangs question, Mansur promptly answered. Currently, Indi Tianzhu is in a state of division. Variousrge and small dynasties have emerged. At Mansurs answer, Sejong and the ministers simultaneously muttered. Is it like the Spring and Autumn period and the Warring States period? Following Mansurs answer, Hyang immediately asked another question. Then, among the numerous rulers who have emerged, which rulers country is suitable for our Joseon to trade with? Mansur pondered for a moment, trying to recall, and soon selected a suitable kingdom. In my humble opinion, I believe the Bengal Sultanate is the best choice. They have a good rtionship with the Ming Dynasty, and they have a famous trading port called Chittagong. Is that so? What about the route to get there? The a Sultanate (present-day Mysia, Singapore, and parts of Indonesia) in the middle is making great efforts to ensure the safety of the sea routes. At Mansurs answer, Jo Mal-saeng intervened. Is the rampancy of pirates severe? At Jo Mal-saengs question, Mansur fell silent for a moment to organize his thoughts. Once he had sorted them out to some extent, Mansur answered Jo Mal-saengs question. When encountering a fleet on the ocean, the types of fleets you usuallye across are mostly one of two. One is the ships of Chinese merchants, and the other is pirates. When pirates were mentioned, the atmosphere inside Geunjeongjeon Hall turned grave. Jo Mal-saeng hurriedly asked a follow-up question. How well-armed are the pirates? Are there pirates armed with firearms? I have yet to encounter pirates armed with firearms. As for their military strength Since receiving Your Majestys grace and equipping my ships with firearms, I havent encountered any threatening pirates. Oh! At Mansurs answer, the atmosphere inside Geunjeongjeon Hall brightened again. As Jo Mal-saengs questions ended, Kim Jeom stepped forward and asked. What are the products favored by the rulers and people of Tianzhu? Recently, mirrors made by the Catholics have been gaining poprity. At Mansurs answer, Sejong and the ministers simultaneously had the same thought. Is this the beginning of thepetition the Crown Prince mentioned? *** Until recently, mirrors were always among the items Mansur purchased inrge quantities. He used to buy mirrors of various price ranges and types, but during hisst visit, he only purchased high-end products. When Kim Jeom summoned Mansur and asked for the reason after receiving the report, Mansur provided the exnation. The Catholics have started producing mirrors. Of course, the quality is iparably crudepared to Joseons mirrors, but the price is cheap. *** The question-and-answer session continued on various topics. The meeting finally ended in the evening. As the meeting wasing to a close, Sejong instructed Mansur. As I mentioned before, we desire to trade with Tianzhu. For this endeavor to seed, your assistance is crucial. Therefore, I ask that you do your utmost. This is a matter that must seed for the future of our Joseon and yours. At Sejongs request, Mansur bowed his head. I will do my best. *** With the departure approaching, Mansur began selecting the goods to take and sell in Alexandria. However, Mansur was filled with worries. Joseon will also start trading in Alexandria from now on, right? Most likely. Why? Are you worried that your trading group will go bankrupt? In response to Kim Jeoms question, Mansur nodded. Seeing Mansurs face full of concern, Kim Jeom promptly replied. In that case, focus on purchasing small and expensive items. We will take care of ceramics, cotton cloth, and gold leaf. As for ceramics When Mansur expressed his regret, as ceramics were one of the items the damn Catholics bought on sight, Kim Jeom smiled slightly and answered. We also need to make a profit, dont we? Thats true, but If youre that worried, go outside and take a look. There are many items sold in the market that arent avable here. Is that so? Indeed. I understand. Taking Kim Jeoms advice, Mansur went to the market with an interpreter. Coincidentally, construction was in full swing on the streets toy tracks for trains to run on. What are the iron pirsid in the ground used for? Theyre the tracks for trains to run on. And what are trains? They use water and fire to pull the wagons. Tilting his head at the interpreters exnation, Mansur asked again. They use water and fire? How do they do that? In response to Mansurs question, the interpreter chuckled and replied. If I knew that, Id be in Area 51, not here. Area 51 Hearing the interpreters answer, an old memory resurfaced in Mansurs mind. When he was told that a considerable number of devices made and used by Joseon came from Area 51, Mansur asked Hassan. Can I take a tour of Area 51? At Mansurs question, Hassans face instantly turned pale. Hassan, even breaking out in a cold sweat, dissuaded Mansur. Dont even mention the word Area 51! Beside him, Syed was also pale and sweating profusely. *** As he walked through the market streets, browsing various items, Mansurs gaze became fixated on one particr item. What captivated Mansurs attention was a folding fan. Wee! Oh? Youre a Muslim? As the shop assistant looked at Mansur with a curious expression, the interpreter intervened. You know the ships that arrived at Jemulpo? Hes the owner of those ships. Is that so? Then how may I assist you? Hearing the interpreters words, the shop assistant immediately responded with a business smile. As he walked through the market streets, Mansur was able to reap a more fruitful harvest than expected. There were numerous items with good marketability. You must keep the deadline. Hearing Mansurs request through the interpreter, the merchants replied while tapping their chests. Dont worry! Meeting the delivery date is a merchants lifeblood is our motto! And the Joseon merchants kept their promise. Thus, havingpleted all the preparations, Mansurs merchant group departed from Jemulpo. Chapter 297 Chapter 297 Departing from Jemulpo, Mansurs fleet once again dropped anchor at the Jeo Right Naval Station. The reason for visiting the Jeo Right Naval Station was because of the Joseon fleet apanying them this time. Once they set out into the open sea, propermunication would be difficult until they entered a port, so they had to discuss issues that might arise in advance, starting with setting the route. These are the captains of the warships that will be moving with you this time. From here, we have Commander Oh Ha-seok, Commander Kim Sang-il, and Commander Kang Nam-gil. Pleased to meet you. Its a pleasure to meet you. After a simple introduction, a discussion took ce between Mansur and the navalmanders with a nautical chart in the center. Quite arge number of people attended the meeting. Mansur and the interpreter, the captains of the challenger-ss warships, the navalmissioner and key officers of the Jeo Right Naval Station, andstly, an official who hade down from Hanseong were all present.The official was apanying them to take on the task of writing a travelogue during this voyage. And he began his duties by recording this meeting. The document recording the proceedings of this meeting was to be sent straight to Hanseong. This is a remarkably detailed nautical chart. When Mansur expressed his admiration upon seeing the map spread out on the table in the center of the conference room, the Joseon navalmanders responded with a bitter smile. The map Mansur was looking at was a copy of the map included in the records of Zheng Hes voyages. First, what are the dangerous areas on the route to Tianzhu? In response to the navalmissioners question, Mansur pointed out three locations. If we talk about it in order of proximity to Joseon, first theres Dongfan (Taiwan), next is the Qiongya (Hainan) region. Lastly, its the strait around a. The navalmanders, examining the ces Mansur pointed to, all nodded their heads. Theyre ces where pirates are likely to run rampant. Especially the strait near the ce called a reminds me of our Joseons South Sea. All three locations Mansur identified were straits where the distance between the maind and inds narrowed. What about the Penghu Inds here? Mansur, after confirming the location in response to the navalmissioners question, promptly answered. The Penghu Inds are patrolled by the Kitai no, the Ming navy. Then what about the Dongfan next to it? There are rumors that the Chinese poption in Dongfan is gradually increasing, but its still dangerous. Its known as a den of pirates. Is that so? Its an area the Ming Dynasty is paying attention to, I suppose. There are rumors that the Ming is trying to establish dominance over Dongfan, Penghu, and Qiongya, but it wont be easy except for Penghu. Because both inds are veryrge and are known as dens of pirates of considerable scale. Especially Qiongya, which is also close to Dai Viet (Vietnam). I see. Then going straight to a would be the safest? Mansur nodded at the navalmissioners question. Thats the mostmon route. Do you have ns to visit ces like the Jiangnan region of the Ming, Dai Viet, or Siam (Ayutthaya Kingdom, Thand)? Not this time. If we go straight like that, how long would it take? ording to Commander Oh Ha-seoks reportst time, it seems to take about a month? It usually takes that long. With favorable winds and currents, it can be shortened, but thats not an easy feat. Mansur provided additional exnations about the monsoon winds and ocean currents. Since all themanders attending the meeting were experienced veterans, they immediately understood and added their own remarks. They will be helpful on the way there, but they will hinder us on the way back. Indeed. We will definitely need a stopover on the way back. Considering the carrying capacity of our ships, wont a stopover be unnecessary even on the return trip? Themanders engaged in a debate following Mansurs exnation. The captainsmanding the challenger-ss warships argued that a stopover was unnecessary, while the othermanders argued that a stopover was needed. Enough. At the navalmissioners order, themanders who were raising their voices fell silent. As themanders fell silent, the navalmissioner reached a conclusion. Everyones opinions have valid points, but I believe its premature. We will make a judgment based on the results we obtain from the uing voyage. Yes, sir. Having sorted out the situation, the navalmissioner turned to Mansur. By the way, you mentioned earlier that the Ming navy patrols the Penghu Inds. Is there a Ming naval station on the Penghu Inds? As far as I know, there isnt. ording to rumors, they tried to establish one several times but gave up due to harassment from pirates. Is that so? Hearing Mansurs answer, the navalmissioner smacked his lips and muttered inwardly. The issue of the Penghu Inds seems to be a matter of politics rather than military. It wont be easy. *** Looking at the nautical chart created through Zheng Hes voyages, the Penghu Inds appeared to be a very desirable location. ording to Zheng Hes records, the archipgo consisted of dozens ofrge and small inds, with fourrge inds clustered in the northern part of the archipgo. The navalmanders who saw the nautical chart unanimously eximed to Sejong. Its the perfect location for a shelter harbor! The fourrge inds clustered together could serve as a barrier to blockrge waves or winds. Moreover, there wererge passages to the north and south, making it convenient for ships to enter and exit. Its not just the best as a shelter harbor. If we can secure this ce, we can gain control over the southern trade routes! As the navalmanders made their arguments, Sejong, who was examining the nautical chart, asked them. Your opinions seem to be correct. Then, could it be that the Ming is unaware of it? Isnt this nautical chart itself made by the Ming? At Sejongs point, the navalmanders became as silent as ms. Seeing themanders like that, Sejong reached a conclusion. We will gather more detailed information through this voyage and then make a decision. We shall obey yourmand! It was because of this incident that the navalmissioner of the Jeo Right Naval Station asked Mansur just in case. And having heard Mansurs answer, the navalmissioner concluded that this issue was a matter of politics. *** Two dayster, thebined fleet of Mansurs merchant group and the Joseon Navy left the Jeo Right Naval Station and headed out to the open sea. The voyage was smooth until they passed Jeju Ind and entered the East China Sea. The wind was favorable, and the waves were calm. Thanks to that, Mansur had the leisure to let his mind wander. Mansur smacked his lips as he looked at the challenger-ss ship no. 1 sailing at a slight distance. What a desirable ship. Tsk. After smacking his lips several times, Mansur struck up a conversation with the captain. What do you think of that Joseon ship, Captain? Its the best. Isnt it? *** Before departure, Mansur had the opportunity to properly observe the challenger-ss warships. Upon seeing the ships, Mansur eximed in admiration. Amazing! Truly amazing! Not only Mansur but also the captains of the merchant ships who had joined him in observing eximed in admiration. What a magnificent ship! To think such a massive thing floats on water! Its armament and sturdiness are top-notch! As he eximed in admiration, Mansur asked the navalmissioner. This may be a presumptuous question, but how much would I have to pay to purchase this ship? Thats quite a presumptuous question, isnt it? However, since youre the head of a merchant group with deep ties to our Joseon, Ill answer. 100,000 nyang of gold. And thats the lowest price. Hup! Mansur hupped at the enormous amount. One nyang of gold was equivalent to 10 Vian gold ducats. In simple terms, it meant that one ship cost 1 million ducats. To sum it up, it was more than half of the profits earned from selling the goods brought from Joseon. It was the entire years profit when considering the portion to be shared with the Azram family. Oh, that excludes the price of the loaded firearms. Hup! Hup! In the end, Mansur, who had retreated while only smacking his lips, muttered as he looked back at the challenger-ss ship from a distance. It will be slow because of itsrge size. It will also require arge crew. Then it wont be profitable. Mansur wasforting himself by forcibly presenting negative opinions. *** Whether he knew Mansurs inner thoughts or not, the captain added. Do you know? Those ships havent even fully unfurled their sails. Yet they are moving at the same speed as our ships. Our ships are also known for their speed, but those ships are remarkable. Is, is that so Ha, hahaha The more Mansur listened to the captains words, the more bitter he felt. They are truly amazing ships. Our ships are also quiterge, but next to those ships, they look like toy boats. That, thats true If the Iberian bastards saw them, their eyes would roll back in their heads. Not only the ships but we should definitely acquire and install those navigation lights. Mansur nodded at the captains words. *** During the route between Joseon and Cipangu (Japan), the Joseon ships took the lead. It was a route well-known to the Joseon Navy, and it was also to prevent any possible attacks from the Japanese pirates. Mansur and the captains were able to observe the challenger-ss warships sailing ahead of them in detail from behind. In the process, they discovered something peculiar: the navigation lights that were lit when the sun went down. As the sun began to set, the Joseon sailors lit the fourrgenterns attached to the front and back of the ship. The twonterns attached to the left and right of the bow were simple oilmps, but the twonterns attached to the rear were very unusual. When viewed from behind, thentern on the left had blue ss, while thentern on the right had red ss. Not only the colors but also the shapes were unusual. The elongated rectangrnterns were divided into twopartments, top and bottom. Using the shape of thesenterns, the Joseon sailors determined the distance from theirpanion ships. If they saw just round red and blue lights, it meant the ships were far apart. In this case, they could avoid falling behind by following those lights. If the red and blue lights appeared as rectangles, it meant they were maintaining an appropriate distance. And if the divided shape was clearly visible, it meant they had gotten too close and needed to quickly increase the distance. It was an ingenious method to maintain the distance between ships using a simple and easy approach. This was also Hyangs creation. The most important thing to avoid is a traffic ident While searching for a way to prevent collision idents between ships, Hyang adapted a method used by the German military on their armored vehicles during World War II. At that time, the tail lights attached to German military vehicles, especially tanks, consisted of two square red lights as a set. If it was just a red light, it meant the distance was far. If it was two square red lights, it meant an appropriate distance. If it was four red lights, it meant they were in close proximity. Of course, the shapes were different, but other countries also used simr methods. Having created the signal lights by adapting the German militarys method, Hyang immediately installed them on the panokseon for field evaluation. Before conducting the field evaluation, the navalmanders all tilted their heads. Is it really necessary when we stay in the port at night? However, as the range of activities of the Joseon Navy expanded and they began voyagessting several days, themanders had to apologize to Hyang right away. Please forgive our foolishness, Your Highness! *** Thus, the voyage continued peacefully. It was a peaceful voyage, except for Mansur, who was struggling to soothe his bitter heart. However, as the fleet approached Taiwan, uninvited guests appeared. Poooo~. A loud trumpet sound rang out from the merchant ship belonging to Mansurs group, which was moving at the front of the fleet. At the sound of the trumpet signaling an emergency, Mansur, who was in his cabin, rushed out onto the deck and sought out the captain. Captain! Whats going on! Pirates! The captain answered briefly and shouted at the sailors. Prepare for battle! Prepare for battle! At the captainsmand, the sailors removed the coverings on the cannons and brought up gunpowder, cannonballs, and fire arrows from the hold. Captain! Over there! At the sailors shout, who was observing the sea, the captain and Mansur turned their heads in the direction the sailor was pointing. There, the Joseon warships were unfurling all the remaining sails that had been folded until then. As all the sails were fully unfurled, the Joseon military ships slowly increased their speed and began to advance forward. It was the beginning of the first battle where the challenger-ss warships, boasting all sorts of ominous nicknames and infamy such as The Nightmare of Pirates, The Terror of Pirates, and The Tyrant of the Seas, would publicly showcase theirbat capabilities. Chapter 298 Chapter 298 All sails have been unfurled! Were at maximum speed! Indeed! Well done! In response to the reports from his subordinates, Kang Nam-gil, the captain of the challenger-ss ship no. 3 Maengjin (also known as Brave Advance), clenched his fist and cheered. Beside Nam-gil, who was cheering, the lieutenant directing the marines raised his voice. It seems faster than the top speed we reached during training! Good! Good! Nam-gil, who had been nodding continuously, raised his voice. The name of our ship is Maengjin! Crush those pirates in a manner befitting the ships name! Aye!The marines responded loudly to Nam-gilsmand. The morale of the marines andmanders was sky-high. However, there were two individuals who werent. Bleurgh! Ugh! The ones retching through the open window of the cabin at the stern were the physicians who had boarded this ship for the first time. The physicians, who had taken the seasickness medicine prepared just in case, sighed. The ship and the crew Even the name was ominous. *** After the challenger-ss ship no. 1 was named Challenger, the subsequent challenger-ss warships continued to be given challenging names. The name of ship no. 2 was Invincible, followed by Maengjin for ship no. 3, and Jinchwi (Taking Initiative) for ship no. 5. It was the same for the Haeung-ss ships. Starting from ship no. 2, they were named after fast raptors or beasts of prey. As a result, those who had toe up with the ship names and present them to Sejong had to wrestle with dictionaries. They could just use ce names like before! Although there were those who cried out like that, it was difficult to do so because the panokseon had already imed those names. *** When the Joseon Navy selected the captains for the challenger-ss and Haeung-ss warships, there was only one criterion. Since they will be experiencing unknown regions they have never encountered before, we should choose those with a strong sense of adventure and excellent adaptability. Based on this criterion, the Navy began selecting suitable captains. Arent they getting ahead of themselves? Senior officers from the General Staff and the Army expressed concerns when they saw the Navys movements. It was because the Navy had already started selectingmanders when the design ns for the challenger-ss ships had just beenpleted. However, the Navy scoffed at such concerns. Hah! If we select people after the ships are built, it will be toote! We need to screen them leisurely in advance and then choose from among them to select the right ones in a timely manner! In the end, this issue was brought to Sejong, and Sejong sided with the Navy. The Navys argument is reasonable. Those chosen through this process were individuals like Oh Ha-seok. The reason Oh Ha-seoks group apanied Mansur to Aden was not merely to educate them on the use of firearms. It was for them to see and experience the reality of the open sea, which was different from the familiar coastal waters of Joseon, as futuremanders of the ocean-going fleet. As a side note, as the challenger-ss warships were steadilyunched, Hyang also had the opportunity to meet the captains. After meeting with the captains, Hyang was inwardly astounded. What, what are these lunatics? Hyang was unaware that he himself was also quite a lunatic. *** In many aspects, Kang Nam-gil was a symbol of such lunatics. He will either be a famous general or a notorious bandit. This was the assessment of the elders of his family and the vige elders who had seen Nam-gil in his childhood. Although he was from a civil official family, due to his personality, Nam-gil entered the civil service through the military examination. After bing a military officer, Nam-gil steadily built his career in the Army and the Navy. He served as a cavalrymander, engaging in pursuits with the Jurchen tribes, and alsomanded warships in the Tsushima conquest force led by Yi Jong-mu. While typical military officers preferred eithernd or sea assignments, Nam-gil enjoyed both. Onnd, he enjoyed galloping on horseback across the ins of Liaodong as a cavalrymander, and after transferring to the Navy, he loved firing the cannons mounted on warships. What Nam-gil disliked was being cooped up in a fortress or camp. As time passed and the separation of military branches progressed through Sejongs Reformation n, Joseons military officers had to decide on their career paths. From then on, those in the Navy would continue to serve in the Navy, and those in the Army would continue to live as Army personnel. Therefore, officers like Nam-gil had to decide on their future paths. While pondering over this, an interesting rumor reached Nam-gils ears. C The Crown Prince argued before the King and the ministers, For Joseon to expand, we must gain control of the sea! C It is said that the King also acknowledged the validity of the Crown Princes words! Upon hearing the rumor, Nam-gil felt as if the hazy fog in his mind had cleared up. Thats right! It has always been said that a man should y in the great waters! Isnt the sea the true great water? Hahaha! The colleagues who heard Nam-gils words beside him whispered softly. Is that the great water hes referring to? Probably not. In any case, because Nam-gils abilities, experience, and achievements were quite good, he was able to be the captain of a newly constructed challenger-ss warship. Good! Very good! Nam-gil was very satisfied when he saw the new warship. It was fast and had many cannons. *** Since most of the captains of the new warships were capable lunatics simr to Nam-gil, the marines under theirmand were also not to be taken lightly. The recruitment of marines for the new warships was based on volunteers first. When the marines saw the recruitment notices posted at the naval bases across Joseon, their initial reaction was negative. Why would I join a voyage to an unknown ce, not knowing when Ill return? Its not like I have a spare life. However, the marines who had apanied Mansurs merchant ships and traveled to Aden and Alexandria with Oh Ha-seok immediately volunteered to be crew members of the new warships. The crew members who had been to unfamiliar foreign countries shared their experiences with their colleagues. The courtesans in the brothels of Alexandria have hair like flowing gold, and their breasts and buttocks are asrge as wooden bowls! Just by taking amon wooden bowl from Joseon and selling it there, you can easily earn several nyang of gold! In that ce, they sell spices like pepper as if they were selling rice in the market! Influenced by those tales mixed with tremendous exaggeration and a bit of truth, the marines gradually began to waver. Furthermore, Mansurs fleet, which regrly visited Joseon, also swayed the hearts of the marines. As the Oeguija (ck ghost, referring to ck people) sailors, who had distinctly different skin colors and appearances from Joseon, Japanese, or Chinese people, became familiar, curiosity began to overpower fear. And at the right moment, the court posted a new recruitment notice. C Additional reward money will be provided. Lets go! Hooray! The recruitment notice worked like magic, and the application reception desk was overflowing. Interestingly, this was not limited to within the Navy. Many young men who heard this rumor knocked on the doors of the naval bases. It was a different situation from the past when people avoided the Navy, saying, The body is noble, but the work is lowly. *** Because the ship was filled with such individuals, the atmosphere on the Maengjin was not one of fear but of excitement. However, the soldiers andmanders handling the cannons did not lose theirst bit of reason. Handle them carefully! If you make a mistake, its not those pirates who will be fish food, but you! Yes, sir! Once the preparations wereplete, the gunnery officersmanding the cannons on the first and second decks shouted, gripping the speaking trumpets. Preparationsplete! The cannons are reported to be ready. Upon receiving the lieutenants report, Kang Nam-gil checked other aspects. What about the deployment of the grapeshot cannons and musketeers on the first deck? Completed, sir! Are the musketeers all positioned in the crows nest? Completed, sir! After receiving the lieutenants report, Kang Nam-gil turned his head back. The other two sister ships were following the Maengjin he was on, maintaining an appropriate distance and forming a single-column formation. Indeed Satisfied with the swift and precise movements of thepanion ships, befitting the notorious reputation of the Joseon Navy in the coastal waters of Joseon after the Reformation n, Nam-gil took out his telescope, fully extended it, and observed the pirate ships. Their size is about the same as the grain transport ships The number is roughly twenty or so? And theyre clustered together appropriately. How grateful can I be? Having assessed the situation, Nam-gil handed the telescope to the lieutenant, opened the door to the wheelhouse, and shouted. Proceed straight ahead! Straight ahead! After issuing themand, Nam-gil envisioned the uing situation while looking at the pirate ships. The Joseon fleet, forming a single-column formation, would charge into the center of the clustered pirate group and tear the concentrated pirate fleet apart. Hah! Theyre probably experiencing this kind of battle for the first time. The expression on Nam-gils face as he gazed at the pirate ships resembled that of a beast of prey facing its prey. *** If Kang Nam-gil had the expression of a beast of prey facing its prey, Zhao, the leader of the pirate fleet, had a simr expression. Single-column formation? They intend to push through? Having discerned the formation arranged by the Joseon fleet, Zhao slightly nodded his head. With that size, its understandable for them to have such thoughts. I dont know which country made them, but their size is substantial. The grayrge warships approaching from the front were of considerable size. They were asrge as the supply ships he hadst seen in Zheng Hes fleet a few years ago. The problem was that he had never seen such ships before. He had never seen simr-looking ships in the Ming, Japan, or even Joseon in the corner. However, they have underestimated us too much. His own fleet was alsoposed of individuals who had been pirating for generations on this rough sea. If they were relying solely on their size to prate through, it would be a fatal misjudgment. And Zhao nced at the deck of the ship he was on. On the deck were six cannons. They were the Ming armys cannons he had secretly obtained through contact with a Ming ck market dealer not long ago. *** They were fearsome things that could fire heavy iron balls weighing nearly 30 geun (approx. 18 kg) up to a distance of about 200 bo (approx. 240 m). The ck market dealer who had handed over the cannons boasted confidently. These are the best cannons of the Ming army! Theres nothing that can beat them! In response to Zhaos words, the ck market dealer shook his head. Joseon? Ah, Joseon also uses cannons a lot. But how good can the performance of cannons made by such a small country be? These cannons are made in the Ming, the Ming! Pondering the ck market dealers words, Zhao snapped out of his thoughts and assessed the situation. Are the cannons ready? Yes, leader! Are the fire arrows properly prepared as well? Yes, leader! This time, make sure to aim only at the sails. Dont hit useless spots likest time and make us struggle to put out the fire. Yes, leader! Fire arrows were one of the favored attack methods used by pirates. Fire was the greatest enemy of wooden ships. Of course, the hull that had been floating on the sea for a long time and had absorbed moisture did not easily catch fire. However, the moment those fire arrows hit their target, the attention of the crew on the opposing side would be diverted, creating an opening. In addition to that purpose, fire arrows were also useful because the first thing they aimed at when shooting fire arrows was the sails of the enemy ship. The moment the sails caught fire, the enemy would be like a fish on a cutting board. Having confirmed the readiness of his subordinate pirates, Zhao surveyed the other pirate ships. As the enemy ships approached in a single-column formation, thepanion ships were slowly gathering around. The moment the enemies in the single-column formation charged into the center, the pirate ships that had gathered around would all pounce on them. Those unfamiliar ships might intend to rely solely on their size and break through, but the situation would be like a wild boar trapped in a. Chapter 299 Chapter 299 It appears the pirate ships are gathering. In response to the lieutenants report, Kang Nam-gil replied with a sneer. Are they trying to weave a in the sky and on the ground? Foolish bastards. *** Constructing multipleyers of defensive lines with arge number of troops to defend against an enemy charging in with a single-point attack was one of themon defensive tactics. Among the Joseon militarymanders, it was known by the nickname the in the sky and on the ground. No matter how strong the attacking force of the enemy attempting the charge was, if they had to break through two or three defensive lines, their strength would rapidly decrease, and they would eventually copse and be counterattacked. The most famousrge-scale application of this tactic was the renowned Battle of Kursk. That was why Kang Nam-gil scoffed at the pirates movements.If this were onnd, choosing the in the sky and on the ground could be considered a fairly good method. Onnd, even hastily constructed defensive structures could be firmly fixed, making it possible to bind the enemys feet. However, the ce where they and the pirates were currently located was the sea. Unless they rammed their ships into the bow of the Maengjin, they could not stop the Maengjins advance. With the size and sturdiness of the Maengjin, the pirate ships, whosergest ships were only about the size of grain transport ships, would bounce off unless they collided head-on. Moreover, if their feet were bound ording to the pirates intentions, it would be problematic for the pirates themselves. The Maengjin was muchrger than their ships and was heavily armed with cannons and muskets. *** The most important thing is As Kang Nam-gil watched the approaching pirate fleet, he turned his head back and looked at the sister ships following behind. The opponent we have to fight is not just the Maengjin, and I have no intention of bing a sacrificialmb. The movements of the pirate fleet were simr to a pack of wolves hunting a herd of deer. They would choose a suitable target and attack it as a group. They might miss the rest, but they would surely capture the prey they targeted to fill their bellies. *** Kang Nam-gil raised his voice toward the marines. Listen up, soldiers! After gathering the attention of the marines on the first deck, Nam-gil continued. We are the first Joseon fleet to set foot in this sea! Generally, when moving to a new neighborhood, it is our custom to offer at least a piece of barley cake! Therefore, treat them with utmost sincerity! Do your best to send those bastards to the Dragon Pce! That is the highest form of hospitality! The marines on the first deck and those on the second deck, who heard his words through the speaking trumpet, simultaneously raised their fists and shouted. Hooray! At that moment, a marine observing the pirates from the crows nest sent a signal. The enemy ships have entered firing range! Upon receiving the lieutenants report, Kang Nam-gil stretched themand baton he was holding upward. Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! After taking deep breaths, Nam-gil swung themand baton downward. Fire! Fire! Bang! Bang! Bang! Instantly, with a thunderous roar of cannons, both sides of the Maengjins massive hull were shrouded in smoke. *** The pirate ships that approached the Maengjin and were hit by the barrage were in utter chaos. What kind of cannonball flies 200 jang (approx. 600 meters)! Captain Wang Yi, who had approached the ship of an unfamiliar design as a target and unexpectedly received a barrage, shouted with a half-dazed expression. Damage report? None! Chief! Over there! Over there! At the subordinates shout, Wang Yi looked in the direction the subordinate was pointing and gritted his teeth. Damn it! In the direction the subordinate pointed, the ships of his fellow pirates, which had been racing across the sea alongside his ship, were tilting to one side. It was evident at a nce that they had suffered serious damage and were in a life-threatening situation. The problem was that it wasnt just one or two ships in such a state. Chief! Should we retreat? Dont say such ridiculous things! If we tuck our tails and run now, do you think the other bastards will leave us alone? But Keep rowing! We need to get within 50 jang (approx. 160 meters) to fire the iron pellets! Move! We can only survive if we move! Yes, Chief! Row! At Wang Yismand, the pirates gripping the oars began rowing, gritting their teeth. *** Hurry and plug the hole! If you dont want to be fish food, hurry and plug the hole! Jang Hak-su, who was leading one of the pirate ships approaching to attack the Maengjin, desperately shouted while holding onto the railing. The pirate ship he was steering was slowly sinking from the stern. Jang Hak-sus pirate ship was aiming for the left side of the Maengjin and approaching. However, unfortunately, the direction in which his pirate ship was approaching precisely ovepped with the line of fire of one of the cannons installed on the second deck of the Maengjin. And the Joseon Navy was not one to miss such luck. The cannonball fired by the Joseon Navy grazed right next to the second mast of the pirate ship, prated the deck, and punched a hole in the bottom of the stern. As water flowed in through that hole, Jang Hak-sus ship began sinking from the stern. Although a considerable number of pirate ships suffered fatal injuries from the initial barrage, the pirates persistently approached the Maengjin. And as if waiting for them, the Maengjins second barrage followed. Bang! Bang! Bang! Once again, the Joseon militarys cannonballs pounded the pirate ships. The second barrage inflicted even more severe losses on the pirates. While the cannonballs used in the first barrage were solid cannonballs, simple iron balls, the second cannonballs were explosive shells designed to fit the Type B General Cannon exclusively made for the challenger-ss and Haeung-ss ships. *** The intention was to configure the explosive shell cannons and regr cannons separately, simr to the operation method of the Land Forces and panokseon, but due to efficiency issues, Hyang developed the Type B General Cannon. To be precise, it was more of Hyangs indulgence in his hobbies under the pretext of efficiency. Regardless of how it started, the Type B General Cannon boasted even better performance than the Type A General Cannon and increased efficiency by using only two types of shells: the Type B Iron Bullet and the Type B Explosive Shell. *** The explosive shells that were fired exploded above the pirate ships, on their decks, or after prating the decks and reaching the rowers area. This was a method devised while dealing with the Japanese pirates and the fake Japanese pirates in the West Sea. The purpose was to inflict more serious damage to the hull and the Japanese pirates or fake Japanese pirates on board by exploding in multiple locations. And the pirates who were hit by those shells were experiencing a living hell. Ugh The pirate Oh Ah-sam held his bloodied left arm and surveyed the surrounding deck. Around him, blood from his fellow pirates was flowing profusely. Arms and legs of unknown ownership were scattered everywhere, and his fellow pirates who had escaped instant death but were seriously injured were writhing and screaming in agony amidst the sea of blood. Oh Ah-sam looked at the mast he was leaning against. Thanks to the thick mast, as thick as the waist of an adult man, shielding his body, Oh Ah-sam ended up only losing his left arm. Barely getting up, Oh Ah-sam approached a hole pierced in the deck. Bleurgh! Looking down through the pierced hole, Oh Ah-sam immediately vomited. The sunlight streaming through the hole and a few other pierced holes revealed the gruesome scene below. Below the deck, none of his fellow pirates and ves who were rowing had survived. Such a tragedy did not ur only on Oh Ah-sams ship. Thud! With a loud noise, a ck iron ball lodged into the mast, and the gazes of Gong Sam-nam and his fellow pirates all turned toward the mast. And at that very moment, the iron ball lodged in the mast exploded. Bang! Simultaneously with the explosion, the iron pellets inside the shell, the fragmented pieces of the shells casing, and the shattered wooden fragments of the mast mercilessly tore through the bodies of the pirates nearby. The explosive shells demonstrated even more terrifying power at sea than onnd. Considering the possibility of falling into the sea, most pirates were not wearing armor. Even those wearing armor only had small metal tes covering important vital points, such as a heart protector. Moreover, they were crammed together on the narrow deck of a ship, which was at best the size of a grain transport ship. Therefore, when an explosive shell detonated in the middle of the pirates gathered in this manner, it was not umon for a single fragment to kill two or three pirates simultaneously. *** The pirate fleet, which had been hit by the explosive shells in such a way, was facing a catastrophe. Kang Nam-gil, who was watching the pirate fleet that had turned into aplete mess, pointed to arge ship visible in the distance and turned to the lieutenant. No matter how you look at it, that one seems to be the gship, right? Indeed, sir! Then, we should go and greet them! Steer to port! Steer to port! At Nam-gilsmand, the helmsman vigorously turned the steering wheel. There are still quite a few of them left, though. In response to the lieutenants question, Nam-gil pointed behind him with his chin and answered. Were not the only ones here, are we? The lieutenant, who immediately understood Nam-gils words, replied with a grin. Understood! The Maengjin, which had torn apart the pirate fleet, turned its bow toward therge ship that appeared to be the gship to finish the job. *** Damn it! Zhao, the pirate leader, cursed as he faced a situationpletely different from his expectations. The ships of his subordinates, who had charged in like a pack of sharks targeting a whale, numbered 27 in total. However, with just two barrages, more than half of the ships had vanished. The ship they had targeted was not a whale but a killer whale. The killer whale, which had bitten off the smaller sharks, was now charging toward him. Leader, should we flee? With this slow-as-hell ship? At Zhaos retort, the subordinates mouth shut tightly. To amodate the cannons purchased from the Ming merchant, Zhaos ship had to undergo extensive reinforcement work. As a result, the weight-increased ship had be much slower. We cant even flee with this slow-as-hell ship. Even if we could flee, the leaders of the other fleets wouldnt stand still. Therefore, theres only one answer. We have no choice but to trust the cannons. The Ming army uses these cannons, so we have to trust them! Having made up his mind, Zhao shouted to his subordinates. Prepare the cannons! Were going to capture that damn bastard! Yes, sir! At maximum speed! Tell the rowers! Row until their arms fall off! Aye! Uaaah! The subordinates responded to Zhaosmand with a battle cry. Both Zhao and his subordinates were pirates to the core. As befitting those for whom death was amon urrence, their fighting spirit was instead rising. Thus, the ship Zhao was on began increasing its speed while directly facing the Maengjin. *** As the Maengjin drew closer, Zhao shouted. 80 bo! 80 bo! 80 bo (approx. 100 meters)! Light the fuse when its within 80 bo! Yes, sir! Hearing his subordinates response, Zhao gripped the railing and muttered. Damn cannons As the Ming merchant had said, the cannons Zhao had acquired could fire 30-geun (approx. 18 kg) iron balls up to a distance of 200 bo (approx. 240 meters). However, this was limited tond. This distance was possible when the gun carriage was firmly fixed on solid ground. But the ce where the cannons would be mounted was a ship. Pirate ships, in particr, which prioritized speed,cked sturdiness, so Zhao had to carry out extensive reinforcement work on his ship. Nevertheless, problems persisted. The ship could not withstand it if the cannons were fired with the maximum amount of gunpowder. Therefore, Zhao had to repair the ship again and reduce the amount of gunpowder loaded into the cannons. Due to the reduced gunpowder, to ensure the fired cannonballs had a proper effect, they had to approach the target within 100 bo (approx. 120 meters). *** The two ships, charging toward each other, finally crossed paths. The distance between the two ships was about 40 jang (approx. 120 meters). In a situation where each others sides were clearly visible, Kang Nam-gil and Zhao shouted simultaneously. Fire! Shoot! Bang! Bang! Bang! Missing at this distance is only possible for a blind person! 100 bo! This is enough! As Kang Nam-gil and Zhaos thoughts intersected, the iron balls from both sides crossed in the sky. And the fortunes were divided. Thud! Bang! The ship Zhao was on was pounded by the iron balls and explosive shells fired from the Maengjin, turning into a hole-ridden wreck and beginning to sink. Zhao, whose chest had been pierced by a wooden fragment thrown by the explosion of the shell, looked at the Maengjin with an unbelieving expression. The cannonballs fired from Zhaos ship had urately struck the hull of the Maengjin. However, the Maengjins hull easily deflected the 30-geun iron balls. Unbelievable These were Zhaosst words. *** Damage report? None, sir! As soon as the cannonballs from the pirate ship struck the hull, Kang Nam-gil immediately checked for damage. Upon receiving the report of no damage, Nam-gil unconsciously raised both arms and shouted. Long live His Highness the Crown Prince! It was because he remembered what Hyang had said when he first received the ship. C A hole in the hull of a challenger-ss warship? Unless it hits a reef, theres no way a hole will be made by any ordinary bombardment. *** The reason the Maengjin was able to withstand the 30-geun iron balls was that the tes constituting the sides of the hull were doubleyered, and not just a simple doubleyer. The method introduced by Hyang was the same method employed by the United States on frigates like the Constitution. It was a form of plywood without adhesive, simply put, crossing two sheets of ting. Thanks to this trick, the challenger-ss warships gained their notorious reputation. Chapter 300 Chapter 300 The battle with the pirates ended inplete victory for the Joseon Navy. After the Maengjin tore through and passed, the Challenger and the Invincible took care of the cleanup. During this cleanup process, the busiest ones were the marines in charge of the grapeshot cannons and the musketeers. Disassembling the single-column formation and splitting into two, the Challenger and the Invincible wiped out the remaining 11 pirate ships. In this process, the grapeshot cannons demonstrated their true value. Unlike the ships cannons, the grapeshot cannons, which could be reloaded quickly, cleaned the decks of the pirate ships that entered their range with the pirates blood. The musketeers were the same. Looking down from the high parts of the decks stern and the crows nest, the musketeers sniped the resisting pirates one by one. After the Challenger and the Invincible swept through, all that remained were 8 drifting pirate ships. On the decks of those drifting pirate ships, there were no living beings. And in the surrounding sea, sharks were gathering, attracted by the scent of blood. Having dealt with the pirate ships, the Challenger, the Invincible, and the Maengjin regrouped with Mansurs fleet. To be precise, they reduced their speed by folding some of the sails they had unfurled and waited for Mansurs fleet.As a result, Mansurs fleet had to pass through the sea where sharks were rampaging and roaming around. Seeing the drifting pirate ships and the dorsal fins of the sharks moving in all directions, Mansur and the sailors shuddered. How horrifying Im scared to see it again As the sailors muttered while rubbing their goosebump-covered arms, Mansur muttered with a serious expression. Should I just strip them bare and buy one? After contemting, Mansur casually spoke to the captain. Hey, Captain. Joseons new ships are quite remarkable, arent they? They are indeed remarkable. Should we acquire one? Well go bankrupt. Huh? The captain calmly exined to Mansur. The ships are certainly good. As good as their enormous price. But you see, whats the point of just buying the ship? We also need to purchase the cannons. When I observed themst time,pared to the size of the cannons mounted on those ships, the cannons loaded on our ships are like twigs. We could buy fewer cannons What about the gunpowder and ammunition? And how will you handle the crew? Thats As Mansur mumbled and tried to evade the question, the captain continued. Even if we put everything else aside, the timber used to construct those ships is from Joseon. If the ship needs repairs, well have no choice but to take it to Joseon. Wouldnt it be fine to use the trees from our homnd? The problem is that not all trees are the same. To conclude, it is indeed worth the price. However, considering the maintenance aspect, it will lead to bankruptcy. To properly operate those ships, it would only be possible for a country like Joseon to manage them or a merchant group receiving support from the state. Ugh, my stomach is churning again. Mansurs stomach was churning once more. *** Thebined fleet of Joseon and Mansur continued their smooth voyage thereafter. As they entered the Strait of a, known for its pirates, the Joseon Navy became tense again, but there were norge-scale pirate raids like the one near Taiwan. It was because the pirates, upon seeing the size of the challenger-ss warships, wisely kept their distance. Of course, there were pirates who, whether out of confidence or arrogance, attacked, but those who did so immediately disappeared into the sea. The pirates hiding in various parts of the Strait of a could all witness that scene. Seeing theirpetitors andrades disappear into the sea like that, the pirates never dared to touch thebined fleet of Joseon and Mansur. As a result, thebined fleet was able to safely arrive in a. *** As they approached the port of a, the challenger-ss warships began to furl their sails simultaneously. At the same time, they lowered small boats using pulleys. Once the small boats were safely lowered, ropes were thrown from the mothership. The small boats, tied with the ropes, began pulling the ships in unison. Thus, the challenger-ss warships and Mansurs fleets ships docked at the pier, and gangways were connected. As the enormous ships of an unfamiliar designcovered entirely in gray from the sails to the hulldocked, people from the port flocked to observe. The captains of the Challenger, the Invincible, and the Maengjin, neatly dressed in battle robes and battle hats, with their swords at their sides, descended the gangways. Following the captains, interpreters who could speak Chinese and officials from the Ministry of Finance descended the gangways. Shortly after, when Mansur joined the group, a group of soldiers appeared, pushing through the crowd. As the soldiers raised their voices, the people who had flocked to the pier made way, and well-dressed men revealed themselves. Seeing this, Oh Ha-seok gestured to the interpreter. Oh Ha-seok, who had previously visited this ce while sailing with Mansur, had discovered that among those managing this port, there was a Chinese person. Therefore, an interpreter was brought along for this voyage. While instructing to prepare the interpreter in this manner, Sejong could not hide his bitterness. ording to the reports Ive read, the merchants and people of the Ming have reached as far as Tianzhu. All this time, our Joseon has been living in such a small world. The interpreter, who stepped forward, announced their identity in fluent Chinese. We are on our way from Joseon to Tianzhu. We wish to stay briefly to replenish our food and water and take a rest. At the interpreters words, the Chinese officials face brightened. Oh! Joseon! You must have had a long journey! As long as you dont disturb the peace and conduct proper trade, you are wee to stay as long as you like! Thank you, sir. As permission was easily granted, Kang Nam-gil showed a surprised expression. I didnt expect permission to be granted so easily. Its unexpected. At Nam-gils words, Oh Ha-seok exined the reason. This port itself is a port for trade, so thats why. I heard that the Muslim ruler called the Sultan, who governs this port and the surrounding area, umtes wealth through trade. Oh~. At Ha-seoks exnation, Nam-gil lightly nodded his head. Anyway, since the situation has been resolved easily, lets move quickly. Lets start the replenishment in earnest from tomorrow, and in the meantime, lets have our men take turns going ashore to get a whiff of thend. More like the scent of alcohol. Speaking of which, I hope the interpreter properly made arrangements with the officials. He said to follow the soldiers who wille shortly. Then we should prepare some tonics. The captain of the Invincible gave an order to the lieutenant in a low voice. Shortly after, the crew of the Invincible descended with small boxes. Not long after, a group of soldiers reappeared. A new Chinese person who came with the soldiers spoke to the interpreter. The interpreter conveyed the Chinese persons words to the captains. The ce is ready, so pleasee with us. Then, well be in your care. *** Thanks to the medicinegenuine high-quality ginseng and deer antlersdelivered at the banquet held on the evening of the first day of entry, the replenishment that began the following day proceeded smoothly. In fact, the officials of a had no choice but to show goodwill. The captains and officials from the Ministry of Finance had mentioned that there would be regr visits in the future, and moreover, upon hearing that tin was as main export item, they showed deep interest. It was absolutely uneptable to mistreat those who could potentially be major customers. Chinese merchants at the port stepped forward to conduct the trade of rice and other vegetable varieties. Ask them if its okay to pay with Joseons silver banknotes. Upon hearing Oh Ha-seoks words through the interpreter, the Chinese merchantsughed heartily and replied. They say its fine. In fact, they prefer banknotes. Thats a relief. Then, since were buying so much, ask them to give us a discount. *** The marines, who had been busy with replenishment work during the day, waited for the sun to set. As the sun set, the marines whose turn it was to go out prepared to disembark from the ship with excitement. The captains stepped forward in front of the marines who hadpleted the head count at the gangway. Its fine to go out and take a break, but dont overdo it. As you all know, there are many people curious about this ship. You know what I mean, right? Yes, Captain! After the captains admonition, the physicians on board stepped forward. Its fine to go out and drink, but keep a tight grip on your waist. Theres no medicine for venereal diseases. Yes, Physician. With the physicians advice, the crew members disembarked from the ship and left the pier, but soon had puzzled expressions on their faces. Where should we go? Right Should we ask the Muslim crew members who came with us? Do you know the Muslimnguage? As they pondered how to escape the tricky situation, the crew members soon reached a conclusion. Damn it! Lets trust our noses! We have no choice The crew members, who had been unable to touch alcohol for nearly a month, were that desperate. *** The Joseon marines, who had flocked out in groups, indeed roamed the alleys of the port of a in droves. Seeing the Joseon marines who had flocked out, the residents of the port of a observed them as if watching a curious spectacle, and the Joseon marines also observed the residents of a with simr expressions. What kind of clothes are those Its like wrapping a singleyer of a nket around oneself. Hmm, its indecent The curves of the body are fully exposed. The Joseon marines experienced culture shock upon seeing the sarongs and kains worn by the Mys living in a. The clothes made of thin fabric for venttion fully revealed the lines of the body. Is that important right now? Dont you know whats important? However, the Joseon marines immediately shifted their gazes. They were ustomed to the etiquette of not carelessly looking at other women, but the biggest reason was that they were too desperate for alcohol. **** Sniff! Sniff, sniff! Sniff! Its the smell of alcohol! As they roamed the alleys, the marines soon caught the scent of alcohol and began moving in the direction of the smell. The Joseon marines, who had found a tavern by following the scent, had a hollow expression on their faces. Its right in front of us! That damn smell of fermented fish The Joseon marines, ming the pungent smell of fish sauce, a traditional Southeast Asian condiment, flocked to the tavern. The Joseon marines, who had flocked to the tavern, saw the signboard written in Chinese characters and nodded their heads. We found the right ce! Although the signboard was scribbled and fancily written, they clearly recognized the Chinese character ơ (alcohol). Owner, alcohol! Give us some alcohol! Seeing the Joseon marines who had flocked in and filled the first and second floors, the owner, who had been standing in a daze, soon came to his senses and kicked the waiters buttocks. What are you doing! Serve tea immediately! Yes, yes! As the waiters served tea, the marines also regained some of their senses and began to converse. By the way, what should we use to pay? We received our sry, didnt we? Thats Joseon money. Is this Joseon? Ah When the issue of money arose, the most senior soldiers stepped forward. The senior soldiers walked up to the owner, took out their wallets, showed the silver banknotes, and used their fingers dipped in tea to write on the counter. (Possible) (No) Seeing the characters written by the soldiers and the silver banknotes, the owner soon understood the meaning and nodded his head vigorously, writing with his finger as well. (Possible) Confirming the owners answer, the senior soldiers faces brightened, and they wrote again. (Alcohol) (Plenty) (Urgent) Seeing the characters, the owner smiled brightly and nodded. The senior soldiers who returned to their seats informed the other soldiers of the result. They ept silver banknotes. Hurray! Shortly after, alcohol and snacks began to be served on the soldiers tables, and the soldiers cheerfully began to enjoy their drinks. As the drinking session unfolded, the low-ranking officers with the rank of Jinmu and the senior soldiers became curious about something other than alcohol. I heard that our countrys silver banknotes are widely used, but I didnt expect them to be epted here as well. Indeed, youre right. Surprised by the wider-than-expected influence of Joseons banknotes, the Joseon marines simultaneously felt astonishment and pride. Chapter 301 Chapter 301 During the drinking session at the tavern, the Joseon marines were greatly surprised by two things. The first surprise was the variety of alcohol served. All kinds of fruit wine, followed by Arabian grape wine, and even strong distilled liquorbottles filled with various types of alcohol were lined up on the marines tables. Wow! This ce is heaven! If Yi Taebak were here, he would have settled down and lived here! The marines enjoyed drinking all sorts of alcohol, each with its own unique character. The second surprise was the astronomical bar tab. We should head back soon. Ugh! We should. As the mood gradually shifted towards wrapping up, the owner, who had be acquainted with the marines through the earlier written conversation, approached them and handed them a paper with the amount written on it.The marines, who received the paper with slightly intoxicated faces, checked the number written on it and rubbed their eyes. What? Is this real? Whoa! The alcohol is wearing off quickly. After checking the amount several times, the marines first thought was rip-off. Could they be ripping us off? Those bastards, Ill just Hold on! We havent confirmed anything yet! As the atmosphere turned hostile over the bar tab, Jo Seok-bong, the most senior among the Jinmu, came to a conclusion. For now, lets pay the bill ande back tomorrow with the interpreter to confront them. Brother Jo! Seok-bong! Everyone is drunk right now. If things escte further here, what do you think will happen? We cant evenmunicate properly. What more can we do besides using our fists? Ugh Even if it turns out to be a rip-off, we can simply stoping to this tavern from now on. Surely, this cant be the only tavern in this port, right? In the end, the marines collected money and paid the bar tab. As each person paid 1 nyang of silver, the marines grumbled. Spending half of a months sry in one night Damn it *** At that time, the monthly sry of Joseon Navy soldiers was 2 nyang of silver. The marines participating in this voyage were paid 3 nyang of silver per month, including special bonuses, with 1 nyang being paid to their families in Joseon. As the Reformation n progressed, the soldiers sries were no longer paid through grain provisions but directly by the state. As a result, the soldiers were able to receive their sries stably. Moreover, the sry of 2 nyang of silver for the lowest-ranking soldiers was considered a high ie in Joseons economic situation at the time. Therefore, the number of people enlisting in the military was gradually increasing. *** Having paid the bar tab, the marines continued to grumble as they left. Ugh! The alcohol is wearing off! How many jars of takju (rice wine) can you get with 1 nyang of silver? Damn it! Ill nevere here to drink again! The marines, who had returned to the ship while spewing all sorts ofints, kicked their nkets and vented their frustration. Argh! Im so annoyed! The next morning, as soon as the day broke, the Jinmu and senior soldiers rushed to their captains to report what had happened the previous day. Upon receiving the report, the captains gathered in one ce to discuss countermeasures. In such cases, we need to resolve it promptly. Indeed. If were not careful, we might continue to be taken advantage of. The captains, who had reached a consensus, gave orders to the interpreters. The three interpreters who received the order discussed among themselves and soon made a decision. You guys continue with your assigned tasks. Ill go to the tavern. Were counting on you. The interpreter in charge led the Jinmu and senior soldiers to the problematic tavern. Is this the ce? Yes, sir. Got it. The interpreter, with the soldiers behind him, entered the tavern and sought out the owner. After conversing with the owner for a while, the interpreter turned to the soldiers with a troubled expression. What did you guys write here yesterday? We asked if we could use silver banknotes. And then? At the interpreters words, the Jinmu who had written the characters immediately replied. It was ơ (alcohol), ࡯ (plenty), and (urgent). Phew~. The interpreter, sighing deeply at the Jinmus answer, spoke. ording to the owner, he thought you wanted various types of alcohol because you wrote ࡯ (many), so he brought out all the types of alcohol avable in the tavern. What? At the interpreters exnation, the soldiers also had troubled expressions. The Chinese character ࡯ (da) meant many but also various. Seeing the soldiers expressions, the interpreter continued. Yes. ording to the owner, since you wrote the character (urgent) after ࡯ (many), he brought out all the alcohol that was prepared in bottles. You know that even for the same alcohol, its more expensive when transferred from a jar to a bottle, right? Yes. Because of that character ࡯ (many), the owner has no fault. Ugh The soldiers could only groan at the interpreters exnation. Although its bitter, you must have had a luxurious experience. You even drank alcohol that Ive only heard the names of. At the interpreters words, the soldiers grumbled. We mixed everything together and drank it, so we didnt even know what it tasted like. Oh dear In the end, the soldiers had no choice but to retreat, smacking their lips. The captains, who received the report from the interpreter upon returning to the ship, discussed and immediately summoned the interpreters. Although I want to prohibit shore leave, considering the morale of the soldiers, Id like you to put in a little effort. Understood. Thus, whenever the marines went out, interpreters apanied them. The interpreters reactions were not bad. They, too, were desperate for alcohol. *** Havingpleted the replenishment while experiencing such incidents, thebined fleet departed from a. The destination of the fleet, sailing northward along the strait, was Chittagong. With the help of the ocean currents, thebined fleet reached Chittagong in 12 days. Following behind Mansurs merchant ship, the Joseon fleet sailed up the Karnaphuli River and arrived at the port of Chittagong. Wow! Its evenrger than a! Kang Nam-gil eximed in admiration as he gazed at the port of Chittagong. The port was bustling with ships of all types and sizes, from Chinese ships to Arab dhows. *** As the Joseon warships approached the port of Chittagong, the port was in an uproar. It was because gray ships with a huge size,parable to the ships ridden by the Mings Zheng He, were approaching the port. While the soldiers in charge of defending the port rushed to the pier, Mansur, who had docked his ship first, disembarked and sought out the official managing the port. Greetings! I havee to inform you about those ships! You know those ships? I do! Those ships are from Joseon! They want to engage in trade! *** Mansurs report was immediately conveyed to the magistrate governing Chittagong. Joseon? Where is that country located? At the magistrates question, the officials all tried to recall. The name sounds familiar I think so As one official was trying to remember about the country called Joseon, his expression suddenly brightened, and he answered the magistrate. Ah! Magistrate! Its the Land of Flowers! Land of Flowers? The magistrate, who had been tilting his head, suddenly widened his eyes. That Land of Flowers? Yes! I heard that the name of that country is Joseon! At the officials answer, the magistrate abruptly stood up from his seat and ordered. Immediately grant them permission to enter the port! If the Land of Flowers hase to engage in trade, we must wee them at once! *** The magistrates order was swiftly conveyed, and the three warships docked at the pier of the Chittagong port. During the docking process, not only the small boats loaded on the warships but also the small boats in the port rushed to assist the massive hulls of the challenger-ss warships in safely docking. Once the warships had safely docked, the captains, led by Oh Ha-seok, were the first to disembark via the connected gangways. As the interpreters and officials from the Ministry of Finance followed, Mansur introduced them to the official. The official, who had been introduced by Mansur, walked up to the captains and officials from the Ministry of Finance, politely bowed, and delivered a greeting. We wee those who havee from the Land of Flowers. Upon hearing Mansurs interpretation, Oh Ha-seoks group simultaneously expressed their curiosity. Land of Flowers? Seeing the groups expressions, Mansur quickly added an exnation. Ah! Countries far from Joseon refer to Joseon as the Land of Flowers. The reason is due to the flower pattern imprinted on the products sold by Joseon. Ah At Mansurs exnation, the group members all nodded their heads. *** Among the goods exported from Joseon, all the items shipped through the royal workshops or the exhibition halls under the Ministry of Finance had a plum blossom pattern engraved on them. In fact, not only the goods released overseas but also the goods traded internally used the plum blossom pattern as a standard for quality assurance. Everyone knew very well that the color and number of flowers imprinted in gold, silver, and copper were the most definite guarantee. As a result, both the craftsmen who made the goods and the merchant groups strived to receive better evaluations. Of course, there were asionally those who attempted counterfeiting, but they merely became good prey for those seeking rewards and the officials from the Ministry of Finance aiming for fines and asset seizures. *** Understanding the meaning of the Land of Flowers, Oh Ha-seok, representing the group, responded. Please convey our gratitude for the warm wee. The official, having heard Mansurs interpretation, continued, and Mansur conveyed his words. The magistrate wishes to meet you. Right away? The Land of Flowers is an object of curiosity. At Mansurs words, Oh Ha-seok looked around at his group. As they all nodded, Ha-seok spoke to Mansur. I apologize, but we need a moment to prepare. Please ask them to wait a little. Yes. Upon hearing Mansurs response, the official immediately agreed to wait, and wooden boxes were once again brought down from the Invincible, which had been loaded with goods to trade with Tianzhu. Meanwhile, Oh Ha-seok turned to the interpreters who had learned Arabic. Will you be able to interpret? The Arabic we learned is different. Oh dear As Ha-seok showed a dejected expression, Mansur intervened. Captain, thenguage they use is Persian. Of course, being Muslims, they know some Arabic. And if necessary, I can step in, just like now. You need to depart with us, dont you? If the trade is sessful, we should find someone to teach thenguage. At Ha-seoks words, the official from the Ministry of Finance interjected. As we entered the port, I noticed quite a few people from the Ming. If needed, cant we converse in Chinese? At the officials words, Ha-seoks face brightened. Thats another possibility. Indeed, among the court officials, those from the Ministry of Finance are the best, as they say. You tter me. In such a warm atmosphere, the process of checking for any damage to the contents of the wooden boxes waspleted. Upon receiving the report that the gifts in the boxes were intact, Oh Ha-seoks group began to follow the officials towards the magistrates residence. *** The meeting that followed in the magistrates residence started with a bright atmosphere from the beginning. I have long been aware of the exceptional quality of the goods from the Land of Flowers. I am truly delighted to engage in trade with such a country. The magistrates words were not mere ttery. Not only in the Bengal Sultanate but also in various countries of India, Joseons goods were not unfamiliar. Chinese merchants, or Arab merchants who had acquired goods from Alexandria, came to India and sold Joseons products. Although the prices were not cheap due to the multiple intermediaries, the Indian nobles, regardless of being Hindus or Muslims, purchased Joseons goods for their superior quality. Therefore, the magistrate of Chittagong weed those who hade from Joseon. The goodsing directly without intermediary merchants would naturally be cheaper, and Chittagong could even make money through transit trade. Chapter 302 Chapter 302 Seeing the magistrates weing demeanor, Oh Ha-seok and his entourage pressed their advantage. For our Joseon and your esteemed nation to continue our amicable rtions, we will require your assistance, Magistrate. As such, we have prepared a modest gift. A gift? The magistrates eyes sparkled upon hearing those words through the interpreter. It wasnt just the magistrate. The officials near him also had their eyes light up. Nothing from the Land of Flowers was ever ordinary. And this was a gift they had deliberately brought from the Land of Flowers. It must have been carefully selected, guaranteed to be a magnificent masterpiece. Shortly after, the magistrates servants brought inrge and small wooden boxes and ced them before the magistrate. Oh my Even the boxes The magistrate and officials eximed in admiration upon seeing the wooden boxes. Coated with the finestcquer and trimmed with thin bronze decorations at the corners, the boxes were clearly extraordinary at first nce. ***When Joseon began exporting in earnest, Hyang emphasized the importance of packaging. Theres a reason why they say even a monks robe should be red if possible and food that looks good also tastes good! After stressing the significance of packaging, Hyang went as far as to separately gather painters and carpenters to exclusively research packaging design. To satisfy the eyes of Hyang, who had experience in the highly developed 21st century capitalist society, the painters and carpenters had to endure unspeakable hardships. However, the results were unquestionable. The products of the royal workshops, which used packaging created under Hyangs orders, clearly conveyed that they were expensive items at first nce. Thanks to this, not only the royal family members like Sejong and Queen Soheon, but also the eyes of the ministers were elevated. And due to the trickle-down effect, the standards of mid to low-ranking officials also rose, and gradually, even the eyes of themon people became more discerning and began to grow picky about the level of packaging. As a result, the royal workshops reached the point ofunching wooden boxes exclusively for packaging as products. Private merchant guilds also started to pay attention to packaging. As things progressed this way, some indulgent individuals even began collecting these wooden boxes. As a side note, in the distant future, the wooden boxes that endured and survived from this era were traded at high prices in auction houses. *** In any case, while stroking the smooth wooden boxes with his hands and enjoying their texture, the magistrate opened the lid. As the lid opened, an inner cover wrapped in red silk was revealed. Seeing the inner cover, the magistrate checked the upper left part inside the outer lid. Traditionally, Joseon products had a flower attached to the upper left part inside the box lid. And on this box as well, a flower pattern was engraved in the same location. The magistrate couldnt hide his joy after confirming the flowers. Because there were five golden plum blossom flowers engraved. Hm? The center of the flowers is The magistrate tilted his head slightly. In the center of the golden flowers engraved on the box, there were small, gleaming pieces of ss attached. It was a pattern he had never seen before in his life. Pardon me, but what are those embedded in the center of the flowers? Its my first time seeing such a thing. At the magistrates question, an official from the Ministry of Finance stepped forward to exin. A new superior grade has been created this time. What the magistrate is seeing is the mark of the newly established highest grade. Is that so! Yes. The magistrates face brightened even more upon hearing the exnation, and the officials curiosity deepened further. The magistrates fingers trembled slightly with excitement as he tore off the seal connecting the inner cover and the box. Ooh! The magistrate immediately let out an exmation after opening the inner cover and examining the contents. Inside were a ss pitcher with a long neck and cups with handles. What made the magistrate exim was the ss used for the pitcher and cups. ss products were not unfamiliar to the magistrate. Not only Joseons, but also many ss products from distant Italy and Arabia had been imported. However, by Ah, this was the first time seeing ss that emitted such a brilliant luster. With trembling hands, the magistrate took out a cup and raised it upward. The flower pattern engraved on the cup received the lighting through the window and shimmered splendidly. Oooh~. The officials also let out exmations of admiration upon seeing the cup radiating a brilliant light. The boxes opened subsequently contained tes and bowls made of crystal. Indeed, it is the Land of Flowers! I will do my utmost to ensure that your esteemed nation can trade with us! I swear by Ah that I will definitely make it a sess! The magistrates words were not simply out of infatuation with the gifts. If such precious items entered Chittagong, all the merchants of India would flock here, which meant an immense influx of money. The magistrate could not miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The magistrate proceeded with lightning speed. I will also need some time to prepare, so in three days! In three days,e with me to Pandua! The Shah will surely grant permission for trade with the Land of Flowers! We are sincerely grateful! Oh Ha-seok and his group paid their respects with joyful hearts. *** Returning from the magistrates residence to the port, the entourages steps were lighter than ever before. This seems to be going better than expected. Indeed. The Joseon group all had bright faces, but Mansurs expression was not so cheerful. Seeing Mansurs face, the Ministry of Finance official approached him. What worries burden you so heavily? Hearing the question through the interpreter, Mansur immediatelymented. If Joseon directly sells such products, I fear I am left with nothing but ruin. The Ministry of Finance official smiled and replied after hearing Mansursment through the interpreter. Hahaha! You exaggerate, my friend! How many people could afford to buy such expensive items? And in our Joseon, there is no shortage of goods for you to take and make money from, so do not fret! Hearing the words through the interpreter, Mansur grumbled softly. That fellow said the same thing. Damn it! Just when I thought I could earn moneyfortably Ill have to diligently run around again. *** As promised, after three days passed, the magistrate, ready for the journey, appeared at the port. He says to follow his ship closely. Understood. Following the ship carrying the magistrate, the joint fleet of Joseon and Mansur left Chittagong and headed for Pandua. After crossing the sea through three days of sailing, the fleet began to ascend arge river. And so, the fleet that sailed up the river soon moored at a port. Is this Pandua? Mansur shook his head at the question from Oh Ha-seoks group as they disembarked. No. This is near Kolkata. Pandua is still several days away bynd from here. While listening to Mansurs exnation and surveying the surroundings, Kang Nam-gil asked Mansur. Its an enormouslyrge river, but we cant go further? Chittagong is also a riverside location, but didnt we enter it? Chittagong is a trading port, so sessive magistrates have paid attention to dredging. However, not here. Is that so? Thats a pity. Kang Nam-gil couldnt hide his disappointment upon hearing Mansurs answer. Confirming that they couldnt proceed further by boat, Oh Ha-seok turned to the Ministry of Finance official. It seems its time for you to put in some effort, Chamui. [TL/N: Chamui is a high-ranking government official position] At Oh Ha-seoks words, Park Hyun-soo, the Chamui of the Ministry of Finance, smiled and replied. I should make up for the tonic Ive been taking all this time. First, could you arrange for wagons? Of course. With the help of Mansur and the magistrate,rge wagons appeared at the dock. Careful! Be careful! As the wagons were prepared, the crane installed on the ships wheeled out arge box from the hold and lowered it onto the dock. When the box,rge enough to fit two or three people, was lowered, the magistrate showed interest. The box is quiterge. It is a gift for the Shah. The dock workers rushed over to load the box onto the wagon, and the soldiers escorting official Park armed themselves and disembarked from the ship. How long will it take? If things go well, we can return in half a month. I see. Then I pray for your safe return. Captain Jang, have a good trip. At Oh Ha-seoks words, the captain of the ship smiled and nodded. Then Ill be off. Thanks to the magistrates consideration, Captain Jang, Park Hyun-soo, the interpreter, and Mansur left the dock together with the magistrate. *** After five days of marching, the Joseon group arrived at Pandua. In front of the earthen wall surrounding Pandua, the procession briefly halted. While taking a short break to wait for the messenger sent by the magistrate, the magistrate approached and struck up a conversation. The quality of the soldiers is truly excellent. They are fine soldiers indeed. Thank you. Jang Gwang-seok, the captain of the ship, replied with a smile to the magistrates praise. The magistrates assessment was sincere. Since departing from the port near Kolkata, the discipline of the Joseon soldiers had been strict. During that brief respite, the messenger sent by the magistrate returned and reported to him. After hearing the messengers reply, the magistrate conveyed the answer to the Joseon group. Permission to enter the city has been granted. Let us go. *** And so, the Joseon group that entered Pandua was able to enter the Shahs pce. So, you havee from the Land of Flowers? That is correct, Your Majesty. For what reason? For the purpose of trade, Your Majesty. Trade, you say Jl-ud-Din Muhammad Shah, the ruler of the Bengal Sultanate, tapped the armrest with his fingers while observing the Joseon group. Trade, not tribute As the Shah remained silent, gauging the intentions of the Joseon people, the magistrate interjected. Your Majesty, it is the Land of Flowers where all sorts of precious items are produced. I believe it will not be a losing venture. Is that so? Seeing the Shahs expression, Park Hyun-soo slightly bowed his head and spoke. Grateful for granting us entry, we have prepared a gift, Your Majesty. At Park Hyun-soos words, the Shahs eyes sparkled. A gift, you say Coming from the Land of Flowers, it piques my interest. Bring it in. With the Shahs permission, the pce servants brought in arge wooden box. The servants, who carried the box by inserting wooden poles through the rings along both sides of the box, carefully ced it in front of the Shah. Open it. At the Shahsmand, the servants carefully disassembled the wooden box. As they pried open the front of the wooden box using levers, the gift, covered with high-quality blue cotton cloth, was revealed. Remove the cloth. At the Shahs order, soldiers rushed over and surrounded the gift. Once precautions were taken against any potential danger, a soldier stepped forward and pulled off the cloth. Ooh! As the cloth was removed, the great hall was filled with exmations of admiration. Even the Shah, who had been sitting on his chair with a cold expression until just now, stood up from his seat and walked forward. What astonished everyone in the Shahs pce was arge crystal chandelier. This is If candles are lit on the candlesticks and hung from the ceiling, it will brilliantly illuminate this great hall. At Park Hyun-soos exnation, the Shah immediatelymanded. Bring candles andnterns at once! The chandelier, with lit candles andnterns ced on the candlesticks, was soon suspended from the ceiling using ropes. The crystals shimmered splendidly in the candlelight andntern mes, and the ceiling of the great hall glittered with light. Seeing that sight, the Shah unconsciously muttered. Truly the Land of Flowers As if the stars of heaven have been brought down. The chandelier radiating a brilliant light from the ceiling was not merely astonishing, but even evoked a sense of awe. nkly gazing at the chandelier on the ceiling, the Shah turned to Park Hyun-soo and the Joseon group. To think that such an object can be created by human hands Just what kind of ce is this Land of Flowers? To the Shahs question, Park Hyun-soo replied with a smile. It is not the Land of Flowers, but Joseon, Your Majesty. Chapter 303 Chapter 303 The gifts brought from Joseon included a few more items in addition to the chandelier. They were crystal products simr to those given to the magistrate and ginseng. Ginseng! I heard from Qitai merchants that the ginseng from the East is an extraordinary medicinal ingredient! Seeing the Shahs positive response, Park Hyun-soo smiled and bowed his head. It is truly fortunate that Your Majesty is pleased. However As if he had never been pleased, the Shahs face turned serious. You said the official name of the Land of Flowers is Joseon? That is correct, Your Majesty. And Joseon wishes to trade?That is so, Your Majesty. Upon Park Hyun-soos answer, the Shah asked with a grave expression. Trading means exchanging each others products. Its embarrassing to say this, but my country doesnt have anything like the goods made by Joseon. Doesnt that mean you people wille, sell your wares, and only take our wealth? Come now! Speak honestly! Is what Joseon desires genuine trade or extortion? *** Jl-ud-Din Muhammad Shah, who currently ruled the Bengal Sultanate, was a man of extremely quick judgment. The Shahs father, Raja Ganesha, was a traditional Indian nobleman and a Hindu. However, Jl-ud-Din converted to Im, securing the safety and power of the nation. As a result, he was once driven from the throne by his fathers hand and had to convert back to Hinduism. Thanks to this, after regaining the throne, he showed a tolerant attitude towards Hindus and Buddhists. However, as time passed, to prove that he was a devout Muslim, he converted the Hindu subjects to Im and supported the construction of Imic educational institutions called Madrasas in Ma and Medina.(Note 1) Through this, he was able to maintain friendly rtions with the surrounding Imic countries while being evaluated as a true follower of Im, and he could protect the country from the pressure of the Delhi Sultanate. It was because he had protected the nation through such precarious tightrope walking that he discerned the potential dangers brought by trade with Joseon. *** To the Shahs blunt question, Park Hyeong-seok still replied with a smile. Joseon enjoys sharing with its neighbors, not unterally taking from them, Your Majesty. Everyone says that. Your Majesty mentioned that there is little produced in thisnd, but how could there be nothing that benefits both sides? Hmm As the Shah still wore a doubtful expression, Park Hyeong-seok continued. And as I mentioned before, while our Joseon enjoys sharing with neighbors, we do not easily make neighbors, Your Majesty. Oh? The Shahs eyes shone at Park Hyeong-seoks words. There is some hidden meaning! Quietly mulling over Park Hyeong-seoks words, the Shah smiled and asked again. In this India, we would be the only neighbors, correct? Joseon does not recklessly make neighbors, Your Majesty. Hahaha! The Shahughed heartily at Park Hyeong-seoks answer. What Park Hyeong-seok was saying now was that in this Indian subcontinent, the only ce where Joseons goods would enter was the Bengal Sultanate he governed. In other words, it meant that they could make enormous profits by intermediating Joseons goods to the surrounding countries. In the end, the Shah reached a conclusion. Very well! I shall be a close neighbor to Joseon! Thank you, Your Majesty! Joseon will be a good neighbor to the Shah! While Park Hyeong-seok responded to the Shahs words, he added something else in his mind. As long as your reign is prosperous. ording to Mansurs exnation heard in Hanseong, the situation in India was literally a Warring States period. Countries ruled by traditional Hindu nobles and those governed by Muslims repeatedly engaged in alliances and divisions, with their rise and fall repeating. It wasmon for nations to perish as soon as the monarch who dered their founding passed away. Such countries couldnt even properly leave their names in history. *** The envoy said there must be things that benefit both sides. What does Joseon seek? To the Shahs question, Park Hyeong-seok immediately replied. Medicinal ingredients, spices, and saltpeter, Your Majesty. Medicinal ingredients? Some of the medicinal ingredients used by our Joseons physicianse from here. Hmm Spices are weed everywhere, so lets move on. What is saltpeter? Mansur quickly provided additional exnation to the Shahs question. Upon hearing Mansurs exnation, the Shah finally nodded as if he understood. Saltpeter is essential for making gunpowder. Does Joseonck saltpeter? It is produced, Your Majesty, but we wish to procure it inrge quantities at a low price if possible. Hmm Mulling over Park Hyeong-seoks words, the Shah gestured to an official beside him. Seeing the gesture, the official immediately approached, and the Shah asked something in a low voice. Upon receiving the Shahs question, the official thought for a moment and then replied, also in a low voice. After hearing the officials answer, the Shah pondered for a while and then spoke to Park Hyeong-seok. 100 maunds for 1 maund of silver. At the Shahs words, Park Hyeong-seok turned to Mansur. Is maund a unit of weight here? How much is it in geun? Converting to Chinese units, 1 maund is about 10 guan (37.5kg). 100 maunds would be around 1000 guan (approx. 3.75 tons). 1000 guan of saltpeter for 10 guan (990 nyang) of silver After doing some calctions, Park Hyeong-seok looked at Jang Gwang-seok standing beside him, approached closely, and asked softly. How much gunpowder does the military need? The more, the better. At the minimum. Each camp and garrison should have at least 10,000 geun (approx. 6 tons). Only then can we train without worry and prepare for war. Currently, even our navy, known for using a lot of gunpowder, barely holds 2,000 geun (approx. 1.2 tons) at each naval station. How much saltpeter is used in gunpowder? It varies depending on the type, but for the mostmonly used Eul-sik gunpowder, its a little over 80 percent. In the case of the Eul-sik gunpowder developed by Hyang, the proportion of saltpeter rtively increased as sulfur was removed. Removing sulfur reduced the amount of smoke and allowed for safer storage, but it had the drawback of raising the ignition point as sulfur, a catalyst that lowers the ignition point, was removed.(Note 2) However, Hyang solved this problem by using lead tetroxide. After hearing Jang Gwang-seoks exnation, Park Hyeong-seok made some calctions. Currently, in Joseon,wsuits and petitions rted to the nitrate field issue were endless. It was due to the issue of manure spread on the nitrate fields. Human and livestock manure was an important raw material for creating nitrate fields, but it was also a crucial ingredient for making fertilizer. 1000 guan of saltpeter for 990 nyang of silver was by no means a small amount, butpared to thewsuits currently urring in Joseon and the resulting time and financial losses, it was a profitable deal with plenty to spare. The Shah must have added a premium, but even considering that, its a profitable deal. Having reached a conclusion, Park Hyeong-seok immediately replied to the Shah. We will purchase at that price, Your Majesty. The Shah was delighted at Park Hyeong-seoks answer. The amount he quoted was the price he had sold to the surroundings, including a, with an additional 20 percent added. However, this Joseon envoy epted that amount. But the Joseon envoy was not to be taken lightly. However, we will only ept if you make a written agreement to maintain that unit price in the future, Your Majesty. I swear by Ah to keep the agreement. There is an old saying in Joseon that goes, Words spoken from the mouth ride the wind and vanish, but words left in writingst a lifetime, Your Majesty. At the Joseon envoys resolute answer, the Shah replied while licking his lips. I understand, I will have it written. So how much will you purchase? We will buy as much as we can load on the ships with the proceeds from selling goods here. I see. Then lets do the writing tomorrow, and today, lets enjoy a banquet. A grand guest has arrived, so a banquet must be held. And so, after enjoying the banquet hosted by the Shah, Park Hyeong-seoks group rested at the lodging provided by the Shah. Later, while writing the report to be submitted upon returning to Joseon, Jang Gwang-seok let out a long sigh. Even if my child dies, I wont make them a civil official Jang Gwang-seok made a firm resolution while watching Park Hyeong-seok engage in conversation, twisting this way and that. *** Afterpleting the drafting of the agreement, Park Hyeong-seoks group retraced their steps and returned to Kolkata. Upon returning to the port near Kolkata, the group sorted out the situation. Then this ship and Maengjin ship will return to Chittagong, and the Challenger will go to Aden. Will it be alright with just the Challenger? To Kang Nam-gils question, Oh Ha-seok answered confidently. It will be fine. Then lets do that. Since weve procured saltpeter, its best to return as quickly as possible. At Oh Ha-seoks assurance, the group swiftly decided on the next route. After staying one more day to recover from fatigue, the group left the port at the break of dawn. The ships that sailed out to sea along the river parted ways toward their respective destinations. Have a safe journey! May you have good luck! Be careful! See you in Joseon! The captains and sailors waved to each other and loudly wished for each others safety. *** And so, Mansurs fleet and the Challenger, having left the Bay of Bengal, diligently sailed toward Aden. Although it was a voyage of about 14,000 ri (approx. 5,700 km), fortunately, thanks to the good weather that continued, the fleet safely arrived at Aden. At the port of Aden, the Challenger also became a spectacle for the people. It was because it was the first time seeing a ship as massive as the Challenger since the ships of the Zheng He fleet that had visited before. Additionally, what caught peoples attention was the gray hull and sails of the Challenger. Seeing the gray hull and sails, the people of the Azram family and other families stroked their chins and muttered. Painting it like that, it doesnt catch the eye well from a distance. Should we try painting ours like that too? Thats true, but the ship looksrge and sturdy, which is very good. If the price is reasonable, why dont we consider purchasing it? Thanks to their long experience of sailing and trading, they immediately coveted the Challenger upon seeing it. Moreover, Mansurs ount of his experiences, which he shared with the heads of the families allied with him, fueled their desire to purchase. Should we really buy one? However, their desire to purchase was extinguished by Mansurs following words. The price of the ship alone is 100,000 nyang of gold. Thats the price of the ship excluding the cannons. And the repair costs are separate Damn it *** The fleet, which rested in Aden for five days, raised anchor once again. The fleets destination was Suez, located at the far end of the Red Sea. From Suez, usingnd routes to reach Alexandria was their final journey. During the voyage through the Red Sea, the fleet once again faced attacks from pirates. It was because the Challenger had stimted their greed. Guests have arrived at the entrance of this neighborhood! Boys! Treat them well! Yes! The sailors who received Oh Ha-seoks order treated the swarming pirates well. The pirates who were hit by cannonballs and bullets filled with sincerity sank into the Red Sea along with their ships. Seeing this naval battle that took ce between Djibouti and Eritrea, the other pirates did not touch the fleet at all. No, they couldnt touch it. *** And so, the fleet that arrived at Suez moored at the dock and unloaded their cargo. As the troops who would escort the cargo to Alexandria also armed themselves and disembarked, Oh Ha-seok turned to themander. I entrust the ship to you. Dont worry, sir. We will guard it tightly. I trust only you. Have a safe trip, sir. The group, with their cargo fully loaded on the camels and horses procured by the Mansur merchant group, began their journey to Alexandria. (Note 1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jluddin_Muhammad_Shah (Note /agora24/42501 Chapter 304 Chapter 304 Around the time Mansur and Oh Ha-seoks group, who had anchored in Suez, embarked on their journey to Alexandria, the entire city of Alexandria was gradually stirring. Isnt it about time for the merchant group to arrive from Aden? Theyre a bitte this year, arent they? The residents of Alexandria muttered while looking at the southern gate. What will they bring from the Land of Flowers this time? Meanwhile, the Arab and European merchants with bases in Alexandria anxiously awaited Mansurs merchant group. Did you properly prepare the funds? Yes! Is the vault sturdy?Yes! We even stationed reliable guards! Ill say it again, this is war! Dont forget that the number of digits in our annual profit depends on how many products we procure from the Land of Flowers! Aye! As the Arab and European merchants prepared for the war of money, thieves and swindlers flocked to Alexandria, targeting the piles of money they had umted. With the public order bing chaotic due to these thieves and swindlers, the officials of Alexandria had mixed feelings. Merchants from nearby Arab regions, from across the Mediterranean, and even from the distant Hanseatic League gathered to procure goods from the Land of Flowers. As these merchants and their entourages flocked and stayed, Alexandrias economy began to experience a tremendous boom. However, they also had to exert immense efforts to maintain public security as thieves, swindlers, and other vicious criminals flocked to target the wealth possessed by these merchants. Nevertheless, since the profits clearly outweighed the losses, Alexandrias officials also eagerly counted the days until the merchant group returning from the Land of Flowers would arrive. But this year, the situation was a bit unusual. Even though more than a month had passed since the time they should have arrived ording to the norm, they still hadnte. Compared to the past when they were never more than half a monthte even in the worst cases, this was definitely strange. Did some ident ur? Maybe Sailing the great ocean meant always risking ones life. Therefore, as more than a month passed, the excitement gradually subsided. Should we prepare to return? Just as the merchants from other regions were getting restless, carrier pigeons flocked in from Suez. The staff untied the notes attached to the carrier pigeons legs, checked the contents, and immediately rushed to the heads of the merchant groups. Theyve arrived! Theyre here! The merchant ships have reached Suez! Oh! Yes! And a ship from the Land of Flowers hase with them! What! The news delivered by the carrier pigeons rapidly spread throughout Alexandria. The ships have arrived at Suez! Theyre finally here! Small merchants who were waiting for the goods personally brought and sold by the sailors or small traders of the merchant group, and the merchants who had prepared to sell the items needed by Joseon all cheered with brightened faces. The citizens, excited once again, became even more thrilled by the following news. A ship from the Land of Flowers hase along! I heard the cargo unloaded from the ship of the Land of Flowers is enormous! With the rumor spreading in an instant, the citizens of Alexandria were literally boiling. The country in the East, where the legendary Qitai was located. A nation that produced all sorts of goods, from rare and expensive items used only by kings and nobles to incredibly useful items loved by everyone. People hade directly from the country in the East, further known as the Land of Flowers due to the flower patterns stamped on the boxes packaging the goods. This was a huge topic of conversation. Upon hearing the news that Joseon people wereing along, the influential figures of Alexandria met. We must protect those who havee from afar! Indeed! It would be a big problem if they suffer harm from thieves! It could ruin our future prospects! Worried that giving a bad impression due to thieves might cause them to lose a great opportunity, the influential figures visited the city hall to persuade the mayor. We must dispatch troops to protect them! Send the troops at once! Pressured by the influential figures, the mayor shook his head and replied. Alright, alright. I will immediately select troops and send them. The next morning, as soon as the day dawned, a sizable cavalry unit left through the gates and rode southward. Some worried that they might miss each other on the way, but the learned individuals did not have such concerns. It was because a considerable portion of the roadwork created during the ancient Roman Empire still remained, and in the desert, the locations of oases or viges to stop by along the way were mostly fixed. *** While thismotion was taking ce in Alexandria, Mansur and Oh Ha-seoks group were steadily moving toward Alexandria. We will arrive in about seven days. As Mansur exined the route while looking at the map, Oh Ha-seok nodded and spoke. Whenever I look at the map, I feel that digging a canal would reduce the hardship Hearing Oh Ha-seoks words through the interpreter, Mansur smiled and replied. ording to what Ive heard, there used to be a canal in the old days. However, it disappeared because it was too difficult to maintain. As you can see, there is an abundance of soil and sand. Oh Ha-seok, who heard Mansurs exnation through the interpreter, nodded. Indeed, a canal is not an easy thing to maintain. *** As Mansur exined, the Suez region had been optimal for building a canal since ancient times. Attempts to construct a canal had been made since the ancient Egyptian period, but they were repeatedly frustrated until it waspleted and began operation during the reign of Darius I of Persia. And it continued to operate through the Ptolemaic dynasty and the Roman Empire. However, due to the characteristics of the region where the canal was located, the sedimentation phenomenon was severe, and it was difficult to operate without national management. In the end, this ancient canal became an existence only in stories. **** Leaving behind the regret over the absence of a canal, the procession set out on the road again. Watching Oh Ha-seok and the Joseon people moving like this, Mansur asked the interpreter. Is that hat truly cool? It is cool. Upon the interpreters answer, Mansur fell into a minor dilemma. It does look useful, but should I formally request one? Oh Ha-seok and all the Joseon people were wearing a variation of the pith helmet. *** Oh Ha-seok, who had traveled to Aden and Alexandria with Mansur, formally raised the necessity of hats for use in hot regions through a report. Joseon had also been a country of hats since ancient times. Even in the old Three Kingdoms period, men wore munrgeon (_) regardless of their status. Those of high status wore silk geon with gold decorations, whilemoners wore in ones made of hemp, the only difference being the presence or absence of decorations. Thus, those who did not wear munrgeon or ogeon () were solely %2Fkoreamoonah_bot%2Fstatus%2F582878751886725120&psig=AOvVaw0HgYjCBCV9QfI4QCxLMlc&ust=1718180452121000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBIQjRxqFwoTCNDMuo2P04YDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE (the hat) Therefore, even in the Joseon Dynasty, Joseon men did not walk around bareheaded. They either wore a headband like in the old days or wore a jungnim () or chorim () made of bamboo. [TL/N: Both are a type of round triangr-cone shaped hats.) Hence, Oh Ha-seok had raised the necessity of hats for use in hot regions. The ministers who received this report all showed lukewarm reactions. Cant they just wear a battle helmet? However, Hyang had a different thought. No! Theres a reason why the saying T.P.O. (Time, ce, asion) exists! Hyang summoned the craftsmen in the Clothing Arsenal and began the production of the bangseomo. The bangseomo, made by weaving a frame from split bamboo and applying cotton cloth, was quite decent and was provided to the sailors heading to Alexandria and Tianzhu. During the journey to Alexandria, the bangseomo made by Hyang received praise from the Joseon soldiers. The bangseomo made of bamboo and cotton cloth was lightweight. Through the holes made on the sides and top, air circted and heat was well expelled. The best part was the long brim extending front and back. The brim extending forward protected the eyes from strong sunlight, and the rear brim, descending in an elegant curve, shielded the back of the head and neck from the sun. Ah! Keep in mind that it provides no protection whatsoever. Following Hyangs warning, the sailors moved with their helmets at their waists. However, after departing from Suez and experiencing two battles, the sailors gathered all the helmets at their waists and the armor they were wearing and stuffed them into boxes. It was because there were no thieves who approached close enough to shoot arrows at them. Before they could get that close, the sailors rifles would knock down the thieves first. *** Four days away from Alexandria, Mansur and Oh Ha-seoks group encountered the cavalry unit that had departed from Alexandria. In a situation on the brink of conflict, Mansur, who had confirmed the identity of the cavalry unit, spoke to Oh Ha-seok. Its a cavalry unit from Alexandria. They say they will escort us. Oh Ha-seok, who heard Mansurs words through the interpreter, asked Mansur with eyes full of suspicion. Has there ever been an escort until now? No, there hasnt been. Then why this time? As Oh Ha-seok and the Joseon soldiers remained on guard, the messenger of the cavalry unit exined the reason. Hearing the exnation, Mansur chuckled and exined the reason to Oh Ha-seok. Because we were a bitte this time, there was amotion in Alexandria. And they sent them because people from the Land of Flowers, in other words, Joseon, hade directly. Is that so? Oh Ha-seok nodded at Mansurs exnation. He remembered that when they had arrived at Aden and Suez, numerous carrier pigeons had flown into the sky. Having a rough understanding, Oh Ha-seok issued an order to the soldiers. Maintain alert status. At Oh Ha-seoks words, the sailors lowered their rifles that were aimed but continued to watch the cavalry unit with eyes full of vignce. *** Escorted by the cavalry unit, Mansur and Oh Ha-seoks group arrived at Alexandria. Seeing the gates of Alexandria, Oh Ha-seok finally ordered the sailors. Engage the safety. Receiving Oh Ha-seoks order, the sailors engaged the safety on their rifles and only then did they show relieved expressions. Wow~! Its people from the Land of Flowers! The enthusiastic wee from the residents of Alexandria left Oh Ha-seok and the Joseon people, no, even Mansur, stunned. This is the first time Ive ever experienced such a wee. You too? Why on earth? Unable to fathom the reason, the bewildered group unloaded their luggage at the mansion prepared by Mansurs merchant group. *** While moving the luggage unloaded in the mansions courtyard to the warehouse, Mansur asked the mansions managers the reason for this grandiose wee. Hearing the managers answer, Mansur exined the reason to Oh Ha-seok with an absurd expression. Its the same as what the cavalry said earlier. They thought we had met with a big problem because we were a bitte, but we arrived safely, and on top of that, people from the Land of Flowers, in other words, Joseon, hade along, so they are acting like this. Why us? At Oh Ha-seoks question, Mansur provided a more detailed exnation. To the people of Alexandria, Joseon is like a nd of fantasy. Just like that Qitai, or the Ming Empire. There was brief interaction through the Yuan Empire, but that was only for a short time, and after that, there was no contact until the Zheng He fleet arrived. Even the Zheng He fleet only briefly visited. But now, Joseon has appeared. For real. Is that so As Oh Ha-seok stroked his beard and sorted out the situation based on Mansurs exnation, he grumbled inwardly. The Crown Prince was right! -If you go this time, you should find a ce to establish our Joseons trading post. Prepare a base for trading that happens once a year? Seems like a waste. Although Oh Ha-seok had thought negatively upon hearing Hyangs words, seeing the enthusiastic wee from the citizens of Alexandria, he had to reconsider. Chapter 305 Chapter 305 As the Joseon people unloaded their luggage at Mansurs mansion, the interest of Alexandrias residents and merchants converged on one thing. When will the goods be released at the auction house and marketce? This interest heightened even more as the Joseon people remained still for more than two days. Meanwhile, a rumor spread throughout the city of Alexandria. -Soon, the Joseon people, known as the Land of Flowers, will meet with the mayor of Alexandria! And on the third day. As the sun slowly set in the west, the gate of Mansurs mansion opened, and Mansur and the Joseon entourage stepped out. Led by Mansur, the Joseon people in unfamiliar attire headed towards the Alexandria City Hall with two camels carryingrge boxes on their backs. The Joseon people havee out!The people from the Land of Flowers havee out! Where? Where! At peoples shouts, Alexandrian citizens and merchants from Europe gathered around. Under the strict escort of sailors carrying flintlock muskets on their shoulders, Mansur and Oh Ha-seoks group made their way to the Alexandria City Hall. What are those things on their shoulders? Theyre not spears, are they? Those unfamiliar with weapons merely showed curiosity, but those who hade from Europe and the Middle Eastern soldiers eyes sparkled. Is it a new gunpowder weapon? Receiving all sorts of attention from various types of people, Mansur and Oh Ha-seoks group headed to the Alexandria City Hall. As the entourage arrived at the city hall, an official who had been waiting in advance warmly weed them. Come in, everyone! We wee those who havee from the distant East! Oh Ha-seok stepped forward upon hearing the officials words through the interpreter, bowed his head slightly, and replied. Thank you for the wee. Pleasee in. At the officials words, Oh Ha-seok turned around and gestured. Following Oh Ha-seoks gesture, his subordinates unloaded therge boxes carried on the camels backs and inserted poles to carry them. As Oh Ha-seoks subordinates carefully moved the wooden boxes, the official in charge of guiding them showed interest. What are those boxes? One is a gift for the one who governs Alexandria, and the slightlyrger one is a gift for the monarch who rules thisnd. Ah! Is that so! The official, whose curiosity grew more and more, hurriedly guided the group inside. *** Upon entering the city hall, Oh Ha-seoks group soon headed to the mayors office. This ce also seems busier in the evening. At Oh Ha-seoks remark, Mansur smiled slightly and replied. The day in Arabia truly begins in the evening. Because its too hot during the day. Oh Ha-seok nodded at Mansurs words. The daytime in this neighborhood was too hot. No, it was too scorching. *** Shortly after, Oh Ha-seoks group was able to meet the mayor of Alexandria in the audience chamber. By Ahs blessing, we have the honor of weing the esteemed guests from the East. Wee. I am Abdul Hamad Sakum, the mayor of Alexandria. In response to the mayors weing speech, Oh Ha-seok politely bowed his head and replied. Thank you very much for such hospitality. We hope that the good rtionship between our Joseon and your city will continue. I am Oh Ha-seok, the captainmanding the Challenger that arrived this time. I also pray for the same. By the way, was your journey here pleasant? Fortunately, we had good weather and traveledfortably. On the way bynd, we were attacked by bandits, but we were able to repel them safely. Oh my! When Oh Ha-seok mentioned the bandits, Mayor Abdul widened his eyes and expressed surprise. You repelled them safely, that is indeed fortunate. It is something to thank Ah for. Oh Ha-seok nodded slightly in response to Abduls words. Hmm To continue traveling between Alexandria and Joseon in the future, securing the safety of thend route is essential. Oh Ha-seok immediately replied to Abduls remark. That is true, Your Excellency. I heard on the way that there used to be a canal in the past. What do you think about redeveloping it? When Oh Ha-seok mentioned the canal, Abdul pondered for a moment and replied with a face full of regret. Constructing a canal between Suez and Alexandria requires a lot ofbor. Even after construction, managing it is not easy. Therefore, building a canal is unreasonable. Oh Ha-seok readily agreed with Abduls answer. Indeed, managing a canal is not an easy task. Having finished the conversation about the canal, both sides continued discussing tax matters. As the captain may or may not know, Joseons goods are very popr among merchants. Therefore, with the hope that Joseon will maintain a longsting rtionship with our Alexandria, I will reduce the taxes. We will only collect half the customs duties for Joseon. Thank you very much! Oh Ha-seok expressed sincere gratitude for Abduls goodwill. In response to Oh Ha-seoks reaction, Abdul lightly waved his hand and replied. As I said before, this is decided with the hope that Joseon will maintain a longsting rtionship with our Alexandria. Our Joseon will not betray Your Excellencys generosity. In that sense, we will dly present the gifts brought from Joseon. Thank you. As Abdul expressed his gratitude, Oh Ha-seok gestured to his subordinates. As the subordinates ced two boxes, Oh Ha-seok exined the boxes to Abdul. This is a gift for Your Excellency, and this slightlyrger one is a gift for the monarch who rules thisnd. Normally, it would be proper for an envoy to personally have an audience with the monarch and present the gifts. However, since this voyage is our first attempt, we were not confident about the envoys safety, so we only brought the gifts. We apologize for this. As Oh Ha-seok apologized for the discourtesy, Abdul replied with a smile. Hahaha! Coming here from the distant East is not an easy task. Dont worry! I will inform the Sultan in Cairo well! Thank you. Then, if its not rude, may I ask what it is? If its an item that vites thew, it would be troublesome. To Abduls question, Oh Ha-seok replied briefly. It is amp shade made of crystal ss. Crystal ss? As Abdul showed interest in the unfamiliar term, Oh Ha-seok confidently replied. It is a new type of ss made in Joseon this time, as beautiful as crystal. Oh? Abduls curiosity grew even more at Oh Ha-seoks confident answer. Seeing that the apanying officials also had curious faces, Oh Ha-seok chuckled and ordered the soldiers. Open the box. Yes, sir. At Oh Ha-seoksmand, the soldiers used deer antler pry bars to remove the nails from the box. As the box was opened, the soldier who had been standing by took out the warranty inside the box and delivered it to Oh Ha-seok. Abdul, who received the warranty through Mansur, beamed at the copper te attached to the warranty. Five golden flowers that had earned Joseon the name Land of Flowers were engraved on the copper te. The shape of those flowers is the newly created highest grade this time. Is that so? At Mansurs exnation, Abdul looked at the gift covered with cloth with an expectant face. *** The crystal chandelier Joseon had sent as a gift rendered not only Abdul but also the apanying officials speechless. As thergest trading city in the Mediterranean, both Abdul and the officials possessed precious jeweled ornaments. I swear by Ah, I have never seen such a treasure! However, as Abdul eximed, they had never seen such a splendid item in their lives. With the chandelier as the climax, the conversation with the mayor ended in a friendly atmosphere. If it is such a gift, the Sultan will be very satisfied! Thank you! **** Having sent off Oh Ha-seok and Mansurs group, Abdul repeatedly eximed in admiration while looking at the chandelier hanging from the ceiling. It is truly a remarkable item. The title Land of Flowers is not wasted on them. ording to the subordinates, there are a few more boxes like that. At the subordinate officials words, Abdul shook his head. A war will break out at the auction house. A tremendous war will unfold. The subordinate officials all showed expressions of agreement with Abduls words. They, too, had been unable to take their eyes off the chandelier since it had been lit. Prepare to send it to Cairo. Dont forget to prepare thoroughly, as there will be many coveting it. Yes, sir. One of the officials answering Abduls order made a suggestion to him. Wouldnt it be better to review the waterway? If the waterway ispleted, wont more goodse in from the Land of Flowers? At the officials proposal, Abdul firmly shook his head. No to the waterway. The moment the waterway is dug, Alexandria will perish. Pardon? Abdul exined why the waterway should not be built. I once found and read records about the waterway in the past. Do you know where the waterway is connected to? Its the easternmost tributary of the great Nile River. Transporting goods from there to here, Alexandria? If its the remarkable items from Joseon, wouldnt it be faster for a city to be established there? If that happens, our Alexandria is finished. Ah The officials all nodded at Abduls words. Considering the meager means of transportation in this period, it would be more cost-effective for a city to be established there instead. And if I were to give another reason, its because of those wicked Timurids. Do you think they will sit still if such a profitable trading city is within reach? The officials fell silent at Abduls point. Although greatly weakened by the civil war after Timurs death, the Timurids were regaining strength as Shah Rukh ascended to the throne. In that process, what they needed most was capital. If there was a trading city where enormous sums of money were exchanged at a close distance, it was certain that they would not overlook it. So, dont even think about the canal. Yes, sir. Then go and work. Yes, sir. After sending the officials away, Abdul gazed at the chandelier and then turned his head to the south. Im anxious about whether sending it to Cairo is the right thing to do. Abduls monologue was filled with worry. Currently, Alexandria was part of the Mamluk Sultanates territory. Cairo, where the Burji dynasty resided after seeding the Bahri dynasty, was thergest city in the world during this period. As the worldsrgest city, its splendor was beyondpare. And intoxicated by the citys splendor, the sultans of the Burji dynasty were also gradually indulging in extravagance. Therefore, Abdul was worried. The moment that item, possessing a splendor deserving of the epithet exquisite, arrived, the Sultan might lose his self-control. Should I break it? Abdul, who had been contemting breaking it during transportation due to an inevitable identfor example, a bandit attacksoon shook his head. If I do that, Ill have to send the item hanging there. And Joseon wont send it just this once. Its a futile effort. With the unceasing surge of anxiety, Abdul muttered in a pleading tone. Inshah (As Ah wills). *** Through the mouths of those working at the city hall, a rumor soon spread throughout the city of Alexandria. -Incredible items havee from the Land of Flowers! As the rumor circted, influential figures of the city, whose curiosity was piqued, visited the city hall using various excuses. And the moment they saw the chandelier hanging from the ceiling, they couldnt close their gaping mouths. Its an incredible item! Ive never seen such an incredible item in my life! If theres a merchant who acquires that item, they can make a tremendous profit! Those who had seen the chandelier chattered about their impressions to their acquaintances, and those words quickly spread throughout the city. As rumors bred more rumors, the merchants burned with determination. If its such a remarkable item, we must acquire it at all costs! Halt unnecessary transactions! We need to gather funds! Just as Abdul had predicted, a war was about to unfold. Chapter 306 Chapter 306 While merchants in Alexandria were preparing for the war of money, Hanseongmore precisely, Area 51was still busy. From the areas producing weapons to the royal workshops selling to the royal family and private merchant groups, craftsmen and researchers in all districts were working tirelessly. In one corner, taking a brief break, Pietro struck up a conversation with Raphael. I think Joseons Crown Prince would have been amazing if he were a merchant. As a Crown Prince, he could have stripped those Jews and Arabs bare, dont you think? Why are you suddenly talking about the Crown Prince? To Raphaels question, Pietro answered while scratching his head. Ah Thinking about crystal ss, I got that feeling Raphael nodded at Pietros answer. This time, I agree with you.*** Since the end ofst summer in the year of Gyeongsul (1430), Pietro and Raphael had sensed a strange atmosphere. The ss workshop was running without any issues, but the atmosphere was a bit unusual. It seems like there are fewer people Raphael, who had been examining the surroundings at Pietros keen observation, nodded. Youre right. As Raphael nodded, Pietro rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward. I cant hold back my curiosity again. Hey! Mr. Kim! Why are you calling me, Mr. P? There are fewer people here. Is there some kind of illness going around? No illness Its just that His Highness the Crown Prince ordered something, so they are absent. What did he order? Its a secret. Ah,e on! Dont be like that! Pietro persistently pestered him, but Mr. Kims mouth didnt open any further. Oh! So thats how its going to be? Feeling defiant at Mr. Kims reaction, Pietro continued to grab other craftsmen and question them. However, the other craftsmen also gave answers simr to Mr. Kims. Damn it! In times like this, theres no choice but to ask the person directly! At Pietros words, Raphael panicked and grabbed him. Hey, you bastard! Just when I thought you were quiet these days, youre going crazy again! Do you have spare lives? We need to know what we need to know! Hey! You son of a bitch! Just stay quiet! What the hell, its a once-in-a-lifetime chance! Why are you saying that now! As Pietro and Raphael were arguing, they even started fighting with their fists, and the surrounding craftsmen rushed in to break them up. Theyre fighting again! Stop them! Stop them! In the end, the situation was roughly resolved only after Hyang, who had heard the news, arrived. This guy was living decently these days, but is he getting cocky? Looking at Pietro, who was bowing his head to one side, Hyang spoke. Pietro, I thought you had be a bit more well-behaved these days, but did you get itchy? Thats not it. True to his Italian nature, Pietro had been involved in all sorts of incidents rted to women. As a result, he had spent several days in jail and had taken sick leave several times after being beaten up by the neighborhood men. However, after being beaten up a few times like that, he was living a rtively well-behaved life. Then why did you fight with yourpanion? Taking a deep breath at Hyangs question, Pietro opened his mouth. I will ask Your Highness. You son of a bitch, shut up! Raphael hurriedly tried to stop him, but it was toote. Yes, what are you curious about? As Pietro asked bluntly, Raphael turned pale and began to pray to the Virgin Mary in a small voice. However, contrary to Raphaels worries, Hyang answered with an expression as if it were nothing. Ah, is that why you fought? Its nothing much. They are just researching ways to further improve the quality of ss. No! How can you exclude me from such an interesting task? As Pietro confronted him, Hyang simply replied. Because you are foreigners. Pardon? What do you mean by that? As not only Pietro but also Raphael failed to fully understand, Hyang exined in more detail. Its been over 5 years since you came to our Joseon, and it will soon be the 6th year. That means, before long, you will have to return. How can we reveal secrets to such people? Pietro immediately asked back to Hyangs exnation. Will you really let us go? Isnt it written in the contract? Afterpleting 10 years of service, if you wish to return home, we will send you back. Our Joseon keeps its promises well. Pietro and Raphael fell silent at Hyangs answer. As Hyang said, Joseon definitely kept its promises. There was no restraint on their freedom, and their sries were paid urately every month. However, they had secretly given up on returning to their hometown. Because they were precious ss craftsmen. Even when they were in Venice, they lived almost like prisoners on the ind of Murano. Of course, when they were recognized as proper craftsmen afterpleting their apprenticeship, exchanges with guilds in other cities resumed under the name of journeyman travel, but the aplished craftsmen could not leave the ind of Murano. The reason the two of them were able to embark on journeyman travel was because they were novice craftsmen. Although they were novices, they were craftsmen recognized by the guild, so they were sent out with the calction of being able to take care of both justification and practical interests. Of course, they were kidnapped by pirates and ended up in Joseon. When Hyang mentioned the possibility of returning home, not only Raphael but also Pietro fell silent. It was because the homesickness they had been forcibly suppressing was revived. As their silence prolonged, Hyang stood up, dusting off his seat. Was that a sufficient exnation? Then, go and take care of your work. Your Highness! Then what about our intellectual property royalties if we return home? Pietro asked about the intellectual property royalties they had been receiving. The new techniques Pietro and Raphael had created in the process of producing ss in the ss workshop were registered with the Intellectual Property Office. And the amount generated from it was quite substantial, which was why Pietro asked. To Pietros question, Hyang immediately replied. That? If you want, we will regrly send it to you. However, we will take responsibility up to Alexandria, but beyond that Well Trailing off like that, Hyang continued with a grin. The same goes for your return home. We will take responsibility and send you up to Alexandria. However, whates next is not within our jurisdiction. Thats a bit When the two men looked troubled at Hyangs words, Hyang added. Ah! Come to think of it, I remember what Mansur, the head of the merchant group, said. He mentioned that there are many people over there who are interested in our Joseon. At Hyangs words, the two mens faces turned pale. If what Hyang said was true, it meant that their journey home would be extremely dangerous. Youll probably have to decide quickly. Just as the 6th year is approaching, the 10th year wille soon. Having finished speaking, Hyang returned to his office, while Pietro and Raphael stood frozen like statues. *** While Pietro and Raphael were pondering their future, Master Craftsman Park and the other craftsmen were sweating to develop a new type of ss. As always, it began with Hyang. Your Highness, did you summon me? Have a seat. Hyang, who had secretly summoned Master Craftsman Park, brought up the matter at hand. Its about the ss youre making now. Yes, Your Highness. Its made with the knowledge of Pietro and Raphael, right? That means there must be many sses of simr quality to what Joseon makes in those western countries. Master Craftsman Park nodded at Hyangs point. That is true. So, I called you here to make ss of even better quality. I read books from the West and found that adding minerals to ss could produce something of higher quality. Is that so? Master Craftsman Parks eyes lit up at Hyangs words. He, too, was a craftsman and had the ambition to create works that were ahead of others. Moreover, it was something the Crown Prince said. Based on the experience so far, there was hardly anything the Crown Prince had initiated that ended in failure. Of course, the process in between was no joke. And so, the development of crystal ss began. Amidst the trial and error of Master Craftsman Park and the craftsmen, Hyang quietly added MSG. And gradually, results that met Hyangs desired level began to emerge. Looking at such results, Hyang muttered softly. The incident of breaking grandmothers crystal tableware set and getting beaten up is proving to be helpful like this Ah! Come to think of it There was something else I broke and got beaten up for. Bone china Recalling the painful memories created by fandom activities in the 21st century, Hyang felt his back aching for no reason. *** After nearly four months of such trial and error and improvements through the addition of MSG, crystal ss was born. The quality has reached this level, and what remains is for the health of the craftsmen? Since arge amount of lead was used as a raw material for crystal ss, traditional blowpipes were fatal to the craftsmen. Therefore, Hyang created a blowing system using a steam engine. The steam engine powered the blower, and the exhtion pipe connected to the blower was used to make objects such as bottles and bowls. Of course, it couldnt be stronger than human breath, so there was also a process of trial and error to adjust the appropriate air volume. Next, Hyang instructed all the craftsmen involved in the production of crystal ss to wear masks. As it was a strict order from the Crown Prince, no one dared to disobey. *** The crystal ss created through this process was the best material for ss craftsmen. Its luster and transparency were far superior to the existing ones, and what they liked the most was that it was easier to processpolishing, cutting, engravingas the surface was smoother than the existing ss. This characteristic stimted the creative desire of the ss craftsmen, most of whom were originally potters or earthenware artisans, and soon, excellent products began to emerge. Pietro and Raphael, who had examined the crystal ss on the side, began to agonize even more over whether to stay or return home. As long as the Crown Prince was there, it was certain that newer types of ss would continue to emerge. If they stayed, they could take part in the process of developing such ss and gain another opportunity. However, to return home, they had to risk their lives, and they were also worried about their life after returning. In the end, Pietro and Raphael were gradually leaning towards staying. It was just that Pietro, who didnt like being dragged into this situation, evaluated Hyang as a person who could even strip Jewish and Arab merchants bare. And so, under Hyangs guidance, the chandelier was born. *** On the day when the chandelier that had passed Hyangs eyes after several failures was hung from the ceiling of Geunjeongjeon, King Sejong and the ministers eximed in admiration. Truly remarkable! The Crown Prince has created something extraordinary again! Well done! I have done little. All the credit goes to the craftsmen. To King Sejongs praise, Hyang attributed the aplishment to the craftsmen. Seeing Hyang like that, King Sejong showed a satisfied expression. Indeed. Crown Prince. You must not forget the merits of those who do their best for you. I will keep that in mind. By the way. How long would it take to produce goods of this level? Once the craftsmens hands be ustomed, it will be possible to make 1 to 2 per month. Of course, if we put in more manpower, we can make more, but there are many other things to make, so its unreasonable to go beyond that. Also, we need to produce in small quantities to maintain the value. As soon as Hyang finished speaking, Minister of Finance Kim Jeom interjected into the conversation. How much does the production cost? Its 20% more than the production cost of existing ss. Then the selling price As Kim Jeom began to calcte, Hyang immediately replied. We should charge as much as we can. Thats why were adjusting the quantity. Therefore, I have a request for you, Father. Speak. We should sell the minimum to Ming and refrain from selling to Japan for the time being. What is the reason? If we release arge quantity to Ming, the Emperor will intervene, and we should fatten up Japan a bit more before devouring them. Then, where will you sell the ones you make? As if he had already thought about it, Hyang immediately answered King Sejongs question. We will sell them to the far West. They are already familiar with ss and love to show off, so we will obtain great wealth. And since were selling far away from Ming, it will be difficult for them to notice. King Sejong and the ministers nodded at Hyangs words. King Sejong tapped the armrest and muttered. Ming always stands in the way. Lee Maeng-gyun, the Minister of Foreign Affairs who had been listening to Hyangs exnation, asked Hyang a question. You said we will sell the minimum to Ming, but how many do you expect? Im thinking about 3 per year. But before that Hyang paused for a moment to gather attention and continued. I ask the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Finance. If we present this item to the Emperor, how many pirs of the Forbidden City can you bring back? To Hyangs question, Lee Maeng-gyun and Kim Jeom smiled wryly and asked back. How many do you want? Chapter 307 Chapter 307 Truly remarkable! Emperor Xuande, who received the chandelier as tribute, eximed in admiration and said to Lee Maeng-gyun, who had gone as an envoy. The skills of Joseons craftsmen are indeed extraordinary! Moved by the grace Your Majesty has bestowed upon Joseon, the craftsmen have done their utmost. I heard that it is difficult to make even 3 of such works in a year. 3 in a year Emperor Xuande, who fell into thought while trailing off, pondered for a while and then spoke. Listen, envoy. Joseon shall offer those 3 products as tribute for the next 5 years. Of course! I will generously reciprocate. At Emperor Xuandes words, a smallmotion arose among the Ming officials present. Emperor Xuande, who had raised his hand to stop the Privy Council from speaking, continued. This is a precious item that can be proudly passed down through generations. Therefore, when we receive the tribute, we will hang 1 in the pces and halls of the Forbidden City, and the rest will be bestowed upon loyal subjects. It will be my reward for those who strive for me and the empire.At Emperor Xuandes order, Lee Maeng-gyun bowed and replied. I shall follow yourmand! Lee Maeng-gyun, who received an enormous amount of sulfur and copperhalf of what Joseon imported in a yearas a reciprocal gift, reported the Emperors words to King Sejong. Hyang, who was listening to Lee Maeng-gyuns words beside him, muttered softly. That fellow is not easy either. There will be a fiercepetition for loyalty, wont there? *** The crystal chandelier, which sparked a loyaltypetition in the Ming court, also became a topic of utmost interest in Alexandria. Many merchants and people were paying attention to the products that would be released at the auction house and market, but there were also quite a few who were interested in other aspects. And representing such individuals was Prince Enrique. When the merchants from Aden were about toe to Alexandria, Enrique, disguised as a merchant, entered Alexandria with his subordinates. Enriques goal was not trade. C First, negotiate with the merchants from Aden and have one or two of them join the voyage. Through them, confirm the existence of Joseon, the Land of Flowers. However, even after more than a month in Aden, the merchants did note, and Enrique began to prepare to abandon the n. Right at that moment, a subordinate who had gone out to the city returned and reported to Enrique. Merchants from Aden areing! But its not just the merchants from Aden! People from the Land of Flowers are alsoing along! At the subordinates report, Enrique immediately ordered him. Tell the innkeeper that we will continue to stay! Yes, sir! And dispatch people! We need to gather as much information as possible! Understood! *** After half a month had passed, all of Alexandria was abuzz. Merchants from Aden have arrived! People from the Land of Flowers have alsoe! Wow! Amidst the Alexandrians morous chatter, Enrique, who had climbed to the rooftop of the inn, could see Oh Ha-seoks group passing through the city gate. Amazing, truly amazing! Enrique eximed in admiration as he watched Oh Ha-seoks groups procession. There were nearly 100 camels carryingrge and small wooden boxes. Considering that the number of camels carrying luggage was only around 30 to 40 during thest visit, it was an astonishing number. Enrique, who had been estimating the number of camels, made a calction. How many ships havee? At least 3, perhaps? Among the dhows favored by Arab merchants, the cargo capacity of thergest ships was equivalent to what 10 camels could carry on average. If it were a short distance, they would move with a cargo load requiring about 15 camels, but for long-distance travel, the maximum was about 10 camels worth. It was due to the space upied by the food and water to be loaded on the ship. In fact, the merchant named Mansur was said to always lead 3 ships when traveling to and from Joseon. And the average number of camels carrying cargo when he came to Alexandria was 30. So Enrique calcted that there were at least 3 ships from Joseon. *** When Oh Ha-seok presented the chandeliers to the mayor of Alexandria and the Sultan, this news immediately spread throughout the city of Alexandria. The influential figures who had visited the city hall upon hearing the rumors and the servants who had apanied them chatted with their acquaintances about the incredible item they had seen, and that story quickly flowed into the city of Alexandria. While Italian, European, and Arab merchants were focusing their attention on the products brought by Joseon, Enrique issued orders to his subordinates. After visiting the Alexandria City Hall, did the Joseon people go out? No, they did not. Hmm Enrique, who pondered for a moment at the subordinates report, spoke. Try to make contact with the people from the Aden merchant group who came with the Joseon people. Are you thinking of meeting the Joseon people? First, obtaining information about the Joseon people is the priority. We need to secure information such as the customs of the Joseon people and the ships they came on. Understood. Following Prince Enriques orders, the subordinates cautiously approached the people of the Mansur merchant group. However, they were able to obtain information from an unexpected ce. The ce where they obtained the information was a tavern. Not all of those employed on Mansurs merchant ships were Muslims. A considerable number of Copts (Coptic Christians of Egypt) were working as sailors, and they were relieving the fatigue of the long voyage by drinking at the tavern. Interestingly, even the sailors of Muslim origin were enjoying alcohol beside them. The upation of a sailor was that arduous. For the sailors of the Mansur merchant group, there was nothing more delightful thaning to Alexandria. Because after sharing a few stories about distant Joseon, free drinks would pour in. For the people of Alexandria, stories from the far East were not a waste of the price of a drink. Thanks to this, the sailors could go from one tavern to another, drinking for free. Who will buy a drink for me and mypanions? I shall tell you the tales of Joseon! At the shout of a sailor with a bushy beard, Enriques subordinate, Jos, immediately stepped forward. I will buy you a drink! Oh! You are someone who has crossed the Mediterranean! May the Virgin protect your voyage! Expressing gratitude with exaggerated gestures, the sailor chugged the mug of beer as soon as it was handed to him. As he and hispanions emptied their mugs, Jos ordered more beer. Ooh! Thank you, good sir! What shall I tell you about? Im curious about the ship made in the Land of Flowers. How many havee here? To Joss question, the sailor raised his right index finger and answered. One. The sailors answer caused amotion among the onlookers nearby. Only one, you say? No way, thats impossible! Almost everyone living in the port city of Alexandria knew about ships. Therefore, all the onlookers showed negative reactions. However, the sailors of the Mansur merchant group chuckled and mocked the onlookers. You dont know much about the East! Dont you know how big the ships that came from Qitai were? When Qitai was mentioned, the onlookers recalled the rumors they had heard about the Zheng He fleet and muttered. It seems the countries in the East have the technology to build suchrge ships. The East is amazing As the onlookers quieted down, Jos asked again. How big is the ship? To Joss question, the bushy-bearded sailor looked at hispanions. It looked to be at least 120 cubits (approx. 58m), didnt it? It should be around 120 to 140 cubits (approx. 62m). Probably. At the sailors words, not only Jos but also all the onlookers nearby gaped in astonishment. None of them had ever seen ships thatrge. Is it really that big? To Joss question, the bushy-bearded sailor nodded and replied. It has to be that big to carry so many cannons, dont you think? Cannons? How many did they load? As Jos hastily asked, the sailor waved his empty mug. Jos shouted to a passing employee. Bring a whole barrel here! Oh, how grateful! As a barrel full of beer was ced on the table, the sailors readily answered. There seemed to be at least several dozen. Several dozen? Even for a 120-cubit ship, isnt that too many? Nah! Theyre not as big as the cannons used in sieges. But they were more than enough to sweep away the pirates we encountered on the way from Joseon to Suez. Hey! How many pirate ships did we sink on the way here? At least over 40. To add, about 30 ships attacked us in the southern seas of Qitai, but they were all sunk by 3 Joseon ships. Wow Jos, who had been uttering only exmations at the sailors stories, asked again. If its that big and powerful, it must be slow, right? Damn fast. Really? If you dont believe me, go to Suez and see for yourself. I dont lie while getting free drinks. At the sailors words, Jos shook his head. ording to your description, its an incredible ship. Its incredible. Even our merchant leader was tempted to buy one but gave up because of the cost. Wow *** Returning to the inn, Jos reported to Enrique what he had heard from the sailors. Can we trust their words? There may be some exaggeration, but I think its true to some extent. Hmm At Joss report, Enrique leaned back in his chair, letting out a sigh that was either admiration ormentation. A ship over 120 cubits? The most advanced ship currently built in his homnd, Portugal, was the caravel, which had a length of 48 cubits (approx. 21m). Of course, there wererger ships among the galleys, but there were no ships of 120 cubits. However, the ship that hade from the East was at least 120 cubits. But its toorge a quantity to be a lie. If the quantity brought by over 100 camels really came from a single ship, then those words were likely to be true. After pondering for a long time, Enrique put down his pen and muttered. Is the technology of the East ahead of ours? If so, by how much? While he was pondering over this unresolved question, another subordinate entered the room and reported. Tomorrow, goods from Joseon will be exhibited at the auction house. Understood. Good work. Go and rest. You too, Jos. Yes, Your Highness. After sending the subordinates away, Enrique took a deep breath and sorted out the situation. Well be able to tell to some extent by looking at the items thate out tomorrow. *** The next day, people gathered at thergest auction house in Alexandria. Those who exuded wealth at a nce entered first and took the front seats, while those who hade to view the Joseon goods to be auctioned off took seats on the second floor. Then lets start the auction! The auction began with the auctioneer announcing the start. The auction proceeded, starting with the auction of ves brought from Africa and Europe, but peoples attention was focused on the Joseon goods that woulde outst. Uh Finally, here is an item from Joseon, the Land of Flowers, located in the far East. It is a hanging candbrum made of crystal ss. As the auctioneers introduction ended, 8 sturdy men came up carrying the chandelier covered with cloth. As the men carefully put down the chandelier, the auctioneer exined. This item is of the highest grade even by Joseons certification standards. Only 3 of them are avable at this auction. We will start the auction for the first one. Having finished the exnation, the auctioneer removed the cloth covering the chandelier. In an instant, the auction house was filled with exmations. Ooh! Amazing! Amidst the exmations erupting from all directions, the auctioneer called out the starting price. Then we will start at 20,000 gold ducats! As soon as the auctioneer finished speaking, hands rose from all directions. Thepetition to obtain the chandelier was fierce. The auction, which started at 20,000 gold ducats, had surpassed 60,000 ducats at one point and was approaching 70,000 ducats. Oh Ha-seok, who was watching the proceedings from the back of the auction house while listening to Mansurs interpreter, muttered with a dumbfounded expression. They quoted 20,000 nyang of gold to the Emperor of Ming Here, they might make enough money to build a Challenger-ss warship if they do well. Chapter 308 Chapter 308 The atmosphere of the auction was intense. After the first chandelier sold for 82,000 ducats and the second for 97,000 ducats, the male auctioneer said to the merchants regarding thest remaining one. Now! This is thest one. If you dont get it this time, youll have to wait until next year. One year Some of you may be willing to wait, but please consider this. It meansing through the distant sea. The meaning of the auctioneers words was simple. -If theres an ident at sea, you wont even be able to see it for at least 2 years! The mood of the participants who understood the auctioneers words turned hot. Now! To proceed quickly, well start at 80,000 ducats! 90,000! 92,000!The auction house was burning with excitement. Oh Ha-seok, who was watching the scene from behind, turned to Mansur. I must apologize to the head of my merchant group. I didnt believe the saying thepetition among merchants is as hot as war, but its as fierce as any battle. Mansur replied to Oh Ha-seoks words with a smile. It is fierce. And in fact, they do wage wars. As Mansur said, a significant portion of the wars and battles taking ce in the Mediterranean region outwardly bore the signboard of nations, but in reality, they were shes between merchant forces. *** After fiercepetition, the final chandelier went to a merchant from Florence. The amount he bid was a whopping 124,000 gold ducats. Lets see The total amount sold at the auction is 303,000 ducats. Deducting themission, ites to 270,000 ducats? Thats correct. At Mansurs answer, Oh Ha-seok muttered to himself. His Highness kept shouting about trade to the point of death, so I thought he was being excessive without considering dignity, but he had his reasons. With one auction, enough money to build two Challenger-ss warships and the necessary cannons ising in Oh Ha-seok was pleased but making a fatal mistake. He didnt realize that a ducat and a nyang had a value difference of 10:1. In simple terms, 10 ducats equaled 1 nyang. Although Oh Ha-seoks calction was excessive, the amount secured through the auction was still an enormous sum. Seeing the immense amount of moneying in and feeling the necessity of trade, Oh Ha-seok turned to Mansur. By the way, well have many night visitors from now on. Indeed. We need to prepare thoroughly. *** Meanwhile, those gathered at the auction house were muttering while looking at the Florentine merchant who had won thest chandelier. He took 2 out of the 3, he must have a tremendous amount of money. With that much money, he could buy several decent castles orrge manors with good yields Those watching from the back and on the second floor simply regarded him as a wealthy Italian merchant, but those who had beenpeting at the very front were looking at the merchant in question with eyes full of astonishment. Its him! Its definitely him! Cosimo de Medici! Why is the ruler of Florence here! Why is the one who should be counting gold coins in Florence here! The owner of a bank with branches in 16 European countries and a behind-the-scenes powerhouse who used his vast capital to build political power. Cosimo de Medici, one of the most powerful figures in Europe, couldnt hide his regret as he watched the chandelier being repackaged. I should have gotten all 3 Cosimo, who was deeply disappointed that thest chandelier was snatched away by a merchant from the Ottoman Empire, clicked his tongue. Cosimo and the merchant from the Ottoman Empire had engaged in a fiercepetition. Through that process, 2 of the chandeliers ended up in Cosimos hands, but he had no choice but to hand over thest one to the Ottoman merchant due tock of funds. Well, I could have gotten it even if I had to write a promissory note, but Cosimo didnt linger on it any further. Seeing the packaged chandeliers being transported under strict security, Cosimo turned away. Ill send one to the Vatican and the other to the Habsburgs. I should send one to France next year. Theyll still be in a state of disarray. The expenditure was quiterge, but I can extract more than that value by using those items, so its not a losing business. The Pope resided in the Vatican, and Albrecht V, who would inherit the title of Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, was in the Habsburg dynasty. France was still at war with Ennd. However, Cosimo already knew that the war had ended. The ongoing war was a war to gain the upper hand in negotiations. Therefore, theres still time. It was with such calctions that Cosimo had turned his back on France. It had been a long war spanning nearly 100 years. Even if the war were to stop right now, it would take considerable time to regain strength. Cosimo did not underestimate France. It was one of the countries with thergest territory within Europe. If they ended the war and began to regain power, it was certain that they would grow into a nation that could influence the bnce of power in Europe. It might be worth pursuing a marriageter The House of Habsburg had also been steadily gaining power in central Europe, and Albrecht V, the Duke of Austria, was currently the son-inw of the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Considering Italys position, it was necessary to show respect. The Vatican? There was nothing good about ignoring the Pope. Speaking of which, Joseon Cosimo, who was returning to his lodging surrounded by bodyguards, became interested in Joseon. *** Initially, Cosimo had no ns toe to Alexandria. As before, he intended to send merchants from his family and only confirm the iing news. Upon receiving a report that merchants from Aden had not arrived for over a month, Cosimo immediately sent a reply. -Wait for 10 days, and if they donte, withdraw. However, after a few days, those in charge of carrier pigeons rushed to Cosimo. Urgent news from Alexandria! Joseon people areing along with the merchants from Aden! Receiving the urgent news, Cosimo instantly had a strong feeling. This is an opportunity! Trusting his instincts, Cosimo had crossed the Mediterranean with arge amount of funds ande to Alexandria. And he had discovered the chandeliers at the auction house. Although he had paid a hefty sum, they were items that would be well worth it if given to the rulers of Europe. *** Now Cosimos interest was shifting towards Joseon. The ss products sent from Joseon have ttened the noses of those Vians. During this period, the highest-quality ss products circting in Europe all came from the ind of Murano in Venice. However, as ss products made in Joseon began to circte, Venices ss industry suffered a severe blow. Mid to low-priced products had topete with products from other European countries, while high-priced products used by the nobility were gradually being encroached upon by Joseons products. Of course, Vian craftsmen also showcased their skills and produced itemsparable to Joseons for cirction, but the power of the golden flowers that had earned Joseon the name Land of Flowers was formidable. European nobles and their servants ended up purchasing Joseons products with golden flowers engraved on them, even if they had to pay a little more, rather than Vian products. The reason for this was simple. The golden flower was a symbol of trust. Moreover, the ingenious product called ss mirror made in Joseon was a must-have for nobledies. ss mirrors existed in Europe and the Middle East as well, but Joseons mirrors boasted a quality that was simply iparable. It wasnt just ss products that came from Joseon. Ceramics coated with gold leaf stimted the vanity of the nobility. To put it simply, to be considered a nobleman and carry oneself with pride in the European continent, one needed to possess at least one or two items from Joseon. Cosimo muttered while looking at the wooden boxes. If Joseon has the ability to mass-distribute items of the same quality as those Cosimo paused for a moment and imagined what would happen next. Stopping in his tracks and imagining the future, Cosimo sighed. Phew~. Whoever establishes a connection with Joseon will dominate the European market. Having reached a conclusion, Cosimo beckoned the merchant following behind him with a gesture. Did you call for me? You said there are more items from Joseon? Where can I see those items? They will be avable at Mansurs store starting tomorrow. Mansur? He is the merchant who first established trade with Joseon. Is that so? Tomorrow Then, you Cosimo, who was about to give an order to the merchant, paused for a moment. After sorting out his thoughts, Cosimo continued. It would be better for me to see them in person. You try to find a way to make contact with the Joseon people. Yes, sir. *** Cosimo wasnt the only one who had reached such a conclusion. Among those who had seen the items sent from Joseon and the chandeliers at the auction, anyone with even a little discernment had reached a simr conclusion. Whoever can establish a connection with Joseon will be the winner! Those who had reached that conclusion had their eyes sparkling, trying to find an opportunity to make contact with the Joseon people, especially Oh Ha-seok. Among those seeking this opportunity was Prince Enrique. *** Argh! Seeing Cosimo win the bid for the chandeliers at the auction house, Enrique writhed in frustration. As soon as he saw the chandeliers, Enrique thought of his fathers pce in Lisbon. If only those could be hung in Fathers pce! However, Enrique couldnt participate in the auction. He didnt have the money. Although he had support from his father, constructing ships and hiring experienced captains and sailors was a costly endeavor. Therefore, despite manipting the books to conceal it, Enrique was suffering from considerable debt pressure. If it werent for the deals made through the ve traders he had contacted while exploring the western coast of Africa, he would have been bankrupt long ago. That was why Enrique had to writhe in frustration while watching the fierce auction. I cant just stay like this! Quicklyposing himself, Enrique assessed the situation. -The items made in Joseon are not just high-priced goods. There are various grades of items, but theymonly boast the highest quality in their respective grades. -That means they can be sold to everyone from the nobility to themoners. -If a sea route to Joseon is connected and a trade route can be established, it means tremendous profits can be gained. -In the East, there is India, thend of spices, butpetition is fierce. Joseon can be a sufficient alternative. Having assessed the situation, Enrique tapped the table with his finger and muttered. The first thing to solve is the issue of 26 degrees northtitude. Its about passing Cape Bojador. Cape Bojador, which Prince Enrique mentioned, was a forbidden ce among European sailors. There was a widespread belief that if one went beyond that point, the sea would boil and everyone would die. Although they had advanced to nearby areas through previous explorations, no one had yet challenged that cape. I should offer a reward. Enrique nned the next steps. If it could be proven that Cape Bojador could be safely passed, they would continue sailing south and circumnavigate Africa. If that process seeds, the next step would be to secure Suez by sailing along the eastern coast of Africa. Having thought that far, Enrique clenched his fist. Once Suez is secured, the Arabs wont be able to move a muscle! Thereafter, it would be a matter of securing the sea routes to India and Joseon. That part seemed surprisingly easy to solve. There were many Copts who knew those routes well, and there were quite a few Italian sailors as well. Jos! Having sorted out the situation, Enrique called his subordinate. Yes, Your Highness! Try to find a way to make contact with the Joseon people. Understood. *** Chapter 309 Chapter 309 The morning after the auction ended. People flocked to Mansurs mansion located in Alexandria. To be precise, they gathered in front of the store that had been renovated from one side of the mansion. What caused this massive crowd of people was yesterdays auction. Small and medium-sized merchants who had seen or heard rumors about yesterdays auction had gathered. There might be things we can afford at the store! There must be! Even if the number of flowers is lower! What does it matter if its lower! As long as there are flowers attached, we can at least double our business! Small and medium-sized merchants, filled with the hope of making a profit and carrying pouches filled with gold coins, gold dust, and gold pieces in their chests, waited for the stores door to open. After a while, the stores door opened. However, the merchants couldnt easily enter.It was because Joseon soldiers came out through the open door and stood guard in front of the store. It wasnt simply because foreigners were guarding the store that they couldnt enter. The soldiers guarding the store were wearing sunsses (sunsses). The appearance of the Joseon soldiers, whose eyes were hidden behind the sunsses, emitted a strange sense of intimidation, making the merchants hesitate. Shortly after, the store manager, who hade out, shouted to the merchants. For smooth business, we will serve three people at a time! So please line up! Discouraged by the managers shout and the appearance of the Joseon soldiers, the merchants hurriedly began to form a line. Once a line was formed to some extent, the manager started letting merchants into the store in groups of three. The merchants entering the store all nced at the Joseon soldiers as they went inside. Everyone was curious about what was covering their eyes, but no one had the courage to ask. However, one merchant who couldnt ovee his curiosity asked the manager. Those people are indeed from the Land of Flowers, right? Thats correct. What are those things covering their eyes? They call it sunsses. Sunsses? They say its an item that shields the sunlight. Oho? At the managers words, the merchant who had asked the question and the surrounding merchants began to show interest. Many people living in Egypt and Arabia had poor eyesight or suffered from eye diseases. It was due to the intense sunlight in the desert. The merchant, who was looking at the Joseon soldiers with eyes full of curiosity, asked the manager. Are those also for sale? *** After Pietro and Master Craftsman Go created the sunsses, Hyang ordered other craftsmen to make ones for them to wear as well. We are immensely grateful that you think of us lowly craftsmen to such an extent! As Master Craftsman Go prostrated himself on the spot and expressed his gratitude, Hyang replied with a smile. Arent your eyes your life? Rather, I apologize for not taking care of it earlier. And so, the sunsses was made and also presented to King Sejong. My eyes feel refreshed! King Sejong, who used the sunsses, was very satisfied, and it was subsequently bestowed upon the ministers as well. However, as time passed, Hyang began to feel uneasy. I remember hearing that wearing poorly made sunsses can be harmful, and there was a solution, but what was it After pondering for several days, Hyang abruptly woke up from his sleep. Ultraviolet rays! I remembered it! Well done, my brain! Your Highness, whats the matter! Ah, its nothing. Hyang stopped the eunuch who was about to enter the room and muttered softly. I cant believe I forgot about this *** When Hyang lived as a fanatic in the 21st century, he frequented websites with wiki in their names on a daily basis. It was because they were the easiest ces to find information when he wanted to indulge in something. Of course, sometimes there was no information on domestic wiki sites, so he had to search foreignespecially Americanwiki sites. Then, when he entered university, Hyangknown as Kim Jin-ho at the timewho wanted to show off his fashion sense, began searching the inte. When ites to fashion, its definitely sunsses! Having chosen the item, Hyang automatically entered a wiki site and felt a contradiction there. -Sunsses must be selected with high UV protection performance. (Note 1) I see. Nodding his head, Hyang continued his search. As he searched for terms like lens and ss, Hyang tilted his head. Huh? -ss blocks ultraviolet rays. Arent the lenses of sunsses made of ss? Whats going on? Curious, Hyang continued his search and reached his own conclusion. -ss blocks ultraviolet rays. However, this refers to UVB. UVA passes through. -The lenses of sunsses are made of polycarbonate, acrylic, or CR39. ss is rarely used. -The reason ordinary soda-lime ss blocks ultraviolet rays is due to iron oxide, which exists as amon impurity. (Note 2) -Green provides afortable view, and shades of gray are good for prolonged outdoor activities. (Note 1) *** Recalling his past memories, Hyang muttered while sitting with his arms crossed. Is that so? Then I cant just sit back and do nothing. From then on, Master Craftsman Go, Pietro, and Raphael had to suffer under Hyangs demands. Iron oxide In simple terms, its rusted iron. Hyang collected the rust scraped off from iron, ground it into the finest powder possible, and threw it into the ss furnace. Trial and error continued to determine the optimal amount to mix in to obtain the best results, and eventually, they were able to find the appropriate ratio. Gray is good, they said? And to be precise, its not gray but a light ck. And so, this time, trial and error continued to find the appropriate shade. *** Having found the optimal results at the current level through such trial and error, Hyang now challengedor more precisely, giarizedthe design. When ites to sunsses, its definitely Ray-Ban! Ray-Ban, a mispronunciation of the brand name. However, in the 21st century, the words spoken by his father and the older men in the family were also engraved in Hyangs mind. Using these memories, Hyang finalized the design. The newly created sunsses was an item that even Hyang was satisfied with. Looking at the sunsses made this way, Master Craftsman Go, Pietro, and Raphael nodded their heads and had a conversation. When the Crown Prince takes the lead, a properly made item definitelyes out. The subordinates work themselves to death, though. But the performance is definitely better than just smearing soot on ss, right? Thats why we dont say anything. *** King Sejong, who wore the newly made sunsses, was very pleased. This is even better than the one madest time! Especially the texture of the frame surrounding the colored ss of the sunsses is very much to my liking! Highly satisfied, King Sejong once again ced arge order and bestowed them upon his subjects. Not long after, Hyang received a summons from Queen Soheon. Your Majesty the Queen, did you call for me? Yes. I apologize for summoning the busy Crown Prince, but I have a request. How could being busy be an issue if its a request from Your Majesty the Queen? What is your request? The sunsses that His Majesty is wearing Before Queen Soheon could finish her sentence, Hyang replied. I will have it made as quickly as possible! And Hyang not only made one for Queen Soheon but also distributed them to the concubines, the Crown Princess, the two royal academies, and the two princes. This was not a mere act of goodwill. Now that Ive distributed them to the influencers, the response shoulde soon. *** And after some time had passed, Hyang noticed a well-dressed young nobleman wearing a sunsses as he was heading to Area 51. The trend is already spreading As Hyang was muttering with a satisfied expression, he stopped. Somethings strange? Rushing to Area 51, Hyang summoned Master Craftsman Go and assessed the situation. So, youre certain that no sunsses other than the ones I ordered have left here? That is correct, Your Highness. I see. Go and take care of your work. After sending Master Craftsman Go away, Hyang tapped the desk with his finger and muttered. So, theres someone who tried to deceive me? In that case Theres a suitable person. Hyang immediately sought out Kim Jeom and exined the situation. Upon hearing Hyangs exnation, Kim Jeom raised his voice. What? Someonemitted such a despicable crime? I will take care of it! These bastards! Watching Kim Jeom hurriedly disappear outside, Hyang muttered softly. Hes so excited. A few more will be stripped clean. **** And so, after those who had attempted illegal reproduction werepletely ruined, merchants formally ordered sunsses from the royal workshops in Area 51. The merchants orders were of two types. Some ordered the finished product, while others ordered only the lenses. And before long, sunsses with various lens shapesfrom simple round to ovaland price rangesfrom mid to low-priced ones with a basic frame made of iron and tin ting to high-priced ones ted with silver or goldwere released into the market. Seeing the sunsses released in such diverse ways, Hyang sincerely eximed. The power of capitalism! *** As the sunsses became an everyday item, a new demand arose. The military. The first units to be supplied with sunsses were the guards protecting the pce. It was because it reduced eye fatigue from staring under the strong sunlight while on guard duty, and the intimidation and rejection that came from not being able to see their eyes made their tasks easier. The next ce to receive the supply was the cavalry. The cavalry, who had been struggling with the strong sunlight beating down in the summer and the problem of snow reflecting the sunlight on the Yodong ins in the winter, used a windshield incorporating the lenses of sunsses. Thest ce where sunsses was supplied was the navy. The navy, who had been suffering from the sunlight beating down on the vast sea that made the Yodong ins look trivial and the light reflected on the sea surface, weed the sunsses. And before long, it becamemon for sailors to neatly store away the military-issued sunsses and purchase ones that suited their preferences from the market. When the ministers and high-rankingmanders received the report and discussed punishment, Hyang opposed it. Why are you seeking to punish them when they havent discarded the items bestowed by His Majesty? When Hyang strongly opposed and King Sejong also stepped in, saying he would not seek to punish the soldiers, the ministers and high-rankingmanders fell silent. Seeing that, Hyang grumbled inwardly. They were like this even when the spearmen customized their swords. Why are they being such stubborn old fools? What are they, the Imperial Army? *** To the merchants question of whether the sunsses worn by Joseon soldiers was also for sale, the manager replied with a troubled expression. Well I havent checked. Please wait a moment. After telling the merchant to wait, the manager immediately went inside the main building to find Mansur and Oh Ha-seok. Upon hearing the managers words, Mansur smiled with satisfaction. Tell them its for sale. The price is 6 ducats of silver for 3 silver flowers and 1 ducat of gold for 1 gold flower. The items are in the boxes that were kept closed, right? Theyre in there. At Mansurs answer, the manager replied with a delighted expression. Is that so? I will bring them out right away! After sending the manager away, Mansur exined the situation to Oh Ha-seok. Hearing the story through the interpreter, Oh Ha-seok finally nodded as if he understood. No wonder So thats why you asked our soldiers to guard the front of the store? You call it gyeomsagyeomsa in Korean, right? Its both showcasing the sunsses and guarding the store. Mansur replied with a grin. As the types of products that could be procured decreased with Joseons direct involvement, Mansur had to work hard. While working hard, what caught his eye was the sunsses. After hearing the exnation and even trying it on himself, Mansur immediately judged that it would be profitable and purchased arge quantity. And he mobilized the Joseon soldiers for the purpose of promotion and security. Mansur was also a seasoned merchant. *** Note 1: https://namu.wiki/w/???? Note 2: https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/?? Chapter 310 Chapter 310 Upon hearing Mansurs answer, the manager rummaged through the box in question, took out the wooden boxes containing the sunsses, and moved them to the store. Please wait a moment! The manager shouted to the merchants and began disying the sunsses by type along with the employees. Having disyed the sunsses in a total of 4 grades, from 3 silver flowers to 1 gold flower, the manager informed the merchants of the prices. From 3 to 5 silver flowers, its 6, 7, and 8 ducats of silver, and 1 gold flower is 1 ducat of gold. The prices are a bit high These are items from the Land of Flowers. At the higher-than-expected prices, the merchants grumbled softly and examined the sunsses. However, the merchants soon lost interest.No matter how you look at it, the prices are a bit high. The merchants, who had lost interest in the sunsses, quickly turned their attention elsewhere. What caught the merchants attention were the crystal products. The crystal products, which started from a base of 4 gold flowers, boasted astronomical prices, but the merchants immediately flocked to them. Give me one bundle of these wine sses! Ill take two! Ill take two bundles of the tes. Yes! Yes! Please wait a moment! Do you deliver as well? We do! Although they were expensive items starting from a base of 50 ducats of gold, the merchants purchased as much as their funds allowed. They felt that the sunsses, which merely covered the eyes, was definitely overpriced, but the shimmering crystal tableware seemed cheap even at that price. With this level of quality, we can easily charge at least 3 times the price! Thinking about the profits they would make from selling the crystal products, the merchants emptied their pouches. Merchants continued toe in and out, but the sunsses barely sold. In this situation, the manager began to feel slightly impatient. This rarely happens Did the head of the merchant group set the prices too high? Until now, nearly 30 merchants hade in and purchased goods, but only 3 of the cheapest sunsses had been sold. Its not just the sunsses thats the problem The manager let out a small sigh. There was another item that was expected to be dead stock. It was the folding fan. The folding fan, which had caught Mansurs eye in Joseon, was being neglected in a corner. Why on earth did the head of the merchant group buy such an item The manager sighed softly. *** While the merchants were bustling, Cosimo appeared with his entourage. There are many merchants. At Cosimos words, the merchant dispatched from the Medici family to work in Alexandria replied. They are small and medium-sized merchants. They are the ones who travel with one or two camels and do business. Oh? Isnt it dangerous? Usually, they pay a fee and move together with arge merchants caravan. I see. As Cosimo tried to enter the store with a brief reply, the Joseon soldiers guarding the store blocked their way. What is the meaning of this! Do you know who this person is! The merchant shouted at the Joseon soldiers obstruction, but the Joseon soldier didnt budge. It was natural. The Joseon soldiers couldnt understand thenguage here. Therefore, the soldiers only acted ording to orders. Hey, these fellows! As the merchants voice grew louder, the guards escorting Cosimo silently ced their hands on their swords. Seeing that, the Joseon soldiers also ced their hands on the horse pistols at their waists. Should I watch a little longer? In a situation on the brink of conflict, Cosimo chose to observe. He was curious about the level of those foreign soldiers, and his pride wouldnt allow him to back down first. I am Cosimo de Medici! As the situation was bing increasingly tense, Mansur and Oh Ha-seok, who had received the report, made their appearance. Enough! One step back! At Oh Ha-seoksmand, the soldiers who had been blocking Cosimos group in front uniformly took a step back. Seeing their disciplined movement, Cosimos guards felt a shudder. Although their eyes were hidden behind that strange object, they could definitely tell that they were continuously ring at their hands and eyes. Their movements are excellent. At Cosimos assessment, the captain of the guards standing beside him replied softly. They are elites. And Im curious about the weapons they have their hands on. No matter how you look at it, they seem like hand cannons, but theres no matchlock. Is that so? At the captains words, Cosimo began to take interest in the horse pistols the Joseon soldiers had their hands on. At that moment, Mansur and Oh Ha-seok stepped forward in front of the soldiers. Where have you gentlemene from? At Mansurs question, the Medici familys merchant raised his voice. We are from the Medici family! And the person here is the head of the Medici family! At the merchants words, Mansur politely paid his respects. It is an honor to meet the head of the great Medici family by the grace of Ah. I am Mansur Mohammed Kamal Al Otaibi, the head of the Otaibi family. A pleasure to meet you. But why did they block me? To Cosimos question, Mansur calmly exined the reason. Since it was crowded with many people even before opening, I ordered them to maintain order. Is that so? Im sorry, but I can go in right away, cant I? Im not a person with ample time. At Cosimos words, Mansur walked over to the merchants who were waiting in line. Can you yield a little? Of course! At Mansurs request, the merchant who had been waiting immediately nodded. Although he was a damn Catholic, Cosimo de Medici was a tremendous merchant. At this moment, yielding was beneficial for a peaceful life. *** Oho! Cosimo, who had entered after receiving the waiting merchants concession, eximed in admiration. All sorts of curious items from distant Joseon in the East were showing off their beauty. Cosimo, who was constantly eximing in admiration while examining the items, stopped walking where the sunsses were disyed. Arent these the items the Joseon soldiers outside are wearing? Thats correct. Upon hearing the merchants answer, Cosimo asked Mansur. What are these items used for? They are used to protect the eyes from strong sunlight. Oh? Curious, Cosimo picked up a sunsses and held it up to the light. Seeing the scenery through the sunsses, Cosimo nodded. I see. Putting down the sunsses he was holding, Cosimo looked at the sunsses with 1 gold flower and asked Mansur. How much is the price for this grade of sunsses? It is 1 ducat of gold. How many are in stock? Currently, there are 40. Give them all to me. Understood. After that, Cosimo also purchased arge quantity of various items, including crystal tableware. As he was shopping, Cosimo stopped in front of the folding fans. What are these? They are fans. For fans To Europeans like Cosimo, fans were not unfamiliar items. They were first introduced by soldiers who had participated in the Crusades in the 13th century. Hmm Cosimo took out a fan that was neatly folded in a box and spread it open. Oho! The fully opened fan featured beautiful Oriental paintings and characters. Cosimo examined the other fans. Some had beautiful embroidery on silk instead of hanji paper, and some had ribs made of fragrant wood, exuding a subtle scent. I will purchase all of these as well, as soon as they are in stock! Thank you! As bulk purchases continued, the rtionship between Mansur and Cosimo became warm. I have a personal interest in the Land of Flowers. Can you spare some timeter? At Cosimos words, Mansur immediately agreed. I will dly wait! At Mansurs answer, Cosimo replied with a smile. Lets find some time before I return to Italy. Together with that gentleman from the East as well. Yes! Having made such an appointment, Cosimo left the store. Quickly package and deliver the items this gentleman ordered as soon as possible! Yes! The manager, whose worries had vanished in an instant, answered with enthusiasm. Mansur and Oh Ha-seok went back inside, and the merchants entry resumed while the Joseon soldiers stood guard. However, something had changed. The merchants who had been observing the situation outside began to sweep up the sunsses. The fact that Cosimo de Medici purchased them in bulk alone is enough to make many people open their wallets! The items that the world-renowned Cosimo de Medici bought in bulk! They are definitely not useless items! The value of the name Cosimo de Medici to the merchants of Europe and the Mediterranean region was immense. *** Cosimo, who had brought a happy smile to Mansurs managers face, was sitting on a horse saddle, fanning himself with a rxed expression. Wearing a sunsses and fanning himself leisurely, Cosimo eximed in admiration. Ah! This sunsses is truly excellent! Uh, Mr. Cosimo. Yes? As Cosimo turned around, the merchant cautiously asked. I dont think you bought the sunsses and fans for no reason Do you think I paid a high price for items I dont even need? Yes. Although the sunsses has the advantage of shielding from the sun, it can be reced by a canopy. And those fans are not items that are widely used either, are they? The merchant pointed it out very carefully. Cosimo de Medici was not someone who had be a wealthy man solely through banking. He was a person of outstanding schrship and skilled inmerce. Cosimo de Medici was a man who had further increased the wealth he had gained throughmerce using banking. However, the merchant also knew Cosimo de Medicis weaknesses well. Cosimo de Medici was also someone who had learned hobbies for luxury and ostentation through frequent contact with the aristocratic French royal family in the north. As a result, it wasmon for him to pay a fortune to buy a painting by a famous artist like Botticelli. Due to the atmosphere of Florence where the bourgeoisie had gained power, he couldnt openly indulge in luxury, but Cosimo was someone who enjoyed luxury and ostentation through various methods. At the merchants point, Cosimo asked with a smile. Which do you think is more convenient, a sunsses that can be put in a small box and carried in a pocket, or a canopy that needs to be rolled up and carried on your back or on a horse? In that aspect, the sunsses is definitely more advantageous, but the price is too high. Hey, when you saw the Joseon soldiers earlier, what impression did you get? They were rude. And an inexplicable sense of intimidation. Why did you feel intimidated? Its because you couldnt see their eyes. When you have a conversation, you can tell. Just by looking at the other persons eyes, you can somewhat sense their emotions, whether they fear you, are trying to deceive you, or look down on you. But what if you cant see their eyes? You wouldnt be able to tell. Thats right. Then who do you think needs to hide their emotions the most? The nobles. When the merchant immediately answered, Cosimo nodded and continued. Its the same with the fans. Nobledies like to stand out from others. They can stand out brilliantly with jeweled essories, but women who subtly stand out are more charming. I understand. The merchant was genuinely impressed. Cosimo de Medici had recognized the value of the items in that short time. Seeing the merchants reaction, Cosimo muttered inwardly. Those Joseon soldiers earlier, they didnt wear them just to block the sun. Someone knows very well. Who could it be? While Cosimo was thinking about the mysterious person, Hyang was eagerly rubbing his ear. Why is my ear so itchy? Is someone badmouthing me? Who could it be? Chapter 311 Chapter 311 Road to the Land of Flowers Just five days. That was the time it took for Mansur to open the store and sell all the goods he had procured and the ones Oh Ha-seok had brought. Is this even possible Mansur, who was calcting the sales amount, was half dazed. With the Challenger apanying them, the quantity brought from Joseon was 2.5 times that of the previous shipment. Although there wererge items like chandeliers, there were also small items like sunsses, so they had brought 2.5 times the quantity. However, all the inventory was exhausted in just five days. Previously, even with half the quantity and the poprity of Joseon products backing them, it had taken about a week. Pondering the reason for the faster-than-expected sellout and the tremendous sales exceeding expectations, Mansur soon thought of one individual. Is it because of Cosimo de Medici after all? At the auction house, he had made his presence known, and subsequently, he had also made his presence felt at the store by purchasing arge quantity of products. After Cosimo had strongly asserted his presence, sales had skyrocketed. The merchants who hade before Cosimos arrival had carefully selected and purchased items after examining the inventory here and there. However, the merchants who entered after his visit indiscriminately swept up the goods. And from the next day onwards, the merchants who flocked in were even more enthusiastic in sweeping up the items. These are the items he praised and bought! That alone is enough to sell them far and wide! If you keep examining them, youll miss out on the goods! Just buy everything! If youre unlucky, youll have to wait a year! With the premium of being goods from Joseon, the Land of Flowers and the added premium of Cosimo de Medici, a frenzy of fanatical purchasing by merchants had swept in. The merchants who had flocked in paid the asking price without bargaining and took the goods, recording record-breaking sales. *** When Mansur mentioned Cosimo as the reason for the tremendous craze this time, Oh Ha-seok asked with a slightly puzzled expression. Are you saying that our Joseons goods sold well not because they were excellent, but because of that merchant? Although Joseons goods are indeed excellent, the prices are high. Normally, merchants would have bought them after carefully examining and pondering. Hmm At Mansurs words, Oh Ha-seok stroked his beard and tried to recall his memories. Indeed Recalling his memories of when he hade to Alexandria with Mansur before, Oh Ha-seok gave a small nod. At that time, merchants had also flocked to buy goods. However, once they entered the store, they would pick up and put down items, pondering for a long time before making their purchases. This was the same even for merchants who appeared to have some money. They meticulously examined the goods while making bulk purchases and engaged in lengthy bargaining to get even a single coin off the price. Considering that, its reasonable to say that the reason they sold quickly this time is because of that great merchant However, Oh Ha-seoks pride was slightly hurt to acknowledge it right away. Until now, he had seen countless times how Joseons products were the best in the world, not only in Ming and Japan but also in Tianzhu and here, and how merchants would create amotion to obtain them. It didnt sit well with Oh Ha-seok that a single merchants reputation surpassed that. Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles. Since he said he would visit soon, it wouldnt hurt to find out about him beforehand. Having sorted out his thoughts, Oh Ha-seok asked Mansur. What kind of merchant is this Cosimo? He is both a merchant and a ruler. A ruler? At Mansurs answer, Oh Ha-seok immediately thought of Hyang. Shaking his head urgently to erase the impression, Oh Ha-seok continued his questioning. Is it possible for a merchant to be a ruler? In Italy, including Florence, a single city is a single nation. So, it is possible. How should I put it? Its closer to a tyrannos (ӦԦѦͦͦ?, tyrant). Tyrannos? When an unfamiliar word came up, Oh Ha-seok asked again. Mansur provided a detailed exnation of the Greek word tyrannos. After listening to the exnation for a while, Oh Ha-seok reached a conclusion. Someone who is not of royal lineage wields power beyond their status Its simr to the military regimes of the previous dynasty (Goryeo) What is the reason such an immoral person wields such great influence? As I mentioned earlier, Italy is a city-state, so there is no one ruling the entire country. And that person has a lot of wealth. There probably isnt a single king of those damn Catholic countries who doesnt do business with him. Not only him but also the merchants he employs, the only ones who deal withmoners are those working on the battlefield. The rest all deal with kings or nobles. So Oh Ha-seok nodded as if he finally understood. Goods purchased by a merchant who only deals with kings and nobles It was certain that those who wanted to stand out even a little would purchase such items even if they had to pay a fortune. Geumpil was like that. Recalling the situation when Geumpil first appeared, Oh Ha-seok soon realized a fact. Wait! Isnt this the same as what His Highness has done! Whenever Hyang created a new item, he immediately presented it to King Sejong. And at some point, the new item was used throughout the royal family, and after a slight passage of time, it becamemon among the wealthy ss residing in Hanseong. And after a bit more time, it spread not only throughout Joseon but also far to Ming and Japan. Is it a coincidence, or was it intentional? Although he had a strong suspicion that it was thetter, Oh Ha-seok stopped there. Whats the problem? He will eventually ascend to the throne, and there are hardly any useless items created by His Highness Having reached that conclusion, Oh Ha-seok delved deeper into Cosimo. How did this Cosimo amass his wealth? He started with the pharmaceutical industry, but soon grew significantly through the wool trade. Around the time of the Renaissance, Florence was famous as a city of wool. The woolen cloth made by processing wool imported from Ennd and Spain was Florences main export item. This woolen industry was the primary livelihood of the people living in Florence. Among the merchants dealing only with woolen cloth, there were even those who employed and operated more than 30,000 people.(Note 1) Woolen cloth? Are you saying those Catholics wear clothes made of woolen cloth? Thats right. Not only those damn Catholics but we Arabs also seek woolen cloth a lot. However, the cotton cloth we brought is also well-received, isnt it? It is weed because it is as thin and soft as muslin, yet wide and long. The price is also reasonably cheap. Is that so *** After finishing his conversation with Mansur, Oh Ha-seok began writing a report summarizing the information about Cosimo. -A merchant and a ruler. -A merchant who deals with rulers and nobles in thend of the Westerners, which they call Europe. -Therefore, his influence on the rulers and nobles of the West is considerable. As he was organizing the information about Cosimo, Oh Ha-seok stopped his brush and muttered. Such a remarkable person said he would visit, but is this a misfortune or a blessing *** Two dayster, Cosimo de Medici visited Mansurs mansion. Having already made an appointment the previous day, Mansur and Oh Ha-seok, who had been waiting, politely weed Cosimo at the entrance of the gate. It is an honor to meet the head of the great Medici family again. Thank you for warmly weing me. After exchanging brief greetings, Mansur guided Cosimo de Medici inside. As Cosimo sat on the soft cushionid out in the reception room, servants entered with teacups and a teapot and poured tea. Although tea was not yet familiar to Europeans, Cosimo skillfully lifted the teacup and savored the aroma. The aroma is very nice. It is tea from Joseon. Kahwa is good, but Joseons tea also has its own vor and is delightful. Speaking of which When Mansur mentioned Joseon, Cosimo turned to Oh Ha-seok. How far is Joseon from here? Its a bit farther than Ming. Ming? As Cosimo slightly tilted his head, Mansur added. Qitai. It has been quite some time since the name of the country changed to Ming. At Mansurs exnation, Cosimo clicked his tongue softly. And yet they still call it Qitai Well, what kind of country is Joseon? Is it hot like here? In the summer, it gets considerably hot, but in the winter, its frighteningly cold. The scenery in spring and autumn is so beautiful that it brings tears to your eyes. The spring and autumn in our Italy are also beautiful. After that, the three of them talked about various topics, including the scenery of Joseon, for a long time. *** When he thought the atmosphere had softened to some extent, Cosimo slowly entered the main topic. Will Joseon continue to visit Alexandria in the future? I am a soldier, so I am not well-versed in that matter. However, if good results like this trade continue, I believe it is quite possible. At Oh Ha-seoks answer, Cosimos eyes began to sparkle. Then, what about directly crossing the Mediterranean? It is impossible for ships to cross the desert. Cant you take a detour? Sailors say there are no detours, but merchants areing up from the south even onnd routes. ording to them, there is also a sea in the south, so isnt a detour possible? To Cosimos words, Oh Ha-seok immediately replied. That part is not for me to decide, but for the higher-ups. What do you personally think? To Cosimos question, Oh Ha-seok answered concisely. Its unnecessary. I believe the trade route from our Joseon to Suez is sufficient. Securing the safety of the trade route from Joseon to Suez is the best we can do. Hmm At Oh Ha-seoks answer, Cosimo stroked his chin. How much of that answer is truly sincere? After pondering for a moment, Cosimo asked again. There are manynds to the west of Suez, and there are many people to enve. Arent you tempted? Most of those vastnds are barren, and our Joseon is in a situation where we are reducing the number of existing ves. Huh At Oh Ha-seoks answer, Cosimos face became troubled. Reducing the number of ves? Is that even possible? Confused by the unexpected answer, Cosimo unknowingly spoke his true thoughts. Joseon is a truly interesting country. I also think so. Then, Joseons stance is to consider only the east of Suez as its territory? Its not the stance of our Joseon, but my personal opinion. And its not about territory, but about securing the safety of navigation. And about territory You dont seem to know how many countries there are to the east of Suez. At Oh Ha-seoks point, Cosimo fell silent. For Europeans of this period, knowledge about the East was limited to Arabs, India, Qitai, and Zipangu. Joseon was a newly emerged country they hade to know only recently. *** Oh Ha-seoks thoughts were also the thoughts of the Joseon Navy. As they produced new warships and secured naval supremacy around the Korean Penins, the Joseon Navy referred to the West Sea and the East Sea as the Western Inner Sea and the Eastern Inner Sea. The West was undoubtedly close to an inner sea, and the East Sea would be a situation where it could be called an inner sea without issue from the moment they secured the inds north of Japan, which was currently being pursued. The Joseon court and navy were putting more effort into advancing in the northeast direction. -In the west, many countries, including Ming, are already established. -Excessive expansion of power can lead to armed conflicts with them. -If that happens, an unnecessary amount of national power may be consumed. -Therefore, we will advance to the east, where there are plenty of unimed territories. -Expansion to the west will be limited to securing the safety of trade routes. *** Note 1) Life Human World History C Renaissance Edition, Korea Ilbo C Time Life, 1978. Chapter 312 Chapter 312 Hanseong While Challenger was staying in Alexandria, the Invincible ship No.2 and Maengjin ship, fully loaded with pyrite, were leaving Chittagong in the Bengal Sultanate. Just before departure, the captains of Invincible ship and Maengjin ship, Jang Gwang-seok and Kang Nam-gil, were strictly warning the crew. You know what kind of thing this pyrite is, dont you? Be careful not to make the first anniversary of your death fall on this day next year. Aye! The crew responded in unison to the captains warning. *** As the Joseon army began to use gunpowder inrge quantities, the first problem that arose was safety idents due to carelessness. Worried about this, Hyang urged themanders to conduct regr safety training. This damned gunpowder, you see, it kills the enemies well, but it also kills you bastards well! Dont forget that if you let your guard down even for a moment, you, I, and all of us will die! In fact, through safety training conducted while detonating gunpowder right in front of the soldiers noses, Joseons soldiers took the utmost care when handling gunpowder. *** While the two warships were leaving Chittagong, Hanseong was bustling with activity. The iron horse is finally running! The iron horse is running today! Lets go watch! It was the day when the East-West Circr Line, which circted through the downtown area of Hanseong from east to west, was opening. Todays opening was a partial one. The North-South Circr Line, connecting to the housingplex for the homeless officials on the southern outskirts of Hanseong, was still under construction. Manyborers were sweating at the construction site, demolishing the fortress wall next to Sungnyemun Gate toy the railroad tracks and developing the housingplex. A tremendous number of Hanseong residents had already gathered around Bosingak Belfry, where the opening ceremony was being held. Do not cross the golden line! Hey! I told you not to cross the golden line! Buy some taffy! Buy some taffy! Buy some rice cakes! Rice cakes! Amid the shouts of the guards preventing people from entering inside the golden line that cordoned off the event venue and the cries of various peddlers, the nobleman and gisaeng were sitting on the second and third floors of nearby taverns, watching the event venue. In the neighboring teahouses, women from noble families had gathered to observe the ceremony. After a while, the gate of Gwanghwamun opened, and Sejong emerged with his ministers. Make way! His Majesty the King is passing through! Make way! At the shout of the royal guard, all the residents who had gathered at the event venue prostrated themselves on the ground to the left and right. Sejong, who was on horseback, surveying the residents of Hanseong, smiled slightly. The peoples appearance looks good! The efforts so far do not seem to have been in vain! When he first ascended to the throne, famines had been urring every year. Reports of people starving to death from all directions had been constantlying in. However, now that the economic reform was nearing its final stages, reports of famines or starving people were no longer being received. Sejongs eyes were filled with pride as he nced at Hyang, who was following beside him. Thanks to you, we havee this far! I am truly grateful! Sejong, who would have exploded with anger at Hyang, who usually made all sorts of excusesquite appropriate ones that were hard to refuteand only sought to do what he wanted, felt proud of his son today. *** The iron horse, with passenger cars already connected, was prepared at the event venue. The furnace of the iron horse was constantly burning finely crushed coal with blue mes so that it could depart at any time. Sejong, who was looking at the engine room of the iron horse, turned to Hyang. Every time I see those mes, I feel that it is truly amazing. They are very helpful mes. As he answered, Hyang muttered to himself. Thanks to them, its a constant struggle every day, though *** Hyangs choice of coal as fuel was an inevitable one. Its absolutely not because I liked steampunk! As he had made excuses to himself, the best choice possible with Joseons situation and technological level was none other than coal. To solve the problems of natural disasters caused by deforestation due to the use of wood as fuel in industrial facilities and households, and the damage caused by predators that had lost their food source as forests disappeared, an alternative fuel had to be found to rece wood. However, with Joseons technological level and the knowledge Hyang possessed, using petroleum was impossible. Im an fanatic, not a chemical engineer! As Hyang had protested to himself, hecked specialized knowledge in the field of petrochemistry. Nuclear power? That area was not within the scope of his fanatic interests. Moreover, petroleum did not exist on the Korean Penins. Of course, based on what he had learned in middle and high school, he knew that there were oil fields in Siberia and northern Manchuria, but he did not know their exact locations. In the end, the only option left was coal. However, the problem was that most of the coal produced in Joseon was anthracite. Anthracite was surprisingly a decent fuel. It had a higher calorific value than lignite or bituminous coal and produced less ash and smoke. Also, since most of the coal mined on the Korean Penins was anthracite, it was easy to secure a supply. However, apart from those advantages, anthracite had all the disadvantages. Although it had a high calorific value, it was equally difficult to ignite. Moreover, if thebustion conditionsmainly temperaturewere not met, it caused ipletebustion, producing a tremendous amount of ash. While the supply was said to be easy, mining required digging deep into coal mines. Using anthracite, which was difficult to ignite, as fuel meant a war with temperature. To raise the temperature to the point where ignition was possible and maintain that temperature, Hyang and the craftsmen of Area 51 had to create and experiment with all sorts of materials and devices. However, what was fortunate for Hyang was that Joseons ironworkers and potters were already ustomed to the war with temperature. The charcoal used to produce the highest quality iron products, especially white charcoal, was as difficult to ignite as coal. The same was true for ceramics. To create high-quality porcin, the temperature had to be raised to around 1,500 degrees Celsius. In a situation where there were no precise temperature measuring devices, Joseons potters were disying the miraculous ability to match this temperature based solely on experience. Thanks to these craftsmen, Hyang was able to build arge-scale ironworks using coal in such a short time. Therefore, Hyang sometimes muttered to himself. Fortunately, I was born in Joseon and as the Crown Prince! It was possible because there were craftsmen with a considerable level of skill, and he was in a position to mobilize such craftsmen immediately. Of course, the researchers and craftsmen under him had a hellish time. However, it was not as if Hyang only gave orders. Hyang also had to endure a lot of hardship. Hyangs hardship came from the process of miniaturizing these devices and improving them to have higher performance. It was a grueling time of trial and error, creatingpounds with all sorts of natural materials that could be obtained together with the craftsmen and conducting demonstrations. Ironically, this process was the part that maximally satisfied Hyangs fanatic spirit. Not the cutting-edge machines designed withputers and covered with all sorts of electronic devices, but these ssical and oldie tasks were Hyangs specialty. In other words, the excuse Hyang made to himself was an unconvincing persuasion. *** I shall bestow rewards upon the craftsmen who created such devices! Although he was unaware of the various grueling struggles behind the scenes, Sejong did not forget to praise the craftsmen who participated in the production. When they first saw the iron horse in Area 51, the craftsmen had already received rewards. However, receiving them now in front of many people had a different meaning. This was because Hyang had strongly insisted on it. It must be done publicly to prevent the disregard for craftsmen and to continue producing more and more exceptional craftsmen in the future! At Hyangs insistence, Sejong and the ministers nodded their heads. The Crown Princes words seem to be correct. Indeed, Your Majesty. Having witnessed the results brought about by the development of Joseons technological prowess, Sejong and the ministers readily epted Hyangs argument. As a result, Sejong publicly praised and rewarded the craftsmen and researchers who participated in the development in front of many residents of Hanseong. Those involved and the craftsmen received promotions along with bing the second beneficiaries of the newly established honors system. Although the honors were more symbolic than material, it was a tremendous honor for the king himself to pin the medals in front of the public. Seeing many young childrens eyes shining, Hyang prayed inwardly. Just keep growing like that! Its still not enough! With the honors ceremony concluding in that manner, a ritual was conducted under Sejongs supervision. After the reading of the prayer for the safe operation of the iron horse and the bowing were finished, Sejong burned the prayer text. As the burning prayer paper soared into the sky following Sejongs hand gesture, the people cheered. Its an auspicious sign! An auspicious sign indeed! Long live His Majesty the King! Long live! ** With the ritual alsopleted, preparations for the test run began. In the presence of Sejong and the ministers, the invited peopleresidents of Hanseong and elderly individuals over the age of 60 from nearby Gyeonggi Provinceboarded the passenger cars. Originally, King Sejong should have been the first to board, followed by the ministers and the elderly, but Sejong changed this. Even though I am the king, how can I disregard the elderly? It is inappropriate. Following Sejongs decision, the elderly began boarding the passenger cars first, and Sejong spoke to them as they did so. Longevity is a blessing bestowed by heaven, so I pray that you live a long life free from illness. As the elderly started boarding the passenger cars, Sejong held each of their hands and offered words of blessing. The elderly who heard Sejongs blessings bowed deeply and responded. Your grace is immeasurable! Such an honor! Your grace is immeasurable! Watching the scene from the side, the families of the elderly became filled with pride. I want to see the face of Mr. Park, the schr from our vige! People of the vige! Our mother had an audience with the king! Have you ever had such an experience? The families of the elderly suppressed their desire to immediately return to the vige and hold a feast, watching the scene unfold. After having the elderly board, Sejong approached those who would operate the iron horse and manage the passenger cars. Huh? Jinpyeong, why are you here? As Sejong wondered at the sight of Jinpyeong standing together with the lotive engineers, Jinpyeong answered with a grin. How could I remain still when the king is boarding, Your Majesty? Is that so? Then I shall entrust it to you. Yes! Seeing Jinpyeong responding with a loud voice, Hyang grumbled inwardly. This rail fanatic bastard. *** Upon hearing that Sejong had ridden the iron horse in Area 51, Jinpyeong had rushed straight to Hyang and confronted him. Your Highness! Why did you exclude me from such an asion? It was a sudden decision Even so, thats not right! It was an event where the king himself witnessed the iron horse directly! Jinpyeong, who had been confronting Hyang, literally rolled on the ground, expressing his dissatisfaction with his entire body. Hyang, who watched this scene with his hand on his forehead, finally shouted. Alright, alright! Ill let you operate the train when the official opening ceremony is held in Hanseong! Do you really mean it? I really mean it! Is that a promise? I promise! In writing Get out, you bastard! After chasing Jinpyeong away, Hyang let out a long sigh. Whew~. They say rail fanatics are severe cases Hyang did not even consider thatpared to his own fanatic antics, Jinpyeongs were quite tame. *** Peep! With a loud whistle, the iron horse began to move, recording the unprecedented event of a grand prince personally operating it. It was the first time in Joseon, no, in the world, that a steam lotive officially began operation. Chapter 313 Chapter 313 After the Hanseong Circr Railway officially opened, it recorded full capacity for a while every day. Its truly amazing! Isnt it? A carriage that moves without cattle or horses in this world! Look at the windows on that wall! Theyre all covered with ss! Wow! Look out the window! Everything is passing by so quickly! The residents of Hanseong who boarded the passenger cars marveled at the interior and exterior of the train and the movement of the scenery visible outside. In the midst of this, it was natural for various problems to ur. Hey, you! Come over here! Theres a seat here! Hey, you! I came first!Oh my! Did you have a drink in broad daylight? Anyone can see that I arrived first! asionally, when an empty seat appeared, a dispute would break out to im that seat. At that moment, the car attendant who was on board intervened. Choose. Will you go quietly, or will you get off? Or would you rather go to the authorities? Ahem! Harrumph! At the attendants warning, those who had started the seat fight sat down, clearing their throats. Listen here! How can I, a nobleman, sit with thesemoners? From time to time, some people would show off their nobleman status and demand a separate seat. Each time, the attendant would raise a finger and point to the que hung at the front top of the passenger car. -Seats are to be taken regardless of social ss. By the King of Joseon. Next to the sentence, which was writtenrge enough to be clearly read from the opposite end, the royal seal was prominently stamped. If youre really dissatisfied, why dont you write a petition? Who knows? You might even be specially recruited. Ahem! Harrumph! Pfft! At the attendants words, the nobleman who had raised the issue sat back down, clearing their throats. And those around them burst into smallughter. -When writing a petition, be prepared. Will you face shame throughout Joseon, or will you be summoned to the Gyeongbokgung Pce? This was a well-known fact not only to the residents of Hanseong but also to the people of Joseon. And the residents of Hanseong knew one more fact. -The truly wealthy and powerful nobles ride horses and carriages or at least pnquins. In a situation where even the renowned incorruptible official Maeng Sa-seong rode a donkey or an ox, those who paid 1 won in copper coins to ride the train were insignificant noblemen. *** After about a month, the initial fervor subsided. Many people still used it frequently, but they were the ones who rode the train out of genuine necessity, not curiosity. As autumn passed and winter approached, the train began to fill to capacity again. It was because people from the provinces, who had gained economic and time flexibility after the harvest season ended, flocked to see the train in Hanseong that they had only heard rumors about. Wow~. Oh my! Just look at this thing running! Its amazing! Incredible! Seeing people eximing in all sorts of dialects, the residents of Hanseong muttered softly. Country bumpkins *** Meanwhile, in Daejeon, a heated debate was taking ce regarding the expansion of train operations. Even if its impossible for all the urban areas in Joseon, at least the dohobu (provincial capitals) should have them installed! Thats right! Petitions are already pouring in, requesting for trains to beid in the counties where they live! Hasnt it been proven that sufficient profits can be made based on the operating performance over the past few months? It is also necessary for the bnced development of the entire Joseon! The saying If you want to live like a human being, go to Hanseong is alreadymon among the people living in the provinces! The ministers and vice ministers of the Ministry of General Affairs and the Ministry of Land and Transport strongly advocated for the expansion of the train system. It was a natural argument for those in charge of the administration of the entire country at the Ministry of General Affairs and those responsible for the development of thend and transportation policies. However, starting with the Ministry of Finance, there were quite a few who opposed this. Although you say it has made a profit, the initial construction costs havent even been recovered yet! That profit is merely the result ofparing the monthly fuel costs, maintenance costs, sries, and the fares collected! Its still a long way from getting out of the real deficit! Think about the production costs, transportation costs, and instation costs of the railroad tracks, as well as the production and transportation costs of the lotives and passenger cars! Those arent just a penny or two! Consider the expenses that will go into training the lotive engineers to operate the trains and the car attendants to manage the passenger cars! And you say the tracks should beid up to the provincial capitals? Talk some sense! The production capacity of the 1st and 2nd Ironworks is already at its limit! The demand for iron keeps increasing, but the supply is limited! Should we go back to using bows and arrows instead of guns and cannons? The forces and arguments of those who opposed, centered around the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of National Defense, were not to be underestimated. As the debate intensified, the conversation began to flow back into personal attacks. How did he pass the civil service exam with that brain of his? What? If it werent for the hereditary civil service, he wouldnt even be a local clerk! What did you say? You bastard! Hey! As the level of personal attacks went too far, mentioning not only the civil service exam scores achieved to be an official but also whether they entered through the hereditary civil service system, Sejong mmed his armrest. Bang! Enough! Be quiet! At Sejongs rebuke, the Daejeon Hall fell silent in an instant. Sejong reprimanded the ministers without hiding his anger. There can be differences of opinion in determining the nations policies! This is natural! When such differences arise, it is only logical to persuade the other party with reasonable grounds! Why are you engaging in personal attacks? There are mountains of tasks to be dealt with, so how can we proceed if there is no cooperation like this? And you call yourselves the ministers leading this Joseon? Please forgive our unseemly behavior, Your Majesty! Forgive us, Your Majesty! Although the ministers bowed their heads and sought forgiveness, Sejongs reprimand did not stop. Is the only time you unite when you gather for a drink and gossip about someone? Is that it? The faces of the ministers, which had already turned pale at Sejongs words, became even paler. That is an unbing remark, Your Majesty. How could we engage in such an outrageous act? The ministers vehemently denied it, but Sejong, who had seized the opportunity, fiercely pushed them. If you passed the civil service exam with such outstanding scores, why cant you speak properly in the royal lectures attended by myself and the Crown Prince? Even though we reduced the daily lectures to once a week to give you ample time to prepare, why is that? At Sejongs point, the ministers who had been boasting about their civil service exam scores were left deted. Sejongs words were true. The royal lectures held for the king were a set protocol. Therefore, Sejong had to conduct the lectures twice a day, every single day. This was a system designed to ensure that even an ordinary and unexceptional monarch, or one worse than that, could operate state affairs with a minimum level of cultivation and administrative knowledge. However, the other party was Sejong. As the lectures continued, the ministers were increasingly pushed back. In this situation, when Hyang, who had been appointed as the Crown Prince, joined the lectures, the scalepletely tipped in Sejongs favor. It became a situation where the ministers were quickly defeated by Sejong and Hyang whenever a debate broke out. Eventually, after the purge of senior ministers led by Ryu Jeong-hyeon, the frequency of the royal lectures gradually decreased. Since there are mountains of state affairs to be handled, I suggest reducing the frequency of the royal lectures. What do you think? I believe it is a very appropriate measure. Then lets do that. As an agreement was reached, it was decided to hold the royal lectures once a week. *** Sejong also remarked to the other side. And as for the issue of being unqualified due to obtaining an official position through the hereditary civil service system? Then what am I, who became king thanks to my father being the previous king? If you think about it, havent I also benefited from the hereditary civil service system? Gasp! At Sejongs point, the faces of the ministers turnedpletely pale. If they were to argue, it was indeed a remark that could be problematic. Seeing the faces of the ministers that had turned ashen, Sejong continued to press them. I overlooked the incident at the drinking party as well, considering it to be the grumblings of ministers exhausted from the heavy workload. However, this kind of unseemly behavior! Do you really want me to thoroughly investigate and pursue this matter? At Sejongs threat, the ministers collectively prostrated themselves on the floor of the Daejeon Hall. Your Majesty! Please forgive our unseemly behavior! Forgive us, Your Majesty! Forgive our unseemly behavior, Your Majesty! After silently ring at the ministers pleading for forgiveness, Sejong spoke. Very well, I will let it slide this time. However! If you ever again nder someones parents or engage in personal attacks, I will never overlook it! I will severely punish you, taking into ount all the incidents up until now! Understood? We will engrave it in our minds, Your Majesty! Rise. Lets get to work. Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty! At Sejongs words, the ministers hurriedly rose and sat back in their chairs. *** Hyang, who had been watching the scene from the side, looked at Sejong with a face full of curiosity. Is this a double whammy? Its totally that, right? By the way, it seems like the old men caused trouble at a drinking party When? Where? There hasnt been any official or unofficial banquet recently. While Hyang was racking his brain over the unresolved questions, the court historians who recorded all of this added a remark. -Thus, His Majesty sternly rebuked and admonished them, and the ministers sincerely reflected on their actions. The historian states: As His Majesty pointed out, opinions can differ, and it is proper to persuade the other party with reasonable grounds. However, it is not right to engage in personal attacks instead of doing so. This is not something I say because I entered through the hereditary civil service system. That aside, when and where did the ministers cause trouble to be rebuked by His Majesty? As he was recording this, the historian sitting across from him nced at him and diligently moved his gold brush. -The historian states: I believe that the position of a high-ranking official is attained through ones schrship and ability to handle state affairs, not determined by family background or the scores achieved during the civil service exam. This is not because I passed the civil service exam with a byeongga (third-ss) score. That aside, it seems that the rumors circting in the past were true. *** Thanks to Sejongs outburst, the meeting proceeded quite calmly. So, what are your thoughts on operating railroads and trains in the urban areas of the provinces? At Sejongs words, Maeng Sa-seong stepped forward and summarized the situation. It is true that if railroads and trains areid in the urban areas of the provinces, it can prevent the concentration of people in Hanseong and achieve a bnce between Hanseong and the provinces. However, considering the costs and time required to manufacture, transport, and install the railroads and trains, as well as the time and expenses needed to train the personnel to operate them, this is not an easy task either. Hmm After hearing Maeng Sa-seongs exnation, Sejong stroked his beard, deep in thought. It seems like the answer is vaguely visible What was it? Sejong, who was trying to recall the vaguely visible answer, felt suffocated. The ministers must be suffocated too. It would be good to take a short recess. I should go for a ride after a long time A ride? A horse! Bang! Crown Prince! As Sejong, who had been pondering, mmed his armrest and called for the Crown Prince, not only Hyang but also the ministers were startled and looked at Sejong. Yes, Your Majesty! Did you call for me? Yes! What do you think about operating the horse-drawn trams that we had only nned before? After briefly deliberating on Sejongs proposal, Hyang immediately answered. It is entirely possible, Your Majesty! Although the urban areas in the provinces are sizable, they are inferiorpared to Hanseong. Horse-drawn trams can sufficiently handle them! At Hyangs positive response, Sejong turned to the ministers. What do you think, ministers? I believe it is a suitable n, Your Majesty! It is the optimal solution, Your Majesty! Then lets first allocate horse-drawn trams to the bu (prefecture) and daedohobu (grand provincial capitals) among the urban areas in the provinces. When the trains and railroads are ready, we can rece them. After the recement ispleted, the mok (county) and provincial capitals (protectorate) will operate the horse-drawn trams. Ultimately, lets n to have the gun (district) operate the horse-drawn trams as well. We will proceed ordingly, Your Majesty! In this way, one of the various policies for the bnced development of Hanseong and the provinces was decided. Chapter 314 Chapter 314 Once it was decided to prioritize the deployment of horse-drawn trams that would circte and operate in therge urban areas of the provinces, such as districts and grand provincial capitals, official notices were posted in government offices throughout Joseon. The people who saw the notices stating that horse-drawn trams would be operated in buJeonju, Gyeongju, Pyeongyang, Yeongheungand grand provincial capitalsChangwon, Andong, Gangneung, Gilju, Yeongbyeoneach had something to say. Horse-drawn trams At least its better than nothing, right? Hanseong has iron horses, while we get live horses? They say it will gradually expand, but when will it be our turn? At least theyreying roads, so we should be grateful for that. The people, with a mix of anticipation for the new transportation system of horse-drawn trams and disappointment that it would not be installed in their own towns, engaged in quiet conversations. As they were discussing, the people tilted their heads upon seeing the name of one urban area on the list. Why Wonsan?*** The situation had already begun to show significant differences from the history before Hyangs intervention, and there were also considerable changes in the administrative districts. The first thing that stood out was the addition of Gilju to grand provincial capitals. As the poption and area greatly expanded with the submission of the Jurchen tribes, Gilju was promoted to grand provincial capitals for administrative convenience. And Anbyeon, which was a grand provincial capitals in the history before the intervention, was demoted to mok (county). This urred as the administrative center of Hamgyeong Province shifted northward with the expansion of the administrative districts to the north. Next was the rapid rise of Wonsan. Originally, it was a small fishing vige called Wonsanjin (ferry dock) that belonged to Anbyeon. However, as arge shipyard was established, people flocked in, and it became the starting point for goods heading to Hamgyeong Province, causing its size to grow rapidly. Eventually, Wonsan was promoted from Wonsanjin to Wonsanmok, skipping several stages at once. The decision to operate horse-drawn trams was made due to the crowded situation caused by the influx of goods and people. *** With the decision to operate horse-drawn trams, Sejongs royal decree was delivered to Hyangs Area 51. -Create carriages that can carry arge number of passengers. Upon receiving the decree, Hyang and the craftsmen maintained a calm expression. No, some craftsmen even showed a pleased look. I thought we wouldnt be able to use what we had worked hard to create Seeing the craftsmens reactions, Hyang smiled slightly and muttered. As expected, human nature is the same everywhere No one would simply let go of something they had put in so much effort to create only to have it buried. And this tendency was especially strong among craftsmen. *** The horse-drawn tram n, based on Lim Sun-wooks proposal, was progressing smoothly. The design, trial production, and verification were carried out to coincide with the time when the foals born from breeding strong andrge horses from the Western Regions had fully grown. The results of all tests are positive! Now, we just need to mass-produce and deploy them! However, just as the mass production of horse-drawn trams was about to begin, chaos erupted in Yodong. As the southern army urgently moved northward, arge number of horses were needed, and even the horses allocated for the horse-drawn trams were all transferred to the military, putting the n on hold. After the war ended, the military was reluctant to release the horses they had gathered. -It takes a lot of time to get them ustomed to the noise of the battlefield, especially the sounds of firearms and the explosions of cannons. -A considerable number of horses die unable to endure that noise, so the horses in the royal army are the ones that have gone through that process and survived. -Therefore, cant we just assign them to the military? It was an argument with obvious ulterior motives. However, since it was a somewhat valid reason, the horse-drawn tram n was postponed again until the horses came out of the pastures. And during that time, the iron horse waspleted. *** As a result, the passenger cars deployed on the Hanseong Circr Railway were different from the ones initially created, incorporating the experience gained from making the horse-drawn trams and undergoing improvements. The most notable feature added to the passenger cars was the suspension system. The passenger cars and horse-drawn trams made in Area 51 were equipped with the worlds first suspension system. Although it was called a suspension system, it was not the coil spring and hydraulic type familiar from 21st-century trains. It was simply a curved iron te joined together like a m shell and inserted between the wheels and the frame of the passengerpartment. Its a bit concerning that its wrought iron instead of steel, but Hyang couldnt hide his disappointment, but he had to ept the limitations of reality. The ironworks were mass-producing steel, but the demand still exceeded the supply. As a result, Hyang had no choice but to maximize the performance of wrought iron. Fortunately, wrought iron is still iron. Although wrought iron was perceived as very softpared to steel, iron was still iron. Wrought iron products processed to an appropriate thickness could not be deformed by human strength. Therefore, even in the 21st century, most of the iron structures used for residential fences were made of wrought iron. Moreover, until steel was mass-produced as the Industrial Revolution reached its mature stage, the rails on which steam lotives ran were made of wrought iron. Lastly, it was a well-known fact that the famous Eiffel Tower was also made of wrought iron. The te spring suspension system made of wrought iron was far from satisfying Hyangs fanatic spirit, but it exhibited quite good performance. At this time, from thevish carriages ridden by European nobles to the carts used in the rural areas of the Ming Dynasty, suspension systems did not exist. Therefore, the passengers in carriages had to feel the condition of the roads with their entire bodies. However, the horse-drawn trams that came out of Area 51 significantly reduced such shocks and vibrations. On properly paved roads or well-maintained unpaved roads, passengers could travel quitefortably. *** The horse-drawn trams created by Hyang and the craftsmen had more than just a suspension system. A braking system using the principle of leverage was also added. When the coachman driving the horse-drawn tram pressed the pedal, the braking system pressedrge wooden brake pads against the iron rim surrounding the outside of the wheels. The resulting friction force was used to stop the horse-drawn tram. Of course, it wasnt a high-performance system like the one used in automobiles that could stop a moving vehicle. It was just enough to prevent the horse-drawn trams inertia from moving forward when the horses stopped at a station. However, even that level of performance was remarkable. Lastly, the four carriage wheels rotated independently. Between the axle and the carriage wheels, a lubrication device made of cylindrical bearings was inserted. The wless, perfectly round spherical shape that immediatelyes to mind when thinking of bearings was impossible to mass-produce due to technical limitationseven making them at the level of 21st-century BB bullets required individual hand-finishingso cylindrical ones were used instead. However, due to the presence of these bearings, the wheels of the horse-drawn tram naturally adjusted the number of rotations on both sides whenever the direction was turned left or right, which helped extend the lifespan of the wheels and axles. As a side note, this issue became a point of contention again as automobiles began to be mass-produced. When a car turned left or right, the distance traveled by the inner wheel and the outer wheel differed. And the device that emerged to solve this problem was the differential gear. *** In this way, the horse-drawn tram became another entity that gave historians headaches by incorporating technologies that were not visible but transcended the era. In other regions around the same timeat least 30 years behindthere were technologies such as independent wheels and a three-dimensional structure of the front axle that rotated ording to the direction of travel. (Note 1) However, most of these only remained as a small number of artifacts. There were no records of who made them, when, or how. In contrast, Joseon had not only the artifacts but also the development records, the list of those involved, and even the design drawings. And in those records, there was amon opening phrase. -By the order of the Crown Prince Every time foreign historians studying Joseon history saw this phrase, they would pull their hair and suffer. Again Seriously! Instead of learning the art of ruling, what are you making and running around for! Ah, damn it! Should I quit studying Joseon history? *** Since the preparations were already in ce, the mass production of horse-drawn trams began. While the craftsmen at the Area 51 workshop were busy making horse-drawn trams, the officials in the urban areas designated for horse-drawn tram instation were also moving busily. -The routes on which the horse-drawn trams would operate. -The dispatch interval of the horse-drawn trams. -Measures to maintain security at stations whererge amounts of cash would umte. And so on. To handle the suddenly assigned tasks rted to horse-drawn trams, the officials of the relevant urban areas had to run here and there until they were out of breath. There was no time to spare. -The people earnestly desire it, so take all necessary measures toplete the instation before next spring. I never wanted this! The officials, overwhelmed by the sudden workload, had to constantly scream and curse. Why did they even submit the petition in the first ce! What horse-drawn trams in a palm-sized urban area! Just walk! Its good for your health, isnt it! By cursing like that, the officials could at least relieve their frustration. The operation ns, which were prepared with all sorts of hardships, were sent to Hanseong via express courier. Watching the express courier horses disappear into the distance towards Hanseong, the officials, starting with the governors and magistrates, fervently prayed. Please let it pass in one go Please However, the express couriers that returned from Hanseong submitted thick scrolls to the governors and magistrates. Judging by the thickness, its been rejected. Im not going to read it! Im not going to read it! The governors and magistrates, who immediately guessed the contents based on the thick scrolls, wanted to just hand them over to their subordinates, but they couldnt do that due to procedures. Ugh Groaning, the governors and magistrates unrolled the scrolls and unknowingly cursed with their eyes tightly closed. Damn it! -Please review and improve the following items. And below that, dozens of items that needed to be revised were listed, along with the reasons why they needed to be revised for each item. The governors and magistrates, staring nkly at the scrolls, immediately summoned the person in charge. Did you summon me? Do you not want to do your job properly? If this is wrong and I get criticized, youll be responsible! If I get criticized, youll get criticized too! Do you think Ill die alone? The person in charge, who was thoroughly joint-checked along with all sorts of curses, returned to their department and shouted. Everyone under me, gather round! The person in charge, who had gathered the lower-ranking officials, shouted at the top of their lungs. You cant do your job properly! If I get criticized, youll all be destroyed too! Do you think Ill die alone? After a round of outbursts passed, the officials revised the ns and submitted them again, and the governors and magistrates meticulously reviewed them, scrutinizing every letter and number. The reports that passed the exhausting review were sent to Hanseong again, and while waiting for a response, the officials lips became parched. After a few nerve-wracking days passed, the returning express couriers submitted thin sealed letters. -Proceed as nned. Phew~. Only then could the governors and magistrates breathe a sigh of relief and rx. And the officials in charge of the practical work drank like crazy at taverns and brothels. The next day, the officials, soothing their upset stomachs, began supervising the maintenance of the roads along the routes where the horse-drawn trams would run and the construction of buildings to be used as stations. Unlike the officials who were in a mess, the residents were engaged in conversations with eager anticipation. Wow! It looks like horse-drawn trams are really going to be installed? You! Did you think the kings words were empty promises? Anyway, will it be a bit more convenient to get around now? *** As public transportation emerged in Hanseong and major urban areas throughout the country, Joseon began to experience a quiet change. From Sejong at the top to the people at the bottom, no one was aware of it, but that change was gradually prating deep into Joseon. Joseon had begun to move a little faster. *** Note 1) Wheel, Rolling the World C The Birth, Fall, and Revival of the Wheel. Richard Bulliet, MID /bookmid/220885066868 Chapter 315 Chapter 315 Starting with the economic reform, the entire Joseon was changing, and the process seemed to be mostly smooth. However, there were quite a few areas that showed sluggish results as various problems intertwined. The organization of music, which Park Yeon and Anpyeong were devoted to, was one of them. *** Sejong felt the necessity to revise music. In Confucianism, which Joseon had chosen as its national ideology, observing rituals was an important matter. Therefore, observing the Five Ritesauspicious rites, guest rites, military rites, festive rites, and inauspicious riteswas very crucial. And in the ceremonies observing these Five Rites, music was rarely absent. That was why Sejong felt the need to revise music. Do you know anyone who is well-versed not only in Confucianism but also in ritual studies, knowledgeable in music theory, and skilled in ying musical instruments?At Sejongs request, the ministers immediately rmended Park Yeon, and Sejong entrusted the task to Park Yeon. And in the middle, Anpyeong got involved. *** Although Anpyeong joined in the middle, he also possessed remarkable talent. Therefore, progress seemed to be going well, but before long, conflicts began to arise between Park Yeon and Anpyeong. It was due to differences in their values regarding music. Unlike Park Yeon, who only valued the ancient Chinese music called aak, Anpyeong argued that folk music such as hyangak and dangak also had value, causing a sh. The conflict arising from the difference in values was quite serious, and it eventually led to a situation where Anpyeong sought out Hyang to confide in him. His Majesty will resolve it. Pardon? How will His Majesty Trust me. They say there are blessings for those who believe. Pardon? Although Anpyeong tilted his head at Hyangs words, he ended up waiting for Sejongs decision. And Sejong did not deviate from Hyangs expectation. Sejong rejected Park Yeons opinion that only aak should be used exclusively in the royal rituals and national ceremonies. Aak is originally not the vocal music of our country but that of China. Chinese people would be ustomed to hearing it regrly, so it would be normal to y aak in rituals. However, our people listen to hyangak while alive, so wouldnt it be strange for them to hear aak after death? (Note 1) Following Sejongs decision, Park Yeon was tasked with organizing not only aak but also hyangak and dangak. And Anpyeong sought out Hyang and shouted with a joyful face. It is as Your Highness said! His Majesty has resolved it! Indeed. Then work diligently. Yes! *** Park Yeon, who agreed with Sejongs point, devoted himself to the work again. Anpyeong also put in his best effort to carry out the work. However, the two soon encountered a pitfall, which was the issue of musical notation. Oriental music wasposed of a scale of 12 notes. In terms of Western music, it was divided into 12 notes within one octave. The problem of musical notation that Park Yeon and Anpyeong faced was that the existing notation recorded the pitch of the notes but not the exact rhythm. The issue of rhythm and ornamental notes used to enhance the music were transmitted through rigorous oral instruction between teacher and disciple, memorizing them through daily life practices. We cannot call it proper organization unless we resolve this issue. Park Yeon nodded in agreement with Anpyeongs words. I agree. Even at this time, there was something simr to sheet music, but it merely recorded the scale of the music. The rhythm and ornamental notes were either orally transmitted or marked with unique symbols of their own, which had the problem of being iprehensible to a third party. What Park Yeon and Anpyeong were aiming for now was to create a standardized notation that anyone who could y musical instruments could instantly understand upon seeing it. *** After pondering and searching for methods but failing to produce satisfactory results, Anpyeong sought out Hyang again. Therefore, we need a solution to resolve this. Since Your Highnesss exceptional talent and intelligence are well-known to all the people of Joseon, I expect you to provide a good answer. Oh my At Anpyeongs words, Hyang made a troubled expression. Hyang also enjoyed music and frequenting karaoke rooms, but it wasnt to the level of his fanatic interests. No, to be precise, music was not included in Hyangs fanatic pursuits. What should I do about this? As Hyang was racking his brain with a troubled expression, he recalled one memory and his face brightened. Lets go to His Majesty! Pardon? His Majesty will know the answer! Didnt he provide an answerst time? That is true, but Hyang, who was dragging the hesitant Anpyeong towards Geunjeongjeon Hall, inwardly eximed. I may be a cheat key, but His Majesty is an outlier! A true genius! *** Hmm Is that so? Upon hearing Hyang and Anpyeongs words, Sejong showed an intrigued expression. After briefly pondering, Sejong rose from his seat. I think the answer wille if we see an actual musical performance Listen, everyone. Lets take a short break. But, Your Majesty As Sejong dered a recess, Lee Jik, who tried to step forward and stop him, froze in ce when Sejongs expression turned fierce. I understand your thoughts, but organizing music is also an important matter. And having been in meetings since morning, I feel a bit tired in body and mind. Good ideas wonte out like this, so I think it would be better to take a short break and reconvene. At Sejongs words, the ministers immediately bowed their heads. We shall obey yourmand! *** Sejong, who had left Geunjeongjeon Hall with Hyang and Anpyeong, turned to them. Which would be better, the Office of Music or the Music Institute? After briefly thinking about Sejongs question, Anpyeong stepped forward and answered. If you wish to see the musical scores currently being organized, the Music Institute would be appropriate, and if you wish to see the musicians performances, the Office of Music would be suitable. Based on Anpyeongs answer, Sejong determined the destination. Then lets go to the Office of Music. Yes, Your Majesty. *** When Sejong arrived at the Office of Music, Park Yeon, who had received the message, also hurriedly entered. I pay my respects to Your Majesty! Yes, you have been working hard. I heard you are putting in a lot of effort to create musical scores. I am deeply sorry for causing concern to Your Majesty. Well, these things can happen. At Sejongs response, Park Yeon breathed a small sigh of relief. If it had not been to Sejongs liking, he would have immediately received a rebuke like this: If youre sorry, then dont create situations to be sorry about! Sejong summoned the musicians and ordered them. Lets see y some court music for me. At Sejongsmand, the musicians performed jeongak to the best of their abilities. After listening to the musicians performance for a while, Sejong slightly nodded his head and quietly gave an order to the royal guard who apanied him. After a moment, the royal guard brought a long stick and respectfully handed it to Sejong. Receiving the stick, Sejong spoke to the musicians. One tap on the ground by me represents one syble of on-bak (full beat). Remember this well and keep the rhythm, and when I signal with my hand, start ying again Yes. Then Sejong raised the stick and tapped the ground rhythmically. The musicians, who were nodding their heads and gauging the rhythm, immediately began ying when Sejong signaled. The expressions of Park Yeon and Anpyeong, who were listening to the performance near Sejong, changed drastically. The performance has changed! The discrepancies have decreased! Hmm After confirming the result, Sejong rose from his seat. You have worked hard. I hope you will strive for more improvement. We shall obey yourmand! Having finished his business with the musicians, Sejong entered the building of the Music Institute with Park Yeon, Anpyeong, and Hyang. Entering the meeting room, Sejong spread out a piece of paper and continued. If we divide a square into a well () shape like this and write the notes, wouldnt it be possible to visually understand the rhythm? If you fill one square with one character, its an on-bak (full beat), and if you write two characters, its a ban-bak (half beat). In this manner. Ah! At Sejongs exnation, Hyang, Park Yeon, and Anpyeong all let out exmations of admiration. Park Yeon shouted in a trembling voice. That is correct! With this, it can be instantly recognized! Then, is it a good answer? At Sejongs question, Park Yeon and Anpyeong answered simultaneously. It is more than sufficient as an answer! We are immensely grateful! Is that so? Thats fortunate. Then work hard. You too, Anpyeong. Yes, Your Majesty! Sejongs face was full of energy as he left the Music Institute. As expected, taking a short break to refresh the mind brings back the energy. Todays work will go well. It is truly fortunate. Hyangs face was slightly pale as he agreed with Sejongs words. It wasnt a bluff but the truth! Hes truly an outlier! It was Hyangs attempt based on his memory of the unofficial historical record that Sejong created jeongganbo (a type of musical notation) in a single evening, but an unbelievable result had emerged. (Note 1) *** Although Sejong had provided the framework, it wasnt the end. Theposition of the musical scores continued to be pondered upon. Shall I give it a try? When Hyang stepped forward, Anpyeong and Park Yeon were delighted. Will you really help us? Ill make a draft first and bring it to you. Hyang, who had made a promise in front of the two, came up with a draft of jeongganbo after various deliberations. Whether by coincidence or intentionally, the jeongganbo created by Hyang was closer to the improved version of jeongganbo created in thete 20th century than the orthodox jeongganbo used by Joseon in the history before Hyangs intervention. I divided the measures into 6 columns and 1 section, and each column is divided into 9 squares. To avoid confusion, I made the outer columns thick ck lines and the inner squares divided by thin blue lines. And I left spaces between sections to write lyrics or make other markings. How is it, Anpyeong? What do you think, Chief Park? At Hyangs question, Anpyeong, who was examining the jeongganbo, answered with a wide smile. Its perfect! However, Park Yeon replied with a slightly worried voice. Its convenient to read and good for recording, but wont it be difficult to print? At Park Yeons concern, Hyangughed loudly and answered. Hahaha! For the craftsmen of Area 51 and the Royal Printing Office, this is a piece of cake! *** While mass-printing textbooks for Saminhakdang and currency, the craftsmen of Area 51 and the Royal Printing Office had be masters of creating movable type, woodblocks, and printing. Not only the intaglio technique learned from Pietro and Raphael but also the multi-color printing introduced while producing currency was no longer a problem. For such craftsmen, printing jeongganbo was an easy task. And by using hwangji (a type of paper), mass printing was possible at a low cost. Until the organization of aak and hyangak scores waspleted and officially published, jeongganbo printed on hwangji was sufficient. *** With the mass supply of jeongganbo paper, the organization of musical scores gained even more speed. By selecting the most experienced and skilled musicians to participate in the work, the creation of symbols indicating ornamental notes and ying techniques also proceeded smoothly. Thanks to this, the organization of aak, hyangak, and dangak was soon to bear fruit. In such a situation, Park Yeon and Anpyeong shed once again. The folk songs sung among the people brought about the conflict. The songs of the people are also music. They should be transcribed and recorded as well! The folk songs sung by the people are merely sounds, not music! The two collided fiercely once more. *** Note 1) Reading the Annals of King Sejong in One Volume. Written by Park Young-gyu. Woongjin Knowledge House. Chapter 316 Chapter 316 The difference in musical values between Park Yeon and Anpyeong was the most important factor in their sh, but what created the process of their conflict was something else. The reason they ended up shing was, amusingly, because things were going too well. *** After the jeongganbo was created, Park Yeon and Anpyeong joined forces to create an even more perfect musical notation. They went on a forced march, systematically organizing and creating performance symbols by bringing in older and skilled musicians. As a result of the tireless work of Park Yeon, considered the most outstanding musician in Joseon history, and Anpyeong, who was intelligent and passionate about music, a highly effective musical notation was created. Once a satisfactory level of musical notation was created, most of the next steps were left to the lower-ranking officials and musicians. They re-transcribed orally transmitted music,pared and reviewed it with existing scores, and recorded the jeongganbo using the newly learned notation methods and performance symbols. The process didnt end with just creating the scores. They would then y the music using those scores to check for discrepancies.Park Yeon and Anpyeong were most involved in that inspection process. And that inspection process went smoothly. The free time that arose as work progressed smoothly led Park Yeon and Anpyeong to sh again. *** The reorganization of aak is nearpletion, and the organization of hyangak and dangak is progressing smoothly. Isnt it all thanks to the efforts of the Grand Prince? What have I done? I merely joined in the work initiated by the Chief. The warm atmosphere that continued as theyplimented each other began to change slightly before long. Among the two musical bureaus, the left bureau (aak) is almost finished, and the right bureau (hyangak, dangak) is also on track. What shall we proceed with next? At Anpyeongs question, Park Yeon stroked his beard, thought for a moment, and answered. We should revise the musical instruments. Do you have any other thoughts in mind? At Park Yeons question, Anpyeong immediately answered. How about organizing the songs and music enjoyed by themon people? At Anpyeongs words, Park Yeon answered firmly. It cannot be done. Why is that? Theyck ss. Not just breaking conventions, but having no conventions at all, they are not worth organizing. Upon hearing Park Yeons words, veins popped on Anpyeongs forehead. They have been passed down from the previous dynasty, Goryeo, and even from the ancient Three Kingdoms period. They are sufficiently worthy of being transcribed and organized! Most of the popr songs from the previous dynasty deal with love affairs between men and women. What value do they have? That love doesnt only refer to lewd acts, does it? How many songs are there that sing of loyalty to ones beloved? And isnt that love the most primitive emotion? Music is meant to assist propriety. However, the songs that the Grand Prince wants to organize now are rather defiling propriety! Music should not end as a mere assistant to propriety. Music itself is also noble! If its so noble, we should properly select them! What is the criterion for that selection? To be honest, dont the literati also enjoy songs? That is merely for entertainment! Dont make excuses for excuses! And so, the two of them ended up shing fiercely. *** As the sh between the two intensified, it led to an emotional conflict as well. A youngd whose head hasnt even dried yet, acting all high and mighty as a Grand Prince! The nerve of him, acting arrogant just because he receives the kings favor for knowing a bit about music! The two, who had be as twisted as possible, growled at each other whenever they had the chance. Park Yeon was slightly worse in this regard, due to his dissatisfaction with the young Anpyeong intervening because of his position as Grand Prince, and his frustration at not being able to do side jobs because of Anpyeong. *** In the history before Hyangs intervention, Park Yeon was dismissed from office and exiled three times. One was in hister years when his son Park Gye-u was involved in the incident of restoring King Danjong to the throne. Normally, he would have been implicated and executed under the guilt-by-association system, but due to his age of 81 and his contributions to music, it ended with dismissal from office. Another was due to an incident that urred on his way back from Ming China after being appointed as an envoy on festive asions in the 28th year of Sejongs reign (1446). It was discovered that he had concealed the incident of leaving their credentials as an envoy delegation at the Huidong Office in Beijing and only hurriedly retrieving them upon arriving at the border. As a result, Park Yeon was unable to serve in office for a year. However, his dismissal in the 30th year of Sejongs reign (1448) was disgraceful. While serving as the Chief of the Music Institute, it was revealed that he had privately exploited the court musicians to make money and umte wealth. The enraged Sejong dismissed him, but due to theck of a recement, he had to recall him as the Chief of the Music Institute slightly over a yearter. *** Therefore, Anpyeong was a thorn in Park Yeons side. Although his dismissal for the private use of musicians urred muchterabout 17 yearshe had already been reaping benefits before Anpyeongs involvement. However, with Anpyeongs intervention, he couldnt even think about side jobs. There was no one bold enough to engage in side jobs while the kings legitimate third son was keeping a watchful eye. Along with the difference in musical values, economic issues alsopounded, worsening Park Yeons perception of Anpyeong. It was the same for Anpyeong. While participating in the aak reorganization project, Anpyeong found himself in a situation where musicians were readily avable right in front of him, and he couldnt just let it pass. Whenever there was a slight opportunity, Anpyeong would immediately go to Sejong and ask to be allowed to bring musicians to his residence. Hmm This would be better than chasing troupe performers around the country. Sejong, well aware of Anpyeongs fanatic tendencies, epted his request, and Anpyeong summoned the musicians to his residence to perform music. The music mainly performed by the musicians at Anpyeongs residence was mostly popr songs. The music yed at royal banquets could potentially embroil him in political disputes if he wasnt careful. -Listening to music that can only be heard in the presence of the king, he must have intentions of usurping the throne! It was a im full of absurdity, and given Sejong and Hyangs personalities, they would have scoffed at it, but it was a im that could easily cause problems in the political arena. Anyone with political ambitions could stir up trouble. Of course, this was the perspective of an outsider, and court music was definitely not to Anpyeongs taste. When Anpyeong summoned the musicians and listened to their performances, he would reward them. It wasnt an enormous amount, but it was enough for them to walk around with their heads held high as breadwinners for a few days. As this became frequent, the musicians and Anpyeong became close, and through those close musicians, Anpyeong was able to hear stories about Park Yeon. What a shameless bastard After hearing the stories from the musicians, Anpyeong couldnt look at Park Yeon favorably. As a result, the rtionship between the two sides worsened further. *** When the No. 1 and No. 2 of an organization have a poor rtionship, it is the subordinates who suffer. This was the same for the officials and musicians working under Park Yeon and Anpyeong. Those who were caught between the two, who growled at each other whenever they had the chance,ined andmented whenever they were alone. At this rate, well die first! Youre right. Every day is like walking a tightrope Fortunately, they handle official duties properly, but But we cant live like this forever, can we? Thats true, but we cant submit a petition, can we? Theres no one to rece Chief Park and the Grand Prince right now! If were not careful, well be the ones to suffer! Thats the problem No matter how much they looked here and there, no clear answer emerged. In this situation, one official suggested. Shall we try telling the Crown Prince? The Crown Prince? If we submit a petition to His Majesty and something goes wrong, it could be a big problem, but wouldnt it be alright if we confide in the Crown Prince? Hmm The surrounding officials all showed intrigued expressions. Not the king, but the Crown Prince. And not a petition, but a personal appeal. The officials, who had calcted this and that, muttered in unison. That sounds usible. *** Oh my A few dayster, Hyang, who had secretly met with the officials from the Office of Music and the Music Institute and heard their grievances, muttered with a troubled expression. I have listened well to your words. You must be going through a lot. I will think about it, so please return to your duties. Understood. We will only trust in Your Highness. As the officials trudged away, Hyang muttered, still with a troubled expression. Its a difficult problem Hyang, who had heard the officials grievances, was just as perplexed. ording to what he had learned in middle and high school in the 21st century, numerous popr songs, including Goryeo gayo (Goryeo songs), had disappeared intensively during the early Joseon period. The factor that led to the disappearance of those popr songs was the judgment of the literati who founded Joseon that they were harmful to customs. Should I consider it fortunate that Anpyeong is obsessed with popr songs? No, His Majesty also doesnt look down on the right bureau The problem is that even His Majesty has a high hurdle when ites to popr songs. Hes unexpectedly a conservative nobleman Although Sejong was progressive enough to legally guarantee maternity leave and parental leave even for government ves, he was quite conservative in some aspects. This was due to a kind of inferiorityplex that Sejong had. -Although he was the legitimate son of the previous king, he was not the eldest legitimate son who became king. -The reason he was able to be king was not only because of his outstanding schrship and intelligence but also because his conduct was upright. It was precisely because of the second point that Prince Yangnyeong was pushed aside and Sejong became the Crown Prince. Therefore, Sejong had to adhere to Confucian moralism more than anyone else. Hyang, who had vaguely grasped this situation, judged negatively regarding Sejong. In the end, Hyang chose the method that came to his mind first. Thats right! The best way to solve this kind of problem is alcohol! *** A few dayster, Hyang took Anpyeong and Park Yeon to a gisaeng house. The reason I have brought you here today is to express my gratitude. Thanks to your efforts, the organization of music is progressing smoothly. I am truly grateful. At Hyangs ttery, Park Yeon and Anpyeong bowed their heads and replied. You praise us too much. Hyang raised his cup and announced the start of the banquet. Now! Lets get thoroughly drunk today! As the wine cups circted, the atmosphere gradually softened. Amid the singing and dancing of the gisaeng, which heightened the mood of the banquet, theughter of Park Yeon and Anpyeong began to grow louder. Hahaha! Your Highness! Please have a drink. Anpyeong, you have one too! Chief! Chief, have a drink too! As Hyang kept offering drinks to Anpyeong and Park Yeon, he was waiting for the right timing. Theyve be appropriately soft. Then, slowly By the way, Chief. Yes, Your Highness. Being in the pce, I hear many rumors. And I heard a rumor that you and Anpyeong are in discord. What happened? At Hyangs words, the drunkenness disappeared from the faces of Park Yeon and Anpyeong. Seeing their expressions, Hyang began to coax them. Ah! I dont mean to say anything. Its just that Im worried because I hear unfavorable rumors while you are doing work that His Majesty has high hopes for. Its because we have slightly differing opinions on music Differing opinions? As Hyang casually threw a question, Anpyeong immediately responded. Its about the issue of recording popr songs. Grand Prince! Park Yeon cried out in surprise, but Anpyeong didnt back down either. Chief! Isnt this the perfect opportunity? Lets settle it here and now! Just as the third round of Anpyeong VS Park Yeon was about to unfold, a new guest was entering the room separated from Hyangs party by a small corridor. The Crown Prince suddenly visiting a gisaeng house, I wonder whats going on. Shall we listen in? The person who entered the room was Sejong. Chapter 317 Chapter 317 The war of words that took ce in the room went in the same direction as before. Infant songs are out of character, their content is obscene, so they are worthless! No formality means no learning! Thats it! And, not all folk songs are promiscuous! Hyang, exhausted from listening to the squirrel-like war of words, just quietly emptied the ss of alcohol that the gisaeng was pouring for him. As the empty kettle went out and a new kettle came in, Hyang suddenly felt unfair. Shit! Why do I have to drink alone? And listening to such old-fashioned stories instead of pleasant songs! As I got drunk, Ipletely forgot that I had created the ce, and suddenly I felt aggrieved. for a moment! The scent that had stopped the two people from arguing gave an order in a slightly rxed voice. From now on, those who will express their opinions must empty their sses before speaking, and anyone who does not empty their sses while the other person has emptied two sses will be punished for three sses. As the rule was established, both Anpyeong and Park Yeon began to get drunk. Then, little by little, the words that came out began to be more honest. Hey, old man! I heard that when you were young, you came to Hanyang and learned how to y the flute from a clown? Are you saying that such a nobleman is out of character? In response to Anpyeongs point, Park Yeon quickly emptied her ss and made an excuse. The clown at that time was truly talented! * * * When Park Yeon was young and living in her hometown of Yeongdong, Chungcheong Province, she happened to have the opportunity to learn how to y the flute. Because he had a talent for music, his flute skills impressed the local people. You are a yer (a person with excellent skills), you are a yer! Due to the appreciation of his hometown people, he came up to Hanyang to learn more about yin. And when he heard a rumor that there was a clown with a great talent for singing, he went to see him. Would you like to hear my flute? yes. Park Yeon proudly boasted of her flute skills. How is it? The clown, who was quietly listening to the sound of Park Yeons flute, shook his head and answered. The sound of the schrs ??flute has vulgar sybles and does not fit the melody. Park Yeon, shocked by the clowns harsh criticism, asked for correction, but the clown refused the request. The habit has already be established and cannot be changed. However, Park Yeon forgot that he was a nobleman and clung desperately. Eventually, the clown began teaching Park Yeon. However, he thought Park Yeon would give up soon. It was already a hard-established habit, and it was because of his pride in being a nobleman. However, Park Yeon corrected her bad habits in just a few days, and before a month had passed, she was at the point where the clown asked her to learn. (Note 1) * * * Despite Park Yeons excuses, Anpyeong continued to push Park Yeon. Even if Jaeins skills are outstanding, would he have learned the music of the left and right sides? I didnt just learn the informal melody the old man said! Songs and folk music may not be of the highest standard, but they touch peoples hearts, so they are worth recording! Inspiration is important, but if there is no example, it is useless! Dance is useless! You can teach etiquette! What is important is the sincerity of the people contained within it! Dont be foolish and say nonsense! Sincerity alone is not enough to show ss! What is more important than reputation is sincerity! Music must be heavy and long! Even something light and small has its own charm! The war of words heated up again. However, unlike the war of words that took ce just a moment ago, they ended up revealing their true feelings and sticking together. Looking at that, Hyang smiled slightly. Now I can hear and see it! Fighting is always fun when you take off everything and stick together! At the same time, Sejong, who was listening to the story in a neighboring room, raised his ss with a simr smile. I feel like listening now. * * * The war of words that followed gradually tilted towards Anpyeong. Anpyeong was also like King Sejongs child. As soon as Anpyeong gained a slight advantage using Park Yeons anecdote from his youth, Anpyeong fiercely pushed Park Yeon. As the alcohol added to it, Park Yeon waspletely pushed away. Park Yeon had to sweat hard to stop Anpyeongs intensifying offensive. Are you saying that a tigers child is also a tiger? This ce was a cave today! * * * The situation has been sorted out in a way. Then I wille to a conclusion. When Hyang opened his mouth after confirming the situation, the two people stopped arguing and looked at Hyang. Anpyeong was looking at the incense with an expectant face, while Park Yeon was looking at the incense with an expression full of defeat. Looking at the faces of the two people, Hyang came to a conclusion. It would be a good idea to record and organize the folk songs as well. Lowering! Park Yeon raised her voice, but Hyang calmly exined the reason. As Jeju ims, Sokyo is ssless and frivolous. There are also many promiscuous things. However, since the sincerity of the people is melted there, that alone is valuable. Whoa~. Park Yeon let out a long sigh at Hyangs decision. Although there was dissatisfaction, it was a sign of eptance. Hyang, who saw Park Yeon like that, spoke. Of course, it is true that folk songs are very inferior in terms of artistry. However, this is for Abama, or to be more precise, for the ruler. What do you mean, for the sake of those in power? Anpyeong immediately asked a question in response to Hyangs remarks. Park Yeon didnt say anything either, but she looked interested. In response to Anpyeongs question, Hyang immediately exined the reason. As you said, the sincerity of the people is reflected in the folk songs. Because of this, those in power can know what the people are thinking. Even if it is a song written in the past, if it is well-received by todays people, doesnt that mean that they sympathize with the sincerity contained in the song? So, it means that it is helpful to those in power. ah . Anpyeong and Park Yeon nodded without realizing it at Hyangs exnation. Meanwhile, Sejong, who was listening in a neighboring room, was also nodding. It may be a quick song, but the sincerity in that song is the heart of the people. . Thats something to think about. Sejong, who was savoring Hyangs words with a happy face, looked back at Naegeumwijang and Sang-seon who were present. How is it? Even though he is my child, wont he be a truly good ruler? So it is. Your Majestys words are truly correct. King Sejong muttered as he emptied his ss with a happy face at the answers of the Merchant Marine and Naegeumwijang. It looks like its already beenpleted, so shall we try cleaning it for you? * * * Tsk! When Sejong was mentioning Daejeongjeong, Hyang, who was holding a drink, suddenly trembled from the chill that overtook her entire body. Sir, whats going on? Oh, I suddenly felt a bit chilly . Shall I tear down my seat? Hyang shook his head in response to Anpyeongs question. No, its not easy to create a situation like this, so lets have some fun today. What do they do? I lost my excitement! yes~! To Hyangsmand, the gisaeng responded with coquettish voices and began singing and dancing while filling empty sses with alcohol. * * * Once the incense was over, Anpyeong and Park Yeon began to enjoy the drink with a rxed mind. As they became so drunk, Anpyeong and Park Yeon began to interfere with the gisaengs singing and dancing. Like Park Yeon, Anpyeong was also an expert in singing and dancing. It started with Anpyeong. Lowering! The gisaengs voice is not good! The gisaeng looked sad at Anpyeongs words. However, Park Yeon and Anpyeong were the ones who could not refute anything in the pce through music. What the Commander-in-Chief said is correct! The sound is . As Park Yeon stepped forward to help, Anpyeong stepped forward. Lowering! Even though its just a short story, Ill sing a song! OK! Lets take a listen! In response to Hyangs words, Anpyeong sang a Goryeo song in style. p p p! When Anpyeongs song ended, Hyang, Park Yeon, and the gisaeng pped. That sounded good! You guys, try shouting again! yes~! At Hyangs words, the gisaeng, who was known to be the best at singing among the gisaengs, came forward and began to sing a song. stop! While the gisaeng was making noise, Park Yeon shouted. When Park Yeons gisaeng, startled by her shouts, stopped her singing, Park Yeon cleared her throat and opened her mouth. Sound is . This is what needs to be called. As soon as she finished speaking, Park Yeonposed a song of love. p p p! Oh! Really, manufacture it! When Park Yeons song ended, everyone inside apuded in admiration. As the apuse died down, the scent gave a light rebuke. Why did you oppose it when you were so vocal? This is because there are proper words, but there are no proper letters. ah . huh? What is that? In response to Park Yeons answer, Hyang showed an understanding expression, while Anpyeong asked back with an expression of uncertainty. In response to Anpyeongs question, Park Yeon exined the reason. If its a Chinese character, the meaning can be recorded. However, there are many words to express him even if they mean the same thing. If future generations see the score, they will have to worry about what words are appropriate for the song. Then, if you choose the wrong lyrics, the melody will also be modified, and the original song will be damaged. ah . Only then did Anpyeong nod his head. However, Hyang smiled and answered. Still, write it down. If thats the case, Abamama will give you the answer. yes? Sir, what does that mean? Im curious too. However, further exnation of the scent was omitted. You will know when the timees. ording to Hyangs memory, King Sejong secretly developed Hunminjeongeum. So he stopped talking because he didnt think there was a need for him toe forward and exin too much. Sejong, who had been raising his ss to his mouth, froze as he heard Hyangs meaningful words. no way! Did this bastard notice? Sejong put down his drink and looked back at the merchant ship. Do you think the crown prince noticed? The Merchant Marine immediately answered King Sejongs question. ording to the reports from the children in the East Pce, they say that he showed no such signs at all. Then how? When King Sejong expressed his doubts, Sang-seon, who was remembering, answered. I think you overlooked it because Your Highness frequently asks questions about text. King Sejong nodded at the merchants answer. Because he had things he did. That is most likely. Should we just have a proxy clean up at this point and start doing it in earnest? At that moment, a scent that sent a chill down the spinemanded the gisaeng. Its a little cold. Please bring a brazier. Yes~ * * * As the firece came on and the room became warmer, the alcohol began to flow faster and faster. As the room became warmer, the excitement in the room began to overflow. Lowering! My brother has a request! What happened? I want to hear your voice! Anpyeong, who was very drunk, asked Hyang to sing a song. At that moment, not only Park Yeon but also her gisaengs focused their attention on Hyang. There were many rumors throughout the capital that the crown prince was excellent in many fields, but there was no such talk about sound or melody. Hyang, who hesitated for a moment at Anpyeongs request, decided right away. The scent was also very intoxicating. The stress that had built up while suppressing everything except the virtues of Area 51 exploded through the alcohol. This too is a clich! Clichs must be followed! But, you cant do it like that! Cl what? Anpyeong tilted his head at the word he had never heard before, but Hyang immediately started singing. In the wind of the Nakdong River~ * * * In the 21st century, while living in a small farming vige near Yangsan, Hyang had to do many things in addition to cksmith work, including making a joy ride for the vige elders. Average age: 70s. There were many people in their 80s, and the average age of the young members of the vige youth association was in their 50s, so the scent was truly baby. Thanks to this, whenever there was a party in the vige, Hyang had to work hard to show off his tricks. After making jokes like that, it was natural that I got used to trot, which was renamed to adult music. However, it was not the new generation trot that young people were familiar with, but the trot that was popr in the 60s and 70s when older people were young. After returning to Joseon, after humming involuntarily and looking around in surprise several times, Han Hyang made a decision. Shit! Its a clich! Then you have to prepare! After making up her mind, Hyang chose a few songs that she remembered that would be good even during this period, converted them into Joseon Dynasty words and sentences, and memorized them. * * * Hyangs passionate performance of Virgin Boatman ended, but the room was quiet. This is the first time Ive heard this in my life. Immediately following Park Yeons words, Anpyeong spoke. Its the same for me too. Could this be a sound you made? Unfortunately, I dont have that talent. I learned this from one of the singers in the clown group that sang to you when you were young. But why dont I remember anything? Because you were young back then. still . Isnt my memory so good? Anpyeongs face appeared in agreement at Hyangs words. The memory of scent was well-known. Although she may have forgotten herself, she was certain that she would have remembered the scent. By the way, did it sound okay? In response to Hyangs question, Park Yeon shared her thoughts. Soris older brother was unfamiliar to me. But, somehow, it catches my heart. And the lyrics are so earnest that they capture your heart. Its the same for me too. My heart aches for her filial piety as she takes care of her old mother on behalf of her brother who has gone to the military. Thank goodness. Hyang looked relieved at Park Yeon and Anpyeongs favorable reviews. Well, my dear . At that time, a gisaeng who had been criticized by Park Yeon for making a noise came out in front of the incense and suddenly prostrated herself. Whats going on? In response to Hyangs question, the gisaeng got straight to the point. Please teach the heavenly woman that sound! I really want to learn how sad the lyrics and melody are. Hyang thought about the gisaengs request for a moment and then answered. Ill call you number 3. Memorize it. I am devastated, my dear! As a gisaeng who is good at singing, when Hyang sang number 3, shepletely memorized the lyrics and most of the melody as well. I will sing you two more times. When the song was sung repeatedly a total of 5 times, the gisaengpletely memorized the lyrics and melody. * * * A few dayster, Akhak. Park Yeon, who was inspecting the sheet music uploaded from below, started humming without realizing it. In the wind of the Nakdong River~. Anpyeong, who was sitting at the desk across from Park Yeon, hummed along with her. Ehehe . At that moment, Park Yeon and Anpyeong, realizing their actions, swore at the same time. Holy shit! At a simr moment, Sejong, who had been humming without realizing it, came to his senses in shock and muttered. This is incredibly addictive. * * * After some time passed, Virgin Boatman came out from the roof of Hanseong. And, as time passed, even the woman swinging theundry bat at the Cheonggyecheon Laundry was called. The most absurd people in this situation were the residents living near the Nakdong River. Why do you visit the Nakdong River in Hanseong? Chapter 318 Chapter 318 As the 13th year of Sejongs reign (Year 1431) was drawing to a close, the ships that had gone to Tianzhu returned. The captains of the 5th and 6th Haeung ships, who discovered the returning ships while patrolling the coast near Jeju Ind, tensely raised their telescopes to examine the approaching vessels. The first thing they checked was the signal g fluttering at the very top of the masts. Please, anything but ck. After observing the approaching ships with tense expressions, the captains sighed in relief. Fortunately, its green. Signal the 6th ship to provide an escort. The 6th ship has already sent a signal. Upon receiving the report from his lieutenant, the captain of the 5th ship lightly shook his head and muttered. His personality Its gotten even more impatient since boarding the Haeung.*** As the number of Challenger-ss battleships increased to nine, the court hastened to organize an ocean-going fleet to head towards the Western Regions. While the court and military focused on organizing the fleet, what Hyang was concerned about was the issue of diseases that could enter through the ships. If theres one fortunate thing, its the incredibly slow speed of travelpared to the 21st century. Considering the incubation periods of all sorts of infectious diseases Hyang could remember, even if an outbreak were to ur among the crew, there was little chance of it causing damage to Joseon. They would all die on the way. It might seem inhumane, but that was the reality. However, theres always the possibility of the unexpected Due to the issue of variables, Hyang intervened in the process of creating operating regtions for the ocean-going fleet and established strict quarantine rules. C Ships returning from ocean voyages are prohibited from directly entering the naval bases. C The Naval Commander of the base where the ocean-going fleet is stationed shall establish a primary port of call on a nearby ind and have the returning ships dock there first. The docking period shall be at least five days. C Afterward, doctors will board the ships to check for the presence of infectious disease patients and review any records of outbreaks. C If an infectious disease patient appears during the voyage and the situation bes severe, the ships doctor has the duty and right to urge the ships captain or the highest-rankingmander to abandon the voyage. C The captain or highest-rankingmander, upon receiving such urging from the ships doctor, shall dock at the nearest Joseon naval base or port. C If the infection is severe, making it difficult to operate the ship and likely to spread externally, the captain or highest-rankingmander must have the crew disembark and scuttle the ship. This is to prevent further spread from the contaminated vessel. C To enable quick and easy assessment of the situation from the outside, the captain or highest-rankingmander shall hoist arge signal g at the highest point of the ship. The color of the signal g is(omitted) Scuttling the ship is too extreme a measure, in my opinion. Considering the construction costs and the value of the cannons and cargo on board The military officials and the Ministry of Finance and Economy administrators expressed disapproval upon seeing the rules proposed by Hyang, but Hyang was adamant. If there is a way to perfectly disinfect a ship where a gue has spread, I will dly make an exception. While the value of the battleships and the goods they carry is immense, I believe it is a price worth paying when considering the loss of life and property that would result if an epidemic were to spread in Joseon. At Hyangs words, the military and the Ministry of Finance and Economy representatives fell silent. Although the number of outbreaks had significantly decreased due to Hyangs active public health and water resource management, whenever an epidemic did ur, it caused the entire Joseon to stagger. In particr, smallpox, which was now treated like a toothless tiger thanks to Hyangs cowpox vination program, had still been severe enough that the king himself would hold rituals whenever an outbreak urred. And Sejong, upon receiving the proposal, immediately stamped his seal on it. If a great cmity can be prevented with a bit of effort, I believe the Crown Princes words are reasonable. Proceed as proposed. I shall obey yourmand! That reminds me. It mentions the nearest Joseon naval base here. Surely it doesnt mean the navy and garrisons on Joseon soil, and it doesnt seem to be Japan either Could it be that you intend to build naval bases in distant foreignnds? To Sejongs question, Hyang and Jo Mal-saeng answered simultaneously. Yes. That is correct, Your Majesty. It is something that must be done. Hmm Discuss it thoroughly with the Ministry of Finance and Economy. Sejong was slyly pushing the task onto Hyang and Jo Mal-saeng. And it was the moment the notorious reputation of Joseons navy, which would make the European powers advancing into Asia starting from the east coast of Africa tremble with fear, was born. As soon as Sejongs order was given, the military and the court moved swiftly. Yeongjong Ind in the West Sea, Dalli Ind in the South Sea, and Mureung Ind (Ulleung Ind) in the East Sea were designated as the primary ports of call for ships returning from ocean voyages, and port construction began. *** The ships that arrived at Mokpo Naval Base under the escort of the Haeung-ss battleships entered the temporary port of call being built on Dalli Ind. Its deste. Gazing at the deste sight of the pier, where construction had been halted in full swing, Kang Nam-gil muttered softly. However, militaryw is strict epting the situation, Kang Nam-gil shouted to the marines. Endure it for just five more days! Five days will do! You wouldnt want to see your families fall ill, would you? Yes, sir! Forcibly suppressing their desire to disembark immediately, the marines responded. They, too, were well aware of the terror of epidemics. They all had family members or rtives who had lost their lives to gues just a few degrees of separation away. *** Only after safely enduring the istion period and confirming that there were no abnormalities were the two battleships able to dock at Mokpo Naval Base. With the help of the tugboats belonging to Mokpo Naval Basethe name was grandiose, but they were slightlyrger than rowboats and slightly smaller than narrow boatsthe two ships that had safely moored at the pier soon opened the deck covers leading to the cargo hold and operated the hoists. Be careful! This is all saltpeter! Saltpeter! The hold is full of saltpeter! Bring all the carts you have! At the shouts of the marines on the ship, the soldiers receiving the cargo on the pier with carts all looked at the draft of the docked ships at once. Seeing the draft almost touching the shimmering sea surface, the soldiers simultaneously gaped. Just how much did you bring? Hmm Based on their past experiences, even when fully loaded, the draft line, which usually remained at least one ja (about 30 cm) above the water surface, was now firmly touching the water surface. *** The report on the cargo and goods unloaded from the two ships was immediately delivered to Hanseong via express messenger. A report from Mokpo Naval Base! Its an inventory of the quantities and goods brought this time! Let me see! Kim Jeom quickly examined the inventory he had snatched from his subordinate. Huh? This Rubbing his eyes, Kim Jeom examined the inventory again. After scrutinizing the inventory several times, Kim Jeom turned to his subordinate. Are these numbers urate? There are no discrepancies. Send someone to Mokpo Naval Base immediately to conduct an on-site inspection! Right now! Yes, sir! After hurriedly issuing orders to his subordinate, Kim Jeom examined the inventory once more. His eyes were fixed on the saltpeter item. Saltpeter total: 27,000 gwan (approximately 100 tons) 27,000 gwan was nearly 170,000 geun in terms of weight. To calcte the amount of saltpeter produced in Joseon at the time, it was a situation where it fell slightly short of 30,000 geun. This was achieved by establishing pastures all around and creating saltpeter fields nearby as the Reformation n progressed. The problem was that this was just a number. To obtain proper saltpeter, the saltpeter made by baking had to be aged for three years. Considering that process, the actual amount supplied to the military was at best half. Yet with a single voyage, an amount of saltpeter that could be used for five years hade into their hands. Kim Jeom double-checked the special notes written next to it. C Top-grade, ready for immediate use. After confirming the contents, Kim Jeom muttered softly. Minister Jo will have to treat us to a grand feast. No, should I be the one treating? *** After reviewing the reports from the Ministry of Finance and Economy and the military, Sejong turned to Hyang. So there was a reason you kept advocating for Tianzhu. Well done. You tter me. Hyang bowed his head in response to Sejongs praise. With a proud expression, Sejong turned to his ministers. Now that we have procured arge quantity of saltpeter through Tianzhu, the military should focus even more on thorough training. However, one thing to keep in mind is that just because it can be abundantly obtained, it should not be used extravagantly. At Sejongs point, Jo Mal-saeng immediately bowed his head and replied. I will engrave it in my bones. As soon as Jo Mal-saengs reply ended, Heo Jo stepped forward. This is Heo Jo, the Minister of General Affairs. Now that the issue of saltpeter for military use has been resolved, I believe it would be beneficial to channel the saltpeter and manure produced at the pastures to the civilians. To channel the saltpeter and manure from the pastures to the civilians? As Sejong showed interest, Heo Jo exined the reason. Saltpeter fields have long been a source of grievance. The reason is that saltpeter and manure are essential items for fertilization when farming. Therefore, now that the militarys problem has been resolved, I believe it would be good to allow the quantities produced at the pastures to be used by the civilians. At Heo Jos words, Sejong immediately nodded. I agree with Minister Heos opinion. However, as fertilizer is crucial for farming, there may be greed or corruption. Ministers, gather your opinions and devise a solution to address this. We shall obey yourmand! *** After concluding the agenda regarding saltpeter, Sejong moved on to the next item. Petitions keeping in to extend the semesters at School for Commoners until before summer. What are your thoughts on this? At Sejongs question, Jo Gye-saeng bowed and replied. This is due to the education process at School for Commoners. To exin in detail ording to Jo Gye-saengs exnation, the problem was due to thepletion process at School for Commoners. School for Commoners did not have a fixed education periodin 21st-century terms, there were no set school years orpletion periods. For children attending School for Commoners to advance to the next course, they had to satisfy a single condition. That condition was to fully understand the current course. Until they achieved that condition, they were absolutely forbidden from moving on to the next course. What added fuel to the fire was the age restriction. Usually, children aged 5 to 15for the aristocracy, beforeing of age, and formoners, before lifting a stone to receive adult certificationenrolled in School for Commoners. However, this was an unspoken rule, and there was officially no age restriction. Just as there was no age restriction for enrollment, there was no age restriction forpletion either. This was wherepetition arose among the parents. My child mustplete the courses faster than the neighbors children! In the early days of School for Commoners, the situation was the opposite. They teach for free and even provide meals? Son! Endure it for as long as possible! Parents who were enticed by the prospect of being able to feed their children fully at least once a day were instead worried that their children mightplete the courses too quickly. However, as the Reformation n progressed and the economic situation improved, the parents mindset gradually began to change. Oh my! That familys son is still on the Thousand Character ssic? My son has already moved on to the next level Hmm After being embarrassed by her rival at theundry site, Dolsoes mother immediately searched for Dolsoe as soon as she returned home. Dolsoe! Dolsoe! Yes, Mother. What are you doing now? I just brought back some fodder to feed the cow. At Dolsoes reply, Dolsoes mother shouted angrily. Forget about the cows fodder! Its your own fodder thats the problem! Go inside and study right now! Simr situations unfolded here and there throughout Joseon. Honey! Dont you know whats more important right now? I became aughingstock to that damn Yongpal! Jangsoe, you brat! Go inside and study immediately! Chapter 319 Chapter 319 The thoughts of most parents with children attending School for Commoners were more or less the same. My child may not be outstanding, but they are not inferior to other children! Therefore, when the school year ended and the pass/fail decisions were made, it caused an uproar. Parents who saw other children advancing to the next level while their own children could not sought out the schools teachers and caused amotion. Whats wrong with my child? They still havent properly learned the Thousand Character ssic. They can learn that in just a few more days! The problem is that the school year has already ended. Unfortunately, I hope they will definitely pass next semester. Its not that the childcks aptitude, so they should be able to pass next semester. After concluding their meetings with the teachers, the parents rolled up their sleeves in frustration.How dare they treat my precious child like that! That day, the cries of children echoed throughout the viges. And when School for Commoners reopened in the fall of the Year 1431, a significant number of children had to relearn much of the material. Why is this happening? Surprised by the regression in the childrens academic achievement, the teachers investigated the reason. After asking the children, the teachers learned that the causey in the busy farming season. C During the busy farming season, the children were unable to properly review and catch up while working in the fields, leading to a regression in achievement. This wasnt just an issue in rural areas. In cities and fishing viges as well, most children had to lend a hand in their families livelihoods. And while working like that, it was impossible to properly review and catch up. The only children who could maintain or even improve their achievements during the break through review and supplementary lessons were the children of well-off independent farmers and the offspring of noble families. To bring the regressed childrens achievements back up and advance to the next level, the children had to diligently study as busily as during the farming season. Especially, as mentioned before, withpetition heating up among parents, children had to struggle with books and ckboardste into the night. And parents spared no support they could provide. Whats the cost ofmp oil when my child is studying! However, as the Year 1431 was nearing its end and the Year of the 1432 was approaching, it became clear that a simr situation would repeat, and the teachers of School for Commoners began to petition the Ministry of Education. *** After hearing the reason from Jo Gye-saeng, Sejong asked with a serious expression. So the opinion to extend the ss period has emerged? Yes, Your Majesty. And by how much do they propose to extend it? Looking at the ss periods so far, school starts five days after Chuseok andsts until the spring equinox (March 20-21). However, ording to the petitions, while starting school five days after Chuseok remains the same, it would be better to set the end of the school term to Haji (June 21-22). If Haji is too long, they argue that it should be extended at least until Ipha (May 5-6). After quietly calcting based on Jo Gye-saengs words, Sejong asked again. They want to extend it by at least a month and a half, and at most three months? That is correct. Will parents whose livelihoods depend on farming readily agree? Even now, there is a shortage of hands, and children who should be learning are being put to work. At Sejongs point, Jo Gye-saeng promptly replied. That is true. Therefore, the Ministry of Education ns to set the regr semester until Goku (April 20-21) and instead officially establish the supplementary lesson days proposed by the teachers. Officially establish Will children be able to easily attend during the busiest times? We n to schedule the supplementary lesson days on market days. At Jo Gye-saengs answer, Sejong pped his knee. What an ingenious idea! *** One noticeable change in Joseon society after the establishment of the Jeonmaeso (markets), the star of Reformation n, nationwide was that markets began to be held regrly. In a way, it was a contradictory situation. However, upon closer examination, it was a natural change. With the Jeonmaeso ensuring a stable supply of daily necessities like salt and sugar, the people of Joseon no longer needed to buyrge quantities at once and store them in their pantries. Moreover, as the Reformation n progressed and households gained more financial leeway,moners also began to indulge in small luxuries. Those who previously would have been satisfied with wooden bowls and spoons now sought out ceramic pots, earthenware, and brass spoons. However, the Jeonmaeso did not sell everything. The simplest example was paper. As the government-run paper mills were abolished, the papermaking artisans who were released from government service began producing paper all over the country, and merchants traveled nationwide to sell that paper. As paper became more readily avable, even ordinarymoners started papering their floors. Those who previously would haveid out straw mats began to use paper. By papering the floors, the living environment became cleaner, and people started paying more attention to hygiene. As a result, the incidence of diseases gradually decreased, which was an added benefit. The story has veered off-topic, but in this way, as the expectations of ordinary people rose and the habit of hoarding goods disappeared, market days became active nationwide. As a result, by now, as the Year 1431 wasing to an end, five-day markets had taken root nationwide, and the n was to utilize these market days for supplementary lessons. *** Upon hearing the Ministry of Educations n as described by Jo Gye-saeng, Sejong immediately authorized its implementation. The importance of education in nurturing talent need not be restated! However, the issue of livelihoods tied to constant production cannot be overlooked either! Therefore, set the semester for School for Commoners until Goku, but designate market days as supplementary lesson days to ensure no interruption in learning! We shall obey yourmand! At Sejongs order, the ministers bowed their heads in unison. Watching the scene from the side, Hyang muttered to himself. I wonder if this is really a good thing *** When the n forpulsory education, symbolized by School for Commoners, was first established, Hyang had proposed setting an education period of five or six years. However, upon hearing this proposal, Sejong and the ministers all reacted negatively. Crown Prince, are you suggesting setting the education period to five or six years? Yes. One year would be considered a semester, and in each semester, the necessary courses would be taught before moving on to the next semester. What happens if a student fails to fully grasp the designated courses in that semester? Since a semester is nearly six months long, how many would fail to pass? Even if there are, I believe they should be allowed to pass if they reach a certain level. What if someone excels and achieves faster than others? If they achieve it within half of the semester, they can immediately advance to the next level. If not, they can move on to the next semester together with their peers. Based on his experience in the 21st century, Hyang answered Sejongs questions. After pondering Hyangs answers, Sejong shook his head. Crown Prince, your proposal is not reasonable. If we allow students to advance to the next level even if they have not properly learned and only reached a certain level, they may fall intocency. On the other hand, if those with better aptitude and effort achieve much faster than others but must move at the same pace as others, they may lose enthusiasm for learning. Therefore, it is appropriate for the criteria for advancing to the next level to be determined by achievement, not the time spent on studying. At Sejongs words, the ministers all nodded their heads as if it were obvious. Seeing Sejong and the ministers like that, Hyang withdrew his proposal. My thinking was short-sighted. Sejong and the ministers thoughts were based on tradition. Until then, when it came to learning, advancing to the next level only urred when there were results showing that the current material had been fully mastered. That was why the custom ofpleting a book before moving on emerged in seodang (traditional vige schools). For those ustomed to such traditions, the 21st-century method Hyang describednaturally advancing grades as time passedwas not reasonable. Even to Hyang, this method of advancing based on results seemed rational at first nce. However, the curriculum in the 21st century was also the result of umted experience over more than a hundred years. Therefore, Hyangmented, I dont know which one is right. As an aside, this system where advancement and retention were determined by results became a unique tradition of Joseon. And it gained notoriety worldwide. Students who were smart and hardworking advanced to higher educational institutions faster than others. As a result, it wasmon for some to continue their studies at the highest educational institutions in their early to mid-teens. On the other hand, there were also countless individuals who had to study with children several years younger than them at intermediate educational institutions even in theirte teens. Some made extreme choices due to this pressure. Many foreign media outlets raised this as an issue, but Joseons response was always the same. Competition is essential to obtain the best talent! Compared to thepetition in society, this is childs y! In the end, Joseon had to endure tremendous time and pain before devising an improvement n for this aspect. *** While the court in Hanseong was busy moving, the crew members who hadpleted the istion period at the Mokpo Naval Base were leaving the base on vacation. It was a long vacation of fifteen days. Carrying bundles containing various exotic statues and foreign objects they had personally acquired in Tianzhuthe Bengal Sultanatethe marines headed out of the base in groups of three or five, heading home where their families awaited. Honey, Im home! Makdong, Dads here! Oh my, dear! Father! Families who hadnt seen their long-awaited heads of household in a long time had a joyful reunion filled with delight. As they exchanged greetings and amotion ensued, neighbors slowly gathered to watch. As themotion died down, the crew members untied the bundles they had brought. Honey, take a look at this. Dolsoe,e here too. What is it? As the crew member sitting on the wooden bench untied the bundle, not only his family but also the neighbors beyond the fence craned their necks in interest. This~ is cloth made in Tianzhu. Oh my! How can cloth be so thin! Its so light and airy! The woman who picked up the sari used to make Tianzhun womens clothing made a fuss. It wasnt just the sari. Whenever items full of exotic charm appeared, the crew members families let out exmations of admiration. After spending a pleasant time with their families and taking a break, the crew members soon gathered with the neighboring men for a drink. When I was crossing that vast ocean While boasting about their experiences sailing the open seas, not just Joseons coastal waters, and the exotic sights of foreignnds they visited along the way, mixed with tremendous exaggeration, the surrounding mens eyes all sparkled. Since it was a military vige located near the naval base, most of the neighboring men were marines. Therefore, they were also expected to embark on simr voyages soon or had a high probability of doing so, so they listened to the stories with shining eyes. As drinks were poured with foreign sights as the side dishes, the topic of conversation drifted to foreign women. Hey, what were the women in Tianzhu like? Perhaps because its a country with strong sunlight, they all have dark skin, but you know If you look closely, theyre just like cows. Cows? Their eyes are so big! Half of their face is eyes! And they pierce their noses, wearing gold ornaments, and hang gold threads from them! Just like cows! And The crew member, ncing around to gauge the reaction, ced his hands on his chest and shook them. Theyre as big as cows. Oh my~ The men let their imaginations run wild as they listened to the description. Chapter 320 Chapter 320 The soldiers returned from their two-week leave and immediately set to work on maintaining the warships. Whoa~. Howd these barnacles get so thick in just the few months we were gone? Stay focused and do it properly! Yes, sir! At the officers shouts, the soldiers quickly clung to the ships and began removing all sorts of foreign substances. The ships that had gone all the way to Suez and back required a lot of maintenance work. Thanks to the efforts put in from the design stage to maximize maintenance efficiency, tasks requiringplex processes were rare. However, such work was inevitably tedious and tiring. In the end, the soldiers and shipyard workers unconsciously began humming tunes. On the winds of the Nakdong River~. A soldier overheard the carpenter working next to him humming the melody and spoke up.Ive never heard that tune before. Ah! Of course you wouldnt have heard it before! Its a tune that started spreading from Hanseong a few months ago. Its so catchy and addictive, its absolutely amazing! But why are they mentioning the Nakdong River in Hanseong? The carpenterughed heartily at the soldiers question. Hahaha! Thats the charm of this song! *** While the maintenance of the ships was in full swing at the dry dock attached to the Suyeong Naval Base, the next schedule was being discussed at the Suyeong headquarters. As soon as the maintenance ispleted, Mujeokeun will embark on a northern expedition. Here are the orders. Maengjin and Jinchwi will head to Tianzhu together. After receiving themanders orders and the written orders, Kang Nam-gil immediately asked. Then, will the Major continue to be in charge of the route between Tianzhu? No, that wont be the case. The challenger-ss ships will alternate between the northern and southern routes in the future as well. Kang Nam-gil pointed out an issue with themanders answer. The crew will not be familiar with the routes. Kang Nam-gils point had a valid reason. This was the first time the Joseon Navy had sailed to such distant foreign waters. Expecting the navy personnel operating the ships to be ustomed to it after just a single voyage was a thiefs mindset. Themander nodded at Kang Nam-gils point, but exined why it had to be that way. Your words do have some merit, but the Joseon Navy is still short on manpower. Therefore, we cannot create a situation where they be familiar with only one side of the route. If necessary, they must be trained to be able to operatefortably on either the southern or northern routes. Thats true, but they will not be ustomed with just a single voyage. Even so, it cant be helped. Theres also the issue of fairness. Fairness, you say? When themander mentioned fairness, both Kang Nam-gil and Kim Sang-il seemed to understand to a certain extent. Seeing your faces, it seems youve grasped it to some degree, but there were quite a few soldiers who earned extra ie through this voyage. If such incidents be frequent, discontent may arise among the soldiers. That is why the rotation system has been established this time. At themanders point, the ship captains, including Kang Nam-gil and Kim Sang-il, all nodded in agreement. *** Joseon also had gossip enthusiasts. Upon hearing rumors that the soldiers returning from Tianzhu had intriguing items, the gossip enthusiasts immediately approached the soldiers, and the soldiers were able to earn a decent side ie. Naturally, other soldiers who witnessed this envied them. Soldiers boarding the panokjeon and joun ships in coastal waters envied the crew members of the panokjeon ships traveling to Japan and the Challenger-ss warships, while the soldiers aboard the Challenger-ss warships envied those on the challenger-ss ships. The militarymanders, already struggling to prevent the movement to avoid the navy due to the saying ones status is that of amoner but the work is that of the lowest ss, immediately recognized the problem and pondered a solution. Those bastards who stubbornly refused even when given the opportunity The initial reaction of the high-rankingmanders upon receiving the report was one ofint. -Sailing to distant seas, with a voyage duration of at least several months, and up to several years at most. When the challenger-ss warships first emerged and the soldiers heard about the missions, they all shied away from them. In the end, the higher-ups had to offer more pay to receive applications from the soldiers. However, upon seeing the substantial side ie earned by the soldiers who had been to Tianzhu,ints emerged. Isnt that how human nature always is? Lets find a solution. Still, for them to change so drastically from before to after The ship captains were the same, werent they? Ugh And so, the most traditional and orthodox solution that came out was rotation of duties. The first step was to expand the naval training facility established in Wonsan and create training facilities in other naval bases to provide basic operational skills. Then, based on the performance of those who passed through the training facilities, they were assigned to either the ocean-going fleet or the coastal fleet. If they fulfilled the required service period and achievements, they would be rotated to a different position. *** While preparations, including ship maintenance, were steadily progressing at the Mokpo Naval Base, the Joseon court in Hanseong was also devising various ns and adjusting existing ns and policies in preparation for the uing year of Imja (1432, the 14th year of King Sejongs reign). During this process, Hyang was engaged in verbal disputes with the ministers, especially with Heo Jo, who was in charge of general affairs. Why? Why were the researchers excluded from the personnel supply again this time? It is because the staffing of other departments has not yet beenpleted. I apologize. Hyangs voice rose at Heo Jos answer. It will be the second year when Imja arrives! Even the students attending the Research Institutes affiliated school only have Jung-ui left. Im telling you, there is ack of personnel to conduct research at the institute and in Area 51! For the time being, you should maintain with the existing personnel You should consider the personnel taken away to the Military Academy and the Administrative Training Institute from the existing staff! Despite Hyang raising his voice, Heo Jo only bowed his head. I apologize. *** As the year-end personnel changes progressed, the issue that troubled the court the most was the supply of manpower. To be precise, it was the supply of personnel educated to the level desired by the court. On the surface, Joseons poption was increasing rapidly. Not only Kim Jeom but also King Sejongs desired 10 million poption was within reach. However, this meant that the average age of the entire Joseon poption was bing very low, and in other words, while the number of people requiring government management was increasing, there were few who had received sufficient education and could be deployed for work. The biggest cause of this situation was the Confucian schrs, or more precisely, the local Confucian schrs who participated in the Giyu Rebellion. At least half of the local Confucian schrs in the Samnam region participated in the rebellion and were swept away, and at least one-third of the remaining half suffered the tragedy of their entire family being exterminated for opposing the rebellion. As a result, the only regions that could supply personnel to the government organization were Gyeonggi, Gangwon, and the northwestern regions. Demand continued to increase, but supply had drastically decreased. To solve this, King Sejong and the court presented all sorts of solutions. The first thing they implemented was lifting the ban on government service for the northwestern regions, followed by lifting the ban on government service for those born out of wedlock. However, most of them had given up on learning after being barred from government service for over 30 years, so the thirst for manpower persisted. As a result, King Sejong and the court had no choice but to draw from the nearest sources. To address the anemic state of the administrative organization, the ces that were drained were the Hall of Worthies and the research institute established by Hyang. The Hall of Worthies, which was under King Sejongs control, had no choice but to provide personnel without saying a word, but the research institute was different. Hyang stood his ground and prevented it. How can you ask for the personnel weve nurtured? I wont give them! I refuse! Over my dead body! Not only Hyang but even Prince Jinpyeong expressed his opposition. Were already short on personnel toy railroads across Joseon, and youre asking us to give them up? Id rather have my head cut off! With Hyang and Jinpyeong physically resisting, King Sejong summoned them. The country is in a difficult situation right now, so you two should follow my orders. We dont have enough personnel to conduct research for developing the country and making it prosperous! Moreover, they have only focused on mathematics until now and know nothing about administration. In response to Hyangs answer, the gathered ministers simultaneously muttered to themselves. Judging by the reports they submit, they write better than our own kids As Hyang continued to resist, King Sejong exined again. That mathematical ability is what we need. Not only the court but also the military and various other ces require mathematics. However Your Majesty! It is not possible! With both Hyang and Jinpyeong continuing to oppose, King Sejong, whose expression had turned fierce, looked at Chief Eunuch. Chief Eunuch, go ce some stone blocks and canes in Gangnyeongjeon. As King Sejong showed his intention to use force, Hyang immediately responded. 10 percent! I will send 10 percent of the research institutes personnel as support. 30 percent. 20 percent is possible. Tsk 25 percent! This is the maximum! Tsk Fine. 25 percent. In return, I will replenish the personnel as quickly as possible. Yes. And so, personnel were taken from the research institute and assigned to the newly established Military Academy and Administrative Training Institute. And even after a year had passed, Hyang continued to appeal. If I just let it go, it will be buried! I have to keep reminding them like this! However, as the year of Imja approached, Hyang was not just appealing but genuinely advocating for the necessity of replenishing personnel. *** Very well! In that case, our research institute will directly recruit personnel! Hyangs deration made both Heo Jo and Kim Jeom look troubled. As you are well aware, preparing for the civil service examination requires a lot of effort and expense. Therefore, I believe preparing separately would be a waste. He is right about that. Hyang, I think we will be able to allocate personnel starting from the year of Haechuk, so why dont you wait a little longer? Even King Sejong intervened, but Hyang made a proposal to him. If we can replenish personnel with minimal cost and effort, will you allow it? Do you have a way? Yes, I do. Intrigued by those words, King Sejong nodded. I permit it. Lets see your skills. I am deeply grateful. *** Having obtained King Sejongs permission, Hyang returned to the research institute and summoned Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji. So, I obtained His Majestys permission. Jeong-cho nodded at Hyangs exnation. This turned out well. Considering themotion of pulling personnel from among those who passed the civil service examination. Jeong Inji also nodded at Jeong-chos words. Until now, the method of replenishing personnel was to bring in those with excellent mathematical skills from among those who passed the civil service examination. The problem was that since they were sessful candidates, their performance in other areas was also outstanding, so they had to engage in tiresome power struggles with other departments. Nodding at Jeong-chos words, Jeong Inji asked Hyang. By the way, you mentioned replenishing talent with minimal cost and effort, so how do you n to do it? Hyang answered simply. We will spread extremely difficult math problems nationwide. We will bring in those who solve them. Aha! If we entrust it to Byeoljong, he will create the best problems! And so, Lee Soonji was summoned. So, Manager Lee Soonji, Id like you to create the problems. What level of difficulty should I aim for? In response to Lee Soonjis question, Hyang turned to Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji. Upper-intermediate would be appropriate, right? Upper-intermediate is a bit too much. I think upper-beginner would be suitable. I also believe upper-beginner is appropriate. Nodding at Jeong-cho and Jeong Injis answers, Hyang turned to Lee Soonji. Set the difficulty at upper-beginner and create a total of five problems. When can you have them ready? Just give me five days. Very well. Chapter 321 Chapter 321 Five days passed, and Lee Soonji submitted a total of eight problems to Hyang, Jeong Inji, and Jeong-cho. Please select five problems from among these. Upon receiving Lee Soonjis report, Hyang turned to Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji. Gather all the researchers. Yes, Your Highness. After assembling the researchers of the institute and even the student studying mathematicsPrincess Jung-uiHyang wrote the problems on the chalkboard and ordered. Try to solve them. The time is Manager Lee? At Hyangs call, Lee Soonji immediately replied. Considering their level, even half a shijin (1 hour) would be more than enough.At Lee Soonjis answer, everyone who had to solve the problemseven Princess Jung-uicursed inwardly. Ugh! Look at him! Setting the standard based on himself! Our level? More like his level! Thats definitely intentional! Its clearly intentional! Ugh! Damn it! If it werent for the manager! Im going to tell! Im going to tell Abeomama! As if sensing that atmosphere, Hyang immediately ordered. Then, one shijin. Do your best to solve them. Begin. At Hyangsmand, people took out papers and began solving the problems. After two shijins of problem-solving and submission, Hyang, Jeong-cho, Jeong Inji, and Lee Soonji began grading the papers. Here are the results. Lets see. Hyang reviewed the grading results submitted by Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji and was able to select five problems. Hyang chose the two problems with the most correct answers, the two problems with the next highest number of correct answers, and the one problem with the least correct answers. He then discussed the next steps with Jeong-cho. Lets print these selected problems onrge posters and have them posted on the walls of government offices nationwide. When you say nationwide government offices, does that include the regional offices? Yes. How long should we set the deadline? Hmm Pondering for a moment while stroking his beard at Hyangs question, Jeong-cho immediately answered. Considering the time required for printing, distribution nationwide, and the return of answer sheets, I believe one month would be more than sufficient. One month Then we should have an outline by the winter solstice? That would be the case. Hyang nodded at Jeong-chos words. Very well. Then proceed with it immediately. Yes, Your Highness. Thus, the research institutes new researcher recruitment exam, boasting a history, tradition, and notorietybrought about by thest problem with the worst level of difficultywas born. *** As soon as Hyangs order was given, the research institute and Area 51 moved busily. The reason for this was the various mathematical symbols included in the problems. Good heavens! There are only five problems, but the annotations to be written beside them are three pages long! If we make a mistake in printing, well have to re-engrave the printing blocks from scratch! Why did they include this function? The craftsmen and managers of the printing office were perplexed, putting their hands on their foreheads. The mathematical symbols were familiar to Hyang, who had experienced the 21st century, but they were unfamiliar symbols to the Joseon people of this period. Why are we using these in the first ce? Its to make the expression of equations and calctions a bit more convenient. Then, what is the principle behind the creation of these symbols? In response to Jeong-cho and Jeong Injis questions, Hyang recited a usible background starting with the arithmetic operation symbols. Examining the symbols while listening to Hyangs exnation, Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji showed skeptical reactions. Your Highnesss exnation is somewhat understandable, but frankly, I dont quite see the usefulness. Youll know once you use them. Is that so? Just as Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji were skeptical, the researchers of the institute and the craftsmen of Area 51 were also full ofints at first. Why not just write the characters for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division? Calction is already confusing enough! However, before long, the researchers and craftsmenpletely reversed their initial assessments. This is actually convenient. As the unfamiliar symbols became familiar, calctions started to be fasterpared to before. It wasnt simply that time was saved by writing simple symbols instead of characters, but the equations themselves began to be understood at a nce. Two years after Hyang introduced mathematical symbols, the researchers of the institute and the craftsmen of Area 51 couldnt even imagine writing equations without mathematical symbols. The crazy bastards at the research institute and Area 51 are using strange symbols! Rumors about mathematical symbols soon spread to the court and the military. Upon hearing the rumors, King Sejong immediately asked the ministers. Is it the Crown Prince again? That is correct, Your Majesty. Chief Eunuch, summon the Crown Prince. Yes, Your Majesty. And before long, the court and the militarysupply and artillerybegan to distribute and use mathematical symbols. The military, in particr, weed it enthusiastically because many officers still didnt know Chinese characters well. Receiving a report rted to this, King Sejong muttered alone in the secret room he had created in Gangnyeongjeon. As expected, the form of characters should be as simple and concise as possible. Only then can the people learn them easily. I need to make some more adjustments. Anyway, the arithmetic operation symbols, which first appeared around 1300 ADexcept for the addition symboland only fully established themselves in the 18th centurythe division symbolbegan to fully take root in Joseon in the 1430s. *** The test papers and annotation books created in this way were loaded onto express messengers and headed to government offices nationwide. Receiving the test papers and annotation books delivered by the express messengers, the local officials muttered with perplexed faces. Is it the Crown Prince again? What bizarre thing is he trying to do this time The local officials had intuitively sensed through their experiences so far that this matter would also be extraordinary, but the problem was the separately attached order from King Sejong. -Act ording to the Crown Princes orders. Well, since all we have to do is post them and collect the answer sheets Disying the typical characteristics of a government official, the local official issued the order. *** When the news spread that a new poster had been posted on the bulletin board created next to the main gate of the government office, the curious residents of the county gathered in front of the office. Is that writing or a drawing? You ignorant person! Those are Tianzhu numbers. Tianzhu numbers! As the residents were discussing the poster filled with numbers, someone with a good voice read aloud the official document posted next to it. The Joseon Institute for Science and Technology Development is recruiting researchers to conduct research. Those who wish to be researchers should solve and submit the following problems. Those who pass the test will be selected and appointed. There are no distinctions based on social status or gender, but those who havemitted grave crimes or have be government ves due to collective punishment are excluded! As the test papers were posted on the government gazette, those who were confident in their mathematical skills began to scrutinize the test papers intently. The eyes of those staring at the test papers as if they were going to devour them were burning with ambition. The research institute is an organization directly managed by the Crown Prince! This is another opportunity! *** Yeongju, Gyeongsang Province. A boy with a topknot and a ck hat, upon seeing the test paper, unconsciously clenched his fist. This is it! Rummaging through his sleeve, the boy took out a paper, a gold brush, and an ink container and diligently began to copy the test problems. After finishing the transcription and checking several times to ensure he had copied it correctly, the boy muttered with a confident face. Its doable. Young Master! The master asks you toe in! Iming! The ce the boy entered after responding to the servants call was the official residence attached to the regional office. *** A few dayster, the regional magistrates wife, who greeted her husband returning from official duties, spoke with a face full of worry. My lord, our third son Damyi has been secluding himself in his room for several days. Our third son, you say? I understand. I will check on him. The regional magistrate, who responded to his wifes words, headed straight to his third sons room as soon as he changed his clothes. Seeing the brightly lit room and the meal tray left untouched in front of it, the regional magistrate clicked his tongue softly. This child, what is he obsessing over this time Knowing his sons habit of forgetting to eat and sleep when he became engrossed in something, the regional magistrate stepped on the stone step and opened his sons room. This is Seeing the papers filled with all sorts of numbers scattered throughout the room, the regional magistrate called out to his son in a loud voice. You rascal! It is said that a person of learning should not lose hisposure, but what kind of behavior is this? The boy, who had been crouching on the floor and engrossed in calctions, was startled by the shout and immediately stood up. Fa-Father. Youre here? What is all this? In response to his fathers question, the boy hastily replied. These are the solutions to the test problems that came down from Hanseong this time. Test problems Do you mean the one recruiting researchers for the research institute? Thats right. Its perfect timing. I think I will have finished solving them by tomorrow, so please send them to Hanseong once Im done organizing them. Do you wish to be a researcher? Dont you know that I have a talent for mathematics? I will surely be of great use to the country. At the boys words, the regional magistrate shook his head. s! Although you have a talent for mathematics, you havent even had youring-of-age ceremony yet. Moreover, mathematics is merely a pastime for a gentleman. It is not befitting for a gentleman to make it his profession! Have youring-of-age ceremony next year and focus on studying for the civil service examination! Father! Ahem! Clean up these papers at once and open up the ssics! The regional magistrate, who had firmly crushed the boys intentions, closed the door and left. Left alone in the room, the boy gritted his teeth. Mathematics is also a great field of study! I will prove it without fail! I, Kim Dam, although I havent had mying-of-age ceremony, am a proper man! Having set my intention, I will surely carry it out! It was the boy Kim Dam, who was harshly rebelling against his fathers orders. Although he imed to be a proper man himself, his current behavior was a typical teenage rebellion. Three dayster, the official residence was in an uproar. My lord! Young Master! Young Master! What about Damyi? The servant, panting, answered the question thrown by Kim Dams father, Kim So-ryang. The Young Master has left home! What? Startled by the news that his son had run away from home, Kim So-ryang abruptly stood up. The desk was knocked over by the force, but Kim So-ryang paid no heed. Damyi ran away from home? Are you certain? Yes. In the Young Masters room, this letter Kim So-ryang snatched the letter handed over by the servant and saw the words written on the envelope, his expression turning exasperated. Letter of Departure? That rascal! *** At that moment, Kim Dam, riding on a donkey, was heading towards Hanseong with a servant. Young Master, lets just go back. If we get caught, youll be in big trouble with the master. Hah. It will be fine once I enter the research institute. So dont be so frightened. You may say that, Young Master, but I will be punished. Hah! Even if youre a ve, it is prohibited by nationalw to arbitrarily use violence. Moreover, my father is a government official, so how could he vite the nationalw? At Kim Dams nonchnt answer, the dimwitted servant was frustrated, beating his chest. Oh, dear mother! You rascal! You should always think positively for everything to go well! *** Ten days passed, and Kim Dam arrived in Hanseong. Thanks to King Sejongs strong policies, the bandits had been eradicated, and many parts of the roads were well-paved, allowing him to arrive faster than before. The one most excited upon arriving in Hanseong was the servant who hade with him. The servant, who had a face like he was about to die until passing through Sungnyemun, was now distracted by all sorts of wondrous sights and objects in Hanseong, his head turning in all directions. Wow! Young Master! Is that a rickshaw? Screech! Oh, dear mother! The metal chunk is moving on its own! You rascal! Stop acting like a country bumpkin and lets go to Gyeongbokgung! Dragging the servant, who was lost in admiration of Hanseongs sights, Kim Dam headed towards Gyeongbokgung. As Kim Dam arrived at Gwanghwamun, the guard guarding the gate spoke. For what reason have youe, young master? I havee to enter the research institute! Let me in! Chapter 322 Chapter 322 When the dimwitted boy, who hadnt even had hising-of-age ceremony yet, raised his voice demanding to be let into the research institute, the guard at Gwanghwamun became perplexed. Listen, young master. Do you know where this is? This is Gwanghwamun, the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Pce, where His Majesty the King resides. Its a ce where youll be in big trouble if you make reckless remarks. Now, go back home. At the guards words telling him to leave, Kim Dam took out bundles of papers from the load carried by his servant and held them out. These are the solutions to the problems presented by the research institute! And this is a letter of rmendation! Since the talent the Crown Prince desires hase on his own, please let me in! Oh, my As the guard stood there, unable to do anything in response to Kim Dams bold answer, the gate captain, who had been watching, stepped forward. Listen, young master. What do you think youre doing, causing such amotion in front of Gyeongbokgung Pce, where His Majesty the King resides? A talented person who has solved the problems presented by the research institute to recruit people hase, but isnt it causing amotion by blocking him? Let me in at once! WellEven the gate captain had a dumbfounded expression at Kim Dams remark. He wanted to kick Kim Dams behind and chase him away, but he couldnt do that since the research institute was mentioned. He was afraid of the repercussions if Kim Dam was truly a necessary talent for the research institute. After all, the research institute and Area 51 were organizations directly under the Crown Prince. However, he couldnt just let Kim Dam in either. The pce was not a ce where just anyone coulde and go. What should I do As the gate captain pondered to find an answer, he saw the bundle of papers Kim Dam was holding and reached a conclusion. The young master says he is a talent who will work at the research institute and asks to be let in, but not just anyone can enter the pce. However, things may change if the research institute makes a decision. Did you say that bundle of papers contains the problem solutions? Thats right! Give them to me. Ill take them to the research institute. Can you wait quietly next to here until the research institute makes a judgment? In response to the gate captains question, Kim Dam licked his lips and answered. It seems like a formality, but I will follow those words. Then give me the solutions and the rmendation letter. Here they are. The gate captain, receiving the thick bundle of papers and the rmendation letter from Kim Dam, opened the bundle to examine the contents just in case, but immediately closed them. The numbers and symbols filling the papers made his eyes dizzy. Quickly folding the bundle of papers again, the gate captain looked at the rmendation letter and gave a wry smile. On the envelope containing the rmendation letter, the words Self-Rmendation Letter were written inrge characters. Indeed, his boldness is unmatched in the world! Forcibly suppressing hisughter that was slowly leaking out, the gate captain spoke to Kim Dam. I will ry this to the research institute, so wait here. I understand. *** As the gate captain entered with Kim Dams solution book and self-rmendation letter in hand, the ministers who had finished the morning meeting were heading towards Gwanghwamun. When the gate captain politely saluted upon seeing the ministers, the ministers lightly responded and asked a question while looking at the bundle of papers in the gate captains hand. Did someonee again with a petition? No, sir. There is a young master who came wanting to enter the research institute. A young master? He did boast that he was a talent absolutely necessary for the research institute, but The judgment will be up to the research institute. At the gate captains words, the ministers nodded. Thats right. Its a shame. Good work. Thank you. The gate captain, who saluted again, walked with a swaying gait towards Eastern Pce. Watching the gate captains back as he headed towards Eastern Pce, the ministers clicked their tongues and grumbled. What kind of lunatic is trying so hard to enter such a den of demons Indeed. The friends who used to be normal when I saw them before have all gone crazy over numbers these days Tsk tsk tsk! They were all talented people Grumbling like that, the ministers crossed the threshold of Gwanghwamun and saw Kim Dam standing on one side. I suppose thats the boy. Oh my, at such a young age before even having hising-of-age ceremony As the ministers took turns clicking their tongues at the sight of Kim Dam wearing a ck hat and looking at them, Kim Jeom walked up to Kim Dam. Are you the one responsible for making the gate captain take action? Thats right. Oh my. It seems you havent even had youring-of-age ceremony yet, so wouldnt it be better to have the ceremony first and then challenge the civil service examination? In response to Kim Jeoms advice, Kim Dam answered firmly. They say, Dont miss a good opportunity. When a good opportunity hase, how can I miss it because of a mereing-of-age ceremony? At Kim Dams unwavering answer, Kim Jeom looked at Kim Dam again. His eyes are full of intelligence, he seems to be a talent I have something Id like to ask the young master. Will you answer? Please ask. If its an answer I can give, I will try. Then, looking at the chapter on self-cultivation in the Great Learning Kim Jeom asked Kim Dam various passages from the Four Books and Five ssics. As Kim Dam answered without hesitation whenever he asked, Kim Jeom received the financial report held by his subordinate who had been following behind him and opened it to a certain part. Now, calcte the ie and expenditure for this part. At Kim Jeoms request, thrown while covering the answer with his finger, Kim Dam looked at the numbers written in the table and performed mental calctions while flicking his fingers, immediately providing the answer. Oh! Kim Jeom, who checked Kim Dams answer against the actual answer, involuntarily let out an exmation. Its correct! Even senior officials in the Ministry of Finance had toy out an abacus and double-check several times for what he solved through mental calction! Hes a genius! Seeing Kim Dams genius, Kim Jeoms desire began to stir. So, who is your honored father? He is currently serving as the magistrate of Yeongju. Is that so? Then you could have submitted it in writing, so why did youe all the way to Hanseong in person? Thats As Kim Dam, who had been answering confidently until now, hesitated, Kim Jeom inwardly eximed with joy. I knew it! He ran away from home! What a find! Kim Jeom began to gently persuade Kim Dam with a subtle expression and voice. I have a proposal for you. A proposal, you say? Yes, why dont youe to the Ministry of Finance instead of the research institute? Ill hire you through a special appointment. The Ministry of Finance is also a ce where mathematics is important, so you can freely show off your skills. Moreover, its the most important national affair, dealing with the countrys finances, so its the most important position among important positions. If you work in such a ministry, how pleased would your honored father be? You can boast about your talent and also fulfill your filial duty, so how wonderful is that? I prefer not just doing calctions but seeking the truth hidden within mathematics. Haha! Thats important too. However, isnt thoroughly managing the countrys finances also a truly important task? What do you think? How much longer until youring-of-age ceremony? Its in February next year. At Kim Dams answer, Kim Jeoms face brightened even more. Not much time left! First, go back home. Come back up after having youring-of-age ceremony, and Ill immediately appoint you through a special appointment! How about it? But I You sneaked up here this time too, right? As Kim Dam couldnt answer, Kim Jeom began to cast the bait again. What is the foremost of filial acts? It is to put your parents minds at ease Stop right there! At the sudden shout, Kim Jeom closed his mouth and looked to where the voice came from. There, Jeong-cho was ring at him with a red face. Minister! Do you know what gets the most curses in the world? Secretly snatching away someone elses possession! A gentleman should not do such a thing and should not even think of doing it! I havent even stamped the seal yet, so how is it snatching? As Kim Jeom joked, Jeong-cho, who had walked over with big strides, pulled Kim Dam firmly to his side and retorted. I stamped the seal! Satisfied? Tsk If the young master changes his mind,e find me anytime. The door to the Ministry of Finance is always wide open. Minister! At Jeong-chos shout, Kim Jeom immediately turned his body and disappeared into the Ministry of Finance building. That greedy bastard Tsk! Clicking his tongue, Jeong-cho turned to Kim Dam. Are you the one who wrote and submitted the answers? Thats right. I am Kim Dam from Yeongju. Nice to meet you. Follow me. Yes. Jeong-cho took Kim Dam and headed to the research institute located in Eastern Pce. *** Those who greeted Kim Dam upon his arrival at the research institute were the researchers, starting with Hyang. His Highness the Crown Prince. At Jeong-chos introduction, Kim Dam immediately prostrated and bowed deeply. After the brief introduction, Hyang got straight to the point. I reviewed the problem solutions you submitted. Out of the five problems, you got the correct method and answer for three, got both the method and answer wrong for one, and got the method right but the answer wrong for one. Take a look. At Hyangs gesture, an eunuch returned the bundle of papers Kim Dam had submitted. The bundle had red writing pointing out the incorrect parts. Examining the corrections and recalcting, Kim Dam turned to Hyang. I think the corrections to the solutions are wrong. The corrections are wrong? Yes. Manager Lee. Yes! At Hyangs call, Lee Soonji stepped forward with a rough breath and answered. After that, Lee Soonji and Kim Dam engaged in a heated discussion for a while regarding the problems and solutions. Watching them, Jeong-cho turned to Hyang with a pleased face. It seems a quite decent talent has entered. At Jeong-chos words, Hyang also nodded with a smile. It seems so. Jeong Inji, who overheard their conversation next to them, muttered to himself. Not a talent, but another entric just like Manager Lee has entered, hasnt it? In the midst of that, the heated discussion came to an end. I had been thinking incorrectly. Thank you for pointing it out. Its a mistake that immediately urs when ones mindset besx. Therefore, when pursuing a solution, one must always maintain a firm mindset. Thank you for the profound teaching. Kim Dam, who expressed his gratitude to Lee Soonji, bowed his head to Hyang. Please forgive my rude behavior towards Your Highness. Its alright. Then, have I failed? At Kim Dams question, Hyang shook his head with a slight smile. You are ranked first among those who have passed so far. At Hyangs words, Kim Dams face brightened. With a wide smile, Kim Dam hurriedly bowed deeply to Hyang. I am deeply grateful! I will serve with all my heart and soul! At Kim Dams words, Hyang corrected one fact. You wont immediately start practical work. First, you need to receive education. Education, you say? If you learn and pass a higher level of mathematics, you will be assigned to practical work. At the words a higher level of mathematics, Kim Dams face brightened even more. I will do my best! Then first, follow Manager Yi and take a look around the research institutes facilities. In the meantime, I need to write your certificate of eptance. Yes! At Hyangs order, Kim Dam excitedly followed behind Lee Soonji. After sending Kim Dam out like that, Hyang turned to Jeong-cho. No matter how you look at it, it seems he ran away from home, doesnt it? It seems so. I should write the certificate of eptance myself. At least to lessen the scolding he will receive. That would be the best indeed. *** Meanwhile, Kim Dam, who was following behind Lee Soonji and observing various things in the research institute, continuously let out exmations of admiration and asked questions. Wow! What is the principle behind this device? What is the equation that bes the principle of the pressure gauge? Whenever Kim Dam asked a question, Lee Soonji answered without hesitation. The principle of this If expressed in an equation While exining to Kim Dam like that, Lee Soonji opened the door to thest room. This is where we are currently putting the most effort. Wow! Seeing the scene inside the room, Kim Dam involuntarily let out an exmation of joy. On one wall of the room, created by opening up tworge rooms, a huge chalkboard stretched from end to end, and all sorts of equations were written all over it. As if enchanted, Kim Dam stared at the equations and turned to Lee Soonji. What is it calcting? They are equations for designing a bridge to beid across a river. A bridge, you say? Yes. Stone bridges or moon bridges cannot be built overrge rivers. So we n to build bridges using steel and concrete. Those equations are the calction forms necessary for its sess. If these equations are properlypleted, we will be able to build bridges over all the famousrge rivers in Joseon, including the Hansu (Han River). That is the current goal of our research institute. If you sessfullyplete the education, you will also be immediately assigned to this project. At Lee Soonjis words, Kim Dam immediately replied. I will do my best! *** Chapter 323 Chapter 323 While variousmotions, big and small, were urring over the issue of replenishing the personnel of the research institute, a significant event was unfolding in Eastern Pce. Aaargh! Aargh! Argh! Screams were erupting from the Crown Princess and the two concubines, Yangwon and Yangje, in the hastily set up delivery room, and the royal physicians, senior courtdies, and pce maids were busily entering and exiting the room. It was the moment when the children who would carry on the next generation of Joseon were being born. Hyang stood in the courtyard of Eastern Pce, unable to do anything, pacing back and forth, waiting for the childbirth to end quickly. Aaargh! Aargh!Argh! Whenever screams erupted from the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje, Hyang flinched and urged the eunuchs and royal physicians. Are the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje alright? They will be fine. Are they truly alright? Experienced senior courtdies and royal physicians have entered, so do not worry. Whenever Hyang urged, the royal physicians and eunuchs answered that everything was fine, but Hyang couldnt hide his anxiety. Isnt thebor taking too long? It started before sunrise, and its already o-jeong (, noon). Sometimes, there are mothers whosebor is long. Sigh~. At the royal physicians words, Hyang let out a long sigh and grumbled. These rascals took longer toe out than other children, and now theyre being sluggish even during childbirth *** As Hyang said, the pregnancy periods of the three women had exceeded the average duration by about a month and a half. Isnt the pregnancy period too long? Sometimes, there are cases where its this long. At the royal physicians exnation, Hyang immediately asked again. Have there been cases where all three had long pregnancy periods? Its the first time. However, both the mothers and the fetuses are healthy. I understand. Please do your best. We will do our utmost. Listening to the royal physicians answer, Hyang let out another sigh and muttered. Sigh~. Its as if theyre stubbornly refusing toe out *** Aaargh! Argh! Argh! The time had now passed o-jeong and even mi-sijung (δr, around 2 p.m.), but thebor continued. Hyang, who had been fidgeting outside, began to change his expression at the hoarse voices of the mothers and their screams that were bing weaker as their energy drained. Its taking too long Are these rascals really refusing toe out It was a thought that Hyang would have normally dismissed as nonsense, but given the situation, he began to seriously ponder. After pondering for a moment, Hyang soon made a decision. Its now or never! Eunuch! Yes, Your Highness. Who is the eunuch with the loudest voice? Pardon? *** Ugh Please gather your strength. Just a little more, and you will make it! As the mothers, exhausted from the long and arduousbor, groaned, the senior courtdies and midwives next to them cheered on the Crown Princess. Huff Huff While the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje were gasping for breath, holding onto the white cotton cloth hung on the beam, a resounding voice was heard from outside. Informing the babies! His Highness the Crown Prince has ordered, Your fates have already been determined! Do not cause any more filial impiety ande out at once!'' Pfft! Haha! At the eunuchs shout, the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje burst intoughter, forgetting the pain. No, it wasnt just the mothers. Even those who had been anxiously waiting nearby involuntarily let out smallughs. Another resounding shout was heard from outside. His Highness has ordered again! If you continue to resist, I will speak to His Majesty the King and even receive a royal decree! Will youe out now and receive special treatment, or will you be the worst criminals for disobeying the royalmand? I will count to 30. Come out at once!'' As soon as the shout ended, the royal guards nearby began to chant loudly, following Hyangs gesture. Thirty! Twenty-nine! At that moment, the mothers began to scream in pain once again. Aaargh! The head is visible! Just a little more, just a little more strength! At the shouts of the senior courtdies acting as midwives, the mothers gathered their remaining strength once more. Aaah! Just a little more, just a little more! *** Waaah! Waaah! Waaah! After a while, boisterous baby cries erupted from the delivery room. As the prolonged cries of the babies subsided, a royal physician walked out of the delivery room. The exhausted-looking royal physician saw Hyang and immediately bowed his head and reported. Congrattions. All three babies are boys. How are the mothers? They are very exhausted but not in grave danger. Thats a relief. Please take good care of them. Yes, Your Highness. Can I see the mothers now? At Hyangs question, the royal physician answered with a slightly troubled expression. Not yet. Please wait a little longer. I understand. As soon as entry was permitted, Hyang, who had been waiting outside, immediately entered the delivery room. Following the procedure he had established, Hyang thoroughly disinfected his hands and approached the mothers lying on the bed. Seeing the pale and haggard faces of the mothers, Hyang spoke in a gentle voice. You have truly worked hard. Not at all, Your Highness. As thebor was long, your bodies must be very exhausted, so dont forget that you need to rest sufficiently. Yes, Your Highness. Hyang held the hands of the mothers one by one and spoke to them, then turned to the senior courtdies and midwives. Please pay special attention to the care of the mothers. We will do our utmost. Im counting on you. We will obey yourmand. After checking the condition of the mothers, Hyang finally looked at the babies. Seeing the babies wrapped in swaddling clothes, Hyang brought his face close and muttered. Its you rascals, isnt it? Youre prepared to pay the price for making your mothers suffer, right? As if understanding Hyangs growl, the babies faces scrunched up, and Hyang immediately continued. The one who cries will receive special attention and be thoroughly disciplined. As soon as those words ended, the babies faces rxed again. After patting the mothers once more anding out, Hyang tilted his head. I said it out of anger, but They couldnt have really understood, right? *** The news that the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje had safely given birth and that all three babies were boys was immediately delivered to Geunjeongjeon Hall. Congrattions! The birth of the legitimate grandson is a great fortune for the royal family and the country! Congrattions! Amid the congrattions from the ministers and officials, King Sejong replied with a pleased face. Thank you. Truly, thank you. After responding to the ministers words, King Sejong turned to the eunuch and asked. I heard thebor was long. Are the mothers safe? Yes, Your Majesty. Tell me in detail. King Sejong, who was in a good mood upon hearing the auspicious news of the birth of the legitimate grandson who would seed the throne, wanted to hear about the childbirth process. At King Sejongsmand, the eunuch recounted the childbirth process in detail. King Sejong and the ministers, who already had much experience with childbirth, all listened with fascinated expressions. Especially when the eunuch mentioned that Hyang was restless every time the mothers screamed, King Sejong and the ministers burst intoughter. Haha! It seems even the Crown Prince cant help being an anxious father! Indeed, Your Majesty! The eunuchs story reached its climax at the part about Hyangs threat. Hahaha! Hahaha! King Sejong and the ministers, who had only been smiling orughing softly until then, roared withughter, forgetting the time and ce. Haha! A royalmand! Afterughing heartily like that, King Sejong looked at the ministers. Doesnt it seem like the sprouts are already visible, as expected of the Crown Princes children? At King Sejongs question, Maeng Sa-seong immediately answered. Indeed, Your Majesty. Even though they havent properly opened their eyes yet, the fact that they know the weight of the royalmand shows that they are extraordinary. At Maeng Sa-seongs words, the ministers nodded. King Sejong, who had been pondering the situation while listening to the ministers words, looked at the ministers with a grin. Doesnt it seem like it will be enjoyable to raise them? Im already worried about who to entrust as their tutor. Isnt it too early for that, Your Majesty? At Lee Jiks question, King Sejong answered with a smile. Thats true, but Im getting impatient. Seeing such an outstanding appearance already. At King Sejongs words showing his doting grandfather side, the ministers muttered inwardly. Why do I feel sorry for the babies? *** After some time had passed, the story of what had happened during the childbirth process also became known to the people of Hanseong. So, when the Crown Prince said, If you dont want to be punished by the royalmand,e out at once! the babies immediately came out, isnt that right? At the words of Jang Seobang, known for his eloquence in the neighborhood, the men gathered around all nodded their heads with amazed expressions. Oh my~. Does it mean they already understand words? At the neighboring mans remark, Jang Seobang rebuked the speaker. You fool! Whose seed are those babies? Arent they the Crown Princes? The one who creates all sorts of wondrous devices and solves difficult problems without hesitation? How can the offspring of such a man be ordinary? At Jang Seobangs words, the gathered people all nodded their heads. Even among themon peopleat least the residents of HanseongHyangs extraordinariness was widely known. And didnt he mention the royalmand? No matter how young the babies are, how could they not know the fearfulness of the royalmand? At Jang Seobangs words, the gathered people all nodded their heads. *** One of the most emphasized aspects when Joseon was founded was the rule ofw. The first thing created when Joseon was founded was the legal code, and even the magistrates couldnt handle judicial matters as they pleased. Even if it was a formality, it had to be based on the legal code, and all such actions were written in reports and submitted to the king. Therefore, most of the Joseon peoples actions had to follow the statutes and ordinances, and the most fearsome and heavy among these statutes and ordinances was the royalmand. The weight of this royalmand was also effective in folk beliefs. The simplest example was when the people moved or dug a new toilet in each household, to avoid the wrath of the toilet god (believed to protect the toilet), the people shouted the following: Its a royalmand! In other words, it meant that the toilet was being moved or newly dug by the kings order, so do not be angry. This was the idea that even a powerful god had to follow the kings order. *** However, there were always skeptics among the people. Eh~. Isnt that too exaggerated? No matter how extraordinary they are, they are still babies who havent even opened their eyes yet, so how can they understand words? It must be a coincidence. At the skeptic Kang Seobangs point, Jang Seobang became furious. You fool! Have you already forgotten what I said earlier? Whose seed are those babies? The Crown Princes! The Crown~ Prince! The one who recited the Four Books and Three ssics at the age of four and made the tutors noses t before turning six! With such a father, how can the babies be ordinary? No matter how good the seed is, there is a limit to human capability The babies arent Buddha or anything At Kang Seobangs rebuttal, a vein popped on Jang Seobangs forehead. Are you saying Im talking nonsense? Its not that, but the exaggeration is a bit much. You fool! There are dozens of people who witnessed it! I also heard it from someone working in the pce! Who is it that works in the pce? That doesnt matter! Tell me who it is! I said it doesnt matter! Kang Seobang kept asking, but Jang Seobang firmly kept his mouth shut about that part. The reason Jang Seobang had no choice but to do so was that the source of the story was a widow named Hong, who worked as a seamstress in the pce. Jang Seobang and Hong were in a flirtatious rtionship. The problem was that Jang Seobang was a married man. If the truth were revealed, it would be a disastrous situation, so Jang Seobang kept his mouth tightly shut. Anyway, the story about the childbirth spread throughout Joseon, beyond the capital city. Many people who heard the story congratted Hyang on having sons and anticipated what would follow next. Will there be a discount event at the tobo shops this time too? *** Chapter 324 Chapter 324 Two months before the biggest event in Joseon in the 13th year of King Sejongs reign (1431, Sinhaenyeon), Hyangs birth of a son. In the Forbidden City of Beijing, the capital of Ming, an envoy who had returned from Joseon was reporting to Emperor Xuande. That is all. As the report on the coordination of diplomatic issues between Ming and Joseon and other administrative tasks concluded, Emperor Xuande praised the envoy. Well done. The king and officials of Joseon are extremely fastidious and never ept losses, but you have obtained sufficiently good results. I say again, you have truly worked hard. I am unworthy of such excessive praise. It is all thanks to Your Majestys benevolence. Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor for ten thousand years! In response to Emperor Xuandespliment, the envoy instead chanted Long live the Emperor three times, praising Emperor Xuande. Emperor Xuande, seemingly not displeased with the envoys behavior, smiled slightly and asked the envoy a question. I heard that many things are changing in Joseon. Have you seen anything?Yes, I have, Your Majesty. At the envoys answer, Emperor Xuandes eyes lit up. Oh? So, what was it? There was a device called iron horse roaming around Hanseong. Iron horse? Yes. ording to the interpreter The envoy who had been to Joseon began to chatter on and on about the train. Hmm Emperor Xuande listened to the envoys exnation with a face full of curiosity, immediately asking questions whenever he had any. I see, its truly intriguing. Since its called an iron horse, is it really as fast as a real horse? Its not that fast, but its slightly faster than a person running at full speed. Is that so? You mentioned that it carries people, so how many people can it transport? It pulls tworge carriages and carries about 100 people while moving. Is that so? Hmm As Emperor Xuande, who had heard the envoys exnation, let out a light snort and became lost in thought, the Chief Counselor intervened in the conversation. Your Majesty. Based on the envoys words, it seems to be a quite useful device. Wouldnt it be good to order the King of Joseon to present it as a tribute? Emperor Xuande lightly nodded at the Chief Counselors words but did not make a decision immediately. After pondering alone for a moment, Emperor Xuande reached a conclusion. Its not the right time yet. I believe it would be more appropriate to deploy such iron horses not in the city but to connect cities and towns. However, ording to the envoys current report, its only slightly faster than a person running, and the number of people it can carry at once is around 100. Even if we adopt this, it would be of little use to our empire. Having reached a negative conclusion, Emperor Xuande asked the envoy again. Hmm The Crown Prince of Joseon must have been involved in the development of this as well, right? Thats what I heard. Praises for the Crown Prince were erupting from all directions. Of course. The Crown Prince of Joseon is like a needle in a bag, a crane among chickens. Emperor Xuande, recalling the image of Hyang in his memory, nodded and reached a definite conclusion. If its the Crown Prince of Joseon, he wont be satisfied with that iron horse. He will naturally create an even more excellent iron horse and actually use it. Well wait for that time. At Emperor Xuandes words, the Chief Counselor raised an objection. Based on the report, the iron horse seems to be a device that incorporates a considerably high level of technology. When an even more advanced iron horsees out, will Joseonply? In response to the Chief Counselors point, Emperor Xuande exined the reason. Joseon has no choice but toply. Our Ming can cut off Joseon, but Joseon cannot cut off Ming. Joseon is constantly looking for opportunities. It is the natural principle that countries that have be vassal states always strive to break free from that position. However, Joseons current situation makes that impossible. Chief Counselor, I ask you. Please ask, Your Majesty. Isnt the trade between our Ming and Joseon thriving these days? Yes, it is. Ah! The Chief Counselor, who was answering Emperor Xuandes question, let out an exmation and looked at Emperor Xuande. Seeing the Chief Counselors reaction, Emperor Xuande smiled. It seems youve realized it. The fact that trade between our Ming and Joseon is gradually increasing means that wealth is umting among the people of Joseon. The people who have experienced the joy brought by wealth will gradually desire more wealth. This means that Joseons situation is like riding a tiger. If the means to obtain wealth disappear, Joseon will immediately copse. And we, Ming, hold the hilt of that sword. Emperor Xuande, who took a sip of tea from the cup next to him, continued. As the simplest example, the Chief Counselor must have also received reports on the grains sold from Jiangnan to Joseon, right? Yes, Your Majesty. At Emperor Xuandes question, the Chief Counselor immediately nodded. *** Although the yield had been steadily increasing as King Sejongsnd reform progressed, Joseon had not achieved self-sufficiency in food production. To be precise, it was a situation where Joseon had to continue importingrge quantities of rice as food consumption had increased significantly due to the peoples increased wealththe Koreans love for eating was almost gic. As a result, a considerable number ofndowners in the Jiangnan region were cultivating rice that suited the tastes of Joseon people to make profits. *** As the people of Joseon who have gained wealth seek white rice, and they need grains to give to the Jurchen people who have submitted, Joseon has to keep importing grains. If we block this trade right now, Joseon will face a crisis like a flickeringmp in the wind. Isnt that right? At Emperor Xuandes question, the Chief Counselor bowed his head and answered. Thats right. Not only the peoples discontent but also the Jurchen people will not sit still. Indeed. Emperor Xuande, who took another sip of tea, continued with a rxed face. These days, Joseon seems to be trading through the Western Regions and the sea, but Ming is still their biggest trading partner. As long as we, Ming, hold Joseons leash, Joseon has no choice but to follow our words. That is true, Your Majesty. The Chief Counselor also agreed with Emperor Xuandes conclusion. At that moment, one of the officials who had been listening attentively to the conversation between Emperor Xuande and the Chief Counselor stepped forward, bowed his head, and spoke. Your Majesty. Forgive me for my presumption, but I have something to report to you. Speak. Your Majestys words are truly correct. However, what I am concerned about is Joseons involvement in such devices. If it is a device of that level of ingenuity, the technology involved must also be advanced. Of course, we can summon not only the device but also the artisans, but there is a high possibility that we wont know if the artisans harbor ill intentions. Therefore, I believe we should bring in the current moving iron horse, even if it is unsatisfactory. I think it is right to bring it in, have our artisans examine and study it, and create an even more advanced iron horse. In response to the officials words, Emperor Xuande immediately replied. Your words also have merit. However, most of the excellent artisans of Ming are now in the hands of merchants. Its truly embarrassing for me, the owner of Ming, to say this. I can trust Joseons merchants, but I cannot trust our Mings merchants. How much wealth will they extort under the pretense of creating a high-level iron horse, and how much will we have to pay after itspletion? It would be more appropriate to receive it as a tribute from Joseon or negotiate and purchase it. Ah The Chief Counselor and the officials, who were sighing in disappointment at Emperor Xuandes words, immediately prostrated themselves and shouted. Your Majesty! Please forgive our disloyalty! Please forgive our great sins! At the shouts of the officials and eunuchs, Emperor Xuande lightly waved his hand. Get up. I have no intention of holding you ountable for any crimes yet. Your benevolence is immeasurable! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor for ten thousand years! Those who got up from their positions unanimously expressed their gratitude and chanted Long live the Emperor three times. As the cheers subsided, Emperor Xuande summarized the situation. Lets conclude the matter of the iron horse by waiting. We obey yourmand. Then, moving on to the next issue, has the problem of counterfeit banknotes still not been resolved? We are currently tracking down the group that plotted this matter. At the Chief Counselors answer, Emperor Xuandes expression turned fierce. Eradicate them thoroughly. Make sure they cant even dream of doing this again. We obey yourmand! Especially those who leaked the design, regardless of their position, exterminate their families to the tenth degree. They are traitors who were blinded by personal gain and tried to undermine the foundation of the country. At Emperor Xuandes cruel punishment, the Chief Counselor answered while sweating coldly. We, we obey yourmand. Hmm By the way, has a solution still not been found for the printing te issue? Forgive me, but not yet How disappointing. At Emperor Xuandes words, the Chief Counselor immediately prostrated himself and shouted. Please forgive me! I will do my best to present an answer as quickly as possible. At the Chief Counselors desperate answer, Emperor Xuande ordered in an indifferent voice. I will give you half a month. If you cant bring me an answer by then, I will hold not only you but also all those involved ountable. I will do my utmost! Hearing the Chief Counselors desperate answer, Emperor Xuande rose from his throne. Lets end it here for today. *** As the meeting attended by the Emperor ended, the officials and eunuchs left Wenhuan Hall. Returning to their respective offices, they discussed Emperor Xuandes orders. The most urgent issue is the printing te for banknotes. Has a solution been found? At the Chief Counselors question, the schrs answered with gloomy faces. We urged the artisans belonging to the pce and the government to create printing tes as precisely as possible, but the artisans employed by the merchants were able to replicate them immediately. Oh no At the schrs answer, the Chief Counselor muttered with a perplexed face. *** Impressed by Joseons banknote system, Ming also diligently began preparations for a new banknote system. The practitioners of Ming referred to the process carried out in Joseon and diligently proceeded with the preparations, and the preparation process was smooth. However, this smoothly progressing preparation process soon encountered a huge obstacle and faced the risk of running aground. What put them in crisis was the issue of printing the currency. Compared to the debate over the number of dragons to include on the currency when the initial design was decided, this was a problem that made that seem trivial. The officials in charge, upon seeing the printing tes and the resulting products created by gathering the artisans working in the imperial pce and government offices, all frowned. Why does it feelcking? Right? It looks a bit crudepared to Joseons, doesnt it? Lets make some improvements. Dissatisfied with the results, the officials in charge began the process of improvement. After repeating several trials and errors, when a somewhat satisfactory result was obtained, the officials in charge let out a sigh of relief. Phew~. This should be usable! Lets prepare to report to His Majesty! Just as they were feeling relieved, a counterfeiting incident urred. Counterfeit bills of the currency that had not even been distributed yet, and at a high level that could pass as genuine, began to circte in the market. This is impossible without an internal leak! Find those involved! Also, arrest all those who printed the counterfeit bills! Following the furious Emperor Xuandes order, the Eastern Depot and the Imperial Guards were mobilized inrge numbers to conduct a massive investigation. As a result, a renowned merchant in Beijing and the officials who received bribes from him were caught one after another. However, Emperor Xuandes anger did not easily subside. How poorly did you make the genuine printing tes that you cant even distinguish between counterfeit and genuine bills! Find an alternative immediately! If you cant, I will hold you ountable! At Emperor Xuandes terrifying order, the officials in charge once again urged the artisans to create printing tes. However, the result was not good, as reported to the Chief Counselor. No matter how hard the artisans of the imperial pce and government offices tried, the artisans employed by private merchants were able to replicate them immediately. *** Sigh~. The Chief Counselor, who received the report from the officials in charge, let out a sigh. We need to find an answer within half a month, but at this rate In response to the Chief Counselorsment, another official spoke up. We have no choice now. I think we need to request Joseons help. Joseon? Is that really necessary? At the Chief Counselors words, the speaker answered firmly. Its Joseons currency, which has not had any counterfeits so far, no, which hasnt been able to have any. The answer lies only with Joseon. This is not the time to be concerned about pride. Damn it The Chief Counselor involuntarily uttered a curse. *** Chapter 325 Chapter 325 Having reached a conclusion, the official in charge reported to Emperor Xuande together with the Chief Counselor. Borrow Joseons help? Is this the only answer? For now, it seems so, Your Majesty. At the Chief Counselors answer, Emperor Xuande let out a long sigh and stamped the imperial seal. Sigh~. Select an envoy to send to Joseon as quickly as possible. We obey yourmand! *** As soon as Emperor Xuandes permission was granted, the officials in charge picked up the pace. An envoy came and went not long ago, and now another envoy? Whats the matter?In response to King Sejongs question, the envoy answered with proper etiquette. There is a matter for which we need Joseons help, so I havee. Here is His Majestys imperial edict. Following the protocol, King Sejong knelt down in the courtyard of Geunjeongjeon Hall, and the envoy tore open the seal of the imperial edict sent by Emperor Xuande and read its contents aloud. Therefore. The King of Joseon is requested to discuss with the envoy and resolve the issue. Having finished reading it aloud, the envoy carefully rolled up the scroll containing the imperial edict and politely handed it to King Sejong. Receiving the scroll of the imperial edict from the envoy, King Sejong turned to Hyang. Is it possible? At King Sejongs question, Hyang shook his head. Its not possible. Although Your Majestysmand must be strictly followed, currency tes are not something that can be easily made. To exin in detail, its not just a matter of having skilled artisans, but dedicated facilities are also necessary. The envoy, who heard Hyangs words through the interpreter, intervened in the conversation. If you just tell us, we will build the facilities in Beijing. At the envoys words, Hyangs expression sharpened. Are you asking us to leak the secret technique of making currency tes? Even if you are the superior country, isnt this too much? As Hyang questioned them, King Sejong also chimed in from the side. The envoys words went too far. Creating tes that make counterfeiting impossible is a secret technique, so how can you recklessly ask us to hand it over? Even if our Joseon is in a position to call you our superior, this is an excessive request. I, I apologize! As even King Sejong questioned them, the envoy immediately bowed his head. Joseon was not a country to be taken lightly. If Joseon were to make an issue out of this, it was certain that the Emperor would resolve the situation by beheading the envoy. Please forgive my rudeness. However, the matter is so grave Seeing the envoys deted demeanor, King Sejong began to appease the envoy. I am not unaware of His Majestys concerns. So I would like to propose apromise. Please consider it. Apromise, you say? Send us the design. Then we will make the tes and printing facilities and offer them as tribute. Ah! The envoy, who had been delighted at King Sejongs words, soon became troubled. Your Majestys proposal is good, but entrusting the manufacture of the tes is a security issue The envoy trailed off, but the meaning was clear. -Im grateful that youll make them, but it will be a bigger problem if you create counterfeit bills. King Sejong, who understood the unspoken part, promised to guarantee that aspect. I am well aware of what the envoy is concerned about. However, I hope you understand that we have nothing to gain by doing such a thing. After pondering for a moment at King Sejongs words, the envoy eventually chose the most uncontroversial solution. This is beyond my discretion. Therefore, I will report it to His Majesty. Please do so. With that conversation, the envoy immediately packed his bags and returned to Beijing. *** Thus, the King of Joseon came to propose apromise. Well done. Your benevolence is immeasurable. After giving a briefpliment to the envoy, Emperor Xuande stroked his beard and muttered. Tribute Tribute, he says Emperor Xuande, who had been tapping the armrest of the throne with his fingers while muttering, burst intoughter. Joseon and its king, who never moved without payment. Hah! Even merchants would cry in front of the King of Joseon. What remarkable skill. Your Majesty, how about immediately sending an envoy to the King of Joseon to point out his rudeness? At the Chief Counselors words, Emperor Xuande shook his head. No, lets ept the King of Joseons proposal. This is because the King of Joseons words are reasonable. Even if we are the superior country, it goes against protocol to recklessly order a vassal state to hand over a secret technique. However As the Chief Counselor tried to say something, Emperor Xuande lightly raised his hand to stop the Chief Counselors words. Of course, there is a tendency for Joseons argument to take lightly the authority of the superior country. However, pressuring Joseon or forcing them to obey mymand would bring more loss than gain. It would increase Joseons discontent. Chief Counselor, dont we have many things to gain from Joseon in the future? Its better to listen to their wishes now in preparation for that time. Therefore, hand over the currency designs to Joseon. At Emperor Xuandes conclusion, the Chief Counselor bowed and answered. We obey yourmand. *** Returning to his office, the Chief Counselor summoned the schrs and practitioners to begin executing Emperor Xuandes order. After various reports and orders were exchanged and the situation was somewhat organized, the Chief Counselor, holding a teacup, asked the envoy. Come to think of it Did you also see the iron horse? Yes, Chief Counselor. How was it? At the Chief Counselors words, the envoy carefully chose his words and answered. As His Majesty said, it seemed to becking a lot for now. However, its ingenious structure appeared to be of a considerably high level of difficulty. Does that mean it doesnt seem easy to replicate? Thats right. I think we should bring it in and study it even now. At the envoys report, the faces of the Chief Counselor and the schrs became grave. A schr who had been listening to the conversation from the side asked the envoy in an interrogative tone. Then, shouldnt you have remonstrated with His Majesty? As a subject As a principled point was raised, the envoy interrupted the schrs words and protested. Hasnt His Majesty already reached a conclusion? Are you telling me to go against His Majestys will now? As a subject Then why dont you step up and do it yourself? At the envoys sharp retort, the schr who was about to speak closed his mouth. *** For a subject to recklessly request the emperor to reverse his decision was a grave crime close to treason. No, the moment one said such a thing, they were creating a situation for their own death. If the emperor made a decision based on the opinions of his subjects and then tried to overturn it again, the subjects had no choice but to face bloody consequences. The reason was that they had failed to properly assist the emperor. On the contrary, if the emperor tried to reverse a decision he had made based on his own judgment, he would be punished on the grounds of intimidating the emperor. Therefore, unless a subject had the emperors utmost favor, making the emperor reverse his decision was unthinkable. *** Schr Oh. You made a mistake. However. As a subject Ahem! The schr, who tried to speak again in response to the envoys rebuttal, immediately closed his mouth at the Chief Counselors shout. The Chief Counselor, with a contemptuous expression, red at Schr Oh. To think such a petty person is a member of the cab Chief Counselor! I I told you to shut your mouth! Get out right now! At the Chief Counselors shout, Schr Oh left the room with a pale face. Now that he had been marked by the Chief Counselor, his career advancement was over. The Chief Counselor, who had thrown out Schr Oh who had been running his mouth, looked around at the envoy and schrs and continued. We cannot recklessly overturn a decision made by His Majesty. However, whether it bes a wise waiting like Jiang Ziyas waiting or a foolish farmers waiting for a rabbit to run into a tree stump is up to us. Therefore, we must prepare well. Jiang Ziya, a general of King Wu of Zhou whoter became the founder of the State of Qi, was known for spending 80 years fishing with an empty hook while waiting for an opportunity, which is referred to as Taigongwang. The foolishness of a farmer who, after identally obtaining a rabbit that had died by running into a tree stump, only stared at the tree stump is ridiculed as Shouzhu Daitu. Emperor Xuandes decision to wait until a useful iron horse appears was certain to bring one of those two results. However, if they waited without any preparation, it would be thetter case. This was the thought of not only the Chief Counselor but all the schrs and officials. Then, shall we bring in artisans from the private sector? As a schr who heard the discussion proposed an alternative, the Chief Counselor shook his head. Do you think those damn merchants will give up their artisans? Even if they do, they will eventually seize the fruits of our hard work. *** After the Ming firmly established its foundation,merce in the Central ins greatly developed. It was thanks to the vastnd,rge poption, and the continuously developing water transportation since the ancient Sui Dynasty. As a result, the technology for producing goods needed by themon people rapidly advanced. As a result, at some point, the skill level of the artisans employed by the merchants surpassed that of the artisans employed by the imperial pce and the government. What added fuel to this was the trade with Joseon. As various goods made in Joseon became hugely popr, the artisans of the Ming nation also began to hone their skills to catch up. However, Joseon still maintained a lead of at least one step ahead. Aware of this, the Ming imperial court and the government tried to absorb the private artisans, but their attempts were repeatedly blocked by the wall created by the merchants. Most of the skilled artisans were employed byrge merchant associations and provided with high sries and benefits. The merchants of therge associations were splurging money to protect their own artisans and to poach skilled artisans from other associations. The imperial court and the government also joined thispetition, but they repeatedly failed. Ridiculously, the financial power of the merchants was stronger than that of the imperial court and the government. It sounded absurd, but it was inevitable. The Ming imperial court and the government had enormous tax revenues collected from the entire empire, but their expenditures were also enormous. Moreover, there was a huge hole in the finances due to the northern expeditions and the great voyages carried out during the reign of thete Emperor Yongle. After Emperor Xuande ascended to the throne, thanks to the tireless efforts of Emperor Xuande and the officials down to the lowest level to fill this hole, it was somewhat patched up, but there was still a sizable hole. And as long as that hole existed, the imperial court and the government had limitations. Of course, if the Emperor had the will, he could easily suppress the merchant forces by force. However, the Ming merchants were known as the descendants of L Buwei. Before they knew it, a considerable number of officials were entangled with the merchants. If they thought the Emperors pressure had crossed the line, the Emperor himself could be in danger. There would certainly be those who dreamed of bing L Buwei, who had supported Prince Zheng of Qin to be the First Emperor. *** This was why the Chief Counselor reacted negatively to bringing in artisans from private merchant associations. Ridiculously, our biggestpetitor regarding the iron horse is our own merchants. They will also know about the existence of the iron horse and will have realized its usefulness. So, we have two things to do. One is the proper way, and the other is the irregr way. At the Chief Counselors exnation, a schr pretended to know. By the proper way, do you mean sending artisans to Joseon? Its as Schr Wang says. As the Chief Counselor nodded in agreement, Schr Wang expressed his concern. Joseon is a country that doesnt even hand over the secret technique of making printing tes. Will they really ept it? It wont be easy. But we have to try, dont we? Thats the only way to establish justification. In politics, the most necessary thing is justification. And The Chief Counselor, who took a sip of tea, continued. We should also consider the irregr way. Try to find someone who is from Joseon or speaks Korean as well as Koreans. If necessary, even reach out to the Eastern Depot. The schrs and officials, who understood what the Chief Counselor meant, immediately bowed their heads. We will look into it right away. Chapter 326 Chapter 326 As the new year turned to the 14th year of King Sejongs reign (1432, the year of Imja), in February. The Challenger, which had sailed for Alexandria, returned. Like its sister ships that had arrived earlier, the Challenger was quarantined at the istion facility set up in Dali-do. On its deck, an elderly foreigner and a young man, both thickly dressed, were gazing at the sea beyond the harbor. My disciple, do you truly have no regrets? I have no regrets. Life in an unfamiliar ce will not be easy. The disciple smiled and replied to the old mans words. Hahaha! Im already used to wandering! Dont worry about me! Hearing his disciples answer, the old man looked at the young man with a face full of guilt and gratitude. Im sorry and thankful.Its nothing. By the way, there are quite a few others besides us who are interested in Joseon. The old man nodded slightly at his disciples words. On the deck of the Challenger where they stood, there were other Westerners dressed simrly. They too were looking at the scenery of Joseon with expressions mixed with anticipation and concern. *** In Alexandria, Mansur and Oh Ha-seok had done more than just sell goods. Oh Ha-seok and Mansur had searched for suitable stallions and mares to be used as breeding horses, visiting the nobles and merchants of Alexandria. The upper ss of Alexandria showed sincerity in their dealings with Oh Ha-seok and Mansur, as they were certain to profit from the continued trade with Joseon. As the transactions went well thanks to the goodwill shown by Alexandrias upper ss, Mansur and Oh Ha-seok set out to fulfill the orders given by Hyang. You want me to find people? Do you mean ves? No. Please find us alchemists. Alchemists? Yes. Hmm Let me look into it. While youre at it, if you could also find some mathematicians Urgh Thus, they began searching for alchemists and mathematicians through the connections of Alexandrias upper ss, but the results were not good. Go to Joseon? Are you mad? I dont want to abandon where I live and go to some unknown foreignnd. Im receiving sufficient support here. All the alchemists and schrs who were invited to go to Joseon shook their heads. Faced with this situation, Oh Ha-seok and Mansur looked troubled. Oh my This wont do His Highness did say if possible, but still, hell be greatly disappointed if we bring back nothing. Why on earth wont they go? The conditions are quite good In response to Oh Ha-seoks grumbling, Mansur shared his thoughts. I think its because theyre already receiving sufficient support from the nobles and great merchants here. The conditions offered by the Crown Prince arent enough to motivate them to move. Why do the nobles support them? Is it because of that alchemy? Oh Ha-seok, who had heard about alchemists from Mansur on their way to Alexandria, asked with a face still full of disbelief. No matter how many times I think about it, how can human hands create gold? Its truly an absurd notion! To Oh Ha-seoks question, Mansur shook his head lightly and answered. Its not just about the gold, but also because of the Philosophers Stone or Elixir, which are said to be the most important catalysts in making that gold. Philosophers Stone? Elixir? You havent exined these before. What are they? They say that when an alchemist reaches the highest level of their craft, they can create these. Theyre catalysts that can turn lead into gold when used in alchemy, but its said that if a person consumes them, they can achieve immortality. At Mansurs exnation, Oh Ha-seok asked in a cynical tone. Immortality It seems there are plenty of people like Qin Shi Huang here too. So, has anyone actually made these things? There are lots of rumors, but thats all. At Mansurs answer, Oh Ha-seok smirked and muttered. If we only listened to rumors, gold would be rolling around like pebbles on the streets of our Joseon As Oh Ha-seok muttered, recalling the rumors circting on the streets of Alexandria, Mansur perked up his ears. Pardon? Ah, its nothing. Anyway, isnt there any way to find even one person? Hmm After pondering for a while, Mansur looked at Oh Ha-seok with a reluctant face. I think well have to meet with the Italian merchants. Italy? You mean those merchants working for that Medici person? Thats right. Hmm Medici Oh Ha-seok considered Mansurs suggestion. Wouldnt he want immortality too? Thats true, but the Pope in Vatican doesnt like alchemy. He says it misleads people. Is that so? Oh Ha-seoks face brightened at Mansurs words, and he immediately made a decision. Then lets go meet the Italian merchants! *** Ill inquire with Cosimo. The Medici merchant who heard Mansur and Oh Ha-seoks request answered immediately and added: Ill do my best to achieve a good result. Please do. Ill do my utmost. The merchant responded to Oh Ha-seoks request, promising to do his best. As a merchant, he had no choice but to do his best. It was because of the order Cosimo had given before returning to Florence. Do your utmost to establish a solid rtionshipwork with Joseon! Although they had forged a rtionship through a personal meeting at Mansurs house, it was still a rtionship that could be severed at any time. Thats why Cosimo had given such an order to the merchant. To the merchant who had been looking for opportunities to carry out the order he had received, Mansur and Oh Ha-seoks request was a gift from God. After sending Mansur and Oh Ha-seok away, the merchant hurriedly wrote a letter and sent it to Florence. Using the fastest ship among those owned by the Medici family, Cosimo, upon receiving the merchants letter, immediately made a decision. Find people who can go to Joseon! The people now pacing on the deck of the Challenger were those who hade through this process. *** Most of those who came to Joseon were from the territories of the Eastern Roman Empire that had fallen to the Ottoman Turks. These people, who had fled to Italy to escape the war, were still in difficult circumstances. Although quite a few nobles and merchants supported them, the church didnt leave them alone. The fact that they believed in Greek Orthodoxy rather than Catholicism, that they studied alchemy tainted with mysticism, that they delved more into philosophy and mathematics than faith in God, and so on. Seeing these people with so many things they disliked, the Vatican continued to judge them as heretics. Although there were rarely incidents of burning at the stake like during the ck Death, the alchemists and schrs still had to endure criticism from the Vatican. Therefore, when they were offered the chance to go to Joseon through the Medici merchants, they left Italy without hesitation. *** While they were in quarantine in Dali-do, a messenger carrying a report written by Oh Ha-seok rushed to Hanseong. After reading the report sent by Oh Ha-seok, King Sejong turned to Hyang and said: It says theyve brought mathematicians and alchemists as per your order. Read it. Yes, Father. As Hyang began to read the report handed to his through the merchant ship, Kim Jeom asked him: Is it truly possible to create gold through alchemy? As I exinedst time, Ive never heard that its possible. Yet they keep trying? They believe that the challenge itself is a form of training towards a higher state. A higher state At Hyangs words, Kim Jeoms face showed a slight disappointment. Seeing Kim Jeoms face, the ministers inwardly muttered: That man has been handling money since his days at the Ministry of Finance, hes lost his humanity, truly lost it Some problematic individuals have arrived. Hyang reported to King Sejong with a voice full of concern as he checked the report. At Hyangs words, King Sejong immediately asked: Are you referring to the Western monks? Yes. Hyang answered promptly. There were worrisome individuals listed in the report submitted by Oh Ha-seok. -Five Western monks. King Sejong nodded at Hyangs point. Monks Indeed We must consider the possibility that they might cause the same harm as the Buddhist monks. At King Sejongs remark, the ministers faces also grew serious. The harmful effects of Buddhism yed a significant role in Joseons decision to adopt Neo-Confucianism as its national ideology. As a result, under King Sejongs rule, there were only two Buddhist sects remaining. Only 36 main temples remained. In this situation, monks who believed in the Western God had entered the country. If this were the 21st century, there would be no problem due to religious freedom, but this is the Joseon era. If were not careful, the Catholic persecution that urred in the 19th century could happen now. Of all things to bring back, why such a bomb Hyang, grumbling inwardly at Oh Ha-seok who was far away in Dali-do, said to King Sejong: We brought them because we need them, but we must prevent any problems they might cause. Therefore, if theye to Hanseong, we must make them promise not to proselytize. If they cant make that promise, we should send them back immediately. King Sejong reacted negatively to Hyangs words. Those who believe in God are willing to risk their lives for proselytizing. Will they really make such a promise? No, even if they promise upfront, they might easily break it behind our backs. If they do that, it would be sullying the name of the God they believe in. If they act in such a way, we must immediately charge them with the crime of deceiving the world and the people, and punish them severely. Of course, we should inform them of this in advance. Thats good As King Sejong nodded at Hyangs suggestion, he turned to the ministers. What do you think, gentlemen? Wouldnt it be better to just send them back? Sending them back would be fine, but their knowledge is also valuable, so I think the Crown Princes suggestion is appropriate. After a continued debate on how to handle the monks, the ministers concluded to adopt Hyangs n. With the decision on how to deal with the monks settled, Hyang brought up the next agenda. We should move the research institute out of the pce on this asion. Thats right. Having many outsiders wandering around the pce would surely cause problems. Then where should we move it? Should we move it to Area 51? Wouldnt that be the best? When King Sejong mentioned Area 51, Hyang shook his head. That wont do. There are too many confidential facilities there. If any of themter decide to return to their homnd, we could suffer losses. Arent there already two Western craftsmen in Area 51? As King Sejong refuted, referring to Raphael and Pietro, Hyang exined the reason. Those craftsmen only know about ss and nothing else. But the peopleing now are schrs. Theyll quickly figure things out with just a little thought. At Hyangs exnation, Lee Jik stepped forward. However, looking at the current situation, theres frequent traffic between the research institute and Area 51. If Western schrs work at the research institute, theyll inevitably travel to Area 51, and naturally, theyll learn about confidential matters, wont they? If such a situation urs, we can restrict their ess to only the parts rted to their work. But if theyre inside Area 51, they can naturally see everything. After continued exchange of opinions, policies regarding the location of the research institute and ess to Area 51 were established. Thus, preparations began for the emergence of the worlds first academic institution, and the worlds first international graveyard of engineering nerds. Chapter 327 Chapter 327 As soon as King Sejongs approval came down, construction began quickly despite the harsh winter. The main reason for starting construction in winter was that they couldnt keep the uncivilized Western men in the pce, which was full of the king, queen, and courtdies. The location chosen for the research institute was between Area 51 and Mapo Port, which would be around present-day Wonhyo-dong in the 21st century. After selecting the site for the research institute, Hyang muttered with a regretful expression: If I had my way, Id build it right at the foot of Gwanak Mountain But transportation is still a mess Hyang, who had only been licking his lips in anticipation, soon put on a determined expression and made a firm resolution: Just wait until we build a bridge over the Han River! Well move the research institute to Gwanak Mountain right away! Hyang still harbored resentment from the college entrance exam stress he had endured in the 21st century for supposedly having a damn good brain. ***Around the time construction began in Hanseong, the Challenger, which had been staying in Dali-do, moved to the naval base in Mokpo. The sailors who had been confined to Dali-do during the quarantine period grumbled as they disembarked. Cant believe we were cooped up longer than those horse foals! Those little colts had it better than us! The horses acquired in Alexandria had already been unloaded and moved as soon as the veterinarians finished their checks. The sailors who grumbled with protruding lower lips underwent another health check, then quickly left the base after receiving their leave papers and bonuses. Shall we grab a drink? Is booze really the issue now? Our kids probably dont even remember what their fathers look like! Lets drinkter! After saying goodbye to their colleagues, the sailors hurriedly made their way to their homes where their families were waiting. With the sailors gone, only the alchemists and mathematicians remained. The interpreters from Mansurs merchant group who hade on the Challenger, along with Joseons interpreters, informed them of the uing schedule. You will take a ship from here to Hanseong. After arriving in Hanseong and having an audience with His Majesty, you will be assigned your work locations. The alchemists and schrs nodded at the interpreters exnation. Seeing this, the interpreter spoke again. Any questions? At the interpreters inquiry, one of the monks gathered in one ce raised his hand. What do you want to know? To the interpreters question, the monk asked with a troubled expression: Do we have to bathe again when we arrive in Hanseong? Without even asking the Joseon interpreter, the interpreter immediately answered the monks question. Of course! At the interpreters response, the monks muttered with embarrassed faces: Oh Lord Unlike the alchemists and mathematicians from the Eastern Roman Empire who were ustomed to bathing culture, for the monks from Western Europe, the act of bathing itself was very ufortable. Because of this, the monks had to struggle with the sailors every time they stopped at ports for supplies and rest, from before departing Suez and at each stop along the way. If disease spreads because you dont bathe, well throw you into the sea right away! The monks had refused to bathe until Oh Ha-seoks threat. *** Thus, the ship carrying the alchemists, schrs, and monks departed from Mokpo and headed for Jemulpo. Upon arriving at Jemulpo, the alchemist group traveled up the Han River towards Mapo. Arriving in Mapo, the group rested at lodgings prepared by the government to recover from their journey. While they were resting, the female servants assigned to the lodgings had to endure a difficult task. It was because of the enormous amount ofundry produced by the alchemist group. The female servants wielded theirundry bats against the filthy clothes, spewing curses. Damn it! Even the rags worn by beggars under Cheonggyecheon Bridge would be cleaner than this! *** The alchemists and schrs, now dressed in clothes prepared in advance by the government, had already taken out paper and pens to record their experiences. -The Joseon people are very particr about bathing. Even the sailors who navigate ships bathe immediately upon docking at a port. It is certain that the Joseon peoples obsession with bathing is not for religious reasons. Through conversations via the Arab interpreter, we confirmed that Joseon people believe that keeping the body clean through bathing prevents infectious diseases. -The Joseon peoples belief that bathing prevents disease is not a mere custom. If the interpreter has tranted correctly, this is knowledge acquired through experience. Therefore, it seems necessary to verify this. There are several peculiarities in the Joseon peoples way of life, one of which is the toilet. Unless they are truly impoverished lower-ss citizens, they install toilets made of iron or porcin in their bathrooms. These toilets are very unique. After using them, when you pull a string, water from a tank flushes down and washes away the excrement. In the lodgings where we are staying, there is a ve dedicated to filling these toilet tanks with water. ording to the interpreter, in households that cannot afford to keep a ve, they keep arge jar filled with water and fill the tank before or after using the toilet. The alchemists and schrs meticulously recorded what they had seen and experienced during those few short days. In the future, the records left by these individuals would be important historical materials for understanding the lifestyle of Joseon during this period. *** It was only after five days that the alchemist group was able to have an audience with King Sejong. The reason it took five days was, amusingly, because their washed clothes hadnt dried yet. They couldnt meet King Sejong wearing only undergarments, so they had to stay at the lodgings until their clothes werepletely dry. On the morning of the fifth day, the alchemist group, dressed in their well-dried clothes, boarded carriages sent by the government and headed for Hanseong. The group in the carriages looked out the windows with keen interest at the scenery outside. As they entered Hanseong through Sungnyemun Gate, where railway construction was still in full swing, the alchemist group suddenly burst out with exmations that were almost like screams. Oh my God! Heavens! Seeing the groupsmotion at the sight of trains moving along the railway, the carriage drivers and the soldiers escorting them smirked and muttered: Country bumpkins Whether aware of this reaction or not, the alchemist group couldnt take their eyes off the iron horse. As they watched the iron horse disappear into the distance, the group soon began to have a doubt. Why would a country capable of producing such things need us? Will they really need us at all? Shouldnt we be the ones learning from them instead? *** With a mix of anticipation and worry, the alchemist group passed through Gwanghwamun and took their ces in the front courtyard of Geunjeongjeon Hall. His Majesty the King approaches! At the heralds announcement, the interpreter hurriedly said to the group: The King of Joseon ising! Pay your respects immediately! At the interpreters words, the alchemist group bowed deeply in respect. King Sejong, seated on a chair that had been prepared in advance, gave an order to the group bowing before him. You may rise. The group, hearing King Sejongs order through the interpreter, looked up at him. Seeing the foreigners with unfamiliar appearances, King Sejong slowly began to speak. Wee to Joseon. I am the King of Joseon. The group, hearing King Sejongs words through the interpreter, bowed deeply again. It is an honor to meet the monarch of the Kingdom of Joseon! In thisplex situation requiringmunication through interpreters, King Sejong addressed the group: Our Joseon needs your schrship. We do not take the value of knowledge lightly. However, we also do not favor those who are idle. Therefore, I hope you will do your utmost. The group, hearing King Sejongs request through the interpreter, bowed politely. We will do our best, Your Majesty. Hearing the groups response, King Sejong turned to look at Hyang standing behind him. The Crown Prince is responsible for managing them, so let the Crown Prince proceed from now on. Yes, Father. Receiving King Sejongs order, Hyang stepped forward and addressed the group. I am the prince of Joseon and the one who will be managing you. At Hyangs words, spoken clearly in Latin, albeit not perfectly natural, the group looked at Hyang with wide eyes. You know Latin? Its Latin, even if the sentences arent perfect! Seeing the groups surprised expressions, the interpreter hurriedly spoke up. What are you doing! This is the Crown Prince of Joseon! Pay your respects immediately! Snapping back to their senses at the interpreters words, the group hastily bowed. We greet you, Your Highness! Im d to meet you too. As my father said, Joseon needs your knowledge, so I hope you will do your best. Yes, Your Highness. Hearing the groups response, Hyang moved on to the most important issue. I hear there are Catholic monks among you. Who are they? At Hyangs question, five monks gathered in one corner stepped forward. We are, Your Highness. As the monks came forward, Hyang immediately got to the point. What will you do in our Joseon? Academic research, or proselytizing? To Hyangs question, the one who appeared to be the eldest answered. We havee primarily for academic research, Your Highness. Primarily, you say What is your name? I am called Angelo, Your Highness. I see, Angelo. So youre saying its primarily for academic research, and then proselytizing? Seeing Angelos silence in response, Hyang gave a bitter smile. I see. ording to your scriptures, your Godmanded to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth, so you cant give up on proselytizing, can you? Mom, Im sorry! Hyang was inwardly apologizing, remembering his 21st-century mother who had been active as a deaconess in the church. Meanwhile, not only the monks but also the alchemists and mathematicians who were Orthodox Christians looked surprised at Hyangs words. He knows the Bible? I thought people in the East believed in Buddhism, how does he know the Bible? Seeing the people frozen in a situation they had never expected, Hyang continued: ording to themandments given by your God, it says You shall have no other gods before me. And anothermandment says Honor your father and mother. Is this correct? It is, Your Highness. Then let me ask you this. In our Joseon, not only do we practice filial piety towards our parents, but it is also fundamental to respect our ancestors, who are our parents parents. Therefore, we prepare food with sincerity ording to set dates to express our gratitude to our ancestors. Does this align with or contradict yourmandments? Uh Angelo was at a loss for words at Hyangs question. Hyangs question was exquisite. If he said it contradicted, he would be criticized for why it was wrong when they were following themandment to honor parents. If he said it aligned, he would be pointed out for worshipping dead ancestors as gods, viting themandment to have no other gods. Seeing Angelo struggling to find a proper answer, Hyang concluded: Proselytizing is forbidden until your Pope makes a decision on this matter. Any objections? No, Your Highness. Angelo answered with a face ofplete resignation. In fact, not just Angelo, but all the apanying monks had the same expression. The monks who came to Joseon had aplicated background. They were monks belonging to the Franciscan order. But at the same time, they were followers of Roger Bacons teachings. Because of this, like Roger Bacon who had been exiled, they were also in a state of semi-emunication. Thats why they hade to Joseon to safely study philosophy and mathematics. Therefore, even if they sent the issue Hyang pointed out to the Vatican, the chances of it properly reaching the Pope were almost nil, and the chances of getting a good answer were even lower. In the end, Angelo and his group had topletely give up on proselytizing. Hyangs trick to buy even a little time to prevent the explosive collision between East and West had unexpectedly seeded in an unforeseen direction. Chapter 328 Chapter 328 After securing the promise from the Franciscan monks, Hyang led them to the research institute. Wow Oh my The alchemists, schrs, and monks eximed in admiration at the various artifacts and models disyed in the institutes exhibition hall. As they looked at the disyed items, the alchemists began to feel uneasy. Finally, unable to suppress his anxiety, one alchemist asked Hyang: We are not cksmiths. Is there work for us to do? As all the other alchemists nodded in agreement, Hyang exined why he had called for alchemists. To be honest, I dont believe alchemy is possible. The same goes for the Philosophers Stone or Elixir. What I want is not knowledge about alchemy, but knowledge about minerals.Knowledge about minerals, you say? Yes. Follow me. Hyang led the alchemists to a separate room. As the alchemists followed Hyang, the schrs and monks also trailed behind. The room Hyang entered with the alchemists was filled with rows of cabs. Currently, only about 20% of these cabs are filled. As he exined, Hyang pulled out several drawers from the cabs. Eachpartment of the opened drawers contained a different type of mineral. As you can see, these minerals were collected by our Joseon prospectors during their explorations. While some are well-known from before, there are quite a few we dont know about. Thats why we need your expertise. Your job will be to ssify and analyze not only the minerals currently in these drawers but also those that wille in the future. The alchemists nodded at Hyangs exnation. -Through the process of creating gold by alchemy, one reaches enlightenment and attains a higher state. This was the goal of alchemists. For this purpose, they had umted and passed down knowledge through generations. However, there seemed to be somethingcking in Hyangs exnation. No, it wasntcking, it was dissatisfaction. Are you saying we were called here just for such ssification work? Just for such a task? Not realizing how much time and manpower the ssification and analysis Hyang mentioned would consume, the alchemists faces began to show signs of discontent. If its just for such ssification and analysis, you wouldnt have needed to gather alchemists like us from far away, would you? Hyang chuckled at this statement, which implied, Were too high-level for such menial work. These fellows are thinking the job is too easy, arent they? Hah! If you think its simple ssification and analysis, youre mistaken. The ssification and analysis of these minerals must be based on very specialized work. For example, you need to analyze and ssify whether they react to acids or bases, and if they do react, whether they react to all acids and bases or only to specific ones, and so on. As they listened to Hyangs exnation, the alchemists looked up and around. The room,rge enough to host a royal or noble banquet, was filled with rows of cabs. He had said that only 20% of those many cabs were filled, but even that was an enormous quantity. And experimenting and analyzing with acids and bases was something that only professionally trained individuals, such as alchemists, could do. As the alchemists realized the enormous scale of the work they had to do, their faces began to turn pale. Watching the alchemists faces grow increasingly pale, Hyang continued with a mischievous smile. Ah! And while we wont be doing alchemy, well be doing simr work. Youll also be in charge of that rted work. When you say simr work, do you mean creating gold? No, the goal is to create better quality steel. Making stronger and tougher steel. Creating rust-resistant iron, and so on. Ah! Talking about making gold reminds me of something I forgot. We also need to research methods to extract gold from ore more efficiently. At Hyangs words, the alchemists stood with nk expressions, their mouths opening and closing. Like carps, the alchemists gaped for a moment beforeing to their senses and asking Hyang: Rust-resistant iron? Weve never heard of or seen such a thing. Ive never seen gold made through alchemy either. But wouldnt iron be easier than gold? I believe that rust-resistant iron can be made. Ive seen plenty of stainless steel, you know! The alchemists who were about to argue back closed their mouths when they saw Hyangs face. Hyangs face, as he looked at the alchemists, showed strong conviction. Someone who doesnt believe in alchemy believes that rust-resistant iron can be made! And with such certainty! *** After informing the alchemists of their tasks, Hyang turned to the mathematicians. I have many tasks for you as well. At Hyangs words, the schrs swallowed hard and asked: What kind of work, Your Highness? Of course, youll be researching mathematics, but youll also need to urately quantify all the work done by the government and all the information they need, and analyze the hidden meanings within. Im not sure I understand Thats too abstract, Your Highness. At the mathematicians words, Hyang immediately provided a more detailed exnation. Let me give you a simple example. If we investigate how much fertilizer is used just before nting each year in all the rural areas of Joseon and submit that data, youll create a table from it. And then youll create another table for the amount of grain harvested when harvest timees. If these records umte over several years, couldnt you analyze the corrtion between the amount of fertilizer used and the harvest yield? Of course, there would be natural variables like droughts or floods in between, but these factors could also be converted into numerical data and applied. If we analyze all these corrtions, couldnt we predict the harvest yield to some extent before the harvest season? Not a rough estimate like The weather was good this year, so the yield will be high, but a prediction like We can harvest at least this much. And if such predictions are possible, couldnt we use them as a basis to calcte next years expenditure in advance? After hearing this exnation, which was supposed to be simple but came out all at once, everyone looked at Hyang with dumbfounded expressions beforeing to their senses and answering. Y-yes, thats true. Its possible. The mathematicians nodded at Hyangs exnation. However, their faces also turned pale like the alchemists at Hyangs next words. Ah! The agricultural sector I just used as an example is already nearingpletion in terms of quantification. Youll need to do simr quantification work in other areas. It doesnt end with just quantification; youll also need to create rtional equations, develop methods for creating statistics, and methods for analyzing those statistics. Even analysis methods? Isnt it those analysis methods that be valuable when expressed as mathematical forms? Thats true. First, follow me. As the mathematicians nodded, Hyang led them to another room. *** The room Hyang took the mathematicians to was the very same room that had once sent Kim Dam into ecstasy. This is! Oh my! The mathematicians eximed in admiration at the ckboard that filled one entire wall and the numbers that covered that ckboard. Among the symbols interspersed between the numbers, the only recognizable one was the addition sign, but the profundity of those equations was immediately apparent. Standing with his back to the ckboard, Hyang continued his exnation to the mathematicians. Do you remember the river you came up when traveling here from Jemulpo? Yes, we do. These are the calctions being done to design a bridge that will span that river. At Hyangs exnation, the mathematicians recalled the vast expanse of the Han River. The river is indeed very wide, but is suchplex calction really necessary? Hyang immediately answered the mathematicians question. The reason for such calctions is to aim for supporting the maximum weight with the minimum number of piers. Therefore, arge amount of iron will be used. Youll learn more details about this part when you formally join the workter. At Hyangs words, the alchemists and mathematicians muttered simultaneously. So thats why the research on iron Correct. The better the iron we produce, the fewer piers well need. If that happens, well have to change the entire equation As one of the mathematicians muttered, another mathematician beside him pointed out the error. The equation itself wont change much. We can set the quality of iron as a variable. Correct. The mathematicians nodded at Hyangs affirmation. Angelo, who had been quietly examining the ckboard, posed a question to Hyang. If youve already developed equations to this extent, arent we unnecessary? To Angelos point, Hyang exined why he had called them. Unfortunately, our Joseoncks people. Were continuously nurturing talent, but it will still take a lot of time to meet all the demand. Thats why we called you. You, who have mastered the essence of mathematics studied since ancient times, should be able to quench Joseons current thirst. At Hyangs words, the eyes of the mathematicians and alchemists began to shine. Although Imic countries were said to treat mathematicians and alchemists well, there were religious issues. On the other hand, continuing academic activities in Italy and Western Europe meant facing disdain at best, and in severe cases, being used of heresy and facing punishment. Lastly, the conflict with the Ottomans was a problem for staying in their homnd. The nobles and emperors who could support them wanted technology that could be immediately used in war and substances that could be used as weapons, rather than pure academic achievements. But Joseon was different. Of course, it was equally distant from the pursuit of pure knowledge, but the tasks were sufficient to give a sense of intellectual achievement. *** Feeling the positive change in the reactions of the alchemists and mathematicians, Hyang dangled onest tempting bait. Ah! I forgot something If someone develops a substance or knowledge with sufficientmercial value, they will receive amplepensation. When you saypensation Have you heard of patents? After hearing Hyangs exnation about patents and royalties, the eyes of the alchemists and mathematicians began to shine fiercely. They needed money too. To them, for whom finding a sponsor for morefortable and stable research was most important, what Hyang said was like sweet honey. Its like theyre shootingsers from their eyes! Indeed, the power of capitalism! Seeing the gleaming, almost sparkling eyes and once again feeling the power of money, Hyang asked onest question. Well? Will you work in Joseon? Will you sign the contract? To Hyangs words, the alchemists and mathematicians answered in unison. Well sign! In the distant future, the records they left all contained the same words. We shouldnt have signed the contract. *** After finalizing the contract with the alchemists and mathematicians, Hyang exined the next steps. The first thing you need to do is learn thenguage and writing system used in our Joseon. At Hyangs words, the schrs nodded and looked at the Chinese characters. Some nodded as if they were slightly familiar. To them, these were known as Kitai characters. Even if you dont be familiar with the writing, you need to be able to converse in thenguage to be assigned to work, and to receive your sry normally. Understood. As they responded to Hyang, the alchemists and mathematicians simultaneously had simr doubts. Why do these people, who have such advanced technology and use their ownnguage, use Kitai characters? But they soon found the answer to their question. Well We use Latin characters too, after all Although they were born and raised in various ces from Greece to France and Ennd, it wasmon for them to use Latin when recording research results or writing papers. Therefore, they took this issue lightly. *** Contrary to Hyangs expectations, the alchemists and mathematicians were able to converse in Korean after about two months. When reports came in that they had not only mastered conversation but also acquired Joseons unique mathematical knowledge, including mathematical symbols, Hyang called for Jeong-cho. Can we assign them to practical work now? It seems more than possible, Your Highness. Then lets assign them. Upon Hyangs decision based on the report, Jeong-cho assigned the alchemists and mathematicians to practical work. These are the Western schrs who will be working with you from now on. Dont cause any discord, work in harmony to produce good results. Yes, sir. Three dayster, after a brief introductory meeting, the researchers began working with the foreigners. Alright! Before we start working, lets shout our motto! Only Mathematics Can Answer[1]! After shouting the motto loudly, the researchers immediately got to work. As more time passed, the Western schrs and Joseon researchers became close enough tough and chat together. When this happened, a mathematician who couldnt suppress his curiosity asked a researcher he had be friendly with: Whats the meaning of the motto we shout every morning? Oh, that? It means Only mathematics can answer.'' Thats amazing! Its profound, isnt it? But its been true so far, and it will continue to be!
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Chapter 329 Chapter 329 Only mathematics can answer! The lower-ranking officials heading towards Geunjeongjeon Hall frowned at the loud shouting from the research institute. Those, those How can they be so outrageous Tsk! Its nothing but a trivial field of study They dont read the ssics of the sages and cultivate virtue, thats why they make such noise Ahem! Ahem! The lower-ranking officials who were badmouthing the institutes researchers stopped talking when they heard a cough from behind, and slowly turned their heads. Eep!Your Excellency Jeong-cho was ring at them with a fierce expression. Were doomed! The faces of the lower-ranking officials who had been enthusiastically gossiping turned pale. *** To those unfamiliar with him, Jeong-cho might appear to be a sidelined old man in terms of power, being the deputy director of the politically less prominent Joseon Institute of Science and Technology Development. However, those who knew even a little about the movement of power within Gyeongbokgung Pce never dared to underestimate Jeong-cho. Although he was the deputy director, his rank was that of Jeonghun Daebu, the Senior Second Rank. While that was already a considerable position, what was more important was that his superior, the director of the institute, was the Crown Prince. King Sejong, who had gained absolute power after purging the elder ministers just before the reformation, and his eldest son, the Crown Prince. Assisting such a Crown Prince was certainly not a task for a sidelined old man. Thats why the lower-ranking officials who were caught gossiping by Jeong-cho turned pale. *** Jeong-cho, ring at the pale and flustered lower-ranking officials, began to growl at them. What, trivial study? What are you, who cant even do your jobs properly without the help of those who have mastered this trivial study? We are deeply sorry. We have behaved shamefully You petty men. Even children just learning etiquette at the Commoners School wouldnt behave as shamefully as you are now. Be ashamed of yourselves! Tsk! How on earth are those ministers managing their subordinates! I need to have a word with them! Tsk! Watching Jeong-chos retreating figure heading towards the research institute located in Eastern Pce while expressing his displeasure, the lower-ranking officials muttered with gloomy faces. Were really done for *** Around the time when the weather started to warm up as March began, a message arrived from the Jeo Right Naval Station. An envoy from the uchi n has arrived? Yes, Your Majesty. The Chief State Councillor, immediately answering King Sejongs question, presented the official report to him. Hmm After reading the report with a hum, King Sejong looked at the ministers. Have the Ministers of National Defense and Foreign Affairs read it too? Yes, we have confirmed the copy, Your Majesty. If the contents of the report are urate, the envoy had no choice but toe to the Jeo Right Naval Station instead of the Japanese trading post. King Sejong nodded at the Foreign Ministers words. *** As Joseon began trading with foreign countries, the Jeo Right Naval Station, especially the Mokpo Naval Base, was turning into an unofficial international trading port. To prevent infectious diseases, even Mansurs merchant fleet had to first dock at Mokpo Naval Base, and the Challenger-ss warships traveling to and from India were officially affiliated with the Jeo Right Naval Station. The same was true for ships traveling to and from Japan. Ships carrying raw ore mined from the silver mines jointly operated with the uchi n entered Mokpo Naval Base. Ore wasnt the only thing being secretly brought from Japan. Thanks to the Minamoto n, the Governor of Kyushu, properly regaining their territory,rge quantities of cotton cultivated on consignment were scheduled to be imported from thetter half of this year, the year of Imja (the 14th year of King Sejongs reign, 1432). To conceal the alliance with the uchi n, Joseon also actively operated the route connecting the Japanese trading post C Dongnae C Tsushima C Honshu. The biggest factor enabling the active operation of this route was the trading posts established in Nagato and Naniwa (present-day Osaka). Merchants from small territories ind orckingrge ships capable of sea navigation sought out the Joseon trading posts in Nagato and Naniwa. The scale of transactions made through these merchants visiting the trading posts was considerable, leading to a gradual increase in the number of ships deployed for regr voyages between Dongnae and Nagato/Naniwa. As the volume of goods moving between Joseon and Japan continued to grow, significant changes began to ur between the two countries. *** For Joseon, the biggest change, apart from economic benefits, was that they couldfortably conceal a substantial portion of their dealings with the uchi n. As the volume of fleets traveling between Joseon and Japan increased, and the size of the Joseon navy stationed in Tsushima grew to protect them, the Japanese pirates lost their foothold. This inadvertently helped prevent the joint operations of the uchi n and Joseon from being exposed. In Japan, the internal situation that had been gradually changing was increasinglying to the surface. The most significant change was that Joseons products had deeply prated into the inner parts of Honshu and Kyushu. These Joseon goods were bing the spark that was changing Japan. The problem was that this change was not in a good direction for Japan. *** Merchants from variousrge and small territories flocked to the Joseon trading posts to purchase Joseon goods and return to sell them in their own territories. Among these goods were many high-end products for use by the lords or high-ranking samurai, but there were also many items for use by ordinary people. For example, while lords or high-ranking samurai would purchase dishes and tea sets made of high-quality white porcin and cdon, ordinary people would buy earthenware pots. Joseon merchants, whether they were official merchants or general merchants, adopted the same sales strategy. -Sell expensive items that are costly even in Joseon at high prices, and sell low-priced items with small profit margins but inrge volumes. Because of this, even ordinary people in Japan could purchase items like earthenware pots. In addition, there were products that ordinary Japanese people would definitely buy, which were steel agricultural tools and kitchen knives made in Joseon. While Japanese swords (Wato) made by skilled craftsmen with great care were recognized as masterpieces even in China since ancient times, the quality of iron agricultural tools and kitchen knives used by ordinary people was poor. Therefore, if Japanese people had even a little surplus, they would definitely seek out Joseon-made agricultural tools and household items. As Japanese society changed in this way, even though only about two years had passed since the establishment of trading posts in Nagato and Naniwa, the number of cksmiths and potters going out of business began to increase. Except for a very small number of famous master craftsmen, they couldntpete with Joseon. After reading the rted report, Hyang muttered with a cynical expression: Has the situation of Japanese screwdrivers and American screws been reversed? *** In the 21st century, Korea had caught up with or surpassed developed countries, especially the United States and Japan, in many areas. However, in some aspects, it stillgged behind. The most tangible examples of this were general tools and consumable parts symbolized by Japanese screwdrivers and American screws. Many technicians would mutter the same thing when they saw Japanese screwdrivers with excellent quality at reasonable prices, or American screws that wouldnt get stripped even after being loosened and tightened multiple times: This is why damn domestic products just dont cut it Korean tools with simr quality to Japanese ones but more expensive, or cheaper but poor quality, and screws that would immediately get stripped with just a little force, symbolized Koreas technological capabilities until the very end of the 20th century. Of course, Koreanpanies making such tools and parts were aware of this and invested a lot of money and effort into improving quality. However, by the time the results were about to emerge, Chinese products had already taken over the market. *** One of the changes that the spread of Joseon products brought about in Japanese society was that an arms race had begun, knowingly or unknowingly, and thispetition was gradually elerating. The journey back to ones territory after visiting a Joseon trading post was always fraught with danger. As the Joseon navy gained control of the seas, the Japanese pirates who were pushed ontond quickly transformed into bandits. And although it had been quite some time since the Muromachi shogunate was established, bandits formed by those who were defeated and pushed out during the disputes of the Northern and Southern Courts period still existed. As the number of these bandits increased, armed force became necessary to protect merchant groups engaged in trade. Therefore, lords mobilized soldiers to protect the merchant groups. The problem arose when these armed merchant groups passed through other territories. It goes without saying that they were tense in hostile territories, but even in friendly territories, they couldnt rx their guard whenever soldiers entered. As a result, all lords not only strengthened their military power but also carried out statusundering by designating their soldiers as escort guards for merchant groups. The reasons for statusundering were, firstly, to avoid provoking other territories, and secondly, to conceal the strengthening of their own military power. However, no matter how much effort was made to hide it, it was natural that at some point, all these movements would be noticeable. And the moment that happened, the surrounding lords began to openly engage in an arms race. This arms race, urring knowingly or unknowingly, stimted the vignce of Ashikaga Yoshinori, the shogun of the bakufu. Yoshinori, who was so cruel that he created the term terror of ten thousand people, reacted nervously. While strengthening the military power directly under the bakufu, he would punish or confiscate territories at the slightest sign of suspicion. All these movements were immediately reported to Hanseong through the official merchants at the trading posts. After reading the report, Hyang muttered with a strange expression: At this rate, wont the Sengoku period start earlier? *** Simr discussions were also taking ce between King Sejong and his ministers. Wont this lead to another conflict among the Japanese? To King Sejongs question, Jo Mal-saeng immediately replied: Theres a high probability of that, Your Majesty. Following Jo Mal-saengs words, Lee Maeng-gyun added: While a conflict may not break out immediately, it will certainly ur. It will certainly ur? Yes, considering the nature of the Japanese people, it will certainly happen. Hmm At Lee Maeng-gyuns answer, King Sejong stroked his beard and fell into thought. After pondering for a moment, King Sejong turned to Jo Mal-saeng. Minister of National Defense, if a conflict breaks out among the Japanese, Japanese pirates will surely appear and cause trouble. How are our defenses against this? Yes, Your Majesty. We are strengthening our naval forces and reinforcing themunicationwork in the three southern provinces. When the military is properly prepared, the country is at peace. I trust you. At King Sejongs exhortation, Jo Mal-saeng bowed his head deeply and responded loudly: I will do my utmost, keeping Your Majestys words etched in my bones! After finishing his conversation with Jo Mal-saeng, King Sejong turned to Heo Jo. If a conflict breaks out in Japan, what should we do about the Japanese trading posts in our Joseon? We should mobilize the army and confiscate all weapons within the trading posts. It could be a diplomatic issue. To King Sejongs point, Foreign Minister Lee Maeng-gyun immediately replied: If a conflict breaks out, it means theres no Japanese government for us to deal with. Is that so? Yes, Your Majesty. Until someone appears to quell the chaos and stabilize the situation, we must strictly control the trading posts. Nodding slightly at Lee Maeng-gyuns answer, King Sejong turned to Jo Mal-saeng. Minister of National Defense. Yes, Your Majesty. Prepare and submit a n to control the Japanese trading posts in the event of a conflict in Japan. I will obey Your Majestysmand! After giving the order to Jo Mal-saeng, King Sejong looked at the ministers andined: Sigh~ This Japan is truly like a thorn in our side. When its peaceful, it creates problems because of its peace, and when its in chaos, it creates worries because of its chaos All the ministers nodded at King Sejongs assessment. *** It was in this situation that an envoy sent by the uchi n arrived. Chapter 330 Chapter 330 I would like to hear your thoughts on the matter brought by the envoy from the uchi n. At King Sejongs words, the ministers recollected the contents of the copy they had read. After organizing their thoughts based on what they recalled, the ministers soon began to express their opinions. They wish to gather talented individuals from their territory to learn the way of the sages. How could this not be admirable? It seems appropriate that we should support this. Indeed. I believe we should ept the uchi ns request and provide them with teachers. If we teach them the virtue and etiquette of our Joseon, educating these Japanese, it would be killing two birds with one stone as we could also protect our own safety. What the uchi envoy had requested was for Joseon to send teachers to educate the talented individuals they had selected from their territory. -We have currently selected 50 individuals in the first round. We n to select a simr number of talented individuals every year in the future. -Therefore, we request that Joseon provide teachers to educate these individuals. Joseon has been renowned for its literature and etiquette since ancient times, and we wish to learn these. The contents of the handwritten letter from uchi Morimi brought by the envoy were roughly as above.The ministers opinions were generally leaning towards epting uchis proposal. I have heard your opinions well. However, the Ministry of Education, which would have the most to say about this matter, has not yet spoken. What is the opinion of the Minister of Education? At King Sejongs question, Jo Gye-saeng, the Minister of Education, bowed his head. I, Minister of Education Jo Gye-saeng, answer Your Majestys inquiry. It is truly a good thing that the uchi n has recognized their shorings and asked our Joseon for teachings. However, from this letter alone, we cannot know to what extent uchi desires. If we proceed with assumptions without properly understanding what the other party wants, it would be worse than not doing anything at all. Your words are correct. King Sejong nodded at Jo Gye-saengs answer. Seeing that the Kings reaction was not unfavorable, Jo Gye-saeng continued a bit further. There is also a problem with dispatching teachers to the uchi ns territory. We cannot know the level of the 50 talented individuals they have selected. We cannot determine whether their level is that of the former Sungkyunkwan students or that of the current students attending middle schools. To be more precise, we currentlyck the teaching talent to dispatch teachers above the middle school level. King Sejongs expression darkened at Jo Gye-saengs statement. Is ck of talent hindering us again? We are deeply sorry. It is due to our ipetence At King Sejongsint, Lee Jik bowed his head as a representative. It is not a matter of ming you. King Sejong briefly responded to the ministers words and summarized the situation. This was because if they were to assign me for the currentck of talent in Joseon, it would result in cing responsibility on the previous kings C especially Taejong. Upon hearing the words ck of talent, Heo Jo posed a question to Jo Gye-saeng. With so many nobles throughout Joseon, how can there be ack of talent? In response to Heo Jos criticism, Jo Gye-saeng sharply retorted. Doesnt the Minister of General Affairs himself go around every day saying ck of talent? Heo Jos mouth shut tightly at Jo Gye-saengs rebuke. Kim Jeom, who had been listening to Heo Jo and Jo Gye-saengs conversation from the side, presented his dissenting opinion. How about selecting suitable individuals from among those working in the mines whomitted crimes in the past year of Gyu? As soon as Kim Jeom finished speaking, shouts erupted from all directions. Speak sense! Minister! Have you lost your mind? Youre about to cause a great mishap! After themotion died down, King Sejong asked Kim Jeom. Why does the Minister of Finance suggest selecting from among the criminals? The minister must be well aware that they are criminals. I would like to hear your exnation. King Sejongs stern voice revealed that he was quite angry at the moment. Swallowing hard, Kim Jeom carefully exined his reasoning. Among those whomitted heinous acts in the past year of Gyu, those who deserved death have already been executed. Most of those working in the mines now are being punished by association. Therefore, I thought that if we select suitable individuals from among them and send them to Japan, we could save face with uchi and at the same time widely proim Your Majestys benevolence. As soon as Kim Jeom finished speaking, Maeng Sa-seong opened his mouth. ording to the Great Ming Code, even those punished by association would not have escaped death. However, our Joseonw states that even those punished by association should be spared execution depending on the extent of their blood rtions. That is why they were made into ves and forced tobor. This alone is enough to demonstrate Your Majestys benevolence. Any further leniency could harm Your Majestys authority. The ministers nodded at Maeng Sa-seongs words. Following Maeng Sa-seong, Lee Maeng-gyun spoke up. Although the uchi n ims to be friendly with our Joseon, they are still of the same ilk as those Japanese. They are the kind who would immediately turn their swords on our Joseon if they sense even a slight disadvantage. Moreover, those whomitted crimes in the year of Gyu are traitors to Your Majesty. Even if they were not the main instigators, they agreed with those intentions. If such disloyal individuals were to teach the Japanese, would the Japanese who learn from them show goodwill towards our Joseon? Absolutely not. As Lee Maeng-gyun finished speaking, Jo Gye-saeng, the head of the relevant department, took over. The Foreign Ministers words are correct. The current shortage of teaching talent is not a matter of knowledge, but a matter of character. No matter how excellent ones learning and skills may be, if their character does not match, they must never be teachers. In the end, the proposal suggested by Kim Jeom was heading towards being deemed absolutely impossible. Your humble son has something he wishes to ask Father. Oh! Yes! Ask away! As Hyang, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, opened his mouth, King Sejong brightened up, while the ministers grumbled inwardly. I wondered why he was so quiet! What kind of talk is he going to use to turn things upside down this time! *** Hyang observed the situation from a third-party perspective before presenting his opinion, and each time, King Sejong and the ministers were able to find what they had been missing in the matter at hand. Up to this point, it was a very grateful thing, and King Sejong took pride in his sons intelligence. However, it was something that caused stress to the ministers, knowingly or unknowingly. To think we couldnt find such issues! Are wecking in ability as ministers who assist the king? It was because of such rumors that would emerge, knowingly or unknowingly. *** Having received permission from King Sejong, Hyang immediately posed his question. It is a good thing that the Japanese of the uchi n are asking us for teachings. How could learning the way of the sages and understanding principles be a bad thing? However, what I am curious about is why they are asking our Joseon for teachings. Are you saying you dont understand why they are asking our Joseon for teachings? At King Sejongs point, Hyang nodded and continued. Yes. Ive heard that in Japan, besides the Japanese king who rules the shogunate, there is also an entity called the Emperor, and there are also civil officials called kuge who work under the Emperor. Why doesnt the uchi n ask them for help? Hmm You have a point. King Sejong nodded, stroking his beard at Hyangs observation. Hyang continued to speak. It has been hundreds of years since Buddhas teachings entered that Japan, and although its not Neo-Confucianism, it has also been hundreds of years since the words of the sages entered. Even if those Japanese are uncivilized people who only rely on swords, there should be no small number of people who know the principles of the sages, so it doesnt make sense for them to ask our Joseon for teachings. Thats true. King Sejong kept nodding at Hyangs points. *** What do you think, ministers? As expected Here ites! The ministers, having received the issue thrown by Hyang and tossed by King Sejong, grumbled inwardly. However, since there was nothing wrong with Hyangs points, the ministers racked their brains hard. While piecing together various scenarios based on the information they had acquired about Japan, Lee Maeng-gyun was the first to speak. It is already well known that the uchi n and the Japanese king are in a rtionship of mutual checks and bnces. Especially considering that they are keeping the silver mine developed in coboration with our Joseon a secret, it seems that the uchi n also has ambitions. The Japanese kuge are based in Kyoto and are on good terms with the Japanese king. Therefore, it appears they are worried that if they invite them as teachers, secrets might leak to the Japanese king. The Foreign Ministers words have merit. Then what does the Foreign Minister think about us sending teachers? At King Sejongs question, Lee Maeng-gyun closed his mouth and pondered deeply. After considering various scenarios, Lee Maeng-gyun finally spoke. I think it is not good for our Joseon to send teachers. Why? First, since our Joseon is in diplomatic rtions with the Japanese shogunate, there is still deep mutual distrust. If we send teachers in this situation and it bes known, the Japanese king might think we are instigating the uchi n. Second, if the uchi n starts something, the dispatched teachers could be hostages. With the silver mine, we have Joseon soldiers present and a naval port nearby, so we could attempt a forceful escape, but the teachers cannot do that. If were not careful, they might use the teachers as hostages and demand our participation in war. King Sejong nodded at Lee Maeng-gyuns words. Thats right. It might seem like just a few hostages, but it would create issues of justification and problems with the peoples trust That is correct, Your Majesty. Lee Maeng-gyun and the ministers all nodded. If teachers were taken hostage by uchi, it would be a headache deciding whether to rescue them or not. If they helped uchi under the pretext of rescuing these hostages, they would be criticized for interfering in another countrys internal affairs using a few hostages as an excuse, exaggerating a small matter. Conversely, if they attacked uchi in alliance with the shogunate for this reason, there would be no small number of people using them of betraying trust. Lastly, if they disregarded the lives of the hostages, King Sejong would be criticized as a tyrant who regards the lives of his people as trivial. Then do you think it is right not to ept the uchi ns request? To King Sejongs question, Lee Maeng-gyun stepped forward again. Not necessarily, Your Majesty. Since these are individuals carefully selected by the uchi n, they will likely hold important positions in the uchi ns affairs in the future. If we can make such individuals admire our Joseon, it could be an extremely good thing for our Joseon. Considering the position the uchi n holds. At Lee Maeng-gyuns words, King Sejong and the ministers recalled the geopolitical position of uchi. The territories that uchi had seized through the battle in Kyushust year were, whether by coincidence or necessity, regions facing Joseon. Therefore, the more firmly uchis control was established, the safer Joseons coasts would be. *** After hearing Lee Maeng-gyuns exnation, King Sejong summarized the situation. Summarizing your opinions, it is as follows: One. It is beneficial for our Joseon to teach the talented individuals of the uchi n. Two. However, sending our teachers to the uchi ns territory is dangerous. Is this correct? Yes, Your Majesty. Then there is only one answer. Tell the uchi n to send their talented individuals to Joseon. At King Sejongs decision, the ministers immediately bowed their heads. Your Majestys words are truly wise. It is the best solution given the current situation. It is a truly wise decision. King Sejong smiled bashfully at the shower of praise from the ministers. Youre gilding my face, ministers. Not at all, Your Majesty! In reality, the ministers had already been thinking along simr lines. However, they had not voiced these thoughts because the subjects in question were Japanese. They hadnt proposed bringing in the Japanese, who were symbols of ferocity as much as the Jurchen tribes to the north, because if the Japanese who entered caused trouble, they couldnt escape the issue of responsibility. There had already been more than a few instances of simr problems causing headaches in the Japanese trading posts, so the ministers had been keeping their mouths shut as much as possible. However, since it was King Sejong who brought it up, even if something happened, they could avoid the primary me. Watching this scene from the side, Hyang inwardly muttered. The evasive actions of government officials are the same now as in the 21st century *** Chapter 331 Chapter 331 April of the 14th year of King Sejongs reign. (1432. The year of Imja) uchi Morimi, who had been to Kyoto, returned to his homnd of Su. Wee back, my lord! As the retainers lined up from the entrance of the castle shouted their wee in unison, Morimi responded with a slight nod. Hmm Good work. Lets go in. With uchi on horseback at the lead, the retainers who had returned from Kyoto and those who had been guarding the territory entered Su Castle. Thud! As everyone entered, the gates of Su Castle closed firmly with a dull sound. ***As soon as Morimi, who had briefly washed up and changed clothes, sat in the seat of honor in the main hall, the meeting began immediately. The first to speak was Mochiyo, uchis nephew. You look quite unwell. Wouldnt it be better to take some rest? Morimi shook his head with a grave expression at Mochiyos words. In peaceful times, I would rest and then work, but unfortunately, the times are not good. At Morimis words, the faces of the retainers who had remained in the territory, including Mochiyo, also became serious. We heard through messages and merchant rumors that the atmosphere in Kyoto was not good, but is it that serious? Its very serious. The phrase terror of ten thousand people is not an exaggeration. Sigh uchi let out a long sigh. Since Ashikaga Yoshinori, the current shogun, had taken power, the air in Kyoto had frozen solid. Whether they were from ancient noble families serving the Emperor or beggars living day to day on the streets, everyone residing in Kyoto was only watching Ashikaga Yoshinoris mood. If anyone caught the shoguns eye even slightly, it was not umon for the person to receive a terrible punishment or lose their life. The simplest example was the Chicken Expulsion Incident that urred just before uchis return. A cockfight had taken ce at Ichij Kaneyoshis residence, and many people had gathered to watch it. The problem was that these gathered people had blocked Yoshinoris procession. Enraged, Yoshinori banned cockfighting and expelled all chickens from Kyoto. (Note 1) Moreover, there were more than a few gardeners and cooks who were punished for reasons such as breaking a gifted plum branch or the food doesnt taste good. (Note 1) If only the lower-ranking people had been punished like this, they might have just sneered at it as petty, but as mentioned earlier, among those punished by Yoshinori were not a few high-ranking nobles and samurai. So I had no choice but to leave Kyoto using illness as an excuse. The previous shogun already saw our uchi n as a thorn in his side, and the current shogun is a madman on top of that. We should consider ourselves fortunate to have escaped. Sigh Morimi let out a sigh of relief. *** After confirming Yoshinoris violent and sadistic nature, Morimi gradually increased his guard. However, before long, Yoshinori warned Morimi. Why is the head of the uchi family increasing his troops? The night air in Kyoto has been unsettlingtely. Isnt it the lords troops that are making it more unsettling? Surely youre not distrusting me, who is responsible for the safety of Kyoto? At Yoshinoris point, Morimi answered with an expression that suggested it was absurd. How could that be! Is that so? Then dont increase your guard any further. Its frightening. Yes After ending the conversation with Yoshinori like this, Morimi called together the retainers who hade to Kyoto with him. We need to go back. Come up with a suitable excuse. If we remove our guards here, well be in immediate danger. No, we might be in danger even if we dont remove them. Morimi had an intuition that this was a critical moment. The scale of troops Morimi had stationed in Kyoto was considerable. With the current stationed scale, even Yoshinori would have to ept significant losses. But this was a double-edged sword. While it was a device to prevent Yoshinori from easily using force, it could also provide Yoshinori with a justification to use force. It would provide the pretext of Stationing such arge number of troops! They must surely harbor treacherous intentions! However, if he reduced his troops at Yoshinoris request, his life would be forfeit at any time. With Yoshinori holding his lifeline like this, it was certain that he would pressure Morimi to extort various things, starting with economic benefits. If Morimi couldnt endure this and raised an army, it would provide Yoshinori with the perfect justification to wipe out the uchi family and take everything. Therefore, Morimi had to be an untimely patient. Illness? What illness? Suddenly, my pulse became unstable and Im having difficulty breathing. These symptoms started appearing during the conflict with the Shni, but theyve worsened recently. Seeing Morimis pale face as he answered, Yoshinori responded with a seemingly reluctant expression. Thats unfortunate. Ill grant your request. Return to your homnd and recuperate. Im deeply grateful. And so, Morimi had to ride in a pnquin until he reached Naniwa (present-day Osaka) and boarded a ship. *** After briefly exining the process of escaping from Kyoto like this, Morimi continued speaking to his retainers. It was the help of the kami. Offer tributes to the shrine. Yes, my lord! And how is the military expansion progressing? We are steadily increasing our forces, my lord. What about the financial issues? Thanks to the steady silver production from the mine, there are no particr problems. Morimi nodded at Mochiyos answer. Were benefiting from Joseons help. Speaking of which How is the search for craftsmen from Ming going? I received an urgent message that there was good news? At Morimis inquiry, the retainer in charge of that matter answered with a proud face. We were able to secure two through Ming merchants! Are they capable of proper smelting? Yes, they are! It must have cost quite a bit? To Morimis question, the retainer immediately replied. We agreed to give the merchant exclusive trading rights with Ming. For now, weve agreed to import steel produced in Ming. Well done! Morimis face brightened at the retainers answer. While Japanese swords were prized items even in China, fetching high prices, mass production was difficult. Since wars werent fought with swords alone, purchasing high-quality steel inrge quantities was essential. Therefore, the news of importing steel inrge quantities from Ming was excellent. Of course, there was one regrettable point. Its a bit disappointing that its not Joseon-made. At Mochiyos words, Morimi nodded and responded. Thats true. But even Ming-made is a godsend in our situation, so we cant help it. *** During the joint development of the silver mine, the quality of Joseon-made steel products drew admiration from the Japanese. The quality of steel used to make tools like pickaxes, shovels, axes, and saws was superior to that of expensive Japanese swords. Because of this, Morimi immediately sent an envoy to Joseon expressing his desire to purchaserge quantities of steel materials. However, the answer from Joseon was a refusal. Our Joseon is also short on steel materials now. Trading is difficult. Morimi was dumbfounded when he heard Joseons answer. Huh! Theyre short on iron? Yet they make pickaxes and shovels out of steel? *** Setting aside his disappointment about Joseon-made products, Morimi checked on the information about the surrounding territories. How is the situation in the surrounding areas these days? Especially the situation of those Shni bastards who fled to Tsushima? They seem to be steadily aiming for aeback, but it doesnt look easy. After all, the environment in Tsushima isnt good. At the retainers answer, Morimi snorted. Hmph! Stupid fools! To think they fled to a tigers den! The survivors of the Shni family, defeated in the Battle of Chikuzen, had to flee to Tsushima. Their n was to stay in Tsushima, regain their strength, and make aeback. However, upon arriving in Tsushima, they faced the great wall of the Joseon army. With the establishment of a Joseon naval base in Tsushima, they could no longer engage in piracy. Therefore, they had to turn tomerce, using the wealth they had brought as capital. Who knows how long it will take Unlike piracy, which could bring great profits if done properly,merce, which was already saturated, couldnt bringrge profits. *** Thats the situation with the Shni, what about other territories? They are continuously expanding their forces to escort merchants. Morimi tilted his head at the retainers answer and asked again. Continuously? Yes. Those fellows shouldnt have much financial leeway, should they? Indeed, the discontent among the peasants is growing. At the retainers answer, Morimi nodded with a face that finally understood. I see, that makes sense. Seeing Morimis reaction, the retainer carefully took out a letter from his breast and handed it to Morimi. Whats this? Its a letter sent by vige heads from other territories surrounding our domain. They are dering independence and asking for our protection. They also wrote that if we apply the same tax rate as our territory, they would like toe under your lordships shadow. Really? Morimi received the letter with a disbelieving face. As he unfolded the letter and confirmed its contents, Morimi let out a sigh. Sigh This might happen faster than we thought *** Since the fall of the Kamakura shogunate, through the Nanboku-ch period, and now in the Muromachi shogunate era, Japans economy was growing increasingly rapidly. Port cities began to develop, monopolizing trade with Ming through tally trade. Additionally, with the opening of Joseon trading posts in Nagato and Naniwa,merce began to grow nationwide. What elerated this situation even further was the shogunate. Unlike the Kamakura shogunate, which relied solely on the produce from thend, the Muromachi shogunate made the profits gained through trade the foundation of its finances. Following this policy, the shogunate engaged in trade not only with Ming and Joseon but also expanded to Ryukyu and Southeast Asia. Agriculture was the same. Althoughter than Joseon, ox-drawn plowing began to spread gradually in Japan, and the number of farms cultivating cotton started to increase. Based on this growing economic power, the ruling ss, symbolized by shug and daimy, began to expand their military power. To fund this military expansion and purchase luxury goodsing from Joseon, the ruling ss had no choice but to squeeze the peasants and merchants. The peasants and merchants began to resist. Traditionally, taxes were determined through consultation between vige heads and officials of each vige. However, the daimy and shug had destroyed this tradition, and the peasants and merchants had no choice but to resist. (Note 2) *** Will you ept it? After pondering for a long time at the retainers question, Morimi reached a conclusion. No, we wont ept it. If we ept now, well only be giving them justification. Tell them its not the right time yet. At Morimis words, the retainer immediately bowed his head. Yes, my lord! Morimi looked around at his retainers. Now is the time to wait and strengthen our internal affairs. As long as that madman in Kyoto continues his crazy actions, something will happen soon. So, we wait until then. Yes, my lord! After giving orders to his retainers, Morimi muttered with his arms folded. I never knew that imitating Joseon would be this helpful. Morimi had applied Joseons tax policy to his own territory. It was a very challenging policy, but it had brought even greater results than expected. *** Note 1) https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/????_???? Note 2) /2349 Chapter 332 Chapter 332 As spring arrived in the year of Imja, Joseon once again began its full-scale foreign activities. Trading ships departed forCheonchuk-gukC more precisely, the Bengal Sultanate C and ships also busily traveled back and forth to Japan. Ships from Dongnae and Mokpo bustled to and from the Joseon trading posts in Nagato and Naniwa, and to the silver mine in Iwami. It wasnt just between Joseon and Japan. Withrge-scale cotton cultivationmissioned in the territory of the Governor of Kyushu in Kyushu, the number of Joseon ships traveling between Ming and Japan also increased. The main cargo these ships carried between Ming and Japan was rice. Sincerge areas of farnd that should have been used for rice and other grains were being used for cotton cultivation, Joseon procured rice and misceneous grains from Mings Jiangnan region to supply the farmers in those areas and for consumption in Iwami, shipping them directly to Japan. As a result, Joseon ships were always present in the seas between Ming, Joseon, and Japan. In the rted records of Ming and Japan at that time, phrases like The sea has be like it was in the days of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Si weremonly found. When supplying the grains procured from Mings Jiangnan region to Japan, Joseon used a clever tactic. The trick Joseon used was not to distribute directly to the farmers and workers of the Governor of Kyushu and uchi, but to hand them over to the Governor of Kyushu and uchi themselves. Joseon acted this way because of Hyangs suggestion. *** When Hyang first proposed this, not only King Sejong but also the ministers expressed doubts. Must we do it this way? It seems like were doing the work twice, which contradicts what you usually say. Moreover, if we hand it over like that, there could be leakage in the middle. While the ministers were pointing out various issues with faces of iprehension, King Sejong, who had been pondering Hyangs proposal, spoke up. Is it for the sake of justification? At King Sejongs question, Hyang immediately nodded. Thats right. We should avoid unnecessary conflicts. At Hyang and King Sejongs words, the ministers bowed their heads and muttered inwardly. Again! Here we go again! A Zen dialogue only they understand! Ive never been called stupid anywhere, but this really makes me feel inadequate Ah! While the ministers were grumbling inwardly, Hwang Hui C who had returned for a regr report C eximed. Naturally, not only the ministers but also King Sejong and Hyang fixed their gazes on Hwang Hui. Do you understand the reason, Minister? At King Sejongs question, Hwang Hui immediately answered. It might be my foolish thought, but isnt it because of the uchi n and the Governor of Kyushu? Ah! At Hwang Huis words, Lee Jik and Maeng Sa-seong simultaneously eximed. Following them, starting with Lee Maeng-gyun, the ministers nodded one after another. Lee Maeng-gyun, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, immediately bowed his head to King Sejong and reported. I, who bear the title of Minister of Foreign Affairs, failed to consider that aspect. Please forgive my stupidity! Please forgive our foolishness! The ministers all bowed their heads in unison, asking for forgiveness. Arent we about to hear that tongue-clicking sound after a long time? Arent we about to hear that we shouldnt do things that require asking for forgiveness? I thought I was going to live without hearing that tongue-clicking soundtely As if aware of the ministers thoughts, King Sejong asked a question instead of clicking his tongue. It seems you all have understood the reason. Would you care to exin? At King Sejongs order, Lee Maeng-gyun, who could be considered the head of the relevant department, immediately answered. The reason is that there are rulers in those ces. If our Joseon were to distribute directly, we could be used of disrespecting them. King Sejong nodded at Lee Maeng-gyuns answer. Thats right. Perhaps thats why the Crown Prince said such things. Is that correct? At King Sejongs question, Hyang bowed his head and answered. That is the main reason, but there are other reasons as well. Other reasons? At the words other reasons, King Sejong and the ministers ears perked up. Exin them. Yes, Father. After moistening his throat briefly, Hyang immediately began his exnation. Even if our Joseon pays wages or provides grains in return, it is certain that the uchi n and the Governor of Kyushu will take taxes. If our Joseon deducts those taxes before distribution, the Japanese farmers and workers will curse our Joseon. Therefore, our Joseon should give to the uchi n and the Governor of Kyushu, and let them distribute to the farmers and workers. This way, we can prepare for the case where dissatisfaction arises among the Japanese farmers and workers. As we know, those Japanese lords impose harsh taxes. Naturally, the Japanese farmers and workers must have manyints. And if were not careful, thoseints might burst out. When that happens, we dont need to be the ones taking the me. King Sejong and the ministers nodded at Hyangs exnation. The ministers, in particr, had expressions of strong agreement. The explosion of farmers due to severe taxes was something they had already experienced at the end of the previous dynasty (Goryeo). Observing the ministers reactions, Hyang continued. The reason we must do this is because we need to sell our Joseons products to those Japanese farmers and workers. Hyangs method applied the concept of Global value chain that was popr in the 21st century. It was a more sophisticated version of the imperialistic economic policy that wasmon until the 19th and mid-20th centuries, and it was the modus operandi of ancient multinational corporations that were considered to have power even greater than nations. Make the government of the country where the factory is located take the me, while we appear as benevolent merchants as much as possible. Thanks to acting this way, multinational corporations that had been symbols of imperialist capitalists until the 20th century were able to avoid criticism and grow even stronger. *** As the ministers nodded at Hyangs exnation, Hwang Hui opened his mouth. The Crown Princes words are good, but there could be problems. Among the sayings in the market, theres one that goes, A meddling sister-inw is more hateful than a beating mother-inw. If were not careful, our Joseon could be that meddling sister-inw. Hyang immediately responded to Hwang Huis point. If we only pretend to mediate, thats what will happen. We need to mediate properly. You said mediate properly? Is that possible? At Hwang Huis question, Lee Maeng-gyun interjected. I think its possible. With the uchi n and the Governor of Kyushu, that is. Especially the uchi n, after the joint silver mine venture and their victory in the conflict with the former Shni n, theyve been busy adopting our Joseons culture. Moreover, Ive heard that theyre already getting information about taxes through our people working in the silver mine. Is that so? Then After hearing Lee Maeng-gyuns answer, Hwang Hui closed his mouth for a moment, pondering various things, and then reported to King Sejong. If we n carefully and execute it, it seems possible. Is that so? What do others think? At King Sejongs question, the ministers immediately answered. Inspector Hwangs words seem appropriate. It seems possible with the current uchi n. *** Through this process, Joseon did not directly distribute the grains purchased from Ming, but handed them over to uchi and the Governor of Kyushu. Having received the grains this way, uchi and the Governor of Kyushu, especially thetter, actively strengthened their control over the farmers. And in the meantime, uchi introduced Joseons tax system. This was not a passive decision made by epting Joseons rmendation, but was closer to uchis active choice. As Lee Maeng-gyun said, the influence of the silver mine yed a big role in uchis choice. The discontent of Japanese miners grew as they directly saw how their situation differed from that of the Joseon miners working in the mine. Even if we say the Joseon miners wagese from Joseon, why are the taxes like this! Those who earn more pay less! We want to receive bonuses too! Upon confirming the discontent of the Japanese miners, Mochiyo immediately called his subordinates. We need to teach those insolent fellows a lesson! Thats right. If we cut off the heads of a few of the most insolent ones, theyll quiet down! As the atmosphere turned violent, as if they were about to go out and start shing immediately, Ahn Sang-taek interjected. Wouldnt it be better to listen to what theyre saying? What? Shut your mouth! At Ahn Sang-taeks interference, Mochiyos subordinates bristled and raised their voices. Enough! Stopping his subordinates, Mochiyo red at Ahn Sang-taek and opened his mouth. Why? Mochiyo asked Ahn Sang-taek for the reason, suppressing his anger. He remembered Morimis words when he had entrusted him with the task. Dont take lightly even passing jokes made by the Joseon people! If theres anything to be gained from them, you must take it! Whatever the cost! At Mochiyos question, Ahn Sang-taek immediately answered. Because our Joseon has experienced this too. Huh? Do you think our Joseon has good harvests every year and people live well just because there are no droughts or floods? At Ahn Sang-taeks point, Mochiyos face turned serious. He too had heard rumors. When he was very young, there were frequent rumors that across the sea in Joseon, there were continuous bad harvests and nothing left to take. But from about 10 years ago, the rumorsing from Joseon began to change. Joseon is changing! Wealth is increasing in Joseon! And now, although it was together with his lord, Joseon was leading the Iwami silver mine. Finally, Mochiyo reached a conclusion. I will report to my lord. Thus, upon receiving the report, Morimi immediately sent an envoy to Joseon requesting advice on tax policy. Lower the tax rate, but encourage motivation to ultimately collect more taxes Muttering about the aim of Joseons tax policy, Morimi made a decision. We will introduce Joseons tax system! As a result, the uchi territory came to have a distinctly different tax policy from other territories. Overall tax rates were significantly lowered, and various misceneous taxes were abolished. Instead, progressive taxation based on ie and property was applied, and the concept of value-added tax was introduced. And the concept of bonuses began to be applied in various ces, including the silver mine. Later, Japanese historians woulde to call this decision by Morimi the decision that changed Japanese history. *** As maritime traffic between Joseon, Ming, and Japan became more active, amon phenomenon began to ur in all three countries. -Theres a shortage of ships! Although pirates had decreased due to the active operations of the Joseon navy, pirates still swarmed just outside the areas protected by the Joseon navy. The situation arose where the number of ships lost to pirates, ships lost to storms or running aground, and ships that had to be dismantled due to severe aging from constant use, exceeded the supply. As a result, shipyards in the three countries were busily building ships. *** To solve the problem of ship shortage, we must establish a shipyard in the bay in the north discovered during thest exploratory voyage! When not only the Ministry of National Defense but also the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of General Affairs made the same im, King Sejong summarized the situation. The port in that bay, which we named Dongbinghang (Winter Ice Port), freezes over in winter. Is it suitable for building a shipyard? It is more than suitable, Your Majesty! There are dense forests nearby, making it easy to obtain timber needed for shipbuilding. Even if we work only during the thawing period, it can sufficiently serve its purpose! After hearing the ministers words, King Sejong finally epted their proposal. Chapter 333 Chapter 333 As spring arrived in the year of Imja and the weather warmed up, the clothes of those working in the pce became lighter and more colorful. No, it wasnt just those working in the pce. Even outside, those with some means began to wear clothes with bright colors as they went about their business. At this time, Hyang in Eastern Pce was burning with fighting spirit. The time has finallye! *** When Hyang first started his serious fandom activities, there was one thing he decided on first. No matter what, Im going to make flush toilets and reform clothing! For Hyang, these two things were issues that had to be resolved. In the 21st century, except when in the military, flush toilets were like air. Life without flush toilets was unimaginable.The clothing reform issue was also connected to this. The long, flowing Dragons Robe worn as the outermostyer was always an obstacle. Of the two, the flush toilet weighed more heavily, so Hyang used all sorts of clever tricks to create a toilet at the time. These flush toilets quickly began to take root not only in the pce but also in the homes of nobles and well-offmoners. Although there was the inconvenience of having to fill the water tank before and after use, it was definitely morefortablepared to the previous outhouses. As flush toilets becamemonce, they were upgraded from iron toilets to ceramic ones when pottery kilns were built in Area 51. In the process of making ceramic toilets, something happened that made Hyang unable tough or cry. Why are these toilets broken? Even if its something that goes into the privy, its for use by His Majesty. How could we present such low-quality items that dont even meet my standards? At the head potters answer, Hyang examined the broken toilets. Theres nothing particrly wrong with them Is this a clich? Tilting his head, Hyang asked the head potter again. Do you break other pottery like this too if youre not satisfied with it, not just toilets? No, Your Highness. If ites out of the kiln without cracking, even low-quality items can serve their purpose. So, we use them for the servants or give them as gifts to neighbors. I see Muttering softly, Hyang ordered the head potter. Even if it doesnt fully meet your standards, if ites out of the kiln without cracking and serves its function, just present it as is. That cannot be! How can wemit such an insolent act for something His Majesty will use! There are no eyes on ones behind. As long as its not too bad, send it to the pce. But Its an order. At Hyangs firmmand, the head craftsman had to take a step back. I understand, Your Highness. As ceramic toilets were ced in all pces in Hanseong starting with Gyeongbokgung Pce, and in provincial temporary pces, ceramic toilets began to slowly spread outside the pce walls as well. Before long, as word spread to Ming and Japan, merchants began to quietly ce orders. As soon as merchants started cing orders, it was natural for the royal workshop to immediately engrave plum blossoms on the toilets. *** Unlike the development and distribution of toilets, which received a lot of attention, clothing reform had barely been touched. There were several reasons why clothing reform hadnt been done, but the two main reasons were: One was that people had be ustomed to it. Although the Dragons Robe was cumbersome, they solved the problem by taking it offpletely when using the toilet. Without the Dragons Robe, the baji and jeogori were surprisingly wearable. Whenever he thought about clothing, Hyang would mutter habitually: Its wearable, but notfortable Thats the problem The other reason was the issue with Ming. This was because Ming had designated the clothing for the kings Dragons Robe and the ministers court officials daily uniform. Because of this history, Hyang couldnt speed up clothing reform and only waited for the right time. However, every time he saw the officialsing in and out of Gyeongbokgung Pce, Hyang kept grumbling. Theyre not little Teletubbies or anything Green, pink, blue, orange Their individuality is overflowing. Because they wore colorful court officials daily uniform following Mings example, the colors of the officials uniforms varied. At least yellow was omitted as it was the emperors color, and only the red of the dragon robes worn by the king and crown prince was missing. In this situation, the only way to confirm the officials ranks was the belt worn at the waist. Although they distinguished officials ranks by wearing belts made of different materials ording to their grade, it wasnt an easy task. Because of this, there was talk of slowly looking for other methods. As such talk began to emerge, Hyang started to burn with fighting spirit. *** Although he had made up his mind, there were many obstacles to putting it into action. Every time I think about it, there are too many types of clothes that need to be properly prepared Hyang licked his lips as he went through the types of clothes that not only King Sejong but also he himself had to change into at certain times. First, there was the gold crown ceremonial attire (geumgwan jobok) worn on festive days or major events, And the sacrificial attire (jebok) worn by officiating priests and attendants during ancestral rites at Jongmyo and Sajik shrines. Starting with these, there was the official uniform worn for general duties, the official uniform worn for events that werent significant enough for the gold crown ceremonial attire but still required attendance, clothes worn when escorting the king on official outings, and so on. If one were to dress properly, at least 4-5 types of official uniforms had to be prepared. Is this why even kings wore hand-me-downs? In any case, it was certain that changing all these official outfits at once would face enormous resistance. In the end, Hyang had no choice but to choose the next best option. Lets start with the ce where I cant be criticized even if I make changes! The ce Hyang decided to start with was the military. *** As the reforms progressed, and after experiencing the Gyu Rebellion and Yi Manchus Rebellion, as well as dealing with pirates at sea, the military came to trust Hyang absolutely. To put it exaggeratedly, they came to worship him almost to the level of a religion. Based on this trust from the military, Hyang began to work on military uniforms and boots first. Did you say military uniform, Your Highness? Do you mean the battle robe (jeonpo)? Simr, but a bit different. At a meeting attended by all the topmanders of the Ministry of National Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, including Jo Mal-saeng, Hyang began to exin the new concept of military uniforms. Until now, if we look at the attire of our Joseon soldiers, its exactly the same as themoners outside the military camp. They wear the same baji and jeogori. What distinguishes soldiers frommoners is that military officers wear battle robes, and enlisted men wear kwaejas (another type of garment). Of course, they put on armor over this when battle breaks out. At Hyangs exnation, everyone in the military nodded. Seeing that the response wasnt bad, Hyang gradually put more strength into his voice. Military spirit is the lifeblood of the army. The way to boost this military spirit is through thorough training, adequatepensation, and pride. Pride in protecting this Joseon! At Hyangs words, Jo Mal-saeng immediately asked a question. Your Highnesss words are correct, but what does this have to do with military uniforms? It does. If their attire is indistinguishable frommoners outside the military camp, will anyone look at soldiers as special? Hmm At Hyangs point, all those attending the meeting fell into deep thought. It does make sense Do you perhaps have a physical sample, Your Highness? I have prepared one. Hyang, who answered immediately, gestured to a court eunuch. A momentter, a group of military officers and soldiers in unfamiliar attire entered. Oh~. Jo Mal-saeng and the high-rankingmanders let out small exmations as they saw the outfits worn by the officers and soldiers. It was vastly different from the clothing they had worn until now, but it exuded a different kind of charm. The military uniform designed by Hyang was based on the infantry and cavalry uniforms of the Korean Empire army. However, not everything was the same. While the Korean Empire army infantry uniform was ck, Hyangs was dark green. The green is for infantry, and the reddish-brown is for cavalry. Hmm Jo Mal-saeng, who had approached to examine the uniforms closely, turned to Hyang. Did youpletely cover the chest, Your Highness? Hyang nodded at Jo Mal-saengs words. Yes. We need to block the cold wind that enters through the front opening. Thats right! Jo Mal-saeng nodded vigorously at Hyangs words. The winter wind, not only in thisnd of Joseon but also in that cursed Manchuria, was terrifying. No matter how well one closed the front of their baji and jeogori or battle robe, the cold wind that slowly crept in was a monster that killed people. This is for spring and autumn, and this is the summer uniform. The summer uniform was based on a safari jacket. After the introduction of the winter uniform C including coat and padded jacket C was finished, Jo Mal-saeng and the high-ranking officers fell into deep thought. It does look quite good But its too different. Thats the problem. Falling into choice paralysis, the military eventually made the most orthodox choice. -First, select a small number of units to test it out. Hearing the militarys conclusion, Hyang licked his lips slightly and muttered. Tsk Even if you cant fill your stomach with the first spoonful Um, Your Highness Yes? Hyang, who had been licking his lips, turned his body at the sound of someone calling him. There, the navalmanders were gathered, looking at him. Is there no uniform for the navy? Ah! There is! Ive prepared it! What Hyang showed them was the sailor uniform with a proud history and tradition, along with blue jeans and a blue shirt. *** Following the militarys decision, several units were selected to enter the trial. The first reaction of the soldiers and officers who received the newly made uniforms and boots designed by Hyang was fierce criticism. Damn it! The baji and jeogori that you just need to tie with a string are morefortable! Thats right! Thats right! Why are there so many buttons! Comints targeting the buttons that reced the tie stringsrgely disappeared as time passed and people got used to them. What followed was a sense of superiority: I am different from others. What gave them this sense of superiority were the vigers around the units stationed area. *** Oh my! That must be the new military uniform! Indeed! Its really unique! At first, they only felt it was unique, but before long, the residents felt something else. Somehow It feels a bit different, doesnt it? Youre right. It feels a bit overwhelming Is he a great general? The residents were gradually bing intimidated by the inexplicable pressure emanating from the soldiers wearing the uniforms. In contrast, the young maidens nearby nced at the soldiers and whispered. Doesnt it look manly? Yes, yes! And they look so tall! The girls whispered as they looked at the soldiers who exuded a strange charm, unlike the boys of the same age watching nearby. *** Unlike the loose designs that the people of Joseon had been ustomed to seeing until then, the military uniform designed by Hyang emphasized the shoulder and waist lines. As a result, the soldiers wearing these uniforms emphasized a stronger masculine charm. And the tall stature mentioned by the girls was also partly due to the military boots worn by the soldiers. Chapter 334 Chapter 334 As ranches increased throughout Joseon and more Jurchen people submitted to Joseon, the number of people engaged in animal husbandry gradually began to increase. In addition, as Joseons economy grew, the consumption of meat among Joseons people also began to increase rapidly. As this active interaction continued, private ranches operated by individuals began to increase in addition to the state-run ranches. With the increase in ranches, there were some who became busier as a result: the tiger-catching troops (chakhogoon) and hunters who hunted predators like tigers. *** As the amount of consumed meat increased, it was natural that the byproducts C organs, leather, horns, and others. C also increased. The people of Joseon were also adept at using such byproducts. Throughout Joseon, new meat dishes were created, starting with regional specialty sundae dishes tailored to local tastes, and essories and household items were made using horns and leather. Of course, Area 51 and its affiliated royal workshops were ying a pioneering role in making these essories and household items.Starting with belt decorations using ox horns, various types of products were made, but recently, the most popr item was gloves. Finger gloves lined with well-tanned pigskin and cotton or silk lining were popr among the wealthy for their excellentfort. As they made and sold such popr products, the ledgers of the royal workshop recorded enormous ie and expenditure. By the way The amount of cowhide consumed is much less than the amount purchased? King Sejong, checking the ledger, called Hyang and pointed out the issue. Hyang immediately answered King Sejongs observation. We are collecting materials to make shoes. Shoes? Even so, the amount seems toorge? We need to make arge quantity. Theyre for military boots. Military boots? Are these shoes for the soldiers to wear? Yes, thats correct. At Hyangs answer, King Sejong pondered for a moment and then asked Hyang. What do these shoes look like? Theyre simr to wooden boots or water boots. At Hyangs answer, King Sejong stroked his beard and fell into thought. After thinking for a while, King Sejong asked Hyang. Would it be better for me to change thew, or for you to change the form? To King Sejongs question, Hyang immediately replied. It may be disrespectful to say, but changing thew might be better. There are several reasons Hmm As Hyang was about to exin the reasons, King Sejong let out a groan. This son of mine Grumbling inwardly, King Sejong summarized the situation. Even if I listen to your intentions, the ministers wont let it pass easily. Therefore, you should exin directly to the ministers yourself. Yes, Father. Hyang bowed his head and answered to King Sejongs words, but inwardly he grumbled. Ah, damn! I thought it might pass easily! A few dayster, King Sejong brought up the issue of military boots at a meeting. Therefore, the Crown Prince wishes to make leather boots for soldiers and military officers. Discuss this matter. Yes, Your Majesty. Under King Sejongs watch, the ministers and Hyang exchanged opinions. The biggest issues are the budget and the design. Although its easier to obtain cowhide and pigskin these days thanks to people eating more meat, its still not a cheap material. Supplying this to tens of thousands of military officers and soldiers could be problematic for the budget. To Kim Jeoms point, Hyang immediately responded. Shoes made of leather are durable and can be worn for a long time. Moreover, they can protect the legs of soldiers and military officers. But the cost As Kim Jeom continued to press on the budget issue, Hyang interrupted. Dont soldiers wear darogi when they go into training or battle anyway? Its easier if you think of it as the state providing those. At the time, Joseon soldiers wore thick leather socks called darogi along with mituri (traditional Korean woven shoes) shoes to protect their feet during training or battle. I understand. At Hyangs point, Kim Jeom waved the white g. As Kim Jeom retreated, this time Heo Jo stepped forward. ording to what youve said, these military boots seem simr to wooden boots or water boots. However, ording to establishedws, wooden boots and water boots are not items that soldiers can wear freely. ording to aw added in the 2nd year of King Sejongs reign, boot-style wooden boots and water boots were not something anyone could wear. Those shoes were the exclusive property of the upper ss. Thats why King Sejong had mentioned changing thew in the previous conversation. To Heo Jos point, Hyang immediately responded. Regarding that point, firstly, while they are simr to wooden boots and water boots, the material and design arepletely different. No! From the start, they are not wooden boots or water boots, but military boots. They do not vite thew. That may be true, but At Hyangs point, Heo Jo licked his lips and trailed off. As Hyang pointed out, arguing about simrity in shape when they were entirely different shoes was close to forcing the issue. Seeing Heo Jos reaction, Hyang continued. Secondly, when people have some leeway, they always seek better and morefortable things. Its human nature. But if we say ours are legal while theirs are illegal, will the peopleply? We need to change what needs to be changed. If the nobles want to be respected, they should earn respect through their conduct and virtue, not through their attire. Is earning respect through appearance following the way of the sages? At Hyangs words, Heo Jo closed his mouth. With no further objections, King Sejong concluded. We will test these new military boots that the Crown Prince has made and then decide whether to apply them to the entire army. We obey Your Majestysmand! The scribe who recorded all of this added the following: Thus, when His Majesty decided, all the ministers, great and small, followed. The historian says: The Crown Princes eloquence is sharper than any famous sword in the world. I fear for the future. Even now, I get goosebumps all over my body just hearing the sound of tongue-clicking. *** Having thus received King Sejongs permission, Hyang gathered not only the leather workers belonging to the royal workshop, but also leather workers from Hanseong and its vicinity. So We need to make military boots. Youll have to work hard. In return, Ill ensure the payment is certain. At Hyangs words, the leather workers who hade from outside bowed and answered. How could we doubt Your Highnesss words? We will do our best to make them. Im counting on you. Then Court eunuch. Yes, Your Highness. At Hyangs gesture, a waiting court eunuch entered with a chart and hung it up. Hyang turned the pages with a pointer and continued speaking to the leather workers. These are the shoes youll be making. Come closer, examine them, and if you have any questions, ask. At Hyangs words, the leather workers approached and examined the drawings. After carefully studying the drawings, the leather workers asked Hyang a question. Your Highness. The shape is simr to wooden boots, but is the bottom like jinshin? Hyang nodded at the leather workers question. Thats right. The shape is simr, but we use oil-soaked leather, and studs are nailed to the bottom like jinshin. Will it be difficult to make? At Hyangs question, the leather workers shook their heads. No, its not difficult at all. Is that so? At the leather workers answer, Hyang turned the page to show the next design. The leather workers eyes suddenly widened at the new design. Whats this? These are boots for cavalry. The shape is very unique. But theyll be the best shoes for cavalry. Will it be difficult? The shape is a bit unfamiliar, but I think we can make them with a little effort. *** Hyang had three types of military boots made. Two types of tall boots and one type of short boot. The tall boots were for infantry and cavalry, and the short boots were for the navy. All three types were designed to have basic waterproofing by using oil-soaked leather. And studs were nailed to the front sole, while iron tes simr to horseshoes were nailed to the heel to ensure durability and prevent slipping. Using oil-soaked leather and nailing studs to the bottom was not unfamiliar to the leather workers. Not only the nobles but alsomoners with some means were already ustomed to wearing leather shoes in their daily lives. And due to Joseons rainy season, as well as the roads that turn into mud during the thawing period, nobles, regardless of gender, wore jinshin during those times. Jinshin C also sometimes called jingshin C made of leather soaked in peri oil for over a month and with studs nailed to the bottom, did not slip in mud and mud did not stick to them. Of the two types of tall boots made this way, the ones worn by sword and spear infantry and artillery were in the style of the Soviet army during World War II. The German ones look cooler, but theyre terrible in winter. Knowing the winter of Joseon and Liaodong, which was second to none in terms of harshness, Hyang decided on the Soviet-style boot design. The roomy Soviet-style boots were very convenient for inserting instion. However, the masterpiece among these boots was the one to be supplied to the cavalry. Both the infantry boots and the cavalry boots had heels. And at this point, the leather workers had to face some difficulties for a while. Until then, the shoes people wore had a single-piece bottom. To be precise, it was a t, single board. Whether it was ordinary shoes or wooden boots, there was no heel. But all the new shoes Hyang created had heels. The infantry boots and short boots had heels made of hard wood about 2.5cm thick, and the cavalry boots had heels as high as 5cm. The cavalry boots Hyang created were the Joseon version of cowboy boots. *** In the 21st century, when Hyang ran away to build a ship with some foreign enthusiasts, he met many American enthusiasts. While learning about fandom from these enthusiasts, Hyang was also able to learn about cowboy boots. Hey, Jinho! People often call these cowboy boots or western boots, but to be precise, they should be called Spanish boots. And these Spanish boots are the ultimate cavalry boots. Just before returning to Korea, as Hyang was choosing cowboy boots as a souvenir, the American enthusiast exined in detail about the functionality of cowboy boots. -The pointed toe, sharp like a de, makes it easy to insert the foot into the stirrup. -The space created by the high heel firmly fixes the foot on the crossbar of the stirrup. When the foot is firmly supported, it reduces unnecessary loss of power during a charge. The reason high heels became popr in Europe was to avoid the dung scattered on the streets, but mens high heels should be seen as a continuation of the knight and cavalry tradition! Is that official? No. *** As soldiers began to wear these newly made military boots, they attracted the attention of ordinary people. The shiny boots soaked in oil and the body-fitting uniforms drew attention regardless of gender. Those look pretty good, dont they? This favorable reaction from the people strongly boosted the soldiers pride. Not only pride, but functionally, the newly issued uniforms and boots were quite good. When walking long distances, it was necessary to put some straw or cotton-padded cloth in the soles of the shoes, but it provided psychologicalfort in protecting the feetpared to just wearing mituri. In fact, there was an iron te in the toe of the boot in preparation for any contingency. The purpose was to minimize damage from idents that could ur while carrying heavy objects, including artillery shells. However, what caught everyones attention was the cavalry boots worn by the cavalry. As the heel got higher, the back naturally straightened, and the chest had to be pushed out. As a result, it naturally created a tall stature and confident posture. Before long, new orders flooded in to leather workers across Joseon. Um Can you make shoes simr to those cavalry boots? Chapter 335 Chapter 335 At some point, high-heeled shoes began to be fashionable in Joseon. At first, boot-style shoes were the mainstream, but before long, low-cut shoe styles also began to appear. The people of Joseon, who had certainly be more affluent than before the reforms began, started to pay more attention to adorning themselves. Moreover, starting with King Sejong, the mindset of the court ministers who ran Joseon became considerably more flexible. No, it wasnt just that their mindset had be more flexible. Through the purge just before the reforms, the elder ministers who even the king had to be wary of were swept away, and as the number of nitpicking nobles decreased sharply due to the Gyu Rebellion, there was less need to be cautious. -Neo-Confucianism is the national ideology of Joseon. -ording to Neo-Confucian teachings, extravagance is the shortcut to national ruin and should be eradicated as an evil. -However, the nobles must maintain a certain appearance as nobles, so it cant be helped.As those with this mindset, which could be called the epitome of double standards, were expelled from the power structure, King Sejong and the ministers were able to respond flexibly to changes. *** As these height-increasing shoes became fashionable, changes began to blow through mens attire as well. It started, of course, with the military. Because the response was good, the new military uniform proposed by Hyang began to be distributed to the entire army immediately. Soldiers and military officers who had be ustomed to the new uniforms and new military boots soon began to make alterations to their uniforms. Hey, who did they say was the best at sewing in the vige? Sewing? Did something tear? If its that, I can Chunshim, who was answering her husband Il-siks question with an indifferent face, soon red at Il-sik with sharp eyes. What? Are you saying I cant sew? Is that it? This guy really Thats not what I meant Il-sik hurriedly tried to exin, but it was toote. That day, Il-sik and Chunshim had to have a tremendous marital quarrel. Soldiers who received the uniforms either entrusted their uniform pants to their wives hands or to houses rumored to be good at sewing for alterations. The uniform pants altered this way had their width greatly reduced. Although the new uniform designed by Hyang already had a much narrower widthpared to traditional Korean pants, the pants that were altered again had their width reduced even further. Thebination of these tightly fitted pants and military boots boasted sleek leg lines. The soldiers pursuit of style didnt end there. Unless they were recing worn-out items, boots had to be purchased with money from the military-exclusive stores in each camp and garrison C equivalent to PX or veterans stores in the 21st century. At these stores, soldiers purchased extra pairs of boots, and a strange phenomenon urred where cavalry boots sold tremendously well. Non-cavalry military officers and soldiers wore their designated boots when entering training and duties, but when going out on leave or outings, they invariably wore their narrowed pants and cavalry boots. This was the same for the navy as well. This phenomenon was immediately reported up the chain ofmand. Not only are they arbitrarily altering the clothes bestowed by His Majesty, but theyre also wearing boots other than the designated military boots Shouldnt we punish them? When high-rankingmanders who read the report argued for punishment, Hyang stepped forward to oppose. No. You should check the words properly. They are state-issued supplies, not bestowed items. They are not gifts. And theyve only narrowed the pants width and worn different military boots. Its the same as sword and spear troops maintaining their swords and gun troops maintaining their rifles. I understand. Having experienced this once before, Hyang had created a category called state-issued supplies and put the military uniforms and boots in that category. By making them supplies rather than bestowed items, he prevented the same issue from repeating. And as time passed, something amusing happened. Even the high-rankingmanders of the Ministry of National Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff began walking around in narrowed pants and cavalry boots. *** In this way, new attire imitating the stylish clothing of soldiers began to be fashionable among civilians as well. Those who stillcked economic leeway and whose work clothes doubled as their outing clothes still wore loose-fitting baji and jeogori as before. However, men from families with enough means to have separate outing clothes strode the streets wearing jeogori and durumagi (a type of an overcoat)that emphasized the shoulder and waist lines, narrowed pants, and high-heeled shoes. Interestingly, this fashion did not start in Hanseong but was urring almost simultaneously across the country. However, Hanseong was indeed the most radical. A durumagi emphasizing the fit, high-heeled shoes, and a ck hat made of horsehair that had been fashionable since the middle of King Taejongs reign. Add to that spectacles on the eyes and a folding fan in hand. Seeing a young nobles walking leisurely while dressed stylishly and then paying respects, Hyang muttered softly: Hipster in Hanseong? Smiling slightly at the sight, Hyang continued: When winteres and trench coats appear, itll be another upheaval. Imagining various future fashion changes, Hyang arrived at Area 51 and, seeing the pants of soldiers who were just going out and paying respects, muttered softly: Lets not go as far as joggers or cropped pants While Hyang was proceeding with this fashion revolution through such bold attempts, there was one area where he couldnt easily make progress. The wall blocking Hyangs steps was the sangtu (topknot). *** For hygienes sake, we need to get rid of the sangtu. If the cutting hair edict implemented by King Gojong in the history before Hyangs intervention was a symbol of Westernization and modernization, for Hyang, it was for the purpose of hygiene. Its not just about hygiene, its such a hassle! With 21st-century thinking and hygiene concepts ingrained in him, Hyang frequently bathed and washed his hair. Of course, courtdies rushed to help him every time, but the long hair was always inconvenient. Therefore, Hyang began to prepare thoroughly. Bring the statistics on all kinds of infectious diseases that have urred so far from the Royal Clinic. Pardon? All of them? All of them. Yes, Your Highness. The court eunuch who received Hyangs order returned to Eastern Pce with a cart full of statistical data from the Royal Clinic. A few dayster, Hyang ordered the court eunuch again. This is a bit insufficient. Go to the ho-, no, the Ministry of Finance and bring all the statistics on infectious diseases. Yes. Hyang carried out the entire process of organizing and analyzing the data all by himself. It would be easier to entrust it to someone else, but this is certainly something that will face strong opposition from within. If Im not careful, it might be blocked before it even properly begins. Worried about unforeseen circumstances, Hyang proceeded with everything by himself for the first time in a long while. However, it didnt take long for rumors to spread through the court eunuchs and research institute researchers. -The Crown Prince is doing something with statistics on infectious diseases! -Hes proceeding with everything alone, not entrusting the work to anyone! At the rumors flowing out of Eastern Pce and the research institute, everyone in the government was on high alert. Among the things Hyang had taken the lead in proceeding with so far, there were no light matters. However, the things Hyang had proceeded with entirely alone had enormous ripple effects. The smallpox vination that started with the self-harm incident and led to the expulsion of elder ministers including Ryu Jeong-hyeon. The policy statement that disrupted the bnce between King Sejong and the elder ministers. The tax reform that pressured the local nobles and eventually led to rebellion, and so on. The ministers, well aware of the tremendous ripple effects brought about by the things Hyang had proceeded with entirely alone, looked at Eastern Pce with tense expressions. King Sejong was equally tense. You wont even tell your father what youre doing now? Im sorry, Father. Please wait just a little longer. I do trust you, but Im worried. I humbly apologize. At Hyangs answer, King Sejongs face hardened. Seeing that you keep apologizing, it seems this is no ordinary matter. I understand. Ill wait for now. Thank you. *** Ten dayster, Hyang began his presentation at a gathering of King Sejong and all the ministers. Hyang hung the chart brought by the court eunuch on a hanger, paid respects to King Sejong, and then lightly bowed to the ministers. For the past fortnight, I have analyzed based on statistics from the Royal Clinic and the Ministry of Finance. So, to state the conclusion first Pausing for a moment, Hyang took a deep breath and continued. I petition to implement a hair-cutting edict for the men of our Joseon. As soon as he finished speaking, Hyang turned over the cover of the chart. On the newly revealed paper, the characters for Hair-Cutting Edict (???) were written inrge letters. Hair-Cutting Edict? King Sejong and the ministers looked at the Chinese characters for Hair-Cutting Edict written on the first page of the chart and racked their brains to grasp its meaning. The first to speak was King Sejong. A hair-cutting edict targeting the men of Joseon Are you saying we should get rid of the sangtu? Yes. Its impossible! Thats right, its impossible. At Hyangs words, the ministers unanimously shouted that it was impossible. Lee Jik stepped forward as a representative of such ministers. We have been tying the sangtu since ancient Gojoseon. The sangtu is not just about tying hair, but widely announcing that one has be an adult. To get rid of this is to eliminate a deeply rooted tradition that has continued for thousands of years, so it is absolutely impossible. The ministers nodded at Lee Jiks words. Hyang also immediately responded to Lee Jiks words. How could I not know the weight of that long-standing tradition? However, the benefits gained by changing that tradition are greater than what is gained by keeping it. Turning the page with his pointer, Hyang continued his exnation. The table and graph you see now record the number of infectious disease urrences and infected people across Joseon from the first year of Your Majestys reign untilst year. As you can see, its gradually decreasing. Its all thanks to His Majestys deep virtue. Indeed, indeed. Hyang nodded at the ministers response. Thats right. Because Your Majestys virtue is high, the people have followed your orders well. As you can see, as water management has been thorough and hygiene management including bathing has been carried out meticulously, the number of urrences and infected people has decreased a lot. However, infectious diseases of considerable scale are still continuously urring. Well, shouldnt that be seen as an unavoidable force majeure? Hyang shook his head at Lee Jiks point. No. During this analysis process, theres something I found out by asking the people residing in Hanseong. A considerable number of people bathe more frequently than before, but not their hair. The reason was that it was troublesome to untie and retie the sangtu. It seems forced to say that the sangtu is the source of infectious diseases, doesnt it? No. When I asked those who came from the West, they said that in the case of the terrible ck Death, it spread as fleas parasitic on rats became parasitic on humans. Minister, where on the human body do lice and fleas thrive the most? The head Thats right! Its the head! The way to get rid of head lice and fleas is cleanliness, and the easiest way to maintain cleanliness is to wash the hair frequently. But if the sangtu is preventing people from washing their hair, shouldnt we get rid of the sangtu? King Sejong interjected at Hyangs words. Then wouldnt it be enough to order people to wash their hair frequently? If it were a matter that could be solved by an order, they would have already been washing frequently. And we cant assign people to monitor whether the people are properly washing their hair, can we? The debate continued for a long time after that, but King Sejong and the ministers still did not bend their opposition. King Sejong and the ministers arguments were as follows: -Its a tradition that hase down for thousands of years. No matter how much of a hygiene issue it is, the people will strongly resist. -The people think that those without a sangtu are uncivilized like bandits. They will absolutely not ept the hair-cutting edict. Finally, after a fierce debate, King Sejong concluded as follows: The sangtu is a tradition that hase down over thousands of years, so we cannot recklessly get rid of it. However, the hygiene issue is certain, so we encourage washing hair more frequently. We receive yourmand. If it were the imperialist era, there might be a bit more justification to use. We could at least insist that all the prosperous countries have cut their hair short, but now thats not possible What a pity. Tsk! Hyang acquiesced, licking his lips. Chapter 336 Chapter 336 Hyangs Hair-Cutting Edict ultimately ended up being canceled. As a result, Hyang had to redesign the military hat. Because the sangtu exists, the hat needs to be tall But the Napoleonic era military hat is too excessive, and the Special Skills Corps hat looks a bit outdated The Korean Empire military hat feels too Japanese Of course, if we were to be more precise, both Japan and the Korean Empire had modeled their hats after European military hats. They were modifications of the kepi, which was itself a simplified design with a lowered height of the famous Shako hat from the Napoleonic Wars era. However, for Hyang from the 21st century, what he was familiar with was the damn Japanese military hat, which caused him to feel aversion. After pondering various options and searching his memories, Hyang was able to choose a design he liked. It was the hat worn by Australian soldiers during ceremonies. It was simr in shape to the Anzac army slouch hat, which resembled a cowboy hat. Or, from another perspective, it was a more modernized version of the hat worn by the Three Musketeers.Hyang, who had acquired the technology to make felt cloth through the Jurchen people who had submitted to Joseon, used this to create military hats. This is pretty good, isnt it? The hat made of dark green felt cloth C red for cavalry C was well-received by the soldiers. Especially popr was the right brim folded up and attached to the body, with a pheasant tail feather inserted. After finalizing the attire for thend defense forces in this way, Hyang had to ponder over the hat for the navy. That Popeye hat I know is impossible because of the sangtu Then Hyang once again diligently searched his memories of military enthusiast knowledge. This time its Russia! What Hyang chose was the sailor cap used by the Russian Navy during the Imperial Russian era C simr to what Donald Duck wore. Of course, this sailor cap was for enlisted sailors, and naval officers were issued a brimmed hat simr to those worn by captains of civilian ships including yachts in the 21st century. The crown part of the naval officers hat is too low Damn sangtu! There are too few options! Hyang didnt stopining, but when the actual recipients received the newly designed uniforms, boots, and hats, they were very satisfied. This positive reception was especially prevalent in the navy, as theplete separation ofnd defense forces and navy through military system reform necessitated differentiation. And while Hyang grumbled that itcked style, the soldiers who received the hats had a very positive reaction. The response is very good! Is that so? Thats a relief. Hyang let out a sigh of relief upon receiving the report that the soldiers reaction was very positive. *** As new styles of military uniforms, boots, and hats were distributed through Hyangs work, civilian attire also began to change gradually. As mentioned before, the loose-fitting hanbok began to reveal more of the bodys lines, and shoes with high heels started to be fashionable. And as the final point of this male fashion, hats began to change. Recing the ck-dyed bamboo hats that had been mainstream until recently, light and sleek ck hats made of horsehair began to be fashionable nearly 100 years earlier. While nobles favored hats made of horsehair, ordinarymoners began to make and wear various shapes of hats using felt cloth. As Western visitors to Joseon during the 19th century imperialist era described it as the country of hats, the people of Joseon had a knack for hats. These people of Joseon wouldnt miss the opportunity, and before long, hats of all shapes overflowed throughout Joseon. *** It wasnt just mens attire that was changing. Womens clothing also began to change little by little. Starting with the Queen, the shape of the wonsam (a female ceremonial topcoat in hanbok) worn by the women of the inner court began to change gradually. Like mens hanbok, the wonsam, which boasted a generous fit, began to cling to the body little by little. In particr, strings were attached to the open sides, starting to reveal the waistline. It wasnt just the wonsam that changed. The skirt and jeogori worn underneath also began to change gradually. Like the wonsam, the jeogori, which was made in a free size and boasted tremendous looseness and length, began to shrink. The bottom of the jeogori, which used toe down almost to the hip line, rose to the waist line, and the sleeves, which not only covered the back of the hand but also had nearly a span left over after covering the entire hand, were reduced to a level that just barely covered the back of the hand while also bing narrower. The skirt was the same. The width and length were greatly reduced. Not only did it shrink, but horizontal pleats were added to the front, causing the front hem to lift slightly. Between the lifted front hems, the mujigi skirt C named so because the colors of theyered skirt hems were all different, resembling a rainbow C began to be worn peeking out slightly. If men had hats, women had (a hat) and neoul (a veil used bydies while going out in the Joseon Dynasty). Of course, there was a separate true ultimate item. As the economy improved, the neoul of wealthy nobles families began to be more and more luxurious. At first, silk or mesh was ced over the jeonmo, but soon silk or mesh was attached to the edge of the jeonmo. The jeonmo thus revealed was painted with borate flower patterns. Changes also urred in the silk and mesh attached to the edge. Those of high status attached ck silk or mesh, while those of lower status attached blue silk or mesh, but the colors of this silk and mesh began to diversify little by little. When a woman fully equipped following this changing fashion went out on the street, she drew the attention of all the surrounding men. A tall woman wearing shoes with high heels like mens shoes, such as suhye (flower shoes) or danghye, walks in clothes that slightly reveal his figure. The sight of a woman with the mujigi (undergarment skirt) skirt peeking out between the slightly lifted front hem and the suhye or danghye glimpsing with each step was very attractive. Of course, it cost a considerable amount to be fully equipped like this. Therefore, petitions were submitted saying that womens extravagance was severe and should be regted, but King Sejong did not ept them. -It is a womans nature to pursue beauty. It is not appropriate to force this. We should only teach and learn the way of frugality. Although he gave such an answer to the petition, King Sejong red at Hyang and asked: Was it you? Absolutely not! Hyang strongly denied King Sejongs question. However, disbelief filled the eyes of King Sejong and the ministers. Seeing their expressions, Hyang inwardly cried out: This damn world where trust has disappeared! Womens clothing is not my area of fandom! Im being wronged! The one thing Hyang had challenged rted to womens clothing culture, while protesting his innocence, was just one thing. It was the gache (wig). *** After the babies born after an excruciatingly longbor had passed their hundredth day and things had be somewhat peaceful, Hyang returned from Area 51 and entered Eastern Pce. Seeing the Royal Clinic doctors and female physicians paying their respects to him, his face became serious. Whats the matter? Has something happened to the children? Ah, no. The Crown Princess and the mothers said their necks were hurting, so we gave them some acupuncture. Their necks hurt? I see. Well, are they better now? Yes. Good work. After sending away the doctors and female physicians, Hyang headed to where the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje were. Although it was slightly against protocol, the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje were practicing co-parenting. It was thanks to the three of them giving birth on the same day, at the same hour. Although most of the childcare was handled by the courtdies and maids, the three women still gathered in one ce to look after the babies and strengthen their friendship. Watching this scene, Hyang had muttered softly: With Jinpyeong and Anpyeong also there, Eastern Pce will soon be noisy. Jinpyeong and Anpyeong had also recently given birth to sons one after another. As Hyang had called them the Eastern Pce Mafia, the Crown Princess, Yangwon, Yangje, and the wives of Jinpyeong and Anpyeong got along well. Therefore, it was certain that once the babies safely passed their first birthday and were able to go outside, they would flock to the Eastern Pce. *** I heard you received acupuncture. Are you alright now? To Hyangs question, the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje bowed their heads and answered. We are fine now. Thats good. But why did your necks suddenly hurt? To Hyangs question, the Crown Princess answered as a representative. We recently got new gache, and they seem to have been a bit heavy. The gache was heavy? Surely not Yangwon and Yangje too? To Hyangs question, Yangwon and Yangje answered in small voices. Yes, thats right. Hearing the womens answers, Hyang muttered without realizing: Why spend money on something thats not even good for your neck Instantly, the expressions of all the women in the room changed. Seeing those expressions, Hyang inwardly cried out: I, I! Ive seen that expression before! Really, I have! *** When Hyang was living in the 21st century, his mother once spent arge sum of money to acquire a new luxury brand bag. While his mother was showing off the new bag, Hyangs father made ament: It doesnt even look that expensive, why bother In that instant, Hyangs mothers face turned fierce. And for two weeks, Hyangs mother went on strike, and Hyangs father and Hyang had to prepare their own meals and do their ownundry. And now, the expressions of the women sitting in the room in Eastern Pce were the same as his mothers expression at that time. **** Thanks to Hyang immediately apologizing after detecting the danger signal, the situation ended there. However, Hyang couldnt just let it go. If what Ive heard is correct, they say that gache has many problems, so it seems we need to do something about it. Rumors about gache were so prevalent that they even appeared on TV. The most famous among them was that a young bride, unable to bear the weight of the gache, broke his neck and died. The reason this was believed to be more than just a joke was that the gache worn by Queen Soheon and the women of the pce now had a height approaching one ja (about 30cm). And it wasnt just rising upwards, but epassing the entire head, with various decorations added on top. Considering that weight, it was entirely possible for someones neck to break and die. Eventually, Hyang went to see King Sejong. You want to ban gache? Its surprising to hear you suggest banning something. At King Sejongs words, Hyang inwardly muttered: There are many! I said we should ban discrimination against the Northwest, I said we should ban discrimination against illegitimate children, I said we should ban discrimination based on the four upations, et cetera, et cetera Anyway, whats the reason for suddenly bringing up the idea of banning gache? Hyang, who had been grumbling inwardly, stoppedining and immediately answered King Sejongs question. Recently, the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje received acupuncture due to gache. I heard about that too. When I looked into it, many women in the inner court receive acupuncture for simr reasons. Thats exactly why. Its human nature, especially for women, to pursue beauty, but it shouldnt harm their health. And while moderate luxury can help in life, excessive luxury ruins life. Gache is excessive luxury, so it should be banned. Hmm At Hyangs words, King Sejong, stroking his beard thoughtfully, turned to the ministers. Ive heard that gache is expensive, but how expensive is it? To King Sejongs question, Kim Jeom immediately answered. Even the cheapest one costs enough to buy 7-8 ves. Indeed, it has gone too far. Then should we ban it? At King Sejongs words, all the ministers faces became troubled. Simply thinking about it, banning it would be appropriate, but But The ministers and King Sejong all trailed off. As Hyang was about to open his mouth at this sight, Lee Jik looked at Hyang and said: Theres a saying that domestic harmony brings sess in all things.'' In that moment, Hyangs mouth firmly closed. Whether its the 21st century or now! In the end, the attempt to ban gache ended in failure. Chapter 337 Chapter 337 Ugh This is so frustrating Hyang grumbled in his room after repeated failed attempts with not just the topknot but also the gache (wig). While everyone acknowledged Hyangs reputation and abilities, the wall of tradition proved too formidable even for him to break down. I muttered it jokingly back then, but the age of imperialist powers might have been more convenient. Hyang sat with his arms crossed, ring at a nk piece of paper. *** In the 19th century, during the era of Western imperialism, removing the topknot was a symbol of modernization. Lets break free from our long-standing istion and move forward like the Western barbarians! Look at the culture and clothing of those barbarians! Look at the skyscrapers where they live! Shouldnt we live like that too?To live like them, we must break away from old customs and bad habits of the past! Theres no time to waste! For those who called for rapid and active opening of borders and modernization, the topknot was a symbol of old customs that needed to be destroyed. Thus, after announcing the Hair-Cutting Edict for hygiene reasons, they chose force instead of enlightenment. The problem was that by choosing force over enlightenment, the peoples discontent grew. On top of that, the Japanese, who were steadily swallowing up Joseon, all had short hair and wore Western suits. As a result, Joseon people came to view short hair = pro-Japanese, leading to fierce resistance. However, through the reconstruction period after independence, the notion deeply ingrained in Koreans was topknot = uncivilized & conservative. *** The problem is that now the West is actuallygging behind. Even being generous, theyre two or three steps behind. Hyang muttered, tapping his fingers on the desk. As Hyang said, Europe at this time was far behind Joseon and China in many aspects. In this situation, we cant possibly say we should emte the Westerners. Besides, that damn hairstyle Based on the information gathered so far through Pietro, Raphael, Mansur, and the recently arrived alchemists and mathematicians, Europe was just at the end of the Middle Ages and on the brink of the Renaissance. *** France, considered the most powerful country in Europe, was engaged in the Hundred Years War with Ennd. Although it was said that battles were mainly fought for negotiation purposes, war was war. Remembering the hairstyles from 21st-century movies, Hyang referred to it as a shitty hairstyle. The hairstyles of men in movies featuring Joan of Arc, an icon of the Hundred Years War, were mostly either the ho-seop-i style (note 1) or a bob cut with a straight fringe (note 2). For Hyang, these were hairstyles he could never consider attractive, even if his life depended on it. Especially the ho-seop-i style, which required as much maintenance as a topknot to look stylish with its two-block cut. Shaking his head to dispel the memories, Hyang continued to grumble. The next period is problematic too. The popr hairstyle for European men during the Renaissance period was long hair reaching the shoulders. Most wore this long hair loose or trimmed the ends inward in a rounded style. To Joseon people, it would have looked like a disheveled style only beggars would wear. The hairstyle of the 17th-18th centuries that followed involved gathering the long hair at the back and braiding it. Those in official positions and nobles wore white wigs over this styled hair or powdered it white. Again, if Joseon people saw this, they would have clicked their tongues saying, Just tie a topknot instead! And why is a man putting powder on his head? *** After pondering for a while, Hyang scratched his head irritably and muttered. Dammit! Should I just go ahead and do it like I did with the smallpox vine back then? Now, theres probably no one who would make a fuss even if I just went ahead Hyang considered the possibility, thinking of the court officials who had be ustomed to change during the reforms. If the noble of the past or the Confucian Taliban I knew saw the current mindset of the court officials, theyd say, You Confucian traitors! Stay right there! Ill bring the poison! So theres a possibility but its still uncertain In the history before Hyangs intervention, when the Hair-Cutting Edict was proimed, those who opposed cried out, The body, hair, and skin are received from ones parents, and not daring to damage them is the beginning of filial piety. Therefore, while preparing arguments for the Hair-Cutting Edict, Hyang had prepared counterarguments C such as trimming nails and cutting hair C to use if this phrase was brought up. However, the ministers only argued about tradition and the existence of alternatives. Thus, Hyang saw a possibility but was still uneasy. The topknot was a tradition dating back to the Gojoseon era. Even for Hyang, a misstep could bring about a critical political controversy, and in the worst case, lead to his being deposed as Crown Prince. Hyang continued to scratch his head and mutter. Also, goingpletely Western style doesnt feel right either But considering hygiene issues, its necessary After contemting for a long time, Hyang smacked his lips. I guess Ill have to go with two tracks. Well have to gradually make people get used to short hair over time and expand the range of choices. Having decided on a direction, Hyang soon chose an appropriate target. It has to be the military *** The main reason Sejong and the ministers opposed was, If head hygiene is the problem, frequent washing is the solution. But the problem is that the military, especially the cavalry stationed in the north doing long-distance patrols and the navy embarking on long voyages, cant wash frequently. If we argue for short hair based on nonbat losses due to disease, the possibility is high. And if we use it as a substitute for keepsakes, it would have symbolic meaning too. Phew~. Sighing, Hyang came to a conclusion. This should work out fine. *** Although he had found a way to proceed on two tracks, Hyang felt something wascking. Ive advised frequent hair washing, but there probably wont be much of a response. Its not easy to untie and retie a topknot, after all. While scratching his head and pointing out the problem, Hyang spat out a curse filled with irritation. Ah, shit! Why is my head so itchy? Its only been two days since I bathed and washed my hair! Bath Hyang, who was about to call for a eunuch, suddenly stopped. After a moment of contemtion, he immediately snapped his fingers. This is it! *** The next day, the deputy ministers of the Ministry of Finance headed to the Eastern Pce at Hyangs summons. Your Highness! The deputy ministers of the Ministry of Finance have arrived. Let them in. Yes. Come in. Guided by the eunuch, the deputy ministers entered and bowed politely to Hyang. Wee, everyone. Its good to see you. Oh? While returning the greeting to the deputy ministers, Hyangs face brightened upon seeing a familiar face. Isnt this Schr Im? Its been a long time! Have you been promoted to deputy minister? Congrattions! Im Soon-wook, who had entered office through Sejongs special appointment disguised as forced recruitment, had already been promoted to deputy minister. Seeing Hyangs face full of delight, Im Soon-wook replied with an embarrassed expression. Thanks to His Majestys great grace, this unworthy one has been promoted rapidly. Hahaha! Father is always fair in these matters, so I can see Schr Ims, no, Deputy Minister Ims abilities. By the way, which department are you in charge of? Currently, Im in charge of the 3rd Deputy Minister position in the Ministry of Finance. Hyangs face brightened even more at Im Soon-wooks answer. The 1st Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Finance was in charge of national finance, the 2nd Deputy Minister handled foreign trade, and the 3rd Deputy Minister was responsible for domestic prices and market trends. Minister Kim has ced him perfectly! This will make things much easier! Its a good start! Why have you summoned us? At the 1st Deputy Ministers question, Hyang began to slowly unfold his story. Do you know that I recently proposed the Hair-Cutting Edict to Father? Yes. Do you know why I advocated for the Hair-Cutting Edict? Yes, we heard it was for the purpose of disease prevention. But we also heard that His Majesty rejected it. Hyang nodded at the 1st Deputy Ministers answer. Yes, the reason was that frequent washing would suffice. But honestly, isnt it difficult for ordinary people to wash their hair frequently? The deputy ministers nodded at Hyangs point. As Hyang emphasized public hygiene and saw actual effects, people washed more frequently than before. Even if they couldnt bathe for various reasons, washing their face daily had bemon. However, this wasnt the case with hair. Untying and retying a topknot was quite cumbersome. More than that, washing long, tangled, and matted hair was a real hassle. After confirming the deputy ministers reactions, Hyang got to the main point. So, I have thought of a job opportunity. A job opportunity, you say? Yes. Something that will improve peoples hair hygiene and create new jobs to help their livelihood. Finishing his words, Hyang picked up a paper from the desk and showed it to the deputy ministers. The deputy ministers tilted their heads upon seeing the words written on the paper. Hair-washing house? Hyang exined about the hair-washing house to the deputy ministers. You can wash your hair while bathing, but its not easy. So, we create a ce that specializes in just washing hair. They untie the topknot, wash the hair, and then retie the topknot. Basic hair washing costs 1 won, hair washing plus lice and flea removal costs 2 won, and if you add trimming like cutting split ends, its 3 won. What do you think? Hyangs idea was based on his 21st-century experience. Hair washing was a basic service at barbershops or beauty salons. However, it provided a much more refreshing experience than washing at home, and some barbershops or beauty salons even offered hair washing and blow-drying as a separate service. From Hyangs memory, it was quite an addictive service. *** After hearing Hyangs exnation, the deputy ministers began to analyze with serious faces. When they first heard the term hair-washing house, it seemed like grasping at straws. But after hearing the detailed exnation, all the deputy ministers came to the same conclusion. This has potential! Amidst their contemtion, Im Soon-wook was the first to speak. There have been a few simr reports among thoseing to me Im Soon-wook paused for a moment to recall his memory. After a brief moment, he answered more precisely. There were three in total. It was reported that some bathhouses in Suwon, Gaeseong, and Pyongyang offer hair washing services. Hyangs face lit up with interest at Im Soon-wooks answer. How was the response? I heard it was quite good. Many people dont understand paying money to have their hair washed, but those whove experienced it once be regrs. Thats exactly it! So, lets implement this nationwide. It can be set up inside bathhouses, or as separate shops. No, since its just washing hair, separate shops would be better! And so, Hyang and the deputy ministers had a serious discussion about the hair-washing houses. Three dayster, an official document was created and immediately submitted to Sejong. Will the people pay money to have their hair washed? To Sejongs question, Hyang answered immediately. They will! Its not just cats that enjoy grooming! At Hyangs answer, Sejong reviewed the proposal once more. Seeing that not only Hyang but also the names of the three deputy ministers of the Ministry of Finance were included, Sejong came to a conclusion. Seeing that not just the Crown Prince but all three deputy ministers of the Ministry of Finance are involved, it seems to have potential. I approve. And thus, the hair-washing house, one of Joseons specialties, was born. *** At first, everyone was puzzled by the hair-washing houses, but soon they were never short of customers. The refreshing feeling of having your hair washed by someone experienced in hair washing was highly addictive. Of course, there were asional incidents that were neitherughable nor pitiable. I hardly have any hair left, shouldnt you be cutting it instead? Are you not considering the effort it takes to tie that little hair you have into a decent topknot? *** Note 1) /PostView.nhn?blogId=altnrdl1&logNo=221273522170 https://brunch.co.kr/@peopletoday/3 Note 2) /article/8161619 Please look at the hairstyle of the man standing behind Joan of Arc. Chapter 338 Chapter 338 As hair-washing houses for men gained poprity, those for women began to spring up like bamboo shoots after rain. While wealthy noble women could have their maidservants wash their hair, it was inconvenient for women from less affluent households to do so. Hair-washing houses were exactly what these women desperately wanted. What made them so desirable was the gache (wig). Gache wasnt exclusively for wealthy noble. *** Not onlymon women but also gisaeng and women from moderately well-off households all considered gache essential. The only differences were in size, what ornaments were attached, and how it was ced on their own hair. Women of the royal family and wealthy noble wore eogeomeori adorned withvish binyeo (ornamental hairpins). Women from moderately well-offmoner households wore gaesumerori or teuremori. First-ss and second-ss gisaeng wore voluminous teuremori like hats. These teuremori were adorned with precious ornaments made of gold, silver, and jewels.Even tavern owners selling alcohol and food at inns and women from poor households styled their hair in komori, decorating it with daenggi (hair ribbons) to look fashionable. (Note 1) *** In this situation where gache wasmonce, hygiene issues were more serious for women of lower sses than for upper-ss women wearing eogeomeori. While eogeomeori was a separate piece ced on top of ones natural hair, teuremori and komori were created by interweaving ones own hair with hair pieces. As a result, women with teuremori and komori could only wash their hair while it was styled or wash and dry it in a long braid after removing the binyeo. (Note 2) Due to these circumstances, hair-washing houses for women became popr. One difference between womens and mens hair-washing houses was that baskets to hold the untied gache were essential for women. *** I dont understand why they cant give up something so inconvenient Whenever Hyang saw this situation, he grumbled with a pout. However, he never uttered suchments in the presence of women. It was because of the memory of being frozen by the murderous aura emitted by women when he had spoken thoughtlesslyst time. Both gache and topknots Whats with that pride Just as womenpeted over the size of gache and the ornaments attached to it, well-to-do menpeted over things rted to their topknots. Even excluding the gwan (hat) used to prevent the topknot froming undone, which was only allowed for the royal family, the manggeon (headband) that had recently be fashionable was an expensive item. This was because manggeon was made from horsehair. Men without money either wore headbands made of cotton or hemp around their topknots or went around with bare topknots. Thepetition among men started with manggeon. Theypeted over the material of the gwanja (ornament) that fastened the manggeons string, the size and material of the pungjam (hat string ornament) that acted as a chin strap to prevent the hat from flying away in the wind, the material of the donggot (mens hairpin), and the material of the saljeongmiri used to push back the sideburns that peeked out from under the manggeon. [TL/N: https://.decivetta.org/lorenzo/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/11/IMG_0277-7681024.jpeg (Manggeon. Sort of a head cap before putting on a hat] For the noble, thepetition extended to the material of the decorative string attached to their hats. Those without money used bamboo or wood pieces, but the wealthier they were, the more they used expensive jewels like jade or coral, starting with gold and silver. Of course, Hyang, being the Crown Prince, wore a splendid gwan and manggeon that had quite a bit of money invested in them. Looking at his own topknot decorated with gold, silver, and various precious gems, Hyang chuckled and muttered, Whether its the 21st century or now, its all about looking effortlessly chic *** People showing off with various essories was the same whether it was now or in the 21st century. If men and women in Joseon now showed off with topknots and gache, in the 21st century, it was watches and luxury bags. Especially for men in the 21st century, to boast about their sess, they had to own at least a few expensive mechanical wristwatches. It was the 21st century where reasonably priced, incredibly urate quartz watches and digital watches were abundant, and hipsters showing off their individuality with various types of smartwatches were everywhere. However, on the wrists of men universally acknowledged as sessful were mechanical wristwatches boasting history and tradition. Even if they didnt wear them usually or wore smartwatches, it was an unwritten rule to wear mechanical wristwatches at formal asions or ces where they needed to show off. The rule for showing off these things was to appear effortlessly chic rather than tantly boasting. For men, the proper way to show off was to casually reveal the watch while running their hand through their hair or stroking their chin with a contemtive look. For women, it was to nonchntly ce their bag on the table or carry it while walking. The same was true in Joseon. For women, the basic etiquette was to greet visitors with a nonchnt face without showing off their gache adorned withvish ornaments. For men, it was to subtly show off by lightly lifting their hat to look into the distance. *** While Hyang was grumbling about gache and topknots that seemed like they would never change, Joseon society continued to evolve. The biggest change was that fabric shops across Joseon began to distribute a wide variety of colored fabrics inrge quantities. *** For generations, the Korean people were known for their preference for white clothes. This preference was recorded even in the Dongyi section of the Records of the Three Kingdoms. However, contrary to this, the murals in Goguryeo tombs and the Portraits of Periodical Offering of Liang show people wearing clothes of vibrant colors. But in Joseon, from the time of King Taejo, there were numerous royal edicts saying Do not wear white clothes, yet the people insisted on wearing white. However, recently, dyed fabrics began to be distributed inrge quantities. Upon receiving the report, Hyang tilted his head. Why? Unable to contain his curiosity, Hyang investigated to find the reason. After searching through an enormous amount of records and pondering deeply, Hyang came to the most usible conclusion. As expected Because they can afford to eat better now? That was the most likely reason. Mulling over his conclusion, Hyang turned his gaze to the distance and muttered, Its been a while since I thought of Teacher Samcheonpo *** In the middle of his lecture, Teacher Samcheonpo went off on another tangent. Our people are called the white-d folk, but if you look at rted records, they also wore colorful clothes well. So why are we called the white-d folk? Records show that from the time of Joseons King Taejo, there were continuous royal edicts saying Do not wear white clothes, but if you look at the writings and photos taken by foreigners at the end of the Joseon period, everyone is wearing white. Looking at this alone, youd have to conclude that our people were addicted to white clothes. But lets think about it from a different angle. The main reason kings forbade white clothes was based on the Five Elements theory. Since Joseon was east of China, ording to the Five Elements, wearing blue clothes was proper. But why did the people wear white? The officially recorded times were thete Goryeo to early Joseon period, and thete Joseon period. Whats themon factor? They were times when everything was in shambles due to war and barely recovering. When youre struggling to make ends meet, who has time to dye clothes? Look at the end of the Joseon period too. What happened right before that? There was the era of inw politics. It was a time when life was so hard that there were even peasant rebellions. And during the subsequent Japanese colonial period, people wore only white clothes out of spite, not wanting to please the Japanese who told them to wear colorful clothes. So, my conclusion is this: Our people arent some perverts who go crazy at the sight of white. Its just that when theycked economic resources, they wore white clothes because they were the easiest to maintain. They say dyeing clothes white is expensive, but if you boil them in lye water a few times, you get a nice white color. (Note 3) If you doubt it, just look at Shin Yun-boks paintings. See if the women in the paintings are only wearing white clothes As he was exining his own theory, Teacher Samcheonpo digressed even further. Ah, shit! Talking about colors reminds me of another infuriating memory. When I was in college, I read an article by a Japanese sociologist in the library. While criticizing the body-con (Body Conscious, a skin-tight mini dress) fashion that was popr in Japan at the time, he rambled on like this: As can be seen from the elegant lines of the roofs of Joseon pces and temples, and hanbok, Joseon had lines, while Japan had vibrant colors as seen in kimono. But now it seems to be the opposite, which is regrettable. Do you know what my first thought was when I read this? Are this bastards eyes just for decoration? You saw the roofs of pces and temples, but missed the dancheong (colorful paintwork) underneath? What nonsense is this from people who couldnt even wear proper clothes until the Tang Dynasty? If youre curious, Google Portraits of Periodical Offering of Liang.'' *** After confirming that Joseons clothing was gradually changing, Hyang immediately went to see Sejong. You want to create a Joseon Clothing Illustration that records the current clothing of Joseon? Why? To Sejongs question, Hyang immediately exined the reason. The clothes worn by our Joseon people embody traditions passed down from the ancient Samhan, or even further back, from ancient Joseon. However, just as the clothes from those times are not exactly the same as the clothes now, clothing continues to change. Therefore, we need to record this so that our descendants in the distant future can properly understand the principles behind how these clothes came to be. Hmm At Hyangs words, Sejong stroked his beard, deep in thought. Heo Jo, who was listening to Hyangs proposal, expressed doubt about his words. Even a three-year-old child knows that our clothing contains traditions from ancient times. Isnt it unnecessary to record this? Hyang immediately responded to Heo Jos point. As time passes, there will be those who will insist that our things are theirs. Pardon? While Heo Jo and the ministers were expressing doubt at Hyangs words, Sejong interjected. Could it be that youre worried about the Goryeo style? As expected, Father! Sejong the Greater! Hyang brightened and immediately nodded. Thats right! Since the Yuan Dynasty, many of our clothing styles have spread to China. Therefore, we need to clearly establish this! In the distant future, they will use the fact that we were their vassal state as a basis to im that they transmitted our clothing styles to us. Heo Jo again refuted Hyangs words. But the term Goryeo style itself What if they insist that even those Goryeo things originally came from China? Hyangs interrupting question silenced Heo Jo. Hyang continued to emphasize that this was absolutely necessary. From the Yuan Dynasty until now, the Goryeo style has been spreading in China, and even in Japan, our clothing and culture are gradually spreading through the Dae family! Ming and Japan wont acknowledge this due to their pride. Therefore, we need to create definitive evidence by leaving documents and illustrations in advance. We need to clearly record and distinguish what came from Ming as havinge from Ming to prevent future false ims. In the end, Sejong epted Hyangs argument. Its clear that this will take a lot of time and effort, but its appropriate to leave a definite record. Considering the nature of the task, it seems best for the Ministry of Education to take the lead. Other departments should also provide assistance for smooth progress. At Sejongs order, the ministers bowed their heads and replied. We receive yourmand. And the court historians were recording all of this. Bowing his head along with the ministers, Hyang nced at the historians and clenched his fist hidden in his sleeve. Yes! Its now in the official record! *** Phew~. After the meeting ended, Jo Gye-saeng sighed while looking at the distant sky as he left Geunjeongjeon Hall. Seeing this, Maeng Sa-seong, who was passing by,forted him. Cheer up, Minister. It will be arduous work, but with support from other departments, it shouldnt be too difficult. At Maeng Sa-seongs words, Jo Gye-saengs face turned gloomy. I have a feeling that this wont end with just clothing, but that its only the beginning. Ah *** (Note /nadakik/221060642371 (Note 2) You can see how women bathe in Shin Yun-boks painting Dano Festival. (Note /client/news/viw.asp?cate=C03&nNewsNumb=20150417129&nidx=17167 Chapter 339 Chapter 339 In May of the year Imja (the 14th year of King Sejongs reign, 1432). The 100-day celebration for Hyeondong, the first son, was held at Myeongnye Pce, the private residence of Prince Jinpyeong. The 7th day (choil-re) and 21st day (seil-re) celebrations,bining the numbers 3 and 7 traditionally favored by our people, were quietly observed by just the Jinpyeong family, but the 100-day celebration was held on arger scale. While heading to Myeongnye Pce to celebrate this, Hyang muttered softly. The word baek (hundred) itself means having everything in proper order In fact, in ancient Korean, the word meaning 100 was on. But why are these kids so fast? Are their hormones different? Or is there some other factor? Did they secretly take something without me knowing? Hyang counted on his fingers and shook his head. Jinpyeong was now thirteen years old when he had his first son. And Anpyeong, who would have his 100-day celebration next month, was 12 years old. Of course, counting by years, they were 15 and 14 respectively, but it was still early. Even though its an era where early marriage ismonWhile Hyang grumbled about the situation he couldnt easily adapt to, there was something he kept forgetting. That his father, Sejong, was fourteen when he had his first child. *** When Hyang arrived in front of Myeongnye Pce, the front gate was crowded with people. Make way! His Highness the Crown Prince is arriving! At the eunuchs shout, the gathered people parted to the left and right and prostrated themselves on the ground. Hyang dismounted and approached the people prostrating themselves in front of the gate, asking, There are many people here, whats the matter? Wevee to receive the 100-day rice cakes, Your Highness. 100-day rice cakes? Ah Hyang nodded at themoners answer. Distributing rice cakes to pray for the long and healthy life of a child reaching 100 days was a custom regardless of social status. Your Highness! Im truly grateful that youvee! Hearing that Hyang had arrived, Jinpyeong rushed out to greet him. How could I note when my younger brothers first son has reached 100 days? Congrattions. Thank you! Guided personally by Jinpyeong, Hyang entered Myeongnye Pce and widened his eyes as he stepped into the inner courtyard. There stood an iron horse made at half the size of a real one. Whats this? Yes! I made it to do more research! What a fanatic! They say true railroad enthusiasts are hopeless, and its true! At Jinpyeongs answer, Hyang inwardly clicked his tongue. Jinpyeong was proving exactly what happens when a fanatic with money and power indulges in their passion. While the eunuch was handing over the congrattory gifts to the steward, Hyang ascended to the main hall and met the protagonist of the celebration. The child looks very bright. I look forward to his future. Thank you. Jinpyeongs wife, Lady Yun of the Samhan Guk rank, bowed his head in gratitude at Hyangs words of blessing. Seeing the appearance of thedy and Jinpyeong, Hyang inwardly muttered, A child and a child had a child. Hyang was making ament that others would have criticized as look whos talking! if they had heard it. With a table set with rice cakes and tea for the 100-day celebration in front of him, Hyang conversed with Jinpyeong. The child looks intelligent, I expect a bright future for him. At Hyangs words of blessing, Jinpyeong replied with a broad grin. Isnt that right? Isnt it? I too am praying for this child to grow up quickly! My dream is for him to grow up soon and help mey railroad tracks all over Joseon along with his siblings. That dream is really Hyang, who was trying to hold back from saying something, nced sideways at Lady Yun and his face became troubled. Lady Yun, holding the child and listening to Jinpyeongs conversation, was cing his hand on his forehead and sighing softly. Seeing this, Hyang asked Jinpyeong, This is just your firstborn, and youre already talking about siblings? Haha! We must prepare early! My dream is that in this Joseon, when people think of railroads, my name and my childrens names wille to mind first, and when my name and my childrens names are mentioned, people will immediately think of railroads, hahaha! As Jinpyeongughed heartily, Hyang quietly lifted his cup to his lips. Im a fanatic too, but you I have no words Anyway, the atmosphere continued to be cheerful. Jinpyeong, facing Hyang, freely expressed his love for railroads and emphasized their importance. Therefore, railroads are absolutely essential for the development of Joseon. To Jinpyeongs statement, Hyang replied briefly. You fool, Im the one who made that iron horse and railroad. Ah Jinpyeong was momentarily silent, but soon opened his mouth again. Your Highness. Ive heard about the Eastern Expansion, but isnt it progressing too slowly? Joseons capabilities are not yet strong, so it only appears that way. But seeing that even you know about it, I suppose theres no one in Hanseong who doesnt know? Haha! Little brother, I came to know about it while preparing in advance toy railroad tracks. However, Father and Your Highness should urge the ministers. Joseonscking capabilities can be sufficiently secured by expanding our territory! We must expand our territory as quickly as possible andy railroad tracks! You fool! I Hyang, who almost shouted You fool, get out! in that moment, forcibly held back and inwardly screamed. Tit for tat! Tit for tat! Hey, you madman! Tit for tat, an abbreviation of if they hit us, we hit back. Japans strategy that provided the biggest cause for Americas entry into World War II was the most famous example of tit for tat. On the way back to the pce after attending such a tumultuous 100-day celebration, Hyang inwardly muttered. I must prevent that fool from getting involved with the military at all costs. Sigh~. To think he wants to grabnd just toy railroad tracks *** Rumble! Crash! On a night with loud thunder and lightning. A middle-aged Jinpyeong walked towards the young king sitting in Gangnyeongjeon Hall. Putting down an iron hammer covered in blood and flesh, Jinpyeong sat down. The young king asked in a trembling voice, Uncle, did you really have to do this? They deserved to die! They tried to decide the railroad routes, the most important thing for the countrys transportation, for their own selfish interests! This is a crime worthy of death! Boom! Suddenly, a loud thunder struck. Whether startled by the thunder or frightened by Jinpyeongs ferocity, the young king, trembling, opened his mouth. Un-Uncle, do as you wish. I am deeply grateful for Your Majestys grace! Having achieved what he wanted, Jinpyeong bowed and then abruptly stood up, turning to leave. As Jinpyeong strode out, throwing open the doors of Gangnyeongjeon Hall, a familiar voice from historical dramas flowed: -Thus, Jinpyeong was able to do everything rted to railroads ording to his will. Historians referred to this incident as the Gyeyu Railroad Incident. At that moment, the Haetae statue erected in front of Gwanghwamun roared /proxy/UO3Q8sVxucxMv8MIcxMtrnOZXggw77tKGN7JmIhdIqPuVxHJqlWNknz8kHEbWBDAM2CW5nfN52Q5Hoo9Cw8TOghEutz9WfbZBI5oMFr3pyAz7our90HL *Haetae statue] Woof woof woof! *** Gasp! With a short scream, Hyang sat up, startling the Crown Princess who was sleeping next to him. Your Highness! Whats the matter? Surprised by the Crown Princesss question, Hyang waved his hand lightly and replied, Ah, its nothing. I just had a bad dream. However, seeing Hyang still breathing heavily, the worried Crown Princess continued to ask, Ill call for the royal physician. Its fine. Your breathing is rough. You there, Lady Yang! Are you there? Yes, mydy. Call for the royal physician immediately! Yes, mydy. After giving orders to the courtdy, the Crown Princess, seeing Hyangs face covered in cold sweat, began wiping it with the strings of her jeogori. Oh dear Shortly after, the royal physician who rushed in examined Hyangs pulse and prescribed treatment. It seems Your Highnesss energy is slightly depleted due to overwork recently. I will prescribe a decoction to boost your energy. At the physicians answer, the Crown Princess didnt forget to make a request. Please take good care of him. Yes, mydy. *** When day broke, Sejong and Queen Soheon, receiving the morning greetings from Hyang and his wife, all mentioned the nights incident and didnt forget to express their concern. I was just a bit tired, thats all. Im sorry for causing you worry. How about taking a day off from work today? At Sejongs words, Hyang immediately shook his head. It would be unfilial of me to rest when you, Father, govern the nation without rest. Ive taken the medicine prescribed by the royal physician and feel better now, so please dont worry. At Hyangs answer, Sejong cautioned again. Be careful, very careful. You are this countrys Crown Prince. I will keep that in mind. *** Sitting alone in the office of Area 51, Hyang crossed his arms, red at a nk piece of paper, and muttered, Is it just a dream or a prophetic dream Recalling the nights dream, Hyang touched his stomach and muttered, Should I implement a long life and health project not just for Father but for myself too? Havent I neglected martial arts training for a while? Taking off the long robe he was wearing and hanging it on a coat rack, Hyang looked at the mirror on the wall and struck a few poses. Looking at his reflection in the mirror, Hyang turned his head towards the window and grumbled. Damn beansprout-like bastard. Hyang was grumbling while thinking of Jinpyeong. *** Although Joseon strictly based its court etiquette on Neo-Confucianism, the process of educating the Crown Prince, the next generations monarch, was not focused solely on Confucian studies. Martial arts education was as essential as the education in Confucian ssics. Therefore, a properly trained Crown Prince was a being well-suited to the phrase proficient in both literary and martial arts. The problem is that teaching martial arts and building physical strength seems to be meant for nting good seeds and preventing the king from dying easily after ascending to the throne While grumbling like this, Hyang diligently practiced martial arts and developed his body in ordance with his growth period. I cant lose to Jinpyeong! If I lose, my child will suffer! For Hyang, there was a critical reason why he had to maintain his health. However, after Jinpyeong had his fanatical ident with the railroad, Hyangs vignce towards him had greatly rxed. With this rxed vignce and focus on various hobbies, he had neglected martial arts training for a while. But Jinpyeongs obsession with railroads at the recent 100-day celebration was enough to be wary of. In the end, Hyang had to readjust his schedule with a sigh. Sigh~. Life is really not easy As he was readjusting his schedule, Hyang suddenly had a question. How much has history changed since I intervened? There was a saying that history has constancy What are the chances of returning to the history I knew? Since Hyangs intervention, Joseons history had changed astonishingly. Among these changes were things Hyang knew about and intervened in, but there were also things he didnt know about. Among the changes that urred without Hyangs knowledge was the birth of Jinpyeongs first son this time. In the history before Hyangs intervention, Jinpyeongs, or rather Suyangs, first son was born 6 yearster. If the child born this time doesnt die before turning one, history would change again. And the history that Hyang knowingly changed was his own marriage and the birth of his son. If the child born now grows up without issues, even if Hyang dies early as in the history before his intervention, he would be of an age and have the capacity to have sufficient foundation. *** Chapter 340 Chapter 340 August 1432. A small Franciscan monastery on the outskirts of Florence. Brother Giovanni. A letter has arrived from Brother Angelo. Giovanni received the letter from his close friend who had nearly been emunicated for studying knowledge inherited from Roger Bacon, considered a heretic. He returned to his room and examined the letter. Brother Youve arrived safely. Lord, thank you. Giovanni gave thanks to God while holding the letter in his hand. *** The number of schrs and alchemists fleeing from the Eastern Roman Empire to Italy to escape the threat to their lives during the Ottoman expansion was gradually increasing. As the economic power of the city-states in northern Italy greatly increased, wealthy individuals who had amassed great fortunes began supporting these schrs and alchemists who had taken refuge in Italy.The foundation for the great transformationter known as the Renaissance was slowly beginning to take shape. Riding this wave, Angelo actively engaged in academic activities. He sought out those who hade from the Eastern Roman Empire to debate whenever he had the chance, and also selected disciples from among the newly ordained young monks. However, it was still premature. It started with a bishop who had been watching Angelos activities giving him a first warning. Exercise restraint. But Angelos activities continued, and finally, a warning letter arrived from the Vatican. It was then that a lifeline was lowered to Angelo and his disciples, who were at a crossroads between emunication and being burned at the stake. A country called Joseon in the far East is seeking mathematicians and alchemists. How about going there? Angelo and his disciples had no choice but to ept the suggestion from the messenger sent by Cosimo de Medici. The bishop readily granted permission when he received a letter from Angelo and the abbot requesting permission to leave, citing the reason of spreading the gospel to a far Eastern country. Thus, a letter had arrived from his friend who had set out on an indefinite journey, one that risked his life traversing an unknown sea route. *** After saying a prayer of thanks, Giovanniposed himself and examined the envelope. On the wax seal preventing the envelope from being opened carelessly was a flower pattern. So it really is the Land of Flowers? As Giovanni was examining the unfamiliar flower shape, he read the Latin sentence written next to it. Inspected to prevent confidential information leakage. This is a legal measure based on Joseonw? After reading the sentence, Giovanni broke the seal and opened the envelope. Inside were several sheets of paper filled with writing. Giovanni quietly began to read the letter. *** To my dear friend and spiritual brother, Giovanni. With your prayers and the Lords protection, my disciples and I have safely arrived in Joseon. Of course, pirates did swarm us on our way back to Joseon. However, when the cannons mounted on the Joseon ships spewed fire, they crumbled like the walls of Jericho falling to the sound of trumpets. After afortable voyage following that, my disciples and I, along with others, were able to arrive in Joseon. The first impression of Joseon upon arrival was that its a very cautious country. Even though we arrived, we werent allowed to enter the port immediately, but had to spend five days in a quarantine facility built on a nearby ind. After that, there were several inspections and quarantine procedures, but no actions that threatened our lives. Having thus set foot on Joseon soil, we traveled north using smaller boats. After arriving at a trading port called Jemulpo located west of the capital, we changed boats again and were able to reach the capital of Joseon by traveling up arge river called the Hansu. My disciples and I were finally able to enter Hanseong C also called Hanyang or Gyeongseong C after passing through therge and beautiful city gate protecting Joseons capital. Brother, dont be surprised. Many of Joseons roads are paved with cementum. And unbelievably, no human or animal waste could be seen on these roads. The oxen and horses pulling carriages loaded with people and goods all hadrge baskets attached to their backsides, preventing cow and horse dung from falling onto the road. But what surprised me the most was the iron horse (Ferrum Equus) and railroad. Oh, my brother. Have you ever seen a beast made of iron, not a living horse or ox, pulling carriages? Joseon is transporting people with such things. The iron horse that moves with water and fire +++ Oh my The following sections describing the basic operating principles and sketches of the external appearance werepletely cked out, and Giovanni couldnt hide his disappointment as he smacked his lips. After smacking his lips several times, Giovanni continued reading the letter. Thus, we were able to have an audience with the king of Joseon. He was a young king who appeared to be in his 20s, though he had a beard. But Iter heard that he was 33 years old. Let me add briefly that its difficult to guess the age of Joseon people just by looking at their faces. They all have younger-looking facespared to their actual age. Anyway, the king of Joseon we met seemed to be highly respected by his subjects and people. Even to me, his eyes looked clear yet filled with wisdom. However, his son and heir to the throne was a shock. He was able to speak Latin, albeit somewhat awkwardly. Iter found out that he had taught himself using books obtained through Kitai and a Kitainguage dictionary. And this Crown Prince was the one who had called people like me to Joseon. My first impression of this young prince, who had recently turned 16, or rather, this prince who was closer to being called a child, was that of tos philosopher king (Philosophus regem). Although the path to spreading the Lords gospel was blocked by the princes cunning method C Ill write about this separately C other aspects were truly admirable. Most of those many objects that surprised us were created through this princes teachings and orders. The prince who called us here told us what we were to do. Fortunately, it wasnt to create gold through alchemy, but to research and develop various necessary technologies and mathematical knowledge. For example After that, an enormous amount of text waspletely cked out. Damn it all! Giovanni, who had unknowingly cursed out loud, startled himself and quickly made the sign of the cross. Lord After reflecting on his momentarypse of emotion that led him to curse, Giovanni focused on the letter again. Angelos letter had already moved on to thetter part. While performing these tasks, my disciples and I are engaging in many discussions with alchemists and mathematicians from Greece, as well as Joseon schrs. Although were still in a situation where we cantmunicate well verbally, were having written discussions using forms and numbers, butpared to the frustration we experienced in Italy, its heaven. Every day feels like paradise because these Joseon intellectuals mathematical knowledge and abilities are excellent. I thank the Lord every day for guiding me and my disciples to this Joseon. I pray that you always enjoy peaceful days under the Lords protection. From your spiritual brother, Angelo. Hmm After finishing Angelos letter, Giovanni fell into deep thought. Although quite a lot had been redacted, Angelos letter was full of hope. It was apletely different atmosphere from the gloom that had filled him before departing for Joseon. After staring at the letter for a long time, Giovanni unconsciously muttered, Should I go to Joseon too? He too had unknowingly umted considerable expertise in mathematics and alchemy. A few dayster, the bishop, having heard rumors that a letter had arrived from Angelo, summoned Giovanni. I heard that Brother Angelo, who left for Joseon, sent a letter. Did he arrive safely? Yes. He says that by the Lords grace, he and his disciples arrived safely in Joseon. Is that so? Nothing else? He wrote about the customs and scenes of Joseon that he saw upon arrival. At Giovannis answer, the bishops face brightened. With a brightened face, the bishop soon got to the main point. Actually, since Cosimo de Medici gifted a candbrum to His Holiness the Pope, interest in Joseon has been growing day by day. Although he didnt go to Korea for a good reason, Brother Angelo went to Joseon, and his letter has arrived. Naturally, not only His Holiness the Pope but many others are curious about Joseon. Is that so? Should I give you the letter then? To Giovannis question, the bishop shook his head. That cant be. It came to you, after all. Instead, you should read it in front of His Holiness. After pondering for a moment, Giovanni nodded. I will do so. Thank you! Truly thank you! *** Ten dayster, in therge reception room of the Vatican. The reception room was filled with the Pope, cardinals, archbishops, bishops, their wealthy sponsors, and finally, nobles from various European countries. The reason for the gathering of the wealthy and nobles, besides the Pope and Catholic figures, was simple. It was due to interest in the Land of Flowers, which was emerging as an increasingly important trading partner. The chandelier gifted by Cosimo de Medici had turned all of Europe into a crucible of excitement. For them, the East was a mix of mystery and terror. If the various stories transmitted through the Silk Road since ancient times C the Roman Empire C represented mystery, then the Mongols, who had turned the east of Europe into aplete wastnd, represented terror. In this process, Joseons culture and artifacts, which had entered through Alexandria and Italy, greatly increased economic interest in the East. Amidst this, the crystal chandelier hung in the Vatican and Habsburg blinded the eyes of Europeans. Vian merchants who saw the chandelier in the Vatican urged their ssmakers, but the products that came out were far from matching Joseons. Venice was known for ss, but even Venice failed? How on earth was it made? What kind of country is this Joseon? From merchants to nobles and kings, everyones interest in Joseon began to boil hot. *** In this situation, Angelos letter read in the Vaticans reception room was a spark. It was a spark thrown into oil heated to just before the ignition point. That concludes the letter. As Giovanni finished reading, the reception room was filled with murmurs. Roads paved with cementum? Wouldnt that be difficult to maintain? Maintenance aside, is it even possible toy such arge amount of cementum? Carriages that move without horses or oxen? How can they move with water and fire? The interest of those in the reception room immediately focused on the iron horse. While various opinions were being voiced about the phrase moves with water and fire, one cardinal spoke up. Theres a record that in ancient Greece, a man named Heron rotated an iron ball by boiling water. Wouldnt it be simr? By boiling water? Just with steam? Wouldnt the furnace need to be as big as a house to pull a carriage with steam? Well As all sorts of conversations like this were taking ce, the power holders and merchants all came to the same conclusion. We must open a path to Joseon! The race towards Joseon was slowly beginning to surface. Unlike the nobles and merchants, schrs dreamed of going to Joseon for different reasons. A philosopher king A research institute where one can study mathematics Its and of fantasy. At that time, in Hanseong. Angelo was unknowingly grumbling to himself. This is maddening Chapter 341 Chapter 341 Phew! Shi Angelo, who unknowingly almost let a curse slip out, quickly made the sign of the cross and looked around. Confirming that none of his disciples were nearby, Angelo heaved a long sigh of relief. Phew~ Thank goodness. Lord Angelo reflected on his momentary loss of self-control. However, feeling the weight of the stack of papers in his hand, he frowned. *** Even by the time the alchemists and mathematicians arrived from the West, the research institute and auxiliary buildings being constructed between Mapo and Area 51 had not beenpleted. As a result, the alchemists and mathematicians ended up using Bukpyeonggwan, which had be virtually obsolete, as their lodgings. They say every cloud has a silver lining As he designated Bukpyeonggwan as lodgings, Lee Maeng-gyun joked lightly with his subordinates. The subordinate officials also nodded with small smiles at Lee Maeng-gyuns jest.*** Bukpyeonggwan was originally lodgings for Jurchen envoys. However, most of the tribesrge and close enough to send envoys to Joseon had already submitted to Joseon. The remainingrge tribes were either located far from Joseon or, like Imanju, had beenpletely wiped out or greatly diminished in power after resisting Joseon, barely surviving. As a result, Bukpyeonggwan had lost its reason for existence. Maintaining a building that was rarely used was wasteful, so officials C especially those in the Ministry of Finance C were considering demolition or conversion to other uses. *** The alchemists and mathematicians who temporarily unpacked at Bukpyeonggwan soon began learning the Joseonnguage. Learning thenguage is important, but its not very efficient to spend the entire day just on that. Hyang wrote mathematical forms, calction problems, and mineral analysis tasks to be carried out in Latin and distributed them to the alchemists and mathematicians. I hope youll studynguages in the morning and research these problems in the afternoon. The alchemists who received the papers filled with problems and tasks looked at Hyang with troubled expressions. Our Latin skills arent very good. Is that so? Hmm After pondering for a moment, Hyang turned to Angelos group. Do you know Greek? Yes, we do. Then trante and deliver these to them. Yes And so, the alchemists and mathematicians were officially put to work. *** With this full-scale deployment, Angelos group became the busiest. Thanks to inheriting Roger Bacons legacy, they possessed knowledge in various fields including not only mathematics but also philosophy, alchemy, astronomy, and astrology. Additionally, being fluent in Greek, Angelos group had to move around the most busily. Last week we were busy with form calctions, this week its mineral analysis, next week We have to go to Seouungwan for astronomical problems. Oh, Lord Angelos disciples, dividing their tasks ording to the work schedule created bybining the Joseon officials practice of resting one day every seven days with the concept of the Sabbath,mented the tightly packed schedule. *** Hey! Western monks! Why do your faces look so gloomy? Seeing their deeply furrowed faces, one of the institutes researchers meddled. Angelos disciples had be quite familiar with the researchers, and conversation was somewhat possible C of course, mixed with gestures, and additionally, the researchers had learned Latin. The researcher who approached after seeing the monks expressions looked at the work schedule hung on one side and shook his head lightly. Youre busy. Why dont you divide the personnel and move separately? We dont have the capacity to handle things by dividing up the tasks Oh dear. Tsk tsk tsk As the researcher clicked his tongue, the monksined to him. In the mornings we havenguage studies, in the afternoons research, and at night we even have to study doctrine. Theres just not enough time. Thats right. Theres not enough time. At the monks words, the researchers eyes took on a strange light. So, youre not worried because its hard, but because theres not enough time? Thats right. It is tiring, but we can endure this much. Shh! At those words, the researchers expression changed, and he hastily cautioned them while looking around. Why? To the monks questioning, the researcher warned, There are a few things you should never say in the research institute and the court, and one of them is We can endure this much. Dont ever let it out of your mouth. Oh? Alright As the monks nodded, the researcher continued with a slight smile. By the way, its peculiar that you regret theck of time more than physical exhaustion. Weve rarely had the chance to do research sofortably before. Ah The researcher nodded at the monks words. He had simr experiences and was still experiencing them. Even now, for Joseons noble, fields like mathematics and chemistry were considered misceneous studies to be used as pastimes when tired of studying the ssics. -As a noble, one should naturally learn the ssics and enter office, how can one think of wearing an official hat through misceneous studies! There were quite a few researchers living almost estranged from their families due to conflicts with elders who had this mindset. Even this was a much-improved situationpared to before. *** Well then, keep up the good work. I have something to submit, so Ill go ahead. Thank you for your hard work. The researcher who had parted from the monks stopped walking and looked back at them. Theyre oddballs too There are three types of people in the research institute. This was a saying that circted among the researchers. -The first type are those whose work is their very being. Those who cant live without work. These are called iprehensibles. The Crown Prince and Prince Jinpyeong belonged to these iprehensibles. -The second type are those who enjoy work. They like easy problems because theyre easy, and they like difficult problems even more because theyre difficult. Typical examples were the original oddball Yi Sunji and the young oddball Kim Dam. -Thest type are perverts addicted to pain. They suffer from the tasks given by the iprehensibles and oddballs,tere to enjoy the pain, and rejoice in the results created within that pain. Starting with Minister Jeong-cho, the rest of the researchers and craftsmen belonged here. And if one lived as a pervert for a long time, they would evolve, with Jang Yeong-sil being a symbolic figure. Jang Yeong-sil had suffered from the tasks given by the Crown Prince but had somehow risen to the realm of the iprehensibles. It was a self-deprecating statement, but from the outside, all the researchers and craftsmen were oddballs. Whenever they heard such grumbling words, their acquaintances all chided them like this: If its so hard, why dont you quit and take the civil service exam again! You could just leave and open a cksmith shop! And the alchemists and mathematicians had be ustomed to this atmosphere of the research institute. Those who had be ustomed named this research institute. -Academia (?ʦĦǦ()ɦ, Akadm(e)) For them, this research institute was an ideal they had only dreamed of. Of course, they couldnt even dream of conducting research of their own choice yet, but they were very satisfied with the current situation. This was because they could taste tremendous progress just by carrying out the tasks Hyang instructed. The problem was that every time they received a task, the difficulty level would increase or the amount would increase to the point of making them gasp. As a result, the first thing most people, including Angelo, became familiar with was cursing. *** With the addition of alchemists and mathematicians, there were unexpected victims: the interpreters. They can speak to some extent, but the writing is the problem Hyang fell into contemtion as he checked thenguage acquisition status of the alchemists and mathematicians. Their conversation skills were improving, but their writing skills remained at rock bottom. Well, those damn Chinese characters are certainly murderous As he pondered for a solution, Hyang soon found an appropriate one. The solution was to mobilize the interpreters. As the regions for trade expanded, Sejong had been increasing the scale of interpreters. In addition to the existing Chinese, Japanese, and Jurchennguages, the range of education expanded to include Arabic, Sanskrit, and Latin, and Hassans rtives were employed as instructors for their education. Having found a suitable solution, Hyang immediately ran to Sejong to request support from the interpreters. Receiving Hyangs request, Sejong pondered for a moment before making a decision. Foreignnguages improve quickly with frequent use. I approve. I am deeply grateful for Your Majestys grace! *** Thus, the interpreters in charge of Latin were dragged to the research institute. So, your job will be to trante the Latin writings of the Western schrs into Chinese characters. We understand. Im counting on you. At Hyangs request, the interpreters all bowed their heads and replied in unison. We will do our best! However, not even a week had passed before Hyang gathered the interpreters. Youll need to learn mathematics too. Us as well? Were merely transcribing, arent we? To the interpreters protest, Hyang replied firmly. Even if youre just copying, dont you need to understand what youre copying to do it properly! Ah *** While things were progressing like this in Joseon, Europe was also busy moving below the surface. Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. Prince Henry (Henrique), who had been busy traveling between Ceuta and Sagres, returned to Lisbon at the summons of his father, the king. After lightly kissing the ring on the hand extended by the king, Henry looked at his father. You called for me? Yes. Its about the work youre doing. At his fathers words, Henrys face hardened. Could it be about the debt problem? Exploring unknownnds and seas was an expensive endeavor. As a result, Henry had to incur a considerable amount of debt from various sources. To repay these debts, Henry engaged in the ve trade as diligently as he explored. Although the ve trade brought considerable profits, Henrys current situation was such that there was little left after repaying debts or paying interest. Looking at Henrys face, King Jo?o I continued speaking. Recently, our ambassador staying at the Vatican sent news. There was a reading of a letter sent by a priest who went to Joseon in the East. Ive heard rumors. Because of that, several countries have started moving busily. At Jo?o Is words, Henrys eyes turned fierce. When you say several countries, does that include those Spanish bastards? To Henrys question, Jo?o I nodded. Thats right. I hear youve achieved quite some results in Africa. Is that true? Yes. Henry answered briefly to his fathers question. Hearing this answer, Jo?o I gave an order. Ill provide more support for your work. Secure a sea route to India through Africa, and further to Joseon, as quickly as possible. Thend route is blocked by those Imic bastards and Italian misers, so the only way we can go is by sea. We must preempt it before the Spanish bastards make a move. I will do so! *** Chapter 342 Chapter 342 Returning to Sagres from Lisbon, Henry summoned his subordinate, Jos. You called for me? Have you found out where the missing craftsmen went? To Henrys question, Jos answered with a serious face. We have. Its Valencia. Bang! At Joss answer, Henry mmed his fist on the desk in anger. Those damn Aragonese! ***At this time, the rtionship between Portugal and Spain C more urately, the united kingdom of Castile and Aragon C was not good. Starting as the Roman province of Hispania, after Romes fall, the Visigothic Kingdom took its ce. However, the nobles antagonism brought down the kingdom and allowed the invasion of Imic forces. Even as the Iberian Penins was being upied by Imic forces, the Visigothic nobles were at each others throats. Even during the Reconquista process that began after being ruled by Imic forces, the antagonism between them did not cease. From the beginning, it was unlikely for Portugal, Castile, and Aragon to work together. Although they were settled in the same Iberian Penins and believed in the same Catholicism, the situation was different from the start, to the extent that the Reconquista was called Reconquista by Castile and Reconquista by Portugal. In the end, Afonso I dered independence during the Reconquista. Unlike Castile and Aragon, which were gradually moving towards integration, Portugal had dered independence, which was why rtions were not good. *** Henry, who had mmed his fist on the desk in anger, tried to calm himself down while taking deep breaths. Standing up abruptly and pacing back and forth to cool his anger, Henry assessed the situation. The situation has be difficult Indeed. The immediate problem is the supply of sailors. Aragon had long boasted a powerful naval force. As a result, it was a country that produced many excellent sailors. Although rtions between countries were not good, they were not mortal enemies like the Imic forces. Therefore, a considerable number of Aragonese sailors hade to work in Portugal. However, the united kingdom of Castile and Aragon had begun to show movements to advance towards western Africa. It was natural that there would be problems with sailor recruitment soon, if not immediately. As Jos pointed out the problem of sailor recruitment, Henry nodded and gave an order. Call Iago. Yes, Your Highness. A momentter, Iago, Henrys finance manager, came running at the summons. After hearing the situation from Henry, Iago stroked his beard and spoke. Its certainly a problem. A considerable number of craftsmen have gone over to their side, and the recruitment of sailors will also be an issue. Is there any way we can change the situation to our advantage? Hmm Still stroking his beard in thought, Iago looked at Henry. As you know, Your Highness, exploration voyages require a vast amount of capital. Although Castile and Aragon arerger and more powerful than our Portugal, they dont have that level of capital yet. At Iagos words, Henrys eyes began to sparkle. So its those Genoese bastards after all? Its the most likely possibility. Those Castilian and Aragonese fools are hopeless when ites to money calctions. Thats right. Henry nodded at Iagos words. *** During the Reconquista, Portugal had been considerably more conciliatory towards Jews and Muslimspared to the united kingdom of Castile and Aragon (hereafter referred to as Espania). Unlike Espania, where it was unconditional expulsion or death, in Portugal, they could reside if they nominally converted to Catholicism. As a result, with the annihtion of the capable economic ss and the destruction of economic infrastructure, Espania had to entrust its economic management to Genoese merchants. This was turning the rtionship between Espania and Genoa into one of mutual symbiosis. *** Shall we strike at Genoa? Henry looked at Iago and proposed attacking Genoa. At Henrys words, Iago shook his head. The losses would outweigh the gains. Its better for us to find allies to unite with. Allies to unite with Venice? At Henrys words, Iago nodded and added more. It would be even better if we could bring in Florence as well. Hmm After pondering for a moment at Iagos words, Henry soon made a decision. Prepare people to send to Venice and Florence. Yes, Your Highness. *** Florence. The Medici estate. My lord. Prince Henry has sent a messenger. Show him in. A momentter, the messenger sent by Henry entered the room and paid his respects to Cosimo. It is an honor to meet the great Cosimo di Giovanni de Medici. You must be tired from your long journey. Cosimo responded lightly and went straight to the point. So~ What message has Prince Henry sent? I think its because of Espania, isnt it? Yes. He wishes to have an urgent discussion with you about that matter. The messenger took out a letter written by Henry from his breast and held it out. Cosimo received the letter through a servant standing between them, broke the seal, and began to read the contents carefully. Although it was filled with all sorts of flowery phrases, the content of the letter was simple. -Invest in me! Hmm Putting down the letter, Cosimo quietly calcted the profits and losses. ording to information sent by spies, Henry has also sent people to Venice. Venice would be a pretty good choice since they build ships well. Especially since everyone from the Doge to the council members would grind their teeth at the mention of Genoa, it would be even better. Plus, theyre probably thinking of sending or bringing back arge number of ssmakers to Joseon. The question is whether Henry can safely find a new sea route. And while hes still alive. If not, we might not even recover the principal of our investment. The reason Cosimo was hesitating was that Joseon goods were already steadilying in through Alexandria. *** After the Joseon people themselves found Alexandria, ships regrly traveled between Joseon and Alexandria. With shipsing and going at intervals of 6-8 months, merchants thought they would be able to obtain goods made in the Land of Flowers cheaply. However, all the merchants expectations were off the mark. Although ships wereing and going regrly, demand still far exceeded supply. In simple terms, goods from Joseon were steadilying in, but nobles who had not yet obtained Joseon-made items C especially high-priced crystal products C were swarming both in Imic territories and Europe. Not only crystal products but other ss products and porcin products also emptied the nobles wallets with their superior quality. No, it wasnt just the nobles wallets. Because even the mid-to-low-priced products were of quite good quality, there was steady demand. Looking at the current situation, not only the Italian city-states but even middle-ss households in cities belonging to the Hanseatic League had at least one or two decent Joseon products. It was a situation where if you didnt have at least one or two Joseon-made items in your home or on your person, you were treated like a country bumpkin. Especially for a man who wanted to be stylish, a chailgyeong was essential, and for women, it was fashionable to wear an (ear-muff) in winter and a jeonmo (a triangr cone hat) in other seasons. Of course, as Joseon products became fashionable, many imitations circted. However, due to the quality guarantee that made Joseon known as the Land of Flowers, those who used imitations were treated even worse than those who had nothing. To keep up with this trend, Vian ssmakers produced Joseon-style ssware, and some people imported porcin products from Ming. However, all these imported products were recognized as one grade below Joseon products. This was because theycked the quality guarantee that was always attached to Joseon products. Even Venice had its own quality assurance from the craftsmens guild, but it was falling behind because it wasnt state-certified. *** With goods steadilying in through Alexandria like this, would a detour that will certainly take more time be profitable? As he continued to ponder, Cosimo looked at the map and muttered softly. I see Alexandria will be a powder keg. Alexandria was where goods from Joseon were first released. Only after goods were released in Alexandria could they spread to Imic territories or Europe. As a result, Alexandria was enjoying an enormous boom. It was said that every time Joseon goods came in and out, rivers of gold flowed through the streets of Alexandria. This Alexandria was a mouthwatering city for anyone to see. Even the Mamluk Sultanate, which currently ruled Alexandria, knew this and was strengthening its defenses, but the Ottoman Empire in the east was regaining its strength. Even a three-year-old child would know that the Ottoman Empire wouldnt just sit back and watch Alexandria. Of course, such a thing probably wont happen within 10-20 years, but you never know. Its toote to look for a solution after things have already happened. Thinking about the recent political situation in the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, Cosimo slowly began to lean towards epting Henrys proposal. After pondering for a long time, Cosimo said to the messenger. Its difficult to give an answer right away. Ill send a messenger as soon as a decision is made. Tell the Prince that I deeply appreciate his good proposal. I understand. After sending the messenger away, Medici immediately summoned the merchants of his family. The merchants debated over Henrys proposal. After quite a long time of heated arguments, Cosimo finally concluded. We ept Henrys proposal! *** As Cosimo epted Henrys proposal, Henrys movements also elerated. The state-owned shipyards in Venice began building carracks to explore the west coast of Africa. The carracks built this way were manned by sailors hired in Venice, and they headed towards Henry with funds supported by Cosimo. Thus, Henrys exploration began to progress at a faster pace than in the history before Hyangs intervention. *** If Portugal was stimted by Espanias movements and showed radical steps, the opposite was also true. Those Portuguese bastards are moving faster than expected! We need to move quickly too! A ship-buildingpetition had broken out between Portugal and Espania. And the movements of these two countries caused a chain reaction. Now is not the time to waste time on negotiations! Its time to end negotiations for the sake of negotiation! Ennd and France began to speed up negotiations on ending the war. They too had eyes and ears, and thinking heads, so they couldnt miss the value of the sea route to Joseon. Meanwhile, another movement began to appear in the Middle East. Its not like we have to go by ship, right? Thats right! People began to dream of reviving the Silk Road that had disappeared into history. *** While they were moving so busily in the west, far from Joseon, there were also people moving busily within Joseon. Chapter 343 Chapter 343 Namchon, Hanseong. Previously, this area was inhabited by ordinary citizens of Hanseong C mostly farmers C and poor noble. However, theposition of residents changed significantly due to the reconstruction process after the great fire in Hanseong and the creation of Area 51. It transformed into a residential area connected to Jungchon C the area around Jongno and Cheonggyecheon C whererge numbers of middle-ss families, artisans, and researchers settled. *** Simply put, its be Joseonsrgest science and technology town. Hyang, standing atop Namsan, muttered softly while looking down at the ever-expanding Area 51. By the way As he surveyed the scenery below, Hyang turned to look at the peak of Namsan behind him. To think Namsan was a tourist attraction even in this periodBefore Area 51 was established, Namsan had a close rtionship with the residents of Hanseong. In the 4th year of King Taejos reign (1395), the mountain god of Namsan was enshrined as Mokmyeok Daewang to pray for the nations peace and prosperity. On Dano, young people from Hanseong gathered at the foot of the mountain for wrestlingpetitions, and on Jungyangjeol (the 9th day of the 9th lunar month), people of all ages climbed the mountain to enjoy the autumn foliage. (Note 1) However, as Area 51 took its ce, Namsan became a restricted area. At first, there were no particrints, but as the reforms progressed and more people gained leisure time, problems began to arise. Those who couldnt forget the nostalgia of the past began submitting petitions to lift the restrictions and allow ess to Namsan. Compared to the 21st century, Area 51 is like a rolling stone, but Hyang considered relocation, but considering the costs already invested in facility construction, the expenses that would be incurred in relocation, and the usefulness of maintaining secrecy, moving to another location was practically impossible. But we need to consider the peoples wishes too How about this? In the end, Sejong found a middle ground. -Every year, the southern part of Namsan will be opened on Dano and Jungyangjeol. The people of Hanseong are permitted to hike in the outer southern area of the wall that crosses Namsan. (Note 2) *** In one of the residential areas of Namchon that had settled through this process, amotion was taking ce. Crash! ng! Oh my, honey! Please calm down, calm down! With the loud sound of dishes breaking and a womans scream, a man was thrown from the room into the courtyard. Another man who came out of the room after him growled at the man thrown to the ground. You damn bastard! How dare you say such nonsense! Ptui! The man thrown to the ground spat out blood-tinged saliva and raised his voice. Brother-inw! What nonsense did I speak! Its good for my sister and good for you! And good for me too! You bastard! The man called brother-inw shouted angrily and leaped down into the courtyard. You havent had enough beating, have you! Wheres the stick, wheres the stick! Looking around, the brother-inw grabbed aundry bat from a corner of the courtyard. Alright, you! Today Im going to beat some sense into you, you crazy son of a bitch! Oh no, honey! The wife, who had hurriedly followed, saw the situation where someone might end up dead and quickly blocked his husbands path while shouting at his brother. Dae-su! Hurry up and apologize! Quickly! But Dae-su, the brother, shouted back vehemently. What did I do wrong! Im not just saying this for my own good! We could have wealth and glory just by crossing the sea, but youre being so narrow-minded here! At Dae-sus words, the brother-inw tried to push past his wife, but he desperately held him back. This bastard, really! Honey! In the end, Dae-su had to flee the house from his brother-inws fury. But until thest moment, Dae-su didnt give up. Think about it carefully! Dont you have to think about the children too! Its Beijing, Beijing! This bastard, really! Let go of me! Oh no, honey! As thismotion unfolded, neighbors also gathered to watch. Khaak! Ptui! Dae-sus brother-inw spat with all his might, threw theundry bat, and went back into the room. Following him, Dae-sus wife entered the room, and a second round of fighting broke out. What! You believe that nonsense too? No, Im just saying we should think about Hansu and his wife. If we just had money Shut up! Crash! This guy, really! Weve just started to live a bit morefortably these days! How dare you! You think youre the only one who can turn the table upside down? ng! The neighbors flinched at the shouts and sounds of breaking dishesing from behind the door, but they continued to watch the marital dispute. Behind the gathered crowd, three suspicious men stood watching the scene. They were dressed all in ck from their bamboo hats down, carrying long bamboo staves. We came after hearing the story, but something smells fishy, doesnt it? Yes. Gwangseok has made a breakthrough. The one who seemed to be the leader gave orders to his subordinates. You, follow the guy who just ran away. You, take Gwangseok and the others and search the surroundings. Ill report to the superiors. The subordinate who received the order to track Dae-su asked a question. Wouldnt it be faster to catch and interrogate that guy right now? The leader shook his head at the subordinates question. That guy is just a minnow. The real mastermind wouldnt move so openly. ording to Gwangseoks report, this artisan is Level 3. It could be a ploy to divert our attention. Yes, I understand. Understanding the leaders orders, the subordinates bowed slightly and immediately disappeared into the darkness. The leader, having sent his subordinates away, muttered while looking at the house where the marital dispute was still in full swing. My, that woman. She fights well Should we try to recruit her to our side? As he muttered, suddenly feeling the desire for talent, the leaders eyes turned to the iris sword in his hand. To think I have to entrust my life to such a low-quality weapon when there are good swords out there *** The sword organizations of Hanseong, unified by Sejongs hand C or more urately, initiated by Hyang and finalized by Sejong C were renamed as Milwi (Secret Guard). After this reorganization, Secret Guard integrated forces not only in Hanseong but also in Jemulpo, and was in the process of expanding its organization nationwide. And for those operating on the frontlines of this reorganized Secret Guard, modified rapiers personally inspected by Hyang C called Cheonsugeom (Heaven-bestowed Sword) by the Secret Guard agents C were issued. The Heaven-bestowed Sword, with the characters In Shadow, Protect the Nation engraved on its de, was truly worthy of being called a famous sword. It became the pride and honor of the agents. However, they could never carry these swords near Area 51. This was because the artisans of Area 51 were the ones who had forged these swords. Therefore, around Area 51, they had no choice but to carry the iris swords or bamboo swords they used to use before. *** The incident that urred in Area 51 was immediately reported upwards. A detailed report on the incident was given in the presence of the captain of the Inner Pce Guard who had rushed over upon receiving the urgent report. The artisan in question is a man named craftsman Seong who works in Area 51. He is Level 3. Level 3 Thats ambiguous. As Area 51 grewrger, Hyang systematized the organization. In this process, artisans were also ssified into 5 levels. Level 1 was given to the master artisans who led workshops belonging to the former Military Weapons Office or royal workshops like the Office of Clothing. Level 5 was for those who had just reached the level of being treated as artisans. Thats why the captain of the Inner Pce Guard said it was ambiguous. Level 3 was a position where one would be in charge of core practical work, but wouldnt know the overall picture. This was also Hyangs intention. Hyang applied maximum division ofbor and modrization to all processes. Therefore, unless one was a Level 1 artisan who oversaw and coordinated all processes, it was impossible to know the entire process. So is it really a diversionary tactic? To the question from the 1st Division Chief, who was formerly the head of the North Vige sword organization, the captain of the Inner Pce Guard pondered for a moment before answering. The probability is fifty-fifty. Half ying the role of diversion, half hoping for some unexpected luck. As you all know, its the research institute and Area 51 created by His Highness the Crown Prince. You know how great the pride, self-esteem, and skills of those working there are, dont you? At the captains point, everyone nodded in agreement. *** As Hyang personally organized and operated it, and as it produced incredible results, the status of the research institute and Area 51 skyrocketed. Of course, many nobles still looked down on mathematics and other sciences as misceneous studies, but the researchers working at the institute were proving themselves through results. The case of the artisans was different. Being able to enter Area 51 or supply to it meant being an artisan with the highest skills. This situation brought both honor and wealth simultaneously. Therefore, artisans in Joseon who were known for their craftsmanship honed their skills to establish connections with Area 51. And as a butterfly effect, the development of various technologies in Joseon was elerating. *** The Secret Guards empathized even more strongly with the captain of the Inner Pce Guards words. This was because the Secret Guard had gone through a simr process. If it werent for Hyang and Sejong, their lives would have ended as mere criminals. For now, nt people around craftsman Seongs house to strengthen surveince. If craftsman Seong happens to turn, the person who moved Im Dae-su might show themselves. Yes, sir. Continue tracking and monitoring Im Dae-su as well. Fortunately, if craftsman Seong holds out, Im Dae-su is the only lead to catch those behind this. Yes, sir. And, is there anything new from Jemulpo? At the captains words, the 4th Division Chief, who had been caught while growing the sword organization in the Jemulpo area, answered. There was an attempt to set up a tavern outside of Junghwatong, so I sent some men to stop it. After causing a few disturbances, they gave up on their own. The captain of the Inner Pce Guards face brightened at the 4th Division Chiefs report. Well done. You werent discovered, were you? We caused disturbances citing seat fees as the reason, and they gave up on their own. Well done, well done. As many Chinese merchants began to stay in Jemulpo, Sejong created Junghwatong, a Chinese-only residential area in Jemulpo. Chinese people, including merchants, could move freely within Junghwatong except for carrying swords. However, outside Junghwatong, everything from owning and operating buildings was prohibited. In this situation, rumors spread about a tavern being set up with a Joseon person as a front, and the Jemulpo sword organization belonging to the Secret Guard returned to their original job and demonstrated their skills after a long time. *** Five dayster, the captain of the Inner Pce Guard visited the secret headquarters of the Secret Guard again. Youve caught onto Im Dae-sus trail? Yes, sir. Who is it? Jo Han-tae, the manager of the West Sea Trading Group, was in charge of the execution, and it seems a man named Jang Seok-il was behind it. West Sea Trading Group? Its a small trading group thats just entering its third year. They mainly travel between Ming and Jemulpo selling goods. There are rumors that theyve been having serious financial problems. So this Jang Seok-il person gave them money and instigated this, is that it? Thats correct. The captain of the Inner Pce Guard, who had been examining the report while listening to the exnation, asked another question. Youve written that a deep investigation into Jang Seok-il is necessary. Why is that? To the captains question, the 2nd Division Chief answered. No matter how we look at it, he seems to be a Joseon person who is not really Joseon. *** Note 1) /4350 Note 2) https://korean.visitseoul/walking-tour/????_/1096 Chapter 344 Chapter 344 What do you mean by someone who is Korean but not Korean? The captain of the Inner Pce Guard, unable to grasp the meaning of the 2nd Division Chiefs words, asked for a more detailed exnation. Jo Han-tae and Jang Seok-il once had a drinking session at a gisaeng house. The gisaengs who attended said that this Jang Seok-il fellow was quite peculiar. Peculiar? They said he looks Korean, dresses Korean, and speaks Korean, but theres something subtly unfamiliar about him. Upon hearing the 2nd Division Chiefs exnation, the captain of the Inner Pce Guard stroked his beard, deep in thought. Subtly unfamiliar After pondering for a moment, the captain of the Inner Pce Guard ordered the 2nd Division Chief. As you said, we need a thorough investigation. Do it properly.Yes, sir. I understand. The captain of the Inner Pce Guard then turned to the other bureau chiefs andmanded. Take a good look at the Western Sea Trading Company as well. Yes, sir. And remember, those approaching the craftsmen in Area 51 might not be the only ones. Keep a close eye on the situation. Understood, sir. *** After the meeting, the captain of the Inner Pce Guard returned to the pce and reported the situation to King Sejong. Someone who is Korean but not Korean Having received the report, King Sejong muttered while stroking his beard with a serious expression. He then turned to the captain of the Inner Pce Guard. Who do you think it could be? The most likely possibility is that they are either individuals who fled to Ming or Japan during the turmoil at the end of the previous dynasty or during the founding of our kingdom, or their descendants. King Sejong nodded at the Captains response. From the time when the previous dynasty began showing signs of copse, a considerable number of people had left Joseon, either voluntarily or involuntarily. The Captain was suggesting that these individuals could be one of those people or their descendants. King Sejong carefully analyzed the Captains reasoning. Japan, huh *** Since the time of the previous king, they had been cultivating rtionships with Japanese lords to resolve the issues with Japanese pirates. ording to the information obtained through this process, Japansnd wasrger than Joseons, and its poption was greater. However, despite having an Emperor and a shogunate, the political situation was chaotic. Their technology, except for the Japanese sword and a few other things, was also quite backward. By opening trade offices with the Ouchi n and the shogunate, King Sejong and the court were able to obtain more detailed information more quickly and easily. ording to the information acquired, the financial power of Japanese merchants wasrger than imagined. Moreover, as the current ruling Muromachi shogunate focused on overseas trade, the number of merchant forces venturing into foreign trade was increasing. Japanese tradingpanies were emerging one by one, reaching not only the Ryukyu Kingdom but also as far as Siam (Thand). Synthesizing the informationing through the trade offices, it appeared that Japans economic power, includingmerce, was in a state of growth. *** After reviewing the situation in Japan, King Sejong soon had to cross Japan off the list of suspects. If we only considermerce, theyre certainly suspicious, but when ites to technology, its impossible. Although they were constantly trying to get their hands on craftsmen from Ming and Joseon whenever possible, Japans overall technological level was inferior. Even if they somehow managed to take the craftsmen from Area 51, theycked the ability to digest that technology. Having removed Japan from the list of suspects, King Sejongs face grew even more gloomy. Then, in the end, is it Ming? The merchants of Ming were certainly capable. They had economic power several times that of Joseon, and a long history of foreign trade dating back to the Yuan Dynasty. Moreover, although their technological prowess had fallen behind Joseons, which had rapidly developed through the Reformationor more urately, the Crown Princes crazy actionsit was stillpetitive enough. If they were to take the craftsmen from Area 51, themercial sector of Ming had a sufficient foundation to absorb their skills. Its not just the merchants The Ming imperial family and court couldnt be ruled out as suspects either. They were just aspetitive as the Mingmercial sector. Haah~. How frustrating After analyzing various situations, King Sejong expressed his frustration. Having somewhat relieved his frustration with a long sigh, King Sejong asked the captain of the Inner Pce Guard. You said the Secret Police would investigate this more thoroughly, right? Yes, I ordered them to do so. Tell them to find out as quickly and as thoroughly as possible, and report back. Well decide on all responses after that. I receive yourmand! Also, pay attention to the surveince and protection of the craftsmen in Area 15, no, Area 51. How far has the organization of the Secret Royal Guard[1] that I ordered to be formed within the Royal Guards progressed? Although he had created the Secret Police, King Sejong was concerned about its predecessor and the potential for tyranny through information monopoly. So, he organized a secret unit within the Royal Guards. It was the birth of a special force named Secret Royal Guard, meaning secretly guarding the foundation of the royal family and the country. *** I decided to create something called the Secret Royal Guard. At King Sejongs words, Hyangs mouth opened automatically. Emergency Response Committee? Where did thate from? Ah, its nothing. It just came out unconsciously. Its simr but different. After exining the meaning of Secret Royal Guard to Hyang, King Sejong gave him an order. You will make weapons for this Secret Royal Guard to use. Wouldnt the firearms and swords currently used by the Royal Guards be sufficient? We need more covert weapons. How should I handle the funding? It wille from the Royal Treasury. At King Sejongs answer, Hyang immediately bowed his head. Hes made up his mind. Ill proceed as quickly as possible. After finishing the conversation and leaving Gangnyeongjeon Hall, Hyang muttered quietly. Should I go the 007 route, or more towards the Dev Group Meanwhile, inside Gangnyeongjeon Hall, King Sejong, staring at the door, mulled over what had just happened. He asked about the cost without even asking what I wanted. That bastard! It means hes already made some ns to some extent! I really need to set aside a day to shake that guy down thoroughly The problem is that if hes gone, Area 15, no, Area 51 wont function properly Grumbling about the guy who seemed to have a dozen or so snakes in his belly, King Sejong soonined about something else. By the way, why did they name it Area 51 I keep calling it Area 15. Suddenly attaching the number 51 King Sejong was grumbling about the name of Area 51, which became confusing whenever he let his guard down a little. *** In response to King Sejongs question about the progress of the Secret Royal Guard, the captain of the Inner Pce Guard bowed his head and answered. Weve mostly finished selecting the personnel. As you instructed, weve kept the size at about 30 people. I assume youve chosen those who can keep their mouths shut? Yes, Your Majesty. Nodding at the Captains answer, King Sejong gave additional orders. First, assign them to Area 15, no, Area 51. Ill draft an order for the Secret Police. Tell them to work alongside the Secret Police for now and absorb their knowledge and skills. Understood, Your Majesty. However, tell them its additional support from the Royal Guards due to insufficient personnel. Keep the identity of the Secret Royal Guard concealed. Yes, Your Majesty. *** Having given these orders to the captain of the Inner Pce Guard, King Sejong let out a long sigh. Whew~. They say a tree with many branches doesnt sway in the wind, but Sighing deeply at the situation where any slight rxation could lead to fatal consequences, King Sejong suddenly stood up from his seat. Ah, screw it! At times like this, focusing on research is the best! It might have been a side effect, but one of the butterfly effects brought about by Hyang was King Sejongs night work. Whether stimted by Hyangs enthusiasm or due to the strengthened absolute royal authority, King Sejongs research on Hangul began much earlier than expected. Even in the history before Hyangs intervention, King Sejong was praised as intelligent and fond of learning and contemtion. This King Sejong quickly began the work of creating Joseons own writing system. As a result, the most significant impact was on King Sejongs aforementioned night work. As King Sejong became engrossed in character research, the number of women he took to bed sharply decreased. The situation with Royal Consort Hye of the Yang n proceeded the same as in the history before Hyangs intervention, but other concubines, except for Royal Consort Song, did not exist. Hyang also pondered over this issue. Huh? Whats going on here? Why? For what reason? Pondering over the change in King Sejong, who was famous for having many concubines and children, Hyang came up with the most usible hypothesis. Has he already started researching Hunminjeongeum[2]? Did he bite on one of the various hints Ive been dropping? Hyang was considering the possibilities, recalling the hints he had been subtly dropping all this time. *** Meanwhile, with King Sejongs official order, the Secret Police began a full-scale investigation. No matter how you look at it, hes not a Korean who has been living in Joseon continuously. The Secret Police agents whopiled the reports from the gisaengs who had attended Jo Han-tae and Jang Seok-ils drinking sessions came to this conclusion. Then where do you think hes from? Judging by his speech patterns and tones, hes of Ming descent. Its certain hes from Ming. Ming, huh At the agents report, the 2nd Division Chief stroked his chin and trailed off. Ming Did the Ming merchants send him? One of the agents picked up on the 2nd Division Chiefs spection. ording to the opinion of the head gisaeng, theres a very high possibility that hes a eunuch. A eunuch? Why? She says he uses a lot of perfume with an overwhelmingly strong scent. ording to the head gisaeng, the eunuchs whoe as envoys from Ming have such an intense scent emanating from their bodies, just like him. Hmm That makes sense. The 2nd Division Chief nodded at the agents words. ording to rumors, unlike Joseons eunuchs, Chinese eunuchs had their entire external genitalia removed. In such cases, they often leaked urine, so they wore diapers made of thick cotton or cotton pants, and used strong-scented perfumes to mask the smell. (Note 1) Moreover, as the Reformation progressed and Joseons national power strengthened, it had decreased significantly, but Joseon used to send female tribute and eunuchs to Ming. If someone who had be a eunuch after going to Ming in this way hade, it all added up. Having reached a conclusion, the 2nd Division Chiefs face turned serious. This is no ordinary problem. The fact that someone had approached the craftsmen in Area 51 was not a light matter in itself, but if a eunuch belonging to the Ming imperial household was involved, it was a very serious problem. In the end, the 2nd Division Chief gave an order to his subordinate. This is beyond my level to handle. Write up a report. Yes, sir. *** The report thus prepared was immediately sent up to King Sejong through the captain of the Inner Pce Guard. This is serious King Sejong muttered in a stiff voice after receiving and reading the report. It was a matter involving a eunuch, a servant of the Emperor. Whether this was done with the Emperors approval or not was crucial. As King Sejong pondered solutions with a serious face, one thought urred to him. The fact that they sent a eunuch secretly means this is unofficial. If we secretly deal with the eunuch, even the Emperor will have nothing to say! Officially, it means nothing happened Having reached a conclusion, King Sejong ordered the captain of the Inner Pce Guard. Pass on a license to the Secret Police. A license, you say? To the Captains question, King Sejong answered briefly. Extermination. However, limit the targets to only those who came from Ming. At King Sejongs answer, the captain of the Inner Pce Guard immediately bowed his head. I receive yourmand! After dismissing the captain of the Inner Pce Guard, King Sejong called for his Chief Royal Secretary. Summon the Crown Prince. Yes, Your Majesty. *** Note 1) https://namu.wiki/w/??#s-4.1
  1. _l[?]
  2. is a 15th-century manuscript that introduced the Korean script Hangul.[?]
Chapter 345 Chapter 345 Did you call for me? Yes, theres something you must do. Sensing something unusual from Sejongs expression and tone, which were more serious than usual, Hyang immediately lowered his voice. What must I do, Father? We need an informant. Pardon? Sejong handed Hyang a report. After receiving and grasping the situation, Hyang asked Sejong: Do you intend to arrest and interrogate this person who appears to be a former Ming eunuch? No, I n to silence him. With Joseons current strength, wed only lose if we confronted Ming. Moreover, we must prevent the existence of the Secret Police from being revealed.In that case, why do we need an informant? Sejong exined the reason for Hyangs observation. Its for dealing with the coborators. While we can quietly dispose of the spies whove infiltrated from outside, we must set a precedent of judging internal coborators strictly ording to thew. Ah Hyang let out a small exmation at Sejongs words before asking another question. Is it because of dictatorship? Sejong nodded at Hyangs question. Although we have the court and ministers, all decisions are ultimately made by the king. Even if we hide the Secret Police, the ministers will vaguely sense its existence. Theyll be cautious, and what do you think will happen then? Hyang immediately answered Sejongs question. Even if a tyrant like Jie or Zhou were to appear and run amok, they couldnt be controlled. Sejong nodded at Hyangs answer. Exactly. Thats why we must maintain at least the rule ofw as the final barrier. The rule ofw is thest defense for the ministers who should check the monarchs unteral actions. Understanding Sejongs intention, Hyang prostrated himself before Sejong. I will absolutely carry out your orders, Father! Thank you. As the atmosphere between father and son warmed, Hyang, remembering something, asked Sejong: But what if the ministers try to oppress the monarch using thew as a weapon? Like Ryu Jeong-hyeon in the past? Yes. Sejong answered firmly to Hyangs response. A monarch so ipetent as to be pushed around by his ministers is unfit to be a ruler. Since ancient times, a proper monarch should overwhelm his ministers with intellect and eloquence, not force. Yes Hyang suddenly felt pity for their descendants. *** The next day, Hyang, who had arrived at Area 51, summoned Seong Pan-sul. Your Highness, did you call for me? Pan-sul appeared very tense at being summoned by someone he rarely met face-to-face. Hyangs face was unprecedentedly cold as he looked at Pan-sul. Chief Seong Pan-sul. Yes, Your Highness. Why did you do it? Pardon? What Seeing Pan-suls unconcealed bewilderment, Hyang briefly added: Im Dae-su. Gasp! When Hyang mentioned his brother-inws name, Pan-sul immediately fell to his knees. P-p-please spare my life! You should know well that those working in Area 51 have an obligation to maintain secrecy, right? I havemitted a mortal sin! It was just that the alcohol was to me! *** Those working in Area 51 were under strict obligation to maintain confidentiality. However, as Area 51 grewrger and the families of the workers gathered in one ce, this use had be somewhat faded. It was customary for thoseing to Area 51 from other regions to hold a feast when leaving their hometowns. Im going to Area 51 in Hanseong! Even after entering Area 51, it was hard to fully grasp the gravity of maintaining confidentiality. This was because as soon as they stepped out of their gates, their neighbors were people whomuted to and from Area 51 together. As they became neighborly, drinking sessions became frequent, and it became routine to share all sorts of storiesfrom personal matters to work assignments. Upon receiving rted reports, Hyang muttered with a resigned expression: Didnt they say that even in Los mos, maintaining confidentiality went to the moon? Is this unavoidable? No, is it better than the situation where a pub owner does the coding? Eventually, Hyang and other high-ranking officials of Area 51 began to turn a blind eye to some extent. C It was allowed to reveal that one worked in Area 51. However, Pan-sul found himself in crisis because he had bbed while drinking with his brother-inw, Im Dae-su. Brother-inw! You know those iron horses in Hanseong? I made those! *** Looking at Pan-sul, who had turned pale, Hyang continued: We said it was okay to mention that you work in Area 51. But we didnt say you could talk about what you do there. You know that well, dont you? P-p-please spare my life! It was just that the alcohol was to me, and he was my brother-inw Even if he was your brother-inw, shouldnt you have stopped his nonsense talk, and reported it if he spoke or plotted against the country? Hyangs voice was ice-cold. At Hyangs words, Pan-sul begged, banging his head on the floor. Oh, Your Highness! That fellow, my brother-inw, is known for his frivolous talk, so I just ignored it! Hes a man who frequents gambling dens every day, so I thought it was just nonsense! If he came to spout this nonsense four times, wouldnt a normal person be suspicious? Y-yes, thats true. But But what? Hes known for his wild talk, and although were not blood-rted, he became my inw Hyang replied briefly to Pan-suls words. I dont know how much nonsense he used to talk before, but this time, he was right on the mark. What? There was a merchant with foreign connections backing him. Oh no! Only then realizing he was truly in a life-or-death crisis, Pan-sul prostrated himself so low he nearly stuck to the floor, begging for his life. P-please spare my life! Even if I heard those words, I would never have agreed to them! I swear by heaven and earth! I never harbored any wicked thoughts! Is that so Having confirmed Pan-suls reaction, Hyang immediately threw out bait. Then you have a job to do. What must I do, sir? Pan-sul lifted his head and looked at Hyang, seeing a sliver of hope. Looking at Pan-suls desperate face, Hyang informed him of his task. Go to the State Tribunal and report this. What? But then my brother-inw Would you rather you, your brother-inw, and even your family face dire consequencesyoud be lucky to end up as government vesor would you rather at least you and your family survive? Make your choice. Ill tell you in advance, His Majesty already knows everything. At Hyangs words, Pan-sul fell into deep contemtion. But he had no choice. Finally, Pan-sul gritted his teeth and answered. I will go to the State Tribunal and report this treason. Upon hearing Pan-suls choice, Hyang immediately stood up. Youve chosen wisely. Hey there! Gather the soldiers at once! We must go to the State Tribunal! Yes, Your Highness! At Hyangsmand, the eunuch waiting outside immediately responded. *** When Hyang arrived at the State Tribunal with Pan-sul, the Chief State Tribunal Officer came rushing out. We greet the Crown Prince! You must be busy with official duties, but given the nature of this matter, I had toe here. What brings you here At Hyangs words, the faces of the Chief State Tribunal Officer and the officials who followed him behind stiffened. If it was a matter that brought the Crown Prince himself, it couldnt be an ordinary issue. To the Chief State Tribunal Officers question, Hyang turned to look at Pan-sul standing behind him and answered. I learned through this mans report that there are individuals trying to smuggle craftsmen from Area 51 to a foreign country. What! There are such treasonous individuals?! rmed, the Chief State Tribunal Officermanded the bailiffs of the State Tribunal standing behind him. Bring that man in! Yes, sir! *** Shortly after, an interrogation scene unfolded in the courtyard of the State Tribunal. Since he reported this trusting me, I should be present. With Hyang insisting strongly on being present, the interrogation began. You, speak in detail! At the Chief State Tribunal Officers order, Pan-sul began to speak, trembling. I-I am Seong Pan-sul, working in Area 51 *** That is all. When Pan-sul finished speaking, the courtyard of the State Tribunal was silent. All the officials present at the interrogation had serious expressions. We could dismiss this as nonsense from a delusional person seeking instant riches But one wouldnt dare say such things without a solid connection. Given that hes a craftsman from Area 51, we cant ignore this. After pondering for a moment, the Chief State Tribunal Officer reached a conclusion. Your Highness, it seems we must arrest this Im Dae-su. Indeed. And shouldnt we inform Father immediately? I will report this at once! The Chief State Tribunal Officer immediately took action. Seong Pan-sul, listen. Where is the gambling den that Im Dae-su frequently visits? South of Cheonggyecheon After confirming the likely whereabouts of Im Dae-su through Pan-suls testimony, the Chief State Tribunal Officer immediately ordered the investigators and bailiffs. Arrest this Im Dae-su immediately! Search his house, the gambling den, and Seong Pan-suls house where his sister lives! Yes, sir! Inspector, report this to His Majesty the King at once! Understood! With the Chief State Tribunal Officers words, everyone at the State Tribunal began to move busily. As armed forces left the State Tribunal and the inspector with an urgent expression ran towards Gyeongbok Pce, Hyang muttered quietly. Finally, the show has begun. *** Meanwhile, the ministers gathered in Geunjeongjeon Hall were shocked by the urgent news delivered by the inspector who had entered. How can such a treasonous act ur! Your Majesty! We must immediately verify the truth of this matter! We must arrest all those involved without exception! Sejong, with a serious expression, nodded each time the ministers made their stern statements. After listening to the ministers, Sejong turned to the inspector and asked. So, what is the State Tribunal doing now? First, they have gone out to arrest a man named Im Dae-su. As soon as he is arrested, they will interrogate him to verify the truth of the matter and investigate his backers. If were not careful, those behind this might escape. Handle this as swiftly as possible. I receive yourmand! And bring all reports directly to me immediately. Yes, Your Majesty. Then, I shall expect good news. Yes, sir. The inspector who received Sejongs orders immediately bowed and left Geunjeongjeon Hall. After dismissing the inspector, Sejong asked the ministers. Who do you think is behind this? At Sejongs question, the ministers kept their mouths shut. They were all certain that Ming was behind this. However, Ming was Joseons suzerain state. If a minister of a vassal state publicly suspected or ndered the suzerain state in an official setting, it could be a political issue. Hence, they all maintained silence. Finally, the first to speak was Sejong. I cannot understand why our suzerain would resort to such a petty method. rmed by Sejongs statement, Yi Maeng-gyun immediately spoke up. Your Majesty, the backers have not yet been revealed. Sejong snorted at Yi Maeng-gyuns words. Hmph! Do you think Japan could utilize the technology possessed by the craftsmen of Area 51? Apart from our suzerain, who else could possibly do this? While that may be true Sejongs words were the prevailing opinion. As a result, Yi Maeng-gyun trailed off with an awkward expression. At that moment, Maeng Sa-seong opened his mouth. People tend to pursue convenience. In pursuing convenience, people often abandon principles. Are you saying our suzerain has abandoned principles for this reason? To Sejongs question, Maeng Sa-seong immediately replied. Yes, Your Majesty. To proceed formally in ordance with principles would take much time and cost. However, they likely thought that by abandoning principles, they could save both time and cost. At Maeng Sa-seongs words, both Sejong and the ministers nodded. As he nodded, Sejong asked Maeng Sa-seong. Then, what should our Joseon do? We must show that we are not to be trifled with. We must demonstrate that following principles is actually more beneficial. Chapter 346 Chapter 346 Near Hyogyeong Bridge in Cheonggyecheon (currently near Sewoon za). Around the bridge, also called the Blind Bridge due to the many blind people living nearby, small andrge thatched houses were clustered together. It was one of the few remaining lower-ss residential areas that had survived a previous great fire and avoided reconstruction. But now, many soldiers were flocking to this ce. They were bailiffs and constables from the State Tribunal and the Hanseong Police Bureau. We mustpletely seal off the perimeter. The investigator from the State Tribunalmanded, and the bailiffs from the Police Bureau bowed their heads and answered. Yes, sir. Dont forget that His Majesty and the ministers are all watching. If we let even one slip through, well have to face His Majestys wrath. Sweating profusely at the investigators warning, the Police Bureau bailiffs responded. We wont let even a mouse escape!After thoroughly surrounding the neighborhoods perimeter, the State Tribunal bailiffs began raiding and searching the houses. Bailiffs wielding clubs and iron whips formed groups of four or five and started ransacking the thatched houses. Bang! Crash! Mother! Oh my goodness! The sounds of doors breaking and women screaming began to erupt from all directions, and soon after, mens shouts started to burst out here and there. Hey, run! Catch him! Halt! Stop right there! Stop! Would you stop if you were me? Shit! Catch that bastard who just ran by no matter what! After this chaotic scene, it wasnt long before men who had been beaten by the bailiffs and constables were dragged out with their faces in a mess. The men, tied up with ropes like dried croaker fish, trudged along under the strict surveince of the bailiffs and constables. Among these men being marched along, one looked around and tilted his head in confusion. This isnt the direction of the Police Bureau? Excuse me, sir. Where are we going? The State Tribunal. Gasp! At the bailiffs nonchnt answer, all the men being dragged along turned pale. Sir! We only yed some dice and domino games. The State Tribunal is too much! Isnt this excessive? Thats right! Thats right! As the voices of those being dragged away grew louder, a bailiff shouted angrily. You lot who set up gambling dens forbidden by the state have a lot to say! Shut your mouths and walk! *** Thus, all those who were dragged away were imprisoned in the State Tribunals jail. The moment they entered the State Tribunals jail, most were extremely intimidated and only darted their eyes left and right, but there were a few who seemed bold. Whether they were truly brave or just putting on a front to hide their fear was unclear, but these few addressed the jailer with half-joking, half-serious words. Even in the State Tribunals jail where high-ranking officials are imprisoned, theres nothing special, is there? Hearing this, the jailer smirked and replied. What, did you expect silk bedding instead of straw, and gisaengs serving you instead of hairy jailers? Its just a jail, but why does it feel so chilly? This is a ce where more peoplee out crippled than those who leave unscathed, and even bing crippled is considered lucky. Isnt that natural? When various serious crimes ur, hundreds enter and leave as corpses. Did you think it would be pleasant? When Im on night duty, its not once or twice that chills run down my spine. At the jailers words, those imprisoned in the jail looked around unconsciously with terrified expressions. The stains scattered on the floor and walls of the jail suddenly seemed suspicious. As the imprisoned men were feeling scared, an investigator from the State Tribunal entered the jail. The investigator, observing the imprisoned men through the bars, spoke softly. Who is Im Dae-su? At the investigators question, the imprisoned men looked at each other in confusion. Im Dae-su? Whos that? I dont know either. Who could it be? While most of those who heard the name Im Dae-su were tilting their heads in confusion, amotion broke out in one corner. This fucking idiot! I thought his spending habits were strangetely! This moron has brought doom upon us all! Ugh! Argh! In the area where themotion urred, a group of men were collectively beating one man. Seeing this, the State Tribunal investigator ordered the jailers. Bring those men out! Yes, sir! *** Thus, Im Dae-su and those who were beating him were dragged out of the jail and moved to the front yard of the State Tribunal. You damn fool! I thought you were acting suspiciously, and sure enough, youve caused trouble! Damn idiot! Even during the move, the men continued to hurl insults at Im Dae-su. Not just insults, they kicked him whenever they got the chance. Ugh! Argh! Cant you walk properly! As they arrived at the front yard of the State Tribunal, battered and bruised, they were greeted by various torture instruments. Hmm What should we start with? Seeing Im Dae-sus terrified expression, the State Tribunal investigator shouted loudly with exaggerated gestures and intonation. Should we start with the Juripul? Or should we begin with pressing the legs? Or perhaps we should start with branding with hot irons? Hic! Hic! Each time the investigator mentioned a type of torture, Im Dae-su turned pale and hupped. I think its best to start with pressing the legs. Hey! Tie the criminal Im Dae-su to the torture frame! Yes, sir! As the constables on both sides grabbed Im Dae-su at themand, Im Dae-su wet himself and shouted. Ill talk! Ill tell you everything! *** Terrified, Im Dae-su spilled everything he knew fluently. After recording all of Im Dae-sus confession, the investigator reported to the Chief State Tribunal Officer. We have identified the person who instigated Im Dae-su. Who is it? Its Jo Han-tae, the manager of the Western Sea Trading Company. Where is this Western Sea Trading Company located? They have a warehouse in Jemulpo and their main office is at Mapo Port. Send people to Mapo Port and Jemulpo immediately! Tell them to bring in Jo Han-tae, all the employees, and all the documents! Word might have already spread in Mapo Port! Acting first and reportingter is the best course of action! Yes, sir! And throw those men back in jail! Yes, sir! Soon, arge cavalry force departed from the State Tribunal. Their destinations were Mapo Port and Jemulpo. **** The State Tribunal investigator and bailiffs who arrived at Mapo Port rode their horses in all directions to find the Western Sea Trading Company. Your Excellency, sir Investigator! Thats the Western Sea Trading Company! At the bailiffs shout, who had found the main office of the Western Sea Trading Company a little distance from the port, the investigator pulled on his horses reins. Charge in immediately! Yes, sir! Neigh! With a loud horse neigh, the investigator and bailiffs, along with their horses, jumped over the main gate of the Western Sea Trading Company. Crash! ng! Ugh! Whats all thismotion! Amidst the chaos as people dodged the horses suddenly leaping over the gates threshold, investigator Oh Ji-ho, who led the bailiffs, shouted. Arrest the traitors! Yes, sir! You may execute them if they resist! Yes, sir! At Oh Ji-hos orders, the bailiffs drew their heavy iron clubs and swords, herding the employees of the main office into one ce. Overwhelmed by the imposing presence of the bailiffs mounted on huge horses bred from Western stock, and cowed by the word traitor, the people of the Western Sea Trading Company scattered and were driven into one ce. Meanwhile, Jo Han-tae, hearing themotion from the inner quarters, let out a long sigh. Sigh~. So it ends like this after all. Manager. At Jo Han-taes words, the clerk standing beside him called out with a gloomy face. He was one of the few who knew about this affair along with Jo Han-tae. Looking at the clerk calling him, Jo Han-taes expression turned sorrowful. Im sorry. I should have listened to you. It was my mistake. Even though it was to grow ourpany, it was too dangerous. *** Jo Han-tae and the Western Sea Trading Company were one of the newpanies that had benefited from the Reformation. Jo Han-tae, who had learned his trade from river merchants, thought this was the perfect time to grow hispany. After leaving the river merchant business, he invested all his assets to open a tradingpany. Since he hadnt parted ways badly with the river merchants, the Western Sea Trading Company grew slowly but steadily with some help from them. This isnt enough! At this rate, we cant grow quickly! Judging that it was impossible to grow rapidly with the profits from transporting and selling goods by boat throughout Gyeonggi and Chungcheong provinces, Jo Han-tae sold his existing transport ships and mobilized all avable funds to purchase onerge cargo ship capable of crossing the West Sea, venturing into trade with Ming. However, the trade between Jemulpo and Shandong basically required a lot of capital. It was a challenging task for the Western Sea Trading Company, which had been established just over two years ago and had only onerge cargo ship. Eventually, as Jo Han-tae and the Western Sea Trading Company fell into crisis due to financial strain, the Eastern Depot approached them. If you can provide craftsmen rted to the iron horses, well give you the right to supply goods to the imperial household. How many, and whats the deadline? And for how long can we supply? The more people, the better, and the sooner, the better. Well give you 3 years of supply rights for each craftsman. The Eastern Depots offer was dangerous but sweet. The clerk of the Western Sea Trading Company strongly opposed, but Jo Han-tae epted the Eastern Depots proposal. Its all or nothing! At this rate, well go bankrupt due to financial issues anyway! Just one person will do! If we can supply to the Ming imperial household for 3 years, we can rise greatly! 3 years is enough! Lets do it! But the result turned out to be nothing rather than all. *** As the noise from outside the door grew closer, Jo Han-tae pulled out a small dagger from his breast. After staring at the dagger in his hand for a moment, Jo Han-tae unsheathed it and brought it to his neck. Just then, the door was violently torn off, and Oh Ji-ho and the bailiffs rushed in. Oh Ji-ho struck Jo Han-taes hand with the back of his sword, knocking away the dagger, and then kicked Jo Han-tae down. cing his foot on the fallen Jo Han-taes chest, Oh Ji-ho pointed his sword and shouted. Thats enough! *** On the night that Im Dae-su and Jo Han-tae were arrested by the State Tribunal, a group was hurriedly walking along the night road towards Jemulpo. As they were walking by moonlight, their steps were very cautious. In the middle of the group, Jang Seok-il was sweating profusely as he spoke to an old man in Chinese. Sir, Im sorry. As they say, man proposes, God disposes. It was close to gambling, so we must ept the consequences. At the old mans words, Jang Seok-ils expression showed some relief. Thank goodness. How did we even make it this far! However, his face stiffened at the old mans next words. Of course, you should be prepared to face the Chief Eunuchs displeasure. The costs incurred were not insignificant. I will create another opportunity. Youd better. As Jang Seok-il and the old man were having this conversation, the man at the very front scouting the road suddenly raised his hand to stop the movement. Whats the matter? Theres a man blocking the road ahead, sir. Huh? Hearing the answer, the old man raised his head to look ahead. A man wearing a wide-brimmed hat stood blocking the road, holding a long staff in his arms. Who goes there! To the question asking for identification in broken Korean, the man blocking the road muttered quietly and pulled out a horn from his breast. Found them properly. Tweet! As the loud noise echoed through the night sky, the men guarding the old man and Jang Seok-il all looked around and drew their weapons. ng! Click! As sword-canes were drawn from their waists and spear tips popped out from the ends of staffs, the guards prepared for battle and watched their surroundings. Soon after, dozens of men appeared from the surroundings. Men dressed all in ck from their wide-brimmed hats to their boots surrounded Jang Seok-ils group. Who are you! As they asked for identification once again, the man blocking the road answered briefly. Grim reaper. What? If they ask who sent you in the afterlife, tell them the Secret Police sent you. What? sh! In an instant, the Secret Police members drew their swords and began attacking the guard unit. *** The battle that broke out between the Eastern Depots guards and the Secret Police was fierce, but soon the Secret Police began to gain the upper hand. They were superior in numbers, and theirbat ability was also better. It was a moment when all the training they had endured under the captain of the Inner Pce Guard was paying off. Ugh! The battle ended as thest warrior fell to the ground with his heart pierced. The only ones left from Jang Seok-ils group were Jang Seok-il himself and the old man. In this situation, the old man stepped forward and began to speak in broken Korean. I am from the Eastern Dep Before he could finish revealing his affiliation, a Secret Police sword pierced the old mans heart. Then, the Secret Police sword turned towards Jang Seok-il. P-please spa After killing the old man and Jang Seok-il, the Secret Police agents soon brought carriages and loaded their woundedrades and the bodies of their fallenrades. Then, loading the bodies of Jang Seok-ils group into another carriage, the Secret Police agents quietly disappeared. Chapter 347 Chapter 347 Late at night, Gangnyeongjeon Hall. It was deep into the night, and even the court historians had withdrawn. King Sejong, dressed in his sleeping attire, sat waiting for someone. After some time had passed, a eunuch quietly entered and reported to Sejong. Your Majesty. The captain of the Inner Pce Guard has returned. Send him in immediately. Yes, sire. As the Chief Royal Secretary withdrew, the captain of the Inner Pce Guard, dressed all in ck, entered and knelt down. Whats the result? Its beenpleted.At the Captains answer, Sejongs face brightened. Looking at Sejongs expression, the Captain added: None of the Ming nationals identified by the Secret Police have escaped. There might be some left in the Chinatown of Jemulpo, but all those involved in this affair who came out have been silenced. Well done! Truly well done! The Secret Police agents worked very hard. How many casualties were there among the Secret Police? Two dead, and three permanently disabled. Thats quite a significant loss. The skills of those we faced were not to be underestimated. Given that they were all eunuchs, its certain they were from the Eastern Depots armed forces. At the Captains report, Sejong asked with a serious expression: So it wasnt just empty threats after all? Thats correct, Your Majesty. *** Opening a trade office in Shandong was not just for trade purposes, but also to obtain faster and more diverse information about Mings political situation and various other matters. Among the information that came through the trade office was information about the Eastern Depot. C There is an organization created by the Ming imperial household using eunuchs for surveince. C The organization called the Eastern Depot has a unitposed of highly skilled warriors. The Eastern Depot itself was already well-known and thus not of much value, but the problem was the armed group said to be within the Eastern Depot. This group, unknown in both size and skill, was an invisible terror to the Ming people. Why on earth would eunuchs create an armed group? Are they dreaming of bing the Ten Attendants again? While many were concerned about the armed group within the Eastern Depot, the Eastern Depot itself had its own justification. C When conducting secret investigations, life-threatening situations are frequent. In such cases, guards are needed to protect those in charge of the investigations. However, due to the nature of the work, the exact size cannot be disclosed. Those who heard this statement from the Chief Eunuch of the Eastern Depot all had the same question. Then, what about their skills? And there were two answers to this: C They must have carefully selected and trained their personnel, so theyre certainly a significant threat. C Talented individuals wouldnt voluntarily be eunuchs, so its just an empty show of force. However, the Secret Police agents deployed in this battle were also acknowledged by the captain of the Inner Pce Guard. The fact that these agents were killed or disabled was evidence that the Eastern Depots armed forces possessed formidable skills. *** After reassessing the evaluation of the Eastern Depots armed forces, Sejong moved on to the next topic. Do you think those dealt with this time are all of them? At Sejongs question, the captain of the Inner Pce Guard shook his head. I dont believe so. There must be more in Jemulpo. Would you like us to search Jemulpo? No, lets end it here. Seeing that theirrades havent returned, the remaining ones will likely guess the situation. This should be sufficient warning. If we proceed further, it might put our people in Shandong at risk. I understand, Your Majesty. Handle the treatment of those who died or were injured ording to the pre-established regtions, and award them the ck Star. Also, make sure to properlypile the Secret Mission Records. Yes, Your Majesty. *** As the matter that began in darkness concluded in darkness, the incident on the brighter side was also graduallying to an end. Geunjeongjeon Hall. In the presence of Sejong and all the ministers, the Chief State Tribunal Officer reported on the progress of the case. Thus, Im Dae-su, Seong Pan-suls brother-inw, has admitted to his crimes. Also, Jo Han-tae, who instigated Im Dae-su, and Park Eun-su, the tradingpanys clerk, have confessed to their own crimes. Are those three the only ones involved? To Sejongs question, the Chief State Tribunal Officer immediately answered. We interrogated all the employees of the tradingpany, but there were no others. I see As Sejong closed his mouth, Yi Jik immediately joined the conversation. Have you found the backers who instigated Jo Han-tae? To Yi Jiks question, the Chief State Tribunal Officer answered with an awkward expression. We are still tracking them, sir. Is it aplete mystery? To be frank, we cant find any traces at all. At the Chief State Tribunal Officers answer, Yi Jik sighed. Huh As the whereabouts of the most important backers remained a mystery, the atmosphere in Geunjeongjeon Hall grew increasingly heavy. When the mood had sunk to its lowest, Sejong, who had been silent, opened his mouth. Tell the Chief State Tribunal Officer to limit the search for the backers to the vicinity of Jemulpo for one more day, then stop. Pardon? Not only I, but everyone gathered here can more or less guess who the backers are. And if its them, they would have already erased all traces by now. Therefore, any further pursuit is just a waste. If we limit the search to the Jemulpo area for about one more day, they will immediately understand that its meant as a warning. Do you understand what I mean? Yes, Your Majesty. As the Chief State Tribunal Officer bowed his head and answered, Sejong turned to the other ministers. On behalf of the ministers who received this silent question, Yi Jik stepped forward. I believe its a truly appropriate measure. Its just a shame that our Joseoncks the strength to do more against such unbing behavior from our suzerain state. I agree. When Sejong used the word I, the ministers tensed up. This was because Sejong rarely used the word I. Sejong looked at the ministers and spoke emphatically. We must not forget this incident and be negligent in building up our nations capabilities. At Sejongs words, all the ministers bowed their heads and answered. We will engrave it in our bones and hearts! The court historian who recorded all of this added the following: C The historian says: It is not a recent development that the actions of our suzerain state are unbing of a suzerain. They oppress surrounding countries, relying solely on their own strength. How can this be called a great nation? I can understand the indignation of the Duke of Jinsan who, during the reign of King Taejong, suggested joining forces with Japan to confront Ming in a decisive battle. *** During Taejongs reign, the Yongle Emperor of Ming, troubled by Japanese pirates, advocated for a Conquest of Japan and demanded military cooperation from Joseon. However, Taejong and his ministers at the time couldnt trust Mings intentions. Arent they using the conquest of Japan as an excuse to station Ming troops in our Joseon, and further, to infringe upon Joseons sovereignty? In the end, Joseon refused Mings demands with various excuses, and at the same time, sent word to Japan through Tsushima Ind, requesting them to restrain the pirates. In this process, Ming began to pressure Joseon by bringing up the Northern Expedition against the Jurchens, following the Conquest of Japan rhetoric. Eventually, in response to this pressure, the then Left State Councilor Ha Ryun proposed the Decisive Battle Against Ming theory, suggesting an alliance with Japan to confront Ming. (Note 1) However, this proposal was rejected by Taejong. And in the first year of Sejongs reign, Joseon independently subjugated Tsushima Ind. *** After changing the mood by criticizing the suzerain state, Sejong soon moved on to the next topic. Lets handle the backers that way How should we punish the criminals Jo Han-tae, Park Eun-su, and Im Dae-su? To Sejongs question, the Minister of Justice stepped forward and answered. ording to the Six Codes of Governance and the Great Ming Code, these criminals havemitted treasonous acts harmful to the state. Therefore, the three criminals should be sentenced to beheading, and their families should be made into government ves. After briefly considering the Minister of Justices statement, Sejong made his decision. As the Minister of Justice says, the three criminals shall be beheaded, and their families shall be made into government ves and sent to Aoji. We receive yourmand! As Sejongs judgment was made, the Minister of Justice stepped forward again. Also, those who were caught in the process of arresting Im Dae-su should be punished as well. They have engaged in gambling, which is forbidden by the state, so they should receive heavy punishment. The Minister of Justices words are correct. Distinguish between those who organized the gambling and those who participated. Sentence those who organized to 10 years ofbor in the mines, and those who participated to 5 years. However, pay them for theirbor, but only 70% of what regr mine workers receive. Furthermore, only give them 10% of that 70% directly, and give the rest to their families. This is because they are also heads of households. This is to provide minimal support for the families who have lost their breadwinners due to crime, while at the same time allowing the criminals to reflect on their crimes throughbor. At Sejongs judgment, all the ministers answered in unison. It is truly a wise judgment! Your consideration even for the hardships that the criminals families will face will be praised by all the people for Your Majestys virtue. As praise for Sejongs wise judgment echoed through Geunjeongjeon Hall, the court historian recorded this. C ...Thus, His Majesty made his judgment, and all the ministers, great and small, praised it as a truly beautiful judgment. The historian says: The ministers words are not wrong. All those caught gambling are heads of households. If the head of the household disappears, the familys poverty is indescribable. The virtue and mercy of His Majesty, who pities this, is truly beautiful. The problem is, why is that virtue and mercy so sparingly bestowed upon us officials? We dont want free dinners or night duty rooms anymore. We want to leave work on time. We want to see our wives awake. *** Three dayster, Jemulpo. Honghualu, thergest tavern among those located in Jemulpos Chinatown. A man approached the VIP room on the third floor and carefully made his presence known. Sir, its Zhang Long. Come in. Having received permission, Zhang Long entered and paid his respects with a cupped-hand salute to the old man sitting at the table. The old man, receiving Zhang Longs greeting, asked in anguid voice. So have you found any traces of Middle Supervisor Na and his party? Im sorry, sir. Hmm The old man, making a light nasal sound, picked up a teacup and took a small sip. Lets see The Joseon tradingpany that Junior Supervisor Zhang connected with has been crushed by the State Tribunal, and the whereabouts of Middle Supervisor Na and Junior Supervisor Zhang are aplete mystery After summarizing the situation, the old man asked Zhang Long another question. Is the State Tribunal still searching around Jemulpo? No, sir. They all withdrew after therge-scale search two days ago. Two days ago, people from the State Tribunal and soldiers from nearby army and navy camps had thoroughly searched the Jemulpo area. For a while, the atmosphere was tense as they searched the surrounding viges and mountains without giving a proper exnation of what they were looking for. Hmm The old man, holding the teacup and pondering Zhang Longs report, spoke. Were withdrawing. Pardon? Middle Supervisor Na and Junior Supervisor Zhang are probably already dead. Thatmotion two days ago was a warning from the Joseon king. This matter is something that no one can speak of. So, well quietly return. At the old mans decision, Zhang Long bowed his head with a cupped-hand salute. Ill start preparations right away. After Zhang Long left, the old man muttered quietly. The kings of Joseon have always been formidable individuals, generation after generation. *** While this situation was unfolding, Hyang was preupied with another problem. 80 people caught gambling? In that small neighborhood? And during the busy farming season? Hyang was shocked at the number of gamblers caught in the process of pursuing Im Dae-su. Its not a gambling republic, its a gambling kingdom! This wont do! I need to find a solution! *** Note 1) Military Strategy of the Joseon Dynasty. P.64. Military History Comption Committee, Ministry of National Defense. Chapter 348 Chapter 348 While Hyang was realizing the seriousness of the issue, King Sejong in Geunjeongjeon Hall was pointing out the same problem. Minister of Justice. Yes, Your Majesty. Was it 80 people who were arrested in connection with Im Dae-sust time? Yes, Your Majesty. How many households are there in total in the neighborhood where they were caught? About 30 households, Your Majesty. At the Minister of Justices answer, Sejongs face grew even more serious. Are you saying that 80 people were gambling in a small neighborhood of just 30 households?That is correct, Your Majesty. During this busy farming season? At Sejongs words, the Minister of Justice bowed his head. I apologize. My abilities arecking Its not your fault. There must be some problem in our Joseon right now. Hmm As Sejong trailed off with a serious expression, the Chief Royal Secretary informed him of Hyangs arrival. Shortly after, having received Sejongs permission to enter Geunjeongjeon Hall, Hyang paid his respects to Sejong. Yes. Whats the matter? I have something to say regarding the recent attempt to smuggle craftsmen. Im nning to discuss measures to protect the craftsmen with the ministers now. Thats an important issue, but what Im worried about is a different problem. At Hyangs words, Sejongs eyes sparkled. A different problem? Well, what is it? The problem of gambling. Gambling? After briefly echoing the word, Sejong red at the ministers and clicked his tongue shortly. Tsk! Hearing Sejong click his tongue for the first time in a while, the ministers shrank their necks. Though it was a small sound, to the ministers it was as loud as thunder. C Are you in your right minds? No one mentioned this problem until I brought it up, even though the Crown Prince, whos always cooped up in Area 51 doing who-knows-what, noticed it. Though he clicked his tongue only once, the ministers who grasped the long rebuke contained within it began to sweat profusely. Why didnt I notice this? By the way, why did the Crown Prince, whos always doing who-knows-what in Area 51, have to butt in? Why always at times like this! Even if he inherited His Majestys intelligence, this is too much! Having the same thought on the same day? This is a conspiracy! No matter how you look at it, this seems staged! While the ministers, rmed by Sejongs tongue click, were letting their thoughts drift towards conspiracy theories, Hyang continued his exnation. Yes, I heard that those who were gambling with Im Dae-su were also arrested in the process of apprehending him. Im not sure howrge the gambling site was, but the fact that 80 people were caught at once is problematic. During the busy farming season, and in broad daylight, 80 able-bodied men were gambling. How can this be a small issue? Would such gamblers only be in that neighborhood? If we consider all of Hanseong, no, the entire Joseon, how many people are neglecting their livelihoods to gamble? At Hyangs point, the Minister of Justice stepped forward. The Crown Princes words are truly appropriate. The vice of gambling ruins the individuals involved, destroys families, and ultimately ruins the country. The best course of action is to prevent it through severe punishment. At the Minister of Justices words, Hyang immediately posed a question. Is prohibition and severe punishment really the best solution, and is that the only way? Pardon? As the Minister of Justice, not fully understanding Hyangs question, blinked and asked back, Sejong stepped in on Hyangs behalf. Since ancient times, gambling has been considered a disease that ruins countries, and many wise rulers and ministers have strived to prevent gambling. However, despite these efforts, gambling has not been eradicated. Do you think it can be stopped simply by prohibition and severe punishment? At Sejongs question, the Minister of Justice began to stammer. That in my opinion its Tsk! Think about it more carefully! After rebuking the Minister of Justice, Sejong turned to the other ministers. What do you all think? At Sejongs question, the ministers fell silent. Sejong, with a dejected expression, turned to Hyang. Do you have any thoughts, Crown Prince? Yes. First, we need to understand how deeply the people are immersed in gambling. Then, we need to know the reasons for this. Countermeasurese after that. The most urgent matter is understanding the cause. Your words are reasonable. Minister of Justice, immediately Well need the help of the Ministry of Finance and Economy. Even the Ministry of Finance and Economy? Gambling dens need stakes. People might start with their own money, but when that runs out, theyll borrow. There must be people who use gambling debts for money lending. And would such individuals pay their taxes properly? Thats right! If were not careful, we might see another surge of people selling themselves into very! Minister of Finance and Economy! At Sejongs words, Kim Jeom immediately bowed and answered. I will do my utmost to investigate together with the Minister of Justice! We will root out all those who evade taxes without exception! As Kim Jeom answered with great enthusiasm, Hyang muttered inwardly. That man has changed since he got a taste of money *** In the end, a nationwide crackdown was implemented jointly by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Finance and Economy. In the midst of this, Hyang requested other information from the Ministry of Finance and Economy: C The total poption of Hanseong. C The amount of rice consumed in Hanseong. C The estimated amount of rice and grains consumed by Hanseong residents for food and the difference with the actual rice consumption. C Based on this, the estimated rice consumption for alcohol production in Hanseong. C The amount of cloth sold in Hanseong. C Among the cloth sold, the quantity of high-priced silk. The faces of the Ministry of Finance and Economy officials who received Hyangs request turned pale. Were already swamped with the crackdown Wed better stock up on medicine. Bring some ck bean tea too. After analyzing the report prepared by the Ministry of Finance and Economy officials, Hyang sighed. Sigh~. As they say, where theres light, theres also darkness The report from the Ministry of Finance and Economy showed the dark side of the Reformation. As the Reformation progressed, the consumption activities of people who gained economic leeway increased. This was a natural phenomenon. Knowing this, Hyang had been producing and selling various luxury goods and high-end necessities through Area 51 and the Royal Workshop. Private tradingpanies also participated in this trend. The problem was that this consumption was starting to overheat. Not only silk produced within Joseon but also expensive silks imported from Ming were being sold inrge quantities, and high-quality soju was being soldmonly even in rural inns. *** This had also urred in history before Hyangs intervention. In the 8th year of King Jungjongs reign, Jungjong issued the following royal edict: From the nobility to themoners in the capital, they arepeting in luxury in various aspects such as houses, clothing, carriages, and weddings, causing the order of noble and base, superior and inferior to copse. While it might seem like he was annoyed at prosperousmoners living morevishly than the nobility, money was overflowing throughout Hanseong. This was because Hanseong itself had a poption of over 200,000, and it was the center of trade with Ming, the Jurchens, and Japan. All sorts of extravagance prevailed with this increased economic leeway. For example, ording to a survey by the Relief Office (an government office that aided people during famines) in the 36th year of Jungjongs reign (1541), the amount of rice consumed daily for brewing alcohol was about 1,000 seok. (Note 1) The report Hyang was looking at now contained simr content. Of course, in absolute terms, it was smaller in scalepared to the situation nearly 100 yearster before Hyangs intervention, but it was still a scale that couldnt be left unchecked. In simple terms the entire Joseon has be like the nouveau riche of Gangnam in the 20th century. After finishing the analysis of the report, Hyang drew a simple conclusion. *** From the 20th century, specifically from the 1980s, the development of Gangnam produced an enormous number of nouveau riche. And these newly produced wealthy individuals distorted consumer culture. People who were ordinary, or even poor, before the development suddenly found themselves with huge sums of money. However, these individuals who hadnt learned how to consume properly were unlikely to engage in healthy consumption. As a result, luxurious goods circted inrge quantities through these people, and all sorts of decadent culture began to emerge. Of course, portraying these nouveau riche as the root of all evil might be simply creating scapegoats, but it was a fact that they had too many negative influences. *** Themon point between the nouveau riche and these gentlemen is that they have money but dont know how to use it To be precise, they dont know how to enjoy themselves. Without proper entertainment, its either alcohol or gambling. Having reached a conclusion, Hyang began to draft a report on nk paper. After writing down various measures for the peoples leisure, Hyang looked at the list he had written and said just one thing. Anpyeong would like this. Minister Kim Jeom would hate it Looking at the list of policies that would clearly involve enormous expenditures, Hyang smiled wickedly. If money is overflowing, isnt it human nature to stick in a straw? *** While Hyang was plotting such a wicked scheme, Sejong was receiving a report from the captain of the Inner Pce Guard. Ive looked into the matter youmanded, Your Majesty. The Secret Police had also noticed unusual movements and was about to start an investigation. Then why wasnt there a report? Because the Im Dae-su incident broke out in the middle, and they didnt have enough manpower Oh dear At the Captains answer, Sejong clicked his tongue. It seems the Secret Police is also struggling with a shortage of talent. If we expand the organization as Your Majestymanded, the talent issue will be somewhat resolved. Ill say it again, do your utmost in selection. Sejong repeatedly cautioned the Captain in response to his answer. He was worried because the membersposing the Secret Police were from the sword-bearing ss. Anyway, lets look at the report first. Yes, Your Majesty. Sejong took the report and carefully read through its contents. After concentrating on the report for a while, Sejong looked at the captain of the Inner Pce Guard with surprised eyes. The gambling debts circting in gambling dens amount to almost 10,000 nyang of gold? And thats just in Hanseong? Is this certain? Thats just whats visible on the surface, Your Majesty. The directors of the Secret Police believe that if we dig deeper, it could be several times that amount. Wow Thats enormous Sejong was speechless with shock. Gambling debts were mostly high-interest private loans. If the amount circting as gambling debts was 10,000 nyang of gold, as it circted, several times that amount in interest would go into the pockets of the moneylenders. After examining the report several times, Sejong ordered the captain of the Inner Pce Guard. Youve worked hard. If you give the order, well immediately deal with the moneylenders. Its too big for that. If were not careful, the Secret Police might be exposed. Stand by for now. Yes, Your Majesty. After dismissing the captain of the Inner Pce Guard, Sejong muttered while looking at the report. How can we absorb this money *** While Hyang was plotting and Sejong was pondering how to stick in a straw, the first results of the joint operation by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Finance and Economy werepiled into a report. First, weve identified the types of gambling circting among the people. The mostmon is yut (a traditional board game), followed by ssangnyuk (a dice game) and golpae (a domino-like game). However, the games whererge amounts of money change hands are baduk (Go) and janggi (Korean chess). Baduk, you say At the mention of baduk, Sejongs face filled with regret. It was when Yangnyeong, who waster forced tomit suicide, was still the Crown Prince. Yangnyeong had invited baduk yers to Heungdeoksa Temple, where the memorial service for his grandmother, Queen Sinui, was being held, and yed gambling baduk. This issue had caused a conflict with Sejong. Following the Minister of Justice, Kim Jeom stepped forward to report. As a result of investigating those arrested in this crackdown, weve found the individuals who lent them private loans. The assets seized from these individuals amount to 17,000 nyang of gold. The problem is that those caught in this detection are likely not all of them. At Kim Jeoms answer, Sejong and the ministers sank into deep thought. *** Note 1) Segye Ilbo, August 28, /view/20070827001639 Chapter 349 Chapter 349 Is all of that 17,000 nyang of gold in gold banknotes? 2,000 nyang is in gold banknotes, Your Majesty. Two thousand in gold banknotes Sigh~. Sejong let out a long sigh. *** From the moment they were first printed, gold banknotes were treated differently. On the battlefield, the identity of the person exchanging them and the banknotes issue number were meticulously recorded before handing over the gold banknote. When that banknote circted and returned to the battlefield, the counter clerk recorded the identity of the person bringing the gold banknote and its serial number. Only after confirming that the serial number wasnt stolen could it be deposited into an ount or exchanged for silver or copper coins. This process was identical at government monopoly stores. When gold was presented at these stores, they recorded the persons identity and the serial number to verify it wasnt stolen. Although this whole process wasplex and time-consuming, both the battlefield and monopoly stores strictly adhered to these rules. This was possible because the amount of gold currency issued was absolutely and rtively lesspared to other currencies.In the process of reattempting currency cirction after previous failures, all involved were certain that gold banknotes would be used for storage rather than cirction. Therefore, they suppressed the issuance of gold banknotes as much as possible while making the management procedures more stringent. This prediction proved to be urate. As the Reformation progressed, Joseons improved economic power led to an increase in currency cirction. Thanks to the fixed exchange rate of 1:10 between gold and silver, the issuance of gold coins also increased, but as expected, the amount of gold banknotes circting in the market didnt increase much. As a result, when the police officers and constables of the Capital Police Bureau responded to a report of a burry at a wealthy household, the first things they checked were the victims survival and whether gold banknotes were stolen. If gold banknotes were stolen, the local police immediately notified the situation to the local battlefield treasury. Upon receiving the police report, the battlefield treasury checked their records to confirm the serial numbers of the gold banknotes issued to the victim and reported to the central office. The main office in Hanseong immediately printedrge quantities of papers recording these numbers and distributed them to battlefield treasuries and monopoly stores across Joseon, as well as to those established in Japan and Shandong. Because of thisplex process, Sejong sighed at the discovery of 2,000 nyang in gold banknotes, which rarely circted in the market and were nicknamed one-way tickets (meaning once they go out, they donte back). *** Minister of Finance and Economy. Do you think those caught in this crackdown are all of them? At Sejongs question, Kim Jeom shook his head with a gloomy expression. While it may not be just a drop in the bucket, its certainly not all of them, Your Majesty. I suppose so Sigh~. Feeling like he had suddenly been handed a massive homework assignment, Sejong let out a long sigh. The amount of money and assets circting in gambling dens Sigh~. At Sejongsment, the ministers bowed their heads uneasily. This is due to ourck of oversight, Your Majesty! Please withdraw your royal concerns! We will do our utmost to devise countermeasures! Please withdraw your concerns, Your Majesty! We will do our best to establish measures! Despite the ministers responses, Sejongs face remained dark. While I dont doubt your words, gambling has deep roots At Sejongs words, the ministers couldnt immediately respond. Gambling, called the nation-ruining disease, was an incurable illness. It was easy to say they would make efforts, but it was absolutely forbidden to say they would eradicate it. As Sejong and the ministers were sighing in front of this enormous wall, the Chief Royal Secretary announced Hyangs arrival. The Crown Prince? Let him in. Hyang entered Geunjeongjeon Hall and paid his respects to Sejong. Receiving his greeting, Sejong asked Hyang: So, what brings you here today? Hearing Sejongs question tinged with irritation, Hyang quickly looked around. Whats this The atmosphere is like ants preparing for a Han River meeting? Why? Well, what do you want to say? At Sejongs question, Hyang came to his senses and went straight to the point. Yes, as Joseons economy, or rather, national prosperity improves, the number of people wasting their wealth on gambling is increasing. Were currently racking our brains to find a solution to that very problem. We need to divert the wealth going into gambling, this nation-ruining disease, towards more constructive directions, but its not easy to find an answer. At Sejongs words, the ministers nodded. Hyang picked up on Sejongs words. Isnt that because gambling takes ce in the shadows? Therefore, I propose to bring it out into the open. Bring it into the open? How? As Sejong and the ministers eyes sparkled, Hyang gestured to the eunuch who had followed him. Seeing Hyangs gesture, the eunuch hung a chart on a nearby screen. Comprehensive Entertainment Venue? Seeing the title written on the banner, Sejong and the ministers simultaneously expressed their curiosity. Thats right. The reason people in Joseon today are falling into gambling is that theres little entertainment avable. When taking a break from their livelihoods, even if they want to enjoy some amusement, theres no suitable pastime. Therefore, most people end up indulging in alcohol and gambling. Pausing his exnation briefly, Hyang turned the page. The next page contained tables with all sorts of figures. The table at the top shows the amount of alcohol sold over the past three years. As you can see, its recording more than twice the sales volumepared to the previous year, every year. If we consider not only the officially licensed breweries but also the amount of alcohol brewed privately in households, this volume would increase even more. Would only men have drunk all this alcohol? I suppose not At Hyangs question, Sejong muttered softly. Women in the inner court were also enjoying alcohol not infrequently. Hyang continued his exnation. Next is the sales volume of luxury goods. Not only luxury items sold by the Royal Workshop and other tradingpanies, but also silk imported from Ming is increasing at an enormous rate. Fortunately, high-quality cotton cloth above 10-ply is being reced by calico, but this part cant be ignored either. If we examine the cause of this situation, its because wealth is overflowing but theres nothing to enjoy. Because theres nothing to enjoy, peoplepete in luxury and squander their wealth on alcohol and gambling. Thats why Im proposing the construction of a Comprehensive Entertainment Venue. After exining why he came up with this n, Hyang turned the page. The next page showed a birds-eye view drawing of a building that looked like abination of a circr arena and arge pavilion. This is the Comprehensive Entertainment Venue. Hyang exined, pointing to various parts of the birds-eye view with a pointer. This circr arena can be used for multiple purposes. From spring to fall, well hold wrestling tournaments and bull fightingpetitions ording to the seasons. Bull fighting? You mean cow fighting? At Sejongs question, Hyang nodded. Yes. And well use thesepetitions to run betting, allowing the government to recoup funds that would otherwise go into gambling dens. Hyang exined about betting on wrestling tournaments and bull fights. C Createpetition by introducing weight sses. C Provide sufficient differentiated prize money to top performers. C Establish Comprehensive Entertainment Venues down to the county level. This is for future nationwidepetitions. C Gather winners from the counties to holdpetitions at the prefecture level, and repeat this process to hold a nationalpetition in Hanseong once a year. C Oversee betting on the oues during this process. Limit the amount that can be bet to 1 nyang of silver. We need to do it this way to justify it as healthy betting in the open, not underground gambling.'' Not bad. Not bad at all. At Hyangs exnation, Sejong and the ministers kept nodding. Seeing the positive reactions from Sejong and the ministers, Hyang continued his exnation. C If the money ced in the betting pool, facility maintenance costs, and entertainment taxes are the primary absorption methods, well also create a secondary absorption method. C The secondary absorption method will be called information papers. Information papers? These are papers recording information about the participating wrestlers or bulls. From basic information like height and weight to their win-loss records so far. At first, it might simply record names, height, and weight, but as matches umte, win rates will be important. Those who want to win their bets will certainly pay money to buy these. At Hyangs words, Sejong nodded. Kim Jeom, who was listening to Hyangs exnation, muttered softly. He should be in charge of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, not Area 51 Meanwhile, Sejong, who was listening to Hyangs exnation, pointed out a problem. It sounds good, but if youre just setting up betting like this, is there really a need to build such a building? First, arent wrestling and bull fighting usually held on sandy areas near rivers? Second, you cant holdpetitions in winter, so some people might turn back to gambling. Lastly, this kind of betting is mainly done and enjoyed by young men. Wouldnt its effectiveness be reduced since its not for women? Your points are valid, Your Majesty. Hyang nodded at Sejongs critique. Thats why we need this Comprehensive Entertainment Venue to solve these problems. Hyang turned the page. The next page had a new title written on it. Regr events andpetitive tournaments using entertainers and gisaengs? Yes, allow me to exin. If we look at the current situation of entertainers Hyangs exnation was as follows: C Looking at the current situation of entertainers, each troupe has a set area they travel. Simply put, troupes responsible for the northern part of Jeo Province never go down to southern Jeo or to Gyeongsang or Chungcheong provinces. C Create an office for these entertainers and register all of them. Through this office, entertainers receive appropriate wages. At the same time, prohibit prostitution by women, young boys, or young girls belonging to the entertainment troupes. C The office adjusts the size and schedule of the troupes so they can perform at the Comprehensive Entertainment Venue whenever markets are held nationwide. C At this time, the Comprehensive Entertainment Venue collects admission fees for revenue. C Every three years, gather entertainment troupes from across the country topete in skills. The winning troupe receives prize money and the title of Joseons Best Entertainment Troupe. Not only the title, but when they perform, charge higher admission fees and increase their sries. Oh ho At Hyangs words, Sejongs face began to brighten. Stroking his beard while listening to Hyangs n, Sejong spoke. Entertainment troupes from all over the country traveling nationwide without boundaries, showing off their skills Anpyeong would have a stomachache if he heard this. At Sejongs joke, Hyang smiled and bowed his head slightly. Anpyeong had traveled the country following entertainment troupes, squandering his wealth. Seeing Sejongs favorable reaction, Hyang added: To circte these entertainment troupes nationwide, officials for management and supervision must be essential. That would be necessary. And since most of those who enjoy the performances of these troupes are ordinary people, the officials can grasp the public sentiment more quickly and urately. Exactly! At Hyangs additional exnation, Sejong pped his knee and beamed. No matter what anyone said, what a king cared about most was public sentiment. And by operating the entertainment troupes in this way, they could naturally check the trends in public opinion. Of course, reports gauging public sentiment were alreadying in through various channels, but it was clear that the more diverse the sources, the more urate information could be obtained. Chapter 350 Chapter 350 Its a good idea, but Joseonsnd is wider than you might think. While wrestling and bull fighting can be conducted independently in towns where entertainment venues are established, its not the same for entertainers. Even if we register and have all the entertainers in Joseon perform, there will still be many areas with gaps in the schedule. We cant hold wrestling tournaments and bull fights every time that happens, can we? Maeng Sa-seong, who had been quietly listening to Hyangs words, pointed out a potential problem. Hyang immediately nodded at Maeng Sa-seongs observation. Of course, that problem exists. Thats why Im thinking of mobilizing gisaengs as an alternative. Gisaengs, you say? Yes, mainly government gisaengs, but well select those skilled in singing or dancing among them for performances. As he exined, Hyang turned the page. The next page showed a birds-eye view of a wooden stage to be installed in the circr arena. The floor of the circr arena is covered with sand. Therefore, when entertainment troupes or these gisaengs perform, we install this wooden stage for their performances.Maeng Sa-seong, listening to Hyangs exnation, pointed out an issue. Its certainly a good method, but gisaengs are known for their sky-high pride and strong personalities. Moreover, gisaengs are known to chase profits, as the saying goes, No one leaves credit at a gisaeng house. Will they really agree to perform? Of course, its not for free. Those who want to see the performance must buy tickets with money. We can then pay the gisaengs an appropriate proportion of the admission fees aspensation. As for the pride issue, we should make thempete. At Hyangs words, Sejongs eyes sparkled. Competition? You mean to pit the gisaengs against each other too? Yes. How? As I mentioned earlier, the lower limit for establishing these Comprehensive Entertainment Venues is at the county level. We divide the government gisaengs from nearby districts into groups for performances. After some time, a hierarchy will naturally form among the gisaengs. Then, if only for their pride, the gisaengs will hone their skills, and the people wont miss the opportunity to see increasingly impressive performances. If we officially holdpetitions for these skills, even more people will flock to them. At Hyangs exnation, Kim Jeom interjected. A nationalpetition Considering variouspetitions, it seems the expenditure will be quite significant. Of course, the expenditure will be considerable, but it can be less than expected. How so? We give the gisaeng who wins the nationalpetition the qualification to perform at court and royal events. Ah! At Hyangs words, Sejong and the ministers all eximed in admiration. The royal court and government had many events. While there were many solemn rituals, like those offered to sages at Confucian shrines or ancestral rites at the royal shrine, there were also many events that needed to be lively, like the birthday celebrations for the king and queen. Gisaengs were mobilized to liven up these events. Generally, gisaengs from Hanseong were mainly selected, but there were often cases where famous gisaengs from other regions were called. Being summoned like this was a matter of pride not only for the gisaeng herself but also for the residents of her region. You fools! You dont have a Maehyang! Whos Maehyang? Shes such an excellent entertainer that she can dance before the king! You country bumpkins! At Hyangs exnation, the ministers began to nod. Seeing this, Hyang moved to seal the deal. If we only mobilize government gisaengs, their number is limited, so we might have to repeat the same performances. If that happens, people might easily get bored and stop visiting the entertainment venues. So Im thinking of broadening the scope of thesepetitions and performances. Broadening the scope? Yes, Im thinking of allowing household gisaengs to participate as well. If we expand further, even private gisaengs could be included, but its too difficult to distinguish private gisaengs from prostitutes. Im considering measures for this. Hmm At Hyangs exnation, Sejong and the ministers pondered the possibilities. *** Even to Sejong and the ministers, household gisaengs seemed quite a good option. Household gisaengs were female ves selected by high-ranking aristocratic families for their beauty and trained in dance and song. They were responsible for livening up family events like banquets. Also, when important guests came from outside, they would entertain at weing feasts and even provide sexual services. Because they were showcased not only within the family but also to outside guests, families that kept household gisaengs put considerable effort into their selection and training. In the history before Hyangs intervention, during King Munjongs reign, Jung Bal had his female ves learn song and dance, and it was rumored that their skills surpassed those of gisaengs. Even during King Seongjongs time, Hong Yun-seong and An Bin-se taught their ves to y the flute and geomungo. (Note 1) Of course, there was the issue that they werent official gisaengs but ves, but since gisaengs were also of the lower ss, it didnt seem to be a significant problem. However, Sejong pointed out a different issue. The noble families are not to be underestimated when ites to pride. Will they easily allow their household gisaengs to perform on stage? Would they give up the opportunity to show off their household gisaengs skills before you, Father? Moreover, those who ce in the top ranks at the nationalpetition will be given the opportunity for a nationwide tour. Everyone across the country will know the familys name, and the profits gained in the process wont be small, will they? Hmm Of course, theres a very high possibility that issues of exploitation will arise. Therefore, government and household gisaengs who ce in the top ranks will sign contracts regarding the distribution of performance profits created by the court, and all profits will be transacted only through the battlefield treasury. Hmm At Hyangs exnation, Sejong thought it usible, but he still couldnt shake the feeling that something wascking. But even with nationwide tours, would that really generate significant profits? To Sejongs question, Hyang immediately replied. Theres a saying in the marketce, Row when the tidees in. Of course, we should create additional revenue. Additional revenue? Well make and sell portraits and dolls of the most famous gisaengs and household gisaengs during their performances. Well gather artists from the Royal Academy of Painting and famous private painters to create portraits and dolls for sale. Of course, we shouldnt forget to sell high-priced limited editions or original versions directly painted by the artists, not mass-produced through printing. Would portraits or dolls really make money? At Sejongs question, Yi Jik, who had been listening silently, spoke up. It seems they would. ording to rumors in the marketce, there are many men who want to obtain portraits of famous gisaengs out of admiration and keep them. They should just get married instead At Sejongs words that came out unconsciously, Yi Jik replied with a bitter smile. If onecks wealth, its difficult even to form marital ties, Your Majesty. Even in this period, marriage was an expensive affair. Of course, it wasmon to start a household with just a bowl of cold water, but if one wanted to follow proper etiquette, it cost a considerable amount of money. Clicking his tongue at Yi Jiks exnation, Sejong asked Hyang again. But you mentioned selling limited editions. Would limited editions really make money? To Sejongs question, Hyang nodded firmly. They will! For example, have you forgotten the case of the Tripitaka Koreana sold to Japanese lords? Ah! Based on my experience of being devoted to fandom for a while, it definitely works! *** If their name bes known throughout Joseon, there will be families willing to participate. Wouldnt there be more families that object, saying it lowers their status? If theyre so concerned about status, they shouldnt raise household gisaengs in the first ce! As Sejong and the ministers pondered the possibilities while listening to Hyangs exnation, their opinions were gradually converging towards epting Hyangs proposal. Watching this from the side, Hyang muttered inwardly. Isnt this how entertainment agencies are created? Wow Are we creating entertainment agencies with over 500 years of history? As expected of a disciple of Master Samcheonpo, Hyangs imagination was wandering off course. *** Hundreds of yearster, one day. A pretty-faced girl excitedly sought out her mother. Mom! Mom! I got a scouting offer! At her daughters words, the girls mother, who was in the kitchen, immediately approached her. Her face was full of expectation. Really? From where? HH Enter! HH Enter? Wheres that? Hanseong Hong Entertainment! They say it has over 150 years of history! At the girls words, her mother muttered in a disappointed voice. Only 150 years? With our daughters beauty, she should go to an agency like PY (Papyeong Yun) Agency or KC (Gyeongju Choi) Agency with about 300 or 400 years of history Mom! Do you know how fierce thepetition is at those ces? And 150 years is no small history! Do you know how many agencies are out there with only about 50 years of history? *** Crown Prince? Yes, Father! Hyang, who had been lost in his Samcheonpo-like imagination, startled back to reality when Sejong called him. Where did your mind wander off to suddenly? I apologize. I stayed up all night working on this n, so Im a bit tired Dont be overconfident about your health just because youre young. Take care. Ill call the royal physician for you. Im overwhelmed by your grace. After this brief exchange, Sejong posed a more serious question. Whats the purpose of the pavilion in the Comprehensive Entertainment Venue we saw earlier? At Sejongs question, Hyang immediately answered. That pavilion is a ce to attract those addicted to gambling. Hyang turned the page. After turning a few pages, a birds-eye view of the pavilion and a page with brief exnations appeared. As you can see ording to Hyangs exnation, the structure and purpose of the pavilion were as follows: C The pavilion is built with a minimum of 3 floors. C The ground floor, which is the first floor, is used for performances by entertainers and gisaengs during rainy days or winter. C The second floor is a general gambling hall, a ce for ying dominos and dice games. The entire second floor is divided into about 10 spaces, each for ying dice or domino gambling. C ess to the second floor is limited to adult men and women. C As men and women are segregated, a certain area of the second floor is designated for women. C Only dominoes, dice, and game boards provided by the gambling hall can be used for gambling. If anyone is found using unauthorized dice or dominoes, their identity is immediately recorded and they are expelled. If this is repeated 4 times, they are immediately reported to the authorities and charged with illegal gambling. C Only colored wooden coins that can only be used in the gambling hall are allowed for betting in the gambling games. C Those who want to participate in gambling must exchange their money at the exchange booth created at the entrance of the gambling hall. C The amount that can be exchanged varies ording to social status. Commoners can exchange up to 50 copper coins at a time and can exchange three times a day. Nobles can exchange up to 10 nyang of silver at a time and can exchange five times a day. C When exchanging real money for colored wooden coins, a fee of 5 pun is deducted, and when exchanging colored wooden coins back to real money, 5 pun is deducted. However, no fee is charged for amounts of 5 copper coins or less. The purpose of charging this fee and limiting the number of exchanges is not only to generate revenue through exchanges but also to prevent excessive immersion and squandering of wealth. Thats good. Then what about the third floor? Its for those who y baduk and janggi. Oh? Sejong and the ministers eyes sparkled at the idea of creating a separate space, and the highest one at that, for ying baduk and janggi. Although it had degenerated into gambling, baduk was a game that all educated people were expected to master. *** Note 1) The Reality of Gisaeng Roles in the Joseon Dynasty. Jung Yeon-sik (Professor of History at Seoul Womens University). Collection of Papers from the National Institute of Korean History, Vol. 107. National Institute of Korean History. August 10, 2005. Chapter 351 Chapter 351 1Hyang turned the page. The next page showed a floor n of the third floor. Hyang pointed to various parts of the floor n with his pointer and continued his exnation. As you can see, the space is divided around a central stage. Listening to Hyangs exnation, Sejong stroked his beard, thought for a moment, and then asked a question. Youre nning to holdpetitions for baduk and janggi too, arent you? Thats correct. Hyang continued to exin about the rankings he had in mind. Thus, well call the person who upies the highest rank among these divisions the National Hand. Those who reach this National Hand position will not only receive prize money but also the privilege of teaching baduk in the royal court. Those who y baduk would be desperate for that. Indeed.As Hyang affirmed, Jo Gye-saeng, who had been listening, interjected. There are two problems. First, as the story of King Gaero of Baekje from the ancient Three Han period shows, bing obsessed with baduk could lead to the copse of state affairs. *** King Jangsu, who was pursuing a southern expansion policy, devised various methods to attack the Han River basin upied by Baekje. Upon learning that King Gaero was fond of baduk, King Jangsu sent the monk Dorim to Baekje. Dorim, who entered Baekje under the guise of defection, used baduk as a means to approach King Gaero and gain his trust. Subsequently, King Gaero, deceived by Dorim, was made to enforce excessive construction projects. As Baekje weakened through this process, King Jangsu immediately began his southern advance and was able to upy the Han River. *** To Jo Gye-saengs point, Hyang immediately replied. Have you ever seen Father having leisure time? At Hyangs words, not only Jo Gye-saeng but all the ministers fell silent. Although officials of the court, regardless of rank, oftenined, Theres so much work, Im dying. I want to leave work on time, Sejongs workload was no less intense. Once, when Hyang saw some mid-level officialsining about their workload without noticing him, he had made a remark: At least you have homes to return to and rest, dont you? For Father, the pce is his home. We, we are sorry! Therefore, the implication of Hyangs question was simple: Does the King of Joseon have enough spare time to be addicted to baduk? The ministers, well aware of the kings enormous workload, could only keep their mouths shut. While that answered the first problem, Jo Gye-saeng pointed out the second issue. Secondly, to reach the level of skill to be called a National Hand in baduk would require considerable time and effort. If so, someone with good skills butcking in character or learning might be the National Hand and form ties with the royal family. We must certainly find a solution for this aspect. Hyang had to nod at Jo Gye-saengs point. I acknowledge that this could be a problem. Even in the 21st century, there were quite a few professional yers with character issues No, not just professional yers. From celebrities to BJs Recalling examples of celebrities causing scandals due to various character issues even in the 21st century, Hyang immediately continued. Therefore, if those who reach high levels through thesepetitionsmit crimes rted to character, we will strip them of all their positions and expel them from the field. Thats not enough Thats sufficient! As Jo Gye-saeng tried to raise more objections, Maeng Sa-seong quickly intervened. Even ministers and nobles are dismissed or removed from the local register when they cause problems. Isnt that right? Indeed it is! Strongly affirming Hyangs words, Maeng Sa-seong red at Jo Gye-saeng and the other ministers. These people are digging their own graves! If His Majesty decides to crack down, quite a few of them would be in trouble! Seeing Maeng Sa-seongs re, Jo Gye-saeng and the ministers immediately bowed their heads and replied. That seems appropriate! At the ministers reaction, Hyang turned to look at Sejong. Sejong, who had been observing the ministers reactions from his elevated position, muttered quietly. I should conduct an audit sometime. For now, Crown Prince, is your exnation finished? Not yet. Well sell food because people will get hungry while enjoying gambling in this Siunru (Hall of Fortune Testing). Siunru? Hall of Fortune Testing What a poetic name. Thank you. To continue my exnation, well sell food but prohibit alcohol. Why? We dont know what people excited by gambling might do under the pretext of alcohol. Your words are right! At Hyangs words, Sejong pped his knee and strongly agreed. *** Even in this period, there were criminals who used alcohol as an excuse. Its the alcohol thats bad, not the person. This was amon belief. Contrary to this, Sejong was making decisions to deal more severely with alcohol-rted crimes. C Its true that alcohol tends to cloud peoples minds. However, if a person whomitted a crime initially had no intention of doing so, they wouldntmit a crime even if they were extremely drunk! Moreover, if one gets so drunk as to forget conscience and morality, they can barely move properly! Therefore, saying alcohol is the cause is absurd! No, its a cunning trick to avoid punishment using alcohol as an excuse, so it should be punished more severely! Regarding this, Hyang fully supported Sejongs decision. If nothing else, we must eradicate the practice of giving lenient punishments using diminished capacity due to intoxication as an excuse! *** By now, Hyangs presentation was almost over. Judging from the reactions of Sejong and the ministers, the establishment of the Comprehensive Entertainment Venue seemed almost certain. Therefore, the direction shifted from Hyang actively exining the n to a question-and-answer session. But you know, isnt just bull fighting and wrestling a bitcking? Of course, there are performances by entertainers and gisaengs, but it still feels insufficient. At Sejongs point, Hyang provided an answer as if he had been waiting for it. Turning the page, Hyang pointed out possible items with his pointer. We can add as much as we want in that area. The easiest addition would be hand-to-handbat tournaments. Participants in these tournaments will also be divided into ranks, and the final winner will be rmended as a hand-to-handbat instructor for the army and navy. Thats good. At Hyangs words, Sejong nodded, and Jo Mal-saengs face brightened. *** Although Sejong nodded at Hyangs answer, he still felt it was a bitcking. While were at it, wouldnt it be good to include polo? It seems quite good to create two polo teams in each of Joseons eight provinces and have thempete. Or if polo on horseback is difficult, isnt there also stick ball that can be yed on foot? Were thinking of creating separate facilities for polo along with horse racing. As he answered, Hyang turned the page. The next page showed an oval-shaped stadium. This is the racecourse. Were thinking of building it when both the people and the government have more financial leeway than now. Why? Horses are animals that incur a lot of financial burden. Moreover, to please the spectators in horse racing or polo,rge horses imported from the West are more advantageous than ponies. Horses are already economically burdensome animals, and if theyrerge, that burden will be even greater. Another reason is that the number of horses bred from these imported stallions is still insufficient. This requires both time and funds, so we must postpone it forter. Thats why we chose bull fighting first. Many households already raise cattle, and its a familiar form of gambling for civilians. Thats true. Then exin about the racecourse. Yes, Father. After lightly clearing his throat, Hyang soon continued his exnation. C The racetrack for horse racing is modeled after the battlefield environment. C Multiple obstacles 2 to 3 feet high are installed, and a pond with appropriate depth and width is also installed. C The overall shape of the track is not just abination of simple curves and straight lines, but includes multiple low hills and bends. C Such a track makes not only the superiority of the horse important, but also the horsemanship of the jockey and the skills of those managing the racehorses. C Therefore, if this type of horse racing bes established, it can provide jobs for cavalry who retire afterpleting their minimum service period or for Jurchens. C And the horse that achieves the best performance in nationwide touring races can be acquired by the state as a breeding stallion. In this way, the court can consistently acquire stallions with excellent qualities at minimal cost. At Hyangs answer, Sejong unconsciously muttered. You never let anything slide Youre my child, but youre ruthless. Hup! Startled by his own muttering, Sejong was about to say something to the court historian but closed his mouth. It was already toote, judging by how busily the historian was writing. Tsk Clicking his tongue briefly, Sejong looked at the birds-eye view and said. Its quite arge facility, so it would require quite a lot of funds. Thats why were thinking of building it when finances are more abundant. In reality, wasnt it during the Victorian era, when money was overflowing due to the Industrial Revolution and imperial management, that horse racing became popr in the West? Hmm While Sejong was doing his own calctions, Hyang added: Additionally, well greatly increase the betting limit for this horse racing. Well allow bets from a minimum of 50 copper coins to a maximum of 5 nyang of gold per race. I think thats too excessive. Kim Jeom immediately interjected at Hyangs words. Hyang immediately responded to Kim Jeoms objection. If you consider the profit distribution, its not. Arent horses quite expensive animals? If the distribution rate isnt reasonable, there wont be any horse owners willing to participate. Thats true, but still As Kim Jeom continued to object, Hyang added: Minister, who do you think will mainly enter the third floor of Siunru? Well, wealthy nobles Kim Jeom, answering unconsciously, suddenly eximed. Ah! Only those with wealth can be horse owners, and theyll gamble too, so setting arge amount is indeed more certain! Thats right. Hyang pointed to the birds-eye view with his pointer. Well divide the spectator seats into levels. The lower section will have an entrance fee of 10 copper coins for ordinary people, while the upper section will charge 3 nyang of silver. In exchange, all food will be provided free of charge, and during breaks, they can enjoy singing and dancing performances by gisaengs. At Hyangs exnation, Yi Jik interjected. Those who consider themselves wealthy would naturally go to the upper level and betrger amounts. Thats what were aiming for. We expect to have 6 to 8 horsespete in each race. So the probability is 1/6 to 1/8. Its a profitable business even after deducting the profits for the horse owners. In the end, Sejong and the ministers agreed to create the Comprehensive Entertainment Venue. We should build the racecourse before the Comprehensive Entertainment Venue! Of course, there were some extremists like Kim Jeom shouting Racecourse first, no matter what! *** Sejong and the courts decision was soon announced nationwide through the government gazette. C Therefore, Comprehensive Entertainment Venues will be built across the country. After these venues are constructed, those caught gambling or betting outside these venues will receive severe punishment. The publics reaction to the gazette was half weing, half curious. And a very small number of individuals pounded the ground in frustration. The country is promoting gambling! Were headed for ruin! While some wrote petitions in indignation at the existence of gambling halls called Comprehensive Entertainment Venues, others were frustrated for different reasons. Dammit! If the country takes over even the gambling dens, what are we supposed to live on! Chapter 352 Chapter 352 Northern Moro, Ceuta. Here stood a Portuguese naval fortress established by Prince Henry. On the watchtower of the fortresss northern wall, soldiers and knights in full armor and helmets were keeping watch over the sea, despite the sweltering heat. Those fucking Spanish bastards Ricardo, the knightmanding the watchmen, gritted his teeth as he gazed at the northern horizon. About 5 leagues (roughly 21km) north of Ceutay Gibraltar, home to a naval base of the United Kingdom of Castile-Aragon. This naval base was the source of Ricardo and his soldiers fury. Those arrogant pricks who called themselves Hispania instead of the United Kingdom, using that ancient name from Roman times as they pleased, acting like the entire Iberian Penins was their territory, were now eyeing Portuguese waters C or more precisely, the west coast of Africa. ***Since Prince Henry had begun actively supporting exploration, the west coast of Africa was gradually revealing its secrets. As Prince Henrys expeditions pioneered new routes, schrs and merchants followed in their wake. While schrs gathered andpiled geographical information, merchants collected anything of value C mostly ves. As the profits from the west African coast became substantial, Portugal C or more urately, Prince Henry C increased their support. Moreover, with the emergence of Joseon, the so-called Land of Flowers, the importance of the west African coast became increasingly apparent. The current situation was that Imic forces controlled the routes to Joseon and India. If Africa could be circumnavigated, the profits that had been going to Imic powers could be seized. Prince Henry gathered ship captains, geographers, and cartographers at V do Infante (Princes Town) in Sagres to discuss the situation. We already know the routes from India to Kitai and Joseon to some extent. Therefore, all we need to do is find a route around Africa! Dont forget! Once we find the route to India and Joseon, immense wealth will fall into our hands! As Prince Henry showed even more enthusiasm, Portugals African exploration elerated. Thanks to this, they broke through Cape Bojador at the end of 1431, almost three years earlier than in the history before Hyangs intervention. Until then, it had been known as the Cape of No Return, with rumors that passing it meant certain death. Once it was proven that one could survive beyond Cape Bojador, exploration gained even more momentum. It was in this situation that those detestable Spain mongrels had stuck their noses in. *** Ricardo, who had been grinding his teeth while ring at Gibraltar beyond the horizon, now turned his anger towards other targets. Those stupid Vian bastards. They say they build good ships The ones Ricardo was calling stupid were the Vian shipbuilders. Vian shipbuilding had a good reputation. True to the rumors, the ships built in Venice performed well, and the pride of the shipbuilders was sky-high. The problem was that the ships they built were mainly galleys, and they were primarily used in the Mediterranean. Because of this, Portugal and Venice were at odds from the very beginning of the shipbuilding process. We dont need rowers! Make storage spaces instead, erge the hull, and reinforce its strength! I understand the issue with rowers, but erging the hull and reinforcing its strength will take some time. Cant we just increase the size of our caracks and caravels a bit? The hull expansion youre talking about isnt just a simple little increase! 120 to 140 cubits (about 62m)? Thats more than twice the size of the caravels youre currently using! And you want to reinforce the strength to carry more cannons? Do you think building ships is like baking bread in an oven? Ships are ships! The Land of Flowers, I mean Joseon, built them that way! Dont be ridiculous! Ive never heard of or seen suchrge ships being built! In reality, the galleys built in Venice werent weak. Florence, which mainly processed wool, was importing wool from Ennd and France using galleys and caravels built in Venice. However, the performance Portugal demanded was the issue. C Hull size nearly twice that of existing ships. Hull strength capable of withstanding cannon fire. C This is the minimum requirement. Faster speed would be even better. The Vian craftsmen were so agitated because of these conditions set by Portugal. Despite Venices protests, Portugal remained adamant. Ill say it again, Joseons ships are that big! Venice countered Portugals im. Are you sure about that? Show us the evidence! Imic merchant sailors who traveled with Joseon ships said so. And our knights reported the same! You want us to believe the words of sailors? Dont you know how much sailors exaggerate? Why are you ignoring the fact that knights reported the same thing? Are you going to say the knights are exaggerating too? Thinking about future needs, we needrge ships! Build the ships ording to the conditions weve presented! It takes too much time and money! No way! While Portugal and Venice were at an impasse, Cosimo of Florence stepped in to mediate. Both sides have valid points. Would you listen to this merchants words for a moment? Very well. Alright. The representatives of Portugal and Venice had to close their mouths. Although he referred to himself as a merchant, Cosimo de Medici was one of the absolute power holders in Europe at the time. He couldnt be ignored. Its reasonable for Portugal to needrge and sturdy ships. Of course, I also had my merchants observe Joseons ships, and they say they are indeedrge. However, Venices im that its impossible also has merit. No matter how good you are at building ships, its a dangerous gamble to buildrge ships without experience. Considering the costs and time wasted on trial and error, its not the situation to insist onrge ships unconditionally. So lets do this. Venice, how muchrger can you buildpared to the ships youre currently building and operating? For now, about 20 cubits (about 9m) is the maximum. And how many cannons can you mount on that? Fourteen. Hmm Cosimo briefly recalled his memories at the Vian representatives words. Even transport ships carrying wool and other goods mounted cannons for self-defense. The outermost ships responsible for escorting the fleet carried 10 cannons. Not bad. Hmm Although he had reached a conclusion to some extent, Cosimo pretended to ponder a bit more with a serious face. As the tense-faced representatives of Venice and Portugal waited, Cosimo, who had maintained silence for a while, opened his mouth. For now, I think its best to be satisfied with thergest ship Venice can build. I believe that size will be sufficient to operate until a routepletely circumnavigating Africa is discovered. It would be a huge loss if we were to buildrge ships without proper verification and then lose them. What do you think? Though it was phrased as a suggestion, it was actually a notification of the decision. Although Portugal, Venice, and Florence had joined hands, Florence held thergest financial stake. The reason Florence was heavily investing in this venture was simple. The more ways to get goods from India and Joseon, the better. *** Thus, epting Florences mediation proposal, shipyards in Portugal and Venice began building ships. However, contrary to Henrys wishes, the new ships werent produced quickly. In Venices case, they had to go through trial and error from the design stage because it was a new type of ship C a sailing ship relying 100% on wind power, not the existing galley. The Portuguese shipyards were no faster. Although they were already familiar with sailing ships from building caravels and caracks, they couldnt avoid the trial and error involved in increasing the size. Furthermore, with those Spain rascals poaching a significant number of skilled craftsmen, the mass operation of new sailing ships was being pushed further and further back. Given this situation, curses against Spain were overflowing not only in Ceuta but also in Sagres and Lisbon. *** While the Portuguese were cursing like this, in Gibraltar (Gibralter in Spanish), the Spaniards were spewing profanities. Damn Ceuta! Damn Portuguese bastards! If Gibraltar was the northern pir of the famous Pirs of Hercules, Ceuta was the southern pir. Those Portuguese bastards who had gotten their hands on Ceuta wouldunch arge number of warships to monitor Spanish ships whenever they sailed out of Gibraltar into the Antic. It would be understandable if they reacted this way when Spanish ships headed north. After all, going north would lead directly into Portuguese territory. But what infuriated the Spaniards most was when they headed south. Portugal was now iming that the ports where they asionally stopped along the way were their territory. To avoid this, Spain had to create new stopover points for themselves, but Portugal had already upied the optimal locations. As a result, Spain had to find somewhat usable ces and build ports themselves. However, finding such ces wasnt easy, and building ports was even more difficult. In the end, while Portugal had broken through Cape Bojador and was gradually moving south, Spain was just rounding the northwest corner of Africa. Despite this gloomy situation, Spain couldnt give up on exploring West Africa. The considerable amount of wealth Portugal was gaining from the West African region was tempting, but what was even more enticing was the detour route to India and Joseon. If they could find and secure that detour route, they could get their hands on enormous wealth, which is why Spain was sending ships southward in partnership with Genoa. Given this situation, the Portuguese bastards entrenched in Ceuta didnt look good to Spain. In fact, unless they encountered a critical crisis while sailing along the west coast of Africa, they couldnt even enter ports built by Portugal. On top of this situation, the resentment created by the history of separation from the Kingdom of Castile during the Reconquista was added. Portugal and Spain were in a situation where they cursed each other as vile traitors and greedy ruffians. With this historical background and economic issues ovepping, Gibraltar and Ceuta were in a situation where they were ring at each other with swords drawn. Chapter 353 Chapter 353 While both sides were ring at each other and growling, rumors about the new ships Portugal was building reached Genoa. Theyre building a new type of ship? The governor asked, and the person in charge immediately exined. Yes. It appears to be an improved version of the carrack[1], but overall its a bitrger. How muchrger? The length has increased by about 20 cubits (about 9m), and the deck height is about 3 cubits (about 1.35m) taller. It also seems to be equipped with about 14 cannons. Hmm Upon receiving the report, the governor of Genoa wore a serious expression. ***Increasing the size of a ship was advantageous in many ways. It immediately increased cargo capacity and could amodate more crew members. Especially for sailing ships like carracks or caravels that didnt have rowers, the number of crew members directly tranted to the number ofbatants. Moreover, the increased size of the ship meant an increase in the shipsbat power itself. Although mounting cannons on ships had be somewhatmonce, most battles still involved ships fighting in close quarters with hand-to-handbat. In such situations, having a higher position was an enormous advantage. *** The governor of Genoa, well aware of these points through the tiresome maritime disputes with Venice, asked another question. Can we obtain the blueprints or craftsmen? Well, since we poached craftsmenst time, surveince has intensified. The blueprints are also said to be kept in the most strictly managed vault. Damn Displeased with the answer, the governor of Genoa clicked his tongue. After pondering for a while, leaning back in his chair, he soon reached a conclusion. Contact Madrid and Valencia. First, we need to confirm if the craftsmen in Valencia can build simr ships. After thats confirmed, well consider our next move. Understood. Ten dayster, representatives from Genoa and Spain met in Madrid. After brief greetings, the attendees from both sides sat around the table and got straight to the point. Have you seen the report on Portugals new ships? In response to the Spanish officials question, the Genoese representative immediately answered. Yes, Ive confirmed it. Its not good news. Indeed. If were not careful, Portugal might monopolize the West African route. That is the problem. So, have you checked with the craftsmen in Valencia? In response to the Genoese officials question, the Spanish official handed over a thick report. To cut to the chase, Its possible in principle. However, its impossible in the short term.'' Impossible in the short term? Unfortunately, thats the case. Thats disappointing. The Genoese officials couldnt hide their disappointment at the Spanish officials response. Seeing the Genoese officials reaction, the Spanish officials added: They say they can shorten the time because theyve been researching hull expansion even beforeing to Valencia. The problem is the time consumed by trial and error. So Could Genoa dispatch more craftsmen from its shipyards? At the Spanish officials request, this time the Genoese officials wore troubled expressions. Well, because we need to continue building warships to deal with Venice, additional dispatches are difficult. Now it was the Spanish officials turn to be unable to hide their disappointment at the Genoese officials response. Thats quite unfortunate. *** With no easy solution in sight, time was slipping away uselessly. Ah! Lost in thought during this frustrating situation, one of the Spanish officials suddenly eximed, drawing everyones attention. Do you have a good idea? At the Genoese officials question, the official in question cautiously opened his mouth. Um What about bringing craftsmen from France? From France? Doesnt France build pretty good ships too? Hmm Upon hearing the suggestion to recruit French craftsmen, the Genoese and Spanish officials all started calcting the pros and cons with serious expressions. After a while of deliberation, the officials soon spoke up. It seems like it could work. Indeed. It seems like quite a good idea. While favorable responses were continuing, one Genoese official raised an objection. Wouldnt it be dangerous? Dangerous? Yes. Although theyve weakened considerably due to nearly a hundred years of war with Ennd, France is still arge country. If were not careful, we might create a powerfulpetitor with our own hands. Ah Thats right. Come to think of it, the very fact that they could wage war for nearly a hundred years implies that they have considerable national power In the end, the recruitment of French craftsmen was scrapped. In the end, we have no choice but to minimize trial and error as much as possible. Well have to thoroughly utilize the ships thate out of the trial and error process. Theres no other answer, is there? In the end, they had no choice but to choose the most fundamental method. *** Thus, a shipbuildingpetition broke out between the Portugal-Venice-Florence alliance and the Spain-Genoa alliance. In the shipyards of Sagres, Valencia, and Venice, craftsmen and designers had to rack their brains to build even slightlyrger ships. In this process, an unexpected butterfly effect urred. We cant properly build these new ships with just our current experience. We need assistance. Assistance? Exin in more detail. At the request of the designers and craftsmen, the superiors demanded a more detailed exnation. The craftsmen and designers responded in detail. The ships were designing and building now need to leap several steps at once. This process cant be solved by experience alone. For example, even things like the thickness and spacing of the ribs attached to the keel need to be recalcted. We need mathematicians skilled in calctions. Mathematicians At the craftsmen and designers request, the superiors trailed off with troubled expressions. The problem wasnt finding mathematicians, but the mathematicians themselves. Most renowned mathematicians were at odds with the Vatican. Last year, a considerable number of monks had to leave for Joseon, and even now, not a few were quietly moving towards Alexandria, liquidating their assets. After a long deliberation, the superior sighed deeply and concluded. Sigh~ We should leave political issues to the politicians. They need mathematicians? Yes. The reason is Upon receiving the report, the kings of Spain and the governor of Genoa were lost in thought, holding their heads. A wrong decision could lead to a situation where theyd be at odds with the Pope. This was a particrly serious political burden for the kings of Spain C the King of Castile and the King of Aragon. If they were to fall out with the Pope, they would have to make many concessions to the nobles. No, there was a considerable possibility of second and third Portugals emerging. In the end, the Spanish kings passed the ball to the governor of Genoa. After much deliberation, the governor of Genoa made a decision. Tch! Theres no choice! The governor of Genoa passed an appropriate gift to the Pope and received permission to recruit mathematicians. C It is not against doctrine as it is necessary for building safe ships. Holding the document with the Popes decree, the governor of Genoa smiled bitterly and muttered. The amount spent to get this single sheet of paper Of course, upon hearing the rumor, Portugal also bribed the Pope and obtained the same decree. Thus, a not insignificant number of schrs flowed into Venice, Florence, and Genoa C which was religiously safer than Spain. The mathematicians, tasked with researching the forms needed for design and calcting answers ording to those forms, carried out their work while also conducting their own research. Thanks to this, the Renaissance began a bit earlierpared to the history before Hyangs intervention. *** As the shipbuildingpetition between the two forces progressed, experimental ships began to beunched steadily, one or two at a time. Theunched shipspleted simple test voyages and were immediately put into actual service. You can only know if a newly built ship is properly made by actually moving it! Verify through actual navigation! Thats what they said, but the inner thoughts of the higher-ups were simple. Do you know how much money weve spent on this! *** The fact that theseunched ships were continuously deployed for voyages meant that more and more ships were traveling the routes. Of course, the number of ships drastically decreased past Cape Bojador, but to the north of it, many ships passed each other, flutteringrge gs emzoned with the coats of arms of Spain and Portugal. The sea is vast, but the safe space of the sea routes was a limited area. Therefore, although it would be a long distance onnd, at sea, they frequently passed each other at what was practically point-nk range. As these encounters became more frequent, the atmosphere began to grow increasingly ominous. As mentioned before, Portugal and Spain had been at odds since the founding of Portugal, and after Spains expansion into Africa began in earnest, rtions had worsened further due to issues with stopover points. Therefore, captains from both sides tried to keep as much distance as possible when they spotted ships from the opposing country. They didnt want to see blood spilled over trivial matters. However, when they inevitably had to pass close to each other, crude curses were exchanged between the crews of both ships. But the situation continued to deteriorate at an increasingly rapid pace. The main culprit that triggered the worsening of the situation was the African continent. The ships exploring the west coast of Africa had two main missions. One was to find a detour to India and Joseon, and the other was to trade with local Africans C mainly Arab chiefs or kings. They exchanged various goods produced in Europe C tableware, weapons, and other luxury items C in return for various underground resources or ves, which was a pretty good business. However, with Spain joining in after Portugal, the situation became one where demand increased for a limited supply. *** The atmosphere on the Vendaval (strong wind) returning to Ceuta was gloomy. This was because they hadnt achieved much in this trade. They had sailed down with the hold full of weapons, cloth, and other luxury items, but the Spanish bastards had already finished trading and left. Im sorry. I had an urgent matter and couldnt help it. Lets make sure to have a good trade next time. Im really sorry. The Arab local magnate who had broken off the deal repeated his apologies with a face that didnt look sorry at all. In the end, the Vendaval had to set sail for home, hoping for better luck next time. If worst came to worst, there was always the option ofnding in a nearby unexplored area and raiding indigenous tribes, but there were no such ces left in the vicinity. They had all beenpletely wiped out by ve-desiring local magnates, by Portugal, by Spain. In the end, they needed to venture deeper ind, but that was too much for just the crew of the Vendaval. *** Damn it all! And Ive got a lot of credit built up too! Tell me about it! The thought of my wifes nagging is terrifying enough! The crew of the Vendavalined with gloomy faces. It had been the norm until now that when they returned from a voyage, they would receive a considerable bonus in addition to their wages. They had heard that many fellow sailors had missed out on bonusestely, but they had dismissed it as someone elses problem. But now that misfortune had befallen them. Ding ding ding! As they werementing like this, the sailor watching the sea from the crows nest urgently rang the bell. Ship ahead! Far in the distance, a transport ship flying the Spanish coat of arms was heading north.
  1. is a three- or four-masted ocean-going sailing ship that was developed in the 14th to 15th centuries in Europe, most notably in Portugal and Spain.[?]
Chapter 354 Chapter 354 sailing ship, the sailors chatted amongst themselves. The more I look at it, the more it looks like our carrack. Simr? At that point, its just the same damn thing! Fucking Spanish thieves! Looking at ships that were almost identical to their own, the sailors spat out curses. It was already widely known that Spain and Genoa were poaching craftsmen to build ships. And this wasnt the first time they had seen Spanish ships; it had happened many times before. Despite this situation, the reason the sailors were cursing now was because they were returning empty-handed due to those Spanish bastards. As they were venting their frustrations with a stream of curses, some sailors noticed something they had forgotten.Wait If it has the same performance as our ship, theres no way it should be moving that slowly. Why is it going so slowly? Yeah, youre right? As they watched the approaching Spanish ship with curiosity, the sailors soon realized one thing. Looks like theyre loaded to the gills! Are they so loaded that the ship cant pick up speed? Thats why were empty-handed! The sailors were getting fired up again, but they immediately fell silent at the words of the most senior sailor. Im really curious about what theyve loaded and how much. Ah! The sailors who let out exmations immediately rushed to the navigator. Navigator! Navigator! At the sailors mor, the navigator waved both hands and shouted. I get it! I get it! I know what you bastards want to say, so shut up! After calming the sailors, the navigator immediately approached the captain. Captain. I know what the navigator wants to say. But not now. Are you saying we should just let go of those bastards who definitely intercepted our trade? At the navigators words, the captain exined, pointing at the sea chart with his finger. Half a day more and well reach Santa Anna port, built by those Spanish bastards. If were not careful, we could be the ones in trouble. Lets ambush them after they leave the port. The navigators face brightened at the captains exnation. Thats a great idea! As expected of you, Captain! Seeing that the navigator, who could move the sailors, seemed to understand, the captain rechecked the ships situation. Navigator, do we have enough food and water? Plenty! What about the amount and condition of gunpowder? The cannons? Theyre fine! But Ill order an immediate inspection! Do it now! Aye! At the captains order, the navigator excitedly rushed to the sailors. Watching the navigators back, the captain muttered softly. Piracy, huh *** The situation for the officers, including the captain and navigator, was even more urgent than for the sailors. The sailors basically had fixed wages, with some additional rewards from the profits. However, officers like the captain, first mate, and navigator received a certain share of the profits. If the voyage ended sessfully, they could pocket arge sum, but if it went wrong, they wouldnt receive a single penny. And if this happened repeatedly, they would be kicked out of their positions as captain or first mate. Therefore, even if the sailors didnt like it, they had to take the lead in this situation. *** Meanwhile, tension was high on the Spanish ship San Jose, which was sailing ahead. The Portuguese bastards arent showing any unusual behavior. Upon hearing the first mates report confirming the crows nests observation, the captain of the San Jose still wore a worried expression. We cant let our guard down. That fucking Arab must have had a deal with that ship. If so, they must be boiling with anger. We absolutely cant rx until we enter Santa Anna. Exin the situation properly to the crew and prepare them for battle. Yes, Captain. Having heard the captains orders, the first mate headed towards the crew along with the navigator. Standing on the stern deck and watching the Vendaval chasing them, the captains eyes were full of concern. *** Around sunset, the San Jose was able to enter Santa Anna port. From the captain to the lowest-ranking sailor, all crew members of the San Jose, having safely entered the port, let out sighs of relief. Phew~ Now I can breathe a bit easier. While the sailors sighed in relief, the captain and officers held a meeting with serious faces. Check immediately if we can rent warehouse space or a ce to hold ves. No, check if we can rent a ce to hold ves. Are you going to unload the ves here? The captain nodded at the navigators question. Im still worried about those Portuguese bastards. But they didnt do anything until we entered the port, did they? To the first mates objection, the captain exined in more detail. Unless their eyes are knotholes, they couldnt have ignored this Santa Anna. At the captains exnation, the officers finally nodded. In preparation for the increasingly hostile Portugal, Santa Anna had been built with sturdy coastal walls. And on those walls,rge cannons were ring at the sea. The captain summarized the situation. Id like to unload all the cargo here and go up, but if I did that, the shipowners would hang me from the mast. So, lets unload the bulky ves first and move. Have the crew prepare to be ready for battle as soon as we set sail. Understood. *** Two dayster, the San Jose left Santa Anna port. Stay sharp! Yes! One moment of carelessness and youll be shark food! Stay alert! Yes! At the shouts of the navigator and boatswain, the sailors responded with tense faces. The captain, positioned on the stern deck much higher than the main deck, checked the situation. Are the cannons ready? All ready! Ill say it again, dont open the gun ports until the order is given! Itd be a disaster if the gunpowder gets wet from the waves and misfires! Were well aware! The first mate and navigator immediately responded to the captains warning. A total of 14 cannons were positioned on the upper deck and the two decks directly below. Four on the upper deck, two on each side, and five on each side of the two decks below, totaling 14. The sailors in charge of operating the cannons were gathered around the loaded guns. All they had to do was open the gun ports, push the muzzles out, and light the fuses when the order was given. Come from port or starboard, it doesnt matter Most of the sailors were hardened veterans from battles with Barbary pirates, so there were hardly any who fearedbat. As the tense moments ticked by, the sailor watching the sea from the mast rang the bell while shouting. Ding ding ding! Portuguese bastards on the port side! Distance about 1 league (about 4.2km)! At the lookouts cry, the captain drew his sword and shouted. Battle stations! Wait for my order to fire! *** Just as the San Jose was preparing for the uing battle, the Vendaval was also closing the distance, ready forbat. Like the San Jose, the sailors were ready to push out the loaded cannons, with the captains shouts continuing behind their backs. Dont fire until the order is given! We cant give them time to retaliate! Yes! Gunners at the bow and stern, properly manage the fuses and powder pans of the gonnes! Yes! At the captains order, the soldiers in charge of the matchlock guns responded loudly and rechecked their fuses and powder pans. The hand cannons used by soldiers at this time had evolved one step further. They still used a long pole tucked under the armpit instead of a stock. However, they had a primitive firing mechanism using springs and triggers, as well as aiming devices. After giving orders to the hand cannon gunners, the captain muttered with a face full of regret. We should have persuaded the shipowners to get new gonnes Matchlock guns imitating the breech-loading guns carried by Joseon soldiers frequenting Alexandria were just starting to appear here and there. However, matchlock guns werent cheap items, so the argument to buy unproven equipment didnt fly. Half a league ahead (about 2.1km)! Snapped out of his thoughts by the lookouts cry, the captain shouted again. Dont fire until were right up against the side of the Spanish ship! Wait for my order! At the captains shout, the sailors swallowed dry saliva as they watched the enemy ship drawing closer. As the chase continued and the distance between the two ships narrowed to just about 20 cubits (about 9m), both captains shouted simultaneously. Fire! Shoot! Boom boom boom! Ratatat! In an instant, the space between the two ships was filled with gunpowder smoke. *** The Vendaval and San Jose engaged in a fierce exchange of fire. Boom! Ratatat! The surviving gunners and musketeers desperately reloaded and spewed fire at the enemy. Every time the cannons zed, wooden splinters and the broken bodies of unfortunate sailors fell into the sea from the opponents ship. Die! Kill them! The surviving sailors moved desperately, cursing and snarling, to kill their opponents and to survive. Ratatat! Bang! Reload! Reload! Watersing in! Watersing in! Go down and plug it! Plug it! I said plug it! They fired cannonballs at each other to deliver a fatal blow, but the solid shot cannonballs couldnt deliver a killing blow. In the end, in this ongoing battle, it was only the sailors who were dying. *** The situation became even more intense as ships from both sides, passing nearby and discovering the battle, approached. Ourrades are under attack! Kill them! As it turned into a 2:2 battle, the fight became even fiercer, ultimately ending in a draw. The four battered ships nursed their wounds as they headed north. As the ships arrived at Ceuta and Gibraltar, an intense diplomatic battle broke out between Spain and Portugal. This incident absolutely cannot be overlooked! Piracy! How dare they engage in piracy! As both sides used each other of provocation, ships from both countries gathered in the Strait of Gibraltar. In this tense situation, with ships facing off across the strait and envoys from both countries engaging in verbal battles in the Vatican, things finally came to a head. The Battle of Gibraltar had begun. The naval battle, which involved about 60 ships from both sides mixed together, ended with both sides losing more than 10 ships each. As the ships returned to Ceuta and Gibraltar for repairs, both sides imed victory. While both sides imed victory and demanded pensation, navalmanders and shipbuilders analyzed the battle. The result of their analysis was simple. Bigger ships with more cannons. The technicians reviewing their analysis results tilted their heads. Where have I heard this before? Right? Chapter 355 Chapter 355 While shipbuilding officials in the Mediterranean region were tilting their heads and muttering, Hyang was picking his ear and mumbling in Area 51. Whos talking about me? Why is my ear so itchy? Your Highness. Hyang, who was picking his ear with her pinky, straightened his posture when he sensed the presence of a eunuch outside. What is it? Prince Anpyeong has arrived. At the eunuchs announcement, Hyang frowned deeply. This bastard again Though he kept grumbling, Hyang soon had no choice but to allow him entry.Let him in. Yes, Your Highness. A momentter, Anpyeong entered and paid his respects to Hyang. I greet Your Highness. We just saw each other yesterday, whats this If its about the Entertainment Industry Inspection Office, I have nothing to say. As Hyang jumped to a conclusion, Anpyeong immediately raised his voice. Brother, I mean, Your Highness! The Inspection Office is indeed my divine calling! Hyang nodded at Anpyeongs words. Considering the things youve done since childhood, I suppose it is. Anpyeong had been spanked at age four for saying he wanted to be a traveling performer, and as an adult, he had traveled around the country to see all the troupes, making King Sejong hold the back of his neck in exasperation. At Hyangs words, Anpyeong put strength into his voice. Your Highness just acknowledged it! Indeed, a person can achieve the best results when doing their divine calling! So, please allow me to transfer to the Inspection Office! Personnel matters are decided by His Majesty. Thats the problem! His Majesty wont allow it! So if Your Highness could help a little Have you not considered why our Father refused? Anpyeong suddenly fell silent at Hyangs question. *** As soon as he heard rumors about the establishment of the Entertainment Industry Inspection Office, Anpyeong had jumped up. The Inspection Office is where I should dedicate my life! Sejong briefly asked Anpyeong, who hade to Geunjeongjeon Hall, jumping for joy: Have you finished organizing the Korean music and folk songs? Theres still a bit left. Stay in your position until you finish that work. Once its done, Ill arrange a ce for you in the Entertainment Industry Inspection Office. Father! I wont say it twice. Its not allowed until you properly finish the task youve been given. Thus rejected by Sejong, Anpyeong had been pestering Hyang for days. *** If you properly finish the task youve been given, Father would transfer you without you even asking. When ites to personnel matters, Father is more certain than anyone else. At Hyangs words, Anpyeong presented his ownpromise proposal. Then how about a concurrent position Hey, you bastard! Before Anpyeong could finish, Hyang burst out shouting. What was the first principle Father established when starting the reforms? No concurrent positions! And you want to break down a principle thats just barely being established because of you alone? Get out now! If you really want to move to the Inspection Office, finish your assigned task as quickly and properly as possible! Yes, yes! Are you not leaving right now? Ill! Im going! Pressed by Hyangs intensity, Anpyeong left the room as he answered. Watching Anpyeongs retreating figure, running away as if his tail was on fire, Hyang sighed deeply and grumbled. Sigh~ Were already in a stagnant period because were so short on people *** As Hyang said, the first principle Sejong established when starting the reforms was no concurrent positions. Until then, concurrent positions had been the norm for government officials, especially those of senior rank. Even junior officials often handled work from multiple departments simultaneously due to the shortage of people. This was also rted to Joseons founding ideology. If the king follows the way of the sages and realizes benevolent governance, arge government is unnecessary. The kings virtue will shine in all directions, so the people will follow that virtue and live righteously and beautifully. If disputes arise among the people, learned and virtuous schrs will educate them. *** After removing the elder ministers through the Great Purge, Sejong immediately began to expand the size of the government. When one person handles work in multiple fields, progress is slow andcks depth. Under this justification, Sejong began prohibiting concurrent positions and increasing personnel. Moreover, the incident of document forgery and embezzlement by Hwang Huis sons provided further justification for the ban on concurrent positions. Of course, for smooth governance, there had to be people who could oversee the overall framework, coordinate policies, and advise the king, and senior officials took on this role. However, as the size of the government greatly increased, the first problem to solve was the shortage of talented individuals. *** Although they revised the civil service examination system to broaden ess and attract more talented individuals, the workload Sejong was delegating easily surpassed the supply. As the situation became like this, the pace of reforms began to slow down little by little. Therefore, the thing ministers, prime ministers, and Sejong worried about most was adjusting the priority of policies. And all sorts of methods were employed to secure talented individuals. *** Among these methods, the most useful was the petition. Whenever Sejong implemented a radical policy, petitions would be submitted. And every time these petitions came in, officials became rather excited. We need to catch a big fish this time Its about statecraft, so it should be good, right? Interestingly, even among those submitting petitions, there seemed to be areas of expertise. The volume of petitions varied depending on which field Sejongs radical policy was rted to. And among those who had been in seclusion and submitted petitions out of indignation, officials immediately rushed to those who presented useful opinions, carrying Sejongs royalmand. Your opinion is pretty good. Why dont youe and see how different theory and practice are! *** As people steadily entered official positions through petitions, some began to aim for official positions through petitions. Among those who submitted petitions, there were some who genuinely had exceptional insights but were in seclusion for various reasons. However, there were also many who tried to use tricks. Those who were summoned because their petition content was good engaged in debates with Sejong in front of the ministers at Geunjeongjeon Hall. Observing the debate, Sejong and the ministers took note of the petitioners character and abilities, and soon ced them in an appropriate department. And many of those who entered this way started at a slightly higher position than those who entered through the lower civil service examination. Seeing this, people who tried to use tricks appeared. One well-written petition is better than the lower civil service exam! People began to use petitions for faster promotion than others. *** When talent was recruited through petitions, the government announced the content of the petition nationwide through the official gazette. We hope you will ponder this content andpare it with the policies implemented by the government toe up with better opinions. Although it was published with good intentions, some people began to abuse it. They carefully copied the petitions written in the gazette, and then submitted petition letters when new policies in simr fields were announced in the future. They didnt just copy one petition, butbined the contents of several petitions to create a usible one. Because the volume of petitions submitted each year was enormous, these rbined petitions easily passed through the officials filters. However, what these tricksters didnt consider was that the final gatekeeper was Sejong, and that Hyang, second to none in memory, was by his side. Doesnt this seem familiar? It seems to be a mix of several. With Hyangs confirmation added, Sejong wrote the answer in red and returned it to the officials. Re-examination required. The moment a petition came back with this written on it, hell unfolded for the officials. They had to go through all the petitions published in the gazette for the past few years. This fucking bastard! Just wait till I catch you! Officials who were unexpectedly saddled with this task had to engage in furious searching. And those caught copy-pasting were severely punished. Banned from official positions and submitting petitions for 10 years. And Hyang, upon receiving a report of the situation, chuckled and muttered. As expected of the nation of tricks However, even in this situation where copy-pasting was prohibited, there were some who actually advanced their careers through copy-pasting. -Looking at the petition published in the gazette on ** month, ** year (omitted) However, the content of the petition published in the gazette on ## month, ## year regarding the same policy (omitted) As shown, the contents of these two selected petitions conflict, and the original intention of the policy (omitted). Officials who saw petition letters that openly cited sources and made point-by-point arguments all eximed in admiration. Thats innovative! And Sejong, upon seeing such a petition, immediately concluded: This is exactly the kind of person we need in a position to review and coordinate policies implemented so far. Bring him here immediately! We obey yourmand! *** Although they used all sorts of methods like this to gather talented individuals, it became increasingly difficult to find talent. The rate at which talented individuals were leaving the stagnant talent pool far exceeded the rate at which they were being supplied. As a result, whenever Sejong discussed state affairs with Hyang, he alwaysined about this problem. People are all Joseon has, yet how can there be such ack of talent? There must still be many in seclusion. At Hyangs answer, Sejong let out a long sigh. Sigh~ Those still in seclusion should be considered as having no intention of entering official service, shouldnt they? Shouldnt they be seen as no different from those ruthless ones who rebelled in the year of Giyu? Well, that could be the case. Hyang responded with a bitter smile to Sejongsint. One of the biggest causes of the current talent shortage was the Giyu Rebellion. Not only was the number of schrs who participated in the rebellion problematic, but the number of schrs who died for refusing to participate or for trying to stop it was also enormous. In simple terms, the Giyu Rebellion was a critical event that resulted in the loss of a significant portion of properly educated human resources. It will still take some more time for talent to emerge from the Commoners School and the Middle School Yes. Its a bit regrettable, but it cant be helped. Hyang nodded at Sejongsment. Looking at Hyang, Sejong continued. Schrs came from the Western Regions, but you took them all Hahaha! Theyre only useful for mathematics and natural sciences, arent they? And although they canmunicate to some extent verbally, theyre still useless when ites to writing. At Hyangs answer, Sejong stroked his beard and muttered. Writing is indeed the problem Hyangs eyes sparkled at Sejongs muttering. The tide hase in! Lets row! Father, honestly speaking, why wouldnt there be people in this Joseon? Even looking at the example of the Straight Talk on Farming, werent there many wise people? Thats true. Sejong nodded at Hyangs words. In the early stages of the reforms, Sejong had ordered officials to create an agricultural manual. The Mings agricultural manuals are tailored to the climate of the Central ins, so they dont suit us well! Find wisdom from elderly farmers in each province and record it! Thats how the Straight Talk on Farming came to be after years of effort. And this Straight Talk on Farming soon became an essential book that had to be in every rural vige across Joseon. Chapter 356 Chapter 356 The Straight Talk on Farming didnt be essential reading only in Joseons rural areas. Hearing the rumors, envoys from various domains in Japan rushed to Joseon. In Japans situation, where they hadnt strayed far from the agricultural techniques passed down from the old Three Kingdoms period on the Korean penins, the Straight Talk on Farming that Joseon began to distribute was a textbook of advanced farming methods that had to be introduced. *** Citing the example of the Straight Talk on Farming, Hyang continued speaking. I dont think theres ack of people in Joseon right now. Its not that there arent people, but that those who have learned to write are rare. Ah! To exin this part again, there are many who can read sentences. If we include those who can read characters even sporadically, I can guarantee that those who dont know characters in Joseon are extremely few. The problem is The problem is that those who can write sentences are extremely limited. Sigh~ Interrupting Hyangs words and summarizing the situation, Sejong let out a long sigh. ***As Sejong and Hyang said, among those living in Joseon, the number of people unable to read and understand text was very small. As mentioned before, even the so-called ignorant farmers could read several hundred Chinese characters necessary for daily life. This was to read the official gazettes or various promations posted on the walls of government offices, or to check the contents of debt certificates when borrowing goods and to write their own names on them. The problem was writing. Among those who could read, the number of people who couldpose sentences even in Idu script dropped sharply. If we narrow the range to those who could write sentences ording to grammar and etiquette, it shrank drastically to a very small number of schrs. *** Sigh~ In this situation, can we truly understand the peoples sentiments? No, even putting that aside, can we find proper talent? Hyang responded to Sejongsint. In about 2-3 years, those educated in the Commoners School will emerge, wont that quench our thirst to some extent? However, Sejongs face didnt brighten much. It seems like it will only make us more thirsty rather than quenching our thirst. The characters are the problem, the characters Instead of helping talented individuals express their intentions correctly, its be a situation where its holding them back Yes! urate situation awareness! Lets add just a bit more MSG here! Inwardly cheering, Hyang suggested to Sejong. Then, why dont we create our own characters for Joseon? Not something that requires knowledge of Chinese characters like Idu, but characters that can be easily written even without knowing Chinese characters. Were already on a new historical path anyway! Dont make itter, make it now! If you create it now when youre in your prime, Ill have less troubleter! Whether knowing Hyangs thoughts or not, Sejong slightly shook his head. Creating our own characters The intention is truly good. But its not an easy task. The brilliant schrs of Hall of Worthies Hyang, who was about to mention Hall of Worthies, quickly closed his mouth. As soon as the word Hall of Worthies came out, Sejongs face turned fierce. Dont even mention those stubborn fools! *** As Sejongs reforms progressed and Hyang established research institutes, the nature of Hall of Worthies also changed significantly. Hall of Worthies, which initially was responsible for advising the king and academic research, changed its character to a specialized policy research institution as the reforms progressed. Their work changed, or rather, was limited to analyzing policies proposed by the king and ministers and presenting improvement ns, or nning appropriate policies based on materials submitted by each department. However, as things progressed this way, resistance from the Hall of Worthies schrs began to emerge. Its true that the physics research conducted in Area 51 and the research institute is important! However, studying the writings of sages, contemting them, and rifying morality is also important! Most of the policies currently implemented by the court deviate from Confucian academic traditions! These policies must be abolished immediately and Confucian academic traditions must be preserved! Practical studies are important, but preserving and studying ancient traditions is even more important! The Hall of Worthies schrs who irritated Sejong by advocating for a return to the past went a step further. For the people to befortable, their food, clothing, and shelter must be stable! For this, we must implement equal distribution of wealth! As the argument for equal distribution of wealth emerged again, Sejong pointed out the facts to the Hall of Worthies schrs. It was already decided that equal distribution of wealth is unrealistic and empty. So why are you advocating for it again? Practical difficulties are naturally encountered in the process of realizing theory! Although there may be sacrifices, if we continue to implement it, it will eventually take root properly! We must not fear sacrifice! At the words of the Hall of Worthies schrs, Sejong became greatly angered. Saying not to fear sacrifice is nothing but empty talk! Look at reality when you speak! Greatly angered, Sejong conducted arge-scale personnel reshuffle in the year of Sinhae (13th year of Sejongs reign, 1431) and assigned Hall of Worthies schrs to practical positions. However, the Hall of Worthies schrs strongly resisted this decision of Sejongs. This is tyranny that blocks the path of speech! Most of the Hall of Worthies schrs who resisted like this submitted letters of resignation. This is a big problem! Indeed it is! Surprised by the mass resignation of Hall of Worthies schrs, the ministers busily went back and forth between Sejong and the schrs, trying to calm the situation. Your Majesty, they are still young. Its something they did unable to ovee their youthful passion, they will soon reflect on their actions. Please give them some time. Listen, you all! Why are you so hasty? Isnt it good to refine your theories while seeing practical matters? The ministers went back and forth busily, but Sejong and the Hall of Worthies schrs remained at a standstill. Youthful passion? What theyve done is trying to coerce me based on their meager knowledge! Hmph! I cannot just overlook such tyranny! Watch your mouth! Have you forgotten whose bloodline His Majesty carries? In the end, Sejong approved all the resignation letters submitted by the schrs. And then he issued a royalmand. Those whose resignations have been processed this time will never be allowed to enter official service again, and they are also forbidden from submitting petitions for life! This measure applies to their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as well! If the strict regtions rted to schrs that had been implemented through the reforms and the Giyu Rebellion were applied, they would not be called schrs for at least 100 years. After thismotion, Hall of Worthiespletely established itself as a specialized policy research institution. Thew was even changed so that those assigned to the Hall of Worthies were not selected from among those who passed the highest level of the civil service examination, but rather those who had at least 10 years of practical experience. And another aftershock was a wave of divorces that hit the families of the schrs. *** Feeling that Sejongs mood had turned sour over the Hall of Worthies issue, Hyang hurried to defuse the situation. Yes. Even without those stubborn fools, there are many talented individuals in the court. So, if Father makes up his mind, you will find excellent talent. At Hyangs words, Sejong stared at him nkly. I heard youre having a lot of trouble with document preparation with the schrs from the Western Regions. Is that why? At Sejongs question, Hyang gave a bitter smile and nodded slightly. *** The early appearance of Hunmin Jeongeum[1] was also what Hyang wanted. Initially, it was just because he found it annoying to write documents in Chinese characters. But now, it was for his hobbies. Shit! Is my job from clock-in to clock-out just tranting documents? Tranting while grinding his teeth at the mountain of Latin documents piled up in the Area 51 office was Hyangs daily routine these days. For a peaceful life of indulgence in my interests, Hangul is absolutely necessary! *** Seeing Hyang like this, Sejong smiled and continued speaking. I see. They have now be people of Joseon, so we should solve their difficulties too. Hmm But even if theres a lot of talent in the court, theres so much work being done in the court now that we cant easily spare anyone. Creating characters isnt something that can be done by one or two peoples efforts, so its impossible for me alone. Would you help me a bit? Pardon? Your brilliance has been famous since you were young, hasnt it? I think we could achieve good results if you help. What do you say? Will you help this father of yours? At Sejongs request disguised as an order, Hyang finally had to nod. If my meager abilities can be of help, I will do my best. At Hyangs answer, Sejongs face brightened greatly. Thank you! Thank you! After ending this secret talk between father and son, Hyang muttered softly as he left. No matter how I think about it, I feel like Ive been tricked. Of course I had heard theories that the royal family was involved But still, I cant shake the feeling that Ive been tricked. Unable to shake off the feeling that he had been tricked, Hyang soon came to a conclusion. Fuck it! Might as well do it now that itse to this! Ill carve my name firmly in history! Meanwhile, inside Gangnyeongjeon Hall, Sejong looked towards Eastern Pce with a satisfied face. Ive finally caught a big fish. Lets see The parts Ive organized and researched so far *** However, as Hyang and Sejong worried, Joseon was now entering a period of stagnation. Not only the court but also themon people were moving busily, the economic scale was growing day by day, and peoples pockets were bing morefortable, but stagnation was stagnation. The court was moving busily, but it was overwhelmed just maintaining and improving existing policies. At best, only 2-3 out of 10 new policies or systems were being implemented. The same was true for the people. Those working in the rapidly growingmerce and industry sectors were all screaming the same thing. We dont have enough people to work! *** As this problem was unavoidable, Sejong and his ministers put their heads together. What exactly is the current poption of our Joseon? At Sejongs question, Minister of General Affairs Heo Jo immediately answered. ording tost years poption survey, it exceeded 7.5 million. Does that include ves? Yes. At Heo Jos answer, Sejong stroked his beard. Then the actual number of free people is about 6.8 million? Thats correct. As taxes were being imposed on ves, the number of private ves was gradually decreasing. Most of the remaining 700,000 or so ves were government ves, and most of them were those servingbor sentences in mines for serious crimes. 6.8 million isnt a small number, so why To Lee Maeng-gyuns point, Heo Jo immediately responded. Of that poption, 800,000 are Jurchen who have submitted to us, and nearly 1.8 million are children under 7 years old. Ah Oh no At Heo Jos answer, all the ministers clicked their tongues. Through smallpox vination and the semi-forced implementation of various hygiene policies, the survival rate of children had greatly increased. As a result, Joseons poption had grown significantly, but this was just a numbers game. Even if the poption increased, it wasnt really an increase until those children grew up and could pull their own weight. Rather, because of the rapidly increasing number of children, the burden on adults had increased.
  1. Hunmin Jeongeum is a 15th-century manuscript that introduced the Korean script Hangul.[?]
Chapter 357 Chapter 357 After briefly calcting based on Heo Jos exnation, Lee Maeng-gyun stepped forward and asked a question. Hmm Minister Heo, dont the numbers seem a bit off? 1.8 million out of 6.8 million are under 7 years old People arent cows, are they? Even cows that can give birth after about two years If we subtract 1.8 million from 6.8 million, its 5 million, and even if all 5 million paired up Having children isnt something that happens just because you want it to To Lee Maeng-gyuns roundabout way of asking if there was some error, Heo Jo immediately responded. Why are you calcting with 5 million? We need to calcte properly. Its not like ves cant have children, and are you saying the Jurchens give birth to foals instead of people? At Heo Jos point, Lee Maeng-gyun closed his mouth. Looking at Lee Maeng-gyun, Heo Jo continued. Theres a lot of unpleasant history in between, but in any case, the Jurchens have lived like brothers since the ancient Three Han period. Theyve decided to submit and live as Joseon people, so shouldnt we count them as Joseon people? At Heo Jos words, Sejong concluded. The Minister of General Affairs is right. Theyvee into the embrace of our Joseon and be our people, so how could we treat them differently? We must enable them to livefortably and allow them to live using their innate qualities.At Sejongs decision, the ministers all bowed their heads and responded. Your Majesty is so benevolent, the future of our Joseon is truly bright! The court historian who recorded all this added a note afterward: -Thus, when His Majesty spoke, all the ministers, great and small, were in awe and praised His Majestys benevolence. The historian says: Its been almost 10 years since the Jurchens submitted, and the number of ves is gradually decreasing. I think that in the future, only those who havemitted high treason and those implicated with them will remain as ves, bing a kind of punishment. As the saying goes, There is no person below a person, and no person above a person, ves are also people, so its extremely unjust to despise them. Above all, the most important thing is that there arent enough people! In a situation where were already short-handed and wailing, is this the time to be picky about origins? Those who say such carefree things should all be dragged to the Office of Records and (omitted). *** The meeting that continued afterward proceeded with discussions on solutions to various problems caused by the shortage of talent. The first to speak was, of course, the Minister of General Affairs, Heo Jo. First, we need to prioritize the policies and projects that are currently in progress or about to start. Are you talking about the selection and concentration that the Crown Prince often mentions? Thats correct. At Heo Jos answer, Sejong, who had been stroking his beard in deep thought, came to a conclusion. Each and every policy and project is iparably important, but given the situation, we have no choice. Lets think about it along those lines. Following Sejongs decision, the ministers began a fierce verbal battle over the policies and projects they had been pursuing and were about to start. Kim Jeom went crazy in this verbal battle. We must pay special attention to policies rted to statecraft! If even a little goes wrong, it will cause big problems for the peoples lives and the nations finances! Especially, dont even think about touching anything rted to the Entertainment Industry Inspection Office! Keep in mind that even now, there are not just one or two people squandering their family fortunes on gambling! At Kim Jeoms words, Jo Gye-saeng grumbled. Its not about the peoples problems, but about the wealth you can suck out of there, isnt it? So what? Do you think the sry you receive just falls from the sky? At Kim Jeoms rebuke, Jo Gye-saeng immediately shut his mouth. But inwardly, he was heaping a barrelful of curses on Kim Jeom. Damn! How can a person be so self-centered! People change! What were his parents thinking when they gave birth to such a son This is why those who enter through nepotism are no good! Because Sejong had strictly forbidden personal attacks, the ministers could not speak outwardly but were inwardly cursing Kim Jeom in every way possible, starting with inquiring about the well-being of his parents. *** The process of adjusting the priorities of various policies and coordinating personnel assignments continued for more than two weeks. Most of the policies that had been implemented so far were born out of strong necessity. And as the policies progressed and showed visible results, it was inevitable that there would be some pain. Therefore, the verbal battles were fierce, and for the first time in a while, there were even ministers who dared to oppose Sejong. As a result, the historical records written by court historians amounted to at least three volumes per day, and several pots of tea had to be prepared for the ministers whose throats dried up in between. Amidst such fierce verbal battles, the outline began to take shape gradually. First, lets have the General Affairs Department maintain its current pace. And I want the Ministry of Finance to create a list of candidates for projects that can be handed over to the private sector among the projects currently being carried out by the government and newly implemented projects. We obey yourmand. Hearing the responses of Kim Jeom and Heo Jo, Sejong moved on to the next agenda. The problem is with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of National Defense. They need more and more personnel continuously, have you thought about ways to supply these personnel? With the rising birth rate, more and more children were entering the Commoners School. As a result, there was an additional demand for teachers to educate them. To Sejongs question, Jo Gye-saeng immediately answered. First, we will temporarily recruit retired officials with high reputations, and we will add women with high learning and virtue as teachers. There will be many rambunctious children at the prime age for learning, will women be able to control these children? Thats why we thought of this: if there are children who are too unruly to control, we will officially summon their parents to the school. At Jo Gye-saengs answer, Sejong unconsciously muttered. If were not careful, there will be wailing. At Sejongs muttering, the ministers inwardly added. Just wailing? If were not careful, there will be a bloodbath. To officially summon meant a warning that they would spread rumors all over the neighborhood. In current Joseon, this was a more certain and harsh honorary punishment than simply using the rod. Hyang, who attended the meeting worried that sparks might fly to Area 51 and the research institute, threw a question at Jo Gye-saeng. But when teachers and parents meet like that, there could be scandalous rumors. Do you have a solution? Even in the 21st century, when teachers and parents met, rumors about bribes circted, right? To Hyangs question, recalling memories of the 21st century, Jo Gye-saeng immediately answered. Yes. Honestly, since such things could happen, weve thought about it. First, before summoning the parents, four or more teachers will have an official discussion to decide whether to do so and record it. Then, when summoning the parents, three or more teachers will be present, and we will record the entire process and submit a report. I see. Thats all. At Jo Gye-saengs answer, Hyang nodded and stepped back. Indeed, Joseon, the country of records! *** The Ministry of Educations opinion seems fine. Has the Ministry of National Defense thought of any measures? To Sejongs question, Jo Mal-saeng immediately answered. After the administrators of the Ministry of National Defense and themanders of the Joint Chiefs of Staff put their heads together, the first option is to reduce the ratio of bay soldiers and increase the ratio of gunners and artillery soldiers. The second option is to select talented individuals from among the submitted Jurchens and bring them into the military. Do you mean to increase the cavalry? To Sejongs question, Jo Mal-saeng added. No, its the navy. At Jo Mal-saengs answer, Lee Maeng-gyun interrupted. Do you think the Jurchens know how to operate ships? Its good to fill the manpower, but wont it consume a lot of time and cost in the training process? The ministers nodded at Lee Maeng-gyuns question. Instead of Jo Mal-saeng, Maeng Sa-seong stepped forward to answer Lee Maeng-gyuns question. Looking at the records of the previous dynasty, there are many records of Jurchens engaging in piracy. Are you saying the Jurchens were pirates? To Lee Maeng-gyuns incredulous reaction, Jo Mal-saeng added. There are records that even the Japanese, famous for their Wokou pirates, trembled at them. *** Records in the Goryeo History and Goryeo History Abridged stated that from the 11th to the early 12th century, Jurchens boarded ships and plundered the east coast regions of the Korean Penins. At this time, Jurchens who departed from Hamhung, which was Jurchen territory, advanced as far as Gyeongju to plunder. (Note 1) These Jurchen pirate attacks extended their range even to Japan. During the Heian period, there was an incident where Jurchen pirates invaded and plundered Iki, Tsushima, and Chikuzen. In Japan, this was called the Toi Invasion or Toi Incursion. Records remained that at the time, Jurchen pirates used tactics of loading horses onto ships,nding, immediately transforming into cavalry, quickly plundering ind areas, and retreating. (Note 2) *** Jurchens Thats fine. Try implementing it. We obey yourmand! We will do our best! As soon as Sejongs decision was made, Jo Mal-saeng immediately bowed his head and answered. Watching this scene from the side, Heo Jo presented an opinion to Sejong. Your Majesty, what do you think about mobilizing Japanese people for administrative work? Mobilize Japanese people for administrative work? Yes. At Heo Jos words, Sejong, who had been pondering for a moment, asked Heo Jo again. Do you mean to use the Japanese people sent by the Ouchi n? Thats correct. *** Ouchi, who had been keeping an eye on Joseons prosperity, had sent envoys to Joseon. C We want to create educational institutions like the Commoners School in Ouchis domain, so please send teachers. After discussing the request brought by the envoys, Sejong and the ministers delivered the following answer to Ouchi: C Due to diplomatic rtions with the shogunate, we cannot dispatch teachers without the shogunates permission. However, we are willing to ept up to 100 people who have at least learned Elementary Learning and mastered the Koreannguage, and educate them. Afterward, envoys busily went back and forth between Ouchi and Joseon for coordination. After such coordination, the following matters were decided: C At minimum, know the Thousand Character ssic. Even better if theyve learned Elementary Learning. C Must be able to converse in Korean. This is essential. C The number of people that can be taught at one time should not exceed 120. *** The Japanese people Heo Jo mentioned were these 120 Japanese from Ouchi who were currently studying in Hanseong. At Heo Jos suggestion, Sejong immediately asked about their achievements. Are they usable? It seems they will be capable of lower-level practical work in about 2-3 years. Hmm Sejong, who had been pondering for a moment while stroking his beard, turned to Lee Maeng-gyun. Its somewhat tempting, but wont there be problems with Lord Ouchi? To Sejongs question, Lee Maeng-gyun immediately answered. If we bring them in unconditionally and indefinitely, there might be problems, but if we set an appropriate period, say about 5 years, it should be fine. If we say well teach them practical work and send them back, Lord Ouchi probably wont dislike it. Hmm After pondering for a moment, Sejong soon came to a conclusion. Send an envoy to Lord Ouchi. We obey yourmand! *** Note 1) http://.asnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=409 Note 2) https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toi_Invasion Chapter 358 Chapter 358 After deciding on the n to educate Japanese exchange students and use them as apprentice officials, Sejong, who had been observing the situation, proposed a radical measure. What about appointing women as officials? At Sejongs proposal, Lee Jik asked Sejong with an expression that seemed to say, Surely not? Are you talking about formal officials, not teachers? Thats right. At Sejongs answer, the ministers faces turned pale.5 It was the early Joseon period, which guaranteed stronger womens rights both absolutely and rtivelypared to the mid andte Joseon periods. However, it fell shortpared to the previous Goryeo dynasty, and womens rights had weakened enormouslypared to the ancient Three Kingdoms period. Therefore, the ministers immediately expressed negative opinions. Womens learning is shallowThose women with shallow learning are teaching children in the Commoners School. Arent women inherently petty andck the capacity to discuss state affairs? There was Wu Zetian who led the country during the period called Wu Zhous Rule, though opinions are divided on her. Wu Zetian is a bit Fine. Lets say Wu Zetian was extreme and think about this. No matter how good the seed, if the field is bad, you cant get a good harvest. Can talented individuals be born if the mothers innate qualities are poor? Thats true, but Half the world is women, do you think its right that talent onlyes from men? As Sejongs words were reasonable, the ministers raised objections in a different direction. Even now, government officials work overtime and night duties as if its their daily bread. No head of household would like his wife or daughter wandering the streetste at night or spending the night outside. Even now, women are walking the streets of Hanseong at night. Legally, at that. At Sejongs point, the ministers had to close their mouths. *** Joseon had legally designated a nighttime curfew. The Annals of King Taejongs first year, in May, had the following record: C Those who vite the curfew after the third point of the first watch and before the third point of the fifth watch shall all be arrested. In simple terms, it prohibited movement from 8 PM to 4:30 AM. However, as this caused tremendous damage to peoples lives, the curfew hours gradually decreased. In the history before Hyangs intervention, during King Sejos era, the nighttime curfew was rxed to the second to fourth watches C from 10 PM to 3 AM C and was finalized in the Great Code of Administration as from after the second watch to before the fifth watch. Interestingly, those subject to this nighttime curfew were limited to men C a gender-differentiated curfew system. Joseon, which adopted Neo-Confucianism as its national ideology, applied strict gender segregationws. ording to thesews, women of the nobility and merchant sses could only stay at home during the day and go out at night, while men couldnt go outside at night. (Note 1) Thats why the ministers fell silent at Sejongs words. *** After refuting the ministers objections, Sejong dangled the bait. Lets think about it the other way around. Isnt it because were short on people that officials are working overtime and night duties as if its their daily bread? But if we have enough personnel, wont there be no need for overtime and night duties? Then women wont have to workte or spend nights outside, right? Thats true, but Although logically overwhelmed by Sejongs words, the ministers continued to oppose. Your Majestys intention is lofty and beautiful, but there will be strong resistance. At Maeng Sa-seongs point, Sejong scoffed. Hmph! If they dont like seeing women wearing official hats, tell them to sit at home and take the civil service exam instead of just quoting Confucius and Mencius! Dont just sit at home with buttocks heavier than those of stone Buddhas in mountain temples! We cant even do our work properly because were short on people, what nonsense are you talking! Dont you all know the current situation of the court! Right now, I feel like dragging in even those monks worshipping Buddha in the temples. But Im holding back for fear of someone like the evil monk Sin Don from the end of the previous dynasty emerging! Sejongsst words were a strong warning. Should I open the way for women? Or should I give power back to the monks? Choose. In the end, the ministers had to make a choice. We will contemte methods to carry out Your Majestys intentions. I look forward to it. This is an important period to prepare for 10 years from now. Although its not voluntary, since itse to this, think of it as catching our breath. Dont forget that we must forge ahead even more from 10 years on, building our foundations as if catching our urgent breath. At Sejongs admonition, the ministers bowed their heads and answered. We will engrave it in our bones and hearts. The court historian who recorded all this added: -Thus, when His Majesty admonished, the ministers answered that they would engrave it in their bones and hearts. The historian says: Its true that theres a shortage of people to work in this court right now. However, appointing women to official positions is something that should be decided only after careful consideration many times over. This situation hase about, as His Majesty said, because of those who waste their time sitting idle at home. If their insight is so bright, its natural that they should enter official service, but theyre petty individuals who just move their mouths while holed up in their rooms. Right now, they should all be thrown into the Office of Records What is the historian writing so diligently? My words ended a while ago. The historian who was writing, criticizing the schrs who just make noise while holed up in their rooms, immediately bowed his head at Sejongs words. I-Im sorry. A historians job is to record the affairs of the court, not to record private feelings. It seems the historians have been too leisurelytely. It wouldnt be bad to adjust the personnel allocation. Please show mercy! At Sejongs words, the historian with a tearful face immediately bowed his head. Seeing this, another historian busily moved his brush. -Thus, when His Majesty mentioned personnel adjustment, the historian who became the subject quickly begged for forgiveness. The historian says: Threatening someone with their weaknesses is not befitting of a great person. How could His Majesty do something like a petty person Are you now doing something else too? Perhaps we should adjust the personnel Please spare us! The two historians with tearful faces had to keep bowing their heads. Watching this scene from the side, Hyang smiled bitterly and muttered inwardly. Father wont be getting any good words from the historians. Even with cross-verification, itll be full of criticism. *** During the Joseon Dynasty, whenever the king and ministers discussed state affairs, two historians always attended. This was not only to prevent interruptions in recording due to toilet issues or other urgent situations but also to prevent malicious maniption. Two historians recorded the same event so that whenpiling the Annalster, they could cross-verify. *** Thus, after the tumultuous meeting ended, the ministers and Hyang who were in Geunjeongjeon Hall came out. Hyang, who was heading towards the Crown Princes Pce, stopped walking and looked at Geunjeongjeon Hall. Advancing women is one thing, but how are you going to solve the problems of parental leave and career breaks Hyang, who was worrying about the solution to a problem that was an important controversy even in the 21st century, burst intoughter. Hah! Oh my, oh my I forgot! What kind of person he is Sejong was the first to institutionalize maternity leave for female government ves and paternity leave for their husbands. As Hyang was chuckling and turning around, he suddenly turned back to look at Geunjeongjeon Hall again. Wait, somethings strange Your Highness? Ah, its nothing. Lets go. At the words of the eunuch who was apanying him, Hyang hurriedly waved his hand and turned around, but the smile had disappeared from his face. Why? He opened the doors even to women? Why? If he was so worried about the shortage of talent, wouldnt it have been easier to abolish very? There would have been less resistance than opening up to women? Why? Hyang was heading towards the Crown Princes Pce, tilting his head at the sudden curiosity. *** The next day, Lee Jik visited Maeng Sa-seongs house. Thanks to it being an official holiday set byw, Lee Jiks face was full of rxation he hadnt seen in a long time. Hearing of Lee Jiks visit, Maeng Sa-seong came out to the yard to wee him. How did youe to this humble ce on such a precious holiday? I was at home, but I sensed they wanted me to pay for medicine At Lee Jiks joke, Maeng Sa-seong burst intoughter. Hahaha! Youre still in good harmony! Please drink! As they settled in the guest room, a modest drinking table with wild vegetables was soon brought in. Lets have a game of Go after a long time. That sounds good! At Lee Jiks words, Maeng Sa-seong brightened and brought the Go board that had been ced in one corner of the room. The two exchanged drinks while ying Go. Carefully cing a Go stone, Lee Jik spoke to Maeng Sa-seong. What do you think? About what? About His Majestys intention to open the door of appointment even to women. Hmm At Lee Jiks words, Maeng Sa-seong put down a Go stone and fell into thought with his arms folded. As Maeng Sa-seong was lost in thought, Lee Jik continued. His Majesty must have anticipated that those noisy fellows wouldnt stay quiet. Dont you think? He probably did. Even though their numbers have drastically decreased due to that unspeakable incident in the year of Giyu, there are still those who keep making noise. I dont understand why he created something for those guys to make noise about. Seemingly frustrated, Lee Jik filled the cup beside him with alcohol and drained it in one gulp before continuing. There was an easier way to go. Namely, abolishing very. At Lee Jiks words, Maeng Sa-seong silently nodded. Maeng Sa-seong didnt open his mouth after that. After pondering for a long time, Maeng Sa-seong slowly opened his mouth. Minister, do you know the situation of the ves in Joseon now? I know roughly. Theyre gradually decreasing after taxing ves as property. Thats the case for private ves, but government ves havent decreased much. To be precise, the number of those who were government ves from before has decreased, but the number of those who have newly be government ves has exploded. At Maeng Sa-seongs words, Lee Jiks eyes widened as he briefly recalled his memories. No way! From the year of Giyu? At Lee Jiks words, Maeng Sa-seong nodded. Those implicated in the rebellion of the year of Giyu. As long as they exist alive, His Majesty will never mention abolishing very. At Maeng Sa-seongs assertion, Lee Jiks expression turned bitter. I see. Looking at Lee Jiks expression, Maeng Sa-seong continued. I still remember what the previous king said about His Majesty. Chungyeong may seem weak, but when he makes a decision, hes more resolute than anyone else. Seeing how His Majesty thinks about the royal ancestral shrine, the state, and the people, he would be worthy of being recorded as more than a wise king, even a sage king. But theres something we must not forget. Hes an absolute monarch and a dictator. Thats right. If you think about the cases of Minister Ryu Jeong-hyeon and other ministers in the past, its certain. As long as there are beings that could make the royal authority unstable, His Majesty will never abolish the ve system. The same goes for the system of guilt by association. At Maeng Sa-seongs words, Lee Jik, with a bitter taste in his mouth, filled his cup with alcohol and drained it in one gulp. But the bitter taste still remained in his mouth. *** At the same time, Hyang, sitting alone in the Crown Princes Pce organizing his thoughts, also had a bitter expression. Unless its a constitutional monarchy, the essence is an absolute monarchy Those who masterminded and carried out the Giyu Rebellion were all killed. Those who are now working in mines as government ves are their children or rtives who were punished by association. In a way, they could be victims of the inhumane system of guilt by association, but in the context of this era, they were potential traitors who directly inherited the ideology of the rebellion leaders. As long as there are those who plotted national rebellion and those who directly inherited that thinking, the abolition of very would never be implemented. *** Note 1) Encyclopedia of Korean Culture. Entry on Nighttime Curfew. http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Item/E0035247 Chapter 359 Chapter 359 As the situation settled, the court moved swiftly. Following the agreed-upon results, they reassigned personnel and checked the situation. Amidst this busy activity, a secret envoy carrying King Sejongs handwritten letter crossed the sea. Morimi, upon receiving King Sejongs handwritten letter, checked its contents and spoke. This doesnt seem to be something we can decide right away. Please wait a moment. Certainly. After asking the envoy to wait, Morimi put his heads together with his retainers. Youve all heard the contents, so theres no need to repeat them. What do you think we should do? Including the nned education period, theyll be staying in Joseon for nearly ten years. They might even end up naturalizing in Joseon. Joseons governance ispletely different from ours. What use would it be to learn their ways of ruling? Initially, those opposing the idea were in the majority. However, as they noticed Morimis unfavorable expression, opinions started to shift towards epting Joseons proposal.Mochiyo, recognized as the next lord, was the first to speak up. We should ept it. Our domain is growing more powerful by the day. The old ways will surely reach their limits. Therefore, we must learn the governance of Joseon, which is bing stronger day by day. We must learn Joseons ways of ruling to ovee the limitations of our domain. *** While managing the Iwami silver mine together with Joseon, Mochiyo was gradually bing addicted to Joseon. To be precise, he was captivated by Joseons policies. And it all started with abor dispute at the silver mine. While Mochiyo was considering forceful suppression as his subordinates suggested, Ahn Sang-taek proposed Joseons method, which Mochiyo epted. The results were good, so Mochiyo began to gather information about various policies implemented by Joseon. As he researched the information he gathered, Mochiyo became addicted to Joseon. This is what governance should be! Our domain must change like this too! No, not just our domain, but the entire world should change to be like Joseon! To rify, when the Japanese spoke of the world, they meant the entirety of Japan, not the whole world. Because of this, when Ming Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang sent an envoy regarding the wokou (Japanese pirate) problem, the rtionship between Ming and Japan soured due to a single phrase in the reply sent by Ashikaga Takauji, the shogun at the time. The world does not belong to any one individual. In Takaujis case, he meant The Japanese realm doesnt belong to me alone, but from Zhu Yuanzhangs perspective, it was understood as The entire world doesnt belong to the Ming Emperor alone. (Note 1) *** After Mochiyo expressed his agreement, other retainers who concurred with his opinion began to raise their voices. Thats right! When our Ouchi n takes control of the realm, we must govern with a broader perspective. For this, we need people who know well how to rule like great and advanced nations. This is a great opportunity! The bakufu and other lords are still like frogs in a well. To surpass them, we must first surpass them in governance! Exactly! Those despicable S n are still waiting for opportunities in Tsushima. We must learn everything we can from Joseon and gain control of the realm topletely subjugate the S n. Governance is just the beginning! The situation hadpletely turned in favor of eptance. Seeing the retainers reactions, Morimi smiled broadly and made his decision. Good! We ept Joseons proposal! Lets learn everything we can and take this realm into our Ouchi ns hands! Ha! At Morimis deration, the retainers prostrated themselves and responded loudly. *** Morimi put all his efforts into realizing his dream of overthrowing the Muromachi bakufu ruled by the Ashikaga n and taking control of the realm. Using the tally trade with the Ming, he sent people to Ming, and also sent envoys to Joseon to establish friendly rtions and adopt their culture. In this process, Morimi, like Mochiyo, gradually became addicted to Joseon. The splendor of the great empire described by those who returned from Ming was admirable, but the dazzling development of Joseon reported by those who visited there was close to miraculous. Whether official or unofficial, the Joseon envoys who came to Ouchi were all highly learned and full of wisdom. Every time these envoys came and went, Morimi sighed at the backwardness of the domain he ruled. Especially when he heard about the iron horse, Morimi was shocked as if struck by lightning. A cart that moves without cattle or horses! This is it! Joseon is the future I dream of! Our Japan is neither a great nation like Ming, nor do we have much! The only path we should follow is the path Joseon is taking! I will grasp the realm (of Japan) in my hands! The long-standing aspiration of the family was now transforming from political ambition to religious conviction. It is the supreme heavenly mandate given to me and our family to transform this backward realm into an advanced nation like Joseon! We must change everything from what we wear, eat, and use! Abandoning our Japanese ways and following Joseons path is the only way for our family and the realm! This marked the beginning of what historians wouldter call De-Japanization Theory or Abandoning Japan for Joseon. *** Whatever the background, the envoy who obtained Morimis eptance immediately returned and reported to King Sejong. Is that so? Ouchi Morimi epted? Yes, Your Majesty. He only asked that we teach them well, as they are valuable talents who will manage their domain. King Sejong smiled at Lee Maeng-gyuns answer and replied. As its a request from those who are friendly with us, do your best. And remember that we cant keep such important talents indefinitely. I will engrave it on my bones and heart! Soon after King Sejongs order, the Japanese students studying in Hanseong suspended their sses to hear an announcement from the court. so, once youplete the course, youll be immediately assigned to duties to learn practical skills. Yes. Understood. I should add that the intensity of your sses will increase a bit from now on. At the words of the Chief Education Officer, the color drained from the students faces. Pardon? Your lord requested to His Majesty, They are valuable talents who will manage the domain, so please teach them well. How could we be negligent? Hai So, brace yourselves and follow along well. Hai The students responded with half-dazed faces to the Chief Education Officers words. The sses had been tough so far, but now they were being told that future sses would be even tougher. Later, when the students whopleted the course and were assigned to practical duties, they all screamed. The sses were easier inparison! And when those who returned to Ouchi and took charge of practical duties, they badgered their subordinates. What! You call this work? When I worked in Hanseong *** While things ended well with Ouchi, the internal affairs of Joseon were once again in an uproar. It was because of the courts promation announcing partial revision of the civil service examination system. Opening the doors to women? What nonsense is this! Its the end of times! The end of times! Local nobles men, indignant at the news that women would also be given the right to take the civil service exam, took action. Write a petition! A petition! No! We must go to Hanseong! Meoksoe! Bring the axe! Im going to submit a petition with an axe! Ill go with you! And so, once again, petitions flooded into Gyeongbok Pce. The royal secretaries and lower-ranking officials of the Privy Council who received the petitions sighed deeply at the mountain of petitions piled up. Huu~ We expected this, but However, it was their job to pre-screen and categorize the petitions, so the royal secretaries and lower-ranking officials began to open the envelopes and read the contents. The royal secretaries and lower-ranking officials reviewing the petitions showed unusual behavior: they inserted yellow papers into most of the opened petitions and set them aside. We should contact the Typography Bureau and ask them to print more of these. Right? How many copies do you think would be appropriate? Lets start with about 100 sheets. That sounds about right. You go and deliver the message, then take a short break. Yes. King Sejong and his ministers, anticipating this flood of petitions, had prepared and printed appropriate responses in advance. *** Please reconsider! Your Majesty~. Please reconsider! Hm? Hyang, who was returning to the Crown Princes pce after working in Area 51, stopped his horse at the sound of shouting in front of Gwanghwamun Gate. Whats going on? Asking for reconsideration? Ill go check and report back, Your Highness. In response to Hyangs question, an apanying eunuch ran forward to assess the situation. Shortly after, the returned eunuch reported the situation to Hyang. They say its a petition with axes, Your Highness. A petition with axes? For what reason? Dont tell me its because of the recent civil service exam system revision? Yes, Your Highness. Oh my tsk! Hyang clicked his tongue briefly and rode his horse towards the shouting crowd. Your Highness! Its dangerous! Your Highness! The Royal Guard guards in charge of protection were startled. A petition with axes meant that the protesters were demonstrating with dangerous des ced beside them. As the Royal Guard tried to stop him, Hyang smiled and replied. I trust you all. At Hyangs words, the Royal Guard wore expressions of resignation as they rode their horses to the front of Hyang. Well go ahead, Your Highness. *** As Hyang approached the vicinity of the protesters, he dismounted and walked. The Royal Guard, who had also dismounted, surrounded him inyers as Hyang drew near, and the protesters raised their voices. Your Highness! You are not only the Crown Prince but also a subject! It is the duty of a subject to speak frankly to the king and prevent foolish policies, so why have you neglected this duty! Thats right! Why are you neglecting your duty? In response to the protesters outcry, Hyang muttered quietly. They have loud voices and big guts. Pfft! Kup! At Hyangs words, the surrounding Royal Guard soldiers gritted their teeth to forcibly hold back theirughter. Captain Jang. Yes, Your Highness. Hyang pointed at the protesters with his finger and ordered. Start with the one sitting on the right, and bring them one by one with their axes and petitions. Yes, Your Highness. A momentter, after reading the petition brought by the captain, Hyang examined the axe. Hmm Making a nasal sound, Hyang took out a golden brush from his sleeve, scribbled something on the petition, and returned it to the captain. Return it, and tell them to read aloud what Ive written. Yes, Your Highness. Shortly after, the schr who received the message through the captain unfolded the petition. The schrs arms trembled like aspen leaves as he confirmed what Hyang had written. What are you doing? At Hyangs urging, the schr gritted his teeth and shouted loudly. Axe de equals penmanship! At the schrs shout, the surrounding people murmured. What does that mean? I dont know? Amidst the murmuring, a somewhat literatemoner clicked his tongue. Tsk tsk tsk He got insulted outright. What did the Crown Prince say to make you say that? He said the axe de and the writing skill are the same. Huh? Themoner who heard the exnation looked at the axe held by the schr in question and burst intoughter. Puhah! The schrs axe was covered in bright red rust. Simr evaluations followed. One schr who received the evaluation that the axe de is sharper than his writing skills burst into tears on the spot. Looking at these schrs, Hyang raised his voice. If you cant stand the sight of women wearing official robes, then you take the civil service exam and pass it yourselves! How dare you have so much to say when you cant even pass the exam! *** Note 1) Joseon Dynasty Military Strategy. P.61. Ministry of National Defense Military History Comption Research Institute. Chapter 360 Chapter 360 The nobles, having been thoroughly scolded by Hyang, had to retreat with dejected faces, gathering their mats and axes. Watching their departure, Hyang turned away. Tsk! And yet The nobles gritted their teeth at Hyangs tant rebuke. The faces of themoners watching these nobles were full of mockery. I bet they strut around in their hometowns, puffing up their chests and saying theyre nobles. Just their chests? I bet they puff up their lower halves too whenever they see female servants! Puhahaha! You insolent bastards! At the mockery of the watchingmoners, one of the axe-wielding nobles shouted angrily and approached.Eek! A few of the mockers screamed and stepped back as the nobles approached with a fierce expression, looking ready to swing his axe at any moment. However, others stepped forward, rolling up their sleeves. What? Did His Highness the Crown Prince say anything wrong? Or is it because your stinking parts have been exposed? Go ahead, try swinging that axe! But be prepared to have something broken or lose your life. You lowly creatures! As the schrs face turned bright red and he raised his axe high, the men who had been arguing also clenched their fists and lowered their stance. At this critical moment, a young nobles who had been watching nearby intervened. Stop! What shameful behavior is this! How can someone who calls himself a nobles resort to violence! Arent you ashamed! Step aside! Are you saying we should tolerate such lowly creatures insulting the nobles? If they are wrong, we should convince them of their error through reason! Why resort to violence? A beating is the only medicine for those who insult nobles! As the axe-wielding nobles shouted furiously, Hyangs voice was heard from behind. Then, I insulted you too. Will you raise your axe against me as well? Gasp! At these words, the face of the nobles who had been radiating murderous intent turned pale white. I forgot! No, hasnt he entered the pce? The pale-faced nobles forcibly turned his trembling body around. There stood Hyang, arms crossed, ring at him. And the other nobles who had been participating in the petition with axes were prostrated on the ground, watching the situation nervously. Finally, the schr in question threw his axe aside and prostrated himself, begging for forgiveness. I havemitted a crime punishable by death! Please, just spare my life! Why? Why dont youe at me with your axe? I lost control of my anger and showed unseemly behavior! Please forgive me! But Hyangs rebuke did not stop. A true gentleman bes moreposed the more he studies and cultivates himself. Yet you couldnt control your anger over a few taunts and tried to resort to violence. How can you call yourself a gentleman! Im deeply sorry! Please forgive me! Seeing the schrs state, Hyang turned his head and ordered the Royal Guard captain. Take this man to the State Tribunal and report him. The charge is attempting to harm people by recklessly wielding a deadly weapon in public view. And I was among his targets. Your Highness! Thats absolutely not true! Your Highness! Please spare me! The schr, turning pale at Hyangs words, desperately raised his voice, but Hyang simply replied. The iron horse has already departed. Take him away. Yes, sir! Your Highness! Your Highness! The schr called out to Hyang as he was dragged away by the Royal Guard soldiers, but Hyangpletely ignored him. Do you all want to visit the State Tribunal too? N-no, Your Highness! The prostrated nobles hurriedly gathered their mats and axes and disappeared. Watching the nobles vanish into the distance as if fleeing, Hyang moved towards the other protagonists of the incident. As Hyang approached, the gatheredmoners quickly prostrated themselves. You may stand. Oh my, how could we lowly ones Seeing themoners prostrated on the ground as they answered, Hyang smirked and continued. You were quite bold earlier, werent you? How can Your Highness bepared to nobles whose faces we dont even know? Hyang burst intoughter at the honest answer. Hahaha! Thats the right answer! Its alright! I permit you, so stand up! At Hyangs permission, the prostratedmoners slowly rose from the ground. Looking over the faces of the standingmoners, Hyang addressed the men who had been arguing with the schr earlier. Are your bodies made of iron? What were you thinking, provoking a man holding an axe? The men sheepishly smiled and answered Hyangs words. It was clear at a nce that he had never wielded an axe before, so what was there to fear? His arms were trembling as he held the axe, he probably couldnt have swung it properly! Hyang chuckled at themoners answers but didnt forget to admonish them. Still, life is precious, so in such situations, call for the constables. Yes, Your Highness. Now, return to your business. Yes, Your Highness. Having finished his conversation with themoners, Hyang turned his gaze to the schr who had tried to mediate earlier. Was he about Hyangs age? The schr looked to be in his mid tote teens, tall with a sturdy build. (Note 1) However, he didnt seem to be from a well-off family, as his durumagi (outerwear) showed signs of patching in many ces. Hyang stared at him for a moment before asking a question. Were you not afraid? I was afraid, Your Highness, but how could I stand by and watch a so-called nobles intimidate people with violence? As one who studies the way of the sages, I could not let this pass. Thats a noble spirit. So, whats your name? This lowly one is called Han Myeong-hoe, Your Highness. The moment he heard the name, Hyangs body froze for an instant. Here! He had just met the man known as Joseons greatest traitor and a legendary opportunist among various other evaluations. This is an opportunity! I can prevent him from getting involved with Jinpyeong altogether! Though Hyang made an instant judgment, he proceeded with additional verification. What is your fathers name? Myte father used the character Gi and served as an inspector in the Office of the Inspector-General, Your Highness. Is that so? How old are you? I will turn seventeen in October, Your Highness. Lets see ording to the records Ive glimpsed, Han Myeong-hoe lost his parents early, right? Given that he referred to his te father, it seems to match. Anyway As he analyzed the person and the situation, Hyang looked at Han Myeong-hoe with a slight smile. It was truly a good opportunity, wasnt it? Momentarily confused by Hyangs words, Han Myeong-hoe immediately bowed his head as he grasped the meaning. As he bowed his head, Han Myeong-hoe felt cold sweat running down his back. As expected of the Crown Prince, the rumors were true! The impulsive action he had just taken was part of Han Myeong-hoes calction. *** Han Myeong-hoe was born as the grandson of Han Sang-jil, a founding contributor who had served as the Chief Schr of the Hall of Worthies. His familys downfall came with the deaths of his parents, Han Gi and Lady Yi of Yeoju. As the saying goes, When a dog from a ministers house dies, mourners flock, but when the minister dies, no onees, the familys fortunes took a sharp downturn with the premature death of his father, Han Gi. Of course, they werent desperately poor, but they had been pushed to the outskirts of power since King Taejongs era, and Han Gis untimely death inevitably led to the decline of their family fortunes. Fortunately, with the help of his great-uncles, Han Myeong-hoe was able to study Chinese ssics and pursue his education under Ryu Tae-jae in Gangwon Province. While studying under Ryu Tae-jae, Han Myeong-hoe formed friendships with Gwon Ram and Seo Geo-jeong, and had recently returned to Hanseong. I must revive our fallen family! With this firm resolve, he prepared for the civil service examination, but the situation was not easy. Hoping against hope, he wrote petitions whenever various issues arose, but because his answers were not what the court, changed by the great reforms, wanted, he had to face rejection each time. Still, Han Myeong-hoe didnt give up. He made efforts to understand what the current court wanted byworking extensively, and pondered how to apply this to what he had learned. In the midst of this process, the partial revision of the civil service examination system was announced, causing an uproar. Should I support or oppose As Han Myeong-hoe was contemting not based on his own standards but on how to stand out, he immediately rose from his seat when he heard about the petition with axes. This is an opportunity! Those currently submitting petitions with axes were clearly fools who didnt understand the current trends. Such fools would certainly cause an incident. And if he used that incident well, he could get a chance to reveal himself. Certain of the opportunity, Han Myeong-hoe ran to the front of Gyeongbok Pce to observe the situation. As he waited, Hyang arrived and rebuked the nobles who were submitting petitions with axes. Will something happen? Or will it end like this? It cant end like this As if his earnest wish was granted, one nobles, angered by the mockingmoners, raised his axe to intimidate them. This is the chance! If I miss this, Ill regret it for a thousand years! Though scared of the axe, Han Myeong-hoe jumped in front of themoners to create a confrontation. Thanks to this, he thought he had caught the Crown Princes eye, but the Crown Prince had already seen through Han Myeong-hoes intentions. As he bowed his head, Han Myeong-hoe remembered what his father had told him when he was young. His Majesty is extraordinary, but the Crown Prince is even more so. If you ever enter officialdom, you must think two or three times before acting. *** As Han Myeong-hoe was feeling dejected, thinking he had failed at a golden opportunity, Hyangs voice reached his ears. Yes. Sometimes silence is a good answer too. And the ability to seize a good opportunity is also a valuable skill. You,e to this ce tomorrow morning before Gwanghwamun opens. Ah! Make sure to bring your household register as well. At Hyangs words, Han Myeong-hoe unconsciously raised his head to look at Hyang. Still smiling, Hyang continued. Whether your ability is limited to seizing opportunities or if youre truly capable will be proven in practical work. Do you understand what this means? To Hyangs question, Han Myeong-hoe immediately prostrated himself and answered. I will do my utmost best! Then Ill see you tomorrow! Han Myeong-hoe remained prostrated until Hyang disappeared inside Gwanghwamun. After Hyangs figure vanished and Gwanghwamun closed, Han Myeong-hoe rose from his position. Themoners who had been watching the scene apuded and congratted him. Congrattions, sir! Congrattions! Thank you, thank you. Bowing his head in response to the congrattions, Han Myeong-hoe quickly left the ce. After turning into an alley and escaping from peoples sight, Han Myeong-hoe clenched his fist. I did it! This is the beginning! *** Meanwhile, Hyang, who had entered Geunjeongjeon to report his return, paused at an unexpected situation. Huh? Starting with King Sejong, all the ministers were looking at Hyang with sparkling eyes. This son reports his return. Yes, good work. King Sejong, after a brief response, immediately got to the point. I hear you caused another incident on your way back? Yes, there were those who didnt properly understand the will of Father and the court, insisting only on their narrow views, so I gave them a piece of my mind. Well done. But that wasnt the end of it, was it? At any rate, the newswork in Gyeongbok Pce is as fast as 5G With a wry smile, Hyang continued immediately. Yes, among them, one foolish individual tried to intimidate the people with violence, so I sent him to the State Tribunal. And in the process, I came to know a quite promising individual. Oh? What kind of person? He said his name was Han Myeong-hoe, the son of Han Gi who served as an inspector in the Office of the Inspector-General. At Hyangs introduction, the ministers soon began to search their memories. Ah! Having recalled information about Han Gi, the ministers immediately reported to King Sejong. After listening to the ministers words, King Sejong stroked his beard and nodded. Ive heard of him too. I remember thinking it was a pity that such a capable person died prematurely. So, how did Han Gis son seem to you? I couldnt fully gauge his character, but his ability to respond to unexpected situations seemed top-notch. He appeared to be someone who could avoid the worst oues, if not achieve the best, in any sudden situation. Is that so? As Hyang continued speaking, King Sejong and the ministers eyes grew increasingly brighter. *** Note 1) https://.mk.co.kr/news/culture/view/2015/10/959590/ Chapter 361 Chapter 361 The next morning, Han Myeong-hoe stood at the entrance of Gwanghwamun with a tense expression. Fidgeting with the sleeve of his dobo containing his household register, Han Myeong-hoe swallowed hard. This is the chance of a lifetime. I must leave a good impression. Giving himself this pep talk, Han Myeong-hoe waited for Gwanghwamun to open. Shortly after, Gwanghwamun opened and the gate guards changed shifts. As the gate opened wide, Han Myeong-hoe stepped towards it. Halt! Whats your business? Han Myeong-hoe stopped at the guards shout and stated his purpose. I am Han Myeong-hoe, here by order of His Highness the Crown Prince. Ah! Wait there for a moment!At Han Myeong-hoes words, a guard who seemed to recognize the situation quickly went inside. Soon after, the head guard came out and approached Han Myeong-hoe. Are you that schr? I am. Please show me your identification tag. At the head guards request, Han Myeong-hoe searched his clothes and produced his identification tag. The head guard examined it front and back before returning it. Ill send word in. Please wait a moment. Understood. The head guard disappeared back inside, and Han Myeong-hoe stepped back to wait for a response. Shortly after, a eunuch scurried out and approached the gate guards, asking something. The guard pointed at Han Myeong-hoe in response. Seeing Han Myeong-hoe, the eunuch approached and said, Please follow me. Understood. *** After leading Han Myeong-hoe through Gwanghwamun and Geunjeongmun, the eunuch positioned him in front of Geunjeongjeon and said, Please wait here for a moment. Understood. Leaving Han Myeong-hoe at the bottom of the stairs leading up to Geunjeongjeon, the eunuch scurried away and disappeared behind the hall. As the eunuch vanished, Han Myeong-hoe hurriedly adjusted his attire and waited to be called. However, Han Myeong-hoe had to wait for quite a while longer. Have they forgotten about me? Though growing impatient at the long wait, Han Myeong-hoe recalled the character for patience and continued to wait. Just then, ministers walked through Geunjeongmun towards Geunjeongjeon. The ministers, trailed by officials carrying stacks of reports, stopped in their tracks when they saw Han Myeong-hoe. As the ministers approached, Han Myeong-hoe bowed politely ording to etiquette. Seeing this, the ministers began to ask questions. Are you Han Gis son? Eh? Yes. Raise your head for a moment. As Han Myeong-hoe straightened up, the ministers each made ament. Hes the spitting image of his friend. He has a sturdy build. He must be strong. Hes been standing for quite a while without showing signs of fatigue. His stamina must be good. Indeed. After all, isnt endurance the most important thing? Except for the firstment, Han Myeong-hoe was bewildered by the stream of seemingly irrelevant remarks. Whats going on here? Its like theyre inspecting a cow at a cattle market. Ah! Well bete for the court session at this rate! Lets hurry! Indeed! Well see youter, young man! The ministers, having thoroughly confused Han Myeong-hoe, rushed into Geunjeongjeon with their officials in tow. Left alone again, Han Myeong-hoe couldnt hide his perplexed expression. What kind of goblin y is this Oh! I must pull myself together! As Han Myeong-hoe was trying to gather his scattered wits, a eunuch emerged from Geunjeongjeon and approached him. His Majesty summons you. Understood. *** Entering Geunjeongjeon, Han Myeong-hoe prostrated himself and made a deep bow to King Sejong. Eunuch, bring a chair. Yes, Your Majesty. As Han Myeong-hoe sat in the chair brought by the eunuch, King Sejong began to question him. Well Lets start with praise. Your action yesterday in stepping forward to protect the people is praiseworthy. You did the right thing. Not at all, Your Majesty. It was merely what any schr should do. You seem to have learned from a good teacher. So, under whose tutge did you study? I studied under Master Taejae, Your Majesty. At Han Myeong-hoes answer, King Sejongs eyes sparkled. Taejae? Is he well? I asionally sent letters inquiring after his well-being, and he seemed to be doing well. Is that so? King Sejongs eyes sparkled. *** Taejae Ryu Bang-seon had lived a tumultuous life. After passing the civil service examination and studying at Sungkyunkwan, he was implicated in Min Mu-gus case due to his fathers involvement and was exiled. Released from exile in 1415, he taught students in Wonju, but was exiled again to Yeongcheon due to false usations. He was only released in the 9th year of King Sejongs reign. He was highly regarded for not neglecting his studies and conduct even during exile, and was rmended for an official position immediately upon his release. However, having experienced the filth of politics firsthand before even properly taking office, Ryu Bang-seon declined the position, citing illness. But now, through Han Myeong-hoes words, it was confirmed that he was perfectly fine. *** Hmm That aside, I have a question for you. Listen to the situations I present and share your thoughts. Yes, Your Majesty. From then on, King Sejong presented various scenarios and asked for Han Myeong-hoes opinions. If there was even a slight gap in his answers, King Sejong ruthlessly probed that point. It wasnt just King Sejong. The ministers also took turns questioning Han Myeong-hoe and pressing him for answers. After this intense round of pressure interviews, Han Myeong-hoe waspletely exhausted. Looking at Han Myeong-hoes half-dazed face, King Sejong smiled and made his conclusion. Taejae has taught him well. Hmm His ability to grasp the context of situations and his quick-wittedness are quite good. For now, let him work in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Your grace is boundless, Your Majesty! At King Sejongs decision, Lee Maeng-gyun smiled broadly and bowed his head. As other ministers were about to speak up, King Sejong spoke first. For now, I said. For now At King Sejongs additional exnation, the ministers closed their mouths. Seeing this, King Sejong muttered to himself without realizing it. This insatiable appetite for talent At King Sejongs words, the ministers quietly raised their heads to look at him. Though they didnt speak, they were all inwardly shouting the same thing: Look whos talking! Whos the one with the real appetite here! Whether aware of the ministers feelings or not, King Sejong proceeded with business. You will start learning practical skills at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from today. We will evaluate your abilities after one month and grant you an appropriate rank, so do your best. Hurriedlying to his senses at King Sejongs words, Han Myeong-hoe prostrated himself and eximed, I will do my utmost best, Your Majesty! I look forward to it. You may go. At King Sejongs words, Han Myeong-hoe bowed again and began to back away. As he was retreating, King Sejong called out to him. Wait. I forgot something. At King Sejongs words, Han Myeong-hoe came forward again. Do you have any friends who studied with you under Taejae? Han Myeong-hoe immediately answered King Sejongs question. Yes, there are a few, Your Majesty. Oh? Who are they? Theres Gwon Ram, the grandson of Master Yangchon (Gwon Geun), and though still young, a friend named Seo Geo-jeong who has exceptional literary talent. Is that so? Submit their personal information in writing. Minister of Foreign Affairs. Yes, Your Majesty! I will make sure to receive and submit it! Very well. You may go now. Eh? Yes, Your Majesty. Later, when Hyang heard the story through the eunuchs, he smacked his lips. Its not some multi-level marketing scheme Anyway, splitting them up like this should put my mind at ease. *** Thus, the Han Myeong-hoe multilevel recruitment that unfolded disrupted the lives of several people. First, officials carrying documents with King Sejongs royalmand rushed to Yeongcheon. The officials who found Ryu Bang-seons house shouted loudly. Royalmand! Next were Gwon Ram and Seo Geo-jeong. This child called Seo Geo-jeong might be a problem. Whats the problem? Hes only twelve years old. He hasnt even had hising-of-age ceremony yet. At Heo Jos words, the ministers faces became troubled. However, Kim Jeom resolved their dilemma in one stroke. Whats the problem? We already have a child named Kim Dam in the research institute. Hes younger than Kim Dam, so its not an issue. Lets use Kim Dam as a precedent and move past this point. Cant we just bring him in and raise him like they do at the research institute? Isnt it better that hes not fully mature yet? At Kim Jeoms words, the ministers unconsciously nodded their heads. *** Despite abolishing the ban on government service for children of concubines and people from the northwestern provinces, and automatically cing those who passed the lower civil service exam into local and central administrative organizations, there was still a shortage of talent. The reasons for the talent shortage in Joseons government wereplex. First, it urred during the process of changing the low-level officials in central and local administrative organizations from unpaid volunteer positions to paid full-time positions. One cause was the vacancy created by weeding out ipetent or corrupt individuals after investigating their past work. Secondly, although the door to the lower civil service exam had been widened, passing through it was not easy. Despite the expansion, the pass rate did not exceed 25% of applicants. Third, with the flourishing ofmerce and industry, more nobles andmoners began to dedicate their lives to these fields rather than seeking official positions. Lastly, even among those who entered through the lower civil service exam, not all were talented. There were many with academic knowledge but little practical ability. As a result, senior officials in local and central governments had to go through great trouble to identify the truly capable individuals. This was also why the ministers agreed to establish the Samin Hakdang and Junghak Dang. However, since these institutions had not yet produced results, Joseon was still facing a talent shortage. *** In any case, caught up in this multi-level recruitment, Gwon Ram and Seo Geo-jeong were brought to the court and received practical training. After performing well in the evaluation following their training, they were immediately dragged to the Ministry of General Affairs and the Ministry of Education to take on practical duties. The officials who were initially pleased to have bright talents join them soon had to put on long faces. Why is the workload increasing! As work progressed faster, all the tasks that had been put off came flooding back. And one day, as they were living under the flood of work that had poured in, Gwon Ram turned at the sound of someone calling him. Who is it? Isnt it Sohan-dang? Turning around, Gwon Ram brightened at the sight of the voices owner. Who do we have here, isnt it Jajun! Seeing Han Myeong-hoe, Gwon Rams face lit up and he started running towards him. The two hadnt met even once since being suddenly recruited into the government. This was due to the practical training followed by evaluations, and then the tremendous amount of overtime work that followed. Of course, they could have met on holidays, but when holidays came, they were in a situation where they did their best to rest. Seeing Gwon Ram running towards him with a bright face, Han Myeong-hoe smiled and opened his arms wide. Gwon Ram, who had sprinted at full speed to reach Han Myeong-hoe, immediately executed a flying side kick. Crash! Ouch! As Han Myeong-hoe, suddenly kicked in the chest, fell to the ground, Gwon Ram sat on top of him and shouted, Good to see you, you damn bastard! *** While the daily life of the court was passing uneventfully like this, Hyang received a summons from King Sejong. Late at night, Hyang entered Gangyeongjeon and was guided by a eunuch into King Sejongs room. You called for me, Father? Yes. Sit down over there. Yes, Father. As Hyang sat down, King Sejong got to the point. Crown Prince, I will give you a choice. Chapter 362 Chapter 362 At the words I will give you a choice, Hyangs mind raced furiously. A choice? Of what? Quickly reviewing the various events that had transpired, unexpected incidents that had urred, and conversations he had shared with King Sejong, Hyang immediately realized. Its you! Hunminjeongeum! This son chooses to create the writing system, Father. Huh? King Sejong, who was about to continue speaking with a very serious expression, momentarily gaped at Hyangs immediate response. After a moment, King Sejong regained hisposure and asked Hyang. How did you know I was going to talk about creating a writing system?There havent been many important matters recently, and the few significant issues all require a long time. Additionally, I made a promise to you before, Father, so I thought there could only be one answer. At Hyangs reply, King Sejong turned his head and muttered softly. Hes sickeningly clever, as always. Pardon? Nothing, nothing at all. Hmm Well, since youve guessed this much, Ill be frank. Wouldnt it be better to serve as regent instead? Absolutely not! At King Sejongs words, Hyang expressed his refusal with his whole body. Seeing Hyangs reaction, King Sejong began to worry instead. Do you dislike it that much? Youll have to take over when I die anyway, wont you? Father, you are still in your prime. How could I serve as regent? People will surely misinterpret it. King Sejong nodded at Hyangs words. Thats true, but Wouldnt being regent be easier than creating a writing system? This son has always enjoyed pondering since childhood. Also, Ive keenly felt the need for our own writing system for Joseon since I was young. At Hyangs lengthy answer, King Sejong briefly pointed out the core issue. So, you dont want to be regent, but youll only create the writing system? Yes! This consistently stubborn fellow Tsk! Clicking his tongue, King Sejong rose from his seat. Wait here for a moment. Eh? Yes. As King Sejong swiftly disappeared, Hyang, left alone in the room, let out a long sigh. Phew~. That was close. *** Having experienced depression in the 21st century, Hyang found government affairs burdensome. Announcing political views or various policies is one thing since it ends with the announcement, but practical work is really not for me! Although Hyang was making excuses to himself, there was a fact he was overlooking. The amount of administrative work that needed to be processed in Area 51 and the research institute was not insignificant. Of course, Jeong-cho, Jeong Inji, and Lee Chun shared much of the workload, but Hyang was still handling more than half of it. In the end, it was a matter of aptitude rted to his interests. *** A momentter, King Sejong returned carrying tworge bundles in his hands. Hup! With a small grunt, King Sejong ced the two bundles on the desk and sat down. Hyang asked, Whats in these bundles, Father? Open them and see. Yes As Hyang opened the bundles at King Sejongsmand, his eyes widened. Inside were an enormous number of books, easily exceeding 40 volumes. This is Hyang opened the book on top and looked at King Sejong with surprised eyes. Have you already finished creating the writing system? To some extent, yes. Then is there nothing left for me to do? You have much to do. First King Sejong tapped the books with his hand as he continued speaking. Ive created the letters and written down their principles, but there might be errors in my thinking. Also, theres a high possibility of conflicts between the exnations at the beginning and end. So you need to cross-verify those parts. Yes. As King Sejongs exnation continued, Hyangs face gradually turned pale. And when that organization isplete, you must also arrange the examples rted to pronunciation. And when thats done, you need to create vernacr exnations based on those examples. Do you know why? Its to understand more quickly byparing the example book and the vernacr exnation book. At Hyangs answer, King Sejong nodded with a smile. Hahaha! Correct! As expected of the Crown Prince! Im worried whether I can do it properly. At Hyangs words, King Sejong pulled out a few sheets of paper from his sleeve and handed them to Hyang. This is Oh! Hyang, who had thoughtlessly taken the papers, checked them and looked at King Sejong with surprised eyes. The papers King Sejong handed over were the ones on which Hyang had written Hangul. They were clearly some of the papers he had scribbled on, crossed out lines, and even inked over. As Hyang stared open-mouthed at the papers still bearing stains here and there, King Sejong spoke. Was it concrete? Ever since I heard from the court historian that you had scribbled something and erased it, I had some suspicions. So I investigated just in case, and it confirmed my thoughts. You must already have some ideas, so the work shouldnt be too difficult. In the end, Hyang had to wave the white g. I will do my best, Father. Id like to see results as soon as possible. At King Sejongs request, Hyang made onest attempt at resistance. May I bring in Anpyeong and Jinpyeong to help? Those children have their own tasks. Once youve properlypleted this, well test how easy it is to learn through those children and others. And if we get satisfactory results from that, Anpyeong will organize vernacr songs, and Jinpyeong Suddenly stopping mid-sentence, King Sejong let out a long sigh. Ah~. Jinpyeong is a problem. That boy is obsessed only with the iron horse At King Sejongsint, an idea shed in Hyangs mind. Then how about having him write the research records rted to that iron horse using this writing system? If this writing system is properlypleted, all the records from the research institute and Area 51 should be rewritten as well. This would be a test to see if the writing system can fulfill its role in such cases too. Thats not a bad idea. *** Having thus taken on the assignment from King Sejong, Hyang left Gangyeongjeon carrying the bundles in both hands. Your Highness, let me carry those. Its fine. By the way Hyang red at the eunuchs following him. Was it you all? At Hyangs question loaded with meaning, the eunuchs bowed their heads. Please forgive us. Seeing this, Hyang let out a long sigh and muttered. Huu! What fault is there in you? It must have all been by royalmand I need to make a shredder first thing Grumbling like this as he walked, Hyang suddenly stopped. Wait Hyangs expression, as he stood still looking at the bundles, was more serious than ever before. What I wrote on those papers were all just random words, werent they? And I scribbled them haphazardly Could this end up different from the Hangul I know? The Hangul Hyang had scribbled on the papers were written randomly, following the flow of consciousness. They werent written in neat rows and columns, but scrawled wherever there was empty space as thoughts came to mind. Of course, there were some characters transcribed from Chinese while writing reports and petitions, but mixed with those random scribbles, it would surely only add to the confusion. If Im not careful, this could I made a mistake not checking properly earlier! Hyang began to break out in a cold sweat. For a simple example, he might have written ? but pronounced it as ? or ?. If Hyangs worries turned out to be true, it meant he would have to either revise everything or learn it all anew himself. No, it would be better to learn it anew than to revise everything. Phew~. Having made his decision, Hyang sighed and continued walking. Why are these bundles so heavy! Your Highness, let us Its fine! Hyangs voice was sharp with irritation that rose unconsciously, and the eunuchs had to remain on edge. *** Upon returning to the Crown Princes pce, Hyang immediately opened the bundles and began checking the contents. It was urgent to confirm whether it was the worst-case scenario or not. After checking about half of the books in the bundles, Hyang let out a sigh of relief. Phew~. Fortunately, nothings off Having confirmed that the principles, consonant and vowel forms, and pronunciations were not different from what he had learned in the 21st century, Hyang soon became curious about something else. But why is there so much content? The half he had already checked contained most of the rted information he knew. As he looked through the contents of the remaining books out of curiosity, Hyangs expression turned bewildered. My goodness Youve even created pronunciation notations for Chinese, Latin, Greek, and Arabic? That means if this part hadnt been done, the results could havee out faster? After examining several times the sections that organized not only the books that had entered Joseon but also thenguages used by foreigners, Hyang muttered with a dejected face. Its not The sounds of our countrysnguage differ from Chinese, but The sounds of our countrysnguage differ from the four seas (the world) You want me to organize all this and create example and vernacr exnation books? Faced with an unexpectedly enormous difficulty and volume, Hyang wore a dejected expression but soon shook his head with a wry smile. Really I may be a cheat key, but that man is beyond standards *** The time when he had acted as a purchasing agent was when the research institute and Area 51 were being established. It had been nearly 10 years. Even though King Sejong had spent nearly 10 years, self-studying Chinese and Western phonology books to create an independent writing system was a miracle that made the impossible possible. Of course, there were the papers he had scribbled on. But even if the papers he had scribbled Hangul on were helpful, it was certain they couldnt have been of great help. This was because reverse engineering is impossible to even attempt without a simr level of technology or knowledge in the person attempting it. Rather, without exceptional analytical and judgment skills, Hyangs papers would surely have be a trap. Therefore, Hyang couldnt help but recall his habitual evaluation of beyond standards once again. *** Anyway, since Ive taken it on, I have to do it Tsk! Smacking his lips, Hyang reopened the books and began reading through them again. As he read through the books again, Hyang chuckled when he reached the part exining how to give examples rted to pronunciation. Heh! The part that made Hyangugh was as follows: For exining the pronunciation of ?, it used ?() [gun, meaning monarch], and for exining ?, it used ?(A) [gyu, meaning baby dragon]. If all the relevant parts were connected in this way, it would be ????(AI) [gun-gyu-kwae-eop, meaning The king and the baby dragon worked joyfully.] Since baby dragon usually referred to the Crown Prince, it could be paraphrased as follows: -The king and the Crown Prince worked joyfully. (Note 1) In other words, King Sejong was telling Hyang this: Ive gilded it for you, so work hard! Yes~. Yes~. Ill work hard. Continually chuckling and muttering to himself, Hyang spread out nk papers and began his work. *** A monthter, Hyang visited Gangyeongjeon carrying tworge bundles. Please review these. King Sejong, who had been silently looking at the bundles Hyang handed over, turned to Hyang. Well, the volume seems to have increased? Ah, as I was organizing, I found some conflicting parts in the usage examples section, so I separately organized those parts and added suggestions for resolution. Also, I organized words that are good forposition but are rarely pronounced in reality. Please judge whether to remove or keep them after reviewing. As he listened to Hyangs exnation, King Sejong opened the bundles and picked up a book to examine its contents. After examining the dense red annotations C impertinently written in the script King Sejong had created C in both the original manuscript written by King Sejong and the newly transcribed copy, King Sejong red at Hyang. Is this deliberate? Its definitely deliberate, right? As you said, Father, I worked joyfully, so the volume increased a bit. At Hyangs answer, King Sejong sighed. I understand. Ill check and let you know the results. Yes, Father. *** Note 1) https://namu.wiki/w/???? Chapter 363 Chapter 363 With each exchange between King Sejong and Hyang, the bundles grewrger andrger. This wasnt just because of the petty vengeance mixed into the work process. The main reason for this gradual increase in volume was the problem of mindset andmunication. *** As Hyang became fully involved in the creation of Hangul, he introduced arge portion of 21st-century grammar and notation systems. The use of the term rge portion here was due to the unavoidable issues caused by the time gap between the 21st century and the mid-15th century. In other words, it was a problem of mindset. Another obstacle, themunication problem, was an unavoidable issue that arose from conducting everything through written correspondence rather than real-time conversation. Even when looking at the same sentence, their understanding couldnt be exactly the same, leading to continuous conflicts. As rted points, rebuttals, and counter-rebuttals continued, the volume gradually increased.*** This wont do! At this rate, well need to move it by cart! In the end, Hyang had no choice but to appeal this issue directly to King Sejong. Putting down the bundle that had grown asrge as his own body, Hyang immediately got to the point with King Sejong. Father, at this rate, we absolutely cannot produce proper results quickly. King Sejong nodded at Hyangs words. Thats true. By now, we should have finished organizing and started creating the example book The work keeps getting dyed because theres amunication problem between you and me, Father. To be more specific, its because misunderstandings arise as we exchange written messages like this. Misunderstandings As King Sejong stroked his beard and pondered Hyangs words, he nodded. Thats probably the most urate description. Well, even with the writings of ancient sages, people oftene up with different interpretations Recalling incidents from the royal lectures that he hardly held anymore, King Sejong nodded and turned to Hyang. Your words are correct. But theres a problem. Creating a writing system unique to our Joseon will be more than groundbreaking; it will be close to revolutionary. Even the ministers who are currently obedient might be likely to rise up. Therefore, we need to keep it secret until its fullypleted. But wont meeting every night at Gangyeongjeon or the Crown Princes pce draw the ministers attention? While eunuchs and courtdies were not supposed to disclose what happened inside the pce to outsiders, there were always those with slightly loose lips everywhere. So far, they had entrusted the work to carefully selected individuals, but they couldnt guarantee how long the secret would be kept. As King Sejongs point was valid, Hyang racked his brain to think of a suitable method. After a moment of consideration, Hyang soon recalled a useful entity. Father, how about using the secret guards? The secret guards? Yes, order the secret guards to find a suitable secret location. Hmm At Hyangs suggestion, King Sejong stroked his beard and calcted the pros and cons. After weighing various possibilities, King Sejong soon made his decision. That seems good. I should tell them to find a suitable house within 2 gak (about 30 minutes) of Gyeongbok Pce. Yes, if you and I can work without misunderstandings for even 2 shijin, no, 1 shijin (2 hours), the work will be much easier. Working outside might draw attention, but in exchange, we can greatly increase the speed and shorten the time. I understand. Ill summon the captain of the Royal Guards tomorrow and have him proceed with this. *** The captain of the Royal Guards, having received King Sejongs order, immediately ryed themand to the secret guards. His Majestymanded that a tiled house might draw attention, so find a suitable thatched house. At the captains words, the directors of the secret guards stared at him nkly. Why are you looking at me like that? Do you think theres a thatched house suitable for His Majesty within 2 gak of Gyeongbok Pce? Ah Tsk! The captain of the Royal Guards smacked his lips and amended his order. Just find a suitable house. One where the inside isnt easily visible from the outside, and easy to guard. Also, a ce where we can return to Gyeongbok Pce as quickly as possible in case of emergency. Yes, understood. But why are we suddenly looking for a house? Could it be? At the second directors question with a strange look in his eyes, the captains face turned fierce. Its not what youre thinking. Dont make such baseless assumptions. If you do The captains eyes were full of killing intent as he trailed off, ring. Seeing this, the second director immediately bowed his head. I wont even think about it! The secret guards lived up to their name. Within three days, they found a suitable house and acquired it through appropriate negotiations. After cleaning the interior and furnishing it with the necessary furniture for work, the secret guards immediately reported to King Sejong. From the night after receiving the report, Hyang and King Sejong put their heads together in that house to exchange opinions about the writing system. The writing system born through this process ended up quite different from the Hunminjeongeum in the history Hyang had learned in the 21st century. The first noticeable thing was that the writing system was divided into two parts. Hyangpletely separated the letters used to write thenguagemonly used by Joseons people and those created to represent foreignnguage pronunciations C ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, etc. (Note 1) C and exined the reason to King Sejong. These modified letters are for recording foreign sounds, so ordinary people dont need to know them. Therefore, it would be better to separate this part and have only interpreters or those learning foreignnguages study them. Wouldnt it be good for all people to be able to speak one or two foreignnguages? At King Sejongs point, Hyang shook his head. If that were easy, you wouldnt have needed to create letters to rece Chinese characters, Father. Does he want to turn Joseon into the Nethends? The Nethends and nearby Northern European countries used English as fluently as their nativenguages. However, this was possible because theirnguages were all like branches spreading from the great root of the Roman Empire. Hyangs argument continued. Why did you create a new writing system, Father? Wasnt it to make it easy for the people to learn and use? Is there any need to make them put in unnecessary effort? And Pausing briefly to wet his throat, Hyang continued. When our Joseon bes strong, it wont be us learning foreignnguages, but foreigners learning our Joseonnguage and writing. King Sejong immediately responded to Hyangs words. How wonderful would that be? No, we should make it so. You will make our Joseon like that, Father. At Hyangs words, King Sejong replied with a somewhat embarrassed expression. Youre gilding your fathers face. *** As Hyang and King Sejong directly put their heads together and exchanged opinions in real-time, the work progressed at an incredible speed. The work that had been dragging on for nearly three months since Hyang first took on the task was nearing its final stages after about two weeks. Despite spending only an average of 1.5 shijin (about 3 hours) on the work each day, the speed was dazzling. Thest hurdles of the rapidly progressing work were three things. The issue of spacing between words, the choice between vertical or horizontal writing, and the naming of this new writing system. Spacing between words It looks good, but havent we been writing well without spacing until now? To King Sejongs point, Hyang immediately replied. The same was said when punctuation marks were first introduced, but how is it now? Arent we using them so well that it would feel strange without them? *** From the time he first began to stand out, Hyang strongly advocated for the introduction of punctuation marks. In fact, he didnt just advocate for them, but actively used them. Although he was young, with the Crown Prince actively pushing and King Sejongs support continuing, punctuation marks soon became established. And these established punctuation marks quickly proved their usefulness, bing a part of not only official documents but also letters and private documents among the people. The ones who suffered the most in this process were those dragged into the Records Office. They had to use punctuation marks in the process of organizing, categorizing, and rewriting past records. This meant that they couldnt simply transcribe old records, but had to examine each sentence and word carefully. *** Thats true, but wont people say its a waste of paper? At King Sejongs point, Hyang replied with an incredulous expression. With cheap paper already overflowing, who would say such nonsense? Hyang had transferred the technology for mass-producing yellow paper using pulp to the private sector. Of course, it wasnt free. He collected a tidy sum in technology usage fees and sales of papermaking machinery. This pulp papermaking technology released to the private sector led to mass distribution of paper and prization. Traditional Korean paper (Hanji) was sold as a luxury item, while yellow paper and bleached white paper made from yellow paper became established as low-cost products. With their decent quality and low prices as weapons, yellow and white papers soon began to gradually dominate the paper markets in Ming and Japan. In the end, after several rounds of debate, King Sejong epted word spacing. The benefits outweigh the drawbacks, and its especially useful for understanding sentences, so it would be good to use it. *** After adopting word spacing, King Sejong and Hyang engaged in another heated debate over the issue of horizontal versus vertical writing. If we use metal pens, left-to-right horizontal writing wouldnt be much of a problem. But this is only for metal pens. When writing with a brush, left-to-right horizontal writing is very inconvenient. For the simplest example, when dipping the brush in ink from the inkstone and moving to the paper, what if the ink drips? Also, weve been using right-to-left vertical writing all this time, so changing to left-to-right horizontal writing will face strong resistance. Hyang nodded at King Sejongs point. Youre right. However, using left-to-right horizontal writing will make many things easier. For the simplest example, if you look at the reports created in the court, they contain many tables, forms, and graphs. If we use left-to-right horizontal writing, it will be much more useful when using these. Of course, as you said, Father, if we force the government and people to use left-to-right horizontal writing right now, there will be strong resistance. We can start by having the government use left-to-right horizontal writing for documents created from now on. There will still be considerable resistance. Do you have any good strategies or tools to persuade them? At King Sejongs question, Hyangs expression momentarily became enigmatic. Why that expression? At King Sejongs question, Hyang quicklyposed his expression and answered. Ah, its nothing. I just happened to think of a tool. King Sejongs eyes sparkled at Hyangs words. Oh? What is it? Its called a typewriter. After hearing Hyangs exnation, King Sejong was very pleased. If its made properly, it will be very useful! Especially for those with poor handwriting! King Sejong really liked the idea of the typewriter. He often had headaches when reports or petitions written in poor handwriting were submitted. *** Thanks to the hidden card of the typewriter, left-to-right horizontal writing was easily approved. Thest remaining issue was what to name this newly born writing system. Do you have a name in mind, Father? At first, I thought of Ija () meaning easy characters, but I put it aside because it might be seen as the Yi () of change and cause unsavory rumors. So now I want to call it Jeongeum (), meaning correct sounds. Because the people can correctly record their speech. As Hyang nodded at King Sejongs words, he opened his mouth. How about adding Hunmin (Ӗ) to that? Because the people can correctly understand your intentions, Father. Hunmin Hunminjeongeum After repeating it a few times, King Sejong soon nodded. Thats good. *** Note 1) https://namu.wiki/w/????s dental and ptal sounds Chapter 364 Chapter 364 With the naming of the writing system, the coborative work of the father and son waspleted. The project, which started with over 40 volumes and grew to 70, ended with five slightly thick books. Of these five, three were for professionals dealing with foreignnguage pronunciation and recording C interpreters and trantors for merchant groups. The remaining two were for the general public, with just over half a volume dedicated to the rules of the letters C spelling and pronunciation. The rest recorded examples of how to use them. King Sejong looked at the pile of books on one side and the five volumes before him, then turned to Hyang. Somehow weve ended uppleting the example book too, havent we? It seems thats how it turned out. Seeing Hyangs smirking response, King Sejong asked briefly. You nned this, didnt you? How could I, Father? You did n it.More convinced by Hyangs serious expression, King Sejong continued. I look forward to the vernacr trantion. About five days should do, right? Yes. Having set a deadline, King Sejong looked again at the books on the desk. I wonder if it will really be used well. To King Sejongs somewhat pessimistic words, Hyang immediately replied. It will be used well. Its a writing system created for Joseonsnguage, after all. Thats exactly where there will be opposition. There will be those who object to using the same letters as themoners. Saying its low ss and such. Wouldnt it be better if more of theme out? Huh? When King Sejong expressed doubt at this unexpected statement, Hyang continued with a smile. Well need many people to reorganize the records in the Records Office. Thats true. Father, you created Hunminjeongeum not only out of love for the people but also to break free from Mings shadow, didnt you? King Sejong paused briefly at Hyangs point, then smiled slightly as he responded. Your perceptiveness Yes, thats right. The shadow of the Central ins isrge and dense, but if we cant break free from it, Joseon cant grow. And these days, Im as eager for the yellow dragon robe as you are. So we need to stuff those who oppose it into the Records Office and make them work. We need to forcibly drill Hunminjeongeum into their bones to break their outdated thinking. Their skills are softer than an axe de anyway. We should improve their constitution this way and make use of them. As Hyang mentioned the recent petition with axes incident, King Sejong nodded. Thats true. Although their skills are dull, we could use them in the Records Office. Indeed. King Sejong and Hyang continued their conversation with smiles. However, the smiles on their faces looked more wicked than anyone elses. Though they seemed confident of sess, King Sejongs feelings were half worry and half expectation. I hope this writing system survives well. It will survive. History proves it! Hyang asserted with a face full of conviction, then added his wish. If I have one wish, its that these words would be used for a long time without changing. When peoples lives be difficult,nguage is the first thing to be harsh. *** When Hyang lived as Jinho in the 21st century, his Koreannguage teacher had exined this aspect while teaching about the evolution of Hangul. As these old Hangul consonants and vowels disappeared, ournguage gradually became stronger and harder. So why did they disappear? The most usible theory is that it was because peoples lives became harder. The period when old Hangul started to disappear was thetter half of Joseon, after experiencing two wars and suffering from famines. When survival itself became an issue, peoples temperaments sharpened, and as their temperaments sharpened, theirnguage became sharper too. The students nodded at the teachers exnation. Simr content was recorded in their reference books. The teacher, who had paused briefly, continued. And we actually experienced such a change. When? The most recent period would be that damned IMF era. Until then, only rockers would say ssarang instead of sarang (love), but after the IMF crisis ended, even bad singers started singing ssarang. Another example is the second-person pronoun ne. Subtitles clearly wrote nega, but people started saying niga, and before we knew it, even subtitles started writing niga. *** Hyang, briefly recalling the 21st century memory, repeated again. I only hope that thenguage of our Joseon will not be harsh for a long time toe. Thats certainly true. Nodding strongly in agreement with Hyangs words, King Sejong soon rose from his seat. Well! Now that weve finished, lets get up. Yes. Rising from his seat and slightly stretching his stiff back, King Sejong turned to Hyang. Five days. Dont forget. Yes. *** A weekter, King Sejong made a shocking revtion in a gathering of ministers. Today, I have something to tell you ministers. At King Sejongs words, the ministers wore expressions that suggested the moment they had been waiting for had finally arrived. They had known for months that King Sejong and Hyang had been busying and going, secretly nning something. What on earth are they up to? Officials whose curiosity had built up over the months of secret activities had approached eunuchs they had befriended to casually ask questions. However, the eunuchs who were questioned all consistently feigned ignorance. This reaction from the eunuchs only piqued the ministers curiosity further. What on earth are they nning to do Although all sorts of spections were rampant, no one had the courage to ask King Sejong directly. Maybe Minister Hwang Hui could have done it. And today, King Sejong was revealing that secret himself. *** With not only the ministers but also the court historians and scribes focused on King Sejong, he slowly continued speaking. For the past few years, I have been researching something alone. And today, I want to show you the results. Gulp! At King Sejongs words, the ministers swallowed dryly and stared at his mouth. Summon the Crown Prince. Yes, Your Majesty. Shortly after, Hyang entered Geunjeongjeon with eunuchs. After paying respects to King Sejong, Hyang stood at the podium while the following eunuchs hungrge charts on the hanging frames. As Hyangs preparations finished, King Sejong spoke again. What I want to show you today is a writing system unique to our Joseon. At King Sejongs words, the ministers eyes widened as much as they could. Crown Prince, exin. Yes, Father. Responding to King Sejongsmand, Hyang began speaking while turning over the cover of the chart with a pointer. I will now exin Hunminjeongeum (Ӗ). *** Having somewhat recovered from their initial shock, the ministers soon focused on Hyangs exnation. Hyang exined to the ministers the pronunciation of consonants and vowels, how theybine, and even simple examples. That concludes the exnation. As Hyangs exnation ended, King Sejong asked the ministers. What do you think? Though King Sejong asked, no ministers answered immediately. Eventually, Lee Jik stepped forward and addressed King Sejong. It seems we need to think about it a bit more, Your Majesty. But surely you must have a first impression? At King Sejongs question, Maeng Sa-seong stepped forward. At first nce, it seems easy to write and read, but its difficult to give a definitive answer before actually using it. King Sejong immediately responded to Maeng Sa-seongs answer. Thats why Jinpyeong and Anpyeong started working on it yesterday. We should be able to see some results soon. For your reference, it took Jinpyeong and Anpyeong only about 1 shijin (about 2 hours) to learn this Hunminjeongeum. The ministers considered the meaning of the 1 shijin King Sejong mentioned. Is he bragging about his children? No Hes saying its that easy. Is he emphasizing that its easy to understand and use? *** While the ministers were struggling to find the hidden meaning in the words, the Chief Royal Secretary informed King Sejong that Anpyeong had arrived. Let him in. Yes, Your Majesty. Shortly after, Anpyeong entered Geunjeongjeon and paid his respects to King Sejong. Well, what is it? Following yourmand from yesterday, Father, I have recorded five vernacr songs and brought them. Let me see. Receiving the papers through the Chief Royal Secretary, King Sejong carefully examined the contents. At the top of the papers were lyrics in Chinese characters, and at the bottom were lyrics written in Hunminjeongeum. Hmm Afterparing the lyrics written on the paper, King Sejong put down the papers and asked Anpyeong. So, how was it? Hunminjeongeum was overwhelmingly useful for writing lyrics. Since I could write as it sounds, it greatly reduced the effort of finding the right Chinese characters for those words. Also, because I wrote the sounds directly, there was less risk of misrecording. Is that so? I see. Ministers, please read it as well. Yes, Your Majesty. The ministers read the lyrics Anpyeong had brought. Having just seen Hunminjeongeum, the unfamiliar ministers looked back and forth between the charts hanging on the frames and the papers to understand the sentences. G Ga Gat Gasi Gasiri However, as they were unmatched in literary talent, they soon became ustomed and began to read the sentences. Gasiri gasiri itgo Nima nima After confirming that the ministers had finished reading, King Sejong asked again. What do the ministers think? To King Sejongs question, Lee Jik was the first to speak. Honestly, we could understand the meaning just from the sounds we read. It seemed somewhat useful, but it seems right to decide after testing it more in practice. At Lee Jiks answer, King Sejongs expression became unfavorable. Seeing that expression, Lee Jiks heart sank, but he couldnt agree right away. I might end up like Minister Ryu Jeong-hyeon, but were talking about a writing system! A writing system! We need to examine it more carefully! Lee Jik continued speaking while repeatedly bowing his head. Is writing lyrics the only use for a writing system? I think its right to verify it in more applications and then decide. If the results of Jinpyeongs Hunminjeongeum report are good, will you concede? At King Sejongs question, Lee Jik became very tense. This is the final warning! Feeling his life was in danger, Lee Jik calcted as quickly as possible. Prince Jinpyeong is in charge of official documents! If there are no particr problems with official documents After calcting, Lee Jik made his decision. If so, this subject will concede, Your Majesty. Then, lets talk again at that time. Lets end todays court session here. Im tired and need to rest. *** As King Sejong dered the end of the session, the ministers who left Geunjeongjeon all flocked to the Prime Ministers Office (formerly the State Council). Gathered in the meeting room of the Prime Ministers Office, the ministers began to debate about Hunminjeongeum. His Majesty seems determined, so shouldnt we follow? Thats true, but a writing system unique to Joseon out of nowhere Still, it seems quite useful, what do you all think? Amidst variousments being exchanged, Kim Jeom showed a very positive reaction. I think it looks very useful. Its not easy to transcribe our thoughts using someone elses writing, is it? It seems like we might even be able to find hidden talents if we use it well. At Kim Jeoms words, Maeng Sa-seong let out a long sigh. Huu~. Why wouldnt I know that? The problem is that theres an even bigger issue. What issue? A historical issue. At Maeng Sa-seongs words, Kim Jeom thought for a moment, then nodded and looked at Lee Maeng-gyun. Youre going to be busy, Minister. At Kim Jeoms words, most of the ministers except Lee Maeng-gyun nodded, and Lee Maeng-gyun grumbled with a very annoyed face. Ah! History is really! It might be spection to say so, but among the countries surrounding the Central ins, there werent many countries with their own writing systems that had good rtions with the Central ins countries. The Khitan Empire (Khitan script) was like that, the Jin Dynasty (Jurchen script) was like that, and the Yuan Dynasty (Mongolian script) was like that too. If Joseon were to create and use its own writing system, there was a very high possibility that Ming would react nervously. Chapter 365 Chapter 365 Seeing Lee Maeng-gyuns reaction, Heo Jo interjected. Isnt it unavoidable? Using an independent writing system? In other words, it means the mind bes independent. To put it another way, isnt it breaking the shackles of the mind? When that happens, one can look at the rtionship between oneself and others more objectively. Following Heo Jos words, Maeng Sa-seong continued. When you look at it objectively, you can reverse the rtionship at any time. So about that Pausing briefly, Maeng Sa-seong looked at Jo Mal-saeng. Minister, how is our Joseons military power at present?55 Military power Doesnt the answer depend on what the goal is? At Jo Mal-saengs counter-question, Maeng Sa-seong thought for a moment and said, In the case of marching towards Beijing, or in the case of defending against an invasion from Beijing.At Maeng Sa-seongs words, the faces of the surrounding ministers became serious. Maeng Sa-seong was now asking if it was possible to attack Ming, the suzerain state. The ministers swallowed dryly as they waited for Jo Mal-saengs answer. After organizing his thoughts for a moment, Jo Mal-saeng gave his answer. In both cases, whoever initiates the offensive is destined to fail. Why? There are several reasons, but if I were to give the most important one, its supply. As Jo Mal-saeng mentioned supply, the ministers nodded slightly. Seeing this, Jo Mal-saeng added more. Whether we go to Beijing or theye to our Joseon, the problem is that we have to pass through Liaodong. The supply line will naturally be lengthened, and cutting off that supply line would be the best tactic. Theres no one in our Joseon or in Ming who doesnt know this. Naturally, forces will be dispersed, and the power participating in the attack will be further reduced. What if we requisition locally? At Maeng Sa-seongs point, Jo Mal-saeng shook his head. If we show signs of local requisition, they will immediately use scorched earth tactics. At Jo Mal-saengs answer, Kim Jeom interjected. What if we only bring food and use Mings gunpowder? The gunpowder used by Ming troops not only has lower potency, but it also severely corrodes muskets and cannons. Of course, the gunpowder used by our Joseon troops also corrodes firearms and cannons, but Mings is worse. How do you know that? If you pay money, Ming merchants will find out everything for you. Thanks to that, we were able to experiment sufficiently in Area 51. Jo Mal-saeng, who had been kindly exining to the ministers questions, suddenly asked with a fierce expression. By the way We were discussing the Hunminjeongeum issue, so why did we diverge to this topic? And why are you all acting like people desperate to fight Ming? At Jo Mal-saengs question, Lee Jik exined the reason. Its because of what Minister Heo said earlier. Even if we say its justnguage, if we be independent even in writing, its certain that our rtionship with Ming will change from before. At Lee Jiks words, Jo Mal-saeng sighed. Huu~. Lets talk about that when the timees. Were continuously expanding our military power anyway, and were still maintaining friendly rtions with Ming. The young ones in the army and navy are already causing headaches with their excitement, so theres no need for the ministers to fan the mes, is there? Huh? Are the young officers up to something? At Jo Mal-saengs words, the ministers faces became serious. They were worried that some might be dreaming of a military regime like Goryeos. To the ministers questions, Jo Mal-saeng sighed again and continued. Huu~. The Land Defense Army is pestering me to remove the defense from their name. Theyre saying if the navy is just called the navy, why should they be called the Land Defense Army. If thats the case, they argue, the navy should also be renamed to the Maritime Defense Force. Oh my tsk! At Jo Mal-saengs words, all the ministers clicked their tongues. Removing defense from the Land Defense Armys name could mean that Joseons strategy might shift from defense-centered to offense-centered. If that happened, many troublesome issues could arise. In the end, Lee Jik had to urge Jo Mal-saeng. Tell the young ones to exercise restraint. Im already doing that. So, ministers, please dont say strange things. Understood. *** After sorting out the situation, Lee Jik looked around at the ministers. Weve digressed a bit, but lets reach a conclusion first. We said wed decide after seeing Prince Jinpyeongs report, but wouldnt it be better to conclude in favor of epting the use of Hunminjeongeum? At Lee Jiks question, all the ministers nodded. His Majesty strongly desires it, and it seems useful in its own way, so wouldnt it be good to ept it? The ministers nodded at Kim Jeoms assessment. Amidst this, Lee Maeng-gyun muttered without realizing it. If Minister Ryu Jeong-hyeon and others were still here like before, there would have been quite an uproar Shh! Why are you mentioning that person again! At Maeng Sa-seongs rebuke, Lee Maeng-gyun closed his mouth with an oops expression. Watching this, Heo Jo stroked his beard and muttered. Come to think of it, isnt it a bit strange? What is? When those stubborn ones from the Hall of Worthies submitted their resignation Doesnt it feel like His Majesty dealt with the matter angrily, more than necessary? Hm? Now that you mention it At Heo Jos point, all the ministers began to have the same doubt. **** To say it now, King Sejongs response to the mass resignation incident of the Hall of Worthies schrs was quite extreme. If it had been the usual King Sejong who cherished talent, he would have tried to persuade them more, or epted their resignations but called them back not long after. However, King Sejong approved all their petitions and then banned not only their grandchildren but even their great-grandchildren from submitting petitions or entering government service. Not only that, but he also dismissed Choi Man-ri, the Chief Schr of the Hall of Worthies, who was recognized as an incorruptible official with outstanding abilities, holding him responsible. *** Certainly, at the time, we only thought those stubborn ones had provoked His Majestys wrath, but thinking about it now, it does seem excessive. At Lee Jiks words, Maeng Sa-seong turned to Heo Jo. What do you think, Minister? We could say it went too far, but I think His Majesty might have cleared them out in advance, just in case. Huh? Nah~. Come on, isnt that going too far? At Heo Jos words, everyone waved their hands in denial, but in their minds, they were all thinking simrly. Its possible if its His Majesty and the Crown Prince! Those two could do it! Thats what they were thinking in their minds. However, the ministers didnt voice these thoughts aloud. No, they couldnt. The moment they uttered those words, it felt like they wouldnt be able to consider King Sejong and Hyang as people like themselves anymore. *** While the ministers were murmuring in the State Council, King Sejong, having sent the court historians and scribes far away, was talking with Hyang in Gangyeongjeon. Pushing out those stubborn ones from the Hall of Worthies like that seems to have been a great help. At King Sejongs words, Hyang asked with an expression that seemed to say, Really? Was it a coincidence? It was a coincidence. A coincidence King Sejong, who had been emphasizing that it was a coincidence, suddenly shouted. Crown Prince! What do you take your father for? You nned it in advance to proceed smoothly with this matter You brat, get out! *** Three dayster, Jinpyeongs report was submitted. With Jinpyeong standing to one side with a very tense face, King Sejong and the ministers read the report and then shared their opinions. How do the ministers find the report written in Hunminjeongeum? To King Sejongs question, Lee Jik stepped forward to answer. Although it takes time because were not yet familiar with how to read it, we can understand its meaning as soon as we read it, so I think its useful. Then, do you agree to promulgate this and have all the people use it? We will follow Your Majestys will. At Lee Jiks answer, King Sejongs voice hardened. Im not asking if youll follow, but if you agree. At King Sejongs question, Lee Jik finally waved the white g. We agree, Your Majesty. As Lee Jik waved the white g, King Sejong turned to the other ministers. What do you think, ministers? Do you agree? To King Sejongs question, the ministers had no choice but to give the same answer as Lee Jik. We agree, Your Majesty. Once the ministers agreed, one way or another, King Sejong talked about future ns. It will take time to educate the teachers of the public and secondary schools, and topose and create educational books for use in schools. So, I would like to set the formal promulgation to educational institutions and announcement to the people to start from the school term beginning next year. What do you think? It seems appropriate, Your Majesty. Good. However, lets have the court, research institute, and Hall of Worthies start using it from next month to identify and fix any problems. At King Sejongs words, the ministers faces turned pale. But we have many ongoing tasks, Your Majesty. Thats why we adjusted thingsst time, isnt it? Now that we have a bit more leeway, it shouldnt be too difficult. At King Sejongs words, the ministers answered with tears in their eyes. We receive yourmand. The court historian who recorded all this added the following: -Thus, when His Majesty asked, all the ministers, great and small, agreed. The historian says: The intention of His Majesty in creating the writing system is truly beautiful, but the way of implementing it uses expedient measures, which is not beautiful. If the intention is beautiful but the action is not beautiful too often, it can lead to tyranny. As he has ordered us to learn the newly created writing system, it seems we wont be able to go home for a while. The life of an official is really hard. *** Although a rough schedule was set like this, King Sejong couldnt give up his ambition. How can we best ensure that Hunminjeongeum quickly takes root among the people? Well How about having all official documents use Hunminjeongeum first? Wouldnt it be too slow if we rely only on official documents? At King Sejongs point, the ministers closed their mouths and pondered other methods. Seeing this, Hyang stepped forward. Father, how about using popr tales? At Hyangs suggestion, King Sejong made a slightly troubled expression. Arent there problems with popr tales, as many have frivolousnguage and disorderly content? Although thenguage is said to be frivolous, its that much easier to read, so it will be easy for people to learn Hunminjeongeum. And if the content is disorderly, cant we just write popr tales with proper content? In simple terms, its using the form of popr tales to educate the people. Hmm At Hyangs suggestion, King Sejong stroked his beard in thought and then looked at Jo Gye-saeng. What does the Minister of Education think? At King Sejongs question, Jo Gye-saeng thought for a moment and gave the most orthodox answer. It would be right to consider it more, but thinking briefly, it doesnt seem bad. Popr tales are short, so people wont be burdened reading them, and while many have disorderly content, there are also those with moral lessons, so it might be good to select ones that serve as good examples,pile them into a book, and distribute it. It seems good. Please think about it more and submit a report. I receive yourmand. Jo Gye-saeng, who had unexpectedly been given additional work, answered with a voice full of moisture. After exchanging opinions on various proposals, King Sejong instructed the ministers. For a while, we will experience a situation where theres a lot of work but little result, due tock of people and the need to learn and use the new writing system. However, dont be negligent because weve reached this stagnant period. Instead, use this as an opportunity to closely examine and fix deficient and problematic areas. At King Sejongs admonition, the ministers all bowed their heads and answered in unison. We will engrave it on our bones and hearts! Chapter 366 Chapter 366 After finishing the morning assembly at Geunjeongjeon Hall, the ministers hurried en masse to the State Council meeting room. As soon as they settled in their seats, Minister Jung Yeok of the National Land Development Department let out a long sigh. Phew His Majesty emphasizes that its a period of stagnation, but is it really so? *** As the Reformation n were nearing their end, Joseons development was starting to be strained. As a result, most departments were adjusting the priorities of their ongoing policies, giving the impression of stagnation. However, the National Land Development Department was the only one without a single such policy. In fact, King Sejong went as far as to urge: The ongoing transportationwork improvement project is crucial in determining Joseons future. Therefore, do your utmost to ensure there are no dys. Jung Yeok could only bow his head and reply to King Sejongs request. I will engrave it on my bones and keep it in my heart.*** In response to Jung Yeoksment, Jo Gye-saeng burst out: At least Your Excellency is maintaining the status quo! For me, its not just maintaining, but the work has increased! Ah I can see that Hunminjeongeum is useful, but to prepare to teach it from next year What is this Still, isnt it generous that theyve given you a year? In other times, they would have ordered immediate implementation. Surely His Majesty has taken that into consideration? At Kim Jeoms colorless words, Jo Gye-saengs eyes zed with anger. No, this man is really! Hmph! Youin about being swamped with work, but would you like to take over the Minister of Finances duties instead? At Kim Jeoms words, the fire in Jo Gye-saengs eyes slowly subsided. In the process of adjusting policy priorities, King Sejong had not mentioned the Minister of Finance even once. Your Majesty, shouldnt our Minister of Finance also adjust the priorities of some policies? Kim Jeom, unable to stand by, stepped forward, but Sejong firmly refused. The Minister of Finance manages the nations finances and is primarily responsible for the peoples livelihoods. How can there be any order of priority or rtive importance in such crucial matters? Rather, it would be right to find and review issues before the people petition for them. Sejongs order was simple: Find work to do, even if you have to search for it. I will do my best, Your Majesty. If anything, Kim Jeom had taken on more homework before withdrawing. Watching Kim Jeom, Jung Yeok, and Jo Gye-saeng express their frustrations, Lee Jik turned to Maeng Sae-seong. The bar tab is going to be hefty today. At Lee Jiks words, Maeng Sae-seong muttered quietly with a pale face. Your Excellency! Have you forgotten what happenedst time? Well have to sneak out as quietly as possible. *** As the grumbling of the three ministers subsided somewhat, the officials resumed their discussion. His Majesty calls it a period of stagnation, but I truly wonder if its urate to call it so. As Jung Yeok questioned again, Maeng Sae-seong picked up the conversation. On the surface, it might seem like stagnation, right? New policies were being created and implemented almost daily, but now such cases have decreased for the time being. Ugh As Jung Yeok groaned in response to Maeng Sae-seongs answer, Heo Jo continued the conversation. To be precise, period of reorganization would be a more fitting term than period of stagnation. The ministers nodded at Heo Jos observation. The current situation was indeed closer to a period of reorganization, as Heo Jo had said, rather than stagnation. And the biggest reason for this reorganization period was the explosive poption growth. The poption, which had drastically decreased during the chaotic period from the end of Goryeo to the early days of Joseons founding, had exploded as the Reformation n progressed. Although Joseons government organization had continuously expanded until now, it was clear that if the poption continued to grow at the current rate, it would be difficult to manage properly. Therefore, both King Sejong and the ministers had chosen to take a moment to catch their breath. *** Nodding at Heo Jos response, Jung Yeok asked again. Then how long do Your Excellencies think this period of stagnation willst? Im expecting at least 10 years. At Jung Yeoks statement, the ministers calcted and estimated in various ways. After a long deliberation, Heo Jo spoke up. Five years at the shortest, ten years at the longest? That seems the most likely. Indeed. Jung Yeok sighed at the ministersments. Phew Five years, huh As expected, the Hansu Bridge will determine everything. The ministers all nodded at Jung Yeoks words. *** Everyone agreed that the veryst part of the Reformation n was thend transportationwork currently being reorganized. And the crown jewel of thisnd transportationwork reorganization was the bridge to be built over the Hansu River. During this transportationwork reorganization, bridges were being built overrge and small rivers across Joseon. The process of building bridges using reinforced bamboo concrete was a new challenge. Therefore, the tradingpany in charge of construction started by gaining experience with smaller streams. All the trial and error that urred in the process was documented and transferred to the research institute and Area 51. Through this process, construction technology was continuously improving, and newly improved techniques were immediately applied to new sites. As a result of this process, bridges builtter had wider spans between piers and were built more sturdily. And at the end of this chain reaction, bridges began to be built over otherrge rivers, excluding the Hansu, two years ago. These bridges had a significant characteristic: two bridges were always built simultaneously overrge rivers that were crucial for transportation. One was a bridge for people and ox carts to pass, and the other was a bridge for iron horses to cross. The iron horse will be the core of Joseonsnd transportation in the future! Agreeing with Hyangs assertion, King Sejongs decision led to ongoing intensive improvement work on the iron horses. As a result,rger and more powerful iron horses were being researched in Area 51. And following Sejongs decision after observing this progress, the construction of bridges for iron horses was implemented first. It will be toote if we build the bridges after a suitable iron horse ispleted! We must build them in advance! At Sejongs instruction, Jung Yeok immediately opposed. Building bridges is not difficult, Your Majesty. The difficult part is deciding how sturdy to design the bridges. The size and weight of the iron horses are increasing. In a situation where we cant predict that aspect, building in advance could lead to waste. Your words are right. Eventually, this homework was passed on to the research institute and Area 51. After Hyang, along with Jeong Cho, Jeong Inji, Lee Soonji, and others put their heads together and calcted, the conclusion was as follows: -Initially, 12,000 gwan (approximately 45 tons) would bemercially viable. However, it will eventually increase to 24,000 gwan (about 90 tons). (Note 1) However, this figure is for the iron horse alone. When loaded with coal and water, it could increase up to 37,900 gwan (about 140 tons). This is calcted for the iron horse alone? Then what if passenger cars or freight cars are attached? At least double that. At Hyangs answer, Jung Yeoks face, who was listening nearby, turned pale. Seeing Jung Yeoks face, Sejong gave an order to Hyang. Design the bridge based on the final expected product. I receive yourmand. Thus, the design for the railway bridges to be built over the four major rivers waspleted. And as a result of this continued challenge, calction forms for designing bridges to be built over the Hansuwhich excited Kim Dam and Western schrswere created. Because it was an enormous symbol connecting Joseons capital, Hanseong, with other regions, those in charge of designing the bridge over the Hansu poured their hearts and souls into it. And ording to the design thus created, construction was scheduled to begin from this dry season. As an aside, while this bridge, going through such a process, should have been a masterpiece for the designers, the parties involved were full ofints. Ah! We could have reduced the number of piers! By order of Hyang, who received the initial draft, they had to reduce the spacing between piers slightly and increase the number of piers. I understand youve put your heart and soul into it, but reduce the spacing between the piers here a bit and increase the number of piers. Make it a little safer. The current design already guarantees sufficient safety, Your Majesty. Im sure it does. But isnt this the bridge over the Hansu? Lets make it a little safer. *** Minimum five years to maximum ten years If we consider the time until those who have learned Hunminjeongeum are deployed in practical work, the amount of work will increase tremendously. The other ministers looked at Jung Yeok with peculiar expressions at his words. Why are you all looking at me like that? In response to Jung Yeoks question, Heo Jo asked back. Your Excellency, do you n to live and work until then? Haha It seems we should diligently prepare some medicine for you. Ah Jung Yeok, who let out a small exmation at Heo Jos words, muttered with a mixed expression. Our age has alreadye to this. Most of the ministers in the meeting room now were those who had been active in politics since thete Goryeo period. Now, more than 30 years after Joseons founding, they had reached an age where it wouldnt be strange if they held their funeral tomorrow. Maeng Sae-seong also continued with a simr expression. Our job is to prepare for the future using this period of stagnation. The next generation will take care of whates after. The regrettable points are that weve be old just as weve been blessed with work, and its certain that we wont be able to properly see the results before we go. The ministers nodded quietly. **** This is how the periodter called the Period of Stagnation came to be. Schrs studying Joseons history evaluated this period as follows: A novice historian would simply evaluate it as a period of stagnation, but a proper historian despairs when looking at this period of stagnation. The Joseon government, which confirmed the explosive poption growth evaluated as the worlds first officially recorded baby boom, entered into arge-scale reorganization. This was an effort to minimize the shock when the baby boom generation became adults and entered society. Therefore, on the surface, the period of stagnation seemed quiet. It appeared even more so whenpared to the periods before and after, which were full of all sorts of new policies, events, and incidents. However, schrs who studied this period of stagnation firmly denied such thoughts. They were convinced that this period of stagnation was the most important period that determined the era of great leap forward. As a result, there were even schrs who devoted their entire lives to studying just this period of stagnation. And there were no schrs who denied that the most important event in this period of stagnation was the creation and dissemination of Hunminjeongeum. The point that the power dynamics among the three Northeast Asian countries began to change greatly as the first generation familiar with Hunminjeongeum was produced, breaking away from the Hanja culture. No, the creation and dissemination of Hunminjeongeum was a mega-event that caused even Western countries to be greatly shaken by the butterfly effect caused by the changes in Northeast Asia. As a result, schrs studying Joseon during this period had to examine not only the history of Ming and Wa (Japan) but also European history, and the intensity of theirbor was beyond imagination. This led to the following joke circting among historians: Rmend studying post-stagnation Joseon history to someone you dislike. **** Note 1) Based on the Korean National Railroad 900 series steam lotive. Chapter 367 Chapter 367 Thus, Joseon entered a period of stagnation, rolling busily along in its own tranquility. Many merchant ships were diligently traveling between Shandong in Ming and Jemulpo. In Dongnae, merchant ships were busily traveling to and from the Joseon trading posts in Tsushima Ind and maind Japan. And from Mokpo, merchant ships were traveling to and from the territories of Ouchi and Gendojin (Shibukawa Mitsuyori). The shipsing from Ouchi were loaded with silver ore, while those from Gendojins territory were full of cotton. Gendojin, who had attacked the Shoni n in alliance with Ouchi, was able to recover his lost territory. After recovering his territory, Gendojin began cultivating cotton, epting Joseons proposal to cover the war expenses he had incurred and to secure funds to rebuild his territory. And from this year, cotton inmercially significant quantities began to enter Joseon. This cotton from Japan was transformed into in cotton cloth through the hands of merchant groups in Joseon and was being sold not only to Ming, Jurchen, and Japan, but also as far as Arabia and Europe. This became the asion for the phrase Florences wool, Joseons cotton to be born in Europe. ***In this process, Mokpo Naval Base began to develop from a simple naval port into a trading port. Challenger-ss warships regrly traveled between Alexandria and Mokpo, and merchant ships belonging to the Mansur merchant group also frequented busily. Moreover, merchant ships from Ryukyu and Siam (Thand), having heard the rumors, also visited Mokpo Naval Base. In this process, the merchant ships from Siam, or more precisely, the Siamese Kingdom of Ayutthaya, stood out. It was a country that had visited once during King Taejos era, but had not maintained diplomatic rtions as it was thought there would be no particr benefit. Thands main products were raw logs and resin of sappanwood and agarwood. Sappanwood was used as a raw material for red or purple dye, agarwood logs were used to make incense, and its resin was a material used in fragrances and medicines. Until now, these were mainly obtained through intermediary trade via Ming merchants, but direct trade was established as Siam sent merchant ships directly. These foreign merchant ships visiting Joseon were good prey for pirates. However, there were no pirates who dared to approach within two days distance from Joseon and Kyushu. That inner area was the domain of the Haeung-ss high-speed warships. Therefore, pirates waited for opportunities on the outskirts of this domain. However, the captains operating the merchant ships were not to be underestimated. They moved in sync with the departure times of Joseons Challenger-ss ships. As long as the Challenger-ss warships were holding the line, pirates could not recklessly touch the merchant ships. *** While Joseons West Sea and South Sea were bustling with activity, the East Sea region of Joseon was rtively quiet. At Dongbinghang C the ce that would have been called divostok before Hyangs intervention C Challenger-ss warships and Haeung-ss warships were being built using timber harvested from nearby coniferous forests. The nearby conifers had hard and dense wood, making them optimal materials for shipbuilding. Moreover, as most of them grew straight, they were also excellent as building materials. Soon, the newly built Challenger-ss and Haeung-ss warships first mission became heading to Wonsan, fully loaded with timber. In this process, Joseon recorded another world first. -The first country in the world to start a systematic afforestation project. Although the scale of those coniferous forests is enormous, if we log indiscriminately, we will soon see their end. Therefore, we must raise healthy saplings to fill the ces where trees have been cut down. This is for our future generations, so it must never be done carelessly. Following King Sejongs order C of course, with Hyangying the groundwork C a systematic afforestation project was initiated. It wasnt that there were no afforestation projects before Sejong. Efforts had been made to preserve forestry resources since the Three Kingdoms period. These were artificial afforestation areas called Imsu. However, Sejongs policy received the title of worlds first because it was the first to publicly dere that its purpose was the preservation of resources. *** Apart from the active movement between Dongbinghang and Wonsan, the East Sea had be quite quiet. Other than Haeung-ss warships patrolling up to the vicinity of Mureungdo (Ulleungdo) and Usando (Dokdo) to prevent the entry of Japanese fishermen or pirates, there was only the regr ship traveling to and from Daeseoldo (Hokkaido in the history before Hyangs intervention). Exploration of the north and east beyond that had been temporarily suspended due to manpower shortage. For now, lets focus on fully incorporating Daeseoldo into Joseons territory. King Sejong concluded with a face full of regret, and there were no ministers opposing this. *** There was considerable difficulty in naming Daeseoldo. The first candidate name was Apwaedo (Ind Suppressing the Japanese), proposed by Heo Jo. It was a name given with the meaning of pressing down on the heads of the Japanese, but soon other ministers expressed their disapproval. Its a name that feels satisfying, but its problematic diplomatically. Lets choose another name. Do we have to consider the feelings of those Japanese bastards? Its because those bastards wont just sit quietly! Huh~. Now we even have to consider the feelings of those Japanese bastards! We should teach them a lesson when the timees, but lets not give them an excuse! After such a heated debate, King Sejong made the decision. I dont like the Japanese either, but there are many Japanese who maintain good rtions with our Joseon, so I think its better to avoid too aggressive a name. Following Sejongs decision, the ind was named Daeseoldo (Great Snow Ind) as a kind of conciliatory measure. *** To fully incorporate Daeseoldo into Joseons territory, what Joseon chose was the government monopoly store. The Ainu people, the native inhabitants of Daeseoldo, were in a situation where everything wascking. Hunting, gathering, and primitive agriculture alone could not meet all their needs. Therefore, the government monopoly store located in the Joseon residential area was a dream ce for the Ainu people. An official dispatched from Joseon told an Ainu who couldmunicate through writing about the conditions for using the government monopoly store. -You can use it if you be a subject of Joseon. -What does it mean to be a subject of Joseon? -You need to obey the orders of His Majesty and follow Joseonsws. -Are there any other conditions besides that? -Customs that vite etiquette are prohibited. -I will discuss this with my n. Through this process, a small number of Ainu gradually pledged allegiance to Joseon. Ainu who pledged allegiance to Joseon were issued identity tags, and in this process, manyughable incidents urred. It was in the process of recording the names of the Ainu. It was not an easy task to transcribe names created in the native Ainunguage into Chinese characters phically. *** In any case, the absorption of the Ainu through the medium of the government monopoly store proceeded smoothly. This was because not only did the Ainu who had pledged allegiance suffer no particr harm, but other Ainu also began to pledge allegiance to Joseon after seeing them freely use the government monopoly store. Hyang, who had been listening to the report beside Sejong, muttered with an evil smile in his own room. Rule by virtue is good, but rule by money is even better Its no wonder the Chinese called it the capitalism of all evils. *** What the Ainu bought at the government monopoly store were not luxury items, but necessities such as cloth, grains, salt, and sugar. In the process of obtaining these necessities, the Ainu experienced a powerful culture shock, and the item that caused this shock was salt. Id like to buy some of that salt When an Ainu visiting the government monopoly store stated his business in halting Korean, the store official asked a question. You want salt? What kind of salt? At the officials question, the Ainu asked back with a puzzled expression. What kind of salt? Seeing the Ainus expression, the official guided him to one side. Moving to a counter on one side, the official stretched out his arm and asked again. What kind of salt do you want? Eh? The Ainu blinked his wide-open eyes and looked again at the scene before him. There were at least 10 different types of salt of various colors disyed. Looking at the Ainu, the official continued speaking. If youre simply looking for a salty taste, you can buy the cheapest sun-dried salt over there, and if you want a more sophisticated taste, you can buy this boiled salt here. We have everything from the most basic clear roasted salt to medicinal salt used in porridge for patients with stomach aches or colds. Which one do you want? The Ainu could only open and close his mouth at the officials exnation and the spectacle before his eyes. **** The diversification of Joseons boiled salt was, of course, due to Hyangs obsession. In the early days of his reign, Sejong had decided to convert all private salt production to government salt production and was strongly pushing for this. This was because the profits that salt makers were making from selling salt, one of the necessities for human life, were enormous. Therefore, it was to secure finances while converting private salt to government salt. Naturally, the resistance from salt makers was fierce. Many salt makers fled from their designated workces and frequently made and sold salt secretly. However, Sejong consistently pushed for government salt production. Watching this scene from the side, Hyang had to ponder with a troubled face. Its a clich, but you know Im reluctant about sun-dried salt too. When living as Jinho in the 21st century, Jinhos family used refined salt and rock salt. They used refined salt for making kimchi and rock salt for other cooking. When Jinho asked the reason, his mother had said with an embarrassed smile: Well? These days, I just dont feel attached to sun-dried salt. There was a lot of talk about salt farm ves and such for a while, wasnt there? Perhaps because of that, Hyang felt considerable aversion to sun-dried salt, both when living as Jinho and now as Hyang. But boiled salt has many problems too ording to Hyangs research, boiled salt was being made all along the coast of Joseon. In the West Sea and South Sea, they made it by trapping seawater in tidal ts, then evaporating it, and then mixing the mudt soil with seawater again to increase the salt concentration before boiling the brine. In the East Sea, they simply mixed seawater fetched from the sea with soil or sand, went through a simr process, and then boiled it. The problem was that the method using mudt soil was difficult to escape from the issue of impurities. Especially in the case of the West Sea, with the influx of water from the Yellow River, there were many impurities and the salt concentration was low, making it a product that required a lot of work. However, the East Sea was more free from the impurity problem. If you went out on a boat for just 15 minutes, you could fill it with as much clear seawater as you wanted. Even without going out on a boat, if you went out just a little, you could obtain clear, high-salinity seawater in abundance. The biggest problem with boiled salt from the East Sea was that to be sold inrge markets, it had to cross the Baekdudaegan mountain range. Naturally, it could only be expensive with added transportation costs, and in other regions, only those with means could obtain and use boiled salt from the East Sea. There are many problems here and there, but still, boiled salt suits my taste better. If we use coal, the fuel problem can be solved too. Of course, if we consider cost-effectiveness, sun-dried salt would be the clear winner, but Hyang trailed off, seemingly unsatisfied with something. This cost-effectiveness is bothering me Should we go for a two-track approach with this too? Oh! We could entrust sun-dried salt production to suitable people, make it an ultra-low-price product for really struggling people, and sell it abroad to Japan or other ces to make money. Then we could use that money for boiled salt as a mid-to-high-end product. Yes This would be good. Hyang smiled contentedly, having nned to sell sun-dried salt abroad and focus on boiled salt with the money earned. The truth was that Hyang preferred boiled salt because there were more things to obsess overpared to sun-dried salt. *** Note 1) Historical study on the exchange with Thand around the founding of the Joseon Dynasty. Jo Heung-guk. Assistant Professor at the Graduate School of International Studies, Pusan National University. Note 2) Encyclopedia of Korean Culture. Forestry entry. http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Index?contents_id=E0047546 Note 3) The basis for referring to Usando as Dokdo is referenced from this material. The Truth about Dokdo. Sejong University Dokdo Research /wp-content/uploads/2015/04/???-??-1_????-???.pdf Chapter 368 Chapter 368 Having made his decision, Hyang immediately drafted a proposal and submitted it to King Sejong. After reading Hyangs proposal, Sejong began to question him. Sun-dried salt? Judging by the name and content, it seems to be making salt using the suns rays, but is this possible? I believe its entirely possible. As Ive written in thetter part, Ive even conducted experiments. To convince not only Sejong but also the ministers, Hyang had attached records of the experimental process and its results. When paper soaked in brine was dried in the sun, salt remained on the paper How did youe up with such an idea? When cleaning the research institute and Area 51, I thought of it while watching water sprinkled on the ground dry up. Hmm After carefully examining the report once more, Sejong looked at Hyang.While it could be beneficial in reducing the effort of making brine in tidal ts and cutting fuel costs, the costs of constructing facilities andbor are considerable. Weighing these pros and cons, do you really think sun-dried salt will be useful? Well need to verify it in practice, but I believe its entirely possible. At Hyangs assertion, Sejong brought this up at the morning assembly. Indeed, boiled salt requires a lot ofbor and fuel. It seems there would be no loss in trying to verify this in practice. At Lee Jiks statement, summarizing the ministers opinions, Sejong firmed his resolve. Since you all think so, lets give it a try. *** Thus, an experimental sun-dried salt field was created on Ganghwa Ind. About two weeks after the salt field was created and seawater was drawn into the primary reservoir, the first results arrived at Gyeongbok Pce along with a report. I will taste it, so bring it here. Following Sejongs order, a porcin te heaped with white salt was brought into Geunjeongjeon Hall. Tasting a bit with his fingertip, Sejongs expression soured. Its salty, but the bitter taste is even stronger. You all taste it too. Following Sejongs order, the ministers who tasted the sun-dried salt all made simr expressions to Sejong. Hmm Having read the report that came with the sun-dried salt, Sejong fell into contemtion. No, not just Sejong, but all the ministers had simr expressions. To their ptes, ustomed to boiled salt all this time, sun-dried salt was not a good product. The report also pointed out this issue as the most serious problem. Of course, there was a sentence following stating It is said that the taste improves after aging for a few years to remove the bitterness, but somehow it didnt resonate. It was because of the bitter taste that had left such a strong first impression. However, sun-dried salt had a powerful advantage that offset this drawback. It was its overwhelming cost-effectiveness. The process of producing boiled salt required skilled artisans to be involved from start to finish. Due to the wages of these artisans and fuel costs, boiled salt was quite an expensive item. However, sun-dried salt didnt require as many of these artisans. Sun-dried salt was a product that could be produced without any issues even with aposition of a few artisans and many unskilled workers. Call the Crown Prince. Yes, Your Majesty. Eventually, Sejong called for Hyang. Entering Geunjeongjeon Hall at Sejongs summons, Hyang tasted the sun-dried salt and slightly furrowed his brow. Seeing this, Sejong spoke. As you can tell from tasting it, its vor is much inferior to boiled salt. No, the saltiness isnt less, but the bitterness is too strong. Do you still insist that we should produce and sell this? Yes. At Hyangs firm answer, Sejong couldnt hide his curiosity. Why? No matter how precious salt is, the people willin. To Sejongs point, Hyang exined the reason. The very fact that salt is precious is the reason why we should produce and sell sun-dried salt. Isnt the name salt itself meant to mean white () gold ()? Although the peoples livelihoods are gradually improving through the Reformation n that Your Majesty is implementing, there are still many struggling people. To allow even such people to taste salt, sun-dried salt is absolutely necessary. And this sun-dried salt will stimte peoples desire for improvement. Stimte desire for improvement? At Sejongs question, Hyang answered with a slight smile. Yes. What is the biggest reason people umte wealth? Isnt it to live in luxury? Even if its just to eat better salt, people will work hard. At Hyangs words, Sejong and the ministers unknowingly nodded. That might be true! Hyang continued to emphasize the necessity of sun-dried salt. This sun-dried salt is not only for the struggling people who cant even afford to buy salt properly, but we should also target those Japanese. The Japanese As Hyang mentioned the Japanese, Sejong pondered for a moment and then nodded. I see. The Japanese need to eat salt too. Yes. We cantpete with Ming, which already overflows with all kinds of salt including rock salt, but its not the same with the Japanese, is it? It will be a sufficient market. I see. Nodding, Sejong asked Hyang again. Then we should go with a dual system of sun-dried salt and boiled salt? Yes. It seems good to guide consumption so that the struggling people use sun-dried salt, while those who are somewhat better off use boiled salt. At Hyangs exnation, Sejong turned to Kim Jeom. What do you think? At Sejongs question, Kim Jeom immediately answered. I think its an excellent method, Your Majesty! Thus, it was concluded to produce both sun-dried salt and boiled salt. *** As soon as one agenda was decided, Hyang, as if he had been waiting, presented another agenda. Since were on the topic of boiled salt, theres something Id like Your Majestys approval for. What is it? As soon as Hyangs words came out, Sejong and the ministers tensed up but soon resigned themselves. As with the case of sun-dried salt, none of the policies Hyang presented were easy. They wanted to refuse because of this, but they had experienced that they eventually had to ept them because their effectiveness was certain. Salt can only be obtained through government monopoly stores anyway. Then, how about gathering salt makers from all over Joseon in one area? Gather them in one area? Yes, if we gather salt makers in one area and have them produce, it will be easier to manage production, storage, and transportation. Also, we can create jobs for people by creating a salt productionplex in areas where people are struggling due to harsher environmentspared to other regions. Hmm Mulling over Hyangs words, Sejong asked him. Gangwon Province would be good, wouldnt it? I rmend Gangwon Province and Hamgil Province. Both regions have harsh environments, making peoples livelihoods difficult. Moreover, they are close to coal mines, making fuel supply easy. At Hyangs words, Sejong started to make various calctions. Not bad. When it came to harshness, Gangwon Province was second to none. Gangwon Province was the first ce where news of starvation deaths was heard when there was a bad harvest. Hamgil Province was in a simr situation. Finally, Sejong made a decision. The Crown Princes n seems good, so devise policies based on this. I receive yourmand! *** Following Sejongs decision, salt makers from all over Joseon moved to Gangwon Province and Hamgil Province. Theres no space to make salt fields The salt makers were perplexed by the East Seas environment, different from the West Sea and South Sea with their wide tidal ts, but they soon adapted. It wasnt unfamiliar to make salt by directly boiling seawater. In addition, Hyang created and distributed new tools for roasting salt. The new tools Hyang created were a wide, t pot made of steel and a rake powered by animal strength. Whenrge jars filled with clear seawater from the East Sea were poured into the pot, the artisans lit fires in the furnace. The fuel used to boil the seawater in the pot was anthracite coal. Although it was difficult to light at first, once properly lit, anthracite provided strong heat. And true to its name of smokeless, it produced little smoke. When the seawater began to boil in the wide, t pot with a diameter of almost 3 meters, the artisans tied an ox, horse, or donkey to arge cogwheel in the yard to move it. As the cogwheel turned, the power transmitted through the connected axis began to slowly turn the rake. Salt crystals gathered along the slowly turning rake, and the artisans collected this salt and moved it to the drying room. Through these tools created and distributed by Hyang, the productivity of boiled salt also began to increase greatly. *** While monopolizing salt through government monopoly stores, Sejong abolished the public salt system. Although sales were through a single channel of government monopoly stores, the salt makers held the right to set prices. And to prevent misunderstandings between the monopoly stores and salt makers, trademark registration followed. Salt makers registered trademarks individually or in groups, set prices, and then supplied to the monopoly stores. Although there were various trademarks, all products were the same clear boiled salt, so the quality was simr, and the prices were also simr. Therefore, after some time passed, salt makers who were pondering how to gain more profit began to appear. No matter how much I, an ignorant person, think Unable to find a suitable answer no matter how much they thought, the salt makers med their own hard heads and sought out officials C connections made during the supply process C with whom they had built friendships. You want to earn more money? Yes, sir. Hmm Most of the officials who received inquiries from the salt makers gave simr answers. Wouldnt the orthodox way be to make the salt pans a bit bigger? Arent salt pans money-eating monsters, sir? And if everyone increases their size, the price of salt will be cheaper. Its not easy The officials, who were contemting with troubled faces, soon found a method. Ill ask His Highness the Crown Prince. At the officials words, the salt makers turned pale. What? His Highness the Crown Prince? Wont we be punished for being presumptuous, us lowly people? No! Its fine! At the salt makers reaction, the officials smiled slightly and soothed them. If its His Highness, hell probably be pleased and find it interesting. Really? When the salt makers asked with dubious faces, the officials trailed off. Probably? *** Receiving the salt makers petition through the officials, Hyang smiled with satisfaction. This is what Ive been waiting for! Hyang immediately wrote an answer and sent it back with the officials. The officials who received the answer from Hyang gathered the artisans. His Highness the Crown Prince has given an answer. Lets see His Highness wrote, Give boiled salt a unique character. A unique character? Thats right. He said you could mix things that are good for people or that help with vor into the salt. He even gave an example. Pine flower salt? Aha! The artisans immediately understood the officials words. When salt was roasted while pine pollen was flying, the pollen mixed in. This created a salt with a sweet vor, which could be sold at a higher price than ordinary boiled salt. Thats right! Thank you, sir! Dont thank me, thank His Highness the Crown Prince. Yes. Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince! *** Thus, the salt makers began to make all sorts of attempts to increase added value. They added pine pollen collected when pine flowers were flying, or added mugwort or minced garlic when boiling seawater. The salt made this way began to sell at higher prices due to its unique vor. Encouraged by these positive results, the salt makers made even bolder attempts, such as roasting salt with water boiled with medicinal ingredients prescribed formon ailments like stomachaches or colds. The boiled salts released into the market through this process became popr. It becamemonce for even the poorest households to have at least a little of this functional salt. As a result, by the end of the Reformation n, there were over 10 different types of boiled salt. And these functional salts became a big hit not only in Joseon but also in Ming and Japan. Bravo! It was such a big hit that Kim Jeom, upon receiving the report, unknowingly shouted Bravo! *** Note 1) The etymology of salt (??). Jungbu Maeil Newspaper. /news/articleView.html?idxno=95305 Chapter 369 Chapter 369 Although it was decided to officially use Hunminjeongeum from the fall semester of the following year, there were quite a few who started using it early. Those who pioneered the early use of Hunminjeongeum were officials from the General Affairs and Education Departments, as well as those working in the research institute and Area 51. The reason officials from the General Affairs and Education Departments learned and used Hunminjeongeum was to prepare for its official promulgation, education, and use next year. We need to prepare personnel to educate officials in local government offices, and identify and supplement potential problems that may arise from early use The problem is that we now have more work to do because of this Living on a government sry is really At least its fortunate that learning and using it is easy. If it were difficult, I would have submitted my resignation. Really While grumbling andining like this, the officials worked on supplementing issues that arose from using Hunminjeongeum. Of course, it was inevitable that both exmations of admiration and curses would slip out during this process.The admiration came from the fact that Sejong had already predicted such problems would ur, and the curses came from the fact that he had left the choice of solutions to the officials. The easiest example was the problem of homonyms (words that sound the same but have different meanings). When drafting official documents, there were often cases where words with the same pronunciation but different meanings came together. Or, there were cases where the meaning of a sentence could changepletely depending on how a word was interpreted. How should we solve this problem To find a solution, officials either flipped through the Haerye edition or racked their brains. Just in case, officials who were flipping through the Haerye edition cursed when they saw the table of contents C something that hadnt been in books until then C on the page right after the cover. Damn it! Chapter 4. Problems of Composition and Comprehension And right below that, Homonyms was clearly written as an item. The officials who hurriedly found the relevant section had to frown once again. -Hunminjeongeum, being a phic script, has the problem of homonyms. A simple example is that even if its written as jeonjinhada, the meaning of the entire sentence changes depending on whether it means ǰM (moving forward) or DM (changing course and advancing). There are several ways to solve this. One, always write in Hanja. Two, write both Hunminjeongeum and Hanja together. Three, use only Hunminjeongeum as the meaning can be understood from the context of the sentence. Choose one of these three options or consider if there is a better option. Those whoe up with a better option, I () will remember. Seeing thest sentence, the officials shouted simultaneously. What the hell! They were bbergasted by the words so casually written by a king who didnt even seem to be the same kind of human as them. He found all the potential problems, even made choices, and now hes telling us toe up with new solutions? The deted officials unknowingly muttered. What sin did Imit in my past life The officials who were grumbling with lost energy suddenly lit up their eyes and started transcribing documents. If by any chance! If I get it right, it could be a life-changing opportunity! *** However, no matter how hard they tried, this was a situation where King Sejong C with Hyang as an option C had deliberately created it and prepared for expected problems with appropriate choices. The officials who encountered Hunminjeongeum desperately racked their brains, but they couldnt get out of the range Sejong had envisioned. So in the end, we have to choose one of the alternatives His Majesty suggested? Probably Although they reached a conclusion, the officials couldnt easily make a choice. This was because they couldnt be confident that the alternative they chose would be the correct answer Sejong had in mind. It was the same for the ministers. If they made a wrong judgment and chose the wrong answer, they were sure to hear that unpleasant tongue-clicking sound. Eventually, the ministers sought out Hyang. When he heard the ministers business, Hyang unknowingly clicked his tongue. Tsk! At Hyangs tongue-clicking, the ministers momentarily felt upset, but there was nothing they could do. Ah! That damn tongue-clicking sound! This father and son really I might really quit! Although they were cursing all sorts of things inside, outwardly the ministers were bowing their heads. No matter how much we think about it, they all seem like correct answers. They are all correct answers, though? Pardon? Hearing Hyangs answer, all the ministers looked at him with wide eyes. Seeing the ministers like this, Hyang continued. Hunminjeongeum is a newly created writing system. So we cant know whats right and whats wrong. The various ministers and officials need to use it, the people need to use it, and we need to revise it as we go. The problems His Majesty pointed out are what he expected to ur in the process of moving away from the familiar Hanja, and those are just alternatives. So how could there be a correct answer? Ah If we apply and use all the given alternatives, the most suitable method will naturally be selected. Or apletely unexpected new alternative might appear. His Majesty wrote that way because he wants the officials to do their best in learning and using Hunminjeongeum. Ah Was it bait? Were we hooked? As if knowing the ministers thoughts, Hyang immediately added. Of course, if someone actuallyes up with a new alternative or finds a problem, His Majesty would take a deep interest. Finally, having learned through Hyang what Sejong wanted, the ministers bowed and retreated. Wait, it might be presumptuous of me, still young, to say this, but theres a saying among those Westerners: The only real failure is the failure to learn from failure.'' At Hyangs words, the ministers bowed their heads and replied. We are grateful for such valuable advice. After leaving Hyangs office, all the ministers sighed. Hah~. That father and son Anyway, the ministers informed their subordinate officials of Hyangs advice. The officials who heard the advice began to use Hunminjeongeum more actively. As they used Hunminjeongeum more actively, their understanding rapidly increased, and they gradually found solutions to problems arising from transcribing Chinese texts. *** As the system of Hunminjeongeum was settling in this way, ces began to appear where Hunminjeongeum was used more actively than Hanja. One was the military, another was among the Jurchen people and in Daeseoldo, and thest was the research institute. All three had reasons why this had to be the case. First, in the case of the military, it was the ce with the lowest level of humanities education. Of course, there were people like Choi Hae-san or Lee Chun who had considerable humanities knowledge C with science or engineering knowledge as an option C in addition to military capabilities, but excluding those who had transferred from civil service C typically Jo Mal-saeng C the level of humanities education was poor. Of course, high-ranking military officers who had passed the military service examination were somewhat okay as they had to read military books, but the humanities education of mid to low-ranking officers like Gapsa, who had entered through talent selection, was terrible. Therefore, Hunminjeongeum was very wee to these people. There was almost no inconvenience in writing reports, drafting orders, or reading received orders. In the end, those who had suffered various grievances C especially in terms of promotion C due to character problems raised both arms towards Hanseong and shouted Long live! Long live His Majesty! Long live! Long live! Besides easing the grievances of these less educated military officers, Hunminjeongeum showed its power in another area, which wasmunication. Thebination of the lightmunicationwork installed thanks to Hyangs obsession and Hunminjeongeum was like giving wings to a heavenly horse. With the existing number code, the amount of information that could be transmitted was limited. However, as soon as Hunminjeongeum appeared, Hyang created a Hangul code. By assigning 4 digits each to initial consonants, vowels, and final consonants, thebined light signals could transmit slightly more detailed information faster than before. Of course, it was still the same that truly detailed and urate information was handled by ry runners, but still, they could receive urgent news in more detailpared to before. *** The case of the Jurchen people was a bit unusual. The Jurchen people had Jurchen script created during the old Jin dynasty era. However, as it was a script based on Chinese characters, it wasnt a script that could be usedfortably. In the end, by the present day, only a few Jurchen nobles were learning it. In this situation, ordinary Jurchen people found Hunminjeongeum easier to use and had no reluctance in epting it. Were Joseon people anyway, so what! In the process of using Hunminjeongeum to record the Jurchennguage, a chain reaction urred: the Jurchen people who had submitted to Joseon learned the Koreannguage more quickly. It was a chain effect brought about by the advantage of being able to read with their eyes, not just hear and speak. *** The same was true in Daeseoldo. The situation was even worse for the Ainu people of Daeseoldo, as their history and myths had all been passed down orally. Of course, there were attempts to record documents using hiragana, katakana, or Chinese characters used by the Japanese, but most ended in failure. It was impossible to urately record Ainu pronunciations with hiragana or katakana. Using Chinese characters failed because there werent people with good enough Chinese character skills to that degree. In this context, Hunminjeongeum, which Joseon people had been using recently, was the best script for recording their traditions in writing. It could transcribe theirnguage almost without error, and Ainu people who knew Hunminjeongeum could understand properly just by reading those sentences. As a result, Ainu people who had submitted to Joseon couldnt help but show more favor towards Joseon. *** What interesting people. Hakumakkuru, who had bought salt and some medicinal ingredients from the government monopoly store and came out, muttered as he watched Joseon people passing in front of him. Since Joseon set foot on Daeseoldo, the number of Joseon people had been gradually increasing. Most of these were soldiers and miners, and their families. Having learned that the natural environment of Daeseoldo was not easy to deal with, Joseon was cautious about poption relocation. After observing the Ainu people, the Joseon court learned that agriculture was possible and recruited those who would serve their military service as garrison farmers in Daeseoldo. Ie from garrison farms cultivated while serving in Daeseoldo will be recognized as additional ie, not as part of the sry. At the courts announcement, many soldiers volunteered for service in Daeseoldo. Since military deployment was essential now that Daeseoldo had be Joseon territory, they aimed for additional ie. These people could live as garrison farmers in Daeseoldo during their mandatory military service period and then return home, or they could settle in Daeseoldo. If they settled, they could receive tax benefits and rent C after the Giyou Rebellion, Joseon nationalized most of itsnd based on the concept of royalnd C overwhelminglyrgernds than those who had relocated to Jurchen areas. While these dispatched soldiers and their families formed one axis, the other axis was the miners. The miners who entered Daeseoldo were extracting sulfur and coal. Among the information obtained from the Ainu people of Daeseoldo, Hyang immediately ran to Sejong when he confirmed information about sulfur hot springs. The survey team, which began investigation by Sejongs order, was able to find arge sulfur hot spring in a ce the Ainu people called Hell Valley. Seeing the sulfur heavily coagted on the rocks near the hot spring, the survey team hurriedly wrote a report and returned to Joseon. After confirming the survey teams report, Sejong sent miners to Daeseoldo without a second word. This was because they could solve the sulfur shortage problem that had remained unsolved until then. Chapter 370 Chapter 370 Coal was discovered by chance during these investigations. Prospectors were dispatched to Daeseoldo to determine if there were any economically viable sulfur hot springs or sulfur mines other than Hell Valley. The prospectors, apanied by a considerable escort force to guard against predators and hostile Ainu tribes, began to search various parts of Daeseoldo. Among these, a coal vein was discovered near a ce called Otaornai (Otaru) in the Ainunguage. The quality is excellent, and coal extraction is somewhat easierpared to Gangwon Province. Upon receiving the report, Sejong immediately summoned his ministers to gather opinions. As more and more coal is needed for various industries, including iron manufacturing, and coal is used inrge quantities for heating homes, I think its right to mine it. As the ministers opinions converged on development, Sejong ordered the development of the mine. Consequently, many miners began crossing the sea to Daeseoldo. Although the perception was poor due to most serious criminals servingbor in mines, the sry that properly employed miners received was quite high, so the number of people who left for Daeseoldo was considerable.Before long, a significant number of Ainu people began working in the mines of Daeseoldo. This was because working in the mines provided a steady iepared to dangerous hunting or low-yield farming. And since the pay was not meager but equal to that of Joseon people, the families of miners could live much more abundantlypared to other Ainu people. In this process, the rtionship between the Ainu people and Joseon people began to grow closer little by little. The Ainu people and Joseon people observed each other with curious eyes. In this process, Joseon people evaluated the Ainu people like this: Theyre innocent and kind, but not very interesting. On the other hand, the Ainu peoples evaluation of Joseon people was almost identical to Hakumakkurus. What interesting humans. The Joseon people that the Ainu saw were truly interesting. When working, they worked truly diligently, but when ying, they yed wildly and excitedly. When necessary, they were politely respectful, but when they became close, they were rudely disrespectful to the point of almost provoking anger. Joseon soldiers were the same. Usually, they lived gently, but when Japanese pirates invaded or hostile Ainu tribes attacked, they fought with ghost-like faces. Every time the iron clubs, seemingly imbued with the energy of lightning struck by Kandakorokamui (the sky god), spewed fire, the blood of enemies formed streams. The Joseon soldiers with these terrifying iron clubs and ghost-like faces drove the enemies until they all died or surrendered. Watching the behavior of these Joseon people, all the Ainu people came to a simr conclusion. Theyre just like bears. The Joseon people were like bears, seemingly gentle and docile usually, but once they turned ferocious, they transformed into messengers of death. To add, among the reasons they were seen as bear-like was also the Joseon peoples big appetite and crazy preference for meat. They eat like bears too. *** The government monopoly store official burst intoughter when he heard this story from an Ainu person he had be friendly with. Hahaha! That sounds usible? Maybe we are bears. We have the blood of Ungnyeo (Bear Woman) mixed in, after all! Ungnyeo? The government monopoly store official exined the Dangun myth to the Ainu person. After hearing the officials story, the Ainu person nodded. That really does sound usible. At that very moment, a loud bell rang from the watchtower on the bamboo-reinforced concrete wall surrounding the vige. Ding ding ding! Its here~! At the shout of the sentry in the watchtower, soldiers standing guard around the gate grabbed their muskets and ran out. A momentter. Bang! Ratatang! Bang! Loud gunshots rang out. And not long after, arge cart went out. Soon after, a bear carcass with an enormous body was brought in on the cart. The body was so big that only the trunk was on the cart, with the head and legs drooping outside the cart. Around the bear carcass, soldiers with muskets slung over their shoulders were walking along with grinning faces. *** The mostmon and dangerous predator in Daeseoldo was the bear. Therefore, since setting foot on Daeseoldo, Joseon troops had to hunt many bears. When the number of bears caught like this quickly approached a hundred, Sejong issued a royal order. -Bear hunting is prohibited except for bearsing down to civilian houses! For Joseon people, living in harmony was not just about humans. Just as they left persimmons at the top of persimmon trees as magpie food, wild animals and nts were also included in the category of this harmony. Therefore, the policy regarding predators was not to actively hunt them unless they came down to civilian houses and caused harm. However, if harm was received, they hunted the predators with full force. This is why the saying arose that For half the year in Joseon, tigers hunt people, and for the other half, people hunt tigers. Of course, Sejong issued this order not only out of concern for indiscriminate overhunting but also to prevent negligence in defense due to being preupied with hunting. Anyway, because of this order, an implicit rule was created that in cases like this where a bear appeared, it was handled by the soldiers on duty at the entrance of the vige. And it was also an implicit rule that if money was made in this way, a certain reward was given to the soldiers who alerted the situation from the watchtower. *** Wow! Look at the size! With that size, the galldder must be huge too! Is the galldder the only issue? For bears or tigers, everything from the skin to the ws is money, money! Those guys are going to make a fortune! The Joseon people and soldiers watching from around all looked at the lucky protagonists with envious eyes. The Ainu person, who had been watching the bear carcass moving on the cart and the Joseon soldiers, turned to look at the government monopoly store official. Didnt you say they were descendants of bears? *** Lastly, the research institute, where Hunminjeongeum was also weed, had unavoidable circumstances as well. The most internationalized ce in current Joseon was the research institute. Not only were there Joseon researchers, but also people from Arab countries, Italy, and Greece gathered there, so it was natural thatmunication problems arose due tonguage. In the case of Arab people, like Hassan, they had resided in Joseon for a long time, so there wasnt much problem withnguagemunication, but the researchers from Italy and Greece who had most recently entered Joseon were the problem. First, learn Joseonsnguage and Chinese characters. Because of Hyangs order, they started learning Korean and Chinese characters, but it wasnt easy to learn a foreignnguage where everything was different, starting from the grammar book. Therefore, Hyang had to propose apromise to lower the hurdle a bit. Learn only the minimum etiquette necessary for conversation. And for writing do your best. Due to Hyangs measure, the monks and alchemists could work with only minimal etiquette learned, pushing back etiquette rted to honorifics and titles starting with the rule of respecting superiors. However, Chinese characters, which were essential for document writing, couldnt be like that. The number of advanced Chinese characters that go into theses and reports, not just simple letters, was no joke. For reference, even the Arab people who were said to be familiar with Korean and Chinese characters were having difficulties in this area. Therefore, even though monks and alchemists had arrived, progress was inevitably slow. When a discussion on some mathematical point was held, the discussion could proceed with forms and dialogue. However, proper discussion couldnt proceed with just scattered words and forms, and a well-expressed thesis organizing thoughts was absolutely necessary. Because of this, at first, Hyang had to trante theses organized in Latin. Damn! I have so many things to obsess over, but I have to keep tranting! Annoyed, Hyang mobilized newly trained interpreters for trantion. However, the trantions by interpreters with shallow mathematical knowledge were full of errors. Therefore, this kind of saying circted among Joseon people in the research institute and Area 51. Which would be faster, for them to learn Korean and Chinese characters, or for us to learn Latin? It was in this situation that Hunminjeongeum appeared. *** Joseon researchers who encountered Hunminjeongeum through Hyang and Jinpyeong cheered greatly! Now we can escape the trouble of looking up dictionaries! Even for those ustomed to writing, it wasnt easy to find urate Chinese characters and write with them. Hunminjeongeum, which allowed them to record their familiar words as they were, was the best gift that could prevent unnecessary mental exhaustion. This Hunminjeongeum was also weed by monks and alchemists. First of all, they were ustomed to phic writing systems. Although the arrangement of wordsposing sentences was different, they could soon adapt to that part. Being able to record the Koreannguage they had be quite familiar with, although still awkward, directly, and being able to read and immediately understand documents written by others was also wee to them. As both sides became familiar with Hunminjeongeum, the work of interpreters gradually decreased. And finally, the interpreters were able to leave the research institute. On the day they heard the order that You no longer need toe to the research institute, the interpreters rushed to a gisaeng house as a group and held a feast. As a postscript, these trained interpreterster yed active roles in Alexandria and Europe. And they became notorious old fogies. Listen! In my day! We had to trante mathematical theses! Dont whine about mere contracts! Thus, it seemed that peace hade to the research institute and Area 51, but not long after, a major ident urred where the entire research institute was split in two and collided. *** It started with time difference. In the process of sailing to Alexandria, measuring the position of the ship was a very important task. Various measuring devices were needed to measure the exact position, but the most important was the clock. Well aware of this, Hyang instructed Jang Yeong-sil to develop a precision clock C chronometer C that moved with a spring. Until then, the clocks used by Joseon used weights and pendulums, and these types of clocks had errors due to the rocking of waves and such. Thats why he ordered the creation of a spring-driven clock. Jang Yeong-sil, who had been deeply versed in precision technology to the extent of creating a water clock where dolls struck drums and bells to tell time and a self-moving royal pnquin C with a spring as the power source, no less C in the history before Hyangs intervention, was able to create clocks at the level Hyang wanted by working through his subordinate craftsmen. And these precision clocks thus created began to be loaded onto Challenger-ss and Haeung-ss warships. And it was in the sailing records of these Challenger-ss warships that embarked on ocean voyages with these clocks that the time difference problem began to be officially recorded. Hyang, who confirmed the time difference problem through the sailing records, smiled wickedly. Shall we start setting up the board? Theres a lot more to do besides this, but if we dont sort this out properly, theres a high chance of problems when crossing the Pacific in the future. We need to change the seat from religion to science. Having made up his mind, Hyang gathered the researchers and proceeded with the work. Looking at the records of sailing to Alexandria, theres amon mention that the time indicated by the clock on the ship is different from the local time.'' Are you referring to time difference, Your Highness? Hyang nodded at Jeong Chos words. Yes. From what Ive observed, if we divide the route from our Joseon to Alexandria at appropriate intervals, it seems we can calcte the time difference. Thinking for a moment at Hyangs words, Jeong Cho soon nodded and continued. It seems possible. And so the research proceeded. And as Hyang wanted, a fire pit was created. Spherical Earth Theory vs. t Earth Theory Heliocentric Theory vs. Geocentric Theory It was the start of a war. We need popcorn, popcorn! *** Note 1) Encyclopedia of Korean Culture. Ungnyeo http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Item/E0040541 Chapter 371 Chapter 371 In the debate that ensued, the first to be eliminated were those who advocated the t Earth Theory. Those who had recently entered the research institute and a group of alchemists argued for the t Earth Theory. Since ancient times, it has been said that the sky is round and the earth is square. Isnt the world naturally t? Lee Soonji stepped forward to refute their im. Dont you remember the words of Zengzi recorded in the Da Dai Liji? Dont tell me you havent read it yet? Well Oh dear Shaking his head, Lee Soonji continued as if admonishing them. The Da Dai Liji says, If the sky were truly round and the earth square, the sky would not be able to cover the four corners of the earth. And didnt the Huntian theory already emerge during the Later Han dynasty?That Why do you think the armiry sphere is called the Huntian Yi? But didnt the Huntian theory also state that the earth is t? To the researchers point who argued for the t earth theory, Lee Soonji briefly went out and came back in with dozens of books. These are the records we made when we first climbed the Baekdudaegan mountain range for astronomical observations. We confirmed it while observing the arc-shaped horizon of the East Sea, and not satisfied with just that, we recorded and examined the shape while documenting sr and lunar eclipses. As Lee Soonjis rebuttal silenced the Joseon researchers, Marcos, an alchemist, countered. The ancient Greek philosopher Thales said that this world is like a round disc in the shape of a shield. In response to Marcos words, Angelo stepped forward to object. Thales? Have you forgotten that the great Aristotle refuted that theory? What about the illustrious Pythagoras? Didnt those great men already prove that the earth is spherical? Its not empirical evidence! Empirical evidence? Didnt Eratosthenes already calcte the diameter of the earth? Shouldnt we consider that empirical evidence has already beenpleted? After such an exchange, Hyang intervened. Then why dont we empirically verify it ourselves? Pardon? And so, the empirical verification proceeded. The verification was nothing more than reviewing the data umted so far C data from observing the horizon when climbing high mountains for astronomical observations, observational data obtained during civil engineering works such as road construction, and so on. However, the researchers debated and calcted fiercely. And as a result, a conclusion was reached. This world is spherical! *** Once those arguing for the t Earth Theory were eliminated, now the fight between the Geocentric Theory faction and the Heliocentric Theory faction began. It started, of course, with the time difference issue. In my opinion, the time difference problem seems to be because this world rotates. At Hyangs opening statement, all researchers, both Joseon and foreign, nodded. Thats the most likely exnation. Based on calctions centered on navigation records, if we divide the time zones at regr intervals, it will be easier to grasp the time of the corresponding regions. Of course, there will be some margin of error. The researchers put forward their opinions one after another based on the research results they had conducted so far. Now the stage is set, and I need to throw in the spark! Hiding his dark intentions deep inside, Hyang continued his act nonchntly. But you know, doesnt rotation require a center? Y-yes, thats right? The researchers stammered in response to Hyangs question. As they answered, the same question arose in all the researchers minds. Why suddenly bring up the center? Knowing the researchers doubts, Hyang pointed out the main problem. Then where is that center? Is it this world? Or is it somewhere else? What? Huh? At Hyangs question, the researchers momentarily fell into confusion. Shortly after, Angelo and Lee Soonji, who had escaped from the momentary cognitive dissonance, answered simultaneously. Of course, isnt this world the center? Of course, isnt the sun the center? Huh? What? The two who answered looked at each other. Did you say the world is the center? Did you say the sun is the center? Hearing the others statement that differed from their own, both shouted simultaneously. Youre wrong! And Hyang, who had caused thismotion, was doing his best to hold back hisughter. Its finally exploded! *** Thus began a fierce debate as the researchers split into factions supporting the geocentric theory and those supporting the heliocentric theory. The researchers at the institute were divided into two factions engaged in a heated argument. Of course, they werent exactly divided into just two factions. Besides the tworge factions, there were also minority factions. One was the observing faction represented by Jeong Cho and Jeong Inji. If we support one side, it will be a political issue, so well just observe until the resultse out. Another was the fence-sitting faction. These people moved between the two factions whenever they thought one side sounded usible. Another was the indifferent faction. The main proponent of this faction was Jinpyeong. What does it matter whether the earth rotates or the sky rotates? Just shut up andy down railroads and research iron horses! Hyang gave a bitter smile at Jinpyeongs reaction. This consistently single-minded guy Lastly, there was Hyang. The researchers from all factions gave Hyang a nickname. The Arsonist. This was because he calmly observed the situation and asionally threw in controversial topics, and each time, the two factions red up more fiercely. *** In this fierce debate between the two factions, the central focus was the orbit of the suns movement. Whenparing the winter solstice and summer solstice, the suns altitude is extremely different. If the sun revolves around this world, this orbit cannot be exined. Its too unreasonable. To Lee Soonjis argument, Angelo immediately responded. ording to thew discovered by the great Ptolemy, the orbit in which the stars move is Angelo exined Ptolemys theory. Thanks to being refined for nearly 1,300 years since Ptolemy systematized it, it showed considerablepleteness. As Lee Soonjis side seemed to be pushed back by Angelos exnation, Hyang subtly intervened. Ive heard your exnation well. But as I was listening, I became curious about something. What are you curious about? To Angelos question, Hyang threw in another spark. Looking at not only the records of our Joseons Bureau of Astronomy but also the records of the previous dynasty Hyang posed a question about apparent retrograde motion. To Hyangs question, Angelo answered without dy. Ah! That is ording to Ptolemys research Angelo exined using the concept of epicycles. After hearing Angelos exnation, Hyang still wore an expression of iprehension. Why is it soplicated? Pardon? At Hyangs question, Angelo felt confusion and wariness. The reason Angelo became wary was that Hyangs tone had changed. The king and crown prince of this country called Joseon had a very peculiar speech habit. They maintained polite manners when their subjects were working properly. However, when work wasnt done properly, the politeness in their speech disappeared. To be precise, they maintained basic courtesy, but respect disappeared. As a result, it was customary for the officials of this country to immediately turn pale and check their assigned tasks when the tone of the king and crown prince changed. For this reason, looking at Angelos tense face, Hyang continued. As far as I know, Ive heard that truth and providence are neverplicated. The ancient sages said the same thing. But the theory youre talking about now is tooplex. Isnt this rather moving away from providence? E=mc2, how simple and nice! To Hyangs point, Angelo stammered in response. But, Ptolemys theory is like that, and the doctrine is also As far as I know, this Ptolemy was a person from more than 1,000 years ago. How much has the world changed since then, and how much has knowledge increased? Isnt it right to examine everything from the beginning again? Feeling rather rebellious at Hyangs point, Angelo said to Hyang. If thats the case, what is Your Highnesss thought? At Angelos words, Hyang looked at Lee Soonji and continued. Its a thought I had while watching the discussions so far, its not an exact theory but more like a concept. Hyang erased one side of the ckboard and picked up a chalk. Instead ofplicating things with entric circles and epicycles, what if the orbit isnt a perfect circle but an ellipse, and we ce the sun at one of the two foci of this ellipse As Hyang quickly drew the diagram, Lee Soonji jumped up from his seat and shouted. Then the problem is solved! We can create a very simple form without epicycles or entric circles! True to his character who had argued for the spherical earth theory and heliocentric theory even in the history before Hyangs intervention, Lee Soonji immediately grasped the core. However, Angelo couldnt easily agree. But if it orbits in an elliptical path, the orbital speed must constantly change. This means that even the same 1 hour should keep changing. To Angelos point, who still couldnt let go of the ssical uniform circr motion orbit, Lee Soonji interjected. What if this orbit doesnt revolve once a day, but once a year, and instead this world itself rotates once a day? Then At that moment, Angelo closed his mouth. If the concept of rotation was introduced, the problem of uniform motion could be solved. Looking at Angelo who suddenly closed his mouth, Lee Soonji turned to Hyang and shouted. This world rotates while revolving! Then everything falls into ce! And if its an elliptical orbit! Even the parts that were difficult to exin when revising the calendar before be possible to exin and calcte! Lee Soonji excitedly wrote his theoretical form all over the ckboard. As numbers, forms, and diagrams filled the ckboard, Lee Soonji continued his exnation with an extremely excited voice. and this is how we ce the sun at one of the two foci of the elliptical orbit, and this world revolves around that elliptical orbit! Having finished his exnation, Lee Soonji looked at Angelo. Angelo, analyzing the form, felt a bitter taste in his mouth. Rationally, Hyangs concept and Lee Soonjis theory were more reasonable. However, emotionally, it was hard to ept. The moment he epted it, he felt like his belief in God that he had held until now would crumble. In the end, Angelo had to keep finding fault. Its difficult to exin the urrence of seasons and sr terms with that theory. To Angelos point, Hyang intervened. What if the axis of rotation of this world isnt standing straight but is tilted? Pardon? To Angelos question, Hyang rolled a paper into a cylinder and pierced it with a gold needle. Its a bit crude, but lets say this paper is the world and this gold needle is the axis. And lets say my left fist is the sun. If this axis rotates like this Hyang exined while spinning the gold needle around his left fist. In the end, Angelo had to concede. The opinion that this world revolves around the sun seems more reasonable, but ording to the doctrine As Angelo mentioned the doctrine, Hyang cut him off. Can you be certain that the providence of the God you believe in aligns with the doctrine? Pardon? From the scriptures and books of yours that Ive read, it seems that what was originally passed down orally was recorded in thenguage of a different race, and then transcribed into Latin. Can you be confident that there wasnt a single mistrantion in that process? That Angelo couldnt answer Hyangs question with certainty. Seeing Angelo like this, Hyang drove the final nail. Lets say the providence of the God you believe in is infallible. Can you be confident that your scriptures and doctrines are also infallible? In the end, Angelo and the monks had no choice but to answer that they would positively review the heliocentric theory. *** Note 1) A story about Round Heaven, Square Earth and money. Seoul Today. 2019.01.11. http://.sultoday.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=55970 Chapter 372 Chapter 372 A small Franciscan monastery on the outskirts of Florence. Brother Giovanni. A letter has arrived from Brother Angelo. Is that so? Thank you. Giovanni, taking the letter, returned to his room and sat at his desk. Seeing the thick envelope, Giovanni sighed softly and muttered. I wonder how much has been redacted this time *** The letters his friend Angelo consistently sent from Joseon gave him both joy and pain. The stories of daily life in Joseon and its people written in the letters were full of the strangeness of a foreignnd he couldnt visit himself.This strangeness and the academic stories obtained while researching at the institute gave him joy. However, any sentences that might have contained even slightly important forms or information were mercilessly cked out. And these ckouts gave him a thirst. What on earth could have been written in these hidden sentences? This wasnt just Giovannis curiosity. The intellectuals residing in nearby Florence were the same. After Angelos first letter was read at the Vatican, the intellectuals of Florence awaited Angelos letters as much as Giovanni did. The letters sent by Angelo crossed the sea from Alexandria, passed through Florence, and then arrived at the monastery. Therefore, the intellectuals of Florence knew well when a letter had arrived. As a result, about three days after the letter came into Giovannis hands, schrs would flock from Florence and the monastery would be bustling. Im sorry for disturbing the monastery that should be quiet. To Giovannis apology, the abbot shook his head with a bitter smile. Arent they at least courteous enough not to open the seal of the letter first? We should endure this much. And Im curious about the contents of the letter too. *** Sighing softly, Giovanni broke the wax seal and opened the envelope. My dear friend Giovanni. I am still doing well, receiving the Lords protection The front part of the letter was densely filled with content about how he was wrestling fiercely with numbers and forms every day at the research institute in Joseon. Reading the content full ofints, Giovanni smiled slightly. This friend, hes enjoying it. However, as soon as he turned to the next page, Giovannis eyes widened. They created their own script? -A script unique to this Joseon has been created. Its a script that the king himself created, the crown prince assisted, and the second and third princes verified for ease of use. I have tried using it myself, and its convenience is such that Latin cannot keep up. This Joseon alphabet and its usage method are. However, after that, it was densely cked out, and the reason was written in red ink. -The alphabet named Hunminjeongeum has not yet been officially promulgated. Therefore, it is nned to dessify after official promulgation. This damn! Giovanni, who unknowingly blurted out a curse, hurriedly made the sign of the cross. After calming his mind, Giovanni examined the next page of the letter. The entire next page was cked out. Seeing the paper that had bepletely ink-stained, Giovanni sighed and grumbled. Huh~. If theyre going to do this, they might as well remove it entirely Its not like theyre mocking people Really, these Joseon people are diligent even in unnecessary parts Grumbling, Giovanni flipped through the ink-stained papers and focused again when text reappeared. -Ah! And we had a debate about the time difference issue confirmed as Joseons ships frequently traveled to Alexandria and various other countries. In the end, after a heated debate, it was concluded that the earth is round. Of course its round. Why state the obvious As Giovanni had a simr level of knowledge as Angelo, he made an expression that suggested this part was nothing special, or rather, Only now? They say Joseons scientific level is considerable, but it doesnt seem like much. With a slightly deted expression, Giovanni continued reading, but his face turned pale. The following content was shocking and terrifying in itself. -However, a heated argument broke out over the question the Crown Prince of Joseon posed next. The fact that there is a time difference means that this world rotates. But what is it rotating around? Is this world the center? Or is the sun in the sky the center? Due to this problem, the people in the research institute were almost evenly divided, and a debate broke out. To tell you the result first, based on astronomical records observed in Joseon, the astronomical records we brought, and data on the urrence of sr terms and seasons, etc., after calctions We had to conclude that the earth rotates on its own while orbiting around the sun. This is insane! He blurted out a curse unconsciously, but Giovanni couldnt even think of making the sign of the cross. The content written in the letter was that shocking. Gathering his thoughts, Giovanni carefully read the following content. The following content detailed the process of verifying the heliocentric theory based on recorded astronomical knowledge, rted forms, and the process of debate. After reading the contents of the letter, Giovanni picked up the pen and paper ced beside him and began to calcte the forms. After two days of calction, forgetting to eat or sleep, Giovanni finally put down his pen and let out a long sigh. Huh~. Its hard to refute. Having barely escaped from the shock of the concepts he had known until then crumbling, Giovanni tried to continue reading the letter. Knock knock! At that moment, the sound of knocking on the door broke Giovannis concentration, and he got up from his seat with an unpleasant face to open the door. What is it? Seeing Giovannis unpleasant expression, the young monk hurriedly stated his business. The abbot is worried because youve been skipping meals and prayer times. Ah I had something to think deeply about. Tell the abbot Im sorry. And guests have alsoe from Florence. Tell them Im not feeling well now and toe back in a few days. Also, convey my apologies. Yes After telling the young monk what to say, Giovanni immediately closed the door and sat at his desk to continue reading the letter. *** Two days after thatmotion, Giovanni sought out the abbot. Are you feeling better? I hope its not an illness that requires long-term treatment? To the abbots meaningful words, Giovanni also gave a meaningful answer. Well I need your opinion, Father Abbot. Is it that serious? At the abbots question, Giovanni took out Angelos letter from his bosom and held it out. Please read it and prescribe a treatment. At Giovannis request, the abbots face became serious. Giovanni was as well-versed in the philosophy and scientific knowledge of ancient Greece and Rome as Angelo. However, there was a difference from Angelo, who had to leave Florence almost forcibly: Giovanni had political sense that Angelocked. Thats why Giovanni could remain in Italy. As he read through the letter left by Angelo, the abbots face gradually turned pale. The abbot, who put down the letter with slightly trembling hands, let out a long sigh. Huh~. Seeing this, Giovanni spoke up. The unique script of Joseon itself is not much of a problem. The problem is the theory that follows, stating the earth revolves around the sun.'' At Giovannis words, the abbot shook his head. No, that might not be a big problem either. We can just say its a theory from a different perspective. The problem is the sentence attached to the veryst part. The abbot tapped his finger on the veryst page of the letter. -What the Crown Prince of Joseon said to me was shocking. Are you certain that your God said the orbits of stars must be perfect circles? Ive read your scriptures, but I couldnt find the part where God said so. Are you confident that there isnt a single error in the records of your Gods words during the process of oral transmission, then writing it down, and then tranting it into Latin? The providence of God you believe in might be infallible, but can you be confident that the doctrine is also infallible? -When the Crown Prince of Joseon asked me this, I couldnt answer confidently even once. And neither Giovanni nor the abbot who read the letter could answer this confidently either. Huh~. Sighing deeply once again, the abbot burst out in frustration while looking at the letter. They cked out other things so well! Why didnt they ck this out! In the letter Angelo sent this time, there were also points he felt while observing Hyang during the verification process. -Now that I think about it, the Crown Prince of Joseon is And after that, nearly half a page was cked out. Thats what the abbot was grumbling about. *** With the problematic letter sent from Joseon ced between them, Giovanni and the abbot pondered a solution. The biggest problem is the schrs who will flock from Florence. If they know about this, there will be an uproar. We can block those people with the excuse of illness, but the problem is the Vatican. Every time a letter from Angelo arrived, Giovanni would go to the Vatican to read it aloud. This reading session was a mandatory event for the Pope, high-ranking priests, and leaders of nearby city-states to attend. This was because there was tremendous interest in Joseon, which was said to be even further away than India, not to mention the Imic countries across the sea. If were not careful, it could be seen as a serious challenge to traditional doctrine. Thats right. But we cant just skip the reading session either. Should we ck it out? That would be a good method, but what if its found out? It would have been best if they cked it out and kept quiet on their own, but if it was discovered, they could be put on the stake for trying to hide heresy. The reason they couldnt rule out the possibility of discovery was because of the schrs in Florence and the Vatican. They were as curious about the cked-out parts as Giovanni was. To solve this curiosity, they made every effort to erase the cked-out parts. In the process, they had be the best forgery detectors when it came to letters sent from Joseon. In the end, after much deliberation, the abbot had no choice but to choose the next best option. Lets consult with the Bishop. *** The next day, the abbot and Giovanni immediately sought out the Bishop of Florence. Wee. So, a letter hase from the country of flowers? The abbot and Giovanni, who paid their respects to the Bishop weing them, immediately got to the point. Yes, we have something to consult with you about that matter. Hm? After hearing the whole story from the abbot and Giovanni, the Cardinals face became troubled. This issue is beyond my ability to decide. And so, the letter sent by Angelo gradually went up to higher-ranking officials, and finally reached the Pope. *** In the conference room of the Vatican Papal Office. Pope Eugene IV and the cardinals were sitting around with serious faces. In the middle of the conference table they were sitting around was the letter sent by Angelo. There certainly is a problem. At Eugene IVs words, the cardinals all nodded. Should we incinerate it? One cardinal suggested incineration, but another cardinal came forward to object. Half of Italy already knows that the letter has arrived. And were going to incinerate it? The matter will only grow bigger. No sooner had those words ended than another cardinal expressed support for the opposing opinion. If we handle it that way, the council wont stay quiet. Arent they already making a fuss at every little thing they can find fault with? Sincest year, the Council of Basel and the Pope had been in serious conflict. The point of contention was which was superior between the council and the Pope. Eugene IV, who had been pondering for an appropriate solution, finally reached a conclusion. Lets incinerate it. Yes. Bang! Wait! At that moment, with a loud noise, a group of men entered the conference room. The council orders the letter to be made public! The professors of the University of Florence petition for the letter to be made public! The professors of Venice also The professors of Genoa also Not only the council, but professors from universities located in major Italian cities flocked to request the letter be made public. Under this pressure, Eugene IV finally decided to make Angelos letter public. It was the beginning of Angelos Letter Incident, which caused an earthquake in 15th century European humanities and science, and became the spark for the Renaissance. And Hyang, who heard the story through Mansur and others traveling to and from Alexandria, expressed slight regret. Its more fun to watch the fire pit in real-time Chapter 373 Chapter 373 The impact of Angelos letter spread like wildfire as it was made public. Among renowned Italian university professors, a process of verification and recalction based on Angelos records was underway. After an intense verification process, the schrs all sighed. It checks out. There are a few parts that dont quite fit, butpared to existing theories, theyre very few. Well need to review these parts again when more precise celestial observations be possible. Above all the words attributed to Joseons First Prince resonate: Truth must be simple. Honestly, hasnt Ptolemysw long since lost its original simplicity? The academicmunity was moving towards epting the theory from Joseon. What followed was the Revival Movement. Lets return to our roots and revive the schrship of ancient Greece and Rome!Truth is simple! Under these ims, the Revival Movement began to unfold, which would soon lead to the Renaissance. It was at least a generation earlier than in the history before Hyangs intervention. *** While the academic world was experiencing a revival movement, the religious world was in great turmoil. Since the Great Schism of the 11th century that split the church into Catholic and Eastern Orthodox, the Western Catholic Church had been experiencing discord, knowingly or unknowingly. This discord in Catholicism had already caused quite a stir with the Western Schism during the Avignon Papacy. It was finally resolved through the Council of Constance from 1414 to 1418. However, barely a generationter, discord erupted again. But it wouldnt be urate to say that Hyangs observations, conveyed through Angelos letter, were the sole cause of this. The situation had already been on the brink of explosion before that. When Eugene IV ascended to the papacy in 1431, he had made a written agreement with the cardinals to secure his position. -Half of all church revenues would be shared with the cardinals. -Spiritual and secr matters would be discussed with the cardinals. In other words, Eugene IVs reign began as a form of oligarchy. Eugene IV worked to weaken the power of the Colonna family, which had produced his predecessor, Pope Martin V. It was only natural that the Colonna family, who had secured many castles and territories through the influence of the previous pope, would resist this. However, the two opposing forces soon reached a truce. This was due to the emergence of a powerful enemy: the Council. *** To be precise, the Ecumenical Council (Concilium Oecumenicum) was a grand assembly where clergy and theologians gathered to discuss matters of doctrine, ritual, and norms. The previous pope, Martin V, had convened the council for church reform. However, shortly after Martin Vs death, the council endorsed by Eugene IV showed hostility towards the papal faction. This was because the council advocated for Conciliarism, while the papal side asserted the Papal Primacy. In this situation, a single remark from Hyang ignited the fire. While divine providence is infallible, can one be certain that doctrine is infallible? This question sparked numerous debates, bloodshed, and alliances and divisions among the young and old factions, conciliarists and papalists, progressives and conservatives. Of course, Hyang had somewhat foreseen this situation. From what I remember, the Reformation was almost a centuryter, but that was when it exploded after reaching a critical point. There must be many dissatisfied factions even now. Historically, the most persistent groups are found in religion and politics. If things go well, theyll be too busy with internal strife for a while. That will buy time for Joseon. Though he had his ns, Hyang couldnt help but worry a little. Could this be a controlled burn to prevent arger fire? But Hyang soon dismissed the thought. Que Sera, Sera. (Whatever will be, will be.) When you start a fire, you dont think about the aftermath. Are they going toe all the way to Joseon to argue? With this very irresponsible statement, Hyang finished smearing ink on Angelos letter. *** However, this statement caused unrest in an area Hyang hadnt even anticipated. That area was the Imic region. Hyangs words, transmitted through merchants trading with European merchants and politicians keeping a close eye on the movements of European countries, stimted many Imic imams (????, religious leaders). Are we truly living ording to the teachings of Muhammad and the Quran? As a result of this self-reflection movement, many sects emerged besides the representative Sunni and Shia denominations. Naturally, the ruling Sunni and Shia factions suppressed these new sects. Consequently, countries within the Imic sphere of influence had to endure serious internal strife. In this process, some unexpected beneficiaries emerged, most notably the Eastern Roman Empire. The Ottoman Empire, on the verge of destroying the empire, halted due to internal strife, giving the Eastern Roman Empire time to catch its breath. *** Later, historians studying this period made the following remarks about Angelos letter: The fact that just a few lines of text caused such events is evidence of how much discontent had umted among the people of that era. Even as they wrote these papers, schrs ground their teeth. This Hyang, couldnt he just have stayed put in Joseon! Why did he have to run his mouth! Should we limit this to Korean history, or should we include it in world history? The one who wrote it down and sent it as a letter is worse than the one who spoke! The worst one is the guy who didnt censor that part! Although Hyang personally censored most of these letters due to issues with the interpreters qualifications, this wasnt officially recorded. As a result, historians could only me the innocent interpreters. And regarding this matter, many European historiansmented: There have been several instances where movements from the East greatly influenced the West. Famous examples include the migration of the Huns, therge-scale Mongol expeditions, and the ck Death. However, considering the events triggered by Angelos letter, Lee Hyang, who was the First Prince of Joseon at the time, should be viewed as the most significant. Due to this single individual, Europe and the Imic regions had to endure nearly a generation of tremendous chaos. Because of this, some extreme historians described Hyang as: The greatest viin in history. And when such statements were officially made, the Korean government would respond with their usual: Do you want to die? Do you want to perish? Do you want to kick the bucket? *** While Hyang was observing themotion happening outside, an unexpected ce was brewing its own storm. Anseong, Gyeonggi Province. My lord. Someone hase from Hanseong. Choi Man-ri, who was studying scriptures in the guest room, rose from his seat and went outside at his servants words. As Choi Man-ri stepped out, a man carrying a bundle bowed deeply and spoke. How do you do, my lord? Yes, I dont recognize you. Who are you? Ivee from Ilhyangdang in Bukchon. At the mans words, Choi Man-ris face lit up with joy. You were sent by that friend? How is he doing? Yes, the master workste every day, but hes doing well. I see, I see Smiling at the news of his acquaintances well-being, Choi Man-ri got to the point. So, what brings you here? At Choi Man-ris question, the man untied his bundle and took out arge package and a letter. I was ordered to deliver these. Is that so? Bring them here. The man respectfully ced the package and letter on the floor of the guest room porch. Holding the letter, Choi Man-ri ordered the man: Ill provide a room and meals, so rest for the night before you leave. Thank you, my lord. *** Returning to the guest room with the package and letter, Choi Man-ri opened the envelope. To the Wanderer of Rivers and Lakes Choi Man-ri began reading the letter, humming. However, as he read further down, his voice grew quieter, and his expression became serious. -His Majesty has created a writing system unique to our Joseon. Although it seemed unfamiliar at first, its easy to learn and convenient to write, making it iparably useful. So, Ive sent you a handwritten copy. Please take a look. With your excellence, Im sure youll understand its utility without me exining at length. Please use this well and return to Hanseong. Isnt your age and literary talent too precious to be spent living in seclusion in the countryside? To summarize the contents of the letter: -The writing system created by the king is very good. So praise it, earn some points, ande back. Huh~. Are you asking me to act like a sycophant? I must have misjudged you. Choi Man-ri put down the letter irritably and red at the package. He wanted to order a servant to burn it in the firece right away. But he was curious too. And although he had retired to the countryside, he still had ambitions. Well, lets see how well its made. Choi Man-ri untied the package and ced the books on the writing desk. *** Two hourster. What a terrifying writing system! Choi Man-ri stared at the books with eyes that had moved beyond surprise to fear. The writing desk and its surroundings were covered with papers full of sentences written in Hunminjeongeum. It took less than an hour after turning the cover of the first book to learn how to read and write, and in just over an hour, he couldpose sentences freely. Thats why Choi Man-ri was not just surprised, but terrified. Although I was stuck in Hall of Worthies rather than Geunjeongcheon, I wasnt unaware of the pces movements. But I never heard news of something like this being created. Which means As Choi Man-ri searched his memories, hemented: As I thought! His Majesty and the Crown Prince did everything themselves! He remembered the Crown Prince acquiring phonology books and foreign books through envoys. He and the other schrs of Hall of Worthies, along with other officials, had dismissed them as useless misceneous books, but it was clear that His Majesty was involved in this matter. That means this started simultaneously with the reforms. They created a writing system of this level ofpletion in nearly 10 years, not just one person, but two? After reviewing his conclusion, Choi Man-ri shook his head. Are those two even human? However, there was something Choi Man-ri couldnt have predicted C that Hyang was a reincarnator. In the history before Hyangs intervention, the Hunminjeongeum created by King Sejong was an excellent writing system from its inception, but it was still in its raw state. It was refined over time to be the Hangul of the 21st century. However, with Hyangs intervention, the modified Hunminjeongeum achieved a high level ofpletion. Examining the papers with terrified eyes, Choi Man-ri soon bit his lip. We must stop this! This mustnt be used! Chapter 374 Chapter 374 While Sejong and his ministers were in the midst of a meeting in Geunjeongjeon, a group of eunuchs and officials entered. What is the matter? At Sejongs question, the Chief Secretary approached a eunuch. After receiving a whispered report, he carefully ryed the situation to Sejong. Choi Man-ri is now outside Gwanghwamun, kneeling on straw mats and presenting a petition? For what reason? Its because of the Hunminjeongeum youve created, Your Majesty. Sejongs face momentarily turned fierce upon hearing the Chief Secretarys report. However, a sneer soon took its ce. Hah! Choi Man-ri His insight and integrity are indeed admirable. Yes, indeed they are. After uttering words that could be either praise or sarcasm, Sejong rose from his seat. I should go out to see. Lets all go together. We should at least hear what he has to bark about, shouldnt we?At Sejongs use of bark, the ministers momentarily hesitated and looked at him. Why are you all acting like that? Your Majesty, that expression doesnt befit your status As Lee Jik trailed off, Sejong instead looked back with an expression of iprehension. I said speak (Ի) for someone with lofty insight. Whats the problem? Ah Its nothing! Its nothing! At Sejongs words, the ministers hurriedly rose from their seats. Seeing this, Sejong clicked his tongue. I wonder what they were thinking Tsk! The court historian who recorded all of this quickly added a note as he stood up: -The historian says: It doesnt seem right *** Your Majesty! Please reconsider! The promulgation of Hunminjeongeum must never happen! As they approached Gwanghwamun, Choi Man-ris shouts could be heard. Hearing these cries, Sejong chuckled and muttered. What a good set of lungs he has. Loyalty! Well done, all of you. Receiving the salutes of the soldiers guarding Gwanghwamun, Sejong crossed the threshold and surveyed the scene spread out before Gwanghwamun. Choi Man-ri was prostrated on a straw mat, continuing to raise his voice, while the residents of Hanseong were gathered thickly around. Although many had gathered during the previous petition incident, even more had gathered now. The reason for this difference was Choi Man-ris reputation. -Former Chief Schr of Hall of Worthies and a renowned man of integrity. People had gathered because someone of apletely different caliber from the previous rabble was presenting a petition. Your Majesty! I, Choi Man-ri, former Chief Schr of Hall of Worthies, risk my life to inform you! The promulgation of Hunminjeongeum must never happen! Please reconsider! Seeing Sejong, Choi Man-ri raised his voice even more. Observing this, Sejong nced around subtly. Not only were the ministers who had followed him out visible, but also Hyang, who had rushed over from working in Area 51. Seeing Hyangs slightly worried expression, Sejong muttered quietly. With my child watching, I cant show an unseemly appearance as a father. After taking a small breath, Sejong ordered the Chief Secretary. Go and bring a desk and chair. Yes, Your Majesty. A momentter, when the eunuchs brought a desk and chair, Sejong pointed with his finger to the area in front of Choi Man-ri. ce them there. After the eunuchs ced the desk and chair and withdrew, Sejong sat down. With his elbows on the desk and his chin resting lightly on his interlocked hands, Sejong asked Choi Man-ri. Why shouldnt Hunminjeongeum be used? Its not such a poor creation, is it? Choi Man-ri immediately answered Sejongs question. Not at all. The Hunminjeongeum Your Majesty has created contains extremely profound principles. Therefore, anyone who can think and act like a human being should be able to learn it easily and use it proficiently. Then why do you say it shouldnt be used? That is precisely why it must not be used. If I may exin the reasons Wait. Interrupting Choi Man-ri, Sejong ordered the ministers. This seems like it will be quite a long story. You are all elderly, so bring chairs and sit down. Your grace is boundless. The Crown Prince should do the same. Your grace is boundless, Father. The people may sitfortably on the ground if theyre tired, or leave if they wish. Your grace is boundless! The residents of Hanseong, who had been lying t on the ground ording to etiquette andw, responded loudly to Sejongs order. After settling the situation thus, Sejong turned back to Choi Man-ri. Where were we in the conversation? Well Ahem! Ahem! Choi Man-ri, who had been sitting dazed, soon gathered his wits, cleared his throat, and continued speaking. Seeing this, all the ministers muttered inwardly. Hes already mastered the art of handling people! Choi Man-ri exined to Sejong why Hunminjeongeum should not be used. It was an incredibly long exnation, but summarized, it was roughly as follows: -The Hunminjeongeum created by Sejong is a writing system that is very easy to learn and use. However, it will cause many significant problems, so it is right not to use it. -Since its founding, Joseon has followed Ming and adhered to Chinese systems. Although the newly created writing system is said to have derived its form from ancient seal script, its sounds and usage differ, which may cause issues with Ming. -Throughout history, only barbarians have created and used their ownnguages instead of Chinese characters. Given that our Joseons culture and rituals areparable to those of China, how can we take the path of barbarians? -Although Idu, created by Seol Chong of Si, is vulgar vernacr, it requires the use of Chinese characters, so one must learn Chinese characters. The new writing system doesnt require Chinese characters at all, which will cause problems in learning schrship. If an official bes proficient in Hunminjeongeum without Chinese characters, future generations will think they can achieve sess with Hunminjeongeum alone and abandon Chinese characters. There will be no one to learn the teachings of the sages. -It was said that Hunminjeongeum could be used to resolve injustices in criminal cases, but this is not a matter of writing systems. This is a separate issue that depends on the fairness of the prison officials. -In the case of Hunminjeongeum, it suddenly appeared and was decided to be used without discussion with the ministers, which is not right. Although the current trend is to make quick decisions and see quick results, it is absolutely uneptable to do so with such a crucial matter as a writing system. -Looking at the creation process of Hunminjeongeum, we can see that even the Crown Prince participated. Who is the Crown Prince? He is the future leader of Joseon. He has been exceptionally intelligent from a young age, but it is regrettable that he is now immersed in misceneous studies and not diligent in his main studies. In this situation, it is not right to continue assigning Hunminjeongeum-rted tasks to the Crown Prince. -If Hunminjeongeum is used, the people will be able to learn and write sentences easily. However, being able to read and write sentences easily is a separate issue from having deep knowledge. If someone with evil intentions uses deceptive words and sentences to mislead the people, it will cause even greater harm than when only Chinese characters were used. Therefore, the promulgation and use of Hunminjeongeum must never happen! Please reconsider! Even after Choi Man-ris exnation ended, Sejong did not immediately open his mouth. Hmm Making a small nasal sound as he organized his thoughts, Sejong soon spoke. It seems right at first nce, but it is not. Sejong refuted Choi Man-ris opinions point by point. -Respecting Ming is not an etiquette that must be followed, but a diplomatic choice. To act as you say is not to show respect, but to submit. This very act blurs the intent of respecting Ming that has continued since King Taejo. -As you say, our Joseons culture and rituals areparable to those of China. What is the meaning of parable? It is to weigh the merits of two different things. In other words, isnt it natural that Joseons writing system should be different since its culture and rituals are different from Chinas? Isnt that why Idu came about in the first ce? Wasnt Idu used because we had differentnguage and culture but no proper writing system? -Your statement that the fairness of criminal cases depends on prison officials is not wrong. However, ifws are written in simple text, and the people can easily read and understand them, wouldnt it be easier to avoid injustices? -You say there was no discussion with the ministers, but after its creation, all the ministers gave positive evaluations. It was also evaluated as convenient for writing official documents. Moreover, have you forgotten the existence of the remonstrators? Do you think they would have remained silent if I had done something wrong? -You also mentioned the Crown Prince, but his participation is almost over. Even if you point out past events, cant they be revisited? Isnt this criticism for the sake of criticism? And you said the Crown Prince is only focusing on misceneous studies and neglecting his main studies, but the Crown Prince has already mastered them long ago. And many people are enjoying the results of the Crown Princes misceneous studies, so what is your arrogance in taking this lightly? And you said that Chinese characters would be abandoned, neglecting the teachings of the sages, and that people would be deceived, causing harm. Let me ask you this. Choi Man-ri, thoroughly refuted by Sejong point by point, answered in a tired voice. Please ask, Your Majesty. Are Chinese characters the only vessel that can contain the profound meanings of the sages? What do you value more: the meanings of the sages, or the Chinese characters that are merely the vessel containing those meanings? That, that is What is the problem with changing the vessel so that more people can easily understand the meanings of the sages? And about deception? Looking back at history, there have always been those who cause trouble by deceiving people. Was that because people didnt use Chinese characters then? Thats not it Sejong persistently tore into Choi Man-ri. Yes, its six of one and half a dozen of the other The uneducated and those with shallow knowledge are equally susceptible to being deceived. But let me ask you this. Do you think those who have discovered the joy of learning through simple writing will be satisfied with shallow knowledge? But the people are naturally reluctant to learn At Choi Man-ris words, Sejong shouted angrily. Are your eyes blind? Can you say that even after seeing the children flocking to the Commoners School right now? Nine out of ten children discovering the joy of learning at the Commoners School aremoners! At Sejongs rebuke, Choi Man-ris head dropped to the ground. Sejongs reprimand continued to fall on Choi Man-ris ears. Wasnt the greatest duty of the schr-officials to educate the people? If there were difficulties in educating the people due to theck of a writing system, it was only natural to devise all sorts of methods to solve this! And now that a solution to this problem has emerged, what nonsense is it to block it! In the end, Choi Man-ri had to surrender. My thinking was short-sighted. Please forgive my sin. At Choi Man-ris response, the ministers breathed sighs of relief. Choi Man-ri, that stubborn man has waved the white g. What a relief. That was close. If he had gone a little further, His Majesty would have had his head. Whether aware of the ministers thoughts or not, Sejong red at Choi Man-ri silently for a long time. What should I do with someone as obtuse as you? At the word obtuse, Choi Man-ri gritted his teeth. However, he was in no position to argue against such an assessment now. After staring at Choi Man-ri for a long time, Sejong turned his head. Prime Minister Yes, Your Majesty. I think I need to reverse one of my previous decisions. Would that be alright? It depends on the matter, but Your Majestys will takes precedence. Is that so? Hmm. Choi Man-ri, listen. Yes, Your Majesty. The Office of Correct Sounds will soon be established. You will take charge as its head and be responsible for transcribing this countrysw books into Hunminjeongeum. And not just simply transcribing, but rewriting them in a way that anyone can easily understand their meaning! You, who recognized the advantages of Hunminjeongeum in just a few days, should be capable of this, right? My abilities are insufficient Choi Man-ri, terrified, tried to back out, but Sejong didnt let him. You have no right of refusal. And Pausing briefly, Sejong approached Choi Man-ri and whispered so that only he could hear. Thank you. Thanks to your reputation, many people of Joseon will be even more interested in Hunminjeongeum. Chapter 375 Chapter 375 Late in the evening of the day Choi Man-ri was appointed as the head of the Office of Correct Sounds. In a gisaeng house in Dadong, Sejong and Hyang were having a private drinking session between father and son. Its truly surprising to have a drinking session with Father outside of the pce or hunting grounds. Sejong smiled at Hyangs words and responded. It gets tiresome to always eat in the pce, and going out hunting is bothersome. Hyangs face changed slightly at Sejongs words. Oh! This man, really! Whether aware of Hyangs thoughts or not, Sejong immediately continued. If youre going to start with that not rising nonsense again, Ill make you regent right away. Dont worry, this father of yours is still doing everything he needs to do.Yes. Having silenced Hyang, Sejong ordered the gisaengs. The cups are empty. Fill them up. Yes. As the cups were filled, Sejong raised his cup and ordered Hyang. Come, lets drink. Yes. After several rounds of drinks, Hyang asked Sejong. By the way, whats the asion for this drinking session today? Didnt we catch a big fish today? At Sejongs words, which mixed jest and seriousness, Hyang asked with slightly surprised eyes. Was it nned? A bigger fish than expected was caught. How did you anticipate it? Whats the mostcking thing in the court right now? Hyang immediately answered Sejongs question. People. Sejong nodded at Hyangs answer. Thats right. Were short on people. Arent the current court officials those who are ustomed to workingte nights and overnight? I expected they would spread bait here and there just to survive. Hyang nodded unconsciously at Sejongs exnation. Ah So thats why you didnt issue an order prohibiting handwritten copies? They would do it even if told not to. And dont they know capable people through various academic and regional connections, like that Han Myeong-hoe boy from before? I thought it would be a good opportunity to catch those who slipped through my, and it was sessful. A bigger fish than expected was caught. At Sejongs words, Hyang muttered unconsciously. Are you the Fishing King of the East Sea? Ha, thats a good nickname. Hahaha! Sejong, who burst intoughter at Hyangs words, continued speaking with a grin. Thanks to catching this big fish, it seems well be able to see those stubborn fellows again soon. As Hyang searched his memories at Sejongs words, he asked Sejong. By stubborn fellows, do you mean the dismissed schrs from Hall of Worthies? Thats right. Theyre stubborn, but theyre talents too good to be left idle. We should put them to use. At Sejongs words, Hyang thought for a moment and asked with a worried expression. Will they return? No, is it possible given Your Majestys previous royal decree? If were not careful, some impudent fellows might call it a w in Your Majesty. Sejong drained his cup lightly and answered Hyangs words. Thats why I asked the Prime Minister earlier, wasnt it? Since the Prime Minister answered like that, even if some nonsensees out, hell step up to block it first. Hyang nodded at Sejongs words, but he hadntpletely erased his worries. In the end, Hyang continued his questions. But will those stubborn fellows reallye back? Werent they the stubborn ones who threw in their resignations even before they were dismissed? Sejongs smile deepened at Hyangs observation. Im thinking of giving Choi Man-ri temporary authority over personnel and appointments. However, with the condition that for officials already working in the court, permission must be obtained from the head of the relevant department. What do you think will happen then? Hyang immediately answered Sejongs question. It will be impossible to secure those already working as officials. The ministers will absolutely not let them go. In the end, hell have no choice but to exercise his appointment authority So, to properly run the Office of Correct Sounds, hell have no choice but to bring in the dismissed schrs. But will Chief Choi Man-ri be able to easily bring in those stubborn fellows? Sejong emptied his cup and answered Hyangs question. One of the things that schr-officials must absolutely uphold is loyalty. They have loyalty built up from Hall of Worthies, so theyll have no choice but toe. Ah At Sejongs words, Hyang momentarily recalled a variation of a movie scene. We Hall of Worthies schrs! Eui! Thanks to this, well be able to put those stubborn fellows to good use under Choi Man-ris responsibility. This is all thanks to you. Hyangs eyes widened at Sejongs words. Pardon? What did I Have you forgotten what you said before? The words that the king of the Western barbarians said to the prince who would inherit the throne. Be the bee that sucks the sweetest nectar from all flowers. Wasnt that a good saying? Ah Nodding at Sejongs words, Hyang muttered inwardly. Its a thousand blessings that theres no court historian here. If there had been, I might have been recorded as some kind of shadowy figure By the way, this man is really out of the ordinary How can he apply things so terrifyingly well? *** While the drinking session continued like this, the head gisaeng entered. What is it? Some of the girls from the gisaeng house say they have a request for His Majesty and the Crown Prince, so this lowly woman hase in. A request, you say? At the head gisaengs words, Sejongs expression filled with curiosity. A request from the gisaengs Well, lets hear what kind of request it is. Yes. As soon as Sejongs permission was given, the door to the room adjacent to where Sejong and his son were seated opened. As the door opened, the waiting gisaengs made a deep bow to Sejong with nimble movements. Seeing this, Sejong nodded his head with a constant smile. Hahaha! Truly swallow-like swift movements. Well, what is your request? At Sejongs question, the gisaeng sitting at the front carefully opened her mouth. Please teach us lowly women a new song. Huh? What? At this unexpected request, Sejong and Hyang tilted their heads. After observing the gisaengs for a moment, Hyang eximed when he saw the gisaeng sitting at the front. Ah! Youre that girl from before! The gisaeng sitting at the front was the one who had previously asked Hyang to teach her The Virgin Boatman. When Hyang recognized her, the gisaeng raised her head gently and answered with a seductive smile. Yes, this lowly woman is that gisaeng from before. Seeing this, Sejong opened his mouth with a slightly regretful expression. Oh my, it was the Crown Prince, not me. Anyway, a new song You, tell me more about it. At Sejongsmand, the gisaeng borated more on her story. *** The Virgin Boatman, which Hyang had taught while shouting A clich is a clich, spread throughout the eight provinces of Joseon in an instant. The trend was so fierce that even the residents of the Nakdong River were bewildered. However, like any popr song, the craze cooled down quickly. But the cooling of the trend meant that people were tired of The Virgin Boatman, not of adult songs in general. As a result, as time passed, songs with different lyrics set to the tune of The Virgin Boatman circted, but none of them achieved the same hit status as The Virgin Boatman. It felt like wearing ill-fitting clothes. In the end, the gisaeng who had first learned the song from Hyang desperately wished to meet him again. If all else fails, Ill have to enter the pce! Sheesh! Those stuck-up Ming envoys nevere at times like this! While she was waiting for an opportunity like this, Sejong and Hyang happened to visit the gisaeng house. *** At the gisaengs request, Sejong looked at Hyang with eyes full of expectation. Id like to hear a new song too. Yes Hyang, who answered briefly, racked his brains hard. What would be good As Hyang searched through the songs he had memorized while diligently serving as a source of joy for the elderly in 21st century Yangsan, and songs he had heard and memorized from various ces, he soon chose one. We started with a river, so lets continue with a river! The new song Hyang chose was The Maiden of Soyang River. Ahem! Ahem! After clearing his throat for a moment, Hyang soon began to sing. As the sun sets~ After the song ended, Hyang asked Sejong for his opinion. How was it? Sejong nodded at Hyangs question and answered. The sorrowful emotions of a young woman anxiously waiting for her departed lover were well conveyed. It was a good song. Thank you. By the way, you must never be like that bad fellow in the song. One must not give affection carelessly, and if affection is given, one must take responsibility, whether man or woman. Grasping the hidden meaning in Sejongs words, Hyang answered with a bitter smile. Even three is difficult for me. Huh? Already? Should I call for a royal physician At Sejongs words, Hyang waved his hands. Im still in top shape! After ending this brief interlude, Hyang asked the gisaeng. How was it? Please, you must teach us! We will do our best to learn it! And so, a new popr song began to spread, starting from Hanseong. And the residents of Chuncheon began to grumble. Is it Soyang River this time? (Note 1) *** Meanwhile, at the public debate between Sejong and Choi Man-ri, there were also some merchants from Ming. Through them, information about Hunminjeongeum and the content of the debate was transmitted to Beijing. Upon receiving the report, the Cab Secretary immediately rushed to the Xuande Emperor to report and add his opinion. I believe we must immediately send an envoy to Joseon to question them! What is there to question? At the Xuande Emperors question, the Cab Secretary immediately answered. There are two things, Your Majesty. One is the creation of an independent writing system. The other is about their respect towards the superior country. Hmm After pondering for a moment at the Cab Secretarys words, the Xuande Emperor reached a conclusion. Not permitted. Your Majesty! You must strongly question them! Right now, there are unspeakable words circting in both the court and among the people. To quell this Enough. Raising his hand to stop the speech, the Xuande Emperor looked at the Cab Secretary and ministers and opened his mouth. Unspeakable words, you say Theyre saying Im not the Emperor of Ming, but the Emperor of Joseon? Who would spread such words? Themon people naturally like to talk, so thats understandable, but who in this court has spread such treasonous words? The Xuande Emperor spoke in a leisurely tone, but as soon as his words ended, the interior of the Wnhu Pce froze solid. Hmm I wonder who it could be Cab Secretary, you said both the court and the people, so you must know who in the court has been talking. Would you tell me? As soon as the Xuande Emperors words ended, the Cab Secretary prostrated himself on the ground and shouted. Your Majesty! It was not me! My loyalty remains unwavering! Im not doubting your loyalty, Im just curious about who has been talking. I do not know, Your Majesty! At the Cab Secretarys cry, the Xuande Emperor muttered softly. Well, well find out if we investigate. The Xuande Emperor spoke in a calm voice, but the officials and eunuchs turned pale. Since the Emperor had spoken, the Eastern Depot would investigate the officials, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard would investigate the eunuchs. And a bloodbath would ensue. Im not unaware of what the Cab Secretary is worried about. Most of those with independent writing systems are indeed barbarians. But can we view Joseon as barbarians? The rtionship between Joseon and Ming is one of lips and teeth. And the current king of Joseon said, Respecting the superior country is a diplomatic method. Is that statement wrong? And when I send envoys to Joseon or when Joseons envoyse here, have they ever been disrespectful? Have they shown any selfishness in performing rituals? Why do you keep trying to worsen rtions with Joseon? Etiquette should not be forced, but shoulde from the heart. Have you forgotten that emphasizing etiquette only breeds resistance? Is that your loyalty? At the Xuande Emperors rebuke, all those led by the Cab Secretary prostrated themselves on the ground. Your Majesty! Please forgive our oversight! Please forgive our narrow-mindedness! Looking down at such ministers, the Xuande Emperor continued. My empire is like a roc. Just as a roc does not move carelessly, the movements of the empire should have weight. So why are you trying to make the empire move like a mere sparrow? Dont you know that the more you act like this, the more countries will raise gs against the empire? We are deeply sorry! Hearing such answers from the ministers, the Xuande Emperor concluded. I had been turning a blind eye to the sudden disappearance of some eunuchs recently. But if you act like this, I can no longer ignore it. Keep that in mind. We will engrave it on our bones and hearts! Therefore, regarding the recent events in Joseon, it is not permissible as it could be seen as interference in internal affairs. This is an imperial decree. We receive yourmand! *** Note 1) It is not known exactly when the name Soyang River began to be used. However, given that Soyang River Granary was established on Soyang River during King Sejos reign, it is assumed to have been used from thete Goryeo or early Joseon period for the purpose of this writing. Soyang River Granary. Korea Creative Content /content/contentView.do?search_div=CP_THE&search_div_id=CP_THE010&cp_code=cp0616&index_id=cp06160041&content_id=cp061600410001&search_left_menu=2 Chapter 376 Chapter 376 Choi Man-ri, who had been caught by Sejong, reported for duty from the next day. The Office of Correct Sounds had been assigned one of the newly constructed buildings added to the Records Office. Therefore, as Choi Man-ri crossed the threshold of the Records Office to go to the Office of Correct Sounds, his face became even more gloomy. Was there no other ce avable? A lower-ranking official from the Office of Correct Sounds answered Choi Man-ris question. Yes, as the government structure changed and personnel increased, there was no space left. Hall of Worthies Choi Man-ri couldnt finish saying Hall of Worthies. Although he and many othersto be honest, almost allhad been dismissed, the positions had been filled. And now it existed as a specialized agency for policy research.In the end, Choi Man-ri sighed deeply and moved on. Where should I go? This way, sir. Following the lower-ranking official who went ahead, Choi Man-ri continued to mutter softly. Of all ces Of all ces *** Hah Choi Man-ri let out a long sigh as he entered the building with the sign Office of Correct Sounds, which clearly looked newly made. The interior of therge building, surrounded on all sides by a corridor between the outer and inner wallsposed of ss-paned sliding doors and pirs, waspletely open with nothing blocking the view except the pirs supporting the roof. It seems to be over 8 jang (about 24m) at least The lower-ranking official immediately answered Choi Man-ris observation. Its exactly 9 jang (about 27m) from the eastern inner wall to the western inner wall. Including the corridor and outer walls, its 10 jang (about 30m). Whew~. Sighing again, Choi Man-ri surveyed the interior once more. At the farthest end from the western entrance where he stood, there was a separaterge desk. In front of it, towards the west, several long desks were ced, and behind these desks, bookshelves stood in rows. At the western entrance, smaller desks were ced. And officials who seemed to be of simr rank to the lower-ranking official who had guided him were standing in front of these desks, paying their respects to him. Where is my seat? This way, sir. The seat the lower-ranking official guided him to was, as expected, the one Choi Man-ri had anticipated. After sitting in the guided seat, Choi Man-ri looked at the long desks stretching out in front of his desk and asked the lower-ranking official. What are those seats for? They are seats for those tasked with transcribing Chinese texts into Hunminjeongeum, but The lower-ranking official paused briefly, then carefully continued while gauging Choi Man-ris reaction. Currently, they are vacant. Vacant? Surprised by the unexpected exnation, Choi Man-ri red at the lower-ranking official. Then what do you all do? We belong to the General Affairs Department and assist with the work carried out in the Office of Correct Sounds. If you need documents, we find and bring them from other departments, including the Records Office, and provide support for the convenience of your work. Hah. Choi Man-ri, letting out a long sigh, noticed an envelope on the desk and looked at the lower-ranking official. What is this? It was brought by a eunuch this morning. It contains work instructions from His Majesty. At the lower-ranking officials words, Choi Man-ri adjusted his official attire, straightened his posture, and opened the envelope. *** After opening the envelope and confirming Sejongs work instructions, Choi Man-ri could only open and close his mouth. -Fill the positions as quickly as possible. For this purpose, personnel and appointment authority is temporarily granted. However, when exercising personnel authority, the head of the original department must agree for personnel transfers to be possible. This does not apply to new appointments. -The priority for trantion into Hunminjeongeum is thew books, including the Joseon Gyeongguk-jeon. However, the vernacr trantion must be simple. The level of simplicity should be such that even someone who has barely learned Hunminjeongeum can understand without difficulty. Also, the vernacr trantion should not only cover thew books but also include case precedents. -Along with the vernacr trantion ofw books, proceed with the vernacr trantion of Samgang Haengsildo used in the Commoners School. As Hunminjeongeum will be taught in the Commoners School from the fall semester of next year, Gyechuk year, the trantion must bepleted at least two months before that. -Afterpleting the above process, proceed with the vernacr trantion of the Four Books and Five ssics . However, for the Four Books and Five ssics, from the 5th year after the promulgation of Hangul, orders will be given for private vernacr trantions as well. Afterwards, the trantions from the Office of Correct Sounds and private trantions will bepared, and the one judged superior will be adopted as the official version. -Along with the vernacr trantion of the Four Books and Five ssics, proceed with the vernacr trantion of agricultural texts, medical texts, and military texts like Sun Tzus Art of War. -When the progress of the above tasks exceeds halfway, begin the production of a vernacr dictionary. -The dictionary should not only provide vernacr trantions of Chinese characters but also record and include dialects from across the country. This is to ensure that anyone from any part of Joseon can easily understand. -If necessary, you may start with the dictionary trantion as soon as the trantion ofw books and textbooks ispleted. At the end of the instruction document listing these enormous tasks, it was written: I (the king) trust in your ability and reputation, and expect good results. I hope that your name will be honorably recorded in the annals of Joseons history. *** Choi Man-ri, who had been staring nkly at the work instructions, let out a long sigh. Whew~. Will I be able to finish this before I die? It was an overwhelming amount just to read. After examining the work instructions and the empty seats, Choi Man-ri asked the lower-ranking official who was still standing beside him. You said you assist with work. Is sending urgent messages also possible? If you need it, its avable, sir. I see. Return to your post. Ill call if I need anything. Yes, sir. After sending the lower-ranking official back, Choi Man-ri crossed his arms and red at the work instructions. After staring at the paper for a long time with tightly clenched lips, Choi Man-ri shook his head and uncrossed his arms. Theres no choice cing some paper in front of him and dipping his brush in ink, Choi Man-ri muttered softly. Im sorry But I cant die alone, can I? *** A few dayster, urgent messengers arrived at the homes of the dismissed Hall of Worthies schrs who had returned to their hometowns. This is from the head of the Office of Correct Sounds. The head of the Office of Correct Sounds? Whos that? Its Lord Choi Man-ri. The Chief Schr sent it? No, when did he be the head of the Office of Correct Sounds? The schrs who received the letters from the messengers went into their rooms and opened the envelopes. The content of the letter inside the envelope was simple. -Return to Hanseong and help me a bit. Huh? *** Upon receiving Choi Man-ris request for help, a considerable number of schrs packed their bags and came up to Hanseong. If the Chief Schr asks for help, I must go! Yes! Theres the loyalty of schr-officials! However, there were not a few who didnt respond even after receiving Choi Man-ris letter. Hmph! I wont listen to someone who has bent the principles of a schr-official! Those who stubbornly refused like this soon had to receive a royal order sent by Sejong. Royal order! The schrs who hurriedly rushed out at the heralds cry adjusted their official attire and received Sejongs royal order. The content of Sejongs royal order was as concise as Choi Man-ris. Respond immediately to Choi Man-ris request. This is the extent of my goodwill. In the end, even the schrs who had refused until the end had to lift their heavy bottoms off the ground and move. *** The first task of the Hall of Worthies schrs who gathered again at the Office of Correct Sounds was to learn Hunminjeongeum. Indeed, it seemed they hadnt earned the name of Hall of Worthies schrs for nothing, as they were using Hunminjeongeum proficiently within three days of education. When the preparations wereplete, Choi Man-ri said to the schrs. Now, lets begin. As soon as Choi Man-ris words ended, the lower-ranking officials in charge of work support entered carrying an enormous amount of books. Seeing the tremendous amount of books that kepting in, Choi Man-ri said in surprise to the lower-ranking officials. Im only nning to do the vernacr trantion ofw books now! So bring only those rted tow books! The official who had first guided Choi Man-ri stepped forward and answered. Everythinging in now is rted tow books, sir. These are thew books: Joseon Gyeongguk-jeon, Gukheon, Gyeongje Mungam, Gyeongguk Yukjeon, Gyeongje Yukjeon, Sok Yukjeon, Gyeongje Yukjeon Sokjip Sangjeol, Sin Sok Yukjeon, Yukjeon Deungrok, Sinchan Gyeongje Sok Yukjeon, and the records of judgments since the founding of the country. At the officials exnation, Choi Man-ri and the schrs unconsciously let out curses. Oh, fuck Bloody hell *** And so, Choi Man-ri and the schrs fiercely proceeded with the vernacr trantion work. The vernacr trantion work carried out by Choi Man-ri and the schrs was a war. Heated debates often broke out over how to interpret sentences written in Chinese characters. It was so intense that it was not umon for yesterdays friend to be todays enemy, and then be a friend again tomorrow. However, as time passed, the schrs reached the state of enlightened beingsor in Hyangs words, human trantion machineswho enjoyed their work. While doing the vernacr trantion work like this, the schrs began to worry gradually. Chief. What? Didnt you say Hunminjeongeum would be promulgated next autumn? Thats right. There will be not a few who will rise up against it. So? Were just getting our hands and feet to work together, wont it be difficult if neers join? At the schrs worry, Choi Man-ri smiled and pointed his hand towards the Records Office. Theres more to trante over there. Dont unnecessarily meddle and just do your work. Shouldnt we try leaving work on time for once? Yes, sir. *** In the autumn of the Imja year, Lee Jik passed away. He was 70 years old. Thest words he spoke before dying were as follows: Although its regrettable that I couldnt see thepletion of the reforms, its good that I can now rest in peace. Hyang came to pay condolences on behalf of Sejong, and the chief mourner, Lee Jiks eldest son Lee Sa-hu, was deeply moved by Hyangs visit. The ministers who gathered for the condolence were immersed in emotion and talked. Now theyre starting to go, one by one. Indeed. The ministers felt mixed emotions as a person who had been bustling about together since the founding of Joseon had passed away. However, they couldnt know that in the history before Hyangs intervention, Lee Jik had died a year earlier, in the Sinhai year. It was the butterfly effect created by Hyangs intervention. The ministers who were immersed in such emotions soon returned to reality. Now that the Prime Minister has passed away, who would you rmend for that position? At Maeng Sa-seongs question, the ministers thought for a moment and unanimously pointed to one person. Lord Hwang Hui would be the most suitable. *** Two weekster, at the entrance of Heunginjimun (current Dongdaemun). Looking at the wide-open Heunginjimun, Kim Jong-seo shouted with overwhelming emotion. Im finally back! Hanseong! Im back! Shut up, you fool! Come here right now! At Hwang Huis scolding, Kim Jong-seo made a sulky face and grumbled. Tch Always picking on me Maybe I should just resign. Talking about resigning. Listen, you, the moment you submit a resignation letter, Ill send you to either Hamgil Province or Daeseol Ind. My lord, only His Majesty can make personnel decisions! Have you forgotten that His Majesty listens to my words? At Hwang Huis point, Kim Jong-seo pursed his lips and followed behind Hwang Hui. Chapter 377 Chapter 377 Upon returning to Hanseong, Hwang Hui reported his return to Sejong. At that meeting, Sejong appointed Hwang Hui as Prime Minister. Now, Im entrusting you with a great responsibility. I hope youll do your best as the Prime Minister of the court. At Sejongs request, Hwang Hui bowed his head and answered. I will devote my life to it. After leaving the court that day, the ministers took Hwang Hui to a gisaeng house. Congrattions, my lord! Congrattions, my lord. Prime Minister, what a great promotion! Hwang Hui, receiving congrattions from his fellow ministers, looked at them with a strange expression.Why are you looking at us like that? No matter how I think about it, it feels like Ive been set up as a scapegoat Ahem! Cough! As the ministers cleared their throats and turned their heads at Hwang Huis words, Maeng Sa-seong intervened. How could that be? Its simply that your capabilities best suit that position, which is why we rmended you. At Maeng Sa-seongs words, Hwang Hui let out a small sigh and raised his cup. Lets believe that. *** With Hwang Hui bing Prime Minister, Sejongs Second Cab began to move. Some historians dismissed it as just a change of one Prime Minister, but most historians disagreed with this opinion. This was because Hwang Huis capabilities were so outstanding. Looking at those who served as ministers and cab members during Sejongs reign, it was an unprecedented gathering of brilliant individuals in Joseons history. It was evaluated that Hwang Huis merit should be recognized for coordinating policies between these individuals and Sejong, and for stably advancing Joseons expansion, and that it was natural to recognize it as the Second Cab. Youre right, and youre right too. There was much talk about Hwang Huis way of handling affairs, expressed by the above sentence, but Hwang Hui was also someone who would stand up to Sejong when necessary. And Hwang Hui also garnered a lot of sympathy votes. This was because, due to his and his childrens unseemly incidents, he was one of the few people whose day of death was the day of resignation, and in fact, the first such person. With Hwang Hui bing Prime Minister like this, many people, including Sejong, were satisfied. But there was one person who couldnt be happy. His name was Kim Jong-seo. Why cant I be happy! *** Kim Jong-seo, who returned to Hanseong with Hwang Hui, was assigned to the Office of State Affairs Coordination directly under the Prime Minister. And not just as a regr official of the coordination office, but as the head of the office. There were numerous policies that the court established and implemented, and policies that divided interests between departments were not umon. In such cases, the final decision was Sejongs, but it was the job of the Office of State Affairs Coordination to set some framework before that. Naturally, all kinds of pleas and appeals from the involved departments flooded into the coordination office. But because coordination had to be fair, officials from the coordination office had to run here and there to visit work sites. Among them, the one who had to run around the most was, of course, Kim Jong-seo. I hear theres been a big flood in the Jeo region. Go and conduct a field investigation. Are there still bold ones who skim off the middle these days? Thats why Im telling you to go check. And while youre at it, take a look at the progress of the road construction from Hanseong to Jeo My lord, Im the office head, arent I? Do I have to go out myself? Then should I go? Cant you see were short on people? Still As Kim Jong-seo hesitated, Hwang Hui grabbed the namete on the desk. Do you want to go back to Hamgil Province? Or should I make you see nothing but snow for 30 years on Daeseol Ind? Im going, Im going! Even as he turned to leave, Kim Jong-seo kept grumbling. Seeing Hwang Hui and Kim Jong-seo like this, the officials of the coordination office whispered softly. Theyre really something, both the office head who always tries to wriggle out and the Prime Minister who manages such an office head Even though he tries to wriggle out like that, he does the assigned work perfectly, which is also amazing. Whos chattering over there? If youre so idle, should I send you on a business trip to Gaema teau? Eek! At Hwang Huis words, the officials became turtle-necked and buried their heads in documents. *** In such a peaceful, daily life that flowed like a calm river, a small whirlpool urred in Gyeongbokgung Pce. Princess Jeongui is meeting a man! A scandal had broken out. Upon hearing the rumor, Sejong immediately mobilized eunuchs and courtdies to investigate the truth. As it involved his younger sister, Hyang also took a deep interest in the investigation. And as a result of the investigation, the scandal turned out to be true. Receiving the facts, Sejong called Hyang separately andmented. An unmarried young woman meeting an outside man How could such an unsavory thing happen Hyang responded to Sejongsment. Wouldnt it be a bigger problem if a married woman met an outside man? Isnt this rather a good opportunity? Havent you been worried that Jeongui hasnt gotten married? At Hyangs words, Sejong squinted his eyes and red at Hyang. Are you covering for him because that man belongs to the research institute? Of course not! Absolutely not! Sigh~. Sejong, who let out a long sigh, seemed to have given up. Since its already happened Alright. Tell me about this Kim Dam fellows background. Yes. The culprit who caused the scandal with Princess Jeongui was Kim Dam. *** The time when Princess Jeongui entered the research institute saying she would learn mathematics and work there, and the time when Kim Dam entered the research institute were almost the same. Although Kim Dam had outstanding mathematical skills, he wascking for practical work. Therefore, Hyang and Jeong-cho put him in the research institutes affiliated educational facility. At that time, only a very small number of people were receiving education at the educational facility. Therefore, those who needed to receive intermediate and advanced education were gathered in one ce for education. And thats where he met Princess Jeongui. *** Hmm His family background seems appropriate, and his character doesnt seem likely to stray elsewhere He seems fine. He seems to be a very good match for Jeongui. At Hyangs words, Sejong clicked his tongue. Tsk! What doespatibility matter when theyve already done the deed! And arent you thinking about the repercussions this scandal will bring! At Sejongs words, Hyangs face also became serious. It will certainly have some impact on women entering government service. *** After confirming the scandal, Hyang immediately summoned Jeongui and Kim Dam. How did you two end up like this? At Hyangs question, Jeongui kept her head down and only fidgeted with her fingers, while Kim Dam turned his head towards the window. Speak up now! At Hyangs shout, Kim Dam hurriedly opened his mouth. While putting our heads together to solve mathematical problems and exchanging opinions, we ended up At Kim Dams answer, Hyang put his hand on his forehead. You should have stopped at putting your heads together. Why did you have to put your lips together too The scandal started when they were caught kissing in a secluded corner of the research institute by the eyes of courtdies. Sigh~. Hyang, who let out a long sigh, continued. Now that its happened, you know what will happen next, right? Yes. The faces of Jeongui and Kim Dam, who answered, had turned red. It seems you dont dislike it. Well, thats why you caused such an ident As Hyang poked at them, the heads of the two gradually dropped lower. Smiling slightly while watching the two, Hyang thought about what was toe and became serious. Probably, to erase your scandal, the wedding will proceed quickly. This is not only a matter of royal dignity, but also because the sess or failure of the policies implemented by the court is at stake. At Hyangs words, Jeongui and Kim Dam raised their heads. Is it because of women entering government service? Hyang nodded at Jeonguis question. You know well. *** Although it was decided to allow women to enter government service to solve the shortage of talent, the court had a separate concern. Will educated women really respond properly? Most of those with enough education to work as officials at this time were daughters of noble families. The question was whether the schr-officials of these noble families would ept women entering government service. In the worst case, a disaster could ur where it would be nominal until women who had gone through the Commoners School and middle schools came out. *** You two caused trouble in such a situation. Thats why the wedding needs to be held before your scandal spreads. Do you understand? Yes. Were sorry. At Hyangs point, Jeongui and Kim Dam looked genuinely sorry. It was certain that not a few schr-officials wouldpletely block womens attempts to take the civil service examination using their scandal as a reason. Seeing the two like this, Hyang leaned back in his chair and gestured. Go and do your work. You know well that work here means the research youre in charge of, right? Yes. After sending the two out like this, Hyangs face became troubled. How should I solve this problem After pondering to find the best solution, he had toe to a conclusion. Is there no choice but lightning speed and making noise in the east while attacking in the west? Damn it Hyangs face was full of bitterness as he mentioned making noise in the east while attacking in the west. It was because he remembered amon saying from the 21st century. -When a political scandal breaks out, the entertainment industry gets turned upside down. *** It will certainly have some impact on women entering government service. Therefore Answering Sejongs point, Hyang exined the method he had thought of. I think the best method is lightning speed and making noise in the east while attacking in the west. At Hyangs words, Sejong immediately asked back. Lightning speed would mean holding the wedding as soon as possible, and making noise in the east while attacking in the west Dont tell me youre suggesting fabricating a treason plot? Thats not possible. At Sejongs words, Hyang continued his exnation. In the current stable political situation, treason would be even more suspicious. Isnt making noise in the east while attacking in the west about diverting the enemys attention? Then doesnt Father have the best means? At Hyangs words, Sejongs face brightened as he searched his memory for a moment. You mean to use the state monopoly stores! Yes. Its almost time for the first birthdays of the royal grandchildren and great-grandchildren anyway. Add to that celebrating Jeonguis wedding and hold arge-scale discount event at the state monopoly stores. At Hyangs words, Sejong nodded and summarized the situation. I see. While everyones attention is focused on that, it will be time to hold the civil service examination. Thats good. Seemingly satisfied with Hyangs proposal, Sejong, with a brighter expression, chewed over Hyangs n once more and called the Chief Secretary. Give the summons to the Royal Secretariat, and tell them to call Lord Jeong-cho. Yes, Your Majesty. After giving orders to the Chief Secretary, Sejong turned to Hyang. It seems better to add one more thing to that. What is it? Three men make a tiger (a lie bes truth if many people repeat it). Ah! At Sejongs words, Hyang immediately eximed. When time passed and Jeong-cho arrived, Sejong immediately got to the point. You need to be the old man under the moon. Pardon? Jeong-cho only blinked his eyes at Sejongs sudden words. However, with Sejongs following exnation, Jeong-cho immediately nodded. I will dly be the old man under the moon.1 Chapter 378 Chapter 378 After that, Sejong proceeded with the matter at lightning speed. Kim So-ryang, Kim Dams father, received the royal order through a messenger who had ridden all night, and rushed up from Wonpyeong County C now Paju C in one breath. Upon arriving, Kim So-ryang heard a rough outline of the story from Jeong-cho, who was with Sejong. So, Deputy Director Jeong-cho here learned that the two children had affection for each other and became the matchmaker. I also think hes suitable as Jeonguis partner. What do you think? Its an honor for our family! Kim So-ryang had no choice but to ept immediately at Sejongs question. To be honest, Kim So-ryang had no other option but to ept. This was because of the example of Yi Sok, whose family was ruined after refusing to ept the previous king Taejongs illegitimate daughter as a daughter-inw. (Note 1) No, in Yi Soks case, there was at least the excuse that he refused because the prospective daughter-inw was an illegitimate princess. But Princess Jeongui was Sejongs legitimate daughter.As Kim So-ryang gave permission, half willingly and half unwillingly, Sejong continued with a satisfied face. Ah, ande up to Hanseong with your family. Now that youve be part of the royal family, you cant remain as a county magistrate, can you? At Sejongs words, Kim So-ryang prostrated himself and answered. Your grace is boundless! A position has been prepared in the Ministry of National Defense, so you shoulde up as soon as possible. I receive yourmand! The position Sejong had assigned for Kim So-ryang was the head of the Second Administrative Office in the Ministry of National Defense. It was quite a high position, but not so high as to cause gossip. Of course, Sejong hadnt just randomly chosen the position. It was the result of examining Kim So-ryangs performance evaluations and reviews. Hes skilled in administration, so this position should be perfect. The Minister of National Defense had beenining about theck of people skilled in administrative work anyway. Both in the history before Hyangs intervention and in the history after his intervention, Kim So-ryang ended up benefiting from his sons influence. In the history before Hyangs intervention, as Kim Dam rose to the position of Minister of Personnel, Kim So-ryang was posthumously promoted to Minister of Military Affairs with the rank of Jaheon Daebu. And in the history after Hyangs intervention, he became a high-ranking official while still alive. As the situation was settled, soon the government gazette was posted on bulletin boards in government offices across the country. -Tomemorate the Crown Prince and Princes safely reaching their first birthdays, and to celebrate Princess Jeonguis wedding, a discount event will be held at state monopoly stores for five days. The dates are Its out! The people checking the contents of the gazette clenched their fists and focused on it. What the people were most interested in was the event dates and discount rates. Whats the discount rate? What does it say? Lets see Uni uniform Uniform 50%! 50%, it says! And its uniform! Long live His Majesty! At the content of 50% discount on all items, all the people reading the gazette shouted Long live! Meanwhile, veteran officials watching the scene at the entrance of the state monopoly stores warned the new officials. Itll be quiet for a while, so rest and build up your strength. Once the event starts, therell be wailing. Is it that bad? Youll be able to feel what it means to say people flood in like a tidal wave.'' At the veteran officials words, the faces of the new officials turned pale. However, the veteran officials who had already gained some experience had researched and shared appropriate methods. Only let in a manageable number of people at a time. Set up zigzag queues with ropes to prevent people from rushing in all at once. Make sure to request solid support from the police bureau. At the same time, ships and carts loaded with goods to be sold rushed to state monopoly stores across the country. *** While the whole of Joseon was buzzing with anticipation for the discount event, another matter was progressing. At a gisaeng house in Bukchon. The ministers were having a drinking party together after a long time. How long has it been since we had a drink together? Haha! Indeed! The ministers enjoyed the feast,ughing constantly. As the ministers said, it really had been a long time since they had a drinking party. Under the pretext of slowing down the pace but ensuring substance, they had been reviewing and coordinating policies, leading to a life of home-office-pce-office-night duty room-pce-(repeat)-asionally home. There was a break in between when Lee Jik passed away, but they had to endure more than a day at the funeral home paying condolences. Amidst this, Princess Jeonguis marriage was decided. As Sejongs workload decreased due to focusing on his daughters marriage, the ministers finally had some free time after a long while. As drinks were exchanged, the ministers asked Jeong-cho, who was attending the drinking party: How did you end up bing the matchmaker? Yes, tell us. At the ministers questions, Jeong-cho emptied his cup with an embarrassed expression and opened his mouth. Well, you see Werent both of them receiving education at the research institute? When I took a peek, I saw that love was budding between the two. So, I stepped forward to be the matchmaker. Theyre both in the prime of youth, wouldnt there be a scandal if something went wrong? After saying that much, Jeong-cho emptied his cup and sighed. Sigh~. I thought it had worked out well, but As Jeong-cho trailed off, the ministers nodded. They had heard the rumors that had been circting in the pce for a while. Seeing the ministers reactions, Jeong-cho concluded his exnation. Because of that, things progressed urgently. If not for that, we could have chosen an auspicious date and proceeded ording to proper procedures. Well, theyre both in the prime of youth Still, since it happened after permission was given, isnt it rather fortunate? The ministers summarized the situation, speaking like this. *** As the drinking party broke up, the ministers left the gisaeng house one by one. Lord Hwang. What is it, Lord Maeng? Maeng Sa-seong, who had called out to Hwang Hui, looked around and asked in a low voice. What do you think? About what? Princess Jeonguis marriage. Do you really think that sequence is correct? At Maeng Sa-seongs question, Hwang Hui immediately answered. Theres a saying in the market: Pretend not to know even if you know, and dont try to know if you dont know. Do you think the other ministers just let it pass because they didnt know? At Hwang Huis words, Maeng Sa-seong nodded slightly. Seeing Maeng Sa-seongs reaction, Hwang Hui continued. Now that weve talked about it like this, rumors will soon spread. With that, weve done our job well. Hmm I suppose so. Maeng Sa-seong nodded at Hwang Huis words. As Hwang Hui said, the love story that Jeong-cho had talked about at the gisaeng house spread throughout Hanseong in an instant. And soon after, it spread throughout Joseon. The secret royal guards also yed a part in spreading the rumors so quickly. *** While rumors were spreading like this, Princess Jeonguis wedding took ce. Sejong had prepared a house in Bukchon for Princess Jeongui. Hyang, attending on behalf of Sejong at the wedding held in the courtyard of the house that exuded a fresh feeling, muttered inwardly while looking at Princess Jeongui and her husband. Isnt this how Joseons Curie couple is born? Both Princess Jeongui and Kim Dam belonged to the research institute and were devoted to its work. Therefore, it wasnt an impossible thing. No, since this is earlier, instead of being Joseons Curie couple, are they bing Frances Jeongui couple? As he continued this train of thought, Hyang burst intoughter. And one of their children will say theyre the familys shame. *** The second daughter of the Curie couple, unlike her parents and older sister, entered the cultural field instead of the scientific field. And when her parents, older sister, and even her husband received Nobel Prizes C in her husbands case, he received the Nobel Peace Prize as a UNICEF representative C she often joked like this: Im the familys shame. However, she received the Legion of Honor instead of a Nobel Prize. *** Shortly after Princess Jeonguis wedding took ce, the first birthday celebration for Hyangs three sons was held. The first birthday party held at the Crown Princes pce was attended by Sejong, the royal family members, and ministers, all celebrating the first birthdays of the three children. Now! Its time for the doljanchi! On the feast table, various objects were ced for the doljanchi. Besides traditional items like thread, rice, brush, and money, even apass and a sword were ced, while the Crown Princess and the wet nurses sat the babies in front of the table. Now! Quickly, grab something. As soon as the words fell, the other two children, except for the Royal Grandson, grabbed thepass and sword like lightning. Sigh~. Seeing this, the Royal Grandson let out a small sigh with an expression of unfairness. Im not seeing things, right? That was a sigh? A baby sighing? While everyone was bewildered by the unexpected situation, Hyang whispered softly to the Royal Grandson. Wan, no matter what Du and Seul do, you have the authority over personnel appointments. As if understanding something from Hyangs words, the Royal Grandson grinned and grasped the thread and brush in both hands. Thread and brush Hell have a long life and be aplished in schrship. Thats good. Du grabbed the sword, so hell be a military official, and Seul grabbed thepass, so hell travel far seas and expand Joseons territory. At Sejongs words of blessing, Hyang smiled and bowed his head. I only hope theyll grow up as Father wishes. Youll have to educate them diligently. By the way, I always feel this, but youve really given them good names. Jade Yes, a person should be like jade. As Sejong said, the names of all three children meant fine jade. At Sejongs high praise, Hyang bowed his head and replied. I hope theyll be precious treasures like jade. However, there was something Hyang didnt mention. It was etiquette to choose rarely used Chinese characters for the names of royalty, especially princes. This etiquette, called pihwi, was to prevent the disrespect ofmoners using the same characters as the names of ancestors or kings. Because of this, most princes names were given as single characters chosen from rarely used Chinese characters. And Hyang had volunteered to take on this naming task. If theyre given names with difficult-to-pronounce Chinese characters, itll be troublesome for me. Although he took on the task to avoid trouble, Hyang realized that naming was not an easy task. Tch This is frustrating While pondering for suitable names, Hyang soon found an appropriate method. This is annoying! Lets go with one, two, three! After deciding on the pronunciation first, he then searched the dictionary for Chinese characters with appropriate good meanings, which resulted in Wan (T, name of a jade), Du (?, jade), and Seul (i, blue bead). *** After the first birthday party ended, in the deep night when everyone was asleep, Hyang sat alone in his study, reflecting on the days events and tilting his head. No matter how I think about it, arent those kids on their second round? It seems like their second round No matter how smart they are, it doesnt make sense that they already understand words, right? Suspecting that they might be reincarnators like himself, Hyang soon shook his head. But thats a bit strange too Theyre showing it too obviously? Dont they think theyll be suspected right away? After pondering for a long time, Hyang finally reached a conclusion. Whether theyre reincarnators or not, whats the problem? If theyre reincarnators, its good because theyll do well on their own, and if theyre not reincarnators, it means theyre that smart, which is also good. In other words, no matter what, the fact that theyll be rolled by me doesnt change, so why worry? And so, the brief interlude wasing to an end. *** Chapter 379 Chapter 379 Late December of the Imja year. Otaornai Port on Daeseol Ind. (Now Otaru) There was quite aplicated story behind the name Otaornai Port. At first, it was named Sajangcheon (ɳ), meaning river in the middle of a sandy beach, taking the meaning of Otaornai. However, the Ainu peoples reaction was not favorable, and thanks to Hunminjeongeum being introduced earlier than in other ces, the name was settled as Otaornai Port, its original name. And a Challenger-ss warship was docking at the pier of Otaornai Port, where snow was piled high. On the side of the ships bow and stern, a namete with the Chinese characters ?? (Kirin) was attached. It was the 10th ship of the Challenger-ss, Kirin, named tomemorate the Battle of Kirin where the Joseon army crushed the Jurchen tribes led by Yi Manchu and Mengtemu. *** Go Il-nam, the captain of the Kirin ship docked at the pier, shouted to the sailors.Rest for a day, andplete resupply and maintenance as quickly as possible! Well return to Wonsan as soon as maintenance is finished! Yes, sir! The sailors responded energetically to Go Il-nams order. After Go Il-nams instruction ended, the sailors who rushed off the ship soon scattered in groups of threes and fives. Go Il-nam, who disembarkedst, sought out the ports defensemand headquarters. After receiving a brief report from Go Il-nam, Commander Kang Ho-jun asked Il-nam: Whats happening that youre moving so urgently? Yes. We discovered something while investigating the northeast direction, and I think we should report it immediately. What is it? At Ho-juns interested question, Il-nam answered simply. We seem to have found an archipgo extending eastward. At Il-nams answer, Ho-jun jumped up from his seat. Is that true! *** It was before the debate between the geocentric and heliocentric theories broke out in the research institute, but the navys captains and high-ranking officers were already epting the spherical Earth theory. This was due to the umted experiences from various natural phenomena they were familiar with during navigation C such as time differences and the curved appearance of the horizon C and the hypotheses presented by the research institute. Among the navy officers who had physically experienced this, one question emerged. Then whats in the east? The reason the navy officers came to have this question was due to the traditionally passed down theory of harmony. -Yin and yang harmonize with each other, and the five elements also harmonize through mutual generation and oveing. ording to this theory of harmony, various natural disasters and epidemics urred when this harmony was broken. And the main reason for this harmony breaking was people bing unvirtuous. Therefore, when various natural disasters and epidemics urred, the king would firste forward to offer sacrifices to heaven andpose himself. *** Hyang, who had obtained Zheng Hes navigation records and observational data, mobilized researchers from the institute to create maps. Thesepleted maps were supplemented with Imic maps that came through Mansur, and as navigation records obtained during voyages to Suez C or more precisely, Alexandria C were added, the maps became increasingly detailed. As the existence of an ocean discovered while investigating the surroundings of Daeseol Ind was added, the navy began to have questions. If all thend in the world is gathered in one ce like this, its not bnced, is it? Right? It doesnt seem harmonious. The harmony of yin-yang and the five elements is not harmonious at all. Theres too much water energy like this. Although the question started from the traditional theory of harmony, the navy gradually began to harbor doubts and possibilities. There must bend in the east! These doubts and possibilities were immediately written into documents and sent up to Geunjeongjeon. Review this once. Yes, Father. After reading the report handed over by Sejong, Hyangs face became incredulous. Does it work out like this? Well, if we were to nitpick, thered be no end Hyang reported to Sejong as follows: It seems worth trying. And after hearing about the debates that took ce in the research institute and their results C which included even an estimate of this Earths diameter, although it was just an estimate C the navys atmosphere changed from possibility to certainty. If this world is that big, there must bend in the east! Although they were convinced that there was definitelynd in the east, the navy couldnt immediately act on it. *** There were several obstacles that prevented the Joseon navy from taking action, but broadly speaking, there were two. The first obstacle was the chronic problem of manpower shortage, which affected not only the navy but all of Joseon. Due to the manpower shortage problem, the Joseon navy had to make a choice. They concluded to prioritize the deployment of Haeung-ss warships to secure control of the seas near Joseon. As Haeung-ss warships were prioritized for deployment, the production and deployment of Challenger-ss warships were pushed back. Although Challenger-ss warships had the strongestbat power and long-distance navigation ability among the warships possessed by the Joseon navy, they also required considerable human resources. Of course, if you think about it, Haeung-ss isnt easy either While examining the rted reports, Hyang put his hand on his throbbing forehead. In absolute numbers, it had fewer crew members than the Challenger-ss, but rtively, the Haeung-ss carried more crew memberspared to its size. The reason for this was the sails that supported the Haeung-sss fast maneuverability. Although it was smaller in size, the number of sails attached to the Haeung was just two fewer than those on the Challenger-ss. Therefore, not only the Ministry of National Defense but also Sejong and the ministers had to ponder over the Challenger and Haeung. We must prioritize Challenger-ss warships! Considering Joseons increasing trade volume, we must unconditionally prioritize Challenger-ss warships! Although Kim Jeom, the Minister of Finance and Economy, strongly argued that Challenger-ss warships should be prioritized, a decision was made to give priority to Haeung-ss warships for the time being. Ironically, the background for this decision was due to the Challenger-sss excellent long-distance navigation ability. Long-distance navigation meant that many sailors would be away from their posts for that long. Even so, the construction and deployment of Challenger-ss warships were notpletely halted. Construction and deployment proceeded slowly but steadily, and theunching of the 11th ship had beenpleted. *** The second obstacle was the enormous size of the ocean located east of Daeseol Ind. Joseon confirmed that the ocean east of Daeseol Ind was literally a vast sea through the distress of the Challenger-ss 6th ship Jinpo. After finishing the coastline survey of Daeseol Ind, the Joseon navy decided to explore the ocean located east of Daeseol Ind once. The Jinpo, chosen for the exploratory voyage, was loaded with minimal armament C just enough for one battle C and the rest was filled with food and water. With the food and water currently loaded, a three-month voyage without resupply is possible. Of course, if we ration well, it might be possible for up to four months. But anything beyond that is absolutely impossible. Kim Eok-su, the captain of the Jinpo, nodded at the caution from the supply officer who hadpleted the ships provisioning. I understand. Well be careful. The Jinpo, which set sail after such preparation, was confident from the captain down to the lowest-ranking sailors. This was because since itsmissioning, they had made several trips to Alexandria and Chittagong, and had experienced the rough seas of the northeastern region of Daeseol Ind. The Jinpo, which headed east like this, didnt encounternd for a month and a half. Should we turn back, or should we go a bit further? How about going a bit further, sir? If we remember the times we went to Chittagong or Alexandria, didnt we encounter inds ornd at every critical moment? It will be the same this time. At Kim Eok-sus question, most of his subordinate officers argued to go further east. This was because, as they said, they had simr experiences when going to Alexandria or Chittagong. They thought it was an endless sea with nothing, but if they went just a little further, a appeared. Despite the officers answers, Kim Eok-su, wanting to confirm more solid support, called even the sailors and asked for their opinions. The sailors, after hearing the situation exnation from Kim Eok-su, agreed with the officers opinions. The sailors also expected it to be simr to the long-distance voyages they had experienced so far. However, even after two months and ten days, no ind ornd appeared. We cant go any further. Having confirmed that it was impossible, Kim Eok-su finally had to turn the ship around. But from then on, the Jinpo faced a series of hardships. This was because they had to move against both the ocean currents and the wind. As a result, it was almost half a year after setting sail when the Jinpo returned to Daeseol Ind. Thanks to the distition apparatus and dried vegetables and meat that Hyang had deployed just in case, there were no starvation deaths, but from Captain Kim Eok-su to the lowest-ranking crew members, everyone was in a serious state of malnutrition. Upon receiving the report that it would take about two months for them to regain their strength, the navy and the Ministry of National Defense concluded: For the time being, exploration of the due east route is suspended. Instead, focus on exploring the northeast direction. It was in this state of decision that the Kirin ship found the possibility of discovering an archipgo extending eastward. *** Given the situation, the Kirin ship headed towards Wonsan at maximum speed. Unlike the usual case where they would rest for about three days and resupply after returning to Daeseol Ind from northeastern region exploration before heading to Wonsan, the sailors had no particrints. This was because the sailors were also excited with anticipation. For those living on warships, from captains to sailors, the distress of the Jinpo was a kind of shame. The worlds best warship manned by the worlds best sailors, and yet a distress? This is shameful! They had suffered a great blow to their pride, which had risen to the sky after experiencing situations where even the fierce Wokou and pirates would tuck their tails and flee at the sight of a Challenger-ss warship. You shouldnt underestimate the sea! Of course, experienced veterans warned, but the current Joseon navy was young from captains to sailors. *** The report written by the captain of the Kirin ship that arrived in Wonsan was immediately sent up to Hanseong. This must be reported to His Majesty as quickly as possible! Jo Mal-saeng, who confirmed the report, grabbed the scroll and ran to Geunjeongjeon. After confirming the report from the Kirin ships captain submitted by Jo Mal-saeng, Sejong, with an excited face, issued an order. Summon the captain of the Kirin ship immediately to write a more detailed report! I receive yourmand! No, to know properly, we need the memories of more people, so summon all the people from the Kirin ship to Hanseong! I receive yourmand! *** ording to Sejongs order, Go Il-nam and his officers, as well as the sailors who were staying in Wonsan, had toe to Hanseong. The officials from the Ministry of National Defense began to dig deeply into those who came to Hanseong like this. Based on the information secured from not only the oral reports of the captain, officers, and crew, but also navigation records and personal records, the officials of the Ministry of National Defense began to meticulously examine the possibilities. After examining like this, the officials soon reached simr conclusions. There seems to be a possibility? And that conclusion soon transformed into a thick report and was submitted to Jo Mal-saeng. After confirming the report, Jo Mal-saeng ordered his subordinates. Prepare to report properly in Geunjeongjeon. Who was that guy with the good voice? Chapter 380 Chapter 380 Three dayster, a presentation led by the Ministry of National Defense was held in Geunjeongjeon. After paying respects to Sejong, the presenter soon began the presentation. First, please look at the map. With the presenters words, the waiting military officers turned over the charts cover. The paper of the chart, more than twice the size of a typical chart, was arge map showing the Korean Penins and the regions to its east. First, I will report on the geographical information we have confirmed so far. These are the information confirmed through cross-verification and actual measurements based on the information secured after confirming its existence in the Sinhai year (1431). Starting with a summary of the content to be presented, the presenter pointed here and there with a long pointer while reading the paper on the podium. This is Dongbinghang (Winter Ice Port). And this ind to the east of Joseon is Daeseol Ind. And these two ces in the north, which we couldnt properly confirm whether they were inds ornd in the Sinhai year, have been confirmed through continued exploration that the one closer to this coastline is an ind, and the one outside is a penins. The presenter pointed to Sakhalin Ind and the Kamchatka Penins and continued the exnation. (Note 1)ording to our examination of records, there is a record of Yuan invading this ind in the 8th year of King Chungryeol of the previous dynasty (1282). ording to information collected by the previous dynasty at the time, there is a record that Yuans military conquered this region at the request of the indigenous tribes of the area tentatively named Yeonhaeju (Coastal Province). We have confirmed records up to the point where, after the conquest waspleted, people from Southern Song were relocated to operate military farms near the Heilongjiang region facing the ind. Sejongs interest grew even more at the report that Yuan had mobilized Southern Song people to cultivate military farms. Are those military farms and Southern Song people still there now? The reason Sejong asked this was because of the military farms. -If the military farms are still usable, couldnt we send the Chinese people in that region back to Ming and use them for Joseon? However, the presenters answer was negative. After investigation, we could only confirm traces. Chinese people also have strong attachments tond. Of course, its 200 years ago, but its not easy to understand why only traces remain. At Sejongs point, the presenter flipped through his papers and found an answer. In the 13th year of King Chungryeol, Nayans rebellion seems to be the biggest cause. Hmm Sejong nodded at the presenters answer. Military farms were the easiest way to secure military control over newly acquired territories. However, military farms required as much careful attention as farming itself. They had to provide reliable supplies until crops could be harvested from the secured farnd, and they also needed reliable defense facilities and support troops that could rush in immediately if fighting broke out. But if these elements were not properly in ce, military farms would copse immediately. If a rebellion broke out, they would have taken away proper military force first, so it would inevitably copse. And its already more than 200 years ago But its a bit regrettable. Having reached his own conclusion, Sejong continued his questions. Then, since that time, has the Yeonhaeju region been cut off from other ces? Regrettably, no. The presenter answered Sejong, openly showing his regret. In the 11th year of Yongle, we confirmed from the indigenous tribes that an expedition led by Yi Shiha, a eunuch from Ming, visited. Also, we were able to discover a stone stele called Chiksunoagan Yeongnyeongsa Bigi at the site of a temple called Yeongnyeongsa. After finishing his exnation, the presenter gestured to the military officers standing next to the hanging chart. Seeing the hand signal, the officers hung another chart on a separate hanger. This is a rubbing of the inscription on that stele. As you can see from the content, it says By the Emperors order, Noagando-sa was established, and Yi Shihas expedition team erects this stele.'' At the presenters report, the faces of Sejong and the ministers became unprecedentedly serious. If Ming was still exerting influence in that region, there was a high possibility that Joseons expansion attempt would be frustrated. Sejong continued his questions with a serious face. Is Ming still exerting influence in that region? ording to the militarys investigation, they havent visited again since erecting that stele. Why? At Sejongs question, the ministers also nodded. To go to the trouble of erecting a stele and then not visit again? It was iprehensible. The presenter immediately answered Sejongs doubt. The natural environment is not good, the poption is small, and productivity is not very good. The militarys judgment is that its closer to giving symbolic meaning, just like Yuan did. Symbolic meaning Nodding at the presenters answer, Sejong soon had a question. But why havent I heard or known about this Sejong was about to continue speaking but immediately cut himself off. He realized that if he made even a slight slip of the tongue, it would create a situation where he would be publicly criticizing his father. *** The time when Ming sent an expedition to that region was during the reign of his father, King Taejong. During Taejongs reign, the rtionship between Joseon and the northern regions was a period of disconnection. Taejong, who ascended to the throne through two Princes Wars, had no time to pay attention to external affairs as he was focused on solidifying his power base. Taking advantage of this gap, Ming began to strengthen its dominance over the Jurchen tribes in Liaodong. Of course, Taejong also tried to maintain influence, but it was inevitable that more weight was ced on Joseons internal affairs. As a result, the Jurchen tribesrgely defected from Joseons sphere of influence, and Joseons eyes and ears towards the northern regions were blocked. No, not just eyes and ears, but even the roads were blocked. To escape this situation, the Grand Strategy of Eastern Advance was created and implemented. And in the process, various issues became entangled and exploded in an unfavorable direction, resulting in the rebellion of Yi Manchu and Mengtemu. *** Hastily cutting off his words, Sejong changed the subject. Minister of Foreign Affairs. Yes, Your Majesty. In your contacts with Ming and the Jurchen tribes, have you heard anything about an agency called Noagando-sa? At Sejongs words, Lee Maeng-gyun bowed his head and answered. I am ashamed to report that I have never heard of it. Please forgive my ipetence. Dont worry about it. But what Im curious about is whether that agency actually has substance. After briefly organizing his thoughts at Sejongs words, Lee Maeng-gyun answered. I think its close to being nominal without substance. Whats your reason for thinking so? Although that region is far, its connected bynd and expeditions have gone back and forth. If the Noagando-sa agency had substance, there should have been consistentmunication, and if so, it would have reached even my ipetent ears. But since it hasnt, I think this agency is closer to a symbol without substance. Sejong nodded at Lee Maeng-gyuns exnation. Unlike the early stages of the reforms, in thetter half, the informationwork in the northern regions was operating well. If the agency in question had been operating normally, intelligence would certainly havee in. However, Sejong didnt forget to give a warning. But there must not be even the slightest loophole. I will engrave it on my bones and heart! However, there was something that Sejong and the ministers didnt know. This was one of the butterfly effects created by Hyang. *** Yi Shihas expedition didnt only happen in the 11th year of Yongle. In the history before Hyangs intervention, in the 8th year of Xuande (1433), Yi Shiha visited Yeongnyeongsa again and erected Xuande Reconstruction of Yeongnyeongsa Record, firmly establishing it as Ming territory. At that time, Sejong had ordered Choe Yun-deok to subjugate the Jurchen tribes in the Yalu River region and strengthen control over Liaodong. Ming, wary of Joseons northern advance, visited Yeonhaeju again. And by erecting the stele, they officially dered that the dominion over the Manchurian region belonged to Ming. However, with Hyangs intervention, this history was twisted. What Hyang gained by persuading Emperor Xuande to establish a joint tradingpany was not just securing trademark rights and stable means of trade. He resolved the Jonggyebyeonmu issue that had remained a thorn between Ming and Joseon, and gained recognition for advancement into the Tumen River region on the grounds of it being the origin of the royal family. Especially with the recognition of advancement into the Tumen River region, Noagando-sa became nominal. Of course, as this decision was close to an impromptu decision by Emperor Xuande, a flood of opposition and concern poured out from Mings court afterwards. Emperor Xuande asked such ministers: Does that wilderness at the eastern end help the empires finances? Does it help defend against Northern Yuan? Or does it help defend against the Wokou? At Emperor Xuandes questions, the ministers closed their mouths. Seeing the ministers like this, Emperor Xuande concluded: I forbid any further mention of this decision. This is an imperial decree. The background for Emperor Xuande making such a decision was the staggering financial problems of Ming. *** Like Taejong of Joseon, Emperor Yongle, who ascended to the throne through civil war, had to demonstrate the empires power to stabilize imperial authority. Therefore, he undertook five expeditions to Northern Yuan and organized arge fleet with Zheng He asmander to go to sea. While firmly establishing his power in this way, it was apanied by enormous financial expenditures. Therefore, Emperor Xuande, who seeded Emperor Hongxi who died after just one year on the throne, had to practice economy upon economy to restore the depleted finances. He withdrew many of the military colonies that were widely spread in the Manchurian region to inside the Great Wall, and changed from an offensive-centered military strategy to a defense-centered military strategy. To Emperor Xuande, the Yeonhaeju region, with its small poption and scarce resources, was merely all show and no substance. Thats why Emperor Xuande overlooked it to some extent, even while somewhat guessing Joseons intentions. Later, Chinese schrs studying the history of the Ming Empire during this period counted this decision of Emperor Xuande as one of his worst policy failures. *** After summarizing the discussion about Mings influence spread in the Yeonhaeju region, Sejong gestured to the presenter. Continue. Yes, Your Majesty. The presenter pointed to Sakhalin Ind[1] on the map with his pointer and continued the exnation. The military has given this ind the tentative name of Jongjangdo (Longitudinal Ind). As you can see, it has a long north-south shape. And the penins next to it has been named Eonwol Penins. Its shape was simr to a crescent moon sword. The presenter moistened his throat lightly and continued. And between this Eonwol Penins and Daeseol Ind, there is an archipgo like stepping stones. The usefulness of these inds will be reportedter. This concludes the report on the information confirmed by the navy so far. I see. As Sejong nodded, the presenter took a moment to catch his breath and then pointed to the eastern coast of the Eonwol Penins (Kamchatka Penins) with his pointer. And through this exploratory voyage of the Kirin ship, we have learned of the possible existence of an archipgo extending eastward from this Eonwol Penins. How did you find out? To Sejongs question, the presenter answered briefly. It was a bit of luck, Your Majesty. *** Note 1) Referenced from an As News article. Why did Mongolia attack Sakhalin Ind?. 2019.08.16. http://.asnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=780
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Chapter 381 Chapter 381 Southeast of the Unwol Penins. In history before Hyangs intervention, it was a small port city called Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, but now that the Joseon Navy had taken control, it was known as Chohang''[1]. The reason for using the character Cho''[2], meaning to bore, was due to the ports location. It was positioned simrly to the decorative hole on the back of a crescent-shaped de. While there were other Chinese characters meaning hole C such as Kong () and Hyeol (Ѩ) C they were often used in vulgar metaphors, so this name was chosen after searching through dictionaries. Despite this background, Chohangs location itself was a natural harbor. The port, situated inside a rounded bay, effectively blocked rough waves and winds. Even so, the problem is that it freezes over as soon as the weather gets a bit cold Go Il-nam muttered softly as he looked around, watching the unloading of supplies for the government monopoly store. *** Through extensive exploration utilizing all avable resources, the Joseon Navy was able to bring the inds and peninss north of the Maritime Province and Daesuldo under Joseons influence.The next step was, naturally, to subjugate the indigenous tribes. The government monopoly stores yed the most significant role in this process. Joseon hadnt forgotten the benefits gained from using these stores to control the Jurchen tribes in the Tumen River region. Therefore, as soon as they established garrisons in Daesuldo, the Maritime Province, Jongjangdo, and the Unwol Penins, they set up government monopoly stores. These stores served the interests of both parties. The indigenous tribes of the Maritime Province had paid tribute to and submitted to the Yuan and Ming dynasties not only because they were forced to by military power, but also to easily obtain scarce goods. However, sending supplies to this region was not an easy task, so the indigenous tribes still faced shortages. But the Joseon government monopoly stores consistently received supplies, barring unavoidable natural disasters like typhoons. Because of this, the tribes in these northern regions strongly desired to trade at the government monopoly stores. Joseon presented only one condition to these indigenous tribes: -Submit to Joseon. Those who submit will be treated as Joseon people. What does it mean to be treated as Joseon people? It means there will be no discrimination if you faithfully follow Joseonsws. Ah Think about it carefully. The tribal leaders, having heard Joseons proposal through writtenmunication, returned to their tribes with faces full of contemtion. The indigenous tribes didnt make an immediate decision. However, as summer and autumn of the year of Imja (1432, the 14th year of King Sejongs reign) arrived and they saw more goods flowing into the government monopoly stores, the indigenous tribes had to make a decision. Submit, or gamble with raiding? While they were deliberating, a small group of impatient nativesunched a surprise attack on a government monopoly store near Yeolyeongsa. There arent many of those Joseon soldiers, if we hit and run, we can definitely seed! Those who attacked the government monopoly store after their own hopeful calctions were torn to shreds by the crossfire of the Joseon Navys cannons and muskets. The Joseon militarys response didnt stop there. After identifying which tribe the attackers belonged to through interrogation, the Joseon Navy immediately requested cavalry support. The cavalry, transported by naval ships, struck the problematic tribe, reducing it toplete ruins. Having witnessed the military might of Joseon, the indigenous tribes were finally forced to make a decision. That decision was, of course, submission. Although there had been a bloody incident in between, Joseon faithfully kept the promise it had initially made. And the tribes that submitted became addicted to the government monopoly stores. The stores established in the Maritime Province, Jongjangdo, and the Unwol Penins were bustling with people trying to sell various goods like furs and medicinal herbs to obtain necessities C salt and sugar C and luxury items C ck tea and pepper. Upon receiving the rted reports, Hyang smirked and muttered, As expected, the evil of capitalism *** The impact of the Battle of Yeolyeongsa wasnt limited to the submission of indigenous tribes. During the process of evaluating the results of the Battle of Yeolyeongsa, Jang Hang-seon submitted a proposal. On the necessity of creating a naval unit dedicated to groundbat and the discretionary power of fieldmanders. Upon seeing the title of the report, Jo Mal-saeng immediately summoned Jang Hang-seon. Isnt this an unnecessary waste of budget? To Jo Mal-saengs question, Jang Hang-seon answered firmly. No! It has sufficient utility! Jang Hang-seon exined in detail to Jo Mal-saeng. -Looking at this Battle of Yeolyeongsa, it took considerable time from stopping the raid to the cavalrys strike. -The reason for consuming so much time was not only the time it took to confirm the arrived report, for His Majesty to make a decision and issue orders, but even more time was spent designating the cavalry to carry out the attack, disseminating orders, and transporting them on ships. -Joseons territory will continue to expand in the future. If conflicts ur in ces far from the Joseon maind and situations like this happen, it will only result in too little, toote scenarios. -Therefore, for ports far from the maind, it is more appropriate to station separate troops for offense in addition to troops defending the port. -These separately stationed troops should be primarilyposed of cavalry and artillery. Mobility and firepower are the most important factors. -Depending on the size of the port, station troops ranging from about 100 to 500 men, and quickly deploy these troops by gathering them ording to the intensity of the conflict. -To achieve this, the discretionary power of fieldmanders must be expanded. Its more efficient to gather and deploy these divided forces than to gather and send troops from the maind! Hearing Jang Hang-seons exnation, Jo Mal-saeng stroked his chin beard with a troubled expression. It seems good, but this part is the problem. The part about expanding the discretionary power of fieldmanders. What if we initiate conflicts first due to misjudgment by an aggressive fieldmander? Or what if a fieldmander plots a rebellion? To Jo Mal-saengs point, Jang Hang-seon replied immediately, as if he had already thought about it. Thats why we divide the troops! The criterion for deciding the size of these divided and deployed units is to make it just enough so that the enemy doesnt easily decide to attack, while also ensuring that our Joseon forces cant easily decide to attack first! Hmm After pondering for a while at Jang Hang-seons words, Jo Mal-saeng seemed to reach a conclusion and spoke. I will submit it to His Majesty for consideration. At Jo Mal-saengs words, Jang Hang-seon bowed deeply and replied. Thank you! And after receiving the report from Jo Mal-saeng, King Sejong reviewed it and reached a conclusion. It seems like a good idea. Review it further, refine it, and submit it again. Pay particr attention to the part about the discretionary power of fieldmanders. I receive yourmand! Meanwhile, upon hearing the news, Hyang immediately sought out Jo Mal-saeng. I have some equipment ideas in mind. If the unit creation is actually decided, I request an evaluation. At Hyangs words, Jo Mal-saeng replied with a broad smile. Is that so! Then I shall do my best to ensure its creation! And please pay close attention to the issue of fieldmanders discretionary power. Yes! As he left after cautioning Jo Mal-saeng, Hyang muttered quietly. At least we shouldnt end up like the Kwantung Army Anyway, based on the proposal submitted by Jang Hang-seon, a new branch was created in the navy. Joseon Navy Rapid Response Mobile Force It was the birth of a branch that wouldter be evaluated as one of the sharpest swords of the Joseon military. And like other Joseon weapons and branches, it would be an entity that made foreign armies grind their teeth in frustration. *** While Go Il-nam was grumbling about the sea that would start to freeze as soon as snowkes began to fall with the slightest drop in temperature, and how snowkes quickly led to heavy snowfall, a light flickered from the watchtower set up at the entrance of the bay. Huh? Confirming the light from the watchtower, Go Il-nam immediately began to decode the signal. Multiple unidentified vessels approaching? Jing jing jing! Gwang gwang gwang! Besides Go Il-nam, others who had confirmed the signal caused gong sounds and kkwaenggwari (small gong) sounds to overflow from various parts of the port. Amidst the morous gong and kkwaenggwari sounds, the port guard hurriedly gathered their weapons and began to prepare for battle, while Go Il-nam also moved busily. Deck officer! Is the unloading finished? Theres still some left, sir! Stop it immediately! Battle stations! Battle stations! Stop the unloading! Battle stations! As the sailors moved busily at Go Il-nams orders, the vice-captain approached and asked. Wouldnt it be shipsing from Dasangdo (Bering Ind), sir? The vice-captain mentioned an ind about 580 km northeast of Chohang. Named Dasangdo because of the frequent frost, Go Il-nam shook his head at the mention of the ind. Would the watchtower guards not recognize shipsing from Dasangdo? Ah, thats right, sir. At Go Il-nams point, the vice-captain nodded and immediately agreed. Just in case, prepare to raise anchor and move away from the dock immediately. For our ship to exert its full power, it needs to move freely. Understood, sir! At Go Il-nams order, the vice-captain immediately answered and moved tomand his subordinates. *** As the Joseon forces remained on high alert, the vessels in question entered the port. A bitrger than a narrow boat. We might be able to end this in one shot if were lucky. As Go Il-nam was estimating the size of the ships approaching the dock, the vessels in question docked at the pier where the natives boats were moored. Those who docked their ships disembarked with very tense expressions. They were intimidated by the Joseon soldiers who had gathered around the dock. As the natives who hadnded on the dock stood still, a military officer apanied by a native interpreter approached them. After a brief conversation, the military officer led the natives away. And not long after, the gong and kkwaenggwari sounds rang out again. Emergency over! Stand down! As the port guards who had prepared for battle stood down, Go Il-nam also issued orders. Stand down from battle stations. And dock the ship again. Yes, sir! As the order was transmitted, the tense atmosphere on the Kirin ship also rxed. Once the Kirin ship was docked again and firmly tied to the pier, the sailors resumed the unloading of supplies that had been interrupted. Watching this scene, Go Il-nam ordered the vice-captain. Ill be going to the portmand post for a moment. I leave the ship to you. Understood, sir. Leave it to me! Having thus entrusted the ship to the vice-captain, Go Il-nam disembarked and headed towards themand post. He too was a native Joseon person who would be a corpse if not for his curiosity and meddling nature. *** Upon arriving at the portmand post, Go Il-nam sought out a military officer he was friendly with and began to converse. Where did they say they were from? They say its an ind weve never heard of before. They say even those living on Dasangdo might not know about it. At the military officers answer, Go Il-nams eyes began to shine. An ind weve never heard of? They say its about 960 km east of here, Chohang. 960 km in boats like that? Wait! Did you say east? Go Il-nams eyes widened greatly.
  1. 菸[?]
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Chapter 382 Chapter 382 After experiencing the Jinpo ships distress, the Joseon Navys primary concern in exploring the east of the Unwol Penins and Daesuldo was to confirm the existence of inds that could serve as stepping stones. In this process, the first ind they confirmed was Dasangdo, but Dasangdo had a fatal problem. The area north of Dongbinghang wasnt ideal for ship navigation. The winter was too long. No, it wasnt just that the winter was long, but the sea became too dangerous for ships to travel. Come winter, not only the entrance to the port but even the sea near the port would freeze over. The freezing sea was troublesome enough, but the waves and winds also became rough. Therefore, the Joseon Navy had to explore the possibility of inds existing further south. However, due to these natural limitations, exploration wasnt easy, and progress was slow. And now, people iming to be from an ind 2,400 li (about 960 km) east of Chohang had appeared. *** Upon hearing this, Go Il-nam immediately sought out the portmander.Naval Commander, have you heard the report? To Go Il-nams question, Yi Hong-sik, the navalmander in charge of defending Chohang, nodded and held up a bundle of papers. I just received it. Its quite interesting. Read it. Thank you, sir. Go Il-nam sat down and read the report. The content of the report was simple: -The ind that the foreigners im to be from is said to be 2,400 li east of Chohang. This was confirmed by an interpreter from Dasangdo. -Among the interpreters from Dasangdo, only one person can understand thenguage used by these foreigners. Writtenmunication is also impossible. -The reason only this interpreter canmunicate is due to his fathers connection. His father, who had been shipwrecked at sea, lived on that ind for a considerable period while returning home, learning theirnguage. Since then, there has been exchange every 2-3 years. -The inds poption is estimated to be around 300 people. Hmm Putting down the report, Go Il-nam said to Yi Hong-sik: May I speak directly with the interpreter, sir? Go ahead. Ill issue the order. Thank you, sir. *** After Yi Hong-siks order was conveyed, Go Il-nam was able to talk with the interpreter in question. Entering the conference room in themand building, Go Il-nam muttered to himself without realizing: Talk about the tail wagging the dog Inside the conference room, there were others besides the interpreter in question. First, there was a Joseon interpreter who would convey Go Il-nams words. Although he was called an interpreter, only writtenmunication was possible in this situation, but it was deemed inappropriate for a high-ranking official like Go Il-nam to engage in writtenmunication directly. Next was a resident of the Unwol Penins who could interpret the Dasangdo interpreters words, then another resident who could transcribe those words into Chinese characters, and finally, the Dasangdo interpreter in question. Seeing these people sitting in a row, Go Il-nam gave a wry smile and spoke to the Joseon interpreter. This must be quite overwhelming work. Is there any easy job among those we receive a sry for? At least, now that a public school is being established here and Hunminjeongeum is being distributed, it should be a bit easier. Is that so? To Go Il-nams words, the interpreter added: Of course, it will be hard work for the children learning at the public school. Theyll have to learn both the tribesnguage and Korean. Thats true. It would be so much easier if we could just make them use Korean. If we did that, wed be called people without roots as the court said. Go Il-nam nodded at the interpreters words. *** The nguage unification issue had been raised since the Jurchen people began to submit to Joseon. However, serious discussions began when incorporating the natives of Daesuldo. We must not force the use of Korean! We should use bothnguages! When faced with this issue, Hyang strongly advocated for the use of twonguages. Wouldnt that be too cumbersome? Thats right. And since theyve be Joseon subjects, they should use Korean. The court ministers argued for using only Korean, citing efficiency issues, but Hyang countered with a simple example: Do you want to turn the submitted foreigners into rootless people? Like the Hwachek? Although not as much as in thete Joseon period, at this time too, Joseon society strongly emphasized roots and origins, including family genealogies. Even if it takes time and is less efficient, we should let them choose. Forcing it will only create resistance. For this issue, taking time is the right path. But if they use a differentnguage, it will be difficult for them to feel like Joseon people. We shouldnt make them Joseon people, but subjects of Joseon. Arent those who are loyal to Joseon as its subjects more valuable than Joseon people who betray their country? Think about what we experienced recently. At Hyangs point, the ministers fell silent. It was a Joseon person, whose ancestors had lived in thisnd for generations, who had tried to smuggle out craftsmen from Area 51 for his own and his guilds benefit. Although the arrest failed, it was a person of Joseon origin who had manipted the merchant for Ming. The merchant, who was a Joseon person, became a traitor for his own benefit. And the Ming person, though of Joseon origin, was loyal to Ming. Finally, King Sejong, who had been watching the debate between Hyang and the ministers, concluded: Language is ones roots. Losing onesnguage is losing ones roots, which is like bing duckweed. If that happens, they will move here and there following their own interests. This time, I think the Crown Princes words are appropriate. We receive yourmand. Thus, aw was established that even though they had submitted to Joseon, they would not be forced to use only Korean. ording to thew, from the Jurchen to the Ainu people of Daesuldo, foreigners who entered Joseons territory had to learn Korean but were not forced to use only Korean. They only had to learn Korean for administrative convenience. Well, it might be urate to see it as a distinction without a difference, but weve maintained our principles. In any case, this approach is better than the Japanese or Chinese methods in this regard. As Hyang checked the rted reports, the coffee tasted even more bitter that day. *** Having learned what he was curious about through the interpreter to some extent, Go Il-nam went back to report to Yi Hong-sik. I believe it would be good to confirm the location of the ind these foreigners im to havee from on this asion. At Go Il-nams words, Yi Hong-sik nodded. It is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Hmm After pondering for a moment, Yi Hong-sik soon made up his mind. Alright! Ill have the necessary supplies provided for the voyage! And Ill write and send the report to Hanseong on your behalf! Thank you, sir! Go Il-nam repeatedly expressed his gratitude with a bright face. *** And so, the Kirin ship set sail towards the east, carrying the natives. With the natives boats tied to its stern, the Kirin ship embarked on a long journey eastward. Will it be alright, sir? To the vice-captains question, Go Il-nam answered confidently: Isnt 2,400 li manageable for our Kirin ship? That may be so, but Im worried because were already entering October. At the vice-captains words, Go Il-nam looked up at the sky. After observing the increasingly gloomy sky, Go Il-nam turned to the vice-captain. Lets do our best to confirm the inds location first. Once we confirm the ind, well turn the ship around and return to Wonsan as quickly as possible. Itll be close, but we should be able to avoid the dangerous period. And so, after confirming the location of the ind to the east, the Kirin ship returned at full speed to submit a report. *** The presenter, exining how the Kirin ship had discovered the ind, pointed to three red dots with his pointer. These three locations marked at the northeastern edge of the map are the inds confirmed this time. With proper preparation and good timing, its a position where round trips from Wonsan are feasible without much difficulty. In response to the presenters report, Kim Jeom immediately asked a question. Are those inds the eastern limit? To Kim Jeoms question, the presenter immediately answered: No, sir. The navy spectes that there might be other inds ornd east of those inds. Spectes? At the presenters answer, Kim Jeoms voice and expression sharpened. As the atmosphere of the person in charge of the budget became ominous, Jo Mal-saeng immediately stepped in to defuse the situation. Although its a risky venture, isnt it worth trying? This time was also a risk, but didnt it bring results? Do you think luck will strike twice in a gambling den? Do you think that makes sense? Its impossible unless its a rigged game! Lets be a bit more positive! Ah! Im dying to speak! Watching the heated argument between Kim Jeom and Jo Mal-saeng, Hyang was itching to speak. If you go east from there, theres an enormous continent! A continent full of riches! He wanted to shout that right now, but he couldnt speak. There was no immediate evidence to speak so confidently. As for bringing in the Western barbarians, who he often used like ginseng in medicine, the research institute was already crawling with them. Come to think of it, its a problem even if we discover it, right? Should wepletely block sending letters? Hey? Crown Prince? Yes? Yes! Father, did you call for me? Suddenly lost in his thoughts, Hyang was startled back to reality by King Sejongs voice calling him. What are you so absorbed in? Ah, that At King Sejongs question, Hyang frantically racked his brain for the best answer. After intense thinking, Hyang found a suitable answer and immediately replied to King Sejong. I was pondering whether we should disclose or keep secret the new geographical discoveries our Joseon has made. Oh? Lets see At Hyangs answer, King Sejong and the ministers also began to ponder. After a moment of contemtion, King Sejong nodded slightly and spoke. I see Since they say the world is round, if we keep going, we could reach the Western barbarians countries. Then we wouldnt have to detour through Cheonchuk as we do now, which would be beneficial. Especially since we wouldnt need to engage in intermediary trade in Alexandria. At King Sejongs point, Kim Jeoms face brightened. Before Kim Jeom could speak with his brightened face, Heo Jo opened his mouth first. It would be great if it could be so. But couldnt the Western barbarians flock to us through the sea route weve discovered? Havent we heard through Mansur how violent the Western barbarians are? Please remember the battle between the countries called Spain and Portugal at that ce called Gibraltar. *** News of the naval battle between Spain and Portugal in the Strait of Gibraltar had been conveyed to Joseon through Mansur. At that time, King Sejong and the ministers who heard the news all clicked their tongues and shook their heads. To try to solve everything with force! How barbaric these people are! *** At Heo Jos words, Jo Mal-saeng immediately countered. Thats precisely why we need to secure this sea route! Knowing in advance and being prepared can rather prevent conflicts! What about the budget? How will we handle the budget? At Heo Jos question, Jo Mal-saeng turned to Kim Jeom. To the silent question, Kim Jeom answered with a troubled face. Thats a bit While direct trade could bring us great benefits, theres also the issue of military expenses Amidst the ministers debate, Hyang had to struggle to hold back the words that were trying to burst out. Ah, dammit! Im telling you theres a continent there! Augh! This is killing me! Chapter 383 Chapter 383 Unaware of Hyangs desire to shout The emperor has donkey ears!, King Sejong and his ministers continued their heated debate on the topic of the Eastern Sea Route. After various opinions were exchanged and arguments made back and forth, King Sejong reached a conclusion. Although Im not entirely satisfied, were in a situation where we cant draw any conclusions right now. We simplyck too much information. Therefore, the first thing we need to do is to urately determine what exists to the east. Whether those inds are the eastern limit, or if theres something more beyond. What do you all think? The ministers immediately responded to King Sejongs question. It seems most appropriate, Your Majesty. Having summarized the situation, King Sejong turned to Jo Mal-saeng. By the way I forgot to ask about this part. On what grounds do the Ministry of National Defense and the Navy predict that there are other inds to the east? If my memory serves me correctly, the report clearly stated archipgo. To King Sejongs question, the presenter immediately answered. Its based on the conversations the Kirin ships crew had with the residents after arriving at the ind in question.The residents said so? Yes, they say that asionally when they drift far on ocean currents, they sometimes see the shadows of inds. Shadows of inds Hmm After mulling over the presenters words, King Sejong nodded. Whatever the case may be, we should establish an outpost on that ind, shouldnt we? Yes, Your Majesty. And we should also bring the indigenous tribes into our Joseon as subjects. As King Sejong nodded at the presenters words, he turned to Kim Jeom. Minister of Finance. At King Sejongs call, Kim Jeom let out a small sigh and replied. Yes, Your Majesty. I will proceed with the establishment of government monopoly stores in consultation with the Ministry of National Defense. It will be difficult, but please do your best. If there is an archipgo, we will have secured a good position, and even if there are no inds, it could be thest resting ce before reaching the Western barbarians countries. I will keep that in mind, Your Majesty. Through King Sejongs decision, the Navy was able to steadily pioneer the eastern sea route. **** Having thus summarized the situation, King Sejong continued, looking at the presenter and Jo Mal-saeng. Besides the budget, is there anything else needed? To King Sejongs question, Jo Mal-saeng immediately replied. We need new ships. And we need many of them. Heup! At Jo Mal-saengs words, Kim Jeom let out a choking sound, and King Sejong expressed his doubt. Wasnt there a shortage of people even with the existing ships? The Jurchen people, as well as the natives of Daesuldo, are good at sailing ships. And the natives of the newly secured Jongjangdo and Unwol Penins are ustomed to the harsh northern seas, so we n to incorporate them into the military as soon as they properly learn Korean. Hmm So youre saying the manpower issue will soon be resolved? Thats correct, Your Majesty. Jo Mal-saeng immediately answered King Sejongs question, while Kim Jeomsplexion began to turn increasingly pale. They were indeed making considerable profits from long-distance trade using the Navys Challenger-ss warships. However, the northern sea route was a different story. Of course, the precious furs from various northern regions and the oil extracted from whales and seals were being usefully employed to light up Joseons nights. Nevertheless, the northern sea route was in a situation where expenditures far outweighed the profits. Even those sturdy Challenger-ss vessels had to undergo extensive maintenance at the shipyard without fail after enduring the northern winter seas. Noticing Kim Jeoms paleplexion, King Sejong turned his gaze elsewhere and spoke. Minister of Finance, please work hard on this. I receive yourmand, Your Majesty. Just as it seemed the situation was settled, the presenter continued. The Navy wishes to equip the newly built Challenger-ss warships with steam engines. Huh? What? At this unexpected statement, both King Sejong and Hyang simultaneously uttered exmations of surprise. Steam engines? They came up with this idea? Already? From the notoriously conservative military? Their exmations contained different thoughts. Exin why the Navy wishes to equip them with steam engines. At King Sejongs order, the presenter immediately began to exin. -Considering the natural environment of the north, the period when ships can sail stably is extremely short. -Since humans cannot arbitrarily change the natural environment, the conclusion is that we must make the most of this short time. -To do this, increasing the speed of the ships is the best solution. -To increase the ships speed, we could add more rowers. However, rowers tire easily, and adding more personnel increases resource consumption. -Therefore, steam engines are the best solution. The Challenger-ss warships already have space prepared for installing steam engines. -There are several advantages to increasing the ships speed. First, when heading east, thebination of wind, ocean currents, and steam engines will allow for even faster movement. -Conversely, when moving from east to west, we have to go against the currents and winds, requiring a zigzag movement. Even in this case, operating the steam engine can reduce travel time. For these reasons, the Navy wishes to equip the Challenger-ss ships with steam engines. After hearing the presenters exnation, King Sejong looked at Hyang. I also think its reasonable. Whats your opinion, Crown Prince? To King Sejongs question, Hyang immediately replied. While its the best solution, its not feasible right now. Why? Arent the iron horses already running well? The engines wevepleted now would likely just take up space. We need to develop engines that are smaller yet more powerful. At Hyangs exnation, Jo Mal-saeng quickly interjected. I hear that an improved version is currently being developed? Of course, were working on it, but its not sufficient. Hyang exined why its difficult right now. -First and foremost, the weight of the object to be moved is an issue. Currently, the maximum weight that an iron horse can pull at once is about 22.5 tons. This includes the weight of the iron horse itself, water, and fuel. However, the full load discement of a Challenger-ss warship is about 900 tons. The current iron horse cannot handle this weight. -Of course, we could increase the output by erging the steam engine. But doing so would take up additional limited space on the warship. Moreover, fuel consumption would increase, and in the worst case, after loading the engine, fuel, and food, there might be no room left for other cargo. -We could reduce the amount of fuel or armaments to make room for cargo, but this would be a poor move. Onnd, we can set up fuel storage depots at stations where the iron horse passes for resupply, but we cant do that at sea, so the cruising range would be reduced. And if we reduce the armaments, it bes a problem forbat power. -If we want to maintain the cruising range while reducing the fuel load, we could use the method of running the engine only when necessary. However, this deviates from the Navys purpose for installing steam engines. This is why its unreasonable to install steam engines right away. Of course, its not entirely impossible, and if we add a little more time and a bit more budget Hyang trailed off, ncing at Kim Jeoms expression. If we push a little more, we might end up holding a funeral here As if understanding Hyangs thoughts, King Sejong picked up where he left off. Crown Prince, although I doubt whether your little is truly little, I hope you canplete a usable engine as quickly as possible. At King Sejongs words, Hyang bowed his head and replied. I will do my best. Good, Ill trust you. But about the loading capacity issue you mentioned earlier. Couldnt we solve it by increasing the size, even if it means sacrificing some speed? Thats not feasible, Your Majesty. Why not? To King Sejongs question, Hyang exined why it wasnt feasible. The current Challenger-ss ships are already close to the limit of wooden ships. Ah! If we decide to increase the size, we could make them bigger, but it would be difficult to guarantee their durability and safety. Then they would lose their value as weapons. I see. At Hyangs exnation, King Sejong nodded with a face full of regret. Though King Sejong and the others didnt know, the exnation Hyang had just given wasnt entirely factual. The USS Constitution was a wooden ship, but it was 2,200 tons. However, to build something like that, wed have topletely redesign everything from the hull shape up. The Challenger-ss is already at the level of a national powerhouse for this era, but the Constitution? Are we trying to conquer the world? And I should guide them to gradually transition to iron ships. Iron steamships, that sounds good, doesnt it? Even in this situation, Hyang was deceiving for the sake of his own interests. As King Sejong listened to Hyangs exnation, he asked again. Crown Prince. You just mentioned the limit of wooden ships, so then with a different material Wait, now I remember. Would it be possible with iron ships? Recalling the cold noodle bowl he had seen in the Crown Princes pce before, King Sejong asked, and Hyang immediately nodded. Yes. It wouldnt be an easy task, would it? It would consume considerable budget and time. At Hyangs answer, Kim Jeom muttered quietly. Not considerable, but enormous Shh! Your Excellency! As Heo Jo, who was next to him, cautioned him, Kim Jeom immediately closed his mouth and watched King Sejongs reaction. King Sejong, giving Kim Jeom a brief re, ordered Hyang. Research iron ships step by step, but focus on developing steam engines to be mounted on the Challenger-ss ships. I receive yourmand. And with that, all matters were settled. *** After finishing his work at Gyeongbok Pce, Hyang gathered the people from the research institute and Area 51 to ry King Sejongs orders. Therefore, the order is to begin research on steam engines and propulsion devices to be mounted on Challenger-ss warships. I hope you will do your best. We receive yourmand! The researchers and craftsmen who answered energetically gathered in small groups and returned to their ces. Watching the enthusiastic researchers and craftsmen, Hyang muttered quietly. Those folks have all be enthusiasts too. For the researchers and craftsmen at the research institute, orders to research and create new devices were always a joy. Researching intangible things, like the recent debate between the geocentric and heliocentric models, was mentally taxing and easily fatiguing work. Of course, there were exceptions like Yi Soonji and Kim Dam. But creating devices was weed because they could immediately see the results of what they had researched and designed. *** Your Highness! I have a good idea regarding transportation in the north! To Jinpyeongs energetic exmation as he entered, Hyang briefly replied. If youre going to suggest building a bridge to Jongjangdo in the north andying down a railroad, just leave. Why not? Its a perfectly feasible n. We can build a bridge at the narrowest point of the strait between the Maritime Province and Jongjangdo. Even at its narrowest point, the width is just under 8 kilometers. Were already struggling to build a bridge over the Han River, which is barely 1.2 kilometers wide, and you want to build a bridge over a strait? Despite Hyangs rebuttal, Jinpyeong didnt back down. Of course, its unreasonable now, but if we keep researching and challenging ourselves, wont it be possible? If the railroad seeds, it can solve many of the current difficulties in the north! Hmm At Jinpyeongs words, Hyang fell into thought. Seeing Hyangs contemtive look, Jinpyeong continued. I too understand that its nonsense right now! But dont we need to set high goals to progress? Didnt Your Highness always say, Keep challenging without rest!? At Jinpyeongs words, Hyang narrowed his eyes and red at him. You Youre aiming for the Challenge Record, arent you? I wont deny it. But my belief that railroads are the most useful for Joseons expanding territory remains unchanged! At Jinpyeongs words, Hyang let out a long sigh. Sigh~ Thats not wrong either, so Ill discuss it with Minister Jeong-cho. At Hyangs decision, Jinpyeong smiled brightly and bowed his head. Thank you, Your Highness! After Jinpyeong left, Hyang muttered, looking at the ce where Jinpyeong had been. They say theres no cure for a train enthusiast Its really true. Chapter 384 Chapter 384 Two dayster, a new official document was posted on therge bulletin boards of the research institute and Area 51. -New Entry in the Challenge Record. Date: 7th day of the 1st month, Year of Gyechuk (1433). Proposer: Prince Jinpyeong. Content: Connect and transportation route by building a bridge between the Maritime Province and Jongjangdo. Grade: Moving Mountains (޹ɽ) Upper Level Proposers Rank: Pioneer () Although it was a brief official notice, everyone who read its contents nodded their heads.As expected, its His Highness Prince Jinpyeong. Who else but him would think of such an idea? It saysnd transportation, but it must mean a railway, right? Of course. As they discussed, all the researchers and craftsmen had the same thought. If its been added to the Challenge Record, doesnt that mean they think its possible? Even though the grade is Moving Mountains But the fact that its in the Challenge Record itself means its possible, right? The researchers considered it potentially feasible simply because it had been added to the Challenge Record. *** The Challenge Record was created by Hyang to inspire a spirit of challenge among the researchers and craftsmen of the research institute. Hyang created this when he realized that the researchers and craftsmen were too passive. Until then, the vast majority of tasks carried out in the research institute and Area 51 were based on Hyangs instructions. His Highness the Crown Prince will think of something. Thats right. We just need to do what His Highness tells us to do. Most researchers and craftsmen held this mindset while diligently carrying out their assigned tasks. Upon confirming this situation, Hyang clicked his tongue. Tsk! I went through all those trial and errors to avoid seeing this sorry state When first establishing the research institute and Area 51 and proceeding with weapon development, Hyang had endured numerous trials and errors and wasted time. The reason for this was to prevent the current passive situation. However, as time passed, the researchers and craftsmen became passive. But this couldnt be entirely med on the researchers and craftsmen. They had be passive because they were overwhelmed just by turning the various concepts and ideas Hyang had presented into proper theories and proving them. This wont do! If we donte up with something Displeased with this passive atmosphere, Hyang racked his brains to find a solution, and thus the Challenge Record was created. There are two things that make even a whale fly in the sky. One is incentive, the other is honor. Were already using incentives well, so we should use honor. Hyang stimted peoples desire for honor. If an idea passed the strict review of Hyang, Jeong-cho, Jeong In-ji, Lee Chun, and other top executives and was registered in the Challenge Record, the date of registration, the proposer, and its contents were announced and urately recorded. As long as that record existed, everyone would know who first came up with the idea. There were 9 grades created in this way. First, 3 main grades: Lone Armys Struggle (܊^^): Difficult, but seems solvable within one generation. Grinding an Axe into a Needle (ĥ): Extremely difficult, but theres a possibility of solving it within three generations. Moving Mountains (޹ɽ): It will take more than three generations of time and effort, but theres a possibility. These 3 grades were further divided into upper, middle, and lower levels, creating a total of 9 grades. Moreover, those who solved the challenges listed in the Challenge Record would also have their names recorded in it. After announcing this Challenge Record system, the atmosphere among the researchers and craftsmen gradually began to change ording to Hyangs intentions. One by one, creative opinions and ideas that even Hyang hadnt anticipated began to emerge. *** Believing in the feasibility of the project due to its inclusion in the Challenge Record, the researchers flocked to the archive attached to the research institute. After examining the relevant reports and maps sent by the Ministry of National Defense, all the researchers shook their heads. Even at its narrowest point, its said to be a full 8 kilometers Even if the grade is Moving Mountains Do His Highness the Crown Prince and Minister Jeong-cho really think this is possible? They must think its possible, since its in the Challenge Record, right? The researchers discussing this all shook their heads. Even if its the Moving Mountains grade, and even the upper level at that, this is a bit I wonder if His Highness the Crown Prince is thinking too lightly of this Even as they voiced these concerns, the researchers eyes were shining. But the fact that its in the Challenge Record means theres a possibility of realization! The moment we seed, our names will go down in history! Even though its more than three generations, even just creating a provable theoretical method will be recorded! *** Area 51, Engine Research Department. The construction folks have been busytely, is something going on? To the junior researchers question, the senior researcher answered in a dull voice, his eyes fixed on the blueprint. Theyre all worked up about building a bridge thats 8 kilometers long. 8 kilometers? Youd start crossing after breakfast and finish by lunchtime. Never mind that, did you find what I asked you to look into? Realizing the senior researchers mood wasnt good, the junior researcher hurriedly put down the books. Ah, yes! I found some good material in the Wujing Zongyao[1] you mentioned. At the junior researchers answer, the senior researchers face brightened. Really? So my memory wasnt wrong! Let me see! At the senior researchers words, the junior researcher flipped through the book, opened the relevant section, and handed it to the senior researcher. Its this part! Hmm Taking the book, the senior researcher examined the content of the relevant section. Chariot Raft[2] Inside the boat, sailors step on pedals to turn the wheels outside After checking the illustration and content, the senior researcher ordered the junior researcher. The picture is small, so copy it onto arger sheet of paper. Yes, sir. *** The erged copy of the illustration by the junior researcher was soon posted on the wall of the Engine Research Department. A wheeled raft Are they suggesting using wheels? To the deputy heads question, the senior researcher nodded. Thats right. Hmm Not bad. At the deputy heads words, the researchers and craftsmen of the department nodded. A monk who was examining the illustration with them joined the conversation. Ive seen a simr illustration before. Where? Please wait a moment! The monk, who had dashed off somewhere and returned, pulled out a thick parchment book from his chest. Its a book called De Rebus bellicis. It mentions that ancient Rome used a simr boat. Let me see. The researchers huddled around the book, putting their heads together. After examining the contents for a while, the researchers nodded. Is it using oxen instead of people? It should be more powerful than the wheeled raft in the Wujing Zongyao. It seems to be an application of the donkey-powered millstone. After listening to the researchers opinions and organizing his thoughts, the deputy head concluded. Lets try to adapt this to the steam engine. Yes, sir. Remember, we need to prepare a report and blueprints to submit to His Highness as quickly as possible. Yes, sir! *** Ten dayster, Hyang received the report and blueprints and examined them with a face full of curiosity. As he looked over the records of simr ships conceived in both the East and West, Hyang chuckled. They say human thoughts are all alike By the way, is this China where people are abundant? Almost everything relies on manpower After making his own assessment, Hyang asked the deputy head. Looking at the blueprints, are you nning to build a test ship based on this? Yes, Your Highness. Its going to be quite costly, isnt it? To Hyangs question, the deputy head answered with a resigned expression. It cant be helped. We must prove it empirically. Hmm After pondering for a moment at the deputy heads words, Hyang stood up. Ill try to find another method. If I submit this directly to Father, Minister Kim Jeom will try to eat me alive! Yes, I understand. As Hyang left the office, he muttered while walking. Paddle wheels arent very efficient, how can I lead them to a propeller method? As Hyang was pondering how to find a good method, another thought urred to him. Wait a minute Mounting a steam engine on the already formidable Challenger-ss warships? The Europeans would curse like mad. Theyd say we have no sense of fair y. As Hyang let his imagination run wild about the butterfly effect that would ur with the instation of steam engines, he smirked and concluded. Not my problem. *** The ce Hyang visited after leaving the office was Jang Yeong-sils workshop. After moving to Area 51, Jang Yeong-sil had been promoted repeatedly from Byeoljwa to Jeongrang. When the organizational structure of the research institute and Area 51 changed through reforms, he was offered the position of Head Director of the Development Department, but Jang Yeong-sil refused. I am a craftsman who works with objects, not a civil servant who handles documents! The position of director doesnt fit me. My ce is where I wield saws and hammers. Hyang gave a wry smile at the sight of Jang Yeong-sil, who, befitting someone in the realm of the iprehensible, refused a high position. That man has be a true enthusiast too. Thanks to this, Jang Yeong-sil received a new position. Director of the Technical Verification Department It was a department that created physical prototypes to verify whether the blueprints or technologies produced by the research department were actually usable. It was the perfect position for Jang Yeong-sil. *** You could have called for me, why have youe to such a humble ce? Jang Yeong-sil couldnt hide his embarrassment as he weed Hyang to his workshop. Haha! Sometimes moving like this is good for health! And Hyang continued as he looked around Jang Yeong-sils workshop. I heard youve been making many interesting thingstely, so I came to see. Ah At Hyangs words, Jang Yeong-sils eyes lit up yfully as he offered a seat. Please, have a seat first. Apprentice! Bring two cups of ck tea here! Yes, Master! Seeing this, Hyangs eyes brightened. I did receive a report that you had taken on an apprentice. Yes. Hes a good boy. A momentter, a young man who looked about the same age as Hyang entered carrying a teapot. The young man stood at the opposite end of the conference table where Jang Yeong-sil and Hyang were seated, ced two cups on a tray held by a small doll, and wound up the spring on the dolls back. Char-rrr~ With the sound of the spring unwinding, the doll holding the tray slowly moved towards Jang Yeong-sil. Using wheels hidden between its legs, the doll glided smoothly and stopped right in front of Jang Yeong-sil. Seeing Hyang frozen with a surprised look on his face, Jang Yeong-sil smiled slightly and took a cup from the tray, cing it in front of Hyang. Your Highness, please drink. Click! As the two cups were removed from the tray, with a small mechanical sound, the doll turned 180 degrees and returned to its original position. Hyang, who had been staring nkly at the doll, turned to Jang Yeong-sil. Whats that? Ah! Its a spring-powered doll I made for entertainment while working on self-moving chairs and precision clocks. Its very good for enjoying leisure time. As Jang Yeong-sil spoke with an expression that suggested it was nothing special, Hyang inwardly eximed. People! Theres a monster here! It was the appearance of something akin to the automatons that began to be made in 17th century Europe and the karakuri (餯) made in 19th century Japan, now in the 15th century. A momentter, having regained hisposure, Hyang looked around once more and spoke. Do you have any other entertainment items? At Hyangs question, Jang Yeong-sil held up aplex wooden bundle hanging on one wall. This is something I made after being inspired by watching the deolmi (puppet shows) performed by traveling entertainers. After finishing his exnation, Jang Yeong-sil slipped his arm into the wooden frame and put his hand into the attached glove. Thick threads were connected to each finger of the glove, leading into the wooden frame. And at the end of the wooden frame were model fingers mimicking human fingers. Kki-gi-gik. As Jang Yeong-sil moved his gloved fingers, the wooden model fingers moved in exactly the same way. As an unexpected object revealed its existence, Hyang could only open and close his mouth in amazement.
  1. 佛Ҫ. Also known as The Complete Essentials for the Military ssics, is a Chinese militarypendium written from around 1040 to 1044.[?]
  2. ܇݆D[?]
Chapter 385 Chapter 385 Seeing Hyangs expression of open-mouthed amazement, Jang Yeong-sil instead showed a surprised look. Ive been working with Your Highness for nearly 10 years, but this is the first time Ive seen you make such an expression. At Jang Yeong-sils question, Hyang quicklyposed himself and answered. Ah, I was momentarily surprised to see a device more astonishing than I expected. But how does that work? Ah, when thinking about contracting mountains or moving heavy objects, we usually have many people working together, or use cranes and winsses, right? Thats right. However, there are often cases where space is too tight to install cranes or winsses. Or sometimes, a job that would be easy with 4-5 people has to be done by just 2-3 people struggling. Ive been pondering a bit about what to use in such cases. As he exined, Jang Yeong-sil carefully assembled the structures hanging on one wall. When the assembly wasplete, Hyang asked in a trembling voice.Could it be an exoskeleton? At Hyangs question, Jang Yeong-sil eximed in surprise. To recognize it at a nce, as expected of Your Highness! Thats correct. Its a device that mimics the human skeleton to be worn. Right now, its made of wood as were in the process of proving the concept, but if it works properly, well make it out of iron to ensure durability. How will you power it? At Hyangs point, Jang Yeong-sils expression darkened. That is indeed the problem. I thought of using a steam engine as the power source, but considering the size of the steam engine and the management of heat and fuel Sigh~ After a short sigh, Jang Yeong-sil continued with a face full of regret. Its the same with the process of transmitting the users movements. Right now, its just mimicking movement, so thick and sturdy cotton threads are possible, but if we were to actually make it, wed have to use iron ropes, and then no one would be able to move it Before Jang Yeong-sil could finish speaking, Hyang interjected. There would also be the issue of controlling the force. Using that would allow at least 2-3 times the strength of an ordinary person, but that much force isnt always needed. Thats right! Jang Yeong-sil nodded strongly at Hyangs words and continued. Thats correct! So I thought about adjusting it before use, but thats too inconvenient Before that, how would you transmit the power generated by the steam engine? Thats also under research As Jang Yeong-sil trailed off, Hyang suddenly shouted. Director Jang! Im disappointed in you! How can a person do this? Momentarily bewildered by Hyangs sudden rebuke, Jang Yeong-sil immediately prostrated himself on the floor. Please forgive me! Ive used time and resources privately for my personal research! And yet, I havent achieved proper results, which is a great sin! Please forgive me! Jang Yeong-sil begged for forgiveness, stating what seemed to be the most obvious reason for Hyangs anger, but Hyangs scolding continued. Why did you conduct this research alone? To do such interesting research by yourself! Dont you know proper etiquette? Pardon? Surprised by this unexpected reason, Jang Yeong-sil unconsciously raised his head to look at Hyang. Is he joking Hes serious! Seeing Hyangs face, Jang Yeong-sil had no choice but to prostrate himself again. I apologize! As it was just a thought from an ignorant craftsman, I didnt report it, thinking it would be worthless! Please forgive me! Even if it seems worthless to you, it could be worth thousands or tens of thousands of gold to others! If you have any other research, bring it immediately! Right now! Yes, yes! At Hyangs order, Jang Yeong-sil hurriedly moved to bring concept drawings and blueprints of what he had been conceptualizing and handed them to Hyang. As Hyang examined the blueprints Jang Yeong-sil had brought, he genuinely became angry with Jang Yeong-sil. You just kept these precious things tucked away? Such interesting things! Im deeply honored! Ill take these, discuss them, and then register them in the Challenge Record, so be aware of that. Its an honor! Really, people should have a sense of propriety Interesting things should be done together, not trying to have fun alone *** After calming down from thismotion, Hyang remembered the reason he hade here. Ah! The reason I came here today is that I want Director Jang to make a spring mechanism. A spring mechanism, you say? Thats right. Hyang told Jang Yeong-sil about the propulsion system issue for ships equipped with steam engines. so, the Development Department wants to conduct experiments with steam engines attached, but it seems premature to me. If the current method provespletely unsuitable, wed have to start over from the beginning, which could lead to unnecessary repeated expenditures. If that happens, wouldnt Minister Kim Jeom and all the officials from the Ministry of Financee rushing in to cause an uproar? That would indeed be the case. At Hyangs words, Jang Yeong-sil nodded unconsciously. Even to his knowledge, the budget consumed by the research institute and Area 51 was enormous. If not for their achievements so far, it would have been reasonable to call for their immediate abolition. Having confirmed Jang Yeong-sils understanding, Hyang exined the purpose for needing the spring mechanism. So, I think its better to experiment using scaled-down model ships. Jang Yeong-sil nodded at Hyangs exnation. Thats certainly true. Then, what size would be appropriate? At Jang Yeong-sils question, Hyang spread his arms to indicate a suitable size. About this big? About the width of my chest should be appropriate. At Hyangs words, Jang Yeong-sil immediately replied. I understand. Then, Ill create both the spring mechanism and the model ship. By when should I have them ready? Is five days possible? It should be possible. Then, lets n on receiving them within five days Ah! When making the spring mechanism, it should be designed so that the direction of the power axis can be easily changed. The direction, you say? After pondering for a moment at Hyangs words, Jang Yeong-sil soon nodded. I understand why it needs to be that way. Ill make it ordingly. Then I look forward to it. Having finished his business, Hyang stood up. Gathering up the blueprints that Jang Yeong-sil had neglected, Hyang cautioned him again. Ill say it again, please dont just tuck away things youve thought up like this. Yes, Your Highness. As Hyang was about to leave Jang Yeong-sils office, he suddenly turned around as if something had urred to him. Jang Yeong-sil, who had followed to see Hyang off, tensed up when Hyang suddenly turned. Your Highness? Ah, I just had a sudden thought about the exoskeleton and power issue we discussed earlier. Lets go inside and talk. Pardon? Yes. Re-entering the office and sitting down, Hyang spread a nk paper on the conference table and began to speak. About that exoskeleton. Theres no need to have all four limbs like a person, is there? And theres also the issue of attaching a steam engine Trailing off, Hyang began to draw on the nk paper. The pictures Hyang drew were of construction machinery like excavators and cranes. If we use pulleys and iron ropes to transmit power and control movement like this Listening to Hyangs drawings and exnations, Jang Yeong-sil immediately understood and nodded. Ah! It would be of great use in civil engineering and construction work! Ill think about it carefully! I n to add it to the Challenge Record as well. Haha! It will be a goodpetition! Meanwhile, Jang Yeong-sils apprentice, who had been listening to their conversation from the side, became crestfallen. I cant understand a word of what theyre talking about! I thought I was quite smart, but am I just a frog in a well? While Jang Yeong-sils apprentice was despairing in a corner, Hyang, having finished his conversation with Jang Yeong-sil, stood up with a satisfied look. Then, I look forward to future developments. I will do my best! *** After seeing Hyang off and returning, Jang Yeong-sil sat down in his chair, let out a light sigh, and turned to his apprentice. Truly an extraordinary person, isnt he? Yes. I feel this every time I see him, but His Highness the Crown Prince is a divine person. Hes someone heaven has sent down for our Joseon. Isnt the person that such a great individual values highly you, Master? You are your disciples pride. At his apprentices words, Jang Yeong-sil shook his head. Compared to His Highness the Crown Prince, I am but a firefly under moonlight. Didnt you just see? Despite seeing the blueprints and models for the first time, he immediately identified problems and even thought of applications. Who else in Joseon today could do this? As far as I know, theres only one other person besides His Highness. Who might that be? To his apprentices question, Jang Yeong-sil answered firmly. His Majesty the King. *** While Jang Yeong-sil was lecturing his apprentice, Hyangs steps as he returned to his office seemed to be floating. Hehehehe A smile as wide as a washbasin was stered on Hyangs face as he looked at the blueprints and various concept drawings he held in his arms. With this, the chances of running out of ideas have decreased! As things had been progressing under Hyangs leadership, he had been gradually feeling a sense of crisis. If Im not careful, I might run out of things to geek out aboutter! I might end up just being a king instead of geeking out! My dream is in danger! Ive failed at pacing myself! Hyang was bitterly regretting his failure to pace himself. But there was no help for it. The talents at the research institute and Area 51 moved passively, and he couldnt resist the things that seemed immediately realizable rolling around before his eyes. This will disrupt my life ns! I need to find a solution right away! And so, the Challenge Record was created. But its still a bitcking Even so, to Hyang, who felt a 1% deficiency, Jang Yeong-sils works were a gift from heaven. Most of the concept drawings and designs drawn by Jang Yeong-sil were things that made one want to take off their official robes and enter the cksmiths shop right away. Looking at the blueprints with such a happy face, Hyang quietly muttered, thinking of Jang Yeong-sil. That man is really out of the ordinary He had felt it before when making the golden brush, but the skill level of Joseons craftsmen at this time was not to be underestimated. If only there hadnt been the custom of looking down on craftsmen and the wars It was a time when there were many craftsmen with such high skill levels that Hyang, who had first confirmed the skills of the craftsmen, wouldin, but Jang Yeong-sil was in a league of his own. Jang Yeong-sils skill could be seen in the anecdote of the water clock before Hyangs intervention, and the record that no one could repair the broken water clock. With Hyangs intervention, Jang Yeong-sils fate changed greatly. With Hyang as his backing, he would no longer be dismissed from his positionter. And as he created various objects that Hyang wanted, Jang Yeong-sil crossed a kind of boundary. No, it wasnt just Jang Yeong-sil who had crossed this boundary. People symbolized by the research institute and Area 51 began to emerge in droves, crossing boundaries swept up in the storm of scientific and technological revolution. Yi Soonji, Kim Dam, Princess Jeong-ui, and others who had been on the verge of crossing the boundary line but were blocked by the walls of Neo-Confucianism and social conventions, began to cross the boundary line and climb even higher. *** Two dayster, the researchers and craftsmen who came to work at the research institute and Area 51 had to gasp when they saw the bulletin board. How many are there in total? Ive given up counting People were left dumbfounded looking at the notices that covered not only the bulletin board but also the adjacent wall. As people examined the items evenly distributed from Lone Armys Struggle C Lower to Moving Mountains C Upper, they soon realized one fact. Is the proposer for all of these Director Jang? It seems so. Come on, that man should have some sense of propriety! How could he dump all of these at once! While people were grumbling about Jang Yeong-sil, the craftsmen from the Technical Verification Department came to his defense. Its not like that The Crown Prince squeezed everything out of Jang Yeong-sil! The Crown Prince ordered that everything must be reported from now on! Hearing the craftsmens words, people instead looked sympathetic. Director Jang, that man, his good days are over~ Chapter 386 Chapter 386 While Jang Yeong-sil and his subordinates were creating a model Challenger-ss ship equipped with a spring-powered mechanism, a water tank was being built in a corner of Area 51. It would be best to actually float it If thats not possible, wouldnt it be better to float it on the Han River at least? As one researcher supervising the construction of the water tank grumbled, a colleague beside him chided: Hey! Have you forgotten what His Highness the Crown Prince said? *** When Hyang ordered experiments using model ships and a water tank, the researchers in charge of development came forward to object. Theres arge margin of error between models and reality! We need to experiment with actual ships, even if theyre smaller! The developers objections were reasonable. With the reforms progressing and all sorts of devices being created, measuring instruments had also advanced. The problem was that despite this progress, there was still considerable error. However, it was unfair to me the measuring instruments entirely. Even the wood, which was the mostmonly used main material, varied greatly in quality. The iron, which was the second most used material, was being produced exclusively by the national ironworks, but there were still variations in quality.Of course, Hyang wasnt one to overlook this, so continuous quality control and new methods to maintain consistency in quality were being applied, butpared to the 20th or 21st century, it was still a tearful situation. *** For these reasons, the researchers wanted to build actual ships and engines, even if smaller, for experimentation. However, these objections and assertions from the researchers had to be buried immediately with one word from Hyang. If you insist, go directly to Minister Kim Jeom and secure the budget yourself. Because of this incident, the researcher who was again advocating for actual ships had his mouth shut like a m. *** As promised, Jang Yeong-sil created an experimental model ship in five days and submitted it to Hyang. Anyone who sees this might mistake it for an immortal using magic to shrink a ship. At Hyangs praise, admiring the precisely scaled-down model of the actual Challenger-ss warship, Jang Yeong-sil smiled and replied. I put my skills to use after a long time. Of course! It was Director Jangs craftsmanship! I thought it was extraordinary! Hahaha. As Hyang observed the model ship made by Jang Yeong-sil with fond eyes, he noticed the paddle wheels installed on both sides of the hull and turned to Jang Yeong-sil. Are these paddle wheels easy to attach and detach? Yes, as requested by the research department, I made it easy to attach and detach paddle wheels of various sizes and shapes. I see. Hmm Humming, Hyang stroked his chin beard. No matter how I think about it, a screw propeller would be better How can I make them understand this? After pondering for a moment, Hyang asked Jang Yeong-sil. Can you make one more spring mechanism that produces the same power as the one attached to this model ship? Pardon? Its possible. Then make a cart with the same weight as this model ship. Put the spring mechanism on it so it can move. Is that possible? Its not too difficult, but may I ask why? To Jang Yeong-sils question, Hyang pointed to the paddle wheels and exined the reason. When attached like that, we cant know how efficient it is, can we? Jang Yeong-sil nodded at Hyangs question. Thats true. In that case, wouldnt it be better to have something topare visually side by side? After thinking for a moment at Hyangs words, Jang Yeong-sil answered. Thats right. Ill make it and submit it within five days. Thats excellent, as the water tank should bepleted by then. Im counting on you. You can rest assured. *** Shortly after Jang Yeong-sil left, Jeong-cho, Jeong In-ji, and Lee Chun entered Hyangs office. We heard that the model ship has beenpleted. Hyang, who was just about to ce the model ship on the conference table and wind up the spring, weed their visit. Ah! Youvee at a good time. I was about to test run it, fresh from Director Jangs hands. Is that so? At Hyangs words, the three mens eyes lit up. Despite their age differences, they had all evolved into inevitable enthusiasts whose eyes would spin at the sight of moving machines. Tak-tak, ta-da-dak. As he inserted and turned the butterfly-shaped winding key, the spring wound up with the sound of gears meshing. After winding the spring to some extent, Hyang removed the key and then released the stopper attached next to the spring mechanism. Jiii. With the sound of the spring unwinding, the waterwheels attached to both sides of the model ship on the stand began to turn. Ooh~ Hoo~ As they watched the turning waterwheels with various exmations, Jeong-cho asked Hyang. Is it possible to adjust the speed? ording to Director Jangs exnation, it should be adjustable in three stages. Just a moment. Hyang engaged the stopper to stop the waterwheels and then moved another lever attached to the side. Click! Jiing! With a louder noise, the waterwheels began to spin at a faster speed. Hmm Huh After observing the movement of the waterwheels until the spring was fully unwound, the three men took a step back. What do you think? At Hyangs question, the faces of the three men organizing their thoughts didnt look very good. Jeong-cho was the first to speak. It seems quite useful, but theres an unresolved question. ording to the Wujing Zongyao, such paddle wheel ships appeared as early as the Song Dynasty, so why doesnt the current Ming navy use them? As soon as Jeong-cho finished speaking, Jeong In-ji continued. I feel the same way. If those paddle wheels were useful, they would still be in use now, but looking at the current Ming naval warships or merchant ships, none of them use paddle wheels, do they? To the questions from Jeong-cho and Jeong In-ji, Hyang offered a usible reason. Isnt it a matter of power? To turn those waterwheels, wouldnt you need a lot of manpower inside the ship to turn the pedals? At Hyangs words, Jeong In-ji immediately shook his head. Dont warships already carry rowers anyway? Considering that Pausing briefly, Jeong In-ji concluded. If the results using the steam engine are not better than the methods using manpower and animal power described in the Wujing Zongyao and Western books, we should look for other methods. At Jeong In-jis conclusion, Jeong-cho nodded. Seeing this, Hyang turned to Lee Chun. What do you think, Minister? To Hyangs question, Lee Chun immediately dered. The navy probably wont like it very much. *** Shortly after, the three men left Hyangs office. After seeing them off and returning to his seat, Hyang muttered with a satisfied face. I think Ive chosen people well. Although Jeong-cho, Jeong In-ji, and Lee Chun gave negative predictions, they didnt say that the current n should be overturned. Themon point among these three was that they didnt unconditionally reject challenging projects brought forward by their subordinates. As long as it wasnt a truly absurd n, these three would say the same thing to their subordinates. Organize it a bit more and bring it back. No, even if it was a truly outrageous proposal, if it was armed with reasonably sound logic, these three would ept it initially. And after several revisions and improvements increased thepleteness, they moved on to the next step. Then lets try an experiment. And after the experiment, regardless of sess or failure, they demanded mountain-high analysis reports. Because of this, the skills of researchers and craftsmen continued to develop. Of course, there was an exception here too, which was the project proposals put forward by Hyang. Whenever Hyang presented a project proposal, the three would allocate manpower and proceed with the work without any discussion. *** The day after the water tank waspleted, the public experiment finally took ce. Amidst the gathering of craftsmen from the Development and Verification Departments, researchers and craftsmen who had heard about it, and navalmanders who hade out, the model ship and cart made their appearance. Then lets begin. Yes. At Hyangs order, two researchers came forward and wound up the springs. Start! As soon as Hyangs order fell, the stopper was released, and the model ship and cart began to move forward. When the test that continued all day ended, the faces of the researchers were not good at all. Even considering the difference betweennd and water In nearly 20 races, the model ship never once beat the cart. It failed to secure a single victory in races conducted with various types of waterwheels of different sizes and shapes. This is a result created by the difference betweennd and water. Although it may be slower than moving onnd, it will be faster than anyone else in water! Hmm Is that so? Nodding slightly at the researchers assertion, Hyang turned to the navalmanders. What do you think? To Hyangs question, the navalmanders immediately replied. It might work for civilian use, but its impossible for warships! At the navalmanders negative statement, the researchers strongly objected. Why is that? As the researchers demanded an exnation, the navalmanders exined their reasons. -The space upied by those paddle wheels would reduce the number of cannons. This is absolutely uneptable. -Those paddle wheels are likely to be targets at a nce. If the paddle wheels are damaged, not only will maneuverability be lost, but they are highly likely to be obstacles hindering proper maneuvering. -To prevent this, armor, whether wooden or iron, would need to be installed on the outside of those paddle wheels, which would unnecessarily increase the weight of the warship. At the navys exnation, Hyang inwardly muttered. Minister Lee Chun was right. Come to think of it, both Minister Lee Chun and the navy pointed out the reduction in the number of cannons as the first problem, as expected of the ancestors of the artillery department While Hyang was thinking this, the researchers and naval personnel were engaged in a back-and-forth argument. If the number of cannons decreases, cant we just load more powerful cannons? If we can load more powerful cannons, wouldnt it be better to load many of them? Although those paddle wheels arerge, they can move faster! Wouldnt that reduce the risk of being hit? Warships dont always fight in the middle of the sea. Finally, after the continued argument, Hyang concluded. The paddle wheel method isnt bad, but its not suitable for military use. This seems to be the most appropriate conclusion, doesnt it? At Hyangs conclusion, Jeong-cho, Jeong In-ji, Lee Chun, and the navalmanders all nodded. Seeing the high-ranking officials and the client reach the same conclusion, the researchers all became dejected. Although the result shows its not suitable for military use, I still think its a good method. At least we no longer need to just wait for the wind. Youve all worked hard. At Hyangs encouragement, the researchers managed to brighten their faces slightly. Were truly grateful for your kind words. Now that we know the shorings, were just a little bit away. Please put in a little more effort. Yes. And so, the experiment left them with the homework of developing a new propulsion method. *** While the researchers were spending several sleepless nights trying to solve the task of developing a new propulsion method, which was close to heading on bare ground, Jang Yeong-sil came to see Hyang. Your Highness. About that propulsion method. Yes! Could it be! As Jang Yeong-sil mentioned the new propulsion method, Hyangs eyes sparkled and his voice rose. Seeing Hyangs reaction, Jang Yeong-sil cautiously opened his mouth. How about modeling it after the shape of a windmill? As expected! Inwardly cheering, Hyang offered Jang Yeong-sil a seat. Lets discuss this in detail! Chapter 387 Chapter 387 The next morning. A new notice was posted on the bulletin board. Another Challenge Record entry? Theyve been frequenttely. What is it? What is it? Hey, move your head out of the way! Researchers and craftsmen gathered in droves to read the contents of the new notice posted on the bulletin board. The first thing the researchers and craftsmen checked was the grade of the entry. Checking the grade first had be a habit for everyone since the Challenge Record was established. And the eyes of those who confirmed the grade all widened. Huh?What kind of grade The newly posted notice had two grades applied simultaneously. Grade: Lone Armys Struggle C Lower, Moving Mountains C Upper. It was a simultaneous assignment of two extreme grades. Surprised by this unexpected grade assignment, people examined the content more closely. Date: 17th day of the 3rd month, Year of Gyechuk (1433). Proposer: Jang Yeong-sil Content: Create a propulsion device for ships by applying the shape of a windmill. Grade: Lone Armys Struggle C Lower, Moving Mountains C Upper Ah! Oh no! To think we didnte up with this, what fools we are! The researchers and craftsmen of the team tasked with developing the propulsion device read the content and med themselves, pping their foreheads. Windmills were not unfamiliar to Joseon people. It was one of the toys that every boy had yed with. Called panggaebi, doreurami, or hoehoi-a depending on the region, windmills were toys that had been passed down since before Joseon. Initially, they had a strong magical character C typically attached to rice sheaves with five grains on the first full moon C wishing for a good harvest, butter became childrens toys. They med themselves for looking for answers in strange ces despite having such an object that apanied their childhood. After this period of self-reproach, the researchers and craftsmen all had the same question. But why did it receive two extreme grades simultaneously? Unable toe up with a suitable answer no matter how much they thought about it, the researchers discussed with their colleagues. Do you know why it received such grades? Im not sure. Do you have any idea? Should we ask His Highness? When one researcher mentioned Hyang, other researchers simultaneously replied. Would he answer? *** To the researchers and craftsmen of the research institute, Hyang was a good but demanding boss. When they failed in their assigned tasks or missed deadlines, Hyang carefully examined the reasons. If it wasnt due to the negligence or carelessness of those in charge, and if there were no human casualties, Hyang rarely punished them. Instead, what Hyang wanted from those in charge was a clear lesson learned. While Hyang seemed like a good boss in this regard, he was demanding in other areas. There were two areas where Hyang was particrly fussy. One was the budget, and the other was immediately asking questions about assigned tasks without even trying to figure things out. Pondering why such a grade was assigned is the first step towards sess. Because Hyang had said this, researchers had to rack their brains from the very beginning on the question of why this grade? His Highness always wants us to do our best. Isnt that because he trusts us so much? Although they had to struggle considerably from the start, the researchers believed that all of this was for their own good and did their best. However, this was only half the truth. For development to continue across generations, we need to thoroughly digest and move forward. While one reason was the belief that what the researchers and craftsmen had learned needed to be properly digested to be passed on to the next generation, other aspects were due to Hyangs selfishness and limitations. Are they trying to just piggyback? Even in group projects, youd get cursed at for that. Is this deeply rooted piggybacking? And Hyang examined the reports with a troubled face. I was the kind of geek who would make things first and thinkter, not good at using my head like this If I was good at this, I would have gone into science, not liberal arts, right? Why was I said to have a 19th-century inventor style? The assessment of the doctor who consulted with Hyang in the 21st century was as follows: An inventor type like Leonardo da Vinci, not a theorist type like Kepler or Einstein. Not good at advanced mathematics. Having reached his limit due to this limitation, Hyang gave up exining under the pretext that they need to find the answer on their own to make it their own. *** Anyway, since asking Hyang wouldnt yield an answer, the researchers immediately began their research. And as soon as they started researching, they could understand why it received two grades simultaneously. Since the content already stated model it after the shape of a windmill, shaping it was very easy. The researchers made rapid progress while making windmills using paper, bamboo, and reeds. As expected, four des receive the wind better than two. Then wouldnt four des be better for the propeller as well? That seems right. Ah! Have you everpeted in flying windmills? Yes, I have. Then wouldnt it be better to make the shape of the des simr to windmills used for high-flyingpetitions? Oh! Thats a great idea! Other researchers agreed enthusiastically at one researchers suggestion. There were two ways topete with windmills. One was to run to a designated ce or stand in ce facing the wind andpete to see whose windmill spun better. The other was to carve bamboo into wing shapes, connect them to a shaft, rub them between both hands, andpete to see whose flew higher. Progress was rapid because they had memories of windmills, a toy that both noble children andmoner or ve children had yed with familiarly in their childhood. At this rate, well have results soon, right? Thats right. Indeed, Lone Armys Struggle C Lower grade. While the researchers were optimistic about the results, it wasnt long before they understood why it had received the Moving Mountains C Upper grade. *** The first thing that blocked their progress was finding the optimal de angle. Simply put, these tilted des push the water so the angle should be While researching to find the optimal angle, another variable emerged. Even with the same angle, the efficiency changes when the shape and size of the des change. Damn it! Lets give it a try, shall we! As variables appeared sneakily to trip them up, the researchers and craftsmen cursed, rolled up their sleeves, and threw themselves into design and experimentation. The researchers and craftsmen carved wooden boards in various ways to create dozens of types of screw propellers. They made versions where the shaft connection part and des were made separately andbined, versions where the connection part and des were carved as one piece, versions with narrow and wide de widths, and versions with varying numbers of des such as 4, 6, and 8 des, among others. Before long, the workshop and warehouse of the Development Department were filled with so many wooden screw propellers that it was difficult to count them. Amidst all these trials and errors, another variable tripped them up. It was vibration. In one corner of the Development Departmentsboratory was a spring mechanism made by Jang Yeong-sil. The researchers investigated the performance by attaching screw propellers to the shaft connected to the spring mechanism. Wiiing! As the screw propeller connected to the spring mechanism began to rotate at high speed, the power shaft started to vibrate slightly up and down. Huh? Why is the shaft shaking? Hey, everyone! A sharp-eyed researcher noticed the anomaly and called his colleagues. The colleagues also confirmed the vibration, but here the researchers made a fatal mistake. Isnt it vibration caused by the spring unwinding? We had something simr with the water wheel before, remember? Is that so? Lets quickly attach it to a ship and experiment. And so, a model ship equipped with the 8-de screw propeller that had shown the best efficiency was floated in the water tank. Start! As the experiment using the model ship began, the researchers faces turned pale. Why is the ship doing that! The ship began to shake back and forth, unable to move straight, and started moving diagonally while tilting to one side. Stop! Stop! The researchers urgently stopped the experiment and thoroughly examined the ship to find the cause, but they couldnt easily find the reason. We have no choice. Lets stop here for now and write up a report to submit. *** Hyang, upon receiving the report, had to forcibly restrain himself from speaking. The ships crooked movement is clearly due to torque, and the vibration problem Could it be because they made an even number of des? As far as I know, ship propellers always had an odd number of des, right? In fact,rge ships use two screw propellers to prevent the ship from deviating from its straight course due to the reactive torque pair (Heeling torque/moment) acting between the ship and the propeller. And ship propellers are made with an odd number of des. The reason is that with an even number, resonance frequencies ur as many times as the number of factors, but with an odd number, only one resonance frequency urs, creating various problems including vibration. Thats why even in the 21st century, all sorts of cutting-edge technology was mobilized just to make that seemingly simple screw propeller, and in extreme cases, Japan even took a hit, right? During the Cold War era, Japans Toshiba vited COCOM (Coordinating Committee for Multteral Export Controls) contracts and exported ultra-precisionrge machine tools to the Soviet Union. As a result, NATO countries, including the United States, began to have trouble tracking Soviet submarines. Upon discovering that Toshiba was the culprit, the United States immediately imposed an export ban on Toshiba, and from this point, the decline of Japanese electronic products and semiconductors began. This happened long before Hyang was born, but Hyang remembered it because when Japan excluded Korea from its whitelist and imposed trade sanctions, the inte mentioned this incident, saying, The Japanese make even bigger mistakes! Therefore, Hyang had to forcibly restrain his itching mouth. This is something they need to ingrain in their bodies through trial and error! Only then will they be able to use it better in the future! Issues like torque and resonance were applicable in various fields, so it was essential to understand them before moving on. *** While they were pondering over this intractable problem, another variable tripped up the developers. This time, it was the issue of the material used to make the screw propeller. In the course of repeated experiments, the wooden screw propellers broke faster than expected. Wood wont do! Lets try other materials! And so, screw propellers were made of iron and copper. Due to manufacturing technology issues, the prototypes made were quiterge, and as a result, Jang Yeong-sil had to make a model ship 1/10 the size of an actual ship. The model ship, maderger and even equipped with a small steam engine, was experimented with on the Han River, and simrly failed. In addition to the basic problems of vibration and deviation, this time the des of the screw propeller were also deformed. Finally, the researchers could understand why this task was graded Moving Mountains C Upper. *** While the researchers were struggling like this, Jang Yeong-sil again sought out Hyang. Your Highness, I have an idea. Lets hear it right away! Chapter 388 Chapter 388 At Hyangsmand, Jang Yeong-sil opened the bag he had brought and took out two fist-sized objects. What are these? Seeing the objects Jang Yeong-sil had produced, Hyang inwardly eximed. Archimedes screw? Meanwhile, Jang Yeong-sil began to exin. As you can see, this is a modified version of the drill used for digging wells. Since the way the windmill-type propeller pushes water is simr to how a drill bores into the ground, I thought it might work with a few adjustments, so I made this. Thats true, but Is this really something that can be done with just a few adjustments? Hiding the doubt creeping into his mind, Hyang nodded.Seeing that Hyang seemed to understand properly, Jang Yeong-sil waved his outstretched hand and continued his exnation. As you can see, waving your hand in the air meets little resistance, but it takes much more force to move like this in water. Therefore, I thought that the problems with the windmill-type propellers weve been making were due to water offering more resistance than air. So I modified the drill. Since it digs into ground, which is even harder than water, I expected that using its shape and material would not cause the same problems as the propellers. As Jang Yeong-sil exined, Hyang kept nodding, but inwardly he was repeatedly eximing in admiration. Even though starting from zero base allows for maximum imagination, does it really work out like this? Is such an idea even possible? While inwardly he was astounded by this situation that surpassed imagination, outwardly Hyang maintained a calm expression. Hyang asked Jang Yeong-sil in aposed voice. Based on the exnation Ive just heard, it seems very useful. However, considering our past experiences, no device has only advantages. What do you think are the disadvantages of this device? If this had only advantages, wouldnt screw propellers have be the mainstream? Hyangs thoughts contained a small error. Even in the 21st century, research on ship propulsion devices simr to what Jang Yeong-sil had conceived was steadily being conducted by a minority of inventors. To Hyangs question, Jang Yeong-sil immediately affirmed. Your Highness is correct. This spiral propeller, ah, thats the name Ive arbitrarily given it. If wepare this spiral propeller with the windmill propeller, the windmill propeller takes up less space. In other words, youre saying that installing the spiral propeller would require more space, right? Thats correct. Ive tried to reduce the spacing between the spirals and deepened the grooves, but it still takes up more space front to back than the windmill. Additionally, there will be changes in the center of gravity due to the propellers weight, and design modifications will be necessary. So, Ive pondered a bit more Pausing briefly, Jang Yeong-sil rummaged through his bag and pulled out a paper, spreading it on Hyangs desk. As you can see, the idea is to connect a long pipe from the bow to the stern of the ship and install the spiral propeller inside. This way, we wont need to greatly alter the design. Also, by positioning the propeller to match the center of gravity, we can actually improve the ships stability. As Hyang examined the concept drawing while listening to Jang Yeong-sils exnation, he could only open and close his mouth. I, I know this! Ive seen something simr! This is a water jet! Once again confronted with something unexpected, Hyang was unable to recover from the shock for a while. Your Highness? What do you think? Recovering from the shock at Jang Yeong-sils question, Hyang once again seriously examined the concept drawing. How did youe up with this idea? I started thinking about it while working on improving the bellows used in ironworks and workshops. Hmm How does ones train of thought have to flow for these things to connect and produce something like this? Shaking his head slightly, Hyang examined the concept drawing again. After scrutinizing the drawing so intently it might have burned a hole in the paper, Hyang shook his head. Theres a big problem. Right here. Hyang pointed to the bow and continued. Sucking in water from the bow is a good idea in some ways. However, if the waves be even slightly rough, the ship will shake severely. When that happens, this bow wont be able to suck in water properly, and then Ah! The propeller wont function properly. Hmm Immediately recognizing the problem Hyang pointed out, Jang Yeong-sil red at the blueprint and then took out his golden brush to modify the design on the spot. If we suck in water from the bottom at the center of the hull like this, wouldnt that solve the problem? Theres another issue. Current warships are made of wood. Installing mechanisms of this scale would require aplete structural redesign. Its not simple. Ah Realizing the problem with Hyangs exnation, Jang Yeong-sils face fell. ring at his creation in search of an answer, Jang Yeong-sil looked at Hyang. It seems that iron ships are indeed the only answer. Iron ships would be the best solution to properly install and operate the mechanism youve conceived. Ah At Hyangs response, Jang Yeong-sil muttered with a dejected face. Iron ships are still far off Should I just put these away then? At Jang Yeong-sils muttering, Hyang suddenly shouted. Whatever it is, bring it out right now! Pardon? These are just conceptual ideas, and theyre impossible before the ones weve just submitted arepleted Bring them out! At Hyangs firm response, Jang Yeong-sil rummaged through his bag and pulled out other papers. Spreading the first paper, Jang Yeong-sil began to exin, pointing at the drawing with his finger. I learned this while actually making and experimenting with the designs sent from the Development Department, but the more des we attached, the better performance we got even with a smaller size. So Jang Yeong-sil spread out the second paper and continued his exnation. Ibined this multi-de windmill with the tubr propulsion from earlier. Oh my~ Seeing the second paper, Hyang let out a long breath. It really is a water jet Phew~ Whats on the other paper? At Hyangs question, Jang Yeong-sil brought up the paper that had been at the bottom. When I experimented bybining the tube and multi-de windmill, I found that ovepping the multi-de windmills produced even better performance. If thats the case, wouldnt increasing the size of the windmill be good too? Of course, that could be one answer, but when there are space constraints, I think ovepping like this is better. Of course, when theres ample space, increasing the diameter and ovepping would be even better, but Haa~ At Jang Yeong-sils exnation, Hyang let out a long sigh that could have been either admiration ormentation. After all this, now even a turbine pops up? Well, its not strange to go from a water jet to a turbine What era is this anyway? Why are there so many extraordinary people, starting with Father? Shaking his head at the situation where monsters like Sejong, Yi Soonji, Kim Dam, Jang Yeong-sil, and others were popping up from all directions, Hyang soon positively summarized the situation. Well, isnt this good for me? Isnt this the best possible situation? I have strong backing pushing me. If Im reasonably careful, I dont have to worry about the budget. And I have someone who will make whatever I think of. Isnt this the best? With his face brightening, Hyang looked at Jang Yeong-sil. Ill add everything to the Challenge Record except for the spiral propeller. You know the reason, right? At Hyangs words, Jang Yeong-sil immediately nodded. Its because of the material issue, isnt it? The same problem as with the windmill-type propeller. Thats right. So, Ill add the screw-type propeller to the Response Record, and the rest to the Challenge Record. Yes. I understand. Im truly moved to tears that you value so highly the thoughts of this humble person who has no talent other than working with metal. Jang Yeong-sil was sincere as he expressed his gratitude with a voice full of emotion. Before being selected by Taejong and entering the pce, he had been nothing more than a government ve. After that, his life, which would have ended with just being grateful for being freed from very, blossomed after meeting Sejong and Hyang. I look forward to Director Jangs abilities in the future as well. Yes! I will do my best! After sending Jang Yeong-sil out, Hyang looked at the papers and let out a long sigh. Phew~ This isnt development, its almost at the level of warping Suddenly stopping, Hyang muttered, looking in the direction Jang Yeong-sil had left. That man, could he be an alien? *** In the 21st century, when a romance drama about an alien crashnding in Joseon became a hit, some people had strange imaginings. If there really was an alien who crashnded on the Korean penins like that, who would be the most likely candidate? Various figures were considered, but one of those who received the most votes was Jang Yeong-sil. The reasons were that his birth and death dates were unclear in the records, he had no children, and his whereabouts after being dismissed from office were unknown. It was just a silly waste of time, but Hyang suddenly became suspicious. If hes not an alien, this is too much even for him, right? Even for someone extraordinary. Hyang didnt know what kind of evaluation he would receive in the future. *** The screw-type propeller and various other proposals submitted by Jang Yeong-sil were immediately organized into documents and posted on the bulletin board. Huh? A Response Record entry hase out? Response Record? In which field? As new notices were posted on the bulletin board, researchers and craftsmen gathered again. Especially upon hearing rumors of an entry in the Response Record, the researchers and craftsmen read the contents carefully with intense curiosity. An initial solution for propellers? The researchers and craftsmen who had been pondering over the windmill-type propeller were excited to hear that a first answer hade out and clung to the bulletin board. Ah This method! The Development Department researchers who saw the screw-type propeller proposed by Jang Yeong-sil let out a long sigh. Whats this now? Both a response and a challenge? Huh? Is this also Director Jang? Reading the posts about tubr propellers, multi-de propellers, multiyer multi-de propellers, and tubr multiyer multi-de propellers, the researchers and craftsmen were busy nodding and expressing admiration. Ah! This method If we continue our current research a bit more, it seems like we might see the answer. By the way, how can Director Jange up with ideas like this? Amidst the mixture of admiration and envy for Jang Yeong-sil, one person cried out mournfully. Ah! Why did heaven create me and Director Jang! What are you saying? Faced with the incredulous reactions of those around him, the person who had spoken put on an embarrassed face and raised his voice. Its a joke, a joke! Cant I make a joke? After suchmotion passed, the executives of the Development Department said to their subordinates. Come on! Lets go back and get to work quickly. How long are we going to chase Director Jangs shadow! Shouldnt we try to get our names in the Challenge Record and Response Record too? Yes! Thats right! *** Thus, the tradition of the Challenge Record and Response Record created by Hyang continued. Even after hundreds of years, self-maintained Challenge Records existed in mathematics and engineering schools and graduate schools C universities and graduate schools C across the country. The faculty and research staff of these schools were required to submit research or development projects worthy of being registered in the Challenge Record at least once every two years. And among these emerging challenge projects, those judged to be of high value were registered in the National Challenge Record directly managed by the government and received intensive support. As this tradition continued, Korea was always able to stay at least half a step ahead in global technology and sciencepetitions. Because of this, the governments of other countries always growled at the Korean government. Korea must disclose the Challenge Record! Were not hiding anything, what are you talking about? We broadcast without fail whenever new things are registered in the National Challenge Record, dont we? At the Korean governments response, other countries snorted. Hmph! Were not talking about that, show us the original Challenge Record! The Challenge Record created during the Great Leap Era! Why do you want to see something from hundreds of years ago? Dont you know how much science and technology have advanced since then? Hmph! Who do you think youre fooling? We have ears too! Weve heard that the original Challenge Record is full of things that still havent been solved! Release it now! Go ahead. If youre confident youll be fine after ripping open your stomach, go ahead and try. How many countries have bled trying to do that? Grrr! Every time the Korean government responded, the governments of other countries had to grind their teeth. And the Korean governmentunched arge-scale internal investigation. Which loose-lipped idiot bbed about this? The original Challenge Record created during the Great Leap Era was treated on the same level as the Holy Grail or the Ark of the Covenant. The early members who worked at the research institute and Area 51 created by Hyang used their imagination to the fullest to solve situations equivalent to starting from scratch. When Hyangs MSG was added to these peoples imagination, the original Challenge Record contained tremendous challenge projects C which even Hyang evaluated as SF, or even magic. Eventually, it was natural that intense espionage and criminal attempts urred over this original Challenge Record. Amidst this invisible bloody struggle, the original Challenge Record was apanied by the following saying: The original Challenge Record is stained with the blood of researchers and craftsmen who vomited blood, and the blood of secret agents who died protecting the Challenge Record. Chapter 389 Chapter 389 June, 15th year of King Sejongs reign (1433, Year of Gyechuk). At the threshold of summer, new notices were posted on bulletin boards in government offices across Joseon. Huh? A new official document? I hope its about a discount event at the government monopoly store That would be nice! Its been quiettely, hasnt it? As people gathered in front of the bulletin board, exchanging half-joking, half-serious conversations, they began to read the official document. Lets see Uh Notice of Civil Service Examination System Reform? Looks like theyre changing the examination system? Ah! This has nothing to do with me. Thats right. I wish theyd have a discount event at the government monopoly store instead.Most of themoners lost interest after checking the title and left. However, there were quite a few who remained, staring intently at the bulletin board. Most of those focusing on the bulletin board were nobles and a few women. Theyre changing it again? Its been about 10 years since thest change, so isnt it about time? The reactions of the nobles reading the bulletin boards contents were cynical. On the contrary, there were also those who were indignant. Sigh If education is a hundred-year n, the civil service examination should be a five-hundred-year n This isnt just changing morning and evening Among those discussing, apart from those showing cynical reactions, the faces of other nobles were full of desperation. Theres not much time left! This was because in as little as two years, or at most three years, children who had finished their education at public schools and middle schools would emerge as newpetitors. *** As mentioned before, the nobles of Joseon C more precisely, the civil service nobles C were desperately seeking a way out at a crossroads. Due to the Gapsin Coup, arge number of nobles were purged, reducing the number of local nobles and greatly diminishing their influence on society. These local nobles, whose numbers and influence had significantly shrunk, were divided into three main groups. The first was the local strongmen obsessed with the civil service examination. Although their economic power had decreased due to the disappearance of tax exemption benefits that had been in ce since the founding of Joseon and the damned system of progressive taxation, the vast amount ofnd they owned still guaranteed them afortable life. Based on thisnd, they were transforming into the most radical fundamentalist conservative forces. These were the ones showing cynical reactions to the official document. The second group was those actively trying to participate in public office. These were people who were economically less well-off than the first group and had chosen public service as a means of survival. However, as mentioned before, even though the court and King Sejong were struggling with a shortage of personnel, they were still picky about selecting talented individuals, so these people had to make desperate efforts. To enter public service, they did their best not only to take the civil service examination but also to submit petitions. The third group was those who had chosen a new path. These were people who, seeing the explosive growth ofmerce and industry as reforms progressed, were diving into bing capitalists or managers. *** Those reading the official document with desperate faces let out deep sighs. Haa~ To think that even women would be allowed to take the exam I thought it would take at least a few more years Their eyes were fixed on the Eligibility Requirements. Eligibility Requirements C Commoner men and women with education level of public school or middle school or higher. -Addendum A Those who have notpleted public school or middle school are allowed to take the exam only if they receive certification through a qualification test that will be implemented soon. -Addendum B The application of Addendum A is deferred for the next two years. This item made the nobles reading the notice realize even more that they were running out of time. We must pass the exam within the next two years! With eyes full of urgency and desperation, the nobles continued to read the next item. Examination Procedure. -First Round Written test on the Four Books and Five ssics. A total of 30 multiple-choice questions. Must answer at least 25 out of 30 questions correctly to pass. Mathematics test. 20 multiple-choice questions. Must answer at least 17 out of 20 questions correctly to pass. -Second Round For those who passed the first round. Choose one of three topics presented by the examiners and write an essay. Those who pass both the first and second rounds will receive the 9th rank. Assignment of work locations. Application of the rule to avoid assigning to ones home region. Applied equally to both men and women. Additional points for those who volunteer for outer regions such as the northern regions and Daesuldo. For those volunteering for outer regions, priority is given to those skilled in horseback riding or archery. Huh? Those who saw thest addendum about work location assignments all tilted their heads. Wasnt this supposed to be for the civil service exam? As they tilted their heads, some who had heard rted rumors nodded. I heard working in the outer regions was tough *** Among those reading the notice were a small number of women. Ive finished reading. Lets go. As a woman wearing a veil turned after reading the bulletin board, her maid hurriedly followed and asked. Youngdy, are you really going to take the civil service exam? Isnt that why we came to the government office in broad daylight? ording to Joseonw, women of the nobles or merchant ss, who were notmoners, were not allowed to go out freely during the day. However, due to livelihood issues including farming, there was some flexibility in the current situation. Once women start entering public service, the curfeww will probably change too. Is the currentw the problem? Im worried that the master will immediately issue a stern rebuke. At the maids whining, the woman smiled slightly and replied. Gannan-a. The world is changing. *** A daughter of a noble family wandering the streets in broad daylight! Are you really in your right mind? Officer Ahn, known as the wealthiest man in Pyeongtaek County, shouted loudly while standing on the main floor. In response to Officer Ahns scolding, his eldest daughter Munhye, who had taken off her veil, answered confidently. I went to the government office because I heard a notice about the uing civil service examination had been posted. As a mere woman, do you really intend to take the civil service exam? Huh! How preposterous! Unlike Officer Ahn, who kept repeating how preposterous it was, Munhye continued to assert her intentions in a still confident voice. Father. The world has been changing since His Majesty implemented the reforms. Even if the world changes, there are principles that must be upheld! Father, even the princesses, the precious daughters of His Majesty, are learning medicine and studying mathematics to work as officials. How can there be a distinction between men and women in using what one has learned to benefit the country? Aish! Faced with Munhyes articte response, Officer Ahn, at a loss for words, turned away in irritation. After ending this round of verbal sparring, Munhye let out a long sigh as soon as she entered her room. Phew~ Thanks to the princesses moving first, we can breathe a little easier. As the princesses who moved first showed decent results, it gradually became easier for women to enter society. Of course, in most farming households and lower sses, women were actively engaged in outside activities. However, this was a desperate struggle for survival, and in Joseon society, it was impossible for the middle ss and above. Therefore, allowing women to take the civil service examination from this year was truly revolutionary. Munhye, who had sat down and opened a mathematics book, suddenly stood up. Didnt they say there were additional points for volunteering for outer regions? And to go to outer regions, one needs to be skilled in horseback riding or archery After briefly recalling her memory, Munhye took down the quiver hanging on one side and strung the bow that had been untied. Gannan-a! Lets go to the archery field! Get ready! Yes, youngdy! While the maid busily prepared some snacks, Munhye, who had readied her quiver and bow, muttered softly. If Im going to enter public service anyway, shouldnt I aim to be at least a senior official? *** Oh my! Munhye was dumbfounded when she arrived at the archery field. There were more women than usual drawing bows. And among them, a considerable number were girls around her age. These girls What one does, others follow Munhye seemed to understand why the girls hade to the archery field. It was certain that they hade with thoughts simr to Munhyes. As she observed the girls earnestly drawing their bowstrings, Munhye took a position next to one girl. She was the daughter of a family that was inpetition with her own. What brings you to the archery field when youve barely started reading the Four Books? At Munhyes words, the girl smirked and replied. What about you? I heard you havent even finished the Zhou Bi Suan Jing properly? Ah! Thats why youre here? Right. With your math skills, you cant even dream of the Ministry of Finance or General Affairs, so its fitting for you to be running around in the Ministry of Land and Infrastructure. If you dont want to fall victim to tigers while running around in dangerous areas, you should properly learn archery. Hey! What! In an instant, the two girls grabbed each others hair and started fighting. That evening, the mothers of both girls were lying down with their foreheads wrapped. What sin did Imit in my previous life On the other hand, the fathers of the two girls made a different decision from their mothers. Fine! Ill support you as much as you want. Thank you! But theres a condition! You must pass the exam. If that damned familys daughter passes and you fail? Ill either marry you off immediately or shave your head and send you off to be a Buddhist nun! Hearing their fathers stern orders, the girls answered while breaking out in a cold sweat. I will definitely pass the exam! *** The number of women aiming for the civil service examination wasrger than expected. The reactions of their parents or husbands to this werergely of two types. One was active support, and the other was active opposition. Additionally, stimted by the unsettling movement of women, men preparing for the exam also began to prepare more intensely. However, there was something unexpected: the number of petitions opposing womens entry into public service was less than anticipated. Crown Prince, what do you think is the reason? To King Sejongs question, Hyang immediately answered. Isnt there already a precedent? Precedent? After mulling over Hyangs words for a moment, King Sejong immediately nodded. I see, there are already quite a few women who have entered public service as teachers in public schools and middle schools. Hmm Ministers, listen. At King Sejongs words, the ministers immediately bowed their heads and responded. Although its difficult to predict the exact number now, its certain that the number of women entering public service will not be small, so re-examine the measures rted to this. We receive yourmand! Following King Sejongs order, the ministers re-examined the relevant policies. -Ensure thorough provision of government housing for those who have entered public service but are from humble backgrounds and unable to prepare their own housing. -In cases where both husband and wife enter public service simultaneously, the issue of assignment location shall be handled as follows:
  1. Both husband and wife shall be assigned to the same location.
  2. The assignment location shall be based on the location of the spouse with the higher rank.
-Prepare dormitories for those who are still unmarried. However, as men and women should be separate, amodate them in separate dormitories. As Hyang checked these alternatives, he saw the part about dormitories and gave a wry smile. The country feeds them, houses them, clothes them, pays them, and works them to death Isnt this just the military? Chapter 390 Chapter 390 As July arrived, a significant change urred in Hanseong. The housingplex for officials who had been without homes was finallypleted. This housingplex for homeless officials was constructed outside the city walls of Hanseong, between Sungnyemun (YT, South Gate) and Donuimun (xT, West Gate). Building this housingplex took a considerable amount of time. One of the reasons it consumed so much time was the instation of railway tracks for the officials residing in thisplex. *** Since passing through the existing Sungnyemun would interfere with regr traffic, the court had to reconstruct the southern wall of Hanseong. Two railway tracks wereid through an arch-shaped hole made in the wall. Of course, since arge hole was made in the intact wall, measures were taken to reinforce thepromised defense.First, sliding iron doors were installed on both sides of the hole. If enemies were to reach Hanseong, these iron doors would be closed, and thick, heavy steel bars would be put in ce. Additionally, on the inside of the walls iron door, a lotive without passenger cars would be tightly ced as an additional measure. *** With these railway tracks in ce, it became more convenient for officials living in the housingplex tomute to and from work. The second reason for the dy in the housingplexs construction was the time taken to build a proper water and sewage system throughout theplex. To be precise, it was a process that consumed both time and resources significantly. Is this work absolutely necessary? Kim Jeom, the Minister of Finance, asked with eyes full of doubt. Hyang immediately nodded. It is absolutely necessary. Ah The cost Your Excellency, think about it. Which would cost more? The expenses incurred if all the officials fall ill from drinking contaminated water, or the costs were facing now? At Hyangs question, Kim Jeom stamped his seal on the approval document without further argument. Thus, a proper water and sewage system was established in this housingplex. To properly utilize this newly constructed water and sewage system, the first standing kitchens in Joseon were built in the houses of thisplex. Next to the sink was a small pump-style water pump. Now, women doing kitchen work in these houses could use waterfortably regardless of weather or season. As soon as these infrastructure facilities werepleted, the construction of houses began. These newly constructed houses were equipped with ondol heating systems using the newly poprized ongul method. *** The ondol is good, but Hyang was lost in thought over the heating method to be applied to the housingplex. Winters on the Korean penins were cold in both the 15th and 21st centuries. Unlike the 21st century, where various instion materials and thermal instors were abundant, the 15th century Joseon winters were even colder, with cotton wool being the only instion material avable. Not only that, but the much cleaner air in Joseonpared to the 21st century made winters even colder. Dammit, without that fine dust instion Having experienced the harsh cold of winter, Hyang wanted to advocate for the widespread use of ondol, but for a while, he couldnt make that argument. It was because of the fuel problem. Before coal was properly supplied, wood was the only fuel for heating and cooking for both the pce and the people. Because the Joseon court strictly enforcedws to prevent excessive logging for fuel, even the pce had to rely mostly on braziers for heating. Of course, there were ces that used gudel (floor heating). These were the ces where the Queen and royal concubines of the Inner Court resided, and where courtdies lived. Naturally, the gudel installed in the courtdies quarters was unofficial. The fuel problem in Hanseong and Joseon was resolved when coal began to be mined in earnest. Even after the fuel problem was solved, Hyang hesitated to promote ondol. Ongul[1] is better than jjokgudel, but its not easy to solve the biggest obstacle of this ongul. The problem with ondol that tied Hyangs hands was carbon monoxide poisoning,monly known as briquette gas poisoning. A boiler would be best to block the gas, but However, with Joseons current technology, the hot water pipes passing through the floor stones were the biggest problem. Because there was no synthetic resin, the pipes had to be made of iron or copper, and these materials had corrosion issues. Its like using the CPU cooler method in reverse, but Finally, after racking his brains, Hyang created arge iron heat conductionwork simr to a giant grill. Thiswork wasid on the floor, and the thick iron rods connected to the ironwork were wrapped around arge container ced on the firebox. Then, after filling this container with water and lighting a fire underneath, the heat was transferred to the floor through the iron container. This method prevented burns or fires caused by overheating of the ironwork, and allowed for ample hot water use even in the dead of winter. Also, even after removing the fire, the heated water continued to supply heat for a considerable time. After renovating the rooms where the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje resided in the Eastern Pce in this way, Hyang reported to King Sejong. After inspecting the warm room and the firebox, Sejongs expression became troubled. It certainly looks useful, but the cost is the problem. Iron is not something thatmon people can afford cheaply, is it? That is true, Your Majesty. Lets think about it a bit more. Yes, Father. Having been rejected like this, Hyang gritted his teeth and muttered. Ah! I miss stic! *** However, to prevent excessive deforestation and maintain health during winter, the spread of ondol was essential. Hyang gathered ondol craftsmen from all over the country to research economical methods of installing ondol. It wasnt just ondol research. He also focused on developing affordable fuel for the people based on coal avable in Joseon C all types of coal from Gangwon-do, Hamgyeong-do, Daeseol-do, and other regions. Of course, the answer to this part is already set The answer Hyang had in mind was briquettes. As the development of briquettes progressed smoothly, Hyang began developingbustion chambers to maximize the performance of the briquettes. To developbustion chambers that allowed smooth inflow of outside air and inducedpletebustion by reflecting the heat generated duringbustion back to the briquettes, Hyang gathered not only cksmiths but also potters and worked up a sweat. And the result was being applied to this newly built housingplex. *** As the housingplex waspleted, houses were assigned to the officials who were determined to move in. The smallest house had 3 rooms, and the average had 5 rooms. One is the main room, one is the guest room, two are for male and female servants. Thest one is for children or elders Hyang shook his head slightly as he counted the room names on his fingers. Compared to the 21st century, these are all high-ss houses now. Basically five rooms And even with maid rooms It was a brief farce created by differences in lifestyle and social culture. *** The criteria for assigning these houses in the newly builtplex were not based solely on rank. The number of family members living together C excluding servants C was also one of the criteria. Officials with many children or living with parents or grandparents were assignedrger houses regardless of their rank. Therefore, there were often cases where officials of different ranks were assigned houses of the same grade, or evenrger houses. Another criterion was to ensure that those working in the same department never became neighbors. This was to prevent superiors from privately employing their subordinates. *** On the day of housing assignment, officials who had escaped from rented houses shouted Long live the King! towards Geunjeongjeon Hall. Long live His Majesty! Long live! Long live! And then the officials worked like mad. No matter what anyone says, Im definitely resting on the next day off! Of course! I have to go see my house! Its my house. Its my house. Its my house There was even a hint of madness in the eyes of the frantically working officials. Seeing the dazzlingly rising work efficiency, Kim Jeom stroked his chin beard and pondered. It seems we need to expand the housingplex? *** While housingplexes for homeless officials were being built in Hanseong, simrplexes were being constructed in major provincial cities. As a result, around the same time as in Hanseong, homeless officials in the provinces were also able to move into official residences with their families. This brought about several positive effects, one of which was a reduction in misconduct among officials. With officials living together in one area, surveince became easier, and the families of officials themselves began to be more cautious in their behavior, mindful of the eyes around them. *** As autumn began, the Commoners School reopened for a new semester. Especially since Hunminjeongeum, which had been in preparation until now, was bing an official part of the curriculum from this semester, King Sejong and the court were showing extraordinary interest. The Hunminjeongeum education that started this way began to show immediate effects. The speed at which children are learning Hunminjeongeum is very fast, Your Majesty! The response to the Hunminjeongeum special lectures for adults is also very positive, Your Majesty! Satisfied with the positive reportsing from the Education Department and the General Affairs Department, Sejong asked Choi Man-ri, who had rushed in upon being summoned: How far has the vernacr trantion of thew books progressed? The trantion of thew books has recently beenpleted, and we are now working on tranting case precedents, Your Majesty. Good. Listen, Ministers of General Affairs and Justice. We await yourmand, Your Majesty. Nodding slightly, Sejong gave orders to the Ministers of General Affairs and Justice. Order the printing office immediately to printrge quantities of the trantedw books. And have the printed vernacr versions sent to courthouses nationwide for the judges to review. By review, do you mean? Although those working in the Office of Correct Sounds are highly learned, they are not experts inw, so there may be errors in the trantion. Therefore, have thempare with the original Chinese characters to find any errors. The two ministers bowed their heads at Sejongs order. We will carry out your orders! And the head of the Office of Correct Sounds, listen. Yes, Your Majesty. Besides tranting case precedents, there is much more to be tranted, so you must not show even a hint ofziness. Keep this in mind. I will engrave it in my bones and mind, Your Majesty. Remember that the names of those who undertake the trantion and those who review it will remain forever. Make sure to convey this. We will carry out your orders, Your Majesty. After settling the matters rted to Hunminjeongeum, Sejong moved on to the next agenda. The state examination will be held soon. Are the preparations going well? Yes, they are progressing smoothly, Your Majesty. Ill say it again, there must absolutely be no cheating. Make sure to thoroughly instruct the supervisors being dispatched to examination halls across the country about this. We will carry out your orders! After ordering to do their best to prevent cheating in the examination halls, Sejong did not forget to add an admonition. Joseon has finally entered a period of stability. But remember that this is precisely the time for proper maintenance. Keep in mind that the next few years could determine the course of the next few hundred years. The ministers responded in unison to Sejongs admonition. We will engrave it in our bones and minds, Your Majesty!
  1. A type of instion[?]
Chapter 391 Chapter 391 September, the 15th year of King Sejongs reign (1433, the year of Gyechuk). For the first time in a long while, crowds gathered in front of government offices across the country. Registration had begun for those intending to take the uing state examination. At the government offices in the bu (), the central cities of each province in Joseon, the General Affairs Departments section chief in charge of the examination was cautioning his subordinates. Registration will be open for three days from today. Keep this in mind. Yes, sir! Dont do anything stupid like eptingters whoe with excuses about tigers blocking the road or whatnot! Youve all heard about what happened in Gyeongsang-dost year, right? They epted such people and got into trouble, ending up dragged to the Records Office. You know they cant leave there for 10 years, right? At the mention of the Records Office, the officials faces turned pale. With ashen faces, they shouted loudly. Yes, sir!So, handle it well. Yes, sir! Now go out and do your work. Yes, sir! The disciplined officials hurriedly went out to the registration area. Watching the officials heading to the registration area, the section chief let out a long sigh. Huu~. Despite giving notice a month in advance, there will surely be troublemakers whoe on the fourth day and cause a scene, just like every year A month before the state examination, notices were posted at government offices nationwide, and a three-day registration period was given. However, there were always those who missed the registration period and demanded to be registered. Its not possible this year, so please try again next year. Ah! Next year, calcte the dates well and dont bete! While many people turned away in disappointment at the officials words, there were always some who couldnt ept this and caused a disturbance. These individuals were all arrested, fined 10 nyang of silver, and simultaneously received the punishment of prohibition from taking the state examination for 5 years. *** Its about time for the gates to open Many people had gathered on the road in front of the government office, waiting for the gates to open. They were all waiting to register for the state examination. Males of various ages, from boys who hadnt even tied their topknots yet to middle-aged men, were waiting for the gates to open. A little distance away from the clustered men, women wearing veils or headdresses and long coats were huddled together, also waiting for the gates to open. Shortly after, a side door of the government office opened, and soldiers poured out. Step back! Move back! At the soldiers shouts, the people who had crowded right up to the main gate stepped back. After pushing the people back, the soldiers began dividing the space using small posts and ropes. They were setting up boundaries to prevent people from rushing in all at once. Soon after, servants from the government office came out carrying desks and chairs to set up registration booths. Following them, officials carrying application forms and stamp boxes rushed out to take their positions. Registration will now begin! Ding! As soon as the officials shout was followed by the ringing of a gong, people began to move with quick steps. *** Thanks to the ropes, the applicants lined up in a winding queue like a moving snake, taking one step forward at a time as they waited for their turn. Name. I am Han Yangsu. Hand over your identification tag. At the officials words, Yangsu searched his sleeve and took out his identification tag. The official who received the tag continued to question Yangsu. State your n seat and ce of residence. My n seat is Anpyeong, and I currently live in Namcheon down below. Hmm After confirming that there were no discrepancies with the personal information written on the identification tag, the official flipped it over and said to Yangsu: Im sorry, but lets see your face. Please remove your hat. Yes, sir. At the officials words, Yangsu took off his hat and showed his entire face. *** In the process of creating identification tags, Hyang had referred a lot to 21st-century resident registration cards. Therefore, simr to 21st-century resident registration cards, every time someone moved to a new ce, their entry and exit records were engraved on the back of the identification tag. Of course, this was closer to the 20th century rather than the 21st century with itsputerized administrativework. In the 20th century, before properputerization, whenever people moved and reported their relocation, the rubber coating on the back of their resident registration card was peeled off to record the relevant information. The problem is the photograph In an era without the most reliable means of proving ones identity, Hyang employed other methods. He divided the back of the identification tag in half, recording entry and exit records on one side and distinctive physical features on the other. It might be just peeing on frozen feet, but we need to have at least some minimal measures in ce *** Hmm The official made a nasal sound as hepared the facial features recorded on the back of the identification tag with Yangsus face. Its indeed you. You can put your hat back on now. Thank you for your patience. Yes, sir. While Yangsu put his hat back on, the official wrote down the name and personal information on the application form, then held out his hand. The stamp fee is 80 won. Here it is, sir. The official who received the stamp fee attached the stamp to the form, stamped it with the official seal, then tore the form in half and handed one half to Yangsu. Heres your exam ticket. You must submit this along with your identification tag when you enter the examination hall in a fortnight. You wont be allowed in without this, so keep it safe. Yes, sir. Then, I wish you luck. Thank you, sir. *** The idea of having examination takers submit applications and pay stamp fees was also Hyangs suggestion. Is it necessary to increase the procedures like this? To King Sejongs question, Hyang exined the reason: Its to prevent potential fraud, Your Majesty. Even with a receipt, couldnt someone else take the exam in their ce? Thats why we check it against the identification tag. Isnt it a serious crime to present someone elses identification tag? Hmm Thats true. Nodding, Sejong pointed out another issue. But why charge a stamp fee? And 80 won in copper coins is not a small amount. We might be criticized for being merchants if were not careful. At Sejongs point, all the ministers except Kim Jeom nodded in agreement. But once again, Hyang answered clearly. Its to ensure that people approach the exam seriously, not out of a momentary burst of enthusiasm or immaturity. It also helps cover the financial costs incurred in preparing and conducting the examination. To approach the exam seriously Sejong, seemingly pleased with Hyangs words, mulled them over a few times before turning to his ministers. What do you think Its truly an excellent idea, Your Majesty! Of course, most of those taking the exam would have the mindset of serving the country after passing, but there are always a few who muddy the waters! Its not a small amount, but its not so much that it would discourage those truly determined to challenge themselves! Before Sejong could finish speaking, Kim Jeom poured out his words, to which Sejong smacked his lips slightly and concluded: The Crown Princes proposal is appropriate. Refine it a bit more and implement it. We will carry out your orders! The scribe who recorded all this added the following words: -Thus, His Majesty graciously epted the Crown Princes proposal, and all the ministers followed suit. The scribe says: Charging money from those taking the state examination could be seen as materialism in a way. But the problem is that its not entirely wrong. Even when I took the exam, there were quite a few people who came to the big city not for the exam itself, but to enjoy entertainment. While some struggle desperately to take the exam to improve their poor family circumstances, others do it merely for entertainment. These good-for-nothing The scribe suddenly poured out nearly three pages of harsh words. This was one of the side effects that urred as Hunminjeongeum became more familiar. When only Chinese characters were used, scribes wrote everything they wanted to say, whether appropriate or not. Now that they had mastered Hunminjeongeum, it was like a tiger growing wings. *** The registration process, which had been progressing smoothly, became awkward when women came to submit their applications. Im sorry. I know its not proper, but for identity verification, I need to see your face. Ah Oh my Faced with the awkward issue of identity verification, both the women taking the exam and the officials in charge of registration could only sigh deeply in embarrassment. ording to the customs of the time, women of the nobility were not allowed to show their faces carelessly to outsiders. Therefore, it was customary to wear a veil or a hat with a long coat when going out. Even gisaeng wore hats when going out on the streets. Eventually, to resolve this awkward situation, the female applicants had to make a decision. It cant be helped. However, I wont remove itpletely like the men. We dont expect that much! With the officials agreement, the female applicant slightly lifted the face cloth of her veil to show her face. As the female applicant revealed her face, the officialpared it with the record on the identification tag as quickly as possible. Dying could lead to rumors of taking advantage of the application process to dishonor women. Thats enough! At the officials hurried confirmation, the woman swiftly lowered her face cloth. After receiving the stamp fee and handing over the receipt to send the woman off, the official muttered quietly. This is a problem, isnt it? This will happen again at the examination hall. We need an alternative. *** It seemed that many others had simr thoughts, as during and after the registration period, official documents requesting solutions to this issue flooded into the court. Hmm After checking the report that came up through the royal secretariat, Sejong pondered for a moment and then immediately issued an order. Assign one female physician to each examination hall across Joseon. Have the female physicians take full charge of identity verification for female applicants. At Sejongsmand, Heo Jo immediately responded. We will carry out your orders, Your Majesty. *** Thus, after the registration ended and time passed, the state examination began. Straw mats wereid out ording to the number of applicants in the examination halls set up at the provincial offices across Joseon, and wooden writing boards and inkstones were ced for writing on paper. With these preparations in ce, examination applicants were allowed to bring in only their writing brushes from among the four treasures of the study. Afterpleting the identity verification process through officials and female physicians, the examinees entered while receiving instructions: Sit on the straw mat with the number written on your exam ticket to prepare for the test! Good luck! Thank you, sir. Having passed the preliminary check and entered the examination hall, the applicants looked around to find the straw mat with the same number as on their exam ticket. Ah! Here it is! Seated in their assigned ce, the applicants took deep breaths to calm their hearts. *** Shortly after, when all examinees had entered and taken their seats, the officials in charge of supervision came in andpared the numbers on the applicants receipts with those on the straw mats. After confirming that everyone was in their proper ce, the provincial governor entered and took his seat. When all those who would supervise and observe the exam were in ce, a soldier with a good voice shouted loudly: Now, we will begin the first test! Thus began the first state examination of the stability period. Chapter 392 Chapter 392 The state examination that began in this manner proceeded smoothly. The supervisors who opened the sealed envelopes and took out the test papers and answer sheets began distributing them. During this process, an unusual sight appeared: the supervisors distributed the test papers and answer sheets along horizontal rows. This too was one of Hyangs clever tricks. *** To prevent any potential cheating Following Hyangs suggestion, the test papers were divided into two types: A and B. And here, Hyangs cunning n was in full effect. There were two types, A and B, but they all had the same questions and the same correct answers. However, the order of the questions was different, and the positions of the correct answers were the same. For example, question 1 on type A test paper was question 4 on type B test paper, and if the correct answer for question 1 on type A was 2, the correct answer for question 4 on type B would be 4.Additionally, in theyout of the examination hall, while the front-to-back spacing was narrow, the left-to-right spacing was maximized. *** The first test that started in this way ended after about 2 shichen (approximately 4 hours). Ding~. Everyone stop! Submit your answer sheets! Wait! Just a moment! Please give us a little more time! Some applicants pleaded for a bit more time, but the supervisors showed no mercy and collected the answer sheets. This cant be! People should be more flexible! Those who had to submit their answer sheets despite their pleas gathered in one ce to vent their frustration. This wont do! Letsin to the governor! Thats right! The applicants who had agreed on this immediately rushed to the governor and raised their voices. Faced with the applicants protests, the governor asked with an indifferent face: So what do you want me to do? If we had been given a little more time, we could have easily written all the answers, but we couldnt. Please allow us to take the test again! With ample time, of course! Huh The governor, who sighed briefly as if dumbfounded by the applicants protest, answered firmly: Thats not possible. Your Excellency! The state examination is also official business! How can we use as officials those who cant properlyplete their assigned tasks in the given time! There are no positions avable for ipetent individuals who need two days to do what other officials can do in one day! Your Excellency! For people like you, it might just be a dy of one more day, but for someone else, it could be a day that determines life or death in official duties! Get out immediately! At the governors stern reprimand, the applicants had to retreat with dismayed faces. While the confrontation between the applicants and the governor was taking ce outside, the supervisors inside were checking the answers on the collected answer sheets. The process of checking the answers was also quite unique, and this too was one of Hyangs tricks. *** Even if its objective, or rather, a multiple-choice format,paring and checking one by one would take time and increase errors While searching for a usable method, Hyang rummaged through his memories of living as Jinho in the 21st century. Its not only in the military that all sorts of people gather; homes with many siblings are the same. During holidays, such houses would be bustling with siblings and their families, overflowing with stories of experiences from various fields. This was also true for Hyangs, or rather Jinhos, family. Among the rtives he met this way, there was a retired teacher whose reminiscences were quite interesting. Nowadays, even regr schools use OMR as standard, but until before the 88 Olympics, unless it was a nationwide mock exam, all answers were checked manually. At that time, what we did was Recalling the method that rtive had shared, Hyang immediately applied it. First, he glued together severalyers of paper that were meant to be discarded. Then, he attached an answer sheet to match the specifications, and punched holes in the number boxes corresponding to the correct answers. By ovepping this paper temte with the answer sheets submitted by the applicants, the correctness could be immediately checked. *** Thanks to this method, most of the results of the first test could be known by the next morning. The applicants who had taken the test the day before nervously paced in front of the government offices bulletin board. As noon approached, an official came out and began to post papers on the bulletin board. Heres the list of sessful candidates! Those who had taken the exam clung to the bulletin board,paring their application numbers with the numbers posted. It was a moment of joy and sorrow. Those who passed the first test then met with the supervisors again to receive their exam numbers for the second test. Of course, they had to pay another 80 won stamp fee as well. The second test is in five days, so dont bete! Yes, Ill keep that in mind! **** Five dayster, the second test was conducted. Generally, about 70% of the total applicants passed the first test. And in the second test, about half of them were eliminated. As a result, those who passed both the first and second tests ounted for about 35% to 40% of the total examinees. Well, it seems like the number of sessful candidates will increase a bit more this year Because the results of the first test were quite good? Even while having such conversations, the supervisors remained tense throughout. The second test was an essay. It was a test where the subjectivity of the applicants and supervisors shed, and it was the test where the most disputes arose. Therefore, when the second test began, additional officials of at least junior 4th rank or higher were dispatched from the court in Hanseong, and the pass or fail was determined through a three-person consensus system. *** After such a tumultuous examination ended, all the sessful candidates who safely passed gathered in Hanseong. Meanwhile, a new government building had been constructed in Hanseong, which was a training institute. It was a building created because it was seen as inappropriate to use the pce for the residential examination process C a process of evaluating personality and ability by having teacher candidates live together C which was part of the teacher recruitment examination. However, after itspletion, it became one of the buildings that proved useful in various ways. *** The sessful candidates who gathered at the training institute in Hanseong were provided with official uniforms and hats C in the case of female sessful candidates, they were given garima (Note 1) made of blue cloth with gold lines. The sessful candidates, now dressed as officials, had to pass the devils 3rd examination. The training process involved living together while receiving practical education and handling basic practical work at government offices. And throughout this entire process, supervisors and senior officials were watching with eagle eyes. Having passed the exam, a government position was guaranteed. However, this training process determined whether one would continue to rise through the ranks or retire at the 8th or 7th junior rank. Thats why it was called the devils 3rd examination. *** After about a month had passed, the career paths of the applicants began to be determined. Those who had excellent scores in the first and second examinations and received good scores in practical skills C especially in mathematics C were mostly dragged into the General Affairs Department and the Finance Department. And those who were chosen in this way became objects of envy. No matter what anyone said, the most powerful departments in the current court were General Affairs and Finance. Of course, the officials already working in those departments would curse whenever they heard such talk. Shit! Were just good-looking crab apples! The only good thing abouting here? We can eat as much health tonic as we want! As an aside, starting from the period of major reforms, Joseons medicinal herb industry developed remarkably, andter became the foundation of the bio-medical industry. *** The remaining individuals were assigned to departments based on their aptitudes and practical skills that had been assessed during this time. After the departments were decided, the next step was to determine the ce of appointment. Those who wish to volunteer for the regions of Hamgil-do, Daeseol-do, and Unwol Penins, step forward. At the words of the General Affairs Department director who was conducting the appointment process, the sessful candidates furtively nced at each other. Seeing this, the director continued: As you already know, those who volunteer for these regions will receive additional points. However, not many stepped forward easily. The additional points were tempting. But unlike Hamgil-do, which had be somewhat stable, Daeseol-do and the Unwol Penins were still risky ventures. Moreover, if one stepped forward immediately, they might be talked about as someone blinded by additional points. No one? Then, Ill have to assign randomly This girl will go! Just as the director was about to move on, a female sessful candidate suddenly stood up. Following her, several men and women stood up and came forward. The director gestured as he moved: Follow me. *** After moving to the adjacent office, the director looked at the volunteers, especially the women, and asked: Hamgil-do is one thing, but Daeseol-do and the Unwol Penins are harsh ces. It might be difficult for women, so how about withdrawing now? I entered government service with the sole intention of dedicating myself to the country. How could physical hardships be a problem? Thats right! Hearing the female sessful candidates responses, the director exined the situation to the woman who had stepped forward first and spoken first: To be honest, we can solve the problems of food, clothing, and shelter, but we dont have the resources yet to make special preparations for your safety. To the directors words expressing concern for the safety of the female sessful candidates, the woman responded firmly: I understand that officials going to outer regions must learn horseback riding and artillery skills. I, your humble servant, amcking in horseback riding and dont know how to use artillery, but Im confident I can learn better than anyone else. I also have some skill in archery, so Im confident I can protect myself. Hmm Do the others feel the same way? Yes! Thats right! After confirming the spirit of the other sessful candidates, especially the women, the director examined the records of the female candidate who had moved first. An Munhye Her grades are second-highest, but her adaptability and practical skills are top-notch. Shes already assigned to the General Affairs Department If she can endure safely in the outer regions, her future looks promising The director, making a mental note, stood up. Follow me. The ce they moved to next had arge circr board hanging on a pir. The board was divided into sections of various sizes, and these sections werebeled with names of outer regions such as Hamgil-do, Daeseol-do, Dongbinghang, Unwol Penins, and so on. What is this, sir? To An Munhyes question, the director answered calmly: This is how youll choose the regions youll be appointed to with your own hands. We call it bbaeng-bbaeng-i. Bbaeng-bbaeng-i? Its the fairest and most impartial method, free from any external pressure. *** In this way, those to be appointed to outer regions were determined through the bbaeng-bbaeng-i. Well still need to fill the remaining positions from outside. Check and implement it. Yes, sir. As the vacant positions for those to be appointed to outer regions were added, the sections of the bbaeng-bbaeng-i located on the outer part were readjusted. There were eight bbaeng-bbaeng-i in total, representing the eight provinces of Joseon. The applicants were divided into eight lines ording to their province of origin. As you can see, your province of origin is excluded from these bbaeng-bbaeng-i. Its to apply the rule of avoiding conflicts of interest. Ah The sessful candidates standing in front of the bbaeng-bbaeng-i nodded at the officials exnation. Then, I wish you luck. Spin it! At the officialsmand, a sessful candidate vigorously spun the circr board. Please Hanseong! Please Hanseong! Land on Hanseong! *** Note 1) Garima (}) Chapter 393 Chapter 393 While the administrative organizations, including the royal court, were quietly and steadily improving their constitution and strengthening their foundations, themon people were also continuing to change. As mentioned before, the growing economy through reforms led more and more people to venture intomerce and industry. Among those who took the plunge, there were some who jumped in recklessly, but there were also those who dove in with their own calctions and prospects of sess. Fiercepetition arose between these neers and those who had already established themselves. In the process of thispetition, quite a few were weeded out and disappeared. Many of those eliminated were the neers. For those who jumped in with only enthusiasm,cking experience and capital, the world ofmerce and industry was a cruel ce. Of course, there were also some long-standing merchant groups from the Goryeo era that failed to read the trends and fell behind, disappearing as well. Among those who were eliminated from thepetition, some returned to farming, while others left for frontiernds like Hamgil-do and Daeseol-do in search of new opportunities. Lastly, there were those who lost all hope and made extreme choices. *** ording to thews of Joseon at the time, all incidents involving casualties, such as murder cases, suicide cases, or tiger attacks (), were reported to King Sejong. Someone has taken their own life, you say?Yes, and whats even more unfortunate is that the entire family Oh my As Minister of Justice Minister Jo trailed off, King Sejong exhaled with a face full of sorrow. Seeing Sejongs deeply furrowed brow, Hwang Hui asked Minister Jo on Sejongs behalf. Why did they make such a choice? They opened a shop, but it failed and went bankrupt. The creditors demands were severe, it seems. Creditors? You mean they used private loans? Thats correct. Just how high was the interest rate? Upon investigation, we found that the loan period was strictly one month, and the interest was twice the principal amount. Twice! At the news that the interest on the debt of the person whomitted suicide was twice the principal, the entire hall was in an uproar. Hwang Hui, also with a shocked expression, asked Minister Jo again. Its been years since His Majesty promulgated the Interest Rate Limitation Law, yet there are still those charging such high rates? Thats right. Were currently pursuing the group that lent money at such rates. Listening to the exnation, Sejong stronglymanded Minister Jo. Order the officials in charge of the arrest to catch every single one of them without exception! Also, confiscate all their assets and secure a list of those who owed them money! We shall return the excess interest paid above the legal limit to those poor subjects! Minister Jo immediately bowed his head and replied to Sejongs words. I receive yourmand! After giving the order to Minister Jo, Sejong closed his mouth and fell into thought. As Sejongs silence lengthened, the ministers began to grow tense. Hmm,e to think of it Why did the entire family of the person who took their own life make such a choice? It wasnt that they allmitted suicide. ording to the report, it appears the head of the household killed his wife and children before taking his own life. Why did this head of household make such a choice? It seems he feared leaving his wife and children to suffer alone if he died by himself. At Minister Jos answer, Sejong sighed and expressed his sorrow. s No matter how much he was the head of the household, a couple is inseparable, and children are not livestock but human beings. How could he make such an arbitrary decision! Its truly heartbreaking! This is my oversight! As Sejong med himself, the ministers all bowed their heads and responded. No, Your Majesty! This is the responsibility of the one whomitted the act, not at all Your Majestys fault! Thats right! This is not something Your Majesty should me yourself for! It was just an unfortunate subject who made a wrong choice until the end! No, the fact that these incidents keep urring means that I have not been observing matters properly. This is indeed my oversight. No, Your Majesty! This is the mistake of those who took their own lives! They used high-interest private loans despite the existence of the royal treasury. This is their responsibility! Sigh After a long sigh, Sejong asked Kim Jeom. Minister of Finance. I await your question, Your Majesty. Why did they use private loans despite the existence of the royal treasury? As far as I know, one of the duties of the royal treasury is to provide seed money to subjects who want to start a new permanent business, isnt it? That is correct, Your Majesty. Answering Sejongs question, Kim Jeom searched through the pile of documents in front of him and pulled out a relevant report. When we created the Business Evaluation Department, we recruited officials from the Ministry of Personnel to form the department. And as Your Majesty mentioned, we evaluated those who wanted to start new permanent businesses and lent them seed money. Then why did they use high-interest private loans? It seems those who were notified of rejection by the Business Evaluation Department did not give up their intentions. So they borrowed from private lenders because they couldnt borrow from the royal treasury? Thats correct, Your Majesty. Hmm After pondering Kim Jeoms answer for a moment, Sejong spoke. Then how about slightly rxing the evaluation criteria? Thats not possible, Your Majesty! Suddenly, Heo Jo, who had been listening quietly, shouted his objection. Why not? To Sejongs question, Heo Jo exined the reason for his objection. The money lent by the royal treasury is the money that the people have entrusted to it. Even now, not a small number of those who received loans and started businesses are closing down, and the loans are not being properly recovered. If we rx the loan criteria, there will be even more loans, and the amount of unrecoverable funds will increase! If the royal treasurys losses grow, the people will lose trust in it! Distrust in the royal treasury will lead to distrust in state affairs! Rxing the loan criteria is absolutely not possible! Faced with Heo Jos strong opposition, Sejong turned to Hwang Hui. What does the Prime Minister think? I also believe its not possible, Your Majesty. Oh With even Hwang Hui opposing, Sejongs expression became troubled. Once again closing his mouth and pondering an appropriate solution, Sejong made another proposal. Even if we cant help those who attempted to start businesses and failed, as it was their own choice, their families are also a problem. The inheritance of wealth is an issue, but isnt the inheritance of poverty also a problem? That is true, Your Majesty. So, isnt it also the countrys duty to provide opportunities to escape from this cycle of inherited poverty? What do you think about relocating them to frontiernds like Daeseol-do and other areas that will be developed in the future? Of course, we would need to provide tax reductions and support for at least 3 to 5 years, but I think it could work. At Sejongs proposal, the ministers calcted the pros and cons, considering various scenarios. It could be a good opportunity for the discouraged subjects, but it might be a burden on the finances, Your Majesty. To Kim Jeoms point, Sejong immediately replied. Lets release more of the gold and silver weve mined and stored. With Joseons current capacity, dont you think we can manage even if we release a bit more of our reserved gold and silver? After considering various scenarios based on Sejongs additional exnation, Kim Jeom bowed his head. I will soon prepare and submit a proposal, Your Majesty. I look forward to it. And Having resolved one problem, Sejong began to pour out various policies like a flowing river. Thinking about policies to help those who failed in their business ventures and their families, Ive noticed that there are quite a few disabled people in Joseon. While many became disabled while working or fighting for the country, there are also many who became disabled due to unexpected idents or congenital conditions. Were already implementing veterans policies for the former, but thetter is the problem. Lets think about ways for them to be self-reliant. Shouldnt we move away from this situation where we treat those who became disabled due to idents as unlucky, and those with congenital disabilities as if theyre bearing heavens punishment, treating them like criminals when theyre not? That may be true, but The ministers looked troubled at Sejongs suggestion. Sejongs intention was certainly not bad. Rather, it was an idea worthy of endless praise. After all, one of the kings duties was to embrace the pain of his people and give them hope. Therefore, the ministers put forth various opinions and continued their debate. After a long discussion, Sejongs proposal began to take shape. However, the ministers faces didnt easily rx. For those who are disabled in only one part of their body and have sound minds, there are many options, but the problem lies with those who are not of sound mind, or those who are blind and deaf. These people need care rather than self-reliance. Following Hwang Huis point, Maeng Sa-seong immediately added. The problem is that because of this, they are either abandoned and die at birth, or be beggars, wandering and begging for food. This is indeed a difficult issue Listening to the ministers conversation, Sejongs face became troubled. Lets take a break for now. Dering a recess, Sejong left Geunjeongjeon and took a walk around the pce. As he moved his steps to clear his stuffy mind and observed the scenery, Sejongs eyes caught sight of monks heading towards the Queens quarters. As he watched them without any particr thought, Sejong broke into a smile. It reminds me of the old days. Wasnt it the Crown Prince who rushed in and said, Lets do business? Smiling at the old memory, Sejong suddenly stopped in his tracks. Wait a minute! Sejong suddenly halted and fell into deep thought. Standing still like a statue, he nodded his head for a while and then shook it side to side. Then, with a brightened face, he turned his steps. If we do it right, we might have a good solution! *** Returning to Geunjeongjeon C as the reforms progressed, the spatially limited Sajeongjeon, which was the kings private office, was pushed back, and Geunjeongjeon became the main ce for state affairs C Sejong addressed the reassembled ministers. I have a good idea. How about mobilizing monks to prevent congenitally disabled people from dying at birth or wandering and begging? Monks, Your Majesty? The ministers asked with slightly skeptical expressions at Sejongs proposal. Sejong nodded and exined his thoughts further. Isnt one of the monks duties to help sentient beings? So, lets entrust them with the protection of these abandoned disabled people. In return, well allow them to add 12 branch temples to the current 36 main temples, and well differentiate between the Seon and Gyo sects based on their performance. And if necessary, well provide appropriate amounts of food and resources. At Sejongs exnation, the ministers once again started calcting various scenarios in their heads. Oh my, even though our national policy is to respect Confucianism and suppress Buddhism But they are indeed suitable for this kind of work If we provide goods instead of farnd, it wouldnt be bad. When I was a local official, I saw how one disabled person in a family could make the whole family suffer. No wonder they abandon them After considering all sorts of possibilities and calcting the pros and cons, the ministers soon began to nod. If it ends with adding 12 branch temples, it doesnt seem to be a big problem. If we provide goods instead of farnd, we can prevent the evil practices of the past. Good. I hope the General Affairs Department will refine this n and report back to me. At Sejongs order, Heo Jo bowed his head. I receive yourmand, Your Majesty. Chapter 394 Chapter 394 The next morning, seated in the royal court, King Sejong addressed the ministers. Ive been thinking again. Im concerned about those who attempted to start new businesses but failed. Hwang Hui, understanding the meaning of Sejongs words, immediately asked. Do you wish to rx the loan criteria of the royal treasury, Your Majesty? Wouldnt it be good to consider ways that wont cause undue strain? I find it distressing to see subjects striving for a better future. Since Your Majesty is concerned, we will consider it. As soon as Hwang Hui finished speaking, Heo Jo immediately objected. Its absolutely impossible! If we make a mistake, the people might lose trust in the country! At Heo Jos words, Hwang Hui raised his voice.These are people who, despite being rejected by the business evaluation, still insist on pursuing their ventures even using high-interest private loans! If we leave them be, wont they start saying, What has the country done for me? Arent you worried about that? We cant undermine the trust in the royal treasury because of a few such individuals! Arent people failing to repay loans even now? Isnt the ratio the same whether 1 out of 10 cant repay or 10 out of 100? Its worrying enough when one person fails, but if 10 fail, thats a big problem! Isnt it more beneficial for our Joseon if 90 people seed rather than just 9? Even if 90 people who borrowed 10 nyang of silver seed, if 10 people who borrowed 10 nyang of gold fail, were ruined! Dont just y with numbers! Hyang, who had been quietly observing since the meeting began, inwardly muttered while watching the two mens heated debate. A debate between a rational optimist and a rational pessimist Both Hwang Hui and Heo Jo had themon trait of analyzing state affairs coldly. However, after such cold analysis, Heo Jo tended to produce negative results, while Hwang Hui often came up with positive ones. This difference between them was due to their values. Both were royalists who prioritized royal authority over that of ministers, faithfully carrying out Sejongs wishes. However, when problems arose, they showed different approaches. -If possible, follow the kings will even if its somewhat risky. This was Hwang Huis stance. -Persuade the king as much as possible to avoid risks. This was Heo Jos stance. He valued the countrys survival as much as the king. And now, these two were shing. *** As Minister Jo said before, lets be a bit more positive! Come on! If were only positive, we might ruin the country! We need to face reality! Watching the two mens heated argument, Hyang stepped forward and addressed Sejong. Father, I have something I wish to propose to you. As Hyang spoke up, Hwang Hui and Heo Jo stopped their debate and immediately turned their attention to the Crown Prince. It wasnt just them. The eyes of all the ministers present focused on Hyang. What now! Judging by his stepping forward now, hes certainly going to meddle in this matter! Huh! We might hear that tongue-clicking sound again if were not careful! While the ministers tensed up, Sejong looked at Hyang with a brightened expression. Go ahead! I permit it! Speak quickly! Im deeply grateful. Thanking Sejong for his permission, Hyang cleared his throat. Ahem! Ahem! As I was listening to the two gentlemens discussion, an idea came to mind, so Ive taken the liberty of interrupting. As Hyang apologized for his interruption, Hwang Hui and Heo Jo shook their heads. Its alright. No problem. Having subtly set up his defense, Hyang began toy the groundwork. First, the General Affairs Ministers words are correct. The moneying into the royal treasury is the peoples hard-earned money, so its natural that it cannot be used carelessly. Heo Jos face brightened at Hyangs words supporting his view, and he nodded. Of course, of course! ncing at Heo Jos face, Hyang continued. However, the Prime Ministers opinion to give more people opportunities to seed and strengthen Joseon is also a good one. This time, Hwang Huis face brightened, while the other ministers wore puzzled expressions. Whats this? Both are right? What does he mean? Seeing the ministers faces, Hyang inwardly muttered. Im sorry, Elder Hwang Hui. Ill borrow from you first. Therefore, I wish to propose to Father the establishment of a Venture Capital Fund (ðUY). Hm? Eh? At Hyangs proposal, Sejong and the ministers all uttered exmations of confusion. Among those analyzing the meaning of Hyangs words, Sejong and Kim Jeom were the first to understand. Crown Prince, are you suggesting we create a separate loan department for those who dont meet the Business Evaluation Departments criteria but still seem to have potential? Thats correct. You mentioned venture capital, so there must be differences from existing loans Will there be a difference in interest rates? Yes! Youve understood correctly! Hyang exined in more detail. -It will provide capital for starting businesses that show considerable potential, even if they didnt pass the Business Evaluation Departments criteria. -However, it wont support unconditionally. It will decide whether to provide support based on the applicants background and the relevance to their intended field of business. The criteria will just be more rxed. -As its a loan that assumes the risk of failure, it will charge rtively high interest rates. While the Business Evaluation Departments loan interest rate is 35% per annum, the venture capital will apply an interest rate of 65% per annum. -Due to the high rate, applicants will be given a choice:
  1. Endure the application of the 65% annual interest rate.
  2. Transfer shares of the established business. Its a kind of partnership where the royal treasury takes 51% of the shares. If this is chosen, a 30% annual interest rate will be applied.
Taking shares Does this mean sharing profits if it seedster? At Sejongs question, Hyang nodded. Thats right. Thats why were applying a 30% annual interest rate. Hmm As Sejong stroked his beard in thought, Hyang added more. The reason I added the term fund is to create this as a separate department within the royal treasury. A separate department? From borrowing funds to operation, although it belongs to the royal treasury, it operates separately from the treasurys main operations. Kim Jeom, who had been focusing on Hyangs words as if not to miss a single one, asked a question. Does operating the fund-raising separately mean paying higher interest rates to those who provide the funds? Thats correct. At Hyangs answer, Kim Jeom muttered while calcting profits and losses. Hmm If done well This was the same for Sejong, who was considering various scenarios on his throne. Hmm If done well, we could even absorb the wealth of those who were running high-interest private loans? Thats right. On one side, we strongly crack down on illegal high-interest private loans, and on the other side, we guide them towards the Venture Capital Fund, which offers lower profits than private loans but higher than regr savings, and is legal. Of course, underground finance will neverpletely disappear, but we should absorb as much as possible. Hmm Seeming to find Hyangs words reasonable, Sejong nodded with a slightly brightened expression. At that moment, Heo Jo raised a question. As its literally a venture, wont people worry about losing their wealth if the investments fail? To Heo Jos point, Hyang immediately provided an answer. Thats why well give investors two choices as well. This way, in case A, well operate on a collective basis to minimize losses even if it fails. However, the profits returned to investors will be smaller even if it seeds. In case B, while the risk increases, the potential returns for investors be overwhelminglyrger. At Hyangs exnation, Hwang Huis eyes sparkled. Whichever option is chosen, it would greatly reduce the burden on the court and the royal treasury, wouldnt it? Yes. Thats what were aiming for. Following Hwang Hui, Heo Jo also nodded. Whichever case they choose, it would be their own decision, making it difficult to hold the court responsible. Hmm It seems quite good. Well, if things go wrong, there might be many people wanting to experience how sturdy their house beam is, or how deep the vige reservoir is, or how warm the water flowing in the Han River is. While Hyang was muttering this to himself, Heo Jo addressed Sejong. I think its a good n. It reduces the burden on the court and the royal treasury, and more people can have the opportunity to start businesses. You think so too? Sejongs face brightened as Heo Jo, known for his strictness, showed a positive reaction. At that moment, Jo Gye-saeng, the Minister of Education, interjected. Your Majesty! While its a good n, implementing it as is would be absolutely uneptable! Why is that? When Sejong asked for the reason, Jo Gye-saeng exined. Humans are inherently greedy beings, not thinking about the future You mean some people might push in all their assets without considering the risks. As Sejong finished the thought, Jo Gye-saeng, who had paused momentarily, immediately nodded. Thats correct, Your Majesty. Hmm After pondering for a moment, Sejong turned to Hyang. Crown Prince, would a fixed amount or a fixed rate be better? To Sejongs question, Hyang immediately replied. Both, Your Majesty. When wealthy individuals invest privately, we should apply a fixed rate, and when those with less wealth want to invest, we should ept only a fixed amount determined by their wealth. Will those with little wealth want to participate? As the Minister of Education said, humans are inherently greedy beings. Sejong nodded at Hyangs words. Thats right. People are greedy creatures. Minister of General Affairs. At Sejongs call, Heo Jo immediately responded. It needs some refining, but I think its the best n. Prime Minister? I agree with the Minister of General Affairs. Then,stly, what does the Minister of Finance, who will be at the center of this matter, think? To Sejongs question, Kim Jeom immediately replied. While its a good n, few people will step forward immediately. Therefore, I believe we should release more of the gold and silver weve umted to create initial capital and implement it. If the performance using this initial capital is good, everything else will follow easily. Lets do that. Immediately epting Kim Jeoms words, Sejong looked around at the ministers. As our peoples permanent assets increase and Joseons economic capacity grows, our Joseon will be stronger. I hope you all will do your best for this. We receive yourmand! And so, the worlds first official C as recorded in definitive official documents C venture capital financing was born. Chapter 395 Chapter 395 With the establishment and operation of the Venture Capital Fund decided, personnel transfers took ce across Joseons royal treasuries. Those with good persuasive skills or those who had performed well in the Business Evaluation Department werergely recruited to the Venture Capital Fund from regional treasuries. The treasury officials summoned to Hanseong for education on fund operation and business practices, as well as practical adaptation training, eyed each other keenly. So thats the guy who Oh? Hes here too. As expected The court operated an incentive system while managing the treasury. Those with good performance received not only bonuses but also favorable personnel evaluations, giving them an advantage in promotions. Whenever such bonuses or rewards were given, notices were posted on employee bulletin boards in treasuries across Joseon. As a result, ambitious individuals applied for sales or the Business Evaluation Department. And here, the cream of the crop among those applicants had gathered, all burning with a sense ofpetition towards each other.Education and training proceeded for these carefully selected personnel. Upon learning about the funds operational methods, the officials spoke with a half self-deprecating tone. Looks like we wont be going to entertainment venues anymore. Seems well be gambling at a state-approved gambling den. I feel ashamed that we studied the words of sages for this. *** Despite their words, once the work began, the funds employees moved swiftly. In Naju, Jeo Province, Oh my! Have you been well, Master Cha? Eh? When did you return? I heard you went to Hanseong. Cha, a well-known wealthy man in Naju, brightened up upon seeing the treasury employee he hadnt seen in a while. Since opening an ount at the Naju treasury, this employee had almost exclusively handled his banking affairs. As Master Cha weed him, Ko Young-gu smiled broadly and responded. I returned from Hanseong yesterday. I have very good news. Good news? Well, you see Having opened the conversation, Ko Young-gu began to exin about the Venture Capital in detail. *** Hmm When Ko Young-gus lengthy exnation ended, Master Cha, sitting with his arms folded, looked at Ko Young-gu with a serious expression. Hmm So Master Cha, speaking leisurely, continued. So, ording to what youre saying, you provide funds for businesses that, although they failed the business evaluation, seem to have some potential? Thats correct, sir. How much potential are we talking about? On average, 43 percent. 43 percent? At Ko Young-gus answer, Master Chas expression soured. Simply put, if you invest in 10 ces, only 4 will seed? Master Cha, even those who pass through the Business Evaluation Department have a sess rate of 68 percent. And why else would it be called venture capital? Even so, its almost gambling, isnt it? To Master Chas words, Ko Young-gu nodded. Thats right. It is close to gambling. But where in this world isnt there an element of gambling? Isnt even farming a gamble? Although it rarely happens these days due to good water management, if theres a drought or flood just once when the heavens are displeased, isnt that years harvest aplete loss no matter how hard one has worked? Well, thats true Nodding unconsciously at Ko Young-gus words, Master Cha pressed on another point. Then, if one puts money into this venture capital, whats the interest rate? We dont call it an interest rate, but an investment sess dividend. Right, so how much is this investment sess dividend? To Master Chas question, Ko Young-gu took out a small booklet from his breast pocket, flipped through it, and then opened to a certain page as he continued his exnation. It varies depending on how sessful the invested business is, but on average, we expect a minimum of 20 percent. A minimum of 20 percent? Yes. So if I put in 1,000 nyang of gold, I can receive at least 200 nyang of gold in a year? To be precise, its 20 percent of the amount that actually goes into investments out of the 1,000 nyang of gold. I dont quite understand. As Master Cha tilted his head, Ko Young-gu exined in more detail. So If you put in 1,000 nyang of gold, but only 200 nyang goes out as investment, we calcte the dividend based on the sessful investments out of that 200 nyang. So, out of the 1,000 nyang, 200 nyang is invested, but you dont calcte based on all of that 200 nyang, just pay dividends on the sessful investments? Thats correct. Why is it soplicated? To Master Chas grumbling, Ko Young-gu, still with a face full of smiles, cated him. Oh my! How could we carelessly use the precious money of our investors? We split it into small amounts andbine it with other peoples investments to minimize losses, thats why. Split into small amounts andbined? Yes. For example, if 10 nyang of gold is needed for an investment, we split it into 1 nyang units and take 1 nyang each from ten different investment funds. This way, even if the startup fails, the loss is only 1 nyang of gold. I see. Nodding his head, Master Cha frowned again. So, even if it seeds, is that all the profit you get? Unfortunately, yes. But doesnt that also reduce the risk? Thats certainly true. At Ko Young-gus words, Master Cha nodded as if entranced. Seeing this, Ko Young-gu inwardly muttered. Whatever happens, the court is the one that loses the least, though. Although Master Cha had more or less understood Ko Young-gus exnation, there was still something unsatisfactory. It all sounds good, but Isnt the dividend too small? Well, there are quite a few costs involved. Secondary evaluation fees, investment agency fees, audit agency fees, and so on. Quite a lot. You evaluate again? How could we carelessly use the precious money of those who decided to invest? We need to evaluate once more to select those with the highest probability of sess. I see. Master Cha nodded at Ko Young-gus exnation, but his face was not satisfied. Still, the dividend ratio is low There is a way to increase the ratio, but its quite risky. At Ko Young-gus words, Master Chas eyes sparkled. What is it? You decide directly. Directly? Yes. Youe to the fund next to the Naju treasury in person, check the businesses hoping for investment, and then choose what you think is best and decide how much to invest. You can invest the full amount the investment seeker wants, or you can invest a suitable proportion. However, there is a minimum ratio for direct investment; you must invest at least 20 percent. Then how much does the ratio increase? At least 40 percent. At least. At least 40 percent However, in the case of direct investment, you must also bear the loss if the startup fails. At Ko Young-gus answer, Master Cha closed his mouth and began to weigh the possibilities. After pondering for a while, Master Cha sighed and grumbled. Phew~. Oh my, this is really something! It was a momentarypse of his usual dignity, but it was aint that revealed Master Chas true feelings. After letting out thisint and smacking his lips, Master Cha finally made up his mind. Ill trust you and try investing once. Thank you! How much should I invest? Surely I dont have to put in all my assets? No, not at all. His Majesty the King said, This should benefit both those who wish to start businesses and seed, and those who wish to grow their wealth in the light. Therefore, let those who invest determine their investment amount ording to the extent of their wealth.'' As expected, His Majesty is wise. So what are the criteria? Its based on the property tax payment records in the treasury. However, the maximum amount you can invest at once is between a minimum of 30 percent and a maximum of half of your total assets. And once you invest, you cant make additional investments for a year. What if I invested and suffered some losses? Can I immediately recover the remaining investment if I want to? Thats also possible after a year. So I have to just watch for a year? Yes. Because its rare for the sess or failure of a startup to be determined immediately. Hmm After calcting the pros and cons again at Ko Young-gus words, Master Cha finally gave in. Ill visit tomorrow. Thank you! Ah! When youe tomorrow, you must bring your treasury ount ledger and seal. We need those to make the contract. Ill make sure to bring them. That evening, Master Chas wife, Lady An, sought out Master Cha. I heard that Ko from the treasury came by this afternoon. What was that about? Ah! That After listening to Master Chas exnation, Lady An thought for a moment and then turned to Master Cha. When you go to the treasury tomorrow, Id like to go with you. You too? Why? Dont I have some assets that I received as my portion? Shouldnt we try to grow them a bit to distribute to our children? Ah Nodding lightly, Master Cha agreed to his wifes request. *** The next day, when the Cha couple visited the fund, Ko Young-gu weed them with a pleased face. Wee! Not only me, but my wife also wants to invest, so we came together. Thank you! It will be a good choice! Ko Young-gu guided the Cha couple to a separate room in the fund and came back with another employee, carrying various types of documents. Ill exin again. But why is that person here with us? Ah! This friend is here to make sure I exin everything urately to you both and dont miss anything, so you dont misunderstand. Quite cautious. We cant be careless when receiving precious investment funds, can we? At Ko Young-gus answer, the Cha couple nodded with satisfied faces. Indeed, its trustworthy since its a government operation! *** After the exnation was given once more, Ko Young-gu asked the Cha couple. Ill ask again. Would you like to make a contract? Yes, I will. How much is possible? And you, madam? Ill make a contract. Then From there, everything proceeded smoothly. The maximum possible amount was determined based on the records they brought. When the Cha couple decided to invest the maximum limit, someone from the treasury came immediately to transfer the amount from the Cha couples ounts to the newly created ount in the fund. And as they stamped the document confirming that there were no issues with the entire process, the Cha couple let out tired sighs. Phew~. Is it finally over? This is just the beginning. How would you like to invest? Would you like to invest directly? Or should we do it for you? At Ko Young-gus words, Master Cha pondered for a moment and asked. Is it possible to do half and half? Yes, it is. Then, lets do that. Understood. And how would you like to proceed, madam? Id like to do half and half as well. Understood. Then, this way please. Ko Young-gu guided the Cha couple to thergest room in the fund. This is the situation room. As you can see, the bulletin board on that wall lists the names of businesses in Naju that need investment, and the next column shows the current investment status for each business. Theyre all about half full? Thats the governments support funds. I see Please, have a seat here for a moment. After offering seats to the couple, Ko Young-gu sat across from them and continued his exnation. The papers on top here are, in order, the 5-day report, the 10-day report, and the monthly report. The 5-day report is updated every five days and records information about those needing investment within a 50-li radius of Naju. The 10-day report is updated every ten days and covers investments across the entire Jeo Province, and the monthly report covers all of Joseon. Is that so? As they listened to Ko Young-gus exnation, the Cha couple examined the papers. The papers contained detailed records of people starting new businesses in all sorts of fields and their chances of sess. That day, the Cha couple decided to invest in a mix of businesses starting up in Naju and those in Jeo Province. Of course, the investment amount was not all of their investment funds, but only a portion. Thank you! Well do our best! Were counting on you. Chapter 396 Chapter 396 The next day, Master Cha visited the fund again. Master Cha, what brings you here? Can I see those lists again? Of course, but? Let me take a look. That entire day, Master Cha settled in at the fund and meticulouslybed through the lists. Ah, would you like a cup of tea? Oh! Yes, please give me a cup. This wasnt happening just in Naju. Across Joseon, those who had decided to invest woulde to the fund daily, take a seat, and pore over the lists.This was not only to grow their wealth but also became a new form of entertainment that satisfied their vanity. Why should I demean myself with lowlymerce? For someone in my position, its more fitting to invest. Sitting in the situation room, reading information sheets about newly starting businesses, enjoying the attentive service of fund employees bringing tea and snacks C this became their daily routine. As more people started camping out like this, funds across Joseon had to printrge quantities of 5-day, 10-day, and monthly reports. And the situation rooms of the funds became social gathering ces for local dignitaries. This wasnt limited to men. Due to the strict separation of sexes, women gathered at nearby tea houses, and people would shuttle between the situation room and the tea houses every 30 minutes to ry information. The women who gathered at these tea houses soon formed smallmunities called tea meetings. Of course, rankings were established within based on asset size, but they were stillmunities of women from families considered local dignitaries. Tea meetings, which sprang up at least one per tea house near the fund, soon began to engage in subtlepetition with each other. For women from families with slightly less economic power, these tea meetings became something they desperately wanted to join. However, even the women who entered these tea meetings werent fully satisfied. Their ultimate goal was to enter tea meetings inrger cities, and ultimately, the famous tea meetings in Hanseong, Gaeseong, and Dongnae. Even the smallest tea meetings in these three cities were dealing with more capital than thergest tea meetings in most provincial cities. And among these three cities, the one that could be called the best was, of course, Hanseong. Hanseong was able to surpass Gaeseong, which had umtedmercial experience through a long history symbolized by the Song merchants, and Dongnae, which had umted capital through the Japanese trading post, because of Area 51. It had the advantage of being able to see new artifacts and technologies created in Area 51 before anyone else. Being able to gauge whether these would go to the royal workshop or be released to the private sector was an absolute strength. *** The formation of these tea meetings, allowing women to engage in public activities, became possible when women were able to enter official positions. With Neo-Confucianism as the state ideology, Joseon strictly applied thew of separation between men and women. This strict application began to loosen slightly when women started to be teachers at the public schools. Of course, there was initially some criticism. However, since most of the female teachers at the public schools were those who had received nationalmendations for being filial daughters-inw or devoted wives, such criticism became mere criticism for the sake of criticism. Moreover, since they didnt leave the school from the start of sses in the morning until they ended at dusk, there was no room for fault-finding. And as women formally entered official positions, it became possible for women to move about freely in broad daylight. Depending on the department, they had to work outside, and there was simply not enough manpower to keep women indoors just because they were women. Ive finally gotten an official position, and you want me to just stay inside? And whos going to do my work while Im in there? Are you telling me not to go home? And if only female officials are allowed to move around in broad daylight, wouldnt that cause even more gossip? For these practical reasons, thew of separation was avoided when it came to movement. Thanks to this, women, regardless of status, were able to move about freely. Another positive change urred as women entered official positions. The practice of myeonshinrye (a hazing ritual for new officials)pletely disappeared. This wasnt just about new officials treating their seniors to a meal as a gesture of goodwill; it involved all sorts of bizarre harassment. Since it was officially recorded during the reign of King Woo of Goryeo, there had been continuous attempts to eradicate this bad practice of myeonshinrye. Furthermore, King Sejong would immediately banish those caught to the archives, but the practice stubbornly persisted. However, doing such things to women would no longer be simple harassment, but a crime. With more than 70% of the newly appointed female officials being daughters of noble families, doing such things would make one a serious criminal. Thanks to this, myeonshinrye disappeared. *** Gather small amounts of money to createrge capital. Splitrge sums to invest in many. After some time, the funds operational methods began to show positive results. Those who had failed the Business Evaluation Department prepared more thoroughly to seize this second chance. As preparations became more thorough, the sess rate of startups gradually increased. As people seeded in starting businesses and growing their wealth, more people began to prepare for startups, following their example. As this happened, Joseons previously passive society gradually became more active. Local gentry also began to change little by little. While some still relied solely on theirnd holdings, others began to actively move their wealth as they became aware of the concept of capital investment. Those who had tasted sess through investment began to dive more actively into the financial market. As investment through the Venture Capital Fund was limited, they began to look for new investment opportunities. And as these capital holders began to move actively, existing merchant groups also started to change. They began to grow the size of their merchant groups by receiving external capital infusions. *** The Park Family Merchant Group in Jemulpo. Hmm At this rate, our profits will keep decreasing The heads of various departments, chief clerks, and ship captains nodded at the assessment of Park Sang-wook, the head of the merchant group and chief manager. The Shandong route is toopetitive. Its not just the Shandong route. The Tsushima and Kyushu routes are just aspetitive. Listening to the words of the captains and department heads, Park Sang-wooks expression worsened. The conclusion is, as always, that we need to go further The Ryukyu Kingdom is the most feasible option. The problem is that the Honam merchants have already established trade rtions there. I hear thatpetition is fierce even among the Honam merchants because the Ryukyu Kingdom is small. After considering various rumors and facts in search of a breakthrough, they finally reached one conclusion. So youre saying we need to go even further. Thats right. We need to go at least as far as Siam, Dai Viet, or a. The further we go, the bigger the profits. We should go as far as India. When one of the captains mentioned India, ridicule erupted from those around. Why stop there? Why dont we go all the way to Alexandria? Isnt Alexandria where we can make the most profit? You need to say something that makes sense At the criticism from those around, the captain who first raised the suggestion shouted angrily. Why doesnt it make sense! We need ships to go there. Ships! To go that far, we needrge ships like the navy uses! Even thergest ship our merchant group has now is like a rowboatpared to the navysrge ships! The captain who first spoke didnt back down from the subsequent rebuttals. If the ships are small, cant we just build bigger ones? Where are we going to get such big ships built? Only the government can do that! Are you going to go to the government and throw a tantrum asking them to build us ships? Why cant we? Didnt we have the example of rickshaws? Are youparing rickshaws to ships? Whats the difference! Talk sense! As voices rose among the people, Park Sang-wook shouted. Quiet! Quiet! At Park Sang-wooks shout, the loud voices subsided. As themotion died down, Park Sang-wook spoke. It seems well have to go to Hanseong. Lets send a message to the Ministry of Finance. At Park Sang-wooks words, the department heads looked at him with surprised faces. Surely youre not going to buy arge ship? Arent we in a tight spot anyway? We should try everything we can. Thats true As the department heads acquiesced, Park Sang-wook added. But before we go, we should check everything we can in advance. Find as many ways as possible to bring down the price. *** A monthter, Park Sang-wook visited the Ministry of Finance building in Hanseong. This is the fifth visit Park Sang-wooks quietly muttered words were full of desperation. As he said, this was his fifth visit to the Ministry of Finance. This is beyond my level of authority. Ill send word, so could youe back in a few days? With such words, Park Sang-wook had to keep visiting the Ministry of Finance. And each time he returned, he had to talk with someone higher up. Again, at my level Hmm Ive reviewed it, but its difficult for me to decide Theres a lot of talk, so its been decided to make the decision at a higher level. Come back when youre called. Follow me. Guided by an official, Park Sang-wook arrived at Kim Jeoms office. *** Upon seeing Kim Jeoms face, Park Sang-wook bowed at a 90-degree angle in greeting. I pay my respects to you, Your Excellency. I am Park, who runs the Park Family Merchant Group. Sit there. Thank you. Kim Jeom, who had offered a seat, sat opposite Park Sang-wook and opened the relevant report. Hmm Lets see After examining the report, Kim Jeom asked Park Sang-wook a question. So You want to acquire arge ship used by the navy? Yes. Why arge ship? To Kim Jeoms question, Park Sang-wook exined the reasons in detail. After listening to Park Sang-wooks exnation, Kim Jeom soon checked the contents of several types of reports and nodded. Hmm I see Then, what the merchant group leader wants is a challenger-ss warship. By challenger-ssrge ship, do you mean thergest warship? Thats right. Yes, that would be the best. At Park Sang-wooks answer, Kim Jeom immediately got to the point. Do you know how much it costs to build one of those ships? Ive heard rumors that it costs 100,000 nyang of gold These days, its 68,000 nyang of gold. The production cost has decreased a bit as weve been able to securerge quantities of quality timber. With the cannons added, its about 110,000 nyang. Can you manage that? 110,000 And thats in gold. At Kim Jeoms words, Park Sang-wook continued with a pale face. What our merchant group wants is not a warship, but a merchant ship. We dont need to carry cannons. Please remove that part. How will you ensure safety without armaments? We can move along with the regr service to Alexandria. You mean to tag along? Hmm As Kim Jeom trailed off, Park Sang-wook spoke more earnestly. What I want is a merchant ship. A ship that benefits from carrying more cargo in ce of cannons. Of course, it may not look good to tag along with the navy, but as a merchant seeking profit, we have no choice. I understand, but His Majesty wont easily allow that. Then please allow us to carry a minimum amount, and have the navy be in charge of operating the cannons. Isnt it already thew that only soldiers can handle cannons? Thats a good idea! Kim Jeom showed a positive reaction to Park Sang-wooks proposal. After writing something on a piece of paper next to him, Kim Jeom said to Park Sang-wook. Ill contact you again soon. Ill do my best to get a good answer. At Kim Jeoms words, Park Sang-wook stood up abruptly and bowed. I am truly grateful! Chapter 397 Chapter 397 Park Sang-wooks proposal was immediately brought to King Sejong. After hearing the story through Kim Jeom, Sejong first summarized the issue. Hmm Its true that a merchant ship, not a warship, cant be arbitrarily armed. However, with pirates rampant on the seas now, we cant let them move unarmed. So, this merchant Park Sang-wook said he would move along with our navy, correct? Thats correct, Your Majesty. Hmm Stroking his beard and pondering Kim Jeoms answer, Sejong turned to Jo Mal-saeng. Minister of Defense, what do you think of Park Sang-wooks proposal? To Sejongs question, Jo Mal-saeng immediately replied. Its true that arbitrarily mounting cannons on a merchant ship is not appropriate. However, the trade that this Park Sang-wook wants to do requires going long distances, and in this case, the situation is different. How is it different?Yes. The current trade between Ming, Japan, and Ryukyu falls within the patrol range of our Haeung-ss warships, so the bows, spears, and swords that the crew equips themselves with are sufficient. However, pirates operating in deep waters often swarm in multiple ships at once, inducing chaotic battles. In such situations, it bes difficult for our naval warships to pay attention to each one individually, so armament with cannons is essential. Jo Mal-saengs answer was a polite refusal. Hmm As Sejongs deliberation deepened, Kim Jeom continued. Park Sang-wook had considered that point, as did I. Therefore, Park Sang-wook proposed to mount a minimum number of cannons, but leave their operation to the navy. The reason he wants to trade so far away even with such conditions Is it indeed because ofpetition? To Sejongs question, Kim Jeom immediately nodded. Thats correct, Your Majesty. Hmm Once again considering the possibilities, Sejong turned to Hyang. Ill ask the Crown Prince who designed the Challenger-ss and Haeung-ss warships. What do you think of this Park Sang-wooks opinion? To Sejongs question, Hyang answered without hesitation. Its not a bad idea. Looking at the situation in Alexandria and India, theyre in a position where they cant sell enough. However, simply increasing the number of Challenger-ss warships is limited given our budget execution and manpower supply situation. Therefore, drawing in private funds and manpower to fill the gaps is a good method. Then how should we handle the mounting of cannons? As Park Sang-wook suggested, we should mount only the minimum level necessary for self-defense and have the navy operate them. At Hyangs answer, Sejong looked at Jo Mal-saeng. Minister of Defense. The one in charge of design and production has answered thus. What do you think? If the self-defense armament is sufficient, I think its fine. When even Jo Mal-saeng answered positively, Sejong turned to Kim Jeom. I like that this Park Sang-wook thinks broadly, but I want to add one condition. What condition do you mean, Your Majesty? If a crisis befalls the country and we need warships, he must agree to requisition. Of course, if he agrees to this, well reduce the construction cost by 10%. Tell him well build the ship if he epts this condition. I receive yourmand! Also, order the Minister of Defense to dispatch a practical officer from the Defense Ministry to inform them of the appropriate number of cannons needed for self-defense. I receive yourmand! *** Two dayster, upon receiving word, Park Sang-wook visited Kim Jeoms office with a face full of desperation. Please, sit down. Yes. After offering a seat to Park Sang-wook, Kim Jeom introduced the official sitting opposite Park Sang-wook. Let me introduce you. This is Im Hae-sul from the Defense Ministry. Pleased to meet you. Pleased to meet you too. After the two exchanged greetings, Kim Jeom, seated at the head, got to the point. I reported your request to His Majesty, and received a reply. By reply, you mean At Kim Jeoms words, Park Sang-wooks face brightened. If Sejong had refused, he wouldnt have started like this. His Majesty said he would permit it if you ept the following conditions. First, mount the minimum number of cannons necessary for self-defense. The navy will be in charge of their operation. Second, agree to requisition when the country faces a crisis and needs warships. By requisition, do you mean we just need to provide the ship? The ship and the crew. Ah At Kim Jeoms words, Park Sang-wook trailed off. Closing his mouth, Park Sang-wook weighed the possibilities. If we get requisitioned, well have to give up the ship we worked hard to build and the crew we carefully trained! But wars dont happen easily And from what I hear, no one can match our navy It seems unlikely it woulde to the point of requisition But Seeing Park Sang-wooks indecision, Kim Jeom threw out a bait. His Majesty said that if you ept this condition, he will not only have the ship built for you but also reduce the construction cost by 10%. Did you say 10%? Thats right. At Kim Jeoms confirmation, Park Sang-wook took the bait. I ept! 10% of the construction cost is 6,800 nyang of gold! With that money, I can buy even more goods to depart with! As Park Sang-wook epted the conditions, the conversation moved on. How many cannons should be mounted? To Park Sang-wooks question, Im Hae-sul immediately replied. 20 small cannons for closebat, and 40rge cannons for destroying pirate ships. How many are loaded on the current warships? The number of small cannons is the same, but there are 50rge cannons. Thats too many! This ship is a merchant ship, not a warship. I think 10 small cannons and 10rge cannons should be enough! Have you ever seen the pirates causing trouble out there in the deep sea? Do you know how vicious they are? With just 10 small cannons and 10rge cannons, half your crew will be gone by the time you return. Its still too many! After that, there was a long back-and-forth between Park Sang-wook and Im Hae-sul. After intense negotiation, they were able to agree on 20 small cannons, 16rge cannons. Hmm Then You there! Calling a waiting official, Kim Jeom handed over a note. Go calcte how much the construction cost would be with these conditions and bring it back. Yes, sir. Half an hourter, the subordinate returned with an estimate. Lets see Kim Jeom took the estimate, checked its contents, and then handed it to Park Sang-wook. Construction cost of 68,000 nyang of gold, reduced by 10% to 61,200 nyang. Add 10,000 nyang of gold for the cost of armaments to be mounted. The totales to 71,200 nyang. Phew~. Taking the estimate, Park Sang-wook sighed and muttered without realizing it. I expected it, but its enormous. Its a ship worth that price. Didnt you prepare for at least this much? Thats true. Then lets draw up a contract when youre ready. If we contract, how long will I have to wait? At Park Sang-wooks question, Kim Jeom turned to Im Hae-sul. At the silent question, Im Hae-sul stepped forward to answer Park Sang-wook. If we prioritize it from the ships currently under construction, you could receive the ship within two months. Is that so? Then lets see I can just barely catch up with this years departing merchant group. As Park Sang-wook unconsciously counted on his fingers and made a schedule, Im Hae-sul, who had been watching him silently, spoke up. This might be clumsy meddling but if you want to do business far away, it would be better to go to Alexandria or India rather than Dai Viet or Siam. Why is that? Chinese merchants have already firmly established themselves in Dai Viet and Siam, so theres not much profit to be made there. Thats why our government only goes to Alexandria or India. Do you understand what I mean? Ah! Thank you! Understanding Im Hae-suls words, Park Sang-wook immediately stood up, bowed, and expressed his gratitude. If he moved as Im Hae-sul said, he could receive strong escorts from the Joseon navy throughout the round trip, and make even more profit. Thank you so much for this advice, as valuable as gold and jade. Is there anything else you could tell me? At Park Sang-wooks words, Im Hae-sul thought for a moment and then spoke. Hmm If you make a profit from trading, definitely get another ship. No, it would be good to start with two ships from the beginning. Do your merchant groups sailors know how to use tailwinds? Theyre very skilled at it. Then you can make two trade voyages a year. If you have two ships, you can alternate them and consistently make profits. Not only that, but you can also more quickly notice how the tastes of those Westerners change, reducing your chances of loss. Also, ships need constant inspection, and with two ships, you wont have to stop trading, right? Ah At Im Hae-suls exnation, Park Sang-wook showed various expressions. *** As Park Sang-wook left with a face full of contemtion, Kim Jeom turned to Im Hae-sul. Youve worked hard. Not at all. As one who receives the countrys sry, its only natural. By the way, about those 40rge cannons you mentioned at first. Were that many really necessary? Honestly, if were just limiting it to self-defense for a merchant ship, about 16 would be appropriate. Then why did you call for so many? Isnt it a merchants specialty to haggle? Its advantageous to haggle first. Huh Making a face of disbelief at Im Hae-suls answer, which seemed more merchant-like than a merchant, Kim Jeom asked again. Then, what about the advice on the number of ships? That was genuine advice. Of course, I did add a bit of seasoning. Huh At Im Hae-suls answer, Kim Jeom continued to wear an expression of disbelief. There was nothing wrong with Im Hae-suls words. Therefore, Park Sang-wook would undoubtedly seriously consider it. And the conclusion he would reach was also visible. If he had enough funds, he would immediately acquire two ships, and even if he didnt have enough, he would do his best to get another ship as soon as possible. And the more profit he made, the more ships he would try to acquire. If Park Sang-wooks merchant group made big profits that way, other merchant groups would naturally follow suit. If that happened, the navy would be able to secure spare warships and sailors that could be immediately mobilized in case of emergency without much effort. They say the Crown Princes influence is most strongly felt among those in the military Shaking his head lightly, Kim Jeom soon asked Im Hae-sul. Say, would you consider working at the Ministry of Finance? To Kim Jeoms words, Im Hae-sul answered firmly. As a military examination passer, my resolve to root myself in the military remains unchanged! Thats a shame. Youve worked hard. You may go now. Yes, sir. After paying respects to Kim Jeom anding out, Im Hae-sul muttered while looking at the Ministry of Finance building. Am I crazy? Why would I enter that overtime hell? Along with the Seungjeongwon, which had to assist with all duties right next to Sejong, and the Research Institute and Area 51, which had to solve all sorts of oundish artifacts and problems presented by the Crown Prince, the Ministry of Finance was a department avoided by all officials, boasting the worst work intensity. And the General Affairs Department was right behind it. Chapter 398 Chapter 398 Meanwhile, Park Sang-wook returned to the merchant group and gathered people again. How did it go? I received conditional approval. Park Sang-wook exined about the ''conditions'' and ''discount''. After hearing Park Sang-wook''s exnation, everyone nodded. Not bad conditions. The requisition issue is something we should endure as citizens of Joseon. While everyone was showing positive reactions, Park Sang-wook mentioned Im Hae-sul''s advice. After hearing Im Hae-sul''s advice, everyone''s faces turned serious. It''s a good opinion, but...If the government gives us a discount like now, we could manage two ships if we add a little more to the funds we''ve already prepared. Where are we going to add from? Even this prepared fund is almost all the money our merchant group has saved so far! Couldn''t we do something like credit or instation payments? Are you suggesting we offer a promissory note to the government? As if they''d ept it! Then what should we do? This is a golden opportunity when others aren''t moving! We need to surge ahead now to keep pushing forward in the future! The problem is funds! Where are we going to borrow thecking funds from? Are we going to use high-interest private loans? That''s it! At the sudden shout, the noisy room instantly fell silent. The captain who shouted spoke to Park Sang-wook. How about talking to the Venture Capital Fund? The Venture Capital Fund... Park Sang-wook showed an intrigued expression. At that moment, one of the department heads listening to the conversation pointed out a problem. The Venture Capital Fund is literally for supporting startups with low chances of sess. Would we qualify? Huh? Ah At the department head''s point, people''s faces became serious again. While they might notpare torge merchant groups like the Song merchants (Gaeseong merchants) who boasted the longest history, they were still considered arge merchant group. Thanks to that, they were able to prepare the construction costs for a Challenger-ss warship to some extent. And it was this very point that was being pointed out as a disqualifying factor. Park Sang-wook and the others gathered in the room muttered with slightly bitter faces. They say life is like a seesaw... *** As mentioned before, there were significant changes in themercial sector as the reforms progressed. Some merchant groups with histories ranging from 30 to over 100 years disappeared, while others emerged as new powers by seizing the opportunity of the reforms. The Gyeonggang merchants (merchants of the Han River) were representative of the former case, while Park Sang-wook''s merchant group was representative of thetter. The downfall of the Gyeonggang merchants was, in a way, an inevitable result. The mainmercial activity of the Gyeonggang merchants was transporting the government''s tax grains and the rent grains of the nobility. While they received significant legitimate shipping fees in this process, the profits from illegal activities during the process were not insignificant. They grew their wealth through various fraudulent practices such as hwasu (mixing water with grains to match the weight after stealing some), tusik or gopae (falsely iming that a perfectly good ship had sunk and then embezzling the goods) . It was natural that these fraudulent activities were caught by the government''s increasingly sharp eyes as the reforms progressed. As these illegal activities were caught, many river merchants were arrested and their properties confiscated. The final blow that brought down these critically wounded river merchants was the road improvement project carried out by the government. With improved roads, most of the grains and goods exchanged for people''s money were transported bynd. Unable to adapt to the changes brought by the reforms, and with experienced merchants being arrested, the Gyeonggang merchants disappeared from history. *** Despite this negative atmosphere, the captain who first made the proposal didn''t back down. Of course, it could be a disqualifying factor! But this is navigation, and ocean navigation at that! No one knows what dangers lurk in those distant seas! Why else would even the navy offer sacrifices to the Sea God before every departure? Hearing this, the other captains all nodded. Although the threat from pirates and Japanese raiders had greatly decreased due to the activities of the Joseon navy, natural disasters were still uncontroble. Even now, one or two ships among those traveling to Shandong and Japan would inevitably meet with disaster and sink. That''s true, but... Wouldn''t the size of our merchant group be a problem? They might say we''re borrowing money to avoid our own losses. Don''t we distribute profits ording to how much we borrow? And even if we can''t borrow from the Venture Capital Fund, we must visit the fund. Why? We need to catch those idling in the situation room! Ah! At the captain''sst words, people''s faces brightened. That''s right. All the richest people in Hanseong gather there. Nodding, Park Sang-wook turned to the department heads. Let''s draw up the n again. This time, for two ships. Yes, Chief Manager! *** Five dayster, Park Sang-wook visited the Venture Capital Fund located at the Bell Tower. What brings you here? As Park Sang-wook sat opposite a desk with a sign reading ''Investment Consultation'', a tired-looking official in charge asked the question. Yes, our merchant group is going to build ships, so I came to arrange some funds. Ships? As soon as he heard the word ''ships'', the official in charge quickly drank the lukewarm ck bean tea ced beside him in one gulp and forcibly gathered his wits. Ships... The shipping industry is fiercelypetitive these days, what kind of goods will you be handling? We will be handling various types of goods. That''s even worse... Why don''t you specialize in just one type? If you wait a moment, I can find some information and rmend suitable options. We''re thinking of shipping to Alexandria, not to Shandong or Japan. Wait! The official who stopped Park Sang-wook''s words stood up and turned around. He went into the tea preparation room set up behind the counter, poured ck bean tea from a kettle, drank two cups in session, and appreciated the situation. This must be that merchant the rumors were talking about recently... Both the investment fund and the treasury belonged to the Ministry of Finance. And due to their location in Hanseong, the fund and treasury were receiving information about what was happening in the Ministry of Finance almost in real-time. p! The official pped his own cheek and gave himself a hypnotic suggestion. Pull yourself together, Choi Seong-su! This is the chance of a lifetime! Choi Seong-su, who had sharply gathered his wits, returned to his seat and gestured to Park Sang-wook. This doesn''t seem like a conversation to have here, shall we move to another ce? Yes. *** Park Sang-wook and Choi Seong-su moved to a separate room prepared in one corner of the fund. You said you''re going to trade as far as Alexandria? That''s right. Huh...Then you''ll need quite arge ship, right? That''s why we''re thinking of getting a ship like therge ships used by the navy. How many ships? Two ships. At Park Sang-wook''s answer, Choi Seong-su''s face became even more serious. You''ll need significant funds, do you want to borrow the entire amount? To Choi Seong-su''s question, Park Sang-wook shook his head. No. We have our own prepared funds, so we want to borrow thecking portion. So how much do you want? 80,000 nyang of gold. 80,000 nyang of gold At Park Sang-wook''s answer, Choi Seong-su calcted internally. ''Since the fund has only been open for a few months, not many loans have gone out yet We have about 400,000 nyang of gold left now If we do well?'' Thinking there was some possibility, Choi Seong-su spread out a paper on one side and started asking more detailed questions. When you say arge ship used by the navy, you mean a Challenger-ss warship, right? You know how much it costs to build one of those, dont you? Yes, the Minister of Finance exined it to me, so I know. Including the cannons to be mounted, it''s 71,200 nyang of gold. But for two, ships it''s 142,400 nyang. Our merchant group has prepared 110,000 nyang, but to build two ships and buy goods to load on them, we''re short by 80,000 nyang. Choi Seong-su, who was nodding while diligently writing down numbers, asked again. Then what type of loan do you want? A loan with 60% annual interest? Or a loan with 30% annual interest, but you have to entrust 51% of the shares? A loan with 60% annual interest. Ah I see ''As expected of a seasoned merchant.'' Choi Seong-su smacked his lips, feeling slightly disappointed. It was more profitable for the fund to secure shares. However, Park Sang-wook wanted a loan that, despite the high interest rate, would allow him to keep his shares. He too had heard the rumors about Alexandria. ''One round trip can bring at least 10 to 20 times profit!'' If he could sessfullyplete a few proper voyages, he could pay off not only the interest but also the principal, so he couldn''t give up the shares of his merchant group that he had built with blood, sweat, and tears. After conducting a bit more consultation, Choi Seong-su organized the papers and stood up. I''ll organize what you''ve told me and proceed with the evaluation. Then when can I expect to know the result? You should be able to know the result within five days, I''ll send the word when the resultes out. At Choi Seong-su''s answer, Park Sang-wook bowed and made a request. I''ll be counting on you. I''ll do my best. *** Five dayster, Choi Seong-su informed Park Sang-wook of the result. I''m sorry. The result came back as not possible. May I know the reason? The conclusion was that venture capital is meant to help those without capital start businesses, and your merchant group doesn''t fit this criteria. Especially, since you already have enough funds to build one ship but are trying to arrange funds to build two ships, the conclusion was that its even more impossible. Ah As Park Sang-wook couldn''t hide his disappointment, Choi Seong-su continued. I''m sorry. It seems starting with one ship would be the best option. Yes. Thank you for your hard work. Standing up, Park Sang-wook asked Choi Seong-su. May I stop by the situation room for a moment? The situation room? Ah! Do you want to persuade the rich people there? That''s right. At Park Sang-wook''s words, Choi Seong-su pondered for a moment and then nodded. As long as you don''t cause too muchmotion, it should be fine. Again, I''m sorry about the result. No, it''s alright. After saying goodbye to Choi Seong-su like this, Park Sang-wook entered the situation room. ''So these are Hanseong''s greatest wealthy individuals!'' Seeing the rich people gathered in the situation room, chatting or flipping through information sheets, Park Sang-wook gathered his wits and raised his voice. I hope you''re all well! I am Park, leading the Park Merchant Group! Ive been given the opportunity to speak to you all for a moment! At Park Sang-wook''s self-introduction, the rich people''s attention focused on him. *** When Park Sang-wook''s exnation ended, the wealthy individuals started sharing opinions either alone or in groups of two or three. 80,000 nyang of gold... That''s not a small amount, is it? Indeed. With 80,000 nyang of gold, even if we''re talking about rice and even the most expensive Icheon rice or Naju rice The rich people spread out papers and did some quick calctions. As the reforms progressed and people''s earnings improved, the price of rice continued to rise. The government was trying to prevent it from rising too much, but it was still steadily increasing. Looking at recent market prices, ordinary white rice was about 1 nyang and 40 won of silver per seom, while the famously delicious Icheon rice or Naju rice averaged 2 nyang of silver per seom. In that case, 80,000 nyang of gold was equivalent to 400,000 seom of Icheon or Naju rice. 400,000 seom was an amount that even a wealthy person with ten thousand seok would need to save for almost a lifetime, or rather, for about three generations including grandchildren. But However, Park Sang-wook''s n was too sweet in its results to immediately refuse. -If the voyage goes well, it yields at least 10 times profit. Even if we don''t receive interest, calcting just the profit distribution leaves plenty! In the end, the wealthy individuals gathered in the situation room epted Park Sang-wook''s proposal. The rich people would receive shares proportional to the amount they agreed to invest. It was the birth of a rudimentary joint-stockpany. Chapter 399 Chapter 399 In thete summer of the 14th year of King Sejongs reign (Imja year, 1432), not long before Chuseok. Hyang, who had voluntarily entered Geunjeongjeon after a long time, reported to King Sejong. Your son has something to report to Father. If its about the budget, there isnt any. At Sejongs firm answer, Hyang slightly turned his head and pouted. But soon,posing his expression, Hyang reported to Sejong again. The first round of trantions of the medical texts isplete. Really! Sejong brightened at Hyangs report. Hyang gestured to the eunuch who had followed him. At Hyangs hand signal, the eunuch handed thick books to the Chief Royal Secretary.Receiving the books through the Chief Royal Secretary, Sejong examined their contents. Theyre all written in Jeongeum (the vernacr form of Hunminjeongeum)? Yes. Thanks to that, the work was greatly reduced. Even if reduced, it wasnt an easy task. We should reward those who did the trantions. They will consider it an honor. Listening to Hyangs answer, Sejong looked at the books again and spoke. Now we can make progress in training military doctors. Thats right. The books Hyang presented to Sejong were trantions of Ibn Sinas Canon of Medicine (??????? ?? ????) and parts of various medical texts written by Galen (udius Galenus). As the regr Alexandria route was established, Hyang importedrge quantities of medical texts from the Byzantine Empire and Imic countries. The reason for importing these medical texts inrge quantities was to train arge number of medical personnel, especially military doctors. *** We need to establish a Military Medical Department at the Military Academy. As the reforms began, Hyang had early on insisted on the need to establish a Military Medical Department at the Military Academy. The ministers showed a somewhat lukewarm reaction to Hyangs assertion. Military doctors? Is it really necessary to create a Military Medical Department? Wouldnt it be an unnecessary expenditure? If a war breaks out or theres a conflict and soldiers need to be deployed, we can mobilize doctors from the Royal Clinic or nearby viges. Thats how its been done until now, and there havent been any particr problems. Seeing the ministers who thought it was unnecessary expenditure, Hyang strongly emphasized its necessity. If doctors are drafted when a war or conflict urs, what will we do if an epidemic breaks out in another region? Then, we could mobilize doctors from nearby areas Are you suggesting we rob Peter to pay Paul? Moreover, as our naval warships increasingly venture further into distant seas, shouldnt we assign at least one military doctor to each ship? The ministers fell silent at Hyangs points. Ive been thinking, and I find the Crown Princes proposal reasonable. The territory under our Joseons rule is gradually expanding, and will continue to do so. And as the Crown Prince said, our navys ships will be venturing increasingly farther. We need someone who can devise countermeasures if illness strikes in unfamiliar foreignnds. So, lets establish a Military Medical Department in the Military Academy that were preparing to set up. We receive yourmand! Though Sejongs order was given like this, progress was not quick. It was repeatedly pushed back due to the establishment of public schools and middle schools, and then because of the Giyubangyan rebellion and the Horun (barbarian invasion) caused by Yi Manchu and Mengtemu. *** However, this dy was paradoxically fortunate for the Military Medical Department. Hyang muttered while flipping through reports. They say life is like a seesaw Through the Giyubangyan rebellion and the Horun, limitations in mobilizing doctors were discovered. Then, as the navy advanced to Alexandria and sweeping operations against pirates and Japanese raiders urred in Joseons coastal waters, the necessity for doctors was acutely felt. Eventually, though it started as a forced measure, the ministers began to seriously review the n. It would be good to focus the medical skills taught in the Military Medical Department mainly on treating external injuries. That seems right, doesnt it? Looking at the recent rebellion and Horun Among the ministers reviewing the n, Hyang voiced his opinion. We should add not only external injuries but also diseases and pharmacology. Diseases and pharmacology, you say? Isnt the battlefield not a clean ce? Isnt the battlefield a ce where even clean water, which is most important, is hard to obtain? Isnt it naturally a ce where diseases are rampant? The ministers nodded at Hyangs point. Especially, militarymanders like Jo Mal-saeng nodded so vigorously it seemed they might strain their necks. Thats right! Even in military tactics, polluting water is listed as the first method of the scorched earth tactic to break the enemys offensive! Water can somehow be solved with purification frames, but when fighting in unfamiliar ces, the spread of diseases is inevitable. To properly maintainbat power, preparation for this is certainly necessary! Weve already experienced this in the recent Horun. *** In the process of suppressing the Horun caused by Yi Manchu and Mengtemu, a considerable number of soldiers were incapacitated by disease C ording to reports, influenza was the most likely culprit. Upon examining the reason, it was found that unlike soldiers from Pyeongan-do and Yeongan-do (Hamgil-do) who were ustomed to the harsh northern environment, soldiers who came as reinforcements from the south were overwhelmed by the harsh northern winter. Later, after checking the rted reports, Hyang muttered with a deted expression. Even on this palm-sized Korean penins, the natural environment differs between north and south? Is that so? No, the ones who went up were from the Gyeonggi garrison, so thats just a quarter of the way, isnt it? *** With the strong support of the military department who had experienced this firsthand, Hyang went a step further. And I believe we should also teach basic military tactics in the Military Medical Department. Military tactics, you say? At Hyangs proposal, not only the ministers but even the military department all looked dumbfounded. Seeing this reaction, Hyang added a more detailed exnation. Lets imagine an epidemic breaks out. The doctors in the area where the epidemic first urs will step up first, and the court will also send out doctors and female physicians from the Royal Clinic, but wont the military doctors located closest be the first to be mobilized? The ministers andmanders nodded as they considered Hyangs point from various angles. Thats the most likely possibility. There wont be time to wait for support from Hanseong with doctors right next door. What does treating an epidemic mean? Isnt it a war to stop and repel the existence of an epidemic that has invaded to kill our people of Joseon? Think back for a moment. How simr are the activities to prevent an epidemic and the movements to prevent the invasion of foreign enemies? At Hyangs words, the ministers andmanders who briefly recalled their memories nodded once again. When foreign enemies invade, the first step is to confirm where theyve attacked and what their scale is. Next, defensive lines are formed around the enemys upied areas to block the enemys advance while simultaneously cutting off their supply lines. By tying down the enemys feet like this, they are gradually annihted. This was the most basic defensive tactic written in military manuals. And the method of dealing with the outbreak of an epidemic was simr to this. The ministers andmanders who understood the example Hyang gave agreed to add basic military tactics to the curriculum. The problem was that this basic military tactics was The Art of War by Sun Tzu. The Art of War? Isnt that too advanced? To Hyangs point, themanders asked back with faces that said it was nonsense. The Art of War is a must-read that anyone applying for the military exam should read and master, isnt it? Isnt it? Well, thats true, but Well. Lets do it that way. Stepping back, Hyang muttered inwardly. I sometimes feel that there are many things reversed whenparing the 21st century and now. Things that were considered basic in the 21st century were either very advanced knowledge or skills in the current Joseon, or vice versa, frequently. Anyway, my condolences to the gentlemen who will study whats considered both the beginning and the ultimate in military tactics Hyang was turning his head away after starting this himself. *** After oveing one hurdle like this, Hyang, the ministers, and themanders moved on to the next issue. The next problem waiting was rted to the overall Military Academy C the issue of the education period. Regarding this education period, the military insisted on 10 years, while others argued for 6 years. 6 years? Thats too short! Military texts are just as deep as the Confucian ssics if we consider their depth! 6 years is too short! It took at least 10 years of study to apply for the military exam! At least! The ministers standing at the opposite end of the military department arguing for 10 years didnt back down either. 10 years? Even if you study for 20 years, not just 10, arent you the ones who treat them as novices if they havent experienced actualbat? Its better to teach only whats necessary and then finish in actualbat! 10 years? Are you going to earn that budget? Even if its 10 years, doesnt that include the time to learn basic studies like the Thousand Character ssic? Since theylle through public schools and middle schools anyway, cant we subtract that time? This is discriminating against the military ss! Dont be ridiculous! Even for selecting civil officials, its stated that they can apply for the civil service exam if theyplete public school or middle school! What nonsense about discriminating against the military ss? If you argue like that, its discriminating against the civil ss! The confrontation between both sides showed no signs of backing down. However, both sides had valid reasons. The military wanted well-polished talents, while the ministers wanted to supply talents with necessary abilities within a limited budget. As this confrontation between the two sides continued, Hyang intervened. How about going with a 6-year course for now? I said for now. Did you say for now, Your Highness? Yes. Nodding, Hyang exined in more detail. -For the first 3 years at the Military Academy, students learn the most basic military knowledge, weapon skills, and unit operation methods. -After learning for 3 years, they take an exam, and those who fail are assigned as lower-ranking officers like military instructors or garrisonmanders. -Those who pass the exam learn advanced military knowledge and unit operation techniques for the next 3 years. -Those who pass this total 6-year course are appointed and ced as patrol officers or acting officers ording to their rank. -Afterwards, those who have worked with excellent performance evaluations for at least 5 years are tested and promoted to high-ranking officers starting frommanders of 10,000. -Those who start as military instructors or garrisonmanders can be promoted to g bearers or patrol officers if they record excellent performance evaluations for 3 years. Subsequently, if they record excellent performance evaluations for 5 years, they are given the opportunity to challenge the promotion exam. What do you think? The ministers immediately agreed with Hyangs proposal. Its a good n! Since the current promotion process for civil officials also goes through a simr process, we can solve the issue of fairness! Having received the support of the ministers, Hyang turned to the military personnel. What do you think? Please give us some time Of course. Chapter 400 Chapter 400 As Hyang took a step back, Jo Mal-saeng and the military personnel came out separately to discuss. What do you all think? Its not bad. As the civil officials said, we can reduce that time since were selecting those who have already learned basic studies through public schools and middle schools. Even those who fail and drop out in the first 3 years can have a chance to rise if they serve properly in the military, so its not entirely disadvantageous. However, quite a few hidden talents might be lost, unable to show their abilities due to the record of failing in the 3rd year. At the point that they might miss hidden talents who give up after failing in the third year, Jo Mal-saeng spoke up. Lets filter them out. As the military personnel made ufortable expressions at Jo Mal-saengs cold words, he added more. If theyre trulyte-blooming talents, theyll ovee those hardships and shine. Rather, its more troublesome if those who give up during that process rise to the top.Understood. Then the conclusion is settled. And so, the education period for the Military Academy was decided. It was the birth of a brutalmander training process, called The Rebirth of Sparta, where only those who proved themselves through practical work and actualbat could rise to the top. *** Through this process, the Military Academy was steadily preparing for its establishment. However, the biggest obstacle was still the Military Medical Department. To be precise, it was the issue of surgery that would be in charge of treating external injuries. The issues of diseases and pharmacology could be solved with traditional Korean medicine that had been passed down until now. The problem was that this was difficult with surgery. Like Hua Tuo, who lost his life after telling Cao Cao he would drill a hole in his skull and perform surgery to treat him, there were techniques rted to surgery in Korean medicine. However, the level of these passed-down external injury treatment methods was very low. Of course, if were talking about levels, its the same on both sides Hyang pouted with a face full of dissatisfaction as he summarized the situation. Whether it was this side where specialized tools for surgical procedures barely existed, or the other side that had properly squandered things more precious than the gold umted since ancient Roman times. He was equally displeased with both. Even until the 18th century, surgeons also worked as barbers, right? While grumbling and recalling the origin of the three-colored advertising lights that used to spin next to barber shop signs, Hyang moved ceaselessly. At first through bookstores in Beijing, then through Mansur, and then using the navys warships that regrly traveled between Alexandria and Joseon, he collected medical texts that remained in the Byzantine Empire and Imic countries. Its not just medical texts that are important. After securing a considerable number of medical texts C nearly 600 volumes C Hyang next collected medical instruments. Oh, this Seeing the surgical instruments passed down from Roman times, Hyang lightly shook his head. The surgical instruments, almost unchanged from Roman times, were quite simr to the modern ones he had seen in dramas or movies in the 21st century. That dramas line really hits home now It was a line spoken by a leading character in a drama about people traveling between stars through gates made by ancient civilizations. If we hadnt squandered what we umted in Roman times, we might be freely traveling between stars by now! Although there might be some exaggeration, Hyang thought there was still some possibility. *** Anyway, after collecting these surgical instruments, Hyang gathered those said to be most skilled in surgical treatment from the Royal Clinic and showed them the tools obtained from the West and documents tranting their usage methods. Do you understand how to use these? We understand roughly, but Then can you use these in treatment? At Hyangs question, all the doctors shook their heads. Theres a world of difference between guessing and actually knowing how to use them. Especially with items directly rted to life, we absolutely must not use them based on guesswork. Is that so? Yes, it is! Hearing the doctors firm answers, Hyang returned to the Crown Princes pce and shouted at the medical texts piled knee-high on the floor due tock of bookshelves. When am I supposed to trante all of this! *** Hyangs hardship was somewhat resolved when monks and alchemists came from Italy. These need to be tranted too. At Hyangs order, Angelo, who was examining the books, turned to him. These are medical texts. I see many of Galens works in particr. Ive heard hes the most famous doctor. Angelo nodded at Hyangs words. First, I want you to trante the books rted to surgical techniques. Understood. After passing the work to the monks and alchemists like this, Hyang also passed work to Hassan. Ive obtained a medical text left by a famous schr named Ibn Sina. Yes. He was a renowned doctor and schr since ancient times. Which one should we trante first? Start with the Canon of Medicine. The Book of Healing (???? ??????) might be politically problematic. As far as I know, politics is omitted from the Book of Healing? Instead, it includes religion. At Hyangs words, Hassan immediately nodded. I understand. I will prioritize tranting only the Canon of Medicine. Im counting on you. There might be rewards if the results are good. Yes, Your Highness. Not long after assigning the work like this, Angelo reported to Hyang. There are several duplicate books. Duplicate books? Yes, books with the same title but written in Latin and Greek. At Angelos words, Hyang immediately gave an order. Cross-verify them. Cross verify? Unless theyre both originals, there could be errors, right? So, cross-verify the contents with the alchemists before tranting. Yes. Good work. I look forward to good results. After quietly bowing and leaving, Angelo looked up at the sky and unconsciously muttered. Damn it! Shit! Having momentarily cursed, Angelo diligently crossed himself and asked for forgiveness. Meanwhile, Hyang, left alone, was grumbling on his own. Damn it! Duplicate purchases! This isnt some random box! Dont ask, just buy is the problem here! Its not like I can go there myself! As he was grumbling like this, Hyang suddenly stopped talking and his eyes sparkled. Should I go there myself? His eyes sparkling like this, Hyang soon shook his head. Impossible. If I bring it up to Father, Ill be hit not with a rod but with a pir from Geunjeongjeon. Shaking his head like this, Hyangs eyes sparkled again. But maybe? No No Hyang was wavering back and forth over an event that stimted his collectors heart. *** The trantion work, which was expected to progress well after being handed over to experts like this, was sluggish. What made the work speed sluggish was, of course, Chinese characters. Tranting Arabic, Latin, and Greek into Chinese characters was a murderous task. Eventually, Angelo, tired of trantion, went to find Hassan. The two were in a rtionship that might be as immiscible as oil and water C a Catholic priest and a Muslim. However, thanks to themon point of being beings ground down by Hyang, they were able to build a sort of friendship. How did the department head manage all those trantions until now? At Angelosint, Hassan answered with a bitter smile. Among those trantions, what I did doesnt even amount to 1 percent. Then the rest? His Highness the Crown Prince did them. Thats impossible! That amount would take at least 10 years! To Angelos words full of disbelief, Hassan added. He started tranting at age 8. And that wasnt dedicating all day to it, but in between his Crown Prince lessons and Area 51 work. At Hassans answer, Angelo let out a long sigh and leaned back in his chair, muttering. Is he even human? He was born as the first son of His Majesty. Sigh~. Hassan, sighing and drinking coffee, said to Angelo. If Europeans were to learn of His Highness the Crown Princes existence, they would immediately call him a living wonder. To that extent? Among the things made in the research institute and Area 51, theres little that hasnt passed through His Highnesss hands. Ah! Except for the craftsman named Jang Yeong-sil! Come to think of it if Jang Yeong-sils existence were also known Hassan paused for a moment, counted on his fingers, and then continued. There would be three living wonders in this Joseon. Three? His Highness the Crown Prince. Jang Yeong-sil, and Hassan pointed towards Gyeongbokgung Pce as he concluded. Lastly, His Majesty the King. *** The trantion work, which had been sluggish like this, gained speed after Hunminjeongeum was created. Even before being publicly promulgated to the people, Hunminjeongeum began to be used in government offices and educational institutions, and the research institute and Area 51 couldnt be left out. No, the research institute and Area 51 were the first to use it. This was inevitable given the characteristics of the research institute and Area 51. Just looking at thenguages used by the members, there were four: Korean, Arabic, Latin, and Greek. On top of that, Chinese characters were used for documents. We need to use Hunminjeongeum for our own convenience! As the difference between using Chinese characters and using Hunminjeongeum was clearly visible, the research institute and Area 51 rather actively used Hunminjeongeum. For now, lets put aside proper nouns and trante general sentences using Hunminjeongeum first. Yes, Your Highness. The people who resumed trantion work after receiving Hyangs order shook their heads at the greatly increased efficiency. The king created such a convenient writing system alone? While handling such busy state affairs? Is he human? Both the king and prince are wonders. Look at the craftsman called Jang Yeong-sil. Everyone in this country is a wonder. I agree. The conversation shared like this was soon recorded in Angelos letter and headed to Italy. And Hyang, who was censoring this letter, did not erase that part. Does this be evidence of historically and traditionally recognized national pride acknowledged by the world? It was Hyang, selecting here and there with a face full of mischief and cking out parts. *** The trantion work, which had ovee one hurdle like this, came to have fierce debates over proper nouns rted to diseases and body organs that included medical terms. Its to be used by us Joseon people in our Joseon, so of course it should be in Korean! With Hyangs strong insistence, everything was tranted into Korean as much as possible. While directing this entire process, Hyang inwardly muttered. I absolutely refuse to hear specialists mumbling unintelligible Latin when getting a medical examination at the hospital! And the results of such intense work were the books that were presented to King Sejongs hands. *** Good work. With this, the establishment of the Military Medical Department will gain speed. Thats right. Hmm Flipping through the trantions once more, Sejong turned to Hyang. The Royal Clinic will need surgery too, right? Thats correct. At Hyangs answer, Sejong pondered for a moment and soon reached a conclusion. Since were nning to establish a medical academy to train doctors anyway, we should include surgery in the medical academy as well. What do you all think? At Sejongs question, the ministers answered in unison. Its truly a beautiful decision! Its truly a beautiful decision as the treatment of injured people will be easier! As the ministers agreed, Sejong turned to Hyang. Then. Mass print these trantions. Were a bit short on budget. Hey! Sejong, who was about to shout angrily, soon let out a long sigh. Sigh~. Minister of Finance. At Sejongs call, Kim Jeom forcibly opened his mouth. I will allocate the budget. Chapter 401 Chapter 401 The Medical Academy was one of the higher education institutions that King Sejong decided to establish through the reforms. As the reforms entered theirter stages, Sejong, after reviewing the process so far, once again publicly expressed his intention to establish official higher education institutions. *** Until then, being someones disciple or someones child was what proved a persons level of education and ability. However, thiscked objectivity to be an official certification standard. Of course, people were filtered through the civil service examination, but those who entered through hereditary privilege were a problem. Simply trusting and appointing someone because they were someones disciple or someones child was bing increasingly problematic. As the reforms progressed, the work of the government running Joseon became iparably more difficult in both quantity and qualitypared to the past. In this process, Sejong and the ministers trained by him began to strictly evaluate the work performance of officials. This came as an enormous burden to both those who appointed middle managers through hereditary privilege and the appointees themselves. Those who had appointed people lost points in their personnel evaluations for not properly judging people, and those who had taken on positions without proper practical experience received painful deductions along with evaluations of insufficient ability. Being able to enter through hereditary privilege meant that ones father was a high-ranking official. However, the ministers who had witnessed what happened to Hwang Hui because of his sons had to evaluate work more thoroughly than anyone. Therefore, as mentioned before, cases of entering official positions through hereditary privilege gradually decreased.*** As such cases arose, Sejong decided to establish higher education institutions. Entering as a disciple of a famous schr is not fair from the start, and its not easy to say that the result is universally acknowledged. Therefore, we need a certification that anyone can recognize as proof of learning. ording to Sejongs strong will, higher education institutions were created. The higher education institutions created in this way were primarily the Academy of Mathematics, the Academy of Engineering, the Medical Academy, and the Military Academy. The Academy of Mathematics, which the ministers decided to establish first, was to meet the needs of the government. As the reforms progressed, the governments work broke away from old practices in both quantity and quality. In this process, arithmetic ability was most strongly demanded from officials. More important than that was writing ability, but Sejong and the ministers all had the same opinion on that part. Hah! If you cant write properly after passing the civil service exam, you should just submit your resignation and go back to farming! In Hyangs terms, writing ability was the most basic passive skill. Therefore, the most important ability that officials had to hone was mathematics. From the ministers at the top to the lowest officials in local government offices, mathematics became important as numbers became indispensable in all policies implemented by the government. Even in the reports on the trends of neighboring countries submitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs C formerly the Ministry of Rites before the reforms C physical information expressed in various tables and numbers was never missing. While the content of reports submitted before the reforms was written in abstract sentences like Their power has strengthened or The disparity between our and their abilities is clear as day, reports after the mid-point of the reforms had to be written precisely like They showed * times growthpared to previous years or Compared to our Joseon, there is a gap in the ratio of about * : *. As the content of reports changed like this, officials began to be strongly required to have mathematical calction and analytical abilities. However, as there was a shortage of both personnel and capacity to solve this problem immediately, researchers from the research institute had to be drafted. We already have a mountain of work to do! And if you drag us away to work, shouldnt you pay us! Why is the budget still the same! Hyang, as well as Jeong-cho, Jeong Inji, and Lee Chun, all rose up in protest. Of course, they couldnt say such things directly to the ministers C especially Kim Jeom C but long petitions were submitted to Sejong. Hmm Theyre not wrong Given Sejongs opinion after reading the petitions and the ministers weariness of relying on others C especially the Crown Princes C hands, they immediately began to promote the establishment of the Academy of Mathematics. *** Thus, the Academy of Mathematics, whose establishment was decided, opened its first academy in Hanseong. The n was to nurture mathematics specialists and faculty through this Academy of Mathematics and gradually establish more academies. And the faculty of this first Academy of Mathematics to be established in Hanseong was initially set to be recruited from the research institute. When the establishment of the Academy of Mathematics was announced, officials interest was focused. And the official document delivered to the officials gave them confidence. -Although mathematics is included in the civil service examination, its level is insufficient for immediate practical application. -Therefore, mathematics education is included in the training course for sessful candidates, but it is still insufficient as it is a short-term course. -Therefore, officials with aspirations are encouraged to challenge the entrance examination conducted by the Academy of Mathematics and enter. -For officials who take sses at the Academy of Mathematics, working hours will be adjusted from 5 half-days to 3 half-days per week. -However, if one fails the tests given at the Academy of Mathematics more than 3 times, they will be immediately expelled. -Officials who sessfullyplete the 3-year course at the Academy of Mathematics will receive additional points for promotion. -Officials of senior 6th rank or above who havepleted the Academy of Mathematics and have worked with excellent performance evaluations for more than 2 years will be granted the qualification to take the entrance examination for Sungkyunkwan. It was at this point that the officials eyes began to sparkle fiercely. Sungkyunkwan had strengthened its characteristics since the early stages of the reforms. After passing the lower civil service examination, those who sessfully passed the curriculum at Sungkyunkwan were given the qualification to take the higher civil service examination. And those who passed that higher examination received the privilege of starting at the 6th junior rank. As the reforms progressed, this part was greatly strengthened. First, those who could enter Sungkyunkwan were those who had received the senior 5th rank and had excellent performance evaluations. Sungkyunkwans new mission was to rigorously educate and filter out those with solid practical experience to nurture the next generation of high-ranking officials. In other words, it was an upgrade of the mission that Sungkyunkwan had been carrying out from the beginning. Therefore, being given the qualification to enter this Sungkyunkwan meant that one could get ahead in thepetition to reach the pinnacle of power, which was only a handful of high-ranking officials. *** As the establishment of the Academy of Mathematics was announced like this, officials belonging to local government offices across Joseon began to submit petitions. -Although academies of mathematics will be established in other regions besides Hanseong over time, unfairpetition will ur during that empty period. An alternative is needed to solve this. Their words are not wrong. Its natural for dissatisfaction to arise if one is pushed back just because they went down to the provinces despite passing the same examination. Then, what do you think would be a good alternative? At Sejongs question, the ministers put forward various proposals. How about establishing academies of mathematics across Joseon from the beginning? If we do that, there wont be a single person left in the research institute and Area 51. For the provinces, how about providing intensive education using the vacation periods of the Academy of Mathematics or the officials holidays? Are the mathematics instructors made of iron bodies? They need time to rest too! Whenever the ministers put forward various alternatives, Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji vigorously refuted. In the midst of this fierce debate, Hyang put forward a new proposal. How about printing and distributing textbooks and lecture notes? Print textbooks and lecture notes? As Sejong showed interest, Hyang exined in more detail. Yes. Although it may be inferior to learning directly by seeing and hearing at the Academy of Mathematics in Hanseong. With textbooks and lecture notes, and with their own efforts added, they wont fall far behind in thepetition. Of course, it will be necessary to reduce their work schedule to alleviate excessive burden. Lets say lectures are possible that way, no, they will be possible. But how should the exams be conducted? We should distribute pre-printed exam papers and conduct them. Like when taking the civil service examination. However, the grading will be done collectively in Hanseong. Hmm, wouldnt that take a lot of time? To Heo Jos point, Hyang immediately answered. We should use the express courier system. The express courier system, you say? Yes. At Hyangs answer, Heo Jo nodded, and Jo Mal-saengs face turned pale. Seeing Jo Mal-saengs face, Hyang continued his exnation a bit more. If we actively operate the express courier system across Joseon, we can continuously monitor the condition of the roadwork weve developed so far, which will help with maintenance. Also, in the process of operating the express courier system, we can find and quickly improve any deficiencies. Lastly, while operating this express courier system, we can select horses with excellent qualities and raise even more superior breeds of horses. Hmm Are there any other objections? At Sejongs question, the ministers closed their mouths. It seemed clearly better than the proposals they had put forward. Then, I hope you will organize a n based on the Crown Princes proposal and submit it. We receive yourmand! After ending the meeting like this anding out, Jo Mal-saeng looked up at the sky and let out a long sigh. Sigh~. Delivering court gazettes, census registers, documents from the treasury and investment funds, and now even the Academy of Mathematics Ah~. Seeing Jo Mal-saeng sighing, Kim Jeom, who was passing by, lightly patted Jo Mal-saengs shoulder. Youre working hard, Your Excellency. Instead, Ill take responsibility and pay attention to the budget, so Im counting on you. At Kim Jeoms words, Jo Mal-saengs face brightened. Make sure you keep that promise! And so, express courier horses began to run frantically on all roads across Joseon C from newly built roads to small paths. Later, it would reach the point where people would feel uneasy if express courier horses werent passing by on the roads. And thus, the worlds first correspondence education and systematic postal service were born. *** As these higher education institutions were created, the research institute and Area 51 became frantically busy. This was because the research institute and Area 51 were where people with the highest level of knowledge C not just in Joseon, but in the world C in mathematics and engineering were gathered. Just endure for a few years! And by doing so, wont your work be easier once you discover new talents? Yes Although the researchers responded weakly to the encouragement from Hyang, Jeong-cho, and Jeong Inji, they did their best when it came to teaching. As one of the Three Pleasures of the Gentleman was the joy of teaching excellent disciples, there was fulfillment in teaching students who were trying hard to learn. Especially, the researchers who lectured at the Academy of Engineering watched for talents with burning eyes. This was because it wasnt just the research institute and Area 51 that were aiming for those learning at the Academy of Engineering. Merchant groups that were gradually growing in size, especially those with manufacturing industries, began to target those attending the Academy of Engineering. Chapter 402 Chapter 402 To acquire those who entered the Engineering Academy, the merchant guilds implemented schrship programs. *** As the reforms progressed, Joseons educational institutions were advancing from the most basic institution, the Commoners School, to the Higher Institute and various other academies. All children enrolled in the Commoners School received free education. This was King Sejongs decision. It is right that all people living in this Joseon, except for ves, should know the minimum of learning and principles. That is why we created the Commoners School, and it is not right to charge tuition for it. Thus, the Commoners School was entirely free, and children attending the academy were provided with one free meal. However, from the Higher Institute onwards, tuition had to be paid. This is appropriate as the people have chosen to learn more advanced knowledge, so they should pay tuition. This is not simply to make money from teaching, but to instill a sense of responsibility for their choices.King Sejong wanted the people to internalize the responsibility thates with choice early on. Therefore, students who advanced to the Higher Institute had to pay 2 nyang of silver as tuition for each semester thatsted half a year. Hyang quietly worried about King Sejongs decision. In the past, they just learned at home. Wont people feel reluctant to pay for education? However, this was Hyangs needless worry, or more precisely, a misunderstanding that arose from not knowing the full picture. *** Looking back, private educational institutions like Goguryeos Gyeongdang () had continued to exist. This tradition was recorded even in the Goryeo Dogyeong written by Xu Jing of the Song Dynasty, as follows: -On the streets wheremoners houses are located, government offices and writing houses face each other in twos and threes. Here, the children of the people gather in groups to learn books [] from teachers, and when they grow a little older, they choose friends with simr aspirations and go to temples to study. And even down to snot-nosed children, they also learn from vige teachers. (Note 1) Because of this, even in the early Joseon period, there were private academies in every vige. There were various types of private academies: Private schools or reading halls operated by noble families or influential yangban families who invited retired officials or unsessful exam candidates; Vige contract academies operated by influential local families, running separate school fields to educate children of their family and n; Or self-operated academies established by schrs themselves for livelihood and pastime. In addition to these representative types of academies, there were various other kinds, but as thete Joseon period approached, they transformed into power maintenance bases for the local yangban ss. However, with King Sejongs reforms, as Commoners Schools and Higher Institutes reced the academies controlled by local literati, the private academies began to disappear. The central governments influence started to work more strongly instead of the power of local literati in rural viges. *** However, unable to shake off his worries, Hyang had no choice but to make a suggestion to King Sejong. There may be those who have the enthusiasm and talent to learn but are too poor to fulfill their wishes. We need measures for them. Hmm If they cannot fulfill their aspirations, where will their resentment be directed? Understanding Hyangs implication, King Sejong immediately nodded. That would be the case. Looking back at the records so far, there were not a few who achieved sess through studying by day and night, using the light of fireflies and the reflection of snow. I had momentarily forgotten about that. Thus, King Sejong created a schrshipw. -Those who are in the top 20% in academic performance and whose family circumstances fall in the bottom 30% shall have their tuition waived by the country. -Those who fall under this category must submit copies of their family register and tax payment records to the school. In this way, Joseon officially operated a schrship system. The ministers who were summarizing the operation status of the schrship system soon reported positive results to King Sejong. Those who have benefited from the schrship system are more actively promoting national policies and strongly supporting the courts events. It was natural to be loyal to the country and the king, but the size of the royalist faction that was acting more proactively was gradually increasing. *** Seeing the increase in the number of royalists, or pro-king factions, through the schrship system, merchants quickly applied this to those who entered the Engineering Academy and the Mathematics Academy. They approached those who had talent but were poor or not wealthy, offering to provide tuition. If they had only offered simple tuition support, it would not have been much different from the policy implemented by the court, but the merchants schrships were a bit different. The qualification conditions were broader than those required by the state, and they not only supported tuition but also living expenses needed while living as a student. The conditions that merchants who supported tuition and living expenses required from students were as follows: -Maintain grades while attending the academy. -Work for the merchant guild for at least 10 years afterpleting the academy. After the 10-year contract period, they were given the option to either continue working for the merchant guild or be independent and start their own business. The merchant guilds that presented these conditions had their own calctions. In 10 years, theyll have reached quite a high position. Give that up and leave? Is that possible? Amid thispetition between the government and the private sector, a rumor spread among those challenging various academies: Just getting into an academy changes your life path. *** Most of the educational institutions created through the reforms were rted to economy, technology, and practical skills, such as the Mathematics Academy, Engineering Academy, Medical Academy, or Military Academy. As a result, petitions flooded in to King Sejong. -In general, for a person to live as a proper human being, one must live ording to the words of the ancient sages and in ordance with principles, and the basis of learning is to ponder what these principles are! But look at the educational institutions being created now! Looking at the educational institutions being created now, they are all teaching only the principles for profit! This is not right! We must create educational institutions that research the principles of the sages! Petitions full of such content came up, but King Sejong scoffed. Hah! What are principles? Didnt the words of ancient sages, Buddha, or that Christ from the West all say the same thing? How is it different from the words of Hwanung, to widely benefit mankind? And arent these principles already taught and learned in the Commoners School? Yet they say we need to research principles? What did those who only sought and pondered principles do? Wasnt it rebellion? At King Sejongs cold words, not only the ministers but even the court historians broke out in a cold sweat. Listening to this from below, Hyang inwardly muttered. That damned rebellion really gave him a big trauma. By the way looking at the history before I intervened, he was quite a moderate person, but now he shows such a hardline response Is this also the butterfly effect? At that moment, Hyangs train of thought drifted off on a tangent. Wait, hearing Fathers words reminds me of a book title? Was it All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten? However, their opinion is not entirely wrong. Even while observing King Sejongs cynical reaction, Hwang Hui spoke up against it. At Hwang Huis remark, King Sejongs expression turned fierce, but he forcibly suppressed his anger and asked Hwang Hui. For what reason? It was a short question full of the threat Ill crush you if I dislike it even a little!, but Hwang Hui did not back down. Of course, learning from the Commoners School alone is enough to learn and practice the minimum principles. But this is the minimum, Your Majesty. Pleasepare the time before the reforms began and now. It has changed to the extent that the phrase the world has turned upside down is fitting. If it changed that much in nearly 10 years, how much more will it change in the future? To establish the right principles in such a changing world, it is absolutely necessary to ponder principles. We must ponder principles to establish the right ones, and refinews ording to those principles. In addition, please consider the barbarians who are now submitting to Joseon. To educate them, who have different lifestyles and habits, we need to establish proper principles. Hmm At Hwang Huis words, King Sejong calmed down and began to seriously consider. The Prime Ministers words are not wrong. Indeed, the world is changing faster and faster, and if we dont properly establish principles, they will be outdated and treated as relics, and eventually, it will be a world without morality. Hmm As he mulled over Hwang Huis words, King Sejong turned to look at Hyang. As King Sejong gazed at him with thoughtful eyes, Hyang suddenly began to break out in a cold sweat. Why me? What? Why? Howe? Because of King Sejongs sudden gaze, Hyang fell into a state of panic. Come to think of it, didnt the Crown Prince say that? Me? Yes. Didnt you say to those Western monks? The word of God may be infallible, but can you be sure that what was written down is also infallible? It was quite a refreshing statement. At King Sejongs words, Hyang bowed his head and replied. It was just the immature words of a young child. Where on earth is it leaking from? Grumbling at the fact that even King Sejong knew about his remarks, Hyang soon gave up. Damn it! There are too many leaks! There were too many possible sources, from the officials present to even the eunuchs. Its not wrong, so theres no need for such excuses. It was truly a good statement. After positively evaluating Hyangs words, King Sejong turned to the ministers. There are many in our Joseon who need to hear those words. Dont you think? There are some narrow-minded individuals, Your Majesty. At Hwang Huis answer, King Sejong revealed his true thoughts. As far as I know, after the burning of books and burying of schrs, werent they rewritten? As they were rewritten, and as they were discussed, and as those discussions were written down, and as those writings were again tranted into our Joseonnguage, can you be confident that there wasnt a single error in even one sentence or character? At King Sejongs statement, the atmosphere in the hall froze. King Sejongs current statement was a shocking one that shook the foundations of Neo-Confucianism, the national ideology of Joseon. Not only the ministers but even Hyang turned pale with shock at King Sejongs words. Wow! Wow! Wow! Father, youve just seriously crossed the line! In thete Joseon period, this would have caused an uproar about being a traitor to Confucianism! Looking at the pale expressions of the ministers, King Sejong continued. Even if what Zhu Xi said is not wrong, as it became sentences, was transferred into books, came to ournd in the East, and was discussed orally, could there not have been a single error? What do you think, Prime Minister? Singled out, Hwang Hui chose his words as carefully as possible to answer. Of course, how could there be no errors? However, as there are many excellent schrs in ournd as well, such errors would be very rare. That would be the case Hmm As King Sejong trailed off and fell into thought again, the ministers swallowed dry saliva and just stared at him. *** Note 1) Encyclopedia of Korean Culture. Entry on Private Academies. http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Item/E0027680 Chapter 403 Chapter 403 After pondering silently for a long time, King Sejong soon opened his mouth. I will establish specialized educational institutions and research institutes to study the words of the sages and contemte principles. Therefore, ministers, deliberate on this n and present it to me. At King Sejongs words, the ministers bowed their heads and replied. We humbly ept yourmand. *** After the meeting in Geunjeongjeon Hall ended, the ministers who left moved to the Prime Ministers Office. Naturally, the topic of discussion among the ministers gathered in the Prime Ministers office meeting room was the educational institution King Sejong had mentioned. What do you think we should do? To Maeng Sa-seongs question, Jo Gye-saeng answered with a matter-of-fact expression.What do you mean what should we do? His Majesty hasmanded it, so of course we must create it. Who doesnt know that? How exactly should we frame it, what kind of faculty should we fill it with, and who should be the target for admission? Dont we need to decide all these things? Cant we just proceed by drawing on our previous experience? At Jo Gye-saengs reply, Hwang Hui intervened with an exasperated expression. Is that what His Majesty wants? At Hwang Huis point, Jo Gye-saeng fell silent. Seeing this, Hwang Hui ced his hand on his forehead and made a remark. Do you still not know what the result will be if we proceed sofortably? Do you feel at ease only after hearing His Majestys tsk and reproach? N-no, thats not it. At Jo Gye-saengs answer, Hwang Hui burst out shouting. You sir! Then why say such things! Have you only known His Majesty for a day or two? Its gotten easiertely! Agh! Every time you do this, my insides burn ck! Do you understand? Lord, Lord, please calm down As Hwang Hui exploded, Maeng Sa-seong intervened to calm him down. There, there. Have a cup of cold water and cool down for a moment. Whew~. I was just so frustrated While Hwang Hui emptied several cups of cold water in session, Maeng Sa-seong continued the ministers meeting in his stead. The Prime Minister has a point in getting angry. His Majesty ordered us to establish specialized educational institutions to study the words of the sages and contemte principles. But dont we all know to some extent how he thinks about the Confucian schrs who will be in charge of this important task? At Maeng Sa-seongs words, the ministers nodded. *** Unlike when he first ascended to the throne, King Sejong now viewed Confucian schrs and local gentry with a very cynical eye. The change in King Sejongs view was not just because of the Giyuban Rebellion. The spark was lit by the sh between Ryu Jeong-hyeon and King Sejong, which brought a bloody wind to the court just before the reforms began. Subsequently, the corruption of officials and the problem of local gentry privatizing power that emerged as the reforms progressed added fuel to the fire. And what turned the problem, which was at a bonfire level, into a massive congration was the Giyuban Rebellion. The Giyuban Rebellion, which had turned into such a massive congration, reduced the local gentry society of Joseon to ashes. And it would have been good if it had ended there, but a considerable number of the surviving local gentry were still showing conservative attitudes and rebelling against King Sejong. Because of this, King Sejongs gaze towards the local gentry was like ice. Until now, the situation had been somewhat tolerated because most of those who were educated enough to be properly utilized were such gentry. However, once the educational institutions started functioning properly, the local gentry would be the first to be obsolete. *** Most of the ministers who had worked alongside King Sejong for a long time and had be familiar with him knew well that he was not favorable to this matter. Thats why Jo Gye-saeng, who had spoken carelessly without grasping the situation, ended up being scolded. Lets be a bit more careful, shall we? Every time we rx a little, something always goes wrong Ahem! I apologize! At Hwang Huis rebuke, Jo Gye-saeng apologized with an ufortable expression. As the smallmotion settled down, Jo Geuk-gwan, the Minister of Justice, opened his mouth. However, we do need a specialized educational institution. Looking at the cases ofwsuits that have rapidly increased since the establishment of the Judgment Office, there are many problems arising becausemon sense, or rather principles, are outdated while the world is changing. *** As the reforms progressed, the Ministry of Punishments was divided into the Ministry of Justice, the Public Security Office, and the Judgment Office. With this division of ministries, the duties of litigation and public security were separated from the tasks of local officials. Criminal cases were handled by the Public Security Office up to the level of county, and from smaller counties to viges, military police from both army and navy were dispatched to maintain public order. Civilwsuits and criminal trials between the people were to be handled by the Judgment Office. The judges of the Judgment Office were first appointed from those who had worked in local administration or the Ministry of Punishments and were renowned for their fair judgments. The n was to establish the foundation with these individuals and then have it taken over by those who had been properly educated and trained. *** All sorts ofwsuits flooded into this newly created Judgment Office like a deluge. Most of these iingwsuits were rted to intellectual property rights infringement. Until before the reforms, there wasnt even a concept that knowledge was property, was there? We were the same, werent we? At Minister of Justice Jo Geuk-gwans point, the ministers nodded. *** Until before the reforms, the concept of intellectual property rights did not exist. If there was a precious book containing the words of ancient sages, or a collection of writings by a famous schr, people would go to borrow it or make a copy, but there was no payment ofpensation. Rather, it was natural to think that receivingpensation for such things was a lowly act that would tarnish ones reputation. This was the same amongmon people. The good thing is good! Really! How narrow-minded! Most of the time, if someone demandedpensation while sharing knowledge or skills that only they possessed, they would hear words like the above. Of course, they never dared to say such things in front of cksmiths or pottery craftsmen. However, while techniques could not be shared, copying the end products was amon urrence. Therefore, when rumors spread that a certain craftsman had created something unique and popr, it was a daily urrence for nearby craftsmen to produce items that exactly imitated that product. Because of this, when thew regarding intellectual property rights was first promulgated, there was a lot of opposition. Good knowledge should be widely shared! How can you put a value on something intangible like knowledge! Come on! Isnt it good if we all live well together? Why so stingy! Ah! The world ising to an end, I tell you! Comints and dissatisfaction erupted from all directions like this, but due to strongw enforcement, theseints gradually subsided. However, such intellectual property rights infringements urred in increasingly sophisticated ways, and the Judgment Office was bustling with people filingwsuits rted to this. *** As new things like intellectual property rights infringement cases that didnt exist in the past are popping up, its right that peoples thinking should change too. However, its only proper that changing thoughts should be directed towards the right direction. At Jo Geuk-gwans point, the ministers nodded. While the ministers were mulling over Jo Geuk-gwans words, Jo Mal-saeng, who had been sitting quietly, opened his mouth. Creating an educational institution, and having that educational institution contemte the words of the sages to rediscuss principles suitable for changing times, are all right things to do. Of course, its what we should do. But isnt the problem the teachers who will contemte and teach at that educational institution? Setting aside the words of ancient sages, how much of Zhu Xis recorded sayings are out of touch with reality when applied to the present age? How much have we struggled with this problem while working all this time? Therefore, the most important thing is how to find the faculty. If were not careful, we might end up with people ying at being immortals up in the clouds. At Jo Mal-saengs point, the ministers nodded. Afterwards, the ministers furrowed their brows and pondered repeatedly to find a solution to this. At that moment, Kim Jeom opened his mouth. Even if we struggle to find faculty, its clear that they will be ying at being immortals in the clouds before long. Because there are hardly any schrs who know reality among those with big names. No, the higher their reputation, the more they will try to return reality to the age of ancient sages. Then, how about we change our approach? At Kim Jeoms remark, the ministers eyes began to sparkle. Change our approach? Yes. Even if we find new principles to fit such changed times, its useless if not applied in practice, isnt it? So, lets establish it as a research institute rather than an educational institution. And lets put in people who have experienced sufficient practical work in the Ministry of Personnel, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Finance and Economy as members of that research institute. At Kim Jeoms words, Hwang Hui shook his head. A war will break out. Its something we must endure. What else wille out of those who sat in their studies saying Confucius said, Mencius said discussing principles other than empty words? As Jo said, how much have we struggled too? At Kim Jeoms words, the ministers were lost in memories. They remembered the times when they first entered office at the end of Goryeo and the beginning of Joseon, when they proudly proimed to create an ideal country ording to the ideology of Neo-Confucianism, but ended up spitting blood when faced with the wall of reality. The problem is that there will be quite intense conflicts. At Hwang Huis point, Kim Jeom scoffed. Hah! Who do you think will drop out first in that conflict? Probably the schrs. At Maeng Sa-seongs answer, Kim Jeom immediately followed up. Eight or nine out of ten, those so-called schrs will drop out first. They have the biggest weakness of not knowing reality well. And are there only one or two schrs in this Joseon? At Kim Jeoms remark, Maeng Sa-seong pointed out a problem. There may not be just one or two, but have you forgotten that the majority of those schrs are rebels? Since the introduction of Neo-Confucianism to Goryeo, there were many schrs who studied Neo-Confucianism. However, a considerable number of them C especially those with high reputations C either went into seclusion iming that Yi Seong-gyes dynastic revolution was unjust, or were purged after rebelling. Despite Maeng Sa-seongs point, Kim Jeom did not back down. How many of those who went into seclusion iming that the founding of this Joseon was unjust are still alive? And even if some are still stubbornly alive, would their disciples want to live a life of seclusion just reading ssics? And would there be only one or two of such disciples? If we can get just two or three of those disciples, we can fill the schrs positions. After that, we just need to watch them fight fiercely and properly collect the results. Isnt this a familiar task? At Kim Jeoms words, the ministers unconsciously nodded strongly. Pitting those with opposing opinions against each other and then reaping the results was Hyangs specialty, and before they knew it, even King Sejong had learned and was using this method quite effectively. But will they reallye if we call? Seeing Maeng Sa-seongs continued negative reaction, Kim Jeom pointed out the reality. Look even now, do you think those who submit petitions whenever something happens are doing so out of true patriotism? Arent they just using a shallow trick to stand out and make a name for themselves? If we call them, there will be more than enough people running over in their socks. So, lets be positive about this, shall we? As Maeng Sa-seong closed his mouth, Hwang Hui concluded. Then, lets decide on its character as a research institute rather than an educational institution and draft a n ordingly. Which ministry are you thinking of assigning it to? Everyones busy these days Sensing the ministers strong reluctance to take on the task, Hwang Hui stood up and went outside. Jong-seo! You rascal! Come here right now! *** Five dayster, Hwang Hui submitted the n to King Sejong. Hmm A research institute rather than an educational institution This might be more appropriate. Yes, Your Majesty. As it is to contemte the principles of the sages and research new principles suited to the changing times, a research institute is more fitting than an educational institution. The establishment of the research institute is three yearster At least that much time is needed to find good talent, Your Majesty. After listening to Hwang Huis exnation and reviewing the n, King Sejong soon reached a conclusion. I approve. Implement it as nned. Yes, Your Majesty. Ah, and theres something to add. Add the study of the philosophy of Rome and Greece that existed in thend of the Westerners called Europe, as well as Christianity and Im. The Western philosophy and religions as well, Your Majesty? Our Joseons footsteps have reached there, so shouldnt we know the differences? No, not just know the differences, but if theres something good, shouldnt we adopt it? If necessary, Ill even bring in schrs. At King Sejongs words about even bringing in schrs, Hwang Hui carefully asked. Is this using barbarians to control barbarians, Your Majesty? To Hwang Huis question, King Sejong silently nodded. At King Sejongs answer, Hwang Hui quietly bowed his head. This is how the Institute of Philosophy was born. This Institute of Philosophy Cter renamed as the Institute of Social Sciences C along with the Military Medical Department and the Medical Academy, came to boast the most intense academic atmosphere. The heated debates between idealists and realists were literally a war. However, because of its results, Joseon was able to guide society in the healthiest direction possible. As a side note, Hyang was most responsible for the Military Medical Department and Medical Academy having such an intense academic atmosphere as the Institute of Philosophy. Read widely, examine, and contemte. With this brief order, he simply threw them tranted medical books, so the faculty of the Medical Academy and Military Medical Department had no choice but to start their research based on the traditional Korean medicine knowledge they knew. In the process of this research, all sorts of theories emerged to resolve the differences between Eastern and Western medicine C notably the difference between the theory of mutual generation and mutual oveing based on yin-yang and the five elements, and the theory of the four humors. Fierce debates broke out over whose theory was correct. And Hyang was watching with great interest while asionally giving his input. Chapter 404 Chapter 404 Late March, 15th year of King Sejongs reign (1433, Year of the Gui-chuk) King Sejong was set to depart for a retreat to Onsu County (present-day Onyang). On the day the retreat was decided: I heard you tried your best? I did. In my own way As Hyang questioned him with a sulky face, King Sejong answered with an embarrassed expression, looking into the distance. *** Although Hyang had been at the center of intensively managing King Sejongs health, unfavorable symptoms began to appear little by little. The biggest cause of this was King Sejongs overwork.Of course, King Sejongs eating habits of loving meat very, very much were also a problem, but that could be seen as trivial in a way. In the 21st century, even people who did zero-carb diets were living just fine. The important thing is that hes not burning off as much as hes taking in. Looking at King Sejongs belly that was gradually protruding forward, Hyang grumbled and continued to pressure King Sejong to exercise. However, as mentioned above, overwork was the problem. The regr Royal Lectures[1], though not held every morning and evening like before. Following that, he had to deal with various issues that popped up while carrying out the reforms, and even had to pass judgments on various major crimes. Finally, after finishing all that work, he had to use the remaining time to the fullest to create Hunminjeongeum. As a result, King Sejongs body, unable to withstand the overexertion, began to make small cracking sounds. The first thing to start showing problems was his skin. Sitting for most of the day to handle work caused cirction problems, and various inmmations began to appear on his skin. In response, all the clothes King Sejong wore were kept meticulously clean, and various boils on his skin were treated. As a bonus, the ointment created jointly by Hyang and the physicians of the Royal Clinic yed a great role in this process. However, skin disease became King Sejongs chronic illness. The next thing to cause problems was King Sejongs eyes. Workingte into the night, King Sejongs eyesight gradually worsened. Not only was his vision a problem, but eye diseases also developed. Eventually, Hyang and the Royal Clinic physicians reached an agreement. Rest is the best, Your Majesty! I agree. This is how King Sejongs retreat was decided. *** King Sejongs retreat was on an enormous scale. It was a massive movement that included not only King Sejong, but also Queen Soheon and the royal concubines, the Crown Princess and the two consorts Yangwon and Yangje, as well as the grand princes, princes, princesses, royal princesses, and even the royal n members. It wasnt just the royal family members who were moving. The ministers and vice ministers of each department also moved. It was as if the entire Joseon government was moving to Onsu County, and because of this, elite soldiers selected from the Inner Pce Guard and the Ten Offices escorted the procession. Behind the soldiers at the front, the pnquin carrying King Sejong moved. Behind the moving King Sejong, Hyang rode on horseback, and the ministers, vice ministers, grand princes, princes, and royal sons-inw followed on horseback. And behind them, eunuchs and soldiers followed on horseback. If King Sejong and the Crown Princes group was the first unit, the second unit behind them was centered around Queen Soheon and the personnel of the Queens Pce. Behind the pnquin carrying Queen Soheon, the center of the Inner and Outer Court Ladies, followed the sedan chairs carrying the concubines. And behind them, the junior concubines, princesses, royal princesses, and courtdies followed on horseback. (Note 1) This massive procession moved towards Heunginjimun Gate. Outside Heunginjimun Gate, the officials and pce personnel who were to remain in Hanseong, as well as the people of Hanseong, had gathered to send off King Sejong. Finally, as the pnquin carrying King Sejong appeared, all those gathered raised their voices to shout Long live the King! Long live His Majesty the King! Long live! May you enjoy longevity and good health! King Sejong lightly raised his hand in response to the peoples cheers. Looking at the people with a pleased expression, King Sejong turned to Hyang. As Hyang rode his horse closer upon seeing King Sejongs gaze, King Sejong opened his mouth. Isnt it truly good to see the people like this? Yes. Its all thanks to your efforts, Father. How could it be just my achievement? Its thanks to the efforts of many, including you. After praising Hyang, King Sejong continued speaking while looking at the people shouting Long live the King! We must do our best to ensure they can continue to smile like this. At King Sejongs pledge, Hyang quietly bowed his head. *** The procession that left Heunginjimun Gate headed towards Dumulmeori. At Dumulmeori, where the Jungnangcheon Stream and the Han River meet, there was a port called Dumopo[2]. And now, at Dumopo, a pontoon bridge had beenid under Hyangs direction. A pontoon bridge You must have worked quite hard. At King Sejongs words, Hyang answered with a small smile. The engineers worked hard. At Hyangs answer, King Sejongs eyes sparkled. The engineers? I see It would be difficult toy such a bridge without the engineers. Thats right. *** The engineer corps, which was established while carrying out the reconstruction project after the great fire of Hanseong, was increasingly recognized for its usefulness and grewrger and more specialized. And in this process, what received concentrated attention from the military was the pontoon bridge. When projecting power to deal with the Jurchen tribes in the north, the biggest obstacles were the rivers spread across the Liaodong region, starting with the Yalu and Tumen Rivers. Previously, they had crossed at shallow points, but as the size of the artillery grew, such primitive methods began to cause difficulties. Therefore, Hyang introduced the construction of pontoon bridges using engineers. The boatsposing the pontoon bridge were also supplied by making dedicated vessels. Although not exactly the same as those used in the 20th and 21st centuries, it was an innovative item in the 15th century that shattered the thinking up to that point. Of course, there were drawbacks. Since there were no small, high-powered motor boats like those used by the engineer units of the 21st century Korean military, the engineers had to use oars and poles. As a result, the soldiers, especially those in units operating pontoon bridges, boasted physiques of a different dimensionpared to other soldiers. As a side note, thanks to this size and strength, the soldiers of the engineer units were the number one choice for brides in the neighborhood. *** King Sejong, who had dismounted from his pnquin and was crossing the pontoon bridge on foot for safety reasons, turned his head to look at one ce. The bridge still doesnt show its form, does it? The cofferdam work has just finished, and theyre now digging out the riverbed. Once the foundation is properlyid, the speed will increase. The subject of the conversation between Hyang and King Sejong was the construction site of the Han River Steel Bridge, located a bit downstream from the pontoon bridge. *** ording to the n devised by Hyang and approved by King Sejong, two bridges each were to be built at two locations across the Han River, for a total of four bridges. One crossed the Han River passing west of Neobeol Ind and Bam Ind, while the other connected Jamsil and Oksu. The former connected the railways and roadsing from Jemulpo, Honam, and Uiju, while thetter connected the railway and road starting from Dongnae to Wonsan and Gilju. The reason for this division was, amusingly, because of Area 51 and the research institute. Due to Area 51 and the research institute located in Yongsan and nearby areas, the Han River Steel Bridge connecting Noryangjin and Yongsan, as in the history before Hyangs intervention, could not be built. Well, that Han River Steel Bridge was also ced there due to the Japanese military calctions There were stories that both the pontoon bridgeid by Jeong Yak-yong during King Jeongjos era and the Han River Steel Bridge were ced there because the flow of the Han River slowed down near Noryangjin, but there were also stories that the bridge was ced at that point to quickly support the Japanese army stationed in Yongsan. However, thanks to Area 51 and the research institute born due to Hyangs intervention, a bridge connecting Noryangjin to Yongsan could absolutely not be built. Anyway, with these two bridges being built, there was also an advantage: there would be no straight line running all the way to Gyeongbokgung Pce. *** After King Sejong crossed the pontoon bridge, Hyang addressed him. Weve prepared a new mode of transportation. A new mode of transportation? King Sejongs eyes sparkled at Hyangs words. Is that so? Im curious about what kind it is. Where is it? This way. Lets see King Sejong, guided by Hyang, moved his steps and seemed slightly disappointed when he saw what was before his eyes. Isnt it an iron horse and passenger car? Its a traction engine and a road passenger car. Traction engine? The one Ive only seen in reports? Yes. At Hyangs answer, expectation reced disappointment on King Sejongs face. What Hyang showcased was a steam tractor. *** The reason Hyang created the steam tractor was that the size of the cannons operated by thend and naval forces was gradually increasing. True to being the original artillery unit, the Joseon military wanted cannons with increasingly powerful firepower. And this also satisfied Hyangs desire for benevolence. The problem was that greater power = increasing size. Because of this, in the case of the artillery currently being prepared for field deployment, its size was considerable. Even the giant horses brought in from the West and mass-bred were struggling to move it with just one horse. It was a natural progression for the military, which was agonizing over solving this problem, to think of the iron horse. Please develop an iron horse that can move even where there are no rails. Receiving this order from the military, Hyang had to concentrate hard to keep the corners of his mouth from rising. Come on! Finally, its steampunk Joseon! *** The process of creating the iron horse named traction engine was smooth. This was because the mobility required by the military could be sufficiently demonstrated even with the already-made iron horse. Thanks to this, the part that the people from the research institute and Area 51 focused on was making it as small as possible while reducing power loss. If this seeds, we can reduce the size of high-powered iron horses! Thanks to their dedication, they were able to reduce the size while minimizing power loss. However, they soon got stuck in the next process. The wheels are the problem Wheels with iron flesh and wooden rims couldnt move properly on even slightly soft ground. Why? After various trial and error to solve the problem, the conclusion was that the wheels are too small and thin. The weight applied was too heavypared to the area in contact with the ground. This didnt happen with the iron horse and rails, right? The rails distribute the load. And the ground where the rails areid is extremelypacted But theres a limit to just making the wheels bigger and thicker While the researchers from the institute and the craftsmen from Area 51 were pondering, Hyang quietly intervened. I have an idea As Hyang quietly opened his mouth, people looked at him with brightened expressions. Thats right! We have the Crown Prince! If its His Highness, hes sure to have a good idea! What Hyang proposed, receiving everyones attention, was caterpir tracks. Thats an excellent idea, Your Highness! The first to cheer upon hearing Hyangs suggestion was Jang Yeong-sil. As he had been constantly agonizing over creating a self-moving pnquin, or self-propelled pnquin, Jang Yeong-sil immediately understood. This has its own path to travel on, so if we adjust the width well, theres no road it cant travel! Its truly, truly an ingenious idea! Thanks to the approval of Jang Yeong-sil, who was called iprehensible, the caterpir tracks were adopted, and the traction engine was able to take shape. It was the birth of another monster that wouldter make historians tear their hair out. *** Note 1) Annals of King Sejong and Royal Medicine (14). Market Economy. /news/articleView.html?idxno=12085 Chapter 405 Chapter 405 Seeing the traction engine and road passenger car before him, King Sejongs eyes sparkled as he examined various parts of the traction engine. Binding the wheels with arge band made of iron, how truly unique? Its called a caterpir track, Your Majesty. Caterpir track? If I exin the principle As Hyang tried to exin the principle, King Sejong raised his hand to stop him. Enough, let me see it move once. Ill try to figure it out myself. It looks quite interesting somehow. Yes, Your Majesty. I forgot! Father was also a man with little left but curiosity!At King Sejongs order, Hyang immediately stepped back and ryed themand to the traction engine operator. Hiss! As the operator who received the order drove the traction engine, it slowly moved forward. After observing it move about 1 jang (about 3 meters), King Sejong nodded. I see, simply put, its moving on a path made of iron. This way, even if the ground is soft or muddy, it can ignore it to some extent and move, right? Yes, thats correct. As expected, hes extraordinary! Hmm While examining the caterpir track after hearing Hyangs answer, King Sejong asked Hyang a question. Is the steering of this traction engine done by those two separate wheels in front? Thats correct, Your Majesty. While answering, Hyang exined the idler wheel mechanism installed on the traction engine. As he exined to King Sejong, Hyang added inwardly. It can be called a steam-powered half-track. King Sejong, who was examining the steering mechanism using an axle, gears, spiral shaft, and chain protruding from the left side of the vehicle body (Note 1), turned to Hyang. I roughly understand how it steers, but looking at it now, is thergest wheel attached at the back among those wheels on the caterpir track the one that exerts power? Yes, thats right. When I read the technology-rted booklets produced by the research institute and Area 51 before, I remember reading that every time a cart turns, the number of rotations of the inner and outer wheels differs. For ordinary carts, it doesnt matter because the wheels rotate separately, but for iron horses, it bes a problem because power is transmitted. I heard that to solve this, you need to either differentiate the power transmitted to the two wheels or make the turning radius veryrge. Thats correct. Hyang nodded at King Sejongs point and continued. The iron horses currently moving in Hanseong solved this problem by transmitting power to only one wheel. And forrger iron horses that need to move with greater power and speed, we n to follow thetter method. Then does this traction engine also follow the method of the iron horses moving in Hanseong? To King Sejongs question, Hyang immediately replied. No, its a new method. A new method? Hyang led King Sejong to the back of the traction engine and pointed to the underside of the vehicle body. You can see it here. Oh? At the rear bottom of the traction engine, there was arge iron box attached, with the power shaft and wheel axle connected to that box. Weve named it the Differential Power Transmission Device[1]. The device Hyang pointed out was a gearbox containing differential gears. *** The point King Sejong made was also raised during the development of the traction engine. We already came up with a solution for this part during the iron horse development process, didnt we? Couldnt we just transmit power to only one wheel like that? When most of the development team submitted such opinions, Hyang shook his head. The iron horses in Hanseong move on well-maintained roads in Hanseong, along dedicated rails, andstly, at slow speeds, so theres no particr problem. But the issue is that traction engines need to go where there are no roads. Ah The development team members who were nodding at Hyangs exnation realized what the problem was and showed expressions of despair. The statement need to go where there are no roads meant that power had to be transmitted to both wheels. Seeing the despairing looks of the development team, Hyang inwardly muttered. There was a famous advertising copy in the 20th century that went something like this, right? It goes on roads. It goes where there are no roads. To solve this problem, the first thing the development team came up with was to attach independent braking devices to both wheels. Simply put, its the same method as the tanks operated during World War I and World War II, but Looking at the development teams n, Hyang shook his head. Its too much for now If we apply that as is, well end up with a transmission device bigger than the steam engine. Following Hyangs point, the development team pondered other options, but an answer didnte easily. Eventually, as time passed and no answer emerged, and with the pressure from the Ministry of National Defense increasing C they had the sin of snatching the budget under the pretext of development C Hyang intervened. What Hyang proposed to the development team was a half-track steering mechanism and differential gears. Oh! This method! As expected of His Highness! Hearing the development teams exmations praising him, Hyang inwardly muttered. Thank you! General Motors. Hyang came to know about this steering mechanism and differential gears thanks to a ck and white video produced by General Motors in the 1930s. (Note 2) In the 21st century, Hyang C then Jin-ho C had encountered the unknown algorithm of a famous video site, watched the video, and instantly searched and watched all rted videos. *** Amazing. To think that such incredible technology and principles are melted into this seemingly simple box King Sejong, listening to Hyangs exnation, sincerely marveled. Seeing King Sejongs admiring expression, Jeong Cho, who hade along, also looked proud along with Hyang. It seems the essence of the philosophy our Joseon possesses has melted into it. Nodding at King Sejongs assessment, Hyang added. Its not just the principles that have gone into it. The best iron-making and smelting technologies Joseon possesses have melted into the power transmission shafts and gears. I dare say that even if other countriese to know this principle, it would take at least 10 years to achieve the same performance as that. Simply put, its the 15th-century version of semiconductor technology. At Hyangs words, King Sejongs face turned serious. While its something to be proud of, we must also put great effort into preventing technology leakage. Yes. Thats why the ironworks must remain as state-owned enterprises. King Sejong nodded with a serious face at Hyangs assertion. Thats right *** After the inspection of the traction engine was over, King Sejongs party dispersed and boarded the pre-prepared passenger cars. Hiss! Hiss! Toot! With the sound of steam escaping and the whistle blowing, the traction engine slowly started to move. Looking at the cavalry moving along for escort through the window, King Sejong turned to Hyang. You said it was made for the artillery, right? Then, instead of just pulling the cannons, wouldnt it be good to load all the cannons, shells, and gunpowder and move them together? Thats a self-propelled artillery, you know? By the way, they say all people think alike As soon as King Sejong spoke, Hyang, who thought of self-propelled artillery, answered with a bitter smile. Its not possible. Why? Because of the characteristics of the steam engine. The fire hole must always be open. Ah At Hyangs words, King Sejong immediately nodded. If the gunpowder loaded were to catch fire, it would be a terrible disaster. But King Sejong didnt back down easily. Couldnt that problem be solved by creating a separate istion space? Gunpowder is dangerous not just from fire but also from heat. Especially for the mercury fulminate used in detonators, heat is the most dangerous. Of course, we could create sufficient istion space, but then wed have to redesign everything from scratch. Starting with a more powerful engine Hyang paused and nced at Kim Jeom. King Sejong, following Hyangs gaze, saw Kim Jeoms face, which was on the verge of tears, and sighed. Whew~. Yes, it would take an enormous amount of time and budget. We might be able to reduce the time a bit, but I cant guarantee the budget. I guess we have no choice but to postpone it forter, how disappointing. Yes, the development team also came up with simr proposals but had to give up at that point. Hiding his disappointment about the self-propelled artillery, King Sejong asked about another aspect. Then, whats the towing capacity of the traction engine? Surely we dont need to attach one to each cannon, do we? At King Sejongs question, Kim Jeom red at Jo Mal-saeng with a you cant be serious expression. Seeing Kim Jeoms face, which even showed murderous intent, Jo Mal-saeng hurriedly reported on behalf of Hyang. At maximum capacity, it can tow 5 Byeongshik cannons and all the carts loaded with shells and gunpowder for those cannons. However, for safety reasons, its set to tow only the cannons. Gunpowder and shells are transported using horse-drawn carts as before. However, even moving just the cannons is expected to bring a significant increase inbat power. Hmm I see Thats a good n. As King Sejong nodded and approved, Kim Jeom and Jo Mal-saeng showed contrasting expressions of joy and sorrow. However, King Sejongs imagination knew no bounds. Crown Prince, even if we cant load cannons and gunpowder due to the risk of explosion, what about carrying soldiers instead? Soldiers, you say? Yes, if it has the power to tow 5 Byeongshik cannons and the shells and gunpowder for them, couldnt it carry soldiers? For that, wed need to redesign again No, not creating space in the traction engine, but armoring this passenger car and connecting it. What do you think? At King Sejongs words, one image came to Hyangs mind. An armored train? No Something more simr would be the BV206? Its simr, but That one needs power transmitted to the rear as well Could we use a joint shaft for that part? After doing various calctions, Hyang answered King Sejong. Ill consider it. Alright, I look forward to good results. But the budget Make it a long-term project. At King Sejongs firm answer, Hyang replied in a gloomy voice. Yes, Your Majesty. *** While such conversations continued inside the passenger car, the traction engine steadily moved towards Onsu County. The speed is quite good. From what I can see, its about the same speed as a horses trot. Is this the fastest speed? The fastest speed is slightly slower than a horses full gallop, but we prohibit running at that speed. Its because of the cargo issue. Nodding at Hyangs answer, King Sejong looked around the interior of the passenger car he was riding in and asked Hyang. I see. By the way, this is a very well-made passenger car, isnt it? Theres very little shaking. Yes, we will improve this further and use it for the passenger cars of post horses and railways. Both will have the same structure, with only differences in size. At Hyangs answer, King Sejong turned to Kim Jeom and said. Well be able to save a lot on the budget. Thats right. Kim Jeom will have fewer asions to take health tonics. At King Sejongs joke, Kim Jeom replied with a bitter smile. Its all thanks to Your Majestys grace. Your grace is boundless. *** Thanks to traveling by traction engine, King Sejongs party was able to arrive at Onsu County in just two days. The officials and people who had rushed to the entrance of the county upon hearing the news of King Sejongs visit waited for him with expectant faces. Chug chug puff puff! Chug chug puff puff! Whats that sound? Im not sure The people and officials who were tilting their heads at the sound they had never heard before widened their eyes and dropped their jaws when the traction engine appeared at the county entrance along with the cavalry. What is that? A lump of iron is moving? Toot! When a loud whistle sounded from the approaching traction engine, the gathered people scattered with screams. Oh my goodness! Save us! Its a monster! *** Note 1) It would be good to refer to this. https://youtu.be/N3yFa32meQM Note 2) Again, it would be good to refer to this. https://youtu.be/We-oNHoGf5Q Chapter 406 Episode 406: A short story. (3) As the people scattered and screamed, it was the officials of Onsu-hyeon who became busy. You are not a monster,e back! The officials of Onsu County raised their voices, but the people did not even listen. If that isnt a monster, then what is? I guess thats the starfish Ive only heard about! Thats right! Its a starfish, thats right! Anyway, jump! The people quickly disappeared, shouting various nonsense, and the officials of Onsu County looked embarrassed. Bull haa~ When the thing called Bulgasari (ɚ), which had been circting in folk tales since thete Goryeo Dynasty, came up, the officials put their hands on their foreheads and sighed. Where on earth did you run away? The officials who had been looking around to find the scattered people let out a long sigh again when they saw the people running away all the way to Namsan Mountain. Ha~. Before we knew it, we had reached there Did they learn the Chukji method? Sigh~ Sighing, the officials got on their horses and headed towards Namsan, where the people had taken refuge. * * * The people who came down the mountain again thanks to the appeasement of the officials and the cavalry put their butts back, hesitated, and gathered at the ce where the tow truck was. Seeing that, the officials sighed again. Haa~. Oh my~. If the situation arises, you are ready to run away. As the people gathered again, King Sejong appeared from the carriage. Ie to see His Majesty the Prime Minister! Ie to see His Majesty the Prime Minister! As the officials chanted and fell to the ground, the people followed suit and fell to the ground in panic. King Sejong, who got off the carriage, smiled slightly and responded. Im sorry for startling you. I will be in your care for the time being, so please be kind to me. I dont dare ask for a favor! Your Majesty is the master of this country, so if you give orders, you must follow them! The mayor of Onsu-hyeon raised his voice, and the other officials and citizens only bowed their heads. However, Sejong shook his head lightly and epted the words. Listen to the wise man. Your loyalty is truly beautiful, but it is not right. We should not forget that saying that unjust orders are unjust is true loyalty. In response to King Sejongs mild reprimand, the Hyeonryeong raised his voice once again with a red face. I will keep this in mind! After all the uproar, King Sejong was weed by the people and set off for Onyang Temporary Pce. I will prepare a kite. Sejong lightly waved his hand at Do Seung-jis words. Thats it. Its not far, so it would be better to walk. The weather is nice at the moment. Haona Do Seung-ji expressed his disapproval, but King Sejong smiled and walked away. Ive been told that walking is good for your health, so isnt this a good opportunity? ha ha ha! * * * King Sejong, who stayed in the temporary pce,forted the public sentiment. It was the third day after arriving. King Sejong called the people of Onsu-hyeon, held a feast, and distributed a small amount of money. Please take good care of Gwain during his stay, even if it may be a bit ufortable. oh my! Dont say things like that! When will little people ever sit in a ce like this? Its something Ill be proud of until I die. At King Sejongs words, the people bowed their heads and expressed that it was okay. However, there was a reason why King Sejong called the people and consoled them. * * * Looking at history before the intervention of Hyang, the kings of Joseon chronically suffered from skin diseases. To treat this skin disease, kings regrly visited hot springs. This was the same for Sejong. King Sejong enjoyed visiting hot springs in Baecheon, Pyeongsan, Icheon, and Onyang to treat the skin diseases and eye diseases that persistently gued him. However, because these areas were far away, King Sejong gave an order to find out if there were hot springs closer by. At this time, a rumor was heard that there was a hot spring in Bupyeong, and King Sejong ordered the Bupyeong governor to investigate, and the answer he received was absurd. -The people destroyed the hot springs. There was a hot spring in Onsu-gol (now Onsu-dong) belonging to Bupyeong Dohobu, but the people who heard the rumor blocked the hot spring. This was because the hot springs had be a source of sorrow for the people. In order to enjoy the hot springs, when the king arrived, not only did he have to do various volunteer work, but he also had to walk around under the harsh gaze of the soldiers guarding the kings residence. I was able to tolerate this up to this point. Because once the king leaves, its over. But the problem was next. There is a hot spring. When the rumor spread, people with all kinds of skin diseases and lepers flocked to the ce. As these people flock in, security problems arise and life bes ufortable. In addition, if the hot spring water from the hot springs even flowed into the rice paddies or fields, farming would be over. For that reason, the people cut off the hot spring water with stones and dirt. In the end, Bupyeong Busa was reprimanded by King Sejong, and Bupyeong Dohobu was demoted to Bupyeong County. (Note 1) For this reason, King Sejong held a feast and distributed money to the people of Onsu-hyeon. * * * While staying in Onsu-hyeon, King Sejong was with the people. He traveled to nearby viges and farmed with the people, and distributed alcohol and meat to the people who were tired of farming. majesty! People living in Asan County came to us saying they wanted to offer rice cakes to Your Majesty. King Sejong smiled at Do Seung-jis words and gave an order. Ohh! What a man of deep loyalty! Get out! ording to King Sejongs order, a group of people came in, and the person standing in front was an old woman bent over, leaning on a cane. The old woman staggered in, relying on a cane, supported by men and women who appeared to be family members, and tried to bow when she saw King Sejong. A lowly bitch gets to meet the king When the old woman who was about to bow stumbled, the nearby eunuchs as well as Hyang and King Sejong got up and ran. Its okay to bow, so please take a seat. Bring a chair for the inauguration! King Sejong personally held the old womans hand and sat her down on the chair, looking at the men and women who came with him with a happy face. Is it your son? yes. How old is Jadang? You are ny-four years old this year. Ny-four! Everyone, including King Sejong, was greatly surprised by the old womans age. Longevity is the greatest blessing given by heaven, so I truly congratte you. You have been greatly blessed. The old woman responded to King Sejongs words by bowing her head. In your life so far, youve seen a lot of good things and a lot of bad things. Especially in the past, when Japanese pirates were roaming around, I would have rather died, and there were many times I cursed at the sky because my life was so hard. But you dont know how good it is that things like that have disappeared since the king became the king. So, I made rice cake. Although it was made by a lowly person, please ept it. Although these words had nothing to do with etiquette, the old womans words were full of sincerity. Sejong nodded with slightly watery eyes. It will be good. Merchant ships should bring rice cake. Yes, Your Highness. The merchant ship brought a basket full of rice cakes and lifted it up to King Sejong. Sejong took out a rice cake from the basket carried by the merchant ship, put it in his mouth, and muttered. Its really delicious. Thank you. Afterforting the old womans hand, King Sejong returned to his seat with a basket full of rice cakes and gave orders to Do Seung-ji. Please reward that old woman with 10 gold coins. I follow your orders! After sitting down, Sejong took out the rice cake from the basket and put it back into his mouth. Although it was not as high-quality as the rice cakes I ate at the pce, it tasted even more delicious. Would you please give me one too? When asked about the fragrance, Sejong smiled and held out the basket. It contains the hearts of the people, so lets share it together. I am devastated. (Note 2) * * * That evening, King Sejong and Hyang sat together for the first time in a long time. Do you remember what the old woman you saw today said? yes. I hope the happy times the old woman spoke ofst for a long time. Abamamama will achieve everything. You should try too. I will try my best too. By the way, it is really convenient that currency is widely used and Joseons capabilities are growing. Hyang nodded at Sejongs point without realizing it. Before the stadium, if arge-scale event like this one took ce, there would be an uproar. Preparing vehicles and horses to carry royal officials was a task, but preparing clothes and food for rewards, cloth and other items, and even medicine to be used in emergencies was an even bigger task. Thanks to this, once a move like this was made, a follow-up unitrger than the main base had to be moved. However, as currency becamemon and the scale of Joseonsmerce grew, this burden was greatly reduced. Of course, clothing and medicine had to be prepared in advance, but food, which was thergest item, was drastically reduced. What we prepared when leaving Hanseong was basic food to eat until we arrived at Haenggung Pce. The rest could be purchased directly using currency at a wholesale shop or market located in a passing vige. It was the same when I arrived at the temporary pce. What was sown tofort the people was not cloth or grain, but money, and the food consumed during the stay and the alcohol and meat given to the people were all supplied through nearby markets and monopoly stores. This was beneficial to both sides. The market and the monopoly were happy to see this unexpected big deal, and the royal family was happy to be able to purchase fresh food ingredients right away. The biggest reason why this was possible was, as mentioned above, the widespread use of currency and the increase in the scale of Joseonsmerce. In particr, it was noteworthy that food and goods could be supplied to a huge group of people, including almost the entire royal family and about a third of the government, without any problems. Although he came to the hot springs for treatment, King Sejong, who saw the results of the treatment with his own eyes, looked much more rxed and strengthened his resolve once again. Now that I have seen with my own eyes that what I have done so far is not wrong, I must try harder in the future. Please take care of yourself. Abamas healthes first. Thank you Sejong, who was about to respond to Hyangs remonstrance with a happy face, suddenly stopped talking and red at Hyang. Say it straight. What do you mean by what you just said? Yes, of course, dont you wish Abamama a healthy and long life? So, what is the reason for wishing for a long and healthy life? Isnt this a sign that he will hold out as long as possible and receive a recement or lieutenant governor aste as possible? And in the meantime, are you nning to just pick and do what you want to do? No way! It was a scent I strongly denied, but inside I was breaking into a cold sweat. Did you get caught? Probably not? You must have just pointed it out, right? Sejong, who saw Hyangs expression, growled. If I think about it, whether its the research institute or Area 51, we should hand it over to the government and have it purged by proxy Oh my, Abama! Well see. * * * Well see. King Sejong put it into action the next day. I will order the crown prince. In Joseon, some ces already have hot springs and many ces are rumored to have hot springs. ording to medical records, hot springs are ces that are greatly beneficial to human health, but people are hesitant to develop them. Pleasee up with a solution for this. The deadline is two days before returning to the pce. Sejong, who gave orders to Hyang, added. The reason this task was given to the crown prince is because the ministers apanying him are still busy. Fortunately, the crown prince was free from work at the research institute and Area 51, so he thought he was the right person to take on this job. So, I hope the crown prince does his best. Hyang bowed her head and responded to King Sejongsmand. I follow your orders. Ah, the back end! * * * Note 1) Oryu-gols Guro story. /PostView.nhn?blogId=localpr&logNo=110169916547 Note 2) The writer created it based on the annals that a 94-year-old woman living in Asan County presented rice cakes to King Sejong when he visited Onyang Hot Springs. Thats it. The Annals of King Sejong, read in one volume. Sejong 15 years. Written by Park Young-gyu. Woongjin Knowledge House. Chapter 407 Episode 407: A short story. (4) Despite taking on the task, Hyangs face was not that heavy. In the past, there were hardly any cards to use, but now there are quite a few, right? So, first identify the problem part, then solve only that part, and just add some MSG and the situation will be over Hyang, who hade up with his own story, immediately called the eunuch and gave orders. Please make a list of the officials who are here now, excluding the ministers and vice ministers. Yes sir. When the eunuch who received the order retreated, Hyang, who was left alone in the room, smiled and muttered. Theres no need for me to jump around, right? After about 2 minutes (about 30 minutes), the naekwan returned with a thick book. You got results faster than you expected? As Hyang could not hide his surprise at the unexpected result, the eunuch grinned and responded. There was a list of officials who served on this trip. Just flip over the first three pages and you will immediately see the list of officials you are looking for. Hoo? How did youe up with this thought? The ce where the eunuchs and courtdies were located was evaluated as a ce where the most conservative people in the pce gathered. But they also had their own reasons for doing so. All events of the king and the royal family had to follow strict etiquette, and those who were familiar with all these etiquette were the courtdies and courtdies. In addition, serving those at the very top of power, such as kings and ministers, in the closest quarters forced them to maintain a strict manner of conduct. Thanks to this, the eunuchs and courtdies received such an evaluation, and the scent could not hide their surprise. This was because it was not a typical nae-gwan idea, but rather showed considerable flexibility. In response to the surprised question, the nae-gwan smiled and answered once again. This is what I learned while serving you. Ah Hyang looked at the inner coffin in front of him with new eyes. It was an eunuch who always stayed around him as he began his life in the pce. At the time, he was still a young and clumsy naekwan in his mid-teens, but now he was showing off his maturity. After looking at the eunuch for a moment, Hyang smiled and said to the eunuch. Please continue to treat me well. I will do my best. * * * After receiving the list from the eunuch, Hyang began to look at it. However, it did not take much time for Hyang to find a suitable person. This was because I found the right people right away after passing the part where the names of the minister and vice minister were written. Is Kim Jong-seo here? Is Hwang Bo-in here too? After visiting the famous Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in, Hyang immediately closed the list and called for an eunuch. Did you find it? Go and call Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in. Yes sir. * * * After about half a hour (about an hour), Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in, who received a call from the township, visited the township. The two of them bowed to Hyang and immediately sat down on the chairs across from Hyang. Did you call me? Thats right. You two have some work to do. Is it a hot spring problem? When Kim Jong-seo pretended to know what Hyang said, Hyang immediately nodded. Thats right. If thats the problem, wouldnt it be okay to build a hot spring bath that even ordinary people can pay to enter? Hyang shook her head at Kim Jong-seos words. Its something anyone can think about. If its just that much, theres no need for me to call you, right? As Hyangs tone changed, Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in became very nervous. The fact that Sejong and Hyangs words be shorter means that the evaluation of the person in charge of the task changes. And in a bad way. This was an unwavering truth in Joseons bureaucratic society. And even though he is now the crown prince, Hyangs polite tone of voice has changed. This turned on a warning light in the minds of Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in. After seeing Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-ine to their senses again, Hyang spoke. Currency has already been established and the livelihoods of the Joseon people have improved significantly. Thanks to this, in todays Joseon, the people are very eager to find something that can legally make money. But since the development of hot springs is still sluggish, isnt it clear that there must be another reason? As Hyangs words continued, the two became more and more into a group. Looking at those two people, Hyang gave onest bite. But you build a hot spring bath without really knowing the reason? Do you think that makes sense? Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in had to bow their heads and pray at Hyangsmand. We made a mistake! Please give me another chance! In response to the two peoples pleas, the Hyang gave an order. Okay, you two, please move immediately and report on the reasons why the people are avoiding hot spring development. I will give you fifteen days as the deadline. yes. Move immediately! yep! The two quickly bowed and quickly left the room. As soon as the crown prince left the building where he was staying, Hwang Bo-in red at Kim Jong-seo and became angry. Ah-oh! That damn snout! Friend this guy! Ah-oh! Mi sorry hai! Okay, get ready to go up! Oh my stomach is bursting! * * * Kim Jong-seo returned to his lodgings after parting ways with Hwang Bo-in and began to pack his bags. Thats a good thing. Kim Jong-seo, who was packing his luggage with a gloomy face, turned around and grumbled when he heard Hwang-hees sarcastic voice behind him. Great! A little! Why are you talking so loudly about what you did well? I lost all the points I had umted in one blow. Its just one mistake! Only once. The problem is who made that mistake? Do you understand? It means that I made that mistake in front of the Crown Prince who will seed me as the next Crown Prince. Ssi. It would be better if it was in front of His Majesty the Prime Minister. Whenever you heard Vice Minister Jang, you didnt think that His Majesty the Crown Prince would be sitting at the table, did you? . Kim Jong-seo kept his mouth shut in response to Hwang Hees reprimand. Seeing Kim Jong-seo clearly looking like he was reflecting, Hwang Hee reached into his sleeves and took out a horse card. Thats it. I asked for the best horse at the train station and went as fast as I could. How many days did your Majesty give you? Its a full moon. Finish it in 10 days. Only then can you earn back the points you lost. yes. thank you. Thank you so much. And get it checked by me before submitting it. Dont immediately convey that His Majesty the Crown Prince has ordered you to do so, but follow the instructions steadily. yes. Despite Kim Jong-seos answer, Hwanhee continued to warn him. How many times have I told you? You and I will go together until the end. But if you dont do it right this time, Ill send you straight to Daeseol Ind. Do you think Jongjangdo would be better? Ill be back! Please give me a mapae! Hwang Hee, who was about to hand over the mapa to Kim Jong-seo, suddenly withdrew her hand and warned him again. I thoroughly reflect on this incident. A guy like you has a good head and is good at his work, but his hips are too light. You need to be more serious. yes. Kim Jong-seo, who heard Hwang-hees nagging, took his mapae and luggage and went out. As a side note, Kim Jong-seos personality has be much more serious since then. As his violent personality, known as Tiger, became more serious, his talent finally blossomed. * * * As promised to Hwang Hee, Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in wrote a report and a n containing their own solutions within ten days and submitted it to Hwang Hee. After carefully examining the report and n, Hwang Hee marked it here and there in red and returned it. Research the data again for this part and revise the sentences for this part. And this part the numbers are wrong. Are you going to go through all the trouble and then get scolded? Check it out right now and write it again! yep! After receiving Hwang Hees supervision, Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in submitted a report and n to Hyang. Lets see Hyang opened the report and nodded. As expected The content written in the report was an investigation into the reasons why hot spring development was slow. The first thing pointed out was a geographical issue. Most of the hot spring candidates were located some distance away from the vige. Because of this, there were problems with transportation and security. Not only that, but because it was such a remote ce, attacks by wild animals also became a problem. The next thing that was pointed out, as mentioned before, was the problem of skin disease patients and leprosy patients who flocked to the area when they heard rumors of hot springs. There were rumors that diseases were contagious among these patients, and problems with public safety arose. In particr, all kinds of ugly rumors circted about leprosy patients, including the rumor that lepers would kill children and eat their livers. It was not just a rumor, but something like that had actually happened, so it was absolutely necessary to prevent such people from flocking in. Thest thing pointed out was the issue of hot spring water management. As I said before, if hot spring water entered the rice paddies or fields, farming would be over. These parts are definitely a problem. After checking the contents of the report, Hyang unfolded the n next. The n included a n to ovee this situation and develop a hot spring bath. Hmm Hyang nodded, looking at the n for a while, then looked at Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in. Thank you for your effort. It was a great help. Thank you so much. Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in responded to Hyangs praise by bowing their heads. No. I just did what I had to do. Then, Ill have to think about it based on the n you two have. yes. The two paid their respects to Hyang and left the room. Whoa~. Haa~. The two people who came out breathed a sigh of relief. Do you think youve earned back the points you lost? Im d, Im d. * * * Three dayster, Hyang reported the n to King Sejong. Youpleted the n? Yes, Director Kim Jong-seo and Manager Hwang Bo-in were very helpful. okay? At Hyangs answer, King Sejong and the ministers attention turned to Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in. Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in, who received the gaze of King Sejong and the ministers, slightly lowered their heads. Sejong, who was looking at the two, opened his mouth. I heard that he is truly an outstanding talent. I have high hopes for the help of those two. Start exining. yes. At King Sejongsmand, Hyang cleared his throat and began to exin. The description of the scent was as follows. -Develop hot spring baths by selecting ces where the hot spring water is of good quality and has good medicinal properties. -This development project is carried out by the country. The reason the country is carrying out this project is to prevent problems caused by indiscriminate hot spring development. -Once a suitable hot spring is found and developed, a royal hot spring bath will be installed first. -The reason why royal hot spring baths were installed first is not only to manage the health of royal personnel, including the king, but also to increase the value of the developed hot spring baths. Sejong nodded at the exnation of the scent. Not really. The weight of a hot spring bath that was just developed and a hot spring bath that the king visited is different. Thats right. Hyang agreed with Sejongs words and continued his exnation. -If the royal family visits the hot spring bath created in this way, a bathhouse is built separately from the fish bathhouse for the people to use. -Also, aprehensive entertainment center will be built in this bathhouse so that people can enjoy bathing and entertainment. However, the games that can be yed in the entertainment area installed in this bathhouse are limited to baduk. why? Hyang immediately answered King Sejongs question. Gambling while enjoying a hot spring is an event that costs a lot of money. If done incorrectly, people may abandon their livelihoods and gamble at hot springs. If this happens, families will be devastated and break up. Sejong nodded loudly at the exnation of the fragrance. I see! So, the people who y around with music and y with sinseon should be limited to those with a lot of wealth! Thats right. Ordinary people should think of it as a short excursion. Its okay. As King Sejong responded positively, another specialty that was famous not only in Joseon but also abroad was slowly taking shape. Chapter 408 Episode 408: A short story. (5) After seeing Sejongs positive reaction, Hyang began to mention some sensitive areas. There are several advantages to creating a hot spring bath like this, but before that, let me exin why the development of hot springs has been slow so far. yes. I also thought there was something strange. While Sejong expressed interest, Hyang lightly cleared his throat and continued his exnation. There are many reasons why the people hesitated to develop hot springs, but the biggest reasons are Hyang exined to King Sejong the problems that Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in had been investigating. After hearing Hyangs exnation, Sejong nodded with a serious face. I see. That is why the development of hot springs has been slow. Okay So is there a solution? yes. Hyang began to talk about a solution to the problem. -The first thing to do is to ce a doctor and medical maid at the developed hot spring bath. Depending on the size of the hot spring bath, from 1 to 3 members of the National Medical Clinic and medical women are assigned. However, those assigned in this way will be reced sequentially when regr members are produced from the Medical Center. -The work of doctors and medical women assigned to hot spring baths is as follows. Patients who visit hot springs are categorized into those whoe for treatment of arthritis or neuralgia, those with joint diseases, those with skin disease, and those with leprosy. -People with joint diseases can enter the same bathhouse as others. -Patients with varicose veins can use the private bath under the care of doctors and medical women, but patients with varicose veins are prohibited from entering. Additionally, in viges with hot spring baths, additional personnel from the provincial government or the military are deployed to maintain security. and, in addition, we must properly reveal the efficacy of the hot spring water in the hot spring bath developed in this way and publicize it in the newspaper. Hoo? why? As far as I know, each hot spring water has different efficacy. So, if we make this known well, it will be more useful for people to use hot spring baths. People will travel far to find hot springs that are useful to them. And the peoples vision will be even wider, right? Hyang nodded at Sejongs point. yes. I thought about that as well. As such, the roads will continue to be improved and the railway to be installed in the future will be quickly established. I see. Good chat Even though he nodded, there was some disappointment on Sejongs face. Abama. If there are any parts missing, please let me know. I will look into that matter and give you an answer as quickly as possible. Hyang noticed that there was a problem in Sejongs expression and quickly added, A/S is avable! In response to Hyangs words, Sejong stroked his beard and was silent for a moment before opening his mouth. Crown, your opinion is truly a good idea. However, it seems that the response to patient Nazil was a bit inadequate. Isnt the difficulties of patients suffering from chronic diseases widely known since ancient times? It takes a while to stop those people who are desperate enough to ovee such difficulties to find the hot springs. Of course, I know that Nazil is an incurable disease, but it takes a while. You know that! Hyanghyang, who held back the words that were about toe out automatically at Sejongs words, let out a long sigh. Whoa~. As Abamama also said, Nazil is incurable. Allowing them to ess hot spring baths would actually give them vain hope and deeper despair. It wasnt until the mid tote 20th century that a cure came out, but I dont even know about that! If I had known that, I would have killed the crown prince and started a medicine business and made a lot of money! It was a scent that made me scream inside. Sejong also sighed at the description of the scent. Whoa~. I know that part too. But I cant hide my sadness when I see patients wandering around outside. Its unfortunate that you suffer from such a disease, but arent you subject to harsh persecution? * * * Until this time, regardless of whether in the East or the West, the perception that leprosy patients were criminals sentenced to death was widespread. Therefore, it wasmon for them to be expelled from their hometown and wander, and if they happened to enter another vige, they would be blocked at the entrance and either kicked out or pelted with stones. The ces that received better treatment were a few benevolent monasteries and Italian cities of the Renaissance period. Leprosy patients were allowed to enter the city, but they had to buy anything they touched. (Note 1) * * * Well, Im sure future historians will make a fuss about human rights, but for now, this is the only way to go. Hyang opened his mouth, savoring his appetite. Soja also knew about Abamamas concerns to some extent, so he thought about it. What do you think of this n? okay? What was it? Hyang immediately answered King Sejongs question. Among the remote inds in the South Sea, we select ces that are easy for officials and doctors to travel to, relocate the residents to the maind, and then collect and manage patients with poor health. In this way, we can prevent patients suffering from unjust persecution, enable them to be self-sufficient, and allow doctors and officials to manage them morefortably. Sejong looked slightly embarrassed at Hyangs words. Its a good n, but will there be residents as well as officials andwmakers who will respond to it? In the case of the residents, they do not live together, but rather settle down on thend, so there will be no major problems. Fortunately, there is quite a bit of opennd in Hamgil Ind and the area to its east, isnt there? If thats not enough, there is Daeseoldo, so it wont be a big problem. Thats right. At Hyangs words, not only King Sejong but also the ministers nodded. This was because a considerable amount of territory was able to be incorporated into Joseon through the exploration voyages and induction of the Jurchen tribe that had been carried out so far. The township, which provided an answer to the residents migration problem, continued. And Nazil is not an easily contagious disease, so if officials andwmakers are careful, there will be no major problems. Hmm Sejong, who had been thinking about Hyangs words for a moment, looked back at the merchant ship. Go and call the doctor. yes. The royal doctor arrived a littleter, listened to the exnations from Sejong and Hyang, remembered for a moment, and then answered. yes. It is impossible to cure Nazill, but fortunately it is not highly contagious. Also, parents illnesses are not passed down to their children. Right. While Sejong was nodding his head, Hwang Hee intervened. It looks like we need to prepare for the Social Democratic Institute. King Sejong immediately responded to Hwang Hees words. Maybe so. Then, add this agenda and proceed with it. I follow your orders! * * * In this way, the policy on hot spring development was officially decided and published in the newspaper. After reading the notice posted on the wall of the government office, the people gathered in groups of twos and threes and started talking. Its a hot spring development Should I check to see if theres a hot spring nearby? Really? I think I can make some money if I just find it and I can even get a job. ording to the information written in the report, when a hot spring bath was built, people were to be selected from nearby residents to work. Of course, in order to manage the fish baths used by the king and members of the royal family, they had to be supervised by officials dispatched from the royal family. But still, a job with a fixed sry was created. In addition, it was good news that doctors and medical women would be stationed at hot spring baths. This was because there were still many viges without doctors. By the way Your Majesty the Crown Prince is truly a noble person. Why do you care so much about lepers? Thats right. It was not something an ordinary king would have thought of: housing Nazi patients separately, allowing them to avoid persecution, and at the same time providing an environment in which they could be self-sufficient. This was a good thing not only for the Nazile patients, but it was also a good thing for ordinary people. Word that the people were praising King Sejong and himself soon reached Hyang as well. After hearing the story, Hyang smiled bitterly. I guess I did my best. Schrs of the future will criticize it as a mammonist policy and a forced migration policy that ignores human rights Although Hyang smiled bitterly, he immediately changed his expression and muttered. Is it my business? Right now is important to me! * * * I didnt know about incense, but something almost simr happened in history before incense intervened. December 3, 11th year of King Sejongs reign (1429). Park Seo-saeng appealed to King Sejong. -If you look at the Japanese customs, regardless of age or age, everyone likes to take a bath and keep their bodies clean. Therefore, eachrge house is equipped with a separate bathroom, and each bathhouse is installed here and there. The system is good and very convenient. When the person making the soup blows on the bowl, people fight to pay money to take a bath, so it is right for Joseon to also install bathhouses in ces where there are many people and make them spend money. At the time, Sejong was attempting to circte currency, so this was an appeal. And in the first year of King Munjong (1451), King Munjong gave the following order to Baecheongunsa (״): -Do not block the heated bathhouse and allow people to bathe. Of course, not all bathrooms were open, except for those that could only be used by the king and queen. However, such an order was given because there were several other bathhouses. (Note 2) As an aside, even in the history after the intervention of the Hyang, Park Seo-saeng proposed various policies to expand national finances, and thanks to this, he rose from a Confucian state to a Hojo. and waster divided into the Ministry of Finance and Economy. The same was true for leprosy patients. There was a record that in the first year of King Munjongs reign, by order of the king, about 100 patients with leprosy were grouped in and treated. (Note 3) In other words, even in history before Hyang intervened, King Munjong was attempting various efforts to change Joseon. However, the fact that this fact was not well known was the biggest reason for King Munjongs short life. King Munjong died before the attempted policies could produce results, and the policies that lost momentum disappeared in vain. And the tragedy that urred between King Danjong and King Sejo that followed immediately overshadowed the existence of King Munjong. * * * After visiting the hot springs, King Sejongs health improved a lot. However, because the eye disease still did not show much improvement, the members of the internal medicine clinic had to search medical books. By continuously examining King Sejongs condition and searching medical records, the medical doctor was able to inform King Sejong. ording to medical books and old records, mineral wateres from Chojaeunso in Cheongjumok, and the water is said to be good for the quality of the spear and the eyes. It would be good for you to stay there for a while and get treatment. King Sejong immediately expressed his rejection of Euis proposal. I have already been to Onsuhyeon for a month. However, leaving the pce again is not an example to the people. Find another way. Hyangs head began to spin as she listened to Sejongs words next to her. Cheongjus Choja Eunso? Rice wine? measure? Is that because the candle there is a Japanese pepper tree candle? Thats it! Chojeong mineral water! Hyang realized what the doctor was talking about and immediately joined in the conversation. * * * Note 1) Life Human World History. Renaissance edition. Korea Time Life. 1978. Note 2) Crows Nest igloo by person interested in history. /2534809 Note 3) Health information from Seocho-gu Public Health Center. leprosy item. https://.seocho.go.kr/site/sh/07/10702050900002015072310.jsp Chapter 409 Episode 409: A short story. (6) If it is difficult for Abama to leave the pce, wouldnt it be okay to bring some mineral water? If you consider the amount you consume and the amount you will eat when bathing and washing your face every day, you will need a significant amount. It takes a lot of effort to transport it. You can just use a tow truck. At Hyangs words, Eui stopped talking and immediately lowered his head. Seeing that, Sejong made a decision. Please use a tow truck to bring it. I follow your orders. After the meeting, Hyang left Geunjeongjeon and excitedly headed to Area 51. Cheer up! I can hear the moneying in! * * * Ten dayster, the tow truck returned, pulling a freight car loaded withrge wooden barrels containing mineral water. Of course, the round trip did not take ten days. The total round trip time and water storage time was only four days. The remaining six days were spent making a wooden barrel C simr to an oak barrel C specifically for storing carbonated water. My eyes feel refreshed! Sejong washed his eyes with the carbonated water brought in and was very satisfied with the feeling. Next, the eunuch politely presented King Sejong with a tray filled with carbonated mineral water. Wow! The water is really spicy! Sejong let out an exmation as he wiped away the tears that naturally formed at the corners of his eyes due to the strong stimtion provided by the carbonation in the water. Its spicy, but it feels like my stomach is full! Ive been feeling stuffy for a while, but it feels so good! After that, King Sejong took a light bath and washed his face with Chojeong mineral water and drank it as a beverage. The hot spring bath followed by a carbonated mineral water bath seemed to be effective, and King Sejongs skin disease subsided considerably. Of course, bathing wasnt everything. I epted the advice of the royal family and the local government, got up from my seat every hour (about 2 hours), walked around Gyeonghoeru, and began to regrly skip rope again, which I had often skipped. This alone is not enough I need to make things that I have been neglecting while making and making things. Hyang made exercise equipment that had been nned for some time and installed it in the backyard of Gangnyeongjeon. Of course, even though it was exercise equipment, it was not the kind of grandiose equipment found in 21st century health clubs. It was an imitation of equipment that was simple but guaranteed a minimum level of performance, almost simr to simple exercise equipment installed at mineral springs or riversides. Hyang was able to create this because when he lived in Yangsan, his job was to repair the exercise equipment ced in front of the vige hall. Hyang grumbled with a face full of regret as he set up exercise equipment in the backyard of Gangnyeongjeon. I wanted to make things like those used in health clubs but to do that, the first thing we need to do is to unify weights and measures, but that is a waste Hyang stopped talking and sighed. Whoa~. Damn it, even with such strict supervision, there is still no unification of weights and measures! * * * The unit of weights and measures used by Joseon during this period was literally chaos of chaos. Even the mostmonly used unit of length, Cheok (), had several types in use, including Yeongjocheok (I) and Jucheok (ܳ). Of course, all of them had different uses, but it was clear that they were less efficient than if they were all unified. Therefore, with the beginning of the gyeongjang, the length units were unified based on Yeongjocheok, but the situation was notpletely unified yet. As an aside, the reason Yeongjocheok was used as a standard was because Yeongjocheok had a strong character due to its characteristics C it was mainly used as a woodworking chuck C and its scent was familiar. Even in the 21st century, one character was about 30cm so its better to be familiar, right? * * * The exercise equipment created in that way was quite effective against King Sejong. Sejong liked it very much because using the exercise equipment for just one hour would energize his body, but Hyang had a surprisingly depressed expression. Abamamas physical age was the same as that of old people at mineral springs? Is it really good? Hyang, who was depressed, continued to grumble while watching Sejong turn the exercise equipment while repeating. What do you do when you be a crown prince? When you be king, you eat everything * * * Confucian scriptures were not the only things the Crown Prince learned. With the goal of bing a master of both civil and martial arts, he had to use military officers from the Naegeumwi as instructors and learn archery and magic fighting skills to a fairly high level. Therefore, a properly educated crown prince had a fairly strong body. But the scent took on a different perspective. I think they are preparing their bodies in advance to have many children. What kind of Joseon seedling It was the scent that made peoplein while looking at King Sejongs plump body, but there was something that the scent had forgotten. King Sejong was not educated as a crown prince from a young age. He lived as a grand prince, and it was King Sejong who was appointed crown prince and was elected shortly after. * * * In any case, as the exercise equipment created in this way became effective, orders came down from the royal pce that saw it. Thanks to this, Hyang had to make exercise equipment for Queen Soheon, her concubines, and her own women. And after seeing the effect, requests came from the Internal Security Commission and the military. It seems to be more effective than simply having people jump and lift stones. After hearing Jo Mal-saeng and Naegeumwijangs words, Hyang let out a long sigh. Whoa~. Talk to the Ministry of Finance and Economy, or the budget executor, and get the budget first. And the rumor about these sports equipment crossed the West Sea. * * * Is this the rumored exercise equipment? exactly. But did this rumor spread to the Ming Kingdom? In response to King Sejongs question, the envoy of Myeongguk nodded his head loudly. Yes, it is widely rumored that it is very helpful for health. Its very self-assured. King Sejong, who understood the hidden meaning of the envoys words, immediately received them. In that case, I will make it and send it right away for Your Majesty the Emperor. Crown Prince. Hyang, who was listening to Sejong next to him, responded right away. yes. We will gather the best craftsmen and do our best to make it with the highest quality. The envoy of Myeongguk smiled brightly and liked what Sejong and Hyang said. Thank you! Your Majesty will really like it! Isnt it right to do our best for the sake of peace between our country and Joseon? Sejong said it with a smile, but it was a scent that made you feel like there was some bone in it. And there were no ministers who opposed this agenda. King Sejong and the local ministers all had the same idea. The Emperor of Tang Jin is the best opponent! We must avoid as much as possible the possibility of a strange person dying early and bing emperor for no reason! The Ganja Incident, which was known only to ministers and a very small number of working-level officials and was buried, never urred again. why? A fierce exchange of opinions ensued as to why it would not recur, and the conclusions reached by King Sejong and his ministers were as follows. -It is certain that this did not happen ording to the orders of the emperor, but was carried out arbitrarily under him. And it is certain that the emperor, knowing this, blocked it. Of course, it was a conclusion that had a very high probability of not being true. But that wasnt all, Emperor Seondeok was a very good opponent for Joseon. If something goes, somethinges, and there was no forcing. The current emperor is not the emperor of Ming, but the emperor of Joseon. The current emperor is the emperor of Goryeo. It was Emperor Seondeok who tried to maintain good rtions with Joseon, to the extent that rumors circted. Therefore, Joseon was earnestly hoping that Emperor Seondeok would remain in office for a long time. And whether it was the origin or the butterfly effect, the Seondeokje system was changing little by little. The Crown Prince of Joseon is doing his best to prevent his father, the King, from gaining weight! Emperor Seondeok, who heard the rumor, called the royal doctor and asked a question. Is gaining weight bad for your health? Looking at the appearance of Emperor Seondeok, who was quite obese, although not as obese as his father Honghui Emperor, the royal doctor chose his words carefully and answered. It is best to maintain integrity in all things. Emperor Seondeok whetted his appetite at Euis answer. Youre telling me to lose weight. Thanks to this, Emperor Seondeok was very happy when the rumored exercise equipment arrived from Joseon. The only person who truly cares about me is the King of Joseon! * * * Although the fragrance was doing its best for Sejongs health, on the other hand, it was also creating bad things. I was hungry for c! And the best way to make money is by selling water! What the vor was trying to create was a carbonated beverage. As arge amount of Chojeong mineral water was steadily supplied using a tow truck, Hyang ran to Sejong. Whats going on? For the time being, I would like to ask you to give us just one can of mineral water supplied. Medicine water? why? There is something I want to make. Sejong narrowed his eyes at Hyangs answer and asked. What can I do to make mineral water? Are you trying to create something strange again? no! Sejong was still full of disbelief, but he soon made a decision. I allow you toe. instead! Dont make anything dangerous! yes! * * * Hyang, who had obtained permission from King Sejong and moved the bottle of medicinal water to Area 51, immediately gave an order. Go to the bingo right away and bring back some of the fruit juices we have in storage. yes! And tell Pietro and Raphael to bring those vials I mentioned before! yes! And I told Director Jang Yeong-sil to bring the machine I mentioned before! Yes sir! And the container out there is too big, so move it into a smaller container and bring it back in! Yes sir! ah! I told the new chief inspector and old man Jeong In-ji toe too! Yes sir! The officers and staff were busy moving around in response to the orders of incense pouring down like a shower. A little whileter, Pietro and Raphael Jang Yeong-sil came in carrying ss bottles and a mechanical device with a lever. Afterwards, the eunuchs came in with various kinds of fruit syrup. Finally, a small container containing carbonated water was brought in, and Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji arrived. When preparations werepleted, Hyang looked at the people and opened his mouth. Then lets get started. * * * Through the tasting process, the appropriate mixing ratio of carbonated mineral water and water was determined. I didnt know that carbonated water at this time would be so hot. Hyang muttered while looking at the concentrated liquid of Chojeong mineral water. The rumor heard in the 21st century C that the carbonation of Chojeong mineral water has be weaker C seems to have been true. The Chojeong mineral water of the 15th century was so spicy that it brought tears to my eyes. As a result, people had to drink the drink tirelessly to find a dilution ratio that would provide only a pleasant refreshing feeling. After finding the mixing ratio of fruit juice, carbonated water, and in water, Hyang put it in a pre-made ss bottle and sealed it with a bottle cap. Of course, the ring-shaped sealing rubber that goes inside the iron bottle cap to prevent carbonation from leaking was not avable. So I used thick paper as a substitute. After several experiments produced properly sealed beverage bottles, Hyang took them and visited Sejong. Is that the sweet water rumored to be? yes. Lets try some. yes. Hyang responded confidently and took out a bottle opener from his sleeve. Sejongs eyes lit up when he saw the bottle opener. What is that? Its like having a hole in a rice spoon. This is to remove the cap covering the spout of this bottle. Bong! As soon as he answered, Hyang took the cap off the bottle. When the bottle cap was opened with a cheerful noise, Hyang held the bottle out to the merchant ship. King Sejong received the bottle from a merchant ship and immediately brought it to his mouth. Kya! Sejong let out an exmation without realizing it and looked back at the scent. What a delicious drink! We will mass produce this. Please give me some of the royal finances. huh? Sejong, who paused for a moment at Hyangs words, soon nodded. I see, in order to use the countrys finances more soundly, the royal family should be as self-reliant as possible. In this way, the Royal Joseon Beverage Company, known as the inexhaustible fountain of the Joseon royal family, was born. It was the birth of a superrge beveragepany that did not let up until the end even as many royal businesses were privatized. The carbonated drink, named Frothy Sweet Water, soon received enthusiastic love from the Joseon people. hey! Lets have a ss of mulberry water! Thats good! Instead of that long name, the people called him by the nickname Bongsu. It was because of the light noise made when the cap was removed. Chapter 410 Episode 410: Lord of War. Hua Merchant (1) The changes in Joseon through Gyeongjang were not just changes in Joseon. The Ming and Japanese countries also began to move in a direction quite different from their history before the intervention of Hyang. First of all, looking at the case of the Ming Dynasty, the development ofmerce was more prosperouspared to the history before the intervention of Hyang. The person at the forefront of that development was Emperor Seondeok. Unlike the history before intervention, Emperor Seondeok did not strengthen the ban on the sea, but responded by making it more flexible. First, the scale of joint trade with Japan was slightly expanded. ordingly, the volume of trade between the Japanese Muromachi shogunate and the Ming Dynasty increased. In addition, several merchants were opened in coastal areas such as Ming, Fujian, Jiangsu, and Guangdong, and merchants who received permission from the Ming government were allowed to trade with neighboring countries. Of course, this permission could only be obtained by paying a considerable amount of money. Merchants who paid money and received permission from the Ming government were able to open a store in the Ming Dynasty andunch a ship for three years to trade. Therefore, medium torge merchants in the region, as well as ind merchants, rushed to pay money to purchase trade permits andunch ships. Here, Emperor Seondeok and another member of the Ming Dynasty government were hidden. At the time of its initial implementation, the Joseon Navys naval control was just beginning to grow. Therefore, the sea between the Ming and Japanese Joseon Dynasties was crowded with pirates and Japanese pirates. ordingly, Emperor Seondeok built a naval fleet and entrusted it with escorting the merchant fleet. In addition, merchant ships were permitted to arm themselves. However, merchant ships that could be armed were limited to those that paid money to purchase trade rights from the Ming Dynasty. And in order to manage this, 100 officials and soldiers searched the ship like they were catching rats before departure. Because there were carrots and sticks, merchants paid money to purchase trade rights, which was a significant help to the finances of the n. Of course, this policy was borrowed from the policy applied by the Joseon Dynasty to the Joseon Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty, and the Mansur Dynasty. And as time passed and Joseon secured control of the West and South Seas, the number of pirates and Japanese pirates decreased. After receiving the report, Emperor Seondeok moved a significant portion of his navy to the southwest and put pressure on the pirates. It is considered dangerous to empty the East Sea (North Koreas West Sea). Wouldnt it be a big deal if Joseon had a different mindset? The ministers expressed opposition to the naval forces movement and disposition, but Emperor Seondeok just snorted. joy! Are our Ming and Joseon connected only by the sea? And why dont you leave behind a navy of an appropriate size? But What you guys are doing right now is just worrying about nothing. Keep your mouth shut! The ministers and eunuchs all fell silent like ms at Emperor Seondeoks words. * * * In order to foster Mingsmercial world and at the same time make its finances sound, Emperor Seondeok implemented many policies. One of them was to strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights, just like in Joseon. Even during this period, Chinese imitation and counterfeiting were notorious. Most of the items said to have been found in tombs from the old Qin Dynasty or the Three Kingdoms period of the Han Dynasty were fake, and even among the medicines that put peoples lives at stake, counterfeit products were circting around. Imitation and counterfeit products were not the only problem. When a rumor spreads that an item made by a certain merchant or craftsman was popr, other merchants soon released products that were exactly like it. It was a trend of disregard for intellectual property rights thatter historians called Sanchae (den of bandits) culture. Naturally, Emperor Seondeok and his ministers were well aware that this trend was an obstacle to fostering healthymerce. Therefore, although a lot of effort was made to eliminate this trend, it did not disappear easily. However, this trend disappeared when Hyang directly negotiated with Emperor Seondeok andunched a joint venture. The products distributed by the merchant, a joint venture between the Ming emperor and the king and royal family of Joseon, were extremely popr products. Naturally, it was natural for unauthorized copies of these items to be distributed. And when Emperor Seondeok received the report rted to this, he became furious. This is making light of the promise I made. If you look down on my promise, you look down on me, and this is high treason! * * * Emperor Seondeok was furious and immediately began crackdown. It was not a simple crackdown, but arge-scale violent suppression using the military. This crackdown resulted in tremendous bloodshed. The mere disappearance of one family crest or another was to the point of being cute. It even happened that a vige disappeared. This was not a simple crime, but high treason. The top where unauthorized copying was discovered was immediately destroyed by the military. The area where the sign at the top was hung was destroyed, leaving no stone unturned, and the ground was dug up to bring out hidden treasures. And the bodies of the dead people were buried in the pit that was created. And based on the ledgers obtained from the top and interrogations of those involved, even those who received bribes were tied up and purged. In this process, Emperor Seondeok did not forget to createpetition between alumni and the Geumwiwi. I will give you 30% of the confiscated wealth as a reward! This is a reward given to thank you for your loyalty to me! At Emperor Seondeoks deration, the alumni and Geumuiwi shouted loudly for national independence. Long live your Majesty the Emperor! hurray! Long live! In this way, the reckless copying that had been practiced indiscriminately, staining the Central ins with blood, gradually disappeared. Of course, illegal copying still took ce deep inside, but unauthorized copying that was done openly and openly like before has disappeared. And the Imperial Intellectual Property Registry, modeled after the example of Joseon, emerged. * * * The central continent suffered as a result of this bloody storm, but there was also the opposite effect. The payoff was that the power of the emperor, symbolized by the Emperor Seondeok, was further enhanced. Of course, even before that, the emperor was called the Son of Heaven and was a symbol of power. However, the emperor did not hold all power. The pro-kings who settled here and there on the continent shared a significant portion of the emperors power. And because of the bloodshed caused by Emperor Seondeok, much of the power that the pro-kings had taken was returned to Emperor Seondeok. After the storm of bloodshed, those in power and the wealthy prayed with earnest hearts. I hope this bloody wind will end just this once But the bloody wind they had so desperately wanted to avoid blew once more. The name of the blood storm that blew this time was currency. * * * As everyone knows, Joseons use of currency was useful, and in particr, seeing that Joseons silver banknotes were exerting influence as far away as a, the government of the Ming Dynasty also decided to create and distribute currency C not exactly actual currency, but paper money. did. And as the cirction of currency began, two problems that arose and hindered Emperor Seondeok. The two problems that held back Emperor Seondeok were counterfeit notes and private money. The issue of counterfeit currency was a problem from the time it was prepared for issuance. To prevent this problem of counterfeiting, a precise currency disc that cannot be counterfeited was needed. However, since it was impossible to develop this with the Ming Dynastys technological capabilities, Joseon ultimately had to produce currency discs and a printing press to present it. On the day that the currency disc and printing press made in Joseon arrived, Emperor Seondeok praised the Joseon envoys but treated his subjects harshly. Why cant we make Joseondo? Before the currency printed in this way was circted, the government of Ming sent samples to government offices throughout the central ins to disy them. This was to prevent misidentification and use of counterfeit bills. However, less than six months after the cirction of currency began, an appeal was filed stating that counterfeit currency was discovered. Emperor Seondeok looked at the ministers with an expression of bewilderment after seeing Wifee up with the petition. You confused this with pneumoconiosis? Are all the people of the empire blind-eyed? The counterfeit money in Emperor Seondeoks hands was so crude that anyone could tell it was a counterfeit note. When Emperor Seondeok was worried about the quality of the people he ruled, the assistant cab minister stepped forward and answered. The area where the appeal came from is a remote area of heaven. I think its because its a ce where people dont really know whats going on in the world. Huh Shaking his head with a sigh, Emperor Seondeok gave an order. Make samples again and send them to remote areas without fail. I follow your orders! However, less than three monthster, anotherint was made that another counterfeit note had been discovered. This time the problem was even more serious, as it was discovered in Sichuan, a city with many people, although it is far from Beijing. And although it was still crude, the workmanship was more advanced thanst time. Emperor Seondeok, who epted the forgery along with his appeal, red at the cab secretary. Dont you have anything to say to Jim? Please forgive me for my sins! Please save me! Bring out the interest! yes! At Emperor Seondeoks order, the soldiers of the Jinuiwi came in and dragged away the cab secretary. Emperor Seondeok responded coldly to the assistant cab secretarys cry for help. Does Jim need to show mercy twice? Staring at the ministers and eunuchs who were literally frozen, Emperor Seondeok immediately gave an order. Immediately mobilize all avable manpower from the Gold Medal Committee and Alumni to bring down the counterfeiters! These are traitors who harm the empire, so we must show absolutely no mercy! Anyone who shows even the slightestxity will be charged with high treason! To Emperor Seondeoksmand, ssmates and executives of the Geumwiwi responded loudly, sweating coldly. Ie to receive the royalmand! ording to Emperor Seondeoks orders, a bloody wind blew in the Sacheon region. Because it was a matter of their own risk, the Goldsmith Committee and Dongcheong officials persistently tracked down the counterfeit organization. During the tracking process, not only were there real members of the organization, but there were also quite a few people who were caught in the process of being framed. However, Alumni and the Geumui Committee did not distinguish between them and arrested them first and then proceeded with torture. In this way, about 20,000 people disappeared from the execution ground in the Sacheon region alone, and counterfeit money disappeared. * * * Emperor Seondeok, who solved the problem of counterfeit currency, meticulously examined currency-rted issues and corrected and supplemented any insufficiencies. Although the use of currency has increased, the rate of increase is not fastpared to the size of our empire. what is the reason? The new assistant cab secretary responded to Emperor Seondeoks question. There are quite a few merchants who still use their own dictionaries, so to speak, slips. why? In response to Emperor Seondeoks question, the Cab Secretary exined why they used their own slips. -First of all, the top leadersck faith in the currency issued by the country. The reason is because we remember the failure of the Qiaocho (n) issued by the Yuan Dynasty and the Damingbocho (n) issued in the early days of the empire. -Next, it is to hide their wealth. In order to use currency, they must bring and exchange physical gold and silver, but they do not want their wealth to be revealed in the process. Why are you trying to hide your wealth? Its because of taxes. In response to the new Assistant Cab Secretarys answer, Emperor Seondeok gritted his teeth and hit the armrest with his fist. These killers! At Emperor Seondeoks shout, everyone, including the assistant cab secretary, fell t on the floor. If you are a citizen of the empire, it is natural to pay a certain amount of taxes! Are you using a dictionary to avoid paying that tax? I will issue an imperial decree immediately! It was once again a cry calling for bloodshed. * * * Authors note. hello? This is Gukppong, who writes ck Enterprise Chosun. The series was dyed because I had been feeling chest pains since yesterday and went to the hospital to get diagnosed. The doctor said that it seemed like indigestion caused by stress. However, if you continue to feel pain after taking all of the prescribed medication, they advise you to go to arge hospital and receive a detailed diagnosis. I hope this time passes without any problems. And now I really need to lose weight. Chapter 411 Episode 411: Lord of War. Hua Merchant (2) Before issuing the imperialmand, Emperor Seondeok moved quickly. Send an envoy to Joseon immediately! right now! Yes, Your Majesty! What Emperor Seondeok wanted from Joseon was the original version of the nationally recognized bill of exchange, simr to the one used by the Joseon Dynasty. * The Joseon government, concerned that tax evasion or other problems might arise in this area, issued bills of exchange at its own expense. It was an attempt to prevent tax evasion as much as possible by forcing the use of bills with serial numbers for transactions, just like currency. And behind all these policies, there was a scent. It was based on the knowledge I learned in the 21st century and the experience I gained during my short career as a civil servant. Of course, in the process of nning this policy, the township was not optimistic about the results. There is a saying that ten police officers cannot stop one thief. The history of tax evasion is as old as the history of mankind But we must do everything we can and plug as many loopholes as possible. What emerged from that process was the investment capital market. Pull out and eat as much as you can! * * * As soon as the original te made in response to Emperor Seondeoks request arrived, Emperor Seondeok ordered it to be printed. As soon as a certain amount of supplies had umted ording to Emperor Seondes order, Emperor Seonde immediately issued an imperial order to the entire Ming Empire. -From now on, the upper part of the title prohibits the use of dictionaries, including vouchers. All merchants must use government-issued vouchers provided by the government. This is the royal order, and anyone who breaks it will be considered to be insulting me and will be severely punished. When the imperial name was promulgated, the superiors of the royal name visited the government office and received vouchers. Officials in charge of distribution meticulously recorded which merchants received how much vouchers, and these records were immediately delivered to the register in Beijing. * * * Of course, in this process, there were those who knowingly or unknowingly resisted. The surrounding merchants and merchants who discovered these people were startled and ran away. Have you already forgotten that bloody wind that blewst time? No matter how good the wealth is Just as the merchants and merchants feared, the merchants and merchants who pretended not to know Emperor Seondeoks orders and the merchants once again flocked to the merchants and reduced them to ruins. In this process, there were unfortunate victims, many of whom were destroyed due to the false usations of surrounding merchants and merchants. It was not only merchants and merchants who suffered damage. They hired warriors to protect goods and merchants from bandits and raiders while transportingrge quantities of goods. And these warriors recklessly engaged inbat during the suppression of the Geumgun army. Such outrageous things! Follow me until the end and keep me safe! Following the orders of Emperor Seondeok, who was enraged upon receiving the report, Geumgun persistently pursued and eliminated the warriors. In this process, the martial society called Seqing River Lake or Wulin suffered a huge blow and became the beginning of its downfall. This was because no matter how excellent a warrior he was in martial arts, he was powerless in front of Geumguns fire spear. * * * In this way, Emperor Seondeok concentrated as much power as possible in himself. The existing bureaucratic organization, the Cab of Ministers, the eunuchs, and the Jingui Committee were all in a situation where they were absolutely obedient to Emperor Seondeok. The power base of Emperor Seondeok was the musketeers called the Geumuiwi within the Jinuiwi, the so-called Musketeers, and the artillerymen, the Fire and Fire Guards. * * * A new type of Hwachang () was created based on the copper gun imported from Joseon, and Emperor Seondeok organized a unit within the Geumuiwi to operate this new type of Hwachang. In the process of organizing the units of the Geumwiwi, some improvements were made to the Donggun. Several craftsmen had finally created the aiming device. Even though it was an aiming device, it was a very primitive method of attaching small protrusions to the front and back of the barrel and aligning the protrusions in a straight line, but it showed a much more advanced uracy rate than the Hwachang imported from Joseon and the Hwachang used before. After seeing the actual demonstration, Emperor Seondeok ordered mass production. Emperor Seondeoks primary goal was to firstpose the main force of the Jin army with musketry and artillery, and ultimately topose the main force of the 500,000 army with musketry and artillery. But this was almost impossible. There were many reasons why it could be dered impossible, but the first thing that could be mentioned was that the basic quality of the soldiers was very poor. Good iron does not make nails, and good talent does not make soldiers. The perception of soldiers was so bad that there was a proverb like this. Therefore, most of those entering the military, especially regr soldiers, were illiterate. Second, gunpowder weapons such as fireworks and artillery were budget-consuming monsters. In particr, gunpowder costs a lot to produce, but is also difficult to maintain, and once used, thats it. And the problem was that in order to train properly, you had to consume a significant amount of it consistently. * * * Although there were many problems, Emperor Seondeok could not give up the formation of riflemen and artillerymen. In a battle against the Jurchen tribe that took ce shortly after ascending to the throne, Emperor Seondeok personally led his soldiers into battle and won. And it was because he could not forget the usefulness of the gunpowder weapons he experienced at this time. Therefore, Emperor Seondeok began to organize troops at the Geumuiwiwi, which wasposed of selected talented people. First, they selected 12,000 soldiers and began training 10,000 riflemen and 2,000 artillerymen. The musketeers and artillerymen trained by consumingrge amounts of wealth brought in through the joint venture grew into the elite of the elite. Emperor Seondeok, who was satisfied with the soldiers who boasted powerful military power at a nce, gave the names of Musketeers to the riflemen and Hwapowi to the artillerymen. Emperor Seondeok, who achieved the first goal, set the next goal. Emperor Seondeoks second goal was to increase the size of this musketeer and artillerymittee by five times. 50,000 musketeers and 10,000 artillerymen. This was the second stepping stone to reach the final goal that Emperor Seondeok dreamed of. * * * The musketeers corps and artillerymittee, which were raised as elites, were affiliated with the Geumui Committee. Although they were the Jinuiwi, thest bastion to protect themselves and the imperial family, Emperor Xuande had no intention of disying them as mere decorations in the Forbidden City. Emperor Seondeok, who organized the interior of the empire centering on the trained musketeers of the Jingui Committee and the Fire Committee, turned his attention to the outside. This was the city that Emperor Seondeoks gaze was directed to. After the Emperor Yongle allowed tribute trade, marshals were held regrly in the north, and trade with the Mongolian tribes in the north took ce. The Mongol tribes sold horses and fur, and the Ming sold silk, clothing, and food. The drinking party, which was held regrly but not permanently, was growing in size as time went by. In addition, nearby Uyghur merchants began to appear there. I see money! When reports surfaced that merchants who smelled money were engaging in smuggling, Emperor Seondeok issued an imperial order without dy. First, an area on the border between Ming and Oirat where drinking water was plentiful and easily supplied was selected to build an earthen fort of an appropriate size. Afterwards, they prepared lodging facilities and a horse yard around the fortress and then informed the tribal chiefs and merchants of Oirat. A permanent market has been established in the current location. Those with permits can trade in the market at any time! However, there were prerequisites: the Oirat side had to write a document showing loyalty to the Ming emperor, and Ming and Uyghur merchants had to purchase a trading license. In addition to a permit, merchants who wanted to trade in the market had to pay an entrance fee of 10 nyang of silver each time they entered the market. By paying this entrance fee, merchants could stay in the market for five days. Afterwards, merchants who wanted to extend their stay had to pay an additional 10 nyang of silver every five days. That too was paid in advance. However, the Oirat tribe was exempt from this condition. This is my kindness to you. Never cause trouble. Each time you entered the market, you had to pay 10 nyang of silver in banknotes, but the merchants epted this. This was because the profits that could be gained from trade in this market were worth the expenses. In particr, the benefits included safety concerns. The fortress built near the market was stationed with 3,000 musketeers, 500 artillery guards, and 1,000 cavalry. No matter how violent the warriors of the Oirat tribe were, they could never act rashly in front of them. In fact, small tribes belonging to the Oirat tribe tried to attack the market several times, but each time they suffered huge losses and had to retreat. And the tribe that retreated after receiving such damage was eaten by other tribes, like the Jurchen tribe that attacked Joseon and was destroyed. Masibo (horse city hall) created in this way was unexpectedly useful militarily. The market built near Masibo was overflowing with wealth, so not only the Oirat but also other Mongolian tribes focused their attention on it. Thanks to this, military pressure on the border area bordering Mongolia was significantly reduced. Another advantage was that the skills andbat power of the musketeers and fire siege soldiers continued to strengthen as they experienced actualbat at Masibo. The soldiers were reced by one-third every six months, and the soldiers who were constantly rotated honed their skills throughbat. Next, based on the profitsing through Masi, there was room to gradually expand the size of the Musketeers and Artillery Committee. Lastly, militarymanders who valued traditional cold weapons became clearly aware of the usefulness of gunpowder weapons. * * * It would have been great if it had ended that way, but things in the world were not that easy. Attempts to expand musketeers and artillerymen throughout the Ming army were still sluggish. The reason, as mentioned before, was the quality of the soldiers. Every time they received a report like this, Ming generals and military officers felt sad and lost their appetite. It is said that the Japanese be as ferocious as wild beasts when they pick up a sword and be warriors for a hundred men. For those who carry swords and set up, artillery is the best, but the soldiers are all ignorant. Come to think of it, Joseon Dynasty. Have you heard the news? They say they teach basic tactics and military techniques to even the most junior soldiers. The Koreans are so smart In the end, the generals of the Ming Dynasty chose the most certain and worst method to train their soldiers. Their choice was violence. Those who showed even the slightest sign of immaturity during the training process were subject to harsh beatings. On the other hand, if a person knew letters and showed even the slightest bit of excellence, he or she was immediately promoted to a low-level executive position. And these low-level executives were entrusted with the management of gunpowder weapons and gunpowder. Those who suddenly became executives were not all that good. He was secretly ostracized among the soldiers below him and was constantly asked for bribes by his superiors. On the outside, arge army armed with gunpowder weapons was being built, just like in Joseon, but inside, a bad smell was slowly beginning to emerge. * * * And in this situation, an appeal came to Emperor Seondeok. Lets build a currency-issuing country in Nanjing? Are you sane? Chapter 412 Episode 412: Lord of War. Hua Merchant (3) Emperor Seondeok red at Hobusangseo (), who had posted the appeal. But there was also something to be said in the book of fortune-telling. your majesty! This central field isrge and crowded with people! Since your Majesty ascended to the throne, our empire has be richer and stronger day by day, relying on your wisdom! Hobusangseo, who began his speech with praise for Emperor Seondeok, soon got into the main topic. But this has also caused many inconveniences. And the biggest inconvenience is currency. More and more currency is needed throughout the empire, but the issuing office in Peking alone is not able to keep up with the demand! Therefore, many ces still trade with silver and gold. And this leads to tax evasion! Therefore, we need to establish an additional issuing office in Nanjing to respond more quickly! Most officials, including the new Cab Secretary, nodded to Ho Bu-sang-seos remarks. However, Emperor Seondeok did not give up his refusal. There is no currency so we use the real thing? So why did you use the slip all this time? And why did Jim issue an imperial stamp? Didnt they ask you to rece that part? It means that you are ipetent to me everything only on the amount and speed of currency issuance without thinking about that! If you were sincere in your intentions, you would have worked harder to educate the people and worked harder to prevent tax evasion! But are we going to establish another issuing country without even thinking or doing anything like that? Are you really thinking about what you live for? To Emperor Seondeoks reprimand, Ho Bu Sang-seo responded by bowing his head. The loyalty of the gods is like diamond! Just by increasing efficiency, we can make a living for the empire You probably want to increase the opportunities for pilfering, not increase efficiency! And isnt it honest that you want to increase your own living, not the empires living? your majesty! These words are absolutely unfair! Gods loyalty is. Emperor Seondeok once again cut off Hobusangseos vige. If you investigate, you will find out about that loyalty! Hello! Take interest and go to jail right now! At Emperor Seondeoks order, the soldiers of the Geumwiwi who were waiting outside came in and captured Hobusangseo. your majesty! Its unfair! Hobusangseo was dragged outside andined of injustice, but Emperor Seondeok added another order. Examine all 10 groups in the Book of Fortune, and if anything is found to be unclean, send them all to prison! Iming as ordered! * * * While under the rule of Emperor Xuande, those involved in the politics of the Ming Dynasty C not only official officials, but also eunuchs and royal officials C had to act cautiously, as if walking on thin ice. Emperor Seondeok cleverly used the conflict that existed between the core organizations of power, the bureaucracy and the eunuch organization, Geumuiwi, to keep each other in check. And he encouraged loyaltypetition by giving ample rewards to those who were loyal to him. Informing and loyalty were the methods by which Emperor Seondeok maintained his power. And what made this possible was the enormous profitsing from the top of the joint venture. Although he was a feared figure to key figures in power and the rich, to the general public, Seondeokje was a saint of the first generation. He inspected the officials in charge of tax affairs and purged those who were corrupt, reducing unfair taxes, and whenever there was a disaster, the Jinui Committee was mobilized to respond quickly. Thanks to this,ter historians called the period of Emperor Seondeok the era of unprecedented peace and prosperity in Chinese history and named it the reign of Seondeok (֮). * * * Emperor Xiandes politics and the rted situation in the Ming Dynasty were learned directly through Shangguan in Shandong and the Jurchen people in the Liaoxi region. The interesting people here were the Jurchen people from the Liaoxi region. Joseon, which entered the empty space created by erasing the Limanchu and Muntemu tribes, quietly reached out to the Jurchen people in the Liaoxi region beyond the Liaohe River. It was not an official contact, but a contact using merchants from the wealthy Jurchen tribe, and they were used to create an information line that could be cross-verified with information obtained from Shandong. And this part was also Hyangs work. Because the city was well aware of the importance of information through its experience in the 21st century, it emphasized the need to create multiple information acquisition lines. And King Sejong, who immediately understood its importance, led the ministers and established an information line. * * * Interestingly, Joseon was well aware of the importance of this information line from the beginning of its founding. In particr, quickly and urately obtaining information about the Jurchen people directly across the Duman River and Yalu River was a matter rted to the survival of the nation. Thanks to this, the amount of information rted to the Jurchen people was considerable. And this was used to build an information line. And this created a simr situation with Japan. Joseon, which suffered from Japanese pirates, maintained good neighborly rtions by providing gifts to the Japanese lords to minimize damage. Until the reign of King Taejong, there were a considerable number of Japanese fiefdoms that had established rtionships in this way. Of course, it was carried out in secret because the Ming Dynasty strictly prohibitedmunication with the Japanese. However, the results of this policy were quite disappointing. By the time the results of the policy pursued in this way were slowly being revealed, Daenai Uihong (x Yoshihiro Ouchi), the ruler of the Daenae n, a powerful member of the Old Province, and Tsushima lord Zhongzhengmu (ؑï So Kitashige) had died. . As the rulers of the most important regions died, pirate raids on Joseon increased, and the rtionship between Joseon and Japan worsened. (Note 1) Because of this history, King Sejong epted Hyangs motion and an information line was quickly established. Andter historians screamed again. Youre the crown prince again! * * * After receiving the information received through cross-verification, Sejong let out a long sigh. Whoa~. As for Joseon, we must hope that the current emperor lives a long life. Do you understand why? Hyang, who was present at Sejongs question, nodded. This is because all power is concentrated in the emperor and all policies begin and end with one emperor. You saw it right. King Sejong looked at the incense with an amused expression and looked at the ministers. As the Crown Prince said, all events in the Shang Dynasty are being conducted by one person, the Emperor. This is a big problem. The ministers all nodded at Sejongs words. I didnt want to even think about what would happen if Emperor Xuande died tomorrow and the emperor who seeded him was ipetent. How old is the crown prince now? Minister of Foreign Affairs Lee Maeng-gyun, who took a moment to remember King Sejongs question, immediately answered. I was born in Byeong-o (), so I turn 5 this year. Youre too young Sejong, who was taking a nap, gave orders to his ministers. Contact Shandong and tell them not to miss a single rumor regarding the emperors health. Yes, Your Highness. After the meeting, the ministers gathered in the conference room of the Prime Ministers residence. Now, we are in a situation where we have to worry about the emperors health Hwang Hee responded to Kim Jeomsints. Isnt it because among the powerful people in the Ming Dynasty now, the only one who can benefit Joseon is the Emperor? Why are there so few talented people in a country with such argend and so many people? I cant help but agree. While the ministers nodded at Hwang Hees words, Jo Gye-saeng opened his mouth. Isnt that the same in our Joseon Dynasty? Arent we also in control of everything, His Majesty the Lord? Isnt there already a grown crown prince? At those words, Jo Gye-saeng looked a little embarrassed and muttered. I know that the crown prince is excellent, but isnt there a difference between being good at making amazing objects and being good at politics? Of course, there are many outstanding policies among the policies you have proposed, but most of them are rted to government affairs At Jo Gye-saengs words, all the ministers present looked at him in silence. As the other colleagues watched in silence, Jo Gye-saeng immediately asked. Why are you doing that? Hwang Hee stepped forward and answered Jo Gye-saengs question. There is one thing that happened while the captain was still in the wilderness. Go to the Record Office and look for records on the announcement of political views that took ce immediately after the crown princes investiture. huh? And the next day, Jo Gye-saeng visited the records office and read all the rted records. Jo Gye-saeng, who read all the records, muttered with a white face. This crazy * * * After that, time passed like water. Fortunately, Joseon did not experience war or uprising and was moving forward smoothly. As time passed, it became the 17th year of King Sejongs reign (Eulmyo Year, 1435). As the weather became warmer and people became more active, King Sejong and his ministers visited Area 51. The reason King Sejong and his ministers visited Area 51 was because the new Iron Horse waspleted. Beep! Chick chug! With a loud whistle, arge iron horse came out of the production shed along the test track. Oh oh! The ministers eximed in exmation as they saw the new iron horse that was revealed. Sejongs eyes lit up as he looked at the newly revealed lotive. How big it is! Researchers and craftsmen did their best. In response to Hyangs response, King Sejong looked at the researchers and craftsmen standing behind him with a happy face and praised them. Thank you for your hard work! Because of you, Joseons future is bright! I am devastated! Your Majesty the Lord, live forever! A thousand years! A thousand years! Under King Sejongs reign, researchers and artisans responded with three cheers. The ceremony was held under the supervision of King Sejong. After the ceremony, King Sejong asked Hyang many things. Youre so big, how fast can you get? On average, you can cover 150 ri (about 60 km) in half an hour (about 1 hour). huh? How far did the Hanseong iron horse run? It is 90 ri (about 36km) from Bansijin. But thats the maximum speed and the description Ive just given is the average speed. At my best, I can run 250 ri (about 100 km) in half an hour. But why are you running sote? Running at top speed shortens your lifespan. Continued research is needed to achieve a longer lifespan at a faster rate. And the current average speed is simr to the speed at which a horse runs at full power. I see. So,pared to the Hanseong Iron Horse, how many people and cargo can it carry? The average is four times that. Of course, if you max it out, it can be loaded up to 6 times. However, there were many mountains to ovee on the way to the railroad, and many people were not familiar with iron horses, so we deliberately slowed down the speed and reduced the amount of transportation. I see. Hearing the scents exnation, King Sejong looked at Cheolma, forcing himself to hide his regret. As King Sejong was examining the iron horse, something caught his eye. It was something that looked simr to a wedge attached to the front of a lotive. What is that? First of all, it was named Baejanggi (), and its role was to push out wild animals or obstacles on the railroad tracks. Indeed Sejong, who immediately understood the purpose of the incense through the exnation, nodded and then looked back at the incense. Sejay, this is the troop transport tow truck I mentioned earlier. We are currently researching whether it can be attached and used and how helpful it is. At Hyangs answer, Sejong finally nodded with a satisfied face. It is indeed Crown Prince. King Sejong, who had been circling around the iron horse and inspecting it closely, looked back. But you cant see Jinpyeong? Jinpyeongs personality is such that he would never fall into a situation like this, right? In response to Sejongs question, Hyang stretched out her arms toward the engine room of the iron horse. We are preparing for a test run. It is indeed Jinpyeong And the ministers who followed them and listened to the story all muttered to themselves. It is indeed the rich who cannot deceive with blood. * * * Note 1) Military strategy of the Joseon Dynasty. Conquest of Tsushima Ind. Ministry of National Defense Military Comption Research Institute. Chapter 413 Episode 413: Lord of War. Hua Sang (4) In the subsequent test run, the new iron horse satisfied Sejong. After the release ceremony and test drive, King Sejong returned to the pce and gave orders to Kim Jeom. Prepare a budget to mass produce the new iron horse and its apanying passenger and freight cars. Kim Jeom immediately responded to King Sejongsmand by bowing his head. I have already budgeted for the immediate needs. And we are prepared to execute it every year over the next five years. huh? uh? to? When Kim Jeom answered right away, not only King Sejong but also the ministers and ministers and even officers and eunuchs looked at Kim Jeom with wide eyes. As everyone in Geunjeongjeon turned their attention to him, Kim Jeom looked at King Sejong with a puzzled face. Have you done something wrong? Oh, thats not it. Its because you answered so refreshingly. Kim Jeom responded to Sejongs words. The iron horse is a piece that is sure to be of great help to the peoples lives as well as to improving the countrys fortunes. And since railroads and bridges are already beingid across the country, isnt it natural to prepare in advance and wait? Thats true Thats not true King Sejong kept nodding his head in response to Kim Jeoms answer, but it was a very unfamiliar situation. * * * In any case, as the budget was implemented by the Ministry of Finance and Economy, Area 51 and railroad construction sites across the country were busy. At the production warehouse in Area 51, new iron horses were being manufactured inrge quantities, and carriages muchrger than those for the Hanseong Iron Horses and stagecoaches running on tow trucks were being built step by step. And final inspections were continuing at railroad construction sites across the country that were slowly entering the final phase. During this final inspection process, the routes that the superintendents were most concerned about were the track connecting Hanseong to Wonsan and the railway running north to south along the east coast. Coal from the North and Gangwon Province was transported to the steel mill located in Yeonil, South. Additionally, steel produced in Musan and Yeonil went to Hanseong via the Gyeongwon Line or were distributed throughout the country using ovend routes that had beenpleted. The same was true with coal. Following the east coast axis, the west coast and south coast axis lines were also nearingpletion. The railway nned and executed by Joseon had its own characteristics. First, a main route was created along the coastline, and branch lines were connected to the ind from that route. The reason this method was adopted was because of the mountain ranges that upy 70% of the Korean Penins. Although Hyang was good at all kinds of virtues, his weakness was in architecture and civil engineering. Although lotives with increasingly stronger output were being developed and researched, climbing a mountain was still difficult. Therefore, the main line wasid along the coastline, which was a t area, and branch lines went ind. At the center of this magnificent railwaywork was Hanseong. On the day that the Hansu Railroad Bridge, which is still under intense construction, waspleted, the entire Joseon Dynasty would be connected by rail. And for that day, Jinpyeong was riding around all over Joseon on horseback and making all kinds of observations. Thepletion of Joseons national railwaywork is the beginning of my dream! Starting from Joseon, we will build a railroad to the Central Liaodong in and beyond! I will take the train to Heaven and Alexandria! Jinpyeong was a man who wandered around the construction site, excitedly shouting out loud things that would make Kim Jeom cry. And when Hyang heard this, his face turned serious and he muttered. Isnt that dream of Gyeyucheolnan not a dog dream but a precognitive dream? * * * In this way, a variable was thrown into Joseon, which was moving peacefully above the water and fiercely below the water. The 18th year of King Sejong (1436, Byeongjin year). april. Ouchis envoy urgently visited Joseon. King Sejong and the ministers had a serious look on their faces because the envoy came suddenly rather than regrly every year. The head of the Daenae n, Daenaeseonggyeon (ʢҊ), is quite old, so isnt there some problem? Lee Maeng-gyun answered King Sejongs question. The adult dog is quite old, but he is not yet 60 years old, and he enjoys hunting and pays attention to his diet, so I think the probability of that happening is low. is it? Sejong answered briefly and nced at Hyang. Most of the things that Morimi observed and did were things that Hyang insisted to King Sejong that he must observe. Sejong cleared his throat and gave an order. greatness! In any case, the sudden arrival of an envoy is bound to be due to a twist and turn, so the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should find out the twist and turn in detail. I follow your orders! * * * The officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who weed the envoy suddenly changed theirplexion upon hearing the news delivered by Ouchis envoy, and immediately submitted a report to Lee Maeng-gyun, who ran to King Sejong. So, why did Mr. Daenaes envoy suddenlye? We are requesting to sell the rifles used by our Joseon military. As Lee Maeng-gyun spoke, harsh words came out of the mouth of Jo Mal-saeng, who was present. You want a rifle? These bastards have been telling me that Im pretty for a long time, but what kind of bullshit are they talking about Great! greatness! Keuhum! Jo Mal-saeng, who found reason in Lee Maeng-gyuns urgent cries, bowed his head to King Sejong. majesty! Please, God, forgive me for losing my temper for a moment and behaving in a disgraceful manner! Its okay. Because thats what I wanted to say. So why are they suddenly here to sell rifles? They probably dont know how our Joseon Dynasty manages its artillery and rifles, right? What kind of trouble has happened to Japan? Lee Maeng-gyun immediately answered King Sejongs question. It is said that it has been confirmed that the Daenae n and the Japanese who are in close contact have the President. what! Sejong jumped up from his seat and shouted. * * * The Japanese had the president. Upon hearing this report, King Sejong immediately ordered Jo Mal-saeng. Immediately dispatch inspectors to allnd and naval forces in Joseon to determine the management status of artillery and rifles and mounted guns! I follow your orders! Sejong, who gave orders to Jo Mal-saeng, looked back at Lee Maeng-gyun. So, Daenaes envoys came to visit us? Thats right. In particr, seeing that the person who came as the head of the envoys was Ouchi Mochiyo, we can see the urgency of the Daenai n. Sejong, who pondered Lee Maeng-gyuns answer for a moment, opened his mouth. I will meet the envoys in person. Get ready. * * * The next day, the envoys of the Ouchi family, led by Mochiyo Ouchi, were able to meet King Sejong at Geunjeongjeon. Mochiyo and his party, who entered Geunjeongjeon, saw King Sejong sitting on the temple, immediately prostrated himself on the floor and bowed deeply. Mochiyo Ouchi of the Ouchi n meets the monarch of Joseon! Thank you for your hard work ining to the center. The eunuchs should bring chairs to the envoys. Yes, Your Highness. A barrage of questions were poured in from King Sejong and his ministers to the envoys sitting on the chairs brought by the eunuchs. I heard that those who were in league with Mr. Daenae said that they had the President. Are you really sure? Mochiyo answered King Sejongs question in broken Korean. Im sure. Which family is it from? From what I have confirmed so far, they are Otomo, Shoni, and Shimazui. Otomo? Shawnee? Shimazu? Lee Maeng-gyun, who was present in response to King Sejongs question, immediately exined. Daewoo () Soi (E) and Dojin (u) are here. As King Sejong nodded at Lee Maeng-gyuns answer, one thing stuck in his mind. Wait isnt the Soi n the n followed by the n n, the head of Tsushima Ind? Thats right. From what I heard, I heard that Mr. Soi is currently staying in Tsushima Ind and dreaming of bing a local schr. Are you sure? Thats right. King Sejongs face became more serious at Lee Maeng-gyuns answer. It is a big problem for the President to go to such people. Sejong, who realized that the situation was more serious than expected, continued to ask Mochiyo. Has Mr. Daenae acquired any of the presidents they im to have? I have it. Mochiyo responded immediately and gave an order to his subordinates behind him. At Mochiyosmand, the subordinate came forward carrying the wooden box he held dear. As Mochiyos subordinate came forward carrying the box, the Naegumwi soldiers nearby all tensed. With the tense soldiers ring at him, Mochiyos subordinate put down the box and carefully stepped back. Open the box. At King Sejongsmand, the eunuch opened the lid of the box and showed King Sejong the contents. Inside the box was a barrel with joints like bamboo. After confirming the president in question, King Sejong looked back at Jo Mal-saeng. Do you think it looks a little different from the Fuhrer that our Joseon military used in the past? Thats right. No, its definitely different. Hmm King Sejong, who was stroking his beard and organizing his thoughts upon Jo Mal-saengs confirmation, ordered Do Seung-ji. Please stop by and tell General Choi Hae-san and General Icheon immediately. Yes, Your Highness. * * * Choi Hae-san and Lee Cheon, who were working in Area 51, hurried to Gyeongbokgung Pce when King Sejong called. Choi Hae-san, who stabilized the North, volunteered to work at the Weapons Bureau created in Area 51 as soon as he returned. He was strongly influenced by his father, Mu-seon Choi, and working at the Weapons Bureau in Area 51 was his calling. In this way, Choi Hae-san and Lee Cheon were in charge of leading the development and improvement of gunpowder weapons at Area 51 and the research institute. And looking at Choi Haesan like this, Imented on the scent like this. When ites to gunpowder, you are a bigger fan of gunpowder than I am. Next is me and number 3 is General Icheon. * * * Choi Hae-san and Lee Cheon, who are such fans of sincerity, looked at the president in question and came to the same conclusion. Its a stone fire. Thats right. The two people who reached a consensus immediately reported it to King Sejong. This is the stone fire spear used by the Ming Dynasty army. Is it the Hwachang of the Ming Dynasty? Thats right. I understand. You may take a seat. King Sejong, who knew that themander in question was the stone fire spear used by the Ming army, asked Mochiyo. Are there many of these presidents among the three families threatening Daenae? I understand that you have at least a sack of spirit. And it continues to increase even now. Hmm Mochiyos exnation made Sejong lost in thought again. After thinking for a while, Sejong opened his mouth to see if he had made a decision. Listen to the internal situation. It is a very serious problem that people who are in conflict with the Daenae family use this type of president. The Daenae family and our Joseon Dynasty have continued their rtionship until now, so how can we just ignore it? I will find a good answer and let you know soon, so go back to the Sashin Hall and wait. Mochiyo responded to King Sejongsmand by immediately kneeling on the floor. I sincerely hope that you will look down on our poor family and help us! I will find a good answer. * * * After sending the envoys away, King Sejong looked back at the ministers. I guess we should help them. Daenae and we have a close rtionship. If Daenae goes wrong, well be in trouble too. Following King Sejongs words, Jo Mal-saeng immediately stepped forward. Ill buy it back. In particr, the biggest problem is Mr. Soi. Now that they have settled down in Tsushima Ind, if they do anything wrong, there is a high possibility that the Japanese pirates will be violent again. The ministers all nodded at Jo Mal-saengs words. After seeing the reactions of the ministers, Jo Mal-saeng went one step further. It is important to help Mr. Daenae, but it is also important to deal with areas that may cause problems in advance. Hwang Hee intervened in Jo Mal-Saengs remarks. Pre-processing? Are you nning to attack Tsushima Ind? Mr. Sois problem is not only Daenaes problem, but it is also our problem. Doesnt even Samcheok-dong know that So-i, who was defeated by Daenae in thest battle, is plotting to seize power? Where are you going to get the money to buy thatnd? Is there anything more than piracy? They may seem calm now, but we never know when they wille and attack us, so we wont let this opportunity pass us by! Do you think war is easy? Have you forgotten the hardships we went through preparing the army and raising war funds during the conquest of Tsushima Ind in the previous year? The current Joseon back then was no different! In todays Joseon, we dont have to suffer as much as we did back then! The topic suddenly changed to the second Tsushima conquest and the atmosphere in Daejeon became noisy. Chapter 414 Episode 414: Lord of War. Hua Merchant (5) Stop! Daejeon, which was noisy with all kinds of shouts, like a monopoly during a discount sale period, suddenly became quiet at the sound of Sejongs shout. When the ministers became quiet, King Sejong settled the situation. The Minister of National Defenses opinion is right, but there is a problem. Its a matter of justification. The President is too weak for the justification of using force on Tsushima Ind. At King Sejongs words, all the opposing ministers, including Hwang Hee, nodded. However, the pro-choice ministers, including Jo Mal-saeng, continued to emphasize the necessity of conquest. The cause is important, but this is the best opportunity to eliminate danger while minimizing damage to our shipbuilding country! You can secure your cause by using the Nine Prefectures of the Nine Provinces! * * * As a preparatory step for the conquest of Tsushima Ind, Joseon began to build a justification against the Japanese. It was not just Joseon and Ming that suffered damage from Japanese pirates. Due to the chaotic situation of the conflict between the North and South, the lords of the Japanese kingdom also suffered damage from the Japanese pirates. Thanks to this, Joseon persuaded lords who were friendly to Joseon. C Tsushima Ind is a quick ce in our Joseon Dynasty, but it has turned into a den of Japanese pirates, so we want to subdue it. As a result, Guju Jeoldosa made this request to Joseon. The pirates are enemies to Japan as well, so we demand that they be subjugated. Joseon conquered Tsushima Ind using the official demand of the Kuju Jedosa as the justification. (Note 1) * * * When the pro-choice ministers mentioned using the Kuju Jedosa, Hwang Hee came forward and opposed it. The reason why Guju Jeoldosa was able to provide justification during the year of Gihae was because our Joseon Dynasty was actually in trouble! But what about now? All the other lords of the Japanese country know that our Joseon has suffered no harm and that our Joseon is replenishing the treasures of the Savior Jedo Temple! But using the Kuju thief to gain justification and attack Tsushima? Are you nning to turn the entire Japanese nation, excluding Daenae and Guju Jeolda, into enemies? No, if things go that way, Mr. Daenae and the Guju thief will also turn into our enemies! The cause is not important, but the most important thing is the cause! Justification! The ministers in favor of Hwang Hees words were busy trying to find a way to counterattack. Your Majesty the Crown Prince has passed the entrance exam. At that time, a merchant ship announced Hyangs visit. Come on in. With King Sejongs permission, Hyang entered Geunjeongjeon and bowed. King Sejong, who received the bow, gave Hyang a seat and opened his mouth. What happened to this guy who should be in Area 51? yes. I heard that Abama had called General Choi Hae-san and General Icheon, so my curiosity arose. okay? It came right at the right time. Please show Crown Prince Sang-seon that Hwachang. yes. ording to King Sejongs order, the merchant ship opened the box to Hyang and showed him the Hwachang in question. Hyang-hyang asked Sejong after carefully examining the window. If Xiao Tzu is not mistaken, it clearly appears to be a stone fire spear used by the Ming Dynasty army. What problem did this cause? It is said that lords who are hostile to the Daenae n are introducing this Hwachang. And among those lords, there is also the Soi n in Tsushima Ind. Ah Hyangs face became serious at Sejongs exnation. Is it a leak? Or is it self-made? huh? When Sejong showed that he didnt know, Hyang stood up again and looked at Hwachang in question. Hyang, who had been looking at Hwachang for a while, looked back at Sejong. Can I get help from General Choi Hae-san and General Icheon? Let the two generals help the crown prince. yes. After exchanging opinions for a while with Hwachang in the middle, the three people came to a conclusion. Now, I am certain that this item was made in Ming. Quality is one thing, but the most important thing is Hyang pointed out the emblem engraved on Hwachangs body. The sentence was engraved on when and where Hwachang was created. Afterpleting the confirmation, Hyang confirmed some more information he needed. After gathering some information, Hyang reported it to King Sejong. Looking at the level of technology of Japanese craftsmen, replicas of this will soon be distributed inrge quantities. Thats a real problem. The bigger problem is whether the gunpowder recipe was leaked. this! With Hyangs point out, King Sejong and the ministers learned what the real serious problem of this incident was. You were thinking about things wrong. To make such a mistake King Sejong, who reprimanded his mistake, gave an order to Lee Maeng-gyun. Minister of Foreign Affairs, please form an envoy and dispatch it to Beijing immediately. You are well aware of the importance of the matter, so you must hurry. I will do my best! * * * After concluding by sending an envoy by order to confirm the facts, the topic returned to the conquest of Tsushima Ind. I will ask the crown prince. Please ask. King Sejong exined the Conquest of Tsushima Ind, which was a subject of heated debate among ministers. So lets count, Im curious what your opinion is. Speak honestly and without reservation. Hearing King Sejos words, Hyang closed her mouth and began to organize her thoughts. And the ministers waited for Hyangs mouth to open with expressions of half anticipation and half worry. After gathering his thoughts for almost a minute (about 15 minutes), Hyang finally opened his mouth. First of all, I think it is impossible to conquer Tsushima right now. As Abamama said, the justification is weak. If we forcefully conquer Tsushima Ind with a weak justification, there is a high possibility that we will lose the political and economic foundation we are currently building on the Japanese maind. In Hyangs reply, the opposing ministers said, Yes! He made an expression like this. As Hyang said, Joseon was secretly expanding its influence over the entire Japanese nation through the Joseon superiors established in maind Japan. The Japanese lords, who heard that the Ouchi and Kuju thief Shibukawa families were gradually umting wealth through trade with Joseon, were secretly approaching Joseon. Hyang continued by exining the situation in the Japanese country. This is why Ashikaga Yoshinori, the head of the shogunate, is now wary of Joseon. However, if Tsushima Ind is conquered with a weak justification, it is certain that the Jokyui Church will use this as an opportunity. The longer Hyang spoke, the more the opposition gained momentum. Andstly, it is not easy to conquer Tsushima Ind with the current armament of our Joseon military. huh? uh? All ministers, whether for or against Hyangs words, expressed doubts, and this was the same for King Sejong. Seja. You dont understand? Looking at the military history so far, the Land Forces have won consecutive victories against the Jurchen tribes who caused the rebellion, and the Navy has continued their victories against the pirates and Japanese pirates rampaging at sea. The background to such victory is Joseons powerful weapon. Even with such a weapon, conquering Tsushima Ind is not easy? Even though its only an ind the size of your palm? The ministers all nodded at Sejos point. However, Choi Hae-san and Lee Cheon seemed to know something. Hyang immediately responded to Sejongs point. Its not easy because its such a palm-sized ind. Hyang exined what the problem was. -What Liaodong and the sea have inmon is that they are wide spaces without obstacles. In such spaces, long-range artillery and rifles can be effective. -A space without such obstacles allows the firepower of fire bombs, especially bigyeokjincheonroe, to be utilized to the fullest extent. In a space like this, the best defense an enemy can use when attacked by a lightning bolt is the body of arade. -Also, in the ins of Liaodong, the cavalry can inflict irreparable wounds on the enemy by making full use of the mobility of the front lines at sea. -However, the environment of Tsushima Ind ispletely opposite to that of the Liaodong region and the sea. Those who have been to Tsushima Ind will know that most of Tsushima Ind is a mountainous area. -The most important power, artillery, cannot be easily moved in such mountainous terrain. -Of course, the navys front lines can approach the coast and provide support with artillery, but if the pirates go deeper into the mountains, it bes useless. -Rifles are also a problem. The trees on the mountain provide the best cover for Japanese pirates. If the person leading the Japanese pirates had any idea, he would lead them to hide among the trees and use the reload time to approach them step by step. -Also, in a forest like this, the power of Bigyeokjincheonroe is greatly reduced. This is because fragments of bigyeokjincheonroe are blocked by trees. -Ultimately, if this situation progresses, closebat will ur centered on spearmen. If this happens, you can defend, but you cannot chase. It is physically impossible for spearmen wearing heavy armor to chase down Japanese pirates while climbing mountains. Even if you chase them to some extent, it is difficult to use the greatswords and long spears equipped by spearmen in dense forests. Because of this situation, all fortresses protecting military ports on Tsushima Ind were built on high ground, and at least 10 barren areas (approximately 30 meters) were set outside the walls. It is written in the military records that giving up these defenses and going on the offensive is like entering the realm of danger and death, and should never be done. Hyang, who was exining why it was impossible, ended his exnation by adding the following. Please relive the Battle of Irogun (Ͽ) that we experienced in thest year of conquest. * * * The conquest of Tsushima Ind, which took ce in the first year of King Sejongs reign, started with andslide victory for Joseon. However, despite the pressure from Joseon, the Japanese resisted by engaging in guerri warfare, so Lee Jong-mu decided to attack the ce where the Japanese were concentrated. The n was to deliver a decisive blow and force the Japanese pirates to surrender. Lee Jong-mu, who received intelligence that Japanese pirates had gathered at the Iro Army, ordered Park Sil to destroy the enemies that hadnded in the Iro Army. The problem was that the selection of this unit was not decided through proper military deliberation, but rather by drawing lots. After receiving the order, Park Sil decided to upy the high ground of the Iro army and proceed with an attack using the height. To this end, soldiers were encouraged to disembark and move to higher ground. However, the pirates had already taken control of the key point and were preparing for battle. The Joseon army, which only cared about upying the high ground and did not even organize a proper battle line, fell into a chaotic battle. In the midst of the chaos, officers including Park Hong-sin, Park Mu-yang, and Gimhae Kim Hee,manders of the Joseon army, were killed, and Park Sil, embarrassed, ordered the troops to retreat. Due to the sudden retreat and pursuit by the Japanese pirates, about 100 soldiers fell off the cliff and drowned. Seeing the urgent situation, ally Sun-mong Lee and soldier Kim Hyo-seong rushed to provide support and stopped the Japanese pirates, but the damage to the Joseon army was severe. It was a battle in which about 180 soldiers died, including those who drowned. In addition, the Chinese army under Lee Jong-mu did not intervene in the battle, and all of these things came together and became an excuse toter impeach Lee Jong-mu. (Note 1) * * * In some ways, when the Battle of Irogun, a painful memory of the Joseon army, was brought out, Cho Mal-saeng and officials of the Ministry of National Defense Theirplexion got worse. However, in a way, the Second Tsushima Conquest lost its power when even Hyang, the most staunch supporter of the Joseon army, expressed its opposition. Hmm, then the crown prince thinks conquering Tsushima Ind is impossible? no. The location of Tsushima Ind is like a dagger pointed at our Joseons chin, so our Joseon must obtain it. But impromptu ns like this one are a no-no. You will need to thoroughly research Tsushimas terrain and environment and the habits of those living on Tsushima and develop appropriate tactics before making any moves. The current Joseon militarys tactics are those suitable for the Liaodong region in terms of offensive tactics, while the rest are defensive in nature. So, you have to think of a strategy that suits you. After hearing Hyangs answer, Sejong nodded and looked back at Jo Mal-saeng. Does the Minister of Defense know what to do? We will immediately organize personnel and begin research. After hearing Jo Mal-saengs answer, King Sejong organized the situation again. Let the Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately form an envoy and send it to Beijing, and have the Ministry of National Defense devise customized tactics suitable for the geography around Joseon, starting with Tsushima Ind. And the Crown Prince. King Sejong thought for a moment and continued. Gunpowder weapons have spread to the Japanese, so firearms with better performance than those currently in use are needed. Study this. Yes Abama. Only with a minimal budget. yes. * * * Note 1) Military strategy of the Joseon Dynasty. Conquest of Tsushima Ind. Ministry of National Defense Military Comption Research Institute. Chapter 415 Episode 415: Lord of War. Flower Merchant (6) I thought things would end like that, but King Sejong suddenly called for Hyang. ah! I forgot. Sejaya Daenae has requested support for rifles to deal with Hwachang. What should I do? Hyang immediately answered King Sejongs question. No shit wouldnt it be okay to hand over a copper gun? Please hand over the recipe, but we will provide the bullets and gunpowder. Sejong thought for a moment about Hyangs answer and then nodded. Yes, that would be best. We must prevent gunpowder manufacturing technology from falling into their hands as much as possible. Good work. yes. Then, lets go back and get to work right away. Okay, good luck. Hyang calmly paid his respects to King Sejong and left Geunjeongjeon. Sejong looked rather anxious as he looked at Hyangs back. what? Why is that kid so quiet? It was Sejong who had already figured out what kind of child Hyang was. Sejong, who knew very well that Hyangs favorite thing was developing weapons, could not understand Hyangs calm reaction just now. I understand that there is such a reaction when the budget is mentioned, but the problem is that the previous reaction was unusual Sejong looked at the ministers at the unusual reaction of Hyang. Do you understand why the Crown Prince is acting like that? Im not sure. But this is definitely not an ordinary thing! Even the ministers could not hide their anxiety at the reaction after seeing the scent. In the end, the ministers looked at Kim Jeom. How about we free up some spare finances? Its not, What do you think? Rx! Under pressure from the ministers, Kim Jeom looked at Sejong. Kim Jeom, who saw Sejongs face, eventually gave in. Once we receive your request, we will execute it immediately. Thank you. * * * Meanwhile, Hyang, who returned to his office in Area 51, was furious. What kind of rich bastard did something crazy? If this happens, portion control is a failure! The reason why Hyang had such an expression was because the timetable he had nned was disrupted due to an unexpected variable. * * * From the time when Gapsikjangchongtong (Gapsikjangchong) was first made, Hyang had been making ns of his own. -The rifle made now is a percussion cap type that uses a detonator. -If you follow the manufacturing method of Noe Hong properly, you can use the percussion cap for as little as 10 years or as long as 30 years. -By that time, a simr product will be released, either by someone stealing money or by idental discovery by craftsmen in other countries, and at that time, they are one step ahead with a breech-loading gun. -If you gradually develop it like this, you can leisurely work on it without worrying about running out of money. -Jihwaja! This was Hyangs n, but it went awry. * * * Just like that, Hyang, who had been swearing about some crazy guy, returned to reality. No matter how much I think about it, the military doesnt seem to have any intention of giving up on conquering Tsushima Ind If thats the case, I think we should go with an after-effects approach rather than a full-on approach. In Hyangs opinion, in order to achieve maximum effectiveness with full-length rifles, group shooting by soldiers forming a line was the right answer. But forming a battle line in the forest itself was difficult. In the end, the soldiers had to split into small groups and fight the enemy. In order for such small-sized troops to maintain superiority in firepower, a fast-reloading breech-loading rifle was the optimal answer. Aftering to a conclusion, Hyang soon unfolded a nk piece of paper and began to think deeply. Which method would be best And not long after, he was even humming a song and drawing a concept map. * * * While Hyang was having a fun time to make a new rifle, an envoy led by Lee Maeng-gyun visited Beijing. Doesnt the situation look more stable than when Ist came? Is there a secret to rejuvenation? Lee Maeng-gyun bowed his head and responded to Emperor Seondeoks joke about the time he visited him in the past. My lord has provided me with good medicine. The king of Joseon truly cares about his subjects. Lee Maeng-gyun muttered to himself at Emperor Seondeoks words. I guess you dont know how scary the cost of that medicine is. In the atmosphere softened by such a light joke, Emperor Seondeok got to the point. So, why did you suddenlye when it wasnt even the time for the Shinigami toe? From what I hear, Joseon seems to be at peace? In response to Emperor Seondeoks question, Lee Maeng-gyun strengthened his voice and brought up the matter. Actually, I havee here as an envoy because something serious has happened to the security of the Shang Dynasty and our Joseon Dynasty. Hearing Lee Maeng-gyuns words, Emperor Seondeok straightened his posture and asked again. Is there a problem with my safety? What does that mean? In response to Emperor Seondeoks question, Lee Maeng-gyun gestured to the governor. Lee Maeng-gyun, who received the box from the magistrate, politely went forward and handed the box to the eunuch. Open it. Yes, Your Majesty. After seeing the contents of the box, Seondeokje turned to Lee Maenggyun. Isnt this a stone fire? Both Korea and Korea use fire spears that are better than this, so whats the problem? If you look closely, you will see that it is a stone fire spear used by the Shang Dynasty military. The problem is that these stone fire spears are circting inrge quantities among Japanese pirates. what! Hearing Lee Maeng-gyuns exnation, Emperor Seondeok jumped up from his seat. Emperor Seondeok came down from the throne, took out the stone fire spear from the box, and examined it carefully. While looking around, Emperor Seondeok checked the inscription on the body of the stone hwachang and sighed. Whoa~. Really. So, are you saying that these stone fire spears are circting among the Japanese pirates? Thats right. A lord whomunicates with our Joseon Dynasty sent me an urgent message, and it is said that hundreds of gates are already circting and the number is increasing further. Huh~. The biggest worry now is that we may have exceeded the level of gunpowder. Emperor Seondeok exploded when he heard that it was not just a leak of stone fire, but a bigger problem could ur. I see! These traitors of mine! Seon Deok-je, who took this seriously, looked back at his cab secretary. Establish an inspection team immediately and find out the truth! Go to all armies throughout the empire, count the number of stone fire spears, and find any irregrities! If anyone is involved in this, everyone, regardless of rank, should be arrested! Capture not only the parties involved, but all 10 of them! No, investigate all artillery and gunpowder, not just stone fire spears! This is my edict, and those who neglect it will be held guilty of treason! I obey your orders! The cab secretary, trembled with fear, stammered his voice and answered immediately. A storm of blood began to blow across the empire once again. * * * In ordance with Emperor Seondeoks strict orders, thergest investigation team in history was formed. The investigation team, which was formed by mobilizing not only the provincial inspectors but also the Gold Council and alumni, thoroughly uncovered not only the imperial army but also the merchants connected to it. The screamsing from the investigation teams interrogation room overcame the wall, and dozens of people returned home as dead bodies every day. The full picture of the incident revealed was as follows. Some merchants who were struggling to maintain their ranks and earn more profits in an increasingly fiercepetition caught the eye of Dolhwachang, which would force them to retire from the military. ording to the establishedw, these retired stone fire spears were to be transported back to workshops located in Beijing and other ces for recycling. However, because copper was an expensive mineral, many merchants bribed officials and stole the stone. While the stolen stone spears were being melted down to make wares, some merchants who were in close contact with the pirates had other ideas. Do you think you can sell it to pirates for a high price? This was an opportunity that could not be missed by the merchants who had already stolen and sold the Ming armys artillery. The pirates who contacted the merchant and heard the business weed him with open arms. Soon, stone spears began to be handed over to the pirates. The rumor that the pirates had obtained the stone hwachang was immediately spread to the pirates, and the pirates also secretly contacted them and requested the dolhwachang. That was how Dolhwachang came into the Japanese kingdom. However, gunpowder was needed to properly use stone fire spears, and merchants from Ming Dynasty even began supplying gunpowder. Gunpowder was easily avable as the Chinese people enjoyed lighting fireworks whenever there was something to celebrate, such as celebrating the New Year or getting married. However, merchants who did not want to spend money on manufacturing gunpowder contacted the military again. Merchants contacted the militarys gunpowder manager and received gunpowder that had been disposed of at a low price. This was because the gunpowder technicians working at the top could recycle it. However, as the demand for gunpowder gradually increased, merchants began to steal even intact gunpowder from the military and sell it. It was natural that a chain of bribes was created in this process. At first, there were simply field managers, but as the scale grew, the line reached even the provincialmanding officer, themander in charge of the troops stationed in one province. * * * This is ridiculous. After checking the investigation report, Emperor Seondeok suddenly looked like he had aged several years. Of the 30% of the total stone fire spears stolen in this way, at least 2/3 of them were melted and turned into vessels, but the remaining 10% is the problem. This alone is worth 10,000 units Seondeokje, who was checking the contents of the report again, narrowed his eyes when he saw the gunpowder part. Its to the point where Im afraid to see it again. Why does Jim have to see this report! Say it! Everyone, including the assistant cab secretary, bowed down to the floor as Emperor Seondeok shouted. Please have mercy! Please forgive the gods for their negligence! Whoa~. Emperor Seondeok, who was letting out his anger with a long sigh, looked at the list of stakeholders written in the report and began to tremble. There are only four provincialmanders involved? You mean Jim trusted them and sleptfortably? I will give you an order! The four provincialmanders should be boiled to death, and their rtives should find and destroy all 10 ns, including their fathers and wifes families! And those who stole and enriched the weapons and gunpowder used for the defense of the empire, as well as everyone associated with them, will be beheaded and all their property confiscated! And make sure that their three ns are destroyed as well! Everyone in Daejeon trembled in fear and responded to Emperor Seondeoks cruelmand. I obey the Emperorsmand! In this way, the entire Ming territory was once again immersed in blood. Many people had their heads cut off and were lying on the ground. However, those who met the most tragic end were the four provincialmanders. They were boiled alive in pots. The tragedy that turned the entire empire upside down brought about great changes to the empire. First of all, if we look at themercial world, a huge number ofpanies, fromrgepanies boasting history and tradition to up-andingpanies, were wiped out, and fiercepetition among those who survived to take the empty space began. Next, the government and eunuch military departments were changed once again. Those who suffered the most from this change were the eunuchs and the military. Among the eunuchs who were gradually gaining political power due to Emperor Seondeoks policies, many of the high-ranking eunuchs were executed, and this was the same for the military. The situation in the military was particrly serious. Almost all military units were involved in corruption, and a huge number of generals and officers were purged and lost their lives. Officers were brought in through new military departments and existing executives were promoted to fill positions, but too many people with practical experience and leadership skills disappeared. As for how much it was, the scent that heard the story was evaluated as follows. This is it Its simr in size to the Great Purge carried out by the Grand Marshal of Steel? The future of the Ming Dynasty will be interesting to see. Chapter 416 Episode 416: Lord of War. Flower Merchant (7) A simr story was also appearing in Geunjeongjeon. I heard that the purge carried out by the emperor was truly enormous. Thats right. ording to rumors and information received so far, four provincialmanders and all ten of their ns were purged, and three ns of all those involved in this corruption were killed. In response to the ministers reports, King Sejong asked about the number of victims. Then how long have you died? Lee Maeng-gyun carefully answered King Sejongs question. At least 200,000. 200,000! Are you sure? I heard it only through rumors, so there may be some exaggeration, but my analysis is that its pretty close. 200,000 Im worried. If the national defense and state affairs of the Ming Dynasty are shaken, our Joseon will not be able to avoid the negative effects Many ministers nodded with the same expression on King Sejongs concern. * * * In any case, the Ming Dynasty was thergest military power in Northeast Asia. With the advent of Emperor Seondeok, diplomacy was centered on trade rather than military projection, and the colors faded a bit, but if the people made up their minds and attacked, the countries involved were in despair. Of course, people like Bukwon and Yeojin harassed the Ming. However, the Jurchen people in the Liaoxi region had already been subordinated to the Ming, and Northern Yuan was gradually bing economically dependent on the Ming through the superiors created by Emperor Xiande. However, if arge number of militarymanders disappeared, the situation was likely to change again, and King Sejong and the ministers were worried about this. * * * Surprisingly, the possibility of a military shake-up may not be that high. majesty. Meanwhile, Jo Mal-saeng expressed an unexpected opinion. Why? Jo Mal-saeng gave a simple answer to King Sejongs question. This is because the Gold Council is alive and well. majesty. King Sejong nodded at Jo Mal-saengs answer. ah! I forgot about them. They are alive and well. Following Jo Mal-saeng and Sejongs words, Hwang Hee also joined the conversation with a look of lost expression. Thats a good thing. It makes sense that the Gold Council is alive and well. As Jo Mal-saeng and King Sejong Hwang-hee nodded with mutually familiar expressions, Lee Maeng-gyun intervened. Captain Cho. Could you please exin in a bit more detail? I am unfamiliar with military affairs. Jo Mal-saeng exined Lee Maeng-gyuns words in more detail. -If you look at the current Emperor of Mings use of soldiers, the Jinui Committee, especially the Musketeers and Hwapo Committee, are the main forces. -The duties of the troops stationed in the region are as follows. The first thing is to take charge of attacks by foreign enemies, and the next thing is to take charge of auxiliary power and supply of the main force. -Fortresses have already been built at major military bases. Even the least experiencedmander will be able to properly carry out a defensive battle by relying on the castle. Of course, sometimes there are ipetent people who cannot even do this properly. Lee Maeng-gyun, who was nodding at Jo Mal-saengs exnation, raised a counterargument. But now that the vacancies created by the Great Purge have been hastily filled, isnt there a proper verification? If people like Bukwon take aim at this and engage in subversive actions, wont the problem get bigger? Ill say it again, as long as the Geumui Committee holds out, it will be difficult to do anything major. And Jo Mal-saeng took a moment to catch his breath and continued. If there is a leader in Northern Yuan with his head, he will not touch the Ming for at least 10 years. why? Kim Jeom, who was listening to Lee Maeng-gyuns question, intervened. As Captain Cho said, most of those filling the vacant positions have limited experience. In addition, as Captain Lee said, the verification was not done properly. So, wouldnt it be the biggest act of betrayal to give them a chance to gain experience and test their abilities by touching them for no reason? Ah Lee Maeng-gyun, who was nodding his head in response to Kim Jeom, muttered with a face full of regret. I think the problem is that there is no such leader in Bukwon right now. Although there is Oirat. Everyone present nodded at Lee Maeng-gyuns words. After being driven back to the north by the Ming Dynasty, Khan no longer had the power of his ancestors. And although the Oirat was gradually encroaching on that power vacuum,plete control was still a long way off. Therefore, there was a high possibility that many of the tribes in Northern Yuan were unable to see far ahead and only worked for small immediate profits. The story that continued like this was eventually organized by King Sejong. We must use what happened in this Ming as a lesson to learn from and be on our guard. This is because the Ming Kingdom has a lot of people and can immediately fill evenrge holes, but we cannot. Its enough to do that once. The ministers responded to King Sejongs words by bowing their heads in unison. I will engrave it in my heart and carry it out! Sweat was already streaming down the foreheads of the ministers who answered in unison. The such thing that King Sejong spoke of meant the Giyu Rebellion. At that time, the number of people who participated in the rebellion and died on the battlefield orter died at the execution ground easily exceeded 10,000. If you count those who opposed the rebellion and died as government ves because they were young or women, the number increased even more. Otherwise, it was not an exaggeration to call the Giyu Rebellion a disaster that wiped out the noble family of the Samnam region. And the aftermath was anything but light. King Sejongs power was absolutely strengthened, but there was a shortage of talent to supply the growing bureaucracy. Although the doors were opened to women as well as to those from the northwest and western regions who had previously been restricted from entering the government, the manpower shortage was not easily resolved. Every time these problems came up, the people in charge sighed and grumbled. Whoa~. If you wanted to take it easy, you could have taken it easy. But His Majesty the Lord is not the kind of person to do that, is he? As the working-level officials said, Sejong opened the door but did not lower the threshold. Because of this, many people still had to suffer the pain of being eliminated, and government agencies across the country, including Hanseong, could not escape the overtime hell. Except for one soldier on the front line. The only ces where everything from people to dry goods were filled with essence were the units that roamed the border areas and the sea. * * * Contrary to the expectations of the people of Joseon, including King Sejong, this great purge was a major loss to the Ming Dynasty. Blood was shed from all directions, not only from the military but also from administrative officials and eunuch organizations. Anyone involved in even the slightest bit of corruption was executed. In particr, the Forbidden City in Beijing had Emperor Xuan De personally attend the interrogation and conduct the investigation. Who else but Jim can properly inspect the eunuchs, the Geumui Committee cab, and the government? In this way, Emperor Xuande thoroughly searched the interior of the Forbidden City and found corruption. Because Emperor Xuan De led the way, tens of hundreds of heads were cut off and hung on poles every day in Beijing. As a result of such arge-scale purge, an administrative vacuum was created throughout the empire, and thergest civil service examination in history was held to fill it. However, what was different from the Joseon Dynasty was that instead of expanding the literary world, the threshold was greatly lowered. Through that past, tens of thousands of talented people were once again introduced into the Ming administrative organization. It will take a while for them to pay for their food Those who survived the purgemented their dark future, but there was nothing they could do. However, the biggest victim was Emperor Seondeok, who carried out the incident. Although the hole was filled, the significant decrease in the number of experienced people who could control the work presented Emperor Seondeok with murderous overwork. Emperor Seondeok, who had to directly handle most of the matters that came up from all regions of the huge empire, soon had to share power. But before handing out power, Emperor Seondeok had to take precautions. * * * The first ce to deal with was the eunuch organization. First, the Naeseo Party was strengthened. The initial size of 300 people was increased to 1,000, and those produced from this were to be the core of the eunuch organization. The problem was not simply increasing the size. Children between the ages of 8 and 10 were admitted to the party, and for the first three years they were made to instill in their minds only absolute loyalty to the emperor. The reason this was possible was because those in charge of education were eunuchs who had survived the purge and had absolute loyalty to the emperor. In addition, following the alumni, a seochang was created and they were responsible for inspecting each other and also inspecting the officials. The task of inspection was not given only to alumni and students. The provincial government inspection agency, a traditional inspection body, has also been strengthened in size and capacity. In addition, an inspection organization called Chalwi (l) was created within the Geumwiwi. As a result, these four organizations monitored each other and inspected all administrative organizations of the Ming Dynasty. And the person holding the leash of this ferocious hunting dog was Emperor Seondeok. As long as Emperor Seonde held the leash and food, these four inspection organizations would show absolute loyalty to Emperor Seonde and barge their teeth at others. * * * Only then did Emperor Seondeok, with hunting dogs in his hands, share power. No, it was not a division of power, but a division of work. In the meantime, hergely handed over most of the authority to approve various tasks that came to him to the cab. Of course, it was confirmed that he would handle all matters rted to the budget, including taxes, diplomacy, and national defense. And the work handed over to the cab was not just about receiving reports. The ministers of the cab, including the Assistant Cab Secretary, and the officials of the 6th Department could only make approval through meetings held in the presence of Emperor Seondeok. Power was shared, but everything was not handed over until the end. * * * It was the military, as acknowledged by many, that suffered the most from these purges and the subsequent processing. Emperor Xuande, who gathered those entering the empty space into the Forbidden City, dered firmly: What I want from you is simple! Loyalty and integrity to Jim! Thats it! As for the military aspect, I will never go for conquest first, so you should focus only on defense! Dont covet a useless major! The best defense will be the greatest merit! The newly appointed officers shouted loudly at Emperor Seondeoks firmmand. I follow the Emperorsmand! Long live, long live, long live! Although he dered the importance of defense and emphasized loyalty and integrity, Emperor Seondeok did not properly trust the military. Emperor Seondeok, who still could not erase his distrust of the military, created a new position to keep them in check. It was a position called Gamchunggwan (Oҹ). They moved with themanders of each unit and monitored their every move. Their mission was as follows: -Is themanders loyalty consistent? -Do you do your best inmanding your troops? -Do you always check the supply to ensure that there are no difficulties in operating the unit and maintaining the morale of the soldiers? -Arent they trying to engage in useless battles by needlessly coveting military achievements? -On the other hand, wouldnt fighting be avoided at all costs, causing damage to the empires territory and people? Gamchunggwan examined these items and reported them to the superiors, and the personnel evaluations ofmanders were decided based on their reports. Separately from this, the military wasrgely divided into two organizations. One was the general Ming Dynasty army symbolized by the 5th military governor, and the other was the Geumuiwi. Although the Jingui Committee started out as a guard force to defend the Forbidden City, Emperor Seondeok gave them offensive duties, starting with the active protection of the Shangguan built in the border area with Northern Yuan. And in the aftermath of the purge, the core of the military was moved from the 5th District Provincial Government to the Geumwiwi Committee. In other words, the right to speak politically was transferred from the 5th District Provincial Government to the Geumui Committee. Chapter 417 Episode 417: Lord of War. Hua Merchant (8) While Ming was suffering like this, Hyang was busy moving around. The reason the scent was so busy was because of an order received from King Sejong. -Build a rifle with better performance than the rifle currently in use. -But keep the budget to a minimum. There are various answers to the budget issue. There were more than one country that had suffered from simr problems. Despite the restrictions imposed by Sejong, Hyang did not worry much. As Hyang said, there was no country with a free budget, and as a result, there were various alternatives. Thanks to this, Hyang was able to proceed with his n smoothly while satisfying his virtue. However, it wasnt long before Ministry of Defense officials starteding in and out of Area 51 until the threshold was exhausted. What caused Ministry of Defense officials toe and go to Area 51 to the point where they thought it was the Ministry of Defense headquarters was because of a certain support artillery that was being developed along with the rifle. * * * Lowering. Minister Cho Mal-saeng has arrived. Please take me inside. Yes sir. After a while, Jo Mal-saeng came in under the guidance of the eunuch. Ie to see you, Crown Prince. haha! I see you often these days. Please sit here. After offering Jo Mal-saeng a seat, Hyang sat across from him and opened his mouth. What are you doing at this hour? Im sure Abama has forgotten to wait for you at Geunjeongjeon, right? Ah, I already spoke to His Majesty yesterday and received his approval. How many years has it been since Sejong and Hyang separated? Even the ministers were not taking it easy anymore. Tsk! Hyang, who turned her head and clicked her tongue slightly, straightened her expression and looked at Jo Mal-saeng. So what brings you here today? I came because of the support weapon you developed. Arent there more than one support firearms being developed now? To be precise, I am talking about a support machine rifle. Hyang nodded at Jo Mal-saengs words. ah! You mean that? For now, its still under development. I heard that its power is iparable. It is excellent in its own way, but it is not iparable. If we look at it objectively, isnt the power of the artillery greater? Isnt the purpose different? This is what you always say. Hyangs expression hardened at Jo Mal-saengs point. Are you sure you dont know why Im saying this? Jo Mal-saeng hurriedly waved his hand in response to Hyang-hyangs question, which was not just a dry remark, but full of anger. Oh no! Its just that its definitely a good firearm in the eyes of the military, but theres pressure from the Ministry of Finance and Economy Its a really good firearm, and if necessary, persuade the Ministry of Finance and Economy! Do you think finding a detour like this will set a good precedent? Jo Mal-saeng immediately bowed his head in response to Hyangs reprimand. Oh no! Its just that its such a good firearm I say it again! Its such a good idea, and if necessary, persuade the Minister of Finance and Economy Kim Jeom and the Director of the Budget Review Office! That is the right way, and I have no intention of tolerating extravagance! Jo Mal-saengs head lowered further and lower due to Hyangs reprimand. My thoughts were short! * * * Hyang, who had given Jo Mal-saeng such a harsh reprimand and kicked him out, continued to grumble. Where are you trying to find a side street? Even when I was working as a 21st century civil servant, I felt like I was grinding my teeth and remembering the hardships I had to endure due to external pressureing from all over the ce. There was another reason for Hyang to be angry. Thats true too, but why do I have to deal with the Ministry of Finance and Economy! In some ways, it was not easy for Hyang to deal with the Ministry of Finance and Economy, which was a more difficult opponent than Sejong. How did the noblemen be even bigger monsters of capitalism than me in just a few years? After wrestling with officials from the Ministry of Finance and Economy, it became Hyangs daily routine to turn into green onion kimchi. In the end, the scent was enough to make me sigh while looking up at the sky. I raised a monster! As the clumsy noblemen became aware of the fear and power of Yesan, it underwent a new evolution. Therefore, the township was avoiding conflict with the Ministry of Finance as much as possible, except for the budget needed for the research institute and Area 51. * * * Three months after receiving the order from King Sejong, Hyang held an event to introduce newly developed firearms at a shooting range set up in Gyeongbokgung Pce. Its amazing that the results were achieved in just three months. Hyang bowed her head slightly and responded to Sejongs words. There was some forethought. Is that so? Its Yubi Muhwan Im always reassuring. King Sejong patted Hyangs shoulder with a happy face and looked at the guns ced on the tform covered with white cloth. It looks very familiar, doesnt it? Sejongs impressions were also mixed with some disappointment. The results of the scent were always new experiences. Hyang responded to Sejongs reaction with a slightly frowning face. Following Abamamas instructions, we worked hard to produce a possible result with the minimum budget. Is that so? Please exin. yes. Hyang moved to the front of the podium and began exining, pointing at the rifles with a pointing stick. From the far left, this is a soldier with a prototype gun. The models of Kabul Soldiers introduced by Hyang had simr shapes to the early andte Sharps Rifle Springfield M1865 Trapdoor Rifle and Remington Rolling Block Rifle. Hmm A and B look the same, so whats the difference? In response to Sejongs question, Hyang reached into his sleeve and took out a bullet. The difference is in the bullets. A uses the same bullets and copper percussion caps that our Joseon military used previously, and B through Jong use newly made bullets. This is the new bullet. Where Sejongs eyes lit up as he received the new type of bullet from Hyang and looked around. Is it abination of a copper hat and a bullet gunbined into one? Thats right. What the incense made was simr to the one-piece bullet made by Jean Foley of Switzend and Pr of France in 1808. The method was to nt a detonator in a bottom te made of copper, and then put gunpowder and bullets in a paper medicine bag glued to the bottom te. We thought about the best way to reduce copper consumption while maximizingunch performance. * * * Sejong, who was listening to an exnation about how prototype guns work, including bullets, asked Hyang. I guess youve prepared for the demonstration, right? Of course, Abama. Get ready for the demonstration! yes! Get ready for the demonstration! At the shout of a military officer, a group of soldiers rushed out to the shooting range. The soldiers who paid their respects to King Sejong were soon divided into five groups, each group consisting of five people (the smallest group in the Joseon army consisting of five people), and stood in the four ranks. Let go! Ta-ta-tang! Following themand of the military officer, the soldiers pulled the trigger in unison and immediately began reloading. And at that moment, the strengths of the new rifles began to shine. During the time it took for the armored rifles used by the Joseon military to reload and fire the next round, the prototype rifles fired at least four rounds and as many as six rounds at the most. Stop firing! Stop firing! As the officer shouted and the red g waved, the soldiers stopped shooting. With the reverberation of the loud firing sound remaining, King Sejong looked back. The firing speed is really fast. But Sejong paused for a moment, lifted the rifle on the podium, aimed it, and asked Hyang. Its not just that, is it? Thats right! Hyang responded with a grin and gestured to the officermanding the soldiers. The officer who saw Hyangs hand gesture ordered the soldiers to kneel and lie down. And in the process, the true strengths of prototype guns were revealed. Unlike conventional rifles, which require you to stand up and reload immediately after firing, the prototype guns could be reloaded on the spot without having to stand up. When the demonstration was over, King Sejong looked back at the ministers who apanied him. How do you feel? Hwang Hee came forward and answered King Sejongs question. If you underestimate our military and attack them because their numbers are small, it is certain that something you will regret will happen. The ministers all nodded at Hwang Hees words. Sejong also nodded to the ministers evaluation. I think so too. And Sejong, who paused for a moment, looked at the integrated ammunition again and spoke to Hyang. Seja, there is a reason why you created a new type of bullet. It is faster than the existing A-type rifle, but the A-type rifle is a bit inferior to others. As King Sejong said, Type A, who used the existing Yakpo and Donghwamo, had a moreplicated procedure. Thats right. Hyang nodded to Sejongs point and muttered to himself. As expected, since you said it was outside the standards Hmm Sejong, who had been nodding his head and examining the rifles, asked Hyang again. You exined to me that you spent the minimum budget. What that means is that some modifications were made to the existing rifle, right? And in my opinion, the closest thing to that is Byeonghyeong. Is that correct? Hyang immediately nodded to Sejongs question. Thats right. As King Sejong pointed out, Gap-eul-jeong had to cut off a significant part of the gun body and install a new engine part. However, for the bottle-type trapdoor rifle, modifications were concentrated on the barrel. Hmm Sejong, who was looking around with his rifles, asked Hyang. Crown, I think the development of firearms will continue. Do you think so too? Soja thinks so too. However, I am confident that our Joseon firearms are now the most advanced. You have a lot to contribute in that part. Hmm But the budget is limited, so Sejong stopped talking and carefully examined the prototype guns once again. Sejong raised and put down the rifles several times to examine them and came to a conclusion. There are budget issues, so I will select a prototype rifle as the next rifle. But let the crown prince continue to research better rifles than that. Yes Abama. At Sejongs decision, Hyang bowed her head with a calm expression. In some ways, this is the most correct answer. The others have topletely overhaul their production lines. However, when Hyang saw Kim Jeom nodding with a bright face, he felt a little grumpy. Abama. In addition to these rifles, there is a newly researched support firearm, so please take a look at this as well. Sejongs face brightened noticeably at Hyangs words. Yeah? Then you should see it! Get ready quickly! Sejong was delighted with the prospect of seeing the support firearm that he had heard rumors about through various lines. After a while, new support weapons loaded on two carriages entered the shooting range. Sejong looked at the new firearm and asked Hyang. Are these six rifles bundled into one? Thats right. We named it Eulsikhwacha. Eulsikhwachara. Sejong, who had been remembering for a moment at Hyangs words, looked back at Hyang. The Hwacha I know is a weapon that fires 100 arrows at once. So youre saying this is simr? Thats right. Lets see the performance. yep! As soon as King Sejongs order was given, Hyang and the soldiers moved excitedly. Ta-ta-tang~. The explosion of thest fired bullets disappeared and the demonstration of the freight cars ended, but King Sejong and the ministers could not close their mouths. The scarecrows and target boards that had been erected at the opposite end of the shooting range were full of holes. It was a devastation caused by just two Japanese freight cars. He ced the freight car behind him and exined the scent to King Sejong and the ministers. It will be truly effective if installed on major defense positions and on ships sailing at sea. After hearing the description of the fragrance, King Sejong and the ministers imagined the scene. King Sejong and the ministers trembled as they imagined the Jurchen tribes and Japanese pirates being swept away. I dont even want to think about it. But Sejong looked back at Kim Jeom. Minister of Finance. No matter how much you object, I need this! * * * Chapter 418 Episode 418 Cargo Culture The Eulsik freight car was liked by the military and King Sejong, who valued firepower, but it became a bitter enemy to the Ministry of Finance and Economy. Of course, I admit that it will definitely be of great help to national defense The problem is the damn production cost. No, the freight car itself is fine. The problem is the bullets. Ah that bullet haha~. Ministry of Finance and Economy officials sigh when only eating-style trainses up as a topic. The reason Ministry of Finance and Economy officials were sighing like this was not just a problem with the food truck itself. In the future, military weapons will be more and more precise. Then it will be more expensive, which means it will be a pain in the ass for us. The faces of Ministry of Finance and Economy officials were filled with sorrow when they learned what the Eulsikhwacha and the bullets used in it meant. * * * The bullet that made the Ministry of Finance and Economy officials sigh was the bullet used in the next-generation rifle, which King Sejong named the Eulsik Long Rifle, once again modified. The bullet used in the Eul-style rifle was an integrated bullet made by attaching a copper bottom te with a detonator and a paper shell. Since this performed better than expected C Hyang expected it to some extent C Hyang modified the bullets of the horse gun into an integrated type and modified the medicine cylinder. And as this new type of horseback gun was distributed again, the Jurchen people suffered even more severely. The bullets used in the Eulsikhwacha were made of a single copper structure rather than aposite structure of copper and paper. Therefore, seeing the shell casings falling like a shower as much as the bullets raining down, the officials of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, including Kim Jeom, became rmed. Copper casings! That expensive copper! No matter how much a copper mine was discovered! * * * Copper was as important as iron, and even more important than iron, in Joseons industry during this period. From tableware and essories such as spoons and bowls to steam engine gaskets, piston rings, and sealing packing for small-head water pumps, there was almost no ce where copper was not used. Thanks to this, Joseon made all-out efforts to acquire copper. The search for a stable import vessel was fundamental, and prospecting work continued not only on the Korean Penins but also in ces newly entered into Joseons territory. After such desperate efforts, a copper mine was discovered on Daeseoldo Ind, but it was not a mine with a rich mineral vein. Therefore, Joseons prospecting work had no choice but to continue. * * * In such a situation, the appearance of shell casings made entirely of copper was something that made Ministry of Finance and Economy officials excited. Is that something that will end after one or two shots? He fired hundreds of rounds even during the demonstration! That thing is being carried on a ship, let alone a fortress? Nonsense! If a war breaks out one door at a time Dont do it! Dont calcte and dont talk! Since it was an item that was sure to be consumed in huge quantities if an actual battle were to take ce, the Ministry of Finance and Economy formally requested that other items be used instead of copper shell casings. The Ministry of Finance and Economy keeps saying, why not use the same ammunition as the Eulsik rifle? Hyang responded to Sejongs words with a sigh. Ha~. Its not that I didnt think about that part, either. But Hyang exined why that was impossible. -The biggest reason is that paper casings are weaker than copper casings. Since the Eulsik rifle is loaded by hand and fires single shots, it can be used even with paper cartridges. However, Eulsik freight cars are loaded and discharged using mechanical power. This means that more force than manpower is required, and if done incorrectly, the paper casing may be torn during the loading and ejecting process. If this happens, the Eulsikhwacha bes useless. Of course, various emergency measures are installed in Eulsikhwacha. However, if paper casings are used, smooth operation is almost impossible. -Second, it is advantageous for long-term storage. The paper cartridges of the paper cartridges and integrated bullets used in conventional rifles are vulnerable to moisture. Of course, oil-soaked paper can be used even in rainy weather, but long-term storage is difficult. This is fatal to the navy. These are the naval front lines that spend most of their time at sea. Therefore, looking at the current situation of the naval forces, only the minimum amount of paper medicine cannon is used to prepare for an unexpected situation, and the rest is stored separately. For this reason, we have no choice but to use copper bullet casings. Sejong, who had been thinking about various things about Hyangs answer, opened his mouth. If its made of iron oh, if its iron, itll break. Thats right. In response to Sejongs question, Hyang nodded and muttered. Was the country that used iron casings Germany during World War II or the Soviet Union during the Cold War? In the end, King Sejong, who could not find a good answer no matter how much he tried, had no choice but to ask for an alternative. But the Ministry of Finance and Economys opposition also makes sense. Isnt this the guy who will fire 1 to 2,000 rounds, not just 1 to 200 rounds? So I thought of my own n. The solution proposed by the fragrance was shell bullet catcher. At the bottom of the carriage on which the food wagon was mounted was an object simr to arge cauldron. The shells discharged through the shell discharge port fell down and were contained in the shell receiver. In the end, the Ministry of Finance and Economy and the military had to satisfy this arbitration n. * * * As a side note, the Joseon militarys obsession with shell casings that began during this period continued. Unless there was an unavoidable situation, the Joseon military desperately recovered shell casings. Of course, as soldiers from other countries say, they were not at the level of those who would pick up shell casings even on the battlefield, but in training situations, recovering close to 100% shell casings was basic. Thanks to this, Korea was the first country to develop exhaust-type and cartridge-less rifles and attempt to put them intobat. * * * Another story about Eulsik Hwacha is that the word Hwacha became a symbol. Support weapons that fire continuously through the power of mechanical devices were given the name hwacha regardless of their size. In history before the intervention of the township, firearms called light machine guns were given the name light machine guns, andrge-caliber autocannons were called heavy machine guns. This did not just apply to Northeast Asian countries. Even in the West, the names Hwacha and Hoaza have be familiar to people. Regardless of whether in the East or the West, the image of support firearms firing in rapid session = freight cars was imprinted on them. Of course, it was officially written as Machine Gun or Maschinengewehr, but the word wagon was bing more familiar to ordinary soldiers and people. Of course, the scent was the cause of this situation. Im familiar with machine guns, but I feel a little ufortable Its a word thats familiar to Koreans in the 21st century, but if you look at the etymology, Hyang, who knows well that most of the things were made by Japanese hands, is close to being convinced that the name machine gun is like that, too. I was having doubts. Thats why the scent consciously pushed for the name Hwacha. If the need arises, someone will step in and change it in the future As always, it was a fragrance that maintained the attitude of Is it my business? * * * Even after the uproar over the food truck issue, things that gave the Ministry of Finance and Economy a headache continued. One afternoon that was busy but quite peaceful. A subordinate presented a report to Kim, who was struggling with the approval documents. Its from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Development. Why there? I heard you are asking for review before submitting it to the Cab meeting? Hmm Kim Jeom tilted his head and opened the report and shouted after seeing the contents. Have you seen these thieves! To summarize what was written in the report, it was as follows. The railway that has beenid to its fullest is being stolen. * * * The agenda that overturned the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Development and the Ministry of Finance and Economy was brought to the Cab meeting the next day. Does the fact that the railroad tracks are being stolen mean that the track on which the iron horses and passenger cars run has been stolen? Kim Jeom stepped forward and answered King Sejongs question. Thats right. The reason is? This is because the iron used in orbit is of very high quality. Huh King Sejong sighed with an expression of bewilderment at Kim Jeoms answer. ording to Kim Jeoms subsequent report, the reason what happened was because of the trackid on the railroad. The tracks from steel mills throughout Joseon were made of wrought iron, but their quality was very good. Of course, the production of steel was not small, but priority was given to making iron horses, steam engines, other objects, and military weapons. And although it was literally soft iron, it was a very strong metalpared to other metals, so it was suitable for use in railways. And it was Hyang who advocated making tracks out of wrought iron. I told you before, the famous Eiffel Tower is also made of wrought iron! It was a wrought iron trackid for this reason. However, because the quality was excellent, there were people who paid attention to it and those who put it into practice. Huh King Sejong sighed for a long time again and looked back at the ministers. How much was stolen? At least 20% In response to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Developments answer, Sejong could not control his anger and hit the armrest. Even though 20% of the money was lost, the report has now been posted! Isnt this the negligence of the gentlemen! The Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Development immediately responded to Sejongs anger. The situation was suspicious and it took some time to conduct an internal inspection! The Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Development immediately exined the reasons in detail. When reports of stolen tracks surfaced, officials in the area immediately contacted nearby military bases and the Pocheong Office to begin investigating the incident. Separately, a new track was supplied to the site where the incident urred. This was becausepletion should not have been dyed. However, during this process, some people raised their eyebrows. They came forward, took it back, and reported that it had been stolen. As a result of the investigation, there is a list of those who actuallymitted theft and those who were arrested while extorting money. King Sejong, who was looking at the list posted by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Development, ordered in a voice full of anger. The thieves whomitted theft must be severely punished ording to thew, as they have stolen the countrys property! The same goes for those who embezzled! Apply all applicablews and execute the highest punishment! I follow your orders! Although one agenda item was passed, the problem did not end easily. The theftmitted by our Joseon people can be tolerated, but the problem is the Jurchen tribe. Jurchens? When the Jurchen tribe appeared out of nowhere, King Sejong was momentarily thrown into confusion. The Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Development immediately gave further exnation. Almost 70% of the stolen tracks urred in the North. Sejong nodded to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Developments exnation. If its the Jurchens in the north, are they Jurchens who havent be noble yet? Thats right. Sejong nodded in response to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Developments answer. Right. The Jurchen people would roll their eyes. Hmm. When Sejong showed an understanding expression, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Development opened his mouth again. Since their crimes continue, I think it would be a good idea to carry out arge-scale suppression. Its impossible. Sejong shook his head at the suggestion of arge-scale subjugation. Chapter 419 Episode 419: Cargo Culture (2) King Sejong exined why it was impossible. It is not right to respond by unconditionally suppressing the situation without considering the situation. Although they may not have be nobles yet, we must eventually bring them into our Joseon people. Therefore, unconditional subjugation is impossible. No sooner had Sejong finished speaking than Jo Mal-saeng opened his mouth. The militarys analysis is that subjugation is not a good move. The area where railway thefts mainly ur is thend route connected to Dongbing Port. The forest in that area is thick and there are climate issues, so a full-scale subjugation is impossible. Jo Mal-saeng continued to exin why subjugation was difficult. -This area, which is connected to Dongbing Port, is home to many tribes belonging to the Woodiger tribe. -The area where the Oljeonghap tribe lives is an area thick with primeval forests, unlike the Olryanghap (أ barbarians) area we are familiar with. -The cavalry is at an absolute disadvantage in this primeval forest area. -In order to carry out a proper subjugation, infantry must ultimately be deployed. However, the situation inside the maze-like primeval forest is still not fully understood. Therefore, the size of the troops deployed must berger than usual. ording to the militarys calctions, it would be difficult to achieve proper results even if more than three times the number of troops was mobilized. -Especially in the primeval forests, there are dangerous elements such as poisonous insects that we, Joseon, are not yet familiar with, scattered here and there. Therefore, if you have to deploy troops for subjugation, you must be prepared to spend a longer time than expected, deploy more troops than expected, and consume a huge amount of war funds. When Jo Mal-saeng finished his exnation, the ministers all thought the same thing. If the military, which only knows how to spend money, says things like that, subjugation is impossible. But if they continue their theft, the construction period will continue to lengthen and costs will continue to increase The Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Development trailed off, looking at Sejongs attention. Sejong nodded at the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Developments remarks. Of course, a solution to that problem is needed. However, in this case, subjugation alone is not the solution. Therefore, let the monks think of a solution to this. At this, Jo Mal-saeng opened his mouth again. Lee Jing-ok, the Cheomjeoljesa of Hamgildo, has appealed in this regard. As a result of the research conducted by the military and the Chief of Staff, I thought it was a very good idea and was about to report it to Your Majesty. King Sejong, who had been briefly remembering Jo Mal-saengs report, looked at Jo Mal-saeng with eyes full of doubt. okay? Lee Jing-ok was a very capable general. But I understand that he was very harsh towards the Jurchen people? The only good Jurchen people are dead Jurchen people. This was what Lee Jing-ok said publicly when he was deployed to the north in the early days of Gyeongjang. As soon as he entered the military gate at Gapsa, he spent time fighting against the Jurchen tribe in the north. After passing the civil service exam again, Lee Jing-ok spent most of his time fighting against the Jurchen tribe. Whenever he heard the word Jurchen tribe, he gritted his teeth. Even King Sejong mentioned Lee Jing-ok as the most radical person. Because of these memories and reputations, when King Sejong looked suspicious, Jo Mal-saeng smiled and answered. haha! majesty! Wonbong (A), as time went by and he continued to live with the Jurchen people, he suffered greatly. exactly? Then, lets hear what Jing-ok Lees precepts were. In response to King Sejongs words, Jo Mal-saeng exined the alternative proposed by Lee Jing-ok. Getting started is simple. The reason they steal railroad tracks is because theyck well-refined iron. The iron they brought with them not only made weapons, but also many daily necessities such as axes, kitchen knives, and pots. Its about using it. In other words Is it a monopoly? Jo Mal-saeng, who paused for a moment in response to Sejongs question, immediately nodded. Thats right. If you be a nobleman, you will be allowed to use the exclusive store? The idea is to allow people to use the exclusive sales office even if they dont be a nobleman. However, a condition is added here. They continuously patrol the area around the railroad tracks on our behalf and prevent railroad theft. Then, we will grant you the qualifications to transact at the reseller. Its a deal Its not like Ill give it to you unconditionally, but Ill give you the right to make a deal Thats okay. Sejong, who was nodding his head and giving a positive evaluation, looked at Kim Jeom. What does the Minister of Finance and Economy think? I think this is a very good idea! Sejong, who was nodding his head while listening to Kim Jeoms very positive answer, suddenly sighed and burst intoughter. Heh! Now that I think about it I think that when ites to dealing with outsiders, a reseller is the best solution. A monopoly is a panacea. I think the Crown Princes greatest achievement is the monopoly. How do you feel? The ministers were momentarily dumbfounded by King Sejongs sudden boast about his children, but then had no choice but to nod. As Sejong said, there were more than one problem that was solved using the monopoly. Suddenly bragging about his children But the result is like this When the Crown Prince ascends to the throne, its also the time when my children are there too Im sorry! Have a hard time. * * * In this way, Lee Jing-oks n was adopted. After hearing the story, Hyang immediately showed an expression of surprise. Lee Jing-ok, does that radical think like this? Choi Hae-san responded to Hyangs words, which gave a simr evaluation to King Sejong. Wonbong has experienced a lot and has outstanding abilities, so he must have changed. Is that so? Choi Haesan nodded in response to Hyangs question. An excellent general never neglects to observe and understand the enemy. Wonbong, my friend, has changed a lot while dealing with the Jurchen people and observing them diligently. Arent there a few Jurchen tribes who are under your control now? Ah Hyang nodded at Choi Haesans words. As Choi Haesan said, Lee Jing-ok meticulously studied the customs and history of the Jurchen people in order to deal with the powerful enemy right in front of them, the Jurchen people. As he delved into the Jurchen tribe, Lee Jing-ok gradually began to change his exclusive thoughts. In addition, Lee Jing-ok, who saw that the number of noble Jurchen people was increasing and that an increasing number of Jurchen people were working under him, began to study how to use carrots rather than sticks. Anyway, if this n is used well, not only will thend route leading to Dongbing Port be safe, but additional ie will also be greatly increased. The Minister of Finance and Economy will be very pleased. At Hyangsst words, everyone present nodded at the same time. In that sense, I guess Ill have to go and make a quick observation. When Hyang said that and stood up, Choi Hae-san and others also stood up. As they saw off the departing scent, they all had the same thought. Starting today, someone will have a hard time ming their own heads. Every time the township meddled, the relevant working-level staff had to suffer. What if we skip this part? Are you thinking or not? Every time they received a reprimand from the local government, the working-level staff suffered from a sense of shame and had to work overtime. * * * The n to add a little bit of MSG was soon implemented against the Jurchen tribe in the area. -In exchange for the cost of the railroad being built to Dongbing Port, we will give you the right to use grain and monopoly stores. -Being able to use the monopoly means that the tribe can sell medicinal herbs and fur collected by the tribe to the monopoly and obtain the necessary items freely. Joseon has not yet made an offer to the tribe, but it has made this offer to tribes that are friendly to Joseon and live in areas close to the railroad. The chiefs and elders of the tribes who heard Joseons proposal put their heads together. Should we ept Joseons offer? Wouldnt it be better to ept it? It is said that there is nothing that is not avable in the monopoly run by Joseon. Think about the merchants from Ming Dynasty and other tribes who trade with us. When will they get their due? But if I make a mistake, wouldnt I be able to get stabbed in the back by Joseon? If you listen to the rumors, at least Joseon will not break its word first. Although opinions were divided among the tribes that received the proposal, the conclusion was to ept Joseons proposal. This is because Joseon was rich in everythingpared to their tribe, who had difficulty escaping poverty no matter how hard they tried. * * * As the tribes near the railroad came forward to protect the railroad, construction began to speed up. As the construction site became more active, nearby Jurchen tribes unexpectedly had an opportunity to make money. He received wages while working as aborer in the field. With the money they earned in this way, the Jurchen tribe became regrs at the monopoly. If we do this well The eyes of the management at the monopoly began to shine as they watched the performance table go up. Although it was a monopoly in rough terrain where I risked my life, I was umting a track record that would allow me to receive a reward and good work performance if I worked a little harder. * * * The Jurchen people who participated in the construction of the railway leading to Dongbing Port all had one question. But why are you paving this road? It was aplex andbor-intensive project that involvedying the foundation with great care,ying gravel on top of it, andying sleepers and railroad tracks. The Jurchen people still tilted their heads when they saw a cart pulled by horses that looked almost three timesrger than the horses they were riding riding on the tracks and unloading materials. Of course, its a huge cart pulled by huge horses, but I dont think its crazy to go down a road like this just to get those carts to move around? yes? Why on earth are they paving this road? The Yeojin people made all kinds of guesses whenever they gathered in groups to solve an unanswered question. And on the day the construction section waspleted, the Yeojin people found out what was traveling on the railroad. Pretty cute! The Jurchen people standing around the railroad scattered in fear when they saw a huge chunk of iron approaching with a loud whistle sound. Aaaah! Its a monster! Run away! The Jurchen people who were terrified were screaming and scattering in all directions, and those who could not escape because their legs were weak suddenly fell to the ground and put their hands together above their heads. Oh, Buddha! * * * Suchmotion was repeated several times until the railroad was connected to Dongbing Port and the iron horse was running. After receiving the report about themotion, King Sejong startedughing, but soon turned serious and asked Hwang Hee. Is something like this happening in our Joseon Dynasty? Even though we performed a ritual to ensure safe travel, there was no suchmotion or exorcism to extort the peoples wealth. Although he looked relieved at Hwang Hees answer, King Sejong did not forget his request. What is hard to believe even when you see it with your own eyes is that iron horse and railroad. We must be careful to guide the people well so that no one is reckless or insensitive. A recurrence of the Doubakshin incident must be prevented. Hwang Hee responded to King Sejongs request by bowing her head. I will keep this in mind! * * * Last May, something truly bizarre happened. A man wrote the names of the executed civil and martial ministers on paper and hung them on a pole, calling them Dubaksin. Dubak means to fall down and die. Dubaksin literally means many ghosts who fell down and died. Soon, wherever the rumor spread, simr events took ce where ancestral rites were held and offerings were made by hanging pieces of paper with names written on poles. Yongin Hyeonsu Jang, who saw the cruel scene, immediately snatched these poles, burned them, and raised a funeral. After receiving the report, King Sejong immediately ordered a strict investigation, and soon Kang Yu-du, Park Du-eon, Choi Woo, and others were caught and punished. (Note 1) Therefore, King Sejong was concerned that something like this would happen again and ordered to strictly prevent it. * * * Note 1) The Annals of King Sejong, read in one volume. Written by Park Young-gyu. Woongjin Knowledge House Chapter 420 Episode 420 Cargo Culture (3) Despite themotion, construction progressed steadily and smoothly, and Dongbing Port was finally connected to thend route. The railway, which was connected to Nokdundo Ind downstream of the Duman River as a stepping stone, continued along the coastline to Dongbing Port. The original n was to use the route crossing the Duman River near Hanyepyeong-ri or the route crossing from Josan-ri as the main candidate site. However, the head of government insisted on nning a route via Nokdundo Ind. Then you have to take a lot of detours. Jinpyeong came forward as a representative of the opposition and pointed out the inconvenience caused by the detour, but Hyang did not back down. Of course there must be a detour, but the lines proposed now must pass through uncultivated woonds. Some problems arise here. The township pointed out problems with the existing n. -The first problem is that we do not know the terrain within the woond well. If done incorrectly, there is a possibility of additional construction costs. -The second problem is that of the Jurchen people who settled in the forest area. If we do not properly cate them, unnecessary war spending may continue. especially! Hyang, who pointed out the second problem, red at Jinpyeong and continued. There are people who call for unconditional subjugation of the Jurchen people, but I dont think this is right. Do you think it will be sessful if those who know nothing about the virgin forest set out to subjugate those who have set up in the primeval forest and know it better than anyone else? Jinpyeong had to keep his mouth shut due to Hyangs reprimand. Jinpyeong, who saw Hyang suppressing the rebels in the Beomgwol Incident in the year of Giyu, was unable to show strength to Hyang regarding military force since then. Hyang covered Jinpyeongs mouth and continued speaking. -Thirdly, once Dongbing Port is connected to the railway,rge quantities of goods such as wood and various medicinal herbs cut from forests near Dongbing Port must be transported. In particr, wood is the most important, and to ensure a stable supply, a warehouse is needed to store surplus. -The fourth route connecting to Dongbing Port is the longest among the routes being built in Joseon. Therefore, it is necessary to build facilities that can maintain iron horses and passenger wagons. Therefore, considering the above conditions, I think that passing through Nokdundo is the optimal route. The townships n was to build a yard, maintenance facilities, and various logistics warehouses on Nokdundo Ind. Ultimately, the decision on this route was made by King Sejong. After listening to both sides opinions, King Sejong gave Hyangs hand after much deliberation. In this way, the construction of the Northeast Line began, with Nokdundo Ind as an intermediate stopover. * * * The Northeast Line, which was built with such a backstory, added great impetus to the development of Joseon as soon as it waspleted. The people and cargo gathered in Wonsan and Gilju took this route and headed to Dongbing Port. Many workers and their families headed to Dongbing Port using the railway, which was less affected by weather than the sea route. The workers who arrived at Dongbing Port soon found employment in shipyards and nearby lumber yards. With the rumor that there was big money to be made in Dongbing Port, more and more people took the train to Dongbing Port to find jobs and markets. In this way, Dongbing Port gradually began to develop into arge urban area, moving away from being a settlement with a small military port and shipyard. As soon as it waspleted, the Northeast Line became one of the busiest routes in Joseon. Trains carrying naval forces to be deployed to the newlyunched front lines, workers looking for work, merchants looking for new markets, andrge and small steam engines and mechanical parts needed for shipyards and lumber yards depart from Nokdundo Ind three times a day to Dongbing Port. headed. On the contrary, trains carrying lumber cut and processed at Dongbing Port, medicinal furs collected nearby, and all kinds of reports and people also headed to Nokdundo three times a day. As a result, Nokdundo Ind, following Dongbing Port, began to develop into arger city. * * * The Ministry of Finance and Economy, seeing this example of recklessness, quickly acted. It is a waste to build a separate yard and logistics warehouse on this palm-sized piece ofnd in Joseon. Even in the early stages of railroad construction, the Ministry of Finance and Economy had this idea. This was because it was judged that, if necessary, railways could be reced by mobilizing carts or ships. However, as it was reaffirmed thatrge quantities of cargo could be moved regrly using rail, the Ministry of Finance and Economy soon changed its policy. Large amounts of cargo were stored and managed through warehouses built adjacent to the yard installed along the main line and major branch lines. Through this, the Ministry of Finance and Economy was able to manage prices more efficiently. However, as everyone expected, those who benefited the most from the opening of the railroad were the military and merchants. Asrge-scale troops andrge quantities of weapons could be moved using railroads, the military was able to improve its power and operate more efficiently. Merchants also had a wider range of activities. People from further afield could now taste special products that were only avable to residents in the ce of origin and nearby areas. As a side note, among the branch lines, the one that waspleted the fastest was the line from Cheongju, where Chojeong was located, to Hanseong. Through this route,rge quantities of carbonated water were supplied to Hanseong. A significant amount of the carbonated water supplied in this way was used at the pce for King Sejongs health, but most of it was used to produce mulberry water. With a stable supply ofrge quantities of carbonated water, mass production of mulberry water became possible, and thanks to this, mulberry water became popr not only in Joseon but also in distant countries. To a certain extent, it became a drink as favored as wine by European royals and nobles, calling it Ponso. After receiving the rted report, Kim Jeom once again shouted Jihwaja! and Hyang scratched his head and muttered. What is this Choco Pie from Joseon? And others who received economic benefits were those living on Daeseol Ind. * * * Joseon was in a situation where steel mills were getting bigger and the amount of coal used as fuel in ordinary homes was increasing. In addition, as the railroad became established, the demand for coal increased rapidly. At this time, the coal from Daeseol Ind was like a sweet rain during a drought. C With just a little bit of handling, Daeseol Inds coal bes the best fuel that can be used in steel mills. After receiving the report, King Sejong issued an order to supply coal mined from Daeseoldo to steel mills and divert coal mined from Gangwon-do and Aoji for other purposes. Thanks to this, Joseons coal market was able to operate stably. Meanwhile, as the main line was established and major branch lines were established one by one, railroads soon became part of Joseons daily life. The sight of an iron horse emitting ck smoke pulling a long string of carriages and freight cars was no longer a wonder. But that wasnt the case elsewhere. * * * April, 19th year of King Sejongs reign (1437, Jeongsa Year). Your Majesty, we have received an urgent message from General Choi Yun-deok of Hamgil Ind. On behalf of the ministers attending the meeting, Hwang Hui informed King Sejong that Jang Gye had arrived from Hamgil Ind. On Hamgil Ind? King Sejongs expression became serious when he heard the words Hamgildo. It was because of the Jurchen tribe. * * * After suppressing the Yi Man-ju and Muntemu rebellions, the Jurchen people in the Yalu River region were keeping an eye on Joseon. However, the Duman River region, to be precise, the Olcheokhap tribes further north than the area of the noble Ollyanghap tribes, were targets of attention. Although Joseon was constantly making conciliations, it was either fighting between Ming and Joseon or going back and forth between both sides to plunder. Fortunately, with the opening of the Northeast Railroad, the number of tribes approaching Joseon increased, but the noble family still refused. * * * Because he had such a background, King Sejong was nervous about the words Hamgildo and Urgent Janggye. King Sejong, who received the instructions through Tao Seung-ji and merchant ships, opened the scroll and read its contents. Hmm Huh? huh? Yes? uh? King Sejong tilted his head while reading the precepts and read the precepts again and again. After confirming that he had not misread, King Sejong asked Hwang Hee. Are you sure it wasnt a mistake? This is a well-written ount. Upon hearing Hwang Hees confirmation, King Sejong made an expression of bewilderment. It is truly good news that the Jurchen people who settled in the area connected to Dongbing Port and the northern forest area are returning to their homes in droves. But you ask me toy the Dragons Path What on earth is this Dragons Path? Hwang Hee answered King Sejongs question. I was curious about that too, so I asked General Choi Yun-deok, who is in charge of that area. ording to the reply sent by General Choi Yun-deok, it is called railway. Why is it so connected? Hwang Hee answered King Sejongs question right away. Even the gods dont know. Therefore, I have ordered you to submit a rted report again. Huh suddenly the path of the dragon King Sejong and the ministers could not understand what was written in the banquet. Meanwhile, after hearing the story, Hyang shook her head and muttered. Surely cargo faith? * * * To the Jurchen people who managed the railroad leading to Dongbing Port, the iron horse was an iprehensible piece of equipment. How does that thing move? The Koreans say that it moves with the power of the steam produced by boiling water over fire? Do you think that makes sense? While answering her colleague Yeo Jin-ins question, Yeo Jin-in shook her head. at all. The Yeojin people who talked about the iron horse, the principles of which they could not understand with their ownmon sense, came up with unexpected results. That thing Could it be that it has disguised itself as a dragon? dragon? look. Even with such a long body loaded with people and goods, it runs as fast as a horse. Did humans make it? Even jokes are oily resin. But that doesnt mean he was transformed into a dragon Then what is it? . look. Coal is used to move that iron horse, but coal isntmon, right? They keep giving away such precious things like that. Is that a normal piece? Its a precious thing. As he was talking like that, a loud whistle sounded from an iron horse passing nearby. At the sound of the iron horses whistle, Yeo Jin-in, who ims the transformation theory, added strength to her voice. listen! Have you ever seen an object or animal that makes that sound? There is none. That is definitely a dragon sound, a dragon sound. Hmm. When the sun goes down, those two beady eyes light up, and Ive never seen such a bright light. But is that all made by humans? He has taken the form of a dragon. The sun was almost setting when thest train on the Northeast Railroad arrived at Nokdundo or Dongbing Port. Therefore, the iron horse turned on the light, and the light was very bright. This was not just a simplemp, but a carbidemp using carbide made from incense. _ _ I was able to. Its an intermediate process, but it can rece amp. Carbide, which produced a much brighter light than themps used up to that time, soon recedmps and became a useful lighting device. And the officials sighed again. I tried to leave work early with the excuse that the lights were dark Damn it! Chapter 421 Episode 421 Cargo Culture (4) When I heard that there was a rumor going around among the Jurchen tribe that the iron horse and the long trains of carriages and freight cars behind it were actually dragons disguised as dragons, the reactions of all Koreans in the area were simr. Well, that could be possible. How amazing were we when we first saw the iron horse? Just thinking about the memory of going to Hanseong on a business trip and being treated like a country bumpkin because of my iron horse still makes me jump out of my sleep. Everyone responded that it was no big deal, but Choi Yun-deok gave the order with a serious face. Whenever you hear such a rumor, let it be known straightly that the iron horse was made by the crown prince and craftsmen under the order of His Majesty the Lord. It is dangerous to simply dismiss it as the behavior of countrymen. Arent you being oversensitive? Choi Yun-deok shook his head at the words of his subordinates. You can justugh it off and dismiss it as the foolish behavior of those with limited insight. But dragon was mentioned. If you do something wrong, the superiors can criticize you. So, you have to prepare in advance. ah! The subordinates immediately bowed their heads to Choi Yun-deoks story. The directors are inexperienced! I will carry out your order immediately, General! I will beat those who dont understand to make them understand! Choi Yun-deok nodded again in response to thest answer. Violence is not allowed. If you do it wrong, the string you managed to connect may break. What we need now is an excuse that we exined things thoroughly. I understand, General. I will do so. The subordinate officers who left Choi Yun-deoks office lightly shook their heads and expressed their admiration. As expected, you are the general. Is that something you have to think about to be the person whomands half of the North? It is said that he is likely to be the next Chief of Staff. Anyway, there is nothing wrong with what the general said, so please act quickly. Thats right. Then, good luck. You too. After briefly exchanging greetings, the officers mounted their horses and returned to their units. As an aside, schrs whoter studied the Great Leap Forward evaluated it this way. -The monarchs who led the golden age, called the Great Leap Forward, were not ordinary people, but those in charge of practical affairs under them were also not ordinary people. If the abilities of those in charge of practical work were general or ipetent, the splendor of the great leap forward would have been absolutely impossible. And Choi Yun-deok was one of those noble subjects. * * * Anyway, the Joseon people tried hard to exin that the iron horse was a piece made by human hands, but the Jurchen people actually distrusted the words of the Joseon people. joy! Is that possible by human hands? You have to say something trustworthy so I can believe you! But looking at the number of iron horses roaming around now were there that many dragons? The dragon is a divine beast. Since ancient times, no one knows how many Shinsoo there are. And is there aw that dictates how many dragons there should be? Thats true, but And a god who uses disguise techniques cant use clone techniques? The Jurchen people, who imed that the iron horse was a dragon in disguise, raised their voices even more, pointing to the railroad tracks. And look at that iron road! Why would such a precious piece of iron be paved just for a man-made object to pass through? For the Jurchen people, or to be more precise, properly refined iron in Northeast Asia excluding Joseon was a very expensivemodity. In areas where the Jurchen people lived, as well as in many areas of the Ming and Japanese countries, farming was still done with wooden plows and farming tools. Axes and saws were expensive, so it wasmon for multiple people to use them. Therefore, the railway track, made of expensive iron pulled out long like taffy sticks, seemed sacred in itself. The argument of those who im that iron horse = dragon continued. And did you see the ancestral rites held before the iron road isid and the dragon moves on? All the high-ranking Koreans in this area came to offer ancestral rites, right? Are you saying that the thing that goes down the street with such a loud ceremony is an object made by human hands? You have to say something you can believe. Thats true, but Oh! hey! You frustrating human being! Look at all the stuff piled up at the resale store! Theres a mountain of items that you havent even seen before! What was the Joseon we know like? It wasnt a wealthy country where such items weremon! But has it suddenly changed like that over the past few years? Do you think that is possible with human power? This is possible thanks to the help of dragons! This would have been absolutely impossible without the help of the dragons! Even the Yeojin people who opposed the statement mentioning monopoly nodded. From what they could see, the monopoly store had a lot of things they needed. Even if you couldnt get the item in time, the empty spaces were filled a few dayster. Considering the old Joseon they knew, this was absolutely impossible. The Yeojin people who were nodding their heads muttered softly. Then the king of Joseon who received the help of dragons and at least ordered the dragons who used disguises to carry luggage and people. You mean, he was a tremendous nobleman! Then wouldnt it be better to return to Joseon? huh? uh? The Jurchen people who were arguing became more serious and muttered. Noble woman While the phrase Joseon noble woman was being talked about among ordinary Jurchen people who were talking about the topic iron horse = dragon, tribal leaders and elders were also engaged in a war of words on the same topic. . The dragon transformed into an iron horse. You can justugh off this nonsense, but I think we need to talk more seriously about noble men. The elders nodded at the tribal leaders words. Anyway, since that iron road wasid, thisnd has now be Joseonsnd. If you look at your circumstances, you will find that your wife has the best skills. They say they can use the monopoly now, but the tribesmen want more and more. For example, something like the Social Democratic Institute. Its a social democratic school When one elder mentioned the social democratic school, the tribal leader and other elders nodded. * * * The railway from Nokdundo Ind to Dongbing Port was not direct. In order to set up a monopoly to deal with the Jurchen tribesmen who guarded the railway, stops along the way were created for merchants who wanted to trade with the Joseon military guards and the Jurchen tribes. Among such stations, there were ces where settlements were created for noble Jurchen people and Koreans from Hamgil Ind. And the ces that were always created in such settlements were social democratic schools and clinics. Because of this, the residents of the Olcheokhap (أҹ Woodiger) tribe who visited these settlements, as well as Nokdundo Ind and Dongbing Port, grew increasingly envious. They and their families were fighting for survival every day, but the residents of the settlement were living for tomorrow. The thought of taking what the settlement residents had by force waspletely extinguished by the murderous gaze of the Joseon military guarding the settlement. In the end, the all-fit Yeojin people, who saw a life that was not affluent but had almost no shortages and a life in which they could prepare for the future, began to seriously consider bing wealthy. * * * In the end, most of the Jurchen tribes that guarded the railroad decided to return to Joseon. The rumor that so many tribes were preparing to return to Joseon was also spread to other tribes living deeper. A fierce war of words broke out among the tribesmen who heard the news through the Jurchen people traveling back and forth to trade daily necessities. Transforming into a dragon? That makes sense! What kind of animal is a dragon? It pulls a cart like an ox! Lets see it with our own eyes! okay! The Jurchen people who secretly arrived at the railroad were frightened when they saw the iron horses running on the railroad with the loud sound of a whistle. Pretty cute~. Egg money! Oh, Forest God! Namu Amitabha Buddha! Namu Amitabha Buddha! The Jurchen people who returned to their tribe, mesmerized by the sight of the iron horse, strongly imed its honor. -That iron horse is definitely a dragon! -Look at the viges on the road that the iron horse rides! Abundance abounds! -The reason we are so rich is because of the dragons protection! Joseon is an auspicious country protected by the dragon! -Let us also join Joseon and pave the way for the dragon! Wouldnt it be better for us to bring that dragon over to you rather than your wife? Those in favor of the nobleman scoffed and asked back at the arguments of the opponents who opposed the nobleman and said it would be better to bring in an iron horse. joy! Are you confident that you will win against those who guard the Dragons Path and the Joseon army? And even if you win, how are you going to bring it back? Hes a divine beast, so are you going to tie him up with a rope and drag him around like Uma? If you raise a ritual to the sky with utmost sincerity What are you doing as a ritual for rain? . Eventually, the idea of retiring to Joseon became a trend, and many tribal leaders headed to Nokdundo Ind with their tribal symbols and treasured swords. The Yeojin tribe leaders who arrived at Nokdundo Ind presented Choi Yun-deok with the tribes emblem and treasured sword and dered his status as a nobleman. Instead, please pave the way for the dragon to our tribe! * * * So, the Jurchen people, who misunderstood the railway as the dragons path, asked them to pave the dragons path instead. A few dayster, after receiving a more detailed exnation from Choi Yun-deok, Hwang Hee exined the entire incident to King Sejong. Hmm King Sejong, who was tapping his fingers on the armrest with a small snort, looked at the incense in Geunjeongjeon for the first time in a long time. This guy onlyes here at times like this! King Sejong, who had been ring at Hyang in Geunjeongjeon, opened his mouth when Choi Yun-deok told him that another general had arrived, as if he had heard the story of the Way of the Dragon. Crown, what do you want me to do? Hyang, who thought for a moment about King Sejos words, soon opened his mouth. Isnt it the duty to ept you because you are noble? What about the dragons path or the railroad? They have made a very good excuse for themselves, so what are you worried about? A good excuse? Sejong, who tilted his head for a moment, soon understood the meaning and immediately burst intoughter. Ahahaha! I see! Since it is the Dragons Path, it is an auspicious thing in itself that cannot beid anywhere! It would be right for them toe near the Dragon Path! This is a wise answer to a foolish question! Ahahaha! The ministers grumbled inwardly as they alternately looked at King Sejong, who was smiling so brightly that tears came to his eyes, and Hyang, whose expression was nothing. It came again! Ask and answer among yourself! Is it fortunate that the Chief Minister exined it this time? Haa~. Sejong wiped away the tears from his eyes with a light sigh and ordered Hwang Hee. Ask General Choi Yun-deok to order this. Wee and support the noble Yeojin people, but answer the issue of the railroad as the crown prince says. This is a clear decision. And how about sending an envoy to Beijing? At Hwang Hees words, Sejong immediately turned serious and nodded. I thought that too. Speak with the Minister of Foreign Affairs to organize an envoy and send it to Beijing. Since this is a serious issue, it would be better for the Minister of Foreign Affairs to visit in person this time as well. When he was mentioned, Lee Maeng-gyun stepped forward and opened his mouth. It is indeed so. Considering the dangers of the word dragon, it would be best to go to Beijing as soon as possible to exin it. Do you Lee Maeng-gyun paused for a moment to gather his thoughts and then continued speaking. The problem is that it is very likely that Beijing will demand an iron horse. It is said that when the Iron Horse first came out and moved from Hanseong, there was an opinion to ept it as tribute. However, the emperor refused because it was still immature. It was like that. Sejong nodded at Lee Maeng-gyuns words. I remember receiving the report too. The problem is that the iron horse running on the railroad now is out of immaturity. The horse will definitelye out. Chapter 422 Episode 422 Cargo Culture (5) King Sejong and the local ministers all nodded at Lee Maeng-gyuns words. Starting from Hanseong, the iron horses installed and operated or prepared for operation in Pyongyang, Kaesong, Daegu, and Dongrae were worthy of Emperor Seondeoks evaluation. However, the iron horses moving along the coast of Joseon were desirable in terms of their speed and transportation capacity. Therefore, it was certain that the Ming Dynasty would demand sufficient tribute. Therefore, King Sejong and the ministers were confident that the Ming Dynasty would definitely demand an iron horse. The question is how many units will be requested. As things stand now, I am worried about whether we will receive the quantity we need on time. Lee Maeng-gyun stepped forward to address the concerns of the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Development. If it is the Emperors will, the amount to offer as tribute will be small. If it were the emperors nature, he would ask for something different. What if its something else? This time, Hwang Hee came forward to answer the question from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Development. blueprint. ah! In response to Hwang Hees answer, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Development let out an exmation as if he had finally remembered something. Seeing the reactions of the ministers, King Sejong opened his mouth. Considering the emperors temper we have experienced so far, that would be the most likely. Because he has pride, pride, responsibility, and distrust all in equal measure. Ill buy it back. The ministers all nodded in response to King Sejongs evaluation. * * * After Emperor Seondeok became emperor, Joseon meticulously analyzed his every move. -He has strong pride. I hate saying sorry things to someone more than dying. -He is full of pride that his empire is the best in the world. -He is full of responsibility to make the empire stronger since he is the emperor. -He distrusts everyone but himself. This has intensified through several purges and the recent major purge. Because of this, he is in a situation where he trusts our country, Joseon, which openly deals with him. Through this analysis, King Sejong and the ministers who understood Emperor Seondeoks nature predicted that Emperor Seondeok would want a blueprint rather than arge quantity of actual objects. * * * What does the Crown Prince think? Hyang answered King Sejongs question right away without hesitation. Soja too, I think what Abamama said is right. An emperor like the one I saw in real life would want a blueprint rather than a minimum of the actual thing. If you receive a physical object as a tribute, even the repayment can put a hole in the titles finances. But if its a blueprint, its not that bad. In response to Hyangs response, Sejong nced at Kim Jeom and nodded. I guess so. And Kim Jeom also nodded without realizing it. * * * Funnily enough, the notoriety of the Ministry of Finance and Economy officials, starting with Kim Jeom, was famous not only in Joseon but also in Ming. It was my time! If I wanted to be called a guy who does some work, I had to get paid at least four times as much! Whenever they calcted the size of the return gift that the envoys should receive, the officials of the Ministry of Finance and Economy had to listen to Kim Jeoms words like the above. And the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials who went to Beijing as envoys had to engage in a bloody battle of wits with the Ming officials to achieve the results set by the Ministry of Finance and Economy. Every time he came back with a result that was much lower than expected, Kim Jeom said something half-hearted to Lee Maeng-gyun. Why dont we just send our kids away? And every time they heard such words, the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had to cry out loud. * * * Hyangs words continued. And because of the problems with the new iron horse itself, even if I wanted to, I couldnt give it much. Self-problem? There is no ship in Joseon that can transport the new iron horse in itspleted state. Is a challenger level front too much? We have to tear down all the bulkheads in the dock. Also, there is a problem of bnce, so if it is transported by sea, it must bepletely disassembled and transported as parts. Very good. Sejong and Hyang smiled equally evilly. Seeing that sight, all the ministers shouted inwardly. Such evil! While the smart but foul-tempered rich man was smiling evilly, Hwang Hee joined the conversation. Couldnt we tell them to send it bynd? Hyang briefly responded to Hwang Hees point. All you have to do is say that they will send it to you if the Ming government builds a railroad that passes through Liaodong and Liaoxi to Beijing. Why do we spend money to build a railroad because these people make a fuss when we go even a little bit west of the Yalu River? Even when we say in good faith that we willy a railroad, they are foaming at the mouth and iming that they have other intentions. Of course. In response to Hyangs response, Hwang Hee nodded without realizing it. * * * The Ming and Joseon Dynasties were engaged in a fiercepetition, knowingly or unknowingly, for control of the Liaodong region, which was called Manchuria before the intervention of the Xiang Dynasty, as well as the Liaoxi region. Of course, thanks to Hyangs roasting and boiling of Seondeokje, he was able to easily take control of the area north of the Duman River and east of it, and through the rebellion between Lee Man-ju and Muntemu, he was also able to take control of Mt. Baekdu and the area north of the Yalu River to some extent. But that was it. If Joseon extended its hand even a little to other regions, Ming immediately sent an envoy to argue with them. Why does Joseon covet Jims river area? Each time, King Sejong had to convince the envoy that he had absolutely no such intention and sent a long exnation to Emperor Seondeok. In the end, Myungs intention was simple. -The east where Joseon is currently advancing is far away and there are many unexplored areas, so I will just look at it, but it is absolutely not possible to go to areas that have already been fully developed! Ming had no intention of giving up the richestnd in Liaodong and Liaoxi. * * * Hyang continued speaking. I think it is a good idea to offer two or three actual items as tribute and send blueprints for the rest as it is a courtesy to the merchant nation. At Hyangs words, Kim Jeom spoke in a tone full of regret. Considering the cost and time and effort we have spent so far, it is truly regrettable that we are handing over the blueprints. Hyang responded to Kim Jeoms words with an evil smile once again. Thats why were only handing over the blueprints. Just the blueprints. huh? uh? At that moment, King Sejong and the ministers all looked like they couldnt understand. No matter how many times he thought about it, King Sejong could not understand the meaning of what Hyang had said, and in the end he had no choice but to ask Hyang. Seja. Why is it a brilliant idea to just give a blueprint? yes? Thats it Hyang, who was about to say something as if King Sejongs reaction was strange, looked at the ministers and kept her mouth shut. oh my! There is no science graduate here! Hyang realized once again what the majors of the people filling Geunjeongjeon were and sighed briefly without even realizing it. Haa~. what? I feel dirty somehow? This is for my father Hyang began to exin, looking at King Sejong and the ministers who were somewhat in tears. -The researchb and Area 51 created together with Gyeongjang did not just create amazing objects. -What the research center and Area 51 focused on was developing the technology to make such objects and the technology to make the materials used in such objects. -The knowledge umted during the process was documented as much as possible. He then used these documents as teaching materials to educate young craftsmen. -At the same time, not only did they produce such objects, but they also standardized and standardized the parts used in all kinds of areas, including architecture and civil engineering. This is the greatest achievement of theboratory and Area 51. To give a simple example, skilled Joseon craftsmen today can roughly guess what purpose it is used for and what properties it has just by hearing the words how many times a screw or how many times a rivet is a rivet. Thats why this is the greatest achievement. Sejong asked with an expression as if he knew or did not know the exnation of the scent. I understand that you and those working under you are putting in a lot of effort. But I dont understand why its necessary to just hand over the blueprints? In response to Sejongs question, Hyang exined again. Because its really just going to be a blueprint. We can know things such as the thickness and length of the iron tes that make up the water tank and heating furnace, but we will not go beyond what the quality of the iron should be. Likewise, the number and location of the two wells that join the steel tes may be in the blueprint, but we will not go over what standards the two wells follow. Ah Huh Only then did King Sejong and the ministers understand what the fragrance meant. Hyang continued to exin with an evil smile still on his face. The iron currently used in thisnd of Joseon, from the hoe held in the farmers hand to the iron tes that make up the body of the iron horse, is of a quality that other countries cannot match. If we dont know this and simply use low-quality cast iron or steel and make it ording to the blueprint, will it perform as well as it should? Sejong answered Hyangs question right away. Of course it wonte out. Thats right. Hyang nodded at Sejongs words, cleared his throat for a moment, and continued his exnation. If the Emperors temperament is right now, he will have to suffer for at least a few years until he asks for our technology. Hwang Hee nodded and epted what Hyang said. I guess so. If you think about that pride and self-esteem. the craftsmen will have to suffer for at least five years. Im expecting about 10 years. And by that time, our shipbuilding technology will have developed further and we will be able to make all kinds of excuses with technology that is one step behind us. Continuing to move ahead is fundamental. Thats why Im saying Ill just hand over the blueprint. Of course, we have to add a little spice to it so that they dont know our sincerity. Huh~ Sejong exhaled without realizing it at Hyangs words and sincerely asked Hyang. Seja, how many moves ahead did you foresee? This is what we learned from history. After giving a simple answer, Hyang continued speaking to himself. In the history of the 20th century. What was not mentioned was that this was the method developed countries such as the United States and Japan had used in Korea. * * * I just hand over the blueprint. King Sejong and the ministers wondered what Hyangs words meant at first, but when Hyang finished his exnation, they all nodded. I think the crown princes n is the best. Thats right. This is truly a cunning and deadly move. When the ministers all showed their approval, King Sejong looked at Lee Maeng-gyun. Minister of Foreign Affairs. Yes, Your Highness. God himself will go to Beijing and take care of it. Please. The minister is the best person to adapt on the fly depending on the merits and seriousness of the matter. I will do my best. At least God wont be the first to mention it. King Sejong smiled warmly as if he was satisfied with Lee Maeng-gyuns answer. I will only trust the minister. Then lets discuss the next agenda. * * * After the meeting that day, the ministers gathered once again in the Prime Ministers conference room. In the process of recalling the events of that day, the most talked about topic was by far the solution to the scent. You are truly a great person. Thats right. Is this the person who will seed His Majesty the Lord? Jo Mal-saeng grumbled while the ministers who admired the incenses talent continued to praise him. I have to tell my children and grandchildren not to go to work. If a crown prince like that ascends to the throne, its obvious what will happen to his subjects. The ministers nodded silently as if they greatly sympathized with Jo Mal-saengs words, but they were saying something else in their hearts. Wow! Chapter 423 Episode 423: Cargo Culture (6) The other ministers nodded at Jo Mal-saengs words, but deep down they did not believe them at all. When King Sejong came to power, many things were demanded from the ministers. In particr, due to the bribery incident involving Jo Mal-saeng, I had to be especially careful in my conduct. If the wrongdoing was discovered, the lightest punishment was to give up at least half of the property and take responsibility for it until death. If the severity of the injusticemitted was great, he had to be demoted to a lower rank and work until he died, or he had to be confined to the records office to organize documents until he died. Of course, the worst case scenario was that they had to work in the mines indefinitely like Hwang Huis sons. A recorder is a luxury for those who believe in their own meager writing skills and abilities! It was because of Sejongs decision as mentioned above. It was such a difficult and dangerous position, but the reason the ministers were there was because of the sweetness of power. Although he could not hope for denial, King Sejong promised and kept the promise, including the realization of green sry and pension benefits. Once you became addicted to the sight of the people showing respect to you every time you went out and threatened someone, it was difficult to get out of it. Therefore, the statement that children would not be offered such positions of power was not trustworthy at all. We dont have to worry about what happens after the crown prince ascends to the throne, so lets first sort out things rted to the Ming. Lets do that. When Hwang Hee and Maeng Sa-seong came forward, the ministers immediately focused on reality. * * * Meanwhile, in Geunjeongjeon, King Sejong was sitting and talking while holding incense sticks. Anpyeong moved to the entertainment office he wanted so badly and has been working very steadily. Yes, I heard the story too. Hyang responded to Sejongs words and swallowed his next words. And I spend more than half of the month wandering around in the name of local inspection. Why should I listen to the military wifesints? Of course, it didnte directly to Hyang, but if it came through the Crown Princess, it was often more painful. This was because there were quite a few sinsmitted by incense. Sejong continued speaking, as if he knew the inner feelings of that scent. But it seems like youre trying too hard. I need to say something. You are correct. Sometimes excessive greed can lead to overwork. It was the scent of a strong nod to Sejongs words. By the way, why did Jinpyeong refuse the position? While singing the Iron Horse, Iron Horse song like that? Is the answer you gave me really true? Sejong seemed to genuinely not understand Jinpyeongs actions. Hyang smiled slightly bitterly at the sight of Sejong like that. That bastard evolved? Jinpyeong had evolved from a steel fan to a steam engine fanatic. * * * Jinpyeong, who suffered an ident after seeing a model railroad when he was young and at the height of his troubles, ran on a straight line on an iron horse. Thanks to this, he worked more enthusiastically than anyone else to build railroads throughout Joseon. Thanks to such enthusiasm, when an incident of steel track theft urred on the Dongbing Port route, a military response was dered. Thanks to this, by the time the Dongbing Port route waspleted and the main route and branch lines werepleted, there was a slight burnout phenomenon. Perhaps knowing Jinpyeongs feelings, the Hyang gave the department in charge of iron horse research a task on development of the next generation iron horse. Isnt this the end? Hyang snorted softly at Jinpyeongs question. Are you just satisfied with that speed and transportation capacity? Thats just the beginning! And doesnt one more person know that research is underway? One more? Did you know nothing about steam engines for ships? Jinpyeong answered Hyangs question with a slightly embarrassed expression. Ive been focusing on the iron horse for so long Tsk! Hyang clicked his tongue slightly and stood up. Follow me. * * * Wow! Jinpyeong followed the scent and entered the marine engine development department and shouted like a child when he saw the huge engine in front of him. It is truly gigantic! Indeed! wow! Looking at Jinpyeong repeatedly making exmations, Hyang exined with a typical geek smile. Its something that Iron Horse cant evenpare to, not only in size but also in power output. And this is not the end, but the beginning. Joseon ships equipped with bigger and more powerful engines than these will cruise the ocean. As Hyang exined, Jinpyeong began to imagine the scene. Ahh. Jinpyeong, who was imagining things with a hazy face, looked back towards the scent. Lowering! Id like to get involved in something rted to steam engines! What about the iron horse? Isnt the beginning of the iron horse the steam engine? The steam engine is the beginning and end of all things, so I really want to do it! There are more failures than sesses, and it requires a great deal of mental energy. It would be a stuffy and unbearable ce for an active person like you. Do you still want to do it? In response to Hyangs question, Jinpyeong nodded firmly. please! I want to do it! Hyang, who had been pondering Jinpyeongs answer for a moment, opened her mouth. Ill talk to Captain Jeongcho and let you know. Eh! Just make sure to order it! I will do my best for you! That guy With that, Jinpyeong moved to his seat. This was because Jeongcho, who heard Hyangs story, evaluated it positively. Your Majesty, you have been participating in iron horse research for a long time, so even if you move, it will be of great help to you. I have simr thoughts. Hyang, who had moved Jinpyeong like that, muttered with an evil smile when she was left alone. Will we be able to avoid the Gyeyucheol crisis through this? * * * I am working hard with the ambition to attach engines I made to iron horses that run onnd and ships that run in the sea. In response to Hyangs response, Sejong smiled and nodded. You really have great ambitions. Now that I think about it, I really do have good children. All the children who have passed the ceremony are working hard to find their own vocation. Hyang responded to Sejongs words with a smile. Its all because Abamama gave us good teachings. Its probably you, not me. Thats too much praise. Hyang humbly answered. But my inner feelings were different. Well I guess the power of Jinpyeong and Anpyeong was greater? * * * After King Sejongsing-of-age ceremony, all of King Sejongs children took up a ce and started working. The great military and military followed Jinpyeong and Anpyeong and were working at the research center and the entertainment office in Area 51. The princesses and princesses were all following in Princess Jeongsos footsteps and studying medicine, except for Princess Jeong, who was into industry and academia. Personal taste was part of this background, but the surrounding environment C specifically the scent C could not be ignored. This was because as soon as he was installed as crown prince, the sight of the research center and Area 51 being created and the incense being installed was a strong stimulus from a young age when he had not even had a formal ceremony yet. Next, Princess Jinpyeong and Anpyeong Jeongso were the causes. Oh, its frustrating! I need someone I can manipte as I please! No matter how much they were great princes, they were older and it was difficult for Jinpyeong and Anpyeong to manipte official officials who had passed the civil service examination in the past as they pleased, so the most easy-going people were their younger brothers. Thanks to this, Jinpyeong and Anpyeongpeted to bring their younger siblings under their wing. It was fortunate that his younger brothers, the great princes and the military, also worked hard as they suited their aptitude, perhaps because of King Sejongs bloodline. The same was true for princesses and princesses. If you are confident in industry and academia, go under justice! Or put them all under me! Among King Sejongs children, most of the princesses and princesses moved under the orders of Princess Jeongso, who was the most powerful person in the world. Although medicine was as difficult as industry and academia, the princesses and princesses studied hard. It was because I felt rewarded for saving peoples lives. These movements of royal personnel soon created a huge butterfly effect. The trend of looking down on craftsmen slowly disappeared as we watched the high-ranking royals working with oil stains on them. In history before the intervention of Hyang, the perception of female medical professionals, including under-dresses, who had been called pharmacy gisaengs and looked down upon since the reign of King Yeonsangun, began to gradually improve. As societys perspective changed, the number of children from half-families entering the medical and engineering fields began to increase. * * * Thats too much praise. It is all because of Abamamas discipline that the children work hard, making use of their individual natures, rather than being fooled by the pretense of being n rtives. Abama said my contribution was great, but where does that make me good? Isnt it because Abama-mama disciplined us all well? Sejong smiled slightly at Hyangs words and lightly scolded her with an expression of embarrassment. child! Youre putting gold on Abbys face! Did you only learn how to tter yourself at theb? Soja only told the truth. By the way, I will now have to work even harder at the research institute and Area 51. I cant set a bad example for my younger siblings when they work so hard. At Hyangs words, King Sejong made a strange expression and waved his hand. I see, then go back and work hard. Yes Abama. As Hyang, who politely paid his respects, left Geunjeongjeon, King Sejong frowned and muttered. This guy has one quick sense and is incredibly fast! Sejong was thinking of handing over tasks to Hyang one by one. -Your younger siblings have all settled down and are working hard. All of this is your credit. -He praises me so much that I lift him up and then hand over the work. This was the n, but the clever bastard did it by painting his own face with gold and then slipping out of his hands like a loach. I have to work harder to set a good example for my younger siblings. He used this veryme excuse to get away. You shameful bastard. There was a reason why King Sejongined about Hyang. The construction of the pce, which had been in progress for almost 10 years, waspleted, and Joseon was now developing stably and steadily. And Joseons territory was also steadily increasing. Because of this, King Sejong became a little greedy and thought of asking Hyang to clean the ce for him. Recovering the realnd of the old Samhan (n). This was Sejongs small, very small greed. * * * When King Sejong was still Prince Chungnyeong, he shed with Prince Yangnyeong at the first birthday party of Hyang. I will restore the true nature of the Samhan! King Sejong opposed Yangnyeongs words. At the time, King Sejong insisted that it was impossible, saying it was premature. However, at the time, King Sejong said it was premature and did not say not to even dream. The dream of real recovery was something that King Sejong also harbored. And as time passed and Joseons capabilities grew and its territory gradually expanded, King Sejongs desire to make his dreame true became increasingly stronger. We still have a lot to do to deal with Ming. However, if we continue to take care of the unexplorednds and indigenous people thate into our hands, the actual day of recovery may be closer than expected. Then King Sejong, who was looking for an answer by reviewing maps and reports, found a way. We need to create an independent organization that can independently handle all tasks, including the administration and military administration of the newly acquired territory, and if possible, finances. If each reporting procedure is followed as it is now, the response speed is too slow. In the frontier, everything has to be decided and handled on the spot. The problem is that it is too dangerous to entrust a position of such great power to a subject Sejong stopped speaking and concluded with a sigh. Haa~.I have to go. Chapter 424 Episode 424: What was expected, what was unexpected. (1) The Hyang who left Geunjeongjeon was also grumbling. No, why are you throwing a tantrum because you still cant pass on the work? At Geunjeongjeon, the moment King Sejong talked about his younger brothers achievements and secretly painted Hyangs face with gold, Hyang immediately caught a warning sign. This is dangerous! If you do something wrong, you will be punished! Sensing a crisis, Hyang immediately painted King Sejongs face with gold and then escaped from King Sejongs touch. Hyang, who grumbled softly out of fear that the eunuch following behind might hear, gave an order to the eunuch. Ill stop by theb and then go to Area 51, so get your horse ready. Yes sir. While the eunuchs and guards moved to bring the horses, Hyang looked at Geunjeongjeon and muttered softly. I have a rough idea of what Abama is thinking, but considering currentmunication and transportation resources, the only answer is an independent agency. He had some sense of what Sejong was thinking. * * * Although it was a period of stagnation, the Korean Penins and the areas reacquired in the early days of Gyeongjang were returning without any problems. The problem was the recently acquired areas such as Daeseoldo Ind, Jongjangdo Ind, and nearby areas. The local people were being brought into the arms of Joseon step by step by taking advantage of the monopoly that Hyang nicknamed Joseons Muan Sweet Water, the merchants who followed in, and the stable jobs symbolized by mines and lumber yards. However, requests for quick processing were scattered everywhere. As the alphabet was unified into Hunminjeongeum and the nativenguage and Koreannguage were taught simultaneously, the problem of idental conflicts was gradually decreasing, but as thenguage became moremon,ints of various kinds were increasing. However, it took a huge amount of time for theseints to arrive in Hanseong and return to the area after a solution was made. Therefore, even within the government, talk began to emerge about an independent organization with appropriate authority to resolve this issue. -It is best to install newly created equipment on the main ind. This is because it is located in the middle between the northern archipgo and Hanseong. -Also, considering the poption of indigenous people living on Daeseoldo Ind, it is optimal to make it the center of foreign administration. In this way, the creation of an independent institution and the appropriate location for its instation were being shaped, but they had to stop at thest part. So whos in charge? It was this part. The position where everything C from administration to national defense C in the newly incorporated region of Joseon was integrated was the perfect position to be used of treason if one made even the slightest mistake. There were only two people who could sit in this position without any problems. Crown Prince or Sangwang. However, it was very dangerous to send the Crown Prince, who was supposed to be the next Crown Prince, abroad. It would have been truly terrible if the crown prince were to contract an unknown disease for which there was no cure, or if the crown prince had lost his life or had a problem due to an armed conflict. The best one was King Sang, but now there is no King Sang in Joseon. However, it was also unreasonable for King Sejong, now 40 years old and in his prime, to be King Sang. Wouldnt that be an unreasonable number? The crown prince is already 23 years old, right? huh? Is that so? And if you think about the ability he showed while carrying out the proxy purge during the suppression of thest revoltunched by Man-ju Lee However, no one was a subject who said this publicly. This was because no one could tell the king, who was working so passionately and with the greatest ability, to abdicate. In the end, only Sejong, who was trying to pass it on, Hyang, who was avoiding it through desperate evasive maneuvers, and the ministers, who had to watch them knowingly or unknowingly, were the only ones feeling heartbroken. * * * It is certain that he will be reced or abdicated within 5 years if it is short or 10 years if it is long. The scent continued to grumble. The target of Hyangsints was the Joseon Navy. This is also a problem with the navy working too hard! The navy, having confirmed the existence of the archipgoes located to the north of Daeseoldo Ind and east of Jongjangdo Ind, was moving east with enthusiasm. However, the winter seas of the North Pacific were so rough that they could not bepared to the winter seas of the East Sea, which were reputed to be rough, and navigation was almost impossible. Of course, it was possible to sail if you were prepared to take risks, but the Joseon navy stillcked everything to make such a reckless challenge. Therefore, the Joseon navy developed and carried out a different n. A naval base was built on an ind with a topography that made it easy to obtain drinking water and avoid rough waves. Spending the winter at the base constructed in this way, the navy maintained its ships and prepared for the next voyage. Soon, a settlement for naval families was established near the naval base, and a trading post with the natives was created. Thanks to the hard work of the navy, the new continent would soon be discovered. Therefore, the scent is five years at the most. The expectation was that it would take 10 years at most. It was certain that with the enthusiastic exploration of the Joseon navy, ska and the western coastline of the North American continent would soon be discovered and reported. As soon as the American continent, a treasure trove of various resources, was discovered, many Koreans would immigrate. However, due to Joseons chronic problem of insufficient poption, it was certain that Joseon would have no choice but to incorporate Eskimos and indigenous people from the North American continent as its subjects. And at that time, an independent agency would inevitably be established to manage the North American continent, and King Sejong would have to move into that position. There was a possibility that Jinpyeong or Anpyeong would go instead of Sejong, but it was clear that the subjects would not ept it. Both Jinpyeong and Anpyeong were Sejongs children and Hyangs younger brothers, but in terms of political rtions, they were Hyangs strong rivals. Therefore, these risk factors could not be freely released. Especially Jinpyeong Hyang, who had expected this far, shook her head while mentioning Jinpyeong. Although Jinpyeong had evolved into a steam engine fan following Cheoldeok, Hyang was still uneasy. And up to this point, Hyang thought it would be something that wouldst for 5 years at the shortest, 10 years at the longest. * * * Eventually, Hyang climbed onto the horse brought by the eunuch and the guards and lightly kicked the horses side. Hee hee! As soon as the incense-burning horse began to move, the guards immediately surrounded it and moved around. depart! depart! As he headed toward theb, Hyang muttered with a dissatisfied face. Anyway, why are these kids sote? These children that the fragrance mentioned were Portuguese and Spanish. ording to the naval forces traveling to and from Alexandria and rumorsing in through Mansur, Europe was now in chaos. Due to the small bomb thrown by the incense, the religious and ideological world of Europe turned into chaos. As the days passed by, religious figures and intellectuals were engaged in fierce arguments and wars of words, issuing statements and papers. Its a time when secr power and the Popes power collide, so we buy time by adding a little spice. This was Hyangs n, but the effect of the seasoning was stronger than expected. The reason it was so unexpected was, of course, the scent. The various products and objects that were created at the initiative of the local government and introduced to Europe were far beyond the technological level of the time. From the letters sent by those who went there, Joseon seemed to be much more developed than the Europe where they lived. And King Sejong, who led Joseon, also seemed to be no ordinary person. And European intellectuals, who realized that all the products and objects that impressed them were made under the direction of Hyang, were also focusing their attention on Hyang. At some point, Joseon was considered a utopia, and the monarch of Joseon, King Sejong, and his sessor Hyang were regarded as the Kings of Philosophers mentioned by to. The question posed by this person, who was considered a symbol of intelligence and knowledge, literally became a knife that stabbed Europeans in their painful areas without mercy, and the religious and ideological circles of Europe suffered. And merchants and monarchs began to do everything they could to secure the path to Joseon, the nd of flowers. Portugal and Spain, as well as Ennd and France, passionately built ships and put them on the sea to secure sea routes to Joseon. And the ships and sailors who set out to sea nted gs on the west coast of Africa, creating colonies and military bases. While they explored with such passion, when they encountered ships from other countries, they fought fierce battles to eliminatepetitors. Schrs whoter studied this period expressed it this way: -The western sea of Africa was stained with the blood of sailors, and thend of Africa was stained with the blood and tears of the indigenous people. While the countries in the western Mediterranean and eastern Antic were fiercelypeting on the seas, countries in the Mediterranean region, including Italy, were making different ns. It was the construction of a waterway connecting Suez, where Joseon ships arrived, and the Mediterranean Sea. Although it was certain to be a difficult project that would cost a huge amount of money, it was certain that the waterway opened in this way would provide enormous benefits. However, this n was sluggish due to conflicts and checks between various entities with interests at stake. The monarchs and merchants of the countries in the region were creating a mess by repeatedly joining forces and gathering ording to their own interests, regardless of religion. And unlike the movements in the ideological world, these economic movements were immediately known to Hyang. Thanks to this, theyined that the scent was slow. no! How long has it been since you explored the west coast of Africa and headed south, but have you still not been able to climb the Cape of Good Hope? If it was the same passion that was shown at the auction house, it would have already turned around! You guys have to turn around quickly so I dont have to use you as an excuse and get thrown into theb! Please reveal the slightly distorted history quickly! However, contrary to what Hyang said, history was not a little wrong, but a lot wrong. * * * In history before the intervention of Hyang, King Sejong publicly dered that he would have Hyang perform the purge on his behalf in this year, the 19th year of King Sejongs reign. Although all major and small officials opposed this, King Sejong pushed ahead with the proxy administration citing the following grounds. -Now that the Crown Prince is old enough, we need to make him familiar with practical politics. -My health is not good. -As the bandits have been rampant and the famine has worsened sincest year, more and more refugees are joining the bandits. This is because my abilities are limited. In addition to these public reasons, King Sejong pushed for proxy administration because he needed time to study Hunminjeongeum. (Note 1) However, history went awry when Hyang intervened. Through nationwide flood control projects, damage from droughts and floods was minimized, and grain was actively imported to supply it to the people. Thanks to this, the number of cases of discement decreased significantly, and conversely, refugees began to settle down again. Sejong, who gained confidence through these results, actively implemented various reform policies, including the introduction of Kyungjang, and Joseon continued to grow in size and develop. In addition, Hunminjeongeum, which was to be released at least 10 yearster, was made in a more refined state and was being actively used. Of course, it was inevitable that these changes came at a cost. * * * Note 1) The Annals of King Sejong, read in one volume. Written by Park Young-gyu. Woongjin Knowledge House Chapter 425 Episode 425: What was expected, what was unexpected. (2) The price King Sejong paid was the change in his family members. Unlike the history before the intervention of Hyang, King Sejong had only one queen and three queens and one chief minister. As a result, instead of having 18 sons and 4 daughters, he ended up having 10 sons and 3 daughters. To sum up, he did not study Hunminjeongeum in the spare time he had while having Hyang act as a proxy for the government, but he studied Hunminjeongeum when he had time to look after his descendants. * * * In the midst of a fierce game of hide and seek between King Sejong, who tried to hand over government affairs, and Hyang, who tried to avoid it, the ministers carried out what they had to do. Beijing Forbidden City. Envoys from Joseon, wee. Emperor Seondeok, sitting on the throne, weed Lee Maeng-gyun and his party from Joseon. Ie to see your Majesty. Long live, long live, long live. Lee Maeng-gyun and his party politely bowed ording to etiquette. After receiving the courtesy, Emperor Seondeok smiled slightly and asked Lee Maeng-gyun. There are two ways in which Joseon sends envoys urgently: unexpectedly good news or unexpectedly bad news. Okay, which one is it this time? I came here because of the aftershocks. Aftershocks? I understand its quiet these days? Emperor Seondeok, who was questioning Lee Maeng-gyuns remarks, soon recalled a memory and nodded. ah! Is it because of the Dragons Way? I was already nning to send an envoy. The smile on Emperor Seondeoks face had suddenly turned cold. And the Ming officials and eunuchs who saw this began to swallow dry saliva with pale faces. If you hadnte so quickly, Gyeongbokgung Pce would have been a bit noisy. At the icy cold words, Joseons envoys, including Lee Maeng-gyun, immediately fell to the ground and shouted. I came running as soon as I heard the news, but Im stillte! I have absolutely no selfish intentions! * * * Changes were significant in Joseon and Europe, but the biggest change was in Beijing. Emperor Seondeok was still alive. In history before Hyang intervened, it was Emperor Seondeok who died two years earlier, in 1435. After that, Jeong Jeong became emperor at the young age of 9, and from then on, the great empire of Ming began to explode. However, in the history after Hyang intervened, Emperor Seondeok was managing government affairs in a healthy manner. The starting point was Hyangs visit to Beijing. Although he was young, Emperor Seondeok was impressed by the unusual appearance of incense and began to research about King Sejong and incense. In the process, Emperor Seondeok learned of the diet and exercise that Hyang rmended to King Sejong, and immediately began to adjust his diet and exercise simrly. In addition, the enormous profits brought in through the joint venture with Joseon Dynasty, which urred in the process of the great purge rted to the cirction of currency, stabilized the finances with the enormous wealth obtained, and the psychological pressure was greatly reduced, leading to a longer life span. Emperor Seondeoks long survival and influence on the Ming Dynasty were enormous. In history before the intervention of Hyang, the size of the Ming economy doubled during the reign of Emperor Seonde. However, in the history after Hyang intervened, an unprecedented result of almost three-fold growth was produced. However, just as there is darkness where there is light, not everything was good. Rapid economic growth was soon leading to price instability, and spection aimed at making a fortune was rampant. In particr, many trading cities that were growing in size were suffering from a housing shortage, and real estate prices began to soar. And there were problems in the political area as well. Officials and eunuchs focused on protecting themselves from Emperor Seondeoks reign of terror, which was carried out through several sessive purges. It became their daily routine to create and advocate for policies that would please the emperor before considering whether they were right or wrong. Of course, this was simr to Joseon. However, King Sejong epted any opinion that was better, even if it was contrary to his will. However, Emperor Seondeoks subjects were his faithful servants. * * * In response to the desperate excuses of the envoys, Emperor Seondeok still asked in a cold voice. okay? Are you saying that Joseon has absolutely no impure intentions? Thats right! This is simply due to the foolish behavior of the narrow-minded Jurchen people! Lee Maeng-gyun exined themotion caused by the Jurchen people who saw the railroad tracks. Hmm Emperor Seondeok, who was listening to the exnation while stroking his beard, asked again. So, when the Jurchen people, who were blind to the world, saw the iron horse, they mistook it for a dragon and called the railroad the dragons road? Is this the sound? Thats right. Hmm After hearing the answer, Emperor Seondeok fell into thought again, and the Joseon envoys, including Lee Maeng-gyun, swallowed their saliva and only looked at Emperor Seondeoks face. Emperor Seondeok thought for a moment, seemed to have made his own decision, nodded and opened his mouth. Lets believe what happened was not Joseons intention. Because so far, Joseon has not done anything to break my trust. Hwang Eun is devastated! Long live, long live, long live! Long live, long live, long live! At Emperor Seondeoks decision, all Joseon envoys cheered three times. After putting an end to the incident, Emperor Seondeok asked another question. I heard a lot of rumors about this since the iron horse ran in Hanseong in the past. Compared to the iron horse of the time, how much better is the iron horse now called a dragon? It has be usable to some extent. Please exin in more detail. yes. The size is In response to Emperor Seondeoks order, Lee Maeng-gyun exined to Emperor Seondeok to the best of his knowledge. While listening to Lee Maeng-gyuns exnation, Emperor Seondeok did not ask any questions and only stroked his beard. When Lee Maeng-gyuns exnation was over, Emperor Seondeok gave an order to the envoy. That was a good exnation. The envoys can go back and rest. Regarding this matter, I will write an edict to the king of Joseon. I am devastated. Emperor Seondeok sent out the envoys and gave orders to his subjects in the main hall. It seems that the iron horses made by Joseon have be quite useful. What do you think? Hobusangseo stepped forward and answered Emperor Seondeoks question. It is said that it can run a thousand miles without stopping at the speed of a horse, and that it can carry hundreds of people and hundreds of thousands of coffins (1 coffin = 3.75 kg) on a cart at once. Of course, this may be an exaggeration, but even taking that into ount, I think it will be quite useful. Emperor Seondeok shook his head at Ho Bu Sang-seos remarks. What Hufusangseo said was wrong. Why should Joseon exaggerate? That statement is probably a significant understatement of the truth. While dealing with Joseon all this time, have you forgotten what kind of country Joseon is? In response to Emperor Seondeoks point, Ho Bu Sang-seo immediately fought back with a white face. Gods thoughts were short! Please forgive me! Hobusangseo desperately begged for forgiveness. This was because if there was even the slightest mistake here, they would be dragged to the execution ground and their heads would be hanged. Of course, its hard to believe it until you see it with your own eyes. Jim also doesnt believe me easily even if I say something like this. Im just saying that because Ive seen Joseons actions so far and I also agree that it will be quite useful. Therefore, I will not hold Hobusangseo guilty. Stand up. Hwang Eun is devastated! Long live, long live, long live! Emperor Seondeok, who was holding and shaking the book of fortune, looked at the other ministers. Ill say it again, the iron horse that Joseon is currently using in that Jurchennd seems quite useful. So what should we do? In response to Emperor Seondeoks question, a military assistant from the Cab University came forward and opened his mouth. I think it is a waste of time to ask for the iron horse in question to be offered as tribute. Why dont you ask for a blueprint? One of the military attachs refuted the military assistants suggestion. Why are you wasting time? Its easy and quick to just receive it as a tribute. An official from Hobu responded to that remark. Have you forgotten what the Joseon envoy said earlier? The cost to make one iron horse is 2,000 nyang gold. 2,000 nyang gold! Do you think it would be possible toy a road and run it across the empire with just one or two iron horses? If I were to ask you to pay that entire amount as tribute, you would end up with a hole in your finances while repaying the favor! At those words, an official from the military department raised his voice again. Why do we have to give thanks one by one to a small country like Joseon? A small country like Joseon is a country where our people are grateful if our people just preserve the national body, but we have to live with only the opinions of our people, arge country! Why do we have to listen to Joseons opinions? At those words, the military officers around nodded their heads. Thats because if we mess with Joseon in the wrong way, we too will be in danger. The military officers, whose faces were full of pride and arrogance, turned pale at the sudden voice of Emperor Seondeok. Emperor Seondeok, who had a pitiful expression on his face, red at the military officers with his white face and continued speaking. You probably dont know the power of the Jinui Committees musketeers and artillerymittees, right? I know very well. Joseon is a country that has more musketeers and artillerymen than the musketeers and artillerymittees of the Jingui Committee. The overall force has greater power than us, at least in terms of artillery and fuhrer. And its not just about the size. The Joseon people were the ones who frantically researched and distributed artillery from the time they first encountered it. But do you think that Joseon is nothing special? In response to Emperor Seondeoks question, the military officers were all at a loss. Please forgive the gods for their shallow insight! However, Emperor Seondeoks reprimand continued. Why did Emperor Hongwu, who was a hero to the world, care so much about Joseon andforted it? Also, did the Emperor Yongna, who made the whole world tremble when he drew his sword, make peace with Joseon? If you look down on Joseon, you may suffer the consequences. Emperor Seondeok, who had been speaking up to that point, suddenly corrected his words. ah! However, this does not mean that our people will be defeated if they fight against Joseon. Joseon will attack them with the determination that they will be ruined, and this is to prevent the wrong people from taking advantage of the wrong people while dealing with Joseon. But why does the military, which should know it best, look down on Joseon? The gods have been foolish! In response to Emperor Seondeoks reprimand, the military officers repeatedly hit their heads on the floor and asked for forgiveness. Seeing those military officers, Emperor Seondeok sighed. Whoa~. Its not that I dont understand their pride, but belittling Joseon is something that must be absolutely prohibited. Ill just skip it this time, but dont forget there wont be a second time. Get up. Hwang Eun is devastated! I will keep this in mind! Long live, long live, long live! As with Hobu Sang-seo, the military officers who survived from the brink of death shouted at the top of their voices for national independence. * * * After organizing the situation, Emperor Seondeok asked a question to the military officer in question. Why do we have to ask for a blueprint? The word has already been said, but if you demand an iron horse as tribute, you will have to pay several times that amount in return. This would be fatal to the empires finances and must be absolutely avoided. So youre asking for the blueprints as tribute? In response to Emperor Seondeoks words, the governor corrected his words. I am asking for a sale, not a tribute. And since there will be many difficulties in actual production based on the blueprint alone, we are asking you to sell three or four actual iron horses. Sale, not tribute? To Emperor Seondeoks question to confirm again, the military official answered firmly. Yes, it is for sale. Chapter 426 Episode 426: What was expected, what was unexpected. (3) Request for sale to Joseon. Emperor Seondeoks response after reflecting on Gunbos remarks was positive. If you ask for it as tribute, you will receive it in return. No! Suddenly, a violent remark came out, interrupting Emperor Seondeoks words. Who is it! Who dares stop Jim from speaking! When a remark suddenly appeared that interrupted his speech, Emperor Seondeok shouted with a very angry face. As Emperor Seondeok could not hide his anger, the inside of Daejeon once again froze. Who are you? In response to Emperor Seondeoks shout, an official with gray hair jumped forward and answered with all his might. god! Yebu Gaksa Nangjung (˾O) Sopyeongsul! Im risking my life! Asking to sell to Joseon is something you should never do! The ministers closed their eyes tightly at Sopyeongsuls remarks. After the great purge, which was sparked by the illegal leakage of artillery and gunpowder, there were no major subjects who rebelled against Emperor Seondeoks words. There was no such thing as the emperor interrupting his speech even before the purge. If I make a mistake, there will be more bloodshed All the ministers and eunuchs gathered in Daejeon had grim faces. In particr, the face of Yebusangseo was that of a person who had already died. Damn it! Why is it a wedding ceremony? You stupid bastard! If Im going to die, Im going to die alone! While the ministers and eunuchs were anxious, Emperor Seondeok forced himself to calm down and asked: Why? If the reason is not reasonable, I will be held guilty of carelessly blocking Jims speech. Emperor Seondeok exined why Sopyeongsul was not possible. -The name is Empire. It is not just an empire, it is the suzerain of this world. -What is a suzerain country? A country cannot be called a suzerain simply because it has arge territory and a strong military. It bes a suzerain country because it is superior in every way. -Receiving tribute is not just receiving what iscking, but receiving the loyalty of a vassal state. That is why, even though I know it is a burden, I return the favor several times over. -However, transacting in a country-to-state rtionship means recognizing dependent countries as equals. -Considering such a situation, it would be uneptable for the emperor to directly request trade with the king of a vassal state, especially Joseon. What kind of country is Joseon? As the Emperor has already said, this is not a country to be taken lightly. Showing weakness to such a country is something that must be avoided. For this reason, it is absolutely uneptable for His Majesty to send an envoy directly to request a sale to Joseon! That makes sense. Emperor Seondeok muttered with an embarrassed face at Sopyeongsuls remarks. Emperor Seondeok, who was still looking at Sopyeongsul, who was shouting the Buddha with his whole body, with all his courage, opened his mouth. You can wake up. What happened just now was because of your loyalty, so I wont hold you guilty. Hwang Eun is devastated. Long live, long live, long live! Long live, long live, long live! When Emperor Seondeok showed mercy, everyone in Daejeon, including Xiaopingsul, praised Emperor Seondeoks mercy and chanted three cheers. However, Emperor Seondeok showed a displeased expression despite such enthusiastic cheers. Wouldnt it be better to think of an alternative while shouting Hurray? At those words, the ce in Daejeon instantly became quiet. If we go by the opinion of the Yebu Gaksa-nangjung, we should receive three or four actual iron horses and blueprints as tribute. But there is a problem with the blueprint. Do you remember the promise you made when the crown prince of Joseon came to visit? In response to Emperor Seondeoks question, Ye Busangseo opened his mouth, remembering. Are you talking about intellectual property rights? Yes, rather than just receiving the blueprint as a tribute, the intellectual property rights linked to the blueprint should be guaranteed. How should we do this? In response to Emperor Seondeoks question, the entire Daejeon fell silent once again. In the past, Hyang came to Beijing to solve various problems, starting with the settlement of the Joseon Dynasty, and created a joint venture between the emperor and the Joseon royal family. At the time, the contract clearly included a use regarding intellectual property rights guarantee. ording to the contract, even if it was a tribute, a fee was required to be paid when an object made in Joseon was made in Ming. And this was guaranteed by the emperor himself. In the end, Emperor Seondeok looked back at Gunbo, who came up with the idea of selling. What do you think? It is difficult to give an answer right now. If you give me more time, I wille up with an answer that will satisfy you. How much is enough? You have to give it at least 15 days. I will give you five days. Pleasee back with an answer within five days. The military officer bowed his head at Emperor Seondeoksmand. I follow the Emperorsmand. After sorting out the matter, Seondeokje looked back at the Yebusangseo. So that Yebusangseo can properlyfort the envoys from Joseon. Yes, Your Majesty. Then lets stop here about Joseon and the Iron Horse and move on to other items. * * * Emperor Seondeok, who finished his official duties that evening, visited Jangan Pce (Lm). The crown prince, Ju Ji-jin, was staying at Jangan Pce. Your Majesty, are you here? Joo Ji-jin, who was studying with Gukrang Wang Jin, went outside and greeted him politely when he heard that Emperor Seondeok had arrived. Seeing the crown prince like that, Emperor Seondeok smiled and asked. So what were you doing? I was studying with Gukrang. In response to Joo Jin-jin, Emperor Seondeok looked at the eunuch Wang Jin. Is the prince doing well? He is such a smart person that he is doing very well. okay? How much are you learning now? You have taken the three sutras and are learning the rituals of the three rites. You are learning so quickly. At Wang Jins answer, Joo Ji-jin looked confident, but Emperor Seondeok frowned slightly. Its a littlete No. If you think about Yeonchi, the Crown Prince is very quick. Despite Wang Jins protests, Emperor Seondeok shook his head. It is said that the crown prince of the Joseon Dynasty devoured all the Four Thirteen ssics even before he was installed, and had no obstacles even when arguing. At that time, the Joseon crown prince was only 8 years old! This is the person the prince will deal with from now on! Im sure its an exaggerated rumor. No matter how much of a prodigy he is Wang Jin insisted that he was the manager, but Emperor Seondeok shook his head. Im doing this because I saw that crown prince in person! The Crown Prince of Joseon was only thirteen when he came to Beijing and dealt with Jim! Nevertheless, it was not enough to be Jims opponent. And a few yearster, when the king of Joseon established his own government, it was said that his skill in acting as a proxy in Hanseong was unparalleled! Prince, listen! At Emperor Seondeoksmand, Joo Ji-jin immediately knelt down and bowed his head. Please give your order. I know that your abilities are outstanding, but you must never neglect learning! Because your opponent will be the Crown Prince of Joseon! Keep this in mind! Joo Ji-jin bowed his head in response to Emperor Seondeoksmand. I will keep this in mind! After that, Emperor Seondeok left Jangan Pce after giving a few more words of admonition. Ju Ji-jin, who returned after seeing off Emperor Seondeok, could not control his anger and swung his arms and threw the books on the west bank. Aaaah! His Royal Highness! Please be patient! Due to Ju Jin-jins rampage, the eunuchs, including Wang Jin, tried to calm him down. However, Joo Ji-jins anger did not subside easily. Damn Joseon! Damn Crown Prince of Joseon! Please calm down my anger. Even so, it is only a vassal state and the crown prince of a vassal state! If you get angry like this, you will only incur His Majestys wrath! Hearing the words of the eunuch Wang Jin, Joo Ji-jin forced himself to calm down his anger. Joo Ji-jin, who was sitting on a chair, took a deep breath and cursed. Damn Joseon, damn Joseon Crown Prince. * * * From the time Joo Gi-jin began to speak properly, the standard for evaluating Emperor Seondeok was incense. The crown prince of Joseon is about the same age as you Whenever Seondeokje was evaluated for learning scriptures and martial arts, he always started with those words. And the ending was always the same. You are outstanding, but the crown prince of Joseon was even better than you. Never bezy. What kind of person is the Crown Prince of Joseon? Tired of Emperor Seondeoks reprimands, Joo Ji-jin one day asked nearby officials about incense. The crown prince of Joseon. And Joo Ji-jin, who heard the anecdote about incense from the officials, shook his head. Are you sure its a person? Do we have to deal with someone like this? Just looking at the anecdotes umted so far, Joo Ji-jin waspletely frustrated by the story of Hyang, who had gone far beyond the level of a criminal. And when Joo Jin-jin was frustrated, the person who encouraged him was the eunuch Wang Jin. * * * Wang Jin, from Ulju, was a failed soldier. Wang Jin, who had been exiled for a crime while working as an instructor at the county office in his hometown, castrated himself and entered the imperial pce when the imperial pce recruited eunuchs. Wang Jin, who was known as a teacher among the eunuchs because he knew how to read, received the trust of Emperor Seondeok and became Gukrang, Joo Gi-jins writing teacher. Wang Jin, who became a national schr, began to be favored by Joo Ji-jin by teaching him how to write and pleasing him well. In particr, whenever Joo Ji-jin was reprimanded for hisck of learning, Wang Jinforted him. After all, he is a vassal state and the crown prince of a vassal state. These are lowly things that will be subservient when your Majesty ascends to the throne. * * * Because it was such a visit, this time too, heforted Joo Jin-jin with the same words. Joo Ji-jin, who calmed down his anger through Joo Ji-jinsforting words, gritted his teeth. The day I ascend to the throne, Joseon will feel the emperors defeat! You certainly will. Hearing Wang Jins words, Joo Ji-jin took a deep breath and made up his mind again. Your Majesty is generous, but you are generous! But Im not like that! It will be so! You will surely do so and be a great emperor! It was Wang Jin who eagerly responded to Joo Ji-jins words. * * * Funnily enough, it was Emperor Seondeoks praise that made Joo Ji-jin dream of this kind of defeat. When Lee Man-ju and Muntemu started a rebellion, King Sejong personally took control of his government. Emperor Seondeok, who heard that King Sejong had personally visited his fathers government, was greatly impressed and said the following. It is a shame for a king to sit in the pce when all his efforts have been made to protect the royal business! Indeed! It is said that Lee Seong-gye, who opened the gates of Joseon, was an amazing militarymander. His blood has not gone anywhere! Ha ha ha ha ha! It would have been nice if it had ended there, but the next order was the problem. How was Emperor Yongle? Every time Northern Yuan was in trouble, he personally went out to conquer it! Tell those in charge of the princes teachings! Any monarch of a country must take the lead and go to the front when the country is in crisis! In the end, it was Emperor Seondeok who made Joo Jin-jin fall into paedo. * * * The envoys who had an audience with Emperor Xuande in Beijing left Beijing on the third day. This was because, except for the Dragons Path issue, there were no diplomatic issues between the two countries that needed to be dealt with urgently. This time, I will not raise an issue because I know that there was no intention from Joseon. However, when incidents like this be frequent, he cannot help but suspect Joseons intentions. I wrote it in the edict, but I also told it to envoys, so tell the king of Joseon to keep this in mind. Lee Maeng-gyun responded to Emperor Seondeoks warning by bowing his head. I follow the Emperorsmand. Lee Maeng-gyun, who received Emperor Seondeoks edict and boarded a ship heading to Jemulpo, gathered all his strength and spat phlegm into the sea. Kaaaak~. Tsk! Chapter 427 Episode 427: What was expected, what was unexpected. (4) From the early Joseon Dynasty, Sadae was the basic foreign policy. However, in the early days, Sadae was not an unconditional surrender. To put it simply, the rtionship was built on a level of ups and downs, as it was difficult for both countries to be close to powerful countries. Therefore, when the Ming Dynasty put pressure on Joseon by advocating the theory of conquering Japan and conquering the North, Ha Ryun and other high officials even came up with radical opinions to unite with the Japanese and attack the Ming Dynasty. However, this ended with Taejong refusing. (Note 1) To give an easy example, the following situation urred. These bastards of the famous Mundi. How are they trying to bring shame to our Joseon! Thank you so much! Why join hands with these guys! Those guys from the Ming Dynasty are making a fuss! Is this old man crazy? The reason why Taejong, Ha Ryun, and others engaged in this war of words was because of the situation in Joseon at the time and the Mings intentions. At that time, Joseon had not yet been properly established. Although the need to subdue the Japanese was recognized, both the national power and the military system were not fully developed to wage an all-out war against the Japanese, as the Ming demanded. As for the issue of the Jurchen people, it was certain that if Ming used force against the Jurchen people, the Jurchen people would attack Joseon. In other words, ording to Mings opinion, it was certain that all the appeasement measures that Joseon had pursued so far woulde to naught and the Japanese and Jurchen would point their swords at Joseon. * * * In this way, the rtionship between the nobility in the early Joseon Dynasty was not one in which Ming had absolute superiority. In addition, as Joseons capabilities gradually grew through Gyeongjang, the consciousness of the four major leaders in Joseon became more and more blurred. Especially the areas east of the Duman River, as well as Daeseoldo and Jongjangdo. And as the eastern archipgoes were gradually discovered and the wealth of Jurchen tribes and natives increased, such words began to appear among the ruling ss of Joseon. Shit! Do we have no money or nond? There are just not enough people! Look at all the people! number of people? The Sangkuk is a mess! In this social atmosphere, ministers who saw the childcare leave system implemented by King Sejong for government servants began to study ways to expand it to all sses rather than limiting it to government servants. More than anything, we need to increase the poption! If we want to steadily increase the poption, children must not die! As the poption grows, the market also grows! You dont have to just focus on names! If we do it right, we can create new industries and increase jobs! In order to increase Joseons poption, ministers began to study and implement various policies. Thanks to this, primitive welfare systems were created and began to be operated. This change almost caused the scent to be confused. This is the 15th century, right? Are those noblemen noblemen? Hyang, who was observing the situation while watching the ministers change, muttered softly. As expected, the taste of money in capitalism. However, although this was a taste of money, there was also the influence of Confucian ideology. Confuciuss theory was that it was a monarchs virtue to support the people in working in peace. What early Confucian schrs dreamed of. It was the seconding of the Yao and Shun era. What use are the kings powers to me? The ideal of Confucian schrs was to recreate the Yao and Shun era, a time of peace and prosperity to the point where a mere farmer could sing a high-quality song. * * * Because of this situation, Lee Maeng-gyun became a master of acting. In front of Emperor Seondeok, he seemed embarrassed and unable toe to his senses even if his voice was slightly raised, but as soon as he left the scene, he moved his subordinates with a calm face. A report was created that integrated and analyzed all the information and rumors that came in through Beijing officials andrge merchants who had quietly connected the line. And when I left Beijing and boarded the ship returning to Joseon, it became my new habit to scrape out phlegm with all my might. * * * As Lee Maeng-gyun was returning to Joseon, spitting, Emperor Seondeok was conducting a meeting with eyes full of anticipation. Yes, the five days you wanted have passed. Have you found an alternative? I have found what I think is the best alternative. okay? Something? In response to Emperor Seondeoks slightly excited question, Gunbo took out a thick scroll and held it up politely. Bring it with you. yes. At Emperor Seondeoksmand, the eunuch ced the scroll on a silver tter and presented it to Emperor Seondeok. Hmm Emperor Seondeok, holding the scroll on the tray in his hand, looked at the title on the scroll. Its A policy on the development of imperialnd transportation. Emperor Seondeok untied the scroll and began to quietly read the contents inside. After reading the contents of the scroll several times over a period of time, Emperor Seondeok raised his head and looked at the Cab Secretary. Im sure Subo has read this too, right? That is so, Your Majesty. Does that mean that Subo also agrees with this proposal? To Emperor Seondeoks question, the cab secretary answered with a trembling voice. I think it is the most optimal alternative. The current situation can be dangerous no matter what answer you give! Anyway, its a preference! Im riding the back of a tiger, so Ill go all the way! Hmm Emperor Seondeok, who had an ambiguous expression on the assistant cab secretarys answer, turned to the others. Have you read the auspicious books? I havent read it yet. Then read it. Its a pretty good offer. The ministers who received the scroll from the eunuch took turns reading the contents. Emperor Seondeok nced at the faces of the ministers showing various emotions and then turned to the assistant cab secretary. Maintaining confidentiality was a very good choice. The more people who meddle in this or that, the more things be inconclusive. Its truly a reward. The Minister of Cabs face brightened and responded to Emperor Seondeoks praise. How can it be Gods credit? Everything is thanks to Your Majesty. Long live, long live, long live! And gunbo what is your name? Its called Sosin Yeonghogwan. From now on, work as assistant manager. When Emperor Seondeok gave the ride, Yeonghogwan immediately bowed deeply. Hwang Eun is devastated! hurray! hurray! Long live! As Yeonghogwan got on board, the monks who were reading the scroll muttered to themselves. It seems like His Majesty has made up his mind. I guess I shouldnt object. Then what do I do by reading this scroll? Emperor Seondeok asked the monks whether they knew that they were thinking such things. Have you read everything? Not yet Tsk! Emperor Seondeok clicked his tongue and muttered with a look on his face that he didnt like it at all. It is said that Joseons subjects read and discuss all documents, no matter howrge they are, in just one cup of tea (about 20 minutes) Tsk! When Emperor Seondeok clicked his tongue again, the ministers immediately bowed down and bowed their heads. The powers of the gods are so weak that I have troubled Your Majesty! Please have mercy! Please have mercy! The subjects, tired of Emperor Xuandes reign of terror, automatically and reflexively begged for mercy. Everyone stand up. Lets try harder in the future. I follow your orders! I will keep this in mind! After listening to the answers of the ministers, Emperor Seondeok ordered Yeonghogwan. Chavo, pleasee forward and exin orally. Yes, Your Majesty. Yeonghogwan, who came forward, spoke lightly to the ministers and immediately opened his mouth. The alternative I came up with is to use the top. Yeonghogwans exnation was as follows. -Considering its use, it can only be effective if railroads areid throughout the empire and iron horses are run. -But this will be a huge amount of airspace. If done incorrectly, it can ce an excessive burden on the people and cause discord in public sentiment. C It could be dangerous for the country to step forward and do this on its own. Therefore, construction is carried out by erecting an upper part in the middle. The empire only supervises the construction status of this upper chamber. -In this way, if something goes wrong, it will be the fault of the relevant top, not the fault of the country. All the empire needs to do is punish the problematic merchant and rece it with a new superior. Simply put, it means using the number of E-I-J. And through this top, we save the iron horse. Officer Yeongho continued to exin this point in more detail. -First of all, His Majesty gathers all the upper chambers of the empire and gives the following orders. We need a way to make it morefortable for the people of the empire. I will leave the task to the top who wille up with a good answer. -Then, one of thepanieses up with the answer of railroads and iron horses, and the government signs a contract with thatpany as the main contractor. -The merchant, who has be the main contractor, selects a subcontractor to carry out the construction and at the same time signs a contract for iron horses and railroads with Joseon. This way, it is not a tribute because it is not a demand of His Majesty the Emperor and the Empire. The entire process thereafter will be amercial transaction, not a tribute or return. The ministers all nodded at Yeonghogwans exnation. ording to Yeonghogwans exnation, it was a transaction between the upper ss and Joseon. If we do this, not only will the Emperor Seondeok and the pride of the empire not be stained, but we will also be able to prevent unnecessary spending. Hmm I guess When the ministers who heard the exnation were nodding their heads with an expression of okay, Hobusangseo pointed out the problem. Considering the price of the iron horse, wouldnt Joseon be suspicious of the financial ability of the merchant and reject it? Right! The ministers nodded again at Ho Bu Sang-seos point and looked at Yeong Ho-gwan. Yeongho-gwan immediately responded to Hobusangseos point. For that part, our court can provide a written promise to guarantee payment. Its a payment guarantee. If Joseon goes in with the question of the authenticity of the document, His Majesty can send an envoy. After hearing Yeonghogwans answer, Hobusangseo looked at Emperor Seondeok. I think it is a good way to reduce unnecessary financial expenditure without damaging the reputation of His Majesty and the Empire. is it? What do you think of Yebusangseo? The top has chosen the best way for the empire, and the top has stepped forward to contact Joseon so there will be no blemish on your majesty and the honor of the empire. I think its the optimal move. What is the opinion of the Yebu Gaksa-nang-jung? Emperor Seondeok singled out Sopyeongsul among the royal family members who started the incident. To Emperor Seondeoks criticism, Sopyeongsul immediately responded by bowing his head. Since it is a top-level choice and top-level transaction, Your Majestys reputation will not be tarnished. I think its the best move. When the Yebu did not object, Emperor Seondeok made a decision right away. Then lets take this n, but let the joint venture be the main contractor. Your Majesty, there are Koreans at the top of the joint. The assistant cab minister opposed it, but Emperor Seondeok instead asked back. But should I choose the one who thinks about filling my stomach first? Through the continued corruption incidents that had taken ce, Emperor Seondeok was extremely distrustful of his countrys merchants. However, it was absolutely impossible to select a joint venture as the main contractor. There were many Koreans at the top of the joint venture, and it was only a matter of time before Joseon learned about them. In the end, the Cab Secretary had to risk his neck once again. Your Majesty, I know very well what you are considering, but it is not possible to make a ligature top. I think it would be better to make a ligature top instead. The top of the fish? A letter of good fortune? Hobusangseo immediately answered Emperor Seondeoks question. I also think thats the best. Hmm. After agreeing to the Cab Supplementary Note and the Meritorious Service Award, Emperor Seondeok became lost in thought. Emperor Seondeok, who was thinking while tapping the armrest, soon made a decision. Lets follow that n. But keep in mind that inspections must be thorough. I will keep this in mind! * * * Note 1) Joseon Dynasty military strategy. Ministry of National Defense Military Comption Research Institute. Chapter 428 Episode 428: What was expected, what was unexpected. (5) Your Majesty, I have returned safely from my mission. Good job. Lee Maeng-gyun, who paid homage to King Sejong, presented Emperor Seondeoks edict to King Sejong. Hmm King Sejongs expression was not good after reading the edict that Lee Maeng-gyun brought. As always Im not in a good mood. Hwang Hee stepped forward and responded to King Sejongs words. The ministers and the people are all working hard, so someday we will hear good news. Someday well, thats the only correct answer for now. After giving an answer full of bitterness, King Sejong threw the royal decree aside. Whoa~. Sejong took a deep breath and immediately moved on to the next step. So, did the emperor show interest in the Iron Horse? Lee Maeng-gyun answered King Sejongs question in a serious voice. The emperor was very interested. one. There seems to be a bit of a problem. problem? Hmm Sejong closed his mouth and was lost in thought, stroking his beard, and Lee Maeng-gyun quietly waited for Sejong to open his mouth. Not long after, Sejong finished organizing his thoughts and opened his mouth. Thend of Ming is vast and wide. Anyone with even the slightest sense will not miss the usefulness of iron horses and railroads. In that case, the problem would be the price of the iron horse. Is that right? In response to King Sejos question, Lee Maeng-gyun immediately nodded. Thats right. However, considering the price of the iron horse, I have heard that there is a lot of fuss about receiving the iron horse as tribute because it would be a big problem for the familys finances. turmoil? The emperor shows interest in iron horses? no way? King Sejongs face as he asked the question changed seriously, and the faces of the other ministers also changed seriously. Are you trying again to do something that failed once before? That is highly likely Huh Shouldnt we immediately strengthen security not only in Area 51 but also in the ces where the artisans working in Area 51 live? Did you say, When you grow up, your heart is surprised when you look at the lid of the pot? Ministers, recalling the attempted recruitment of artisans incident that had urred in the past, all insisted on strengthening protection measures for artisans working in Area 51. Be quiet. In response to King Sejongs order, the ministers immediately silenced their mouths. When the ministers fell silent, King Sejong organized the situation. The officers opinions are correct. It would be nice if the problem could be resolved in a way that makes sense to everyone, but there is a possibility that this may not be the case. Therefore, please strengthen security around Area 51 and the research institute. I follow your orders. After sorting out the agenda that came to mind so quickly, King Sejong asked Lee Maeng-gyun again. Please report in more detail what the fuss is about. yes. ording to the story I heard through secret service. Lee Maeng-gyun exined to King Sejong and the ministers the information he had obtained through Ming officials captured in Joseon. * * * Ming officials who became secretaries of Joseon were able to survive the storm of the Great Purge. But the reason was truly paradoxical. The biggest reason was that the officials whom Joseon had appointed were in a truly ambiguous position, neither high nor low. What Joseon was asking for was not the top secrets of Ming, but rather what was being talked about in the royal court. Officials received modest gifts while providing information not considered important for their rank. It was not a huge bribe that could be avoided like the high-ranking officials, but a gift that was enough to slightly help with daily life, and the people who met such officials were interpreters who could be said to be unsophisticated. On the surface, an interpreter with whom he had been in a rtionship for a long time hade to Beijing and went to his acquaintances house with a gift and had a chat before returning. Funnily enough, this appropriate behavior was the wisdom of life created by Joseon officials who were destroyed by King Sejong. Eat just enough to avoid getting sick and be thin and long. This was the motto of Joseon officials. Because of this situation, officials connected to Joseon and the Joseon Dynasty were subjected to a storm of purges. No, the funny thing is, there were even people who rode it saying they were blue and white. * * * Purchase or tribute. King Sejong, who was mulling over Lee Maeng-gyuns report, suddenly burst intoughter. Heh! Even a country called the center of the world has no choice when ites to money. Hwang Hee responded to King Sejongs words. Wasnt the restoration of finances what this emperor was most concerned about? For someone like that, its totally worth it. Arent they famous people who are willing to risk anything when ites to wealth? Yes, thats right. So how do you think it will be decided? Hwang Hee, who had been mulling over King Sejongs question for a moment, came forward and opened her mouth. It would be beyond the power of the world to resolve all disturbances by receiving a tribute from an actual iron horse. They will probably only ask for the physical object as a minimum and ask for a blueprint. Are we going to go our own way? Hwang Hee answered King Sejongs question. It has be a situation that has no choice but to do so. King Sejong and the ministers all nodded at Hwang Hees words. I was thinking about how to make them take only the blueprint like Hyangs n, but things were going that way on their own. After a while, Kim Jeom opened his mouth. I think what we need to worry about now is ensuring that our intellectual property rights are guaranteed as they are now, and strengthening the security of Area 51 and the research institute. As soon as Kim Jeom finished speaking, Maeng Sa-seong opened his mouth. If it is the Emperors will, guaranteeing intellectual property rights will not be that difficult. This is because the profits of the joint venture are at stake right now. The most important thing is the security of Area 51 and theboratory, which continues to be talked about. And the outflow of artisans must also be prevented. King Sejong nodded at Maeng Sa-seongs words. What you said is right. Of course, there is a saying that ten police officers cannot stop one thief. If the other person decides to take it away, no matter how hard we try, things may break through. It means force majeure. However, if technology is leaked, there is a loss of 10 years, but if a person is leaked, there is a loss of a hundred years. Please keep this in mind. All the ministers responded to King Sejongsmand by bowing their heads. I will keep this in mind! And a monthter, an envoy from Ming visited Joseon. King Sejong muttered softly after hearing the business revealed by the envoy. Did you get hit? * * * The content of the emperors edict, read by envoys of Ming, was as follows. -Jim speaks to the king of Joseon. Since Jim ascended to the throne, he has not missed a single day to pray for peace in the central ins and surrounding areas. Heaven must have been pleased with Jims sincerity. If you look at the world in recent times, it is truly a peaceful world. And since the king of Joseon yed a part in achieving this era of peace, we cannot help but praise him. -As the era of peace continues and products be abundant, the number of people traveling long distances is increasing. But how difficult was it to travel across this vast world relying only on two human legs and the four legs of a horse? -In order to resolve this pitiful situation, Jim asked everyone in the mid-level about a solution, and one member of the upper level volunteered to solve the problem. The meaning at the top was so admirable that I asked for help. -Sangsanju answered Jims question by saying that Joseons railroads and iron horses were really useful, so he wanted to import them. However, since this is a Joseon product, it is not an easy task for me as a merchant. C ordingly, I sent an edict to the king of Joseon, hoping that he would look favorably on the merchant who apanied me. How beautiful is the meaning of taking on difficult tasks for the people of the empire? Therefore, I hope that the King of Joseon will give a good answer. When the envoys address was over, King Sejong bowed and gave three cheers ording to etiquette, and then received the emperors edict. The envoy who handed over the emperors edict politely bowed to King Sejong and said, It was truly beautiful to see the bridge ced in the same water as the gods and the iron horse riding on it. I sincerely want to see such beautiful scenery in our people, so please make a good decision. King Sejong responded to the envoys words with a calm face. I will do my best. But the iron horse is the rarest of precious things, so it wont be easy. I hope to see good results. After a conversation full of subtle pressure and avoidance, King Sejong returned the envoy to Mohwagwan, walked to Geunjeongjeon, and gave orders to the Merchant Marine. Call the crown prince right away. * * * When Hyang entered Geunjeongjeon after being called, King Sejong exined the situation to Hyang. So what do you think, Seja? Hyang immediately answered King Sejongs question. Considering the precedent of tribute and return and the prestige of a great nation, I thought it was a very exquisite move. It will reduce the financial burden and at the same time preserve the prestige of the empire. Even amid the great purges that have taken ce, there are indeed many people left who can think like this. Sejong nodded at Hyangs evaluation. Thats not true. Even as he nodded, Sejongs face didnt look very good. The reason Hyang pointed out just now was because he was poking at Joseons sore spot, the ck of talent. * * * The abilities of talented people active in various parts of Joseons society, including the court, were never inferior to those of famous countries. The problem was the absolute number. Unlike Joseon, which was now approaching 10 million, the poption of Ming had already exceeded 80 million and was approaching 90 million. It was a situation where quantity overwhelmed quality. * * * Hyangs words continued. Although the target has changed to the top rather than a name adjustment, the overall situation has changed little. The Minister of Finance and Economy will be very disappointed. At Hyangs words, Kim Jeom nodded without realizing it. If only I had received three times as much in return Ah! I feel sick! Kim Jeoms face was full of regret. Hyang, who brightened the mood with a light joke, continued. It is a reasonable decision for the upper body to take charge of the construction. For we also did the same. As Hyang said, while constructing railroads and roads, most sections except those that requiredrge amounts of gunpowder were entrusted to the Joseon Dynasty. Thanks to this,panies specializing in civil engineering emerged. But the problem lies next. We have already exined the problems of producing iron horses and railways, so you will be familiar with them, and the problems of operating them will be quite troublesome. But thats not our problem, so it doesnt matter, right? Operation issues? Hyang immediately answered King Sejongs question. Railroads are closely rted to the lives of the people. Because of this, in some cases, we have to operate while epting losses. Therefore, even if the construction is handled by the top, the operation must be done by the government. But since it was built by the top, what would happen if it were concluded that the top should run it? Sejongs answer to Hyangs question jumped out immediately. The country will be ruined. Hyang also nodded and responded to Sejongs words. If it were Emperor Tang Jins disposition, such a thing would not happen, but if any of the seeding emperors did something like this, the empire would copse. At Hyangs words, the faces of King Sejong and the ministers changed strangely. Chapter 429 Episode 429: What was expected, what was unexpected. (6) The next emperor. King Sejong, who was quietly mulling over Hyangs remarks, looked at Hwang Hee. Youve never heard of the crown prince, have you? Hwang Hee immediately answered King Sejongs question. I will give the order right away. Tell them to act quickly. Yes, Your Highness. Even though he gave the order, King Sejong did not just ignore it. Hmm How old is the crown prince now? Lee Maeng-gyun remembered for a moment and answered King Sejongs question. I understand that you are now turning 10 years old. Im 10 years old hmm In response to Lee Maeng-gyuns answer, King Sejong made a snorting sound and stroked his beard. After thinking about this and that for a while, Sejong looked back at the scent. What was the Crown Prince like when he was 10? The ministers looked dumbfounded at King Sejongs muttering to himself. Youre holding the Crown Prince as a standard? If you hold the Crown Prince as a standard, they are all idiots and idiots! majesty! Please find your way! Amid the silent cries of the ministers, Hwang Hee stepped forward. Your Highness, arent you setting the standard a little high? huh? is it? Hearing Hwang Hees words, King Sejong looked at the incense again and immediately nodded. Right. I was a little harsh. The ministers nodded knowingly or unconsciously at King Sejongs words. However, the ministers once again looked dumbfounded at King Sejongs next words. Lets see, then what was I like when I was 10? * * * The ministers all remembered clearly. Sejong was a man who had been hailed as a prodigy since he was young. The best way tofort King Taejong, who had a fierce marital fight with Queen Wongyeong and created a bloody atmosphere due to the issue of womens favor, was to praise King Sejongs excellence. When the ministers praised King Sejongs excellence, the atmosphere suddenly became warmer and I was able to get through the day without incident. In the end, thanks to such excellence, apetition broke out between Yangnyeong and Sejong. * * * Thats why when King Sejong tried to use his childhood as a standard, the ministers looked astonished. This guy is really great! Is this what were feeding now? When the ministers were once again making silent cries, Hwang Hee came out again. Your Majesty, wasnt you also called a prodigy? Arent you setting the bar too high? Sejong smiled slightly at Hwang Hees words. After all, it was apliment that said he was smart. But Sejong shook his head. Wouldnt it be better than ignoring it? No. If the standard is set that high, but the crown princes qualities are slightly below that standard, it may be looked down upon. I think its better to set the standard low and not lose caution. You are right! The Prime Ministers words are truly right! The ministers enthusiastically supported Hwang Huis words. Hyang, looking at that scene, muttered to herself. Is it a question of whether the ss is half full or half full? In the end, King Sejong had no choice but to ask his ministers. Then who should be the appropriate standard? Hwang Hee immediately answered King Sejongs question. I am Emperor Tang Jin. The emperor of Tanggeum Sejong, who had been counting for a moment, nodded. Its appropriate. Until proper informationes in, lets use him as a standard. When Sejong made his decision, this time Hyang made a puzzled expression. Is it okay to be the emperor now? Its not the power intion of some battle cartoon In the end, Hyang had no choice but to open his mouth. Abama, dont you look down on Emperor Danggeum too much? huh? why? If we look at Emperor Tang Jin, he is not only a person who not only restores the hole in finances, but also controls and shakes up hundreds of subordinates. Isnt it too disrespectful to Ming to regard such a person as appropriate? Sejong smiled slightly and responded to Hyangs point. So, it was set as a standard. Because hes that kind of person. yes. Hyang muttered to herself at Sejongs words. So you are confident that Abama is more than that? Hyang, who was muttering to herself, turned her gaze to Hwang Hee. Doesnt the Prime Minister have other thoughts? yes? What do you mean by that? It is an undeniable fact that Abama is excellent, but why do you praise me so highly? Are you nning on making Abamamas eyes blurry? You dont deserve it! Horrified, Hwang Hee immediately knelt down in front of King Sejong and raised her voice. The new Prime Minister, Hwang Hee, has no self-interest in assisting His Highness the Prime Minister and strengthening Joseon! Im just saying that youre excellent because the Crown Prince is outstanding! I know very well how loyal you are. No need to worry. Get up and return to your seat. I am devastated! Afterforting Hwang Hee and sending her back to her seat, King Sejong looked back at her and said a harsh word. You made a mistake this time. Apologise to the Prime Minister. Hearing Sejongs stern voice, Hyang bowed her head to Hwang Hee. sorry. I said that because I never thought I was that good. No. The Crown Prince is truly an outstanding person. If Your Majesty and the Crown Prince were not outstanding, we would work like officials from a famous country. Sejong showed curiosity at Hwang Hees words. What happened to the officials of the Ming Kingdom? In response to King Sejongs question, Hwang Hee looked away and mumbled her answer. It is said that hundreds of officials do not work overtime. Isnt it true that the number of officials in Ming Dynasty is much greater than that in Joseon Dynasty? Maeng Sa-seong responded to Hyangs point. The Great Ming has argend and many people. In Joseon, we have a smallnd and even fewer people. greatness! Keuhum! It was King Sejong who cleared his throat for no reason at Maeng Sa-seongs indirect criticism. The officer who recorded all of this added: - In response to the Deputy Prime Ministers answer, Sang cleared his throat and remained silent. The officer says: I also heard that I was a prodigy, but being in the royal court only makes me feel ashamed. Should I resign? * * * Lets stop talking about the crown prince and talk about the iron horse again. Crown Prince, then do you think it is a good idea to ept Myeongs offer? Hyang shook her head in response to Sejongs question. I ept it, but I think we also have to prepare. preparation? Hmm. Sejong, who thought for a moment about what Hyang meant, nodded. Right. No matter how much a merchant is guaranteed by the emperor, a merchant is a superior. It is not appropriate for our government to directly take action against the upper management. Thats right. Hyang nodded at Sejongs words. And the ministers who were listening to their conversation also nodded. Right it could be a diplomatic issue. No matter how much of a vassal state it is, it would definitely set a bad precedent to directly confront the superiors of a superior state. The ministers who had been talking for a long time immediately reached a consensus, and Hwang Hui came forward and reported it to King Sejong. What the Crown Prince said is most appropriate. I think so too. Then how should I tell the Shinigami? Sejongs words caught my breath and I responded. Apany to specialize in the production of iron horses will beunched soon, so how about we talk about it again then? Is this because its at the top? Thats right. Sejong, who was stroking his beard and doing calctions in response to Hyangs words, pointed out the problem. Its a good n, but I think youre really trying to build a production center to produce iron horses, right? yes. Didnt you say earlier that its not okay to entrust the iron horses and railroads to the upper management? What should never be left to the top is operations. Rather, production should be returned to the private sector. Only then can we secure jobs for the people and train skilled artisans. Its the separation of production and operation Its okay. Sejong nodded to Hyangs suggestion and asked the ministers. What do you think? In response to King Sejongs question, the ministers began to calcte diligently. Certainly, if production and operation are separated, many jobs will be created. A lot of things are still focused on Area 51. It would be best to turn what can be turned outside. The gap in level between the artisans in Area 51 and those in the private sector is gradually widening. Starting with the iron horse, we need to turn everything around so that even civilian craftsmen can develop their skills. Even after considering it, Hyangs proposal was more advantageous, so the ministers who reached a consensus reported it to King Sejong. I think the n the Crown Prince came up with is the best! okay? is it? If so, please organize this carefully and proceed. The Minister of Foreign Affairs should think of an appropriate answer to the envoy, and the Prime Minister and other ministers should prepare a n for theunch andposition of personnel rted to the production of iron horses and submit it to me. I follow your orders! The ministers who responded by bowing their heads looked at the incense and all had the same thought. Do you make things happen every time youe and insist that you are ordinary? This is what we are fed! Are you sure! What a sight! A very rich pair! * * * After the meeting was over and the ministers had retired, King Sejong had a conversation with Hyang. Speaking of the Crown Prince of Ming earlier, are the original grandsons and royal grandsons growing well? yes. Fortunately, he is growing well without any minor illnesses. How was Jazzy? I am very excited because it is your child. He seems quite intelligent. Hyang muttered to herself as she answered Sejongs question. Unfortunately, it doesnt seem to be the second time. Or maybe hes a very good actor In any case, the n to raise him well and abdicate him as quickly as possible remains the same. King Sejong was immersed in memories, whether he knew the feelings of that scent or not. It reminds me of when you were young. A child who was only three or four years old could read not only the thousand characters but also the scriptures. Hyang looked embarrassed at Sejongs words. I was desperate at the time. I have high expectations for your child. And the Crown Princess and Emperor Yang Wen had a second child? yes. It is your responsibility to care for your children as much as possible, so do your best. yes. After finishing her conversation with King Sejong, Hyang looked back at Geunjeongjeon and grumbled. Im already trying so hard What kind of human seeding machine am I? In order to prevent conflict between the Crown Princess and Yangwon Yangje, the Hyang went to great lengths. As expected, should this part follow Imicw? The Imicw that Hyang spoke of was about marriage and family. In terms of Imicw, 1 part 1 part is the basic, but up to 1 part 4 parts is possible. However, in cases where there were multiple wives, the husband had to love and treat all of his wives equally. Therefore, in order to prevent strife between the women and this from causing tragedy in the future, the Hyang had to treat the Crown Prince and the Yangwon Emperor as equitably as possible, like Imic believers. And since the biggest cause of conflict was the issue of children, Hyang had to work hard every night. * * * In the end, after intense negotiations between Ming Dynasty envoys and Lee Maeng-gyun, it was decided that negotiations on iron horses and railroads would be held again in two months. I hope to see good results in two months. Lee Maeng-gyun smiled and answered the envoys words. Dont worry. Isnt it just postponed due to administrative issues? Next time, we will be able tough and talk to each other. After paying his respects to King Sejong and seeing off the departing envoy, Lee Maeng-gyun looked back at his subordinates. Lets go to the Ministry of Finance and Economy! You must have calcted well how much you have to skip! Chapter 430 Episode 430: What was expected, what was unexpected. (7) Three monthster. Lim Soon-wook, wearing a silk robe and a stylish hat, was riding a rickshaw through the streets. Lim Soon-wook, wearing a hat made of horsehair, which is newly popr these days, and wearing a awning, was very charming to anyone who saw him. However, when Lim Sun-wook got into the rickshaw, he was looking at the street with a bitter smile and muttering. It is said that a persons life is one in which one cannot predict the future. * * * Until a few years ago, Lim Sun-wook was the owner of a rtively healthy merchant. However, through the connection made by the rickshaw made by Hyang at that time, he was able to wear official uniform and be an official. Although he was a government official by special appointment, he was repeatedly promoted through all kinds of hardships, including working overtime and staying up all night with other officials. Lim Soon-wook was heartbroken when he rose to the rank of Vice Minister through fierce overtime and all-nightpetition. A person from the northwest who was looked down on has be a vice minister! Hahahaha! Lim Sun-wook, unable to ovee his overwhelming heart, went to his hometown and held a party. Great! It is truly magnificent! Im Soon-wooks parents celebrated with tears in their eyes when their son, who had entered the business because he was from the northwest, returned as a high official. With Lim Sun-wooks sess in life, arge number of his rtives living in his hometown and the residents of Dong-ri became interested in entering the civil service. However, Lim Sun-wook, who was living a busy life as a vice minister, was ordered by King Sejong to take off his official uniform and move to a new position. The position he moved to was the president of the Joseon Railroad Corporation under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Development. ording to the newly createdw, it was an opportunity to receive the rank of Vice Minister. However, from the outside, it was a top tier and Lim Soon-wook was a top tier owner. In the end, it was Lim Sun-wook who turned around and became a merchant again. * * * I have arrived. Lim Sun-wook, who had been sitting in a daze, lost in thought, came to his senses after hearing Malboks words and got off the rickshaw. Good work. Thank you. Malbok, who was lowering his head, had already turned his topknot. I cant believe that the guy who was a bachelor with messy hair has already gotten married. Is Lady Wang (an honorific term for someones grandmother) in peace? Yes, you are still correcting it. Take care of yourself. Lim Sun-wook lightly patted Malboks shoulder and entered the newly built railway construction building at the end of Yukjo Street. Are you here? okay. When did the merchants from Ming say they woulde? To Lim Soon-wooks question, the general affairs manager looked at the clock hanging on the wall and immediately answered. We will arrive after 1 oclock. Are there any preparations? yes. The first hurdle you faced became the highest hurdle, but dont forget that if you get over this hurdle well, the future will be smooth. Understand? Your Majesty did not spend time and money just to defraud the people. Not only the general affairs manager but also other subordinates responded loudly to Lim Soon-wooks request. I will keep this in mind! good! Lim Sun-wook, who had gathered his mens fighting spirit, lightly rubbed his hands and stood up. Then get ready to start fighting! * * * At the appointed time, the top representatives entered the conference room. wee. As Lim Sun-wook greeted the Ming Dynasty merchants in fluent Chinese, the Ming Dynasty merchants also responded with polite courtesy. Thank you for your wee. Come this way. The two sides facing each other began to engage in a fierce war of words. The first thing the two sides shed over was the price of the actual iron horse that was to be delivered. Isnt 3,500 taels of gold per unit too expensive? As far as we know, the unit cost for Joseon to make an iron horse is 2,000 nyang of gold! Its not expensive at all. Lim Soon-wook gave detailed reasons and exined that it was not expensive at all. -There is no ship to transport an iron horse of enormous size and weight in itspleted state. -Therefore, it must be disassembled appropriately, transported, and then taken to the Ming Kingdom to be reassembled. -Arge number of craftsmen must be employed not only in the disassembly process but also in the reassembly process. -Not only must craftsmen be employed, but various facilities necessary for assembly must also be installed. Considering this kind of time and cost, 3,500 nyang of gold per unit is the minimum you should receive. But If thats the case, Myeong-guk will personally transport thepleted iron horse. Whether it is transported by boat or byying a railroad track, if Myungguk moves it himself, I will reduce the price to 3,000 nyang of gold. Why 3,000 cat of gold? It is difficult to supply the iron horses that Joseon needs right now, so we are taking three from them. Of course there must be additional costs, right? If you not only purchase all the iron horses that the Ming Dynasty needs from Joseon but also provide a sufficient delivery period, I will reduce the price to 2,500 nyang of gold. Oh my The merchants of Ming Dynasty looked perplexed at Lim Sun-wooks suggestion. Even in the Ming Dynasty, there were no ships that could transport thepleted iron horse. There were still a fewrge ships used by Zheng Hes fleet in the past. However, transporting iron horses required extensive repairs and the costs were considerable. In the end, after three days of continuous push and pull, an agreement was reached that instead of paying 3,200 taels of gold per unit for thepleted iron horse, the instation facilities required for assembly would be handed over for 500 taels of gold. And at the meeting that followed, a fierce war of words broke out once again over the royalties for using the intellectual property of the blueprint. If we only end up making one or two units, we will pay the amount Joseon demands, but we expect the number to be at least a hundred. Therefore, we cannot meet the ratio requested by Joseon. A fierce war of words continued for several days again, and this time, a mediation n was decided focusing on Mingguos n. * * * That is how I received a usage fee of 150 taels of gold per unit. Good work. It seems like President Lims efforts are visible. I think it was best to leave the position to President Lim. Im Sun-wook bowed his head respectfully under King Sejongs admiration. Thats too much praise. Did the merchants of the Ming Kingdom say they would return tomorrow? Thats right. And the shipment of iron horses to the Ming Dynasty is scheduled to begin in three months. Good. As Sejong was nodding in response to Im Soon-wooks answer, Hyang, who was sitting below the temple and listening to the story, looked at Sejong. Can I ask President Lim for a moment? I allow it. After receiving permission from King Sejong, Hyang asked Im Soon-wook. Do the conditions put forth by the Ming Dynasty merchants end with handing over the installed facilities? yes. Is this really the end? Is that so? Is it possible that I made a mistake? Hyang shook his head in response to Im Soon-wooks question. no. Its just that I feel like I made a very fatal mistake. Hearing Hyangs words, King Sejong and the ministers all looked at Hyang with expressions full of curiosity. Fatal mistake? Are you saying theres more to it than just handing over the blueprints? yes. It seems that the people of the Ming Dynasty viewed the Joseon craftsmen very easily. Those idiots. I left out the thing about artisan training. If it were me, I would have included a use requesting training for the craftsmen upon their arrival. Artisan training? ah! Sejong, who slightly tilted his head in response to Hyangs answer, let out an exmation. The ministers who were listening to Hyangs story did the same. This was because the craftsmen of Area 51 who created the iron horse knew well how it had evolved while riding the hand of incense. Sejong, who pondered Hyangs words for a moment, smiled and muttered. As expected, you thought it would be easy to make it if you just had the blueprint? Hwang Hee responded to Sejongs words. They are the ones who are considered the center of the world. Its been like that for a while. Sejong nodded at Hwang Hees words. It was like that. * * * Mings level of technology and knowledge overwhelmed those around him, to the point where he freely used the word Junghwa (A), meaning center of the world. Of course, Joseon was ahead in some aspects, but overall, it was the side that epted the advanced civilization of the Ming Dynasty. However, as Hyang became more active, technology gradually began to surpass Ming, and Sasang gradually began to follow a different path from Ming. The Ming also noticed Joseons movement, but the Ming was forced to ignore it to protect its pride. Yes, it is the skills and knowledge of a vassal country! If we just put in a little effort, we can get ahead! We are the center of the world! * * * Hyang pointed out Myeong-guks mistake and made a suggestion to King Sejong. Abamama Soja has something to ask President Lim, will you allow it? I allow it. After obtaining King Sejongs permission, Hyang ordered Im Soon-wook. From now on, tell the craftsmen who will be dispatched to the Ming what I am saying. yes. What is it? Tell them to securely surround the assembly site with a curtain. Do you mean the tent? Lim Sun-wooks face, who had been pondering the scentsmand for a moment, brightened for a moment. ah! I know what you mean! If anything Hyang, who was about to say something, suddenly stopped talking and looked at Sejong. I ask Abama! If craftsmen go to the Ming, there is a high possibility that the Ming will step in and cate them! Please send us people to stop this! It makes sense. King Sejong, who answered briefly and concisely, stroked his beard and was lost in thought. Sejong, who had been thinking for a while, looked at Lim Soon-wook and opened his mouth. I hope President Lim will take over that task. I follow your orders. * * * Although there was hectic activity here and there, overall Joseon was peaceful. As the Jurchen tribes who had been installed in the north continued their reign, the Japanese pirates in the south had no choice but to remain quiet as they watched the Joseon navy and the Ouchi family. And with the discovery of Daeseoldos abundant underground resources, Joseon was gradually improving its supply of resources. As Joseon was slowly moving to break away from stagnation, Mansour arrived in Hanseong with an urgent report. I must see the king! Its urgent! At Mansours plea, Hassan headed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Two dayster, Mansour was able to have an audience with King Sejong. King Sejong opened his mouth as he looked at Mansour, who bowed respectfully and prostrated himself. So what is an urgent report? Portuguese and Spanish ships have begun to be discovered off the east coast of Africa. Are they from the east coast of Africa? to. Mansour responded briefly, took out a map from his arms, and held it out. This is a map sent to you by Cosimo de Medici of Italy. merchant ship. Yes, Your Highness. King Sejong, who received the map from a merchant ship, examined it. The eastern part of the African continent was still nk, but the west coast and south had been meticulously mapped out. Let the ministers take a look as well. Sejong, who handed the map to the merchant ship, asked Mansour. When was thest time you received this guidance? Just before departure, about three months ago. So you didnt know until then? There were only rumors. Its just a rumor King Sejong kept his mouth shut in response to Mansours answer. Hyang, who was quietly listening to the story under the house, muttered to himself. Youve finally arrived. The embodiment of desire. The time had finallye for contact between the West and the East to ur on arge scale. Chapter 431 Episode 431: What was expected, what was unexpected. (8) Huh~ Is this the world we live in? The ministers looked at the map posted by Mansour and evaluated it with voices filled with curiosity. Seeing that, Lee Maeng-gyun corrected the truth. Wouldnt it be right to call it the west of the world we live in? He is like that too Hwang Hee said to King Sejong while the ministers nodded at Lee Maeng-gyuns answer. If the world looks like this, I think it will be difficult to say that it is neutralized anymore. Sejong responded to those words with a small nod. Right. Its a shame, but the continent called Africa is also huge If I draw it correctly on paper, the Ming and Joseon Japanese countries will be pushed to the east. Mansour continued speaking after Sejong. In Catholic countries, Ming and Joseon are already called Absit Orientis. What does that mean? Eh In response to King Sejongs question, Mansour blurted out his words with an embarrassed expression on his face. In the meantime, I had be somewhat familiar with the Koreannguage while traveling back and forth between Joseon, but using advanced expressions was still difficult. When Mansour could not answer properly, the fragrance opened its mouth. It probably means Far East. It is a word that has be somewhat of a deadnguage in the 21st century, but it is still the most familiar word. * * * The frequency of use of the word Far East has decreased significantly in the 21st century, thanks to the fierce bacsh that the word Far East itself symbolizes Western chauvinism. However, there have continued to be people who patronize the word not only in the West but also in the East. * * * Far East. Hmm. After hearing Hyangs words, King Sejong stroked his beard and muttered softly. Seeing King Sejongs expression, the ministers muttered to themselves. You dont like it. King Sejong, who was quietly pondering the word Far East, asked Mansour. Its the Far East Dont these Westerners know that the world is round? There are quite a few people who know that it is not round because it has been used customarily since ancient times. King Sejong could not hide his displeasure at Mansours answer. Thats funny. Sensing the difort in Sejongs voice, Mansour bowed down. The king of Joseon was sessful in making Catholics look unfavorable. It has to stop here! If you make a mistake, even I will be punished! Sensing danger, Mansour closed his mouth and bowed down. Anyway Why did an Italian merchant named Cosimo give me this map? Looking at the precision of the map, it is definitely not an ordinary item. No, the map itself is not something that ordinary merchants can freely acquire. How did he get this map? Mansour answered King Sejongs question carefully. Cosimo de Medici is the head of a great merchant family. He is someone that even the kings of most Catholic countries cannot treat with carelessness. ah. I remember. King Sejong nodded at Mansours answer. I remember saying it was simr to the Women and Girls Committee. Is that why he obtained this map and sent it to me? Yes, in that case, I can understand why he obtained the map. But why did he send me this map? This is because the people who made this map have a violent nature, so I want you to prepare in advance just in case. Mansour exined about Spain, Portugals strong rival, Portugal, the country that created this map. -As you probably know well in Joseon, Joseons products are gaining explosive poprity not only in Imic countries but also in Europe. -Portugal and Spain are the ones acting most passionately to pioneer this route to Joseon. Of course, Ennd and France have also joined thispetition, but the two countries have not yet established themselves properly due to internal problems. -Suchrge-scale exploration activities require a lot of money. Portugal and Spain are engaging in ve trading and plunder to raise these funds. ve trade Do Catholics use a lot of ves? In response to King Sejongs question, Mansour kept his mouth shut. After thinking for a moment, Mansour seemed to have made up his mind and opened his mouth to answer King Sejongs question. Catholics also use ves but those who trade and use ves the most are Imic nobles. I understand that Catholicism and Im are at odds with each other? When wealth is involved, even enemies be friends. And because there are ve traders in the middle, direct transactions are rare. When wealth bes intertwined, even enemies be friends Hmm Thats not true. Sejong nodded and asked the question again. Is the merchant Cosimo opposing Portugal and Spain because of their ves? No. Mansour exined what Cosimo wanted. -The route discovered by Portugal and Spain had to bypass the African continent. If that happens, the costs will be very high, and Portugal and Spain are likely to use very rough methods to make up for the losses and even gain profits. -If Portugal and Spain monopolize trade rights without using violence, Italian merchants will suffer great losses. -Therefore, Cosimo de Medici and the merchants who joined hands with him began to think that it was best to maintain the existing trading method. So that merchant named Cosimo de Medici handed over the map? Thats right. Im asking you to tell Your Majesty what happened while making that map. King Sejong, who nodded slightly in response to Mansours answer, gestured. His and your thoughts about Joseon are truly beautiful. I appreciate it. I will repay you ordingly, so please return today. I am devastated! May Ah bless you! After politely bowing, Mansur left Geunjeongjeon. * * * Florence, Italy. While Mansour was in the midst of reporting to King Sejong, Cosimo de Medici looked at the eastern sky and muttered. Mansour, do you think he would have arrived in Hanseong by now? Cosimo, who was looking at the eastern sky and mumbling, turned to look inside the room. On one wall of Cosimos office was arge map of the world. It was a veryrge world map created bybining geographic information obtained from Portugal, which had joined hands with him, with geographic information stolen from Spain through a bribe, and a map of the East obtained through Mansour. Cosimo muttered as he surveyed the nk area on the east coast of Africa. Three years at most. If Portugal and Spain were in a frenziedpetition, the gap would have been filled within three years at most. And after that, it will be India, Kitai, Joseon, and the Cane Cosimo muttered quietly as he was assessing the future. After all, you dont put all your eggs in one basket. Although we were currently coborating with Portugal, we did not know the future. There was a possibility that Portugal, blinded by the huge profits, would monopolize the profits, and there was also a possibility that Spain would monopolize the sea routes first. That is why Cosimo handed the map to Mansour. One of the alternatives was to build friendships with Joseon and maintain business rtionships using the stepping stone called Mansour. Additionally, it was an added bonus that Joseon, which had received Mansours warning, was able to keep Portugal and Spain in check. If Joseons ships are as powerful as rumored, neither Portugal nor Spain will be able to install them as they please. And another alternative was to dig a waterway from Suez to the Mediterranean. Cosimo thought that the best way to maximize his profits was to build an aqueduct. It was a project that would cost quite a lot of money, but considering the losses that would ur in the process of bypassing the African continent, even greater profits could be made permanently. The question is: Alexandrian Mamluks and Ottomans? * * * When talk of building an aqueduct emerged, those who opposed it most vehemently were Alexandria. The most economical route was through the narrowest area between Suez and the Mediterranean. The problem was that the area was about 53 leagues (about 224 km) east of Alexandria. It was certain that if the northern entrance to the aqueduct were made there, Alexandria would be wiped out. And the next question was who would own thend where the waterway would be built. Egypt was now under the rule of the Mamluk dynasty. But Osman was keeping an eye on him. To be exact, it was not the site where the waterway was to be built, but Alexandria. Because the waterway was still only rumored. However, those with even the slightest knowledge among the Mamluk and Ottoman leaders knew that the moment the rumored waterway was built, gold, not sea water, would flow there. Therefore, the Ottomans turned back the Vaticans strategy and began to move south. The Mamluks, noticing these Ottoman movements, also began to gather troops in the area. Cosimo, who was once again checking the situation in Tanggeum, crossed his arms, red at the map, and muttered. Theres no need to worry about Alexandrias whining, hmm. Which would be better to bet on: the Mamluks or the Ottomans? * * * While Cosimo was looking at the map and thinking about where to ce his bets, King Sejong and his ministers were also worrying in Hanseong. Take this map and start calibrating it. Yes, Your Highness. The eunuch who received the map via a merchant ship transferred the map with a sense of physiognomy. Then, King Sejong began discussions in earnest. The possibility ofing into contact with countries such as Portugal and Spain is increasing. What should I do? If you listen to what Mansour says, they seem like quite violent people, right? Kim Jeom was the first to answer King Sejongs question. If you want to make a deal, I think it would be reasonable to do so, but if you use violence, I think you have to respond sternly. Following Kim Jeoms words, Lee Maeng-gyun continued. Ill buy it back. The problem is that what they mainly trade in is ves. ves are not that necessary in our Joseon Dynasty. In other words, trading is not easy. Or theres a good chance theyll hard sell ves. The possibility of that happening is quite high. While the ministers expressed various opinions, King Sejong silently stroked his beard and nodded. Meanwhile, Hyang, who was looking at the situation going on under the temple, muttered to himself. Its definitely the Joseon Dynasty. Most of the opinions of the ministers speaking to King Sejong were based on the following facts. For Joseon, ves are not marketable. In other words, the problem was not because very itself was immoral, but because very was unmarketable, people opposed it. Although incense was sometimes forgotten, there were ves in Joseon. In the process of taking away the power of the nobility and expanding finances, the ratio of sanobi was greatly reduced. However, since those whomitted serious crimes became government ves, a significant number of ves still existed in Joseon. In other words, ve ownership itself was not immoral or unfamiliar in Joseon during this period. I also agree with your opinions. The proper response would be to prepare in advance and be alert. Jo Mal-saeng stepped forward and responded to King Sejongs decision. It is indeed so. ording to Mansour, their behavior is simr to that of the Jurchen tribe, so I think it is appropriate to prepare ordingly. When I gave the example of Jurchen, who carried out normal trade when the Joseon Dynasty was strong and plundered viges and took the people as ves when they found the slightest opportunity, all the ministers nodded. That is so! Chapter 432 Episode 432: What was expected, what was unexpected. (9) Now then what should we do to deal with the Portuguese and Spaniards who are graduallying towards us? In response to King Sejongs question, the gaze of the ministers all focused on Hyang. Why do you look at me like that? Hwang Hee was the first to open her mouth when asked about Hyang. Among those here, the first one to tell us about the dangers of these people is the Crown Prince. So, of course youre not ready, are you? King Sejong and the ministers nodded at the same time at Hwang Hees words. In particr, Jo Mal-saeng looked at the scent with eyes full of anticipation. Do you have any new artillery or long guns prepared? In response to Jo Mal-saengs question, Hyang made a puzzled expression. It hasnt been long since the new long rifle was adopted? Hasnt it already been a year? Hasnt the report been uploaded? It was onlyst month that we moved away from low-rate production and started mass production. A breech load rifle using the trapdoor method was adoptedst year. And the craftsmen who had be ustomed to making new long guns through the low-rate production that had been going on for a while were just picking up the pace. However, Jo Mal-saeng still received the words with eyes full of expectation. I know that, but I was wondering if there was anything new you were researching. Hyang shook his head at Jo Mal-saengs words. It exists, but it is impossible now. If we adopt what we are currently researching right away, all production facilities, starting with the bullet production facility, will have to be reced and artisans will have to learn from scratch. In that case, there is a high possibility that the budget will not only be overused, but if done incorrectly, will be lost. Ah Hearing Hyangs words, King Sejong and the ministers let out a sigh full of regret. If Hyang, who spends his budget like water, said that it was impossible because of the budget, he was saying that it was truly impossible. It is possible to defend our country with only the newly deployed Eul-style long guns and Eul-style freight cars, as well as the existing Gap-type long guns and artillery. Because you have to cross the sea. As long as we choose to return to Africa by ship, we will never be able to send arge army. How did Portugal and Spain fare in the 15th century? That was only possible in the United States during World War II! The ministers nodded at Hyangs exnation. Hmm. I see. There was an obstacle called the sea Unlike the ministers who nodded at Hyangs exnation, King Sejong, who was thinking deeply, opened his mouth. Please let the officers and jurists stop recording for a moment. What I say from now on must not be recorded. Haona. Use. The officers and schrs who were trying to argue that it was impossible immediately put down their hands as soon as the pronunciation of double-faced clothing came out of King Sejongs mouth. Sejong, who saw that the magistrates and masters had put down their hands, asked Hyang. I think you are right about the people who have to cross the long sea route. So what will we do if people from the west and south of Joseone flocking to us? Just in case, the words west and south were substituted, but King Sejong was referring to the Ming and Japanese under the assumption that they were enemies. Hearing King Sejongs words, the officers and judges heaved a sigh of relief. Im d I listened! In response to King Sejongs question, Hyang first looked at the ministers. Surprisingly, the ministers showed expressions full of curiosity rather than surprise or concern. Even if its true for Japan, the Ming Dynasty also lost a lot of peoples favor Well, if you think about the events so far * * * From the early Joseon Dynasty, the Ming took a lot of things from Joseon. There were simple tributes, but there was also a significant amount of strategically stolen goods, such as horses, to weaken Joseons military power. This practice disappeared after Emperor Seondeok ascended to the throne and Hyang became rampant. The ministers who had experienced such exploitation and military checks had no aversion to recognizing the Ming as a potential enemy. * * * Only after checking the reactions of the ministers was Hyang able to answer King Sejongs question. In the case of the south, there is a naval force, so it is not a big burden. So the West is what Abamama cares about, right? It is true. I can say that we are close now, but there is a possibility that things may change at any time. Hyang immediately responded to Sejongs affirmation. There is only one answer. If there are signs that the west is turning into an enemy, we have no choice but to make a lot of Japanese-type long rifles and Japanese-style freight cars, as well as heavy-hitting thunderbolts and throwing bombs, and scatter them. Of course, we will do our best to avoid direct confrontation and rely on Joseons military strength. I guess so Sejong nodded and Jo Mal-saeng answered. If that happens, the role of reserves and projectiles will be important. I need to train harder for this. * * * ording to the military system in the early Joseon Dynasty, the size of the Joseon army was always maintained at 300,000. However, this number of 300,000 was never properly observed until King Sejong proceeded with the royal pce. There were various reasons, but the biggest reason was that Joseon was not capable of maintaining its troops. Therefore, during the Tsushima expedition that took ce in the first year of King Sejongs reign, there was a shortage of troops, so arge-scale conscription took ce in Hasam Ind (Chungcheong, Jeo, and Gyeongsang). Because of this situation, the military system was drastically reorganized as the military regime progressed. First, the government-sponsored system was abolished and sries were paid directly by the government. At the same time, the number of soldiers forcibly conscripted was reduced. The size of the military was reduced to a level where there was no immediate risk to national defense. In the early days of the light field, due to budgetary issues, it was filled with professional soldiers centered on cavalry and artillerymen, who could be said to be the true main force. Afterwards, as Joseons capabilities were strengthened, the size of its troops increased again, and not only thend army but also the navy was able to increase in size. However, this did not mean that Joseon gave up on the 300,000 army, and this is where the subtleties of incense shined through. A reserve army was created. As the family register was properlypleted, all men of age eligible for military service were ssified into sses and became eligible for military service. Among those eligible for military service, men excluding those who became soldiers were designated as reserve forces. The reserve forcesposed in this way were assembled in several viges during the winter and received military training for 15 days. During the 15-day training period, reservists practiced routine movements and were taught marksmanship and how to use throwing grenades. And on the eleventh day and the next day, live shooting took ce. Over the course of two days, 20 rounds were actually fired and 4 projectiles were thrown. And on the thirteenth day, they divided into groups and engaged in a stone-throwing battle. The reservists, wearing proper helmets and te armor (although it was made of wrought iron rather than steel), became ustomed to small-unit tactics by raising shields to block and throwing stones at their opponents at themand of theirmanders. If a war broke out and reserve forces had to be mobilized, the n made by the township and the Ministry of National Defense was that reserve forces trained in this way would be called up to meet the enemy. And the true main weapon of the reserve forces organized in this way was throwing bombs. In the Beomgwol Incident that took ce in the year of Giyu, the thrown bombs truly showed off their power. Impressed by its power, the military made throwing bombs inrge quantities C trulyrge quantities. Of course, it was only a shell without gunpowder for safe storage, but if something happened, the empty shells would be filled with gunpowder and then sprinkled on the reserve forces. As a side note, there was a small problem caused by gunpowder. Each person was given only 20 rounds of live ammunition and 4 thrown rounds, but the total amount was enormous. Therefore, at the time, there was tremendous opposition from the wealthymunity, starting with Kimjeom. In the end, only people living in the northern border area could receive live ammunition training, and other regions had to rece all that time with stone warfare. Of course, the people were excited as they freely engaged in stone fighting, which had been prohibited byw until then. In the end, it was only after arge amount of saltpeter was brought in from Cheonchuk that reserve forces throughout Joseon began receiving proper live ammunition training. And Hojos whining came to an end as a significant amount of the saltpeter brought in this way was used for fertilizer production. * * * After answering Sejongs question, Hyang came to a conclusion. I think developing a new weapon right now is excessive. Rather, what we need right now is to trainrge numbers of artisans who work in steel mills and iron horse production nts. Sejong immediately expressed doubts about Hyangs words. The craftsmen who work in the steel mills and the craftsmen who build iron horses? Arent they craftsmen who make weapons? Thats right. The reason is Hyang exined the reason in a calm voice. -Currently, the Challenger-ss front and Sea Emergency front are so powerful that no rivals can be found nearby. However, as time passes, a front line with stronger firepower and defense will be needed. -The optimal material for making these wires is iron. An iron ship with a keel made of high-quality steel and thick iron tes attached to the ribs will be a fortress on the sea. -What is important here is the quality of the steel used, but the size of the steel te is also an issue. You can make a proper iron wire only by making and attachingrge iron tes the size of a house. -To make suchrge iron tes, the facilities of the steel mill are important, but the level of the craftsmen who produce the iron is also important. -The same goes for the importance of craftsmen who produce iron horses. To attach steel tes to the keel and ribs of the wire, crown work is the best. C Those who are ustomed to makingrge objects through head work are craftsmen who make iron horses. -The problem is that manufacturing electric wires is impossible with just one or two craftsmen. Therefore, arge number of artisans must be trained through the Iron Horse Factory. Lastly, I would like to add that if high-quality andrge-sized iron tes are made, it bes easier to make an iron horse with better performance. Not only can the size of the heating tank that boils water be increased, but the joints where water can leak are also reduced. After hearing the exnation of the fragrance, Sejong nodded his head as if he finally understood. Its a rtionship where we bite each other. Thats right. Sejong looked back at his ministers. The crown princes n seems reasonable, so please consider it ordingly and report back. I follow your orders! Leaving behind the ministers answers, King Sejongined to Hyang. Defense is bing more and moreplicated. When a war breaks out, both the monarch and the people fight with all their heart, which has not changed since then, but artillery and gunpowder are truly monsters that require the nations all-out effort. Sejong responded to Hyangs words with a bitter face. Its true that its a monster. But if we dont have it, the country will be in danger right away, so thats the problem. * * * That evening, after leaving the East Pce, Hyang headed to Hassans house. Wee your Majesty! Hassan, who heard of Hyangs visit, hurriedly ran outside to greet Hyang. Im sorry for thete night. No! Is Mansour inside? yes. I want to meet him. Come in! I will call you right away! When the incense stick was ced at the head table in the sarang room, Mansur, who had been called by Hassan, came in and paid homage to the incense stick. Its just that I came because there was something I didnt ask about earlier. Please ask. What does Cosimo de Medici really want? The map he sent is not at a level that can be obtained through a simple rtionship. This is a map that cannot be obtained unless a significant investment is made in the country that created the map. But after investing so much, do you hope that the current situation will be maintained? The front and back do not match. What does he really want? Mansour thought deeply about the question and opened his mouth. It seems to me that Cosimo de Medici is concerned about Portugals betrayal. There is a high possibility that Portugal will monopolize the benefits that can be gained through the sea route to Joseon. So, we will build a rtionship with our line in advance and then show it off? That is very likely. And there is a widespread rumor among the merchants of Alexandria that the aqueduct will be sold. channel? Is it the Suez Canal? Hyang, who was pondering Mansours answer, opened his mouth. The merchants of Alexandria will hate it. Thats right. * * * After leaving Hassans house, Hyang muttered softly. Its a waterway Hyang, who was mulling over various things on his way back to the East Pce, made a strange expression. How about a railroad instead of a waterway? And if we send Jinpyeong there Chapter 433 Episode 433: The night of betrayal C The beginning of chaos. (1) Despite going through various big and small events, Joseon and Ming were moving forward on their own tracks. The poption was increasing, and merchant ships were floating on the sea for trade. To look at the overall situation, following Joseon, which was the most active, countries such as Daeyue (Խ Vietnam), Yugu ( Okinawa), and Seomra (_ Thand) followed the Ming Dynasty and went back and forth between Joseon, Ming, and Tianchu. However, the country that traded the most and reaped the most profits was Joseon. Countries such as Vietnam and Seomra mostly traded their own natural resources. And it was not possible to reap great benefits from such natural resources alone. However, Joseon and the people who followed it were able to make great profits from products made with advanced technology. In the international trade market, which began as close as Japan and extended as far as Cheonchuk and Alexandria, Joseon Dynasty was solidifying its position as a top-ss product with good value for money. * * * While Joseon, Ming, and neighboring countries were busy moving forward, there was a country that was falling further and further behind in thispetition. That country was Japanese. In particr, unlike Joseon and Ming, which were located right next to each other, maintaining a stable situation in their own way, the Japanese nation was rushing toward a critical point. The person who was driving the Japanese nation into crisis was Ashikaga Yoshinori, the shogunates shogun. Born as the third son of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the third shogun, Yoshinori became a monk and lived as a priest of the Tendai sect. The 5th shogun Ashikaga Yoshikazu, the child of his half-brother Ashikaga Yoshimochi, died suddenly and was seeded by Yoshimochi, who became shogun. The biggest characteristic of him who became the 6th shogun was that he had a firm conviction that bing shogun was a destiny of heaven. This confidence was born in the process of him bing shogun. When his child died suddenly and he himself fell into critical condition, Yoshimochi refused to designate a sessor. ordingly, the shogunates ministers agreed to select a new shogun by drawing lots. It was Yoshinori who was selected as shogun in the lottery held at Iwashimizu Hachiman Pce. (Note 1) Because Yoshinori became shogun in this way, he had strong confidence that he had received the mandate of heaven. -Anything that offends or goes against ones will is to disobey the mandate of heaven. Therefore, it is natural to punish such people. Thebination of these beliefs with the political goals of reviving the fallen shogunate authority and reviving the shoguns pro-government system gave birth to the Reign of Terror. The history of the shogunate began to be written in blood, starting with the political revenge shown in the struggle against Enryakuji Temple. In addition to theserge-scale incidents, Yoshinori also imposed harsh punishments on anyone who offended him in the slightest, which led to the saying fear of all people going around among the people. * * * The Japanese situation worsened after Hyangs intervention. Thebination of the Joseon naval force, which was addicted to artillery, and the virtues of Hyang, not only destroyed the Japanese pirates, but also significantly weakened the shogunates grip on the sea. This was because the route to the East Sea of Joseon, which was one of the main fishing grounds, was blocked. After receiving one blow, the subsequent blow was Joseons economic invasion. While the main source of ie of the Kamakura shogunate, which was the shogunate before Muromachi, was traditional agricultural products, the main source of ie of the Muromachi shogunate was thebined trade of famous snacks. The ry profits obtained through the shogunates monopolized Daeming trade strengthened the power of the Muromachi shogunate. In such a situation, Joseons request to open a trading post was enough to be seen as another opportunity. Therefore, Yoshinori allowed the opening of a trading office in Joseon. However, as time passed, Yoshinori learned that this decision was a fatal mistake. The Joseon Prefecture established in Naniwa (Osakas old name), which was within the shogunates unwavering sphere of influence, benefited the shogunate as Yoshinori thought. This was because lords from nearby regions flocked to Joseon to obtain goods, bringing in enormous amounts of wealth. However, the second Joseon superior installed in Nagato was a trap. The order to create a trading post in Nagato rather than Shimonoseki, a traditional trading port where Ouchi had worked hard since ancient times, was aimed at bleeding Ouchi. It was aimed at weakening Ouchi, which would ur in the process of spending additional military expenses while reorganizing the area where Shangguan would be located and deploying defense facilities and troops to guard the Sanghang area. Of course, there will be profits through the Joseon business established in Nagato. However, if I give a sneak peek to the lords around Ouchi, they will take care of themselves. If that happens, Ouchi will have a hard time with Nagato. Then I can step forward and get my hands on it. This was Yoshinoris calction. And it was a misjudgment. Ouchi had endured the expenditure. And after enduring those expenses, the profitsing in through Nagato enriched Ouchi. Was there wealth in Ouchi that I didnt know about? Yoshinori, sensing something unusual, quietly sent spies, but none of them returned. After examining the situation, Yoshinori came to one conclusion. It is clear that we have joined hands with Joseon! Although he was sure of that, Yoshinori could not easily touch Ouchi. Ouchi (), who had grown tremendously since joining hands with Joseon, was difficult for even Yoshinori to mess with. Yoshinori, who was well aware of the ambitions of past Ouchi lords, kept his eyes on the Ouchi family. What made Yoshinori uneasy was that on the one hand, there were lords who secretly joined hands with Joseon or Ouchi while keeping an eye on him. A representative example was the Shibukawa family, which received the title of Emperor of Kuju. The Shibukawa family, known as the Won family in Joseon, inherited the official position of the former Emperor Tame by the shogunate. However, shortly after King Sejong ascended to the throne, he became dependent on Ouchi due to the dispute with the Soi n. In such a situation, the hand extended by Joseon was something that could not be rejected. The Shibukawa family, who took Joseons hand, joined forces with Ouchi to regain thend they had lost, and conversely created a situation in which the Soi n fled to Tsushima. The Shibukawa family, having recovered its foundation in this way, beganrge-scale cotton cultivation for Joseon. And this consignment cultivation became an important source of ie for the Shibukawa family. And the surrounding lords who saw the growth of Ouchi and Shibukawa began to secretly approach Ouchi and Joseon. Holy shit! Yoshinori, who was briefed on the situation, swore. Although it was an urgent situation to regret, it was still forbidden to touch Joseon or Ouchi. Ouchi was a tough opponent, but Joseon was an even tougher opponent. In the past, Joseon, for example, when it sent troops to Tsushima, it could have been harassed to some extent, but the current Joseon was an opponent that would turn Kyoto into a sea of fire as soon as it did something like that. Also, from a political perspective, touching Joseon or Ouchi was something that should never be done. -Everything you do is in ordance with Heavensmand, so there is nothing wrong with it! This was Yoshinoris political philosophy. Reversing what he had done ording to his orders meant that Yoshinori himself would be undermining his own authority. If that happened, it was certain that not only would it damage the authority of the shogunate, which it had worked hard to revive, but it would also destroy its own political system. Damn Joseon! Damn Ouchi! Yoshinori constantly criticized Joseon and Ouchi, but this was also a limitation of the Muromachi shogunate. * * * No matter what country it is, the biggest energy that maintains the national system was finance. The problem with the shogunate was that it copsed as soon as there was a problem with its financial management. This was because legitimacy, another axis that maintained the regime, was upied by the emperor. Therefore, the shogunate had to have money to survive in order to survive. As a solution to this money problem, the Muromachi shogunate chose the monopoly trade mentioned above. However, the Muromachi shogunates policy of relying solely on trade to secure finances had its limits. As the poption increased within the Japanese country,merce and industry began to develop gradually, and with the introduction of advanced agricultural technology, surplus productive capacity in rural areas also began to increase. Even while these changes were taking ce, the Muromachi shogunate only ced emphasis on trade, and in the end, all of the economic power that had grown internally was absorbed by local lords and became the spark that started the great fire thatter became known as the Warring States Period. (Note 2) * * * In the end, Ido Ind. Even in a situation where I couldnt do anything, Yoshinori kept a watchful eye on Ouchi. And on the other hand, the intensity of the reign of terror has increased. If he deviated from his eyes even a little, even if it was someone close to him, he would be severely punished or his head would be taken away. Either that, or one day he would suddenly be attacked by an assassin and die. Eventually, Ouchi Morimi fortified the inside of his mansion in Kyoto. However, despite this, Morimi, who felt his life was in danger, escaped Kyoto under the pretext of illness and was imprisoned in the estate. It would be better to start a protest! Being assassinated is an emissary! While Yoshinori was losing his humanity like this, birthmarks slowly began to bloom. And the center of the birthmark was Ashikaga Mochiuji. * * * Kamakura Eoso (`}) Ashikaga Mochiuji had manyints. The brothers of Yoshimochi, the third shogun, all became monks and entered the monkhood, but he himself did not enter the monkhood. Therefore, if we were to properly measure it, he should have been the shogun. But are you going to reinstate this guy who became a middle ss and make him a shogun? This is clearly a conspiracy! However, due to Yoshinoris reign of terror and surveince, Mochiuji was unable to publicly express his dissatisfaction. In this situation of secret groping, Mochiuji smiled as he saw Yoshinori gradually losing his humanity. In particr, Mochiuji clenched his fists when he heard about the curse of Mount Hiei that urred during the aftermath of the Enryakuji uprising. Will I finally get a chance? Mochiuji quietly began to reorganize his troops. And there was someone watching Mochiujis movements like this. It was Uesugi Sadazane (ɼg), who was in charge of the duties of Kanto Kanrei (v|I), Mochiujis assistant. Sadazane, who was able to know Mochiujis movements well because he was an assistant, muttered with a face full of worry. Its dangerous I was also worried about the troop maintenance that was progressing in earnest. He wanted to warn him about this, but Mochiuji was bing more and more distant from him, and at some point, he even showed hostility. How long has it been since the war ended? While Sadazane was muttering with a face full of worry, a subordinate came running in with a loud noise. My lord! Avoid! Whats going on? The movement of Kamakuradono (`}) is unusual! Its dangerous! Sadazane gritted his teeth at his subordinates words. It exploded! * * * Note 1) https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashikaga_Yoshinori Note 2) https://Big Data /2359 Chapter 434 Episode 434: The night of betrayal C The beginning of chaos. (2) Master! Stay still! Despite his subordinates urgent cries, Norizane tried to remain as calm as possible. My lord! One oclock is urgent! Eight! Shut up and stay still! After silencing his subordinate, Norizane walked back and forth around the room, thinking of a way out. While Norizane was worrying, Norizanes other subordinates who heard the story rushed to Norizanes room. My lord! My lord! Be quiet! The subordinates who were confused by Norizanes shouts closed their mouths and looked at Norizane. Norizane, who had been contemting with his mouth firmly shut, finally seemed to have made up his mind and turned his head and began to give orders to his subordinates. You immediately lead your men out and monitor Kamakuradonos mansion! If anything goes wrong, report it to me immediately! hot! You and your men lead your men and prepare to move immediately! hot! You secure the gate with your men! We must secure an escape route! hot! Norizane, who had given orders up to that point, gave orders to the remaining subordinates. Bring the armor! hot! Norizane, who gave orders quickly, sat down on the west bank and put ink on his brush. Norizane filled up a piece of paper with a single stroke of the sentence, put it in an envelope, sealed it well, and handed it to another subordinate. You must run to Kyoto immediately. No matter what happens, you must deliver this letter to the Shogun! hot! After putting the letter in his arms, the samurai quickly went out and mounted his horse. After a while, Norizane began to put on the armor with the help of his men who brought the armor. Interestingly enough, the armor worn by Norizane was a double armor made in Joseon. * * * In the previous battle between the Ouchi Shibukawa Alliance and the Shoni, Ouchi Morimi was hit by several arrows, but was not injured at all due to the excellent protection of the head armor he was wearing. Joseons armor blocks arrows and allows easy movement! As this rumor spread widely, it became fashionable among feudal lords with some money to obtain Joseons dujeongap. This trend also had one characteristic. When purchasing Joseons headgear, the helmet was excluded. The reason was the decoration attached to the forehead of the helmet. The decoration attached to the forehead of the helmet was a symbol of the family or of oneself. Of course, there were quite a few lords who were more practical and even equipped their helmets with Joseon products. There was no Dujeong-gap in the Japanese kingdom during this period. In the past, when the allied forces of Mongolia and Goryeo invaded, they were able to obtain a considerable number of dujeonggap as trophies, and there were dujeongap made in imitation of these. However, with the backward smelting level of the Japanese nation, it was not possible to properly create the moon iron pieces inside the armor. Therefore, as trade with Joseon became more active, small amounts of Joseons dujeonggap were imported and worn. * * * Norizane, fully dressed in armor, climbed onto the waiting horse. Norizane, who climbed onto the horse, looked around and raised his hand. lets go! As soon as Norizanesmand was given, the door to the mansion opened wide. Soon after, the cavalry escorting Norizane burst through the door. Next, the samurai guarding Mochiujis camp and the samurai guarding the gate of the mansion mounted their horses and joined the rear. * * * My lord! Uesugi has moved! I left the castle! huh? Ashikaga Mochiuji immediately burst intoughter after receiving his subordinates report. ha ha ha! Heaven help this Ashikaga Mochiuji! Mochiuji smiled brightly and immediately began writing the letter. Send this to the Shogun in Kyoto immediately! hot! And immediately prepare arge army and inform other territories as well! We will subdue Uesugi! hot! Mochiuji, who gave themand in a refreshing manner, looked at the topographical map on therge table and muttered. The first step to bing the master of the world has finally been taken! * * * Ashikaga Yoshinoris residence in Kyoto. My lord! Itsing quickly! Urgent report? When Yoshinori, who had been admiring the garden, sat down, the retainer presented a letter to Yoshinori and exined. This is an urgent message from Uesugi. Uesugi? Yoshinori lightly expressed his doubts and immediately read the contents of the letter. Mochiuji is a giant soldier? My lord! Itsing quickly! What kind of emergency is this again? This is an urgent report from Kamakuradono! Give it to me! hot! Yoshinori, who was handed the certificate as if he had stolen it, checked the contents. Uesugi is trying tomit disloyal acts? Yoshinori, who was looking down at the two conflicting letters, gave an order to his retainers. First, imprison the messenger sent by Uesugi and Mochiuji! hot! And gather all your vassals! hot! * * * Yoshinori gathered his retainers and exined the situation. What do you think? Hosokawa Mochiyuki, the most influential among the retainers, answered Yoshinoris question. The rtionship between the two has not been good since thest Eikyo Rebellion. Isnt that why? Its highly likely. Yoshinori nodded in response to Hosokawas answer. * * * In the 8th year of Eikyo (1436, 18th year of King Sejongs reign), a territorial dispute broke out in Shinano. Mochiuji, who was asked for help, tried to send troops, but Norizane opposed it and it was aborted. Norizanes reason for opposition was that Shinano was outside Mochiujis jurisdiction. In the end, Ogasawara won the dispute at the time. The problem was that even after that, Mochiuji continued to try to force deployment of troops to this area, and Norizane blocked this, causing the rtionship between the two to worsen. * * * The question is why did Kamakura Dono try to force the dispatch of troops? Hmm Yoshinori opened his mouth after gathering his thoughts for a moment at Mochiyukis point. It was aimed at me. yes? Mochiuji has been disobeying me for a long time. Maybe he thought this position should have been his. Aftering to his own conclusion, Yoshinori immediately gave an order. Cut down Mochiujis imprisoned lion. And bring Uesugis messenger. And Hosokawa. hot! Go into the court and get some orders from the emperor. The content is, Ashikaga Mochiuji is an enemy of the government. hot! Yoshinori, who gave orders to Hosokawa, gave orders to his vassals. When Hosokawa receives the royalties, inform the lords of the Kanto region. Ashikaga Mochiuji is an enemy of the court, so send out troops to suppress him. I mean. hot! * * * Thus, Yoshinori, who defined Ashikaga Mochiuji as a traitor, surrounded Mochiuji using his own forces and the forces of Uesugi and other Kanto lords. After suffering a crushing defeat in the ensuing battle, Mochiuji announced his intention to give up all authority and be a monk. Shogun, it would be good for you to show mercy. Norizane Uesugi, who yed the biggest role in this incident, advised him to show mercy, but Yoshinori shook his head. No, you cant do that. Shogun! Norizane urgently tried to stop him, but Yoshinori ordered his subordinates. Kill all of Mochiujis rtives. hot! Yoshinori, who gave the cruelmand, looked back at Norizane and the vassal lords and said. Isnt there a saying, One punishment, one hundred punishments? The lords bit their lips at Yoshinoris warning. * * * Meanwhile, Ouchi Morimi, who received a rted report from his territory, gritted his teeth. Its a warning to me. By the way, you used a really clever trick. An enemy of the court The moment the emperor announced that he was an enemy of the court, all justification was given to the shogun. As long as there was a cause in the shoguns hands, the lords had no choice but to join the shoguns side. In order to realize our familys dream, we may have to deal with the world. Assuming this, make all preparations. The retainers responded to Morimismand by bowing in unison. hot! Fire artillery is important for victory. What about the production of long guns? As craftsmen be ustomed to production, the quantity is gradually increasing. To supervise properly. A long gun is a useful weapon, but if done incorrectly, it can put our allies in more danger. hot! The long guns handed over by Joseon were cast. Thanks to this, it boasted a significant defect rate. And what happened to rescuing a gunpowder craftsman from the Ming? The Ming Dynastys surveince has be more intense, but it looks like there will be good news soon. Do your best. We cannot achieve great things by relying only on what is imported from Joseon. hot! * * * Joseon handed over long guns C to be exact, matchlock-type copper guns C but did not hand over gunpowder manufacturing methods. However, Ouchi could not give up his method of making gunpowder after seeing the Joseon navy use artillery to destroy Japanese pirates and pirates. Firearms guarantee victory! Ouchi, who was impressed by the power of the Joseon navy, devoted his energies to the mass production of gunpowder weapons from top to bottom. Ouchi also began experimenting with castingrge barrels based on the experience he had gained in the process of making long guns. Of course, due to the poor level of technology, what they created was arge-caliber long gun. * * * And let the news secretly spread to Joseon as well. You mean in Joseon? Will Joseon be interested? In response to the retainers question, Morimi exined the reason. The more the shogun does things, the more unstable the internal affairs be. In that case, it is natural for the number of Japanese pirates to increase. And as the number of Japanese pirates increases, Joseon also suffers from headaches. Of course there will be interest. Oh yes! I will prepare a messenger immediately. Since this is an unofficial envoy, send it using Nagato. hot! Morimi, who was about to give an order and end the meeting, continued speaking as if he suddenly had an idea. ah! While youre sending the messenger, try your luck with the iron horse. Do you have an iron horse? Morimi nodded to the retainers question. okay. They say they make something simr to the iron horse of the Mingdo Joseon Dynasty. What does it mean that all those ahead of the curve are hiring? It means that it is necessary to make the country prosperous. The retainers muttered to themselves at Morimis words. Compared to Joseon and Ming, Ouchi Morimi added, as if he knew the feelings of those vassals. It may be too much to think about just our Ouchi, but it is absolutely necessary if our Ouchi be the masters of the world. Think of it as gaining experience to prepare for that time. hot! The retainers once again responded loudly to Morimis exnation. Look at our masters intentions! Our Ouchi will definitely be the master of the world! * * * In the 20th year of King Sejongs reign (1438, Muo Year), a secret messenger sent from Ouchi informed Joseon of the civil war that took ce in the Japanese Empire. Hmm what do you think about the information sent from Ouchi? Hwang Hee came forward and answered King Sejongs question. It is almost simr to the information received from the superior office in Nanpa (old name for Naniwa Osaka). It sounds like Daenae didnt lie. Hwang Hee responded to King Sejongs opinion. There may have been exaggerations, but there were no lies. They know very well that if they do so, they will also suffer losses. Thats right. Because they also have ambitions. Joseon also knew that Ouchi was aiming to be the head of the shogunate. Chapter 435 Episode 435: The night of betrayal C The beginning of chaos. (3) Joseons opening of a trading post in the Japanese Empire was not simply aimed at money. -Acquire information about the other country through superiors and form awork of influential figures who are favorable to Joseon. This was the reason why Joseon established superior offices over the Ming and Japanese. To realize this goal, Joseon established superior offices in Naniwa and Nagato of the Japanese Empire. While the superior established in Naniwa dealt with the shogunate located in Kyoto and the feudal lords of the Kanto region, the superior established in Nagato had the purpose of monitoring Ouchi and appeasing and monitoring the feudal lords of the Kansai region. Lastly, the monopoly office established in Kuju Tamjes territory was carrying out simr activities targeting the lords of Shibukawa and Kuju regions. And in April, the 20th year of King Sejongs reign (Muo Year, 1438), Joseon was able to achieve very meaningful results. The plete map of Japan waspleted. * * * Even before the intervention of Hyang, the map of the Japanese country waspleted in the same year. It was a map obtained by Park Don-ji, the Geomgyo Chamchan of Uijeongbu, when he went to Japan as an envoy in 1400. Heojo received it in 1419 and presented it to King Sejong. However, it had the disadvantage of being so detailed that it was hard to see properly. ordingly, in 1434, King Sejong ordered Yejo to revise and recreate the map at Dohwawon, and four yearster the map waspleted. However, with the intervention of Hyang, the fate of this map also changed. * * * The basis was the same map obtained by Park Don-ji, but the uracy was even higher. In particr, the topography and geography of the area facing Joseon improved uracy through naval observation. Of course, the Japanese lords in the region expressed their difort regarding this. Well, in some ways, it could be a 15th-century reverse version of the Unyo Lake Incident The Joseon navy carried out surveys so closely to the coastline that Hyang, who heard the story, evaluated it this way. Thats why even Ouchi Morimi came forward and said that it was excessive. In response, Joseon argued that it was justified as follows. -The sea between Joseon and Japan is an area where many merchant ships travel. A well-made chart is essential to avoid unexpected idents. Joseon insisted until the end that it was not a map but a chart. At the same time, a sh-and-burn strategy was implemented. While offering various gifts to the local lords and asking for their understanding, Joseon naval leaflets roamed the waters off the area. These days, the activities of Japanese pirates and pirates have suddenly increased. ordingly, we will strengthen maritime inspections. Saying this, the Joseon navy meticulously searched for ships moving in the area. If it was a trading ship, the trade license was checked and the cargo was searched through the dock. If it was a fishing boat, the cabin and dock were searched to see if any weapons were on board. If weapons were on board, the crew was detained on the spot and the fishing boat was seized. And Joseon immediately sent an official letter to the lord of the territory where the fishermen belonged. -Weapons came from a fishing boat belonging to your territory. Can you guarantee that it is a fisherman and not a Japanese pirate? In the end, the Japanese lords had to be satisfied with receiving gifts from Joseon. And the gift was pretty nice. The Joseon navy provided a chart that urately recorded the coastal topography of the region. This was quite useful to the lords, so theirints were easily subsided. Here again, the tricks of JoseonCmore precisely, HyangCwere hidden. The charts given to the lords recorded only the relevant area. The coasts of the lords left and right fiefdoms were half-finished, with no records at all. Isnt it possible for the lords to put together a map? While the n was in progress, Lee Maeng-gyun, instead of Hyang, stepped forward and responded to someones criticism. That will never happen. I have never heard of the Japanese lords getting along well with each other. Ah While the naval forces recorded the coastline of the area facing Joseon, the superiors yed a major role in internal maps. Nagato and Naniwas superiors, officials at the Kuju monopoly office, obtained the map in one way or another. Still, merchants from territories Ive never heard of areing, but I cant tell if theyre real or fake. The superiors and management merchants of the monopolyined to the merchant officials of the Japanese country with which they had established rtionships. wisdom? Oh, you mean Kuni? There are quite a few kuni in Japan. So, can I get a geography map? In this way, when geography and maps were obtained through humaneints and small gifts, officials and merchants immediately started copying. There was a mission to send them to Joseon, but it was because they also needed it. And based on the information gathered in that way, the finished product was produced two monthsterpared to the history before the incense intervention. And its uracy, easy readability and usability were iparable. * * * Because Joseon made such efforts to collect information about the Japanese Empire, it already knew that Ouchi was ambitious. Do you think Daenae will do something this time? Lee Maeng-gyun came forward and answered King Sejongs question. I dont think so. This is because even though the battle was fought, the losses suffered by Jokurigyo, the general of the shogunate, were not significant. It is also problematic that Jok-ri-gyo used the justification of being an enemy of the government when dealing with the Jok-ri-ji n, who started the rebellion there. Even though the Daenae n has be stronger, it is difficult to deal with the entire Japanese nation. King Sejong and the ministers nodded at Lee Maeng-gyuns detailed analysis of the situation. Hwang Hee, who was making various calctions while listening to Lee Maeng-gyuns story, asked Lee Maeng-gyun. So, do you think that as long as the Jokyui religion holds out, the Daenae n will not be the first to raise an army? That would be most likely. The question is whether someone with the strength of Ms. Daenae will be able to endure it well. Hwang Hee, who was listening to Lee Maeng-gyun and weighing the risk factors, informed King Sejong. If we do something wrong, Joseon could also get involved, so I think it would be better to tell Daenae to be self-respecting. Lee Maeng-gyun immediately raised a counterargument to Hwang Hees words. If we do that, Ms. Daenae will know that we are watching her. It is best to simply strengthen our vignce. Do you think Daenae already knows to some extent? Wouldnt the attitude of responding be different depending on what you know and what you are certain about? In response to Lee Maeng-gyuns counterargument, Hwang Hee kept her mouth shut and was lost in thought. Other ministers who were listening to the story also pondered which of Hwang Huis and Lee Maeng-gyuns opinions would be beneficial to Joseon. As silence continued, Sejong opened his mouth. If the reports I received are urate, I know that the ambition to promote the Japanese nation is not just the intention of the Daenae Seong-gyeon, who currently leads the Daenae n. They said it was the will of the past leaders who led Daenae n. Is that right? Ill buy it back. After hearing Lee Maeng-gyuns answer, King Sejong closed his mouth again and was lost in thought. Sejong, who was shaking his head and thinking to himself, opened his mouth. A person who has inherited the ambition that has passed through generations might be able to tolerate it a little longer. Unless something happens. What if it happens? In response to Hwang Hees question, King Sejong asked another question. I heard that the Jokyui religion that currently leads the Japanese shogunate is in very bad shape. Is that right? Yes, he is a cruel man who rules neither by kingship nor by violence, but only through fear and force. Then the shogunate must have lost a lot of public support? Thats right. King Sejong drew a conclusion from Lee Maeng-gyuns answer. If the Jokyui Church suffers injustice, then it will be time for Mr. Daenae to take action. Lee Maeng-gyun received words from King Sejongs conclusion. That would be the most appropriate, but the question is whether such a thing can really happen. The Jokyo Bridge maintains a strong bodyguard unit called Fenggongjung (\ Hokoshu). Its not an external problem, its an internal problem. As far as I know, even his close associates only keep an eye on him. So, wouldnt there be a high possibility that one day you will be attacked by a male and a female? The ministers nodded at Sejongs words. Well If you look at history If you look at past history, there were many cases where ministers or close associates who could not withstand the tyranny of the monarch harmed their lord. Sejong fleshed out his conclusion further. ording to the report I received, the Jokri Church tried to kill all of the Jokri family, but some escaped. If we infer from the characteristics of the Japanese and the nature of the Jokyui religion, those who survived will continue to rebel for the sake of survival, and the Jokyui religion will deal with them cruelly. The more cruel he behaves, the more dangerous his associates will be, and the more likely it is that someone who will try to y a role in the battle will arise. If thats how the religion disappears, what do you think will happen to the shogunate? Hwang Hee came forward and answered King Sejongs question. The families that assist the shogunate general will consult to appoint the next general. God knows that there are still members of the Jokyui religion, but I know that they are still children. King Sejong immediately responded to Hwang Hees answer. If that happens, the regency will inevitably continue, and Lady Daenae will have her cause. King Sejong, who had foreseen that far, gave orders to his ministers. Just reinforce security for the time being. If we act hastily, the situation in Japan could turn out to be unexpected. Therefore, we, Joseon, must adopt a respectful attitude. I follow your orders! After listening to the ministers answers, Sejong added orders. If Daenae raises an army and the entire Japanese nation falls into chaos, it may take a long time until a conclusion is reached. During that time, think of a way for Joseon to benefit. I follow your orders! And the situation was going as King Sejong expected. * * * Mochiujis sons An-Ohmaru and Shunomaru, who escaped Yoshinoris massacre, led their surviving subordinates and joined the Yuki n. The Yuki family, who joined their brothers, soon raised an army and rebelled against the shogunate. The reason why the Yuki family rebelled against the shogunate was because they attempted to have their own children sit in the vacant Kamakuradono position. -Foreigners cannot be allowed into the Kanto region! This was the reason why the Yuki family raised an army. When a rebellion broke out again, Yoshinori ordered Norizane, who was in hiding, to subdue it. However, not only Norizane but also the lords of the Kanto region all refused. The reason was that they could not recover from the damage suffered in the previous military deployment, but they also did not want Yoshinoris children to sit in Kamakuradono. In the end, Yoshinori had to mobilize arge number of his personal guards. After a tedious siege, the situation ended with the defeat of the rebels in the 21st year of King Sejong (1439, Gimi Year). The Yuki family, except for the youngest, either died in battle ormitted suicide, and the brothers An-Ohmaru and Shun-Ohmaru were beheaded while being transported to Kyoto. However, Kamakuradonos problem still remained, and it scratched Yoshinoris judgment. In any case, the suppression of this rebellion further strengthened Yoshinoris power. And his rampage elerated even further. As his rampage continued, each day became more unstable in Kyoto. Chapter 436 Episode 436: The night of betrayal C The beginning of chaos. (4) Yoshinoris power reached its peak by dealing with Mochiuji and his children who were trying to take his ce. The shogunates power and the shoguns personal government system, which the previous shoguns had longed for, were established, and Yoshinori took the following steps topletely solidify this system. One of them was to give instructions directly to the process of deciding on the sessor to the family of a powerful shugo daimy. * * * The most powerful example was the designation of Ouchi Mochiyo (ȳ) as the sessor to Ouchi Morimi. This was Yoshinoris n. Ouchi Mochiyo was the surviving son of Ouchi Yoshihiro (x), the previous Ouchi lord. Therefore, this measure was certain to make Morimis children dissatisfied, and it was calcted that if that happened, Mochiyo would have no choice but to rely on Yoshinori himself. Here, Ouchi Morimi chose an unexpected method. He epted Yoshinoris suggestion, handed over the family name to Mochiyo, and registered his son Norihiro as Mochiyos adopted son. And after receiving the report rted to this, Hyang shook his head and muttered. What kind of bastards genealogy is so messed up * * * The reason he admonishes the decision to be a vassal in this way is that he also proceeded to suppress various rebellions and appoint his confidants as daimy in the vacant positions that arose. . Naturally, those who opposed it came out among the existing Shugo Daimyo. When the daimyo appointed by the previous shogun rebelled, Yoshinori resorted to violence. Isshiki Yoshitsura and Toki Mochiyori, representatives of the opposition, were attacked by assassins and died. -This is a truly unfortunate incident, so we will do our best to investigate. After hearing the incident, Yoshinori announced this, but none of the daimyo present believed what he said. Youre telling me to shut up and listen to myself. I should have followed Ouchi, who got sick and ran away early. The daimyo who returned to their mansions pped their knees and regretted it, but had no choice but to pay attention to Yoshinoris thoughts. As Yoshinoris reign of terror, which firmly held power in his hands, continued, the residents of Kyoto had to endure each day in fear, both up and down. * * * Among these anxious people was Mitsusuke Akamatsu. Everyone was in the same situation, only watching Yoshinoris thoughts and being anxious, but this was especially true for Mitsusuke. The reason Mitsuke was even more anxious was because of a rumor that had been circting a few years ago. -The Shogun is trying to subdue Mitsusuke Akamatsu! The reason Mitsusuke could not dismiss this as a rumor was because Yoshinori was very fond of Akamatsu Sadamura, a coteral descendant of the Akamatsu family. And in the midst of this, when Isshiki Yoshitsura and Toki Mochiyori were assassinated, Mitsusuke realized that his own life was at risk. They said it was a victory for the first time. Finally, Mitsuke made up his mind and called his confidant and secretly gave orders. You immediately. * * * October, 21st year of King Sejongs reign (1439, Gimi Year). Mitsusuke invited Yoshinori to his mansion. We would like to hold a celebration in honor of the sessful suppression of the rebellion. Pleasee and grace the asion. When Mitsusuke came to visit in person and asked to attend the celebration, Yoshinori nodded with a satisfied face. cancer! Of course I should attend! I am devastated. After Mitsusuke bowed politely and stepped back, Yoshinori grinned and muttered. Heh! You know that now is the time to lie low. It should have been that way from the beginning. Yoshinori was annoyed by the Akamatsu family. When the Japanese Empire was divided into the Northern and Southern Dynasties and there was conflict, the Akamatsu family was one of the first families to raise troops in response to the promation issued by Emperor Go-Daigo. And in recognition of their contributions, they became the Shugo Daimyo family. One of the families that even the shogunate had to keep an eye on was the Akamatsu family. Therefore, Yoshinori was thinking of dealing with the Akamatsu family. Yoshinori was also satisfied to see the head of such a family fall t on his face. * * * The day of the promised banquet. Yoshinori arrived at Mitsusukes mansion with a group of guards. Mitsusuke, who was waiting for Yoshinori at the entrance of the mansion, greeted Yoshinori with the utmost courtesy. Yoshinori entered the banquet hall under the guidance of Mitsusuke and was ushered to the head of the table. The banquet hall was upied by daimyo and various lords staying in Kyoto. The banquet began with Yoshinoris arrival, and soon alcohol and food came in. Those who attended the banquet, including Yoshinori, enjoyed wine and food while appreciating Sarugaku. Mitsusuke, who sat at a distance from Yoshinori, calmly surveyed the atmosphere. After seeing that the atmosphere of the attendees hadpletely rxed, Mitsusuke secretly sent a hand signal to his subordinate standing at the door. After confirming Mitsusukes hand signal, the subordinate quietly hid himself. After a while. thud! A dull sound was heard outside. What is this sound? When Yoshinori expressed his doubts about the sudden noise, Okimachi Sanjosanemasa, who was sitting next to him, responded with an expression that said it was no big deal. Maybe its the sound of thunder? Thunder? As Yoshinori expressed his doubts, the sliding doors suddenly opened and warriors wearing armor rushed into the banquet hall. Murder the tyrant! ughter the tyrant! As the warriors rushed in, shouting, the warriors guarding Yoshinori blocked his path. At that time, a group of warriors jumped out from among the attacking samurai and aimed long sticks at Yoshinoris guard samurai. Ta-ta-tang! With a loud explosion, dozens of lead bullets rained down on the guard samurai, and the samurai who stood in front of Yoshinori fell down, covered in blood. The existence of fire spears secured by Mitsusukes confidants who were in secret contact with the Shoni family living in seclusion on Tsushima Ind was revealed. As the guard warriors who were protecting him copsed in an instant, Yoshinori became an isted warrior in an instant. Die the tyrant! With a loud shout, Mitsusukes warrior swung his sword and Yoshinoris head was cut off. * * * Chaos broke out both inside and outside the banquet hall. Mitsusukes men and Yoshinoris guards shed, and the daimyo and their guard warriors who attended the banquet desperately tried to escape. They are part of the same gang! The daimyo and their guard warriors, who had been mistakenly attacked by Yoshinoris guards and Mitsusukes warriors, desperately moved to find a way out. With Yoshinoris guards and Mitsusukes men frantically swinging their swords to kill each other, and the daimyo struggling to escape by climbing over the wall, Mitsusukes mansion became a mess. * * * This chaos was brought to an end when Yoshinoris guards were suppressed and Mitsusukes vassals came forward and reported the situation. This is a protest against the tyrant who tried to assassinate my lord! I have no intention of harming other daimyo! Themotion gradually died down as the vassal shouted. As promised not to cause harm, Mitsukes soldiers retreated and the daimyo were able to safely escape Mitsusukes mansion. * * * The assassination of tyrant Yoshinori was the beginning of chaos. Close the gate tightly! After sending out the daimyo, Mitsusukes men closed the gate and prepared for the end. Now that the shogun was dead, it was certain that the shogunate army woulde. Therefore, everyone, starting with Mitsuke, was preparing tomit suicide. Why is it so quiet? However, untilte at night, the shogunate army showed no movement. In response, Mitsusuke sent out soldiers to check the sympathy of those around him. There is no movement from the shogunate. The houses of the daimy and Kanrei all have their doors tightly closed! Upon hearing his subordinates report, Mitsuke, who had been quietly preparing tomit suicide, stood up. Go back to the territory! It is a war of resistance! hot! The vassals, who recited Mitsukes orders loudly, led their subordinates and prepared to leave. Its homing! Its a resistance war! Its resistance! Pack your bags! * * * Ready! I have my horse ready! Mitsuke, who was already dressed in a Joseon-made two-piece suit, came out of the room and gave an order to the vassals report. Set it on fire! I have nothing to hand over to the shogunate bastards! hot! Start a fire! Mitsusuke got on his horse and looked back at his retainers and subordinates as warriors holding torches set fires everywhere. Then lets go. hot! Mitsusuke and his party, led by a soldier holding a spear with Yoshinoris head stuck in it, began to leave Kyoto. * * * Even though Shogun Yoshinori died, there was a reason why the shogunate could not immediately mobilize its troops. Key figures of the shogunate, including Hosokawa Mochiyuki, were thinking as follows. -This disaster cannot be a solo act! There will definitely be other daimyo joining in! If you make a hasty move, the consequences wille back to you! Because I had these thoughts, I did not take action right away, but rather focused on preparing future measures. This was also true for daimyo. -You cant do something like this alone! There is definitely a helper! You must not act rashly! While the daimy and the shogunate were watching each others thoughts and trying to protect themselves, Akamatsu Mitsusuke was given the opportunity to escape Kyoto and fight back. * * * When the report came that Mitsusuke had escaped from Kyoto, Mochiyuki Hosokawa looked embarrassed. You mean it was a solo act? Mochiyuki continued speaking while looking back at the heads of the Shiba Hatakeyama family, a family of the Three Crowns, along with his own family. I think it was a misjudgment on our part. Oh my Tsk! The three who were expressing regret soon regained theirposure and continued their conversation. Lets forget about the meat we already missed and what should we do next? Shouldnt we support the next shogun first? The shoguns enemy, Ashikaga Yoshikatsu, is only five years old! Putting down traitorses first! After much debate, it was decided to give priority to the subjugation of Akamatsu. * * * Once the matter was settled, Hosokawa Mochiyuki immediately rushed to the imperial court. Please issue Yunji (Emperors order) to suppress traitors! Despite Hosokawa Mochiyukis pleas, the response from the imperial court, including Emperor Kohananojo, was lukewarm. The Shoguns situation is unfortunate but isnt Akamatsu Mitsusukes situation also unfortunate? yes? Was the Shogun so harsh? Would it be so bad that people even said it was everyones fear? Why would a daimyo who has been loyal for generations do such a thing? Contrary to Hosokawas expectations, Yunji did note out easily. While the Emperor and the Imperial Court were busy doing their own thing, Mitsusuke was able to prepare more thoroughly. What a mess for a subject that only has a name! Hosokawa sharply ground his teeth, but the emperor also had a lot of regrets about Yoshinori. * * * Authors note. When developing the situation in Japan, it is written from the Japanese perspective. Therefore, please understand that I am using the word emperor instead of the word emperor. Chapter 437 Episode 437: The night of betrayal C The beginning of chaos. (5) There was a reason why Emperor Gohananojo was sabotaging work rather than sabotaging work. This was because Yoshinori was deeply involved in the process of session to the throne after the death of the previous emperor, Emperor Shoko. In the end, Hosokawa Mochiyuki had to beg every day for the grant of Yunji and at the same time pay arge amount of bribes to the kuge of the court. In this way, he was able to receive Yunji in the first month of the following year, the 13th year of Eikyo () (22nd year of King Sejongs reign, 1440, Gyeongsin Year). And during that time, the shogun who would seed Yoshinori was decided. Yoshinoris legitimate son was Ashikaga Yoshikatsu. And this choice had another spark. Yoshikatsu, who was appointed shogun, was only 6 years old. Therefore, it was tentatively concluded that Mochiyuki Hosokawa would serve as regent for the time being. * * * Ouchi Morimi was receiving all of this situation through the kanja he had nted in Kyoto. Morimi, who received and confirmed the information about the new shoguns ascension, grinned and muttered. We even coined the phrase fear of all people, but in the end it turned out to be a dream. Morimi, criticizing the fact that the shoguns own government system had copsed again with the death of Yoshinori and the beginning of Hosokawas regency, looked back at the vassals sitting in their seats. When do you think the shogunate will send troops? It is winter now, so we cannot move the army, but we will move as soon as springes. I guess so. So now what should we do? We must dispatch troops! The opportunity has finally arrived! In response to Morimis question, the retainers from militarymanders raised their voices and insisted on sending troops. The shogun whomitted tyranny has been assassinated. This is truly heavenly punishment! As long as there is talk that the shogun was punished by heaven, the current shogunate has no legitimacy! Please raise an army! Please raise the army! Senior military officers who had been with the Ouchi family for a long time insisted on raising troops immediately. Not yet! Im getting it back! It is still time to wait and see! At that time, voices shouting opposition emerged. Unlike those advocating military action, the voices of those shouting opposition were very young. Morimi looked at those who were shouting opposition. Those who shouted opposition were, on average, young people in their mid tote 20s. These people were from the 1st and 2nd sses among those who studied abroad in Joseon and returned after learning practical skills C forcedbor, to be exact. Morimi showed curiosity at the ims of young people who expressed their opposition to the elders. Hoo? Why? The assassination of the Shogun is worthy of heavenly punishment. But this alone is not enough justification to send troops. Is that not enough? hot! Thats right! The unity of the forces that make up the shogunate is still strong. Sending troops out in this situation will do more harm than good! A little more wait and see is the right thing to do! When the Joseon Confucianists insisted on taking a wait-and-see approach, the elders argued with them. How much longer do we have to wait? Now is the time. The new shogun is literally a lump of blood and a scarecrow. Who would follow such a shogun? Youre a lump of blood and a scarecrow, so you just have to hold on a little longer! If you are patient, you will make up your own case! If we endure just a little longer, the public sentiment will also be ours! huh? Both Morimi and the elders expressed doubts about the ims of the Joseon schrs. Those who studied abroad in Joseon exined in more detail why they had to wait. -The regency will continue for quite a long time until the shogunes of age. -The longer the regencysts, the more animosity between the three governors will arise and the shoguns status will fall. -If things happen like this, public sentiment will naturally turn away from the shogunate, and the emperors court will also withdraw its support for the shogunate. -That is the time of the great army. The Joseon Confucianists exined up to this point ended their remarks as follows. If we look at our current situation, our lords insight is shining and we are bing increasingly wealthy. The people are gaining weight and the soldiers have be stronger. And the people of other territories cannot hide their envy at the sight of our territory. If you wait a little longer and get a justification, the next steps will be easier. Hmm Morimi, who was pondering the words of the students studying abroad, looked back at the elders. What do you think? The elders who had been considering Morimis question opened their mouths one by one. I dont think there will be any harm in waiting a little longer than I have waited so far. Even if it is a battle you have already won, it is better to win with less loss. When the elders also agreed with the opinions of the Confucianists, Morimi came to a conclusion. Okay, for the time being, lets be more considerate of our benefactors. hot! * * * That evening, Morimi had some alone time with Mochiyo. Morimi stood with her back to the moonlit garden and opened her mouth. Mochiyo. Hot lord. How did you see the young children today? You seemed very considerate. Morimi nodded at Mochiyos words and continued speaking. I saw it well. It was rewarding to study abroad in Joseon. When I first brought up the idea of reducing taxes, I was shocked. * * * The first suggestion made to Morimi by the Joseon students who studied Confucianism in Joseon and came back after studying Confucianism in the name of practical training was a tax reduction. The current tax rate is too high! We need to lower the tax rate! Morimi shook his head at the suggestions of the first generation of students studying abroad. If that happens, you wont be able to prepare for your great work! its possible! Thats what I learned in Joseon! huh? Is it possible? I will risk the necks of the small gods! Through the tax reform that was carried out in this way, Ouchi reduced the taxes of the people belonging to the territory. But in some ways, this was closer to Sam Jos imitation. It seemed like the burden was being reduced by lowering the tax rate, but the gap was filled by using the resale system and value-added tax. The people weed the tax cut with enthusiasm. Since reducing consumption of monopoly products and value-added tax would not have a big impact, it was thought that overall taxes had been reduced. However, the regrets of the Confucian schrs who became worn-out officials through the forcedbor they experienced in Joseon went beyond that. In the end, the Ouchi domain became the richest domain with the most active economic activities in the entire Japanese kingdom. * * * Morimi, who was reflecting on her memories with a happy expression, suddenly let out a long sigh. Whoa~. Mochiyo. hot! Im a lot older now. Maybe you shouldplete the great work on my behalf. My lord! My nephew. It is highly likely that it was my responsibility to prepare as well as those young people. I will soon hand over the position of head of the family to you, so prepare. My lord! No uncle! Your uncle is still strong. What are you talking about? I know myself well. So get ready. Mochiyo continued to express his refusal, but soon Morimi handed over the position of head of the family to Mochiyo. * * * This Japanese situation was also known to Joseon. King Sejong, who received information through information sent from his superiors and an envoy sent by Ouchi, exchanged opinions with ministers. I see that Daenaeseonggyeon (ʢҊ) handed over the head of the n to Daenaejise (ȳ). Isnt it reasonable to think that civil war will break out again in Japan? Hwang Hee immediately answered King Sejongs question. I am not sure that a war will break out right now, but there is a high possibility that a war will break out in the not too distant future. I believe that the reason Daenae changed the head of the family was to avoid a change in the head of the family at the height of the war. I think so too. Then what should our Joseon do? I think we need to expand the size of the naval force, which we started again some time ago, to arger scale. I guess thats the only way to go. Tsk! Sejong, who finished his appetite with a sad expression, still looked back at Hwang Hee with a bright face. Isnt that fortunate? Fortunately, something happened at a time when it seemed like we were almost over the teau. Thats right. Especially Hwang Hee paused for a moment, looked back at Kim Jeom, and continued. I am even more fortunate because the people who have moved to new positions have be ustomed to the work. * * * While the situation in Japan was predicted to be in chaos, various events urred in Joseon as well. First of all, the biggest thing was the death of Maeng Sa-seong and Heo Jo. A year ago, at the beginning of the year of Gimi, Maeng Sa-seong and Heo Jo passed away. Both of them resigned due to old age, but they passed away shortly after resigning. King Sejong, who heard the news of the death of the two elderly subjects, was greatly saddened and ced them on the public records. Hyang, the crown prince, personally paid condolences on behalf of King Sejong. After Maeng Sa-seong and Heo Jo died, all the ministers thought the same thing. Finally, another era is disappearing into history! If people like Ryu Jeong-hyun and Ha Ryun were the 0th generation, people like Maeng Sa-seong and Heo Jo could be said to be the 1st generation. And now, the first generation of subjects began to disappear one by one into the back of history. In any case, personnel changes were carried out because a vacancy was created due to the death of Maeng Sa-seong and Heo Jo. What was most noticeable in the personnel changes that took ce was that Kim Jeom became Deputy Prime Minister, seeding Maeng Sa-seong. All the officials of the Six Dynasties clicked their tongues when they heard that Kim Jeom had be Deputy Prime Minister. shit! Ill have to n my budget even more tightly from now on! Why is it that guy! If Kim Jeom filled Maeng Sa-seongs position, it was Ha-yeon who filled Heo Jos position. Since Hayeon was evaluated as someone who best suited the saying, Neither takes sides nor groups, no one opposed her appointment as Minister of General Affairs. And as they moved, the vacant positions were soon filled by those who were recognized for their abilities. As this happened, the second generation of bureaucrats slowly began to rise to the top. * * * While the interior of Joseon was busy with these events, many incidents also urred outside. Events that some expected and others did not. It was an event that wouldter be recorded in history as the Year of Blue. The beginning of such an incident urred in the early summer of the year of Kimi. * * * majesty! An urgent report hase from the naval forces! Hearing that it was an urgent report, King Sejong quickly took the handbook and looked at its contents. King Sejong clicked his tongue after examining the contents of the decree. Tsk! It has finallye! The content of the banquet was simple. -A ship sent from a country called Portugal appeared in Aden. In response to the urgent report sent from the Navy, King Sejong requested an analysis from the General Staff Headquarters. The Chief of Staff expects that their ship will arrive in Joseon by the end of this year or next summer. Then what are our measures? We need to expand the size of the navy and at the same time establish a naval camp in Mka. And starting from there, we must establish naval military camps in at least five locations to seize control of the sea. QgBJZ8rndT07MYRGSs50c7PP3wUQLvecPTk95gCaseTLm7iaXXnKbuZTIJMv6f3DEBcQFxAXEBcQFxAXEBcQFxAVksf0XYAAHrGqFNGZAvwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg== Chapter 438 Episode 438: The night of betrayal C The beginning of chaos. (6) cah? King Sejong asked as if to confirm the Chief of Staffs opinion. The Chief of Staff answered King Sejongs question with a firm voice. Thats right. Hmm At the Chief of Staffs firm reply, King Sejong was lost in thought without saying a word. When Sejong closed his mouth, Hwang Hee opened his mouth instead. Isnt it too far away? That too has been reduced to a minimum now. Lee Maeng-gyun was taken aback by the Chief of Staffs remarks. The Kingdom of a is quite a strong kingdom. And it has also been a loyal tributary country since its founding. Are you going to build a naval camp where the royal capital of such a kingdom is? Do you think that would make sense? But its the best ce. No matter how optimal the location is, it is not a ce where a military camp can be set up! Is this a ce where you dont even think about diplomatic issues? okay! Compared to Korea, Mka is a small country, so lets move on! Then what will Mingguo do? Under pressure from Lee Maeng-gyun, the Chief of Staff remained silent. Sejong, who was watching the Chief of Staff trying to think of an appropriate rebuttal, opened his mouth. It is clear that Mka has a good location, but setting up a military camp there seems like a bad idea. If absolutely necessary, have the military search for other enemy territory. And then keep this in mind. The first thing to think about is not increasing the number of foreign enemies.. Do you understand? I will keep this in mind. After responding to King Sejongs words, the Chief of Staff quietly stepped back. Hyang, who was sitting under the party house watching the work unfold, looked at the Chief of Staff with eyes full of doubt. If you look at the militarys movements so far, it has never fallen into military adventurism. But why? Hyang couldnt understand the armys movements right now. Whenever the newly acquired inds in the northeast and the indigenous people living in the area north of Dongbing Port caused problems, or the Jurchen tribes in the Liaodong region who had not yet been conquered caused problems, it was the military that advocated the most moderate method. No matter how far away the country is from the Ming, it is a country that faithfully pays tribute to the Ming and is touched by the shadow of the Ming. No, it is a ce that has be the center of Asian trade, which has grown rapidly over the past few years, so you probably know that this is not a country that the Ming will just pass over, right? No matter how much I thought about it, the Chief of Staffs remarks were iprehensible, and my eyes were following the Chief of Staff until the end. And Hyang could spot the Chief of Staff and Jo Mal-Saeng slightly nodding to each other. Can you reallyfort me? At that moment, Hyang could tell the militarys intentions. Was it n A disguised as n B? If you just ask for it, all the ministers will be against it? Did you try tofort him? At that moment, Hyang turned his head and looked at Sejong. When Hyang saw Sejong sitting with a strange expression, she realized that Sejong also noticed it. And when I turned my head, Hwang Hee and Kim Jeom were also making simr expressions. In the end, Hyang prayed in her heart for condolences. Removing the bottom has to be done depending on the time and ce. After all, they are doing it in a ce full of outsiders The Minister of National Defense and the Chief of Staff must report properly. The Minister of National Defense and the Chief of Staff were momentarily shocked by King Sejongs words, but quickly remained indifferent. yes? Sejongs voice turned sharp at Jo Mal-saengs answer. What do the police officers think of me and the ministers gathered here? In particr, does the Minister of National Defense want to go to the Archives again? If I go to the records office this time, Ill have to die before Ie out, right? Got caught! As soon as they realized they had been caught by King Sejong, Jo Mal-saeng and the Chief of Staff immediately fell to the floor. Please save me! I tried a trick that didnt work! If the officers honestly tell me where they want to go, Ill think about it. Jo Mal-saeng and the Chief of Staff responded simultaneously to King Sejongs words. Therees a ce called Tumasek or Temasek! Where is that ce? Bring the map. At King Sejongs order, the officials brought arge world map that had been standing on one side. Cho Mal-saeng chose a map depicting the topography of Cheonchuk and nearby areas and pointed out a ce on the map. This is where ites. Hyang looked at the ce pointed out by Jo Mal-saeng and nodded slightly. Singapore! Please exin why the county chose that ce as a candidate site. The Chief of Staff stepped forward and exined King Sejongs order. -This area, called Tmasek or Temasek, is located in the middle of the road to Tianchuk and Aden. -There is a small strait to the north of Temasek. Because it is separated from maind Mka by this strait, it has a significant advantage in terms of defense. C There is a record that Temasek was a fairly famous trading city in the past, but fell into decline as a flourished. In fact, there is a port suitable for setting up a military camp. And as the Minister of Foreign Affairs said, since we are far from the royal capital of Mka, there are no major difficulties in diplomatic matters. Sejong, who nodded to the Chief of Staffs answer, asked the Chief of Staff. Its a pretty good choice. So wouldnt it have been right to talk about that ce from the beginning? Why did you use a trick? In response to King Sejongs question, the eyes of Jo Mal-saeng and the Chief of Staff turned to Kim Jeom. As the eyes of the two people focused on him, Kim Jeom raised his voice without realizing it. What am I doing! Despite Kim Jeoms protest, King Sejong and the local ministers all nodded. It was like that. Leaving behind Kim Jeom, who could not hide his resentment, King Sejong continued to question Jo Mal-saeng and the Chief of Staff. Now that I know where the military wants to first establish a naval camp, I want to know where other ces are. You said five ces earlier. Where are they? Yugu, Temasek, Chittagong and finally Aden. I know about Yugu and Temasek, but where is Yeosong? In response to King Sejongs question, the Chief of Staff pointed to a ce on the map. This is where ites. The indigenous people who live there call it Luzon. King Sejong checked the ind pointed out by the Chief of Staff and muttered while looking at the map. Its Yugu Yeosong Temasek King Sejong, who drew an imaginary line connecting the areas mentioned by the Chief of Staff, asked the Chief of Staff and Cho Mal-saeng. Is it going outside of Mings Dongbeon (an old name for Taiwan)? Thats right. The area between the Ming maind and Dongbeon is where pirates are active and where the Ming navy is wary of our movements. Its okay Sejong nodded and continued asking the question again. Is Chittagong because of the saltpeter? Thats right. Without the foundation stoneing from the Sultanate of Bengal, our army is crippled. No, it is not only a huge blow to the military, but also to food production. At the words of the Chief of Staff, King Sejong nced at Kim Jeom and spoke to the Chief of Staff. I can understand up to Chittagong, but Aden is too much. I think we can protect Joseons interests if we secure Chittagong, so think ordingly. Let the Ministry of Foreign Affairs actively cooperate with the Ministry of National Defense. I follow your orders! I follow your orders! Jo Mal-saeng and Chief of Staff Lee Maeng-gyun both bowed their heads in response to King Sejongs order. The situation seemed to havee to an end, but Sejongs questions continued. Sejong nced at Kim Jeom once again and asked Jo Mal-saeng. Are we going to deploy challenger-level front lines in each of those military camps? If deployed, how many ships will be deployed? Jo Mal-saeng immediately answered King Sejongs question. Challenger level fighters can pose a threat to their opponents given their size and power. Therefore, we n to deploy marine emergency front lines in the military camp to be established like this. We are nning to start with six ships and eventually have at least 12 ships. If there are six ships, two are for patrol and two are for maintenance and supply. Are the two ships on standby? Thats right. Jo Mal-saeng immediately answered the question posed by King Sejong based on the operating rules of the Joseon naval force. Its okay. Make a proper n and move. I have high expectations. Unlike before, Cho Mal-saeng and the Chief of Staff immediately bowed their heads at King Sejongs decision, which had changed favorably. I will do my best! * * * As King Sejong made this decision, the government and military busily moved to establish naval military camps overseas. However, when the year-end winter solstice was just around the corner, the naval forces exploded arge bomb. It was such arge-scale incident that not only Jo Mal-saeng, who received the general message from Wonsan, but even Kim Jeom, who heard the story, jumped up from their seats and shouted. hey! You damned whisperers! The general message that came from Wonsan was sent by Gangnam-gil, captain of the 3rd Challenger-ss ship, Maeng Jin-ho. * * * Maeng Jin, who was deployed to explore the East two years ago, prepared thoroughly at the military camp on Jungdong Ind (Adak Ind in the 21st century), located in the easternmost part of the Joseon Navy, and prepared to set sail for the east. ording to thest survey, the archipgo continues to the east. My mission is to check how far the inds extend. Gangnam-gil lightly nodded to the exnation of Lee I-don Man-ho, who was in charge of the military camp in Jung-dong Ind. I understand. Then letse back and see you. When Gangnam-gil said goodbye, Lee I-don asked with a face full of worry. Be careful. Be careful. The sea in the south is fierce, but the sea in the north is even more fierce. ha ha ha! I will be very careful. Gangnam-gil, smiling brightly, boarded Maengjin, and Maengjin set sail for the east. And even after the promised date passed, Maeng Jin did not return. Eventually, when winter passed and spring came again and the sea cleared, Yi I-don Man-ho wrote a long ount and sent it to Joseon. After sailing for three months, Jang Gye, sent by Lee I-don, arrived in Hanseong. Jo Mal-saeng, who received the order, quenched his appetite. Tsk! The loss of Challenger-ss wires. In the meantime, Challenger-ss wires were being produced steadily, but they were still treated as precious. However, such a valuable front was lost. And the navalmanders who heard the story spoke with serious faces. Gangnam-gil Man-hos personality was a bit aggressive, but his coordination skills were amazing. It was a challenger-level front there. What a fierce sea The Challenger-ss battleship was not only a ship with great firepower, but also great survivability. Even though they encountered an unexpected typhoon while traveling between Suez and Joseon and were devastated, the ships that survived to the end and returned to Aden or Joseon were challenger-ss ships. The challenger-level front line with such tenacious survivability had disappeared. After receiving the report, King Sejong gave orders to Jo Mal-saeng. Please inform the families of Maeng Jin-hos crew of the disappearance. Its a disappearance after all. Remember that it is not death. Yes, Your Highness. King Sejong, who gave the order, and Jo Mal-saeng, who received the order, said so, but inside they thought he was dead. This was the same for the family. But Maeng Jin-ho, who had disappeared like that, came back. * * * Its my hometown! Im back! When Wonsan Port came into view, the sailors aboard the Maengjin cried out in excitement at the sight of Wonsan Port. Whatsing back? Maeng Jin-ho is back? When Maeng Jin-hos return became known, not only the naval forces around the dock but even the portmander came running with surprised faces. There were many wounds here and there, but overall, the pier was lowered from the Maengjin, which was in good condition, and the sailors lined up to get off the ship. And the bomb exploded as Janggye, written by Gangnam-gil, who got offst, arrived in Hanseong. To summarize the contents of the chapter, it was as follows. -After continuing to sail east, the coastline extending to the south was discovered. -It has moved south along the coastline for more than 4,000 ri, but continues south. -Wended on the way and searched the surrounding area, but there was no trace of Seoyi. C Conclusion. It is assumed that a newnd that no one knew about was discovered. Chapter 439 Chapter 439: Paving stone (1) After confirming the contents of the banquet, Jo Mal-saeng put down the banquet and massaged the area between his eyebrows with his thumb and index finger. How should I ept this Discovering an unupiednd that others did not yet know about was a blessing in disguise. But the timing of discovery was a problem. * * * A few months ago, due to an urgent report from Aden, a decision was made to establish a naval camp in Temasek and several other regions, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was busy working toward this end. To ensure smooth progress, Joseon paid significant bribes to influential figures in the country and region. Fortunately, the favorite items of those influential people were not gold and silver, but Joseon objects such asmps made of crystal ss, so the expenditure was not as heavy as expected. After hearing the story about this, Hyangughed and muttered: That means there was a lot of profiteering. Thanks to the roasting of those in power in the region, the Joseon Navy was able to easily establish a naval camp in the region. The problem is the port facilities The working-level staff responded calmly to Jo Mal-saeng, who checked the situation. I dont think that will be a big problem either. huh? Since decent port facilities already existed in Chittagong, a trading port with active trade, as well as in Temasek, Yugu, and at least Liosong, the only thing the Joseon navy had to worry about was preparing a living space for the Joseon navy and their families. But there was something else that those in charge of the budget were really worried about. It was a matter of the budget for building the wire and the cost of recruiting manpower. First of all, we will start by moving the existing sea emergency wires, but in the long term, we will have to build arge number of new wires. In response to the working-level staffs report, Kim Jeom expressed his opinion to Jo Mal-saeng and Hwang Hee. First of all, it is best to draw from the reserve finances held by the military and government and properly organize next years budget. Jo Mal-saeng and Hwang Hee nodded at Kim Jeoms words. Hwang Hee, who was looking at the budget allocation n presented by Kim Jeom, looked at Jo Mal Saeng and opened her mouth. It seems that new production of electric wires can be done this way, but the problem is the supply and demand of personnel. What are the naval forces saying? Jo Mal-saeng answered Hwang Hees question right away. The navy says they can handle everything if they just give us ships and budget. Hmm. Hwang Hee, unable to hide his anxiety despite Jo Mal-saengs answer, called the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. Did you call me? After receiving the call and entering the Prime Ministers conference room, the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy took his seat, and Hwang Hee got straight to the point. Are you really confident in recruiting human resources for the navy? It is possible as long as the budget is properly supported. how? Have you forgotten that the nickname of the naval forces is Goldongban (Ƕ Bibimbap)? Ah Hwang Hee and Kim Jeom Jo Mal-saeng, who were present first, nodded in response to his response, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy continued. As long as there is a Hunminjeongeum and a monopoly, the issue of supply and demand of personnel is not a big problem for the naval force. * * * As the social changes created by Gyeongjang took full effect and Joseons power area gradually increased, Koreans from outside the country, not native Koreans, became strangers. If you look at the Hanseong government right now,bor exploitation (excluding the Ministry of National Defense) was taking ce under the pretext of practical training by recruiting international students sent from Ouchi who hadpleted the basic course. In the military that epted people from outside of the country early on, some of them had already risen to mid-level executives. An interesting feature was created here. If thend naval army, which was organized around cavalry and artillery, wasposed mainly of Koreans and Jurchen people, the navy was made up of not only Koreans and Jurchen people, but also indigenous people of Daeseoldo Ind and Jongjangdo Ind, as well as indigenous people from the area where the naval camp was located. It wasing in. This was due to the navys policy. The problem is that you dont get used to sailing in a day or two, and getting used to the sea doesnt take a day or two. The number of seas to be patrolled and explored was increasing, and as skilled sailors were bing increasingly difficult to find, the navalmanders were concerned about how to solve the situation. The natives of Daeseoldo Ind and Jongjangdo Ind traveling around in small boats caught the eyes of the navalmanders. All of the navalmanders who were looking at the natives muttered at the same time. The answers are going around? The natives, who roamed the rough seas of the North in small rowboats or boats roughly made of leather and wood, were the best human resources for the navy. How should we catch them When the navalmanders were contemting how to attract natives to the naval force, the best card was born. It was Hunminjeongeum. As much as the native people of Joseon weed Hunminjeongeum, natives from abroad also weed Hunminjeongeum. Most indigenous people, except for the Jurchen people, did not have a writtennguage to record their words. Of course, among the Ainu people of Daeseoldo, there were some who learned and used Chinese characters and hiragana through contact with the Japanese, but Hunminjeongeum was able to perfectly record even words that could not be written with Chinese characters or hiragana. It was a natural result that the natives, who were able to record their words in Hunminjeongeum, learned the Joseonnguage. Even though I didnt know the meaning, it wasnt difficult to read. And once I was able to read it like that, I was able to understand the meaning in an instant. The next thing that attracted the natives was, of course, the monopoly. The daily necessities at the monopoly had already be necessities for the natives. In particr, fabrics such as cotton became a must-have item for childrens wedding gifts. As a result, the natives needed money. The hunting and fishing that we have been doing until now is not making a steady ie This is not a good ce for farming either While everyone was thinking like that, the navy posted arge piece of paper on the bulletin board. Attached. There was arge phrase written in Hunminjeongeum on the paper. -Recruitment of naval forces. -A person who is familiar with the sea and familiar with sailing. -Those fluent in Korean are preferred. -No discrimination. -Arrangements for Koreannguage education. However, only 1/3 of the normal sry is paid during the training period. -Excellent workers are guaranteed quick promotions. Not long after the notice was posted on the bulletin board, natives lined up at the entrance to the naval camp. I want to be a naval officer! I am the right person! I definitely want to do it! Thanks to this, the navy was able to easily recruit personnel. And the navy gained the nickname Goldongban. * * * As an aside, historians studying this period discovered something unusual. Until then, when a country acquired new territory, it wasmon practice for most of the residents of the area so acquired to be ves. Of course, in the Imic sphere of influence, ording to thew, fellow Muslims were not enved, but the subjects had to live almost like ves. And pagans had to be ves. In this way, it wasmon for the residents of new territories to fall into a downward spiral, but this was not the case in Joseon. Joseon epted without discrimination anyone who wanted to be its people. And the outsiders who were brought in like that soon began to be active in various parts of Joseon society. The ce where these cases were most clearly revealed was the military. The military was generally considered the most conservative, and the Joseon military had arge number of foreigners, almost simr to the old Roman Empire. And historians who were researching why this happened were pulling out their hair. Youre the crown prince again! * * * By the time Joseon came out of the stagnation period, the situation was simr to that of the navy. It was an attempt to solve the problem of insufficient poption through active external blood transfusion. Thanks to this, we were finally able to surpass 11 million in the year of Kimi. Of course, the problem is that most of the increased poption is newborns. We need to pay more attention to education and medical care. Anyway, it looks like the issue of the ocean naval base camp has been somewhat resolved, so its okay to take a breather, right? While the ministers were so relieved, the naval forces threw a veryrge bomb. * * * Jo Mal-saeng, who was contemting looking at Jang-gye, looked at the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy sitting in front of him. Isnt the result really amazing for something that was pushed with the random idea of harmony between yin and yang? When we first started exploring east, the reason given was harmony of yin and yang. -The world is a ce where yin and yang are in harmony. In other words, it is impossible for all thend in the world to be concentrated to one side like this! Citing usible but not at all usible reasons, the navy eagerly sent ships east. Of course, Kim Jeom started an uproar, spewing fire from his mouth, but as the navy continued to discover inds, they were able to stop Kim Jeoms anger. The Commander-in-Chief of the Navy responded to Jo Mal-saengs words with a slight smile. Of course, on the surface it was that reason, but on the inside it was a different reason. Any other reasons? Confirmation of the shortest route to their country. That was the navys goal. There are too many pirates on the route we are currently using. Of course, its not that pirates are scary, but isnt it true that they are a bit of a hassle? Ah Jo Mal-saeng, who was nodding at the Commander-in-Chief of the Navys words, asked the question again. Wouldnt it have been better to use that as a reason from the beginning? Then wont it be a political issue? Jo Mal-saeng nodded and muttered to the words of the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. It takes another person here. The Commander-in-Chief of the Navy quietly nodded at Jo Mal-saengs words. Although it is said to have almost be obsolete, the name was the merchant state of Joseon. The trade that Joseon was conducting now was with countries that nominally treated the Ming Dynasty, so there were no particr problems. However, for Joseon to directly contact andmunicate with the Western countries without going through the Ming, it was to ignore the Ming, the Shang Dynasty. In any case, this was because Joseon was in a situation where it was being treated poorly by the Ming Dynasty. In other words, the direct contact between Joseon and Seoyi openly dered that Joseon was an independent country equal to the Ming. In other words, it was an expression that Ming was no longer a merchant state of Joseon. And for the Ming, this could have been an action equivalent to a deration of war. * * * After a moment of silence, the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy continued. Perhaps Your Highness knew all of this. Your Majesty? Jo Mal-saeng, who expressed doubt for a moment, soon nodded. yes. No matter what kind of person His Majesty is, there is no way he would have given sanction just for reasons other than those reasons. Thats right. After hearing the navalmander-in-chiefs answer, Jo Mal-saeng fell into silence again. Jo Mal-saeng, who had been staring at Jang-gye with his mouth shut for a long time, soon let out a long sigh. Whoa~. Jo Mal-saeng let out a long, earth-shattering sigh and red at the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. The Commander-in-Chief should report this matter directly to the Jeongjeon. Hey Minister! Thanks to this general, work has at least doubled. I cant die alone, can I? I cant die for you. At Jo Mal-saengs words, the Commander-in-Chief of the Samdo Naval Forces face turned white. It seemed as if Kim Jeoms roar had already reached his ears. No, Kim Jeoms voice could already be heard from far away. You damned whisperers! Where is the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy? Lets die today! Chapter 440 Episode 440: Paving stones (2) Even though Kim Jeom was promoted to left deputy prime minister, his work did not decrease at all. This is because the work area he was responsible for included the Ministry of Finance and Economys work direction and budget deliberation and adjustment. We already have so much work piled up, so what are we going to do if we create more work? People must have a conscience! Kim Jeom, unable to ovee his temper, raised his voice loudly. The Commander-in-Chief of the Navy,e out! * * * In the end, the situation was resolved only after Hwang Hee and the Chief of Staff intervened. Isnt this what the navy was sure about? Shouldnt you understand that things happened to ovep? As Hwang Hee defended the military, the Chief of Staff quickly responded. Thats right. I didnt know that they woulde to Aden so quickly, and I didnt know that they would discover andlessnd, presumed to be a continent, during their exploration to the east. Following Hwang Hee, the Chief of Staff stepped in to help, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy concluded the meeting. Thats right. Could it be that our naval forces did this by pretending not to know? This was force majeure even for our navy. Kim Jeom screamed at the sight of the military fervently insisting, I am innocent! These guys! So what are you going to do with your budget? Budget! If you did something wrong, you have to get an answer! Hearing Kim Jeoms shout, the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy quietly opened his mouth. Of course, we have to increase the amount significantly You idiot! Then taxes will increase! You think the people will stay still! The current state of affairs is such that even the simpletons who plow in the fields are thinking about how to reduce taxes! The Commander-in-Chief of the Navys mouth closed like a m due to Kim Jeoms beating. * * * As Kim Jeom said, the people of Joseon, who were now addicted to the sweet taste of money, were making every effort to save taxes, not evade taxes. And the easiest way to save money was to have multiple births. In order to properly increase the insufficient poption, the government provided not only financial support but also tax benefits to families with many children C at least five. No, it was not just economic support, but the trend was to establishmunal daycare facilities in more and more areas. With this cooperation between the government and the people, the poption of Joseon began to increase explosively. * * * How about releasing the gold and silver that we have been mining and collecting? At Hwang Hees words, Kim Jeoms expression became even more fierce. Dont you know what will happen if you loose it carelessly? Do you want to see the country turned upside down because of prices? If we solve it appropriately. Do you think it will be adequate in resolving the current situation? . Hwang Hees mouth closed at Kim Jeoms point. Among those gathered here, Kim Jeom was the most expert in matters of governance. He was usually the type of person who would tremble whenever the topic of money was mentioned, but since he had never caused such a fuss before, Hwang Hee kept quiet. If you do something wrong, the currency cirction that you worked so hard to establish will be destroyed! If things happen like that, that woman in Geunjeongjeon At that moment, Hwang Hee suddenly kicked Kim Jeoms shin. Aww! greatness! Keuhum! Hehehe! When Kim Jeom came to his senses with a scream, the people around him, including Hwang Hee, all cleared their throats and pretended not to notice. Aftering to his senses, Kim Jeom cleared his throat and organized his thoughts. greatness! Huh! The conclusion is that all policies regarding naval expansion must be canceled as of now! We need to inspect and adjust everything, starting with the instation of offshore naval bases. And the most smooth way to proceed with this is to report it to His Majesty the Prime Minister and then follow His Majestys decision. Lets do that. Hwang Hees words concluded that the situation was waiting for King Sejongs decision. When the meeting ended, Hwang Hee took Kim Jeom aside and said something. There is a saying that goes around in the author, In ces where there are no people, even the Lord criticizes you. But lets be careful. Of course, I know why the captain is angry, but shouldnt we still be careful? joy! Dont be scared! Even if you get caught, you will either be dismissed or exiled. Compared to struggling with a budget, thats a piece of cake! Speaking of which, I have to write a letter of resignation! Kim Jeom, who was in high spirits, became tearful after hearing Hwang Hees next words. It would be fortunate if I was exiled and sent to the Record Office. You didnt expect me to look like shit, did you? Shit. * * * As the issue was an issue, the issue immediately went up to King Sejong along with Jang-gye of Gangnam-gil. Hmm Its definitely good news, but its also bad news. Kim Jeom immediately opened his mouth in response to Sejongs assessment of understanding the core of the problem. Thats right. I wish I had hidden Mujujis discovery deeply Absolutely not! At that moment, Hyang interrupted Kim Jeom in an urgent voice. The attention of everyone in Geunjeongjeon was focused on the incense as it lookedpletely different from usual. I was just thinking that? Hyang immediately responded to Kim Jeoms words. Dont even think about it! Isnt there a precedent for such an idea actually taking ce? The empty ind policy. When Hyang mentioned the public road policy, Kim Jeom kept his mouth shut. During the reign of King Taejong, the residents of Mureungdo (Ulleungdo) and other inhabited inds were relocated to the maind due to damage from Japanese pirates and the escape of criminals. This policy could be abolished as King Sejongs military regime progressed and the Joseon navy secured control of the sea. Crown, I know what you want to say, but you must not forget to follow the procedures. Hyang immediately bowed her head at Sejongs harsh criticism. Im sorry. But the matter was so urgent Sejongs eyes lit up at Hyangs answer. You didnt look like this even when urgent news came that the Seo-i had appeared in Adenst time. But its really strange that he looks so devastated this time. What is the reason? In response to Sejongs question, Hyang immediately exined the reason. Just as our navy was thinking of going east, there will be people in the West who have simr thoughts. This means that in the near future, these people will also learn about Mujuji. We must take the lead in both the administrative and military aspects. Only then will it benefit our country. If you have a chance to take advantage of and whose very existence is a fraud, wouldnt you be a fool if you missed it? While Hyang was shouting inside, Sejong stroked his beard and muttered. Right. Peoples thoughts are said to be there, so if you think about time and cost, it would be natural for people to have simr thoughts Sejong, who was shaking his head while pondering Hyangs words, looked back at Kim Jeom. The left deputy prime minister will have to suffer a bit. With those words, everything was decided. In the end, Kim Jeom answered in a voice full of moisture. I follow your orders. King Sejong, who was looking at Kim Jeom with tears in his eyes with a sad expression, turned his attention to Jo Mal-saeng, the Chief of Staff, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. The situation has be this way, and since Joseons capabilities are limited, I think the navy will have to make a choice as well. Among the naval military camps to be installed offshore, please select two locations that are absolutely necessary. Where would you like it? They are also ces where the minimum is set. Please reduce it further. The Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, who had been thinking for a while about King Sejongs firm request, responded. Chittagong and Temasek areing. Thats exactly what I thought. So, lets first install it only in those two ces. Lets add other cester when the situation improves. I follow your orders. Once the situation was resolved, Sejong moved on. I think well need more challenger-ss fronts to facilitate exploration of the newly discovered terra incognita, right? So it is. Then discuss that with the Ministry of Finance and Economy and adjust the ratio. * * * Crown, please stay for a while. After the meeting regarding Mujuji, Hyang was trying to leave Geunjeongjeon but was stopped by King Sejong. When Hyang sat down again, Sejong asked her. The situation is like this, so I have no choice but to hire you. What happened to the steam engines that were to be installed on the wires? The engine itself has been developed to a point where it is a bitcking, but problems with the propulsion engine are still holding us back. Thrusters? Didnt you say that the spiral thruster was the fastest way to put it into practical use? Trial and error is ongoing to find the optimal size ratio. Ill give you one year. Present the results within it. Time and budget Use As soon as the pronunciation of double coat came out of Sejongs mouth, Hyang immediately closed her mouth. Sejong, who stared at Hyang for a moment, soon adjusted his expression and continued speaking. And as you can see from this chapter, going back and forth to Muju, where we havent even decided on a name yet, takes a lot of time. Therefore, it is certain that making the terra nulliusnd into Joseons territory will require a different method from what has been done so far. Think about it and report it in writing. I follow your orders. Ill give you three days. With the three-day time limit, Hyang looked at Sejong in confusion. Instead of increasing the budget by one day, should we cut the budget by 10%? I will finish it and upload it within three days! Sejong hurriedly bowed and muttered with a grin as he watched the scent disappear. Well, the conclusion is either a proxy purge or abdication. What I want is what you think about the intermediate process. The problem is how to run Joseon, which will expand significantly in the future. If you know that, you can know and refine the kind of Joseon you will lead. Sejong, who had been talking up to that point,ughed once again. But is there anything I can help you refine? * * * After leaving Geunjeongjeon, Hyang looked up at the sky and let out a long sigh. Whoa~. I dug my own grave. Even if we skip the intermediate process, the final choice is abdication or proxy purification. No? Do you think there is the highest chance of abdication? Abdication or proxy administration. Both Sejong and Hyang knew very well that the final choice was one of the two. As the distance wasrge, it was certain that the person dispatched to the New World to lead colonization would be guaranteed considerable authority. In this case, there was a very high probability that it would lead to rebellion or independence over time. In particr, anyone who had the power to control that continent, whose very existence was a fraud, would definitely be independent. Therefore, King Sejong was the only one who went to the New World andmanded everything without any problems. Of course, you could choose how the scent goes. However, it was unreasonable to send the next Crown Prince to and where one did not know what would exist. In the end, the only answer was abdication or proxy administration. Hyang continued walking and organized his thoughts. Im sure Abama knows this too. But did you give this order? In that case, what Abamama is asking for is the intermediate process. In other words. Hyang stopped talking and walking at the same time, looked towards the direction of Geunjeongjeon, and came to a conclusion. What Abama wants is a picture of the future Joseon. You want to know what the future Joseon that I and my descendants will lead will look like. Chapter 441 Episode 441: Pavement Stone (3) Returning to the study of Donggungjeon, Hyang ced the paper in front of him and entered the closet. After thinking for a while, Hyang soon scratched his head and muttered. No matter how much you think about it, the most efficient, stable, and longsting system is the federal system Hyang, who thought about the optimal national system in his view, moved on to the next point. First of all, you have toe up with a good title for the next part to work out well. In other words, the name of the country is important. Hyang wrote the names of the countries he came up with on a piece of paper and began erasing them and repeating them. Joseon Federation? Something is out of ce After crossing out the word Joseon Federation, Hyang wrote the word Goryeo Federation next. Is it because of Korea? Its the most familiar, but if you write this in Korean, the problem bes bigger. The taste of red is also the taste of red, but they are using Goryeo, which Joseon overthrew, as the name of the country It was less than 50 years since Goryeo copsed and the name of the country was changed to Joseon. But putting Goryeo in the name of the country? It was obvious what would happen. The scent that erased the word Koryo Federation wrote a different name. The next thing thates to mind is the Korean Empire This also feels a bit uneasy when I think of its makjang After mulling over several names, Hyang finally decided on the one that seemed the best. This might be best. Federal Empire of Korea was the name chosen by the township. Hyang rolled up his sleeves and wrote Federal Empire of Korea inrge letters on the cover of the n to be submitted to King Sejong. ruler! I wrote down the title shall we get started? * * * Meanwhile, in the conference room of the Prime Ministers residence, Hwang Hui and the ministers were gathered and talking. After all, we cant give up on the lordlessnd in the East that we discovered this time, right? Your Majesty will never give up. The ministers who heard the story between Kim Jeom and Hwang Hee all nodded. Although King Sejong used the excuse of being andless person with infinite possibilities, the ministers also had no intention of giving up on this. Of course, the officials in charge of the budget will feel like death. If we think about the problem of managingndless settlements, it will ultimately be a question of abdication or proxy administration. When Jo Gye-saeng, who was listening to the story, raised the choice of abdication or government by proxy, the ministers frowned and expressed their opinions. Perhaps Daejeongjeong would look better? Its definitely nice to see Daecheongjeong. Im abdicating. Aw~. Just thinking about it makes me want to gag. The ministers who uttered the word abdication trembled all over and quickly rinsed their mouths with tea water. For ministers, the word abdication was a word that brought back bad memories. * Each time, Yangnyeong had tomit the grave sin of ster, with her hair bald and wearing only a jacket and pants. He didnt just make a deration, he actually sent the royal seal to the crown prince through the royal pce. Yangnyeong, who epted this, immediately returned the royal seal to King Taejong, and the ministers gathered in the front yard of the pce and had to shout at the top of their voices, No! The problem was that this abdicationmotion by King Taejong was a political conspiracy. Through three abdication disturbances, Taejong identified the ministers who had favored Yangnyeong and found an excuse to purge Yangnyeongs maternal rtives, the Min brothers. Thus, King Taejong purged the Min family and his subjects who rebelled against him, using them of the crime of hyeop-yu-ri-gwon (׈̙) C trying to seize power with the young crown prince at his side. Therefore, whenever they heard the word abdication, the ministers shuddered. * * * The ministers who were predicting future events looked at Jo Mal-saeng and asked questions. If His Majesty the Lord takes over (the kings residence is moved), when do you think it will be? Jo Mal-saeng answered the ministers questions right away. As short as 5 years, as long as 10 years. Why is there such a difference? Even if its a challenger-level front, its best to go back and forth once a year. If all the challenger-level fronts that can be sent to the east are mobilized, and those fronts arrive without a single loss of a single ship, a bridgehead is established smoothly, and the indigenous people in thendless area go smoothly, it will be 5 years. If things go wrong due to various variables, 10 years. 5 to 10 years. In response to Jo Mal-saengs exnation, the ministers counted their fingers. Because this year is the year of Gyeongsin. This year, the 22nd year of King Sejong (the year of Gyeongsin, 1440), King Sejong was turning 43 years old. ording to Jo Mal-saengs calctions, King Sejong was in histe 40s to early 50s. It feels a bit scary The position of king was a position that could easily be short-lived. This was because running a country required a great deal of mental energy. Excessive consumption of mental power soon led to the copse of the body, which led to a short life. Still, your health is good thanks to the crown princes efforts so far, so you dont have to worry too much, right? And managing terra nullius will be easier than running state affairs These were ministers who did their best to think in a positive direction. ruler! Lets think about thatter! Hwang Hee raised her voice and settled the situation. That part is something that will be decided by His Majesty the Prime Minister, not us, so lets stop thinking about it! Of course. That would be best. At Hwang Huis words, the ministers gave up thoughts rted to abdication. However, the ministers who could not stop thinking about Mujuji continued to talk. By the way, how big do you think it will be? Didnt you say that even after going 4,000 miles down the coastline, the coastline is not over? Then wouldnt that mean its at least bigger than our Joseon territory? I guess so? While talking like that, Kim Jeom muttered softly. It would be great if it were at least as good as the Ming Dynasty If anything, it would be even better if there were a lot of things to pick out and eat At Kim Jeoms words, all the ministers nodded, regardless of who they were. Later, after hearing Kim Jeoms words through various channels, Hyang chuckled and muttered. Even if we only secure California, the left deputy prime minister will be flying everywhere. Gold mines famous for the gold rush and agricultural areas known for Kalos rice. By simple calction, the problem that Joseon was worried about could be solved if only this California area was properly secured. However, there was one thing that I was not familiar with. The Native Americans who upied the southwestern region of the United States, including California, were the Apache tribe, known for their fierceness. * * * Three dayster, Hyang presented at Geunjeongjeon about the new national operating system he hade up with. With the attention of King Sejong and the ministers focused on him, Hyang, standing next to therge ruler, paid homage to King Sejong. Get started. Yes Abama. In response to Sejongsmand, Hyang cleared her throat for a moment and then opened her mouth. ording to the order given to me by Abamama three days ago, I tried to think about it. This is because the territory of Joseon is gradually expanding, and just recently we discovered Mujuji, which is considered a continent. Hyang started by exining the current situation and then turned the sign on the chart. I turned over the nk cover and found six letters written inrge letters on the newly revealed paper. -Federal Empire of Korea (n“ۇ) This is the new national operating system and name of the country I came up with. At Hyangs words, there was a slightmotion inside Geunjeongjeon. Be quiet. After calming down themotion, Sejong checked the words written on the paper and asked Hyang. When you say Daehan, does it mean that it inherited the legacy of the unification of the three Koreas? yes. The word federation is a bit unfamiliar, but to exin it, it means that countries are connected, and it is called an empire After pausing for a moment to gather his thoughts, King Sejong asked Hyang again. Has the feudal system of the old state been revived? Its simr, but very different. Hyang continued to exin as he flipped through the paper. -As Joseons territory bes wider, direct rule bes increasingly difficult. -This brought about great difficulties in governing the area newly incorporated into the Joseon Dynasty. -If you do not know the situation of the remote area well, you can force policies that do not fit the situation of the region, and in that case, the people of the remote area will be dissatisfied. -This will lead to rebellion among the people who were incorporated with difficulty, and integration will be a distant task. -Therefore, Wonji creates an administrative bodyposed of residents of the region and promotes policies suited to the local situation. -The center secures national defense and diplomatic rights in return for granting local autonomy. This is where the difference from the states feudal system arises. The force of the administrative body that runs the area is limited to what is possible to maintain security. Hmm King Sejong nodded at Hyangs exnation, and the ministers also nodded with friendly faces. I think its pretty good After that, the exnation of the fragrance continued at length. That is all. After finishing the exnation, Hyang looked at Sejong. How do you feel? I think its pretty good, but Sejong, who was slowly mulling over the contents, asked Hyang. Are you nning to separate the Jurchen region, Daeseoldo Ind, and Jongjangdo Ind? It is not the Jurchen and Dongbing Port areas, but I think it is better to separate the Daeseoldo and Jongjangdo areas. Is this because the Jurchen area and Dongbing Port are connected bynd, but Daeseol Ind and Jongjang Ind are separated by the sea? Thats right. Sejong nodded at Hyangs answer and fell into thought again. When Sejong stopped asking questions, Hwang Hee asked a question this time. Daeseoldo Ind and Jongjangdo Ind do not cause much concern, considering the vastness of thend and Hangsan Mountain. But the problem is ignorance. Considering the size of Muju and the potential that has yet to be fully confirmed, wouldnt it be dangerous? If you do something wrong, the positions of the suzerain and dependent countries can change. Please think about the rtionship between omens and fares. Diplomatic rtions were established between Goryeo and Gyogu, calling them brother countries. However, before we knew it, the positions of the older and younger brothers were reversed, andter Goryeos position fell to a quick position. Hwang Hee pointed out this very point. The size of thend we had just discovered was sorge that it could be called a continent. With its size, it was natural that it would surpass Joseons national power over time. In that case, there could be no guarantee that the tragedy of Goryeo would not happen again to Joseon. Hyang nodded and responded to Hwang Hees point. That part could be problematic. So the answer to Mujuji, in my opinion, is not onend, one country, but a federal system of onend, many countries. United States! Of course, the next one will be Korea, not America. Iljidakuk? For a moment, Hwanghee seemed to not understand properly, so Hyang exined with an example. Just as Zhou divided the central in into princely states, Muju is also divided into several pieces. And Joseon is about mediating and monitoring between those pieces. What if those pieces join forces and rebel? In response to Hwang Hees question, Hyang actually asked back. Have you ever seen that the neighboring Jurchen tribes get along well with each other? ah! It was only then that Hwang Hee understood Hyangs question and let out an exmation. Chapter 442 Episode 442: Pavement Stone (4) After Hwang Hui and the other ministers seemed to understand, Hyang added. Of course, it is possible that Ilji, Many Kingdoms may not be properly established and it may be Ilji, One Country. But yes. Whether human or animal, the torso is muchrger than the head, but the torso cannot rece the head. I think this is also true of the federal system I thought of. No matter how big the body is, it cannot rece the head Thats a good thing to say. Thats right. King Sejong and the ministers nodded and expressed admiration at Hyangs words. Looking at that scene, Hyang muttered to herself. It is notorious in Africa, Asia and Irnd, but the Commonwealth is still the most useful. Of course, that damn notoriety is the problem The rtionship Hyang was thinking of was the rtionship between Canada, Australia, New Zend, and the UK. Although they may seem sparse, they are the ones who continue to have a strong connection. Of course, that rtionship may be because the majority of those countries are white people with roots in Ennd, but if you look at it that way, didnt the Native Americans also say that their origins were in Asia? Crown Prince? yes? yes! Hyang, who had lost herself in Samcheonpo while letting her imagination run wild, quickly returned to reality when she heard Sejongs voice calling her. Im sorry. I was thinking about something else for a moment What were you thinking about? Im sorry. Seeing that Hyang hade to his senses, Sejong immediately asked a question. As you said earlier, it seems truly beautiful that Joseon is ying the role of head. Then what do you think Joseon should protect and share in order to continue its role as head? There are three things you must keep. Three things? Isnt that too little? Absolutely not. Sejongs eyes actually lit up at Hyangs firm answer. okay? Lets take a listen. What are those three things? Intellectual capital is food self-sufficiency. The reason is. Hyang exined why those three things must be observed. -Joseon must have the most pioneering knowledge regarding physics and technology for making objects. This goes without saying. King Sejong and the ministers nodded to the first reason. Sejong went one step further. Then I understand why capital must be protected. Hyang nodded strongly at Sejongs words. Thats right. Of course, the newly acquiredndlessnd will berger than the maind in terms of governance. However, if maind Joseon takes the lead in securing and operating the most important capital, that is, seed money, it can sufficiently maintain its leadership. Thats right, thats right! This is so! At Hyangs words, Kim Jeom nodded his head in agreement, breaking his neck. Hyang smiled and gave a small nod to Kim Jeom before continuing. For the first knowledge part, I only talked about physics and technology to make it easier to understand, but the ideological part must also maintain its position as a pioneer. Thoughts? Isnt the reason we treat the Ming with great respect simply because the Ming isrge? After asking that short question, Hyang closed his mouth. But no one knew what the scent was trying to say. Thanks to this, the air inside Geunjeongjeon suddenly became heavy. In an atmosphere where even feathers felt as heavy as rocks, the first to speak was Sejong. okay. I fully understand the necessity of that part, and it is something that we must achieve. Thank goodness there are people who are best suited to entrust this to me. At King Sejongs words, all the ministers and ministers nodded. * * * The people, regardless of whether they are high or low, pursue only wealth and material possessions, so morality is thrown into the ground! It is important to find the truth hidden in physics and find convenience, but it is also important to enlighten and teach the truth! As appeals with this content surfaced, King Sejong established a research institute to study Confucianism. However, both King Sejong and the local ministers were not pleased with the growing voices of idealists, as they were far removed from orthodox Confucianism. Therefore, the research institutes created in this way were filled with former officials with administrative experience as well as Confucian schrs, and there was a constant war of words between them. And King Sejong and Hyang watched from the side, fanning themselves hard. popcorn! I need popcorn! This was the line that Hyang shouted every time he heard their argument. * * * Okay, I understand the first and second reasons. So why is food self-sufficiency important? In the case of the terra incognita that we have just discovered, it is said to be a forested in just a short distance from the coast. Then wouldnt the problem of farnd be solved? Hyang nodded to Sejongs question. Thats right. Maybe so. If that happens, our country will definitely be able to escape from food shortage. Then hasnt the problem of food self-sufficiency been solved? Even if there is a problem with the food situation in the maind, if it is solved by bringing in food from the source King Sejong, who had been talking up to that point, suddenly stopped talking. Sejong, who was thinking about what he had just said, shook his head. Right. That would be a problem. Thats right. Therefore, we must maintain food self-sufficiency. Meanwhile, the ministers began to grumble inwardly at the conversation between King Sejong and Hyang. It started again! A Zen question that only rich people know! Ah-oh! Are they bragging about how smart they are? Hwang Hee came forward and asked if he knew how the ministers felt. As you said, even if it is remotend, it is ultimately the samend of Joseon. Just as it is natural to send grain from Gyeongsang or Jeo when there is a bad harvest in Gangwon-do, isnt it natural for Wonji to help when there is a problem on the maind? I answered Hwang Hees question because I smelled it. The problem is that if we make even the slightest mistake, the seeds of independent farmers on the maind will dry up. Among the countries of the West, there was a country called Rome I heard that Rome began to tremble knowingly or unknowingly after it took over Egypt, right? Hyang exined the reason using the example of Rome. Therefore, for the sake of social stability on the maind, we must maintain an appropriate level of food self-sufficiency. Ah The ministers, including Hwang Hee, all nodded at Hyangs exnation. The scent of the ministers began to harden. You must never forget the efforts that Abama has made to foster self-employed farmers in Joseon since she started making gyeongjang. The first thing I did when I started building a lighthouse was to destroy thendowners. Of course, the biggest goal at this time was to wrest control of local viges from thendlords, but it was also a reality that self-employed farmers fostered through this process were bing a major source of ie for Joseons finances. Hmm So, does that mean we should avoid greatly fostering agriculture in remote areas? Of course, I understand that self-sufficiency is necessary for the stability of the maind The Hyang immediately responded to Kim Jeoms remarks, unable to hide his disappointment. No, we need to nurture them. This will also need to be fostered on arge scale. We have to prepare in case there is a famine in the maind and self-sufficiency bes difficult Pausing for a moment, Hyang nced at the officers and the masters and lowered his voice. There is a saying like this, right? If our house catches fire, its chaos, but if someone elses house catches fire, its the best spectacle. At Hyangs words, not only Kim Jeom but also King Sejong and the ministers all showed angry expressions. No way When Kim Jeom made a no-brainer expression, Hyang smiled bitterly. There are neighbors around us who are dangerous to us. It may not sound good, but if necessary, shouldnt we at least throw out a spark? At that moment, all the ministers thought the same thing. Such wickedness! The magistrates and magistrates should organize themselves. In protecting the country, sometimes you have to be prepared to do injustice. I follow your orders. The magistrates and state governors responded to King Sejongsmand by bowing their heads, but the content of the post was slightly different. C says the officer. It may be the fate of a politician to be prepared to do injustice in protecting the country. However, I think it is not good to talk about injustice before it even begins. However, sometimes there are countries where you want to start a fire rather than just throw a spark. * * * The presentation of the scent was alreadying to an end. Is there anything else the Crown Prince would like to say? yes. In response to Sejongs question, Hyang gathered her thoughts for a moment and opened her mouth. I know very well what the ministers are worried about right now. A newly discoveredndlessnd. Mujuji couldnt even confirm how big it was. Of course, there will be indigenous people there, and even if they submit to Joseons people, there is a definite possibility that the superiority and inferiority will be reversed. The ministers nodded at Hyangs words. But now, think again about the strength of our Joseon Dynasty. How much wider is it than when you started? Even if you exclude the Daeseoldo and Jongjangdo areas, it is almost twice asrge as before. Nevertheless, the forest area of the northeast still remains endlessly unexplored, and although adventurous attempts must be made, the old Goguryeond of Liaodong remains. I am confident that if we manage this region properly, the maind of Joseon will be no less difficult. wait? Hoo? The ministers who were examining the map at Hyangs words nodded with their eyes shining. * * * Although the climate was harsh, the unexplored forest areas of the northeastern region C known as East Siberia in history before the intervention of the township C continued to yield timber and other valuable resources. Not only the forests and resources, but also the indigenous people who had settled in the forest areas were one by one returning to Joseon and gradually bing the people of Joseon. Because of this, the Ministry of National Defense had to update the map every month. This was because I had to fill in information about the area I had newly learned through valuable tribes. As Joseon secured the forest areas of the northeastern region, it was quietly approaching the eastern border of the Liaodong region, which was controlled by the Ming Dynasty. And King Sejong and militarymanders muttered simr words every time they looked at the map. Someday * * * As Hyangs remarks ended, Sejong came to a conclusion. From what I hear, I think the crown princes n is quite good. It is indeed so. Thats right. Hwang Hui and the ministers responded to King Sejongs words. Seeing the positive reactions of the ministers, King Sejong added. However, this is just one persons idea, so there will be some shorings. So, gentlemen, please borate and report based on the crown princes ns. I follow your orders. And the Left Deputy Prime Minister. Yes, Your Highness. When Sejong singled out him in particr, Kim Jeom lowered his head with a very nervous expression. I think we need to increase the budget. However, since we cannot increase our tax revenue carelessly, I think we will have to release the funds we have saved up. Kim Jeom answered Sejongs words by closing his eyes tightly. Yes, Your Highness. As if he knew Kim Jeoms feelings, Sejong added. However, unconditionally loosening it will not help the country, so look at this years and next years expenditure items and reduce what can be reduced. Kim Jeom responded in a loud voice to King Sejongsmand. I follow your orders! * * * Not long after the meeting ended, Kim Jeom stormed into the Office of the Minister of National Defense. Choose! What do you mean? Eulsik long guns and Eulsik freight cars! Choose one of the two! Both cannot be mass-produced at the same time! But Even the Gap-style rifle is no match now! So take your pick! Your Majesty didnt say that anything that can be reduced should be reduced! Jo Mal-saeng had to make a choice with tears in his eyes due to Kim Jeoms words. I will choose the Eulsik Hwacha. As expected, it was a choice befitting the firepower-mad Joseon people. * * * Chapter 443 Episode 443: Pavement Stone (5) Following King Sejongs order, the ministers began work on adding or subtracting weight based on Hyangs n. They told me to supplement it, so I guess I have to supplement it However, the practitioners in charge of the actual work looked embarrassed and muttered. What do I need to know to improve? Federal system was an unfamiliar concept to them. This is it. The working-level staff, who had been pondering over and over again, eventually asked Hyang for help. Please give me instructions! Hyang responded with a small sigh to the requests from working-level staff seeking help. Ha~. Neither you nor I have time, so lets stay up all night. After receiving an all-night special lecture, the working-level staff gained an understanding of the concept of federalism. Do you have any questions? I dont have any. At the question asked by Hyang on thest day of the special lecture, all working-level staff shook their heads. Then thank you for your hard work. I look forward to good results. I will do my best. After politely bowing and returning to their assigned offices, the working team sat around the conference desk and talked. I didnt mention it earlier, but if the federal system is to survive for a long time, monopoly of power is impossible. Didnt the crown prince already say that? Except for diplomacy and national defense, the rest will be distributed to the people of the newly acquired strongholds, regardless of whether they are provinces or provinces. Thats where the problem arises. Power is distributed like that to newly acquiredndless areas, but not to the maind? As time passes, there will definitely be people who are dissatisfied. The officials turned serious when they heard their colleagues story. They are just overlooking it because they are used to it, but Joseon was a despotic monarchy system. If you look at that part, doesnt His Majesty the Lord share power with his subjects to some extent? Wouldnt it be okay for provinces and provinces to do the same? Its not sharing, its distribution. Have you forgotten Ryu Jeong-hyeons imprisonment that urred when the civil war broke out? Ah Look! When one official mentioned Ryu Jeong-hyeon, other officials quickly silenced themselves and other officials urgently cautioned the person who made the problematic statement. * * * Although it was not said openly, the reason why Ryu Jeong-hyeon and the senior ministers who shared his views were purged was because they attempted to share power with King Sejong. The reason why Ryu Jeong-hyeons group attempted such a thing was because they thought King Sejongs power was unstable at the time. They thought they wouldpromise with themselves in order to stabilize their unstable power, but King Sejong responded with a strong attack. As a result, Ryu Jeong-hyeons group was purged. And Sejong acquired absolute power, even stronger than Taejong. Afterwards, as he entered thetter half of his reign, he transferred considerable authority to ministers. However, this was distribution, not sharing. * * * Despite receiving a warning, the person who made the statement in question continued to talk about it. Think about it! There is no need to worry about His Majesty the Lord and the Crown Prince of Danggeum, as they are incredibly talented people. We can just follow along. But What do you think will happen to this country if a king or a tyrant ascends to the throne in the next generation, or three generationster? If you have already established a country and expect it to grow into an empire, shouldnt you establish an empire that willst a thousand years? Just like Si! Shh! A cancer or a tyrant! Shh! An empire! Fellow officials looked around and cautioned against the dangerous remark. However, some officials reflected on the remarks with bright eyes. Its an empire Its a thousand-year empire Hey guys! What are you doing! I cant stop you! While the other officials were raising their voices, the door to the conference room burst open and Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in entered. what! Whats so loud! Is the work finished? When youre done, give it to me. I should review it before posting it above. The officials became lost in thought as they listened to the words of Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in, the first and second ranked working-level officials. No, thats not it not yet The special lecture just ended today A special lecture is a special lecture and a task is a task! You havent been able to go to Hwawolru for five days now since I took over this job? Are you guys going to take responsibility if the scent gets windy? yes? At Kim Jong-seos words, Hwang Bo-in red at Kim Jong-seo and muttered. Why is Maehyang there Thats it! Whats the problem? Its an argument, not work! There was a bit of a disagreement What are you going to use your fist for? Hearing Kim Jong-seos words, Hwang Bo-in ced his hand on his forehead and muttered. After hanging out with the Jurchen people, the person waspletely ruined Hearing Hwang Bo-ins words, the officials all muttered the same thing to themselves. If the Jurchen people hear that sound, they will rush in to fight to the death! Considering the legend-like rumors heard from the Hamgil Ind region, Hwang Bo-ins words werepletely different from the truth. Anyway, once themotion subsided, Kim Jong-seo asked the officials a question. Why on earth were you arguing like that? Thats Stop dragging it on! Ah yep! In response to Kim Jong-seos shouting, the officials exined the point of contention so far. Hmm After hearing the officials exnation, Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in were lost in thought with serious faces that werepletely different from before. While he was silent and thinking for a long time, it was Hwang Bo-in who spoke first. As for the quality of the sessor, hasnt something already been prepared since the time of Daegam Sambong? A contest with Seja City Gangwon. When Hwang Bo-in mentioned the contest, subordinate officials raised counterarguments. Hasnt that already be obsolete? Thats because His Majesty the Lord and the Crown Prince were so outstanding that they quickly put it aside and it still has its ce in thew books. Now that the original grandson has reached a certain level of alignment, it will be reinstalled soon. okay. The subordinate officials nodded to Hwang Bo-ins exnation. * * * Crown Prince Gangwon and Gyeongyeon were established to prevent as much as possible the cases where an ipetent monarch ascended to the throne and ruined the country. The core intellectuals of the founding of Joseon, led by Jeong Do-jeon, expected that if only those two were properly maintained, monarchs with the minimum ability would take over the throne. The problem was that in thete Joseon Dynasty, the royal line was cut off, coterals often ascended to the throne, and as the power politics continued, the Crown Princes Gangwon and Gyeongyeon became useless. * * * Following Hwang Bo-ins exnation, Kim Jong-seo spoke. And the issue of ownership of power is something that His Majesty the Lord and the Crown Prince are already aware of and probably have a solution for. yes? The crown prince once announced his political views just before the public spectacle broke out. It was truly amazing. The officials eyes widened at Kim Jong-seos words. Have you seen in person the announcement of political views that you have only heard about? In response to his subordinates questions, Kim Jong-seo nodded and continued speaking. Some people said that His Majesty the Lord spoke what He meant through the crown princes mouth, but that is nonsense. Why would you go to such trouble when you could just say it yourself? Ah The officials nodded at Kim Jong-seos words. There is a person who announced his political views at the age of only 8. And the one who raised him was the Lord. Do you think His Majesty the Lord and the Crown Prince dont know this? Thats true, but Kim Jong-seo shook his head at the sight of the officials who still had puzzled expressions even though they said that. I trust these guys Im sorry. Okay, its just my personal opinion, but considering the number of bowls of rice Ive eaten in themunal cafeteria, its probably close. His Majesty the Lord and the Crown Prince will share power. However, he will divide it, but he will divide it veryrge and very finely. Do you mean big or small? okay. He probably shares power with the people. With the people? One of the subordinate officials who was pondering Kim Jong-seos words suddenly let out an exmation. ah! Are you talking about the entire people, not just the nobles? okay. Is that possible? I think its difficult. The subordinate officials reacted negatively to Kim Jong-seos answer. Kim Jong-seo snorted at that reaction. joy! These guys only know one thing and dont know the other! Get rid of the idea that power can only be held by monarchs or noblemen! Have you forgotten what His Majesty the Lord has been crying out for since the beginning of the sutra? Equality between citizens. Yes! Also, think about why you nurture merchants and craftsmen with all kinds of benefits, and why you run the Social Democratic Institute with government funds even though the Ministry of Finance and Economy officials are having a hard time with nosebleeds every time they prepare the budget! Do you think this is just to increase revenue and increase the number of people to be used as officials? Ah At Kim Jong-seos words, the subordinate officials looked like they had been hit. Looking at the expressions of his subordinates, Kim Jong-seo put a period to his words. I know for a fact that the more ink gets into peoples minds and the darker it bes, the more greedy they be. The desire for power cannot be included in that greed. So, sharing power with the people makes the monarch morefortable. Because they will bite and fight among themselves. When you have authority, responsibility alsoes with it. That means that I cant die alone does not only apply to officials. Ah Only then did the officials nod loudly as if they understood. Kim Jong-seo screamed after seeing the officials. So stop worrying about unnecessary things and write the report quickly! Fifteen dayster, King Sejong epted the supplementary n. Hmm I think most of the items conclude with It is best to quickly adjust to the local situation. Im sorry. The powers of the gods are so low When Hwang Hee bowed her head and apologized, King Sejong shook his head. There is no need to apologize. Since we know so little about Mujuji, it is inevitable that we wille to this conclusion. But there is one thing I like. In order to quickly stabilize the local area and create a strong sense of belonging, someone in a very high position must go andmand the scene. Hmm As expected this is a good statement. The best form of an empire is like Yeonliji(B֦). Yeonjira Yeonjira. King Sejong, who really liked the word Yeonjira, which refers to two trees touching and bing one, pondered the words and looked back at Jo Mal-saeng. How much time is needed to establish an agency to direct colonial policy? It takes five to 10 years. The reason is. Jo Mal-saeng gave a simr exnation to the one he had given to the ministers before. After hearing Jo Mal-saengs exnation, King Sejong thought for a moment and gave an order to Jo Mal-saeng. Finish preparations within 5 years. I follow your orders. After giving orders to Jo Mal-saeng, King Sejong looked outside Geunjeongjeon and muttered. The good times have all gone. I have to work now, right? At the same time, while working in Area 51, the scent hit my ears fiercely. Aww~. Who is going to curse at me? In this way, the germ of the Korean Federal Empire was nted. It was the beginning of an empire that wouldter be heard from all kinds of stories, starting with the ck screen of a global conspiracy. Other countries who looked at the Korean Empires actions always shook their heads with an expression of iprehension. no way! Those crazy bastards! -Crazy people who fight among themselves whenever they get the chance, but when another country intervenes, they band together and shout Do you want to go back? as if they had never done that before. -Crazy guys who know very well that they are great. -Crazy people who fought for 30 years over the foreignnguage spelling of the countrys name and then fixed the internationalnguage as Korean. Chapter 444 Episode 444 Seo Yi ()es to Joseon. (1) In August of the 20th year of King Sejongs reign (1440, Gyeongsin Year), trading ships arrived riding the monsoon. The flock of trading ships anchored at a waiting station built on Dalido, a short distance from Suyeong in Mokpo. This was one of Joseons measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Regardless of nationality, trade ships docked at Dalido had to undergo a five-day quarantine period before they could enter the trade port built near Suyeong in Mokpo. And it was a spectacle for nearby residents to see trade ships carrying things out like that. The ships, which had strange shapes and painted hulls in all sorts of colors, were great eye candy. He was also a good customer. Residents on small wooden boats approached trading ships and sold fresh fruit, food, and alcohol, and sailors who had not had proper food during the long voyage weed the residents warmly. Therefore, senior sailors who had visited Joseon several times not only had Joseon currency but were also able to converse in simple Korean. Even when ites to conversation, its alcohol! Its expensive! was almost everything. Chi-seok, one of the residents watching the boats entering Dalido, poked the side of his fellow passenger. why? Chi-seok asked back a question asked by a colleague who was looking at other ships with a sour expression on his face. The challenger went out and came back after hitting the cub? What kind of runaway goat is the challenger? Beat the bastard and make hime back? Are you sitting here making a fuss after eating well? In response to his colleagues scolding, Chi-seok pointed to one side with his finger and raised his voice. Open your eyes and look over there! A colleague who saw what Tartar was pointing at muttered with a puzzled look on his face. I see? Behind the challenger-ss front line heading towards Dalido, three ships of simr shape but much smaller were following along. Although the hull length was short, the high bow and stern were almost identical to those of the Challenger ss ships. Where do those shipse from? The ships that followed the Challenger ss line were ships from Portugal. * * * The prince has arrived in Joseon. At the captains words, Prince Henry came up to the deck. You look lively. The captain nodded to Prince Henrys impressions as he looked at the Mokpo swimming pool and the trading port next to it in the distance. Thats right. You look very energetic. Prince Henry, who was nodding at the captains words, clenched his fists and muttered. Since I came to the Land of Flowers, I must achieve results. You have to do your best to negotiate. Negotiation is the only way. Prince Henrys words as he braced himself were filled with an unknown sense of desperation. * * * Recently, Prince Henry was almost at the edge of a cliff. Foreign currency guest. This was Prince Henrys current state. In the race to bypass Africa, Henry invested enormous amounts of money to stay ahead of otherpetitors, including Spain, Ennd, and France C especially Spain. The problem was that it was impossible for the Kingdom of Portugal to provide all these funds. Therefore, Henrik had to join hands with the capital of Florence, symbolized by Cosimo de Medici. However, aspetition intensified, more and more funds were needed, and Henry had to borrow money from other capitalists, mainly Portuguese nobles. However, unlike Cosimo, those who invested new funds were less patient. As these investors continued to demand results, Henry distributed the colonys territory acquired through exploration to them and supplied ves for them. By operating arge number of ves on the allocatednd, the nobles began to make significant profits. But Henry still maintained the status quo. Although he gained a reputation as a strong supporter of explorers, he did not have much in hand. As this situation continued, even the royal family began to look at Prince Henry with critical eyes, and merchants sent by Cosimo de Medici began to examine the ledgers more meticulously. To ovee this difficulty, The Land of Flowers is the only answer! Prince Henry made a firm decision and headed across the desert to Suez. ording to a pre-nned n, they were waiting for the fleet that had bypassed Africa to arrive at Suez. And the time when the fleet arrived was when the ships sent from Joseon were staying in Suez. We are going to Joseon with Joseons ships! If we can get exclusive trade rights with Joseon, we can solve everything! This was Henrys n. With Portugals strength, we can obtain exclusive trade rights! Henrik was even thinking of using force if things didnt work out. However, Henrys confidence began to crumble little by little as time passed. * * * Henrys confidence began to crumble from the moment he saw the Joseon ship anchored in Suez. -Hull length 120 to 140 cubits (about 62 m). At first, I knew about it through rumors collected in Alexandria andter through a report that summarized what I had personally visited Suez, but the Joseon front line that I actually saw was huge and looked solid. Henrik was a little dispirited when he saw the hull rising so high that he had to tilt his head upward, but he still did his best to think positively. If you look at the fact that we are sending only two ships at most, it means that there are not many suchrge ships. If you form a proper fleet, you have a chance of winning. While I was making that positive decision, the fleet I had been waiting for arrived. While the Portuguese fleet was resting at Suez, Henri, apanied by an interpreter, visited the Koreans. I want to follow you to Joseon with my fleet. The Koreans who heard of Henrys request shared their opinions with others. The Koreans, who were exchanging opinions in the unknown Koreannguage, nodded as if they had reached a consensus and gave their answers through an interpreter. Its a rough road, but if youre confident, you can follow it. Henrik responded immediately to the interpreters words. I have confidence. thanks. Returning to his lodgings, Henri chuckled andughed at the Koreans. Its a rough road, but what if youre confident? These are the people who endured the triangr waves at the tip of Africa. You look at me so ridiculously. The triangr waves created when the ocean currents of the Antic and Indian Oceans meet were predators that preyed on ships carrying clumsy sailors. Those who hade through the sea were the fleet in front of us. Henrique, who believed in his crew and ship, found the words of the Koreans absurd. Three dayster, the Korean ships departed Suez. * * * As the Joseon ships departing from Suez and passing through Aden went east, Henrys confidence gradually crumbled. The first factor that broke Henrys confidence was therge Joseon ships leisurely dividing the sea in front of him. Joseonsrge ships, which were not expected to be very numerous, increased to three more in Chittagong. If you think about the maintenance and supply of the five ships we have seen so far, at least ten Henrik, who was estimating the approximate number, slightly shook his head. There are ten suchrge ships Is it possible? A ship is not something that can be made cheaply If you consider the supply and demand of crew members Henrik calcted the numbers again, relying on the experience he had umted while supporting the exploration that had been going on, and came to a conclusion. More than ten ships is impossible. Ten ships is the limit. Even though that was the conclusion, Henriques expression was not very good. With ten suchrge ships we will have to mobilize at least a third of the fleet. If I do this wrong, I will lose money, right? But soon enough, Henrik had to recalcte. It was the firepower of the challenger-level front that made Henrik recalcte. Before leaving Chittagong, Henry hired a guide for arge sum of money. You know the way to Kitai and Joseon? I know very well. The Kitayin guide answered very confidently. We are going to Joseon with those Joseon ships. The guide immediately frowned at Henrys words. There are many pirates on the road from here to Joseon. Is your armament strong? At the guides question, the captains expressions turned sharp and they all pulled out their swords. However, despite the captains hurried actions, the guide became tired andughed. A sword is not enough. Do you have cannons? there is. many? Its appropriate. There must be a lot. The Koreans ships have many cannons, so even pirates dont touch them. But weak ships attack on their own like ghosts. Of course, Joseon ships stepped in to stop them, but a few of them were still captured. Its like a school of sharks. We have cannons and Arquebus. I dont know what it is, but you have to be prepared. Especially because the road from Chittagong to Mka is full of pirates. * * * What the guide said was not a joke. The moment we entered the narrow strait from Chittagong to a, pirates who had been ambushed from all directions attacked us. As the pirates rushed in, the fleet of the Arab merchant Mansour, who had been following the Joseon ships, gathered in one ce and the Joseon ships began to surround them. Quickly get in there! hurry! At the torch of the guide, Henrys fleet gathered together with Mansurs fleet. And a battle took ce outside, surrounded by Joseon ships. And Henry had to recalcte the firepower the Joseon army showed there. Five Challenger-ss ships formed a circr formation, but the gap was quite wide. Therefore, the only aspect of the battle was the response of the pirate ships trying to break into this gap and take the merchant ship hostage, and the challenger-ss fronts trying to stop them. Both Joseon soldiers and pirates were worn-outbat masters, having been fighting continuously since the beginning of long-distance trade in Joseon. Thats amazing. Both Both the pirates trying to break through with their amazing maniption skills and the Joseon army blocking him and firing bombs were all beyond Henriks imagination. Thanks to this, as the battle progressed, Henrys face began to turn whiter and whiter. We have to deal with guys like that? The pirates, who were as cunning as sharks looking for loopholes, and the Joseon army, who tore the pirates to pieces, were all a step above the rivals and Arab pirates that he and his subordinate captains had faced so far. Even if the road to Joseon is opened, I am worried about pirates. While Henrik was nodding his head to the words of the captain who brought him on board, an unfamiliar noise was heard from a nearby Joseon ship. Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-tang! With an unfamiliar noise, a pirate ship that had dug into the blind spot of the Joseon armys cannon instantly turned red. It was stained with the blood of the pirates on the pirate ship. And Henry could see. An unusual-looking cannon installed on the deck of a Joseon military ship was raining bullets at the unfortunate pirate ship. The bloody battle that took ce so fiercely ended with the pirates retreating as they were unable to break through the Joseon armys defensework. While the battle was going on, the guide who had been hiding suddenly reappeared and spoke to Henrik. It will be safe all the way to Mka. is it? That night, as he sat at his cabin desk, Henri muttered as he recorded the days events. Is it possible to mobilize the entire fleet? Chapter 445 Episode 445 Seo Yi ()es to Joseon. (2) After the battle, on the way to a, Henrique asked the guide. Are there many pirates on the way to a? many. There are a lot of them on the way to a City and on the way around Temasek to Luzon. No, its better to think that everything on the way to Joseon is crowded. Henrik and the captains faces became serious at the guides words. If there are that many While Henry was struggling to speak, the captain continued with a question. I saw earlier that the pirates were causing a lot of damage. Do you always attack me like that? The guide nodded to the captains question. Pirates are as persistent as sharks. What makes it worth it is that the value of the cargo loaded on Joseon ships is enormous, right? If you rob it properly, all the surviving pirates can live and y for years. Henrik and the captain nodded at the same time at the guides words. But Henrik had another question at the same time. Where do pirates get their personnel? * * * The value of cargoing from the Land of Flowers was enormous. Thanks to this, pirates were not the only ones targeting the cargo. Even on thend route from Suez to Alexandria, there were many thieves targeting these cargoes or sales proceeds and products. The reason it was in past tense was because the bandits who attacked it so much were massacred every time, making their existence almost rare. ording to rumors, the Joseon army used weapons simr to the Archebus in an amazing way. It was an added bonus that the unbelievable story was that when they ran out of bullets, they killed more bandits with bows and arrows, and the even more unbelievable story that when the Joseon army fired an arrow with a bow, it would fly 1,000 cubits (approximately 480 meters) and catch the bandits. . * * * Because Henry knew that the desert bandits had be extinct, he became curious as to why the pirates persistent challenge was possible. In the end, Henrik asked the guide the reason. From what I saw earlier, the damage caused by the pirates was significant. How can we gather all those people? The guide answered Henrys question with a sarcastic expression. There are people everywhere who have difficulty making a living. Henrik and the captain nodded in response to the guides answer. * * * As the guide said, there have been no pirate attacks since that one battle. After a peaceful voyage, the Joseon fleet and the merchant ships that followed Henrys fleet arrived in Mka. As the Joseon ship docked at the port, the port became noisy. You wee Koreans? Because I spend my money well. We usually stay here for one to three days, so we can supply and prepare ordingly. How long does it take to get to Joseon? About 20 days if I ride the wind well? The guide who exined up to that point looked at the challenger-level battle line with eyes full of greed. For that ship, it would take fifteen days, but Henrik and the captains eyes widened at the guides words. A guy that big is that fast? It didnt look like that? I deliberately went slowly because there were many boats going together. Its incredibly fast without a bunch of luggage following you. No way I saw it myself. Thanks to you, I was able to fight off pirates and be a guide. At the guides answer, Henriques heart suddenly felt heavy. This is it The guides next words, whether he knew how Henry was feeling or not, were a sight to behold. I only heard this through rumors. They say that if you go to maind Joseon, there are ships faster than those ships. Huh. * * * After resting and resupplying in Mka, Henrys fleet left Mka with other ships following the Joseon fleet. As it passed Temasek and Luzon and moved further northeast, the size of the fleet grew. Every time a new, unfamiliar-looking ship approached, the guide exined the nationality of the ships to Henrik and the captain. Those ships are from Siam (todays Thand). Those ships are from Nam Viet (now Vietnam). The guide also exined what the ships mainly carry. Henriks eyes brightened again at the guides exnation. Its the golden scent Ive only heard about! If you can monopolize properly, your kingdom will be the best in the world! And my position will be stronger! If necessary, we must seed in monopolizing even by mobilizing the entire fleet! It was Henrik who dreamed of monopolizing the trade route, even if it meant resorting to military force. Those Joseon ships are a bit burdensome, but if we make this voyage sessful, we can gather investors on arge scale! Then you can further increase the size of your fleet! Then itspletely possible! However, upon arriving near Joseon, Henriques n of monopoly based on force was in vain. It was while meeting the sea creatures that roam the coastal waters of Joseon. What kind of country is this Oh Lord. Enrique looked up at the sky andmented after seeing the sea emergency fronts moving around as if they were flying over the sea in two small ships. And as he got closer to Mokpo, seeing not only the Challenger-ss emergency fronts but also Panok ships swarming around, Henripletely lost his will to use force. It wasnt just that there were a lot of ships. This was because I saw arge number of guns mounted on each ship. What a country like this Every time he saw such a scene, Henrik kept saying, What a country like this In the end, Henry couldnt hold back his anger and screamed. What kind of country is this? Everywhere you look, there are only cannons! This is not the Land of Flowers but the Land of Cannons! In the end, Henrik realized that there was no answer through force and decided to do his best in negotiations. Negotiation is the only way. Negotiation is the only thing. * * * When the quarantine period ended, the ships staying at Dalido moved one by one to the trade port in Mokpo. Challenger-ss ships andrge private merchant ships docked first, followed by ships belonging to the Mansour Merchant Marine, followed by ships from other countries. Because of this order, Henrys fleet was assigned almostst. When the ship carrying Henry safely docked at the dock, the pier wasid and interpreters and officials came aboard. Thanks to the advance message from the challenger-level front and the presence of an interpreter who could speak Latin, the work progressed surprisingly quickly. Who is themander of this fleet? In response to the interpreters question, the captain introduced Henry to the interpreter. This is you. He is the Prince of Portugal. Princeps autem regni Portuguese (Prince of the Kingdom of Portugal)? exactly. Really? Thats right. The interpreter, who checked again but received the same answer, immediately reported it to his superior. I am the prince of the Western Kingdom of Portugal! The prince of Portugal? Is there a country called Portugal? yes. From what I learned, there is such a country among the countries in the Western Region! Upon hearing the interpreters report, an official from the Ministry of Finance and Economy immediately summarized the situation. Let us allocate the best building among the guesthouses! yes! And send an urgent message through the light-emittingmunicator! For detailed instructions, check out Iron Horse. Ah, thest train has already left today! First, take them to the building! yes! Officials and trantors in charge of immigration records were busy following orders from Ministry of Finance and Economy officials. I couldnt tell right now whether he was bringing good news or not, but in any case, he was a prince of a country. It had to be treated with proper formality. * * * What country As he walked to the empty pavilion under the guidance of the interpreter and officials and looked around, he muttered words that had now be a habit. No, it wasnt just Henrik. The attendants, guards, and captain who served him looked all around with simr expressions. Even though it was a foreign country far away from Portugal, the scenery of Joseon was very unfamiliar. The main street running through the center of Mokpo was neatly paved with cimento. Even the alleyways that had not been paved yet were solidly packed dirt roads. And on both sides of the road, whether paved or unpaved, there were covered ditches that looked like sewers. The houses around the road were also a sight to behold. Whether the houses had walls made of cement and roofs made of tiles, or houses with mud walls and roofs covered with grass, most of them had ss windows. In Europe, expensive ss windows were still installed in houses that, at first nce, were not well off. This was the same for restaurants located throughout the streets. At first nce, there were expensive sses and ceramic dishes passing around every table in a restaurant where ordinary people would normally go. That wasnt all. Common people in Europe were everywhere drinking Ponsu, which was only avable on saints birthdays or festivals, and boxes filled with empty Ponsu bottles were piled up in front of stores that appeared to sell Ponsu. And. Sniff! What is this smell? There was an inexplicable bad smell C Iter found out that it was the smell of the intestines that Koreans eat C and there was something fragrant mixed in between them. When I turned my head to follow the trace of the smell, I saw arge pot of oil frying something, and people were moving around putting the fried food in paper bags or bowls. And in the other hands of those holding the fried food, bottles filled with phone water were held in straw baskets. Experiencing the confusion caused by harmony and disharmony, Prince Henry and his party entered the empty house. The interpreter who assigned amodations for Henry and the rest of the group spoke with a kind smile. Water for washing will be ready soon. Please wait a moment. I understand. Henry answered briefly and looked around the room. Thats unusual. There was a clean bed on one side of the room, and arge round desk in the middle. And in the center of the desk was amp with a white shade. Intrigued, Henry took off thempshade and looked inside. Its empty. Are you adding candles or oilter? By the way After examining the white ssmpshade and transparentmp pipe, Henrik secretly became greedy. Does it look good? * * * It was around sunset when Prince Henry came out after washing his body. As Henry, who had changed his clothes with the help of an attendant, was sitting on a chair and looking at the increasingly dark scene outside, a man who appeared to be a servant from the guest house entered the room carrying a basket. After politely bowing, the servant removed thempshade and tube from themp in the middle of the room and opened the lid of the copper stand. Henrik observed the servants behavior with curious eyes. The servant opened the lid of the copper stand, took a small, blue-grey, square stone out of the basket, ced it in the stand, and then took a kettle out of the basket. The servant tilted the kettle and filled the stand with water, immediately closed the lid and waited for a moment. After a while, the servant took a burning wooden stick from the basket and ced it on the copper pipe rising above the lid. At that moment, a yellow me rose from the spout of the copper coffin, and the servant put on thentern andmpshade with familiar hands. After finishing all the work, the servant bowed politely again and went out. Prince Henry, who had been absently observing the glowingmp, looked back at his attendant. Have you ever seen anything like that? doesnt exist! Is it magic to make a fire with water and stones? Henrik, who was staring nkly at themp amidst the servants fuss, muttered again. What kind of country is this. Chapter 446 Episode 446 Seo Yi ()es to Joseon. (3) The next morning, the interpreter came to visit Prince Henry. Did you restfortably? You rested well. After hearing Henrys answer, the interpreter informed him of the schedule. First of all, we prepared breakfast in the banquet hall. It may be a little different from what you eat in your hometown, but I hope you enjoy the foreign vor. Thank you. By the way, I would like to have a meeting with the monarch of Joseon. Is it possible? The interpreter nodded and answered Henrys question. Today, I advanced through the first Iron Horse (Ferrum Equss) episode. A reply will be sent as early as this evening or by the evening after tomorrow at thetest. Iron horse? Henrik traced his memory to the strange yet familiar word iron horse. Henrik, who was tracing his memories like that, looked back at the interpreter with surprised eyes. I heard it through rumors from the Vatican. The rumor said it was only in the capital? Not long ago, railroad tracks wereid across the country. Railway? This is the path of the iron horse. I see Henrik nodded lightly and moved on. But thats the thing. I saw thentern yesterday and it was amazing. I saw that it was only made of stones and water. Is that correct? The inn answered Henrys question right away. ah! Youre talking about amp! The stone is called Tungseok. When ites in contact with water, it emits gas, and when you collect that gas and ignite it, it bes very bright. Thanks to that ss, I saved myself the trouble of finding a candle. Its a fascinating stone. This is my first time seeing such a stone. The interpreter responded to Henrys words with a proud expression. Its not a stone taken out of a mine. It was made by His Majesty the Crown Prince. Your Majesty the Crown Prince? He is the first prince of our Joseon Dynasty and the next sessor to the throne. The interpreters tone and face as he exined the scent were full of satisfaction and pride. Is that so? Okay. I would like to be guided to the banquet hall. yes. I knew the location because I had been there once yesterday, but Henrique asked for directions. It may seem pretentious, but it was a formality that had to be observed since one was wearing the sign of a prince. This was the same whether in the East or the West, so the interpreter naturally guided Henrique to the banquet hall. After a light breakfast of soup full of exotic vors C something Koreans call soup C Henry gathered his aides and the captain in his room. Ive only been here for a day, but what did everyone think? Its beyond your imagination. Everyone gathered nodded at the words of Pedro, Henrys closest associate. Looking at the goodsing in through Alexandria, I expected it to be outstanding, but the reality was beyond my imagination. Henrik, who nodded his head at Pedros words, asked a question again. Did you see thenternsst night? yes! It was truly amazing! Everyone in attendance raised their voices at Henrysment. It was amazing to light a fire with just water and stones. At first I thought it was oil. But when I tasted what was in the jug, I was sure it was water. When Cristiano, the most curious person among his associates, shared his experience, several who had done simr work nodded. Henrique, who was listening to the answers of his associates, got to the point. I asked the interpreter and he said it was not a natural stone. I answered that it was made by the first prince of this country. If its the first prince, what about those rumors? Henrik nodded to Pedros question. He is the prince of rumors. Pedro shook his head in response to Henriks answer. You were an alchemist and not a philosopher? Couldnt he be a wizard and not an alchemist? If that stone was made, wouldnt there be a Philosophers Stone in this country that has only been rumored? Ah Wasnt the Philosophers Stone simply a product of fantasy? Henrik, who was watching his aides and the captain arguing, raised his hand. quiet. The aides and the captain immediately fell silent and looked at Henrik. Henrik, who gathered the attention of his subordinates, spoke his thoughts. Lets stop talking nonsense like the Philosophers Stone and just think about that stone. If we could take that stone and sell it, wouldnt we be able to make a big profit? ah! Thats right! Whether in the East or the West, candles were expensive items. In Europe, where meat was the staple food, candles were made using tallow (cow fat), but it was still an expensive product. In particr, candles made from beeswax obtained from honebs were extremely expensive. Henrik continued speaking. ording to the interpreter, that stone reced the candle. That means you can get it inrge quantities at a low price. If we can distribute that stone properly, we can tten the noses of Spain and France. Everyone in his entourage nodded strongly at Henrys words. If the princes words were true, Portugal would be able to dominate the European night. If he could do that, he would be free from the situation he had been in. First, I requested a meeting with the monarch here through an interpreter. I will prepare formal clothes. Ill see if I can find something suitable as a gift. Hearing Henrys words, his associates found something to do on their own. As Henry looked at this, he remembered the people he had forgotten. wait! Where are the monks? They are in their room. Monitor properly. Considering that the Vatican is still in an uproar over the First Princes Questions, the most dangerous people are those monks. yes! The aides who received Henrys orders moved diligently. Thanks to this, the monks were confined to their rooms, unable to even dream of going out to the city as they had initially nned. The next evening, the interpreter brought good news to Henry. Your Majestysmand hase. Two dayster, a special episode will be prepared for the prince and hispanions. You can take it and go to Hanseong. His Majesty the Lord will speak with the prince in Hanseong. It is truly something to be thankful for. * * * Hanseong was also shocked by the news that the Prince of Portugal hase to Joseon. A prince of Portugal? yes. ording to the information Mansour brought, he is the uncle of the current King of Portugal. In response to Lee Maeng-gyuns answer, King Sejong stroked his beard and was lost in thought. Hyang, who was located under the temple, had an embarrassed look on his face. no! Why is this guy here? For what reason! Hyang, who was sorting out her mind that had be a mess due to an unexpected event, soon reflected on herself. Am I too excited? I was so upset. Crown? In response to Sejongs question, Hyang hurriedly gathered her thoughts and bowed her head. Yes Abama. Why do you think the prince of a country, not even a nearby country, came all the way to Joseon? It might be because of trade. Isnt there a considerable amount of volume that our shipbuildingpany directly trades through Alexandria? Following Hyangs words, Kim Jeom immediately responded. It is the same in Alexandria, but the amount distributed through Bengal to the surrounding areas of Cheonchuk and Osman is also significant. After listening to Kim Jeoms additional exnation, King Sejong looked at the Hyang and the ministers and asked. Then it seems likely that Prince Henry wants a monopoly on trade? Perhaps so. While most of the ministers were nodding, Hyang raised a rebuttal with a wry smile. If Prince Henry were in his right mind, he would never think of such a thing. why? Hyang answered King Sejongs question simply and clearly. Because it came with challenger-level fronts. Hoo Sejong immediately nodded as if he understood what Hyang said, and Jo Mal-saeng looked proud. The front lines that broke the undefeated record every time they went back and forth between Alexandria and Chittagong were challenger level fronts. The report posted this time also had a record of the engagement attached, and of course it contained the following sentence: No damage to pirates, no damage to friendly forces. However, the country of Portugal also has an excellent navy, enough to return to Africa. Arent we overconfident in our naval forces? Hyang confidently answered King Sejongs question. Its definitely not overconfidence. When making a small challenger-level wire, we designed it with the current situation in mind. The same goes for artillery! Its really nice to see your confidence. Thats too much praise. Bowing her head at Sejongs praise, Hyang muttered to herself. The ships steam engine and propulsion system are almostplete! If you want to attack me, then attack me! If you get angry, Ill build a space battleship, the Turtle Ship, and send it away! In a situation where only palm-sized wooden ships are floating around, if 100% iron ships are used, it bes a space battleship! It was a scent that made Kim Jeom foam at the mouth and think he would faint when he heard it. The atmosphere in Geunjeongjeon became morefortable with Hyangs confident reply, which had always shouted that people should be on the lookout for Seo-i. Anyway, since a prince from another country hase, it would be polite to have a meeting. Prime Minister. Hwang Hee responded immediately to King Sejongs name. Yes, we will adjust the timetable and send the Iron Horse special flight. He hase from far away, so treat him with respect. Hwang Hee immediately bowed her head at King Sejongs meaningful words. I will pay special attention. Please. Well, lets leave the prince-rted matter to this point. Lets move on to the next item. Yes, Your Highness. In response to King Sejongs decision, the ministers diligently prepared the next agenda. The officers sitting on one side of Geunjeongjeon diligently recorded these events and addedments. -So the king ordered that there should be no mistakes in dealing with the prince of Portugal, and the ministers obeyed the order. The officer says: The Seo-i, whom the Crown Prince had long mentioned as the subjects of greatest caution, have finally arrived in Joseon. However, from the top to the ministers, they are on guard but not afraid, so our Joseon Dynasty has be stronger. By the way, I feel this every time I write down ces and people in foreign ces, but the sound quality is really good. As long as there is Jeongeum, there is no need to worry even if all the countries in the world flock to Joseon. Everyone attack! Ill write it down! Officer! Are you teasing Geumpil for a long time again? Long story! Be faithful to your main job! I apologize, Your Majesty! * * * The new agenda brought out by the ministers was aboutndlessness. There is a limit to the capacity that can be invested, so the first thing to decide is Which direction will the exploration focus on? Minister of National Defense Cho Mal-saeng, who can be said to be in charge of the department, began the meeting by introductory remarks like this. Jo Mal-saeng walked in front of the map and continued speaking, pointing to the nk space on the map with his baton. Do you make full use of the capabilities of the challenger-level fronts that will be used for exploration and go south along the coastline, or do you secure a beachhead and then dig ind to the east? We have to decide on this right now. No sooner had Jo Mal-saeng finished speaking than Hyang opened her mouth. We must move east. why? In response to Sejongs question, Hyang exined the reason. Some will move west just as we have gone east. We need to secure as much as possible before then. We must at least obtain the resource zone called the Rust Belt! Chapter 447 Episode 447 Seo Yi ()es to Joseon. (4) Hyang moved to the front of the map and pointed at the map with a long pointing stick. Hyang continued speaking by pointing out with a pointer the western coastline of Muju, which was newly recorded through Maeng Jin-hos exploration. As you can see, the northern part of this coastline is north of Daeseol Ind. Looking at the climate of Jongjang Ind and the Dongjin Inds, the natural environment here is not good. Therefore, lets leave this area alone first. Leave it alone? Are you saying we should postpone the exploration? Hyang nodded at Sejongs point. yes. It would be a waste to explore even this area with our current shipbuilding capabilities. Its a waste I see. Although Hyang used the harsh expression waste, King Sejong and the ministers nodded with an expression of understanding. Sejong, who was looking at the map while listening to Hyangs exnation, asked Hyang. Then which would be better? In response to King Sejongs question, Hyang drew an imaginary horizontal line with a pointer. In Sojas opinion, it would be a good idea to start right here. The point where the scent drew a straight line was the middle part of the area historically called British Columbia in Canada before the scent intervened. If I remember what I saw while wandering around at the time, if we head east from here, we can bypass the northern part of the Rocky Mountains! If you take a detour from there, you can enter the Great ins of North America right away! Plus, you dont have to go through those crazy desert areas of Nevada, Arizona, or Texas! Hmm King Sejong and the ministers, whether they knew what Hyang was thinking or not, looked at the map and looked at the possibilities of Hyangs proposal. King Sejong, who had been looking at the southern and eastern margins of the coastline recorded by Maeng Jin, this time turned his gaze to the west. King Sejong looked at the European countries crowded on the western side of the map with eyes full of concern. There is no mistake in what the crown prince said before. They also know that the world is round, so they will try to move east. The only problem is how wide the sea is between the eastern end of thendless area and those western countries, especially Ennd. ording to Maeng Jin-hos report, the size of that Mujuji must be enormous, and if so, it must contain many things. Leaving it in the hands of other countries would be a mistake, not a mistake that should be avoided. But Sejong, who had been pondering over and over again, let out a long sigh. Whoa~. Whether you go east or south, problems abound. If we do something wrong, it could end up in a situation where the Seoyi people and our Joseon Dynasty are trying to bite each others tail. Of course that is a possibility. Or, there is a possibility that our Joseon Dynasty and the Westerners will sh in the middle of that terra incognita. But Hyang paused for a moment, quenched his throat, and continued speaking again. There is a big difference between those Westerners and our Joseon Dynasty. If we take advantage of that difference, we can create a situation where Joseon has a huge advantage. difference? Hmm. When the fragrance mentioned difference, Sejong fell into thought again. At that time, Hwang Hee joined the conversation. Are you talking about our attitude towards the natives? Thats right. King Sejong and the ministers nodded at Hyangs answer. * * * Meanwhile, Joseons attitude toward the indigenous people living in the newly acquired territory was more candy, more candy, Hunminjeongeum, and a hot club. When making contact with the natives, they adopted a peaceful atmosphere as much as possible and opened the door through trade. Next, a clear bridgehead was secured through material exchanges using monopoly stores. As they built up connections, the process of learning each othersnguages continued, and Hunminjeongeum yed a key role in that process. This was because most of the native people contacted hadnguage but no writtennguage. Having a writtennguage to properly record their words attracted the indigenous people. And in this way, it was a natural process for natives who were familiar with Hunminjeongeum to learn the Koreannguage. This was because the biggest characteristic of Hunminjeongeum was that all pronunciations were fixed. There was no case in Hunminjeongeum where one vowel or consonant was pronounced differently depending on the time, and this allowed the natives to quickly be ustomed to the Koreannguage. Of course, in this process, there were natives who rejected everything and treated Koreans only as enemies. In this case, Joseon did not insist on continuous appeasement. However, if they attacked Koreans or their residences first, they would pursue them until the end and erase their existence. However, records from Mansur or the ve market in Alexandria show that they rarely used such methods. For them, the native viges were just an excellent source of ves. * * * King Sejong and the ministers nodded at Hyangs remarks that mentioned this part. Looking at that, Hyang added more strength to his voice. In thatndless area, the first thing that must be resolved is to get the help of our Joseon people, the Westerners, and the indigenous people. Considering what the Westerners did to the natives in Africa, Joseon can be at an even greater advantage. If we, Joseon, can first get the natives to join us, then those who wille to Mujuji from the east will not be a big worry. Indeed. Hoo. As the ministers kept nodding their heads at Hyangs exnation, Sejong smiled and looked at Hyang. So, in the n you wrote, you wrote that arge number ofwmakers should be dispatched from the beginning of the exploration? Hyang nodded at Sejongs point. Thats right. That terra incognita is an unknownnd that we do not know anything about. Of course, there are diseases that we do not know about, and there may be diseases that indigenous people in terracotta regions do not know about. In order to devise measures for the former and to use thetter to increase our Joseons influence, we need to deploy manywmakers from the beginning of the exploration. Its like that in the 21st century, right? No matter how much they are paid to do, doctors are the ones who are so grateful that their heads touch the ground when they save the life of a sick, near-death family member! The exnation of the smell, which continued for a long time, ended and King Sejong looked at the ministers. The Crown Princes proposal seems good. What do you think? It is so! I think its the best move! When all the ministers agreed, King Sejong came to a conclusion. Then, please re-adjust the n by adding the crown princes n that came out this time. Fortunately, the exploration fleet has not yet departed, so I think it will ease the burden. yes. * * * After the meeting, Hyang left Geunjeongjeon and returned to Area 51, muttering softly. It is an inevitable choice Trying to devour both South and North America with Joseons current capabilities will result in a situation where no saliva can be applied and the mouth is torn apart. Even though the indigenous people of North America are like that, South America has already established a national framework, and customs there are also such that Abama and ministers willpete if they see it. But the rubber is a bit disappointing. Sigh! The scent whetted my appetite with disappointment. * * * As the challengers passed through Southeast Asia on their way to and from Alexandria, Hyang secretly entrusted them with a mission. C Find out which tree produces a substance with excellent sticity when the sap is dried. This was an order given by the local government considering the naturaltex imported from Vietnam and Indonesia in the 21st century, but the result was a crushing defeat. -There is no such tree. After receiving the simple and clear report, I had to savor the scent. Did it spread from the Amazon as expected? Therefore, Hyang was once again filled with dreams after receiving Maeng Jin-hos report, but had to be frustrated once again by the wall of reality. There were limits to exploration with the amount of human and material resources that Joseon could currently mobilize. Because of this, Hyang had to give up his greed for rubber. For now, for now! It was a scent that persuaded oneself, but the scent knew that it would be quite a long time. Why would there be any reason to send marines and SCVs here and there even when ying a game? Part of it is searching for enemies, but its also part of finding minerals. Arrived in North America. I got gold!. Arrived in South America. I got the rubber! This is never the case. Thats why peoplee forward and say, You must go south! Theres rubber and saltpeter mines there! You cant even talk about it. If you make a mistake, you will be caught twice in your life Phew~. I have to give up. It was a scent muttering with a face full of regret. If I made a mistake, there was a risk of being found out as a second shot in my life, so I gave up on South America, but it was a scent that I couldnt give up on the eastern part of North America. If you think about the value of that neighborhood, you have to sink your teeth into it, not just spit on it. * * * As Hyang was returning to Area 51 muttering that, King Sejong asked the ministers. Isnt the Crown Prince really trustworthy? Thats right. Since the Crown Prince is so trustworthy, the future of our Joseon Dynasty is truly bright. King Sejong, who was listening to the answers of the ministers with a satisfied face, gave an order to Jo Mal-saeng. Do your best in your exploration. The bridgehead needs to be built quickly so I can go there. Hearing Sejongs words, Hwang Hee opened her mouth with a very nervous expression. Are you thinking of proxy cleaning when you say that? Wouldnt Zen Wi be better than Daericheongjeong? The air inside Geunjeongjeon instantly became heavy at King Sejongs remarks mentioning his abdication. Sejong, seeing the faces of the ministers full of worry, smiled andforted them. There will never be anything like what the previous king did. Rather, wouldnt it be able to establish itself as a good precedent? While Sejong was saying that, he suddenly seemed to have an idea and asked Do Seung-ji. How are your descendants and royal descendants these days? Are there any problems with math? It is said that it is difficult to find a partner your age, perhaps because you have inherited the qualities of His Highness and the Crown Prince. Sejongs face brightened at Do Seung-jis answer. Is that so? Then what about humanity? They say Inseong is also looking forward to the future. Thank goodness. When King Sejong looked relieved, Hwang Hee asked him. Why did you suddenly ask about the qualifications of the third son and the kings grandson? King Sejong gave a simple answer to Hwang Hees question. Because I know the crown princes personality well. ah! It was Hwang Hee who nodded vigorously in response to Sejongs answer. At that moment, the scent pierced my ears. Ah-oh! Who is going to curse at me? * * * That afternoon, Janggye came up from Mokpo using an iron horse. The contents of the ount were a record of the movements of Prince Henry and his party who stayed at the guest house. You showed great interest innterns? Mansour is like that too, so it seems like the crown princes boast that this ss will make money is true. Kim Jeom immediately responded to Sejongs words. There has been a steady stream of favorable reviews among the authors people. We are fortunate to have been able to mass-produce it at the right time. Sejongughed and joked at Kim Jeoms answer. ha ha ha! It seems like the Left Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance and Economy are the favorites! Kim Jeom lowered his head with a smile at Sejongs joke, but inside he was gritting his teeth and grumbling. Do you know how much money it cost to build that damn kiln! * * * In other words, carbide was the product of Hyangs fierce challenges. To produce better iron and metal materials, we need a st furnace with better performance. The quality of the iron and metal materials that Joseon currently produces is far superior to that of the Ming and Japanese countries, as well as the Middle East and Europe, but it still feelscking in vor. Jumping into the center of the world is all well and good, but from now on we are being chased. We cant just sit back and rx. Hyang continued speaking while looking at the Jeonjeonrok on the bookshelf. You should not just write down your fantasies, but also what you have tried. It was Hyangs decision that further raised the value of Dojeonrok. Chapter 448 Episode 448 Seo Yi ()es to Joseon. (5) In the process of making various attempts, the material issue was the most important thing to solve, and thepany worked hard to solve that problem together with the craftsmen. By the way, there is no problem with the steel Hyang, who was sorting out the situation, looked slightly relieved as he tapped his fingers on the desk. The manufacturing method of the craftsman who won thepetition held by gathering craftsmen who could make steel in the early days of Gyeongjang was simr to the method of producing steel in the 20th and 21st centuries. (Note 1) Therefore, constant improvement and improvement were made in the field and in Area 51. After repeated efforts, the quality and production of steel produced by Joseon became the best among the three Northeast Asian countries. The problem is that alloy steel is essential to make steam engines and other objects with better performance To solve this problem, Hyang mobilized alchemists. However, the scent was stillcking. This alone is not enough. To get better results, you need furnaces and kilns that are more efficient or can withstand higher temperatures. Based on this awareness of the situation, Hyang worked with craftsmen to research new furnaces and kilns. No sir! Didnt you say that the furnace you are using now is also highly efficient? But research into new furnaces and kilns! Of course, Kim, who was in charge of setting the next years budget every year,ined. Meanwhile, what the incense focused on was a kiln that could withstand high temperatures. Since we cannot build an electric furnace, I must now build a kiln that can produce the highest temperature using resources that Joseon can stably use. In this way, test models of kilns that could operate at increasingly higher temperatures were created. The problem is that there is no measuring instrument that can precisely measure these temperatures While Hyang was looking for something suitable to check the performance, what he found was carbide. * * * When I learned about the scented carbide, it was when I was making a living by opening a cksmith shop in Yangsan in the 21st century. This was an item I found in a barn while helping an elderly woman at a nearby farm. Is this the carbide youve only heard about? Hyang was so curious that, like Gwangdeok, he immediately delved into carbide and started using it. * * * Thus, after many challenges and failures, a kiln capable of maintaining a high enough temperature to make carbide waspleted. And Hyang presented the carbide that came out as a result of the experiment to King Sejong. These days, Abama said that her eyes are blurry at night Sejong was very satisfied when he saw the bright light of the carbidemp made by modifying the existing ssmp. How bright! And its amazing! You can light a fire using ores that arent even coal! Sejong, who was admiring the brightly shining carbide lights, looked back at the scent. Can you mass produce this? It is possible if we increase the number of pnquins Hyang trailed off and looked back at Kim Jeom. From the moment Sejong mentioned mass production, Kim Jeoms expression becameplicated. Seeing Kim Jeom like that, Sejong secretly started to get lucky. Arent the oils and candles used inmps very expensive? At that moment, Kim Jeoms expression brightened and he answered right away. I will prepare funds to build a new kiln! And the officer who recorded this incident added the following. C says the officer. ording to a rumor going around in the world, there are more than one top group waiting for Captain Kim to resign. It is rumored that his personal connections are his personal connections, but his management skills are considered the best in Joseon. The problem is that the boss never allows resignation. As the quality and processing technology of steel gradually improved, and other rted technologies gradually developed, all kinds of new products began to appear in Joseon. * * * Prince, your iron horse is ready. I was waiting. Upon receiving the interpreters notification, Henry and his party left the empty house. What is this? Henrik, who saw rickshaws lined up at the entrance of the empty house, asked the trantor a question. The official answered Henrys question with a smile. A distinguished guest of the country is here, so how can you meet him on foot? So I prepared a rickshaw. Is this the rumored rickshaw? At the interpreters answer, Henriks eyes lit up and he looked at the rickshaw. It was an item that had been rumored toe from the Vatican. Its an interesting structure. Henrik, who was examining the rickshaw, muttered with an expression of interest. The part that caught his eye was the axle of the rickshaw. A shaft and a chair were ced between two curved iron tes connected like a m with its mouth closed. To put it simply, the axis was not directly attached to the passenger area, but was floating in the air. Its so fun. Henrik sat on the chair muttering to himself and looked around the chair. In front of the chair was a pole that also served as a handle for getting on and off the chair and for hanging antern. And the chair he was sitting on was covered with cleanly dyed cushions. Were leaving! Following the interpreters shout, the rickshaws carrying Henry and his group began moving toward Cheolma Station. While heading towards Cheolma Station, Henrique looked around again. Compared to the smell, the road is very clean. Unlike the foul smell that irritated the nose C the smell of Joseons intestines C the road was clean. Compared to the roads in Europe, which are full of all kinds of dirt, the roads in Joseon werepletely dustless. Hmm Henrik, who was looking at the clean road, looked at the Koreans walking on the road. The clothes are clean and the faces are clean. While looking at the neatly dressed Koreans walking around, Henrik muttered without realizing it. Ordinary people all walk around dressed cleanly, and there is not a speck of dust on the roads Just how rich and powerful is this Joseon? Unlike when he first arrived in Suez, Henrik became increasingly withdrawn. And when he arrived at Cheolma Station and saw the rumored iron horse, Henry almost copsed because his legs gave out. Chick! Chwiik! A huge iron block made of expensive steel stood spewing out ck smoke. And behind the steel monster were luxuriously decorated carriages. You can climb up here. I understand. Henry got on the train and looked around intently. They said it was a carriage for VIPs and the interior was luxurious. There wererge chairs withfortable cushions spread out, and there were tables of appropriate size between the chairs. Sigh! After a while, the iron horse departed with a loud whistle sound. Henrik and hispanions looked at the scenery outside the window and made exmations of exmation. Its faster than I thought! The group, who were admiring the iron horse they were riding for the first time in their lives, came to their senses after some time and began to exchange opinions. On my way to ride this iron horse, I saw that all Koreans were clean. The aides and the captain all nodded at Henrys point. Thats right. Except for that unidentifiable odor, the people and the streets were clean. Its not just about cleanliness. The mens beards all looked different. youre right! It seemed like a lot of effort went into it! Its a beard Its not just that. If you look at the men I met in the empty house, most of them, excluding the ves, had scent on their bodies! Henriks face became increasingly somber as he recalled the faces of the men he had seen on the street. Evenmon people, not nobles, take care of their beards and spray perfume? This meant that even ordinary people had ample financial resources. In the end, Henrik swore. This damn country was truly a scary country * * * The technology that Hyang developed when he got involved was not just rted to heavy and long-standing things. Rather, there were more light, light and simple items that paid more attention to fragrance. Among such small objects, there were those that were most influenced by the development of steel processing technology, and that was des, especially razor des. Regardless of whether in the East or the West, men have had to pay attention to managing their beards since ancient times. The reason was not simply a matter of fashion, but also directly rted to the issue of hygiene. This was also the case in Joseon. Regardless of whether they were high or low, men in Joseon had to take care of their beards when they started growing. Joseon men trimmed their beards with scissors and knives. However, scissors were cumbersome to use and knives were dangerous. As the number of hair salons increased andpetition intensified, the number of establishments that even provided shaving services increased. However, conversations like this popped up in ces where the des were not managed properly. Are you going to shave off my beard or cut off my hair? This was the same in the pce. The eunuch who trimmed the kings beard was the person whom the king trusted most. In this situation, through continued technological advancement, a razor de was born that was as thin as paper but had sticity and could maintain an extremely sharp de when sharpened. And Hyang used this iron te to make a safety razor de. After several attempts, Hyang was able to create a safety razor de and razor that he liked, and he cheered. ats! I can push it all away! And when Kim Jeom saw the prototype made by Hyang C Razor de Mian Water (ˮ Skin Lotion) C he immediately rolled up his sleeves. (Note 2) How much budget do you need? That razor de is a great product, but Im sure the eye water will sell well! This definitely pays off! And this too Seeing Kim Jeoms reaction, Hyang took out a pair of scissors. Kim Jeom, who saw the scissors boasting shiny des unlike any scissors he had seen before, immediately responded. Ill add this too! Hyang was internally delighted at Kim Jeoms refreshing answer. As expected, Captain Kim! I realized the value of scissors! Hyang, who knew that the scissors favored by hairdressers and barbers in 21st century hair salons and Lee Yongwon start at at least a few hundred and that most of them are made in Japan, could not pass up the scissors. If you start now and build awareness for at least a few hundred years, you will create a wall that will never fall down! And as this thin de was created, Hyang smiled in remorse. I can finally release the one Ive been holding back for so long! What the scent had been sitting on for a while was a pencil. * * * When graphite was discovered, the scent immediately reminded me of pencil. After several trials and errors, Hyang created a usable pencil and soon found himself in trouble. The problem is that paper is an expensive product There is also the inconvenience of sharpening and the problem of erasing Hyanghyang, who was thinking about the various problems that came with the pencil, soon sorted them out one by one. For paper, it will be a matter of time because we are mass producing yellow paper, and for erasers this is also a matter of time. If you cant decide, you can find something that can be used as an eraser or just erase it with saliva. The problem is sharpening the pencil. Substitutes such as brushes and gold pencils are already holding up well, but if there is the inconvenience of having to sharpen them with a knife every time, they wont sell Why would a mechanical pencile out? There needs to be a pencil sharpener that can be easily sharpened Thanks to this, only a small number of prototypes of pencils were avable until the pencil sharpener was released. And the birth of the razor de also brought about the birth of the pencil sharpener, and the pencil also came to light. * * * Note 1) Research on the operation method of stone-type steel mills. Shin Kyung-hwan, Kim Kwon-il, Choi Young-min. Outdoor Archeology No. 22 (2015.03) Note 2) If you look at the folk paintings of Kim Hong-do and Shin Yun-bok, you can surprisingly often see noble men shaving off their beards. Chapter 449 Episode 449 Seo Yi ()es to Joseon. (6) What is this? Sejong, who received a fragrant pencil from a merchant ship, asked with a face full of curiosity. It is a writing instrument made using ink stone. Ink stone? Isnt that meant to be ground into powder and used only as a lubricant? Hyang smiled and answered Sejongs question. It is a very useful material. * * * When graphite was first discovered, the first thing the fragrance had to do was to decide on a name for it. Graphite kites are lead kites. If you name them with lead now, no one will understand, right? In Europe, where lead was used as a writing tool, graphite was the Chinese character for ck Lead, a name given to ck lead. After thinking about it for a while, I decided on a name. If you think about where it will be used the most in the future, lets call it ink stone. For the scent so named, graphite was put into the specimen room. Ink stone? Hmm. Of course, the officials and craftsmen of the research institute and Area 51 tilted their heads, but soon agreed and moved on. Its a fitting name because its pitch ck and sticks easily to your hands. Thats how the name Mukseok was decided, but the first ce it was used was a ce that did not fit the name. The first and most useful use of graphite was as a lubricant for various machines. Because the supply of lubricating oil and cooling oil was not smooth,rge quantities of finely ground graphite were used in the engine parts of machines that needed lubricants. Thanks to this, familiar idioms and phrases have changed. The phrase eating oil-based rice, which factory workers were ustomed to saying, had changed to eating rice made from stone powder. Graphite was an all-purpose being. In addition to being used as a lubricant, it was made to be stored safely by filling it with gunpowder in the form of granules (round, fine particles). Graphite, which had been useful in ces far removed from the name given in anticipation of its original use, was finally made into a pencil. * * * So how do you use this? Youre not saying to dip the blunt end of this ink and use it, are you? In response to Sejongs question, which was filled with disappointment, Hyang exined how to use it. You can use the sharpener next to it to sharpen it. Sharpening frame? Sejong picked up the small container next to the pencil. There was a hole in the front of the frame that was polished with rosin andrge enough to fit a pencil, and there was a small drawer underneath it. Where Crunch crunch. Sejong put a pencil in the hole and turned it a few times before taking out the pencil. Sejong, who saw that the front part was getting sharper, put the pencil in the hole again and turned it. When the ink stone bes sharp, it is ready. They let you know early. Sejong, who had sharpened his pencil while exining the scent in detail, looked at the sharply sharpened pencil and looked back at the scent. It looks like a weapon, not a writing instrument? Its a writing instrument. Hmm While tilting his head slightly, Sejong drew a pencil on a nk piece of paper. Hoo! King Sejong filled up a sheet of paper in an instant, lightly admiring the feeling of writing with a pencil, which waspletely different from that of a brush or gold pen. Sejong, looking at the words written on the paper, nodded. Its okay! Its a really nice writing instrument. Especially. Sejong paused for a moment and continued speaking while looking at Kim Jeom. The more you use it, the more it wears out and eventually you have to buy a new one, so it would be a good way to make money. Kim Jeoms eyes sparkled at Sejongs evaluation, but he did not forget to point out the problems. But calligraphy and gold pens are already widely used. Wouldnt it be too much to be apetitor? Before Hyang could respond to Kim Jeoms point, Sejong opened his mouth first. But this writing instrument is much more convenient because you dont have to change the ink or carry an ink container. ah! Gods thoughts were short. Sejong, who was exining the strengths of the pencil to Kim Jeom, turned to Jo Mal-saeng. I think it will be quite useful in the military as well. Jo Mal-saeng immediately nodded his head at Sejongs words. Soshin was thinking the same thing. I think it will be especially useful formanders operating in the north. Ink was very inconvenient when traveling on horseback or in the process of quickly writing orders and delivering them at the front. Before leaving, I always had to change the ink and fill the container, and refill the water before the ink dried. Not only that, even if you wrote an order in a hurry, you had to wait for it to dry to a certain extent rather than sending it right away. In such a situation, it was certain that that writing instrument would be the best writing instrument for the military, especiallymanders. Hmm So, did you name this? Abama, please build it. I? yes. You cant name it Pencil! They had already named it ink stone instead of graphite, but they could not name it pencil. Its a name what would be better? Sejong, who thought for a moment while looking at the pencil in his hand, spoke to Hyang. A stylus would be good. Use a brush stroke on the sharp tip. Its a stylus. The reason is as follows. When a schr writes, he grinds the ink not just to write, but to calm his mind while grinding the ink. This also applies to stylus. Anyone who writes to discuss something must have a sharp mind, so it would be good to sharpen the stylus and sharpen the mind as well. Hyang immediately responded to Sejongs words by bowing her head. Abamamas meaning is truly beautiful! I will print Abamamas jade sound and spread it widely with this stylus! Abama is aiming for it! Now that such a thing has been said, there is no one in Joseon who wouldnt buy a piece of writing! No sooner had Hyang finished speaking than Kim Jeom answered. What the Crown Prince said is truly correct! It is only right that we spread the word that the name of this stylus contains His Majestys deep meaning! And the subsequent situation proceeded as Hyang expected. At the stylus counter of the monopoly booth, there wererge pieces of paper with King Sejongs words written on them, and noblemen throughout Joseon who saw the sentences had to buy at least a box of 10. You must sharpen your mind. Thats right, its natural for a nobleman to sharpen his mind before discussing anything. cancer! Keuhum! The sale of stylus, which was initiated by the nobility, soon spread throughout Joseon. Isnt this surprisinglyfortable? The greatest strength of the stylus was that there was no need to grind the ink individually. Workers who moved long distances, those who worked in jobs that required a lot of writing, and carpenters at construction sites soon began living with stylus in their hands. * * * When Henry and his party arrived at Hanseong on an iron horse early in the morning, the sun was slowly setting. What kind of country is this Henrik, who was looking at Hansu from the iron horse carriage running on the railway bridge across Hansu, said the words that have now be a habit. Even though there were two inds C Neobeol Ind and Bamseom C in the middle, the remaining space was incredibly wide. Nowhere in Europe had I seen or heard of a bridge crossing a river this wide. Whats even scarier than that is Prince! Look closely at this bridge! Its made of iron! I saw it too Henrik responded in a gloomy voice to the fuss of his associates. If the iron that made up this bridge was melted down to make armor and weapons it would be possible to arm more than 100,000 people. How much iron can this country produce? Henrik, who was looking at the steel structures of the bridge with a gloomy face, muttered without realizing it. Is it not the Land of Flowers but the Land of Steel or the Land of Cannons? * * * The iron horse that crossed the Han River stopped at Hanseongwoo Station (hA), the final station of the Honam Line. As Henrik and his party got off the iron horse, a new interpreter who had been waiting in advance approached them. Wee to Hanseong. Thank you. The guest house is ready. I understand. And in two days, you will be able to have an audience with His Majesty the Prime Minister. I understand. The interpreter, who introduced the uing schedule, guided Henry and his group outside. Moving along the trantor, Henrik and his party looked around. Inside the station, which had a distinctly foreign feel, there were more than a hundred soldiers lined up along the passage. Henrik and the others swallowed dryly as they saw soldiers holding guns that looked simr to the arcabuz they had and soldiers wearing armor covering their entire bodies standing in an orderly manner to greet them. Its daunting Henry muttered softly as he looked at the soldiers. The number of soldiers was the same, but all soldiers, whether riflemen or spearmen, were d in ck from head to toe. In a situation where the left and right sides were blocked by the ck wall created like that, Henrik and his group became more and more intimidated. This ck wall that weed Prince Henry and his party was the work of incense. I no longer want to show off arrogantly when entering someone elses country. Hyang has be quieter these days, but he still remembers the arrogant behavior of the envoy from a famous kingdom when he was young. He persuaded King Sejong to form an honor guard. The honor guard, made up of soldiers with particrly strong bones among the soldiers of the Naegumwi and the 12th Company, was intimidating in its size. The uniform, which was uniformly ck from top to bottom, further strengthened the sense of intimidation. This is truly amazing! On the day when the honor guard was inspected for the first time, King Sejong was very satisfied and praised the honor guard. Thats too much praise. While expressing humility at King Sejongs death, Hyang was satisfied with his own work. If even the Imperial March falls here, Ill kill you! It was a scent that made me giggle a little as I imagined the scene where Darth Vader, wearing ck two-piece armor, was walking through the honor guard making a distinctive breathing noise. * * * Henrik and his group left the station and got into the waiting rickshaw, receiving a wee or threatening wee. Whoa~. Henrik took a long, deep breath as he was released from the stuffy atmosphere inside history and looked at the scenery of the capital of an unfamiliar country. As expected, it is a road paved with cemento. Is this really the capital? Henrik nodded slightly as he looked at the well-paved road, then turned his attention to the surroundings. huh? What about that? A group of people were pulling a small cart and lighting up street lights along the street. As expected, did they use that stone? Henrik, who was shaking his head as he looked at the unique me color of carbide, continued speaking. I dont know anything else, but I need to import that stone. Even the King will like it if it brightens up the dark streets of Lisbon at night. Ppaaeak! huh? When the sharp sound of the whistle sounded, the procession of rickshaws stopped. Henry straightened up out of curiosity, and an iron horse slowly moving along the route caught his eye. An iron horse moving within the city? Thats the rumored iron horse! As the iron horse passed, the rickshaws that had stopped started moving again. Henri sank back into his chair and began to think deeply. Iron Horse. Iron Horse. What if I end it instead of detouring? Henrik, who was thinking about this and that, muttered softly. Should we join hands with the damn Muslims? Chapter 450 Episode 450: Prophecy. (1) Two dayster, Henry and his party visited Gyeongbokgung Pce. Hoo~. After passing through the Geunjeong Gate, Henri looked at the scene in front of him and let out a light exmation. Gyeongbokgung Pce, located with Bukaksan Mountain in the background, had a very wonderful atmosphere. Wonderful Enrique entered Geunjeongjeon, admiring the sight of Gyeongbokgung Pce in perfect harmony with nature. From Gwanghwamun, through the courtyard of Geunjeongjeon, to the entrance of Geunjeongjeons stairs, Henry entered Geunjeongjeon while being inspected by guards lined up on either side, and the image of King Sejong caught his eye. There was a high tform at the end of the road between the officials lined up on the left and right, and a middle-aged man was sitting on a chair on the tform. And on the right side below the tform, a young man wearing clothes simr to the king was looking at Henrik and his group with eyes full of curiosity. It seems like that young man is the rumored number one prince. While Henry was guessing his identity by looking at his scent, Pedro, Henrys closest associate, came forward and introduced Henry. His Majesty the King, Prince Henrique of Viseu, Prince of Portugal, Duke of Viseu, Grand Master of the Knights of Christ, and uncle to His Majesty the King. . The interpreter, who thought for a moment about Pedros introduction, which included a long list of modifiers, told King Sejong. My name is Henrique de Avis, Prince of Portugal and the Kings uncle. is it? King Sejong, who had a strange look on his face as the trantor became considerably shorter, again expressed his doubts. But a prince? Is he a great general? Hyang immediately responded to Sejongs words. I think Daegun would be the best fit. Sejong nodded lightly at Hyangs words and introduced himself. Tell them that I am the king of Joseon. yes. In response to King Sejongs question, the interpreter immediately tranted into Latin. The great King of the Great Joseon Kingdom has abdicated (Ipse est magnus rex magnus Joseon regnum). This introductory speech was Hyangs work. The interpreter, who first heard this sentence, looked at the fragrance with a puzzled expression. If you use the word Your Majesty or Your Majesty, if you do it wrong, you may cause problems with your superiors. Are people from the Ming Dynasty present at ces where Portuguese people meet? no. Then how would the Ming Dynasty know? The inn immediately nodded at Hyangs words. ah! Thats right! Then no problem! Rather, it should be done this way! Theres no need to look funny to them! yes! * * * Henrys face stiffened slightly at the introduction, which did not reveal his name but simply referred to him as King, but he soon corrected his expression. It is said that there are countries that consider the kings name sacred and do not reveal it without permission. I think this country is like that too. After that, the greetings of the meeting ceremony continued ording to the formalities of both parties. Once the somewhat tedious meeting process was over, King Sejong got straight to the point. What is the reason why a person in such a high position as Daegun came all the way to Joseon? Henrik answered Sejongs question with a smile. So far, we have obtained a lot of Joseon products through Alexandria. I was very impressed by its outstanding technology, quality and beauty. I have always dreamed of visiting Joseon, and now I have the opportunity. What do you think when youe here? It was truly a beautiful country. Nature is beautiful, and the people of Joseon in particr were truly beautiful, with smiles never leaving their faces, regardless of age or gender. Isnt this the world that politicians dream of, where the people are always smiling? Thest words spoken were Henrys sincerity. Sejong agreed with Henrys words and nodded. yes. Isnt it what a monarch must do to ensure that his people lead a peaceful life? Thats right. The atmosphere was friendly throughout. Henrik held the coffee cup brought by the eunuch and savored the aroma of the coffee with a happy face. I never thought I would find a caf here. Its been a while since I came here, and the number of people enjoying it is increasing. * * * As King Sejong said, the number of people enjoying coffee was increasing, especially in Hanseong. At first, officials working overtime were the main consumers, but soon it was bing a familiar drink not only to the upper ss but also to the general public. Its already been over 10 years since we brought it in Hyang scratched his head as he checked the report. But you like it so much? As someone said, is liking coffee imprinted at the DNA level? Hyang, who was talking to herself like that, looked at other parts of the report. Maybe soon there will be a tea shop that only sells ck bean tea? Then chatting and apuding? Hmm How should I write Chinese characters. It was the scent that led me down a side path again as I fell into a daydream. * * * Henrik, who was holding the cup while enjoying the coffee, suddenly looked at the cup with surprised eyes. What about this cup? The coffee cup, which had a warm, clear milky white sheen, was surprisingly thin. Seeing Henry unable to take his eyes off his coffee cup, Sejong smiled slightly and asked. Do you like the teacup? It is truly beautiful. And this is my first time seeing a porcin cup this thin. We also started making it a while ago. Is that so? In response to Sejongs question, Henrique fixed his gaze on the teacup again. This makes money! And the eyes of Kim Jeom and Hyang, who were sitting on one side watching the meeting, began to shine frighteningly. Its worth spending money on a kiln! yes! If you cant recognize it, its not an eye, its a knothole! * * * I already got a kiln with good firepower! The scent thatpleted the kiln, which can produce much higher temperatures than existing ones, could not be satisfied with carbide alone. I wonder what would be good. There was definitely something there. Hyang seriously considered how to use the newly developed kiln. Metal smelting is basic, so theres no need to mention it There was something there, I definitely saw it somewhere Hyang, who was so worried, held a teacup in his hand to cool his head. The moment I put the teacup to my mouth, Hyang jumped up from his seat. This is it! Hyang, who came up with Bone China or Golhoe Porcin, soon gathered potters together and started experimenting. You want to mix powder from burned cow bones? The potters, who were skeptical at first, gradually began to produce good results and began to focus on their work with more enthusiasm than incense. In a way, potters were closer to artists. Potters who realized that they could make materials that would bring them closer to the best pottery they had dreamed of, enthusiastically experimented. As a result of the passionate work of the best experts in ceramics C regardless of manufacturing method or material C satisfactory results were produced a year before Prince Henry arrived in Joseon. Then lets mass produce it! You mean mass production? When the fragrance mentioned mass production, the potters looked slightly offended. This was because I didnt like the idea of making arge-scale bowl with such good ingredients. Shouldnt we spread the word about these good products? In this way, Goholhoe porcin came to be made in three grades. Things that even ordinary people can buy with a little bit of thought and more money are things that ordinary people have to think about a lot to buy. Something that only those with real money can afford. The number of flowers was determined ordingly. And after hearing the results and pricing policy, Kim Jeom immediately summoned the Minister of Finance and Economy and ordered them to do so. Open the safe! As a side note, I had to worry about the fragrance right before deciding on mass production. This was due to a problem with the supply of bone powder used in bone pottery. Can we get enough beef bones? The county, filled with worry, soon ordered officials to investigate how many cows and pigs were ughtered in Joseon. And after receiving the results, Hyang shook her head. Such meat addicts! More cows and pigs than expected were being ughtered and served on the peoples tables. This kind of consumption in an era without refrigerators! * * * Are you going to sell this too? Sejong answered Henrys question right away. It has great value as a product and its beauty can make the name of Joseon known more widely. Shouldnt we sell it? In response to Sejongs answer, Henry immediately made a suggestion. We, Portugal, want to have a monopoly. However, King Sejong shook his head at Henrys suggestion. Its impossible. We have already promised supply to that Arab Mansur leader. Therefore, you can divide and sell, but you cannot monopolize. Because I made a promise in my name as the king. Its a bit disappointing. Henrik couldnt hide his regret, but his expression soon corrected. So, will you sell it if I pay you for it? Isnt that obvious? Within the quantity that our Joseon Dynasty can sell, we will sell it to Mansurs merchants or Portugal at the same price. Thank you so much! Henrik expressed his sincere gratitude. And since its not appropriate to talk about business here, lets talk about that with the practitionerster. All right. Henrik immediately epted Sejongs decision. Now, it happened identally because of that teacup. It was not appropriate for him, the prince, and King Sejong to discuss and decide directly. The eyes of Henrys aides lit up when they heard his decision. Its your chance! If this thing goes well, you can gain even more wealth and power! I never saw my close associates so burning with their ambitions. Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy are smiling wryly. Come on! Lets have a fun consultation! * After Joseon pottery entered Alexandria through Mansur, there was a widespread perception that Joseon was unconditionally the best in pottery. In such a situation, with the introduction of Gohlhoe porcin, the pronoun meaning ceramics became Joseon. And Goholhoe porcin was called Bone Joseon. Before the intervention of incense, the synonym for porcin in history was China, and Gohlhoe porcin was called Bone China, but it was changed to Joseon. Andter, a fierce war of words broke out between China and Korea over this notation. The origin of ceramics is us! Are there just one or two countries that made pottery? Whenever somethinges up, these guys insist that its from them! Earthenware and pottery are different! They learned pottery skills from us! So what? Who are these people who go crazy when they think of Goryeo? Anyway, its wrong to call ceramics Joseon! It has to change! The European kids call us that because they want to, so why are they being such a damn thing to us? So if youre going to make it, why dont you make it properly! And Japan could not even intervene in such a war of words. * * * As the meeting was nearing its conclusion, Hyang joined the conversation. Abama soja, can I talk to them for a moment? I allow it. thank you. After receiving permission from King Sejong, Hyang asked Henrique. I heard that among the group I came with were monks from the West Region. Where are they now? Chapter 451 Episode 451: Prophecy. (2) Henrik answered the question about the scent right away. They are staying in an empty house now. Are they a party? To Hyangs question, Henrik answered firmly without any hesitation. no. We apanied each other, but we were not part of the same group. Is that so? Do you know why you came to Joseon? I heard they are monks who study science. Oh really? thank you. After getting roughly the information he wanted, Hyang lightly expressed his gratitude and stepped back. Henriks eyes lit up when he saw that scent. They say its not normal, but its true. He is so fluent in Latin that he does not even need an interpreter, and he is absolutely iprehensible. And Henrik nced at Sejong, who was sitting on the temple. While Hyang was talking with Henrik, Sejong was just listening to the conversation in silence. I was just listening without any interpretation. Henrik swallowed dryly. I swear to God! You cant just sit still because you never know! I clearly understood everything! Both the rich and the rich are dangerous opponents. If you let your nerves down even a little, you will be eaten! Whilepeting with prominent yers in Europe and the Middle East, Henrik learned one thing. Foreigners who canmunicatefortably are more dangerous than those who cannot! If the two sides dont understand what youre saying and you hire an interpreter, you have a chance to find out what the other person is hiding or trying to hide. This was due to the gap that urred when a third party conveyed the thoughts rather than speaking directly. However, if the foreigner you are dealing with is fluent in Portuguese or Latin, there is a high possibility that he will not only hide his weaknesses but also lead the conversation in the wrong direction and lead you into a trap. When Henrik realized the situation, a shiver ran down his spine. There were monsters living in this east! Anyway, the conversation between King Sejong and Henry ended with the conversation with Hyang. It was truly meaningful to meet the prince of a foreign country. I hope that our two countries will continue to have good rtions in the future. After hearing King Sejongs words through an interpreter, Henrik politely bowed and responded. I feel the same way. I tell you to prepare a working meeting on trade as soon as possible. thank you. The moment the meeting ended and he left Gyeongbokgung Pce, Henri took a long, deep breath. Whoa~! He was a more dangerous opponent than anyone else. Henrik lightly shook his head and looked back at his associates, including Pedro. When I get back to the guest house, I have to prepare for the meeting right away. He is a formidable opponent. I understand, prince. Seeing Prince Henry looking very nervous, his associates also nodded with a serious look on their faces. That evening, an official sent from the pce visited the empty coffin. Whats going on? This is a message to the monks. is it? Please wait a moment. After a while, monks appeared, following the soldiers who had received Henrys orders. Looking at the monks who were very nervous, the official delivered themand. Pleasee to the pce tomorrow morning. All right. * * * The next morning, the monks visited Gyeongbokgung Pce. The monks, surrounded by soldiers in a manner more like a siege than a guard, walked around with frightened faces. The monks, who were moving ambiguously as to whether they were walking or being dragged, stopped in the front yard of Geunjeongjeon. On the stairs leading up to Geunjeongjeon, King Sejong was sitting on a chair looking at them, and Hyang was standing next to him, looking at them. Your Majesty the King of this country. Take courtesy! The monks quickly bowed to the interpreters words. King Sejong returned the favor by lightly raising his hand and looked back. You step forward. Yes Abama. Hyang said lightly and stepped forward, looking at the monks and opening his mouth. Where do you guyse from? My name is Giovanni, a member of the Franciscan Order, and these people are with me. In response to Giovannis answer, the perfumes eyes lit up and it asked again. Giovanni, a Franciscan? Do you know a monk named Angelo? My alumni are here. Hoo. Hyang let out a light exmation and asked the question again. okay. Friar Giovanni. Why did youe to Joseon? Angelos letter said it was the best ce to study and pursue knowledge. Is that really all? Well Answer in the name of your god. Of course, when the author, who was said to be the first disciple chosen by the ancestors, was in danger, he immediately denied the ancestors and even cursed them, so I dont really believe it. When the incense mentioned an anecdote about what Peter did on the day Jesus was taken away, Giovanni closed his mouth with a slightly red face. Why arent you saying anything? To be honest, missionary work is a priests mission. Angelo said the same thing. So, there is a question I asked you to convey to the Pope. Did you bring the answer? Giovanni answered the question about the fragrance right away. The Holy Father has said that offering ancestral rites to ancestors is not heresy. Can you swear to the truth in the name of the God you believe in? I can swear. If so, please submit a document that officially records it. Giovanni responded to the perfumesmand with a perplexed face. I dont have any documents. why? . Giovanni had no choice but to keep his mouth shut when asked about the scent. This was because the situation in the Vatican was a mess. * * * The question posed by the fragrance through Angelo was still shaking the European religious and academic world even as time passed. Pope first VS. Council first Separation of church and state VS. Orthodox unity. Church Reform VS. Maintaining the current system VS. Return to fundamentalism. There were endless disputes over many issues, and countless thinkers imed that their opinions were the correct ones. It was truly the European version of the era of hundreds of families fighting. And the most useful means for these thinkers to assert the legitimacy of their ideas were the questions asked by Hyang. The question asked by that foreign prince is an obvious point! And the answer to that is my opinion! What you said is bullshit! What I said is right! Because this type of chaos C war of words, but also bloodshed C continued, Pope Eugenius IV was unable to provide an answer in an official document. * * * Because it was a situation like this, Giovanni had no choice but to keep his mouth shut when asked the reason for the scent. Perfume, looking at Giovanni like that, came to a conclusion. Since there is no official document, missionary work cannot be permitted. But the Holy Father has given us a clear answer. Even if there are documents, it is not umon for everything to change overnight in politics. But can you trust what is said only orally? Giovanni closed his mouth again at the perfumes point. When she saw Giovanni like that, she continued speaking in a stern voice. To be honest, I am in a situation where I am worried about whether or not I should ept you even if I only study academics. This is because Joseon is already overflowing with knowledge and people. Even those who only focus on academic research have to consider whether or not to ept them. Do you think there is a need to ept those with different minds? So decide. If you only want to do academic research, I will allow you to stay in Joseon, but if not, leave Joseon when the Portuguese return! After this, we will be forcibly deported! Giovanni, who had been pondering the firmmand for a while, opened his mouth with difficulty. I am offended, but would you mind if I make a decision after meeting my alumni? At Giovannis request, Hyang turned around and reported to King Sejong. After a while, the fragrance that received the answer from Sejong answered Giovanni. I allow it. I will attach soldiers immediately. Thank you. * * * sibling! Brother Angelo! Angelo, who was wrestling with a form in thebs office, jumped up from his seat when he heard a voice he never expected to hear here. Angelo turned in the direction from which the voice was heard, and as soon as he saw Giovanni, he spread his arms wide in joy. Oh brother! The two people hugged with happy faces and immediately kissed each other lightly on the cheek. Please sit here. Thank you. Angelo, who offered Giovanni a seat, immediately asked a question as soon as he sat down across from him. But what happened to this distant, foreignnd? Thats what you mean * * * Thats right Angelo, who heard the incense order from Giovanni, nodded lightly. Even though it is a foreign country and they believe in other religions, isnt it too harsh? Theres a reason for everything. In response to Giovannisint, Angelo exined the reason. Its because the kingdom before this kingdom was founded declined because of religion. Of course, it wasnt just because of religion, but it couldnt be said to be innocent. So the king and nobles who currently rule this kingdom have no choice but to be sensitive to religion. Is that so? Nodding slightly, Angelo continued his exnation. The nobles and intellectuals who lead this country now are essentially atheists. They see religion itself as deceiving the people and unfairly extorting them. Thats extreme. Well, because there is a precedent. Especially since the king who is currently leading this country views religion negatively. From what I heard, from the beginning of his reign, he abolished monasteries and temples and drastically reduced religious denominations. Huh Did the people stay still? When Giovanni gave an incredulous look, Angelo slightly shrugged his shoulders. For the people of this country, what the king does is sacrosanct and invible. But I saw this myself. A few years ago, there was a cult that believed in a ghost called Dubaksin. At that time, the king not only sentenced all of the cultists to severe punishment, but also tried to clean up all existing temples and sects, as well as fortune tellers who worshiped ghosts. Of course, the ministers dissuaded him from doing so, saying it was too harsh, so it ended up being a failure. The people in power in this country have a strong aversion to religion. * * * As Angelo said, King Sejongs response when the head-skin incident urred was stern. Not only did they find and severely punish those who first spread the dubak spirit, but they even issued an order to arrest all shamans living in the capital. The n was to use the Dubaksin incident as an opportunity to eliminate all shamans who worshiped all gods, but they had no choice but to stop because it was judged that shamanism was a folk custom and could not be easily eradicated. However, in the aftermath, many Buddhist events, including the Lotus Lantern Festival, and the Saboksi ancestral rites had to be stopped for a while. * * * Huh Im embarrassed. Seeing Giovanni looking literally perplexed, Angelo made an expression saying there was nothing he could do. There is nothing we can do about the situation in this country. You either bring the documents with you, or you just focus on academic research like me. Right. Giovanni nodded, looked around, lowered his voice and called out to Angelo. Brother. What is the situation in this country now? What is the situation in Joseon? What does it mean? Have you ever thought about going west, to Europe? Angelo, realizing the meaning of Giovannis question, looked around with a serious look on his face and lowered his voice to ask. why? What happened in the Vatican? Ill exin thatter. So answer my question first. Chapter 452 Episode 452: Prophecy. (3) In response to Giovannis question, Angelo closed his mouth and was lost in thought. Angelo, who had been pondering the rumors he had heard and the things he had personally seen, soon came to a conclusion and answered Giovanni. At least from what Ive seen, Joseon has neither the will nor the ability. You have neither the will nor the ability? In order to advance west, we would have to seek out Kitai, a country several timesrger than Joseon, but this is impossible. Therefore, Joseon only thinks about trade with Europe and does not even think about advancing into Europe. And as far as I know, Joseon has now acquired new unexplorednd in the northeast, but it is also difficult to pioneer it. Referring to the northeastern region beyond the Duman River, Angelo exined why Joseon had neither the will nor the ability to do so. I see Then is it Kitai? After hearing Angelos answer, Giovanni muttered to himself, and this time Angelo asked a question. Why did you suddenly ask such an unexpected question? Giovanni answered Angelos question with a small sigh. Whoa~. Its embarrassing to say it, but there are prophecies circting in the Vatican and many European countries right now. prophecy? And in the Vatican? Is there such a tragedy? How can people who believe in God act like that? When Angelo got angry, Giovanni responded with an embarrassed face. Its a prophecy you know. I know the prophecy? Isnt there a prophecy from long ago? A small spark that blooms in the East will set the entire West on fire. Wasnt that talking about Mongolia? Giovanni sighed again at Angelos bewildered reaction. Whoa~. There were many people who once thought that way. But these days, that prophecy is making the rounds again. Of course, there is a lot of talk about where the East is. Some say Mamluk, others say Ottoman, but these days, Joseon is mentioned the most. At Giovannis words, the thick Koreannguage he had learned in Joseon came straight out of Angelos mouth. These damn bastards have nothing to do with that expensive meal! huh? What does that mean? Giovanni asked the meaning of the Koreannguage out of nowhere, but Angelo nervously made the sign of the cross and answered. Thats it! That doesnt sound good! I see Its not important what I said, but isnt it embarrassing that someone who serves God is a ganja! Giovanni responded to Angelos reprimand with an earnest expression. How could I abandon my responsibility as a believer? But the current situation in the Vatican and Europe. What is the situation! From the Vatican to here, its thousands of leagues (League 1 is about 3.8km) away! Thend route is blocked by Muslims, and if you want to go by sea, you have to bypass the African continent! But what is Joseon? Embers? What on earth is everyone talking about while sitting in the Vatican! Giovanni let out a long sigh at Angelos reprimand. Whoa~. If you think about it withmon sense, yes. If you think about it withmon sense. But this country called Joseon itself does not makemon sense. Isnt this country called Joseon itselfmon sense? Giovanni immediately answered Angelos question, which was still full of anger. Isnt that so? This country called Joseon is truly an unknown entity not only in the Vatican but also in many European countries. So, I sent people to all the ces I could find, including merchants from Eastern Rome and even Arab countries. So I looked into it and found out that before this country called Joseon existed, there was a country called Goryeo. However, the only things that were mainly produced in the country called Goryeo were spices or ceramics. However, in just a few decades after the country changed, all kinds of strange things that had never existed before appeared in the world. Cant we say that it is a country withmon sense? joy! Angelo snorted at Giovannis exnation. Do you know what I desperately felt when I came to Joseon and saw the Korean people? It means that we Europeans arezy. We, the Korean people, are the ones who delve into the buried knowledge of the past, review it, look for errors, and desperately try to know the more urate truth with that knowledge of right and wrong. Its not just intellectuals who do this. Artisans and merchants also do their best to make better products using better technology. During my time living in Joseon, I have never seen the lights on all the buildings in this city called Hanseong turned off. What does that mean? But what? Isnt itmon sense? Themon sense of the Vatican and European nobles is notmon sense, but ignorance! Its notmon sense, its ignorance Hmph! Angelo was still unable to hold back his anger and steam was pouring out of his nose, and Giovanni was mulling over Angelos words. Later, all the Koreans who heard Angelos words muttered in tired voices. That light is the light of overtime * * * Angelo, who had cooled off somewhat after all that outburst, asked Giovanni in a calm voice. The only time European powers or the Vatican are interested in foreign countries is when there is conflict. Whats the problem again this time? Giovanni sighed softly in response to Angelos question. Whoa~. Joseon is the problem. So why Joseon? The problem is the products that Joseon sells to Im and Europe. Everyone is crazy about monopolizing those items. It is not umon for small merchants, who were worried about their future until recently, to grow into big merchants at some point. Im sure people were saying, I sold my soul to the devil. Giovanni nodded silently at Angelos words. It started to spin little by little. However, because the benefits that can be gained by using Joseons goods are enormous,petition to secure trade rights and trade routes is fierce. In addition, the church is in a state of turmoil due to the topic raised by the prince of this country, making it difficult for the Holy Father to step forward and mediate. That is why the Holy Father sent me. The purpose is to contact you to find out the situation in Joseon and to determine whether or not you can be a threat. Whoa~. Angelo let out a long sigh at Giovannis exnation. Ill say it again, Joseon has no intention of promoting Europe like Mongolia or Im. For the current monarch of Joseon and the prince who will seed him, Europe has only one value. A grateful customer who buys good things for me. Unless Europe takes the initiative and does something foolish, there will be no conflict with Joseon. Are you confident? I can swear on Gods name. I understand. Giovanni nodded at Angelos words and his expression brightened. I guess I can send a reply to the Vatican like that! Reply? Are you going to stay here too? Giovanni nodded to Angelos question. of course! Why would I volunteer to y Ganja! I also want to do research with peace of mind. In that sense Giovanni looked at Angelo with a very expectant face. Brother, are you close to that prince? huh? After hearing what had happened between Giovanni and Incense, Angelo patted Giovanni on the shoulder with a face full of pity. Oh brother. How can there be no answer? Angelos face became full of embarrassment at Giovannis question. We are friends, but we cannot be called close friends. And if you think about the current academic level of Joseon, the princes words are absolutely wrong. Its not a level to teach, but rather a level to learn. Is it that much? Otherwise, how would something like an iron horse have been born? Do you think that this is something that can only be created if the craftsmen are talented? Huh Angelo continued, looking at Giovannis surprised face. I came to Joseon and taught for a while, but that didntst more than half a year. Monsters live in this Joseonboratory. Monsters? Representative characters include Lee Soon-ji, Kim Dam, and Princess Justice. In particr, Sunji Lees tongue is as lethal as her head. is it? Giovanni, who had been nodding at Angelos exnation, suddenly looked surprised. princess? The princess studies academics? Is that possible? Its possible in this country. Its not just princesses, there are quite a few female officials. Is that possible? Can women properly handle public affairs? Did you see well? They are not just selected; they are people who took and passed the same exam as the men. Huh~. There was nothing like that in the letter you sent, right? Theres no need to write about that, right? If you do it wrong As Angelo slowly blurted out his words, Giovanni muttered with a gloomy face. I will be Pue Aurelianensium (Pue Aurelianensium). These two people reminded me of Joan of Arc, who was revered as a saint but was used of being a witch and met a miserable end. So, if you really want to stay in Joseon, it would be best to say that you want to learn and research, not teach. I want to learn and research. The basic virtue that the nobles and intellectuals of this country should have is constantly learning and devising. The current monarch would be willing to allow it. At Angelos rmendation, Giovanni immediately made up his mind. I understand! Lets do it! Thank you so much, brother! * * * The next day, Giovanni visited theboratory and looked for incense. okay. Have you made a decision? Yes, we will not proselytize until an official documentes from the Vatican. Also, like the prince said, your skills may decline. However, I am also someone who enjoys learning and training. If you give me the chance, I will do my best to learn and work hard. Hmm Hearing Giovannis words, Scent, who had been pondering while stroking her chin, came to a conclusion. I will hand it over to Abama. Once Abamamas decision is made, I will give you an answer right away. Thank you. Then lets go out and see. Yes, prince. After sending Giovanni away, Incense stroked his chin again and muttered. I will learn and practice. La. Youe in with your head lowered? Well, the more people there are, the better, but. There are still too many tasks to push and grind. Lowering. Grand Prince Jinpyeong has arrived. Hyang corrected his expression and responded to the notice from the eunuch. Please stop by. Yes sir. Why is this bastard He seemed to be secretly nervous. Jinpyeong became terminally ill after suffering a Deoktong ident, and evolved from there to be a fan of steam engines. But Hyang couldnt let go of the tension. Thanks to this, when King Sejong tried to change Grand Prince Jinpyeongs military name from Jinpyeong to Suyang, Hyang did his best to prevent it. They said they follow peoples names. You never know! Jinpyeong, who came into the office a little whileter, saw the incense and bowed to the porridge. How are you? okay. What happened today? In response to Hyangs question, Jinpyeong took out a piece of paper from his sleeve. Yes, I am here because I have a stylus sharpener that I came up with. Stylus sharpener? yes. Jinpyeong answered right away and spread the paper on the desk. This? Hyangs eyes lit up when she saw the picture drawn on the paper. On the paper was drawn something simr to the pencil sharpener that 21st Century Hyang used well when he was an elementary school student. Jinpyeong, who saw that the scents reaction was not bad, got excited and started exining. If you look at the stylus sharpener frame used today, dont you hold the frame and turn the stylus to sharpen it? Wouldnt it be possible to do the opposite, holding a pencil and turning the de of the frame? So, if you attach a handle to a frame with a fixed de and turn it Its a good idea, but why is the shell of an iron horse? One of the ces that uses pencils the most is the Railroad Administration and Area 51s research center Is it because you like iron horses more than that? In response to Hyangs question, Jinpyeong nodded with a humble smile. Thats right. Hmm lets see Speechless, Hyang began to look through the paper, and Jinpyeong only looked at Hyangs mouth with a tense face. I was just thinking about solving itter, but this guy is sticking out? It was a scent that made me think about somethingpletely unexpected. But soon after, Hyang burst intoughter. Heh! Is that really what people are thinking? Lowering? Jinpyeong! Jinpyeong responded to Hyangs name with a very tense face. Yes yep! Lets write a contract! yes? Chapter 453 Episode 453: Prophecy. (4) Giovannis request went directly to Sejong through incense. I will learn and practice. What do you think? I probably made that decision because of what I saw and felt whileing to Hanseong. Would it be useful? Since they dont know anything at all, the effort of teaching them from the beginning has been reduced, and they also have a strong desire to learn, so I think it will be quite useful. There is still a lot of work to be done, but there are not enough people. Hmm As King Sejong was stroking his beard and weighing Hyangs words, Hwang Hee asked Hyang a question. Isnt there a possibility that he is a spy targeting confidential information in theboratory and Area 51? Even if those who came in the past simply came with academic enthusiasm, I think we should consider the possibility that those whoe now may not. The ministers all nodded at Hwang Hees point. This was because there had been an attempt to recruit the artisans of Area 51 in the past. * * * That incident was still a mystery because all the Joseon merchants who participated in the incident were arrested, but all Ming people disappeared. All nearby ports were blocked and searched, but the Myungguk suspects were never found. In the end, the case fell into abyrinth, but the ministers looked at Sejong and Hyang with eyes full of suspicion. Its definitely suspicious. Even though things have gotten to this point, you are so quiet. No matter how much Myungguk was involved, its even more suspicious that hes so quiet. The ministers, who had pondered over and over again to resolve the question, eventually reached one conclusion. -Your Majesty has another hand that we dont know about! What should I do? When the ministers asked, Hwang Hee answered in a sour voice. What should I do? Your Majesty is reluctant to reveal it, so I have to pretend not to know even though I know. But we still need to check if its true. Do you have multiple lives? And did you persecute us with a hidden hand? . In the end, like Hwang Hee said, the ministers had to pretend not to know even though they knew. And Sejong was also vaguely aware of this situation. In the end, the king and the ministers all pretended not to know each other even though they knew each other. There have been several simr incidents since then. However, unlike the Area 51 incident, which was an unsolved case, these were cases targeting the private sector, and the people arrested in connection with this were immediately sent to the Ming Kingdom. However, by nd rather than sea. And most of the Ming people who were expelled went missing in the Liaodong region. The Ming Dynasty government made inquiries regarding this, but Joseons answer was consistent. As you can see from the records, you were fine until you left the Joseon border, right? Why are you suspicious of people you dont know? In the end, Myeong-guk, who was frustrated with the situation of full of suspicion but no physical evidence, had no choice but to make a formal request to the Joseon Dynasty government. We strongly request that we be repatriated by sea. I will do it because the Lord wants it, but you will pay for the transportation costs, right? Shit! Ill give! prepayment? Cash on delivery? Paddeuk! Fortunately, the Ming Dynasty ended like this because it was a Shang Dynasty, but in the case of the Japanese Empire, it ended with summary executions without even notifying the shogunate. * * * Hwang Hee pointed this out because things like this had happened. Hyang immediately responded to Hwang Hees point. First, we will bundle up the monks who came with that monk named Giovanni. Did you say it would be handled as a bundle? Yes, if even one of the group says they want to go back, I will send them all back home. Of course, a thorough search must be conducted right before leaving the country. Ah The ministers all nodded in response to Hyangs response. Everyone knew that the West Station monk named Giovanni had talked to the monk who had arrived earlier. Even if confidential information was leaked during the conversation, Giovannis entire group could be prevented from escapingpletely if they were stranded in Joseon. The description of the scent continued thereafter. Also, even if I am entrusted with a job, I n to only entrust it with theoretical research as much as possible. In fact, that part of the workforce is running out the most. There will be minimal participation in actual field work. Like now. Looking at the current situation in Area 51 and the research institute, there are only two people involved in everything from source technology to application technology. Raphael and Pietro, ss artisans. Hwang Hee, who had been pondering for a moment about Hyangs answer, which gave examples of two people who hadpletely settled down in Joseon and even created a family, spoke to King Sejong. I think the measures the crown prince has mentioned will be sufficient for now. Of course, there will have to be conciliation, but thats okay. Hyang immediately responded to Hwang Hees words. I think appeasement will be easier if we use the issue of missionary. Because we are still in an era where the nation is pushed aside by God. At Hyangs words, King Sejong and the ministers all looked at Hyang with eyes full of surprise. King Sejong and the ministers all felt the same way. Such a damn thing! Because hes like this, hes thinking about roasting, eating, and boiling the remaining bones and using them to make pottery! * * * Three dayster, after receiving a call from the perfumer, Giovanni went to the perfumers office with a very nervous face. Did you call me? Abama has made the decision. Giovannis face became even more tense at his response. In that case You gave conditional permission. If you say it is a conditional permit. We will oversee the censorship of the letter banning missionary work and unify the behavior of the group that came with us. What if you tell us to unify our actions? Either everyone stays or everyone goes. Giovanni fell into deep silence at the scents firm answer. Giovanni had obtained considerable information while traveling from Mokpo to Hanseong and while meeting Angelo in Hanseong. This had to be sent to the Vatican, but since it was unclear which part would be cut off if sent by letter, the best alternative was to send one of the disciples back. However, the conditions given by the scent made both of these impossible. No, it would have been possible for everyone, even Giovanni, to go back, but in that case, they would have no choice but to continue to encounter new knowledge only through heavily tarnished letters. I came all the way to Joseon because of my intellectual thirst, but I couldnt give up and go back. In the end, Giovanni made up his mind. Everyone will stay. is it? Then, within today, people will go to the vacant house and take out all their luggage. Move after them. Thank you. It was Giovanni who bowed politely and expressed his gratitude. * * * While the town was dealing with Giovannis group, Prince Henrys aides and the working-level staff of the Ministry of Finance were diligently discussing trade. What product do you want? Thats right For your information, please keep in mind that the goods taken by the Mansour Merchant Marine and our ships are not all of the products sold by our Joseon Dynasty. Pedros hand, which was trying to take the list out of his pocket, stopped at the words of the Joseon official. After thinking for a while, Pedro made a request to a Joseon official. Can I see a sample of those items? However much. You can clearly see items from Joseon. Upon hearing this, Henrik immediately got up and left. This was because curiosity took precedence over respect. * * * The Joseon official guided Henry and his group to the sample exhibition hall. Oh~. Henrik and his group eximed in exmation as they looked at all the products that filled the exhibition hall. There were many items I was familiar with in Alexandria, but there were also items I had never seen before. Henry and his group, especially Henry, pointed out unfamiliar products and asked for exnations, and Joseon officials gave exnations with sincerity. ah! The pottery is quite good, but the Mansour upper range does not handle it. Youre saying its against thew to worship idols? ah! It was too bulky, so we gave up because we didnt have enough space. Oh that! A new product is here! It will probably be released to Alexandria next year. Henriks groups eyes were half-closed as they looked at the items while listening to the officials exnations. Not only rarity but also usefulness! Its definitely something that makes money! Shut up and buy that! Its a new product, a new product! Shut up and buy it! Although he felt like he wanted to spend all the money he had brought with him right now, Henrik showed superhuman patience. Are these all the items here? All the items handled by the royal workshop and upper level are here, and the items handled by the general upper level have to go to the author. Can you see those items now? In response to Pedros question, the official nodded calmly. Do you think that would be difficult? You can move forward as an author right away. Ooh~. Henrik and his group, who went to the marketce built on Bell Tower Street in Hanseong, let out a series of exmations. There were all kinds of things hanging in every store. While the items in the sample exhibition hall were high-end items that showed off their charm, most of the items in the authors stores looked a bit cheap, but seemed more diverse and useful. A Joseon hat caught the eye of Henrik, who was looking at various products and touching them with his hands to understand their marketability. Is that a Joseon hat? The official nodded and answered Henrys question. Herees the horsehair hat that started to be popr not long ago. I see Listening to the officials exnation, Henrik nodded and looked around. Among the people walking down the street, those who seemed a bit wealthy were all wearing hats simr to the one they had seen. But there was something a little different. There are very few people with the same decorations orces? The official who saw Henrik alternately examining themps hung in the store and those decorated with various ornaments or decorated with colorful strings immediately added an exnation. A hat is an item that cannot be stylish with just one hat. is it? The official muttered to himself as he looked at Henry nodding his head. I wonder if His Majesty is considering making a rtedw? * * * Starting with the jade cloth and pavilion attached to the crown of the hat, the hat decoration straps decorated with all kinds of jewels and gold and silver were like the pride of wealthy men of the nobility. Thanks to this, gyokuro and pavilions began to boast more and more delicate shapes, and the decorative cords became more and more extravagant. In the end, when it was reported that one roof tile cost enough to buy a tile-roofed house, King Sejong began to consider sanctions against it. If we leave it alone, not only will extravagance spread, but violent crimes aimed at this will increase. However, I am worried because if we block it unconditionally, consumption will decrease and merchants will have problems. Hyang muttered to herself as she looked at Sejong who was worried. I know that men risk their lives for tuning, whether in the future or now Is this really an instinct? It was a scent that made me think about not only the 21st centuryputer water cooling system, but also car tuning and audio tuning, which is said to be the ultimate king. * * * Can I try it? yes. Henry took off the hat he was wearing and put on a shade, whistling lightly. Hwiyu~. Its so light! light! And it allows the wind to pass through well, but also blocks out the sun well! Henrique took off themp again and took it in his hand, looked at the decorations around him and then looked back at Pedro. If we do well, we could shake up the European social scene. Chapter 454 Episode 454: Prophecy. (5) Hey, owner. The prince of the western region here wants to buy a hat. You mean God? The store owner, who heard what he said through the interpreter, looked at Henrik for a moment and then called his servant. Gap-dong! Go and tell Mr. Jin toe! Yes sir! An official interrupted the store owners words. Who is Mr. Jin? He is the leader of the small workers who do the hard work. Why him? In response to the managers question, the store owner raised his hand and pointed to Henrik and exined. Not only the prince of the western region, but the heads of the western region people who came with us are a little different from our Koreans. Cant we just make it and sell it? At the officials words, the merchant waved his hands and raised his voice. Oh my, Nari! Even though that hat guy looks like he made it roughly, if it doesnt fit the head perfectly, its ufortable to use and doesnt look good! How picky are the local noblemen in Hanseong and its surrounding areas, so they want us to make and sell them roughly? Is there anything wrong with the store? is it? Well The official who heard the exnation nodded. When buying a hat, he tried it on, touched it, and then made his choice. He also had the experience of going there when he heard that a stores hat was of good quality. Meanwhile, Henrik, who heard the story of the store owner through the interpreter, nodded slightly. Even the merchants in the market have this mindset So are the products from Kingdom of Flowers superior? The interpreter, who understood Henrys mumbling, muttered to himself. Well, letse What was the rumor going around among the merchants? Are you saying that there is no better sense of truth than the people of Hanseong? As the capital of Joseon was Hanseong, the highest ss of Joseon gathered in Hanseong. Since they were such people, they were naturally picky, and if there was even the slightest defect, word of mouth spread and thepany went bankrupt in an instant. Mr. Jin, who came running after being called a whileter, looked at Henrik and his group after hearing the story. My father-inw said he needed to measure his head and asked if it was okay. Its okay. After a while, the craftsman, who had pushed Henrys head on the chair and measured it with various measuring tools, came to a conclusion, and the interpreter ryed this to Henry. The craftsman says that the shape of the head is quite different from that of the Koreans, so the frame needs to be remade from scratch. Thats why Im saying it will take quite some time. In response to the interpreters question, Henri nodded with an expression that seemed like it was no big deal. I have to stay here in Joseon anyway until the wind changes, so tell them its okay. Then how many are there? Lets start with 100 first. After hearing the story through the interpreter, the merchant began business in earnest with a bright smile on his face. Then what do you want God Ham? What is God Ham again? In response to Henrys question, the merchant showed him the wooden boxes in which themps were stored. The moment Henrik saw the boxes, which started from simple fitting boxes polished with rosin and then decorated with mother-of-pearlcquerware, he remembered what the official had said. They say you have to be prepared to spend money from the moment you buy a hat In the end, Henrique had to reduce the number of hats he wanted to order from 100 to 30. As he reduced the quantity, Henri savored his meal with a face full of regret. There are a lot of things to buy, but I cant just buy hats. Sigh! * * * In the process of purchasing the hat, Henrik, who went through a lot of hazing, became more and more serious as he went around the author of Hanseong. Of all the things you could buy in Alexandria, except for a few really top quality items, they were all mid-level products! Many of the things that had to be purchased for quite a bit of money in Alexandria could be purchased for 1/3 the price in Joseon, where they were produced. And the vast majority of items that were expensive and difficult to obtain even within Joseon were items that could not even be found in Alexandria. And many of those items were things that could bring enormous profits if they could be taken with them. If only I could take it with me Henry, who returned to the empty house, muttered with a bitter look on his face. * * * The extremely extravagant mother-of-pearlcquer furniture that caught Henrys eye at a furniture store in the marketce were luxury goods that the royal families of each country would open their wallets for without a second thought if they were brought to Europe. But the problem was its size and transportation difficulties. Items such as the mother-of-pearlcquerware furniture mentioned as an example were easily damaged when exposed to moisture. Even the losses had to be taken into ount if the goods were transported via sea route over several months. Especially if it had to go back to Africa like the current fleet, it would have been fortunate if only one out of 10 was intact. If thats the case, the price will have to be set at a huge price. Then its hard to sell. There was a reason the Arab merchant gave up. The merchant ships driven by Arabs were small. Therefore, most of what they handled were small, expensive items. However, among the items brought from Joseon, the items that brought the most profit wererge luxury items such as candbrum chandeliers. And since the only ships that could transport theserge luxury items were Joseonsrge sailing ships, Joseon was able to reap enormous profits. The problem ofrge ships can be dealt with to some extent with our ships, but the problem is the voyage period It takes too long to go around Africa Henrik, who had been devising various solutions here and there, let out a long sigh. As expected, it is an iron horse. * * * Henry and his partys purchase consultation took ce over almost two months. The reason it took so long was because on the 10th day of the consultation, the manager who was conducting the consultation hinted at something. Some things are gathered in Hanseong, but there are many things that are not. is it? Henriks eyes sparkled after hearing the officials words. Its your chance! Ever since he became obsessed with iron horses, Henry had a strong desire to ride one. However, I had to suppress my feelings as I saw the Joseon army tightly surrounding the empty coffin. This is not protection, it is a warning! A warning not to move carelessly! Thats why all Henry had to do was go far to see the author. In such a situation, the managers words to sell as many items as possible were the best opportunity for Henrik. I still have a lot of time, so I want to see special products from other regions. Can you convey my request to His Majesty the King? The official, whose face also brightened, nodded at Henrys request. yes! Let me make a request! King Sejong, who heard Henrys request through an official, asked for opinions from the local government and ministers. What do you think? Its a military strategic point, but I think itll be okay if we can avoid it. It seems that what the Crown Prince said is correct. The ministers did not show much disagreement with Hyangs answer. King Sejong made a conclusion based on the positive response from the local government and ministers. In that case, please make it convenient for me to travel on an iron horse. Shall we organize a special episode? Then, since it is inconvenient for the people, lets rent out a carriage. Arent you a precious guest? * * * So, while Henry was traveling around Joseon on an iron horse, King Sejong received an unexpected report. Is there a strange saying going around among the researchers at the research institute? Jeongcho immediately answered King Sejongs question by bowing his head. Thats right. What is it about? In response to King Sejongs question, Jeongcho exined the very thing. After hearing Jeongchos answer, King Sejong stroked his beard and muttered. A small spark that blooms in the East will set the whole West on fire. Jeongcho continued speaking at King Sejongs muttering. I asked Angelo and Giovanni, the leaders of the monks, and they told me that this true saying has been passed down for a long time and that it refers to the Mongols in the past, that is, the Yuan. I see * * * This word first spread when Giovannis disciples and Angelos disciples were talking. Theres some interesting talk going around in the Vatican these days! What do you mean? As word began to circte, Angelo got scared and stopped his disciples. Never talk outside! Dont you know how Joseon deals with false statements? In Joseon, whenever false rumors were circted, they were pursued until the end and the nderers were severely punished. Knowing this, Angelo quickly silenced the careless disciples, but the prophecy in question spread among other alchemists and schrs, and eventually reached the ears of the Korean people. Thanks to this, Angelo was called to Jeong Cho and had to make an excuse. * * * Hmm. If a report is made to me, the crown prince must know. What did the crown prince say? At first youughed, then you became serious. It has be serious. There are several things to point out King Sejong and the ministers nodded at the same time at Jeongchos words. If you look at the recent surrounding situation, there are more than one thing thates to mind * * * There are several things that are a bit disturbing. After hearing the prophecy from the Vatican, Hyang looked at the map with a serious expression. First of all. Im currently preparing to film a drama. In the case of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Seondeoks health was gradually deteriorating. The problem was Crown Prince Zhu Jin, who would be the next emperor. No matter how much I tried to package him in nice words, he had an arbitrary and reckless personality. It was derailed due to the emperors excessive expectations. Although there were simr evaluations, the great and small officials of the Ming Dynasty became anxious whenever they thought of the crown prince. Finally, sincest year, Ju Ji-jin left the Forbidden City and lived in Nanjing. At that time, Nanjing had the same administrative organization as the Beijing court, so the intention was to familiarize people with administration through this. This was also the case with the Seondeok system. When Emperor Hongxi died, Emperor Xiande, who was learning administrative work in Nanjing, had to rush to Beijing. However, the reporting from Nanjing was not very good, and the ministers worries grew deeper. As a result, talk about recing the crown prince began to circte. If this problem existed internally, externally, tensions with Northern Yuan were rising again. The Ming Dynasty opened a shrine on the border with Northern Yuan and established a permanent market to conduct trade. However, unlike the fact that horses and sheep were almost all that Bukwon sold, the merchants who owned various products that Bukwon needed were increasingly making profits. Because of this, the air in the border area was bing increasingly harsh. If the Ming Dynasty is a ce where it is not strange if something breaks out at any time, whether outside or inside, the country where it is not strange even if a civil war breaks out tomorrow is Wae-guk. After the young son of the assassinated former shogun became shogun, the Hosokawa family erased the family name of Mitsusuke Akamatsu, the main culprit of the assassination. The shogunate seemed to have stabilized thanks to the efforts of the Hosokawa family, who sessfullypleted the subjugation and took over as guardians of the young shogun. But in reality, there was no telling when it would copse. The biggest reason was that the shogun was too young. Although the families under the shoguns tutge, including the Hosokawa family, tried to maintain the stability of the shogunate, secretly ambitious daimyo began to appear. Among such ambitious people, the most representative family was the Ouchi. Chapter 455 Episode 455: Prophecy. (6) Ouchi was expanding his military arsenal to the extent that anyone could notice if he paid even a little attention. Not only that, but key people also changed. Morimi, who had led the family until now, stepped down due to old age, and Mochiyo, the weir of the previous family head, took over as head of the family. And Norihiro, Morimis son, was adopted by Mochiyo and rose to the position of head of the family. In this way, the sessor structure that would be problematicter was stably established. Afterpleting the session work, Morimi spoke to Mochiyo with an expression of relief. It was a good time. Kamisama () is helping our family. Mochiyo bowed down and responded to Morimis words. hot! Thats right! Stand up! From now on, you must lead the family! Mochiyo straightened her posture at Morimis words. From now on, this ce is yours. Morimi, who left the position of head of the household to Mochiyo, lightly tapped Mochiyo on the shoulder. From now on, do your best to fulfill your familys long-cherished wish. under! While listening to Mochiyos firm answer, Morimi lightly tapped Mochiyo on the shoulder. Again, it was a good time. If the previous shogun had still been alive, things would have beplicated. Thats right. * * * In order to strengthen the power of the shogunate, the previous shoguns were actively involved in the daimy session process. Rather than appointing a designated sessor within the daimyos family, he insisted on appointing as sessor those who would follow his instructions or were likely to do so. In this situation, the daimy who did not follow the shoguns will were mysteriously assassinated, and the daimy had no choice but to follow Yoshinoris will. This was the same for Ouchi. In allowing Mochiyo to take over as governor, Morimi had to release considerable funds through Mochiyo to Yoshinori and his associates. In this way, he seeded in continuing the family headship of Mochiyo, but seeding to the headship and handing over the position of head family to Norihiro were two different situations. It would not have been a big problem for Mochiyo, who had gained Yoshinoris trust, to seed the family head, but it was certain that it would be very difficult for Morimis son, who distanced himself from Yoshinori, to ascend to the position of head of the family. It was in this situation that Yoshinori was assassinated. Less than a month after hearing the news of the shoguns assassination, the session structure, including the session of the Ouchi family, was confirmed and notified to the shogunate. And the shogunate could not say anything about Ouchis decision. The shogun was only 8 years old, and the Hosokawa family, who became his guardians, and his biological mother, Shigeko Hino, who became regent,cked the ability to subdue Ouchi. As an aside, Ouchi reported the news about the session of the family head and the confirmation of the session structure to Joseon before the shogunate. King Sejong, who received letters from Morimi and Mochiyo through a messenger, responded as follows. -It is truly regrettable that the internally sensitive person who has been fostering good-neighborly friendship with our country has no choice but to step down due to aging. In addition, Daenaejise (ȳ), the newly appointed head of the family, has promised good neighborliness, so we in Joseon sincerely hope that this spirit will continue for a long time. At the same time as this answer, arge amount of medicine was delivered to Morimi through a messenger. You gave me so much precious medicine! Thank you so much! The lion who received the medicine was truly happy and bowed. However, the Joseon ministers who saw this muttered to themselves. You must be very busy to pay for the medicine. * * * Because the situation in the Ming and Japanese countries was like this, King Sejong and the ministers of Hyang became serious. When war broke out in the Ming or a war broke out within the Japanese country, the first thing to copse was the interior of the country. Once a war or civil war broke out, it was like a ghost that constantly ate peoples lives and property. The history up to now was that the peoples hard work would be squeezed to raise money for war, and those who could not endure this would either be refugees or be thieves. Therefore, it was clear that if the war broke out to a greater extent, trade routes would be blocked. It was obvious to see that the time when Chinese pirates and Japanese pirates were prospering coincided with a period when China and Japanese were suffering from war. It was certain that if maritime trade routes were blocked, the situation in Joseon would be serious. Of course, it was not impossible for Joseon to control this trade route if the Joseon navys full power was properly mobilized. The problem was the supply of war funds that would be consumed in the process and the problem of exploration of unupied areas in the East. It was certain that if arge amount of power was invested to secure and manage trade routes, the exploration of terra incognita, which had just begun to get off the ground, woulde to a halt. If the time was missed during this process, there was a high possibility of a fiercepetition with Europeansing from the West. In the end, we must have a clear advantage in both quantity and quality. Hyang, who was organizing the situation, circled the word sheep and made a gloomy face. The problem is that I am confident in quality, but not in quantity. Because the sea is wide and the number of ships is limited. no. Stomach is not a problem either. Gunpowder is the problem Hyang, who continued to delve into the problem, wrote gunpowder and circled it. Should we give up ck powder? The artillery units of the Land Forces and the Navy were using Deok-Gap-type gunpowder, a smokeless gunpowder, but the musketeers, the basic force of the Army, were using Eul-style gunpowder, a ck gunpowder. Dualized supply is a problem Explosive power is also a problem It would be more efficient to unify all areas where gunpowder enters from thend to the sea with Deok-Gap style gunpowder but the problem is glycerin. Easy. Dynamite used at civil engineering sites C in Joseon, it was called Jitongpok C and Deokgap-style gunpowder contained arge amount of explosive oil C nitroglycerin. In order to supply glycerin for use in this nitroglycerin, waste oil was collected from farmers shops and homes, but there was still a shortage. What should I do with this Hyang, who was contemting a solution, raised his head and looked away to cool his frustrated head. As Hyang was looking around without thinking, a map caught his eye and he jumped up from his seat. I forgot about the south! The Southern Fleet, established to stabilize trade routes, was scheduled to depart soon. Once the Southern Fleet settles in Temasek, we will be able to obtainrge quantities of coconut fruits! After finding his own answer, Hyang immediately started writing a report. source? Are there just one or two people who have been to that neighborhood now? * * * While this was happening in Hanseong, Henry was traveling around Joseon on an iron horse. Henrik was impressed by the outstanding scenery of Joseon and at the same time was able to select and contract items that he had not seen in Hanseong but were of good marketability. But what captured Henrys heart most strongly was the iron horse. Its definitely useful. Henrik, who returned to Hanseong, impressed by the usefulness of the iron horse, gave up on luck on thest day of the consultation. Ive been traveling around Joseon and Ive seen that its a truly beautiful country. The official in charge of practical work responded to Henrys praise with a smile. The scenery of Joseon is famous for its beauty. You have to travel a long distance to see that beautiful scenery, and I think the iron horse ys a big role. But these days, more and more people are taking sightseeing trips on iron horses. I see Hmm, can Joseon give away that iron horse? The smile disappeared from the officials face at Henrys words. The official with a stiff face carefully questioned Henrik. What do you mean by asking for the iron horse? Iron horses seem very useful because they can transport people and cargo to long distances without stopping. So I want to build a railroad in my country and colonies. At Henrys exnation, the official stood up immediately. I dont think this issue is up to me to decide. Is it okay if I report to you for a moment? Sure. After receiving Henrys permission, the official bowed and quickly disappeared outside. As he watched the officials quickly disappear, Henrique gave orders to Pedro. To prepare a map of Africa and the Arab world. yes? If done incorrectly, confidential information may be leaked. Its worth the risk. Get ready. Yes, prince. After some time, the officials came back. The Minister said, This is not something to be decided arbitrarily. You said so. He said he would receive an answer from His Majesty the Prime Minister within two days at thetest. Ill wait. Then, lets conclude what we have discussed about trade so far. I will do so. * * * Two dayster, Prince Henry sat down with Kim Jeom. You are the Minister of Left Deputy Prime Minister. Following the interpreters words introducing Kim Jeom, Kim Jeom lightly bowed to Henrik. It is a pleasure to sit down with the Grand Army of Portugal. Nice to meet you too. After a brief meeting, both sides got straight to the point. Did you ask for an iron horse? exactly. Do you know how much an iron horse costs? If you have five iron horses, you can make one of Joseons great ships that the great king saw. Sigh! Henrik was momentarily taken aback by the price that exceeded his imagination. Are these people trying to make unprofitable profits? Henrik, suspicious of price gouging, looked at the expressions of Mr. Kim and the officials sitting in front of him. But Kim Jeom went one step further. If you want to properly operate an iron horse with the purpose of making a profit, it is absolutely impossible with just one or two. You have to be at least in your teens to start, but is it possible to return to your country? To add, if you only buy an iron horse, it will be of no use. The railroad tracks for the iron horses must be built, and there must be carriages and freight cars to transport people and luggage. So, Joseon also had to prepare for quite a long time. Henrys doubts seemed to be immediately answered by Kim Jeoms words. Theyre really worried about whether Im going to buy it! After understanding what the Koreans were worried about, Henri organized his thoughts once again. Henrik, who organized his thoughts based on what Kim Jeom said, answered Kim Jeoms question honestly. If its that expensive, its impossible for our kingdom alone. So, how about North Korea joining hands with us? Did you say we would hold hands? exactly. We, Portugal and Joseon, are joining together to build a railroad across Africa. Did you say you were going to cross Africa? exactly. Pedro! Yes prince! As soon as Henrys order was given, Pedro unfolded the map, and Henry traced the southeastern coast of Africa with his finger and then drew an imaginary straight line heading north. If we build a railroad like this, we can transport ves from Africa, ivory and other valuables, and goods from Joseon. Kim Jeom, who was looking at the map while listening to Henriks exnation, shook his head. Why do we have to go down there? huh? For Joseon, there is no need to go all the way to southeastern Africa. ve? ves are of little use to our Joseon people. Ivory and other valuables can be found in abundance in Alexandria. But its expensive. Considering the time it takes to get to southeastern Africa, the life of the ship, and the safety of the crew, it is not a big loss. And Kim Jeom paused for a moment and continued speaking while tracing the imaginary straight line drawn by Henrik. An iron horse requires more than just railroad tracks. It must be a ce with solid ground to firmly support the railroad, and a safe stopover where necessary water and fuel can be supplied along the way. How far is it from south to north? It is about 2,700 leagues (about 8,640 km, the actual length of Africa from north to south is about 8,000 km). Kim Jeom, who measured the length ording to the advice of interpreters and officials, answered Henry. We need toy over 22,000 miles of railway. Do you think it is possible? For Joseon, I believe that the existingnd route is sufficient. Existingnd route? From Suez to Alexandria. Kim Jeom, who answered briefly, continued. Of course, if its shorter than that, Ill consider it. In the end, negotiations regarding the iron horse ended in failure. * * * After hearing the story at Geunjeongjeon, King Sejong looked back. Will the great Portuguese army give up? Im going to give up. If we try toy the railroad as we suggested, a war will immediately break out. King Sejong and the ministers nodded at Hyangs answer. The ce that Joseon chose as the optimal route was the border area between the Mamluks and Ottomans. It was clear what would happen if Portugal intervened. But Im telling you Lee Maeng-gyun, who had been listening to Hyangs story, cautiously opened his mouth. What will happen if Portugal is serious about this? In response to Lee Maeng-gyuns question, there was only silence in Geunjeongjeon. After a long silence, Sejong opened his mouth. If we are wrong, the prophecy wille true. It may not be what we wanted. Chapter 456 Episode 456: Changing People pt.2. (1) As the Gyeongjang began, Yukjo Street also changed a lot. Existing buildings were expanded and remodeled here and there, and new buildings that did not exist before were also built. The first new building to be built was the Record Office, which had the fearsome nickname written with the blood and tears of writers. Later, amon cafeteria for officials and a night room, which was said to be the culprit behind the breakdown of marital rtionships, were built. The buildings built in this way gradually grew in size over time. As the Records Office had more and more records to organize and store, the cafeteria and night room had no choice but to quickly grow in size as management increased. These buildings grew so quickly that the sounds of hammering and sawing continued along Yukjo Street. And these growing buildings have suddenly be famous sights in Hanseong. Atta! Its growing like a pumpkin in the middle of summer! The assessment of a farmer passing nearby was not a joke. And it was a daily routine for the officials staying in those buildings to sigh for a long time. What the hell! People keep growing! Why arent overtime and night shifts decreasing? * * * I wonder if Im in the night shift again today The young official muttered with a tearful expression on his face as he walked along thentern-lit corridor. It was obvious that both his eyes were bulging, showing that he was very tired. Im not going to die like this The official, worried about his own survival, walked over and crossed the threshold of the towering gate with a sign saying Sukjikso (ֱ). After passing through the main gate of the sleeping quarters, a small yard appeared. And there were two small gates on either side of the yard. Each gate had a signboard written on it, Mens Office and Yeomans Office. The official looked at the dull and dull signboard and burst intoughter. Heh! I feel this every time I see it, but it is a truly tasteless name In general, when naming a building, it wasmon to give it an implicit name with all kinds of symbols and meanings. If there was something to separate men and women, like the sleeping quarters in front of us, it was customary to pick and choose the Chinese characters for yin and yang. However, the signboard of the sleeping quarters in front of me was the ultimate in simplicity, rity, and tastelessness. As he passed through the main gate of the south building, the official continued to grumble. I dont know who it was, but it must have been really bothersome Is that a problem now? While the official was grumbling like that, Sejong and Hyang picked their ears at the same time. Why are my ears itching so much? The one who decided on the name was Hyang, and the one who approved without asking was Sejong. * * * The official who entered the sleeping quarters in the south building looked at the walls on both sides of the dormitory entrance. Lets see theres an empty room Squares with building numbers from Buildings 1 to 4 were drawn on the walls on both sides of the entrance. There were small nails stuck inside the squarepartment. And if there was a que hanging on that nail, it meant that there was someone there. Hmm theres still room for the second building. After checking the status of the room, the official hung a que in the square room of Building 2 and went inside. The official who passed through the entrance saw a yard that was a little wider than the yard before. There were fourrge buildings centered around the yard. And all the buildings were connected by corridors. Even if it snowed or rained, the officials were considerate so that they could move without getting wet. The official who entered Building 2 once again looked at the walls to the left and right of the entrance. Which room is it over there! The official found a room that still had room, hung a que on the room he had taken a picture of, and went inside. In this way, the ce where the official would take a nights rest was decided. And another world of management began. * * * Entering the room he had chosen, the official looked at the beds on the second floor lined up on the left and right, looking for an empty seat. Theres still that seat left! The official was pleased to find an empty bed one room away from the window. If you were right next to the window, the sunlight would be painful when the sun rose in the morning, and if you were next to the door, you would have trouble sleeping every time the door opened. Therefore, the bed ced at an appropriate distance from both sides was a good spot. The official who had chosen his seat took off his official uniform and spread it on the top of the bed. The official who unfolded his official uniform muttered softly. Whoa~. Should I always use the space below? * * * There were also implicit rules regarding the use of beds in the night room. The easy-to-usepartments below were reserved for high-ranking officials. Officials above the traditional ssification system of Dangsanggwan (Administrative Officer ording to the revised rank) did not have a separate room because they were provided with a private room, but Danggwan and lower officials had to sleep together in one room regardless of rank. And as that situation continued for a long time, this implicit rule was created. Therefore, when looking for a seat, low-ranking officials had to choose a room that was less than half full. And if it seemed like work would be over toote, it was not umon for him to lie down in his office and sleep. * * * The official who had decided on the seat headed to themunal bathhouse wearing his pants and jacket. Ah~. I can live now! The official who came back after relieving his fatigue in the bath was pleased to see the official putting his official uniform on the empty seat. Who is this? Isnt it a new model? The official turned his head to the sound calling him and answered with joy. stic surgery! Its been a long time! The two people who expressed their happiness to each other were Seong Sam-moon and Shin Sook-ju. * * * Shin Suk-ju, who came back after recovering from some fatigue in the bath, had a small talk with Seong Sam-moon across the small table in the night room. How is the Ministry of Education doing? To Shin Sook-jus question, Seong Sam-moon answered with a bitter smile. Its loud as always. There is a constant war of words between those who insist that one more word of the sage should be taught and those who say that more emphasis should be ced on practical things. Whats so bad is that the minister told us to settle the decision in stone. Seong Sam-moon, who answered with a bitter smile, sighed. Whoa~. If I had known this would happen, I would have gone to the Board of Audit and Inspection like I first wanted to do. At that time, I should not have given in to Admiral Jos persuasion In the appointment examination held in the year of Muo (1438, the 20th year of King Sejongs reign), Seong Sam-Moon passed the examination with excellent scores. Seong Sam-moon, who recorded excellent results in subsequent training courses, immediately caught the eye of ministers and vice ministers, and soon conciliatory touches C fishing would be more suitable C came from all over. I want to go to the Board of Audit and Inspection! I want to do my best to eliminate corruption and make Joseon more beautiful! Seong Sam-moons will was strong, but Jo Gye-saeng, the Minister of Education, was also persistent. It is a truly beautiful meaning, but it is also important to establish education properly. Isnt there an old saying that says to raise people for a hundred years? Due to Jogyesaengs persistent cajoling, Seong Sam-Moon eventually had to support the Ministry of Education. And Seong Sam-moon, who went into work, looked up at the sky and cried. I was crazy * * * Seong Sam-moon answered with a sigh and asked Shin Suk-ju. What about the new model? Is life at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs worth it? Shin Sook-ju also answered Seong Sam-moons question in tears. My inws say that now we even talk in our sleep in fournguages. Not long ago, I spoke threenguages, but now Im learning Latin Oh my The rtionship between Seong Sam-moon and Shin Sook-ju was formed during the training process. The two passed the recruitment exam in the same year with excellent scores and also stood out at the training center. In the end, Seong Sam-moon went to the Ministry of Education and Shin Sook-ju to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, lured by ministers and vice ministers. * * * As the two were talking like this, a gruff voice was heard. I heard a familiar voice, so I came and found Geunbo (the son of Seong Sam-mun)! Seong Sam-moon turned his head when he was called and quickly stood up. Director Kwon! Kwon Ram, who received a polite courtesy from Seong Sam-moon and took a seat in thepartment under the bed, looked at Shin Suk-ju and opened his mouth. I think youre friendly with our Geunbo? My name is Shin Suk-ju. ah! You are the man of rumors! I heard youre fluent innguages? Thats too much praise. Its just a little bit. As Shin Suk-ju was humbly answering, another voice was heard. If it were just a little bit, your seniors wouldnt be criticized so much, right? Shin Sook-ju turned her head to the voice that suddenly interrupted and immediately lowered her head. Is Doctor Han here? Oh yeah. Han Myeong-hoe, who answered lightly, looked at Kwon Ram sitting in thepartment under the bed and immediately said something. oh my! Our small party upies the space below! When did you board? I just sat down for a moment because I was tired. for a moment! Why are youining so much? Like a small person! small fry? I dont think thats what someone who kicked his ass as soon as he saw that his job was difficult would say. I was dragged in like a redhead in the middle of the night and took over the job, but Im d it ended with a kick! Shin Suk-ju and Seong Sam-moon were seriously worried as they watched Han Myeong-hoe and Kwon Ram exchange a bloodthirsty look in their eyes. Are you going to stop this? The two of them exchanged heated words, wondering if they were aware of their concerns, and before they knew it, they put their arms around each others shoulders and went outside. Lets go take a shower! Shin Suk-joo and Seong Sam-moon were devastated as they watched the two people disappear while eximing, Haha. * * * After returning from their bath, Kwon Ram and Han Myeong-hoe immediately joined in the conversation. This is a good opportunity, so lets talk about it. Yes yes. Rx. I wont eat you. Even though Kwon Ram said so, Seong Sam-Moon and Shin Sook-Ju could never rx. The two people in front of me were specially selected by the king and the crown prince. Although their age was simr to theirs, their rank was higher than theirs. To be exact, the two in front of them were governors, so they were one grade apart, but these two were scheduled to be promoted to administrative officers soon. And the door to promotion was wide open, as one could move up from an administrative officer to a high-ranking official as long as there were no mistakes. In the end, the leadership of the conversation passed to Kwon Ram and Han Myeong-hoe. While people were talking about various things, Han Myeong-hoe asked Kwon Ram. I heard theres a rumor that Kang Jung ( Seo Geo-jeongs son) is doing well these days? When Han Myeong-hoe mentioned Seo Geo-jeong, Kwon Ram slightly shook his head. Im good at my job, but I dont get good reviews. Not good reviews? how? Its good that he came into the government at a young age, learned practical skills, and has excellent skills but his temperament is not good. Property? Its dirty Kwon Ram replied briefly, ring at Han Myeong-hoe and grumbling. That innocent and kind kid is so full of venom that he swears and swears. Why did you even drag that young child into him Han Myeong-hoe beat her chest and felt aggrieved at Kwon Rams words. I feel wronged! I was only answering His Majesty the Lords question when he asked who my alumni were! I feel wronged! Lets talk about thatter. Since I am scheduled to take on the role of Secretary of the General Affairs Department in this appointment. I cant bear to say that I will rush to my ce as soon as I hear your name. For some reason, Kwon Ram looked pitifully at an alumnus whose future seemed to be turning bleak. Chapter 457 Episode 457: Changing People pt.2. (2) After some time, the overnight room where Seong Sam-moon and his group were located became fully upied. After taking a light bath, the gathered officials soon sat around Datak and chatted lightly. Although the eyes of the officials were full of fatigue, few of them missed this opportunity to chat. Because they gathered regardless of ministry, it was a valuable opportunity to hear stories from ministries other than their own. Just by collecting the stories flowing out of these ces, one could understand the overall flow, and only those who could draw this well could advance to the top. Im a little hungry How about ordering ate-night snack? As Han Myeong-hoe, who was talking like that, patted her stomach and cried to those around her, Kwon Ram looked at his watch and shook his head. Its toote. Its a shame. Oh my Han Myeong-hoe, who spoke for the first time, was licking his lips when Lee Gae, who was sitting with him, cautiously opened his mouth. I have some smi that I brought back from Area 51 during the day. Would you like to try some? smi! As soon as Yi Gai said these words, the eyes of Kwon Ram and others sparkled menacingly. I have heard a lot! I heard its a dish made by Western ss artisans working in Area 51, and its a delicacy? Everyone else nodded at Kwon Rams words. Lee Gae searched the sleeve of the official uniform hanging next to the bed and took out an object tightly wrapped in paper. He ced the wad of paper on the table and received the words. To be precise, it is food made together by the western region people and the monks at the institute. Its simr to the sundae from the northern region, except that its a lot saltier, but it has a pretty good vor. Is that so? The mouths of the officials, who were fixated on the stack of paper as they listened to Lee Gais exnation, were already filled with saliva. The knot tying the paper was undone, and inside the wide open paper was lightly grilled and thinly sliced smi. Try it. Thank you! The officials who put the thinly sliced pieces of smi into their mouths immediately shook their heads. It really is a delicacy. Do you like soju? Soju is good, but I think mulberry water would also be good. Kwon Ram finished the piece amidst positive reviews. There was a reason why His Majesty the Lord praised you. * * * Among the foreigners who came to Joseon, those who lived the most sessful lives were Raphael and Pietro. A ss artisan is needed. The two men brought by Mansour from the ve market in Alexandria at the request of the incense changed from ves to free people and soon became key figures in the royal ss workshop established in Area 51. Recognized for the importance of their skills, the two received shares in addition to their sries, and soon amassed considerable wealth. And as time passed, the two found themselves in a situation where they had to choose where to go. The promised 10 years are almost over Thats right. Pietro and Raphael pondered the future with serious faces. Are you just going to put down roots in Joseon or are you going to return to your hometown? Even if they settled in Joseon like this, the two had no shortage. He built up a close rtionship with Joseons ss craftsmen to the point where he could talk to them without hesitation, and the dividends he received through sry and shares were considerable. If they settled down and lived like this, they were guaranteed an enviable environment in which to live. Conversely, if I went back to my hometown, I would have to start all over again. If I opened a store with the money I had saved up, the initial hardship would be less, but I still had to be prepared for territoriality. That was just a wishful thinking, and if they made a mistake, they might be imprisoned in the deepest part of Murano Ind and have to spit out their newly acquired new technologies for free. In the end, after much contemtion, Pietro and Raphael decided to remain in Joseon. Surprisingly, it was Raphael who made such a decision first. Err! Neither of us have blood rtives in Venice, so lets live here as if it were our hometown! I got stuck in a trap. Pietro nodded at Raphaels decision, as he had a great interest in the outside world and had a yboy temperament, to the point where the Korean expression . That would be better. Like you said, I have no blood rtives in Venice and Im not sure I can seed even if I go back. The two people made up their minds and told Hyang about their decision. What a difficult decision you have made! Thats great! Hyang, who praised the two people, immediately reported this to King Sejong. Although its influence was much reducedpared to the beginning, it was still good news that ss craftsmen with the best technology would establish themselves in Joseon. After hearing the news, King Sejong immediately called the two. It is not easy to leave your hometown and settle down in an unfamiliarnd a thousand miles away, so you are truly admirable for making such a difficult decision! King Sejong praised the two with a happy face and immediately continued speaking. Now that I think about it, I heard that the two of you dont havest names. Is that correct? Thats right. Then can I give you myst name? Gloryes! When the two people epted it with great joy, Sejong, who had been thinking for a while, opened his mouth. First, Raphael. Since you have always led all matters as the head of the craftsmen, I will give you the surname Choi. Herees the honor of a lifetime! And Pietro, since you are always looking for new and better things, I will give you a high name as yourst name. I am devastated! The two people who received thest name from King Sejong were so moved that they bowed their heads. I was even more impressed because they did not simply give usst names, but gave us words with meanings that suited each person as ourst names. Hyang, who was watching this scene from the side, muttered to herself. The two together are the best? Since then, the Hanyang Choi and Hanyang Ko families, which are said to have produced the worlds best talents in the ss and ceramic industries, were born. * * * The two people who decided to settle down in Joseon soon started a family. And in this process, they were two people who showed pr opposites. What a cow-like friend! Stay stubborn! In the case of Raphael, who received this kind of evaluation from those around him, he sent a formal hawk to the house of the woman he secretly had in mind. Most of the Koreans around Raphael and Pietro were craftsmen and low-level officials working in Area 51 and the royal workshop, so their families also knew Raphael and Pietro well. And there were quite a few wives and children who had feelings for Raphael and Pietro, who had exotic looks. The house to which Raphael sent his hawk was the house of such a father-inw, and the wife also had a crush on Raphael, so the two got married on an auspicious day. And it was a great celebration as Hyang attended the wedding ceremony as a guest. Conversely, in Pietros case, he had to make a choice surrounded by male rtives of the woman who crossed the line. They just held hands! The womans father pointed to the mat and said as he saw Pietro expressing his resentment at the men holding a club in his hand and ring at him murderously. Choose. Do you want to lie on that mat or get married on that mat? Pietro, faced with a life-or-death crisis, eventually decided to get married. * * * The two people, who had started a family, recalled the food from their hometown that they had forgotten. No, from the moment I decided not to go back, it urred to me even more strongly. Joseons food is delicious, but sometimes I crave food from my hometown. Would you like to give me a taste? The two of them talked while recalling the taste of their hometown that they had forced to forget, and soon came to one conclusion. Its also smi, right? Smiji. These ingredients are easy to obtain even here in Joseon, and since there are kilns everywhere, you can turn them around a bit. While talking, the two wiped the drool from the corners of their mouths. Chulup! When you bite into a well-smoked smi with plenty of garlic and pepper Kyaaa! The two people who came together soon started making smi, but the work was not easy. They were both ss artisans, not smi artisans. The two who were worried so soon found a solution, and it was the monks who went on a business trip from the research institute to Area 51. The monks, who were self-sufficient, knew how to make smi, and their contribution helped create the finished product. This is a top-quality smi that is hard to find even in Florence! Upon seeing the result, the monks praised the two and presented the smi to Hyang and King Sejong. What a delicacy! It was a favorable review from King Sejong, who is well-known for eating meat. And King Sejong did not stop there. Sharing delicious food is a virtue, so think about mass production. I follow your orders. The scent blocked the two people who came out after receiving King Sejongs order. Look. Yes sir. Can you make butter or cheese? The two people answered Hyangs question by scratching their heads. You can make it. We know it to some extent, and the monks know how to do it. But the cow is the problem. It would be much easier if we had a cow. Youre saying we can do this if we just find a cow, right? yes. I understand. I will take care of that part, so you can prepare the rest. yes? yes? Yes? Good luck! No sir! Raphael and Pietro, with bewildered expressions on their faces, blew out the incense, but the incense was already disappearing into the distance. The scent of returning to his office was filled with joy. Smi came out! All you need is cheese and you have pizza! pizza! Ipletely forgot about the presence of tomatoes, the most important element of pizza eaten in the 21st century, and it was my favorite scent. In this way, Choi High Foods, a food processingpany boasting the worlds oldest history, was born. * * * Of course, the creation of the best foodpany was still a thing of the future, and smi was still a rumored food only known to those in the know that could only be eaten by entering Area 51. Of course, King Sejong came to the table as soon as he gave an order. Because it was such a food, even the officials in the night shift room ate the smi in a hurry. wait? Kwon Ram, who was eagerly eating smi, suddenly put down the smi and looked at Lee Gae. This injection. Didnt you clearly say that you belong to the Ministry of Finance and Economy? Thats right. But why in Area 51? No way When Kwon Ram made an expression of wonder, Han Myeong-hoe and Shin Sook-jus faces turned pale and their hearts suddenly pounded. Oops! Its on! Oops! Wow! When the smallmotion subsided, Lee Gae opened his mouth. Perhaps what Governor Kwon thinks is correct. A new object has been created in Area 51. It is a seasonal product, but its marketability is excellent. To what extent? High-ranking officials are now seriously considering whether to sell it exclusively in the royal workshop or release it to the private sector. Oh my Damn it Everyone in the room let out a small curse at Lee Gaes response. The fact that they were considering it meant that the possibility of exclusive sales was very high. This meant that arge budget would be spent, starting with the cost of building a workshop to handle production, and they would have to think about how to protect the budget. In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to which Shin Suk-ju and Han Myeong-hoe belonged, had the added bonus of having to deal with diplomatic documents and envoys arriving from neighboring countries, especially the Ming Dynasty. What on earth is that new object? Lee Gae gave a short answer to Kwon Rams question. Its called a windmill. Windmill? In the 21st century, an object known as an electric fan finally appeared. Chapter 458 Episode 458: Changing People pt.2. (3) The birth of the electric fan, or rather the wind frame, was directly influenced by incense. Early summer is getting hotter. Hyang loosely untied the official uniform he was wearing and screamed. What the hell! If youve made screws, its natural to think about making fans, too! Why on earth am I supposed to endure this heat again? bang! I cant take it anymore! Hyang immediately got up from his seat, immediately released his loose sympathy, and stormed out of the office. Hyang continued to grumble as he walked to the workshop in charge of screw-rted research and development. Say that for centrifugal blowers! Because the shape itself is different! But the screw came out! They even prepared the table for me! Do I have to scoop up rice and feed it to you? There was some truth to Hyangsints. This was because it had been quite some time since the concept of a screw-type propulsion machine (recorded in the challenge log as a pinwheel-type propulsion machine) was introduced. The time that has passed since being registered in the challenge log is counted in years, not months! If you cant even think of variations like this yet, the problem is serious! As the scent wafted into the workshop, the researchers and craftsmen who were conducting research in the workshop all came out and offered their respects. Id like to see you! Thank you for your hard work. Whatever you want to ask Hyang got straight to the point when asked by the development manager, who saw Hyangs displeased expression. The days are getting hotter, arent they? So, I came here to see if it would be a good idea to apply the propulsion device we are currently researching. The development managers expression became strange as he heard Hyangs story. huh? Why are you making that face? Actually, I have done some research, but I have not been able to report it because there are still problems that need to be resolved. In response to the development managers answer, Hyang immediately ordered. If you have a prototype, please bring it. yes. After a while, researchers and craftsmen from the development department brought two pieces of metal withrge pinwheels attached. Hyang, who was watching the mechanical device of tworge craftsmen getting off the cart with a whimper, asked the development manager. Is it using a steam engine? Thats right. In response to the development managers answer, Hyang continued speaking. Just looking at it, I see three problems. First weight. Second, the safety of the pinwheel. Third heat treatment. Thats right. The first prototype weighs 120 geun (approximately 72 kg), and the second, improved version, weighs 110 geun (approximately 66 kg). It doesnt look that heavy, does it? If you load all the ammunition and water, it weighs a lot. is it? Let me see where it goes. yes. As soon as the direction was given, the development manager and his subordinates prepared for the demonstration. We took the boiling water from one side and filled it in the water tank, and also moved the burning coals from the furnace and filled them in the crater. Soon, the pressure of the steam engine rose properly, and the development manager who confirmed this moved the lever attached to the machine. Fluffy, fluffy! With a loud mechanical sound, the pinwheel attached to the machine began to spin and create wind. Hyang, who had been feeling the wind for a while, looked back at the development manager. If you take it to Pocheong, they will be very happy. It would be great to use it when interrogating criminals. As the heat generated by the steam engine, which was the power source, was blown by the wind, a wind of such high temperature that it could turn even a healthy person into jerky was blown. So what about safety? In response to Hyangs question, the development manager held a long pole tied with radishes to the wing. Puff! The radish that touched the wing was instantly cut into pieces and scattered. The development manager put down the pole and exined to Hyang. Because of this risk, we installed a safety on the second prototype. The weight has been reduced as well. However, the heat treatment problem has not been answered until the end. Let me think about it a little more. Yes sir. Afterforting the development manager and the people in the development department, Hyang muttered quietly as soon as he came out. Do you think I could use wind-up? After finding her own solution, Hyang turned around and walked towards Jang Yeong-sils office. * * * So I want to make a windmill powered by a spring. After hearing Hyangs exnation, Jang Yeong-sil stood up without saying a word. There is something that a small person made for temporary entertainment Jang Yeong-sil, trailing off, ced a windmill with a pinwheel as big as her head on the desk. At the back of the pinwheel was a copper box the size of an earthenware pot, and at the back of the box was a crank. Ta-da-dak, ta-da-dak. When Jang Yeong-sil turned the crank, the mainspring wound with a loud noise. Jang Yeong-sil, who turned the crank nearly 40 times, pushed the lever attached to the base of the wind frame. Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-tak! With the sound of the spring being released, a cool breeze began to blow, and Hyang red at Jang Yeong-sil. Seeing Hyangs unusual expression, Jang Yeong-sil hastily started making excuses. Ill tell you again, it started as simple entertainment! And Soin is now old, so its almost time to retire. So I cant tell you everything, can I? I thought I had to figure this out on my own. So you were hiding it? yes. Hyang shouted at Jang Yeong-sils answer. Hey, Manager Jang! What did I say before? I didnt say you had to keep anything secret from me! But is it funny that I keep this hidden! At Hyangs shout, Jang Yeong-sil immediately bowed down on the floor. How could a small person have such absurd intentions! Its just thatpared to other magnificent objects, this is a light and simple prop The value of a piece is not in its size, but in its usefulness! Now youre using that as an excuse! Please forgive me! Hyang, who was ring at Jang Yeong-sil, who was kneeling on the floor and begging for forgiveness, turned her head. shell! Call the development manager of the Propulsion Research Department immediately! Yes sir! Hyang, who gave orders to the eunuch, gave orders to Jang Yeong-sil. Get up. Yes sir. The Hyang gave a stern warning to Jang Yeong-sil, who stood up hesitantly. This is my second time. I will just ignore it for now, but if something like this is discovered again, I will be held ountable immediately. I am devastated! I will never make this mistake again! Listening to Jang Yeong-sils answer, Hyang grumbled sincerely. That person there must be mutual respect. Always having fun for yourself * * * Ah! This is the solution! The development manager who rushed over after receiving the call looked at the wind frame made by Jang Yeong-sil and eximed in exmation. The development manager, who was looking around the windmill, looked at Jang Yeong-sil with eyes of adoration. As expected, you are the manager! What an extraordinary thought! I respect you! Jang Yeong-sil looked embarrassed and waved her hand at the praise from the development manager. Its extraordinary. Theres still a long way to go. There is a lot to solve in this too. Hyang intervened in Jang Yeong-sils answer. What is there to solve in this windmill? Firstes safety. The wings of that pinwheel are as sharp as a de, so if you make even the slightest mistake, it can cause a serious ident. The development manager tilted his head at Jang Young-sils point. It looks like its made of wood? In response to the development managers point, Jang Yeong-sil rolled up the paper next to her and ced it on the rotating de. Bye! The development managers face became serious as he saw the paper being torn to pieces with a loud noise. I thought wood would be okay Wood is also quite dangerous. Jang Yeong-sils expression as she answered wasnt very good either. Hyang, who saw the two people not looking good, joined the conversation. Wouldnt it be okay to make a mold out of bamboo and apply paper to make wings? High-quality Korean paper is tough, but if you spin it that fast, wont it tear? If it spins that fast, its likely to happen. But isnt our goal now not a blowing wind, but a cool wind that createsfort? Then is there any need to spin that fast? ah! Such a number! Youngsil Jang and the development manager immediately eximed in exmation at Hyangs story. Jang Yeong-sil opened her mouth with an excited face. Then the problem is almost solved. The second problem is that once you wind it, it takes at least half an hour (approximately an hour), but there are many solutions! As expected, its me! Thats too much praise. It was a scent that waved its hand with a humble face. The development manager, who had been mulling over various solutions while listening to Jang Yeong-sils wind-up windmill and incense solutions, sighed softly. Whoa~. They say a frog in a well. All the things I had worried about are in vain. I will discard all the windmills I am currently researching. Hyang shook her head at the words of the development manager. It also has a use, so why discard it? yes? At Hyangs words, the development manager tilted his head, and Jang Yeong-sils eyes lit up. Hyang, who saw Jang Yeong-sils expression, smiled slightly and asked Jang Yeong-sil. Director Jang, do you know what it is? Jang Yeong-sil answered Hyangs question right away. Arent you nning on using it in the winter? Thats correct. The development manager expressed doubts about Hyangs answer. Is there any benefit in using ondol or a brazier in the winter? Jang Yeong-sil spoke on Hyangs behalf in response to the development managers criticism. Doesnt the ondol take time to warm up and the brazier only warms the surrounding area? But if you can blow the hot wind away, it will get warmer quickly. Of course, an ordinary house or bedroom can be filled with ondol alone, but wouldnt it be too much for a ce like a government office to have ondol? ah! The development manager was greatly impressed by Jang Yeong-sils exnation. * * * In this way, the development of windmills for use in the summer and windmills for use in the winter began in earnest. How good it is! Sejong received the prototype of the summer windmill and truly enjoyed the cool breeze. Creating a healthy pig. Although King Sejong had be quite healthy thanks to the training of Hyang, he was still quite obese. Thanks to this, I sweat a lot in the summer and had to suffer from skin diseases due to theyers of clothing I had to wear. In such a situation, the prototype of the wind frame made in Area 51 was like a sweet rain in a drought. What do you think? The ministers who were blowing the wind from the windmills installed on all sides of Geunjeongjeon responded immediately. This is truly a pleasure! As soon as the words were out, Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy made a suggestion to King Sejong. This will truly be of great benefit as many people suffer from the heat during the summer! I think it would be a good idea to mass-produce it right away! We will analyze whether to produce it in the royal workshop or to represent it to a privatepany! King Sejong smiled and responded to the suggestions of Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy. Do you think the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance and Economy want to be hit by a wind of money, not just a wind? But I think its a good idea, so Id like to think about it and report back. I follow your orders! * * * After the matter of the windmill was decided, King Sejong praised the Hyang. When summeres, the people suffer greatly from the heat. Although this device cannot eliminate all the heat, it still helps you find your energy. You have created a truly remarkable object. Thank you for your hard work. Thats too much praise. Hyang humbly responded to King Sejongspliment, but deep down, he was resolute in his fighting spirit. The fan is a stopgap measure! The biggest problem still remains! Fumbling with the sleeves of the dragon robe she was wearing, Hyang strengthened her resolve. Definitely do it! Dress reform! Chapter 459 Episode 459: Changing People pt.2. (4) Clothing reform. To be precise, the idea is to change everything from hairstyles to fashion to be more efficient. This was an area in which Hyang continued to take on new challenges but continued to experience bitterness. The best example was when I tried to fix my topknot and gacha, but ended up having to break my intentions. Damn it When Hyang had to break his will like that, he couldnt hold back his anger and had to swear. But Hyang never gave up and continued to look everywhere for a solution. However, even though we worked hard to find a solution, the answer did note easily. With topknots, you can somehow get away with sanitary issues, but with doubles, there is no answer Hyangs face was gloomy as he muttered while tapping his fingers on the desk. No, the hygiene issue is also difficult. In the first attempt to propose eliminating the topknot due to the sanitation issue, King Sejong and the ministers all responded with one voice. If hygiene is an issue, wouldnt it be okay to wash your hair often? Thanks to this, a new industry called washing room emerged, but it was not a perfect solution. Damn it Hyang continued to curse, but the situation was changing without him knowing it. The military was at the forefront of such changes. * * * Long-distance mobile patrols patrolling long distances in the Liaodong region and naval forces sailing far out to sea were both facing the same problem. There is not enough clean water. This was amon problem that gued long-distance mobile patrols and naval forces. At first I didnt think this was a problem. Have you ever not washed your hair in a month or two? Whats the problem? I thought so, but as this happened repeatedly, problems began to arise. In particr, the naval forces, who had to pass through hot and humid regions, began to suffer from all kinds of skin diseases as they were unable to wash their hair for at least a month and a half after setting sail C simply put, until they arrived in a. As these incidents became more frequent, members of the same party made efforts to find the cause and solution, and found the answer. Hygiene is a problem! To solve this problem, everyone on board the ship, regardless of their status, had to bring at least five sets of underwear and outerwear. Then, following Hyangs suggestion, he washed and washed his body with fresh water obtained using a distiller installed on the ship. However, no matter how much water was obtained using a distiller, it was not an abundant amount, so this alone could not be the answer. Clothes were somehow manageable, but the top-knotted hair was a breeding ground for all kinds of pests. The topknot is the problem! The ship doctors concluded this: And with these data and conclusions, Hyang argued for the elimination of clichs, but was pushed back. However, the poor conditions on board forced the navalmanders to make a decision. Let me encourage you to cut your topknot! It had to take the form of rmendation to quell opposition from not only soldiers but also officers from the nobility. This was the same situation for the Armys long-distance mobile patrol unit. Even onnd, it was not easy to find a stream or spring with clean water. Even if it looked like a river or spring that seemed clean on the outside, if you made the slightest mistake, you could suffer from all kinds of water-borne infectious diseases, starting with an upset stomach. Therefore, even if you could find clear water, you had to go through the cumbersome process of boiling it at least once. Therefore, the clear water treated in this way was used primarily for drinking, and keeping the body clean always took a backseat. Because of this situation, long-distance patrols also had to suffer from skin diseases. Especially in the hot and humid summer, in addition to skin diseases, I suffered from pests that smelled and attacked me, and my helmet and hat were infested with lice and fleas. In the end, Yuksu-gun also rmended removing the topknot. Of course, King Sejongs approval was needed to implement this policy. King Sejong asked with a serious face the militarys request that came through Jo Mal-saeng. The topknot is a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation since the Joseon Dynasty. Do we really need to get rid of it? Jo Mal-saeng and the Chief of Staff answered King Sejongs question right away. There are certain things that the military in charge of national defense must do in order to properly carry out its mission. Maintaining the soldiers strength is one of the things that must be done. In response to the militarys response, King Sejong had no choice but to give sanction. If you must do it, do it. step! Do not force something, but keep your original intention and only encourage it. I certainly will! In this way, topknots began to disappear from the military. * * * With the removal of the topknot, high-ranking military officials had all kinds of concerns, but the bacsh from officers and soldiers on the front lines was less than expected. what. Its better to get a haircut than to suffer from rashes. Your hair is growing again, why And are there just one or two guys without topknots? Thest words that came out were the sincerity of the native Korean people. As the expansion of the Joseon Dynasty progressed and the area of Joseon expanded, indigenous people from other regions, not the natives of Joseon, prated into Joseon society. And the ce where most of the foreigners who came in this way were located was the military. Thanks to this, the Joseon army was filled with people with all kinds of hairstyles. Not only the Koreans with their topknots and the Jurchen people with their pigtails, but even those who had their hair shaved off or had their hair shaved off. The changed mindset of the Joseon military also yed a role. The question is not who you are, but whether you do your job well or not! Based on this change in mindset, cliches began to disappear little by little. * * * The changes that started in the military soon began to spread to society. Hmm I guess if a man wants to be treated like an adult, he has to wear a topknot! In the beginning, this was mainly a negative reaction, but little by little changes continued over time. Its so easy to wash and dry! Its really convenient because you can just draw water from the well and slurp it up! Joseon men, realizing the convenience of short hair, began cutting their topknots one by one. And the report rted to this went straight to Geunjeongjeon, and King Sejong stroked his beard. Reluctance to get rid of topknots is decreasing. King Sejong, who was checking the contents of the report, looked at the ministers. Shall I try cutting it too? What do you think? None of the ministers immediately answered King Sejongs question. After a long silence, Hwang Hee came forward. I think it would be better to take a little more time and look into it. Lets do that. And Hyang, who heard this story, muttered with an expression of bewilderment. When I told him to do it, he held on to it Even though the topknot was disappearing, there were quite a few people who insisted on wearing the topknot until the end. Im not even in the middle! Why cut off your topknot! Uh-huh! You have the dignity of a nobleman! There were many people who insisted on traditional values and insisted on topknots, but there were also people who insisted on topknots for unexpected reasons. You need at least a topknot to cover it up! They were people suffering from hair loss. * * * And this change in hair shape also brought changes to the hair salon. The job went beyond simply washing hair and trimming topknots to also caring for hair that had been cut off from topknots. They created a new source of ie by cutting off their topknots, straightening their messy hair, and using perfume or oil to create a matching hairstyle. And in this area, there was apetition for pride among the hair salons. Since the Three Han Dynasties, men in thisnd have loved to show off. Therefore, it was amon era for men to wear earrings in all kinds of shapes. In such a situation, it was very important for urban fashionistas to be able to have their own hairstyle, breaking away from the standard hairstyle (of course, they pursued individuality with hair clips and other decorations). Thanks to this, the store, which was rumored to have a skilled hairdresser, immediately became a thriving business andpetition for pride arose. * * * Although the topknot was riding the wind of change, it was still unchanging and there were many things that made the scent worry. And the most representative one among them was the womens gacha. From Queen Soheon above to the women of Yeomjip below. There were differences in size and decoration, but there were no married women who did not wear gacha. I need to fix this Hyang, who was aware of the problems with the gacha, thought about a way to get rid of the gacha, but there was no easy answer. If you make a mistake, you will be ripped off for the rest of your life. It was a vivid scent that reminded me of the painful memory of saying something wrong in the past and having to pray to the Crown Princess and Emperor Yangwon for help. In the end, after thinking for a while, Hyang went to Area 51 and gathered the craftsmen. Those who are good at making jewelry will go forward! In particr, craftsmen who know what women like shoulde out right away! While the craftsmen were secretly paying attention to the incensesmand, the first person toe out was Pietro. It looks like something interesting is going to happen and I cant be left out! As soon as Pietro opened the door, other craftsmen began to step forward one by one. 9. 10. Thats it! Let the rest go in! After selecting the craftsmen, Hyang dragged them to his office. Please take a seat. Hyang gathered the artisans in the conference room attached to the office and got to the point. From now on, you will start a new project together with me. You said it was a piece of jewelry? Thats right. Its about making jewelry. This essory has a big goal. Hearing Hyangs words, the craftsmen swallowed their dry saliva and fixed their eyes on Hyang. Hyang, who had thus attracted the attention of the craftsmen, got to the point. The purpose of this essory is to rece the gacha. As soon as Hyangs words left his mouth, the craftsmen shouted at the same time. Its impossible! For women, the gache is an item they cannot take off even if they want to! The women will never stay still! The craftsmen shouted that it was impossible, but Hyangs expression was stern. It may be difficult enough to seem impossible, but we must make it happen. There is nothing more dangerous and troublesome than a gacha. You probably dont know either, right? . The craftsmen fell silent at the question of incense. As they were craftsmen who had made essories for the queen and her concubines, they knew very well what a gache was. Its the perfect thing to catch people. In the end, the craftsmen who realized that Hyangs intention was firm asked Hyang with an expression that they had no choice. Then what kind of essory do you think you have? The scent answered the artisans questions right away. Its Cheopji and Jokduri. After hearing the item Hyang had chosen, the artisans kept their mouths shut and carefully considered the possibilities. If you want to wear a jokduri, you need a cheopji. Maybe there are cases where you just go around as a concubine? To use Cheopji properly, you need Cheopji hair, and then you need legs (someone elses hair), just like the gacha Ah! The amount is quite small! If you make a Cheopjido well, its nice to look stylish. Its a foot head I think it would be okay considering its a flower crown The craftsmen who had been silently considering the possibilities for a while made their own decision and opened their mouths. It seems possible. I think it could be done if we do well. Hyangs face brightened as he heard the craftsmens words. Chapter 460 Episode 460: Changing People pt.2. (5) The crown prince and artisans are making something again! At the rumoring from Area 51, the wealthy families perked up their ears and the government officials began to break into a cold sweat. What are you nning to do this time? Please dont do anything during the budget deliberation period! It was the sadness of officials who could not bear to say openly who they were. The superiorsforted the lower-level officials when theyined. But if done right, isnt it a good thing because it will be a great help to your finances? When the superiors stepped forward, the subordinates responded with tears in their eyes. But if His Majesty the Prime Ministers approval falls, we will have to research and write everything again from scratch! The higher-ups dont know! Just say Hey! Reduce the number! He says it so easily, but every time he does that, we die! The higher-ranking officials let out a long sigh at theints of their subordinates. Whoa~. Please be patient. Will this too pass? You werent passing by? And the waves only hit once? . Eventually, the rumor circted and reached King Sejongs ears. King Sejong, who heard the rumor, immediately called Hyang. I heard youre starting something new again. yes. I have been thinking about something for a while and am devising it with the craftsmen. This is not just one or two things that have happened, so are you doing it again? Is it absolutely necessary? Hyang immediately responded to Sejongs point. of course. King Sejong and the ministers eyes sparkled at Hyangs concise answer. ording to past experience, the Crown Prince had a habit of showing when exining a new job he had started. There was a lot of talk about things that had a low chance of sess or required a lot of budget. However, if there is a high probability of sess and will bring enormous benefits, the exnation is short and concise. In this case, even if King Sejong or the minister pointed out the issue of funds, the citys answer was the same. This is something that will bring huge profits. We need that kind of budget. That was the end of it. There was no further detailed exnation. However, King Sejong and his ministers had to open their pockets. As Hyang assured, the benefits that came afterward were enormous. Because there was such a precedent, the eyes of King Sejong and his ministers sparkled. And in this situation, the wallet was half-open. okay? So what are you making this time? We are making items to rece womens gacha. Disappointment spread across the faces of King Sejong and the ministers at Hyangs answer. Didnt you say that you wanted to get rid of the gacha before, but you were told that it was impossible? yes. And I also heard advice that everything is fine. But are you trying again? yep! Is it really necessary? It is also essential for the health and beauty of the women of Joseon. At Hyangs answer, curiosity began to appear on Sejongs face again. I already know that women are having a hard time due to the weight of their bodies, so I understand their health. But why do we need to get rid of the gacha for the sake of beauty? That is Just as Hyang was about to answer, he felt something strange and looked around. Why are you so quiet? Hyang, who was looking around in the deathly quiet atmosphere of Geunjeongjeon, made a bewildered expression. Everyone, from the ministers to the eunuchs, were listening to Hyangs words with extremely serious faces. no! Why are people of the age who will be able to smell the scent from behind a folding screen the day after tomorrow so focused? And there are eavesdroppers! Why are the internal officers so interested? Is it Crown Prince? yes? yes! Hyang, who was at a loss for words due to the unexpected situation, immediately came to her senses at Sejongs urging and continued speaking. Since ancient times, a woman has been called a beauty if she has assorted colors. And among this assortment, there is the Sanzang (L). The head must be long, the hands must be long, and the neck must be long. The gacha was done for the long-headed one among the three heads, but it ruins the requirement of having a long neck. Are you ruining the long neck? yes. Due to the weight of the body, the neck is bent and the shoulders are shrunk, causing the fat around the neck to rise and be unsightly. Simply put, harmony is lost. Hmm. Indeed. Not only King Sejong but also the ministers nodded at Hyangs exnation. In particr, the older ministers had faces of strong sympathy. This was because the appearance of the insiders, who were as old as themselves, was simr to what Hyang had mentioned. Seeing the reaction of King Sejong and the ministers, Hyang raised his voice a little more. So, if you make and use jewelry that can rece the gacha, you will be able to achieve even more beauty by harmonizing the three pieces. Hmm At Hyangs exnation, King Sejong snorted and fell into deep thought, while the ministers whispered in low voices. It seems usible Thats right. The harmony of colors is important While the ministers were whispering, King Sejong opened his mouth. If you make jewelry like that, will the royal workshop have a monopoly on it? Isnt it too much to just think about the example of gacha? It will only serve as a cornerstone. Its the cornerstone. King Sejong, who was thinking about Hyangs words, came to a conclusion. You are the one to persuade Junggungjeon. yes. Hyang, who was forced to answer, grumbled inwardly. and! Abama, your evasive maneuvers are amazing! King Sejong, who knew well the obsession of women in pursuing beauty, very naturally avoided danger. And the officer who recorded all of this wrote as follows: - In this way, the king approved the crown princes n. The officer says: The reason women insist on gache even though they have a hard time with it is because of their obsession for beauty. This is something that only women can say. The gacha was expensive, so how much more expensive are the new essories? Im wondering if I should open a real house and do a side job. * * * And when about two months had passed, Hyang took the Crown Princess and Emperor Yangwon and headed to the Junggungjeon. wee. Queen Soheon, who weed the incense with a happy face, looked at the incense with a face full of curiosity. Youve heard rumors about me. The fact that the crown prince is here now means that the result hase out, right? Yes, mama. Are you confident? Even though she is my mother, if I dont like her, I will hit her without hiding anything. You will like it. Hyang confidently responded to Queen Soheons warning. Queen Soheons eyes lit up at the confident appearance of Hyang. Go to Lady Jang and tell everyone toe. Yes mama. After a while, all of King Sejongs concubines gathered in Queen Soheons room. You guyse this way too. If you want to give a proper evaluation, you also have to do the same. Yes mama. At Queen Soheons order, the crown princess and Yangwon Yangje also moved to the ce where Queen Soheon and her concubines were. Now then, lets see! Lets count. Take it out somewhere. Yes mamama. At Queen Soheonsmand, Hyang looked back at the eunuchs who followed. Pleasee forward. yes. At Hyangsmand, the eunuchs came forward with the bundles they had brought. The eunuchs carefully ced the bundles on the floor, untied the knots, and ced the ck wooden boxes on the floor. Hoo? Oh my goodness! Oh, youre so pretty! Queen Soheon looked at the boxes with bright eyes and let out an exmation. It wasnt just Queen Soheon. King Sejongs concubines who saw the boxes also let out exmations without realizing it. The wooden box, which was carefullycquered and the edges finished with copper decoration, looked unusual at first nce. Looking at the reactions of Queen Soheon and the concubines, Hyang was inwardly delighted. yes! Unlike other luxury bags, they are not packaged in incredibly luxurious boxes! I heard you ate half of the package! -The high price of a luxury bag will cost half of the cost of the box. It was a scent that made me nod slightly, recalling a story that was circting in the 21st century. Queen Soheon, who had been distracted by the box for a moment, soon came to her senses and looked at the incense. Theres a saying that goes around among authors, It tastes better than an earthen pot, right? yes. I am confident that the vor of the sauce will be good. Hyang responded confidently and utched the box on top. Hyang opened the box, tilted it at an angle and showed the contents to Queen Soheon. When Queen Soheon saw the contents of the box, she pped her hands in admiration without realizing it. creation! Be pretty! Inside the box, there were beautifully ced Cheopji and Cheopji Hair made by craftsmen with great care. Queen Soheon, who was looking at Concubine Ji and Concubine Head as if fascinated, called her courtdy, who had a simr expression. I guess I should give Lady Jang a try. Yes mama. Guys! Queen Soheon, who removed the gacha from her head with the help of her courtdies and courtdies, tied the cheopji hair with her hair and wore it again. Bring a full-body mirror and look at it. yes. Queen Soheon looked slightly disappointed as she stood in front of the full-length mirror brought and erected by the courtdy and examined her hair. Its pretty, but it seems a littlecking. There is also this. At Queen Soheons words, Hyang opened another box and showed the inside. Inside the box was a set of colorful jokduri and silver pins that connected and fastened the jokduri and the cheopji. Lady Jang! Yes mama! Queen Soheon, who was equipped with a set of cheopji and jokdori, turned around in front of the Jeonshin Shrine, looked around, and then looked back toward the incense. Lets count. It is truly beautiful. thank you. More than anything, Im so d that my head feels light. Thank you, Seja. Do you like it? I like it very much. Ill have to use this instead of gacha from now on. Its true. Hearing Queen Soheons words, Hyang bowed her head with a bright face. Thank you so much! The fact that she was liked by the women residing at Gyeongbokgung Pce as No. 1 in rank meant that Cheopji and Jokduri would be the trend in the future. However, Hyang secretly looked at the expressions of the other women. From King Sejongs concubines to Crown Princess Yangwon and even thedies-in-waiting, the faces of the women were full of envy and greed. When Hyang saw that, he immediately turned around the stacked boxes. Please take these. creation! thank you! The women epted the box with joy and examined its contents. As the women gathered together to examine the contents of the box, they soon discovered one characteristic. Are the animals in Cheopji aligned with the ranks of the internal register? Hyang immediately nodded in response to Queen Soheons question. Thats right. Queen Soheon nodded at Hyangs answer. I like it even more that you thought about it so carefully. In addition to the essories made by Hyang, there were also decorative hairpins that were worn on the left and right sides of the head to add style. The new headdress made by incense was weed by women. After receiving all kinds ofpliments from Queen Soheon, Hyang came out and whistled softly and muttered. Hwiyu~. Now thats a sess! Hyangs assurances were not bluffs. Less than two monthster, women living in Hanseong began to wear Cheopji and Jokduri instead of Gachae. And in less than half a year, this trend spread throughout Joseon. In order to take advantage of this trend and make money, gache craftsmen and craftsmen who handle gold and silver jumped into the manufacturing of cheopji and jokduri. The animals to be ced on the Cheopji were determined ording to the status of the women wearing them, but there were no restrictions on materials, so gorgeous Cheopji were created using gold, silver, and precious stones. There were also no restrictions on the decorative pins ced on the left and right, so they showed off their splendor. . In the end, in order to get the right assortment of Cheopji and Jokduri headdresses, you had to pay money simr to a decent gacha. Thanks to this, there were many middle ss people who still used gache, and the lower ss had no choice but to continue to use dulemeori and nose head. Chapter 461 Episode 461: Caesars, Gods. Duke Henrys fleet, which departed from Joseon, arrived at Suez again after a long voyage. Its Suez! Its Suez! At the shout of the sailor who was watching from the watchtower, everyone on the ship looked like finally. Weve finally arrived. Henrik nodded lightly at the captains words. Good job. Anyway Henrik, speechless, continued as he looked at the Joseon ships moving towards the dock in front of him. Once funds are secured, it would be good to get a ship from Joseon. If the front line is difficult, even a merchant ship. The captain nodded at Henrys words. It certainly is. * * * What Henry and the Portuguese keenly felt during this voyage was the excellence of Joseon ships. In all aspects, including size, speed, and durability, these ships were far ahead of the Nao (Portuguese name for the Nao Karak ship) they were on. It was a moment when their ship, which they were confident was the newest and best performing ship among the ships owned by countries facing the Antic Ocean as well as the Mediterranean, became shabby. * * * As the ships docked at the dock, waiting workers flocked to them. They were people who made a living as dayborers with merchants from Mansur and Aden, and stevedore workers belonging to a union jointly operated by Joseon. Workers belonging to a union organized by Adens merchants and Koreans brought carts and were preparing for unloading in an orderly manner. Unlike Joseon and the Mansour Merchant Marine, which appeared orderly, dayborers had gathered around the ship that Prince Henry and his party were on, creating a mess. It was like this when I left. Nari! lily! Henrik shook his head after seeing the dock in shambles with workers flocking in, shouting Nari! in poor Korean pronunciation. This is why I told you to prepare and educate people in advance Before leaving for Joseon, Henrique left behind a few subordinates and gave orders. If things go right, we will bring a lot of goods from Joseon. We cant leave those things to random people, so lets create some organization. Yes, Your Excellency the Duke. I left with a request and left a considerable amount of money, but when I came back, this mess had happened again. The situation, which made it impossible to even dream of disembarking due to the chaos unfolding before our eyes, soon began to be sorted out. Get out of the way! go away! A group of strong men began chasing the workers away, swearing and brandishing long clubs. While the gangsters were driving out the dayborers, Henrys men appeared, leading a group of workers. Your Excellency the Duke! dismissal! oh! Nuno! Rodrygo! Henrik answered the call of his men with joy. In this way, goods began to be unloaded from Henrys fleet through the workers brought by his subordinates. Henrik, who was watching the workers carrying wooden boxes on their backs and heads unloading the goods, muttered with a look of regret on his face. Even if I cant buy a Joseon boat, I guess I should buy a potters wheel. Unlike their own uneasy unloading of goods through a wobbly pier, Joseon ships unloaded goods easily and safely using devices called potters wheels and lifters installed on the left and right sides of the hull. Henrik, who was expressing such regret, turned around and walked back to his lodgings to talk with Nuno Rodrygo. Did you secure the warehouse properly? Yes sir. This is a warehouse right next to the warehouse building used by the Koreans and the Mansur family. I paid a little more, but it felt safer. Good job. And since the Koreans and Mansurs superiors will move together when they leave for Alexandria, tell Ceuta to prepare a ship through Jeonseo-gu. Yes sir. But Nuno asked Henrique with a face full of curiosity. What happened to you going to Joseon? Henrik answered his subordinates question with a confident expression. Now you wont have to worry about debt collectors. ah! Fortunately, the! The mens faces brightened at Henrys answer. * * * For the continued exploration activities, Henry had to spend a huge amount of money. To cover these funds, Henry misappropriated arge amount of funds from the Knights of Christ, of which he was the leader, and mobilized the members of the Knights Temr for exploration. Even so, more and more capital was needed, and Henri had to reach out to the outside world. And in response to Henrys request, influential capitalists, including Cosimo de Medici, and Portuguese nobles lent funds. However, even though it was packaged with a lot of rhetoric, the debt was still a debt. Under pressure from debtors posing as investors, Henry had to hand over the colonies he had acquired during the exploration process to them. In the end, Henrys reputation increased through exploration, but he was like a good apricot full of debt. And that reputation had recently fallen significantly. However, the goods obtained through this voyage to Joseon seemed sufficient to resolve bad debts. * * * Seeing his subordinates relieved, Henrique continued. If we dispose of the items we brought in this time, we will be able to deal with the debt collectors who only suck blood like fleas. If that happens, you will be able to work with investors with whom you can truly share your future. It will definitely happen! Thats right! While lightly tapping his subordinates on the shoulders, Henri made a promise to himself. We have to make it happen! * * * Five dayster, after some rest and the Koreans who had prepared to go to Alexandria began to move slowly, Henry and his group also began to move along. Before departure, Henri gathered captains Nuno and Rodrygo together and gave orders. I will return from work in Lisbon as soon as possible. So, lets finish the ships maintenance by then. Yes sir. Yes, prince. If you think about the future, its something that shouldnt be done in vain. Dont worry, prince. I will do my best, Your Excellency. After giving a firm warning to his subordinates, Henry set off on his way to Alexandria. Meanwhile, the Koreans who saw Henry and his group moving busily behind them shook their heads slightly. I really enjoyed thepany of those gentlemen. Thats the safest. If youre going to do that, why dont you at least pay protection fees! * * * Henry returned from Alexandria with cargo and received a grand wee. Compared to the situation before leaving for Joseon, it was aplete homing. Entering the royal pce in Lisbon, Henrik bowed respectfully before King Afonso V. Henrique, Duke of Viseu. I see you, His Majesty the King. Good job, Duke of Viseu. Good job, Duke of Viseu. The young 8-year-old King Afons V and the kings regent, Pedro, Duke of Coimbra, weed Henry with happy faces. I am truly thankful that I traveled safely all the way to Joseon, the nd of flowers at the far end of the East. Henry bowed his head humbly under Pedros admiration. God bless you all. In the midst of such a friendly atmosphere, Afons V asked Henry: What kind of country was Joseon? It was truly a wealthy country. Henry briefly exined to Afons V what he had seen in Joseon. What a great country it is. After hearing Henrys exnation, King Afons V spoke with shining eyes. Afons V continued speaking with an expression that, if he had seen the scent, would have said, Its an ident! I wish I could visit sometime. Maybe you can visit someday. It was King Afons V who nodded energetically in response to Henrys answer. * * * As Henry expected, the goods brought from Joseon were sold out, making a huge profit. Even the cheapest items were worth three times the price, and porcin teacups made of crystal and bone porcin, as well as medium andrge chandeliers, gave Henrik at least 15 times more profit. Then we have to get rid of the fleas. As he said to his subordinates, Henry was able to settle most of the debts of the creditors who were pressuring him. Id like to reinvest these funds Ill consider it. Henrik, who euphemistically rejected their wish to reinvest, gritted his teeth as he watched the creditors carriage leaving the mansion. Paddeuk! No more being dragged around! From now on, I will be with someone I can really trust. After sorting out the malicious creditors, Henri moved diligently. First, he refilled the coffers of the Knights of Christ, from which he diverted funds. This was not because of religious beliefs, but because this was done to solidify the trust of the knights and prepare for the next time. He sent a huge chandelier as a gift to Moros powerful figure, Sh ibn Sh, and returned his youngest brother, Prince Pedrinando, who had been held hostage. * * * Prince Ferdinand was taken hostage when the Tangier expedition failed. In an expedition in 1415, Portugal took Ceuta. However, soon Ceuta became something like a king. This was because Moro reced Ceuta with Tangier in the west as a new trading base. As exploration of Africa progressed in earnest, Tangier became a threat to Portugal traveling through the Mediterranean. Therefore, Henry insisted on taking possession of Tangier. However, negative opinions were the prevailing opinion. In order to make the expedition sessful, Henry invited his youngest brother, Ferdinando, and even made a pledge that upon his death, he would give the title of duke and all his property to Ferdinando, the second son of King Duarte. The expedition that proceeded like that ended in failure. It was a failure caused by the response of Moro, which strengthened its defenses with one mind, unlike the chaotic political situation, with only half the number of troopspared to the initially nned n. In order to eventually escape the siege and return to Portugal, Henry signed a treaty with Sh ibn Sh. -Ceuta is returned in return for safe withdrawal. -Prince Ferdinando and a few key figures remain hostage. In this way, Henry and the Portuguese army escaped from danger. However, the treaty was not ratified for various reasons. Thanks to this, the youngest brother Ferdinando was continuously held hostage. In addition, Henrys reputation and political standing were greatly reduced. * * * In this situation, the sess of the voyage to Joseon was an opportunity for Henry to recover. He was able to improve his reputation once again, escape his damn creditors, and finally, save his younger brother, strengthening his political position. After organizing the surroundings, Henri sent a messenger to Florence. It was to negotiate with Cosimo de Medici, the ruler of Florence and the ruler of Europes capital. * * * Florence, Italy. After reading the letter from Henry, Cosimo stroked his chin and muttered. I would like to exchange opinions on a new and groundbreaking trade route in the direction of Egypt I am interested in the new and groundbreaking part. Is it rted to the iron horse that I only heard about through rumors? Cosimo muttered like that and came to a conclusion. If we do well, we will make a big impact. Its a game with enormous stakes. Chapter 462 Episode 462: Caesars, Gods (2) After returning from a sessful visit to Joseon, Henri soon became an idol in European society. The kings handwritten invitations from the royal families of many European countries, excluding Spain, Portugals eternal enemy, were delivered to Henrik every day. Henry politely declined most of the invitations, citing the following reasons. Thank you very much for the invitation. However, I regret that I cannot ept your invitation because I n to depart for Joseon again soon. Although Henry declined most invitations, he had to visit only one ce: Florence. The Pope, who was taking refuge in Florence after a conflict with the Council, had sent an invitation. I decided to visit because it was a handwritten invitation from the Pope, but also because it was a golden opportunity to send the letter Giovanni had requested and to meet Cosimo de Medici secretly. * * * On the day that Henry visited Florence, famous people from Italy and Europe visited Florence. Here is a letter written by Brother Giovanni. His Holiness the Pope. Thank you very much, Duke. May the Lords protection be with you in the future. thank you. Pope Eugenius IV, who received the letter from Henry, opened the letter and frowned. Is this another scam? Hmm. After reading the contents of the letter, Eugenius IV handed the letter to his aide. Read it aloud. Yes, Your Holiness. The aide read the contents of the letter to the high-ranking religious figures and Italian intellectuals gathered around him. Im really curious about the contents of the inked part. Thats right. When the reading was over, all the intellectuals present were curious about what was written in the inked part. As with Angelos letter, which was delivered through the Joseon merchant merchants traveling between Joseon and Alexandria, Giovannis letter was also in a situation where the thirst was deepening due to the stain. Unlike those intellectuals, Eugenius IV and his associates had serious expressions for another reason. Its an official document. This is so embarrassing. If you do something wrong, you could provide an excuse to the Council of Basel and the Duke of Savoy. The conflict between the Basel Council and the Pope over superiority between the Council and the Pope was still ongoing. In the midst of such conflict, a rebellion broke out and the Pope had to flee Rome, and the Council of Basel dered Eugenius IV a heretic and dered his abdication. The Council of Basel, which ousted the Pope, recently elected Amadeus VIII, Duke of Savoy, as the new Pope. It was the appearance of the antipope Felix V. In this process, Eugenius IV made several attempts to secure even a little more political advantage. At the council convened in Florence on behalf of the Council of Basel, both sides agreed, so unity was dered with the Eastern Orthodox Church and agreement was reached with the Armenian Apostolic Church. However, this was an agreement between sects divided under therger framework of Christianity. If the ancestor worship practiced by non-believers in the foreign country called Joseon was officially permitted, there could have been a huge bacsh. In the end, Eugenius IV sighed and concluded. Lets think about it some more and then make a decision. yes. His Holiness the Pope. I think that would be best. * * * While spending time with the Pope, Henry continued to meet secretly with Cosimo. This is pottery brought from Joseon. Cosimo expressed his gratitude after seeing the bundle of Joseon bone porcin teacups handed to him by Henry. Thank you, Duke. Although we have already reached an agreement, I am sorry that we cannot pay dividends. When Duke Henry expressed regret, Cosimo waved his hand as if it was nothing. Its okay. It is actually a great benefit in that I was able to shake off the persistent flies. Thank you for thinking so. He was Henry, a prince of the Kingdom of Portugal and a duke. But he could never see Cosimo down. In Portugal, Henrik was a man of extremely high status and enormous power, but Cosimo was a man who dealt with the ruling sses of all of Europe. In terms of the power and economic power he could mobilize, Cosimo could not be considered one of those merchants. Therefore, the liquidation of malicious creditors with the profits obtained this time was possible because of prior agreement with Cosimo. -If we think about the future, we must exclude the beggars! ording to this agreement, Henry was able to liquidate his malicious creditors without any burden. Still, its amazing that it can be done in just one voyage. Henrik nodded to Cosimos evaluation. I was prepared to make some sacrifices, but Joseons military power was great. It is safe to say that it is best to join the Joseon Navy at least when moving in the sea east of the Arabian Penins. That much? Even thinking about it again, Henrik answered Cosimos question with a look of bewilderment. No matter how much you think about it, those Joseon people are crazy. huh? These are the people who have bombarded not only the ships moving in the ocean but also the small ships operating in the coastal waters with cannons. No matter how you look at it, youre crazy. That much? Thanks to you, we can move safely while moving together, but if you think about it again, they are not in their right minds. I wonder if an enemy has been defeated by a cannon Cosimo couldnt hide his surprise at Henriques words and let out an exmation. Huh~. In that case, there is no way through force. Force must bepletely excluded. Right. ah! Have you ever ridden Hanseongs iron horse, which Ive only heard about through rumors? The iron horse is traveling not only in Hanseong but throughout Joseon. And its bigger and faster Huh? Henry exined things in more detail than he did when he spoke to the king and pope. This was because he was still thergest investor and had to do his best to receive even more investment in the future. Hmm Cosimo stroked his chin with a serious expression after hearing Henriques exnation. Cosimo, who was thinking while stroking his chin, asked Henrique. Is that iron horse that useful? It is definitely more useful than any horse or cart when transporting goods on the ground. Of course, the cost of introducing iron horses and constructing railroads is significant. Hmm Hearing Henrys words, Cosimo closed his mouth and fell into thought again. Cosimo, who had been lost in his own thoughts for a while, asked Henrique a question again. What do you think about the Iron Horse? I believe that if we can secure the optimal location, we can achieve the best results. Henrik walked to the map of the Mediterranean Sea hanging on the wall of Cosimos office. Standing in front of the map, Henri drew an imaginary line from Suez to the north with his finger. If we build a railway along this route, we wont have to bypass Africa. And theres no need to go all the way to Alexandria. Cosimo countered Henrys exnation. These days, there is a rumor going around that we should move west to the Strait of Gibraltar and arrive in Joseon. Ive heard that too. But Henrik stopped talking and shook his head. If the sea west of Gibraltar is even a little wider than we think, it is absolutely impossible with the ships we have now. Cosimo nodded at Henrys answer. The biggest reason why Portugal and Spain, who explored a detour route to Joseon, and France and Britain, who wereters, established colonies on the African coast was because of supply. Henry replied that the western route was impossible and added: ah! If its about the size of a ship from Joseon, the chances may be higher. The problem is that there is a high possibility that Joseon will not sell the ship. Cosimo nodded at Henrys words. Henry, who was looking at the map like that, frowned and grumbled. Both India and Joseon are in the East, so it is a truly unfair world. It must be Gods grumpiness. The story that had gone sideways like that soon got back on track. Does it have to be that area? Its the shortest distance. The Mamluks will not remain silent. No, Osman wont stay still either. But if we take it to Alexandria, it will only enrich the heretics. But if you take control of that area by force, you will only incur losses due to military expenses. Peacock. If you do something wrong, you could experience the nightmare of Ceuta again. When Cosimo mentioned Ceuta, Henriques expression suddenly worsened. * * * Ceuta was both a symbol of Henrys glory and a symbol of his shame. After expelling the Muslims from the Iberian Penins, the Kingdom of Portugal attacked Ceuta. At the time, Ceuta was the center of the Kingdom of Moros trade routes. If this was taken over, trade routes between the Mediterranean and Africa would be avable. It was Henry who took the lead in the conquest of Ceuta. However, what happened when Moro, having lost Ceuta, used Tangier as a new trade base and at the same time turned it into a military base to keep Ceuta in check, brought great humiliation to Henry. * * * Henrik answered Cosimos point with difficulty. I wont make that mistake twice. This time we can get solid support. Are you sure? Henrik nodded to Cosimos question. Because there are more than one person who saw a lot of money being made using items brought from Joseon. If you do it wrong, flies maye back to you. Henrik immediately responded to Cosimos concerns. So I will persuade the regent. Regent? Hmm. When Henry mentioned regent, Cosimo started calcting the possibilities again. * * * The current King Afonso V of Portugal was only eight years old. When the previous king, Duarte, died suddenly of the ck Death, the 6-year-old Afonso V ascended to the throne. Because the king was young, the princes mother, Queen Leonor, and Afonso Vs uncle, Duke Pedro of Coimbra, were appointed regents. However, as public opinion against appointing a queen from Aragon as regent reached a peak, the Portuguese parliament in 1439 decided to make Pedro sole regent. And the ousted queen went into exile in Castile. The situation seemed to have been resolved, but political conflict broke out again. A political conflict arose between the regent Pedro and the nobles. In order to strengthen the kings power and make the country wealthy, Pedro limited the power of the nobles and focused on cultivating the bourgeoisie. This naturally led to a bacsh from the nobles, and at the head of the bacsh was Pedros half-brother, Count Afonso of Barcellus. Barcellus was dissatisfied with the low title he received. Afonso, who acquired a huge amount of wealth by marrying the daughter of a family of founding contributors, used his wealth to recruit dissatisfied nobles and established himself as Pedros political rival. Knowing Portugals internal situation, Cosimo began calcting probabilities again. * * * It seems okay Cosimo, who had been shaking his head at Henrys opinion, asked Henry with a serious face. Apart from the issue of faith, lets think about purely political issues, military issues, and the future. How about adding another helper to ensure more sess? Who are you talking about? Cosimo gave a short answer to Henrys question. Ottoman. Chapter 463 Episode 463: Caesars, Gods (3) Ottoman? Ottoman. Cosimos answer made Henri more curious than angry. Look. Have you forgotten what title I have? I know very well. He is the leader of the Knights of Christ. Then you probably dont know how my homnd, the Kingdom of Portugal, was born, right? I know that too. Reconquista. Reconquista. ah! Dont correct me. It was born when the Iberian Penins was recovered through Heconquista. Cosimo immediately corrected Henrys point and muttered to himself. Reconquist or Reconquist. In response to Cosimos answer, Henri asked again with an even more bewildered expression. And yet you are telling me to join hands with Osman? In response to Henrys question, Cosimo leaned back deeply in his chair and began to ask questions in return. Then can Portugal take control of that region alone? . Henrys mouth immediately closed at Cosimos question. Seeing Henry unable to answer, Cosimo pointed out reality one by one. Even if Portugal takes control of the region on its own, what happens after that? Not only the Mamluks but also the Ottomans will continue to rush to take over that area, but are you confident that you can protect it? How will you maintain the troops responsible for defense and how will you prepare for war expenses? Are you nning to make it another Ceuta? Henrik, who was looking for an answer to Cosimos question, fumbled for an answer. If the troops organize a crusade. Then you wont be able to get much of the interest in the railroad, right? Even if the troops are like that, what about thebat expenses? If the head of the family invests more Cosimo responded to Henriques words by taking out a gold coin from the pocket on his belt. The merchants are a group of people who risk their lives, and even their souls, to gain even just one gold coin. And I am a merchant who understands. Do you know what a merchant like me cares about the most? Distinguish between investment and spection. But what the duke said just now is neither investment nor spection; it is just a delusion. I would rather seek Joseons cooperation! No to Im! Cosimo shook his head at Henrys urgent words. swarm. I am not confident that Joseons capabilities are as great as the rumors I heard and the Duke said. Joseon is powerful! Then why has such a powerful country remained silent until now? Have you not thought that Joseon has already weighed its profits and losses and decided that there is no profit? . Henrys mouth closed again at Cosimos point. Cosimos point was a harsh reality. Even now, Joseon was making sufficient profits. In such a situation, there was absolutely no reason to take risks, even if he were the monarch of Joseon. Cosimo continued to point out the harsh reality. With Portugal alone, the dream of bing a duke can never be realized. The Tangier Tragedy is only repeated. Ugh! Henrik gritted his teeth at Cosimos point. I was angry, but I had no material to properly refute Cosimos words. However, there was no justification for organizing a crusade and it was toote. This was because the Holy Roman Empires Pnd and Albania had already moved to support the Hungarian, Serbian and Karaman forces fighting against the Ottomans in the Balkan Penins. wait! Henrik, who was analyzing the overall situation, found material to refute it. Henrik, who had found material for a rebuttal, looked at Cosimo with a smile of remorse. I heard that the Crusaders are moving to fight the Ottomans in the Balkans. In such a situation, would Portugal join hands with the Ottomans? Do you think it will be possible? Cosimo responded to Henrys point with a rxed expression. I see theres nothing you cant do. huh? The unexpected answer caused Henrik to momentarily fall into cognitive dissonance. Cosimo, seeing Henrys confused expression, smiled and continued. Heh! The current conflict in the Balkan Penins is due to the Thessalonica region. To be precise, this is what happened when the Ottoman monarchs began expanding around Thessalonica. So, if Murat II, the Ottoman monarch, gives up on advancing north, the primary justification will disappear. And the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, the main force of the Crusades, owes me a lot. Now, what if thats the case? shit! Cosimo spoke less, but Henri recognized the situation and immediately swore. * * * Among Western European monarchs, there was no monarch who did not owe debt to the Medici family. During this period, European monarchs and nobles had little concept of finances. Rather, they pursued more and more extravagance, believing that the more extravagant they were, the more authority they had. Of course, it was overspending and the insufficient funds had to be borrowed from merchants such as the Medici family. And in return, all kinds of preferential treatment was given to the subjects. Because of this situation, if someone like Medici stepped forward, the war against pagans had no choice but to stop. No matter how noble the cause, a war could not be fought without money. * * * Although he swore like that, Henrik did not back down right away. Do you think Murat II will listen? Which would you choose if you were the Duke of Northern Jin, who would constantly receive a lot of money and who would have to split it with the nobles even if he got it? . Even though he refuted this and that, he continued to face dead ends, so Henri eventually waved the white g. I know its the best way. But the problem is convincing Congress. The Congress will not wee joining hands with Im. Thats all you need to do if you hand over the right carrot. carrot? Isnt there nothing that can be used as a justification? For example, Jerusalem. Jerusalem? Isnt Jerusalem controlled by the Mamluks? Have you forgotten that the Ottomans had to pass through Jerusalem to get the territory the Duke wanted? That aside, will the Ottomans hand over Jerusalem, which they have already obtained? What is needed is the authority for Christians to safely make pilgrimages to the saints, and for the Knights of Christ, the Knights of Santiago, and the Knights of Avis to reside here and protect the pilgrims. Do you think that would be adequate? Hmm Hearing Cosimos words, Henri stroked his beard and was lost in thought. The Order of Christ, the sessor to the Knights Temr, was a knightly order that nominally received orders from the Holy See. If the Knights of Christ were able to establish themselves in Jerusalem, the Vatican was likely to support them. In particr, it was certain that Eugenius IV, who needed political achievements, would give full support. Of course, it was Eugenius IV who supported the crusaders moving to the Balkan Penins, but the Balkan Penins and Jerusalem were iparable from the very beginning of their names. Hmm the problem is that I still feel like Im not good enough to convince the regent. Cosimo smiled slightly at Henrys words and asked a question. Do you know what the Ottomans and the Portuguese have inmon? What do we have inmon? In both cases, the monarchs try to suppress the nobles. And what is most needed in this process is economic power. Ah Henrik nodded, his face bing much brighter than before. I think Duke Pedro can ept it. But there are several problems. It takes a considerable amount of time, and the carrots you mentioned must be guaranteed, starting with the Jerusalem issue. Honestly, its something that takes some time. It is difficult to see a solution in just a few days or months. But will that be a big problem? If the duke goes to Joseon once, almost a year passes. If he goes to Joseon a couple more times, wouldnt the results be known? Henrik, who had unconsciously nodded his head at Cosimos words, asked Cosimo for a confirmation. But are you confident that you can get those things from Osman? At Henriques question, the smile on Cosimos face grew even deeper. Did you forget? I am a merchant. What is the merchants specialty? Its a bargain. Im very good at bargaining. Thats right * * * Cosimo, who had been watching Henrique leaving the mansion through the window, turned his back and looked at the map. If this is sessful, Europes economic center can be tied to the Mediterranean for at least the next 50 years. Cosimo looked at the map and coolly analyzed the situation. The sudden appearance of Joseon, whose existence was unknown in the Middle East and Western Europe, drove Western Europe into shock and greed. Joseons products, which were both fascinating and gorgeous and extremely practical, became a necessity in Europe. Naturally, there were more than one person who jumped on the route to Joseon. Starting with Portugal and Spain, simpleton France and rustic Ennd entered thepetition, and as a result,rge-scale colonies were created all over Africa. However, the colony was additional and the main purpose was still the route to Joseon. And when Portugal was the first to open this route, strange stories began to emerge among the countries that fell behind in thepetition. -If the world is round, as schrs say, wouldnt it be possible to reach Joseon by heading west? This story was gradually gaining buoyancy and rising to the surface. Is this dangerous? Cosimo de Medici was the first to notice the danger signs. Alexandria is taking a little more out of it, but this situation is in my best interest. Because trade between the Mediterranean and Europe is controlled almost entirely by my Florence and that damn Genoa, Venice. But if the western route is discovered, we are finished. After exining the situation, Cosimo gave orders to his merchants. Contact the cardinals and bishops we have contact with and ask them to stop the people who say nonsense. All right. But But what? Is there really a western route? When one of the subordinate merchants expressed this question, the other subordinates nodded as if they agreed. Cosimos expression became fierce at the reaction of his subordinates. What do you make of the information you obtained from the Joseon sailors in Alexandria? . The subordinate merchants mouths fell silent at Cosimos question. Cosimo looked at his subordinate merchants and swore softly. These pathetic bastards * * * As trade between Alexandria and Joseon continued regrly, interest in the Koreans staying in Alexandria was greatly diluted. To the residents and merchants of Alexandria, Koreans were viewed as just new neighbors. But Cosimo discovered something strange here. huh? Arent you the captain who camest time? Mansour answered Cosimos question politely. Yes, you are the new captain whomanded this voyage. What about thest captain? I heard you were assigned to another mission. Another mission? Then is it a different ship? Thats right. Hmm Cosimo, who had doubts, gave orders to his subordinates to keep an eye on the Joseon sailorsing to Alexandria. As a result, Cosimo noticed something surprising. -The number of sailors who are not Korean is increasing. -Joseon is advancing further and further east! And yet no Koreans have appeared yet. Cosimo, analyzing the situation, came to a conclusion. Then there are two results. Either the sea to the east is wider than expected, or there is a new continent in the middle that we didnt know about. Either way Cosimo muttered with a serious face. The moment the eyes of Europe turn to the West, the Medici family wille to an end. Chapter 464 Episode 464: Caesars, Gods (4) On the ship returning to Lisbon, Henry was looking at the water with a serious expression. Your Excellency the Duke. You dont look good. Hearing the captains words, Henri immediately straightened his expression. Its nothing. Are we going to get on board soon? yes. We will reach Ceuta in two days. I understand. Im going to go in and get some rest. Yes sir. * * * Upon arriving in Lisbon via Ceuta, Henry went straight to the royal pce and had an audience with Apuns V. Henrich, Duke of Viseu. I returned safely. When Henry knelt politely and announced his return ording to etiquette, King Apunsu V, who was sitting on the throne, responded with a smile. Good job, Duke. How is the Pope? yes. You looked good. King Apuns V breathed a sigh of relief at Henrys answer. Whoa~. Thank goodness. As for the servant, please take the chair for the duke. After a while, the conversation between Henry, who wasfortably seated in a chair, and the King resumed. So how is Florence? Was it as morous as it sounds? Yes Henry began to tell the young king various things about Florence. The young king, who had never been outside the pce, looked dazed as he listened to Henrys story. What a wonderful ce. I really want to go there sometime. The same goes for Joseon. You will be able to visit when you grow up. In response to Henrys answer, Apunsu V asked with shining eyes. I guess so? Yes, Your Majesty. * * * Feeling tired from the long conversation, Apuns V came down from the throne with a small yawn. Then lets meet againter at the banquet. All right. your majesty. Afterpleting the audience, Henrik immediately moved to Regent Pedros office. Good work. thank you. After a short and concise exchange ofpliments and thanks, Pedro got straight to the point. How was your meeting with Cosimo de Medici? Have you been promised continued investment? to. And I got an interesting offer. Interesting offer? Henrique told Pedro about the railway connecting Suez to the Mediterranean and the connection with the Ottomans for this. Ottoman? Pedros first reaction after hearing the whole story was not much different from Henriks. Does Cosimo de Medici not know about the rtionship between Portugal and Im? No, I know very well. But are you offering that? Are you sane? He was of sound mind. And yet you made that offer and you epted it? Despite Pedros angry scolding, Henrik responded with a calm expression. I thought it was a pretty good offer. hey! Cosimo he mentioned Jerusalem. Pedro, who was so excited that he was about to scream, stopped for a moment when he heard the word Jerusalem. Jerusalem? yes. Please exin in more detail. Pedro, who calmed his excitement because the carrots that Cosimo presented looked quite appetizing, reviewed Cosimos proposal with a serious face. Hmm not bad. Thats right. Of course, you know that there are many problems that need to be solved, right? I know very well. There were still many issues that needed to be resolved, such as how to share the maintenance costs of the railroad and what the profit distribution ratio would be. Pedro, who was quietly considering Cosimos proposal, looked at Henrik. Are you confident that trade with Joseon will bring benefits in the future? Many of the products brought and sold from Joseon had a long lifespan. Therefore, there was a high possibility that demand would decrease over time, and this was what Pedro pointed out. To Pedros point, Henrik answered firmly with a face full of confidence. I am sure. And in the East, there is not only Joseon, but also India, Kitai, and Zipangu. If we can secure that railway, there will be no need to bypass Africa. Thats true As Pedro nodded, Henrik pointed out the most important problem. If that happens, there will be less need to be indebted to the nobles. When Henry mentioned nobles, Pedros face became fierce again. * * * Regent Pedros long-cherished wish was to reduce the authority of the nobles and strengthen the royal power. The previous king, Joao I, was able to ascend to the throne because of the support of the bourgeoisie. Therefore, Pedro had no choice but to concentrate on maintaining the support of the bourgeoisie and strengthening the royal power. As a result, after bing regent, Pedro continued to enactws that reduced or limited the power of the nobility. Thanks to this, the rtionship between the nobles and Pedro was not very good. This was a simr situation for Henrik. In order to continue his expensive exploration of Africa, Henry had no choice but to take on debt under the guise of investment. And most of those investors were nobles. As a result, the areas acquired through exploration had to be handed over to nobles. The areas handed over to the nobles werends like Altoran. The most representative region was the Madeira Inds, including Porto Santo Ind. In this system, lumber for dye extraction, wheat, and more recently sugarcane began to be cultivated, allowing the nobles who owned this system to earn enormous amounts of wealth. But Henrik was in a situation where he didnt have much left. The only way to break even was by supplying ves to work on the inds farms. Therefore, hostility toward nobles was amon denominator between the two. Noble Pedro, who was thinking about the word noble, looked at Henrik. You know what? Count Barcellus is gathering nobles. Henriks expression became fierce at Pedros words. The bastard of a lowly concubine! * * * Apunsu, Count of Barcellus, was the illegitimate son of Henry I, his father. Having received the favor of King Joao I, he was able to marry the only daughter of Nuno lvarz Ferreira, a founding creditor, and obtain the enormous wealth of the Ferreira family. But he was still full of dissatisfaction. Among my fathers children, I was the most favored! Why am I the only count? Apunsu, who was dissatisfied with his title, began to attract nobles who were opposed to Regent Pedros policy of oppressing the nobility. And at the same time, he was doing his best to win the favor of Apunsu V. * * * This is the situation. So you must capture the kings attention. Its possible, right? Henrik nodded to Pedros question. It may not have been possible in the past, but it is possible as long as we hold the best card called Joseon. request. I will do my best. Henrik immediately bowed his head in response to Pedros request. After concluding the agreement regarding Baron Barcellus Apunsu, Pedro returned to the main topic. And contact Cosimo de Medici and politely ask him toe to Lisbon. There is something I want to ask you directly. Do you think he has another intention? thats right. These days, rumors are circting among the bourgeoisie about the Western Route. Western route? You know about the theory of a spherical Earth, right? Henrik, who was nodding his head in response to Pedros question, understood the true meaning and asked back. Are you thinking that since the Earth is round, you can go to Joseon if you go west? okay. If that idea is proven to be true, Florence, Venice, and Genoa wille to an end. I suspect that he may have taken measures to prevent this. Henrik wanted to deny Pedros words as a joke, but he couldnt. The person standing in front of him was a prince recognized as the most knowledgeable not only in Portugal but also in all of Europe. He was never one to talk nonsense. Therefore, after thinking about it for a long time, Henri shook his head and answered. To be honest, the Western Route may exist, but we cannot confirm it at this time. Cant confirm right now? why? There is no information about the sea west of Lisbon. On the eastern sea route, there is a ce called Africa where you can take refuge for supplies and recreation, but there is nothing in that sea. To explore such seas, we need bigger and stronger ships than those we use today. Exploration will be possible only if the ships are at least the same as those used by Joseon. Also, we need more precise measuring instruments to determine location. That means Even if Cosimo de Medici has other intentions, it is beneficial to stay with him for at least 20 to 30 years. is it? Even so, I must see him. All right. I will send a messenger. * * * Cosimo, upon hearing Pedros request, immediately epted it. After leaving Florence, Cosimo secretly met with Pedro. When meeting Pedro, Cosimo was polite and courteous. Although he held the title of duke like Henry, Pedro was the kings regent. After a brief exchange of greetings, Pedro slowly continued the conversation, mentioning Henrik, who was not present. It would have been nice if the Duke of Viseu had been here as well, but he left for Joseon again not long ago. Is that so? This is a bit disappointing. Pedro, who was observing Cosimos face without hiding his regret, got straight to the point. I heard it through the Duke of Viseu. You want to build a railway from Suez to the Mediterranean? yes. I am confident that this will be of great benefit to Portugal as well. Of course you can. Because there is no need to bypass Africa. But Pedro picked up the Korean-made teacup on the table, moistened his lips, and continued. Will productsing from Joseon continue to be popr in the future? Its good, but its expensive and doesntst long. Doesnt that mean there is a high possibility that the market will gradually decrease? Cosimo nodded at Pedros point. Of course that is a possibility. However, Joseon products were not only avable to nobles. Joseon products are something that evenmoners want to buy if they have money, so they are marketable. Arent there a lot of counterfeit products circting? Because of those counterfeit products, people want to get the real thing even more. In the end, is it marketable enough? Cosimo nodded to Pedros question. Seeing that, Pedro pointed out another problem. You talked about joining hands with the Ottomans, but do you not know Portugals position? There is a saying in the East: The enemy of my enemy is my friend. What is Portugals biggest obstacle to trade with Joseon? Alexandria. The Mamluks Pedros eyes began to shine as he mentioned those who had benefited the most from trade with Joseon. We will use the Ottomans to keep the Mamluks in check? youre right. But the Ottomans are also Imic. But if you consider national interests, he is a good opponent. Christ said this, right? To Caesar what is Caesars, to God what is God. You must have heard from the Duke of Viseu, right? Jerusalem for God and the railway for His Majesty the King. And for you? I will have a small fee left over. Pedro, who was listening to Cosimo and analyzing the situation, soon stretched out two fingers. I am confident that I will be able to gain sufficient benefits through the next two voyages, including this one, and I will cooperate fully if the problem in Jerusalem is resolved. thank you. step! Do not forget that the issue of Jerusalem must be resolved. Cosimo responded to Pedros words with a slight smile. It is quite possible. There are more than one king who needs his own strong power. In this way, the framework of May Day began to be established. Chapter 465 Episode 465: Liaodong (1) While the May Dong movement was sprouting in the West, Joseons days were as peaceful as ever. As the scope of Joseons influence gradually increased and the market expanded, rtedwsuits were filed several times a day from all directions to administrative agencies and tribunals across the country. A significant portion of the cases could be resolved based on legal codes such as the Joseon Gyeonggukjeon and Sokyukjeon, which had already been rewritten in Hunminjeongeum and were firmly established, but the number ofwsuits that were difficult to resolve with existingws began to increase. How should I resolve this I would like to do it this way ording to my personal intuition, but if I consider morality, a different decision emerges The parties to thewsuit and those who will be subject to thisw in the future say it is reasonable. In order toe up with aw that would be approved, not only the umpire and researchers at the Ministry of Justice, but also Sejong and Hyang had to debate and debate untilte at night. There is still a lot of work to be done in theb and Area 51 As Hyang was about to leave while talking about Area 51 and theb, Sejong said just one word. Seonwi (Zen). With that one word, Hyang had no choice but to sit down on the road. * * * After working extra hourste into the night, Hyang continued toin as he returned to the East Pce. Where did you learn how to threaten like that? I Hyang suddenly stopped talking, nced at the inner coffin following him, and grumbled inwardly. Ah-oh! The Sejong I knew didnt seem like that! Its the same in the Annals! Its the same with dramas! But I soon forgot about the scent. The reason why Jo Mal-saeng, Hwang Hee, and other ministers gave up their jobs and started working was because of King Sejongs threats. * * * Hyangsints continued. Besides, where did you learn about work-life bnce? Recently, a strange rumor has been circting among the eunuchs. -His Majesty the Lord is looking into what delicacies are avable throughout Joseon! -He is not just looking, but is organizing something byparing it with the railroads throughout Joseon! After hearing the rumors from the eunuchs, Hyang became curious and visited King Sejong. I heard that there is a separate investigation being conducted these days. ah? that? In response to Hyangs question, Sejong took out a thick booklet and held it out to Hyang, as if it was nothing special. Its only halfpleted yet, but its been organized in some way. After receiving the book from King Sejong, Hyang immediately opened it and looked at the contents. huh? This? The book in question was divided into several chapters. And the standard for dividing those chapters was the route of the railroad. Yeongnam Line, Honam Line, Gongchung Line, Gangwon Line Huh? In the next section of the ssified book, the delicacies that were famous around the stations where each line stopped were recorded. This is Do you remember what you told me before? When the road construction is over, why not travel around Joseon and taste the delicacies of famous restaurants and restaurants? Since the road and railroad construction has already beenpleted, wouldnt it be a good idea to give it a try? Anyway, I have to take a break and do some maintenance before heading to the new area, so I n to use that time to take a look around. This is necessary not only for me, but also for your mother. Havent you gone through a lot of hardships since you entered the pce? yes. When King Sejong mentioned Queen Soheon, Hyang could no longer object. As King Sejong said, Queen Soheon suffered a great tragedy when King Sejong ascended to the throne and her family was destroyed. After that, when a fire broke out in Hanseong, she took the lead on behalf of King Sejong while pregnant. As if that wasnt enough, when the Beomgwol Incident urred due to Yangnyeong, he took his bow and arrows and jumped into the battlefield to protect King Sejong. Thanks to this, Hyang had to create exercise methods and equipment for not only King Sejong but also Queen Soheon. King Sejong also always felt sorry for Queen Soheon. Sejong continued speaking to Hyang. This year is Shinyu Year (1441, the 23rd year of King Sejongs reign), so it has been 24 years since I ascended to the throne. I think it would be good to take a break and enjoy some entertainment before heading to Shinji. Hyang had no choice but to bow her head at Sejongs words. * * * As it was revealed that thendlessnd discovered by Maeng Jin-ho was not just arge ind but a continent, the Joseon government exchanged opinions to decide on a name. There were various opinions, but the final conclusion was Shinji. -Its a newnd that no one knew about. There is nothing that suits him other than Shinji. Both the ministers and the vige agreed with King Sejongs decision. Because it was toorge and to be called a province or province. And as already nned, it was concluded that King Sejong would go to manage this shrine. This was because there was no suitable person other than King Sejong whenever there was a conflict of interest and to suppress rebellion. At least, with thepletion of the pce, therge framework of state affairs has also beenpleted, and the crown prince has already grown up, so I feel reassured. exactly. Im so d. The ministers who were shaking their heads as they exchanged opinions were engaged in a fierce battle beneath the surface. You must never follow Shinji! To start from scratch at this age? Id rather just take poison! These were ministers who engaged in fierce behind-the-scenes maneuvers not to follow King Sejong, but to avoid following him. * * * Since King Sejong had to go through yet another difficult journey, it was understandable that he took his own rest. Thats why the scent didnt say anything. Hyang, who had been silently studying the contents of the book, nced at Sejong. But they are all pork and beef? If you look closely, there is horse meat and horse rearing. ah! There is also wild boar and bear meat. Fish meat. I dont like fish because its so fishy. I dont even have poultry meat (chicken or duck meat raised at home)? Its a good n. Its not a proper meal, is it? There are many small vegetable dishes that are reputed to be delicacies, arent they? Am I in middle school? Whoa~. In response to Sejongs answer, Hyang let out a long sigh. No matter how much you are a meat fanatic The foods written in the book were made only from four-legged animals. No matter how much you eat meat for meat After checking the contents of the book again, Hyang grabbed the book and stood up. I willplete the product by further improving it. You bastard! Its all for Abamamas strength. If you eat it like this, it will blow. You bastard! How old am I? There is a rumor going around that the way you look at courtdies is unusual these days. . Sejong, who had been hit hard by Hyang, kept his mouth shut. Seeing King Sejong like that, the fragrance came to an end. I will edit this book properly. Damn it Hyang, who left Gangnyeongjeon, muttered while looking at the book. When this book ispleted, will I be a senior? It was a scent that made him realize that the time for him to be king was getting closer. Hyang, who was lost in sentiment for a moment, soon came to his senses. Eight! Seonwi is Seonwi and this is this! If you keep moving like this, it will be an ultra-short-term guide to achieving extreme obesity! You have to make it right! In this way, a gourmet map C delicacies evaluated by the emperor himself, boasting history and tradition, was born. * * * While Joseon was moving forward, experiencing various events big and small, there were some who were still stuck in the past. Jiamoksabo (ľ˹) near Mudan River. As Hwaryeong, the birthce of the Joseon Dynasty, and nearby areas were returned to Joseon, it was nominally located at the northernmost part of the Joseon border. It was originally the residence of the Woodiger tribe, but as most of the Woodiger tribe became nobles, the Joseon army was in charge of defense of this area. Additionally, this view was intended to block Joseon, which had advanced northward around Dongbing Port, from advancing westward again. Therefore, nominally, it became one of the northernmost fortresses on the Joseon border. And this assistant pastor faced a crisis. Clink ding ding! Farmers working in the fields near the reservoir were startled and woke up at the loud sound of the bell signaling an emergency. what? whats the matter? The farmers, startled by the sudden sound of the bell, looked at the tall watchtower in the middle of the dam. One of the farmers, who kept ringing the bell and watching the light emitting device sh, deciphered the signal. Aftershocks invasion invasion Aftershocks? As soon as the word aftershock came out, the farmers quickly moved to the vige. Move quickly! We need to quickly take care of our family and go home! Move quickly! While the farmers working in the fields were busy, an uproar broke out in the vige. Move quickly! You have to take care of the grain. You have to take care of the grain and then eat it! Move quickly! At the urging of the soldiers guarding the entrance to the vige, those who remained in the vige packed up as little luggage as possible and moved to Boro with other families. * * * The evacuation of residents took ce quickly. Because it was a border area, residents were always prepared and had regr evacuation drills. Of course, there was resistance every time I did this kind of training. Ah! There is so much to do, so what are you doing? What a shame! Those who were grumbling like that came out from the mouths of the soldiers and military officers, saying, Its a fate! I had to move without hesitation. This was a time when breaking themandments was treason. Meanwhile, it was Hyang who thought about this kind of training. Civil defense training in this day and age Despite grumbling, the governor came up with a n and submitted it to King Sejong. After reviewing the n, the ministers and King Sejong decided to implement it right away. It is said that it is an appropriate measure indeed! * * * As residents of nearby viges heard the sound of the bell and were hurriedly fleeing to the fortress, an uproar was breaking out inside the fortress as well. Youre a Yeo Jin-in? Officer Oh Bang-seop, who was working in his office, came out and checked the situation. First officer Kang Seong-won immediately answered Oh Bang-seops question. Thats right! How many? About 300! What is the distance? ording to what we observed from the watchtower, we just passed 5 ri to the north! Oh Bang-seop, who was hastily tying his helmet strap while receiving the first officers report, asked a question with some hope. Arent they just passing by? Its heading straight here! Shit! Oh Bang-seop, who climbed the castle wall while swearing, lifted the telescope and put it to his eyes. Damn it Oh Bang-seop gritted his teeth as he spit out an insult as he saw the Jurchen tribes running in the distance, kicking up dust. What time is it now? Its still a raid. Its a raid! Ready for battle! Yes ready for battle! Following Oh Bang-seops orders, the officers and soldiers moved around busily. Soldiers with long guns climbed the castle wall and began loading their guns, and artillerymen removed the packaging covering the artillery pieces and Eulsik freight cars and prepared to fire. Bring the lightning strike lightning! Bring the coal cans for the freight car! Oh Bang-seop, who was happily looking at the soldiers preparing to fight despite the crowded situation, turned his expression serious as he alternately looked at the vigers running towards the wide open gate of the reservoir and the Jurchen tribe running from afar. Is this dangerous? Chapter 466 Episode 466: Liaodong (2) The residents who remained in the viges built around the weir were able to quickly escape into the weir, but the problem was the farmers who were working in the fields far away. The location of the furthest field was about 2 ri from Bo. It was located in the middle between the Jurchen tribes that wereing and the bridge, and that was why Oh Bang-seop said it was a close call. With an anxious mind, Oh Bang-seop lifted the telescope and looked at the situation again. Its fortunate that there is at least a cart Farmers running away from the field tied their oxen and horses to a cart that had been left nearby, got on it, and were running as fast as they could. As civilians moved north, the government distributed cattle and horses to farmers in exchange for low interest rates. As the cows and horses saved in this way gave birth, most farms came to raise at least two cows and at least one horse. The reason farmers, who were not familiar with horses beforeing to the north, began raising horses was because the frontier in the north wasrge. If you wanted to go to a neighboring vige in the south, you had to walk, but in the north, you had to ride a horse. Oh Bang-seop, who was watching the farmers running in groups of twos and threes on carts drawn by oxen and horses, and the Jurchen tribesmening closer and closer, called the nearest officer. Zhang Chuguan! yes! Take a group (about 25 people) and go to the gatehouse at the main gate of Bo! Tie the feet of the Jurchen tribe until the farmers whoe over there arrive safely! ancient! First officer Jang Gwi-nam, who immediately responded to Oh Bang-seops order, led his men and rushed to the main gate tower. As Zhang Chugwans troops joined, the troops stationed at the gate tower of the main gate swelled significantly. Watching the soldiers moving diligently at the main gate tower, Oh Bang-seop summarized the situation again. The troops are concentrated at the main gate, but there is still room for reserve forces I guess it is fortunate that the number has been reached? Usually, when the Joseon military organized its units, it was organized in units of 3 to 5 multiples, from the lowest rank () to the highest rank (I). Rear areas with no significant threats were organized in multiples of 3, while high-risk areas such as border areas were organized in multiples of 5. Thanks to this, Oh Bang-seop was not worried about theck of troops. The troops stationed at Gamoksabo were Sa (˾) who had properly filled the essence. In addition, those whomanded the soldiers were also experienced people. Because he trusted these soldiers, Oh Bang-seop did not worry about defense, but first worried about the safety of the fleeing farmers. Oh Bang-seop, who continued to look at the farmers and the Jurchen tribe through the telescope, gritted his teeth again. Where on earth did theye from! You cant even see the Joseon military standard fluttering from the watchtower! What time is it now? Its an attack! After the rebellion of Lee Man-ju and Muntemu, the number of Jurchen people who invaded the Korean settlements decreased significantly. In addition, as the mobile patrols of the Joseon Land Forces patrolled the border area, the Jurchen people who frequented the Korean viges near the border almost disappeared. Of course, there were rare instances where crazy Jurchens attacked, but those Jurchens were small, numbering at most a few dozen people. And what they were aiming for was a pioneer vige far away from the reservoir. Therefore, it was mostly a game of hide and seek between the Jurchen tribe and the long-distance patrols. However, arge group of Jurchen tribesmen, numbering at least 300 people, was attacking them in earnest. * * * Meanwhile, Jang Gwi-nam, who had arrived at the gate with his men, brought together the already deployed soldiers and settled the situation. Get the recruits back! Prepare for alternating shooting! Row into three rows! yep! Following Jang Gwi-nams order, which had been calcted by estimating the size of the gate tower, the soldiers lined up in three rows with the new recruits ced at the back. How far have the Jurchen peoplee! The soldier who was observing the situation from the gatehouse immediately responded to Jang Gwi-nams shout. Its 120 steps (about 216m)! Farmers! 80 steps! Upon hearing the soldiers report, Jang Gwi-nam immediately gave an order. First row! If the aftershockse within 100 paces, shoot! All loaded! load! The soldiers took out the paper medicine cannons from the loading bay at the same time as they rehearsed, bit the gun, and then started loading through the muzzles of their guns. Loaded! Almost at the same time as the soldiers shouted, arrows fired by the Jurchen tribe flew towards the gate tower. Shhh! Thing! puck! Tootuk! Hi! Yikes! When the arrows fired by the Jurchen tribe bounced off the wooden shields and cleats erected on the fort walls, the soldiers let out a brief scream and flinched. Dont be scared! I trust the helmets and armor you guys wear! The soldiers who had flinched at the shouts of Jang Gwi-nam standing next to them stood up again. At that time, the soldier who was observing the situation outside shouted. 100 steps! Farmers take 60 steps! First row of guns! At Jang Gwi-nams order, the soldiers at the front all raised their guns and aimed them at the Jurchen tribe. The images of farmers appeared in the eyes of the soldiers and Jang Gwi-nam, who were aiming their guns. Jang Gwi-nam gritted his teeth when he saw that the pants and jackets of many of the farmers on the cart had turned red. Pud! Release fire! Screw it! Ta-ta-tang! The Jurchen people who rushed to the gatehouse after the farmers were covered in bullets. Several dozen Jurchens fell to the ground and a simr number fell on the saddle. The Jurchen people, who were lying on their knees like that, showed no further movement. On this street? Youre shooting all the way here? The Jurchen people were thrown into confusion by the gunfire that came from a distance that exceeded expectations. Just then a second shooting followed. Ta-ta-tang! Im backing off! Get back! Get back! As dozens of Jurchens fell again, the remaining Jurchens began to hastily retreat. * * * About 100 Jang (about 330m) away from the main gate of Gamoksabo, where the battle took ce, about 10 Jurchen people were observing the situation. Han! The range of the copper gun used by the Joseon military is longer than expected! It seems that the Joseon armys copper guns are superior to the Ming armys! This is unbelievable! While those around him were shouting, Chief Ayutawa stroked his beard with a somber expression. * * * The hardships that came to the tribe of Ayuttawa, a distant branch of the Taowan tribe of the Jianzhou Jurchen, were caused by viting the Ming Dynasty. As they attacked a small vige where the Ming people and the settled Jurchen people lived together, the Ayuttawa tribe became the target of subjugation by the Ming army. Ayuttawas tribe had no choice but toe to the border of Joseon to avoid the persistent pursuit of the Ming army, which was very different from the past. The warriors of the Ayutawa tribe, who were devastated by the battle and movement with the Ming army, discovered Gamoksabo and began to secretly monitor the situation. After carefully scouting Gamoksabo for several days, the warriors returned to Ayutawa and proposed an attack. Its bigger than expected, but the number of troops stationed there doesnt seem to be that many! Judging by the size and location of the surrounding vige, it appears to have been expanded to amodate evacuating residents! We have quite a few horses and cows! one! Lets y! youre right! Lets y! There were many people who suggested an attack, but there were also those who opposed it. What are you talking about! Didnt you hear the rumor about what happened to Lee Man-ju and Muntemu when they were hated by Joseon? one! No raids! We should rather choose suitable items among the items we still have and trade them! one! No raids! But those who imed the attack did not back down either. What do we have left to trade? Will you sell your horses and weapons? Are you going to fight the Ming Dynasty army with your bare hands? The only thing they have to sell to us now is our family! If youre going to do that, sell your family! Do not be ridiculous! The Koreans also have copper guns! Have you forgotten that? Thats it, Dong Chong! You just have to stay within 50 steps! Our arrows travel farther than a copper gun! Its a judgment call anyway! You have to do something! They were warriors who had been on the run and hade to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the Ming armys Donggun. They were confident that their bows and arrows were far superior to the Ming armys bronze guns. The reason they were chased now was simply because they were outnumbered by the Ming army. one! one! Both sides continued to run parallel lines and put pressure on Ayutawa. Ayutawa, who had remained silent with his eyes closed, finally opened his mouth. Is the Korean cavalry nearby? Not within 100 ri in any direction! After hearing the warriors answers, Ayutawa came to a conclusion. okay. Lets have a drink. Its a judgment call anyway. yes! When Ayutawa made his decision, the warriors who had been divided into pros and cons became one and made a n. -There are watchtowers on the Joseon armys forts, but based on experience with the Ming Dynasty, it is not a big concern. If we use our mobility to its full potential, they will not be able to react in time. -When you are in such a hurry, you use your mobility as much as possible to blend in with the Koreans. Then the Joseon military will be even more unable toe to its senses. -When the Joseon army in the fortress is unable toe to its senses due to such a crowded situation, the warriors are divided into two. One side continues to hold the eyes and ears of the Joseon army, while the other side attacks the vige. Although it was an attack carried out in a dead-end alley, it was a n nned with as much ingenuity as possible. You can seed. It was an operation that both Ayutawa and the warriors predicted would be sessful. However, the operation that was actually implemented went awry from the start. -The Joseon army discovered them from a greater distance than expected. And the residents response was quick. -Most importantly, the range of the copper guns used by the Joseon army was twice as long as those of the Ming army. Hmm While Ayutawa was worried about the unexpected variable, the old warrior gave his opinion. There is damage, but the eyes and ears of the Joseon military were kept. I think it would be best to proceed as nned. Right. Lets do that. Yes, then, lets give a signal As we were preparing to send a signal to the warriors, a change urred on the battlefield. Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-tang! bang! Quack! Kuang! As the mes soared with a violent explosion, the warriors of the tribe near the fortress began to be wiped out. * * * The farmers are all in! Close the front door! yep! Oh Bang-seop, who gave themand, clenched his fists. Now is the start! messenger! Tell the freight cars and guns! Wipe out all the Jurchen people in front of me! Tell them not to die by chance, but to make them survive somehow! ancient! The messengers who received Oh Bang-seops orders ran to the hill where the Eulsik wagons and artillery were located. After a while, the freight cars and artillery on the hillside began to fire at the Jurchen tribe. Ta-ta-ta-tang! bang! Quagwang! Kuang! Wow! As the freight cars and artillery began firing, the Joseon soldiers on the walls shouted in unison. Wipe it away! Everyone fire! Dont let anyone live! As Eulsik freight cars and artillery pieces participated in the attack, the Joseon soldiers became more courageous and pulled the trigger on the Jurchen people. Get back! Retreat! retreat! The Jurchen people who were attacked by the Joseon army retreated, shedding blood and tears. While the attack by the musketeers just a moment ago had caused minor wounds, the freight cars and artillery pieces had caused fatal wounds. Run away with all your might! Go a little further and youre out of the intersection! The surviving Jurchen people ced their hopes on the speed of the horses they rode and the range of the gunpowder weapons they learned from the Ming Dynasty, but their hopes turned out to be futile. Chapter 467 Episode 467: Liaodong (||) (3) As the Eulsik wagons and artillery joined the battle, Oh Bang-seop looked as if he had lost his mind. Whoa~. Now the blockage in my stomach is finally clearing up. Oh Bang-seop, who looked relieved as if the congestion had been cleared, lifted the telescope again and examined the battlefield. Oh Bang-seop, who had left the battlefield, which had been devastated by fire trucks and artillery pieces, and was looking behind him, made a bloody remark. Oh my~. Oh Bang-seop, who discovered Ayuta and his party through the telescope, immediately gave an order to the messenger. Go and call Shin Chong! A new gun? Manbok! ah! yep! After a while, a soldier followed the messenger and ran to where Oh Bang-seop was. I have been called! Oh yes! Manbok! Wee! Use this to look 100 yards (about 330m) behind you! yes! Manbok took the telescope that Bangseop gave him and examined the battlefield, and Oh Bangseop was next to him and pointed out the target. You see those guys gathered 100 seats behind! That guy in the middle is Han! Can you catch it? You mean the one on the brown horse with white spots? thats right! Manbok put down the telescope and measured the distance for a moment before looking back at Bangseop. You can catch it! Then catch it! yes! Manbok answered firmly, quickly loaded his gun, lifted it, and aimed it at Ayutawa in the distance. The wind Manbok, who had guessed the direction and strength of the wind by looking at the smoke and dust rising from the battlefield, slowly controlled his breathing while aiming at Ayutawa. bang! Oh Bang-seop, who was observing Ayutawa in the distance through a telescope next to Manbok, immediately clenched his fists. Gotcha! * * * Oof! one! Haan! When Ayutawa, who was sitting on the horse, fell off the horse with a single scream, the warriors around him quickly got off the horse and ran towards Ayutawa. The old warrior sitting in his arms as Ayutawa fell to the ground saw the blood on his hands and looked at the other warriors. He passed away. what? How Wow! ping! Suddenly, one of the surrounding warriors fell to the ground again with a single scream. What! Everyone get on your horse! Retreat! Hyosi. Ugh! As therades around him fell one by one, sprinkling blood, Takshi, the eldest warrior, hurriedly knelt down on the horses back and shouted. Everyone retreat! At the same time as he shouted, Taksi turned his body while lying on his stomach and fired a sword into the air. Under other circumstances, it would have been a feat that viewers would admire as a wonderful craft. Beep!!!! As Hyosi flew into the sky with a loud noise, those who were still alive grabbed the reins and began to escape the battlefield. But the Joseon army did not just let them go. Dont miss the freight cars until the end! You cant miss even thest one! At the shouts of Oh Bang-seop and the officers, the soldiers opened fire on the wagons at the fleeing Jurchen people and pulled the triggers of their rifles. If they return here alive, they wille back even more cunning! Kill them all! Meanwhile,manders who had gained practicalbat experience in the north called older Jurchen tribe chiefs and warriors old tigers. It was simr to a pun, substituting tiger for barbarian, but the meaning was not a joke at all. -A tiger that grows old and cannot hunt wild animals attacks people. The problem was that it was not easy to hunt such an old tiger. This is because tigers that have survived until they reach that age and have umted all kinds of experience are extremely cunning. Once an opponent threatens him, he will bite him until he dies or the opponent dies. -The same goes for the Jurchen people. If you dont hit it properly, it bes more cunning and attacks to get revenge. Once you decide to bleed, you need to dry the seeds. This was the attitude of the Joseon army toward the Jurchen people who were hostile to Joseon. No, it was also the w of the ins that epassed not only Jurchen but also Mongolia. * * * In the end, the number of Jurchen people who attacked Gamoksabo and escaped safely could be counted on one finger. If only we had cavalry, we could have defeated them all. Feeling sorry for the mobile patrol that passed through Bo just four days apart, Oh Bang-seop gave orders to his subordinate officers. Clear the battlefield. In particr, take care of the corpse of the chief that Manbok caught. Because I have to send it to Hanseong. ah! Be sure to bring emblems or amulets that reveal which tribe you belong to! yes! Following Oh Bang-seops order, the officers led their men and began to move. But Oh Bang-seops work did not end here. Please find out how many dead or injured residents there are and their names. I have to report it to His Majesty the Lord. yes! And please properly investigate the number of bullets and bigyeokjincheonroe consumed by the Eulsikhwacha and artillery and bring them back. yes! We will investigate andpile a list of soldiers who died or were injured in battle, as well as those who made meritorious contributions! yes! Oh Bang-seop, who gave the order, grumbled slightly. They say it is more arduous to write general instructions than tomand a battle Befitting its nickname the country of records, Joseon left solid records on everything. Looking at the mountain of records he left behind in an almost pathological way, historianstermented that he was a record lover. But there were also good things about keeping records of everything. Who started first? This was because every time the issue of , Korea had something to say. We have records, do you? Can you show me the original? * * * While the cleanup was in full swing at Gamoksabo, there were some who looked at the Joseon soldiers. The top of a hill about 200 miles west of Gamoksabo. Several Ming soldiers were lying on the ground, looking at Master Ga. Cheonho Cho Tae-nam, who had been quietly observing the situation of Assistant Gamok, looked back at Bucheonho Ak Sang-ho, who was lying down next to him. I saw something good while chasing those damn Yeojin bastards. At Jo Tae-nams words, Ak Sang-ho quietly nodded. Lets go down. yes. The two quietly turned around and came down the hill. In the shadows of the hills, the Ming cavalry under theirmand was hiding. * * * The cavalrymanded by Cho Tae-nam and Ak Sang-ho was part of the unit ordered to subdue the Ayuta and the tribe. The continued subjugation caused serious damage to the Ayuttawa tribe, but it was not easy to chase the Ayuttawa tribe, who fled on horseback, throwing away most of what they had. In the end, an order was given to Cho Tae-nams unit. -Pursue and annihte until the end. ording to this order, Jo Taenams cavalry pursued the Ayuttawa tribe. After a tedious chase, Ayu Tae-nams tribe fled to the Joseon border, putting Jo Tae-nam in a difficult situation. Why * * * The Ming and Joseon Dynasty werepeting over the Liaodong region, and various things were still happening in secret. Therefore, the rtionship between the Ming Dynasty army and the Joseon army was inextricable and invible, that is, it was neither distant nor close. Since it was a situation that would immediately be an international problem if they were to be entangled by mistake, the soldiers of Ming Dynasty and Joseon maintained a bleak rtionship, keeping their distance as much as possible. Therefore, the situation became difficult as the Ayutawa tribe approached the Joseon border. * * * Eight! Hwangmyeonges first! Track it! yes! In this way, Cho Tae-nams unit continued the pursuit again. In this way, they were able to capture the Ayutawa tribe near the Songhua River, which passes north of Gamoksabo. Cheonho! There are no warriors! Jo Taenam, who was looking at the tent vige that was in shambles due to the Ming armys attack, frowned at the reports of his subordinates. huh? Is it a trap? Or did you abandon them? Find out properly! After a while, his subordinates reported the whereabouts of the warriors. These crazy guys went to attack a vige in Joseon! Jo Tae-nam was shocked by his subordinates report. Holy shit! Move now! What are those Yeojin bastards going to do? Kill me! yes! Jo Taenams cavalry, which had killed all of the captured Ayutawa tribe, immediately rode away. Where is the nearest Joseon vige? In response to Jo Taenams question, the guide pointed to the east. There is Pastor Ga across the river! Holy shit! Jo Tae-nam swore at the guide. Why should I even touch it! The persistence of the Joseon army was notorious even within the Ming army. As soon as the stupid Jurchen people messed with it, the Joseon military, especially the Joseon mobile patrol team, chased the offending Jurchen people to the end. Since it was not umon for people to cross the border while pursuing them, Ming and Joseon diplomats argued over this issue several times. * * * Ak Sang-ho, who was riding next to Jo Tae-nam, made a joke. But arent we going to skip this time? Lets take some of the heat on Joseon this time! Is that how it works? While talking like that, Cho Taenams cavalry crossed the shallowest ford of the Songhua River and approached the west side of Jiamoksabo. I see a hill over there. Lets take a look at the situation over there. yes. Cho Tae-nam and Ak Sang-ho, who hid their men in the shadow of the hill, carefully climbed the hill. I could have headed straight to Gamoksabo, but if I did something wrong, it could have be an international problem. Therefore, I had to be very careful when moving. The two people climbed to the top of a low hill, took out a Korean-made telescope and put it to their eyes. Its interesting to look at Joseon through Joseon-made products. Jo Tae-nam nodded at Ak Sang-hos joke. It is the same product, but the one made by our merchants is not very good * * * As telescopes made by Joseon became popr, the Ming Dynasty also produced simr products. Of course, it could not be made identically due to intellectual property rights issues, and there were problems with ss manufacturing, so it was an item made by cutting crystal. However, the material called crystal itself was an expensive item, and since it was carved by eye, it was the worst cost-effective product. Thanks to this, it wasmon for executives in the Ming Dynasty to obtain and possess Joseon-made telescopes. * * * As he joked, what he saw through the telescope was the warriors of the Ayuttawa tribe being destroyed by the firepower of the Joseon army. Hmm. Hoo. Jo Tae-nam and Ak Sang-ho observed the battle with excited expressions. In particr, Ak Sang-ho watched the battle, chewing on the beef jerky he had taken out from his chest. What caught the eyes of the two people observing the battlefield was the sight of fire trucks firing bullets from the forts embankment and the scene of Ayutawa falling down after being shot by a sniper. * * * After observing that the battle finally ended with the warriors of the Ayutawa tribe being annihted, the two men came down the hill and got back on their horses. Jo Tae-nam, who was looking at the faces of his subordinates who were looking at them with very tense faces, opened his mouth. The Joseon army finished. At Jo Tae-nams words, a mixture of relief and regret appeared on the faces of his subordinates. Im going back. Dont forget to take as much as possible with you when you return. If you present it to His Majesty, you will be rewarded. yes! As he led his men back, Cho Tae-nam looked back at Ak Sang-ho. There must be a lot to write about in the market. Thats right. * * * Meanwhile, a group of people were also observing the battle on the hill north of the Songhua River, northeast of Jiamoksabo. Those who had quietly observed the battle mounted their horses when it was over. Lets go back to Taishi. I have a lot to report. yes. Chapter 468 Episode 468: Liaodong (||) (4) The luminous signal sent from Gamoksabo spread immediately behind and around like a wave spreading out. Jin and Bo, who confirmed the luminous signal, immediately called for emergency and simultaneously ryed the signal to the rear. Thanks to this, the Ministry of National Defense in Hanseong was able to confirm the urgent report less than half a day after the battle broke out in Gamoksabo. Here is an additional message sent from Jinwabo near Gamoksabo. It is said that they went into emergency mode as soon as they received the emergency power from Assistant Secretary Ga. Jo Mal-saeng, who received the report at an emergency meeting held as soon as he received the urgent report from Gamoksabo, checked the situation with a very nervous expression. Its fortunate that Jin and Bo nearby responded to the emergency, but have you been able to contact the mobile patrol team? yes. At that moment, an urgent report was delivered to the mobile unit that stopped by for supplies, and the mobile unit was dispatched immediately. How many seconds did it move? Three candles. Hmm After hearing the report, Jo Mal-saeng stroked his beard and did the calctions. The number of people who correctly filled in the number was 640. In addition, three seconds is almost 2,000, and theposition of the mobile patrol always includes one artillery unit (125 gs), so there will be no shortage of strength. Jo Mal-saeng, who had done some mental calctions and came to a positive conclusion, rxed slightly. Feeling so relieved, Jo Mal-saeng thought of another thought. There was a lot of talk about this and that, but the changes implemented by the crown prince were useful. * * * As the renovation progressed, King Sejong made many changes. It goes without saying that scent was involved in the process. Simpler! More intuitively! More professionally! The most important thing is to increase efficiency! Shouting like this, the township overhauled the entire administrative structure, starting with the central government. Of course, it was not easy to overhaul an administrative structure that had only slightly changed names for nearly a thousand years. This is unprecedented and unprecedented! Such opposition came from all directions, but King Sejong pushed ahead resolutely. Although it is not in the precedent, conforming to standards from a thousand years ago does more harm than good! And there is no precedent? Isnt it obvious? Is this your first time running it? Haha. Have you forgotten that that precedent was also unconventional a thousand years ago! With King Sejongs firm push, a transformation of the administrative organization was achieved. In this process of change, the military was the first ce to be affected. If we continue to operate like we do now, our budget will run out! In this way, the county overhauled the militarys organizational system. Through the reforms carried out in this way, the organization of the Joseon military became highly efficient. What never changes is the most basic five! All five must be filled! When moving up from five to a higher level, a multiple of five is an integer! In addition, the nature of the unit was divided into A and B. Unit A, located in the front, always followed the rule of multiples of 5 and filled the number, while Unit B, located in the rear, consisted of a minimum multiple of 2 and a base multiple of 3. In addition, theposition ratio between each branch was regted ording to the organization. Through this process of fixing the organization, the operational efficiency of the Joseon military was dramatically improved. Of course, many things were said in the military. However, the opposition disappeared as its effectiveness was confirmed through actual battles such as the suppression of Hwacheok, who was causing trouble throughout Joseon, the suppression of the Giyu Rebellion, and the suppression of the War of War caused by Lee Man-ju and Muntemu. Even in history before the intervention of Hyang, King Munjong, who was a nobleman, revised Joseons military system to fit the 5th rank Jinbeop. However, with the intervention of the township, the scope of the reform expanded enormously. * * * When the long-distance mobile unit arrived at Gamoksabo, having received urgent information from Bo, where they had stopped briefly for supplies, the cleanup of the battle was in full swing. Each time the mobile forces arrived, ahead or behind, Oh Bang-seop, themander of Gamoksa Assistant, greeted them with a confident face. Wee! Themanders of the mobile unit, who got off their horses after being weed by Oh Bang-seop, looked at the battlefield being cleared and looked at Oh Bang-seop. Are you finished? Its over. It was a great victory. Congrattions! Congrattions! Themanders of the task force, who congratted Oh Bang-seops response announcing victory, listened closely to Oh Bang-seops bravery. It was because it would be of great help to refer to Oh Bang-seops experience. We were able to achieve victory by taking advantage of this fortresss strong defenses and superiority in weapons. Of course, the difference in military strength was overwhelming. The task forcemanders nodded at Oh Bang-seops words. The size of the troops stationed at Gamoksabo was approximately 3,200 men. Therefore, the troop ratio with the Jurchen tribes led by Ayutawa was 10:1. Despite this overwhelming troop ratio, none of the mobile unitmanders took Oh Bang-seops victory lightly. If you look at the situation before the match took ce, there were many cases of defeat by the Jurchen tribe even in a 10:1 situation. Of course, when fighting cavalry against cavalry, there were many cases where it was a whistle-blower situation, but when fighting against cavalry against infantry, the Joseon army was more likely to be defeated by the Jurchen people. What about our troops casualties? When themanders asked about the casualties of our troops, Oh Bang-seops face took a turn for the worse. 20 minor injuries and 5 serious injuries. There were no deaths, but the residents suffered greatly. While evacuating from work in a field far from Bo, 15 people were killed and over 40 injured due to an attack by the Jurchen tribe. Thanks to the fact that the farmers escaped on carts, they were not hit by swords and were only hit by arrows, so I think that was the end of it. Right. After much discussion about war training, themanders were able to see the body of Ayutawa, who had died from a sniper attack. Ayutawas body, which was ced on a cart, was naked. The clothes and armor he was wearing were collected separately. It was to send it to Hanseong. You went with one clean step. Thats right. He must have gone in an instant without even knowing what had hit him. Who is the soldier who guessed the interest? Right! This level of marksmanship! Lets take a look at your face! Themanders, with bright eyes, looked for the person who shot Ayutawa. After a while, Manbok received a call from Oh Bangseop and came to the ce where themanders were gathered. insect! Soldiers full! I have been called! Did you catch this guy? yes? yes! Thats right! What is the distance? There are 100 copies! Themanders looked at Oh Bang-seop at the word 100 chapters. Oh Bang-seop answered with a face full of pride. In our vige, we call it Shinchong. Huh. Hmm. Themanders who were listening to Oh Bang-seops words and looking at their stomachs soon opened their mouths. you! Arent you nning on joining our mobile squad? yes? yes? yes? Manbok looked puzzled by the unexpected offer, and Oh Bangseop screamed. No, these people! There is no mourning! In front of someone now! After a scuffle like that, Oh Bang-seop and themanders turned to Man-bok. So what do you want to do? Manbok fumbled his answer to Oh Bangseops question. I get motion sick whenever I ride a horse Oh no! Damn it! * * * Ten dayster, Oh Bang-seop and Man-bok arrived in Hanseong. This was because King Sejong, who received the generalmand, called them to Gyeongbokgung Pce to praise those who had aplished military feats. Your efforts to save the people from the extremely ferocious Jurchen tribe are truly great! For this, I give you medals and rewards! I am devastated! Following the reign of King Sejong, medals were awarded tomanders and soldiers who made contributions in battle, and significant rewards were given. While the event continued, King Sejong and Hyangs attention was focused on Oh Bang-seop and Man-bok. Gwon Oh Bang-seop is to be appointed as a lieutenant. I am devastated! Have Oh Bang-seop move to the tactical research department of the Chief of Staff Headquarters. insect! I follow your orders! Oh Bang-seop answered with joy. The ride was not only a ride, but it was also a ride into the core of the Chief of Staff Headquarters. If you work a little harder, it wont be long until you hear the sound of a general! Oh Bang-seop was full of dreams and hopes. However, King Sejong, looking down at Oh Bang-seop, had other thoughts. It appears that they are good at manning their troops from fixed positions. It might be useful if I take him to Shinjiter, right? After dealing with Oh Bang-seop, the attention of King Sejong and the local ministers turned to Man-bok. You caught the head of that family register? In response to Sejongs question, Manbok trembled and shouted at the top of his voice. Thats right! You caught someone outside of 100? Thats right! It couldnt have been easy, right? Hyang, who was listening to Sejong, nodded. Its a bullet made to have roughly the same power as a 7.62mm NATO bullet, but thats just in terms of numbers Is it possible to do that with the naked eye without an auxiliary device? * * * The Gap-sik long gun made by Hyang was a gun that used bullets with a caliber of half an inch (approximately 1.7 mm) and ck powder. To put it simply, the bullet was cal.50, but its power was 7.62mm. Thanks to this, the performance of the Fuhrer was a maximum range of over 800 steps (about 1.4km), a maximum effective range of 500 steps (about 900m), and an effective range of 250 steps (about 450m). However, even the effective range of 250 steps was recorded in aboratory and was the result of arge number of riflemen suppressing an area through group shooting. In actualbat, the best record for an individual shooting alone was at best 100 steps (about 180m). But now that record has been broken. * * * Manbok answered King Sejongs question right away. This is what my father taught me! Your father? Hoo~. What does your father do? You are a hunter. Front? okay. What are you most good at catching? You did a great job catching the tiger and the leopard! You killed the Great Tiger with just one shot of arge arrow for killing six arrows! King Sejong was greatly impressed by Manboks answer. What a great man! Thats why he raised someone with excellent marksmanship like you! I wish I could have seen it. He passed away. King Sejong was truly saddened by Manboks answer. Oh my! How did it happen? You were bitten by a tiger Ah Sejong kept his mouth shut at Manboks answer. However, Manbok did not look very heartbroken. My father always said this to me. Ive caught more than one tiger along the way, so its inevitable that the tiger will catch me. Fighting for thew means risking ones life. He said, The results will depend on who is lucky, so dont worry about it. It wasnt an ordinary person I regret missing the time. Sejong, which is greedy for talent, could not hide its disappointment. Hyang, who was listening to Manboks answer from the side, began to diligently calcte in her mind. Lets see Whether its a bow or a gun, breathing is important. And you have to be familiar with the weapon you use Bows are the national rule of the Joseon people, so even if thats the case, its not a gun, right? Wait, theres a word that seems familiar Yes! J?ger! This is it! Chapter 469 Episode 469: Liaodong (5) Immediately after organizing her thoughts, Hyang opened her mouth to Sejong. Can I say something to you, Abama? I allow it. As we saw in the Battle of Gamoksabo and as also shown in military records, the value of amander is very great. If we can take out thesemanders with just one bullet. Thats it. I understand what you want to say. Sejong, who interrupted Hyangs words, looked back at Jo Mal-saeng. Immediately have soldiers and executives from all over Joseonpete against each other on their shooting skills with long guns. Both thend and naval forces. You mean both the Army and Navy? When Jo Mal-saeng checked again, King Sejong looked like he did not understand and asked Jo Mal-saeng back. Isnt the presence or absence of amander more important in the navy? That is true. I will make sure that the naval forces also practicepetition. However, Sejong had an expression that did not suit him at all. If God made any mistake Jo Mal-saeng, who saw Sejongs expression, muttered with a white face, and Sejong turned his head and clicked his tongue. Tsk! Lets talk again after the inauguration ceremony! Yes, Your Highness! Although he was a student who bowed his head urgently, he was cursing inside. no! Suddenly giving an order and telling me what to do! A king is everything! Ah-oh! That damn tongue-clicking sound! Meanwhile, the ministers who were watching the scene from the side all looked pitiful and muttered to themselves. What a sight! Do you still not know His Majestys true nature? Even if I didnt know, I should have waited! If you just rest for one beat there, Your Majesty and the Crown Prince will tell you everything! That damn tongue! I heard they said he had a cap nted on his head! For being so stupid, he is called the Jangseung of Geunjeongjeon! Wow! That tongue clicking sound! I hadnt listened to it in a while so it was fine! Perhaps knowing the feelings of the ministers, Hyang reported this to King Sejong. If you simply ask us to check your skills, it is not easy to evaluate because there are no exact standards. ah! Thats right! You forgot that part! Acknowledging his mistake, Sejong looked at Jo Mal-saeng. King Sejongs eyes as he looked at Jo Mal-saeng seemed to say this. Thats what it means to be intelligent. Its intelligent to do this! Sejong, who was ring at Jo Mal-saeng like that, turned his head to Hyang. Sejongs eyes as he looked at the incense were full of pride. Wow, my baby is doing well! Then what should I do? Hyang immediately answered King Sejongs question. yes. If you set up a target andpete like an archery contest, the oue will not be easy. King Sejong and the ministers all nodded at Hyangs words. Thats right Everyone in neighboring countries knew that Koreans shoot arrows like ghosts. Even in history before Hyang intervened, there was a record of an archery bet taking ce between Joseon military officers who escorted envoys from the Qing Dynasty, and it was not an easy match. When King Sejong and the ministers all agreed, Hyang continued speaking. We make a target that imitates the size and shape of a long tablet. Then, set targets by dividing the distance into 50 cards (about 150m), 70 cards (about 210m), and 100 cards (about 300m) and thenpete. ah! We mark the critical points on the target so that if you hit the critical point, you get a higher score. Its okay. Sejong nodded at Hyangs suggestion. Looking at Sejong like that, Hyang continued speaking. Based on the results of thispetition, those who recorded excellent scores in Chapter 70 and Chapter 100 will be selected separately and a unit specializing in sniping will be formed. Its a unit that specializes in sniping Sejong, who had been listening to Hyangs words and making his own calctions, looked back at Jo Mal-saeng. I think its the best option. What do you think? I think it is most appropriate. Then let us carry out the crown princes suggestion. I follow your orders. Jo Mal-saeng bowed his head and responded to King Sejongs words. The other ministers also bowed their heads and muttered to themselves. Look! If you just wait a little bit, youll get the answer, so why bother? The event ended with littlemotion. People who turned their lives around through this event were Oh Bang-seop and Man-bok. As soon as Oh Bang-seop got on board, he was assigned to the Chief of Staff Headquarters. Among the military officers who heard this news, the number of volunteers for the front lines increased, and among themanders of Jin and Bo on the front lines, some began to pour purified water and pray every night. It is Binaida, it is Binaida. Please send some Jurchen beggars to my jurisdiction I dont need too many. Only about 200 people. Its Binaida, its Binaida. The reality was that the Jurchen tribe, who had been the object of fear, had fallen into sacrifice for promotion. * * * If Oh Bang-seop was the hope of the officers, Manbok was the hope of the soldiers. Did you say full bok? What was yourst name? I dont have any. does not exist? yes. I dont have ast name because I am a Yeobu (C), one of the Sinryangyeokcheon (my status is a good man, but my job is lowly). Huh It was a time when there were still manymoners withoutst names. Sejong, who had been pondering Manboks answer for a moment, opened his mouth. Your father reassured the people by catching a tiger with just a bow, and you also reassured the people by catching a Jurchen leader with just a gun. Since this is a family like this, I will give him Hong () as hisst name. The wide red shape resembles a broad bow being drawn, and many people have found peace because of you, so this is the most fitting surname. At King Sejongs words, Manbok bowed prostrate to the floor. I am devastated! He personally bestowed hisst name on the child of a lowly person, so even if he dies and bes a ghost, he will not forget this grace and will repay his descendants from generation to generation! Sejong smiled and responded to Manboks words filled with moisture. Then I and the royal family should be thankful. In this way, the Hansung Hong n, a traditional military family that continues along with the history of the Korean military, was born. * * * The miracle of full happiness did not end here. If you decide to shoot, how far can you hit? I guessed up to 250 pieces (about 750m). Sejong and Hyang looked at Manbok in surprise at Manboks answer. The scent was especially shocking. That distance is almost the maximum range? Of course, it was possible to fly further than that, but since there was no ce or equipment for actual measurements, it was limited to that point. But even so, that range was shocking. In response to Manbok, Hyang muttered without realizing it. Your marksmanship is amazing, but your eyesight is even more amazing. Huh~. Thats amazing. How did you manage to catch a target from such a distance? Manbok immediately responded to King Sejongs question about expecting another saga. Officer Kwon once went out for training outside, saying that shooting training inside the fortress was not effective. I caught a wolf there. Right. Sejong nodded at Manboks answer. In response to Manbok, Hyang joined the conversation again. I have something to ask Abamama Soja Manbok. Hehe. After receiving permission from King Sejong, Hyang asked Manbok a question. He has extraordinary shooting skills, but I dont think its possible with talent alone. Have you learned anything else? My father taught me archery and taught me how to breathe and a few other things. Like what? There are many things like reading the wind, aiming properly, killing a tiger without being noticed, and so on. Hyangs eyes sparkled at Manboks answer. This is totally a special forces unit! After hearing Manboks answer, Hyang did not dy and reported it to King Sejong. What Manbok learned from his father is truly valuable. If you teach to those selected after passing thepetition decided by Abama, you will be even morepetent! To agree. Have soldier Hong Man-bok ride as Jinmu (恓) and use him to select personnel and be a training instructor. I follow your orders! What a wise decision! While the ministers were answering in unison, Kim Jeom opened his mouth. No matter how rigorous your training is, it can be useless if you dont know how to fight. So, how about mobilizing these selected people to hunt wild animals? huh? Sejong, who paused for a moment at Kim Jeoms words, soon nodded. In Joseon, there were still many fatal idents caused by wild animals such as tigers, leopards and bears. A significant number of cases urred when people entered the territory of wild beasts, but it was alsomon for wild beasts that were old and had lost their hunting ability to attack people. That would be great. I already felt that it was not enough to just be a Chakho Gapsa, but now that I can properly embody what I have learned, it is truly the best of both worlds. Lets do that. I am truly devastated that you have epted me. When King Sejong made his decision willingly, Kim Jeom bowed his head with a bright smile on his face. Hyang, who saw this scene from the side, muttered to herself. As expected, Kim Jeom is the leader! Even at this moment, I cant believe Im thinking of a way to make up for my expenses! Exclusive poison indeed! As his notoriety with regard to the budget grew, a new disease developed for Kim Jeom: dondog C to put it in a ssy way, he was addicted to it. * * * In this way, Manbok became the hope of the soldiers. Not only did he receive medals and awards, but the king himself even gave him a castle. That alone was enough to envy me, but in addition to being promoted to an executive level, I was also given the official position of instructor. Eventually, at some point, not only executives but also soldiers began to pour out purified water and pray every night. Binaida Binaida. Please just let me get it right. In this way, with King Sejongs full decision and support, a professional sniper unit was born. Chakho Musketeers. As is known, it was a unit tasked with hunting tigers and other wild animals that harmed the people. In fact, they hunted wild beasts not only in the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range but also in the ins of Liaodong and the forests north of Dongbing Port. In this process, soldiers specialized in covert maneuver, ambush sniping, etc. were trained. This was the birth of a unit called Tiger Hunters, Tigerj?ger, and Tigris venandi, which gained notoriety as the scoundrels of the sea are musketeers in thend of challengers. * * * Meanwhile, the report written by Jo Taenam reached Emperor Xiande in Beijing through a certain route. Hmm While Emperor Seondeok read Jo Taenams instructions, the ministers present swallowed dry saliva. If anything, the ending If anything The reason the subjects were nervous was because the ending of this subjugation was not very good. It was a Ming Dynasty army that was raised as an elite during the reign of Emperor Seondeok. And in this subjugation, the situation was continuing to live up to that evaluation. However, Ayutawa crossed the border to Joseon and was wiped out, so he was unable to conquer the dragon. The emperor had already be very weak these days and his nerves had be sharper, so it was difficult to know what kind of unpleasant decree would be issued. In the past, he could have tried his hand at Janggye, but under Emperor Seondeoks reign, such a thing was unthinkable. This was because it was certain that if he did something wrong, he would be punished for the crime of covering the emperors eyes. Thanks to this, when Emperor Seondeoks subjects received reports from the field, they did not even organize them and immediately submitted them to the emperor. This was because it was better to be severely scolded or have one or two peoples heads cut off than to die in droves. Chapter 470 Episode 470: Liaodong (6) Hmm Its a little disappointing. Thats because I didnt do the Hwaryong divination properly. However, it ismendable that they were prepared to cross the border and persisted until the end to destroy the tribe. Since ancient times, a soldier must have that level of persistence. Emperor Seondeok gave such a review and gave an order to the assistant cab secretary. Order the Five Military Governors to reward themanders and soldiers whomanded the unit. And may we grantpensation in your name to the families of those who died and those who were maimed during the battle. I follow your orders! We will all be deeply moved by Your Majestys grace. Long live, long live, Your Majesty the Emperor! As soon as Emperor Seondeok finished speaking, all the ministers knelt down on the ground and chanted three cheers. Although he was truly impressed by the emperors evaluation, he was even more thrilled that he got through safely without getting angry. By the way The ministers who were thrilled by Emperor Seondeoks magnanimity became very nervous again when Emperor Seondeok opened his mouth. Seeing the expressions on the faces of the ministers, Emperor Seondeok continued speaking. If you look at this report. There is a part where the ship used by the Joseon army flies farther than the gun barrel used by our Ming army. This part is going to take a while. God will tell you. In response to Emperor Seondeoks point, Taebok Si-gyeong, the head of Taeboksi, opened his mouth. In the early days of the founding of the nation, it was a department in charge of horse administration rted to horses used in the military, but during the reign of Emperor Seondeok, it also took charge of matters rted to weapons used in the military. your majesty. Since ancient times, the firing range used by ordinary soldiers has been shorter than that of a bow. Therefore, various methods were used topensate for its weaknesses and strengthen its power. Typically, the Joseon Dynasty used the method of striking multiple shots with one shot, while our people used the method of attacking multiple shots with one shot. I know that well. What Jim pointed out now is the issue of range, so why are you saying something different? Im sorry! To exin in more detail. Tell me only what is necessary, leaving out unnecessary details. yes. We have put a lot of effort into improving the guns that were imported from Joseon. And since we have achieved many results so far, if we do a little more, we will be able to create a gun that can shoot further and has more power than the one used by the Joseon military. Whoa~. Emperor Seondeok sighed at Taebok Sikyungs answer and pointed them out one by one. In the process of developing a sighting device to increase the uracy of the gun, I developed it after three years and secretly finding out that such a device was attached to themander of the Joseon Army. It took another four years to change the material of the copper gun from copper to iron. But how much longer must we wait to create a Fuhrer who can fly farther? I apologize! Please forgive the gods for their shorings! In response to Emperor Seondeoks criticism, all the ministers, including Taebokgyeong, prostrated themselves again and asked for forgiveness. Seeing the ministers like that, Emperor Seondeok waved his hand. done! It is not my intention to reprimand or punish you! Its just a shame its taking longer than expected! It was my father who ordered us to develop ourselves instead of relying on Joseons power. Its okay to not me yourself! Stand up! Thank you for your mercy, I am truly devastated! Long live, long live, Your Majesty the Emperor! The inside of Jeongjeon was once again filled with shouts of national independence. As the shouts for national independence subsided, Emperor Seondeok reviewed the situation again. So how much will it take to get results? The range has increased by about 50%pared to the original gun. If we study a little more, we will catch up with the Joseon military, and if we do a little more, we will boast even more superior performance. Emperor Seondeoks face brightened at Taebok Sikyungs answer. Is that so? Can I see the prototype now? It is possible! Bring it back immediately! yes! As soon as Emperor Seondeoks order was given, Taebokgyeong gave orders to his subordinate officials. While the official who received the order rushed out, Emperor Seondeok continued talking while looking at the report. This time too, the weapon called Bigyeokjincheonroe appears without fail. Taebok Si-gyeong said that this bigyeokjincheonroe () is like firing with the power of gunpowder, right? how is it. Are there any results? yes. To some extent, we have achieved the desired results. Taebokgyeong reported on the performance of the Bigyeokjincheonroe developed by Myeongguk. After hearing the report, Emperor Seondeok frowned slightly. Hmm It doesnt seem like a bad performance, but it seems inferior to the Joseon Dynastys Bigyeokjincheonroe that Ive seen and heard about so far. Taebokgyeong immediately responded to Emperor Seondeoks point. This is believed to be an exaggeration by the Jurchen people who experienced the power of the Bigyeokjin Thunder. is it? Thats right. Taebok Si-kyung answered firmly. In the process of suppressing the rebellion of Manju Lee and Muntemu, a small number of Jurchen tribesmen were able to escape the battlefield. The Ming Dynasty took possession of the Jurchen people who escaped and interrogated them about the battle. During this process, the Ming learned information about Bigyeokjincheonroe and collected information about Bigyeokjincheonroe through Ming troops stationed in the border area and Jurchen people who respected the Ming. After hearing the information they had collected, the craftsmen of the Ming Dynasty all thought of one weapon. No matter how you look at it, it looks like Jincheonlei is being projected with the power of gunpowder? I heard that the Joseon military is using something called ޼h (޼h)? * * * Interestingly enough, the craftsmen of Hyang and Area 51 chose the Bigyeokjincheonroe as the weapon that will be the first to produce a simr weapon. After gunpowder was used in battle, people studied ways to use this gunpowder to be more useful C to be able to kill people better. Thats why the idea of putting things like gunpowder, caltrops, and gold flies into a hollow container and then detonating it came up right away. This is how I evaluated the scent while handling Bigyeokjincheonroe. It was not long after gunpowder was introduced to Goryeo that the Jilyeopo itself, which can already be considered a primitive Bigyeokjincheonroe, was born. Therefore, when Hyang created the improved version of the Bigyeokjincheonroe, the thing he paid most attention to was increasing the range and killing power. The final goal is to make a proper shock fuse andbine it with a dy fuse, but Hyang did not expect the lifespan of Bigyeokjincheonrei to be long. If a proper fuze for artillery shells was created, traditional cannons would be able to fire shells that generaterge amounts of fragments. The goal was to reduce the number of types of cannons, as this would eliminate the Bigyeokjincheonroe, which require dedicated cannons. And the close-range artillery that will support the infantry goes out as a mortar. It was a scent with a tech tree in it. Of course, it was a bigyeokjincheonroe that was expected to have such a short life, but its killing power was an incense that had been transformed into extreme evil itself. * * * You might think so. But try harder. I follow your orders. your majesty. Emperor Seondeok, who had summarized things rted to Bigyeokjincheonroe, pointed out the following item. What do you think of the Fuhrer who fires arge number of bullets at once? Taebokgyeong immediately answered Emperor Seondeoks question. When Shin asked the craftsmen, they said that it appears that the Singijeon and Hwacha that the Joseon people developed in the past were modified to fit the Donggun. Singijeon and Hwachara. Ive heard the story. I heard it was a pretty fierce weapon. The Koreans are really good at making fierce weapons. To Emperor Seondeoks words, Taebokgyeong once again responded firmly. Its just an imitation of our names multiple-fire battle. * * * If Hyang and Choi Hae-san had heard, it was certain that they would have said these words right away. Hey you bastard! do you want to die! Even the operation method is different! After the birth of gunpowder, the first way to utilize it was tobine it with arrows. The idea was to attach a bag or barrel containing gunpowder to an arrow, then light the wick and shoot it at the enemys camp or vige. After the fired arrownded on the roof of the tent or house of the garrison, the gunpowder exploded and caught fire. The next step was to use the explosive power of gunpowder as propulsion to fly arrows farther or tounchrger and heavier arrows. And the Ming stopped here, and Joseon went even further. In history before the intervention of the Hyang, simr to the Ming era, the focus was on expanding the range, and the medium andrge Sanhwa Singijeon focused on not only the range but also the killing power using explosions. In addition, the hwacha made it possible to suppress an area by firing arge number of small weapons at once, and even increased mobility by cing it on a cart. * * * Taebok Si-gyeong, whopletely ignored such things, exined to Emperor Seondeok in a confident tone. Our people have been making and using various types of flower pots for a long time. The most representative ones are the Ilwabongjeon (һC), which fires 32 rounds at once, and the Baekho Jebunjeon (ٻR), which can fire 100 rounds at once. If we improve this and make it possible to use Hwatan instead of Hwajeon, we can make products that are simr to Joseon and even better than Joseon. It is truly reassuring to hear the Lords words. Jim will sincerely wait for that day toe. Under the reign of Emperor Seondeok, King Taebok bowed his head. I will do my best! Okay, okay. What is needed for better results? Ites with budget and talent. Emperor Seondeok turned his head in response to Taebok Sikyung. The budget will be approved soon. The problem is talent. Yebusangseo. Ye Bu Sang-seo bowed his head and responded to Emperor Seondeoks call. Yes, craftsmen will soon be produced at the training center established by His Majestys order. is it? What is the level of craftsmen that will be produced? They say its okay to put it into practice right away. * * * There is not enough talent! Myeong, who received only a few trick prototypes and blueprints, immediately realized that there was a talent shortage. The iron horse, assembled by Joseon craftsmen from parts sent from Joseon, moved without any problems on the railroad tracks sent by Joseon. However, as hundreds of craftsmen stepped forward, problems arose one after another. Even though it was obviously the same railroad, the railroad made by the master could not bear the weight of the iron horse and was crushed as soon as the iron horse went up. The same was true for the iron horse. Just in case, I observed the assembly process of shipbuilding craftsmen and confirmed that the sizes of the parts were the same as the blueprint before assembling. As a result, the craftsmen of Ming Dynasty manufactured parts ording to the blueprint and began assembling them. But none of the iron horses moved properly. What is the reason! If you dont reveal it properly, I will kill you! In response to Emperor Seondeoks angry words, the craftsmen quickly began to determine the cause. The cause was a problem with the materials that make up the part. The quality is so poorpared to parts made by Joseon. ordingly, an envoy went to Joseon, but the answer that came back from Joseon was simple. That part is the craftsmans secret skill. We cant tell you either. After hearing Joseons answer, Emperor Seondeok thought for a while and came to a conclusion. We also create an institution to research and teach technology. Chapter 471 Episode 471: Liaodong (7) By order of Emperor Xiande, the establishment of an institution in charge of technology research and education was carried out, but the progress was not smooth. It was the same to look down on craftsmen in Ming or Joseon Dynasty. Therefore, as soon as it was announced that the institution to study technology and craftsmen would be under the Gukjagam, all officials belonging to the Gukjagam C from Jeju to the lowest instructor, Hakrok C put their necks on the line. I opposed it and came forward. C In the end, it was decided that this institution, named Training Center, was affiliated with the Ministry of Education. Despite all themotion, the reef did not end there. The merchants who owned the famous artisans refused to give up the artisans. If we give them away, we will have no choice but to starve to death! The superiors fiercely protested, but this time Seondeokje also did not give up his will. Are you going to kill me or starve to death? If you give up your craftsmen, not only will you bepensated, but you will definitely be sent back after 10 years. But if you refuse, I will kill you all! In this way, the merchants gave up their craftsmen and called in the best craftsmen from all over Ming, but there again a reef appeared. You want me to share the secret techniques that my ancestors have honed for generations and that I have honed throughout my life? Even if it is an order from the emperor, it cannot be epted! Better kill me! In response to the craftsmens strong opposition, Emperor Seondeok ced his hand on his forehead. Damn it I wanted to order them all to be put to death right away, but at a nce, I could understand their feelings. Is this why the Crown Prince of Joseon talked about intellectual property rights like that? Are you saying it wasnt just for the monopoly on productsing from Joseon? In the end, Emperor Seondeok issued the following imperialmand: -Recognize the value of the secret skills of artisans andpensate them financially. -The craftsmen in charge of research and education at the institute are recognized as being of the same rank as the 8th rank assistant of Gukjagam. Only after the imperial order was issued did artisans enter the research institute and the framework of the educational institute began to be established. Now is all that remains to be done properly? While the officials who had to carry out the emperors orders were heaving a sigh of relief, thest reef appeared. The problem was the talent that needed to receive training from the craftsmen selected as assistants and then go on to work. Those who first entered the training center were the children and apprentices of craftsmen who hade as assistants. The problem was that a faction had formed between them. My father is the best! My teacher is the best! It was natural for conflict to arise among those divided into factions. The conflict, which began as a war of words, soon escted to the point of resorting to military force. The fight that took ce in a ce where all kinds of dangerous tools were scattered resulted in casualties, and upon receiving the report, Emperor Seondeok became furious and issued an order. Execute all those involved in the incident to death and establish new standards for hiring talent! In this way, dozens of people had their heads cut off again. Craftsmen came out to protest, but the bonus was that they too had their heads cut off. Only after such a bloody storm was the training center able to function properly. The remaining craftsmen devoted themselves to education and research, and in addition to the children and apprentices who were fortunate enough to survive, those who volunteered after seeing the emperors decree received education diligently. Emperor Seondeok, who knew how to use carrots and sticks properly, gave them a considerable amount of money. Thanks to this, both the teachers and learners at the training center did their best. However, it was a long way to catch up with Joseons level. Therefore, it wasmon for Emperor Seondeok to burst out in anger every time he received a report. Compared to that small Joseon, a country that is dozens of timesrger innd and has a poption that is several timesrger is my name! But why is this like this! This was because they did not know that incense was the reason why the unbridgeable gap between Ming and Joseon was created. Before the intervention of the township, China was able to lead in umted technology, but after the intervention of the township, this was not used. This was because Hyang had technical experience that had been honed and refined over nearly 600 years. The fragrance of the 21st century was the basic knowledge instilled during education and the various knowledge and quality standards learned through moral training. To sum up the situation, the research institute and Area 51 were working hard to meet the desired standards for incense, and people were trying to keep up with the intermediate results produced in the process. This was something that Emperor Seondeok could not easily catch up with, no matter how smart he was. * * * After such intense efforts, Ming was able to create an iron horse with his own hands. Of course, there were many struggles during the assembly process. When assembling the prototype, some key parts were worked by Joseon craftsmen in tents. Move away the tent! This is our secret art! I cant reveal it! do you want to die? Kill it! What happens next? Should we go to war? Because of this, Ming craftsmen had to devise some aspects themselves, and this became one of the reasons why Emperor Seondeok created a training center. Although it was a Ming International iron horse born after a fierce struggle, it was not 100% Ming International. First of all, the most important blueprints were sent by Joseon, and various measuring devices that ensured the safe operation of the Iron Horse C pressure gauges, speedometers, thermometers, etc. C had to be purchased as finished products made in Joseon. Is replication impossible? Gyeongsangseo answered Seondeokjes question with a perplexed face. Thats because as soon as the frame was separated for disassembly, all the parts were scattered in all directions Did Joseon y a role? Thats right. Oh my In response to the study guides answer, Emperor Seondeok had to savor his food with a face full of regret. When making measuring devices other than thermometers, Hyang incorporated tricks right from the design stage. When the case was disassembled for duplication, the parts were scattered in all directions using a spring hidden inside. The parts that went into the measuring instrument were very small, so it was difficult to find them properly if they were scattered around like that. Even if you were lucky enough to find all the parts, the spring in question would cause confusion. What is this for? In the end, Myeong had no choice but to purchase the finished measuring instrument from Joseon. Through these vicious struggles and tricks, iron horses and tracks were created that were inferior in performance and qualitypared to those made in Joseon Dynasty. Once the iron horse and track were built, theying of the railroad began in earnest. However, the situation with the railroads built in the Ming was very different from that in Joseon. Is this fun? After receiving the rted report, Hyang whistled lightly and his eyes sparkled. Unlike Joseon, where railways were the core ofnd transportation, in the Ming, railways were secondary, not primary. * * * The person responsible for thend fortunes of people was Daeun. It was not the famous Grand Canal of the Sui and Yang Emperors, but was started during the Yuan Empire and waspleted during the Yongle Emperor period. This grand canal, which connected the five major water systems of the Ming Dynasty and the south and north of China, was moving enormous quantities of water between the south and the north. Therefore, the railway was established as a supporting station that efficiently moved goods and people from the main transit point of the canal to the outskirts. Because of these characteristics, there were many doubts about the utility of this railway among the educated ss of the Ming and Joseon Dynasty. No matter how much work it is, isnt the difference between a sheep transported by people or horses and a sheep transported by an iron horse a world-ss difference? In response to Hyangs question, Jinpyeong, who hade to pay, nodded strongly. Of course! Iron horses and steam engines are all the rage! Hyang smiled bitterly and nodded at Jinpyeongs firm answer. Such a nerd! * * * The biggest reason why the Iron Horse was relegated to a supporting role was because it was located on the Yellow River and the Yangtze River, the tworgest rivers connected to the Grand Canal. Due to the size of the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers, it was not possible to build iron bridges. Because of this, the Ming Dynasty could not build a railroad that passed through the South and the North. If you look at the projected n for the railway construction promoted by the Ming Dynasty, it resembled threerge squares stacked on three levels. Between Beijing and the Yellow River, north of the Yellow River, and south of the Yangtze River. Therefore, everyone who looked at this forecast had simr thoughts. Isnt it perfect to split this into three? It was a well-founded idea when looking back at the history of the Central ins, where the period of division was longer than the period of unified dynasty. Therefore, many learned people informed Emperor Seondeok of this danger. And at the forefront of these people was Prince Joo Jin-jin. For this reason, railroads only cost a lot of money and are not very useful. It must be withdrawn immediately. Emperor Seondeok responded firmly to Joo Gi-jins admonition. Not possible Father, no, Your Majesty! Why! In response to Joo Jin-jins protest, Emperor Seondeok exined the reason in a still firm voice. Even if the railroad only ys a supporting role to the Grand Canal, its transportation capacity is iparable to that of people or horses. If you do it wrong, it will be the seed of division. If the people who rule the country and the emperors who seed him do it right, there will be no problem. Since ancient times, the reason why the imperial dynasty copsed was not because of things like railroads, but because the emperor ruled the country incorrectly. Dont go beyond what you said. Do you When Joo Ji-jin tried to continue speaking, Emperor Seondeok raised his hand to stop Joo Joo-jin. Railroads are absolutely necessary for this countrys thousand-year prosperity. When a major upheaval that threatens our people urs at any time, this railroad will y the biggest role. Are you expecting an uprising? Bukwon is at Jundong again. Dont make any predictions. Emperor Seondeok raised his hand to stop Joo Jin-jin and smiled strangely. Prince, I will give you homework. Please predict what kind of upheaval Jim mentioned and report it. If you report the answer correctly, I will no longerpare you to the Crown Prince of Joseon. As for the deadline Probably the Crown Prince of Joseon will respond within three days, so I will give you three days as well. Joo Ji-jin gritted his teeth and responded to Emperor Seondeoks words. Pud! yes! I will definitely post the correct answer before three days are up and receive recognition from Your Majesty! Dont look forward to it! Two dayster, Joo Gi-jin told Emperor Seondeok what he thought. Bukwon ising. Wrong. I still have a lot more to learn. Go back to Nanjing and work harder. * * * The story of Emperor Seondeok and Joo Jin-jin entered Gyeongbokgung Pce through several routes. King Sejong, who called Hyang and told him this story, asked Hyang. What do you think the answer is? ah! The ministers will find it boring if they just listen to it, so why dont you talk about it with me? Count to three. One, two, three. Sejong and Hyang answered at the same time as they counted three. Shipbuilding. This is our Joseon. Seeing Hyang giving the same answer as him, Sejong smiled broadly and opened his mouth. Then shall we talk about where the battlefield will be? Again, count to three. One, two, three. Its a bump. Its a bump. Ahaha! In response to Hyangs response, King Sejong burst intoughter and praised Hyang. It is indeed Cesaro! Chapter 472 Episode 472: Liaodong (8) Emperor Xiande, who had sent Crown Prince Ju Ji-jin back to Nanjing, looked at the map with a tired face and muttered. North Korea is a problem, but the biggest problem is Joseon. Its gotten too big. When Hyang, the Crown Prince of Joseon, first came to visit and discuss the matter of joint venture, the position of Joseon to the Ming was in a state where it was appropriate to say that Joseons position was inessible and invible. I cant guarantee that there will never be anything that goes against the Ming, but that doesnt mean its not a country that should be treated as an enemy. Rather, the Japanese nation was the subject of even more problems due to Japanese pirates and pirates harassing the Ming coastal area. Rather, it was always beneficial to appease Joseon by pretending to listen to its problems. In such a situation, the joint venture that the fragrance was built was beneficial to the Ming imperial family, which was struggling with financial problems. Therefore, Emperor Seondeok readily epted Hyangs proposal and at the same time allowed the restoration of Hwaryeong and the northern region, which was the origin of the Jonggye Byeonmu and royal family and was deeply influenced by Yi Seong-gye, which Joseon had continuously requested to be resolved. Since the kings of Joseon are descended from Lee Seong-gye, they will make every effort to restore the area. So, by allowing this, it creates a burden. And while the area is being restored, Joseon will also give up its interest in Liaodong. In the meantime, we will firmly make Liaodong a title. Under this calction, Emperor Seondeok listened to Joseons request. And Emperor Seondeoks calctions worked out well at first. However, the first variable was that Joseons national power began to grow stronger faster than expected. The second variable was Lee Man-ju and Muntemu. Between the pressures of both the Ming and Joseon Dynasty, Lee Man-ju and Muntemu fought against Joseon. The tribe became extinct, leaving behind only a very small number of survivors. And the area where the Muntumu tribe lived was taken over by Joseon. As the situation changed, Emperor Seondeok slowly began to take interest in Joseon. Among the policies implemented by Joseon, those that were considered useful C most notably paper money C were also introduced into the Ming Dynasty. Of course, in the midst of all this, the Hapja sangang continued to bring a lot of profits to Emperor Seondeok, so Emperor Seondeok did not even think about fatu. However, after hearing rumors of a proper iron horse and seeing the actual prototype, Emperor Seondeok became wary of Joseon. Joseon ships are often seen in Yunnan, Seo Relics, and Malga (Mݼ Mka)? Emperor Seondeok, who confirmed the existence of Joseon in an internal affairs report targeting Ming Dynasty merchants, secretly organized the situation on his own. I understand why the saying eye-catching opponent came about. Emperor Seondeok came to a conclusion while re-reading the documents he had personally organized. If things continue like this, conflict between Ming and Joseon is inevitable, whether they want it or not. Then, the ce that will be the battlefield is Seondeokje walked in front of the map of the world hanging on one side of his office and pointed his finger at a ce on the map. The ce that will be the battlefield is right here in Liaodong. Its the same for us, but Joseon wouldnt want their territory to be devastated by war. Emperor Seondeok even predicted where the war would take ce and prepared the following. For both us and Joseon, due to supply issues, we must reach a conclusion in just one major battle. In order to win that battle. Emperor Seondeok meticulously analyzed it based on the knowledge and information he had. -Unlike Jurchen or Northern Yuan, Joseon and Ming had infantry as the center of their power. -In order to properly operate arge infantry unit, proper supply must follow. -The problem is that Joseon already controls the sea between Ming and Joseon. The Ming navy also developed new battle lines and artillery, but was being pushed back by the Joseon Dynasty. Therefore, it is impossible to seize control of the sea. -In order to win in this situation, you must move arge number of troops and supplies as much as possible in the minimum amount of time. -The only thing that can make this possible is a railroad. Among the three sections, the railway must beid at least to the area between the Yellow River and the Yangtze River. Only then can we gather overwhelming troops and supplies. The troops and materials thus collected were gathered in Beijing through the Grand Canal and then moved at once through the railway from Beijing to Liaodong. Emperor Seondeok muttered as he raised his finger to draw an imaginary line on the map and sighed. The problem is that the railroad hasnt even been properlyid yet. I guess Ill have to hurry the officials. From now on, its a race against time. This Joseons clever father and son will know this well. As has been the case up until now, the rich man will lie t on his face until proper preparations are made. It will be toote to move when they show their teeth. Move in advance Cough! Cough! Emperor Seondeok quickly pulled out a towel from his sleeve, covered his mouth, and coughed harshly. When the coughing that had continued several times subsided, Emperor Seondeok took the towel from his mouth and exhaled a long breath. Inhale~. Huh~. Emperor Seondeok took a deep breath and looked at the towel in his hand. Emperor Seondeok looked down at the blood-stained towel and smiled bitterly. All I have to do is finish my preparations on time? Its hard. And Im lonely. Emperor Seondeok muttered with a tired face. As a result of the purges that had continued several times, Emperor Seondeok could not trust the ministers and generals of the eunuch military, who were the core of the empire. If I bring this up on the agenda, those guys will be split in two. One is the guys who shake their heads and say thats not possible, and the other are the guys who dont think twice and want to invade Joseon right away. Therefore, Emperor Seondeok sent out the eunuchs and analyzed the situation alone and established a n. Its sad that I can only hope to stay alive until this n ispleted. It is certain that if it were the crown prince, he would immediately attack Joseon. All preparations must bepleted before then. Phew~. Emperor Seondeok let out a long sigh and concluded his speech with a face full of regret. If the Crown Prince had the same capabilities as the Crown Prince of Joseon, this country could have enjoyed a thousand years of glory * * * Even though we saw the three-second question and answer between King Sejong and Hyang at Geunjeongjeon, most of the ministers had expressions on their faces. . There is a high possibility that discord will arise between Joseon and the Ming Dynasty, so lets think about measures to deal with this. I follow your orders. Lets stop here. After finishing the assembly, the ministers immediately gathered again in the Prime Ministers conference room. Why didnt you say anything? As soon as we sat down, the first to speak was Jo Gye-saeng. What do you mean? When Prime Minister Hwang Hee asked again, Jo Gye-saeng raised his voice with a frustrated expression. Does it make sense that Ming is targeting our Joseon? Several ministers nodded at Jo Gye-saengs words. The ministers who agreed with Jo Gye-saengs opinion had something inmon: most of them were those who entered the government in thete stages of the Gyeongjang period. Hwang Hee responded to Jo Gye-saengs criticism with a look that seemed indifferent. That would be quite a surprise Your Majesty and the Crown Prince were already expecting it from the start of the ceremony. huh? Jo Gye-saeng and some others blinked as if they did not understand Hwang Hees words, and Kim Jeom, who was next to them, continued. If you think about it, isnt it a natural procedure? Joseons capabilities are growing, will Ming remain silent? Is this also a matter of suzerainty (the right of one country to interfere in the internal affairs and diplomacy of another country)? No, do you think that Joseon should continue to ept the exercise of Ming suzerainty? Thats not it. Jo Gye-saeng hastily denied it. Seeing Jo Gye-saeng like that, Jo Mal-saeng opened his mouth. While the Minister of Education was staying in the wilderness, the military established a strategy called Eastward Advance under His Majestys orders. It was in preparation for this time. Jo Mal-saeng, who spoke to Jo Gye-saeng like that, had an expression on his face that said he was going to sue Jo Gye-saeng. This was because he was very disgusted with his older brother, who boasted of being an incorruptible schr. Then Hwang Hee concluded as Jo Gye-saeng showed an expression that he finally understood. It means that the Emperor of Ming has now realized the true meaning of the conversation you and the Crown Prince had earlier. Our preparations are already substantial. Even if Ming prepares, we are significantly ahead and Ming will have to invest more time and budget. Of course, from now on, we will have to push our budget in earnest. Damn it! Fuck It was Kim Jeom-gwa, the Minister of Finance and Economy, who added an insult to Hwang Heesst words. * * * The Battle of Gamoksabo urred while the Ming and Joseon Dynasty were moving step by step to prepare for the war that was certain to ur in the future. your majesty. As ordered, the newly developed Fuhrer has been prepared. When Taebok Si-gyeong spoke after receiving his subordinates report, Emperor Seondeok stood up. The ce where Emperor Seonde and the ministers of Ming moved to was the training ground of the Jinui Committee located inside the Forbidden City. This is the iron gun that was used by musketeers not long ago, this is the newly improved iron gun, and finally, this is the iron gun whose range and uracy have been greatly increased. Its a long road. Taeboksyeong immediately nodded at Emperor Seondeoks brief evaluation. Thats right. The length of the improved iron gun is about 4 cheok (about 120 cm), and thest iron gun, named Jangjukchong (|) in Taebok City, is 4 cheok 3 chi (about 130 cm) long. What is the hit rate? In the case of an improved iron gun, it is as I mentioned earlier, and in the case of a long bamboo gun, you can hit about 7 out of 10 shots within 40 paces (about 72m). Its long. Will the musketeers be able to handle it well? Taebokgyeong immediately answered Emperor Seondeoks question. We will operate a pedestal to support the iron guns together, and we n to select those with strong bones and excellent marksmanship among the musketeers and organize them separately. Emperor Seondeok thought for a moment about Taeboksyeongs answer and then nodded. Its okay. Lets proceed as is. I follow your orders. I expect good results in other areas as well. I will do my best! * * * When Emperor Seondeok, satisfied with the new firearm, returned to Muyeongjeon, a waiting eunuch was waiting for Emperor Seondeok holding a tray containing a scroll. Something? This is an appeal rted to the wedding ceremony. Its an appeal After picking up the appeal from the tray and examining its contents, Emperor Seondeok put the appeal back down and turned his head. Presentation letter. Yes, Your Majesty! Tell this to the person who made this appeal: Those who cannot properly learn even the 2,300 characters listed in the Peoples Essential Characters (ձ) are not worth much use. I mean. Chinese characters contain the essence of thousands of years of Chinese history. Because it is such an integer, it is difficult to learn, so we decided to set the necessary 2,300 characters and make sure to learn them! But lets improve the text because its difficult? Rather, those who cant learn are the problem! Let the Yebusangseo keep this in mind and teach the people! I will keep this in mind! After seeing that Joseon was operating a social democratic school, he created Chohakwon (a cornerstone learning center), a basic educational institution to teach the people of Seondeok Ind. Then, they mobilized all the members of the Yebu and Gukjagam, selected 2,300 Chinese characters that must be learned, designated them as pulsory characters for the people, and created teaching materials and distributed them to elementary schools. However, thanks to the nature of Chinese characters as hieroglyphs, learning the 2,300 characters properly was not an easy task. Simply put, there were countless people who could read but could not write. Therefore, opinions continued to arise to improve the character itself, but Emperor Seondeok stubbornly rejected this. Chinese characters are the soul of China! * * * Later, historians, especially Chinese historians, evaluated Emperor Xuande as follows. Emperor of the Ninth Prefecture. C Emperor Seondeok can rightfully be called an unprecedented Ming general in Chinese history. However, it was because of his pride that the oral tradition fell just one short of the sipjeon (ʮȫ) where everything was perfect. This was because he continued to suffer losses that could have been avoided due to his pride that he was the emperor and that Ming was the center of the world and the best country in the world. Representative examples include passing up the opportunity to subdue Joseon by starting with permission from the top of the joint venture, wasting a lot of time by believing in the technological prowess of the Ming Dynasty, and blocking the reform of writing. If he had handled this part well, he would have be the Emperor of Ten Battles. This was the evaluation ofter historians regarding Emperor Seondeok. Chapter 473 Episode 473 Ki Beom-seon (C) (1) February, the 24th year of King Sejongs reign (1442, Imsul year). A sudden storm struck the Saeokwon (˾gԺ). It all started withints from Foreign Ministry officials. no! Why are the interpreters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs worse at speaking foreignnguages than the officials at our Ministry of Foreign Affairs? I cant use it properly! Comints from working-level officials even reached the new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Heo Hu. Are the qualifications of the ministrys interpreters poor? Thats right, sir. Hmm In response to the Vice Minister, Heo Hu snorted and became lost in thought. After pondering for a moment, Heo Hu checked the situation with the Vice Minister once again. If the quality of interpreters was such a problem, wouldnt it have been said a lot even when the former minister was in office? Thats right. Even then, word continued to enter the Saejeokwon. But its still the same? Thats right. Why is Captain Hanjae. Ah, with his noble personality, I would have assumed that good things are good things. The Vice Minister nodded silently at Heo Hus words. * * * Lee Maeng-gyun, who was in charge of Joseons diplomatic affairs with the start of the Gyeongjang, resignedst year due to old age. When the resignation was first submitted, King Sejong rejected it. However, because Lee Maeng-gyuns condition was so bad, King Sejong had no choice but to ept Lee Maeng-gyuns resignation. And ording to the news heard this year, when the year changed, Lee Maeng-gyun was lying down and doing his best today. After hearing the news, King Sejong sent a royal doctor, but the doctor who returned reported to King Sejong that there was no longer any hope for Lee Maeng-gyun. We are like amp whose wick has already burned out and its oil has run out. Its really unfortunate. Sejong muttered with a face full of sincere regret. King Sejong was disappointed, butpared to the history before Hyang intervened, Lee Maeng-gyun lived a truly peacefulst year. In history before the intervention of Hyang, Lee Maeng-gyunster years were not very good. In the 22nd year of King Sejongs reign (1440), Lee Maeng-gyuns wife, out of severe jealousy, beat her female servant to death. Lee Maeng-gyun, who was dismissed as a reprimand, went into exile in Hwanghae-do, was released, and died on his return. However, when Hyang intervened, this history went wrong. As part of the religious order, arge number of Sanobi were exempted from service, and among them was the female servant in question. In addition, he was overworked every day because of his intestines and had no time to make his wife jealous. Finally, thanks to the medicine exchanged among ministers, he was able to hold out for two more years. * * * Heo Hu lightly clicked his tongue when he remembered the attitude of Lee Maeng-gyun, who moved like a de in diplomatic battles with the Ming or Japanese countries, but handled his work smoothly in other matters. Tsk! That guy is the situation serious? Yes, it is being said that it is faster and more urate to use Shin Suk-ju as a trantor than tomunicate or trante through interpreters. Its serious. Heohu, who was muttering while stroking his beard, came to a conclusion. Okay. Ill try my hand. On your way out, please call Master Dojo. yes. After a while, Saekwon Dojejo Shingae visited Heo Hus office. Did you find it? exactly. Theres a lot of talk these days. The interpreters are of poor quality. Shin-gae responded to Heo Hus criticism with a perplexed face. Thats because the interpreters morale is not good. The morale is not good? Yes, with the creation of the Jury, the awareness of the officials has greatly improved. However, interpreters are still treated as a misceneous profession, so the morale of the interpreters is not good. In addition, unlike in the past, the ways to profit from envoy travel were blocked, so many skilled interpreters with long experience moved to the top of the private sector. Due to your Majestys actions, the interpreters are also receiving preferential treatment as professional technical officials? Although my sry has increased, it is somewhat inferior to the benefits I gained from my previous envoy travels. So you beat him up and left? As Heo Hus expression turned fierce as he asked the question, Shin Gae quickly answered. However, the interpreters who came inter are faithfully carrying out their duties and are satisfied with their treatment! If youre just good at trantor, doesnt that open the way for you to move up to Danghagwan? The current problem is simply that the newly produced interpreters still have limited experience! Heo Hu, who red at Shin Gaes answer without paying attention to it, came to a conclusion. Please think of countermeasures regarding this and write a report. Yes Shin-gae answered in tears at Heo Hus work instructions. Writing a report meant making it into an official document, and the document created in this way was passed down a path all the way to King Sejong. * * * After leaving Heo Hus office, Shingae looked at the ceiling of the hallway and let out a long sigh. Whoa~. By any chance, when I was serving as a provincial governor. Shin-gae, who wasmenting his suddenly miserable situation, gritted his teeth. okay! Lets die together! I cant just die! Heo Hu, who was in the office at the same time, also said something simr. Im sure Ill be criticized for this, but I cant just die * * * So, February 24, the 24th year of King Sejongs reign. A report from Saeokwon Dojejo Shingae was sent to King Sejong. -Currently, there are not many people in the ministry who are fluent in Chinese, and even if they are, their pronunciation is not urate, so there are not many suitable interpreters who can interpret without difficulty whenever envoys from the Ming Dynastye. -There are many things in which a person who has stayed in the Ming Dynasty for a few months is more skilled than someone who has worked as an interpreter in a ministry for several years, so a policy is needed. -To solve this problem, interpreters working at Sayeokwon suggest banning the use of the Koreannguage within Sayeokwon. -If you vite this, you will be charged with the crime and dismissed. -And this n applies not only to Chinese, but also to Jurchennguage, Mongoliannguage, Japanesenguage, Latin, etc. (Note 1) Shingaes proposal was submitted to King Sejong through Heo Hu. After reviewing Shingaes proposal, King Sejong handed the proposal to Hwang Hee and said, I think its okay, but lets discuss it with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then implement it. I follow your orders! ording to King Sejongs decision, a difficult path was opened for the interpreters of Saeokwon. It was an incident thatter came to be called the Shingaes Water Ghost Incident within the Saekwonwon. * * * May, 24th year of King Sejongs reign. A report from the shipyard in Wonsan was sent to King Sejong. -An experimental ship equipped with a steam engine has beenpleted. After checking the report, King Sejong looked back at his ministers with a bright face. Its a great event, so shouldnt we go and see it? Thats right. The ministers all agreed with King Sejongs words. They too were well aware of the importance of the issue. Exploration of distant newnds was still slow. This was despite the fact that as the voyage continued, more and more optimal routes were found and more ships were moving at once. The biggest reason for this sluggish situation was that the ship was too slow. To be more precise, Shinji was too far away. Therefore, the need for a new ship that could travel longer distances quickly was urgent. In that situation, a report came from Wonsan. Sejong read the report once again and looked back. It took quite a long time this time? Hyang slightly bowed her head in response to Sejongs question. It started in the year of Gyechuk (1433), so it has been almost 10 years. I didnt know it would take this long! Of course, we have gained a lot so far * * * Developing a marine propulsion system was a series of trials and errors. First, the Archimedes screw method proposed by Jang Young-sil was too inefficient. We experimented with improving it in numerous ways, but it was not very efficient, either absolutely or rtively. In the end, Hyang made a decision. Its unfortunate, but lets give up on this method! yes. Jang Yeong-sil looked very disappointed in Hyangs decision, but it was an inevitable result. Even in the 21st century, if you see something that isnt being used, theres a reason for it! Since this is the situation, lets study pinwheel propulsion devices. yes. All researchers, starting with Jang Yeong-sil, agreed with the Hyangs decision. From then on, it was again a series of trial and error. We began the experiment keeping in mind everything from the shape, size, and number of pinwheel des to the materials. After experimenting with all kinds of alloys, from steel alloys to bronze and brass, with differentposition ratios, we were able to find the most economical and high-performance material possible at the current level of shipbuilding technology. After finding the material, various experiments were conducted to find a more efficient shape. Just when we thought the material and shape had been decided and the research team was done, they faced a new problem. The researchers floated a model ship that had been urately scaled to scale on the waterway and activated the steam engine. After confirming that the pressure of the steam engine was properly raised, the researchers activated the propulsion device. What is this vibration! The researchers who activated the propulsion device were shocked. This was because the model ship caused unexpected vibrations. Thanks to this, researchers began to study the cause of this vibration. While researching day and night in theboratory and Area 51, Hyang muttered to himself. Usually in cases like this, it was a resonance problem between the shaft and the propeller engine The problem is that this is the part where I am the worst at advanced mathematics Since it was the part where I was weakest, the scent was a subtle hint. It ended with just giving away. However, the monsters in theb who heard the hint C Princess Lee Soon-ji, Kim Dam, Jeong Jeong, etc. C immediately took direction and started digging in. We have named this part resonance. And if we express this with a form Hyang screamed inwardly as she looked at Lee Sun-ji exining things by writing down forms on a chalkboard and Princess Kim Dam-jeong looking proud next to her. You solved this with only a mountain branch and an abacus? Without aputer? Are you people?! Theyre monsters! The scent cried out like this, but there was something it forgot. Neither Newton nor Galileo nor Einstein had aputer. No, not only in the 1950s, but also when making the first stealth aircraft, they even used a slide rule to calcte logarithms. In any case, researchers and craftsmen who found a solution to some extent through these forms went straight to remodeling. Meanwhile, the profits gained by shipbuilding through the development process of steam engine propulsion for ships were enormous. This is the real benefit. While reporting to King Sejong, Hyang added: Sejong, who heard Hyangs words, nodded. I see. The things I have learned in that way are the most precious treasures. They need to be properly documented and taught. Hyang immediately responded to Sejongs words. Thats right. We will have to gather gifted students from all over Joseon. I agree. In this way, the foundation of the Chosun Dynasty Society, the most powerful authority in the world, was created. It took nearly 10 years to hit that wall, tear it down, and digest what I gained in the process. Andter, historians evaluated these 10 years as follows. -The 10 years that marked the most brilliant period in the history of Joseons science and technology. * * * Note 1) This is a true story. Source C Annals of King Sejong, read in one volume. Written by Park Young-gyu. Woongjin Knowledge House. Chapter 474 Episode 474: Ki Beom-seon (2) After experiencing many twists and turns, the experimental wire waspleted. On the special train to Wonsan, King Sejong read a thick report. King Sejong carefully read the report detailing the steam engine used in steamships and the direction of future development, then put down the report and sighed lightly. Huh~. It looks like there is still a long way to go. Now it begins. Sejong lightly nodded in response to Hyangs response. When I first ascended to the throne, I thought that the skills possessed by craftsmen were shallow, unlike the Confucian ssics. So, I thought that with just a little thought, I could reach the end. However, looking at the current situation, the craftsmens skills are as deep as their studies and there is a long way to go. Hyang responded firmly to Sejongs words. Technology as well as everything rted to it are fully qualified to be considered a single discipline. You are right. This was simr to King Sejongs deration. As Gyeongjang entered itstter half, various educational institutions were created in addition to the basic educational institution, Social Minhaktang. In addition to the middle school, aprehensive higher education institution, the Gihakdang, where artisans learn their skills, and the Engineering Academy, an advanced course, were created. During this process, it was natural for noblemen to file various appeals. -It is natural and good to put effort into educating the people. However, looking at the current situation, the ssics are increasingly being neglected and more emphasis is ced on learning and teaching skills rted to products. This is not the right thing to do. People must know the principles and put effort into learning them. King Sejong, who epted these appeals, responded firmly. I have already learned the duties that I must learn and practice as a person at the Social Democratic Institute. From now on, the important thing is for the people to learn and acquire the knowledge and wisdom to live morefortably. With King Sejongs firm reply, suchints subsided, but appeals with simr content still surfaced asionally. Sejong, who epted such an appeal, read it roughly and threw it away. Its not worth the effort. In such a situation, what King Sejong said now symbolized that the perception of the ruling ss, including King Sejong, had finally clearly changed. -Gyeonghak is not the only study! * * * King Sejong arrived at the shipyard in Wonsan and inspected the experimental wire located in the dock with his ministers. Did you tamper with the emergency response? Thats right. Why did you use the Sea Emergency level instead of the Challenger level? There was no room for quantity at the challenger level. If that experimental ship performs as expected, we will immediately begin upgrading the Challenger-ss ships. I see. But looking at the report, even if improvements are made, it doesnt mean that all challenger-level wires will be improved? I think it is best to improve only the fronts serving the Shinji area, where fast ships are needed right now. why? Hyang immediately answered King Sejongs question. There are many reasons, but the biggest reason is that the hold (ships luggagepartment) is reduced by the amount of space upied by engines and fuel storage. Sejong immediately nodded at Hyangs answer. ah. Then there is nothing we can do. * * * Joseon earned the most goods through trade with the West. Existing products that were not groundbreaking new products already had fixed prices, and it was natural that profits would decrease if transportation volume decreased. No, Portugal, who is still working hard to travel to and from Joseon, was able to upy that empty space. Looking at Joseons foreign trade these days, the fleet operated by Joseon itself ounted for about 70% of the total trade volume, and the merchants of Aden, symbolized by Mansour, and Portugal, symbolized by Henry, were fiercelypeting for the remaining 30%. In particr, Mansours merchant group boldly invested money and purchased arge transport ship identical to the one operated by Joseons merchant merchants. If this fails, the family will be ruined! You must be willing to die to make it sessful! Although heined like that, Mansour also bought it after his own calctions. Through ourmercial activities so far, we have urately identified the Joseon products that Middle Easterners like, and have established business rtionships with local manufacturers in the African region close to Aden. Therefore, because they were confident that they could handlerger quantities, they boldly purchased arge transport ship. * * * Sejong, who was nodding in response to Hyangs answer, slowly turned his head to look at Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy and burst intoughter. The faces of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance and Economy are red. greatness! Keuhum! Kuhum! Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy cleared their throats and turned their heads at Sejongs joke. But it was a reassuring situation for them. How much money goes back and forth for just one pyeong of that warehouse! As we talked, we walked to a ce where there were samples of steam engines and control devices installed on experimental wires. Does this move in pairs? King Sejong, who was looking at the samples, was interested in the engine order telegraph. Hyang immediately answered King Sejongs question. yes. We inserted a chain into a pipe that passes vertically through the wheelhouse and engine room and connected them to make them interlocked. I see. Sejong, filled with curiosity, looked around at the samples and continued to ask questions. After examining all the samples, Sejong looked back at the scent. Lets go on a boat. I really want to see how those objects sit and move. yes. In this way, King Sejong climbed onto the experimental wire fixed on the election and began to look around. The ce where King Sejongs attention was focused while he was watching the actual ship was on the funnel. The height of the funnel is quite high? yes. As I researched in a way that did not interfere with sail operation, it became higher. But we will adjust it through actual operations. Is that so? After viewing the entire interior of the actual ship, theunching ceremony followed. A prayer was ced in front of a well-prepared ceremonial table to pray for the ships safe voyage. King Sejong read the congrattory message once again. After reading the congrattory message, King Sejong held the congrattory paper to the lit candle. The ignited paper flew up into the sky following King Sejongs hand gesture. Its auspicious! * * * The experimental wire, which ended safely, was safely floated on the water. The experimental wire, which had beenpleted by adjusting the bast to achieve bnce, was towed to the dock of the shipyard, and then coal and fresh water began to be loaded. Sejong, who was watching the scene, looked back at Hyang and the minister. For me to be on board for the first voyage. Its absolutely not possible! Its impossible! Please inform me! Before King Sejong had even finished speaking, opposition from the ministers poured in like a tide. I just tried it. King Sejong, who had to bend his will due to the strong opposition of his ministers, turned his head. As Sejong turned his head, Jinpyeong caught his eye. Isnt it Jinpyeong? Why is that kid here? I n to ride with you as one of the people responsible for developing steam engines. Is that so? Sejong nodded at Hyangs answer and looked slightly envious. Hyang, looking at that scene, muttered to herself. Actually, I wanted to ride it, but I was pushed by that bastard! Im a crazy nerd too, but this guy does more! * * * Once the experimental vessel waspleted and a test voyage was nned, it was decided to bring technicians on site to check the situation. Me! Me! Iming! I really want to go! Jinpyeong was the one who showed the most enthusiasm in the process, with applicants pouring in one after another due to the fact that they were on an actual moving ship rather than a model. Lowering! Who would go if not me! Shall I go? Jinpyeong stopped at Hyangs words and immediately looked at Hyangs expression. Jinpyeong, who saw that Hyangs expression was sincere, immediately raised his voice. Lowering! You need to think about your location! If there is an ident, the country will be shaken! Wasnt it something that was carefully inspected and made? Is anything going to happen? At Hyangs words, Jinpyeong ran right in front of Hyang and raised his voice. Ah! older brother! Then are you going to hit me? You think you cant do it? A gentleman called the crown prince of a country! With Jinpyeong feeling like he was about to hit him, Hyang eventually sneakily proposed a mediation n. Shall we ride together? Jinpyeong was troubled by Hyangs intervention. Jinpyeong, who had been thinking for a while, looked at the scent. Is that so? However, these twos ns were caught by Jeong Chu and shattered. Your Majesty will be apanying me on the first test voyage? This is ridiculous! And even the captain of the army? This is absolutely impossible! It would be better for you to hit me on the head and go away! Due to Jeong Chos fierce opposition, Hyangs n to board was canceled, and it was eventually concluded that Jinpyeong would lead the working-level team and go on board. Im a great general, arent I? Whats the problem! I will go even if I die! Jeongcho also had no choice but to step back due to Jinpyeongs criticism and strong opposition. * * * After the event, King Sejong returned to Hanseong by train with his ministers. Because there is a train, you can move like this. In the past, I would have had to stay at least one day but I dont know if its a good thing or a bad thing. Sejongs grumbling while boarding the train was sincere. After seeing King Sejong off, Hyang remained at the shipyard to inspect the final process. Once all the final processes werepleted, the crew began boarding Haeung 5, the experimental front. Please take care of me. Seong-gwan, the captain of Haeung 5, responded to Hyangs request with a military salute. insect! I will do my best! After a while, ck smoke began to rise from the funnel of Haeung No. 5. Phew~. When the steam engine was properly heated, a loud whistle sounded, and Haeung 5 slowly left the dock, guided by the towing boats. * * * Haeung 5, which sailed out to sea, began conducting experiments. The sails are all set Contact the engine room! Yanghyeon 1/4 speed! Yanghyeon 1/4 speed The sailor repeated themand of the Seonggwan and adjusted the engine signal g. Yanghyeon 1/4 speed! Shortly after the sound of the engine boat was heard through Jeonseong-gwan, Haeung No. 5 began to slowly increase its speed. Hoo? As Haeung-5s speed increased, the eyes of the Seonggwan and sailors began to sparkle and be excited little by little. All sails were now fully open and moving with a favorable wind. As before, it was impossible to get any faster, but the speed was increasing. Just feeling is inurate. We need something that can measure speed properly. Seonggwan opened the journal and began writing. Nowadays, speed is measured by attaching a nk to a rope that ties knots at regr intervals, throwing it into the sea, and then counting the number of knots released in a given period of time. However, as ships became faster, the need for more urate measuring devices was required. * * * As the experiment progressed smoothly, Jinpyeong made a suggestion to Seonggwan. Now, how about running the engine to its full potential? Seonggwan responded to Jinpyeongs suggestion with a slight smile. Is that so? Thats right! The Seonggwan ordered the sailors to operate the engine messenger ne. Yanghyeon exclusive! Yes! Yanghyun exclusive! The sailor who received the order repeated it excitedly and then immediately operated the messenger g. And that day, not only Jinpyeong and the technicians, but also the officers and sailors suffered from severe seasickness. This was because Haeung, which was smaller than a challenger-ss front but still muchrger than a Panokseon, raced across the sea, cutting through the waves like a wild horse. QgBJZ8rndT07MYRGSs50c7PP3wUQLvecPTk95gCaseTLm7iaXXnKbuZTIJMv6f3DEBcQFxAXEBcQFxAXEBcQFxAVksf0XYAAHrGqFNGZAvwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg== Chapter 475 Episode 475: Gibeomseon (C) (3) Two dayster, Haeung 5 returned to Wonsan Port. People who got off with shaky legs from the Haeung 5, which was pulled to the dock by tugboats, immediately put their feet on the dock and fell face down with their arms on the floor ory down inrge bodies regardless of body pain or anything else. What is this? After hearing that the ship had arrived, Hyang came to the dock and muttered with a bewildered expression upon seeing the scene. Hyang, who was looking at the pier that had be such a mess, saw Seong-gwaning down the pier with a pale face and approached him. Captain, what is going on? ah! I think its because they do a lot of harsh testing. A drastic test? As far as I know, the only test that was that drastic was to turn the engine at full power and measure its speed? I have tried many other things. Hyangs expression became fierce at Seonggwans answer. huh? The other tests were supposed to be done after returning and inspecting the engine and hull? Just After stopping, Hyang turned his head and started looking for someone. At that moment, Jinpyeong came running to Hyang. Lowering! Jinpyeong, whoseplexion was not as good as the others, but who was full of vitality, looked at the fragrance with a smile on his face. Lowering! Its best! I ordered several tests and found nothingcking! 2/16 At Jinpyeongs words, Hyang looked back at Seonggwan and the people around him. Hyang, who saw the people around him flinching every time Jinpyeong opened his mouth and Seonggwan closing his eyes in silence, ced his hand on his forehead. Was it you * * * Because the incident had already happened, Hyang had no choice but to reprimand Jinpyeong. In the office located at the Wonsan shipyard, Hyang argued with Jinpyeong over the report. I looked at the report. Arent four of the six tests conducted on the test voyage scheduled to be performedter? But why was this done all at once? I should try everything I can while Im out. Did you forget that we n to inspect the condition of the engine and hull after returning? Did you forget that for each item, you must check for any abnormalities in the engine and hull and confirm that there is no risk before proceeding? What would you have done if something had gone wrong and a major ident had urred? After each experiment, we continue to check the condition of the hull and engines. Records rted thereto are included in the attached report. This was done in a situation where safety was confirmed. Sir, Im not like a wild boar that only knows how to rush around like that. And even if there was an ident, I felt reassured because there were emergency crews nearby. Jinpyeong vehemently defended his actions. And thenes the horse. I also have ears to hear. ording to rumors, it appears that Joseon does not have much time to spare. So I thought a bold move was necessary. Hyang muttered to herself at Jinpyeongs self-defense. Did you rebel with such boldness? Hyang, who was observing Jinpyeongs expression as he defended himself, asked a question. You were excited, right? You did everything you wanted to do while you were out, right? . At Jinpyeongs silent affirmation, Hyang went beyond being angry and looked dejected. Let me go out. The scent that came out looked at the sky and screamed. hey! This shit~~~~! * * * After controlling his boiling inside, Hyang returned to the office and sorted out the situation. Now to sum up the situation, is the institution durable enough? Is the output also satisfactory? yes. Of course, it is impossible to know right now how durable it will be when driving for a long time, but it is sufficient for the short term. It appears that long-term problems will need to be confirmed through consistent maintenance and inspection, and that data will need to be secured through ships that will enter service. Hmm thats right. Hyang nodded at Jinpyeongs words. The good thing about this kid is that he does his job properly. Jinpyeong lost his temper when he saw a steam engine, but he did his job properly. Thats why Jinpyeong continued to be used for incense. Hmm ording to the report, and the condition of the crew who got off the ship, was it really shaking that much when it was at full power? yes. However, in my judgment, it is not a problem with the engine, but rather that the engines output was too excessive for the size of the ship. Thats the most likely. Hyang nodded to Jinpyeongs answer. Even in the 21st century, warships equipped with engines with excessively high outputpared to the ships discement were notorious. This was because ships withrge power and discement had little shaking even when moving at high speeds, but high-speed boats with small discement ran over the board. The steam engine itself currently attached to Haeung 5 was built for the purpose of being mounted on a Challenger-ss ship, so it is certain that it would have been excessive for Haeung. I think it would be too much even for a challenger level. Is it that much? Jinpyeong nodded to Hyangs question. Hmm I think it came out better than expected. After seeing Jinpyeongs reaction, the township added the issue to the report. Jinpyeong added his words as he saw that scent. Just to add, I think it would be okay to put this engine directly on the new route exclusive ship that is currently being designed. The Shinji route exclusive ship is 50%rger than the challenger-ss ship? But I think its enough. In response to Jinpyeongs assessment, Hyang did some calctions in her mind for a moment. * * * The route to Shinji was a long one, difficult even for a challenger-level battle line. Of course, the problems of supply and escape were minimal due to the intervening archipgoes, but the harsh climate in the north did not allow much time for navigation. Therefore, challenger-level battle lines traveling to and from Shinji had to travel as quickly as possible with minimal stops. The problem was, We have to move quickly. In order to move this quickly, the amount of cargo to be loaded (including people) had to be reduced, and this problem slowed down the pace of exploration. Even in the midst of the sluggish exploration, the greatest luck was that we made contact with the indigenous people and began to build a stable good neighborly rtionship. Therefore, the research institute and Area 51 Navy were developing a steam engine for the Challenger-ss battleship, thergest warship owned by Joseon, and at the same time designing a new battleship to travel between Shinji and Joseon. The purpose of developing the new route dedicated line was simple. Ships that carry more and move faster. Therefore, from the time of deciding on the size of the ship and the quantity of weapons to be loaded, people at Area 51 and the research institute focused on the amount of weapons to be loaded. The number of fire trucks, which are close-range defense weapons to defend the hull in case of an unexpected crisis, was faithfully added, but the payload of the main artillery was reduced to half that of the Challenger ss. The naval forces who received the written proposal immediately shook their heads. There are too few artillery pieces! Dangerous! Its impossible! The research institute and Area 51 immediately responded to the naval forces response. Are there any hostile beings dangerous enough to use artillery on the Shinji Passage? Are you really afraid of the natives who travel around on ox boats made of leather? Thats not true but its dangerous if even pirates show up. Are there any pirates down there in the south with ships big enough and strong enough to get up there? And isnt it negligent on the part of the navy to allow pirates to creep up to the New Land Route in the north? . The naval admirals fell silent at the development teams point. * * * Looking at the current situation, the lords of the northern region of Honshu, a Japanese state bordering Daeseoldo, hadpletely given up fishing and devoted themselves to agriculture. This was because if they got even a little closer to Daeseoldo Ind and made a mistake, they would be immediately captured by the Joseon navy and would be in trouble. Therefore, in situations where agriculture alone could not provide the answer, it was necessary to obtain formal permission from Joseon and the shogunate and begin trade with Daeseoldo. As a result, the only area that the Japanese lords of Honshu and Kumamoto could freely roam was the vast sea to the east. All seas in other directions had to be monitored by the Joseon navy and Ming navy. * * * Because of this situation, the naval admirals remained silent when the developers pointed out. In the end, the war of words over the payload of artillery to be loaded on ships dedicated to the Shinji route was concluded to follow the development teams will. And King Sejong, who received the rted records, thought deeply and came to a conclusion. I think it is reasonable to reduce the payload of artillery since there is little need forrge quantities of artillery on the Shinji route. It would be better to proceed with the design ording to this proposal. I follow your orders! With Sejongs decision, the developers won by decision, and the Navy had to ept it. And Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy breathed a sigh of relief. It costs a lot of money to build a ship, but the guns and steam engines that go with it cost even more money, so Im going to take my time this time. The Minister of Finance and Economy received Kim Jeoms words with a gloomy face. ording to what I hear these days, the Crown Prince is researching iron wire Kim Jeom responded firmly to the Minister of Finance and Economys words. I guess Ill have to file an appeal to Your Majesty regarding the proxy administration or seniority. Please make sure the crown prince doesnt do anything unnecessary. Great! Who listens! The Minister of Finance and Economy was shocked, but Kim Jeom remained calm. Why are you so surprised? If you think about the crown princes rtionship, isnt it time to clean up the ce? But if you do it wrong. Ill tell you. I hope you get some rest while youre out. Is it okay if I getid off? Have you ever thought about being thrown into the record office? Damn it It was Kim Jeom who spewed out an insult in response to the Minister of Finance and Economys words. * * * It was Jinpyeongs opinion that confirmed the actual performance against the background of this situation, so Hyang recalcted. Hmm Of course, it was designed to allow for more output But still Hyang, who had been calcting by adding and subtracting here and there, shook her head. The steam engine developed now will only be installed in the Challenger ss as nned. No matter how good the current output of the organization is, it feels a bit tight considering the size of the newly developed wire. An institution must have sufficient capacity so that it can choose what to do when faced with an injustice situation. I guess so. Jinpyeong nodded calmly at Hyangs decision. * * * The head returned to Hanseong with a report full of confirmed results and suggestions for improvements and future development directions. Dont mess around and do it right. Please hold on and hold on to me! Hyang narrowed her eyes and muttered as she saw Jinpyeong answer confidently. Saying that makes me even more anxious. I will do it right! Trust me. Despite his words, Hyang boarded the train with a face full of disbelief. Please go carefully! Jinpyeong, who enthusiastically sent Hyang off at the top of his lungs, diligently returned to the shipyard. In front of Haeung 5, where smoke was already rising from the funnel, the development team and Seonggwan were waiting for Jinpyeong. Its a littlete. No! After a short conversation, Jinpyeong took a look at Haeung 5 and then back at Seonggwan and the development team. How about a good spring today? great! These were people who immediately agreed with Jinpyeongs words. Completely different from when they first returned to the dock, they were already addicted to speed. Even though the Seonggwan and naval forces were familiar with the sea emergency front, which was famous for its speed, even the development team was addicted to the pleasure of fast speed. After hearing the storyter, Hyang shook his head and muttered. Is liking things fast inherited at the DNA level? Chapter 476 Episode 476 Daericheongjeong (1) May, the 24th year of King Sejongs reign (1442, Imsul year). King Sejong summoned all ministers and vice ministers. King Sejongs face was filled with mixed emotions as he looked wordlessly at the faces of Vice Ministers gathered in Geunjeongjeon. Looking at it like this today, many peoples positions have changed. Thats right. Hwang Hee responded to King Sejongs words as a representative, and everyone else bowed their heads. But simr thoughts urred in many peoples minds. Its changed quite a lot. As King Sejong said, many people left their positions and new people filled their positions. For example, Heo Jo stepped down due to old age, and Kim Jong-seo filled the vacant position. And the position of Minister of Justice was filled by Hwang Bo-in. Many others were reced. As peoples positions changed, prominent figures who had lived through a turbulent period from thete Goryeo Dynasty to the early Joseon Dynasty disappeared into the backwaters of history. And new people like Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in began toe to the forefront of history. Those who pondered King Sejongs words thought the same thing at the same time. But why suddenly? The moment the question came to mind, all the ministers and vice ministers gathered at Geunjeongjeon reached one conclusion. Its either a lieutenant or a proxy! And their thoughts were correct. This year has been 25 years since Gwain became the king of this country. It has truly been a long and difficult time. There were many unfortunate events due to Gwains immorality, but he was able to ovee the crisis with the help of many loyal subjects. Through many policies, including the introduction of light, Joseon has be wealthy and stable operations have be possible. So, Im going to have the crown prince act as a proxy. Your Majesty is still in good health, but it seems too early to act as proxy. What the Prime Minister said is truly correct! Its still early! The ministers, starting with Hwang Hee, expressed their opposition, but King Sejong did not back down. The crown prince is already 26 years old and has umted quite a bit of experience while running the research institute and Area 51. So it feels ratherte. And in order to facilitate the development of the newnd, I thought it would be best for me to go and lead the way myself, so I came to think of acting as a proxy. Hwang Hee came forward and opposed King Sejongs im. Haona Shinji has just established a beachhead. I dont want to go right away. I need at least two years to organize what has happened so far and properly n for the future. So, during that time, I will have you do the cleaning for me and I will concentrate on Shinjis work. Haona. Stop. When Hwang Hee tried to object again, King Sejong raised his hand to stop Hwang Hee from speaking. I did not ask the governors opinion. It was notified. As I said before, the crown prince has already grown up and has no shortage of time to look after state affairs. Rather, I think it will be a failure if I dont back down from here. Hwang Hee bowed her head in response to King Sejongs firm answer. I honor the sacred ground. Then please prepare ordingly. I follow your orders. * * * After the assembly, all the ministers rushed to the conference room attached to the Prime Ministers office. Shouldnt we oppose it until the end? The other ministers nodded to the question of Kim Jong-seo, who was one of the youngest. Thats right. There is a high probability that Your Majesty has another n! Many ministers were convinced that King Sejongs deration of proxy cleanliness was a trap. This was because he had already experienced bloodshed due to the seniority scandal at the end of King Taejongs reign. At that time, Queen Wongyeongs Min family was shattered due to this scandal. Hwang Hee shook her head as she looked at the ministers who were convinced that this incident was Sejongs trap card. Its probably not a trap. Are you sure? As your highness said, the situation is such that proxy purification is forced. Is there anyone other than Your Highness who can lead the development of the newnd? The ministers remained silent in response to Hwang Hees rebuttal. Thats true, but Your Majesty is still strong, so it is actually the right time. Pioneering unexplored territory takes a lot of mental energy. The longer it is dyed, the more difficult it will be for His Majesty the Lord. Sejong is now 45 years old. He was in his prime. In addition, his health was quite good thanks to the townships Project to Make a Healthy Pig. As Hwang Hee said in her experience, the process of navigating unexplorednd was quite stressful. It was certain that it would be even worse for King Sejong to do such a mentally taxing job at a time when his physical abilities had declined due to his age. Thats true, but As the ministers continued to feel anxious despite Hwang Hees words, Hwang Hee organized the situation. You will know whether this is a trap of His Majesty the Lord by looking at the crown princes actions. To be precise, this is the response your Majesty will give to the Crown Princes actions. That would be best. The ministers who were nodding at Hwang Hees words began to stand up one by one. In that case, we should move in advance. We need to reorganize the materials rted to Shinji and look into those who will be going to Shinji with His Highness in advance. If you make a choice, you will have to listen to that sound right away. You guys thought well. And the Minister of General Affairs, please stay for a moment. Kim Jong-seo, who was about to leave after telling the others about Hwang Hees nomination, remained in tears. After everyone else left, Hwang Hee red at Kim Jong Seo. Is the work worth doing? yes? Its worth it. So these days, the guys in the General Affairs Department suck. Can you hear this even in my ears? Thats a conspiracy! do it properly. If the crown prince takes charge of the affairs, things will be twice as difficult. Because they will be examining not only the Crown Prince but also His Highness more carefully. If you get caught at that time, you are the one who suffers. Im working hard! Have you worked so hard that your name pops up in every corner of Hanseong? That was after work Is the General Affairs Department free enough to allow you to leave on time? . Kim Jong-seo closed his mouth with an expression of resentment. * * * Kim Jong-seo was said to be the best in Joseon in terms of speed of handling work thanks to his experience working under Hwang Hee. Kim Jong-seo, who originally had outstanding abilities, became the strongest thanks to Hwang Hees training. His predecessor, Heo Jo, was also a formidable person, but Kim Jong-seo was one step ahead of him. The problem was Kim Jong-seos unchanging love for Hanseong. To be precise, it was Hanseongs love for Gibang. Thats why Hwang Heeined about Kim Jong-seo like this. I dont understand why a guy who doesnt even enter the gibang of the three major cities is hanging himself in Hanseong! * * * do it properly. If you dont like it, I will step in and destroy it first. Great! I will soon be sixty! mind! Ill be nine years old soon! A guy who doesnt even have dried blood on his head! It was Kim Jong-seo who boasted about his age in front of Hwang Hui, who was recorded as the longest-serving politician in Joseon history, but waspletely shattered. * * * Sejongs remark about Daecheongjeong was quickly conveyed to Hyang as well. After hearing the story, Hyang muttered with an embarrassed expression on his face. Do I have tomit the grave crime of stering. With Abamas personality and the current situation, I think its a real vicarious cleansing, so I dont think theres a need tomit the capital crime of stering. But Im criticizing you again for not doing it. It seems like a shame Hes a shameless imbecile aiming to take his fathers ce Hyang, who had been calcting this and that, let out a long sigh and stood up. Anyway, politics is. Intro! Get your mat ready! If possible, get a thick and fluffy one! * * * Hyang, who was greeted by the eunuch, headed to Geunjeongjeon. A mat wasid out in the front yard of Geunjeongjeon, and Hyang took off the dragon robe and hat he was wearing and handed them to the eunuch. When Hyang finished preparing and was about to kneel down on the mat, a merchant ship came out of Geunjeongjeon and ran towards Hyang. Your Majesty told me to tell you this. Dont do anything stupid ande in right now! If you keep doing that, I will be elected immediately! Hearing Sang-seons message, Hyang sighed and looked back at the internal officer belonging to the East Pce. I guess Ill have to put on my clothes again. yes. Lowering. * * * After getting dressed again, Hyang entered Geunjeongjeon. Sejong, who was sitting on top of the temple and examining documents, looked at the scent and grumbled. Why is a guy with such a good mind sitting around doing nothing? . Shouldnt we also knock on the stone bridge? Sejong seemed to have prated the inner feelings of the scent and continued speaking with a chuckle. why? I was told to knock on the stone bridge and cross it, so are you going to do that? You bastard! Shouldnt you try dipping it in poop or soybean paste? Hearing Sejongs words, Hyang let out a long sigh. Whoa~. And the officers and clerks were sweating and worried. How should I use it to preserve its status? Never let me see this sedge! Come and sit down. Please bring the chair to Crown Prince Sang-seon. yes. After Hyang sat down on the chair brought by the eunuch, King Sejong got to the point. I dont know how much you may have heard, but the current situation requires proxy cleaning. Thats true, but the order was given so suddenly that not only the minors but also the ministers cant hide their bewilderment. Even if I said it in advance, would anything change? . Of course, I really want to take the throne right now, but if I do that, Im sure youll make a mess first, so Im starting with proxy cleaning. But Abamama is still strong, so Soja is stepping forward I told you to stop talking nonsense. You are now old enough to look at government affairs. therefore. Get ready right away. Get things sorted out quickly. Yes Sejong opened his mouth, looking at Hyang, whose face was still full of dissatisfaction. Seja. How old is the crown prince now? Its nine now. * * * In the meantime, while working here and there, Hyang diligently gave birth to children. The Crown Princess and Yangwons children were six sons and three daughters. It was as if three people were born at the same time, and the genders were such that if the Crown Princess gave birth to a son, the others also gave birth to a son. In this situation, Hyang patted her waist and criticized herself. It was worth the effort to keep my back in check but three people hit it off so well did I have this kind of talent? And the evaluation of the children born that way was very good. He is very outstanding, just like his grandfather and father. He is inferior to his father, the crown prince, but he is very outstandingpared to children of the same age. One more thing to add is that, except for Wan Du-seul, all the other children were named by ministers who were good at naming names. And the reason was because of the scent. You cant name it Po Pa Sik! Lastly, Hyang recalled Wand Seuls first birthday party, studied the children closely for a while, and then came to a conclusion. I dont think theres a second-rounder like me? * * * I have a proposition for you. King Sejong, who asked Hyang about the age of the crown prince, suggested something to Hyang. I will stay in Shinji for 15 years, including 15 years of preparation, and thene back. And at that time, the crown prince will be 24 years old, so you can take the throne and go to Shinji. If you want to go and create Area 52 there, Ill allow that too. What do you think? Why 15 years? By then, I will be 60 years old, so shouldnt Ie back and have a 60th birthday party? If you make it 10 years. Didying the foundation for Shinji take 7 or 8 years? It will take at least 10 years. Hyang, who had been calcting for a moment at Sejongs words, immediately bowed his head. I obey yourmand with a joyful heart! Chapter 477 Episode 477: Daehyeongjeong ( ) (2) After leaving Geunjeongjeon, Hyang stopped walking towards Donggungjeon and tilted his head. From what I learned at first nce, I did some proxy cleaning, but has that already happened? Is it possible that Abamas health is deteriorating without you knowing about it? No, if you look at the fact that the medical doctors are not saying anything, its not like that Then is there a butterfly effect caused by what I did? Hyang felt that the time for vicarious cleansing wasing sooner than he expected, and he thought about the reason. However, this was a misjudgment of the scent. To tell the truth, it was a coincidence. * * * Even in history before Hyang intervened, in the 24th year of King Sejongs reign, King Sejong summoned his trustworthy subjects and announced his intention to govern by proxy. The basis for King Sejongs request for proxy administration was because of his health. My eye disease has be so severe that I am unable to handle important official duties. Thats why I want to have the crown prince act as a proxy. However, the ministers, starting with Hwang Hee, strongly opposed King Sejongs demands. In the end, King Sejong became angry and kicked out the ministers. No need to say any more! King Sejong, who dismissed the ministers,ined to Do Seung-ji. Its been 10 years since I suffered from eye disease. Especially in thest five years, it has be even worse. I regret not cooking properly when it first got worse. In history before Hyang intervened, King Sejong always suffered from his health. Therefore, from the 19th year of King Sejongs reign (1437), the authority to approve administrative affairs was transferred to the crown prince. And from the 24th year of King Sejongs reign, all external events that required a lot of time andbor, such asmand of ancestral rites and military training at Jongmyo Shrine, were handed over to the crown prince. And the spare time earned in this way was invested in the study of Hunminjeongeum. (Note 1) * * * However, in the history after Hyang intervened, only the period of mention of Daecheongjeong coincided and the situation waspletely different. The first issue was King Sejongs health. Thanks to the Hyangs Project to Make a Strong and Healthy Pig, King Sejongs health was in quite good condition. Of course, there were some aftereffects from the mild stroke he suffered early in his reign, but they were not serious. And the problem of diabetes, a famous chronic disease in Sejong, was prevented from getting worse through consistent diet control and exercise. And in the case of the eye disease in question, after intensive examination and discussion by medical doctors, it was concluded that it was not aplication caused by hyperthirstia, but deterioration of eyesight due to excessive overuse, and the decision was made to make sses. How bright it is! The letters are clearly visible! King Sejong, who wore sses, was very satisfied, and sses were soon provided to elderly people with simrly poor eyesight. And Kim Jeom, who took the sses, immediately looked for the scent. Degradation. Yes, we will think about mass production and reasonable price. Thank you! * * * Next, from a political perspective, the psychological burden on King Sejong was greatly reduced. After the purge of senior ministers, symbolized by Ryu Jeong-hyeon, the governments subjects established themselves as King Sejongs great hands and advisory bodies, not as rivals for power. The next biggest factor was the butterfly effect brought about by the scent. From the early days of Gyeongjang, the government actively carried out flood control projects and importedrge quantities of grain from the Gangnam region to minimize damage from poor harvests. In particr, importingrge quantities of grain from the Gangnam area was the best choice. In the early years of King Sejongs reign, there was a famine almost every year C although the area and scale of the outbreak gradually decreased C but the damage was made up with grains imported from Gangnam. If the people had properly recorded their family registers, they could have met their basic needs, not just the minimum amount for survival. As sheep were supplied, not sheep that could barely survive, but sheep that could at least survive as human beings, the people were able to endure with hope for the future. In addition, the profits earned by selling products made through activemerce and encouragement of industry to other countries led the entire Joseon Dynasty in a positive direction. As a result, the Joseon people showed almost absolute loyalty to King Sejong. In addition, through the encouragement ofmerce and industry, Joseons society broke away from its existing closed and fixed structure and changed into an outward-looking and resilient structure. In addition, the poption began to increase rapidly as the damage from diseases decreased due to the spread of soap, which was one of the by-products of incense, and soybeans, which were close to gambling, and the strengthening of public and personal hygiene. As positive news came in from all directions, Sejongs psychological burden was greatly reduced. As stress was reduced and the scale of continuous health care increased, with the help of a more efficient administrative organization, King Sejong was able to run state affairs with some free time. And using this spare time, King Sejong saw thepletion of Hunminjeongeum faster than expected. Of course, the role of the papers secretly stolen from Hyangs room could not be ignored. The final influence was Hunminjeongeum. Eliminating the process of transcribing Korean words into Chinese characters has led to a tremendous increase in efficiency not only in administration but also in all areas of society. The increase in efficiency brought about by this Hunminjeongeum was so great that the Japanese who studied abroad, learned public administration, and trained in practical work in Japan seriously considered it. -How about abandoning hiragana and katakana and introducing Hunminjeongeum? * * * After thinking for a while, Hyang eventually shook her head and walked away. No matter how much you think about it, there are more than one reason. Then, its good for your mental health topletely format it and just say Qu ser ser. It was a scent that I chose topletely turn off. This was the method my doctor taught me when I was suffering from depression in the 21st century. * * * As soon as it became clear that the Representative Government was not a political conspiracy, the ministers actively responded to King Sejongs wishes. I want to create a temporary organization so that the crown prince can carry out his duties smoothly. If you look at the records of the old Tang Dynasty, there is a system called the Crown Prince Cheomsabu (̫ղ¸), so I would like to refer to this and create a temporary institution called the Cheomsawon (ղԺ). What do you think? The ministers answered King Sejongs question right away. As you wish. Once the bill to establish Cheomsawon was passed, Sejong moved on to the next step. As the crown prince acts as a proxy for the government, I would like to have him face the south (in the direction of where the king sits) to receive inquiries and conduct state affairs. As soon as these words were out, the ministers immediately stood up. Absolutely not! This is absolutely unfair! Please inform me! Amid a stronger rejection than expected, Hwang Hee exined why it was impossible. The royal meeting is the ce where the king hears and makes judgments about political affairs. Your Majesty is going to the south to receive inquiries from many of your subjects, so how dare the pce of Donggung remain and receive inquiries as if you were the Most High? In the end, faced with great opposition from ministers, King Sejong decided to build Seomyeon rather than Nammyeon. (Note 2) * * * Once the establishment of Cheomsawon was decided, the building to operate Cheomsawon began to be built. . Gyejodang (^) was built inside Geonchunmun (T), the eastern gateway of Gyeongbokgung Pce. The role of this building was to receive inquiries from subjects. And Seunghwadang (A), where the Hyang would conduct government affairs, began to be built. Of course, this process did not proceed easily. Anyway, when the proxy administration begins, business will mainly be done at Gangnyeongjeon, so why not have the crown prince do business at Geunjeongjeon? I think it would save money and be more efficient than building a new building, right? The ministers were once again shocked by King Sejongs proposal. Absolutely not! This is absolutely unfair! Please inform me! Once again, Hwang Hee came forward and presented the reason why it was impossible. Geunjeongjeon is where His Majesty the Prime Minister meets with envoys and conducts state affairs. Therefore, it is disrespectful for the crown prince to use this ce. Also, although the Crown Prince acts as proxy, His Majesty said that he personally handles foreign affairs and defense personnel, so it is impossible to hand over Geunjeongjeon to the Crown Prince. In the end, after all this pain, new buildings were built in the East Pce. * * * While King Sejong and the ministers were ying tug-of-war and creating a precedent for proxy administration, Hyang was also busy moving around. Its good to entrust the management of the research institute and Area 51 to Jeong In-ji, but its a bit uneasy. Although Jeongcho survived for a long timepared to the history before the intervention of Hyang, he was so old that he was unable to work properly and had no choice but to resign. And although Jeong In-ji was the right person for that vacant position, Hyang was very uneasy. This was because one of the leading figures in the Gyeyujeongnan was Jeong In-ji. The problem is Jinpyeong, who is stuck in Area 51. Hmm. Hyang, who was looking around for a solution, soon found the answer. I cant help it. It is best to leave Jeong In-ji in charge of managing the research institute and leave Area 51 to General Lee Cheon. Hyang took a breather by entrusting Area 51 to Lee Cheon, a founding member of Area 51 along with Choi Haesan, and moved on. And I should add Lee Sun-ji under Jeong-in-ji. If its Lee Sun-jis personality, Jeong-in wont be able to do what she wants. Lee Sun-ji, an industry-academic monster, was as famous for his harsh words as for his mathematical talent. It wasnt just that they spewed out harsh words randomly, but there were also few people who cursed those who were at fault. In addition, he had a surprisingly confrontational personality and was the type to immediately say that he was wrong if he made a mistake. Therefore, Hyang used Yi Sun-ji as a check on Jeong In-ji. * * * After much deliberation, Hyang selected the people in charge of the research institute and Area 51 and began selecting the officials who would work at Cheomsawon. Hyangs eyes sparkled as he examined the letters of the candidates sent from each department upon Hyangs request. uh? Are you here already? You get promoted pretty quickly, right? Does that mean you still have the ability? The person who caught Hyangs attention was Han Myeong-hoe. With Han Myeonghoes Seogyeongdanja in front of him, Hyang was troubled. how will we do it? Would you rmend it to Abama when she goes to Shinji? Or should I put it aside and roll it? Hyang, who was seriously contemting, soon selected Han Myeong-hoes Seogyeongdanja separately. Theres a famous movie line, right? Friends are close, enemies are closer. It was the scent that decided to roll Han Myeong-hoe, who was Grand Prince Suyangs most important staff member, right next to him. If you are truly talented, you can stick a straw and use him as the second Hwang Hee, or else you can use him as a madangsoi in Geunjeongjeon. Having decided to deal with Han Myeong-hoe, Hyang searched for the Seogyeongdanja again. Hyangs eyes lit up as he searched through the Seogyeongdanja. uh? Was there interest? ah! You all said you were alumni, right? Hmm. Hyang-hyang was lost in thought again. Should we tear it apart or gather it up and monitor it? Hyang, who had been thinking deeply, soon came to a conclusion. Its a lust for power thats enough to cause a revolt. That level of desire If you are near the highest power, you will never want to be pushed out. To do that, you must be that loyal, right? Hmm. We will see whether he will be Chises sessor or a waste of money. The Seo-gyeong members selected at the same time as the words were Kwon Ram and Seo Geo-jeong. * * * Note 1) The Annals of King Sejong, read in one volume. Written by Park Young-gyu. Woongjin Knowledge House. Note 2) Daericheongjeong edition of Our History Network. http://contents.history.go.kr/front/km/print.do?levelId=km_023_0040_0030_0010&whereStr= Chapter 478 Episode 478: Deputy Cleaning (3) The buildings that Hyang was to clean were in full swing, but King Sejong immediately gave Hyang a job to do. It will be easier in the future if you know how to n ahead. Yes, Abama. Following King Sejongs order, Hyang used the empty rooms in the Donggungjeon C the former site of a research institute C to conduct business. Around the office where Hyang mainly worked, officials from Cheomsawon organized documentsing from the administration. You are acting withplete determination. Haha~. Hyang let out a long sigh as he looked at the tidal wave of documents rushing in front of him. In principle, decisions regarding foreign and defense personnel were to be made by King Sejong. But Sejong passed even this on to Hyang. You should know this in advance too. I just pay. In other words, the documents rted to foreign affairs and defense personnel were all organized first, and then King Sejong only looked at the results and made a decision. Thanks to this, King Sejong was able to have an unprecedented amount of free time. Sejong used the time he secured as an asset to start a new project. Hmm shall we take a look? * * * Taking advantage of the increased free time, King Sejong began to stir up agencies affiliated with the executive branch. The first to be destroyed was the Joseon National Conservatory led by Park Yeon. I told them to sort out the misceneous songs sung by the people, but how could the result be like this? Are we still ignoring misceneous people, considering them to be mean? Its not that If not that, something else? I will do it right. Do it straight. I will be watching clearly. I will do my best! King Sejong, who had overturned the Joseon National Conservatory, then headed to the Entertainment Office. Bring the documents. Please bring not only the final copy but also all documents sent from the front-line entertainment center. Anpyeong froze at King Sejongs short and concisemand and held out the documents. Here I am! Hmm let me see. Sejong, who was sitting at the desk where Anpyeong was working, put his sses on his nose and started looking at the documents. While Sejong was looking through the documents, Anpyeong was standing at attention in front of the desk, waiting. This was because I had already heard that Park Yeon had broken up. huh? Hmm. King Sejong, who was looking through the documentsing from all over Joseon, soon began to select a few documents. This is a little strange. Anpyeong. yes! majesty! Normally, the word Abama would havee out, but the word Your Highness came straight out of Anpyeongs frozen mouth. Sejong, who nced at Anpyeong, opened several reports and showed them to Anpyeong. As far as I know, these regions are simr in number of people and amount of taxes paid. However, there seems to be some difference in the revenueing into the entertainmentplex. Go to the Ministry of Finance and Economy and the Ministry of General Affairs right now and tell them to bring the family register and tax payment ledgers for thest three years for the regions I have selected. yes! majesty! After a while, officials from the entertainment office who had received instructions from King Sejong returned with documents. Lets use the conference room. Yes, Your Highness! Following King Sejongs orders, officials lined up documents on the long desk located in the center of the conference room. King Sejong, who was looking through the books lined up in chronological order with three years of records of the towns he had pointed out, soon nodded. As expected Anpyeong,e here and see. Yes, Your Highness! King Sejong, who had Anpyeong next to him, traced the contents of the books with his fingers and exined them. Look. These eight towns have simr poptions and the same amount of taxes paid each year. Butpare the profits of the general entertainment venues of the two towns on the left and the remaining towns. Anpyeong, who was examining the documents at Sejongs order, muttered with a serious face. The profits are very low. yes? What do you think is the reason? That Anpyeong couldnt answer Sejongs question right away. The first thing that came to mind was embezzlement. But when he said it right away, it felt like he was saying he was ipetent. Thats why Anpyeong couldnt answer properly. King Sejong asked himself whether he knew how Anpyeong felt. The most suspicious thing would be embezzlement. Even though the state of affairs has progressed and officials have be more generous, peoples greed is endless. But isnt the punishment for embezzlement very severe? You probably think, Im confident I wont get caught! and then take action. It is true that it is difficult for the central government to individually inspect reportsing from all over Joseon. Still Sejong continued as he saw Anpyeong looking ufortable at the suspicion that his subordinates hadmitted fraud. The second thing that is suspicious is probably theck of skills of the officials, right? The gisaeng who show off their singing and dancing at the general entertainment center are not skilled enough, or the quality of other attractions is so poor that it is not fun. You heard it too, right? Its a story about Koreans traveling around the country to watch famous baduk yers y. yes. The case that Sejong mentioned was a famous story. * * * As the general entertainment center was created, a baduk match hall was created. Soon, the best yers from each town appeared one by one, and the top yers from towns that were closer began to join in and determine who was superior. Since this was what the county and officials expected, rules such as time limits were soon created and a nationwide badukpetition was held. In this way, fiercepetition took ce every year for the position of Guksu, the best Baduk yer in Joseon. And in the town where Guksoo was born, people who knew a bit about Baduk from all over Joseon gathered to watch Guksoo y Baduk. When people gathered like this, the town was soon overflowing with money. It was because of the money that those who gathered together spent on eating and sleeping. Thanks to this, there are parents who ask famous baduk yers to train their children if they think they have some talent for baduk. * * * So, get ready for the business trip. yes? When Anpyeong looked puzzled by the unexpected business trip order, Sejong exined further. No matter how many documents rted to entertainment are received from Hanseong, it seems difficult to properly understand the reality. Because fun has a strong personal aspect. And even if it is embezzlement, it is difficult to find if you decide to hide it well. In such cases, it is necessary to suppress it with power. So get ready for the business trip. I also have to write a n and give it to the crown prince, so lets say we leave in three days. yes? yes. After finishing his business, King Sejong left the entertainment center. Anpyeong, who was seeing King Sejong off after leaving the entertainment hall and heading to Gyeongbokgung Pce, tilted his head. You look kind of excited? Anyway Anpyeong, who was speechless, had a bright expression on his face. Its been a while since Ive been on a business trip! How long has it been since this business trip! Seong-eun is devastated! * * * That evening, Hyang received the business trip n and itinerary written by Sejong. I understand why youre going on a business trip, but Hyang, who was looking at the n and schedule sent by Sejong with eyes full of suspicion, suddenly pointed out a finger. Hyang, who had been calcting something by counting her fingers several times, muttered without realizing it. Miss Lee Hyang suddenly stopped speaking and looked back at the naeguan. Stay out for a while. yes? Stay out. yes. Only then did Hyang, who had let the inner coffin go, grumble in peace. This gentleman How did he choose the date when the market would be held? And Hyang picked up the schedule and walked towards the map hanging on one wall. Hyang, who was exploring the route by tracing the map with his finger, soon turned his head. shell! Yes sir! Go to my study right now and get the geography paper! Yes sir! After a while, Hyang, who was looking through the geography book that the eunuch had brought, sighed. Huh~. Okay then. On the road that Sejong passed through, there was a vige where famous delicacies were served. And on the day we arrived at the vige, there was always the word Hyu () written on it. Hyang, who was looking at the schedule, raised her voice internally. Are you saying you want to work 5 days a week in Joseon during this time? Even the officials work six days a week! Hyang, who was grumbling internally, soon showed an expression of understanding. Because you have hardly ever had a proper rest until now * * * Looking at the holidays for Joseon officials, they were guaranteed five days of rest every month. Usually, the 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd were fixed holidays, and the remaining day was one of the 24 sr terms. In addition, each ministry had holidays guaranteed ording to its internal regtions, and paid leave was also guaranteed. Of course, holidays such as Lunar New Year and Chuseok were also closed. Therefore, when the New Years calendar came out, the front of Seoungwan was crowded with officials. The purpose was to find out how many holidays are created by ovepping regr holidays and seasonal holidays. Every time I saw that scene, Hyang muttered softly. When the calendares out, counting days from y is the same now as it is in the 21st century But the king had no holidays. Although he was able to rest on holidays such as Lunar New Year, Daeboreum, Chuseok, and Dano, his job as a king meant that there were no legally guaranteed days off. Outside of holidays, the only time the king could rest was when high-ranking officials of the second rank or higher died. In that respect, King Sejong was truly unlucky. This was because there were so many subjects who lived long lives, perhaps thanks to the medicine that came and went. * * * In any case, it was Sejongs decision and Hyang had no right to veto it. After reviewing the schedule and n again, Hyang immediately wrote a new document and presented it to the inquirer. Immediately deliver these documents to the Railway Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Ministry of National Defense. I also make it clear that it must bepleted within two days. yes. Lowering. The officer who received the documents quickly disappeared outside. Special trains, carriages, and escort troops would be formed ording to King Sejongs schedule and the orders of the township. After writing the order and sending it out, Hyang thought for a moment and then called another eunuch. Call the Colonel immediately. Yes sir. After a while, Colonel Suksu, who received a call from the vige, hurriedly came running. After receiving the courtesy from Colonel Suksoo, Hyang immediately gave an order. Follow Abamama on her business trip and take a close look at where she ate and what food she ate. If you only eat meat, go ahead and eat some vegetables as well. Yes sir. And if there is a food that Abamamas evaluation was particrly good, make sure to record what region it is from and even record the recipe. yes? If Abamama wants to eat that food againter, are you going to make her go there again? Colonel Sooksu, who was confused by the exnation of the scent, immediately understood and answered loudly. Oh no! I will definitely write it down thoroughly! * * * Three dayster, King Sejong went on a business trip. Hyang, who was seen off to the entrance of Gyeongbokgung Pce, smiled slightly when she saw Queen Soheon standing next to King Sejong. The officers will say that you cant distinguish between public and private affairs, but its nice to see! Thus began Sejongs Gourmet Travel under the guise of a business trip. Chapter 479 Episode 479: Daejeongjeong ( ) (4) The number of officials who went on business trips with King Sejong and his wife was considerable. The expressions of the officials apanying King Sejong werergely divided into two. One side had a bright face, and their representative was Anpyeong. Its been a long time since Ive been on a business trip! Looking at the schedule, it looks like Ill be meeting a lot of talented people and singers, so its going to be a good time for the first time in a long time! And for free! There are fewer people to talk to, so theres less work to write down! Its a fortune! Its a fortune! There were people who were happy with such bright faces, but on the other hand, there were also people who became depressed. And the representative of those who became so prosperous was Park Yeon. If you keep moving like this with Joo-sang, you will have to get your daily results checked every day! I already heard that! Testing assignments every day! Nothing like that happened to me except when my writing teacher gave it to me when I was young! The good times are all gone! I have to face His Majesty the Prime Minister and receive approval every day! Who rmended me! King Sejong went on a business trip, apanied by officials who had mixed feelings. Sejong, who was sitting in a private cabin of a special train, looked at the map with sparkling eyes. Lets see Where did you eat lunch today * * * As Gangnyeongjeon and Junggungjeon became empty, the busiest ce in Gyeongbokgung Pce became Donggungjeon. Officials from the six ministries and the Prime Ministers Office came in and out of the Seunghwa Hall in the East Pce carrying documents, and sometimes even ministers and the Prime Minister had to be called to the Seunghwa Hall. And the faces of the officials and ministers who were called in and came out after talking with Hyang turned white. The crown prince is not easy. I was prepared because Ive experienced this a few times before, but after being hit so hard, I feelpletely blind. Im going to die While the officials and ministers who had been through a lot of hardship at Seunghwadang were sighing, the incense in the office was burning brightly. Even so, I am a person who passed the level 5 administrative examination of the 21st century Ministry of Finance and Economy. Dont take it lightly! Ill make sure you take it on anyway! * * * Although the scent was burning and working enthusiastically, it soon got caught on an unexpected reef and became stranded. Whoa~. Hyang sighed as he looked at the documents in front of him and ced his hand on his forehead. What happened to bad handwriting in Joseon, where calligraphy is a basic passive skill? The reef that held Hyang down was bad writing. Calligraphy is one of the six arts that a gentleman must master It was basic for all documentsing and going in the Joseon Dynasty to be duly written. However, many of the reportsing from low-level administrative agencies were written in cursive or cursive. And this problem became more serious as Hunminjeongeum became popr. This was because an official standard font had not yet been established. Combined with that situation and the habit of writing in cursive or cursive, documents written in extremely bad handwriting were created. And these documents written in bad handwriting were hidden among properly filed documents, and came out like a trap, trapping Hyang. Of course, to prevent this problem of bad handwriting, documents submitted to King Sejong were always written in writing. It is difficult to make a proper judgment based on these documents alone. Please bring the materials you referenced when filling out these documents. The problem was that whenever King Sejong issued an order like this, the relevant ministry went into chaos. Therefore, Sejong put pressure on Hyang whenever he could. How far has the development of the object you mentioned before progressed? Every time that happened, Hyang responded with an embarrassed expression. Theres still more time and budget Hey! As always, Sejong, who was about to throw a tantrum when Hyang mentioned time and budget, soon let out a long sigh. This was because I was fully aware that there was no room in the budget for the research being conducted at the research institute and Area 51. * * * The budget consumed by the research institute and Area 51 was enormous. It took nearly 10 years and a huge budget to create a steam engine that could be used immediately on the front lines. Of course, I made and researched many things that immediately brought in a lot of money just by making them. However, there were many fields, such as pure production studies or material properties studies, that seemed to only eat up budgets with little visible results. If economic science and physical properties are not properly supported, the results of the research institute and Area 51 will be nothing more than a pavilion! Every time a criticism was raised from the Ministry of Finance and Economy, the vige protested as above. And Sejong also gave strength to this scents im. It is natural that in order to produce proper results in any work, the foundation must be strong. At first nce, pure economics and physical properties seem like they only eat up money, but there are quite a few results created based on them. Therefore, it is not a good idea to waste money on research like this. * * * Sejong, who knew about the situation at the research institute and Area 51, refrained from making a fuss and asked Hyang again. When I listened to your exnation before, it didnt seem difficult to make, but was it actually that difficult? The framework itself is notplicated, but it is difficult to create materials that maintain the framework. To what extent? Its a little more difficult than the razors and stylus sharpeners that are just starting to be made. Is it that much? In response to Sejongs question, Hyang exined the reason. -It was not an easy task to engrave letters on paper with only the strength of ones fingers based on the principles of leverage and rotation. The driving part that moves like that had to be very light and remain strong at the same time. -The type itself that engraves letters on paper also has quite difficult requirements. The exact shape had to be engraved in a size smaller than half a grain of rice, and it had to have the strength to withstand tens of thousands of impacts from hitting the paper. There are many other obstacles, but these two are the biggest. I see. Thats why physical properties are important. If you know the physical properties of various metals properly, you canbine them to create more useful alloys. Additional budget is unreasonable. Hyang clicked her tongue inwardly at Sejongs firm answer. Tsk! * * * Hyang, exhausted from deciphering the document with Hunminjeongeum scrawled in cursive, called an eunuch. Go and fetch General Lee Cheon from Area 51. Yes sir. After some time, Lee Cheon arrived at Seunghwadang and bowed to Hyang. Did you call me, Your Majesty? yes. When will the prototype of the typewriter be released? If the results of the newly developed bamboo belt are good, it will be the end. Is that so? Hyangs face brightened at Lee Cheons answer. * * * The development of marine steam engines had a tremendous impact on improving the quality of steel and developing new iron alloys and processing technologies. Based on the data obtained during the development process, higher quality steel could be mass-produced, and razor des, stylus sharpeners, and typewriter parts could be made based on advanced processing technology. The typewriter will be finished soon. Thats right. Thanks to this, both Hyang and the craftsmen in Area 51 expected optimistic results, but surprisingly, the part that was easy to see turned out to be a reef. That part was a printing ribbon. At first, they simply used cotton string soaked in ink, but several problems arose. If the string waspletely dry, it wouldnt print properly, and if it got too wet, food would stter in all directions. To solve this problem, Hyang and the development team began development using graphite powder as a substitute. While conducting various experiments by mixing ink powder with water or oil and making andbining printing ribbon materials with various types of fabrics such as cotton, linen, and silk, the scent came to purify vicariously. * * * Hyang, whose face lit up when he heard that a typewriter had finally been made after a long period of trial and error, praised Lee Cheon. Thank you for your hard work! How can it be my fault? It was you who first came up with the framework. Under Hyangs reign, Icheon gave credit to Hyang. What Lee Cheon said was true. * * * As soon as Hunminjeongeum was officially promulgated, Hyang immediately called Jang Yeong-sil and the craftsmen together. Because of this problem, His Majesty the Lord has created a new script and will use it. There are probably quite a few people who have already encountered this character, but as you can see, it is a phic character, so it is a convenient character that can be written exactly as it sounds. So, I came up with a little n. As soon as he spoke, Hyang immediately unfolded his n. It was a concept drawing, just a blueprint without exact dimensions. Jang Yeong-sil, who was looking at the design of the incense, nodded. Im sure it will take a lot of experimentation, but I think it can be made. But it is truly amazing. How did youe up with this idea? Well, it just so happened. Is this the result of shopping in Hwanghak-dong in the 21st century? It was the result of a 21st century virtue that brought back memories of disassembling an old typewriter found in Hwanghak-dong down to its single screw. Of course, after repeated disassembly and assembly, the typewriter became aplete piece of junk, and some who found out about it said that they had destroyed the precious typewriter. It was assigned to Jang Yeong-sil to properly design a typewriter that was a copy of the final version of Gong Byeong-woos three-set typewriter. However, Jang Yeong-sil also had difficulties in the beginning because of the old Hangul, which had already disappeared when Gong Byeong-woos typewriter was created. OK! Lets stick together! Jang Yeong-sil, who faced a difficult problem, was on fire. * * * Still, wasnt this result possible because the general properlymanded the craftsmen of Area 51? It is worthy of praise. Thank you. If you get sessful results, please immediately make a few and send them to Seunghwadang. How many will we make? Hyang, who had been counting for a moment in response to Icheons question, immediately answered. First of all, twenty. Is that possible? We have already made a mold to print the parts, so if we are sessful, we will be able to make 20 units within 15 days. Then I would like to ask you something. yep! Lee Cheon, who answered firmly like a military officer, immediately returned to Area 51. Fifteen dayster, Icheon sent craftsmen to Seunghwadang to teach them how to use twenty typewriters. Hyang, who heard the story through an insider, gathered all the officials from Cheomsawon in one ce. So I made a typewriter like this. I will receive support from twenty people here. These are the people who will learn how to use this typewriter, and will be in charge of transcribing documents that need to be appraised among the documentsing to Seunghwadang, and approving documents that will be sent from Seunghwadang to the Ministry of Education and the Prime Ministers Office. I will receive support. Even after Hyang finished speaking, no officials immediately raised their hands. Does this seem like Im just taking on more work for no reason? Im so busy right now While everyone was just watching, Han Myeong-hoe asked Hyang a question. Lowering. Then do those who use the typewriter also carry out other tasks? no. I am solely responsible for document preparation. At that moment, hands rose up like crazy from all directions. I will do it! No, I am qualified! Please just leave it to me! Chapter 480 Episode 480: Daejeongjeong ( ) (5) Since it was an official business trip, King Sejong carried out work rted to the purpose of the business trip. And the scent became busier. In Seunghwadangs office, Hyang ced her hand on her forehead as she looked at the thick bundle of documents sent by King Sejong. Did this guy inspect or review? King Sejong sent dispatches to Hanseong almost every day. The documents brought by the dispatcher sent by King Sejong recorded the problems discovered while inspecting the entertainmentplex in the town that King Sejong visited. The problem was that those documents were very Sejong-like. They reviewed the good and bad points of the general entertainment venues they had inspected, as well as the cleanliness and quality of the food provided, and even wrote down their personal opinions to solve the problems found. Thats why Hyangined that he couldnt tell whether these documents were inspection reports or reviews. If it were the 21st century, you would have be a video producer famous for reviews, and you would have been able to get the silver button in the shortest amount of time. Im a bit unsure about gold though. Even while sighing andining, Hyang fully understood what these reports meant. shell. Go and call Secretary Han Myeong-hoe. Yes sir. After a while, Han Myeong-hoe hurriedly entered Hyangs office. Did you call me? This is the inspection report sent by His Majesty the Prime Minister. Pleasebine it with what you sentst time and properly separate the types of problems. Yes sir. Han Myeong-hoe, who politely handed over the documents, took a step back. Hyang, who sent Han Myeong-hoe out, grumbled softly. Just tell me from the beginning. Did you really have to dig a trap like this? What Sejong wanted was to identify themon problems of all entertainment venues and thene up with a solution, although there were solutions for each individual entertainment venue. Hyang, who grumbled for a moment, dragged the paper that had been set aside and muttered. For the hardware problem, you can rely on the Seunghwa Party officials, but the real big problem is the software, or to be more precise, the content. * * * The biggest reason why King Sejong went on a business trip was to understand the current state of general entertainment venues, which had particrly low profitspared to other ces. After inspecting three of the six general entertainment centers over the course of a month, the embezzlement that Sejong and Anpyeong were concerned about was not discovered. But why are the profits so low? Sejong, curious about the reason, looked into it with Anpyeong. Huh~. I didnt know this would be such a problem again. After learning the reason, King Sejong stroked his beard with an embarrassed expression. * * * The biggest reason for the drop in profits was that the level of officials in the town where the entertainment venue was located was much lower than in other towns. From the first nning, the county was the lower limit for ces where a general entertainment center could be installed. The purpose of this entertainment hall was to hold wrestlingpetitions, bullfightingpetitions, stone fightingpetitions, etc., to promote gambling that used to be a negative activity, and to increase tax revenue. The problem was that sports with high public participation, such as wrestling or bullfighting, had a limited period. And there was a problem that gambling could not be encouraged more than necessary. Therefore, a more permanent and reliable source of ie was needed. The result of finding a source of ie was the touring performance of the Jaein group and the performance of the gisaeng. Of course, in order to make it more of a box-office hit, apetition was held topete between the talents of the female troupe and the gisaeng, and the female troupe and the gisaeng who achieved excellent results in thepetition toured throughout Joseon to perform. In order to make this n a sess, the government publicly dered the exemption of the members and gisaengs and presented several carrots, such as guaranteeing that they would earn a lot of profit through touring performances. Thanks to these carrots, people flocked to entertainment centers from the beginning and the government was able to secure a lot of profit. However, as time passed, problems began to arise in this area. * * * Regardless of the level of performance by the Jaein Band, a certain degree of basic box office sess was guaranteed. However, a big difference began to be seen in the gisaengs song and dance performances. On days when gisaengs from the three famous saekhyangs, which even three-year-olds know, performed, the aisles of the auditorium were filled with people, but the performance of other gisaengs was not. Even if it was not as good as the three major saekhyangs, it had to be at least as good as the performances of gisaengs and household wives that were known in various nearby towns to be a moderate sess. The case of the entertainmentplex in question was an example in which this problem was revealed very clearly. The level of government officials in the county and nearby prefectures where the entertainment venue in question is located was much lower than in other ces. The off-white color was not to the point where it could be called pale, but it was less off-white than the gisaeng in the city. The singing and dancing skills were also in a simr situation. What was even worse was that the level of baduk yers on the board where the richest people gathered was also low. Therefore, a situation was created where almost all of the ie earned by entertainment venues was the profits earned from gambling halls, except whenpetitions such as wrestlingpetitions, bullfights, or performances by Jaeinpae took ce. * * * What was even more devastating was thepletion of thend transportationwork. The fact that roads throughout Joseon were well built and that it was possible to quickly move to distant ces using railroads was another change in the situation. Even if they were not wealthy financially, if they had a more proactive personality than others, they would take the initiative and take action rather than sit and wait. People flocked to the towns general entertainment hall, where there were not only the three major colors of virtue, but also gisaengs of whom rumors had spread, and a famous baduk master as well as a noodle yer. And the money that these people spent while eating and sleeping created a situation where the rich got richer and the poor got poorer. * * * Just looking at it, it looks like a 21st century pop song Its the same as the difference between a group thats doing well and a group thats not doing well. After seeing the report written by Sejong and Anpyeong, Hyang muttered with an embarrassed face. How do we solve this problem? Hyang, who was struggling to find a solution to the problem, called an eunuch. Gather all Seunghwadang officials. Yes sir! * * * since this is a situation, lets think about it. Ill give you five days. Yes sir. After hearing Hyangs order, the officials left with serious faces. Im already overloaded with work, but its getting tiresome. Isnt that right? Han Myeong-hoe slightly shook his head at Kwon Rams words. Its annoying, but its a good opportunity. opportunity? Kwon Ram, who was tilting his head at Han Myeong-hoes words, suddenly began to sparkle. Right! It was clear what Han Myeonghoes words meant. If a good opinion was presented and adopted, it would have a clear stamp on not only King Sejong but also the crown prince and ministers. If so, we would be able to get to the core of power more quickly and easily. Kwon Ram, realizing the meaning of Han Myeong-hoes words, quickened his pace. Theres no time to keep doing this! Han Myeong-hoe looked at Kwon Rams back as he disappeared in a hurry and grumbled with an absurd expression on his face. Having a guy like that as a friend Han Myeong-hoe hadpletely forgotten what he had done in the past C even though it was not intentional. * * * Five dayster, ns written by Seunghwa Party officials were piled up on Hyangs desk. This is an opportunity Im sure you have a clue. Hyang, who realized the intentions of the officials by looking at the results piled up in front of him, sat down and began to carefully review their ns. After reviewing the documents for a while, Hyang pulled out a few documents and called the eunuch. Please call Han Myeong-hoes Kwon Ram Seong Sam-mun sub-ji. Yes sir. After a while, the four people who had received Hyangs call sat in front of Hyangs desk. After seeing the faces of the four people, Hyang opened his mouth. Who copied whom? yes? Hyang, seeing the bewildered expressions of the four, held out the documents and gave an order. Lets take turns reading. * * * Huh. The four people who were looking at each others ns soon sighed in astonishment. The four peoples ns werergely identical in content, with only differences in sentence expressions. -Forcibly allocate the number of days and regions for famous gisaengs touring performances. -Education facilities to teach singing and dancing will be established across the country with famous toegis from the past as teachers. -Legite the ban on prostitution of singers, improve awareness, and recruit talented people. Its simr to what I thought, but is that what everyone thinks? Or is it that their abilities are outstanding? The four people, whether they knew Hyangs inner thoughts or not, immediately fell to the ground and shouted. I never copied you! On my conscience as a schr, I would notmit such an immoral act! Please inform me! I just wrote down my thoughts! Please inform me! Hyang, who was listening to the four peoples protests, opened her mouth with a dull expression. okay? Then lets believe it. Then answer the questions I ask. The four people who stood up at Hyangsmand waited for Hyangs question with very tense faces. First question. The number of days and regions for the gisaengs touring performances are forcibly allocated.. Please exin this part. As soon as Hyang finished speaking, Seong Sam-moon answered. The reason people leave their hometowns and visit entertainment venues in other regions is because it is difficult to see famous gisaeng at entertainment venues in the town where they live. Therefore, the inconvenience to the people must be minimized as much as possible by forcibly allocating the number of days and regions for the tour performance to the gisaeng. Even today, gisaeng perform on tour. But why cant I see those gisaengs? This time, Han Myeong-hoe answered Hyangs question. Since ancient times, gisaeng have boasted of the value of their name by the number of people who visit them. The current situation is also the same. Therefore, we are forced to allocate tour performances and regions. The other three people nodded at the same time to Han Myeong-hoes exnation. Hyang, who also nodded, immediately asked the next question. Then, lets move on to the next step and say, We will establish educational facilities across the country to teach singing and dancing with Toegi, who was famous in the past, as teachers. There are a lot of problems in this area? This time, Hawiji stepped forward and responded to Hyangs point. The point you made is true. Even though the status of gisaeng is legally determined as yangin, many people still view them as lowly. The biggest reason for this is because gisaeng sell their bodies, so prostitution must be clearly banned byw. Following Hawijis words, Kwon Ram spoke. Properly educated and well-behaved gisaengs can make a name for themselves and boast a generous living without engaging in prostitution. Therefore, we need to publicize these cases and change peoples perception. Afterwards, Hyang continued to ask harsh questions, and the four people answered while sweating. After the blood-drying time had passed, Hyang came to a conclusion. Its okay. Then, four people will be trained to create a proper n and submit it. The n I wrote on my own was good, so I can look forward to it, right? The four people who looked at each other answered Hyangs question at the same time. I will do my best! Then go out and see. Hyang, who united the four people who stood in hostile positions in history before Hyang intervened, chuckled and muttered. Will it be a fantasticbination or a nightmare of group work? I certainly dont have a good personality. Chapter 481 Episode 481: Daehyeongjeong ( ) (6) The four people who trained ording to the orders of the vige were talented people whose abilities were recognized. They make enough money to pay for their meals The officials who heard the rumor that four people were working together under orders from the vige all nodded and responded positively. However, the four peoples joint work was surprisingly sluggish. Hyang, who heard the story through the eunuchs, slightly shook his head and muttered. As expected, the group task is * * * The reason why the four peoples joint work was sluggish was slightly different from what Hyang experienced in the 21st century. The first reason was that all four of them were talented and greedy at the same time. The idea and content of the first n I submitted personally were simr. However, in the process of solving it in detail, the four people shed constantly. It was to make what he thought the core. no! That part is wrong. Now cause and effect are wrongly intertwined! You shouldnt analyze this part like this! How do youe to this conclusion from here? Thats just your opinion! The four people shed fiercely over each and every aspect of the n. The second reason was that it was difficult for the four people to mix with each other. Han Myeong-hoe and Kwon Ram entered into a rtionship as a special favor of King Sejong. However, Seong Sam-moon and Hawiji entered into a rtionship after passing the civil service examination in the past, as was customary C especially Hawiji had to pass the state examination. There is a subtle boundary line here. In addition, a conflict was established between Seong Sam-mun, who valued the principles of Han Myeong-hoe and was adept at improvisation. Likewise, Kwon Ram, who is from a family that contributed to the founding of the country, but has a short history, and Hawiji, whoes from a prestigious family with deep roots dating back to the Goryeo Dynasty, formed an angle. It would have been okay if the situation had ended here. The third reason why these four split was because of Hunminjeongeum. Han Myeong-hoe responded favorably, and Seong Sam-moon showed active support. However, Kwon Ram reacted cynically to Hunminjeongeum, and Hawiji disliked Hunminjeongeum. Thest reason was scent. The four of us provide training, but it is not allowed to force ones opinion based on differences in ss. Just take the n that the four of you think is most reasonable and good. Simply put, the order was for all four people to work on equal footing to produce the best results. Of course, it wasnt that Hyang didnt know that something like this would happen. I just ignored it. It was only a record of history, but they were outstanding in their ability alone. You have to prove it. Han Myeong-hoe and Kwon Ram were key figures in the Gyeyujeongnan and continued to be the core of power thereafter. Seong Sam-mun, who was constantly persuaded by King Sejong because he felt that his abilities were a waste of money, was kept by King Sejong, who asked him to take care of his younger son. They were all extraordinary people. Because they were those people, the scent exerted pressure on them to the point of persistence. Do it again! Every time they came back with their results, if there was even the slightest problem, Hyang strongly reprimanded them and rejected the n. Due to the stress brought about by the pressure of the fragrance, individual differences such as the reasons mentioned earlier, and the pride that overestimates their abilities, the four people constantly set themselves apart. Although there were only four people, they were four people who showed a stark example of how people can be divided. * * * Hmm Its heated up enough so I guess Ill put it together. After examining the situation, Hyang decided to do so and called the four of them. Are there still no results? I apologize. I apologize. Because they are uncivilized Looking at the four people bowing their heads to Hyangs words, Hyang continued speaking in a very sharp voice. Bulmin? Probably not. He must have been overconfident in his own abilities to do something like this. is not it? . At Hyangs point, the four closed their mouths and bowed their heads. Looking at the amount the four were doing, Hyang continued to press on. Am I funny? No! How could you think such a ridiculous idea? Absolutely not! I misunderstand! The four desperately denied it, but Hyang didnt stop pressing. But what is this situation now? Its already been 15 days since I entrusted the work to you, but I havent received anything proper. But you dont look down on me? No! Absolutely not! It has been rejected four times so far. If you guys had the intention to do it right, there is no reason for it to be rejected four times. Are you guys trying to fight me? No! Its just that we were insensitive! Please forgive me! Please rebuke us for our ipetence! I never meant anything else! The four of them fell face down on the floor and begged for forgiveness. Seeing the four of them like that, Hyang gave a final warning. Ill give you five days. Create a proper n and submit it within five days. If this deadline passes or you reject it because it iscking, be prepared. I will make it so that you cannot even set foot on Yukjo Street in Hanseong for the rest of your life. There will be no dismissal and no resignation will be permitted. Ill just make you turn around until you die. I will do so at my own risk. At Hyangs deration, the four people shouted, hitting their foreheads on the floor. I will do my best! Dont just talk, produce results! yes! The four people who received the order to congratte the guests bowed and left the office. * * * The ministers who visited Seunghwadang to coordinate local government policies and saw this scene screamed inwardly with their faces turning white. Read, read, read! A crown prince who is worse than a chief minister! I will definitely resign before the crown prince ascends to the throne! I need to stop taking medication! Perhaps sensing the feelings of the ministers, Hyang turned to Hwang Hee and asked. Do you think I was a bit harsh? Hwang Hee shook her head in response to Hyangs question. no. As the old saying goes, the better the iron, the harder it must be struck. Their excellent abilities are widely known, but they still have many shorings. If you think about the future, training is essential. Thank you for thinking so. But if you think about it that way, Im a kid too, right? Dont you have sufficient track record? is that so? The ministers all nodded at Hwang Hees answer. As long as there is a research institute and Area 51, there is no one who can talk about the crown princes career or performance. wait? Now that I think about it, the age of the crown prince when the research institute and Area 51 were created. I pity the children who will work with the crown prince in the future. Wait! My grandson is there too! Damn it! * * * After finishing the policy meeting with the local government, the ministers quickly walked to their respective ministries. I should go quickly and check it one more time. You cant be criticized at this age, right? While the ministers were moving diligently, Kim Jong-seo spoke to Hwang Bo-in. Look at you, Ji-bong. Why are you calling me? If you look at what happened today. Dont you think it was a stroke of heaven that the crown prince sat down as minister before ascending to the throne? Hwang Bo-in immediately nodded at Kim Jong-seos words. There seems to be a problem in this area. Please consider it again. Even if there was a problem, Hyang refused, saying this. This was because he was still the crown prince. He drew the line that only King Sejong could roast ministers and vice ministers. After receiving silent consent, Kim Jong-seo added. I was running around under Captain Bangchon until a sweet smell came out of my mouth, and I thought that there would never be another person this harsh, but today I saw it Ugh~ Kim Jong-seo trembled as if he didnt want to even think about it. * * * Meanwhile, the officer who was recording Hyangs proxy cleaning recorded everything that Hyang wanted for the four people and added. -So the Crown Prince of Donggung gave an order, and the four people left the hall trembling greatly. The officer says: The strictness with which Prince Dong handles matters is like a sharp sword, and the results are clear. Following His Majesty the Lord, Prince Dong-gung is so outstanding that he is a blessing to Joseon. However, Donggung must keep in mind the saying, too much is too little. But why are you suing me so much? Although they did not show it openly, many officialsined that the four people who had acted proudly, knowingly or unknowingly, hadpletely broken up. * * * Five dayster, the four submitted a n to Hyang. Hmm The four people with very tense faces swallowed dry saliva and looked at the scent. After carefully analyzing the n, going back and forth between the front and back, Hyang put down the n and looked at the four of them. Its okay. I think it would be good to run it like this. Whoa~. Huh! The four of them, who had unconsciously sighed in relief, were startled and immediately bowed down. I apologize for my disgrace! Im sorry! Hyang lightly waved his hand as he saw the four asking for forgiveness for their mistakes. Its okay, so get up. I am devastated. At Hyangsmand, the four stood up from their ces, folded their hands together politely, and waited for Hyang to speak. Although it took more time than expected and there were many rejections. Thanks to you, I started to question your abilities. I apologize. But I really like the result this time. Therefore, I will give you an order. From now on, you will be one organization and take full responsibility for reviewing and supplementing the policies I ask you to review. At Hyangsmand, the four eyes grew asrge as possible. Han Myeong-hoe spoke on behalf of those four people. Sir, are you saying that we should continue to train and work in the future? Hyang nodded to Han Myeong-hoes question. Thats exactly what Im saying. Looking at the results, I can see that the four of you have gotten to know each other well andplement each others strengths and weaknesses well. So, I want to leave the work to you with peace of mind. why? Are you dissatisfied? If you are dissatisfied, let me know. I told him to speak up if he was dissatisfied, but his true intentions were clear. Just say it! Ill definitely demote you! In the end, the four had no choice but to ept Hyangs orders. I follow your orders. After all the hard work youve put in, you can leave today. If you show up tomorrow, there will be a room avable for you to work in. I am devastated. Four people with very tired faces trudged out of Seunghwadang. Arriving at the entrance to Geonchun Gate, the four stopped at the same time and sighed at the same time. Whoa~. The four let out a long sigh and looked at each others faces. As they looked at each other with a mixture of love and hate, Han Myeong-hoe opened his mouth. Since this hase to an end, lets have a drink first. At those words, the other three nodded at the same time, and Hawiji took the word. I know a pretty good ce. Lets go there. In this way, a nning and coordination office directly under the township was created. * * * While King Sejong was busy with his schedule of business trips and food trips, Hyang was diligently carrying out his duties. There were many tasks handled by the township that had to be handled by the Yukjo, but there were also many tasks that the township handled independently. I have passed the entrance exam to be a member of the National Assembly. The scent immediately responded to the eunuchs words. Please stop by. The scent that gave themand muttered to itself. Have the results finallye out? Chapter 482 Episode 482: Daejeongjeong ( ) (7) I would like to see you. okay. Is there any good news? To Hyangs question, Jeong-ho (H) answered with a cautious expression. yes. There were quite positive results regarding the bactericidal solution. Hyangs eyes sparkled at Jeongjeos words. The cleaning liquid that the doctor and the doctor mentioned was penicillin. Although it was at a primitive level. * * * This is definitely a clich, but At first, I was quite worried about manufacturing penecillin. Its primitive, but I know how to make it and I actually made it. A Japanese cartoon featuring a doctor who time-slipped in the 21st century was a hit, and dramas were made in Japan and Korea based on the cartoon. And an important subject of the drama was the production of penicillin. And quite a few blog posts were written about the manufacturing process of penicillin featured in the drama. Hyang-Jinho at the time-wasnt the one to just ignore this situation. I readic books, watched dramas several times, searched the Inte, learned the manufacturing method, and then actually made it. Unfortunately, Hyangs challenge ended there. This was because experiments to check whether penicillin was made properly and whether it had medicinal effects were illegal. Because of this history, thepany began considering the production of penicillin. Anyway, its a mess, its a changed history, so you can make it The problem is that Im a crown prince whose every move will be recorded in history. The biggest cause of Hyangs worries was his status. If you look at the idents that have urred so far, you will end up saying, Ah, this person was talented in making machines. Well, there are rooting and seed trots, but those are things you can just skip. But when penicillines out, things will be different. What on earth is this person doing? or Are they the same person? All kinds of words wille out. Theres no need to go hundreds of yearster. If I make it right, people will be popping up everywhere right now wondering if Im even a human being. Because of the problems that would arise, Hyang hesitated in developing penicillin. But there was something the scent overlooked. It was the end-of-life method. Hyang was already aware of the existence of Wudu not only in Joseon but also in the western region, so he underestimated its value, but this was Hyangs misjudgment. It was overlooked that the mere act of recognizing the value of the anti-pox method and testing it on oneself, as well as allowing all citizens to be vinated, was an achievement that would lead to the emergence of the alien alien theory inter generations. If it werent for what had already been done, we could have attacked right away but what? Shall we solve it? Or should I just leave a hint in the journal and pass it on to future generations? * * * To ovee the limitations brought about by the current level of technology and amount of information, and to prevent runaway, the township carried out some maneuvers. He created a document called Japsangrok, which was a personal record of the Hyang. And in that document, many items that Hyang knew in the 21st century were left in the form of hints or questions. It was Japsang-rok who would appear on the surface only after his death. If only the hints and questions there could be properly resolved, it could be Joseons strongest hidden card along with Jeon Jeon-rok. At least if the researchb I created and Area 51 continue to operate properly in the future, there wont be any idiots who wont recognize the value of Japsangrok. * * * It was the discovery of the New World that made the decision about the future of penicillin lead to the decision to manufacture penicillin. Has it been pushed back at least 60 years? Following the news of the discovery of the New World, the decision was made to digest it as Joseons, and the local government made a decision. Use it! I cant help it! Lets make it! The decision to manufacture penicillin was due to the disease syphilis, which is said to have first originated in the New World. During the pioneering process, syphilis patients definitely pop up. And of course, syphilis would spread to Joseon. Especially since it has been confirmed that Abama is also going. Penicillin is a must. * * * After making a decision, Hyang visited a medical clinic. Hyang, who gathered the officials who manage the Naeuiwon and the medical staff of the hospital, quietly began to pray. While I was working at Area 51, I had a headache for a while, so I walked around Mt. Mokmyeok C While I was walking around Mt. Mokmyeok, I saw a wild boar rubbing its back against a tree. -So I looked closely and saw that he had a wound on his back and the wound was full of abscesses (pus-filled blisters). -I thought it was because it was itching because of the abscess, so I was just going to pass it by, but its behavior was unusual. Instead of going to just any tree and scratching it, they chose a tree and rubbed themselves against it. Soter I went and looked at the trees and found that they were all full of this fungus. At the gesture of Hyangs hand, the nae-gwan behind Hyang came forward and held out a tray containing a small chalet. The chalet on the tray was full of green mold. Hoo? After hearing the exnation of the scent, the officials andwmakers eyes sparkled as they looked at the chalet. * * * Excluding the research institute and Area 51, the group with the highest level of loyalty and trust in the fragrance within Gyeongbokgung Pce were thewmakers. This was because he had seen with his own eyes the effects of all kinds of medical-rted policies implemented by the township, starting with the Jongdu Act. Your love for the people has brought about this result. It is truly a blessing for Joseon! Every time thewmakers praised him like that, Hyang smiled bitterly. In a way, its all because I want to live a long and healthy life * * * Hyang, who had elicited a favorable response from the officials andwmakers of the National Assembly, continued speaking. It seems like the medicinal properties of this fungus are good for treating abscesses, but why cant we just put these fungi on patients? So, I came up with my own legal process. How did you do it? You! Please wait a moment! As Hyang began to exin the experimental process he conducted to thewmakers, thewmakers urgently stopped him from speaking. huh? Writing instrument! Writing instrument! Bring it now! Thewmakers who took their writing utensils with them wrote down Hyangs words with concentration, not wanting to miss a single thing. I will legite it ording to the method you indicated and then verify its effectiveness. Please take care of me. A few monthster, the removal reported to Hyang. I have tried to legite ording to the method you mentioned. And among them, we were able to find those that showed promise, and we n to enact legition on arge scale in ordance with the conditions and variables that created the results. Once the appropriate amount is ready, we n to begin testing with the support of patients. okay? I expect good results. I will do my best. ah! Please give this New Testament a name. At the request for removal, Hyang thought for a moment and then stood up. It would be an excess of authority for me to do that. Lets go to Geunjeongjeon. After receiving the report, King Sejong thought for a while and came up with a name for the new drug. Ites from blue mold and is in the form of a liquid, so it would be better to use a clean bacteria liquid. I am devastated! If done properly, it will be of great help to the people, so do your best. I will keep this in mind! However, over the next few years, there was a series of failures. The experiment was sessful at the internal medicine clinic Lets check carefully what the problem was. Thewmakers did not give in to failure and continued to take on the challenge. There were many changes in the process, but the biggest change was the method of administration. At first, it was administered orally like a regr decoction, butter a method of applying it to the skin like root root was also tested. And in the end, it changed to administration using a syringe made by Hyang. After such tireless challenges, I found my scent with the result. * * * You said it was quite positive. To what extent exactly? In response to Hyangs question, Jeong-su held out a report and answered. We have also seen improvement in patients with internal abscesses such as dermatitis or lung abscess that cannot be treated with rooting. Hoo~. With a light exmation, Hyang opened the report and Jeong Seo continued his exnation. We tested medicinal power with the support of those suffering from abscesses among the beggars in Cheonggyecheon, Jungnangcheon, and Seongjeosimni in all directions of Hanseong. First, I used a rooting agent to select those who did not show improvement even with the rooting solution and used a purifying bacteria solution. Hmm. Hyang nodded after reading the report and listening to the exnation. As the scent received a positive response, Jeonggeo put more force into his voice. After confirming its effectiveness in experiments on beggars, we administered the drug to patients suffering from boils and lung abscesses who visited Hyeminseo and Daebiwon. As a result, we are able to fully verify your biography. Hmm thank you for your hard work. But Hyang, who was studying the report while listening to the details of the removal, asked a question. Earlier, Jeonggeo told me that it was quite positive. When I hear the contents of the report and the results of the removal, I think it is very positive. Why did you use the word significantly? In response to Hyangs question, Jeong-geo exined the reason. This is because there are still many parts that have not been properly confirmed. First, what is the most appropriate concentration? Too much of a medicine is not good, and too little is not good. Im still not sure about this part. Second, the problem of mass production of bacteria used in bacteria-free solutions has not yet been properly resolved. Thirdly, the time that the disinfectant liquid maintains its potency is short. We need to find a way to extend this time. The third problem can be solved to some extent if the second problem is solved properly. Since it has a short lifespan, it can be discarded, so you can continue to make new medicines, or you can train a lot of people who know how to make sanitizing liquid and produce it in multiple ces at the same time. Are you predicting Shinji? Sujeong nodded at Hyangs point. Yes, thats right. And the final problem is to urately identify the types of diseases for which the antibacterial solution has efficacy. Hmm Hyang-hyang, who was thinking deeply while listening to Cheong-sus words, looked at Cheong-su. There is still a long way to go, but we have achieved quite good results, which is really good. All of this is the result of the hard work of the people at the National Assembly, including Jeong Hyeong. I will propose a reward to my Abama. No! As awmaker who deals with life, I just did my duty! There are many people who are not good at doing the obvious, so it is only natural that they should be rewarded. Hearing Hyangs words, Jeong-su bowed deeply and shouted. I am devastated! After sending away the removal, Hyang muttered while writing a report to send to King Sejong. Is this the start of the war against germs in earnest? * * * A year has passed since the beginning of Hyangs Daecheongjeong, the 25th year of King Sejong (1443, Gyehae year). King Sejong, who had begun preparations in earnest to move to Shinji, handed over almost all duties to Hyang. Unless it is a situation simr to a war, let the crown prince handle all matters! I follow your orders. ording to King Sejongs decision, Hyangs work increased and the four people rolled around until a sweet smell came out of their mouths. When July came, after such a peaceful and busy life. An urgent message was sent from Japan. Shogunate general dies. Chapter 483 Episode 483: Ouchi, Giant Soldiers (1) All the ministers headed to Geunjeongjeon in response to an urgent report sent through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Hyang and King Sejong were already waiting for them inside Geunjeongjeon. Meanwhile, King Sejong was preparing to go to Shinji at Gangnyeongjeon, but due to the importance of the matter, he summoned the ministers to Geunjeongjeon. This was because if something went wrong in the Japanese or Ming countries, the repercussions would immediately hit Joseon. * * * ruler. First, lets consider the current situation. Following King Sejongs words, Minister of Foreign Affairs Heo Hu stepped forward and began to exin the outline. The current king of Japan. So, the shogunates general, Jok-ri-seung, died 20 days ago. What is the cause of death? It is known as disease death. Soldier From what I understand, I heard that the King of Japan was very young? I turned 10 this year. I was six years old when I first ascended to the position of shogun. A smallmotion arose among the ministers who heard Ashikaga Yoshikasus age. However, the uproar soon subsided and the ministers listened to the Foreign Ministers exnation. Hmm Sejong, who had been thinking deeply about something while listening to Heo Hus exnation, opened his mouth. So, has the new king of Japan been decided? yes. This is a report that it seems certain that Jok Ui-jeong, the third son of Jok Ui-gyo, the previous king of Japan, will be the new king of Japan. How old is he again? Nowes eight. Heo Hus exnation caused a small stir in Geunjeongjeon once again and then disappeared. Hmm thats strange. Sejong, who was analyzing Hu Hus exnation, asked Hu Hu a question. Considering the authority of the shogunate, the age of the Japanese king is too young. Arent there any suitable people among the brothers of the Christian religion? Most of them became monks, and the remaining one was exterminated in thest civil war. Sejong snorted at Heo Hus answer. joy! It is known that Jokri-gyo became a monk, returned to secr life, and became the king of Japan. But since I became a monk, I am not qualified? Do you think it makes sense? . At King Sejongs point, all the ministers fell silent. Seeing this, King Sejong called Hwang Hee. What does the Prime Minister think? I understand what those who wanted to promote Jokguijeong were thinking, but these words were too profane to say out loud Hwang Hee trailed off, and the other ministers nodded silently as well. Sejong opened his mouth in response to Hwang Hees answer. It would be a waste of words to be called regent. If you look far away, there will be the Ten Sangshi of the Later Han Dynasty, and if you look closer, there will be the warrior groups of the former Dynasty. Setting up a young and weak monarch and manipting state affairs. As far as I know, the reason Jokri Monk ascended to the throne of Japan was as a result of an agreement between the families holding the position of Kanrei. So, the same goes for the new king of Japan, right? Just like everyone else who tried to take action as soon as I ascended to the throne. In response to King Sejongs question, the ministers bowed their heads in silence. * * * Now, much of the authority was distributed to ministers, but King Sejong was a despot. In front of such a person, it was impossible to say something like the monarchs power was shared among the subjects. And although he did not clearly say who it was, King Sejong once again warned by mentioning the faction of Ryu Jeong-hyeon, a senior minister and contributor to the founding of the country. -Do not carelessly covet the kings power! Because of this, Hwang Hui and the ministers kept their mouths shut. * * * After warning the ministers, King Sejong held the meeting again. If a child were to be the king of Japan again this time, what do you think would happen to the political situation in Japan? Heo Hu was the first to answer King Sejongs question. The three families in charge of Gwanryeong took the lead. There, the seven families who inherited the key institutions of the shogunate, called Samgwansajik (š), came together to agree. Although he is a symbolic entity, he cannot express his dissatisfaction right away because he has the emperor and court, symbols of the Japanese nation, on his back. As soon as Heo Hu finished speaking, Kim Jeom opened his mouth. It may be so, but there is a high chance of conflict urring. There were quite a few lords who were dissatisfied with the tyranny of Jok-ris religion, and the period when Jok-ri-monk was king of Japan was so short that they did not have enough time to build a foundation. Heo Hu raised a counterargument to Kim Jeoms words. However, if you look at the process of suppressing the civil war that broke out due to the assassination of Jokyo Bridge, the power of the seven families that maintain the shogunate is formidable. Even though they are dissatisfied with it, there are quite a few families that insist on being loyal to the shogunate. Kim Jeom raised a counterargument again to Heo Hus counterargument. Even if they insist on loyalty, arent they already halfway out of the shogunate? These are people who call themselves so-and-so country by adding the word nation to their territory andmit unscrupulous acts. If they were so stubborn about loyalty, why would the Kamakura Shogunate fall? Nevertheless, there are no people who would easily condemn and revolt against the current shogunate. The habits of the Japanese are so cunning that they often target their backs whenever they find the slightest opportunity. In other words, its not that you cant move because youre afraid of the shogunate, but that you cant move because of the lords around you. Starting with the war of words between Heo Hu and Kim Jeom, the ministers in Geunjeongjeon were divided into two groups and engaged in a fierce war of words. The reason why the ministers of the government were so interested in the future of the Japanese country and started a war of words was because of Japanese pirates. When the Japanese nation fell into chaos, they were the ones that immediately started to be established. Of course, given the power of the Joseon Navy, subduing Japanese pirates was not a problem. However, as the saying goes, Ten police officers cannot catch a thief, there was a significant possibility that it would prate the Joseon Navys perimeter and cause damage. Therefore, the most important issue was whether to focus on the stability of the shogunate or the outbreak of civil war. This was because all of Joseons policies moved ording to that point. * * * While the ministers were engaged in a fierce war of words, Hyang just watched quietly. As the ministers excitement subsided to some extent, Hyang joined the conversation. From what I have heard so far, it seems that the biggest reason why internal strife is difficult to ur is because it is difficult for the great lords to train with each other. Is that correct? Heohu immediately nodded and answered Hyangs question. Thats right. As I said before, training is difficult due to the cunning habits of the Japanese. No, on the contrary, it can be seen as close to impossible. But isnt another habit of the Japanese people to be subservient to the strong? Wouldnt it be possible for such a strong person to increase his power by subjugating surrounding fiefdoms? Heohu immediately responded to Hyangs point. Of course, there are habits like that. However, for that to be possible, you need at least a military power that can overwhelm him even if all the surrounding territories train. No, military power is military power, but sufficient finances. At that moment, Heo Hu stopped talking as if he remembered something. At the same time, Kim Jeom opened his mouth. There are entities that have both military power and finances. We have all forgotten the Daenae n. Jo Mal-saeng responded to Kim Jeoms words. It was worth it. Looking at Daenaes actions so far, isnt it safe to say that she is Joseons territory, not the Japanese territory? The ministers all nodded at Jo Mal-saengs words. * * * As Jo Mal-saeng said, the Ouchi family was enough to be called another Joseon. Ouchi was Joseons most sincere economic colleague, including the development of silver mines and the opening of trading offices. This was true not only from the economic aspect, but also from the cultural aspect. It created basic educational facilities modeled after Joseons social democratic schools and encouragedmerce and industry. In addition, he made significant changes to the administrative organization within the territory by actively utilizing international students who returned after gaining knowledge and practical skills in Joseon. As a result, Ouchi society and culture were almost Joseonized. On the other hand, based on the growing economic power and fundsing from the silver mine, the military began to be strengthened properly. The ashigaru, the lowest infantry, was not filled with forcibly conscripted peasants or mercenaries, but was filled as much as possible with properly trained regr troops. The ashigaru, equipped with uniform weapons and uniforms, were raised as elites through rigorous training. Of course, in addition to this standing army, there was a considerable number of conscripts, but most of these conscripts were only responsible for building camps or supplying rear supplies. The biggest feature that differentiated Ouchi from other fiefdoms was the rge-scale use of gunpowder weapons. Ouchi copied inrge quantities the copper guns introduced from Joseon and the artillery imported from the Ming. Additionally, gunpowder craftsmen were brought in from the Ming Dynasty to manufacture gunpowder, an essential element for operating such weapons. Ouchi tried to conceal the existence and size of this artillery unit and the gun unit as much as possible. As part of such efforts, Ouchi did not project military power externally as much as possible. For example, Ouchi was asked to bring in troops to suppress the rebellion that broke out after Yoshinori was assassinated, but he held out until the end. -You cant take out soldiers because of the Japanese pirates! Mochiyuki Hosokawa, who received Ouchis reply at the time, had to mutter with a bitter smile. Its hard because of Japanese fish? The family that controls half of Kyushu and the western half of Honshu? * * * When Ouchi became a candidate, the weight tilted slightly toward the breakout of civil war. I think if its Mr. Daenae, theres a pretty high chance hell do something? Hwang Hee agreed with Sejongs analysis. It seems quite likely. With the power Daenae has umted over the years, she has the ability to execute. The problem is the will to execute. Heo Hu epted Hwang Hees words. I guess the will must be sufficient. Your Majesty, do you remember when the family head of the Daenae n changed a few years ago? Although the former head of the family was old at the time, she was in sufficient condition to maintain her position. Nevertheless, I believe that the reason for changing the head of the family was for the sake of improving water quality. Following Heo Hus words, Hwang Hee concluded. Considering the bad rtions between the Japanese kings of the shogunate and the Daenae n, it is believed that the Daenae n has a good chance of raising an army. Sejong nodded at Hwang Hees conclusion. I agree. Then, if a civil war breaks out in Japan as we expect, what do you think Joseon should do? At King Sejongs question, Daejeon became noisy again. The ministers who were engaged in a war of words werergely divided into three groups. -Active intervention. The chaos in Japan could also have a negative impact on our Joseon Dynasty. Therefore, we must actively intervene. -Active wait-and-see. There is no justification for actively intervening. If Joseon intervenes without justification, they will unite and resist us. Therefore, we must only protect the sea between Joseon and Japan and never intervene. -Passive intervention. It is true that there is not enough justification to actively intervene. However, just taking a wait-and-see approach is risky. Therefore, the right answer is to intervene appropriately at the right time. As the three ministers were once again engaged in a fierce war of words, King Sejong looked back. What does the Crown Prince think? Chapter 484 Episode 484 Ouchi, Giant Soldier (2) King Sejong asked, but Hyang could not answer right away. Whats going on? You dont look like your usual crown prince. In the past, the answer would havee out as soon as he asked, but Sejong remained silent and looked at the fragrance. Sejongs doubts grew stronger when he saw Hyang sitting with his mouth shut and a fierce expression on his face, as if the enemy of Bulbuldaecheon was right in front of him. Why on earth? This was the same for ministers as well. The ministers also looked at the incense with nervousness as it lookedpletely different from usual. Meanwhile, Hyang, who had a fierce expression on his face, was spitting out all kinds of swear words in his mind. Holy shit! Damn it! These guys wont be able to destroy all the eggs! These damn bastards are no help, neither in their past lives nor now! The reason Hyang swore like this wasnt just because of the seriousness of the matter. If youre going to do something, you should have done it when the Sentai Shogun was behind! The reason Hyang spit out the swear word was because of a timing issue. * * * Even if something simr happened before the scent purified itself, the scent was less of a burden. Because Abama is here! Because Sejong was the final decision maker, Hyang, free from responsibility, was able toe up with bold ideas. Because the choice was King Sejongs, and he was also responsible. But now was a time when scent purified vicariously. Of course, because of the importance of the issue, King Sejong would make his own choice, but Hyang could not help but feel a huge burden. We cant dy Abamas departure to Shinji! I have no choice but toe to the forefront! The current situation is that Europe is moving faster than I knew! If you do something wrong, Ill give you a dog with porridge! Whoa~. Hyang sighed and concentrated as much as possible to sort out the situation. There is a high possibility that a civil war in Japan will break out faster than I remember! If my memory of what I saw back then is correct, the first loser of the Warring States Period was Ouchi! However, Ouchi was unable to maintain his power and the war was prolonged. And the Imjin War breaks out! then! * * * Whoa~. Hyang sighed again and opened her mouth. I will tell Soja Abama what Soja thinks. Please take into ount that this is the opinion of someone with limited experience. The introduction is uncharacteristically long for you. Go ahead and tell me. yes. At Sejongs urging, Hyang took a breath and opened her mouth. Soja agrees with the opinion that if a conflict breaks out in the Japanese Empire, the Daenae n is most likely to be the starting point. But I dont think Daenae will be the winner. The reason is? In response to Sejongs question, Hyang exined the reason. The reason is because Daenaes headquarters is too far from Kyoto. Hyang exined why it was difficult for Ouchi to take power and maintain it. -As I already said, the headquarters of the Daenae n and the capital where the Emperor is located are far away. -In Kyoto and its surroundings, the nobles of the imperial court who follow the Emperor are deeply and firmly established. Therefore, in order to stabilize the regime, the Daenae n must station a considerable number of troops in Gyeongdo. -Not only that, the Daenae n must dedicate additional troops to keep in check the feudal lords located between the Daenae ns headquarters and Kyoto. -A huge amount of finances are consumed to maintain the troops that must be maintained in the Gyeonggi Province, the troops that will check the lords between the Daenae ns stronghold and Kyoto, and the troops that will defend the Daenae ns stronghold itself. For this reason, Soja believes that in the dispute caused by the Daenae n, the Daenae n may be the initial winner, but the possibility of bing the final winner is low. Unless there is someones help. In response to Hyangs words, Sejong immediately asked a question. Are you talking about our Joseon Dynasty? Our Joseon is the second. The first ones will be the lords who will be training with Lady Daenae. The first thing thates to mind is Guju Tamje Won. Sejongs eyes sparkled at Hyangs words. Are you saying that we, Joseon, should not reveal as much as possible that we are assisting? There is no justification for Joseon to intervene openly, is there? King Sejong and all the ministers nodded at Hyangs point. I will first address the issue of whether Mr. Daenae is taking over the government of Waeguk. Next, I will tell you what we, Joseon, think is appropriate to do in case an internal dispute breaks out in the Japanese country. King Sejong and the ministers eyes sparkled at Hyangs words. Hyang took a breath and continued speaking. First of all, our Joseon policy is not to directly intervene even if an internal dispute breaks out in the Japanese country. The reason is for the reason I mentioned earlier. However, externally, we must make Tsushima Indpletely ours. If we were to be greedy, it would be nice if we could even make the silver g system our own, but since the silver g system has been with the history of the Japanese nation, there is a high risk of conflict. Tsumadora Hearing Hyangs remark, King Sejong and the ministers pondered Tsushima Ind. King Sejong, who had been pondering Tsushima Ind several times, looked back at his ministers. As soon as I ascended to the throne, the King conquered Tsushima Ind. At that time, the governor of Tsushima promised that he would quickly return to our Joseon, and our Joseon gave its personal trust to the governor of Tsushima. However, even after that, Tsushima Provinces dealings with our Joseon show a hint of treachery, so wouldnt this be a good opportunity? All the ministers agreed with King Sejongs words and went forward. Thats right. Until now, Tsushima Ind has been a thorn in our eyes. If a civil war breaks out in the Japanese country, we will have to save water and make it a full-fledged territory of Joseon. Ill buy it back. In the meantime, our Joseon military power has grown by leaps and bounds, so it is no longer difficult to subjugate Tsushima Ind. If a civil war breaks out in the Japanese country, we can make Tsushima Ind, which is simultaneously avable to both Joseon and the Japanese country, entirely our Joseons. Since all the ministers agreed, the Tsushima Ind subjugation proposal was passed right away. * * * But Sejongs eyes were fierce as he looked at the incense. I will ask the crown prince. Please ask. The first time I asked you, you didnt answer right away. The proposal you made regarding Tsushima Ind is a good one, but it is not worth the time spent on it. Tsk At Sejongs words, Hyang lowered her head and took a small sip of her mouth. The meaning of Sejongs words now was simple. -Is there something else? Release it quickly! I understand how Manager Jang Yeong-sil must have felt. It was Hyang who felt sympathy for Jang Yeong-sil, who was robbed of his attack whenever he got the chance. what. Because I was going to say it anyway. Hyang quickly gathered her emotions and continued speaking again. yes. Soja continued to worry when he heard about the possibility of a conflict breaking out in Japan. What was it? This is when the civil war was prolonged. For at least 100 years. When Hyang mentioned more than 100 years of civil war, Foreign Minister Heo Hu immediately raised a counterargument. Do you think the civil war willst 100 years? Then the lords of the Japanese kingdom will not know that only mutual annihtion will remain. Hwang Hee immediately refuted Heo Hus counterargument. Its not impossible. Havent we already had two emperors and fought each other for nearly 60 years? Heo Hu kept his mouth shut at Hwang Hees words. After Hwang Hee suppressed Heo Hus objection, King Sejong asked Hyang. Do you think that if a civil war breaks out in Japan, it will be a long-term war? wherefore? Its because of Ouchi. As I said before, with Ouchis abilities, it would be possible to overthrow the current shogunate. It would be impossible to keep that position after that. If we look at this from the perspective of other feudal lords, Ouchis rise to power will mean that the political shackles that have bound them so far will be lifted. And if Ouchi falls, after that I dont know if this example is appropriate, but the Spring and Autumn Warring States Period will unfold in the Japanese Empire. Spring and Autumn Warring States Period? Not a civil war, but the Warring States Period? yes. The reason is When Hyang was about to exin the reason, Sejong answered first. Is it because of the Emperor? Thats right. If you look at the current situation of the Japanese country, there arerge and small fiefdoms, but no fiefdom is so overwhelming that it can overwhelm them all. Ah King Sejong and the ministers all nodded at Hyangs exnation. King Sejong and his ministers were all well-versed in Confucianism and Chinese history. The moment the scent mentioned the Emperor, I could immediately understand why the Warring States Period came up. Hmm So, the current situation in the Japanese country can be seen as the situation before the Spring and Autumn Trophy or the Seven Heroes of the Warring States, so if a civil war breaks out, it is bound to be a long-term war? Thats right. It would be a long civil war, from the Spring and Autumn Battles to the Warring States Seven Heroes, until there was a final winner, such as Jin or Han. And the moment the winner emerges will be the moment when a crisis of ruines to our Joseon. * * * When Hyang brought up the words crisis of Pungjeon Lighting, there was a greatmotion in Daejeon. Surprisingly, the first to object to Hyangs remarks was Hwang Hee. Dont you think the crisis of wind lighting is too far-fetched? If we look at the current Joseon Dynasty, it is peaceful on the inside and the strength of its military on the outside is iparable. That peaceful band is the problem. yes? Hwang Hee just blinked with an expression that said she didnt really understand, and Hyang continued to exin further. Have you forgotten the prerequisites I mentioned? A long-term war of about 100 years. Looking at the current situation in our Joseon Dynasty, thanks to Abama Mas selection, the foundation has beenid for a generation of peace to continue for generations. If this long, peaceful period continues, where will it cken first? When we look at the history of the Central ins and our thaw. Hwang Hee thought for a moment about Hyangs question and then answered. Defense ising. Thats right. Conversely, lets consider the case of the Japanese country. What national policy was most important to the Central ins princes during the Warring States Period? It is a rich nation and strong military. Isnt it the same for Waeguk? King Sejong and the ministers all nodded at Hyangs point. As the exnation of the scent continued, the faces of King Sejong and the ministers became increasingly hard. As Hyang watched the reactions of King Sejong and the ministers, his voice gradually gained strength. What will happen when the final winner of such a period of war is determined? Tosagupang! He will look outward to ensure his own safety from the excessively bloated military power he has fostered and absorbed from those he has defeated. To take an example from the Central ins, Emperor Yang of Sui and Emperor Taizong of Tang attempted to unravel our country. Wouldnt it be the same for Waeguk? At Hyangs words, the air in Daejeon became extremely heavy. No one opened their mouths immediately to Hyangsst question. As King Sejong and his ministers were imagining the future progress ording to the prerequisites mentioned by Hyang, they heard the peoples screams in their ears and felt the fishy scent of blood in their noses. Hyang paused for a moment and had a solemn expression. I can guarantee your safety until I take power, or until Wan stays in his seat! The problem lies next! We must prepare as much as possible to ensure minimum safety! Chapter 485 Episode 485: Ouchi, Giant Soldier (3) Then do you think it is necessary to prevent conflict from breaking out in the country? Hyang immediately denied King Sejongs question. It is natural for conflict to break out in the Japanese country. It is reckless for North Korea to step forward to prevent this. Are you saying that it is heavens will for conflict to break out in the country? Thats right. This is because the Japanese king died before the oligarchy, which started with the pretext of appointing a child as the king of Japan and regent, couldy its foundation. I tell you again, the shackles have been lifted. King Sejong and the ministers all nodded at Hyangs answer. * * * The Japanese shogunate was very simr in nature to its predecessor, the military regime of Goryeo. Japan was ruled by the generals of the shogunate, with a monarch whose only name was the Emperor. In order for this political system to work properly, the general, the head of the shogunate, had to be able to properly control his subordinates. This was properly observed until the previous general, Ashikaga Yoshinori. Therefore, the Ming and Joseon Dynasties were in a situation where they recognized and treated the generals of the shogunate as leaders of Japan, using the title King of Japan. However, if the head of the regime was a child rather than an adult who had properly studied kingship and had proven abilities, the regime would be shaken from its very foundation. Of course, regents existed in both the East and the West to maintain the system in such situations. The problem was that the regent, who acted on behalf of power, turned the monarch into a scarecrow, or if the nobles or subjects under him were strong, problems arose. An armed struggle was taking ce to seize the supreme power that had disappeared. The most stark example was the period of chaos in Goryeo that urred after the Musin Rebellion. Looking further back, there was a power struggle between noble families that took ce in thete Han Dynasty. Because of this historical fact, King Sejong and the ministers agreed with Hyangs words, It cannot be stopped. * * * It is inevitable that the lords of the Japanese kingdom will rise up against the shogunate. The problem is that the resulting conflict will lead to a long-term war. Is this what worries you? Hyang bowed her head in response to Sejongs question. Yes thats right. In response to Hyangs short but firm reply, King Sejong stroked his beard and was lost in thought. Hmm Sejong, who had been quietly thinking for a while with his mouth shut, asked Hyang how much he had finished organizing his thoughts. I will ask the crown prince. Please ask. If we were to synthesize the situation ording to your opinion and think of a n ordingly. It is inevitable that a conflict will break out, so the best policy is to keep this conflict as short as possible. Is that correct? If its too short, its a problem. If a dispute is resolved in too short a time, the winner may overestimate his or her capabilities and do something reckless. Something reckless? Invading our Joseon? yes. Anyone can see that the Ming Dynasty is a great country and cannot be attacked carelessly, but that is not the case with our Joseon Dynasty. He is like that too. Sejong nodded at Hyangs answer. At that time, Hwang Hee joined the conversation. Given Daenaes capabilities, I think the short-term settlement that the crown prince was worried about is unreasonable. After Hwang Hee finished speaking, Hyang pointed out what Hwang Hee had missed. I guess so. Although the Daenae n controls almost 1/3 of Kyushu and 1/4 of the main ind, they do not have a good rtionship with most of the Japanese lords except the Emperor of Kuju. What I am worried about is the long gun unit and artillery unit operated by Mr. Daenae. Compared to our Joseon Dynasty, it is nothing more than a bloodshed, but considering the situation in Japan, it is a power that can bring unexpected results. Minister of Foreign Affairs Heo Hu opened his mouth in response to Hyangs point. Then how about supporting the shogunate with Iijeis n? Hyang shook his head at Heo Hus suggestion. Not good. If that happens, your rtionship with Daenae will be strained. Then, we will lose the bridgehead we worked so hard to build in the Japanese country. Of course, you will apply in secret, but you must expect that you will be found out. And if you make even the slightest mistake, the n will end up in a long game. And in the case of the shogunate, even if we do not provide support, support wille from other sources. Sejong intervened in Hyangs words. Are you talking about names? Hyang gave a short answer to Sejongs question. yes. Sejong, who took a moment to summarize the situation in response to Hyang, nodded. I guess so. The current shogunate is close to the Ming, but the Daenae n is closer to our Joseon Dynasty. It would be natural for an emperor to support the shogunate. It would be helpful for the Ming Dynasty to keep Joseon in check. Thats right. * * * Looking at the current situation between Japan and Ming Joseon, there was fiercepetition between Ming and Joseon for the Japanese market. And the shogunate was more inclined towards Ming. Of course, the Japanese who actually consumed the products preferred Joseon-made products, but as the Daenae n and Joseon maintained a close rtionship, the shogunate became closer to the Ming. Ever since our country was founded, the Ming Dynasty has kept our country in check. We, Joseon, have avoided conflict by following the example of the four major powers, so things have been okay so far, but I am not sure that will be the case in the future. That is why it is not easy for Joseon to let go of the Daenae n. This is because our country does not have the capacity to deploy two fronts simultaneously. Of course, qualitatively our Joseon soldiers are the strongest, but they are inferior in numbers. When Hyang pointed out the reality, the expressions of King Sejong and the ministers becameplicated. As Hyang said, the military power of Tanggeum Joseon was the strongest since the founding of the country. The Joseon Navy controlled the sea between the Ming Dynasty and the Japanese Joseon Dynasty, and the Land Navy was a force that instilled fear in the Jurchen tribe. However, if we look at quantity rather than quality, the strongest among the three kingdoms of Ming and Joseon was Ming. The only country that could fight on two fronts and win in a regr war, not at the level of a border dispute, was the United States during World War II? Even if there was a time difference. Hyang continued to grumble internally. Its not like that country was called Cheatki! * * * Isnt it okay if our Joseon Dynasty continues to follow the example of the four great powers? Hwang Hee refuted Heo Hus words. If therees a time when the four major powers be unnecessary for our Joseon Dynasty, what will we do then? Heo Hu kept his mouth shut at Hwang Hees point. Heo Hu also knew the situation well to some extent. Now Joseon was continuing to develop. Commerce and industry were developing in proportion to the expansion of the river area, and the number of people from the Yi tribe returning to Joseon continued to increase. If the current situation continued, it was considered impossible to liquidate the Ming Dynastys four generations, but it would soon be possible to establish an external king. * * * When the four worlds be unnecessary. When Hwang Hees remark came out, the atmosphere in Daejeon stirred for a moment and then calmed down. Everyone was making simr judgments as Heo Hu, and the important thing now was not that issue, but the country of Japan. In the end, King Sejong came forward again and settled the situation. Hmm. To sum it up, Daenae may produce unexpected results. If that happens, Daenae may be overconfident and make the wrong decision. We will support the Ming shogunate to prevent the three Daenae ns from taking over the Japanese government. Is that correct? Thats right. In response to Hyangs answer, Sejong asked again. If the situation in Japan is going that way, then Joseon should also support the Daenae n, right? Thats right. However. But I cant provide support openly. At best, itll be gunpowder and medicine, right? Hyang nodded because what Sejong said after interrupting her was the correct answer. Thats right. And if you think about the emperors temperament, Ming would be simr. King Sejong and the ministers all nodded at Hyangs words. It was Emperor Seondeok who went through all kinds of hardships to restore the finances that had been damaged by the frequent conquests of Emperor Yeongnak. Therefore, Emperor Seondeok would never provide direct military support. Hyang continued speaking. The only time our country takes direct action is when it seeks Tsushima Ind. Of course, if harm were toe to our Korean people in Japan, things would be different. Sejong nodded at Hyangs words. Thats right. But thats it. If various conditions, including Ming support, ovep, the power of the Daenae n and the shogunate be equal, and it bes clear that we will end up in a long-term war that should be most avoided, what will you do? When that timees, we need to provide more active support. Actively? Are you suggesting that we deploy Joseons military as well? no. We need to bring in mercenaries. When the word mercenary came out, Daejeon was once again in a state ofmotion. A mercenary? You want to buy soldiers and provide them with money? Thats right. Of course, it is not Joseon that supplies the goods externally, but rather the merchants of Joseon fulfill Daenaes demands. It seems like a good idea, but the problem is where are you going to get those mercenaries? There are aftershocks nearby, and there are west coasts in the distance. West Station? When an unexpected being appeared, the eyes of King Sejong and his ministers opened wide. Hyang smiled slightly at the reaction of King Sejong and the ministers and added. Yes, looking at the current situation in Europe, it seems quite possible. * * * As medieval feudalism copsed, the scale of war gradually expanded. It was a natural result that as the scale of the war grew, more manpower was needed. The problem was that the soldiers who were forcibly conscripted were of very poor quality. Another problem was that the poption had decreased significantly due to the ck Death. There was a shortage of manpower to maintain ones own manor, so conscripting men for war was a problem that would cause more harm than good. In this situation, those who gradually began to stand out were mercenaries. The children of nobility and the unemployed in the city, who did not have the same inheritance rights as the second and third sons, became mercenaries and entered the battlefield. In addition, people in areas where it was difficult to make a living due to the harsh nature, like the famous Swiss mercenaries, also chose mercenaries as a career. And these mercenaries were making money here and there in Europe, including Italy. The scent was focused on this aspect. * * * Hes a mercenary Its okay. After hearing the exnation of the scent, King Sejong soon made a decision. Let the Prime Minister, the Minister of National Defense, and the Minister of Finance and Economy prepare for this. I follow your orders. After sorting out the measures to be taken in case Daenae n needs support, King Sejong asked Hyang again. I will ask the crown prince again. Yes Abama. If Mr. Daenae takes power in the Japanese government as we expect, what will happen after that? Or, to be precise, what effect will it have on our Joseon? There may be several cases. However, if we think about it in rtion to our Joseon Dynasty, the best thing is for the Daenae n, who came to power, to act in the same way as the shogunate that has been in power until now. Then, except that the owner of the shogunate has changed, almost nothing has changed, and Daenae is close to our Joseon Dynasty. Sejong, who was nodding at Hyangs words, asked again. Then what is the next best option? There is no second best, they are all the worst. Its hard topete with severity. huh? Chapter 486 Episode 486: Ouchi, Giant Soldier (4) Crown. What you just said is too vague in meaning. What you just said was limited to the case where Mr. Daenae took power? Or are you looking at it broadly? Hyang immediately bowed her head in response to Sejongs question. sorry. I had so many thoughts in my head that I couldnt properly organize them before I spoke. Its not for nothing that the phrase too much is too little is too little came out. Then I will ask you one question at a time. Will the current shogunate remain in power? Are you sure its impossible? The only difference is whether it copses right away or holds on a little longer before copsing, but it is certain that it will copse. Is it too vague? That little bit could be 100 years or 1,000 years. The shortest time is 10 years, the long time is 30 years. Why are you so sure? Because the child newly crowned king of Japan will seek to regain his power when hees of age. The power that needs to be regained also includes the issue of session. Therefore, it will notst longer than 30 years at most. Hyang predicted the time in a firm voice. * * * Interestingly enough, Hyang knew very little about Japanese history. The history of Japan he knew was rted to national history C specifically, rted to the CSAT. In short, the analysis of Japan was conducted almost from a nk te, but the analysis of the fragrance was urate. One of the reasons for the outbreak of the Onin Rebellion, which is said to be the beginning of the Warring States Period in history before the intervention of the township, was the question of who would be chosen as Ashikaga Yoshimasas sessor. * * * As short as 10 years, as long as 30 years. Sejong, who was pondering Hyangs firm answer, soon nodded. It is a reasonable answer. And it is most likely that the conflict will start with the Daenae n, and the struggle is likely to be a proxy war between our Joseon Dynasty and our name. I understand up to this point. The ministers also nodded to Sejongs arrangement. After checking the reactions of the ministers, King Sejong asked Hyang again. Then is this what you meant by what you just said? Is it correct to understand that even if Mr. Daenae bes the new king of Japan, it would be the worst if he made a different move?? Thats right. The reason is? When King Sejong asked the reason, all the ministers pricked up their ears. The officers and clerks also focused on Hyangs remarks with excited expressions. Hyang immediately began to answer Sejongs question. It was a shallow opinion, but I was able to think of various cases. And they all had amon cause, and the results were all terrible. When Hyangs words seemed to be getting longer, Sejong stepped forward and scolded her. The introduction is getting longer again. But its amon cause Sejong paused for a moment, thought deeply about something, and asked Hyang. Are you talking about the Emperor? In response to Sejongs question, Hyang immediately nodded his head. Thats right. Hwang Hee intervened in Hyangs answer. The Emperor His name is grandiose, but hasnt he been a scarecrow since before thest civil war? The ministers nodded to Hwang Hees point. At that time, Kim Jong-seo joined the conversation. Although it is a symbol, I think its existence cannot be ignored. The crown prince said that the current situation in the Japanese country is simr to the Spring and Autumn Period, and if you think about it based on this, it is problematic enough. why? Kim Jong-seo answered Hwang Hees question. What is the Chunqiu group aiming for? It was the head of the association. It is literally a ce where one knows everything, but all people know. Couldnt that position already be reced by a general from the shogunate? Hwang Hee fiercely targeted Kim Jong Seos gap. Because of this, Kim Jong-seo cursed in his mind. You damn old man! Why are you so upset that you cant just eat me! However, Hwang Hee had his own ulterior motives. When the crown prince ascends to the throne, that bastard will upy one of the rooms in the prime ministers office! Only by training properly can we run the right government together with the crown prince! Let the Minister of General Affairs exin properly! hurry! Kim Jong-seo, who was desperately rolling his head at Hwang Hees urging, suddenly opened his eyes wide and looked at the incense. Could it be that you had John Wangyang in mind? Hyang nodded to Kim Jong-seos question. Thats right. * * * Hyang responded, but the inside of Daejeon was surprisingly quiet. King Sejong and the ministers kept their mouths shut and shook their heads furiously. Why John Wang? Why is John Wang talking about thousands of years ago? Its King John. King John. While Hyang and Kim Jong-seo were pondering the connection between King John and the political situation of the Japanese country, Hyang asked Kim Jong-seo a question. Why does the Minister of General Affairs think Miss John Wang is a problem? The problem is with General Jeongi, one of the titles held by the generals of the shogunate. Minister of Foreign Affairs Heo Hu intervened in Kim Jong-seos answer. Why General Jeongi? Isnt the reason why that title was created because of the subjugation of indigenous forces who rebelled against the emperor in the northern part of the Japanese capital? Kim Jong-seo answered Heo Hus question. Of course it started like that. The problem is that Daeseoldo is the ce where the indigenous forces who opposed it were pushed out. ah! If you look at it properly, it would be urate to say that it is not something that was pushed out and settled down, but that it has the same original roots. After pausing for a moment to catch his breath, Kim Jong-seo spoke to King Sejong. This is what Soshin thinks. Kim Jong-seos opinion was as follows. -When looking at the history of ancient and modern times, those who came to power through force realize the need to reorganize their military power, which has grown sorge that it threatens their power. In other words, Tosagupin is needed. -For this purpose, the existence of Daeseoldo could be the best answer for the Japanese country in attempting an active foreign expedition. For this reason, if Daenae n cares about Tosagupeng, he will try to use the title of Great General Jeongi to promote Daeseoldo. Hwang Hee shook her head with an expression of bewilderment at Kim Jong-seos answer. If you are Mr. Daenae, you know very well the power of our Joseon Dynasty. Would you do such a foolish thing? Just as Kim Jong-seo was about to respond to Hwang Hees point, Kim Jeom intervened. I think its possible. why? As long as our Joseon Dynasty does not attack the main ind, the Daenae n will not lose anything. If things go well, you will have the opportunity to escape the eyes of Joseon and develop your skills, and if things go wrong, you will be able to erode the power of the lords who are a thorn in your side. This time, Jo Mal-saeng reacted to Kim Jeoms words. If something like that happens, our Joseon army will hit the main ind right away. Because that is the essence of military strategy. Daenae is foolish to think that our Joseon Dynasty will not attack the main ind just by looking at Daeseoldo. It would be the female leader who invades the main ind and scolds the Japanese. But after invading the main ind like that, do you have the power to suppress all the lords who will rise up and maintain control? What about finances? Jo Mal-saeng immediately answered Kim Jeoms question. Isnt it okay to just choose the right person and make him a puppet? The puppet chosen like that needs support to build up the power to rule the Japanese country properly, but have you thought about the finances that will be consumed in the process? In another case, what would you do if the puppet you raised rebelled against our Joseon Dynasty? What will you do if they attack our country with the guns and artillery that our country gave you? . Jo Mal-saeng kept his mouth shut at Kim Jeoms point. Meanwhile. Hyang, who was listening to the conversation between Kim Jeom and Jo Mal-saeng, gaped. uh? I didnt think of that either? When the story came up that I hadnt even thought of, I was left speechless, but soon nodded. Well, there have been more than a few cases of nosebleeds after setting up a puppet government like that. There is the UK, France, the Soviet Union, the US, and China Wait? Even though it is a country that has the reputation of being a great power, there is no country that has not experienced something like that? While Hyang was thinking like that, Kim Jeom shared his thoughts with King Sejong. Considering the cunning nature of the Japanese, Ms. Daenae would carry out political maneuvers as well as actually doing them. This incident was carried out by people who are hostile to the shogunate. Our shogunate has nothing to do with this matter. If we make excuses like this, our Joseon Dynasty will have no justification to attack the main ind. If you ignore this and attack the main ind, you will actually be giving justification to the shogunate. Right. To put it simply, if things happen like that, will it be the realm of politics rather than the military? Thats right. If that happens, nothing good will happen to our Joseon Dynasty, starting with the war preparations used by the troops to be deployed to Daeseol Ind. At Kim Jeoms words, Sejong looked at the incense. This is a bad thing for our Joseon. But isnt it enough to see it as the worst? In response to Sejongs question, Hyang exined the reason. Yang is not a small problem, but King John is an even bigger problem. King John? Please consider the Japanese people who came to Joseon and learned and experienced proper academic and administrative practices. King Sejong and the ministers closed their mouths and were lost in thought after hearing the detailed exnation of the incense. And soon after, both King Sejong and the ministers began swearing. Holy shit! Is this such a damn thing! * * * After the storm of swearing had passed, Sejong opened his mouth. Let me tell you. Sejong began to say what he thought. -The Japanese who came to Joseon learned the concept of royal politics and even learned practical skills. -In the process, they realized the benefits of centralization and would try to reform Japans decentralized politics. -The reason for the reform is King John. -The question that arises in this process will be Who is the king? -If you look closely, Daenae is the king, and if you look from a distance, she is the emperor. C Following the example of the Revolutionary Revolution that changed Goryeo to Joseon, there is a high possibility that an attempt will ur to depose the emperor and make the Daenae n the true king of Japan. -if. If that actually happens, Japan will once again enter a long civil war. -Conversely, if you think of the Emperor as a King, the case can be divided into two. One is to consider the Daenae n as the loser of the Spring and Autumn Period. The other is when Daenai demands that power be returned to the Emperor. -The former is the best case ording to the scent. If its thetter, I wouldnt move right now. But if you look far away and move under the water, it will be a big problemter. Thats right. The ministers all nodded at Sejongs judgment. Although it is now a long time ago, all the ministers gathered in Daejeon were well-versed in Neo-Confucianism. In addition, they were already in charge of the process ofpleting the centralized political system. Thanks to this, the ministers understood the meaning and danger of the King John mentioned by Hyang and uttered abusivenguage. Hyang, who was answering King Sejongs theory and observing the reactions of the ministers, muttered to himself. The motto raised at the start of the Meiji Restoration was Jonwangyang, right? At the beginning, its John, and in the middle, its the end. Sejong, who nodded his head in Hyangs affirmation, continued speaking. If our descendants are unable to judge properly when their movements surface, a great crisis will arise. Chapter 487 Episode 487 Ouchi, Giant Soldier (5) Thats right. The Japanese are cunning and shady by nature, and they often take away what others have through violence. If you let your guard down even a little, you will immediately reveal your evil nature. The problem is that as the current era of peace continues for generations, the boundaries of our Joseon Dynasty are loosening. Ill buy it back. We must not forget Yubi, Muhwan, and legite that Sangmu (the martial arts) is as important as Sangmun (). As soon as King Sejong finished speaking, the ministers criticized the Japanese as if they had been waiting and even came up with their own measures. * * * Hyang, who saw all of this, once again made a bewildered expression. what? What is this incredible analytical power? What is this quick judgment about? Hyang cried out inwardly as he saw the situation where various measures were suddenly taken. no! The previous era was going so well, but why is it like this in the year of Imjin? Why is that so? It was a scent that made me angry as I recalled the actions taken by Joseon on the eve of the Japanese invasions of Korea in the history I learned in the 21st century. * * * But there was something the scent overlooked. First, unlike the Japanese Invasion of Korea during the Japanese invasions of Korea, the threat from the Japanese nation now is a fatal threat that can be felt with the body. Until the end of the Goryeo Dynasty and the early Joseon Dynasty, Japanese pirates, to be precise, were a feared entity. Not only the coastal areas of the Korean penins but also the ind areas were robbed by Japanese pirates, resulting in enormous loss of life and economic loss. It was through victory over Japanese pirates that Yi Seong-gye, who founded Joseon, established his position. The people who were born and raised during this period of suffering from Japanese pirates were the ministers who now sit in the government. Because of this, their wariness toward the Japanese nation never dulled. This was the reason why Hyang supported the idea of installing a superior in the Japanese government. In addition to the economic aspect, it is possible to understand the Japanese situation more quickly and urately. Second, the Joseon Dynasty government did not just sit back and do nothing during the Japanese invasions of Korea. King Seonjos government also sensed the threat of invasion by the Japanese Empire and was constantly preparing for it. However, the military crisis that King Seonjos court faced was not only the Japanese kingdom. At that time, Nurhaci was rapidly increasing his power in the north. ording to Ijeis n, Nurhachi, who received support from Yi Seong-ryang of the Ming Dynasty, was gradually expanding its power. From Joseons perspective, two front lines were suddenly created, and Joseon had to choose which side to ce more weight on. Here, Joseons choice was the north. Until the Sampo Invasion and the Eulmyo Invasion, the Japanese invasions were intermittent and the damage was only tolerable. Of course, this was the courts decision, and the people who were directly affected shed tears of blood. However, the Jurchen tribe in the north constantly harassed Joseon. In such a situation, a powerful being named Nurhaci appeared. In this situation, Joseon ced its weight on the north. The Japanese country had a natural great castle called the sea, but the north had nothing like that. Of course, the focus was on the north, but the south was not forgotten. -The best way to stop the Japanese army is to stop them at sea. ording to this decision, new generals whose abilities were recognized were appointed asmanders of the naval forces in the Samnam region. The problem was that one of the generals was the best cheat key, but the other one was a self-destruct key that was more than enough to ruin all the boards. Lastly, what Hyang overlooked were the people currently running the court. It was true that everyone, starting with the monarch, Sejong, and all the ministers were fraudsters with unprecedented abilities. Even in history before the intervention of Hyang, this was a time when so many talented people were gathered that the King Yeongjo and Jeongjo eras, which led the Joseon Dynastys Renaissance era, were evaluated to pale inparison. * * * King Sejong, who was in the middle of discussing measures with the ministers, cleared his throat when he saw that the scent was just blinking. greatness! Huh! I will ask the crown prince. Is this fathers opinion wrong? In response to Sejongs question, Hyang immediately bowed her head and answered. no! On the contrary, I felt keenly that the depth of Xiao Tzus thoughts was shallow! Sejong smiled slightly at Hyangs words and began to hint. I know your abilities, but its absurd that youre shallow. Please tell me what you think. I want to hear it. The ministers grumbled inwardly at Sejongs words. Its started again! Proud of your child! Its surprising that John Wang found the problem with just one person, but bragging about your child is a bit If you make a mistake, youll have to listen to Zen questions between father and son again. Hyang, perhaps knowing the inner thoughts of the ministers, took a breath and opened his mouth. Abamama has already said most of what Soja thought of. However, there are a few things that are slightly different, one of which is the issue of handling feudal lords. Those of us who studied Neo-Confucianism and public administration in Joseon would regard that feudal dynasty as the first thing to be eliminated or tied down. Do you think we will proceed with the same thing as the private army revolution that our previous kings promoted? If we do something wrong, there will be a bacsh and a civil war will break out again. Hyang immediately agreed to Sejongs point. Thats right. Therefore, from now on, I will refer to them as the study abroad group. The Confucian faction will actively try to operate the Gin system in order to solidify the power of the Daenae n. Of course, we are already operating a system called attendance shift, but it will be operated in a morepulsory manner. And we will try to make the monarchs of each province and the warriors under them into schrs rather than warriors. And for this purpose, we will actively utilize Neo-Confucianism. And in the end. Abandonment of the n? Hyang, who paused for a moment at Sejongs short question, immediately nodded. Thats right. The ministers looked dumbfounded at Hyangs affirmation, but soon began to carefully consider the situation. No, how can it get past the discontinued version? No, no. Its quite possible. Didnt our Joseon Dynasty also do various things, starting with the revolution of private armies, to kill the power of local barons that had continued since the old Three Han Dynasty? If the Confucian schrs follow our Joseon system, there is a good chance. Meanwhile, Hyang continued to exin. This is where Sojas thoughts differ from Abamamas regarding the King John. If the Daenae nes to power, the Confucian faction will be active at the center of power. The point is that they no longer have to worry about the Emperor. Rather, in order to make the Emperor a true symbol in name and reality, the Emperors court will be absorbed under the Daenai n or eliminated. King Sejong and the ministers nodded at Hyangs words. Because that was the ecology of politics. Hwang Hee opened her mouth in response to Hyangs remarks. If that happens, Neo-Confucianism spread through Confucian schrs will be a tool for new political struggle. The nobles and feudal lords who were pushed out in the power struggle will use Neo-Confucianism to attack Daenae n. Of course, not right now, but Im talking about it. Hyang nodded at Hwang Hees point. Thats right. And the Confucianists wille up with various correct opinions to block that attack. To put it simply, the sh between Hungu and Sarim will take ce in Japan! * * * Interestingly, something simr happened in history before the intervention of incense. Neo-Confucianism, which was spread in earnest through Joseon writers such as Kang Hang, who was taken prisoner during the Japanese invasions of Korea, was the starting point of the incident. Those who were opposed to the Tokugawa shogunate argued for the return of the government based on Neo-Confucian theory, while schrs who supported the shogunate refuted this by advocating the union of government and government. Through a fierce struggle, the restoration of the throne and the monarchy were achieved, followed by the Meiji Restoration. It was the birth of imperialist Japan and the beginning of Joseons tragedy. * * * Ultimately, if this situation continues, it is certain that the political situation in the Japanese country will be unstable. In order to stabilize this situation or those newly in power will look outside to resolve their grievances, this will pose a threat to our Joseon. Thats why I said it was the worst oue. When Hyang finished speaking, King Sejong and the ministers all nodded. I think the crown princes thoughts are reasonable, but what do you think? Hwang Hee came forward and answered King Sejongs question. It is indeed so. I understand why it is best to follow the old ways even if Mr. Daenae takes power. But it seems easier to have the worst oue than the best oue. Lets discuss measures to address this. In response to King Sejongs words, the ministers expressed various opinions. There was a lot of debate, but the conclusion was surprisingly simple. -Internally, we continue to pursue a strong national and strong military, and externally, we are constantly on guard. After hearing the conclusion, King Sejong took a small sip of his appetite. Tsk. It is the most standard answer, but I dont think there is any other best answer. Thats right. This is the best method internally, but what should we do externally? Ah, Myeong is a difficult opponent to deal with, so lets just think about the country of Japan. Hwang Hee immediately answered King Sejongs question. It is almost certain that Mr. Daenae will do something, so we must help Ms. Daenae to properly take power. Of course, in this regard, it is best to follow the policy decided earlier, and the problem is to ensure that Mr. Daenae, who has been chosen in this way, can maintain power for a long time. Is there a better way? They are taking advantage of those who studied abroad. The students who studied abroad in Hanseong and those who returned to Japan are taking advantage of the connection they have. Of course, practical help or interference may cause opposition from Ms. Daenae, so advice would be the best. Sejongs eyes sparkled at Hwang Hees answer. advice? What advice would you give? Hwang Hee answered King Sejongs question right away. The best thing is transferring the capital. I was repeatedly amazed at Hwang Hees answer. I heard that old ginger is spicy! Indeed, Captain Hwang Hee! * * * While these concerns were going on in Joseon, a war of words was also taking ce in the Ouchi family in Kyushu. My lord! You have to raise troops! No! Its still too early! The time will soone when those in Kyoto will be so blinded by greed that they will lose power! You muste back for consultation by then! It had already been a while since the document was delivered that Ashikaga Yoshimasa, an 8-year-old child, had be shogun, seeding Ashikaga Yoshikatsu, who had died of illness. -All Shugo daimyos and lords muste to Kyoto immediately. And not long ago, an order to attend Kyoto was delivered. From this point on, a war of words began. Those who advocated raising armies were mostly young officials who returned from studying abroad in Joseon and military officers of simr age. -This appointment as shogun is the result of the merger of the seven families of Kyoto! It is impossible to ept this as it is an obscene act created by the greed for power and tyranny! We must immediately raise troops to drive them out and establish a proper shogun! The political views advanced by the Geobyeong faction were gaining more and more strength, but the opposing faction continued to insist on the non-violence. -I still dont have enough strength! -The justification is weak! We have to wait until they make an even bigger mistake! This was the oppositions argument. In the end, Mochiyo Ouchi, who had been pondering over and over again, visited Morimi, the previous head of the family, and had a private chat. Mochiyo, who returned after an all-night secret talk, dered to his vassals: Raise your sword! It was the beginning of a war. Chapter 488 Episode 488: Picking the pockets. (1) Five days after Ouchi raised his army, an urgent report arrived in Hanseong. However, the atmosphere in Hanseong where I received the urgent news was truly unexpected. Mr. Daenae has finally raised his soldiers. Is that so? Both the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who received the urgent information and reported it, and King Sejong, who heard the news, had quite expressions on their faces. This is not unexpected, so please respond based on the n established in advance. I follow your orders. Sejong ordered a response with a grave expression and moved on. But how many soldiers did Daenae mobilize for this incident? There are 6,000. Six thousand? In response to Minister of Foreign Affairs Heo Hus answer, not only King Sejong but also the other ministers expressions changed. Six thousand? That much? While the Geunjeongjeon Hall was inmotion, Hwang Hee asked Heo Hu. Out of the 6,000, how many longitudes did you send? There are 6,000 soldiers sent to Gyeongdo alone. her! Wow! The ministers looked astonished at Heo Hus answer. Hwang Hee spoke, representing the feelings of the ministers. It seems like Daenae is being overly greedy. ording to thest investigation, the total number of soldiers owned by Daenae is 8,000, but 6,000 of them are that was unreasonable. Most of the ministers nodded at Hwang Hees words. King Sejong also expressed his agreement with the ministers words. I also think the same. Although the Daenae n has umted a lot of wealth by trading with Joseon and developing silver mines together, it is only a feudal dynasty. If I do this wrong, I wont be able to achieve even three worlds, right? The ministers all nodded at Sejongs point. Thats right. Maybe we will have to start all over again. * * * The military was a group that consumed a huge budget. Therefore, Joseon had to think repeatedly and use all kinds of tricks to expand its military budget without putting as much strain on its finances as possible. Because he went through such hardships, King Sejong and the ministers thought that Ouchi was being reckless. Of course, an army of 6,000 people could be considered very small in terms of its ability to influence the fate of a nation. However, considering that the size of the army mobilized for the conquest of Liaodong promoted by Choi Yeong at the end of the Goryeo Dynasty was about 50,000, of which the main force was about 38,000, it was definitely not a small number for Ouchi, who was just a feudal dynasty, to mobilize 6,000 men. . * * * When King Sejong and most of the ministers were thinking that this was recklessness, Kim Jong-seo raised a counterargument. Maybe its not Man Yong. Sejongs eyes lit up at Kim Jong-seos rebuttal. Isnt this just for mans use? Is there any basis for saying that? In response to Sejongs question, Kim Jong-seo exined the basis for his thoughts. -When I went there as an emissary in the past, it seemed like Daenae was already nning this incident. -Also, the size of the territory that the Daenae n directly controls is quiterge, but the number and size of the territories that it controls as a dependent territory are also not small. As the Minister of Foreign Affairs knows, the territories under the control of the Daenae n include most of the Chinese region of the Japanese Empire and one-third of the European region. At this rate, 6,000 people can serve as a kind of priming water. Its a priming water. King Sejong, who had pondered Kim Jong-seos answer several times, looked back at the ministers. We are already well aware of the bad rtionship between the Daenae n and the shogunate, and if the area covered by the Daenae n is sorge, there is a significant possibility that it is not Manyong. Listen to the sutras. Considering all these circumstances, please refrain from predicting that Daenaes uprising will fail. Pay attention to the situation going on in the Japanese country and respond appropriately to changes, but avoid only making mistakes. I follow your orders. After sorting out the issues rted to the Japanese Empire, King Sejong moved on. Listen to the scriptures. Having observed the Crown Princes proxy affairs, I have confirmed that the Crown Princes abilities are notcking. Now, I n to entrust all approval rights in the areas of national defense and diplomacy to the crown prince. Hwang Hee immediately asked King Sejongs deration. Have you decided on a Zen position? Not right now, but when I leave for Shinji. In response to King Sejongs response, the ministers kept their mouths shut and settled the situation. Of course, the Crown Princes abilities are notcking, but I guess he still has no experience When it was time for the Hyang to decide everything, the ministers became anxious again. In the end, Hwang Hee spoke to King Sejong on behalf of the ministers. It is no secret that the crown princes abilities are abundant, but diplomacy and national defense require mastery. Isnt it still too early? Isnt that maturity something you build up by going through things? And its too early Dont you think about doing practical work in Shinji while looking for the right time? Haona. Have you forgotten what the crown prince said about this Japanese affair? Have you just forgotten that mind-blowing dream? That is not true. In my view, worrying about the crown princes immaturity is just unfounded. Continuing to oppose it will be seen as catching the wrong person. At King Sejongs final warning, Hwang Hee immediately bowed her head. I honor the sacred ground. And when Hyang received this news, he let out a long sigh. Whoa~. The good days are gone! * * * Sejong, who had handed over all matters to Hyang, began preparing to go to Shinji in earnest. From morning to evening, officials and officials visited Gangnyeongjeon with documents rted to Shinji. And sometimes, ministers of each ministry were also called to King Sejong. Every time the ministers were called to Gangnyeongjeon, loud noises arose from Gangnyeongjeon. How on earth do you work! I apologize! If you know youre sorry, shouldnt you make something to apologize for? Please kill me! Shall I kill you? Please save me! What the hell! Have all the experiences gained as Joseons territory expanded after Gyeongjang have been lost to each other? Why is this such a mess! In response to King Sejongs reprimand, the ministers had nothing else to do but bow their heads. This was because there was nothing wrong with what King Sejong said. In the process of Joseons territorial expansion, which began with the colonization of the military, the military was not the only one responsible for everything. Other ministries also stepped in and took on all sorts of tasks, assimting the newly acquired terra incognita into Joseons own. However, in the process of exploring Shinji, he was unable to properly utilize the experience he had umted, and was scolded by King Sejong. I know very well that Shinjisnd isrger than expected! But didnt all thatnd belong to Joseon right now? Have you forgotten the saying, A cow starts a thousand miles away? Or have you forgotten the past and bezy in that short period of time? I will correct it immediately! Do it right! What the hell! Tsk! The ministers who retreated after being attacked by King Sejong screamed as soon as they entered the entrance to the government office. From vice ministers to secretaries and above! Come to my room! Right Now! Why do I have to listen to that tongue-clicking sound again at this age? A bout of agonizing rage continued. * * * While the daily life of Joseon was continuing in its own peaceful way, an envoy from Ouchi visited Joseon. The messenger who visited Gyeongbokgung Pce politely bowed to King Sejong. Yes, I heard that Daenae had an ambassador. Is Gaju safe? When King Sejong, who received the courtesy, asked about the well-being of the head of the family, the lion responded by bowing his head. My lord, may you be blessed. I am truly grateful that Your Majesty cares so much. is it? The most important thing in continuing the line is that the family head, which is the root, stands firmly. Please tell me that I wish you all the best. I am devastated. After giving his well-wishes, King Sejong got to the point. So, what does Mr. Daenae want from Joseon that he sent you to? Yes, we need Joseons help to seed in this great cause. We need help from Joseon? Hmm. King Sejong thought for a moment and answered the messenger. The crown prince is currently acting as a proxy, so lets discuss this with him. yes? King Sejong gave a short reply to the lions failure to properly understand what he was saying. The crown princes will is my will. So, lets talk with the crown prince. So King Sejong handed over the work to Hyang. * * * Hyang, who received the lion from King Sejong, immediately came face to face with the lion. You said you need help from Joseon? Could it be that Daenaes situation has gotten worse? When asked about the fragrance, the lion hurriedly shook his head. Oh no! Even now, the odds are overwhelmingly favorable to us, Ouchi! Soon we will be able to subdue most of the Kinki region! Hyang snorted inwardly at the lions answer. joy! Is it going to be a year soon? * * * The news sent from the Joseon superior in Naniwa (Osakas old name) was slightly different from what the messenger said. Although Ouchis army was steadily winning and expanding its power, the shogunate army was also holding on tenaciously. -It is expected that it will take at least a year for the Daenae n topletely take control of the Geungi region (Kyoto, Osaka, Shiga, Hyogo, Nara, Wakayama, and Mie regions). This was intelligence sent from Naniwas superior in Joseon, and it was the reason Hyang snorted inwardly. * * * So, things are going so well, so why do we need Joseons help? When asked about the scent, the lion quietly smiled. Thanks to the brave fighting of the generals and soldiers under your lordship and the blessings of heaven Get to the point. When Hyang stopped speaking, the lion, who paused for a moment, got to the point. Please add gunpowder. Gunpowder? yes. We are currently working hard to obtain gunpowder, but we are not able to keep up with the consumption. Hyang muttered to herself at the lions words. Its not about seeking, its about creating. * * * Joseon was gradually building a human informationwork (Humint Network) targeting the entire Japanese nation, centering on Daenae ns territory and Joseon superiors. And one of the pieces of information obtained through this was the Ouchi familys gunpowder production. The military that tested Ouchis gunpowder obtained through a nted informant immediately wrote a report. -The quality and power of gunpowder are simr to those used by Joseon in the past. -We must prevent the leak of Joseonstest gunpowder manufacturing technology. * * * Hyang pondered the lions request for a moment and then opened his mouth to the lion. I will ask the lion. You probably dont know the importance of gunpowder, right? I know very well. And considering the rtionship between Joseon and Japan, you are well aware that there are many problems with Joseon providing gunpowder to the Daenae n, right? I know that part well. However, please consider the friendly rtionship that has been established between our Ouchi and Joseon. Im worried because I know that part. Hmm With those words, Hyang closed his mouth. As Hyang closed his mouth, the lion became desperate. Hyang, who was looking at the restless lion, finally opened his mouth. If you ept some of the conditions I mentioned, Joseon will sell gunpowder to Mr. Daenae. Chapter 489 Episode 489: Picking the pockets. (2) At Hyangs words, the lion looked very nervous. The lion swallowed dry saliva and carefully opened his mouth. direction! No, Im sorry. The lion, who made a mistake because he was so nervous, immediately fell to the ground and asked for forgiveness. I cant believe I made a mistake in pronunciation in front of the crown prince! If I do something wrong, I wont end up with just one neck! Seeing the lion lying face down on the ground and trembling, Hyang smiled andforted him. I dont mind, so rx. hot! I am devastated. The lion expressed his gratitude for Hyangs words and cautiously opened his mouth. You said conditions. What are the conditions? For the first time, Tsushima Ind will bepletely owned by Joseon. Looking at the situation of Tsushima Ind, it has been quickly invaded by our Joseon and Japanese countries at the same time, but the harmful effects are not small. So Im going to make a definite decision this time. The lion nodded slightly at Hyangs words. In the meantime, Tsushima has been causing a lot of trouble in the middle. But its not an easy situation from the start. The lion sighed softly and opened his mouth. Then what are the other conditions? Secondly, the safety of the Ryukyu Kingdom must be guaranteed in writing. You know why, right? yes. Thirdly, do not approach the coast near Daeseoldo Ind carelessly. If you want to trade, you must also guarantee in writing that only those who are officially permitted can ess it. I understand. Andstly, we will increase the number of Korean soldiers stationed at the Joseon superiors and mines. You understand this, right? yes. ah! Its not just a matter of conditions. If your lord epts these conditions, we will not only supply gunpowder at cost, but also treat injured soldiers through the doctors staying at the superior office. At Hyangs words, the lion fell down on the floor and expressed his gratitude. I am truly devastated! * * * Meanwhile, the Ouchi ns did their best to develop their territory by adopting Joseon culture. However, the area where the gap was stillrge was medical care. In order to resolve this issue, Ming officials were invited and medical books were obtained and distributed to the localwmakers, but the situation was still at a standstill. The biggest cause of such a gap was the drug issue. It seems like all the efficacy of medicinal herbses from there, but the really good medicinal herbse from Joseon. All of the invitedwmakers who came to the territory pointed out this point. In addition, the performance of medical tools made in Joseon these days is better than in the Ming Dynasty. If possible, it is a good idea to obtain Korean medicinal herbs and medical tools. Following the advice of Ming Dynastywmakers, Ouchi worked hard to import medicinal herbs from Joseon. However, as the war unfolded, the consumption of gunpowder and medicinal materials was so great that the first thing to run out was. In this situation, it was good news that Joseons superiors were providing treatment for the wounded soldiers. * * * But the scent didnt stop there. ah! Of course, there are conditions in this part as well. The superiors will treat not only Daenaes soldiers but also the opposing armys soldiers in the same way. yes? Shouldnt we also consider Joseons position? If you do it wrong, you could be used of intervening in internal affairs. You probably dont know why gunpowder is sold for money, right? Ah The lion, who had closed his mouth at the exnation of the scent, thought for a moment and then opened his mouth again. These are not all easy conditions. I would like to make one more request to you. jean? Tell me. Please sell me Bigyeokjincheonroe as well. Bigyeokjincheonroe? Do you have artillery to fire it? . The lion responded by lying down on the ground. Hyang opened his mouth at that sight. If you ept all of those conditions, I will consider selling Bigeokjincheonroe and toys positively. In response to Hyangs response, the lion bowed down on the floor and answered in a loud voice. I will definitely bring good results! Be mindful. If even one condition is missing, the bigyeokjincheonrei incident will never have happened. I will keep this in mind! * * * The messenger who epted Hyangs offer hurried back. After sending the messenger back, Hyang reported the progress of events to King Sejong. Its okay. After receiving Hyangs report, Sejong nodded and responded positively. However, that was not the end; evaluation and criticism immediately followed. I really liked the handling of the Tsushima case. No matter how close the Daenae n is to our Joseon Dynasty, if they push ahead with superiority and make a mistake, there could be resentment left behind. It can be said that giving advice in advance is a very good thing. thank you. But isnt it too much to sell bigyeokjincheonroe? Couldnt they model it, make it inrge quantities, and then use it for our country? The ministers nodded to King Sejongs point. Unless there was a siege, the Bigyeokjincheonroe was the best artillery shell. Even if hundreds of fierce Jurchen cavalry rushed at it, it would copse immediately after firing five or six lightning bolts. Thanks to this, the artillery units of the Joseon Armys Bo and Jin long-distance patrols filled almost all of their ammunition with bigyeokjincheonroe. That is why King Sejong raised an issue when Hyang said that he would hand over Bigyeokjincheonroe to Ouchi. Hyang immediately responded to Sejongs point. They said they would sell small Bigyeokjincheonroe, but they did not say they would give them the same ones our military uses. The same goes for toys. huh? Sejong, who paused for a moment at Hyangs words, immediately shook his head. What a cunning bastard! The ministers who heard Hyangs answer felt the same way. The crown prince seems to be in good spirits, so Ill just overlook this. King Sejong decided to follow the opinion of the vige regarding the issue of Bigyeokjincheonroe and moved on. Hmm I will treat the wounded soldiers through the doctors staying at the superior. That too, regardless of the opponent Sejong, who was contemting the proposal of treating wounded soldiers through his superiors, red at Hyang. If its your personality, it wont be an act of simple pity. What are you nning? In response to King Sejongs question, the ministers nodded at the same time. The scent they experienced was absolutely pity, and it was not for those who made such a big deal out of spending money. If the crown prince were such a good person, he wouldnt have handed over Bigyeokjincheonrei at all! What pity for the master of tricks! Hyang responded to Sejongsment with a bitter smile. Even small children havepassion. However, it is true that Sanghangs proposal was not made simply out of pity. okay. Lets hear what hes nning. After taking a moment to catch his breath, Hyang began to exin. You can get at least three benefits by treating wounded soldiers regardless of your superiors. The description of the scent was as follows. -The excellence of our Joseon Dynasty was widely known in the Japanese country, but the only people who knew about it were mostly Japanese nobles or high-ranking warriors. By treating the lowest-ss soldiers, he made even the lowest-ranking Japanese people admire Joseon. Why is it that religious people and medical professionals were the first to enter the colonies during the imperialist era? And isnt this the reason why Japanese people say such nonsense even in the 21st century? * * * When the Chinese epidemic struck the world in the 21st century, Japanese-rightists argued like this. Didnt you benefit from medical care through the modern hospitals built by Japan in thete Joseon Dynasty? So Korea has an obligation to provide medical support to Japan! It was nonsense that made Koreans who heard the story so shocked that they burst into mes. * * * Its a feeling of adoration Its okay. Then what about the second? In response to Sejongs positive response, Hyang continued to exin. The superiors provide treatment and at the same time, secretly induce people to return to Joseon. epting the Japanese? why? Because what iscking most in Joseon right now is people. Hyang exined why the Japanese should be epted. -Until now, among the noble Yi people, there are very few people who are good at farming, except for a few Jurchen people. However, the Japanese are good at farming, so it is advantageous for them to prosper in the newly acquired river area. -The Japanese do not mind obeying the strong because of their habit. Therefore, it is truly suitable for working in the newly acquired river area. C Paradoxically, the lowest ss of Japanese people have a weak sense of belonging to the Japanese nation. For most of them, the vige in which they were born and raised and the country to which that vige belongs are all they have in the world. Therefore, if such people decide to be noblemen, they will be more loyal people than anyone else. King Sejong and the ministers all nodded at Hyangs words. Before the start of the Gyeongjang, most people in Joseon lived without knowing much about anything other than the vige where they were born and raised. And these people were the most solid foundation that supported the power of local noblemen. Therefore, the first thing King Sejong did through Gyeongjang was to cut off this link. And as this link was broken, the loyalty of themon people to the country and the king became stronger. Because of this experience, King Sejong and his ministers were able to immediately recognize the second benefit mentioned by Hyang. Its a good idea. Then what is the third benefit? Its a sanitizing liquid. huh? King Sejong and the ministers tilted their heads at thepletely unexpected answer. Why sanitizing solution? Rumors areing from all over that the medicinal effect of the disinfectant liquid is great. What is the problem? Hyang immediately answered the questions of King Sejong and his ministers. yes. It is a well-known fact that the medicinal efficacy of purified bacteria solution is excellent. However, there are still many obstacles to ovee with this disinfectant solution. -It was discovered that bacterial extract has excellent medicinal effects on various inmmatory diseases. However, even for the same inmmatory disease, more investigation is still needed to determine which condition it is suitable for and how much it should be used. -The short lifespan of the disinfectant solution is also a problem. Various attempts are currently being made to extend its lifespan, but you have to use it to confirm urate results. And in order to obtain urate results from this type of experiment, the number of subjects must be veryrge. That is why we must treat wounded soldiers regardless of their superiors. The thing that bothers wounded soldiers the most on the battlefield is purulence, so this is the best ce to test a bacterial solution. Although Hyangs exnation was over, King Sejong and his ministers expressions were not good. I know its our best opportunity, but wouldnt it be a problem? You can bring someone in and kill them just to save them. Hyang immediately responded to Sejongs words. Its not about removing the poison, is it? The medicinal efficacy of sanitary bacterium solution has already been proven. The problem now is knowing the appropriate use, timing of administration, exact dosage, and types and symptoms of side effects. No matter how good a medicine is, it can be poison if you dont know how to use it properly. Therefore, we cannot miss this great opportunity. Hyang finished answering, but Sejong did not open his mouth right away. Sejong, who had been thinking for a while, finally opened his mouth. I allow it. thank you. * * * After receiving permission from Sejong, Hyang stopped and muttered. I need to use this opportunity to preparews and regtions rted to clinical trials. ording to rumors, there are doctors who make various medicines. You have to prepare in advance. Chapter 490 Episode 490: Picking the pockets. (3) When the messenger who went to Joseon returned with a document recording the local requirements, Mochiyo summoned the major retainers, including his sessor, Norihiro. This is a request letter sent by the Crown Prince of Joseon. Mochiyo handed the letter to Norihiro, and Norihiro and the retainers took turns reading the letter. Mochiyo, who read all the letters up to thest vassal and returned the letter in question, looked at his vassals and opened his mouth. What do you think? The first person to open his mouth to Mochiyos question was Norihiro, who took over the reading. Tsushima was already expected. The retainers nodded at Norihiros words. * * * Before sending the messenger, Ouchi also predicted how Joseon would respond. During these meetings, the Confucian schrs who returned from Joseon stood out. What I felt when working with Korean officials in Joseon was that Joseon distrusts Tsushima. Ill buy it back. North Korea will definitely pursue Tsushima if given the opportunity. Joseon will demand Tsushima. Norihiro and the senior retainers, who concluded that the conclusion reached by the Confucian schrs was correct, reported their conclusion to Mochiyo. Joseon will demand Tsushima. Tsushima? Is it okay if I give it to you? The most senior retainer answered Mochiyos question. It would be better to give it away for a better cause and make more sense. The elder exined the benefits that could be gained by handing over Tsushima to Joseon. -If you look at the location of Tsushima, it is right in front of Dongrae. Therefore, Joseon will continue to monitor Tsushima. -The Joseon military is still stationed here, but it is certain that Joseon will try topletely dominate Tsushima. -Therefore, if Tsushima is handed over to Joseon in advance, the military burden will be reduced and diplomatic gains can continue to be made. -What is more important is the remnants of the Shoni who are squatting on Tsushima. By handing over Tsushima to Joseon, it is possible to implement a road murder order that can deal with them at the same time. I like thest one the most. Mochiyo, moved by the prospect of being able to deal with the familys archenemy, the Shoni n, made a decision. good night! If Joseon demands Tsushima, we will hand it over under the pretense of negotiation! * * * In this way, Tsushima was expected, but other conditions were not expected, so Mochiyo summoned his vassals. Norihiro continued speaking. If you think about the second request carefully, Joseons request seems natural. It is a transit point for Joseon ships returning from trade with Cheonchuk to the west, so it is natural for Joseon to demand its safety. A senior retainer objected to Norihiros words. It may be true for Joseon, but the problem is for us who have to ept it. If something happens after wee forward and confirm it in writing, North Korea will try to hold us responsible. Norihiro immediately responded to the elders point. If Joseon holds us ountable, isnt that also a good thing? Who are these people who are harassing Ryukyu now? Shimazu Aha! The senior retainer who was answering Norihiros question let out an exmation as if he finally understood. Seeing that reaction, Norihiro exined the reason to Mochiyo. The fact that Joseon asked us to confirm this in writing means that they have already almost recognized us as the masters of the world. This is the first benefit. Second, if Shimazu touches Ryukyu, we can subdue Shimazu based on this promise. Even now, in Kyushu, the leaders of those who go against our familys will are the Shimazu monkeys. Shimazura Its okay. While Mochiyo was nodding, Norihiro continued. Also, we can take advantage of the assurance of Ryukyus safety to advance into Ryukyu. Not only will we be able to ship ships to the Ryukyus, but we will also have the opportunity to trade with distant countries. Mochiyo, who was nodding at Norihiros words, looked back at the other retainers. I understand that up to this point it is beneficial to us as well. Then what about the other two? An elder retainer stepped forward and answered Mochiyos question. Joseons intention to increase the number of troops stationed at mines and Sanghangs is a reasonable cause, so there is nothing to stop it. Rather, if the Joseon military were to take charge of the defense of the mine, we would be able to have more leeway in managing our troops. The same goes for your superiors. If the shogunate bastards mess with their superiors, this will be a good excuse for Joseon to send the army right away. Likewise, it is also in our interest to provide treatment to wounded soldiers. Hmm. And the most important thing is that if you meet this condition, you can secure Bigyeokjincheonrei. If you have Bigyeokjincheonroe, it will be a great help in aplishing your great cause. At the senior retainers answer, the younger retainers, including Norihiro, all nodded. After hearing the answers of his retainers, Mochiyo thought for a moment and then opened his mouth. It looks good, but its hard to make a decision right away. I will think about it a little more. To Mochiyos decision, the retainers all bowed in response. hot! * * * After settling the situation with a brief pause, Mochiyo moved on. By the way, what is the situation like? Its going smoothly. The number of daimyo joining us is increasing one after another, and we are winning battle after battle. In response to the retainers reply, Mochiyo did not forget his request. Prepare for a meeting with the newly joined daimyos. We need to get the momentum going in advance. hot! And those who joined like that might try to stab you in the back, so be especially careful. hot! And the main force of the shogunates three crown families has not even been able to see their noses. Keep in mind that when they appear, it will be the time of decisive battle. hot! * * * At the end of the meeting, Norihiro handed out a thick scroll. What is it? I havepiled a list of ns that would be good to implement after your lord ascends to the position of a man of the world. Isnt this going too far? It may seem that way, but I thought that in order for our family to live a long life as a family that rules the world, we had to prepare in advance. Is that so? I get it. After receiving the scroll, Mochiyo untied the string that bound the scroll and began to read its contents. Hmm Mochiyo, who was nodding and reading the contents, raised her head and looked at Norihiro. Relocating the capital? Thats right. Kyoto is too far from the familys home base, and the roots of those already established are deep and strong. Think about it. No matter how deeply rooted a tree is, when there is a drought, the furthest branches wither and die. So rather than staying in Kyoto, we must bring the Emperor to our side. At Norihiros words, Mochiyo looked at the elders. The elders who were asked the silent question soon began to open their mouths one by one. Everything is already in Kyoto, so it seems unnecessary to move it. Ill buy it back. Please think about the meaning of Kyoto. If we do something wrong, the situation where the southern and northern dynasties were divided could be repeated. Most of the elders were against it, but there were also a few in favor. It seems like a good idea. Kyoto is a burden to us because of its symbolism. Even when considering the art of war, Kyoto may cause more harm than good. The issue of relocating the capital is worth thinking about. As the elders were expressing their opinions, Norihiro spoke again. When my lord bes a person of the world, the most important thing is not Kyoto but the emperor. We must ensure that we have the Emperor within reach of our lord, not in Kyoto, so that others will not have their dreams in vain. This is something that those who have conquered the world, regardless of age or age, always do. Looking at it from afar, what could be the reason that Dong Zhuo burned Luoyang and moved the capital to Changan, even though he failed, or that Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty moved the capital to Beijing, or that Yi Seong-gye, the founder of the Joseon Dynasty, moved the capital to Hanseong? Through the transfer of the capital, we must make sure that even the ignorant people know who the owner of this world is. Despite Norihiros strong words, Mochiyo did not easily open her mouth. After being silent for a while, Mochiyo finally made a decision. The issue of relocating the capital has pros and cons. Therefore, we will take time to consider this slowly. * * * That night, Mochiyo visited Morimi, who was in hiding, and asked for his opinion. Huh After hearing Joseons demands, Morimi pondered for a while and then opened his mouth. It would be better to ept Joseons opinion. house owner. I thought so too. I just needed time to show that I dont make decisions too lightly. Good job. Then I guess you found it because there was another problem? yes. Mochiyo talked to Morimi about transferring the capital. After hearing Mochiyos story, Morimis impression hardened. Cheondo-ra Im definitely worried. For the elder generation like Morimi, Kyoto was a symbol of being on the same level as the emperor. Kyoto was built modeled after Changan during the Tang Dynasty. Therefore, when the head of the family that conquered the archipgo entered the country and greeted the emperor, it was called Sangrak (). In a situation like this, deciding to move the capital could have been a self-defeating decision. Because of this, not only Mochiyo but also Morimi could not make a decision easily. It is true that things will get moreplicated if you stay in Kyoto. Not really. However, if you open your mouth hastily, there is a high possibility that things will go wrong, so it would be better to do it afterpleting the great task. They were the two who implicitly decided to move the capital. After oveing this difficult moment, the two soon moved on to the next item on the agenda. I think we will soon need a generational change. I heard some of the story. Old people came to me andined. This is it There is still a long way to go until the great work ispleted Mochiyos expression became fierce at Morimis words. * * * After the uprising with the goal of overthrowing the shogunate, everything went smoothly and factions began to split internally. They were divided into the Mudan faction, which valued military power, and the Munchi faction, which dreamed of a Joseon-style bureaucratic system. Most of the senior retainers were the Mudan faction, and the younger forces who returned from studying abroad in Joseon and those centered around Norihiro were the Munchi faction. Power decides everything! It is a shame to decide everything by force! What was the reason for Xiang Yu losing to Liu Bang? Once the lord bes a man of the world, the whole system must be changed! Look at Song! Didnt we ruin it because of our culture? But if you insist on doing nothing, your life will be short-lived! The two factions were engaged in a heated war of words over Ouchis actions after taking power. The financial situation was critical for both factions. Because it was a time of war, the Munchi faction had a cause, but the Munchi faction was gradually gaining power through the joining of the next sessor, Norihiro. Hmm After hearing the situation, Morimi looked at Mochiyo. I think it will be necessary to clean up after the great project is sessful. Dont forget this. What do you mean? Tosagupin. What the young guys say is right. The familys army should be the lords army, but the army sent by the vassals is likely to be a sniper. Dont forget that the deepest and most painful wound is when your dog bites you. Mochiyo bowed her head deeply in response to Morimis words, which hinted at the elimination of senior vassals with military force. I will keep this in mind. * * * At the same time that political intrigue was sprouting in Japan, King Sejong was being tipped off in Joseon. Chapter 491 Episode 491: Picking the pockets. (4) I heard that you were looking for Abama Soja. Do you have something to tell me? After receiving the call, Hyang visited Gangnyeongjeon and after paying his respects, asked the reason for the call. Sejong nodded and answered Hyangs question. Yes, I called because I needed someone. A person? Should we increase the number of people in the eunuch department? We need some people, not eunuchs, to take us to Shinji and do the work. If thats the case, Ill put the word into the General Affairs Department. Hyang, who was answering in a business-like manner, paused. This was because King Sejongs expression upon hearing the answer was not very good. why? what? Hyang, who saw Sejongs expression of disapproval, began to furiously rack his brain to find out what was the cause. Sejong clicked his tongue at the sight of Hyang not being able to give an answer right away. Tsk! Why does someone who is normally so smart suddenly show up like this? Who are the people I will take from you? Hyangs face turned white at Sejongs words. Hyang asked Sejong in a trembling voice. Are you sure you mean the people in Area 51? right. Give only half, no more, no less. Just half is enough. At that moment, Hyang fell unconsciously on the floor and shouted. Oh my father! This is necessary. Why is a guy who already knows everything making a fuss? Why do you need half of it? Hyang, who was in tears, asked the reason in a voice full of moisture. Sejong answered Hyangs question right away. Didnt you also know because you received the report? The exploration team that secured the beachhead has already gone deep into the eastern part of Shinji and discovered incredibly widekes there. I know. We finally nted a g all the way to the Great Lakes. And as reported in subsequent reports, the area around theke is rich in forests, and iron ore and coal mines have also been discovered. And I know that to the south we have discovered a in suitable for farming. And we also encountered veryrge indigenous tribes living inrge-scale alliances. The indigenous tribal union that Sejong spoke of was the Iroquois Confederation. * * * Before Hyangs intervention, Joseon established a bridgehead in an area called British Columbia and advanced eastward, bypassing the northeastern part of the Rocky Mountains, ording to Hyangs n. They moved to avoid the harsh natural environment of the Rocky Mountains, but in other words, their route was said to be a good environment for people to live in. As a natural result, the expedition team heading east encountered indigenous people. However, it was an exploration team that was focused on peaceful contact with indigenous people through exploration of Daeseoldo Ind, Jongjangdo Ind, and the Northeast Inds. The exploration team created friendly rtions by offering spear des and arrowheads made of salt and sugar iron. Afterwards, he taught them how to record thenguage of the natives using Hunminjeongeum and distributed several useful medicines in addition to the traditional herbs used by the natives, making them side with Joseon. By gradually turning the tribes they contacted into Joseons side one by one, and at the same time responding resolutely to those who used force against the exploration team as if they were dealing with the Jurchen tribe C to put it simply, exterminating the tribes C the Joseon exploration team soon came to be known as a terrible tribe with a stick of thunder. The perception was stuck. Through this two-pronged strategy of warm and cold, the Joseon expeditionary force gradually strengthened its foundation and advanced east, and three years ago it finally advanced to the Great Lakes. What kind ofnd. I thought it was the sea because I could see the horizon, but when I tasted it, it was fresh water. The expedition team, which was struggling as it encountered an environment that was far beyond the cognitive range of those who had lived in the narrow environment of Joseon, soon recognized the situation and wrote a report full of joy. And Joseon, which received this report, immediately expanded its manpower on arge scale. The expanded exploration team crossed theke to the south or advanced east along theke. In the process, I encountered a in area so wide that it would be appropriate to call it ignorant, and discovered the Antic coastline. Ultimately, I met the indigenous people of the Iroquois Confederation C or, to be precise, the Kanonsionni C who were living in this area. * * * Sejong exined to Hyang why many craftsmen were needed in Area 51. To put it briefly, the report sent by the exploration team says, Everything is big except for the people. Isnt Sinji the region where this can be said? What is the way to quickly move a lot of logistics at once in and like this? Its a railroad. Who is making the iron horses that will run on that railroad? Area 51. What is the efficiency of transporting all the necessary railroads and iron horses here in Joseon? it falls extremely low. What about those who can make steel mills, iron horses, artillery and gunpowder, and ships? These are the artisans of Area 51. While answering Sejongs question, Hyang had to gradually ept reality. However, because his face was still in a sullen state, King Sejong further emphasized the necessity. Of course, it could have been done with authority, but the research institute and Area 51 were ces filled with blood and sweat. Persuasion was the only answer to properly treating his son and future king. Crown, you remember too. These are the Jurchen people who revered the railway as the Road of the Dragon and volunteered to be noblemen. Wouldnt it be the same for Shinji? ording to the expedition team, they are still using stone tools or bronze tools that were not properly smelted. Its a quiet neighborhood. yes! And that doesnt mean Im going to take it away and bury it there. We will change personnel once every five years. In the end, youre going to take everything out and use it, arent you! Although he was angry on the inside, Hyang had no choice but to nod his head in the end. All right. I will talk to General Lee Cheon and make a selection decision. Thank you. ah! Manager Jang Yeong-sil, make sure to put it in! Abama! Are you nning to rob me of all my money? You bastard! Isnt it time for Manager Jang to retire soon? Isnt it a good thing to spend your golden years in a ce with good water and good air? Its a deficit! Right now! And wouldnt you feel morefortable if Area 51 was already there when you went to Shinji? Thank you! Even though she grumbled internally, Hyang had no choice but to ept Sejongs opinion. I will do just that. thanks. ah! Theres more! Be sure to remove Jinpyeong. If you look at that guys behavior, its sure to cause an uproar, but just leave him out. Of course, looking at his actions now, there is no need to worry, but politics is a monster that can change people at any time. I will. Instead, as people leave, we need to hire new people. Please help me with my budget. Dont do that. In this way, Hyang was able to reach an agreement with King Sejong. And Lee Cheon, who received the order written by Hyang and stamped with King Sejongs royal seal, looked at the sky and muttered. Ah I suddenly feel like drinking. Meanwhile, Jinpyeong, who heard the story, hesitated and looked for Hyang. Lowering! why? How could you leave me out of such an important matter! Its not time yet. Its not the right time! The current situation is just right! Its not the right time! The scent that shouted loudly continued immediately. You areing with me. yes? Do you think Abamama will continue to be in Shinji? Later, when the timees, I will go in your fathers ce, and you will go with me then. And that will be the right time you mentioned. yes? When Jinpyeong still looked confused, Hyang spoke in more detail. Currently, only the railway between the bridgehead and Daehogun (Ⱥ) is being built. Do you want to just put that down ande back? Arent you satisfied? In response to Hyangs question, Jinpyeong nodded without realizing it. Looking at Jinpyeongs face like that, Hyang continued speaking. But when I go, a railwork will be built throughout the new area. I can assure you that it wont be easy. In order to seed in that great cause, you need someone who will push ahead boldly. I think its you. Did I think wrong? Jinpyeong raised his voice and answered Hyangs question. no! Absolutely not! So you stay here and focus on improving iron horses and steam engines. Given the size of Shinji, the performance of the iron horse that has been released now will not be sufficient. got it? yep! I will do my best! Then go back and take care of your work. And if you are a boy with a purpose, you must also know how to be patient. If you hear a rumor, donte running here. yes. Jinpyeong, who was scratching his head at Hyangs mild reprimand, immediately bowed and went back. Hyang, who sent Jinpyeong away like that, grumbled a little. Its hard to cheat * * * With the policy decided, Area 51 was noisy for a while. Once the people leaving were decided, farewell parties were held day after day. And soon after, arge fleet departed from Wonsan. Miners and their families who will be in charge of prospecting and mining in Daeho-gun Craftsmen and their families in Area 51 who will build industrial facilities, starting with a steel mill in Daeho-gun The minimum amount of railroad to be built between the bridgehead and Daeho-gun and the implementation of the end-of-riverw Ships filled with spawn and cattle left Wonsan Port in a row. Among the crowds of people, there was one person in particr who was grumbling with an aggrieved expression. Why am I. The genius ofnguage. It was Shin Sook-ju. * * * While efforts were being made to make the bridgehead and Daehogun definitely Joseons, King Sejong was also preparing to move slowly. Because it was not just the King Sejong couple moving, preparations were made in advance. Well finally be leaving next year. Thats right. Sejong expressed a little regret at Hyangs answer. I thought I wanted to go this year. Hyang bowed her head at Sejongs words. sorry. The childs abilities are stillcking Dont even say anything that will criticize you if others hear it. * * * Although steamships were introduced, the best way to sail between Joseon and Shinji was twice a year. This was because a sufficient number of steamships had not yet been deployed, and steamships that returned from long-distance voyages were subject to detailed inspection every time. There is no one in the world who canpare to him. Although Joseon was making such grandiose self-evaluations, it still had a long way to go. Thank goodness the crown prince stepped forward and we were able toe this far. And this was the popr assessment, and no one opposed it. Thats why Sejong said to Hyang, If others hear it, they will curse. It was said. * * * Anyway. I asked someone who sees the protagonist well to figure out the auspicious date. I will seize the day and take the throne. Hyang immediately fell to his knees at Sejongs words. Please step down! Dont be ridiculous. There is no one who doubts your abilities now. Its not just about that! Soja, I havent kept my promise to Abamama yet! What promise did you make with me? Sejong, who was tracing his memories at Hyangs words, suddenly smiled. Stand up. I will do as you wish. I am devastated! That guy Sejong lightly patted Hyangs shoulder and cautioned her. I know you, so dont wait for the day when you can be elected with a happy heart. But never be in a hurry. yes! And starting from this day, King Sejong clearly took a step back. * * * As busy as the inside of Joseon was, the outside of Joseon was also busy. As information from the Mediterranean region continued to arrive through Joseon ships traveling to and from Alexandria, the faces of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defense, and the local government became more serious. War clouds? Heo Hu, who was studying the report, called his subordinate. Did youe into Mansours upper level? yes. Then call Mansour. Mansour, who came to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Hu Hus call, visited Hu Hus office. Did you call me? Thats right, Mansour Shandangju. I ask you directly. How serious is the situation in Alexandria right now? Mansur, who thought for a moment about Heo Hus question, answered. Its a vulgar expression, but I cant find a suitable word for it other than sh*t. Chapter 492 Episode 492: Alliance (1) What a mess? At Mansours words, all kinds of Chinese characters swirled in Hu Hus mind. Reform? Open table?? When it became clear that Hehu did not understand properly, Mansour added. A mess has unfolded. ah! Is that what you meant? Only then did Mansour recall the rumors about Hu Hu as he nodded as if he understood. They said he was a typical saennim, but really. What is the situation? Are you calling me a mess? Mansour answered Hu Hus question. Its not so obvious that even a child can recognize it, but theres an evil atmosphere everywhere. Is it really enough to say war clouds are high? It is only when a war has already broken out that it is said that even children can recognize it. Hmm In response to Mansour, Heohu groaned and fell into thought. Its definitely not bullshit. Not only is this persons answer, but the reports prepared and submitted by the captains who went to Alexandria and the upper management all contain simr content. Heo Hu, who judged that the situation was getting more serious, asked thest question. Every fight, from war to street fights, takes ce when there is an opponent. Where is the difference between where and where? Is it really possible that Alexandria is trying to be independent from the Mamluks as rumored? * * * As time passed from the beginning of trade, the Mamluk dynasty began to falter. Many of the Joseon-made products that made Joseon called the Land of Flowers were expensive luxury goods. Alexandria, where these goods were unpacked and sold, soon became very wealthy. And the umted wealth flowed to the Mamluk royals and nobles who were the sponsors of the merchants. As enormous wealth came in, the Mamluk royal family and nobles indulged in luxury. The problem was that, as time went by, they used Joseons luxury goods not to sell them but to show off. Naturally, profits decreased, and in order to make up for the decreased profits, the Mamluk royal family and nobles began to squeeze out the merchants and people of Alexandria. In Alexandria, which could not endure such economic exploitation, people slowly began to talk about independence. Let us protect our wealth and our freedom! Lets protect it! Because of this situation, Heohu pointed to Alexandria itself as the first suspect. * * * In response to Heo Hus question, Mansour shook his head. If only that were the case, there would be no need to say it was a mess. ording to rumors on the wind, the city-states of Ottoman Portugal, Spain, Byzantine France, Ennd, and Italy. One way or another, all the countries that are in the know are saying that they are moving. Heo Hu muttered involuntarily at Mansours words. Its a real mess. After sending Mansour away, Hu Hu fell into deep thought. Heo Hu, who had been thinking for a while, unfolded a nk piece of paper, grabbed a gold pen, and muttered. This is something we shouldnt just pass over as something happening in a distant country. * * * After receiving Heo Hus report, Hyang immediately headed to Gangnyeongjeon to visit King Sejong. This is a report that something went wrong in Alexandria. Have we Koreans been attacked? No, but it looks like war will break out. i get it. In response to Hyangs response, King Sejong called a merchant ship. Tell the prime ministers and ministers toe to Geunjeongjeon. yes. Soon after, starting with Hwang Hee, left and right deputy prime ministers and ministers gathered at Geunjeongjeon. King Sejong, who sat in the party hall while receiving courtesy from the ministers, exined the reason for convening the ministers. ording to a report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the atmosphere in Alexandria is unusual. So, I would like to hear the opinions of the officials. Hwang Hee spoke first in response to Sejongs words. I have confirmed the report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is certainly true that the atmosphere in Alexandria is unusual. However, the location of Alexandria is too far away from Korea, and there is no one rted to Alexandria other than our superiors in Korea. So, I am here to say that there is no need for Joseon to take the first step and do something. In response to Hwang Hees words, Jo Mal Saeng stepped forward to help. Ill buy it back. Now, the ce that Joseon needs to pay the most attention to is the Japanese Empire, followed by the Ming Dynasty. And the route that must be followed is the route of Heaven and Earth. King Sejong nodded at the words of Hwang Hee and Jo Mal Saeng. Looking at the current situation, that western region was too far away. ording to reports submitted by captains and captains of ships traveling to and from Alexandria, conflicts and wars were constantly taking ce in that country. Although there were many small andrge disputes and wars going on, they had little effect on Joseon. Joseons merchant ships, Mansours merchant ships, and Spanish merchant ships were still traveling diligently across the sea, selling Joseon goods and obtaining necessary items. Therefore, most of the ministers reactions were as follows. Something doesnt seem serious, so what? Why should we, Joseon, be worried when a war is taking ce in a ce that is not even close to the border? After seeing the reactions of the ministers, King Sejong looked at Heo Hu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. After receiving an unspoken question, Heo Hu immediately exined the reason for posting the report. Of course, the distance between those western regions and our Joseon is far. However, since many of the goods that Joseon obtains are obtained from these people, I thought that we must not be negligent in our vignce. There is nothing wrong with the Minister of Foreign Affairs actions. On the contrary, I think he deserves praise for being faithful to his duties. When King Sejong praised the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the faces of Hwang Hee and Jo Mal-saeng hardened. This was because the actions of the previous Minister of Foreign Affairs were viewed as unfounded. King Sejong continued speaking, as if he knew how Hwang Hee and Jo Mal Saeng felt. And what the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense said are not wrong. Those peoples river areas are so far away from our Joseon that even if something big happens, the impact on our Joseon will be minimal. Hyang muttered to herself at Sejongs words. Considering the amount of goodsing from Alexandria, its not just a story from a far away country, is it? However, Hyang could also understand the reactions of King Sejong and the ministers. Well, if you look at the current situation, Europe has almost no value other than the market for selling goods. Compared to the Japanese or Ming countries, where even the slightest disruption can immediately shake the countrys security, it is a level that can be ignored. Still, I shouldnt disrespect it like that Im doing this again Just as Hyang was about to open his mouth, Kim Jeom came forward. Im sorry to report this, but it seems like the Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense are taking the situation too lightly. Looking at it too lightly? I want to hear your thoughts. When Sejong showed interest, Kim Jeom strengthened his voice. Please think about the goods we are currently earning through trade with those people. If trade were to stop due to their strife, our Joseon Dynasty would suffer a great shock. Of course, the ominous atmosphere still continues, but since trade continues to take ce, you may think that this is unfounded. But isnt it still just a gloomy atmosphere? If something really happened, would those ships be able to move around properly? If trade stops like that, Joseons ie will decrease by nearly 40%. If its about 40%. Jo Mal-saeng tried to retort with something, but Kim Jeom shot back right away. It seems ridiculous that 40% of the goodsing into Joseon are decreasing! Then we will have to reduce the budget, and then we will stop making artillery right away! No artillery! Leaving Jo Mal-saengs scream-like answer behind, Kim Jeom continued his exnation. If we have to make immediate cuts in the current government budget, we have no choice but to start with the defense sector. Nextes education. If that happens, wont the countrys security and future be shaken? Kim Jeom responded to Sejongs point with a stern expression. I have no choice. Fortunately, national defense and education have been stockpiled, so even if cuts are made, they have the stamina to endure for a while, but other areas are not in the same situation. In particr, considering the budget being spent on new resources, we have no choice but to reduce national defense and education. step! Kim Jeom paused for a moment, took a breath, and continued speaking. This will only happen if trade routes arepletely closed due to conflict between the two countries. If it is open to some extent, a fatal blow can be avoided, and the government will have to n in advance for this. Right. Sejong nodded at Kim Jeoms words and turned to Hwang Hee. Do you think the Left Deputy Prime Ministers words are reasonable? What do you think, Prime Minister? Gods opinion was shallow. As Hwang Hee waved the white g, King Sejong settled the situation. Please discuss with the Crown Prince ande up with appropriate measures. I follow your orders! * * * After receiving King Sejongs order, Hyang and the ministers who left Geunjeongjeon moved to the conference room of Seunghwadang. The local government officials who took their seats in the conference room began to exchange opinions about this incident. Anyway, what you said was a bit harsh. Are you saying youre going to block the production of artillery pieces? Kim Jeom snorted at Jo Mal-saengsints. joy! What are you going to use for making so many guns when there is no gunpowder to fire them and the soldiers are starving and cant even lift the guns? It cant be that bad. No way, thats the way to catch people! Keuung. It was Jo Mal-saeng, who finished groaning and waving a white g. * * * When Kim Jeom and Jo Mal-saengs skit ended, Hyang presided over the meeting. Actually, just considering the distance, it is certain that even if a conflict were to break out in Alexandria, it would be far away for us. But if you think about profit, it bes a crisis of wind power. The ministers nodded at Hyangs words. When the ministers all agreed, Hyang moved on to the next step. First of all, I would like to predict how the game will y out based on the information gathered so far. What materials are needed for that? In response to Hyangs question, the ministers immediately thought about what they needed and answered. After a while, officials and eavesdroppers working at Seunghwadang rushed to Yukjo Street and the Record Office. * * * While the eunuchs and officials were moving diligently, Hyang opened his mouth to the ministers. This is my shallow opinion, but it is certain that the person who ignited the conflict was Henry of Portugal. In response to Hyangs words, Kim Jeom immediately asked a question. If you are Henry do you mean the great Portuguese army? yes. Kim Jeom, who had been pondering for a moment in response to Hyangs answer, nodded. Its definitely a possibility if its him. I can tell you that my behavior when I first came to Joseon was unusual. I said I wanted to buy an iron horse and a railroad. ah! Later, I even proposed a partnership and it worked out well. Hwang Hee intervened in Kim Jeoms words. ah! I remember! You said something absurd like building a railroad across the huge African continent, right? yes. Heo Hu opened his mouth in response to Hwang Hee and Kim Jeoms answers. If he has that kind of history, he will definitely be the one to ignite the spark. While Joseon was pushing Henry as the prime suspect, the true arsonist was busy. Chapter 493 Episode 493 Alliance (2) January 1443. Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. In the office of Pedro, Duke of Coimbra, Pedro, Cosimo, and Henrique were sitting around a table in the middle. This is what I gained from this voyage. Pedro looked at the ledger that Henry presented and nodded. You made a big profit this time too. Yes, the ve trade and trade in Africa was profitable, but we also made great profits through goods brought from Joseon. Hmm Pedro, who was looking at the ledger again while listening to Henriques exnation, let out a long sigh. I cant help it. We have continued to generate a surplus for three years, and that is a veryrge surplus. In the end, Pedro waved the white g to Cosimo. * * * I said I would decide based on the results of the first two voyages, but Pedro was taking a negative view. Thats why Pedro added an extra year. Ill look into the situation for one more year! The Joseon route is a highly profitable route, but connecting with the Ottomans carries too much risk! The reason he saw it as dangerous was because of Osmans position. Geographically, the Ottomans, who upied the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, were steadily encroaching on the Balkan Penins. -If Byzantium is eaten up, Europe will be next! European countries west of the Mediterranean were worried about this and were watching the Ottoman Empire carefully. Another risk was internal political problems. Currently, Pedros biggest political opponent was his half-brother, Apunsu, Count of Barcellus. He used his wealth to recruit nobles and soon rose to be his biggest political opponent. The recent decision to take office as the first Duke of Braganza was an event that was like a symbol of the fact that he had be Pedros biggest enemy. Pedro wanted to stop it, but was pushed aside by the support of the nobles and political pressure. In this situation, linking up with the Ottomans could have meant going up to the gallows. The countries that emerged after expelling the Imic forces from the Iberian Penins were Spain and Portugal. Although Portugal showed a more flexible attitude than Spain, which was fiercely anti-Imic, solidarity with Im itself was a serious burden. The only force that Pedro believed in was the bourgeoisie that grew based on the Mediterranean and African regions. To maintain their support, Pedro issued decrees and decrees to help them. And this was what led to the feud with the nobles centered around the Duke of Braganza. * * * Good. I will be with you. However, do not forget that if the things you promised regarding Jerusalem, securing the safety of transportation routes, and fair distribution of profits are not properly realized, not only me but you will be ruined. In response to Pedros warning, Cosimo ced his right hand on his chest and slightly lowered his head. I know very well. I will do my best. Also, I will deny everything until we officially sign an agreement with the Ottomans. Of course. Cosimo, who readily agreed with Pedros words, stood up. Then lets go. There are so many people we need to find. There are a lot of eyes watching, so I wont see you off. yes. After Cosimo left the room, Pedro stood up and walked to the window. Pedro, who was watching the carriage carrying Cosimo disappear while being escorted by heavily armed guards, looked back at Henrik. Will it seed? One of the sayings I heard in Joseon is Riding on the back of a tiger. Now it has be an irreversible situation. From now on, I have no choice but to stay alert and do my best. I guess so Pedro, who had been nodding at Henriques words, inevitably gritted his teeth. Damn Braganza! On the topic of a concubines child! Damn nobles! Small people who only think about their own interests! If it werent for those guys, there wouldnt have been any need to hide and pursue the work like this! When Pedro became angry, Henry consoled him. Now is the time to be patient. Brother, you need to get your hands on the bourgeoisie as much as possible. The banquet dresses worn by nobles, the delicacies they eat, and the soldiers guarding castles and mansions are all provided by the bourgeoisie. If you truly take control of the bourgeoisie, the nobles will also submit to you. As long as I guarantee their interests and freedom, they will support me. The problem is that I can guarantee freedom, but the benefit is yours. Are you confident? Please leave it to me! Henrik answered Pedros question confidently. * * * This wasnt just Henrys bravado. In fact, Henrik was confident that he would guarantee benefits to the Portuguese bourgeoisie. Trade with Joseon, which started with three ships, has already increased to six ships, and even now, more than one ship bypasses Africa andes to Suez. As the number of ships heading to Joseon increased, shipyards in Lisbon and Florence continued to build ships to fill the vacancies. And the captains and crews who moved those ships were constantly being hired. It was natural that a huge amount of money was moving through all of this, and that money was enriching the Portuguese bourgeoisie. * * * After gaining Pedros cooperation, Cosimo immediately returned to Florence. Lets see where should I start? Cosimo once again reviewed the information sent by merchants and artisans. I guess we dont have to go to the Habsburgs. Cosimo was the first to remove the Holy Roman Empire from the list of candidates. * * * At that time, the Holy Roman Empire was in chaos itself. Albrecht II died and Frederick was elected king of Germany. It was the birth of Frederick IV. But the situation was not good. Frederick IV was incapable of uniting and ruling the Holy Roman Empire, which was fragmented into numerous autonomous territories and aristocracies. Thanks to this, Frederick IV had to step down from political affairs due to the rebellion of the Austrian nobles and the conflict with the German princes. And this made the situation even worse, leading to a power struggle with his own brother, King Albrecht VI. In this situation, the Holy Roman Empire was in a situation where mergers and alliances weremonce. * * * Cosimo, who had deleted the Holy Roman Empire from the list of candidates, looked at the map and muttered. Should we go to Moorea first? Or should we go to Edirne first? Unlike Constantinople, which was falling, Morea gradually grew in power and became the new center of the Eastern Roman Empire. Therefore, Despotes Constantine, the despot who ruled there, was considered the actual ruler of the Eastern Roman Empire. Another destination, Edirne, was the capital of the Ottoman Empire and Murat II was there. Which one should I stop first? After pondering this and that, Cosimo soon came to a conclusion. It would be natural to find Edirne first. * * * Cosimo, having decided on his destination, moved on. Spain is a bit difficult. The same goes for Genoa and Venice. Hmm. Cosimo, who was worried about Venice, his rival and Genoas archenemy, which became Spains source of money, began to secretly plot. They dont get along well Cosimo continued to look at the map, thinking about the outlines of a n to keep Genoa, Spains money maker, in check. Still, Spain is at stake. Hmm. Cosimo, who was staring intently at the map, lightly smacked his lips. Tsk! Should we include France again? Those greedy people? * * * The Hundred Years War between Ennd and France was already over. Charles VII also went through a formal coronation ceremony and became King of France. The Murgundian faction and the Armagnac faction, which were causing a self-destructive rebellion, reached reconciliation in Arras and ended the internal strife. As Frances internal affairs stabilized, the long-running war was about toe to an end. Of course, sporadic fighting continued, but British and French messengers were working hard to negotiate a truce. * * * Staring at France on the map, Cosimo summed up the situation. The mercenaries are the ones who be hungry as soon as the war ends. If you leave these guys alone, they will immediately be a band of thieves Hmm. Cosimo, who was thinking about various cases, chuckled. Heh! As expected, I have to give him an appropriate carrot. Spanish food would be delicious, right? At the same time, we have to sort out some of our debt rtionships. After organizing how he would use France, Cosimo soon began drawing up an overall outline. First of all, we must stop the Ottoman advance northward and prevent Morea from being installed carelessly, right? If they install it, everything will go wrong. Next, use France to tie down Spain, and in the meantime, Portugal and the Ottomans can take control of Egypt. Cosimo, who had drawn such arge sketch, stroked his beard. Its been a while since I got to meet the Pope. Cosimo, who hadpleted the big picture of nning a meeting with the Pope, red at the Joseon map and muttered. If things go right, there wont be people who care about the western route to Joseon for as little as 5 years or as long as 10 years. And if done well, you can benefit for at least 20 years. Cosimo was nning a huge war that would involve many countries for his own benefit. * * * Cosimo, who had drawn a big picture, soon began to move quickly. Cosimo arrived in Edirne using the fastest ship and visited Murat II. Sultan. Have you finally made your decision? Cosimo de Medici, pagan merchant. Do you really think this will help me? Its helpful enough. In response to Murat IIs question, Cosimo presented the ledger he had received from Henry. Thats the profit we made with just six ships. If the n is sessful, we will be able to share dozens of times the benefits. Its not just a matter of money. Cosimo nodded at Murat IIs point. youre right. That is why it includes Jerusalem. Guardian of Jerusalem, everyones holy ce. A merciful monarch who protects all pilgrims who visit the Holy Land. What could be more glorious than this? Hmm After falling into the hands of the Mamluks, Jews and Christians had almost disappeared from Jerusalem. Imic teachings spoke of mercy, but the Mamluk leaders drove them into the desert. Therefore, if they acquired Jerusalem and then opened their doors appropriately, they would gain enormous political benefits. * * * A monthter, a messenger from Murat II secretly visited Florence. The messenger who met Cosimo conveyed Murat IIs intentions. The Sultan told me to tell him that he will join us. I understand. As Murat II entered the game, Cosimo smiled broadly and prepared to set off. Im going to Morea! * * * Meanwhile, there were some who were watching closely as Cosimo was running around like this. They were Genoese merchants, one of Cosimos strongestpetitors. Florence is suspicious. I need toe to my senses. Chapter 494 Episode 494 Alliance (3) For Genoa, Florence could have been the benefactor that enabled it to gain sovereignty. Genoa escaped from Mn as a result of the four Lombard Wars. However, there was no such thing as returning favors or making concessions in thepetition for economic interests in the Mediterranean region, including the Levant region, and the African continent. In suchpetition, Spain C to be exact, the United Kingdom of Leon and Castile C was the best prey for Genoa. * * * While recovering the Iberian Penins, the nobility of the Kingdom of Leon-Castillia expelled the Imic and Jewish forces that dominated themercial world from the penins. As a result, it was natural that the economy was in shambles, and Genoese merchants filled the ce. Afterwards, as the United Kingdom of Leon-Castile and the Kingdom of Aragon began to pursue one politicalmunity, Genoa became more deeply involved. Although the maritimemercial power of the Kingdom of Aragon was formidable, Genoa, which controlled the finances and economy of the Kingdom of Leon-Castillia, had the upper hand. * * * Because of this situation, Genoa was closely watching the movements of Portugal, Spains strongestpetitor, and Florence, Portugals strongest supporter C Cosimo de Medici, to be exact. Therefore, no matter how carefully Cosimo moved, he could notpletely avoid being caught in Genoas surveincework. Cosimo de Medici went to the Morea? Didnt you go to Edirne not too long ago? It was like that. Its suspicious. Ask me to dig into more detail. Genoese merchants and politicians who sensed something strange in Cosimos movements sent messages to those with whom they were in close contact. Just as Cosimo had an intelligencework in many countries, transcending nationality and religion, so did Genoa. And the people in power in Genoa began to have doubts about the information received through such helpers and agents. 10 years of truce? What is missing from the Ottomans that they are pushing for a truce? Although Morea was a powerful country, it waspletely inferiorpared to the Ottomans. Moorea boasted arge fortress called the Hexa Million Wall (Φ?˦ɦϦ Ӧ?֦? 6-mile wall), but everyone who knew how the world was going recognized theplete superiority of the Ottomans. In such a situation, the truce was promoted, and it was not difficult for those in power in Genoa to know who was behind it. also! Its Cosimo de Medicis masterpiece! Why him? Did he suddenly repent? That guy is repenting? If that were the case, Judas Iscariot would not have betrayed the Lord! Those in power in Genoa all came to the same conclusion. -The reason why Cosimo de Medici promoted peace was because another schemer was aiming for even greater profits! Then what is he aiming for? The Genoese authorities, who had been trying to guess what Cosimos n was, finally found the answer. Portugal is having fun with the Joseon route right now! But Africa stands in the way! Alexandria! What Cosimo is targeting is Egypt! Genoa, having figured out Cosimo de Medicis move, began to think about what Cosimos next move would be. Obviously Portugal will also move. If Portugal and the Ottomans unite, no matter how Mamluk they are, they will have no choice but to give up Egypt! no! The Mamluks themselves may fall! The Mamluks of today are not the Mamluks of the past! After the war of words that followed, Cosimos goals predicted by those in power in Genoa were as follows. -What the Portuguese-Ottoman alliance is targeting is Egypt. No, not all of Egypt. Only the area containing the shortest route connecting Suez and the Mediterranean Sea needs to be secured. -The reason is that Suez is the starting point for cargo from Joseon. Therefore, it is likely that Alexandria would not be of much value to the Portuguese and Ottomans. Those in power in Genoa who had reasoned this far felt a sense of difort. The great Cosimo is barely satisfied with this? This is great, but is there something missing? Not like Cosimo de Medici. While those in power in Genoa were agonizing over the strange sense of difort that was tickling the backs of their heads, urgent news arrived from France. It was in the fall of 1443. -Cosimo de Medici contacted Charles VII of France. This was it! Those in power in Genoa discovered the identity of the difort and added a conclusion. Cosimo is aiming for Spains death! No, he wants to take the entire Mediterranean in his hands and shake it up! * * * The rtionship between Spain C the Kingdom of Aragon to be exact C and France was not very good. There was a conflict with France over Catalonia and even a war over Provence. Afterwards, there continued to be conflict over the Ositania region, and Frances sovereignty had to be acknowledged due to the defeat at the Battle of Muhet in 1213. Thanks to this, France, which was a thorn in the side of Spain with its eyes on southern France, would definitely join hands with Cosimo. Although greatly weakened by the 100 Years War, France was a European power. The abundance of agricultural products and poption from the vast territory were iparable to other countries. Funnily enough, it was France who had an army trained through the 100 Years War. Although his physical strength was weakened due to the long fight, Cosimo had the ability to restore it. Aplete recovery may be impossible, but Cosimo was someone who had enough ability to recover to a usable level. After gathering all the news from France, those in power in Genoa finally came to a conclusion. -What Cosimo de Medici is aiming for is the istion of Spain! -Iste Spain, let it die, and then take over the economic power of the Mediterranean! * * * Genoa, realizing Cosimo de Medicis intentions, moved quickly. First, we need to contact the Royal Pce of Spain, right? When one of the Consuls who ran Genoa mentioned the King of Spain, the other Consuls collectively let out a long sigh. Whoa~. Can that idiot really understand the situation? * * * Juan II, now King of the United Kingdom of Leon and Castile, was ipetent. No, not only was he ipetent, but he had no interest in government affairs itself. Therefore, Prime Minister Alvaro de Luna was in charge of state affairs. Since the king had let go, there was no way for the government to run properly. The aristocratic alliance centered around Juan IIs cousins and Vi Maria from the Kingdom of Aragon were constantly creating disputes, iming that Luna was manipting state affairs. Paradoxically, it was because of this situation that Genoa was able to easily dominate the economy. * * * I may be ipetent, but I am the king and royal family in name, so I should contact you, right? They may be preupied with fighting over food, but they will realize the seriousness of the situation. If you make a mistake, even your fine te will be blown away. Lets not forget Aragorn either. Perhaps Aragorn would be better suited for this task. When the Kingdom of Aragon was mentioned, the Genoese consuls eyes sparkled, but their faces soon became filled with worry. The problem is the merchants of Aragorn. Dont you know how clever they are? Thats the problem. Its a repeating story, but although the Kingdom of Aragon was a separate kingdom from the Kingdom of Leon-Castile, it was almost like they were one kingdom. They were closely linked by marriage for generations, and it was King Fernando I of Aragon who even served as regent for Juan II. Therefore, the consuls of Genoa mentioned Aragon as the next best option. However, Aragon had strongpetitors: Aragons sea merchants. They controlled southern Italy, Sicily, and even the Levin region, and were the biggest rivals of Genoese power. Although they agonized over their most powerful beings, the consuls had no choice but toe to a conclusion. I guess I have no choice but to inform Aragorn as well. Im sure they know very well that if they are pushed out of here, they will have no choice but to starve to death. The Genoese consuls came to that conclusion and immediately sent messengers. * * * February 1444. The powerful people of Leon-Castillery and Aragon, who received the urgent report sent by Genoa, immediately sent messengers and had a meeting with the Genoese consuls. Is this true? The Genoese consuls nodded in response to the question sent by Prime Minister Luna. Afterwards, messengers sent from Aragon received the horse. We did our own research, and there is a very high probability that it is true. When Jenova and Aragorn confirmed that it was true, Lunas messenger muttered with a white face. Then its a really big deal! Is there any solution? The Consul of Genoa who received the question answered immediately. We have no choice but to build alliances. alliance? With whom? First of all, the Mamluks. Nonsense! When the Genoese consul mentioned the Mamluks, the Lion of Luna screamed in a fit of rage. Lets join hands with those damn Imists? Do you think that makes sense? Otherwise youll just be ruined. Huh At the consuls cold reply, Lunas messenger sat down on the chair with a devastated expression. At that sight, the Lion of Aragorn opened his mouth. No matter how much it is because of Portugal and the Ottomans, there will be severe bacsh if we simply form an alliance. You have to give them the right carrot. Is there anything suitable? The messenger of Aragorn briefly answered the consuls question. Jerusalem. As soon as the word Jerusalem was mentioned, the room became heated. Will the Mamluks give up Jerusalem? Even now, they are the same Jews who were in Jerusalem and are trying to stop the seeds of Christians? The messenger of Aragorn smiled slightly and responded to the consuls point. Will the Muslims give it up easily? We are only guaranteed safe passage. Hmm The Consul nodded at what the messenger of Aragorn said. After thinking for a moment, the Consul opened his mouth. Its okay. That alone is a great harvest and may serve as another causeter. Thats right. Before we knew it, the messenger of Aragon and the consul of Genoa were taking the lead in carrying out the work, and the messenger of Luna was left to just watch. Arent the Mamluks alone not enough? of course. So I thought about it, and I wonder if we should bring in the Habsburgs and Ennd. Those two would be perfect to keep France in check. Very good! * * * While aplex power structure was being created in Europe, Joseon was also busy moving forward. March 1444. Sejong had finally set off for Shinji. Sejong looked back at the newlyunchedrge engine ship in front of him. Are you sure you have no regrets about being good? Thats right. Shouldnt we keep the agreement we made with Soja Abama? I will dress you in the most beautiful yellow dragon robe in the world. In response to Hyangs response, King Sejong lightly patted Hyangs shoulder but did not forget his request. Dont just trust you. But dont do it first. The most important thing is the cause. I will keep this in mind again and again. You will do well. After showing his strong belief in incense, King Sejong boarded the ship. As the ship carrying King Sejong disappeared into the distance under escort, Hyang turned around. Hyang approached the four people who were waiting a little distance away and opened his mouth with a grin. Okay then, lets get to work! Im going to be very busy from now on. At Hyangs words, the four people internally screamed at the same time. Im still very busy, but Im even busier? Id rather kill you! Chapter 495 Episode 495: Lord of war. (1) After King Sejong left for Shinji, the center of Joseon politics shifted to Seunghwadang. Whenever there was an important agenda or a local call, ministers visited Seunghwadang. And whenever they visited Seunghwadang, the ministers could always see the four people busy carrying documents. Every time they saw the four people walking unsteadily with sunken eyes and ckened areas under their eyes, the ministers spoke with a wistful expression on their faces. Is it worth it? . Seeing you guys reminds me of the old days. It was like that with us too. Still, isnt there a saying that goes well with it? If you work hard, good times wille. When they heard those words, the four people looked at the ministers and said one thing. Your Majestysplexion is not very good either. . Big! Keuhum! After hearing what the four people said, the ministers cleared their throats with a puzzled look on their faces and left. The four people, who were looking at the ministers backs with expressionless faces, grumbled at the same time. What is Gojin Gamrae? The four people were holding back the tremendous amount of swear words that could not be put down in writing. Ill get better! Your Majesty is looking for you! Yikes! The four people, who had been suppressing their swearing, came to their senses when they heard from the eunuch that Hyang was looking for them. Lets go quickly! Thats right! * * * Meanwhile, Ming also paid attention to Hyangs proxy affairs C to be exact, King Sejongs whereabouts. Is the whereabouts of the King of Joseon still unknown? To Seondeokjes question, Dokju, the leader of the alumni, bowed his head and answered. Yes, we have confirmed that you boarded a ship in Wonsan, but there is no word after that. Hmm In response to Dokjus response, Emperor Seondeok stroked his beard and was lost in thought. Where did it go? The most influential one is Daeseoldo Ind, but it has been a long time since Daeseoldo Ind became a stronghold of Joseon. There is no need for the King of Joseon to personally take action. So is there a health problem? No, if thats the case, then its clear that hes going to be a senior. then? The rumored Shinji? Emperor Seondeok, who was worried about the whereabouts of King Sejong, who had disappeared, pressed his temples and groaned. Okay I have a headache again. Im going to call a doctor. Before that have you found out anything about the new religion that is circting among Koreans? There are still a lot of rumors. Did you try to dig deeper Has he disappeared again? In response to Emperor Seondeoks question, Dokju only bowed his head. After hearing the silent answer, Emperor Seondeok let out a long sigh. I see what you mean. Please stop further inquiries. If we proceed further than this, we will only lose the people we worked so hard to raise. Please forgive the gods for their ipetence. It is not easy to enter Joseon, and as small as the palm of your hand, and not get caught. I will not regard my ssmate as ipetent. Hwang Eun is devastated! Long live, long live, long live! Tell the members of the National Assembly to meet, and tell the Cab secretaries and ministers to gather. I follow the Emperorsmand. Emperor Seondeok, who sent out a strong drink, pressed his temples and muttered. Its a bit unfortunate that we lost the Ganja we worked so hard to raise, but we can now see how important Shinji is to Joseon. So, has the king of Joseon now gone to Shinji? Is Shinji really worth it? * * * As Shinjis exploration dragged on, rted rumors began to circte within Joseon. The military desperately maintained security, but this was nothing more than peeing on frozen feet. This was because the number of people involved increased exponentially over time. They say arge ind was discovered in the eastern sea. At first, it was a kadera and there was little interest from people. However, as time passed and more and more people were mobilized for exploration work, people began to show interest. We need to do some proactive work before things get out of control. Sensing the danger, King Sejong and the ministers agreed to Hyangs request, and soon other rumors began to circte. They say that if you go further east, there is an ind bigger than Daeseoldo. They say the snowfall is at least three times as heavy. They say the government calls him Shinji. As these rumors circted, peoples interest waned. Its a pretty big ind. Sooner orter, something wille out of the court. If its a goodnd, shall we go there? The thoughts of the people who heard the rumor ended there. -Shinji is not just big, he is as big as the midfielder! asionally there were rumors that were close to the truth, but people just shook their heads every time. Yekki! If it were that big of and, everyone who would know would have already known about it! I have seen a copy of Cheonhajeondo made by Seo-yi. There was nond like that there either? Where is this nonsense? Most people who heard the story dismissed it as nonsense. The biggest reason why the people dismissed this as nonsense was that the concept did not change. -If you go to the west, the Yi people with pale faces live, and below them live the five ghosts with ck flesh. Everyone knew up to this point through scripture and trade, and Europe and Africa were also known through maps obtained through merchants in the western region. But it ended there. He had not yet realized that the world was bigger than that. * * * Of course, the fact that such rumors were circting in Joseon was also known to the Ming Dynasty. Lets find out more. I follow your orders. The order was given, but Emperor Seondeok did not pay much attention. -There has been trade with the Westerners since the days of the old Han Empire, and those Mongolian barbarians even advanced into thends of the Westerners. -Of course, there are all records of the geography of the world in this central in, but there are no records of thend that Joseon was said to have discovered. -Thend that Joseon was said to have discovered would only be a fairlyrge ind. This was the conclusion made by Emperor Seondeok. The reason why Emperor Seondeok tilted his head was because the secretaries who had secretly spread to Joseon disappeared without a sound due to the secretive secretmittee. if? After receiving the report, Emperor Seondeok considered the possibilities, but immediately shook his head. C Looking at the records left by those who met the Westerners starting from the Great Qin Dynasty (the ancient Roman Empire), the Westerners are extremely greedy for territory. -There is no possibility that there exists a continent that greedy Seo-i is not aware of. -Therefore, thend discovered by Joseon was at best arge ind. However, Emperor Seondeok did not reach this conclusion through logical reasoning. The biggest factor behind Emperor Seondeoks conclusion was his pride. -The Central in is the center of the world and thergestnd in the world! There is nond more massive than Jungwon! * * * Upon receiving a call from Emperor Seondeok, the six ministers and other high-ranking officials, starting with the Cab Secretary, gathered at the cultural hall. Your Majesty the Emperor! At the call of the eunuch announcing Emperor Seondeoks entrance, those gathered bowed down on the floor and paid respects. Please take a seat. Emperor Seondeok, sitting on the throne, soon presided over the meeting. Requests keeping from the Japanese shogunate? The Cab Secretary immediately answered Emperor Seondeoks question. yes. I am pleading with you to send me more guns. How much have you sent so far? There are 500 bags. Hmm Emperor Seondeok thought for a moment about the assistant cab secretarys answer and soon made a decision. Send 500 more sacks to make up to 1,000 sacks. The Cab Secretary cautiously raised a counterargument to Emperor Seondeoks decision. Isnt that too much? charge? why? It is true that the shogunate is doing us well now, but they are also Japanese. With the guns you have bestowed upon us, we can raid our shores. joy! Emperor Seondeok lightly snorted and asked the assistant cab secretary. Are our soldiers so weak that they stumble under the fire of only 1,000 copper guns? Absolutely not! The guns being sent now are items that are bing obsolete as improved iron guns and bamboo rifles be popr. Should we be afraid of such culling weapons? No! Its just that the nature of the Japanese is so wicked Because I know their nature, I gave them weapons to eliminate them. And now, the Japanese shogunate is in a crisis situation. Can those guys afford to plunder on our coast? The cab secretary bowed his head in response to Emperor Seondeoks reprimand. God, please forgive my short-sightedness. If the situation in the Japanese country were the same as usual, Subos opinion would be reasonable, but the current situation is not like that. Subo should proceed with everything with this in mind. I will keep this in mind. Emperor Seondeok, who warned the assistant cab secretary, continued the meeting. I heard the shogunate also requested a lightning bomb, right? Thats right. Hmm The lightning bomb was an explosive bomb modeled after the Joseon Dynastys Bigyeokjincheonroe. Of course,pared to the Bigyeokjincheonroe, whose killing power was increased to the limit by the virtue of incense, it was an extremely primitive explosive bomb, but it was still better than nothing. Emperor Seondeok thought for a moment and gave an order. Hand it over. However, the operation of the lightning bomb and the toy thatunches it is done by our soldiers. Are you nning to send troops? In response to Subos question, Emperor Seondeok shook his head. No, its limited to the lightning strike. Select and send soldiers who will operate it and those who can properly observe its effectiveness in actualbat. Its said to be a weapon of conversion, but we havent been able to properly verify it, so isnt this a good opportunity? ah! Truly so! God can only admire your majestys wisdom! Long live, long live, long live! Long live, long live, long live! As the Cab Secretary shouted Hurrah for national independence, all the officials gathered in front of the pce followed suit and chanted Hurrah for national independence three times. When the shouts for national independence subsided, Emperor Seondeok gave a warning to his subjects. Those who are currently rebelling against the Japanese shogunate are people who are close to Joseon. Just in case, they could take control of the Japanese government and train with Joseon tomit nonsense. We must pay special attention to this. Joseon is a country that is faithful to the four major principles, but would youmit such an immoral act? Emperor Seondeoks expression became fierce at Ye Bu Sang-seos question. What could be more foolish than trusting yourself to be faithful to the four principles? Why have we forgotten that previous emperors were wary of Joseon? Oh no! God made a mistake! Whoa~. I feel like I want to kill him right away, but now its too much of a hassle to even see blood. Be careful in the future. Your Majestys mercy, Hwang Eun, is devastated! Long live, long live, long live! The three cheers for independence from Yebu Sangseo were followed by three cheers for independence again. In an atmosphere of thin ice, Emperor Seondeok emphasized caution against Joseon. Now there is peace with trade with Joseon, but do not believe that this willst forever! Keep in mind that it is mutually beneficial to point your sword at each other whenever your interests diverge! I will keep this in mind! * * * Meanwhile, in Hanseong, Hyang received a new report regarding the Japanese Empire. A messenger has arrived from the Daenae n. Take it in. A momentter, Ouchis messenger entered the township office and bowed politely. As is customary, we exchanged greetings and then got down to business. So, why did you suddenlye to Joseon? Please give Joseon guns! The shogunate bastards have guns! huh? Chapter 496 Episode 496: Lord of war. (2) You want a gun? Hi! In response to Hyangs question, the lion answered in Japanese, perhaps in a hurry. In response to the lions answer, Hyang rested his chin and asked again. Has Mr. Daenae entrusted a gun to our Joseon? yes? Im asking if you have entrusted guns to our Joseon Dynasty. Give it to me! If you say, Yes, its here. Do you think they will release it right away? For Mr. Daenae, I guess our Joseon is barely that good? No sooner had Hyang finished speaking than the Vice Ministers and subordinate officials gathered in the conference room of Seunghwadang red at the lion with fierce faces. Oh no! Realizing his mistake, the lion suddenly fell to the ground with a pale, exhausted face. If I make a mistake, I wont end up with just one act of seppuku! Its a situation where all the men in the familymit seppuku! Its all the foolishness of small people! All of this is a human error and not my masters will! Due to the urgency of the situation, the small man made a huge mistake! Please cut off the little mans head and appease his anger! If I just send you back, your master will take care of it. Why should I get my hands dirty? In response to Hyangs question full of cynicism, the lionpletely stuck to the floor and raised his voice. Lowering! Please let us know! If things continue like this, your lord and territory will be in danger! Please take pity on my master and help him! If you do that, I will cut myself open and take responsibility! Hyang scoffed at the messengers words and reprimanded him. joy! Taking responsibility for death by cutting ones own stomach and throat is the most cowardly excuse! Arent we running away to death without solving the problems that really need to be solved? Would that really be the right attitude of a person who takes responsibility? The right attitude would be to do your best to resolve your mistakes and then calmly ept your masters judgment! In response to the viges reprimand, the messenger of Ouchi had nothing to do but bow down even closer. The messenger must wait at Dongpyeong Hall! Lowering! Go away! The lion had to retreat in tears due to Hyangs shouting. * * * After chasing away the lion, Hyang looked back at the ministers. It looks like Daenae is in a lot of trouble. Hwang Hee stepped forward and responded to Hyangs words. I think so. But since you startining as soon as you arrive, it seems like you look down on our Joseon Dynasty. Hyang nodded at Hwang Hees words. Thats right. Heo Hu, who was listening to the conversation between Hyang and Hwang Hee, soon joined the conversation. The lions disrespectful attitude is annoying, but it seems certain that Daenaes situation is very bad. When I see you crying like that. Hwang Hee shook her head at Heo Hus words. If Ms. Daenae was truly in a life-threatening crisis, she would not have sent someone like that as an envoy. It must have been sent by a truly high-ranking person. Hyang and the others all nodded at Hwang Hees words. But Heohu still seemed worried. I dont like the reckless behavior of the person who came as a messenger, but wouldnt it be right to provide support? The shogunate must already know that we are behind Mr. Daenae. If the shogunates castle is sessful, it is certain that our Joseon will not be looked upon favorably. Heo Hus point made sense, so several people nodded. But Hyang shook his head. When providing support, even if it is provided, it must be given after careful consideration. If we give them all the support they want every time they whine, they will not appreciate our support but rather see it as something they deserve. No, they will all go out there and look down at us. Why isnt their temperament like that? All the ministers nodded at Hyangs words. I guess so. Anyway, the Japanese While the ministers were shaking their heads, Hyang added. Look at the lions reaction earlier. Didnt you act as if you had entrusted the guns to us? Hyang grumbled inwardly while talking about the lions actions just moments ago. Anyway, those ind country bastards! Neither ancestors nor descendants have shame! * * * In the early 2020s, the world suffered from an infectious disease. At the time, Japan was unable to carry out proper quarantine activities and preventive measures such as vinations due to an outdated administration. Every time an article criticizing Japans situation appeared, the Japanese Inte was flooded with bizarre remarks. C Of course Korea should send medical staff! -Of course Korea should send vines! This reaction from Japaneseizens was soon conveyed to Koreanizens, and the Koreanizens reactions were very simr. What? Did they miss the time to take their medicine? * * * Hwang Hee, who was nodding at Hyangs words, opened her mouth. Your words are valid, but shouldnt we provide support? If you make a mistake and fail, you may have to advance more than necessary. Kim Jeom immediately expressed doubts about Hwang Hees words. Not spending, but advancement? What does that mean? In response to Kim Jongs doubts, peoples attention focused on Hwang Hui. Isnt that guy the kind of guy who would make a mistake? What does it mean? While everyone was full of questions, Hyang asked Hwang Hee. Did you even think about the case where our Joseon Dynasty advances to the Japanese maind? yes. As Admiral Heo Hu said, if the shogunate seeds in conquering Japan, there is a high possibility that discord will arise between Joseon and Japan. If that happens, the Japanese may rebel again, and in the end Hwang Hee consciously trailed off and Hyang looked at Jo Mal Saeng. Our Joseon is conquering Wae? Secretary of Defense Could you? Is it possible to achieve permanent upation rather than simple punishment like thest conquest of Tsushima Ind? When Hyang spoke of permanent upation, the other ministers eyes widened. Even Admiral Hwang thought it was excessive, but the Crown Prince even goes so far! Jo Mal-saeng thought about Hyangs question for a moment and then answered Hyangs question. It is possible if only one condition is met. northward? Jo Mal-saeng nodded in response to Hyangs short question. Yes, to be exact, it would be Beijing. If I were to simply mention the aftershocks, I wouldnt worry too much. But Beijing will not sit still. Heo Hu raised a counterargument to Jo Mal-saengs answer. Myeong-gwa is now following the example of the four major powers and is trading a huge amount with Joseon. But will Beijing do something? Kim Jeom responded to Heo Hus counterargument on behalf of Jo Mal-saeng. If Joseon annexes the Japanese country, then it will be possible to immediately grant the title without worrying about the Ming Dynasty. The problem is that even Beijing doesnt know about it. Even now, if the Daenae n is behind us in Joseon, isnt the shogunate behind Beijing? Ah At Kim Jeoms answer, Heo Hu nodded with a bitter expression. Joseon also knew that Ming was behind the shogunate through information obtained through various channels. In other words, the current civil war in Japan was a proxy war between the Ming and Joseon Dynasty, with the Shogunate and Ouchi at the forefront. There was a battle between Ming and Joseon over therge market called the Japanese Empire. But on the surface, it was still a civil war between Japan and Japan. Neither Ming nor Joseon had any desire to disrupt their current stable diplomatic rtions and economic exchanges. Because both were losses. * * * Conquering Japan is the worst case scenario. For now, lets try to achieve the best result in which Daenae takes control of Japan. Lets just confirm whether the conquest of the Japanese kingdom I just mentioned is possible. yes. It was the scent that settled the situation. Hwang Hee, who had been bowing her head to Hyangs words, opened her mouth to Hyang. In any case, we must provide support to Ms. Daenae. The problem is that you should not do the foolish thing of giving everything you ask for. So I think we need to send someone. Hyang nodded at Hwang Hees suggestion. Thats my opinion too. Then I will enter the selection process immediately. There is no need for personnel selection. yes? We are now in an urgent situation to fill the vacancies left by the officials who followed Abamama to Shinji. Its also a waste of time spent on personnel selection. If you please Hwang Hee, who stopped talking, nced at the four people huddled on one side and then looked at the incense. Hyang, who received the silent question, smiled and nodded. Thats right. The four people closed their eyes tightly at the positive affirmation of the fragrance. Damn it! Secretary Myeong-hoe Han, Assistant Secretary Seong Sang-moon. Yes sir! The two immediately responded to Hyangs call, lowering their heads and screaming inwardly. Youre caught! Now do I have to go to a battlefield in another country? The scent that called the two people immediately gave an order. Prepare for a business trip immediately. Tomorrow, take the first train down to Mokpo, cross the sea, and visit Lady Daenaes estate. The Minister of Defense sends an emergency message and tells us to prepare the ship. Yes sir. Yes sir. After giving the necessary orders to Jo Mal-saeng, Hyang spoke to Han Myeong-hoe and Seong Sam-moon. I will write aint to the matriarch of my family. The two of you should strongly protest the reckless behavior shown by the messenger today, and at the same time, urately examine the situation and determine how much support is needed before returning. I follow your orders! Then move. Yes sir. After receiving Hyangs order, Han Myeong-hoe and Seong Sam-moon quickly left the conference room. Hyang, who was looking at the two, ordered Kwon Ram and Hawiji. What are you doing? Instead of helping those two go on a business trip properly. Tsk! Its because Im so clueless. Yes yes! The remaining two quickly left the conference room at the sound of incense tickling their tongues. When the four people disappeared, Hwang Hee quietly asked Hyang. Are you okay with those two? It will be okay. Han Myeong-hoe has the talent to quickly grasp the situation and adapt to it on the fly. And Seong Sam-moon has a knack for urately understanding every situation while adhering to principles. Those two will quickly assess the situation. Hwang Hee nodded to Hyangs story. The evaluations made by ministers and vice ministers regarding the Gang of Four were very good. -If there is no ident in the middle, the position of next prime minister and minister is guaranteed. Because of this evaluation, Hwang Hee did notin anymore. * * * It had been 15 days since the two of them, who had gone on a business trip like roasting beans in the heat of lightning, returned to Hanseong. What is the situation in Japan? Han Myeong-hoe came forward and answered Hyangs question. The superiority or inferiority has not been decided yet, but Daenae will be pushed out when the practical tests are conducted. is it? The reason is? This is because most of the lords are still only looking at the situation. Which side they choose will determine which side they choose. Following Han Myeong-hoes answer, Seong Sam-moon came forward and answered. If you look at the current situation of the civil war, both sides are taking a breath. This is because there are climate issues and power consumption issues. This is just my shallow opinion. It is certain thatrge-scale shes will ur in the spring. It is certain that the direction will be decided in one or at most three turns. Spring is another three months. Yes. Hyang, with a very serious face, gestured to the two people. Okay. Leave the report behind. Yes sir. After sending the two people away, Hyang remained silent for a moment and then called the eunuch. Go and call General Lee Cheon. yes. Lowering. The scent that sent out the inner tube muttered softly. Were going to solve this. Chapter 497 Episode 497: Lord of war. (3) Have you called me? Im sorry for asking someone who is busy toe. No. What is going on? In response to Icheons question, Hyang went straight to the point. I would like you to prepare for the production of the double-barreled barrel type, of which only prototypes have been produced before. Li Cheon smiled slightly and responded to Hyangs words. I have already prepared it. Once you give the order, we can start production right away. How do you know? I heard that a messenger went to Daenae n. I expected that if our Joseon Dynasty were to send a messenger to the Japanese, an order for the production of ten types would be issued. In response to Lee Cheons answer, Hyang nced at the four people waiting next to him and opened his mouth. As expected, thanks to the general, I am relieved. Its been decades since I served in the military. Anyone who has lived a long life should look at least two moves ahead. In response to Lee Cheons answer, Hyang nced at the four people once again and received the words. Is it only generals like that? Everyone who wants a high position must have that mindset. Anyway, if we start production now, how many bags can we produce per month? We can produce up to 100 tablets per month. If we postpone the production of the Gapsikjangchonggae (revised) type, up to 300 guns are possible. Wouldnt there be a problem in producing the bomb-throwing balls requested by Daenae? Its okay because the organization in charge of production is a separate organization. After hearing Lee Cheons answer, Hyang immediately gave an order. Then, please produce it immediately. yes. We will begin production immediately. ah! You will need to send more people to Annam Mountain. On Mt. Annam? Is it because of the flint? yes. The fire starter is very popr. Hyang immediately nodded at Lee Cheons answer. I would be happy to hear from the Ministry of Finance and Economy. yes. Lets send someone. ah! Please also provide a price list for the thermal type and two-ply type. I already brought it. also! Hyang, who was impressed by Lee Cheons foresight, openly red at the four people. The four people flinched every time they received Hyangs re. It stings, it stings! Youd better swear openly! * * * After Icheon returned, Hyang handed over the documents to the four people. Based on this, set an appropriate sales price and report it. Are you willing to sell it to Daenae for money? Then should I give it to you for free? Is our Joseon Dynasty that rich? Ah And write an order to send to Mt. Annam and bring it with you. yes. The four people who responded immediately left the office in a hurry. Hyang, who was left alone in the office, muttered softly. The virtues I practiced in the 21st century are helpful again. * * * The rifle named armored barrel type was a downgraded version of the armored long gun. To be more precise, it was a deteriorated version of the Kentucky rifle, which became the prototype of the armored rifle. No, it was a flintlock musket,monly called a lead-type or hand-fired rifle. Why did you create a president who has regressed like this? When we first presented the prototype prototype, everyone in charge expressed doubts. In response to those questions from those in charge, Hyang exined the reason. I have now sent Dong Chong to Ming. But isnt the guns performance a bit different? Everyone in charge nodded at Hyangs words. Hyang continued speaking. If it is a name, we will develop it with better performance based on that. What is worrisome is that the guns developed in this way will flow to countries other than the Ming. If there are countries that have guns that will harm our country, I n to release this to those countries that will be helpful to us. No matter how urgent it is, we cant just give you our armored rifles, right? Everyone in charge nodded strongly at Hyangs words. These were the people in charge who had participated in the development since it was called Gapsikjangchongtong. Since they knew the performance of Gap-sik long guns better than anyone else, they immediately recognized the purpose of the incense. It will be far inferior to a standard rifle, but it will have overwhelming performancepared to a copper gun or other types of rifles. Hyang nodded at Lee Cheons words. That is the purpose. Lee Cheon, who was looking at the design drawing while listening to Hyangs words, opened his mouth. The percussion part has be a bit moreplicated, but its not thatplicated, and since the rifling on the barrel is gone, it will require less work. Thats the purpose. This is a musket, not a rifle! However, Icheon pointed out problems in other areas. I think the problem is flint. It is not easy to obtain hard flint inrge quantities. Hyang immediately responded to Lee Cheons point. That part. Theres a rumor I heard when I was out hunting down the street. It is said that good flintes from Annam Mountain (now Gyeyang Mountain). Is that so? Then I will send someone to see it. Icheon tilted his head for a moment at Hyangs words, but soon convinced himself and epted the words. Because the Crown Princes entricities were famous! Its quiet now, but when I was young, Hyang was famous for his frequent sneaking around. Of course, most of the reason why they had to go undercover was because of Princess Jeongsos hunger strike. Princess Jeongso went undercover to secretly find something to eat. However, few subjects took issue with Hyangs frequent sneaking around. Is there a problem with going out and doing everything you can? This was because King Sejong defended himself like this. After the purge of Ryu Jeong-hyeons group, there were no major subjects who could speak uprightly in front of the royal power, which had be extremely strong. * * * In any case, based on Hyangs words, arge-scale exploration work began on Mt. Annam. There are indeed a lot of good quality gemstones! After receiving the report, Hyang immediately made a suggestion to King Sejong. It would be a good idea to process the gemstones and sell them at a reseller. Flint from the monopoly? When King Sejong hesitated slightly, Kim Jeom, who was the head judge at the time, immediately jumped out. What a good idea! It takes a lot of effort from the people to manage the embers! But a good quality flint can save you a lot of effort! is it? Then Sejong, pushed by Kim Jeoms momentum, immediately approved the decision. And when high-quality flints were sold at the monopoly, favorable reviews from the people continued. After hearing the story, Hyang muttered to herself. It was helpful in many ways to search for materials on making a Kentucky rifle in the 21st century. * * * In the 21st century, Hyang C Jinho at the time C who ran the cksmith shop, made the Kentucky rifle under orders from Reinacter in the United States. After finishing making the rifle, Hyang looked slightly embarrassed. The flint is the problem? For the actual test, a suitable flint was needed. Can I find the brick and break it? While searching the Inte to find something useful as flint, Hyang learned about Gyeyangsan Mountain, which was famous for flint in thete Joseon Dynasty. -There was a military officer named Jeong Doo-won from the Gwangju Jeong n. Joseon, which suffered harshly during the Japanese invasions of Korea, began making and researching matchlock guns. Jeong Doo-won and his subordinates, who were devoted to the task, realized that wicks and flints to light a fire were as important as rifles, and searched for flint producing areas across the country. Thats how I found the best gemstones in Gyeyangsan Mountain. Afterwards, merchants selling flint in the marketces of Joseon gave flint from Annam Mountain the best. Its flint from Mt. Annam in Bupyeong! Baromoes whetstone! The flints from Annamsan Mountain in Bupyeong and the whetstones from nearby Baromoe Hill (now Geomam-dong) were reputed to be the best flints and whetstones of Joseon. (Note 1) After seeing the records on the Inte, Hyang seriously considered them. Would you like to visit Gyeyangsan Mountain? But his attempt failed. This was because it waspletely broken by my cousin who came to visit not long after. * * * Once the stock of the barrel type gun to be sent to Ouchi had umted to a certain extent, the county sent someone to Ouchi. -Send a messenger to discuss the purchase of long guns. Daenaes messenger has arrived along with the messenger we sent. Please stop by. Yes sir. The envoy of Ouchi, who came with the eunuch, bowed politely. I would like to see you. Thank you foring. huh? After receiving the courtesy, Hyangs eyes sparkled. Arent you dead? To the question about the scent, the lion bowed his head and answered. Thankfully, my lord showed me great mercy and I was able to survive my humble life. is it? Be loyal to your lord. ancient! Hyang, who had exchanged words of well-being that were not good words, got straight to the point. I epted Ms. Daenaes request and made a long gun for Ms. Daenae to use. But this gun is a money-eating monster, so I cant just hand it over. How much will you pay for it? If you do it right, you should receive 20 nyang of silver per bag, but since Daenae has a rtionship with Joseon, I will only ept 12 nyang of silver per bag. Sigh! The lion was surprised by the higher-than-expected price. Hyang continued speaking at that sight. Are there any soldiers among those apanying you who are familiar with long guns? Yes, there is. Lets take a look with him. He would know the value. yes? yes. * * * After a while, incense and people appeared at the pce grounds built on one side of Gyeongbokgung Pce. This is the rifle I will give you. At the signal of incense, the Naegeumwi military officer who was waiting handed the messenger a thermal rifle. The lion who received the long gun handed it to the samurai who followed. The samurais eyes widened as he examined the gun handed to him by the messenger. !⟳hǤ! huh? Deppo? When a very familiar word came out, Hyang immediately looked at the lion. The messenger exined right away. The shogunate bastards call long guns iron guns. Its made of iron. huh? Are there people in the shogunate who have the talent to make long guns out of iron? Well, the source is obvious. The lion immediately answered the question about the hidden scent. Do they have any talent like that? They say it was brought in from the Ming Dynasty. I see Its my name As Hyang looked slightly worried, the messenger continued speaking urgently. They say it was not sent by the Ming Dynasty, but was stolen by merchants! is it? The shogunate must have spent some money. The lion immediately realized what Hyangs words meant. That means there is no bargaining. Is it a choice to buy it or not? Whoa~. The lion let out a long sigh, as if in despair, and opened his mouth. I want to see the performance. Of course I have to show it. * * * Ten dayster, the messenger returned to Ouchi and reported the situation to Mochiyo. So we decided to pay 12 nyang of silver per bag. And first of all, I brought 100 long guns. 12 nyang in one bag! No matter how bad it is! No, if its Deppo, shouldnt it be cheaper! Mochiyo screamed. As Mochiyo said, if you just look at the unit cost of the material, copper was more expensive than iron. And copper withstood the explosion of gunpowder better than poorly smelted iron. The lion immediately responded to Mochiyos shout. How can God not know that? But isnt it true that a long gun made of properly refined iron is superior to one made of copper? In response to the messengers answer, Mochiyo calmed down her anger and asked. Are you saying its that good? It was made by Joseon and was confidently handed over by the Crown Prince of Joseon. Hmm In response to the lions response, Mochiyo stroked her chin and was lost in thought. What the messenger said was true. Joseon was a country with technology far ahead of their own, and it was an item that the Crown Prince of Joseon confidently handed over. After thinking for a moment, Mochiyo gave an order to one of his retainers. Go and call the katanashi. hot! Mochiyo sent his retainer away and red at the lion. I will look at the evaluation of the best swordsmith in our territory. If you are clumsy, I will hold you responsible and dont expect something as luxurious as seppuku. hot! * * * Note 1) Regional N culture and story materials. https://ncms.nculture.org/traditional-stories/story/6431 Chapter 498 Episode 498: Lord of war. (4) Katanashi (sword master) has arrived! Following the vassals cry, the old cksmith and his disciples knelt before Mochiyo. Mochiyo walked in front of him and opened his mouth. There is something I need you to take care of. The term Katanashi referred to the best swordsmith in the territory. Thats why Mochiyo didnt speak rudely to him either. Katanashi politely responded to Mochiyos words. What should I see? In response to Katanashis question, Mochiyo gave an order to the samurai nearby. Bring any of the boxes containing firearms sent from Joseon and open them. hot! At Mochiyos order, the samurai took one of the boxes piled on one side and opened it. Hoo~. Mochiyo walked in front of the open box and let out a light exmation. Inside the box were four long guns securely fixed. When Mochiyo saw the barrel of the gun shining silver in the sunlight, he let out a series of exmations in his mind. This is truly amazing! Iron that shines so beautifully! I would believe it if I said it was a famous sword! Mochiyo, who was staring at the barrel of the gun as if fascinated, immediately shook his head. Come to your senses! Dont be fooled by appearances! Mochiyo quickly came to her senses, took out a bag from the box, and held it out to Katanashi. Check out how the Joseons metal gun we madepares to the one captured from the shogunate. In this ce. Right Now. high! Katanashi responded to Mochiyosmand and immediately gave orders in a low voice to the disciples who followed him. Go and bring us the copper guns we made and the captured artillery. high! While his disciples brought guns, Katanashi meticulously inspected the long guns sent by Joseon. Huh~. Huh~. This is it this cant be right A series of words came out of Katanashis mouth as he examined the Joseons long guns, and I couldnt tell whether they were exmation ormentation. Is there a problem? Katanashi, who was staring at Joseons guns as if fascinated, answered Mochiyos question as if he werementing. No matter how you look at it, it seems that there is someone in Joseon who receives the blessings of Oinari-sama (the Japanese god of cksmiths). It is impossible to produce something like this from an ordinary cksmith shop. Is it that great? high. Just in time, Katanashis disciples returned with a bronze gun and a captured iron cannon from the Ming Dynasty. Katanashi began his exnation to Mochiyo byparing the iron cannons of the Ming Dynasty and the long guns of Joseon. If you look closely at the muzzle, you will see that the gun barrel of this famous country was rolled up and joined together. But Joseons deck is seamless. No seams? Is that important? Katanashi nodded in response to Mochiyos question. The fact that there are no joints means that it was made as one pipe from the beginning. What this means is that the fire energy of gunpowder can be contained better. Also, there is no need to worry about the joints bursting due to poor jointing. So is it a fetish? Katanashi shook his head in response to Mochiyos question. But its not like it was cast. Casting cannote out this smooth, and cast iron will break when subjected to strong impact. In order for cast iron to withstand the heat of gunpowder, it must go through aplex smelting process and it is difficult to achieve such a smooth surface. Phew~ Katanashi let out another long sigh and concluded. To conclude, Joseon made gun barrels by trimming steel tubes made of the best steel that could be used as a material for making famous swords. When ites to the barrel alone, it is at a level that even Minguks cant match. But I can only say that it is Oinari-samas blessing that we are able to send so many boxes of these things. The evaluation of Katanashi, citing the god as having the form of a fox, was the highest praise. However, the Joseon craftsmen whoter heard the story from the messenger who went to Joseon muttered with rotten smiles. The protection of the fox monster? If that were possible, it would have been solved by catching all the nine-tailed foxes, even if it meant tearing down all the mountains of Joseon. In Joseon, there is a crown prince who is scarier than a fox. * * * Many parts of Joseon were changed due to the virtue of incense, but what changed the most was ironware. Until the time of King Sejongs ession to the throne, Joseons iron-making and smelting technology was one step behind that of the Ming. In the process of developing a toy, a howitzer, there were attempts to make it out of iron casting like the Ming Dynasty, but the heat treatment technology was inferior to the Ming Dynasty and continued to fail. (Note 1) However, when the Hyang intervened, the whole situation changed. Without the intervention of the local government, a full-scalerge-scale steel mill was created through the mass production technology of steel, which would have been passed down to a small number of people until thete Joseon Dynasty and then disappeared during the colonial period. Afterwards, with constant sticks and carrots, the level of Joseons iron and smelting technology rose almost vertically. Thanks to this, the level of technology, which was considered to be inferior to that of the Ming Dynasty until the early days of King Sejong, was now far ahead of the Ming Kingdom in thetter half of the Gyeongjang period. Additionally, the development of steam engines elerated this development. The creation of a powerful power source that was iparably stronger than human power or axial force made it possible to mass-produce higher quality steel materials. This was also proven through analysis of scent. Even if we analyze it as objectively and conservatively as possible, it seems that we have surpassed the level of the early industrial revolution Hyang muttered with a serious look on his face after analyzing the situation in Joseon. What is needed for continued growth in the future is the market and poption. The problem is solved by encouraging the poption to be more prolific, expanding the river area, and at the same time epting indigenous people into Joseon. The problem is the market If you look at the current situation in Joseon, most of the cutting-edge technologies are being applied first to the military sector Hyang, who was tapping his fingers on the desk, looked into the distance and muttered. It sounds like you will be punished, but isnt there a war breaking out somewhere? It would be nice if it took ce far away from Joseon but it would be great if it took ce in Europe. Why are these humans who fight day after day so quiet? While people were secretly expecting war to break out in Europe, a civil war broke out in Japan. Civil war breaks out in Japan! After hearing the Iranian report, Hyang nced at the sky and muttered. Whether or not * * * After hearing Katanashis evaluation, Mochiyo bit Katanashi. is it? Good job! Its okay to go back. In response to Mochiyos words, Katanashi politely bowed and retreated. Even as he retreated, Katanashis eyes were fixed on the rifle sent from Joseon. As Katanashi gave the best evaluation, the surrounding high-ranking samurai focused their attention on the box. Since it received rave reviews from Katanashi, interest grew even more. However, the first to speak out were those with negative thoughts. The long guns sent by Joseon are excellent, but it will take a lot of time to produce them in proportion to their excellence. On the battlefield, quantity is as important as quality. There will definitely be a joint battle in the spring, and it will be a problem if we do not secure enough long guns before then. If the number is small, it would be better to produce more copper guns and melt the iron from those guns to make high-quality spears and swords. A messenger who had been to Joseon immediately stepped forward to refute the negative remarks. They said that in Joseon, up to 300 sacks can be produced per month! 300 bags a month! Not only the opposing samurai, but even Mochiyo were greatly surprised by the messengers remarks. Currently, the maximum production of long guns produced in Ouchis territory is 30 guns per month. This was the situation even though the cksmiths in the territory were scraped together as much as possible. The biggest reason for the low production was that cksmiths did not only make guns. Production was low because most war-rted items, including the iron pieces for spear swords and arrowhead armor, had to go through the hands of cksmiths. In such a situation, if 300 guns arrived in a month, Ouchis concerns would be immediately resolved. The center of gravity shifted sharply at the lions remarks. However, the samurai of the Munchi faction, who were wary of Saja from the Munchi faction, continued to nder him. But the price is too high. 12 nyang of silver per bag! Each copper gun produced in our territory costs 7 nyang of silver! To put it bluntly, if you buy one Joseon-made gun, you can buy two guns in our territory! In response to the opposition from the Mudan faction, those from the Munchi faction protested. Dont just think about price, you have to think about time too! No matter how much we use in our territory, its only 30 dragons a month! But 300 bags a month! There will be a joint battle right away in theing spring, but the price is the problem now! Thats right! Considering the time, its a price you can afford! But its still too expensive! As the voices of both sides grew louder, Mochiyo screamed. Be quiet! What a disgrace! In response to Mochiyos reprimand, the retainers immediately shut their mouths and bowed closely. I apologize! Mochiyo, who had shut the mouths of the Munchi faction and the Mudan faction, looked back at the lion. You probably didnt know about the price issue, right? hot! God also knows the problem of price. However, there was a problem of time and the performance of Korean-made long guns was so excellent that we had no choice. great? But isnt it just a long gun? Joseons long guns do not use matchlocks! huh? At the lions answer, not only Mochiyo but also the samurai of the Mudan sect focused their attention on the lion. * * * All the samurais eyes lit up when they saw the demonstration of the samurai who apanied the lion. One way or another, they were also samurai who would go to battle. If there was a weapon that was superior to the weapon the enemy had, it was bound to attract attention. When shooting a copper gun, the most important thing to pay attention to is the management of the firelock, and it is certain that it will be much more convenient if the flintlock is fired like that. The fire fighter had trouble reloading after firing, but its good that you dont have to worry about that. You dont have to worry about firefighting, so the firing speed will be even faster. While the samurai were receiving positive reviews, the lion struck the final blow. Joseons long guns do not simply end with this. The lion picked up the spiked bay contained on one side of the box and attached it to the long gun. If youbine the spear des like this, you can respond to closebat as well. oh! In the end, Ouchi decided to purchaserge quantities of Korean-made long guns. * * * The day after the purchase of Joseon-made long guns was decided, Mochiyo called his vassals together. The quality of the Joseon-made rifles I saw yesterday and the Joseon-made des I saw at mines or at Joseons superiors are of excellent quality. All the retainers nodded at Mochiyos words. Joseons des and kitchen knives are also famous swords. This kind of joke was going around all over Japan. So, in addition to purchasing long guns and gunpowder from Joseon, we will also purchase long swords inrge quantities. The cksmiths in the territory will be responsible for the production of spear des and arrowhead armor. At least that much will reduce the burden on the cksmiths in the territory and allow them to arm themselves more faithfully. A senior retainer pointed out a problem with Mochiyos deration. But there will be financial problems. First of all, you can deal with what you got from the silver mine, and then pay back what you stillck after you win! Winner takes all! In this way, Ouchi ordered arge amount of weapons to Joseon. After hearing the story through the messenger, Hyang looked at Kim Jeom. Looking at Kim Jeoms face who couldnt hide his smile, Hyang muttered to herself. Your mouth will be sorely torn apart! * * * Note 1) Joseons weapons and armor. Written by Min Seung-gi. Garam nning. Chapter 499 Episode 499: Those who earn, those who spend. (1) ording to Mochiyos decision, stone-style rifles and swords were produced inrge quantities and began to cross the sea. In addition, the Bigyeokjincheonroeyeol type and toys for firing the Bigyeokjincheonroe crossed the sea along with arge amount of gunpowder. And a huge amount of sales money came in through adjustments. Thanks to this, whenever weapons destined for Japan were shipped from Area 51, Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy watched the shipment from the entrance of Area 51. Whenever wooden boxes containing various weapons were taken out, Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy chatted with happy faces. It would be great if the Japanese civil warsted just five years, no more, no less. I cant help but agree. For every box of weapons sent out, a box of silver was brought in, so the two men were hoping that the Japanese civil war would worsen into a long-term war. However, they were well aware that if the internal situation of the Japanese state worsened, it would pose a threat to Joseon as well, so they limited it to just five years. oh! The toys are finally out! Look! How many more toys will be released in the future? In response to Kims question, the person in charge of shipping searched through the relevant documents and answered. We have no ns except for the 12 doors that are leaving today. Whether or not it will be added in the future will be decided depending on the Japanese war situation. is it? Are there enough toys in stock? I have about 50 questions left. From now on, there is nothing I can turn over even if Daenae wants it. At the words of the delivery manager, Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy looked full of regret. is it? There are no ns for reproduction, right? Even the mold has already been melted. Its such a shame, its such a shame Tsk! Tsk! Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy only had their appetites piqued. * * * The toy used tounch the bigyeokjincheonroe was a fools errand. Toys made as ultra-short-range bombardment weapons for siege use were stones carved into round shells. Afterwards, with the creation of the Bigyeokjincheonroe, its mission changed to a dedicated artillery. However, with the deployment of new dedicated artillery pieces with longer ranges and improved mobility by mounting them on carriages, toys were relegated to the backroom. Because of this, many toys, like other Fuhrers, were melted down and put into recycling. It was with the outbreak of the Japanese civil war that a new opportunity arose for toys that had only been waiting for recycling. The toys were used as cannons for firing downgraded Bigeokjincheonroe to be given to Mochiyo of Ouchi, and Joseon naturally sold them with a considerable markup. It may be interesting, but there will be no reproduction. Haona Do you think there will be enough demand to re-make the melted molds and even make casting molds? As time goes by and there is more time, the Daenaes will make it themselves. So there is no additional production. Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy only lost their appetite for Hyangs firm decision. * * * Once the water was opened, Daenaes shopping list became longer and longer. huh? You want to buy dry food? yes. In response to the request sent by Daenae, Hyang asked again with an expression full of worry. Is it really the head of the familys decision? I think Im going to die if youre arbitrary this time too, right? In response to Hyangs concern, the lion bowed his head and responded. I am truly devastated that you are worried about my childs well-being. But this is clearly your lords will. Then thats fortunate, but dont you also have supplies? Thats true, but if our military supply simply fills the stomach, Joseons healthy supply also fills us with vitality. The governor and ministers all nodded at Jas answer. * * * From the ancient times to the future, the Korean people were sincere about what they eat. As a matter of fact, the greeting given to Koreans every time they met an acquaintance was, Have you eaten? Thanks to this background, the dry food made by Hyang had good preservation properties, but it was a product that had a decent taste (of course, it was very salty) and was able to provide nutritionally bnced calories. Thanks to this, it was even used for lunch at social democratic schools attended by children in their prime of growth. Of course, as financial resources became avable through the police training, many social democratic schools began hiring caterers separately to provide meals. On the contrary, the food provided to Japanese soldiers was truly poor. The steamed rice was dried well and then carried around and eaten raw, chewed or soaked in water. The only side dish was taro stems marinated in soybean paste, twisted like a baby, worn around the waist, boiled, and eaten. Of course, since it was made from brown rice rather than polished white rice, it provided significant nutrients, but it was not as dry as the Joseon Dynasty. * * * Hmm If it is the decision of the internal world, lets sell it. Thank you. I said Is there anything else? As the lion tried to add, Hyang muttered a question to himself. Did you taste it once you tried it? yes. Please sell bundles of emergency bandages for soldiers to carry. Bandages? Hmm I guess Hyang shook his head at the lions words. * * * Although it was a ce where various things were done, the most part was rted to national defense. Of all the virtues, the one with the most merit is Mildeok! Therefore, Hyang, who was developing various weapons, became aware of the real problems. Its already hard because we dont have enough people, so shouldnt we keep the soldiers alive as much as possible? After thinking that far, Hyang immediately called the medical doctors. Are you talking about an herb that has hemostatic properties? Thats right. You can boil it and drink it, but it must be an herb that has medicinal properties even if you powder it and sprinkle it. I will look for it. Following the orders of the local government, thewmakers searched medical books and called herbalists to inquire whether such herbs were avable. I found it! Is that so? Six monthster, the doctor found the perfect herb. The best is ginseng, but it is difficult to obtain since ites from the Sichuan region of China. So I searched further and was able to find something suitable. So what is it? Jiyu (ؘ@) ising. The people call it cucumber nt. Thank you for your effort! Then lets make this something that can be usedfortably on the battlefield! The hemostatic powder made from medicinal herbs was ced in a small paper bag made of oil. Aside from the hemostatic agent, the only thing the scent touched was a bandage. You mean a bandage soaked in honey? yes. They say honey prevents suppuration from forming in wounds. The most seniorwmakers eyes lit up at Hyangs words. I have heard that honey has such benefits. How did you know? In response to thewmakers question, Hyang slightly blurted out his words. Well, after listening to this and that story and reading the book. I cant say anything about what I saw in a movie! Since Hyangs entricity was famous, thewmakers assumed it was just that and passed on it. But soon another problem arose. That expensive honey. Of course it has to be diluted. Lets find the optimal concentration. Even in the movies, they mix it with water to make it bitter! Following the direction of the township,wmakers repeated trial and error to find the optimal concentration thatbines medicinal efficacy and economic efficiency. And the doctors who found the optimal concentration began clinical trials with bandages coated with diluted honey. It definitely works! Then lets make it in bulk! In this way, the Emergency Bandage Bundle, the Joseon version of the First Aid Kit, was created and began to be distributed to soldiers. What is it used for? At first, the soldiers tilted their heads. However, when its effectiveness was proven through soldiers injured while fighting with the Jurchen tribe in the north, the soldiers carried bags containing emergency bandages and hemostatic agents as if they were a Shinju jar. At the same time, a new ss was born, the medical soldier. Instead of weapons, the medics carried tworge barangs and three canteens. Two of the three canteens were filled with ethanol for disinfecting wounds. One of the two bars was filled with cotton balls soaked in the spirit, and the other was filled with bags of hemostats and emergency bandages. * * * Ouchi learned about these emergency bandages and hemostatic agents while treating wounded soldiers in the Joseon Dynasty. My superiors doctors said that if you just sprinkle some powder on it, the bleeding will stop and the wound will heal! The doctors said that if you bandage it, the wound wont fester! The rumor spread everywhere on the wind, and when Mochiyo heard it, he immediately gave an order. Lets find out more! Mochiyo learned of the existence of emergency bandages and hemostatic agents in this way, and of course added them to her shopping list. * * * While they were selling goods to Ouchi like this, Waegwan merchants approached Joseon. Please sell Joseon long guns to our territory as well. Hyang, who received requests from merchants sent by lords from all over the Japanese country, gave a short answer. I will consider it when I receive Daenaes letter of guarantee. Do you mean Ouchis guarantee? Isnt it natural that there is an issue of trust between our Joseon Dynasty and the Daenae n? Thats true, but. I wont do business with you without a guarantee. The merchants had no choice but to retreat with a troubled look on their faces at Hyangs firm answer. And this had an impact on the entire Japanese nation. A situation hade where all the lords of the Japanese kingdom had to make a choice. C Ouchi or shogunate? While watching the battle between the Ouchi and the Shogunate, they realized the importance of gunpowder weapons, but the only way for them to obtain gunpowder weapons was to join hands with one of the two powers. Thanks to this, the entire Japanese nation began to properly split into two. Although the parties were divided, both sides wanted the emergency bandage bundle and Joseon also sold it regardless. Because if we block this, it will not be easy to maintain it even if Mr. Daenae takes power. As Hyang said, there was a question of justification, so Ouchi could not make any protest. And this emergency bandage bundle turned out to be an unexpectedly useful product. Thanks to this, the auction that determines who will take charge of the business of making emergency bandage bundles recorded the highestpetition rate in a long time. While the officials of the township and government were working hard to make money, there was someone who smiled in remorse. * * * Abama sent a letter. The ministers and vice ministers gathered at Seunghwadang lost their expressions as soon as they could speak. Hyang continued, looking at the expressions on the officials faces. He praised me and you for your hard work. They were very pleased with the result, saying it exceeded their expectations. Although the scent conveyed King Sejongs praise, the officials faces were not very pleasant. Kim Jeom, who received a nce from Hwang Hee, asked Hyang with a solemn look on his face. So what else do you need this time? Its a bit much. Tsk! The moment Kim Jeom heard Hyangs words, he bit his tongue. Some people work hard to earn money, while others! Even though he was grumbling inside, Kim Jeom didnt have the courage to say anything. Chapter 500 Episode 500 The one who earns, the one who writes. (2) When King Sejong had just arrived at the bridgehead in Shinji, all the officials and soldiers staying at the beachhead came out to wee King Sejong. Id like to meet your Majesty the Lord! Id like to meet your Majesty the Lord! Thank you for your hard work. You can stand up. Sejong raised the officials and soldiers and shook hands with the officials and soldiers standing in front of him. You really did a good job. Good job. The officials and soldiers who shook hands with King Sejong and received praise were so moved that they shed tears. I just did my job! I am truly ttered that you praise me like this! I am devastated! Your Majesty the Lord, live forever! A thousand years old! A thousand years old! The officials and soldiers who were thrilled by King Sejongs reign shouted at the top of their lungs for Cheonse. * * * After the fever of the century had passed, Queen Soheon and her concubines moved to previously prepared amodations, and King Sejong, along with his officials, moved to the newnd development headquarters established in the center of the bridgehead. Sejong entered the conference room of the pioneer headquarters and began to check the current situation. Please bring the documents that have not yet been sent to Hanseong. Youve had a hard time on a long voyage. Wouldnt it be right for you to rest first? I am concerned that the body may be damaged. Officials, worried that King Sejong, who was tired from the long voyage, might get in trouble, tried to stop him, but King Sejong resolutely refused. Seeing what you guys are wearing makes me lose all desire to rest. The officials looked embarrassed at King Sejongs words. The official uniforms were neatly washed upon hearing the news that King Sejong wasing, but most of them were very washed and faded. Hurry and bring the documents. yes. * * * After a while, a lot of documents began to pile up in the conference room. As the documents piled up, King Sejong continued to ask questions. Are the recements of those deployed here at the bridgehead and in the eastern Daehogun going well? Yes, low-level soldiers and officials are rotated once every year and a half, and executives are rotated once every two years. Why are there differences? If both the top and bottom are changed at once, an unfortunate situation may ur that disrupts the progress of tasks in that area. In order to prevent this, we have differentiated rates. Likewise, in terms of exchange with the maind, low-level officials and soldiers are reced every three years, and executives are reced every five years. is it? That part is fortunate. King Sejong nodded as if he felt relieved at the officials answers. * * * This natural rotation system was created through umted experience. The deployment of administrative officials was essential to handle Joseons territory, which had expanded beyond the northeastern region where the Jurchen tribe had been established and extended to Daeseoldo and the northern inds. However, having to live in an unfamiliar foreign country without an appointment caused a decline in the morale of officials and soldiers. Shit! This is exile! To prevent the morale of officials and soldiers from declining, Joseon began to actively utilize the rotational deployment system. The goal was to prevent morale from falling by conducting rotational deployments between the bridgehead area and the outskirts, where Joseonization was most advanced, and between the maind of Joseon and foreign countries. In addition, he maintained the morale of officials and soldiers by offering carrots such as higher rewards for working in foreign countries. * * * As the saying goes, Personnel matters everything, after confirming that there were no major problems with the personnel issues he thought were most urgent, Sejong began to look at the documents with a more rxed expression. However, the more the documents were read, the worse King Sejongs face became. Thanks to this, the fact that officials became restless was an added bonus. Whoa~. After briefly examining the documents piled up in front of him, Sejong let out a long sigh and opened his mouth. There are still many things missing. The contents of the documents submitted to King Sejong werergely the same. -We are working on various things and have achieved various results. But in order to get proper results, various things are needed. To summarize even more simply: Send me this, send me that, send me everything! The most senior among the officials came forward and exined King Sejongs evaluation. We have been spending a lot of time trying to figure out the approximate geographical information of Shinji, and it has not been long since the steam engine and other important items arrived. Because of this, there are many thingscking. No sooner had he finished speaking than another official came forward and took up the conversation. Not only that, even though I only had a rough idea, the size of this newnd is beyond imagination. Even if the equipment that has arrived now is working properly, there will continue to be a shortage for a considerable period of time. We have been making requests for several years, but the government keeps putting it off due to budgetary issues. The good news is that this newnd is rich in all kinds of resources to make the country rich. If we start operating with a proper foundation, not only the newnd itself but also the maind will have less worries. In the end, a positive answer came out, but King Sejong answered with a sour expression. That story was confirmed by the report. * * * Thend of Shinji is overflowing with all kinds of minerals, including iron and coal! When the government received the results of the survey sent by prospectors from the maind a few years ago, all the major and small officials, starting with King Sejong, cheered. Looking at the reactions of King Sejong and the ministers, Hyang muttered to himself. Thend itself is a cheat! * * * Hmm. Sejong, who was ring at the documents while listening to the officials answers, soon came to a conclusion. First of all, figure out what you need right now. yes? Things needed right now. For example, things that would cause problems in survival without them, such as medicine or weapons. Oh yeah! The officials who understood King Sejongs order began to organize the documents. You have to put that in. Even if you take this out. You cant take it out! When the issue of choosing a meal arose, the conference room quickly became noisy. All officials argued that it was necessary to smoothly carry out their duties and refuted the ims of others. Preupied with such a heated war of words, the officials forgot the existence of King Sejong. Huh! omg! The officials who had been arguing so much realized that King Sejong was sitting at the head table. The frightened officials immediately prostrated themselves on the floor. Showing such disgrace! Herees the Emperor! Please forgive the gods for their indecency! King Sejong waved his hand at the officials meeting with an expression that it was no big deal. Its okay. Because it looks familiar. yes? Anyway, have you chosen everything now? yes? yes. Thats right! King Sejong muttered as he looked at the documents in response to the officials response. Its still a bit much. Lets see. Afterwards, the officials went crazy with King Sejong. As a result, the officials selection was reduced by 1/3, and only then was King Sejong satisfied. This is fine. * * * Two dayster, the fleet carrying King Sejong was ready to return. Admiral Kang. Yes, Your Highness! King Sejong called the admiralmanding the fleet and handed him arge wooden box through the inner coffin. As soon as you arrive in Wonsan, send it to the royal court immediately. There is also a letter I wrote in it. Admiral Kang immediately responded to King Sejongs order. yes! I will definitely do that! Please take care of me. I will do my best! And Admiral Kang faithfully carried out the orders he received. As soon as he arrived in Wonsan, Admiral Kang immediately requested a special flight and immediately delivered the box in question to Hanseong. * * * The box sent by King Sejong went straight to Gyeongbokgung Pce. It contains a handwritten letter from King Sejong. Due to this fact alone, the wooden box in question was delivered directly to the township without any intermediate process, and ministers were summoned to Seunghwadang. Abama sent a letter. Are there quite a lot of letters? Youll find out when you open it. Hyang opened the box and took out King Sejongs letter from inside. After checking the seal and seal on the envelope, Hyang opened the envelope and took out a sign. Please see the Crown Prince and the Minister The contents of the letter, which began calmly, were as follows. -After safely arriving at Shinji and checking the situation, there was a big difference from what I heard in Hanseong. -This is not considered a problem of maniption or corruption, but a time difference problem. -As a result, there are more things needed in Hanseong than expected. -For that reason, please secure the items in the list enclosed below and send them to Shinji as soon as possible. -Also, those in Shinji are thirsty for news from the maind. I am also worried about the situation in Japan and Europe that I heard about just before leaving. Therefore, regrly operate a ship dedicated solely to delivering information. -For ships to transmit information, it would be better to first allocate a sailboat, butter build a dedicated ship that focuses on speed rather than load. That is all. After reading the letter, Hyang handed it to Hwang Hee. After Hwang Hee and the ministers took turns reading the letters, Hyang asked: What do you think? I think regr lines ofmunication are reasonable. Thats right. Hyang nodded at the ministers reactions. Although the county was said to be in charge of all political affairs, it was a proxy government. Asking and receiving answers from King Sejong on issues such as diplomacy and national defense could reduce the likelihood of political problems arising. The government quickly made a decision due to the positive response from ministers. Then, lets proceed ording to Abamamas wishes. Let us secure the supplies that Abamama has asked us to send as quickly as possible and send them to Shinji, and also organize a liner to handlemunications. And the development of dedicated lines will be promoted as quickly as possible within the budget limit. I follow your orders. I will look into the avable budget. The ministers pushed ahead with the work in a smooth manner. Hyang, who was looking at the ministers like that, suddenly became serious. what? Is it cheap all of a sudden? Why do I feel this cheap feeling? And as the situation in Japan changed, I learned why the scent felt cold. * * * Seong Sam-mun and Han Myeong-hoe, who had been dispatched to find out about the situation in Japan, reported this to Hyang. -It is certain that a great battle will take ce between the Daenae n and the shogunate in the spring. Jo Mal-saeng nodded at the conclusion of Seong Sam-moon and Han Myeong-hoe. It is reasonable. Winter is too cold to take action, and summer is too hot to fight. In particr, the rainy season in Japan is long and the weather is humid in the summer, so gunpowder can be thrown away if you make a mistake. Autumn is the harvest season, so if we start a war at this time, the entire years crops will be ruined and we will go hungry. So there is no answer other than spring? Thats right. Hyang also nodded in response to Jo Mal-saengs answer. I agree. However, even in spring, the Japanese country was still in a lull. The biggest reason for this was the conditions imposed on arms sales. -I will not sell it without Daenaes guarantee! After hearing the conditions, the lords of the Japanese kingdom had to make a choice. The shogunate said they would just give it to me Thats not true, didnt they just say you have to pay for itter? If you listen to the story, it is said that the Joseon-made Deppo has better performance After much deliberation, the feudal lords began to choose between Ouchi and the Shogunate. At first, most of them were on the wait-and-see side, but when they heard a rumor that a neighboring fiefdom C with whom they generally did not get along well C had brought in gunpowder weapons, they were forced to make a choice. As the situation progressed, there was a lull. This was because both the Ouchi and the shogunate were busy arranging traffic to ensure smooth coordination between the feudal lords who had joined them. Military forces refrained from fighting in order to train the suddenly increased number of musketeers. As the Japanese situation changed, a huge amount of sales money came into Joseon, and King Sejong was not about to ignore it. Chapter 501 Episode 501: Those who earn, those who spend. (3) There was an order from King Sejong, but the reason was also reasonable, so ships in charge ofmunication exchange were assigned. Of course, it was inevitable that some noise would ur in the process. Isnt it inefficient to use all those precious ships formunication purposes? A sailboat is faster than a sailboat, so it cant be helped, right? In addition, the cargo capacity of the pilot ship was considerably reduced due to the space for loading fuel and fresh water. Its not efficient. Even if the load capacity has been reduced, it is still a significant amount! But will the existing challenger-level wires be assigned tomunications work? If that happens, instead of the cargo, the captains will be loaded and they will hear the sound of tongues clenching. As this war of words continued, incense broke out and traffic had to be organized. It is true that formunication purposes, the base ship is more useful than the existing challenger-ss wire. However, it is not the best idea to continue to divert steamboats. So, we will develop a dedicated line as quickly as possible. But right now, the shipyards are in a difficult situation When Jo Mal-saeng, worried that the construction of the wires might be dyed, tried to raise a counterargument, Hyang raised his hand to stop him. It takes time to design and it takes time to build, so there is plenty of room. And as a test, one ship will be built here and then a shipyard will be built in Shinji for construction. By the time the design ispleted, Area 51, which was created in a new area, will have sufficient capabilities. Haona. As Jo Mal-saeng continued to cling to him, Hyang dealt the final blow. Then, the Captain, go directly to Shinji and persuade Abamama. As soon as Hyang finished speaking, Jo Mal-saeng changed his words. Your n is truly reasonable! After that, Jo Mal-saeng never opened his mouth again. After sorting out the matter, Hyang took up the ruler andpass again that night. Hmm As for speed, of course If we erge the sea emergency to its original size and then add a steam engine this would be the right answer, right? But soon Hyang had to change his n. * * * This is a letter sent by His Majesty the Prime Minister. I understand. Hyang, who had a neat posture ording to etiquette, politely epted the letter sent by King Sejong. Hyang broke the seal on the envelope, took out the letter, opened it, and calmly read the contents inside. After reading the letter carefully for a while, Hyang put down the letter and let out a long sigh. Whoa~. Hyang sighed several times and looked over the contents of the letter again and gave an order to the eunuch. Bring the Prime Minister and the Left Deputy Prime Minister. Yes sir. After a while, Hwang Hee and Kim Jeom received a call and visited Seunghwadang. Did you call me? Yes, Abama has sent a letter. Perhaps When Hyang mentioned King Sejong, Kim Jeoms face turned pale. Hyang opened her mouth as she looked at Kim Jeoms face. Ill start with the conclusion. You need to open the storeroom. As soon as she spoke, Hyang held out King Sejongs letter, and Hwang Hee epted the letter with trembling hands. Whoa~. Haa~. Hwang Hee and Kim Jeom, who took turns reading King Sejongs letter, let out a long sigh. Briefly, the contents of the letter sent by King Sejong were as follows. -You said money came in? You need this and that, so take it with you and send it to me. Send it quickly. The three continued to sigh, but the oue was decided. Since Abama ordered it, I must send it. Of course. I will prepare. Please take care of me. no. As a subject, this is something I must naturally do. * * * Whoa~. Haa~. After leaving Seunghwadang, Hwanghee and Kim Jeom let out another long sigh. For the first time in a long time, I thought I was only worried about prices rather than spending In response to Kim Jeoms wetints, Hwanghee silently patted Kim on the shoulder. * * * If one were to select the best group of professional officials in rtion to bnced finances at this time, it could be said that the officials of the Joseon Dynasty, especially the Ministry of Finance and Economy, were the best. From the early days of Gyeongjang, they had been in charge of changing the economic structure of Joseon from an agricultural country to an industrial country, having been tormented by Hyang. They had gone through all kinds of trial and error in the process of training, gained experience, and raised their level. As those trained in this way trained new recruits, Ministry of Finance and Economy officials were evaluated as the most talented of all. Of course, there was something to say next. His personality is as bad as his abilities. In any case, because they were such disciplined people, they were doing their best to ensure stable economic growth in Joseon. For these people, the fundsing from Japan were an unexpected variable and a subject of caution. If you dont manage it properly, youre in trouble! * * * Still, I was worried about prices because so much silver wasing in, but isnt this a relief? Kim Jeom nodded at Hwang Hees words. Thats true. Many of the items His Highness requested are made in Area 51 or the royal workshop, so we can prevent more goods from being released into the market than necessary. The problem is Just call the Minister of Finance and Economy and talk about it. Why are you calling me? Hwanghee smiled bitterly and responded to Kim Jeomsint. If that happens, wont the Prime Ministers Office be a borrowed barley sack? Everyone has to follow the chain ofmand to avoid conflictter. I know that, but I feel like Im the only one being criticized. Its like being caught in the middle. By the way Hwang Hee paused for a moment and her expression became reluctant. No matter how much I think about it, thest part of the letter bothers me. Kim Jeom also nodded at Hwang Hees words. Is that the case, too? So do I. The same goes for thest letter. Thest part of the letter sent by King Sejong was as follows. C The situation in Japan and Europe is unstable, so although my body is in this distant ce, my heart is in Hanseong. Of course, its not that I dont trust you, Crown Prince, but I hope you understand that it is the inevitable fate of a ruler. I ask you again and again to report everything without exception. Both Hwang Hee and Kim Jeom were at stake in this part. Rather, it is important to keep emphasizing it. I feel like its too much to worry about I agree. Hyang inside Seunghwadang also had a simr expression and his head was crossed. Something seems suspicious. And when the dedicatedmunication lines began toe and go ording to the timetable, King Sejongs n was revealed. * * * This is a letter from Your Highness. Hyang, who took the letter and opened it, muttered softly. You put the straw in the right ce. -I received the report you sentst time. After reading the report and thinking about it, I thought that the scale of this or that of the policies we had prepared could be reduced a bit. Then, since the budget has been reduced by a certain amount, please pay a certain amount out of the budget secured in that way and the profits received from the Japanese government. And the funds saved in that way C Looking at thest report, the profits earned from the Japanese country were quiterge. If done incorrectly, it could be a diplomatic dispute, so why not release a significant portion of those funds? Coincidentally, Shinji was in great need of cotton and grains for clothing (short story) The letter sent by King Sejong began with concerns and praise, but most of the content was a list of demands. Hyang, who was looking at Sejongs shopping cart list, sighed and burst intoughter. They say time never goes anywhere * * * The purchase list sent by King Sejong was truly exquisite, as if the tune that had run the government for over 20 years had not disappeared anywhere. It was King Sejong who used Shinji as a means of circumventing the impact of the funds flowing in from the Japanese Empire without straining the governments control and private supply capabilities. In particr, the paragraph added to the end of the letter requesting cotton and grain for clothing was truly appropriate. C Purchasing cotton and grains needed for cotton from the Japanese country in this way will calm the dissatisfaction of the Japanese country that may arise due to excessive spending and at the same time create an opportunity for Joseon to control the Japanese government. After checking thisst paragraph, Hyang nodded. This part was already a bit difficult for me to push through, but it turned out well. * * * The governance of the Japanese country is subordinated to our Joseon. This part has been steadily progressing since the beginning of the gyeongjang. However, as the Japanese Empire fell into a state of civil war, a war of words was gradually taking ce between government officials. The Japanese civil war that is happening now is an opportunity given by heaven! They must be thoroughly subjugated! Thats true, but wouldnt it be morally problematic? I dont mind the feuding lords of the Japanese country, but I feel like it sucks the blood of their people Modo? What kind of Tao? And what about the people? Have you forgotten that the Japanese who have been harassing us since the end of the Joseon Dynasty are also citizens of that proud Japanese nation? But its a bit weird to want us to be the same Have you ever seen such an arrogant man? In this situation, the letter sent by King Sejong was the best card. This way, we can take care of both the cause and the practical benefit. * * * Hyang, who gained the support of King Sejong, immediately summoned the ministers. Abama sent this letter, and I also have the same thoughts. The ministers who read the letter sent by King Sejong quickly nodded to Hyangs words. It will truly be an exquisite number. Thats right. If we do this, we can take care of both justification and practical benefit. While all the ministers who had been divided on opinions responded positively, Kim Jeom expressed his thoughts to Hyang. To facilitate this n, I think it would be good to use Daenae and Guju Tamje. What do you think? Hyang nodded at Kim Jeoms words. I think so too. And I dont think Daenae will hate it either. Thats right. * * * If we look at the rtionship between Joseon and Ouchi and other Japanese lords, the lords of Joseon and the Japanese kingdom were connected with Ouchi as a stepping stone. The starting point for this situation was the Ouchi guarantee requested by Joseon. -We will only sell weapons to lords who have Ouchis guarantee! Through Joseons decision, lords who wanted to purchase Joseon weapons had no choice but to go under Ouchi. In this process, Ouchi not only provided a credit guarantee but also a payment guarantee. Guns and artillery, as well as the most important gunpowder, were expensive items. Because of this, it was difficult to purchase small and medium-sized fiefdoms, and that was when Ouchi came forward. I will pay for you. Thank you so much! I and my territory swear allegiance to the matriarch! By doing this, Ouchi brought small and medium-sized fiefdoms into his shadow, and Joseon strengthened its influence through Ouchi as a medium. * * * However, no matter what the intermediate process was, those who ultimately bore the burden were the Japanese people. Naturally,ints about Joseon began to emerge among the people. And Han Myeong-hoe visited Ouchi. long time no see. Oh Han Gong! Wee! Mochiyo was happy to wee Han Myeong-hoe, but inside she was full of worry. How much more are you going to take out? Its just too much As if he knew how Mochiyo felt, Han Myeong-hoe made a vaguely apologetic expression. I sincerely apologize for making such an apologetic request to someone who is busy with big business. Its okay. Whats going on? Yes, we have items needed for Joseon and would like you to sell them. I will definitely pay the price. Mochiyos face brightened at Han Myeonghoes words. is it? Something? Just say it! Chapter 502 Episode 502: Those who earn, those who spend. (4) To be honest, the Ouchi family of Mochiyo was also under considerable financial pressure as they had been purchasing all kinds of war materials from Joseon. In such a situation, Mochiyo was pleased when Chosun said he wanted to buy something by giving money. What are the things that Duke Han of Joseon wants to buy? Cottones first, followed by sulfur and copper. We need some grain, but the situation in the Japanese country seems to be not good, so I am offering it. Hmm Mochiyos face became slightly serious at Han Myeonghoes words. Shibukawa produces more cotton than us, and we also pay money to buy sulfur and copper Han Myeong-hoe, who noticed that Mochiyos expression was not good, immediately continued. But if we look at the current situation in the country of Japan, isnt it a situation where we, Joseon, can trade as we please? I hope that the head of the family can tell me a trustworthy territory or facilitate a meeting. Im just worried that it might be a burden to someone who is busy with a great cause. Mochiyos face brightened at Han Myeonghoes words. oh! Whats the problem with that? Please wait a few days! I bring you good news! In response to Mochiyos answer, Han Myeong-hoe bowed her head with a bright face. Thank you so much! * * * Hello! Take him to a ce where he can rest in peace! After sending Han Myeong-hoe out, Mochiyo looked back at his retainers. Isnt this a good opportunity? Thats right! I was worried that if things continued like this, there would be a crisis, but this truly great opportunity hase! It is certain that Kamisama takes care of us! The retainers also looked as if all their worries had disappeared in one go. Of course, there were some people who did not know what to look for. I brought good news, but havent you treated me too much? My lord, you will soon ascend to the position of a man of the world, but if you make a mistake, there is a high possibility that the Korean people will make a misjudgment. When one of the retainers made that point, Mochiyos face became fierce. You idiot! Do you think the author is simply an envoy from Joseon? He is a direct subordinate who works right next to the Crown Prince of Joseon! If the Crown Prince of Joseon ascends to the throne, he will immediately enter the core of power! But are you looking down on me now just because Im young? In response to Mochiyos shouting, the retainer who made the problematicment immediately fell face down on the floor. Im sorry! God forgive me for my slip of the tongue! If you speak without thinking again, I will immediately cut off your head! Thank you for showing me mercy. The vassal, who had escaped a near-death crisis, expressed his gratitude while breaking into a cold sweat. Mochiyo, who had shaken up his retainers, settled the situation. Joseons current request is like a kamikaze sent to us by Kamisama. However, if you make even the slightest mistake, you are wasting a golden opportunity, so do your best. hot! The retainers responded with one voice to Mochiyos words. * * * As Mochiyo said, Joseons purchase request was like a new wind for Ouchi and the alliance. Although the purchase of weapons itself was settled on credit through Ouchis payment guarantee, maintaining arge-scale army was a costly affair. However, if we reduced the army, it was certain that the nearby hostile territory would attack us immediately. In the end, this financial burden had no choice but to fall on the farmers of the estate. The problem was that it was unlikely that farmers would just ept this increased burden. A situation arose where the vige chiefs of the viges belonging to the territory immediately flocked to protest and even threatened that an Ikki might ur. In this situation, the lords of various parts of the Japanese country were in a situation where they could not do this or that. In such a crisis, Joseons demands were conveyed through Ouchi. What a great thing! The lords belonging to Ouchi, who heard Joseons demands through Ouchi, apuded and were happy. * * * Looking at the situation in Japan during this period, Joseon was in a situation where itrgely dominated the Japanese market. And a representative example of this was Gwangmok. Cotton cloth and linen spun as a home-made industry were no match for the cotton spun by machines in Joseon. Of course, Joseons cotton cloth was more expensive than Japanese cotton cloth, but it was not expensive enough to give up buying it. Rather, the Japanese purchased Joseons cotton because it had an overwhelming advantage in terms of marketability such as durability. And they were the Japanese who chose to sell cotton to Joseon instead of weaving their own cloth. Although cotton consumes a lot of intellectual power, the profits are much greater than rice farming! After all, our rice fields are on the hillside, so rice farming isnt easy, right? Lets nt cotton! As these ideas spread, many farmers in Japan began to grow cotton. And it was the lords who elerated this situation. This was because more taxes were collected from cotton than from rice farming. Of course, there were some who felt threatened by this situation. Paddy fields are being used to grow cotton, which is inedible. If you continue like this, you could starve to death! Cotton cultivation must be banned or reduced immediately! Those who opposed cotton cultivation raised their voices, but few people, from farmers to lords, listened. Cotton is more profitable than growing rice, so what nonsense? rice? If you have money, you can buy things without worrying about anything? In fact, after growing cotton, the number of people starving has decreased! What those who raised objections said was true. When cotton cultivation began, grains that became scarce could be purchased with money. This was Joseons target. Joseon purchased grains from Gangnam in Daewol and Seo and supplied them to the Japanese lords. And the lords sold the grains they brought in to the people. During this process, Joseon did not forget to secretly inform the lords. C If you lower taxes, you can obtain more wealth. What nonsense? The lords who had tilted their heads at Joseons words brightened when they saw Ouchi follow Joseons example and lower the tax rate. Ouchi? Ouchi was equally skeptical. However, Ouchi Morimis decision that development could only be achieved by imitating Joseon was carried out in ordance with the strong arguments of Confucian schrs who returned from Joseon. But the results were very good. The loyalty of the people of the territory increased further, and asmerce developed, taxesing in began to increase. Seeing this, other lords began to follow Ouchis example one by one. Paradoxically, as farmers shifted from growing their own rice to buying and eating it, the number of farmers going hungry decreased significantly. This was because, as long as you had money, you could always go to your lord and buy grain to fill your stomach. And with the reduction in taxes, the Japanese people, who had secured more economic space, began to purchase Joseon goods. As the situation progressed, Joseon was steadily earning goods from Japan. Even when there was a drought in Gangnam, they acquired goods by steadily supplying grain through Daewol and Seo, and sold various items made in Joseon to the Japanese government. As she was sorting out this situation, Hyang smiled wryly. Who did that? If we just sell it, we can only sell Walkmans, but if we build a factory, we can sell not only CDPs but also TVs. And Japans agriculture, industry andmerce were bing more and more dependent on Joseon. Later, schrs who studied the history of Japan and Northeast Asia during this period evaluated it this way. -Joseon unleashed sweet poison on the Japanese nation. * * * While Ouchi was sighing at the benefits of Joseon, the shogunate found itself in an increasingly difficult situation. Unlike the Ouchi, which was able to umte capital internally through the Iwami Silver Mine, the Muromachi shogunate umted capital through trade with the Ming Joseon Dynasty. However, as the civil war broke out, the volume of trade with Joseon, which was close to Ouchi, was greatly reduced. As trade with Joseon decreased, trade with Ming increased, but the profits decreased significantly. This was because merchants who had be monopolistic began to attack. In addition, various weapons that were initially provided free of charge had to be purchased with money. * * * This was because the situation had be unavoidable for the Ming Dynasty. The 1,000 iron guns initially supplied ording to the will of Emperor Seondeok could not be said to be unreasonable. However, the arms race that urred as the Japanese kingdom was divided into two required more and more iron guns and artillery, which began to be a burden on the Ming as well. In addition, the chief rifle that was captured by the shogunate and handed over to the Ming Dynasty became a problem. There was a report that the Joseon armys rifles did not use matchlocks when they were suppressing Lee Man-ju in the past, right? Thats right. At the time, Jim thought the report was a mistake. This was because they did not think it was possible to ignite gunpowder without a matchmaker. But it was possible. I took a hit. As Emperor Seondeok patted the chiefs rifle with a bitter expression, Ye Bu Sangseo immediately spoke. I will send an envoy to Joseon immediately and say something. done. Even if I was the king of Joseon, I would have used the same method. Emperor Seondeok, who rejected Yebu Sangseos proposal, handed a rifle to Byeongbusangseo and ordered him to do so. Remodel the iron guns used by our military in the same way. And think of ways to develop it further. There is no way that Joseon would have released these iron guns on the Japanese without thinking. It is certain that Joseon went one step further. So we cant stop either. I obey the Emperorsmand! ording to the orders of Emperor Seondeok, work began on modifying the iron guns used by the Ming army. During this process, there was a disruption in supply to the Japanese country. Even in the Ming Dynasty, thergest economy in Northeast Asia, producing as many new iron guns as those supplied to the Japanese was almost a waste. In addition, Emperor Seondeoks cruel decision was added. No matter how important it is to expand your power, missing a golden opportunity proves your ipetence! It is uneptable to provide unconditional support to these ipetent people! Get paid! I obey the Emperorsmand! * * * As this happened, the shogunate began to find it increasingly difficult to expand its military base. First month of the 27th year of King Sejong (Eulchuk Year, 1445) There is nothing we can do now! We muste to a conclusion before it is toote! You must! In the end, the heads of the shogunate slowly began preparing for a showdown. This atmosphere was also spread to Ouchi, and Mochiyo called his retainers together. Now the time hase for the decisive battle! Prepare for a joint war! Tell this to the lords of the alliance! hot! * * * Meanwhile, in Hanseong, Joseon, Hyang was muttering while looking at the graph. I saw that sales were decreasing, so I sold as much as I could. Now, I guess Ill just have to stop ying for a while until Impletely exhausted. However, there is nothing more profitable than selling weapons Should we try selling them in Europe? It was a scent that was thinking about a new sales outlet. Chapter 503 Episode 503: Roses have thorns. (1) A trading port built in Mokpo. hey! Now lets start the inspection! Yes, Nari! Following the orders of Hanmyeonghoe, workers unloaded the wooden boxes and began to open their lids. As the workers opened the lid, the waiting soldiers took out long guns from the box and began inspecting them one by one. click! click! widely! After pulling the trigger, checking that the fire door cover moves properly, and pulling the trigger to check that it fires properly, the soldiers put the rifle back in the box. The workers closed the lid of the box again and nailed it, while waiting officials glued a red paper strip to seal it. The Arab and Portuguese sailors who were watching from afar seemed to be amazed by this inspection process, so they secretly asked questions to the nearby Koreans. What is that? huh? what? As the Koreans could not properly understand the poor Koreannguage of the Portuguese sailors, the Portuguese sailors became frustrated and raised their fingers to point to the inspection process. That thing over there Ah The Koreans saw where the Portuguese sailors were pointing and then nodded and answered. We are inspecting long guns sent to Japan. Why? What was that dick? The Korean man, who found it difficult to exin, approached a nearby official. The Korean man who heard what the official said came back with a bright face and answered. Jipanggu! ah! The Portuguese sailor nodded and asked the question again. Long gun what? What is a long gun? When the Portuguese sailor nodded, the Korean pointed to the long gun on the shoulder of the soldier guarding the inspection site. Long gun. Ah * * * Through this process, the story about the long guns exported by Joseon to the Japanese reached the ears of the captains of the Portuguese fleet. Have you heard about the hand cannon being exported to Jipangu? It would be better to think of it as a musket rather than a hand cannon. In terms of size, wouldnt it be closer to an arquebus than a musket? At that time, matchlock rifles were just bingmon in Europe. ording to European standards at this time, small guns were ssified as arquebus andrge guns were ssified as muskets. ording to the standards of Europeans, the type of barreled barrel that Joseon exported to Japan was close to the Arquebus. Of course, just by appearance. Hmm, do you want to take a look? I agree. At this time, merchant ships were warships, and their captains were militarymanders. Naturally, they couldnt help but show interest. Wouldnt there be nothing special about the Arquebooth? Of course, there were some who reacted negatively. This was because well-made armor during the early arquebus era was often able to block pistol bullets and archebus bullets. Therefore, the Joseon long guns, which looked thinpared to the muskets they were ustomed to, seemed unreliable to them. Exporting to Jipanggu can be seen as having considerable power, right? And if its not as powerful as we think, we can sell our muskets to Zipangu. The other captains nodded to the opinion expressed by one of the captains. Thats a good idea! I brought you some really good drinks, so lets try some! I want to see Joseons long guns being exported to Japan! Mokpo Manho, who received a request from the Portuguese captains, turned to Han Myeong-hoe. It seems like the n worked. Thats right. * * * Secretary Myeong-hoe Han, I need to go to Mokpo. yes? At the suddenmand of the incense, Han Myeong-hoe unconsciously raised her head and looked at the incense. why? You dont want to go? Then, someone else When Hyang turned his head, Han Myeong-hoe quickly stepped forward and bowed his head. ah! No! I just wanted to know why you told me to go to Mokpo! * * * The four people who were selected as secretaries of the township were forced to roll around and around ording to the instructions of the township. As we endured high-intensity work every day, our camaraderie became stronger, but on the other hand,petition was also bing fiercer. This was apetition to determine who would upy the core of the government after Hyang ascended to the throne. Even if the kick was difficult, I would definitely be able to get into the core of the kick, and if I wanted to get even one step closer to Hyang, I had to do well now. And if you look at the rankings so far, Han Myeong-hoe was significantly ahead. His ability to handle political affairs was good and he showed excellent coping skills even in situations that required improvisation. Even so, in the eyes of the governor and the ministers, it was there. Because of this, the four people had to run until the sweet smell came out of their mouths. * * * After hearing Han Myeong-hoes answer, Hyang exined the reason. Portuguese and Arab merchant ships entered the trading port of Mokpo. Lets make them interested in the double-barreled gun. Are you going to sell them thermal rifles? Thats right. But lets hook them without making it obvious that we want to sell those guns. Thats how you can gain an upper hand in trading. Han Myeong-hoes expression darkened slightly at Hyangsmand. It wont be easy. so? do not want to do it? Then should I leave it to someone else? Oh no! I will go and make it happen! Hyang smiled and responded to Han Myeong-hoes answer. Its befitting of Hanmyeonghoe toe out like that. I will believe it. yes! Then we will move right away! Like that. Han Myeong-hoe bowed cheerfully and left Seunghwadang. The me ofpetition was burning brightly in the eyes of the other three people as they watched Han Myeong-hoe take big, swift steps. Hyang, who was looking closely at Han Myeong-hoe and the trio, smiled inwardly. also! Well mixed! The results are better than expected! * * * Han Myeong-hoe, who came down to Mokpo with such vigor, exined his purpose to Mokpo Man-ho and put their heads together. Do the Arabs and Portuguese have simr weapons? Hmm let me see. Arab merchants may not know this, but Portuguese sailors were often seen carrying simr weapons. No, it would be more urate to say that it is simr to a tung gun rather than simr to our Gap-sik long gun or ten-type rifle. Is that so? exactly. After hearing Mokpo Manhos answer, Han Myeong-hoe became lost in thought. How do I do it? Han Myeong-hoe, who was thinking about various methods, soon came up with a n. How about doing an inspection? Inspection? Han Myeong-hoe exined his n, and upon hearing this, Mokpo Manho hit his knee. What a good n! In this way, an open inspection was carried out and the Portuguese captains took the bait. * * * A demonstration was held for the Portuguese captains who took the bait. This is a long gun exported to Japan. After listening to the interpreters interpretation, the captains lifted up the column guns ced on the long desk and examined them. huh? uh? ah! The captains eyes, which were looking at the long guns here and there, were all fixed on the percussion parts, and questions and exmations came out of their mouths. Firestone? The captains shouted in unison when they saw that it was not a familiar matchlock, but a flint-fired column gun. I want to see the uracy and power! At the captains request, a shooting test was held. A traditional target was set up on one side of the archery field, and a Portuguese-made breastte was hung next to it. The captains on the bow range of the archery range talked while measuring the distance to the target. Is it about 60 fatams (about 104 meters)? Does it look like that? The captains who were measuring the distance soon shook their heads slightly. Piercing through a breastte at this distance? No, is it even possible to hit the mark? The uracy rate of muskets and arquebuses made in Europe during this period was disastrous. This was not only due to the problem of ck powder, but also because the uracy of the barrel was very low. joy! Take a look! Youll be mesmerized! Han Myeong-hoe, who was snorting inwardly at the negative reactions of the captains, gave an order to the military officer. Lets begin. yes. The military officer who received the order walked next to the soldiers and shouted. Bangpo! Ta-ta-tang! * * * After the demonstration was over, the captains reaction was exactly as Han Myeong-hoe had expected. Five soldiers punched five holes in the red circle made on the target and five holes in the breastte. That was also through salvo fire. Did all shots hit? On this street? The captains, who were surprised by the better-than-expected uracy and power, were shocked when they noticed another fact. Its only the size of a musket, but it has that much power and uracy? In the end, the captain, who was fascinated by the power of the column gun, approached Han Myeong-hoe. He said he wanted to buy that long gun. Han Myeong-hoe immediately responded to the interpreters words. The minimum unit is 50 Joseon silver coins per bag of 10 bags. The captains who heard the interpreters words soon became divided in their opinions. 500 ducats of silver per bag? Besides, you have to buy at least 10 bags at the same time! Some people shook their heads at the higher-than-expected price, but others did not. No, no. If you look at that level of uracy and power, it is well worth the price. And I think it would be quite helpful to bring about 10 bags to each boat? But you think it would be quite fun to go back to Portugal and sell itter, right? The problem is money! When one of the captains mentioned money, the pro-choice captain responded with a slight smile. Arent there things you have been receiving as performance bonuses? I think it would be better to buy that long gun rather than worrying about which one will sell well. At those words, all the captains started calcting their profits and losses with serious faces. Captains who sailed to Joseon received a lot of basic pay, but they also received significant performance bonuses. Thanks to this, it wasmon for captains traveling on trade routes to earn extra ie by collecting performance bonuses and personally purchasing and selling goods. In the end, after various profit and loss calctions and arguments, the captains came to a conclusion. Ill buy 50 bags! Han Myeong-hoe immediately responded to the captains words. Tell them that it is an advance payment and that the goods will be sent right before departure. yes. * * * Afterpleting the task given by Hyang, Han Myeong-hoe returned to Hanseong and reported to Hyang. Good job. As expected, Han Myeong-hoe. After all, its Han Myeong-hoe. Han Myeong-hoe bowed her head in response to Hyangs praise. Thats too much praise. After hearing Han Myeong-hoes answer, Hyang called General Icheon and told him about the situation. Hopefully, we will need to increase production. Is that possible? Icheon immediately answered Hyangs question. You can double it. Good. Meanwhile, Hawiji, who was listening to the conversation between Hyang and Icheon from the side, joined the conversation. I may be pretentious, but I know that you guys are also very dexterous. The Japanese are not dexterous and have no choice but to buy from us, but wont they try to copy instead of buying from us? Hyang smiled wryly and answered Hawijis question. Its impossible at their level now. And I dont have time. Yes? When Hawiji did not understand properly, Hyang answered. They say their dexterity is good, but its stillcking. Of course, if they ask us to catch up, we will, but will the current situation give us enough time to do that? Chapter 504 Episode 504 Roses have thorns. (2) Yes? Thats When not only Hawiji but also Seong Sam-moon and Kwon Ram looked embarrassed, Lee Cheon spoke on Hyangs behalf. At least until Gyeongjang, the Ming and Seoyi may have had advanced technologies than us, but now we can be seen as being ahead. At Lee Cheons words, Kwon Ram opened his mouth. But these people are also familiar with weapons that use gunpowder. Since they are like that, wont you catch up with them right away? Lee Cheon answered Kwon Rams question right away, but his voice was gradually rising, perhaps because he was frustrated with the reaction of the four people. Have you forgotten what you said earlier? The situation in the West is changing every day, so do you think we canfortably improve our technology? But isnt it normal for people to try to catch up with weapons that are better than the weapons they use? When Seong Sam-moon questioned Lee Cheons point, this time, a scent appeared. Its a situation where war may have already broken out in the West. When a war breaks out, the cost of war is more than a penny or two. If you were a politician, would you invest money and time in a project that you dont know when will bepleted, or would you choose to hold on to the existing things and spend money to buy better weapons in the meantime? The four people who were carefully considering their profits and losses in response to Hyangs question bowed their heads in unison. Our thoughts were short-lived! Try to get into the habit of looking a little more broadly. While giving advice to the four people, Hyang muttered to himself. War can promote technological development, but it can also block it. You know when you look at World War II and 21st century America, right? * * * During World War II, the United States served as a factory for the Allies. In this process, American defense technology made a significant leap forward. On the other hand, looking at the second invasion of Iraq and the Afghan war that took ce after 9/11, all the weapons that had been diligently developed were overturned. The reason for this was budget issues. In the case of World War II, it was an all-out war with the fate of the nation at stake. Therefore, the top priority in budget management was things rted to the war effort. However, the wars fought in the 21st century were not all-out wars. Because of this, budget constraints were imposed, and the development of new weapons, which cost a lot of money, fell through. This was because it was important to produce at least one more 5.56mm bullet that was needed on the front lines right now rather than spending money on developing weapons such as the Crusader, which we did not know when would bepleted. That is why Hyang and Icheon came to the same conclusion. To put it bluntly, it was a full-length long gun or Arquebus of simr power. It was much more profitable to buy alreadypleted items inrge quantities than to waste time and finances in the face of a war that was not going to break out soon, or that was already going on. * * * However, the four people became enraged by Hyangs advice. No matter how old I am, I dont think I did too much! Hes the same age! Finally, Seong Sam-moon opened his mouth. Then, my name. If it had simr power to a ten-type long gun or a long gun of the Seo-yi, would there be any reason to spend money to buy it? Hyangs expression changed at Seong Sam-moons question. Look at this? Is it clear? In response to Seong Sam-moons provocation, Icheon stepped forward instead of Hyang. Those peoples arquebus, in Area 51 we call it a matchlock gun. The column rifle has one advantage that the matchlock cannot match. Whates? Not using Hwaseung. yes? Do you know how much mental strength it takes to carry around bags of gunpowder all over your body or to handle a burning matchlock next to a bag of gunpowder? Ah The four people nodded at Lee Cheons exnation. However, the four did not give in right away. However, thermal long guns are expensive and it takes time to transport them. People may give up on purchasing. Hyang slightly smiled and responded to Han Myeong-hoesment. That part has already been taken care of. Its already been going on since the days of Dongchong. Of course. Icheon also smiled and epted Hyangs words. What Hyang and Lee Cheon were talking about was the percussion unit binding device. * * * At the time the gun was handed over, Hyang and the research team made the percussion part into one module and then turned it into a ck box in preparation for the Myeong people stealing the technology. If disassembled without permission, the separate spring inside would cause all the parts to scatter in all directions. Even if it did not disperse properly, the spring in question caused confusion in reverse engineering. In this case, the percussion parts had to be purchased from Joseon, and Joseon could benefit from being able to know the state of Mings armament to some extent in addition to additional ie. In the end, after failing to reverse engineer, Myung ended up making an iron gun by applying the percussion structure of the Arquebus imported from the Middle East. * * * Thats how the percussion parts were made into one bundle. If the craftsmen are proper craftsmen, they will notice this, and if the bosses are smart, they will ask if they can buy just that bundle of parts. Thats okay too, because you can send more in the same volume. The four people who were listening to the exnation of the scent broke into a cold sweat without knowing it. How manyyers of traps did you set? This is the reason why the captains and old men break down in despair whenever they see the crown prince! I always feel like Im a scary person! In the end, it was the four people waving the white g to Hyang again. After waving the white g, what was left was curiosity. I understand that our Joseons long-barreled rifles are excellent, but is there nothing we can learn from the Westerners rifles? In response to Hawijis question, Lee Cheon stroked his beard, thought for a moment, and then answered. Hmm I guess theirs might be a little more advantageous in terms of operational safety. But since Joseon has already ovee that part, I dont think there is anything to learn. Is that so? Howie nodded in response to Lee Cheons answer. After seeing the four people like that, Hyang came to a conclusion. You can tell that part by looking at their reactions, so lets end here. General Icheon, please be prepared to respond immediately when the decision is made to increase production. I will do so. As Lee Cheon left Seunghwadang after finishing his business, Hyang looked back at the four people. Then, next, lets summarize the situation in Japan. How much longer do you think Daenae and the shogunate will continue to growl? In response to Hyangs question, the four people hurriedly looked through the documents. Oh, thats Tsk! * * * After being roasted by Hyang again, the four people entered the office assigned to them. Whoa~. Im exhausted. Im exhausted. Kwon Ram, who was sitting on a chair with a tired face, looked at his colleagues with simr expressions, and then his eyes were fixed on Han Myeong-hoe. Now that I think about it, Jajun, you dont even keep your mouth shut? What do you mean? Didnt you just keep your mouth shut when you were talking with General Lee Cheon about long guns? Han Myeong-hoe responded to Kwon Rams point with a slight smile. Well, it was best to keep my mouth shut at that time. huh? This is a n that the crown prince may not know, but even old General Lee Cheon agrees to. Do you think we didnt know what we thought? Its better to keep your mouth shut than to speak out and get criticized for no reason. The faces of the other three people changed dramatically at Han Myeong-hoes answer. Such a snarky snake! They said it was a trick! Damn you! In the end, Seong Sam-moon, who can be said to be the most stubborn, criticized Han Myeong-hoe. I acknowledge that General Lee Cheon, as well as myself, is deeply concerned. However, since they may have missed something, it is our duty to step forward and point it out! Han Myeong-hoe responded to Seong Sam-moons criticism with a smile. Are you such a genius? What nonsense? You, as well as General Lee Cheon and other old officials, are so genius that you can find mistakes in a n that took days and days to devise after listening to it just once. That can be possible! So thats what you say. If you want to make a point like that, dont you think it would be enough to spend some time thinking about it carefully, and if you cant decide, go to General Icheon and ask him, and then only tell him when you feel like its not right? The three people remained silent at Han Myeong-hoes point. The trio muttered to themselves as they watched Han Myeong-hoe sitting in his seat with a calm expression and organizing documents to be presented to Hyang. Its okay, but why am I so hot? Ah-oh! A guy with no taste for food! That guy has been like that for a long time! Han Myeong-hoe! As expected, he is a scary person! Han Myeong-hoe nced at the three people with frowns on their faces and calmed himself down. Be alert! Havent you experienced what kind of person the crown prince is? The moment you make even the slightest mistake, you are in hell! It was Han Myeong-hoe who sent shivers down my spine every time I thought about my first meeting with Hyang. * * * After several months of sailing, the captains of the Portuguese fleet that arrived in Suez soon selected 10 long-barreled rifles and delivered them to Henrik. Is this the Arquebus that Joseon sells to Zipangu? It is the size of an Arquebus, but has the power of a musket. Hoo? Enrich, intrigued, got up from his seat and picked up a long-barreled rifle. Its light. Its light. Henriks first impression after holding the long gun in his hand was Its light. * * * At this time, the average weight of a musket was around 7kg and the arche booth was around 5kg. The main reason for this weight was because of the barrel. At that time, the barrels of muskets and arquebuses were made by casting. Therefore, the material of the barrel was mainly cast iron. This was a problem of manufacturing cost. Expensive bronze was used to make cannons, which were more valuable weapons, while cheaper cast iron was used for the barrels of muskets and archebuses carried by infantry. However, due to the characteristics of cast iron, which is weak against shock, it had to undergo a heat treatment process, and as the thickness became thicker, a heavy barrel was installed. And in order to use such a heavy gun, a monopod became essential equipment for musketeers. * * * Its this light, but it has the power of a musket? Thats right. okay? Then lets shoot somewhere. You will be surprised. After listening to the captains assurances and carrying out a test fire, Henri immediately went to see Pedro. Joseons Arcebus is amazing? Yes, it looks like an Arquebus, but it has the power of a musket. is it? Prepare for a test shooting. Pedro, who observed the test shooting once again, apuded without realizing it. Thats amazing! amazing! Theres less hassle because theres no painter there! Pedro repeated his admiration. It was a very dangerous and cumbersome task to manage firewood and embers with gunpowder nearby. Its okay. But how much does it cost? Its 500 ducats of silver. Pedros face frowned when he heard the price. At that price, you could buy 4 of the highest quality muskets with 2 of Joseons Arquebus, or 3 of the highest quality muskets. It has good performance, but it is too expensive. Lets call the craftsmen and see if they can replicate it. yes. Pedro decided to replicate it. Henrique expressed concern about Pedros decision. With that level of performance, isnt it worth the money? Okay, so its Archebus. It doesnt have the power of a cannon, does it? Thats true, but. So its better to clone. Joseon mayter argue about intellectual property, but thats for now. Because Pedros resolve was so firm, Henri had to retreat. Pedros decision was reasonable, so Henrik could understand it, but on one hand, he was feeling anxious. Did Joseon really sell it without knowing? A monthter, a report was sent to Pedro. The content of the report was simple. Not replicable. Chapter 505 Episode 505 Roses have thorns. (3) Bring all the craftsmen. Yes, Your Excellency the Duke. Pedro, who received the report that reproduction was impossible, immediately called the craftsmen. Pedro, having gathered the craftsmen, got straight to the point. I just dont understand. I would understand it if you wrote, Replication is difficult or It takes a lot of effort. however. Totally impossible? What does this mean? The head of the artisans bowed his head and answered Pedros question. Im sorry, but we cant make something like this Arcebus with our abilities. Pedros voice became louder as the head craftsman spoke. So why! Why is it impossible! Isnt it made of the same iron and wood? The head craftsman gave a short answer to Pedros criticism. Its not the same steel. huh? The head craftsman, seeing Pedros confused expression, asked Henrik, who was standing next to him. Can I bring the Arcebus that you handed over to us and exin it to us? Like that. ording to the order of the head craftsman who obtained Henrys permission, arge table filled with long guns was brought into the conference room. why not? The moment Pedro, who suddenly saw arge statueing in, opened his mouth, the head craftsman answered first. I had to bring it like this in case I lost even a small part. I see Pedro looked down at the table while listening to the head craftsmans answer and frowned slightly. On the table were three Korean-made Arcebus in good condition and arge number ofpletely disassembled Arcebus parts. Have you disassembled 7 tablets? yes. However, when we disassembled it further and looked at it, we decided it was useless and stopped. Pedro looked astonished at the head craftsmans answer. The conclusion obtained by disassembling it like that is impossible Pedro, who was unable to finish his sentence, red at the head craftsman. Let me exin it properly. If you dont convince me, you will be held ountable! Despite Pedros harsh warning, the head craftsman did not look scared. No, it was a detached expression. No matter what the Duke says, impossible is impossible. Let me exin why. The head craftsman began his exnation by holding up the disassembled gun barrel and various parts. As you can see, Joseons Arcebus was made of iron, even the parts that we use copper for. Is that the problem? The problem is that it is steel, not in iron. The exnation of the head craftsman was as follows. C First of all, the Portuguese barrel is made of cast iron and heat treated. However, Joseon-made steel is made of steel. Of course, casting from steel is not impossible, but it takes a lot more effort. C Another evidence that it is not cast is that the surface and interior of the Korean-made barrel are very smooth. Of course, you can clean the surface by filing. However, what the Joseon Dynasty shows is not at a level that can be achieved with filing. No matter how hard I try, I cant figure out how to make something like this. Even though I am an ignorant craftsman, I can swear to the Duke in the name of God. If I could obtain and sell the steel used in that Joseon-made Arquebus, it would not be enough to receive the same weight of silver as payment. Huh After listening to the head craftsmans exnation, Pedro still had to make a bewildered expression. But Pedro also did not back down easily. Yes, the problem is that the shipbuilding steel is very excellent. But couldnt that part be reced with cast iron and bronze? In response to Pedros point, the head craftsman continued by pointing to the parts gathered on one side. The problem is this percussion unit. We cannot make an exact copy of this percussion unit. The Koreans had a hand in this. You wrote it by hand? The moment we disassembled it to examine its internal structure, all the parts popped out. Thanks to this, we cant even think about reassembling it. huh? It is clear that this is why the Koreans made this part into a device. Then if you just remove the part you touched, wouldnt you be able to know the rest? This time, the head craftsman looked astonished at Pedros point. Do you know which part it is and remove it? How can you be sure that it will work properly once you remove the guesswork? Duke Pedros mouth was tightly shut in response to the head father-inws rebuttal. As soon as Pedros mouth closed, Henrik, who was next to him, joined the conversation. Okay, lets say we dont know the exact structure. Even so, wouldnt you be able to roughly understand the principle? The head craftsman nodded to Henrys question. Yes, I can roughly guess how it moves. Then wouldnt it be okay if we made it based on that guess? In response to Henrys question, the head craftsman held up the spring on the table and showed it. The first problem raised in that regard is that we do not have steel of the same quality as ship-made steel. The steel used in this ship-made Arquebus is not all the same. No, steel is steel, but its properties are subtly different depending on where it goes. Rece it with cast iron or bronze? It will not be Archebus, but a musket, or something bigger than a musket, will be made. To put it simply, the size of this small m spring will increase several times. Huh Following Pedro, even Henrik looked perplexed, but the head craftsman spoke of the cold reality. There is also a problem with this method of triggering. I swear to God, there is no craftsman in Portugal or neighboring Spain who can properly implement the firing method used by the Koreans. What does that mean? The reason is * * * The meeting, which started with Pedros call after receiving the report,sted for nearly three hours. Most of the meeting consisted of the head craftsman exining why it was impossible, and Pedro and Henri had to painfully realize the harsh reality. Therefore, if there are people who can make something simr to this, it is probably only a very small number of craftsmen from famous guilds in Italy. At the head craftsmans conclusion, Henrique turned to Pedro. Shall we ask Cosimo de Medici? Pedro shook his head in response to Henriques question. No matter how Medici, would you give up such a craftsman? There is no way. And what good would it do to bring in one or two such artisans? No matter how much subsidies are provided, will it be able to meet the demand? Have you already heard the exnation? Ah * * * Whatpletely discouraged Pedro and Henrik was the leader exining the trigger method. So the method used by the Koreans is the method we have abandoned. Why did you give up? Because it is dangerous to use and difficult to make. The percussion method used in thermal long guns was to use the force of a spring to hit the door cover when the trigger was pulled. It was a very familiar and natural method for those with knowledge in the 21st century, but it was a very dangerous and difficult method at this time. The reason it was dangerous was that if the trigger was pulled even slightly incorrectly, it could cause a misfire. To prevent this, the trigger pressure had to be adjusted very precisely, which made production difficult. Therefore, the archebuses and muskets of this period in Europe were made to be interlocked by connecting the trigger and spring with a link. Of course, springs were also used, but the purpose of the spring was to fix thettice bar so that it does not touch the fire door. Simply put, the way it worked was the exact opposite. And there were very few craftsmen who could understand and properly implement this opposite operating method. And this, along with the ck box, was what made us confident that the scent could not be duplicated. * * * When Hyang first announced that it would sell to Europe, Icheon was simrly worried as the Four. I used dark numbers, but I feel uneasy. Arent they also familiar with firearms? However, after hearing Lee Cheons concerns, Hyang slightly smiled and shook her head. That wont happen. Why? In response to Icheons question, Hyang exined the reason. The exnation of incense given to Icheon was very simr to what the head craftsman gave to Pedro. And Icheons point was simr to that of Pedro and Henry. Wouldnt it be better to rece the problem of steel with cast iron and bronze, and to mimic the problem of the firing method simrly? At Lee Cheons point, Hyang smiled even more bitterly and asked back. Have you forgotten how strong a spring must be made to strike a flint bitten by a birds head and create a spark? Icheon responded to Hyangs question with a loud exmation. ah! I forgot when I first made the armored rifle! * * * When Hyang, Choi Haesan, Icheon and craftsmen first made the Gap-sik long gun, one of the most difficult parts was the spring that goes into the percussion part. No matter how hard he tried, he couldnt get enough power, and when the misfire rate increased, Hyang threw the adventure tree. In this regard, it would be better to continue to improve the quality of steel and use other methods. The second method chosen by the fragrance was to increase the ratio of the brain-red mixture in the donghwamo (~ñ detonator). The safe way to use Noehong, which is extremely sensitive to shock and has a high risk of spontaneousbustion even if left alone, was to mix it with impurities to reduce its purity. However, the technology possessed by Joseon in the early days of Gyeongjang was unable to produce a spring of the desired quality, and the trick of using it in the detonator was to increase the ratio of Noehong to a level that was dangerous. And as the technology progressed and better quality steel was produced inrge quantities, Hyang continued to eliminate the risk factors of the Gap-sik long rifle. * * * Hyang, who exined the reason by recalling memories of the bad battle they had experienced, continued further. Of course, since Europe has a lot of people, there may be craftsmen who can make a long gun with simr performance and safety as the thermal long gun we are sending. But yes. Even if one or two such craftsmen jump into production, how many can they make? The smile on Hyangs face as she asked Lee Cheon was even more bitter than before. Its still at a primitive level, but Fordism is a cheat! When establishing a mass production system at the steel mill and Royal Workshop Area 51, the township actively embraced Fordism. Even if mass consumption is a bit difficult, mass production can be made possible! And the key to mass production is standardization! And the representative products that came out of this process were the firearms used by the Joseon military. Therefore, it was not possible topete with Joseon by still producing from beginning to end by craftsmen with one or two apprentices in a cksmith shop. The high-end craftsmanship of this period is like high-performance machine tools in the 21st century. The problem is that high-performance machine tools can be mass-produced from the machine itself, but craftsmen cannot? Icheon was a bit confused by the exnation of the scent, but I still had a lot of worries. But isnt the price too expensive? When I hand it over to Daenae, there will be a lot ofmentspared to the price. The case is different from Daenae. In the case of the Daenae n, we had to protect the interests of Joseon through the Daenae n, so we sold it at a slightly higher price than the original price, but isnt this Europe? And bargaining is the basis of business. If you buy a lot, shouldnt you get a discount? It was Icheon where there was nothing more to say. Chapter 506 Episode 506 Roses have thorns. (4) After sending Lee Cheon out, Hyang organized the situation once again. The biggest problem will be that we cannot make the right spring. Because of that spring problem, wheel locks are considered to have been made before flintlocks. In a situation where there was ack of ability to make steel that could maintain proper sticity even when made small and thin, the wheel lock (cogwheel type) was developed to solve the problem of Hwaseung. And as expected, due to the still insufficient quality of materials and structural defects, wheellock muskets and archebusses could not be reduced in size. Hmm Even if the price is an obstacle, looking at the current situation in Europe and other ces, musketeers are a special force that is maintained only in small numbers. And most of those musketeers are held by key figures in power to ensure their own safety, so why did the Three Musketeerse out? Even though the price was high, it was still a carefree scent. Hyang, who came to that conclusion and was about to check other documents, suddenly stopped and looked at the map. Now that I think about it there was a story that the person who came up with the concept of the wheel lock was Leonardo da Vinci Is Leonardo da Vinci a person now? * * * After the monks from Italy settled down in the institute, Hyang called them together. The reason Ive called you all together today is to find out if there are any inconveniences in your life. On the surface, the purpose was to provide convenience to those who settled in research institutes in Joseon, but in reality, it was to find out about the situation, technology, and cultural information in Italy, currently the most important region in Europe, through them. I am very curious because the culture of Joseon is very different from the ce where you lived. Are there any famous painters or craftsmen? yes. First of all, who is the most famous When asked about the fragrance, the monks mentioned the names of many people, but Leonardo da Vincis name had not yet appeared. * * * Hyang, who was quietly reminiscing, shook his head slightly. The monks from Italy said they didnt know, so that means they were either not born yet or unknown Hyang, who was slightly worried, made up his mind. If Leonardo da Vinci appears while Im alive, Ill have to bring him right away. It would be fun to drag it and roll it around in Area 51. There will be a higher probability that we will not be able to see the Mona Lisa, but Despite making a decision that would cause great damage to world art history, Hyang remained calm and calm. What should I know? And I dont think the Mona Lisa is beautiful? * * * Pedros reaction was simr to what Lee Cheon had worried about. After sending the craftsmen away, Pedro gathered Henrik and his associates and continued the meeting. For this reason, it is said to be impossible to replicate a Joseon-made Arquebus, but it is still too expensive. It is certain that what Joseon sold to the captains was probably meant to encourage us to buy it. Should I really buy it? In response to Pedros question, the finance managers all expressed their opposition. Its too expensive! Even if the performance is good, an Arcebus is an Arcebus. Its a waste. All of the financiers expressed their opposition, but themanders of Duke Pedros private army did the opposite. There is no need to talk twice about the power of the musketpared to Archebus size. You have to buy it right away! youre right. If youbine the two sses into one, supply will be easier! More than anything, please consider that overwhelming range. If a battle breaks out, you can fire bullets from a greater distance than the enemy, giving your allies an easier victory! Even if just one Hwaseong is lost, there will be a lot of unnecessary loss of life! The financial benefits it brings can more than offset the high price! But financial officials continued to insist against it. Even if you could defeat the enemy from a greater distance, how many more people would you be able to defeat? The problem of being a painter can be solved with more rigorous training! The two sides engaged in a tense confrontation without backing down. In the end, Pedro let out a long sigh and waved his hand. Lets all go out. I will consider it and thene to a conclusion. At Pedros words, everyone left the conference room, leaving only Henrik and the dukes guard captain. With only the three of them left, Pedro let out a long sigh. Whoa~. This is a difficult problem. Still, the war is just around the corner, so wouldnt we need stronger weapons? Pedro responded to Henriques words with a frown on his face. But its still too expensive. As someone said earlier, no matter how good the performance is, isnt an Arcebus still an Arcebus? For the same amount of money, wouldnt it be beneficial to buy at least one more arquebus or musket and arm them? But It is an immutable truth that both the quality and quantity of weapons are important in war. But if you had to choose between the two, wouldnt it be better to choose the sheep? Henrik, who realized that Pedro had already made up his mind, kept his mouth shut. However, the guard captain, who had been silent throughout the meeting, opened his mouth. Your Excellency is right in war. However, in civil wars whererge numbers of troops cannot be mobilized, better weapons are needed. civil war? civil war? When the guard captain mentioned civil war, Pedro and Henriques heads turned at the same time. Have I heard any information that I dont know? Why didnt I get any information? Pedros voice as he asked the question was cold and stiff. Despite Pedros sharp reaction, the guard responded with a calm face. It was information that came from a different source than the one you know, so a brief verification process was necessary. okay. Where did ite from? This came from a pce worker cleaning the pce. I see Pedro nodded slightly at the guard captains words. The line that Pedro recruited were also people who worked in the pce, but held high positions. They are sensitive to the flow of power. And they are also sensitive to their own ransom. There is a high possibility that important information was omitted and passed over. Or sell it to Braganza. okay. What information did you receive through that pce official? It is said that the Duke of Braganza and the King are secretly meeting each other on the rise these days. Him! Pedro gritted his teeth at the guard captains words. His half-brother, Afonso, Duke of Braganza, was establishing himself as the core of the aristocratic faction and pushing himself further and further. On the contrary, Pedros position was bing increasingly narrow. The biggest reason for the change in circumstances was that the end of Pedros regency was approaching. Pedros regencysted at most four years. Of course, Pedro was also using various measures to protect his power. One of those ways was that his daughters marriage to King Apunsu V was scheduled for next year. And another way was a secret agreement with Osman Cosimo de Medici. However, even if he made his daughter queen, it would have been in vain if Apunsu V fell in love with his concubine The Duke of Braganza would have been capable of doing such a thing. And in the case of the secret pact with Osman Cosimo de Medici, if the timing was wrong, the results of the pact could have been taken over by a human being. In the worst case scenario, you must be prepared to start a civil war against your nephew. In that case, we are definitely inferior in terms of troops Pedro, who was analyzing the situation with a serious face, looked back at Henrik. Little brother, I have supported you in everything during this time. Will you swear to be with me? Henriks face turned white at Pedros question. older brother! The King is your brothers nephew! Are you going to have a bone-and-mortar fight? If the king does not abandon me, I will not abandon the king. But if he abandons me, I will abandon him. What will you do when that timees? That What are you going to do? Pedro urged the decision, but Henrik could not easily open his mouth. If you do something wrong, you be a traitor. But if the Duke of Braganza, that lowly son of a bitch, takes power, all my efforts will be in vain. The problem was that whichever side you chose was not the best for you, but the problem was also that you could notfortably choose neutrality. After thinking for a long time, Henric eventually had to make a choice. I will be with you, brother. thanks! Pedro patted Henriks shoulder with a happy face and looked at the guard captain. Among your subordinates. Is there anyone you can trust without selling your face too much? There are a few people. Choose only three of them and have them apany the Duke of Viseu. yes. Pedro, who gave the order to the guard captain, looked back at Henrik. I will give you funds from my treasury. Do your best to persuade Joseon and obtain as much quantity as possible. However, it must not be known to anyone. If you make it happen, I will give you a quarter as well. Henrik immediately nodded at Pedros suggestion. I will do my best! * * * The night he made the decision that would risk his life, Pedro sat alone in his office and looked out the window. Its stuffy Pedro, unable to ovee the stuffiness, loosened his cor. Nevertheless, Pedro, unable to ovee his frustration, grabbed the spring handle of the Korean-made fan ced on one side of the desk. Fields. As the mainspring was released, the fan began to blow wind. Pedro, who had been staring nkly at the fan, got up from his seat and walked to the column gun that was ced on one side. Pedro, who was holding a column gun in his hand, muttered bitterly when he saw the emblem embossed clearly on the percussion part. They say roses have thorns, right? This flower is not a rose, but it has formidable thorns hidden behind it. Pedro put down his rifle and let out a long sigh. Whoa~. This means that it is not a country that only knows how to make strange things, but a truly strong country. And maybe hes trying to prove it through us. Haha~. It was Pedro who let out a long sigh again. I dont know who on earth ns and executes these ns, but they are definitely not good people. As Pedro was muttering like that, in Hanseong, a scent was filling his ears. Why are my ears itching so much? Who is criticizing me? The four people who heard Hyang mumbling to themselves muttered to themselves at the same time. Would it be one or two? what? What are those expressions on your faces? The four people, who were startled by Hyangs question, hurriedly adjusted their expressions. yes? Nothing! * * * While Hyang was busy moving around in Hanseong to prove that Military contributions make money!, there was also busy moving around in Shinji. Native tribe near Daehogun. The Thunder Rod tribe is noisy? Its not the Thunder Rod tribe, its Joseon. Despite his colleagues point, the native who first asked the question showed a sour expression. What do you do to differentiate between those? All you need to know is that they are a pain in the ass if you touch them. By the way, why is it so loud? The king of Joseon ising. What is a king? Big chief. Hoo? Sejong, who had finally settled the situation at the beachhead, began to move toward full-scale development of the newnd. Chapter 507 Episode 507 Roses have thorns. (5) No motion! When the carriages carrying King Sejong and his party arrived, Manho, whomanded the soldiers in charge of the defense of Daehogun, gave an order. Cheek! At Manhosmand, the soldiers all took an unmoving posture and raised their heads. After a while, King Sejong, wearing armor, got out of the carriage and Manho gave anothermand. Military courtesy! insect! Id like to meet your Majesty the Lord! At the same time as the soldiers bowed, the officials bowed in unison. King Sejong raised his hand in response to the soldiers military salute and walked away. Good work. You worked hard. It was really hard. While praising the soldiers and officials, King Sejong entered the pioneering headquarters created in Daehogun. King Sejongs party, which entered the courtyard of the pioneer headquarters built on the basis of a military camp, was soon split into two. Queen Soheon, her concubines, and the courtdies who would attend them entered the newly built building first, and King Sejong headed to the headquarters building just as he had at the bridgehead. In response to King Sejongs actions, Shin Suk-ju, the head of the officials, carefully advised him to take a break. First of all, how do you feel about Pushim? The road to get here was so enjoyable that I didnt have time to pile up anything like travel. yes? As the official tilted his head at King Sejongs words, the carcasses of all kinds of animals were being unloaded from the carriage at the end. That one? Shinji is great for hunting while riding a horse. At Sejongs words, Shin Sook-ju nodded without realizing it. Ah The best entertainment for himself as well as the soldiers and officials assigned to Shinji was hunting. The forest area in the northeastern region where Dongbing Port was located was overflowing with all kinds of beasts, but Shinji was also overflowing with all kinds of game. However, what is different from the northeastern forest or Gaema teau is that there is a lot of wide tnd, so you can ride and hunt morefortably. Thanks to this, even King Sejong, who was reluctant to move to the point where he preferred Gyeokbang (Joseon-style golf) to hunting, came to enjoy hunting while riding a horse. uh? Isnt that a bison? In particr, the huge bison scattered across the wide ins were the best game. And even here, King Sejong maintained his individuality. I tried grilling it and it tasted really good. I also like that it has a less spicy taste than regr beef. Our people will also be very happy. Ill have toe up with a good move whenever I have time. Shin Sook-ju slightly hesitated at Sejongs words. ording to the natives of Shinji, it is said that it is impossible to obey because of its violent temper. okay? Then what should I do? Hearing Shin Sook-jus words, King Sejong stopped and was lost in thought. If the indigenous people who have settled in thisnd say it is impossible, then it is really difficult Does that mean it is a shame to give up? The taste is good, but the amount from one fish is quite high. Sejong, who was mulling this over and over, soon looked back at Shin Suk-ju with a brightenedplexion. Is it really necessary to obey? yes? ording to the reports I have received so far, this Shinji has few peoplepared to the size of thend. If thats the case, wouldnt it be okay to pick a suitable ce for the bison to grow from the beginning, restrict peoples ess, and then let them out and raise them? Ah Shin Sook-ju nodded loudly at Sejongs words. It is indeed the chief minister! You have gone beyond what a mere man can think of! ruler! Then lets go inside and sort out the situation here! Yes, Your Highness! * * * huh? Have you prepared anything in advance? King Sejong, who arrived at the conference room under Shin Sook-jus guidance, looked back at Shin Suk-ju with sparkling eyes. All kinds of reports were neatly organized on the desk in the conference room, and a newly updated map of Daeho County and nearby areas was hung on the wall. Shin Sook-ju answered King Sejongs question by lightly bowing her head. Yes, you said that the first thing you did at the beachhead was to check the tasks so far, so I prepared it just in case. is it? Good job! Can we look forward to it in the future? Shin Suk-ju bowed deeply and answered King Sejongs question. I will do my best! Oh yea! I too am on my way to sess! Shin Suk-ju was excited to have caught the eye of King Sejong. However, this was a misjudgment by Shin Sook-ju, who had not yet experienced King Sejong in person. I look forward to it. This means, I will beat you to death. * * * Sejong, who looked inside the conference room for a moment, soon walked in front of the map. huh? It looks a little different from the map I saw at the beachhead pioneer headquarters. Is it newly updated? yes. It was updated 15 days ago. Hmm While listening to Shin Sook-jus answer, King Sejong looked at the map. It was a map created in ordance with the concept of scale introduced by Hyang. However, unless you were an expert, it was difficult to figure out all the information the map contained on the spot, so King Sejong turned to Shin Suk-ju. Are you going down from east to south? Yes, thats right. King Sejong, who was looking at the map while listening to Shin Sook-jus answer, pointed out a ce on the eastern coastline with his finger. How far is it from here to Dongbo No. 1? The ce that King Sejong pointed to was the first port built on the eastern coast by the Joseon army on its expedition to the east. It was the first ce to build a weir because it was an area with optimal conditions for building a port. And I dont know if its a coincidence, but in history before the incense became involved, the ce was called Boston. Shin Sook-ju answered King Sejongs question by searching through documents. It is about 1,100 ri (about 440 km) east of Malho Lake in Daeho County. 1,100 liras hmm. King Sejong, who had been examining the map while listening to Shin Sook-jus answer, immediately turned around and sat down. As soon as King Sejong sat down, the officials looked at him with great nervousness. King Sejong, who carefully examined the documents written by the officials, looked at Shin Suk-ju and the officials. So there are no major problems with the construction of infrastructure? Thats right. Why are indigenous peoples wealth so underdeveloped? The report said, Wait-and-see attitude is the mainstream among indigenous people. Shouldnt we be more proactive? Shin Sook-ju stepped forward and responded to King Sejongs point. In order to encourage active participation, you must prepare for the worst case scenario. However, we do not currently have the force to annex the indigenous viges that upy the area around this Great Lake. What other means besides force? It is not easy because the quantitying from the home country is small. Completing the steel mill and other industrial facilities, especially the iron horse and railroad mill, is a top priority. In response to Shin Sook-jus words, King Sejong tapped the desk with his fingers and asked. Does that mean that we will have no choice but to be recognized as the Thunder Rod Tribe for the time being? Thats right. Everything starts with thepletion of the steel mill. We need to quicklyplete the railroad construction that is currently underway by making railroad tracks from the steel mill. After Joseon sent a significant amount of railroad tracks and three iron horses, construction of a railroad connecting the bridgehead and Daeho County began. The basic n was that the railroads sent from Joseon would head from the bridgehead to Daeho-gun, and the railroads from the steel mills in Daeho-gun would be used to build a railroad heading toward the bridgehead. Yes, thepletion of the steel mill can be said to be the true beginning. Can you make it on time? The official in charge of the construction of the steel mill stood up and answered King Sejongs question. As long as there are no major changes, we will be able to meet the deadline! I think I saw you in Area 51? yes! My name is Jeongtaek, the facility manager in charge of facility development at Area 51! You can trust Area 51. Please do your best. I will do my best! After hearing Jeongtaeks answer, Sejong looked at the map again and called Jeongtaek. Director of Facilities Department. Yes, Your Highness! Are all the shipbuilding engineers dispatched to Shinji now at the beachhead? Yes, thats right! The shipyard at the beachhead is building Challenger-ss battleships and transport ships! ording to the n drawn up by the township, once a ship was built at the beachhead shipyard, crews were to be immediately deployed for transportation operations. Hmm Sejong, who was thinking about something while listening to Jeongtaeks answer, called Jeongtaek again. Facilities Manager: Where does the wood used in the facilities being built here in Daeho-gune from? Ites from the forests near and east of Daehogun! How is the wood quality? Its as dense and strong as the trees from the Northeast woonds! What if we make it out of wire? It will be the best material! good! Sejong made a decision right away in response to the facility managers answer. Make sure that the craftsmen and workers working at the bridgeheads shipyard are moved here to Daeho-gun as soon as the ships currently being built arepleted. yes? majesty? All the officials in the conference room looked puzzled by King Sejongs unexpected order. Sejong got up from his seat and moved to the map, tracing the eastern coastline of Shinji with his finger and continuing. Right now, I think the best thing to do is to build a shipyard near Dongbo No. 1 and send naval forces from the maind to inspect the eastern coast. Thats how we monitor the coast, establish a military port in a ce suitable for use as a port, and ce battle lines. Shin Sook-ju immediately raised a counterargument to King Sejongs words. I beg your Majesty, but expanding the military port like that would be an excessive waste of time, money, and manpower. right. Therefore, the existing standard step-by-step expansion should not be done. yes? It is about maximizing the strengths of our challenger-level front and sea emergency front. Sejong talked about the n he had in mind. -First, we explore north and south based on Dongbo No. 1 and build a military port, and the distance between military ports is set at a minimum of 600 ri (about 240 km). -However, due to limitations in manpower and resources, it is initially limited to 3,000 ri (approximately 1,200 km) from north to south centered on East No. 1 Weir. If we do this, 10 military ports will be created no matter how many ports there are in the north and south. Is that correct? yes. As Shin Suk-ju and the officials nodded, King Sejong continued his exnation again. -Afterwards, if the manpower and equipment are properly filled, additional naval ports will be installed between the first military ports built. -If the first round is centered around the challenger-level fronts, then from the second round, the emergency fronts will be deployed to increase efficiency. After finishing his exnation, King Sejong exined the purpose of why he had to do this. In this way, we must build a strong wall on the east side of this new site to prevent others from approaching. Of course, it would be impossible for Joseon to upy everything in Shinji. However, the best thing to do is to build a wall as much as possible to prevent others from advancing and at the same time treat the inside as our own. If you go out from the inside, you may encounter greater difficultiester. Shin Sook-ju and the officials nodded at King Sejongs exnation. I follow your orders. I will begin preparations right away. Write out the order and bring it to me. * * * That night, Sejong, who was left alone in the conference room, looked at the map and muttered. If you look at the current situation in Europe, it is a situation where survival is at stake. In a match like this, there is almost no draw. Winners and losers are definitely determined. However, for the survival of the nation, the loser will definitely find another route and will eventually attempt to find a western route. And since hes a loser, hes probably even more greedy. Build as strong a wall as possible before they show up! And that decision created the notoriety of the challenger-level front. Chapter 508 Episode 508: Far and near. (1) This is a letter sent by Your Majesty. Isnt it a bit big for a writing school? As the incense murmured while looking at therge wooden box, the eunuch had to bow his head with a bitter smile. * * * As regr flights became established,munications were exchanged monthly between Shinji and Joseon. This was thanks to Ki Beom-seons excellent performance. On the other hand, in the case of material transportation that had to rely on challenger-level fronts, the average interval was two months. Of course, in order to keep this timetable, the government had to put a lot of effort into strengthening the navy. The Joseon navy was able to escape this pressure after all the pilot ships and challenger-ss shipsunched from the shipyards of Wonsan and Dongbing Port were diverted to the Shinji route. And the government had to release a considerable amount of money through overtime pay and performance bonuses to shipyard workers. * * * The Hyang and ministers gathered at Seunghwadang broke the seal on the wooden box sent by King Sejong. Whoa~. I feel it every time. Should we call this a Seochal? The ministers also smiled bitterly at Hyangs question, which was followed by a bitter smile and a sigh. Inside the box was not an envelope containing a letter, but a bunch of thick books and maps. * * * The contents of the books were detailed records of new progress made since thest report was sent, newly discovered problems, solutions deemed appropriate, and additional support required. Once the reports sent by King Sejong were received, the government became busy from then on. First, the pioneering information existing in Hanseong was updated with the newly added pioneering information. Next, we once again analyzed the severity of the problems pointed out by King Sejong and reviewed whether the solutions presented by King Sejong were reasonable. Finally, based on the results obtained through this process, the type and quantity of support materials to be sent to the new location were adjusted. The end was to arrange for all these supplies and send them to Wonsan before the next supply fleet departed. It seems like you have be busier since your Majesty left for Shinji. I cant help it. But isnt there a good thing about it? As the senior officials in charge of the work said, the intensity of work supporting the development of newnds has increased rapidly. However, the speed of newnd development began to elerate and efficiency also increased rapidly. Hwang Hee, who received a report on this, smiled bitterly and spoke. Its natural. There is someone who will definitely take responsibility, and the person in charge is a person who is well-versed in manipting others And if we do not provide proper support, many people, starting with the crown prince, will be killed for disloyalty and disloyalty, so we have to move quickly. * * * The amount is considerable this time too. Looking at the enormous thickness of the reports that came out of the box, Kim Jeom muttered with an expression of boredom. Hwang Hee responded to Kim Jeoms words. The officers and clerks must have had a hard time. Because he did not ascend to the throne, King Sejong was still the king of Joseon. Since King Sejong was moving it himself, half of the members of the Seungjeongwon and half of the members of the National Archives had to go to Shinji together. I have to go to Shinji. Isnt this exile? They said they would change shifts. But exile is exile. Lets think positively. Shinji has a lot of work to do, but how much can it be? Isnt this a fresh jokepared to teasing Geumpil by telling him to lose his arm? Is that right! Those who went to Shinji with this thought in mind soon had to sigh with gloomy faces. Then thats right What kind of person is Joo Sang As Hwang Hee assessed, King Sejong was well-versed in eating peoples buoyancy. This needs to be sorted out. As soon as they could get out of words, officials at the Seungjeongwon and the National Archives of Korea had to organize and rewrite the documents that had piled up on paper. How is this different from the archives? A recorder! A recorder! * * * The local government officials who opened the reports, talking about the officials of the Seungjeongwon and the National Record Office who must have worked hard to organize and write these reports, soon turned around and began reading the reports with serious faces. After reading all the newly arrived reports, the ministers and ministers looked at each other with serious faces. What do you think? Hwang Hee answered Hyangs question right away. We need to look into it a little more, but since it is a n set by His Majesty the Lord, who knows the local situation best, wouldnt it be better to follow it? The other ministers all nodded at Hwang Hees words. What King Sejong sent was a major revision of the pioneering n he had drawn up after discovering Shinji. * * * When the n was first drawn up, the township took the lead in insisting on moving east. Even if you miss everything else, you cant miss the Rust Belt around the Great Lakes! The scent that made this decision insisted on moving to Dongjin. -Just as we advanced east and discovered terra firma, the West can also discover terra firma by advancing west! Before that, lets cross the terra incognita! This im was epted, and Joseon moved forward actively as soon as it established a bridgehead. And the main force in the east advance was the cavalry. * * * As soon as they rounded the northern end of the Rocky Mountains, Joseon discovered a wide in and deployed arge cavalry force. And in the wide ins of North America, the cavalry demonstrated its capabilities well, and as a result, it advanced to the Great Lakes region (named Daehogun in Joseon) within three years of advancing east. This was not the end of the cavalrys mission. It was also the cavalrys responsibility to ensure that the thin and long supply line from the bridgehead to the Daeho Army belonged to Joseon. Tribes that were hostile to the foreigners, the Joseon people, attacked this supply ship, but each time they had to pay a heavy price. The cavalry, mounted on arge animal called a horse, which I had never seen before, wrapped in iron armor, and armed with gunpowder weapons and spears, responded to the tribes that attacked like they were dealing with the Jurchen tribe. Simply put, it was destroyed. The Joseon cavalry, a mixture of Jurchen tribesmen and Koreans, was literally a symbol of fear. On the contrary, it was Joseons cavalry that established very friendly rtionships with indigenous tribes who wanted to trade peacefully, while also guaranteeing safety and solidifying supply lines. * * * ording to the first n established by the township, it was to advance east like this, create a bridgehead in the east, and advance south and advance west based on that base. Once the southward advance began from the east, an exploration party would be sent out along the west coast of Shinji. And the ultimate goal was to send an exploration team from the western exit route to the east and eventually have the exploration teams that advanced ind from the east and west meet in the middle of the newnd. Its not something that will bepleted in a short time. If Shinji is big enough to be called a real continent, it will take at least 50 to 100 years. Sejong muttered with a slightly tired expression on Hyangs words. It will take at least three to four generations. I must put the fate of Joseon on the line. But if sessful, Ming will have to pay attention to our Joseon. Thats not true It was a n created after intense debate based on the n of the government, but King Sejong decided to change it. * * * What King Sejong used as the basis for revising his n was the sudden change in the Western situation. -If you look at the rapidly changing situation in the West, there will inevitably be winners and losers. -And the loser will definitely turn to the west to find a new route. Based on this reasoning, King Sejong decided toplete his first n by deploying the Joseon navy to the east of Shinji to block the ess of the Seo Yis. The next step was to build up strength around Daehogun in the east and then advance south along the east coast. -If we secure the sea andnd east of Shinji for our Joseon in this way, Shinjis monopoly will proceed easily. After reading King Sejongs amendment repeatedly over several days, Hyang muttered softly. If things continue like this, it will be a surefire hit but the question is, to what line do we go down? In the current situation in Joseon, it would take more than 30 years to take control of just North America South America Hyang shook his head as he thought about the empires of Central and South America, well-known for human sacrifice. I can see that if our gentlemen go to that town, they will immediately make an uproar saying that the seeds of the people living there should be dried up Will South America give up? If I were to give up, I kept getting caught in a saltpeter mine somewhere in Chile After thinking for a while, Hyang chose the third way. Going down to South America would probably be impossible during my reign. Lets pass it on to future generations. During my reign, it is best to focus on covering only North America. After digesting it properly, I have to take the lead and be the best. It was a fragrance that valued its own virtue until the end. Hyang, who felt a bit of remorse while making that decision, persuaded himself. Im sure youll hear sess just based on the results Ive created so far. * * * Of course, scent wasnt the only thing to worry about. Ministers were also engaged in a war of words over King Sejongs amendments. Your Majesty the Lords amendment seems reasonable, but there is one problem. Kim Jeom continued speaking while pointing his finger at Shinjis map. If this happens, the western coast of Shinji will be abandoned except for the beachhead. Wouldnt it be a big deal if I did something good for someone else? Kim Jong-seo responded to Kim Jeoms point. It is impossible to reach the west coast of Shinji with our current Joseon capabilities. The budget is going to be a problem right now. Following Kim Jong-seos point, Jo Mal-saeng spoke. There arent enough people. Even though our Joseon poption exceeded 11 million in 2008, and is now approaching 12 million. Arent almost 40% of them minors? This is something out of the ordinary for a great officer. This was an unexpected situation in which Kim Jeom, who had a habit of criticizing the budget every time he tried to implement a new policy, actually supported the expansionary policy. Kim Jeom responded to Kim Jong-seo and Jo Mal-saengs rebuttal. Of course, the budget pressure and manpower shortage are serious right now. However, I think it should never be left unattended. Im just saying that if you do something wrong, people can profit from it. If its these guys, we can stop them on the east coast of Shinji like His Highness the Lords n. What are we going to do with those who wille from here? How long can you hide it? If this is people? Kim Jeom nodded to Jo Mal-saengs question. The interior of Kim Branchs intellectual conference room became quiet. All of the ministers gathered in the conference room were silent as they analyzed the situation based on the name. Hmm maybe If its a name Most of the ministers came to a simr conclusion. -If its someone, it might be possible. The background to their decision was due to the records of the past Great Fleet of Zheng He. No matter how old I am, wouldnt it be difficult? At that time, Kim Jong-seo expressed an opposing opinion. Hwang Hee opened her mouth with sparkling eyes. why? Have you forgotten Jinpos distress? The ministers all eximed in exmation at Kim Jong-seos point. aha! Right! The faces of the ministers brightened when the Jinpo, which fearlessly ventured into the Pacific and almost became a ghost ship, was mentioned. * * * Chapter 509 Episode 509: Far and near. (2) The ministers faces brightened at Kim Jong-seos words and they actively exchanged opinions. yes! If you think about Jinpos life and death, it is definitely not an easy sea. The presidential election is literally a grand ship. That means we have to carry more people than our challenger-level front lines That means were running out of food and water quickly. cancer! cancer! The ministers who saw the consensus nodded their heads. * * * The ships that Jeonghwas fleet dragged out were sorge that it was appropriate to call them unprecedented. Joseon, which received the original copy of Jeonghwas voyage log in the early days of Gyeongjang, sent someone to inspect the ships of Jeonghwas fleet that returned from the voyage. Although I couldnt go in properly and only looked at the exterior, I was able to confirm its approximate size and analyze its approximate capabilities through the navigation log. As a result of that analysis, Joseon came to the following conclusion. -The size of the ship is unexpectedlyrge, and the number of crew members who will operate it is also unexpectedlyrge. -A huge amount of food and drinking water consumed by the crew must be loaded, but there is a limit when considering the space onboard for other supplies. -Therefore, many ports of call are needed where food and water can be supplied during the voyage. -The frequent port calls recorded in the voyage log have the purpose of establishing diplomatic rtions between the Ming and the relevant countries, but the issue of supply cannot be ignored. -Conclusion: Long-distance voyages to ports longer than necessary are impossible. * * * To put it simply, can we say that sailing east from Luzon, Luzon, or Daewol is difficult for the Ming Dynastys current capabilities? Jo Mal-saeng nodded to Hwang Hees question. Thats right. Of course, there are Chinese merchants in Luzon as well as in neighboring sultanates, but it would be difficult to rely on them. Are you sure? ording to the information obtained, not only the vigers but also the natives say that the sea to the east is hell. Even the natives have no intention of going east. In response to Jo Mal-saengs answer, Hwang Hui and the ministers looked at the Joseon missionaries hanging on the wall. It is impossible for either the Ming or the Japanese to advance directly east, so the conclusion is that they must move north, but we are in control of that area. Thats right. Hwang Hee summarized the situation by looking at the map and came to a conclusion. I understand that Your Highness first ruled out anything rted to the western coast of Shinji. Its still too much for Joseons capabilities. Its truly a shame. The ministers all nodded at Ki Jong-seos evaluation. The discussion, which began with Kim Jeoms point, ended with the conclusion that We actively support Sejongs sea defense n. Then, lets report this to the crown prince and move on to the next point, saying that it would be better to follow the conclusion we just reached. Following Hwang Hees lead, the ministers moved on to the next agenda. The second item of the amendment sent by King Sejong was to send arge increase in the number ofwmakers, especially those who could make disinfectant and those who were skilled at inocting cowpox. * * * In the report sent by King Sejong this time, unlike thest time, there were significantly more records about the indigenous people living near Daehogun (a group ofrgekes). -ording to Shin Sook-jus report and what I have observed so far, the indigenous people living around this Daeho County are divided into five major tribes and have a poption of tens of thousands. -They are very primitivepared to the administrative structure of our Joseon Dynasty, but they are said to have a fairly efficient political structure. -Also, they are mainly engaged in agriculture and maintain a very stable lifestyle. However, they also do a lot of hunting to make clothing and living space. -This is a significant difference from the indigenous people of Daeseoldo Ind, Jongjangdo Ind, and nearby areas that we have encountered so far. C Therefore, it is expected that a considerable amount of time and effort will be spent to bring them to Joseon. In the case of Daeseoldo and Jongjangdo, with very few exceptions, survival, not living, was the priority, whereas these people have their own way of life. This is because people with an independent and stable lifestyle have a strong aversion to external entities and have a strong tendency to stick to their own lifestyle. C It takes time to make these conservatives join Joseon, and at the same time, we must make them aware that joining our country will not infringe on their interests and can actually increase them. -The best way to understand profit preservation is through medical trade education. Among these, trade has just begun, but it is believed that medicine is more effective. -This is based on reports from the beachhead and information obtained from Daehogun. Most of the indigenous people of Shinji have no experience with diseases that we Koreans are familiar with. It is my personal opinion, but as our contact with Koreans increases, there is a high possibility that they will suffer from diseases that they have suffered for the first time in their lives. In this case, Joseons advancement into new areas will face both opportunities and crises. -The crisis is that there is a high possibility that people will be hostile towards our Joseon Dynasty due to a disease they are experiencing for the first time in their lives. And if this hostility arises as an exercise of power, it is very likely that Joseon will have to give up absorbing the indigenous people of Shinji. -On the other hand, if our country, Joseon, has the means to treat these diseases and actively utilizes these means, it could be a good opportunity. They will maintain very friendly rtions with us and will find our Korean way of life more convenient and useful. -If you can take advantage of this opportunity and establish friendly rtions with them, use education. And the most useful tool in this process will be Hunminjeongeum. This was because this part had already been proven through Daeseoldo and Jongjangdo. -When a situation arises wheremunication with native people can be facilitated through education, we actively encourage them to join. However, in this process, we must avoid unconditionally ignoring or excluding the political methods of indigenous people. Although their institutions and systems are primitivepared to our Joseon Dynasty, they were built over a long period of time. If you ignore this, they will immediately be your enemies. Therefore, the best thing is to achieve harmony between theirs and our Joseons. To achieve this, we must guarantee the provision of equal opportunities to Koreans, as we have done to many indigenous people, including the Jurchen people. If Gwibu seeds through all of these processes, Joseon will secure a base the size of a province with tens of thousands of people in this newnd. And based on this poption, it will be possible to more easily digest the entire territory of Shinji as Joseons. * * * After reading Sejongs report, Hyang nodded and muttered. As expected we had to send Abamama because of the rebellion problem, but this was the best move. From the moment they learned that Shinji was a cerge enough to build several countries, everyone concluded that only King Sejong could lead the development of Shinji. Of course, he could have sent the Crown Prince or the Grand Army. However, because the crown prince was the crown prince, he could not leave Joseon, and it was also a problem for the grand prince to go. If you were even the slightest bit off, you would be looked at with suspicion, asking, Perhaps?, and the more you showed results by demonstrating your ability, the stronger the look of suspicion would be. On the contrary, there was a possibility that as soon as the foundation was solidified to a certain extent, the dream of independence would begin. Therefore, King Sejong was the only person in charge of running Shinji. And this was the best move. It was King Sejong who gained stronger royal power than anyone else through the Gyeongjang, which began with the purge of Ryu Jeong-hyeon. Because King Sejong had such strong royal authority, he was able to choose a flexible method in Shinji. Anyone other than King Sejong would have been caught up in the issue of political responsibility and would have had no choice but to insist on extremely conservative methods. * * * Therefore, it is clear that Abama is the best and the best move, but this is the problem. What was pointed out as a problem was the guarantee of equal opportunities with Koreans. If its an aftershock, Im less worried ugh! Hyang couldnt hide his worry as he whetted his appetite. This was due to the discrimination problem that 21st century fragrances learned and experienced. What has been a continuing problem since the era of imperialism is the problem of discrimination symbolized by second-ss and third-ss citizens and high-ss citizens and low-ss citizens. The Jurchen people were able to get away with it because they had been living side by side with each other since the Three Kingdoms period, and the Daeseoldo and other natives were able to get over it easily because their numbers were so small that the military came forward and absorbed them. But thats not the case over there This was a fragrance that did not have optimistic expectations at all. * * * While Hyang was worried, the ministers were also having simr concerns. Its a guarantee of equal opportunity Is that easy? Kim Jeom answered Heo Hus question. Arent the Jurchen people, as well as the natives of Daeseol Ind and Jongjang Ind, still working here and there? Isnt it true that the Jurchen people were so familiar and the natives of Daeseol Ind and Jongjang Ind were so small that they were easily assimted? But Shinjis case is very different Many ministers nodded at Heo Hus point. Hwang Hee opened her mouth at that sight. Didnt you say that you would give me the opportunity right now, but only after you are noble? Arent you saying that you will respect me first, then learn properly, and then give you the opportunity if you want? If you just look at the report, youre living such a primitive life that Im not sure if you can learn properly Kim Jeom stepped forward and refuted Heo Hus words! The natives of Daeseoldo and Jongjangdo also did the same. Good luck learning! Especially when ites to taxes, there are often people who are better than most battlefield employees! But When Heo Hu was still hesitant, Kim Jeom argued again. But are you going to keep selecting and sending people here from Hanseong? We need to teach and recruit people there! I chose you that way, but its not because Im worried about whether Ill do a good job or not! Hwang Hee opened her mouth at Heo Hus words. Once you realize how sweet power is, you will work harder. What if I cant? You should be kicked out. Since ancient times, isnt it natural to raise oxen, cows, yellow cows, or ck cows by feeding them well if they are good at their work, and if they are not good at it, kill them? Ah The ministers all nodded at Hwang Hees words. As construction progressed, Joseon became acutely aware of thebor shortage in all areas of society. In particr, as administrative organizations, including the government, expanded significantly, Joseon opened the door to women to enter the civil service. The reason for this was to secure as many talented individuals as possible. And those who were selected were all treated cruelly, regardless of gender. In order to survive in such a harsh work environment, superiors cold-bloodedly conducted personnel evaluations on subordinates. If you do a good job, you are loyal. If you do not do a good job, you are a traitor. This was a saying that spread throughout the Joseon Dynasty. Meanwhile, Hyang, who heard Hwang Hees words through various lines, chuckled and muttered. Did you upgrade this guy? Chapter 510 Episode 510: Far and near. (3) Hmm It looks like the decision has been roughly made, so lets report it to the crown prince tomorrow. The ministers did not object to Hwang Hees decision. The next day, Hwang Hui and the ministers who entered Seunghwadang reported this to Hyang. After discussing this, I think it is more beneficial to ept the n sent by His Majesty the Lord. Hwang Hee finished speaking, but Hyang did not open her mouth right away. After a moment of silence, Hyang asked Hwang Hee. Is it really a good idea to teach the indigenous people of the newnd and put them into practical work? How are we going to provide the people in charge of training? Hwang Hee responded to Hyangs point. For the assignment of teachers, we n to first select those who have umted sufficient experience in Daeseoldo and Jongjangdo. Is that so? So how will you solve the problems of officials? Since we are currently in the process ofying the foundation for Shinji, only a small number of people have joined, but in the future, many people will be needed to create a proper organization. And wouldnt there be a problem with the fusion of officials from the indigenous people of Shinji and officials from Joseon? Hwang Hee responded as if she had been waiting for Hyangs point. Officials will also be selected mainly from those who have extensive experience working with indigenous people in foreign countries such as Daeseoldo and Jongjangdo. Hyang pointed out the problem in Hwang Hees words. Most officials in Joseon wish to work in Hanseong. But would the officials be happy if I told them to go to a further foreign country after suffering in a foreign country? Hyangs point was reasonable. The final destination of those who entered the military service was Tang Shangguan. And it was amon belief that the best way to rise to the level of a party official was to work in Hanseong. For this reason, there was even an appeal due to the issue of the term of office of local officials in the early days of Gyeongjang. Hwang Hee smiled slightly and responded to Hyangsment. Of course, it is true that officials wish to work in Hanseong. Why is that so? This is because Your Majesty is in Hanseong. But where is your Majesty now? This is Shinji. Thats right. Your Majesty, you are looking at me. Do you think there are people who cause trouble or work loosely? In addition, as now, there will be rotations at five-year intervals and personnel evaluations will follow. Hyang nodded to Hwang Hees exnation and muttered to herself. No matter how generous a person was, he would not have been able to work messily in front of the king, who had the final authority over personnel matters, with his eyes wide open. These guys are masters of manipting people! great. Then, we will decide to implement Abamamas amendments. The ministers responded to Hyangs decision by lowering their heads. After organizing the agenda, Hyang moved on to the next agenda. And moving on to the next point, there is a lot of material that is now being transferred to Shinji. However, considering the amount of materials being sent now, the amount of materials that will be delivered in the future, and the efficiency of development, I believe that the construction of a transportation route from the bridgehead to Daeho County and a garrison to defend it is the most urgent. Ill buy it back. However, there are limits to sending manpower from Joseon, and hiring indigenous people from Shinji still seems unreasonable. Ill buy it back. The ministers nodded at Hyangs point. Even now, various construction projects were continuing throughout Joseon and in the northeastern Daeseoldo region. In this situation, it was unreasonable to organize arge number of personnel who were familiar with construction and send them to the new location. Not only was there an economic issue, but there was also a security issue. For this reason, the construction currently underway in Shinji was being carried out by engineers. Therefore, it was a natural result that the speed was not proper. Wouldnt it be unreasonable to send additional engineers? Jo Mal-saeng answered Hyangs question right away. I think its unreasonable. We have already sent all but the minimum reserve forces to Shinji. Considering the current situation in Liaodong, we cannot send them all. * * * Joseon eroded a significant portion, but the remaining part of Liaodong was still vast. And among the Jurchen people who remained in that vast area, there were still those who were hostile to Joseon. There were many people who leaned in the shadow of Ming and were wary of Joseon. Therefore, the situation in Liaodong was always imminent. If something happened in Liaodong, Joseons n was for the Joseon army to immediately cross the Yalu River and establish the first line of defense. And the people responsible for crossing the river and building a defense line were the engineers. * * * Hyang nodded to Jo Mal-saengs answer. I was just asking to check again. Theck of manpower is also a problem. Hwang Hee responded to Hyangs words. To resolve that issue, officials and interpreters from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, starting with Shin Sook-ju, are working hard to learn thenguage of the indigenous people of Shinji, so we will hear good news soon. Even if they do their part, the number is woefully inadequatepared to the number and scale of construction sites. Thats why. Minister of National Defense. At the name of the fragrance, Jo Mal-Saeng looked at the fragrance with a very nervous face. Yes sir. Please deploy six additional Challenger-ss ships starting from the ship departing this time. yes? Then the Japanese area will be empty. Jo Mal-saeng immediately expressed his opposition. Even though the wires are still being built at the shipyards in Wonsan and Dongbing Port, it took time for them to bemissioned. During that time, in order to resolve the crown princes request, existing active front lines had to be turned around. And in the current situation, Tsushima had to be removed, but considering the current situation in Japan, this was a very dangerous move. Hyang immediately epted Jo Mal-saengs words. Please stop for a moment the retirement of the Panok ships that are currently in progress. The firepower of the Panokseon is sufficient to cover the defense of our Joseon coast. And wouldnt the challenger-level front line that has been removed now be able to be filled right after this winter? It will only be tight for a while before the northeastern sea route to Shinji freezes. At Hyangs words, Jo Mal-saeng bowed his head with an expression that said there was nothing he could do. Now that King Sejong had gone to Shinji, the most powerful person in Joseon was Hyang. No, he was and always will be the most powerful person. I will follow your orders. Im sorry for asking you for an unreasonable request. But it is absolutely necessary. Lowering. Hwang Hee, who was just listening to Hyang next to her, spoke to her. Why have you suddenly deployed more ships? The ships that we currently operate can be sufficient to provide the supplies that His Majesty, who is going to Shinji, needs. Hyang responded to Hwang Heesment with a smile. ah! The object that Director Youngsil Jang and I had been dreaming of has finally beenpleted! I would like to send this to Shinji. These items will be a great help to Shinjis manpower shortage problem. Hwang Hee and the ministers eyes began to sparkle at Hyangs words. Can you tell me what it is? First of all, it is an excavator and a soil excavator. The joint product between Hyang and Jang Yeong-sil was an excavator and a bulldozer. * * * It was the excavator and the excavator that started with the intervention of the vige after seeing the exoskeleton that Jang Yeong-sil made for entertainment. The concept of incense, Jang Yeong-sils design ability, and the blood, sweat, and tears of Area 51 craftsmen were added, and it was created through trial and error. As a side note, around the time when the excavator and the y pot were being refined to a usable level, Jang Yeong-sil was taken to Shinji. Therefore, Jang Yeong-sil tried to escape somehow, but King Sejong dragged her away. And not long after, the excavator and fungus werepleted. The excavator and fungus soil machine that was created this way had its pros and cons. The downside was that it was still enormous due to limitations in technology. And the advantage that arose from that disadvantage was that the output was enormous. I cant even reduce my size anyway! While youre making it big, make it really big! Yes sir! The fungal pottery created in this way was simr in size to a typical thatched-roof house. The excavator, which was equipped with a steel excavating arm, was the size of a tile-roofed house. And both were equipped with caterpir tracks as standard. * * * Hoo~. Huh~. The ministers who read the report from Area 51 let out exmations of exmation. The first to speak was Kim Jeom. This one item can rece the work of dozens of people, so it is truly useful! Is mass production possible? Hyang slightly shook his head and answered Kim Jeoms question. We still need some finishing touches. Thats why Im sending it to Shinji. If you are overworked here and there, you can easily discover problems that were not discovered before, and the efficiency of improvement work will also improve. Ah When Kim Jeom made a regretful expression, Hyang looked at Jo Mal-saeng. These pieces require additional organization. Due to the size of these units, one can be mounted on a single Challenger-ss ship. Even when everything has been disassembled. If we take the disassembled items and the craftsmen who will reassemble them in Shinji, there will probably be no space left. Yes, it appears. But herees the word. It looks like it would be great to use these equipment, especially the excavator, for military purposes. Is it possible? For military use? What are you going to use it for? Jo Mal-saeng answered Hyangs question right away. It looks very useful when destroying castle walls. ah! aha! At Jo Mal-saengs words, the Hyang and ministers all eximed in exmation. At Jo Mal-saengs words, an image of an excavator doing demolition work came into Hyangs mind. If this is the case, should we make a jackhammer? No no! All it takes is that big iron ball from Hollywood movies! Jo Mal-saeng, who saw the positive response from the local government and ministers, continued speaking excitedly. Of course, it will have to be armored to protect the handler from enemy attacks, but I think the power of that excavator will be enough to handle it. If an excavator with such a tight body approaches a castle wall and swings that big shovel, even a fairlyrge castle wall would copse right away. Jo Mal-saengs hometown and ministers imagined the scene. After a while, Hwang Hee pointed out the problem. What if the enemy has artillery and attacks the excavator with artillery? There must be a limit to wearing gloves, right? Jo Mal-saeng answered Hwang Hees question right away. Then we can fire the guns first. After taking out the enemys artillery with our artillery, we will use excavators to create a wide path in the castle wall. That shovel de would be good at destroying it, but wouldnt it be just as good at clearing away the broken walls? He is like that too. While Hwang Hee was nodding, Heo Hu raised a counterargument. Many of the Japanese castles are located on high ground. Wouldnt it be difficult to use those excavators? Jo Mal-saengs answer to Heo Hus point was truly meaningful. All the castles of the Ming Dynasty are on the ins. Heo Hu, who was astonished by Jo Mal-saengs answer, looked at the other ministers. Ministers who had endured the government for a long time, including Hyang and Hwang Hui, did not show any particr reaction. Looking at that scene, Heo Hu knew for sure. Its not just about deteriorating rtions with Ming! Everyone is prepared to take on the famous! Does that mean everyone is like that? Even the chief minister thinks the same thing! While Heohu was shocked, Hyang quickly got things done. I think the Minister of Defenses n is good. What do you think, Prime Minister? I think its good too. Hyang, who received Hwang Hees approval, asked Jo Mal-saeng. Then to which branch will the military excavator be assigned? Of course hes an engineer! Wouldnt it be icing on the cake if we added some artillerymen to protect the excavators? When Jo Mal-saeng mentioned artillerymen, Hyang muttered to himself. If you just put artillery on it, it bes a tank Oh, its a shame that the reclining seat and rear-loading cannon are still missing! If ites out well, just put it on! Steam engine tank! Steampunk! Its just my taste! In this way, the worlds first bat armored engineer was born. Chapter 511 Episode 511: Far and near. (4) Come on! Now that the busy work far away has been sorted out, lets talk about the worries nearby. The ministers, who had finished a meeting and were taking a break while drinking a cup of tea, immediately straightened up after hearing Hyangs words. While the eunuchs came in and refilled the teapots, the local government officials shuffled through documents. Should we start from the east? Or should we start from the south? Jo Mal-saeng was the first to open his mouth in response to Hyangs question while shuffling through the documents in front of him. I think we should start from the north. At Jo Mal-saengs words, the eyes of Hyang and other ministers all focused on Jo Mal-saeng. You mean north? Did the Jurchen people cause some kind of trouble again? Ites further north than the aftershock. A messenger has arrived from Oirat. They say they are bringing him to Hanseong now. Oirat? The appearance of an unexpected being made Hyang and the ministers faces turn serious. * * * For Joseon during this period, Oirat and Bukwon were farther away than Seoyi. They were entities that disappeared outside the realm of knowledge of the Joseon people due to the fall of the Yuan Empire and the founding of the Ming Dynasty and the recement of Goryeo and Joseon. In addition, there were aftershocks between Oirat and Joseon. Due to these restrictions, there was no direct exchange between the Oirat and Joseon. But then a messenger came from Oirat. * * * Hmm Why did they send a messenger? Kim Jeom answered Hyangs question. Isnt it for the purpose ofmunicating with Joseon? The excellence of our Joseon vessels must have been well known even in the Mongolian region. Heo Hu immediately refuted Kim Jeoms words. Do you think those Mongolians have finally heard the rumors about our Joseon? It has already been more than 10 years since the Mongolians began trading with merchants in Masi. If it was a rumor about our Joseon Dynasty, you would have heard it a long time ago. Hyang and Hwang Hee nodded to Heo Hus point. * * * Joseon was well aware that Ming and Oirat conductedmerce in Masi. And as time passed, we also heard that the transaction size was growing significantly. After hearing the information, some Joseon merchants tried to advance into Masi, but they were blocked every time by the territorial power of the merchants. In the end, Joseon merchants had to be satisfied with selling goods to merchants who traded in Masi, and the merchants steadily and handsomely made profits from rying. * * * Then Captain Heo, why do you think they are looking for us? Heo Hu answered Kim Jeoms question in a slightly unconfident tone. Well, letse I wonder if you are requesting military exchange. Thats interesting. What made you think that? Hyang asked a question with an expression full of curiosity. In response to Hyangs response being more positive than expected, Heo Hu spoke in a more confident voice about the reason for his thoughts. Its because of Marcys problem. ording to the stories I heard from our merchants who advanced to Masi, it is not only our Joseon merchants who are being attacked by merchants. In fact, they say they are hitting the Mongolians even harder. If they are merchants, they probably dont know that they will end up as rulers, right? I remember hearing that there was an uproar over this issue? Recalling memories of the 21st century, Hyang asked a question. But this was something the scent knew backwards. The cause of the civil disaster that the vige knows was that Oirat was being ripped off and at the same time, smuggling was rampant around Masi. Heohu responded again to Hyangs point. Of course they know. However, I believe that the Oirats and Mongolians are equally prone to rip-offs, and there are many who still cannot forget the grudges from the old Yuan Dynasty. So youre saying theyre hitting on each other? Thats right. Hwang Hee, who was sitting next to Heo Hus exnation, joined the conversation. So, the rtionship has deteriorated while they are hitting each other like that, so they are trying to have military exchanges with Joseon? Thats right. Hmm Hwang Hee, who was stroking his beard and organizing his thoughts in response to Heo Hus response, looked back at Jo Mal-saeng. Captain Cho. What do you think? Jo Mal-saeng answered Hwang Hees question with a slightly embarrassed expression. Well, letse. I dont think its an entirely unlikely story. But for now, wouldnt it be unreasonable to ept what Oirat says? Everyone gathered in Seunghwadang, starting with the scent, nodded at Jo Mal-saengs answer. * * * Starting with King Sejong, the Joseon Dynastys powerful people saw the possibility of a catastrophe with the Ming Dynasty as very high. Therefore, military expansion was steadily underway. But the navy was infuriated. The more we can pull out even one more challenger-level battleship, the better, but those Chinese guys are holding us back! The volume of trade between China and Europe continued to increase. The number of private merchant merchant ships was gradually increasing, but the center of this long-distance trade was the navy. In such a situation, the development of new territories was gradually elerating, and the naval forces were in a situation where they could not work because they had no ships. To the point that jokes like this were going around among the navy, regardless of whether they were high or low. What are you talking about? The ts of the religion they believe in is that they walk on water. If we believe that too, but if we cultivate the Tao, can we walk on water? Then, the problem of insufficient wires will be solved once and for all, right? Do you want to walk carrying that canvas? . In order to solve this frustrating situation, the budget had to be increased by even a penny, but due to problems with thend and naval forces defending the northern border area, bloody fights had to be fought repeatedly. We can just put it on a boat and take it to Beijing! How many boogers can you put on one boat? And are you going to stop the Chinese from crossing the Great Wall of China? Or, as the saying goes, if there are many boatmen, the boat will go to the mountains, so are you going to drag the boat and cross the Great Wall of China? Shit! * * * Although Joseons powers were making military preparations, they viewed military exchanges with the Oirat negatively. Thats right. It is something we should not give justification for even when a catastrophe is decided. Hwang Hee and the ministers all nodded at Hyangs words. Thats right. Undoubtedly, cause is the most important thing between countries. Hyang also nodded at Hwang Hees words. At that time, the Minister of Finance and Economy, who had been hidden in Kim Jeoms shadow, spoke for the first time in a long time. Is it possible that they areing because of the horses we sell for sale? huh? uh? Hyang and Hwang Hees heads turned at the words of the Minister of Finance and Economy. Why are you talking? The Minister of Finance and Economy immediately responded to Hwang Hees words. They say the horses we sell are popr among people. * * * From the beginning of the Joseon Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty had demanded a considerable amount of horses as tribute from Joseon. This had two purposes: one was to prevent the strengthening of cavalry, the core force of the Joseon army, and the other was because Joseon was surprisingly good at raising horses. To solve this problem, as soon as King Sejong started Gyeongjang, he selected suitable inds, starting with Jeju Ind and Jindo, and operated horse markets. After absorbing the Jurchen tribes in the northeastern region, additional horse camps were established in the Gaema teau and the wide open fields nearby. Of course, all of this was done in secret. And seemingly every time an envoy from Ming came, King Sejong and his subjectsined. Ah! We have nothing to say either! The tug-of-war that continued using all kinds of tricks ended with the export of the iron horse to the Ming Dynasty. Ill make the prices of essential parts cheaper! Instead, I will not offer horses as tribute from now on! The Ming envoys expressed their disapproval at Joseons demands. However, after hearing the story, Emperor Seondeok made a bold decision. Instead, discount the price of iron horse parts supplied by Joseon by 10% and supply them in the quantity we want. Then I wont listen to you. Arent you being too gracious? The Ming cab ministers and ministers expressed concern about Emperor Seondeoks decision, but Emperor Seondeok shook his head. No, what is needed now is to elerate thepletion of the railwaywork by making more iron horses. In that case, the words brought in from that city will be enough. Do as Imand. I follow the Emperorsmand. And Emperor Seondeok, who made this decision, looked at the map alone and muttered. In order to win the decisive battle with Joseon, we must concentrate as many troops as possible in Liaodong. Words cannot handle this task. Only an iron horse can do this. You have to give something small and take something big. Cough! Cough! Emperor Seondeok coughed violently and managed to catch his breath and mumble. Its really hard and lonely. I never thought there would be so many people who would understand what I meant If I tell you now, there are only idiots who will say lets attack Joseon right now In that way, the verbal tribute disappeared into history. * * * How many horses will our Joseon Dynasty sell to the Ming, and will a messengere? Hyang asked the Minister of Finance and Economy with an expression that he did not understand. In modern Joseon, horses were as useful livestock as cows. If cattle were the core of farming, horses were the core ofmerce and transportation. In small cities where it was difficult to build a circr railway, horse-drawn carriages and rickshaws transported people. In addition, stagecoaches traveled where the metropolitan railway that connected the entire Joseon Dynasty passed, between nearby viges, and on roads connecting local areas. Vendors traveling through the marketces of Joseon also rode on carts pulled by donkeys or ponies. And each pretending family had several horses and one or two luxurious carriages. As a result, demand for horses always outstripped supply in Joseon. The Minister of Finance and Economy answered the question. There are several breeds raised at privately run horse farms, and although they are small in size, they are strong and many merchants like them. Even so, there are only a few of them, so I dont understand why they would send a lion for that. Although it seemed like he still didnt understand, the Minister of Finance and Economy continued talking. Please consider the situation in Oirat. The only thing they sell is horses and sheep. Dont you think its a problem if Joseon sells horses? Hmm Hmm At the Minister of Finance and Economys answer, the ministers and ministers seemed to think it was usible and were lost in thought. After a moment of silence, Hwang Hee opened her mouth. The Minister of Finance and Economy has a point, but I dont think it is reasonable. Considering the number of horses sold by Oirat in Masi and the number of horses needed throughout the Ming Dynasty, the horses sold by our Joseon Dynasty cannot be a problem. Dan Dan? When Hwang Hee paused for a moment, the Hyang and the ministers all waited for his next words. Hwang Hee took a moment to catch her breath and continued speaking. However, it would be a good excuse for Oirat to send an envoy to Joseon. So, on the outside, they areing to criticize Joseon for selling horses, but on the inside, they have another n? Is that correct? Hwang Hee nodded in response to Hyangs question. Thats right. And the intention is probably rted to the military. Chapter 512 Episode 512: Far and near. (5) Good. We will know for sure when Oirats messenger arrives in Hanseong, but first, lets focus on the military and prepare. Do you have any objections? Hwang Hee took the lead in answering Hyangs question. No. It is a reasonable decision. No matter how much you think about it, it bes too much or too little. Otherwise, you may end up going down the wrong path. All the other ministers nodded at Hwang Hees words. great. Then, lets decide to discuss the Oirat part properly after the messengeres and move on. Hmm since were talking about Oirat, how about we start talking from the west, i.e. Beijing? I think itll be okay. Then lets take a moment and resume the meeting. yes. After a while, the local ministers left Seunghwadang and headed to themon restaurant in the East Pce. * * * When King Sejong was there, he and his ministers ate lunch at amunal restaurant next to Geunjeongjeon. But now it has be a daily routine to eat from breakfast to dinner in amunal restaurant built in the East Pce. This was because it was disloyal and unfilial to use themunal restaurant in Geunjeongjeon when King Sejong had neither ascended nor ascended the throne. Thanks to this, themunal dining hall in Geunjeongjeon was only undergoing maintenance, and the servants and courtdies in charge of the kitchen all moved to the East Pce Hall. Just use the Geunjeongjeonmunal restaurant. What is this trouble? asionally theseints would pop up, but they disappeared immediately after the next words. Hey guys .. hey guys! You guys are lucky! Do you want to be taken to Shinji like the kids in the Junggungjeon? Egg money! * * * While the Hyangs and ministers who had lunch in themunal cafeteria took a short break, the officials and lower-ranking officials went in and out of Seunghwadangs conference room with necessary documents. One of the lower-ranking officials muttered softly as he watched the ministers taking a break in the tea room built on one side of Seunghwadang. Im jealous Do I always get to rest like that? In response to the low-ranking officialsint, someone who appeared to be superior to him scolded him. Even if I look like that, if I mess up even a little, Ill be a record keeper until I die. Are you jealous? If something goes wrong, isnt it the same for us as well? For us, unless its a really serious crime, it doesntst more than 5 years, but for those guys, itsts a lifetime. Another superior continued speaking. Still, isnt it the officials wish to hear the word Great Inspector at least once in their lifetime? If I just hear the sound of inspiration, I wont have any wishes. Are you ready? Hi! The lower-level officials, who were preparing for the next meeting by joking andining, responded with surprise at the sudden sound of Hawijis voice. It will be over soon! Get ready quickly! Your Majesty wille in a little while, but what if you are not ready yet? Yes yes! At Hawijis urging, the lower-level officials quickly finished preparing and left the conference room. Hawiji hurriedly bowed to the low-ranking officials and muttered with a sullen expression in return. Neers these days have a young mind Kwon Ram, who was next to Hawijisint, smiled and spoke. If anyone hears it, theyll think youre really flying around, right? of course! Even though this is the body that passed the state entrance exam! Im not someone who got into the office thanks to personal connections like everyone else! Kwon Rams expression became fierce at Hawijis words. under! It is true that I entered the office through a special recruitment, but dont you know that it is more difficult to be sessful through a special recruitment? Its because of people who narrow their eyes and say that Jangwon passed the state exam like anyone else. joy! her! As the two people were fighting with their noses blowing, they heard Hyangs voice from behind. Hey~. Am I lucky to have such talented people? omg! Oops! Hawiji and Kwon Ram, startled by the sudden voice of Hyang, quickly backed away to the side. Hyang looked at the two people with a wry smile. If anyone hears it, they will think that Isted in a rtionship for about 20 years. At Hyangs words, Kwon Ram and Hawijis heads gradually lowered. * * * The year that Kwon Ram entered government service after being caught in a multi-stage affair by Han Myeong-hoe was the year of Imja (1432, the 14th year of King Sejongs reign). And the year Hawiji entered government service was Eulmyo (1435, the 17th year of King Sejongs reign). Although Kwon Ram was a little early in his career, he was much older. Even so, the careers of the two people who had been in the industry for a little over 10 years were funny to look at. He was already a prominent figure at the age of eight, interfering with state affairs here and there, and surviving alongside ministers with decades of experience. * * * Still, its good to see that youre confident in your own abilities. It looks very nice. The two, who bowed their heads at Hyangs words, fell into confusion. Is this apliment? Is this an insult? Hyang, who was contemting for a moment while looking at the two who were so confused, opened his mouth. I wasnt satisfied with the reports sent from Daeseoldo and Jongjangdo as they were very poor, but it turned out well. You two should prepare for the business trip immediately. The two, who were shocked by Hyangsmand, unconsciously raised their heads and looked at Hyang. yes? No way Go to Daeseol Ind and Jongjang Ind, properly inspect the local situation, and then submit a report. Since these two are confident in their abilities, they will be able to get the job done quickly, right? Two months. It takes almost a month just to travel to Daeseoldo Ind and Jongjangdo Ind, right? Isnt that enough for your abilities? Is it really possible to be so confident when you cant even do that? Is this disappointing? As soon as the word disappointment came out of Hyangs mouth, Kwon Ram and Ha Ji-ji quickly responded. Oh no! I will definitelyplete it! I will prepare for the business trip and leave immediately! I will send you the horse pack through Naegwan. ancient! Kwon Ram and Hawiji answered loudly and walked away quickly. Hyang, who saw this, spoke to Han Myeong-hoe and Seong Sam-moon. Go and help. Yes old! Han Myeong-hoe and Seong Sam-moon, who responded quickly, hurriedly followed the two who went out first. The ministers who came out of the tea room to see this scene clicked their tongues and shook their heads as they saw the four people moving like that. Tsk tsk tsk. Even if you get caught. Thats beyond words. Meanwhile, Kim Jong-seo, who felt a strange sense of kinship with the disappearing four people, walked up to Hwang-hee and whispered softly. Are you learning? Are you teaching? Did you learn how to treat people from the crown prince? Or did you teach it to the crown prince? Although there was no subject, Hwang Hee, who understood the meaning of Kim Jong-seos words, gave a short answer. Its dark with history so it must be stained. It was stained by His Majesty the Lord. * * * Meanwhile, Kwon Ram and Hawiji, who were diligently packing their belongings in their office, raised their voices towards Seong Sam-moon and Han Myeong-hoe. no! People! If you are here, you should at least let us know that you are here! Thats right! If its hard to tell, you should have at least noticed! Han Myeong-hoe shrugged his shoulders and responded to Kwon Ram and Hawijis criticism. I wanted to give it to you, but your Majesty prevented me from doing so. Thats right. We didnt even notice your presence until you stood right next to us. In response to Han Myeong-hoe and Seong Sam-moons answers, Kwon Ram and Hawiji gritted their teeth and packed their belongings. * * * After a short skit after the meal, Hyang resumed the meeting with the ministers. ording to the newsing from Beijing, the emperors health is not very good. How bad is it? The exact situation is unknown, but it seems to be quite bad. But what is certain is that it has gotten worse these days. In response to Heo Hus answer, Hyang immediately asked back. Is there any way to know more urately? It is said that the emperors eyes and ears have be more harsh these days. Its a shame. The scent could not hide its sincere regret. Contrary to what I first read, this is a situation that will endure for a long time. If this happens, there will be too many variables It would be nice if it could be a little easier While Hyang was feeling regretful, Hwang Hee asked Heo Hu. If the emperors health is so bad, wouldnt it be a good idea to start paying attention to the crown prince? We are still collecting information about the prince, but this is not good. Not good? Hwang Hees face became serious at Heo Hus answer. Which way is bad? health? Heart? ability? Heo Hu immediately answered Han Myeonghoes question. Unlike the emperor, I heard a rumor that his health is good, and his abilities seem to be slightlycking, but the assessment is that it is not a big problem. The problem is mentality. The evaluation is very extreme. Rapid? There are rumors that you dont have a very good rtionship with the emperor. Heo Hus words made the ministers eyes secretly focus on Hyang. The rtionship between father and son was so good that the father passed on all the work and left Hasnt there already been a rumor that the rtionship between the emperor and crown prince is not good? Heo Hu answered Hwang Hees question in more detail. Ive be more estranged from you these days. They say the reason it happened was because the emperor killed the eunuch who was the crown princes closest confidant. * * * Is it really right to entrust this country to the crown prince? This was one of the worries that was bothering Emperor Seondeok these days. Prince Joo Jin-jins personality was somewhat temperamental, but he became quite serious as he got older. The problem was that the crown princes insight and ability to handle tasks were verycking C of course, by the standards of the Emperor Seondeok. The crown prince may seem to have shallow insight, but this is a problem that will be resolved over time. There is no need to worry as the management of state affairs is also improving. Every time they heard Emperor Seondeoksints, the ministers said this and defended the crown prince. These were not simply words to tter the crown prince. In reality, Joo Joo-jins ability to run state affairs was average, but not outstanding. The reason why Emperor Seondeok so harshly evaluated the crown prince was because of the incense. Emperor Seondeok, who had a strong impression of Hyang, who was not intimidated and confidently discussed interests with himself despite his young age, was evaluating the crown prince by setting all standards for Hyang. Even the Crown Prince of Joseon does that, this guy called the Crown Prince! Emperor Seondeok disciplined Ju Ji-jin harshly from an early age. Joo Ji-jin, who suffered excessive stress during this process, developed a violent personality. However, as he got older and was able to control this personality to some extent, Joo Ji-jin gradually began to receive positive evaluations. However, not long ago, a major incident urred that chilled the rtionship between Emperor Seondeok and Joo Jin-jin. Emperor Seondeok executed the eunuch Wang Jin, who was Joo Ji-jins closest associate. * * * Wang Jin, the eunuch who had been by Joo Ji-jins side since he was young, was someone whom Joo Ji-jin greatly relied on. His job was to console Joo Jin-jin, who was stressed out by Emperor Seondeoks harsh discipline. As he handled the matter well and received praise from Emperor Seondeok, Wang Jin showed even more enthusiasm for Joo Ji-jin. Wang Jin, who acted like a tongue in his mouth and gained Joo Jin-jins trust, became ambitious as time went by. It is an immutable fact that the crown prince bes emperor! Then, the position of one-man and all-man is mine! Wang Jin, who was ambitious, began to secretly build a faction. As Wang Jin built his faction like this, the existing factions began to feel a sense of crisis. This little brat already! In the end, the existing eunuch factions reported Wang Jins misconduct to Emperor Seondeok, and Emperor Seondeok ordered Wang Jins execution. A crime that blinds the princes eyes and serves his own self-interest! You deserve to die! Chapter 513 Episode 513: Far and near. (6) Ju Ji-jins opposition to Emperor Seondeoks decision was natural. your majesty! How can you make such a terrible decision! This is an unfair decision! Ju Ji-jin, who was in Nanjing, immediately rushed to Beijing and imed injustice against Emperor Xuande. Despite Joo Ki-jins harsh protests, Emperor Seondeok calmly exined the reason. The level of misconduct hemitted is too severe. He organized a private organization among the eunuchs and epted bribes. Isnt bribery amon thing? What good is thew if it is consideredmon? He was Sojas teacher! He was not a teacher but a screen covering your eyes. This is Sojai, who has lived with him longer than anyone else! He will never be like that! In response to Joo Gi-jins protest, Emperor Seondeok pointed to the scrolls piled up on one side of the desk. Read it. yes? I told you to read it! At Emperor Seondeoksmand, Joo Ji-jin walked to the stacked scroll and unfolded it. As he read the scroll, Joo Ji-jins face became increasingly pale. In the scroll he opened, all the corruptions Wang Jin hadmitted were written in detail. Joo Ji-jin hurriedly opened another scroll. However, the contents written on the scrolls werergely the same. Joo Joo-jin, who eventually opened up to five scrolls and checked their contents, scattered the piled up scrolls and shouted. All of this is evil! A plot ising! Joo Ji-jin desperately insisted on conspiracy. This wasnt just about sparing visits. This was a political burden for Joo Jin-jin himself. The rumor that his father Emperor Seondeok did not like him was a rumor that was almost believed to be true. If Emperor Seondeok had his way, he could have used this as an excuse to push himself out of the crown. Because of this background, Joo Ji-jin desperately insisted on conspiracy. However, Emperor Seondeok scoffed at Joo Gi-jins ims. joy! Conspiracy? Scheme? Do you not know who I am and what was done to those who did such a thing? * * * There were many who saw the great purges that urred periodically throughout the reign of Emperor Seongdeok as an opportunity. Now is your chance! Those who saw it as a good opportunity to deal with their political opponents ended up falsely using them. However, their false usations were immediately discovered because they could not avoid the cross-examination of Emperor Seondeok. And 10 tribes of those who made false usations were exterminated. These purgester had both positive and negative consequences. The positive part was that the soundness of Ming officials was maintained for a fairly long period of time, and the negative part was that it wiped out more than 60% of the intellectual andmercial sses of the Ming Dynasty,pletely entrenching the privileged ss. * * * Ju Ji-jin had no choice but to keep his mouth shut in response to Emperor Seondeoks question. If we insist further here, it will be dangerous! In the end, Ju Ji-jin had nothing to do but appeal to Emperor Seon-deok for Wang Jins leniency. His sins are great, but he has been faithful to the younger one. I hope that your Majesty will treat you kindly. Let me consider it. And the result of that leniency was that only Wang Jin and those who formed a party with him were beheaded. * * * Emperor Seondeok, who executed Wang Jin and his group, muttered as he checked the situation. Its going to be a problem Gijin is going to be a problem. The person who thought that Emperor Seondeok was the problem was Prince Joo Gi-jin. Continuing to trust someone once can be an advantage, but for someone called the emperor, it can be a disadvantage. And the person so trusted was a eunuch The Sipsangshi (ʮ) could be repeated again. And his temperament is not only bold, but violent. Emperor Seondeok shook his head, remembering the scene where Joo Jin-jin turned over the scrolls even though he was watching. If this country were in a period of expansion like the early days of its founding, the princes personality could be an advantage, but now it is not expansion, but someone who is good at expansion must seed me. Kijins personality will only lead to catastrophe. I need to change it. Emperor Seondeok, who decided to rece the crown prince, stroked his beard and muttered. But if you change it recklessly, there will definitely be trouble. We must rece it with the least amount of fuss and at the same time figure out what direction will be beneficial to this country. * * * As Heo Hu shared information about the feud between Emperor Seondeok and the Crown Prince, the expressions on the faces of Hyang and the ministers became serious. For us, we must hope that the emperor can hold on to the throne a little longer. The ministers nodded at Hyangs words. Thats right. The Emperor of Tang Jin () is a person who knows well what is right and what is wrong, so he is a person who is good at maintaining harmony with our Joseon Dynasty. However, if the princes personality is as rumored, there is a high possibility that he will interfere with our Joseon Dynasty. Hyang nodded at the ministers words. Thats right. Looking at the current situation, Emperor Tang Jin is a truly good emperor for our Joseon Dynasty. Hmm It would be a good idea to send some good wild ginseng as a tonic. huh? As soon as the word health medicine was said, Hyang saw the expressions of the ministers getting worse and expressed his doubts. Why are you doing this? ah! Are you worried that the problem of finding wild ginseng or medicinal herbs will cause hardship to the people? In that case, wouldnt it be okay to choose a good one among the wild ginseng and medicinal herbs that have been presented to us and send it to us? If you are doing this because you are taking away from what was presented to Abama, I will send a letter to Abama and get permission before doing so. That will be enough, right? yes. You will do that. Hwang Hee agreed to Hyangs suggestion, but her expression still did not look good. It was clearly meant well, but why do I feel so ufortable? The ministers were unable to hide their difort until the end because the meaning of health medicine had changed significantly during the funeral. * * * It was not only the officials who were divided as the war progressed. Grand Master Gwangpyeong Grand Army Commander has arrived. Prince Pyeongwon, who was lying down, stood up and answered the servants words. Please take us inside. After a while, Prince Gwangpyeong came inside, holding a bundle of medicinal herbs in one hand. You must be busy. What brings you here? My younger brother is sick. I shoulde and see him. By the way, I heard that not even a dog gets caught on the Onyuwol Gohorn, so how did you get caught by chance? Cough! Since it wasnt a dog, it got caught. Cough! Grand Prince Pyeongwon, who epted Grand Prince Gwangpyeongs joke as a joke, looked at the bundle of medicinal herbs in Grand Prince Gwangpyeongs hand and asked. Why are you here? this? This is the health medicine I brought for my younger brother, who was so weak that he got sick on May 5! Hearing Grand Prince Gwangpyeongs words, Grand Prince Pyeongwon looked at Grand Prince Gwangpyeong with a strange look. Grand Prince Gwangpyeong, who felt Grand Prince Pyeongwons gaze, quickly continued speaking. madam! I brought it with really good intentions! Really? maybe? older brother! ha ha ha! Themotion calmed down with a burst ofughter. Wiping away the tears that had formed fromughing excitedly, Prince Gwangpyeong spoke to Prince Pyeongwon in a friendly voice. Isnt it your and my health that you keep worrying about? So, pay attention to your health. Grand Prince Pyeongwon sighed at Grand Prince Gwangpyeongs words. Whoa~. Dont you and I have to write another report while we have time to focus on our health? Thats not the problem. Whats even more problematic is that Mama said it was better that way. Damn you bastard. When Grand Prince Pyeongwon swore, Grand Prince Gwangpyeong warned him in a somewhat stern voice. Uh-huh! Isnt it a line that Momma holds dear? I apologize. When Grand Prince Pyeongwon apologized, Grand Prince Gwangpyeong epted his words with a slight smile. And no matter how you look at it, the problem is a problem of dream interpretation. * * * One year after Grand Prince Gwangpyeong was born, an ambassador whom Queen Soheon treated highly visited Junggungjeon. The ambassador, who had been examining the princes face and palm, taking his pulse, listening to his orders, and solving his role, let out a long sigh and opened his mouth. Huh~. This is truly an amazing story. Its truly amazing that something like this can happen. Namu Amitabha Buddha. Queen Soheon asked cautiously as she watched the ambassador softly chanting his prayers. Why are you doing this? I didnt mean to speak carelessly No matter what you hear, I wont hold you ountable, so just tell me what you saw. The ambassador spoke cautiously to Queen Soheons pledge. Its really difficult to tell you, but Ivee to the conclusion that its difficult for me to make it past 20 thanks to Mr. Agis advice. However, when I look at him and look at him and the Prime Minister, they seem to have ovee that critical juncture, and it seems as if the bright line has been reconnected. It can be said to be a truly strange thing. That means! Queen Soheon was amazed at the ambassadors words. Is it true that this childs name has been restored? Thats right. Namu Amitabha Buddha. Thank you. Thank you very much. Can the things done by Hinayana exist in nothingness? However, if there is yin, there is yang, and it is said to be hosadama. You have escaped a short life, but your body will suffer for the rest of your life. Are you tired? Its a tough job. Huh. Still, wouldnt it be better than a short life? It was Queen Soheon who had a firm determination to something. And Prince Pyeongwon was born. Just like during the time of Prince Gwangpyeong, the ambassador who came to visit Prince Pyeongwon said fortune telling and sighed for a long time. Huh~. How can this be Tree Amitabha Buddha. Why are you doing this? The same thing happened to you, Agi. Amitabha Buddha How could something like this happen. The ambassador gave the same exnation again as during the time of Prince Gwangpyeong. After leaving the pce, the ambassador looked back at the pce several times and muttered. What kind of story is this, that this story is repeated so many times Amitabha Buddha And before that year was over, the great master passed away. Before his death, the ambassador left this message to his disciples: You are guilty of carelessly spilling heavens energy, so you should not use your mouth carelessly. * * * Was it a series of coincidences? Or was the ambassadors magical power just extraordinary? Compared to the history before Hyang intervened, the fate of Princess Jeongso and Prince Gwangpyeong and Prince Pyeongwon hadpletely changed. Princess Jeongso died in February of the 6th year of King Sejongs reign, Grand Prince Gwangpyeong died in December of the 26th year of King Sejongs reign, and Grand Prince Pyeongwon died in January of the 27th year of King Sejongs reign. The cause of death for all three was smallpox. And the deaths of the three inflicted a huge psychological blow on their parents, King Sejong and Queen Soheon. In particr, the deaths of Prince Gwangpyeong and Prince Pyeongwon within a month of each other inflicted a fatal psychological blow on Queen Soheon, and it was even said that this was one of the reasons why Queen Soheon died earlier than King Sejong, who was suffering from illness. However, the fate of the three took a major turn when Hyang intervened. The three were able to avoid premature death as a way to prevent smallpox was discovered through cowpox vination, which was recorded as the Crown Self-Muttion Incident. Life expectancy has increased, but your body will suffer for the rest of your life. Queen Soheon, who kept these words in mind, did not forget to appoint someone skilled in property management whenever Princess Jeongso and Grand Prince Gwangpyeong and Grand Prince Pyeongwon moved to a separate residence. The only time the royal body suffers is when there is no wealth! We must prevent suffering due tock of wealth! However, Queen Soheons prediction was greatly wrong. Princess Jeongso volunteered to be a member of the National Assembly, and the two great princes worked hard in the court half willingly and half unwillingly. Chapter 514 Episode 514: Far and near. (7) Life expectancy has increased, but your body will suffer throughout your life. As the ambassador said, Prince Gwangpyeong and Prince Pyeongwon were busy working. * * * As soon as they became adults and received military titles, the two had to join the government. How can there be superiors and subordinates in making this country rich and strong? ording to King Sejongs orders, the Grand Prince, his soldiers, and the princesses and princesses all had to find their own jobs. What is interesting here is that King Sejong of the world had no intention of making even the princess and princess work at first. However, the situation changed when Princess Jeongso announced that she would be a member of the National Assembly, andter, Princess Justice announced that she would research mathematics at a research institute. As the kings eldest daughter and second daughter offered to work at clinics and research institutes, the princesses, who were aware of the situation, also began to look for fields in which they could work. The good news was that King Sejongs children also had various talents, so they were evaluated as useful talents and were less likely to be overlooked. Many of the military and military officials who took charge of the countrys affairs took up positions in Area 51 and research institutes, and this was due to Jinpyeongs influence. * * * Jinpyeong, who started walking the path of Cheoldeok after suffering a Deoktong ident, worked hard to achieve his dream of bing Cheoldeok. However, there were some things that could not be solved with effort, the most representative one being the budget. Get out you bastard! Jinpyeong, who was met with harsh treatment not only from his father King Sejong but also from Hyang every time he requested additional budget, had to find an alternative. First of all, they say it will be covered by the bonus I receive, but this is not enough. As the ceremony progressed, changes urred in the food and nap provided to the royal family. Instead of increasing the number of households, which had been greatly reducedpared to the previous Goryeo period, the form of payment was changed with money rather than actualnd. In the early days of Gyeongjang, the amount was even reduced significantly due to ack of funds to reform the country. And it was near the end of the tour that the reduced Bongrok normalized to some extent. Because of this situation, there were limits to Jinpyeongs ability to invest his wealth. This was because a considerable amount of money had to be spent just for the sake of the name Grand Prince. In this situation, the alternative Jinpyeong came up with was simple and effective. -Fish up your younger brothers! With this purpose, Jinpyeong led the young princes and soldiers to the room where he had suffered an ident. Wow~. Wow~. The young soldiers and soldiers who saw the model of the moving iron horse spouting steam couldnt keep their mouths shut and let out exmations of exmation. How do you feel? Isnt it amazing? yes! Why dont you study this iron horse with your brother? great! * * * In this way, a considerable number of great soldiers and military personnel came to work in Area 51 and the research institute, but there were also those who did not. Prince Gwangpyeong and Prince Pyeongwon were representative examples. Grand Prince Gwangpyeong, who loved poetry and prose from a young age and showed talent in literary writing (selecting good literary works), came to work with Anpyeong. And Prince Pyeongwon, who was very interested in soldiers, especially the navy, came to work at the Ministry of National Defense. But at some point, the two started sighing a lot. * * * Even if the poetry and prose are the same, even the misceneous songs Gwangpyeong, who was not only responsible for recording and ssifying the misceneous songs that were passed down orally among the people, but also took on the responsibility ofposing and writing lyrics for new misceneous songs, questioned Anpyeong. older brother! Lets say its like recording a new type of misceneous song! But isnt it too much to ask him to write andpose such a new song? Anpyeong immediately responded to Gwangpyeongs objection. Im doing it too. Even if its hard, it bes fun after a while? Think about it. I mean, people all over Joseon sing the new song you wrote. Still Ah! The Crown Prince got permission from Abama. Sinjapga also received recognition of its intellectual property rights. What kind of money would that make? In other words, wouldnt it be possible for officials to go into kibangs and marketces throughout Joseon and count who called and how many times? But shouldnt we know for generations who built it? Gwangpyeongs expression became strange at Anpyeongs words. This was because he also did not want to end up as a royal greeting with only one line of his name. In the end, Gwangpyeong waved the white g. Okay, I understand. I will try. So thats my brother! Gwangpyeong, who was returning to his office with Anpyeongs death behind him, looked in the direction of the East Pce and grumbled. A person who is not even a singer sings something like a new song for no reason * * * I wanted to go out to sea on a wire Wow It was in that he was not satisfied with his work. It was the same with the Grand Army. I want to work in the military. Is that so? Thank you so much! After learning of Grand Prince Pyeongwons intentions, Jo Mal-saeng and the high-ranking military officials of the Ministry of National Defense bowed down and threw him into the Ministry of Finance. Isnt he a great general? It will be of great help when obtaining the budget. cancer! cancer! Grand Prince Pyeongwon, who received the rank of Deputy Director Jeong after the rank of Lieutenant General C 4th rank of Servant in the rank before the Lieutenant Commander C did not fight the waves at sea, but fought against numbers in the office, and had to listen toints andints rted to the budget rather than hearing stories of heroism. The front line of his battle was the conference room where he engaged in a war of words with the Ministry of Finance and Economy over budget allocation. Why me At first, Prince Pyeongwon was in tears as he said this, but as time went by, he started working on his tasks with some enthusiasm. Joseons territory is expanding, but the strengthening of its military power is not keeping up with this! To solve this, we need a bigger budget! Prince Pyeongwon, who believed that the current situation was critical, engaged in a fierce war of words with the Ministry of Finance and Economy and tried to obtain even a penny more budget. And seeing Prince Pyeongwons appearance like that, Jo Mal-saeng and high-ranking officials in the military smiled happily and cheered him on. * * * As time passed, Oirats messengers arrived in Hanseong under the heavy escort of the Joseon Army cavalry C more like a convoy. Wee. I am the crown prince of Joseon. This is a messenger sent by Taishi of Oirat. It is an honor to meet you, Crown Prince. The messenger of Oirat bowed respectfully and offered respect to the incense. You worked hard toe a long way. I have prepared an empty room at Bukpyeong-gwan, so I would like you to relieve your travel difficulties first. Thank you. That evening, a banquet hosted by the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs was held at Bukpyeong Hall. While exchanging sses with Oirats messenger, the Vice Minister tried to find out in advance why he hade to Joseon. However, because the messenger was also not an easy person, Joseon was unable to find out the purpose until the meeting was officially held. * * * After the meeting began and various good stories were exchanged ording to diplomatic etiquette, the messenger of Oirat got to the point. We, the Oirat, want to purchase weapons from Korea. You mean a weapon? Ive never heard that Oirat is in danger? The messenger of Oirat immediately answered Heohus question. Oirat has a lot ofnd and a shortage of people. However, these days, the number of bandits targeting trade routes is increasing rapidly. We need Joseon weapons to suppress these bandits. Heo Hu, who nodded because the messengers exnation seemed usible, asked again. So what kind of weapon do you want? I want Joseons artillery. Heohus eyes opened wide at Lion Oirats words. Cannons? Thats right. Why do you want Joseons artillery? I have seen artillery pieces operated by the Joseon army in Liaodong. Artillery mounted on arge cart and moving with the cavalry is the optimal weapon for our Oirat. Heohu, who had been silent for a moment at the messengers exnation, opened his mouth. This cannot be answered right away, so lets stop here for today. Hearing Heohus words, the lion bowed his head and made a request. I hope that a decision will be made that will benefit both Korea and our Oirat. We, the Oirat, are ready to pay a good price. I will keep that in mind. * * * When Heo Hu reported the contents of the meeting, all the governors and ministers were lost in doubt. Why artillery? The person who had the strongest doubts was the scent. Why artillery? The cannons of this period just use single-piece bullets? Youre using monolithic bullets against bandits? Its not cost-effective? Hwang Hee was the first to speak up, as if Hyang wasnt the only one who had such doubts. Minister of Defense: Wouldnt long guns be better than artillery against thieves? If it were artillery, it would be almost a waste, right? Simr thoughts. Hmm. Jo Mal-saeng, who was thinking deeply about something while nodding his head in response to Hwang Hee, called out to his subordinate. Go and call General Lee Jing-ok. yes. * * * Lee Jing-ok, who had previously been busy in the north with Choi Yun-deok, Hwang Hee, and Kim Jong-seo, returned to Hanseong not long ago. Upon returning to Hanseong, Lee Jing-ok, who earned the title General, was appointed as the head of the North Korea Operations Department. Based on the experience he had umted in the north, he became the head of the department that studied strategies and tactics for the aftershocks of Liaodong and ground warfare against the Ming. * * * Lee Jing-ok, who heard Oirats request, I will buy artillery, gathered his thoughts for a moment and opened his mouth. It is quite possible. what is the reason? In response to Hwang Hees question, Lee Jing-ok began to exin the reason. -Both the armored long guns used by the Joseon military and the iron guns used by the Ming Dynasty are full-length guns. This is not an item that is easy for cavalrymen to use continuously on horseback. Even for infantrymen, not cavalry, the rate of fire of a bow surpasses that of a long gun. Our Joseon Army cavalry, which has solved the problem to some extent through high-intensity training and improved equipment based on practical experience, also prefers the Eul-style horseback rifle unless it is for long-distance sniping. -Again, the vast majority of cases where our Korean cavalry uses armored long rifles are when long-distance sniping is necessary. The range and rate of fire of the long-barrel type or Ming iron guns sold by our Joseon Dynasty to the Japanese are inferior to the bows used by the Oirat. Therefore, the Oirat would have judged that long guns were not that important. -However, the power of artillery is not only powerful, but the ability to suppress the enemy with its gunfire is also significant. In particr, our Joseon artillery has good mobility, so it may be what the Oirats want. Hmm Hoo Maybe The ministers nodded at Lee Jing-oks exnation. However, Hyang slightly shook his head and asked Lee Jing-ok. It seems like a reasonable opinion, though. If the bandits in the area where Oirat are located, wouldnt they also be cavalrymen? Can a monolithic shell be very effective against highly mobile cavalry? Lee Jing-ok nodded at Hyangs point. There is definitely that aspect to it. Therefore, our cavalry mainly used the tactic of drawing them into the fire of the Bigyeokjincheonroe against the Jurchen cavalry. Then why do you think Oirat requested artillery? Lee Jing-ok pondered for a moment before answering Hyangs question again. There are two things that are most likely. One is that they confused regr artillery with bigyeokjincheonroe. As for the other one, I n to deal with something other than a thief. Other? I think its a castle wall. Chapter 515 Episode 515: Far and near. (8) As soon as they heard the word wall, all the ministers and ministers thought of the same word. Thanks to Myeong, the silence continued for a long time. What should I do with this? Oirat can take that artillery and use it against the bandits, but he can also use it against the Ming. If we do this wrong, wont we be making a mistake? In a situation where various concerns were overflowing in silence, the first person to speak was Hyang. It seems like not only me but also the captains have a lot of thoughts. But shouldnt we avoid jumping to conclusions without proper knowledge? Thats right. Then what should I do? In response to Hwang Hee, Hyang shared her thoughts. First, I guess Ill have to ask the lion again. What kind of artillery does Oirat want? Is it a toy specifically for Bigyeokjincheonroe or a gun? If its canvas, youll also need to figure out what size you want. You also need to know how much you want. And most importantly, they said they would pay the price properly. Shouldnt we find out by what means they will pay the price? Kim Jeom nodded loudly at Hyangsst words. Ah! You must first know by what means you will pay for it! Nothing like cancer! The ministers around him slightly shook their heads at Kim Jeoms firm words. People have changed so much But Hyang responded to Kim Jeoms words with a smile. What the Left Deputy Prime Minister said is correct. The most valuable things Oirat has may not be worth much to us. These things are valuable only to Oirat Hearing Hyangs words, the ministers immediately remembered what it was. word? You mean that? But horses are not very useful to us now Its probably not a problem with the horse itself, but a problem with the breed * * * As the economy progressed and the economy grew significantly, the demand for horses increased significantly. However, the horses preferred by the Joseon people were not the small ponies like the existing Joseon horses or Mongolians, butrge horses bred inrge quantities through stallions imported from Arab countries. I already bought an expensive horse, so I should buy a well-worn one! cancer! cancer! Those who had the ability to purchase and manage horses did not hesitate to purchaserge Arab breed horses. This was becauserge horses were useful and good for showing off. Is it hereditary to like big cars even in the 21st century? People preferred therge Arab horses to the point where Hyang muttered this after hearing the story. In addition, the Joseonnguage had serious disadvantages. Although he was small, he had great strength and endurance, and he was smart, but he had a dirty temper. For example, to sharpen a horseshoe, you had to tie all of the horses legs and force it to lie down, then change the horseshoes. However, horses brought in from Arab countries were smart and obediently obedient to their mastersmands if properly tamed. And the reason why this preference for Western horses could not help but be popr was that the height of the Korean people increased as their nutritional status improved as they passed through the gyeongjang. Horses that were so small that they had previously been called Guahama (R) were ridden by rtivelyrge people, creating a difficult situation for both the horses and the people. * * * In the end, Hehu had to meet the messenger of Oirat again and talk in more detail. So what kind of artillery does Oirat want? I want a siege gun. Siege artillery? Heo Hus expression became sharp as the lion answered. Although I am unfamiliar with military affairs, I do know that siege artillery is not a suitable weapon against bandits. Why siege artillery? The messenger of Oirat responded to Heohus point with a perplexed expression. Its a little embarrassing to tell you, but most of the ces where thieves nest are on Earth ording to the messengers exnation, the reason why siege artillery was needed was as follows. -The ces where bandits nest are important trade routes. Through this trade route, horses and sheep sold to the Ming and goods obtained from the Ming came and went. -Most of these trade routes have been used as trade routes since ancient times. -As numerous countries have risen and fallen along this trade route since ancient times, there are many abandoned earthen fortresses and stone castles around this trade route. -If those castles werent there, subduing the bandits wouldnt be a big problem, but those castles make it difficult to subdue them. -Therefore, siege artillery is needed to destroy the walls of those castles. Hmm It seems usible Heo Hu, who was still looking at the lion with suspicious eyes, continued. Then how many guns does Oirat want? There are 200 doorsing. 200 questions? It must be quite expensive, right? We Oirat can pay enough. You can pay in words, or in fiat currency or Korean currency. When the messenger from Oirat mentioned the Korean currency, Heohus eyes widened. Myeong-currency or Joseon-currency? Did our Joseon banknotes end up there? To Heohus question mixed with surprise, the Lion of Oirat answered with a grin. The usefulness of the Korean currency is widely known. exactly? Hmm Heo Hu, whose face brightened slightly, said to the messenger as he organized the documents and handed them over to his subordinate. I have heard Oirats request. I will report to you above and then respond as soon as Ie to a conclusion. At Huhus words, the messenger of Oirat bowed his head politely and made a request. Please let us know good results. I hope it will be beneficial to both countries. * * * Would you like to pay in fiat currency or Korean currency? After receiving Heo Hus report, the eyes of the local government officials all focused on Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy. Did the Korean currency go up so much that the Oirat paid us Korean currency as proceeds from the sale of artillery pieces? In response to Hyangs question, Kim Jeom asked back with a face full of doubts. Since the beginning of publication, a steady amount has been going abroad every year, and reports rted to it have been increasing every year. I heard that, but Im surprised that so much Korean currency was spent that Oirat paid for the purchase of artillery in Korean currency. All the other ministers nodded at Hyangs exnation. Joseon and Oirat had no direct trade until now. Therefore, the words of the Oirat messenger that he would pay in Korean currency for the purchase of 200 artillery pieces were surprising in themselves. In response to Hyangs words, Kim Jeom shared his thoughts. You are well aware of the fact that when Joseon currency leaves the battlefield, especially overseas, it must be exchanged for actual silver. The problem is that we dont know where the bills that have been taken out of the country go. I think the most reasonable reason is if it flowed into the transaction process at Masi. That is the most likely, but the amount is surprising. The price we have set now is 80 taels of gold per piece of canvas. 200 guns are worth 16,000 taels of gold, so you cant help but be surprised. The Minister of Finance and Economy responded to Hwang Hees words. Its already been over 10 years since we issued currency. Considering the time and the amount of travel abroad, I dont think its impossible. And since we said fiat currency and Joseon currency, there may be more fictitious currency. As soon as the Minister of Finance and Economy finished speaking, Hyang opened his mouth. If you have a lot of fiat currency, you should not forget to adjust the amount by considering the exchange rate for real silver. Thats right! You must keep that in mind! I will definitely invite people from the Ministry of Finance and Economy to attend the next meeting. No sooner had Hyang finished speaking than Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy answered loudly. * * * Silver was the most popr means of payment during this period. However, the exchange rates of gold and silver were different between the Ming Dynasty, thergest consumer of silver, and other countries. This was the same in history before the intervention of incense. Thanks to this, European merchants made exchange profits by exchangingrge amounts of silver and gold while traveling between Japan and Ming Europe. And after Hyang intervened, Joseon was actively making foreign exchange profits between the Ming and Japanese countries. * * * After sorting out the issues rted to sales proceeds, Hyang moved on to the next step. Now let us move on to the most important matter. 200 siege guns. Its called a siege gun, but its an Eul-style general fire cannon thats smaller than the Myeongguk. Jo Mal-saeng immediately responded to Hyangs words. Even though it is smaller in size, it has much better range and power. Of course, the Byeong-sik General Hwa-tong, which is scheduled to be reced with the Eul-sik Hwa-tong, is even more outstanding. I know very well. Hyang gave a short answer to Jo Mal-saengs point and grumbled inwardly. Who is the person who made that! The Byeong-style Janggun Hwa-tong was an improved version of the existing Eul-sik Janggun Hwa-tong. As higher quality steel was produced than before, the gun barrel itself was improved and even the rifling wire was dug to achieve greater range and uracy. And, as befits the Joseon people who were serious about artillery, King Sejong and the military decided to hire him on the spot after seeing the demonstration. And Kim Jeom shed bloody tears. What Im curious about is how threatening the number 200 really is. At Hyangs point, Jo Mal-saeng turned his head and looked at Lee Jing-ok. Lee Jing-ok, who received the silentmand, stood up and answered. If the Oirat is modeled after our Korean cavalry, it will operate five long-distance patrols at the same time. If so, it would be optimal to simultaneously suppress the bandits spread along the trade route. What if I use it with concentration? If someone who is good at military strategy concentrates on using it, he or she will be able to open a fairlyrge hole in the opponents defense line. Hwang Hee, who was listening to Lee Jing-oks exnation, asked a question on behalf of Hyang. What would happen if we were the target they were focusing on to break through? Lee Jing-ok answered Hwang Hees question clearly. It is difficult for the Eulsik General Hwatong to break down the walls of the fortress and camp built by our Joseon army. Dont you know what the wall is made of? The ministers nodded at Lee Jing-oks answer. The newly built Bo and Jin in the north were built from the beginning, and the original fortresses in the south were rebuilt on arge scale and their walls were built with reinforced concrete. And as thick as possible. Thanks to this, its defense power was enormous. Lee Jing-ok, who boasted of an impregnable castle wall, continued his exnation in a confident voice. If they go over Joseon with 200 artillery pieces, they will regret it greatly. If they fire one shot, we will answer with five shots. This is a figure that could be achieved just by mobilizing artillery located in the northern border area. Lee Jing-oks voice was full of pride. Hyang muttered to herself at Lee Jing-oks words. I did my part too, but its really Pobangbu! A nation of cannons! therefore. So 200 guns is a lot of power that you need to be very careful with, right? ah! Except for our Joseon Dynasty. Thats right. Hmm After hearing Lee Jing-oks answer, Hyang closed her mouth and was lost in thought. Hyang, who had been nodding his head and calcting something for a while, looked at Hwang Hee. Captain Prime Minister. Yes sir. The price of artillery is definitely expensive, right? Thats right. Are you thinking about getting a discount? Hyang shook her head at Hwang Hees words. no. We n to stick to the unit price as much as possible. If they really only intend to deal with thieves, they will reduce the quantity. If they have different ideas, they will try to bargain by offering other means of payment other than currency. Hwang Hees eyes lit up at Hyangs words. ah! Do you intend to find out their true intentions through that bargain? What a good warning! The other ministers also nodded at Hwang Hees words. After receiving Hwang Hees consent, Hyang continued. Even if Oirat offers other payment methods, we will only ept currency. And as a result, if the number of artillery pieces taken by Oirat exceeds 100, an envoy is sent by name. We are informing the emperor that we have sold artillery. Hwang Hee immediately responded to Hyangs words. Oirat said it was to be used to suppress bandits, but we were worried about therge number, so we reduced it as much as possible. However, if you tell us because you are concerned about something, it is a good justification. Its great because we can avoid the criticism that will be poured on us and at the same time, get on our nerves! Chapter 516 Episode 516: Far and near. (9) Then, as soon as an agreement with Oirat is concluded, I will organize a delegation of envoys to be sent bymand. In response to Heo Hus words, Hwang Hee stepped forward. I think the right time to send an envoy would be after we have delivered all the artillery. You have to take care of what you need. Although Hwang Hees words were explicit, everyone, including Hyang, nodded. Hyang expressed his approval of Hwang Hees words. What the Prime Minister said is right. I think that would be the best time to send an envoy. However, if the emperor seems to have found out about it, he will have to send an envoy right away. Your words are reasonable. With the consent of Hwang Hui and the ministers, the artillery issue was concluded as such. And the officer who recorded all of this recorded it as follows: -In this way, the crown prince and ministers decided how to handle the matter with Oiratwa. The officer discusses. It can be said that it is against the teachings of sages for noblemen, who learn and discuss morality, to discuss Hangat Ri (). However, for the sake of the prosperity of the nation and its military and the safety of the people, it is the job of a ruler to carefully consider and use even a penny of wealth. Of course, you should take care of what you need. * * * The policy that was decided against the Oirat was immediately implemented. One door costs 200 taels of gold isnt that too expensive? Its a big burden to buy 200 pieces. An official from the Ministry of Finance and Economy stepped forward and responded to Oirats words. The Eulsik General Hwatong may seem simple at first nce, but it is a product that requires a lot of effort in every aspect, starting with the management of the materials. If you consider the value of that aspect, it is definitely not a cheap price. But its still quite expensive. When I continued to say that Oirat Saja was expensive, an official from the Ministry of Finance and Economy made another offer. Then how about purchasing used goods used by our Joseon military? Then I will reduce the price a little. Oirat Lions eyes sparkled at the words of the Ministry of Finance and Economy official. How much are you giving me? 10%. Didnt you say it was used! In response to Oirat lions opposition, an official from the Ministry of Finance and Economy calmly exined the reason. Its not just about passing on used goods. Among those used by our military, we select those that are in good condition, repair all parts that require repair, and give them to you. To put it simply, it is almost as good as new, even though it is just used. But its still so thin! Please give me a little more! Then how much do you want to reduce Oirat? Its 30%. Youre saying we shouldnt do business. Sir, please wake up. Is that so? As the Joseon officials, starting with Heo Hu, stood up from their seats, the messenger of Oirat hurriedly followed suit and waved his hand. no! no! As a result of discussions thatsted for several days, Joseon handed over 120 Eulsik General Firearms to Oirat. -Discount rate 20%. -Payment methods are limited to Korean currency and Korean currency. -Every time the Oirat pays an amount, the artillery is handed over ording to the amount. i look forward to. The messenger of Oirat, who had finished signing the agreement, made a request with an expression on his face. Heohu responded with a slight smile to Lion Oirats words. Joseon is a country that keeps good faith. I believe it. Afterpleting the transaction, Heo Hu asked an official from the Ministry of Finance and Economy. Its 20% I thought it would have been better to cut it further for diplomacy considerations. The Ministry of Finance and Economy official shook his head at Heo Hus words. Thats also a lot of discount. As I said to the messenger, a lot of money goes into the maintenance process. Especially because going to Oirat requires recing all the percussion parts. Seeing as you say recement, does that mean you are touching it? Yes, they say they are changing from using copper caps to using flints. Right. * * * After finishing his itinerary in Joseon, the messenger met Hyang before departure. I see you, Crown Prince. I came out because Abama was away on patrol abroad, so please forgive my rudeness. No. The Lion of Oirat shook his head at the scented apple with an expression that said it was okay. Oirat was a strongman in the Northern Yuan, but not a ruler C that is, a khan. Therefore, it was quite a treat for the crown prince toe out and say farewell. I hope you take care of yourselves as you work hard for the rtionship between Joseon and the Oirat. shell. Yes sir. At the Hyangsmand, the eunuch presented one long box and one small box to the messenger of Oirat. The long box is a gift from our Joseon Dynasty to Taishi of Oirat. Can I open it for a moment? At Hyangs words, the lion cautiously asked to open the box. This was to prevent any possible diplomatic problems from urring. The scent readily answered the messengers request. You can open it. Thank you. The lion expressed his gratitude and carefully opened the lid of the long box. Oh oh! When the Lion of Oirat saw the contents, he let out an exmation without realizing it. Inside the box was a senior-style rifle richly decorated withcquer and gold and silver iy. This is a gift given in hopes of peace between Joseon and the Oirat. And the small box is our Joseon gift to the messenger. At the exnation of the incense, the messenger of Oirat bowed deeply and expressed his gratitude. I will definitely inform Taishi of Joseons kindness! Please take care of me. * * * After leaving Gyeongbokgung Pce and boarding the train heading north, the messenger of Oirat hurriedly opened the box he had received. Hoo~. Inside the box was a small curved sword with a sheath decorated with mother-of-pearlcquerware. The Lion of Oirat, who was examining the sparkling sharp de of the dagger as if possessed, muttered softly. In the worst case scenario, this will be my lifeline. * * * In addition to Oirats problem, there were many other problems that needed to be solved, so the mayor had to be busy working. This is why I kicked the iron rice bowl Ah! I want to do good work Hyang, who was sitting alone in his officeining, let out a long sigh. Phew~ The king should also be guaranteed the three rights ofbor Should I go on a 30-year strike like everyone else Hyang, who had mentioned the strike like that, immediately shook his head. Oh my Youre the kind of person who will throw me into the record office for saying that. Phew~. Hyang sighed again and stood up. I need to summarize the situation in the ind country. These people dont fight, they just bark like neighborhood mutts fighting After leaving the office, Hyang ordered the eunuch standing in front of the door. Send someone to the Prime Ministers Office. Lets discuss the issue of Japan. Yes sir. After a while, Hwang Hee and the ministers who received the message gathered in the conference room of Seunghwadang. When all the ministers were seated, Hyang immediately got to the point. Why are the countries still snarling at each other? Its still like that. Everyone, including Hyang, let out a long sigh at Jo Mal-saengs answer. Whoa~. Huh~. * * * When Ouchi first raised his army, it seemed as if he would make a decision with the shogunate right away. However, the current situation in the Japanese country was such that both Ouchi and the shogunate were just ring and ring at the other. Of course, there were asional battles, but they refrained from fightingrge enough to affect the general trend. In such a confrontational situation, Ouchi and the shogunate were carrying out operations against local lords to increase their own power and reduce the power of their opponents. And Joseon became frustrated with this prolonged standoff. Shit! I need to settle the matter quickly so I can decide how to eat Tsushima Ind! * * * This frustrating situation continues, but the military expects that a conclusion will be reached soon. The eyes of Hyang and ministers sparkled at Jo Mal-saengs report. whats the reason? In response to Hyangs question, Jo Mal-saeng walked to the map hanging on the wall and pointed out a ce in the Japanese country with his finger. This is because the Daenae ns army has marched right up to the very front of Settsu no Kuni. And in this country, there are Nanpa (old name of Naniwa Osaka) and Byeonggojin (old name of Tobe). If Daenae n takes over this ce, the shogunate will dry up and die. The eyes of Hyang and ministers sparkled at Jo Mal-saengs exnation. Byeonggojin and Nanpa were ports where the shogunates mass trade took ce. If Ouchi upied this ce, the shogunate would be in a situation where not only its financial lines but also its arms import lines would be blocked. In the end, the battle that will decide the trend will take ce using Yejin Country as the battlefield, and whoever wins there will be the leader. Jo Mal-saeng responded to Hwang Hees words. Thats right. Heo Hu intervened in Jo Mal-saengs answer. Even if it is the shogunate, isnt it the Daenae n? The main base is fine. Jo Mal-saeng immediately responded to Heo Hus point. The lords who were paying attention will join the shogunate, and the bnce will bepletely destroyed. Ah Heohu nodded in response to Jo Malsaengs answer. Hyang, who was nodding his head to Jo Mal-saengs report on the reason why a decisive battle is inevitable, asked a question again. Then when do you think the decisive battle will take ce? The rainy season in Japan has just ended. However, the weather is still hot and it is not good for soldiers to fight. Therefore, I predict that their decisive battle will take ce around the Mid-Autumn Festival. This is because the weather is moderately cool and the harvest is over, so the soldiers energy will be at its peak after they have been well fed. Its the Mid-Autumn Festival After counting the date for a moment, Hyang looked back at Hwang Hee. It would be right to prepare the navy a little earlier than that, right? Hwang Hee also nodded at Hyangs suggestion. Thats right. If you prepare in advance, you can just add or subtract troops appropriately depending on the situation in the Japanese country. Following Hwang Hees words, Jo Mal-saeng gave additional exnation. To be honest, the upation of Tsushima is possible with our naval forces currently stationed there. But in order to further reduce damage, the more the better. Hyang nodded while listening to Jo Mal-saengs answer and then looked back at the ministers. I think Ive waited long enough. Unlike the previous conquest of Tsushima, this time let us make Tsushimapletely our Joseons. No matter who the winner of the Japanese Empire is. Heo Hu asked cautiously in response to Hyangs deration. If the shogunate wins, wont it be a problem? The shogunate may take issue with this and make Joseon an enemy. Heo Hus words made Hyang look at Jo Mal Saeng. Is it unreasonable for our Joseon Dynasty toe forward and turn the tables on Japan? Jo Mal-saeng answered Hyangs question right away. It may take a bit of effort to upy the entire Japanese country, but if its just to turn the tide, its a good counter-attack. After hearing Jo Mal-saengs assurance that Its as easy as turning over your palm, Hyang looked at Heo Hu. Is that so? After hearing Jo Mal-saeng and Hyangs words, Heo Hu thought for a moment and then let out a long sigh. Whoa~. Considering our rtionship with the Ming Dynasty, if Daenae wins, our Ministry of Foreign Affairs will have less work. At Heo Hus answer, the ministers all muttered to themselves. Foreign Ministry bastards. From today onwards, I will offer you prayers until I die. Chapter 517 Episode 517: Decisive battle. (1) Himeji Castle, about 100 ri west of Hyogojin. This Himeji Castle was the headquarters of the Ouchi army, which rebelled against the shogunate. The history of Himeji Castle was truly eventful. Built by Sadanori Akamatsu during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, this castle was a small castle. However, through the war that broke out when Akamatsu Mitsusuke assassinated Shogun Ashikaga Yoshinori, ownership of the castle passed to the Yamana family. And the Yamana family, who were currently guarding the castle, abandoned the castle and fled to the shogunate camp, where Ouchi took over. * * * Now, let me summarize the situation. hot! At Mochiyos order, the retainers who were sitting began to summarize the situation one by one and report it. -Currently, the strength of the lords allied with Ouchi is approximately 30,000. The shogunates side is 32,000. -However, the number of troops expected to be deployed in the actual decisive battle is about 18,000 Ouchi. Shogunate 20,000. -The reason for this difference is the problem of the lords who formed an alliance. Most of the neighboring fiefdoms were not able to send troops because they were on the shogunate side or were on the lookout side. -Although their troops are slightly inferior, the morale and loyalty of our Ouchi soldiers are overwhelmingly high. Thats good news. Its good news, but Mochiyo, who was receiving the report, asked questions to his retainers. It is certainly good news that soldier morale and loyalty are good. So why is morale and loyalty so high? Shouldnt we definitely know the reason? The retainers looked at Mochiyos question for a moment and then opened their mouths one by one to answer. Its because of Joseons products. We also owe a lot to Joseons doctors and medicines. After hearing the vassals answers, Mochiyo stroked his beard. Are you also Joseon? * * * Looking at the current situation in Ouchi, it was simple. -The fight is between Ouchi samurai and soldiers, but the rest is all Joseon. Ouchis soldiers were armed with Joseon weapons, filled their stomachs with Joseon healthy food, and treated their wounds with medical treatment and medicine from Korean doctors. This was the same for samurai. They collected and collected the blessings they received from the head of the family, Mochiyo, and wore a Japanese sword specially ordered from Joseon cksmiths. Those who could afford it more often purchased Joseon-made two-legged armor and wore it on their bodies. It was a Joseon Dynasty where high-quality steel was alreadymon. It had be amon urrence for Japanese swords made by cksmiths at a small, nameless cksmith shop to break famous swords made by famous Japanese masters in two. The same was true for Du Jeong-gap. Due to the experience of Morimi, the previous head of the family, being safe thanks to Dujeong-gap, starting with Mochiyo, he tried to save Dujeong-gap whenever he had the chance. The reason why the samurai of Ouchi preferred two-headed armor was not simply because it had better defense. Although it is said to be disappearing, many rural lords and samurai still wear the oyoroi. And in the case of this Ooyoroi, there was a problem with activity. Ooyoroi did not fit tightly to the body and had a considerable amount of free space. This was to prevent the arrow from piercing the body even if it pierced the armor. This was simr to Doomaru, who became popr after Oyoroi. However, although it had superior defensive power than the Japanese armor, the dujeongap was tightly fitted to the body and allowed easy movement. In addition, the weight of the armor was distributed as it was made in a separate top and bottom type rather than an integrated top and bottom, preventing the wearer from quickly getting tired. Thanks to these advantages, Ouchis samurai made efforts to obtain Joseon-made Japanese swords and two-jeongap. And the allied lords and their samurai who saw them also joined the trend. Thanks to this trend from Japan, Joseon craftsmen were able to earn an unexpected ie. * * * Just as lords and samurai were addicted to Joseon-made items, ordinary soldiers were also bing addicted to Joseon. The reason why Japanese soldiers fell into Joseon was a more basic issue of survival. As the envoy of Ouchi, who met Hyang in Joseon, said, the dry food of Joseon was of a different quality from the Kanban that Japanese soldiers had eaten until then. Its more luxurious than the food you eat at home! The soldiers who ate dry food made in Joseon shouted in unison. The next thing that Japanese soldiers were addicted to was medical care. * * * Joseons dispatch ofwmakers to Shangjang of the Japanese Empire had a purpose other than conciliating the wounded soldiers who entered Sanghang and turning them into Joseon citizens. The second goal was to increase the skills ofwmakers. The additional members dispatched to their superior offices were military doctors who hadpleted military medical school. The field that military doctors were primarily responsible for was trauma. Military doctors whopleted military medicine were distributed to barracks throughout Joseon and performed medical duties. However, as the North became quieter, opportunities for military doctors to gain experience began to diminish. Of course, there were many trauma patients in general society outside of the military camp, but there were many differences from war wounds, starting with the severity of the wounds. For this reason, the war that broke out in Japan was a good opportunity. In the early days of the war, the only ce wherewmakers were stationed was the superior office. However, soon after, Joseon military doctors began to appear inrge numbers in the Ouchi camp. The reason why the prefecture sent military doctors on such arge scale was because not only the Ouchi but also the shogunate was armed with arge number of firearms and artillery. In the future, the use of gunpowder weapons will be routine. In that case, it is essential to gain experience in treating this in advance and pass it on and develop it! This was the best opportunity to gain experience dealing with war wounds caused by gunpowder weapons, such as gunshot wounds. As the ministers all agreed to Hyangs proposal, military doctors were dispatched inrge numbers. As more and more military doctors were deployed on a regr basis, not just dispatched personnel, more and more military doctors gained experience, and the tools used for treatment began to gradually improve. And as another additional effect, the loyalty of Ouchi soldiers increased significantly. The head of the family cares about even us lowly people! Soldiers who became more loyal to Mochiyo desperately returned even when they were defeated in battle and had to retreat. As in the past, soldiers who would have deserted and be soldiers of the opposing side or be thieves did their best to return. * * * Is it really best to follow Joseons example? Mochiyo muttered softly and looked back at his retainer. Thanks to the excellent decision made by the previous head of the family, I think our situation has be the best. Where do you expect to meet again with the shogunate? I think it will be around Ikuta Shrine around Mid-Autumn Festival. Ikuta Shrine? hot! At the retainers answer, Mochiyo traced her memory and burst intoughter. Hahaha! What a ce that was! This is a ce where a new era began! What a long road! * * * The Ikuta Shrine that the retainer answered was the site of the Battle of Ichinodani, which decided the direction of the historic Genpei War. The Genpei War was a war fought between the Heishi (ƽ), which dominated the imperial court at the end of the Heian, and the Genji (Դ), a local power, for control of the Japanese state. And in the Battle of Ichinodani, Genji gained a clear advantage through the victory of Ichinodani, the home of the Heishi. And Genji, who won the Genpei War, established the Kamakura Shogunate. Thats why he was very happy when he heard that Mochiyo was Ichinodani. He received a hint that his Ouchi would overthrow the Kyoto shogunate and open a new era, just as Genji had defeated the central Heishi. * * * Mochiyo stoppedughing and cleared his voice and ordered his retainers. Send a messenger to the lords of the alliance and the lords who only pay attention and tell them this. Dont miss the opportunity to discuss the world with me. Hot! Dont forget to let people know that you have to join them by Mid-Autumn Festival. hot! good. Good. Mochiyo looked back at his vassals while repeating the word Good. Mochiyo dered in a loud voice after seeing the faces of his vassals full of confidence, regardless of whether they were civil servants or non-military factions. good night! Use this momentum to subdue the treacherous vassals of the shogunate! I will drive out the traitors, be the master of the world, and open a new era! Oooh! The retainers responded to Mochiyos deration with cheers. * * * The confidence of Mochiyo and his retainers soon spread to the samurai and soldiers under hismand. The weather was getting cooler as the rainy season and scorching heat that had made people tired disappeared. Also, as the harvest season arrived and their stomachs were filled with food every day, the morale of the soldiers was increasing. Hee hee hee! Rolling! The soldiers, who were walking vigorously toward the decisive battle ground, turned their heads when they heard the sound of horses neighing. From where the sound wasing, horses were approaching, pulling a carriage loaded with toys and a cart loaded with boxes containing shells. The soldiers who saw the toys raised their clenched fists to the sky and shouted. Its artillery! Its artillery! Wow! For soldiers, toys and the Bigyeokjincheonroe they fire had already be objects of faith. Small battles without toys were often lost. However, in battles where toys and bigyeokjincheonroe were used, only victory was achieved. The soldiers who saw the toy procession moving forward, overtaking their own procession, shouted in unison. Its victory this time too! Its a victory! * * * Meanwhile, the lords who heard Mochiyos message through the messengers sent by Ouchi became serious and talked to their vassals. Should I listen to Ouchi? Isnt that the case? But you can also rob an empty house. Ouchi could lose there. The worries of the lords were the same. -What should you do if your house is robbed or Ouchi loses? The vassals also looked perplexed at the lords concerns. However, regardless of territory, retainers belonging to the Ouchi faction came to simr conclusions. I am definitely worried about the problem of burrs from empty houses, but I think Ouchis defeat will be difficult. why? Behind Ouchi is Joseon. There is a person behind the shogunate. It is difficult for Ming to move, but Joseon can move quickly. youre right. It is difficult for Ming to move now due to the emperors health problems, but in Joseon, the Crown Prince is already in control of everything. From what we heard, the Crown Prince of Joseon would never just sit by and watch. There is no need for the entire Joseon Dynasty to move. The situation will end if only the naval forces staying in the South Sea and Tsushima of Joseon move. The lords, who continued to worry about the words of their vassals, made up their minds. If Joseon moves, victory or defeat will be decided. Prepare to dispatch troops! hot! The Joseon Joseon Navy were the lords who decided to send out troops with just these two entities. And ten dayster,rge armies from both sides camped on the tnd around Ikuta Shrine. There were two days left until the Mid-Autumn Festival. Chapter 518 Episode 518: Decisive battle. (2) The ce where Ikuta Shrine was located had truly exquisite terrain. To the south, the sea blocked the road, and to the north, there was a line of hignds that were difficult to move around and could still be called mountains. Therefore, Ouchis troops had to pass by here in order to go to Kyoto, where the shogunate and the emperor were located. It was also a transportation hub that the shogunate had to pass through in order to subdue Ouchi. * * * The main camp of the Ouchi Army was built a little southwest of Ikuta Shrine. In front of the tent covered with colorful cloth with the Ouchi family emblem engraved on it, there was a hastily installed woodenmand tower, and on top of it, Ouchi Mochiyo and Morimi were watching the shogunate army camp on the other side. Morimi, who had been examining the shogunate army camp with a monocle given to him by Joseon, put down the monocle and looked around. Morimi, who was looking at the terrain blocked on both sides by mountains and the sea, spoke to Mochiyo who was standing next to him. Gaju has truly exquisite topography. Thats right. By the way they really are like monkeys. monkey? When Morimi expressed his doubts, Mochiyo raised his hand and pointed to the center of the shogunate camp. We increased the length of the window. Morimi, who was examining the shogunate camp with a monocle, nodded at Mochiyos words. They really are like monkeys. * * * The spears carried by the Japanese spearmen during this period were not as long as the long spears used in the Warring States period of history before the intervention of Hyang. The average length of long spears carried by Japanese spearmen was 6 cheok (approximately 2m) to 7 cheok (approximately 2.3m), including the de. Considering the short stature of the Japanese, this was long enough to be powerful. However, Ouchi introduced the long spear carried by Joseons spearmen. Chapter 1 The biggest background to the introduction of the literal long spear with a length of 5 cheok (approximately 4.5m) was the civil affairs faction that returned from studying abroad in Joseon. * * * The Military Police, organized to protect Hanseong, the capital of Joseon, and the Naegumwi, organized to protect Gyeongbokgung Pce and the king, regrly conducted training on the sandy beach of Hansu. The regr training held like this was so spectacr that many people gathered to watch the training. Since it was customary for the king to attend such training, many people who were concerned about the kings safety blocked the publics ess. However, the person who opposed this opinion was Hyang. The morale and loyalty of the people will rise when they see the majesty of the soldiers protecting them. You mean the loyalty of the people? If they look at where and how their taxes are being used, wouldnt they have a back story? aha! In this way, the people of Hanseong were able to see the training of the soldiers. And as time passed, local people heard that this training was spectacr and began toe to Seoul on time to watch it. Eventually, notices were posted on bulletin boards in government offices throughout Joseon informing people of when regr training would take ce this year. It was the birth of a tourism product with a long history. Training was opened like this, but not all of it was open. For safety reasons, the public was prevented from observing the training of artillerymen and riflemen, which King Sejong personally attended and supervised. What the people could see was the training of spearmen and cavalrymen, but the people actually liked it even more. This was because the movements of the spear soldiers moving with their long spears stacked up like hedgehogs and the cavalry running while shaking the ground were even more exciting. * * * Those who came back after watching this training while studying abroad in Joseon strongly insisted on immediately introducing the Joseon long spear. Isnt it just unnecessarily long? All the samurai, starting with Morimi, who was the head of the family at the time, tilted their heads, but the literary faction continued to insist on the introduction of the Joseon-style long spear. Its definitely useful to see your actual record! This is a weapon that has already been proven inbat! Hmm. Morimi, who had been pondering for a while about the introduction of the Joseon-style long spear, soon came to a conclusion. Lets introduce it! The reason he decided to introduce the Joseon spear was because the Joseon long spear was very useful in defending cavalry. Although the cavalry of the Japanese nation was quite poorpared to the Ming or Joseon Dynasty, their value on the battlefield was by no means small. And Joseons long spears were not only effective for cavalry. Even in a battle between spearmen and spearmen, the much longer polearm had an advantage. * * * The Joseon-style long spear, which was introduced after many twists and turns, soon began to stand out on the battlefield. Thebination of Suseok-style long rifles and long spears began to increase military performance beyond what the Japanese samurai had experienced until then. The feudal lords who belonged to the Ouchi and Shogunate, who had tasted the sweetness of victory and the bitter taste of defeat, quickly began to introduce long guns and long spears. However, the lords who introduced long guns and long spears overlooked the most important thing. The reason why Ouchi was able to achieve such great results was because of the standing army formed after the Joseon Dynasty. Ouchis standing army, raised through rigorous training, perfected the properbination of arms, and the results showed in their military sess. It was an army and military force that could not have been created without Iwamis silver mine, which was developed jointly with Joseon, and without steady trade with Joseon. Thats why Morimi and Mochiyo looked at the shogunate armys long spear troops andughed at them, calling them monkeys. * * * The first battle, which began as soon as the armies of the two powers were properly positioned, was a propaganda war. Even though the messenger sent by the shogunate arrived at Ouchis camp, he did not even get off his horse and raised his voice as he looked at Mochiyo and Morimi on themand tower. Tell the traitors! You are now mad at the treason caused by the Ouchi family! His Majesty the Emperor issued an imperial order to suppress the traitorous Ouchi family! This is the edict! The lion took out the edict he was wearing on his belt and held it high. After a while, a samurai on horseback came out of the Ouchi camp and epted the edict. Mochiyo opened the royal decree brought by his subordinate and read its contents, raising his voice. joy! Our raising of an army was not a treason! You traitors have raised an army because you are persecuting His Majesty the Emperor and causing the people to fall into ruin! Who would believe that His Majesty the Emperors sincerity lies in this edict! The fact that this edict has finally arrived is proof that this is not His Majestys true intention! You treacherous vassals obtained this by intimidating His Majesty the Emperor! The minister sent by His Majesty the Emperor is in our camp! In response to the shogunates messengers protest, Mochiyo snorted once more. joy! Instead, they must be other traitors who have colluded with your treacherous vassals! Mochiyo, who denied the shogunates ims, raised his voice and dered: If I have sinned! Suppress all of you traitors! I will go directly to the royal pce and ask your Majesty! go away! what! Be thankful that they let you go without killing you! Eight! At Mochiyos final warning, the lion had to turn his horses head. As the lion returned, Mochiyo looked at the sky. Mochiyo, who soon saw the red color of the sunset, gave an order to his subordinates. Tomorrow will be the day of the decisive battle, so make sure the soldiers are well fed! hot! And be on high alert in case of a night attack! They are traitors who blindfold His Majesty the Emperor, so it is no wonder that they do some cowardly things! hot! After giving the order, Mochiyo went down themand tower with Morimi. * * * After a while, allied lords and military officers gathered at Mo Chi-yongs tent and held a banquet. A table full of alcohol and food prepared by Ouchi was ced in front of them, but few lords enjoyed it properly. Lord. The shogunates secretaries have received royal orders, so I dont have to worry? When one of the lords was worried, Mochiyo responded with an expression that it was no big deal. You dont have to worry about it at all. But isnt it an edict and an edict? Mochiyo emptied his ss and answered the following criticism. As I said before, if that was His Majestys true opinion, it wouldnt havee out now. How many years has it been since we raised an army under the banner of suppressing traitors? But for a while there was no word, but now that the shogunate was under its nose, an edict was issued? What does this mean? The lords nodded to Mochiyos point. If the Emperors sincerity had been true, as soon as Ouchi raised his army, a messenger from the Emperor would havee to stop him, or an edict from the Emperor ordering Ouchi to be subjugated would have been distributed throughout the Japanese country. However, it was only here, a stones throw away from Kyoto and Naniwa, that the emperors edict was issued. Looking at the reactions of the lords, Mochiyo firmly nailed it. Once the suppression of the traitors is over, I will go before Your Majesty and ask for forgiveness for disturbing Your Majestys heart! The lords muttered to themselves at Mochiyos resolute deration. You dont even think about defeat. Well, considering my past criminal history I will go to His Majestys presence? It sounds like he wants to ascend to the top and announce that he has be a person of the world. Kyoto was modeled after Changan of the Tang Dynasty. From then on, entering Kyoto was said to be an ascension or an entrance. And in the case of feudal lords, it meant not simply entering Kyoto but taking power. In other words, Mochiyos words were a deration that he would overthrow the current Muromachi shogunate and open a new shogunate. After hearing Mochiyos deration, the lords fell into deeper thoughts while calcting various profits and losses. Will it seed? Were already in the same boat, so well have to do our best. How can Ouchi be more profitable after hees to power? * * * As the next morning dawned, the armies on both sides began preparing for battle. Starting with Mochiyo and Morimi, the Ouchi family officers and samurai gathered at Mochiyos military camp. It was to hold thest strategy meeting before the start of the war. After a while, the lords and military officers of the allied territories also gathered at the military tent. Now, lets take a final look. The strategy meeting began with Mochiyos words. With Ouchis army at the center, the final adjustments were made to determine where and who each lord should be in charge of. After the process of coordinating the lords with different thoughts, such as those who wanted to reduce their own damage even a little, those who wanted to take damage and gain a record for the future, and those who were lost in the middle and only paid attention, the lords and their military officers returned to their army. Mochiyo opened his mouth while looking at his subordinates and subordinates who remained in ce. Lets make today the best day of our lives! Oh! When the militarymanders responded with shouts, Mochiyo and Morimi walked to the Buddhist altar set up in the military tent and ced their hands together. And following Mochiyo and Morimi, the warriors and samurai prayed for victory. After praying, those who returned to their ces were handed sses and poured drinks. Mochiyo, who had a ss full of alcohol in her hand, raised the ss high and shouted. lets go! lets go! The people who screamed emptied their sses in one go and threw the empty sses on the floor. Clink! The members of the Ouchi family, including Mochiyo, left the military camp, stepping on the shattered pieces of the drinking sses. It was the beginning of a battle that risked everything for the family. Chapter 519 Episode 519: Decisive battle. (3) Dung! ridge! ridge! Puhuu~! A low tform was built in front of themand tower. Arge drum ced on a tform spread the dull sound of drums all around, followed by the sound of arge horn (a trumpet made from a conch shell). With the sound of drums and trumpets encouraging the soldiers fighting spirit, the soldiers on both sides began to advance toward each other. The leaders of both formations approaching in this way were musketeers. * * * Before the musketeers appeared, the leaders of the formation were the archers. And in the previous period, cavalry was at the forefront, and one-on-onebat was the main battle. It was an extremely ssic method in which famous warriors from two warring camps came out to introduce themselves to the other side andpete against each other for their skills. Even when the Yuan Empire set out to conquer the Japanese Empire together with Goryeo, the Japanese insisted on this method. When a famous Japanese general came forward and tried to introduce himself, the Mongolian army responded with a shower of arrows. Only after such a bitter experience were the Japanese able to abandon the fighting method they called Ikkiuchi (һT). As the form of battle changed, archers came to the forefront. And this was due to the inevitable performance limitations of the Japanese bow. The best route for Japanese pirates was a range of about 20 shots (approximately 60m). And at that distance, if the enemy infantry was charging at full speed, it would be fortunate to be able to fire two to three shots. Thanks to this, when the enemy dug in beyond the range of the bow, the archers immediately retreated and the infantry stepped forward. And the cavalry, which was encamped behind the infantry, was to move at the moment victory or defeat was decided and was responsible for expanding the battle or stopping the pursuing enemies. As musketeers were added to this formation, the musketeers took the lead. This was because the Joseon-made long gun showed a fairly high hit rate when the enemy was within 25 shots (approximately 75m), and even in the case of suppressive fire aimed at a group of enemies, it showed clear power beyond 40 shots (approximately 120m). * * * On top of themand tower, Mochiyo was directly leading the soldiers, checking their movements. Its dangerous, my lord. Please leave it to the warden. The subordinate general warned him of the danger and earnestly asked him to step back, but Mochiyo firmly shook his head and said. The rise and fall of the family depends on this one fight. I will never back down. The generals had no choice but to back down at Mochiyos firm reply, who would have said that he had heard a lot of incense somewhere. After biting his men like that, Mochiyo examined the battlefield with a monocle. The enemies have entered within 60 yards (approximately 180m)! After confirming that the front line of the shogunate army had reached within 60 pieces, Mochiyo put down the monocle he was holding and waved his fan. Discharge the lightning bolt! Let go! At themand of the generals, Ouchis artillerymen lit the wicks in unison. pop! Puff! The heavy thunderbolts flew into the sky with a heavy explosion and fell among the musketeers who were at the forefront of the shogunate army. bang! Quack! Ahh! evil! Dozens of musketeers fell down screaming, apanied by loud explosions. The musketeermanders of the shogunate army shouted urgently and directed the shocked soldiers. San dog! A mountain dog! Spread out to the left and right and advance! Their artillery cannot change direction easily! Spread out and advance! * * * Joseon used a little trick while handing over the artillery. The carriages loaded with toys were reced with items durable enough to only be transported. If it was fired while ced on the carriage, the recoil could not be ovee and the carriage copsed. C Unless youre as stupid as a pebble in a stream, you cant lose with the amount we handed over even if you wanted to. When the war is over, we will definitely try to replicate it. The toy handed over after such anticipation had to be removed from the carriage and firmly fixed to the ground when a battle broke out. Despite this trick, Hyang made an excuse that wasnt an excuse. Toys are originally meant to be firmly fixed to the ground. And this wasnt wrong. * * * It was usually not difficult to spread out while maintaining order even while being bombarded by bigyeokjincheonroe. Quack! bang! Wow! evil! Maintain order! Maintain order! Themanders of the shogunate rifle corps gritted their teeth and directed their soldiers. Only after taking the bold action of cutting off the heads of several soldiers who hadpletely lost their senses and were causing trouble, did the shogunate armys muskets begin to spread out to the left and right. But the speed of the spread was slow. Thanks to this, Ouchis artillerymen had enough time to adjust the direction of the toy and turn it around. bang! Quack! As the Ouchi artillerymen turned their guns along the shogunate rifle corps spreading to the left and right, the front and center of the shogunate army escaped the bombardment. At that very moment, loud drum sounds began to sound from the shogunate army formation. And to the sound of the drums, the shogunates cavalry rushed out to the center. The cavalrymen, carrying gs on their backs with the emblems of the Three Crowns, which can be said to be the most important families of the shogunate, began charging towards Ouchis musketeers, holding their javelins tightly . This was the number used by the shogunate army to call its generals. * * * The Ouchi armys musketeers overwhelmed the shogunate army in both size and quality. In addition, the firepower of the Bigyeokjincheonroe was superior to the explosive bombs made by the Ming Dynasty. However, the Joseon-made chief gun that the Ouchi army had also took time to reload and it took time to change the direction of the bigyeokjincheonroe. Here the shogunate found a gap. -Use your rifle corps to disperse the enemys artillery fire and then charge with the cavalry. -With the speed of the cavalry, they can break through the enemy lines before the enemy muskets can reload. -There may be quite a bit of loss to our rifle corps, but this must be tolerated. They wont be deceived if we dont put rifle corps on the front line. Based on this judgment, the shogunate army used the loss of the rifle corps as a stepping stone to clear Ouchis artillery fire from the center and then dispatched the cavalry. * * * As the shogunate army called the general, Ouchi also called the Meng army. As soon as the shogunates cavalry rushed out, Ouchis musketry troops retreated. At the same time, Ouchis pikemen rushed forward in shifts with the musketeers. also! It was worth training! Mochiyo looked proud as he saw the shift taking ce naturally without any major conflicts. As soon as the Jangchang unit, which had changed positions with the rifle corps, took its position, themanders of the Jangchang unit shouted. Force yourselves! Wow! At themand of themanders, the soldiers of the long spear unit gave a shout, got down on one knee and raised their long spears at an angle. Hee hee hee! The horses of the cavalry, which were charging with great vigor, screamed and stopped their charge right in front of Ouchis phnx. The tip of the long spear was at a height simr to the height of the horses head, and when the horses saw this, they instinctively got scared and stopped. Of course, there were horses that could not ovee inertia and became skewered by long spears and fell into the Ouchi spearmens formation. The riders who fell with their horses like that were killed by the des stabbed by the Ouchi spearmen before they could stand up properly. While the cavalry, which had lost its mobility due to the pike formation, was struggling, Ouchis rifle corps, which had retreated, took aim at them. Shoot! Ta-ta-tang! The cavalry of the shogunate army, under the concentrated fire of the Ouchi Musketeers, began to copse like a wall. The shogunate cavalry, which had suffered a serious blow from the Ouchi rifle corps, quickly began to turn its horses. As the shogunate cavalry began to retreat, Ouchis spearmen raised their fists to the sky and screamed. Oooh! Wow! However, before the loud cheers could subside, the shogunate army called the general a second time. While Ouchis attention was focused on the cavalry, artillery was deployed to the front. He did not miss the opportunity to properly use Myungkuk-made toys, which have a shorter range than Joseon-made toys. As soon as the Ming Dynasty cannon was properly positioned, an artillery battle began between the Ouchi and the shogunate forces. bang! Quack! As the shells fired from both sides steadily devoured the soldiers from all directions, Mochiyo extended her fan forward. Spearmen and rifle troops advance! hot! Forward! Advance! Following Mochiyos orders, Ouchis rifle corps and spear corps began to advance. Mochiyo, who confirmed the soldiers advance, continued the order again. Tell the artillery units to capture the shogunate armys artillerymen! hot! At Mochiyos order, the Ouchi artillerymen began firing thunderbolts at the shogunate army batteries. bang! Kwakwakwak! Following the explosion of the rain bomb, a loud explosion urred at the shogunate armys artillery position. However, the shogunate army also fired back at Ouchis artillery, and a bloody fight began between the artillerymen on both sides. Even as shells from both sides flew over their heads, Ouchis spearmen and riflemen continued to advance steadily. Seeing this, the shogunates rifle corps and spear corps, which had dispersed, gathered together again and began to advance. The musketeers and spearmen of the two camps formed a tight formation and approached from the front. Before we knew it, musketeers were at the forefront of the two camps. stop! When the distance between the two sides fell to about 15 feet (about 45 meters), themanders on both sides stopped their men. Aim for the first row! shooting! Ta-ta-ta-tang! Aaaah! With loud gunshots ringing from both sides at the same time, the space between the two camps became hazy with smoke, and soldiers fell to the ground with screams. Aim for the second row! shooting! Ta-ta-tang! Aim for the third row! shooting! Ta-ta-tang! Firing continued from the first to the third row, and the soldiers who survived safely began to reload diligently. And after twops of this shooting war, the winner was decided by the time it entered the thirdp. shooting! Ta-ta-tang! The Ouchi musketeers began shooting before the shogunate armys musketeers finished reloading. shooting! Ta-ta-tang! shooting! Ta-ta-tang! Ahh! Run away! Even before reloading was over, the musketeers on the shogunate side, unable to withstand the barrage of gunfire, began to break away from the line. This was also the result of Joseons trick. * * * Joseon supplied long guns and gunpowder and bullets of the right caliber at the same time. In this process, Chosun did not supply the two items separately, but supplied them in the form of paper cartridges. Containing a single shots worth of gunpowder and bullets in a single paper bundle provided a tremendous advantage in battle. C You can shoot more safely by not adding more gunpowder than necessary. -Oiled paper packaging is resistant to moisture. C During the loading process, the oil on the paper helps with loading and at the same time wipes away gunpowder residue inside the gun barrel. But the biggest advantage was the faster firing rate. Not having to manually measure gunpowder each time you reloaded was a huge advantage. * * * In a battle between musketeers, the shogunate musketeers copsed, and the copse of the shogunate formation began. After confirming that the enemy camp was copsing, Mochiyo immediately gave an order. Send out the cavalry! hot! After a while, cavalry belonging to the Ouchi Army began charging towards the shogunate camp. The musketeers and artillerymen, whose fighting spirit had not yet broken, resisted, but they were swept away without causing any real damage. Looking at that, Mochiyo clenched her fists. Tell this to the lords! Advance immediately! hot! Mochiyo stood on themand tower holding onto the railing and shouted loudly to the soldiers below. The road to Kyoto has opened! Oooooh! Chapter 520 Episode 520 Rolling, rolling. (1) Hanseong. As soon as Ouchis victory was announced, the governor immediately called the ministers. Did you hear the story? yes. Hwang Hee answered the Hyangs question as a representative. Then wouldnt it be a good idea to start processing Tsushima Ind soon? At Hyangs words, all the ministers looked at Jo Mal-saeng. Jo Mal-saeng bowed his head and answered while receiving the gazes of Hyang and the ministers. I think its better to start right away. The time when the big wind blew has passed, and the news must have reached the Lord of Tsushima and Mr. Soi. You mean to move before Daima Doju and Mr. Soie to their senses? Jo Mal-saeng bowed his head and answered Hyangs question. Thats right. The ministers all nodded at the conversation between Jo Mal-saeng and Hyang. This was because they also knew well the current situation in Tsushima and Japan. * * * Even before the intervention of Hyang, Joseon during this period did not neglect to understand the political situation of neighboring countries. However, after King Sejo came to power through a revolt, the task of understanding the external situation was almost limited to the Jurchen period. However, in the history that changed with the intervention of the township, it became essential to understand the external situation. Maritime trade routes extended all the way to Europe, and merchant ships from Daewol and Seo were filling trade ports. In addition, it was a situation where the great enterprise that depended on the fate of Joseon, called Shinjis preupation, had to be seeded. If we neglected to monitor foreign trends even just a little, we would not only suffer huge losses but also put our country at risk. Thanks to this, it was essential for high-ranking officials, even those in charge of foreign affairs and defense, to understand the situation in neighboring countries. This was because changes in the situation could affect the tasks they were carrying out. * * * Among the ministers who nodded, Hwang Hee spoke as the representative. The people who helped the shogunate due to their ill-fated rtionship with the Daenae n were the Lord of Tsushima and the Soi n. If we extend our hand just enough, they will respond. If they refuse our hand, we will have to use force, right? Hwang Hee nodded in response to Hyangs question. A cow that doesnt understand what youre saying should be beaten, and if it still doesnt understand, it should be killed and eaten. * * * Ten dayster, Tsushima Dojus residence. My lord, a messenger has arrived from Joseon. Please take me inside. hot! The Tsushima governor Sosadamori (ؑʢ) weed the messenger sent from Joseon with a face full of concern. The Joseon naval officer who visited Tsushima Ind on the mission of an envoy paid a solemn military service. Wee. The Lord of Tsushima, who returned the military courtesy of the military officer, offered the military officer a seat. As soon as the messenger sat down, Tsushima Doju went straight to the main topic. So, for what reason did Joseon send a messenger to me? The expression of the military officer who came as a messenger instantly turned fierce at the words of the Great Master, full of displeasure and profanity. But he soon returned to his usual expression and put his hand in his arms. This is a personal letter from the crown prince to the governor. A personal letter? The Lord of Tsushima, who straightened his posture, received the personal letter from the Hyang through the hand of his retainer and opened it. Mmm! After reading the entire contents of the letter, Daima Doju let out a groan with a hardened face. After rechecking the contents of the personal letter, the governor of Tsushima looked at the military officer. Do you know the contents of this letter? The magistrate does not have the authority to read that personal letter. I have been instructed to send an answer within just five days. Five days five days Daimadoju, who had chewed the word five days over and over again, let out a long sigh. I understand. Ill try to send you an answer by that time. Be careful when you go back. The messenger who stood up at Tsushima Inds wedding ceremony gave a military salute and retreated outside. * * * When the messenger returned, the Lord of Tsushima informed his vassals of the contents of the letter. The crown prince of Joseon is telling me to give up this ind. yes? this! In the end The vassals reactions to the Great Masters words were divided into two. One side was shocked, and the other side had an expression that said, What ising hase. Lets take turns reading. Ha The vassals of the Great Demon Lord took turns reading the personal letter written by Hyang. The contents of the personal letter were summarized as follows. -When the Gihaedongjeong (|) urred in thest year of Gihae (1419, the first year of King Sejongs reign), the governor acknowledged that Tsushima Ind was a province of Joseon and promised to relocate its residents to Joseon. (Note 1) C However, the situation in Joseon at the time was not favorable, so it was unfortunate that we could not ept this. -Now that the situation in Joseon has improved, I will listen to your request. -The owner of Tsushima should immediately vacate the ind along with its residents ande to Joseon. -This will be a good thing for both Tsushima Province and its residents. In recognition of their achievements so far, Tsushima Province will provide Hanseongbu with a mansion and pension, and the residents of the province will continue to make a living in a ce free from the threat of barren farnd and thieves. -Keep in mind that this is an action that recognizes and implements the merits umted by the governor. The vassals who read the letter sent by Hyang became divided in their opinions. What happens if I reject this offer? Theres nothing about him in your personal letters? Isnt this obvious without needing to add? The Joseon navy stationed at Tsushima will try to eat us. War? When one of the retainers mentioned war, the already heavy air became even heavier and everyone fell silent. It was Tsushima Doju who broke the heavy, suffocating silence. If we fight against the Joseon navy, what do you think the oue will be? . The vassals responded in silence to Dojus question. They had grown weary of the strength of the Joseon Navy since the naval port of the Joseon Dynasty was established in Tsushima. Hearing the silent reply, Daimaoju let out a long sigh. Whoa~. That sounds like defeat. The gods are ipetent The gods are ipetent It is done. The Lord of Taima raised his hand and cut off the vassals who were ming themselves. This may be the result of ignoring the changing times. In that case, the responsibility would be mine. But we cant keep being dragged along, so lets think of a n. hot! When the Great Demon Lord and his retainers began to think about countermeasures, a low-ranking warrior outside came running and reported. Shoni Yoshiyori and Noriyori are here! Take us inside! hot! * * * After a while, the Shawniga brothers entered the conference room and got to the point without even saying hello. Did you also receive a personal letter from the crown prince of Joseon? Have you received a personal letter from the head of the family? The brothers nodded in response to Tsushima Dojus question. It was written that you should either return to Joseon within five days or leave Tsushima and return to your hometown. It was written that if they remained after that, they would be considered pirates and force would be used against them. Huh~. In response to his brothers answer, the Master of Tsushima sighed for a long time. Is the temporary solution from back thening back like this? * * * After Lee Jong-mus first subjugation waspleted, Taejong announced a second conquest and continued the maritime blockade, and the governor of Tsushima Ind proposed that he and all Tsushima residents move to Joseon. In response to Tsushima Inds words that he would be a faithful subject of Joseon if he provided an ind where people could live C for example, Jindo C Taejong, instead of emigrating, gave Tsushima a seal certifying that Tsushima Ind was a subject of Joseon and provided him with an appropriate amount of grain every year. It was concluded with support. At that time, King Taejong judged the offer from Tsushima Ind to be a deration of surrender. And they believed that moving to Joseon would bring more harm than good. And this was what the Tsushima governor was aiming for. At that time, Joseon was a weak country. Tsushima Province, which judged that it would be impossible to maintain security after epting the residents of Tsushima Ind, who could turn into an armed group at any time, resorted to brinkmanship tactics. But now the aftereffects of that tactic were hitting Tsushima Ind. Tsushimas recognition as a province of Joseon and its willingness to immigrate to Joseon were all recorded, and this has now be the sword used to strike Tsushima. * * * Whoa~. After a long sigh, Tsushima Doju came to a conclusion. The result has already been decided. We couldnt keep up when everything was changing, starting with Joseon. The only thing left is culling, right? getaway! Are you saying we should surrender to Joseon? There is no choice but to do so. The brothers of the Shawnee family looked perplexed at the reaction of the Great Master, who seemed to have already made up his mind. Tsushima Province was the ruler of Tsushima, but they were military members attached to it. Even if they had received the same offer, the Tsushima Province could have been treated as Joseons subjects, but they were sure to be treated as noble anti-Japanese rebels. Of course, it may not be the same treatment as ordinary people, but it is certain that it will not be treated as well as the Daema Ind Province. However, returning to Kyushu was also a bad handshake. Kyushu was ruled by the Ouchi who drove them out here. Against Ouchi, who had already be strong enough to defeat the shogunate, defeat was certain. Lastly, remaining here and resisting the Joseon navy was also a situation where a gruesome death was certain. The brothers, looking frustrated, eventually got up and left. Ill have to think about it a little more. You will have to judge the situation calmly. The brothers, who had heard advice that was not advice from the Master of the Great Demon, returned with a devastated look on their faces. The Lord of Tsushima, who sent the brothers of the Shawnee family, looked back at his vassals and opened his mouth. The answer has already been decided. Keuheuk! Huh! My lord! Hearing the words of the Great Master, all the vassals burst into tears and were heartbroken. The Lord of Tsushimaforted those vassals. Dont be too sad. Isnt it thew of the world that those who cannot keep up with the changing world are eliminated? Keuheuk! Tsk! now stop. What you need to do from now on is to make sure that you get the most benefit out of it when you move. This is thest war left to us. Get ready. hot! * * * Around the same time. There was talk about this incident in the conference room of the Joseon naval fortress stationed in Satsuma. High-ranking officers who already knew the details were discussing their expectations about Tsushima Inds reaction. Will the Lord of Tsushima ept the Crown Princes proposal? If you have a brain that can think, wouldnt you have no choice but to ept it? They are a people whose sword goes before their head. Then wouldnt it be the end if we destroy them with artillery? That would be nice too. Most of the high-rankingmanders gathered here had participated in the previous Tsushima conquest. They had a desperate desire to avenge Park Sils defeat. However, they also knew well that they should not attack first. But they forgot. No matter what choice the Tsushima governor makes, a paper hell awaits them. While many people in Tsushima Ind were unable to sleep due to worries, there were also people in Hanseong who could not sleep. It was Seson. * * * Note 1) Military strategy of the Joseon Dynasty. Ministry of Defense Military Comption Research Institute. Chapter 521 Episode 521 Roll, roll. (2) Wan, the second-generation descendant, and Du and Seul, the princes, turned 14 this year. * * * Hyang had a total of 6 sons and 3 daughters through Crown Princess and Emperor Yangwon. The children born two and three years apart had a unique birth process. Although they were not born at the same time like the Wanduseul brothers, they were born a day or two apart. And unlike when Brother Wanduseul was born, it was an easy birth. There was a lot of talk that this was the result of the Crown Princess and Yangwon Emperor, who had a good rtionship with each other but also had a sense ofpetition. This is truly a wonder! Ministers and officials repeatedly told King Sejong that he was a knight and congratted him on the birth of healthy children. Thank you. Isnt it a blessing for children to be born healthy? King Sejong answered the ministers with a happy face. Simrly, Hyang, who was busy listening to congrattions and responding to them, looked up at the sky and muttered. If he was born three times in a row at the same time, it would definitely have been someones trick. What was interesting was the peoples reaction. Every time a child was born, King Sejong and the royal court held a discount event at the exclusive store. Every time that happened, the people rushed in as if the entrance to the monopoly was about to explode and swept up all the goods. People who enjoyed these discount events shared these stories half jokingly and half seriously. Well should I at least give it to you to continue giving birth to more children in the future? yes? For the country to encourage fertility, it is only right for elders to set an example. cancer! cancer! Youve had nine so far, right? Wouldnt it be better to avoid nine moves? Of course! They confirmed such rumors by going undercover or through various channels, and as the people began to tell the truth, starting with the eel and the bokbunja, the Hyang screamed loudly. What kind of sower am I in the East Pce? And why does the number nine appear here? The crown prince got angry saying this. After hearing the report, King Sejong called Hyang and said just one word. Then am I the sower of Gyeongbokgung Pce? . * * * Anyway, all the children born were intelligent. They say you cant really steal seeds Those in charge of raising and disciplining children said this and nodded. The profound knowledge and outstanding abilities of his grandfather, King Sejong, were admired not only by the people of Joseon but also abroad. In addition, all the results created by his father, Hyang, were beyond admiration and aroused wonder. The women who were selected as Hyangspanions were not only beautiful, but their knowledge and intellectual ability were clearly verified during the selection process. Because they were children born to such parents, their intelligence was enough to be called prodigies. Just looking at Brother Wan Du-seul, who can be said to be the eldest, he began studying at the age of five, was recognized as having an academic ability at the level of a social democratic school at age six, and was recognized as having an academic ability at a middle school level at age nine. King Sejong was satisfied with the results, which were better than expected, but he listened closely to the details. Are you sure you checked this properly? Thats right. No matter who sees it, they will ept the result. Lets do it again. yes? I will prepare for the problem, so lets face it again. Due to the firm decision of the vige, the official in charge of the brothers education, Kang Hak-gwan, had to step back. Seeing this, Sejong asked Hyang. Isnt that too picky? This is the child and his brothers who will take over the throne of this country in the future. As the author says, The water above is clear only when the water below is clear. There is a saying: These children received separate education because they were royal descendants. There will definitely be people who will question it. Shouldnt such impious people be severely punished? Hyang shook her head at Sejongs words. If that happens, they will feel that they have been oppressed by power rather than epting the result. We must win them over as a result. If there is no suspicion, there will be no restrictions on the childrens actions in the future, and only if this bes a tradition can we prevent this country from bing turbulent. Well, Sejinyo wonte out, but Sejong nodded at Hyangs words. You are right. Run. yes. In this way, Lee Sun-ji and other officials at the institute created a problem to verify the educational background of the Wan Du-seul brothers. Thepleted problem was stored in a safe at the institute, and the safe was surrounded on all sides with seals. And as a control group to objectively determine the level of the brothers skills, graduating students from middle schools in Hanseong also took a test with the same questions. The ministers of the royal court and the noblemen of Hanseong all focused their attention on the results of this test. * * * They were students from Hanseongbus middle school, which was evaluated to have the highest level of students among middle schools throughout Joseon. Thanks to this, some local residents not only received private tutoring in order to enroll their children in Hanseongbu middle schools, but also had their children stay in the homes of rtives living in Hanseong to meet the qualification requirement of limited to Hanseongbu residents. there was. * * * As a result of grading the exams conducted in this way, the Wan Du-seul brothers were ranked among the top 10. At only nine years old? It is said that blood cannot be deceived While the magnates of Hanseong admired the excellence of the Wandusul brothers, the officials of the royal court began to pay attention to the remaining seven. It means the top If you teach it well, it wille in handyter These were the officials who were eyeing the top scorers with the eyes of a wolf targeting a plump hen. Through this test, Brother Wan Du-seuls academic ability was objectively recognized and no one could dispute it. However, the aftereffects of this test were quite strong. After hearing the rumor, middle school teachers and parents from all over the country filed an appeal. -Please let us take that test too! -This can solidify the prejudice that only middle schools in Hanseongbu are superior! We need to evaluate it nationwide to eliminate disputes! When the volume of appeals reached a level where they had to be counted by cart, King Sejong made a decision. It would be good in many ways if you could objectively know what you have learned. Those who excel will be more confident and will work hard to learn, and those who are weak will be able to properly understand their shorings and make up for them. ording to King Sejongs decision, the exam was held on a nationwide scale. And this became a tradition and became the origin of the infamous national academic achievement test. * * * Brother Wan Du-seul, who was recognized for his middle school education, was scheduled to take sses at a higher education institution. The question was where to receive education. If its the crown princes temperament, hell probably go to the Engineering Academy. When King Sejong and most of the governments ministers thought so, Hyangs choice was a military academy. why? When Sejong asked the reason, Hyang immediately went into exnation. King Taejo, who founded Joseon, protected the people from foreign enemies from the South and the North. Since they are the children who inherited that blood, it would be natural for them to be the first to step forward when the country faces a foreign exchange crisis. Thats why we have to send them to military academy. It is possible to learn martial arts individually, but if you want to start with learning military techniques and learn the mindset of a soldier and how to operate the military, a military academy is the only answer. Isnt it true that the royal family also needs to learn administrative skills? The military also needs administration, so we can learn together. Hmm King Sejong was lost in thought at Hyangs answer, and the ministers were secretly impressed. When foreign exchangees, the royal family must take the lead! What a famous saying! It reminds me of the Hwarang of old Si! While all the ministers were admiring, King Sejong pointed out the problem. Your thoughts are truly beautiful. But I cant hide my worries. If you go to a military academy and be familiar with the military, you may end up handling everything in a military manner. No, maybe that could be good too. Since the military is the group that prioritizes efficiency, efficiency can be improved when running state affairs. However, if you do it wrong, you can be a tyrant by insisting on top-down behavior in everything. As the military is ced at the forefront, the people may experience hardships. Crown Prince, there is no way you dont know this, but I cant hide my concerns. Hyang internally nodded at Sejongs words. As expected, its definitely outside the standard! Youre progressing towards militarism and military-first politics! yes. What Abamama is concerned about is definitely a concern. So, after Sesonpletes the military academy, he will be entrusted with the operation of Area 51 and the research institute. I knew it! No sooner had Hyang finished speaking than the ministers muttered in one voice. Hyang nced at the ministers and continued speaking again. When the research institute and Area 51 were first created, aw was made so that the Crown Prince would be responsible for operating the research institute and Area 51. We will expand this to include three hands. Would the operation of the research institute and Area 51 be helpful? Most of what the research institute and Area 51 devise is for the convenience of the people, followed by the convenience of the military. In the researchb and Area 51, you will learn to help the people by developing knowledge and technology and making things. But the most important thing is Hyang paused for a moment, red strongly at Kim Jeom C who was just before bing the left deputy prime minister from the Minister of Finance and Economy C and then continued. You will learn the horrors of budget. When the words reached that point, King Sejong came to a conclusion. Youd better stick to your n. I am devastated. * * * On the day when the higher education institution where the Wan Du-seul brothers were decided was decided, the ministers who came out after the meeting asked Kim Jeom. By the way, sir. Let me ask you something. How on earth is being in charge of the operation of Area 51 and the research institute and knowing the fear of budgets the answer? In response to questions from other ministers, Kim Jeom exined the reason. Like all organizations in the government, the research center and Area 51 cannot function without a budget. And all organizations are making efforts to secure even a penny more of this budget. Isnt that obvious? When the ministers still did not understand, Kim Jeom clicked his tongue. Tsk! However, the Ministry of Defense is an exception. If it is absolutely necessary for national defense, there is nothing we can do, even if it is somewhat unreasonable. It is a daily routine to use His Majesty the Lords authority to steal the budget. However, Area 51 and the research institute are ces that can easily secure budget even without the authority. Hwang Hee asked a question in response to Kim Jeoms words. I dont think so, but what about the crown prince? Kim Jeom shook his head in response to Hwang Hees question. no. Looking at the documents they submit to secure the budget, I have nothing to say. How the budget received this year is used and its results. And the governance effect created as a result (Note 1). Tax revenue increased through the governance effect and tax revenue expected in the future. In this way, they clearly show their results, then write down the ns for next year and the economic effects that the results of the ns will have, and then write down how much budget is needed. In this process, we create urate numbers and submit them. Well, there is no corner to cut. So, if Seson runs the research institute and Area 51 and learns the process, wont he be able to clearly understand what the situation in Joseon is and how it is changing? If you gain experience like that, wont things like Songun disappear? The ministers all nodded at Kim Jeoms words. However, Jo Mal-saeng instead raised his voice. Look, sir! Lets get it straight! What nonsense is it that our Ministry of National Defense received more budget from Gwondo! If our Ministry of National Defense received the budget that way, military officers would say at a drinking party, Our main enemy is the Ministry of Finance and Economy! Are you going to shout the slogan? Kim Jeom screamed at Jo Mal-saengs words. Lets take a look at the ledger! yes! * * * Note 1) In ck Enterprise Chosun, the word management is used instead of the word economy. Looking at the etymology of economy, it is said to have been established during the Meiji Restoration in Japan when Yuchiki Fukuzawa reced the word economy with economy. /News/Read/201701171130037294) The word Gyeongsejemin (), which has a simr meaning to economy, appeared during the Song Dynasty, and the Joseon Dynasty officials who were Neo-Confucian schrs used the word Gyeongse. I am changing this part at my discretion because I think it would be better to use it, so please be generous. Chapter 522 Episode 522 Rolling, rolling. (3) Through that process, Brother Wan Du-seul received higher education at a military academy. It was quite different from the experience of receiving higher education through Sejasi Gangwon. * * * ording to the system established by Jeong Do-jeon in the early days of the Joseon Dynasty, officials belonging to the Crown Princes Gangwon Province were in full charge of the Crown Princes education. The goal was to ensure that the next sessor to the throne, through strict education, would have above-average ruling ability even if he or shecked the qualifications. If this was done properly, it would be possible to prevent the appearance of a dark king, which had been the beginning of the downfall of a nation since ancient times. -Even if the qualifications are low, the monarch with at least average ability is small, but a system is established in which the cooperation of subjects thoroughly armed with Neo-Confucianism is achieved. This was the ideal system dreamed of by the politicians who founded Joseon. But ideals were ideals and reality was reality. Although he dreamed of harmony between royal power and divine power, the reality was that there were numerous fights between the king and his subjects over leadership in national affairs. And starting with Jeong Do-jeon, many people had to lose their lives. * * * However, King Sejong and Hyang secretly changed this system. When the kings children reached the age of learning to read, they were raised in the East Pce instead of the existing practice of entrusting them to the families of retainers. In addition, the academic qualifications at the level of social democratic school and middle school were secured through an educational institution exclusively for the royal family called Kanghakgwan. Afterwards, higher education was provided to military academies, external educational institutions. Of course, during this process, the ministers could have found fault as many times as they wanted, but they did not do so. The first reason was the active support of King Sejong, who had secured absolute power, and the second reason was excessive workload. Im so busy right now, so why should I have a side job? its crazy? But the third reason, which was never revealed publicly, was the most powerful. There are many times when we be strict while providing education. If you think about itter, it could be a problem. This was because if you strictly educate the next person in power, you might face some kind of retaliationter. In fact, their concerns were justified, as those who were in charge of Yeonsanguns education in history before Hyang intervened wereter subject to retaliation from Yeonsangun. However, such concerns could be alleviated if I received education at an external higher education institution. Additionally, I thought that bypeting with others, mypetitive spirit and desire to improve could also be strengthened. The royal road and virtue are important, but in order to properly see the changing world, your perspective must be broadened. * * * Afterpleting four years of sses at the military academy, Wan returned to Gyeongbokgung Pce. -Wan is the third son, so now he needs to get practical experience. This was Wans return to Gyeongbokgung Pce. His half-brothers, Du and Seul, still wanted to stay at the military academy andplete advanced courses, so they stayed at the military academy. But its really ufortable. Wan, who returned to his room in the East Pce, looked unimpressed as he recalled the incident. This was because Grand Prince Pyeongwon came to congratte him a few days before he returned to the East Pce. * * * So you decided to stay at the military academy? Are you going to continue to stay at the military gate? Du and Seul nodded in response to Prince Pyeongwons question. Yes, Uncle Pyeongwon. I want to join the navy and divide the vast sea. I want to learn artillery techniques that can destroy enemies with one shot and create the best artillery. Grand Prince Pyeongwon nodded to Du and Seuls answer. okay. What a big dream. Do your best. The face of Prince Pyeongwon, who was saying that Du and Seuls decision was good, was full of confusion for some reason. * * * Wan, who was thinking about his meeting with Prince Pyeongwon, muttered with a face full of regret. Even though school was hard, it was a fun time Among the ssmates at the military academy, Brother Wan Du-seul was the youngest. The ages of the other ssmates ranged from 15-year-old boys who had justpleted theiring-of-age ceremony to young men in their mid-tote 20s. On the first day of hospitalization, the hospital directors gave the following advice to the cadets: Since you entered the military academy, you are ssmates! We must learn, eat, sleep and live together! The moment you leave military academy, there is only one thing to decide: where to start! Its just how hard you worked at the military academy! The directors deration was not just words. There was no discrimination between the Wanduseul brothers and other ssmates. Therefore, the Wanduseul brothers and their ssmates had topete fiercely. However, there was not only fiercepetition among military academy cadets. During the time given once every ten days to go out, Brother Wan Du-seul followed his ssmates and enjoyed sights and entertainment that could not be seen in the pce. Except for one thing. Even if there was no discrimination, there was no big greeting to go in and out of the room with the crown prince and his brothers, who had not even performed the customs yet. * * * The next day, Wan visited Seunghwadang and had a private meeting with Hyang. I had a hard time studying at the military academy. No. okay. Did you enjoy life at the military academy? Wan answered Hyangs question with a smile. Study was hard, but it was a truly enjoyable time. Hyangs face turned bitter at Wans answer. It was because memories of the 21st century suddenly came to mind. Hyang quickly sorted out her emotions and opened her mouth with a smile. Then I am truly fortunate. Its a good thing. I am devastated. Hyang, who had a conversation about Wans school days, got straight to the point. Now that you havepleted the military academy, you should have practical experience in administration. You must properly experience what administration is to reduce mistakester when you ascend to the throne. yes. Wan responded to Hyangs words by bowing his head and muttered to himself. Where will it be ced? Could it be the Ministry of Finance and Economy? I heard the Ministry of Finance and Economy is notorious From now on, you will be responsible for the operation of the research institute and Area 51. Hup! Wan, who was wondering where he would be assigned, was startled by Hyangs next words and looked at her. Oh father! He is a child who has not even performed the ritual yet! But asking me to take charge of the management of such an important ce is excessive! I heard you were first in public administration at the military academy? A theory is just a theory! So, we have to break it down in practice. Go to work at theb and Area 51 starting in five days. Yes Hyang added, seeing Wans frustration as he was burdened with an unexpectedly important responsibility. Admiral Jeong In-ji of the research institute and General Lee Cheon of Area 51 are very outstanding people. They will be of great help to you. Yes Hyang-hyang shouted after seeing Wanspletely downcast face. You bastard! Ive been in charge of theb and Area 51 since I was much younger than you! Wan internally protested at Hyangs words. Isnt that because my father made it! Right now, starting tomorrow and before you go to work in five days, take a look at the records of how theb and Area 51 have been working. If you look at it properly, you will be able to reduce trial and error in practice. Yes * * * Just as Wan returned to his room in the East Pce, a huge amount of reports flooded into Wans study. Are these all records from theb and Area 51? The official who was inspecting the documents answered Wans question right away. Thats right. Its a veryrge amount. This has also been reduced as much as possible. Huh Wan was speechless at the officials answer. However, Wan immediately came to his senses and ran straight to Seunghwadang. Thats too much to digest in five days! Please extend it to one month! Five days is enough time to read and analyze it all. No one in the world can do this! Abama and I did it? Siya Wan, who forcibly prevented the profanity he had learned during military academy froming out, pleaded once again. I will do my best, but it is impossible. If its not a month, please give me twenty days! After a long tug-of-war, Wan was able to obtain 15 days of time. * * * It already happened. Theres nothing we can do After epting the reality, Wan immediately sat down and started looking at the documents. Wan, who had been reading the documents forgetfully for several days, soon shook his head with a face full of disbelief. Is this really possible with one persons abilities? The beginning of the reports I have read so far was almost the same. -The crown prince ordered -The crown prince suggested it -The crown prince pointed out the problem In the end, Wan found the scent. Is this really possible? Hyang smiled and answered Wans question. Because I liked it. At Hyangs short answer, Wan shook his head without even realizing it. Its embarrassing to say it with my own mouth, but Ive been told that Im intelligent since I was young. Therefore, I was confident, but now I have realized that there is a sky above the sky. Abamama is more. Are you talking about Halbamama? In response to Wans question, Hyang nodded and muttered to himself. Im a cheat, but that guy is outside the standard! Hyang, who saw Wan frustrated once again,forted him. You say you are out of this world, but that is not correct. When ites to mathematics, you cant keep up with Soon-ji Lee and Dam Kim at the research institute, and when ites to making things, you cant keep up with Yeong-sil Jang at Shinji. No, it cannot even match the level of other researchers and craftsmen. The only thing that makes me confident that I am better than them is After pausing for a moment, Hyang continued, tapping his head with his fingers. Its imagination and analysis. This is because we were able to imagine things they could not have imagined and minimize risks by quickly analyzing the progress and results of the task. Ah At Hyangs words, Wan nodded without realizing it. Seeing Wan like that, Hyang continued with a smile. I still remember how fond you were of seeing models of all kinds of objects when you were young. From now on, it will be very difficult when you start working, but dont stop imagining. Do you know anything? Will you, too, be able to create something that will go down in history or discover logic? Wan, who was imagining Hyangs words for a moment, immediately smiled brightly and answered. I will try my best. Yes, yes Wan, who seemed to have gained confidence thanks to Hyangs advice, soon asked Hyang with an expression that showed he had forgotten. ah! There is something I said I would ask my father, but I forgot for a moment. What is it? Mukseok ising. As I was looking through the report, I saw that it was first called Graphite, but was soon changed to Mukseok. What is the reason? In response to Wans question, Hyang lowered his head and grumbled inwardly. Ah-oh! You record lovers! I even wrote it all down! But I forgot about the scent. He chose the word mukseok instead of graphite, but after that he often used the word graphite instead of mukseok C even in front of King Sejong. How should I exin this Hyang, who was thinking of a usible excuse, soon made an excuse to Wan. Its a little embarrassing, but Im bad at naming things. You know your names just by looking at them, right? Hyang, who had gone through a hard time naming the Wanduseul brothers herself, passed on the naming of the children born after that to others. Anything called a name should allow you to know what it is as soon as you hear it. The first thing that came to mind when I saw the ink stone was the word graphite. However, among the characteristics of the ink stone, there was nothing that matched the lead lead (U) character. Thats why the name was changed. Is that so? Hyang muttered to himself as he saw Wan slightly tilting his head. Its sharp in useless ces! Chapter 523 Episode 523 Rolling, rolling (4) After 15 days, Wan started working as the head of theboratory and Area 51. In the early days of taking charge of the job, he struggled through various trials and errors, but soon he began to handle the work with considerable familiarity. Officials from the research institute and Area 51, who had seen Wans rapid adaptation, also began to change their reactions over time. Compared to his grandfather and father, he is Compared to the crown prince who made him feel fear, not because he was amazing The reactions of those who criticized Wan behind him every time he panicked began to change. It is said that there is no wise man under themand of a nobleman As expected, blood cannot be deceived Although the evaluation was changing, the most senior officials, Jeong In-ji and Lee Cheon, were reticent to say anything. This is just the beginning. Hasty judgment is prohibited. This is not simply a performance evaluation. This is an evaluation of the person who will inherit the next presidency. As carefully as possible! As objectively as possible! Because they had made this decision, they consistently gave vague answers whenever other ministers C even Hwang Hui C asked about Sesons work ability. Were just starting to get our head around things, so how can we know? But slowly, as time passed, Jeong In-ji and Lee Cheon were able to make a rough judgment. -He is a talented person, butpared to his father, he is not good enough. While chatting at Jeong In-jis house, the two added words. If my predecessor had not been a descendant of the crown prince, he could have been evaluated as having studied the military world well. But When Jeong In-ji trailed off slightly, Lee Cheon also nodded. Your predecessor was such a great man Well, this problem isnt something that only the third generation has to deal with. From now on, those in charge of the research institute and Area 51 will have to ept the fate of having to continue to bepared to the founder, the Crown Prince. At Lee Cheons words, Jeong In-ji emptied her ss and epted his words. Among those who will suffer from that problem will be our sessors. By the way. Dont you wonder how the historians of that time would evaluate us? Those who built this golden age of Joseon history or the lucky and unlucky ones? What do you think? Lucky or unlucky? Among the many officials, you are lucky to have been chosen by the Crown Prince and held a position. You are unlucky to have suffered so much to reveal the Crown Princes dazzling glory. At Jeong In-jis words, Lee Cheonughed and emptied his ss. After emptying his ss, Li Cheon closed his mouth for a moment to choose his words, then opened his mouth to reply. It will depend on what we do. But since you are in a position, wouldnt it be good to be evaluated by the former? There should be at least one good line written on the tombstone erected in front of the grave. Thats right. Now that he has entered the civil service, he should have something like that engraved on his tombstone. * * * Wan, who had his work ability proven, worked hard to get the job done. It can be said that most of what the director of the research institute and Area 51 does is rted to the budget. Wan nodded and concentrated on Jeong In-ji and Lee Cheons exnations. On the outside, it seems like the research institute is only talking about wild theories and eating up the budget, but Area 51 cannot work properly if the research center does not analyze basic theories and the properties of minerals. The problem is that the process of persuading this part is not easy. If you y tug-of-war with the Ministry of Finance and Economy over this issue, you will immediately understand why the Ministry of Finance and Economy has be a public enemy. Even though the person responsible was your father? In response to Wans question, which had the meaning of Even though the crown prince stepped forward, he was pushed out?, Jeong In-ji answered with a slight smile. The Ministry of Finance and Economy has your back. Ah Wan nodded at Jeong In-jis answer. Looking at that, Jeong In-ji swallowed back her words. Because of this budget issue, Hyang visited Sejong several times, but each time, he was scolded and kicked out. Get out you bastard! Jeong In-ji, who had barely ovee the crisis of almost telling the dark history of incense, immediately continued her exnation. Budget restrictions are something we have no choice but to endure, so the research institute and Area 51 use other methods to make up for the shortfall in the budget. Surely its not illegal? In response to Wans question, Jeong In-ji shook her head. No. It means actively exercising intellectual property rights. The research institute and Area 51 released them through Jobo () whenever a new theory or technology was discovered. Of course, anything rted to new technologies or equipment rted to the military was to be hidden and announced as much as possible. And every time a report like this came out, merchants throughout Joseon purchased dozens of copies and began analyzing it. After that analysis, if there were any items or technologies that seemed to be beneficial to them, they immediately negotiated with the research center and Area 51 and signed a contract. The royalties secured in this way are divided, some are given to parties who own the intellectual property, some are used as rewards for area 51 officials at the research institute, and the remainder is used to cover insufficient budget. Hoo~. If that were the case, the researchers at the research institute and the artisans at Area 51 would work hard to research it, right? yes. And theypete fiercely with each other. Wan, who nodded at Jeong In-jis answer, soon continued to ask a question. Merchants are greedy for profit, so why dont they use tricks in the process of value analysis? In response to Wans question, Jeong In-jiughed bitterly. We do the analysis and the Ministry of Finance and Economy also does it. Moreover, there is not just one top in Joseon. If you try to do something carelessly, you will be caught right away. And if you y tricks like that, you will never be able to use our technology for the rest of your life. What is the level of analytical power at the top? If it is apetent top, it will not be defeated even if it joins the Ministry of Finance and Economy. Is it that much? While Wan could not hide his surprise, Jeong In-ji continued speaking with a calm expression. Even in the early days of Gyeongjang, it wasnt to that extent. However, as Gyeonggi reached maturity and the size of Joseons reign increased several times, he gained such ability. Huh Wan let out an exmation without realizing it and muttered softly, recalling what Hyang had said to him. You said, If you work at the research institute and Area 51, you will see the world outside the pce. Is this what you meant? In response to Wans mumbling, Jeong In-ji muttered to herself. The person who yed the biggest role in creating such a world is Seja. However, this was also a big surprise for Hyang. Hyang also could not hide his surprise as he watched Joseons situation develop at an eye-watering rate in just over 20 years. Is this capitalism! Hyang, who was checking the report several times, chuckled. I guess thats right In the beginning, there was money. * * * Quickly absorbing the help of Jeong In-ji and Lee Cheon, Wan established himself. With his position firmly established, Wan was able to afford to pay attention to what was going on around him. As Wan was looking around, he suddenly noticed something strange. Every time he visited the research institute and Area 51, the researchers and craftsmen on site seemed to have high expectations for something, but when he returned afterpleting paperwork, they were very disappointed. why? why? Wan, who was suspicious of the reactions of researchers and craftsmen, also looked at the reactions of key figures, including Jeong In-ji and Lee Cheon. Jeong In-ji and Lee Cheon have not shown any such signs yet, but those closer to the scene were showing simr reactions. why? why? Did I do something wrong? Wan was troubled by unbearable curiosity. Id like to ask Captain Jeong or General Lee, but Wan couldnt ask a question because he felt it would hurt his pride. * * * These questions were resolved when I visited Area 51. As soon as I was appointed as the person in charge, I visited Area 51 regrly, but every time I came, Area 51 was a new and fascinating ce. Because of this, it became Wans daily routine to wander around Area 51, asking questions and looking at the objects. And when Wan visited the ss workshop, the managers, Raphael and Pietro, exined the various parts of the workshop and showed the finished products. Thats amazing. Amazing Your abilities are truly amazing. thank you! Although Raphael and Pietro nodded in response to his praise, Wan was able to find in them the reactions to the problem that other craftsmen had shown. Even the children! In the end, Wan argued with them directly. Look. yes? Do you guys have any regrets about me? yes? No way? How could that be! The two quickly shook their heads in contemtion, but Wan continued to listen. Im not trying to use you of anything. Im just curious. What do the researchers at theb and the artisans at Area 51 seem to expect from me? What is that? Is it funding? Oh no. Then what is it! Wans voice rose, but the craftsmen around him kept their mouths shut and only watched. What on earth is the problem! Wans voice rose again, but no one was willing to open their mouths. Four months took ce in the ss workshop! When Lee Cheon heard the news and rushed to the workshop, Wan was still raising his voice. Didnt I tell you to speak up? Why are you saying nothing? Please fix it! Pietro opened his mouth at the same time as Lee Cheon came out to stop Wan, who couldnt stand his anger. Let me tell you. hey! Look! Pietro, who has be quite calm now but still retains his former personality, stepped forward, and Raphael and Lee Cheon who were next to him quickly stopped him. But Wan came first. Good. Please tell me why you are doing this. If I made a mistake or made a mistake, shouldnt I correct it? Is it because Ie too often and disturb you just to see the sights? I promise not to me you even if I get a rude answer. At Wans promise, Pietro let out the words he had been holding in. I dont minding here often and I dont mind taking a look. But I dont mind if you just go. huh? When Wan seemed not to understand, Pietro added. Your Majesty the Crown Prince. I rarely go there just to look around. Even if you just look around the first time, be sure to bring homework the next time youe. Ore with an assignment from the beginning. What is that Raphael added in desperation at Wans reaction that he still didnt understand. That guy said it was a task, but His Majesty the Crown Prince just looked at it and rarely left. Be sure toe back the next day at the earliest or within five days at thetest. Ive been thinking about it for a while. He said, Why not try making something like this? or not. I want to make this and that, is it possible? While doing this, give me an assignment. This is hard both physically and mentally, but when it is actuallypleted, the sense of satisfaction is incredible. Wan asked Raphaels exnation with a mixture of disappointment and coolness. So youre saying Im disappointed because I dont have something like that? Raphael and Pietro nodded to Wans question. It wasnt just Raphael and Pietro. Even the Koreans around them all nodded. Seeing that, Wan turned around with his shoulders drooping. Thank you for your answer. Thanks to you, I relieved my boredom. Then, good luck. Seeing Wan trudging along like that, Lee Cheon nced at Pietro with a frown on his face and hurriedly followed Wan. Chapter 524 Episode 524 Rolling, rolling (5) Wans story was conveyed directly to Hyang through the inner office. After hearing the story, Hyang looked embarrassed and muttered. Its hard for me to give any advice on this If it were the opposite case, I could give it In the opposite case, that is, a case simr to what Hyang experienced in the 21st century C a case where the child wants to be good but the parents are against it. Hyang was confident that he could give good advice. Just strike a bnce! Just bnce! However, the situation facing Wan now was quite the opposite. Hyang, who was dealing with a difficult situation where a true solution could not be easily found, burst intoughter as if it was fun. Now that I think about it Jinpyeong suffered a fatal ident at the same ce, and Anpyeong suffered a fatal ident at the Jaein groups performance, but there werent many cases like that with the children, right? * * * The exhibition hall that was built in the Eastern Pce and then moved to the research institute was still a ce of pilgrimage for young royals. King Sejongs young princes and governors, as well as the children born to Hyang and the children born to princes and governors, always passed through that ce when they reached a certain age. The same was true for Jaeins performance. Through touring performances conducted by the General Entertainment Office, the Jain troupes and singers who were evaluated as the most excellent were invited to perform at royal banquets and holiday banquets. To be invited and perform like this was a great honor for the members and members of the group. Just by being elected like this and performing in front of the king, the amount of money received from the next performance immediately changed. What was interesting was that there were not many children who suffered idents while touring the exhibition hall and watching the performance. Of course, the eldest sons of Jinpyeong and Anpyeong suffered Deoktong idents right away, perhaps due to their fathers influence, but many children suffered Deoktong idents while observing military training, rather than in the exhibition hall or performances of the Jaein group. Or, you could have a pain ident while solving a form in ab, or a pain ident while treating a bruise in an internal medicine clinic. Hyang, who was hesitating, soon reflected on his mistake. If you think about it, its my fault for making all kinds of excuses and being rude, but It was Hyang who readily acknowledged that it was his fault. * * * The biggest benefit that Hyang gained while reincarnated was that he was the kings eldest son. Thanks to this, he was able to do whatever he wanted as long as he achieved the level of academic achievement that King Sejong and his subjects wanted. Suffering for that academic achievement? Its funny to think about my school days separated by 12 years in the 21st century! Since most of the things that Hyang created brought great profits, it wasnt long before King Sejong was able to receive full support. The situation was good It was the luck of a lifetime for Hyang to be able to work with Lee Sun-ji, a genius who knew about industry and academia, and Jang Yeong-sil, who could be considered the best in Joseon when it came to making things. If its on the same level as inventions from the Renaissance era, or even the 19th century, its possible with my math skills. But if there is someone who is better, of course we should use it! The same goes for production! People must livefortably! It was a scent that had already been enjoyed in a simr way in the 21st century. When I was in high school and submitted works to various contests, I came up with the scent idea and left the numerical calctions and production to my friends in the science department. Im a liberal arts major. Can I pay the bill? Im good at speaking. I mean Because its a liberal arts department! Shit! As a side note, the reincarnation of incense was also a blessing for Joseon craftsmen during this period. They were craftsmen who disappeared without even leaving a name due to the Joseon Dynastys trend of despising everything except Confucianism. It was entirely thanks to Hyang that Joseons technologies and craftsmen, who were destined to decline as outstanding technologies, including Gap-in-ja, disappeared, were able to soar with wings. * * * Anyway, I guess I should call him and say something. If you make a mistake, it will be crooked! Because its difficult to do this. After sorting out the situation, Hyang immediately called Wan through the inner office. Did you call me? Yes, I heard the story. Are you okay? In response to Hyangs question, Wan raised his head and looked at the scent. Wans eyes, looking at the incense, were filled with all kinds of emotions and thoughts. When Hyang saw Wans face like that, he nced away and cleared his throat. greatness! Keuhum! Hyang cleared his throat and continued speaking. I think its because my influence still remains in theb and Area 51. After just a little more, it will turn into your color. From what I heard, I heard that your ability to handle tasks is excellent, so it would be okay to use that as your color. Wan, who was nodding at Hyangs words, soon raised a counterargument. But I am your child. If you get a good evaluation based solely on your work ability, thats only half the story. so? What do you want to do? Wan answered Hyangs question with an embarrassed expression. I also want to create something outstanding but I dont know what to do. After thinking carefully about Wans words, Hyang found the answer and gave it to him. Read the challenge log and response log. The answer will be there. Wan expressed dissatisfaction with Hyangs words. The Dojeonrok and Response Log are already written down the thoughts of many people, including my father. Isnt it all mine? You wont be evaluated properly. You are mistaken. Hyang exined that Wans thinking was wrong. What you are saying now is like someone who has not even learned the Thousand Characters and Hunminjeongeum and is trying to discuss the Four Books and Three ssics. Wan blushed and bowed his head at Hyangs simple and clear point. Sojas thoughts were short-lived! First, start by properly reading the challenge record and response record and checking the actual facts. If you go through the process properly, you will find out what you really want to create. Yes, father. I will keep in mind the teachings that are like gold and jade birds. Good luck. As Wan bowed and left, Hyang muttered softly. I wonder what will pop out. There is a possibility of failure, but * * * Following Hyangs advice, Wan carefully read the challenge log and response log and began to carefully observe the objects that were actually being tested. When Wan started showing interest like this, the person he liked the most was Jinpyeong. I am truly relieved that I am finally working properly! ha ha ha! Wan responded to Jinpyeongs words by bowing his head. Please help me a lot, uncle! Cancer! Cancer! I have to do my best when my three sons ask for it! Dont worry! ha ha ha! Jinpyeong was smiling brightly and patting Wan on the shoulder. And after hearing the story, Hyang felt a headache. Wasnt that really a dogs dream? No matter what happens, I have to drag it with me when I move. * * * As Wan became absorbed in the work of theb and Area 51, he quickly became addicted. Is this fun? After having fun, Wan stayed and worked at the researchb and Area 51. Thanks to this, the hardships were opened to the officials in charge of administrative work. The crown prince was at least home from work The officials were in tears as they saw Wan working, even bringing a bedding to hisboratory office. In the end, I cleaned up this part because it smelled good. -Unnecessary overtime work is not permitted except for the general manager of the research institute and Area 51. * * * As he became more of a fan, Wan made a good friend. Oh Chief Cho! Please exin this to me! Yes sir! Chief Cho approached Wans call and began to exin in detail the object that Wan was pointing at. Director Cho, who exined to Wan, was Jang Yeong-sils student. When leaving for Shinji, Jang Yeong-sil left a disciple in Area 51. I will follow you, Master! You have a lot to do here. Well, if its not me, who else can support Master My arms and legs are still fine! On the ship leaving for Shinji, leaving his disciple behind, Jang Yeong-sil muttered softly. You have to live Shinji was just starting out in Area 51, and the person in charge was Sejong, who was famous for making people do a lot of work as much as Hyang. That is why Jang Yeong-sil left behind a disciple. As a result, Director Cho Man-bok, who remained at the institute, became Wans dedicated tutor. This was because among the craftsmen with proven skills, Manbok was the youngest. * * * Hmm. Wan, who was ring at Jeon Jeon-rok and Eung Jeon-rok in his office, let out a groan without realizing it. This isnt easy ugh Wan, who continued to moan, organized the situation. -Choosing one of the ones in the existing challenge log is impossible at your current level. -For the same reason, it is impossible to select an appropriate one among those in the response log and improve it. -The same goes for touching the theories being studied at the research institute. -Conclusion It is easiest to advance into apletely new field. Even if you fail, if the results are somewhat satisfactory, registration in the challenge record bes possible. And I can tten the noses of those whopare me to my father! After summarizing the situation like that, Wan came to a conclusion. Lets create something new! Having made up his mind, Wan looked around and soon became angry. Oh my father! What on earth did you not touch? Thend and sea were already filled with things created by incense. What on earth should I do Feeling frustrated at theck of answers, Wan looked up at the sky and let out a long sigh. Ha~. Huh huh? Wan, who was sighing while looking at the sky, froze. Wan, who was staring nkly at the sky, soon began to have a big smile on his face. Yes! Its heaven! After finding his direction, Wan ran straight to the East Pce. father! I finally found it! Hyang asked with a mixture of joy and curiosity at Wans words. okay? Thank goodness! So what was it? Little one, you will fly in the sky! huh? Hyang paused for a moment at Wans words, but soon responded with a serious face. Thats a really good idea. Give it a try. However, there is a condition. If you are going to carry out an experiment with people, you should never board it! This is an order! yes? yes? yes. Wan, who was momentarily taken aback by Hyangs firmmand, which he had heard for the first time in his life, immediately responded. Mark my words. Do your best. Thank you! There was an order in the middle that he didnt understand, but Wan got the Hyangs permission and left Seunghwadang excited. After sending Wan away, Hyang muttered with a distraught look on her face. Does this seem like its going to fly in the wrong direction? is not it? Hyang, who knew of Wans troubles through the eunuchs assisting Wan and Jeong In-ji and Lee Cheon, made a perplexed face and muttered. I can understand how parents in the 21st century must have felt, as well as Abama and Eumamama now. * * * Meanwhile, Wan, who returned to Area 51 excitedly, called Director Cho. Hey Chief Cho! Chief Cho! Yes sir! Whats going on? I finally got permission! Director Cho was well aware of the worries that had been causing Wans heartache. Therefore, he sincerely congratted him and at the same time became curious. We are giving you a reduction! So what are you going to do? It will fly! I need you to help me! yes? For a moment, Chief Cho froze. Chapter 525 Episode 525 Rolling, rolling (6) Manbok literally burst into tears as he joined in the work with Wan. You gave me the name Manbok (M) so that I wouldnt have to live hungry, but instead of eating, I ended up bursting out of work I have a lot of work to do Hiyu~ Manbok sighed,ining about his situation. It was a good thing that I had a rtionship with Seson, but I couldnt rest because they chased me and asked me questions whenever I had a chance. At first, many craftsmen besides Manbok answered the questions, but at some point, Manbok became the sole person in charge. Why am I the only one You are the one who knows the most about the entire area 51. Do your best. Wouldnt it be nice to see you, who has a small age difference with His Excellency Seson, stepping forward? In this way, Manbok became solely in charge of the three sons. And now Se-son had thrown a bomb at Man-bok. I will fly! * * * Eh uh um. Manbok, who was dazed as he stood like a jangseung, managed toe to his senses and stuttered to ask Wan. Uh so dick did you say you were going to fly? Thats right! In response to Wans confident answer, Manbok asked another question. Then how will you fly to heaven? From now on, we will find out together with you! Mr. Manbok desperately tried to contain the profanity that was about toe out, but pointed out the reality. I believe that no one has ever put the idea of humans flying in the sky into practice. ording to what the elders say, we must take the path of unexplored knowledge. Isnt that even better! If you are a leader who embraces hoyeonjigi, there must be times when you take such an untrodden path! Once Im done, Ill start working right away, so get ready too! Manbok, who was looking at Wans back excitedly after finishing what he had to say like a rain shower, looked up at the sky and sighed. Whoa~. Damn it! The sky! Manbok, who was ring at the sky with eyes that looked like they were going to eat him, soon made a decision. I cant be the only one who dies! cancer! Master said the same thing! That evening, Manbok proposed his opinion to Wan. Your Excellency, I have been thinking about it and this is what I came up with. If you try anything else, I wont listen. Thats not it, as I said during the day, flying in the sky means taking an untraveled path. Its too much for just you and me. At Manboks point, Wan nodded with a serious expression. Thats true. When Wan agreed, Manbok got to the point. That is why it is about bringing people together. First of all, we have to register it in the challenge record, and then we gather people to brainstorm and experiment together. Wan, who listened to Manboks suggestion and thought about it for a moment, soon nodded. That would be better. There is a saying, It is better to hold a nk piece of paper. Wan agreed with Manboks words and unfolded the paper. First, I need to write a n. I cant just register it in the challenge log on my own. Thats right. Thats right. At Wans words, Manbok nodded repeatedly and cheered inwardly. Lets go! If you do well, you might be able to fold the game altogether! However, Manboks predictions were spectacrly wrong. It was a mistake to forget about the existence of incense. * * * Jeong In-ji and Lee Cheons reactions to Wans n were just as Man-bok expected. Is this possible? Young The two shook their heads at the same time. But I couldnt throw it away right away. This was because the person in charge of the n was Seson, the person in charge. I think your judgment will be necessary. If you were me Lee Cheon, who knew Hyangs entricities well, reacted negatively, but Jeong In-ji continued with an expression that said there was nothing he could do. What are you going to do? It was a short phrase that condensed several meanings into one, but Lee Cheon understood it immediately and nodded weakly. Thats the biggest problem. Haha~. * * * Hyang carefully studied the n posted by Wan and looked at Jeong In-ji and Lee Cheon. It would be a good idea to list it on the challenge list. The grade is Wukong Yisan Award. Is it possible for a person to fly in the sky, no matter how high the level of Wukong Yisan? At first, you thought it was impossible for a cart to move without being pulled by a horse, right? The two people, who were speechless due to Hyangs retort, bowed their heads and retreated. And the next morning, a new notice was posted on the bulletin board of theboratory and Area 51. New registration in Dojeonrok? New registration? How long is this? Researchers and artisans flocked to the bulletin board when they heard that a new item had been added to the challenge log. The researchers and artisans who gathered in front of the bulletin board with eyes full of curiosity could not hide their surprise as soon as they checked the contents. Flying in the sky? A person flies in the sky? Is it possible? Who came up with it? The researchers and artisans who confirmed whose idea it was quickly nodded. Then thats right They were people who immediately understood, thinking of Hyang and Jinpyeong. They say you cant steal seeds The researchers and craftsmen who understood that point soon began to think carefully with serious faces. Their concerns were all the same. It looks like fun, should I join in? These were researchers and craftsmen who had suddenly be addicted to incense. * * * Soon, researchers and craftsmen began to gather one by one in front of Wans office. What was interesting was that among those gathered, there were two monks and Muslims. When it seemed like everyone had gathered to a certain extent, an emissary came out and set up a table in the conference room. Thank you for responding like this! Entering the conference room, Wan warmly weed the applicants. Wan weed the applicants and got straight to the point as soon as they sat down. Man flies in the sky. What do you think is the first thing we need to do to make this n a sess? In response to Wans question, everyone gathered in the conference room began to think about what to take as a starting point. After a long time passed and no opinions were expressed, Wan opened his mouth. Isnt it true that the idea that it is impossible for humans to fly came about because someone had tried before and failed? All applicants nodded to Wans point. There must have been someone like the Crown Prince in the past! Once the applicants agreed, Wan quickly moved on. Then, lets start by collecting and examining rted tales and myths. yes. * * * Wan and the volunteers began analyzing the tales and myths they had collected. Except for the fact that Fable Deungseon became a saint and flew into the sky. yes. Next, excluding the fact that I flew on a crane and the clouds, and excluding the fact that I flew on a winged horse. Wan and the volunteers filtered out everything they could from Eastern and Western myths and legends. After filtering out everything, the one that seemed most usible was the Icarus myth. Its a myth like other myths, but the production process and limitations are all usible, right? Of course. All applicants nodded to Wans evaluation. Then lets make a n based on this myth. What about the name of the n, n Icarus? One of the monks opposed Wans proposal. Icarus eventually fell and died. I think Daedalus, who created wings and seeded in flight, is more suitable. I guess thats right. Thank you. In this way, the Daedalus n got on track. After receiving the n, which recorded the structure of the aircraft, the material manufacturing process, and the test schedule, Hyang reviewed it carefully and approved it with a few conditions added. -The height from which you will jump in the first test should be less than 1 piece (approximately 3m). C When increasing the height, be sure to install a safety device on the floor. If this goes wrong, it wont just end with a back smash or a cast, it will cost your life! As Hyangs approval fell, Wan and the applicants got busy. Pheasants that were flying well were caught and dissected, and in the design room, calctions were made busily, using branches and abacus. When the design waspleted to some extent, all the chickens in the poultry farms in Hanseongbu were plucked. As the results of the Daedalus n gradually took hold, luxury figures in Hanseongbu began to show interest. But Hyang had no time to pay attention. This was because Ouchi had finally entered Kyoto. * * * In Japanese history, Ouchi, who won a great victory in a battle called the Joint Battle of Ikuta Shrine, immediately gained momentum and advanced toward Kyoto. Stop it! If you dont stop it, its over! The shogunate families desperately resisted Ouchis advance. However, the greatly lost power could not be replenished and they were helplessly pushed back. As the shogunates defeat deepened, feudal lords who secretly switched to Ouchi began to appear one by one. I couldnt help it under their pressure! I didnt have sex with them because I wanted to! All of the lords who moved to Ouchi made excuses, saying that they did not do it because they wanted to, and Mochiyo, the head of the Ouchi family, consoled them with a kind face. Is that so? I understand, I understand. Isnt it all the fault of those traitors of the shogunate? Mochiyo, whoforted the converted lords and sent them away, looked at his vassals with a cold face. Be prepared to organize things as soon as the world is pacified. hot! * * * With the defeat in the battle at Naniwa (Osakas old name), the shogunate army waspletely copsed, and the Ouchi army finally entered Kyoto. Punish the traitors! Wow! Ouchis soldiers flocked to the residences of key families of the Muromachi shogunate under the pretext of punishing traitors. Many people lost their lives at the hands of the soldiers who flocked in, and looting continued. And as soldiers from the allied territories that came inter joined in the murder and plunder, mes began to rise throughout Kyoto. Mochiyo, who was watching the scene from his horse, gave an order to his men. Secure as much wealth as possible and make sure to burn what needs to be burned. Only then will the transfer of the capital be easier. hot! Mochiyo put into practice the relocation of the capital proposed by the Munchi faction. * * * After hearing the report that Kyoto was clearly under control, Mochiyo drove his horse and headed for Heian-kyo. Then shall we meet the Emperor now? * * * After receiving the report that Ouchi had entered Kyoto, the governor immediately discussed the future with the ministers. With this, I guess we can say that Mr. Daenae has taken control of power? Thats right. However, we will have to wait a little longer to see whether they will take control of the entire country. In response to Heo Hus answer, Hyang immediately asked a question. Why is it going to be all over the country will it be okay? Hwang Hee came forward and answered Hyangs question. Right now, I think its possible because Daenaes military power is strong. But I think long-term rule is half and half. why? This is because Kyoto is far away from the base where everything of the Daenae n is located. It is the same principle that the farther a branch is from the root, the more easily it dries out. Hyang nodded at Hwang Hees point. Chapter 526 Episode 526 Rolling, rolling (7) Mochiyo Ouchi, who took control of Kyoto, entered Heiankyu, where the Tenno resided. (Note 1) The soldiers of the shogunate who guarded the pce had already disappeared. However, blood traces left here and there showed how they disappeared. Mochiyo and the military officers who entered Tennos main shrine, escorted by Ouchi soldiers, knelt in front of Tenno and showed respect. Jichgannin (ڎعَ) Tatara Ason Mochiyo of the Tataragonikishi familyes to see Tenno! In ordance with established etiquette, Mochiyo bowed while revealing the family name Kabane (the surname bestowed by the Tenno) of the official position the family had received. Sadal happened right after that. Before Gohananojo Tenno, who had received Mochiyos bow, could open his mouth, one of the nobles present had shouted. Where is this insignificant warrior from a remote vigeing in armed? This is the royal pce where Tenno resides! As soon as the nobleman finished speaking, the officers under Mochiyo looked at the nobleman in question with a fierce expression. Likewise, Mochiyo, looking at the nobleman in question, gave an order. He is a traitor who conspired with traitors. Take it out and endure it. hot! As soon as Mochiyo finished speaking, the officers under hismand got up from their seats and dragged the nobleman in question away. Let go! These shameless bastards! your majesty! your majesty! As he was dragged away with both arms held by the warriors, the nobleman desperately begged Tenno for help. However, not only Tenno but none of the nobles present could open their mouths. He was ovee by Mochiyos momentum. Mochiyo, who quickly overpowered the situation, led the situation as he wanted. How much hardship have you endured because of the traitors? Please rest assured now that God hase. You will be able to find peace as soon as we clear out the traitors and the traitors within the government as well as the families of the traitors. In response to Mochiyos words predicting great bloodshed, Tenno swallowed his dry saliva and answered. Is that so? I will only trust you. Please leave it to me. Please dont let the people of Kyoto go through great hardship. I will do so. Even after the relocation of the capital, the people of Kyoto will be at peace. Thousand degrees? Its called Heaven! The moment Mochiyo uttered the word cheondo, there was a greatmotion in the royal pce. Should we move the capital? Mochiyo answered Tennos question firmly. There are still many remnants of traitors remaining, making it difficult to preserve Your Majestys safety. As time has passed and the countrys energy has weakened considerably, it is natural to move the capital to revive the countrys energy. Then where are we going? There is a ce called Hiroshima in the Aki region. He will take over the pce there as soon as it ispleted. I understand. Mochiyo answered without hesitation. Tenno, who was about to say something to Mochiyos appearance, immediately nodded with a resigned look. After finishing the audience, Mochiyo and the military officers left the pce with majestic steps. One of the nobles who witnessed this scene that day left the following record. -If Dong Zhuo of the Later Han Dynasty abandoned Luoyang, then Mochiyo of Ouchi abandoned Luoyang of Japan! * * * When Mochiyo was creating a new regime in the Japanese country, Hyang was shaking his ass. Ah-oh! What I have to say is Taesan! My mouth is so itchy I cant live! I cant believe I just have to watch something so interesting! I want to intervene! It was Wans challenge to force the fragrance to hold onto his itching mouth and his shaking hips. The experiments that followed immediately after starting the design and creating the prototype were a series of failures. In the experiment of jumping with wings made from thinly shaved bamboo and paper feathers, injuries continued to emerge, and thewmakers assigned to Area 51 were busy treating those who suffered bruises, sprains, and fractures. Whenever failure continued, Wan and the team members put their heads together to analyze the cause of the failure. Were the wings too small? Why not try making it bigger? I think itll be okay. As soon as the wings grew sorge, they broke in the middle, unable to bear their own weight. To increase the strength use thicker bamboo and some iron parts The wings made that way could not be lifted by oneself. After that, experiments continued, but they continued to fail. As a result of the sessive failures, the interest of luxury artists began to wane. Then yes. Is it possible for a person to fly in the sky? cancer! cancer! For a person to fly in the sky, what else is it but flying? The gossip of such luxury people reached the ears of Wan and his team members, and they fell into despair. Is it really impossible for a person to fly in the sky? * * * In the end, Hyang pulled out the safety pin. Ah-oh! My mouth is itching and I cant stand it! There was also a very good excuse. You have to push the growing sprouts! cancer! Of course! Hyang happily intervened with the very good cause of cheering up his despondent son. Im just going to dip my toe in! Just a little bit of foot! I have no intention of taking away my sons rice bowl! * * * Have you called me? okay. The experiment were currently conducting isnt going well? In response to Hyangs question, Wan nodded with a gloomy face. It seems that flying in the sky with a man-made object is not natural, but rather contrary. In response to Wans seemingly desperate answer, Hyang asked again. Do you really think so? Not only the children but also the team members tried every possible method they could think of, but they failed. So Then how does a kite fly in the sky? What about skynterns? Arent both of them made by humans? A question arose while reading my reports. There are objects that people make and float in the sky, such as kites and skynterns, so why do you only insist on the shape of a bird? Wan answered Hyangs question right away. Arent kites and skynterns just things that float on the wind? But birds fly in the sky as they please, so of course You bastard! Hyang interrupted Wan. What youre saying right now is like a child who is just starting to move from one side to the other and saying hes going to stand up and run! First of all, it is natural to know how to knit properly! If you figure out how to float properly, wouldnt all you have to do is study how to move in a certain direction? ah! Wan, who was awakened by Hyangs shouting, bowed his head. It is so! Listening to Sojas fathers words, I feel as if my eyes have been opened! I will resume my research immediately! After thanking Hyang, Wan immediately left his seat and went outside. Hyang, who saw Wan regaining his energy and running gantly, smiled slightly and murmured. How much for a taste first? * * * Wan excitedly returned to Area 51 and summoned his team. Lets think again from the beginning! yes? Wan, who saw the group members losing their minds, continued speaking. I went there after receiving a call from Seunghwadang When Wan told the group members what they had heard from Hyang, they looked like they had been struck for a moment. indeed! It is indeed so! I got the order of things wrong! Wan and the team members took a hint from Hyangs advice and began to move vigorously again. First, lets divide the group into two groups. One group studies kites and the other group studies skynterns? exactly? Wouldnt that speed things up a bit? As expected, the group members all nodded at Wans decision, as he is a person who likes to hurry, hurry. Thats right! In this way, Wan and his team members were divided into two groups and began research. The members of the kite-based team made and flewrge and small kites and began researching whether they could actually carry people. I think it could be sessful if we use the shield kite as a base. yes? With that in mind, they soon drew up ns and blueprints. And Hyang, who epted their ns and blueprints, shook his head. Are you a ninja? However, even though he expected a negative result, Hyang gave his stamp of approval. Because this will all be important data Meanwhile, those studying skynterns were also producing their own results. After thinking about the principle of a balloon, it appears that it traps heat and blows it away. Wan nodded at Manboks report. I think so too. Then, if we make the pocket that traps the heatrge, wouldnt it be possible to float even with a person on board? Another group member added his opinion to Manboks suggestion. If you make a pocket that big, will it hold its shape? Wouldnt it be better to build a framework in your pocket? skeleton? Jo Won added an exnation to Wans question. yes. The best way to fill your pocket with heat is to blow hot air from underneath the pocket. However, if the mold is not maintained properly, the heat may leak in other directions, and if done incorrectly, it may catch fire. Thats why you need to build a framework in your pocket. Hmm Hmm After hearing the proposal, Wan and Manboks team members were deep in thought. But Wan shook his head. It would be better to remove the skeleton. It gets too heavy, so theres a chance it wont float even if you fill it with heat. Then if we make it bigger Manbok cut off his words. Then the size of the framework that needs to be built needs to be increased, right? Then isnt the road still in its ce? Ah * * * After all these difficult discussions and experiments with models, the challenge was ready again. Of the two groups, the one that challenged first was the one that was studying kites. People gathered again at the rumor that an experiment was taking ce along the Hansu River. Fuck you! Fuck! Buy Gyejak! Gyejak There are sweets too! Amid the shouts of merchants selling all kinds of snacks, the crowded crowd looked with excited eyes at the team members preparing for the experiment. Youre a kite? Its a kite! big! Its as big as a house. On the sandy beach by the river, a shield kite the size of a real house was built. A basket for people to ride was hung in the center of the shield kite, and underneath it, the team members were gathered together and making final preparations. Gruntcha! The team members, who were carrying heavy bags of sand in baskets that would normally have to be carried by people, ran to Wan, who was standing on one side, and reported. Ready! Then lets begin! And the experiment failed. The shield kite, hanging on a rope pulled by four course horses, soared into the sky, but soon lost control, spun around andnded on the sandy beach. The moment the kitended, the sandy beach was filled with peoples sighs. Aye~. Oh my~. The onlookers could not hide their disappointment, but the faces of Wan and other team members shone brightly. But it floated properly, right? Thats right! Then lets analyze what the problem is and then try again! But the budget Dont worry about the budget! It was Wan who calmly made noises that made the Minister of Finance and Economy and Kim Jeomugh. And in fact, the Minister of Finance and Economy and Kim Jeom grabbed the back of their necks and gritted their teeth. What the heck, father and son in pairs! It doesnt have to look like this! * * * Note 1) Here, we would like to inform you that the title Tenno is simply a title referring to the emperor of the relevant period. Chapter 527 Episode 527 Rolling, rolling (8) The experiment ended with confirming the possibility of floating in the sky using arge kite. Joes researchers and craftsmen who took on the task began an in-depth analysis with the experiment results. Maneuverability is also a problem. We have to find a way to control it while hanging. To solve the situation where the model spun around and fell as soon as it rose into the sky, researchers and craftsmen began experiments with the model again. Meanwhile, the team members who were conducting research based on the concept of windnterns were also producing some results. However, we encountered a wall in the process of theorizing the results of the experiments that had been going on. But the idea of trapping this heat and making it float. Why is only heat possible? Researchers racked their brains toe up with the most usible theory C Neo-Confucianism C for the most fundamental question. In this process, it was Wan who created the most usible theory. In any case, I benefited from the enormous amount of lessons I learned at the royal family. -The energy of the world is divided into yin and yang, and heat belongs to yang. If we look at the characteristics of Yang, it has a tendency to be light, lively, and ascend. Gathering this amount of energy in one ce exerts great power. The researchers and craftsmen who saw the theory presented by Wan all nodded. Its clear! I dont think there is a more urate answer than this! exactly? In this way, Wans theory was made into a report and sent to Jeong In-ji and Lee Cheon. Its hard to object. Isnt that right? Thats right. In the end, Jeong In-ji and Lee Cheon submitted this report to Hyang. After thoroughly reading Wans report, Hyang whetted his appetite. There are a lot of things I want to point out, but the problem is that there are no words to rece them. There were words and knowledge that could be reced if one decided to do so, but with the current level of knowledge in Joseon, there was a high possibility that they would not be understood. This part is only possible when the level of knowledge is higher If I do something wrong, I could be called an alien. Concealing her disappointment, Hyang stamped the payment column. * * * After establishing an appropriate theory, the team members immediately began building a model. Starting with balloons used in temple events, the group gradually grew in size and had to solve a new problem by making a fairlyrge paper bag. -How to connect the part that will burn people or cargo and the pocket that contains the heat? The first opinion that emerged was to surround the pocket with a frame of iron or bamboo and attach a rope to the frame to connect it to the boarding area. However, this revealed a problem as soon as the experiment began. The pocket was torn at the part where the crown rivet was used to secure the rim to the pocket. Eventually, after many attempts, a method was adopted: making a with strong rope, wrapping it around the pocket, and connecting the pocket and the boarding gate with the rope of the. Through these trials and errors, the model grew to half the size of the actual model that was expected. Put the brazier in! yes! Arge brazier was ced under the tform where the utensil named Bhikkhu was ced. Inside the brazier, charcoal of the highest quality was burning white. Bellows! Bellows installed on both sides of the tform moved to blow air into the furnace, and the hot air and smoke entered the bag through pipes connected to holes in the tform and holes in the boarding area. An instrument simr to the one made by the Montgolfier brothers was made almost 300 years earlier. thud! Crackling! Its floating! Its floating! As the hot air trapped in the pocket began to create definite buoyancy, it flinched and began to float upward little by little. Loosen the rope! When the rope that tied the bhikkhu to the tform was loosened, the bhikkhu floated up. Its up! Its up! Its up! Seeing the bhikkhu rising into the sky, the researchers and team members cheered and embraced each other. * * * uh? uh? Huh? The researchers, who were cheering and cheering, became serious at the ensuing situation. It goes higher than expected? I see? uh! Its moving! Because I did not expect that it would rise all at once and higher than expected, I did not use a device to stabilize the acetabulum. However, the bhikkhu floating in the sky began to move and flow with the wind, as if dancing. Chase! Chase! Bring the horse! word! Where is the time to get it! Go to the stable! The team members who ran to the stable quickly got on their horses and kicked down the door to Area 51. Catch it~ Catch it~ It wasnt just the group members who were confused. The people of Hanseongbu, who were preupied with seeing the monk floating in the air out of nowhere, stopped walking and only looked at the sky, bing an obstacle. Hee hee hee! Get out of the way! Move! Move! Egg money! Wow! The people, startled by the shouts of the team members who were rushing to catch the floating bhikkhu, fell and fell, causing various idents. * * * While thismotion was happening on the ground, the bhikkhu, who had lost buoyancy as the air in the bag cooled, slowly came down to the ground. with a plop! The problem was that the bhikkhu, who had lost buoyancy,nded in the water instead ofnding. The group members who stopped talking on the banks of the Hansu River all cursed as they watched the monk sinking in the water. Holy shit! Damn it! Bring the boat! hey! Boatman! After muchmotion, the team members recovered the monk, who waspletely wet and a mess, and returned to Area 51. The people who greeted the group members were Jeong In-ji, who was ring at them as if they were going to eat them, and Wan, who was just looking at the ground. Please write down the details of the beginning and end of this incident and post it immediately! yes. * * * Although they were harshly criticized by Jeong In-ji, the team members immediately regained their strength. The problem is that the heat trapped inside the pocket makes the yang energy stronger than expected and the rate of decline is faster than expected. Thats right. This part needs to be resolved. So Lee Wan enthusiastically participated in the development of Bhikkhu. He lookedpletely different from when he first arrived as the head of Area 51 and the research institute. I was bullied Just as Hyang said, Wan became addicted to the sky and flying. As the improvement work progressed, the material of the pocket that traps heat also changed from paper to silk. It is the best material because it is lighter and stronger than paper. Do it with silk. Budget is a problem. Just trust me! Im Seson! Hyang took the bill and sighed. I also have a criminal record haha. Hello! Send someone to the internal water station! Yes sir. Instead of being harassed by the Minister of Finance and Economy and Kim Jeom, it was Hyang who decided to open the royal treasury. Surely you will be called to Shinji? * * * Wan and his crew, who had deep pockets thanks to the money they spent from the royal familys treasury, built arge Buddhist statue ording to the original design dimensions. Thepleted bhikkhu was different from what was initially nned; an object to supply heat to the hot air bag was created in the boarding area. The furnace was ced in an area surrounded on all sides by thin iron tes to prevent sparks from flying out, and a device was installed to continuously inject air into the bellows installed together, allowing the bhikkhu to remain awake for a longer period of time. On the day of the first experiment, there was a smallmotion in theboratory. Ill ride it myself! Oh my goodness! Absolutely not! Your Excellency is the third generation! Its impossible! Please fix it! When Wan said that he would board the ne himself, not only the team members but also Jeong In-ji and Icheon, who were observing, had toe forward and stop him. I have prepared a calf and a dog just in case something happens! Your Excellency will not have to ride! Even Manbok came forward to stop him, but Wan did not break his stubbornness. This is the first experiment in which a person rises into the sky by his own will since recorded history! How can we hand over this glory to a small creature! I can never give in! As Wan never backed down, the story spread all the way to Seunghwadang. Its my turn to step forward. Hyang left Seunghwadang as if he had been waiting and headed toward Area 51. Seeing that the tug-of-war was still going on, the local government came to a conclusion on the spot. Please move the experiment location. yes? Move the experiment location to Hansu. If you look at the report, even if a bhikkhu loses heat, he doesnt fall right away, so shouldnt he just jump into the water from an appropriate height? Jeong In-ji asked, full of worry at Hyangs words. Are you sure you will allow the decision of the three sons? Hyang briefly responded to Jeong In-jis question. Whose child is that child? . In response to Hyangs question, Jeong In-ji immediately closed her mouth. It was Jeong In-ji who personally witnessed and experienced various entricities that todays young people would not even believe to be true, starting with getting vinated against cowpox. Even though Jeong In-jis mouth was blocked, the Crown Princess had to pay a huge amount of money for the scent. * * * When the experiment resumed on the Han River, the residents of Hanseong who heard the story once again filled the riverside. Because the rumor about the monk had spread widely due to the previousmotion, the number of residents gathered was twice asrge as when the kite wasunched. With merchants calling for customers from all directions, preparations werepleted and Wan and Manbok climbed into the basket. Is there a need for you to ride too? I handle devices better than you, Your Excellency. In response to Manbok, Wan nodded and stepped aside. Please take care of me. yes. Dont worry. Manbok muttered to himself as he answered like that. If your hands get scratched, try it. Even if I live, its obvious that I wont have lived! I take responsibility for everything from beginning to end! And the experiment ended sessfully. Filled with properly heated air, the bhikkhu floated into the sky, and those gathered on the riverside immediately cheered. Its up! Its up! It really took off! A thousand years old! A thousand years! Its up! While shouting to the end of a thousand years, some old women rubbed their hands and offered prayers to the bhikkhu floating in the sky. Thanks to the rope tied to the bhikkhus basket, he did not get carried away by the wind likest time, and thanks to Manboks desperate adjustments, the bhikkhu, who had climbed up to about 30 feet (about 90 meters), was able tond safely. thud! When the bhikkhus basket safely reached the sandy beach, the waiting team members rushed over and fixed the basket. Meanwhile, Wan got out of the basket and ran towards Hyang in great excitement. Have you seen it? My little one has ascended to heaven! Yes, its great. Its a disability. I have ascended to heaven! Ahahaha! Wan, unable to contain his excitement, repeated the same words several times. And seeing Wan like that, Hyang smiled. Would I have done that too? Meanwhile, the people who came out to see the experiment were not the only ones. The government officials were all flocking out. And the movements of two groups among them became strange. Oh my? If you use that well While the military personnel, starting with Jo Mal-Saeng, were shining with strange smiles and eyes, on the other side, Kim Jeom, the Minister of Finance and Economy, and Ministry of Finance officials were ring at the military personnel. Those again. Chapter 528 Episode 528 Rolling, rolling (9) Just a few days after the sessfulpletion of the Bhikkhu experiment, Jo Mal-saeng presented a n to Hwang Hee. This is a n to present to the Crown Prince. Lets see Hmm Hwang Hee, who received the n, nodded slightly and muttered as soon as she looked at the title. Military utility of monks As expected Hwang Hee nodded as soon as she saw the title, as if she had already guessed it, and immediately opened thest page. So the number of units needed is 320? Captain Joe! At Hwang Hees shout, Kim Jeom snatched the n from Hwang Hees hand, looked at its contents, jumped up from the spot, and threw himself onto the desk. Kim Jeom, who was in his mid-70s, skipped across the desk with incredible movements and grabbed Jo Mal-saeng by the cor. This guy is real! I asked for it because it was absolutely necessary! Its an unavoidable expense! At Jo Mal-saengs insistence that it was absolutely necessary even while being held by the cor, Kim Jeom grabbed the cor even harder and screamed. Is it really necessary? Even if there was no monk until now, there was no word! Say something that makes sense! Be patient, Captain! Stop it! Stop it! The ministers, surprised by the grappling between Kim Jeom and Jo Mal-saeng, rushed in and tried to separate the two, but they were sweating at the strength of Kim Jeom, who had lost his temper. Tell me about it! Tell me about it! What kind of strength does a nobleman who has surpassed Koh Hee have so much strength! After wrestling for a while, Kim Jeom let go of Jo Mal-saengs cor and returned to his seat. Hwang Hee, who was looking at Kim Jeom, who was still grinning and ring at Jo Mal Saeng, came to a conclusion. Even if it is not the Ministry of National Defenses argument, you know very well that a bhikkhu would be useful if he knew even a little bit about the art of war. The ministers all nodded at Hwang Hees words. A nobleman had to know basic Confucian scriptures, as well as academics such as military strategy and industrial medicine, and thanks to this, he was not unaware of the military utility of monks. Hwang Hee continued while observing the reactions of the ministers, especially Kim Jeom. But those numbers are the problem. This is the minimum number chosen by the military. At least it sounds the same! Are we going to wallpaper it with a Buddhist temple instead of amunication tower? Fix it, Captain. Hwang Hee, who interrupted Kim Jeom, handed out the documents to Jo Mal Saeng. This number is simply unreasonable. Please review the numbers again. If things continue like this, I wont be able to present them to you. Do you think you will pay for it? So shouldnt I stop it even more? That is my duty, so I reject it ording to my authority. Pleasee back and edit it. Due to Hwang Hees firm answer, Jo Mal-saeng had to take the n back. I understand. I will calcte it again and bring it back to you. Okay. Then lets move on to the next item. * * * After the meeting, the ministers left the conference room one by one. The ministers who came out talked about Kim Jeom. Isnt it really surprising to just look at Uichon (the pen name of Kim Jeom-ui)? Youre so energetic at that age Thats right. I guess the medicine you sent me was great. The ministers, who were having a half-joking, half-serious conversation, nced sideways at the Minister of Finance and Economy and continued speaking. I have a question. Starting with Superintendent Uichon, all the officials of the Ministry of Finance and Economy are in full control. I really wonder whether the position makes the person, or whether it only selects those people. I agree. While the ministers were whispering, the Minister of Finance and Economy shouted. Because of whom did this happen! * * * Its a funny story, but this was one of the sayings going around during this time. -Even the scoundrels of the sword world give up in front of the Ministry of Finance and Economy officials. -If you wear an official uniform and are of good stature, you are an official from the Ministry of National Defense or the Ministry of Finance and Economy. This public opinion was surprisingly true. Among the officials working at the Ministry of Finance and Economy, many were of good stature. Of course, it was not just that he had long bones, but that he had an overall muscr body. This was inevitable considering the working environment at the time. Analyzing a huge amount of data and making calctions using only a mountain branch and an abacus required maintaining a high level of concentration for a long time. And in order to maintain concentration for this long, physical strength was needed. For this reason, the following maxim was created in the Ministry of Finance and Economy. -Calction is done with your body, not your head! -A good nes from a strong butt! And the reputation that he made even the sword worlds scoundrels curl up was due to the nature of his job. The core task of the Ministry of Finance and Economy was to set the budget needed for state administration using tax revenues and profits from various monopoly businesses. And it was natural for conflicts to arise with other ministries in the process. Of course, it wasmon for the oue to be decided by a war of words over numerical data. However, there were also ministries that used measures to gain the upper hand by breaking the momentum of the Ministry of Finance and Economy. It was a ministry like the Ministry of National Defense or the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Development. It was natural that Ministry of Finance and Economy officials impressions and tone of voice became harsh as they faced those who tried to break their momentum with harsh facial expressions or tone of voice. In addition, among noble families where government service was the greatest honor, it was not umon for brothers or rtives to work in different ministries. In addition, there were many cases of receiving favors using blood ties, and in the process of refusing them, the notoriety of Ministry of Finance and Economy officials worsened. -Even local mutts dont eat the poop that the Ministry of Finance and Economy manages. As this became the norm, the number of families who married their unmarried sons or daughters as soon as they became officials at the Ministry of Finance and Economy increased. In addition to the age restriction, long service as an official at the Ministry of Finance and Economy was itself a factor in deducting points. In some ways, the Ministry of Finance and Economy was the worst workce, but few people wanted to transfer to other ministries or retire. Although it had a high reputation, the Ministry of Finance and Economy was the first institution to be chosen when choosing the ministry with the most power among the various ministries of the government. This was because there was nothing more addictive than working at an institution that sometimes made even the king pay attention. * * * Three dayster, Jo Mal-saeng submitted the n again. 120th Is this the best? It was reduced and reduced as much as possible. Hwang Hee sighed in response to Jo Mal-saengs resolute answer, I will not back down any longer. Whoa~. I will submit it to Seunghwadang. As Hwang Hee took care of the n, the Minister of Finance and Economy and Kim Jeom red at Jo Mal-saeng as if they were going to eat him. But this time, Jo Mal-saeng also red at the two people. * * * Hmm. Hyang, who was reviewing the n submitted to her, looked at the number at the end and looked at Jo Mal-saeng. 120th ss? Is this best? Jo Mal-saeng answered Hyangs question right away. The best is the more the more the better. But I think around 320 units is optimal. A small smile appeared on Jo Mal-saengs face as he answered Hyang. Until now, he had done many things for the military C from weapons to military uniform pay. Therefore, it was judged that Hyangs remark was rather an indication that the number was small. However, Hyangs next words shattered Jo Mal-saengs expectations. 120 prayers is a lot. If you look at the n, it was nned to be deployed at every dam and camp in the north, at each suyeong in the south, at the suyeongs created at key points on the route to Cheonchuk and Alexandria, and that was not enough, to be deployed at every front passing through that waterway, but it is too much. But if you look at it strategically. If you look at strategy alone, as the director said, the more the better, the better, but shouldnt you also think about the budget? That bhikkhu thing isnt cheap, is it? The air sacs that trap the heat must be made of the highest quality silk. Considering the lifespan of silk, the air sac fabric must be periodically repaired or reced entirely, but considering the cost, it is too much. And deploy one unit at a time on the front line? No matter how challenging the battle line is, there is not enough space to run the bhikkhu properly. In history before the introduction of fragrance, most air sacs in hot air balloons were made of silk until the creation of nylon. Therefore, hot air balloons were operated only by a small number of wealthy people in the military as entertainment. This problem of generalization was solved only after mass production of hydrogen or helium and the creation of internalbustion engines that were light inparison to their output. This was with the creation of airships and airnes that usedrge quantities of cheap, strong, but heavy canvas fabric. Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy responded with bright faces to Hyangs point. Thats right! Yes! You saw it correctly! Thats right! Unlike Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy, who were happy, Jo Mal-saeng protested with a look on his face. The size of the monks deployed to the front lines has been reduced by limiting them to carrying only two. Starting with that part, it was calcted with many aspects in mind! The defense budget is also increasing! The problem is that the adjustment has increased more than expected. I cant give everything that the Defense Ministry asks for. If there is a certain level of flexibility in that part. The flexibility part is up to me and the Ministry of Finance and Economy to decide. And in my opinion, flexibility has gone beyond the scope of what is eptable. Well. If we are to proceed with this n, we must reduce the deployment of improved artillery and automatic long guns. Which one would you choose? Jo Mal-saeng responded to Hyangs words with an expression that almost made him cry. The artillery cannot be reduced. As for the artillery I will reduce the number of monks. In this way, the number of monks was reduced to 32. It was deployed around major military bases in the north and important military ports such as Jemulpo and Dongnae Tsushima Ind. But the scent continued to speak. We need to create an additional 36 monks to generate profit. Did you say it was about making a profit? It is ced at a general entertainment center in Daedohobu, Joseon, to pick up people. ah! ah! Such a number! No sooner had Hyang finished speaking than the ministers let out exmations. It was certain that being up in the sky and seeing all around would be extremely popr. Hwang Hee immediately responded to Hyangs suggestion. Hanseong should be removed, right? Thats right. Why Hanseong? ah! Kim Jeom, who was about to ask a question about Hyang and Hwang Hees answers, immediately stopped talking and nodded. There was Gyeongbokgung Pce in Hanseong. It was the greatest disloyalty for the people to look down on their king. Therefore, if one were to think about profits, they had to give up Hanseong, which could yield the greatest profits. * * * Even as he worked every day to resolve pending national affairs, Hyang had other concerns. How should I do this? Should I wait until it sprouts on its own? Or should I throw a bomb? It was a scent that continued to look through reports from theb and Area 51, muttering to itself that no one else could understand. There was even a hot air balloon The problem is that the passive behavior of waiting for something to be thrown can be established What should I do? After struggling and pondering for several days, Hyang finally came to a conclusion. okay! Lets throw a bomb! Its better to act when you have talent! If you make a mistake, you will fall behind again! Shit! You can just say, The crown prince has be the crown prince! After making up her mind, Hyang took out a nk piece of paper and started writing down words. -Thermodynamics (W) We must gather all the fragments that have been found so far into one and turn them into a theory! We have to start with Sunji Lee when the math monsters are overflowing! As a result of this decision, thermodynamics, started by Benjamin Rumford in 1789, sprouted nearly 330 years earlier. And the researchers at the institute were left with a veryrge bomb. Chapter 529 Episode 529 Rolling, rolling (10) Three dayster, Hyang visited the research institute. Upon hearing that Hyang had visited theb, all the researchers at theb, including Lee Wan, came out to greet him. The eyes of the researchers who came out to greet the scent were surprisingly full of worry. Why on earth are youing? Hes the kind of guy who always leaves a lot of homework for me Representing the feelings of these researchers, Kim Dam asked his wife, Princess Justice, in a low voice. Do you know anything? Princess Justice shook her head in response to Kim Dams question. I dont even know the notebook. * * * Hyang entered the conference room with the researchers full of worry, went up to the podium and looked back at the researchers. I am very happy to see you here despite your busy research activities. Hyang started speaking with a simple greeting and soon walked to the ckboard and wrote the word Yeol inrge letters. Hyang, who wrote the words heat and ᡯ, continued speaking. This heat is essential for human life. Without heat, you cant survive the winter and you cant cook and eat food, so you get sick easily. And the process of melting iron and copper to make tools also requires heat. The researchers nodded at Hyangs words, while their doubts began to rise. Why a story that everyone knows? Hyang continued speaking, perhaps knowing what the researchers were thinking. ruler! But now we have created a steam engine. The principle of a steam engine is to boil water with heat and use that power. And not long ago, a bhikkhu was alsounched. In other words, we are harnessing the power of heat. As he spoke, Hyang wrote the words yeok and next to the word yeol. ah! no way! At that moment, Soonji Lee and Dam Kim let out exmations and screams at the same time. After seeing the two peoples reactions, Hyang nodded slightly. As expected Confirming that his prediction was correct, Hyang asked Lee Soon-ji. Deputy Director Soonji Lee, do you understand what Im trying to say? To those words, Sunji Lee responded with a trembling voice due to excitement. In the process of developing steam engines and improving st furnaces, many heat-rted forms and data recording results were created. Are you asking me to find aw that runs through those forms and data? Thats right. At Hyangs words, the faces of all the researchers present turned white. * * * Many trials and errors followed to create steam engines, improve st furnaces, and create heat treatment processes to make better quality steel, and as many results as the trials and errors remained as data. What Hyang said now was to re-analyze all the data and the forms created for the experiment to find the most basicw. * * * Hyang continued, looking at the frozen researchers with white faces. The steam engines and other objects that have been created so far that utilize the power of heat are at a level where satisfactory results can be produced just by improving the power or size of the objects through repeated trial and error. But when we think about the future, we cannot rely on trial and error forever. Ships on the sea are getting bigger and bigger, and the institutions that operate them will also get bigger. The same goes for iron horses. In such a situation, is it possible to produce results only through trial and error? This is a huge waste of manpower, money, and time. The researchers all nodded at Hyangs words. This was because they too were slowly starting to hit a wall with simr problems. However, if you know the most basicws, you canpletely eliminate nonsense and predict the results to some extent by substituting variables into thews and rted forms. You dont realize what a huge advantage this is, right? Researchers responded to Hyangs question by nodding their heads. Looking at the researchers reactions, Hyang added letters to the ckboard. Thermodynamics Science of Heat If only we could figure out thew for this problem and find and prove the link that exists between the many forms we have created so far! We can help more people by converting one of the abstract providences that exists in all things into concrete numbers and forms! With Hyangs words, the researchers mood began to change. They were so proud and self-confident that they used as a slogan the outrageous phrase Only mathematics can give the answer. When Hyang saw that the researchers spirit was starting to burn, he saw the ckboard. A new character was written: energy () If you look at steam engines and monks, they all use heat (heat). So what is heat? What is the power of heat? I call this part energy. It means the ability to work. At Hyangs words, the Joseon researchers all nodded. The phrase, I dont have enough energy to work, was somon that they could immediately understand its meaning. Hyang . He continued writing on the ckboard. To put it in Westernnguage Hyang wrote the word nergia on the ckboard. The monks who saw the words Hyang wrote nodded in unison. Seeing the researchers reactions , Hyang continued speaking, What is the existence of this energy and what types are there? Is it possible to measure it? If so, how can the power it possesses be calcted? We need to observe, analyze, and think about these aspects to find out. . At Hyangs words, ? appeared on the researchers faces at the same time. If its hard to understand, lets take an example. What is the rtionship between heat and fire? What is the main and what is the ve? To put it simply, fire. When you burn a kiln, it generates heat, which can cause burns and burns. However, you can often see paper in a hot kiln burning without even a spark. In that case, heat can burn and burns can burn out. To give another example, consider a lightning strike. Lets think about it: how is the thunder energy of a lightning strike created, what are its characteristics, and how can people utilize the power and abilities of the thunder energy from the stories of houses and trees burning down and people dying when struck by lightning? You have to try it. All of these are collectively called energy. The researchers seemed to understand Hyangs exnation to a certain extent, but they still had expressions of uncertainty. Eventually, Angelo came forward and asked a question. I understand thermodynamics. But is there a need to study energy as well? The scent immediately answered Angelos question. The most basic part of thermodynamics is to know the nature of heat, and if you want to properly understand the nature of heat, shouldnt you also know the corrtion with other forces? Oh, I see. Angelo nodded at the description of the scent. Hyang, who was looking at Angelo, cautioned the researchers. ah! In the process of researching thermodynamics and energy and establishing theories and forms, it is absolutely prohibited to try to fit what you have learned so far. What we will study from now on will have to take a truly unexplored path. Lets not make the mistake of killing an animal on a bridge. In response to Hyangs words, Jeong In-ji asked a question. Are you saying that we shouldnt be caught up in the egoism that Zhu Xi discussed? Thats right. You should not be caught up in yin-yang or the five elements, but start from nothing. In response to Hyangs firm reply, Jeong In-ji muttered to herself. Its really fortunate that they were all wiped out in the Giyu Rebellion. Jeong In-ji took a step back, but this time Giovanni stepped forward. But if you do it wrong, you can dishonor Gods providence. At Giovannis words, Incenses face became fierce. Is Gods providence really what is written in the Bible? Before I knew it, Hyangs tone of voice had changed. Giovanni nodded when asked about the scent. Thats right. Dont you think the Bible is too thin to record all the providences of the universe? And I read it, and most of the Bible records the actions of the prophets, the actions of the dogmas, and the apostles who followed those dogmas? In which part is there any discussion of Gods providence for all things? Youre not saying that everything is possible with Genesis alone, right? . Giovanni, who was struck by Hyangs question, kept his mouth shut. After Giovannis remarks, there were no further objections. Jeong In-ji, who roughly grasped the situation, began to take steps to organize things. I guess I should raise it to Ugong Isan level in the challenge log, right? Yes, this is Wukong Isan Sangsang (). Indeed Jeong In-ji nodded at Hyangs words. This was because even three generations or at least 100 years seemed insufficient to see the end of the research that Hyang had mentioned so far. Phew~. Jeong In-ji, who was sighing as if she had met a distant, blind Taesan, shook her head slightly when she saw Lee Soon-ji. Right now, Sunji Lees face was shining so brightly that she could be recognized from 10 miles away. That damn math monster In this way, ssical physics was born at least 200 years earlier than the history before the intervention of Fragrance C the standard for Newtons birth. And Lee Wan, who saw this scene from the side, smiled bitterly. Your father is leaving after throwing a veryrge lightning bolt. Wan, who had umted knowledge through education at the Kanghakwon and Military Academies, was able to see how enormous the task posed by Hyang was. The problem is that I am also caught in the explosion range of that Bigyeokjincheonroe Wan, who thought that far, sighed softly without realizing it. Phew~. Wan, who was looking for a solution to the dark situation, soon found a suitable refuge. For the time being, Ill just have to focus on improving the Bhikkhu with Director Cho in Area 51. * * * Hyang left the conference room and headed straight to the censors office. Id like to meet you, Crown Prince! The interpreters working at the censorship office politely bowed as soon as they saw the incense. Thank you for your hard work. Its a lot of work. All the interpreters bowed their heads in admiration under Hyangs praise. I am devastated! After praising the interpreters for their hard work, Hyang got to the point. For the time being, lets rx the censorship standards for letters sent from monks in the western region to their hometowns. yes? As long as the research they write in the letter is not too deep, just send it. The interpreters gaped at Hyangs words. After a moment of silence, one of the inns spoke. Um my lower self. The small peoplee as interpreters. When they write down the form, we cannot know the severity of it. Im fighting back, sir. Among the contents they wrote, the contents about objects such as steam engines were selectively deleted because their importance could be immediately identified, but it has been the custom until now to simply erase everything that contains forms. Hyang thought about the interpreters words for a moment and then opened his mouth. If you find any letters with that form, send them to me. Yes sir. After doing her business in the inspection room, Hyang smiled bitterly and muttered. My workload has increased. By the way, if things go well, will the damn things that made me give up on mathe out? Things like calculus and math things that still make me grind my teeth when I think about them. Chapter 530 Episode 530 Rolling, rolling (11) Calculus Probability and Statistics where Incense ground its teeth. These were the things that made me choose liberal arts over science because of the 21st century. Of course, I learned calculus and math in the liberal arts department, and there were questions on the college entrance exam. But it wasnt at the level of science. As a side note, when Hyang took the level 5 financial management exam, the subjects he had the most trouble with, which caused him to suffer the pain of failure, and which he narrowly passed on the verge of failing, were ounting and statistics. * * * The scent that briefly recalled old memories returned to reality. There are some risks, but if we do well, it will be our best opportunity to absorb talent from Europe and the Middle East. If you think about the current situation. The situation in Europe and the Middle East secured through Mansour and Portuguese Alexandria was at its peak of chaos. To what extent, the person who checked the report muttered something like this. Is this the era of Mad Max? Or should the King of Powers emerge from somewhere? * * * The biggest cause of chaos in the Middle East and Europe was religious conflict. It was not a conflict between Christianity and Im, but a struggle within each religion. First, in the case of Europe, Council vs. Pope Authority of the Bible and Gospel vs. Authority of the Pope For vs. against integration with the Orthodox Church Problem of sale of clergy Problem of marriage of clergy Principalism vs. Fierce divisions and bloody struggles were taking ce over issues such as secrism. In particr, the kings of each country and the governors of city-states did not hesitate to use force to protect their power. In addition to the conflicts caused by differences in religious viewpoints, there was constant fighting throughout Europe due to armed conflicts caused by conflicts of interest between countries struggling for power. The case of Im was equallyplicated. The biggest factions, Sunni and Shiite, shed. And just like in Europe, shes urred between sultans and religious figures who dreamed of monopolizing power, and small sects steeped in mysticism becamemon enemies of Sunni and Shia and were persecuted. The persecution of mystics was the same for Christianity. Because it was a situation like this, the Hyang decided that it was an opportunity to recruit talent even if it meant taking risks. Those who possessed or studied knowledge of ssical chemistry, alchemy, science, or mathematics from the ancient Greek and Roman era were evaluated as mystics and were in a perfect situation to be used of heresy and face threats to their lives. Of course, there were those who had the foresight to support them, but such monarchs and nobles were extremely few. Of course, there was also the possibility that some woulde to realize the reality and support schrs through letters sent by monks or alchemists staying in Joseon C a risk that Hyang was concerned about. However, despite such risks, what Hyang was confident about was the existence of the research institute he had established. At this time, Joseon was the only country in both East and West that systematically providedrge-scale budget support at the government level. The only ce where personal and economic safety was guaranteed and where researchers could focus solely on research was the Joseon Research Institute. Another strength was the data umted in the research center over the years. Books from the Greek and Roman era collected from around the time when Hyang was crowned crown prince, and the data obtained from the numerous experiments conducted in Area 51 were unrivaled in both quantity and quality. * * * There was an interesting fact rted to Joseon during this period, to be precise, a sad truth. That is, even though it was a time of chaos with endless armed conflicts and deaths everywhere, Joseons trade volume did not decrease at all and was steadily increasing. People in Europe and the Middle East constantly coveted Joseon products. The reason they squandered their family wealth and coveted Joseon goods was because the period in which they lived was a time of confusion and conflict. People who were in a position where they could not think about tomorrow due to religious disputes and other political issues caused extreme greed for the pleasures of today. The nobles constantly held banquets, and the lower ss, symbolized by the peasants, flocked to all kinds of festivals established by the church and gorged on alcohol and food. In particr, in order to soothe the growing dissatisfaction of the lower ss with the harsh reality, the church gradually increased the number and period of festivals, making this trend more prevalent as today a festival is held in this vige and tomorrow in a neighboring vige. And Joseon benefited from this trend. Aristocrats sat around a table filled with crystal sses, bottles, and precious ceramic tes in a banquet hall with ornate chandeliers, enjoyed drinks and food, and dreamed of one-night secret rtionships. And the necessities of aristocratic men to have secret rtionships like this were sunsses, spices, hats, and fans made in Joseon. In particr, pottery made in Joseon became a must-have item for households with money, even if they were not noble, due to its excellent luster. It was the same at festivals. Merchants distributedrge quantities of ponsu (mulberry water) to the pockets of those who participated in the festival. Joseon sold carbonated water with a higher concentration than that sold in Joseon topensate for the amount of carbonation that decreased during long-distance travel. Thanks to this, the Ponsu that arrived in Europe had a stronger and sweeter taste than the beer that Europeans drank. And the people of Europe, who were addicted to this intensely tangy and sweet taste, gorged themselves fanatically on Ponsu. Of course, there were some who expressed concern about this social trend. Philosophers and religious figures who advocated Christian poverty or the pursuit of sound wealth called for breaking this trend, but few people listened to them. Those who criticized the current situation concluded as follows. The nation that first breaks out of this shell of corruption will soon be the ruler of Europe. In Europe and the Middle East, which can be called an era of conflict, there are some countries that are taking different actions from others. These were the countries of the Iberian Penins, symbolized by Portugal and Spain, and the Ottoman and Byzantine Empire. Spain and Portugal concentrated on trade with other countries, suppressing conflict as much as possible unless they met each other at sea. And the countrys power grew with the goods obtained through trade. This was the same for the Ottomans and Byzantines. Starting with the Byzantines, the Ottomans, who briefly halted their advance into the Balkan Penins, began to reorganize their national system by overhauling their military on arge scale. The Byzantines, who barely survived, also began to steadily build up their stamina again in a situation where they did not provoke the Ottomans. And this situation became the spark that would lead to an even bigger conflict. * * * 27th year of King Sejongs reign (1445, Eulchuk year). In October, the upper cargo sent from Portugal arrived. I guess this year will be thest time you spend in Portugal? To the question posed by the customs official who greeted Sang Sang, Sang Sang Ju nodded and answered in fluent Korean. Thats right. I wille back next spring. Right. After that brief conversation, quarantine officers boarded the ships of the fleet to check for the presence of patients. While safety was confirmed and the crew disembarked, the merchant spoke cautiously to the customs official. I have a letter to send to the government. This is a letter from the regent of Abang (my country). Hearing Sang-sang-jus words, the customs official also looked serious, looked around, and whispered softly. Follow me. * * * The handwritten letter from Regent Pedro brought by the Sangsanju arrived at the court along with the Sangdangju. This is not just the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After confirming the contents, Heo Hu went straight to the Prime Ministers office with the original letter and trantion. Have you finally made a decision? Hwang Hee muttered softly after checking the contents of the trantion that Heo Hu brought. Have you finally made a decision? exactly. After briefly answering the question asked by Kim Jeom, who was sitting next to him, Hwang Hee handed the tranted text to Kim Jeom. Kim Jeoms face became bright after reading the tranted text. This is truly good news! 3000 bags! One bag costs 50 nyang of silver, so the total amount is 150,000 nyang of silver! Heo Hu, who saw Kim Jeom looking pleased, fired back at him. Considering the current state of Joseon, isnt 150,000 nyang of silver a lot? Still, dont you like it a lot? Seeing Heo Hu subtly replying, Youre narrow-minded, Kim Jeom responded by clicking his tongue lightly. Tsk tsk How can you only look right in front of me? Look at it like a big country. Look at it like a big country! Daeguuk~? This person is real! When Heo Hu stood up from his seat, Kim Jeom immediately stood up and red at him. Both of you, please take a seat. What a disgrace! It will be like this in front of the Crown Princeter too! At Hwang Hees yelling, the two sat down and red at each other. Dont just talk about the Left Deputy Prime Ministers conclusions, but talk about it in more detail. Hearing Hwang Hees words, Kim Jeom immediately went into exnation. If you look at the world of Westerners in Europe today, it is a time of war, reminiscent of the Warring States Period. If you think about that, the 3,000 rifles ordered by Portugal right now can be seen as bait. After seeing its performance, other countries will also try to obtain this rifle. If you have read the report prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs properly, it is natural that such a judgment should have been made quickly. Didnt you read the report from your ministry properly? At the same time as the exnation, it was Kim Jeom who hit Heo-hu sharply. Heo Hu listened to Kim Jeoms attack with a red face. Isnt that just a possibility? In other words, isnt it possible that they could look at the Seokseok-style rifle sold to Portugal and make it using a simr model? Why are you so confident that we will buy something from Joseon? Kim Jeom immediately responded to Heo Hus point. Its been over a year since those Portuguese people bought these rifles. No matter how long the sea route took, dont you think thats enough time to look into it and think about it? And since there is no answer even if we do that, I guess they came here to buy something from Joseon! . Heo Hus mouth closed tightly at Kim Jeoms words. His face was still flushed, but that was because he was at a loss for words. It was Hwang Hee who organized the situation. I will immediately forward this letter to His Majesty the Crown Prince. It is certain that the meeting will proceed immediately, so please prepare in advance. yes. I will do so. After answering Hwang Heesmand, Kim Jeom and Heo Hu left Hwang Hees office. Hwang Hee, looking at the two peoples facial expressions, clearly divided between the winner and the loser, let out a long sigh. Whoa~. A very bad light has fallen on Captain Uichon. Kim Jeom was one of those who had been working in the government since the early days of Gyeongjang. Although Hwang Hee was able to escape for a period of time to pioneer the northeastern region, Kim Jeom continued to be harassed by King Sejong and Hyang at the same time. In the process, Kim Jeom began to resemble King Sejong and his father. In addition to the positive aspects of being equipped with quick analysis and judgment, he also resembled the negative aspects of Sejongs father and son. Among them, the most representative ones were the tongue-clicking sound that turned a persons stomach inside out and the Zen-like manner of speaking, in which he spoke only to the conclusion without saying anything. It didnt end with a Zen question, but it turned people inside out by clicking their tongues when they saw those who couldnt understand it. Chapter 531 Episode 531 Roll, roll (12) As Hwang Hee said, a meeting was held at Seunghwadang on the topic of the letter sent by the Portuguese regent. Hmm If there are 3,000 guns and 3,000 guns, what do you think the overall size of the army is? In response to Hyangs question, Jo Mal-saeng calcted for a moment and then answered the question. If you calcte it based on the information you have heard so far, the minimum is 30,000 and the maximum is 60,000. What if we use Joseon as the standard? Jo Mal-saeng answered Hyangs question right away. The number of soldiers belonging to onepany that has reached the maximum number ording to the new organization is 1,500, so it is enough to form twopanies. Hmm Listening to Jo Mal-saengs answer, the ministers did the math. * * * From the time of military reform in the early days of the Gyeongjang era, the military was organized by increasing its size in multiples of five, starting with the smallest unit, O (), consisting of five people. However, due tock of economic ability and iplete family registration, there were almost no units that were fully filled except in the north. This problem was solved after the captain entered the final stage. The size of thepany that was filled in this way was about 3,000 troops, which was the size of the troops deployed in the forts and camps installed at key strategic points in the north. * * * Isnt the size of a countrys army of 30,000 to 60,000 too small? Heo Hu, who was doing the math while listening to the conversation between Jo Mal-saeng and Hyang, asked a question with an expression on his face that something didnt seem right. All the other ministers nodded at Heo Hus point. When Joseon was founded, the size of the military determined byw was 300,000. It was thought that at that level, the safety of Joseon could be maintained even in the event of a considerable disturbance. Jo Mal-saeng immediately responded to Heo Hus point. If you look at the way they operate as mercenaries, it is not like the country directly organizes and operates an army. It is said that when war breaks out, private soldiers from nobles are mobilized and mercenaries are used a lot. Then who protects the monarch? It is said that the monarch alsomands his own army. Heo Hu clicked his tongue at Jo Mal-saengs answer. Tsk! Is this really your country? Hyang intervened in Heo Hus words. That is an area where superiority and inferiority cannot be determined between us and them because our history and customs are different. What we need to do now is study their military tactics and find an opening. Heo Hu bowed his head at the thorny words of Hyang. Please forgive my slip of the tongue. Please be careful. After giving Heo Hu his attention, Hyang moved on to the next step. Thanks to the fundsing from Portugal and Oirat, it will be easier to support Shinji next year. And the same goes for umting reserves. Thats right. It is truly a blessing in disguise. We will re-adjust our budget ordingly. In response to the Minister of Finance and Economys answer, Hyang slightly nodded and added. Please. ah! And, starting with Tsushima Ind, the Japanese in Tsushima Ind will return home next spring, so please pay attention to the funds that will be used to support them. yes. I will keep this in mind. The Minister of Finance and Economy responded to Hyangs request by bowing his head. * * * After that, the meeting continued a little longer. Most of the content of the meeting that followed was about the budget to be executed next year. The main subjects of the conversation were Hyang, Hwang Hee, Kim Jeom, and the Minister of Finance and Economy, and the other ministers were almost spectators. Most of what they could do was listen to the conversation and guess what the next year would bring. After the meeting, the ministers gathered again in the Prime Ministers conference room as always. As soon as we took our seats, the first person to speak was Jo Mal-saeng. Daegam Uichon. When ites to the defense budget, sufficient increases have already been made. Jo Mal-saeng twitched his lips and grumbled inwardly at Kim Jeoms answer, which was to nip it in the bud in the first ce, but he opened his mouth again. Still, I have to say something. Dont you think that His Majesty the Lord and the Crown Prince are focusing too much on God? The budget for new sites is increasing. Think of Shinjis size. Considering its size, the current budget is insufficient. In response to Kim Jeoms answer, Jo Mal-saeng nodded and continued his counterargument. Of course, considering Shinjis size, thats true. But Shinjis size is the problem. Isnt it possible to digest such a huge river area that can be called a continent all at once? However, the budget continues to increase. This breaks the harmony of budget execution. Even if most of what is done in Shinji is under the direction of the Chief Minister, this is a serious problem. The ministers present all nodded to Jo Mal-saengs point. They also had the experience of losing a war of words with the Ministry of Finance and Economy during the budget preparation process. However, regarding Shinji, the budget was set without any disagreement. Because of this, voices mixed with dissatisfaction were secretlying out from ministers of each department to low-ranking officials. No matter how much the work is personally led by His Majesty the Prime Minister, isnt this too much? Jo Mal-saeng continued speaking as he watched the reactions of the ministers who nodded slightly to his words. Looking at the current situation, it is not a situation where we should only focus on Shinji. First, lets look at the rtionship with Sang-guk. We are making a fuss and the Shangguk is not saying anything. But doesnt even you know that its not a very good rtionship? The problem is that this ufortable rtionship may not only turn into a hostile rtionship tomorrow, but may even confront each other to see the end. Next, lets look at the situation in Japan. Although Mr. Daenae has taken power, they and we both know that this is just the beginning. Mr. Daenae must also be well aware that in order for his regime to remain in power stably for a long period of time, it must break away from the military rule that has been maintained until now and change to civil rule. Because everything we learned and practiced in Joseon was rted to that. ah! Im still learning it now. And for such change, it is essential to eliminate the power of the samurai group symbolized by those called daimyo. It would be fortunate if this process was resolved through self-reliance, but then the problem of their own loss would be great. Therefore, the most likely method is to use up that force against external enemies. You mean that the Japanese government will use force against our Joseon? Hwang Hee, who was listening to the story, intervened and asked Jo Mal-saeng a question. Jo Mal-saeng answered Hwang Hees question right away. The most likely thing is to disguise themselves as Japanese pirates and disturb the Ming coastline, but we cant guarantee that they wont head to Joseon. Of course, I think it is most likely to target Daeseol Ind, not our Joseon headquarters. Do you think our Joseon will remain silent? Heo Hu stepped forward and responded to Kim Jeoms point. You would probably answer like this. This is an unexpected action by those who are dissatisfied with our policy. We dont know. If necessary, I will participate in the subjugation. Isnt it a loss for them? Hmm At Jo Mal-saeng and Heo Hus answer, Kim Jeom and Hwang Hee looked serious. Looking at the faces of the two, Jo Mal-saeng continued speaking. The situation is like this, but I am saying that more and more budget is being spent on newnd. Of course, it is more is better, but I am not iming that it must be increased unconditionally. However, the only request is to adjust the portion of the budget allocated to the military that flows to Shinji. Challenger-ss battleships and gship ships are steadilying out of the shipyards of Wonsan and Dongbing Port, but the size of the fleet remains virtually unchanged. because? Two-thirds of the new ships are being deployed on the New Earth route with less than half of their armament. The rest is to rece ships that have reached the end of their useful life or have been lost to natural disasters. In this situation, even if the budget has increased,ints will continue to arise. Although Jo Mal-saeng finished his remarks, the conference room was quiet. Other ministers were nodding to Jo Mal-saengs words, putting silent pressure on Kim Jeom and Minister of Finance and Economy Hwang Hee. What was surprising was Kim Jeoms reaction. At any other time, the person who would have immediately grabbed Jo Mal-saeng by the cor or screamed with spit flying from his mouth remained silent. Whoa~. Kim Jeom let out a long sigh and looked back at Hwang Hee. I guess I have to tell you now. That would be correct. After hearing Hwang Hees words, Kim Jeom stood up. Wait a moment. huh? Kim Jeom left the conference room without saying anything, and soon returned to the conference room carrying several thick books. Kim Jeom sat down and slowly opened his mouth. Actually, around the second half ofst year, the crown prince noticed signs of anxiety. And this was done after receiving written approval from His Majesty the Lord, the sessor to Shinji. Signs of anxiety? Seomyeon Jae? As more and more strange sounds continued, the eyes and ears of the ministers were all focused on Kim Jeom. Kim Jeom picked up one of the books he had brought and opened it. This chart here expresses the amount of money exported to the West through Alexandria over the past 10 years. Jo Mal-saeng, who looked at the bar graph that Kim Jeom held out, answered right away. Its steadily increasing. Whats the problem? If we connect the highest points of these sticks with a line Kim Jeom, who opened the next page at the same time as he exined, continued. The scale is increasing, but the rate of increase is decreasing. This means that it may not be long before it stagnates or decreases. Are those signs of anxiety? Kim Jeom nodded to Jo Mal-saengs question. exactly. Jo Mal-saeng immediately refuted Kim Jeoms answer. Even if it stagnates or decreases, isnt it still a significant amount? It seems like a guess, doesnt it? In response to Jo Mal-saengs rebuttal, Kim Jeom asked again. Dae-gam Sagok (Jo Mal-saengs pen name). Lets say the governor is the monarch of a country in the western region. Looking at the way the country is going, all of its national wealth is being sucked out to other countries. If you were a captain, would you just watch this? Jo Mal-saeng, who thought about Kim Jeoms words for a moment, answered in a somber voice. They will close the border immediately. At Jo Mal-saengs answer, Kim Jeom nodded and continued speaking. Most of the products sold in the western region are expensive luxury goods. If the countries in the western region close their doors, do you think we can handle all of those goods through our internal market alone? It would be impossible. If that happens, the number of people having problems with their livelihood will increase dramatically, and ss begging will once again cover the mountains and streams of Joseon. Heo Hu intervened in Kim Jeoms answer. Is that going to happen just because we cant sell luxury goods? It really seems like a guess this time, doesnt it? Hearing Heo Hus words, Kim Jeom picked up another book and opened it. This is an examination of trade with the Ming Dynasty. As you can see from the content, exports of luxury goods are still increasing, but goods produced inrge quantities and consumed inrge quantities, such as cotton, are actually decreasing. What this means is that an increasing number of people are using products produced in their own country that can only be made by selling inrge quantities. At Kim Jeoms words, Heo Hu muttered without realizing it. Jasan sisters? As soon as Heo Hu said anything, Kim Jeom nodded. Thats it. Chapter 532 Episode 532 Roll, roll (13) Not long before Hyang noticed signs of unrest, a report came to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that there was a strange movement going around among the intellectual ss of the Ming Dynasty. People from Ming countries should use products from Ming countries! That is loyalty! The intellectuals of the Ming Dynasty cried out in this way to encourage the purchase of products made by the upper ss of the Ming Dynasty. However, since there was no significant change in the amount of goodsing in through products sold by name, interest in the rumor quickly faded. However, when Hyang heard this rumor, he immediately felt a sense of crisis. There is now preventing the product promotion movement from taking ce in other countries during this period! Sensing a crisis, Hyang immediately gathered data, began analysis, and identified signs of anxiety. * * * Hyang noticed signs of anxiety and immediately sent a letter to King Sejong, who was staying at Shinji. It was a report written to find causal rtionships and danger signs hidden among a lot of data that seemed unrted to each other. If you are Abama, you will fully acknowledge the risk. I hope the answeres a little sooner. As if the origin of the scent had caught on, King Sejongs reply arrived immediately through Daum Daums regr service. Considering the duration of the voyage between Joseon and Shinji and the distance between the beachhead and King Sejongs location, this was a very quick response. I see you also recognized the seriousness of the matter. thank god. Hyang immediately broke the seal on the sealed letter. The sentences of the letter sent by King Sejong were short and simple, but the weight of the content was heavy. -Full authority is delegated to you, so do your best to resolve the crisis. Father believes in you. After checking the contents of the letter, Hyang smiled bitterly. Thest sentence is the scariest. Anyway, I got permission, so I have to move. * * * In this way, His Majesty the Crown Prince established a n, and the Prime Minister and I were put in charge of executing it. And because of the severity of the work, not only the crew but also the officers dont know about it. Kim Jeom, who had said that much, closed his eyes and leaned against the back of the chair with a relieved expression on his face. Jo Mal-saeng, who was looking at Kim Jeoms expression, looked back at Hwang Hee. Why didnt the Prime Minister tell us? We are also subjects of this Joseon Dynasty. In response to Jo Mal-saengs criticism, the other ministers nodded and said one thing at a time. Thats right! We are also subjects of Joseon! Im sorry if it was because you doubted our loyalty! Its better to have a nk sheet of paper. Did you forget to say? Why are you leaving us out? Arent we also unaware of the situation in Joseon? In order to truly know what is happening in all walks of life throughout Joseon, we must not be left out! Thats right! The more people put their heads together, the better the means and the faster the results can be achieved! In an instant, the conference room was filled with the voices of ministers voicing their condemnation. As the rain of criticism from the ministers subsided, Hwang Hee, who had kept her mouth shut until then, opened her mouth. This is why I kept my mouth shut. What kind of sophistry is that? Hwang Hee gave a short answer to Jo Mal-saengs sharp-eyed question. If you were to ask me to find the easiest and quickest means to solve problems between powerful countries and weak countries, especially issues that are close to the lives of the people, such as governance, whates to mind first? In response to Hwang Hees question, Jo Mal Saeng paused for a moment and then asked back. Are you really worried about armed conflict? In response to Jo Mal-saengs question, Hwang Hee nodded and Kim Jeom answered. On the road from Hanseong to Alexandria, is there any country other than Ming that can handle the power of Joseon? No, even with just the naval forces strength minus thend naval forces strength. Jo Mal-saeng immediately responded to Kim Jeoms words. Nothing except Cheonchukguk. ah! If we have enough time and support, we can upy the entire Heavenly Kingdom. After the upation? How will you maintain it after the upation? huh? That is Jo Mal-saeng trailed off in response to Kim Jeoms next question. Hwang Hee spoke at that sight. Therge and small countries along the sea route, such as Yugu Ind, Daewol, Mka, and Cheonchuk, all have a short history and experience resisting foreign powers. If we say that our country, Joseon, will use force, will they remain silent? Even if we, Joseon, have the power to annex them all, do we have the power to suppress all of their opposition in the future? Especially if the situation is like that, the Ming will support them. Do you have the power to win against the Ming and their alliance? Jo Mal-saeng answered Hwang Hees question in a somber voice. No. But Hwang Hee cut off Jo Mal-Saengs words as he was about to continue. But it might be possible if we focus our budget on the military. Then this country will be a military country! If that happens, the worst situation will happen where even His Majesty the Lord will take notice of the military and the unmanned regime of the previous era will be reborn! The ministers who had been criticizing Hwang Hee and Kim Jeom just a moment ago kept their mouths shut and their faces turned serious. Of course, there was a lot of discussion with the crown prince about whether to keep it secret or make it all public and follow the agreement. However, it was kept secret because there was a high possibility that it would adopt an active foreign policy using force. After Hwang Hee finished speaking, the ministers nodded. At that time, Kim Jong-seo, who had been quietly watching, opened his mouth. That said, it is also dangerous for a small number of people to secretly set and run the broad framework of state affairs. Secret room politics is also an expedient way to take a quick and easy route. If done incorrectly, government affairs may be corrupted. It should never be made into a routine. If you were so worried about the use of force, you should have been prepared to waste time and persuade the ministers. Thats the extent of it. But time Kim Jong-seo cut off Hwang Hee, who was about to talk about time efficiency. Isnt this a crisis that is just a day, two, or two years away? It is worth taking the risk to prevent the path to power maniption. Heo Hu questioned Kim Jong-seos im. If its the nature of a lowly crown prince, shouldnt we worry about that? Of course, I am also displeased that the work was carried out without me as the minister, but on the other hand, it is understandable. Kim Jong-seo shook his head at Heo Hus words. Im not worried about your temper. The problem lies ahead. With those words, Kim Jong-seo closed his mouth. However, no one knew what Kim Jong-seo wanted to say. -What if, in a situation where such secret politics has be the norm, the person who bes the next or next king is King Amgun? The ministers who thought about the situation at that time shook their heads without realizing it. Thats terrible. In the end, the situation was resolved with Hwang Hee stepping forward and apologizing. This is my negligence. I should have paid more attention, but I fell short. Im sorry. The mood among the ministers immediately softened after Hwang Hees apology. The reason they were able to soften so quickly was because Hwang Hee and Kim Jeom did not pursue the matter in secret due to personal greed. In such a softened situation, the first person to speak was Kim Jong-seo. I understood that the goal was to take control of the newnd instead of taking control of the countries in the southwestern region where markets had already been formed and the distance was close. What kind of goal has His Majesty the Lord set? Kim Jeom gave a short answer to Kim Jong-seos question. The ultimate goal is fame. Do you mean to seek fame? Or do you mean to grow it into a powerhouse simr to the Ming Dynasty? Its thetter. Let me exin a little more Kim Jeom, who had been pausing for a moment to look through the books, looked back at Hwang Hee. Im not prepared enough to exin it right now At Kim Jeoms words, Hwang Hee turned to the ministers. Id like to exin it properly tomorrow, is that okay? The ministers nodded to Hwang Hees suggestion. Lets do that. It is better to listen properly when listening. After reaching an agreement, the ministers stood up one by one and left the conference room. Jongseo has some left. Mr. Kim Jong -seo, who was about to cross the threshold when he heard Hwang Hees bloody voiceing from behind him, cursed under his breath and immediately turned around. Why are you doing that? You bastard! Did you really have to criticize me like that right here? Ive been asking you toe back for so long, and now youre stabbing me in the back! When Hwang Hee shouted, Kim Jong Seo also responded. So why do you hide it and make a Dongti! Who wants to hide it? You bastard! For the smooth operation of state affairs. I am the Minister of General Affairs! gun! radish! page! coffin! It is my job to run the overall administration of Joseon! You should have at least told me! . Hwang Hee, who had nothing to say at Kim Jong-seos point, immediately sighed. Whoa~. I raised a tiger cub. Yes, you raised me very well. By getting rid of it all. Hwang Hee shook her head at Kim Jong-seos words. The way a child over 60 speaks is so frivolous. I learned this from a person who is over 90 years old and still says, This child, that child, whenever he gets the chance. Get out you bastard! * * * The next day, the ministers gathered at Seunghwadang. The ministers gathered in the Seunghwadang conference room focused their attention on where Kim Jeom sat. Kim Jeom exined why he had ced books in front of him that seemed twice as old as yesterday. I have a lot to exin. It would be convenient to produce a chart or organize it into several sheets and print it inrge quantities, but it has be a bit cumbersome because there is a risk of confidential information being leaked. ah! I understand. The ministers nodded to Kim Jeoms exnation. After a while, Hyang entered the conference room and the ministers stood up and bowed to Hyang. Hyang, who returned the favor from the ministers and sat down, began his schedule by apologizing. I heard what happened yesterday. Everything happened because I insisted, not because it was the Prime Ministers fault. I made such a mistake due to my limited experience, so please forgive me. Oh no! To Hyangs apology, the ministers responded that it was okay. The atmosphere among the ministers receiving Hyangs apology was quite good. Even the Crown Prince was still a human being! If you look at the amount of work he has done so far, he is not befitting his age, but the crown prince is also a human being! In such a warm atmosphere, Kim Jeom got to the point. First of all, I would like you to turn to the open part of the book I am holding. At Kim Jeoms words, the ministers turned around and looked at the unfolded part. As you can see, trade with all other countries except Tianchuk is seeing a surplus. The reason is that we are at a significant loss against Cheonchuk. The ministers who were examining the contents all looked at Jo Mal-saeng. Its because of the cornerstone. The next day, Kim Jeoms exnation continued. Of course, most of the content was a more detailed exnation of yesterdays exnation, using more specific examples. And as we entered the second half of the meeting, we got into the main topic of Ming. Authors words. hello? This is Gukppong, who writes ck Enterprise Chosun. I am sorry to inform you that I have beente for two days in a row and that Mondays series has also been disrupted. I went to the hospital yesterday with abdominal pain and diarrhea. It turned out to be a simple stomach upset, so I took medication, but after that, I continued to pretend it was a shame. And it remains that way until now. Thanks to this, I failed to control my condition and caused a problem, so I am posting my apology. It is the writers duty not to cause problems in the series, and I am sorry for failing to do so. I will do my best to recover my condition as quickly as possible and keep my serial schedule. The Monday series is scheduled to be posted on Tuesday along with the Josam Mosa series. I cannot hide my regret for causing problems with the series. I hope all readers are in good health. Chapter 533 Episode 533 Rolling, rolling (14) This movement of self-generating sisters that is taking ce in the Ming should never be underestimated. As you can see from the data, sales are gradually decreasing, except for expensive luxury items and a few types of ironware, of which Joseon boasts overwhelming quality. In particr, sales of consumable items such as cotton that wear out quickly and must be consumed on a regr basis are decreasing significantly. The problem is that this is not just a movement in the Ming countries, but simr movements can also be seen in the Japanese countries and the western region. Unless it is a product that is overwhelmingly advanced in our country, we will insist on products produced domestically even if the quality is slightly lower. The ministers looked serious at Kim Jeoms words. In that atmosphere, the fragrance added its words. You must keep in mind that even in the case of luxury goods, sales may be forcibly blocked at any time. I still cant sell it because I dont have it right now? Heo Hu responded on behalf of Hyang to Jo Mal-saengs point. They are blocking it in the name of the God they believe in. If you say, Using something made by pagans is heresy, thats the end of it. No way Hearing Heo Hus words, the ministers looked incredulous. However, following Heo Hus words, the ministers were able to understand the situation. Why is everyone thinking, No way? Isnt it something you can understand just by thinking about our Joseon dynasty right now? Have you forgotten the efforts made by the government since the founding of the country? How much effort have been made to prevent the people from worshiping Buddhas or offering their wealth to shamans or shamans who are said to worship supernatural gods? But did you seed? Ah The ministers fell silent at Heo Hus point. Although she is now in Shinji, it wasmon for women, including Queen Soheon, who stayed in the royal pce, to call Buddhist monks and listen to sermons. And the women in the Eastern Pce were the same. Minister of Foreign Affairs. Yes sir. Hyang, who was just listening to the conversation between Heo Hu and the ministers, asked Heo Hu a question. I think I heard what you just said briefly before Abama went to Shinji. Has it be more severe? Heo Hu slightly shook his head in response to Hyangs question. As of now, the conversation is only happening among those who live in the northern part of thend called Europe. While listening to Heo Hus exnation, the ministers looked at the world mission posted on the wall of Seunghwadang. Kim Jeom, who was looking at the map and analyzing the situation of Europe that Heo Hu mentioned, asked Heo Hu. By that northernnd do you mean the northern territory of the country called the Holy Roman Empire? exactly. The ministers who were examining the territory of the Holy Roman Empire while listening to the conversation between Kim Jeom and Heo Hu all frowned. Thats a pain in the ass. What kind of country is this Its not even a patchwork Whats the use of it being so big The size of the Holy Roman Empire shown on the map was enormous. However, it was divided into small parts. Heohu walked in front of the map and continued his exnation. Thanks to thisplicated situation, I didnt pay much attention to it because I first heard the rumor. Even in the northern territories, there wasnt much sales, except for cities withmercial alliances. But this is where the problem lies. france. Heohu continued his exnation, pointing his finger at France. If you look at its size alone, it is only surpassed by the Holy Roman Empire, but it is thergest country in Europe. And unlike the patchwork-like Holy Roman Empire, the monarchs power is quite strong. If a country like this bans trade with Korea because of what I just said, the problem will escte. It is certain that small countries around the country will follow the actions of a powerful country. Hmm. Kim Jong-seo, among the ministers who were considering the situation with a serious look at Heo Hus words, asked Heo Hu. In a situation like this, why didnt the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pay attention? Heo Hu responded to Kim Jong-seosment with a slightly embarrassed expression. Until Captain Uichon said this, I had dismissed it as a simple religious issue. At those words, the ministers all nodded and stopped further criticism. The reason the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made such a judgment was because it seemed reasonable. It was a religious issue that Westerners believed in, and it could have been rted to politics, but it was not easy to think about the economic aspect. Meanwhile, Hyang, who was sitting at the head table and listening to the ministers conversation, nodded slightly. Was it really a question of the amount of information? The Joseon officials he saw were not stupid at all. In particr, the sight of him debating based on Neo-Confucianism was truly admirable. Those who were trained in this way evolved as they learned to ept and digest enormous amounts of information through the sutra. And those who have evolved in that way often make sharp analyzes and judgments that sometimes sting. And the pinnacle of these people was, of course, the off-standard Sejong. But there is a problem. The problem Hyang thought was runaway. Since I was used to thinking and discussing metaphysics, I sometimes showed a tendency to go too far ahead. Like right now. Foreign Minister. Can I ask you a question? Yes, I will do my best to answer. Did the religious movement you were concerned aboute from the Vatican? No. It is said to be mainly circting in the northern region of the Holy Roman Empire. Are the Western monks in that region close to the Vatican? No. Its quite hostile. What is the reaction from France and other regions? Im not sure about that yet. This is because there are significant restrictions on obtaining information. This is because what I have just told you is based on rumors that came from the upper echelons of Alexandria and Portugal. Hyang pointed out the problem in Heo Hus answer. Thats the problem. Most of the information currently avable about the West Region is rumor. Rumors are based on chimsobongdae. Therefore, I think it is best to pay attention but avoid making predictions in advance. Heo Hu bowed his head at Hyangs point. I will keep this in mind. After Heo Hus answer, Hyang summarized the situation. ruler! I feel like Ive gotten quite sidetracked, so lets go back to the beginning. The movement of jasan sisters that is taking ce in the Ming Dynasty is a problem, but there were other problems, right? Kim Jong-seo came forward and responded to Hyangs words. Yes, thats right. Captain Uichon once said, The goal of Joseon is Ming. Kim Jeom came forward and responded to Kim Jong-seos remarks. You probably didnt think we would actually pursue Ming, did you? Kim Jong-seo immediately denied Kim Jeoms question. Everyone knows that it is Sotamdaesil who is actually pursuing the Ming. But I am worried that they are aiming for fame. The other ministers nodded at Kim Jong-seos answer. Among those ministers, there was an unexpected person: Cho Mal-saeng, the Minister of National Defense. When the other ministers looked surprised, Jo Mal-saeng immediately answered. Why are you doing that? No, I was surprised that the Commander-in-Chief reacted like that. The military conducts all kinds of research as well as road battles against neighboring countries, including the Ming Dynasty, every day. Probably the people who most keenly realize the difference between the Ming and the Ming would be our military. The problem is that its not something to brag about, but Are you confident in your defense? Jo Mal-saeng answered Hwang Hees question right away. I am confident in my defense! In response to Jo Mal-saengs answer, Hwang Hee nodded and looked at Kim Jeom. Then thats enough. Captain Uichon. yes. Keuhum! Jeom Kim cleared his voice by clearing his throat and continued speaking. What our Joseon aims for is not Mings territory or people, but Mings governing ability. Government ability? Suppose every country in the world were to ban trade with other countries and enter istion. Even in such a situation, Myeong is the only country that can steadily develop with its own capabilities. Lee Sa-cheol, the Minister of Education, asked a question in response to Kim Jeoms words. Isnt our Joseon capable of bing self-reliant? Even if ites to the worst case scenario. If all the people farm and weave at home, are you worried about national istion? At the moment of smell, everyone except Lee Sa-cheol clicked their tongues at once. Tsk! Lee Sa-cheol, taken aback by the reactions of those around him, hurriedly added. Worst case, worst case! I also do not know that not only farmers but also industrialists are important! I too am the minister of this country! I know that much! Despite Lee Sa-cheols protests, the other ministers slightly shook their heads and looked away. Kim Jeom, who was ring at Lee Sa-cheol as if he were going to eat him, red onest time and continued his exnation. Even if all countries face istion, there are two biggest backgrounds for people to grow on their own. One is an unparalleled wide river area and the other is an equally unparalleled poption. Do you know what the poption is now? Heo Hu answered Kim Jeoms question right away. I heard it exceeded 70 million three years ago. Kim Jeom nodded at Heo Hus words. Thats right. And it is expected that it will take less than 10 years to reach 80 million. 80 million. Its not like a chicken raising its chicks. No matter how hard we try, were barely over 15 million. The ministers shook their heads at the enormous figure. He shook it loudly. Looking at the ministers, Kim Jeom continued. The current emperor ys a major role in making this possible. Unlike his grandfather, the Yongle Emperor, the current emperor never undertakesrge-scale expeditions. This was exactly what Kim Jeom said. Emperor Xiande, the current Ming emperor, never carried out external conquests. If we look at the conquest during the time of Emperor Yongle, one million people were mobilized for the conquest. And thats five times. Now, lets think about it. Most of the men selected as soldiers are the most vigorous young men. However, because there was no conquest, millions of young men started families and had children, which is why the poption increased like that. Kim Jong-seo muttered without realizing it at Kim Jeoms exnation. It is said that even if millet rolls a hundred times, it cannot keep up with one rolling pumpkin The ministers all nodded at Kim Jong-seos words. Looking at the ministers like that, Kim Jeom continued. This result did note about because the current emperor simply did not conquer. The current emperor is someone who did not hesitate to introduce Joseons systems and technology if necessary. Thats why were focusing our efforts right now on digesting Shinji. Kim Jeom walked in front of the map of the world hanging on the wall and continued talking while moving his hand between Chosun and Shinji. This long route between our Joseon homnd and newnd! If we utilize this long sea route properly and properly build railways within the newnd, those who make a living by moving people and products can continue to grow! And with Shinjisrgend, the problem of food self-sufficiency can be solved! With resources like iron, copper, and coal that are still being discovered, industry can grow steadily! Above all, if we obediently treat those living in the newnd as our people, we can increase the poption even more quickly! Kim Jeom, who had said that far, kept his mouth shut. However, none of the ministers opened their mouths easily. This was because I was busy reviewing and analyzing the information I had just heard. Chapter 534 Episode 534 Rolling, rolling (15) The first person to break the silence was Kim Jong-seo. There seem to be some problems. If products were to travel along that route, the risks due to distance and climate would be significant. Then, I think the burden of additional transportation costs will be a problem. Thats the first problem, and the second is that Shinji only ys the role of supplying food and resources to the main ind and consuming products. They are people too, and if they look at the circumstances, they will realize the injustice, and it seems likely that a movement of asset sisters will take ce in Shinji as well. Many ministers tilted their heads at Kim Jong-seos point. ording to the records Ive received so far, they dont have proper food, clothing, and shelter? Kim Jong-seo seemed to know what the ministers were thinking and immediately spoke. Right now, the indigenous people of Shinji are not properly equipped with food, clothing, and shelter, but if we learn the writings and culture of Joseon and learn about its culture, the situation can change. Consider the example of an aftershock. Ah The ministers finally nodded at Kim Jong-seos next words. Kim Jeom, who was listening to the ministers reactions, opened his mouth again. I have no intention of limiting Shinji to a ce where we only supply what weck and consume what is left. Of course, thats the easiest way. But if that happens, it will be difficult to keep Shinji in the arms of Joseon. And if Shinji leaves, it wont be long before were in deep trouble. So, what Your Majesty the Lord and we havee up with is to form a loose but strongmunity, and I think what makes that possible is fairpetition and evaluation. Lee Sa-cheol immediately refuted Kim Jeoms words. Is fairpetition and evaluation possible? Have you forgotten that people have prejudices? Kim Jeom responded to Lee Sa-cheols rebuttal with a wry smile. Did you forget? What did Captain Bangchon say? Captain Bangchon? Kim Jeoms words reminded Lee Sa-cheol, who was looking at Hwang Hee, of what Hwang Hee had said before. Isnt it natural to raise an ox, a cow, a yellow cow, or a ck cow if they are good at it? Lee Sa-cheol remembered Hwang Hees words and nodded without realizing it. Right. If you act recklessly with prejudice, you may fall victim to the authorities. exactly. Among those who work in this court and receive government favors, there are already more than one person from foreign countries, and there is now preventing them from bing party superiors in the future. And over time, those prejudices will disappear. Hyang muttered to herself at Kim Jeoms words. If you make a mistake, there is a high risk of falling into a merit-first mentality. But before Hyang could open his mouth, Lee Sa-cheol argued again. But if you do something wrong, only ability takes precedence over everything, and ability can act as an iron fist that prevents all mistakes. Kim Jeom immediately responded to Lee Sa-cheols rebuttal. Isnt it the role of education to prevent that? Thats true Lee Sa-cheol trailed off. Seeing Lee Sa-cheol like that, Hwang Hee opened her mouth. Before Gyeongjang, there were only a few people nearby who knew about Joseon. But now, countries far away know our Joseon, and our Joseon also knows them. And there is no other word to describe the current situation in which they are making enormous profits from them other than the term horsepower. Hwang Hee, who turned 9 this year, straightened her back and spoke in a clear voice. In this urgent situation, in order for our Joseon national body to continue wlessly, we must be one step ahead of others! To do that, we must focus on a persons ability, not his skin! Of course, as Vice Admiral Seongji (Lee Lee Sa-cheol) said, there can be negative consequences from falling into a merit-first system! But that part must be prevented through education! I think that is the job of education! You must not forget the non-human, non-human, non-human, non-human virtue! Hwang Hee said the famous words from Wang Hee-ji and red at Lee Sa-cheol. The ministers who saw that gaze all thought the same thing. The good times of visiting the Holy Land are gone This was the same for Lee Sa-cheol, the person involved. Im going to get a lot of criticism from now on. The evaluation of Lee Sa-cheol, who seeded Jo Gye-saeng as Minister of Education, was not good. We are good at maintaining and improving the status quo, but we are not good at moving forward. The reason why a person who specialized in maintaining the status quo became Minister of Education in King Sejongs government, which emphasized reform, was because of his excellent ability to maintain the status quo. Through Gyeongjang, many educational institutions were created, starting with the Social Democratic Institute, and new systems were created. Of course, there were no side effects, and in this situation, someone was needed to maintain the system steadily. Therefore, Lee Sa-cheol was chosen as the right person. * * * As things started to fall off to the side more often, the story of Kim Jeom, which took a long time, came to an end and the incense was put into order. I think you understood the exnation given by the Left Deputy Prime Minister well. Thats why Im putting my best effort into digesting Shinji now. If Shinji is properly digested, Joseon will be a country that cannot treat the Ming Dynasty carelessly. Of course, our Joseon is a country that dreams of the royal politics that the ancient sage spoke of and considers Hongik Ingan as the best. Therefore, we will not try to force you into submission like everyone else, and we will live like brothers with all the countries in the world. But even if they are brothers, isnt the older brother better than the younger brother? So please do your best. All the ministers bowed their heads in response to Hyangs request. I will keep this in mind! I will reform my bones! Later, historians evaluated this day as the day when Joseon once again solidified its national system. As time passed, the country that King Sejong, Hyang, and his ministers dreamed of came to be called by various names such as Joseon Federation Empire, Joseon Federation, and Korea. However, evaluations from other countries were not so good. Its true that hes a smart guy, but he knows that too well, so hes a bad guy. These guys fight among themselves to think theyre better, but if someone touches them outside, they band together and beat them up as a group. * * * After the meeting, the ministers left Seunghwadang one by one. Look at Jibong (֥). Hwang Bo-in turned his head when he heard Kim Jong-seos voice calling him. Why are you doing that? Work rted to legition is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice, right? Hwang Bo-in nodded to Kim Jong-seos question. yes. This is done by the Legitive Review Board under the Ministry of Justice. Why do you do that? I think there will be a cry from there soon, so prepare in advance. Hwang Bo-insplexion became serious at Kim Jong-seos words. C One tip is a person that would make even Park Soo (male shaman) cry. Kim Jong-seo, whom Hwang Bo-in knew, was this kind of man. And that person was now giving a warning. Why does a wailing sound suddenlye out in the middle of the night? Think about it. There is now talk about federalism and all, but is this something that will end with just a few words and a few sentences? Of course, aw rted to this will be made. No matter how much wee from the Confucian school of Neo-Confucianism, dont we not know the importance ofw? Hwang Bo-in nodded at Kim Jong-seos exnation. I see. It must be a big problem. I need to prepare in advance. No sooner had Hwang Bo-in finished speaking than Kim Jong-seo continued. Thats not the only problem. We will have to makews suitable for the newnd. Wouldnt it be okay to use the already existing Joseon Gyeonggukjeon or Sokyukjeon for that part? Kim Jong-seo shook his head at Hwang Bo-ins words. Thend is different, the people living there are different, and the customs are different. Do you think Gyeonggukjeon will work properly? And looking at the reports that were posted, it was said that the indigenousmunities in Shinji had quite excellent systems, even though they did not have proper food, clothing, and shelter. Your Majesty the Lord will definitely not miss it. At Kim Jong-seos words, Hwang Bo-in stopped and was lost in thought. Should we send additional people to Shinji. That is also an option, but I think the Prime Minister will definitely send a draft. At Kim Jong-seos words, Hwang Bo-in reflected on King Sejongs actions and felt a little relieved. Then it will be a little less burdensome. Can you say something like that after going through all this time with His Majesty the Lord and the Crown Prince? Were they ordinary people? Shinji, I dont know because its far away, but if you dont want Seunghwadang to click their tongues right away, you need to prepare well. At Kim Jong-seos words, Hwang Bo-in froze in white. Seeing Hwang Bo-in like that, Kim Jong-seo lightly tapped Hwang Bo-in on the shoulder. So, prepare well in advance. Im going first~. After saying those words, Hwang Bo-in muttered softly while looking at the back of Kim Jong-seo, who was walkingnguidly. What the fuck are you giving me medicine in exchange for a bottle? Should I feed that snout some tonic * * * Meanwhile, Hyang, who was sorting out documents at Seunghwadang and reviewing the situation, burst intoughter. As expected, analysis and judgment are the best Satisfied with the sight of the ministers showing such outstanding analysis and judgment that it was hard to believe they were people from the early Joseon Dynasty, Hyang took out a nk sheet of paper. The next generation like Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in are useful, but legends are legends You have to use them while you have them. In times like this, its really fortunate that Abama has welded the official cap. While Hyang was muttering and making some kind of n, all of the party officials, including Hwang Hee, shivered from an unknown chill. * * * The rolling and rolling days continued like this. We need to recruit additional craftsmen to the Area 51 Arsenal? yes. Hyang, who was checking the report on manpower recruitment that Wan brought, asked Wan again. Even now, there are quite a few craftsmen working in the armory. Do we need to add more? Is this really necessary? If there are too many people, the likelihood of security problems increases. Wan immediately responded to Hyangs point. As you can see from the report, with our current manpower, it is difficult to meet the delivery deadline for the long guns ordered not only by our military but also by Portugal. Hmm Hyang listened to Wans words and looked at the numbers and tried to calcte them. Considering the final inspection and inspection process, 3,000 bags over the next five months. Then 600 bags per month. 30 sacks a day, considering holidays. Unlike before, in the case of gun barrels, theye in a pre-processed state, and there is no need to sell steel wire, so why are we short on people? yes. There is a backlog of work on upgrading the armored long guns currently used by the military into flexible long guns, and there is also a backlog of work on inspecting and repairing cannons that need to be delivered to Oirat. We are short on manpower. Its a bit much work, but its not enough to require a new one Hyang, who couldnt understand even after hearing the report and Wans exnation, stood up. It wont work! Lets go to Area 51 together! yes? * * * Arriving at the armory located in Area 51, Hyang immediately inspected the site and analyzed the problems. Hyang, who was wandering around the armory and analyzing problems, soon found the cause. Was it really a problem with the line? By establishing a mass production system through division ofbor, the Hyang established an appropriate production line. However, asrger quantities were produced and steam engines were introduced, the line configuration became inefficient. I need to make improvements Hyang, who was thinking about finding a solution, found the answer in his memory. Stop work immediately ande to the parade ground immediately! yes? yes. The solution Hyang came up with was from a movie about the founding of an internationally famous hamburgerpany. After drawing an imaginary line with lime on the parade ground and arranging the artisans, the county continued to move the arrangement of the artisans around to find the optimal arrangement. Finally, after struggling all day, Hyang found the best arrangement and turned to Wan. You recorded that batch, right? yes. I will change the arrangement immediately. Good luck. ah! I would also like a copy of the records. yes? yes. After receiving the copy, Hyang immediately went to the research center and looked for Jeong In-ji. I hope to create a department that studies how to produce more efficiently. The report that was smelled as soon as it was spoken had the title Production Studies (tentative name) written on it. It was the beginning of a discipline called industrial engineering in history before the intervention of fragrances. Chapter 535 Episode 535 Conspiracy (1) The 28th year of King Sejongs reign (1446, Byeongin year), as soon as spring came, the Portuguese merchants immediately visited Joseon. I guess you came early? Sangsangju responded with a smile to the words of a customs official with whom he was somewhat acquainted. ah! The wind was great! exactly? Im going to be very lucky this year! You came a month early! Ah haha, right? thank you. Sangsangju responded with a smile as best he could when he said something that he couldnt tell if he really liked it or was criticizing it. So, there has been one more ship? Hey~. Do you think business is really going well? Ah, yes, yes The ship that came with it was 3,000 rifles produced at the Area 51 Arsenal, a mold for making spherical lead bullets suitable for the caliber of the rifle, and a medicine gun containing bullets and gunpowder. Boxes containing 15,000 bags were loaded one after another. While it was being loaded, merchants and soldiers from Portugal, Joseons customs and military officers in charge of transportation, and interpreters on both sides stood side by side and checked the cargo. 15,000 packets of medicine Thats a huge amount. The military officer smiled and responded to the words of the customs official inspecting the cargo while looking at the cargo list. The number of 15,000 bags may seem great, but in reality, it is not that big a deal. Because each bag only returns five bags. Those five bars are just for confirmation. For confirmation? The military officer answered the officials question by pointing a finger. The two rods are used to check whether there are any problems with the long gun during the transport process, and the other three rods are used to check whether the rifle is properly ced at the intended location. To enter a real battle, you must have at least 60 bags per bag. You need 60 peaks to have a proper battle. Is that so? The official nodded at the military officers words and focused his attention on the inspection. Meanwhile, the Portuguese officers who had been listening to the Joseon military officer through an interpreter next to them looked at each other in surprise. 60 rounds in one battle? Do Koreans fight all day long? But 60 rounds is too much. The Portuguese officers shook their heads with an expression ofplete iprehension. * * * Looking at the battles that took ce in Europe during this period, the musketeers going into battle had two lead bullets in their mouths. This was for fast and smooth reloading, and in most cases, no more than two shots were fired. Of course, they carried barrels containing a single bullet and a single dose of gunpowder, nicknamed the 12 Apostles, but unless it was a really fierce battle, two bullets were the maximum. This situation urred because of problems with the loading method and short range. This was because the musketeers were not given time to load more than two rounds unless there was strong cover. * * * Because of this background, the Portuguese officers were unable to understand what the Joseon military officer said. No matter how much I think about it, it seems like an exaggeration. yes? In the end, they came to distrust the words of the Joseon military officers. If they had known the identity of the real armored rifle used by the Joseon army, the characteristics of the Korean people themselves, and the tactics of the Joseon army, their conclusions would have been different. The copper cap, or detonator, reced the three steps in the reloading process C opening the igniter cap, inserting the igniter, and closing the lid. In addition, the rifling engraved on the barrel ensured greater uracy and longer range. And the oil covering the gunpowder and bullets made reloading easier. Lastly, the Joseon armys strategy of focusing on defense provided safe cover for the musketeers. And the unique impatient nature of the Korean people allowed them to achieve a faster reloading speed than the musketeers of any other country. * * * The Portuguese ship loaded with the ordered guns, anciry equipment, and other shipbuilding products set sail with minimal rest. After receiving the report, Hyang looked at the ministers. Seeing how quickly they move, it looks like they have made up their minds. The ministers all nodded at Hyangs words. Thats right. I heard that the discord between Spain and Portugal has deepened, but it seems that Portugal has finally made up its mind. The local government and ministers expected that Portugal was about to engage in a confrontation with Spain. This was because I had heard that the two countries and neighboring countries were going through a serious dispute over hegemony over the Mediterranean and African continents. It was the most reasonable decision in a situation where we did not know what Florences Cosimo de Medici had secretly aplished. * * * June, 28th year of King Sejongs reign. On the northeastern border of Joseon, the Oirat and Joseon forces were in contact. 120 siege guns and 900 rounds of gunpowder. Has confirmed. Here is the price. Representatives from Oirat and Joseon began to check the items brought by each other. With Oirat warriors and Joseon cavalry ring at each other surrounding the exchange site, the messengers from both sides, who had sessfullypleted the confirmation process, politely bowed. It was a good deal. So do we. I hope this will be of great help in catching the thieves. thank you. After exchanging goodbyes, both sides turned their backs. * * * -The transaction with Oirat waspleted sessfully. After receiving the report, Hyang looked at Heo Hu. Please organize the envoy group. I n to go myself. At Heo Hus answer, not only Hyang but all the ministers looked at Heo Hu with suspicious looks on their faces. Heo Hu was the son of Heo Jo, who rose to the rank of Left State Councilor. As the son of Heo Jo, who was synonymous with principle, principle, and always speak straight, Heo Hu also had a strong side in that regard. In the end, I had to ask about the fragrance out loud. I have to fool the emperor, is that okay? You are not my emperor, so what are you worried about? Hyang felt reassured by Heo Hus answer and came to a conclusion. Please take care of me. * * * Fifteen dayster, He Hu visited the Forbidden City and spoke to Emperor Xuan De. You worked hard to get here with your old man. Hwang Eun is devastated. Long live, long live, long live. Heo Hu looked at Emperor Seondeoksplexion while chanting three cheers. Because it was impious to look directly at the face of a monarch, he looked at Emperor Seondeoksplexion while chanting three cheers. You look even worse than when I received the report. The look of sickness deepened on Emperor Seondeoks face as he received Heo Hus courtesy. It hasnt been long since a regr envoy visited, so what is the reason why an envoy who can be said to be Joseons royal envoy suddenly arrived? Has something untoward urred within Joseon? In response to Emperor Seondeoks question, Heo Hu cautiously opened his mouth. Sosin hase personally because I have something important to report to Your Majesty regarding Oirat. At Heo Hus words, Emperor Seondeok, who was sitting leaning on the throne, straightened his body. Oiratwa? Tell me whats going on. yes. At themand of Emperor Seondeok, Heo Hu reported selling artillery to Oirat. Though it is an extremely small number of 120 gates, the Crown Prince sent a message because he was worried that it could be a cause for concern for the Shang Dynasty and that His Majesty might be ufortable with our Joseon Dynasty. You mean the Crown Prince of Joseon sent you? So it is. Among the subjects of the Ming Dynasty who were present in response to Heo Hus response, a letter of illness came forward. Your Majesty, I would like to ask the envoy of Joseon, so please allow me. Its okay. After obtaining permission from Emperor Seondeok, the sick letter was immediately submitted to Heo Hu. Why did Joseon sell so many artillery pieces, as many as 120 guns, to Oirat masters? When asked about the sick report, Heo Hu immediately epted it. The number of 120 questions may seem like a lot, but it is not truly arge number! Even the smallest of the Joseon naval forces fronts carries 20 artillery pieces. Its only enough to arm 6 front-line ships, and even the 6 smallest front-line ships! The moment they heard Heo Hus answer, the Ming ministers, including Emperor Seondeok, nodded without realizing it. Ah, these are the kind of people the Koreans were. * * * In the eyes of Ming Dynasty people, Joseon army = artillery. Joseon was a country where at least 3 to 4 artillery pieces were deployed, no matter how small the garrison was. The same was true in the case of the navy. The Joseon navys love of artillery was famous among the Ming Dynasty navy. The Joseon navy are the ones who would load artillery on a raft if they could. * * * Since they said, We want to purchase artillery to suppress the bandits who are damaging their trade, our Joseon Dynasty had no justification not to sell! And that number was only 120. However, because Oirat may make a foolish decision and be a cause for concern for the country, I am informing Your Majesty! In response to Heo Hus ims, the military inspector had to keep quiet. This was because the justification was clear and it was difficult to refute the statement that the number was notrge by Korean standards. Please step down from your illness. It is true that there is no injustice in the envoys words. Yes, Your Majesty. Emperor Seondeok, who handed over the sick note, asked Heo Hu. So the crown prince of Joseon sent an envoy? yes. Are you afraid we might misunderstand? yes. Then didnt you think that it would have been better to tell us before selling? He doesnt look like the famous Crown Prince of Joseon. Emperor Seondeoks words were mixed with suspicion and sarcasm. It was a suspicion that it was suspicious that Hyang, who was known to be smart, had made this decision, and a sarcasm that if it was true, it was worse than the rumor. Heo Hu immediately responded to Emperor Seondeoks words. The Crown Prince said this. Joseon is a small country. Shouldnt we take care of the wealth we can get? Puhahahaha! As soon as Heo Hu finished answering, Emperor Seondeok burst intoughter. Seon Deok-je, whoughed to the point of tears, answered while wiping away the tears from his eyes. Hes like the rumored crown prince. He looks like a crown prince. Whoa~. After catching his breath from all theughter, Emperor Seondeok spoke to Heo Hu. Hear the envoy and tell it to the crown prince. It is truly thankful and beautiful that the crown prince is concerned about the worries of his superiors. Also, working hard to enrich the country is also a beautiful thing. However, always keep in mind the saying, So-tam-da-sil. Preach these words without fail. Heo Hu bowed his head in response to Emperor Seondeoksmand. I will certainly do so. After hearing Heo Hus answer, Emperor Seondeok made a decision. good night. I will not me Joseon for this incident. But remember, there is no next time. I will keep this in mind! Long live, long live, long live! * * * After finishing their business, Hehu and his party left the Forbidden City with minimal rest. That night, Emperor Seondeok smiled as he looked at the map hanging in his room. It seems like the crown prince of Joseon has put his mind to it, and it seems like a good opportunity for me as well. Emperor Seondeoks gaze was fixed on the fluctuations of the map. Thanks to Oirats movement, it looks like a tailwind is starting to blow. Hopefully, well be able to deal with all the troubles at once. Chapter 536 Episode 536: Conspiracy (2) While a war of wits with the Ming or what could be called a blind-face was going on over the Oirat issue, Joseon was still busy moving about. The biggest thing among them was the migration of Tsushima residents to Joseon, starting with the flight from Tsushima. Japanese ships filled with Tsushima Ind residents headed for Dongrae, escorted rather than escorted by Joseon naval front lines. The Japanese from Tsushima Ind who arrived in Dongnae recovered from their illness in a camp prepared by Joseon. After taking a break, the Japanese in Tsushima Ind headed to the railway station under the watchful eye of the Joseon military. Wow! Beep! thud! Wow! Its an oni! Oni! Namu Amitabha Buddha! Namu Amitabha Buddha! The residents of Tsushima Ind who saw the iron horse causing a heavy vibration with a loud whistle sound went into an uproar. Calm down! Thats the train youll be riding on! Calm down! After the Joseon soldiers from Hang-wae () shouted and struggled, the residents disturbance subsided. When themotion subsided, the residents looked at the iron horse with faces full of curiosity. Thats the rumored iron horse Thats amazing Look at how big it is. The residents of Tsushima Ind, who had been looking at the iron horse with curious eyes, boarded the train and headed north. The ce chosen for their residence was Nokdundo Ind. And the lower-level samurai who moved with them became members of the Pocheong (d), which was in charge of security in the area. In this way, low-level samurai who became Pocheong police officers were selected under thorough surveince and evaluation by Korean Podo military officers. * * * Unlike the residents of Tsushima Ind and low-ranking samurai who went directly north, the inds leader, Todoungwa ( So Sadamori) and the Shoni n (ُr) went up to Hanseong via another vehicle. Dodoungwa, who was sitting in the passenger seat and looking at the scenery beyond the window, sighed softly. You missed the opportunity because of your pride * * * During thest conquest of Tsushima Ind, Dodoungwa acknowledged the need to invade Joseon and at the same time demanded that the residents be relocated to Joseon and provide suitablend or inds. They were able to protect Tsushima Ind by using brinkmanship tactics. Dodoungwas pride was greatly damaged by this alone. However, as the Joseon navy became powerful at an incredible rate, the opportunity for revenge disappeared. And giving up the military port to the Joseon navy due to the overwhelming difference in power inflicted an indelible wound on Dodoungwas pride. From then on, Dodoungwapletely closed his eyes and ears to Joseon. Even though he was able to obtain information about Joseon through Dojus vassals and merchants who traveled to Joseon for trade, Dodoungwa strongly opposed it. Anyone who opens their mouths about Joseon in front of me will immediately be truthful! And the result was the current situation. The people he ruled were taken away by Joseon, and he lost all his official positions and was left to hope for Joseons mercy. Looking at the scenery outside the window, Dodoungwamented his situation. If we had properly looked into the situation and made an effort, we could have escaped this situation * * * After arriving at Hanseong, Dodoungwa and the Shawnee group headed to Gyeongbokgung Pce. When Do Do-woong and his party arrived at the front yard of Geunjeongjeon at Gyeongbokgung Pce, local government officials came out to greet them. Wee to Joseons embrace. I hope you can live in peace in the arms of Joseon. After giving a short wee speech, Hyang left and Hwang Hee stayed behind to deal with the group. First, I will tell you where the Doju family will live. I have already prepared a ce for you near Heunginjimun, so you can stay there. Thank you. And since the reward will be paid until the governor dies, there is no need to worry about poverty. The bonus to be paid every month will be a vice-minister level bonus. Thank you. In response to Hwang Hees exnation, Do Do Woong Wa continued to bow his head and say thank you. Subsequently, a residence was also assigned to the Soi family. We have prepared a ce for you to live near Gwanghuimun. The two eldest brothers will be paid a sry equivalent to that of a manager every month. Thank you. The Shawnee brothers also bowed their heads in gratitude at Hwang Hees words. For them, this alone was a blessing in disguise. Ouchi, the familys enemy, had not only taken control of the Kyushu region but also all of Japan. It would have been a much better choice to put down roots in Joseon. Hwang Hee, who was exining her residence and treatment, continued with an expression that seemed to indicate she had forgotten something. ah! You forgot this. The payment of Bongrok I just mentioned applies only while the parties are alive. If the person concerned dies, only the eldest son will be treated downgraded to level 1. And when the eldest son dies, the payment of Bongrok will stop. Therefore, if you want your descendants to live in peace, encourage them to constantly cultivate their studies and achieve sess. Yes. This is not discrimination, but is applied equally to all of our Joseon royal family and public servants, so I hope you wontin. yes. * * * Joseons method of treating people of national merit, such as members of the royal family and public servants, was firmly established through the process of founding the country and the civil service. In the case of the royal family, in the case of a grand prince, the eldest son was appointed as a prince. And the military was the only ce where bonuses were paid to rtives of the royal family. Afterwards, he was recorded as a member of the royal family, but there was no title. The same was true in the case of public servants. Only those with meritorious merit received support from the state. In a departure from this custom, there were cases where support was provided even to grandchildren C but only to descendants. These included people who died or were injured in war or in the process of maintaining public order. -He lost his life or was maimed in the process of protecting his country and people, so it is natural to honor and emte his actions. Its best to get rid of ridiculous ways of thinking like, When you need it, my child, and when something happens, your child. * * * Meanwhile, the Portuguese ship that left Joseon arrived safely in Suez. The Portuguese sailors who got off the ship after dropping anchor in Suez shook their heads as they looked at the Korean ships unloading next to them. Its a lot bigger, but its hard to chase after it Joseons challenger-ss ships and their improved merchant ships were famous for theirrge size, but they were even more famous for their speed. Even when fully loaded, there were no ships that could chase the Challenger ss if the wind was right. The interesting thing was that, except for the first year or two, the Challenger ss never sailed with all sails. The reason for this was the strong firepower, another characteristic of the challenger-ss front. As it was not umon for a fairlyrge pirate fleet to be annihted by a single Challenger-ss ship, the merchant ships of countries trading with Joseon moved along with the Challenger-ss ships. It was amon sight for merchant ships traveling the Joseon route to follow the challenger-ss battle line like ducklings swimming after their mother duck. Thanks to this, we no longer had to sprint to keep pace with those merchant ships. On the contrary, the pirates were bing more and more difficult to conduct business and were crying. This was because the Joseon Navys naval ports were built in Yugu and Temasek (now Singapore), making it difficult for them to move freely. The existence of a military port was a threat, but a bigger problem was the wires deployed at the military port. Fucking Hae-eung! The pirates cursed the sea emergency lines stationed at those military ports. Because it was smaller than the challenger-ss front, it could not move as far, but its speed was the problem. The speed of response was easily overtaking the challenger-level front lines. Once it was caught by the emergency front, that was the end of it. The pirates had to choose between surrendering under a white g and being imprisoned or being sunk and bing meat. Escape was a case of extreme luck. Funnily enough, when such a case urred, tributes poured into temples and shrines near the pirates stronghold. Keeping in mind the short operational radius of the sea emergency front, some pirates attempted to operate outside of it, but they too did not end well. This was because the ces they chose either had no merchant ships at all or moved together with challenger-level battle lines. * * * The Portuguese ship, which did its best to anchor in Suez along the challenger-level front, headed straight for Alexandria. Every time they transported goods, they had to endure the territorial aggression of Alexandrian merchants, but now they had no other option. This was because regions other than Alexandria did not have adequate port facilities and were overflowing with bandits. Therefore, amon opinion was formed among Portuguese merchants. We need our own port that is closer and safer to Suez than Alexandria. For this, we can cooperate as much as we want. The Portuguese cargo that arrived in Alexandria began to be loaded onto ships heading to Portugal. for a moment! Passing through customs is prohibited! When customs officials in Alexandria tried to stop the shipment, Portuguese merchants gave themrge pockets. Hehehe. This time we are moving because a precious person is in urgent need Precious person? in haste? The customs officials who listened to the merchants recalled a rumor they had heard some time ago. It was a rumor that King Afonso V was marrying the daughter of Pedro, Duke of Coimbra, regent of Portugal. Is it a gift? The customs officials, who were shaking their heads, cleared their throats as they epted the pouch gently handed to them by the merchants. greatness! Huh! Good! Lets just skip it this time! But not next time! Yes yes. Is it possible? After safelypleting the shipment through customs, the merchants sailed at full speed toward Portugal. * * * The merchants who arrived safely in Lisbon immediately moved the unloaded cargo to the Duke of Coimbras mansion. No one was alone in seeing a huge number of boxes entering the mansion, and the story about this immediately reached Afonso, the Duke of Braganza, a political enemy. A lot of boxes from Joseon entered Pedros mansion? Hmm After hearing the story, Afonsu stroked his beard. Soon Afonsu nodded. Is that really it? * * * Last year, in 1445, Pedro married his daughter Isabe to his nephew, Afons V. After the marriage, Pedro said this to Afonso V: I beg your Majesty, but I wascking and could not ask for the gift in time. It is scheduled to arrive from Joseon next year, so please wait a little longer. You mean in Joseon? Afonso V, pleased with Pedros words, smiled and nodded. yes. Lets wait. Whats wrong with waiting a few months? No offense at all! * * * Afonsu burst intoughter as he remembered what happenedst year. okay. Its good for me to waste that much. Its a good thing. Afonso was prepared to fight with force against Pedro. For victory, arge number of troops were needed, and sufficient funds were needed to achieve this. And now his opponent, Pedro, was spending money without even thinking about it. Chapter 537 Episode 537 Conspiracy (3) Meanwhile, Pedro was looking down at the courtyard from the balcony overlooking it. All 3,000 bags have arrived. No seals have been broken. is it? Pedro nodded slightly at the report from the captain of the SS guard protecting the family and gave an order. Then, as nned, send 300 sacks to the territory for training. And send 200 sacks to Florence. Lastly, send 100 sacks to the Duke of Viseu. All right. And be sure to convey this to Thiago, who is in charge of training at the estate. Its okay to break down all 300 bags. However, within the next ten days, we must bring in people who can handle them properly.. I will definitely deliver! After saluting Pedro, the captain of the Royal Guard left Pedros room. After a while, SS soldiers began to move busily in the courtyard. The rifles were ced one by one in arge oak barrel for wine, then sealed tightly, and these barrels were loaded onto a cart heading to Pedros estate. Other boxes were mixed with boxes containing goods purchased in Joseon and ced on a cart heading to Henrik. And on the other side, boxes destined for Florence were loaded onto a cart. After the distribution, the boxes remaining in the courtyard were moved to the mansion. Pedro stood on the balcony and watched the whole process. As thest remaining box was moved inside, Pedro turned and muttered. For the child of a lowly bitch, death by a dog would be fitting Pedro, who had turned his head while cursing someone, continued speaking while looking at Florence on the map hanging on the wall. I wonder how many of the 200 bags will he break and eat? * * * The Seokseok-style gun obtained from Joseon had outstanding performance. It is truly surprising that although it weighs an arquebus, its power and range are 10 fathoms (approximately 18 meters) longer than that of a musket. If we could form a thousand-man army with long guns like these, it would influence the oue of the war. Cosimo, who visited Pedro and Henrique and saw the performance of Joseons senior rifle, was impressed. But Pedro pointed out a fatal problem. The problem is the price. 50 nyang silver coins in Joseon currency. In terms of ducats, its 500 silver ducats, so its definitely not a cheap price. Cosimo nodded at Pedros words. Considering the cost of living in Florence at that time, you could barely buy two houses with the money needed to buy a well-built town house. This was said to be extremely expensive. Henrik objected to Pedros words. Although it is expensive, it has many more advantages, starting with not using dangerous fireworks. Yes, but the price is the problem. The price is the problem. What kind of guy is war? Its a money-eating monster. In response to Pedros still negative reaction, Cosimo joined the conversation. Isnt it okay to just clone it? The Koreans yed a trick on the most important part of that gun, the percussion part. I brought 10 sacks, but 8 of them have already been damaged. Well Looking at Cosimos face that couldnt hide his regret, Pedro suggested something. Would you like to try it in Florence? we? Isnt Florence one of the ces with many skilled craftsmen? Hmm At Pedros suggestion, Cosimo stroked his beard and was lost in thought. It is far superior to the Arquebus and muskets currently used in Europe. Even if you cant make it exactly the same, if it has somewhat close performance, its marketable. Cosimo, finding another possibility of making money, epted Pedros offer. Good! In this way, Pedro was able to extort a considerable amount of money from Cosimo for the purchase of a long gun. Isnt the amount allocated too smallpared to the funds I pay? In response to Cosimosint, Pedro exined the reason. The start of the war is just around the corner, but we cant just wait, can we? But. Isnt 200 bags enough to form a bodyguard in addition to the quantity needed for cloning? In the end, Cosimo had no choice but to ept Pedros offer. Cosimo consoled himself as he left Pedros mansion. It was a pretty big expense, but I can bear it if I think about the future. * * * A fortnightter, Pedro spoke to Afonso V. your majesty. Can I say something? Please speak, Regent. Thank you. Pedro, who expressed his gratitude to Afonso V, began by asking a question. Your Majesty, do you remember what you saidst year? st year? Hmm. After briefly remembering, Afonso V immediately looked at Pedro with a bright face. Are you saying you said you would bring a gift from Joseon? Thats right. It finally arrived a while ago. So, I would like to serve Your Majesty. Good! Then when should I go? King Afonso V could not hide his joy when he heard Pedro inviting him. We will hold a banquet in five days. Five days! It will be both fun and painful to wait until then! You will never be disappointed. After assuring Afonso V, Pedro turned and spoke to the nobles gathered in the hall. I will send you an invitation, and I hope you will attend. Afonso, Duke of Braganza, frowned slightly at Pedros words. Wouldnt it be better if we just presented it to the pce? What are you doing all the way there Pedro also responded with a stern expression to Afonso, Duke of Braganzasint. I feel sorry for not being able to arrive at the right time, so I want to serve your Majesty! Pedro paused for a moment and asked a question with a hint of ridicule. why? Is there any other problem? Hmm? what! If youre busy, you dont have toe! There were few people who were unaware of the intense conflict between Pedro, Duke of Coibra, and Afonso, Duke of Braganza. Even now, in the streets of Lisbon at night, assassins from both sides were spilling blood to assassinate or prevent key figures belonging to the other side. Afonso, Duke of Braganza, screamed at Pedros sarcasm. Send an invitation! Ill have to take a look and see how great these things are! joy! What nonsense are you hoping I wonte! If Im not there, youll just talk nonsense to the king! Pedro responded to Afonso, Duke of Braganza, with a face full of cynicism. I will send it first. * * * Five dayster, carriages filled with nobles began to arrive at Pedros mansion. Every time a carriage arrived, the ves and servants who managed the mansion politely opened the carriage door and bowed. Wee, wee. Finally, the carriage carrying Afonso V and his wife arrived, and Pedro personally came out to the entrance to greet the king and his wife. wee. It is truly an honor for the regent toe in person. God is the glory. Please eat inside. After leading Afonso V and his wife inside, Pedro continued speaking. You will have a great time. The banquet began with the arrival of Afonsu V and his wife. * * * Oh oh! Thats amazing! The nobles who entered therge banquet hall in the mansion eximed in exmation as they looked at the ssnterns shining on the pirs on all sides, starting with the ceiling lit up with gorgeous chandeliers. As Joseon exported lighting fixtures made of crystal ss, the nights of European aristocrats became brighter and more colorful. And the banquet hall at Pedros mansion was filled with such shining splendor. All kinds of delicacies soon began to beid out on the table in the banquet hall, where Afonso V and his wife were seated at the head of the table. * * * your majesty! When the atmosphere settled down to a certain degree, Pedro stood up and spoke to Afonso V. I will show you the items I told you about, Your Majesty. Ive been waiting! Bring it in! At Pedrosmand, the doors to the banquet hall opened wide and servants and ves entered the banquet hall carrying Joseon items. Oh oh! The nobles eximed in exmation as they looked at the precious items ced in the center of the banquet hall. When the servant who put down thest item stepped back, Afonso, Duke of Braganza, who was examining the items, sarcastically said to Pedro. These are good items, but just this? Is this the only thing you have served your Majesty with? barely? Does the Duke of Braganza barely see this? Barely! I can see some pretty nice things, but this isnt enough to serve your Majesty! Suddenly, the banquet hall became extremely quiet. As the two dukes began their war of words, all the nobles attending the banquet, including King Afonso V and his wife, looked at the two dukes with tense faces. Pedro, who was ring at Afonso, Duke of Braganza, nodded. I understand. Then I will give you the best gift. Hoo? Did you say it was the best gift? Can I look forward to it? enough! Pedro, who answered briefly, screamed. Arrest the traitor! * * * Arrest the traitor! Arrest the traitor! Doo doo doo doo! As soon as Pedros order was given, Duke Pedros personal guards came out from all sides of the banquet hall and pointed guns at the nobles. At the same time, soldiers waiting in the corridors of the second and third floors of the banquet hall revealed themselves and pointed their guns. What is this! Chop! Chop! Chop! In an unexpected situation, the guards who were right behind the nobles drew their swords and protected their lord. Go Go Duke, what is this? Treason? Afonso V was frightened by the unexpected situation and asked Pedro. Pedro bowed his head to Afonso V and answered. For some time now, the wicked Duke of Braganza has been plotting a treason. Please forgive me for being so cunning that I had no choice but to create this situation. Afonso, Duke of Braganza, shouted at Pedros words. Shut up! I am a traitor! This is a plot! Its conspiratorial! Pedro responded immediately to the cries of Afonso, Duke of Braganza, who shouted about his injustice. There is a witness. Bring him! At Pedros order, SS soldiers brought in a man covered in blood. You Afonso, Duke of Braganza, saw the man covered in blood and felt defeat. The man in front of him was his confidant, who mainly delivered his orders to nobles. Tell me frankly what you saw and heard! Then I promise you afortable death! At Pedrosmand, the man opened his mouth with difficulty. The Duke of Braganza said this. The current king is the regents puppet. In order to properly govern this kingdom, our noble nobles must take the lead. In order to do so, not only the regent but also the king must be purged. Its a conspiracy! Surely I said that our nobles should take the lead! But it didnt mention the Kings purge! Afonso, Duke of Braganza defended himself with a loud voice, but victory and defeat had already been decided. profit! At that moment, his son Fernando, who was next to him, gritted his teeth, drew his sword, and rushed towards Pedro. bang! bang! At that moment, two gunshots rang out in the banquet hall, and the Duke and Duchess of Braganza fell to the ground. In this way, the winners and losers of the original history were reversed. Pedro, who would have been pushed out as regent, abandoned by the king, and then killed in a civil war, was the winner. Chapter 538 Episode 538 Conspiracy (4) The death of the Duke of Braganza and his son literally froze the banquet hall. Just a moment ago, some people were trying to object to Pedros words, but after the death of the Duke and Duchess, they only kept their mouths shut and rolled their eyes. bang! Tatang! Tatang! -Wow! -Kill it! -Suppress! -Dont stop shooting! -Ahh! The frozen nobles began to flinch as gunshots and shouts and screams suddenly came from outside. Are the guards moving? Hopefully Its over At the noiseing from outside, the expressions of the nobles in the banquet hall were divided into various expressions. * * * It was customary for nobles to always be apanied by at least 10 bodyguards when they moved. Of course, escorts apanied us today as well, and they were treated to meals and drinks at a ce set up in a separate building. Hey! This kind of drink! As expected, the dukes treatment is different! The guards belonging to the Duke of Braganza looked slightly ufortable as they were evaluated by the guards who had received the strong wine and rich food. greatness! Keuhum! Whenever His Excellency holds a banquet, pleasee! You will truly understand what hospitality is! ha ha ha! Really! Im looking forward to it! The guards of other families did not hide their expectations at the words of the guards belonging to the Braganza family. Tatang! Just then, a gunshot was heard from the main house. What is this sound? Its a gunshot! As soon as they heard the gunshot, they immediately realized that a crisis had urred and jumped out of their seats. Craddangtang! bang! When they burst through the door, Duke Pedros soldiers were already aiming their rifles at the windows of the second and first floors of the main building. Dont move! Drop your weapons! At themand of Duke Pedrosmander, the Duke of Braganzasmander raised his sword. charge! Lets rescue our lord! Wow! As soon as the words were out, the guards charged towards the main house. The distance is not long! You only have to endure one shot! The guards did not charge without thinking due to intoxication. The number of soldiers pointing guns at them was about 200 at most, and the distance from the outbuilding to the main building was about 30 fathoms (about 54m). If they were aiming at an arquebus or musket, they would have to be within 20 fathoms (about 36m) to be dangerous, and at that distance they would have been able to enter the main house before even firing two shots. However, the first problem was that Pedros soldiers were holding Korean-made rifles, and the second problem was that the number of musketeers targeting them was 800, not 200. When used by properly trained people, the Joseon-made senior rifle guaranteed a certain uracy within at least 30 fathoms. And although the number of soldiers targeting them from the spears was 200, an additional 600 soldiers were waiting behind them. shooting! Ta-ta-tang! As soon as themanders orders were given, Pedros soldiers pulled the trigger in unison and held out their empty guns. The soldier behind him immediately reced the loaded gun, and the soldier who received the new gun pulled the trigger again. And behind them, other soldiers were reloading their empty guns. * * * As time passed, the noise outside gradually became quieter. As the noise died down, despair began to appear deeper and deeper on the nobles faces. Its over. Its over. I guess Ill have to live like a dead rat for a while. The regents reign will continue for a long time. The nobles were able to roughly guess how the political situation would unfold in the future. After a while, Duke Pedrosmander came in smelling of gunpowder and reported to the Duke. The suppression is over. What is the damage? Its mild. Good job. But dont rx. Yes sir. After finishing the report, themander gave a military salute and left the room. Duke Pedro walked to Afonso V, escorted by private soldiers. Stop! As Duke Pedro approached, the captain of the guard who was guarding Afonso Vs side blocked Pedro by covering Afonso Vs body. Duke Pedro spoke confidently as he saw the guard captain blocking him, ready to draw his sword at any time. Get out of the way. I have to tell His Majesty. Please speak there. I will do it. Hearing the guard captains words, Pedro stopped in ce and opened his mouth. I inform your Majesty. A band of disloyal men attempted a rebellion. I should have announced this in advance, but there are many hidden eyes and ears in weightlifting, so I had no choice but to do it this way. King Afonso V asked in a very frightened voice at Pedros words. Did you say treason? yes. With the already dead Duke of Braganza as their leader, they attempted to overthrow His Majesty and establish the Duke of Braganza as king. To this end, we obtained testimony that they were trying to receive military support from Spain. Hmm Afonso V groaned at Pedros detailed exnation. The content was too specific to be seen as just a statement to deal with a political opponent. And Afonso V was well aware that the Duke of Braganza and those inmand were friendly to Spain. In the end, Afonso V had no choice but to side with Pedro. Let the regent take care of it. Please do your best to ensure the safety of the country. Pedro bowed and responded to Afonso Vs permission. I will do my best. * * * This incident,ter called the Bloody Banquet, led Pedro to carry out arge-scale purge. First, among the nobles who attended the banquet, 30 great nobles belonging to the Duke of Braganzas faction and their children were executed on the spot. Immediately afterwards, he returned to the pce with Afonso V and proceeded with the next work. First, all remaining rtives of the executed nobles, including Braganza, were executed, and all their fiefdoms were confiscated and turned into the kings direct territory. And those who were part of the aristocratic faction but did not engage in direct activities had their fiefdoms confiscated and then expelled out of the country. Next, Duke Pedro posted a promation throughout the kingdom. -All trials taking ce within the kingdom are handled by judges dispatched from the kingdom! C Taxes will be collected by the kingdoms tax collector ording to the set tax rate! -All nobles can only have the number of guards ording to thew to be determined in the future! To put it simply, the power that the kingdoms nobles had wielded C judicial power and tax collection rights C was returned to the king. This was a more radical policy than that pursued by his maternal grandson, Joao II. * * * In history before the intervention of the county, the Duke of Braganza, who won the civil war, pursued a thoroughly aristocratic politics. Thanks to this, the wealth and power of the nobility greatly increased, the kings power greatly decreased, and the growth of the bourgeoisie stopped. King Joao II, who grew up seeing the tyranny of the nobles and the ipetent and weak appearance of his father, began to participate in politics and strongly pressure the nobles from the time he was crown prince. Naturally, the nobles rebelled and plotted a rebellion centered around Fernando, the Duke of Braganza at the time. King Joao II, who was closely watching the movements of the nobles, moved one step ahead of them and arrested and executed the Duke of Braganza. By executing the Duke of Braganza, the center of the noble faction, Joao II put further pressure on the nobles. ordingly, the nobles again plotted a rebellion centered around Diogo, the 3rd Duke of Viseu, a close rtive of the royal family, but this time, Joao II crushed their plot by executing the Duke of Viseu. During this series of purges, King Joao II confiscated all thends of the nobles and restricted their exercise of judicial power. And now, Pedro, who became the victor in the history that changed with the intervention of the county, implemented stronger policies than those implemented by his maternal grandson, King Joao II. * * * The reason we want to implement this policy is so that our kingdom can be as wealthy and powerful as Joseon. King Afonso Vs eyes sparkled at Pedros words. You mean Joseon? Yes, Your Majesty. ording to letters sent by those staying in Joseon, Joseon was located between a huge empire called Kitai, now called Ming, and a barbaric country called Jipangu. But isnt Joseon a country that exists proudly and is even known to us despite being in such a dangerous position? Afonso V nodded at Pedros words. Pedro continued speaking while observing Afonso Vs reaction. Isnt our position in Portugal simr to that of Joseon? Next to us, the wicked Spain is targeting us, and above us, France is oppressing us. In this situation, in order for our kingdom to be strong, we must thoroughly examine Joseon and take care of what will be helpful to us. okay. Before he knew it, Afonso V was immersed in Pedros exnation. If you look at Joseon, everything follows the kings decision. The officers job is to advise the king to make the right decisions and faithfully carry out his orders. And these officials could not be appointed simply because they were nobles, but only intellectuals who had passed a rigorous selection process. And bing a king is only possible if there is Gods will. Do you mean Gods will? Pedro gave a short answer to Afonso Vs question. In Joseon, it is called Cheonmyeong (). * * * As trade with Joseon greatly increased, interest in Joseon greatly increased in Europe. Letters sent by monks nesting in the institute founded by Hyang were one of the few means of satisfying this interest. Although the letters were covered in a lot of ink, Europeans learned little by little about Joseon through these letters. At first, Pedro, like most Europeans, was able to satisfy his intellectual curiosity. However, while working with Henrik Cosimo, Pedro became interested in learning more about Joseon, including its political aspects. And what further strengthened Pedros desire was the word heavens will written in one of the letters. Heavens will? Is it like the anointing of the Old Testament? Thats fun. Pedro, curious, wanted to know more about this, but there were no letters written in detail about it. In the end, Pedro gave orders to the captains through Henry. Please find out in more detail what this will of heaven is! And the captains who epted this order swore in unison. Holy shit! You think we are schrs! But an order is an order. As soon as the captains arrived in Joseon, they contacted trantors and customs officials to resolve this problem. Heavens will? What fortune do you have? If its a dot, throw it away~ Find the authors brave apuse. Thats not it Amidst all the misunderstandings and misunderstandings, the interpreters and customs officials were able to figure out what they were asking. I think youre asking about mandate of heaven. Right. The customs officials and trantors who understood what the captains were asking soon began to exin. This is a bit of a long story Although they were low-ranking officials, the customs officers also passed the civil service exam with confidence. Eventually, the captains, tired of hearing exnations from customs officials and interpreters, waved the white g. Write it down, please! Ill give you a treat! Chapter 539 Episode 539: Conspiracy (5) In response to the captains cry, Please make it a document, the interpreters said to the customs officials. They ask me to document it but there is a problem with this. You mean the problem? Letters sent by Europeans working at the institute are subject to unconditional censorship. The expressions of the customs officials hardened at the interpreters words. Does that mean it could be a problem if we write it down and give it to you? The interpreters answered the customs officials questions with perplexed expressions. Of course, in the case of research institutes, many of the things being studied are confidential. But wouldnt the documents we tranted thoughtlessly be able to give other countries a clue to our secrets? I guess so. Then it would be best to ask above first. In some ways, it may be a characteristic of public servants, but it was best to beat on the stone bridge and then cross it. Inquiries from customs officials and trantors went directly up to Seunghwadang through the hands of ministers. What do you think? The ministers responded to Hyangs question with expressions that said it was no big deal. Im not writing down the countrys secrets, but about the mandate of heaven, so there wont be a big problem, right? Thats right. In particr, I think it is a good opportunity to inform and educate the people about our virtue. youre right. Wouldnt it be a good thing if their monarch learned about virtuous guidance? Based on the ministers answers, Hyang came to a conclusion. Then lets do it. After the meeting, Hyang, who was organizing documents, muttered softly. Contrary to the wishes of the teachers, it seems like they threw another veryrge bomb Arent you just pretending not to know even though you know? After thinking for a moment, Hyang muttered as he signed off on the documents. Does it matter to me? * * * After receiving the order, the customs officials began to produce documents regarding the Mandate of Heaven. The work was surprisingly slow, but both the customs officials and the trantor had passed the civil service examination. Since everyone had basic Confucian knowledge, a war of words arose during the documentation process. If you keep doing this, youll miss the boat! Despite the pleading of the captains on board, the customs officials and interpreters waved their hands. Uh-huh! Please be patient! Even if you interpret just one sentence differently, the meaning can bepletely different! But If it doesnt work out, Ill hand it over to the next voyage! for a moment! Hey! Isnt that what it means there? ording to the words of an old sage. The captains looked up at the sky as they saw the customs officials and interpreters arguing with blood vessels in their necks. Oh my lord. After such a fuss, the captain was able to ept the document just before departure. If I had more time, I would have taken proper care of it. Oh no! This is enough! The captains, who handed over the documents as if snatching them from customs officials and trantors who could not hide their disappointment, hurriedly boarded the ship. The document, which was carried with a copy on each ship just in case, aroused the curiosity of the captains. But a problem arose there. Shit! Its all Latin! Those who could speak Latin but could not read or write were the first to fall away. And those who could speak Latin soon fell away. What are you talking about? They were interpreters who had learned Latin to deal with monks and schrs who were members of the intellectual ss. The sentences they wrote with great care were meaningful andplex. In the end, no one was able to properly understand the documents until they arrived in Lisbon. Even Henry. * * * It is truly meaningful Pedro muttered with a serious face after reading the document brought from Joseon. Although it was a light read, the content written in the document seemed profound. After all, wasnt it just a country with good dexterity? Or does it mean that in order to have that level of technology, the level of knowledge must also be excellent? Pedro realized that he needed to change his perception of Joseon. They were not simply savages with good dexterity, but people with excellent knowledge. At least it will be at the level of Muslims. Of course, it was still a good idea to take it one step lower. Pedro spread a nk sheet of paper next to the document and picked up a pen. Ill have to research it properly. It might be worth it. * * * Afterwards, after Pedro finished his work, he wrestled with the documents. Portugal was a small country located on the outskirts of Europe, but Pedro was famous for his knowledge. From 1418 to 1428, he made a pilgrimage to major courts and holy sites in Europe, and even wrote a book of advice on governance to his older brother Duarte, who wouldter be king. Because he had such knowledge, the more Pedro studied the documents, the more he became fascinated by them. Thats profound Pedro muttered, stroking his beard. -Bing the monarch of a country is Gods will. -However, if the monarch takes the wrong path, God warns him of this through the people, and this is the public sentiment. -Monarchs and countries that ignore Gods warning through public sentiment will eventually have no choice but to be reced by new monarchs and countries. Because the people will choose a new nation and monarch. -Of course, abolishing the monarch and the state is unjust. However, it is not injustice to destroy a monarch and a nation that have betrayed Gods will. This is following Gods will. Pedro, who had been thinking over the essence of what he had written several times, turned his head. When I turned my head, there was a Bible lying under a wall with a cross and the royal emblem. Pedro, who had been mindlessly looking at the royal coat of arms and the Bible, suddenly opened his eyes wide and dropped the pen he was holding. Pedro, who was looking at the Bible with trembling eyes, immediately screamed with joy. This is fate! It is Gods will! * * * Pedro exined Gods will to Afonso V. Therefore, in this way, Gods will was revealed through the will of the people, and our Portugal was born! Think about it! The mighty Moors, who seemed destined to reign forever on the Iberian Penins, have fallen! The Reconquista was a sess because we properly followed Gods will! It was because it was Gods will that we were able to escape from the hands of that vile Spaniard and be independent! Why would the Pope break Spains will and approve Portugals independence? Because everything is Gods will (voluntatem Domini)! Because we followed Gods will, a kingdom was born and he became a king! The longer Pedro spoke, the more hazy Afonso Vs eyes became. Pedro continued to speak passionately. -Nobles who died for treason clouded the eyes and ears of the king for their own gain, manipted state affairs, and extorted the people. This is an unrighteous act that vites Gods will. -In some ways, it may have been unfair to execute all the weightlifters without a proper trial. However, this was only an unavoidable choice to protect the royal authority. And this is ording to Gods will. As it is written in the Bible, It is the Lord who works all things together for good. When Pedro finished speaking, the hall was filled with silence. Starting with Afonso V, the surviving nobles and officials all looked at Pedro with dreamy eyes. After a while, the nobles and ministers began to speak out one by one. youre right! This is ording to Gods will! Since ancient times, the position of king has been determined by God! This is Gods will! The surviving nobles eagerly emphasized that it was Gods will. This was an effort to avoid being overlooked by Pedro, whopletely monopolized power, and at the same time, an effort to alleviate the guilt of having survived. * * * As the cheers of the nobles and ministers died down, Pedro continued. Ill say it again, it was Gods will that our kingdom was founded and that your Majesty sat on the throne! However, threatening His Majesty and extorting the people is a way of viting Gods will. Those who follow this path must be resolutely purged! Therefore, I will proceed with the purge and purge at the same time! King Afonso Vs eyes sparkled at Pedros words. What if its a purge? We will break down the practice of taking charge of public affairs simply because one is a nobleman and one is under the aristocracys control! We will select the right officials to run the kingdom through strict examinations simr to the ones conducted by Joseon in the past! And we will also work on the system to make this kingdom even more prosperous and make your majestys reputation known to the public! Arge-scale reform thatter came to be called Pedrus Reform took ce. * * * A promation summarizing what Pedro said that day was once again posted throughout the kingdom. Its reform Its Gods will Many people began to argue as they read the contents of the promation. But those who moved the most vigorously were intellectuals. Numerous intellectuals began to debate the legitimacy of Pedros will of God, and young college students began to dream of entering the civil service. At the same time, interest in Joseon began to rise once again. What is the civil service that is practiced in Joseon? Eventually, the amount of letters going from Europe to Joseon increased significantly. * * * Soon, Pedros promation spread to many European countries and began to provoke a variety of reactions. First, a conflict within Christianity broke out once again. Gods will moved the Pope. It was precisely because of this part. This is proof of the dignity of the Pope! Gods will is revealed only through the Pope! Those who support the Pope argued this, while those on the other side refuted it. gibberish! The Pope was simply following Gods will! Why dont they say that the will of the people is Gods will? Likewise, the will of the Council is the will of God! When the religiousmunity became noisy, political disputes also began to arise. The kings position is a God-given position! Therefore, the right of a king is a God-given right! gibberish! It is our nobles who elected that king! Our choice is Gods will! Gods will is revealed through the people! The will of the people is the will of God! There is no need for kings and nobles! gibberish! The political world also became noisy as those who sought absolute royal authority, nobles who sought the division of power among the nobles, and even those who advocated republicanism, albeit at a beginner level, emerged. In the midst of this chaos, the gap between Portugal and Spain deepened. what? Portugals independence is Gods will? So does that mean we have abandoned Gods will? Spain sharply ground its teeth against Portugal. * * * Meanwhile, Cosimo, who was observing the situation unfolding like this, grinned and muttered. I guess I should at least give the Duke of Coimbra a gift of the finest wine. Now that Europe is in such chaos, there is no room to look outside. What he meant was that for the time being, the Mediterranean-centered trade route would be the only overseas trade route, and that the prosperity of the Medici family would continue even longer. Chapter 540 Episode 540 Conspiracy (6) Late in the 28th year of King Sejongs reign (1446, Byeongin year). The promation issued by Pedro was also delivered to Joseon. Mansour obtained the promation that was spread through merchants traveling between Portugal and Alexandria, Italy. They say this is the reason why the situation in the Mediterranean region is so turbulent these days. Is that so? The customs officer who received the promation in question from Mansour immediately forwarded it to his superiors. The promation, which was tranted by trantors, was immediately made into several copies and delivered to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Finance and Economy, the Prime Ministers Office and the Seunghwa Party. Hyang and ministers gathered in the conference room at Seunghwadang talked about the promation in question. I think it would be more correct to call this a statement rather than a promation. The other ministers all nodded to Foreign Minister Heo Hus assessment. In particr, the person with the most serious expression was Minister of Education Lee Sa-cheol. Cheonmyeong doesnt mean this It doesnt mean this Lee Sa-cheol, who kept muttering This doesnt mean, eventually asked the Minister of Finance. Is it possible that the officials who wrote that document have gone astray? I saw a copy of the document they handed over and it was absolutely not like that. If you want, I can bring it and show you. The Minister of Finance and Economy growled in response to Lee Sa-cheols question. I guess so? As expected, problems like this arise because they are not properly taught. Hmm. Lee Sa-cheol, who was looking at the contents of the promation once again, continued. Should we print this inrge quantities and distribute it to social democratic schools across the country Huh? uh? When the heads of government and ministers all looked puzzled at the unexpected remark, Lee Sa-cheol smiled slightly, lifted the promation, and pointed here and there with his fingers. If you look at the way the content is expressed, the letters are truly the point and the phrases are the reference. In the process of grading test papers submitted by those who took the test in the past, putting a red dot on a ce with good expression was a key point, and putting a red circle on an excellent sentence was a cross-reference point. Lee Sa-cheol continued to nod his head and continued speaking. Hmm indeed this is a truly excellent sentence, perhaps because he has knowledge recognized in Europe. Its because the content is the problem. Isnt the biggest problem that the content is the problem? Lee Sa-cheolughed at Hwang Hees point. Thats right. However, the excellence of sentences is worth learning. Therefore, a warning should be added below. The mark is worth learning, but the ri is not. A person with this kind of righteousness will be a treacherous traitor or traitor that will go down in history and destroy the family. Hwang Hee drew a short and simple conclusion to Lee Sa-cheols words. If you really want to do that, submit your resignation first. Or maybe you drink poisonous medicine instead of tonic medicine. With that, the ministers stopped paying attention to the promation. Anyway, it happened far away at the western station. The reason the ministers showed interest in the promation was because Portugal, the country in question, was one of the countries that benefited greatly from trade with Joseon. I looked at the contents with a curious mind, but since there were no negative stories about trade, I stopped paying attention. After the meeting, Hyang, who was left alone to organize the documents, looked again at the promation in question and muttered. I looked again, but what is it? This terrible hybrid. the divine right of kings theory and the monarchy theory that the end justifies the means everything is mixed together very evenly. After examining the promation once again, Hyang came to a conclusion. Sorry about the popcorn. Looking at the fact that they even purchased an additional rifle, I dont think it will just end in chaos. Hyang muttered in a voice full of regret, looking at the map hanging on the wall. Anyway, Europe is more turbulent than expected, so we can buy some time. In that situation, it would be difficult to find a sponsor, so there is a high possibility that things like exploring the new continent would be postponed to a simr time frame or a littleter than what I knew. Then we will be able to fully digest Shinji. Then, the sea wall nned by Abama will be properlypleted. Hyang, who was looking at the map and assessing the future, burst intoughter as he looked at the Mediterranean region. Heh! If the discovery of the New World ister than expected, only Italian merchants will be excited, right? Dont you think I should at least get a que of appreciation for this? * * * Meanwhile, Pedro, who had seized all power in the country, moved quickly. All the estates of the nobles who had been executed as traitors were returned to the government, and at the same time, the nobles private soldiers were incorporated into the army. Of course, in the process, quite a few people left to be mercenaries, but they recruited as many talented people as possible and made them stay in the army. Afonso V, frightened by the tragedy that unfolded before his eyes, handed over arge portion of the confiscated territories to Pedro as a reward, but Pedro refused them all. You have made a great contribution in this matter, so why are you not receivingpensation? Pedro answered firmly to Afonso Vs question. My greatest reward is for Portugal to be a powerful nation and to bemanded by His Majesty over the monarchs of Europe. I wish for nothing more than that. Regent Afonso Vs expression as he looked at Pedro wasplex. On one hand, I was thrilled by Pedros loyalty, but on the other hand, I was scared of him. However, Afonsu V was weak by nature. Now that the Duke of Braganzas group had been purged, there was no other option. It was best to simply leave everything to Regent Pedro. * * * When the promation arrived in Joseon, Pedro gathered nobles and ministers and issued new orders. Nobles, give up your private soldiers immediately! We must prepare for war! War? War? At the word war, the nobles and subjects began to be very agitated. Are we finally facing Spain? In the midst of all thismotion, a nobleman asked a question. Pedro, who was asked a question, shook his head. No, Mamluk. Mamluk? Absolutely not! youre right! No Mamluks! As soon as Pedros words were spoken, opposing voices came out from all over. Except for the Battle of Ceuta, Portugal had continued to lose its battles against Im. The opponent was the Moran Sultanate, which was weaker than the just-mentioned a Dynasty. The opponents opposed the start of the war, citing detailed reasons. -Mamluk soldiers, especially cavalry, are famous for their strength. -The strength of the soldiers is a problem, but procurement of war funds is also a problem. Everyone knows the wealth of the Mamluks. If we recruit soldiers based on that wealth, we will not be able topete. -There is also a problem of supply. The Mamluks have the fertile Nile Delta, so supply is not a big problem, but we have to cross the Mediterranean Sea. Spain and Moro cannot stand still. Pedro nodded to the opponents remarks. Thats right. It would be impossible to deal with Mka with Portugals strength alone. That is why we will form an alliance. If it is a union, will you join forces with the Spaniards? When asked about Spain, Pedro shook his head again. no! Not in Spain! They are the ones who would send soldiers to Lisbon, not Cairo. Our coalition partner is the Ottomans. Ottoman? Its Ottoman! Its not possible! They are pagans! youre right! They are pagans! Its impossible! Associating with pagans is a bit problematic. The opponents once again raised their voices. This time, those who supported Pedro also expressed their concerns. When many people opposed it, Pedro raised his voice and raised the Bible he had left aside. What does it say in the Bible? It says, The Lord works all things together for good! Joining hands with pagans now is not just a love affair, it is to follow Gods will! The reason I joined hands with the Ottomans is because it also has something to do with Jerusalem! When the word Jerusalem came out, everyone fell silent. regent. What does joining hands with the Ottomans have to do with Jerusalem? In response to Afonso Vs question, Pedro talked about the agreement with the Ottomans. Ottoman confirmed in writing that he would allow free movement to Jerusalem and the stationing of the Knights Temr. Here is the document. Pedro took out a document from a box he had ced next to him and handed it to Afonso V. King Afonso V nodded after checking the contents of the document written in Latin and Arabic. It certainly is. After Afonso Vs confirmation, the nobles and ministers approached the table and confirmed the contents of the agreement. After confirming the contents of the agreement, the atmosphere of opposition subsided significantly. Pedro added more strength to his voice. You dont know what the Mamluks did when they took control of Jerusalem! They said they allowed pilgrimage, but they blocked the pilgrims path, saying there was a bad harvest and a gue! Is the Nile Delta, the worlds breadbasket, experiencing a famine? We had to believe that lie knowingly! And meanwhile, what has be of Jerusalem! Even after the Mamluks drove out the Crusaders and destroyed the Kingdom of Jerusalem, many Christians and Jews lived in Jerusalem for a while. However, the Mamluks expelled or killed them for various reasons, and the Christians and Jews living in Jerusalem almost disappeared. Pedro, who pointed out this situation, held the agreement high and spoke. because! Taking back Jerusalem from the hands of these wicked people is doing Gods will, and joining hands with the Ottomans is simply choosing the best tool to do Gods will! Think carefully about the Bible verse, The Lord works all things together for good! What is the result? The nobles and ministers looked confused at Pedros words. Pedros statement was both usible and imusible. Looking at the reactions of the nobles and ministers, Pedro put the agreement down on the table and pointed with his finger. Look carefully at the contents of the agreement! There are also written rewards that God can give if you seed ording to Gods will. At Pedros words, the nobles and ministers looked at the agreement again. The nobles, who had only focused on the word Jerusalem, finally noticed other details and their eyes began to shine. Free import of grain from the Nile Delta and joint management of the shortest transportation route that does not pass through Alexandria from Suez? Meanwhile, goodsing from Joseon had to be unloaded at Suez and then go through Alexandria. In the process, the amount of money taken away by Alexandrian merchants and customs officials was considerable. The Nile Delta has been a famous granary since ancient times. As long as there was a steady supply of grain, the kingdoms development was steady. Pedro focused on seeing the nobles and ministers with shining eyes. If we follow Gods will and join hands with the Ottomans to recapture the holy city of Jerusalem, we will receive heavenly blessings and also gain worldly benefits! If we allow saints to freely make pilgrimages again, we will gain heavenly blessings, and if trade with Joseon bes free, we will also be able to gain worldly wealth! In the end, Afonso V and Cortes (royal council) actively supported Pedros war effort. Chapter 541 Episode 541 Conspiracy (7) As everyone from the king to nobles and ministers supported Pedro, things began to progress quickly. First, the size of the kingdoms army was greatly expanded. Rather than hiringrge numbers of mercenaries like before, the size of the regr army was expanded. The biggest background that made this possible was the purge of the nobles carried out by Pedro. Starting with the Duke of Braganza, the kingdoms most powerful nobles were purged, and not only maind Portugal but also all colonial territories in Africa became the property of the kingdom. With the creation of a huge source of ie, the ability to operate arge regr army was secured. In addition, most of the private soldiers of the purged nobles were absorbed into the regr army, increasing both quantity and quality. In the process of this growth, new firearms began to be supplied from Joseon and Italy. Its the same Seo Seong-style gun, but theres a big difference. Pedro, who looked at the Joseon and Italian products side by side, could not hide his disappointment. The captain of Pedros personal guard, standing next to Pedro, exined the problem to Pedro. Things made in Italy arerger and heavier than those made in Korea. Whats the range like? It is superior to the existing one, but falls short of the Joseon-made one. Hmm Pedro, who was looking at the Italian-made firearm while groaning softly, could not hide his regret. Thats half-baked Whats the price? For the price of buying one sack of Joseon-made, you can buy three sacks. Upon hearing the guard captains report, Pedro looked back at Cosimo standing next to him. Is it impossible to improve it a little more? Its impossible in a short period of time. This is my best effort. Cosimos words were sincere. Of the 200 bags handed over to Pedro, 20 were removed and attempted to be duplicated. However, the replication failed due to the vicious ck box nted by Hyang. What should I do with this? While struggling with the continued failure, one craftsman brought about a change of idea. Hey guys. What about this? What do you mean? I wasnt sure about the proper internal structure, but didnt I know how it moves and starts the fire? If so, then we are nning the framework. huh? Its impossible to make it exactly the same, but dont you think it would take a little research to make it do the same thing? Just just After hearing the suggestion, the craftsmen began to think deeply. The craftsmen thought for a while and soon nodded. I see. It might be possible. I think that would be best. Lets give it a try! The craftsmen agreed to the new proposal and immediately began research. And soon enough, I was able to get decent results. The reason they were able to achieve results so quickly was thanks to the experience they had umted while making arquebuses and muskets. * In Europe, it was initially a simr method, but over time they began tobine crossbow triggers. And over time, muskets and arquebuses thatbined spring and lever triggers were created. And this umted experience produced results that were different from those of Ming. After a series of failures, unlike the Ming Dynasty and Central Asia, which introduced Europes dyedunch method, Europe evolved on its own to a rapidunch method like Joseon. * Florentine craftsmen, who did not have the technology to produce and process steel as advanced as shipbuilding, had no choice but to make and userger and thicker parts. And the most important thing, the barrel, was also made by rolling iron tes, a method that Hyang used in the early days. As these resultsbined, the weight of the fire-type rifles made in Florence was much heavier than those made in Joseon. Therefore, Italian-made rifles had to be operated with a monopod like existing muskets. However, thanks to the barrel carefully refined by Florentine craftsmen who were inspired by the Joseon-made Suseok-style gun, it had a better range and uracy than existing muskets or arquebuses. * * * After hearing Cosimos exnation, Pedro stroked his chin and was lost in thought. After thinking for a while, Pedro finally came to a conclusion. I guess Ill have to ce an additional order from Joseon. Cosimo asked those words with a serious face. So youre saying you wont use long guns made in Florence? Wouldnt there be a cost and time problem? Pedro shook his head in response to Cosimos question. Thats not it. The long guns you brought with you are also excellent. But the weight is the problem. That weight is suitable for defense, but it is difficult to move quickly. I think it would be better to give Korean-made long guns to troops who can move quickly and inflict damage. Pedro participated in several armed conflicts, including the Reconquista. Through that experience, Pedro, who was well aware of the need for a unit with both mobility and firepower, decided to supply two types of long guns ording to the mission. And Pedros experience prompted him to order another item from Cosimo. And whats going on with the cannon I was talking about earlier? It has already started production and we will be receiving prototypes soon. But Cosimo paused for a moment and continued speaking in a voice full of concern. But can such a small cannon really be useful? Cosimos face as he asked the question was filled with genuine concern. Pedro gave a short answer to Cosimos question. They said Joseon-made cannons arent that big. * * * The cannons of Europe and the Middle East during this period were literally cannons. The role of cannons during this period was as a siege weapon to destroy castle walls. Because of this, the cannons boasted a huge size. Not long ago, a cannon made in Ennd boasted a caliber of 20 inches. Naturally, therge and heavy cannons had poor usability and their value as a force decreased. Excluding siege wars, even in actual siege wars, the effect was often minimal. The most obvious example was the Battle of Alhubarota in 1385, where Spain had 16rge sandstone cannons, but the victor was Portugal, which did not have a single cannon. (Note 1) Despite these examples, countries in Europe and the Middle East preferred heavy artillery. This naturally led to budget constraints, and even if artillery was operated on arge scale, it was limited to a few dozen guns. However, as trade with Joseon progressed, Pedro pped his hands in admiration as he read reports about the challenger-level front he saw in Suez and the Korean artillery he encountered on the Korean maind. This is it! There is no need to insist on big cannons! Enter the battle with arge number of small but highly mobile cannons! This is the correct answer! And Pedro had ordered from Cosimo light artillery that could be mounted on a cart and moved quickly. In history before the intervention of Fragrance, it appeared 50 years earlier than the French army of Charles VIII, which invaded Italy in 1494. (Note 2) * * * In the process of preparing for war step by step, the problem that Pedro and Portugal were most concerned about was their arch enemy, Spain. Portugal could not properly wage war unless Spain, or more specifically the United Kingdom of Castanya and Aragon, was tied up. If we made a mistake, the worst oue could have been that we would have to make major concessions to the Ottomans in the subsequent process of dividing the shares or maintain the current situation with only losses. Pedro, who returned to the office, pointed this out to Cosimo. Have you found a way to tie Spains ankles? Cosimo answered Pedros question right away. France will move. France? After hearing Cosimos answer, Pedro immediately nodded. Thank goodness. France was a military power. Although the war with Britain was not yet over, the end of the war was almost certain. Because of this, France was able to utilize its powerful military power. In addition, there were several disputes with Spain over border territory, and they were still snarling at each other. The exact date of the start of the war was not given, but as soon as the Duke and Osman begin work, the border area between Spain and France will be very noisy. And I have even received a promise to provide military support if necessary. Good. Pedro filled the wine in a Joseon-made crystal ss and handed it to Cosimo. Once long guns and cannons are properly supplied in Florence, the final card will be fulfilled. So we have to send it properly. Dont worry. After hearing Cosimos confirmation, the two raised a toast. Pedro smiled as he looked at the crystal ss sparkling in the candlelight. It shines brighter today. * * * One yearter, in March, the 29th year of King Sejongs reign (1447, the year of Jeongmyo). Portuguese troopsnded on the west coast of Alexandria. At about the same time, the Ottoman Empire began its advance toward Lebanon. As soon as April entered, France began an armed conflict along the border with Spain. An international warter called World War I broke out. * * * When war broke out in the Mediterranean region, Joseon fell into its sphere of influence. The trade route to Alexandria is blocked! After receiving the urgent report, Hyang immediately gave orders to the ministers. We need to get as much information as possible! Also, there may be an impact on trade routes between Tianchu and other regions, so special caution is needed! I follow your orders! Ministers and officials moved quickly at the direction of the vige. Meanwhile, the merchants who heard the rumor looked perplexed. War! What a mess! I made a lot of things to send to Alexandria! Meanwhile, those who invested in the Adventure Capital Safe were also in an uproar. I heard that the trade route to the west is blocked. Should I recover my investment? How about watching a little more? Wouldnt it be better to take it out now? The Jeonju owners who had put money in the safe gathered in groups of twos and threes and struggled to find the correct answer. After hearing the report rted to this, Hyang immediately summoned Hwang Hee and Minister of Finance and Economy Jeom Kim to talk. If you do it wrong, a bunch of money cane out of the safe and cause a mess! We need to do something about this! Hwang Hee looked back at Kim Jeom after hearing Hyang point out. What percentage of our Joseons external trade does the West Region ount for now? About 305p. Its pretty big Hwang Hee muttered in an embarrassed tone. Hyang continued to ask the question again. Is all of that 30% going to Europe? No. About 20% goes to Europe, and the remaining 10% goes to countries near Alexandria. Hmm Hyang thought for a moment and came to a conclusion. Lets use Aden. You mean Aden? * * * While Joseon was frantically trying to find a solution, there was someone who smiled in remorse. It was Seondeokje. Its finally time to deal with the troubles. * * * Note 1) Cannon Sailing Ship Empire. By Carlo Cipo. Mizzy Books Note 2) Cannon Sailing Ship Empire. Written by Carlo Cip, Midge Books Chapter 542 Episode 542 Conspiracy (8) Joseon was not the only country where foreign trade volume grew. The Chinese merchants also gradually spread outside. In addition to the fact that they had already been advancing into Southeast Asian regions such as Daeyue, Su, and Luzon for a long time, with the added support of the Ming Dynasty, they were able to advance outside more actively. Additionally, the Ming Dynasty had geographical advantages that Joseon did not have. It was and transportation route that utilized a vast territory bordering several countries. The most representative one was the Tea Horse Highway, which starts from Yunnan Province and passes through the West Tibetan teau. A trade route connecting Central Asia and the Middle East was established to avoid the Mongol power represented by the Oirat. By using thesend transportation routes, the Ming Dynasty was able to secure a steady market power. This was because it could not carry a lot of cargo at once like a ship, but instead could provide a steady supply. The same was true for products. Like Joseon, there were few high-end products, but it was able to secure a customer base with reasonable quality at low prices. And the Ming court C to be precise, Emperor Xuande C was able to gain another important thing. It was possible to quickly and consistently obtain information not only from Europe but also from neighboring countries. As a result, Emperor Seondeok was able to receive information about events in the Mediterranean region slightly ahead of Joseon. * * * Its chaos itself. Emperor Seondeok slightly shook his head after reading the document summarizing the information obtained by the monks. The war taking ce in the Mediterranean region was growing rapidly in influence. First, in the Middle East, when the Ottomans invaded the Mamluks, the conflict between Timur and the ck Sheep Dynasty broke out. While Timur was distracted by the movements of the Ottoman Empire, the ck Sheep Dynasty attacked Timur. Timur found himself in a situation where he was dealing with both the Ottomans and the ck Sheep Dynasty at the same time, and was unable to respond properly. And this enabled the Ottomans to further strengthen their invasion of the Mamluks. The situation in the northern Mediterranean has also be moreplicated. The Holy Roman Empire became involved in the conflict between France and Spain. * * * After the old Frankish kingdom was divided and divided, the rtionship between France and the Holy Roman Empire was not very good. Thanks to this, Spain, bordering southern France C to be precise, the United Kingdom of Castile and Aragon C was created, and the Holy Roman Empire established friendly rtions with Spain. Another reason for the conflict between France and the Holy Roman Empire was the issue of securing control over Italy. France and the Holy Roman Empire continued to sh over control of the enormous wealth umted by monopolizing trade in the Mediterranean region and the religious power symbolized by the Vatican. Even in a situation where the Holy Roman Empire was divided into four factions, the rulers of the Holy Roman Empire did their best not to lose Italy to France. In history before Chinas intervention, this rivalry between France and the Holy Roman Empire Cter the United Empire of Austria and Hungary C continued for a long time until Italy became independent. * * * Because of this background, as soon as France moved, the Holy Roman Empire also moved. Battlesrge and small took ce between the Holy Roman Empire and France to control the transportation route from France to Italy. In the end, the war that started simply to secure a trade route quickly became an international war involving the powers of the Mediterranean and Europe. Later, historians with a Western-centered view of history named this war World War I. * * * Emperor Seondeok smiled in remorse after learning from reports that continued toe in that trade between Joseon and Europe had almoste to a halt. I can finally put all my troubles away once and for all. Emperor Seondeok got up from his seat and gave an order to the eunuch waiting outside. Convene the ministers immediately! Yes, Your Majesty! * * * A monthter, Crown Prince Ju Ji-jin, upon receiving orders from Emperor Xiande, entered the Forbidden City. I see you, the Emperor, long live, long live! Emperor Seondeok, who heard the crown princes three cheers for national independence, responded in an indifferent voice. Thank you foring. Its really nice to see you healthy. I am devastated. At the same time as he answered, Joo Ji-jin looked at Emperor Seondeok. Joo Ji-jin muttered to himself as he looked at the sickness that had be even darker than before. Has the time finallye? Emperor Seondeok seemed to know Joo Gi-jins thoughts and asked him a question. The prince turns 20 this year? So it is. Hmm Emperor Seondeok paused for a moment and then opened his mouth in a serious voice. I will give you a task! Prince, do your best toplete your task! Hearing Emperor Seondeoks words, Joo Ji-jin immediately bowed his head and bowed. Please give me your name! I will do my best! Emperor Seondeoks voice continued over Joo Joo-jins bent back. In addition to the status of a specially appointed governor, I will give the crown prince the status of a specially appointed Seungseonpojeongsa and a specially appointed Jehyeonganchalsasa! Hearing Emperor Seondeoks words, Joo Ji-jin raised his head in surprise. What Emperor Seondeok said now was that he would be given all of the administrative, judicial, and military power to rule a province. The surprise was momentary, and cold sweat began to flow down Joo Ji-jins back. Its thest test! If I dont satisfy Your Majesty here, Im finished! Seeing Joo Ki-jins expression, Emperor Seondeok continued speaking with an expressionless face. The crown prince, use your given status and authority to annex Liaodong. As soon as the word Liaodong came out, Joo Ji-jin concentrated his entire attention and listened to Emperor Seondeoks words. The crown prince will know thatst year, the masters of Oirat purchased artillery from Joseon. ording to Ganjas report, they do use artillery against bandits, as they said in Joseon, but their numbers are quite small. It is clear that they have different feelings. Hearing Emperor Seondeoks words, Joo Ji-jin rolled the abacus in his head. Even if Oirat had a different mind, it would be difficult to break through the northwest defense line. Then, is it also a fluctuation? Emperor Seondeoks next words were exactly as Joo Ji-jin expected. Looking at the current situation, it is difficult for the Dalits to invade the northwest. They will try to use Liaodong to cross the wall like before. Prince, go to Liaodong immediately and securely take control of Liaodong! For this purpose, 150,000 troops are waiting, somand them and achieve the task! As soon as Emperor Seondeok finished hismand, Joo Ji-jin knelt down and gave a loud reply. I will definitely fulfill Your Majestysmand! * * * As soon as Joo Ji-jin, who had received the imperial order from Emperor Seondeok, came out, a eunuch caught up with him. I have received an imperial order to guide the generals under His Majesty the Crown Prince. is it? Please guide me. yes. Heading towards the garrison established outside of Beijing, Zhu Zhijin talked with the eunuch. To Joo Ji-jin, eunuchs were people who were less repulsive. It was because of Wang Jin, who was executed by Emperor Seondeok. What is your name? Its called Wang Chung. oh! Is it Mr. Wang? Ju Ji-jin was pleased with Wang Chongs answer. As expected, it was because of my memories with Wang Jin. The eunuch who was close to me in the past was also of the Wang n! So, what is your rank? The director of the Weapon Department is here. Sgt! Hoo~. Shouldnt I show this to you? Ju Ji-jins eyes lit up and heughed at Wang Chungs answer. The mission of the Ordnance Bureau was to manufacture weapons. It was the job of the Ministry of Defense to supervise the workshops that made weapons that were supplied to the Ming army, starting with the Jin army. Wang Chung responded to Joo Ji-jins joke with an exaggerated expression, as if he was not surprised. I dont think so! Rather, it is my duty as a believer to do my best on the way for His Majesty the Crown Prince to achieve his great feat. ha ha ha! Anyway, please take care of me! Continuing the conversation like that, Joo Jin-jin and his party were able to arrive at the garrison. As if they had received orders in advance, 150,000 soldiers were lined up outside, and the generalsmanding them were standing in front. His Royal Highness has arrived! Military courtesy! When Joo Ji-jin got off his horse and climbed onto the stage, the general in front shouted loudly. At the generals shout, other generals and soldiers raised a military salute in unison. Joo Ji-jin, who went up to the stage and inspected the generals and soldiers, shouted loudly with force in his voice. It is truly touching to see such bravery! I sincerely wish to do my best to fulfill the Emperorsmand! Wow! The soldiers responded with shouts to Joo Ji-jins words. After the short event, Joo Ji-jin moved to the military camp where he would stay and met with the generals. Youre quite young. Ju Ji-jin, who was looking at the faces of the generals, opened his mouth with a slightly worried expression. Among the generals standing in front of him now, there was no veteran in sight. Most of them were middle-aged or young Honganmanders. The middle-aged general standing in front responded loudly to Joo Ji-jins evaluation. Even though Ick experience, my spirit is invincible! What is your name? My name is Major General Cho Byeong-deok! What is your rank? I was in charge of a guerri general, but now I am in charge of a provincialrade! Joo Ji-jin began to show interest in Jo Byeong-deoks answer. As a provincialrade, he was the second-inmand who would assist him. Have you ever experiencedbat? Its not a lot! Who did you mainly deal with? Dalja and Jurchen people areing! Joo Joo-jin felt slightly reassured by Jo Byeong-deoks answer. Your Majesty did care. Joo Ji-jin looked back at the generals and made a request. Let us work together to aplish the task given by His Majesty the Emperor. I follow your orders! * * * Ju Ji-jins army, which departed from Beijing, passed through the Great Wall and entered Liaodong. Zhu Zhijin, who arrived in Liaodong Province, gathered his generals and issued orders. Order the soldiers to rest. And Joo Ji-jin, who paused for a moment, gave an order to the waiting Liaodong master. I would like to hear information from the Taoist master about Liaodong and the border region. I will prepare right away. for a moment! When the generals who heard Ju Ji Jins order were about to move, Wang Chong raised his voice. With everyones attention, starting with Ju Ji-jin, Wang Chong took out the scroll from his pocket and broke the seal. Prince Joo Jin-jin, please receive the imperial decree! Hearing Wang Chongs shout, Ju Ji-jin immediately dressed neatly and knelt down. Wang Chong shouted the contents of the scroll out loud. I will reim the title of Crown Prince from Prince Ju Jin and at the same time give him the title of King of the East! King Ju Ji-jin of the East orders the opening of a royal office in Liaodong! what! As soon as Wang Chong finished speaking, Ju Ji-jin jumped up. But Wang Chong continued talking. The King of Dongs nature is that of a defeated king! This is advantageous for starting a business, but it is not suitable for the current situation in the capital city! Therefore, I hereby restore the crown princes title and lower him to the position of king of the East! OMG! Chop! With a roar, Ju Ji-jin pulled out his sword and aimed it at Wang Chong. But Wang Chong continued speaking without blinking. It is not in the document, but there is a secret order given separately by His Majesty. What! Deukjoseon Heochingje (órSQ) (Once Joseon is acquired, the title is permitted). * * * Forbidden City. Emperor Seondeok sat alone in his room, looking at the map and muttering. Right now, Mercury is more important than expansion. If thats his nature, he will only pursue unconditional expansion and destroy the country. Emperor Seondeok went through all sorts of hardships to restore his finances, which were full of holes due to the frequent conquests of Emperor Yeongnak. The second is general purpose, but that is why it is suitable for Mercury. Emperor Seondeok looked at Joseon and his eyes lit up. And he will definitely take the bait I offer him. If that happens, Joseon will suffer serious damage. Joseons bombardment may be impossible, but it can inflict fatal wounds. It is optimal for breaking Joseons wings as it tries to soar. Chapter 543 Episode 543: All-out war. (1) Emperor Seondeok looked at the map and continued talking to himself. They said Kijins personality was suited to starting a business, but they also took note of that. Its only suitable for standing on the vanguard and drilling holes in the wires. But Im still not stupid enough to do something with 150,000. I will do my best to gather the Jurchen people of Liaodong. That way, if we join Joseon, we will be able to deal with the troublesome Jurchen tribe to an appropriate level without even touching them. Throughout its long history, horseback riding people, especially the Jurchen people, were objects of fear. The fear was such that there was a representative sentence about the Jurchen people. -If Jurchens army is 10,000 strong, the whole world cannot handle it. Because of this, the Ming used the method of Li Yijie to control the Jurchen tribe. It was to create divisions among the Jurchen tribes, making them hostile to each other and inducing them to be loyal to the Ming. However, the number of Jurchen people began to increase again, and in the meantime, Joseon began to creep in. Therefore, Emperor Seondeok came up with a n to moderately weaken the aftershocks by using the main earthquake. Not too strong, not too weak. Just enough to keep Mongolias movements in check. Emperor Seondeok reviewed his n again. I dont know how much damage Gijin can inflict on Joseon. I put about 50,000 more people on standby just in case Should I prepare about 50,000 more? If the main army hesitated due tock of troops, Emperor Seondeok had already prepared 50,000 reserve troops to ensure that the main army moved. However, thinking that even that might not be enough, Emperor Seondeok decided to add an additional 50,000. Even so, the entire army of 250,000 to 350,000 people is 3 million, and only the general and the troops deployed to the rear are 1.5 million, so Gi-jin cant have a wild idea. In the end, the only ce he will head to is Joseon. Emperor Seondeok tried hard to calcte. If I use the things I have prepared well, it is possible to raise up to 350,000. With the people Gijin gave me, it is possible. And if its their turn, they will do their best to make the n a sess. Themanders that Emperor Seondeok assigned to Joo Jin-jin were capable, but were pushed out of the path to sess for various reasons. They would do everything they could to improve their reputation. And the more they tried, the deeper the wounds Joseon would suffer. And Emperor Seondeok nted one more male and female here. It was also Emperor Seondeoks ploy to deliberately not write down the bait given to Joo Jin-jin, If you obtain Joseon, you may crown him, but to deliver it orally instead of writing it down. This was a male and a female that had their sights set on both sess and failure. Even if we fail, Joseon wont be able to argue with us. Because there is no physical evidence. -This incident is a tragedy caused by the vain ambitions of Joo Ji-jin, who was downgraded to King Dong. This is an arbitrary thing that has nothing to do with our name. Even if the work done by instigating Zhu Qin ended in failure, Emperor Ming or even Emperor Seonde would have made the above im. On the other hand, even if it seeds, it provides a useful cause. If Joo Jin-jins attempt was sessful and caused serious damage to Joseon, Emperor Seondeok would intervene immediately. If Joo Jin-jins attempt is sessful, Emperor Seondeok made a n to move as follows. C If Joo Jin-jins attempt is sessful as Emperor Seondeok expected, Ming will immediately intervene in the situation. C The justification for the intervention is to hold Joo Ji-jin responsible for the conflict that arose between Joseon and Ming due to his reckless actions. C Ju Ji Jin may resist, but he can be suppressed by pressuring and cajoling the surrounding generals. C Afterwards, he became involved in Joseon politics for the reason of helping Joseon. I think I would like to rece all the kings and crown princes of Joseon, but that would do more harm than good. Now, the people of Joseon were showing absolute support to King Sejong and Hyang. In such a situation, it was clear that if King Sejong was reced, the Korean people would rise up. Therefore, Emperor Seondeok targeted Joseons ministers as recements, not King Sejong and his father. There are good people out there. Those involved in the treason that Koreans call the Giyu Rebellion. They would be very useful. Emperor Seondeok learned of their existence through the merchants who came and went in and out of Joseon. It was certain that Aoji and other people who worked hard in the mines mines would have strong animosity toward King Sejong and his father. If such people were returned to the core of politics and central politics, they would actively keep King Sejong in check. Of course, King Sejong and his son would try to expel them again, but then Ming would step in and protect them. In that case, it was certain that the ruling ss of the new Joseon Dynasty would actively respond to its orders C or that of the Ming. Emperor Seondeok, who had inspected up to this point, muttered while thinking of his son. If you have at least some thoughts, live happily with the King of Dong. But if you cant ovee your greed, it will still be good for you in yourter years to seed. Having the Deukjoseon Heochingje (órSQ) delivered orally was thest safety pin for Joo Jin-jin, with the intention of not leaving any physical evidence. If Zhu Zhijinplied with the emperors orders, Wang Chong had given an order not to say the above sentence. Even after saying the above sentence, an order was added to give one more chance. If Joo Ji-jin was satisfied with the status of King of Dong that he had been given, he would be able to live in peace in Liaodong. The items sent to Wang Chong would be of great help in the process of Ju Ji Jin establishing himself in Liaodong. In particr, if they took advantage of the fact that they were located between the Ming and Joseon Dynasties, they could enjoy considerable wealth and fame. However, if he was unable to control his temper and took the bait, Joo Joo-jins fate would be to be purged regardless of the sess or failure of the job. And Joo Ji-jin took the bait. * * * The fortunate thing for Joo Gi-jin was that Emperor Seondeok did not make the decision to attack Joseon, which was the worst case scenario he expected. Ju Ji-jin confirmed the facts while still pointing the tip of his sword at Wang Chong. Thats a good thing to say, but are you really sure about His Majestys name? Arent you telling a lie to save your life? I am truly Your Majestys Emperor! However, Joo Ji-jin did not ept it right away. The Majesty I know is a man of deep prudence! And you are very interested in Joseon! A person like that gave orders to promote Joseon with only 150,000 men? There is no one who does not know that Joseon cannot be taken over with that much! All the generals around him nodded at Joo Ji-jins words. From what is known so far, Joseon had a standing army of 250,000 people. Among them, 100,000 belonged to the navy and 150,000 belonged to thend navy. And of those 150,000, 80,000 were stationed in the north. And it was a basic rule of war that the attacking side should have more troops C at least three times C than the defending side. Wang Chong responded again to Ju Ji-jins point. Of course, Your Majesty knows this! But what is your reason foring to Liaodong now? It was stability in the turbulence! For that cause, more than 150,000 troops are more than necessary! In response to Wang Chungs answer, Joo Ji-jin looked at Jo Byeong-deok standing next to him. Jo Byeong-deok, who received the silent question, thought for a moment and nodded. That is certainly true. Considering that there are already 50,000 Ming soldiers stationed in Liaodong and maintaining security, and the number of Jurchen tribes loyal to the Ming, more than 150,000 can raise suspicion. Hmm Joo Ji-jin, who thought for a moment about Jo Byeong-deoks answer, retrieved his sword. good night! First, lets believe what you say! I am devastated! Dont like it! I will check the current situation again and decide whether to kill you or save you! Joo Ji-jin rechecked the situation of the unit he led. I heard from the report before departure that there were 30,000 riflemen and 5,000 artillerymen. Am I right? Ill buy it back. Are you saying that you are a musketeer and not a musketeer? Themander is apanied by about 20 people as training instructors. 20 members of the Fire and Marine Corps also came with us. Whoa~. Joo Joo-jin sighed at Jo Byeong-deoks answer. Musketeers were the name given to soldiers belonging to the Geumuiwiwi. Thanks to their umted skills and practical experience, they were so elite that they were called soldiers rather than soldiers. The same was true for Hwapowi. After hearing Jo Byeong-deoks answer, Joo Ji-jin turned to Wang Chong. The shortage of soldiers can be made up through recruitment and conscription. But weapons are the problem! In particr, what should we do with riflemen and artillerymen? We have musketeers and artillerymittees so we can train them, but we dont have guns or artillery to give them! Wang Chong smiled and asked at Joo Ji-jins words. Your Majesty, have you forgotten what your position was? ah! In response to Wang Chongs question, Ju Ji-jin let out a single exmation and his face lit up. The ce where Wang Chong worked was the Military Bureau. Taebok City, which belonged to the Ministry of Military Affairs C it was originally a ce that managed horse and cart ranches used by the military C and was in charge of the production and management of weapons used by the Geumuiwi and Ming Dynasty troops. Wang Chong raised his arm and pointed to the outside of the tent. Let me introduce you. Ju Ji-jin and the generals followed Wang Chong and left the tent. There were quite a few people and carriages gathered at the ce they arrived. Didnt you say these were pce workers who worked at the pce? Wang Chong answered Joo Ji-jins question with a still smile on his face. Some are like that, some are not like that. Jang Gongdu (^)! Come out! At Wang Chongs call, an older man came forward, knelt down, and hugged Zhu Zhijin. Wang Chong exined Zhang Gongdu to Ju Ji Jin. This person has extensive expertise in the production of artillery and iron guns. is it? What is your name? They say its a market day! Please take care of me in the future. I will do my best! Looking at Ju Ji-jin, who had a happy face, Wang Chong continued speaking. Forty men are here, including Zhang Gongdu and his subordinates. If we provide them with the right people, they will be able to meet the demand. Hmm I see At Wang Chongs answer, Joo Ji-jins face began to turn red little by little. But Joo Ji-jin did not take the bait right away. Thats how the craftsman rules. To make a gun, you need materials and you also need wages to pay the workers and soldiers. As soon as Ju Ji-jin finished speaking, Wang Chong pped his hands and shouted. Bring a secret weapon! As soon as Wang Chong spoke, people began unloadingrge boxes from the cart. Boxes sorge and heavy that two people could lift them began to be unloaded from the cart and ced one by one in front of the cart. What is this? In response to Joo Ji-jins question, Wang Chong broke the seals on the box and unlocked it. omg! Oh oh! When the lids of the boxes were opened, Joo Ji-jin and the generals could not close their mouths. Each box was filled with gold and silver bills. Your Majesty told me to tell you this. Wang Chong, standing in front of the box, bent down and conveyed Emperor Xuandes words. The choice is yours. Chapter 544 Episode 544: All-out war. (2) Ju Ju-jin, who heard Emperor Seon-des words through Wang Chong, kept his mouth shut. Jo Byeong-deok and the other generals standing next to Joo Gi-jin looked at Joo Gi-jin with very nervous faces. Joo Ji-jin, who had been contemting for a while, opened his mouth with difficulty. I guess it will take a lot of time. In the meantime, let the soldiers prepare a station and training ground. I follow your orders! And the funds sent by His Majesty must be stored in a safe ce and guarded thoroughly. Keep in mind that this is a must-have fund no matter what the oue is! I will keep this in mind! After being greeted by the generals, Joo Ji-jin entered the official residence of the Liaodong governor. * * * The generals who carried out the orders given by Joo Gi-jin gathered at Jo Byeong-deoks military tent and talked. The faces of the generals who attended the conversation were as serious as ever. What should we do? What should I do? When themander gives an order, you just have to follow it. Dont you know that this situation cannot end with just such stereotypical stories! Then what shall we do? Are you going to desert? Why is there desertion here? What cant you do, even desertion? And yet you are Daemyungs general! As a war of words broke out between the generals, the atmosphere became increasingly hostile. As the atmosphere became increasingly heated and reached a point where it would not be surprising if a stabbing urred, Jo Byeong-deok hit the desk with both hands. bang! What a disgrace! It is written in the Art of War that a person who has lived a long life must be heavy in his words and thoughts, so how can he show such a careless attitude! The generals responded to Jo Byeong-deoks shout by lowering their heads. Im sorry! sorry. Jo Byeong-deok continued speaking as he looked at the generals. Honestly, I am not unaware of your concerns. But I also have a lot to think about. In the end, the conclusion is simple. Whether we were generals guarding the frontier under a feudal lord or generals of a newly founded nation, we have only one job to do. What do you mean by just one? Jo Byeong-deok gave a simple answer to his subordinate generals question. Bringing Joseon to its knees. Do you speak Joseon? Jo Byeong-deok nodded. exactly. What does Your Majestys secret mission mean? And what could be the reason for the movement of the Asset Sisters that have been circting among the governors who have been staying in Choya for some time now? hmm. ah. The generals began to nod their heads one by one at Jo Byeong-deoks words. The generals who found out about their situation soon began swearing. What the fuck Damn it Fuck, Im swearing Joo Ji-jin slightly shook his head at the Koreannguage swearinging from all directions. * * * Looking at the current situation, if you want to go out and pretend to be anywhere, you have to have at least one or two high-quality items made in Joseon. Even in the process of getting children married, it was necessary to have a few luxury items made in Joseon as part of the gift to preserve ones reputation. Furthermore, it has be a trend to mix in a few words of Korean when talking to others. And among the mix, the most profanity was almost always swearing. * * * Jo Byeong-deok calmed the generals uproar by saying the following. Even if the form and color of the military g disyed in front of us may be different, our mission remains the same. To subdue Joseon! To achieve this, we will need to devise a strategy, prepare sergeants, and train the soldiers! I follow your orders! * * * Joo Ji-jin went into hiding for three days. Joo Ji-jin, who was not even eating properly and was worried over and over again, finally made a decision. Even though they said they would allow the title, at best it would be outer king naeje (ȵ) Joo Gi-jin set the limit of what was possible even in the case of title-making to the external king-nae system. But it is natural for a great man to build a family, so isnt it also my duty to build a country myself? In the end, Joo Gi-jin took the bait offered by Emperor Seondeok. Ju Joo-jin left the room and shouted loudly. Gather the generals! * * * At a gathering of all the generals, Joo Ji-jin spoke about his decision. Therefore, here I announce to heaven the opening of a new country, Great Yan! At Joo Jin-jins deration, the generals looked like they knew what wasing woulde. Joo Ki-jin continued speaking after seeing the generals not opening their mouths easily. Anyone who does not wish to join my cause must leave immediately! Ill give you some time to check in! Anyone who rashly leaves after this will be considered desertion and will be punished immediately! After saying these words, Joo Ji-jin kept his mouth shut and the generals looked around at their surroundings. At that moment, Jo Byeong-deok knelt down and shouted loudly at the same time. I will join the cause! Jo Byeong-deoks decision seemed to have sparked the fuse. Soon after, other generals knelt down and shouted at the same time as they fired. I will join the cause! * * * As Joo Jin-jin made a decision and the generals decided to join in, things quickly began to take shape. In the main conference room of Liaodong Taoist Temple, Ju Ji-jin held a meeting with Wang Chong generals. Sitting around a desk with a map depicting the topography of Liaodong and Joseon, Jo Byeong-deok pointed out the issues that were immediately problematic. Recruiting and training soldiers is important, but making weapons for them to use is also important. Especially the most important ones are guns and artillery. The supply and demand of resources to create them is important. Soshin knows the answer to that part. Wang Chung stepped forward and responded to Jo Byeong-deoks point. Wang Chong walked in front of the map and pointed out a ce on the map. Here, Fushun () may be the answer. It is a ce rich in wood, coal, iron and copper. This ce can provide sufficient resources to make the necessary weapons. Thats a good thing. When Joo Jin-jin looked relieved, a young general stood up and pointed out the problem. To use guns and artillery properly, you need a sufficient amount of gunpowder. So we also need to resolve the supply and demand of gunpowder. At the young generals point, everyones eyes focused on Wang Chong. Wang Chong answered with a look on his face that said it was no big deal. Twenty craftsmen who make gunpowder are also here. The problem is the supply of saltpeter and sulfur. For this part, we have to borrow the help of merchants. Ju Ji-jin made a decision based on Wang Chongs answer. For the time being, lets seek saltpeter and sulfur in the name of Dongwangbu, not Daeyeon. I will do so. After hearing Wang Chongs answer, Ju Ji-jin looked back at the generals. Is there anything else we need to prepare in nning Joseon? In response to Joo Ji-jins question, a young general who had been sitting in thest seat stood up. We need strong artillery to break through Joseons walls. At the young generals suggestion, Jo Byeong-deok asked on Joo Jin-jins behalf. With the performance of the artillery we have now, we can take down quite a few castle walls. Is that not enough? The young general immediately answered Jo Byeong-deoks question. The wall built by the Koreans is not an ordinary wall. I dont know what kind of skill it was made with, but Joseons castle walls are not made of stacked bricks or stones, but are made of a single stone wall. Let me exin in more detail. After the young generals exnation was finished, Joo Joo-jin and Jo Byeong-deok slightly shook their heads. Its hard to believe. As soon as the two people looked like they couldnt believe it, young generals from all over the ce stood up and added their words. I also saw the warden. The small intestine too As the young generals continued to report, Joo Joo-jin and Jo Byeong-deoks faces became serious. They are all people who used to watch military service in the border area with Joseon. If thats the case, it certainly seems like we need to take measures. Right. Joo Ji-jin, speechless, looked back at Wang Chong. Is there any solution? Please wait a moment. As soon as he spoke, Wang Chong disappeared outside. After some time, Wang Chong returned, holding arge scroll in his arms. I think this might be the answer. As he spoke, Wang Chong unrolled the scroll on the desk. Its called Hwaryongpo (h). Oh oh! oh! Joo Joo-jin and Jo Byeong-deok eximed in exmation after seeing the cannon depicted on the scroll. When the other generals also showed interest in the sight of the two, Joo Ji-jin gave an order. Lets take turns looking at it. As they turned the scroll, the generals continued to let out exmations. Meanwhile, Ju Ji-jin asked Wang Chong. Even though I was staying in Nanjing and studying state affairs, I received reports on most things. But Ive never heard anything about that gun. Does the real thing really exist? Wang Chong answered Ju Ji Jins question right away. Only one gun was made, and it went into storage immediately after oneunch test. why? The power was good, but there were many problems with operation. Still, with that level of power, wouldnt it be safe to call it invincible? While Joo Ji-jin expressed regret, Jo Byeong-deok nodded. Its definitely too big to be used for defense. It may be the best for siege purposes, but moving it to the battlefield must have been a big task. Wang Chung nodded to Jo Byeong-deoks point. Thats why I ended up in the warehouse. Then, for what reason did Your Majesty create such a cannon? It was made because such guns were used in the Muslim countries of the western region. her. Joo Ji-jin and Jo Byeong-deok let out strange exmations at Wang Chungs exnation. * * * As foreign trade between Ming and Joseon became more active, various butterfly effects urred, and the change in cannons was one of them. Portugal, having seen Joseons artillery, chose to operaterge quantities of small, highly mobile artillery, while the Ming imported the concept of sandstone artillery from the Middle East and Europe to create heavy artillery. * * * The generals who looked at the blueprints that Wang Chong brought with them answered Joo Ji-jin in unison. If I had that gun, I would be able to break down Joseons walls! After hearing the generals answers, Joo Ji-jin immediately made a decision. They say it has good power, but it has many shorings. So, let the generals work with Wang Chong to find a solution! I follow your orders! * * * Meanwhile, Joseon was also able to obtain intelligence on the movements of Ju Gi-jin. You sent the crown prince to Liaodong? Heo Hu immediately answered Hwang Hees question. They said they sent the prince because they feared that the Oirats with the cannon might do something wrong. In response to Heo Hus answer, Hwang Hee looked back at the other ministers. You sent the prince for something like that? What do you guys think? Do you think it is reasonable? The ministers responded unanimously to Hwang Hees answer. Its too much or too little. In response to the ministers answers, Hwang Hee nodded and stood up. Lets go to Seunghwadang. * * * I also received the report. It is said that not only the crown prince went, but also 150,000 troops. What does the Department of Defense think? Jo Mal-saeng answered Hyangs question right away. The number of troops is said to be about 3 million. And if it is simply for the sake of stability in the Liaodong region, the number of 150,000 can be seen as somewhat reasonable. But the problem is that this is unprecedented. Looking at the practice so far, when there was concern about Oirat or aftershocks, the Ming strengthened the power deployed to the wall. But you sent troops directly and even sent the crown prince with them? It is clear that another dark world is hiding. Following Jo Mal-saengs words, Hwang Hee responded. There is a clear excuse for the disturbance. Chapter 545 Episode 545: All-out war. (3) Are you all of the same opinion? To Hyangs question, all the ministers nodded and answered. Thats right. There is a clear excuse for the disturbance. In response to the ministers answers, Hyang looked back at Heo Hu. Has there been any precedent for this? There is no precedent for sending a prince away. Troop support has also moved in the direction of strengthening the troops stationed in Jangseong. This is definitely unprecedented. Normally, in cases like this, it would be right to send an envoy to Joseon first, right? In response to Hyangs question, Heohu nodded and raised a vein in his neck. Im getting it back! Although Joseon respects the Ming and treats it as a superior country, Joseon does not belong to the Ming! This is an important diplomatic discourtesy! Hyang nodded to the Minister of Foreign Affairs answer. Obviously this is a major diplomatic issue. Prepare to send an envoy. I follow your orders! After giving the order to Heo Hu, Hyang looked back at Hwang Hee. You said the disturbance was an excuse, but then what do you think your true intentions are? What do you think? Hyang immediately answered Hwang Hees question. I think it is for the purpose of keeping Joseon in check. Hwang Hee also responded immediately to Hyangs answer. God also thought the same thing. ording to the information received, they were stationing troops in Liaodong out of concern for Oirat, but even if they made a detour, they still had to cross the wall. If you think about it that way Oirat must be doing something stupid. The only thing that was done was to give people time to prepare. Hwang Hee nodded at Hyangs words. Thats right. Therefore, increasing troops in Liaodong out of concern for Oirat is just an excuse. This is clearly to keep our Joseon in check. This may be to prevent us from continuing to expand in the northeastern region. At Hwang Hees words, the ministers nodded and muttered as they looked at the map. Now that you think about it, we ate a bit too much. I guess so. * * * Joseon took control of the Duman River area under the pretext of regaining the Hwaryeong region, where the Joseon royal family was born. Afterwards, Joseon continued to advance into the northeast and had now acquired an enormous amount of territory. Before the Chinese government intervened, the eastern coastline of the region called Siberia was almostpletely under their control, and they had gone considerably ind. To put it simply, the south of the Stanovoy Mountains was almost Joseon territory. From thetter half of Gyeongjang, Joseon stopped advancing into the northeastern region and turned west. The reason we had to change direction was the poption issue. The number of indigenous people in the newly acquired region of Joseon was extremely small due to the harsh natural environment. Therefore, Joseon began to gradually infiltrate the Liaodong region, which had a rtivelyrge poption. Here too, Joseon pulled a trick. Rather than digging north from the Duman River area, they started their southwestern advance from the Great Forest. And rather than expanding the territory, the tribes were all included and moved into Joseons territory. Thanks to this, by the time the Ming noticed, most of the areas and tribes where the Woodiger tribe had stayed had already been taken over by Joseon. Of course, when Ming learned of this, he made a stern protest, but Joseon responded simply. This area was where our royal family started and was ruled by King Taejo! Didnt I already say I would allow this matter? At that time, Emperor Seondeok smiled bitterly at Joseons ims. You took a hit. In the past, when Hyang came to negotiate, Joseon cleverly took advantage of the permission granted by Emperor Seondeok. * * * The general consensus is that Mings movements are clearly intended to keep Joseon in check, so lets check our defense posture once again. Minister of National Defense. Yes sir. If the Ming army deployed in Liaodong uses force against our Joseon, will those 150,000 be all there is? In response to Hyangs question, Jo Mal-saeng thought about it for a moment and then answered right away. If they disrespect our Joseon, those 150,000 people will be all there and they will immediately cross the border. But that seems very unlikely. Then I think its at least 200,000 to maximum 300,000. What is the basis? It is said that the total number of troops stationed at Weiso in Liaodong is approximately 50,000. The problem is that if all of these troops are taken out, they will not be able to control the security of Liaodong, and any thoughtful general will try to include the Jurchen people in their military force. If you calcte it based on that, it would be at least 200,000 to maximum 300,000. 300,000 That number seems very familiar Was the detached army of the Emperor Suyang that attempted to attack the old Goguryeos Pyeongyang Castle 300,000 strong? Thats right. Considering the topography and supply issues of northern Joseon, the maximum would be around 300,000. okay. 300,000 is not a small number. Did our Joseon Dynastys standing army now number 250,000? Thats right. Hmm Hyang, who was deep in thought and snorted at Jo Mal-saengs answer, immediately gave Jo Mal-saeng an order. The exact size of the troops in our Joseon Dynasty, the size of the troops deployed in the north, the ratio of riflemen and artillerymen, the supply ratio of Japanese-style rifles and Japanese-style wagons, Ah! Please thoroughly inspect this area, especially in the northern area. Also, please prepare a presentation by organizing the number of soldiers currently ssified as reserve forces, the size of the reserve forces that can be mobilized by time after the call-up order goes into effect, and the clothing and weapons that will be provided to the reserve forces. The deadline is about three days, right? yes. I will clearly organize and announce it within three days. Jo Mal-saeng answered resolutely. Normally, this was a task that would have immediately elicitedints, but now it was an emergency situation. It has to end even if it means giving everyone in charge a bloody nose! After hearing Jo Mal-saengs answer, Hyang looked back at Hwang Hee. It would be natural to contact Shinjis Abama, but I think it is reasonable toplete all preparations before doing so. is not it? Hwang Hee bowed her head and answered Hyangs question. No! This is a very reasonable decision! Then please prepare everything ordingly. If a real conflict breaks out, a huge problem will arise in the lives of the people. We also need to prepare for this. Kim Jeom bowed his head at Hyangs words. yes. We will consider alternatives as soon as possible. * * * After the meeting, Hyang immediately summoned the four people. Since the situation is like this, you too should think of reasonable alternatives. I am worried that our abilities are so low that they will tarnish Your Majestys eyes. As Han Myeong-hoe took a step forward, Hyang smiled a fishy smile. I heard people like that show off to each other when theyre drinking? Daughter soup! Well see if we can hear the real leaders praise this time. Ill give you two days. Make it right and submit it. Yes yep! I will do my best! As soon as they left Hyangs office, the four red at each other and growled. Which kind of bastard has a foul mouth? Is it you? its you? I see you raising your voice. Isnt that you? This person! Han Myeong-hoe screamed as he was in danger of being grabbed by the cor. If you have time for this, move now! It doesnt matter who spoke up now! If you make a mistake, youll end up in the record office! Oh, thats right! * * * While he was pondering over various reports to resolve the order given by Hyang, Seong Sam-moon crossed his arms and muttered. Maybe this could be good news? what? In response to Kwon Rams question, Hawiji and Han Myeonghoe also stopped what they were doing and looked at Seong Sammun. Seong Sam-moon exined to them why he said it was good news. Suppose a war breaks out. It is said that the number of troops who have already arrived in Liaodong is 150,000, so wouldnt the scale be different from the previous rebellion waged by Li Manchu and Muntemu? I guess so. Then of course the reserve forces will be called up, right? Isnt that obvious? But is it possible to supply military uniforms for them in a timely manner with only the capabilities of Area 51 and the Royal Air Force? huh? uh? As Seong Sam-moon exined, the eyes of others began to sparkle. They were also people who were called Junjae (). Soon after, they began to add flesh to Seong Sam-Moons words in various ways. Long guns and artillery ammunition have to be made only in Area 51 due to security issues, so it cant be helped, but there is no need for spear swords or armor, etc. The same goes for telescopes. If you leave it to apany that makes jewelry or ss essories, you can make it inrge quantities faster than if you make it in the royal workshop or armory. Following Kwon Ram and Hawiji, Han Myeong-hoe added flesh. I heard that many merchants are in chaos as trade is cut off due to the war that is taking ce in Europe. If we hand over this work to those toppanies, we will be able to prevent not only supply problems but also the copse of the toppanies. Then, the copse of the economy can be prevented to some extent. good! Then, lets write a report based on this! Good! * * * Two dayster, the four submitted a report. Hmm Hmm Every time Hyang nodded, making a small snorting noise, the four swallowed dry saliva. Its a good idea. The ability to transform bad news into good news was also very good. Indeed, if we do this, we can give some breathing room to the merchants who are currently in tears because their trade routes are blocked. The faces of the four people brightened at the positive reviews of the scent. However, the four peoplesplexions darkened again as they heard Hyangs next words. But if I had to give it a grade, it would be average. If youve thought this far, why havent you thought about whates after this? Han Myeong-hoe carefully asked a question in response to Hyangs words. If you sayter Tsk! The four people were immediately stung by the sound of incense tickling their tongues. Looking at the four people, Hyang continued speaking. If you think about what Abamama, I, and the ministers have done so far, there is no way our Joseon will lose. Even if people attack with all their might. Of course, the damage will be considerable, but I am confident that Myung will suffer more than that. Of course, the basic premise is that we must prepare properly and act properly at the right time, but in Joseon, that is no longer difficult. As I said before, if Ming does not attack us with all its might, this war could be a good opportunity for us to make a move. The four people nodded at Hyangs words. It is clear that if we n to invade, we will need arge number of troops, and supplying them with what they need will be a big task. Its definitely a good idea to resolve that issue through the top. This is the report you guys posted and I have no intention of saying anything. The problemes after this. How much money do you think will be consumed in the process of supplying troops who will multiply several times at once? In response to Hyangs question, the four people fell into thought with serious faces, and Hyang waited for their answer. After a long time, Han Myeong-hoe cautiously opened his mouth. Do you think that the merchants, who have enjoyed the enormous profits, will want to continue the war? Seong Sam-moon raised a counterargument to Han Myeong-hoes words. War can be profitable, but it is also a monster that requires enormous sacrifices. Since ancient times, no country has prospered even though it loves war. Hyang nodded to Seong Sam-moons rebuttal. If you look at the big picture, thats true. But on a small scale, if there are benefits from war, those who say they want to go to war even in the face of considerable conflict will be more powerful. Especially in a situation like now where we dont know when trade with Europe will resume. Chapter 546 Episode 546: All-out war. (4) In the memory of the speaking scent, I remembered a Japanese movie I saw in the 21st century. It was a scene from a movie glorifying themander of the Japanese Navy during World War II. People tired of the Great Depression were sitting in bars hoping for war to break out. The reason they did this was because of the memories of the great benefits they gained in World War I. Thats why I was worried about the scent. Its a really big problem that the entire poption wants war. Hyang spoke to the four people. The way you thought, I thought too. And I can guarantee that there will be a report with simr content from the Ministry of Finance and Economy. So, if you really want to listen to the Great Gentlemen, think about how to suppress the people from falling into belligerism and bring it with you. Yes sir. The four took the report and left the room. Looking at the four people, Hyang muttered softly. Indeed he has the ability * * * In history before Hyang intervened, Han Myeong-hoe and Kwon Ram ran state affairs as the core of power during the reigns of King Sejo and King Seongjong. Of course, he had the advantage of being King Sejos closest confidant, but he also had his own abilities, which made it possible for him to remain in power for a long time. Hawiji and Seong Sammun were people who received King Sejongs favor for the young Danjong. King Sejong judged that although they were young, it was a decision he made after thinking that they would take over after Hwang Bo-in and Kim Jong-seo retired. * * * Three dayster, in the conference room of Seunghwadang, an announcement was made by the Ministry of National Defense, represented by Cho Mal-saeng. The person in charge of the presentation was Lee Jing-ok, who was promoted to Vice Chief of the General Staff of the General Staff Headquarters. First, let me exin the current status of our Joseon military. ording to Lee Jing-oks exnation, the current situation of the Joseon army was as follows. -The total number of members of the Joseon army is 250,000. Of these, thend navy numbered 150,000 and the naval force numbered 100,000. -If you look at theposition ratio of the ground army, it consists of 45,000 cavalry, 45,000 riflemen, 40,000 artillerymen, 10,000 engineers, and 10,000 other branches. -If you look at the deployment of the Land Forces, 80,000 troops are deployed in the north. Of these, 50,000 are deployed in the northeastern region and 30,000 are deployed in the Yalu River region. -In the case of the naval force, 40,000 people are on shipboard duty and 30,000 are engaged in the mission of defending the maind and external swimming areas. and 15,000 sappers. There are 15,000 people in charge of misceneous tasks such as administration, supply, and maintenance. -Specifically, among the engineers serving in the naval forces, 10,000 and 5,000bat soldiers are currently active in Shinji. The Army Corps also has a long-distance reconnaissance unit of onepany active in Sinji. When the report continued to this point, Kim Jeom opened his mouth. The proportion of artillerymen is quite high? Jo Mal-saeng stepped forward and responded to Kim Jeoms point. I cant help it. Because artillery is the core of our military power. * * * At this time, countries neighboring Joseon, or even countries that knew anything about the Joseon army, all had simr evaluations of the Joseon army. People crazy about cannons Wherever the Joseon army was stationed, no matter how small the area, artillery was deployed. To what extent, one battalion of troops stationed at each checkpoint between the forts and camps defending the north had two artillery units and two artillery guns deployed together. The artillery they used was not arge toy or siege artillery that fired lightning bolts, but small shotgun cannons. Santanpo was also a work of incense. The shotgun, which fires more than 30 bird rounds at a time, was the first in the world to adopt the rear loading method. Thanks to this, unlike other artillery, it boasted a very fast rate of fire. Of course, there was an opinion that it was unnecessary to make a shotgun when the Eulsikhwacha (called Gatling in history before Hyang intervened) and the Bigyeokjincheonroe existed. In particr, there were many opinions that shotgun cannons, which only show their power within 20 shots (about 60m) at best, are useless. However, the size of the Eulsikhwacha and Daewangu was considerable. And these were items that required a lot of skilled soldiers to operate. As a simple example, the Bigyeokjincheonroe was to be filled with gunpowder just before use. In order to proficiently carry out this task in an urgentbat situation, skilled personnel were essential. In the case of shotgun shells, their size was very small. The method of operation was as simple as opening the stern, inserting a bag containing pills and a medicine container containing gunpowder, closing the stern, and pulling thenyard. Therefore, it was adopted due to its advantages of being operable with only basic training and its high rate of fire. And when this shotgun was deployed at the checkpoint, it took on the role of a machine gun. However, it was definitely not the case that the Joseon militarys obsession with artillery disappeared after the proper machine gun was created inter history. * * * Ill say it again, artillery is the core of our military power. Artillery is absolutely necessary to rece insufficient troops. Kim Jeom kept his mouth shut in response to Jo Mal-saengs answer. Lee Jing-oks exnation continued. I would like to exin about the reserve forces. -If young men aged between 14 and 35 are conscripted, the Joseon Army can mobilize approximately 2.8 million reserve forces. Hyang muttered to himself at Lee Jing-oks exnation. Im 14 years old Now Im counting my age in 10,000 years, so if I count it in years, Im 15 or 16. In the 21st century, it would be a perfect situation to be criticized for mobilizing child soldiers. * * * In Joseon at this time, most people were considered adults at the age of 14. For ordinary people, adult certification involved proving that one could do ones part by lifting arge stone called Deuldol ced in the vige and serving food to neighbors. Whats interesting is that as social schools and middle school schools became widespread, the method of adult verification changed. The trend was bing established that those who graduated from Social Democratic School and entered middle school were naturally recognized as adults. Look at you There was nothing strange about boys and girls wearing party uniforms at a middle school school using that tone of voice with serious expressions on their faces. Hyang, who went out in hiding and saw the scene, smiled slightly and muttered to himself. I heard that my grandfathers time was like that? It was a scent that reminded me of my grandfathers story that before the scent intervened, even in the days when middle school entrance exams existed, half of the people who entered middle school were recognized as adults. * * * Kim Jeom questioned Lee Jing-oks remarks once again. Are you really thinking about conscripting all 2.8 million people? If that happens, regardless of whether the war is won or lost, Joseon will be finished! Lee Jing-ok immediately responded to Kim Jeoms words. This is a case of the lesser evil. Lesser evil? So whats the worst? Are they going to drag all the men of Joseon into the country? If it is necessary, then so be it. Huh Kim Jeom was frustrated by Lee Jing-oks calm answer. Kim Jeom was not the only one who turned pale at Lee Jing-oks answer. Other ministers also had simr faces. Seeing that, Choi Yun-deok hurriedly joined the conversation. What I just said is about the worst and lesser evil. We have been working hard to avoid such a situation, and we are still putting our heads together like this, arent we? Following the remarks of Choi Yun-deok, a senior member of the military, Hyang intervened. youre right. Isnt the announcement made by the military now referring to a case of the lesser evil? I hope we dont get too far ahead of ourselves. Kim Jeom bowed his head and responded to Hyangs point. I apologize. I lost my mind for a moment because the number was bigger than I expected. I think you value human life that much. Kim Jeom bowed his head again at Hyangs words. I am truly devastated that you are looking at me so favorably. After sorting out the situation, Hyang asked Lee Jing-ok. If something happens, we have to block up to 300,000 people with 30,000 people. This will certainly be impossible no matter how much firepower and terrain help we get, so what is the response n? Lee Jing-ok answered Hyangs question by taking pictures of various ces on the map hanging next to him with a pointing stick. First of all, ording to the n, we will send troops upward directly from the Hoho region and the Samnam region. Fortunately, with the railroad, it has been calcted that the time will be reduced by less than halfpared to before. At the same time, we will move about 10,000 people from the northeastern region to shake up the backbone of Liaodong. However, this is only first aid and requires the mobilization of reserve forces. ording to the militarys calctions, at least 500,000 troops must be mobilized immediately to minimize damage to our troops. Hmm The ministers nodded at Lee Jing-oks exnation. The basic principle of military strategy was that the stronger the allys power, the less damage it would take. About 500,000. While Kim Jeom was nodding and muttering, Lee Jing-ok continued. The problem is that riflemens long guns are now divided into two types. All of the units deployed in the north have been reced with Eulsik Long Rifles, but only about half of the units in the Kiho region have been reced. The rifles allocated to the other half of the Samnam region and reserve forces in the Hoho region are still Gap-type rifles. As soon as Lee Jing-oks words came out, the Minister of Finance and Economy responded. I will immediately submit a n for budget execution. The scent responded to the Minister of Finance and Economys words. I will pay for it as soon as ites up. After passing one hill, another hill appeared. There is another problem. We only have 100,000 servings of supplies for reserve forces. At Lee Jing-oks point, Kim Jeom turned to the Minister of Finance and Economy, and the Minister of Finance and Economy immediately opened his mouth. I will also write a n for this part and upload it. Lee Jing-ok pointed out the problem again in response to the Minister of Finance and Economys remarks. Budget is important, but time is also an issue. In the worst case, something could happen next spring. Hwang Hee asked for the basis for Lee Jing-oks point. What is the basis? The Jurchen people are good at magic, but they are weak at moving their forces and fighting ording to military orders. If you think about the time when it will be easier to get to Doha to train for that part and how to operate guns and artillery, it will be next spring. The ministers nodded at Lee Jing-oks answer. Spring was the time when we had just left the dry season of winter. At this time, it would have been possible to cross the Yalu River with less effort than expected. At Lee Jing-oks point, Kim Jeom turned to the Minister of Finance and Economy, and the Minister of Finance and Economy opened his mouth. This issue has also been discussed at the Ministry of Finance and Economy. So the alternative that came out was to actively utilize the top. We entrust the production of materials such as swords and clothing, excluding guns and artillery that cannot be made by the private sector, to the upper level. If youre at the top, can you make it on time? Kim Jeom responded to Hwang Hees point. Currently, trade routes to Europe are blocked, so there are many merchants with surplus workers. It is possible for them. The ministers nodded at Kim Jeoms answer. But Hwang Hee frowned slightly. Its definitely a good alternative, but theres something wrong with it. What is that? When Hwang Hee, who felt something uneasy, was frowning, Hyang opened her mouth. Ive already received a simr proposal, but theres a problem. Hyang repeated exactly what he had pointed out to the four people. After hearing Hyangs point, Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy made expressions of regret, and only then Hwang Hee intervened with a bright face. also! I thought there was a bit of a problem, but it turned out to be just that! Hwang Hee sorted out the problem with a bright face. In the current situation, the only answer is to lend a helping hand from the top! However, we must prepare in advance to deal with the problems you mentioned. Only then can we avoid going down the wrong path! At Hwang Hees words, the ministers looked at the incense and muttered to themselves. The Crown Prince has be the Crown Prince again. Chapter 547 Episode 547: All-out war. (5) In the end, Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy received the same homework from Hyang that the Gang of Four received. First, please create and upload a n to provide work to the upper management. The deadline is ten days. And we will give you 15 days to take action on the problem you pointed out. Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy bowed their heads in response to the Hyangs order. Yes, I will n and submit an action n within the deadline you mentioned. The measures are the same. I believe it. I will do my best. After giving orders to Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy, Hyang looked back at Hwang Hee. Would it be better to postpone the wedding of the 3rd generation descendants and the royal descendants? Brother Wanduseul was already sixteen. Since there was a precedent for incense, there was no word until now, but if it was dyed further, there was a good chance that it would be a problem. Hwang Hee also looked embarrassed at Hyangs question. Thats a bit embarrassing. What weve discussed so far is just a prediction Both Hyang and Hwang Hee looked embarrassed, and the same went for the ministers. The Wan Du-seul brothers, especially their first descendants, Wan, were married to national ambassadors. There were already many stories going around among the people about Wans marriage. The reason people were paying attention was not only because of the wedding of King Sejong and Lee In-wan, who would seed Hyang, but also because of the discount event at the monopoly that was certain to be held at the same time. The problem was the current situation. We predicted that problems would arise in Liaodong and were discussing countermeasures, but it was literally just a prediction. If the marriage was postponed for this reason and it did not happen, it was certain that bad words would spread, and there was a significant possibility that a diplomatic dispute with the Ming would arise. On the contrary, even if something happened in a situation where the wedding was going ahead, there would be a lot of talk. However, if the wedding was postponed without saying anything, bad things would be said C for example, that the next generation son was too weak to even hold a wedding, or that he was crazy. For this reason, when the local government and ministers were pondering, Kim Jeom came to a conclusion. I think it would be best to proceed first. If something you worry about happens and you stop for that reason, the words will note out. Hmm The ministers who were calcting the profits and losses at Kim Jeoms words immediately nodded. I think that might be the best way. Ill buy it back. Hyang nodded in response to the ministers answers and asked another question. great. Would it be better to follow your wishes on that issue and proceed with the crown prince and royal grandchildren at the same time? In response to Hyangs question, Kim Jeom came forward once again. It is not in ordance with etiquette to hold the weddings of the descendants and royal descendants at the same time. I think it is appropriate to hold the wedding of the descendants first and then proceed with the wedding of the royal descendants over time. Then lets do it. Shall we install a wedding dog book and issue a ban on marriage? Hyang shook his head in response to Hwang Hees question. no. There is nothing that causes as much harm to the people as Geumhonryeong. First, just spread the word to famous hawks across the country. I will do so. Then, do you have a standard for what you think would be a suitable spouse for the next generation? Hyang slightly smiled and responded to Hwang Hees words. I asked you once before, and you gave me the same answer as I did before. Ah At Hyangs answer, the ministers simultaneously looked astonished. It was because he remembered the answer Hyang gave when King Sejong asked Hyang a question before. The woman with the fairestplexion among the fair-hearted women. The woman with the fairest heart among the fair-hearted women. And when King Sejong heard those words, he kicked out Hyang. * * * After the meeting held at Seunghwadang, Hyang quietly called Naegeumwijang. As the former Naegeumwiwi left for Shinji with King Sejong, the new Naegeumwiwi was someone who the previous Naegeumwiwi had predicted and trained as his sessor. Thanks to this, he was showing outstanding skills not only in martial arts but also in intelligence. He also had good control, and not only the Naegeumwi but also the Milwi clearly obeyed his orders. Of course, it was a bonus that many people in Milwi challenged him and were beaten up loudly. After the position of head of the millmittee was decided, the millmittee members all muttered: The old man from before only hit where it hurts, but this gentleman makes even the ces that dont hurt hurt Naegeumwijang, who came into Seunghwadang after being called by Hyang, bowed to Hyang and sat down. Did you call me? I called you because I have something to tell you. Please give your order. Tell Wan to find suitable wives and children. The standards are the same as those set by Abama. Naegeumwijang responded to Hyangs words with a grin. I will tell you right away. Please do me a favor. Naegeumwijang, who left Seunghwadang, grinned and muttered. The jabs will have a hard time again. As Naegeumwijang said, it wasnt long before people in Hanseong, as well as towns across the country, had to go through a lot of hardships. * * * Meanwhile, the four people were struggling to solve the homework given by Hyang. The reason for their concern was simple yet difficult. -We need to create something groundbreaking yet clear policy! They also knew very well that the reason the scent bothered them was not just because they had dirty personalities. They knew very well that if people like Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in were to lead the next government, it was because they had been selected as the next government officials. But that was a story in the distant future. Especially in a situation like the present where Hwang Hee and other ministers are flying around despite their advanced age. If so, there was a very high possibility that strongpetitors who would threaten them would emerge during that time. And after hearing that the same homework had been given to Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy, the four became even more excited. It was a government overflowing withpetitors, and the Ministry of Finance and Economy was a ce where many talented people gathered. If you want to be praised as a grand prize winner, you have to get a clear grade now! In order to receive a clear grade, you muste up with an innovative and creative answer that will please you! After making this decision, they stayed up all night discussing, trying toe up with a n. * * * While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was preparing for an envoy to Beijing, an envoy from Ming arrived in Jemulpo. ording to custom, Hyang weed Mings envoys at Mohwagwan. After exchanging greetings ording to etiquette, the envoys of the following people secretly expressed their good fortune. How is your Majesty the King of Joseon? yes. Goodbye. Are you still traveling abroad? Thats right. There are so many people in need of edification, so you are putting in the effort. okay. * * * Two dayster, in the front yard of Geunjeongjeon, the envoy of the Ming Dynasty read Emperor Seondeoks edict. King of Joseon, listen! The contents of the royal decree that followed were as follows. C Due to theck of qualifications of the crown prince, the crown prince was reced. C Joo Ji-jin, who had stepped down as crown prince, was given the name of King Dong and ordered him to open a royal office, so now the royal office was opened in Liaodong. -Joseon and Liaodong are immediate neighbors, so the king of Joseon should make efforts to establish rtions with the king of Dong. I ept the Emperorsmand. Long live, long live, long live! In ordance with etiquette, the incense chanted three cheers. The Ming envoy delivered the edict to Hyang in a polite manner. * * * When Mings envoys returned, Hyang called the ministers to Seunghwadang. What do you think? Hwang Hee answered Hyangs question right away. It is clear that the emperor does not like our Joseon. What you are saying is teaching, but you are inciting discord. Following Hwang Hees words, Heo Hu continued. Ill buy it back. Even if it goes as far as establishing the royal pce, we have never stationed more than 100,000 soldiers in the royal pce. * * * After the founding of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, worried about a rebellion by meritorious subjects, purged meritorious subjects on arge scale and dispatched his sons to defend the border. However, Emperor Yongle, who became emperor through a rebellion, ced many restrictions on the royal government to prevent the emergence of people like him. All princes except the crown prince lived in the countryside and were not allowed to leave. They did not have any power, including military power, and were prohibited from interacting with local officials. In addition, engaging inmerce and other upations was also prohibited, and even having more wealth than necessary was prevented. The old officials of the court who saw all these changes in real time eventually became convinced that this was Emperor Seondeoks work. * * * Heohu continued speaking. Are you leaving the reigns of a great army to someone who was kicked out after being the crown prince? This is something no one in their right mind would ever do. There must have been a secret agreement involving our Joseon Dynasty. What do you expect? Hwang Hee came forward and answered Hyangs question. If I were emperor, I would say this. If we take control of Joseon, we will allow foreign kings. The other ministers all nodded at Hwang Hees words. In response to Hwang Hee and the ministers reactions, Hyang continued to ask questions again. Did the emperor think that n would seed? Isnt it possible that we look down on our Joseon Dynasty too much? Kim Jeom stepped forward at Hyangs point. I guess they thought that if we could reduce Joseons power, it wouldnt matter whether we seeded or not. Hyang nodded at Kim Jeoms answer. I see Its not like the Jasan sisters happened for no reason After pondering for a moment with his words blurred, Hyang immediately gave an order. If we know Joo Jin-jins temperament, it is highly likely that he will start working as soon as he is ready. Lets proceed with the decision we made earlier. And I will report it to Shinji immediately. I follow your orders. * * * Before the promised fifteen days had passed, ten days after receiving the homework, Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy submitted a n to Hyang. This is a n for rapid supply using the top, and this is a n for the problem you pointed out. Thank you for your effort. Thats too much praise. After receiving the ns, Hyang immediately began examining the contents. What Hyang focused his attention on was the answer to his homework. After looking at the list of people who wrote the n, Hyang looked back at Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy with bright eyes. Did you two do it yourself? yes. When I saw what young people wrote, I didnt really like it. okay. Hmm. Hyang, who was carefully examining the contents, immediately called the eunuch and gave an order. Tell the four toe immediately. Yes sir. After a while, when the four people arrived, Hyang looked back at Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy. Sorry for your inconvenience, but please exin for the young people. yes. Kim Jeom cleared his throat for a moment and immediately began exining. To begin with, there is no trick to solve the problem you pointed out. The only answer is Jungseok. And what I mean by standard is to further grow Joseons governance. If wealth could be earned without relying on war, the people would not want war. I agree too. Hyang nodded at Kim Jeoms answer. The reason why militaristic countries failed is because the economy has be unable to function without the military and war. On the other hand, this is the reason why Cheonjo-guk is Cheonjo-guk, and no matter how big the American defensepanies are, they are nothingpared to Wal-Mart, right? Chapter 548 Episode 548: The night before the war (1) November, the 29th year of King Sejongs reign (1447, the year of Jeongmyo). Yoyangseong. On the wide in in front of the castle, many cavalrymen were running in a group. Boom boom boom boom boom boom! As loud drums and trumpets sounded and the horsemen waved colorful gs, the group of cavalrymen changed directions and positions. Phuu~~~~ As soon as the trumpet sounded, a group of cavalrymen, who were frantically changing positions, raised their bows and shot arrows. Sushi Sisik! The arrows flew into the sky with a loud noise and instantly hit the targets. Floating! Hey! ha! At the sound of the drums that followed, the remaining cavalry charged in unison, holding out their long spears forward and shouting. The cavalrymen charged with all their might toward the scarecrows erected far ahead and passed them by stabbing them with their spears. * * * Joo Ji-jin, who was watching the scene from the walls of Liaoyang Castle, looked back at the generals standing around him with a satisfied expression. The training went really well. Jo Byeong-deok responded to Joo Joo-jins praise with an expression full of pride. The horsemanship of the Jurchen people was originally famous, and the cavalry we brought with us were also experienced against the Dalits of the Northern Yuan. It may be difficult at first, but if your hands and feet work together properly, there will be no one in the world who can defeat you. Joo Joo-jin, who nodded at Jo Byeong-deoks answer, did not forget his request. Dont forget that once you cross the Yalu River, you must head to Hanseong as quickly as possible. For that, cavalrymen are the most important. ancient! And what about training for the artillery that the Koreans will fire? The horse was a more timid animal than expected. It was clear that unless they became ustomed to gunshots and gunfire, they would not be able to y their role in actualbat. Jo Byeong-deok immediately responded to Joo Ji-jins point. yes! Whenever the artillery and rifle corps conduct shooting drills, we take them next to them and get them used to it! Thank goodness Joo Joo-jin, who had been observing the cavalry training, nodded at Jo Byeong-deoks answer and turned around. Then, shall we take a look at the training of the rifle corps and artillery corps? Ill take you there! * * * The ce where Jo Byeong-deok guided Joo Jin-jin was an empty lot outside the Liaoyangseong Fortress. In the vacant lot where the main team arrived, many riflemen were lined up and receiving training. Banggun! Ta-ta-tang! Banjil()! Following themanders order, the soldiers who fired their iron guns quickly turned and retreated. At the same time, the next row rushed forward and stood in the firing line. aiming! Bang gun! Ta-ta-tang! Following themanders order, the soldiers on the firing line quickly raised their guns, aimed them at the target, and pulled the trigger. Smear! Following themanders order, the soldiers who finished shooting switched ces with the soldiers in the next row. Mouth gun! Only after the soldiers shooting had gone around once did the soldiers shooting stop. Joo Joo-jin, who was watching the scene from behind, turned to Jo Byeong-deok. Are they all old soldiers? no. 80% of them are new soldiers. 80% are new recruits? But is it still showing that kind of attitude? Joo Joo-jin could not hide his surprise at Jo Byeong-deoks answer. Even the musketeers I saw briefly in the Forbidden City in the past showed that level of skill. However, if Jo Byeong-deoks answer was true, most of them were new soldiers who had just been drafted. If you think about the time when you were conscripted, you dont have to look to see how hard you and thosemanders worked! Ill give you a reward when I get back! And lets give those soldiers some alcohol and meat too! I am devastated! Jo Byeong-deok, who expressed his gratitude, turned around and informed the lower-rankingmanders and soldiers of Joo Jin-jins decision. Wow! A thousand years old! A thousand years! A thousand years! The soldiers who heard the story cheered and chanted three times. Joo Ji-jin muttered softly after hearing the soldiers cheering. As the years pass, you will be able to hear the sound of hurray, not of 1,000 years. So far, the only people who knew of Joo Jin-jins decision were the highest-rankingmanders. When the soldiers cheering died down, Jo Byeong-deok asked Joo Ji-jin. Since you have seen the Yunbanbalchongjibeop, wouldnt you like to also see the Gyeongbeonjiljinjibeop? Joo Ji-jin was pleased with Jo Byeong-deoks words. oh! Have you already learned that method? yes! Then lets take a look! After Joo Jin-jin gave permission, Jo Byeong-deok delivered the order to the messenger. After a while, the rider waved the signal, and themanders who saw the signal gave orders to the riflemen. Soon, the riflemen took turns firing at the target again. What was different from before was that instead of the soldiers who had finished shooting going back, the soldiers in the next row went past them and continued shooting. * * * Joo Ji-jin, who watched the firing of the rifle corps, continued to praise the corps as he headed to the artillery corps training ground. How wonderful! That level of skill! Even the governors of the Forbidden City could do that! I am devastated! Especially the speed of reloading was truly spectacr! The training of the soldiers was good, but the method introduced from Japan was really good. Joo Joo-jins eyes sparkled at Jo Byeong-deoks answer. In why? which? The gunpowder and bullets needed for a one-shot gun are prepared in advance by making a paper bundle. Joo Ji-jin looked surprised at Jo Byeong-deoks answer. Could they have done something to those guys? They said it was something they learned in Joseon. In response to Jo Byeong-deoks answer, Joo Ji-jin nodded with an expression of agreement. In Joseon? Then * * * Joo Ji-jin, who arrived at the artillery training site and observed the artillery training, asked Jo Byeong-deok. If the walls of Joseon are as strong as the Jurchen people say, why not increase the number of artillery using Jincheonroe rather than artillery using iron rings orrge guns? So now we are increasing the proportion of toys that release lightning bolts. Thank goodness. Joo Joo-jin, who nodded to Jo Byeong-deoks answer, gave rewards to themanders and gave alcohol and meat to the soldiers, just like the rifle troops. Ah, I forgot about it earlier, but please also provide wine and meat to the cavalry and reward them. I follow your orders! Joo Ji-jin, who also gave rewards to the cavalrymen, immediately mounted his horse. Lets go to the arsenal! yes! Ill take you there! * * * As he headed toward the arsenal, Ju Ji-jins face gradually hardened. I dont know if Ill seed this time. Jo Byeong-deok kept his mouth shut at Joo Joo-jins words. The reason Joo Jin-jin was worried about sess now was because it was the Hwaryongpo, a decisive weapon to destroy the walls of Joseon, which were reputed to be strong. The word Never before existed for this cannon! It is no exaggeration to say that the production process of the Hwaryongpo, a huge artillery piece, was no joke. Enormous furnaces were built to create the bronze for its massive body. And making the mold for casting the foam was also hardbor. For this work, not only were thousands of nearby people mobilized, but tens of thousands of manpower had to be deployed to the mining area in Fushun. Not only was the manpower issue a problem, but the cost involved in the manufacturing process was also no joke. Even though manpower and funds were invested, the casting of big guns was a series of failures. The problem of resource supply and demand was solved by re-melting and recycling incorrectly made artillery, but the consumption of time and money was a headache for Joo Jin-jin. * * * Its amazing that you can feel the heat up here even though its the middle of winter. Joo Ji-jin let out a small exmation at the intense heat felt from the entrance of the armory and entered. Ju Ji-jin, who entered the armory, immediately visited Wang Chong and informed him of the current situation. So this one has a high chance of sess? That is so, Your Majesty. In response to Wang Chongs answer, Ju Ji-jin stroked his chin and examined the inside of the arsenal. Even now, craftsmen were busy clinging to the formwork and inspecting its condition, and many workers were diligently pulling carts full of coal and minerals. Hmm I must seed this time. There is not much time left. I will do my best. Dont forget that you mustplete at least three gates. Yes, Your Highness. Then, we will move on to the Hwaryongpo issue, and the production of other artillery pieces and iron guns Afterpleting the inspection of the supply and demand of weapons needed for the military, Joo Ji-jin moved on to the next problem. What about the supply of gunpowder? We are currently doing our best to obtain raw materials. Hearing Wang Chungs words, Joo Ji-jin turned to Jo Byeong-deok. Jo Byeong-deok, who received the silent question, immediately opened his mouth. If we look at the current situation, out of 10 training sessions, only one training session uses gunpowder. In response to Jo Byeong-deoks criticism, Wang Chung fervently defended himself. I am also well aware of that problem. So, Im adding lines at the top of several ces. We will somehow secure a sufficient quantity by the end of the month. Hearing Wang Chongs words, Ju Ji-jin organized the situation. I hope you keep your word. Then you will be sufficiently rewarded. I will do my best! * * * Joo Ji-jin, who returned from inspection after observing the soldiers training and the situation at the armory, headed to the conference room without even a moment of rest. Now then, lets look at the n again. yes. Jo Byeong-deok stood up after hearing Joo Jin-jins words, looked at the generals, and opened his mouth. If we were to check our current strength, it is 320,000, including the troops of Liaodongwi, the troops we brought with us, and those we secured through conscription. Its a bit tight. When one of the generalsmented like that, Jo Byeong-deok nodded. Its true. So even now, conscription continues. And although His Majesty continues to send letters to Beijing, it is safe not to think about this. Themanders all nodded at Jo Byeong-deoks words. If Joo Jin-jin had been able to obtain troops by whining, he would not have sent only 150,000 in the first ce. Jo Byeong-deok continued speaking. Therefore, the number of troops we can mobilize is limited to 250,000. The 70,000 must prevent any unexpected Jurchen action and Joseons counterattack. Joo Joo-jin and themanders all nodded at Jo Byeong-deoks words. When everyone seemed to agree, Byeongdeok Jo continued. So, after deliberating with my staff, we came to the conclusion that one-pointed concentration was the best way to achieve the best results. If you say one-point concentration, does that mean you will deploy all of your troops in just one ce? exactly. Jo Byeong-deok nodded and exined the reason. -To invade Joseon, you must first cross the Yalu River. The chances of sess increase if you cross the river at the same time in several ces, but in this case, it is difficult. -The reason is Joseons firepower. If you listen to the stories of the Jurchen people, Joseon is deployingrge quantities of highly lethal weapons such as bigyeokjincheonroe and hwacha. -Under these circumstances, crossing to multiple locations is highly likely to result in meaningless losses. -Rather, if you focus your troops in just one location, your chances of sess are surprisingly high. If the Joseon armys firepower can kill 100 people at once, what do you think would happen if 200, or 500, or 1,000 ships were deployed? The generals who had been thinking about Jo Byeong-deoks words for a moment all nodded. So where did you decide on Doha? In response to Joo Ki-jins question, Jo Byeong-deok pointed with his baton to a ce on the map hanging on the wall. This is Insanjin (ɽ). It was a ce called Sinuiju in history before the intervention of Hyang. Chapter 549 Episode 549: The Night Before the War (2) Insanjin? why? Jo Byeong-deok answered Joo Ki-jins question by pointing to the Yalu River on the map. It is one of the narrowest rivers. The width between this riverside and the Korean-Chinese riverside is only about 450 jang (approximately 1.35km). The same goes for water depth. In the case of spring, which was chosen as the time to decide, it is quite shallow enough to cross on horseback. Thats true, but Joo Joo-jin looked slightly uneasy while nodding his head at Jo Byeong-deoks exnation. The Korean people who have been suffering from the Jurchen people for so long dont know this, right? Isnt that why they set up a camp there? youre right. Jo Byeong-deok nodded his head in response to Joo Ji-jins point. In fact, this was one of the ces where the Jurchen people of Liaodong often crossed the border to loot. Of course, the path was blocked as Joseons firepower became stronger thanks to the virtues of Joseons sutras and incense. You said you would focus on one point to break through, but if you attack an area that is already well-defended, you might have to be prepared for more losses than necessary. Why not reconsider? Jo Byeong-deok responded firmly to Joo Ji-jins request to reconsider the Doha branch. Its impossible. This is the best ce. Let me exin why. Jo Byeong-deok exined why he had no choice but to choose Insanjin. -The biggest reason is the problem of terrain. There are several ces in the upper part of the Yalu River where the river is narrow, but there are problems with water depth and flow speed. Next, after passing through Insanjin, the ins continue, so the cavalry can demonstrate its best capabilities. Other areas require passage through the rugged Korean mountain ranges. Thises with the risk of ambush. -Secondly, Anju, about 300 ri south of Insanjin, has thergest steel mill in Joseon. If we upy this ce as quickly as possible, Joseon will face a major obstacle in the supply of steel, and conversely, we will be able to acquirerge quantities of high-quality steel. -Lastly, you can make the most of the support of Hwaryong cannon and other artillery. Looking at the records of the Hwaryong gun sent by the government, the maximum range is about 5 ri (2 km). (Note 1) Soldier losses are inevitable in the process of attacking a strong castle wall. However, in order to reduce this loss as much as possible, support from artillery is essential, and Hwaryong artillery is necessary for this purpose. However, the Hwaryongpo takes a lot of time to move due to its size. Therefore, Insanjin is the best option to get the maximum effect. Hmm. Joo Joo-jin stroked his chin and thought hard about Jo Byeong-deoks exnation. Jo Byeong-deok, seeing Joo Joo-jins repeated worries, added. If you look closely at the terrain around Insanjin, it is a ce where you can surround and check Insanjin while making a detour. I see Joo Ji-jin, who continued to ponder while listening to Jo Byeong-deoks exnation, finally made a decision. Lets attack Insanjin. Lets proceed like this. ancient! As Joo Ji-jin made his decision, the invasion of Joseon crossed a river of no return. * * * At the same time, the Joseon General Staff Headquarters was also racking its brains. The most likely ce is, of course, Insanjin. In response to Lee Jing-oks report, Choi Yun-deok asked with a serious face. What is the basis? In history before Hyang intervened, Choi Yun-deok, who would have died two years ago, was still actively showing off his skills. Thanks to his experience of participating in all kinds of foreign wars of Joseon, including the conquest of Tsushima Ind, it was a bonus to be given nicknames such as the living history of the Joseon army and the monster hidden in the Ministry of National Defense. Thanks to the experience gained in the process of subjugating the Jurchen people, he was scheduled to go to Shinji with King Sejong, but in the end, King Sejong decided that Choi Yun-deok should remain in Joseon. -An experienced veteran is absolutely necessary to assist the Crown Prince in case of an emergency. This was the reason he decided to stay in Joseon, and now that decision is paying off. Lee Jing-ok answered the question from a veteran with extensive experience with a very nervous expression. Because it is the best ce to cross from Liaodong to Joseon or from Joseon to Liaodong. Lee Jing-oks exnation that followed was very simr to the exnation Jo Byeong-deok gave to Joo Jin-jin. Because of this, Insanjin is considered the most likely. I see But thats the thing. What would you do if the enemy attempted a diversionary maneuver while only surrounding Insanjin? In response to Choi Yun-deoks point, Lee Jing-ok immediately exined by pointing at the map. The enemys main force, the cavalry, needs a well-paved path to demonstrate its best capabilities. And if you go south along that road, you have to pass right here in Seoncheonbu. We are setting up a second line of defense here. How far is it from Insanjin? Its about 150 ri (60 km). Its a lot to the south and the damage to the people living in between could increase. What are the measures? As soon as the war breaks out, we encourage the people to evacuate as quickly as possible. For this purpose, we have drawn up a railroad operation n andpleted coordination with the Railroad Administration. It wont cause a disruption in troop mobilization, right? We also coordinated that issue. Good When Choi Yun-deok nodded and was satisfied, Lee Jing-ok let out a small sigh of relief. Choi Yun-deok continued to check the situation. When the weather clears, the bhikkhu will be officially operational. Are you properly prepared? yes. The military showed enthusiasm for introducing the acetabulum, but when it was actually operated in the field, several limitations were discovered. Thanks to this, after various improvements, the official deployment began. Choi Yun-deok continued to inspect Lee Jing-ok and his staff. Mass supply of wire mesh? Lee Jing-ok immediately responded to Choi Yun-deoks point. It is the perfect item for holding back the enemy. Dont you know? Thats not true. The wire mesh that Lee Jing-ok mentioned was also an object touched by the breath of incense. * * * Hyang secretly whetted his appetite after hearing the story of the steel made by Ilcheol, which gave birth to the Japan-US series. Its barbed wire However, Hyang didnt immediately try to make barbed wire. Surprisingly, something that requires automation is barbed wire Braiding wires into thorns was a verybor-intensive process. This was the same in history before the intervention of incense. There is already a shortage of people, and the production of high-quality wire is also small The Hyang, which had taken a step back, became interested in barbed wire again when Joseons steel production greatly increased and the steam engine became established. First, lets make it by removing the thorns The Hyang who made the wire mesh using a steam engine and twisting 2 or 3 strands of thick wire one inch thick (approximately 3 mm) like a baby is none other than King Sejong and Daesin. I called them and introduced how to use them. And the military immediately opened its wallet. Even though it had no thorns, the wire mesh was certainly an excellent means of defense. * * * The defense n is good. The rest can be handled through improvisation on the front lines. Good job. thank you. Choi Yun-deok, who praised Lee Jing-ok and his staff, presented another homework. Now then, lets look at the counterattack n. Has your Majesty finally decided? Choi Yun-deok nodded to Lee Jing-oks question. You sent us an answer via thest ship. The Crown Prince put in a lot of effort. As soon as the solution to the problem that urred in Liaodong was somewhat in ce, the county immediately sent a report to King Sejong. -The situation is such that war cannot be avoided. Therefore, we must use this opportunity to secure Liaodong. Sejong immediately responded to the suggestion sent by Hyang. -Sejong, who knew well that Ming Joseon had be much stronger but was still weaker than Ming, could not make a decision easily. From this time on, ferry boats were busy between Shinji and Joseon. Steamships carrying only King Sejongs letter, which meticulously pointed out possible problems, and Hyangs letter containing his response, traveled between Shinji and Joseon at full speed. And the voyage continued until just before the Arctic Ocean froze. As time passed, Sejong also had to admit that there was nothing he could do. -The emperors actions in Liaodong meant that he would defeat Joseon. If thats the case, we cant just suffer. In the end, King Sejong sent a short reply to Hyang. -Huh. After receiving permission from King Sejong, Hyang immediately sent a letter to King Sejong. -I am d that I finally kept my promise. After receiving permission from King Sejong, Hyang immediately summoned the ministers. Abama has given permission. * * * As soon as Hyangs words fell, the air in the conference room changed. The four people who were observing the meeting from one side were startled by the sudden change in atmosphere. what? The air has changed! Theres a bloody smell from somewhere Its hard to breathe Han Myeong-hoe muttered quietly as he was confused by the sudden change in atmosphere. After all, they are people who have experienced war The others also nodded as Han Myeong-hoe muttered. The ministers currently sitting around the conference room were those who had experienced everything from the conquest of Tsushima Ind to the rebellion caused by Lee Man-ju and Muntemu and the Giyu Rebellion. * * * After informing King Sejong of his decision, Hyang immediately continued speaking. If what we think happens happens, we will immediatelyunch a counterattack. Please adjust your ns ordingly. I understand. Following Hwang Hees answer, Heo Hu opened his mouth. If we advance into Liaodong, we can immediately raise the issue in the Forbidden City. I will prepare a rebuttal to this. Hyang nodded at Heo Hus words. yes. Please prepare a clear counterargument that will shut the Forbidden Citys mouth. From the fact that he has already sent the prince and arge army to Liaodong, he has decided to start a war. I will discuss this part. The cause lies with our Joseon. The other ministers all nodded at Heo Hus words. Looking at the reactions of the ministers, Hyang came to a conclusion. Now that the Ming has used this kind of male and female, there are no longer any great events. Only liaison will be possible. But that is only possible if we, Joseon, put our minds to it. Hwang Hee responded to Hyangs words. Of course. No matter how much we im to be a nation, there are duties that must be maintained between nations. But using a male and female like this? I dont think there is any reason to be harsher than this. In this way, the liquidation of the Sadae was officially decided. * * * Choi Yun-deok asked Lee Jing-ok again. When we advance into Liaodong, Ming may take a military response. Lets establish measures regarding this. yes. I will prepare right away. But the first thing thates to mind is: Something? At least the Ming army should not think about crossing the Yellow Sea. At Lee Jing-oks words, the naval officers present all smiled bitterly. At least there were no people who could deal with Joseon at sea. Lee Jing-ok spoke to Choi Yun-deok on their behalf. If Ming wants to intervene militarily, they will not be able to use sea routes. No, I dont know if there will be any ships or ports left in the sea. * * * Note 1) Slightly exaggerated based on the performance of the Basilica cannon. Chapter 550 Episode 550: The night before the start of the war (3) Whew~. Hyang sighed as he checked the list of equipment requested by the military in preparation for an unexpected war, or a war that was considered almost certain. There will be an uproar at the Ministry of Finance and Economy. In order to supply the equipment required by the military, arge amount of additional budget had to be released. The problem was the Ministry of Finance and Economy. It was not easy to persuade the Ministry of Finance and Economy to regard bnced finance as equivalent to Seong Hyeons teachings. Of course, the Ministry of Finance and Economy is well aware of the urgency of the matter, but it was clear that they would try to cut as much as possible. Of course, it means that they are working properly, but the problem is that the party on the receiving end is going crazy Hyang, who was checking the list while thinking about the war of words that would break out between Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy, tapped a spot in the report with his finger. This is probably the problem right now. But I cant back down. -The cartridges used in automatic rifles and freight cars are unified with copper alloy. Incense was the most basic item to ignite the fighting spirit. * * * As breech-loading long rifles, Eul-sik rifles, and freight cars became popr, paper gun cartridges also changed to cartridge casings. However, the shell casings currently used by the Joseon military were a type of hybrid. Like the hunting buckshot of the 21st century, only the base te containing the detonator was made of copper, and the rest of the body was a bullet using a shell made of greased paper. In the case of automatic rifles, in which cartridge ejection and loading are carried out by the power of a mechanical device attached to the gun rather than by human hands, and automatic rifles used in humid areas such as the sea, cartridges made of copper alloy were used up to the body. However, in the case of general infantry and cavalry, bullets using copper-paper mixed shells were supplied unconditionally. This was due to economic problems. Copper was precious in Joseon. A copper mine was discovered on Daeseoldo Ind, and copper mines were also discovered inside Joseon. However, both ces were not profitable. Additionally, as Joseon developed, the demand for copper, including tableware, continued to increase. Thanks to this, the search for copper mines is still ongoing. Because of this situation, it was unreasonable to make even the bullet casings used by ordinary infantrymen out of copper. However, the copper-paper mixed shell casing was quite tricky. Since it was made from materials such as metal and paper that were difficult tobine tightly with each other, a lot of care had to be taken in its production. Production efficiency was also the same. The process of making the body of the bullet casing from greased paper still involved a lot of human effort. There were attempts to make it using machines, but recycling problems arose in that defective products had to be used only as kindling. Ultimately, the process of rolling paper to create the body of a shell casing had to be rolled by hand. The paper casings made this way were also difficult to manage. Of course, there were no major problems when used in ces like Jin and Bo where proper storage facilities were located. The problem was when crossing the Yalu River for a counterattack. It was certain that it would quickly deteriorate in ces without proper storage facilities. Therefore, the county took this opportunity to devise a n to unify, at least for the troops to be deployed in battle, bullets using copper casings. * * * Originally, I was nning to rece it after about five years, but some damn bastards are making it a headache Hyang continued to express his anger as he tapped the item in question with his finger. * * * Hyang had no intention of using the hybrid cartridge in question for a long time. Considering the current state of development, there will be no major financial problems even if it ispletely destroyed in about five years. ording to the n made by the local government, after five years, instead of a hybrid shell, an integrated copper alloy shell would be produced. This was achieved not only by simply changing the material of the cartridge, but also by recing ck powder with smokeless gunpowder and reducing the caliber of the bullet. In order to reduce the trial and error that may have urred in the process, experimentally made bullets and rifles matched to them were also being tested through the Chakho Musketeers Unit. -The musketeer division must perform operations in harsh environments. The current ammunition is unsuitable for the purpose, so new ammunition and rifles are provided. When King Sejong, who epted Hyangs proposal, made the approval, naturally, Kim Jeom expressed his opposition. I admit that there is a problem with bullets using oil-based cartridges. However, I think it is unnecessary to make new bullets when there are bullets that use copper casings. I responded to Kim Jeoms point out of curiosity. The mission of the Chakho Musketeers is to ambush and snipe. The gunpowder used in current Eulsik Hwacha and Eulsik Long Rifles has the disadvantage that the smoke is so thick that the location is immediately revealed. So we will use Deok-Gap style gunpowder. In addition, the size of the bullet will be reduced to further increase its power. Its like a side story. Kim Jeom had no choice but to agree with Hyangs exnation. Thanks to Kim Jeoms eptance, new ammunition and rifles were provided to the Chakho Musketeers. In the case of the bullet, the length was simr, but the caliber was reduced by half C from half an inch (about 1.5 cm) to 25 percent (about 7.5 mm) C but its power was actually superior to the existing bullet. To put it simply, it showed simr power to the rifle bullets that were used until World War I. In the case of the rifle, it was made by modifying the rolling block, which was a candidate for the Eulsik rifle. Of course, as it was issued to the musketeers, it was equipped with a vernier-type aiming device suitable for long-distance sniping. If its sniping, its a telescope, but right now the telescope is zero Hyang couldnt hide his disappointment as he looked at the vernier-type aiming device. However, despite such advancements, the image distortion was too severe for todays telescopes to be used for sniping. Although it did a good job of seeing distant things in arger size, it was difficult to achieve precise aiming. (Note 1) Therefore, the vernier type aiming device was adopted as a precision aiming device. (Note 2) The timetable for incense was as follows. -Rece with new bullets and new rifles within 5 years. -Within 10 years, the Eulsik Hwacha will be reced with a heavy machine gun at the level of the Maxim machine gun. -If this is done, Joseon will not fall behind in military power against the Ming Dynasty. Then, you will naturally break away from the four major worlds and pray for the title. Hyangs n, which hadsted 10 years, waspletely ruined by the war that broke out in Europe and the tricks of Emperor Seondeok. * * * With much preparation, Hyang met Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy. Kim Jeom-gwa, the Minister of Finance and Economy, who was carefully examining the purchase list provided by the county and township, let out a long sigh. Whoa~. Haa~. Kim Jeom sighed as if the floor was sinking, licked his lips and opened his mouth. Tsk! We will have to spend a considerable amount of money, but it cannotpare to the urgency of the situation, so we will prepare immediately. Hyang was pleased to see that he epted it more readily than expected. Thank you so much! This allows us to prepare faithfully! I just do what I have to do as a subject. Following the Minister of Finance and Economys words, Kim Jeom added. Ill buy it back. On the contrary, if we consider this as an opportunity and do our best, our Joseon can break away from the shackles of the four major powers and be self-reliant, so how can you oppose it? We must use this opportunity to be self-reliant. Kim Jeoms words were full of the emotions that had formed over the years. Hyang nodded slightly at Kim Jeoms words and muttered to himself. These gentlemen have made up a lot of things over the years. Since the time of the Yongle Emperor, the Ming Dynasty had exerted various pressures for the security of the country and to weaken Joseons capabilities. Therefore, even among the elder ministers, there were very few who were favorable to the Ming. In any case, the matter was settled in a warm atmosphere as Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy immediately epted the additional spending n. The officer who recorded all of this added the following: -So the Left Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance and Economy, who epted the budget presented by the Donggung Pce, announced that they would spend it immediately. The officer says: The current ugly atmosphere is due to the Yodong and Ming. This happened even though our Joseon Dynasty has never vited the etiquette of the four great powers and has done its best to protect the people. How can we say that this is not an outrageous thing? He said that in all things, it is necessary to return to the end of ones life, and that it is a matter of cause and effect. They will have to pay the price they deserve. Anyway, its a bit disappointing that the Minister of Finance and Economy and the Left Deputy Prime Minister passed away so easily. This is not the case. * * * As the Ministry of Finance and Economy was handed over, Joseons response began to speed up. How are the preparations for calling up the reserve forces going? Jo Mal-saeng answered Hyangs question right away. Regr training during the off-season farming season has already begun. Through this, military registers are being re-checked and organization work is in progress. If a situation arises in the spring, an emergency order will be disseminated and deployment will be possible immediately. Wouldnt the supply, including weapons, be dyed? We coborated with the Ministry of Finance and Economy to recruit an appropriate toppany and sign a contract. Please remember not to miss the moment. Jo Mal-saeng bowed his head and responded to Hyangs request. I will keep this in mind. After checking the troop mobilization issue, Hyang looked back at Hwang Hee. If something happens, there will be people spreading false rumors. And there will also be those who try to gain unfair advantage through cornering or other expedient methods. We must find them and hold them ountable. Hwang Hee bowed her head at Hyangs words. Yes, I n to call the wineries of Pocheong and ask for advice on that as well. But Hwang Hee paused for a moment and continued speaking carefully. What do you n to do with the government workers assigned to the mine? Gwangsans official Hyangs face hardened at Hwang Hees question. The government officials mentioned by Hwang Hee were the families of those who had led the previous Giyu Rebellion. At that time, the leaders were all beheaded and their families became government ves and were sentenced to hardbor in the mines. If you had to choose the most miserable people in Joseon today, these were of course them. Other government ves and sanobi could dream of bing Myeoncheon, and even if they did not be Myeoncheon, they were treated quite humanely. But they were away from all that. Men had to work in the deepest part of the mine, and women were mobilized to carry the mined minerals. What made their situation even worse was the severe discrimination. Even if they did the same work, miners and women received handsome wages, and even if they got into an ident, they could receive generouspensation. But they had nothing like that. All they had to do was work until they died or until the king showed mercy. And King Sejong had no intention of treating them leniently. What should I do in this situation? What is the right answer? By 21st century standards, an immediate amnesty would have been the right answer, but this was Joseon, an absolute monarchy. And pardoning them in this situation was a dangerous gamble. I cant help it. Ill be criticized, but Whew~. Hyang heaved a long sigh and answered Hwang Hee. First, lets strengthen the security of the mine where the officials are located. yes. If necessary, please prepare a n to move them all to Daeseoldos mine. I follow your orders. * * * Note 1) You can think of the scene in the movie The Patriot starring Mel Gibson where British military officers use telescopes. Note 2) In the picture above, this is an aiming device mounted on the neck of the gun. * * * Authors note. hello? This is Gukppong, who serializes ck Corporate Joseon. These days, series are oftente. This part is due to me. Since Sunday, I have had severe headaches and digestive problems, which has slowed down my work considerably. I went to the hospital and was diagnosed with no abnormalities. It seems like stress is the reason. We apologize for the dy in publishing the series and will do our best to meet the deadline. Chapter 551 Episode 551: Ignition. (1) First month of the 30th year of King Sejongs reign (Mujin year, 1448). In therge conference room of the Liaodong Committee, Ju Ji-jin looked back at the generals. Are you almost ready? Jo Byeong-deok came forward and answered Joo Joo-jins question. Thats right. The training of 350,000 troops has beenpleted, and the integration of the additional 50,000 troops sent from Beijing is almostplete. What about artillery? We have prepared 200 guns, including 3 Hwaryong guns andrge and small artillery pieces. In response to Jo Byeong-deoks answer, Joo Ji-jin immediately asked a question. Isnt the number of Hwaryongpo too small? Theres still time, so why not manufacture some more? There was a reason why Joo Jin-jin wanted to increase the number of Hwaryongpo. * * * There were several failures in the early stages of development, but Wang Chong and Jain stillpleted the Fire Dragon Cannon. The reason they were able to create the Hwaryongpo in such a short period of time was because it was something they had already made once. Rather, the fact that he experienced failure again even though he had experience making it was proof that Hwaryongpo was a difficult product to make. In any case, the Hwaryongpo created in this way showed Ju-jin and the generals that it was as powerful as its size. The Hwaryong gun, mounted on a proper fixed facility, fired a steel shot putter weighing 400 pounds (about 240 kg) nearly 5 ri (about 2 km). The shot put that flew like that created a hole about 4 feet long (about 1.2m) in the ground and bounced and rolled. Jo Byeong-deok, who saw the hole created by the shot put, was greatly impressed and reported it to Joo Ji-jin. This is truly amazing! Even after creating a puddle four feet deep on the solidly frozen ground, he still had enough strength to bounce back! This is truly amazing! Is it such a power that the general is so impressed by it? Jo Byeong-deok nodded his head loudly in response to Joo Ji-jins question, who had little knowledge about artillery. Excellent power ising! If the ground had not frozen, the hole would have been at least 1 sheet (approximately 3 meters) deep! At that level, it would be enough to tear down even the rumored walls of Joseon! * * * Because of such an incident, Joo Jin-jin proposed increasing the number of Hwaryongpo. Jo Byeong-deok couldnt hide his disappointment and responded immediately to Joo Ki-jins suggestion. As the saying goes, the more the better. However, there is not enough time to manufacture it and to train the soldiers who will operate it. In addition, there are not enough craftsmen to take care of repairs on the battlefield. is it? Its a shame. Joo Joo-jin also could not hide his disappointment in Jo Byeong-deoks answer. * * * Hwaryongpo was not only difficult to make, but also difficult to handle. The gun barrel, which had a length of nearly 3 pieces (approximately 9 m) and a thickness of 1 foot (approximately 30 cm), was highly likely to bend downward without being able to ovee its own weight. Therefore, the gun barrel of the Hwaryongpo was divided into two and was to be used inbination when it arrived on the battlefield. A screw was drilled into the joint of the gun barrel to ensure a tight connection. There were thick nodes around the joint, and the nodes had grooves carved at regr intervals. When they arrived at the instation site, workers would insert a strong steel bar into the groove and turn it like a watermill to assemble the gun barrel. At least 400 people were required to not only carry out thisplex disassembly and assembly process, but also to install a stand that could withstand the enormous recoil generated when fired and the weight of the 4,800-tube (approximately 18 tons) Hwaryong gun. In addition, it was natural for problems with the gun barrel to ur in the process of firing a huge iron ring over 5 ri using only the power of gunpowder, so craftsmen had to constantly check its condition. In the end, in the situation of Joo Jin-jin, three Hwaryong guns were the best and maximum. * * * I cant help it. Its a shame, but lets skip this part. How much gunpowder did you secure? Jo Byeong-deok checked the documents and immediately answered Joo Joo-jins question. Its 2,400 pipes (about 9 tons). Is that enough? It is enough. Jo Byeong-deok answered confidently. Even in a situation where gunpowder weapons had be the mainstay of war thanks to Hyangs intervention, this amount was enormous. Converting the 2,400 kwan mentioned by Jo Byeong-deok to geun, it was 15,000 geun. In history before the intervention of Hyang, the report of the Gungigam in the first year of King Sejong was as follows. -The amount of gunpowder needed per year is 4,000 geun, but we currently only have 3,300 geun. In other words, within a few months after Joo Jin-jin came to Liaodong, he secured five times the amount of gunpowder that Joseon had in the first year of King Sejong (history before the intervention of Hyang). That is why Jo Byeong-deok answered Joo Jin-jin confidently. To add insult to injury, during the Japanese invasions of Korea, the amount of gunpowder used by Admiral Yi Sun-sin in one battle exceeded 1,000 pounds. After that, Joo Ji-jin, who checked various supply issues, nodded. Its okay. I wont miss the moment. So it is. In response to Jo Byeong-deoks answer, Joo Ji-jin stood up and gave a newmand. In that case, prepare an envoy to send to Joseon. Are you talking about the messenger? Joo Ji-jin answered Jo Byeong-deoks question with a wry smile. The prince of Daeming held a royal office right next to me, but he didnt evene to say hello. Shouldnt it be questioned? I also want to take a look at the road ahead. Jo Byeong-deok immediately lowered his head at Joo Joo-jins words. I will prepare right away. * * * Fifteen dayster, Insanjin on the Yalu River. Ding ding ding! Arge cavalry appears across the river! A bell rang loudly and the sentry shouted loudly. At the sentrys shout, the soldiers came out of their quarters and ran to their posts. Warrant Officer Lee Hwi-deok, in charge ofmanding Insanjin, hurriedly climbed to the castle tower, adjusting his helmet strap. where are you? Here ites! At the soldiers finger, Lee Hwi-deok pulled out the handle of the monocle he was wearing and put it on his eyes. Its not the Jurchen guys, its the uniform of the Ming army Are they the soldiers of the Dongwangbu, who talk a lot? Lee Hwi-deok muttered in a very nervous voice while observing the soldiers movements through the monocle. There was information that came down from above not long ago. -Ming established Wangbu in Liaodong. -The problem is that it is very likely that the purpose of installing this royal government was to attack our Joseon Dynasty. Such a warning had already been received, and Insanjin had one additionalpany (approximately 3,200 soldiers) added to the existing soldiers stationed there. Now that I have three troops. Lee Hwi-deok, who counted his troops including the added troops, counted the cavalry visible in the distance. At best, its about one elementary school (625 students). Is it reconnaissance? While the people flocking across the river were wondering what their mission was, five Ming cavalrymen crossed the river holding a white g. The cavalrymen who crossed the river stood in front of the gate of Insanjin and raised their voices. This is an envoy sent by His Majesty the King of Dong! Open the door! At the shout of the Ming cavalry, Lee Hwi-deok called an interpreter. After a while, the interpreter who came running ryed Lee Hwi-deoks words. Show me the proof! After the certificate was confirmed, the ferry carrying the envoy crossed the Yalu River. I am called Hansamnam, sent by His Majesty the King of Dong. This is Warrant Officer Lee Hwi-deok of Insanjin. Wee to Joseon. Thank you. During the simple meeting, Lee Hwi-deok was able to immediately notice one thing. Im not a civil servant, Im a military officer! Lee Hwi-deok, who realized that Han Sam-nam was a military officer, moved quickly. There is a guesthouse to the east of Jin. Stay there for a while. I will inform Hanseong as soon as possible. Arent you going to stay inside the camp? Its impossible. In response to Lee Hwi-deoks firm answer, Han Sam-nam and his group headed to the guesthouse. Lee Hwi-deok, who saw Han Sam-nam and his party disappearing through the opening, gave orders to his subordinates. Report to Hanseong immediately via lightmunication. And have a messenger waiting to take the funeral. ancient! And raise Jins alert status to level 1! Itsts until they leave! ancient! * * * Two dayster, Lee Hwi-deok met Han Sam-nam again. An answer came from Hanseong. The troops to escort the envoy will arrive in two days. You can go to Hanseong with them. Han Sam-nams eyes sparkled at Lee Hwi-deoks words. Has the answer alreadye? How quick! Lee Hwi-deok responded to Han Sam-nams words with an expression that said it was no big deal. We Joseon people like speed. is it? Two dayster, the cavalry to escort Han Sam-nam and his party arrived at Insanjin. Its strict Han Sam -nam, who saw the Joseon cavalry surrounding him in a way that was more like a convoy than a guard, frowned slightly at the strictness of the military discipline. However, Han Sam-nam, who soon corrected his expression, asked the cavalrymander in a calm voice. Where are you going to get to Hanseong? I heard a rumor that there are famous colorful viges on the way. Are you stopping by those ces? The cavalrymander answered Han Sam-nams question in a dry voice. After riding the iron horse in Uiju, I will go straight to Hanseong. is it? Too bad. Tsk. Han Sam-nam licked his appetite, showing his disappointment. It was because I was truly sad. It was the best opportunity to check the advance route I guess Ill just have to figure out as far as Uiju. * * * Thanks to riding the iron horse, Han Sam-nam and his party were able to arrive at Hanseong right away. After smelling the incense at Seunghwadang, Han Sam-nam politely bowed and presented Joo Ki-jins personal letter on a silver tray. This is a personal letter from His Majesty the King of Dong. I will ept it on behalf of Abama. After receiving Joo Ji-jins personal letter through the inner office, Hyang broke the seal and checked the contents. After checking the contents of the personal letter, Hyang looked at Han Sam-nam with a strange expression. Hyang, who was looking at Han Sam-nam with a mixture of displeasure and contempt, opened his mouth. I checked the letter carefully. I will write a reply soon, so rest at the envoy hall. yes. When Han Sam-nam disappeared, Hyang checked the contents of the letter once again and looked shocked. Huh! I hope everyone reads it. yes. The ministers who received Joo Ji-jins personal letter through an internal official took turns checking the contents of the letter. Huh The expressions on the faces of the ministers who confirmed the contents of the personal letter were not much different from the scent. What do you think? Hwang Hee answered Hyangs question on behalf of the ministers. I wrote a lot of rare bullshit. When profanity was thrown out at an official event, the officers and officers looked at Hwang Hee in surprise. But Hyang immediately nodded. Is that so? Its been a long time since Ive seen such bullshit. Kim Jong-seo opened his mouth at Hyangs words. The writing skills are not good enough to even be included in the archives. Its not rude, its full of proportion. Who did you learn it from? Tsk! The contents of the personal letter Joo Gi-jin sent to Joseon were as follows. C Under the order of His Majesty the Emperor, I opened a royal office in Liaodong. -I am the eldest son of His Majesty the Emperor and have been entrusted with the defense of Liaodong. -But why doesnt Joseon send an envoy to greet me? Are you looking down on me, who will be responsible for the security of North Korea? If not, send an envoy right away. -As I am the eldest son of His Majesty the Emperor, I believe it is appropriate for the crown prince of Joseon toe. Because this was the content, not only the government but also the ministers all came forward and called it bullshit. Chapter 553 Episode 553: Battle begins. (1) The events taking ce in Liaodong were conveyed to Emperor Seondeok as secretly as possible and as quickly as possible. After checking the report from Liaodong, Emperor Seondeok burst intoughter. her! Heh heh! Starting in March? March? March? After checking the contents of the report several times, Emperor Seondeok shook his head slightly and muttered. Being bold is good, but failing to watch the timing is fatal. Thank God I pushed it away. Emperor Seondeok thought it would take about three years until Ju Ji-jin took action. It was thought that the process of gathering about 300,000 troops and training them would take that much time. However, just a few months after going to Liaodong, he filled 300,000 troops and prepared to invade Joseon. Did I make a mistake in selecting this person? The generals that Emperor Seondeok gave to Joo Jin-jin were capable, but were eliminated on the way to sess due to other problems. Because they are capable, they will still be able to build a healthy military. However, the generals were beyond Emperor Seondeoks expectations. And when Emperor Seondeok received this result sheet, he frowned. With their experience, it would still be too much The generals sent to Joo Jin-jin had a fatal problem in that their experience was shallow. Even Jo Byeong-deok, the most advancedmander, had only evermanded 10,000 troops. The problem was that there were no people with experience in drawing the big picture who had experience in moving hundreds of thousands of soldiers, such as the top leaders of the military, the left and right governors, and the veteran officers below them. * * * Hmm. Emperor Seondeok, who was examining the situation, analyzed what his mistake was. Was the money the problem? How many times did I have to send it? Making weapons and raising and maintaining an army required considerable expenditure. However, the situation in Liaodong was difficult to create and maintain arge army of several hundred thousand people. Therefore, Emperor Seondeok created and sent funds for this purpose. The amount of money sent by Emperor Xiande to Zhu Zhijin was enormous, almost half of the Ming courts annual operating budget. And the source of this money was a slush fund raised by separately taking out a significant portion of the profits obtained from the joint venture with Joseon. In the process of sending this slush fund, Emperor Seondeok had some concerns. Would it be better to send it all at once? Or split it into several parts? Emperor Seondeok thought for a moment and immediately came to a conclusion. -If it is sent separately and exposed, there is a high possibility that Joseon will notice. I cant help it. Emperor Seondeok, worried that Joseon would notice, chose to send them all at once. It was a decision made by Emperor Seondeok, who did not know how carefully Joseon was observing Liaodong. And Joo Jin-jin used these funds to create 300,000 troops in just a few months. Here, the nature of the armypleted by Ju Gi-jin changed. He had be a mercenary. * * * After organizing the situation, Emperor Seondeok came to a conclusion. Contrary to expectations, I hope it doesnt go as far as direct intervention. By the way, it was a good decision to push Kijin out as crown prince. He is a great man who would have been destroyed immediately if he had ascended to the throne with that kind of personality. It was Emperor Seondeok who gave a cool-headed evaluation of Joo Jin-jin. However, this was an excuse and an avoidance of responsibility for Emperor Seondeok himself. He used his own son and his legitimate eldest son as bait. It was an excuse to ease the guilt of making a heartless decision. But this was just deceiving oneself. The most representative example was the secret message sent to Ju Ji-jin through Wang Chong. -If Joseon is obtained, title will be granted. While conveying this secret message, Wang Chong added this: The choice is yours. However, Emperor Seondeok omitted the word if from this secret secret message. Emperor Seondeok knew very well what decision Joo Ji-jin, who suffered a huge blow to his pride after being pushed out of his promised position as emperor, would make. In the end, this was apulsion, not a choice. * * * At the same time that Emperor Xuande was deceiving himself in Beijing, in Hanseong, Hyang was engaged in a war of words with the army. The reason for the war of words was the size of the troops deployed in and around Insanjin and the Yalu River, where the Ming army was expected to attempt to cross. There is no significant disagreement regarding the expected crossing point, first and second defense lines, and follow-up measures. But Hyang paused for a moment and continued speaking, tapping the report with his fingers. The deployment of troops is the problem. I think this is ridiculously inadequate, since one department, including the troops of Insanjin in charge of defending the expected point, is the entire first line of defense. The size of the total wealth varied depending on the troops in charge of supply and administration, but the average was around 17,000. The scent was pointing out that this army was currentlycking. However, those who expressed doubts about Hyangsments were military personnel. It is believed that that level is sufficient for defense. In response to the generals answers, Hyang immediately began to refute them. They say that the first thing that determines the oue of a battle is celestial timing, and the next is geography, right? They took the city with them, and we brought the geography. So wouldnt it be advantageous for us to secure the next important military force? Think about the turmoil between Lee Man-joo and Muntemu in the past. The first thing our Joseon army took advantage of was the advantage of geography, and then the advantage of troops. The expressions on the military generals faces turned strange as Hyang pointed out. Most of the generals here now were those who participated in the battle at the time. In front of them, Hyang was talking about that incident. However, no one came forward and pointed this out. Not only was the person in front of him the Crown Prince, the current suprememander, but it was also because of the achievements Hyang had umted over the years. It was Hyang who researched and came up with weapons that could overwhelm the armies of other countries and how to use them properly to create an impregnable castle. In the field of weapons technology and military strategy, Hyang was someone who had the skills and track record to make it impossible for even those who were worn out in the military to make a fuss. In the end, Choi Yun-deok came forward and responded to Hyangs point. The major general also participated in thest war. Therefore, I am well aware of what you are pointing out. However, just as the geography changed over time, the weapons of our Joseon army also changed. Thanks to this, we have reached a situation where the number of soldiers is small and the military is more superior. First of all, this is evident just by looking at long guns. No matter how slow a soldier is, if he picks up a Japanese-style rifle, he can kill the enemy three times faster than a Japanese-style rifle. If you have quick hands, you can shoot five times faster. Its not just about speed. These soldiers are also skilled in marksmanship. Additionally, there is Bigyeokjincheonroi, which has boasted the greatest power since ancient times. How about Eulsikhwacha? It is a weapon that can kill a hundred, or even a thousand per day. Even if you look at the defense side, there is a wire mesh fence. It is difficult to break through this wire mesh without the right tools, so only one person can do it with one wire mesh. Hyang sighed at Choi Yun-deoks words. Whoa~. These guys have too much faith in weapons! After catching her breath, Hyang began to refute Choi Yun-deoks words. yes. The general is right. The performance of the Eulsik Long Rifle is excellent, and the quality of the soldiers who use it is also extremely excellent. However, you need time to aim properly in order to kill with one hit. If you need a moment to catch your breath before aiming and shooting at one enemy, what will you do if three, four, or five peoplee running at you during that time? Even if Bigyeokjincheonroe and Eulsikhwacha are capable of killing a hundred thousand a day, what will you do if ten thousand people rush in? For that part, use the wire mesh Even if you dont have tools, you can break through by breaking the supports that support the wire mesh. Of course, the enemy will incur heavy losses in the process, but if we endure it, the enemy will break through. Of course you can, but then you will have to take more losses than necessary. This is something that a long-lived person can avoid. If this is the only way to win, wouldnt you choose it? What would you do if you were a general who had to break through the front line in this position? Of course, thats the worst case scenario. While affirming Hyangs words, Choi Yun-deok continued to refute them. However, the number of soldiers in Liaodong is known to be around 350,000. Excluding the troops to maintain security in Liaodong, the maximum number is around 300,000. The number of troops is too low to wage such a war of attrition. But there is enough room to break through the defense line guarded by one division. Dont you think that the morale of our soldiers guarding the second line will drop the moment they hear the news of defeat? In response to Hyangs rebuttal, Choi Yun-deok kept his mouth shut. I wanted to immediately refute the issue of low morale, but I couldnt refute it easily. There were many incidents like those pointed out by Hyang, not only the numerous records of defeat recorded in the previous dynasty, but also the disgraceful situation experienced in the conquest of Tsushima Ind. Looking at Choi Yun-deoks disappointed face, Hyang continued speaking. The situation we are preparing for now is not just a situation where the Jurchen tribe invades the border. If that were the case, I would have said that the measures I received were excellent. But thats not it, is it? . Hearing Hyangs words, the generals just looked at their desks with frustrated expressions. The point of incense was piercing their painful spots. Hyang continued speaking. We still have time to deal with it and we have the troops. In this situation, brave fighting ismendable, but forcing a hard fight is something the militarys high-ranking officials have nothing to say even if they are criticized. From the perspective of soldiers who have to stop the enemy on the front line right away, wouldnt they feel more powerful if they had morerades guarding their side? There was quite a bit of ng in the middle, but the generals couldnt be upset. In the end, Choi Yun-deok waved the white g as the representative. I believe your words are reasonable. Then, how many troops would you like to deploy? I think we should deploy at least three departments. Choi Yun-deok expressed his disapproval at Hyangs words. Isnt it too much to ce three departments in Insanjin and the surrounding area? If too many soldiers are concentrated in a small space, the density of troops may be too high and there may be confusion inmand. At Choi Yun-deoks point, Hyang looked at the map and opened a military geography book. Hyang, who had been looking through a military geography book for a while, looked at Choi Yun-deok. Looking at the geography, the width on both sides of that protrusion is about 15 ri (about 6 km). Are you saying that cing three departments in that space would be overcrowding and cause confusion inmand? The space is not a field, but a private house, and there are various restrictions, includingmunication andmand issues Hyang responded firmly to Choi Yun-deoks words. In that case, I will personally go to Insanjin and takemand. There wont be anymanders who act foolishly even when Im right in front of them, right? Choi Yun-deok became thoughtful at the Hyangs bombshell deration. I will deploy two departments and do my best to lead them! You must give three. Hyang insisted on three parts until the end, and in the end, Choi Yun-deok waved the white g. I will ce three departments. thank you. After receiving Hyangs gratitude, Choi Yun-deok asked Hyang again. If this happens, the location and nature of the second line of defense must also change. I think it would be a good idea to move the location of the second defense line a little further north and change its character from a defense line to an offensive standby line. I agree. * * * The meeting ended and Hyang, left alone in the office, grumbled softly. If I could, I would at least show them a movie about World War I Chapter 554 Episode 554: The war begins. (2) Despite what he said, the county tried to solve the problem. The problem ofmand authority can be solved by clearly organizing the rank hierarchy, and the problem is probablymunication. When bullets start flying above your head, everything youve already nned, whether its a n or something else, goes out the window. It is improvisation that determines victory or defeat. It was a rule consistently applied inrge-scale wars that continued after World War I and World War II and into the 21st century. Even though cutting-edge equipment, from balloons to airnes to satellites and unmanned aerial vehicles, were mobilized to reconnoiter enemy lines and all the smart guys came together to n a n, when it actually went into execution, it was a series of improvisation and brute force. Even if there are things called n B and n C, it alles down to WTF, right? Hyang, who was muttering while twirling the stylus and ring at the paper, came to a conclusion. The surest means to solve this problem ismunication. Communicating faster than the enemy allows for a quick response and victory. * * * Until now, the best means ofmunication avable on the battlefield was messengers. Of course, there were various means ofmunication, from drums and trumpet signals to colorful kites. However, the most reliable means was messengers. The problem was thatmunication using messengers took up a lot of time. Errors urred due to the time spent by seniormanders in the process of making decisions after hearing reports on the time of messengers traveling back and forth on horseback or on foot. Therefore, Hyang decided that solving themunication problem would bring the best effect. * * * The person Hyang mobilized for quickmunication was a monk. February 12th. Han Soo-byeon. Its been a while since the first spring, but the local government, ministers, and generals of the military gathered on the banks of the Han River where the chilly wind still blows. While a group of soldiers were preparing to fly the monks and engage in a mock battle, Hyang exined to the generals about the demonstration that was about to begin. The mock battle being held now is to demonstrate the effectiveness ofmunication ry using monks. The Qing Army will use monks, and the Red Army will use its soldiers in the traditional way. -The acetabulum that will be used first is stage 3. -The two units will ry the situation on the left and right wings of the Qing Army and the messages of the fieldmanders using luminous signals, and the first unit located behind will rymunications sent from the two preceding units andmunications sent from the headquarters to the front line. Hyang, who exined the role of the bhikkhu in this demonstration, pointed to the military tent in the back. That is the Qing armysmand center. Hyang, who brought the people in, pointed to a veryrge desk located in the center of the tent. As you can see, the terrain for the mock battle is marked on this desk. Trained soldiers immediately mark the terrain and report the situation based on information received through Bhikkhu. That way,manders can check the situation more quickly and make decisions. Hmm? Hoo~. High-ranking militarymanders eyes lit up at Hyangs exnation. The bhikkhu thought it was only useful for reconnaissance purposes. Hyang responded to Choi Yun-deoks words with a light smile. Of course, it is optimal for reconnaissance, but it is also very useful formunication. Was it probably the Civil War that led to the use of balloons formunication? In the mock battle that followed, the Qing army, using real-timemunication using balloons, was able to win. Its not andslide victory, but I think its a matter of space. This is because the waterfront is not wide. I think it will do its job well if used in arger space like Insanjin. Themanders all nodded at Hyangs words. Even at that moment, the scene of using a bhikkhu on the battlefield wasing to mind in their minds. After returning to Seunghwadang, Hyang, ministers, and militarymanders put their heads together. What is the rmended number of monks to be stationed at Insanjin? After a long discussion to determine the optimal number, the final number decided was 20. There were actually 5 nes in the sky, but since they had to stay in the sky from sunrise to sunset, 15 nes were actually needed, and including spare nes, there were 20 nes. With the arrangement of the monks decided, it seemed like everything was over, but one thing remained. This is the typewriter stationed at yourmand center. Cant we just do it by hand? Everyones handwriting is different, so if you make a mistake, you may not be able to read it properly. Themanders, including Choi Yun-deok, all looked embarrassed at Hyangs words. I wasnt aware of it when there was one or two, but now that there are more of them, the noise is quite significant. At those words, Hyang also made an embarrassed face. Of course, there is a lot of noise, but it is unavoidable when considering efficiency. And you will soon get used to the noise over time. Its my experience! In the 21st century, Hyang was a person who insisted only on mechanical keyboards. Meanwhile, the ministers who were listening to the conversation between the township and themanders were whispering in low voices. Did you say that sooner orter even officers and jurists will use typewriters? Thats right. This is a big deal. My hearing has been decliningtely I need to find out what medicine is good for my throat and ears. * * * After various disturbances, the Joseon army was reinforced and deployed around Insanjin, and defense facilities began to be installed. With Insanjin Castle in the center, long trenches began to be dug on the left and right, and pirs to support the iron railwork began to be installed one by one. Lee Hwi-deok, who was leaning on the Insanjin Fortress and looking at the increasingly longer trench line,ined softly. Im sure there are more than one person who would say that those huge furrows clearly show the twisted nature of our Korean people. The long lines of trenches extending from the left and right sides of Insanjin resembled sawtooth lines. And in front of it, supports to erect wire mesh fences were being nted along the trench line. Later, when the wire mesh was hung, you would see a wire mesh wall with the same jagged pattern along the trench line. As Lee Hwi-deok said, this was not because of the poor character of the Joseon people or because of geological problems. The enemies who had crossed the Yalu River would naturally have no choice but to gather in the inner concave part of the sawtooth along the wire mesh and trench lines, and would then be subjected to concentrated attacks by the Joseon army waiting in the trenches. To protect the outer apex of the most dangerous gear, a small tower was built using iron-d mortar and bombardment guns were ced there. In addition, arge number of fire trucks and shotgun shells were deployed along the trench line. Thanks to this, looking at the deployment of soldiers, the ratio of soldiers who would go into the trenches and shoot at the enemy to soldiers who supplied ammunition to shotgun shells and freight cars was created at a ratio of 6.5:3.5. It was truly an arrangement worthy of the evaluation of a nation crazy about artillery. * * * Taaa~. Lee Hwi-deok, who was looking at the trench line from the castle wall, immediately became stiff when he heard a gunshot from afar. Ding ding ding! emergency! emergency! Everyone deployed forbat! Battle deployment! Combat deployment! Not long after the gunfire was heard, a loud bell sounded to signal an emergency, and soldiers rushed to the walls and trenches of Insanjin. Lee Hwi-deok, who returned to the fortress, immediately checked the situation. Where did the gunfiree from? When I heard the sound, it seemed like it was quite far away. Checking now! After the units deployed in Insanjin and the vicinity were upset, it was reported that no shots were fired anywhere. At least its not the Insanjin were holding on to, right? Thats right. Lee Hwi-deok, who received the report from his subordinate, gave orders with a look of restlessness on his face. Lift the emergency and maintain level 2 alert. yes! After giving orders to his subordinates, Lee Hwi-deok looked across the Yalu River and muttered. Did the Musketeers do something else? * * * An undisclosed battle was already taking ce around the Yalu River. First, the Joseon Army cavalry conducted intensive patrols along the Yalu River and the border of the northeastern region. The Joseon Army cavalry had all the information on the Jurchen tribes living in the patrol area they patrolled. Thanks to this, if there was a tribe other than the tribe they knew, they immediately entered abat stance and charged. In this case, the only choice for the people in question was to raise their hands and surrender. If they escaped, they were considered to be enemies who hade in for reconnaissance and were pursued and destroyed. If they resisted, they were immediately annihted. As a result, everything except surrender was death. While the Joseon Armys cavalry patrolled and moved inrge numbers, the Chakho Musketeers ambushed them in the forest south of the Yalu River. The Chakho Musketeers, the smallest unit in the Joseon military organization, wereposed of groups of five (5 people per group) and were deployed along the banks of the Yalu River. Their targets were foreigners who secretly crossed the Yalu River without using the designated gate. When such people were discovered, the Musketeers immediately turned them into meat of the Yalu River. Thanks to this, another butterfly effect urred. Even in a situation where war could break out at any moment, all those who engaged in smuggling disappeared. * * * February 22nd. Additional soldiers dispatched from Hanseong arrived at Insanjin. Lee Hwi-deok, who was at the entrance to Insanjin, greeted the new arrival with a very nervous look. insect! Thank you for your hard work. It was Lee Jing-ok who received the salute from Lee Hwi-deok, whose military standards were firmly raised. Lee Hwi-deok became very nervous at the appearance of a superior who was far higher than himself, a man who had gained notoriety not only in the northeastern region where he was mainly active but also in the Yalu River region. Lee Jing-ok, who saw the condition of the soldiers lined up at the Jinmun, praised Lee Hwi-deok. Seeing that the discipline is strict and the spirit is sharp, I can see that you have trained it well. Good job. thank you! You may have already received the order, but I have now taken over the overallmand of the units deployed to Insanjin. I need a lot of help from you. Its the front line and its too dangerous. Wouldnt it be better to set up amand center in the rear? No matter how much I use a bhikkhu, there are times when what I see in person is more urate. And Lee Jing-ok paused for a moment, looked around, and whispered softly to Lee Hwi-deok. There are all high-ranking people gathered at the assault starting line, starting with General Choi Yun-deok. Do I have to suffer fromyer afteryer there? yes? ha ha ha! Please take care of me! Lee Jing-ok,ughing heartily, walked ahead, and the officers who came with him followed behind him. Seeing Lee Jing-ok like that, Lee Hwi-deok was in tears. I dont want to overthink things either * * * With the arrival of Lee Jing-ok, the Joseon army in Insanjin began preparations for the final. A threeyer wire mesh wall was built along the Yalu River, and a twoyer wire mesh wall was built on the front 40 sections (approximately 120 m) of the trench line. Afterwards, monks appeared in the sky. The sentences written by the signal soldiers who deciphered the luminous signal sent from the bhikkhu were immediately typed and sent to Lee Jing-ok. And the soldiers deployed to the Insanjin Fortress and trench lines continued to train and rest. And on March 15th. The Liaodong Army under themand of Jo Byeong-deok appeared on the other side of the Yalu River. Chapter 555 Episode 555: Blood River (1) Weve finally arrived. Cho Byeong-deok, who climbed up a hill near the Yalu River, looked at the Joseonnd beyond the river and muttered. Jo Byeong-deok, who was looking at thend of Joseon across the river, turned to look at his subordinate generals. Its been a long road. Isnt that right? Thats right. I didnt expect the Hwaryongpo to take up so much time. The Hwaryongpo is as picky as it is powerful. At Jo Byeong-deoks words, the subordinate generals all mentioned the Hwaryongpo and shook their heads. * * * As his subordinate generals said, the Hwaryong gun was as difficult to operate as its performance. First of all, the transportation process was a problem. Even though it was divided into two, the weight of Hwaryongpo was enormous. Therefore, we took this into consideration from the beginning when making ns and assigned arge number of people. However, as the frozen ground thawed under the enormous weight of the Hwaryongpo, the ground became soft and had a greater-than-expected upward effect, making it very difficult for the Hwaryongpo to move. As a result, close to 20,000 additional personnel had to be deployed in addition to the troops and manpower assigned to be in charge of movement. Only after they solidified the road and built a temporary bridge over the river that must be crossed, Hwaryongpo was able to move properly. Only after going through such a vicious struggle was the Liaodong army able to reach the banks of the Yalu River. It was a whopping 10 dayste from the scheduled river crossing for the first five days of March. * * * Anyway, weve arrived, so we should start the operation. Strengthening his will, Jo Byeong-deok took out the telescope from his pocket. Jo Byeong-deok, who was pulling the telescopes tube, suddenly stopped and looked at the telescope in his hand. Jo Byeong-deok, who was looking at the telescope for a moment, burst outughing and muttered. Using Joseon goods to attack Joseon Thats ridiculous. Joseon-made telescopes were a necessity not only for Jo Byeong-deok but also for the Ming armymanders. Although the Ming Dynasty produced telescopes, it could not match the performance and quality of Joseon-made telescopes. Jo Byeong-deok, sitting on a horse and holding a telescope to his eye, looked at the walls of the Insan camp across the river. Hoo~. Jo Byeong-deok, who was looking at the walls of the Insan camp and the iron railings stretched to the left and right, clicked his tongue. Tsk! I was preparing. Well Jo Byeong-deok paused for a moment and looked up at the sky. Monks were floating high in the sky behind Insanjin. Theres no way you wouldnt know since you were looking at it from such a high ce. And the officials would have been released. Liaodong was thend of Ming, but it was also thend of Joseon. Thanks to this, Ganja sent from Joseon and Jurchen tribes following Joseon were watching the Liaodong Army here and there. Jo Byeong-deok, who was examining Insanjin through a telescope, came down from the hill with his subordinate generals. Jo Byeong-deok entered the military camp erected at the bottom of the hill and checked the situation. When will the vanguards preparations for departure be finished? Everything will be ready in two days. Have you prepared a way to destroy the iron fence erected by the Koreans? One of his subordinate generals immediately answered Jo Byeong-deoks question. yes. I n to order the Jurchen tribe. The Jurchen tribe? Hmm. Jo Byeong-deok, who pondered for a moment, nodded. I guess itll be okay. * * * Building defense facilities using stone required a lot of wealth. Thanks to this, many of the defense facilities located on the border relied on wooden fences. The Jurchen tribes method of destroying this was to use a rope with a hook. A rope with a hook was hung from a wooden fence, tied to the saddle, and then pulled. It may not have been possible with the strength of just one or two fences, but if 10 to 20 or more people put hooks in one ce and pulled, the fence would copse. To prevent this, the defending side desperately cut off hooks and attacked the Jurchen cavalry. However, the moment he exposed himself for this purpose, he became the target of arrows from the Jurchen tribe behind him. * * * Although satisfied with his subordinates measures, Jo Byeong-deok added an order. If possible, provide ropes with hooks to the infantry as well. After all, cavalrymen are easy targets. I think it would be a good idea to pay one per 10 units. I will. Have you checked the water depth and temperature? yes. We asked nearby residents to find out. The water has risen a bit since the thaw season has passed, but the dry season has not yet ended, so the deepest ce is only about waist level. What is the flow rate? They say its not that fast. They say that if you are a little careful, you can cross it on foot. Good, good. Jo Byeong-deok could not hide his satisfied expression upon hearing the report from his subordinate general. Many of the losses suffered during river crossing operations urred during the river crossing process. However, if the river could be crossed without using a boat, sacrifices could be minimized. And if the beachhead was properly secured, it could almost be considered a sess. When can I use the Hwaryong Cannon? Its in four days. Hmm Jo Byeong -deok confirmed the date when the Hwaryongpo, the most important offensive weapon, would be prepared, and set the attack start date. Five dayster, an unknown attack will begin. By then, the tension among the Koreans will have eased a bit. Aim for that moment and attack. ancient! I wish you military honors. Good luck! * * * While the Liaodong Army was preparing for an offensive, the Joseon Army was also preparing to block it. In the conference room of Insanjin, a meeting was going on under the chairmanship of Lee Jing-ok. ording to a report from the monks, arge earthen wall is being built about 3 ri (about 1.2 km) behind the Yalu River. Earth wall? yes. A total of three earthen walls are being built, and it is said that the concrete in question is located behind these earthen walls. ording to additional information, work is currently underway to connect two cannons into one. Was it really three doors? Thats right. Im sure there are three doors. In response to the subordinate officers report, Lee Jing-ok muttered with his arms crossed. Hmm As expected, it was a veryrge siege gun. * * * As the Liaodong army approached the Yalu River, intelligence about them was quickly received. The ever-increasing amount of intelligence informationmonly contained information about giant bronze artillery. Based on this intelligence, a small war of words broke out among the Joseon militarymanders. -The total number of superrge bronze guns in question is 6. Couldnt they be 6rge guns? Could it be that arge siege gun was disassembled? Assembling a heavy artillery gun at the front? Then you will only be a target! Shells and bullets will rain down from all directions! Gupo is for sure! A Jincheonroe fired from someone of that size must have tremendous power! Are you saying that because you dont know the Gupo intersection? As this war of words broke out between the rifle and cavalrymanders, Lee Jing-ok called the artillerymanders. What do you think? The artillerymanders who read the reports gave almost simr answers to Lee Jing-oks question. It is most likely a siege gun. What is the possibility that it is a veryrge gupo? Gupo has a short range. Of course, if it were arge Jincheonro fired from a gun like that, the power would certainly be enormous, but it would be over after one shot was fired. This is because our armys artillery will destroy it right away. * * * It is true that it is a siege gun, but why are these earthen walls built? The artillerymanders who were looking at the report immediately responded to Lee Jing-oks question. This is to protect against artillery fire aimed at that gun. shelling? In response to the artillerymanders answers, Lee Jing-ok furiously traced his memory. Lee Jing-ok, who had been remembering for a while, nodded. A Byeongsik general fire box would be enough. Thats right. As Hyangs love of artillery ovepped with Joseons love for artillery, the artillery of the Joseon army continued to develop. And the most recent work was a shotgun and a military gun barrel. The maximum range of the Byeongsik General Firearm was 2000 paces (about 2.4 km). Is it possible that information from the Byeongsik General Hwatong was included? It must have been obtained through the Jurchen tribe who fought against us all this time. I guess so Then can we turn those copper chunks into scrap metal with the artillery we have? The artillerymanders answered Lee Jing-oks question with confident faces. Please just give me the order. Youre trustworthy. * * * Meanwhile, the Korean soldiers stationed at the trench line were digging hard. Ouch! Wow! Young car! Zero car! The bottom of the trench was dug a little deeper and the soil dug out was ced in bags to thicken the area around the gun pit. And many of the hard-working soldiers were worn-out soldiers. hey! I need to do some more reinforcement here! yes! Put up scaffolding here! Are you going to stand on tiptoe and pull the trigger? Dont just build on top, reinforce whats around you! The military instructors and military officers looked dumbfounded at the sight of the old soldiers. What do you want? Whats going on? What about the people who just a few days ago were just pulling out the dishes because they didnt want to shovel? The old soldiers responded to the military training and the words of the military leaders by pointing across the river. Those guys werent around until the day before yesterday, right? So youre working hard now? You bastard! Thats why you cant get promoted! * * * Five dayster, when the eastern sky was getting brighter, movement slowly began to increase in the Liaodong army camp. Are you ready? Its done! okay? Shoot fire and darts! The soldier who was waiting for the officers order lit the wick and fired it into the air. Sigh~. pop! As the fireworks soared into the sky and sparked fire in the air, fireworks soon rose up here and there. Soon after, small and heavy artillery pieces from the Liaodong Army batteries encamped a short distance from the riverside opened fire at the same time. Kwakwakwak! Puff! The artillery shells that flew across the Yalu River caused pirs of sand and earth along the riverside and the surrounding area. Ugh! Floating! As soon as the Liaodong armys bombardment began, loud drums and trumpets sounded from the fortress of the Insan camp, and shouts were heard from all directions. Enemy attack! Enemy attack! Battle deployment! Combat deployment! With shoutsing from all directions, the soldiers came out of their hiding ces and ran to their assigned positions. Take off the packaging! Ready to load! The soldiers in charge of operating the boxcars and shotguns removed the packaging covering the wagons and shotguns and hurriedly began loading them. Loaded! Ready! atmosphere! The soldiers finished loading with quick movements and looked beyond the gun muzzle, waiting for the order to fire. bang! bang! Quack! Its artillery fire! Get down! Instantly, a second wave of artillery fire followed, and the soldiersid the man down on the floor of the trench. This was followed by a third wave of bombardment. bang! Quack! The Joseon soldiers, who were lying prone under the continuous bombardment, were all swearing. Damn it! Are our artillerymen still sleeping? While they were spitting out curses, the Joseon armys artillery finally began to move. Were in position! Here are the coordinates! Artillerymanders who received the coordinates from the messenger adjusted the aiming points of the guns theymanded. After a while, the guns of the Joseon Army batteries opened fire all at once. Kwakwakwak! As the Joseon armys counterfire continued, the Liaodong armys artillery fire began to weaken. Stand up! The enemies will soon cross the river! Medic! Medic! As the artillery fire from the Liaodong Army subsided, the soldiers in the trench line took up positions in the firing line. And medics ran around carrying stretchers to pick up those who had been killed or injured by the Liaodong Armys artillery fire. Hee hee hee! Wow! While the Joseon army was busy moving, the loud sounds of horses and shouts of people erupted from the river. The river crossing of the Liaodong Army had begun. Chapter 556 Episode 556: Blood River (2) Itsing! atmosphere! atmosphere! As the neighing of horses and the shouts of people rang out from the river, the tension of the Joseon soldiers waiting on the walls and trench lines reached its highest point. The Joseon soldiers swallowed dry saliva and stared ahead. Hey, youngest. Han Il-nam, who was very nervous in the imminent situation, answered immediately when the leader of the five divisions to which he belonged called. Soldier! Hanilnam! Youngest child, go back and resupply cartridges. Hanilnam asked back with a puzzled expression at the unexpected order. yes? Today, be diligent in supplying ammunition. If I happen to shoot an empty gun today, you will die to me. Do you understand? Yes old! Then go and get the ammunition right now! ancient! At themand of themander, Han Il-nam ran backwards, following the traffic signal. Seeing this, the soldier who was with him made a joke to Ojang. Atta brother! Someone would think that the youngest is your son! Did you not see the youngests face? It seemed like a fight would start as soon as the trigger was pulled. Its easier to just grab a cartridge and run. Arent you the guy who came in to eat the army knife meal anyway? I think its better to experience what youre going to experience in advance, right? Not today. Today Ojang, who shook his head at the soldiers words, looked at the river sparkling in the rising sunlight. Theyreing in droves. Ojang, who looked slightly fed up as he looked at the Liaodong armying in such arge group that the river could not be seen, continued speaking. I shouldnt think about eating fish from the Yalu River for the time being. The soldier who had been joking just a moment ago swore at the meaningful words of themander. Fuck I brought a cartridge Wow! Ilnam, who returned with the cartridges ording to the fivemanders orders, froze as he spoke when he saw the pitch-ck enemies approaching. When Ojang saw that, he shouted at Ilnam. What are you doing! You know it because you saw it! Can that be done in one container? Bring more now! yes. ancient! Bring more projectiles! yes! At themand of themander, Ilnam ran the traffic signal again. Meanwhile, Ojang shouted to the soldiers around him. Dont pull the trigger until they grab the first wire! no! Take your hand off the trigger! Yes old! The distance from the banks of the Yalu River to the trenches of the Joseon soldiers is about 100jang (about 300m). The first row of 5-ply wire mesh was 60 pieces (about 180m) away from the trench. And the fifth row of wireting was 20 rows (about 60m) away from the trench. Although it was ck gunpowder, the Joseon armys ck gunpowder, which had sulfur removed, produced less smoke. Of course, as the sulfur disappeared, the ignition point increased, but this was a situation that was solved with a copper percussion cap using Noehong. Although it was not as effective as smokeless gunpowder, the Joseon army, with its low-smoking gunpowder and properly processed rifled guns, had an overwhelmingly longer range of fire than the armies of other countries. And this time, the performance that had been hidden as much as possible was finally revealed. * * * omg! omg! The soldiers of the Liaodong Army vanguard were crossing the Yalu River, breathing heavily. Because it was still dry season, the depth of the river was mid-thigh at its deepest point. And the width of the river was significantly reduced. But the luck didnt end there. As the river water receded, the exposed river bed was a sandy t. If you dont keep moving, youll get stuck. Even though the thaw season had passed, we still had to wade through the ice-cold river water. Armament was also a problem. The vanguard of the Liaodong army crossing the river were those wearing the ssic weapons of swords and shields. The shield was a heavy piece made of thick wood covered with iron tes, and the sword was a thick and heavy sword. The mission of the vanguard was to protect themselves with thick shields and use long swords to break through the iron fence. This was an added mission after arriving at the Yalu River and discovering the iron wire. In the original n, the mission of the vanguard was simple. -Until the pontoon bridge ispleted and the rifle corps crosses the river, they will engage in closebat with the Joseon army. For the rifle corps to cross the river, a pontoon bridge or ferry was essential. This was because if the gunpowder was wet with water, the iron gun was nothing more than a club. Therefore, the mission of the vanguard, armed with swords and shields, was to cross the river under their own power and then engage in closebat with the Joseon army to buy time. And in order to reduce their damage, artillery batteries were to continue bombarding the Joseon army. The problem was that the Liaodong Army artillerymen, who were supposed to be raining shells on the Joseon armys positions, suffered serious damage from the Joseon armys anti-artillery bombardment and withdrew. Therefore, they were now breathing heavily and crossing the river with all their might. This was because the less time a person was slow to act, the higher the chance of survival. * * * Wow~ Waaaa~ Hee hee! Finally, those who were running at the forefront of the vanguard set foot on the opposite bank of the river. As soon as they set foot on drynd, the soldiers regained their energy and started sprinting again, shouting. Finally, the soldiers who arrived at the first row of wires ced their shields in front of them and grabbed the wires. Tang! Tang! I grabbed the wire mesh with my left hand and struck the sword with all my might, but it bounced upward. Aaaah! Instead of breaking the chain, the soldiers looked at their long swords with their des blown out, screaming like screams, and started striking them like crazy. However, the train in front of them was still just iling and not breaking. There was no answer at all from the steel support on which the railing was hanging. At that moment, the Korean soldiers waiting in the trench all pulled the trigger. Ta-ta-tang! Tatang! Wook! Ahh! The soldiers, who were frantically swinging their swords, fell to the sandy beach, spraying blood after being shot by the Joseon army. The shields that covered their path were full of holes. As the soldiers who were wrestling with the wire mesh fell down in a line, the soldiers who followed took up the empty space and wrestled with the wire. Behind him, other soldiers were already rushing in. They had no other choice. Tatang! bang! Ta-ta-tang! bang! Quack! bang! The famous bigyeokjincheonroe of the Joseon army finally began to join in the continuous pouring of gunfire. Every time the Bigyeokjin Thunder exploded, lost limbs were scattered in all directions. However, the vanguard army had no choice but to continue holding on to the iron fence. pop! Puff! pop! After a while, the Liaodong Army artillery, which had taken care of the damage, began shelling the Joseon Army. As the Liaodong Armys shells pounded the Joseon Armys trench lines, the shooting gradually subsided. Its time! Hang the hook! Hang the hook! The vanguard soldiers who did not miss the opportunity hung hooks on the wire mesh or on the posts supporting the wire mesh. Pull! Pull! Pull! The soldiers holding the rope pulled desperately. Tu-ta-ta-ta-tang! Ta-ta-tang! Quack! A concentrated attack by the Joseon army, including Eulsikhwacha and Bigyeokjincheonroe, continued, but the Liaodong army desperately grabbed the rope and pulled. This was because they knew very well that the rope they were holding in their hands was the only way. It copsed! It copsed! charge! Charge! Wow! Finally, a hole was drilled in the first row. The Liaodong Army soldiers shouted and rushed forward. Tu-ta-ta-ta-tang! Ta-ta-tang! The fire from the Eulsik wagon was focused on the Liaodong Army soldiers who were running forward. The soldiers who were hit by concentrated fire from the Eulsik wagon could not even scream and fell down like millet trees. Get down! Get down! gear! gear! The soldiers of the Liaodong Army, who saw theirrades running ahead of them fall to the ground, hastily threw themselves to the ground. The heavy and cumbersome shield suddenly disappeared. The soldiers, holding a rope in one hand and a sword in the other, or just the rope in their hands, crawled forward on the ground, writhing like caterpirs. Their goal was only one. Stay alive safely and hook onto the railing and support pole in front of you. But the Joseon military did not just ignore it. Shotguns had begun to join the weapons attacking them. bang! Quack! Each time the cannons ced in the solidly built cannons spewed fire, dozens of shells were spread out in a fan shape. And each time, the Liaodong soldiers fell to the ground either dead or injured. * * * In some ways, the shotgun was a more terrifying weapon than the Bigyeokjincheonroe. The power of one shot was stronger with the Bigyeokjincheonroe, and the range was also longer with the Bigyeokjincheonroe. However, the firing rate of the shotgun was overwhelmingly superior to that of the Bigyeokjincheonroe. Bigyeokjincheonroe required that the toy be filled with propent gunpowder and inserted by adjusting the neck angle each time it was fired. However, when the shotgun is fired, all you have to do is open the breech, take out the empty shell, insert a new shell, and close the breech. Thanks to this, the shotgun boasted a firing speed that was three times faster on average than the Bigyeokjincheonroe. * * * Youre more stubborn than I thought. Damn you guys. Jo Byeong-deok, who was observing the situation from the hill he climbed a few days ago, gritted his teeth and muttered. The damage to the vanguard is greater than expected. Shall we retreat? Jo Byeong-deok screamed when his subordinate general mentioned retreat. What nonsense! Are you talking about a retreat when not even 1/3 of the vanguard has crossed the river yet? Are you sane? However, the resistance of the Joseon army is more stubborn than expected. After we step back for a moment and collect ourselves They will collect themselves while we collect ourselves! Are we going to repeat that damn thing again? you idiot! Were letting them fill in the hole they barely made! Oh no! Call a messenger! Cho Byeong-deok, who harshly called the messenger, gave orders to his staff. Tell the front artillery that has repaired the damage to immediately put pressure on the Joseon army! And tell the vanguardmand to deploy the remaining troops as quickly as possible! Finally, delivered to Hwaryong Battery! Tell them to shoot immediately! ancient! The staff who received Cho Byeong-deoks order quickly wrote an order and handed it to the messengers. The messengers who received the order quickly mounted their horses and dispersed in all directions. Jo Byeong-deok nced at the rapidly disappearing messengers and then looked at the Joseon army positions through a telescope again. Cannonballs next to cannonballs crazy guys Joseon bastards who are crazy about artillery! And that damn iron wall was thought up by some crazy person! * * * At the same time, themand center located in the Insan camp was also busy. Reporting from the left! Break through the second line of the enemy vanguard! Reporting from the right! The enemys second line of vanguard has arrived! Reportsing in through traditional means, including messengers as well as monks floating in the sky, were reported directly to Lee Jing-ok. In the center of the headquarters, arge map depicting the topography of Insanjin was spread out, and all kinds of wooden signs indicating enemies and allies were changing positions in real time. Additionally, reportsing from the front line were organized and recorded in real time on arge ckboard hanging on one wall. Lee Jing-ok examined the situation by looking at the content on the ckboard and the situation disyed on the map. I dont think we need to send out the reserves yet. What about ammunition supplies? There has been no request for further assistance yet! Its going to get crazy soon, so get ready right away. yes! What is the damage situation? There was some damage from the initial bombardment, but almost nothing after that! Lee Jing-ok grinned at the aides report. As expected, artillery is the best Anyway, why are theirrge siege guns so quiet? The moment the superrge siege artillery, which all the Joseon militarymanders were paying attention to, was mentioned, a huge explosion and shock hit themand center. Goong! Chapter 557 Episode 557: Blood River (3) A loud explosion and shaking caused the people in themand center to momentarily stumble. Goong! Wow! Immediately following, two more impacts shook themand center. Lee Jing-ok, who held on to the desk in the conference room, gave an order as soon as the shaking subsided. Check the impact point! Check the damage! yes! At Lee Jing-oks order, the messenger immediately rushed out. After sending out the messenger, Lee Jing-ok looked around. Themand center was located right below the castle tower. I carefully looked around, but I couldnt see any traces. Lee Jing-ok, who came to his senses, asked a question to the artillery officer next to him. Will the second strikee right away? If the personmanding that gun is properly trained in gunnery, it will be difficult to deliver a second hit right away. This is because artillery is not something that can be fired that immediately. It will take quite some time to reload. is it? Lee Jing-ok thought about this for a moment after hearing the artillery officers words. A big gun like that wouldnt be able to move its position right away. And if it took time to reload, artillerymen would have been gathered around the guns right now. If we aim for this moment, I think we can make it useless Lee Jing-ok, who was thinking about this and that, sighed and muttered. The problem is the damage the artillerymen would have suffered If we miss this moment, it bes no fun Lee Jing-ok muttered with a face full of regret. The impact of the shelling I had just received was enormous. I was so shocked that I almost lost my bnce for a moment, so I was sure I would have copsed somewhere. In that case, it was a situation where we had to focus only on defense, not counterattack. He assured us that he would be able to withstand a decent amount of artillery fire without any problems but what we just heard was not a toss-up * * * While building a castle with iron-d mortar, he assured that it would be strong, but manymanders were dubious. It was a situation. In response to themanders reactions, Hyang even suggested building a mock castle wall and firing artillery, but King Sejong dismissed this idea. There is no room in the budget. Looking at your track record, you can be trusted, so they wont have any problems. Then distrust will remain until the end. I will rob Insunbus treasury! How long has it been since you stole that! Get out, you bastard! Despite such doubts, the major fortresses throughout Joseon were eventually rebuilt with walls using iron-d mortar. In addition, it was built with a new design based on the n of Bukhansanseong Fortress and Namhansanseong Fortress, which were intended to defend Hanseong and where the royal family could move and protest when necessary, and a new jin and vige to be built in the border area. One of the new generation Jins and Bos created in this way was Insanjin. * * * When Lee Jing-ok was doubting the durability of the castle, a messenger came in and reported. No damage! huh? No damage? yes! It was hit on the left and right sides of the front of the castle, and although there were some minor dents, there were no copses or holes! What about casualties? Checking now! And soon after, another report came in. Confirmed casualties! A few people were lightly injured! Lee Jing-ok muttered involuntarily at the messengers report. This is crazy what on earth did you make? * * * While Lee Jing-ok was mumbling like that, an uproar broke out on the other side. Are you okay? yes! Jo Byeong-deok looked in disbelief at the scouts report and put the telescope to his eyes. The weight of the bullet alone is 400 pounds (about 240 kg), but you are fine after being hit by that? Jo Byeong-deok, who was looking at the walls of Insanjin with an expression full of disbelief, forgot what to say. The Joseon armys walls stood still intact. Of course, there were three visible dents, but there were no holes or copse at all. This is crazy what on earth did you make? Jo Byeong-deok, who had inspected the castle walls several times in an unbelievable reality, immediately came to his senses and gave an order. Delivery to Hwaryong Battery! Tell them to strike 2 and 3 as quickly as possible! Even though he looked fine on the outside, he must have been in shock on the inside! yes! Jo Byeong-deok, who gave the order to his staff, red at Insanjin and muttered. If I do this wrong, the damage will be severe. If the Hwaryong Cannon could not destroy the castle, the soldiers could be forced to climb over the castle wall using the traditional method. A siege will result in more losses than necessary Jo Byeong-deok looked at the front line again, worried that he would have to choose a method he absolutely did not want to choose. That damn barbed wire fence. Jo Byeong-deok gritted his teeth as he looked at the barbed wire fences blocking the soldiers advance. Through messengers sent from the vanguard, I learned that those barbed wire fences were not just simple guys. The iron pirs stretched between the iron pirs did not break even after being struck dozens of times with a sword. In order to break that iron railing, I had to hit the part that was caught on the support several times. The problem was that the Joseon military would not leave it alone. The soldiers who were cutting like that were immediately shot and fell. Those damn Joseon bastards iron guns had a range and uracy far superior to those of our troops. The best way was to attach a hook to a pole or rail and pull it. If at least 10 people pulled together, the support would fall, opening a narrow path. But this too was not an easy task. As soon as the soldiers gathered together, they became targets of the Joseon army. But the problem was that there was no other way than this. Thanks to this, the losses of the soldiers tasked with breaking through the barbed wirework were enormous. Push those damn things in one go Jo Byeong-deok, who was muttering while ring at the wire that was devouring the soldiers, suddenly stopped talking. Jo Byeong-deok, who pondered for a moment, immediately called his staff. Send a messenger to the Fire Dragon Battery! Modify themand! Instead of attacking the castle walls, aim for those iron fences! yes? If its Hwaryongpos iron ring, it can make a hole in that iron fence! Oh yeah! Ill deliver it right away! The staff, who understood Jo Byeong-deoks idea, called a messenger with a bright face and delivered Jo Byeong-deoks orders. * * * At the same time, Lee Jing-ok was also stroking his chin and considering his next move. Isnt this what makes things fun? Hmm. Lee Jing-ok, who was counting for a moment, looked at the artillery officer next to him. With the range of the General Fire Tong, you can fire a shot put even at that big gun, right? yes. However, to be sure, it is rmended to only use resistant batteries. why? Isnt more is more? Thats true, but the higher you shoot it, the farther it flies. Naeseong Battery is suitable for crossing the earthen wall that the bhikkhu taught us about. Lee Jing-ok nodded at the artillery officers exnation. Then lets do it! messenger! yes! Lee Jing-ok, who called the messenger, gave orders to be delivered to Naeseong Battery and monks. Lee Jing-ok, who sent out the messenger, smiled in remorse. I want to see what theyll look like when they cant use those big guns. * * * Meanwhile, themander of the Hwaryong Battery, who received Jo Byeong-deoks order, had a strange expression on his face. Target not the castle wall but the iron fences next to it? yes! i get it. Tell them that you will do as ordered. yes! Themander of the Hwaryong Battery quenched his appetite when he saw the messenger riding to headquarters on horseback. Its a shame. I wanted to see if I could take down that wall in a few shots. All subordinate officers nearby nodded at the words of the Hwaryong Batterymander. Themanders of the Hwaryong Battery, who heard the news that Joseons walls had held up even though all three shots hit the target, all felt a strong sense of victory. Hoo? You endured that? How many shots can Ist? Themanders, obsessed with the pursuit of sess, began to urge their subordinates. Move quickly! Yes yes! At the urging of theirmanders, the soldiers began to speed up. * * * The soldiers were also captivated by the desire to win the war. The ce where they were was 5 li away from the battlefield. It was the best position where I could just shoot that huge fire gun properly without risking death. I had already experienced it during training, but the power of that Hwaryong cannon was enormous. They were proud of their cannon, which could punch holes in any castle wall. But you blocked it? I guess I got lucky! Lets see how long that luck willst! Amid lively conversations, the soldiers concentrated on reloading their Hwaryong guns. * * * Reloading the Hwaryong cannon was a time-consuming task. First, the fire door containing the ignition agent and the hole connected to the gun barrel were cleaned. This was because if this hole was blocked, the spark of the igniter could not ignite the gunpowder inside the Hwaryongpo. Next, a rope was attached to the rings located at the rear of the gun and pulled up. When the muzzle was lowered like that, smaller soldiers entered the gun barrel with their mouths covered with towels. The soldiers who entered the gun barrel scraped off the remaining gunpowder residue and embers inside the gun barrel with the brush they had. In particr, what I was most concerned about was the embers. If even the slightest spark remained and gunpowder entered, an ident would ur where it would immediately explode. After the soldiers who scraped off the debris and embers stuck inside the gun barrel came out, about 10 more soldiers joined forces to put arge brush into the gun barrel. Once the gun barrel was cleaned by repeatedly pushing and pulling a brush the size of the upper body of an average man, the full-scale reloading began. * * * Sepo(ϴh) is finished! good! Then start reloading! yes! When themanders order was given, the soldiers unloaded the boxes from the cart on one side. Inside the box was gunpowder in a sack. Soldiers carrying sacks of gunpowder on their shoulders headed to Hwaryongpo. In front of Hwaryongpo, a group of officers and soldiers were waiting for them with scales. They began weighing the bags of gunpowder brought by the soldiers. This was because if the amount of gunpowder was too much, the Hwaryong cannon could explode. good! Put it in the bag! yes! When the gunpowder that had been weighed was heading toward the port of the Hwaryongpo, Joseon Army artillery shells began to fall from the sky. bang! Quack! bang! Wow! Avoid! The shells that fell from the sky createdrge earthen pirs. Soldiers who were hit by the breakthrough created by the Joseon armys artillery shells or by shells that bounced off the ground were covered in blood and rolled on the ground. The soldiers andmanders who barely escaped the shells hurriedly took refuge. As soon as the barrage of shells was over, themanders urgently began to assess the situation. Move the wounded and dead! Prevent the gunpowder from catching fire! Where did ite from! Is this a surprise attack? The first thing themanders thought of was a surprise attack. The Joseon army, which realized the Liaodong armys strategy, made a diversionary maneuver first and attacked from behind. This was due to the stereotype that artillery pieces other than Hwaryong guns could not fly this far. But their expectations were immediately denied. no! It came from beyond the Yalu River! Themanders shook their heads in response to the soldiers answers. Nonsense! Its over 5 miles from there to here! The only thing that can do that is Hwaryongpo! However, the first toe to his senses was the Hwaryong Batterymander. He shouted at his subordinate officers. Thats not the problem! We must first check whether Hwaryongpo is alive and well! And reload as quickly as possible! Yes yes! At themand of the Hwaryong Batterymander, subordinate officers began to urgently check the condition of the Hwaryong Battery. Fortunately, all three doors are intact! Theres nothing wrong with the carriage! Resume reloading! When work resumed, the Joseon armys second attack came. Authors words. hello? This is Gukppong, who writes ck Enterprise Chosun. Its no different than saying Im sorry once again. We will be taking a break during the Chuseok holiday. The reason is that my sister was hospitalized again. I suddenly felt severe pain in my chest and went to the hospital, where they told me I had cardiovascr restenosis. So I was hospitalized right away. Now they say I need to undergo coronary artery bypass surgery. Because of this, I was unable to prepare for the holidays at all. We are deeply sorry to inform our readers of ck Enterprise Chosun about its hiatus. I will do my best. I would like to ask a request to our readers. I would really appreciate it if you could pray for my sister to endure this surgery well ande back.. Gukbbong, my dear. Chapter 558 Episode 558: Blood River (4) Bang! Quack! bang! bang! The Joseon armys second strike was greatly improved in both quantity and uracypared to the first strike. Thanks to this, the soldiers who had gathered to resume work suffered considerable damage. The damage was not just casualties. Boom! Ujikkeun! Qarring! Wajikkeun! The wooden structures installed around the Hwaryongpo for reloading copsed with a loud noise, causing a series of copses. Quang! Then, the huge gun barrel of the Hwaryongpo fell to the ground, creating a tremendous roar. The catastrophe continued. Boom! The oil pot is broken! Pots boiling oil around Hwaryongpo were hit by shells and either broke or fell sideways. And the oil that came out of the pot hit the soldiers. damage! Aaaah! Hot! Hot! Hot! Its on fire! Turn off the lights! Turn off the lights! Bring the sand! sand! Soldiers who were burned by oil or caught by firewood screamed and rolled on the ground. Fortunately, the soldiers who were safe quickly poured sand on the burning bodies of their colleagues and the fire site. The objects that were meant to prevent Hwaryongpo from being destroyed ended up causing damage. * * * If the bombardment continued, the artillery was bound to overheat. If you neglect attention at this time. As the artillery broke, it actually caused great damage to our troops. Therefore, water containers filled with sacks or thick sheepskin were ced around the canvases. The Hwaryongpo used a huge amount of gunpowder as a propent to fire a shell that was muchrger than a typical artillery piece. Naturally, the Hwaryongpo had to withstand tremendous heat and shock, and in order to withstand the shock of firing, the Hwaryongpos gun barrel was thick enough to reach 7 inches (about 21 cm). And this enormous thickness was what caused the problem. This thickness created a serious problem in that the inside of the gun barrel was hot but the outside was cold. That wasnt all. Due to its thickness, the cooling rate inside the gun barrel was significantly slower than that of regr artillery. Therefore, as the internal heat continued to rise due to continued firing, the risk of the gun barrel breaking became rtively higher. To prevent this, a method was added to reduce the temperature difference between the outside and the inside by covering the gun barrel with wool soaked in moderately hot boiled oil. However, a major ident urred when a Joseon Army shell hit the pot where oil was being boiled for this purpose. * * * The tragedy of the Hwaryongpo unit was not over. The shells had hit the gunpowder carts that had been parked on one side. The boxes on the cart were filled with sacks of gunpowder. The impact energy of the shell that directly hit the box containing gunpowder was enough to explode the gunpowder. Kuaaang! After a while, arge mushroom cloud rose from where the cart was. Those caught up in the storm created by the explosion nearby were instantly torn apart. Although it was a ck gunpowder with less power than Deokgap-type gunpowder, a smokeless gunpowder used by the Joseon Army artillery, or the gunpowder used by the 21st century military, the amount piled up in the cart produced an enormous explosive power. It was unfortunate for the Liaodong Army, but the Liaodong Armys mistakes were arge part of the cause of this explosion. ording to the original rules, carts loaded with gunpowder were to be parked at regr intervals. However, the soldiers managing the gunpowder ignored this. From here, the Joseon military camp across the Yalu River is 5 ri (about 2 km) away. What could happen? Thats right. And how much gunpowder does that Hwaryongpo consume at one time? Its convenient to have them all in one ce. then! then! Im busy just measuring the amount of gunpowder to put in the Hwaryongpo, but when do I get so busy! Lets go easily! In this way, the soldiers in charge of gunpowder gathered the carts loaded with gunpowder to be used today in one ce. There were more than one officer who saw this, but no one stopped them. Because those officers also had simr thoughts. If the artillery could be fired all the way from Joseon Castle, it would be huge, but you cant see it, right? Then its okay, its okay. Even if it flies in, the earthen wall we built in front of us is enough. The officers believed in the earthen wall built in front of Hwaryong Battery. The result of thatcency was that mushroom cloud. * * * what! Surprised by the sudden loud explosion and vibrationing from behind, Jo Byeong-deok immediately turned his head. Jo Byeong-deok, who saw a mushroom cloud rising in the distance, muttered in a trembling voice. Couldnt it be no? But soon, the dispatch the messenger broughtpletely dashed his hopes. Hwaryong battery hit! Damage! What a big deal! Tell me exactly! The messenger bowed his head and answered Jo Byeong-deoks shout. The Fire Dragon Cannons are now unusable! entire? Its everything! At the messengers answer, Jo Byeong-deoks new type momentarily stumbled. General! General! Jo Byeong-deok, who avoided falling from his horse thanks to the urgent help of subordinate generals around him, took a deep breath and tried to gather himself. Huh! Phew~. Jo Byeong-deok, who managed toe to his senses thanks to repeated gasps, gave an order to his staff. Immediately send an order to the units near the Hwaryong Battery to begin restoration of the battery! We need to restore it as quickly as possible! ancient! The staff summarized Jo Byeong-deoks orders and distributed them to messengers. Jo Byeong-deok, who came to his senses, turned around and looked at the situation at the front. Jo Byeong-deok gritted his teeth as he watched the bloodshed still unfold across the barbed wire in question. p! Damn it! Among the fiveyers of barbed wire, the front threeyers had holes here and there. The vanguard of the Liaodong army, which had entered through the hole, was under intensive attack by the Joseon army. However, the vanguard of the Liaodong army continued to advance inward through the hole. They were literally building a path with the lives of soldiers. Jo Byeong-deok, who was examining the situation through a telescope, turned his head and looked at the staff. Looking at the current situation, you understand, right? yes. There was no Hwaryongpo, and the barbed wire fence had been breached to some extent. What should I do? Shall we bypass Joseon Castle by breaking through the barbed wire fence? Or should we just keep the barbed wire fence in check and attack Joseon Castle? The damage is too great. Wouldnt it be better to retreat for a while and reorganize? You idiot! When one of the staff members insisted on retreating, Cho Byeong-deok screamed. Are you thinking that this battle is just a siege? I cant see that river! You have to cross the river! When Cho Byeong-deok pointed to the Yalu River and shouted, Whale, whale, whale, whale, whale, whale, whale, whale, whale, whale? the staff member who had made the controversial statement bowed his head. Sorry I was short of thought! Its just that the casualties of the soldiers were so great. If your thoughts are short, think bigger! * * * As Jo Byeong-deok said, the attack on Insanjin was different from other sieges. The siege fought by Ming army officers, now the core of the Liaodong Army, was against the Oirat and other Mongol tribes in the north. Such terrain was mostly open fields in all directions. Therefore, the Ming soldiers who went on siege first surrounded the castle and cut it off from the outside world, and then entered the siege. Even if the enemys resistance was strong and they retreated, they only had to retreat long enough for the arrows to not reach them. The standard was to retreat, rest and regroup, and then attack again. However, Insanjin had a natural moat called Yalu River in front of it. If we wanted to retreat, we had to cross the Yalu River again, and if we retreated like that, those cunning Joseon soldiers would build that damn iron fence again. And the Liaodong army, which was resuming its offensive, had to repeat the same thing once again. * * * There is no retreat because of this! Rather, now we have no choice but to keep pushing troops in and expand that bridgehead! Jo Byeong-deok, who summarized the current situation and spoke of his firm decision, once again asked questions to his staff. So, lets talk about which one would have less damage: the second barbed wire fence or Joseon Castle! Following Jo Byeong-deoks order, the staff began to carefully predict possibilities by examining the terrain. They had now broken through to the front three lines of the fiveyers of barbed wire fencesid by the Joseon military. However, the location of the hole was a problem. The hole was made not at the ends of the left and right wings of the barbed wire fence, but close to the Joseon Castle. In the end, it was said that no matter which side you chose, you would have to endure the joint attack by the Joseon Army located on the Joseon Castle and barbed wire fence. If we make a detour There will definitely be a reserve unit of the Joseon army right behind us. A position without a reserve force cannot take on sewage. If you have learned the art of war. And if the urgent news has been properly delivered, reinforcements will also be nearby. A siege is not an easy task. But if we can take that castle, we can secure a strong and secure beachhead. The staff, who had been weighing various cases, soon came to one conclusion. -Focus all your power on the castle! -Even if the bypass breakthrough is sessful, it is not easy to properly supply or move follow-up troops as long as that castle exists. -But if you take the castle, you can secure a strong beachhead. This will make it easier for soldiers to rest and maintain. -If the castle is taken, the Joseon army on that barbed wire fence will have no choice but to retreat. After reaching a conclusion, the staff advised Jo Byeong-deok. It is best to attack Joseon Castle! good! Jo Byeong-deok nodded loudly and immediately gave an order. Make the rifle corps and archers cross the river! ancient! Split the troops into five, two will check the left and right barbed wire fences, and three will focus on siege! ancient! ording to Jo Byeong-deoks orders, the rifle corps and archers began to cross the river. We must cross as quickly as possible! Were crossing the river on foot! In the meantime, a pontoon bridge was built by connecting rafts, but the number was very small and there were many soldiers who had to cross. In the end, arge number of musketeers and archers had to cross the Yalu River holding guns, gunpowder pouches, bows, and bows overhead. with a plop! p! Ugh! Ugh! Holy shit! While crossing the river on foot, the soldiers who lost their steps and slipped had to swear. This was because the iron gun that had been loaded in advance became wet and useless. Because they also had eyes, they knew what would happen if they crossed the river. He swore because he knew very well how foolish it was to stand stiff and reload while the Joseon armys bullets were raining down on him. The Liaodong Army soldiers looked at their soaked guns and muttered in gloomy voices. I guess Ill have to run for my life As soon as I reached the opposite riverside, I would only be able to reload after running to a ce with adequate cover. * * * The information that the follow-up unit of the Liaodong Army was crossing the river was immediately delivered to Lee Jing-ok. The musketry and archers Is the main force finally arriving? Lee Jing-ok, who was stroking his chin and thinking about numbers, gave an order. Tell them to quickly figure out where the follow-up units main attack is! yes! Lee Jing-ok, who gave the order, rubbed his hands together andughed bitterly. It would be great if we aimed for this Insanjin then things would be easier. After enduring the artillery bombardment earlier, Lee Jing-ok came to trust this castle, which was built ording to Hyangs n. As Lee Jing-ok began to believe in the strength of the castle, he began to look forward to how sharp the teeth hidden in the castle would be. Authors words. hello? This is Gukppong, who serializes ck Corporate Joseon. Did you have a good holiday? Thanks to the prayers of our readers, my sister underwent surgery safely. It was an emergency surgery performed during the holiday season, but fortunately, I heard that the results of the surgery were good. They say the problem is future recovery. The doctor is very worried because the heart was damaged a lot due to what happenedst time. Please pray for your safe recovery and return to daily life. thank you Chapter 559 Episode 559: Blood River (5) Although Jo Byeong-deoks order had not yet been delivered, the Liaodong Army soldiers were moving ording to Lee Jing-oks wishes. The reason the Liaodong army moved like that was because of two trapsid by the Hyang and Joseon armies. The first trap was a wire mesh. The Joseon militaryid a total of 5yers of barbed wireting. Among these, the front threeyers wereid along the Yalu River in front of Insanjin, but the back twoyers wereid to the left and right with Insanjin at the center. The Liaodong Army, which had broken through the threeyer barbed wire, instinctively headed to a ce where there was no barbed wire and concentrated on the front of the Insan camp. Fortunately or unfortunately, there were structures spread out in front of the Insan camp that looked suitable as cover. Therefore, the Liaodong Army soldiers began to flock towards the Insan camp. And this was the second trap created by the scent. * * * The second trap was a moat installed in front of the Insan camp. Do you mean this is a moat? Usually, when ites to moats, itsmon to dig into the ground When they first saw the incense blueprint, everyone involved looked perplexed. Until then, moats were made by digging a wide and deep pit along the perimeter of the castle wall and asionally filling it with water. But the Moat of Incense was not like that. It was correct to build along the castle wall, but instead of digging the ground, it meant building stone walls on top of the ground. It acts as a sufficient moat. The fragrance was exined in detail to the officials. -A stone wall is built along the castle wall, but rather than surrounding itpletely, a passageway is created in between. Also, make it in at least 2yers. In this case, the enemy must pass through this passage, so they cannot cling to the castle all at once. In other words, the defending allies can limit the number of enemies to an appropriate number. C Stone walls are not simply built high. When viewed from the side, only the side facing the castle wall has a triangr cross-section that is close to vertical. In this case, the attacker cannot use the moat as cover. -Even if the attacking side sets up artillery in the moat and attempts to attack the castle wall, the cannonball cannot hit the castle wall and goes over the castle wall due to the slope of the moat. Even if you forcefully lower the angle, if you make a mistake, the recoil of the gun will tip over the gun. -If pits are drilled along these moats and passageways, the worst killing zone will be created. Hmm After hearing the description of the scent, the officials tried to imagine it. A maze-like structure unfolds before the eyes of enemies flooding in like a flood. The enemies that were struggling eventually end up stretching out along the maze. A group of enemies climb up the slope of the stone wall that blocks their eyes, but they are covered in blood and fall down due to Jo Ran-hwans baptism aimed at them at that time. The moment you pass through the dizzyingly curved passage and step out in front of the castle walls, the artillery and long guns already waiting start firing. Everyone involved who had imagined that far trembled. The hell of royalties is about to unfold But that was the attacking sides position, and the defending sides best policy. In the end, t fortresses that were not fortresses were newly built or remodeled ording to the citys design. And as the officials expected, a hell of royalties was unfolding in front of the Insan camp. * * * charge! charge! Wow! Following themanders order, the Liaodong Army soldiers shouted and ran towards the English gate of the Insan camp. When viewed from the sky, the shape of the Insan camp looked like two squares stacked on top of each other. The gate was located on the front left side of the palmangseong-shaped fortress wall with eight sharp edges as the 2-jang (approximately 6m) high outer fortress ovepped with the 3-jang (approximately 9m) high outer fortress. And with the moat area of the Insan camp in the middle, the main gate of Yeong and the entrance to the castle were located. Normally, a drawbridge would have been lowered between the entrance to the castle and the main gate of the castle, serving as a passage. But now that the war was underway, the drawbridge had been raised and secured. Eventually, Liaodong soldiers flocked to the moat area, carrying traditional siege tools such asdders and ropes. And here, as expected, the Liaodong Army soldiers came to a standstill. in action! in action! Dont push! Dont push! you! What unit are you affiliated with? Where am I now! As Liaodong soldiers poured in from all directions, the moat area quickly became a ce of chaos. It was a crucible of confusion created by the confusion of soldiers who lost sight of their unit and were confused, soldiers who tried to shut up and go inside, and soldiers who hesitated for fear of possible traps. And without missing this moment, the Joseon armys attack began. The first strike was Bigyeok Jin Cheon-roe. bang! Quack! Kaaak! Oops! Bigyeokjincheonroe, which wasunched targeting an area densely popted with soldiers, once again gained notoriety. Every time a thunderbolt exploded, dozens of Liaodong Army soldiers were lying dead or injured on the ground. Stay back! Get back! I cant back down! Dont push! The Liaodong Army soldiers, seeing theirrades dying around them, tried to retreat quickly, but were blocked by the soldiers rushing in from behind. In a situation where those trying to retreat and those trying to leave were entangled and unable to move forward, the bombardment continued once again. bang! Quack! In the end, the low-ranking military officers and soldiers on the scene had no choice but to run towards the walls. Eight! There is only one way! charge! charge! When the military officers ordered a charge, the soldiers unconsciously uttered profanities in Korean. Fuck! okay! Lets die! Lets die! The soldiers, half in despair, ran into the maze created by the moat. A luxury like moving forward cautiously while watching for traps was an unthinkable and unconditional sprint. * * * As the soldiers began to sprint, the bottleneck seemed to be gradually being resolved. However, at the entrance of the passage facing the castle wall, there was a wire mesh installed tightly. Hang up! Hang up! The soldiers, holding axes they had obtained from somewhere, began to hit the connection between the wire mesh and the support poles that blocked them with the axes. While the soldiers clinging to the wire mesh were desperately chopping with axes, a cannonball aimed at the entrance to the passage burst into mes. bang! The soldiers who were bombarded with shotgun shells could not even scream and copsed into pieces of meat. The wire mesh they had worked so hard to cut down was left hanging only by someones hand, holding it. When the front row copsed due to the fire of the cannon, the soldiers behind them rushed to the iron fence. The soldiers grabbed the blood-soaked ax handles that had fallen to the ground and started chopping them like crazy, just like the dead soldiers did. Aaaah! The shotgun fired fire once again at the soldiers, who were shing their axes while screaming in death and tears of blood. Quack! * * * With the passage blocked, a group of soldiers began climbing the moat. The height of the moat is roughly one and a half feet (about 4.5m). It was a height where you would definitely get hurt if you jumped recklessly, but if you prepared properly, you could jump safely. With that in mind, the few soldiers who ran up the ramp and saw them safely break through the moat, other soldiers began running up the stone wall all at once. As the soldiers flocked in, the shotgun that was waiting for them, looking down at them, fired a bomb. bang! Quack! The soldiers who climbed onto the stone walls of the moat without any cover fell backwards, covered in blood. * * * As time passed, the barbed wires stained with the soldiers blood were broken one by one, and the Liaodong Army soldiers began to break through the moat area. The same was true for the soldiers who climbed the stone wall. A rope with a hook was nailed to the stone wall, and while they were climbing down the rope, other soldiersy down on the slope of the stone wall and advanced in a crawling manner. As the Liaodong Army was adapting, the Joseon Army also began to respond differently. The firing distance of the Bigyeokjincheonroe was shortened, and the number of times the fuse was wrapped around Mokgok was greatly reduced. pop! Puff! Quack! The fired thunderbolt exploded on the heads of the Liaodong Army soldiers who were lying prone. The Liaodong soldiers, who had their backs exposed because they were lying face down, suffered fatal damage. * * * The soldiers of the Liaodong Army who broke through the moat in such a brutal struggle began to run towards the walls of Insanjin. As many Liaodong Army soldiers began to enter the killing zone between the castle wall and the moat, the food trucks that had been silent until then began spewing fire all at once. Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-tang! As blood sttered from the soldiers bodies and dust rose from the surrounding ground, the Liaodong army soldiers running towards the castle wall were crushed. Find the blind spot! Find a blind spot! The survivingmanders desperately ordered to find a blind spot, and the soldiers also looked everywhere to find a blind spot. However, there were no blind spots on the walls of the Insan camp. The walls of the castle rose upward at a steep slope and were smooth without a single protrusion. The artillery posts and artillery pits located on all sides were also positioned in a way that prated into the interior. This meant that there was no shadow for the attacking enemies to rely on. The highlight of this wall was the corner turrets extending in eight directions. It was not simply a pointed shape, but an edge shape simr to a diamond shape. The advantage of creating a shape like this was that the blind spot disappeared. If it had simply been a sharp or rounded corner, it would have been difficult to properly respond if the enemy stuck to the castle wall, but by making it diamond-shaped like this, it was possible to deal with enemies sticking to the castle wall. At least, cross-fire was taking ce from at least two neighboring forts and castle walls on the left and right, greatly increasing the defense. And on the other hand, saying that defense power was increasing meant that there was a huge sacrifice on the part of the attacker. As an aside, when I was drawing the blueprint, Hyang said this. Its a bit hard to say this, but Western kids definitely know how to catch people on the battlefield. * * * While the bloody battle was taking ce in front of the walls of the Insan camp, fighting did not stop in other areas. The reckless assault had stopped, but instead a fierce firefight was taking ce. Youre the youngest! Tantong! Here it is! As soon as he answered, Han Il-nam opened the lid of the cartridge and handed the package of ammunition inside to themander and other soldiers. Ojang, carrying a pack of 20 bullets on a sturdy cotton belt around his neck, loaded new bullets into his long gun and aimed straight ahead. bang! What are you doing, youngest?! Hurry up and get a new cartridge! Yes yes! As soon as he answered, Hanilnam ran quickly along the traffic route. Before we knew it, the Liaodong Army riflemen who had crossed the river joined the battle, so bullets flew in from time to time, and Han Il-nam had to duck and run through traffic. Themander, who nced at Han Il-nam running safely, loaded a new bullet and pulled the trigger. bang! ping! Yikes! As soon as he pulled the trigger, themander, who flinched at the enemy bullet that passed right by him, immediately reloaded and aimed at the enemy line, swearing. Shit! Damn pit! Chapter 560 Episode 560: Blood River (6) Artillery battle between the Liaodong Army and the Joseon Army To be precise, the artillery shells fired by the Liaodong Army towards the Joseon Army createdrge and small pits along the Yalu River and around the iron railwork. Of course, it was not a huge hole like the artillery shells of the 20th and 21st centuries made. However, in the soft ground along the riverside and in nearby areas, pits were created deep enough to cover half of an adult mans body if hey on his side. The Liaodong Army soldiers who broke through the first threeyers of barbed wireting and stopped in front of the fourth barbed wire used the pit and the corpses of their fallenrades as cover to avoid the Joseon armys gunfire. Once they were able to avoid the Joseon armys gunfire, the Liaodong army desperately began to dig into the ground with everything they had on their bodies C the helmet they were wearing and the swords and shields they were holding. The rifle corps and archers, who followed the vanguard and arrived in front of the fourth wire, were in the same situation. As they had been trained, the musketeers and archers stood stiffly and prepared to fire, but when they tasted the bitterness of the Joseon armys volley of fire, they hid themselves among the corpses scattered everywhere and began to dig holes. hurry! hurry! hurry! hurry! The Liaodong armys musketeers and archers took off their helmets and frantically dug holes. But the speed was as slow as a snail. This was because I had to dig while crouching down on the ground. If you stood up even a little, the Joseon armys bullets woulde flying at you. Oops! When his colleague, who had briefly raised his head while digging in the ground right next to him, died with a single scream, Wang Il urgently fell to his knees. Wang Il, who had stopped his actions for a moment, pulled the body of his dead colleague and ced it on top of the body that was blocking his path when the Joseon armys shooting stopped. Wang Il, who thought he had be safer with this, saw the face of his dead colleague. The wide-open eyes of his dead colleague, who could not even close his eyes, were ring at Wang Il. Wang Il muttered as he held up his hand, which was covered in blood and dirt, and closed his colleagues eyes. Namu Amitabha Buddha, Namu Amitabha Buddha. For the peace of his colleagues and his own atonement, Wang Il put his hands together and recited the Buddhist chant. puck! Puff! At that moment, bullets flew into the body of his colleague who was covering him, and Wang Il grabbed his helmet again and started digging like crazy. * * * The reason archers and musketeers were digging like crazy was not just for escape. A pit was also needed to properly utilize the weapons they had. bang! Lee Sam, who pulled the trigger at the head of the Joseon soldier visible through the barbed wire, quickly came down to the bottom of the pit and started loading. Lee Sam lowered the iron gun while lying down and poured gunpowder into the muzzle as carefully as possible. ording to my training, I had to stand upright and reload, but that was impossible in the current situation. I just hoped that as much gunpowder as possible would go down the tilted gun barrel. Next, Lee Sam put the bullets in and struck them a few times with the charging rod, filled the fire door with an appropriate amount of gunpowder, and then closed the doors lid. Finally, Lee Sam, who had finished preparing by pulling the flintlocked gun, carefully put his head above the hole and aimed the gun. bang! Lee Sam, who pulled the trigger again, hid himself immediately and repeated the operation without checking whether he hit the target. The most important thing for him now was to continue shooting until the end without dying. Survive and continue shooting until the enemy retreats or your allies retreat. The situation for the archers was even worse. Musketeers could shoot even while lying down, but archers had to raise their upper bodies at least to properly draw their bows. Therefore, the archers of the Liaodong army had to focus their efforts on digging the ground rather than drawing their bows. In the process, many archers became targets of the Joseon army and served as cover for their colleagues. * * * As the sun went down, the fierce battle between those who wanted to take it and those who tried to stop it gradually calmed down. As the western sky turned red, the Liaodong army, which had been attacking them in a desperate attempt, also began to retreat. Theyre backing off! Did you cross the river? In response to Lee Jing-oks question, the staff shook their heads. no. It appears that they retreated to the beachhead prepared on the riverside. Hmm Lee Jing-ok, who made a small snort, got up from his seat and went up to the castle tower. Lee Jing-ok, who climbed the castle tower and looked around, frowned. How many enemies do you think have died in todays battle? The current estimate is that it will be around 40,000 to 50,000. 40,000 to 50,000 people thats a lot of people dead Lee Jing-ok shook his head as he saw a scene filled with corpses wherever he looked. Youre saying youre not giving up even though 50,000 people are dead, right? Well I couldnt have given up either. The moment you retreat, everything ends * * * Both the General Staff Headquarters and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were reaching the same conclusion regarding this war. -No matter how vicious Joo Jin-jins temperament is, he cannot start the war using this kind of force. There is definitely a back seat. -Therefore, this is Seondeokjes bait. -For Emperor Seondeok, Joo Ji-jins provocation would be good if it seeded or not. -They are nothing more than expendable goods that will drain our Joseons power. -This battle is just the beginning. Based on this conclusion, as soon as war broke out, Joseon called up reserve forces and entered into an all-out war system. * * * Although this big picture was drawn, the personmanding the Liaodong Army would make desperate moves even if it was just a piece of chess. If he lost here, he would be the first to take full responsibility and run away. Lee Jing-ok, who was thinking about that, muttered softly. Now the only choice left for him is the one Xiang Yu chose at Wu River. Xiang Yu, who lost thepetition with Liu Bang for the master of the central ins, sent thest remaining soldiers from Wujiang to Gangnam and thenmitted suicide by stabbing himself in the neck. As long as he could not capture the Insan camp, the only thing left for him would be suicide. Lee Jing-ok looked around once again and turned around. Check the damage to our troops and proceed with rest and supplies. ah! There might be a night raid, so be on high alert. ancient! * * * Meanwhile, a meeting was in full swing at the Liaodong Army headquarters across the Yalu River. The military tent where Cho Byeong-deok and other generals gathered was filled with heavy air. Starting with Jo Byeong-deok, all the generals sat with their mouths shut and grim faces. Whoa~. After a long sigh, Jo Byeong-deok finally opened his mouth. First of all, thank you for your hard work today. It was truly a terrible day and a terrible battle. Even in such a situation, the soldiers should be praised for keeping their positions until the end. Thats too much praise. Thats too much praise. The subordinate generals expressed their humility in response to Jo Byeong-deoks praise, but Jo Byeong-deok shook his head. No, considering that the vanguard today was the Jurchen tribe, you guys were really good at leading. Since they were Jurchen soldiers who were more like mercenaries, Jo Byeong-deok appointed them as the vanguard. Even though the battle that followed was in the worst situation, the Jurchen soldiers did not desert and fought until the end. Cho Byeong-deok, who pointed out that part, gave an order to themander of the unit in question. Give the soldiers plenty of wine and meat and let them rest. At Jo Byeong-deoksmand, themander stood up, pped his hands, and shouted loudly. Thank you! Jo Byeong-deok, who presented the reward to the Jurchen troops, moved on to the main topic. How much is the loss today? The total number of dead and injured is 38,000. Its not a lot. Jo Byeong-deok frowned and asked another question. The reason we suffered great losses in todays battle is because we were pushed back in the artillery battle. What is the situation of the artillery units? Except for the Hwaryongpo. Many artillery pieces deployed along the riverside were destroyed by the Joseon armys artillery bombardment. Thats why Im collecting broken artillery pieces and selecting things that can be reused. So how much is the loss today? Its about 60%. How much recovery is possible, including things that can be brought back to life? Its 50%. It will take at least three days. Reduce it to two days. The artillery unitmander looked embarrassed at Jo Byeong-deoks order. Thats because we dont have enough manpower. At those words, Jo Byeong-deok looked back at themander of the Jurchen unit. Deploy the soldiers to support the artillery unit. I think well need them after we take down that damn wall. I will do so. None of themanders expressed dissatisfaction with Jo Byeong-deoks orders. Considering todays battles, assault troops armed only with swords and shields were useless. Recover to at least 60% within two days. Even if it is impossible to destroy the castle wall, artillery is definitely needed to suppress the trench next to it. I will do my best. After hearing the answer from the artillery unitmander, Jo Byeong-deok turned his head and looked at the fire artillery unitmander. Are all the Fire Dragon Cannons destroyed? The surviving artisans are doing their best to restore it. Jo Byeong-deoks face brightened at the answer of the Hwaryongpo unitmander. Is recovery possible? For now, I think we can restore Gate 1. After hearing the answer, Jo Byeong-deok had a face full of regret. One gate is too small I will try to recruit craftsmen. There must be at least two doors to crush the trench line. Remember, if you cant break the trench line, youll have no choice but to continue the damn siege. I will keep that in mind. * * * The meeting continued. Jo Byeong-deok pointed to the Insan camp on the map hanging on one side and continued speaking. We suffered greater losses than expected in todays battle. This means that the defenses of this castle were stronger than expected. In other words, Joseon put a lot of effort into the defense of this castle. And this could mean that if we just capture this castle, the next one will be easier. The generals nodded at Jo Byeong-deoks point. ording to information obtained from the Ming Dynasty, the total number of Joseon troops was less than 200,000, and about half of them were naval forces. And the size of the Joseon army confirmed in todays battle was about 50,000. This meant that if only that castle was breached, half of the Joseon armys ground troops would be lost. Of course, if the situation was like that, Joseon would also raise its troops through conscription, but a ragtag army that was not properly trained would not be an opponent for the Liaodong Army. Jo Byeong-deok, who pointed out this part, continued. Therefore, what we need to do right now is to do our best to restore the artillery units strength. As you can see from todays battle, the losses are too great to climb over the walls of that damn castle. Destroy the wire mesh with artillery and take a detour. And Cho Byeong-deok used his baton to draw an imaginary route that bypassed Insanjin drawn on the map. After taking a detour like this, we will dry this damn castle to death. They wont just sit there and watch. When one of his subordinate generals pointed out the problem, Jo Byeong-deok nodded. I guess so. Thats what Im aiming for. The guys that were crouching in that damn castle areing out. Chapter 561 Episode 561: Blood River (7) Jo Byeong-deok drew a circle around the Insan camp on the map with his baton and continued speaking. If we cut off the connection between this damned castle and the rear, the enemy will have no choice but toe out to avoid istion. We have to aim for that. At Jo Byeong-deoks words, themanders stared at the map and made various calctions. One of the subordinate generals who was calcting the numbers pointed out a problem. If you do it wrong, you may be attacked. Of course, that is highly likely. Jo Byeong-deok nodded in approval to his subordinates point and continued speaking with a grin. But the number of Joseon troops we have identified is 200,000. Half of them are naval forces. And the number of Joseon troops deployed to that damn castle right now is roughly 50,000. This means that the remaining 50,000 are spread throughout Joseon. Among them, how many troops will be able to arrive here in time? If you were the governor of Joseon, under these circumstances, would you gather the remaining troops here or in Hanseong? The general who had pointed out the possibility of a joint attack in response to Jo Byeong-deoks question thought for a moment and then answered. I have something to gather in Hanseong. yes? After hearing the answer, Jo Byeong-deok looked at the other generals and continued speaking. If we seed in detouring, they will have no choice but to abandon the castle ande out. If a battle takes ce in a wide open area, we will have an overwhelming advantage. pincers? Of course, there is every possibility of being attacked. But how many of the Joseon soldiers who flocked in like that were properly trained elites? Its just a ragtag group, mostly made up of peasants conscripted from nearby areas. phut! Cho Byeong-deok struck the map with his baton and finished. In this battle, the enemy forced us to choose and we had to be chosen. And I suffered a lot of damage. But now it is our turn to force them to choose. thus! First, focus on solidifying the beachhead you have secured! We will restore the broken artillery pieces! The faces of his subordinate generals brightened at Jo Byeong-deoks words. The size of Liaodong County was still overwhelming that of Joseon. If we could avoid a battle that would result in huge losses like today, we could continue to pressure the Joseon army. And in the rear, they continued to train the soldiers. And the number continued to grow from 50,000. Among them, themander of the Hwaryong Battery made a suggestion to Cho Byeong-deok. Restoration of the Hwaryong guns is important, but movement of the batteries is also necessary. When will you decide? Three dayster. Its not enough. Please give me at least two more days. Two days? At least ites. Jo Byeong-deok looked embarrassed at the Hwaryong Batterymanders answer. The firepower of the Hwaryongpo, which was confident, could not destroy the Joseon armys walls. However, if we were to give up the Hwaryong artillery, the problem was that damn Joseon iron fence. The firepower of the Hwaryong cannon was considered the most suitable to destroy that iron fence. The problem was that in todays battle, the Hwaryong Batterys position was within the range of the artillery guns of those Koreans. In that case, of course it had to be pulled back, but moving and building the position took a considerable amount of time and manpower. In other words, Hansi had be like a gye-reuk that was dragging its feet in an urgent situation and it would be a shame to throw it away. Jo Byeong-deok, who had been pondering over and over again, eventually came to an ambiguous conclusion. Ill give you one more day. And we will provide additional troops from nearby units. Pleaseplete all preparations within four days. I will do my best. After hearing the answer from the Hwaryong Batterymander, Jo Byeong-deok again gave orders to his subordinate generals. I will write up an order soon and give it to you, so you can do your best to restore the Hwaryong Battery and other batteries. In the meantime, do not engage in unnecessary offensives and only carry out the minimum amount of checks. yes! All battles are difficult, but the greatest of them all is siege warfare. We must do our best to maintain the morale of our soldiers. yes! When the meeting ended, only Jo Byeong-deok and his staff remained in the military camp. Whoa~. They say siege warfare is the best of melee warfare, but it is really difficult. As Jo Byeong-deokined with a sigh, the staff member next to himforted him. Isnt the original siege a battle that can end overnight? Not really. Thats true. Its just surprising that there is a wall that can withstand that terrifying Hwaryong cannon, and its a bit surprising that the people who built that wall are Koreans. Lets refine the n a little more until the final day. yes. The biggest problem is the strange object that those Joseon bastards flew into the sky. It seems clear that he is a monk who has only been heard about through rumors, but this is a real headache. They are watching all of our movements from the sky When one of the staff members expressed difficulty by mentioning the monk, the staffs reactions were divided into two groups. One side had an expression of trouble, and the other had an expression that it was no big deal. Would that be a big problem? It may be difficult to look down at us from the sky, but isntmunication from the sky to the ground a problem? Of course, I have prepared appropriate means, but wouldnt it be useless without a messenger? Of course you can see it that way. But since all our movements are being watched from the sky, wouldnt the response be faster? As he continued to argue about the dangers of bhikkhu, the staff on the other side snorted. joy! That is called delusion of grandeur! what! It would be very useful if the front line stretched for tens or hundreds of miles, but what about the front line now? Its only a space the size of your palm! In a ce like that, how much of a difference do you think there will be if you do it sooner orter? If you dont move properly because youre conscious of the objects floating in the sky, thats a bigger loss! In the end, Jo Byeong-deok stepped forward and put an end to it. Its not that I didnt see that object, and I think its sufficiently threatening. However, as I just said, considering the wide battlefield we are staying in, there is no need to worry about those pieces. yes. After sorting out the situation, Cho Byeong-deok and his staff began to refine the next operation in more detail. * * * It was truly a day that could be described as a blood clot. However, the morale of Jo Byeong-deok, his staff, and the entire Liaodong Army did not suffer much. -Even though it has grown these days, Joseon is a small country. They would not have had enough troops to oppose us. -The fact that a siege is difficult means that a lot of troops are deployed to the castle. If you think about it the other way around, it means that if you just get over this hurdle, youll be on your way. -In other words, if we just get over this hurdle, the wealth overflowing in Joseon will be ours. The Jurchen soldiers, ustomed to plunder, raised their voices. Im going to die anyway! Lets try walking properly! Oh! Joseons gold and silver treasures are mine! Following the words of the Jurchen soldiers, the soldiers from the Ming army gradually became simr. * * * However, the premise of this was seriously wrong. -Joseons standing army wasrger than they expected. Of course, because they had to protect a wider river area than expected, they were scattered here and there, but they were by no means a small number. -The people of Joseon who were immediately conscripted and sent to the front when war broke out were not a ragtag bunch. They were trained every farming season ording to the reserve force system established by the township, and had experience shooting at least 10 rounds of live ammunition during each training session. In addition, he had even experienced the basics of fighting through the Seokjeon, which was always concluded. -Jo Byeong-deok was confident that Joseon would not be able to meet the timing, but this was ignoring Joseons railwaywork. It wasnt that Jo Byeong-deok didnt know about railroads. However, the railroads operated by the Ming were inferior to those of Joseon in all aspects. It was a fatal mistake to apply the experience of the Ming Dynasty to the Joseon Dynasty. -It was the same for the monk. As far as Insanjin is concerned, Cho Byeong-deok and his staff were right. However, through the light-emittingmunication device mounted on the acetabulum, information on the front line could be obtained from the rear, and preparations could be made in advance ordingly. -Thest thing that Jo Byeong-deok misjudged was the size of the Joseon army he was dealing with and would have to deal with in the future. He predicted the size of the Joseon army blocking him to be 50,000, which was correct to some extent. ording to the im of the vige, the size of the military deployed in Insanjin and the surrounding area was approximately 50,000 men in three departments. However, the total number of troops deployed to the Insan camp and the trench lines on the left and right were two divisions. The remaining 17,000 troops were standing in reserve behind the scenes. And the Joseon army waiting in the area named the offensive preparation line was now about 88,000 strong, and soldiers were still gathering through the railroad. The final number of Joseon troops to be gathered at the offensive line was 260,000 from three units. And that was the beginning. * * * While a bloody battle was taking ce in the Insan camp on the Yalu River, a bloody battle was also taking ce in Hanseong. This is an urgent report from Insanjin! Write a copy and send it upstairs! You have to copy at least 20 copies! We dont have enough people! What are you going to do with the typewriter! Heres your supply list! The numbers here are wrong! What if the numbers are wrong from the first page? Are you ying the abacus with your toes? Or are all the branches broken? Write it again and bring it back right now! While all kinds of shouting and swearing were being shouted at the Ministry of Defense, the same was true at the Ministry of Finance and Economy. I told you to limit withdrawals on the battlefield, but what is this! I did, but how did I know Find out who leaked it right now! Find him and throw him in the archives right away! If you dont catch it, Ill throw you in the record office first! Hi! I will definitely find it, sir! The Vice Minister, who was the gship of the Minister of Finance and Economy, rushed out. One wall of the Minister of Finance and Economys office was filled with all kinds of tables and graphs. It was a war that was already expected, but as it actually unfolded, the Ministry of Finance and Economy was waging a war with numbers, with unexpected andrger spending than expected. This situation was the same for the Seunghwa Party, the Prime Ministers Office, and other government offices. It is certain that crimes taking advantage of the chaos will increase. We need to pay attention to strengthening security. yes. I will issue an order to the provincial government. Is the conscription situation going smoothly? yes. Fortunately, the people are all following along. I think we will be able to meet the scheduled timetable. Thank goodness. Hyang, who looked like he had taken a breather, immediately gave a warning. Remember to check the quality of the supplies you give them. You must keep in mind that people who do foolish things to satisfy their own self-interest should not appear. The National Guard incident should note out! As Hyang continued to emphasize, Hwang Hee came forward and answered. I will keep this in mind. After handling the agenda, Hyang moved on to the next step. Have you finished selecting the envoys to be sent to Ming? Heo Hu stepped forward and answered Hyangs question. I n to go myself. I will go and investigate properly. If you do it wrong, your life could be at risk. Heohu responded to Hyangs warning with a slight smile. Wouldnt that be a good thing? It makes sense to use this as an excuse to burn down all of Mings ports. Isnt this a long-term business, since I can exchange one of my lives for my entire life? Hyang slightly shook his head at Heo Hus words. If things go wrong anyway, all of Mings ports will be burned down. So please take care of your life ande. It may be difficult for me, but I will do my best. Chapter 562 Episode 562: Disconnection. (1) At Heo Hus firm answer, Hyang looked at the faces of the other ministers. Hyang muttered to himself when he saw that not only the Minister of National Defense, Jo Mal-saeng, but all the ministers C even Lee Sa-cheol C had simr facial expressions. Ive felt it many times, but it seems like these two people have a lot inmon. As Hyang thought, the ministers who upied the core of the current government had a lot to do with the Ming. The time when they were working under the senior founding officials was the time when the Yongle Emperor ruled the Ming Dynasty. In order to weaken Joseons power and force it to submit to the Ming, the Yongrak Emperor put pressure on Joseon under all kinds of excuses. The ministers who could not withstand this pressure, starting with Ha Ryun, proposed the Japanese invasion theory to King Taejong. Shit! I cant eat it because its dirty! Lets join hands with Why and fight for good! Of course, when King Taejong heard this proposal, he immediately rejected it. Are these damn old people senile! Since they were ministers who had seen all of this happen on the spot, they were fully prepared to fight against Myeong. But he also told me to pound on the stone bridge. Hyang wanted to reaffirm the decisions of the ministers. If things continue like this, the rtionship with the Ming will be at its worst. If that happens, the four major issues that have been the core of diplomacy until now will not be carried out. If things get worse, we will have to engage in a decisive battle with the Ming that will determine the rise and fall of Joseon. We will have to endure the sacrifices of many people and the resentment of the people. Are you prepared? The ministers could not answer Hyangs question right away. Starting with Hwang Hui, all the ministers were deeply troubled, and the Hyang and the Four Officials quietly waited for their answers. The first to speak was Hwang Hee. It is certain that we will have to endure very difficult times and be prepared to make many sacrifices. But this is a gateway that must be passed. This is a gateway that our Joseon must pass through in order to be a great nation capable of self-reliance, self-reliance, and self-reliance. Its Deungyongmun Hmm Everyone gathered there pondered the word Deungyongmun mentioned by Hwang Hee. After a while, Kim Jeom burst intoughter. ha ha ha! Its the entrance gate! This is truly a perfect fit for the current situation! ha ha ha! It feels like something has been cleared up! Kim Jeom, who showed an expression of relief not just in words but in reality, bowed his head to Hyang and opened his mouth. I agree with what Vice Admiral Hwang Hee said. Now is the time for our Joseon to break away from the shadow of Ming and stand proudly. Of course, it is certain that people will not just ignore this. However, if you give up on escaping, Joseon will not be able to escape from the shadow of Ming until Ming falls or Joseon falls. Following Hwang Hee and Kim Jeom, other ministers also continued to make simr remarks. And finally, Lee Sa-cheol opened his mouth. God still believes that a peaceful rtionship is best. However, I have no intention of insisting on peace even with those who have abandoned their duties. After Lee Sa-cheol finished his remarks, Hyang came to a conclusion. I can assume that you are all prepared, right? yes. Then lets all do our best. The ministers all nodded quietly at Hyangs decision. In this way, the decisive battle against the Great Ming Dynasty, which had been talked about in circles, hiding the subject and object, was officially revealed. * * * As the local government and ministers were making decisions, a military officer rushed into Seunghwadang in a huff. Itsing quickly from Insanjin! As he spoke, the military officer held out a thick wad of paper, and the eunuch who was watching took the wad and handed it out to the local government officials. The enemys first offensive was sessfully defended. Phew~ Im d. Whoa~. You have sessfully ovee the first hurdle. After reading the first part of the report, the local government officials simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief. Sessfully defended the enemys first attack. Enemy damage estimated at approximately 50,000. Damage to allies about 2,000. The enemy has retreated to the beachhead and is staging a sit-in. The enemys fighting spirit is still strong. Because it was an urgent message delivered using a light-emittingmunication device, the content was extremely concise. But that alone revealed an important fact. Hyang, who was examining the contents of the urgent report, looked at Jo Mal-saeng with a face full of doubts. Minister of Defense. I have a question. Please ask your question. I will do my best to answer. Is it really possible that 50,000 troops were lost in a single battle, but they did not retreat and their fighting spirit remained? Jo Mal-saeng gave a short answer to Hyangs question. It is possible because the enemys core troops and generals are all from the Ming Dynasty. Oh~. In response to Jo Mal-saengs answer, the ministers, including Hwang Hee, all nodded with an expression of understanding. However, when he still looked like he didnt know the scent, Jo Mal-saeng added an exnation. If you look at the wars waged by the countries of the Central ins, the strongest weapon is numbers. ah! Only then did Hyang show an expression that he understood. * * * Since the time of Emperor Wu of Han, Chinas greatest weapon has been the great army. In a war against a foreign enemy, China was able to make up for the loss even if 2 or 3 of its allies died every time an enemy soldier died, but in most cases, the enemy could not. In the end, the ultimate winner was China. This was the same in the conquest of Northern Yuan during the reign of Emperor Yongna. In five conquests, Emperor Yongle mobilized more than 1 million troops each time. In the end, there were no further conquests due to armament issues, but Northern Yuan was also unable to conquer Jungwon. * * * This makes it even more certain. This war is absolutely not arbitrary. After checking the urgent news, Jo Mal-saeng came to a conclusion full of confidence. This is a war that can never happen unless there is an emperor behind it. The basis is. Jo Mal-saeng talked about the basis of his thoughts. -The number of enemies deployed in this war is estimated to be approximately 400,000. -I repeat, considering the time since Zhu Qin came to Liaodong, it is impossible to raise an army of this size. -Therefore, it is certain that most of them were sent by the Ming army. C Recruiting that much of an army cannot be done arbitrarily, no matter how stately it may be. The emperors approval is absolutely necessary. -If you think that they are not wary of the Oirat but disguised as a vanguard to attack Joseon, their vigorous fighting intentions be more understandable. Because the main unit will arrive soon. In other words, it is certain that this war was nned by the emperor. At Jo Mal-saengs exnation, the local government officials all nodded. * * * Funny enough, this was the conclusion reached by the Liaodong Army leadership, including Jo Byeong-deok. Ju Ji-jin was kicked from the position of crown prince to the position of King of Liaodong, but the proviso addedter turned that sentiment into certainty. -If Joseon is obtained, title will be granted. Perhaps this means allowing domestication of foreign kings. Once the great work begins, there will definitely be support. The reason why Ju Ji Jin, the Liaodong Armymand, and Joseon all made the same misjudgment was because the bait that Emperor Seonde gave to Ju Ju Jin was so powerful. -Arge amount of military funds equivalent to the one-year budget of the Ming Dynasty. -100,000 troops additionally supported after 150,000. -Large-scale craftsmen who make various artillery, iron guns, and other weapons, starting with Hwaryongpo. No one thought that these enormous items were merely expendable items. Except for Emperor Seondeok. This misjudgment was created by keeping it a secret, conscious of the fact that Joo Jin-jin was certain to change his mind or rebel when he found out about his intentions. * * * Hyang nodded while listening to Jo Mal-saengs exnation and looked at Heo Hu. Minister of Foreign Affairs, can you leave tomorrow? As soon as the sun rises, I will head to Jemulpo swimming. If we do it, we will be able to cross the West Sea faster than anyone else. Go to Beijing as soon as possible and argue with the emperor. However, do not show that you have discovered the emperors intentions, but only strongly criticize the provocations of those stationed in Liaodong. Is it okay to just get a justification? Hyang nodded to Heohus question. After confirming Hyangs answer, Heo Hu opened his mouth with a solemn look on his face. I will get my cause even if I have to die. Ill say it again, pleasee back as safely as possible. I am truly grateful that you are so worried about me. After giving the order to Heo Hu, Hyang looked back at Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy. How far has the transition to a total war system progressed? Were almost done except for the artillery and gunpowder. As soon as there is a settlement at the Yalu River, I will issue a general mobilization order. Please be on time. I will do my best. The reserve forces currently mobilized were limited to the northern region. However, the moment the township issued the general mobilization order, all reserve forces throughout Joseon would be mobilized. After giving orders to Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy, Hyang looked back at Jo Mal-saeng. Have you received any calls from the left or the right? yes. ording to the reports received through lightmunication, it will arrive at Insanjin within four days at thetest. Order us to arrive as quickly as possible. Also, convey the order to General Choi Yun-deok. As soon as the left and right wings arrive and begin operations, they are to leave the offensive preparation line and advance north. You shouldnt give people time to make the first move. Yes, I will definitely deliver. After organizing the situation, Hyang looked back at the ministers. Then, lets go over the entrance gate. The ministers all responded with one voice to Hyangs words. I will make sure that our Joseon ascends to the throne of the Yellow Dragon! The yellow dragon was the symbol of the emperor. * * * After the meeting, Hyang, who was left alone and lost in thought, called the eunuch. Go and call Myeonghoe Han. Yes sir. After a while, Han Myeong-hoe entered Hyangs office and politely bowed. Did you call me? I have to go to Japan. Why are you talking about it? okay. In response to Hyangs short answer, Han Myeong-hoe began to think carefully about why he should go to Japan. After thinking for a while, Han Myeong-hoe cautiously opened his mouth. Are you thinking about Japanese pirates? thats right. Do you think Daenae will respond easily? He will realize that this is the best opportunity to sort out troublesome people. I think we need more bait. I will definitely escort you while you are on the way, but you can tell them that you must tell me in advance when you return. Do we need more? Han Myeong-hoe did some calctions and answered Hyangs question. I think thats possible. Lets leave right away tomorrow. Yes sir. * * * The next morning, before leaving for Ming, Heo Hu visited Seunghwadang and offered his greetings. Please take your life seriously. I will fight with the determination to die, but I will try to avoid death. Heo Hu answered calmly and left Seunghwadang. The ministers who followed along with the incense took turns bidding farewell to Heo Hu. Please arrive safely. Return safely. After saying goodbye that might be thest time, Heohu left the pce. The Hyang and the ministers who were watching Heo Hu leave the pce turned and headed toward Seunghwadang. At that time, a Ministry of National Defense official approached Jo Mal-saeng and handed him a report. Something? Jang Gye arrived from Insanjin at dawn. Please copy it and upload it. Its already being transcribed. Then what is this? This is a report on the supplies consumed in thest battle. After hearing the officials words, Jo Mal-saeng opened the report and closed his eyes when he saw the total written at the end. Captain Kim Jeom is going to try to eat me. Chapter 563 Episode 563: Disconnection. (2) After arriving at Jemulpo, Heo Hu climbed onto the waiting sea emergency line. With the help of nearby tugboats, the ship left the dock and as soon as it was out at sea, it set sail and set sail. Hmm~. It feels like my stomach is emptying! Enjoying the speed of the front line cutting through the sea, Heohu looked refreshed. A ship that cant be beaten at its speed is an emergency front in this sea. Is that so Heohu, who was nodding at the captains words full of pride, looked back at the captain. The design of this battle line was also done by the crown prince, right? Thats right. Heohu muttered softly in response to the captains answer. It is indeed a good thing from the perspective of a subject that the rich are all outstanding, but sometimes I worry about what will happen in the future. It is said that when the light is bright, the darkness is also dark. * * * Few people would deny the excellence of King Sejong, the current monarch of Joseon, and his sessor, Hyang. Because of the existence of these two fathers and sons, Joseon came to dream of ascension. However, among many government officials, there was talk of anxiety about the future. As the third son, Wan,s qualifications were not bad, there were no serious concerns, but the anxiety still remained. Thanks to this, the people who suffered the most were the members of the National Assembly. This was because officials of the rank of party superior or higher stopped by whenever they had time and asked questions. Are you properly checking your health? Are we properly checking Sesons health? No, it didnt just end with a question; all kinds of precious medicinal herbs were airlifted to the internal medicine clinic. They say its good for boys growth They say if you eat this well, you wont have to worry about minor illnesses The medical doctors who received all the medicinal herbs had strange looks on their faces. This is a medicinal herb Ive only seen in medical books. Where do I get it? Where do these gentlemen get these medicinal herbs? They were curious about the supply line of medicinal herbs brought by officials. And in Joseon, upations that had previously been looked down upon as hard work were transformed into new, high-ie professions. It was Simmani. * * * Seeing Heo Hus distraught expression, the captain spoke cautiously. I heard a rumor that this meandering is very dangerous. Are you okay? The situation is not good, so there is nothing we can do, right? If I have to risk my life, I have no choice but to risk it Although Heo Hu spoke calmly, his voice was trembling slightly. Perhaps wanting to hide his anxiety, Heohu immediately changed the topic. Anyway I heard that the front lines of famous countries are also getting bigger these days, right? In response to Heohus question, the captain nodded. Yes, the number ofrge ships called Daebokseon is increasing. * * * Changes in history due to Hyangs intervention were not limited to Joseon. In history before the intervention of Hyang, Ming shipbuilding was in a period of stagnation or decline after the Great Expedition of Zheng He. The biggest reason was the lifting of the ban. The lifting of the ban, which had been in ce since the early days of the Ming Dynasty, was further strengthened after Emperor Xuande. Because of this, Chinas ships stopped developing. Jeonghwas Daeboseon also remained a historical record and became the subject of controversy. Of course, there were advanced technologies such as watertight bulkheads, the development of sails that could sail even in headwinds, and the stern-fixed vertical rudder, but that was the end of it. However, after Hyangs intervention, things changed a lot. Following Joseons example, active trade was carried out, which required increasinglyrger ships. Through this, the technology and experience of building the Daebo Ship used in Jeonghwas great expedition were not lost and were continued. In addition, as Joseon producedrge battleships that symbolized challenger-ss battleships, the Ming Dynasty also began buildingrge ships ordingly. It was a 15th century version of the gunshippetition. * * * This gunshippetition brought about a huge chain reaction in Asia. After seeing Joseon and Ming build and operaterge battleships and transport ships, neighboring countries also entered into a navalpetition. Starting with Daewol, countries with proper national organizations, such as Seomra and Mka, jumped into the construction ofrge ships at once. There was no other option for them as they saw with their own eyes that the Ming and Joseon Dynasty, with theirrge battle lines and ships, had a strong military advantage and economic advantage. The problem was that building and operating such arge ship required a huge amount of money. Therefore, they began active foreign trade. Ships from various Asian countries have be busy in the Indian Ocean, South China Sea, and East China Sea. As maritime trade became more active, paradoxically, the era of pirates suffering was born. In the beginning, pirates preying on these merchant ships attacked from all directions. Joseon and the Ming Dynasty were the only countries that escaped the clutches of these pirates. However, Asian countries that suffered losses from pirates began to actively suppress pirates using therge ships they had acquired. Of course, there were pirates who hadrge pirate ships that wereparable in size to therge battleships of these countries, but there was a crucial difference. It was arge-scale use of artillery. Countries that saw the Ming and Joseon fronts usingrge quantities of artillery to destroy pirates introduced and operatedrge quantities of artillery through various channels. But this was difficult for pirates. And this crucial difference was what put the pirates into trouble. * * * Asian countries that participated in the shippetition between Joseon and Ming soon brought about political changes. The military power of arge front and the benefits gained through trade were not something that could be easily shared with others. Therefore, Asian countries began to strengthen their centralized systems. In this process, rebellions and dynasty changes urred, but ultimately, countries with a highly centralized system simr to the Ming or Joseon dynasties were created. Thister created an unexpected situation when European countries advanced into Asia. The result was very different from the history before the intervention of incense. To add insult to injury, Japanese historians who studied this period all expressed the greatest regret for Japan during this period. -Due to internal constraints, we were unable to ride the huge flow in time. Although the Ouchi n took power, local feudal lords,rge and small, still held real power and kept the Ouchi n in check. In the process of checking and suppressing them, Ouchi consumed a huge amount of time and resources, and as a result, he was dyed in responding to changes epassing the entire Asian region and fell behind. * * * How big of a ship is it? Its a bit bigger than the challenger ss. Then youll be carrying a lot of artillery, right? I havent confirmed it properly, but it is said to be equipped with 80 guns. 80 questions! How many Challenger-ss battleships are on board? There are 50 newly improved Eul-sik General Firearms, 10 shotguns, and 10 Eul-sik Firearms. In response to Hamzas answer, Heohu sighed with a face full of worry. Huh~. When the Challenger level front first came out. I heard that many ministers were surprised to hear that the ship would be equipped with 50 guns. But 80 doors is a big deal. There is no time to build a new front. The captain responded with a smile to Heohus words full of worry. You can trust the navy. Rumor has it that although the Great Battleship isrge, it is not as strong as a challenger-level battleship. Also, although it carried more artillery, Mings artillery had a shorter range and was less powerful than our Joseons artillery. Also, all of the naval officers are elite. Thats true, but As Heohu still couldnt hide his worry, the captain asked in a low voice. Have you heard the rumors about Kabinik? In response to the captains question, Heohu quickly looked around and asked back in a low voice. Are you sure the rumors are true? yes. Ive only heard that it can change the game of naval warfare. Is it artillery? Or is it a wire? The captain answered Heohus question in a low voice. You will see it soon. Huh~. Are you going to end it with just a buzzing sound? Isnt it Vinik? I only heard that far. Then let me ask you one more question. If you are a Kabinik, can you make all of the Ming Sea belong to Joseon? In response to Heohus question, the captain immediately nodded. I heard its quite possible. is it? Then that is enough. Heo Hu ended the conversation with those words and turned his head to the horizon. The worry disappeared from Heo Hus face as he looked at the calm horizon. Heo Hu looked over the horizon towards the Ming Dynasty and muttered softly. If that happens, it is worth risking my life for. * * * After arriving at the Shandong Penins, He Hu and his party immediately boarded an iron horse and headed to Beijing. Its still slow. It exploded slowly. Its like an old donkey. Heo Hu, who wasining about the iron horse running at a slower speedpared to Joseons even though it had beenid for several years, asked a subordinate who apanied him. News of the Yalu River must have reached the Forbidden City by now, right? There must have been enough. I wonder what your answer will be. Everyone in the group nodded at Heo Hus words. Heohu turned his head out the window and continuedining. Anyway, I have to get on a boat again! He Hu and his party were now heading to Beijing using the Gyeonghang Grand Canal. * * * After arriving in Beijing, He Hu and his party unpacked their luggage at the Huidong Pavilion and immediately entered the Forbidden City. Ie to see His Majesty the Emperor! Emperor Seondeok, who was clearly ill, responded to Heohu and his party with a light gesture and opened his mouth. Its not the time for envoys toe, so why did theye? I havee to report to Your Majesty that something terrible has happened at the Yalu River. Yalnok River? A terrible thing? Something? Heo Hu immediately responded to Emperor Seondeoks words. The army of the King of Liaodong crossed the Yalu River and invaded Joseon. How can we say that it is not a terrible thing! How can this happen? Liaodong King? When Emperor Seondeok tilted his head, the assistant cab secretary who was present immediately exined. You seem to be referring to the East King. Hmm I see. But you crossed the Joseon border at the Yalu River? I havent heard any luggage? There has been no report regarding that yet. I see Emperor Seondeok nodded slightly and looked back at Heohu. Jim has given orders to find out the whole story. But is there a conflict taking ce in the Yalu River now? Thats right. Then stop fighting immediately and step back. How can the soldiers of a swift country be hostile to my heavenly soldiers? This is not an example. Its impossible! Heo Hu raised his voice in response to Emperor Seondeoksmand. Finally, Heo Hus life-threatening war of words against Emperor Seondeok began. * * * Impossible? Are you telling me its impossible now? Emperor Seondeoks voice became sharp, but Heo Hu answered confidently. Thats right! Even though Joseon is subservient to the Ming Dynasty, it is a country with its own right of self-defense! No matter how much you say its abolished, this is unfair! This is outrageous! Jim is the emperor! Joseon must follow my orders! I tell you again, this is not possible! No matter how hard we are, we cannot give up Joseons borders! Im just asking you to stand back for a moment while Jim figures out the whole story! The one who has to retreat is a thousand soldiers! We, Joseon, cannot retreat even an inch! Chapter 564 Episode 564: Disconnection. (3) Joseon is a Ming vassal state! Is it an example of vassge to refuse the orders of the monarch of the Shang Dynasty as unfair? No matter how good the country is, what is unfair is unfair! My king has the responsibility to protect Joseons territory and its people! But how dare you give up Joseons power and retreat just because it is a vassal state! You are disrespecting my king! No matter how great a monarch is, this kind of behavior is absolutely not right! together! I tell you again that our Joseon is following the example of the Four Great Dynasties, but is not a Ming colony! Yes you bastard! And yet you are a subject! If you are a subject in name and in name, your duty is to look around and prevent your lord from going down the wrong path! But now you are putting your master in danger! I am standing here and talking about injustice because I am a subject! The order given by His Majesty now is one that will only bring harm to my king! So, as a subject of Joseon, I am naturally doing what I am supposed to do! Emperor Seondeok continued to push, emphasizing that it was an order from the Shang Dynasty, but Heo Hu did not back down and held on to the end. It is extremely unfair for Your Majesty to persecute Sosin and our Joseon people right now! ording to the provisions of the previous Emperor Yonglek, the royal family who received the kings title cannot have troops and are prohibited from interacting with officials and officials around the kings throne! But the King of Liaodong has vited all of this! of course! All of this must have been aplished with the approval of His Majesty! However, a proper subject, as your Majesty spoke of, would have reported this mistake and corrected it before such a decision was made! This was Heo Hus p. Although Heo Hus words were pointing out the mistakes of the Ming Dynasty government officials, his intentions were different. A stupid person who cant even properly follow thews established by the previous emperor! Of course, Emperor Seondeok was not the one who could not understand this, so his face instantly turned red. However, it was an ambiguous situation to catch the pod. He Hu was not criticizing Emperor Xiande, but was pointing out the mistakes of the Ming court officials. Thanks to this, it was the subjects of the Ming court who found themselves in an awkward situation. From their perspective, it was like they were just walking down the street and suddenly got hit by a flying stone. Starting with the Cab Secretary, the faces of all the Ming Dynasty officials present turned white. I! I! Why do you say things like that! You know that and youre talking about it, right? Is that it? I think we have nothing to say! Starting with the Cab Supplement, the Ming Dynasty subjects also had something to say. Everything rted to Joo Jin-jin was carried out by Emperor Seondeok by surprise. There was talk of this and that, but he passed on the specially appointed positions to Joo Jin-jin, who was still in his ce as the crown prince, and sent him away to Liaodong. Not long after, he abolished the crown princes position and made him the king of Dong. All of the subjects expressed concern about this series of incidents, but no one came forward openly. If it was the Seondeokje they knew, there was a 90% chance that his head would be blown off the moment he opened his mouth. Emperor Seondeok ignored Heo Husments and continued his attack. Lee Seong-gye, the founder of Joseon, withdrew from the army, iming that the order given by Choi Young of Goryeo to attack our Ming was unjust. Also, yourte King Lee Bang-won of Joseon also joined Jeong Do-jeon in nning the conquest of Liaodong. This was to protect the four moral principles and preserve the security of the nation. But now you are actually doing the opposite! Ill ask again. Dont you know that your actions now threaten the safety of Joseon and its king? Heo Hu immediately responded to Emperor Seondeoks words. Your Majesty is nowmitting the mistake of a strong-willed club! King Taejos decision to rule Wihwa Ind and King Taejongs punishment of Jeong Do-jeon were all aimed at preventing the peace from being broken in the first ce! But this time, the King of Liaodong broke the peace by invading our Joseon border! Herees apletely different case! After that, the war of words between Emperor Seondeok and Heo Hu continued fiercely. Emperor Seondeok continued to try to attack in various directions, but Heohu maintained his consistent stance. In the end, Emperor Seondeok threw the stone first. profit! good night! Do whatever you want! Joseon, you can do whatever you want! But you will be responsible for that too! Good news! Please write it down! OK! Bring paper, pencil, and ink! Emperor Seondeok shouted, scribbled on a piece of paper brought by the eunuchs, stamped the royal seal, and threw it to Hu Hu. Yep! Do whatever you want! However, keep in mind that everything that happens afterward is Joseons responsibility! I am devastated! After expressing his gratitude in an exaggeratedly loud voice, Heo Hu picked up the paper and offered his resignation greetings to Emperor Seondeok. May you live forever! Be thankful that you are sent back alive! After leaving the Forbidden City, He Hu looked back at hispanions with a grin. With this, we have a clear cause. Lets get back as quickly as possible. yes! * * * Meanwhile, deep in the Forbidden City, Emperor Xuande was smiling in conversion. I finally have an excuse to dispatch troops. In normal times, Joseon would not have reacted so violently. However, the fact that they protested to the point of losing their reason like that was proof that the damage suffered by Joseon was that great. The more scared a dog is, the louder it barks, right? Convinced that things were going ording to his n, Emperor Seondeok picked up his brush. I guess Ill have to gather the soldiers soon. I think the soldiers on the wall are not enough. Cool look! Cool look! Emperor Seondeok, who was writing the edict, coughed. Emperor Seondeok looked at the blood on the towel he had hurriedly covered his mouth with and sighed. If you hold on just a little longer, you will be able to hand over a strong and safe empire. If we hold on just a little longer. * * * Heohu and his party immediately boarded the boat after retracing the route they took to Beijing. We have to get to Hanseong as quickly as possible! I will do my best! As befits the name Haeung (), the front line quickly arrived at Jemulpo. Afternding at the dock, Heo Hu immediately obtained a horse from the naval camp and rode to Hanseong. * * * The Minister of Foreign Affairs who went to Beijing has returned! Oh oh! Upon hearing the eunuchs report, everyone gathered in Seunghwadang got up from their seats and came outside. Heo Heo-hu, who was out of breath and getting off his horse, saw the scent and immediately bowed down and shouted loudly. Minister of Foreign Affairs Heo Hu! I have returned after fulfilling the order you gave me! Heo Hu, who dered that he hadpleted his mission, took out Emperor Seondeoks personal letter from his bosom and presented it to Hyang. here! This is a personal letter from the emperor. Hyang received the personal letter handed out by Heo Hu and checked the contents written inside. Even though it was written in a hasty cursive style, it was full of long sentences written in ordance with formality and etiquette, but the content was simple. -Do whatever you want. However, the responsibility lies with you, Joseon! After checking the contents, Hyang clenched his fists and looked back at the ministers. I got my cause! There is nothing to worry about now! Oh oh! The ministers cheered at Hyangs words. Before the shouts could subside, Hwang Hee shouted to the ministers. everyone! Now is the time to shout hurray! hurray! hurray! hurray! The ministers at Hwang Hees dock all raised their arms and began shouting for national independence. As the cheers for national independence subsided, Hyang took a step forward. ruler! Now lets get to work! yes! The ministers responded vigorously and followed Hyang towards Seunghwadang. Heo Hu, who was heading to Seunghwadang with the ministers, asked Kim Jong-seo, who was next to him, a small question. What is the situation at the Yalu River? Yalnok River? You won very well. Whoa~. In response to Kim Jong-seos answer, Heo Hu finally sighed with a look of restlessness on his face. * * * Two days before He Hu arrived in Beijing, the second battle of the Battle of Yinsanjin took ce. bang! bang! Quack! bang! Boom! The Liaodong Armys artillery, which was desperately recovering, concentrated its attack on the barbed wire area to the left of the Insan camp. Holes began to open in the barbed wire area due to the Liaodong Armys concentrated artillery fire. The faces of the Liaodong soldiers who were watching the scene from the bridgehead and nearby trenches began to brighten little by little as they saw the scene. This time As soon as the Liaodong Army began its bombardment, the Joseon Armys counter-fire continued. I was wondering where the artillery pieces that had not been visible for a while were I got a hit. After receiving the report, Lee Jing-ok quenched his appetite. * * * After experiencing bitterness in the first battle, the Liaodong army desperately hid its artillery. The artillery pieces were collected or moved only at night, when the monks could not fly, and during the day they used all kinds of methods to hide the artillery pieces. In addition, no artillery was used in the small-scale battles that had taken ce so far. Therefore. The Joseon army had to select points where they thought the guns would be based on the range of the Ming-guk artillery seen in the first battle and fire. However, this bombardment had surprisingly poor results. This was because the Liaodong army had pulled out its artillery and hid it behind it. And when the second battle broke out, they took out the guns they had hidden and fired. * * * I took one hit, but once I showed up, it was over! Tell them to destroy all the enemys artillery! ancient! The staff member who received the order wrote an order and handed it to the signalmen and messengers. When the Joseon Armys counterbattery began, the Liaodong Armys main base began to move. The enemy main force is crossing the river! where are you! Its left-wing! Lee Jing-ok got up from his seat and ran to Chongangu. The soldiers of the Liaodong army were crossing the river in droves. The ce where the Liaodong Army crossing the river was headed was the left wing, which had been holed by concentrated artillery fire. After checking the situation, Lee Jing-ok looked back at his staff. Get the reserves ready! ancient! Tell the guns on the left side to crush the enemies trying to break through! ancient! Lee Jing-ok, who gave orders to deal with the enemy attempting to break through, looked up at the sky and gritted his teeth. When are these bastardsing? * * * The battle between the Liaodong army, which attempted to break through the left wing of the Insan camp, and the Joseon army, which blocked it, continued fiercely. Despite being attacked by the Joseon soldiers waiting at the trench line and the Joseon soldiers on the walls of the Insan camp, the Liaodong army persistently pushed in. Send in the reserves! yes! As the waiting reserves were deployed, the Liaodong Army began to falter. Jo Byeong-deok, who was observing this scene from the hill, gave an order to his staff. Send the third force! yes! Jo Byeong-deok, who gave the order, clenched his fists. Just a little more and you can break through! Just a little more! After the ban, Byeong-deok Jos hope turned into despair. The Joseon navy ising! what? where! In Jo Byeong-deoks urgent voice, the staff member next to him shouted, pointing to the lower reaches of the Yalu River. There it is! At the ce pointed out by the staff, dozens of Joseon Army Panok ships wereing in two rows up the Yalu River. Holy shit! I cant believe I made such a mistake! Jo Byeong-deok med himself for his mistake. They were preupied with the prejudice that the Joseon navy only hadrge ships, so theypletely ruled out the possibility that the Joseon navy would move. At that time, another messenger came running and announced the sad news. Its an enemy surprise attack! Joseons cavalry is attacking our armys left nk! Upon hearing the messengers report, Jo Byeong-deok looked up at the sky without realizing it. You got hit. Chapter 565 Episode 565: Disconnection. (4) The Panok ships of the Joseon Navy sailing up the Yalu River were ships that were scheduled to be retired due to the deployment of arge number of marine rescue units while carrying out the mission of patrolling the archipgo area of the West and South Seas. However, as Yodongs movements became suspicious, he returned to the front line. Although the Yalu River is a natural defense line, it is something that hinders us even when we attack. We need a way to solve this. In the process of searching for a suitable means, Panokseon came into view. Is this okay? C The biggest advantage of the Panokseon is that it is a t bottom ship. t bottom ships have a t bottom and low draft. -The rtively low draft makes some movement possible even in rivers. In the case of the Panokseon, if the bast load is reduced, it can at least go back to where Insanjin is located without difficulty. -A t floor keeps you level even if you inevitably or intentionally run aground. If you take advantage of this advantage, it can be used as an excellent fixed position and can also serve as a pontoon bridge for wading. -The number of guns loaded on one Panokseon is 26, including the Eulsik Wagon. If at least 10 ships enter, it can be a powerful enough force. ording to this decision, the retirement of Panokseon was temporarily suspended and they were gathered at Gyeonggi Suyeong and Hwanghae Suyeong. The Joseon navy, which had assembled the Panokseon, carried out extensive repairs and various modifications at the same time. And as soon as the battle broke out in Insanjin, the Panok ships so prepared were dispatched. The Panokseon fleet that first gathered at the mouth of the Yalu River began preparing to go up the Yalu River. Throw away the floor luggage! yes! Following the captains orders, the soldiers began to take out the concrete blocks from the ships berth one by one and throw them into the sea. After confirming that the weight of the Panokseon had be reasonably light, the captains gave the following orders. Turn the engine back! ancient! Following themands of the captains, the stokers aboard began to operate the steam engine. * * * Among the improvements made for this battle, the highlight was the instation of a steam engine. It was not asrge as the engines mounted on sailing ships traveling on the Northern Sea Route or the engines on iron horses, but rather was equipped with a small steam engine for a gun towing vehicle. The steam engine located at the rear of the first deck of the Panokseon was equipped with a power distribution device containing a dozen gear wheels. There were two long iron bars attached to the output distribution device, and the bars inclined toward the water. At the end of the iron bar that entered the water at an angle like that was a pinwheel-type propeller. It was a makeshift device because there was not enough time to modify it like the model ships operated in the north. However, the results of making and testing a prototype were evaluated as usable. ording to the experiment in Hansu, it was slow but steady, moving back against Hansu. Its enough to mobilize the troops there! * * * When the steam pressure of the steam engine rose sufficiently, the stokers moved the lever to activate the power distribution device. The panok ships began to move as the screw turned and soon began to move up the Yalu River. The target was Insanjin, 80 ri (about 32 km) away. * * * If the left wing of the Joseon army was the Panokseon fleet, the right wing was the cavalry of the Joseon army. The size of the cavalry mobilized in this battle was about 35,000 men in two divisions. Looking at the numbers alone, it was weak enough to be called arge army, but if you look at its power alone, it was a size that could be called the strongest. The reason for this evaluation was that they were cavalry and operated arge amount of artillery. * * * ording to the reform of the Joseon army nned and seasoned by King Sejong, the core of the Joseon armys power was artillery, and musketry and cavalry supported it. -Considering the state of Joseon, we cannot just increase the number of soldiers. -When a war involving the survival of the nation urs, strength is increased through the conscription of reserve forces, but in normal times, maximum strength must be extracted from an appropriate number of troops. -Considering the above conditions and the increasingly expanding power of Joseon, a unit with strong mobility and firepower should be the core of the military. ording to this decision, the Joseon Land Guard was divided into two. One was those stationed in a solid fortress like the Insan camp, and the other was the cavalry. And what these two groups had inmon was that they operatedrge quantities of artillery. Whether it was a fortress garrison or cavalry, the core of the force was artillery. * * * As soon as the movement of the Liaodong army was detected, the Joseon armys cavalry moved quickly. One unit continued its journey north. Their mission was to begin the invasion from the northeastern region of Liaodong and strike Liaodongs rear. The two units moving to attack the nks of the Liaodong Army fighting at Insanjin galloped along the military road built on the Gaema teau, then went around the south of Baekdu Mountain and crossed the Yalu River. The Joseon Army cavalry that crossed the Yalu River galloped toward Insanjin along the northern bank of the Yalu River. * * * The Panokseon fleet and Joseon army cavalry that arrived began attacking the left and right nks of the Liaodong army. The number of Panok ships that sailed up the Yalu River was about 30. Among them, 10 ships formed a military camp in the middle of the Yalu River. Their target was the Liaodong Army crossing the Yalu River. Therefore, the Panokseon in charge of the mission was loaded with 60 fire trucks instead of naval guns. A total of 600 guns were set to target the Liaodong Army gathered on both sides of the Yalu River and the river. Of the remaining 20 ships, 5 went up on the southern bank of the Yalu River, and the other 15 went up on the northern bank and crashed. The 400 artillery pieces and 80 Eulsik wagons loaded on the 20 panokseons that sat down on the riverside targeted the Liaodong troops gathered on the riverside and nearby. Let go! At themand of the captains standing tall in the pavilion of the Panokseon, the artillery guns and fire wagons opened fire all at once. Ku-kwa-kwang! Ta-ta-ta-tang! The bigyeokjincheonroe for naval forces fired by the Panokseons artillery and the rain of bullets from the Eulsik wagons instantly began to crush the Liaodong army. Wow! Ahh! The Liaodong soldiers screamed and fell as the Joseon army attacked. Those who suffered the most serious damage from the Joseon Dynastys attack were the Liaodong Army crossing the Yalu River. The soldiers of the Liaodong Army, who were stumbling over the natural obstacle called water, fell under the fire of food trucks, and the water of the Yalu River began to turn red in an instant. A simr situation urred on the left nk of the Liaodong Army. Kwakwakwak! Bigyeokjincheonroe fired by the Joseon Army cavalry began topletely destroy the left nk of the Liaodong Army. Ta-ta-tang! As soon as the bigyeokjincheonroe salvo ended, the Joseon cavalrys salvo continued. Aaaah! Counterattack! Fire back! The left wing of the Liaodong Army suffered a severe blow from the Joseon Army cavalry, but the Liaodong Armymanders soon came to their senses and ordered a counterattack. At themand of theirmanders, the Liaodong Army soldiers raised iron guns and bows and targeted the Joseon Army cavalry. But it was a futile effort. The range of their iron guns and bows was abysmally shortpared to the Japanese cavalrys long guns. The Insan camp and the surrounding trench area were able to get up to the range of the iron guns and engage in a gunfight using the help of our artillery and various terrain features, including holes created by artillery shells. But now the ce where they were fighting was an open field. This was the optimal ce to properly utilize the superior range of the Eulsik Long Rifle. It was a fatal one-shot shot by Joseon, who had used all kinds of methods to lie about the range of the Gap-sik Long Rifle and Eul-sik Long Rifle. The left nk of the Liaodong Army, which was under concentrated attack by the Joseon Army cavalry, began to gradually crumble. As the enemy lines began to copse, the Joseon Army cavalry advanced little by little and continued bombardment and shooting. As copse and advancement were repeated, the hole opened on the left nk of the Liaodong Army grew bigger and bigger. And at some point, the Joseon militarys shooting stopped. When the shooting stopped, the older Jurchen warriors shouted. Prepare for the assault! Prepare for the assault! Before their cries could finish, the Joseon Army cavalry began charging. Doo doo doo doo! As thousands of cavalry charged at once, a heavy rumble shook the ground. The soldiers of the Liaodong Army, who formed a square ording to orders, swallowed dry saliva while clutching their iron guns and spears and waited for the Joseon army to charge. As the sight of the cavalry aiming the long spears unique to the Joseon Army cavalry grewrger, soldiers with iron guns aimed at them. At that moment, what struck them was the Bigyeokjincheonroe. Kwakwakwak! The explosion of the bigyeokjincheonroe copsed the square in an instant, and the long spears of the Joseon army cavalry pierced them. The Joseon bastards feet are tied up! Strike! We have to tie up their feet to prevent a second attack! Wow! The first line of defense copsed due to the charge of the Joseon Army cavalry, but the cavalrys speed also decreased. ordingly, themanders of the second defense line gave orders to catch the Joseon Army cavalry that was trying to escape to the side. The life of the cavalry was speed. Capturing them would have resulted in the loss of the greatest weapon, and it would also have prevented the second attack of the Joseon Army cavalry that would follow. In response, the Liaodong Army soldiers shouted and rushed toward the nearby Joseon Army cavalry. no! Get back! Go away! The Jurchen veterans shouted to fall back, but it was toote. The favorite weapon of the Joseon Army cavalry began to breathe fire. Bang bang bang bang! The 6-barreled mounted gun began to fire as if possessed, and the Liaodong soldiers who had gathered around fell to the ground. Other Liaodong Army soldiers hesitated at the sight, and the Joseon Army cavalry escaped to the side without taking advantage of the opportunity. As the first attack force escaped, the second attack force attacked the Liaodong Army. * * * Under the attacks of the Joseon cavalry and the Joseon navy, the Liaodong army gradually began to copse. The Liaodong army, which had already crossed the river and attacked Insanjins trench line, fell into panic, from soldiers tomanders. The Joseon armys trench, which seemed like it could be breached with just a little more effort, was soon crowded with new Joseon soldiers and was pushing them out. The reinforcements who were supposed to support them were being turned into meat in the middle of the Yalu River. At the main camp across the river, pirs of fire were rising from all directions. It wont work! Lets run away! Retreat! retreat! When the soldiers realized that something had gone wrong, they turned their backs and started running away. Stop! Defend that position! Defend! Themanders shouted loudly to stop the soldiers retreating. They even cut down the deserting soldiers and forced them to defend themselves, but they were buried by the retreating soldiers. The copse that started like that soon spread throughout the entire front. Retreat! Run away! Many soldiers turned and ran toward the Yalu River, screaming loudly. As such a disorderly retreat took ce, the middle of the Yalu River turned into hell. A situation of stagnation urred as the soldiers who had stopped under the attack of the Panokseon and the soldiers who had run away became entangled. And the soldiers who became entangled like this became delicious prey for the Eulsikhwacha. You bastards! I know someone will just let me go! Bring all the ammunition you have! The Joseon army, which had reached its peak, pulled the trigger like crazy towards the Liaodong army entangled in the middle of the river. Chapter 566 Episode 566: Disconnection. (5) The fighting spirit of the Liaodong Army plummeted after seeing our troops suffer near-massacre losses at the Insan Camp and the Yalu River. What do we do? What do we do? Although they were holding weapons in their hands and moving around ording to the orders of theirmanders, the eyes of the Liaodong Army soldiers were shaking and anxious. Just then, someone shouted from behind the soldiers. The rear has copsed! Lets run away! The rear has copsed! As shouts of The rear has copsed! came out from all over, the Liaodong armys main camp copsed in an instant. Lets run away! I have to live! Shouting like a scream, the soldiers left their positions and ran backwards. Once it began to copse, the Liaodong Armys main base began to copse in an instant. Holy shit! Even a retreat requires a strategy! Cho Byeong-deok, who was furious after seeing this scene on the hill, gave an order to his staff. Immediately lead the reserve force and take those idiots under control! Do your best to retreat! Its not a rout! Yes old! At Jo Byeong-deoks order, the staff members turned their heads. The sight of them going down the hill with the guards was more urgent than ever before. However, their appearance was not moving to lead an orderly retreat ording to Jo Byeong-deoks orders, but was closer to a desperate struggle to escape from the dead. With those people Jo Byeong-deok, who was smiling wryly at the sight being seen in public, ordered the guards standing around him. You guyse down too. I have to guard the general. Ill being down soon too. Im just staying because I want to make sure the Koreans dont cross the Yalu River. Its dangerous. Dont worry. I know very well that my life is important. Haona. Hurry ande down! Following Jo Byeong-deoks order, the guards also went down the hill. However, there were some who remained until the end, and these were Jo Byeong-deoks family soldiers. You guys shoulde down too. I will remain and protect the family until the end. In response to the soldiers firm response, Jo Byeong-deok silently turned his head and looked at the Yalu River. Jo Byeong-deok, who was staring nkly at the Yalu River, muttered softly. You were drunk When he came to Liaodong with the crown prince, he suddenly became drunk from the important responsibility he had taken on. As I had hundreds of thousands of troops in my hands, I became intoxicated with numbers. Starting with the Hwaryong gun, I got drunk by holding in my hands the artillery that I had only been looking at. Lastly, he was intoxicated with the ambition to ascend to the highest position in the country after annexing Joseon. Its time to wake up from the long dream As the Liaodong armypletely retreated from the riverside and the Joseon army began to take their ce, Jo Byeong-deok drew his sword. under! Jo Byeong-deok raised his sword high and began charging towards the Joseon soldiers. Following him, the cavalry soldiers also charged towards the Joseon soldiers. Its the enemy! shooting! shooting! Ta-ta-ta-tang! That was Jo Byeong-deoksst. * * * The staff who came down from the hill under Jo Byeong-deoks orders began making desperate efforts to control the fleeing soldiers. The reason they made such desperate efforts was not just to carry out Jo Byeong-deoks orders. This was because those soldiers had a better chance of escaping from danger safely. However, the staffs attempts were not easily sessful. First of all, it was not easy to control the soldiers who lost their temper and fled. Next was the persistent attack of the Joseon navy and cavalry. Because it was such arge army, many troops were still within range of the guns fired by the Joseon Navy. Every time a shell fired by the Joseon Navy fell, the soldiers scattered here and there and the barely restored chain ofmand copsed. The attack of the Joseon cavalry was also the same. The Joseon navy hung around like a dead fish, persistently biting at the wounds of the Liaodong army. Every time they were bitten like that, the Liaodong armys wounds became bigger and deeper, and the entire camp was shaken. And every time there was a stir like this, the Liaodong army continued its disorderly rout, and the staff had to struggle even more desperately. * * * While the main camp was being routed, the area in front of the Insan camp began to be cleared out. Because it copsed first, many Liaodong Army soldiers either died or surrendered after engaging in meaningless resistance. And many more soldiers lost their lives when they were attacked by Eulsik fire trucks while crossing the Yalu River. Clear the battlefield and sendmunications to the rear. Its okay to move on. ancient! Lee Jing-ok, who confirmed the rout of the Liaodong army, used the monk to send a signal to the rear. Choi Yun-deoks main force, which had already advanced to 5 ri (about 2 km) behind Insanjin, immediately began advancing as soon as it confirmed the signal. At the same time, preparations for the Joseon armys crossing of the Yalu River began. First, the Joseon Army cavalry that was plowing through the Liaodong Army was divided into two. Among the two cavalry corps, one side pecked at the retreating Liaodong army, while the other went into defense of the expected crossing point. While the Joseon Army cavalry was moving like that, the Panokseon of the Joseon Navy were also moving. Turn the organ back! Push! Push! Pull! Pull! The naval soldiers who got off the Panokseon, which had intentionally run aground on the riverside, pushed and pulled the Panokseon to get it back into the river, and the steam engine turned the propeller in reverse. In order to put one ship back in, the naval forces of the surrounding Panok ships all joined in and repeatedly pushed and pulled. As soon as one ship was put back on the water, the soldiers immediately clung to the other ship. In this way, one by one, the panok boats were put back on the river. The panok ships that floated on the river went up the Yalu River again carrying sailors. The Panok ships that had joined the Panok ships crossing the Yalu River were lined up in a row. Fold the sails and drop the anchor! Following the captains orders, the panok ships folded their sails and masts, moved them aside, and dropped anchor. Rope soon flew between the panokseons that were positioned like that, and the panokseons were entangled with each other and firmly fixed. Lee Jing-ok, who was watching the scene from the walls of Insanjin, muttered softly. Is this the Red Cliffs connection? If someone throws some kindling, it will be over in one hit. However, the current situation of Yalu River and Jeokbyeok were very different. The Joseon army was in control of both banks of the river and was on tight guard. The engineers unit has arrived! is it? Hearing the aides shout, Lee Jing-ok looked toward the back of Insanjin. With several plumes of ck smoke billowing out, the Joseon Army Corps of Engineers arrived at Insanjin. * * * The engineering corps arrived at Insanjin and immediately went to work. The first thing they did was to use an excavator to dig a huge pit at a considerable distance from the Insan camp. Beep! Excavators dug severalrge pits in response to signals sent by soldiers with whistles in their mouths and waving gs. When the pits werepleted, the captured Liaodong soldiers carried the bodies of the dead Liaodong soldiers into the pits. The Liaodong Army soldiers, who were moving the bodies of theirrades under the strict surveince of the Joseon Army, looked at the huge excavators with frightened faces. Just looking at therge shovel de, which wasrge enough to fit three thatched houses at the same time, was something that made my stomach tingle. * * * While the battlefield was being cleared on one side, work on crossing the Yalu River was in full swing. Beep! Beep! At the sound of the whistle, the crane installed on the Panokseon lifted the wooden bridge. The naval soldiers and engineers took their positions by pushing the floating bridge back and forth. good! get off! get off! At the signal, the wooden bridge slowly came down. There were steel hooks attached to both ends of the bridge, and the hooks held the panokseons clothes tightly. If ced correctly, it would create a solid bridge connecting the two panokseons. Two dayster, the main camp of the Joseon army crossed the Yalu River. This is what happened during Heo Hus stay in Beijing. * * * Heo Hu, who was heading to Seunghwadang while listening to Kim Jong-seos exnation, counted his hands and muttered. The news must have reached Beijing by now. The emperors expression must have been worth seeing. Isnt it true that my head is gone? Inside the conference room of Seunghwadang, where I entered mumbling like that, a heated discussion was taking ce among the ministers. Now that we have earned the cause and have already crossed the Yalu River, lets cross the Yao River too! Joha no! Then it will not be a local war, but an all-out war! Didnt you look at the emperors edict earlier? I said I would hold you ountable! All-out war is inevitable anyway! As the pros and cons of expanding the war continued to rage, Hyang asked Jo Mal-saeng. I would like to hear the opinion of the Minister of Defense. Jo Mal-saeng immediately responded to Hyangs request. The militarys opinion is the same as before. Liaodong is the limit of our current Joseon capabilities. If you cross the wall, there will be problems with supply. How about using the navy? Jo Mal-saeng shook his head in response to Hwang Hees question. Even if we mobilize all of the challenger-ss fronts and civilian merchant ships, it will not be enough. Ive said this time and time again, but neither the Ming nor weck the ability to invade each others maind. In the end, everything must be resolved in Liaodong. If thats the case with the military Its a bit disappointing The expansionists could not hide their disappointment. But they couldnt help it either. It was a situation where the military, the main force in the war, said it was impossible. Jo Mal-saeng, perhaps aware of the feelings of those who spread war, added. It may seem tempting to want to storm the Forbidden City and grab the emperor by the cor, but when you think about the amount of material consumed in this battle and the amount of material that will be consumed in the future Jo Mal-saeng spoke while looking at Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy. It was cloudy. The ammunition and materials consumed by the Joseon Army in this battle were equivalent to the amount consumed by the entire Land Forces during two months of training. This was only consumed in the Insan camp, excluding the supplies used by the navy and cavalry. The conscription of reserve forces had already begun throughout Joseon. It was certain that the supplies they would consume would exceed what they had experienced so far. Jo Mal-saeng, who had been slightly speechless, spoke again. Therefore, the best solution for now is topletely control Liaodong. I leave it to the navy to take out their anger on the emperors insidious scheme. Hmm I guess that would be okay too. It looks good. What do you think of me? Hyang also nodded at Hwang Hees words. I think its reasonable. Id like to say we should ride all the way to the Forbidden City but it would be more profitable to just harpoon all the ports. Because it canpletely undermine the market dominance of the people. As Hyang gave Jo Mal-saengs hand, the future direction was decided. At that time, Kim Jeom opened his mouth. No matter what anyone says, you must get your hands on radish sprouts! At least as much as radish sprouts! At Kim Jeoms shout, all the ministers and ministers nodded. ording to information obtained from prisoners, all the minerals that made the weapons of the Liaodong army, including Hwaryongpo, came from Fushun. Open coal mine? If you dig a little, you can find iron ore and copper coal? After receiving the report, Kim Jeom immediately ran to Hyang and shouted. You must get your hands on some radish sprouts! Chapter 567 Episode 567: Disconnection. (6) As Kim Jeom desperately emphasized the importance of musun, local officials and ministers took interest in musun. Hmm. Hoo. The ministers who read the information obtained by interrogating the prisoners all had expressions full of greed. Sir Hwanghees words were slurred, but he understood the scent right away. Because it is located near Liaodong Province, the value of Liaodong Province will change. Thats right. * * * The operational n established to fight this battle was based on the grand strategy Eastward Advance created during the Gyeongjang period. The northern territory that Joseon would ultimately secure in Dongjin was the former territory of Balhae. However, under the judgment that Joseons current capabilities were not enough to upy all of that territory through this battle, a strategy was established to advance only as far as Liaodong Province. The goal of this operation was to upy Liaodong Province and the Liaodong Penins from the Yalu River andpletely turn the West Sea into Joseons front yard. However, in this process, the value of Liaodong Province was pushed below that of the Liaodong Penins. -It would be nice to upy Liaodong Castle, but if this is too much, we will burn it to the ground and retreat. It was to hold them ountable for attacking across the Yalu River. -However, the Liaodong Penins must be upied. For Joseon, the Liaodong Penins, which could epass the West Sea, was more important than Liaodong Castle in the middle of the in. The reason why we had no choice but to make this choice was because this war was not something that Joseon wanted to start. It was not a war that started with full preparations, with Joseon choosing the desired location at the desired time. Therefore, Joseon had to move carefully. -The war may escte at an unexpected moment, so you must leave as much room as possible. However, due to the existence of Fusun, modification of the n became inevitable. Thend that yielded minerals that could arm hundreds of thousands of soldiers in just a few months could not be left alone. * * * From then on, Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy continued to talk about upation of Fusun. And when Heo Hu returned with justification, he raised his voice even more. This is an opportunity! The emperors words are tantamount to a deration of war! I also do not want an esction of war! However, rather than simply holding people responsible, we must not miss the opportunity and make it ours for sure! I said it was possible to reach Liaodong Ind! As Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy continued to insist on permanent upation of Liaodong, the vige began to secretly be worried. Arent these gentlemen too simr to someone else somewhere? * * * The people Hyang thought of somewhere were the Japanese politicians and soldiers who caused the Sino-Japanese War and World War II. The excuse was that the regime itself was a military regime, and a small number of civilian politicians could not withstand the militarys violent threats and cooperated with the war. However, most of the cab members were politicians, not soldiers. And those politicians decided on war. No, to go back further, those who actively advocated the invasion of Joseon and nned and executed the Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War were also politicians. With the Emperors capabilities, it is possible! Since the Emperor is so confident, we should support him. Because we have achievements so far. With our current empire, there is a good chance. It may be a struggle right now, but if you hold on a little longer, you will be rewarded many times over. The politicians and soldiers of imperialist Japan were the ones who created all the tragedies by bing addicted to the sweet drug called winner takes all, also known as pay for it. * * * Hmm Looking at the report just uploaded, the cost of war effort is quite high. Is this possible? Just tell them to pay back. Ill crush you. Kim Jeom answered Hyangs question right away. As you said, the cost of war effort is considerable. However, we can fully cover it with the treasury we have currently umted. Ill buy it back. Gold and silver continue to be mined not only in this Joseon headquarters but also in gold and silver mines in the forests of Daeseol Ind and the northeastern Jongjang Penins. If we are careful to release enormous amounts of wealth all at once, the countrys governance can be managed in a sufficiently sound manner. By sound operation are you talking about bonds? yes. Kim Jeom answered Hyangs question simply and clearly. * * * In the process of preparing for this war, the amount of various materials to be supplied to soldiers increased significantly. In order to properly supply it, the Joseon Dynasty government actively utilized private merchants. This was good news for the top as well. This was because, as the war broke out in Europe, many merchants were on the verge of going out of business due to blocked sales channels. In the end, the toppanies actively participated in military supply. The Joseon Dynasty government used bonds to fill a significant portion of the money paid to military merchants. Also, instead of unconditionally recing a certain amount with bonds, 30% to 60% of the price was paid with bonds based on the size at the top. Additionally, the bond payment period varied from 6 months to 5 years. This was done to prevent an explosive rise in prices due to an explosion in the money supply by releasing cash over time. What is interesting is that it was not the township that came up with this idea, but officials from the Ministry of Finance and Economy. Hyang shook her head after reading the n that had been approved by the Minister of Finance and Economy and Hwanghee Kim. The nobles have suddenly be the vanguard of modified capitalism * * * Putting things aside, what will you do to supply and demand the minerals needed for war? Basically, we will do our best to increase the mines production, and next, we will recycle the captured enemy weapons as much as possible. Just by melting down the Hwaryong cannon we captured this time, we can make a huge amount of bullet casings and artillery casings. Ah In response to Kim Jeoms answer, Hyang nodded without realizing it. To that extent, the Hwaryongpo was an enormous item. Kim Jeom continued speaking. The Liaodong armys artillery is all made of bronze, so it is very useful. The quality of the iron they used to make the iron barrels of long guns, spears, and armor is inferior to that made in Joseon, but it can be useful if melted and smelted again. Lastly, we will collect and recycle as many shell casings discarded on the battlefield as possible. Hyangs expression became sharp at Kim Jeoms words. Are you nning on mobilizing soldiers for collection work? Kim Jeom looked rather puzzled at Hyangs words. Why are soldiers who are not good enough to be sent to the front line sent there? We have to use prisoners. We caught 30,000 people, but we cant just make fun of them, right? Ah Hyang blushed at Kim Jeoms words. I was just thinking about the 21st century! After a moment of self-criticism, Hyang immediately continued asking questions. Will the prisoners do their job properly? Kim Jeom smiled and answered Hyangs question. You have to shake the bait. bait? -Group the prisoners into groups of 5 and appoint one of them as leader. -Slightly less food is provided to prisoners. However, the team leader is paid a little more than other team members. -Additional food is provided for each meal depending on the amount of supplies collected from the battlefield. Every evening, the 10 best groups are selected and given a small amount of meat and alcohol. Of course, the leader is paid a little more. -if. For groups with poor performance, the team leader is reced. After hearing Kim Jeoms exnation, Hyang muttered without realizing it. You will work desperately. Especially the leaders. Thats right. Considering the size of the Insan camp and the number of prisoners, the cleanup work will bepleted quickly. Is there any n to use the prisoners in the future? It will be used in steel mills and mines. ah! Im thinking of giving him a sry as well. Its about 1/4 of the sry that a new worker receives. What will you do if peoplein or slow down because they are underpaid? If you dont want to live as a ve in Japan or Daewol, you have to work hard. Kim Jeoms cold answer made Hyang realize once again that this was the Joseon Dynasty. It was a time when things like the Geneva Convention didnt even exist yet. After hearing the answer up to that point, Hyang had to make a decision. Its a little close, but its still inside the safety line. No, I have to believe its inside the safety line. The value of radish is too great to just refuse. All right. Then, I ask that the military revise its operational n ordingly. As soon as the revisions areplete, I will review it and deliver it to General Choi Yun-deok. I follow your orders! Thus, it was decided to modify the operation. * * * Meanwhile, the loot acquired from the Insan camp gradually flowed into Hanseong. Please transport it along Bell Tower Street so that the people of Hanseong can see it as much as possible. I follow your orders! ording to the order of the township, the armor worn by the Liaodong army and various weapons were ced on a cart and paraded through Bell Tower Street. wow! Look at that! Look at that! Its huge! However, it was Hwaryongpo that attracted the peoples attention the most. The soldiers used all kinds of methods to bring the enormous Hwaryongpo into the fortress. And it was crowded with Hanseong residents who came to see Hwaryongpo. The next thing that caught the peoples attention was the captured prisoners. These prisoners were officers captured during the battle. Ordinary soldiers and lower-ranking officers were mobilized for all kinds of work, including clearing the battlefield, but high-ranking officers were tied to gun carriages and sent to Hanseong on ships. The prisoners brought to Hanseong had to go through hardships. These killers! Theres nothing else to do, soe invade someone elses country! Woo~. Angry residents threw rocks at the prisoners. Stop! These people need to receive the national seal, so they shouldnt be harmed! Do not throw stones! Ah! Dont throw stones there! After going through such a difficult process, the prisoners headed to the interrogation center. Meanwhile, other trophies attracted the attention of Hyang and ministers. This is the enemys standard captured this time. But The officer who was reporting to the local government and ministers unfolded one of thergest military gs. Great Yeon ()? Among those taken prisoner, there was someone who served on the enemys staff. After interrogating him, it is said that the King of Dong dered the founding of a nation. Yes After hearing the officers continued words, Hyang looked back at the ministers. This looks like things are going to be interesting. Hwang Hee responded to Hyangs words. By now, news that our army has crossed the Yalu River must have reached Beijing. The messenger is waiting for this. The ministers all nodded at Hwang Hees words. * * * Three dayster, a report arrived at Gyeongbokgung Pce that a messenger sent from the Ming had arrived in Jemulpo. I heard that they have requested that an iron horse be assigned toe to Hanseong right away. After receiving the report, Hyang looked at Heo Hu. Thest time you went to Ming, were you assigned an iron horse? Not at all. After hearing Heo Hus answer, Hyang ordered the official. I couldnt prepare because I wasnt notified in advance. Please provide the convenience of freeing up one carriage for the envoys so that they can tell them to wait for the regr flight ande on board. I follow your orders. When the official who received the order withdrew, the governor gave an order to the eunuch. Tell the internal medicine clinic to prepare Woohwang Cheongsimhwan. Because there will be people who fall down with vases. I follow your orders. As the eunuch who had received Hyangs orders disappeared, the ministers all shuddered slightly as they remembered simr thoughts. The crown princes harsh words are also very harsh. Even the harsh words are a curse word . Just thinking about it gives me a headache! Chapter 568 Episode 568: Severance. (7) It was Minister of Foreign Affairs Heo Hu who weed the Ming envoys who arrived in Hanseong on an iron horse from Jemulpo. Why are you here Ye Bu Sang-seo, who was leading the envoys, spoke with a shocked expression on his face. Heo Hu, who saw Ye Bu Sang-seos expression, looked rather strange and asked back. huh? Whats the problem? The top person in charge of diplomacy came? ording to the rules of etiquette, the crown prince muste out ording to the traditional etiquette of the four generations, when an envoy came from a foreign country, it was proper for the crown prince toe out and wee him. Heo Hus expression changed sharply at Ye Busangseos words. Are you in a situation where you canfortably discuss etiquette? In times like these, wouldnt it be better to follow the rules of etiquette? That would be great! Heo Hus words made the Ming Dynasty interpreter look perplexed. This was because there was no Chinesenguage to properly convey the meaning. However, Ye Bu Sang-seo, who roughly understood the meaning from Heo Hu and the interpreters expressions, burst intoughter and said something. Hehe~. Any gentleman who properly assists the monarch must not lose courtesy That is not a gentleman, but only a man with no bones. Before the ceremonial speech was even finished, Heo Hu interrupted and responded. Ye Bu Sang-seo was surprised by Heo Hus counterattack. Do you know the Mingnguage? He is the Minister of Foreign Affairs. But why the interpreter Even if you know, you just pretend not to know. Isnt it natural for someone in charge of diplomacy? Keuhum! In the end, the war of words over the etiquette of hospitality ended with the courtesy official clearing his throat. Yebu Sang-seo, who concluded that there was nothing to be gained from further war of words, changed the topic. Then I will rest today and visit the pce tomorrow. I understand. After a short conversation, Yebusangseo and his party entered Mohwagwan. Heo Hu, who was looking at that scene, snorted. joy! Are you unaware of the urgency of the situation? Or is this just bravado? * * * The next day, Ye Bu Sang-seo and his party visited Gyeongbokgung Pce. The local government and ministers weed the royal family in the front yard of Geunjeongjeon. Ie to see you, Crown Prince. You had a hard timeing to the old road. Then, I will read His Majestys edict. Give me the edict. I will read it. If not, read it on the spot. Ye Bu Sang-seo got angry at Hyangs words. What rudeness is this! Dont Joseons crown prince and his subjects even know etiquette? Hyang snorted at Ye Bu Sang-seos words. joy! Do you think that the rtionship between Ming and Joseon is now in a state of civility? Even though the current situation between our two countries may be inconvenient, the rules of etiquette that must be observed must be observed! Ye must be based on morality! But did Shangguo keep his duties? What is that You cant say you dont know! If you dont know, go back right away ande back after finding out! In response to the sharp response of Hyang, Ye Bu Sang-seo finally broke the seal of the edict on the spot and read Emperor Seondeoks edict. The King of Joseon, listen. Recently, discord has broken out between the Ming Dynasty and the Joseon Dynasty. To briefly summarize the contents of the ensuing edict, it was as follows. -The King of Liaodongs temper ran wild and caused a serious ident. This part is my mistake. But why did Joseon cross the border? Take over the military immediately. Otherwise, you will be punished for the crime of encroaching on Ming territory. her! After hearing the contents of the edict, Hyang exhaled as if he was astonished. After taking a moment to catch her breath, Hyang continued speaking. I will ask the messenger. Is Liaodong really the Ming River? Isnt it obvious? In response to Ye Bu Sang-seos reply, the Hyang gave an order to the eunuch. Bring them with you. yes. After a while, the officers and soldiers brought a dozen gs and unfurled them on the ground. What is inscribed on the g? It is engraved as the Great Yeon. After interrogating the captured generals, they said that the King of Dong or the King of Liaodong dered the founding of the country. If that is the name of the country, doesnt Liaodong no longer belong to the Ming region? It is not the territory of Ming, so there is no reason for Ming to argue. Hearing Hyangs words, Ye Busangseo closed his eyes tightly. This crazy bastard caused a disaster! If things had happened like this, Joseon would have taken the me. However, the Yebu Sangseo desperately hung on. No matter what we do, we must take over the Joseon army! Otherwise my head will run away! It was something that the King of Dong did arbitrarily. Your Majesty and our court knew nothing. If I had known, I would have taken the initiative to stop it. Therefore, Liaodong is still a Ming river area. No sooner had he finished speaking than the scent spoke. The prisoner said something interesting again. The eunuch sent by the emperor delivered a secret message from the emperor. Do you know what it is? If you win Joseon, I will grant you the title. That is a ridiculous statement! I have never seen Your Majesty say such a thing! An order that everyone knows is not a secret order. Isnt that right? That cant be possible! That statement is nothing more than a false remark made by the general whomitted the crime to absolve himself of his own sins! Arent there more than one captive who said the same thing? If so, he must be the Duke of the East King! A eunuch who was instigated by the King of the East said such nonsense! Then how can he exin the enormous amount of military funds he used to raise the military? And how do we exin the fact that dozens of craftsmen were brought along to make all kinds of artillery and rifles? Even if military funds are provided, the craftsmen who make weapons are moving around. Are you going to say that the emperor didnt know about that? What about that? Tsk! The noisy scent that filled the tongue put pressure on Ye Yebusangseo. It ismon sense for the country to carefully manage craftsmen who make weapons, especially weapons that use gunpowder! Shinigami, think about it! Do you think it would be possible for one or two craftsmen to arm hundreds of thousands of soldiers in a few months? We need at least a dozen skilled craftsmen and more apprentices! But do you think it makes sense that so many people left and didnt know about it? Our name is such arge country that there are too many people to check each one Stop making excuses! This would not have been possible without the emperors connivance! If the emperor didnt know as you said, then you, the Ming Dynastys subjects, are all blind people who have opened their eyes! That is Yebusangseo couldnt even give a proper answer and just broke into a sweat. Caught in a trap! If they insisted that it was Joo Ji-jins arbitrary decision, they would be admitting that they were ipetent, and if they said it was not, it would be like acknowledging the emperors connivance. Yebu Sang-seo, who was sweating and searching for an answer, ended up having to make an ambiguous choice. Ill say it again, our name is arge country, so thend isrge and there are many people. Therefore, even if we carefully monitor the craftsmen who make weapons, there are cases where they are missed. So youre saying that your subjects are ipetent? Thats not true. Its just that there are too many people so the soldiers are defeated Hmph! Hyang snorted again at Ye Bu Sang-seos words. Do you think I am a blind man with my eyes open? You want me to believe that? Wouldnt it be better to cover the sky with your hands? Oh no! God never deceives! Just for peace between the two countries. Who broke that peace! Isnt he the emperor? Oh no! Because of Ju Ji-jins arbitrary decision Ill say it again, dont use the petty tactic of covering the sky with your hands. Is it possible to secure such enormous military funds and craftsmen through Joo Ji-jins arbitrary decision? If that makes sense, it means that Ming is not a proper country! My dear! Please fix it Please make a great decision for peace between the two countries Ye Bu Sang-seo appealed for peace in an earnest voice. It was a life-threatening crisis for him. It was certain that if things continued like this, people would be held responsible for the cessation of diplomatic rtions between the two countries. However, the reaction to the scent is slow. Your emperor has decided to covet our Joseon, so what kind of Mahayana decision are you telling us to make? What you are saying now is for our Joseon to surrender unconditionally! What on earth do you think of Joseon that makes you say such nonsense? My uncle please think about it one more time Ye Bu Sang-seo knelt down and begged Hyang. But Hyang waved his arms wildly and shouted. Go back! As long as the emperor covets our Joseon, there will be no more sectarianism! We, Joseon, will do our best to resist Ming! If that happens, you wont be able to achieve sess! Ah At Hyangs ultimatum, Ye Bu Sang-seo stood in a daze and stood up. I understand. I will convey the will of Joseon to Your Majesty. Before I leave, I would like to advise you that it is not natural for a small country to attack arge country carelessly. Is it natural for arge country to recklessly use tricks? Forget the sophistry! In response to Hyangs words, Ye Bu Sang-seo concluded his speech by politely bowing his hand. Then, may you protect your body. In the end, Ye Bu Sang-seo, who epted the answer of severance of rtions with the nobles, left Hanseong that day. After sending the wedding favor letter, Hyang looked back at the ministers. Now I cant get bitten. This is a big war where the rise and fall of the country is at stake, so please do your best. To Hyangs words, the ministers all bowed and answered in one voice. I will give you my name! Hyang bowed lightly and thanked the ministers for their firm answers. thank you. Then lets check the situation again. Yes sir. On the way back to Seunghwadang, Hyang approached Jo Mal-saeng and asked a small question. Are Kabiniks preparationsplete? Jo Mal-saeng answered Hyangs question right away. Yes, we have nowpleted the final inspection at Jeojwasuyeong and are preparing for battle. It went well. Hyang, who looked like she had taken a breather at Jo Mal-saengs words, continued speaking. Its time to reveal your real name, not the code name Kabinik. We can expect a great victory, right? Jo Mal-saeng answered Hyangs question with a confident face. yes. On every sea, the mere mention of the name Assault Return Ship will make the enemy urinate. * * * Meanwhile, after returning to Beijing, Ye Fushangshu went straight to the Forbidden City. Good work. So, what did Joseon say to my order? In response to Emperor Seondeoks question, Ye Bu Sang-seo suddenly bowed down and raised his voice. Please kill me! huh? What do you mean you suddenly want me to kill you? In response to Emperor Seondeoks questions, Ye Bu Sang-seo confessed everything he had experienced in Joseon. I have tarnished Your Majestys honor due to myck of divine qualities. How can I hope to live? Hehehehehe! In response to Ye Bu Sang-seos words, with tears in his eyes, asking him to kill him, Emperor Seondeok mmed his fist on the desk and shouted. Have you seen these disgusting guys? Even though Jim made a huge concession and admitted his mistake, he showed such a hostile attitude! It is unforgivable! Subo! Yes, Your Majesty! What do you think of Subo? The Cab Secretary immediately answered Emperor Seondeoks question. Even though Your Majesty has shown great virtue, it is absurd for Joseon toe out like this! Just because things have gotten a little better recently, I have not only abandoned the courtesy of the nobles, but also insulted Your Majesty! Of course, that sin will have to be punished severely! is it? After hearing the answer from the assistant cab secretary, Emperor Seondeok looked back at his other subjects. What do you think? You must be held ountable for that crime! In response to the ministers answers, Emperor Seondeok dered war. Even though I made great concessions, Joseon insulted me! I can no longer stand by Joseons arrogance! Mobilize the soldiers! Lets show that small country, Joseon, the dignity of our country and hold it ountable for its sins! I follow your orders! Long live, long live, long live! Afterwards, Emperor Seondeok looked at the Yebu Sangseo and continued speaking. Looking at the Crown Prince of Joseons behavior, it is clear that he has harbored treason for a long time. Therefore, no matter how much the Lord said, it would have been nothing more than a lie. There is no sin! Later, after Joseons punishment is over, make sure you pay for the insult you and I received! I will risk my life toplete it! Long live, long live, long live! Chapter 569 Episode 569: Go to war! Charging Return Ship (1) After giving the order, Emperor Seondeok returned to his bed and smiled in conversion. The crown prince of Joseon had too much faith in his own excellence. No, not just the crown prince, but his father as well. It was true that Joseon had grown significantly over the past few years. It was also true that as the country became richer, its military power also grew significantly. And it was also true that the Crown Prince was involved in all of this. Thanks to this, the people of Joseon, regardless of age and gender, showed strong loyalty to the king and crown prince. But that was rtive wealth. In all aspects, including poption, economic size, territory, and military size, Joseon was only about 1/3 of the Ming Dynasty. Of course, it was an enormous capacitypared to the poption of Joseon, which had just surpassed 11 million, but it was only a rtive enormity. Therefore, Emperor Seondeokughed at King Sejong and his wife, saying that he and Hyang had overconfident themselves andmitted foolish acts. ha ha ha! Cough! Cough! Emperor Seondeok, who was unable to ovee his joy and burst intoughter, continued to cough violently. Emperor Seondeok muttered as he looked at the blooding out of the towel he had hastily covered his mouth with. Im d I was able to sort out the Joseon issue before I die. It will be a good gift for Gi-ok. * * * In order to follow the orders of Emperor Seondeok, under the guidance of the Minister of the Cab, the left and right leaders of the Cab, the Shangseo of each department, the Geumwiwi, and the heads of the alumni gathered together and held a meeting. The mood of those gathered at the meeting was very optimistic. C Judging from the crushing defeat of the Liaodong Army, the military power of the Joseon army is considerable, but that may be the limit of Joseon. This was theirmon thought. How many troops can be mobilized right now? The Minister of Military Affairs came forward and answered the Cab Secretarys question. There are 500,000 soldiers who can move right now. Isnt it a bit small? It will take at least three months to gather and move the soldiers stationed in the southern and coastal areas. Its still a bit small If we take out the soldiers stationed in the north to defend Oirat, it is possible to increase the number of troops to some extent. Oiratra In response to the sick inspectors reply, the assistant cab secretary muttered while stroking his beard. The Cab Secretary, who was stroking his beard and contemting, asked the Surgeon General again. The Oirats in the north are like wildcats, so we cant just take out troops I feel like 500,000 is a little short, so lets conscript men from nearby areas. About 300,000? How do you feel? The Left Governor responded to the Assistant Cab Secretarys words. I think its okay. With that number, we could use up all the gunpowder the Koreans have. * * * The Ming people were as familiar with gunpowder weapons as Joseon Dynasty. Therefore, they were deeply interested in Joseons gunpowder reserves and tried to obtain information. After such efforts, they were able to obtain information that Joseon was importing a huge amount of saltpeter from Cheonchukguk C the Bengal Sultanate to be exact. As soon as I received the information, Myung, who was very nervous, immediately took action. The first thing they thought of was to pressure Cheonchukguk to prevent it from selling saltpeter to Joseon. But this was impossible. The Kingdom of Heaven was located outside the Ming sphere of influence and its national power was also strong. It was certain that there would be a lot of fishermensnd between the Ming and Joseon Dynasty. Therefore, what Ming did was to greatly reduce the supply of sulfur to Joseon. At the same time, he inquired about how much sulfur Joseon was importing from Japan and secretly put pressure on the Muromachi shogunate. -It is okay to sell as much as you have sold so far, but do not sell more. Instead, we will provide more support. The Muromachi shogunate epted Mings proposal, and Ouchi, who overthrew the Muromachi shogunate, had no choice but to ept Mings proposal. This was because Ouchi had not yet properly established a power base. Of course, during this process, Ouchi quickly sent an emissary to Joseon. After hearing Myeongs proposal through an emissary, Hyang immediately responded. -ept my suggestion. After responding, Hyang looked back at the ministers and smiled. If this happens, Ming will be relieved. Very deeply. At Hyangs words, the ministers all nodded with simr smiles. Recording the scene, the officer added: -What kind of smile is that of Mr. Yeomhwa? And Myeong was caught in Hyangs trick. As descendants of the Song Dynasty, who created the worlds first gunpowder, the Ming Dynasty knew well about ck gunpowder. Therefore, it was possible to estimate the maximum amount of gunpowder that could be made from the amount of sulfur used in the Ming and Japanese countries. If the quantity is this much Emperor Seondeok and his ministers looked relieved after seeing the estimate. The amount of saltpeter imported by Joseon was still increasing, if not significantly, but it was useless without sulfur. The increasing volume now is probably for storage. But without sulfur, even that is useless. * * * Because of this situation, the Left Governor agreed to the Deputy Chief Cab Secretarys proposal. ording to the information we have obtained, almost all of the Joseon army is armed with gunpowder weapons. Well, considering the Joseon Dynastys small army and the power of gunpowder weapons, its only natural. No sooner had the Left Dog finished speaking than the Right Dog continued speaking. Arent the Koreans the ones who jump up from their sleep when you say artillery? Everyone in the conference room nodded at Udodogs words. The left governor epted the words of the right governor and continued. No matter how powerful the artillery is, it cannot kill tens of thousands of people with one shot, nor can all the musketeers fire a hundred bullets. Additionally, gunpowder is difficult to make and difficult to store. The amount consumed on the Yalu River will be considerable, and even if we diligently manufacture and supply gunpowder, we will have to deal with the 300,000 troops we have brought forward again. If we continue to waste our money like that, Joseon will have to deal with us with hostile air power. The n was to spend 300,000 people as cannon fodder and then attack the Joseon army properly. * * * However, this was a misjudgment of the name. Joseon had already solved the problem of sulfur shortage. Joseon actively investigated sulfur mines on the Korean Penins. Thanks to this, a significant number of sulfur mines were discovered and mining was being carried out in secret. There was the best move called Daeseoldo. Daeseoldo Ind had sulfur mines with significant reserves. As if that were not enough, Joseon obtained sulfur by purifying the hot spring water of the famous sulfur hot springs on Daeseoldo Ind. * * * This is how we can solve problems onnd, but what about the sea? As far as I know, the Joseon navys front lines are very strong, right? Udodog stepped forward and answered the Cab Secretarys question. It was certainly inferior to the Joseon navy until not long ago. However, we also continue to float many battleships on the sea andunch great ships that are more powerful than the Challenger ss that Joseon is proud of. What this means is that we have gained the upper hand in firepower warfare, which the Joseon navy boasted about. Udodog answered with a face full of pride. * * * As challenger-ss and sea emergency battle lines appeared in the sea, the Ming navy had no choice but to pay attention to the Joseon navy. Until then, the front lines held by the Ming navy had not moved beyond traditional sailing ships. All it did was that it was slightlyrger than a typical merchant ship and carried armed soldiers. The use of artillery was not assumed at all. Therefore, not long ago, it was a famous naval force that was pushed back by firepower not only by the Challenger ss and Hae-eung ss, which were built with the assumption of a full-scale artillery battle, but also by the Panokseon. However, as the navalpetition with Joseon took ce, the Ming Dynasty also builtrge-scale ships intended for artillery warfare and sent them to the sea. Afterwards, the Ming navy began to fight confidently without paying attention to the Joseon army. * * * Udodog continued speaking. Now that Joseon has openly announced its advance into Liaodong, it will move to take control of the Yellow Sea. In that case, the front lines belonging to the Suyeongs of Joseons Hwanghae, Gyeonggi, and Chungcheong and Jeos Left Woo Soo-young will move. ording to the information we obtained from our inquiries, the Hwanghae and Gyeonggi Chungcheong ships have 10 to 15 ships each, and the Suyeongs of Jeo have 20 ships each, plus 5 challenger-ss ships each. If so, it would be around 90 ships at best. Then Before U Do-dok could finish his words, the Cab Secretary expressed his doubts. As far as I know, the most powerful fleet Joseon has is in Gyeongsang-do, right? Why was Gyeongsang-do excluded? Gyeongsang-do will not be able to move because of the Japanese pirates. The Japanese wouldnt miss this opportunity. But wouldnt it be better to assume the worst case? Hasnt Joseon already made up its mind? All other officials nodded as if they agreed with the Assistant Cab Secretarys words. Udodog responded to the reactions of the Cab Secretary and others. In that case, the Joseon navy will be drawn toward Shandong. To Shandong? We will attack together using the fortress we built on the Shandong Penins. Yebusangseo pointed out a problem with Udodogs idea. Shandong is a ce that even Joseon knows well. Dont they also know that there is a fortress? In response to Yebusangseos point, Udodog exined the reason. They have no choice but toe. Considering Joseons capabilities, the best and only tactic they can use is a short-term decisive battle. And the best tactic for this is to reach here in front of the Forbidden City in the shortest possible time. If youe from Liaodong, you will be stranded on the Great Wall of China, so you will have no choice but to send your troops by sea. Tond arge army as quickly as possible, a properly built port is essential, and Shandong is the only ce like that. Ah I see. Yebusangseo, who had been nodding at Udodogs exnation, muttered with a regretful expression. If there were still Koreans left in Shandong, it would have been useful, but it is a pity. At Ye Bu Sang-seos words, Na Su-bo also nodded. It was a reckless method, but it was a good method. On his way back, Heo Hu, who had upset Emperor Seondeok the previous time, withdrew all of the Joseon officials in Shandong. During this process, something happened that surprised the Ming Dynasty: As soon as Heo Hu uttered the word Eomyeong, all the Koreans in his superiors immediately packed their bags without saying a word. * * * After listening to U Do-doks exnation, the Cab Secretary came to a conclusion. Hmm To sum up the situation, the operation has already been established and the problem is time. Is that right? Thats right. Then, lets report it to His Majesty right away and have him issue an edict. From now on, its a real race against time. I will do it. After reaching an agreement, Mings subjects visited Emperor Seondeok. And the next day, Emperor Xiandes edict was promulgated, andrge-scale conscription began in the northern Ming region, including Beijing. When the Ming Dynasty was in full swing, some of the young officials cautiously expressed their doubts. Was it really the King of Dongs arbitrariness that started all of this? If you look at Joseons actions so far, everything was carefully considered before making any moves. But did Joseon really underestimate the strength of our name? On the other hand, isnt it that we have underestimated Joseon? Chapter 570 Episode 570 Go to war! Two young officials insisted to their superiors that they should check for possible misjudgments. However, their opinions were immediately ignored. Yes, just like you said, Joseon always moved in a meticulous manner. So, it could be that he did it because he was confident in his own way. Even so, its just a misjudgment on their part. We need topare the absolute scale. Absolute scale! Your opinions are just an overreaction! In this way, most superiors dismissed the concerns raised by young officials. Of course, there were a few bosses who cared about their opinions. Its the opinion of young friends, but wouldnt it be worth considering? But most reactions were negative. Its just a distraction from young guys. Because that way you can get attention. Didnt we do that too? Thats right. If young people want to get attention, they either have to work hard, or they have to do something else! These were bosses who dismissed the criticisms of young officials as nothing more than a youthful ploy. But there was something they had forgotten. Even when it was invaded and dominated by foreigners, the capabilities of the Central ins themselves were stronger than those of the invaders. * * * Choi Yun-deoks Joseon army, which had crossed the Yalu River, was moving smoothly toward Liaodong Province. The Joseon Army headquarters located about 200 ri (approximately 80 km) from the Yalu River. Choi Yun-deok, who was seated in the headquarters tent, muttered softly as he read the reportsing from hismand. Its not as fast as I expected. The distance from the other side of Insanjin to Liaodong Castle is about 400 ri (about 160 km) in a straight line. However, it was calcted that they would have to advance about 500 ri (about 200 km) by bypassing the hilly area and securing a safe water source. After calcting the estimated distance, the staff of the General Staff Headquarters calcted the time it would take to advance to Liaodong Province. Properly trained soldiers would walk apany (about 30 km) a day and not get tired, but the problem is that most of them are reserve forces. I agree. Even if you do your best, you wont be able to cover more than 50 li (about 20 km) a day. Because there is also the problem of falling behind, lets use 40 ri (about 16 km) as a standard. That would be best. Then The staff at the General Staff Headquarters, who set the standard, calcted the time it would take to advance to Liaodong Province. C At least 15 days from Yalu River to Liaodong River. * * * Its a full moon isnt that too loose? I agree. Even if most of the troops are reserve forces, they will be people who are ustomed to walking long distances. Isnt that setting the standard too low? When Cho Mal-saeng and Hwang Hee, who received the report, pointed out that the standard had been set too long, all staff members at the General Staff Headquarters exined the reason for setting that standard. C The idea that reservists are ustomed to walking long distances is a prejudice. The reason is because of the wild beasts such as tigers that are prevalent in the mountains of Joseon. -There is scant information about the area north of the Yalu River. Therefore, it is necessary to move forward cautiously to prevent unnecessary losses. -We must keep in mind that most of the troops advancing into Liaodong are reserve forces. It is very mentally draining for soldiers with no actualbat experience to act in an unfamiliar country. In order for them to properly maintain theirbat power, they must avoid marching longer distances than necessary. Hwang Hee and Jo Mal-saeng agreed because the reasons given by the staff were reasonable. And Hyang, who received the operation n, also approved it immediately after hearing the exnation. In the current situation in Joseon, we must carefully distinguish between possible adventure and impossible temerity. And for an adventure to be sessful, the basic preparation must be done properly. * * * It was the Joseon army that began to advance ording to the strategy thus created. However, the Joseon armys advance was slower than expected. This was even though the battle had not been fought properly. It was none other than the Jurchen people who held the Joseon army back. Not only the Jurchen tribes that were close to the Joseon armys advance route, but also tribes that were a little further away C to be exact, up to a radius of 100 ri (approximately 40 km) C came in droves and volunteered to show off their weapons, including the sword, the symbol of the tribal leader, and gs with the tribal symbol on them. It was time to start surrendering. The reason why the Jurchen people surrendered so quickly was because of the Joseon Army cavalry. * * * The cavalry of the Joseon Army was the one that yed the most active role in the process of Joseon turning the northeastern region into a stronghold of Joseon. Afterwards, the Joseon Army cavalry, which was responsible for maintaining security in the border area, became a symbol of fear for the Jurchen people. When they received a report that an incident urred near the border, the Joseon Army cavalry responded by following them until the end and annihting the Jurchen tribe in question. During this process, border crossings urred frequently, either openly or secretly, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had to work overtime to solve this problem. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs job is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs job, and our job is to kick those bastards! With these words, the Joseon Armys cavalry pursued the Jurchen tribes who had crossed the border and plundered them to the end and destroyed them. And thanks to the notoriety of the Joseon armys cavalry, the Jurchen people who heard that the Joseon army was approaching immediately waved the white g. * * * Although the advance was a bit slow, we should consider ourselves fortunate as we were able to avoid the expected blood loss. Thanks to you, I was able to maintain proper power. Choi Yun-deok, who studied the report, concluded in a positive direction. The staff nodded at Choi Yun-deoks conclusion. Even if they were defeated at the Yalu River, it was expected that at least 100,000 troops would remain in Liaodong Province, and the size of the Ming army that would cross the Great Wall of China ande to Liaodong was expected to be at least 1 million. In line with this, the Joseon Army was also convening reserve forces on arge scale, forming units, and then sending them up to the north. ording to the Joseon militarys n, approximately 500,000 troops, including existing troops, were to ultimately meet the Ming Dynasty in Liaodong. And the insufficient troops were to be reced with artillery, including Eulsik freight cars. * * * As the pace of advance slowed down, the forces were properly maintained, but those in charge of supply became crazy busy. Officials in charge of managing and supervising the surrendered Jurchen tribes and incorporating them into Joseons administrative organization had to travel on business inrge numbers. Personnel from the provincial government also had toe inrge numbers to maintain security. Unforeseen turmoil arose over the provision of tents for those who arrived, various types of food, war horses to be used when moving, and various forms needed to fill out documents. In addition, military officers in the supply department had to stay up all night in order to supply the military supplies, which were moving more slowly than expected and causing more unrest, as well as food to be distributed to the surrendered Jurchen tribesmen. bang! Jo Il-seop, a military supply instructor who was suffering from heavy work, mmed his desk and shouted. Holy shit! It would be better to fight on the front lines! When Jo Il-seop lost his temper and went on a rampage, assistant manager Kim Cheol-soo, who was sitting behind him, hurriedly ran over and stopped Il-seop. Look! Be patient! Well provide support soon, so just be patient! Send the officer to the front line! It would be easier to fight with guns and swords against the bastards of that famous country! What is this! Theyre making a fuss about replenishment from behind, and from the front, theyre making a fuss aboutte supply! I cant live because its so dirty! The cries of military supply officers, exhausted from heavy work, subsided as personnel were replenished. To be precise, this was because Grand Prince Pyeongwon, who was directly subordinate to General Bogong of the 3rd rank, was appointed as the generalmander in charge of supply along with the newly supplemented personnel. At the ce where Hyangs younger brother was serving as the supplymander, there was no one to greet him in person. From there, the Pyeongwon Grand Army, who was ustomed to the war against numbers in the Ministry of National Defense, tookmand, and supply-rted work proceeded smoothly again. While the administrative part rted to supply was the solution to the Pyeongwon Grand Army, the actual transportation part was solved with the arrival of the tow truck. Ironically, the pontoon bridge installed on the Yalu River could not withstand the weight of the tow truck. The depth of the Yalu River was a problem when trying to cross the river under ones own power. There was also a problem of water entering the crater and extinguishing the fire, and the water tank could be broken when the high temperature and high pressure water tank met the cold river water. Therefore, the tow truck unit could join the main unit only after departing from the northeastern region and moving a long distance along the northern banks of the Duman River and Yalu River. As the tow trucks joined in, the logistics movement of supplies began to gain momentum. The volume transported by tow trucks was enormous. The tow truck was able to easily transport twice the amount transported by the giant horses of the western region, known for their strength and endurance. The Joseon army, now freed up, proceeded with supply ording to the logistics system established by the local government. From therge supply depot located along the Yalu River, medium-sized supply depots were created along the advance route, and several small depots were installed right behind the front line. In the end, the units on the front line received supplies by going back and forth between small supply depots, and the small units went back and forth between medium units, and the medium units went back and forth between other medium units and the rearmost units. Moving soldiers like things that are light. The depot system is the answer. It was a scent that quickly used a system that had been honed over a long history. Through this process, Joseon came to be called the country of carts once again, following in the footsteps of Goguryeo. This was becauserge quantities of supplies and troops were quickly moved using tow trucks and horse-drawn carts. * * * As war clouds were slowly getting thicker in Liaodong, war clouds were also getting thicker in the sea. After the breakdown of diplomatic rtions between Ming and Joseon, the naval forces of Ming and Joseon constantly sent out spy ships to scout the movements of the other side. The front line that was most active in this search war was, of course, the sea emergency front line. They boasted the fastest speed and were well-armed during the Ming and Joseon Dynasties. The naval emergency fronts out to sea constantly scouted Ming naval bases and tracked Ming spy ships out to sea. In particr, after the Ming envoys returned, it was the maritime emergency fronts that blinded the Ming naval forces by sinking or capturing Ming scout ships as soon as they saw them. * * * Late April, 30th year of King Sejongs reign (1448, Mujin year). Haeung No. 22 of Gyeonggi Swimming came into Gyeonggi Swimming exclusively. Luminous signal from Haeung No. 22! At the sound of the sentrys shout, the military officer sitting in the watchtower jumped up from his seat. The military officer standing close to the watchtower railing read the shing light signal from Haeung 22. Myeong navy fleetunch. After checking the luminous signal once again, the military officer pounded the bell hanging on the watchtower. Ding ding ding! emergency! emergency! After a while, Haeung 22s report was delivered to Hanseong via lightmunication. After receiving the urgent information, Hyang immediately made a decision. Tell them to destroy the Ming naval forces ording to the strategy. I follow your orders! The order of the township was immediately delivered to each swimming area on the left and right of the Hwanghae, Gyeonggi, Chungjeong, and Jeo through lightmunication. The battle between the Myeongsu army and the Joseon navy has finally begun. Authors words. hello? This is Gukppong, who writes ck Enterprise Chosun. My sister was discharged from the hospital yesterday. Fortunately, the surgery went well, but I was told that future care was the most important thing because of the serious problems I had experienced before. Fortunately, I was discharged safely this time, so I will have to take care to take good care of myself in the future. I think we were able to get through this without too much trouble thanks to the great concern of our readers. Thank you, and I will do my best to continue posting. Chapter 571 Episode 571 Go to war! Assault return ship (3) In Suyeong, where the order was delivered, all fronts to participate in the operation rushed out to the sea. The first swimming groups to join were Gyeonggi Swimming and Chungcheong Swimming. The two fleets that joined near Socheong Ind soon began to form their positions ording to the n they had already received. While the high-speed sea emergency fronts surrounded the outskirts, the challenger-ss fronts formed a camp inside. * Wee. Its been a while. After briefly greeting each other, the two monks sat facing each other and began talking. Have you figured out the size of the enemy? ording to what Haeung 22 reported, there are about 20rge ships and about 30 medium ships and small shipsbined. In response to the Gyeonggi monks answer, the Chungcheong monk stroked his beard and asked again. Do you think that is the enemys entire strength? at all. How long have they beening to our Jemulpo area already? And we met each other more than once in the distant ocean. Since you are probably familiar with our circumstances, you should at least add twice that number. The Chungcheong monk, who was nodding at the Gyeonggi monks answer, smiled. Im sure theyll take a real hit because of that familiarity. They probably think we only have emergency supplies. At the words of the Chungcheong monk, the Gyeonggi monk smiled and nodded. * * * As the Ming army already knew, there were no challenger-level front lines in Hamgyeong, Gyeonggi, and Chungcheong Suyeong. -The Challenger-ss battle line is toorge to be used in ind seas. This was the reason for not deploying a challenger-level front. After Joseon took control of the coastal waters nearby, the Joseon navy called the West Sea the Ind Sea or Salt Lake. Since it was such a narrow sea area, it was judged that disaster rights could be sufficiently maintained with just a sea emergency. However, as the battle with Ming became clear, three challenger-ss ships were secretly deployed in Hamgyeong, Gyeonggi, and Suyeong, Chungcheong. This reinforcement had urred only recently, so Myeong was not yet aware of it. * * * The Gyeonggi and Chungcheong investigators unfolded charts and continued to organize the situation. If the enemy also gathers a fleet toe, it will take at least a few more days. Isnt this good for us too? Thats right. It will take at least three days for the front lines of Jeo Jwasuyeong and Woosuyeong to arrive. Even if the other front lines arete, theres no need to worry too much as long as the others arrive properly, right? Dengjung? ah! ha ha ha! The Chungcheong investigator, who was momentarily taken aback by the Gyeonggi investigators unexpected dangjung remark, quickly grasped the meaning and burst intoughter. The Daengjung that the Gyeonggi investigator was referring to were the crew of the Maeng Jinho, an assault ship. * * * With the return shippleted, the navy began looking for candidates to appoint a suitable captain. At this time, an unexpected person visited the headquarters. no! I feel sorry that you are forgetting me with these words! Isnt your jurisdiction the best suited for this kind of work? Please give me a boat! The person who volunteered to serve as captain was Gangnam-gil, the captain of Maeng Jin-ho. When the Challenger ss ships were first built, captaincy was a problem. These are unprecedented ships, so we need to find the right people The superiors, who were worried, selected those who were evaluated as bold and enterprising and appointed the first generation of captains. They were well-spoken, bold and enterprising, and ording to Hyangs evaluation, they were brainy idiots. And Maeng Jin-hos captain Gangnam-gil was a unique figure among them. As expected, ording to Hyangs evaluation, it is full of intelligence, not to mention overflowing with intelligence. He was a very capable person, which made him even more troublesome. Because he was such a talented idiot, Gangnam-gil was the one who not only destroyed the pirates but also found Shinji. You could be the youngest investigator just with the achievements you have made so far, so why are you going through the trouble? High-ranking people who heard about Gangnam-gils resources tried to dissuade him, but Gangnam-gil smiled and answered right away. You only live once! If you decide to ride the wire, shouldnt you ride it properly? Assault return ship is the ship that suits me best! Gangnam-gil was able to be the captain of the first ship in the assault return ship because the parties involved showed strong will and the umted performance was more than enough. okay. Since you volunteered, do you need anything? As soon as the high-ranking people spoke, Gangnam-gil said what he wanted. First, I would like to use the name Maeng Jin. Is there anything better for an assault ship than the name Meng Jin? Since Gangnam-gils words were reasonable, the dignitaries nodded. Right. are you okay. And is there more? Yes, I would like to take all of Maeng Jin-hos officers with me. Even if there is nothing we can do about those who work with steam engines, wouldnt it be better to fill the other parts with people who are already good at it? Hmm The high-ranking people could not immediately respond to Gangnam-gils exnation. I will think about that a little more and give you an answer. But your opinion has a point, so I will give it as much consideration as I can. Please! In the end, after a meeting attended by even Hyang, it was decided that all crew members of the Maengjin would be transferred to the new Maengjin. Gangnam-gils argument yed arge part in the background of this decision, but even more important was the famous antics of Maeng Jin-hos crew. From the watchtower on the mast to the dock at the bottom of the ship, they are all united together, so its convenient to have them all in one ce! After thinking about this, it was a scent I signed up for without a second thought. * * * The crowd at Maengjinsa Temple. This was the nickname Maeng Jin-ho and his crew were given within the Joseon Navy. Maeng Jin-ho shaved his head all the way from captain Gangnam-gil to the lowest-ranking sergeant. No, I went beyond the level of short strokes and pushed all the way around in a smooth manner. No, I told you to tidy up your hair. Who told you to shave it off? What are youining about? It is better to get rid of fleas and lice on an ocean voyage than to be riddled with lice! Just because they shaved their heads like this didnt mean they were nicknamed Daengjungs. They were also famous for their worst clothing and discipline. But the moment they showed their true value was when the battle broke out. Even though they were loose, if they thought a battle would break out, they would prepare for battle at their respective positions faster than anyone else. He was also fully wearing all the necessary safety equipment. Therefore, this kind of evaluation circted among the naval forces. I was able to find Shinji because I was a member of Maengjinsa Temple. On the day they first encountered the assault return ship, the crew of the Maeng Jin-ho, regardless of their rank, all said the same thing. We finally found a boat that suits us! * * * Two dayster, the sea off Socheongdo Ind was crowded with Joseon military lines. The front lines of Hwanghae Suyeong and Jeo Left Usuyeong hadpleted their gathering. In the seat of Gyeonggi Suyeong, Gangnam-gil along with the monks of each Suyeong gathered together to begin the meeting. ording to the already established n, the Gyeonggi monk, who was assigned the highestmanders duty asmander, bowed lightly to the other monks gathered and opened his mouth. I was given the heavy position of controller because I know this area well. Please help me a lot. Isnt this ind sea like the palm of your hand? Please take care of us. Please take care of me. I will only trust the investigation into the game. The other monks responded with smiles to Friar Gyeonggis humble remarks. The Gyeonggi monk currently sitting at the head of the table was someone who had spent a long time in Gyeonggi swimming. Thanks to this, I knew more about this ind sea than anyone else. The meeting continued in such a friendly atmosphere. Through continued scouting, I have gained some idea of the enemys military strength. There are about 40rge ships called the Great Bok Ships and about 80 medium ships. And it consists of an estimated hundred or so small ships. Huh. There are a lot. The faces of the other investigators became serious as they heard Detective Gyeonggis story. The current size of the Joseon Navybined fleet was a total of 76 ships, including 60 Sea Emergency ss ships, 15 Challenger ss ships, and 1 Assault Return ship. Of course, if all the fronts were mobilized, we could have exceeded 100 ships, but most of them were small ships that did not contribute much to the power. The Gyeonggi investigation continued. Seeing that they brought out so many small ships, it seems clear that their artillery is underpowered. Hmm Hearing Brother Gyeonggis words, the other monks stroked their beards and were lost in thought. When the Battle of Insanjin ended, the military carefully inspected the captured artillery of the Liaodong Army. -The Ming armys artillery is inferior to our Joseon armys in both power and range. -Excluding the Hwaryong artillery in question, the range of the Liaodong armys artillery cannot exceed 1,300 paces (approximately 1.56 km) at most. This is far short of the 2,000 paces (approximately 2.4 km) range of our Joseon militarys artillery. -The weight of the fired shell is also lighter than the shells used by our Joseon military. The Jeo left investigator, who remembered the report sent from Hanseong, shared his thoughts. Are you aiming for a melee? exactly. They are well aware that their artillery is inferior to ours, and they will do their best to stick to our front lines. In such aplicated situation, they will try tounch a fire attack using small ships. The monks nodded at the Gyeonggi monks exnation. The Gyeonggi investigation continued. So heres the n I came up with. First of all, Woo Soo-youngs fronts in Jeos left wing make up the left wing, and Gyeonggis Hwanghae and Chungcheong Suyeongs fronts make up the right wing. The next two lines will form a single line and spread out on both sides as we approach the enemy to form a diagonal line. The Gyeonggi investigation was exined by drawing an imaginary line with a baton on the chart. The Chungcheong investigator who was listening to the Gyeonggi investigators exnation asked a question. Are you nning tounch a school wing formation? Thats right. The power of our artillery is superior, so we n to make the most of it. Hmm In response to the Gyeonggi monks answer, the monks fell silent again and began fighting. Assuming that he was the enemy and looking for a way to destroy it, the Jeo left monk asked the Gyeonggi monk. If we want to utilize our troops artillery properly, the crane-wing formation is the best, but the problem is that it is the enemys army. Since their number exceeds our number, we will form a small group and try to break through the crane group. When the Jeo left guard drew an imaginary young line with his baton and pointed it out, the Gyeonggi guard looked toward Gangnam-gil and opened his mouth. So we dont have an assault line? Captain. Where do you think your battle lines will be? Gangnam-gil, who was thinking deeply about the Gyeonggi investigations question, answered. There are two ces. One is to charge from the exact center of the crane wing formation and cut the enemy camp in two, and the other is tounch a sortie from one of the left and right nks and traverse the enemy camp. Chapter 572 Episode 572 Go to war! Assault return ship (4) Late April, 30th year of King Sejongs reign (1448, Mujin year). The Joseon and Ming fleets shed in the sea near Socheong Ind. Its Joseons fleet! Provincialrade (provincialrade)! Comrade Oh Gye-myeong, whomanded the Ming fleet, raised his telescope at the captains words. Oh Gye-myeong, who was looking at the Joseon fleet emerging from the shadow of Socheong Ind in the distance, looked back at his staff. Its on the same scale as what our scout ships have discovered so far. Thats true, but The Chief of Staff paused for a moment and continued speaking with a slightly anxious expression. I am a little concerned that the scout ships that went out to scout near Daecheong Ind did not return. * * * Even before the current battle, the Ming and Joseon were engaged in a fierce battle in the West Sea. An attempt was made to find out the size and direction of movement of the opponent in advance, and to prevent the attempt, the Ming scout ships and the Joseon scout ships engaged in a fierce battle, biting at each other. And the result was mostly a victory for the Joseon navy. This was because Mings scout ships, with their poor armament and poor defense, could not respond to Joseons maritime emergency. However, as the number of scout ships properly operated by the Ming fleets increased significantly, the amount of information about the Joseonbined fleet was gradually increasing. However, the Chief of Staff was unable to hide his anxiety as not a single scout ship that advanced to the vicinity of Daecheong Ind returned. * * * Oh Gye-sang chuckled at the Chief of Staffs remarks, unable to hide his anxiety. Your timidity is the problem. Lets take a look at where the war will take ce now. There is sea everywhere. Even if you try to ambush, there is no ind to ambush. Of course, there could be a Joseon guerri fleet hiding in Daecheong Ind that you were worried about. But we cant get caught in their ambush unless we go there. Rather, its a situation where they have toe out. And even if their numbers increase, dont we have something to prepare for? There was a reason why the fivemandments were so confident. * * * While on the way here, the Ming fleet increased in number. ording to thest information received by the Joseon Navy, there were 40rge ships and 80 heavy ships. However,st night, under cover of darkness, 10 additionalrge ships and 20 heavy ships joined the group. The scale of 50 ships equipped with 80 guns was enormous. There were 100 heavy ships equipped with 20 guns. Even if you simplybine therge ships and heavy ships, the number was twice asrge as the current Joseon fleet. * * * Yes, of course. The director also believes that victory is certain. But Im still a little anxious. Im afraid that if I make a mistake, I could suffer greater damage than expected. This was the chief of staffs worry. Joseon was crazy about artillery, whether onnd or at sea. The Koreans were crazy people who mounted 20 artillery pieces on Panokseon, which were smaller than their heavy ships. And the power of the artillery was excellent as it was made by people crazy about artillery. ording to what is already known, the number of artillery pieces loaded on that high-sea emergency fast line is about 30 pieces, and the Challenger-ss line number is said to have about 50 pieces of artillery pieces loaded on it. In that case, it was certain that if he was even a little bit careless, even if he won, the losses would be severe. Therge ships and heavy ships that filled the area today were almost all battleships born from the navalpetition between the Ming and Joseon Dynasty. If the damage to these fronts was significant, it would take a lot of time and money to restore them. After learning the reason why the Chief of Staff was anxious, Oh Gye-myeong nodded. okay. I understand what youre worried about. To avoid that, arent you using your staff and me keeping you by my side? Please do your best. In response to Oh Gye-myeongs answer, the chief of staff bowed his head in silence. I will do my best to help you! * * * While Oh Gye-myeong and the chief of staff were gathering their fighting spirit again, the soldier on the watchtower shouted. The Korean front lines are moving! At the soldiers cry, Oh Gye-myeong, the chief of staff, his staff, and the captain all raised their telescopes. The Joseon battle lines visible through the telescope were spreading out long and sideways. And a fire bomb was fired into the sky from a Challenger-ss front line that appeared to be amand module. pop! Puff! The fire bombs fired into the sky soon created colorful smoke clouds in the sky, and soon after, simr fire bombs were fired from Socheong Ind and Daecheong Ind. Just as you said, there was a male and female. But they seem very surprised to see it revealed so early. Thats right. The chief of staff nodded with a brighter face at Oh Kye-myungs answer. It was the most painful thing for a male and female to happen when they were unaware. However, since we already knew, if we prepared properly, we could have reduced the damage to arge extent. The Chief of Staff, who was inspecting the Joseon armys camp with a brighter face, reported to Oh Gye-myeong. Looking at their movements, it looks like they are forming a diagonal line. To be precise, it would be eight characters. Right. Oh Kye-myeong, who nodded slightly at the Chief of Staffs words, asked the Chief of Staff. I think I would like to move to a young formation with the main ships arranged in a diamond shape in the center and the middle ships ced on the outskirts. What do you think? The Chief of Staff looked at the formation created by moving the pieces of wood ced on the chart board here and there and nodded. I think it is the most appropriate. Then lets proceed as is. Yes Dain! After a while, signals were moved from the Myeongsu armys gship. After checking the signals, the front lines soon began to form a young formation. * * * As they carried out suchplex fleet maneuvers, both sides began to form their formations. The Joseon Dynasty formed a half-wing formation centered on the challenger-level front lines with the best firepower and defense, with high-mobility ships ced on both wings. The Joseon navy, which hadpleted the formation, quickly approached. And as soon as they entered the range of the artillery, they started firing artillery, starting with the sea emergency front line. Kuk-kung! bang! As heavy gunfire rang out and smoke rose, pirs of fire began to rise from the heavy ships guarding the outskirts of the Ming naval forces. Kkkwang! Boom! what! Why are the front lines exploding The Ming armymand was shocked when they saw the midships located on the outermost side of Jin explode. Is it a sudden thunderstorm? The power is too great for a sudden lightning strike! Then what is that explosion? While the staffs opinions were divided as they watched our front lines suddenly explode, reports came in from all directions. report! Severe damage to the front lines attacked by the Joseon Navy! Some ships are already sinking! The staff who received the report fell into panic. Nonsense! No matter how powerful the lightning, you cant sink a heavy ship with just one or two shots! youre right! The Ming naval forces, who already knew that the Joseon navy enjoyed using bigyeokjincheonroe, paid attention to this aspect from the time they designed the midships. The first floor deck was thickened and guns were ced on the second floor deck. The most frightening thing about Bigyeokjincheonroe was its explosive power and fragments. The object with surprisingly low pration power was the Bigyeokjincheonroe. Until now, it wasmon knowledge that the only artillery shells that could make a hole in the hull were iron or stone shells made of whole iron. In order to withstand the attack of these artillery shells as much as possible, the ships were heavy ships andrge ships that had dense watertight bulkheads installed and even built warehouses to store wood for restoration. Therefore, their thinking was that they could not sink a heavy ship with one or two bigyeokjincheonroe. And it was correct. What the Joseon Navy used was not Bigyeokjincheonroe. It was a high explosive bomb filled with gunpowder in a cone-shaped body and a contact fuse embedded in the warhead. * * * Interestingly, it was Sugun, not Hyang, who first proposed the concept of a high explosive bomb using a contact fuse. The lightning strike is very useful, but its pration power is weaker than expected. For Japanese ships, just one Bigyeokjincheonro would be enough, but for ships from the Ming Dynasty or other countries, thats not the case But its also inconvenient to carry both toys for bigyeokjincheonro and regr artillery like now Above all, it reduces firepower. ! The navalmand, which was struggling to solve the problems arising from mounting various types of artillery on a front line with limited space, soon came up with an idea. All we have to do is make a lightning bolt with sufficient prating power! Is that possible? There is someone who can make it possible! The navalmand immediately went to the vige and requested a solution to the problem. Hyang, who received the offer, responded with a big smile. We wille up with the best answer! The answer was clear, but the results did note out right away. This was because at the time the proposal was received, Joseons steelmaking technology had just begun to develop. Only after the steam engine was born and steelmaking technology had developed to the extent of iron horses, railroad tracks, and even iron bridges, were contact fuses and artillery shells of satisfactory performance able to be created. As a bonus, although it was primitive, it was also equipped with breech-loading naval guns. And the sea emergency fronts and challenger-ss fronts were stered with naval guns made in this way, and their performance was now being shown in earnest in battle. * * * Among themand staff who were in a state of panic, the first toe to their senses were Oh Gye-myeong and the Chief of Staff. What a disgrace! The battle has only just begun! The staff came to their senses at Oh Gye-myeongs words, and the chief of staff gave a mantra to Oh Gye-myeong. Joseons artillery is stronger than expected! The best answer in this situation is to stick as fast as possible! If we enter the range of our artillery and engage in an artillery battle, we will be able to fully demonstrate our quantitative superiority! Lets do that! Give the order for the fleet to advance at full speed! yes! Soon a signal was raised on themand ship, and the Ming fleet began to advance at full speed. Hey! Stir! The soldiers on the front line of the Ming army gritted their teeth and rowed. The officer standing in front of them screamed at them, raising blood in his neck. Stir until your arms fall off! If you are even a littlete, you will die! The Ming fleet approached the Joseon fleet with all its might. To survive and to win, they rowed with all their might and adjusted the sails. quickly! Just a little faster! little bit more! If you go a little further, its the range of the artillery! As the distance from the Joseon fleet became closer, the Ming frontiers also began preparing for an artillery battle. We continue to incur losses, but this is bearable! A firefight is about to break out. Then I can repay you fully! Of course I have to pay you back! While Oh Gye-myeong and the chief of staff were burning their fighting spirit, a soldier shouted from the watchtower. A strange ship appears on the left side! Approaching at high speed! Hearing the soldiers cry, Oh Gye-myeong looked back at the chief of staff. The male and female have finally appeared! Thats right! The two men and their staff raised a telescope and looked in the direction pointed by the sailor. Dragon? In the direction in question, arge ck ship with a huge dragon head on its bow was approaching at high speed. How can I do this if I dont have a sail? What about that ck smoke? The chief of staff, who was looking at the ship approaching at high speed without a sail, was immediately shocked. Joseon has already put steam engines on ships! Chapter 573 Episode 573 Go to war! Assault Return Ship (5) The Ming Dynasty also recognized the usefulness of steam engines while introducing iron horses. Therefore, the Ming Dynasty was also conducting research with the idea of installing steam engines on ships. However, their research was still sluggish. First of all, it was not possible to create a small, high-output steam engine. Although I learned how a steam engine works based on the blueprint of the iron horse introduced from Joseon, I was unable to properly understand the more basic concepts. It had be a Sasang Pavilion (ɳϘw). And as this problem could not be resolved, a second problem arose. The ship was too weak to carry arge and heavy steam engine. Of course, there were ships with a length of up to 20 pieces (approximately 60 m), such as the Great Bok Line, but their wooden keels were difficult to withstand the steam engine. Even in the history before the intervention of Hyang, ships equipped with proper steam engines were able to appear only after experience in buildingrge and heavy battleships such as battleships had been umted. * * * This cant be happening. The Chief of Staff, who had an expression of disbelief as he watched Maeng Jin-ho running from a distance emitting smoke, immediately gave advice to Oh Gye-myeong. We must stop those Korean steamers immediately! For someone of that size, the firepower it carries must be considerable! If you make a mistake, your camp will be split in half! After hearing the Chief of Staffs words, Oh Kye-myeong immediately came to his senses and epted the words. yes! I need to give an order to the left wings Grand Bok Line immediately! One ship wont do it! There must be three, no, five ships! 5 ships is 10% of the total capacity of arge ship! Isnt this too much? The director is anxious about even 5 ships. You must keep in mind that the Joseon bastards have only one male and female! Thats right. Oh Gye-myeong immediately understood what the Chief of Staff was worried about and immediately gave an order. Soon, in the center of Jin, fiverge ships turned their bows and moved to deal with Maeng Jin-ho. * * * On the bridge of Maeng Jin-hos armored ship charging toward the Ming formation, Gangnam-gil was smiling in remorse. Its definitely as expected. The situation of the Ming fleet visible in the distance was running almost the same as when the operation was first nned. The gap between therge double ships and the small ships was widening little by little. This was brought about by the inevitable difference in weight ss. When moving simply with the wind, there were cases where the small ships were faster, but when oars were added, therge ships and medium ships moved even faster from then on. Gangnam-gil, who was observing the situation of the Ming fleet through a telescope, looked back at themander and continued. Things wont getplicated. Its a very good thing. Isnt that right? Thats right. good! Then, just like this, lets tear those big guys apart horizontally at once. Exclusive to the institution. yes. Exclusive to the agency! At Gangnam-gilsmand, the manager grabbed the transmission pipe and screamed. Soon after, Maeng Jin-hos speed began to increase little by little. It is definitely faster than the challenger ss, but eleration is a bit slow. How can this not be improved? A report came in through the transmission pipe to Gangnam-gil, who was observing the situation while several people were holding their backs and saying things that would make them fall down. Fiverge ships ahead! Heading straight toward the main ship! Youre finally here! As soon as he heard the report, Gangnam-gil, who lifted the telescope and looked ahead, smiled brightly and grabbed one of the several transmission tubes. Its the captain! Order to Yonggu artillery! Hold it securely! Yonggupo! Target confirmed! The dragon head that decorated Maeng Jin-hos yer was not just a decoration. Inside the dragon heads open mouth was the muzzle of the most powerful main gun on the Maengjin Lake. * * * While making the assault return line, Hyang satisfied his virtue to the fullest. They say thats scarier than thepatible mama It was equipped with the most powerful main gun on the bow, like the space battleship that yed the main role in Japanese animations seen in the 21st century. This was partly due to Hyangs virtue, but it was also an unavoidable choice. In order to properly control recoil in a situation where a rotating turret was not possible, there was no choice but to install the gun along the vertical center line of the hull. The gun installed on the bow was a breech-loading gun with a caliber of 1 ship (about 30 cm) and a weight of 200 geun (about 120 kg). To add, there was an anecdote that when this bag was firstpleted, all the liquor from the kibang located in Hanseong ran out. This happened because generals in the military, especially the navy, drank because they enjoyed it, and officials in the Ministry of Finance and Economy drank in anger. And of this artillery, there was only one gun installed on Maeng Jin-ho. This was because everyone except the military agreed with Kim Jeoms argument that too much is too little. It was a big gun that fired shells of enormous weight and power, but its range was also shorter than expected, at 1,000 steps (approximately 1.2 km). In order to increase the range, the gun barrel had to be long, but even with the current Joseon technology, there was a problem with that. Also, the problem was that all of the opponents had wooden boats. If I did it wrong, it was certain that it would just end up being prated. Therefore, when Kim Jeom insisted on overpayment and underpayment, Hyang also backed down. * * * The method by which such excessive firepower could demonstrate its greatest power was through firing raking fire. The shells prated from the bow to the stern or vice versa, causing serious damage. Therefore, not only Gangnam-gil but also the batterymander of Yonggupo weed the frontal assault of the Daebokseon. Finally, the first actual shooting! You must hit it with the first shot! Oooh! The soldiers in charge of operating the Yonggu gun responded to the shout of the batterymander, Kang Hwi, with shouts. The soldiers shouts were made even louder by the steel roof that covered the ceiling. Load the first shot! Load the first shot! ording to the orders of themanders of each department, the soldiers loaded shells into the Yonggu cannon. Ten soldiers turned the pulley to pull up shells and gunpowder from the powder magazine located below the deck. Other soldiers moved the loader, loaded shells and gunpowder, and closed the breech. To prepare for any unexpected incident, two thick iron rods were firmly connected to the breech and carriage, then a detonator for firing was nted and anyard was connected. All preparations forunch had beenpleted. Whileunch preparations were continuing, Kang Hwi was also busy moving around. Kang Hwi, who had taken his ce in the eye hole of the dragons head, was using a precision telescope to aim at the great ship approaching from the very front. After Kang Hwi and the gunner hadpleted all aiming, the signalman raised a red g and put a loudspeaker to his mouth. Turn your back! Cover your ears! A momentter, a huge me erupted from Maeng Jin-hos weapon with a roar. Kuaaang! It was a huge roar, simr to the roar of a dragon. The shell, fired with a roar, flew through the sky in a shallow parab and prated the bow deck of therge ship approaching from the front. The cannonball, which used its own kic energy to prate deep into the ships hull, exploded immediately. Quack! Not long after the huge explosion urred, only traces of the grand duke remained at the site. As the leading boat vanished without a trace, the other boats that followed quickly scattered left and right. At that moment, dozens of naval guns on the left and right of the Maeng Jin-ho that had dug in between them C 80 guns on the left and right in total C to be exact, spewed fire all at once. Kwakwakwak! In an instant, pirs of fire rose from two of the four ships. The great ships, each of which had lost almost their entire port and starboard sides,id down in the sea, while the other great ships quickly turned their bows. And Maeng Jin-ho followed after them and jumped into the middle of the Ming fleet. * * * Maeng Jin-ho, who jumped into the middle of the Ming fleet, rushed forward without hesitation. Kuaaang! Every time Maeng Jin-hos dragon gun spewed fire, one of the ships suffered serious damage, split in two, or disappeared without a trace. Because the situation was crowded to form a young formation, Maeng Jin-hos Yonggu guns and the left and right naval guns created an almost white-and-white situation. After the Maeng Jin-ho passed without hesitation, only 20,000 battle lines were left engulfed in mes or seriously damaged and drifting. Or leave behind a few floating objects as proof of your presence. Maeng Jin-ho looked like a shark jumping into a school of sardines. Or it was a great white shark persistently biting into the side of a huge baleen whale. good! good! Truly a surprise return! It is worthy of the name Maengjin! Ha ha ha ha ha! Gangnam-gil, who was raising his clenched fist andughing loudly, grabbed Jeon Seong-gwan and screamed. Where is the enemys gship! The one with themand g! Im looking for you now! Soon, a soldiers shout could be heard through Jeonseong-gwan, as if Chae-geun had worked on Gangnam-gil. Enemy gship spotted! Sulsi (r) direction! As incense-made clocks became moremon, it becamemon for the military to use the clocks keyboard to indicate directions. Sulsi? Gangnam-gil, who clung to the window of the armored bridge at the call of observation, lifted the telescope and searched in that direction. there is! Helm! Point the yer in the direction of the drink! Yes! At Gangnam-gilsmand, the helmsman excitedly turned the wheel. Maeng Jin-ho soon turned his head and charged towards the gship with Oh Gye-myeong on board. As Maeng Jin-ho charged, nearby heavy ships andrge ships blocked the way to protect the gship. In order to block Maeng Jin-ho, the guns of Mings heavy ships andrge ships fired fire, but the shells they fired did not prate Maeng Jin-hos hull and bounced off in vain. And in return for such an attack, Maeng Jin-ho fired a lot of shells. iced coffee! Are you saying that Joseons front lines are monsters? The captains of the front lines who were attacked like that shed tears of blood. The appearance of Maeng Jin-ho rushing towards the jet-ck painted hull, spouting jet-ck smoke, looked like a monster. Maeng Jin-ho, rushing through the Ming fleet at great speed, approached the gship with Oh Gye-myeong on board. When Oh Gye-myeong saw Maeng Jin-ho approaching, he urgently screamed desperately at the captain. evasion! evasion! Run away! Ride to the right! The captain and crew of the gship took desperate evasive maneuvers. However, despite his desperation, Maeng Jin-ho held onto the gships tail. I can see your butt clearly! Yonggupo! yep! Kuaaang! After a while, the Yonggu cannon burst into mes, and the gship with Oh Gye-myeong on board disappeared, leaving only themander behind. I think Id like to stop and take themand g, but s***! After gaining his appetite, Gangnam-gil grabbed Jeon Seong-gwan. Now lets tear the enemy fleet apart! Tear horizontally as quickly as possible, then tear vertically! Pour it all in, coal and gunpowder! yep! Wow! The soldiers responded to Gangnam-gilsmand with shouts. * * * The copse of the Ming fleet progressed even more rapidly as the gship carrying themander sank. The outskirts were gradually destroyed by the bombardment of the Joseon fleet, which had formed a crane-wing formation, but due to the absence of amander tomand the battlefield, the Ming fleet lost control. Each time Maeng Jin-ho passed through, the Ming fleet was split into smaller pieces. Eventually, the front lines began to retreat. But retreating was not easy. This was because Joseons front lines were persistently dragging their heels. In the end, the Ming power that Emperor Seondeok worked hard to cultivate disappeared. and. The navy of the Ming Dynasty called Maeng Jin-ho, who gave them a terrible fear, this. ck me Dragon Chapter 574 Episode 574: Go to war! Assault Return (6) The battle thatsted half a day ended around sunset. It was a major battle thatter came to be called the Great Battle of the West Sea. As a side note, in the distant future, this Great Battle of the West Sea became the most frequently used material for movies and dramas. While the fewrge and medium ships that barely survived fled in haste with the small ships, the Joseon fleet regrouped and began post-processing. They lowered the small ships attached to the battle lines to rescue the still surviving and struggling Ming navy or to collect trophies such as the military banners of the Ming navy. While the small wires were moving, the inside of the wire was also busy. The remaining spent propent gunpowder batteries were collected and stored separately, and the fuses of the artillery shells were separated and stored separately. At the front line damaged by the Myeongsu Armys artillery bombardment, soldiers clung to the damaged area and provided first aid more thoroughly. The Gyeonggi investigation officer, who saw the signals disyed by the wires being repaired, shook his head lightly. There are a lot of damaged ships. The captain received ament in the evaluation of the game investigation. But arent there any sunken battle lines? Since the enemies are also armed with artillery, I believe damage is inevitable. And the enemies were not a ragtag group of pirates like the pirates we had dealt with so far. At the captains words, Gyeonggi Sousa nodded silently. * * * The Ming Dynasty navy we faced this time was definitely elite. Although they were under heavy bombardment by the Joseon Navy and saw friendly ships around them burning or sinking, they fought to the end. As the gship sank during the battle, control became difficult and they attacked fiercely until the formation copsed due to Maeng Jin-hos struggles. In addition, the naval guns mounted on the Ming Front were quite powerful. Of course, the range was much shorter than that of the Joseon Dynasty, but its power could never be underestimated. It was a double hull, including the challenger-ss front and the sea emergency front. It was a method of further strengthening strength by constructing a doubleyer of boards made of not only hard Geumgang pine but also densely structured coniferous trees grown in the coniferous forest area of the northeast, with the wood grains intersecting at a 45-degree angle. However, in this battle, damage was done to such a strong hull. Ironically, the Joseon Dynasty was the cause of the Ming Dynastys naval guns bing more powerful. Because they had to deal with Joseon, who were evaluated as those who are crazy about artillery, Mings artillery naturally became stronger. * * * The Gyeonggi investigation officer, who was nodding his head at the captains words, caught the eye of Maeng Jin-ho, who was passing by. During the battle, the roof and side windows, which had been closed tightly, were wide open, andughter and singing wereing out of Maengjinho. You guys are so excited. Arent you the number one contributor to todays battle? Thats not true. The Gyeonggi investigator, who was looking at Maeng Jin-ho with a slight smile, looked back at the captain. When raising the general level, I will ask you toe up with a n to strengthen the armor of the front lines. Not only are we and the Ming using artillery, but it is certain that other countries artillery will also be stronger. We need to strengthen our armor and improve the performance of our artillery. The captain asked cautiously in response to the Gyeonggi investigations words. Would the Ministry of Finance say its good? . * * * The general report written by the Gyeonggi monk immediately arrived in Hanseong. Great victory! The navy has achieved a great victory! Jo Mal-saeng shouted excitedly and submitted the general order to Hyang. And the official who followed Jo Mal-saeng submitted the manuscripts of Janggye to other ministers. Oh oh! What a blessing! This is something that needs to be widely known to the people! The ministers who read the general report reporting Mahaseung made suggestions to Hyang with bright faces for the first time in a long time. There was not a single Joseon citizen who did not know that a war was currently taking ce between Ming and Joseon. People gathered in small groups in each neighborhood and market ce, talking about the current situation with faces full of worry. Should I pack this? Is there a squire who has been begging for three generations like this? The country is in danger, but we are just sitting there trying to figure out how to survive! Neighborhood people! Bring a mat! Im kidding, Im kidding! Theres something else to joke about! Although there were still no major problems due to loyalty to King Sejong and his hometown, the people were very anxious. In this situation, the publics anxiety could be calmed if the Joseon navys great victory was announced. After receiving the suggestions from the ministers, Hyang nodded. Then lets do it. I will print this warning and post it in all government offices throughout Joseon I will send this warning directly to Abamama in Shinji. What a good decision! The ministers all bowed their heads in response to the viges decision. The meeting, which started with such a warm atmosphere, soon turned cold. It started with Kimjeom. Do you think that strengthening the armor of the front lines and improving the artillery to be mounted on the front lines is absolutely necessary right now, as stated in the Minister of National Defenses general announcement? If not right now, I think it will be needed soon. Thats the problem sooner orter. Considering the current war costs and material consumption, it will be a considerable amount of time before this war can be restored to normal. But soon how about we just change it to the future? Jo Mal-saengs face turned red at Kim Jeoms suggestion. Our Ministry of Defense is also not unaware of governance issues. However, as it is written in the chapter, the Ming and other countries with artillery are gradually making stronger artillery. So we cant just sit still, can we? Its not that you dont know that! We just want to give ourselves a little more time! The war of words between Kim Jeom, who held the key to the storehouse, and Jo Mal-saeng, who needed the treasures wealth, continued fiercely. In the end, incense intervened in the war of words that drew parallel lines. I think the opinion of the Minister of Finance and Economy is reasonable this time. First of all, although the artillery of Ming and other countries is said to be bing more powerful, they are still far behind. So, I think there is enough time. At Hyangs decision, Jo Mal-saeng looked like he was chewing an astringent persimmon, and Kim Jeoms face brightened. However, the two peoples expressions changed to the opposite after hearing Hyangs next words. And strengthening the armor of the front lines is also not possible now. First of all, I think the defense capabilities of the challenger-ss and sea emergency fronts are still sufficient. Next, I think the framework of the two fronts is too weak to protect against iron armor. I think we need to rethink it from the very beginning. This was an illusion of scent. * * * In history before the intervention of Hyang, irond ships began with existing battleships d in iron armor and equipped with steam engines. The frame of arge ship like a battleship was strong enough to withstand even the addition of a considerable thickness of iron armor. Although it was smaller than the ships of the line, it was a challenger-ss and sea emergency battle line equipped with 21st century technology. But even as a scent, there was something to be said. How much money did it cost to pull out those ships! Losses during battle are unavoidable, but we must avoid turning them into scrap metal through unnecessary efforts! * * * Kim Jeom asked with a white face at Hyangs words. If youre going to make a new skeleton, do you n on making a new front line like the assault return line? maybe? Kim Jeom immediately responded to Hyangs answer. Why dont we just put steel tes on the challenger-level and emergency fronts? As I just said, there are many problems If you look at what is written in the ount, there are cracks, but no holes have been made and no ships have sunk. As you said, this means that the defense power of the challenger-level front and the sea emergency front is excellent, so wouldnt it be okay to thin the thickness of the steel te? I think it would be best to add gloves without putting too much strain on the skeleton. Then theres the problem of mobility Just add a steam engine and youve got it! Hmm After thinking for a while, Hyang eventually epted Kim Jeoms opinion. Then lets do it. Once this war is over, we can start making improvements, right? Kim Jeom immediately responded to Hyangs suggestion by bowing his head. What a wise decision! Afterwards, the meeting continued with additional agenda items rted to this war and agenda items rted to the peoples livelihood. Kim Jeom, who finished the ritual and left Seunghwadang, looked back at Seunghwadang with a disappointed look on his face before he could even take 10 steps. I got hit! Hwang Hee, who was watching Kim Jeom from the side, clicked her tongue and said. Tsk! Have you forgotten that you are the heir of someones blood? Huh such a poor person Kim Jong-seo, who was watching Kim Jeom ming himself like that, muttered softly. I guess this is why the name Josammosa came from Meanwhile, Hyang, sitting alone in Seunghwadang, was licking his appetite with a face full of regret. Its a shame. If done well, it was a good case that would serve as a good example It was a typical example of the same dream. No, it was the harmful effects of the stereotypes that were created while suffering from Sejong and Hyang. * * * Two dayster, the ministers gathered at Seunghwadang again at the call of Hyang. Hyang, who had gathered the ministers, got straight to the point. The n that Han Myeong-hoe had been working on while going back and forth between the Japanese countries has finallye to fruition. Hwang Hee asked with a bright face after hearing Hyangs words. Why did your country decide to send troops? Thats right. How much are you sending? 100,000. As soon as she heard the word 100,000, Hwang Hees face became even brighter. If they move properly, the Ming Dynasty will not be able to send troops south of the Yangtze River north! Following Hwang Hees words, Jo Mal-saeng spoke. I guess so. If our help is added, someone will vomit blood. I guess so. * * * Five dayster, the sea off Jindo. Nearly a hundred ships were moving together. These were the battle lines carrying the troops of the Japanese lords who had dispatched troops under the order of the Ouchi shogunate, and the fleet of Gyeongsang Usuyeong, the Joseon navy, that escorted them. The Japanese-Japanesebined fleet was advancing northwest, aiming for the Shandong Penins. On the stern deck of the gship carrying Gyeongsang Usa, Gyeongsang Usa and Ouchi Norihiro were having a conversation. I heard that you achieved a great victory not long ago. We are reducing it. At Norihiros words, Gyeongsang Usa shook his head. This is nothing but excessive praise as it is not a great victory achieved by the main building. Thanks to you, I feel very sorry. Our Gyeongsang Woo Soo-young should have participated in the war. Wouldnt it be okay if you make a contribution this time? At Norihiros words, the Gyeongsang Master smiled broadly and nodded. ha ha ha! Thats right! Well said! Just make a big contribution this time! It seems like Gadok (the person who will inherit the family) has also taken a good opportunity this time! Thats right. For this invasion, the Daenae n mobilized 5,000 troops, and Norihiro was themander leading them. What do you mean its only 5,000?! Isnt it a trap! Other lords C especially those on the opposing side in the previous civil war C protested against this, but Mochiyo made a different move. C Instead, I will send Norihiro, a German, to the war. C The area of activity will be limited to the Shandong Penins. On the one hand, the lords were appalled by Mochiyos proposal, but on the other hand, they still remained suspicious. Arent they trying to use us as a desertion by taking advantage of us going ind? In response to the lords suspicions, Mochiyo introduced Han Myeong-hoe. It was sent by the crown prince of Joseon. Han Myeong-hoe, who appeared like that, promised to escort the Joseon navy. Of course, you have to get paid. how much? 50% of the loot. The lords who heard Han Myeong-hoes words immediately began calcting. 50% is a bit much. But if you are escorted by the Joseon navy If you do it well, it is an opportunity to acquire enormous wealth! After various profit and loss calctions, the lords joined hands with Joseon and Mochiyo. There were 100,000 troops who went out with the dream of making a fortune. Chapter 575 Episode 575 Go to war! Assault Return (7) The next day, Gyeongsang Usuyeong and the Japanese fleet encountered the Joseonbined fleet. The size of thebined fleet was reduced by 10 ships as ships requiring major repairs were removed, but the momentum was still high. The Japanese, who saw therge and imposing Joseon battle lines, looked at the ships they were on. The reactions of the Japanese whopared their ships with Joseons battle lines were divided into two. I heard that the Gyeonmyeong ship is also big I feel it every time I see it, but Joseons ships look really solid. Although it was arger ship than the ships used in the past, it was inferior to the Joseon ships. There were some Japanese people C mostly under the Ouchi family C who reflected on this, but the response of the Japanese people who had lived with their backs to the outside world was a spiritual victory. Why do you need such a big ship? How narrow is the sea between Joseon and Japan! Is it only there? The sea between Ming and Joseon is as big as the palm of your hand, but thats a waste! waste! Looking at how big he is, his movements must be slow! After all, the front line must be fast and cheerful! That way, you can quickly stick to the enemy ship and engage in closebat! yes! Closebat is the best! No matter what, the Japanese ship is the best in this sea! The warriors belonging to the Ouchi family looked pitiful at the sight of the Japanese iming that the Japanese ship they were riding was the best in the sea between Joseon and the Ming and Japanese countries. The previous lord said they were frogs in a well, and you saw it correctly. Things I dont know and have no intention of knowing about how naval battles flow. As the Ouchi samurai thought, the nature of naval battles was already changing from closebat on board enemy ships to artillery warfare. However, instead of admitting that they were behind, the countrymen in front of me still insisted that hand-to-handbat was the best. Even though we had already experienced the power of artillery in the Battle of Jinpo in thete Goryeo Dynasty. However, the Japanese who insisted that they were the best also fell silent when Maeng Jin-ho passed in front of them. What kind of ship Is that a ship or a monster? This was the same for Norihiro, who was on the Gyeongsang Ususa ship. Is that really a man-made boat? Of course it was made by human hands. How can such a huge ship Norihiro was eximing in exmation, and the older samurai next to him was terrified. I cant believe a ship like that is floating just fine! What kind of wood was used for the keel?! * * * Just before dispatch, thebor attorney gave Mochiyo a secret order. Kuroda, since you are familiar with ships, go up to the Joseon battle line and take a good look. hot! And Kuroda faithfully followed the orders he received. He looked like he was looking around the challenger level battle line with the expression of a country bumpkin seeing Hanseong for the first time, but he was doing his best to analyze it on the inside. Hmm it has this kind of structure but will it be made of cedar? The main material for making Hwaseon was cedar. Because it has the characteristic of growing tall and straight, it was the most widely used material in the Japanese country when building houses or ships. However, because cedar was a fairly soft lumber, Kuroda was quite skeptical. Maeng Jin-ho, who passed before Kurodas eyes, was a being whopletely blew away all the notions he had known. * * * Kuroda, who was astonished as he watched Maeng Jin-ho, fell into panic as he listened to the conversation between Norihiro and Gyeongsang Usa from next to him. The ship looks really solid. You really have an excellent eye. That ship is not just a simple ship; not only the hull but also the roof is surrounded by iron. Are you sure its Cheol? Thats right. Iron is also high-quality steel. How on earth do you make it? In response to Norihiros question, the Gyeongsang Master shrugged his shoulders. I am a sailor, so what do I know? If I could just say one thing, the crown prince did a great job. ah. When Gyeongsang Ususa mentioned incense, Norihiro nodded with an expression of understanding. Rumors of the scent had already spread widely in Ouchi. As Master Gyeongsang Usu said, Maeng Jin-ho, incense yed a part in the production of Assault Return Ship. However, if you look at the reality, it was an item made with the blood, sweat and tears of the research institutes Korean researchers and Area 51 artisans, starting with Lee Soon-ji. * * * Starting with the iron horse, when the steam engine was bing established to a certain extent, the township called together researchers, including Lee Sun-ji, and ship-rted craftsmen from Area 51. As a neighboring country is increasingly armed with powerful artillery, we need a front line that covers the hull with strong armor and stands at the forefront of the naval forces to crush the enemy lines. So theres something Ive been thinking about The researchers and artisans all nodded at Hyangs words. As they were craftsmen at Area 51, the core of national defense, they also knew information about other countries weapons. The researchers at theb were also simr, so they could immediately understand what the fragrance said. After seeing the reactions of the researchers and artisans, Hyang unfolded therge paper scroll he had brought with him on the desk. Hoo? Its a sudden return ship Mount a gun on the bow, add iron armor to the double hull, and add iron armor to the roof? Then what about the sail? It moves only with a steam engine The craftsmen and researchers who saw the incense blueprint chatted happily. As the discussion continued for a while, Lee Soon-ji asked Hyang. I am sure that if we build it the way you have designed it, it will be a very powerful battle line. But there is one problem. There are no values of any majorponent that must be recorded. At this rate, I dont even know if sess is possible. Thats why Ive summoned you all. Think about it from now on. yes? It was a patent for a fragrance that has been around since the 21st century. Im a liberal arts major, so you guys in the science major should do that part. * * * Hyang told him to think about possibilities, but Hyang was Crown Prince. In addition, the history of the township that submitted this ridiculous proposal was also problematic. Hyang was the one who actually created what everyone thought was a delusion. In the end, for researchers and craftsmen, it was the same thing as Be sure to make it a sess. Most of the development team, except Sunji Lee and a few monsters who were excited about calcting the numbers, let out a long sigh. Whoa~. I have to do it There are more than one problem. The biggest problem was that fragrance was listed as the minimum required performance. C Large-diameter artillery, whose performance is currently being tested, will be installed on the bow. C The number of guns to be installed on the left and right sides of the hull is at least 80. C The thickness of the steel armor te that protects the hull is at least 1 inch and 60 percent (about 5 cm). Researchers and craftsmen had to work like crazy to create a wire that floats and moves properly while satisfying the performance requirements listed above. A clear example of this was Maeng Jin-hos keel. The length of the central keel, excluding the bow and stern parts, is 25 pieces (approximately 75 m). The length was enormous, but what was even scarier was that the keel was a single steel structure. Arge gun is mounted on the bow, and at least 80 guns are mounted on the left and right sides of the hull. In addition, since it is moved only by a steam engine without a sail, a huge steam engine must be installed There is also a condition that the artillery batteries to be installed on the left and right must consist of only two floors. Then you have to go at least 25 pages. Then the problem is the keel. Researchers and craftsmen have worked hard to solve this problem. Due to the enormous weight of the steam engine and all the equipment being carried, a wooden keel was excluded from the beginning. It has to be made of steel joining two or three pieces The craftsmen all shook their heads at Lee Sun-jis words. The problem was that it was absolutely impossible with the welding technology that Joseon had today. Even if I connected it using the most familiar method, rivets, I wasnt confident that it would hold up. In the end, the only solution was to pull out a huge steel pir with a length of 25 pieces. Additionally, the iron armor te was also a problem. The development team, who felt that joining existing wooden frames was unsafe, changed the design by attaching steel and wooden ribs alternately to the keel. Steel armor tes were joined to iron ribs, and wooden tes were attached to the wooden ribs to further strengthen the buoyancy of the hull. What was needed by using this method was a steel column for the keel with a length of at least 25 pieces, steel ribs connected to this keel to hold on to the iron armor te, and at least 2 pieces in length and 1 piece in width for a thickness of 1 inch and 60 percent. These were the steel tes that had to be had. And the sound of cries came from the steel mill in Anju, which took on this task. The n continued with the musicing from rted parts as background music. The developers extracted the highest possible figures and created a 1/10 scale model ship based on these. At the very least, it was a high-precision model ship that had been reduced to 1/10th the size to secure the iron armor and had the same number of studs installed as the actual size. The development team confirmed the test results of this model ship and reported it to Hyang. We can make it just the way you want! This is how Maeng Jin-ho, the assault return ship, was born. It may be a consequential story, but through this reckless challenge, shipbuilding technology advanced significantly once again. * * * As the Japanese fleet and the Joseon fleet were moving toward the Shandong Penins, a sad news was delivered to Emperor Seonde of Beijing. Defeat! Our fleet lost to Joseons fleet! And on the verge of destruction? Is it true? When Emperor Seondeok, who had epted the order, checked it again with a bewildered look on his face, Sangseo and the left and right governors banged their heads on the floor and shouted. your majesty! Please kill me! Why on earth did you lose! There were many of us on the front line! It wasnt just that there were a lot of them, there were even more fronts equipped with artillery! Why on earth did you lose? Udodog carefully responded to Emperor Seondeoks words. The soldiers from the front who returned alive say that Joseon used the ck me Dragon. ck me dragon? What strange words! Are you using such a bizarre thing as an excuse for defeat? In response to Emperor Seondeoks words, the Minister of Injury carefully exined while observing Emperor Seondeoks feelings. The believers were also perplexed and asked in detail, and it was presumed that Joseon created electric wires powered by steam engines. Steam engine? When the report on the sick mentioned the steam engine, Emperor Seondeok suppressed his anger. We are also trying to install a steam engine on the front line, and it is possible because Joseon built a steam engine before us. Whoa~. It was toote. Emperor Seondeok calmed down his anger to some extent by letting out a long sigh and assessed the situation in more detail. What happened to the Five Commandments thatmanded the fleet? I was killed in battle. You didnt die while running away? No. Then it is truly a sad loss. The fleet has suffered catastrophic damage, so I am worried about what will happen next. Have youe up with a n? We have strengthened the defenses of the fortress that protects the military port. We have also ordered the troops stationed near the military port to strengthen their guard. Good job. Then issue an imperial order throughout the central ins to select soldiers! As far as I know, up to 10 million people can be conscripted. Is there any change? The Cab Secretary came forward and answered Emperor Seondeoks question. I dont have any. Thanks to the numerous purges of Emperor Seondeok, the administrative system of the Ming Dynasty became very strong. The denial of military registration and family registration that had been prevalent so far had disappeared. ording to the urately recorded family register, the poption of Ming had already exceeded 100 million, and the number of troops could be drawn up to 10 million. Authors words. hello? This is Gukppong, who writes ck Enterprise Chosun. Today I would like to express my sincere apologies to you all. There was a serious error in the process of my writing. This is the conifer problem. I didnt research the data properly. I was just thinking about it. Joseon Panokseon is hard] Panokseon is made of pine.] Pine grows well on the Korean Penins] Japanese Sekibune is weak] Sekibune is made of cedar] Cedar cannot grow in cold ces] The Korean Penins is colder than Japan] Then, conifers will be solid. As you can see, there are a few errors in the middle. Keeping this in mind, I will research the data more faithfully in the future and apply it to my work. And I would like to thank Ed Ain for pointing out this part. We apologize for any inconvenience caused to our readers. I will do my best. Gukppong dream. Chapter 576 Episode 576 Go to war! Assault Return Ship (8) It is possible to conscript up to 10 million soldiers, but there is too much to lose if we do so. 3 million is the best. Emperor Seondeok responded firmly to the words of the sick magistrate. We need at least 5 million. It takes a long time to conscript 5 million people. It is also a challenge to supply weapons to the soldiers conscripted in this way. Emperor Seondeok scoffed at the suggestion that it was too much to do. joy! Isnt that the same situation for 3 million people? Most of the soldiers conscripted like that would be armed with spears or swords anyway! Without hesitation, reach 5 million! If we recruit troops from all over the Central ins, it wont take much time! Fill up 5 million and send them to North Korea! As your Majesty said, conscription may not be a big problem! But the problem is training these people and sending them to the battlefield! With the facilities currently in ce, 3 million is the best. It will take at least a year! The Minister of Health risked his life and did his best to oppose it. Is the current crisis invisible to the eye? In response to Emperor Seondeoks criticism, a thousand dors welled up inside the sick note. Who created the current crisis! He suppressed the words that were about toe out at any moment and reported his illness to Emperor Seondeok. Soshin knows very well that this is a crisis! But it is foolish to proceed beyond your capabilities! Yes you bastard! I risk Gods life to tell you this! 3 million is the best! this! Emperor Seondeoks cheeks flushed as he gritted his teeth at the advice of the sick magistrate. I wanted to order him to pull out that sick man and behead him right now, but he was an official who did his best to carry out his orders. In addition, the person who was in charge of all management of military titles and military records was the Minister of Military Affairs. While the left and right provincial governors and the five military provinces were in charge of supervising the training operations andmand of the soldiers, the military department was in charge of managing the mobilization system for them. It was truly impossible for the general manager of such a department to say it was impossible. In the end, Emperor Seondeok had no choice but to take a step back. good night! They said 3 million is possible, so mobilize 3 million! If you fail, I will cut off your head! In response to Emperor Seondeoks threats, Byeongbuseangseo responded by swearing. I will risk my life as a god toplete this task! I am truly honored that you listened to Sosins advice! Long live, long live, long live! After sorting out the matter, Emperor Seondeok waved his hand to the major and minor officials. Im tired. I need to rest for a while, so please step back. * * * The Cab Secretary, who escaped from Emperor Seondeoks truce, grabbed the sick note. How many spare lives do you have? Shouldnt you say what you have to say even if youre dying? 5 million is impossible. Above all, I dont have time. Time. Why time? Hearing the Assistant Cab Secretarys words, the Minister of Military Affairs remained silent. Look! Why is there not enough time? You will find outter. With those words, the sick note left and returned to his office. * * * Returning to his office, the sick man opened the windows and doors wide and looked around. Only then, after confirming that no one was around, did he let out a long sigh. Whoa~. Its hard, its hard Why did His Majesty start a war against Joseon? No, not just the infirmary, but all of his subjects were reaching simr conclusions. As Joseons capabilities grew stronger, Emperor Seondeoks interest in Joseon became closer to paranoia. The problem was that, rather than the friendly attitude he showed in the beginning, he was very hostile. Of course, its not that I dont understand, but Just as there are not two suns under the sky, the center of the world had to be in the middle of nowhere. Therefore, the emergence of a strongpetitor was not wee. The problem was that war, an extreme method, was chosen as a way to suppress thesepetitors. Is it because of your health? The current Seondeokje was in a serious situation no matter who saw it. His illness was so serious that it would not be surprising if he died tomorrow. The excessive sense of responsibility he showed after ascending to the throne, his increasingly worsening health, and his distrust of everyone around him werepounded. Whoa~. The sick doctor let out a long sigh again and muttered softly. This war was lost. The problem is how to survive the situation afterward. The sick mans face was gloomy and he was certain of defeat. The biggest defeat was that everyone in the Ming Dynasty court, starting with Emperor Seondeok, looked down on Joseon. Of course, since Joseon had be stronger over the years, everyone expected that there would be one or two hidden ws. The problem was that there were more than one hidden w, and all of them were fatal. Thend forces deployed in the war against Joseon must end with the 800,000 currently deployed. Even if we are defeated, there will be no reinforcements. The 3 million we are collecting now must be used to prepare for the future. The sick doctor muttered as he looked at the map of the world hanging on the wall of his office. The problem is that the Norths masters and the Japaneses seamen are too quiet. These guys are as cunning and quick-witted as wolves. The fact that they have not touched Joseon until now does not mean that they are not touching it, but that they cannot touch it. What this means is that these people are just waiting for their time to take our name. Phew~. The infirmary stopped talking and sighed. His ears seemed to hear the desperate screams of the people who had been attacked by Japanese pirates and pirates. Whoa~. After another long sigh, he took out the medical records he had piled up on one side and moved them to the desk. Thanks to the fact that more people than expected havee to live in the city, we can fill up to 3 million quickly. As the economy of the Ming Dynasty prospered, the movement of Ichonhyangdo (x) spread nationwide. In addition to traditional cities, new cities emerged as they became transit points for canals and railroads. As rumors spread about people who had made a fortune in the city, many people left the rural areas where they lived and moved to the city. Although housekeepers and soldiers worked hard to organize the family registers of people who had left their hometowns, there were unexpected gains. As more people gathered in the city, recruiting manpower became easier. After that, we spend as much time as possible training and arming them. Since Joseon controlled the sea, the only oue for this war was defeat. You must never send it to Liaodong. You have to hold on to them as much as possible to be able to endure the future. As Byeongbu Sang-seo was thinking about what happened next, he quenched his thirst after drinking tea. From now on, time is your biggest enemy. Time. Seven days after Emperor Seondeoks decision was made, another sad news arrived to Emperor Seondeok. After hearing the tragic news of the Japanese pirate attack, the sick doctor closed his eyes tightly. I got hit! * * * The Joseon naval fleet, which led the Japanese fleet, attacked Cheongju. Cheongju, located in the northern depression of the Shandong Penins, was a natural port thanks to its topography. Therefore, the headquarters and branches of the Ming Dynastysrge traders, including the Joseon Merchants Office established by Joseon, were concentrated there. Because of this importance, Cheongju was also the ce where the Ming Dynastysrgest naval base was located. Deeng~. Deeng~. Clink ding ding! Soldiers were running and shouting in all directions whilerge and small bells announcing urgent news rang in all directions. The thieves areing! The thieves areing! The Japanese pirates areing! The Japanese pirates areing! The shouts of the soldiers were followed by the shouts of themanders and the sound of trumpets. Everyone get on board! Go to the boat quickly! Raise anchor! Row! Hoist the sails! Pow! Pow! In the midst of such confusion, the front lines that had safely returned from the previous battle rushed to the sea. The thoughts of themanders who led their soldiers out to sea were all the same. Cover the fruit with the ball. After returning from a crushing defeat by the Joseon navy, themanders of the Ming Dynasty navy were anxious every day. This was because it would not be strange if people were held ountable and held ountable at any time. In such a troubling situation, the Japanese pirates attack was actually good news. Meanwhile, the Japanese ships that came to Shandong for joint trade still seemed poor, and the Japanese on board were armed only with spears and swords. In the old days, we had to fight hand-to-hand with spears and swords like that, but now its artillery fighting! The odds are with us! We lost to Joseon, but we cant lose to Japanese pirates! Theyre just Japanese pirates! The Ming troops on the front lines, frommanders to the lowest ranking soldiers, shouted excitedly and rushed towards the Japanese ships. However, although it was good that they had so much courage and rushed out, the next problem was. Because they looked down on the Japanese pirates, they formed a disorganized fleet. This happened because there was no one to properly control the front lines because a newmander had not yet been appointed. The Japanese ships, seeing the Ming battle lines rushing in with such fierce fighting spirit, quickly began to turn their course. Seeing this, the Myung Su-guns spirit rose even more. I dont know where you heard the rumor, but I guess you thought we were all dead! But its already toote! Row! Chasing the thieves! Floating! With the loud sound of drums, the front lines of the Ming Dynasty gained even more momentum. At that moment, ships with familiar sails began to appear in the ces where the Japanese ships had hurriedly turned their bows. Hey! They are Koreans! Theyre Koreans! Its a damn solution! There are challengers behind it! After confirming the appearance of the Joseon Navys sea emergency fronts and challenger-level fronts, the navy began to hastily look around. No way no way please The Ming navy, who had been looking around with earnest wishes, screamed as ck smoke rose from afar. Its a ck me dragon! Its a ck me dragon! Run away! Turn the boat around! After confirming the presence of Maeng Jin-ho, the front line began to urgently turn the yer around. However, soon after, the Ming navy fell into chaos. All the boats got tangled up as they randomly turned their yers around without forming a proper formation and tried to run away. Move! Move! Its crashing! Kwasik! Ujikkeun! In such a messed up situation, therge and medium ships that chose to flee moved on, mercilessly destroying the small ships in their path. The small ships that were struck by therger ships and heavy ships were broken into two pieces or capsized, and many soldiers were lost in the sea. help me! help me! Ugh! Ugh! The drowning allies urgently called for rescue, but the panickedrge and medium ships ignored them and rowed with all their might. In the end, many small ships had to disperse in all directions to avoid allies, not enemies. Chapter 577 Episode 577 Go to war! Assault return ship (9) The Ming naval forces lost their senses, and the Ming fleet became even more slow in its movement. Without missing this moment, the front lines of the Joseon navy rushed in and began to bite. The Joseon naval fleet, which had grown in size as the front lines of Gyeongsang Woosuyeong gathered together, formed a huge octagonal formation and began bombarding. bang! Quack! Each time the Joseon navy continued its fierce bombardment, Mings battle lines broke apart and copsed. As the Joseon navy began to attack, the Ming fleet became even more tangled. We must run away! Retreat at full speed! Anyway, the escape route is cut off! I will fight to the death! The fronts that tried to run away until the end and the fronts that tried to fight with a desperate attitude were tangled up. Among the tangled wires, a fierce war of words ensued between the captains. Dont block my retreat! Now is the time to step aside and n for the future! The retreat route is already blocked! The best way is to break through those Joseon fronts! The difference in firepower is the same, but do you think that is possible? Even if you run away, those Joseon pirates will catch you! The best defense is offense! When the ck me Dragones, everything will end! So, isnt that why we should break through before the ck me Dragones? Stop talking nonsense and get out of the way! Otherwise Ill shoot you! Running away from the enemy is a real punishment! Fight immediately! Shoot it! Quack! In the end, a fierce firefight broke out between those trying to flee and those trying to fight. It was the moment when the Ming navy, which Emperor Seondeok had worked hard to raise for more than 10 years, copsed into a ragtag group simply because there was no one to control the whole thing. * * * While the Ming Dynasty navy copsed due to self-centered rebellion, the Joseon navy steadily reduced the enemies in front of it. The scene of dozens of ships attacking enemy ships with artillery fire while maintaining a strict formation made not only the Ming Dynasty but also the Japanese who were just watching tremble in fear. Is this a naval battle? The older samurai could not hide their fear as they watched the battle unfolding before their eyes. The naval battles they have experienced so far have been hand-to-handbat. The only difference between hand-to-handbat onnd was that it took ce on ships at sea. When encountering an enemy, fold the sails and sprinkle sand on the deck to prepare for enemy fire. The norm was to row the oars with all your might, charge at the enemy ship, and then engage in hand-to-handbat by going back and forth between each others decks. They engaged in hand-to-handbat, ring into the eyes of their opponents and receiving the deadly blows from their enemies with their whole bodies. Sometimes, even in situations where defeat is certain due to inferior strength, the game can be turned around with momentum alone in traditional hand-to-handbat. However, this was not the case in the naval battle where the Joseon and Ming battle lines are now visible. It was a battle where artillery shells were fired from such a distance that one could not even recognize the opponents facial expressions, let alone their eyes. In a battle like that, even a little damage would have greatly weakened our troops fighting spirit. This was something we had fully experienced in thest civil war. When damage began to ur from the Ouchi armys artillery and gunfire visible in the distance, the soldiers morale immediately plummeted. Of course, it was important to maintain the soldiers strong fighting spirit and spirit even during an artillery battle like this. However, it was different from maintaining fighting spirit and momentum in closebat. Never get excited and do your best at your job. This was the biggest difference in the battles between the Ming and Joseon Dynasty. Of course, there were quite a few who insisted on spiritual victory until the end. But if we make sacrifices and engage in closebat, we will win! Give flesh and take bones! That is samurai! The Joseonmanders who heard this storytermented with cynicism. Thats a good thing, but youll have to give up your bones to deal with us. However, those who were shouting for bushido were left speechless as Maeng Jin-ho passed by them. Maeng Jin-ho, which sailed on its own without sails or oars, had a roof covered withrge tes that appeared to be iron armor, surrounded the hull, and had a huge dragons head on its bow, was like a sea monster from legend. And when Maeng Jin-hos dragon gun, which passed by them and jumped into the battlefield, spewed out a huge fire, even the old samurai who had been on the battlefield for decades were pissed. * * * The battle ended quickly as Maeng Jin-ho joined the battle. The guns of the Maeng Jin-ho, which had been pushed into the middle of the tangled Ming fleet, started spewing fire and the surrounding battle lines began to shatter. Maeng Jin-ho, who had experienced through the previous battle that the power of Ming artillery did not cause damage, moved slowly and destroyed the surrounding Ming lines step by step. The Ming fleet, subjected to a pincer attack from both inside and outside, once again epted the result of destruction. Once again, the few lucky survivors quickly fled to the rear. Following a signal from the Joseon navalmand, which confirmed the fleeing Ming soldiers, several naval emergency ships chased after them. Their order was not to chase and sink, but to herd sheep. -Prevent them from escaping to the wrong area other than the military port. If many people with actualbat experience survive, it will be a headache in many ways. Drive them into a military port andter defeat them together. ording to such orders, the emergency front lines drove the fleeing front lines to the military port of Cheongseong. While the sheep herding was in progress, the remaining Joseon navy began to clear the battlefield. Among the surrendering ships, all of therge and medium ships were sunk, and only the small ships were captured and handed over to Norihiro along with the prisoners. Do you mind if I hand over so many prisoners? Master Gyeongsang Master answered on behalf of the monks to Norihiros question. This is a gift to further solidify the friendship between our Joseon Dynasty and the Daenae n. Approval has alreadye down from above. * * * The decision to hand over the prisoners to Ouchi was predetermined. Geunmukjaheuk (īߺ) The customs of the Ming people are not good for our Joseon, so there is no need for too many prisoners. Id rather hand it over to Why. The Prime Ministers n is reasonable. Thats right. Even the other ministers agreed to Hwang Hees suggestion, and Hyang also nodded right away. * * * Norihiro bowed his head with a bright face in response to the sergeants answer. Your Majesty the Lord has bestowed upon you the grace of a year and year, and I am truly humbled! If you think about it, wouldnt it be possible to say that Mr. Daenae is a rtive of us? You have to help your rtives. Thats right. Thats right! It was Norihiro and the monks who constantly created a friendly atmosphere. * * * In order to make the Daenae n clearly on Joseons side, various operations were carried out, and one of them was to make and hand over Bocheop (V genealogy). When we produced a genealogy listing Prince Imseong of Baekje as the founder ording to the legend passed down to the Ouchi family and handed it to the Ouchi n, all the elders of the Ouchi family, including Mochiyo, the head of the family at the time and Morimi, the previous head of the family, were delighted. . This was because it was not just their own im, but was acknowledged by Joseon, which could be said to be its root. In particr, Morimi, who was a strong advocate of removing Japan from Japan, was delighted to force his weak body to personally entertain Joseons messengers. With this, our family is not just a family of local country bumpkins, but a proud descendant of royalty! * * * After clearing the battlefield, the main camp of the Joseon navy reorganized its formation and headed toward Qingcheng on the Shandong Penins. What was interesting was that Maeng Jin-ho, who always showed upte, took the lead. The monks who were watching Maeng Jin-ho advancing at the front, spouting ck smoke, all said one thing at a time. A ck me dragon? The nickname is truly grandiose. In a way, it seems fitting. The Jurchen people who saw the iron horse for the first time also called it a dragon and offered sacrifices to it. But youre not suggesting that we change its name to ck me Dragon instead of Maeng Jinho, right? Captain Kang has some entricities, but they are not that severe. Thats true. Now that I think about it, the second Janggye must have arrived in Hanseong. The Gyeonggi investigator responded to the Hwanghae investigators words with a face full of curiosity. Im really curious about Hanseongs reaction when he hears the word ck me Dragon. I agree. * * * ck me Dragon? Hyang, who received the detailed written instructions including the interrogation of the prisoners captured in the West Sea Battle, had a truly strange expression as soon as he saw the word ck me Dragon. no! Why is this here? Unlike Hyang, whose expression was difficult to describe, the reactions of the ministers who read the copies were quite favorable. Its called the ck me Dragon The Chinese have said its an exaggeration since ancient times, but it seems like theyre very mad. Isnt it rather good? It wasnt us who put it on, it was them who put it on. Doesnt that mean they are that scared? I think it suits you quite well. It has a jet-ck body covered with bitumen from the roof to the bottom, and a dragons head on the bow. Eventually, the scent came and the conversation ended. We didnt ask them to call us that, but they called us dragons and said they were scared, so we told them to call us dragons. However, since it has a name called Charge Return, it is prohibited to call it ck me Dragon. I will do so. Even as I made that decision, I had different thoughts about the scent. Isnt this going to be called ck me Dragon Shock instead of ck Sun Shock? Meanwhile, the officer who was recording all these facts added. - In this way, the Eastern Pce forbade the use of the title ck me Dragon, and all the ministers followed suit. The officer says: The dragon is an auspicious animal. Therefore, its name or shape should not be used carelessly. If you do something wrong, you will end up bing an object of shame. As Donggung said, we did note forward and call him a dragon, but they called him a dragon, so the shame is theirs. But this is a big deal. The term ck me dragon is too familiar. * * * By the time the main camp of the Joseon navy arrived at Cheongseong, Cheongseong was already in chaos. The Joseon navy has blocked the port! Run tond! There were only 10 sea emergency ships. It was impossible to blockade the port with that much water. However, the Ming navy had already lost their senses and ran the ship aground on the shore and fled tond. These guys stand still! Catch them all! Collect artillery and gunpowder shells from the stranded front lines! Reinforce the battery with the collected shells! Themanders of the units in charge of the defense of the military port captured the fleeing sailors and collected artillery and gunpowder from the stranded front lines to strengthen the batteries. He then instructed the captured sailors to operate the reinforced battery. However, as soon as Maeng Jin-ho appeared, the sailors who had been ced in that way began to escape. The ck me Dragon came all the way here! Run away! As the frightened sailors began to escape, even the soldiers already in the battery began to flinch. In the end, Wang Ho-myeong, the general in charge of the defense of the military port, gave an order. Catch all the escaping creatures, shackle them and tie them to the canvas! Chapter 578 Episode 578: Broken Dreams (1) As the attack on Cheongju Naval Port began, Maeng Jin-ho was the first to step forward. Maeng Jin-ho, who had used the tactic of hiding and appearing by surprise in the battles that had taken ce so far, appeared at the beginning of the attack this time. Maeng Jin-ho, who appeared as the sea emergency fronts blocking the entrance to Cheongju Naval Port retreated slightly, advanced proudly, puffing out ck smoke. Not only the naval soldiers who were caught while running away from the majestic appearance, but also the soldiers originally assigned to the battery began to feel intimidated. Perhaps knowing the psychology of the soldiers, messengers rushed to the battery and delivered themanders words. The general spoke! It is clear that the current situation is not good! Our front lines have been almostpletely destroyed, and the enemy is right around the corner! But they are on a boat on a turbulent sea, and we have our feet firmly nted behind strong walls built on solid ground! Also, the guns they have arerger and more powerful than those loaded on ships! Dont be afraid and just do what youve been trained to do! Then you will be able to subdue your enemies and receive a reward! The soldiers whispered after hearing themanders solemn message delivered by the messenger. Now that I think about it Now that I think about it? The soldiers who looked around concluded that what themander said was correct. The battery where they were located was surrounded by a strong wall. The same was true for artillery. These guns wererger than those mounted on the front lines. The defenders, who had been frightened by the sight of the sailors in fear and the majestic appearance of Maeng Jin-ho, once again gained courage and clung to the artillery. good! Lets do it! If you do well, you can receive a reward from His Majesty and achieve sess! A battle broke out between Maeng Jin-ho and the defenders who made use of their momentum. Maeng Jin, which entered the port entrance, turned its hull and headed toward the southern bay of the port. What are we going to do? well? What can you do with that? When youe into range, light the wick! While this conversation was taking ce among the defenders, Maeng Jin-ho, which had arrived in the southern bay, turned its hull. After a while, Maeng Jin-hos port guns, facing north, opened fire all at once. Kwakwakwak! After a while,rge explosions urred simultaneously in the defense facilities of the port that had been bombarded by Maeng Jin-ho. At that sight, not only the military officers but also the soldiers were frightened. On that street? Dont be surprised and fire back! Let go! At themand of the military officers, the defenders hastily ignited the wicks inserted into the guns. Puff poop! The artillery battle between Maeng Jin-ho and the military port garrison that took ce in this way continued fiercely. Both tribes continued to fire fiercely, but the situation became increasingly unfavorable for the defenders. The biggest reason was that many of the garrisons guns had a shorter range than Maeng Jin-hos guns. Thanks to this, many of the fired shells could not even reach Maengjin Lake and fell into the sea. Of course, the newly deployed new artillery had a long enough range to hit the Maengjinho, but this time, power was the problem. Kang! Kakang! The iron bullets fired by the defenders only made a sharp sound and bounced off whenever they hit the Maeng Jin-hos hull and roof. On the other hand, the shells fired from Maengjinho createdrge holes in the battery where the garrison was located. Holy shit! How can that be a boat! Is that a boat? Where in the world is there a ship that bounces off iron rings? The defenders became angry every time the bullets they fired bounced off. No matter howrge the front line they thought was, it was powerless against artillery. This is because ships were made of wood, and the iron rounds they fired could easily prate even fairly thick wooden nks. What is that boat! Do you have metal wrapped around your body? They were the defenders who gave the correct answer without even realizing it. * * * In the artillery battle between the Cheongju military port garrison and Maeng Jin-ho, Maeng Jin-ho ended up winning. The garrisons artillery fire was fierce, but Maeng Jin-hos armor withstood it. On Maeng Jin-hos armored bridge, Gangnam-gil held the transmission pipe and eagerly gave orders. The engine department! Slow down some more! dont worry! They cant even be crushed by iron rings! Port battery! Have you checked the firing batteries up to here? Select only those bastards and destroy them! Following Gangnam-gils orders, Maeng Jin-ho moved slowly, selecting only the batteries that fired shells at him and destroying them. Things that would pose a major threat to the alliesingter were eliminated in advance. As soon as Maeng Jin-ho knocked out the first round, the challenger-level front lines waiting outside came rushing in. The second wave of challenger-level frontspletely destroyed the remaining batteries and defense facilities of the Cheongju military port garrison. In the end, by the afternoon of that day, the Cheongju military port garrison was annihted. * * * After confirming that the garrisons resistance had disappeared, the Joseon navy sent a signal to the Japanese fleet waiting behind them. After receiving a signal from the Joseon navy, the Japanese fleet increased its speed and flocked to the port. Hey! Stir! Pick up the speed! If yourete from now on, youll lose the most! The Japanese on the boat rowed excitedly, dreaming of making a fortune. Not long after the Japanese fleet arrived at the dock, peoples screams began to echo in the sky near Cheongju. As the screams began to echo, the expressions and gestures of the Joseon navy soldiers froze. The Joseon navy, who had been so frozen, soon began to do their work as if they could not hear anything. * * * As the Japanese began plundering, the Japanese ships carrying those sent by the Ouchi family stayed outside with the Joseon navy. Gyeongsang Ususa, who was observing the situation from his gship, asked Norihiro. This is an opportunity to gain great wealth, but do you mind if I do this? Norihiro immediately answered Gyeongsang Ususas question. The order my lord gave me was to learn and help the Joseon navy as much as possible. Hmm I see The captain reported just in time to Master Gyeongsang Usa, who nodded in response to Norihiro. Its a signal! The second operation begins! is it? Then move! Soon signals were flying from the gship and a group of Challenger ss and sea emergency lines were pulled out and moving south. Norihiro asked Gyeongsang Ususa on the gship of Gyeongsang Ususa, which was heading south with the fleet. I heard at thest meeting that Jinan was the target. Why Jinan? It is to inflict damage on the Gyeonghang Grand Canal. I know because I heard that, but if thats the case, isnt Cheongju, who attacked earlier, more suitable? It is 200 ri bynd from Cheongju Military Port to the canal. Of course, Jinan is further ind, but you can go up the Yellow River. Wouldnt Cheongju be better if we could employ 100,000 soldiers? Hearing Norihiros words, Master Gyeongsang opened his mouth while looking directly at Norihiro. Lets ask honestly. Are they soldiers or bandits? . If we call them soldiers, how long do you think they will be able to maintain discipline? . If an army cannot maintain discipline, it is nothing more than a bunch of well-trained thieves. For this reason, the Joseon navy and the Japanese were separated from the first operation. No matter how thoroughly trained an elite was, it was certain that he would join in at some point if such looting took ce on a daily basis. Then, the tower that had been worked so hard to build would copse. Norihiro had no choice but to keep his mouth shut at the words of the Gyeongsang Master. Even if it was not pointed out by the Gyeongsang Ususa, the elite ships of the Joseon navy that I saw on the way here were iparable to the soldiers of the family. They were soldiers from a family that had made the Ouchi family masters of the world. As such, it was not enough to be confident that its elite was the best in the Japanese country. Although they were such elites, they looked like a ragtag grouppared to the Joseon army. However, my pride was hurt to just ignore the Gyeongsang excellent teachers criticism. In the end, Norihiro asked a question that was half joking and half serious. Still, dont you feel a little disappointed? If I did well, it was literally a chance to make a fortune, right? At Norihiros words, Gyeongsang Excellent Master burst intoughter. Heh! If youre going to take care of it like that, shouldnt you take care of something that will allow you to acquire wealth more permanently? Norihiros eyes sparkled at the answer from the Gyeongsang Master. Something permanent? Is there such a thing? There are many things, but isnt the most representative one thend? Norihiro, who thought for a moment about the Gyeongsang Masters answer, suddenly bowed deeply to the Gyeongsang Master. Oh my! Why all of a sudden? When Gyeongsang Excellent Master, who suddenly received a big bow, was shaking in embarrassment, Norihiro said with a bright face. I have learned a great lesson! huh? * * * The Gyeongsang Ususa fleet, which left Cheongju and headed south, began to ascend the Yellow River. Although this is the most recent data, the Yellow River is a very vtile river, so be especially careful! yes! Following the orders of the Gyeongsang Ususa, the battle lines that made up the fleet moved slowly and carefully up the river. In addition, both the Challenger ss and the Sea Emergency ss were ships that did not use oars. It was impossible to simply rely on sails to ascend. To solve this problem, many small ferry boats were loaded onto the front lines assigned to the mission. As soon as they entered the Yellow River, the ferry boats were disembarked from the mother ship and began pulling the mother ship with ropes. Oh shit! I thought you wouldnt use a pointer anymore! While grumbling like this, the soldiers took turns dragging the wires up with their pointers. The journey to Jinan that started like this was not smooth. Ming soldiers who received reports from time to time rushed in, and battles had to be fought each time. At least they are not properly prepared soldiers. It was fortunate that the soldiers were at the level of the towns provincial government. Master Gyeongsang Woosoo, who was checking the route while looking at the map, shook his head slightly. This time, the Joseon armys attempted move to Jinan caught the Ming off guard. It was not the Gangnam area, which had been suffering from Japanese pirates, nor the northern area, which had been suffering from the Jurchen or Dalja, but the middle of the central ins. Thanks to this, the quality and size of the soldiers attacking the Joseon army were significantly inferior. In addition, the soldiers of the Ouchi family apanying the Joseon fleet also yed a significant role. It was mostly soldiers of the Ouchi family who boarded the Ming small shipsing to attack the Joseon fleet and ughtered the Ming army, or ran into the Ming army flocking to the riverside and ughtered them. Thanks to this, the soldiers were turning a blind eye to the fact that they were digging deeper and stealing loot. Norihiro, who was looking at the map next to him, asked Gyeongsang Ususa. Will Jinan alone be enough of a blow? In response to Norihiros question, the Gyeongsang Master nodded. If the channels and locks of the Qi River and the Yellow River flowing north of Jinan are blown up, the Grand Canal will be in disarray for a while. If the rtionship between the Yellow River and the Yangtze River bes a mess, starting from Cheongju, Ming will not be able to move its army even if it wants to. Hmm Norihiro snorted and nodded at the words of the Gyeongsang Master. Looking at that scene, Usa Gyeongsang swallowed his words inwardly. And Jinan has a bad rtionship with the Yongle Emperor. Usa Gyeongsang muttered to himself, recalling the time when the General Staff Headquarters and Hyang were making ns. If you look closely, the Crown Prince is also very evil. -The probability is very low, but if it seeds, Ming will not have the energy to care about the outside world for a considerable period of time! Chapter 579 Episode 579: Broken Dreams (2) Long before Ju Ji-jin began his work in Liaodong, Joseon established and discarded various strategies in anticipation of an armed conflict with the Ming. In the process, the operation to destroy the Gyeonghang Grand Canal attracted everyones attention. Considering the circumstances, if you cut off just that canal in your name, the vein in your name will be cut off. Thats right. Nowadays, if you look at the Ming Dynasty building a railroad, the railroad is not a state, but the canal is the state, and the railroad is the servant. Lets take a closer look. Joseons Chief of Staff conducted further investigation into the Grand Canal. After various investigations, the conclusion was clear. -If an armed conflict breaks out with the Ming, cutting off the Grand Canal is essential! Based on this conclusion, we began looking for the best ce to carry out a sabotage operation. And the ce that emerged as the best candidate was Jinan. When Jinam was selected as a candidate site, it was before King Sejong left for Sinji. After hearing the Chief of Staffs n, King Sejong first confirmed the reason. Why Jinan? In response to King Sejongs question, the Chief of Staff exined as follows: -Jinan is the optimal point to cut the Grand Canal and inflict damage on the Ming. The north is closer to Beijing, and the lower part is closer to Nanjing. -Beijing and Nanjing are the administrative centers of the north and south of the Ming Dynasty. This means that rapid restoration is possible by mobilizing manpower on arge scale. -Jinan is a ce where the waterway from the Yellow River to the canal connects. Although it is located rtively ind, it can be easily reached by traveling up the Yellow River. -If an armed conflict breaks out with the Ming, most of thend forces should be deployed to Liaodong. This means that there are not enough troops to deploy in the ind invasion. Therefore, Jinan, where the existing naval forces can be utilized to the fullest, is the optimal location. Like the generals said, its good because its just in the middle The staff at the Chief of Staff became very nervous as they saw King Sejong slurring his words while looking at the map. Did we miss something? I think I did it right. Every time His Majesty the Prime Minister does something like that, I feel like I age 10 years! When the generals at the Chief of Staff were tense, King Sejong asked again. Is that the only reason you chose Jinan? yes? Did you really choose Jinan for that reason alone? The staff members of the Chief of Staff Headquarters, unable to find an answer to King Sejongs question, looked in despair. Hyang joined the conversation as he saw the staffs confusion. In a way, this is a cliche! Still, I cant help it! Abama, are you thinking of a change of passion? In response to Hyangs question, Sejong nodded silently. After hearing the silent answer, Hyang immediately continued asking questions. Isnt that part closer to political strategy than military strategy? And wouldnt the probability of it happening be too low? If a person bes paralyzed, wouldnt hee out? Whether it is real or someone who is pretending to be a fake. Of course its possible, but is it possible? Are there any followers? Sejong responded to Hyangsment with an expression that said it was no big deal. Why should we worry about their sess or failure? What if we just make people unable to move properly? Ah Hyang, who had been nodding at Sejongs words, continued with a face full of regret. Now that I think about it, its really unfortunate. If you just break the middle part properly, it will be broken properly, but you cant go out in the open That part will also require a lot of thought. Ill think about it. While King Sejong and Hyang were talking like that, the staff members who had suddenly been reduced to folding screens grumbled inwardly. also! Its started again! A Zen question only for the rich! Ah! He said he felt ashamed just looking at it, and now I know why! What kind of temple is this? Why is it a Zen question all of a sudden? In the end, King Sejong rejected the operation submitted by the Chiefs of Staff. Its a very good n, but it still feels a bitcking. Please do some more work. I follow your orders. To King Sejongs order, the staff at the Chief of Staff responded in unison by bowing their heads. Meanwhile, the officer who was recording all of this added: - So when the chief judge said it was insufficient and rejected it, all the staff members resigned and retreated. The officer says: I will notment on the Chief of Staffs n because it concerns military strategy. However, it is truly painful to hear and write down the conversation between Sang and Dong-gung. An old sage said, Pay attention not to the mark, but to the character within, and this is certainly true. But sometimes you need a ticket to know what Lee means, right? This is by no means aint that I am not able to understand the conversation between my wife and my wife. * * * The officers and the staff, who were in simr positions, soon put their heads together. What on earth iscking? Well, letse what the hell The staff, who were unable toe to a satisfactory conclusion even after putting their heads together, soon found an alternative. Lets go see the crown prince! In the end, Hyang gave a special lecture to his staff. Is there anything thates to mind when you think of The Change of Passion? Didnt the Yongle Emperore to the throne by overthrowing Jian Wen? youre right. What does this have to do with Jinan? Where was the ce you defended to the end against the Jeongnan army, whose momentum was rising after winning consecutive victories against Li Gyeong-ryung? Jinan Ah! The staff members who were answering unconsciously all looked like they had taken a hit. Hyang smiled at that and continued speaking. Would that have been possible with just one person, Cheolhyeon? Isnt this possible because all the people of Jinan were of one mind? The staff members who were nodding their heads at Hyangs words soon continued speaking with bright faces. Now I understand what Your Majesty the Lord said! When Luoyang was overrun, the bodies of Jian Wen and the Crown Prince were not found! If there is chaos in the Ming, there will be people who wille forward with their names, whether real or fake! If you look at the history of Jungwon, this is not the first time something like this has happened! It is entirely possible! Among the people of Jinan, there are probably still many who hold a grudge! If you take advantage of this part, it ispletely possible! The staff, who understood King Sejongs intentions, immediately began to modify the strategy. Through this revision, the staff were able to understand what the scent was disappointing about and King Sejongs response to it. If the area between the Yellow River and the Yangtze River, right here where Jinan is located, was shaken properly, the Ming would simply copse. yes? Because Chinese people are used to being divided into four groups rather than living together as one. Shall we bring in more troops? Its impossible we dont have enough transportation. Supply will also be a problem. Thats true, but theres also the risk of them uniting in hostility toward us. In the end, the newly revised operation received approval from King Sejong. However, the part where the scent expressed disappointment continued to remain unfinished. And this part was resolved after Hyang used Han Myeong-hoe to attract the Japanese government. * * * Upon hearing the news that thebined forces of the Joseon army and Ouchi had arrived nearby, the soldiers and residents of Jinan Province closed the castle gates and began preparing for battle. Tell me toe somewhere! What kind of people are we! This is Jinan, a ce that not even the Zhengnan army could prate! While the citizens of Jinan were preparing for battle, thebined forces of the Joseon army and Ouchi arrived. * * * The Joe Oh joint forces that arrived in front of Jinan Province continued to behave unexpectedly. Jinan City was not touched. The only military action against Jinan was to build a position to defend against attacks from the Ming army stationed in Jinan. Everything the Joseon army did after that was rted to the destruction of the canal. sting! sting! sting! bang! Quack! As the engineers in charge of the explosion continued to shout, facilities rted to the canal were blown away one by one. The waterway that supplied water to the canal from the Yellow River and Jesu was cut off, and the water leaking from the waterway spread into the nearby fields. Subsequently, the locks installed in the middle of the canal burst. As the locks were damaged, the function of maintaining the water level in the canal was lost. Lastly, all the water turbines that supplied water from the Jesu River and the Yellow River to the canals were destroyed. As all the canal facilities around Jinan were blown away, the canal starting from Deokju in the north to Beijing began toe to a halt. * * * Afterpleting all the sabotage, thebined forces of Joseon and Ouchi turned their boats around and went down the Yellow River again. The residents of Jinan Province, who were nervous about when the enormous firepower would be directed at them as they watched the daily sabotage operations of the Joseon army, heaved a sigh of relief. Whoa! You really went, right? Youre really gone! Im d, Im d! The residents of Jinan Province, who were happy that the Joseon army returned without doing anything other than destroying the canal, offered all kinds of tributes to the temples and canals located within the city. The residents of Jinan Province, who were happy to have escaped the crisis so safely, soon began to be curious. Why did you just leave? Our castle is not that poor? Strange rumors soon began to circte among the residents of Jinam, who were curious as to why the Joseon army quietly retreated. -They say a ancestral rite was held before the Joseon army returned! -But they said that the sacrifice was for Geonmunmun! -They say the reason Joseon didnt touch Jinan was because we resisted the Jeongnan army! -They say that the reason they are in a rtionship is because of the loyalty they showed to Munjeong! Rumors rted to the Jianmun issue soon began to spread in and around Jinan Province. And among the residents of Jinan Province who heard the rumor, all those in their 50s or older looked into the distance and muttered. It was like that back then It was so intense * * * This was a big problem! Upon receiving the report that a rumor was circting among the people, the Anchal Temple of Jinan Province turned pale and tired. The current emperor, Emperor Xuande, was the grandson of Emperor Yongle. In such a situation, it was a treason to spread rumors talking about geonmunjeok. If I do something wrong, my head will fly off! The frightened Anchalsa of Jinan Province issued an urgent order. Anyone who spreads false statements should be arrested and imprisoned immediately! Anchalsa issued an arrest order to stop the rumor, and at the same time urgently wrote a report and sent it to Beijing. However, this general did not reach Beijing. This was because the canal was blocked and the Japanese who hadnded on the Shandong Penins were causing trouble between the Yellow River and the Yangtze River. * * * Meanwhile, news of the Japanesesnding reached Beijing. Cool look! Cool look! After receiving the report, Emperor Seondeok was boiling with blood and coughed up blood. your majesty! your majesty! Its okay! Dont make a fuss! Emperor Seondeok calmed down themotion of those gathered in the main hall and confirmed the situation. So, how many Japanese pirates have invaded Shandong now? At least 100,000 people wille. Ieast! Cough! Cough! Surprised by the number 100,000, Emperor Seondeok once again coughed up blood and finally lost consciousness. your majesty! Call the doctor! Chapter 580 Episode 580: Broken Dream (3) Eui, who arrived almost dragged by the eunuchs, urgently checked Emperor Seondeoks condition and took out acupuncture needles from the needle case. Pooh~! As the medical doctor ced needles of various thicknesses on Emperor Seondeoks head and hands, Emperor Seondeok exhaled deeply and came to his senses. Oh oh! Your Majesty has awakened! hurray! hurray! hurray! It is truly a divine medicine! Seeing Emperor Seondeok return to consciousness, his subjects were happy and praised King Eui. You did a great job indeed. After standing up, Emperor Seondeok praised King Eui and looked back at his subjects. Im sorry for being so rude for a moment. The countrys situation is critical, so lets start the meeting again. However, Eui blocked Emperor Seondeok with a serious face. You have just passed a critical juncture. You need to rest. In response to Euis words, the assistant cab member stepped forward and reported to Emperor Seondeok. The gods will do their best to find the answer. Your Majesty, your priority is to find your strength. But the country is on the verge of copse Our name is a giant tree that upies the center of the world. We can withstand a storm of this magnitude. But if Your Majesty falls, the sky will fall. Please get some rest. But As Emperor Seondeok continued to hesitate, all the ministers present in the main hall, including the Minister of Cab, cried out, throwing all their hands on the floor. Please believe in your beliefs! I will risk my life to find a solution! In response to the earnest petitions of his subjects, Emperor Seondeok took a step back. Then Ill just trust the gentlemen. * * * As Emperor Seondeok disappeared into the pce, supported by eunuchs, the cab secretaries and ministers began to devise countermeasures in earnest. Sick record. Speak. How long will it be possible to mobilize the additional 3 million troops that His Majesty orderedst time? To the Cab Secretarys question, the Minister of Invalids answered with a gloomy face. Its impossible. The assistant cab secretary asked urgently with a white face. Why is it impossible! The Cab Secretary, who was asking the reason, remembered the previous war of words between Emperor Seondeok and the Minister of Invalidity and looked as if he could not believe it. no way! Are you fooling the sky? In response to the Cab Secretarys question, the Minister of Military Affairs shook his head with a gloomy face. I would never do such a disloyal thing. Then why? After seeing the Cab Secretary asking for the reason, the Minister of Invalids asked back with a still gloomy face. Do you think creating soldiers is something that can be done overnight? Weve already prepared everything, starting with the military register, so whats the problem? Dont you think about the time it takes to recruit those on the military list and the time it takes to train them? Arent we just training ordinary soldiers? Do you think that if I hand over Eomsim-gap and a helmet spear, it will be the end? Shouldnt we at least teach them how to move in ordance with themands? That alone will take at least a month. Hearing the words of the sick man, the Assistant Cab Secretary turned to the left and right governors. To the silent question posed by the Assistant Cab Secretary, the provincial governors responded by silently nodding their heads. After confirming that what the sick report said was correct, the Cab Secretary let out a long sigh. Whoa~. This is how it is Whether he knew the thoughts of the assistant cab secretary or not, the sick report pointed out the bitter reality. If I had known that King Dong would do such a reckless thing and that Joseons military power was stronger than expected, I would have prepared in advance. If we had moved at least three months earlier Then, even if the 500 that His Majesty mentioned was impossible, at least 2 million would have been possible. Of course, you can barely move ording tomands. Ah The cab secretary ced his hand on his forehead in response to the illness inspectorsment. The assistant cab secretary, who had been thinking for a while with his hand on his forehead, asked the sick inspector again. In the end, we have to solve this crisis with the 3 million we have now? 2.75 million. Have you forgotten that our navy was destroyed in the Battle of the Yellow Sea not long ago? And this time, the Cheongju military port was attacked by the Japanese. Oh my In response to the illness inspectorsment, the cab secretary ced his hand on his forehead again. Looking at the cab report, the sick report revealed the cold reality. This is the current situation. The loss of the navy alone is estimated at 20,000 due to thest Battle of the Yellow Sea and the recent Japanese pirate attack. The remaining naval force is 150,000, which is not enough to even defend the coast of the Gangnam area. Then, all that is left is 2.6 million troops defending various castles and border areas. The problem is those northern moons. They also have ears, so they wont sit still, and since we have to defend them, we cant remove the troops from that direction. Then do we need to bring up the southern troops? It is the best, but it is not easy. This is because the two biggest problems arose because of the point where the Japanese pirates invaded. The sick person who had spoken up to that point looked at the provincial governors on the left and right. The governors will know that well. greatness! Keuhum! When the sick inspector suddenly mentioned them, the provincial governors cleared their throats with an ufortable look on their faces. The assistant cab secretary opened his mouth in response to the provincial governors reaction. What are the two biggest problems? The left governor opened his mouth in response to the Cab Secretarys question. Traditionally, Japanese pirates mainly plundered in the Gangnam area. But this time we came to the central region. The problem is that we dont know whether the Japanese pirates who came this time will plunder only the central region or whether they will plunder Gangnam again like before. If you think about that, we cant bring in all the troops in Gangnam. I understand. Then what about the other problems? Since we do not have enough troops, the 3 million reinforcements to Liaodong that His Majesty ordered is impossible. Oh my Im in the middle of a mountain. After hearing the Left Governors exnation, the Assistant Cab Secretary ced his hand on his forehead again. The Cab Secretary, who was suffering with his hand on his forehead, screamed without realizing it. Dongwang! Why did this brave great man do something for which he cannot be held ountable and create this situation? The cab secretary who shouted loudly looked around in shock, but no one was criticizing him. Even the eunuchs belonging to the same ss seemed to agree. To be honest, the words that Na Subo spoke just now were words that represented everyones feelings. It wasnt a problem because he wasnt criticizing the emperor, but rather criticizing Ju Ji-jin, who had been expelled due tock of qualifications. till now. * * * After pouring out what he had been holding inside, the assistant cab secretary continued the meeting with a much lighter expression. Then lets start by adjusting the order of things first. The Cab Secretariat summarized the future tasks one by one. -First of all, the dispute with Joseon that took ce in Liaodong. The 800,000 troops already decided to be sent will be sent as is. However, since we know that Joseons military power is stronger than expected, avoid unnecessary battles. A full-scale battle with Joseon will take ce after reinforcements are made. -The number of troops stationed in the Gangnam area will be raised to 300,000 out of approximately 800,000. With these 300,000 troops, the Japanese pirates who invaded the central region were repelled. -After clearing out the Japanese pirates,rge-scale conscription is carried out nationwide. Gather at least 3 million people and attack Liaodong and Joseon. I hope it goes on like this, but what do you think? In response to the Cab Secretarys question, the Minister of Health and the right and left governors all nodded. I think its most appropriate. I think its the best answer for this situation. Then lets report it to His Majesty like this. Phew~. The head of the cab, who hadpleted the measures to be submitted to Emperor Seondeok, let out a long sigh. It is fortunate that the crown prince is in Nanjing. I can move quickly. The Minister of Health and the Provincial Governors also nodded at the words of the Assistant Cab Secretary. * * * Joo Ki-ok, who seeded Joo Ki-jin as crown prince, was receiving princely training in Nanjing. This was not simply learning about kings. In Nanjing, a court almost identical to the court in Beijing was established. The crown prince was to learn how to run the country through this adjustment. This was not a simple exercise. It was a way to efficiently manage the vast territory of the Ming Dynasty in a situation where transportation andmunication were poor. * * * This is urgent news! When the ministers, who thought they had just passed a critical juncture, were taking a moment to catch their breath, a young general rushed in with an urgent look on his face and shouted. Whats going on? In response to Governor Wus question, the general held out a general and shouted. This is Jang-gye from Deokju! Jinan has been attacked! Clink! At the generals shout, the byeongsangseo unknowingly let go of the teacup he was holding in his hand. Governor Wu, who quickly received the general order, read its contents and looked at the others with a bewildered look on his face. The canal has been cut off At Governor Wus words, all the other ministers looked devastated. In particr, the sick person muttered with apletely dejected expression on his face. Are you saying it was a letter of disqualification for speaking to the east? At the words of the sick report, the provincial governors on both the left and right made simr faces and nodded. The assistant cab secretary, who heard the sick report and the governors words, looked in disbelief. Are you saying that Joseon is behind the raid by Japanese pirates? Thats right. Indeed now the anglerfish is finallying into its own. Youre right. The left governor, who was mumbling to himself, looked at the others. Now I understand why the Japanese invaded the central region. Joseon is now trying to cut off our backs. To the words of the left governor, the Minister of Injury added in a somber voice. Im not trying to quit, but Ive already quit more than half of it. No sooner had the sick-injury letter finished speaking than the head of the cab shouted. Why did it get to this point and there was no report! He probably didnt have the presence of mind to report because of the Japanese pirates attack. That was exactly what the medical certificate said. The Ming army that engaged the Joseon and Ouchi fleets sailing up the Yellow River was destroyed to the point where they could not even afford to send generals, and their garrisons were also reduced to rubble by the Ouchi soldiers. And in the areas where the main force of the Japanesended, it was difficult to even understand the damage suffered by the Japanese. * * * The first thing that came to my senses in this bewildering situation was the sick doctor. In the end, we had to review it again from the beginning. First, lets think of a way to send a messenger to Nanjing. The officials, who came to their senses after hearing the sick and ill officials words, put their heads together again. The situation is like this, so lets change the order of things. The first person to make a proposal was Ye Yebusangseo. How can you change the order of things? We must gather all the troops that can move right now and send them to Liaodong to attack Joseon. The assistant cab secretary screamed at Ye Bu Sang-seos words. You are crazy! There are already reasons why it shouldnt be done! Im not crazy. But it is true that it is a story that will blow my head off. Why on earth Phew! The Cab Secretary sighed and continued. Lets hear the reason. Ye Bu Sang-seo took a moment to catch his breath and began to speak. The biggest reason is that His Majesty is in very critical condition right now. If your Majesty were to die, how would you bring the crown prince from Nanjing? Are you confident that if the sky over Beijing empties, there will be no one seeking to take its ce? . Ye Busangseo continued while no one could easily open his mouth to Ye Busangseos point. The fastest way for you to get to Beijing is by sea. But now the sea is in Joseons hands. In that case, we will eventually have to negotiate, but as things stand now, we have no choice but to be dragged around by Joseon. But if we win in Liaodong, we can see eye to eye with each other. Chapter 581 Episode 581: Broken Dream (4) At Ye Bu Sang-seos argument, all the ministers fell silent and were lost in thought. After a long period of silence, the first to speak was the Assistant Cab Secretary. I think the current situation is forcing me to make choices I dont want to make. The ministers all nodded at the Assistant Cab Secretarys words. Then, lets revise it again based on the proposal from Yebusangseo. How much more can you add besides 800,000? In response to the Assistant Cab Secretarys question, the left governor thought for a moment and answered. 250,000. We can take out 100,000 cavalry and 150,000 infantry. In response to the left governors answer, the military inspector asked a question. 100,000 cavalry? Isnt that all the power you had against the Dalits? The left governor immediately nodded his head when asked about the illness. Thats right. And the 150,000 infantry are the troops protecting the general wall. why! In response to the left provincial governors calm answer, the military inspector screamed. However, the left governor continued speaking with a calm expression. I managed to get 800,000 just in time. But didnt the sick report say that adding more is unreasonable? To meet that time, we have no choice but to subtract from troops who have alreadypleted training. Then havent you forgotten that there will be a problem with the northern defense? The left governor continued his exnation in response to the sick reportsments. If we operate strictly on defense, we can survive. The left governor got up from his seat and walked towards the map hanging on one side. The left governor tapped the eastern section of the Great Wall drawn on the map with his palm. ording to the information received, Joseon has already entered Liaodong. That means the biggest enemy we have to deal with is time. Therefore, the infantry units deployed to the east of this wall will advance to Liaodong and the units on the west will be gradually moved east to fill the empty hole. Of course, our ability to defend the north will inevitably be weakened, but we must ept this. Our situation now is The left governor paused for a moment, took a few deep breaths, and came to a conclusion. It is difficult to deal with both Dalja and Joseon of the North at the same time. Therefore, all of the northern cavalry with excellent mobility and units located in the far east of Jangseong must be pushed into the war against Joseon. If they are already raised as elites, they will be able to overwhelm Joseon. In the meantime, the North must remain strictly defensive. That is the reality we face now. Hearing the Left Governors words, the Assistant Cab Secretary looked dejected. We boasted about an army of 3 million, but now people are saying we have to defend ourselves because we dont have enough troops Its shocking. Hearing the words of the assistant cab secretary, Ho Bu-sang-seo nodded and muttered. I feel like Im so angry that Im so empty. No, I cant help being angry at myself. I had forgotten why our ancestors left behind the words remarkable rtive. Hobusangseo could not help but feel sad. * * * It is said that the country is run by two departments, but it was the job of the home department to check the economic situation of the name for the necessary finances, revenue and expenditure-rted work, and urate tax administration. Naturally, Hobus officials and Hobus merchants were not only hearing about the growth of Mings economic power, but were also experiencing it with their own bodies. Everyone in Hobu could not hide their pride as they saw the size of the economy and the amount of currency used growing rapidly as the years passed. Our name is the center of the world! All the wealth in the world is flocking to us! They had forgotten about Joseon because they were so absorbed in the economy that it was developing beyond the limits they had imagined. Rather, he thought it was funny that the Sisters of Assets movement was taking ce in the private sector. thing! If you sell a product in a country the size of your palm, how much will it sell! At most, its a country that only makes and sells luxury goods or novel objects like iron horses! The current situation has brought a crisis of rm to the country that was looked upon with such contempt. * * * The meetingsted a long time, but in the end, a n was decided that centered on the left-wing n. How about mobilizing the soldiers of the Jinui Committee? Isnt the elite of the soldiers the Golden Guard? The Minister of Yebu suggested mobilizing the Geumui Committee, but the Minister of Military Affairs and the left and right governors all shook their heads. The Gold Council is thest bastion! You must never leave Beijing! Thats right! Under the current situation, if the north is breached, the Jinuiwi is the only force that will protect Beijing! If the North is breached in the absence of the Jinui Commission, we will just have to sit back and watch the moment of national ruin! In the end, the proposal of Yebusangseo ended up being nothing. * * * The Cab Secretary visited Emperor Seondeok with a document summarizing the n in hand. Emperor Seondeok, who was recovering in his bed without even being able toe out to the main hall, opened the n posted by the assistant cab secretary and examined its contents. Emperor Seondeok looked at the contents several times and let out a long sigh. Ha~. In the end, is there no answer other than lower stone (remove the lower stone and rece the upper stone)? In response to Emperor Seondeoks question, the cab secretary bowed his head to the floor with all his might. I did my best, but I couldnt think of a better solution! Please rebuke the ipetence of the small gods! Whoa~. Emperor Seondeok sighed again at the sight of the assistant cab secretary asking for his own guilt, and held out the document again. Run it like this. In my current situation, there is no other way than this. Do your best to get the job done. I will risk my life to make it happen! When the approved assistant cab secretary withdrew, Emperor Seondeok gave an order to the eunuchs standing around him. Wait outside. I want to be alone for a while. The eunuchs left and Emperor Seondeok was left alone in the bed, muttering with a gloomy face. I was expecting an easy win, but I had to wait for the odds to win Where did it go wrong? How did I be the king of defeat? Emperor Seondeok did not understand the current crisis. The Ming Dynasty was overwhelmingly superior to the Joseon Dynasty in all aspects, from military power to the economic power to support the war. Therefore, from the time he first made his n, Emperor Seondeok did not even considerrge-scale conscription of the people. Three million soldiers! Due to border security issues, everyone can be mobilized, but at least 1 million and up to 1.5 million can be mobilized without any problem! That alone is enough to deal with Joseon, which can only mobilize about 300,000 soldiers! But things did not go as he wanted. The invasion of Joseon using the main advance failed, and Joseon advanced into Liaodong. The navy that had been raised with great effort was destroyed in a single naval battle. Due to the actions of Japanese pirates pushed into Joseon, more than half of the countrys back was cut off, and the government fell into a state of paralysis. why? why? From where? Seondeokje was distressed because he couldnt figure out where he started shaking hands. * * * Meanwhile, there were people in Hanseong who had simr doubts. The most representative ones were the Wanduseul brothers. If you think about it withmon sense, a situation like this cant possibly happen Thats right, bro. What kind of country is Ming? It is a country that easily overpowers the capabilities of our country, Joseon. How did Halbamama and father create this situation? When they couldnte up with a proper answer even after putting their heads together, the three brothers looked for incense. So I came to find your father. Please teach me. At Wans request as representative, Hyang looked at the brothers with his arms crossed. Have you looked at the archives records? I have looked at the records regarding the grand strategy eastward advance. If so, you would know? Even after reading the records, I still dont understand the current situation. Which part? This is the part where people break down so easily. Hyang immediately responded to Wans answer. It looks easy because the preparation time and mindset were different. yes? Hyang began to give a special lecture to the three brothers. The four people who were present at the right time began to sparkle. What a windfall this is! The Hyang in front of him was someone who had been active since the beginning of Gyeongjang along with King Sejong. It was an unprecedented luck to receive a proper exnation from him. After quenching her throat for a moment, Hyang began to exin. -From the time it first began its campaign and established the grand strategy of Dongjin, Joseon was prepared for conflict with the Ming Dynasty. However, if you look at the before and after of the invasion process carried out by Joo Jin-jin, the time prepared by the Ming Dynasty was not much. -We were prepared for a conflict from the beginning, so we carried out the basic work step by step to properly carry it out. Basic work refers to everything rted to military reform, reinforcement ofmunication means, improvement of weapons, creation of reserve forces, training, mobilization and supply. Because this was prepared step by step from the beginning, not only the officials but also the people became familiar with the situation. Therefore, even though arge number of troops were quickly conscripted like this time, there was no major confusion. -In addition, I constantly looked at my situation, looked for weak points, and thought about the best means to exploit them. After exining many other things, Hyang stopped talking as follows: This result came about because we worked so hard to find the best move. As soon as Hyang finished speaking, Wan immediately asked a question. What would happen if the Ming and our Joseon shed head-on without using the same method as this time? Head-on collision? So, are you talking about a situation where an all-out war is waged in a situation where the Ming is properly prepared and we are also properly prepared? Yes, thats right. Then our Joseon will either have a very difficult victory or it will end in a truce full of wounds. The worst case scenario is defeat. Because it is the military that overpowers us in all aspects except technology. Then the only way for a small country to win against arge country is through a clever trick? Hyangs expression became fierce at Wans question. What do you think is the correct attack method called in the Art of War? Hide your weaknesses as much as possible and do your best to attack the enemys weaknesses. The true strategy is to win before fighting and to win with minimal damage. It is only foolish to insist on an all-out war without considering time and talent. Wan responded to Hyangs point by bowing his head. You son was foolish. Think twice about everything. I will keep this in mind. As soon as Wan finished answering, Du asked Hyang. Then, if we use the method used by Joseon, will a small country always be able to defeat arge country? It will vary depending on the case. If the great power in question acts intoxicated with its own power like the current Ming, it will be useful, but if not, it will be useless. The best example would be the Qing Dynasty during the imperialist era and the United States that was beaten at Pearl Harbor. During the era of imperialism, the Qing, which only believed in its own strength, became delicious prey for European powers. On the other hand, the United States, which suffered a blow at Pearl Harbor, immediately went into an all-out war system and repaid Germany and Japan. Of course, the United States of America was beaten for almost a year, but * * * While Emperor Xiande was reviewing his mistakes in Beijing, the Ming situation continued to worsen. The 100,000 Japanese whonded on the Shandong Penins were wreaking havoc in the central Ming region. To prevent this, the provincialmanders of the local castle mobilized troops to block the Japanese, but defeat was moremon than victory. What made the situation especially worse was that there were many Japanese carrying iron guns among the plundering Japanese. The Japanese, who had be ustomed to iron guns and muskets through the previous civil war, operated their muskets more skillfully than the musketeers of the Ming Dynasty. * * * As the central region of Ming was being turned into chaos by the Japanese, the final hour was alsoing for Zhu Qin of Liaodong. The Joseon armymanded by Choi Yun-deok had finally arrived in front of Liaodong Castle. Chapter 582 Episode 582: Broken Dream (5) The main camp of the Joseon army located about 5 ri (about 2 km) away from Liaodong Province. Choi Yun-deok climbed on the horse and looked at Liaodong Castle in the distance with an expression filled with various emotions. Weve finallye this far Choi Yun-deok, who was mumbling to himself, turned and looked around. His eyes caught the sight of hundreds of thousands of soldiers preparing for battle, monks floating in the sky who kept informing him of the battlefield situation, and cavalry troops running here and there and constantly scouting the surrounding area. Huh! Choi Yun-deok took a deep breath and straightened his body. He is 72 years old this year. It was already two years ago that King Sejong and Hyang personally held an old wedding banquet. In history before the intervention of Hyang, Choi Yun-deok was one of those who should have already died, but whose fate changed when Hyang intervened. Huh! Choi Yun-deok took a deep breath again and straightened his body, overflowing with the momentum he had whenmanding the North in the past. Choi Yun-deok, who straightened his body, turned his head. Where he headed, all the major generals of the Joseon Army, including Lee Jing-ok, were gathered. Is it time to remove the character su ()? Choi Yun-deok, who was muttering softly, raised his voice towards the generals. Notify themander! Its finally a rock! What kind of ce is this fluctuation? It was the former river station of the Three Han Dynasties and is where Balhae, the Northern Dynasty, was located during the Southern and Northern Dynasties! This is Liaodong, a ce that has been dreamed of being restored since the fall of the Northern Dynasty! And now! ats! After pausing for a moment, Choi Yun-deok stretched out his clenched right hand and shouted loudly. We are back! Its finally back! Wow! The generals responded to Choi Yun-deoks deration with shouts. When the shouts of the generals subsided, Choi Yun-deok gave an order. Now, lets nt the Hwangtaegeukgi, the new symbol of Joseon, on the highest point of Liaodong Province! I will definitely plug it in! Then prepare for battle! insect! The generals who paid military respect to Choi Yun-deoks order hurried to the unit they weremanding. The generals who wouldmand the troops on the front line left and Choi Yun-deok returned to the camp at the main camp with his staff. * * * Entering the military camp, Choi Yun-deok opened the box ced on one side. Choi Yun-deok took out a beautifully wrapped silk cloth from the box and unwrapped the cloth. Hang this g on a gpole and raise it high! After receiving the yellow g contained in the wrapping cloth, the young general immediately left the military camp, and Choi Yun-deok followed behind him. After a while, the Taegeukgi with a yellow background rose in the center of the Jwadokgi and various military gs and fluttered in the wind. The yellow background of the g represented the gold color, the symbol of the emperor, and in the center was the Samtaegeuk, which the Korean people have used since ancient times. And the Bagua surrounding Samtaegeuk symbolized heaven and earth and all things. Putting all of this together, Joseon became the country of the emperor and the center of everything in the world. The only thing that was different from Jwadokgi was that the background cloth was yellow, not ck. * * * Both the Hwangtaegeukgi and Jwadokgi were newly created. Both the Yeo g and the left and right g were received from the Ming, so we should take this opportunity to change them! okay. It is certain that there will be a conflict with the Ming in the future, and it would not look good to use the g given by the Ming. It will be aughingstock of the world. King Sejong and the ministers all agreed to Hyangs proposal, and a new g was created ordingly. ordingly, the pattern of Samtaegeuk also changed to a familiar one. The fish g was also made from a red background to a yellow background, and the graffiti on the left g disappeared. This was also due to the strong ims of the fragrance. Why do we have to honor the founder of Jungwon! On the day that the new g and left g were born, King Sejong, who was admiring the new g, looked back. Can you see these gs flying before I go? Hyang answered King Sejongs question firmly. I certainly will! In response to Hyangs answer, Sejong smiled and patted Hyangs shoulder. Dont just trust you. And after a while, I realized the smell. Homework has increased! Ah-oh! * * * As the huge Hwangtaegeukgi was fluttering at the main camp, the Hwangtaegeukgi began to flutter at the main camp of the Joseon army. What g is that? While the soldiers were curious about the newly raised g and started whispering, themanders stepped forward and exined its meaning. Through victory in this battle, Joseon will be an empire! There will no longer be a superior state over us! At themanders deration, the soldiers looked at theirrades and whispered. One of those soldiers, Gapdol, asked a colleague next to him. Bing an empire? What do you mean? What do you mean, from now on, Joseon will be the kingdom of the emperor? huh? So does this mean that Sangammama will be the Son of Heaven? Draw! So youre saying I dont have to pay the damn tribute anymore? The princess is gone too? The soldier next to Gapdol made a bewildered expression on his face. How long has it been since you stopped paying tribute? Are you still asking for tribute? The princess too? Are there still towns that make a fuss about epting tribute? As the soldier said, after the negotiation between Hyang and Emperor Seondeok, the issue of tribute and princesses disappeared. However, Gapdol, who mentioned the tribute, asked back with a bright face. No matter what, you dont have to pay? Draw! As long as you win, you dont have to pay! Then we must win! It was Gapdol whose fighting spirit burned in a strange way. Such reactions were urring throughout the Joseon military camp. For the young soldiers in their teens and twenties, who were the main yers, it was a story of a distant country, but for the soldiers in their thirties and older, who were in the middle, tribute, princess, and sangguk were symbols of pain. I must win if I dont want something like that to happen again! cancer! These were old soldiers who had more fighting spirit than the younger soldiers. * * * Meanwhile, inside Liaodong Castle, themanders of the Liaodong Army were doing their best to maintain the soldiers fighting spirit. The walls of this Liaodong Castle are as strong as those of the Koreans! Trust the walls! Reinforcements will arrive in a little while! As long as we hold on, we will win! Themanders shouted to their soldiers that reinforcements wereing. This was partly to maintain the morale of the soldiers, but it was also self-hypnosis. There are currently 100,000 troops guarding Liaodong Castle. And most of them were Ming soldiers who retreated from the Battle of Sinuiju and Ming soldiers who rushed from nearby Wiso. And the rest were Jurchen people who had already be Hanhwa. * * * In the process of retreating, most of the Jurchen soldiers and a significant number of Korean soldiers deserted. Because of this, the morale of the soldiers who returned to Liaodong Province was at rock bottom. Joo Ji-jin, who saw this, looked helpless. Defeat? Defeat? Where is Jo Byeong-deok? The general has died. Joo Ji-jin slumped down in his chair at the answer of the most senior general among the generals who managed to return. A warrior? yes. Huh Wang Chong, seeing Ju Ji-jinpletely entranced, stepped forward. Please report it to Beijing. To Beijing? yes. Didnt you say that if you dont have lips, your teeth will be cold? Without fluctuations, even Beijing would be dangerous. Please ask for help. . Joo Ji-jin did not answer right away but was lost in thought. It was the generals who became impatient. majesty. The Korean army ising here now. I dont have time. The number of soldiers and their morale are not good. We need reinforcements. In the end, unable to withstand the pressure from the generals, Ju Ji-jin wrote a letter requesting help and sent it to Beijing. * * * That night, Ju Ji-jin, who had called Wang Chong aside, asked quietly. Is this even what Your Majesty had in mind? yes? How dare you! You are specting! Wang Chong strongly denied it, but Ju Ji-jin shook his head. no. When I think back, I think Ah-gwi was right. A while ago, His Majesty asked me who my main enemy was. At that time, when I answered that I was from Bukwon, he said no. He probably thought about conquering Joseon from then on. But there was no justification. Thats why he sent me here. This may be the same reason why he offered the bait, If you acquire Joseon, I will allow you to be called emperor. You would have been sure that I would move, and I did. Your Majesty is Your Majestys legitimate son. How can you use me as bait? Dont you know Your Majestys disposition? Wang Chong kept his mouth shut in response to Ju Ji-jins question. Joo Ji-jin filled and emptied the ss on one side and continued speaking. The most important thing to your Majesty is the country. If he failed to do his job of making the country strong, he would mercilessly abandon even the most loyal of his servants. Hes like that. Would it be any different if he were his own child? But please think of the military funds and craftsmen you sent! Your Majesty, sincerely Ju Ji-jin cut Wang Chong off with a sarcastic expression. He must have sincerely wanted to attack Joseon. If I had used those funds toze around in Liaodong, he would have definitely put pressure in a different direction to attack Joseon. Your Majesty is worthy of that. Your Majesty Wang Chong, who had an earnest expression on his face, tried to continue speaking, but Zhu Zhujin stood up and turned around. It may have been worse than your Majesty expected, but it must have turned out as you wanted. As soon as my general arrives, he will move the soldiers. Then there is only one thing for me to do. To guard this ce until theye. Your Majesty doesnt have to worry about that part. Even though it is Your Majestys stone to throw away, my pride does not allow me to end it with a death stone. Stop leaving. Wang Chong bowed politely to Joo Ji-jins order to congratte the guests and left the room. Joo Ji-jin, who was left alone in the room, looked at the moon in the night sky and muttered. Was it a daydream? And on the day that the advanced Joseon army appeared in front of Liaodong Province, a reply came from Beijing. -I will send 800,000. Defend Liaodong Castle until the troops arrive. * * * With the appearance of the Hwangtaegeukgi, preparations werepleted for the full-scale battle to begin. Winning or losing the battle is in our hands! We are the true main force! Themandersmanding the artillery units of the Joseon army shouted to their subordinates with faces full of pride. At themanders shout, the artillerymen nodded with faces full of pride. Themander raised his baton and pointed to the red walls of Liaodong Province. Its a battle of pride over whether that red brick wall is stronger or our cannonballs are stronger! Are you confident? I am confident! Then prepare to fire! ancient! After some time, gs were fluttering at each of the Joseon Armys artillery positions, indicating that preparations wereplete. Themanders of the battery looked at the dried needles and watched the monk floating in the sky. The batterymanders finally saw the signal shing in the beam and shouted to the g bearer. Let go! Chapter 583 Episode 583: Broken Dream (6) Kwakwakwang! As artillery guns were fired at once from batteries located in the Joseon armys position in the southwest of Liaodong Province, numerous clouds of smoke began to form on the southern walls of Liaodong Province. After the first bombardment was over, the Joseon soldiers who were checking the results of the bombardment all let out exmations of exmation. How about it? Yousted? Hey! You can handle it because youre so big? Exmations like this came out from everywhere, but they were not exmations but closer to sarcasm. The southern wall of Liaodong Province, which had been subjected to intensive bombardment by the Joseon army, had copsed by at least one-third or at most half. The problem was that the walls were not strong enough to withstand the heavy artillery fire from the Joseon army with only that much damage. It was able to endure because the walls of Liaodong Castle were so high and thick. The walls of Liaodong Fortress were high and thick, with a height of 10 jang (approximately 30 m) and the width of the castle road reaching about 1 jang (approximately 3 m). Thisrge and thick fortress wall boasted its size since the old Goguryeo period because it was built on tnd, and was further strengthened with bricks when the Ming Dynasty came into power. With these high and thick walls, a waterway connected to the Taizi River flowing to the northeast of the castle, and the moat surrounding the castle filled with water, Liaodong Castle became an impregnable fortress. However, the Joseon military was not very worried. The first reason was the direction of the Joseon armys attack. The Joseon army was attacking from the southeast of the castle. Liaodong Fortress, which was divided into an outer castle and an inner castle, had a structural feature: half of the southeastern and southwestern walls of the outer castle ovepped with the walls of the inner castle. This was because from ancient times, the attack routes of enemies attacking Liaodong Province were north and west. Therefore, the attack direction chosen by the Joseon army was able to attack Naeseong directly. This was a turning blow that really hit Liaodong Province in the back of the head. The second and biggest reason was the presence of artillery. The high and thick walls of Liaodong Castle boasted strong defensive power against those armed only with existing cold weapons. Of course, there were catapults that could throw heavy stones, but it was difficult to bring down the brick-reinforced walls with just catapults. However, the walls were useless in front of artillery. Even the brick-reinforced castle walls were easily exposed in front of artillery guns that fired heavy iron bullets at high speeds from a greater distance than a catapult. Hmm something is a bit disappointing. Tsk. Choi Yun-deok, who was checking the results through a telescope, quenched his appetite and expressed regret. If it had been the scorching bullets used by the naval forces, it would have been able to destroy them more hotly * * * Until now, the main artillery of the Joseonnd navy was the full-length artillery. Because of this, it was not possible to use ignition bullets using contact fuses like the naval forces. The reason why breech-loading artillery was deployedte in the Army was that artillery with adequate power and mobility had not yet been developed, and the production of Bigyeokjincheonroe had be toorge. Bigyeokjincheonroe was the best weapon against the cavalry and infantry of the Jurchen tribe that flocked in the fields of Liaodong or during sieges. Satisfied with this performance, themand of the Land Forces produced and possessedrge quantities of Bigyeokjincheonroe. Thanks to this, the only breech-loading artillery used by the ground forces was still shot cannon. * * * Its unfortunate, but well have to think about that issue after this war is over. Otherwise, Captain Uichon (the pen name of Kim Jeom) will try to eat me first. Every time a messenger came from Hanseong, Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy sent a separately written letter along with the order. And the content of the letter was simple. Its good to win, but save what you can! And make sure to take what you can! How did they be so close Choi Yun-deok, who had been murmuring his feelings about Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy, immediately straightened his expression and gave an order. Continue shelling! Keep shelling until those walls are gone! yes! Shortly after Choi Yun-deoks order was delivered, the Joseon Army battery continued firing again. * * * The Joseon armys bombardment continued for almost three days. There was a break in between to cool the overheated gun barrel, but once the gun barrel cooled down properly, the bombardment continued. It was not only the castle walls that copsed due to the persistent bombardment of the Joseon army. The spirit of the Liaodong soldiers who went on defense also copsed. Namu Amitabha Buddha Namu Amitabha. Hee! Hi-Hi! Hehehe! There were many people crouching down and just chanting, and those who had lost their minds kept popping out. Come to your senses! Come to your senses! This guy is out of his mind! Get it away! Themanders and senior soldiers who were still conscious encouraged such soldiers, disarmed the soldiers who hadpletely lost their senses, and then took them back. No matter how Joseon bastards are, they cant easily cross that moat! Trust the moat! Moat! Once the Joseon bastardse in, the damn artillery attack will end! Wake! Winning or losing has not been determined yet! At the shouts of themanders and senior soldiers, the Liaodong Army soldiers once again grabbed their weapons, including iron guns. The shelling has stopped! The shelling has stopped! The Joseon bastards wille! The walls fell, but they didnt fall! Those piles are really good shields! Before we knew it, the Joseon armys artillery fire had stopped. The soldiers who survived the bombardment, especially the riflemen, hid themselves in the remains of the copsed castle wall and aimed forward. Huh! Phew~. The gunmen carefully controlled their breathing and aimed their guns toward the front. And up in the sky, the Joseon soldiers on board saw this and sent a signal to the rear. * * * Youre still holding on, right? Hmm. Choi Yun-deok, who was stroking his beard, soon gave an order. If you hold on like that, well be in trouble. Lets release the lightning bolt. ancient! After a while, a luminous signal was sent from the bhikkhu in the sky toward the batteries. The batterymanders, who confirmed the signal, immediately nodded. yes! Bigyeokjincheonroe must continue! If you think about all the hard work it took to get here, you should put it to use! Guys! yeah! ording to the orders of the batterymanders, the toy batteries operating the Bigyeokjincheonroe began to move. I was wondering what if our turn didnte! The artillerymen of the toy battery excitedly assembled Bigyeokjincheonroe and measured gunpowder into the toys. Let go! Bangpo! Puff poop! As soon as themanders orders were given, big thunderbolts flew through the sky with a low, dull explosion. * * * Bigyeokjincheois attack left deep scars on the Liaodong army. Quack! Ahh! Tsk! Not only was it a problem that casualties urred from the debris that rained down every time the Bigyeokjincheonroe exploded, but additional debris created when the explosion and fragments of the Bigyeokjincheonroe met the remains of the castle wall was also a problem. Eventually,manders began to lose their senses due to the Joseon armys persistent bombardment. hey! You cowards! One of themanders, whose head was bleeding probably due to an injury, took off his helmet and jacket and climbed onto the remains of the castle wall, screaming loudly. You cowards! Dont just cowardly fire your guns, but attack with confidence! If you are a man, lets fight with swords proudly! Lets fight! Quack! In an instant, a thunderbolt exploded right in front of him, and themander who had been shouting man against man disappeared without a trace. * * * Hmm Youve be much calmer now. Choi Yun-deok, who was examining the walls of Liaodong Castle with a telescope while watching the signaling from the bhikkhu, nodded slightly and gave an order. Tell the engineers to build the bridge. ancient! After a while, huge excavators began moving forward from one side of the Joseon military camp. Cheek! Chick! Grumble! What! that! monster! Its a monster! When a huge excavator appeared, spewing ck smoke into the sky and snorting white steam from the side, the Liaodong Army soldiers crouching in the ruins of the castle wall were frightened. Every season! Its an iron horse! Its the Joseon militarys season! Dont be scared! Its the Joseon militarys season! Its not a monster! When some experienced Liaodong Army soldiers looked at the excavator and shouted, Iron Horse, other soldiers who had been in a state of panic immediately came to their senses. However, the soldiers who came to their senses soon became lost in doubt. Why is the iron horse here? However, that question was soon resolved when I saw the legs dangling from the crane attached to the excavator. Shoot! Shoot! That bridge must not be built! As soon as the bridge is built, the Joseon army will rush in! We have to stop it! Shoot! Shoo! bang! Ta-ta-tang! After confirming the situation, the soldiers began pulling the trigger on the approaching giant excavators. However, their shots were blocked by the iron te surrounding the excavator and bounced off in vain. At that moment, fire was emitted from the turrets on the left and right sides of the excavators huge upper body. Ta-ta-ta-tang! * * * As iron horses using steam engines were created, tow trucks and excavators using them were soon created. Naturally, King Sejong and the military, who understood the capabilities of tow trucks and excavators, decided to use them for military purposes. The problem is that due to the characteristics of the steam engine, it takes a lot to produce proper output After thinking for a while, Hyang immediately came to a conclusion. This is a contrarian! Lets just make it bigger! I like steampunk! The military multi-purpose excavator created in this way boasted an enormous size. It wasnt just that he was big. With a separate steam engine running on the body and upper body of the excavator, several people were on board, including the soldiers who would operate it, the soldier who would drive the body, the soldier who would control the equipment attached to the top, and the soldier who would be in charge of rotating the top left and right. It was assumed to be used in the middle of a battle, so it was covered with thick armor tes and was equipped with two turrets equipped with fire trucks for self-defense. After seeing the result, Sejong looked back. It looks like the governors tile-roofed house is moving around. Shall we abolish it? Lets just use it. thank you! * * * The excavator arrived at the moat, enduring the gunfire from the Liaodong army, and began to lower the pontoon bridge it had been carrying. The Liaodong troops who rushed in to stop this had already been subdued by the Eulsik wagon attached to the excavator. as it is! slowly! slowly! ording to themand of themander stationed in the upper body, the pontoon bridge was slowly lowered, and the engineers holding the rope hanging from the pontoon adjusted the position by pulling the rope here and there. Coo! Finally, with a dull sound, a pontoon bridge was built over the moat. An engineer quickly ran onto the pontoon bridge and loosened the fixture connecting the pontoon bridge to the excavator. The engineer, who worked desperately to loosen the fixture, ran back with all his might and hid behind the excavator. Good work! Good job! The soldier who heard Daejeong, themander of the unit he belonged to, and his colleagues thanked him for their hard work, cursed under his breath. Shit! After losing the damn lot! Never draw lots again! Grumble! Im backing off! Im backing off! Open the road! The excavators who safelyid the pontoon bridge retreated, and soon the Joseon Army riflemen began to cross the pontoon bridge. bang! Tatang! As the Joseon army entered the interior of Liaodong Province in earnest, full-scale street fighting began. Chapter 584 Episode 584: Broken Dream (7) Bang! Tatang! The Joseon army broke through the copsed walls of Naeseong and took control of the inner city with fierce momentum. Must move in units of five! The five leaders take proper care of the kids! Dont shoot five people at once! Themanders inmand of the battalion and g, which were the units immediately above Oh, shouted loudly and moved their subordinates. Listening to the orders of theirmanders, the Joseon soldiers moved in units of five, moving through the city and securing buildings. Throw! Throw! bang! The most useful thing the Joseon army used during fierce street fighting was throwing bombs. Throwing bullets, which had distinguished themselves in the process of suppressing the Pan-riot that took ce in the year of Gyeyu, continued to pay their dividends in the defensive battle against the Jurchen tribe. In addition, thrown bombs were a great fit for the Joseon people, who enjoyed stone warfare. C Regardless of ss, if there is money at home, people enjoy archery, and if there is no money, they enjoy stone fighting. For the Joseon people who left thesements, long guns and throwing bullets were the optimalbat weapons. The bestbat weapon was artillery. Because these Koreans were like these, the soldiers of the Liaodong Army who were defending were in danger of death. Damn Jin Tian-lei! The Ming Dynasty also had a weapon called Jincheonroe, which was like a throwing bomb. That was what Jincheonroe in Bigyeok Jincheonroe meant. It was a weapon in which gunpowder and caltrops were ced in a round container made of ceramics or metal, ignited on a wick, and then thrown. However, the Jincheonroe used by the Liaodong Army were very inconvenient to usepared to the throwing bombs used by the Joseon Army. It was veryrge and heavypared to a thrown bomb. Thanks to this, the throwing distance was much shorter than that of a thrown bullet. But the biggest disadvantage was that the wick had to be lit right before throwing. Even in the midst of a battle, one had to carry around a fire can or a ming matchstick in ones hand. In a situation where gunpowder bags and barrels for an iron gun were being carried around, carrying a spark in ones hand was a life-threatening gamble. On the other hand, Joseons throwing grenade, which introduced the concept of a stick grenade, waspleted by removing the cap at the end of the handle, hitting the exposed detonator on a hard surface, and throwing it. * * * The Liaodong Army was overwhelmingly outgunned in terms of the firepower of each individual soldier, but they tenaciously resisted. Dont back down! This is where His Majesty the East King is! Protect Your Majesty! Although most of the soldiers were routed on the Yalu River front, they were still elites that Emperor Seondeok put great effort into raising. Additionally, the eliteness of the soldiers guarding Joo Jin-jin and his family was exceptional. And the rumor that reinforcements would soon arrive caused everyone except the guards to put up desperate resistance. If you run away from here again, you will be executed! It is better to die fighting than to be executed for viting military discipline or to be a ve! For them, the reprimand that would follow when reinforcements arrived was more fearful than dying now. puck! Wook! During such an intense battle, a Korean soldier who was shot in the chest fell backwards. youngest one! A fellow soldier next to him urgently ran to the fallen soldier and checked his condition. Ugh As the fallen soldier got up with a groan, a fellow soldier who was urgently checking his condition grinned and opened his mouth. Eomsim-gap (ļ) saved our youngest child? No matter how you hit it, did you get it right? The soldier who copsed at the words of his colleague lowered his head and examined his chest. The hollow part of Eomsimgap was exactly where the heart was located. Ugh The soldier, who confirmed the point of impact, rolled his eyes and lost consciousness. hey! youngest one! hey! You bastard! This bastard fainted! * * * Another advantage of the Joseon army fighting against the Liaodong army was the presence of efficient defensive equipment and medical soldiers. As a result of the chain reaction brought about by Hyangs intervention, not only the Joseon Dynasty but also the Ming Dynasty had firearms with excellent performance. With the power of firearms to instantly render any armor full of holes, themanders of the Ming and Joseon Dynasty began to seriously consider the significance of the existence of armor. What made them worry was that in most neighboring countries, cold weapons such as arrows and spears and swords were still the main weapons of ordinary soldiers. Most countries used gunpowder almost exclusively for artillery. If they have an idea, it is certain that they will introduce firearms In that case, getting rid of armor is a natural step. The problem is that it cant be eliminated right away. But if you keep wearing it, its useless in front of guns, and if you want to block bullets, its too heavy to wear Themanders of the Ming and Joseon Dynasties had to stop at the challenge of creating armor that had both defensive power and mobility. But here, a cheat called scent appeared. The fragrance introduced the concept of te carriers, which were popr in the 21st century. Two steel tes of appropriate size and thickness protected the chest and back C the heart and spine to be exact C and the weight was distributed with shoulder straps and a waist belt made of thick, tough leather. In particr, shoulder straps made of thick, tough, and wide leather yed the role of protecting the shoulder area from arrow attacks. However, the difference from the 21st century te carrier was that a part to protect the neck was added to the iron te blocking the front. This was because there were still more cases of dealing with enemies swinging swords, so there was a need to protect the neck from the swords wielded by the enemy. Therefore, Hyang, who had finishedposing all the designs, muttered while looking at thepleteness. What? What about this horrible hybrid? The Joseon military wore rims studded with iron pieces on the left, right, and back of the press-printed cheomju (helmet with a visor surrounding the helmet), and over their 19th-century-style military uniforms, they wore a 21st-century-style te carrier. Although Hyang was disappointed, saying it was a horrible hybrid, the Joseon military received great praise after seeing the finished product and decided to supply it to the entire army. And in this process, unexpected victims emerged. As the Joseon Dynastys economy improved, the number of people withrge bodies increased, and the practice of fitting the body with clothes existed even during this period. Thanks to this, soldiers appeared in the front yard of the military camp in the morning and evening, running around carrying military uniforms. Chapter 585 Episode 585 Although the Joseon army was equipped with the maximum possible protective equipment, not everyone could be safe in a situation where fierce gunfights were taking ce and thunderbolts and throwing bombs were exploding from all directions. Ahh! Medic! There were screams from soldiers falling from the Liaodong Armys attacks from all directions, and shouts for medics came out. Every time that happened, medics carrying first aid packages and bags full of alcohol rushed out carrying stretchers. The medics who arrived ced the injured Joseon soldiers on stretchers and ran back. Right in front of the moat in Liaodong Province was a field hospital hastily installed by the Joseon army. There is an injured person! Over there! At the field hospital, dozens of military doctors and over a hundred medics were busy treating the influx of wounded soldiers. It was a moment when the military doctors produced through Hyangs insistence and King Sejongs decision from the middle of the scene shone. Military doctors who had gained experience treating wounded soldiers and ordinary peoples injuries that urred in minor skirmishes in the border area skillfully treated the wounded soldiers. * * * Joo Jin-jins residence located in the center of the inner castle. Bang~ Tatang~ Kwaang~ The gunshots are getting closer. Joo Ji-jin, who had a table set up with drinks and snacks in front of him, emptied his ss with a sad smile. Seeing Ju Ji-jin like that, Wang Chong urged him in an urgent voice. majesty! The situation is critical! You must evacuate immediately! At Wang Chongs urging, Joo Ji-jin smiled and asked. Escape? Where? You must leave the castle! Is there a way out of the castle? Its not a situation of four sides, but a situation of four sides. Amnesty? What a fitting word for this situation! ha ha ha! majesty! Seeing Joo Ji-jins desperation, Wang Chung raised his voice, but Joo Ji-jin answered by lifting the sword that had been standing next to him onto his knee. I didnt even act as a bait for Your Majesty, so if I run away, will I be safe? I think it would be more helpful for me to end here. majesty! Please take care of my family. majesty! Please. Wang Chong, who learned that Ju Ji-jins decision was firm, quietly said goodbye and retreated. After a while, Joo Gi-jins wife, Lady Jeong, and other concubines came in. I heard the story. Have you made up your mind? Joo Ji-jin nodded to Mr. Jeongs question. exactly. The situation is urgent, so please leave quickly. After hearing Joo Jin-jins words, Lady Jeong looked back at her concubines. You guys quickly follow the kings eunuch and take refuge. mama! The concubines shouted in surprise at Ms. Jeongs words, but Ms. Jeong continued speaking with a smile. Since the monarch has decided, shouldnt I, the governor, follow suit? But you dont have to do that either. Especially you. Mr. Jeong pointed to a concubine holding a young baby in her arms. That child is your only bloodline. Thats why you must take refuge. Mama Concubine Joo, holding the baby in her arms, was in tears and her words were slurred. Go quickly! If yourete, your route will be blocked! Hello! Take me out quickly! At Lady Jeongs order, the servants came in and took the concubines out. Lady Jeong, who had sent away her concubines, sat across from Joo Jin-jin. Please give me a drink. Couldnt you have left with the others? My wish is to always be with you. In response to Mr. Jeongs answer, Joo Ji-jin filled a ss with alcohol and held it out. Mr. Jeong took the ss and carefully emptied it and then filled Joo Jin-jins ss. Have a drink. Thank you. * * * Soon the final moment arrived. bang! Tatang! bang! Wow! Capture the King of Dong alive! When the shouts of the Joseon soldiers were heard along with loud drinking, Mr. Jeong took out a small pottery and filled his ss. Can my wife go first? You go first. Joo Ji-jin gave permission in a voice full of moisture. After Joo Jin-jin gave permission, Mr. Jeong emptied his ss. After a while, Mr. Jeongs body copsed with his eyes closed. Goodbye Ill be leaving soon too. Joo Ji-jin said goodbye to the fallen Jeong and pulled out the long sword that was resting on his knee. Joo Ji-jin looked at the long sword in his hand for a moment and put the de to his neck. Sigh! With a short burst of courage, Joo Ji-jin slit his own throat. After a while, themanders of the Joseon army who entered the inner room looked devastated when they saw the two bodies. this! Damn it! Themanders looked frustrated and issued orders urgently. Put up security and prevent anyone from approaching! ancient! Contact headquarters! * * * After receiving the report through a messenger, Choi Yun-deok whetted his appetite. Oh my I lost my best card. Tsk. After lightly tasting his food, Choi Yun-deok immediately gave an order. If you lost the best tile, you have to get an equivalent tile! Give orders to the soldiers to capture all of Dong Wangs family members alive! ancient! Chapter 586 Episode 586 Hwangryongrak (S) (1) Five dayster, reinforcements from the Joseon army arrived in Liaodong Province. At the headquarters located in Naeseong, Choi Yun-deok happily weed themander who led the reinforcements. Thank you for your hard working here. no. The captain, who is over 70 years old andmands the battlefield, is truly doing a great job. Thank you very much for saying that. The two people started talking amicably and soon moved on to the main topic. Here is the organization of the troops I led. Lets see After receiving the document, Choi Yun-deok frowned when he first looked at the item about troop distribution. There are 150,000 additional troops, but you are saying that only 50,000 troops will be supported by me? First of all, yes. As you can see from the table, the number of troops to bemanded by themander is only 30,000. The rest are all troops under the Supply Command. Ugh Choi Yun-deok couldnt help but let out a groan after hearing the answer. It is said in the art of war that supply determines victory or defeat * * * As Choi Yun-deok said, the importance of supply in war has been emphasized over and over again since ancient times. Even Choi Yun-deok himself went so far as to say this when educating young generals. Even if the supply is good, it does not guarantee victory by 10%. However, if it is not properly supplied, defeat is 100% guaranteed. And as the Joseon army properly used gunpowder weapons, the importance of supply was further emphasized. In the past, it was possible to fight armed with spear knives made in a temporary cksmith shop set up on the battlefield, but guns and cannon gunpowder were impossible to use. Therefore, the Joseon army had to rebuild everything from scratch to ensure proper supply. A separate Supply Command was created under the Chief of Staff, and all work rted to supply was carried out here. This became the best ce for military officers with their own abilities and ambitions. Because it was a new department, rapid promotion was possiblepared to other branches if done properly. As ambitious people flocked in, the Supply Command quickly took shape. Of course, the scent was not lost and I put a spoon on it. And the supply headquarters created in this way paid off handsomely in this war. The Supply Command secured as much as possible therge horses brought in from the West and bred inrge quantities, and also secured arge number of locally made tow trucks, which they put to good use. Supply bases were created in each important area from the Yalu River to Liaodong, and tow trucks transported supplies to and from those bases. And between the final supply base and the troops on the front line,rge carriages pulled by horses transported supplies. This was the part where the scent was spooned on. The depot system is not optimal. Although it was very primitive, the application of the 21st century logistics system allowed the Joseon military to worry less about supply. However, for smooth supply, the supplies consumed by the supply ships themselves also increased significantly. Immediately, the consumption of beans and misceneous grains to feed the war horses of the Ministry of Transportation increased significantly, and the consumption of coal to be used by tow trucks also increased dramatically. Thanks to this, the Joseon army had to proceed with its attack on Liaodong Province while also upying nearby Fushun. At first, it was nned to silence the Ministry of Finance and Economy, but the open-pit coal mine in Fushun became a necessity for the military as well. This was because by securing coal from Fushun, the fuel supply problem for tow trucks could be solved. And the Hanseong General Staff Headquarters and Supply Command reorganized rted standards based on the amount of consumption from the battlefield. And after reporting this, the scent received a positive response. n and reality are always different. So field testing is necessary. In any case, since actual measurement data has been received through this war, upgrades will continue. * * * Choi Yun-deok, who frowned at the fact that the troops added to him were smaller than expected, soon rxed his expression. Its a little disappointing, but if its properly distributed, Ill get over it. If supplied properly, our soldiers are capable of earning 100 per day. Choi Yun-deok, who consoled himself like that, but still felt regretful, quenched his appetite. Tsk! I guess Ill have to look forward to the next one. Choi Yun-deok gave up his regret and moved on. I was thinking about supplying supplies, so I asked, did you bring enough water purification bottles? yes. We have brought in 100 machines and will soon add 100 more. After hearing the answer, Choi Yun-deok nodded with a bright face. What a relief! It was harder to find clean water than it was to find good alcohol! As the Joseon army crossed over to Liaodong, the biggest problem was securing drinking water. Unlike Joseon, in Liaodong, muddy water was moremon than clear water. Of course, there were rivers and wells suitable for drinking water, but it was not enough for hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses. Of course, the Joseon army, which knew about this through the Joseon army cavalry that had been roaming around the Liaodong border, had prepared a water purification frame. The water purification frame created by Hyang to prevent the outbreak of water-borne infectious diseases in the early days of Gyeongjang shone once again in this war. Unless the water ispletely rotten, the water purification machine turns turbid water into clear water. In front-line units, under the supervision of a military doctor, the water that passed through the purification tank was boiled, cooled, and then supplied to the soldiers. As a result of these efforts, the Joseon army was able to reduce losses due to disease as much as possible. * * * Afterpleting the handover two dayster, Choi Yun-deok led the sufficiently rested soldiers and departed for Daereung River. Please move to the rear. Dont worry. I wish you good luck. Thank you. After lightly expressing his gratitude, Choi Yun-deok got on his horse. Soon after, a long line of Joseon troops left Liaodong Province and began moving west. All the Jurchen people who were watching their procession nearby let out exmations of exmation. What a sight! Thats right! However, the Jurchen people, who had some military knowledge, fell into fear. Most of the soldiers have guns and there are tons of artillery pieces! Even the great Ming army had more spearmen than musketeers! How is that possible? * * * In the process of materializing the grand strategy eastward and while preparing for this war, King Sejong and Hyang clearly established an all-out war system. Rather than justunching an all-out war with words, we must firmly establish a mass production system! The scent was immediately reported to King Sejong. To not only prepare for war but also to enrich the lives of the people, the first thing we need is to set standards! Should we set standards? yes! We must first unify weights and measures! In this way, a system of length units was established based on Yeongjocheok (I), and standards for other weights and measures were also established. As the war progressed andrge-scale steel mills were built, starting with Anju, the township set standards for the grade and quality of iron produced. Through that process, grades for cast iron and wrought iron were created and quality standards were established. And through strict management and supervision, maintaining it became a habit. Thanks to this, regardless of which steel mill in Joseon it was made in, the quality could be maintained almost the same as long as the grade was the same. Of course, during this process, the craftsmen of Area 51 suffered to death. And the preparations that had been going on for a long time yielded results through this war. The most representative example was the long guns carried by soldiers. Only the barrel parts that required rifling were produced inrge quantities at the armory in Area 51, while other parts were produced in cksmith shops and carpentry shops throughout Joseon. If it met pre-determined dimensions and quality standards, it could be purchased immediately, and all the armory had to do was assemble these parts into the barrel they made and create a finished product. Of course, theory and practice were different, so there was a high defect rate and low productivity in the beginning. However, craftsmen who saw the characteristics of the Joseon people, known for their excellent manual skills, and the taste of moneying in through military service, quickly lowered the defect rate and increased productivity. This was the same for other weapons such as Eomsim-gap and helmet. As in Hyangs assessment, some parts of it reached the level of the early industrial revolution and were created by Joseons industrial capabilities that reached a level beyond that, making neighboring countries evaluate it as a wonder. * * * The Joseon army departed from Liaodong Province and advanced westward as fast as possible. We must arrive at Dalinghe as quickly as possible and prepare! The Joseon soldiers were in a hurry to arrive as quickly as possible, but this was not an easy task. Since ancient times, the Liaoxi region has had many swamps and wends, so much so that it was called Liaozhe (|). Therefore, I had to choose the dryestnd possible to move, and of course my movement speed decreased. We are not the only ones facing these adverse conditions, but Choi Yun-deok was thinking as positively as possible, thinking that the Ming armying from the west would also be in a simr situation, but he still could not hide his worries. Tell the cavalry to scout as far as possible! ancient! And even if its difficult, lets make more monks fly! ancient! After all these fierce battles, the Joseon army arrived at Daling River two days before the Ming army was expected to arrive there. Good work. You had a hard time responding to my urging. Oh no. No, I will definitely inform you of the efforts of themanders and soldiers. Choi Yun-deok, who waved the carrot, then swung the whip. It will be difficult, but we have to get to work right away. ording to the documents they left behind and our calctions, it looks like we will meet face to face in two days, but contrary to expectations, the Ming army maye as soon as tomorrow. Dont forget that the trench lines and wire mesh walls must bepleted as quickly as possible to reduce the sacrifice of soldiers. yes! And dont forget that the cavalry and monks must not neglect scouting. yes! ording to the orders given by Choi Yun-deok, the Joseon army began to set up a defensive line. However, even after the expected two days, the Ming army was not seen. Thanks to this, the Joseon cavalry was able to carry out reconnaissance even further. And it was not until a week after the scheduled arrival of the Ming army that the Joseon army cavalry was able to discover the vanguard of the Ming army. The Joseon armys cavalry, hiding in the hills along the Ming armys advance route, carefully observed the Ming army. The cavalrymander, who was observing the Ming army procession through a telescope, tilted his head. Why are you guys like that? From the soldiers walking at the front, to the soldiers holding their military banners, and even to the generals on horses, it was obvious at a nce that they looked very tired. The cavalrymander, who was once again examining the Ming army through a telescope, shook his head and muttered. Are those soldiers or sick people? The cavalrymander, who was shaking his head at the messed up situation of the Ming army, soonughed bitterly. If everything else was like that, this battle would be very easy. Chapter 587 Episode 587 Hwangnyongrak (S) (2) The report on the Ming armys situation was immediately delivered to Choi Yun-deok. After gathering keymanders and staff, questions were immediately asked. What do you think? In response to Choi Yun-deoks question, one of themanders who was in thest seat opened his mouth. I believe he may have been exhausted in the process of rushing back after hearing the news from the soldiers who had been routed in Liaodong Province. After hearing those words, Choi Yun-deok nodded slightly. It seems to make sense, but there is a problem. When calcted backwards based on documents obtained from Liaodong Province, they are a whopping two years toote. Anyone who has mastered the art of war should already know how much an army can move in a day. Isnt that right? Themanders nodded at Choi Yun-deoks point. * * * Even in military records handed down from ancient times, it was said that the first step in establishing a military strategy was to figure out how far the army could travel per day. Knowing this, it was possible to upy terrain that was advantageous to the allies and calcte the scale of logistics needed for war. The Joseon military also prepared materials in advance and established a logistics n ordingly to go to war. Of course, unexpected variables arose along the way, so it was difficult. * * * Then why. Hmm. Themanders who sympathized with Choi Yun-deoks point continued to ponder over and over again to find an appropriate basis. At that moment, an acrid smell came in through the open curtain of the military tent. The smell of Jechunghyang (x) is strong today as well. It seems a lot worse. Shall we take down the badge? No Choi Yun-deok and themanders who were talking about the acrid smelling from outside stopped at the same time. ah! Lee Jing-ok, who let out a brief exmation, immediately opened his mouth. I think its because of a disease. Choi Yun-deok nodded loudly at Lee Jing-oks words. I think so too. From ancient times, in order to advance from China to Liaodong, one had to pass through the corridor of the Liaoxi region. It was an area whererge and small mountains blocked the road to the north and Bohai Bay to the south. Another characteristic of this Liaoxi region was the enormous amount of wends and swamps. There were so many wends and swamps that the Liaoxi region was called Liaoze (|) among its separate names. Because of this, the Joseon army also had to suffer while marching to Daling River. This was because the cavalry and scouts had to be deployed on arge scale to find arge drynd where therge army could easily move and sleep. In addition to these geopolitical issues, timing was also an issue. It was now June. An enormous number of mosquitoes arose and swarmed in the wends and swamps scattered everywhere. In order to protect soldiers as much as possible from these mosquitoes and flying insects, the Joseon army had to burnrge quantities of insecticide incense. As a bonus, this Jechunghyang was also an item that had been touched by the breath of incense. Jechunghyang, made from waste paper and mugwort powder collected from pces, government offices, and other ces, was useful in repelling mosquitoes and flying insects. Of course, there was already a method of rolling dried mugwort leaves and burning them, but the Jechunghyang made by Hyang was popr because it was easier to store and use. * * * The Joseon army most likely cited disease caused by pests as the cause of the Ming armyste arrival. In fact, it was disease that gued the Ming army, and the cause was not just pests. Drinking water problems were another cause. Wends and swamps could not serve as a source of drinking water for soldiers. It was impossible to provide sufficient supplies for 800,000 troops from nearby rivers or wells in viges. Therefore, most soldiers roughly filtered the muddy water collected from nearby areas and used it as drinking water. And this method was also familiar to soldiers. Since ancient times, the Central ins has been famous for its poor water quality, which is why tea developed. In order to drink tea, water had to be boiled, and in this process it was naturally sterilized. And cheap tea was somon that street vendors selling tea with sugar were prevalent, so even ordinary soldiers carried their own tea powder and sugar. The problem was that they were an army of 800,000. In order to drink tea, water had to be boiled and, of course,rge quantities of additional firewood were needed. And I also needed some time. The ordinary soldiers, who found this annoying, got away with it by just drinking the roughly filtered water. Another problem was that of excretion. The amount of feces produced by arge army of 800,000 was also enormous. Of course, a pit was dug in each camp to provide a toilet. However, demand always exceeded supply, and soldiers in a hurry would usually go to a quiet ce outside the camp to do their business. As the situation progressed, the water near the camp became polluted. The number of 800,000 was an impossible number to move at once. The soldiers, divided into groups and units, departed one after another, moved around, and stayed in the camp. As this process was repeated, the areas around the campsites built along the route became a mess of soldiers excrement. Those who were the first to go to the vanguard were better off, but as they went to the rear, they had to find food and lodging in camps that became more and more disorganized. Thanks to this, arge number of sick people began to appear in units belonging to the rear army. As the rear army became a mess, the movement speed of the vanguard unit slowed down, and the soldiers of the vanguard unit also became a mess due to the increasingly hot weather and insect attacks. On the other hand, the Joseon army was fully prepared to avoid this situation. We prepared arge amount of water purification molds and even brought lime powder to use in the bathroom. This was because the lime powder that absorbed moisture hardened and generated high heat, which had a somewhat useful sterilizing effect. Soldiers who went about their business in the bathroom were trained to scoop up lime dust from a nearby bucket and throw it away with a small shovel. No, that wasnt enough, so each soldier was given four small packages of lime powder for one-time use. It was intended to be used in cases where the toilet was not avable and the person had to defecate outside. Of course, this was also Hyangs work. Incense was so sensitive to this issue that one of the first things it made was a flush toilet. * * * Choi Yun-deok, who guessed the general situation, stroked his beard and muttered. Does this make you want to use tricks? yes? Lee Jing-ok, who briefly expressed doubt at Choi Yun-deoks muttering, soon smiled slightly and asked. Are you thinking about a deadly war? Choi Yun-deok nodded to Lee Jing-oks question. Now that were exhausted, wouldnt it be easier for us to rx a little more? Lee Jing-ok and themanders nodded at Choi Yun-deoks words. Then shall we change the strategy like that? Hmm The staff who understood Choi Yun-deoks words suggested a change to the n, but Choi Yun-deok did not respond right away. Choi Yun-deok, who was stroking his beard with his arms crossed, opened his mouth. The problem is that we havee this far and are taking a step back. Its fun when you move forward, but when you go back, you have a lot of thoughts about this and that. Ah When Choi Yun-deok mentioned the soldiers morale problem, the staff andmanders immediately nodded. Fortunately, the cavalry discovered Mings vanguard early. We have some time to spare, so lets think about it a little more. yes. But soon a decision had to be made. * * * Noon the next day. An urgent report has arrived from the naval forces! Urgent report? Choi Yun-deok, who had been resting for a while, woke up when his adjutant informed him. Choi Yun-deoks face hardened as he sat on a chair and opened the letter from the naval forces. Ming additional troops departing from Shanhaiguan? At least 100,000 or more? After rechecking the contents of the letter, Choi Yun-deok immediately gave an order. Gather the staff andmanders! ancient! Choi Yun-deoks order was given, and after a half-hour demonstration, staff andmanders gathered at the headquarters military tent. This is an urgent report from the navy. The friendly front line scouting the Shanhaiguan area captured it and reported it. Choi Yun-deok, who revealed the source of the urgent report, handed the document to a senior staff member. The senior staff member who received the document read it loudly. Ming additional troops depart from Shanhaiguan! At least 100,000 or more! The faces of themanders crumpled as the senior staff member read it out loud. Are people the only thing left in that country? If you do anything, the basic price is 100,000 units. I mean While themanders were grumbling quietly, Choi Yun-deok looked at the staff and high-rankingmanders. What should I do? Should I back down? Or should I take it here? Wouldnt it be better if we retreated, since we could dislodge the enemys camp? Thats right. The added troops are simrly exhausted in the process of getting here. So I think it would be better to push back. As those who supported it came out, those who opposed it also came out. You have to ept it here. When our enemies know that we have retreated, their spirit will revive. Ill buy it back. The moment they know that we have retreated, they will think that we have scared them and will be more energetic. We have already prepared everything, so we must defeat the enemy here. It is a problem for the enemys morale to rise, but we must not forget that there is also a significant possibility that our allies morale will fall! A fierce war of words broke out between those who argued on both sides. Since both sides had legitimate grounds, the two sides fought each other tightly. stop. As the war of words seemed to be heating up, Choi Yun-deok intervened. When those who were arguing fell silent, Choi Yun-deok came to a conclusion. Both opinions make sense, so Ill think about it a little more. But time is running out, so we will make a decisionter this evening. yes. After making a decision that was not a decision, the staff andmanders left the military camp. Choi Yun-deok, who followed them out of the military camp, looked at the sky and sighed. Huh~. What should I do with this? No matter which side you choose, you will be in trouble However, it wasnt long before Choi Yun-deok had to make a decision. * * * The Commander-in-Chief Commander is here urgently! Choi Yun-deok smiled bitterly at the adjutants shout. Now, just hearing the word emergency dispatch makes me sick to my stomach. Give it to me. After receiving the letter from the adjutant, Choi Yun-deok examined the contents and immediately gave an order to the adjutant. Reconvene allmanders immediately! ancient! * * * To the staff andmanders who had gathered in the military camp again, Choi Yun-deok held out his letter and opened his mouth. I received an urgent report from the Chakho Musketeers who sent a scout to the vicinity of Jangseong. The Ming soldiers guarding the wall are moving toward us. The senior staff member, who had received the letter from Choi Yun-deok and was examining its contents, took out the letter he had received earlier and looked at its contents. A senior staff member who meticulously analyzed the two documents reported to Choi Yun-deok. Based on the calction from the time the report was posted, the additional troops said to being appear to be troops guarding the general. is it? yes. The senior staff member, who paused and thought for a moment, made a suggestion to Choi Yun-deok. It would be best for you to step back. why? Soldiers who protect the great walls are elite even in the Ming army. Even if the road ahead is difficult, they will maintain discipline to some extent. In that case, it would be best to draw them in more and exhaust them. Hmm Choi Yun-deok, who kept his mouth shut and thought for a while, finally made a decision. Step back. Chapter 588 Episode 588 Hwangryongrak (S) (3) When Choi Yun-deok decided to step down, the senior staff immediately spoke up. We need to tie up the Ming army while our army retreats. Thats right. Choi Yun-deok nodded at the senior staff members point. The size of the Joseon army currently staying here was approximately 280,000. And ording to the news, twote troops, eachposed of 50,000 troops, were heading towards this ce. The problem was the 280,000 troops stationed here. It took a lot of time to immediately dismantle the wire mesh of the camp and defense line, finish dissipating heat, and pack up the batteries so that they could be moved again with ammunition and gunpowder ready for firing at any time. In addition, the problem faced by the advancing Ming army, which was that hundreds of thousands ofrge troops could not move at once, was also the same for the Joseon army. Even if we were to prepare and withdraw without resting as much as possible, it would take at least seven days for all 280,000 troops to withdraw. Hmm Choi Yun-deok thought for a moment and soon came up with an alternative n. The cavalry should take care of this. When Choi Yun-deok mentioned the cavalry, allmanders present at the meeting nodded. Among all the branches of the Joseon army, the one with the rightbination of firepower and mobility was the cavalry. If it were a cavalry unit, they could quickly and easily escape after giving a single blow to the Ming army. Cavalry is suitable for mobility, but wouldnt it be better to add more troops to deliver a stronger blow? One of themanders who heard Choi Yun-deoks decision suggested adding firepower, but Choi Yun-deok shook his head. It doesnt work because my feet are slow. The terrain east of the Daling River is optimal for cavalry operations, so it is better to leave it to the cavalry. In this way, the remaining cavalry troops were able to tie up the feet of the people. Once the operation was decided, the Joseon army began to busily pack its belongings. Meanwhile, Choi Yun-deok summoned the cavalrymanders separately. Im sorry for entrusting you with such a difficult task. When Choi Yun-deok expressed his apologies, the cavalrymanders responded by bowing their heads in unison. No. Rather, I am grateful for the opportunity to run wild to my hearts content. Ill buy it back. I havent been able to fight properly because of the infantry, but this is a really good opportunity. Thank you. Choi Yun-deok expressed his gratitude to the cavalrymanders who still showed great fighting spirit and opened his pockets. If you need anything, please let me know. If thats the case, please leave the iron fence behind instead of dismantling it. Barbed wire mesh? yes. And Choi Yun-deok immediately nodded after hearing the cavalrymanders request for supply, starting with the wire. I will do that. * * * From the next day, the cavalry was busy. Lee Jing-ok, who volunteered to be the generalmander of the cavalry, looked at the cavalrymanders with a ferocious smile. Isnt it in your temper to just wait quietly? Thats right. It goes without saying. Then lets split into groups. Lee Jing-ok divided 18,000 of the 22,000 cavalry deployed in the Jiyeon battle into three groups. While the Ming army came here, these three groups took turns attacking and defeating the enemy every day. 6,000 wont be able to cause much damage, right? There is no need for a critical hit. By inflicting small injuries, you tire them out. It was a method that the Yeojin guys used well, right? At Lee Jing-oks words, all the cavalrymanders smiled grimly. Even before the Gyeongjang War, there were frequent conflicts between Joseon and the Jurchen tribe. The main tactic used by the Jurchen people against the Joseon soldiers who went out to subdue them was hit and run. The cavalrymanders who properly understood what Lee Jing-ok said began to use the Jurchen tribes methods properly. * * * Its the Joseon Army! Its the Korean cavalry! The Korean cavalry ising! As the Ming army cavalry that had gone out for reconnaissance returned looking defeated and shouted, the soldiers of the Ming armys vanguard unit began to move urgently. Shieldman forward! Archers, step forward! Form a square! Form a square! Because the purpose was to drain the Joseon armys power, most of the Ming vanguard were armed with ssic cold weapons. At themand of themanders, shield bearers came rushing out and stood in the front row. Hee hee hee~. When the sound of a horse neighing was heard in the distance, the shield guards swallowed dry saliva and looked straight ahead. Doo doo doo doo! Not long after, the Joseon Army cavalry was seen rushing towards us with a roar. 200 sheets! 200 sheets! atmosphere! atmosphere! Dont move carelessly! Stay where you are! In response to the cries of the soldiers measuring the distance to the Joseon Army cavalry, themanders of the shieldmen shouted at the soldiers to stay in their positions. 100 sheets! 100 Jang When the Joseon army came within 100 Jang (about 300 meters), themanders shouted to their shield guards. Put up your shield! Put up your shield! At themand of themanders, the shieldmen erected arge wooden board and hid behind it. At the same time, spearmen holding long spears came behind the shield warrior and held out their long spears. And the archers behind the shield and spearmen held their arrows in strings and waited for the Joseon cavalry toe within range. The Ming soldiers, who had formed a solid defensive position, were ring at the iing Joseon cavalry with very tense faces. Here, the Joseon Army cavalry used very fierce tactics. The Joseon armys cavalry stopped about 60 feet (about 180 meters) from the Ming armys defense line and lined up in three rows. What are we going to do? shit! Its a distance the arrow cant reach! The ce where the Joseon army stopped was a point where the Ming armys arrows could not reach. The Ming army swore as it looked at the Joseon cavalry that had stopped at an exquisite position. shit! If you are going toe,e quickly! Im dying from exhaustion! As time passed, the Ming Dynasty soldiers, who were in a very tense confrontation, actually wanted the Joseon cavalry to charge. At that time, the Joseon Army cavalry lined up like that all took out their long guns. Ta-ta-tang! Aaaah! The shield line at the front copsed under the volley of fire from the Joseon Army cavalry lined up in three rows. Fill the empty space! Fill the space! Soon, new shield guards filled the vacant positions. The Joseon cavalry, waiting for that moment, fired once again. When the shield column that copsed due to the salvo was re-established, the Ming armymanders were furious at the cunning attack of the Joseon army, which fired again. You cowards! Youre only targeting shield bearers! If you are a cavalryman, charge like a cavalryman! However, the Joseon Army cavalry also had its circumstances. We are not trained musketeers, so how do we hit the mark properly at this distance? In that sense, the shield is a very good target. Its nice that its big, right? In the end, themanders of the Ming army, who had suffered heavy losses from five salvos, visited the vanguard. If things continue like this, only we will suffer! We must charge! Its not possible! Youll have to wait a little longer! The moment we unpack to charge, they will charge! Soldiers are still dying! Offense is the best defense! The vanguard, who was listening to themanders arguments, made a decision with a stern expression. Charge with the cavalry as the vanguard! General! The opposing factionsmanders screamed in surprise, but the vanguard shook his head. Looking at the current situation, they had no intention of charging from the beginning! When those guys first appeared, we had to take advantage of our numerical superiority and attack aggressively! Its toote, but we charge in and destroy them! Following the order of the vanguard, one side of the defensive position was opened and the Ming cavalry came out, followed by arge group of spearmen. charge! charge! Wow! Hee hee hee! As the Ming cavalry advanced with shouts, the spearmen also shouted and rushed forward. As soon as the Ming army began its assault, the Joseon army turned its head without even looking back. The Joseon army cavalry, riding on horses that were overwhelmingly faster than the horses ridden by the Ming cavalry, instantly disappeared into the distance, and the Ming cavalry and soldiers, who were desperately charging, looked helpless and had to stop on the spot. * * * After that, surprise attacks by the Joseon Army cavalry continued. This is the problem The Ming armys vanguard, who was briefed on the situation after another surprise attack, muttered with a disappointed look on his face. If a battlested no longer than 1 hour (about 2 hours) at most, the Ming army could not move for a day. Thanks to this, the advance slowed down as time passed and the morale of the soldiers plummeted. To prevent this situation, they mobilized all their cavalry and sent it out for advance reconnaissance, but they were caught in a counterattack by the Joseon cavalry and returned with only heavy losses. Is this why the Jurchen people shudder at the mere mention of the Joseon Army cavalry? Its as cunning, persistent, and scary as a wolf. Jeong Gongbeop was a vanguard who was in awe of the Joseon cavalry, which was persistent in its cunning tactics thrown far away. But the only answer is the Jeonggong method In the end, the Ming armys vanguard unit had to continue its advance, suffering constant losses from the persistent attacks of the Joseon armys cavalry. Adam! These guys! Just try to get caught! Ill give you some food! Pud! Ill make you beg me to kill you! While there were some soldiers who were treated so persistently and took offense at the mere mention of the word Joseon Army, many more soldiersined of anxiety. Soldiers who were so anxious fell into panic when they received even the slightest suspicious stimulus. * * * The Ming army vanguard, which moved while being hit and run by the Joseon armys cavalry, was able to arrive at Daerunghe almost 20 dayster than initially expected. Joseon army across the river! This is the Joseon Army cavalry! How many? Up to 30,000! Cant you see any other Joseon soldiers? There wasnt one! Upon hearing the scouts report, the vanguard immediately called themander together. The Joseon army fled! All thats left are those damn cavalrymen! We have to hit them before they run away! We have to catch those guys so we can avoid trouble in the future! yes! Prepare for Doha! yes! Following themand of the vanguard, themanders and soldiers busily prepared to cross the river. * * * Huh? Li Jingyu, who was observing the Ming Dynastys preparations for crossing the river from the other side of the Daling River, tilted his head. Are the heavy soldiers with a reputation as Tang soldiers so diligent? The movements of the Ming Dynasty soldiers seen through the telescope were as diligent as ever. Lee Jing-ok, who was carefully observing the movements of the Ming Dynasty soldiers, burst intoughter. Heh! Even if the poison rises, it rises firmly! Although he burst outughing, Lee Jing-oks face was serious. Lee Jing-ok, who called the cavalrymanders together, informed them that the Ming army was very close and warned them. Dont think too lightly and prepare well. It is said that the most dangerous poison is that of a frost-bitten viper. Did we make it too toxic? Lee Jing-ok shook his head in response to the subordinate officers question. No, you need to put more poison on it. Theyre so venomous that they dont look left or right and only chase us. Only then can we lead them into a trap. After the meeting, one of themanders who was exiting Lee Jing-oks military camp asked a colleague next to him. But wouldnt a poisonous snake writhing in frost? Why would snakes hang around outside until it starts to frost? Youre not ready for hibernation, right? I need to fill my stomach quickly and hibernate, but I cant, so I wont get sick, right? aha! Chapter 589 Episode 589: Hwangryongrak (S) (4) In the battle of crossing the Daerung River, the Joseon Army cavalrysted for two days. The vanguard of the Ming army numbered about 180,000, of which only 500 were artillerymen, and the rest were infantry armed with ssic spears and swords and bows. On the other hand, the Joseon Armys cavalry only had an artillery force of 4,000 that usedrge-arms and shotgun cannons. In front of the Joseon armys cavalry, which relied on the overwhelmingly advantageous artillery forces and irons, the Ming armys vanguard had to suffer severe damage. Now lets move slowly. It seems that the iron railwork is now at its limit, and the supplies we have are bing scarce. I can hold on a little longer. Ill buy it back. Enemies armed with spears and swords areing. I can hold on a little longer. Lee Jing-ok, who was observing the war situation, decided to withdraw, but there were manymanders who still had regrets. However, Lee Jing-ok rejected their opinions. No, with the supplies we have left, we can only do self-defense. Now is the time to get out. Yes. And if they give up because they are so discouraged in the fighting, we will be in trouble. Shouldnt we keep up the momentum to catch up? yes. Themanders nodded as if they understood Lee Jing-oks exnation. * * * The state of security is a mess. Ming army camp opposite the Daling River. The Ming leader, who was inspecting the state of the camp, shook his head and muttered. The situation inside the camp was a mess. The faces of the soldiers who stood up in shock upon seeing their leader were full of fatigue. Im sorry! I will hold the soldiers strictly ountable! The unitmander who was following the vanguard urgently bowed his head, but the vanguard raised his hand to stop him. Thats it. Its no wonder Im tired. Its okay if we keep our guard up now. The leader of the vanguard answered briefly and lightly patted the shoulders of the soldiers who were just looking at him. It may be hard, but just work a little harder. yes! After a while, the vanguard left and the soldiers all let out a long sigh. Whoa~. The vanguard, who continued to look around the camp, arrived at a ce where wounded soldiers were gathered and receiving treatment. What is the situation? There is a shortage of medicinal ingredients. I sent a letter asking for supplies to be delivered as quickly as possible. Do your best. I will do my best. After circling the camp and returning to his camp, the leader took off his helmet and sat down. Whoa~. The leader ced his hand on his forehead with a long sigh and muttered with a frown on his face. The losses are too great The loss of troops is also great, but the problem is that the material consumption exceeded expectations. * * * On the way to Daling River, we had to stop for at least a day for each battle. What this meant was that there was an unexpected consumption of materials. Even if they stopped, the soldiers had to eat and the soldiers who died or were injured in battle had to be picked up. The problem was that due to this unnned stoppage, the supplies brought by the vanguard army were greatly reduced. The amount of supplies consumed by the 180,000 vanguard troops per day was enormous, and supplies were quickly exhausted due to unscheduled consumption. In the end, thest few days of the 20-day dy were caused by the inability to move while waiting for supplies. After an arduous chase, when they caught up with the Joseon cavalry at Daereung River, the vanguard struck his palm with his fist. In the end, it was just a matter of buying time! In the Joseon army camp visible across the Daereung River, only the Joseon army cavalry was stationed. However, the scale of the fortified camp wasrge enough to contain only the Joseon army cavalry. This meant that arge Joseon army was stationed here. The entire Joseon army fled! Those damned cavalry units are just to buy time! Lets defeat them as quickly as possible and catch up with the fleeing Joseon army! Wow! The soldiers, who regained their energy from the rumors circting within the camp and themanders exnations, gave loud cheers and prepared to cross the river. And in the two days of fighting that followed, the vanguard army suffered serious losses. It was the result of a coboration between wire mesh, bigyeokjincheonroe, and shotgun shells. * * * Whoa~. The leader let out a long sigh again and took out the Munbangsawoo. You will be reprimanded, but we need musketeers and artillerymen. The spearmen and archers we have now are not even consumables. To deal with guns and artillery, only guns and artillery are the correct answer. The vanguard, who wrote a request for arge number of musketeers and artillerymen, called a messenger. The vanguard, who sent a request to the messenger, called themanders together. Tomorrow, keep vignce to a minimum and let the soldiers rest. What about the battle tomorrow? When youre that tired, you only have one mana. I guess so. So give me a break. I follow your orders. The expressions on the faces of themanders as they left the vanguards camp didnt look that bad. This was because they too were keenly aware of the need for rest. Anyway Now is the age of gunpowder. I agree. Thesemanders were keenly aware that the spear swords they had been ustomed to using up until now were now outdated. * * * General! General! Come out and see! Seonbongjang, who had barely fallen asleep after tossing and turning all night, quickly got up from his seat when he heard a shouting from outside. Whats going on! At the shout of the vanguard, who quickly put on his helmet and came out, a military officer raised his voice and pointed toward the Joseon camp. The Joseon bastards have run away! what! After receiving thepletely unexpected report, the vanguard quickly mounted his horse and headed to the front. The vanguard, who arrived at the front line fence, looked at the Joseon army camp across the Daling River through a telescope from his horse. Its empty The vanguard, who saw that the Joseon army camp was devoid of any signs of presence, hurriedly gave an order. Send out a scouting party! yes! Select those in the cavalry who are good at tracking! yes! After 2 oclock, the soldiers of the unit that had gone out for reconnaissance returned. The vanguard, who had been anxiously waiting for them at the front door, grabbed the soldiers and urgently asked: okay! What is the situation! Its definitely empty! okay? Are you sure? Im sure! good! The vanguard gave orders with a bright face. You will rest today at the Joseon army camp! Wow! * * * There was no trace of fatigue on the faces of the Ming soldiers entering the Joseon army camp. As expected, it cant stand against the thousand soldiers of a great country! Thats right! The fact that I had not won a single battle until yesterday had already disappeared into the distance. The Joseon bastards poisonsted only two days! No! Just think of the Joseon army headquarters that fled as soon as they heard we wereing! Not even two days! Some small countrys ruffians take up swords against thousands of soldiers! To die! ha ha ha! No, it was not that they had forgotten the fact, but it was being distorted to mean that they had run away due to their own power. This was simr not only to soldiers but also to executives. We must begin the chase immediately! Im getting it back! As soon as the enemy shows his back, we must chase after him! Despite themanders cries to chase after the Joseon army right now, the vanguard maintained his cool. I sent out cavalrymen who were good at tracking and told them to follow the traces of the Joseon army. Its not toote to move when theye back. General! War is gaining momentum! You cant afford to fail now that your momentum is up! Themanders, who until yesterday were very intimidated and only watched the vanguards thoughts, were now putting pressure on the vanguard. Are you saying we want to find out where the Joseon bastards have gone and chase them down? . Themanders fell silent at the vanguards point. The vanguard looked at them with a pitiful expression and made a decision. Take a rest today. It is not toote to move when the cavalrymen in pursuit return. yes. * * * The next day, the cavalrymen who had gone in pursuit returned and reported. The traces of the Joseon soldiers The cavalrymander drew an imaginary line with his finger on the map. Hmm Its a bit of a oscition as expected. After confirming the direction in which the Joseon army was retreating, the vanguard stroked his beard and looked back at themander. It has been confirmed that the Joseon army is retreating to Liaodong Province. Im trying to take a detour north from here. If we continue to follow the route the Joseon army is taking now, there is a high risk of being ambushed. I think it would be a good idea to keep track of it. Even if the Joseon military were to sell a trap, it would be very simr to what they have experienced so far. I can tolerate that much. Ill buy it back. The Korean soldiers fled as soon as they heard we wereing. Rather, if you choose a detour, it will give the Joseon army time to strengthen its defenses. We need to track it down right away! If we take a detour like this, the soldiers morale may drop! Im getting it back! You cant miss this moment when the soldiers morale has risen! Themanders who gained momentum all insisted on tracking down and annihting the Joseon army. Themanders response made the vanguard look thoughtful. It is certain that the Joseon army will dig a trap and wait. But what these people say has a point. The morale of the soldiers, who had hit rock bottom due to the previous battles, is skyrocketing. And if you bypass it, you can avoid the trap, but it will give the Koreans time to strengthen their defenses. Thats how I feel, but I still want to take a detour The vanguard slightly shook his head as he looked at themanders with blood vessels forming on their necks in front of him. Then they wont listen properly Hmm what should I do with this? As the vanguard could not easilye to a conclusion, themanders once again put pressure on the vanguard. General! We must pursue and annihte it, not bypass it! Im getting it back! We cant afford to give the Koreans time! One of themanders who put so much pressure on him pointed out the biggest problem. General, now is the time when merit is needed. The vanguards face hardened at themanders words. Right! Considering the damage suffered in the battle so far, it is certain that he will be reprimanded! What if the Joseon army is properly dragged down here? You dont even have to win! All you have to do is catch the feet of the fleeing Joseon soldiers! The vanguard who thought that far epted themanders proposal. Get a good rest until today, and starting tomorrow, we will do our best to chase down the Joseon army! yes! I follow your orders! Themanders responded with loud voices to the vanguards decision. Then, go back to your respective seats and get ready! yes! The vanguard, who dismissed themanders, quickly took out paper, pencil and ink and began to write a general n. -The Joseon army, frightened by the majesty of Cheonbyeong, fled after offering only weak resistance. -We will capture and pursue traces of the escaped Joseon troops, so we hope that the main unit will join us as soon as possible. In order to deal with the Joseon armys artillery and riflemen, the main units artillerymen and riflemen must be present. The vanguard muttered softly as he sent this hastily written general message. If you do this, you can avoid getting angry if something goes wrongter. If something went wrong and he was reprimanded, he was the leader who made up an excuse to say that the main unit failed to do the job in a timely manner. Chapter 590 Episode 590: Hwangnyongrak (S) (5) The Joseon Armys cavalry was used toy ground food, but Choi Yun-deokid another ground food there. General! General! The advance unit of the Ming armys vanguard. Conductor Jang Ik-deok stepped forward in response to an urgent voice looking for him. Whats going on? The scouts have brought you an urgent report! Urgent report? Jang Ik-deok, who heard the word urgent news, drove his horse forward. okay. Its urgent. Something? In response to Ikdeoks question, the cavalryman who had gone out to scout answered by raising his hand and pointing to a distant ce. We have discovered the Joseon army 20 ri ahead! Hearing the scouts report, Ik-deok became very nervous and asked urgently. okay? How many are there and what are they doing? Are you preparing for a defensive battle? The number appears to be around 1,000, and they were loading supplies on carts! You were loading supplies onto a cart? yes! It looks like they were preparing for ast-minute withdrawal! Hmm Ik-deok thought for a moment about the scouts report and asked the question again. You said the Joseon army numbered 1,000. How many infantry and how many cavalry were there? There was hardly any infantry to be seen and it was all cavalry. Hmm I analyzed the situation based on the scouts report. Could it be a trap? No, its too visible to be a trap Ikdeok took out the map he was carrying in his arms and pointed out the location of the problem. Its in the middle of a t area. Ambushes are hard. Were the Joseon army cavalry receiving supplies? I guess its usible since cavalry also needs supplies, right? Lets see I have 2,000 cavalry that I canmand right now. Its a little scary Hmm How much supplies were there? There are so many! After hearing the answer, Ikdeok made a decision right away. Gather all the cavalry! And have the soldiers take off their armor and only carry helmets and spears! General? Move as quickly as possible and take away the supplies from the Joseon army! If youre lucky, youll even be able to get information about the Joseon military! Move now! yes! Following Ik-deoks decision, his subordinate officers began to move busily. Ikdeok continued to give orders without stopping. Choose those with outstanding bravery among the soldiers who have taken off their armor and ride them on the cavalrys horses! And a messenger! Yes General! Tell this to the headquarters! It seems like weve caught the Joseon militarys tail! Yes General! Ik-deok, who even sent a messenger, urged his subordinates. Are you ready? It will be over soon! Hurry! If you do it wrong, you will miss the Joseon army! This is a good opportunity to take care of supplies for the Joseon army! yes! Ik-deok, who urged his subordinates, forcibly pulled down the corners of his mouth that kept rising. The Joseon armys supplies are famous for their high quality. And if you take something from the enemy properly, the enemys losses will be doubled! As Ik-deok said, the supplies of the Joseon army were famous for their good quality. The most famous one was the health of the Joseon army. If you dissolve an appropriate amount in water and boil it, you can make a hearty meal. Because of this, even Ming Dynasty merchants had to look for dry goods made in Joseon when they went on long journeys. * * * After half a march (about an hour), the Ming Dynasty cavalry led by Ik-deok rushed forward. Dont forget to look around! Never act rashly! Under themand of Ik-deok, the Ming cavalry rode at a trot. Herees the Joseon army! As the scouts said, the Ming Dynasty cavalry, which ran for about 20 ri, was able to spot the Joseon soldiers. Likewise, the Joseon army cavalry that discovered the Ming cavalry was struggling to get on their horses. The number has decreased even further! Around 400 to 500! good night! Ik-deok, delighted, drew his sword and shouted. Hit! charge! Wow! Ikdeoks cavalry, seeing the Joseon cavalry that was much smaller in number than themselves, ran out shouting. The battle ended abruptly. The Joseon Army cavalry, seeing the charge of the Ming cavalry, threw away their supplies and marched until their tails fell. ha ha ha! Theyre such cowards! Theres no such thing as a ragtag group of people! Ik-deoks cavalry,ughing at the sight of the Joseon cavalry disappearing into the distance, dismounted from its horse along with the soldiers it was carrying. The ce they headed was the supplies left behind by the Joseon army. It was urgent. The soldiers, who were looking at the scene where half-loaded carts and various supplies were rolling around, soon began searching through the boxes. Hey! Its healthy! This is alcohol? It would be nice to drink it with water! While the excited soldiers were searching for items, Ikdeok, who arrived one stepte, shouted. Just take care of itter and do a proper search first! Yes yes! At Ik-deoksmand, the soldiers packed them into their arms and began to search the surrounding area. That evening, Ikdeok presented a half-burned map to the vanguard. I obtained this from the Joseon military supply depot upied today. Looking at it, it appears to be a supply base for the Joseon military. In response to Ikdeoks report, the vanguardpared the locations of the dots on the captured map with his own map. After examining the location for a moment, the leader nodded. Right. It is a good location because it has a supply base. We will pursue the Joseon army along this route. ancient! After hearing Ik-deoks answer, the vanguard looked back at the othermanders. I need to pick up the pace a little more. Looking at the situation today, it seems like the Joseon army is in a hurry to retreat. Its a good opportunity, and if you do well, you might be able to have luck like today again. Thats right! The quantity that Ik-deoks troops obtained was considerable. Even excluding the amount stolen by the soldiers who arrived first, all of the soldiers in the vanguard were able to eat a full meal. The eyes of the soldiers andmanders who had unexpected good fortune were full of greed. * * * Are they really going toe over? In response to Lee Jing-oks question, Choi Yun-deok nodded confidently. It will definitelye over. You know it well, right? Soldiers are those who are hungry no matter how much they eat. Lee Jing-ok nodded at Choi Yun-deoks words. It was the same when I was ying on the front line. Whenever we were dispatched, the first and most important thing to take care of was dry goods and ammunition. Choi Yun-deok continued. Isnt there a saying, Suju Dae-to ()? Now that we have tasted rabbit meat, we have no choice but to follow the path we have set for ourselves. Choi Yun-deok mentioned the story of a foolish farmer who hit a tree stump and found a dead rabbit, then sat down next to the tree stump and waited for his luck to repeat itself. They must look down on our Joseon army because they kept running away, throwing away precious supplies and openly running away. And the fact that they are great soldiers will also hold them back. It is not easy to change a course once the military moves, and this bes more difficult therger the scale. Since they have already started to turn and move their feet, they have no choice but toe to the ce we want through the route we want. Lee Jing-ok and other subordinatemanders nodded in response to the words of Choi Yun-deok, an veteran of reversal, that fully reflected his experience. And the Ming army fell into that trap. Joseon army discovered! After receiving the urgent news, Ikdeok immediately examined the situation. Ikdeok looked at the Joseon armys camp in the distance, opened the map, checked his location, and smiled bitterly. Was it something you were dragged into? * * * You were dragged in. As soon as Ik-deoks report was received, the vanguard checked the map and smiled bitterly, just like Ik-deok. The current location of the Joseon military was at the eastern end of Gwangnyeong (V). In history before Hyang intervened, the Joseon army was encamped and waiting in the eastern part of Panjin City. The reason why both Ik-deok and the vanguard said they were pulled in was because of the location where the Joseon army was encamped. The Twin Princes River (˫̫Ӻ) flowed to the north of the in facing where the Joseon army was currently encamped, and the Daeryo River (|) flowed to the south. And now, not only the vanguard but also part of the main force of the Ming army had entered this ce. In other words, if they could not break through the Joseon army blocking the exit, they would not be able to enter Liaodong Province and Joseon. * * * Its a head-to-head match with all odds Isnt this an opportunity for genius! Commander-in-Chief Han Il-shin, who received the worry-filled report from the vanguard unit, was rather pleased with it. A head-to-head match is what we wanted! The location where the Joseon army is encamped is a dangerous ce, but considering our military power, it can never be a deadly ce! Han Il-shin raised his voice and raised his fist to the sky. Although the Joseon armys firepower may be stronger than ours, there will be limits! Push in your troops and break the Joseon armys defenses, just as the constantly pushing waves break the embankment! Hanilshins orders were immediately delivered to the vanguard troops. The vanguard, who received the order, looked aloof and called his subordinatemanders. We became the vanguard of the assault. Send wine and meat to the soldiers. yes. * * * The battle,ter called the Battle of Gwangnyeong, continued fiercely. In order to break through the sixyer barbed wire mesh wall of the Joseon army, the Ming army reced its troops, and the Joseon army consumed a huge amount of ammunition to prevent this. During a war of attrition that would go down in history, both sides constantly replenished their exhausted supplies and manpower. How about pulling back some of the soldiers and bypassing the twin princes? Tired of the war of attrition that hadsted for almost fifteen days, the Ming armymanders proposed a diversionary operation to Hanilshin. That would be fine. ording to the decision of Hanilshin, who epted the proposal, about 20,000 infantry were selected and bypassed Crown Prince Xia. However, the troops who bypassed this way were caught by the waiting Joseon cavalry and destroyed. Holy shit! What happened to the reinforcements? Upon hearing the report of the detachments destruction, Hanilshin was furious and looked for reinforcements. Han Il-shin, who had heard that troops would be added when he passed Shanhaiguan and entered the Liaoxi Corridor, was confident of an easy victory. I said more is better! If reinforcements continue, the game is already decided! However, the battle that was taking ce was forcing a huge expenditure of men and materials. We need reinforcements! If you stop here, its just pointless waste! * * * While Han Il-shin was anxiously waiting for reinforcements, Choi Yun-deok also had a face full of impatience. Im holding on somehow, but Im almost at my limit. What on earth is the navy doing? What Choi Yun-deok was waiting for was news from the naval forces in charge of attacking Sanhaegwan. If Shanhaiguan falls, victory will definitely be ours Day 20 of the battle. General! Its a waste of time! Lee Jing-ok, who was full of joy, handed out amunication to Choi Yun-deok. The navy has finally done it! Oh oh! Choi Yun-deoks face brightened at Lee Jing-oks words, and he quickly received themunication. The content of themunication delivered through the luminous signals was concise. -Copse of the Shanhaiguan. Seeded in cutting off the Ming supply route. As the Joseon navy destroyed Shanhaiguan, the supply of supplies to the Ming army was cut off. After checking the contents of themunication, Choi Yun-deok clenched his fists without realizing it. its okay! Now the victory is in our hands! Chapter 591 Episode 591: Hwangnyongrak (S) (6) Choi Yun-deok, who was happy after reading the letter sent by the naval forces, soon regained hisposure and analyzed the situation. The story of Shanhaiguan will be ryed to them within a few days. So how will they move? Choi Yun-deok immediately called themander and asked the above question. In response to Choi Yun-deoks question, the opinions ofmanders and staff were divided into two. -Supply was cut off in a situation where a huge amount of troops had already been lost. The only answer is retreat. -no. If you think about it backwards, the enemy is now in a situation where they have doubled their base. There is a high possibility that they will risk everything and attack with all their might. Both sides have a point. After hearing both sides opinions, Choi Yun-deok nodded. Choi Yun-deok, who was stroking his beard and thinking for a moment, soon brightened as if a good idea came to him. As expected, in times like this, its just a whisper! * * * Around the time Choi Yun-deok received the report, Ming armymander Han Il-sin also received an urgent report with simr content. Copse of Shanhaiguan? Supply route cut off? How is this happening? He added, bowing his head to the messenger who had scabs all over his face, as if the hardships he had endured on the way here were considerable. It happened because we were attacked by the Joseon navy. There is a mountain and sea pavilion 10 ri (approximately 4 km) from the coast! The Joseon navy had its feet attached to the front line, so they went all the way up there! You have to say something that makes sense! The ces where the Joseon naval forces directly attacked were fortresses such as Noryongdu, Uhaeseong, and Myeohaeseong. The nature has suffered no harm. But why did they say that the supply line was cut off? The road from Shanhaiguan to here is at least 5 ri (about 2 km) from the coastline! Not only Han Il-shin but all his subordinatemanders red at the messenger with expressions full of distrust. Because they all came here along that path. In response to Hanilshins point, the messenger exined the reason. The Joseon navy hasnded directly! * * * The Joseon navy, which destroyed the Ming navy, burned not only the area around the Shandong penins but also the Ming military port further south. With only the military ports in the far south remaining, the West Sea of Joseon became aplete yground for the Joseon navy. The Joseon navy, having prevented such a blow to the head, finished reorganizing itself and targeted Shanhaiguan. In order to attack Shanhaiguan, the lifeline of the Ming army that advanced into Liaodong, the Joseon navy gathered all its remaining power. Almost all forces except those protecting Tsushima Ind and keeping the Japanese in check and those out in the ocean were mobilized. And in order to transport the troops and weapons collected in this way, arge number of merchant ships that were closed were requisitioned. It was a moment when the foresight of Hyang, King Sejong, and the royal court shone. * * * The Joseon naval forces, led by Maeng Jin-ho, devastated the southern area of Shanhaiguan. The southern fortresses of Shanhaiguan, which had been converted into a solid defense wall through gradual expansion and reconstruction after the Hongwu Emperor, were reduced to ruins by the Joseon armys artillery bombardment. The Joseon navy, which had blown up the coastal defenses, immediatelynded its troops. Their number was approximately 30,000, but their destructive power was powerful, as befits the naval army that boasted that its artillery and shooting skills were better than that of thend navy. Those who shone there were sailors from the Jurchen tribe. The hastily made cavalry, made up of members of the Jurchen tribe who were excellent at horseback riding, made a mess of the Ming armys supply route from Shanhaiguan to Liaodong, putting the word improvised to nothing. And the Ming army that came out to repel them was caught in the crossfire of the Joseon Dynasty army that was ambushing them and was annihted. Movements to repair the broken defenses failed every time because they were caught by the Joseon naval battle lines floating in the sea. In addition, reinforcements and supplies for our troops in Liaodong repeatedly returned only to be damaged by joint attacks from both the sea andnd. * * * Damn it! After hearing the messengers exnation, Hanilshin swore. We need more troops and supplies to break through that damn iron wall! The number of troops lost in the 20-day battle was 150,000. Excluding the troops lost on the way here, the troops lost in the diversionary attack, and the wounded, 150,000 people died in the process of attacking the Iron Seungbyeok. And as the days got hotter, diseases began to spread, and the number of soldiers dying from injuries due to insufficient medicine was increasing. Through such fierce fighting, they had broken through four of the sixyers of iron wallsid by the Joseon army. Everyone in the Ming army, from the generals to the lowest soldiers, was in awe when they saw the iron walls of the Joseon army. It was not simply a sixyer iron wall. It was a 12yer wire mesh wall, 6yers in pairs. A trench line was dug behind the twoyer iron walls, and the Joseon army that sat there fired and shelled without stopping. The moment they broke through the iron wall, breaking through a blood path paved with corpses, an even more powerful barrage unfolded, and the Ming army had to lie down on the ground and wait for the barrage to disappear. And when the barrage barrage disappeared, the Joseon army positioned in the trench line in front of them had disappeared. Even if they had imed one trench line, subsequent attacks by the Joseon army were tied down, and the trench line they had captured was repeatedly given back to the subsequent counterattack by the Joseon army. After repeated hellish battles and a bloody struggle topletely destroy the iron wall that they broke through and render it useless, they broke through the fouryer iron fence. With the current situation of the soldiers, it is impossible to attack the remaining twoyers! Han Il-shin shouted in a despairing tone. Of the 800,000 troops, nearly 300,000 were lost. Looking at the numbers alone, there were 500,000 troops left, but among these, less than 300,000 were properly trained infantry. Most of the rest were engineers and dental technicians. Of course, 300,000 people were not a small number, and it was not something that could not be done if it were to sweep in engineers and heavy duty soldiers as well. The biggest problem was that the soldiers morale was at rock bottom. Although the exact figures are not being posted, there are rumors that the number of soldiers who lost their minds while experiencing the hellish war of attrition was in the thousands. And the number of soldiers who were caught deserting and beheaded was gradually increasing. In order to escape this situation, vigorous reinforcements were absolutely necessary. Han Il-shin, who was thinking while going back and forth in the military tent, gave an order to his subordinates. Give the soldiers three days of rest! We will make a deal in three days! yes! The subordinates responded to Hanilshins decision with stern faces. And this order from the gods of Korea and Japan was immediately conveyed to all the soldiers. After hearing the order, the soldiers looked for Buddha and Sangje and prayed for good luck. Three dayster, they received a visit from an unexpected guest. * * * General! Something big has happened! Han Il-sin, who was tying his helmet strap with the determination that it was his final battle, came out of the military camp at the mournful cries of his adjutant. Whats going on! In response to Hanilshins question, the messenger next to the adjutant opened his mouth instead. The Joseon navy has appeared! The Joseon navy is preparing to attack the twin princes! what! Hanilshin was momentarily shocked by the messengers report. General! General! Han Il-shin, who avoided falling thanks to the urgent support of his subordinate generals next to him, looked up at the sky and sighed. Ah~. How can something like this happen? No matter how true it is, it is a great destiny, and what is happening to heaven? Hanilshin cried out in sorrow and gave orders, shedding bloody tears. Prepare to retreat! If the Joseon navy blocks Prince Twins, they will bepletely surrounded! * * * Are the Ming armys movements suspicious? Yes general. Choi Yun-deok stroked his beard after checking themunication sent from the monk who had scouted out Mings camp. Is this a final battle or a retreat? Lee Jing-ok expressed his opinion in response to Choi Yun-deoks muttering to himself. Isnt this a retreat? I am told that our navy arrived at the mouth of Twin Princes this morning. Anyone who learned the art of war would have expected to be surrounded. That may be possible, but there is also a possibility that he maymit suicide in desperation. In response to Choi Yun-deoks counterargument, Lee Jing-ok made an expression of disbelief. Is there a general who would make such a foolish choice? If you volunteer yourself, you will receive sympathy, but if you kill soldiers, you will only be ridiculed. Wouldnt you be able to make such a decision if you were more afraid of the emperors reprimand than of ridicule? In response to Choi Yun-deoks point, Lee Jing-ok just shook his head without saying a word. Seeing Lee Jing-ok like that, Choi Yun-deok turned his gaze towards the front line and muttered. I just hope that the enemymander is someone who can at least think. The next day, the bhikkhus who were observing the enemy camp simultaneously sent an urgent report. -The Ming army withdrawal begins! -Withdrawal from the Ming army trench line begins! -About 30,000 rearguard troops! Choi Yun-deok, who confirmed the urgent reports sent from the monks, called together his subordinate generals. Since the guests are leaving, shouldnt we give them a proper send-off? Isnt it ourw to send the more important guests away? Thats right! Then I have to send you off properly. Who is the unit with the least losses right now? Choi Yun-deok began preparing to pursue the retreating Ming army. In this way, the Great Chase, known as the highlight of the second half of Gwangnyeong Daejeon, took ce. * * * At the same time that the Ming army was being driven to defeat in Liaodong, Beijing was also on alert. Is the suppression of Japanese pirates still going on? The Japanese pirates were so strong. Didnt I tell you to send in the muskets! Udodog responded to Emperor Seondeoks words while sweating. I have sent them in, but the Japanese are better at handling iron guns U Do-dok was speechless, but Emperor Seon-deok understood right away. Are you saying it actually helped them? Thats right. Haa~. Emperor Seondeok ced his hand on his forehead and let out a long sigh. I cant help it. Recruit as many soldiers as possible to subdue the Japanese. Please convey my order to the robbers who call themselves strong men. As they say, if they know the rules, they should step forward and eliminate the Japanese pirates. yes. And what is the situation at Shanhaiguan? Is it still blocked? Im doing my best When Jwado-deok trailed off, Emperor Seondeok screamed. Is it possible for a thousand soldiers to be stranded because of only 30,000 troops and dozens of battleships? Moreover, it is Shanhaiguan, which is a river of considerable burden! Please forgive the gods for their ipetence! Please forgive me! In response to Emperor Seondeoks words, the ministers bowed down on the floor and asked for forgiveness. However, Emperor Seondeoks anger did not subside easily. Forgiveness! Forgiveness! Is it okay to just ask for forgiveness and thats it? I mean,e up with an answer! Answer! Please forgive me! Such ipetent bastards! At that moment, a general rushed into the main hall. Whats going on! There has been trouble in the north! Oirat has moved! Cough! your majesty! your majesty! When the thing he was most worried about happened, Emperor Seondeok copsed, vomiting blood. Surprised by this, the ministers and eunuchs hurriedly helped Emperor Seondeok. Why! Bring in the fisherman! * * * It was not until Seondeokje was able to regain consciousness that day in his room. Is there any hope for your luggage? . When King Eui was silent, Emperor Seondeok smiled bitterly and asked again. How many days can youst? I will do my best. . Emperor Seondeok, who was silent for a moment in response to Euis answer, gave an order to the eunuch. Call the Cab Secretary. The cab secretary arrived quickly, as if he had already been waiting. Call Prince Subo. Is it possible bynd? . Seeing the Cab Secretary bowing his head in silence, Emperor Seondeok turned his gaze to the ceiling and gave an order. Negotiate with Joseon about the end of the war. Chapter 592 Episode 592: Hwangnyongrak (S) (7) As soon as Emperor Xiande made his decision, the Ming court moved quickly. Otherwise, the country would be ruined. Immediately, a battle line with a white g hung from the mast went out to sea and was immediately captured by the Joseon navy. When Joseon soldiers came over to search the ship, the official in the cabin appeared. I am a messenger sent by His Majesty the Emperor! I would like to discuss the end-of-war agreement with North Korea! * * * War end agreement? After receiving the report, Hyang looked at the ministers. What do you think? Hwang Hee answered Hyangs question right away. It appears that fame has now reached its limit. Following Hwang Hees words, Kim Jeom also spoke with a brighter face. I am truly fortunate. Even though we prepared for a long time, we were slowly reaching our limits. The ministers all nodded at Kim Jeoms words. War was like a hungry ghost that ate up both people and property. The supplies that had been carefully prepared over a long period of time had been almostpletely consumed through the war over the past few months. And the loss of life was significant. For Joseon, which had an overwhelmingly smaller poption than the Ming, this was a more serious problem than the Ming. I also agree with your opinions. But there are some parts that are a little bit difficult. Hearing Hyangs words, the ministers began to analyze again what the problem was. Heo Hu, who was carefully examining the documents the messenger brought, nodded and asked Hyang. Are you saying its an end-of-war agreement? Hyang nodded to Heohus question. Thats right. The current situation is bad, so they havee forward to negotiate, but the pride of the Chinese people will not ept it easily. So, if you simply say it is an end-of-war agreement, it is certain that facts will be distorted and spoken about in the future. For sure The ministers all nodded at Hyangs words. Even those who fled battles after suffering heavy losses set a strict example and returned. It was the Chinese who wrote that. Heo Hu responded to Hyangs point. As expected, we need to get the name right first. We need to make them acknowledge surrender, not armistice or end of war. Thats right. So I feel sorry for the former soldiers and people, but we have to fight a little longer. Send an order to Liaodong to put more pressure on the retreating enemy. And to the messenger sent by Ming, There will be no negotiations until surrender. Please tell them. I follow your orders! * * * Surrender? Such a beautiful sight! Cough! your majesty! your majesty! After hearing the answer sent by Joseon, Emperor Seondeok became angry and lost consciousness again, bleeding. Emperor Seondeok, who managed to regain consciousness through the desperate efforts of Eui, called the cab assistants and ministers. What is the situation in the North? Your Majestys soldiers are doing their best to defend it. It sounds like youre being pushed back. . Emperor Seondeok looked at the silent Cab Secretary and asked a question again. How many well-trained troops are there that can be sent north now? I am doing my best to train you. So that means its not there right now. Huh~ Emperor Seondeok sighed and gave an order to his assistant cab secretary. Please listen to Joseons will. Your Majesty~ Hehehehe! your majesty! Hehehehe! At Emperor Seondeoks decision, all major and minor ministers, including the Cab Secretary, knelt down and wailed. The center of the world was China, and the ruler of China was the Emperor. Now, a tragedy urred in which the great Emperor surrendered to a small and fast-moving country. Sirs, do your best to make a deal and bring the crown prince. I will carry this dishonor with me. your majesty! Hehehehe! Hehehe! The ministers continued to wail at the calm words of Emperor Seondeok, who had already be aloof. * * * After Emperor Seondeok made his decision, negotiations continued quickly. The conditions that Joseon, the victorious nation, demands from the Ming, the defeated nation, are as follows. Heo Hu, who appeared as the representative negotiator, listed Joseons demands in a confident voice. -First of all, we acknowledge that Joseon is an equally independent country, not a Ming Dynasty. The Cab Secretary nodded to the first condition that came up. If it were Joseon, this was the first condition to be put forward. Afterwards, Heo Hu presented conditions regarding the border. -The Ming recognizes that Mt. Muyuriyeo and the eastern and northern regions of Heungseong are the strongholds of Joseon. -The Ming Dynasty does not station troops in the area between Shanhaiguan and Xingcheng. The deployment of personnel to maintain public order in the area is permitted, but the number shall not exceed 30,000. -The Ming recognizes the Dongbeon (|) and Pengho Inds as the powerful regions of Joseon. The Pengho system is a bit The Cab Secretary, who appeared as a representative of Ming, looked a little troubled about the Pengho system. The neighborhood name itself was Iju (barbariannd), so it wasnt a big problem. However, the Pengho Inds were a strategic military location with a Ming naval base. Then can we just go and destroy everything and take over? Negotiations will be suspended in the meantime. The Cab Secretary gritted his teeth and lowered his head in response to Hu Hus pressure. I will ept it. Okay. Now, lets talk about war reparations. War reparations? You mean they took that much of our names territory? Lets get this straight. Did we go to war first? It was your proud Ju-Jin Jin who started the war. And while Im at it, let me add that the Liaodong and Liaohe regions were ournd during the old Three Han era. It wasnt taken away, it was restored. . I had to keep my mouth shut due to Heo Hus point-by-point criticism. Sniff! Heo Hu snorted while looking at the cab report and immediately presented items rted topensation. C Topensate for the damage suffered by Joseon in this war, the Ming Dynasty paid physical silver equivalent to 50 million taels of gold. If this is enough The Cab Secretary looked somewhat relieved when he saw the amount ofpensation offered by Joseon. Although the amount of 50 million taels of gold was a huge amount of wealth, it was not an amount that was impossible to pay. Looking at the expression on the assistant cab secretarys face, Heo Hu presented the next item. -However, the exchange ratio between silver and gold follows the Joseon ratio. this! The assistant cab secretary had a look of despair on his face. At this time, the value of silver as currency was higher than gold. In particr, the Ming Dynasty had used silver as currency since the previous dynasty. Thanks to this, the exchange ratio between gold and silver in Joseon was 1:10, while in Ming it was 1:6 or 1:7. Because of this difference, there were people who yed pranks for unearned ie using foreign exchange profits, but they had to be withdrawn as the Joseon Dynasty government strictly managed the cirction of physical gold and silver. Because of this background, the Cab Secretary had a look of disappointment on his face. If the war reparations proposed by Joseon were adjusted to the standard of names, it would be a situation where one had to tighten ones belt a bit, but if it was adjusted to Joseons standards, it would be a situation where one would have to tighten ones belt even more. This is a bit excessive! Heo Hu responded to the assistant cab secretarys protest with an expression that asked which familys dog was barking. The money spent on war is not a waste, but this is a waste? Thats not it Then shall we, Joseon, go directly into the Ming Dynasty and go from house to house to collect taxes directly? Look! If you did something, shouldnt you be held ountable! Hearing Heo Hus scolding, the Cab Secretary closed his mouth with a gaping face. Ultimately, the Cab Secretary had to ept all of the conditions put forward by Joseon. This was because Emperor Seondeoks condition had be very bad. It was clear that if the crown prince did not enter the Forbidden City in time, there would be even greater chaos in the future. Emperor Seondeok took thepleted surrender document and sighed deeply. Whoa~. Disregarding the opponent was the biggest defeat. Realizing his mistake, Emperor Seondeok ced a seal on the surrender document. With this, the Ming officially acknowledged defeat. * * * Joseon stopped its military actions after Emperor Seondeok stamped the seal on the surrender document. Since the Japanese pirates were still roaming around, the crown prince in Nanjing had to take a boat. The ship carrying the crown prince headed to Cheonjin, escorted rather than escorted by the Joseon navy. Meanwhile, the Ming army, which was retreating to Shanhaiguan, breathed a sigh of relief when the Joseon armys pursuit stopped. The Ming army, who returned to Shanhaiguan with a body covered in wounds, also found an order from Emperor Seondeok. C Immediately climb the wall and go north to defeat the Dalja. The soldiers are very tired. You should rest a little before moving. At Hanilshins words, a general belonging to the Geumuiwi shouted. Because of your reckless actions, the countrys prestige has fallen to the ground! And yet you talk about rest! I should have beheaded you right here and now, but His Majesty showed me mercy by telling me topensate for the punishment through merit! Hearing the shouts from the general of the Geumwiwi, Hanilshin shouted Hurray with a very tired face. Long live, long live, long live! * * * Ju Ju-ok arrived at the Forbidden City and immediately went to the ce where Emperor Xuandey. Ju Ju-ok, who saw Emperor Seondeok lying on his bed in a clearly ill state, ran to Emperor Seondeoks bed and clung to him. your majesty! your majesty! What happened? Hehehehe! Are you here? Emperor Seondeok raised his eyes to the cry of Joo Gi-ok, who was covered in tears, and answered with difficulty and gave an order to the eunuch. Please support the luggage. your majesty. Uh huh. Emperor Seondeok stood up with the help of the eunuch and handed the scroll he had left on one side of the bed to Joo Joo-ok. Open it and read it out loud. At Emperor Seondeoksmand, Joo Gi-ok unfolded the scroll. This is This is a will written in Jims blood. Read it out loud. In response to Emperor Seondeoks order, Joo Gi-ok read the instructions in a loud voice. Never ruin the country! Excessive desire! Consultation for your body and body! Gwontojungrae (؁)! It meant not forgetting todays humiliation, but avenging the defeat by being patient and enduring hardships, just as Han Xin crawled between his crotches. After reading Emperor Seondeoks instructions, Joo Ju-ok bowed down on the floor and cried out. Son, I will definitely achieve Your Majestys wish! We need to learn from Jims failure and prepare properly. For this to happen, 10 years will be short and 30 years will be just a moment. But dont forget the lesson of Wukong Yisan. I will keep this in mind! Three dayster, Emperor Seondeok passed away. * * * When the news of Emperor Seondeoks death came, Hyang asked the ministers. There is no need to wear mourning clothes like before, but it would be eptable to send an envoy, right? Thats right. ording to the decision of the township and government, a condolence group was formed and headed to Beijing. What was different from before was that it was not the ministerial level that moved, but the vice ministerial level official that moved. The envoy who went to Beijing politely expressed his condolences and returned. Joo Ki-ok, who was newly ascended to the throne, also politely returned the favor. However, what was different from before was that they were treated as equal countries rather than a rtionship between a superior and a vassal state. The delegation returned after paying condolences and conveyed to the local officials the atmosphere they had seen in Beijing and the Ming Dynasty. Although the north is still noisy, the central region seems to be finding stability. is it? The local government officials nodded to the delegations report. * * * As soon as the surrender document was stamped, Joseon immediately contacted Ouchi. -Withdraw immediately. The Ming army is returning. Upon receiving the call from Joseon, Ouchi immediately informed the allied lords who still remained in the Ming Dynasty. What is interesting is that Ouchi returned early and was concentrating on internal affairs. What they were after was not wealth, but people. Ouchi, who swept away craftsmen and intellectuals with various skills and their families, quickly escaped from the Ming. Most of the lords who receivedmunication from Ouchi immediately resigned from the Ming. This was because if they did not retreat now, they would not be able to receive the protection of the Joseon navy. Of course, tolls had to be paid, but the protection of the Joseon navy guaranteed safety. As soon as the forces of the feudal lords under Ouchis orders left Ming, Joseon and Ouchi simultaneously issued a statement. -Now that Japanese pirates are rampant, they will be subdued as soon as they are discovered! In this way, Ouchi was able to eliminate many of the forces that were rebelling against them. Chapter 593 Episode 593: Open Heaven C It rolls again today. (1) When Joseon was biting itsst breath, Mochiyo and Norihiro were talking at a ce in Yamaguchi, Suokuni. * * * Yamaguchi was the center of the new power of the Ouchi shogunate, which was called the Suo shogunate or Boshu shogunate, which was established when Ouchi took power over the Japanese government. The castle where Ouchi Mochiyo, head of the Ouchi family and head of the shogunate, stayed, was nicknamed Joseon Castle. It was a castle built based on the Joseon-style castle designed by Hyang. Of course, at the center was a huge castle tower that was five stories tall, not including the stylobate. Due to the characteristics of the castle tower and other buildings, it was a hybrid castle thatplexly mixed the characteristics of Joseon and Japan. And overlooking from the top of this castle tower was the Emperors new pce. This was the result of Mochiyo epting the opinion of the Munchi faction. Even if he was a famous and insignificant entity with no real power, he had to keep the emperor in his hands to maintain the legitimacy of his regime. However, leaving ones home base in the western part of Honshu and the northern part of Kyushu and settling in Kyoto was like abandoning ones roots. Therefore, the Munchi faction proposed keeping the emperor within Ouchis sphere of influence, and Mochiyo epted this. Of course, this caused a huge bacsh from Kyoto residents. The bacsh from the residents of Kyoto, who had been proud of it as the ce where the emperor stayed and the capital of the Japanese kingdom since ancient times, was enormous. -The damage suffered by Kyoto in thest war was serious, so it will be continued only while it is restored. At the end of thest civil war, Ouchi had to resort to a trick of moving the emperor and court from Kyoto to Yamaguchi under the pretext of the chaos caused by all kinds of looting and arson. In this way, a major event urred that shifted the center of Japanese power and culture from the east to the west. As a side note, this Emperors expulsion from the pce incident led to the birth of deep-rooted regional sentiments in the west and east of Japan. * * * okay. Did you learn a lot from this deployment? Norihiro answered Mochiyos question by bowing his head. Yes, I have truly learned a lot. Lets take a listen. The first thing I learned was that there is a difference between a soldier and a warrior. Hoo~. Norihiro told Mochiyo about the differences between soldiers and samurai. Norihiro experienced a kind of culture shock while seeing the Joseon navy that joined him on this expedition. Even soldiers of the lowest rank carried out the orders they received and strictly enforced military discipline. However, the warriors sent by the Japanese lords were literally a band of thieves. I felt that we needed to teach more than just how to fight well. Only then will a truly elite army be created. I see. And again? I learned the importance of thend. What is the importance ofnd? To be precise, it is the importance of the river area. I had the opportunity to talk with Joseons Gyeongsang Woosusa, and I really learned a lot from him. Big teaching? yes. Norihiro told Mochiyo what the Gyeongsang Master had said to him. C If youre going to take care of it like that, shouldnt you take care of something that will allow you to acquire wealth more permanently? C There are many things, but the most representative one isnd, right? Norihiro, who listened to the words of the Gyeongsang Woosusa, continued speaking. Even if you loot and gain wealth, you will only benefit for a few years. If you gain people, you will be able to gain a hundred years of prosperity. However, if you gain strength, you will be able to gain at least a thousand years of prosperity. Its the richness of a thousand years Mochiyo pondered Norihiros words with a serious expression. Looking at Mochiyos expression, Norihiro continued speaking with an expression full of conviction. Our familys long-cherished wish is to be the master of the world. Although the Shogunate has now been established, it is not enough to be called the true master of the world. This is because there remain lords who call themselves monarchs. Only by abolishing therge and small feudal states that have torn the world apart and uniting them will a true world be created. Thats right. When Mochiyo agreed, Norihiros voice became even stronger. After unifying the world into one world, we must gain a wider territory. Release the Japanese invasion (Ó볯) is our family motto. Soja, this is what I felt after seeing Joseons actions. Joseon will be even more prosperous and stronger by taking control of the vast regions of Liaodong and Liaoxi. We must do the same! We must achieve true unification of the world, develop talented people, and expand our power! It takes a long time. Look at the case of Joseon! Could they have done such a deed with only one or two years of preparation? It must have taken decades of preparation! In that case, we just need to anticipate a hundred years and move forward! Through a hundred years of preparation, our family will enjoy a thousand years of glory! A hundred years of preparation, a thousand years of film Mochiyo, who was pondering Norihiros words, soon nodded sharply. Lets do that! ording to this decision, the shogunate began to secretly make ns and move. The first n was to close the provincial government. For the sess of this n, the most important priority was to reduce the power of fiefdoms rebellious to the shogunate, and the shogunate had the best means for this. They were soldiers from a territory that advanced into the Ming Dynasty. As time passed, the number of Japanese who entered the Ming Dynasty increased significantly. -Withdraw as quickly as possible. As soon as negotiations with the Ming are concluded, they will be considered pirates. As soon as the message from Joseon was received, the shogunate sent a withdrawal order to all feudal lords. Here, a little trick was used: a strong rmendation was made to the territories loyal to the shogunate, and a formal notification was given to the territories that were opposed to the shogunate. In a situation where the Ming Dynasty was in full swing, most of the fiefdoms that distanced themselves from the shogunate lightly ignored the shogunates orders. Because there is Joseon anyway! Just ask the Joseon navy! Even if it means losing more in profit distribution, I will not listen to the shogunate! It was funny for those who followed the orders of the shogunate when they sent troops to the Ming Dynasty, but they refused to follow the orders of the shogunate. And those who refused the orders of the shogunate were rounded up as pirates and subjugated by both Joseon and the shogunate. As a result, the power of the fiefdoms that opposed the shogunate was greatly weakened, and the shogunate began to pressure them step by step. * * * The war ended with the defeat of the Ming Dynasty, but the war of the Joseon Dynasty did not end. Work workload is not decreasing! help me! It would be better to be the record offices jangseung! Government officials screamed at the flood of reports that came in not in volumes but in cartloads. The war is over, but why doesnt work decrease? I know yeah! Officials, overwhelmed by the influx of work, literally shifted all their manpower to work. Are you applying for emergency leave? In this situation right now? In response to the subordinates request for leave, the governor red at the applicant with an expression as if he were going to eat him. The protagonist in question blushed and spoke slurred. Im sorry, but this time I got married Are you still single? I spent a long time studying math and my participation was weak Tsk! The governor clicked his tongue lightly and stamped the application form. No! yes? why! Now that the war has stopped the selection of the next generation, are you going to get married? And you still manage it? Ha haona. And cant you see the backlog of work over there? Its been a few days since Ive been busy with other things, so I havent been able to see the streets outside, let alone leave the house. Would you like to get married while restingfortably? Hahaona. Its already toote, just dy it by a few months. Do you think the bride will run away? Yes Seeing the old bachelor in tears, the governor held out a carrot. Instead, lets pay a very long sudden fee at that time. I also give you a reward. All right. And even women could not avoid this situation. What are these documents? These are things I want you to look at. I received emergency payment for childbirth, right? The baby wille out soon So, I chose documents that dont require an on-site inspection or require additional documents. Take care of yourself and deal with it. yes? yes? Then have a safe delivery! All you have to do is have someone send the documents as soon as they are finished. yes? yes? yes? lily! lily! The official, who had already disappeared out the door, did not answer when called. Hey you bastard! Youve had a baby! uh! All I could do was burst out in anger. * * * The current situation was the worst even for Joseon officials who were worn out through past experiences. Follow-up measures rted to the amount of supplies and wealth consumed during the war and the number of soldiers killed or maimed were basic. Issues rted to the creation of administrative districts in Liaodong and Liaoxi, which becamepletely Joseons strongholds, selection of administrators to be dispatched to the newly established administrative districts, and various issues rted to educational institutions to be established in the newly incorporated areas, etc. The administrative work that had to be handled by all administrative organizations in Joseon exploded at once. Another heavy burden was added to the officials who were overwhelmed with this explosion of work. It was Qingjegeonwon (Q۽Ԫ). It was necessary to not only decide on a new country name and era name for Joseon, which was to be transformed into an empire, but also to prepare a ceremony to announce it to heaven. As long as the Hwangudan (? ) is properly built for the event, 70% of it will be over, and the name of the country and era can only be decided when His Majesty the Prime Minister returns, so why are even we, who have nothing to do with the work, making such a fuss Huh~. A manager who was too busy with work sighed andined, and a colleague next to him spoke up. Because that is the biggest problem. huh? what? Building a club team? No, His Majesty the Lord is returning. Do you think it will end with His Majesty the Lord returning and bing emperor? Dont you know His Majesty the Lords personality? . The official, who thought about Dongryongs words for a moment, frowned. Holy shit! The Sejong they experienced was a boss who did not overlook even the slightest error. Tsk! How on earth do you get work done? It is true that the official in charge of the work made a mistake. Because there is a lot of work. But isnt it the job of superiors to immediately spot and correct such mistakes? But what is this incorrect document in my hand? Did you look into it properly? Please answer! Im sorry! If you apologize, dont create something to apologize for! Please kill me! Do you really want me to kill you? I take responsibility and resign. I refuse to allow it. If you cant decide, could you please cool off for a moment at the records office? If there was even the slightest error, the Prime Minister had to suffer a bloody blow. * * * September, 30th year of King Sejongs reign (1448, Mujin year). A time when Chuseok has passed and autumn colors are rampant. King Sejong arrived at Wonsan Port. Starting with Hyang, all the ministers who came out to greet King Sejong bowed deeply as soon as they saw him. I would like to meet Your Majesty the Lord! Those who bowed deeply and weed King Sejongs return with one voice. Thank you for your hard work. You have achieved a great cause, and your merit is truly great. I will never forget the hard work of my servants. I am devastated! In such a joyful atmosphere, luggage began to be unloaded from the ship and frigate on which King Sejong hade. I have a lot of baggage. Sejong smiled warmly and epted Hyangs words. Ah, because of the war, there were quite a few cases that were arbitrarily executed in Shinji, so I brought them this time. I need to discuss it again with you and the ministers and make a proper decision. Hyang looked tired of Sejongs words and muttered. Thats quite? Chapter 594 Episode 594: Open Heaven C It rolls again today. (2) As King Sejong put it, while quite a lot of luggage was being unloaded, people continued to unload from the ship. Most of them were Koreans who had returned to exchange shifts with the sailors, but there were at least dozens of people wearing unfamiliar attire C although the attire was not unfamiliar to Hyang. After seeing them, Hyang immediately asked Sejong. Abama, who are they? They are Shinjis chiefs, chief warriors, and officials. Management? As Hyang opened his eyes wide and could not hide his surprise, Sejong exined with a smile. It was very difficult to handle the administration of Shinji with only those brought from Joseon. So, they educated the residents of Shinji and selected them as officials. Although the level of the sages teachings is low, he is verypetent in practical aspects. I benefited greatly from Jeongeum. Are you saying that the problem was solved by just learning Jeongeum? Hyang looked at Sejong with an expression of disbelief. Even in the 21st century, Hangul was the worlds best alphabet in that it was easy to learn, but Korean was one of thenguages with the worst difficulty. Sejong answered Hyangs question with a deeper smile. Isnt there a very good bait called power? Ah Hyang nodded at Sejongs words. The situation at the end of the Joseon Dynasty was simr in history before the intervention of Hyang. When English became a necessity for sess as an official, there were records showing that Koreans learned English faster than anyone else. Hyang, who was nodding like that, had another question. Then why did you bring me here? There are many reasons, but the biggest reason is that we seeded inpletely turning thergest tribes in Shinji into our Joseon people. I wanted to tell you right away, but I didnt tell you because the war was right around the corner and the war broke out afterwards. Seeing Sejong talking as if it was no big deal, Hyang looked tired. In just four years? Not only did they incorporate the natives as citizens, but they also trained them as officials? This guy is really out of ss! It was in Gapja year (1444) that King Sejong left for Shinji. And now that he returned, it was the year of Mujin (1448). As if he had read Hyangs thoughts, Sejong added an exnation. When I got there, it was already almost ripe. There was simply no one in charge to make final coordination and decisions. I was very lucky. Oh yes. I will believe that it is so. That would be good for your mental health. It was a scent that was muttering words that would have been shocking if other people who had been tormented by him C especially ministers C had heard them. Seeing Hyangs expression, Sejong narrowed his eyes and asked. Why are you looking like that? Oh, its nothing! Hyang quickly adjusted her expression and continued asking questions. This is truly good news! This will make all the subjects of the government truly happy, and Joseon will be a solid empire. But why did you bring the native officials with you? Chiefs and head warriors understand to some extent, but officials dont know why. In order to create a proper administration for Shinji, shouldnt we provide proper education? And our Joseon Dynasty must be reorganized once again before it turns into an empire. And Sejong paused for a moment and asked Hyang with a stern expression. This father trusts you, but he must have properly analyzed the war lessons rted to this war, right? yes. We analyzed not only the military that directly carried out the war, but also all administrative departments that were in charge of support in the rear. Good job. They will re-analyze that war lesson. yes? Sejong narrowed his eyes again as he could not understand the scent properly. huh? Do you not understand what I am trying to do? If it were you before Hyang quickly answered in a situation where tongue-clicking was about to continue. Oh no. Certainly, looking through the eyes of an outsider, it is possible to identify problems that an insider could not. The problem is that they have just entered the pipeline. Sejongs expression rxed at Hyangs answer. Sejong, with a smile on his face again, exined the reason. Do you know when it is time for a gentleman to learn greatly again? Its time to teach your disciples. In order to provide teachings that can be easily understood by students who have yet to learn, a teacher must reexamine what he or she has learned. Additionally, as you answer questions from unconventional students, you will be able to find and correct your mistakes. Thats why I brought him here. Oh, indeed. I finally understand Abamas deep meaning! Although Hyang kept calm at Sejongs words, he broke into a cold sweat inside. There will be a sound of crying! This was the same for the ministers who followed the two father and son. The main prize was the main prize! I should have copsed from illness before the Lord Sang returned! That damn tonic! I should have written a resignation letter! Resignation! Hyang, who was afraid that something more scary woulde out rted to work, quickly changed the topic. How was Abamama Shinjis life? Yourplexion has improved greatly. This was not the ttery of incense. Compared to before leaving for Shinji, King Sejong had lost a lot of weight and hisplexion had improved. Is that so? Its not that its not, but Shinji is really wide. So I enjoyed many things, including horseback riding. Among them, I enjoyed Gyeokbang the most. Are you talking about separate rooms? Sejongs words made Hyang a little suspicious. Its simr to golf or gateball, so you had to y it almost every day to improve your health that much. Of course, it might have been possible for King Sejong, who enjoyed ying games all night long on Kyungshin Day. The problem was that Shinjis situation was not good enough for Sejong to enjoy fighting every day. If that were the case, no matter how good King Sejong was, it would have been impossible to achieve the results he had said. Sejong, who saw Hyangs expression, spoke with a bright face. I fixed the room. And I received great help from that room. yes? * * * What bothered King Sejong the most upon his arrival in Shinji was bringing the natives under the shadow of Joseon. The vastness of the area where indigenous tribes were scattered made it difficult to obtain quick results just by using the monopoly office. However, it was certain that using force would lead to bigger problems in the future. What should I do with this? Sejong, who had a headache, went outside every time to cool his head. At first, it was mainly solved by riding on horseback. The vastnd of Shinji was the perfect ce for horseback riding. But horseback riding soon faded. Because of safety concerns, arge bodyguard had to be attached, so it was not a good ce to think alone and cool off. No, horseback riding itself wasnt safe enough to think about anything else. Additionally, King Sejong did not like horse riding very much. It was because of King Sejongs obese body type. Its painful for me and its painful for me to say it. It was King Sejong who stayed away from horseback riding, making jokes that were not jokes. Of course, thanks to the Hyangs Healthy Pig Making Project, King Sejong became quite healthy, but he was still not good at horseback riding. Therefore, King Sejong rarely went horseback riding unless it was an urgent matter, such as the great fire in Hanseong that had urred in the past. Thanks to this, Sejong found another way to relieve stress. Drinking and dancing wont be of much help Shinjicked many things to enjoy drinking and dancing, and it was certain that the officers of the Board of Audit and Inspection who followed behind him would be noisy. It is certain that not only the magistrate but also the crown prince will be noisy, so I need something that allows me to move around alone and enjoy contemtion. Sejong, who was worrying like this, one day, while enjoying a game, his eyes sparkled. This is it! * * * So, I modified the rules of the game a little and created a game. First, thepetition between 10 or 20 people was changed to apetition between two or three people, and the distance to the waa was set to at least 100 cards (about 300m). And I modified it by cing a small forest or pond between the tiles and waa. So if you go around 10 waa, you will walk 10 ri. Its really nice to be able to enjoy your favorite game, take a leisurely walk, and organize your thoughts. Hyang, who was imagining the scene while listening to Sejongs exnation, shouted inwardly. This is golf! oh my god! Did you create golf to cool off?! Hyang quickly came to her senses after screaming internally and asked Sejong. You said you received great help, but did you use it for politics? Sejong smiled brightly at Hyangs question. As expected, its Cesaro! You noticed it right away! Thats too much praise. Hyang humbly responded to King Sejongs praise and muttered to himself. Are golf and politics inextricably linked? Sejong continued speaking excitedly. In order to attract the natives of the newnd, shouldnt we first build rapport with the chiefs? Of course. When we held a banquet to build friendship like that, it wascking in many things and the natives did not know the drinking rules and etiquette, so it was impossible to hold a banquet. However, it was not possible to hold an archerypetition because the level difference was too much, and to go horseback riding together was also impossible since they were new to horses, so the only solution was to hold a shootingpetition. In particr, wasnt the biggest feature of the fighting room I worked on being that two or three people could move together? It was the perfect way to persuade and appease the lukewarm chiefs. Of course it is. He nodded to Sejongs words and became more and more confident in his thoughts. As expected Sejong continued, excited. You know whats fun? It is said that the natives of Shinji also had fun in this Shingeokbang. So they built a spacious enclosure near where their tribesmen stayed. As far as I know, the number has already exceeded ten. Also, the fighting masters selected from the tribe arepeting against masters from other tribes in various fighting arenas. Of course, this is what I suggested. ha ha ha! Hyangs face becamepletely fed up with Sejongs words. Have you made it to the PGA now? If this continues, it wont be surprising if the theory of the world of creation emerges! Bring my Gyeokbangchaetong to the inner coffin! Yes, Your Highness! Sejong, who was excited, boasted about his virtue to Hyang. This is the chara used in the Shingeukbang. Hyangs eyes sparkled as he took the stick taken out of the long wooden box. Are you made of iron? Thats right. There are at least 100 pieces from ki to wa, so shouldnt the gu be sent as far away as possible? At first, I tried trimming bamboo or Shinji oak, but it turned out that if I made it strong, it would be heavy, and if I made it light, it would break easily. So I ordered the craftsmen in Area 52 to make suitable steel. Perhaps because they are truly excellent craftsmen, a good piece came out soon. ah! I also brought a record of the iron, so please take a look. yes. But is this Area 52? yes! It didnt fit the scale or everything to be called an Area 51 branch office, so we called it Area 52! Yes. Historians in the distant future will have a hard time finding Districts 1 to 50. King Sejong, who excitedly exined the Shingeokbang, looked around and gave orders to Hyang. this! I wasted too much time! Lets go back quickly and take care of the backlog! Yes yes. Chapter 595 Episode 595: Opening Heaven C It rolls again today. (3) After returning to Hanseong, King Sejong immediately unpacked his belongings at Gangnyeongjeon. Even though Ive been away for so many years, it still feels unfamiliar to me. Sejong lightly expressed his regrets, looked around the room, and then turned to the direction. Have you been keeping it empty all this time? The pce staff must have had a hard time cleaning. If you do it regrly, it takes less effort than you think. Thats right. Sejong nodded lightly and looked back at the scent. Then lets start working properly starting tomorrow. yes. Abama mama. Then rest in peace. OK. You too, rest. * * * They told us to rest, but Gyeongbokgung Pce was busy from that evening. Since it was the return of the royal familys most important elders, the Crown Princess and Emperor Yangwon, as well as the descendants and royal grandchildren, all visited Gangnyeongjeon and Gyotaejeon to pay their respects. And in this process, Hyang had to suffer unexpected hardships. Wait Is Seson still alone? Wan blushed and answered Queen Soheons question as if she were embarrassed. I apologize. Oh my Tsk! Queen Soheon clicked her tongue and red at Hyang. I cant believe Seson is still alone! What on earth did the Crown Prince do? Hyang responded to Queen Soheons reprimand by urgently bowing her head. Im sorry! When I was trying to find a mate for my three sons, war broke out and this is what happened! Hey, Crown Prince! This is the year the war broke out! And Seson is already seventeen! If the crown prince had been thinking about it, he should have held the wedding of his descendants before the king left for Shinji! At that time, the three sons were only thirteen. The three sons! At Queen Soheons shouting, Hyang immediately fell to the floor. yep! I apologize! Sojas impudence ising! I forgot! What kind of person is this! King Sejong and Queen Soheon were a couple for whom the term Buchangbusu was appropriate. In particr, Queen Soheon was a woman who could easily be called the Steel Lady. Even though he was destroyed by King Taejong, who was worried about the rise of his maternal rtives, he held on resolutely. When a great fire broke out in Hanseong, she took the lead in ce of the absent King Sejong. Therefore, Hyang immediately fell to the floor when Queen Soheon shouted at him. Even in front of Queen Soheon and King Sejong who were so angry, Princess Jeongso was the only one who remained sane. Its definitely my mistake. what. It was the scent that made me savor while being reprimanded by Queen Soheon. * * * No matter how long people lived in Joseon, most of their values were adjusted to 21st century standards. By the standards of the 21st century, when marriage in the 30s wasmon, people in theirte teens were an age group that was far from marriage. In fact, if you get married as a teenager, you are more likely to be viewed negatively. Therefore, Hyang himself did not show interest in marriage until he was in histe teens, which was a cause for concern for King Sejong. If it werent for the fact that Hyang was constantly working around theb and Area 51 to produce results, it was certain that Hyang would have been forced to get married before she turned 15. No, there actually was such a movement, but King Sejong blocked it. Im eager too, but lets wait a little longer. King Sejong, who remembered his childhood when he was absorbed in the joy of learning, stopped him. Wouldnt it be okay if its a littlete for the next 2 or 3 years? Then, upon hearing the rumor that Emperor Seondeok was coveting her, he quickly got Hyang married. * * * King Sejong nodded after hearing about the wedding issue of his son, Wan. There is definitely a problem. The next day, as soon as the assembly was over, King Sejong immediately called Hyang and brothers Wanduseul. You know why I called you, right? In response to Sejongs question, Hyang immediately bowed her head and answered. yes. Tsk! Sejong clicked his tongue and reprimanded Hyang. It is true that you were indifferent to the wedding, but it was a big mistake to be indifferent to the wedding of your next descendant. I apologize. You shouldnt create anything to apologize for! Im sorry! Tsk! Sejong clicked his tongue again and looked at Brother Wan Du-seul with a gentle expression. Yes, your hardships are great because you have an indifferent father. No. When King Sejong saw his grandchildren answering, his expression suddenly became strange. wait! Maybe these guys too? King Sejong, who recalled Hyangs entric journey, which was appropriately called extraordinary, asked his grandchildren. Do you have any women in mind? Women dont know much because they are too busypleting their duties. The same goes for small hands. So Son is like that too. In response to Brother Wanduseuls answer, King Sejong once again looked fierce and red at Hyang, and Hyang had to fall t on the floor once again. Tsk tsk tsk! Wow! Youre really angry! The crown prince needs to talk to me more. yes. Abama. dead! King Sejong, who was ring at Hyang as if he were going to eat him, immediately rxed his expression and looked at his grandchildren. Yes, there are no women in mind. Then, is there anything about the woman you desire? Well Brother Wan Du-seul blushed and blurted out his words in response to Sejongs question. Seeing his grandchildrens embarrassment and not knowing what to do, Sejong smiled warmly and asked again. Would you like a woman with a kind heart? Or would you rather be a wise woman? Or would you prefer a woman with striking off-white color? Wan, who thought about Sejongs question for a moment, nced at the incense and asked Sejong. How did you respond? It was a masterpiece. I still remember it clearly. Either she was the woman with the fairest skin among women with fair hearts, or she was the woman with the fairest heart among women with fair hearts. At Sejongs answer, the heads of the Wanduseul brothers all turned towards the incense. Their gazes were full of admiration. also! father! So Son is like that! The same goes for Soson! So Son is like that too. In response to Brother Wanduseuls answer, King Sejong ced his hand on his forehead and sighed. Haa~. Halvamama? Should I tell Eoui toe? Sejong lightly waved his hand in response to the fuss of the Wanduseul brothers, who were surprised by the sigh. Its no big deal. Ive heard what you want, so lets think about it. Go out and see. yes. In response to King Sejongs order to congratte the guests, the Hyang and his descendants all bowed their respects and retired. No, I tried to back out. Seokja, you have some left. The scent that was trying to escape from the three hands became tearful and turned away. Whew~ I guess I can live now. Whoa~. Haa~. As soon as Brother Wanduseul left Gangnyeongjeon, he let out a long sigh. However, the Wan Du-seul brothers quickly left Gangnyeongjeon as King Sejong shouted at them to leave Gangnyeongjeon. Hey you bastard! * * * A few dayster, the Milwi headquarters located somewhere in Hanseong. Naegeumwi, the head of the Militia Committee, and executives gathered the members of the Militia Committee and delivered King Sejongs orders. This is an order from above. Do some research on the women who are full of spirit. yes? Are you telling us to act as hawks? The neers, who had just joined the mill, looked puzzled, but the senior millworkers nodded. Surely its time? No, its toote. Think about Sesons age. is it? The seniors, who were having conversations that the newbies could not understand, asked questions to the head of the Naegum Division and the executives. Looking at the orders given to us, are the standards the same as before? Yes. However, this time the level of difficulty is high. We need to find spouses not only for the third generation, but also for the two royal grandchildren. yes? This time, the seniors also looked puzzled. The 3rd generation and the royal descendants both missed their marriage and also want the same woman, so they are dealt with all at once. omg? While the secretaries were gaping after hearing the answer, the Naegeum inspector and the executives were grumbling inwardly while stroking their darkly bruised eyelids. no! Why is it our fault that the three descendants and the royal grandson couldnt get married? Why are you beating us up when the Crown Prince didnt give any orders? The best sword of Joseon is everything! The damn old man is still fresh! If you want to hit me, just hit me. Why are you making excuses to spar? Oh my, its Saksin! I only hit the very painful areas! They were Naegeumwijang and executives who were beaten to dust on a rainy day by the former Naegeumwijang, who returned with King Sejong. And not long after, the jabs from all over Hanseong once again had to pack their bags to head south, or even further south. This was because the scope of the search greatly expanded as the organization of the milwi expanded throughout the country. While the three sons and the royal descendants were busy trying to find spouses, one of Milwis agents had an ingenious idea. Manager, I have a good idea. Good idea? What? Dong-sik, who answered the managers question, got straight to the point. How about we make this official? officially? What? Looking for spouses for the third generation and the royal grandchildren? yes. You bastard! Dont you know why we are a milwi? Have you forgotten what wheat on wheat means? Despite the managers scolding, Dong-sik continued his exnation steadfastly. No, I know very well. But isnt there a limit to how many ck men can search around? Thats right. That is why we are looking for talented hawks and entrusting them with the work. Of course, they do not establish ties with us directly, but rather establish appropriate channels in the middle. Wouldnt that make it a little easier? Hmm That sounds usible The executive who heard the suggestion nodded, stroking his chin. Dongsik, who saw a positive response, strengthened his voice. There is another benefit there. If you are a resourceful hawk, you can easily enter the living rooms of high-ranking people. Then wouldnt you be able to get information you might otherwise miss? huh? wait? At Dong-siks words, the manager looked like he had taken a hit. Now that I think about it Until now, most of the ces where the secretaries got their information were from the gibang. Otherwise, it was collecting rumors circting in the marketce, but this was very inurate. However, it was certain that if he could enter the familys main room, he would be able to obtain information that would otherwise be missed in the main room. Its okay, but theres a problem. What are you going to do with the hawks? No matter how much we put the trays in the middle, if we do something wrong, our true identity can be revealed. Dong-sik immediately responded to the managers point. There are quite a few children who have entered gyobang (a gisaeng training institution) but are having a hard time because theirplexion iscking or their temperament is not suited to being a gisaeng. Its about using them. At first, they were run by assigning them to a hawk to learn the job, butter they were operating under the guise of a hawk or a water seller. In other words, we are creating and running a secret organization made up of women. Hmm Hearing Dong-siks words, the manager predicted the feasibility of the project. If youre a hawk, you can definitely get into the depths of the ban family. I also heard that hawks and dealers are used to look into the inner workings of families with whom they are not on good terms. Lets see If you openly engage in matchmaking, you might be able to avoid the suspicions of spies Theres a chance. There is already talk that Pocheong will gather women and entrust them with simr work. After thinking that far, Jang came to a conclusion. I think its a good idea. Write a n and submit it. yes? Its your idea, so write a n. Dong-sik became tearful at the managers words. Im ignorant? You know Jeongeum, right? Of course I know Jeongeum. Then whats the problem? Submit it within two days. yes. Dongsik suddenly took over his homework and hit his mouth with his hand. Ah-oh! This damned group of bastards! Chapter 596 Episode 596: Open Heaven C It rolls again today. (4) The Push for the simultaneous marriage of the Wanduseul brothers caused variousments to emerge even among officials. Isnt this problematic? Isnt this something that has no precedent or precedent? Thats true, but the three of you are all the same age But you are the legitimate son and the bastard child. If we get married at the same time, it could be a problemter. Thats true But think about the rtionship between the three of you. If you give the red g a differential, you will miss the red g. I would be happy if it were just the three of you now, but think about the remaining princes, princesses, and princesses. Thats a problem too This debate was the same among ministers. If you think about the rtionship between the three of you, it is definitely toote. Therefore, I understand that the Lord lord is in a hurry. Kim Jong-seo opposed Hwang Hees words. Even so, it is something that must be prevented from holding weddings at the same time without proper documentation. If you do something wrong, there will be problems with the royal authority. With the chief minister and the crown prince over there, will there be a problem with the royal authority? In response to Hwang Hees rebuttal, Kim Jong-seo exined again what the problem was. If we look at it now, that wont happen. But we need to think about the future. If something like this happens again in the future, this incident will be used as a precedent and the same thing will happen. The problem is that, unlike now, if there is a problem with the royal authority, great confusion will arise due to the session issue. Other ministers also nodded to Kim Jong-seos point. Sure The Minister of General Affairs has a point. Most of those present here were those who experienced the transition period between Goryeo and Joseon. These were the people who clearly saw with their own eyes what kind of tragedy the shaky royal authority and unclear session structure had created C especially the princes rebellion that urred twice. At Kim Jong-seos words, Kim Jeom looked embarrassed and opened his mouth. The problem is that the three of you are now seventeen. Considering the time it takes to make a selection and the time to prepare for a wedding, in the case of Eunpyeong-gun (the military name of Seul), you need to be twenty before you can get married. If that happens, all the weddings of the remaining princes, princesses, and princesses will be pushed back. The only thing is that what happened because of the crown prince will be repeated again. Oh my Tsk! Tsk tsk tsk! Thats nasty! The ministers gathered at Kim Jeoms words clicked their tongues in unison. As Hyangs marriage was dyed, the marriages of Hyangs younger siblings, including Jinpyeong and Anpyeong, were pushed back one after another. The reason was that it was against etiquette and disloyalty for the younger siblings to get married first when King Sejongs eldest son and the legitimate eldest son did not get married. And this time, it was very likely that the same thing would happen in the marriage of the Wanduseul brothers. Kim Jeom continued speaking. Even in private families, twenty is said to be ate age and people worry about it. This bes an even bigger problem since it is a royal family. No matter how different the titles are, isnt the weight different when ites to the royal familys name? The ministers nodded in silence at Kim Jeoms point. * * * Regardless of whether they were crown princes or grand princes, men in the royal family got married at least 1 to 2 years earlier than the general public. This was to marry early and have many healthy offspring. This was the contradiction of the royal family. The great prince or county could be seen as the crown princes strongestpetitor. In particr, Daegun was the political enemy closest to him. But that didnt mean they could have fewer offspring. This was because the royal lineage should not be cut off no matter what happened. Because of this, a contradiction arose where we had to increasepetitors even though we knew it. * * * Kim Jeom continued talking. There are royal issues, but there are also administrative issues. This year, a discount event is already nned at the retail store tomemorate the victory. But the wedding of Seson and the two military captains continues every year? If the weddings of the princes, princesses, and princesses continue, and if the third descendant bes the next royal descendant Kim Jeom, who stopped speaking there, cleared his throat and continued. Almost every year, discount events are held at the reseller. This means that controlling prices bes a huge headache. Hwang Hui immediately countered Kim Jongs words. Hasnt the discount event at the exclusive store already been held almost every year? I dont think it will be a big problem, right? In response to Hwang Hees point, Park Jong-woo, the Minister of Finance and Economy, stepped forward. Because of that problem, First Vice Minister Lim Soon-wook hase up with a new n. Lim Soon-wook, who had previously served as president of the Korea Railroad Corporation, recently returned as First Vice Minister of Finance and Economy. This was equivalent to saying that he had almost been nominated as the next Minister of Finance and Economy. Hwang Hees eyes sparkled at the words new n. What is the new n? We are holding regr discount events at our retail stores. A discount event is held every year at a set date and time for a set period of time. However, the discount rate and discounted items change every year. In this way, we can reduce unnecessary consumption and promote the consumption of products that are having difficulty selling. Hmm Hwang Hee, who was counting while listening to Park Jong-woos answer, expressed doubt. There doesnt seem to be any difference between it bing a regr thing and the royal family holding discount events every year, so why is it difficult to control prices? Once it bes regr, we can decide the time and period and make a n, but isnt that the royal familys auspicious event? Cant we make price control a battlefield? No sooner had Kim Jeom finished speaking than Park Jong-woo answered. We should also think carefully about holding a discount event whenever the royal family celebrates. Looking at the current situation, there will continue to be auspicious events for the royal family and the country in theing years, and several auspicious events may ovep each year. If discount events continue every time, people may not make regr purchases and just wait for the discount events. Then it bes even more of a headache. Oh my The faces of the ministers, including Hwang Hee, crumpled at Park Jong-woos exnation. Now, more than 20 years have passed since the beginning of the Gyeongjang, the economic sense of the ministers was no less than what Hyang said, the vanguard of capitalism. Thanks to this, I was able to immediately understand the problem that would arise from what Park Jong-woo said. If normal purchasing activities do not continue, the market will be ruined and the top will be ruined. Then the world will be ruined. Then all the criticism will be directed at the chief minister, and we will use the me. The ministers who had reached that point in their thoughts uttered curses at the same time. Holy shit! Is there such a thing as jaratang? Three generations will eat the health medicine! The ministers relieved themselves by excitedly swearing and continued the meeting again. There are certainly many things to consider in this matter. Lets report this matter to the chief minister and get it resolved. The ministers all nodded at Hwang Hees decision. While we were oveing the hurdle and preparing for the next agenda, someone grumbled a little. This time too, its Cesaro. If only the crown prince got married early The ministers who heard the grumbling sighed at the same time. Whoa~. I cant swear because Im the crown prince Funny enough, Hyang was worried about the Sejong everything theory, but the Crown everything theory circted even more among ministers and other officials. Its the third child again. Lets count this time too. Most of the things that shook the country, whether good or bad, had a scent attached to them. * * * Hmm Im sure theres a problem. After hearing the ministersments, King Sejong stroked his beard and nodded. What should I do with this? Sejong, who was muttering softly, turned his head to Hyang. What do you think? this! Hyang looked embarrassed at Sejongs question. It was clear that he was asking Hyangs thoughts, but the meaning was different. This happened because of you, so give me the answer! Give me a moment. Of course. Hyang-hyang, who got a moments respite from Sejong, violently shook her head. After desperately racking his brain, Hyang managed to find a usible answer. First of all, I think its a good idea to hold discount events at resale stores regrly every year. No matter how stingy they are, they will empty their pockets during discount events, so this will provide vitality to the market. hmm. Thats right. Seeing that Sejongs reaction was not bad, Hyang sighed and continued speaking. What bes problematic is when there is a conflict between the country and the royal family. In Sojas opinion, it would be better to differentiate each item and apply it to regr events at exclusive stores. How do you apply it? If we take a royal wedding as an example, five days are added to the event period for the wedding and birth of the crown prince or heir, three days for the prince and princess, and two days for the prince and princess. Discount rates are also differentiated. If you do this, I think it will be okay because you wont have to wait for discount events all year long. Its okay. Sejong, who was nodding at Hyangs answer, looked back at the ministers. What do you think? I think its a very good alternative. I think it would be very useful because it is not an event held every time an auspicious event urs, but the period is adjusted at a set date and time every year. When Hwang Hee and Kim Jong-woo Park responded positively, other ministers responded simrly. Thene up with a good n based on the crown princes suggestions. I follow your orders. Lets pass over the monopoly case and lets handle the wedding of the kings and princes like this. Holding weddings at the same time would be problematic, so we will avoid it, but hold all three weddings within a year. And, as suggested by the Crown Prince, how about organizing discount events at retail outlets? This is truly a reasonable punishment. The ministers all unanimously agreed to King Sejongs proposal. If you finish it within a year, itll be good because there will be less hassle! This was the intention of the ministers. * * * After resolving the issues rted to Seson, Sejong and the local ministers began a full-scale inspection. Have you preparedpensation for the soldiers and people who died or were injured in this war? yes. We willpensate you ording to the previously establishedws. Right. Hmm. Sejong, who had been studying the report while listening to the ministers answers, looked back. The treatment center for disabled veterans that you advocated for has received very good reviews. Thank you, this will be a great help. Hyang responded to King Sejongspliment by bowing her head. I simply did what I had to do for the safety of the country and the royal family. Sejong smiled and murmured at Hyangs humility. That guy * * * The Disabled Veterans Treatment Center was a ce whose main purpose was to treat and rehabilitate disabled veterans who had be disabled through war or various idents. It was a ce where disabled veterans were helped to lead normal lives through the development of assistive devices such as prosthetic hands, crutches, wheel chairs, and wheelchairs, and through rehabilitation treatment, while also providing treatment and care for seriously ill patients such as general paralysis. When Hyang first advocated the opening of this treatment center, both King Sejong and the ministers reacted negatively. The intention is good, but is it really necessary? Your will is truly beautiful, but if you think about the cost involved Wouldnt it be better to leave the care to the family and provide adequate support? In response to this negative response, Hyang further emphasized the necessity. Think about it. No matter how much support the government provides, there are limits. This means that the families responsible for the care end up having a hard time! Who would stand up for the country if they were crippled and all that was left was poverty? And which people would want to protect the king and royal family who created such a situation? It is absolutely necessary to protect the safety of the royal family and the country! Still Why did many dynasties and countries, including the previous emperor, fail? Because the people abandoned it! This is something that must be done to make the people not abandon their country and dynasty! In the end, a treatment center was built at Hyangs insistence, and it came to shine in this war. Chapter 597 Episode 597: Opening Heaven C It rolls again today. (5) The treatment center for disabled veterans named Uihaengwon (xԺ) had many advantages in many ways. It was the optimal ce for the development and improvement of various assistive devices, including prosthetic hands and legs. In addition, the research and development of various therapies for the rehabilitation of disabled veterans has been of great help to those in need of rehabilitation in the general society. In addition, he was in charge of nursing and treating people who suffered mental trauma on the battlefield and suffered from mania, creating a framework for systematic research into the unfamiliar medical field of psychiatry. Lastly, a new profession was created by operating arge number of male medical staff to assist with rehabilitation treatment that required strong strength, including tasks that were easy for women to say, such as helping disabled veterans bathe or toilet. In particr, male medics who received training at military clinics and learned practical skills at medical clinics were greatly weed in medical fields such as trauma and burn treatment, because this area, like rehabilitation treatment, also required a lot of assistants with strong strength. . * * * This battle, which began with Zhu Qins invasion, had a great impact on the field of medicine. We haveid the foundation for significant development in the field of trauma medicine. Once a battle broke out, military doctors umted experience and improved their skills while treating the flood of wounded soldiers. In addition, I discovered the need for research and improvement measures for parts that were not mentioned or vaguely described in existing medical books. In addition, great progress has been made in improving surgical tools for surgical operations. Until this time, surgical tools developed in Rome and passed down through Byzantine had been imported and copied. However, since the tools were adapted to the environment of almost 1,000 years ago, many tools required improvement. Therefore,wmakers in urgent situations on the battlefield sterilized the tools they had lying around by heating them on a fire or putting them in boiling water before using them. What was interesting was that they sterilized and disinfected even though they had no knowledge of germs. This was the result of the experience of seniorwmakers who had worked in the field while under pressure and pressure from the government, and bywmakers who had be familiar with the precautions written in Roman medical books brought in from the West. As a side note, the survival rate of those treated by Joseon surgeons who were familiar with sterilization and disinfection treatment and those who received surgical treatment in the Ming or Europe showed a huge difference, showing a reversal of surgical techniques transferred from the West to the West. This happened. Of course, this was a story in the distant future, and right now, there was a mountain of data, improvements, and research tasks piled up from the battlefield. It wasnt just the surgical field that made great progress. As spring transitioned into summer, it was inevitable that infectious diseases would spread in the swampy battlefield environment. New treatments and treatments began to be researched to treat this infectious disease. In addition, as the importance of the environment to prevent the spread of global diseases was highlighted again, the government conducted sanitary inspections of drinking water sources and urban viges throughout Joseon. In the case of Hanseong alone, inspection standards for water supply and sewerage have been strengthened, and water quality management of rivers, including Cheonggyecheon and Jungnangcheon, has be more stringent. And all of this was recorded in writing and handed over to the Archives. Thanks to this, the red color of the pirs of the Record Center became even deeper. * * * King Sejong meticulously analyzed the reports that analyzed this war. It is enough to deal with disabled soldiers, and there does not seem to be a big problem with the awards to be given to those who have served. But what is the packaging for participating in the war? We are producing and distributing packaging to be attached to the uniforms of soldiers and officers who participated in this battle. He is a man of merit who participated in a war that risked the fate of his country and a soldier who turned the tables. Sejong slightly tilted his head in response to Hyangs answer. Was it really necessary? Required. This is because it means that Abama and the country know that even if you did not necessarily make a contribution in the war, you did your job faithfully. Also, having someone around who has experienced a major war will be of great help to new recruits who have not experienced a war. And those who wear this badge will fight even more bravely in order not to tarnish their honor. Hmm. Sejong was lost in thought at the exnation of the scent. But Hyangs expression was resolute. Why did the Demyansk Shield or Normandy Drop badge appear? German soldiers who participated in the defense of Demyansk during World War II were awarded the Demyansk Shield, and badgesmemorating this wereter issued to U.S. paratroopers who descended from the Normandyndings. In the end, Sejong, who had been struggling, nodded. I think the crown princes words are reasonable. What do you think? The ministers answered with one voice to King Sejongs question. I think this is a truly beautiful meaning. Then lets do it. In this way, packaging was provided to the soldiers who participated in this war. It was a small iron te modeled after a chest shield, a traditional square shield, with a gold border. Soldiers who participated in the Battle of Yalu River painted the inside of the border blue, and those who participated in the Battle of Liaodong painted it brown. And the soldiers who participated in both battles were split in half and painted blue and brown. Simr packaging was issued to the navy; those who participated in the Battle of the Yalu River were painted green, and those who participated in the Battle of the West Sea were painted yellow. Those who went through the Battle of the West Sea and entered Jinan Province were painted yellow and blue, and those who participated in the attack on Shanhaiguan were given yellow and brown wrappings. Those who received this package cherished it as if they were holding a shrine. And when I went out or went on vacation, I wore this package on my chest and proudly walked down the street. An unexpected effect of this packaging was that the number of soldiers causing idents outside was drastically reduced. A guy who cant even pay for packaging! This was the result of people who went out with a package and had an ident and came back in because they were scolded and ostracized by their colleagues, so they naturally became careful about their appearance. As a side note, this packaging also became an heirloom andter became a sought-after item by collectors around the world. * * * In the process of analyzing Jeon Hoon, not only positive things came out. Negative things or things that could be cause for concern in the future also emerged. This was the case with guns that disappeared during the battle. If this had flowed to the bandits or the Jurchen tribe, there would be less concern. Since there is a supply and demand issue of bullets, we will be able to deal with it as much as we can. The problem is when this is entered as a name. What do you think? Hyang calmly responded to Sejongs words. It definitely went in. The rule of the Joseon army was to retreat with all the weapons it had, even when retreating. They were taught to destroy the triggering device of heavy firearms such as freight cars or shotgun shells so that they could not be used even if they were captured, and the doctrine was to collect and detonate heavy firearms such as lightning bolts or throwing bombs. However, it was almost impossible to properly follow this rule in actual battle. In particr, in the case of the trench warfare that took ce in the Battle of Gwangnyeong, a significant amount of long guns and boxcar bombs were lost in the battle where the trenches were taken out. In the ensuing chase, we were able to recover a significant amount of the missing weapons, but the numbers still did not match. Sejong nodded and asked in Hyangs answer. I guess so? So, I guess Myungdo will soon make a simr weapon? It will be difficult right away. why? The width is because. In order to properly use the firearms currently used by the Joseon military, detonators were absolutely necessary. And in order to make a proper detonator, a detonator called Poekun was absolutely necessary. Hyang continued his exnation to King Sejong. In order to properly and powerfully use Deokgap-style explosives, explosives, and dynamite, an improved version of explosives, explosives are absolutely necessary. And this piece of silver is something that cannot be imitated just by looking at it. So its hard to follow right away? Hyang immediately nodded to Sejongs question. yes. In Sojas opinion, the first thing to follow is to rifle the barrel. That alone greatly improves performance. King Sejong and the ministers all nodded at Hyangs exnation. King Sejong, who looked at the report in response to Hyangs response, asked Hyang again. So you mentioned 10 years at most? yes. If they had any idea, they would do all kinds of experiments to create something simr to Pokyun. If you are lucky you will see results right away, if not it will take more time. But no matter what, it wontst more than 10 years. They dont have to be exactly the same, but they just have to have simr properties. Then are you prepared? I have a n. First of all, we are preparing to develop firearms to be used in ce of freight cars and shotguns and new long guns to be used by soldiers. No sooner had Hyang finished answering than Sejong turned to Kim Jeom and Park Jong-woo. I hope that the left Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance and Economy will allocate the necessary budget. Ming will never forget this humiliation and will definitely seek revenge. And we cannot ignore Japan either. If you look at the nature of the Japanese people, they have no hesitation in being two-faced and satisfying their own greed. Right now, our Joseon Dynasty is strong, so we are friendly, but if there is even the slightest opportunity, they will show their ferocity. So we have no choice but to keep moving forward. I follow your orders! As soon as Kim Jeom and Park Jong-woo answered, Sejong looked back. Imand the crown prince. Most of the weapons used by our Joseon military are now in your hands. Therefore, before you take my ce, finish the development of weapons that will support the future of the Joseon military. No, at least we need to make things that can rece long guns and freight car shotguns. And for the rest, make sure you have at least some direction. I follow your orders! Hyang responded to King Sejongsmand in a loud voice. Lets go! My wallet is wide open! Ill do something that will go down in history! And everyone who heard Hyangs answer had the same thought at the same time. Im excited. Im excited. And the officer who recorded all of this added: - So, when the king ordered the development of weapons to prepare for the future war, the Donggung Pce responded with a loud voice. The officer says: There is no room for argument that Donggung was very interested in weapons and contributed greatly to the development of new weapons. Since the Prime Minister has promised solid support, it is certain that a weapon that will go down in history will be born. But that is correct. Weapon development is Donggungs hobby. The most enjoyable thing in the world is enjoying your hobbies without worrying about money, and I envy you. * * * Analysis and inspection rted to the battle that took ce in Liaodong werepleted, but there was no time for coordination. This was because the analysis and inspection of various policies and regtions carried out in Shinji continued. While all the government officials and even the indigenous officials from Shinji were walking around with tired faces, King Sejong threw a bomb. The biggest legal debate that has urred since the police chief took ce. Chapter 598 Episode 598: Opening of Heaven C Controversy over the First Law (1) King Sejong brought documents rted to various tasks that had been carried out in Shinji. * * * The amount of documents written since the discovery of Shinji and the establishment of a bridgehead was enormous. Of course, the documents prepared in that way were delivered to Hanseong through regr flights, and Hanseong processed them as quickly as possible and returned them to Shinji. However, because the maind of Joseon and Shinji were far away, most of the work was done after death. King Sejong went to Shinji to solve problems that would arise due to this time difference. The goal was to minimize the risk of problems urring by having the top person in charge and authority handle everything in real time on site. And when we returned this time, boxes full of documents C 248 to be exact C were brought with us. And, except for two boxes, all of them headed to the parking lot. It was copied inrge quantities at the main office and then distributed to the 6th department in charge of administration. As for administration, the worn-out maind officials were in the process of improving themselves by analyzing boxes of documents. * * * When there were only a few boxes left from Shinji, the attention of the ministers and ministers was focused on the two boxes that went into Gangnyeongjeon. As soon as they arrived at Gyeongbokgung Pce, ording to King Sejongs order, the two boxes were taken directly to Gangnyeongjeon, not to Jujaso. Whenever officials gathered in groups, they chatted about the boxes in question. What do you think is in there? Well isnt it just His Highness the Prime Ministers personal catch? If you look at the records, it is ssified as an official document? If it was His Majesty the Lords private message, it would have been ssified and carried separately, right? Yes, but its so ambiguous, isnt it? Simr conversations were continuing where ministers gathered. What do you think is in that box? Lee Sa-cheol responded to Kim Jeoms question. Could it be a new historical book? librarian? Didnt His Majesty the Lord tell you, when he was in Shinji, to find and send librarians to the early morning? Could it be that he created a new librarian bybining those librarians? Some people nodded at Lee Sa-cheols words, while others tilted their heads. Kim Jong-seo, one of those who tilted his head, pointed out the problem. Then it wouldnt have been ssified as an official document. Lee Sa-cheol again presented the basis for Kim Jong-seos point. Isnt there a possibility that he is a librarian who was made to learn at the Social Democratic Institute? Then it may be ssified as an official document. In that case, it would have already been printed at the main office and handed over to the Ministry of Education. But that doesnt happen, does it? Thats true, but Lee Sa-cheol, who was at a loss for an answer, trailed off. Kim Jong-seo looked back at Hwang Hee. What do you think, Prime Minister? Hwang Hee gave a short answer to Kim Jong-seos question. Im trying my best not to think about it. yes? What is that? When Kim Jong-seo and the other ministers all looked shocked at thepletely unexpected answer, Hwang Hee let out a long sigh. Whoa~. Have you been experiencing so much trauma for so long and still dont know it? yes? Whoa~. Hwang Hee sighed again and continued speaking in a gloomy voice. The Lord makes us work so hard that we die, but he does not make us die. Do you understand? But seeing as you havent brought it up until now wow~. As soon as Hwang Hee finished speaking with a sigh, the expressions of the ministers became crumpled. Holy shit! For some reason, the medicine I took yesterday was sweet! Did you just take some medicine? Didnt he suddenlye down to Eosaju a few days ago? So that was Hojo Fish Meal Day! * * * A few days ago, King Sejong gathered the major and minor officials at Gyeonghoeru and held a banquet. Your efforts have been truly great in aplishing this great cause. We held a small banquet to express our gratitude. Under the reign of King Sejong, all the major and minor officials who attended the banquet bowed their heads and raised their voices. I am devastated! And at the banquet that followed, King Sejong personally went around the table and poured drinks into the sses of officialsrge and small. Such a bright light! I am devastated! The ministers who received the alcohol poured by King Sejong raised their voices in excitement. ording to King Sejongsmand that day, all officials of the six departments were able to leave work on time. That wasnt all. The internal affairs office paid a small amount of reward ording to the rank of the officials. Even though it was a reward, it was enough to buy one or two chickens. However, the steps of the officials who left work on time carrying bags of chicken or smi were more cheerful than ever before. * * * Because of this, the impressions of the ministers werepletely strained by Hwang Huis exnation. C Even though the rted work was almost finished, not only did they not submit it, but they even held a banquet. C When he sees Joo-sang ordering him to do something, he pushes him to the point where he is on the verge of death. If youbine these two, the result is clear. -There are tasks in those boxes that require so muchbor that it would be easier to die. Would it be better to file a resignation letter? Kim Jong-seo shook his head at Hwang Bo-ins mumbling. If it were your true nature, you would have given me a job as a recorder instead of epting it. Mr. This situation was the same for Hyang. This is being said, what do you think? Hyang answered firmly to Han Myeong-hoes question. Dont think about it. While youre thinking about it, please process at least one more official document. Otherwise, Ill make you work like a bellows in Area 51. yep! At Hyangs warning, the four buried their heads in a pile of documents. Looking at that scene, Hyang grumbled inwardly. Suddenly theres a bonus at the banquet. No matter how much I think about it, I feel anxious. We have to get to Area 51 before Abama throws the bomb! It was a scent that made Hwang Hee shudder with an unknown sense of anxiety. However, from King Sejongs perspective, this was an unfair misunderstanding. We have achieved a great achievement that will go down in history, but we cannot just ignore it! It was a banquet that King Sejong gave because he was truly grateful, and it was a reward that was distributed. * * * Five dayster, a message came from the official who had been nted at the runners camp. -Boxes came out of Gangnyeongjeon! Hwang Hee, who received the message, quenched her appetite and looked back at the other ministers. Tsk! It has finallye. Whoa~. Haa~. Where did you keep the Cheongsimhwan? The ministers sighed at Hwang Hees words or reached into their sleeves and took out medicine. This reaction was the same for scent. It has finallye. Phew~. Hyang took a deep breath and gave an order to Han Myeong-hoe. Bring it back as soon as the printing is finished at the main station! yep! * * * Three dayster, the local government officials were able to receive the items in question. What they received in total was 12 thick books. Everyone who received the book looked at the title first. Choibeop (A)? When everyone tilted their heads, the first thing they understood was, of course, the scent. Its the cornerstoneis it also the Constitution? But its a little strange because it says its an extraw, not a constitution. After mulling over the familiar yet unfamiliar name several times, Hyang soon came to a conclusion. The constitution was created in Japan anyway, so the firstw may be better. This was half the answer. The word constitution first appeared in Guoguo, a historical book written by Zuo Gu-ming of the Zhou Dynasty. The constitution was used by Mitsukuri Rinsho, a modern Japanese thinker, to express the concept of the French word Constitution. And over time, this became a word with amon concept throughout Northeast Asia. (Note 1) * * * After work that day, Hwang Hee and the ministers sat around the conference room. ruler! I didnt wait, but I got it, so lets get to work. yes. But do we need another neww? Arent there still various legal codes, including the Joseon Gyeonggukjeon? Hwang Bo-in responded to Lee Sa-cheols point. The customs and norms of those living in the newly expanded river area are all different, so it is problematic to deal with them using the existingw code. And in most cases, we followed the Daemyung rate, but we cant do that in the future, right? Nothing like cancer. Now a new era has begun, so we need to prepare anew. Surprisingly, ministers responded positively to the idea of creating a neww. Then lets start! The ministers nodded at Hwang Hees words and turned the pages at the same time. Lets skip the table of contents. Hwang Hee turned over the paper with the table of contents and read the contents in a loud voice. Article 1. The Great Federal Empire is a federal empire Article 1. The Great Federal Empire is a federal empire. Article 1, Paragraph 1. The monarch of the Great Federal Empire is the emperor. Article 1, Paragraph 2. The name of the country, Dae??, means that the three lines that inherited the Joseon Dynasty founded by Dangun were merged into one. Article 1, Paragraph 3. ??? means center. In other words, it means that it is the center of the world. The records rted to this are (abbreviated) Article 1, Paragraph 4. ??? also has the meaning of big, wide, high, many. This means that anyone who observes the national regtions andws in the territory of the Great Territory is a citizen of the Great God. Article 1, Paragraph 5. As Hwanwoong said, the great state policy is widely beneficial to people. That is. I dont think there are any problems up to this point. The ministers all nodded at Hwang Hees assessment. * * * In any case, it was a natural step to be an empire once the title was granted. And the moment it became an empire, a change in the name of the country was inevitable. Although it was true that the current name of the country, Joseon, was taken from the name of the old Joseon, the selection process was problematic. This was because it was a name chosen and bestowed by the Emperor of Ming. Therefore, continuing this process was not only a matter of pride, but also a diplomatic problem. Therefore, there was no problem in choosing the name of the country as Dae??. No, many people were still more familiar with the word Samhan than with the words Goryeo or Joseon. It was in this context that Goryeos unification contributors were called Samhan Contributors and the appointment of Samhan Byeoksang Contributors and Samhan Later Byeoksang Contributors continued even inter times. (Note 2) Thanks to this, it is still used in certain fields as the saying the best sword of the three Hanhans. It was a situation where Samhanjeil was used as a modifier to mean the best. Whats interesting is that there was a lot of mixing of Han and ???. The upper ss was called ??? and the lower ss was called Han. * * * Following Hwang Hees words, Kim Jeom opened his mouth. I think it was good that you exined the meaning of ???. The center of the world means that all civilizations in the world enter and leave Joseon, so I believe that he has clearly revealed the path forward for not only the current Joseon but also the future. Lee Sa-cheol responded to Kim Jeoms words. I think that part needs additional exnation. Those of us who are familiar with His Majesty the Lord can understand it right away, but as time passes, there will definitely be people who interpret it differently. That can bring good things, but it can also bring bad things. I agree. I agree. Other ministers agreed with Lee Sa-cheols point, and Hwang Ui made the decision. Okay. Then lets tell them that this part needs further exnation. yes. All night long, Hwang Hee and the ministers wrestled with thew book. * * * Note 1) https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%ED%97%8C%EB%B2%95 Note 2) http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Item/E0060942 Reference) ??? -] Below Chapter 599 Episode 599: Open Heaven C Controversy over the firstw (2) I think Article 1, Paragraph 4 will be a problem? Hyang, who was analyzing the provisions of the firstw, re-read Article 1, Paragraph 4 and wrote down the problems on a piece of paper next to him. -There is a very high possibility that discrimination will ur between the residents of maind Joseon and the indigenous people from New Territories. This was because he knew very well what the internationalmunity was like in the 21st century. * * * America in the 21st century praised itself as a melting pot of races, but critics sarcastically called it a sd of races. Also, some people said, Its like the biggest stone among the stones that rolled in is crushing the other stones. This was because the problem of racial discrimination was so serious. This problem was not unique to the United States. Encrusted stone vs. The Rolling Stone dispute was a global problem. It wasmon for countries to have a serious problem of territoriality of stones stuck in the ground, and alsomon to suffer from the problem of stones that rolled in bing territorial. Therefore, the county decided that this provision would be problematic. * * * However, the reaction of the ministers was different from Hyangs expectations. Doesnt the use You are a citizen of the empire as long as you follow the empires national decrees andws seem like a really good use? While all the ministers nodded at Hwang Hees point, Lee Sa-cheol continued speaking. It is also good that you revealed the national situation in the next paragraph. In particr, making Hongik Ingan a national poem was a very wise decision. It broadly benefits people. It is a very simple and clear statement and has no potential for causing conflict. I think it is the best way to turn indigenous people who have never been exposed to the teachings of a sage into people of Joseon or the empire. No sooner had Lee Sa-cheol finished speaking than Kim Jong-seo added another word. youre right. If you promote your religion as the state religion, like the predecessors of Goryeo and the countries of the western region, only conflict will arise. This is only an obstacle to obeying the indigenous people. Am cancer! As soon as Kim Jong-seo finished speaking, Kim Jeom nodded and added a chuimsae. We are already in a situation where there is too much work and not enough people. I need to get him to work quickly and quickly! What is the talk going around in the military authorities right now? Feed the cows that are good at their work, and eat the cows that are not good at their work. Leather is decoration. is not it? Where can you afford to spend money on things like where youre from? This is something that even Saga doesnt do. The ministers all nodded at Kim Jeoms words. This is where the scent deviated from my expectations. * * * As the war progressed and the Joseon Dynasty expanded explosively, many outsiders were incorporated into the Joseon poption. However, there was almost no visible rejection from the Korean people. This was the result of abination of various causes. C Contact between Koreans and foreigners was not easy. Most Joseon people had little opportunity to meet outsiders, except for Jurchen people and a very small number of anti-Japanese rebels. The nearest port, Dongbing Port, or Daeseoldo Ind were so far away that it took several days to travel by boat, so few Koreans except officials and merchants could go there. C The Jurchen people, who make up thergest proportion of outsiders, had a significantmon denominator. Among the Joseon people, they were called barbarians and were hostile enemies, but they shared the old Three Han Dynasty and the North and South Kingdom era. Thanks to this, he returned to Joseon and lived as a citizen of Joseon, showing rapid Joseonization. This was also true for anti-Japanese invasions. C Foreigners who came into contact with Koreans had power. The majority of times when ordinary people in Joseon met foreigners, it was when they came to Hanseong or stopped by the government office. Most of the outsiders encountered in these ces were government officials. There were few people who would discriminate against outsiders who wore official uniforms and heard the sound Nari. -The religions were simr. Although the sects and doctrines were different, many people in maind Joseon and those who resisted the Japanese invasion of Jurchen believed in Buddhism. However, the greater religiousmonality was shamanism. Not only in Joseon but also in most of the tribes that existed in areas incorporated into the Joseon region, shamans existed, and ceremonies simr to gut and amulets were not unfamiliar. Thanks to this, many native-born people who have never actually met foreigners wear amulets that are said to bring good luck. C Jeongeum showed great power. As in the case of Daeseoldo, most of them had their ownnguage and history but no writtennguage. For them, Jeongeum was the best means of recording and leaving their words and history in writing rather than oral transmission. Among the outsiders who became ustomed to Jeongeum, those who were ambitious soon learned Korean. And the government began to select suitable people among these people and use them as local officials. C There were not enough workers to discriminate and a market was needed. This was the biggest reason. As many factors becameplexly intertwined, the problem of discrimination surprisingly did not appear as much, and the towns expectations were wrong. * * * There was something else that made the scents expectations wrong. It was an organization named Trial Court (Ժ). The political organization of the federal empire. -Article 3. trial court. -Article 3, Paragraph 1. The trial court is an organization dedicated to the review of newly enactedws and regtions. -Article 3, Paragraph 2. In principle, the enactment of aw goes through three rounds of review. The first review takes ce during the process of receiving appeals or petitions from the people. The head of the department involved in the appeal or petition reviews it and reports the results. If it is concluded that a neww needs to be enacted, thew is enacted. The second review is review by the trial court. The trial court examines the proposed bill and decides whether to pass or not. The third examination is conducted by the emperor. -Article 3, Paragraph 3. The trial courts review standards are as follows. the former. Doesnt it harm the national interests of the empire? second. Wouldnt it be detrimental to the emperors well-being? party. Isnt it detrimental to the well-being of the majority of the people? -Article 3, Paragraph 4. The judges of the trial court are selected ording to the following criteria: (Omitted below) Hyang tilted his head as he read the section on the trial court in the article on the imperial political organization. Is this Congress? Separation of powers? Isnt this going too far? After examining the item in question several times, Hyang crossed his arms and pondered beforeing to a conclusion. Its not a perfect separation of powers, but that might be okay. However, contrary to Hyangs expectations, the ministers were shocked. I think this could be a problem Hwang Hee, who was looking at the provisions of the Trial Court, frowned and opened her mouth. The other ministers also had simr expressions. Finally, the next day, Hwang Hui and the ministers pointed out the problem while discussing state affairs with King Sejong. Hwang Hee continued by pointing out the use in question. I think it is problematic to create newws by reviewing appeals or petitions. there is a problem? yes. Hearing appeals and petitions from the people and resolving their grievances is something we still do. Thats right. Sejong nodded at Hwang Hees point. When Sejong nodded his head, Hwang Hee continued speaking. If we look at the records so far, most of the solutions were decrees and books. The reason why decrees and books are used in this way is because even though the content is simr, the solution to geography varies depending on the time and ce. Therefore, it cannot be established byw. Once it is established byw, it bes fixed and will remain in effect for at least several decades. Therefore, even if it is a goodw now, it may be a badw over time. Maybe so. Also, to prevent this, revision of thew is essential, and that revision can be made very easy through the trial court. Easier revision means that thew changes frequently, which will undermine the severity of thew. So you want to abolish the trial court? Hwang Hee answered King Sejongs question right away. The best way is to abolish the trial court, and the next best option is to make it a non-permanent body, not a permanent body. They said it would be made a non-permanent organization, not a permanent one Hmm King Sejong, who was stroking his beard and pondering Hwang Hees answer, soon refuted each of the problems Hwang Hee mentioned. If it is enacted intow as you said, it is true that it will continue to be practiced for decades. Isnt that even better? Knowing the longevity of thew, we will put our utmost effort into each and every use and phrase from the beginning, and the same will apply to the review process. That is why, when a neww is created, a use was included to record the names of both the proposer and the reviewer. Will you lightly draft and review bills when your name will be remembered in history? That is true, but as I said a moment ago, if the severity of thew is lost, problems will increase. If the severity of thew disappears, the people will ignore thew, and then morality and order will disappear. Isnt that the same with spirits and books? No, you can actually add more. As the scripture says, decrees and books are much lighter thanws and regtions. I think the love of early night change will happen more this way, right? Looking at past records, there were quite a few cases like that, right? That is true. Hwang Hee barely answered King Sejongs point. As King Sejong said, if you look at the history of the Central Powers and the Korean Penins, there are many cases where inconsistent policies were put forth and great losses were incurred. Sejong exined to Hwang Hee in more detail. I also know well the weight ofws and regtions, which is why we have three review processes. And when aw is established, it was decided that the names of all those involved in it should be recorded. As I said before, their name will go down in history, so are they going to do it unfaithfully? That will happen. Then can the trial court proceed like this? Hwang Hee again opposed King Sejongs words. The qualifications of the judges are a problem. You said you would divide the entire empire into several districts based on poption and have representatives elected by the people in each district as judges, but this seems to have many problems. Whats the problem? Reviewing thew is important. If those whock knowledge are in charge of the review, there will be many difficulties. I think there should be a qualification standard. Tsk tsk! As soon as Hwang Hee finished speaking, King Sejong clicked his tongue. As soon as King Sejong clicked his tongue, the ministers, including Hwang Hui, became very nervous. But you cant back down! Seeing Hwang Hee and the ministers strengthening their resolve, King Sejong asked a question. Hey Prime Minister, let me ask you something. Please ask. For whom are thews being made now? Ie for the people. Then, are there many people among the people who are highly educated, or are there many whock knowledge? those whock knowledgee. If we make aw so that those whock knowledge cannot understand it, will they understand it? No. Again, for whom are thews made? I make it for the people. King Sejong was struck by Hwang Hees words. For me, I would be more grateful if people with such limited knowledgee forward as judges. Because it can prevent people from makingws that they dont understand and telling them to follow them. * * * Chapter 600 Episode 600: Open Heaven C Controversy over the First Law (3) But Hwang Hee did not back down. Your Majestys intentions are truly beautiful. However, it is inevitable that not all people will be able to clearly understand His Majestys intentions. Also, it is natural that no matter how wise a person is, if he or she is ignorant, he or she will be looked down on. If the human spirit of the world is like that, then who would value thews reviewed by such a person? Ill buy it back. The Prime Ministers answer is correct. As soon as Hwang Hee finished speaking, other ministers joined in and joined in. King Sejong, who was watching the reactions of the ministers, asked Hwang Hee again. Be honest. A matter of pride? Hwang Hee immediately responded to Sejongs words. Honestly, even minor gods are human beings of the world. Whoa~. King Sejong let out a long sigh at Hwang Hees answer. In that atmosphere, Hyang proposed an intervention. There is no one who does not know the beauty of Abamamas will. However, what several captains have said makes sense. One way or another, we are all finite humans living in the secr world. So, what if we set a standard for qualifications but limit it to those who havepleted at least a social democratic school or have an equivalent academic background? Sejong pointed out the problem in response to Hyangs words. How do you prove equivalent educational background? All we need to do is have them take a test to verify their academic ability. Hmm As King Sejong fell into thought again at Hyangs answer, the ministers, including Hwang Hee, came forward. I think the proposal the crown prince made is reasonable. Ill buy it back. If you have an academic background at the level of a social democratic school, the problem will be greatly reduced. Upon hearing the ministers words, King Sejong sighed and revealed his true feelings. Whoa~. Dont you know that if you start thinking like that, there will be no end to it? Its not possible because ofck of knowledge. Its not okay because the family is poor. There should not be any shorings in the New Testament. If you go in with something like that, there are more than one or two things to worry about. Then, only a very small number of those qualified to be judges will remain, and only they will hold that position for generations toe. If that happens, injustice and corruption will ur. Just like stagnant water rots. Hwang Hee immediately responded to Sejongs words. For this reason, the term of office of the auditor was determined by the subsequent provisions and the reappointment and reappointment of the auditor more than three times was restricted. Likewise, hereditary session was also restricted. But the wider the door, the more talented people flock to it. It takes a lot of talented people, but it also takes a lot of thieves. The gods also know that imposingplex and difficult restrictions tarnishes the beautiful intentions you have. However, because I know very well what people are like in this world, I am asking this because I believe that one minimum standard should be added. Whoa~. Sejong let out a long sigh, closed his mouth, and was lost in thought. The local government and ministers quietly waited for King Sejongs decision. Sejong, who had been silent and mulling over it, finally made a decision. I will ept the officers offer. Those who wish to be judges will be limited to those who have at least an academic background from the Social Democratic Institute or higher. The ministers responded to King Sejongs decision by bowing their heads in unison. I am devastated! As soon as the qualification standards for examiner candidates were decided, Hyang intervened. Is it correct not to add restrictions other than this? Are there any other problems? This is because there may be talk of blocking women from applying. Hwang Hee answered Hyangs words instead. Women are also citizens. However, there will be those who say that handling thews of the country is a major matter and should not be left to women. Running a country is an ambassador, and educating children in schools is also an ambassador. However, even in these ces, women are already faithfully carrying out their duties, so it is absurd to make a distinction. Of course, it would be problematic to entrust women with tasks that would require strong men, such as military service. However, what is needed to reviewws is not physical strength, but mentality and knowledge. Rather, imposing restrictions will cause bigger problems. It is correct. Then there will definitely beints. The ministers reacted simrly to Hwang Hees words. As Hwang Hee said, many women were already working in administrative and educational roles, and the number was increasing. And during this period, the people who were more familiar with Give & Take than anyone else were the current government ministers and King Sejong. You will definitely pay for what you ordered. were the most faithful to their principles. King Sejong also joined in on the ministers words. This is true, the crown princes misfortune. Women are already at the forefront of the country, so it is unreasonable to ce restrictions on them. After hearing Sejongs clear answer, Hyang bowed her head. You were foolish. Of course, there will be people who will argue like you said, but these are just people who do not know the current trend. Those who faithfully perform their duties are rewarded properly, regardless of gender, and those who fail to do so are punished. This is fairness and the foundation of proper governance. Hyang bowed her head in response to Sejongs answer. I will keep in mind your words like gold and silver. What era am I living in now? It was a scent that momentarily caused confusion. And the officer who recorded all of this added: - When the king gave this advice, the Donggung Pce deeply expressed its gratitude. This was really nice to see. The officer says: Fairness is not only the basis of government, but also the basis of everything. As you are strict with others, you must be strict with yourself, and you must be as generous with others as you are with yourself. Fairness is at the root of the phrase, the value of the country is equal and the world is equal. By the way, since I heard that if you do your job faithfully, you will be rewarded properly, I now know why only beef and vegetables are on my table these days. But no matter what I do, I have to leave work on time. * * * Once the war of words over the qualification standards for judges was resolved, the local government raised an issue. There is no provision for how the judges are selected. That part is in the attached statute book that has not yet been distributed. The tentative name was Election (xH). Its an election The ministers who understood the meaning of King Sejongs exnation nodded. Even during this period, it wasmon practice to raise hands to decide whether to ept or reject when several people gathered together to reach a consensus or decide on a ry race. Thanks to this, the moment they heard the word election, all the ministers nodded. Do you mind if I can see you now? Sejongs eyes sparkled at Hyangs words and he immediately nodded. And so it goes. Since it is rted to the selection of judges anyway, it would be better to handle it right away. shell. Yes, Your Highness. After a while, the eunuch who received King Sejongs order brought a book. Tell this to the crown prince. Yes, Your Highness. Look at the sutras with the crown prince. Yes, Your Highness. When returning with incense, the ministers who read the book reported it to King Sejong. There doesnt seem to be any problem. Since the number of people living in each region is different, it seems necessary to adjust the standards in more detail. But other than that, there doesnt seem to be any major problems. Unlike the ministers whomented that there was no major problem, Hyang reported to King Sejong in a serious voice. There are a few problems. I knew it! What was it? I think using votes as a method of election is a good way. However, I think it is problematic to write down the name of the person you support and submit it. why? Isnt it the most certain thing since it is paid for by the people themselves? And since all names are written in the correct pronunciation, there will be almost no problems with misspellings. What if one of the candidates is named Lee Gap-dol, but there is another candidate with the name Lee Gap-dul? And Lee Gap-dol was the most influential person, but if the handwriting was misrecognized and the votes were concentrated on Lee Gap-dul, and the results were wrong, who would be responsible? King Sejong and the ministers all looked like they had taken a hit at Hyangs point. huh? uh? Looking at the reactions of King Sejong and the ministers, Hyang nodded slightly. This is a tactic that Japanese politicians used well in elections! Fuck you under a different name! Hmm Its definitely going to be a problem. Once Sejong clearly recognized the problem, Hyang immediately suggested a solution. All you have to do is prepare tickets with the candidates names printed in advance and hand them out. Also, the signifier can be made by stamping a stamp with a designated pattern rather than by hand. Then you need a considerable budget? Hyang immediately responded to Kim Jeoms point. What is the meaning of leaving the election of judges to the people? Isnt this meant to appoint as judges those who know the hearts of the people well? We want to elect people who the people truly want, but what can we do if we hesitate to spend a little more budget? That is true, but. What the Crown Prince said is right. It is a matter of electing someone who truly understands the hearts of the people, and it is uneptable to waste the budget. My thoughts were short-lived. Kim Jeom immediately waved the white g at Sejongs decision. Because it wasnt wrong. Sejong, who covered Kim Jeoms mouth like that, looked at the fragrance with a satisfied expression. So whats the other problem? There are several people Really? Tell me quickly! King Sejong, who urged the incense like that, looked back at the ministers. King Sejongs expression as he looked at his ministers was full of many meanings. Did you see it? If you want to criticize me, do it like this! Hes my child, but hes so smart! is not it? And the ministers who saw that expression sighed inwardly. Either way, Hyang continued talking. -Production of ballot papers that meet predetermined standards. This makes voting easier and prevents fraud. -Secret voting must be strictly observed. For this, a space-blocked polling booth and a sealed ballot box are needed. -The check of signs must also be done in a ce where external influence is blocked. Do you really have to be that picky? Hyang responded to Hwang Hees point with a rebuttal. If we assume that the person who is a candidate for the judgeship is evil-hearted but strong-willed, wouldnt we get the answer? Hmm In response to Hyangs question, Hwang Hee and the ministers all began to imagine the situation. After a while, Sejong came to a conclusion. They will surround you with people and put pressure on you. yes. Wouldnt it be okay to set up strict security at the polling ce with police officers and military soldiers? Hwang Hee came up with a solution, but Hyang shook his head. But if you vote on the spot, you will be caught right away. You can force them out of spite, or you can apply subtle pressure for the future. The auditors term of office is fixed. Hmm definitely In this way, Hyang exined the 4 principles of elections. And thews and rules rted to the selection of judges have been readjusted to amodate this method. In this process, Hyang once again fell into culture shock because of the reaction of King Sejong and his ministers upon hearing these four principles. There were various differing opinions regarding the secret election part, but surprisingly, the response to other principles was that they were natural. They say they are selecting people to represent their hearts, so isnt it right to do it yourself? As already written in the Joseon Gyeonggukjeon, the people of Joseon are either ordinary people or natural people. We are all equal people, so one person one vote is natural. A person must do their part properly to be considered an adult, so if you are an adult, of course you should give one vote. In response to this, Hyang muttered to himself once again. What era am I really living in? Authors words. hello? This is Gukppong, who writes ck Enterprise Chosun. We would like to apologize for the dy in serialization, which has be more frequent these days. These days, perhaps because Im older, my work hours are getting longer. My stamina is decreasing, and warning lights keeping on all over my body. Perhaps thats why various images are popping up in my head, and its taking longer and longer to catch them and turn them into sentences. I am sorry for keeping readers waiting, and I am very sorry that the administrators of various tforms and my representative have received criticism that they did not deserve. Going forward, we will do our best to keep the series published on time. We would appreciate it if you would continue to love ck Enterprise Chosun in the future. Posted with soup. Chapter 601 Episode 601: Opening of Heaven C Controversy over the First Law (4) As the system passed through many difficult stages, the First Law became more and more solid. In this process, King Sejong and his ministers often spent the night arguing. However, through such fierce war of words, the system of first-handws was refined. Meanwhile, the person who was most shocked was Hyang. really! What era am I living in now? Hyang was truly experiencing culture shock. The parts that clearly seemed like they would lead to big arguments were easily overlooked, and there were frequent cases where King Sejong and the ministers got into a fight of words with blood in their throats over parts that were thought to be inconsequential. And as the war of words dragged on, King Sejong and the ministers all looked at each other. What does the Crown Prince think? What do you think, Crown Prince? Every time I was asked a question like that, Hyang had to break into a cold sweat. This was because there were more unexpected things than expected. Thanks to this, Hyang had to desperately think about it every time he was asked this question. What Abamama said makes sense, and your opinions also make sense. So, let me think about it a little more. Hyang, who had avoided the crisis by answering like that, had to desperately think about it. Roll over, you head! If you make a mistake, the image you have built up until now will be destroyed in one fell swoop! The image created by Hyangs achievements so far was non-knowledge. Because there was such an image, proxy cleaning was easy. Even if Sejong was holding on to his back, he was absent. Therefore, if the ministers decided to set up a fishing ground, it was possible. But the reason that didnt happen was because of the track record the fragrance had built up. In any case, thanks to such desperate efforts and the knowledge and practical experience gained in the 21st century, the township was able toe up with a good intervention n. And King Sejong and the ministers who epted the arbitration n all gave favorable reviews. As expected, its Cesaro! It is indeed so. You are so outstanding, it is truly a blessing! Whenever King Sejong and his ministers praised him, Hyang lightly bowed his head and spoke words of humility. Thats too much praise. Haa~! I barely got over the hurdle! Every time we passed a critical juncture, Hyang analyzed the cause. Why on earth did this happen? We must find out the cause! Otherwise, the future will be difficult! After a desperate analysis, Hyang was able to figure out the cause. Was the conclusion the road not taken? Isnt it a third way? * * * It is difficult to find a precedent for the political system currently expressed by the firstw created by King Sejong. It was neither a constitutional monarch nor a despot. But it wasnt even a republic. If I were to think about it, it would be closer to a constitutional monarchy Hyang whetted his appetite after seeing the analysis results in front of him. It was clearly a constitutional monarchy based on thew. However, considering the famous proposition reign but do not rule, it could not be said to be correct. This was because the emperor was given great powers, including the right to veto. However, it was difficult to view it as a despotic monarchy. Although the emperor had enormous authority, the institutional mechanism that prevented him from exercising that authority at will was specified in the firstw. In addition, provisions regarding various rights, including human rights of the people, were clearly stipted. The ideology of the ruling party at this time also yed a role. One of the reasons for the revolution that changed Goryeo to Joseon was saving the people who have fallen into ruin. For this reason, policies that ced considerable emphasis on the people were created. Also, one of the fundamental ideologies of Neo-Confucianism was royal politics. Therefore, while acknowledging the monarchs despotic power, they did not forget to keep it in check. And as always, the police officer yed a big part. As the focus of the economy changed from agriculture tomerce and industry through the Gyeongjang, arge number of problems arose that were difficult to solve with the existing Neo-Confucian way of thinking. In order to solve this problem, a new idea had to be created, and King Sejong set out Hongik Ingan as the reference point. The Hongik Ingan advocated by King Sejong was both good as a political justification and good as a practical solution, so it was epted without burden not only by the ruling ss but also by the general public. of course. Among them, there was some deterioration. There were people who changed the saying, It broadly benefits people, to If its good for you and good for me, thats enough. Thanks to this, organizations were created to inspect them, legal provisions were established, and manpower was steadily supplied to the records office and mines. And the reason this change in thinking was possible was because the current ruling ss was not dogmatized. * * * Just before the incident, Ryu Jeong-hyeon and the senior ministers who supported him were criticized for their actions, calling it a Confucian Taliban. However, this was a situation where it would be more appropriate to view them as using Neo-Confucianism as a tool of political struggle rather than seeing them as dogmatized. Elderly ministers who escaped Taejongs reign of terror used Neo-Confucianism as a weapon to suppress the young King Sejong, who had just taken power, and to create a system of military power and strength. However, as the senior ministers were purged on arge scale due to King Sejongs counteroffensive, the possibility of dogmatization was greatly reduced. In addition, the downfall of local noblemen due to the Giyu Rebellion that took ce in the middle of Gyeongjang also yed a role in nipping the bud of dogmatism. In the history before the intervention of the Hyang, the new noble ss, which had been the core of power and the center of ideology since the mid-Joseon Dynasty, had copsed. Thanks to this, a contradictory political structure was born, symbolized by a neww that smells of Neo-Confucianism but is ambiguous to conclude that it is Neo-Confucianism. * * * But it is a bit difficult to call itpletely a third way. It doesnt feel familiar somehow Thanks to that, Hyang, who had been diligently searching through his memories, was able to find the closest answer. Is it a modern constitutional monarchy? It feels a bitcking, but I think this is the most correct answer. The reason why Hyang said there is a feeling of inadequacy was because of the existence of ves and the guilt-by-association system. The firstw clearly stated that Joseons status system was Yangcheonje (v). Here, the low ss was limited to ves, and people such as entertainers who had previously been recognized as low ss people had all be low ss people. And this ve part was clearly different from the history before Hyang intervened. If we look at the situation during the Sejong period in history before the intervention of Hyang, it was a time when the number of servants increased and the number of government servants gradually decreased. As the number of people who hoped that Myeoncheon would be an easy government service increased, the number of government services needed was greatly reduced. In addition, it was a time when the number of sanobi increased significantly by prohibiting Yangcheon inter-marriage and applying Ilcheonjeokcheon (Ilcheonjeokcheon) and Jongmobeop (ĸ). However, the situation turned around as King Sejong wielded all power due to Hyangs intervention. As a tax was levied on Sanobi in order to break the power of local noblemen, the ratio of Sanobi decreased sharply and, conversely, the ratio of government ves increased tremendously. This was due to the Giyu Rebellion and the guilt-by-association system. Simr to the decrease inbor costs, government servant fees also decreased. Jobs that had previously been handled by government officials, such as courtesans and doctors, were opened to yang-in, and most of those who did those jobs were exempted and became yang-in. The reason why the number of government ves increased rapidly in this situation was because all those implicated in the Giyu Rebellion were reduced to the status of ves and forced to work in mines or rough terrain. Even though King Sejong had firmly consolidated his power, he could not give up the system of ves (more precisely, government ves) and the guilt-by-association system in order to prevent dangerous situations that might arise in future generations. Wouldnt a hardbor sentence look a little better? ordingly, Hyang suggested changing it to abor sentence, but King Sejong immediately rejected it. The sentence of hardbor can be for a fixed period or can be pardoned. So it doesnt work. yes. Hyang bowed her head at Sejongs firm answer. Is this really the limit? But I guess there is no answer other than this. It is very likely that it is still too early. * * * As a side note, the existence of thisw has be a matter of dispute among historians. The standard that separates the Middle Ages from the modern era is the firstw. And Joseons Chobeop is the best example. There were many schrs who held that the standard for dividing the Middle Ages and modern times was the earlyw and cited Joseons earlyw as the best example, but there were also a significant number of schrs who opposed it. When ites to modern times, the most important thing is whether human rights are guaranteed! However, Joseons firstw has a ve system and a guilt-by-association system, so it doesnt fit! In history before the intervention of Hyang, the ce of Constitution was upied by First Law, and historians began to debate whether Joseons First Law was the modern First Law. * * * The war of words between King Sejong and the ministers over the firstw in the 31st year of King Sejongs reign (1449, Gisa Year) ended in March. After a war of words that took ce for nearly half a year, the firstw was able to greatly improve its perfection. Thank you for your hard work. King Sejong, who epted the revised version of the firstw, praised the ministers. Thanks to your hard work, we were able to build a solid foundation for the empire. No. This was possible because Your Majesty had already paved the way well. Under King Sejongs reign, the ministers, including Hwang Hui, all bowed their heads and spoke words of humility. Now then, lets print these draftws and distribute them to government offices across the country. And lets set up a room to look at this firstw and discuss the problems. yes? yes. Hwang Hui and the ministers were all surprised at King Sejongsmand, but soon resigned and responded obediently. yes! What kind of person is the chief minister! It would be strange if these words didnte out The ministers who were so resigned soon came up with their own positive ideas. Just if I do well, I might be able to catch a big fish for the first time in a long time? * * * ording to King Sejongs orders, the firstw was distributed and rooms were attached to government offices throughout Joseon C from the northeastern region where Joseonization had already beenpleted to Daeseoldo and Jongjangdo. Examine the firstw and discuss the problems? People who inspected the contents of the room entered the government office and raised their voices. I havee to examine thew! The tired officials responded by raising their hands and pointing at the Han people. Go over there and stand in line. yes? There was a long line of people in the direction the official pointed. * * * The peoples reaction to the firstw was quite enthusiastic. Because the number of people who wanted to read thew was sorgepared to the number of legal codes distributed, documents from all over Joseon flocked to Hanseong requesting additional distribution. I didnt know that the people would be so interested in thew. Hwang Hee immediately responded to Lee Sa-cheols words. Thew is that which affects the people most and most quickly. Lee Sa-cheol nodded at Hwang Hees point. Ah But it is true that the response was hotter than expected. I think writing in Jeongeum yed a big role. All the ministers nodded at Kim Jeoms words. Meanwhile, King Sejong looked pleased after receiving the report. This is truly a good thing. Isnt it a good thing that all the people study thew so diligently and learn about it? Thats right. While answering that question, Hyang was thinking of something else. These people are ustomed to saying that they should follow thew, but now they will fight with trillions and thousands of uses. Chapter 602 Episode 602: Opening of Heaven C Controversy over the introduction of thew (5) It is a good thing that the people diligently study thew, but the problem is that there are too many people waiting to study thew. If you do it wrong, it could cause problems for the people to continue their lives. Sejong also nodded at Hwang Hees point. What you say makes sense. How many copies are distributed to each government office now? Volume 5 ising. Then is it okay if I add about 5 more volumes? I think itll be okay. When Hwang Hee agreed with King Sejongs words, Kim Jeom, who was next to him, offered a counterargument. It is not possible to examine the firstw in one or two visits, so even if you bring 10 volumes, it will not be enough. However, there is a problem with distributing more. Right now, there may be a lot of curiosity, but as time goes by and that curiosity subsides, there is a possibility that it will be a ce of sorrow. At Kim Jeoms point, Sejong nodded with a slightly embarrassed expression. * * * It was highly likely that the current interest in the firstw would be a temporary craze. Samcheok-dongja also expected that Joseon would soon regain its title. Therefore, it was natural that people would be curious about the contents of thew that would be the basicw of the empire. In addition, there is a room attached to the government office called Discuss Problems. It was clearly written. This was an order to point out if a problem was found and to suggest an alternative. If my proposal is selected here, it will be a shortcut to sess! Among those who knew about the previous precedents, those who had ambitions to enter the civil service had their eyes shining and even sat down on mats in front of the Buddhist temple. Thanks to this, a situation arose that led to arguments and even fist fights between those who were sitting in the camp and those waiting, and there were reportsing from all over that a situation called hand in hand and going to prison had also urred. * * * Hmm what should I do with this? As Sejong pondered to find the optimal solution, his eyes naturally turned to Hyang. At the same time, the eyes of the ministers also turned to Hyang. I knew it would be like this. Phew~. Hyang sighed internally, gathered his thoughts for a moment, and opened his mouth. If we use the printing method of printing textbooks supplied by the Social Ministries School and use yellow paper for paper, costs can be greatly reduced. Even though thew code that records thews of the country is printed on cheap paper, the priority now is to make it easier for more people to ess thew code. That would be nice. The Ministry of Finance and Economy sets a budget. He nodded at Hyangs answer and gave an order to Park Jong-woo. I follow your orders. Hyang muttered to herself as she looked at Park Jong-woo, who instinctively forced his crumpled expression. If you go to the Ministry of Finance and Economy, everything happens like that. Indeed, the world is ruled by budget huh? Hyang suddenly lit up in his head and hurriedly told King Sejong. Abama. How about adding this measure? Is there anything new youd like to add? yes. Do you remember the edition of the Tripitaka Koreana that was sold to the lords of the Japanese kingdom in the past? Sejong and Kim Jeoms eyes sparkled frighteningly at Hyangs words. Are you nning to make and sell a limited edition of the First Act? yes. Most of those who are flocking there now are probably people who gathered there out of curiosity. However, some will be those who sincerely want to look into thew. Those people will buy thew book if the price is right. Thats right. Sejong and Kim Jeom nodded at Hyangs exnation. Hyang sighed in relief when he saw that the reaction was not bad. Whoa~. I thought I would be criticized for trying to sell aw book for money, but Im d I did! Everyone has gotten used to the taste of capitalism! Viva! Capitalism! Hyang, energized by Sejongs reaction, added strength to her voice. It would be better to divide the candles for sale into two types. There is onew code that was printed inrge quantities on yellow paper. The other is a code that was printed on the highest quality Korean paper (Korean paper) and then had a cover made of high-quality sheepskin or cowhide following the method of the Westerners. Of course, thetter is a limited number, so only about 100 copies are made and sold. In the former case, you can sell it at a small profit in addition to production and transportation costs, and in thetter case, you can charge a lot. Hoo~. What a good idea! Indeed! At Hyangs exnation, King Sejong stroked his beard and his eyes sparkled, and Kim Jeom enthusiastically agreed. However, Park Jong-woo, who could be said to be the actual party involved, tilted his head. No matter how fancy the cover is, the good paper is used, and it is a limited edition, it seems difficult to charge a high price. In the case of the woodblock printed by Japanese pirates, it was a limited edition of the Tripitaka Koreana, so it was worth considering as an heirloom, but the case of Chobeop is different. He also has a point. Sejong nodded at Park Jong-woos words and looked back at the scent. However, Hyang was not embarrassed and gave an answer right away. There is Abamamas handwritten handwriting. huh? My sugyeol? Sugyeol was a type of signature where ones name was written in ones own handwriting instead of a stamp on a document. King Sejong, who pondered Hyangs words for a moment,ughed and asked Hyang. Would writing two letters of my name be of great value? Herees Abamamas handwritten report. It is an inestimable treasure. The ministers all nodded at Hyangs words. However, King Sejong did not immediately allow it. Just scribbling down three letters of my name is not enough. In that case, I would like to add the words of gratitude that Abamama would like to give to the owner of the Dharma Book. However, it would be excessive to write down all the well-wishes in your own handwriting. In the case of a deokdam, you just print it and handwrite it. Hmm What do the Minister of Finance and Economy think? Park Jong-woo immediately answered Sejongs question. Herees the best solution! This way, price is not an issue! Quantity is the problem! Those words immediately caught my eye. Please dont forget that this is a limited edition. And are you going to make Abamama keep doing the trick? Park Jong-woo, whose face turned pale at Hyangs criticism, immediately bowed his head. I lost my mind for a moment! Please forgive me for my disgrace! Well, that could be the case. Its okay. In response to King Sejongs forgiveness, Park Jong-woo bowed once again and raised his voice. I am devastated! In the end, Hyangs proposal was immediately epted. But Sejong added some flesh to it. It would be better to limit the number of limited editions to 100 volumes with my gift and 150 volumes with the crown princes gift. Yes, you mean Soja too? Sejong chuckled at Hyangs puzzled question. Isnt the more the better? yes. I follow your orders. * * * Within a few days after King Sejongs decision was made, notices were posted in government offices and monopoly offices throughout Joseon. Youre selling the Chobeopw book? The price is 2 nyang silver coins? Hmm seems like a good price? no way! Its not like thew book feeds me, so I just want to look at whats in the government office! The peoples reactions varied, but those who truly wanted to study thew nodded, thinking it was a reasonable price. However, the people who saw the announcement that followed grew bigger. Limited editionw book? The price is wow! Is the shell covered in gold leaf? Why is it so expensive! Those who were concerned about the price nodded at the exnation that followed. Its covered in real gold leaf. And huh? His Highness the Prime Ministers handwritten report! Its the Crown Princes handwritten verdict! The one that contains His Majestys royal favor is 30 nyang of gold, and the one that contains the Crown Princes trophies is 25 nyang of gold? Is it 50 nyang of gold that contains the gifts of His Majesty the Lord and the crown prince? The rich people of Joseon who heard the rumor took action immediately. You have to buy this! This is the best opportunity to buy Mujibo for 30 nyang of gold! Go to the battlefield right now and get the money! If you can get it, it will be a family heirloom! After hearing the story, Hyang smiled and muttered. After about 300 years, if nothing else, these will be the items that collectors will go crazy for. And the incenses prophecy came true. * * * Amid the uproar, appeals pointing out the problems with the firstw began to flock to Hanseong. This is an appeal rted to the firstw. Sejong, who received a tray full of scrolls, asked Do Seung-ji. What does this mean when the appeals are divided into two? Your Majesty said that appeals rted to the firstw should be filed regardless, so we divided them into two. I chose one because I thought it made some sense, and I thought the other one was worthless, but I chose it just in case. Is that so? Good job. Thats too much praise. Of course it has to be done. King Sejong, who praised Do Seung-ji, looked at the appeals that were divided into two. What should we look at first? After thinking for a moment, Sejong picked up the appeals that were ssified as worthless. Would you like to see how messed up it is? Soon after, King Sejong threw the problematic appeals to one side. What a waste of paper and food! -There is already the Joseon Gyeonggukjeon and the Daemyung Rule, but the neww code is useless. -Writing the contents of thew in Jeongeum undermines the heaviness of thew, so everything should be changed to Chinese characters. Even after so much time has passed, are there still people left with these old-fashioned thoughts? Seungji Do! From now on, please send back all appeals with this kind of content! I follow your orders. Sejong, who gave orders to Do Seung-ji, held the opposing appeals in his hands. Lets see King Sejong, who was looking at the contents of the appeal, nodded and muttered. There are definitely a lot of good stories. There were several good opinions, including those suggesting that Chinese characters and their meanings be written side by side to solve the problem of homonyms. Sejong, who was nodding his head and separately recording the problems pointed out, licked his lips with regret. Everyone points out simr things. Most of it is focused on appearances. Is there anything that is novel and touches on deep-rooted problems? Sejong, who was looking for a novel idea that would catch his eye, soon began to sparkle. This is it! -It is clear that the application of the three-trial system to the enactment of thew was intended to prevent thew from being degraded to only serve the interests of a few. But there is a problem with the initial intention. If all authority from the beginning is entrusted to officials, the officials will think only of their own convenience and benefit and disrupt the will of the people. Therefore, the emperor must attend the initial deliberation process. Since the emperor already knows the contents, officials can do their best to prevent tampering with the bill. Its okay. are you okay. Sejong nodded and presented the appeal in question to Do Seung-ji. Bring Lee Jae to me and at the same time bring me a copy of Lee Jaes family register. I follow your orders. Asking to bring a copy of the family register of the person who wrote the appeal meant that if he or she passed the interview properly, he or she would be hired as a special employee. Do Seung-ji, who received King Sejongs order, muttered softly. Is this finally the beginning of fishing? How big of a big catch will we catch this time? Although there were appeals that received favorable reviews, there were also appeals that caused King Sejongs anger. The most obvious example was about voting rights. -Even if they are all the same, there are differences in the depth of learning and lifestyle. The deeper the depth of learning and the greater the livelihood, the greater the influence on the world around us. It is too idealistic for everyone to have the same vote. The number of votes must be distributed differentially in line with reality. King Sejong, who received the appeal with these contents, was very angry and made a non-answer. ording to your logic, how many votes should be given to the teachers who teach children who are future talents at social democratic schools, and how many votes should be given to the soldiers and police officers who protect the lives and property of the people? And how many votes is it proper for the emperor of an empire to have? ording to what you said, why are judges necessary and why is the three-judge system necessary? No matter how deep your learning is and how much wealth you have, there will always be a sky above the sky! Its not even worth thinking about anymore! After the official letter containing King Sejongs reply was posted to the government office, there were no more appeals for simr reasons. Chapter 603 Episode 603: Opening of Heaven C Controversy over the First Law (6) King Sejong, who had epted the appeal in question, looked like he had been defeated. Its the formation of an external knowledge department something I never thought of. At King Sejongs words, the government and ministers all nodded. * * * The background for the creation of those with a business named Oejibu was a funeral home. The job of the funeral home was to manage ve documents and handlewsuits over ownership of ves. Even though their number was greatly reduced through Gyeongjang, ves were important property. Therefore,wsuits regarding this continued. In the meantime, the job that was created was the foreign branch office. Those who were not managers of the funeral home but were familiar with the relevant legal provisions were those who would proceed with thewsuit on their behalf and benefit if they won. These people were called external branches because they were branches located outside the funeral home. (Note 1) The problem with these external branches was not because they were recingwsuits. This was because it wasmon for people to forge documents to winwsuits or to take advantage of themselves by inciting unnecessarywsuits. * * * The contents of the appeal submitted to King Sejong were summarized as follows. C In the meantime, our Joseon Dynasty is on the verge of bing an empire, just as a young tree ovees the storm and grows into a giant tree. Judging by the beauty of its meaning, the newly introducedw is worthy enough to be the foundation of the empire. And the subsidiaryws can also be said to be truly beautiful as they spread out in all directions like stems extending from the roots and help the people feelfortable. However, its branching and lushness can be a problem. The legal provisions rted to all matters are detailed, but this makes it difficult for the people to easily ess them. No, it is impossible for officials in charge of litigation to memorize all the provisions of thew. Because of this, the number of people taking on foreign branches as a business will increase significantly. It would be good if they sincerely moved to help the peoples case, but the problem is that they do not. Looking at the current situation, most of those who do overseas branch work are robbers. These people are inciting people to filewsuits, using petty writing skills to make a mockery of thew, changing right and wrong, and creating chaos. This is truly a big problem. As our Joseon Dynasty progresses toward bing an empire, there will be conflicts of interest as many as the number of people, andwsuits will increase. It would be a great harm to leave the foreign affairs departments alone. Also, since the people do not know all thews in detail, they will findwsuits and disputes difficult. In the end, they will try to solve it using their own power, so it will be a legal butwless situation. As an alternative to this, we propose a n to train foreign branches. Those who pass the standards set by the country by testing their knowledge of newws, including the firstw, as well as economic and secr warfare, and thew of discussion, will be given the qualifications of an external branch and will act on their behalf in litigation. It gives authority. Also, in litigation cases, if external branches debate right and wrong on behalf of theinant and the used, and the judge listens to their opinions and makes a decision, disputes over the oue of the case can be reduced. * * * Hmm I think its okay, but what do you think of the crown prince? In response to Sejongs question, Hyang organized her thoughts and answered. I think its a good idea. The mostmon phrase among authors when a dispute arises is, Lets do it ording to thew. In reality, most of the documents submitted by the Tribunal report decisions onwsuits. At Hyangs words, the ministers, especially Minister of Justice Hwang Bo-in, who is in charge of all judicial affairs, nodded vigorously. After quenching her throat for a moment, Hyang continued speaking. It is something that should not be prevented from causingwsuits among the people. This is because filing awsuit means believing in the fairness and severity of thew. Ifwsuits are prohibited, awful butwless situation will result, as described in the appeal, and this will cause the empire to copse from its roots. Sejong nodded at Hyangs answer. As Ina-Hyang, who submitted the appeal, said, there was aw, but if the situation became unmanageable, it was certain that the influential person located closest would control the people. It was said that people like the local nobles before the Giyu Rebellion would appear again, and this was a situation that King Sejong never wanted. Seeing that Sejongs reaction was positive, Hyang added more force to her voice. Also, if those with specialized knowledge file a case, we can prevent the foreign branches from holding meetings or giving speeches with little knowledge like the current foreign branches. King Sejong and the ministers nodded repeatedly at Hyangs words. It was a well-known fact that the people of Joseon liked to argue with thew. And his knowledge of thew was also considerable. However, this was limited to areas that directly benefited them. Therefore, when a fight broke out in apletely different area, the following situation urred. ording to thew I know. You man! Is thatw right for this situation? Is that right? I guess In other words, the two sides involved in the dispute were engaged in a war of words based on the argument made by I guess. And if it got worse, it would lead to awsuit. And thats where foreign branches got involved. Hwang Bo-in, who was listening to Hyangs story, continued. If you look at the reportsing from the Tribunal, you will hear that there are quite a few outside branches who know thew better than the judges of the Tribunal. It would be of great help to both the people and the judges if their work was trained. Isnt the problem that people are instigatingwsuits or forging documents? King Sejongsments were a no-brainer. Most of the documents forged by erroneous foreign branches are ve documents andnd documents. These documents have originals at the Department of General Affairs and copies at each local government office, so they can bepared immediately if necessary. In fact, document forgery has decreased significantly. Whats left is to instigate awsuit, but I think it would be better to make it benign. why? Why? King Sejong and the ministers alike expressed doubts about Hyangs words. Because we can rely on thew until the end. Ah Thus, the legal provisions regarding foreign branches were added. And one change that urred as a result of this decision was that the word foreign branch reced the word wyer. Another change that urred was that, despite the creation of judges, thepetition rate for Yulgwa, which was called Japgwa and considered the second group, greatly increased. Its good to be a judge on the tribunal, and its good to be a member of the foreign branch! If you only pass the Yul Gwae exam, everything from there is solid! You can proudly work as an external branch! This happened as not only those seeking sess but also those who had previously been working as foreign branches flocked to the area. In addition, as foreign branches were fostered, the number ofwsuits gradually increased and rted precedents continued to umte. Thanks to this, the Record Center continued to expand. * * * When thews rted to foreign branches were revised, the vige began to express its opinions enthusiastically. Why suddenly there was nomentst time? In response to Sejongs question, Hyang smiled humbly and answered. After looking at the appeal regarding the foreign branch, there was something new that I saw. Is that so? Thats a good thing. Looking at Sejongs happy expression, Hyang muttered to herself. I had given up until then. The only thing Hyang wanted to add was the introduction of awyer and jury system in criminal trials. But Hyang had given up on this. You didnt even mention it at all? Is it still too early? Hyang couldnt erase the feeling that it was premature even after looking around, so he kept his mouth shut, waiting for the future. However, seeing King Sejong and the ministers showing no particr resistance to bringing the foreign branches to the sunny area, Hyang decided to take on the challenge. Entrusting the defense work to a foreign branch? yes. We can look at it from a different perspective, so we can make a more fair ruling. Hmm And since its a jury It will reduce the burden on the judge. And ensure fairness. After hearing Hyangs answer, King Sejong looked back at the ministers. I think its a pretty good idea, but Id like to hear your thoughts. In the end, after a rather fierce war of words, the jury system andwyer system were added. * * * After such intensebor, the firstw and subsidiaryws were finallypleted. And thew codes thatpleted this revision process were reprinted and distributed throughout the country. Among them, Minister of Finance and Economy Park Jong-woo visited Kimjeom. This is causing a bit of trouble. Whats the problem? The limited edition of the firstw is the problem. Didnt you say from the beginning that the limited edition is a printed copy of the revised firstw? Thats not the problem. huh? When Kim Jeom expressed his doubts, Park Jong-woo sighed. Whoa~. There are too many people willing to buy it. Even if you look at it roughly, the number of people who came forward to buy it was more than 20 times the number of copies sold. huh? Its worth 30 gold coins? Thats right. Huh~. At Park Jong-woos words, Kim Jeom looked helpless. Although prices had risen a lot, the average ie of an ordinary person a month was 2 nyang of silver. 30 gold coins was enough for a years sry for a ministerial official. Kim Jeom muttered without realizing it. There are so many rich people in thisnd. * * * Note 1) Korean ssics Trantion Institute https://m.itkc.or.kr/bbs/boardView.do?id=75&bIdx=31916&page=1&menuId=125&bc=6 Chapter 604 Episode 604: Opening of Heaven C Controversy over the First Law (7) The story about the limited edition also reached King Sejong. Huh~. Sejongs reaction upon hearing the story was simr to Kim Jeoms. There are so many rich people in this smallnd. Hwang Hee bowed her head in response to King Sejongs words. Doesnt this mean that Your Majestys efforts so far have not been in vain? In response to Hwang Huis words, all the ministers and officials added their words in unison. What the Prime Minister said is truly correct! King Sejong, who listened to the words of the Hyang and the ministers, said with a humble smile. Hehe~. It is really difficult to answer because not only the crown prince but also the ministers are all full of praise. I cant praise you enough! The mayor and ministers were sincere. Not since the founding of the country, or even since the time of Goguryeo of the old Three Han Dynasties and Balhae of the Northern and Southern Dynasties, has it upied such arge river area. It wasnt just the area. The fact that its name became known not only to the Ming and Japanese but also to the far western regions was long before its predecessor, Goryeo, which was famous for its trade. Hwang Hee spoke to King Sejong with all her sincerity. I am sincerely looking forward to the day when we will use the word Your Majesty instead of Your Majesty. At Hwang Hees words, the Hyang and the ministers nodded at the same time. * * * Considering the current situation, there was no problem in calling me Your Majesty. However, since the title was not formally requested, the word Your Highness was used continuously. I was afraid that if I used it in advance, I would be used of fraud, so I refrained from using it. Therefore, the country name Joseon continued to be used, and if people did not want to use it, it was simply called nation. In principle, these noblemen were atheists and oppressed the shamanism of shamans, iming that they believed in supernatural gods. However, in the face of aplete transformation from a small country to an empire, they had to be as careful as possible and refrain from doing so. This was the same for the people. I was trying my best to avoid saying anything for fear of being criticized. * * * So, did you set a date to submit the memorial service? When King Sejong asked about the date of the opening ceremony, Hwang Hee answered right away. yes. I caught it with clear light. In particr, this years Cheongmyeong falls on April 5th, so it was judged to be optimal because it avoided the number 4. Its good because its neither too early nor toote. Lets prepare with all our sincerity. I follow your orders! And the officer who recorded all of this added the following: - So the Prime Minister and other ministers all responded when the Prime Minister ordered them to do their best in preparing for the ceremony. The officer says: There is not much time left until the official title request is finally made. Since ancient times, it has been customary to wear a horse to a luxurious event, so you should be especially careful in your words and actions. Anyway, Jeongeum is really useful. It is difficult to use the word Your Majesty, so I used Sang, but Your Majesty is even more difficult. However, it is really good because it can be usedfortably with Jeongeum. By the way, when will the matter regarding resale discounts be decided? There are quite a few things to buy. * * * After giving the order, Sejong changed the topic. I digress for a moment, but are there so many people who want to get a limited editionw book? Its over 20 times more. Huh~. Are there so many people interested in thew? At King Sejongs question, the local government officials all stopped talking and looked at King Sejong. Why are you doing that? In response to Sejongs question, Hyang came forward as a representative. Are they really looking for the limited edition to learn thew? Sejong answered Hyangs question with a small smile. Is the handwritten record between you and me so valuable? In response to Sejongs question, Hyang silently nodded. And the ministers all had the same thought. No matter how much I think about this, it seems intentional. Youre secretly bragging about it, right? Kim added, forcibly preventing those thoughts froming out in words. Of those who came forward to purchase the limited edition, many of them said they would purchase all three types. huh? All 3 types? why? I answered King Sejongs question with a scent. This is because the values of all three types are different. Hyang shouted inwardly at Kim Jeoms words. The instincts of collectors transcend time and space! Sejongs wedding, Hyangs wedding, and the father and sons joint wedding all had their own value. Considering collection value, it was best to get all three types rather than just one. Hmm Sejong thought for a moment and pointed out the problem. I will not take issue with the fact that people are flocking to me based on my actions rather than the contents of thew. If they had tried to make an issue of that, they wouldnt have thought of releasing the limited edition itself. However, the problem is that more people than expected came forward. It is certain that there will be people who will express their dissatisfaction, so we need a solution to this. At King Sejongs point, all the ministers and ministers nodded. I cant help it. This is a time when you cant even dream of making online reservations. Then what would be good. Minister of Finance and Economy Park Jong-woo opened his mouth as he searched for a suitable method. How about holding an auction like we did when we sold the Tripitaka Koreana to Japan in the past? Auction? Auction I think its okay When the method auction was mentioned, the ministers nodded. But Sejong shook his head. Auctions are good, but if done wrong, there can be too muchpetition. Lets say there is someone who throws all his money to buy aw book. Since you have thrown away all your wealth, isnt it certain that you will sell it again with a markup to get it back? Then thew code will be treated like an article floating around in the market. The ministers and governors nodded to King Sejongs point. In particr, the scent resonated strongly with me. Its impossible for there to be no resellers. As various solutions were being proposed, Hyang expressed his opinion. How about doing it this way? Tell me! * * * Five dayster, rooms were opened in government offices and monopoly offices throughout Joseon. -Inform the rules regarding the purchase of limited editions of the firstw. the former. Sales of limited edition copies are conducted through auction. second. Anyone participating in the auction must meet the following qualifications: -A person with wealth worth more than 1,000 gold coins. -A person who can submit the previous ount bnce record and the tax payment record from the National Tax Service to prove this. party. If the price offered by the person who took the limited edition exceeds 1/5 of his or her assets, it cannot be sold. affection. Anyone who obtains a limited edition item at an auction will not be permitted to participate in future auctions. radish. Anyone who obtains a legal code through an auction cannot transfer or sell it to another person for 20 years. However, an exception is made in the case of inheritance due to death. energy. If the limited editionw book is transferred or sold to another person after 20 years, the person who will receive thew book is limited to those who meet the standards recorded in item. However, this standard is adjusted based on the price at the relevant time. The people who read the room in the government office and the monopoly nodded their heads. So, those who are thinking of making a profit with the limited edition should stay out. yes. Youre saying that only really rich people attack you. But can you exin in more detail what is written in the reporter use? therefore. As time goes by, if you have at least a thousand gold coins, you will raise your standards even higher. Well, in my case, it doesnt apply even after 20 years I guess its just you While the people were nodding their heads, the rich people were gathering their will to fight. If we can get our hands on this limited edition, we can spread the word about how great our family is! Ill show these quick-get-rich-quick beggars who the real rich are! On the other hand, there were some who hit the ground and regretted it. In the meantime, they were using clever tricks to reduce taxes and grab the money in kind rather than on the battlefield. Holy shit! It was a golden opportunity to obtain real Mujibo treasure! If I correct it right now Then I will be used of delusion of military power and all my assets will be gone! * * * What Hyang proposed was a kind of VVIP service. This was a story told by an acquaintance of the 21st century. My friend, who was a child from an ordinary family, earned a high ie as his startup seeded. It was natural that as ie increased, spending increased. One day, such an acquaintance told Hyang this story. hey! In my life, I never thought that the day woulde when I would receive a text message from a credit cardpany inviting me to a car test drive! Its not a domestic car, but a really expensive imported car brand! It was added that If there is a specific model of the brand you would like to test drive, we will prepare it for you! I had a regr card, not a tinum or ck one! I cant imagine what real VVIP or VIP service is like! In that memory, the scent found a solution. After finishing the exnation, Hyang added this. Those who naturally have a lot want to show off that they are different from those who do not have much. However, if you brag carelessly, it is the human heart of the world that you will receive more criticism or ridicule than praise. King Sejong and the ministers nodded at Hyangs words. Hyang strengthened his voice at the reaction of King Sejong and the ministers. But if they pass these established standards and be qualified, it will be the best option for them because people around them will know without having to raise their voice. Perhaps they will gather to get the qualifications to participate, let alone whether they will get thew book or not. Sejong, who was nodding his head at Hyangs words, pointed out the problem. If that happens, wouldnt it deviate from the initial goal of appropriately adjusting thepetition rate and avoiding excessivepetition? Hyang clearly answered King Sejongs point. Thats why we added an additional use. If you offer an amount that exceeds 20% of your assets, you will not give it up at all. And theres another good thing. Isnt it a good thing that the National Tax Service can take another look at the eligibility criteria? aha! At Hyangs words, Kim Jeom and Park Jong-woo hit their knees. Thats how the room above came to be. * * * One day in March, when spring is in full swing. The auction was finally held. An auction house was set up in a general entertainment hall located next to Hanseongs bell tower, and the richest people from all over the country gathered there. And the residents of Hanseong gathered to see the rich people gathered together. Hey! Even the outfit is different! hey! Look at the pavilion on that hat! What about the hat string? People eximed in exmation as they saw the clothes and essories of rich peopleing in to attend the auction. Not only that, but also the craftsmen who made essories and those who were somewhat stylish looked intently at the outfits and essories of the rich. Rich people buy things like that Wow thats the pattern * * * While the auction was in full swing, four people approached Hyang, who was working at Seunghwadang. Whats going on? In response to Hyangs question, Han Myeong-hoe appeared as the representative of the four-member group. I havee because I have something to ask of you. jean? What request? Tell me. At Hyangs words, the four men brought out the Buddhistw books that had been left behind and held them out. Give me that sugyeol Hearing the request of the four people, the Hyangin was dazed for a moment and then red at Han Myeong-hoe. Is that you? . Give it to me. I am devastated! Chapter 605 Episode 605: Opening of Heaven C Controversy over the introduction of thew (8) The four people who had epted thew book that Hyang had concluded disappeared with a smile, and soon after, Du and Seul came to Hyang. Whats going on? Hyang, who asked why he hade to see her, looked at thew book in Du and Seuls hands and sighed. Whoa~. Bring it with you. yep! As soon as Hyang gave permission, Du and Seul quickly unfolded the cover of thew book and held it out. When the incense soaked in the ink was applied to the gold pen to collect it, Du and Seul quickly added a condition. ah! father! Not there, but a little down yes, it is there. Hyang, who had performed the wedding ceremony at the location designated by Du and Seul, asked his two sons. Why there? Its because I have to receive Halbamamas punishment. Now, after the wedding, you will be aplete family and be independent. Wouldnt you like to have at least one heirloom of your own? Haa~. Hyang sighed briefly and gave an order to Du and Seul. Tell your younger brothers and sisters who need it toe right away. Its just for today. yep! After seeing the two excitedly disappearing, Hyang muttered softly. I wonder whose child it is Soon, the children of the vige, holding thew book in their hands, came rushing in. * * * The story of the Gang of Four and the children of Hyang immediately reached the ears of the ministers. After hearing the story, Hwang Hee looked at Kim Jeom and opened her mouth. It certainly seems like young people these days are quick on their feet. Kim Jeom nodded at Hwang Hees words. Although they didnt say it, Hwang Hee and the other old gods also had the same thought. But they could not easily put it into practice. I have some face I wonder if this will end up being talked aboutter While the older officials were hesitant, the young people took bold action. If I were 10 years younger, I might have been like that. exactly? Would you like some medicine? Take my medicine first. As the conversation, a mixture of jokes and seriousness, continued, an emissary came into the conference room. After politely bowing, the eunuch immediately opened his mouth. Your Majesty told me to tell you this. Today. Woodang soup! As soon as the internal affairs officer finished speaking, the ministers and vice ministers sitting in the conference room all left their seats and rushed out. Ministers and deputy ministers burst out of the conference room and sprinted towards their offices. But only four were exceptions. The four exceptions were Hwang Hee, Kim Jeom, Kim Jong-seo, and Hwang Bo-in. The four were running toward Geunjeongjeon with Hwang Hee at the head. After running at full speed, the four people arrived at Geunjeongjeon and told the eunuch to inform them of their arrival. While taking a breath while waiting for the eunuch to return, Kim Jeom asked Hwang Hee. Gasp! Great job! Since when did I start gasping? Have you been preparing? Ive been preparing since the limited edition story came out. I think I will be able to enter the workforce again at least when my great-grandchildren are born, but since I dont have any assets, I will have to hand over at least one heirloom. Ah Kim Jeom, Kim Jong-seo, and Hwang Bo-in nodded at Hwang Hees answer. * * * Hwang Hees children, Hwang Chi-sin and Hwang Bo-sin, were found to have embezzledpensation paid tondowners who had suffered damage from contaminated water flowing from the mine, and all their property was confiscated and they were sentenced to 10 years of hardbor. Hwang Hee, who was involved in a corruption casemitted by her sons and an assaultmitted by her son-inw, had to make a choice. -Confiscated half of all property and served as recorder until death. However, the remaining half of the property can be passed on to your children. -Confiscate all property and work in the court until death. However, the bonus will be paid as prescribed byw, and the honor of authority will be retained. Faced with a choice, Hwang Hee had no choice but to choose thetter. In the aftermath of the incident, all of Hwang Hees sons were subjected to thorough investigation. And small irregrities were revealed in all of the remaining sons. Considering the customs up to that time, it was not a very big injustice, but the incident between Hwang Chi-sin and Hwang Bo-sin was such a big event that the two remaining sons were also pushed out of the way to be a priest. That is why Hwang Hui said that he would only be able to enter government service properly when his great-grandson was born. * * * After finishing answering, Hwang Hee asked Kim Jeom back. When did you prepare to do that? Didnt the captain tell you earlier? Were just slow on our feet. Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in, who were behind Kim Jeoms answer, had the same thought at the same time. Are you quick on your feet? But when did you guys prepare? In response to Kim Jeoms question, Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in showed the books in their hands. What they held in their hands were collections of poetry and scriptures from ancestors. Whats important is that you received His Majestys decision, and not the book, right? youre right. In response to Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-ins answer, Kim Jeom and Hwang Hee turned and whispered softly. You sure dont you think you made a good choice? Thats right. Doo doo doo doo. Soon, the sound of the footsteps of officials running through Geunjeongmun echoed on the ground. Meanwhile, King Sejong, who heard the story through the merchant ship,ughed and gave orders to the merchant ship. Go and call the East Pce. You have to be sure while doing it. yes. And Doseungji and merchant ships can also participate if they want. I am devastated, but Sosin does not have aw book Sutras or collections of poetry are fine. I think whats important is my decision? Hearing Sejongs words, Sang-seon and Do Seung-ji bowed their heads with bright faces. I am devastated! In this way, King Sejong and Hyang had to clean up a total of 57 people that day. * * * As a side note, at this time, dissatisfaction broke out among officials who had not received a resolution. However, upon hearing the story, King Sejong immediately dismissed it. It is called luck because luck never happens twice. If good luck continues, it is not luck but just routine. And shouldnt we also think about those who spent a lot of money at the auction? The officials who heard King Sejongs words had no choice but to yield. And, as in the saying, I get pped in Jongno and take my anger out on the Han River, some narrow-minded people sneered at their lucky colleagues. This was the same for the four people. Han Myeong-hoe, who heard whispers nearby, snorted. joy! You stupid bastards! Havent you heard the story of Chief Jeoljae or Chief Jibong? Have you still not realized what is important? Its so thoughtless how can I get ahead in the world The unfortunate officials who heard Han Myeong-hoes sarcasm had to grit their teeth and suppress their anger. Although he was angry, there was no mistake in what Han Myeong-hoe said. * * * Late March, 31st year of King Sejongs reign (1449, Gisa Year). Rooms were rebuilt in government offices and monopoly offices throughout Joseon. The contents written in the newly attached room were about the Gaecheon event and the wedding of Brother Wanduseul. If its a stream, is it Qingjegeonwon? I guess so. A farmer who heard the conversation between the noblemen who saw the room joined the conversation. Im sorry, but what do you mean by Qingje Jianyuan? One of the noblemen answered the farmers question. They are saying that our Joseon will be an empire. It means that His Majesty the Lord will be His Majesty the Emperor. Are you saying that if the Emperor deposes, he will be the Son of Heaven? Thats right. It is truly the slope of slopes. After hearing the exnation, the farmer thought deeply and then opened his mouth again. If its such a big slope, youll get a discount at the sales office, right? Maybe so? After hearing the noblemans answer, the farmer bowed his head with a bright face. Thank you so much for exining! One of the noblemen, who saw the farmer disappearing excitedly, looked displeased and grumbled. Youre like an idiot who doesnt even know whats important! Get that right now! Be patient and be patient. The person whoined seemed like he was going toin at any moment, so another nobleman next to him stopped him. Anyway, the war against the Ming has been won, and the promulgation of the First Law hase to an end. Of course, isnt it a situation where there is no one who doesnt know that the opening ceremony of Cheoncheon will be followed by the Qingjegeonwon ceremony? Of course, there is also the issue of weddings. Given the circumstances, isnt it natural for the peoples attention to be focused on the monopoly? Eng! ha ha ha! The best way to calm a boiling stomach is with a ss of alcohol and a game of baduk. Lets go to the entertainment venue! Buy me a drink! At those words, the nobleman, who had been unable to control his anger until a moment ago, was dragged away, pretending not to be able to resist. * * * Meanwhile, Gyeongbokgung Pce was also busy preparing for the ceremony announcing the opening of the river. No matter what I do, it wont decrease! Where am I? A recorder, really? The sound of music flowed from all the government offices along Yukjo Street every day. Not surprisingly, they had more than one task to deal with at the same time. -Work rted to the newly acquired river areas, Liaodong, Liaohe, and Dongban (the old name of Taiwan). C Changes in administrative organization and appointment of key managers for transformation into an empire C Inspection of newnd development n to be delivered to King Sejong, who will soon return to newnd. -Preparation for the ancestral rite for the opening of the river and the Qingjegeonwon -Preparation for the presiding officer to continue as soon as the rite is over. C Preparation for the wedding of the three sons and their brothers. In terms of difficulty alone, thest three were nothing specialpared to the first three. Anyway, I was going to do the royal ceremony, I was going to have a wedding, and I was going to be crowned. Since the final goal of Gyeongjang was Qingjegeonwon, preparations had been made steadily. Rather, thanks to the victory in the war against the Ming, there was less to worry about. The same was true for the wedding of Seson and his brothers. Except for the fact that it was carried out only a few days apart, there was nothing difficult about it because it was a matter of following the rules that had been established for a long time. There were no worries about the seniority issue either. It was not a political maneuver like during the reign of King Taejong, but an inevitable problem that arose as newnd developments ovepped. In particr, since Hyang had continued to conduct proxy cleaning, there were almost no problems with the handover. However, the previous three problems caused the all-night shift to continue. The problem was not simply drawing a new border, but also dealing with the residents living in the area, especially the Han Chinese who had immigrated from the central ins. Dongbeon was not a big problem, but the number of Koreans who immigrated to the Liaoxi and Liaodong regions was significant, and there were quite a few who were not happy with Joseons rule. Its okay to just leave it alone, but its even more problematic to kill them all In the end, Hyang, who was looking for the most appropriate solution, had no choice but toe to a conclusion. Lets expel. I think that would be best. All the ministers nodded at Hyangs decision. Thanks to this, all the Ming people who came to Liaoxi and Liaodong had to pack their bags. And naturally, confusion arose in this process. Even those who packed their bags in silence and those who naturalized to be citizens of Joseon did not pose much of a problem. Those who epted the deportation order, packed their bags, and moved safely to the border under the escort of the Joseon military. Those who became naturalized also worked hard to adapt by receiving Joseons family register and identity badge. However, those who would neither naturalize nor leave caused trouble. No matter what anyone says, this is and of great nations! We are the people of Ming! Lets drive out the Koreans! Wow! As people used force, bloodshed broke out. However, because the difference in military power with the Joseon army was so great, all of their uprisings failed, leaving behind many victims. Chapter 606 Episode 606: Opening of Heaven C Controversy over the First Law (9) Many people were busy working for the historic event of Joseons transformation into the Korean Federal Empire. The Chamber of Commerce, which was in charge of clothing worn by kings and members of the royal family, was one of them. We have to make everything new! The craftsmen all screamed at the order to manufacture the tops. Aaaah! * * * There was a reason why the craftsmen were screaming. We had to immediately create a new robe and crown for King Sejong to wear at the opening ceremony and coronation ceremony. Until then, as it was a country that quickly followed the Ming, ording to etiquette, it had to wear a crown of 9 types and 12 jade C 9 tassels made of 12 red, blue and white beads. However, because he became emperor, he had to create a new crown of 12 types and 12 jade. The same was true for Gonbok. Previously, there were 9 jangbok (out of the 12 symbols, minus 3 of the sun, moon, and stars), but this time, we had to make a gongbok with all 12 symbols. ording to etiquette, the crown prince wears nine robes, so wouldnt it be okay to recycle them? There was also the idea of recycling to reduce work, but this proposal was rejected as soon as it was made. no! The hardships that have gued me so far are the clothes given by the Ming Dynasty! It is an honorable asion for our Joseon to free itself from the Ming Dynasty and dere its empire. Does it make sense to wear the clothes given by the Ming Dynasty? And the coronation will take ce shortly after the coronation ceremony ends. What are you going to do then? . Shut up and make a new one! yes. The problem was that for that reason, building a new one was not just a matter of hardship. Not only the ceremonial clothes worn by the Queen and the Crown Princess, but even the Dansam had to be made all over again. This was also due to the reason that it was a bestowal gift from the Ming. In addition, the ceremonial uniforms that the Manjo Baekgwans had to wear also had to be changed because they contained patterns and decorations in ordance with the regtions of the fast-moving country. Thanks to this, not only the acupuncturists of the Sangsangwon, but also all the artisans who made clothes in Hanseong and the nearby Kiho region had to be mobilized. * * * After receiving the report, I tasted the scent with a face full of regret. I thought I wanted to change everything, starting with the design In one way or another, things like robes and crowns were all influenced by China. In the case of Danryeong and Dansam, it was abination of the clothes of the northern horse people and the clothes of China. Of course, there have been many variations since it was introduced during the Three Kingdoms period, and it can be said to be amon attire in the East Asian region, with officials from the Japanese court and even officials from Daeyue wearing it. But what I didnt like was that I didnt like it. If I really think about it, I want topletely change it like a military uniform Tsk! The scent could not hide the disappointment, but it was unavoidable. Unfortunately, Hyang had no talent rted to clothing design. In the case of military uniforms, it was the result of virtue, and in the case of riding pants, which are nowmonly worn by women of yeomans houses, it was a result of being caught. * * * It was created in response to Queen Soheons request to make something to rece the skirt that flutters and exposes her underwear every time she jumps rope. Its also great for horseback riding! Queen Soheon, who heard Hyangs exnation at the time, looked at the riding pants and nodded. You sure look better than Malgun. At that time, women had pants called malgun (mȹ) that they wore over their skirts when horseback riding. It was a attire that women of the royal family or noble families had to wear when riding horses, and there was even an anecdote about people being treated as gisaengs if they climbed a horse without wearing it. However, as Queen Soheon said, if you only look at the shape of the clothes, you can never say that they are pretty. The hanbok worn by the royal family as well as noble families and women of wealthy households was a typical example of a lower-lower-higher style. There was absolutely no way that pants worn over such a rich skirt would look good. * * * Because of this, the scent was unable to hide its disappointment. If I look at my hands now, all I see is those damn civil defense uniforms Hyang nodded, remembering the yellow jumpers that all government officials from top to bottom had to wear when a national disaster or something simr happened in the 21st century. shook it. But that doesnt make sense if we go straight to a gentlemans suit The attire of Joseons upper-ss men was gradually changing under the influence of military uniforms, especially trench coats and cavalry boots, but it was difficult to jump straight to a gentlemans suit. And because its so Western, there are a lot of things that get caught In the end, Hyang had no choice but to wave the white g. First of all, lets go in the direction of adjusting my attire little by little so that only the clothes I wear arefortable for me. Then, some interesting hybrid will emerge. A terrible hybrid could emerge but you can tell when you see the hat, right? As Hyang said, the Spring and Autumn Warring States period was over the heads of Joseon men. * * * Since ancient times, it was impolite for an adult male to walk around with his head exposed. Of course, it didnt matter much when working or with close friends, but when going to a formal event or going a long way, regardless of whether you were a nobleman or amoner, you always wore a hat. Therefore, various types of hats, such as chorip hats and bamboo hats, as well as various hats, were passed around. In history before the intervention of Hyang, foreigners who visited Joseonmented, Joseon is a country of mother and child. This was also true during this period. In this situation, hats that imitated the military hats made by Hyang appeared on the market, and various decorations that matched the hats were sold in the marketce, leading to the Spring and Autumn Warring States Period. * * * With D-Day just around the corner, there were more than one ce that was busy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was one of them. Every day from morning to evening, Foreign Ministry officials came in and out of Foreign Minister Heo Hus office without stopping. So far, which countries have envoys arrived at or sent messages to? In response to Heo Hus question, the person in charge hurriedly checked the list and answered. The messenger from the Daenae n and the messenger from Yugu have already arrived, and Daewol Seomra Mka Cheonchuk has responded that he will send a messenger. ah! I heard that an envoy ising from Aden. What about Portugal? The person in charge responded to Heo Hus words with a slightly embarrassed expression. Portugal is still at war, so the only answer I got was that they would do their best. Tsk! Heo Hu, who clucked his tongue at the person in charges answer, frowned and grumbled. So why start a war it only increases work. This was precisely the reason why Heohu wasining. -Only when trade with the West is done properly will the economy of Joseon be safe. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should do its best to find out the situation of the war in the western region! Since not only Hyang but also King Sejong had issued the same order, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was observing the trends of the war in Africa and Europe by mobilizing as much manpower and connections as possible. How many years has it been already? Its been three years? Is three years not enough? . Heo Hu, who had given a reprimand to his subordinate, grumbled as he looked at the map of the world hanging on the wall. What kind of situation is this patchwork? * * * As Heo Hu assessed, the situation of the war in Europe and Africa was a patchwork and tangled mess. On the surface, there were six countries involved in the war. Portugal France Ottoman VS. Spain Holy Roman Empire Mamluk However, if you look closely, the six countries above were not all. First, the Italian city-states were supplying military funds and mercenaries to one of the two camps in pursuit of their respective interests. The Byzantine Empire, which had signed an armistice with the Ottomans, was diligently trying to recover its strength, but it was not an easy situation. The Vatican was also in a difficult situation. You join hands with heretics just for worldly gain! They tried to coordinate the war under religious justification, but the people involved did not even listen. There were economic issues, but there were also issues of borders and securing influence on the European continent. In addition, noise continued to arise even within Christianity, symbolized by the Vatican. There was still a war of words between the Pope and the Council, and bloody disputes continued between the reformists, conservative fundamentalists, and moderates. Those who were divided in this way lined up against either the Portuguese camp or the Spanish camp to increase their power. This was because they were the ones with the most solid financial power, receiving not only funds secured through continued overseas trade but also support from Italian city-states. Those who visited both camps requested support for them. Instead, in return, free entry and tax cuts were promised only to Portuguese or Spanish merchants. It wasnt a bad thing for Portugal or Spain at all, so they provided adequate funds, which made Europe even more chaotic. Naturally, those who suffered the most in this mess were the most helplessmoners. The people, who had been harassed by the lords and the church, began to long for the appearance of a powerful person who could stamp them out. The first country to react to this movement was France. * * * The national sentiment of being French was established through the 100 Years War. Charles VIIs situation was also appropriate. After the armistice in 1444, rebuilding the country that had been devastated by war was Charles VIIs greatest task. However, the nobles who were against him revolted. In the process of suppressing this, Charles VII was keenly aware of the need to suppress the power of the nobility. In this situation, the peoples desire for a strong leader was Charles VIIs best weapon. Peace to the people! One France! One monarch! Charles VII, who raised the above slogan, began to put pressure on the nobility and the church. The nobles, who had already had to keep an eye on Charles VII due to the previous rebellion, had to give more and more. It was a prelude to the emergence of an absolute monarchy much earlier than in history before Hyang intervened. * * * Thanks to the situation in Europe, which could easily be called a mess, Portugal and the Ottomans mobilized all their might to attack the North African region. Against this, the Mamluks and Spaniards also mobilized their forces. Topographical issues also yed a role. Both the Ottomans and Portuguese Spain had the problem of maintaining long supply routes. Thanks to this, the war continued for nearly three years. But that war was slowlying to an end. And it was also evidence that the main role on the battlefield was shifting from cold weapons to gunpowder weapons. Portuguese infantrymen, borrowing the samebination of pikemen and musketeers used in Joseon, began to dominate the battlefield. In history before the intervention of incense, tercio, developed and used by Spain, first appeared in Joseon due to the intervention of incense, and paradoxically, flowed to Portugal. Hyang, who heard the story through a different route than Mansour, thought for a while and came to a conclusion. What do you know! Chapter 607 Episode 607: Opening of Heaven C Controversy over the firstw (10) Two days before the opening ceremony. In Hanseong C which was scheduled to be renamed Seoul after Qingjegeonwon C envoys from various countries who visited Joseon gathered to celebrate the event. Not only Mohwagwan (ĽA^), which was renamed Oebingak (ew), but also Dongpyeonggwan and Bukpyeonggwan were filled with envoys. There is not enough amodation! huh? already? There are many officials who made up the envoy group, but the number of people who came to serve them is enormous! Heo Hu looked embarrassed at his subordinates reports. Its a bit of a shame to say sorry to those seniors He heard the shouts of a great general from outside, but among the ministers, Heo Hu was still one of the younger ones. Because of this, I felt intimidated when I was in front of people like Hwang Hee and Kim Jeom. But there is no answer In the end, Heo Hu found Hwang Hee and presented him with an agenda. If we want to solve the problem of the Shinigami Corps, I think we will have to borrow some kiru. Style? Hmm Hwang Hee thought for a moment and nodded. I guess itll be okay. The people who work at Giru are skilled at serving customers and have no problem hosting banquets, so perhaps they are more qualified? When envoys from foreign countries came, it was customary to host a banquet and entertain them, and courtesans were mobilized to liven up the banquet. Isnt the problem the cost? Ah Hwang Hee nodded at Heo Hus point. As the saying goes, The stupidest person in the world is the one who causes trauma in Giru, the most certain people in the calction were gisaeng. Kim Jeom, who received the gaze of Hwang Hee and Heo Hu, immediately nodded. I will prepare a budget. It wouldnt be right if a bad sound came out when the slope was just around the corner. As soon as the decision was made, the bell tower and famous g towers in Bukchon were assigned as lodgings for the envoys. * * * In the midst of such busy times, Giovanni di Cosimo de Medici, the second son of Henry of Portugal and Cosimo de Medici, and Mehmet II of Ottoman came as congrattory envoys. As the war was in full swing, they had to travel ovend through the Arabian Desert and then take a Korean ship from Aden toe to Joseon. The appearance of the three-nation delegation immediately attracted attention. Portugal and Italy yed thergest role in trade with European countries. However, after the war, they were the main culprits who caused enormous damage by disrupting not only trade routes but also the European economy. After arriving at the trade port in Mokpo and undergoing quarantine, the envoys rode a specially assigned iron horse and rode up to Hanseong. Hoo~. Is this the rumored iron horse? Indeed indeed Henrik nodded as he looked at Giovanni and Mehmet II, who kept looking around in wonder. Thats right. I hope you take a good look on your way to Hanseong. Why did we start a war toy down the Iron Horse? The two people nodded at Henrys words. Are you saying these are the next rulers of Medici and Ottoman? Henrik looked at the two in front of him andmented quietly. Giovanni was Cosimos second son. However, because the eldest son was very sick, he was the most likely sessor. In the case of Mehmed II, the situation was a bit moreplicated. When Mehmed II was 12 years old, his father, Murat II, suddenly handed over the position of sultan and went into seclusion. However, due to difficulties in the ensuing battle with Hungary, Murat II was reinstated, and Mehmet II was forced to step down from his position as sultan. Afterwards, a scandal arose that Mehmed II was living a promiscuous life with both men and women while staying in Manisa. Although it was not revealed whether it was true or not, it was a fairly serious scandal. Therefore, Murat II appointed Mehmed II as an envoy to Joseon. Go cool off! * * * In this way, the delegations of the three countries, each with their own stories, arrived in Hanseong. The reactions of the three countries delegations that arrived in the capital of Joseon were divided into two. A lot has changed in three years? Its getting more and more morous! The Portuguese, who had already been there several times and were used to it, were only slightly surprised, but the Italians and Ottomans looked around with wide eyes. Building a bridge across that wide river is nothing short of a miracle, but these magnificent buildings Compared to Rome and the Vatican This is simply a station where iron horses stop. The essence must go inside. Really? I cant believe it! See for yourself. ah! It looks like the Joseon officialing over there is a guide! Henrik took the lead. * * * The delegations from the three countries, guided by officials, were guided to the lodgings where they would stay. If I had received the message in advance, I would have prepared the empty coffin properly, but the preparations were made in a hurry and are not enough. Please understand. Henry, who heard the words of the Foreign Ministry official through an interpreter, answered on behalf of the others. no. Its a very nice facility. The Foreign Ministry official responded to Henriques words with a brighter face. Thank you. I would like to have an audience with His Majesty the King. When will that be possible? In response to Henrys request, the Foreign Ministry official took out a notebook from his sleeve, opened it, checked the time, and responded. If nothing goes wrong, I will pick you up after 1 hour (about 2 hours). I understand. After finishing the conversation, the Foreign Ministry official returned and Henry and his party entered the garrison under the guidance of the interpreter. After being assigned a room to stay and unpacking their bags, they sat down in a small pavilion built on one side of Girus yard and drank tea. Joseons tea has a different vor than Chinese tea. Thats right. If the war ends well, we should think about importingrge quantities of Joseon tea. While the three were chatting quietly, in one corner of Girus yard, a group of men were observing the surroundings with fire supplies spread out. Henrik, who was watching this, asked Giovanni. How did you n to bring the painters? So far, havent you only received letters from monks? There is a big difference between imagining a sentence and seeing it with your own eyes. Thanks to this, there were so many things that made no sense in this picture of Joseon. If you think about it a little, you will realize that it makes no sense. Henrik nodded at Giovannis words. * * * For the European upper ss, Joseon was a trend-leading keyword. The sunsses and essories sold in Joseon were necessities for those who were known to do business. As time passed and more and more stories about Joseon were heard, they became less satisfied with things like Joseon-made essories and pottery. And European painters created paintings to meet this demand. It was an imaginative painting based on the contents of letters sent by monks staying in Joseon. Some of the paintings they drew were good, but most of them were real imaginations. Therefore, those who visited Joseon and saw the real Joseon scoffed every time they saw pictures like this. joy! Phew! This is Joseon? Ahaha! This ridicule made the painters cry, but they had no other choice. Going to Joseon was quite expensive. It was not easy to bring additional people on board the ship. There was not enough space to load goods to be sold in Joseon. Adding more space for passengers was not only a problem, but also having to load additional water and food for them was also a problem. Naturally, the ship owners demanded a fee that would make up for the loss, and the painters did not have that much money. Of course, the sponsors who supported the painters had money to spare. However, because the road to Joseon was still dangerous, sponsors did not ept the artists requests. In such a situation, Giovanni, who had the opportunity toe to Joseon, brought along the painters he supported. * * * As the appointed time slowly approached, the three people adjusted their clothes and waited for officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A momentter, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official found them again and ushered them outside. The carriage is ready. Thank you. The three people got into the ceremonial carriage prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the carriage immediately moved towards Gyeongbokgung Pce. I felt it before, but Joseons carriages are veryfortable! King Mehmet II nodded at Giovannis words. At first, I thought it was because the road was well paved, but that wasnt the case. The two people nodded repeatedly and admired the carriage they were riding. * * * Their admiration was not exaggerated. If you look at the carriages in other countries during this period, most of them were in the shape of carriages mounted directly on the axles. Because there was no shock absorber in the middle, passengers had no choice but to feel the presence of even a single stone scattered on the road. However, Joseons carriages had arge spring te inserted between the axle and the carriage. Thanks to this, we were able to provide absolutefortpared to other countries. Whats interesting is that it started with a rickshaw made by Hyang. Craftsmen who had confirmed the usefulness of the shock absorber on rickshaws applied it to carriages without any resistance. And this went straight into the production of the Iron Horse carriage without any hesitation. Simply put, with just one rickshaw, we were able to skip at least three generations. * * * Henry, who had heard the conversation between Giovanni and Mehmet II, joined in the conversation. I saw before that there was a shock absorber made of iron te between the carriage axle and the carriage. So I tried to make it Wow! Henrik concluded his speech by licking his appetite. Giovanni and Mehmet II nodded at Henrys appearance. I heard that Joseons iron-making technology is beyond imagination. I also heard a rumor that the swords made by Damascus craftsmen with all their might were cut in two by the daggers carried by the Joseon army. Giovanni and Mehmut II shook their heads as they added to the rumors they had heard and what they had seen with their own eyes. What on earth is this country called Joseon? Why has a country with this kind of technology been hidden for so long? * * * Because they were foreign envoys, they passed through Gwanghwamun in a carriage, but all three had to get off the carriage in front of Geunjeongmun. The three people and the officials assisting them crossed Geunjeongmun and walked through the front yard of Geunjeongjeon. On both sides of the road leading to Geunjeongjeon, soldiers from the Naegumwi were standing with their guns raised, looking at them. The design of the refurbished military uniforms and caps was the same as that of regrbat units, but the inner gear was all ck from top to bottom. The envoys felt a strong sense of pressure as they saw the Naegumwi soldiers standing expressionlessly in ck uniforms and ck cavalry boots. I have be stronger than when I came before. Are you saying that what you saw then wasnt everything? Henrik, who was in the lead, swallowed dryly. When I first came to Joseon and saw them, I felt tremendous pressure. Butpared to the pressure I feel now, the pressure back then seemed like a joke. Henrique, who was walking under such pressure, soon realized one thing. I see! This is the power that the winner has! Henrik found the answer by recalling how he felt this way from his older brother Pedro, who had killed his powerful political opponent, the Duke of Braganza. Chapter 608 Episode 608: Gaecheon C Enthronement, and Seonwi (1) Due to the pressure from the Naegeumwi, the three people were somewhat discouraged and were able to arrive at the entrance to Geunjeongjeon. The three people who entered Geunjeongjeon under the guidance of the eunuch walked in front of King Sejong under the guidance of the eunuch. The three people politely bowed ording to their own etiquette and spoke with one voice to King Sejong. I congratte you on your great victory and wish your country great sess. It must have been a lot of hardship on the road, so thank you very much. I heard that your country is currently going through a lot of trouble due to the war. I pray for a quick end to the war and victory. thank you. * * * After exchanging well-wishes and presenting the gifts they had brought to King Sejong, the three envoys left Geunjeongjeon. Whoa~. The three who came out of Geunjeongjeon took a long breath as if they were finally going to survive. Mehmut II opened his mouth with an expression of slight boredom. There was no one I was afraid of except my father, but I never thought I would meet someone like my father here again. The other two people both nodded at those words. Because they also felt the same way. After all, do all rulers feel this way? Surely that mighty Kitai is now Ming? He was worthy of achieving victory against that great empire. Henrik, who was nodding at Giovannis words, changed the topic. To me, the first prince of Joseon seems unusual. What do you think? Mehmed II immediately responded to Henrys question. Its another Lion Sider. If the current king of Joseon is a slightly aging lion, he felt like a lion in his prime. Giovanni nodded to Mehmet IIs evaluation. I agree. Even at first nce, it was clear that he was something out of the ordinary. So I think this country has a lot to worry about as well. huh? why? Henrik and Giovanni simultaneously expressed doubts about Mehmet IIs unexpected remarks. Mehmet looked back at Geunjeongjeon and continued speaking. Isnt there only one leader in a group of lions? Dont you all know? A monarchs most powerful enemy is his own sessor. Ah Henrik and Giovanni nodded at Mehmet IIs words. It was customary for those in power to be unwilling to share that power. On the other hand, the sessor to a powerful person had the ambition to take over that power as soon as possible. Thanks to this, most of the power struggles between the king and his son ended in terrible bloodshed. But the current situation in Joseon was very different. No, it waspletely different. If Joseon officials had heard this, most of them would haveughed. Your Majesty the Lord and the Crown Prince will have a power struggle? Wow! If the Lord lord says that there is no such thing as superiority, the crown prince is the one who will shout Your Majesty the Lord! on the spot! I should add words to that. If possible, the budget is a bit And what follows is Get out! You bastard! They were Joseon officials who knew well the rtionship between King Sejong, who was trying to get work done at all costs, and Hyang, who was trying to avoid taking on work as much as possible. Youll have a good argument! * * * After the audience ended, the three people went back to their lodgings and instead of resting, they visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Heo Hu, who weed the three people, gave up his seat and got to the point. After sharing refreshments prepared by a servant working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Heo Hu got straight to the point. So, why did the nobles of the Western Region visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs? Henry stepped forward and answered Hu Hus question. I want to build a railway connecting Suez and the Mediterranean Sea. A railroad? exactly. At those words, Heohus head began to spin. So the war they started wasnt simply because of their monopoly on trade routes! After understanding the reason why Portugal, Ottoman, and Florence started a war, Hu Hu suddenly broke into a cold sweat. The Crown Prince got it right again! * * * When they heard that an international war had broken out in the Mediterranean region, a discussion took ce among local government officials and ministers about the cause of the outbreak of the war. At the time, ministers spected the cause of the outbreak of war as follows. Securing a trade route connecting Suez and Alexandria The head of government expressed a slightly different opinion to the opinions of the ministers. It is true that a trade route will be secured, but it will not be an existing trade route. It will probably destroy railway tracks or waterways. Hyang, who said so, exined the reason as follows. The current level of trade cannot satisfy all those involved in the war. For them all to be satisfied, much more volume must be moved. In that case, the current transportation method is impossible. There are only two things that can make this possible: rail or water. The ministers looked skeptical at Hyangs words. On behalf of the ministers, Hwang Hee asked Hyang. In that case, theres no need to go all the way to Alexandria, right? If we secure the area between Suez and the Mediterranean Sea, wouldnt we be able to achieve maximum results with minimal blood loss? Hyang immediately responded to Hwang Hees point. Shouldnt we get rid of ourpetitors? The merchants of Alexandria. In addition, Alexandria and its eastern region are located in the Nile River Delta, thergest granary of the Mamluks. If we take that ce, we will be able to protect the Mamluks as well. The ministers at the time looked skeptical at Hyangs words until the end. There was Alexandria, thergest trading city in the Mediterranean, and there were trade routes leading there. But opening a new trade route? Once a new trade route was opened, a new trade city had to be created. Then a huge amount of capital was needed. Even if Portugal and the Ottomans were united C Florences participation was unknown C it was a dangerous gamble that could have led to the copse of the country if done wrong. And securing the Nile Delta was something that would naturally follow if it was secured only through existing trade. Looking at the expressions of the ministers, Hyang calmly concluded his speech. If you only look at the next 10 years, it might be crazy, but if you look 100 years or beyond, its a viable business. * * * When the three people said, I want toy a railroad, Heo Hu immediately sent someone to the Ministry of Finance and Economy. After receiving the call from the Ministry of Finance and Economy, Minister of Finance and Economy Park Jong-woo and First Vice Minister Lim Soon-wook rushed over. As soon as the brief meeting was over, Park Jong-woo got straight to the point. I heard they want toy a railroad. exactly. Can you tell which area it is? Wait a minute Henrik gave an order to his subordinate standing behind him. After some time had passed, Henrys subordinate came in, breathing heavily, and handed him a map scroll. Henrik, whoid out a map on the desk in the conference room, drew an imaginary straight line from Suez to the north with his finger and exined. I want toy a railroad like this from Suez to here. After listening to Henriks exnation, Lim Sun-wook pointed his finger to the northern point in question and asked. What is the name of this ce? No. There is just one small fishing vige with about 20 households. Where can I get fresh water on the way from Suez to here? Here, here, here and here. Im Soon-wook frowned as he looked at the spot where Henrik pointed with his finger. Hmm oh my Is there some problem? Seeing Lim Sun-wooks expression, Seenhik and the other two people looked anxious. Despite receiving Henrys question, Lim Sun-wook did not answer right away and only stared at the map. Lim Soon-wook, who had been staring at the map, looked back at Henrik. Why not dig a canal rather than a railroad? channel? Aqueduct? Everyone except Lim Soon-wook was confused by thepletely unexpected answer. why? In response to Henrys question, Lim Soon-wook exined in a little more detail. To properly move an iron horse, you need firewood, but first of all, you need clean fresh water. Considering the current performance of the Iron Horse, you would have to go through the water sources on the map or the nearest ce, but then you would have to take a considerable detour. In other words, the route you mentioned earlier is absolutely not possible. Its okay to turn around to some extent. Henrique took a step back, but Lim Soon-wook shook his head again. Transportation of materials toy the railway is also a problem. Not only the iron horse but also the iron tracks that will beid on the railroad must be transported. There is no major problem with loading and departing from Korea, but the problem lies with arrival. How will you unload and how will you transport it to the site? Ill tell you in advance, you cant move it with an iron horse, track, or one or two cows. Oh my After hearing Lim Sun-wooks exnation through the interpreter, Henrik listened with an expression of disbelief. Is it really impossible? My previous position was as the president of a railroadpany. I am confident that I know the most about railroads and iron horses among those present. After hearing Lim Soon-wooks answer, Henrik and his group looked devastated. This was the same for Joseon officials. If I did well, it was an opportunity to do something big! Park Jong-woo, who could not hide his disappointment, asked Lim Sun-wook. Are you saying that in the end, water is the only answer? Thats right. Heo Hu let out a long sigh in response to Lim Sun-wooks answer. Huh~. If you look at the waterway seen in Ming Dynasty, it seems to be quite aplicated item Park Jong-woo also nodded at Heo Hus words. The waterways they knew were very tricky. If the area through which the waterway passed was not t, locks and water wheels were necessary, and it was a problem even if there was a flood or a drought. The sediment that umted there every day also had to be thoroughly cleaned. Lim Soon-wook, who saw the frustrated expressions of Henrik and his group and Heohu Park Jong-woo, asked the question again. Are there many viges around the route you set earlier? No, its all desert. Is there a difference between high and low in the desert? As far as I know, there are a lot of sand dunes, but its basically t. You mean there are no mountains or valleys? exactly. Im Soon-wook responded to Henriks answer with even more confidence. Then a waterway is optimal. huh? why? When everyone expressed doubts, Soonwook Lim exined the reason. -The route designated by Henry is a t area with no permits and no mountains or valleys. This means that you can take a straight path without having to turn around. -Based on the above conditions, the depth and width of the waterway can be set as desired. This means that ships can go directly to the Mediterranean region without having to unload at Suez. -Finally, Suez is in the Red Sea and the destination is in the Mediterranean Sea. This means that there is no need to worry about drought or flood since the sea is the source of water. Unbelievable! This way! The faces of Henrik and his group brightened at Lim Sun-wooks exnation. However, Heo Hu, who was listening to the story, stopped. That would be an incrediblyrge feat, but is it really possible? At least hundreds of thousands of people would have to be mobilized? Henrik and his party, who heard Heo Hus story through the interpreter, also looked at Lim Sun-wook with simr expressions. However, Lim Soon-wook immediately responded with an expression that said it was no big deal. Of course we will need a lot of manpower, but dont we have an excavator? At Lim Sun-wooks answer, Joseon officials simultaneously pped their knees in admiration. aha! Chapter 609 Episode 609: Opening of Heaven C Enthronement, and Presidency (2) Henry, who saw the faces of the Joseon officials brightening, asked the interpreter what the reason was. After hearing the story through the interpreter, Henry asked another question. What is an excavator? In response to Henriks question, Sunwook Lee exined about the excavator. It is a device that uses the power of a steam engine to perform various tasks, such as digging the ground or transporting soil. If used properly, the work that hundreds of people would do all day can be done in just one or two hours. When Henrik and his party, who heard the exnation through the interpreter, still looked like they didnt know, Im Soon-wook also looked embarrassed. How should I exin it. Lim Soon-wook, who was looking for a good way to exin, soon stood up with a bright smile on his face. Heres a good example! Lets go out for a moment! Park Jong-woo also asked with a curious look upon Lim Sun-wooks words. Is there a good way? You can go to the Han River dredging site. Park Jong-woo let out an exmation with a bright face at Lim Soon-wooks words. ah! There it was! * * * Even while riding a horse to the dredging site, Henrik and his group did not stop asking questions. What is dredging? The interpreter answered Henrys question right away. This was because the interpreter also had some knowledge about dredging. Its literally digging up the bottom of the river. Why are you digging the river bottom? There are many reasons, but to name a few of the biggest reasons The interpreter exined the reason for dredging the bottom of Hansu. -Prevents flooding from urring. As sand umtes on the bottom, the water depth bes shallow and eventually the river floods even when it rains a little too much. However, this can be prevented to arge extent by dredging consistently. -Sufficient sand can be supplied to several nearby sites. If you look at the construction methods of the Joseon Dynasty today, iron-d ster is used in many areas. To make good ster, a lot of sand with little base is needed, and sand dredged from cold water is optimal. -It can provide decent jobs to the poor in Hanseong, or even Seoul. If you use the wages earned from working at the dredging site wisely, you can survive for a year with ease. Not even the country can provide poverty relief. There is a saying, but isnt it the leaders duty to try as hard as possible? At the interpreters words, Henrik and the others nodded with serious faces. Its a leaders duty I think I need to think about this. Henrik and Giovanni also nodded at Mehmet IIs words. The problem of the poor was amon problem in all countries. However, in the Middle East and Europe, attempts were made to solve this problem mainly based on religiousmunities. In the case of Im, there has been a norm called Zakat since the time of Muhammad. In Europe, many monastic orders were working to relieve the poor. Even among the king and nobles, there were quite a few who expressed their intention to relieve the poor. However, most of them were expressions of personal faith and not national policy. The reason for this is what the trantor just said was, Not even the country can alleviate poverty. This was the reason. No matter how hard we tried, it was unreasonable to continue spending money in a situation where poor people were bound to continue to arise. The king and officials of Joseon probably dont know this, but how? This was the question of the three people. Ill have to askter when I get a chance. I agree. As Henry and his group were nodding their heads to that conclusion, the interpreter informed them. Well be there soon! exactly? At the interpreters words, all of Henrys party straightened up in the saddle and looked forward. Oh oh! Thats impossible! On arge barge floating in the middle of the river, a huge piece of iron was emitting ck smoke and pumping sand from the river. I have never seen such a huge structure! Can that really be made by human hands? Lim Soon-wook smiled and answered Henrys question. Heh! Then a ghost must have made it? Despite Lim Sun-wooks answer, Henriks groups surprise did not subside easily. I didnt see it this time or thest time I came to Hanseong. When did you start using it? Its been about four or five years. And the railroading into Hanseongwoo Station would not have been easy to see because it passes through the middle and lower reaches of the Hansu River. After exining up to that point, Lim Soon-wook muttered to himself. Im still fighting that part. * * * Dredging of the downstream portion of the Hansu River, where Gimpo Port is located, was still an area of debate. If we think about the flooding problem, we have to dredge! What should we do about the salt damage problem? Every time the tide rises in the West Sea, sea water rises along the cold water. Therefore, if the downstream part was dredged, the sea water in the West Sea could rise up to Neobeol Ind C Yeouido. However, as the depth of water downstream became shallow, even a little bit of heavy rain was bound to cause flooding. Therefore, opinions were divided as to whether to install an underwater weir or build an embankment along the river as an alternative. * * * Henrik and his party soon came to their senses and carefully inspected the excavator. Hmm. Indeed. Every time the excavator in the middle of the river released a shovel, Henrik and his groups heads went up and down repeatedly following the shovel. Henry and Mehmet II Giovanni, who had been watching the movement of the excavator for a while, looked at each other and came to a conclusion. I think itll be okay. Its a waterway Its definitely more economical if the unloading process is eliminated. If we make it possible forrge ships like Joseons ships toe and go, many trading ships will flock to it. The trio, who had a positive assessment of the waterway, soon faced a problem. The problem is the price of that excavator. It seems like something you cant even bargain for for 1-200 gold ducats. It was tempting to open my wallet and buy that excavator right away, but the pockets of the three countries fighting the war were tight. Giovanni, unable to relieve his frustration, cursed. Damn the Vatican and the Council! Why are they fighting among themselves and making it difficult to do business properly? * * * The markets in Central and Eastern Europe were in disarray due to the dispute between the Vatican, the Council, and various sects. Thanks to this, dark clouds were gradually falling over the economies of Italian city-states. Mehmet II also nodded at Giovannis words. Even within the Ottoman Empire, the conflict between secrists and fundamentalists was gradually getting worse. The most stable country was Portugal. From the beginning of its founding, Portugal ced emphasis on trade and was rtively tolerant of Jews and pagans. Thanks to this, arge number of Jewish merchants who had been persecuted in neighboring Spain immigrated to Portugal, and a small number of Muslim merchants were also active. * * * Giovanni, who was so upset, soon came to a conclusion. Anyway, I think a waterway would be better than a railroad, so lets bargain. Bargain? Giovanni, seeing Mehmet IIs questioning face, responded by lightly rubbing his hands together. I have to beg to sell that excavator at a cheaper price. Or, you can do it on credit. Hmm. Well. The other two also shook their heads at Giovannis words, and Giovanni steered his horse towards Lim Sun-wook and Park Jong-woo. I think Ive seen it all. Lets go back and talk more deeply. Park Jong-woo, who heard the words through the interpreter, nodded. Lets do that. As he turned around and returned to Yukjo Street, Park Jong-woo asked Lim Sun-wook. What decision do you think they made? I think we probably came to a positive conclusion about the waterway. is it? The problem is the excavator. At first nce, its not something you can buy for a penny or two, is it? Maybe they will try to bargain. Park Jong-woo snorted at Lim Soon-wooks answer. joy! A bargain? Against the Joseon Ministry of Finance and Economy? Who do they think we are? You just think of it as management. Lim Soon-wook and Park Jong-woo looked at each other with wry smiles. Heohu, who was observing the situation on both sides in silence, muttered to himself. Captain Uichon abandoned many people. So, listen to the sound of poisoning. If Kim Jeom heard it, it would have been very unfair. * * * The group returned to the conference room of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and sat down again. How did you see it? Giovanni stepped forward and answered Hu Hus question. I was truly impressed. It seemed to symbolize Joseons excellence. Thank you very much for your positive review. So, did youe to a conclusion? To Huhus question, Giovanni answered with a slightly troubled look on his face. I think it would be quite difficult to choose right now between a waterway and a railroad. Heohu nodded to Giovannis answer. I guess so. It will be a great event that will be recorded in history. Thinking carefully is a natural thing. I hope you make a good decision. Thank you. Then I guess Ill just head back for today. After ending the meeting, Henrik and his party left the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. When Giovanni saw Hu Hu escorting him to the entrance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he opened his mouth as if he had finally remembered something. ah! I heard that there are several monks from the Vatican in Joseon now. I would like to treat them, but is it possible? Heohu looked slightly embarrassed at Giovannis request. They do not belong to us, but are under the Crown Princes directmand, so I cannot give you an answer right now. I heard that some of them are from Florence, my hometown. There is a fellow countryman living in a distant, foreign country, and I would like to meet him. Lets try our best. Please. On the way back to the hotel, Henri asked Giovanni. I understand why you said you needed time regarding the waterway issue, but why are you suddenly asking me to meet the monks? As far as I know, they only go back and forth between theb and the dormitory? Giovanni answered Henrys question with a slight smile. If not from thatboratory, where would such itemse from? And no matter how much you only went back and forth between the research institute and the dormitory, you probably know more about Joseon here than we do, right? If you want to avoid losses in business, you must first secure information. Henry and Mehmut II nodded at Giovannis words. * * * Meanwhile, Giovannis request was immediately conveyed to King Sejong. What does the Crown Prince think? Hyang immediately answered King Sejongs question. Unlike those whoe and go for a short period of time, the monks are those who have stayed here in Joseon for a long time. The intention is probably to obtain information about our country through them. I think so too. Then would it be better to not allow it? It doesnt look good to deny permission because there is a justification. We will do our best to crack down on it. Sejong nodded at Hyangs answer. That would make the most sense. I will allow it, so you can do it yourself. I follow your orders. In this way, permission was granted from King Sejong, and a meeting between the monks working at the institute and Henrik and his party took ce. Before going out on the day of the scheduled meeting, the monks were thoroughly searched. After meticulously searching the monks clothes and bodies, the officials delivered incense orders to the monks. His Majesty the Crown Prince told me to tell you this. You can take your mouth and tongue, but leave your hands behind. At the officials message, Angelo, a representative figure of the monks, nodded with a somber expression. I understand. Angelo, who left theb, warned the others. Its okay to answer questions, but you shouldnt write a single sentence on paper and hand it over. If you do it wrong, everyone will be very upset. Giovanni and other monks all nodded at Angelos warning. Chapter 610 Episode 610: Opening of Heaven C Enthronement, and Precedence (3) The monks, who had made up their minds about Angelos warning, soon arrived at Giru, which Henry and his party used as a lodging. Wee~. Hum! Kuhum! As the extravagantly dressed gisaeng weed them with excited voices, the monks blushed and cleared their throats. I have been invited by Duke Henry. At Angelos words, the gisaeng smiled seductively and raised her hand to point inside. Ho ho ho. Please eat it this way. Thank you. The gisaeng whispered softly as they watched the monks entering in a hesitant manner, guided by the royal gisaeng. They are Western monks who have been working at the research institute for several years, right? thats right. But do you feel like a viger who just came from the countryside? Thats right. Even though the envoys from the western region are like that, theyve been living in Hanseong for a few years, but arent they so rude? Her behavior is sloppy All the other gisaengs around nodded at one gisaengs review. * * * The sloppiness of Angelo and other monks was famous in theboratory and Area 51. Especiallypared to Pietro, who caused all kinds of trouble before starting a family, their clumsiness shined even brighter. This became a hot topic among officials, and so did the scent. Although it was a half-hearted knowledge, if you look at the religious people in the Vatican during this time, there were all kinds of scandals about extramarital affairs, so why? Hyang, who was watching the monks with curiosity, soon learned the reason. Thats it. I thought it looked familiar somewhere, and it was that damn tech tree. They were people who took a path simr to the tech tree of Nam Middle School C Boys High School C Engineering College, which is amon characteristic among nerds who were familiar with 21st century fragrances. These were the people who entered the monastery at a young age and learned knowledge by living only within the monastery. I guess there is also the fact that it is far from power. No. Did you ride that tech tree because you were far away from power? Or did he fall away from power because he rode that tech tree? * * * The gisaeng who were evaluating the monks muttered with expressions full of regret. If it werent for the guest of that West Station envoy, I would have been able to peel it off and eat it properly. Its a bit disappointing, isnt it? Thats right. The gisaengs could not hide their disappointment until the end. In the eyes of the gisaeng, the Westerners currently staying in Giru were the hillbillies of the hillbillies. He was wearing various gold and silver essories, butpared to the aristocrats of Hanseong or the great men from Ming, he was overflowing with style. Among the foreign guests who visited Giru, the only people who were on par with them were those who had studied abroad in the Japanese country. If it were any other time, it would have been a good opportunity to secure a share every time I received such guests, but this wasnt the case this time. This was because the Ministry of Finance and Economy were the ones who would pay for alcohol and lodging. * * * So foreign envoys came to stay in your kiru. In response to the officials words, the gisaeng bowed her head and answered. yes. I chose you because you are dealing with noble people from foreign countries, so please know that it is an honor for me to choose you. Oh my, what a time to be thankful! These were not empty words. If word spread that the country had chosen this ce to entertain foreign envoys, it was certain that the noblemen of Hanseong, known for their high standards, would not just pass by. However, the Haengsu gisaengs face crumpled at the words that followed. However, the cost of serving them will be paid by our Ministry of Finance and Economy. You know what Im talking about, right? . Eat in moderation. Moderately. yes. Then, good luck. Please take a look. When the official who had finished his business disappeared, the gisaeng gathered up phlegm with all her might and spat it out. Kaaaak~. Tsk! They said it was Hosadama! There was no difference in the prity of the gisaeng when it came to collecting money for drinks. In fact, there was a rumor going around that the famous Pyongyang gisaeng would attack the other person even if he or she was a tiger if the price of alcohol was low. There were people who said that they made even such great Pyongyang gisaeng cry and leave, and they were officials of the Ministry of Finance and Economy. It wasnt because they had to pay a debt, or because they dyed payment every day, or because they cut them off mercilessly. The price was paid immediately, but it was infamous because it was calcted by counting every copper coin to avoid being ripped off. * * * I called you here because you are suffering in a distant, foreign country. Angelo, representing the monks, responded to Henrys weing speech. Thank you for the invitation. Henry was followed by the reigns of Giovanni and Mehmut II. In particr, the reign of Mehmut II had special meaning. Even though our beliefs are different, our hearts toward the truth are the same. In that sense, I cant help but admire your hard work. Thank you very much. After a while, all kinds of delicacies and alcohol came in with the gisaeng. These people are practitioners, so tell them to ward off the gisaeng. As Henriks words were ryed through the interpreter present, the courtesans quietly left the room. Please leave for a moment, too. yes? yes. After examining the atmosphere in the room, the interpreter quietly went out. The internationalnguage at this time was Latin. Everyone in the room was conversing fluently in Latin. As the gisaengs who needed interpreters because they did not know Latin left, there was no need for them to be there. The interpreter left the room and quietly looked for the gisaeng. Is there a room where I can hear what is being said in the banquet hall right now? At the interpreters question, Haengsu Gisaeng turned around. Pleasee this way. * * * As time passed and the tension among the monks gradually eased, Giovanni stepped in to rece Henry. I saw an excavator in Hansu yesterday and it was amazing. It was truly a sight to see a piece of metal the size of a house moving around. Angelo responded to Giovannis words with a slight smile. You would be even more surprised to see the excavators used by the Joseon military. To exaggerate a bit, it looks like a castle is moving. Really? The excavator you saw at Hansoo is the A type. It is the first excavator made and is used at general construction sites. The ones used in the military are used by engineers on the battlefield, so they arerger, harder, and more powerful. Thanks to this, a military excavator requires about 20 people just to operate it. Huh~. Giovanni shook his head with an expression of disbelief at Angelos answer. Giovannis barrage of questions continued. Even though it is for military use, Type A is quiterge. Is it possible to transport it on a ship? It is possible to disassemble and transport it. Even in Joseon, when moving long distances, they were disassembled and transported on iron horses or ships. It must be expensive, right? expensive. Therefore, many merchants in Joseon borrow money from the government or purchase it by paying the price back in installments. Youre buying it even though its expensive? Once you buy it, its uses are endless and its lifespan is guaranteed by the government for at least 10 years, so you wont run out of it, right? Giovanni nodded at those words and continued asking questions again. I am currently researching the steam engine you mentioned in the letter you sent me. Once the steam engine ispleted, we can make an excavator right away, right? In response to Giovannis question, Angelo shook his head firmly. No, its impossible. why? Steel is the problem. Steel makes our Florence too. No sooner had Giovanni finished answering than Henry and Mehmet II nodded. Although there were production problems, both Portugal and the Florentine Ottomans were producing steel. After seeing Joseon, all three people realized the need for mass production of steel. Only steel can make a country rich and strong! It was amon decision among the three. In response to Giovannis rebuttal, Angelo raised his hand and pointed to his close friend sitting next to him. Interestingly, this friend also has the same name as the nobleman, Giovanni. is it? Nice to meet you. But why? One of the things this friend did was rted to steel made in Joseon. Hey, Brother Giovanni. How many types of steel are there in Joseon? Its been 8 days so far. However, research is not stopping even now, so it will increase further. And research into alloy steel continues. for a moment! There are only 8 types of steel? Isnt all steel the same? Brother Giovanni answered Giovannis question, which he hastily interrupted. The properties vary depending on how many impurities are left behind during the process of making steel. Joseon is now not only dividing and ssifying all of this, but is even conducting research to adjust its properties by intentionally adding impurities. The reason why shipbuilding was able to use steam engines in various ces was because there were various types of iron. Huh~. The three people shook their heads in response to Brother Giovannis answer. After a moment of silence, Giovanni asked Friar Giovanni. Then why dont youe back and help? Its not possible. Henriks expression became fierce at Brother Giovannis firm answer. why? Its because of a matter of faith. huh? The three peoples expressions turned strange at the word that came out of nowhere. With that expression on his face, Brother Giovanni exined the reason in more detail. Right now, missionary work is prohibited in Joseon. The first reason is that there has not yet been a response from the Vatican. The three people nodded at Brother Giovannis words. Hyangs question about ancestral rites was famous. One of the reasons the Pope and the Council were fighting was how toe up with an answer to this problem. Brother Giovanni continued his exnation. The crown prince of Joseon, that is, the first prince, added this. If you want to spread the gospel of God, spread it through actions, not words. If I go back to Florence right away, I will abandon my faith and Christianity will be a faithless religion. So I cant go. So youre saying youll stay here until you die? I dont mind dying here as long as I can spread the word. At Brother Giovannis firm answer, Henri kept his mouth shut. Perhaps there are others too? All the monks present nodded at Henrys question. Angelo spoke on behalf of the monks. Even if I go back, it wont be of much help. Did you know that the Crown Prince of Joseon also collected alchemists? What the Crown Prince of Joseon asked them not to do was to make gold. The task was to ssify minerals from Joseon and nearby areas and analyze their properties. Because of that result, such diverse steels were created. Then what if we take the alchemists with us? Angelo shook his head in response to the urgent question asked by Mehmet II. Dont you know how they were treated in the Arab world and in Italy? To be honest, we who inherited Roger Bacons schrship can also be used of heresy if we do something wrong. The three people could not hide their sadness at Angelos answer. As Angelo said, the studies they were currently studying were fields that could easily be used of heresy even if they were slightly out of line. Angelo, who emptied his ss, whether he knew what these three people were thinking or not, continued speaking. Besides these issues, the biggest reason why we cant go back is because of the challenge record. Dojeonrok? yes. The moment we solve the difficult problems on the challenge list, we will get closer to Gods truth. Angelos eyes were shining intensely as he spoke. Chapter 611 Episode 611: Opening of Heaven C Enthronement, and Preceding (4) After seeing Angelos expression, Henrik and his party looked at the expressions of the other monks. As soon as the word Challenge came out, their faces were shining brightly and their eyes showed strong will. Huh Friar Giovanni. What on earth is that challenge record? Brother Giovanni answered Giovannis question. It is aption of the many challenges we encountered while conducting research at the Institute and Area 51. And when the difficult problems are solved, the records are posted in the response log. The wish of those working at the research center and Area 51 is to have their names listed in the challenge log and response log. Because that is a symbol of being one step ahead of others. Because if you dont get ahead of others, you wont be able to find the difficult problem or the answer. What is Area 51 again? It can be seen as a battle under the direct control of the crown prince. But its not just a workshop. Things that were expressed only as numbers and letters in theboratory be real for everyone to see once they enter Area 51. The iron horses and steam engines that the nobles rode on were all made in Area 51. At Giovannis answer, Henriks groups eyes glowed with greed. If I say I want to inspect the ce, can I go in? Angelo shook his head at Giovannis question. Area 51 is a ce where even North Korean officials cannot enter without a permit. Henrik and the others could not hide their disappointment at Angelos answer. But Giovanni, who could not give up easily, continued to ask questions. Then can I get the record of the challenge and the record of the response? Its impossible. When a new difficult problem is registered in the challenge log or response log, relevant information is posted on the bulletin board. All we can see is a list of challenges. If you look at the list and request an item of a difficult problem you want to study, the officials who manage the challenge log and response log will transcribe only that part and bring it to you. There are very few people who have seen the original copies of Jeonjeonrok and Eungjeonrok. Wouldnt the Challenge Record beplete if we collected all those copied items? Who requested what and what was copied is all recorded. Such petty tricks dont work. Whoa~. Giovanni, frustrated by the continued negative answers, let out a long sigh. Giovanni, who emptied his ss several times to soothe his stomach, asked Angelo again. Are you sure you wonte back to Florence? I already gave you the answer to that, right? Thats right. Phew~. Giovanni sighed again at Angelos answer. It might be possible if we borrow the power of the Vatican. But the moment they return, all kinds of wild cats will flock from everywhere. Even now, there are wildcats like that right next to me. Henry and Mehmet II, who were sitting right next to each other, were also looking at the monks with eyes full of greed. And Mehmet II bared his teeth. Then let me make a proposition. If returning to Italy is a problem, how abouting to me? If there are any necessary facilities or personnel, I will provide all support. We need a research center and Area 51? Ill build it just like that. If he wants wealth and women, he will give them all. You just have to do your research, just like you did here. There is only one condition I ask for. To break thew. Of course, Im not saying you should give up your faith. Just take off your monkish skin. Since youre not a monk, cant you escape the shackles of missionary work? Then didnt you break the promise you made to the prince of Joseon? How is it? After hearing Mehmet IIs proposal, Henrik and Giovanni looked at Mehmed II with eyes full of surprise and worry. They were surprised that such an unconventional offer was made in their presence and that the research center and Area 51 would be built as is, and they were worried that the monks might fall for the conditions. How is it? Angelo asked Mehmed II when he was waiting for him. Can you really support everything? I promise in the name of Ah. Can you give me 30 years? Mehmet II, who paused for a moment in response to Angelos question, nodded with a stern expression. 30 years Ill wait for you. No, Im not talking about the next 30 years, but the past 30 years. Are you kidding me now! Mehmet II shouted, but Angelo answered with a calm face. I heard that it has already been nearly 30 years since the Prince of Joseon established the research institute and Area 51. Could you please support all the knowledge and technology umted at the research institute and Area 51 during that time, as well as the schrs and artisans who studied it? As we sit here now, we only know part of what has umted. However, what you want from us is all that has been umted over that long period of time. Ah At Angelos answer, Mehmet II looked as if he had been struck. But he did not back down easily. We must get our hands on them! Otherwise, we will continue to be taken to Joseon in the future! Wouldnt you get some results just by yourself? No, if necessary, I will give you all my support so that Koreans who can help you can also move together. Just say it! If need be, Ill even give you enough gold to fill the entire room Im sitting in right now! If you are a Korean who can help, you need the Joseon royal family or the first prince of Joseon. He is the one who founded and led the research institute and Area 51, and almost 80% of the difficult problems in the list of challenges came from hisments. Mehmed II shook his head in response to Angelos answer. Its aplete rejection. What about the others? I asked the question with a faint hope that something might happen, but the expressions on the young monks faces were the same as Angelos. Henry and his group, seeing the expressions on the monks faces, had to wave the white g. * * * I think youve taken care of everything, so Ill leave. Soon after, the monks left Giru. The expressions on the faces of the monks leaving the garrison and Henry and his party who saw them off were not very good. In the case of the monks, it was an unpleasant situation because it was not a simple ce of subordination, but a ce of tant appeasement, and Henrique and his party felt ufortable not only because of the monks strong wealth, but also because they felt like they had seen a glimpse of Joseons hidden power. Upon returning from seeing the monks off, Henry emptied his ss and sighed. Whoa~. Im afraid they might be monks, so Im being stubborn Giovanni shook his head at Henriques words. There are some things that are tedious, but isnt there a ce where you can studyfortably like here? Henrik nodded at Giovannis point, and Mehmet II scratched his head. I hope you leave out Im. Henrik and Giovanni snorted at Mehmet IIs words. joy! Do you think we dont have ears to hear? As Henry and Giovanni said, Imic science during this period was in a state of great decline. In the early days of Imic civilization, learning and science flourished as various cultures such as Persia, India, Greece and Rome mixed. However, as time passed and the Imic monoculture became fixed, diversity and openness were lost, which led to a decline in academics and science. Thanks to this, the level of science in Imic countries is now lowpared to Europe. After exchanging blows with each other, Henrik and his group continued toin while sharing drinks. Joseons current monopoly is not a good situation. I agree. But there is no clear answer. There is an answer There is an answer. If we send overseas students Henrik, who was referring to international students, stopped talking and shook his head. That wont work. There will be an uproar from the Vatican right now. Its the same with Im. The imams will be in an uproar Mehmed II continued toin, and thepanions emptied their sses one after another. It was Giovanni who came to the conclusion. In the end, the only answer is to win this war. Victory is the answer? After we win the war and obtain a passage, we musty a railroad or a waterway so that those fools can see the true colors of Joseon. So we must make them realize that they are in the same situation as the barbarians who encountered the Roman Empire. Only then can we block nonsense that says it is heresy or not. I see I guess thats the correct answer. They were three people who came to the conclusion that victory is the only solution. * * * Meanwhile, the conversation between the three men and the monks was ryed to King Sejong and Hyang through the trantors eavesdropping. What do you think? In response to King Sejongs question, the eyes and ears of the ministers focused on Hyang. After thinking for a while, Hyang soon told Sejong her thoughts. If they win the war, we will have to ept international students. International students? yes. In response to Hyangs answer, Hwang Hee asked carefully. If we do something wrong, the essence of theb and Area 51 could escape. Even if its not that high of a level, we have to share it to a certain extent. What is the reason? In response to Sejongs question, Hyang exined the reason. They are keenly aware that our country is ahead and are trying to catch up. But as things stand now, its a long way off. If this continues, it will bring about jealousy, and this jealousy will bring about hatred. Since ancient times, there has been nothing more foolish than increasing the number of enemies in a countrys diplomacy, right? Like any country that imed to be a great power in the 21st century. Sejong nodded at Hyangs words, but did not forget to point out the problem. But no matter how much you stop it, the essence can escape. I think that part needs to be adjusted appropriately. Because we needpetition. Intoxication leads to arrogance, and arrogance leads to pride, and pride leads to regression. Are you intentionally trying to createpetition? Wouldnt it be too dangerous? There are already twopetitors. Why? In that case, we need to create a situation where many peoplepete. If we do that, it is a good move because not only can we take a way to help each other, but it can also continue to stimte us. If you do it wrong, you could end up in the Gpagos. That should be avoided. Hmm. King Sejong was lost in thought at Hyangs exnation, and Hwang Hee came forward and raised a counterargument. What the Crown Prince said is truly beautiful, but it is too idealistic. What the Crown Prince said now is not a story that will take ce 10 to 20 years in the future, but a story that spans at least 100 to 200 years. If our future generations do not know the Crown Princes intentions, they will suffer great disaster. Hyang responded firmly to Hwang Hees point. Of course it could be so. However, even if you are willing to take such risks,petition is essential. The cruelty of history is that if you do not look at your surroundings and constantly train yourself, your country will eventually fall. In this ruthless, winner-takes-all world, shouldnt we do everything we can to ensure that Joseon, or the Korean Empire, survives? That way, you wont hear people criticizing your ancestorster, right? Rather, we should say it this way. There are officers and clerks there. yes? Hyang, who had called the officers and masters, spoke at once. Write down exactly what I said. We did our best for future generations. If you do something wrong, its not our fault because youre stupid. At Hyangs unconventional words, the officers and Juseo all looked at King Sejong. It was the duty of the magistrates and magistrates to record everything that was said here and there without leaving out a single word, but what Hyang said just now crossed the line. King Sejong, who received silent questions from the officers and governors, answered with his hand on his forehead. Write it down as is. In ordance with King Sejongs orders, the officials and state officials diligently made fun of Geumpil. Chapter 612 Episode 612: Gaecheon C Enthronement, and Seonwon (5) Many things happened, but the long-awaited day of the deration of the empire and King Sejongs enthronement as emperor finally arrived. Arge Hwangudan altar was built at Jongmyo Shrine, located east of Gyeongbokgung Pce. However, the Hwangudan established by Joseon was very different from that of the Ming Dynasty. It was engraved with the deities of Hwanin and Hwanung Dangun, the deities of five stars and 28 beasts, and the deities of Pungbaek Usa and Unsa. * * * Joseons best master was brought in to establish Hwangudan. I will give it my all and do my best! Dopyeonsu Park Ki-ju truly dedicated himself to building a building that will remain in history and that his name will be remembered as the master who created the building. The government also supplied all the materials and personnel that the governor wanted. With the mobilization of numerous carpenters, masons, andborers, Hwangudan was able to bepleted in just one month. It was a record-breaking task toplete therge stylobate, the altar on top of the stylobate, the golden roof covering the altar, Hwanggungwoo (), an annex building of Hwangudan, and finally, the stone gate leading into Hwangudan and Hwanggungwoo, all in just one month. . And this entire process was recorded in writing without exception. The dimensions of the buildings, the method ofbining the structures, the shapes, dimensions, and materials of the parts required for them, as well as the construction techniques were carefully recorded, and even the list of those who participated in the construction was recorded in detail. And these records were copied inrge quantities and stored in archives and historical archives across the country. All of this happened under the direction of Hyang. In the future, there will definitely be people who will find fault with the origins. Only by leaving proper documentary records can we turn their mouths into pieces! ording to that decision, all records rted to the construction of Hwangudan were copied inrge quantities and preserved in various ces. * * * Thebination of the Neo-Confucian schrs habit of being addicted to documenting everything and the incense that remembers the nonsense of 21st century China and Japan made Joseon a nd of records. If the records center located in Hanseong had the characteristic of a database with a search function, the records throughout Joseon were literally a backup storage device. As the construction progressed and the river area expanded to Shinji, the number of idents in Joseon increased from 5 to 7. A location was opened on Daeseoldo Ind, and a location for installing a sago in Shinji was decided and construction was underway. And as the Liaodong region became part of Joseon, one more ce was scheduled to be added. This wasnt just for safety reasons. The ce where the ident urred is Joseonsnd. No, it was the basis for the im that there was an ident because it was Joseons territory. * * * In Sago, not only the annals were kept. Like Hwangudans records, records of all events conducted by the Joseon Dynasty were kept. Copies of all historical books that could be obtained in Joseon at the time were stored there. Funny enough, this was Hwang Hees suggestion before Hyang spoke. Copying and storing even the private librarians was something that even incense could not have thought of. The reason why I had to end it with just thinking about it was not only because of economic issues, but also because of political issues. One was because Goryeo was involved, and the other was because there was a problem with the nobles. In the former case, if done incorrectly, there was a risk that the founding of Joseon could be downgraded to a usurpation of royal authority, and in thetter case, trouble with the Ming Dynasty over Liaodong could arise. Fortunately, thetter case could be resolved with a victory over the Ming, but the former case was still an awkward situation. Thats why Hyang was in a situation where all he could think about was Hwang Hee. When the revision of the firstw waspleted and mass printing began, Hwang Hee made a proposal to King Sejong. If we look at the beginning of the First Act, Article 1, Paragraph 3, to be precise, Your Majesty used the remaining librarians as the basis for it. exactly. The problem is that many of these librarians, unlike the scriptures, ce a low value on them. In other words, if you let your guard down even a little, you could be in trouble. If that happens, even if future generations try to look again at the basis of this firstw, they will not be able to achieve that goal, so measures are needed. So, I think it would be right for these librarians to print several copies and store them in archives and archives. Hmm Hearing Hwang Hees words, King Sejong nced at the scent. He is where he is now because Hyang has done a lot of work on his behalf. Therefore, King Sejong handed over the decision-making power to Hyang. After receiving the silentmand, Hyang asked Hwang Hee. How will you solve the problem of omen? To Hyangs question, Hwang Hee answered in a voice that it was no big deal. What is the problem? If King Jeon had followed the right path, how would our Joseon havee about? Hyang nodded at Hwang Hees words, but could not make a decision right away. Hwang Hee added a word to that sight. This will be of great help to future generations. Rather than simply looking at the basis of thew, it bes a way to block those who manipte history from within and without. As soon as Hwang Hee finished speaking, Hyang looked at Sejong. I think the Prime Ministers words are truly reasonable. I think its better to implement it as is. I think the same. In this way, not only the librarians who used it as the basis for the firstw, but also the librarians circting in private homes were collected inrge quantities, organized, printed, and discussed with the records office. In particr, a booklet was created recording which books were collected, when, and where, and the originals were returned to those who wanted to return the books they owned, preventing the possibility of gossiping out. * * * As an aside, whenever historical disputes arose in the three countries of Northeast Asia in the future, historians of Korea and the Korean Federal Empire, which was the official name of the country, but shortened it to Korea or Federation because it was long, would ovee the opponents with a wry smile. So, dont just tell stories, give evidence. I like the artifacts and the documents. Since we have solid records, letspare. Which version of the ident do you want? There are 15 versions? And if the line is crossed, the government steps in. Do you want to die? Do you want to die? Do you want to search? Thanks to this kind of coercion, the word federal has be the word most often used to refer to the alien government that ys the viin in science fiction films from other countries, especially Japan. Additionally, these increased external idents have also yed a significant role in protecting nature. In order to safely preserve the librarians, viges and other industrial facilities were prohibited from being built in the area surrounding the ident. The problem was that the volume of books stored in the library was sorge that it required an enormous amount ofnd, and the area of the preservation area was also incrediblyrge. * * * Arge number of people who came from Hanseong and nearby areas and the provinces on iron horses formed a long line in front of Jongmyo Shrine to witness the heavenly ritual held in heaven to proim the empire. Buy rice cake~ Tteok! Fuck! With the cries of hawkers selling snacks echoing from all directions against the crowds of people, numerous police officers worked hard to prevent them from crossing the gold line. Hey! Dont cross that golden line! there! Do not cross the golden line! I told you not to cross the golden line! hey! line! While it was so crowded, loud music began to be heard. You have arrived! * * * Following the Chwita band ying the Daechwita, Naegumwis soldiers moved to escort the royal family carrying King Sejong, Queen Soheon, the Crown Princess, and the royal family. The people who saw King Sejong on the fishing boat all bowed and bowed. ording to the original etiquette, one had to bow to the floor, but King Sejong reced bowing with bowing. Meanwhile, the envoys who arrived at Hwangudan in advance looked at this scene with eyes full of curiosity. The people are very obedient. Henrik and Giovanni nodded to Mehmet IIs assessment. It was so loud that it hurt my ears just a moment ago, but now it has be so quiet that I can only hear the music. Are you saying its not fear, but that the people are following along? Its an enviable situation. These were three people who could not hide their envy at the high loyalty of the people. * * * The ancestral rites began with a salute. pop! Puff! As the seven mountain guns mobilized as a salute continued to fire salutes, Henrique asked the interpreter standing next to him. Is there any meaning in firing the salute and the number of times it is fired? The interpreter answered Henrys question right away. From ancient times, in order to drive out evil, one has to make a loud noise. And a total of 21 shots are fired, with 21 meaning three and seven. Since ancient times, 3 has been the auspicious number where yin and yang first came together, and 7 is a sacred number that represents the Big Dipper. The two arebined to get 21. Ah While Henrik was nodding his head while listening to the interpreters exnation, Giovanni whispered to him. Did you see it? What do you mean? Those cannons. The method is to load from the breech. huh? Did you? At Giovannis words, Henri fixed his gaze on the salutes being fired. Just then, Henrik nodded as he saw the secondunch finished and the thirdunch being prepared. Right. What do you think? What if those cannons are weapons that are not just for ceremonial purposes, but are also used in actualbat? Henrik thought for a moment about Giovannis question, then slowly shook his head. Well I dont think such a small gun would be of much use in a siege. Arent battles limited to sieges? In particr, most of the battles in the war we are fighting now are fought in open spaces, arent they? Hmm Henry tilted his head at Giovannis point, but Mehmet IIs eyes lit up. * * * Meanwhile, the ritual continued and was already approaching its end. With this, we dere that Joseon has be the Korean Federal Empire! Following Sejongs shout, Choi Yun-deok, who was waiting below, shouted loudly. Raise the yellow g! At Choi Yun-deoks order, soldiers began hoisting the imperial g on gpoles installed outside Hwangudan and the main gate of Jongmyo Shrine. The Hwangtaegeukgi, with the Samtaegeukgi and Bagua on a yellow background, slowly rose upward. The Hwangtaegeukgi began to flutter vigorously in the wind that just happened to blow, and the people who saw this began to shout at the top of their voices. hurray! hurray! * * * Afterpleting the Cheonje ceremony, King Sejong and his party boarded the fishing boat and returned to Gyeongbokgung Pce. hurray! hurray! May you live long! Amid shouts of national independence and well-wishers from all directions, King Sejongs party, officials, and envoys passed through Gwanghwamun and headed to Geunjeongjeon. The coronation ceremony had begun. The enthronement ceremony of King Sejong and Hyang followed, with the royal courts Manjo White House officials seated in the front yard of Geunjeongjeon. This meant that Sejong was not crowned as emperor, but was crowned by circumstances. In other words, Hyang was officially crowned as emperor. I wanted to hold a separate auspicious day for the ceremony, but the current situation in the country is busy. I hope you dont feel bad about it. no. Sejong, who saw Hyangs expression with a slight smile in response, continued speaking with a stern expression. Wans wedding will be soon, right? yes. Dont even think about handing it over to Wan. There is still time left as promised. Until then, just keep quiet and work. yes. Chapter 613 Episode 613: The Beginning of the Empire C Today is like yesterday. (1) The day after the coronation ceremony, a considerable number of people lingered in front of the monopoly booth. People wandering in front of the monopoly store, acting like people just passing by, had their eyes fixed on the bulletin board next to the entrance to the monopoly store. Its open! As the entrance to the monopoly store opened, the eyes of the people wandering around were fixed on the entrance. As soon as the official who opened the door to the retail store entered, the people milling around could not hide their disappointment. this! It was a disaster! I was just wondering! no way! I just missed breakfast! Those who were wandering around the entrance of the monopoly store, wondering if there might be a discount event, looked back several times and walked away from the monopoly store. The servant who came out with a broom to clean the entrance clicked his tongue when he saw these people. Tsk, tsk, tsk Have you, stupid people, forgotten that this is also a government office run by the country? The policy has already been decided, but do you think there will be a fluke? * * * There were many problems that arose as various events were held one after another, starting with the Qing Dynasty and the emperors enthronement to the wedding of the next descendant, but the one that had the greatest impact on the peoples lives was the discount event at the monopoly. When a discount event was held at a retail store, nearby stores also held discount events. Because of the discount event at the monopoly, people who came with fat wallets stopped by the store and bought a lot of items. The sales made by the people who were lured by the lure of leisure and discounts brought by fat wallets were considerable. Therefore, the government officials and Sejong County had to grapple with the issue of the number and duration of discount events this year. Most people would like it if discount events were frequent and the period was long, but if they did something wrong, there was a high possibility that the market would not run properly. This was because there was a high possibility that stores would close due to people waiting for discount events and not spending. In the end, after much deliberation, the government made the following announcement: -This year, there are a lot of happy events, so it doesnt seem like a good idea to hold a discount event every time. And since the discount event continues every year for various reasons, it was decided that it would be a good idea to make it a regr event. Therefore, the five days before Chuseok are designated as the discount event period every year. Also, if a major event urs in the country, three to five days are added to this period. ording to this decision, this years discount event will be held for 15 days before Chuseok. There are no additional discount events before or after that. Most of the people who saw the contents of the room were immediately lost in one question. But why is it Chuseok? But the merchants nodded and expressed their admiration. I heard that the government is full of big merchants! I told you that even beggars dont starve on Chuseok! This is the time when there is the most money, so sales will be certain! In this way, the Monopoly Store Grand Discount Event, boasting history and tradition, was born. Among foreigners, an event called the Five Days of Madness was born. * * * Two days after the coronation ceremony, many people gathered on the banks of the Hansu River. It was to watch the joint training conducted by the Army, or rather the Army. Although the training had been held several times before, this time a particrlyrge number of people gathered. This was because of the news that one could see the armys great victory in thest battle against the Ming without any obstruction. Behind the gold ropes and wooden fences ced to prevent the entry of non-officials, guards were watching the surroundings with stern eyes, and the people were gathered and taking up seats on the slope behind the golden ropes and wooden fences. And among the people, merchants selling all kinds of snacks were walking around, raising their voices. Theyve done all their business in thest few days! Keep doing the same thing these days! The excited merchants raised their voices even more as the snacks they brought with them were selling like hotcakes. Buy it for a million bucks! Fuck you! Fuck you! * * * Meanwhile, foreign envoys and government officials who hade for the coronation ceremony sat in the temporary stands created inside the wooden fence. Among those who settled down like that was Henry and his group. Are you saying you are that confident because you are conducting military training in front of foreign envoys? Henry immediately responded to Mehmet IIs point. Wouldnt you say so? And considering the location of Joseon, or the Korean Empire, you probably think it wouldnt matter if it was revealed. And didnt Joseon defeat the Ming Dynasty? Maybe its to show strength to people like us. Or is it giving you a choice? A choice? Isnt this an unspoken hint that if we advance to the Eastter, Ming will be better than Joseon? Mehmed II nodded at Giovannis words following Henrys. If he had set out to promote Joseon, Joseon was in a very difficult ce. Coming to the sea, I did not have the confidence to deal with the Joseon battle lines I saw on the way. In order to invade Joseon bynd, they had to cross through various countries, mountain ranges, and deserts, starting with the Bengal Sultanate. If you absolutely had to advance to the East, it was much more advantageous to aim for the Ming, as Giovanni said. The Ming Dynasty had a territory sorge that it was even rumored in the Ottoman Empire and there were many people. The problem was military power, and if it lost to Joseon, which was much smaller than itself, it would not be a big problem. Mehmet II, who was thinking about that, smiled without even knowing it. There are a lot of problems that need to be resolved before then starting with the session issue right away. With the reinstatement of his father, Murat II, the sessionpetition was once again on fire. Even after winning the sessionpetition and taking power, there were many problems. There was the problem of the Mamluks, who were currently fighting, but Byzantium, which was in a truce for a while, also had to be resolved. It didnt end there. In order to properly trade with or advance into the East, Timur and the ck Sheep and White Sheep dynasties also had to be resolved. Simply securing the Suez area will only result in losses. Only by properly taking control of all nearby areas can we gain the upper hand against those heretics. Mehmed II, who had been thinking about that, nced at Henrik and Giovanni sitting next to him and muttered to himself. Well, those heretics may be thinking the same thing as me. His guess was almost correct. If the Mamluks are eliminated, the eastern route will be in the hands of Portugal. In that case, we have to seek fame. Because it will be easier than Joseon. We must create a clear base in the east. However, many of the military strategic points are already upied by Joseon or diplomatic rtions have been established with Joseon. Then, after all, there is only name. All three people, who confirmed Joseons military power on the way, began to think of the Joseon minister, Ming, as prey. The biggest reason they thought the Ming was prey was because they were defeated by Joseon, which was smaller than them. * * * Your Majesty the Emperor and His Majesty the Emperor are eating! At the shout announcing the arrival of King Sejong and Hyang, the envoys and officials sitting in the stands stood up and saluted. Sejong and Hyang gave a light response and sat down, and soon after, training began. * * * The faces of Henrik and his group, who returned to their lodgings after observing the training thatsted for almost half a day, were white. Henrique barely entered the room, putting strength on his shaking legs, and as soon as he sat down on the chair, he let out a long sigh. Whoa~. Haa~. This was also the case for Giovanni and Mehmed II. After pouring water into the ss on the table and drinking it several times, Henriksplexion returned as if he was able to breathe. Henrik drank another ss of water and shook his head. This is it Its unexpected. Should we think again from the beginning? I think so. I agree. I think it would be urate to say that the Ming Dynasty is not weaker than expected, but that Joseon is stronger than expected. Giovanni, who was nodding at Henrys words, added. Bigyeokjincheonroe shotgun boxcar.Whew~. There are so many weapons capable of mass destruction Following Giovannis words, Mehmed II spoke. Thats true, but its a long gun that can fire rapidly and has a superior range. Even if there were 10 million soldiers armed with such a long gun, we would be able to wipe out the Mamluks within a year. It was Henrik and Giovanni who nodded loudly at Mehmet IIs words. The training presented by the Korean Empire Army gave shock and fear to Henry and his group as well as the envoys in attendance. * * * The expressions on the envoys faces were calm until they saw the demonstration of artillery fire fired at Hansu. The range was longer than that of the cannons they were familiar with, but the power of the shells that did not contain peony did not seem to be much more advanced than their own artillery. However, from the demonstration that followed, all the Shinigamis faces began to turn white. From now on, the training assumes a situation of defending against approaching enemies. Please look to your right. After hearing the interpreters words, the heads of the envoys all turned to the right. It was a ce where a curtain had been ced to block the view until a little while ago, but soldiers came out and began to remove the curtain. Where the curtain was removed, there were at least 1,000 scarecrows and hundreds of wooden horses. Hoo~. Henry and his party ended with a light exmation, but the faces of the envoys from countries with contact with the Ming, including Japan and Yugu, became serious. The armor worn by the scarecrows and the barding on the wooden horse were all used by the Ming army. And the weapons equipped by the Ming army were of far superior qualitypared to those equipped by the soldiers of their homnd. What Joseon wanted to say was simple. Someone much stronger than you all lost to us. Dont be picky. It could be a bluff. There were quite a few envoys who thought that those scarecrows and wooden horses might be a bluff. But the firepower test that followed shattered their thoughts. The start was a big hit. Puff! With a heavy explosion, the thunderbolt that tore through the sky fell behind the ce where the scarecrows were gathered and exploded. Quack! The scarecrows and horses nearby rose into the sky and fell to the ground due to the explosion of the bigyeokjincheonroe. Following the bombardment of the Bigyeokjincheonroe, the fire from the freight cars swept through the middle part of the scarecrow group, and the scatterguns destroyed the lead group of the scarecrow group. Waaah~! Finally, the infantrymen waiting behind ran forward with shouts, established a defensive line, and started shooting. This part was the decisive blow. The ce where the infantry stood shooting at the scarecrows and horses was muchter than where they expected. Most of them were sitting or prone, reloading quickly. * * * The three people, who stayed up all night with their eyes wide open due to shock and fear, headed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as soon as daybreak. huh? uh? this! The three people who arrived at the entrance to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs simultaneously looked frustrated. Envoys from all over the world were gathered at the entrance to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Henry, who was looking at the envoys faces, smiled and looked back at Giovanni and Mehmet II. It would be strange if you didnte. Meanwhile, Heo Hu, who received a report that envoys were lining up at the entrance of the government building, smiled slightly and gave orders to his subordinates. Go to the Ministry of Finance and Tell this. Guests have arrived. Yes! After dismissing his subordinate, Heo Hu took a sip of ck bean tea and muttered. This kind of work should be left to the experts. Chapter 614 Episode 614: The Beginning of the Empire C Today is like yesterday. (2) Soon after, Park Jong-woo, Lim Sun-wook, and Kim Jeom visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Why did the Left Deputy Prime Ministere here? When Kim Jeom, who was like an ugly sister-inw, appeared, Heo Hu asked the reason with a slightly shocked expression. Kim Jeom answered Heo Hus question by pointing to Park Jong-woo and Lim Sun-wook. They still have little experience and are naive, so there is a risk that if they make a mistake, they will be dealt the opposite effect. Thats why I came. Ah Heohu just nodded in response to Kim Jeoms answer. * * * It was Kim Jeom who rose from the position of Minister of Finance to the Minister of Finance and Economy, and now to the Left Deputy Prime Minister. There was almost nothing that did not pass through his hands, including transactions taking ce at the government and private levels as well as transactions between countries. The only exception was the trade between Emperor Seondeok and incense. Not only that, but even the countrys budget had to be supervised by him, so at times even King Sejong had to keep an eye on his opinions. * * * In response to Kim Jeoms answer, Heo Hu just nodded and moved on, but Park Jong-woo and Lim Sun-wook looked at Kim Jeom with dumbfounded expressions. Even now, its been almost 20 years since I worked at the Ministry of Finance and Economy, smelling money I used to be a businessman. It was also a top-tier stock! huh? Why do you guys look like that? Oh no, lets note. No. Then lets get started quickly. Already, due to this years budget issue, I have been dyed in discussing things with you and your Majesty. yes. * * * Because there were arge number of envoys who had arrived in advance, Henry and his party had to return to their lodgings and wait. It was after 3 oclock (about 6 hours) that Henry and his group visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs again. We apologize for the inconvenience. Henry stepped forward and responded to Heo Hus words. Oh no. Please dont mind, its also our fault that we visited without making an appointment in advance. Thank you. So, what is the reason for your sudden visit? As Heohu got straight to the point, Henrik also answered right away. I was truly impressed by the firepower your countrys troops showed in yesterdays training. So, I would like to purchase some of your countrys weapons. Aoman, I see youve already purchased quite a few of them the other day. Henrik kept his mouth shut at Huhus point. Compared to what I saw yesterday, it was nothing more than a piece of junk! And then! Henrik, who held back from swearing at any moment, chose his words carefully and answered. It is true that the long guns I purchased earlier are good weapons. But that weapon can only give you a slight advantage. Unlike that, if we have the weapons we saw yesterday, we can have an overwhelming advantage. Hehehe! Im really happy to hear such positive reviews, but at the same time, Im a little worried that Im being evaluated too highly. Henrik immediately responded to Huhus humility. It is not an overestimation since it has already been proven through a battle with Ming. Now that you say that, I feel reassured. okay. What weapons are you interested in? Its mountain artillery, freight cars, and long guns. * * * What impressed me the most in yesterdays training was the bigyeokjincheonroe. However, among the subordinates who observed with him, those with knowledge of cannons opposed it. We can make simr shells too. In fact, the scorching bullet is the easiest to make. okay? Due to opposition from his subordinates, Henry and his partys choices were reduced to three. * * * Heohu, who heard what weapons Henry and his party wanted, looked slightly embarrassed. haha. They were deployed to our military not long ago When Heohu trailed off, Henrik exined why those weapons were needed. Isnt it also difficult to return home due to the war that is currently taking ce in the Suez region? The sooner the war ends, the better it will be for us to return home. no? That is true. But I know very well what your country is worried about. So let me be honest. Even if we win this war, ourpetition with otherpetitors will not end immediately. Therefore, there will be no need to return to your home country. Henrik spoke vaguely, but his inner meaning was as follows. Next is Spain, not you! So shut up and sell! Hmm Heohu, who was still looking embarrassed, nced back at Kim Jeom. Kim Jeom nodded lightly and stepped forward on behalf of Heo Hu. I will tell you honestly that the trust that has been built between your country and our country is truly strong. The size of the army that was hastily raised in thest war must now be reduced. So, if we both understand each other, we can sell it. Reducing the army? Mehmed II looked like he couldnt understand Kim Jeoms answer, but Henrik and Giovanni nodded as if they understood. In the Ottoman Empire, which was growing in size, there was no thought of reducing its army, but this was not the case in Europe. Properly maintaining an army was a huge expense. Because of this, feudal nobility emerged and mercenary troops emerged. Of course, with the trend of centralization of power, the number of feudal nobles was gradually decreasing and the standing army under the king was increasing, but it was not yet the trend. Kim Jeom, who saw Mehmet IIs expression, added an exnation. Isnt the size of the army needed for defense and the size of the army needed for war different? Ah Mehmed II nodded as if he finally understood at Kim Jeoms answer. And the three people came to the same conclusion at the same time. It seems that Joseon, or the Korean Empire, has no greed for territorial expansion. It was a fatal misjudgment. Anyway, as Mehmet II got it right, the story started to pick up speed. So how much can you sell for your country? How long can you live in your country? Isnt it different depending on the price? In response to Henrys answer, Kim looked through the documents lying next to him and suggested the desired price. If you buy it in units of 1,000, it costs 8 Joseon silver coins per bag. If you buy it in units of 10,000, it costs 7 Joseon silver coins per bag. Henrik immediately listened to Kim Jongs suggestion. I remember that the long guns I boughtst time cost 12 Joseon silver coins each, but its a bit strange. The items you purchased back then were brand new items that had not been used even once since the test shooting, and these items were used in battle. They said it was being sold cheaply because it was used. Hoo~. Henrik, who understood Kim Jeoms exnation, nodded. Giovanni, sensing Henrys expression as if he was about to take out a contract at any moment, joined the conversation on Henrys behalf. If its something that was used in battle, isnt it defective? Kim snorted at Giovannis point. joy! Were there any defects among the items with your countrys emblem engraved on them? One of the reasons why Joseon became popr and called the Land of Flowers was its solid quality. The Joseon royal familys coat of arms was a symbol of trust. her! If you dont believe me, lets end it here! If we all melt it, it will be over! Giovanni urgently waved his hand as Kim tried to close the game at any moment. Oh no! Its just that I was worried because it was an item that was used on the battlefield. The price was cheaper than expected. Its something I used once, so will you just send it to me? Is it something that our countrys honor depends on? We will overhaul everything carefully and check its performance. And the reason the price is cheap is because it has already been used once. If you still dont believe me, how about buying a new one? It costs 15 Joseon silver coins per bag. Giovannis eyes actually lit up at Kim Jeoms suggestion. If a new product costs 15 nyang silver and a used one costs 8 nyang, isnt that a huge difference? Even if its something youve only used once, theres such a difference, right? Its just handing over something to be melted down and its an expression of goodwill towards the country youre purchasing from. If you dont like it, you can just buy a new one. Why do you keep saying the same thing over and over again? Giovanni responded with a humble smile to Kim Jeoms words, which were filled with unpleasant feelings. Its just that I cant believe it because the price is so good. Its not because you dont trust your return, so I hope youll let go of your anger. I apologize sincerely. greatness! Keuhum! Kim Jeom, who cleared his emotions with a loud cough, continued speaking. So what are you going to do? I will buy used goods as you suggested. How many? Im only telling you, the maximum quantity our country can produce is 50,000 bags. And since quite a few countries have already expressed their intention to purchase, there is not much left. How much time is left Kim Jeom answered Giovannis question while stroking his beard with a slightly embarrassed look on his face. Well, letse. Now that we have to go back to our country and get approval, only the approximate quantity has been determined. Based on that, about 9,000 bags? About 9,000 Kim Jeom continued while looking at the three people who looked like they thought that would be enough. ah! Additionally, the numbers they wrote down are minimum quantities. These are countries where everyone knows their names well. Giovannis face suddenly changed at those words. They were the ones who went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs even more hastily than they did. And it was true that they knew Ming better than themselves. Its performance was proven in the fact that people who knew the name well moved urgently. It was said that Henrik was not the only one who thought that way. The problem was that the preempted quantity was the minimum quantity. In other words, it could change depending on who brings the money first. But wouldnt 9,000 bags be okay? Giovanni, who was familiar with European battlefields where at most thousands to 10,000 to 20,000 troops were mobilized, soon changed his mind. no! If you look at the current situation in Suez, its not even possible! The Mamluks and Ottomans mobilized an average of 40,000 to 50,000 troops per battle. If you add mercenaries sent from Portugal, Spain, and Italy, both sides were putting about 70,000 men into battle. And this number was growing bigger and bigger. In this situation, even if you increase it little by little, it will only prolong the war. You have to put in a lot at once! Giovanni, who had made up his mind, was about to open his mouth when Mehmed II spoke first. Osman alone will purchase 10,000 bags. huh? uh! Giovanni and Henry, who were startled by Mehmet IIs unexpected behavior, quickly exchanged whispers and joined thepetition. We will also buy 10,000 bags! If we want to gain priority in the Suez region in the future, we must not fall behind the Ottomans! Are you okay? In response to Kim Jeoms question, Mehmet II nodded confidently. I can handle that much! We too! After confirming several times after that that Henry and his groups decision was firm, Kim Jeom moved on. I understand. Then what are you going to do with the bullets? Why the bullets? The performance of our countrys guns onlyes from special ammunition made by our country. How much do those bullets cost? 20 bullets cost 1 Joseon silver coin. In response to Kim Jeoms answer, the three people looked like they had taken a hit. Either way, Kim Jeom continued. Just to add, freight cars also have to use that special ammunition. Chapter 615 Episode 615: The Beginning of the Empire C Today is like yesterday. (3) Exclusive ammunition? Are you kidding me? Giovanni, who had been dazed for a moment by Kim Jeoms exclusive bulletment, screamed. Henry and Mehmet II, who were sitting next to him, were also ring at Kim Jeom with simr expressions. Its not like we dont know about long guns! A special bullet! What a joke! At Giovannis shout, Henry and Mehmet II nodded at the same time. Were not those French or British hillbillies! They had already be ustomed to long guns in the process of preparing for war. The bullet is just a lead ball that fits the caliber, and theres nothing special about the gunpowder, so what special bullet! Theres a degree of people looking at us awkwardly! Hmm. Kim Jeoms expression became full of cynicism at the bacsh from Henrik and his group. What is that expression! When Giovanni raised his voice again, Kim Jeom asked back with a calm face. Since you say you know long guns so well, let me ask you one question. When you use a long gun the way you know, can you achieve a high rate of fire like we saw in our military training? Uh Giovannis mouth, which was about to answer Kim Jeoms question, was tightly closed. Looking at Giovanni, who was at a loss for an answer and had a perplexed expression, Kim continued to ask questions. Dont you understand what you pointed out, the country that exported the long guns your country uses? Lets ask again. Is it easy to reload with those rifles while lying down or kneeling? Just like the long guns I saw yesterday. . Kim Jeom continued to point out things, but Giovannis tightly closed mouth did not open easily. This was also the case for Henry and Mehmed II. Before long, the three realized one thing. So then youre saying that the core of the Joseon militarys new long gun was that bullet! As his thoughts turned to that point, Mehmet II opened his mouth. Id like to see that gun and its special ammunition in more detail. Is that possible? I cant answer right away because I need to get His Majestys approval. In response to Kim Jeoms answer, Mehmet II made a strong request. I really want to see you. If you satisfy me on the spot, our country will do business on a level that will surprise you. Kim Jeom thought about Mehmet IIs answer for a while before answering. I will report that to Your Majesty as well. * * * With that, the consultation ended and Henrik and his group left the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and headed to their lodgings. On the way back to their lodgings, Henry and Giovanni red at Mehmed II. What do you mean by a deal that would surprise Joseon, or even the Korean Empire? Mehmed II immediately responded to Henrys criticism. This is a proposal that was put forward with considerable consideration. Mehmed II gave a short answer and muttered to himself as he looked at the sky colored by the sunset. Your father is also very old. In order to overpower mypetitors, I need to have a lot of people on my side. And we need shackles to bind them. * * * Thepetition for the sessor to the Ottoman Empire was a brutalpetition, overflowing with blood. In order to win thepetition, he needed many people to be loyal to him. For that purpose, the Joseon Armys new long rifle shown yesterday was very useful. Long guns were already a familiar item topetitors. Long guns made in Joseon, Portugal, Italy, Spain, and even the Ming were circting inrge quantities. In this situation, the long guns shown by the Joseon military yesterday were overwhelming all other long guns. If he waved that long gun as bait, there would be an abundance of nobles and generals who would swear loyalty to him. In the Ottoman Empire, which was expanding its territory every day, the shortcut to sess was to umte military skills. And in order to build military prowess, well-trained soldiers and good weapons were essential. The special ammunition was a great shackle there. As Joseon said, if it could be made only in Joseon, the burden of defection could be greatly reduced as long as the ammunition was in hand. * * * Henrik and Giovanni, who had no way of knowing Mehmet IIs true intentions, became serious. If this happens, we will have no choice but to join thepetition. After taking control of Suez, we have no choice but topete in order to protect our interests. Although they had blood on their necks in front of Kim Jeom, both men acknowledged the superiority of Joseon-made long guns. I only raised my voice because of that damn special bullet. If that heretic not only epted Joseons proposal but also concluded a deal that would surprise Joseon as he had assured, Portugal and Florence were sure to suffer a serious loss of interest. In the end, there was no choice but to follow the results of the negotiations between Mehmed II and Joseon. Whoa~. Giovanni and Henrik could only sigh as they could note up with a good answer no matter how much they thought about it. A Foreign Office official visited them that night. The administration wille out tomorrow. You can follow him. Thank you. * * * The next day, Henry and his party left the lodgings with their military officers. The ce they headed to was Namhansanseong Fortress. This ce? It is the garrison of the troops protecting Hanseong, or Seoul. With the change from Joseon to the Korean Federal Empire, Hanseong was renamed Seoul. In order to escape the nobility, I will call it Seoul instead of Hanseong! ording to King Sejongs decision, a sudden name change was carried out from Hanseong to Seoul, but due to its significance, there was little resistance from the people. This was because Seoul had beenmonly used as a word for the capital since ancient times. (Note 1) Hmm Henrik, who was looking at the walls and interior of Namhansanseong Fortress while listening to the officials exnation, nodded. It was. What a nice fortress! Mehmed II also nodded at Henrys words. exactly. From a defensive perspective, its no better than Constantinople. After talking like that, the group headed to the training ground of the Namhansanseong garrison. Kim Jeom and his party and envoys from other countries had already arrived there first. What about them? The interpreter answered the short question asked by Henry, who discovered the envoys from another country. Your Majestymanded, Are they the only ones who have doubts? Make it clear to everyone. He said so. is it? It looks like we werent the only ones picking on it. * * * As soon as Henry and his group arrived, a briefing session was held. The guns on the table now are the Eulsik rifles. The envoys of each country, especially the military officers, who heard the words of the Joseon military officer who gave an exnation, looked at the long guns ced on the mountain with bright eyes. Henrique, looking at the 20 guns ced on the table, spoke to the interpreter. Ask if you can take a closer look. yes. After a while, the interpreter ryed the military officers answer. I ask you to see as much as you want. As soon as those words were out, the envoys and military officers picked up the guns on the table and started looking around. Its not much different from the existing one The envoys who had no special knowledge about long gunsmented that, but those who were already familiar with the Suseok-style long guns sold by Joseon had their eyes sparkling. Quite a lot has changed! There is no gunpowder dish. Then how do you ignite it As simr questions and answers were being asked in variousnguages, the Portuguese military officer and Oichis samurai opened the chamber cover almost simultaneously. m! click! huh? uh? When the chamber cover suddenly opened, Oichis samurai looked at the Joseon military officer while sweating. Ano Soruma, did I cause a malfunction? The Joseon military officer responded with a smile at the sight of the samurai looking ready tomit seppuku at any moment. Its not a problem, dont worry. then? At the samurais words, the Joseon military officer took out three bullets from a cartridge ced on one side and held them high. This is the exclusive ammunition for the Eulsik Long Rifle. And this is how we use it. The Joseon military officer loaded a bullet into his Japanese rifle with familiar movements and fired three shots in session. Bang bang bang! The envoys who saw the three rapid fire shots all nodded. indeed! Is that why special ammunition is needed? After watching the Joseon military officers demonstration, Henry and Mehmet II opened the cover of the Japanese rifle in their hands and examined it closely. Hmm I see Henrik, who was shaking his head, asked Giovanni in a whisper. Can you make a copy in Florence? Giovanni shook his head slightly in response to Henrys question. Its impossible in a short period of time. Giovanni had a lot of contact with artists and craftsmen and was deeply involved in replicating Joseon-style gun guns. As soon as he saw the Japanese rifle, he was frustrated by its precision. Its not just a cover on the back! Not only the precision, but even the steel used in the gun barrel is second to none! After the demonstration of the Eulsik Jangchong, the demonstration of the freight train continued. As you can see, the Eulsik Long Guns exclusive ammunition is also used in freight cars. After seeing the military officers hand signal, the Joseon soldiers took out the bullets from the cartridges ced on the table and put them into the exclusive magazine for the freight car. After attaching the filled magazine to the wagon, the Joseon soldiers immediately turned the handle of the wagon. Ta-ta-ta-tang! * * * After the demonstration, envoys and military attachs from each country inspected the special ammunition. The shape of the bullets is also different. Henrik, who was nodding his head as he looked at the lead bullet with a pointed tip rather than the typical bead-shaped lead bullet, used strength in his hands to separate the warhead and shell. When the separated shell casing was turned over and shaken, gunpowder powder fell out, and Henrys military officer next to him secretly took some gunpowder powder in his hand and put it on his tongue. Its gunpowder, not much different. Then how? Meanwhile, Kim Jeom, who had been closely observing the actions of the envoys, especially Henry, on one side, ran straight to the Joseon military officer and whispered softly. yes. I will do so. The Joseon military attach responded with a light nod, ced the shell casing that Henry had separated into the rifle, and pulled the trigger. phut! The envoys and military officers of each country realized the actions of the Joseon military officer at the same time. This is what they meant when they said it was useless without special ammunition! It was the moment when my earlier doubts became confirmed. And I found out another fact. This is what Joseon confidently called for! The design of the special ammunition, let alone the Eulsik Long Rifle, cannot be easily imitated and Joseon has no intention of revealing it! * * * After the demonstration, Kim Jeom came back to the front, looked back at the envoys, and opened his mouth. Did you read the part you were curious about? Ill say it again, our empire will never tell lies to you. At Kim Jeoms words, all the Joseon officials around him thought the same thing. But that doesnt actually tell the whole story. Looking at the envoys nodding their heads at his words, Kim Jeom continued speaking. To be honest, it is true that exclusive ammunition is a burden. Once a bullet is fired, thats it. Isnt that right? The envoys all nodded at Kim Jeoms words. If it werent for the problem with the special ammunition, there was a lot of intention to get even two or three times the quantity originally promised. It was because of Myeong, a wounded tiger. Even though it was defeated by Joseon, the Ming Dynasty was the most powerful country in the East. It was a situation where there was a very high possibility that they would attack their surroundings to restore their wounded pride and make up for the damage suffered in the war. The reason people flocked to Joseons deration of empire was not simply to celebrate, but to purchase Joseon weapons. Perhaps sensing the envoys feelings, Kim Jeom gestured to the soldiers next to him. At Kim Jeoms hand signal, the soldiers ced another cartridge on the table. Kim Jeom showed the envoys bullets taken from a new cartridge. This is the special ammo that was used before that special ammo. I will offer this at a low price. The price is 40 rounds and 1 Joseon silver coin. What Kim Jeom showed was a first-generation bullet using a cartridge made of paper and copper, which was made when the Eulsik long gun was developed. We have to clean up the abandonedplex! If possible, you can get money too! * * * Note 1) https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EC%84%9C%EC%9A%B8%ED%8A%B9%EB%B3%84%EC%8B%9C Chapter 616 Episode 616: The Beginning of the Empire C Today is like yesterday. (4) Henry and his group returned to their lodgings after the demonstration and gathered again in therge room. Hmm Henrik and the others looked embarrassed as they looked at the three rifles, six first-generation bullets and three second-generation bullets on the desk. Hmm This is it Henrik, who had no idea what to say first, just stuttered, while Giovanni continued to look at the frame of the Japanese rifle and fiddling with the first generation gunpowder. And Mehmet II was staring at his rifle without saying a word, with his arms crossed. Meanwhile, Giovanni looked at the first generation shell casings in more detail. The body was made of greased paper, and the bottom te was made of copper. And the spout was tied tightly with thread. Giovanni lightly poured tea water over the paper casing. Giovanni nodded, looking at the tea water flowing outside without seeping in. If its a moderate rain, we can ignore it and fight It was a well-known fact that gunpowder weapons became useless on rainy days. However, if it was this resistant to moisture, there were quite a few choices. Giovanni nodded, holding the first generation bullet in his hand and twisting it. Squeak! What kind of paper is this Giovanni cursed without realizing it as the paper was stronger than expected. He did not know that Joseon paper has been famous for its toughness since ancient times. Anyway, Giovanni opened the paper shell and looked at the contents inside. The gunpowder is simr, but the difference is Giovanni, examining the contents, fixed his gaze on the warhead and copper bottom te. Even though its the warhead, Im curious about this copper te Giovanni, examining the copper bottom te, confirmed the presence of a detonator located in the center. Giovanni turned the copper te over, took out a dagger, and fixed the tip of the sword to the round part located in the center of the copper te. What are we going to do Before Henrik could finish his words, Giovanni struck the pommel of the dagger with the scabbard. Phew! At that moment, a loud explosion erupted from the copper te, and everyone around them stood up in shock. As expected Giovanni, who was still sniffing the copper te with a light smoke rising to his nose, nodded with an expression that he had expected. What on earth have you done? Please exin! Giovanni immediately responded to Henrys words. This is why Joseon was so confident. The substance contained within this bullet, or rather this copper te, is the key. This substance is what allows those Joseon rifles to fire rapidly. Mehmed II questioned Giovannis exnation. Why do you say substance when you see it exploding and it looks like gunpowder? It doesnt smell like gunpowder as we know. No, it feels slightly simr, but its very different. At Giovannis words, Henrik gestured to the military officer next to him. The military officer who saw Henrys gesture approached Giovanni and politely extended his hand. The military officer, who confirmed the smell of the copper te handed to him by Giovanni, immediately answered Henrik. It certainly is. In response to the military officers answer, Henri immediately asked Giovanni. Can we make it? Its impossible to do it right away unless you know the recipe. Henrik looked embarrassed at Giovannis answer. Should I meet those walls and windows again? Walls and windows? Monks. Mehmed II shook his head at Henrys words. Even if you meet, you wont get what you want. why? If we had been able to get it through them, do you think the Koreans would have given it to us as a gift? What kind of people are these Joseon people? After all that youve been through, what do you still not know? Henrik and Giovannis faces crumpled at Mehmet IIs criticism. This was because Kim Jeoms face suddenly came to mind. This is a dilemma. In the end, Henrique and Giovanni had to admit that they had been tricked. * * * The rifles from Florence spread knowingly or unknowingly and were being made and sold not only in Genoa but also in cities of the northern Hanseatic League. And this was also passed down to the Mamluks through the Holy Roman Empire and Spain. They continued to hold on to victory using abination of riflemen and pikemen, but the bleeding was slowly increasing. In this situation, thebination of Joseons long guns and freight cars was abination that promised victory. In particr, there was no one here who would object to the fact that it was the bestbination to deal with the Mamluk and Spanish cavalry in the open deserts and ins. * * * In the end, they realized that they had to purchase Joseons automatic rifle, but the problem was Mehmet II, who was on the same boat as them. In particr, the transaction that would surprise even Joseon, which Mehmet II had spoken of, continued to be a problem. Considering the division of interests in Suez, they had to purchase almost the same amount as Mehmed II. The problem is money. Funding is the problem. I dont know if the regent will respond. As Henrique and Giovanni were worrying about their finances, a fact they had forgotten came to mind. No wait? That guy isnt the sultan yet, right? But how can you be so confident? Ottoman is powerful, but it is not rich enough for a single heir to the throne to say such a thing? In the end, Henry and Giovanni began to lean towards the direction that Mehmet IIs words were bluff. Governor Ibosio. You said, Its a deal that will surprise even Joseon. How much do you expect? Its a secret. In response to Mehmet IIs simple and clear answer, Henrik threw a fastball. What are you going to do about the payment issue? Its a secret. However, please keep in mind that this is not ament thrown around randomly. Huh * * * Two dayster, the three visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs again. As expected, that old man is here too. Just looking at that old mans face makes my blood pressure rise. Henrique and Giovanni had to hold back their anger as they looked at Kim Jeom, who sat at the head table with a rxed expression and greeted them. Come quickly. First, lets share a cup of tea. The ck beans from the ck bean tea that came in this time are really good. Kim Jeom, who took the lead by offering ck bean tea, leisurely emptied his cup and opened his mouth. So have you made your decisions? Mehmet II was the first to speak at Kim Jeoms words. I will buy 50,000 long guns and all first-generation ammunition provided by Joseon. And I will buy 100 freight cars, 1 million rounds of second-generation ammunition, 100 shotguns, and 10,000 shells. omg! Huh! Henrik and Giovanni were frightened by Mehmet IIs spell. Either way, Mehmed II continued. ah! If they offer additional long guns, I will buy those too. Huh~. Kim Jeom of the world also looked slightly surprised at Mehmet IIs proposal. Hmm Kim Jeom put down his teacup and thought for a moment before asking Mehmet II. The purchase price will be enormous for such a huge quantity. How will you pay for it? I will pay you over ten years after I be sultan. her! Henrik and Giovanni looked astonished at Mehmet IIs answer. Like the two people, Kim Jeom also asked with a slightly puzzled expression. Are you suggesting that such arge transaction, especially between countries, be done on credit? In response to Kim Jeoms answer, Mehmet II responded with a more confident expression. I think its possible because its such a big deal and its between the country and me. Do you think that your country will engage in foreign trade? Without any guarantee? As he spoke, Kim Jeom looked at Henrik and Giovanni. Henry and Giovanni, who saw Kim Jeoms expression, stepped forward and stopped Mehmet II. viceroy! This is not the ce to be arrogant! Lets think a little more calmly! However, Mehmet II continued talking without even listening to the two mens persuasion. Of course, I am not saying that we should do credit transactions unconditionally. Ill put up coteral. guarantee? I will pledge Ottoman shares in the Suez region. Henrik and Giovannis faces hardened at Mehmed IIs words. interest! I took a gamble! Its not just a gamble aimed at Suez, its a gamble aimed at the entire Ottoman Empire! Hmm At Mehmet IIs suggestion, Kim Jeom was lost in thought with a serious expression on his face. At that time, Heo Hu, who was sitting next to him, argued with Mehmet II on behalf of Kim Jeom. As far as we know, when your monarch dies, the winner of thepetition among sessors will be the next monarch. If the Duke loses thepetition, wont all the promises made between the Duke and our country be in vain? Mehmet II responded to Hu Hus point with a smile. If youre afraid of that, why dont you just sell me more? Kim Jeom, who had been silent about Mehmet IIs answer, came to a conclusion. Its a very interesting proposal. However, I think this requires His Majestys approval. Therefore, I cannot make a decision right now, but I will give you another messageter. I hope that the Emperor will make a wise decision. When the consultation was over and Henry and his group left, Kim burst intoughter. Heh! Its been a while since I had a shot! By the way, if you do this well, you can make things go in the direction your Majesty wants. Heo Hu also nodded at Kim Jeoms words. After hearing the story, Lets dig a waterway to Suez, Hyang suggested it to King Sejong and the ministers. How about taking a chance on what they are doing? * * * Two dayster, Henry and his party sat down with Kim Jeom again at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Has Your Majesty reached a conclusion? Kim Jeom nodded to Mehmet IIs question. exactly. So, I would like to make a suggestion to you. proposal? Henrique and Giovannis ears perked up at the word proposal. With the attention of the three people focused, Kim Jeom delivered the suggestion made by the scent. Your Majesty ordered me to convey this proposal. C Portugal, Florence, Ottoman, and the Korean Federal Empire join together to form apany. C Thepany formed by a joint venture between four countries exercises full authority not only to build the Suez waterway, but also to manage the waterway and auxiliary facilities and collect tolls. C Since the joint venture exercises full authority independently, the four countries do not exert any influence on thepany other than profit distribution ording to their shares. C If the above proposal is agreed to, the Empire will supply the necessary quantity of weapons needed by the Ottomans in Florence, Portugal. C In addition, the Empire supplies materials and construction equipment needed for future waterway construction in the Suez region. C The price of the weapons is to be paid three years after the Suez area ispletely secured, but the Empire calctes it as half the price and receives it in kind, such as gold or silver, or as shares in a joint venture. How do you feel? The faces of the three people who heard Hyangs proposal through Kim Jeom were full of greed. You can buy as many weapons with overwhelming performance as you want? And at half the price? The price will not be paid immediately, but three yearster afterplete control of Suez! However, Giovanni desperately maintained his senses and asked Kim Jeom. Its a good offer, but how much share does Chosun want in the joint venture? 40%. what! Chapter 617 Episode 617: The Beginning of the Empire C Today is like yesterday. (5) Kim Jeom stroked his beard and asked in response to Henry and his groups reaction. why? Is there any problem? At Kim Jeoms calm tone, Giovanni fired back almost as if he was going to grab him by the cor. Do you think 40% makes sense? Why doesnt it make sense? We will supply weapons at half the price for a war that will never end, and the payment will be received in installments after three years. Is that it? Whether it isying a waterway or a railroad, it is certain that a huge amount of materials and equipment will be required for construction, and our shipbuildingpany supplies the materials and equipment required for the construction, which is 40% more? Our officials originally said that they should ask for more than 50%, but His Majesty decided to go for 40% because he said it would be beneficial for everyone. What on earth is the problem? Henry responded to Kim Jeoms words. We shed blood, so does it make sense to just provide weapons and capital behind our backs and take care of it like that? Giovanni and Mehmet II nodded simultaneously at Henrys point. Joseon officials who saw the three peoples reactions came up with the same idea at the same time. How is it possible that there is not a single error in what your Majesty says? * * * In the discussion on the proposal for joint venture, Hyang said this to King Sejong and the ministers. If we make a proposal like this, they will not ept it easily. You have to be prepared for a pretty tough war of words. Sejong rather expressed doubts about Hyangs words. Isnt it obvious? Isnt it natural to bargain when buying something at the market? Its difficult because it involves the honor and cause that they value, which is more important than bargaining. Honor and cause? The scent was exined in more detail. It is an idea that has been handed down since the time when the great empire called Rome ruled. They consider only those who shed blood with them as their allies. Or should I say its a blood oath? Well, even in the 21st century, there are Japanese people who say that Korea is a blood ally of the United States and Japan is just an ally of the United States. Sejong nodded as he continued to exin scents, giving various examples, but did not forget to point out the points. I remember reading simr stories in their books. But how can we say that this is their unique characteristic? Isnt it natural that the rtionship between those who fought and shed blood together on the battlefield is closer than that of others? Of course, there will be a good rtionship with those who have contributed financially and spiritually behind the scenes so that we can fight properly, but it does not feel like we areckingpared to those who fought together on the battlefield. That is true. But Sejong continued before Hyang could retort. And the Emperor has forgotten something. Isnt the war they started because we wanted to? Thats true, but I wonder if they really think that way. At Hyangs words, Sejong looked at Hwang Hee and Kim Jeom and continued. Isnt it the job of subjects to make people ept it even if they dont think about it that way? At King Sejongs words, the ministers gathered in the conference room, starting with Hwang Hee, lowered their heads to the floor and muttered to themselves. If it werent for those damn bastards, I would have resigned already! I cant believe I have to suffer without even being able to resign until I die because of my damn sons! Should I resign? Should I do it? I will do it! * * * When Henry argued with him about blood, Kim Jeom asked back with an expression that he did not understand. Was that blood shed because your country demanded it? Henrik became speechless at Kim Jeoms question. Kim continued as he looked at Henry and Giovanni Mehmet II. From your countrys point of view, you are only suffering enormous losses due to the war you suddenly started. Thats why I wanted to stop this, but due to the distance and reputation issues, I just watched. But now that I have solved the problem with Myeong-gwa, I n to solve the problem in the Suez region as well. ruler! In that sense, I would like to ask. Our country is suffering serious losses due to the war waged by your country. How do you n to resolve this? The three people began to sweat due to Kim Jeoms counterattack. There was no mistake in what that obnoxious old man named Kim Jeom said. The war that took ce in the Suez region was not a war that Joseon wanted. It was also true that Joseon was suffering serious losses as the trade route between Suez and Alexandria was blocked. Therefore, Joseon or the Empire could have demandedpensation. Of course, considering the distance between the empire and the Mediterranean, some could argue that demands forpensation could be ignored. However, it was a response that could never be epted by someone like Henry who knew even a little about the empire. The empires influence east of Suez was absolute. In particr, it was safe to say that the empires navy dominated the sea east of Suez. If an empire with twisted judgment blocked the sea route, everything that had been done so far would have been in vain. Henrys face, who had been thinking about that, suddenly turned pale. Thats not all! If an empire whose deliberation was distorted had chosen Spain and the Mamluks and handed over those weapons to them, the worst could have happened. Not only the Suez region, but in the worst case scenario, the Portuguese homnd could have been taken over by Spain. In the end, Henrik had to stutter and talk back. Of course, I am deeply sorry that this dispute has caused serious damage to your country. But I think the 40% share is more than I thought. Is your country fully capable of paying for the necessary weapons? You dont know that the conditions I mentioned earlier are limited to cases where your countrys proposal is epted, right? And do you have enough funds to build future trade routes? Of course, trade routes would be possible even without railroads or waterways. But can you barely break even with the goods transported on dozens of horses and camels? . Henrik and the others were unable toe up with a proper answer to Kim Jeoms point-by-point point. In the end, Henrique and Giovanni had to hand over responsibility to someone else. Your countrys proposal cannot be made on our own, so I will return to my country and receive an answer. You said so. Kim Jeom, who answered briefly, looked at Mehmet II. Do you feel the same way? To Kim Jeoms question, Mehmet II gave a slightly different answer than Henry and his group. I also think that the 40% stake is a bit excessive. However, if you ept my suggestion I mentioned earlier, I promise to coordinate things in the most positive direction possible. Can I trust you with the ball? As the Minister of Foreign Affairs said earlier, I am one of the next sessors to the Sultan. Kim Jeom, who thought for a moment about Mehmet IIs answer, nodded. I will report it to Your Majesty. Thank you. Henrik and Giovanni felt frustrated after hearing Mehmet II and Kim Jeoms answers. It was Osman who still ys the biggest role. If the Ottomans and the empire joined hands, it was certain that the Ottoman stake would increase further. However, like Mehmet II, I couldnt give a definite answer right now. This was because, regardless of what answer I gave, it was certain that I would be subject to all kinds of criticism back home the moment I gave a definite answer. Its frustrating, its frustrating! * * * Two dayster, Kim Jeom came to Giru where Henry and his group were staying. When Kim Jeom heard that he was looking for Mehmet II, Henrik and Giovanni quickly got up from their seats. Kim Jeom, who entered the gathering of Henry and Giovanni Mehmet II, got straight to the point. Your Majesty has reached a conclusion. You have epted the Dukes offer. However, the condition is that we support the establishment of a joint venture and at the same time support our countrys 40% shareholding. Mehmet II immediately responded to Kim Jeoms words. I will ept it. In response to Mehmet IIs answer, Kim Jeom gestured to his subordinates who apanied him. At Kim Jeoms gesture, the subordinate took out documents from the bag he had brought with him. This is the relevant treaty text. Please sign. As he spoke, Mehmet II epted the gold pen that Kim Jeom held out and carefully examined the contents written on the paper. Mehmet II, who was reading the contents like that, looked embarrassed when he saw the red text at the bottom. I swear in the name of Ah that I will keep all these conditions Phew~. Whats the problem? . Mehmet II did not respond and only looked down at the paper with a face full of agony. Mehmet II, who had been staring at the paper for a while with a stone-faced posture, eventually ended up signing the paper. Afterwards, Kim Jeom handed out gold pens to Henrik and Giovanni. Please sign as a notary. However much! In response to Kim Jeoms request, Henrique and Giovanni cheerfully signed their names. This was because it made me feel good to think that Mehmed II would be in trouble with this one document. Kim Jeom, who took the treaty with him, spoke to Mehmed II. As a gift tomemorate the promise, I will send you 4,000 rifles, 5 freight cars with 50,000 first-generation bullets, and 30,000 second-generation bullets. Of course, an instructor will alsoe on board and teach you how to use it along the way. At Kim Jeoms words, Mehmet IIs wrinkled face straightened up. Thank you! It was nothing! * * * All the envoys who visited Joseon, including Mehmet II, who was happy to receive a bundle of gifts, and Henri and his party, who were distraught upon seeing him, returned home. Three days after all the envoys had disappeared, King Sejong, Hyang, and ministers gathered at the shooting range located in Area 51. I stand here today not as an emperor, but as a person in charge of development. Hyang, wearing Area 51s distinctive work clothes instead of the yellow dragon robe, began his exnation with the words above. During thest war with the Ming, a significant number of rifles and shotgun shells fell into the hands of the Ming. Anyone would do whatever it takes to replicate those weapons inrge quantities. Therefore, we must arm our soldiers with more advanced weapons. Everyone present nodded at Hyangs words. After quenching her throat for a moment, Hyang continued speaking. These are the double-barreled long guns and armored machine guns that the Imperial Army will use in the future. As soon as Hyang finished speaking, the curtain that was hiding behind Hyang was removed. And behind the badge were a new assault rifle and armored machine gun. Hyang exined things one by one to King Sejong. Abined rifle fires five rounds at a time. After finishing the exnation, Hyang inserted the 5-round clip into the shovel hole and pushed it in. And to reload, simply push this handle forward. Hyang pushed the handle on the right side of the bolt forward. m! After finishing loading, Hyang pulled the trigger toward the target on one side. bang! Hyang then instantly fired the remaining four shots. Sejongs eyes lit up when he saw that. It seems so simple, yet so mysterious! Loading is done by pulling and pushing the handle! This is truly amazing! thank you! Hyang bowed her head in response to Sejongs praise and continued speaking in her heart. Thanks to you, I did a good job! No more clichs! If it were a cliche, it would have been Mosin-Nagant, but its not! Hyangs newly created double rifle was based on the M1896/11 used by the Swiss army. Chapter 618 Episode 618: The Beginning of the Empire C Today is like yesterday. (6) Sejong, holding a military rifle in his hand, did not stop praising. Ill say it again, how miraculous! I especially like the fact that rapid fire is possible! As King Sejong pointed out the excellence of rapid fire, the generals next to him C both army and navy C all nodded. * * * The biggestint of Army and Navy soldiers using long guns was the slow loading speed. Among the soldiers who could not tolerate the slow reloading speed, which was the biggest drawback of full-loaded firearms, some impatient people even said this. Id rather pick up a boxcar and shoot! Several proposals have been made to improve this slow loading speed. However, most of them required excessive precision, resulting in reliability problems or serious safety problems, so they had to be rejected. In the end, the problem of firing speed could only be solved after the introduction of the automatic long rifle and the first generation bullets. As a side note, when that hwacha remark reached Hyangs ears, Hyang grinned and muttered. Youre shooting with a boxcar, not even a minigun? Wouldnt that be too much for a Terminator? * * * Sejong, who was admiring the new rifle while looking at it, asked Hyang again. I really like the rapid fire performance, but the important thing is the uracy. So, what is the hit rate? Hyang immediately answered King Sejongs question. At least until around 80 shots (approximately 240m), it will not be a problem with the gun but with the shooter. Sejong looked a little disappointed in Hyangs answer. Is it too much to get to 100? I think that part is the shooters problem. But since not all soldiers have the same skills, wouldnt it be better to develop and distribute guns with at least a high uracy rate? Of course, there is a way to increase the uracy of the rifle that I just showed you. But if that happens, the long rifles that are still long will be even longer. Wouldnt it be okay if it took a little longer? If you aim at it, youll immediately see what the problem is. At Hyangs words, Sejong immediately put the gun to his shoulder and aimed it at the target. And soon after, I realized the problem. The weight is shifted forward. If it increases further, it will be difficult to aim properly. Thats right. Of course, if technology gets better, it will be possible to reach the level of K31, which is reputed to be as precise as a watch, without increasing the length. But for now this is the best. After that, Hyang held back the long exnation that was about to continue and concluded his sentence. In the end, we need to encourage soldiers to practice their marksmanship skills. yes. If youbine various benefits and penalties, it will be very good. If you add our national trait of being good at archery, it will beplete. As Hyang said to himself, the archery skills of the Joseon people were famous. They were not a nomadic people, but each vige had its own boss, big or small, and people of all ages enjoyed archery. This characteristic remained even after the bow was reced with a gun. It is clear what the result will be if a stick and a carrot are added here. After King Sejongs evaluation, military generals lined up to inspect the rifles. Among those who were carefully examining the rifle, Lee Jing-ok asked Hyang. The war is over, but the legacy still remains. Therefore, these rifles will be deployed first in the North. The North is a very dusty ce. At first nce, it looks like a precise military rifle. Do you mind? Hyang immediately answered Lee Jing-oks question. We have already fully tested that part and finished improving it. Thats one of the reasons why we couldnt reduce the size further. Theres still a long way to go. If only the technology had been sufficient, K31 would have been possible. It was a scent that still left some regrets about K31. Afterwards, various questions were asked, but most of them were simr to those asked by King Sejong and Lee Jing-ok. C uracy, firing rate and reliability. These three have since be essential requirements for firearms used by the Korean Federal Army and have caused developers to struggle with their heads. When the firing rate was increased, the uracy decreased, and when precision was increased to increase the uracy, reliability problems arose. If you somehow manage to meet these three conditions, the portability that was hidden until then will pop out and grab you. The conditions are too strict! Every time this kind of protest arose, the military responded like this. Our ancestors solved everything! If you keep whining like that, do you have the courage to look at your ancestors! * * * Then, next, I will introduce the Gap-type machine gun. Hyang, who was hit by a horse, gave a hand signal to the soldiers. Soldiers who saw Hyangs hand signal entered the demonstration hall, pulling a small cart. This is an armored machine gun. At Hyangs introduction, the attendees, including King Sejong, began to carefully examine the Gap-style machine gun. Are you going to use a special metal holder? yes. The boxcars thing is too big. The generals nodded at Hyangs words. The total price of a freight car was as great as that of a decent artillery piece. Thanks to this, when moving a freight car, it had to be pulled by a horse. However, seeing that it was being pulled by two soldiers, basically all you had to do was assign two soldiers, and it was clear that you could pull it by yourself if you were in a hurry. With that alone, the number of ces I can use it will greatly increase! The problem is that it only has one barrel, so Im worried whether it will have enough power. I agree. Hyang must have heard the generals whispering like this and immediately went into the demonstration. Then, I will show you the shooting of the Gap-style machine gun. Please step back. At Hyangs words, the attendees stepped back and the soldiers carrying cartridges clung to the Gap-type machine guns. Ta-ta-ta-ta-tang! King Sejong and the attendees jaws dropped at the demonstration of the Gap-sik machine gun that followed. When the demonstration ended with emptying three cartridges in an instant, Sejong tapped Hyang on the shoulder. This is truly amazing! I was a little worried because it was small, but it was no worse than a freight car, so it turned out to be a really great product! thank you. Anyway, its really exciting to see bullets pouring down like rain without stopping! Hyang responded to Sejongs words internally. Ah! When ites to men, its Maxim! The Gap-type machine gun introduced by Hyang was a modification of the Maxim. No, to be exact, it was a modification of the PM M1910, the Russian version of Maxim. * * * During the war, the Joseon army was very satisfied with the firepower of the Eulsik hwacha, but there were also considerable dissatisfaction. The biggestint was the enormous size of the Eulsik freight car. Its useful in defensive battles, but its problematic when attacking! Hyang smiled as he epted the militarys request for a solution to this problem. The answer is obvious. But Hyang soon faced a problem. These bullets are the problem. The same goes for technology The bullets used in the newly developed long guns and machine guns were the bullets used by the musketeers. It was a bullet that used copper casings and smokeless gunpowder and had simr power tomon rifle bullets from World War I and World War II. However, there was one problem: it was a rimmed shell, with the rim on the bottom of the shell sticking out. Therefore, it was not possible to use the method of pushing bullets directly from the bullet belt like modern machine guns that use rimless bullets. Of course, theres nothing we cant do if we just change the structure of the shell casing itself Hyang stopped talking and continued talking while looking in the direction of Yukjo Street. If you do that, the Ministry of Finance and Economy will immediately plot a treason. In the end, Hyang sighed and came to a conclusion. Whoa~. I cant help it. Lets go to Maxim. The man is Maxim! Hyang, who created the concept of a new machine gun as well as a dedicated gunner, looked at the drawing and shook his head. I like it, but I think I should leave out the Mosin-Nagant. It smells like Mother Rossia so much. Its not even my taste My taste was things that had the feel of precision machinery. * * * The total weight, including the armored machine gun and the dedicated gun, is 100 geun (approximately 60 kg). Its definitely lighter than a freight car. If we allocate a donkey, I think we can even carry the coal barrels. If that doesnt work, I think it would be good to allocate a donkey. Two people can carry the gun and the remaining two can carry the cartridges. Then I think it would be a good idea to assign two Os per unit. If you deploy and operate it on both wings, it will show the greatest power in both offense and defense. The generals, taking advantage of their battlefield experience, quickly thought of an organization and tactics suitable for the Gap-style machine gun. The sight of that scent whetted my appetite. Tsk! You said everything I wanted to say first! * * * In this way, the demonstration ended sessfully. Most of the attendees looked very satisfied when they saw the automatic rifles and armored machine guns that would be newly deployed to the Imperial Army. However, those from Kim Branch and the Ministry of Finance and Economy were looking at the distant mountains with a liberated expression. Youre dying to earn so much money in one go His Majesty the Emperor gave up from the beginning, and even His Majesty approved of the possible situation, so theres nothing we can do about it. There is talk of additional construction of the assault return ship Im dying Regardless of what Kim Jeom and the Ministry of Finance and Economy officials said or not, King Sejong did not hold back on praising Hyang. It is truly a great achievement for the emperor to produce such good results in such a short period of time! Its all thanks to the researchers at the institute and the artisans at Area 51. haha! Its great that you are so humble! Its not about humility, its about facts. ha ha ha! Okay! I will definitely express my gratitude to them too! King Sejong, who realized that Hyang was showing humility, promised to reward those involved in the name of the situation. But the scent only told the truth. Afterpleting the concept map, Hyang handed over the work to researchers at the research institute and artisans at Area 51. Ive been thinking about this framework, and lets design and build a prototype ordingly. yes. I understand. ah! And I hope we meet the conditions we wrote down together. At Hyangs words, the researchers and craftsmen turned pale after checking the conditions listed below. C For new long guns, the weight should not exceed 7 geun (approximately 4.2 kg). C The uracy rate must also be sufficient to hit the target within 80 shots (approximately 240m), regardless of the shooters qualifications. (Shortly) Researchers and craftsmen who confirmed the conditions required for new long guns and new machine guns looked liberated. Lets give up. Its easier to give up. Its easy to think of us as just His Majestys mountain branches. If we just pass this task, we will get something, so lets be satisfied with that. * * * King Sejong, who promised rewards to researchers and craftsmen, asked Hyang in a low voice. May I ask the emperor something? Please ask. It is none other than a military rifle. Wouldnt it be okay to load 10 or 15 bullets at a time? Wouldnt you be able to shoot much longer then? Then it takes longer to reload. Then wouldnt it be possible to make a separate cartridge and detach it like the cartridge attached to a freight car? ah! As I was thinking about it again, how about applying the structure of the Gap-type machine gun to a double-type rifle? If youbine the frame and cartridge of a Gap-type machine gun with a double-barreled long gun, its performance will be even better Sejong, who had been talking up to that point, saw Hyangs strange expression and narrowed his eyes and asked Hyang. Why are you doing that? Ill put it on the challenge list. I feel this every time, but Im a cheat and this guy is outside the standard! Meanwhile, Sejong was still looking at the scent with narrowed eyes. You dont look enlightened by my words! This bastard I knew it! But why? Hmm this bastard! I was nning to make an excuse and get outter! Chapter 619 Episode 619: The Beginning of the Empire C Today is like yesterday. (7) In any case, since it was a promise made to King Sejong, Hyang prepared to register the record of the challenge. This should have been enough Hyang left Geunjeongjeon after taking the documents containing the content of the assignment to be posted in the challenge record, the expected grade, and the reason for that grade. I will go to Sugang Pce. If anything happens,e to Sugan Pce. yes. After informing the official of his destination, Hyang began to walk towards Sugang Pce. your majesty. The distance to Suganggung Pce is quite long. How about riding a horse or a pnquin? He smiled and answered the eunuchs words as if the smell was nothing special. If you walk that far and get in trouble, it would be even worse. But the sun is stinging Wouldnt it be good for your health to get some sunlight after a long time? He said that excitedly and started walking, but as time passed, Hyang slightly regretted his decision. Its a little too far. The distance from Geunjeongjeon, the residence of Hyang, to Suganggung Pce (now Changgyeonggung Pce), the residence of King Sejong, was about 1.6km in a straight line. If you walk along the winding corridors of the pce and the alleys between Gyeongbokgung Pce and Suganggung Pce, 5 ri (about 2 km) is an easy distance. But the emperor has the respect of an emperor Hyang collected his thoughts once again and walked briskly towards Sugang Pce. * * * When Hyang arrived at Sugang Pce, the former merchant ship that served King Sejong rushed out to greet Hyang. Ie to see your Majesty! I will inform you that Your Majesty has arrived! If not, how can you ask Abama toe? It is filial to go to where I am. Please guide me. yes. Pleasee this way. Hyang, who was walking under the guidance of a former merchant marine, expressed a slight doubt. This is the road to the pce grounds? Your father shoots an arrow? Is it unexpected? Perhaps because he inherited the blood of King Taejo Yi Seong-gye, King Sejongs archery skills were not that poor. However, because King Sejong hated exercise, he did not enjoy archery. In other words, the fact that he showed that level of archery even though he didnt shoot that much meant that his inherited talent was surprisingly outstanding. * * * The closer the archer got, the more doubts appeared on Hyangs face. This was because an unfamiliar noise was heard from the archery range. No! Its a familiar sound in the 21st century, so why is it happening here? Perfect! Sigh! Hota! Hyang, who entered the archery hall hearing a familiar yet unfamiliar sound, was momentarily confused. Where are we? Who am I? At the archerymanders station, King Sejong and his predecessor, Naegeumwiwi, were standing side by side, swinging their sticks vigorously. Sigh! Hotaa~! King Sejong, who was watching the flying ball with a happy expression, put down his baton as soon as he saw the scent and approached. What are you doing here at Sugang Pce? yes. Im here because the draft you mentionedst time about registering the challenge record has been released. If thats the case, you can just call me No matter how much I am the emperor, how could I be so unfilial? Sejong, who heard Hyangs answer, smiled, took the document, and began to look at it. While King Sejong was looking at the documents, Hyang lifted the gyeokbangchae and looked at it. It certainly looks simr, but its not * * * The scent also had a connection to golf. I learned golf as a liberal arts ss in college, and even after I started working as a civil servant, I had to learn golf half of my own choice. It was because of Kkondae, who was the superior of the vige at the time. mind! If you want to get ahead in life, golf is a must! Thanks to the old man, Hyang had to learn how to y golf at indoor golf courses, starting with the screen golf course, andter had to follow the old man to the country club. Due to such circumstances, golf was an object of love and hate for Hyang. It wasnt that I hated golf itself. However, the psychological burden of being forced to be with the bad images of the bureaucrats and politicians that she saw at the golf course was one of the main reasons why Hyang fell into depression. * * * Hmm I think its okay. But the grade is upper and lower isnt that too low? Hyang immediately answered King Sejongs question. I thought the technical aspects were sufficient to some extent, so I took that. So you mean, its a matter of thoughts? yes. King Sejongs suspicions were confirmed by Hyangs simple and clear answer. Look at this! After all, this bastard already had the answer! So, if you get a good answer, will you hire me right away? Wouldnt that be too much for Pharaoh? Deployment of automatic rifles is just beginning. There is also a budget issue. Therefore, if good resultse out sooner than expected, it would be better to make only small quantities of prototypes and continue to improve them. I think that would be good. I am truly reassured that the Emperor is handling matters so clearly. Thats too much praise. While the warm atmosphere between the father and son was continuing, King Sejong, who saw the Gyeokbangchae in Hyangs hand, spoke. Would the Emperor give it a try? Are you going to be okay? Of course, go ahead and try it. At King Sejongs words, Hyang held the chae in her hand, took a stance, and swung it vigorously. Sigh! The ball flew through the sky with a loud sound, but the distance it flew was not farpared to the sound. ha ha ha! Hitting a batted ball and sending it flying far is not as easy as it looks! Hyang blushed slightly at Sejongs words and continued swinging the whip. However, when no good results were obtained, Hyang returned the stick to King Sejong and said, I showed a bad performance because the stick didnt fit my hand well. Its not the problem, its that the emperor has neglected the care of his body. yes? Hyang was dumbfounded by Sejongs words. A man who was so obese that he was recorded in history! Of course, I may have a slightly plump body type now, but do you have the right to say that? Sejong, who must have known Hyangs feelings, spoke with a somewhat stern expression. In order to swing the stick and send the ball far, you must not swing your arm strongly. First, your legs must be firmly supported and your danjeon must be firmly supported, and only then can your arms do their job. After speaking up to that point, Sejong secretly looked below Hyangs waist. Hyang, seeing where Sejongs gaze was directed, raised her voice. Its still lively! Im a little hungry. ording to what the emperor told me before. Hyang urgently cut off King Sejong. Ill take it out! After that short conversation, Hyang returned to Gyeongbokgung Pce. As I entered Geunjeongjeon, Hyang grumbled a little. Even though the stomach was like that, the chai wasnt real Before Abamama returns to Shinji, I have to show you what a real chai is. At that moment, the artisans in Area 51 shivered from an unknown chill. After making that decision, Hyang looked down at her stomach and sighed. Whoa~. I have to take it out. * * * Two dayster, a new piece of paper was posted on Area 51s bulletin board. Development of a new rifle? How long has it been since Byeong-sik came out? Craftsmen with faces full of curiosity gathered in front of the bulletin board. So, Byeong-sik is loading 5 rounds, so you want to load more than that and make it possible for him to continue loading in a way other than with his hands? Is the difficulty level high or low? It must be harder than you think, right? The artisans looked perplexed. The five-round loading of the military rifle was also the result of a lot of effort. It was quite a challenge to fit all the hammers and bolts into the enginepartment, which was not toorge, and making the small steel parts that went into the enginepartment withstand the explosive force of the gunpowder was an even more difficult problem. Even with Joseons iron-making technology, which was considered to be far ahead of other countries, it was a significant challenge. It was evaluated as a step forward through the development process, but it turned out to be an even more difficult task. Are the grades determined by those who know everything high or low? This is won. I think you think too highly of us? These were craftsmen and researchers who smiled bitterly, saying they had overestimated themselves. Meanwhile, Jang Yeong-sil, who was watching the scene from behind, muttered with an expression full of concern. Should I hide this or not. Jang Yeong-sil, who had been thinking hard until that evening, came to a conclusion. Rather than getting caughtter and hearing about whether there is a condolence or not, lets tell in advance. The next day, Hyang received a visit from Jang Yeong-sil. ah! Director Jang, or should I call him Deputy Director Jang now? Long time no see! How is your health? Im still okay. Deputy Director Jangs talent is the best in the world. So, please take care of your health. Jang Yeong-sil bowed down on the floor and shouted in a loud voice at Hyangs good wishes. Hwang Eun (ʶ) is in ruin! * * * When Area 52 was created in Shinji by King Sejong, Jang Yeong-sil was promoted to Deputy Director of Area 52. King Sejong tried to appoint him as the director, but Jang Yeong-sil insisted that he had no administrative ability, so he became the deputy director. Of course, the biggest reason why Jang Yeong-sil declined the position of director was because of his desire not to miss out on the joy of ying in the field. King Sejong, who epted Jang Yeong-sils request,ter muttered while licking his lips. Tsk. Have you been hanging out with that bastard for too long? It was very frustrating to get out. * * * okay. Why did you suddenly find your luggage today? In such a warm atmosphere, Hyang asked Jang Yeong-sil why she came to see her. In response to Hyangs question, Jang Yeong-sil opened the bag she had brought with her and took out a drawing from inside. Its because of this. Hyangs face stiffened for a moment after receiving the drawing through the eunuch. Please leave the officers and clerks for a while. This is something that requires confidentiality. At the Hyangs order, the officers and officers immediately got up from their seats and went out. Let the internal officers also leave. Hyang, who had even sent out the eunuchs, asked Jang Yeong-sil with a serious face. How did youe up with this idea? In response to Hyangs question, Jang Yeong-sil immediately went into exnation. The recoil when firing a long gun is quite strong. Even for adult men, it is normal for them to stumble at a moments notice, and red bruises aremon on the shoulder where the gun is held. So I thought about using that reaction. Hyang nodded at Jang Yeong-sils words. Jang Yeong-sil, who gained confidence when the fragrance showed no negative reaction, strengthened her voice. Then, when I saw the outline of the newly developed machine gun, I found the answer. Hmm I see Hyang looked at the drawing submitted by Jang Yeong-sil with a serious expression. The drawing submitted by Jang Yeong-sil was a blowback long gun that used the recoil when a bullet is fired. Another feature was that it had a magazine that pointed from top to bottom. In some ways, it resembles Bren without the gas piston Anyway, that nobleman is out of ss. Hyang, who had been studying the drawing intently, told Jang Yeong-sil his conclusion. Lets keep this proposal sealed for 10 years. yes? Why? Hyang smiled and answered Jang Yeong-sils question. It would be great if we all did it, but wouldnt future generations be able to develop? we? When Jang Yeong-sil expressed her doubts, Hyang opened the drawer of the dressing table to her right and took out a drawing. Look. Jang Yeong-sil, who carefully approached and took the drawing and examined it, looked at the fragrance with surprised eyes. this is! The drawing created by Hyang was abination of the K31 and the M14,bining a gas piston and magazine into a sidearm. Chapter 620 Episode 620: The Beginning of the Empire C Today is like yesterday. (8) In the end, Jang Yeong-sils drawing, along with the concept map of incense, disappeared deep into the incense mirror. Whoa~. After leaving Geunjeongjeon, Jang Yeongsil took a long sigh, looked back at Geunjeongjeon, and muttered. At one point, they told me to reveal everything I had hidden, and this time, they told me to hide it again I wonder what kind of melody they are telling me to dance to Although she Still, when I look at it from time to time, there are quite a few guys who only look at me. This was because when something new was registered in the challenge log or when the situation or the emperor presented a difficult task, there were quite a few people who wandered around in front of them like chicks waiting for their mother bird. We have to filter out those who will filter out. They are worse than PC or Lassi. Unlike Pietro and Raphael, who burned up the more difficult tasks were presented, Jang Yeong-sil could not hide his sorrow when he thought of those who only tried to find the easy way. Jang Yeong-sil, who was grumbling like that, looked down at the bag in her hand and smiled. Anyway, its a mess Ive only seen the concept drawing, but it looks better than what was made in Area 52 If it turns out just the way His Majesty wants, its going to be a bit painful. The problem is that we have to make it within five days, so it will be a bit of a hassle. Jang Yeong-sils eyes were sparkling even as she said those words. * * * Five dayster, Jang Yeong-sil visited the incense again. This is the item your Majesty ordered. As Jang Yeong-sil held out a long wooden box, Hyang came down from the house and epted the box. Good job. Click! After opening the box, Hyang took out the Gyeokbangchae inside and started looking around. Starting with the handle, Hyang carefully inspected the construction of the pole to see if it was well-bnced and swung it lightly. Hyang smiled broadly and praised Jang Yeong-sil. Thank you so much! I made it just the way Jim wanted it! You can imagine how much effort the deputy director must have put into it! Thats too much praise! Hyang, who really liked the Gyeokbangchae produced by Jang Yeong-sil, provided the best reward. Register all specifications and materials of this pole with the Intellectual Property Management Office. At Hyangs words, Jang Yeong-sil showed a disapproving expression and quickly waved her hand. yes? You are the one who gave me this idea, so why should I do such a disloyal thing? I just thought about it, but isnt it the deputy director who actually made it the best? Of course it deserves to be uploaded. And wouldnt the craftsmen work harder if there was a precedent set by the deputy director? After hearing Hyangs words, Jang Yeong-sil bowed down on the floor and shouted loudly. Hwang Eun is devastated! As a side note, as the Shingeokbang created by King Sejong became a new form of entertainment, Jang Yeong-sil made a fortune. Hyang, who returned to Gangnyeongjeon that evening, looked in the direction of Suganggung Pce and smiled, holding Jang Yeongsils pole in his hand. Shouldnt we go to the revenge war? * * * The next morning, Hyang visited Sugang Pce. Hyang, who gave good morning greetings to King Sejong and his wife in ordance with etiquette, secretly gave King Sejong some luck. I told Deputy Director Jang that I made a chae. Would you like to take a look at it? exactly? Lets take a look! Sejong was pleased with Hyangs words and stood up. Hyang, who had moved to the boss, took out a wooden box brought by the eunuch and showed it to King Sejong. Hmm. Sejong, who was examining the sieve in his hand, handed it back to Hyang and expressed his impressions. Isnt it too light? Its just the right weight. Let me show you. Incense wearing gloves made of thin pork skin was ranked among the nobles. Hyang, who rxed by lightly swinging the stick, spoke to Jang Yeong-sil, ced a specially made pin on the floor, lifted the ball, and cheerfully swung the stick. Sigh! Hota! At the same time as the eunuch shouted, the ball went all the way to the end of the boss. Starting with this, Hyang hit a total of 10 balls. And all of those balls flew straight to the end of the boss. Lets try it too! Thats right. Sejong, who received the stick from Hyang, hit the ball and let out an exmation. haha! This is truly a luxury product! There is an old saying, A master pen does not choose the brush. But wouldnt a famous calligrapher shine even more if he had a good brush? Thats right. After saying that, Sejong returned the chae to Hyang. But his face was full of regret. When Hyang finished the Seolyokjeon (not the Seolyokjeon) and was getting ready to go back, Sejong asked her. I want you to give me permission to enter Area 51. Do you want to meet Deputy Director Jang? Arent you going to go back to Shinji together anyway? In response to Hyangs question, King Sejong exined the reason. You have to make it in advance and familiarize yourself with it. Im returning to Shinji after almost a year, and its obvious just how much the chiefs there have improved. Hyang immediately responded to Sejongs words. I will fill it out and send it to you as soon as I get back. Thank you. * * * After experiencing the opening ceremony and other events, May arrived and the wedding of Crown Prince Wan took ce. Lets finish everything before the situation goes away! ording to the decision of the vige, Du and Seul also got married five days apart. Afterpleting the wedding, King Sejong and Hyang gathered all of Brother Wandusuls wives and held a banquet. As the atmosphere of the banquet was getting warmer, King Sejong, who was sitting at the head of the table, opened his mouth. Ill say it again, its truly a congrattion to have be part of the royal family. I am devastated! Everyone in the inws family responded to King Sejongs congrattory address by bowing their heads. But Sejong and Hyangs faces turned hard. However, I am embarrassed to say it with my own mouth, but there have been several unfortunate incidents involving maternal rtives of the royal family. Those who knew about the tragic events that urred during the reigns of King Taejong and Sejong turned pale. Among them, those with small walls even started to tremble in their hands holding their sses. Fortunately, there are not enough people to work in Shinji. So, how about going to Shinji with me this time? The words were an invitation, not an order. In the end, everyone who attended the banquet had no choice but to ept King Sejongs proposal. I will! Thank you very much. * * * After the banquet, Hyang sat alone in Gangnyeongjeon and muttered with a serious face. When I think back to the history I learned, there were many problems not only with the power politics but also before that due to inws. Therefore, the right answer is to exclude maternal rtives to some extent, but it is a bit suspicious when you think about Jinpyeong. Of course, Abama is still in the process of making corrections, and I and Wan are already 18, and Jinpyeong, who is involved, has be a serious fanatic, so it may be unfounded Still, the problem is Jinpyeong. Hyang scratched his head in frustration and came to a conclusion. There is only one answer. Rolling is the only answer! * * * After finishing the big homework with the wedding of Brother Wanduseul, King Sejong prepared to return to Shinji with a rxed mind. The native-born officials who hade with us had already returned as soon as the thaw began, and those working in the new area and those who would rece them had already left. As preparations for King Sejongs return came to a close, Hyang prepared a banquet for King Sejong. Please stay strong in Shinji! I wish you good health! Hearing the incense and the words of his subjects praying for King Sejongs health, King Sejong smiled brightly and raised his ss. Ha ha ha ha ha! Thank you! Thank you! I will do my best! After that, while the exciting atmosphere continued, Anpyeong came forward. I havee here because I have something to share with you and your Majesty the Emperor, Duke of Anpyeong. Hoo? Have we finally seen the end? Sejong showed curiosity at Anpyeongs words, and Hyang made an expression saying Finally! * * * As the Joseon Dynasty changed into the Korean Federal Empire, military titles also changed. The military title system established by King Sejong was very different from that of the Ming Dynasty, and the most notable thing was that the king disappeared. After hearing about being a king, you may actually want to be a king. King Sejong, concerned about a possible rebellion by the royal family, eliminated the king himself. King Sejong, who got rid of the king, left behind only the Five Ranked Works. The Grand Prince and Prince were granted the title of Duke and Marquis, respectively, and the title was reserved only for the eldest son. Except for the eldest son, other sons and illegitimate sons were given lower titles, and these titles were also hereditary only to the eldest son. However, this did not mean that the eldest sons could continue to hold hereditary titles. In the existing military title system, as the generations went down, the military title was lowered by one level, so that the fifth generation became amoner. Simrly, if the hereditary sessor did not seed in government, it was decided that the sessor would receive a title one level lower. And if the title was lowered, various benefits provided by the country, especially tax benefits, would also be reduced. In addition, it was decided to apply the same rank to the military titles given to meritorious subjects, starting with giving the rank of marquess to first-ss contributors. Of course, if the next generation was ipetent, the title would also be demoted. Hyang, who saw this system, realized what Sejong wanted to say and made a bewildered expression. So, if you want to be treated well regardless of whether you are a member of the royal family, a member of the royal family, a public servant, or anything else, then do it. Although it was Hyang who understood King Sejongs inner thoughts, Hyang did not raise any objections. I dont know about the East and West, but there is a saying that is still true among our people. I cant be the only one who dies. Even the emperor suffers from high-intensitybor, so where should he draw honey? As a side note, when discussions about this five-ranked work took ce, none of the ministers opposed it. * * * Emperor. After listening to Duke Anping, it seems like the emperor also knows something. What is it? I made a few songs. a piece of music? When Sejongs eyes lit up, Anpyeong came forward and spoke. I dare say that it is a new music that is different from Tang music and Hyangak! okay? Emperor. How about taking a listen? I also have high expectations. Duke of Anpyeong. Let me hear it. yes! Anpyeong responded vigorously and immediately gestured to the evil officials. ordingly, the musicians busily moved around and prepared the score. When preparations wereplete, Anpyeong informed King Sejong. The song Im going to tell you is called Cavalry on the Front Line. Hoo~ Seeing King Sejong growing more and more curious, Anpyeong sent a hand signal to the evil official. At Anpyeongs signal, a gayageum began to pluck its strings. Then the big drum began to beat softly, and various instruments began to make their voices. Hoo~. This? I think the title Cavalry on the Front Line is appropriate. The sound of the drums sounds like running horses. It strangely stimtes the heartbeat. The subjects who heard Anpyeongs new music nodded. Sejong, who was nodding his head to the words of his subjects, asked Hyang. Is it you again? I only gave you a clue. What Hyang said was true. The music ying now was the theme song of Gunman at the Sunset (For a few dors more). The incense conveyed the melody simply by humming and advised on which instrument would go where. It was Anpyeongs job to record the tunes hummed by Hyang, turn them into proper sheet music, refine Hyangs suggestions, and tune them properly. Chapter 621 Episode 621: Their Choice (1) Starting with Cavalry on the Front Line, Anpyeong yed a total of 3 songs. The songs named Soldier of the Wild and Battle Cry were the theme songs of famous movies called Dor Trilogy. Something that makes your heart pound is definitely different from Tangak or Hyangak. Thats right. The sound of the percussion instrument, which was simr to the beating of the heart, and the tone that stimted Taepyeongsos ears, which was like a scream, were extremely stimting and addictive. Unlike the ministers who simply responded by saying it was amazing or novel, the military officers, especially those who attended thest war, showed strange expressions. The sound of Taepyeongso feels like the sound the Jurchens used to scream. I agree. Its simr to the sound that Japanese pirates used to make. This was also what Anpyeong, who was refining his song while receiving instruction from Hyang, said. At that time, Hyang nodded to Anpyeongs point. Its modeled after that sound. When the Jurchens and Japanese pirates scream like that, arent they announcing war? Ah Anpyeong nodded at Hyangs words. As Hyang said, the Jurchen tribes and Japanese pirates made loud noises as soon as they began their attack. Those who had suffered great damage and mental shock from such an attack were immediately discouraged when they heard such signs, and the Jurchen tribe and Japanese pirates took advantage of this. This was simr to the Joseon Army cavalry. As they continued to fight against the Jurchen people and more and more Jurchen people joined the Joseon army cavalry, things changed simrly. Thanks to this, in thest war with the Ming, as soon as the shouts of the Joseon cavalry began to be heard, Ming soldiers threw down their weapons and ran away. Regardless of the background, Anpyeongs new music was well received. It was great. Im looking forward to the next song! I will do my best! After answering like that, Anpyeong secretly looked at the scent. After receiving Anpyeongs gaze, Hyang turned his eyes elsewhere. Hang in there! Wait Shall we go to the Imperial March? To do it properly, wed have to import brass instruments from Europe Huh? Were the brass instruments I knew made during this time? If I dont have it, Ill make it Ah! I dont know instrument structure! Then you roll the craftsmen? Hyang, who had progressed that far, soon came to his senses and made a hasty conclusion. Lets find out if it exists first and think about the next! But as the banquet continued, Hyangs thoughts once again took a different path. If the Imperial Marches out properly, will our empire be an evil empire? Is that something like that? * * * Time passed and the day finally came for King Sejong to return to Shinji. The fragrance moved with King Sejong all the way to Wonsan Port. King Sejong, who was seated in a specially designed carriage for the royal family, spoke with a smile as he looked at Hyang, who was riding with him. haha! There are many things the emperor needs to do, so there is no need to do this. This is also my job. Thank you. Sejong, who put aside what he was doing and watched with a happy face the scent moving to see him off, looked at the scenery seen through the train window. It is truly good to see the prosperity of the people. Its all thanks to Abamamamaying the foundation well. haha! Thank you for saying that. King Sejong, who was answering with an expression that was half shy and half proud, could see the officers and readers diligently recording the current conversation. Hmm Emperor. Please tell me. Why dont you use a typewriter? yes? I actively encouraged the use of typewriters at Shinji, and they were very effective. haha. I also rmend using a typewriter for general work. The people who need it the most are the magistrates and magistrates. I think a typewriter is very useful for quickly and urately recording the words and events thate out of the court. Hyang nodded at Sejongs words. I will think positively. In response to Hyangs response, Sejong leaned towards Hyang and whispered. Its especially perfect for catching officers bad habits. You mean bad habits? Its a bad habit of writing editorials when there isnt enough time to record the facts. Ah. If you continue typing for a long time even after Ive finished speaking, its a good idea to scold me because most of the time, its private. I scolded him a few times at Shinji, and all his bad habits disappeared. Ah Hyang nodded loudly at Sejongs words. Meanwhile, the officers who were recording the conversation between father and son recorded it with gloomy expressions. -So the situation strongly rmended the use of typewriters, and His Majesty the Emperor epted it. The officer says: It is the right of officers to write down their arguments in writing. This is because it is also one of the many ways tomunicate. The officers who returned from Shinji said that the situation was very outspoken. I can easily guess what you must have heard. Anyway, I need to practice keyboarding again. I think I need to increase my typing speed even more. Since ancient times, people have to say what they have to say to avoid getting into trouble. * * * After seeing off King Sejongs safe departure from Wonsan, Hyang returned and began running state affairs in earnest. Saying that the situation had disappeared was the same as saying that from now on, the government would run state affairs independently without paying attention to King Sejong. The first thing the township did when it began to run its own government affairs was to prepare for a vote to elect judges. You cant fill up on the first drink, so lets first follow the rules we set and then check for shorings and make improvements. I follow your orders! While the agenda was being processed one by one, Hwang Hee submitted her resignation. Sajikso? Soshin is already over eighty years old and his nies are just around the corner. As I got older, I became like an old cow, slow to think and act slow. Therefore, it is considered good for Sosin to step down and someone new to take his ce. Hmm At Hwang Hees words, Hyang looked at Hwang Hee nkly. Its definitely getting old. But not yet. Although he was involved in various bad things, he was still an elder among elders. He is also an elder who cooperates with the imperial family. Of course, Kim Jeom and other senior ministers could also be said to be pro-Hwang faction, but Hyang could not forget Ryu Jeong-hyeons incident. In the end, Hyang came to a conclusion. Its impossible. your majesty! A new sky has opened! It is natural that there should be new people under the new sky! Prime Minister Lee Bo-sio. I once read the scriptures of the Western Trantion, and there is this old saying in it. When Rehoboam, the son of a famousmander named Solomon, became king, as the governor said, he joined the youth and the country fell. The new sky needs new people, but it also needs old people. Therefore, it is impossible. Yes, Your Majesty! Hwang Hee tried to hastily retort, but Hyang cut him off. Jim clearly remembers the promise the captain made in front of Abamama a long time ago. You havent forgotten what the promise you made back then, have you? I havent forgotten Then is there anything else you want to say? I dont have any. In the end, Hwang Hee had to step down in tears. Hyang, who epted Hwang Hees resignation, continued speaking while looking at the major and minor ministers located in Daejeon. I understand that in addition to Captain Bangchon, there are several others here who have made simr agreements to Abama. The same goes for them. And for those of you who wish to resign, please bring someone to fill the vacant position. However, there is a standard. They must be the ones who can make me not click my tongue more than three times. At Hyangs words, the elders closed their eyes and lowered their heads. The habit ofing out when I didnt like the scent or the saison was the same. First of all, the way he spoke changed. In the case of Hyang, he treated senior ministers and usually ended his speech with da. In the case of King Sejong, the Hao style was changed directly to the Hara style. If you go any further, the famous clicking sound wille out. Id rather die than get sick! Shit! Im so dirty that I work until I die! The words of incense continued above their heads. If you think its too difficult, let me know at any time. I will give you a ce in the records office. How do you feel? I will do my best! I feel very reassured that you answered that way. * * * After that, the coordination of various agendas waspleted and the ministers left Geunjeongjeon one by one. After leaving Geunjeongmun, Hwang Hee looked up at the sky with a gloomy expression and let out a long sigh. Whoa~. Damn it. Hwang Hee, who naturally cursed, saw Kim Jong Seo heading to the general affairs department and rushed over to kick him in the ass. evil! Why are you kicking me! You son of a bitch! You should have done your job smartly! What else could I not do? Do you see this damn child? Dont close your eyes! So why Chanyan! As Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Hees voices grew louder, the ministers around them blocked the space between them. Stop it! Stop it! Oh my gosh, captains! What a disgrace! Geunjeongjeon is just around the corner! And all of this chaos immediately reached the Hyangs ears, and all the ministers were called back to Geunjeongjeon. Whoa~. Hyang sighed and called out Hwang Hee and Kim Jong Seo. The Prime Minister and the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications. Yes, Your Majesty. Lets cool off at the record office for ten days Hwang Hee and Kim Jong Seo responded to Hyangs decision in agreement. Hwang Eun is devastated. This was sincere. If the Board of Audit and Inspection had stepped in, it would have meant dismissal at a minimum and exile at best. However, because the emperor, Hyang, had made the decision in advance, the Board of Audit and Inspection could not take action. * * * After the skit, Hyang, who was reviewing the documents in Geunjeongjeon, sighed. Whoa~. As expected, we should clean up anything that is causing trouble in advance. Hyang muttered to herself and called the eunuch. Go and tell Duke Jinpyeong toe. Yes, Your Majesty. Not long after, Jinpyeong entered Geunjeongjeon. Duke Jinpyeonges to see His Majesty Lee Yu. Im sorry for asking you toe when I was busy with work. No. Is it okay for Jim to speakfortably? As you wish. After Jinpyeong finished speaking, Hyang rxed her posture and opened her mouth. Jinpyeong, you have to go to the North. At Hyangs words, Jinpyeong raised his voice with a bright face. your majesty! Has this finally begun? Okay, its a start. Because now I dont have to worry about peoples opinions. Try it to your hearts content. yes! Ill tell you in advance, it wont be easy. Looking at the current situation, the exploration team has advanced to the Okhungan Mountain Range (now the Stanovoy Mountains) in the north. But we only advanced. In order to properly digest this into ournd and expand from there again, we need solid support. What is the way to make that support possible? Jinpyeong answered Hyangs question right away. Herees the railroad and the iron horse! right! Iron horses and railroads are essential in order to make the Northern Territory ours and prevent others from overtaking it, while at the same time allowing our feet to travel abroad. So, do it right for the empires millennial movie! Jinpyeong responded to Hyangs words by kneeling on the floor. I will risk my life to do it! I will only trust you! Please leave it to me! Chapter 622 Episode 622: Their Choice (2) Jinpyeong answered confidently, but Hyang did not forget his advice. It has been a little over a year since the North became our stronghold. The Jurchen people of the region that had already be the headquarters of our empire in the early days of Gyeongjang do not have much to worry about, but that is because they have just been incorporated into the people of our empire. Jinpyeong immediately responded to Hyangs advice. In the olden days, during the Three Han Dynasties and the Northern and Southern Dynasties, there were people who lived as one group with us. Although after the fall of Balhae, the Northern Dynasty, there was strife between its sessors and its predecessors, now that they have be one again, they will adapt right away. There is no strong imperial army standing there. But dont forget to be extra careful. Especially considering your personality, wouldnt you be moving locally as soon as youre ready? You must not forget that you are a member of the imperial family. You know what I mean? Jinpyeong was moved by Hyangs words and bowed down on the floor. Your Majesty is so worried about God that the Hwang Eun is devastated! That guy Hyangs inner thoughts about Jinpyeong were quiteplicated. Considering the history I knew, he is someone I should pay the most attention to, but when I think about his actions so far, I feel like I am looking at my younger brother who is a terminally ill-mannered fanatic I am confused, confused! Since he himself was ate-stage enthusiast, it was a scent he felt a strange kinship with. Jinpyeong, perhaps aware of Hyangs feelings, suggested something to Hyang. I would like to make a request to Your Majesty to ensure safer and smoother operation of the railway in Sosin Bukji. Please ept (readily listen to my rmendations). Listen and decide. Please allow us to use the name Dragons Road, which was the name used by the Jurchen people for the railway in the past. The Way of the Dragon? yes. Hmm Hyang began to think deeply about Jinpyeongs request. Lets see Didnt you say that there are still people who hold ancestral rites next to the railroad tracks when something happens? Wouldnt it be okay now that I dont have to worry about peoples opinions? After thinking for a while, Hyang soon made a decision. I give permission. Hwang Eun is devastated! And is there anything else you need? Even if it takes time, the budget needs to be a little more Hey, you bastard! Hyang screamed at Jinpyeongs words. We havent even set a budget yet, so what kind of extra orders are there! Jinpyeong smiled as if he was embarrassed by Hyangs scolding. Ahaha it has be a habit and the Ministry of Finance and Economy has given us a very tight budget Go ahead and tell me about that! get out! yep! for a moment! Hyang stopped Jinpyeong, who was about to take a bow and leave at the same time as he answered, and threw another bait. Keep in mind that you have to be good at Bukji before you can be entrusted with Shinji. I will keep this in mind! Hyang, who sent Jinpyeong away like that, let out a long sigh. Whoa~. When I see that bastard, it doesnt seem like that dogs dream was a dogs dream It was a scent that still couldnt forget the dream in which Gye Yoo Cheolnan appeared. * * * After leaving Gyeongbokgung Pce, Jinpyeong excitedly headed to Area 51. Jinpyeong entered the Railroad Research Institute located inside Area 51 and gave an order as soon as he sat down. Call all surveying team leaders! yes! Calling all the Iron Horse research team leaders! yes! Soon after, everyone who had received Jinpyeongs call gathered at Jinpyeongs office. Is everyone gathered? ancient! Jinpyeong looked at the faces of those gathered one by one and opened his mouth. His Majesty finally gave permission. Oh oh! ats! Those gathered in the office clenched their fists in joy at Jinpyeongs words. Did you say it was a papiry species? As Jinpyeong took charge of iron horse and railroad-rted affairs in earnest, simr iron fanatics gathered around him. These were people who built their favorite iron horses and carriages,id railroad tracks, and enjoyed watching the iron horses run on the railroad tracks. Jinpyeong gave orders to those people. We will send an official letter of cooperation to the Ministry of National Defense, so the survey team will collect and analyze as much information about the northern region as possible. If you do it right from the beginning, you can reduce mistakes along the way. yes! Keep in mind that if the surveying team does it right, it will prevent the upper management in charge of construction from ying aroundter! yes! Do not worry! If there are people like that, I will throw Chidogon out! * * * The notoriety of the surveying team leaders, or rather the railroad construction surveying team, was famous. When conducting surveys in advance toy a railroad, it wasmon to enter all kinds of difficult terrain. And at this time, even if you go a little deeper into Joseon and nearby areas, wild animals such as tigers and bears were in a situation where they were taking over. As they surveyed in rough terrain where all kinds of wild beasts were installed, their temperament became very rough. The members of the surveying team were obsessively meticulous because proper measurements and records were needed to build a proper railroad. Thanks to this, if there was even the slightest hint of mischief by thepanies working on the railroad, the surveying team members noticed right away andpletely grounded it. Thanks to these achievements, the governmentter deployed railway construction surveying teams torge-scale civil engineering projects carried out in the country. Thanks to this, the merchants in charge of construction had to deal simultaneously with the officials of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Development, who were in charge of supervision, and the mothers-inw and sisters-inw of the railway construction surveying team. * * * Are there any worries about the surveying party and how is the research on the new iron horse going? Prototypeing soon! Ive said this time and time again, but the Northern Territory is sorge that it goes beyond imagination. Existing iron horses cannot handle that area. We need an iron horse that is stronger, faster, and goes further! Do not worry! You will be satisfied! Jinpyeong nodded at the confident answers of the research team leaders and continued speaking. His Majesty said that only if good results are achieved in the Northern Territory, will a new world be possible! Dont forget this! ancient! Then get out there and move right away! ancient! With a strong answer, the ss leaders left Jinpyeongs office. Jinpyeong, who was left alone in the office, looked at the map hanging on one side and muttered. If the Northern Map is sessful, Shinjis map will be added. Jinpyeongs eyes were burning brightly as he looked at the map. I have no intention of ending up as such a mediocre general! I will definitely leave my name in the history of this empire. As monarchs, I will not be greedy because I have iparable people like my father and older brother! Especially because I have an older brother, if I be a monarch, I will only end up with notoriety and a bad reputation, so that is absolutely impossible! I will leave my name in history using iron horses and railroads! I will leave behind a reputation, not an infamy or a bad name! If you smelled a scent, It wasnt a dream! It was Jinpyeong who once again pledged his resolve to say this. * * * The next day, Hyang gave orders to Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy. Therefore, I hope that the Left Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance and Economy will allocate a reasonable budget so that it can be implemented starting next year. I follow your orders. Kim Jeom epted it with a calm expression, but Park Jong-woo spoke with a slightly worried expression. In any case, it was absolutely necessary since the northern region became a stronghold of our empire. The only thing Im worried about is money. A railway that covers the entire northern region would require enormous funds, and the situation in the western region, as well as in the Ming region, is not good. Hyang, who had been pondering Park Jong-woos concerns for a moment, soon came up with an answer. Lets put 30% of the stake in the Bukji Railway into the investment treasury. You mean railroad shares? Thats right. Kim Jeom expressed his opposition to Hyangs answer. If you think about the benefits that will be gained from the railway, there will be a lot of positive response, but it is absolutely necessary, right? If you do something wrong, you will also be asked to take shares in businesses monopolized by the country. And those who have acquired shares will use their shares to interfere with management. If you do something wrong, you may be criticized for enriching the rich by sucking the blood of the people. The Left Deputy Prime Ministers words are correct. Park Jong-woo stepped in to help with Kim Jeoms words. In response to their objections, Hyang exined at length. Now that Hongik Ingan has be a national poem, there will inevitably be demands to open the governments monopolized businesses to the private sector. At Hyangs words, Kim Jeom and Park Jong-woo looked like they couldnt understand the reason. When Hyang saw that expression and was about to exin further, Hwang Hee came forward. It broadly benefits people. It was written in the national anthem, but they will insist that the country takes the wealth that should go to the people through monopolisticpanies. So, they will insist that state-run projects be converted to private ownership. ah! Hearing Hwang Hees exnation, the ministers all looked like they had taken a hit. In response, Minister of Education Lee Sa-cheol raised his voice. This is ridiculous! Most of thepanies run exclusively by the country arepanies that supply products or materials that make essential items for the people. Therefore, that argument makes no sense. Firstly, because of the characteristics of thepanies just mentioned, most state-ownedpanies are monopolies. If suchpanies are taken over by the private sector and cannot properly control prices, the people will suffer greatly. This is truly a vition of national policy. Second, even if the shares of state-owned enterprises are released to the private sector, only a very small number of people with great wealth will own most of the shares, and they will receive most of the profits. This is also a vition of national regtions! Hwang Hee calmly responded to Lee Sa-cheols protest. It is a fact that many people in this empire already know that the imperial family and the states monopolies are making a lot of money. So, Where and to whom did all that much profit go? Lets hand over the governments monopoly to the private sector so that the people can share in the profits. If you say that, there will be more than one person who will fall for it. Wouldnt it be okay to disclose the profit and loss table every year? Isnt the first thing that will catch the eyes of the people those enormous benefits? Rather, I think there are more people who are trying to take advantage of this to avoid tax fraud. Thats so Hyang muttered to herself as she looked at the faces of Lee Sa-cheol and the calm faces of Hwang-hee, who looked like they were going crazy with injustice. Whether on the right or the left, this was used to take power. In world history before the intervention of the township, there were quite a few people who came to power with the motto of creating new profit tools and efficient economic operation through privatization, and conversely, there were many who came to power with the motto of a society in which all profits are shared by nationalizing all industries. There were quite a few people who were caught. As a result, both sides had something inmon: they did not have a good ending. Hyang, who was listening to the conversation between Lee Sa-cheol and Hwang Hee, quietly joined the conversation. I would like to exin further, is that okay? The ministers responded in unison to Hyangs words. I will listen! The scent went straight into the description. Thats why we decided on 30%. Since the remaining 70% is held by the state and the imperial family, those who own 30% cannot interfere with management. ah! It would be nice to include a special use! You can receive dividends of profits, but you cannot exercise management rights. This use. Also, I would like to ce a limit on purchasing this 30% share. No matter how much money one has, one person cannot purchase more than 5 li. Additionally, purchase eligibility is limited to men and women who have reached the age of majority, and purchases can only be made at an investment safe located in ones residence. If you are a person who immigrated from another region, you can only purchase if it has been more than 5 years since you moved. First of all, this is whates to mind. What do you think? After hearing Hyangs exnation, the subjects began to weigh the number of cases. After a while, Hwang Hee came forward as the representative and answered. I think it would be better to follow the n your Majesty suggested. There are quite a few holes, right? Isnt it the responsibility of the minor gods to handle that part? In response to Hwang Hees answer, Hyang smiled and nodded Then, lets proceed. I will only trust you. I will do my best! The officer who recorded all of this added: -So the subjects epted the n presented by the emperor. The officer says: Its natural for people to chase wealth, so theres nothing to me as long as you dont break thew. However, it would be problematic for wealth to be concentrated in the hands of a few people, so I think it was right for the emperor to stop this. By the way, how much money do I have on the battlefield? The voice of Hyang was heard in the ears of the officer recording it. Hmm I guess Ill have to get the typewriter in as soon as possible. Chapter 623 Episode 623: Their Choice (3) While the state affairs of the new Korean Federal Empire are busy with overtime work yesterday and today under the leadership of Hyang, a challenger-level battle line enters the Mokpo quarantine waiting area. Jangs official letter was quickly sent up to Hanseong. your majesty. This time, the front line that returned from Aden has received an urgent alert. When Hyang became emperor, Han Myeong-hoe, who became a monk, reported to Hyang. * * * When Hyang became emperor, all four members became members of the Seungjeongyuan. Not only did his affiliation change, but his rank also became that of Do Seungji, Left and Right Deputy Seungji, and Dongseungji. Thanks to this, his rank was also promoted very quickly from secretary to director. If it were originally, the appropriate rank for the position should be a manager. Since I stillck experience, being a director is a good fit. Afterwards, the rank will be adjusted again considering performance. As shown above, the four people had to run around until their soles were on fire due to the scented carrots, whips, and another carrot. There was a lot of talk about this unconventional greeting, but Hyang was easily ignored. After using it for a while, it works well. In particr, they understand what I want to say very well, so they are the best people to take charge of the work of the Seungjeongwon. Those who opposed Hyangs answer had no choice but to back down. Seungjeongwon were the people closest to the emperor who assisted him. Naturally, it was right for those who had to get along well with the emperor to enter. And the four people in question were people who had been well trained by Hyang since the days of Seunghwadang. Meanwhile, the scent had a reason to keep them nearby. We need to prevent getting involved with Jinpyeong in advance. This is better than leaving it somewhere out of sight and giving yourself a headache. Its even better that the four of them are cooperating with each other. Besides youre good at your job, right? Thest reason was the most important scent. * * * What kind of emergency is this? It is said that on his way back, he encountered envoys from the West who were heading from a to Aden. There was a Joseon naval base in Temasek (Temasek Singapores old name), but Joseon ships in charge of trade passed through Mka. The reason is that it was thergest trade port through which trade ships from other countries passed through, making it the best ce for rest and exchange of information on supply of goods. so? In response to Hyangs question, Han Myeong-hoe immediately gave an exnation. It is said that Mehmed II sent a personal letter there requesting urgent assistance. Urgent assistance? I asked them to send as many bullets as possible for Eulsik Long Guns and freight cars as quickly as possible. Hmm After receiving the report, Hyang-hyang stroked her chin and fell into thought, and Myeong-hoe Han handed over a tray containing a letter written by a captain at the front to the eunuch. After opening the letter he received from the eunuch and checking its contents, Hyang thought for a moment and gave an order to the eunuch and Han Myeong-hoe. Tell the Prime Minister and the left and right deputy prime ministers toe. Get ready for the meeting. Yes, Your Majesty. * * * After a while, Hyang, Hwanghee, Kim Jeom, and Hayeon were together at Geunjeongjeon. Did you hear the contents? Hwang Hee nodded in response to Hyangs question. yes. Thats right. So what do you think? Hwang Hee answered Hyangs question. I think its jade. Hyang smiled at Hwang Hees answer. * * * When they heard Mehmet IIs proposal, the ministers and government officials looked perplexed. Your confidence is great, but Im not sure if your abilities are as great as your confidence. First of all, it is clear that you have eyes to see. Seeing that there is no hesitation in making decisions, it is clear that he is the king. However, it is clear that hispetitors also have royal wealth, so I think it is absolutely necessary to identify the best. In a situation where no conclusion could be easily reached, Hyang suggested one thing. How about throwing some bait? You mean bait? yes. Hyang exined the bait he thought of. The ministers who heard the exnation of the scent all pped their knees in admiration. What a good bait! The ministers unanimously epted Hyangs proposal. Sejong, who saw that, muttered to himself. That guy I dont know if Ill be able to hear the sound of a viin shaking the world in his handster in the dark. The bait presented by the incense was a gift to Mehmet II. C 4,000 rifles and 50,000 first generation bullets, 5 freight cars and 30,000 second generation bullets. If you look at it simply as a number, it was a huge number. But anyone who thinks can see how inadequate this number is. Even with 50,000 first-generation bullets, it was only enough to fire 12 rounds in a single-style long gun. And the 30,000 rounds of second-generation bullets were only enough to fire 6,000 rounds per freight car. You wont be able to find the answer just by looking at the Japanese style rifle. If you train it properly, it will be used up during training, and even if you save it, it will be enough for a sudden assault. Is it possible for a freight car to fight once? In a war movie seen in the 21st century, there was a scene where each of the two Soviet soldiers charging towards the German army in Stalingrad was assigned one 5-round clip. The same was true for freight cars. Even if it was a manually fired machine gun, 6,000 rounds would be consumed in an instant. In other words, Joseon nned to decide the future by seeing how Mehmet II would deal with this trap of numbers. * * * Hwang Hee exined her thoughts to Hyang. If we think about the moment of encounter in a City, Mehmed II would have headed towards a City at full speed. This means that we immediately recognized the trap we had set ourselves. However, the fact that they did not turn back and stopped at Dongbu Ind or Temasek on the way, but waited for the return ship in Mka may have been their intention to avoid diplomatic problems. In addition, the fact that he asked for bullets before long guns or freight cars suggests that he had an outstanding ability to understand what was important and make decisions. In other words, the conclusion is that there is a very high possibility of winning in gambling. Kim Jeom and Hayeon also nodded at Hwang Hees words. Even if the weapons were destined for retirement, their value was considerable. Therefore, one should avoid betting on bad cards. And looking at the situation so far, Mehmet II was a pretty good loser. Hyang, who nodded to Hwang Hees answer, immediately gave an order. Then lets get the ship ready right away and send him what he wants. yes. your majesty. Hyang, who was watching Hwang Hee answer like that, looked like she suddenly had an idea and added. ah! This time, tell them to make a little more noise when loading and moving things. yes? I need to tell this to those who are still just looking at it. If itste, you cant buy it even if you want to. Hwang Hee and Hayeon Kim, who were momentarily confused by Hyangs words, soon realized the meaning and burst intoughter. ha ha ha! You are amazing! ha ha ha! ha ha ha! It is indeed so! * * * After the meeting, Han Myeong-hoe delivered the contents of the Hyangs order to the Seungjeongwon to write it down as an official document. Isnt this dangerous? Hawiji, who was arranging the contents in a formal manner, tilted his head and looked at Han Myeong-hoe. What is dangerous? It is not a rule to transport supplies secretly. That way, you can avoid the impure people who are looking for your supplies. But orders to the contrary areing. Han Myeong-hoe responded with a chuckle to the criticism that was typical of a principled person. Are there still big guys left to mess with our empires battle lines? Isnt it possible to disguise yourself as a thief and carry out affairs in a country where greed cannot be ovee? Kwon Ram, who was next to him, countered Hawijis point. If something like that happens, whether intentionally or identally, that country should not even think about going to sea. Because the empires navy, no, will not leave it alone. Is there any other reason to build a base in the ocean so far away? Han Myeong-hoe and Seong Sam-moon nodded at Kwon Rams words. * * * This was precisely why the imperial navy was notorious in the seas east of Africa. The power of the empires ships themselves moving along the trade routes was no match for them. There were imperial naval bases at each major strategic point along the route. If attacked by pirates, merchant ships, regardless of nationality, attempted a desperate escape toward this naval base. In this way, if they safely entered the imperial naval base or encountered the imperial front line nearby and the situation became known, the pirates had to abandon their base and make a desperate escape. This was because the persistent imperial navy invaded the base and turned it into a wastnd. And once the pirates base was known, the imperial navy regrly visited and presented cannonballs. As a result, most pirates around a City and My Luzon had to choose other upations C fishermen or sailors on trading ships. * * * Hmm I guess thats what I heard. When Hawiji stepped away with a shy expression on his face, Kwon Ram spoke this time. Im not worried about the transportation issue, but to be honest, Im worried about whether its really okay to make such a fuss. what? The quantity our empire announced to sell includes 50,000 Japanese rifles, as well as a significant amount of freight cars and artillery pieces. My guess is that they thought that if they made such a noisy move, those who were just paying attention would use the situation in their country as an excuse to move quickly. It seems like we dont have much time left, so we need to move quickly. And as you live like that, you will want to buy more. Han Myeong-hoe nodded at Kwon Rams words. Your majesty and the captains also thought so. In response to Han Myeong-hoe, Kwon Ram pointed out the problem. What will we do if the countries that decided to purchase rifles from us find out? The number of long guns we sell is well over 50,000. Rather, wouldnt they ask for a reduction in the price since there is too much volume? As soon as Kwon Ram finished speaking, Seong Sam-Moon received the message. How will they know about it? Dont you know that you dont know how many bags other countries are buying unless you sit on the dock and open the lid and count them? And thats something you cant do even if you want to. Because it is a serious diplomatic discourtesy. In other words, unless we tell them, they dont know even if they want to know. Mae Jukheon is right. As soon as Seong Sam-moon finished speaking, Han Myeong-hoe nodded and continued speaking. They dont know how much we sell unless our empire announces it. All you know is 50,000 bags and what you will know is that the country called Ottoman bought a huge amount. Then, as you said, Sohandang will be busy taking care of their share within the limited quantity. The payment will be made right away. Kwon Ram shook his head at Han Myeong-hoes words. I understand that too. But what worries me is whether they really dont know that fact. Han Myeong-hoe snorted at Kwon Rams words. joy! What will you do if you find out? Wouldnt they ask for a price reduction? Its okay if you dont sell it. Isnt that what we asked you to buy? And if I dont like the price, should I buy something from Myeongguk? Neighboring countries are all trying to arm themselves with weapons from our empire, but what about weapons that are clearly inferior in performance? Just because its cheap? . Kwon Ram kept his mouth shut at Han Myeong-hoes words. Chapter 624 Episode 624: Their Choice (4) After seeing the potential in Mehmet II, the empire decided to make a solid investment C a solid inventory disposal. ording to this decision, 2 million rounds of first generation bullets, 1 million rounds of second generation bullets, and 5 freight cars were loaded onto the front line and departed Mokpo. Even if we say 2 million rounds, considering the 4,000 sacks of rifles we have already received, 500 rounds per sack is a vaguely high number. After receiving the report, Hyang looked at the numbers and muttered softly. Immediately afterwards, Hyang smiled a fishy smile. Then youll soon want more guns, which in turn will make you want more ammo. Especially since we have to think about the presidential race. ording to rumors that came through Mansu, Murat II, who was leading the war, was very weak. This meant that it was certain that a fiercepetition for the presidency would soon break out within the Ottoman Empire. As it was a truly bloody race for the presidency, it was certain that Mehmet II, who had already tasted the sweetness of power once, would do his best. This meant that the shadow of the empire could be cast heavily on the Ottoman Empire, an emerging power in the Mediterranean and Middle East regions. The moment a clear transportation route is established in Suez, whether it is a railroad or a waterway, the empire will receive a share of the fire and water. And we can also deal with otherplexes. The amulplexes that Hyang spoke of were talking about first-generation and second-generation bullets that had previously been produced inrge quantities. * * * No matter what material the cartridges were made of, the propent for all bullets was ck gunpowder. Thanks to this, it was not possible to use it on the Imperial Armys new generation individual firearms, the infantry rifles and infantry wagons C the name armored machine gun was renamed the infantry wagon due to a flood ofints that it onlyplicated the index of the supply list and increased work. To be more precise, it was usable. But the harm was greater than the benefit. In order to adapt to the existing bullets, major design changes were required for both the automatic rifle and the automatic rifle. However, instead ofrge-diameter bullets C until now, all bullets had a diameter of half an inch (about 1.5 cm 15 mm) C medium-diameter bullets C the amount of ck powder was adjusted to match the new bullets and cartridges with a caliber of 20% (about 7.5 mm). If reduced, the probability of the side-by-side freight car malfunctioning was very high. For this reason, the existing bullets that withdrew from the first line became a problem. The biggest reason they became a problem was because of the ck gunpowder contained in them. The ck gunpowder inside required much more care in storage than Deokgap style gunpowder. This was because saltpeter, the main material, absorbed moisture very well. Of course, Deokgap-style gunpowder was not free from this problem, but ck gunpowder was even more severe. Of course, it was possible to extract only the gunpowder and use it in private civil engineering sites or mines, but that was difficult because it was as difficult to handle and manage as heavy oil (nitroglycerin). Therefore, while I was considering an appropriate way to dispose of it, an opportunity arose to easily shake it off. Envoys from all over the world who came to celebrate the promation of the empire were all paying attention. * * * Within a couple of months after the ship loaded with a huge amount of bullets left Mokpo at the request of Mehmed II, the situation went as expected. Captains from various countries who saw a huge amount of bullets and additional freight cars being loaded onto the ship reported the situation as soon as they returned home, and rumors spread widely at the ports they visited. If its toote, you might not be able to save it! If youre going to buy it already, you have to buy a lot! The countries that had sent envoys quickly packed up Korean currency and other goods and began heading to Mokpo. Among them, those who moved the fastest were the Oirat, the Japanese, and the Ryukyus. The reason why the Oirat moved so quickly was because they failed to take advantage of the opportunity during thest war between Joseon and Ming. Oirat, who noticed that the Ming Dynasty, which had been pushed back by Joseon, had left out the elite soldiers stationed at Jangseong, began to move, aiming for fishermens territory. However, the war between Joseon and Ming ended sooner than expected, and the defense posture of the general was strong. Now it was Oirat who was in trouble. Rather than inflicting a fatal blow on the wounded beast, the situation ended up only inming its anger. The moment Myung recovered from his wounds, it became clear that they would not be left alone. Therefore, Oirat gathered as much money as possible and regained the empire. Taishi wants to purchase at least 7,000 bags. I also hope that you purchase about 1,000 rounds of ammunition per bag. Heohu responded to the order given by Oirats messenger with a perplexed expression. It is difficult to exceed the 5,000 bags promised at first. Why! The owners of the 50,000 bags we were supposed to give away have already been decided. So even if I wanted to give more, it was difficult. this! This time, Oirats messenger looked embarrassed at Huhus answer. The moment the Ming recovers, it is inevitable that a war will break out with us! Considering the Ming army, even 7,000 is not enough! Why! How could it not be? Hmm Heohu, who had been pondering the lions plea for a moment, hinted. How about this? Since long guns have a lifespan, a significant number of long guns are exchanged for new guns every year. If youe at that time, I will take care of the retired guns and hand them over to you. What are you going to do? Hmm Its not even used, its retired Instead, Ill give you an additional 20% off the current price. Good! I will! The lion of Oirat took a quick bite of the bait offered by Heohu. Anyway, more time is needed until Myung fully recovers! Then this is the best! Heo Hu seemed to know the inner feelings of the Oirat lion, and was internally delighted. You caught it! Oirats rapid military expansion was not what the empire wanted. Since thest war, the border with the empire has been Oirat. Therefore, the empire needed to control the speed at which the Oirat expanded its military. At least we need time until our preparations areplete! Currently, the armory in Area 51 is mass producing assault rifles and infantry wagons C called brothers among craftsmen and workers and soldiers C but it took time to properly deploy them. * * * It was Ryukyu who followed Oirat and visited Heohu. wee. Thank you for your wee. It was the Ryukyu Shinigami who answered by lowering his head so that it touched the ground. The reason I visited the Foreign Minister of the Empire this time is because of the purchase of long guns and freight cars. It was 1,000 Japanese rifles and 10 Japanese wagons, right? Id like to make some adjustments to that. His Majesty the King would like to purchase 4,000 rifles and 30 freight cars. The same applies to increasing the quantity of bullets ordingly. huh? What is the reason? Its because of the Japanese. I understand that the situation in Japan is quite stable? The Ryukyu envoy answered Heohus question with a bitter smile. Even if the situation in the Japanese country is unstable, it gives us a headache, and even if the situation is good, it gives us a headache. Ah Heo Hu nodded without realizing it in response to the messenger. Ryukyu was a small country. Not long ago, there was a situation where the team was divided into three andpeting. This division came to an end in the 11th year of King Sejongs reign (1429) when the two kingdoms were unified by King Shohashi. Afterwards, it began to prosper as a stopover on the maritime trade route, but the Japanese, especially the Shimazu family at the southern tip of Kyushu, were problematic. During the chaos caused by the Northern and Southern Dynasties, he crossed over to the Ryukyus and plundered them, and from then on, he continued to harass the Ryukyus, paying attention to the shogunates wishes. That is why His Majesty the King wanted more Japanese rifles and freight cars. Hmm After hearing the messengers words, Heo Hu thought for a moment and then came up with an answer. This is something that definitely requires Your Majestys approval, so I will report it to Your Majesty first. Please consider the difficulties of our kingdom. I will do my best. * * * What do you think? After receiving Heo Hus report, Hyang immediately summoned the ministers and asked for their opinions. It seems okay. Although the Japanese are currently in contact with our empire, there is a high possibility that they will turn into enemies at any time. I think it would be a good idea to put at least one shackle on him so he cant act recklessly. The other ministers also nodded in response to Hwang Hees answer. Although Ouchi was now in power and was making peace with the empire, the ministers did notpletely trust him. In particr, alertness was heightened after confirming information that Ouchi soldiers who participated in thest war with the Ming had taken away arge number of Chinese people from the Ming country. After thinking for a while while watching the reactions of the ministers, Hyang came up with a n. Hmm how about doing it this way? * * * Two dayster, Heo Hu faced the Ryukyu envoy and delivered Hyangs answer. Your Majesty told me to tell you this. 10,000 Japanese-style rifles and 50 Japanese-style freight cars. And give them plenty of bullets. In addition, he also told me to only ept the amount of money that was initially promised. What a terrible thing! The envoy of Ryukyu was truly moved by Heo Hus answer, so he stood up and bowed deeply toward Gyeongbokgung Pce. The Ryukyu envoy who bowed so deeply bowed several times to Heohu and expressed his gratitude. Thank you. Captain. Thank you so much! It was nothing. I merely ryed the decision His Majesty made. Thank you, though! Instead, I have a suggestion. yes? The Ryukyuan Ministers face became very tense at the word suggestion. It wasnt free after all! What did you get? Territory cession? Or a hostage? Seeing the Ryukyu envoy swallowing dry saliva, Heohu conveyed Hyangs suggestion. I want to start a candy business when I return to your country. After candy was imported inrge quantities from the Ming Dynasty, candy consumption in Joseon increased rapidly. In this situation, as soon as the war between Joseon and Ming broke out, the first thing to show signs of hoarding was candy. Fortunately, candy was a national monopoly business, so the subversive movement was able to be curbed, but it was still a problem after the war. Although it is not possible to confirm whether it was an order from the Ming imperial family or not, Ming candy merchants began ying around with prices. Therefore, the empire needed a stable supply source, and the township wanted to use the Ryukyus as that supply source. Its a joint venture The Ryukyu envoy, who pondered Heo Hus words for a moment, immediately nodded. Its not a bad thing for our kingdom either. Rather, if the Joseon army, or even the imperial army, takes this opportunity to station itself, safety can be secured! There are also economic benefits! I will report this to His Majesty the King and get an answer. However, since it is beneficial to both countries, there will definitely be a good answer. Heo Hu smiled and responded to the envoys words. I look forward to it. Chapter 625 Episode 625: Their Choice (5) Not long after the Ryukyu envoy left, an envoy from Ouchi visited Joseon. This was quite unexpected. ording to the practice so far, Ouchi was the one who would have arrived first. Because of this, many words circted in the royal court. Isnt this really strange? Of course it is. While there were opinionsing from all over that it was suspicious, there were also opinions opposing it. Arent we being oversensitive? Thats right. Maybe its a littlete because something happened to them? Hwang Hee responded right away. Isnt it a question of what the circumstances are? Most of the subjects around him nodded at Hwang Hees words, regardless of whether they were for or against him. * * * For those living in Joseon, Jurchen in the north and Japan in the south were always objects of caution. Fortunately, the Norths Jurchen continued to be absorbed into Joseon through Gyeongjang, and as Joseon became an empire, great worries were alleviated. This was because it became a powerful part of the empire and became a citizen of the empire, so it was possible to use sticks and carrots without worrying about others. However, the situation was different in the Japanese country in the south. There was also the problem of having to cross the sea, and since the country was already established as one country, a justification was needed to crack the whip. This part also concerned the scent. The fact that justification is essential for waging war is the same now as it is in the 21st century! How much groundweed wasid when conquering Hemp Ind! During the conquest of Tsushima Ind in the first year of King Sejongs reign, Joseon lobbied the Japanese lords by paying huge bribes. It was to keep Joseon quiet when it attacked Tsushima Ind. For these people, the nightmare of the end of the Goryeo Dynasty and the beginning of the Joseon Dynasty was still vivid in their memories, so their wariness toward the Japanese Empire was at its highest. * * * The messenger from Ouchi who arrived in this situation was Norihiro Ouchi. Wee, Gadok (Ҷ). Thank you for your wee. Captain Foreign Minister. After a polite greeting was exchanged ording to etiquette, Norihiro got to the point. ording to the agreement we madest time, we would like to purchase 20,000 rifles and 2 million bullets, as well as 40 Eulsik freight cars and 10 million bullets. Lets prepare like that. At Norihiros request, Heohu nodded calmly. Norihiro, seeing Heohus positive reaction, soon got to the point. Captain Foreign Minister. Do you know the word license? You mean license? Doesnt that mean to avoid permission? In Korea, it has a slightly different meaning. It means permission has been given to do something. Is that so? Thats fun. Heo Hus words were sincere. Although the countries used the same Chinese characters, there were many words that seemed simr but were used with different meanings. But why did you mention license? Norihiro answered Huhus question right away. I would like to receive a license to produce Joseons Eulsik long guns and Eulsik boxcar ammunition. huh? Did you say you wanted to produce our empires Japanese rifles and Japanese wagons in Japan? yes. Why do you want to produce it? In response to Heohus question, Norihiro looked embarrassed and exined the reason. Even though it has been several years since the head of the family became the shogun and served the emperor, there are still many people who are not loyal to the shogunate. We are here to subdue them and make them obey. Of course, it is also good to purchase it from the Empire. However, since we cannot obtain the quantity we want on time, we are trying to obtain a license from the shogunate to produce it. To summarize Norihiros words, this was this. -There are more than one bastard weve beaten up, so where can we get this kind of nudge? Are you abusive? We make it because its dirty! Hmm Heohu, who was stroking his beard and thinking deeply about Norihiros words, came to a conclusion. This is not a matter for me to reach a conclusion on my own, so I will report it to Your Majesty. In response to Heohus answer, Norihiro nodded gently. Its natural. Here is a handwritten letter from the Shogun. Heohu, who epted the official letter that Norihiro politely held out, answered immediately. I will present it to Your Majesty. * * * The handwritten letter of Shogun Mochiyo, which came through Heohu, was inspected at the Seungjeongwon and then delivered to the governor. -I, Mochiyo Ouchi, general of the shogunate, write to the emperor of the Korean Federal Empire. Our Ouchi family and Joseon have been the best neighbors ever since the Empire existed in the name of Joseon. I, too, cannot hide my joy that our neighbor, Joseon, has be an empire like a dragon meeting a cloud and ascending to heaven. (omitted) If Your Majesty listens to my request, the good rtions between the empire and our Japanese country will continue for generations. In this way, the official letter sent by Mochiyo was written politely, giving Hyang the highest honorific title. Hmm its fun. That makes me even more worried. Everyone, please take a look. After reading the entire contents of the state book, Hyang handed it over to the eunuch. Starting with Hwang Hee, who had received the State Book through an internal official, all the ministers who attended the meeting examined the contents of the State Book. Hwang Hee, who checked the state records first, informed Hyang. It is definitely a national book filled with unprecedented reverence. However, it is not for nothing that there is a saying, Rate between right and wrong, so it is even more suspicious. At Hwang Hees words, all the ministers who checked the state records nodded. In the past, many personal letters were exchanged between the king of Joseon and the shogun of the shogunate. However, looking at those personal letters, it was a situation where they treated each other with respect, regardless of who was superior or superior. However, looking at the official letter sent by Mochiyo this time, the situation waspletely t. Therefore, the ministers were even more suspicious. In the past, even when Joseon sent a state letter to the Ming Dynasty, it was not like this. No matter how weak a country was, it was a matter of pride to bow down to this level. If you look at the examples of the past, the more polite you be, the more Japanese people be a people you have to be wary of. Hyang, who was nodding his head at Kim Jeoms words, pointed out the real problem. The most important thing is why the internal government is trying to further strengthen its armed forces. Heohu answered Hyangs question. It is true that many of the lords who opposed the Daenae family fell in thest war. However, there are quite a few people who have actually increased their power. If you listen to what Gadok said this time, it is clear that he is thinking of sorting them out. * * * In thest war with the Ming, Joseon and Ouchinded Japanese lords and their soldiers on the Ming maind. Many people, blinded by the opportunity to make a quick fortune, entered the Ming and plundered, and thanks to this, the Ming was cut off. The problem came after this. Joseon and Ouchi, having achieved all strategic goals, immediately withdrew from the Ming. Of course, they did not withdraw without saying anything. Joseon did not forget to notify them of the withdrawal date through Ouchi. The Ming army ran away as soon as it saw us! There is no need to follow Joseons advice! Are you going to listen to those Ouchi guys? However, due to the confidence they gained from seeing the Ming army that defeated them all, the wealth that umted every day, andstly, their antipathy towards Ouchi, they ignored Ouchis advice. This was their fatal defeat. As time passed, the Ming soldiers who came to their senses and even civilian warriors called the Murim people came forward and began to push them back. Having set out to sea to avoid the subjugation of the Ming army and the Murim people, they now had to deal with the Joseon navy and the Ouchi navy. As soon as Joseon and Ouchi withdrew, they dered those remaining in the Ming to be bandits and subjugated them. In this process, many lords who had animosity towards Ouchi fell, but there were also many who did not. There is no good will without reason! But if you dont send out troops, you will be used of being a traitor, and even if you are not used of being a traitor, it is certain that you will gradually decline. Some lords who were suspicious of Joseon and Ouchis intentions paid attention to the movements of Ouchi and Joseon even during the plundering process. In particr, when they saw that the Ouchi were eager to secure Ming craftsmen, they also swept up Ming craftsmen. And as soon as I received the notification, I immediately set off on my way home without any hesitation. Of course, they were upset as they paid a considerable amount of toll to Joseon, but they safely returned to their territory with a considerable amount of wealth and craftsmen. Afterwards, they heaved a sigh of relief when they heard through rumors the fate of those who had behaved foolishly, unlike themselves. The problem was that what happened afterwards was not very pleasant for Ouchi. Based on the wealth and craftsmen obtained from the Ming Dynasty, lords quietly implemented their own policies to enrich the country and strengthen the military. The hillbillies of Ouchi also took control of the world, so why cant we do that? The bloody smell of war began to creep in once again. * * * Hmm In response to Heo Hus response, Hyang stroked her chin and muttered to herself. Will the Warring States Period, which was thought to never exist, finally happen? Im not happy when I think about what impact the end of the Warring States Period had on Joseon Well, its not Joseon now, its an empire, and the situation haspletely changed, but I think its still better to avoid unnecessary bleeding. Especially when the Warring States Period bes longer as I learned, the variables be toorge. Hyangs biggest worry was thest problem. -It is impossible to guarantee what the future situation will be like after a long period of time has passed. If things continue like they are now, I have no worries. There was a high possibility that it would go downhill like the history of Rome after the period of the Five Sages. It could be torn to pieces. Hmm The ministers became restless as they saw the stiff, silent scent that waspletely different from their usual scent. what? Its kind of scary to be so silent! In the past, you would have made a suggestion right away or followed up with another question, but you suddenly did that Hyang, who had been silent for a while longer, as if he knew the expressions on the faces of the ministers, finally opened his mouth. The situation is not good. ording to what the Minister of Foreign Affairs said, if we do something wrong, there is a risk that civil war will break out again in Japan. Hearing Hyangs words, the ministers pondered Heo Hus remarks and nodded. Among the ministers who nodded, Min Shin, the new Minister of National Defense, opened his mouth. That is certainly true. However, it is also dangerous to allow domesticpanies to produce long guns and freight cars on their own. I am not sure how long they will obey us. Kim Jong-seo raised the main issue in response to Min-shins words. But isnt the problem that if they start a civil war, the sparks will spread to us as well? Afterwards, a war of words continued over the pros and cons. However, the opponents were more dominant than those in favor. Hyang, who was sorting out the situation while listening to the ministers war of words, finally came to a conclusion. I have made a decision. Hearing Hyangs words, the ministers closed their mouths and looked at Hyang. Hyang continued speaking to those ministers. Lets give the university the license it wants. Instead, lets move towards putting on a few shackles. Chapter 626 Episode 626: Their Choice (6) No, it works! However, before Hyang could continue his words, a fierce cry of opposition came out. Because it was such a harsh shout, all the attention of the Hyang and ministers was focused on the person who shouted. Lee Sa-cheol was the one who strongly opposed it. New Minister of Education, Lee Ja-cheol. I risk my life to speak to Your Majesty! We absolutely cannot ept their will! In response to Lee Sa-cheols earnest cry, Hyang became more interested and asked a question. No, it works? Lets hear the reason. In response to Hyangs question, Lee Sa-cheol answered the reason in a solemn voice. your majesty. The Japanese have a nature like that of a golden animal. No, not even Geumsuman can do it. If the beast causes one harm to a person, the Japanese add their cunning to that and cause ten or even a hundred damages. If those people produce a Japanese style rifle, where will the muzzle of the gun go? At first, they will eat it among themselves, but it is certain that they will eventually make their way to our empire! So, we must never give them the license they are talking about! Hearing Lee Sa-cheols words, Hyang looked around. Quite a few people seemed to agree with Lee Sa-cheols words. Seeing this, Hyang asked Hwang Hee. What do you think, Prime Minister? Hwang Hee was very nervous after receiving the question. This was because the tone of the scent hadpletely changed. Considering what has happened to that rich man so far, both unconditional opposition and unconditional approval are traps! In the end, Hwang Hee had no choice but to give an ambiguous answer. Not everything the Minister of Education says is right, but I think it is worth considering. It makes sense when you think about the damage the Japanese pirates have caused so far. Hmm Hyang nodded slightly at Hwang Hees words and turned her arrow at Lee Sa-cheol again. I will ask the Minister of Education. When studying the sutras, there are those who memorize what the teacher has told them, and there are those who search for answers on their own and realize the true truth through the teacher. Of these two, who do you think will learn more deeply? Im here. Then do you think those Japanese people wont take a look at us if we hand over our rifles? . They are the ones who dragged away arge number of Ming craftsmen in thest war with the Ming. Didnt you think that we would use those craftsmen to tear down the master-style long guns that we had handed over to us? And dont you think that those who have the knowledge and skills they have worked so hard to acquire will be even more fearful? . Lee Sa-cheols head lowered more and more as Hyangs harsh questions continued. Of course, there is no one who does not know that the disposition of the Japanese is cunning, faithless, and violent. So are we trying to make enemies of those who have already made peace with us? Why are we trying to increase the benefit of reducing even one enemy? Is that your loyalty? At Hyangsst question, Lee Sa-cheol fell t on the floor and shouted. No! Its just that they have not yet learned the virtue of sage and only know the words. Dont you know that many of the Japanese who were sent from Daenae have already learned from us and returned? And dont you know where this n came from? . Lee Sa-cheols mouth closed tightly again, and Hyang looked down at him with a pitiful expression. After a while, Hyang turned his gaze towards the ministers and opened his mouth. As the Minister of Education said, everyone knows that the Japanese are fierce and cunning. But where are the cunning people? It is human nature to use all kinds of tricks to gain ones own benefit. No matter how clever we were to hand over a long gun with its frame hidden, anyone with any sense would have ripped it open and examined its frame. Because I would have been like that too. The same goes for the request from this internal affairsmittee. Was that request made for no reason? We made that request because we had already inspected the guns we had given us and knew the difficulty of manufacturing them. So the right answer is for us to use this. If we refuse, as the Minister of Education said, it is only a foolish strategy that will increase our enemies. As Hyang finished speaking, all the ministers bowed their heads and answered. Your Majesty, what you said is truly right! Thats right! While they were bowing their heads like that, on the other hand they were ring at Lee Sa-cheol and cursing him with their eyes. Then what do you think the shackles are? Hyang gave a simple answer to Hwang Hees question. The first fetter is that Joseon will unconditionally produce bullet casings for Eulsik freight cars. Next, if you n to use first-generation paper cartridges for your Eulsik long gun, we also supply a base te with silver as the second shackle. Thirdly, the Daenaega emblem will be stamped on the barrels of the Eulsik long rifles and Eulsik freight cars produced by Daenae. If a long gun or freight car without this emblem is found, the government will definitely be held ountable. Finally, our empire will supply all the steel materials needed to manufacture Japanese-style rifles and Japanese-style wagons. Hmm All the ministers who heard the shackles mentioned by Hyang nodded. In the case of the first condition, width, it was a shackle that must be entered. Starting with the Ming Dynasty, many countries are trying to find a method of making silver, but the situation is still unknown. In other words, it was certain that the imperial army would always have the upper hand until other countries began producing too much silver. Of course, just because the width could be created did not mean that all situations would turn around. It was certain that unless powerful smokeless gunpowder, such as bombs and Deokgap-style gunpowders, were released, the imperial army would be at least half a step ahead. While there was such a positive response, Minister of Justice Hwang Bo-in pointed out a problem. It looks like the family will not ept the third shackles easily. This is because if done incorrectly, it could be considered interference in internal affairs. In response to Hwang Bo-ins criticism, Hwang Hee stepped forward on Hyangs behalf. No, I will ept it as a good thing internally. What did they mean by that strange word license? Didnt they say it was to suppress those who dont listen to them? On the contrary, if a smuggled gun without the emblem is released, it will be a very good cause for the internal world. But what if you are against it? In that case, it would be said that the general of the Daenai family is a fool. Ah Hwang Bo-in immediately agreed to Hwang Hees answer and closed his mouth. Next, Kim Jeom asked a question. Are you going to send the steel used in existing rifles and freight cars to be supplied domestically? Hyang answered Kim Jeoms question in a voice full of regret. In my opinion, I would like to give you something one grade lower than that. However, if we do that, the difference in performance will be so noticeable that it is better than not giving it at all, so we will provide it at the same level. Of course, looking at the current situation of the empire, they are using better steel than that As Hyang said, the empire was not stopping its research rted to iron. Thanks to this, the empires steelmaking technology continued to develop, and more diverse types of steel wereing to the market. Thanks to this, the gunpowder weapons equipped by the imperial army became increasingly lighter, stronger, and more lethal. * * * In the end, it was decided to follow the towns thoughts regarding the request to the internal affairsmittee. Hmm Come to think of it, I am the Minister of Education. Yes, Your Majesty. Please ask. Lee Sa-cheol tensed up and answered Hyangs call. It was because of what had just happened. Looking down at Lee Sa-cheol, who was very nervous, Hyang continued speaking. The Ministry of Education is in charge of the education and practical training of those sent to university, right? Yes, Your Majesty. If the Daenaga n gains hegemony this time too. Raise the qualification standards for those sent domestically. If your existing qualifications were sufficient to the social school level, then raise them to the middle school level. In return for this, the scope of practical training will be raised from the existing clerk level to administrative officer level. yes? Lee Sa-cheol looked at Hyang in surprise at Hyangs words. Lee Sa-cheol, who held back what he wanted to immediately refute, did his best to choose his words and asked Hyang. I am so foolish that it is difficult for me to urately count Your Majestys sacred ground. So, please exin in a little more detail. Tsk! As soon as Lee Sa-cheol finished speaking, a scent filled his tongue, and Lee Sa-cheol and the ministers around him were stung. Its finally out! Ah-oh! I think Im going to feed that person a bowl of Chongmyeongtang! But I dont understand either. The scent that caught my tongue was exined in more detail. If you are at the social school level, you are in a hurry to know the words of the old sage, but if you are at the middle school level, isnt it enough to think about what the sages words mean? Thats right. Thats why Im telling you to raise your level. If we do well, we will be able to relieve the poison in the Japanese country. The description of the scent was as follows. C The current goal of the DaeNaega is centralization like an empire. C Even if those who came from Japan to learn practical skills reach the mid-level executive level, they will be able to improve their level ofpletion even further than they are now. C In this process, those who learned and returned from the empire will be the core of power, and many people will follow their example and learn and discuss the scriptures. In this process, the empire can aim for two things. C The first target will be to change the nature of the Japanese who value military force. C The second goal is for the Japanese country to fall into chaos again due to the contradictions of the Japanese shogunate. Hearing Hyangs words, Hwang Hee immediately started asking questions. Did you say it was a contradiction? exactly. Both the Ming and ours call the generals of the shogunate the King of Japan, but they are not the real kings, are they? Heo Hu immediately responded to Hyangs point. There is definitely an emperor in Japan. In response to Heo Hus answer, Hyang nodded and continued speaking. Thats right. Although they call him the King of Japan, if you really look at it, he is a shogunate general who serves the Emperor and receives his orders. ording to the records left by envoys who traveled to Japan in the past, the nobles of the Gong family, who served the emperor,pared the generals of the shogunate to Emperor Wu of Wei or the great-grandfather of Tang. Hyang suddenly stopped talking and clicked his tongue again. Tsk! I wonder how far the conversation would have gone if our envoy was not there! As soon as Hyang finished speaking, the ministers faces hardened. If there is one thing inmon between Emperor Cao Cao of Wei and Emperor Gao of Tang, Li Yan, they were all people who established a scarecrow emperor and controlled the government. And this was an issue that Taejo Lee Seong-gye could also be connected to. Because of this, the faces of all the ministers in Daejeon stiffened. These damned bastards need to be punished right away Hwang Hee, unable to control her anger, swore without even realizing it. Seeing Hwang Hee like that, Hyang smiled and continued speaking. Heh! This is just a guess, so lets not make predictions. In any case, because there is such a fundamental contradiction, the learning of the Japanese must be deepened. If that happens, the Japanese nation will fall into self-destruction. Its a question of who your loyalty is for. From top to bottom, is it entrepreneurship or lottery? If we do it right, we will be able to divide the Japanese nation into four divisions without getting our hands dirty. The ministers who heard Hyangs exnation seemed to have a vision of what was going to happen. If Ouchi achieved a certain degree of clear centralization and gained public support, there was a very high possibility that those who advocated a revolution, led by Confucian school officials, would emerge. If that happened, it was certain that a conflict would arise with those who advocated the preservation of the emperor. In another case, after Neo-Confucianism was fully established, there were people who saw Ouchis rise to power as the rise of a loser and argued for the reinstatement of the emperor. Even if this were to happen, it was obvious that Japan would fall into chaos. Hwang Hee, who had been thinking that far, nced back at Kim Jong Seo. Kim Jong-seo looked at Hwang Hee with sparkling eyes. If you do this well. Chapter 627 Episode 627: Their Choice (7) With sparkling eyes, Kim Jong-seo told Hyang his thoughts. your majesty. As Your Majesty said, it would be a truly good thing if the Japanese nation were to be divided. In that case, I think it would be good to give power behind the scenes to the lords who have strong antipathy towards Lady Daenae and who are powerful in their own right. Hyang shook his head at Kim Jong-seos remarks. Its not that I didnt think that way, too. But even though it looks good, its a bad idea. This is because properly growing the military requires proper support, and providing support means increasing capabilities. The ministers did not immediately understand Hyangs words. However, as time passed, Minshin and Kim Jeom immediately let out exmations. ah! At the reaction of the two people, Hyang smiled slightly and opened his mouth. Tell me about the left deputy prime minister first. yes. Kim Jeom cleared his throat for a moment at Hyangs words and then opened his mouth. Increasing capabilities means enriching the nation and strengthening its military. The ministers nodded at Kim Jeoms words, but on the other hand had an expression of So what? Seeing the expressions on the ministers faces, Minshin intervened. It is not an invasion by a foreign enemy, but a civil war. Even if there is a loss of soldiers, wont most of the people who are in charge of maintaining the situation survive? What that means is that we will enrich the Japanese nation with our wealth. ah! As soon as Minshin finished speaking, the ministers let out loud exmations. Hyang muttered to himself at the sight of the ministers like that. The Japanese invasions of Korea were caused by the capabilities developed during the Warring States Period. Is it just the Imjin War? Even in the ensuing civil war, it was that big of a deal! Japan lost approximately 170,000 troops in the Japanese Invasion of Korea and the Japanese invasion of Korea. And in the civil war that followed, a huge amount of troops were mobilized. For example, in the Battle of Sekigahara, the troops mobilized by both sides totaled about 170,000 men. It was only two years after the end of the Japanese invasions, and the troops consumed during the invasions were replenished. This was evidence that Japans capabilities were capable of handling that much. * * * After confirming that the ministers understood, Hyang continued. As the Left Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of National Defense said, nurturing our internal enemies will result in enriching the Japanese with our wealth. If we assume that Japans capabilities are currently at 10, the domestic market would upy at least 6 or 7. In such a situation, in order to increase our capabilities to the point where we canpete with the internal government, we need to help at least 4 to 5 people, and to increase our chances, we need to support at least two or three lords. If we set the number of lords to be supported at three and increase it to about five, how much wealth would we have to invest? I think at least 12 to 15. Then, Japans capacity will increase from 10 to 22 or 25. No, we will also increase our internal and external capabilities, so the scale will be evenrger. There will be losses in the future due to the dispute with Daenae, but the remaining capacity will still be 17 to 20. Keep that to a minimum. In that sense, we will be doubling the capabilities of the Japanese nation by investing our own wealth. Dont you think its a nonsense that will go down in history? I learned about and saw such nonsense in the 21st century. * * * After the United States in the Vietnam War and the Soviet Union in the Afghanistan War in the 20th century, the United States did something simr in Afghanistan in the 21st century. To enable the pro-US regime in Vietnam, the pro-Soviet government in Afghanistan, andter the anti-Taliban Afghan regime to take control of the country and maintain power, the United States and the Soviet Union provided enormous amounts of materials, weapons, and funds. The result was a miserable failure. * * * I apologize. Kim Jong-seo bowed his head at Hyangs words. But Hyang smiled and shook his head. no. I thought the same thing at first. Hyang exined his thoughts in more detail. Because of the problem I just mentioned, Im thinking about what happens after Daenae sorts everything out. If that happens, the possibility of rapid growth in Japans capabilities will be greatly reduced. While several ministers nodded at Hyangs words, Hwang Bo-in asked another question. your majesty. Considering the request we sent this time, wouldnt it be possible that the forces upied by the Dae Na Na family are smaller than we expected or that the situation is critical? I think it is reasonable to consider that possibility. To Hwang Bo-ins point, Heo Hu responded on Hyangs behalf. In such a situation, no matter how much I sent, it would not have ended with such a meager piece of government letter. And you will know more clearly by looking at Gadoks reaction when he heard His Majestys proposal. If the situation is as urgent as the Attorney General said, they will ept it right away without asking, but if not, they will postpone the decision. Hyang also nodded at Heo Hus answer. I think the same thing. Hyang paused for a moment, quenched his thirst with a cup of tea, and continued speaking. The point in time when the division I spoke of urred is 30 years, or 100 years, before it bes visible. Nevertheless, the reason I advocate for this n is because of the lessons taught by history. It was the same in the Spring and Autumn Warring States period, andter in the era when the Five Three Kingdomspeted, as well as in our Proto-Three Kingdoms period and the Later Three Kingdoms period. In the era of military rule, it ismon for people to be devastated by war, but on the contrary, it is alsomon for the government to prosper. This is because all those who seek hegemony pursue policies to enrich the country and strengthen its military. However, the person who has achieved hegemony seeks to eliminate the power ofpetitors other than his own. As a result, the total number of military forces is greatly reducedpared to the era of military leaders. And you stop paying attention to external circumstances. Its just festering inside without looking at the outside. Its the same when you look at the situation in Joseon after the Second World War and Japan after the Tokugawa shogunate was fully established. * * * When the Japanese invasions were in full swing and just before the outbreak of the Korean War, Joseon began to actively train artillery units. However, as time passed and the international situation began to stabilize, interest in national defense decreased. Afterwards, as internal problems became more serious as the period of power politics passed, it copsed due to the power of foreign forces. The changes in Japan were even more dramatic. In order to survive in the Warring States Period, Japanese feudal lords had active exchanges with foreign countries, especially the West. The introduction and rapid spread of rifles, as well as the poprity of Western-style armor known as Nanmangap, as well as the number of Japanese people who believed in Catholicism increased significantly. However, after the Tokugawa shogunate was fully established, exchanges with the West were greatly reduced. The countrys foreign policy became conservative, istion took hold, and Catholics were brutally persecuted and almost annihted. Nevertheless, because the situation inside Japan was stable, the swords of the samurai became decorative and the ethos of civil service became the trend. Then, Commodore Perry forced the door open, and the era of the shogunate came to an end. * * * Thats why I want to look at it for a long time. As Hyang finished speaking, all the ministers nodded. There is a saying, A hundred years is too short for a nation to rise, but its fall is an instant. However, although the moment of the countrys destruction is short, the time leading up to the countrys destruction is at least 30 to 100 years. So lets take a long look. This is good for us too. I think just one name for a country to constantly watch and be on guard is enough right now. The ministers responded to Hyangs words by bowing their heads in unison. Your Majesty, what you said is truly right! I believe it is best to follow the n your Majesty has in mind! In this way, policies against Ouchi began to be created based on the shackle n that the township hade up with. * * * That evening. At a giru in Dadong, ministers gathered and had a drinking party. While drinks were being exchanged and the gisaengs were singing, Hwang Bo-in asked Heo Hu. Captain. I just want to ask you one question. Tell me. From what your Majesty has said, is a reversal of revolution truly possible? Heo Hu answered Hwang Bo-ins question right away. Do you think its possible? No matter how little real power he has, the emperor is an entity that has been around for hundreds of years. Do you think the people of the country will ept it easily? Heo Hu emptied his ss and smiled slightly in response to Hwang Bo-insment. Jibong, have you forgotten what you just said? A person who lost all real power to the generals of the shogunate. Why is there a bacsh from the people of the country? ording to the information I have, I heard that only the people of Kyoto and nearby areas are loyal to the Emperor. It is said that people in other regions are more loyal to their lords than to the emperor. Still, its a little Think about your personality. And why would that monkey-like Daenaga of the Japanese Empire drag the Emperor out of Gyeongdo? Isnt this just an imitation of the way King Taejo did? Hwang Bo-in finally nodded at Heo Hus exnation. Heo Hu, who was looking at that scene, suddenly frowned. As I talk about the story of King Taejo, a thought suddenlyes to mind. Re-determining the posthumous names of previous kings has be a real headache. Heo Hus words also crumpled Hwang Bo-ins expression. As Joseon changed into the Korean Federal Empire, the posthumous names of previous kings had to be changed again. Originally, it should have been finished before the empire was dered, but the scent threw up a difficult problem. C Until now, the rules for determining posthumous names have followed those of China. But now that Joseon hase out of Chinas shadow under the name of the Korean Federal Empire, it must set its own rules. From the ministers point of view, they had to take on a difficult problem that they had never thought of. Thanks to this, the ministers were constantly looking into the norms of China, neighboring countries, and even the western region, and were pondering what would be best. * * * Two dayster, Heohu summoned Norihiro. Your Majesty came to an answer after much deliberation. ah! What answer did you give? Norihiro waited for the answer with an expression of half anticipation and half worry. Seeing Norihiro like that, Heohu opened his mouth. Your Majesty Norihiro, who heard the conditions of the incense through Heohu, looked embarrassed. Do you really have to ept those conditions? Your Majesty said this. It is certain that our empire and Japans continued peace is a good thing for both countries. However, maintaining standards is essential for mutual trust. Our shogunate has no intention of breaking faith with Joseon! Heohu responded to Norihiros protest with a slightly embarrassed expression. Of course, we dont know that either. But if you think about the past between us and the Japanese nation Heohu trailed off, and Norihiro, who looked even more embarrassed, cursed under his breath. Damn thieves! The thieves that Norihiro cursed at were Japanese pirates. Looking far away, Japanese pirates have been harassing the Korean Penins since the Three Kingdoms period. In particr, the raids by Japanese pirates that urred during thete Goryeo Dynasty and early Seon Dynasty were terrifying. Therefore, Norihiro had nothing to say in response to the indirect answer, Perfect trust is impossible. In the end, Norihiro had no choice but to defer the decision to Mochiyo. I understand. I will report this to the Shogun and receive an answer. Authors words. hello? This is Gukppong, who writes ck Enterprise Chosun. This is finally thest year. Thank you so much for loving ck Enterprise Chosun again this year. In particr, I am grateful and sorry for showing me unchanging love even though there were frequent breaks due to various incidents in the middle of the series. In the new year, I will do my best to write a more interesting ck Enterprise Chosun without taking a break. We wish you a happy new year. Posted with soup. Chapter 628 Episode 628: Their Choice (8) The 31st year of King Sejongs reign and the first year of Hyangs reign. Just as autumn was approaching, envoys from the Kingdom of Yugu arrived in Seoul again. After unpacking their bags at the guesthouse, they smelled incense and continued their meeting with Heo Hu at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building. okay. What decision did your King make? The King of our country said this. The joint farm n proposed by the Empire is very wee as it suits the interests of both countries. We also wee the Empires offer to provide weapons to our country. However, since our country is a small country, therge quantity that the empire offers to provide at a low price is too much or too little too little. Heo Hu asked again with an expression of surprise at the envoys answer. Then what quantity is enough? In response to Heo Hus question, the envoy swallowed his saliva for a moment and asked cautiously. If a joint-stock farm is built, will the imperial army be stationed in your country? Perhaps not so? Of course, the scale will have to be agreed upon with your country. But wouldnt there be a minimum size? I think its about one candle. Isnt one second too little? Heo Hu responded to the envoys concerns with a smile. One imperial army has 625 men, not 100. * * * During this period, the number of troops in Northeast Asia was usually around 100. However, in the case of Joseon, as lightening progressed, properly filled units were alwaysposed of five times the number of personnel. If the smallest organization, , started with 5 people, the higher organization was to be expanded while always following the rule of multiples of 5. Of course, the second-ss units in the rear were usually organized in double or triple units. If a war broke out and supplementary soldiers came in and new units were formed, existing soldiers would be senior and lead the supplementary soldiers. And this operating system paid dividends in thest war with the Ming Dynasty. * * * The envoy from Yu Guguk responded to Heo Hus answer with a bright face. ah! So how about three seconds? Heohu responded to the envoys suggestion by stroking his beard. It would be a good idea to discuss that with our countrys Ministry of National Defense. Then why did you ask that? Isnt it true that military expenses require a lot of money? Our country is a small country, so excessive military spending causes difficulties for the country. The envoy stopped talking there, but Heo Hu could tell what the envoy was thinking. So youre saying youre going to lean on our shadows. Hmm Heohu, who realized the reapers intentions, snorted and did the math in his mind. The situation is not urgent enough to force us to sell weapons to Yugu, and the Japanese government is also keeping an eye on us, so it will be okay. Aftering to a conclusion, Heohu nodded. I know what you mean. So, how much quantity do you want for your country? The first thing I requested was 1,000 Japanese rifles and 10 Japanese boxcars. huh? In response to the envoys answer, Heo Hu briefly made a question. The quantity requested by the envoy now was reduced by almost 1/4 from the quantity requested during the second visit. Heo Hu wanted to ask the reason, but changed his mind when he saw the grim reapers face with an expression that said, Please dont ask me the reason. I understand. Then lets talk about cooperative farming next. yes. Regarding the joint farm that followed, Yu Gu-guks proposal was significantly beyond Heo Hus expectations. Yugu-guk rmended the area near Shuri Castle, where the royal pce is located, as the location for the farm. What is the Nahwa (now Naha City) area like here? Because it is a low hilly area, it is good for farming and has strength so it is good for water management. And the port is nearby, so its good for waiting for ships. Its okay. But the pce is just a stones throw away. Will it be okay? Can the empire ever abandon its faith? Thats right Heohu trailed off. The location is so good! The issue that arose in the talks that followed was that the empire would directly manage the wages paid to those working on the farms. This is the same policy that our empire implements in Japan. But the situation in our country is different from that in Japan. The empires policy is the same. The envoy had to take a step back at Heo Hus firm answer. I understand. Heohus eyes sparkled at the envoys answer. what? Are you just epting this? Without even asking his king? After that, the talks continued smoothly. Since all the important issues have been decided, I will submit it to Your Majesty and get approval. Then when will the supply of weapons be possible? It will be supplied as soon as we receive approval, go to the Yugu Kingdom, andplete the signing of the agreement. In response to Heo Hus answer, the envoy from Yu Guguk stood up and prayed earnestly. I ask Your Majesty to be gracious and grant approval as soon as possible. I will do my best. Heo Hu, who was looking at the envoy from Yugu State groveling, got up from his seat and headed to a bookshelf on one side. Lets see the report on the situation in the Yugu Kingdom * * * That evening, at a gathering of major ministers and vice ministers, Hyang, who received Heo Hus report, thought for a moment and then asked Heo Hu a question. Is the situation in the Yugu Kingdom still unstable? With the quantity requested by the envoy today, it appears that only the royal guards that protect the king will be able to arm it? Heo Hu immediately responded to Hyangs point. ording to the report received by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this is exactly what Your Majesty thought. The previous king, King Shohashi, ended the Three Mountains Period, but there are still a significant number of nobles who are willing to challenge the kingship. Hwang Hee, who was listening to Heo Hus answer, opened her mouth. Are you nning to write a letter from Hu Jiahou Wei? Heo Hu nodded to Hwang Hees question. That is most likely. Hwang Bo-in intervened in Heo Hus answer. If you say you are so insecure about the royal authority, why did you ask for 4,000 Japanese-style rifles and 30 Japanese-style wagonsst time? Kim Jong-seo responded on behalf of Heo Hu to Hwang Bo-ins point. The intention was to distribute it to the nobles of the Geunwang faction. However, since our empires military is stationed there, they are probably only asking for supplies to be provided to the Royal Guard. At Kim Jong-seos answer, all the ministers and ministers nodded. After hearing Kim Jong-seos answer, Hwang Bo-in shook his head. Anyway, thats true. Youre trying to rely on another countrys army this is it Hyang muttered to himself when he saw Hwang Bo-in like that. Then the country was ruined. You dont have to go far. But if you do this wrong, wont the Yugu version of Agwan Pacheon (^w) ur? They tried to take advantage of foreign powers, but ended up getting swayed Hmm. So is it Han Gwan Pacheon (n^w)? ah! It leaked to the side again! Hyang, who was about to go down a side road, held back and made a decision. If they n to use us as door-to-door escorts, we can use them too. When a joint venture is dispatched, farmers and artisans are sent to study efficient sugarcane cultivation methods and candy making methods. And if we get good results, lets proceed with the project in earnest in the southwestern province. * * * Southwest Province was the imperial name of Eastern Province (present-day Taiwan) obtained after winning the war with the Ming. As the Southwestern Province and the neighboring Pyeongho Inds came into the territory of the empire, the empire gained the best transit point. This was the tragedy of Yugu. Before the Civil War, Yugu had solidified its position as a stopover on the route to and from Joseon. This was because the construction of a port in Dongbeon was blocked by Emperor Seondeok. Yugu was also having fun with the taxesing from trade ports and the profits earned through intermediate trade between the Ming and Japanese countries. However, with the Empire taking control of Dongbeon, there was no need to transit through Yugu except in unavoidable cases such as encountering a typhoon. Of course, right now, the process was to build a port and appease the nearby indigenous people. However, it was clear that the moment the process ended, the value of the relics would drop significantly. * * * The process of imperializing the southwestern provinces was also quite unique. Rather than using force or neglecting it altogether like the Ming or European countries, they used both sticks and carrots at the same time. First, a monopoly was set up to conduct trade and to familiarize people with the imperial goods and imperial currency. Afterwards, the n was to attract indigenous people into the empire by providing jobs and improving living facilities. In some ways, it is simr to what the Japanese imperialists implemented. The Japanese imperialists who obtained Taiwan from the Qing cleverly implemented a Japaneseization policy. It implemented policies such as building modern social infrastructure and reorganizing the education system. Thanks to this, we have be a representative pro-Japanese country. But the scent added a little spice. -If you receive the proper education provided by the empire and your abilities and qualifications are recognized, you will be appointed as an official! And we will treat you equally with the people of our empire! There were no ministers who opposed the announcement. No, on the contrary, it was a situation of active support. This was thanks to the experience gained while incorporating indigenous people in the Jurjin region and Daeseoldo Ind. Local people know the local situation best! So, you should use it properly! The truth is that you shouldnt work overtime if you dont have to! * * * Hyang continued speaking. The Southwestern Province is not merely useful as a transit point. Looking at the climate of the southwestern province, the winter is short and not cold, so it is said that it is easy to grow two or three crops. We must take advantage of this to maintain a stable food situation in the empire. Thanks to the flood control project that has been carried out since the early days of Gyeongjang, the number of poor harvests has decreased significantly, unlike in the history before the intervention of the local government. In addition, the food situation was quite stable until just before the promation of the empire, as arge amount of rice was imported from the Gangnam area of the Ming Dynasty to prepare for food shortages. However, as the northern region was incorporated into the empires territory, a warning light came on. This was because the climate in the north was not suitable for agriculture. In order to properly digest the northern regions of the empire, the first thing that had to be done was to resolve the food situation in the northern regions. To this end, the empire actively imported food from Daewol and Seo as well as the Gangnam region of Ming. However, the governor and ministers all knew very well that this was a stopgap measure. It was a problem right from the Gangnam area. If the distribution of grains had not been blocked due to the disruption of the Grand Canal leading to the north, the empire would not have been able to obtain grains from Gangnam of the Ming Dynasty. Id rather feed it to pigs than sell it to the Koreans! While saying this, there were quite a few merchants who actually used it as fodder or distributed it to beggars for free. There was the problem of distance between Daewol and Seom. King Sejong was well aware of this problem, so he brought Shinjis grain seeds and farming methods with him on his way back. It has flowers that look like sorghum, and the seeds of the ears arerge and good. What King Sejong brought was corn. huh? Is it very different from the corn I used to know? It tastes a bit Hyang, who only remembered the taste of corn that had gone through countless seed improvements, sent the seeds that Sejong had brought to a seed research institute. Since the climate of the newnd and the mainnd are different, lets improve the seeds to be suitable for the mainnd and the northern area! Chapter 629 Episode 629: Their Choice (9) Because of these intentions, Hyang immediately approved the negotiation n submitted by Heo Hu. The envoy of Yu Gu-guk, who judged that he had achieved the best result, raised his voice and bowed to Hyang. Hwang Eun is devastated! Our country will never forget Your Majestys grace and the Empires good will. The trust between our two countries willst forever! I hope so too, Jim. It will definitely happen! The envoy bowed deeply to Hyangs words and pledged once again, walking backwards and leaving Geunjeongjeon. The envoy who left Geunjeongjeon tried to get a confirmation once again from Heo Hu, who had apanied him to see him off. The weapons and garrison troops that the empire decided to support will definitelye, right? exactly. Again, once the agreement is properly signed through our countrys envoy apanying the stationed troops, work will proceed as soon as possible. However, if the signing fails, our country will return on the spot. The messenger immediately responded to Heo Hus words. That will never happen! You must do that. * * * Not long after the return of the envoys from the Kingdom of Yugu, the empire also began to move in earnest. This movement naturally attracted the attention of foreign merchants and officials staying at the Mokpo trade port, and reports were sent to their respective home countries. In this process, a strange consensus began to form among foreign officials staying at the trade port. -There is a need for officials in charge of diplomacy to reside in Seoul, the capital of the empire. Until now, a small number of officials were stationed in Mokpo, a major trading port. Of course, although they were called officials, most of them were interpreters, not high-ranking officials who had their own right to make decisions. Although there were interpreters in the empire, it was because deploying interpreters from their own country who could speak the imperialnguage could reduce losses even a little. * * * It was toward the end of Gyeongjang that interpreters from other countries began to be stationed at trade ports. This was when Joseon began to show its presence as an emerging powerhouse in international trade. As a result of King Sejongs active eptance of Hyangs proposal at the time, the Saeokwon trained interpreters who could speak thenguages of countries trading with Joseon in addition to the Ming and Japanese countries. The newly trained interpreters were very different in character from the existing interpreters. They were not only responsible for simple interpretation, but were also highly educated in the knowledge of the culture andws of the country. And the interpreters trained in this way yed an active role in maximizing Joseons interests not only at Mokpos trade port but also at trade ports in other countries. And other countries, seeing this, began training interpreters who learned the Koreannguage. And the interpreters trained in this way stayed at the trade port in Mokpo and helped the merchants in their country withmercial transactions or intervened when disputes arose. * * * The governments of each country that received the interpreters documents containing these contents began to seriously consider this. Regardless of East or West, it was extremely rare for countries bordering each other to have good rtions. And Joseon, which had bowed down to the Ming Dynasty, changed its name to the Korean Federal Empire and became the strongest power in the region, but it also became a supply line for thetest weapons. Therefore, it was necessary to find out as quickly as possible what was going on between the empire and other countries, especially countries with which it was not on good terms. To achieve this, it was necessary to have an official of a certain level stationed at the headquarters of the empire, even in the capital. Countries that reached this point began sending envoys to Seoul to negotiate on this matter. * * * Meanwhile, Norihiro, who had just arrived at the Waegwan in Busanpo, gained appetite after hearing rumors about the various events that had taken ce between the Yugu Kingdom and the Empire. Oh my Im a stepte. Morimi, the previous head of the family, Mochiyo, and Norihiro, the current shoguns of the family shogunate, had a long-cherished wish to leave Japan from Japan. This was not a simple idea of breaking away from the outdated, backward Japanese state that had continued until now and bing a developed nation like Joseon. The n was to throw away the old ways, establish a strong central government, and then expand its power like Joseon to be a great country. To achieve this, centralization, which was the first thing to be done, was almost finished with the establishment of the shogunate. Since there were still quite a few arrogant people who rebelled against them, they were negotiating with the empire to suppress them. Once the internal organization waspleted, the government would begin to strengthen its power in earnest and expand its influence outside of the Japanese Empire. The problem was that the Ryukyus were absolutely necessary for this external expansion to ur properly. To the Japanese nation, Ryukyu had value beyond a simple transit point. It was because of an unexpected weakness that the Japanese Empire had. The Japanese countrycked the technology to buildrge ships. And because of this problem, there was no navigational skills capable of long-distance voyages. Although there was a Gyeonmyeong ship that carried envoys from Japan to the Ming, its size was smaller than the ships operated by Joseon or Ming at the same time. However, the Ryukyus, which traded not only with the Ming but also with Southeast Asia such as Daewue and Seo, had the technology to buildrge ships and long-distance navigation skills. Therefore, the Japanese government had to acquire Ryukyu. However, before the Japanese government could do anything, Ryukyu fell into the shadow of the empire. Norihiro, who was licking his lips with regret, spit out a harsh Korean swear word. Fuck! Damn Shimazu bastards! * * * Norihiro, who came up to Seoul by train from Dongrae, visited Geunjeongjeon and offered his greetings to Hyang. Thank you foring. I hope you get good results. Hwang Eun is devastated! Norihiro came out with a sigh and continued his talks with Hu Hu at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. So, has there been a conclusion? In response to Heohus question, Norihiro cautiously opened his mouth. yes. In the grand scheme of things, you have concluded that it is reasonable to ept the empires proposal. Big frame? When Heohu frowned slightly, Norihiro continued speaking. The license fee is too high! charge? A Japanese rifle costs 2 imperial silver coins, and a Japanese freight car costs 10 imperial silver coins per door? Do you know how much a new one costs? Of course, it is much cheaper than buying a new product, but dont you have to pay money to buy the steel needed to make rifles and freight cars, as well as the copper tes filled with ignition powder? You need to think about that too! In response to Norihiros protest, Heohu asked back with an indifferent expression. How much does it cost to make that much steel in the country? No, can you make it? . Norihiros mouth closed at Huhus point. * * * Heo Husment was a painful one. It was a known fact that Japans iron-making technology was one to two generations behind that of the Ming and Joseon Dynasty. Contrary to that fact, the excellence of Japanese swords was also famous in China and Joseon. However, this was a luxury item made with great effort by the swordsmith, and mass production was absolutely impossible. Therefore, these excellent Japanese swords were only avable to famous samurai and feudal lords, and most warriors or ordinary soldiers had to fight with low-quality Japanese swords or spears. Because of this background, the master of the Ouchi family was impressed when he saw the Joseons chief gun brought in for the battle against the Muromachi shogunate. Its a weapon given to tens or hundreds of soldiers, but the quality of the steel is this good! I cant believe steel, which is perfect for making famous swords, is somon! In the end, Ouchi, once again realizing their backward technological level, devoted all his energy to kidnapping craftsmen from the Ming Dynasty during the war between Joseon and the Ming Dynasty. Even though he did his best to bring craftsmen and their families from Ming Dynasty to Japan, Shogun Mochiyo could not be happy. C In order to make high-quality steel inrge quantities, you need high-quality ore, high-quality firewood, and skilled craftsmen. But now all you have is skilled craftsmen! C The issue of ore is firewood, even if you use private railways! Mass production is impossible with charcoal alone! Mochiyo could not help but let out a long sigh at themon answer given by the craftsmen brought in from the Ming Dynasty. Then we have to find it. Eventually, ording to Mochiyos orders, the prospectors directly under the shogunate and the troops to guard them were dispersed to Honshu and Kyushu. During this process, feudal lords who rebelled against the Ouchi shogunate carried out sabotage operations, and as a result of a chain reaction, Ouchi promoted licensed production of Japanese rifles and freight cars. This is what happened already! Lets wipe it out! * * * But the license fee is too expensive! Considering the high quality and rarity of things like iron and sparkler, it can be said to be a reasonable price, but I think it is excessive to ask you to pay such a high price for a rifle and a few drawings of a freight car. At Norihiros words, Heohus expression turned fierce. How many blueprints? How many did you say? Heo Hu growled in an extremely angry voice. Since Gap-sik is followed by Eul-sik, does it seem like a simple continuation? Do you know how many craftsmen worked hard to create that one design? No, not only the craftsmen but also His Majesty, who was the Crown Prince at the time, put all their effort into it! But there are only a few! To tell the truth, the Hyang at that time enjoyed the time very happily. Its the truth. Anyway, Heo Hu was so angry that he jumped up from his seat and stretched out his arms toward the door. Get out now! There will be no further discussion about licenses! Surprised by Heohus order to congratte the guests, Norihiro fell t on his seat. Im sorry! I made a mistake! Please calm down your anger! No matter how pro-German I am, if this negotiation fails, it will be over! If you do seppuku, youll be lucky, but at least its beheading! Get out now! Oh my goodness! The little man made a mistake! Norihiros desperate begging, even using the word small person, seemed to have worked. After taking several deep breaths to cool off his anger, Heohu strongly warned Norihiro. I will never again forgive any remarks that insult His Majesty. Please keep that in mind. I will keep this in mind! In a flurry ofmotion, Heohu waspletely overpowered, but Norihiro also persisted. Our country is a poor country. Please lower the license fee even a little. Then why not just buy it instead of making it yourself? There are still many ruthless people who rebel against the shogunate, so there is a lot of unrest. Uh huh~. How can you try to solve everything only through defeat? We must inspire them with good words and good deeds. Its impossible for them tomunicate with each other Heohu muttered to himself at Norihiros words. Are you talking about someone else? After a tedious tug-of-war, Heohu came to a conclusion that was not a conclusion. I will report this to His Majesty the Emperor and receive an answer. Please give me good results! Heohu responded to Norihiros words with a slightly embarrassed expression. As I said before, the Japanese rifle and boxcar are items that His Majesty also shows affection for Still, I would like to ask you a favor! Heohu, who sent Norihiro out, smiled and organized the documents. Chapter 630 Episode 630: Their Choice (10) The reason Heo Huughed was that the license fee part was a trap created for negotiation. Norihiro and the Japanese envoys who fell into that trap ended up paying only the license fee. When will you realize that skipping the steel and width parts was the worst mistake you could make? Contrary to Hu Hus sarcasm, Norihiro and the envoys choice was inevitable. -The level of steel itself is still far from being reced by Japanese technology, and ignition powder cannot be made at all. In particr, there is no substitute for the ignition agent part, even if it is worth the price. Because of this background, Norihiro and the Japanese envoys were persistent in demanding the portion of the license fee that seemed to have a chance. Since both sides had these circumstances, after a bit of tug-of-war, the license fee was paid in imperial silver coins for one rifle. It was decided that the price of a 1-nyang food wagon would be reduced to 7 imperial silver coins per car. Thank you so much! Great job! This blessing will never be forgotten by me or the shogunate! Seeing Norihiro bowing deeply and thanking Heohu, he waved his hand in response as if it was out of the question. I havent done much! All of this is just a conclusion drawn by His Majesty in the hope that the good faith between the Empire and the Japanese nation will continue! Your Majestys grace, Norihiro, will never forget! Afterpleting the consultation with the Japanese government, Heo Hu massaged his stiff neck and looked full of emotions. haha. At first, I didnt like this * * * In the early days, those who specialized in selling weapons to foreign countries were Kim Jeom, Park Jong-woo, and officials from the Ministry of Finance and Economy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was almost entirely responsible for receiving foreign envoys andmunicating with Kim Jeom and Park Jong-woo. As a result, words began to emerge within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. -It makes no sense for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be excluded from transactions between states! In the end, as soon as Mehmet II and Henrys party returned, Hu Hu came forward and insisted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs take charge of this task. What should I do? Kim Jeom answered Hyangs question right away. I think the Minister of Foreign Affairs answer is reasonable. Since it is a matter between countries, it would be right for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take charge of it. My only concern is that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not used to this type of transaction Kim Jeom paused for a moment and continued with a slight smile. That part will be easily resolved with the help of the Ministry of Finance and Economy. Hyang and Hwang Hee both broke into a cold sweat when they saw the smile on Kim Jeoms face as he answered like that. That man is angry! And this atmosphere was also felt by officials of the Ministry of Finance and Economy. We did all the hard work, but youre sneaking a spoonful of it? Hey you guys! I wont bother you with work! The officials of the Ministry of Finance and Economy who came together like that showed the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs what a bad sister-inw is like. No, youre going to peel it all off and show me? why? Its a matter between countries, so in order to build trust Same goes for your wife! The price is expensive? Thinking about what to do in the future, should we cut back a little more? hey! What country are you a subject of? Oh shit! Its not cheating, its just not telling! Ah, dont you know that its different?! While being harassed by the Ministry of Finance and Economy officials, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officialsined. Are we officials or businessmen? Why do we have to be criticized by those in the Ministry of Finance and Economy These guys dont even know about the foreign capital of diplomacy This was simr to Heo Hu. I dont know whether I am the foreign minister of this empire, a swindler, or a chatan. Kim Jeom responded to Heo Hus words with an expression that said it was no big deal. The national interest of the empire is at stake, so what if its a broker? And youre a chatan I swear Ive never told a lie? Of course, its true that I didnt tell you all the facts. If we think about the trust between nations. Ill say it again, I never told a lie. They just didnt tell us everything. But When Heo Hu expressed his objection again, Kim Jeom screamed. Did I do that out of my own self-interest? Its for the national interest. If its for your own benefit other than thefort of the empire, how about being a chatan or a chatan? But Have you forgotten what your predecessor, Vice Admiral Han Jae (Lee Maeng-gyun) was like? In order to trick the Emperor of Ming, he even starved himself and pretended to be sick! What have you learned! As far as I know, I heard something that Captain Hanjae said to you and the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before he graduated! What was that! To Kim Jeoms question, Heohu answered with a stutter. A person in charge of diplomacy must wear at least a thousand masks in order to protect the national constitution and national interests. He said. You say that even though you know that! Although they did their work while grumbling, it wasnt long before officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs became ustomed to the task of turning away envoys from other countries. However, psychological resistance still remained. Therefore, on the day when Japanese envoys were leaving, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs went to Gibang and had a drinking party. Its finally over! The trickery is over now! I got sick of hearing just the firstborn of a long gun, but thats over now! Is that really true? In response to a sudden question, external affairs officials searched for the person who made the problematic statement. Whats the problem! Im so excited, but Im hitting the candle! Colleagues poured out their criticism, but the official who made the controversial statement filled his ss with a somber expression. Did you forget? Theres still one left. huh? Where is left? Portugal. As soon as the word Portugal was said, all the surrounding Foreign Ministry officials threw their sses and swore. Holy shit! * * * Something simr was happening at the court of Lisbon, Portugal. The roar of Pedro, Duke of Coimbra, who resigned from his position as regentst year and took office as prime minister of the kingdom, resounded throughout the pce. Duke of Viseu! What on earth does that mean! Do you think the conditions demanded by Joseon or the Korean Federal Empire make sense? Despite Pedros reprimand, Henrik did his best to continue persuading him. But if you look at the performance of the long guns that the Empire will provide Stop talking about guns! Does it make sense to give up national interests because of those guns? Didnt you see that performance! * * * Henry, who returned to Portugal, presented 20 Japanese-style rifles and two Japanese-style wagons gifted from Joseon to King Afonso V. And on the day of the demonstration of the rifle and boxcar that were presented as gifts, King Afonso V, Pedro, and the Portuguese nobility could not help but be amazed by the overwhelming performance of the rifle and wagon. If we arm our soldiers with these weapons, we can resolve the sluggish war situation! If I were to describe the situation on the African front at this time in one word, it would be stagnation. Like Portugal, Spain and the Mamluks also used abination of musketeers and long spearmen in battle. Due to the sh of weapons and power of simr performance, the situation on the battlefield was a boring repetition of advancing and retreating. However, the new weapons introduced by the Empire seemed to be able to solve this situation at once. A breech-loading rifle that did not require standing to reload did not require protection from long spearmen and was certain to greatly increase the survival rate of riflemen. It wasnt just the survival rate that increased. The elimination of the need for pikemen wearing heavy armor and carrying long, heavy polearms greatly increased the mobility of musketeers and allowed them to use a variety of tactics. On the contrary, the Eulsikhwacha was the optimal means of inflicting fatal blows on enemies crowding in. Therefore, not only Pedro but also other Portuguese nobles and officials began to talk about importingrge quantities of imperial weapons right away. However, this atmosphere changed when Henry returned to the court and spoke about the conditions proposed by the empire. * * * okay! Performance is eptable! Still, werent the conditions set by the empire too high? I give it a 4/10! How is this different from stealing! Despite Pedrosments, Henrik continued his persuasion. If you only think about war, what the Prime Minister said is correct! But think about after the war! Whether itsying a railroad or digging a waterway, the empires help is absolutely needed! Thats it! Think of Ottoman! We are together now, but we need an empire to keep this rtionship going even after the war! Pedro fell silent at Henrys words, and nobles and officials also had different opinions and a war of words began. Eventually, as themotion began to grow, Pedro reported to Afons V. your majesty. Considering the gravity of this issue, I think we need to think more carefully and decide. How about giving the ministers and nobles some time to think? Afonso V, who was still young, immediately nodded to Pedros words. Thats how you do it. Pedro, who received permission from Afonso V, gave orders to the nobles and officials gathered in Daejeon. Lets adjourn here for today and meet again tomorrow. In the meantime, please think carefully about this matter. I look forward to hearing good opinions. At Pedros order, the nobles and officials paid their respects to Afonso V and his wife and left Daejeon. When all the nobles and officials, including Henry, left the pce, Afonso V asked Pedro. Prime Minister. I want to ask you something. Please ask. It appears that the Prime Minister had no particr objection to the public construction mentioned by the Empire. Is there a reason? Pedro immediately answered Afonso Vs question. As the Duke of Viseu said, it is because of the rtionship with the Ottomans after the war. If Portugal and the Ottomans of Florence are directly involved without construction, a conflict will inevitably ur. And if this conflict develops into an armed conflict, it is the Ottomans who have the greatest advantage. However, if the construction is created and profits are distributed from the construction, sufficient benefits can be obtained permanently while keeping Ottoman in check. Ah Afonso V nodded at Pedros exnation. But Pedros expression was not very good. Thats why Im worried. Im scared of an empire that can think like this. Then wouldnt it be right to ignore the Empires offer? ah! Is it because of Ottoman? Thats right. In the end, the best answer is to moderately reduce the empires stake and take that share for ourselves. The problem is that in order to do that, we have no choice but to open our hands to the empire. Whatever the oue, the empire will not suffer any loss. Thats why the empire is even more scary. Pedro couldnt bear to say anything. * * * Florence around the same time. Cosimo, who received Giovannis report, looked dejected and burst intoughter. ha ha ha! I thought there was no merchant who couldpete with Cosimo de Medici, but that was my pride! yes? I took a good hit. I took a good hit! ha ha ha! Cosimo, whoughed like that, looked refreshed and ordered Giovanni. You must return to the empire immediately and negotiate. Instead of saying that we, Florence, will actively cooperate with the empire, we ask them to reduce the empires share to 35/100 and secure the remaining 5/100 for us. Secretly, of course. yes? Cosimo continued his exnation in more detail. We provided military funds and mercenaries to Portugal, but overall, it is difficult to get arge sharepared to the Ottomans and Portuguese. Because those are the two countries that directly carried out the war. So, if you think about the future, you know that the construction the empire mentioned is a more advantageous proposal for us, right? yes. Giovanni nodded at Cosimos words. Cosimo, who had quenched his thirst with wine, continued. The biggest problem is that Mehmed II epted the empires offer. The fact that the person most likely to be the next sultan epted the empires proposal means that the remaining 6/10 should be shared between the three. In that case, no matter how hard we try, it will be difficult to get more than 1/10th of the stake. But if we can secure at least 15/100 for our share, we can extract the maximum benefit between the Empire and Ottoman Portugal. ah! After hearing Cosimos exnation, Giovanni immediately stood up. We will leave as soon as we are ready! Chapter 631 Episode 631 Now in Beijing. (1) While Joseon, which had been transformed into the Korean Empire and Federation, was busy preparing to take another leap forward, Beijing was noisy every day. Bang bang bang! Its already been a year since the war ended, and now were entering the second year! But it still looks like this! What happened! Gyeongtae Emperor Joo Gi-ok hit the table and shouted. In response to Emperor Gyeongtaes shouting, the ministers, including the assistant cab secretary, all bowed to the floor and bowed their heads. Please forgive the gods for their ipetence! If youre that ipetent, just give up your position and step down! Have you forgotten the advice the Emperor left behind? Or has he forgotten the humiliation suffered by Joseon, which was merely a vassal state! How could I have forgotten! But why is it like this! The ministers only bowed their heads in response to Emperor Gyeongtaes reprimand. * * * After thest war with Joseon, the situation of the Ming Dynasty was miserable. The biggest cause was that the waist of the Grand Canal was cut. Contrary to Joseons expectations at the time, the Ming Dynastys Grand Canal was severed at the waist, causing not hemiplegia but paralysis of the entire body. why? rmed by the fact that the situation had be more serious than expected, the Empire began to meticulously investigate the cause. The reason why this attention was paid was because if the chaos in the Central ins became more serious than expected, the direct damage would greatly affect the empire. The best example of that damage was the Red Turban Rebellion, one of the main causes that led to the fall of Goryeo. The northern and central regions of Goryeo were in shambles due to two Red Turban invasions at the end of the Yuan Empire. In addition, the invasion of Japanese pirates left the southern and central regions in shambles, causing the Goryeo imperial family to lose its ability to run the country normally, and Joseon was born. Of course, the situation ispletely different from then and now, but we must prevent preventable damage. youre right. And unlike before, we now have a river area that is wider than we imagined, so something simr can happen. We need to take a close look at each persons case ande up with measures in advance. The local government and ministers who reached a consensus mobilized various means. I began to carefully examine the cause-and-effect rtionship to find out why something happened like that. * * * As expected, the biggest cause was the cutting of the waist of the Grand Canal. As far back as Jinam, the Joseon army destroyed all the canals near Jinam and the waterways that supplied water to the canals. This was not just simple destruction, but explosives were used topletely destroy the water gates and embankments of important reservoirs. The characteristics of the Yellow River had a negative impact there. As befits its name, the Yellow River was full of all kinds of impurities. Therefore, even under normal operating conditions, sediments umting in the canal were periodically removed. However, due to the invasion of the Joseon army and the subsequent invasion by Japanese pirates, the canal waspletely unmanaged. To make matters worse, debris and sediments piled up in the destroyed facilities, necessitating several times more effort. If something like this had happened due to a natural disaster while the nations operational capabilities were normal, recovery would not have been a major problem. Of course, it would take a bit more effort, but under normal circumstances, it was easily manageable. However, the war with Joseon and the invasion of Japanese pirates made this a nearly impossible challenge. Arge number of men were conscripted as soldiers and moved north, and many of those who remained were killed by Japanese pirates or died fighting. * * * It was not the case that people just turned a blind eye to this situation and watched. Measures for efficient manpower mobilization had already been made since the time of Emperor Seondeok. The problem was the railroad. To increase efficiency, railways were used as the main means of transportation. It was a measure to enable rapid gathering and movement by using the circr railway and the Gyeonghang Grand Canal, which were divided into three across the Yellow River and Yangtze Rivers. However, the Japanese pirates who invaded the central Ming region destroyed all the iron tracks and steam lotivesid on the railway and shipped them to the Japanese country. Although it was not as good as Joseon-made, the quality of iron used in Mings railroads and steam lotives was of the highest quality in Japan. Therefore, the Japanese pirates pulled out not only the railroad tracks and steam lotives, but even the nails from the sleepers and transported them to the Japanese country. As a result, the Ming had to abandon much of the n established during the reign of Emperor Xuande and return to the traditional method of traveling on foot. This wasnt an easy task either. The central and northern regions of the Ming Dynasty were almost conscripted to fight the war with Joseon and prevent the Oirat in the north. And other regions in the central region, excluding the Midwest, were devastated by Japanese pirates. Most of the manpower mobilized for recovery had toe from the southern part of the Ming Dynasty. Fortunately, the southern circr railwaywork was intact, so people were gathered quickly, but crossing the Yangtze River was a problem. I took the cutting-edge Gyeonghang Grand Canal as far north as possible, but from there I had to travel long distances on foot. It was absolutely no easy task to move the 100,000 people mobilized in the first round on foot. Clothing and putting 100,000 people to sleep was a problem, but the biggest problem was feeding them. * * * Since the Southern Song Dynasty, the Gangnam area in the central ins has been famous as a granary. Thepletion of the Gyeonghang Grand Canal during the Yuan Empire and the Yongle Emperor of the Ming Dynasty was to transportrge quantities of Gangnams abundant food to the north. Emperor Seondeok divided the industrial structure of Gangnam and Gangbuk into two to take full advantage of the geographical characteristics of the central ins and the Gyeonghang Grand Canal. Gangnams traditional agricultural-centered structure was strengthened, and the area around Beijing and the north-central region was transformed into a manufacturing-centered area. This was not determined simply based on geographical characteristics alone. Emperor Seondeok, who considered the Oirat and Northern Yuan as well as Joseon as enemies, transformed Beijing and the northern central region into an industrial zone in order to quickly supply armament and strengthen thepetitiveness of the manufacturing industry. This had the positive effect of increasing efficiency in manpower supply and logistics movement, but it also had the disadvantage of being dependent on Gangnam for food supply. And with the invasion of Japanese pirates, that weakness was dealing a fatal blow. * * * As mentioned before, the Gangnam area of the Ming Dynasty suffered little damage not only from the war but also from the invasion of Japanese pirates. The problem was that with the Gyeonghang Grand Canal cut off, there was no way to sell food. The grain was rotting in the farmers barns in Gangnam, but in the area north of the Yellow River, a situation began to arise where grain could not be obtained even if several times more money was paid. At a time like this, merchants from the empire approached him offering to buy grain. Id rather feed it to pigs than sell it to the Joseon bastards! Some people used it as fodder, distributed it to beggars for free, and donated it to temples or temples, but many ended up selling grain to merchants of the empire. As this situation arose, merchants began to appear one by one, taking advantage of this to make huge profits. Grain was purchased at a low price from farmers in the Gangnam region and sold to the Gangbuk region at a multiple of the profit. Of course, this was illegal, and during the reign of Emperor Seondeok, not only the merchants family but also his surrounding rtives would have died. However, as the Gyeonghang Grand Canal was cut off and the imperial administrativework became arteriosclerotic, the seeds of corruption began to grow again. The people who elerated this pace of corruption were the so-called Murim people. * * * During the reign of Emperor Seondeok, the Murim people were purged for the crime of rebelling against the emperor and had to live while avoiding the eyes of the emperor. The reason why these martial people rose to the surface again was because of the raids by Japanese pirates. The Murim people, who took up the banner of loyalty, righteousness, and righteousness, distinguished themselves in battles against Japanese pirates. Emperor Gyeongtae praised the activities of the Murim people and gave them a considerable amount of rewards. Incited by this, martial artists appeared here and there. However, it was natural for those who showed up like this to turn into interest groups. The Murim people began to demand significant benefits in the process of protecting workers and supplies moving from Gangnam to Gangbuk. * * * The area devastated by the invasion of Japanese pirates was overflowing with wandering people. Since even the administrativework to rescue them was shattered, they soon transformed into a group of thieves. The Ming Dynasty, which had lost arge number of troops to Joseon and had to deal with the Oirat in the north with the remaining troops, needed time to select troops responsible for security. To buy time, Myeong reached out to the martial arts people. The same was true for merchants. Since the Gyeonghang Grand Canal was cut off, traditional methods had to be used to carry outmercial traffic between Gangbuk and Gangnam. You could load goods on a ship and travel by sea, or load goods on a cart and travel on foot. However, thend routes were crowded with wandering people who had turned into bandits, and the sea routes were full of pirates. After the Ming Dynasty navy was destroyed in thest war, the coastal sea route between Gangbuk and Gangnam became a frequent haunt of pirates. What even the pirates had no choice about was the Joseon Navy, and indeed the Imperial Navy, roaring in the open ocean sea routes and the coastal waters of Joseon, where a lot of money was actually made. It was better to destroy a merchant ship in the easy coastal sea route than to be a meal as soon as it was discovered. Because of this situation, merchants had no choice but to borrow the help of the martial arts people. And the public order became even more chaotic. As a market with enormous profits was created, fierce shes broke out among the martial arts people. The Murim people who formed a group called Jeongpane and Sapane began not only killing Murim members of the opposing faction but also attacking the upper level protected by the opposing faction. As this situation unfolded, what should have ended in hemiplegia worsened into full-body paralysis. * * * After organizing the situation, Hwang Hee reported to Hyang and added this. Although the Gyeonghang Grand Canal is the artery of the people, I think it is inevitable that it will have a great influence on the running of the country. However, it is difficult to understand the state of Myeong, who is on the verge of ruin. The other ministers all nodded at Hwang Hees words. After a while, Hwang Bo-in presented his thoughts. Is it because its a big country? It is not easy to properly manage such arge river area. Hwang Hee shook her head resolutely at Hwang Bo-ins words. These are officials chosen to properly manage that wide river area. It does not make sense. After that, various things were said, but no usible reason was given. After listening to the ministers words and organizing his thoughts, Hyang opened his mouth. It may be because there is no system of virtue. If you look at all the events that have urred in the Ming Dynasty so far, the hand of Emperor Seondeok was touched and his intentions were reflected in every part. But I think it happened because he failed to raise proper sessors and copsed. I believe what your Majesty said is most appropriate. Hwang Hee immediately responded to Hyangs words, and all the ministers nodded. The officer who recorded all of this added: C says the officer. I think what the Emperor said is extremely reasonable. The problem is that our empire must also think deeply about the issue of session. What kind of typing does an officer spend so long doing? What kind of editorial are you writing again? Oh no! Chapter 632 Episode 632 Now in Beijing (2) That evening, Hyang, who returned to Gangnyeongjeon and looked at the documents again, burst intoughter. If it were the current Ming situation, the Ming emperor would want to throw the emperor away, right? Hyangs joke was true. In the deepest part of the Forbidden City, at the shrine where the memorial tablets of past emperors were kept, Emperor Gyeongtaes mournful cries erupted every morning and evening. What should I do! Please give me an answer! * * * Peoples biggest problem was finances. In order to run the country properly, finances had to be sound, and for this to happen, revenues and expenditures had to be well bnced. However, after the war, a huge hole was left in the peoples revenue. As the Gyeonghang Grand Canal was cut off and most of the central region was devastated, it was impossible to properly return to the industrial zone in the northern central region. Another major source of tax was the granary area of Gangnam, but due to the merchants who took the lead in selling off the stalls, proper tax revenue was not generated. This was because taxes became a huge burden on farmers who sold grain at low prices. Gyeongtaeje, who was worried about how to pay the soldiers who maintained the northern front and the cost of clothing and feeding them, presented his own solution to the ministers. How about printing money inrge quantities? As soon as the Gyeongtae Emperors proposal came out, all the ministers, starting with the Cab Secretary, responded with one voice. Absolutely not! No, this is not going to happen! what is the reason! In response to Emperor Gyeongtaes cries, which were almost in a panic, the Cab Secretary exined the reason with a desperate expression. your majesty! Currency can only exist as currency if it can be exchanged for something of the same value as the amount stamped on it. With the current state of affairs, that is impossible! Nevertheless, if we print currency, a situation will arise where transactions are made based on the weight of the currency rather than by the value written on the currency! Ugh In response to the assistant cab secretarys protest, the Gyeongtae Emperor could only utter a groan. * * * The reason why the cab secretaries and ministers were able to rebel like this was because of the confusion caused by Gyocho (n) at the end of the Yuan Empire and the harmful effects of the Jijeon operated during the reign of Emperor Yongle. In thete Yuan Dynasty, the value of Gyocho, which had been excessively sold to cover increased war expenses and insufficient tax revenues, eventually plummeted in value, leading to price instability. In order to cope with the ever-rising prices, more and more bills were issued, and eventually even the conversion was suspended, leading to catastrophe. In the end, the high intion that led to the overuse of the teachings became one of the causes of the copse of the Yuan Empire. The same was true for the paper coins issued during the reign of Emperor Yongle. Because of the frequent expeditions of Emperor Yongle, therge quantities of coins issued devastated the Ming economy. Because of this precedent, the Ming Dynasty was very cautious in the management of currency. However, currency management was unavoidable. This was because there were many problems with receiving taxes in kind and operating the extremelyrge territory of the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, as an alternative to solve this problem, they began to promote a n to reorganize the sheep taxw that had been in ce since that time and pay taxes in silver rather than in kind. At this time, information came in that Joseon had seeded in operating its currency. And upon hearing this, Emperor Seondeok decided to actively manage the currency. It was more convenient to receive silver than in kind, but silver was also not an item that was easy to store and carry. However, banknotes were easy to carry. Although it was vulnerable to water and fire, what happened after it was released to the civilian poption could be treated as a personal misfortune and moved on. With the strong will of Emperor Seondeok, the manufacturing industry was actively fostered and currency was actively used, and the Ming economy entered a period of revival. This was the beginning of the golden age of Ming, whichter Chinese historians referred to as Xiandeokjichi (֮). * * * Even in the midst of actively managing the currency, Ming officials did not forget the lessons left by the Qiaoqiao and the teachings taught by Joseon. -For banknotes to survive, proper convertibility must be guaranteed. To keep this iron rule, the Ming Dynasty government diligently umted silver. It was secured by developing silver mines here and there in the central ins and receiving silver as payment for trade with other countries. By securing silver in this way, the safety of the money was guaranteed. However, unfortunately, the shadow of misfortune was cast darkly over his name as he lost the war that broke out due to the wrong choice of Emperor Seondeok, who opened the golden age of Seondeokjichi. It was issued inrge quantities to finance war expenses, and a huge amount of silver was withdrawn to pay war reparations requested by Joseon. * * * Then what do you think is the right thing to do? The Cab Secretary immediately answered Gyeongtaes question. It may take a long time, but we have no choice but to get there. degree? We need to increase the amount of mining at silver mines across the country and at the same time, manage them thoroughly to prevent the crime of silver being stolen by wrongdoers. We must also reduce indiscriminate expenditures by adhering to the principle of proportional expenditures. After hearing the Cab Secretarys answer, Economic Affairs immediately pointed out the problem. Adjusting expenditures in line with revenues is certainly a good thing. But considering the current situation, it is difficult to keep that statement. Restoration of the Grand Canal is a problem right now, but wont it take more time? The longer the restoration of the canal is dyed, the longer the normalization of tax revenues will be, wont it? We must reduce the countrys household expenses. We are still in a situation where we have reduced it to the point where it is reaching its limit. Do you know what Jims meal is like now? It almost looks like the dining table of a vige farmer. Do you think there is any more to reduce? Whats left is rted to national defense, but youre not unaware of the situation in the North, right? In response to Emperor Gyeongtaes question, the assistant cab secretary swallowed dry saliva and continued speaking. I risk my life and report this to Your Majesty. I will listen. Speak. I think we should seek peace with the North. Reconciliation? Reconciliation! Gyeongtaejes voice that followed was full of sharpness. Is the current situation in the North because of us? Isnt this situation happening because those evil Oirats are targeting our north? But make peace?! Do you not know how much loss we will suffer if that happens! I know. But in the current situation, reconciliation is the only answer. What they want from us is not our territory. This is because of the trade taxes we collect from their merchants and restrictions on the items we can trade. If we lower or abolish trade taxes and open trade to almost all items except gunpowder, they will immediately agree to peace. If peace is achieved in this way, the overly deployed troops in the north can be reduced and the manpower thus secured can be returned to the recovery site. Its not just the recovery site. We can deploy sufficient personnel to the silver mine and the transportation route I mentioned earlier. Hmm Seeing that Gyeongtaeje was suppressing his anger and listening to his words, the assistant cab secretary added more force to his voice. Our current situation is a difficult time. In order to ovee these difficult times and avenge Joseon, which calls itself an empire, we must not only endure the insults of the gods, but also endure the humiliation of passing through someones crotch. When the old story rted to Han Xin, the famous general of the old Han Dynasty, was mentioned, Emperor Jing let out a long sigh. Whoa~. Do I have to suffer humiliation once again? I could onlye up with this based on my weak beliefs. In response to the assistant cab secretarys answer, the Gyeongtaeje turned to the others. Emperor Gyeongtae looked at the ministers who bowed their heads in silence and let out a long sigh. Whoa~. Please make a more detailed n. I follow your orders! Seeing that Emperor Gyeongtae was taking a step back, Ho Bu Sang Seo stepped forward. I risk my faith and life to report this to Your Majesty. I will listen. Speak. If we look at the current situation of the people, many people are suffering due to some unscrupulous merchants. Emperor Gyeong-tae sighed again and responded to Ho Bu-sang-seos words. Jim also reads the appeal and knows. I heard that there are a lot of people who make profit in the middle. I want to kill them all right now, but the situation is not conducive, so its just a pity. In response to Gyeongtaejes reply, Hobusangseo immediately received the message. If peace with the North is reached, this can be resolved. Some of the troops returning from the north will be mobilized to punish them. If you do this, you will be able to make up for all the hardships andck of finances to some extent. huh? Hearing Hobu Sang-seos words, Emperor Gyeong-tae straightened up and his eyes lit up. However, the brother-inw presented a counterargument. If you do something wrong, innocent people can be harmed by false usations! Despite opposition from Hyeongbu Sangseo, Hobu Sangseo did not back down. It is a damage that can be endured in order to escape from difficult times. And those who will do anything to get even a penny more profit are merchants. How many innocent people are there? Just looking at the current situation, isnt there a rumor going around all the way from Gangnam to the Forbidden City that they are bribing local officials and covering things up? Isnt there a situation where there are a bunch of robbers calling themselves martial people or Kangho people around those merchants? If you do it wrong, it could cause a big bloody storm. joy! Ho Bu Sang Seo lightly snorted at Hyeong Bu Sang Seos words and bowed his head to Emperor Gyeong. The righteous people who shouted loyalty, righteousness, and cooperation during thest Japanese raid were gone, and now only the robbers remain. Leaving these people alone is a disgrace to truly righteous people, so they must be punished more firmly. They may be powerful, but in front of guns, they are nothing but a fuss! Hmm By the side of the book, Emperor Gyeong-tae snorted and fell into trouble. After thinking for a while, Gyeong Tae-je looked back at the cab secretary. Establish a policy, including the instructions in the book of fortune-telling, and then announce it. I follow your orders. Thats it for today. I want to rest. * * * Did I make a mistake? When the assistant cab secretary returned home that night, he emptied his ss alone and muttered in agony. Although Hufusangseos n is risky, it can be of great benefit if sessful. However, the confusion that will arise in the process is a problem. No The Cab Secretary paused for a moment and sighed. The emperor is the problem. Gyeongtaejes qualities were general-purpose. If there were no problems with his personality, Joo Ji-jin would have had the qualities to be an emperor. Because a person with such versatile qualities became emperor, the assistant cab secretary became concerned. If Ho Bu Sang Seos n was implemented, chaos would inevitably arise. If it had been Emperor Seondeok, it was certain that the confusion would have been ovee. However, if it were an economic system, there was a significant possibility that it would copse due to chaos. The group called the Murim people is also a problem. Because they are not afraid of thew of thend They say they are powerless in front of guns, but the group called the Murimin were robbers who were not afraid of thew of the country or death. If such thugs joined forces, there was a high possibility that the national order would be shaken. If there is a merchant who dreams of bing the king of Lu and Buddha, and he colludes with a group of robbers The cab secretary, who mentioned the story of Lu and Buddha, who made Jacho, who was a merchant and was held hostage by the state of Chu, as the king of Jangyang, the monarch of Jin, said that he did not want to think about it anymore. He closed his eyes tightly and shook his head. While the assistant cab secretary was pondering, Nobok came in and said, Arge guest has arrived. customer? On this night? Who is it? This is Danju, the king of the royal family. Take us inside! * * * The old merchant, who had been guided in by a servant, greeted the assistant cab secretary with a wave of his hand. Have you been well so far? Its just like that. How are you? The head of the cab briefly greeted the head of the royal family, one of the countrys top royal families, and asked while handing him a ss. What is going on at thiste hour? There were strange rumors going around Gangnam, so I hurried to visit. A strange rumor? There are rumors that people iming to be Joo Yun-moon and Joo Joon-gyu are appearing. What! Those who imed to be Geon Mun-jae and his son, who were said to havemitted suicide after being defeated by Emperor Yongrak in the long ago, appeared. Chapter 633 Episode 633 Now in Beijing (3) The Cab Secretarys eyes suddenly darkened at Sang-sangjus words. already? Its too early! The defeat in thest war left serious aftereffects on the Ming Dynasty. Even if they were merely defeated, the authority of the emperor and the court was usually severely damaged. However, thest war also brought about very serious economic losses. If this was not restored in time, there was a significant possibility that a civil unrest or rebellion by local warlords would ur. However, what the Cab Secretary said was too early was that only two years had passed since the end of the war. Although Mings administration of state affairs was creaky, it was notpletely copsed. In the end, the cab secretary had no choice but to press the upper management. Tell me in detail! Yes, Daein ording to Sangjus exnation, such rumors were circting among many farmers and urban lower-ss people in the Gangnam area, and in fact, the movement of an armed uprising was slowly beginning to be visible. What is the cause! Its because of the tricks and taxes of rice merchants. Oh my In response to Sang Sang-jus reply, the Cab Secretary ced his hand on his forehead and sighed. Are youte? Whoa~. But it wont be toote yet. After sighing long and calming down his confused mind, the Assistant Cab Secretary asked Sang-ju Sang-ju. okay. So, how big is it? Its still just a rumor Okay, then do you know anything about the leader who is doing such a thing? The water monsters areing. ording to rumor, there are four or five people calling themselves Zhou Yunmu, and six or seven people calling themselves Zhou Wenqyu. I heard that there are three or four couples who call themselves father and son Joo Yun-moon and Joon-gyu Joo and move in together. Hmm In response to Sang Sang-jus reply, the Cab Secretary stroked his beard and was lost in thought. After a while, the Cab Secretary came out of his contemtion and asked Sang Sang-ju. Who did you tell about the rumor? Daein is here for the first time. However, if it has reached my ears, it means that the rumor has already spread to many people, and if so, other people probably know about it, right? As soon as the words other great people were mentioned, the Cab Secretarys impression waspletely lost. There were several Eoyong Sangdans, and the heads of these Sangdans were in line with not only the ministers but also Dongchang and Geumuiwi. Its be a situation where I cant hide it. After a while, the Assistant Cab Secretary, who had adjusted his expression, spoke to Sang Sang-ju. Thank you for providing valuable information. I will report your merits to His Majesty. To the words of the Assistant Cab Secretary, the head of the Sangsan hurriedly responded with a sweeping gesture. This is too much praise! A small person is just a small person who makes a living thanks to His Majestys blessings! I just did what I had to do! In response to Sangsangjus answer, the Cab Secretary muttered in a low voice. If we do what we have to do properly, this country wont be this difficult * * * The next day, as soon as the Assistant Cab Secretary entered the pce, he reported what he had heard to Emperor Gyeong. bang! Is there such a thing as this? Emperor Gyeong-tae, unable to control his anger at the report of the Cab Secretary, mmed down the armrests of his throne and immediately issued an order. The Minister of Health and the left and right governors must mobilize the military immediately and exterminate those traitors! Hearing Gyeongtaejes words, Byeongbu Sangseo immediately waved his hand and made an announcement. your majesty! Soshin risks his neck and reports to His Majesty! It is right that those whomitted the crime of treason should be punished, but if you look at the current situation of the country, it is a shame! Its a shame! your majesty! As I said yesterday, the situation in the country is very bad! As His Majesty decided yesterday, it is best to first make peace with the North, organize the remaining troops, and restore the wounded central region! Are we just going to leave those weightlifters alone? Isnt it better to pull them out when they just start sprouting to further reduce damage? What are the thoughts of the sick report! The Minister of the Infirmary immediately responded to Gyeongtaejes words. If His Majesty issues just one edict, they will fight against each other. huh? Emperor Gyeongtaes anger calmed down and his eyes sparkled as he responded to the illness. Tell me in detail! * * * While Beijing was noisy due to a rumor that spread in the Gangnam area, the rumor also reached Seoul. What do you think? Does it seem likely that the name will be overturned? The first person to answer Hyangs question was Kim Jong-seo. In Gods opinion, the chances are very low. whats the reason? Because there are more than one person who called themselves Emperor Hye and his son. Before dealing with people, they will have to deal with other impersonators. And that fight will be a fight we can never back down from. At Kim Jong-seos words, the local government and ministers nodded at the same time. * * * After being defeated in The Battle of Jeongnan, Geon Mun-jae, whose whereabouts were unknown, came out impersonating his son, and the others were all mere fraudsters impersonating themselves. If the forces shed in this situation, it would be a fight that would end only when one of the two dies. What if He was real and I was fake. If they uttered the words, That is why you muste under him, they would be killed first by those who followed them. This happened when the two conflicting forces were at odds with each other, and if the superiority or inferiority of the forces was clearly revealed, Geon Mun-moon or Joon-gyu Joon-gyu on the weaker side would have died immediately. This was because it was certain that their followers would use it as a gift to save their own lives. -We have been deceived by pretenders until now. But now I have met the person in charge. Hereby, we offer up the supply and demand of the True Callers, so please lead us! With these words: * * * Min-shin, who nodded at Kim Jong-seos words, continued. I dont know who thought of it, but referring to Emperor Hye and his son seems like a good idea, but it is the worst of the worst. Hwang Hee added flesh to Min Shins words. It seemed like a novel idea, but the trap is that it is a novel idea that anyone can think of. Hmm Hyang, who was analyzing the situation while nodding to the ministers answers, asked again. Then do you think the government will use a wait-and-see approach? Hwang Hee nodded and immediately answered Hyangs question. Thats right. Looking at the current situation, it is not easy to withdraw troops to the south. However, the leaders of those who started the rebellion all came forward iming to be Emperor Hye or his son. In that case, all you have to do is take a breather and wait. On the other hand, the opponents strength is greatly weakened by the repeated process of mourning. Hearing Hwang Hees words, Hyang muttered to herself without realizing it. Shall we add some seasoning there? As soon as Hyang spoke, Hwang Hee raised her voice. No, it works! This is not right! Hyang looked surprised at Hwang Hees words. Isnt that right? The meaning behind Hyangs expression and tone of voice was simple. You say that? You? Is there someone else who has been going around with Abama and me, seasoning things here and there? No, everyone looking at Hwang Hee had an expression like incense. Hwang Hee must have noticed the expressions on those peoples faces and told Hyang. your majesty. Please hand over the magistrates and jurists for a while. huh? Hmm Hyang, who was looking at Hwang Hee nkly, gave orders to the officers and clerks. Please leave for a while. yes? your majesty. One Tsk! As soon as the incense filled their tongues, the officers and priests stood up, bowed, and immediately went outside. When all the officers and governors left, Hwang Hee exined the reason. The fact that we won thest war and transformed ourselves into an empire is the reason why we must insist on our principles. Until then, because it was a small country, it was able to secure legitimacy even by using extravagant tricks and tricks for survival. However, now that we have be a great power that can overwhelm even the Ming Dynasty, we must find our duty and justification. If we ignore this and pursue only our own interests, no country will have rtions with our empire. Kim Jeom immediately started to refute Hwang Hees words. You probably dont know the story of Song Yang Ji-in, right? Hwang Hee nodded and responded to Kim Jeoms words. How could you not know? However, it is not eptable to publicly show that one only pursues national interests while ignoring duty and justification. In public! Didnt you think that the moment it was recorded in the Sacho and Seungjeongwon diaries, future generations would also see it? Think of the empire 100 years from now! But there is no need to endure the loss of national interests! To Kim Jeoms retort, Hwang Hee smiled and answered. I have read their scriptures deeply and deeply, and there are some good passages. Good verse? Dont let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Isnt this a great verse? At that moment, Hyang unconsciously ced his hand on his forehead. Isnt that what you mean? Hwang Hee continued, whether she knew Hyangs feelings or not. The empire must prioritize cause and duty. Only then will the empire be treated as a great nation. At least thats how it should be in sunny areas. Only then did Kim Jeom nod his head and respond. Hmm If there is a sunny side, there is also a dark side And you will understand when you look at the old story. History always moves at night. At Hwang Hees words, all the ministers nodded at the same time with smiles simr to Hwang Hees. Even Lee Sa-cheol evaluated the scent as an early type of Confucian Taliban. At the sight of that, I pressed my hands to my temples, which were burning with incense. Where are we? Who am I? Is this a ce to discuss the state affairs of the Korean Federal Empire, or is it a ce where viins who dream of creating an evil empire gather? The spark was an incense stick that he pretended to not know until the end that he had thrown it. In any case, a decision had to be made before calling the officers and clerks again. So, do you agree with adding spice to the Gangnam area? Hwang Hee answered Hyangs question right away. We too think it would be better to wait a little. Now there are so many of them and the scale is sorge. I think it would be better to filter it out to some extent. Kim Jeom added to Hwang Hees words. God also feels the same way. If you start seasoning from now on, the spending will be too much. You need to season it when it is ripe. In response to Hwang Hee and Kim Jeoms answers, Hyang looked back at the other ministers. What do you think? I think the Prime Minister and Left Deputy Prime Ministers n is reasonable. In response to the ministers answers, Hyang made a decision right away. Then lets do it. shell! Tell the officers and clerks toe back in! Yes, Your Majesty! * * * Not long after, Emperor Gyeongtae issued an edict. C There was an unfortunate incident during thest crisis. Jim cannot hide his sadness at this. ordingly, Jim will restore Jianmun, the name of Emperor Hyes era, and install Jumun-gyu as the royal king. Therefore, Ju Joon-gyu, please retrieve your luggage. As this edict was distributed throughout the central ins, the self-proimed Geonmunmun and his sons began to sh violently. Chapter 634 Episode 634 Now in Beijing (4) The aftermath of Emperor Gyeongtaes edict was enormous. As soon as the edict was issued throughout the central ins, numerous Geonmunmun and Jumungyu that had been moving beneath the surface began to rise to the surface in the Gangnam area. And just as the subjects of the Ming Empire had expected,merce began to unfold. I am the real Hyejero! No, I am the truth! Thats ridiculous! Abamama volunteered! I am Ju Joon-gyu, who inherited that legacy! no! I am the real Jumungyu! While they were arguing with each other, each iming to be true, information about them flowed into the royal courts of the Ming and Empire. * * * Late at night, Han Myeong-hoe raised a tray full of documents. This is new information about the mourning that took ce in the Gangnam area. Leave it there and leave. yes. your majesty. Hyang nced at the pile of documents put down by Han Myeong-hoe and stretched out his arm to the brazier ced on one side. After pouring ck bean tea from the kettle that had warmed up on the brazier, he mixed it with tarak ( milk) and candy, and then brought it to his mouth and looked at the new documents. Hmm Hmm Hyang- hyang, who was looking at the documents with a somber expression, suddenly spewed out the ck bean tea he was drinking. Puhup! Wow! Cough! Cough! your majesty! Are you okay! I will call the doctor! Surprised by the sight of Hyang pounding his chest, the merchants tried to urgently call a medical doctor, but Hyang waved his hand to dissuade them. Oh no. are you okay! I just heard a rumor. There is no need to make a fuss. No! I will call the doctor right away! What are you doing! Hurry and call the royal doctor! The merchant ships, full of professionalism, were shouted at and the officers ran outside to diligently search for the fishermen. Its okay Even as she said that, Hyangs eyes were shaking violently as she looked down at the documents. It was because of the title written at the top of the document. -Those who im that they are the reincarnation of Hyeje or his son. * * * After a while, Eui hurriedly ran over to Hyang, grabbed Hyangs arm, took her pulse, and reported it to Hyang. It doesnt look like theres anything major wrong. However, since the case has shocked your vitality and heart, I will provide you with a decoction. Thank you. Thats too much praise. When the doctor withdrew, Hyang looked at the documents again with a serious expression. Lets see when the rebellion broke out The 7th year of King Taejo of Joseon (1398) was the year of the coup for the Ming and Joseon Dynasty. In Joseon, the First Princes Rebellion urred, and in the Ming Dynasty, the Rebellion of Jeongnan urred. ording to what I learned, Joo Yun-moon was approximately in his early 20s at the time. If he survived then, he would now be in his early 70s. My son, Joon-gyu Ju, is approximately in his early 50s Hyang, who had been doing the calctions, looked at the documents again and nodded. Most of those who imed to be reincarnated are in their 30s. In that case, I would have no choice but to im that I was a reincarnation. The problem is Hyanghyang, who had been thinking that far, said something without realizing it. Is it really real? yes? your majesty. Your Majesty, could you please say it again? The officers and magistrates who did not understand properlyined to Hyang, but Hyang waved his hand. Its nothing. I read such an absurd story that I was left speechless. yes. Ching! Okay! Hyang muttered to himself as he looked at the historians and bookkeepers writing down those words in type. I said it was absurd, but I feel uneasy that it may not be so. Because that person is here! Since he himself was a reincarnation, it was a scent that could not be dismissed as nonsense. * * * The next morning. The hottest topic among the ministers attending the assembly was reincarnation. Are they really reincarnated? Is reincarnation even possible? Minister of Foreign Affairs Heo Hu answered Lee Sa-cheols question. In Toban (old Tibet), it is said that when the Di Lama dies, he is reincarnated as the next Di Lama, but this has not been confirmed to be true. What were the followers of those iming to be reincarnated thinking? Is there any physical evidence? Kim Jeom responded to Kim Jong-seos point. When I looked at the reports, they all contained simr information. He showed an extraordinary appearance from a young age, and his demeanor and words and actions were of extraordinary ss. It was as if I had learned it in advance because I had studied it for a long time. Perhaps it was as if he had been reincarnated because he behaved differently from others and had a brilliant mind. Hmm Everyone nodded at Kim Jeoms exnation. Looking at that, Hyang asked a question. Do you think those who im to be reincarnated have a chance of winning over otherpetitors? Hwang Hee was the first to answer Hyangs question. They will be the first to be eliminated. Hoo? The reason is? First of all, if we think about the case of those who say that Hyejes son was reincarnated, it is like this. He was only six or seven years old when he disappeared from the pce in Nanjing. No matter how much he was crowned as crown prince, at that age he would have been learning the thousand characters, let alone the Emperors studies. Even if such a young child was reincarnated, what experience would he have to discuss the world? If his followers think even a little calmly, they will be immediately abandoned. The same goes for those who im to be the reincarnation of Hyeje. The fact that he is so youngpared to those who im to be the actual Emperor Hye or the son of Emperor Hye, not a reincarnation, will tie their own necks. What would it be like if you were truly reincarnated? Hwang Hee answered firmly to Hyangs question. It may be Hyeje, but even if his son is real, there is absolutely no chance. After answering that far, Hwang Hee carefully asked Hyang. Your Majesty, you have rarely asked such deep questions. Are you interested in reincarnation? Hwang Hees face as she asked the question was full of worry. Since ancient times, when the monarch of a country dreamed of immortality, it most likely led to the ruin of the country. In particr, if a person with outstanding ability falls into such a path, it can lead to an even more fatal catastrophe. Hyang, perhaps aware of Hwang Hees feelings, smiled and answered. ah! Its no big deal. If reincarnation is possible, I thought, why not reincarnate again with His Majesty Sang-tae and you all and try to lead this country? If we serve His Majesty the Sangha and lead the government together with his officers, wouldnt we be able to easily ovee any difficulty? Hwang Hee bowed her head and responded to Hyangs words. I am truly devastated that you think so highly of my beliefs, which are full of shorings! I am devastated! The ministers responded by bowing their heads at the same time as Hwang Hee said, but inwardly they were crying out something else. Lets work together again? Even if I have to grab Buddha by the cor, I wont be reincarnated! No matter what happens at that time, I wont go to work! Hyang continued speaking with a smile, as if he knew how the ministers felt. ruler! Lets stop here and move on! * * * That night, alone in the bed, Hyang sat with his arms crossed and lost in thought. Its not a joke, it could be a really serious problem. Im the one involved. Theres now preventing cheaters from appearing in that neighborhood, right? Hyang, who was thinking about various cases, burst intoughter. Heh! Lets just sleep. You said you were surprised when you saw the lid of the pot, right? If you were like me, you would have stood out a long time ago. But there isnt one, right? The thief said, Please, Im going crazy. He was sighing, settling the situation, and going to sleep. * * * When Gangnam in the central region was in full swing, Giovanni from Florence visited Joseon alone. Why did youe alone with those who came with you then? Giovanni answered quietly to Huhus question. There has been some secret cooperation between us in Florence and your country. secret? Cooperation? what? It has to do with Suez. huh? Lets talk about it in more detail. After hearing Cosimo de Medicis suggestions brought by Giovanni, Hu Hupiled them and reported them to the governor. Hwang Hee, who heard Heo Hus report in Daejeon, immediately asked a question as soon as Heo Hu finished speaking. Do you have any documents proving that what that guy named Giovanni said is true? doesnt exist. Hwang Hees face frowned at Heo Hus answer. Then how can you believe that what he said was the will of Cosimo de Medici, the head of the Medici family? Couldnt it have been a scam done out of a desire to make a name for oneself? He said he couldnt keep the documents because it was being carried out secretly between the Ottomans and the Portuguese. Hmm In response to Heo Hus answer, Hyang and Hwang Hee nodded with expressions of agreement. What Medici was doing now could be seen as a stab in the back of Portugal and the Ottomans. Of course, they had to move in secret and could not receive Ottoman or Portuguese escort. However, if he led arge guard force, the Ottomans and Portuguese would immediately notice. In the end, they had to make the dangerous journey to Aden with only a small escort. Therefore, Giovannis words about not creating documents for security reasons made sense. Even if the document is okay, the proposal is a bit odd. Minister of Foreign Affairs. Please bring Giovanni here immediately. Yes, Your Majesty. After a while, Giovanni entered Geunjeongjeon at themand of the head. Ie to see His Majesty the Emperor of the Korean Federal Empire. Giovanni faced the incense and bowed politely. Despite the difficult road, I am d that I came this far. Thats too much praise. The scent that praised Giovanni like that began to put pressure on him in earnest. I know that your family, the Medici family, is a great family. Even though we are from a merchant family, many nobles cannot do anything rashly, and even the kings of great countries listen to what you say, right? It may seem like Im showing off, but most people are. And yet you brought this as a suggestion? yes? What do you mean? Are you saying that the proposal you mentioned is really Cosimo de Medicis proposal to shake up Europe? yes? Oh, that Giovanni was lost in the sudden ferocity of the scents words and began to panic, and the scent hit him fiercely. I heard that I asked you to hand over 5 pennies out of the 40% share that our empire requested! What can you do with these 5 pennies? If you think about this again, you can calcte that out of the 60% share that you and the Portuguese Ottomans will take, you can only get about 100% at best! Is what Jim said wrong? That thing Why cant I answer! Giovanni, who could not give a proper answer, had to be beaten back and forth by the perfumes harsh words. Even if you add up the 10% share that your family owns, it is 50%! 50%! If a conflict arises between Portugal and the Ottomans, it means that there will be a tug-of-war! Im d it just ends in a tug-of-war. In order to pass the agenda, you have to make concessions that you dont have to make! Then why should we suffer a loss of 5 pennies! Oh, thats it Theres nothing more to say! If your family wants to talk about this with Jim, secure at least 10% of the stake plus at least 1 penny! If you exceed 50% when you join us, I will listen to your story again then! Go back! Go and tell this to your matriarch. If you want to act as a counterweight, take the right weight! Chapter 635 Episode 635 Wild Wild North (1) In the end, Giovanni had to ride an iron horse and head to Mokpo as soon as the next morning. There is nothing wrong with what your Majesty said. Next time Ie, I hope you bring me an offer you cant refuse. Giovanni bowed his head and responded to Hu Hus words as he was sending him off. I will definitely do that. Giovanni, who got on the iron horse, looked out the window, let out a long sigh, and muttered. Whoa~. I wonder if I can return within this year. In the rice fields visible outside the car window, rice ears were ripening yellow. The problem starts from Aden. * * * The road from Mokpo to Aden was easy. There were still pirates in the Gangnam area and around Luzon and Mya. However, they only rioted in the near sea and coastal areas. Pirates, who were reputed to be vicious, were unable to appear on the ocean routes where trading ships traveled. This was thanks to the fact that the front lines and trade ships belonging to the Navy of the Federal Empire were very well established. What the pirates especially feared were the trade ships operated by the empires merchants. As a trade ship, it was as sturdy as the imperial battle lines, but carried arger weight than the imperial battle lines. That wasnt all. Although it was a trading ship, it was loaded with a number of naval guns equivalent to the battle lines of most countries. Thanks to this, there was a lot of talk at the trading port in Mka about whether that ship was a merchant ship or a warship, and the imperial sailors who heard the story responded like this. Of course its a merchant ship! Compared to the front lines of our naval forces, that is the minimum armament required to exercise the right of self-defense! And all the sailors from other countries who heard this said the same thing. Youreparing it to the wrong person! Is your countrys front line a front line? Its a floating fortress! You didnt put artillery on a ship, you put a fortress on a ship! However, this defense and firepower were not the only reasons the pirates disliked the empires trading ships. The problem was theck of trade routes. Regardless of whether they were attacked or not, whenever a pirate ship was discovered, the empires trading ships would secretly follow the pirates. After identifying the locations presumed to be the pirates hiding ces, he informed them of going straight to the nearest imperial naval base. Since most of the crew on the trading ship had long experience, their guesses were very urate. And after receiving this information, the Imperial Navy mobilized its fleet and destroyed the unfortunate pirates. Thanks to this, the road from Mokpo to Suez Aden was smooth. The problem was next. The climate on thend route from Aden to the Mediterranean was not at all good, and security was also poor. Fortunately, as Osman pushed back, security stabilized to some extent, but there were still many holes. However,pared to the Mediterranean, thisnd route was very safe. The Mediterranean Sea was a hotbed of pirates. Pirate ships, including Christians, Muslims, cks, whites, Arabs, Portuguese, Spaniards, British, and even Norwegians from the far north, roamed the Mediterranean Sea. What was even more fatal was that most of these pirate ships usually passed around as normal trading ships. Then, as soon as they heard a rumor that trade was slow and there was a loss, or that a ship loaded with expensive cargo was passing by, it immediately turned into a pirate ship. Whoa~. Giovanni, whose eyes grew dark just thinking about it, let out a long sigh. Its so difficult Giovanni, who got back on the ship feeling at a loss after being rejected by Hyang, muttered as he looked at the challenger-ss battle line passing by. If things go well and the waterway is opened, we will see that front in the Mediterranean area as well, right? The pirates will be outraged. Giovanni, who briefly imagined the Mediterranean Sea having changed so much, burst intoughter. Heh! That would also be worth seeing. Its like the thugs have met an even scarier thug. Even the infamous pirates of the Mediterranean were certain to tremble in the face of an empires navy that was so excited and clueless at the sight of pirates. * * * The perfume that kicked Giovanni out continued to deal with the mountain of problems. The Emperor of Ming will take care of the situation of the Ming Kingdom, so all we have to do is wait for the right time Hmm Hyang, who was looking at the documents, picked up the file folder ced on one side, looked at the contents, and asked the ministers. Are Shinjiros civilians well prepared? Hwang Hee came forward and answered Hyangs question. yes. After this Mid-Autumn Festival, an official letter will be sent out throughout this paper. What do you think the reaction will be? A lot of rumors about Shinji have already spread, so I think there will be a lot of positive response. After Hwang Hee finished speaking, Kim Jong-seo continued. There are many people who apply for civilian jobs out of curiosity. There are rumors that herbalists are especially excited. Hyang was intrigued by Kim Jong-seos words. Herbalists? For what reason? Its because of the deer antler. velvet? * * * After Shinji was discovered and many people moved to Shinji, rumors about Shinji began to circte among the public. -If you take a boat all the way to the east of Jongjangdo Ind, you wille across a huge ind, and that is Shinji! -Shinji is a hugend! Itsnd! When they first heard the story, the people on the maind looked filled with disbelief. Aye~. It must be a ratherrge ind. You said it wasnd. Do you believe the sailors bluff? Those who say that the sea is full of fish called whales, which are bigger than a typical tile-roofed house, flocking in schools, and that the sea is full of giant sharks (an old name for sharks) that are sorge that they can cut an ordinary man in two with a single bite, are sailors! no way! I saw it and the whale was big! Well, even if there was an exaggeration, it must be big enough to im that it isnd. While I was in doubt and talking about it, more and more stories about Shinjis customs began to circte. Then the situation took a rather negative turn. Well, the mountain range is so high that it can be seen from 1,000 ri (about 400 km) away? Hey! Say something that makes sense! what? A deer is as big as a thatched house? Is the bear running away? Bear to deer? Say something that makes sense! A bear was chased by a bison? What kind of neighborhood mutt is the bear that lives in Shinji? Do you always get hit here and there? I thought it was the sea, but it was fresh water and ake? Hey! As more and more stories were told about Shinji, the distrust among Koreans grew. This was because it was a story that went beyond their cognitive range. The reason why these peoples distrust was diluted was when the forest areas of the northeast were developed in earnest. As time passed, development began only in the area around Dongbing Port, but gradually moved deeper into the interior. In the process, a moose was captured and presented to Gyeongbokgung Pce. wow! Look at how big it is! Is that a deer or a bear? The people who were admiring the huge size of the moose as it was unloaded from the railway station and transported to Gyeongbokgung Pce soon had other thoughts. You said Shinjis deer was the size of a thatched house, right? Youre saying its not a joke? Those who went a little further smelled money. Look at those horns! If you cut off that horn and sell it as deer antler gulp! Those whose thoughts reached that point soon looked at Gyeongbokgung Pce and stroked their chins. Since argend has been discovered, it will receive civilians like Bukji or Daeseoldo, right? Hmm lets see * * * Huh Hyang shook her head after hearing Kim Jong-seos exnation. When I ran away to the United States to live in the 21st century, the size of the American deer I saw was no joke. Was it just the deer that did that? What about bears? If the deer was an armored vehicle, the bear was a tank! Hyang, who was shaking his head, immediately gave an order. It is good that there is a good response, but we must prevent those who are looking to make a quick fortune from flocking in. Be prepared for rigorous selection screening. I follow your orders! After organizing the agenda, Hyang picked up the next folder and unfolded it. Hmm Hyang, who had read the contents carefully, turned to look at the ministers with a serious expression. Is security in the North still unstable? Hearing Hyangs words, Hwang Hee stepped forward and bowed her head. I apologize. I have caused concern to Your Majesty due to theck of ability of the minor gods. Im not saying anything to the officers. I just wonder why. Hwang Bo-in stepped forward and responded to Hyangs point. The Ming people remaining in the Jianzhou Jurchen and Liaodong areas are the problem. Hyangs expression became sharp at Hwang Bo-ins answer. The remaining famous people? Are you still there? Im sorry to tell you that, but thats the case. Tsk! Hyang clicked his tongue as if he didnt like Hwang Bo-ins answer, and all the ministers flinched at that moment. Hyang shook his head. I told you from the beginning that you should leave if you didnt like the empire, so why are you feeling upset by staying Tsk! Hwang Hee stepped forward and responded to Hyangs words. They seem to believe that their home will soon return to the Ming River region. Hyang raised her voice at Hwang Hees words. Fools! * * * Ming, which admitted defeat in thest war, had to give up both Liaoxi and Liaodong to Joseon. Joseon, which acquired the Liaohe region, widely publicized this fact to the residents of the Liaohe region. -Now the Liaohe region is our Joseons stronghold! Everyone living in this area must follow thews of our country! If you dont want this, pack up your things and leave! Among the Ming people who epted Joseons promation, many people strongly opposed it. We are the people of Daemyung! We will not be ruled by Joseon and we will not leave! The reason they protested was because they thought Myung would return soon. -Myung is a great country! There is no way we could be defeated by the small nation of Joseon! This time it was just bad luck that led me to back down! Will be back again soon! Since most of the Ming people living in the Liaohe region had this idea, they strongly opposed Joseons promation. No, it went one step further than simple opposition and even led to an armed uprising. Soldiers from Ming Dynasty who deserted and hid during the previous war joined the uprising or provided weapons. In addition, the uprising army found weapons buried or hidden by the Ming army, which was in a hasty retreat during the previous war, and resisted the Joseon army. However, the uprising of the Ming Dynasty people in the Liaohe region failed miserably. There were no people who knew how tomand properly, and the Joseon troops stationed in the Liaohe area were people who had gained practicalbat experience through the previous war. In the end, most of the uprisings were unterally suppressed, and the few that managed to escape turned into a group of bandits and engaged in a chase and chase with the Joseon Army cavalry. As the situation unfolded, many people from Ming Dynasty began to organize their affairs and return to Zhouyuan. But there were still arge number of famous people left. This is thend where we have lived for generations since our ancestors! I cant leave! They insisted so, but in reality, most of them had settled in Liaohe for less than 100 years. It all started with people who moved to the Jurchen region in order to renounce the Yuan Dynasty and establish the nation. The choice of those who failed in their uprising and did not leave was disobedience. -Sooner orter, the Emperors soldiers will return! Then our loyalty will be rewarded! They were famous people who continued to disobey these firm beliefs. Chapter 636 Episode 636 Wild Wild North (2) Following Hwang Hees words, Kim Jong-seo added. The problem is that not only the remaining Ming people but also arge number of Jianzhou Jurchen people are participating in the disobedience. her! Hyang exhaled in astonishment and looked at Kim Jong-seo. Why the Jurchen people in Jianju? As soon as the Ming entered Liaodong, most of those who were loyal to the Ming came. You may look like Yeojin on the outside, but on the inside, you should already be considered a famous person. Hmm In response to Kim Jong-seos response, Hyang tapped the armrest with her fingers and fell into deep thought. Heo Hu added an exnation to the scent. Considering the circumstances that Geonju Yeojin has been through so far, it is understandable that they are doing that. Circumstances? * * * The Ming, who drove out the Yuan and entered Liaodong, implemented several policies to weaken the power of the Jurchen tribe. Among them, the first thing implemented was active appeasement. When the Jurchen people returned to the Ming, the Ming provided support in many ways to help them quickly settle down. At the same time, strong force was used against those who were opposed to the Ming. For this purpose, a considerable number of posts and posts were installed in Liaodong, and soldiers were deployed. What was carried out simultaneously with the implementation of the strong-war and two-pronged policy was the separation policy. By cleverly creating divisions between the Jurchen of Jianju, which was close to the Ming, and the Jurchen of Hae, east of the Yajin to the north, he continued to cause strife and worked to create a deep-rooted resentment rtionship. To arge extent, it prevented the Jurchen tribes from uniting as one and prevented the growth of a force that could threaten the central ins. As a result of this operation, many tribes among the Jianzhou Jurchen people were transformed into Hanhwa (h). This choice was also for survival. The Geonju Jurjin were the ones who began sedentary life before other tribes. And through the various supports they received while obeying the Ming, they became ustomed to a sedentary life. Geonju Yeojin, who was living in a house made of bricks rather than a tent or a house made of earth, and who was bing increasingly prosperous through agriculture andmerce, was like the wild man Yeojin, so in Yeojins eyes, he seemed like a fat and delicious prey. It was inevitable that the Geonju Jurchen, who were suffering from the Jurchen, had no choice but to cling more actively to the Ming. In such a situation, as time passed, many people in Jianju Jurchen came to consider themselves not Jurchen people but Minggu people. And he joined the disobedience movement along with the remaining Ming people. * * * joy! Kim Jong-seo, who openly snorted at Heo Hus exnation, raised his voice. Its just an excuse! What is the creed of our empire? As long as you follow thews of the empire properly and pay taxes well, it doesnt matter what your roots are. As long as you do what youre told to do and pay what youre told to do, it doesnt matter whether youre Myungguk or Yeojin! That part has already been proven in Shinji, as well as Daeseoldo and Jongjangdo, so why are we talking so much! her! Its just an excuse! Kim Jong-seo shouted loudly and bowed his head to Hyang. your majesty! This is the empires creed already written down in the firstw! Ignoring this and disobeying the Empires orders is the same as rebelling against the Empire! We must all do everything! Hyang smiled bitterly at Kim Jong-seos radical remarks and muttered to himself. That personality hasnt gone anywhere. But Hyang looked thoughtful with a serious expression on his face. Its extreme, but its not wrong. But the problem is that its too extreme. Although it was a fragrance that had already be familiar during the monarchy era, there were many situations in which conflicts arose because the education and values received in the 21st century remained. And now was one of those situations. Sakchojegeun genocide Its the most certain method, but Although I hesitated and thought about it, my mind was drifting towards the fact that there was nothing I could do about it. If we consider the case of the EU in the 21st century * * * As the situation in the Middle East became more serious, a huge number of Middle Eastern refugees flowed into Europe. However, it wasnt long before the influx of refugees caused the Imization of the EU. Calling for religious freedom, ignoring thews of EU countries and insisting on the traditional Imic norms of Sharia became a problem as they forced this on others. And this ultimately became a great excuse for far-right parties to take power. And this trend also became a hot topic among Korean public officials at the time. Every time these stories became a hot topic, the conclusions were almost the same. -We cannot not ept refugees. However, you cannot receive it unconditionally. If so, the standards for eptance must be set high while strictw enforcement must continue. * * * While Hyang was thinking, a war of words broke out among the ministers. Although the events of the remaining Ming people and the Jurchen people of Jianzhou are scandalous, isnt it too much to talk about Sakchojegeun? Kim Jong-seo raised his voice in response to Lee Sa-cheols criticism. What is too much? Do you not know what kind of people the Yeojin guys are? The Yeojin bastards are the ones we must never let down our guard until they arepletely tamed and be perfect imperial citizens! And those from Myeongguk are the ones who will kill even more! If you dont like the empire, you can just leave. Why stay and cause trouble? If we leave this as is, they will still look down on the people of our empire, thinking they are the people of the Shang Dynasty! Rather than seeing something like that, its best to just push it away! Uh-huh! Its not right to see a lot of bloodshed when the empire is justying its foundation! They are not amoral servants, so lets educate them through virtue. That sounds like a virtue! If they were like those who would understand, they wouldnt have done something like this! And when you see blood, you have to see blood! If a boil appears, the pus must be drained and removed immediately! What you dont know is that if you put off squeezing out pus because its painful, youll not only hurt your body, but your life as well! Who doesnt know that! But shouldnt you think about your majesty too! If you watch blood like that, you will bring the disgrace of being called a tyrant to Your Majesty! As the heated war of pros and cons continued, Hyang opened his mouth. Stop The ministers who were arguing at Hyangs soft voice all fell silent. Hyang looked down at the ministers and continued speaking. Now that I think about it, Jim, this is not something that can be overlooked. However, if we leave it as is, it is certain that those who cannot tell the difference between heaven and earth will harm good people. So let me do it this way. All citizens of the Northern Territory must report their family register and receive an identity card by the winter solstice of this year. You will also need to report all of yournd, assets, and assets to prepare to pay the proper taxes. If they do not do this even after therades have passed, clearly record and properly inform them that they will be expelled immediately. And after the winter solstice, go into exile immediately. If they rebel, regardless of the circumstances, it will be considered treason and punished immediately. Lee Sa-cheol immediately pointed out the problem. your majesty. Wouldnt there be a legal problem in punishing it as treason? Hwang Bo-in immediately responded to Lee Sa-cheols words. The application ofw is sufficient. Imperial citizens must report their family register. However, not doing this means not living as an imperial citizen, so deportation is possible. On top of that, refusing His Majestys orders is not enough to rebel? It is possible to apply treason. What will you do if you im that you do not want to live as an imperial citizen and that you are refusing His Majestys orders? Hyang chimed in with Lee Sa-cheolsment. In that case, since it is a case of shouting, the punishment will be more severe. Lee Sa-cheol kept his mouth shut in response to Hyangs response. When there were no more objections orments, Hyang came to a conclusion. As the Liaohe region became a stronghold of the empire, there was one invitation, and this is the second invitation. If you ignore the invitation twice, there will be no more invitations. When you have to cut out a rotten part, you have to do it resolutely. Minister of National Defense. Minshin bowed his head and responded to Hyangs name. Please give your order, Your Majesty. Tell the Chief of Staff to prepare well. I will not tolerate sluggishness. If necessary, I will allow the mobilization of reserve soldiers once again. I follow your orders! Everyone in Daejeon, including Minshin, became very nervous at the Hyangs order. The only time the military called up reserve troops was when the war with the Ming broke out. In other words, what Hyang was saying was that he would use all his might to uproot it at once, as if he were waging war. The ministers all thought the same thing about Hyangs decision. You cant fool blood after all! He often got scolded by King Sejong or was kicked out of Daejeon for doing various things, but Hyang wasnt the type of person to avoid blood. In thest civil war incident in the year of Giyu, the person who stood at the forefront and fired bullets at the peninss was Hyang. Hyang was also a monarch who inherited Lee Seong-gyes blood. * * * Soon after, a royal edict was issued to all government offices in Northern China. joy! So what? Do you think I will follow what you Koreans say? Tsk! Hmm this There were some who did not know the seriousness of the situation and still resisted, but there were also those who sensed the crisis and prepared to report. Meanwhile, those who had often been involved in various matters with Koreans became very nervous as soon as they saw the warning. This smells like blood! Hurry and report it! * * * When the atmosphere in the North was bing turbulent, Jinpyeong visited Gyeongbokgung Pce. Reason for Duke Jinpyeongs conviction. Ie to see your Majesty. Its been a while. Whats going on? As the Superintendent of Northern Railway Development, I would like to make a request to your Majesty. supplication? What was it? Tell me. When Hyang gave permission, Jinpyeong swallowed his saliva and continued speaking. The situation in the North is not good right now. If done incorrectly, there is a very high risk that those who go out for surveying or construction will be harmed. In fact, there have already been three injury incidents. I know because I received the report. So I gave an order to provide proper support from nearby units. But no matter how tightly you block it, holes are bound to form. Therefore, please allow us to form our own security forces. As soon as Jinpyeong finished speaking, Hyang shook her head. Its impossible. older brother! Do you know how frustrating it is to wait for the military when you are so busy with work? We need to finish the survey andy the railroad as soon as possible, but the military is too busy chasing after us! They say you have to write a report on that too! Its much faster if we just protect ourselves and work together! Im waiting for the military and my clothes are falling apart! As Jinpyeongs voice got louder, Hyangs voice also got louder. Hey you bastard! Are you thinking or not? Youre a duke! Goongjak! You wont be left behind if your uniform breaks while waiting for the military, but dont you think that if we make a guard unit, your hair will be blown off and youll really be left behind! Would I ever do that! Isnt that why youre telling your brother so openly because you dont intend to do that? What you dont need is politics! It doesnt matter what happens! older brother! Instead, I will organize a force dedicated to escorting you. Thats because Im running out of time doing paperwork! Its easy and quick to just do it this way! no! older brother! Get out, you bastard! I cant leave until you give me permission! I wont send you to Shinji! As soon as Hyangs words came out, Jinpyeong straightened his posture and lowered his head. I only hope that His Majesty Soshin will look down on me. Whew~. I will organize and deploy them as quickly as possible. Hwang Eun is devastated. As soon as he answered, he saw Jinpyeong retreating and ced his hand on his forehead. No matter how much I thought about it, it wasnt a dream. Chapter 637 Episode 637 Wild Wild North (3) That night, Hyang sat alone in the bed, putting his hand on his forehead and thinking over and over again. No matter how much I think about it, I feel anxious Ah! That damned bastard! In another sense, it was a scent that caused headaches due to Jinpyeong, who had be a nuisance. Considering Jinpyeongs excessive passion for railroads, I couldnt just ignore it. This time, he is asking me to form a private army so that the construction of the railroad should not be dyed Infrastructure projects such as railroads were items that consumed a lot of the budget as they were important. If Jinpyeong went into overdrive, it was certain that they would push the railroad as the top priority without even thinking about the bnce of the budget, and if there was further overrun here, it was clear that the Gyeyu Railroad Trouble would not be a dream, but a reality. But that doesnt mean I have to say, Purge you! I cant do it Its a matter of justification. If Jinpyeong were to be purged carelessly, it would be viewed as a power struggle simr to the Princes Rebellion that took ce twice. -The emperor killed his strongest rival, his second brother, in order to safely transfer power to the crown prince! What was even worse was that these purges could be a kind of tradition that was not a tradition. If the person on the throne were to blow off the heads of all his brothers, the imperial family itself would be smaller and smaller. Additionally, the emperor who ascended the throne would wield even stronger dictatorial power. If such a history of dictatorship continued, it was certain that it would lose the sticity to respond flexibly to external stimuli and would eventually be eliminated. The people will continue to want to share more and more power, but if that happens, in the end there will be only a scaffold left. Although there was a question of justification, there was another reason why Hyang hesitated to purge. A sense of identity as a nerd is also a problem. A widower knows the circumstances of a widow. As the saying goes, Jinpyeong was not so disliked as Hyang, who had caused all kinds of big and small idents as a fanatic even after his reincarnation as well as in the 21st century. Is this a conflict between reason and emotion? Hyang, who muttered and suffocated, came to a conclusion. Reason, emotion, everything is shit. If Jinpyeong is left like this, the oue will be a catastrophe. Even if I dont step forward, my ministers will step up. Even if he just made a fuss in front of the incense stick today, he would be flooded withints. Since Jinpyeong had no greed for power and was only crazy about the railroad, there was a high possibility that the ministers wouldugh off todays incident. However, we could not ignore the possibility that we would be increasingly rmed if simr incidents became more frequent. -He can do that even in front of the emperor, but if he does something wrong, he might try to manipte state affairs just because of a railroad! If this idea gained sympathy among central officials, they couldter put pressure on Hyang. No matter how powerful the county was, it was impossible to predict the oue if all officials worked together. The bottom line is we have to put up a control panel. Who would be suitable? Hyang thought about each candidate one by one. Excluding the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers of the left and right. Im too old. Hwang Bo-in Excluding Kim Jong-seo because there is no one who is as well versed in the judicial system as he is Addiction to the city is a problem, but its fortunate that he doesnt get into trouble with Jinpyeong due to his personality. Hmm Lee Sa-cheol is so flirtatious. If you do it wrong, you will end up being grabbed by the cor. Hyang, who had been thinking that far, sighed. The biggest problem is that everyone is too old! Considering the achievements and power reputation that has been umted so far, it is enough to control Jinpyeong, but the age difference and generation gap can actually cause problems. If we look at Jinpyeong now, he is a terrible hybrid thatbines the well-known personality with the single-minded temperament of a geek. If you do it wrong, it will make things worse. In that case, they are of simr age After thinking that far, Hyang sighed again. There are only four decent guys. To put it properly, the four people were optimal as they were used as scolds, lubricants, and brakes while being torn back and forth between Hyang and Jinpyeong. Hyang, whose thoughts continued to that point, soon picked one person. There is only Seongsammun Gate. Looking at it objectively, Han Myeong-hoe was the right person for this job. He had quick insight and quick thinking, and was able to prevent problems before they urred. However, Hyang, who knew about the rtionship between Jinpyeong and Han Myeong-hoe and Kwon Ram, was the first to exclude them. And among those who remained, Hawiji had no choice but to be excluded because he was extremely stubborn. Although it was an unavoidable choice, Seong Sam-Moon was not a bad card. In history before Hyang intervened, he was intelligent enough to be a schr in Jiphyeonjeon and was friendly enough to gather people together to restore King Danjong. However, the w was that there was ack of determination, as if he hesitated and failed due to variables that urred right before the rebellion. However, since this part was also improved to some extent by rolling under the incense, Seongsammun was chosen as the incense. * * * The next morning, Hyang called Han Myeong-hoe and gave him an order. Appoint Seong Sam-moon to Supervision of Northern Railway Development and send him to Jinpyeong. It belongs directly to the Seungjeongwon. As soon as Hyang finished speaking, Han Myeong-hoe cautiously opened his mouth. I ask your Majesty, wouldnt it be better for God to go? why? Its not that Maejukheoncks ability, but he can be a bit stubborn at times. Considering Duke Jinpyeongs personality, there could be conflict. Thats why I chose Seongsammun. yes? It doesnt belong to any other government office, it belongs to the Seungjeongwon, which is like my limbs. This means that this is Jims intention, so if Seong Sam-mun stops it, Jinpyeong has no choice but to stop as well. And Hyang paused for a moment and grinned at Han Myeong-hoe. Like you said, sending you away might be the best option, but its not good for Jim. yes? I dont want my luggage to be ufortable just to make it easier for Jinpyeong. This was the sincerity of the fragrance. Things were made easier with Han Myeong-hoe, who had a keen sense and quick wit, by his side. Han Myeong-hoes expression became strange at Hyangs words. Should I like this or not? On the good side, it meant that he was favored by the emperor. On the bad side, it meant that he had to make his feet sweat. What are you doing? Shouldnt we write the order quickly so Jim can pay for it? Oh yeah! yes! Han Myeong-hoe, who suddenly came to his senses at the urging of the incense, quickly bowed and retreated outside. * * * As time passed, the conversation between Hyang and Han Myeong-hoe spread as rumors. The officials who heard the rumor all nodded. If its at the level of Do Seung-ji, its worth hearing such words. The evaluation that Han Myeong-hoe was quick wasmon. Meanwhile, Han Myeong-hoe was having a hectic time as Tao Seung-ji. oh! Do Seung-ji is busy today too! When Kim Jong-seo, whom he met on the way to Geunjeongjeon, pretended to know him, Han Myeong-hoe bowed his head and reciprocated. Hello, Captain, Minister of General Affairs. Its always good for me! ha ha ha! Kim Jong-seoughed heartily and tapped Han Myeong-hoe on the shoulder. When I look at Doseungji, I remember the time when I was with Grandmaster Bangchon in the north. It seemed like yesterday that I was going through such hardships, but time has already passed so quickly! You too, work a little harder! Then good days wille. yes. Hahaha thank you. Even though she stumbled every time Kim Jong-seo hit her shoulder, Han Myeong-hoe answered with a forced smile. ha ha ha! Well then, good luck! Han Myeong-hoe, who was watching Kim Jong-seo disappear with a heartyugh, looked up at the sky and muttered. Will a good daye? No matter how much I thought about it, it was a meeting that I had a strong feeling would nevere. No matter how much I think about it, I think Ill go to Shinji with His Majesty. * * * Meanwhile, Seong Sam-mun, who headed to the Yalu River with the order, immediately visited Jinpyeong. I wish you well in the future! Seong Sam-moon bowed his head and answered what Jinpyeong said after reading the order. I will do my best. Please tell your Majesty well! I just carry out my orders to the best of my ability. But please take care of me! After the meeting, Jinpyeong exined the scene. Completing the railroad bridge that is currently being built here over the Yalu River is the beginning of the Northern Railway. Because all the materialse in through that railroad bridge! Its a really big bridge. Jinpyeong nodded at Seong Sam-moons words. If you remove the bridges that His Majesty built in one move, it wont be a bridge that will be pushed around no matter where you go. Jinpyeong, with an expression full of pride, led Seongsammun and showed them all the different parts of the Yalu River railroad bridge construction site. Jinpyeong returned to the office after inspecting the construction site and got down to business. If you look at the map, you will understand Jinpyeong continued his exnation, pointing to a map depicting the imperial territory of the Liaohe region with a pointer. Currently, there is only one railway bridge over the Yalu River, but as the development of the northern region progresses in earnest, there will be one more. And not only in Liaodong Province, but also here on the Lushun Penins, and around the bases that will be created in the north and east, railroads will be connected longitudinally and horizontally. If that happens, you will be able to travel from the northern tip of Bukji to Seoul within five days at thetest or three days at the earliest. Thats amazing. Jinpyeong nodded loudly at Seong Sam-moons words. Its a big undertaking. Additionally, once the railroadwork ispleted, no one will be able to mess with the empire. It is my dream to make that daye as soon as possible. All future generations of the empire will praise the duke. That would be great. Jinpyeong sighed in response to Seong Sam-moons words. Whoa! But there is a problem that needs to be solved first. The problem is security in the North. Its because its a ce full of strong guys. I heard the military will be deployed because of that problem. There are many limitations as a military. Jinpyeong exined what the problem was. -Even now, chases between rioters and the imperial army are taking ce on a daily basis throughout the Northern Territory. Therefore, the allocation of troops is sluggish. -More and more construction sites will be created in the future, and security forces must be deployed to all of these sites. Otherwise, expensive materials will be stolen. -The safety of the survey team is also an issue. In order toy a railroad, preliminary survey work is essential, and a guard force is essential to protect it. -Connected to the above situation, more and more troops are needed, which may cause political problems. Seong Sam-moon, who heard the exnation up to that point, raised an objection. Why is there a political problem? Its a question ofmand authority. If something happens in the field and the military is urgently needed, it would take too long to proceed separately through the chain ofmand. Therefore, it is useful to ce themand of the soldiers assigned in rtion to the railroad under me. As soon as Jinpyeong finished speaking, Seong Sam-moon shook his head. That will never happen. Its not that theres a chance of a problem, its that a problem will arise. But I think its necessary for a quick response. You know its a procedure, right? That part is something that can be done by giving the unitmander in charge of security the right of self-defense and the right to respond immediately. I agree with that. But what if they attack on arge scale like Lee Man-ju did in the past? Considering the danger of the aftershocks, we need to unite andmand several units, but movement is slow in that area. Your Majesty said you are organizing a dedicated unit, so all you have to do is point out this problem and adjust the size and scope of action of the unit. From then on, Jinpyeong brought up various issues and insisted that he needed his own troops, but Seong Sam-mun blocked Jinpyeongs ims bying up with a solution on the spot. Your measures are good, but doing so will slow down construction. To see quick results, you need not only improvisation but also bold decisions. If you anticipate and n well in advance, there is no need to improvise or make bold decisions. And while the speed of construction is important, the top priority is to avoid causing concern to His Majesty the Emperor. Isnt the duke also a subject of the empire? Youre right. Thats right. In the end, Jinpyeong had no choice but to wave the white g to Seong Sam-mun. Chapter 638 Episode 638 Wild Wild North (4) One day after the Mid-Autumn Festival. Hyang, who was sitting alone in the bedchamber of Gangnyeongjeon, thought hard, tapping his fingers on the table. Hmm Seongsammun can tie up Jinpyeong to some extent, but Im still uneasy. Even after Seongsammun was hung up on Jinpyeong, the feeling of uneasiness did not go away. No Jinpyeong is not the only problem. In some ways, the northern region itself is perfect for doing business. Hyang concluded with a long sigh. Whoa~. Its a joke. * * * As Hyang said, Bukji was Gyereuk. Although it was not a very good environment for farming, the potential of that vast in was considerable. It seemed possible to be self-sufficient if one cultivated sorghum, the new sorghum that is currently being developed, corn, or existing sorghum or beans. There was ample market potential for livestock farming, raising horses and sheep using the wide ins. But the most unmissable thing was the mines located in the north. Immediately, enormous amounts of iron and copper coal were being produced from the mines of Fushun, next to Liaodong Province. They were almost like open-pit mines, not ones that had to be dug deep into the ground like the mines in Gangwon-do or Hamgil-do. What Hyang was struggling with was the rebellious nature of the residents of the northern region. Not only the remaining Ming people and Hanzhou Jurchen people, but also most of the Yain Jurchen people and a significant number of Jurchen people were rebellious. If there was someone who could unite the Jurchen people who were skilled at horseback riding, it could be quite a headache. For now, it would have been enough to suppress it with the force of the imperial cavalry, but in the long run, it would have done more harm than good. Continuing military spending was an immediate problem, and the military concentrated excessively in the northern region could turn into another political force. The best example is the Kwantung Army. No, it would be the entire Japanese army. The Japanese army did not listen to the cab The Kwantung Army was made up of bastards who did not listen to the advice of the headmander in charge of the Japanese army In order to solve this problem, the best way to assimte it into the empire was to pursue arge-scale civil society policy. After a long time, I remember the words of Master Samcheonpo -Why would King Gwanggaeto strike the north once and then the south once? We didnt neednd, we needed people! The humans here in Manchuria were so rough that it was done to make them docile! It was because I needed people who couldmunicate well to some extent even though there were a lot of dialects mixed in! However, there was something the fragrance was concerned about in this area. -There are no people in the empire! This year, the mainds poption finally surpassed 13 million. However, the number of minors still exceeded 40%. Considering the manpower that would be input into the growingmerce and industry and the number of people who would immigrate to the new region, it was very difficult to promote full-scale civilian poption in the northern region. Compared to Shinji right now, telling me to go to the North is simr to telling me to starve to death Oh, isnt it? Why did Thanksgivinge about? Of course, the current situation could be seen aspletely different from that of the English Puritans who boarded the Mayflower. ording to what is known, none of the Puritans who sailed to America on the Mayflower at the time were engaged in farming or fishing. However, the civil policy that the empire would now implement was aimed at those who make a living from agriculture and fishing. There would be full support from the state. Once agriculture and fishing took root and the industry symbolized by Area 52id the foundation, the next step wasmerce. The n was to operatemerce starting with a monopoly, and to fostermerce in earnest once the railroad connecting the bridgehead and the Great Lakes (Great Lakes) waspleted. Hyang continued his thoughts. You can use the obedient people among the Japanese and remaining Ming Dynasty people from Tsushima Ind who were pushed into Hamgil Ind, but these people are the ones who built and sustained Chinatown and Japantown Of course, if you pay what you are told and do well, there is no problem. The problem is that there are very few people who have good feelings about the empire. The creation of an anti-imperial coalition is unfortunate. Hyang, who had analyzed up to this point, sighed once again. The military police rule and cultural rule that the Japanese Empire implemented on the Korean Penins may be the easiest methods, but this is absolutely uneptable psychologically Hyang, who had been thinking that far, burst intoughter. Heh! In the end, it all goes back and forth and says, Long live capitalism Monopoly stores be a panacea. * * * Hyang, who had been thinking of some novel way toe up with something new, but was dejected as he ended up returning to the resale store, turned into a serious face again. Even if you do that, you have to worry that there will be people in the north who want to change their minds. Theres no physical barrier like Shinji, so its possible to secretly monitor something . You idiot! * * * As soon as the assembly began the next day, the township presented a new agenda. Please develop and submit a n so that we can build aprehensive entertainment center in the northern area. Kim Jeom asked with a puzzled expression on Hyangs words. You mean a general entertainment center? Thats right. At Hyangsmand, the ministers kept their mouths shut and were lost in thought. In this situation? why? Why all of a sudden? In a situation where everyone was filled with questions, the first person to speak up was Kim Jong-seo. Are you trying to resolve theints of those living in the North? Thats right. There isnt much entertainment for Jurchen people, right? Kim Jong-seo nodded at Hyangs answer. That is certainly true. In the past, when Shin worked in the northeastern region, it was almost all about fighting and hunting. Otherwise, I was prone to drinking alcohol. If we connect theprehensive entertainment center and exclusive market railway well, it will be a great help in stabilizing the north. The other ministers nodded with expressions of understanding at the exnation of Kim Jong-seo, who had traveled in the north with Hwang Hee. Hwang Hee responded to Kim Jong-seos exnation. It certainly is. In the past, monopoly stores also yed a big role in the northeastern region. And although it was not a general entertainment hall, when there were Gyeokgu, Ssireum, and performances by Jaein gangs, the people who liked it the most were the Yeojin people. Following Hwang Hee, Hwang Bo-in added more flesh. If you carefully observe the people gathered at entertainment venues, you can more easily and quickly understand the flow of public sentiment. This will be the same in the North. Then, since everyone seems to be in favor, pleasee up with a n to pursue this and post it. I follow your orders. * * * The next night. The executives of the secretmittee of the National Intelligence Service were summoned. His Majesty has given a special order. All the executives looked very nervous at the words of Captain Naegeum. There hasnt been any special orderstely, right? At best, the only special order I was given was to find a partner, right? Looking at that guys bloody expression, Im sure its not easy! Have you been free so far? no! It will never be easy this time. The executives swallowed dryly as they heard the heavy voice of Naegeumwijang and waited for the next words. His Majesty ordered that an ear of wheat should be located in the northern region as well. So please n ordingly. ancient! The executives loudly recited themands of themander. * * * Five dayster, a meeting of Naegeumwi chiefs and executives was held again at Milwis safe house. In this position were themanders of the nationwide milwi (in other words, the heads of the nationwide swordsmen belonging to the milwi) and their staff. Those who led the meeting were the staff. There is something we need to know in advance before carrying out the orders given by His Majesty. Something? One of the staff members answered Naegeumwiwis question. Are the officials dispatched to the North the only ones we need to monitor? Or does it also include influential figures in the North? You have to know that before you can move on. To add, there is also the issue of funding. A stoma is not something that can be opened by spending a penny or two. Hmm. When Naegeumwijang looked embarrassed and was unable to speak at the advice of the aides, the aides expressions also became embarrassed. I knew it! Do you know that you can just tell them to make it? While everyone attending the meeting was looking embarrassed, Hyangs voice was heard from behind the folding screen at the back of the conference room. Let me tell you that part. When the incense appeared along with the words, everyone from the Militia Committee gathered in the conference room bowed in unison and shouted. Jaeumwiguk (l)! Its a lot of hard work. The empire is safe because of your hard work behind the scenes, and I will not forget that contribution. Gwangyeong (s) ising! The schr said that he would sacrifice his life for those who recognize him! Even though wee from the violent world of swords, we risk our lives because His Majesty knows! Even if I tell you to go to the north and die, you will die! They were the people of Milwi who were even more loyal under the rule of Hyang. * * * With Hyang attending, the atmosphere in the conference room became more serious. I pointed out the funding issue earlier, but the funds will be paid separately from the imperial family. And the targets of surveince will be priority officials and militarymanders who will be dispatched to the north, as well as indigenous people who wille into contact with them. In addition, when aprehensive entertainment center is opened, the reaction of indigenous residents will need to be monitored. The officials of the Entertainment Office will also look at the public sentiment, but shouldnt the people be careful about what they say in front of people in official uniform? At Hyangs words, the executives and staff of the Milwi nodded their heads. It was customary for even those who had melted into the exciting atmosphere of the entertainment venue andpletely rxed from the alcohol they had consumed to be cautious about what they said when they saw officials in official uniform and police officers from the provincial government. However, there was nothing like that in front of the secretaries who came to protect the courtesans who appeared in the performance, and the secretaries collected everything and reported it to track public sentiment. After hearing Hyangs answer, one of the staff members stood up and spoke. Is it better for the courtesans to be supplied locally? What method would be better? The staff member, who thought for a moment about Hyangs rebuttal, soon expressed his opinion. I think we shouldnt ept local women as courtesans for at least 10 years. No, if you dont have a certain level of talent, you shouldnt receive it at all. Hyangs eyes sparkled with curiosity at the staff members remarks. The reason is? Its because of foot binding. Since ancient times, the Chinese have had the custom of binding womens feet, which means they cannot dance even if they are taught to dance. No matter what anyone says, the basics of courtesans are singing and dancing. If you are not good at singing and dancing, you will be nothing more than a prostitute who only engages in prostitution. Then the higher-ups will not be looking for you. I see Hyang nodded at the staff members remarks. The I-pae and Sam-pae gisaengs, excluding the Il-pae gisaeng, who were the highest-ss gisaeng and danced and sang only in front of the king, also engaged in prostitution, albeit unofficially. But for them, dancing and singing were also the basics. No, even nondani who wandered around and sold themselves had to have the ability to sing a song. The staff members voice gained strength after seeing the positive response from the scent. After Sang Sang raised the status of courtesans and entertainers to yangin, the peoples perception of them has improved a lot. However, if the gisaeng in the North are treated like prostitutes, then the gisaengs and entertainers in other regions will soon be treated the same way. Chapter 639 Episode 639 Wild Wild North (5) Then maybe it would be good? Hyangs eyes were bing more and more sparkling as he asked the question. Captain Naegeum, who was watching from the side, looked at the staff member who had been asked the question. The staff member was very excited and was thinking of an answer. Naegeumwijang saw Hyang looking at his staff with sparkling eyes and shook his head slightly. Your Majesty, you often make that expression. And every time that happened, someone was specially hired. Either way, the staff, whose morale was greatly boosted, answered in a confident tone. First of all, we will take four or five gisaengs from this group with good reputations and eight or five other members of our same ss and go to the north to begin. I will also select two or three people who are good at teaching singing and dancing and send them along. Where would you like to start first? If you are looking for the most prosperous ce in the North these days, it is Liaodong Province, so it is considered best to set up a military base there. And when the timees, we bring in colleagues who have been properly taught. Hmm Nodding his head with a snort, Hyang asked the staff member again a question. Wouldnt just being a gisaeng of this group be a bit lower in status? If I do something wrong, wouldnt I be treated like a prostitute like you said? To Hyangs point, the staff responded with an expression that said there was nothing they could do. The possibility of that happening is quite high. But there is no other way. This is because it is certain that the gisaeng of the same group will not even give a damn. Everyone gathered in the conference room nodded at the staff members point. * * * In the case of Ilpae Gisaeng, he was famous for his high arrogance. However, if you think about the process of bing a parasitic gisaeng, his high arrogance was understandable. I had to rigorously improve my singing and dancing skills at the Customs Dogam, and I also had to acquire enough academic knowledge to be able to study literati and non-fiction. If they became part of a group of gisaeng in this way, they would be mobilized for major events in the country or events to wee envoys. Of course, in addition to these official events, sales activities were carried out, but even these activities were carried out by invitation to the homes of famous noble families or high-ranking officials. And after the creation of aprehensive entertainment center, he toured the country and showed off his skills, raising the value of his name. In such a situation, most noblemen and merchants could not even dare to call them. This was not because money was the issue, but because it was a matter of the pride of a gisaeng. The same was true for Daewoo. Because he was a government official, he was a low-ss citizen in terms ofw, but in reality, he was treated as amoner. * * * As the topic of gisaeng in one group came up, Hyang suddenly remembered an old thought. I remember what Teacher Samcheonpo said, linking the Japanese invasions of Korea with gisaeng. -Just before the Japanese invasions of Korea, an envoy from Tsushima came to Joseon. At the banquet, the envoy pretended to be drunk and spilled pepper, causing chaos. The Tsushima Shinigamiughed when he saw that, and rightly so. Those proud gisaengs and officials lost their minds and created a mess. your majesty? Achacha! I got sidetracked again! Hyang came to his senses at the call of Naegeumwiwi and asked the question again. Then is itpletely unreasonable to recruit a gisaeng from the same group? I think it is impossible. In the first ce, isnt most of the work that an Ilpae gisaeng has to do in Seoul? Thats not true Hyang nodded at the staff members words. After thinking about a solution for a moment, Hyang looked at the people gathered in the conference room and opened his mouth. Among the gisaeng from the same group, are there any who are about to step down or have any ties to former gisaeng from the same group? The workers who were looking at each other immediately responded to Hyangs words. There are a few people here. Then tell them to join us and go north together. The job there is to nurture talented girls. So, lets leave it to them to do the work that the former members did earlier. Are you sure you want to move? Emphasize that if even one or two of the children raised in that way be gisaeng and be famous, the value of their name will increase again. For your information, there will soon be aprehensive entertainment center in the northern area. Milwis staff immediately eximed in exmation at Hyangs words. ah! That way! Your Majesty indeed! Hyangs eyes began to sparkle even more at the reaction of the staff. You noticed it right away? Hey~. Is this unexpected? Hyang, who thought he had found talented people in unexpected ces, pushed a little further. What do you think are other advantages of using that method? . At Hyangs question, the conference room instantly became quiet. huh? Was it too much? When Hyang was feeling a little disappointed by the longer-than-expected silence, one of the staff members cautiously opened his mouth. Even though you are only one or two gisaengs, the moment youe out, you will be so famous that no one will know you throughout the empire or even within the headquarters. This is because you will make a name for yourself by touring general entertainment venues located throughout the region. If that happens, the pride of the residents of the viges where they came from will also increase. Considering the current reputation of the Northern Territory, even just one gisaeng will y a big part in unifying the empire. yes! As soon as the advisor finished speaking, Hyang pped his knee and eximed in admiration. Thats exactly what Jim thought! Currently, a significant number of Jurchen people are working as civil and military officials, but it takes a lot of time to produce high-ranking officials. Raising a gisaeng also takes a lot of time, but it takes less time than producing a high-ranking official or a noble family. For now, it is their home base, but as time goes by and they travel throughout the empire, their existence will soon be a source of pride, and they will even look down on the northern residents! There are examples of members of famous K-Pop girl groups and examples of famous Canadian hockey yers! * * * As the method of recruiting a retired gisaeng was decided, the meeting gradually began to speed up. For now, it is only in Liaodong Province, but soon bases will be created in major cities in the North. How should we build amunicationwork to connect them? At Hyangs question, the conference room became quiet again and Hyang started counting in her mind. One, two, three When the count reached over 400, one of the staff members stood up. How has it been to create a drinking school? Are you drunk? Please tell me in detail. 430! Thats a good reaction speed! If you do well, youll get some less work! The staff member who made the suggestion to Hyangsmand began to exin in more detail. If aprehensive entertainment center is created in the northern region, of course a lot of alcohol will be sold. However, most of it is horse liquor or takju, and soju is a raremodity. Isnt that the same as seeing it? Soju, made ording to a traditional method, was a very expensive alcoholic beverage because it required a lot of work. The staff member immediately nodded and responded to Hyangs point. Thats right. But the situation is better than in the north. Therefore, if we build a soju brewery near the Yalu River and in Liaodong Province and create a supply chain connecting major bases there, regrmunication will naturally be possible. Its okay. No, its a good way. After hearing the story, Hyang nodded repeatedly. The chainwork that supplies alcohol bes amunicationwork, and just crossing the Yalu River is connected to Seoul. Its okay. After thinking that far, Hyang came to a conclusion. For Giru and Suldo to establish a n for establishing a base connecting general entertainment venues and connecting amunicationwork. Also, analyze and upload the funding issues needed and the issues that need to be resolved. The deadline is two days, right? The faces of everyone in the conference room turned white at Hyangs question. Only two days? Its been two days. Why is it not enough? Hyang frowned slightly at the sight of him not being able to answer properly. Huh? What a disappointment. Where have all the talented people who were admiring me just now gone? At Hyangs words, the executives of the Mill Committee, especially the staff, immediately added strength to their voices. No! Two days is enough! I wille up with an answer that will satisfy Your Majesty! Im not looking forward to it. Im really looking forward to the day after tomorrow. You will definitely be satisfied! Good luck. With those words, Hyang smiled and stood up. Jaeumwiguk! After receiving Milwis courtesy, the scent disappeared. As the scent disappeared, the workers came to their senses and let out a long sigh. Whoa~. Its a big problem. Its a mess. Naegeumwijang muttered to himself after seeing the expressions on the workers faces. You guys were caught * * * Two dayster, Hyang returned to Milwis conference room. Hmm Hyang, who was looking at the report submitted by the executives of the Mill Committee with ck spots under his eyes, put down the report and began evaluating it. Not bad. Whoa~. Those who unconsciously sighed at Hyangs evaluation, soon fell to the floor without realizing it. Im sorry! Please forgive me for my indecency! Its okay, please take a seat. Herees the Emperor! When those who had prostrated themselves on the floor sat down again, the full-fledged evaluation of the smell began. As the analysis continued, many parts were left out and added. The part that was cut the most from the first n was the part rted to gisaeng C more precisely, the supply and demand of gisaeng. Unconditionally exclude cases where children are offered to repay debt. Excluding the link to human trafficking as well. However, the sisters must admit it. yes. Exclude women wearing foot bindings as much as possible. But only if you have talent for singing and music. yes. * * * The meeting between Hyang and Milwisted for almost two days. As time was invested, Milwis n became stronger. Thest thing left is the problem of Jeonju. Hmm. After thinking for a moment, Hyang looked back at the executives of Milwi. Let me borrow your name. yes? Do you mean the names of the little people? Do you have a penny or two worth of capital to make the giru and the drinking house? Do you think the National Tax Service will just overlook it? The moment the name of the luggage or the name of the Naegeumwijang, or even the name of the eunuch or the courtdy, is included, the Board of Audit and Inspection will go wild. Ah So lets make a top with your name on it. Are you talking from the top? okay. Congrattions, you have be the owners of the empires firstrge-scale liquor distribution and entertainer training business. Hahaha At the congrattions given by Hyang, the executives of Mill Wi made strange expressions and burst intoughter instead ofughter. One of the staff members who heard Hyangs dialect stood up and asked a question. Isnt there too many poles? Didnt I just say that? How to deal with the IRS? If one or two of you had paid all that money, wouldnt the National Tax Service immediately want to investigate the source? However, if the number is in the dozens, you will think it is a selfish ploy by the gisaeng houses. You probably think of it as investing all the money youve umted. Ah While the staff members were nodding their heads at Hyangs exnation, Hyang hit his knee. ah! Great idea! If you register properly at the top and get the basics right, register in the adventure investment safe and raise more funds! Then the financial problem will be easier to solve and disguised as well! ah! Thats right! That is so! In this way, the empires firstrge-scale liquor distribution and entertainment nning business, Juyerak (ˇ), was born. The name is a bit Unfortunately, Jim is not good at naming. Chapter 640 Episode 640 Wild Wild North (6) The top name has been decided, so lets move on Hyang, who was looking at the report, frowned slightly at the next item. Manpower mobilization is the problem. In response to Hyangs point, one of the staff members came forward to exin. I have no choice. Liaodong Province is the most prosperous ce in both Liaodong and Liaoxi. Of course, you can find more prosperous ces, but they are all located on the west side of the Great Wall. I know. However, it is a big problem to select 10 people with murder licenses. Arent the nights in Jemulpo, Dongrae, and Mokpo still noisy? * * * After the extermination of the remnants who had run away from the previous civil war and the sh with those sent from Dongchang, there was no movement of the secretaries on arge scale. However, even after that, the small-scale actions of the executing agents of the Militia continued. This was to block those who approached the craftsmen who managed and manufactured the militarys gunpowder, those in charge of managing long guns and artillery, and the craftsmen of Area 51. Those who approached them were diverse. The upper ranks were basically vassals of the shogunate, vassals of anti-shogunate forces, or people secretly sent by foreign merchants located at trade ports. And after Emperor Gyeongtae took over the throne, Dongchang was also sensed to be moving slowly. Thanks to this, blood was constantly flowing in Jemulpo, Dongrae and Mokpo. However, little was visible on the outside as the work crew moved. Because this was the situation. The scent prevented therge-scale deployment of execution agents with a license to kill. * * * I think that part could be done by using a non-captain. You mean secret service? Thats right. The staff of the Militia Committee suggested the operation of the Emergency Committee. Milwis license to kill wasrgely two-fold. One was a que personally issued to level A executives who had been recognized for their loyalty and martial prowess after a rigorous review. They were the elite of the elite, responsible for scouting and eliminating them alone or in groups of two or three. The total number of these A-level agents was 25. The other one was the card held by the non-captain. Milwi shined during the Beomgwol incident and the conflict with Dongchang, but Milwi was a double-edged sword. It was an information and military organization that only the monarch knew about and could mobilize, but if done wrong, the monarch could be swayed by the tyranny of secret intelligence. Therefore, the emergencymittee was created by King Sejong as a means to keep this in check. They were selected by the National Intelligence Committee and were in charge of liaison with the National Intelligence Committee during peacetime, but their job was to assist the National Intelligence Committee and mobilize military force when necessary. Of course, their job was to secretly monitor Milwi and subdue Milwi in case of emergency. * * * Mobilizing the emergencymittee is too much or too little. Why do we have to send 10 people with murder licenses? In response to Hyangs point, the staff exined the reason. Liaodong Province is a prosperous ce. Of course, there are brothels as well as brothels and gangsters who supply them with alcohol and women. In order to properly establish themselves in Liaodong City, they must be eliminated or subdued. For that, we need at least 10 people. Not possible. Hyang firmly answered that it was impossible and exined the reason. If I listen to you, quite difficult things will happen day and night. Then, of course, they will be monitored by the security agencies located in Liaodong Province. Then, problems arise with movement. It is impossible because those who should be moving secretly end up bing the object of attention. Those in charge of public security will only see it as a disturbance caused by gangsters. So we will monitor even harder to prevent troublesome things from happening. Hmm. After saying that, Hyang paused for a moment, lost in thought. In some ways, its a pretty cold decision, but I cant help it. After making a decision, Hyang shared her thoughts. Arent there some members of the Geomgye or Walcha gang who were left behind because their qualifications were too much to ept as Milwi? yes. There are quite a few. * * * Not all of the Geomgye or Walcha gangs located throughout Joseon belonged to the Milwi. People who are only good at strength and all others are bad, as well as people and organizations with many problems with their personality itself, were all excluded. Among those who were excluded, the lucky ones simply lived as Geomgye or Walcha gang members in small towns or cities, but those who were judged to be truly serious were dealt with by the Internal Affairs Commission secretly contacting the Pocheong. Nevertheless, such violent organizations continued to emerge, and monitoring them became the task of the Secret Service. * * * Put those swordsmen and waljja gangs in front. If you say, You can make a lot of money in Liaodong, there will be more than one person who will roll their eyes and rush to you, right? There will be a lot. They are suited to be consumed in the mud of Liaodong. And if you appoint them as your minions, it will be easier for you to move around and avoid unnecessary sacrifices. You are the ones who chose them, so how can you lose them carelessly? At Hyangsst words, all of the executives and staff members of the Mill Committee fell to the floor in tears. Wow! your majesty! Hwang Eun is devastated! You value so much the small people who will end up as nothing but mere pirs. Even if I die and turn white, I will sacrifice everything for your majesty and the country! Hwang Eun is devastated! The executives and staff of the Milwi, who were moved by Hyangs words, pledged their loyalty to Hyang in earnest voices. Hyang, who heard the loyalty oath from the executives and staff of the Milwi, answered with a smile. I know the blood, sweat, and tears you shed, so how could I count it in vain? Wow! Hwang Eun is devastated! Even if I die and only my soul remains, I will repay you! Then I and the Empire will be grateful. Naegeumwijang, who was watching the scene from the side, muttered to himself. I dont think thats what your Majesty meant by blood, sweat and tears? * * * When Hyang and Sejong first organized the Militia Committee, its members were full of troublemakers. This was because most of them were from Seoul and were talented, but they were dissatisfied because their path to advancement was blocked. Therefore, King Sejong gave an order to Naegeumwiwi at the time. They are good stones, but they have many ws. You have be the leader of the Wheat Wife, so polish it well and make it a treasure. I will do my best! Again, Naegeumwijangs nickname at the time was Samhanjeilgeom. He was acknowledged by everyone as the best expert in Joseon. Afterwards, the floors and pirs of Milwis secret house were soaked in the blood, sweat, and tears of those who became part of Milwi. After the situation was resolved, King Sejong came forward andforted her secretly, andforted her again by handing her good-quality weapons. With repeated encouragement and appeasement, the members of the first Milwi developed an almost religious loyalty to King Sejong and Hyang. Afterwards, as the secret service expanded, they took on the role of viins that Naegumwi had yed and introduced new members to the role. And as a simr process continued, the new recruits became people simr to their seniors. It didnt end here. Not only King Sejong, but Hyang also provided support to ensure that Milwis agents did not feel poor. And when a victim came out during an operation, he personally visited Milwi to pay his respects or sent a letter to pay his respects. -Even though we work in the dark, His Majesty does not forget us! Because Sejong and Hyang did not betray this trust, Milwi did not spare his life. * * * Hyang couldnt ovee his emotions and muttered to himself at the sight of these people shedding tears and pledging loyalty. How is this I feel like the leader of a cult? ruler. We dont have much time, so lets move on quickly. Lets control the night of Liaodong City by setting up minions like that. Do you have any objections? I dont have any! It could actually be a good opportunity. There have been some people raising too much rent these days, but I think we can reduce their worries. When the object to be used as a consumable was brought out, Hyang nodded. okay? Good. Is it the leader of a nationwide gang this time? While muttering to himself, Hyang organized the agenda. Then, organize the changes made so far, calcte the estimated funds, and submit again. It will be done in two days, right? I will make it happen! Hyang paused for a moment at the loud answer, but then smiled and nodded. Youre reliable! Please let go! * * * Just as Hyang, who had resolved an issue unknown to the Yangji officials, was attending to government affairs again, Seong Sam-mun visited Hyang. huh? Why did youe when you should be next to Jinpyeong? When asked why Hyang came to see Seong Sam-Moon after receiving his courtesy, Seong Sam-Moon got straight to the point. I ask for your Majestys approval to prevent any untoward incidents that may ur during the Duke of Jinpyeong and the construction of the railway. scandal? sanction? Please tell me in detail. ording to Seong Sam-moons exnation, the situation was as follows. C As the Yalu River Railroad Bridge construction progressed smoothly, Jinpyeong formed several teams and beganrge-scale surveying work. C The survey team spread out like this caused an ident. No, I got hit. Due to over-enthusiasm to increase the progress of the survey work, there were cases where people went too far ahead, leaving their escort troops behind, and were attacked. Is it a eugenic species? Seong Sam-moon responded firmly to Hyangs words. Ites with patience and patience. The members of the surveying team I personally met were all docile and good-natured, but when they even talked about railroads and surveying, they turned into madmen. In response to Seong Sam-moons answer, Hyang ced her hand on her forehead and nodded. As expected, he is a man of hard work and patience Please keep talking. Yes, Your Majesty. C In response, the Duke of Jinpyeong requested more guards, but the military is showing reluctance. -The military is also continuing to increase its troops, but the speed of the Duke of Jinpyeong and the surveyors advance is much faster than the speed at which the military is increasing its troops. Hyang nodded at Seong Sam-moons exnation. Right. If we unconditionally give priority to Jinpyeong, the bnce of the entire Liaohe region could be upset. Thats right. Jinpyeong wont stay still. So Soshin decided to find the answer. Its a race against time. So did you find the answer? When asked about Hyang, Seong Sam-moon swallowed his dry saliva and answered. I heard that in the past, when King Jeong was pioneering the northeastern region, he provided rifles and horseback rifles to the dispatched civil servants and trained them. I think it would be a good idea to take simr measures with the surveying team members. Lets arm the surveyors? When Hyangs expression and voice changed unusually, Seong Sam-moon continued speaking. yes. However, there will be restrictions. The firearms provided to surveying team members will be limited to rifles and mounted rifles, and the quantity of ammunition will also be limited. The apanying military unit is solely responsible for managing the entry and exit of guns and ammunition. Those who can wear weapons will be limited to those who go out to work, and they will be returned immediately upon return, and military officials will record all of this in writing. In addition, we will provide a signal new device to the person in charge of the survey work to prepare for any emergency. So youre arming them just enough tost until the armyes? So it is. Hyang nodded at Seong Sam-moons words. Its okay Jinpyeong will be satisfied with that. good night! Then, please fill out the proper document and submit it. I will review it and approve it if it is okay. Hwang Eun is devastated! Seong Sam-Moon, who had half-obtained Hyangs permission, retreated and Hyang, who was left alone, was lost in thought. Let me see doesnt this look familiar? C When the surveying team members were attacked by Jurchen men on horseback and desperately defending themselves with guns, the cavalry came and rescued them. Meanwhile, a conflict breaks out over interests in the streets of Liaodong Province at night, and the police officers and military officers of the provincial government struggle to sort it out. This how many western movies have they mixed together? Is itpletely Wild Wild West or Wild Wild North? Chapter 641 Episode 641: Medici, Europe, Jeonjeonrok. (1) Florence. Medici family mansion. Im back. Good work. Cosimo gave a short answer and got straight to the point. So what happened? Giovanni immediately lowered his head in response to Cosimos question. sorry. I didnt get a good answer. Did the King of Joseon reject it? The emperor said I had no right to talk to him at all. what! Cosimos expression became fierce at Giovannis answer. Cosimo did not control his emotions and continued speaking in a harsh voice. It is truly ridiculous to discuss the right to have a conversation about a mere minor monarch from the East! under! Cosimo was shocked and did not know what to do. His family was not simply the rulers of Florence. They were building a financialwork across Europe and seizing capital. Even the king of France, a great nation, could not speak to him carelessly, and many nobles could not even raise their heads in front of him. Is your representative not qualified to talk to you like that? It was an extremely arrogant behavior even for the monarch of Joseon, hisrgest trading partner. Tell me in detail what that arrogant Joseon monarch said! Yes yes! Giovanni, stung by Cosimos scolding, immediately reported to Cosimo what the perfume had said. Hmm When Giovanni finished speaking, Cosimos expression had changed. The anger that had filled me just before had suddenly disappeared, reced by a mixture of seriousness and admiration. Are you saying you made that decision after only hearing the 5/100 share that was conveyed to the Foreign Minister? Thats right. under! In response to Giovannis answer, Cosimo let out a short exmation that was unclear whether it was admiration or sarcasm. After taking a sip of wine from a crystal ss, Cosimo continued. The young monarch of Joseon will prosper even if he does business. Its a shame. Its truly a shame. He is the emperor of the Korean Federal Empire, not Joseon. Thats why I did it because it was unfortunate. Kitai, or Myung, is a country asrge as all of Europebined. They call themselves an empire because they fought against such a country and only won once, so it wontst long. I dont think so. huh? I continued to gather information from ports I stopped at on the way to Hanseong and Seoul. As a result, all countries in the East raised their empires above the Ming. The ruling country in the East has clearly changed. Hoo? Cosimos eyes lit up and he straightened his posture. Tell me in more detail. yes. * * * The war between Joseon and Ming was not simply a war between the two countries. All Asian countries, from Japan and Yugu as close as a and Cheonchuk as far away, were carefully observing the course of the war. Although the decline was due to trade issues, it was a serious matter for other countries that might require them to change their entire diplomatic rtions. This was due to tribute diplomacy, the basic form of diplomatic rtions in Northeast Asia. The critical issue was whether the existing Sanggu Ming would continue to maintain its position or whether the newly powerful Joseon would push out the Ming. * * * After the war, Hyang muttered this while organizing this part in his memorandum. It is said that the position of this G1 is the problem. If you look far away, you can see everything from the Peloponnesian War between Sparta and Athens to the US-China conflict in the 21st century There is no other way to say Thucydides war or nned war. In Hyangs opinion, Emperor Seondeoks n for war with Joseon was not a personal decision of Emperor Seondeok, but rather a failure to ovee the pressure of the times. Emperor Seondeok was very friendly to Joseon at the time when King Sejong had just begun his reign. This remained the same over time, so much so that Emperor Seondeok was nicknamed the Emperor of Goryeo and the Emperor of Joseon. However, as Joseon grew to the point of almostplete transformation, Emperor Seondeoks favor turned into wariness and then hostility. This was not a change unique to Seondeokje. Even in the private sector, the trend of self-generating assets was rising to the surface. Therefore, the war between Ming and Joseon was predicted. * * * So, in the East, leadership passed from the Ming to Joseon or the Empire? Thats right. Hmm Hearing Giovannis words, Cosimo fell into deep sleep and thought. I met a more difficult opponent than I thought. Although the concerns were deep, the conclusion came surprisingly quickly. The Emperor of the Empire did not say anything wrong, so I will have to take action ordingly. There will be more expenses, but if done right, it will bring permanent benefits to our family. Aftering to a conclusion, Cosimo looked back at Giovanni. Good work. You did a great job for your family. In response to Cosimos praise, Giovanni lowered his head with a puzzled expression. Thats too much praise. Then even if you go back no. I have something to tell you before I go. Thanks to the people you took with me, a lot of things happened. yes? * * * The painters and sculptors that Giovanni brought with himpleted many works during their stay in Joseon and on the return ship. Their paintings, prints, and sculptures soon created a sensation not only in the Italian cultural world but also in the entire European cultural world. The scenery of Joseon, which until then had only been imagined through letters sent by monks, could now be seen with the eyes, albeit through paintings or prints. Thanks to this, the Medici familys mansion where the paintings were hung continued to be visited by high-ranking Europeans, and the print books were sold at high prices. The sensation created by artists like this was not limited to culture. The development of Joseon depicted in paintings and prints stimted political and religious leaders in many European countries. How long will we keep fighting? The countries in the East are so far ahead, we cant be left behind! Either make a clear decision or make up! As this opinion became mainstream, the whole of Europe was once again in great turmoil. In the case of Charles VII of France, who received the title Charles le Victorieux, he began to reorganize the country in earnest after strengthening his royal authority. I will make France the Joseon of Europe! This was his slogan. What is interesting is that France and Charles VII were not the only countries and monarchs who advocated European Joseon. Meanwhile, the religious world was also simr. Nichs V, who seeded his predecessor Eugenius IV as Pope, began to strive for stability and harmony in the church. The situation at the time was also favorable to him. In 1448, the Treaty of Vienna was signed with Frederick III, and the Council of Basel, which had been in conflict with the Vatican over the abdication of antipope Felix I, recognized Nichs V as the only pope and was dissolved. Nichs V, who was faced with a favorable situation, actively took advantage of it. The monarchs of Joseon said that they were seeking the truth by gathering not only the wisdom of the East but also the wisdom of Rome! Reflect and repent! And study! It was the beginning of a reign that wouldter be called the Age of Reflection and Repentance (Tempus reflexionis et poenitentiae). Nichs V, who raised the above slogan, changed the design to support humanities schrs and further expand the size of the Vatican library that was being built. * * * Giovanni stuttered in embarrassment after hearing Cosimos story. Can you tell me that all of that happened because of me? Cosimo shook his head lightly at Giovannis words. Not everything. Both Charles and the Vatican have had such movements ever since the letters arrived from Joseon. You were one of them. Its just that this time we can see it with our eyes, so everyone can move. Ah Giovanni nodded at Cosimos words. Looking at Giovanni like that, Cosimo smiled brightly and continued speaking. Thanks to you, I was able to make a lot of profit. Mywork became stronger and I was able to open a few more branches. Its a ramp! Its a slope up to here. But problems also arose. The smile on Cosimos face disappeared as he continued speaking. Tell me about Challenge. * * * Giovanni and Henrik Mehmet II were not the only ones who learned of the existence of the Dologak. The artists Giovanni brought with him fell in love with the iron horse as soon as they saw it, and lived to draw or remember the horse. During this process, he came into contact with the monks who worked at the research institute, and through them he learned of the existence of Jeon Do-rok. The returning artists not onlypleted their works. In his spare time whilepleting his work, he collected what he saw and heard in Seoul through writing or oralmunication and created a record of his observations. And the publishers who smelled the moneytched onto the books, and the stories they produced immediately became bestsellers. And European schrs who learned of Jeonjeonrok through those experiences quickly began packing their bags. We have to go to Joseon or the Empire right now! Through letters sent by monks and artists, it was widely spread that Joseon had been transformed into the Korean Federal Empire. And at some point, among European intellectuals, Imperium became a term referring to the Korean Federal Empire. C A country that allows study to ones hearts content regardless of religion, as long as the monarch encourages learning and does not insist on proselytizing. -Only Dojeonrok and Eungjeonrok are the same country as the ideals of schrs! C After the fall of the Roman Empire, the only country qualified to be called a true empire is the Korean Federal Empire! This was the judgment among European intellectuals of the time. * * * Unlike schrs who learned of the existence of Daejeonrok and packed their bags and moved to the empire, politicians and merchants reacted differently. C As long as you know the difficult problems written in the challenge log, you dont have to worry about getting lost! No, you can go ahead! C If I can get my hands on Jeonjeonrok and Eungjeonrok and make them mine, the hegemony of the world will be mine! They believed that the rapid development of Joseon and its development into an empire based on that development were based on Jeon Jeon-rok and Eungjeon-rok. Everyone who thought that far ran into the same problem. But how do I get it? * * * After hearing Giovannis exnation, Cosimo stroked his chin and continued to ask questions. So, both the Jeonjeonrok and the Response Log are hidden under strict security in the Empire? Thats right. Shall we rescue some skilled thieves? Its impossible right now because they look different. There is definitely a problem with that. Then, should we ask the monks Oh, this has already failed Hmm Should we ask the Pope? Giovanni continued to shake his head at Cosimos words. I might break thew altogether. I heard you rejected Mehmet IIs offer to abdicate? Arent the cases different? Cosimo looked dumbfounded at Giovannis answer. Is it that much? This is not an exaggeration. If we look at the reactions of the monks we met at that time, it is safe to say that the Pope is beneath God and beneath him. This is it Chapter 642 Episode 642: Medici, Europe, Jeonjeonrok. (2) So since you are a monk who believes in God, are you saying that God is the highest and then the Jeonjeonrok? Thats right. Cosimo shook his head in disbelief at Giovannis answer. The monks who struggled in the monastery were originally single-minded, but to that extent These are the people who refused on the spot even though Mehmed II offered to give them as many women and wealth as they wanted. Giovanni described in detail the circumstances of his meeting with the monks. As Giovannis exnation continued, Cosimo kept shaking his head. The people sitting in the front are old people who have already lost all their energy, so even the young people sitting in the back did the same Are you saying that only those who deserve the title of saints went? * * * Cosimos assessment was simr in the empire. -Just pretending to be a person who provides food and clothing is enough. step! The challenge record and response record cannot bepromised! Saying this, the monks used only the minimum amount of money provided by the institute and used the rest to relieve the poor. Its quite a bit of wealth. Do you think its okay? Eating and clothing are enough for now. Isnt it the greatest blessing to pursue the truth while alive and praise God before Him when you die? These were monks who smiled and said this. The government officials and the people all said the same thing as they saw the monks devoting themselves to research and charity, content with their research quarters that others would have wanted to escape as quickly as possible. High priests from the West Station have arrived! The people who walk around wearing silk robes should be imitated! What kind of monks are those monks? Since ancient times, thats what a monk should be like! Meanwhile, these rumors came out from the officials who served Hyang, who was the crown prince at the time. They say all the western monks are wizards? But what is magic? This was a misrepresentation of what Hyang muttered when he saw the monks who did not drink much and were not interested in women. Maybe a great wizard will emerge soon Maybe thats why he didnt seed in life. And Cosimo also gave a simr evaluation of the scent. Thats why its hard for bishops and cardinals toe out of monasteries! * * * But Cosimo still did not give up. Still, try to recruit him somehow! Its okay to have money, have a woman, and be a man if you want! Giovanni responded to Cosimos words with a bitter smile. I will try my best. But it would be quicker to say that we will bring the record to Florence. Thats it! Cosimos face brightened at Giovannis words, which came out without any thought. Tell them this. There can be no monopoly of knowledge! So, why note back to Florence and create their own challenge record? There doesnt seem to be much different from what Mehmed II said. Will they respond? Big difference! Mehmed II said he would give me worldly wealth and women, but I will leave my name in history! Hmm Giovanni, who had been considering the possibilities for a moment at Cosimos words, nodded. Ill try it out next time I go. But getting there is the problem. I need an answer to give to the Emperor. Im not telling you to go right away, so dont worry. yes. * * * As more and more monks began to stay in Joseon and participate in more and more research, those who were concerned raised the issue to the Hyang through King Sejong. It is true that their qualifications are very excellent and helpful for research. But wouldnt it be a problem if they were too deeply involved? Hyang immediately asked back at Sejongs point. Are you concerned about them leaking information or returning to their own countries? Yes. Isnt it true that the beginning of life only urs when one dies? Hyang responded to Sejongs point with a small smile. It is certain that over time it will leak or return to its own country. And it is also true that it takes strength to prevent this. There is a problem of justification and the problem of supply and demand of new brains bing difficult. The point is that it is difficult to redeem a human being. Hmm Hyang thought for a moment and then nodded his head. Of course there is no reason to stop it unless you are a criminal or a ve. However, if we forcibly arrest people, good people will not think ofing to us. Of course, it is not that our Joseon C it was Joseon at the time C is devoid of talent, but stagnant water tends to rot, so the influx of new talent from outside is absolutely necessary. Thats right. But the countries we trade with are desperately trying to catch up with us. Arent the monks of the Western Region highly desirable to them? Prevention measures are needed. Two conditions will prevent them from easily catching up, even if they know it. Two conditions? One is time and one is Area 51. I understand Area 51 vaguely, but I dont understand time. Hyang exined it to Sejong in more detail. The time requirement is that they have to catch up with the time our Joseon research institute has already spent. Catch up with time? The results obtained from research are important, but the experience gained during the research is also important. Right. Its important to have experience. Hmm Area 51 is because of the artisans? Thats right. If researchers at the institute do not have the craftsmen and facilities to create and prove what they have only imagined, their efforts will be doomed to failure. The scent that was described up to that point continued with a sinister smile. But if necessary, you should also keep in mind to spill it in moderation. Leaking water? Sejong, who was thinking about Hyangs words, red at Hyang. Even if you twist it just a little bit when its slipping away, those following you will be confused. And on the pretext of chasing them, will you whip a running horse? Such a sneaky guy! Isnt a good thing a good thing? The officer who recorded this conversation between father and son added the following. -The work of an officer is said to be difficult because there is no rest, but it is still better than a researcher at a research institute. I must be faithful to my duties. * * * After roughly finishing the story rted to the challenge record, Cosimo moved on. I heard you say earlier that the countries of the East are deeply interested in the conflict between Ming and Joseon. As a result, the Ming stepped down and Joseon established itself as an empire. What was the reaction of the surrounding countries? It still looks favorable. This is because the emperor of the empire officially dered non-interference in internal affairs in ordance with the principle of non-existence and inevitability. I also said I would not ept any tribute. Hoo? You think weaker countries will like it? yes. Anyway, its non-interference in internal affairs Why did you do something that would cause harm? Cosimo frowned, not understanding the choice of scent. I thought you werepetent, but maybe youre not? * * * However, the choice of Hyang was a reasonable choice based on the situation of the empire. If you think about tribute diplomacy with the Ming Dynasty. I dont think we need to ept tribute. The elder ministers all nodded at the viges decision. Its a wise decision. You shouldnt suffer losses because of your pride. When Joseon paid tribute to the Ming, the Ming gave Joseon several times that amount of goods in return. And it was Joseon that had a lot of fun using this custom, and those who implemented it were senior ministers. However, tribute was not necessarily beneficial to Joseon. Many women were presented to the Ming Dynasty as princesses, and many people suffered hardships to obtain the prize. Therefore, theints of the general public against the Ming and Joseon governments did not subside easily. Knowing this well, the Hyang and ministers gave up on tribute diplomacy. C Avoid useless spending and avoid being criticized by those who buy our products! C If the empire wants to get what it needs from another country, it should be done through trade, not tribute! Likewise, it was for this reason that he dered non-interference in internal affairs. C In order to interfere in the internal affairs of another country, one must be able to project the military power of the empire to that country. But now the empire has neither the power nor the will to do so. C If you carelessly interfere with the internal affairs of another country, you will incur the resentment of the people of that country. This damages the empires trade. Therefore, they do not interfere carelessly as long as it does not cause damage to the empire. In this way, when Xiang, the emperor of the empire, officially dered abolition of tribute and non-interference in internal affairs, the surrounding countries all cheered this decision but alsoughed at it. Even if tributary diplomacy is like that, does this mean non-interference in internal affairs? Giving up the greatest benefit the empire can gain? Are the emperor and his subjects all idiots? The reason why the county and its subjects were able to boldly dere abolition of tribute and non-interference in internal affairs was because of the strength of the empire that had already been secured and was gradually being secured. Its not for nothing that the saying generousness grows in the barn came about. Why do you go out and do something that will get you criticized? There was nothing wrong with what Hyang said. And this was the same for the ministers, including Kim Jeom. When I first heard of Shinjis existence, Kim Jeom said something simr and insisted on active pioneering. As long as the resource zone of Liaohe, symbolized by Fusun, the northeastern forest zone, the resources buried there, and the resources buried in Daxue Ind were properly managed, the empire had no worries. But it was Shinji who yed the biggest role. The mines discovered in the Daeho-gun area and the underground resources such as iron and copper that came from them were of great value. Simply put, the empire had no problems growing even if itpletely cut off ties with other countries. Why are istionists rampant in the United States even in the 21st century? There will be problems in the market, but that can be solved by promoting poption growth in the empire. After sorting out the situation, Hyang smiled confidently and muttered to herself. * * * Cosimo, left alone in the room after finishing his conversation with Giovanni, muttered while holding a ss of wine. Even if its a makeshift n should we think again from the beginning? Cosimo began to take interest in the Far East when he first saw Joseons products and recognized their marketability. Until then, for Cosimo and other Europeans, the East meant the Middle East and India, where the Ottoman Empire was located. Of course, thanks to the records of the Silk Road during the Roman Empire and the Mongol Empires invasion of Europe, we knew about the existence of China or Kitai further east. But in reality, it was the realm of legends that few people knew about. The basis for this judgment was Marco Polos History of the East. The records written in the Book of Visits to the East were, in the opinion of Europeans, very illusory. This was because the splendor of the East, the unexpected objects, and the techniques for making them described in the Book of Visits to the East were beyond the cognitive realm of Europeans. However, as Joseon products entered Europe through Alexandria, people like Cosimo realized that it could not be fiction and immediately began investigating. After the investigation, Cosimo gave up his name. Its too big for me to handle. Instead, the target was Joseon. Its a weak country that pays tribute to the Ming Dynasty. Of course, it is a wealthy country, but it is smallpared to the number of people. I can handle it well. But as time went by, this belief was slowly cracking. -A much stronger military force than expected. -Even though it has such military power, it is focusing on advancing east rather than west. Cosimo, who sensed the existence of the New World, made a union between Portugal and the Ottomans in order to avoid losing economic interests. At this point, deep in his mind, the judgment that Joseon was a difficult opponent was already growing stronger, but Cosimo was trying to ignore this. It was a matter of pride. There is no way Cosimo de Medici was wrong in his judgment! However, once Joseon pushed out the Ming Dynasty and became the ruler of the Far East, it was in a situation where it had to acknowledge this and reconsider from the beginning. And what ensured this was the abolition of tribute and non-interference in internal affairs proimed by the township. -The empire has already secured arge source of revenue to the point where it can give up the huge profits it could gain through this! Chapter 643 Episode 643: Medici, Europe, Jeonjeonrok. (3) I have to admit what needs to be acknowledged. Joseon, or rather the empire, has grown toorge for me to deal with it to my liking. Cosimo neatly acknowledged the situation. But my pride cant allow me to drag myself along. And you cant make much profit. Recognition is recognition and benefit is benefit. You have to dig into the areas you need to dig into and grab the vital points. Cosimo thoroughly reanalyzed the situation. I feel sick to my stomach about the weapons the Empire said they will sell this time, but I have no choice but to buy them. If you y for a long time to save money, you will inevitably suffer bigger losses. The situation in Europe is the same right now. * * * Even before Nichs V called for reflection and repentance, Europe was slowly reducing conflicts anding to a close. One of the biggest reasons was the fatigue of the people and nobles. Long before the letters from the monks that arrived in Joseon sparked a fire, Europe was suffering from the religious conflict between the Pope and the Council of Basel. In such a situation, a question asked by Hyang in Joseon fanned the situation and caused an even bigger fire. As the religious conflict that took ce went on for more than 10 years, everyone from the nobility above to the people below felt extreme fatigue. * * * In addition, not only religious issues but also economic issues forced closure. In addition to the war of words between religious people and intellectuals, fierce bloody disputes broke out between those who believed in different doctrines. And as these bloody disputes grew in scale, more and more territories were caught up in these disputes and were devastated. As a result, farmers and nobles facing economic difficulties began to put pressure on religious figures and intellectuals. -Is this situation really what God wanted? The peoplesints put the strongest pressure on religious people and intellectuals. As the poption decreased significantly due to the ck Death, the position of serfs and self-employed farmers became stronger. And dissatisfaction was increasing proportionally. The means taken by lords and religious figures to quell the dissatisfaction of these serfs and self-employed farmers was to hold festivals. In addition to traditional festivals such as Easter and Christmas, additional festivalsmemorating the feast days of various saints and saints began to be held. In this way, many festivals took ce throughout Europe, and merchants looking for big trees traveled all over Europe. What the merchants selling the most at the festival was Mulberry Water exported from Joseon. Meanwhile, this movement of nobles and people was also something that magnates like Medici wanted. Most of Europes nobles were debtors to magnates such as Medici. Nobles, regardless of their rank or the size of their territory, were in enormous debt. Therefore, in the aftermath of the long-running religious conflict, the number of bankrupt nobles was increasing, and their bad debts were bing a headache for business magnates. * * * Even if weapons are unavoidable, the conditions imposed by the empire are the problem. Cosimo thought again about the 40% share that the fragrance had offered. Now that the empire has turned out like that, I should think again. Its a shame. If I did well, I could have secured at least 1/4 of the stake. As soon as Giovanni, who returned from the Empire, heard about the Joint of the Four Kingdoms, a n was immediately formed in Cosimos head. If youre good at this! Cosimo did not miss this sh of thought and immediately sent Giovanni back to the empire. After sending Giovanni back to the empire, Cosimo smiled in conversion. Its not just Portugal that will be in trouble without the money I send. Osman was also indebted to Cosimo. * * * The Ottomans were growing into an emerging power in the Imic region, but maintaining that growth was not easy. In order to expand the territory, the theater continued to expand, which meant that the portion of war expenses in finances was increasing. However, if expansion was stopped, it was certain that those who were benefiting from the war would immediately revolt. There were two ways to solve this difficult problem. One was to continue expansion until there was no morend to upy or until the belligerent vested interests ran out of steam. The problem was that if there was even a cry in a situation where there was no room to spare, the risk of falling straight into the abyss was very high. The other was to find another source of ie that was not based on territory and take it as the sultans. Based on these financial resources, the sultans grip on power C military power C was strengthened and then the vested interests were suppressed. If we could control the vested interests, we would be able to stop expansion within a reasonable line and establish a stable national system. That was why I epted Cosimos proposal. If the trade routes to and from the Land of Flowers were to be taken over C if not monopolized C this would be a new source of ie for the Sultan. In addition, by attacking the famously wealthy treasure troves of Cairo and the fertile Nile Delta, he was able to divert the attention of the vested interests symbolized by the Sipahi and Timar Inds. When Murat II epted the offer, Cosimo supplied a significant amount of military funds and arge quantity of Florentine guns that were copies of Joseon-made guns. And Murat II used the military funds and chief gun he received to strengthen the power of the Janissaries, the sultans personal forces. * * * Cosimo was confident because not only Portugal but also the Ottomans were on a leash. Mehmed II may have spoken loudly to the empire, but that doesnt mean he can escape from me. Mehmed II was the strongest candidate for the next sultan, but Cosimos wealth was enough to manipte the result. And this was something that Mehmed II also knew. Therefore, Mehmed II could not ignore Cosimos words. Of course, you can change your words once you be sultan, but you learned something good from the actions of the empire. Before a full-fledgedpetition among sultan candidates took ce, a document acknowledging the promise would be obtained from Mehmed II. Of course, in the name of Ah, as the Empire did. After sorting out the situation, Cosimo nned to obtain 5/100 of the shares from the Portuguese and the Ottomans respectively. Of course, like it was done with the Empire, it was through a secret agreement that was not made known to other countries. They would find out only after the conflict arose. If we add the 5/100 that will be obtained from the empire, the share secured by Cosimos Medici family will be 1/4 of the total. With that amount of stake, the Medici family would be able to reap maximum profits by coordinating between the three countries. However, the emperor of the empire, Hyang, put the brakes on this. * * * After analyzing the situation so far, Cosimo filled his empty ss with wine and red at the map. Hmm Since the Empire gave me a blow, I guess I should also give them a blow, right? Cosimos eyes were fixed on France. It is difficult for Portugal to deal with the Ottomans and the Empire alone. But Cosimo, who quenched his thirst with wine, continued speaking. But in France, its different. * * * Could it be the butterfly effect caused by the intervention of scent? It ended almost six years earlierpared to the history before the township intervened. It was Charles VIIs choice to win the struggle against the nobles C even his own son. C Normandy and Cis remain, but you can take them backter! Now we have to catch those nobles first! Charles VII, who was impressed by the royal politics of the East that he learned about through letters from monks, began to strengthen royal power in earnest. Thanks to this, the policy of strengthening the royal power, such as the increase in the standing army, which had urred in history before the intervention of Hyang, was being carried out in more earnest. And to strengthen this royal power, Charles VII actively took advantage of divisions in the religious world. By supporting reformist religious figures and intellectuals preferred by the people and criticizing fundamentalists and conservatives, the power of the nobility, the traditional support force of conservatives, was weakened. But what was absolutely necessary for all these schemes and tricks was money, and a lot of it. Thanks to this, the rtionship between Charles VII and Cosimo was very close. Cosimoughed bitterly as he recalled the political situation in France. Paris will be in trouble, but Burgundy will be in trouble as well. At that time, Charles VIIs son and most powerful political enemy, Louis XI, was living in Burgundy. * * * Whether in Paris or Burgundy, France at the time was the country with thergest number of soldiers experienced in actualbat Crge-scale battles held at the national level. If the weapons purchased from the empire are used here, this boring war wille to an end quickly. And if it is Portugal and France, the Ottomans will not be able to be so stubborn. Cosimo, who had sorted out the situation up to that point, pointed his finger at the Suez area on the map andughed. And its a canal We should take advantage of the empires mistakes. Cosimo thought it was a clear mistake for the Empire to rmend a canal. Its not wrong. Transporting iron horses and railroads also costs a lot of money. And we also have to worry about possible technology leaks. It is also true that the process of getting off the ship, putting it back on the iron horse, arriving at the destination, and putting it back on the ship isplicated and expensive. Cosimo filled his empty ss with wine again and continued speaking with a grin. But the problem is that while railways and iron horses depend on the Empire for everything, canals do not. Although the excavator Giovanni mentioned is great, it can be easily reced. All we need to do is hire more workers or bring in more ves. Excavators alone are not the answer. As Cosimo said, this was a mistake made by the county and imperial officials. * * * As King Sejong began to make royal pces and a full-fledged policy to foster industry andmerce was implemented, private servants, excluding government servants, almost disappeared. In order to suppress the power of local vested interests opposing the reform policy symbolized by the Sanobis light uniform, the government treated Sanobi as property and raised the property tax rate. Because of this, arge number of Sanobi were exempted from duty and released as adoptees. This was not just aimed at weakening the power of local vested interests. The purpose was to increase the number of wage workers as abor force needed for the growingmerce and industry, an important consumer market, and a tax source to cover the ever-increasing finances. As Sanobi became an endangered species, the concept of very faded from the minds of King Sejong, Hyang, and government officials. Of course, there were still a huge number of government ves left, but the vast majority of them were political prisoners, so this was not the case. However, in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, ves were still an everyday existence and the easiest means of securingbor. Cosimo was trying to exploit this loophole. Why do we need imperial excavators? ves work cheaper? And the less the empires influence decreases, the more beneficial it is for me. Chapter 644 Episode 644: Medici, Europe, Jeonjeonrok. (4) Thats the way to get to the canal whats left? Cosimo shook his wine ss lightly and thought. Cosimo, who was thinking deeply about what was giving him a very ufortable feeling, nodded at some point. yes. There was still a challenge record left Its definitely a difficult item to get, but I cant give up on it. What should I do? Cosimo, who was wondering what method would be best, soon brightened. yes! Cosimo found a good solution and shook the small bell that was ced on his desk. Jingling jingling! Did you call me? When the chief deacon came in after hearing the bell, Cosimo immediately gave an order. I will visit the University of Florence for lunch tomorrow. Make an appointment with the president. Yes, I will send someone now. * * * Lunch the next day. Cosimo arrived at the University of Florence on time. At the entrance of the university, the president and professors of the University of Florence were waiting for Cosimo. wee. The president and professors who saw Cosimo getting off the carriage greeted him with polite bows. Im sorry for bothering you. no. How can it be troublesome to wee a benefactor? The presidents words were sincere. The predecessor of the University of Florence was a humanities research institute. However, the war with Mn, which took ce for six years starting in 1423, was a problem. In the process of raising war expenses, humanities research institutes were at risk of closing due tock of funds. At this time, the person who appeared as a savior was Cosimo de Medici. Cosimo, who was in charge of the Ufficiali del Monte, which oversaw Florences finances, promoted the crisis-ridden research institute to the University of Florence. Cosimo was the first to call a university Casa di sapienza (Pce of Wisdom). Under the patronage of Cosimo, university professors collected ancient Greek and Roman books. And based on those old books, the humanities of ancient Greece and Rome began to be revived. Then Cosimo dered: Now Florence is no longer ruled by the mouth of a priest! (Note 1) * * * As soon as Cosimo and the presidents professors sat down in the presidents office, servants came in carrying trays containing silver teapots and teacups and poured caff coffee. Cosimo, after taking a sip of the cafe in his ss, asked the president. Do you know that? What are you talking about? It started drinking in this cafe and that in Im, then went to Joseon or the Empire, and then spread again to Italy. The president nodded at Cosimos words. I heard about it before. * * * In history before the intervention of incense, coffee spread to Europe after the Battle of Vienna in 1683. This was also true for Arabs. Coffee did not spread easily due to conservative imams who believed that the benefits of coffee were against thew. This type of coffee became mainstream in 1554, around the time Cafe Kiva Han opened in Istanbul. (Note 2) However, this was changed due to the intervention of Hyang. Hyang, who could not forget the taste of coffee he had in the 21st century, brought coffee to Joseon through Mansour. The coffee that was imported and given the name ck bean tea became widespread as a drink that helped government officials suffering from overwork and those preparing for civil service exams survive. As a result, it became a must-have item along with traditional tea in the Joseon Dynasty. What is interesting is that ck bean tea, drunk with ice in the middle of winter, began to spread as a delicacy. After hearing that story, Hyang shook his head and muttered. Has Eoljuk-a be a specialty of the Korean Penins even in this era? And the Korean people who had be ustomed to coffee in Joseon began to look for coffee in Alexandria as well, which led to the spread of coffee to the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. * * * Cosimo, who had created an atmosphere through the cafe, got to the point. I originally came from Im, but I was treated poorly at this cafe. However, once it entered the Joseon Dynasty or Empire, it became a popr drink not only in Im but also in Europe. Is this only a cafe? The president nodded at Cosimos words. That is certainly true. There is a rumor that the famous crystal was also created by artisans from Venice. Is it just crystal? Archimedes mathematics yed a big role in the iron horse and its magnificent iron bridge that everyone who studies mathematics wants to see, right? So thats it. I have a favor to ask of you. Hearing Cosimos words, the president asked with a serious look on his face. Do you want me to go to the Land of Flowers? Cosimo nodded at the presidents words. You and your trustworthy people should go to the empire, examine their technology and learning, and thene back. If you listen to the stories spreading in the market right now, there are a lot of absurd things. Do you think it makes sense to say magic? This is the work of ignorant people. If they cannot understand something, they must be prevented from dismissing it as heresy, saying it is magic or they sold their soul to the devil. So I guess you guys should go and take a look. And if there is a need to learn the knowledge they have umted, select those who will return after studying in the empire. The president responded immediately to Cosimos words. There is enough value to learn. Then how many people can we select and by when? As the president spoke, one of the professors next to him pointed out the problem. There is a high possibility that the Land of Flowers will not respond. Sharing the knowledge they have worked hard to umte means creatingpetitors with their own hands. Cosimo, who was pointed out, nodded repeatedly. Of course it is. Therefore, it is your responsibility to negotiate that part. The president responded to Cosimosmand with a solemn expression. I will do my best. Cosimo, satisfied with the presidents answer, left the cafe and continued. First, I will send someone to the empire to inform them of your visit. It is said that this is a country that gives preferential treatment to schrs, so the treatment will not be harsh. And if they ept the offer, select and send as many people as possible. That way, many people wille back. Isnt it? If 10 people go and 5 remain, there will be a big loss, but if 50 or 100 people go and half of them return, wont we still secure a significant amount of manpower? It is very likely that they will ask for costs. Cosimo responded to the presidents words with a grin. Did you forget? I am Cosimo de Medici. * * * Cosimo, who had finished his errands at the University of Florence, called Giovanni as soon as he returned to the mansion. Did you call me? When can we depart for the Empire? officially. Giovanni, who had been assessing the date for a moment in response to Cosimos question, answered. If you consider the time and wind direction to reach the Empire, departure will be possible in January next year. Then I will tell Osman to ask for an escort. You must leave for the Empire as soon as Januaryes. What is there to do in the Empire? The president and professors of the University of Florence will be visiting, so it is important to make arrangements in advance. Giovannis eyes sparkled at Cosimos words. Will university presidents and professors send their students? Yes. If you cant physically take out the challenge record, you have to make sure to keep it in your head. If that is too difficult, shouldnt we raise people who can create our own challenge records? I think that would be best. So, do your best to achieve good results. yes. All right. As Giovanni left the office, Cosimo stroked his chin and muttered. I guess I should hand over the bank to that guy. * * * Cosimo de Medici had two sons and one illegitimate son. The eldest son, Piero, was in poor health. Therefore, Cosimo decided that it would be unreasonable to entrust everything to him, so he nned to put his eldest son Piero in charge of Florences politics, while giving his second son Giovanni in charge of banking and trading. And his illegitimate son, Carlo de Medici, entered the path of a priest. Because there was such a n, Cosimo entrusted Giovanni with external work. Thanks to this, Giovanni had to travel diligently between Portugal and the Ottoman Empire. I heard the Empires health medicine is so good, I guess I should get it and give it to him. * * * After entrusting the mission to Giovanni, Cosimo headed to Paris. Wee! Charles VII greeted Cosimo at the Louvre Pce and weed him politely. Cosimo also politely responded to the undeserved wee from Charles VII, who greeted him first. I meet the victorious king who ended 100 years of war. ha ha ha! A victorious king! Its an undeserved title! Charles VIIughed heartily and had a servant prepare a chair for Cosimo to sit on. When Cosimo sat down, Charles VII asked a question with a face full of curiosity. All the kings of Europe, except that English hillbilly. What are you doing here, the person who holds the treasury of all the monarchs of Europe? I havee to propose something to your Majesty. Cosimos words made Charles VIIs curiosity even stronger. proposal? to me? Thats right. What are you proposing? Would you like to share the path to the Land of Flowers? The smile disappeared from Charles VIIs face at Cosimos words. After remaining silent for a moment, Charles VII asked Cosimo. Although I dont know much about the outside situation because of the English countrymen and arrogant nobles, I do know that the Portuguese and the Ottomans joined hands to take over that road. And we also know that the Iberian thieves and the Egyptian thieves joined hands to fight him. In particr, have you forgotten that it was you who asked me to tie up the feet of the Iberian bandits? How could you have forgotten? However, Portugal knew that it would be difficult to deal with the Ottomans. So youre asking me to take Portugals ce? There was a hint of anger in Charles VIIs voice as he asked the question. In response to Charles VIIs question, Cosimo shook his head with a nonsensical expression. How could I do something that would tarnish Your Majestys honor? For that matter, the Maid of Orlans C Joan of Arc C is enough. Then what is it? I would appreciate it if you could join with Portugal and prevent Ottoman tyranny. Cosimo then exined the joint stockpany that the Empire had proposed. Hmm As Cosimos exnation continued, Charles VIIs expression became increasingly cold. Eventually, Cosimos exnation came to an end, but Charles VII remained silent. Its certainly not a bad offer. Certainly, if that trade route is created, the shortest trade route not only to the empire but also to India will be created. If that happens, all the merchant ships in Europe will flock there. There is absolutely no loss as far as the tolls from there and the profits from the operation of the port city are concerned. The problem is the stake, and if I get involved, Osman wont be able to make such a loud noise. The problem is what armament the soldiers will be equipped with. Cosimo seemed to have sensed Charles VIIs inner thoughts and continued. They said they were selling a new long gun in the Land of Flowers. I can help you buy those guns if you want. In the end, Charles VII took the bait thrown by Cosimo. I will discuss it with the ministers. But its not a bad thing for my France either, so there will be good results. * * * (Note 1) https://.mk.co.kr/opinion/columnists/view/2020/02/107170/ (Note 2) https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EC% BB%A4%ED%94%BC Chapter 645 Episode 645: Hillbilliese to Seoul. (1) The end of the 31st year of King Sejongs reign (1449, Gisa Year). Florence. smart. e in. The butler, who came in with Cosimos permission, announced the presence of a visitor. Gonfaloniere (gonfaloniere di giustizia) Representative to the National Assembly of the Florentine Republic. A guest has arrived. huh? Who is it? It is said to be the messenger of the King of France. Cosimo, who was sorting out documents with an indifferent expression, leaned back against the backrest and answered. Please take us inside. yes. After a while, the messenger who entered the office under the guidance of the butler politely bowed to Cosimo. See you Gonfaloniere. Wee. Cosimo responded briefly and gave an order to the butler. I will show you to your seat and bring you a cafe. Yes gonfaloniere. After a while, a conversation between Cosimo and the lion began over a teacup. So, how is the King? Goodbye. Thank goodness. So, why did King Victory send you? In response to Cosimos question, the lion opened the leather bag he had on hisp and took out a letter envelope. This is a personal letter from His Majesty. A personal letter? Cosimo took the envelope and examined it. The coat of arms of the Valois royal family was clearly imprinted on the red wax that sealed the envelope. Hmm After hearing the seal, Cosimo took out the personal letter inside and checked its contents, then let out a long sigh. Whoa~. Tell this to King Victory. Ill let you know as soon as the road opens. Yes, I understand. Then it will be a long way to Paris, so I will provide you with a ce to rest. * * * After sending out the messenger, Cosimo sighed and grumbled again. Whoa~. Its been a while since I received threats. The contents of the personal letter sent by Charles VII were summarized as follows. -I request that professors from the University of Paris be included in the inspection team sent to the Land of Flowers. I look forward to your wise decision considering our future friendly rtionship. The words are friendly rtions and wise decisions. This was a threat. -If you dont let me join the inspection team, I wont cooperate in the future! It was a threat that Cosimo had no choice but to ept. Cosimo, who was looking at the letter in his hand, shook his head. What kind of person was bragging about this? You damn professors! Cosimo was convinced that there was a prime suspect among the professors at the University of Florence. Looking at the situation of European universities during this period, Cosimos confidence was understandable. Whenever I get a chance, I say, Youre so handsome. He growled, saying, Im so good, but it was the professors at European universities who formed awork of connections just as great. It was inevitable that only a small number of the ssical philosophy books that those professors mainly researched and lectured on remained. Therefore, in order to read or copy old books that I did not have, I had no choice but to rely on my personal connections. And this led to the creation of a strong and strongwork among university professors in various European countries. Therefore, Cosimo was able to guess why this happened. It was clear that someone among the professors had written a letter to his nemesis and boasted about it. C You will go to the nd of flowers! Im going to go and see it with my own eyes and touch it! Are you jealous? He would have written a letter with this content and sent it to the other person. Cosimo, who filled his empty ss with wine, looked out the window and grumbled. Sooner orter, lions wille from all directions. Although he was grumbling with his mouth, Cosimos expression was surprisingly not bad. Anyway, you have to go through me to get to the empire. A guide to learning Its not bad for me and my family. And as Cosimo expected, messengers from kings of various countries flocked to the area. * * * Early March, 32nd year of King Sejongs reign (1450, Gyeong-oh year). Giovanni, sent by Cosimo, arrived in Seoul with messengers from Mehmed II. Giovanni and the messengers, who bowed to him and retired, met with Huhu one by one. Thank you foring all the way. So, did you bring the answer? We are doing our best in that area right now. The reason I came this time is because of other business. Any other business? What is it? Professors from universities in Florence and Europe have requested that they want to see the empire. Therefore, I would like to obtain His Majestys permission for this. huh? After hearing Cosimos words, Hu Hu thought for a moment and then answered. I understand. I will report this to Your Majesty. * * * After hearing Florences demands through Heohu, Hyang had differences of opinion with the ministers. So what level should university professors take? Heo Hu searched his memory and answered Hwang Bo-ins question. If what I heard before is correct, they can be considered simr to the people in charge of education at various academies in the empire and the researchers working at research institutes. Hoo? They are highly educated people. Thats right. The eyes of the ministers who nodded to Heo Hus exnation were full of greed. I opened my mouth while looking at the expressions of the ministers. They are already respected in Europe. It wonte down easily. Kim Jong-seo couldnt let go of his regret after hearing Hyangs words and asked Hyang. Wouldnt it be possible, since there are simr people among the western monks in the institute? Hyang shook her head at Kim Jong-seos words. Monks have only fame, but they also have wealth. They already have wealth and fame, but how many of them would give it up? Ah At Hyangs point, the ministers could not hide their disappointment and sighed or licked their lips. Looking at the ministers, Hyang continued speaking. ording to what I learned from the monks at the institute, in European universities, you learn the so-called seven liberal arts and then choose one of the three disciplines to study. Hyang exined the 7 free courses, which are divided into 3 departments and 4 departments, and the 3 professional courses, which are specialized courses. So, we ept their requirements, but we also want to put some conditions on it. Those who will visit the empire will receive only professors of industry and science called algebra and geometry in the 3rd specialized department, medicine and 7th free department, and professors of astronomy and music. After hearing Hyangs suggestion and thinking about it for a while, Hwang Hee asked Hyang. Are you looking forward to the arrival of students? Thats right. It is clear that our empire is ahead of theirs, so we will send students to learn from them. We are targeting them. In response to Hyangs words, Lee Sa-cheol carefully pointed out the problem. If you do it right, it is an opportunity to easily recruit talent, but if you do it wrong, it can cause problems with the budget. Are there any problems with the budget? Thats right. From what I remember, during the old Samhan period, many talented people from the Samhan Dynasty went to the Tang Dynasty and learned academics. At this time, I understand that the money needed to obtain the scriptures was provided by the home country, but the party paid for food, clothing and shelter. It is truly a pleasure for European students toe to study and admire the learning of our empire, but if the number is excessive, it will be a problem for the budget. Hyang asked Lee Sa-cheolsment with a look of iprehension. Why should we provide them with food, clothing, and shelter? yes? We can provide housing. But of course you have to pay for eating, clothing, and learning. At the very least, the people of our empire also pay school fees from middle school and above. Its not fair. Lee Sa-cheol stuttered and refuted Hyangs words. But, I admire our empires learning Hyang immediately cut off Lee Sa-cheol. We didnt ask you toe, did we? Didnt theye of their own volition? If you dont want to pay that fee, you can just tell them to work like the Japanese. In Hyangs words, Kim Jeom pointed out the problem this time. If we do that, we may miss out on talented people. The onesing this time are different from the monks from the West. Rather, it is a simr case to the Japanese. How many Japanese people remained after learning and practical training? There were almost none. Like Kim Jeoms answer, most of the Japanese who came to Joseon to learn administration and practical skills returned to the Japanese country. This was an obvious choice. Because if I just returned to Japan, I could work at the core of power. Hyang continued speaking. Its the same. Think about it carefully. Cosimo, who made the offer this time, is a well-known merchant in Europe. Would he want to send his students away without any preparation? Even if we provide tuition and other necessary offerings, we will fill the students pockets in advance. I have to be indebted to them so that I can returnter. So, it is best to take what you can. In response to Hyangs words, Lee Sa-cheol continued to point out the problem. Your Majesty, what you said is truly correct, but we may miss out on a talented person. There is a solution to that problem. We can benefit as well. You mean benefits? Please let me know what benefits you would like to give. What would you like? This person! Where do you get honey sucked through your butt! As Hyangs tone of voice changed, the ministers became very nervous and began to shake their heads. After a while, Kim Jong-seo opened his mouth. Isnt it best to answer riches with riches? Methods such as marrying a woman can actually be scandalous. If we give rewards and waive tuition to those who have a good attitude toward studying, have excellent grades, and have great prospects for their future, we will be able to secure at least six out of ten. Thats what Jim thought. When the scent responded with a satisfied face, the ministers sighed in relief. Whoa~. I passed it! Looking at the ministers, Hyang added an exnation. If necessary, you can set a period of time to stay and work. If you work hard for about 10 years, you are guaranteed to return home and you are paid a significant reward. Then, the burden will be less on the parties. Even if you stay for 10 more years, you will still be returning to your hometown and you will also be able to gain wealth. I will return there having learned more than those who returned there first, so the rulers of my home country will not have any problems with it. The ministers nodded at Hyangs words. However, it wasnt long before Kim Jeom raised a counterargument. Wouldnt it be a dangerous move to send them back? If you do it wrong, you could end up creating strongpetitors. Thats what we were aiming for. At Hyangs answer, all the ministers widened their eyes and asked in one voice. yes? Looking at the ministers, Hyang calmly exined the reason. As I said before, this is to prevent stagnation in the empire. We all know the saying, If water stagnates, it rots. To prevent this stagnation, it is a good idea to continue to recruit and bring in fresh talent from outside, but it is not the whole solution. It doesnt stop if there is apetitor. Havent you all had a running race with your friends orpeted with your ssmates in math when you were young? ah! The ministers all eximed in exmation at Hyangs words. But Kim Jeom couldnt hide his worries. But as time passes, you may be overtaken. Hyang responded firmly to Kim Jeoms words. Anyone who gets overtaken in this situation is stupid. At Hyangs firm answer, all the ministers had the same thought. His Majesty is confident that he will never be overtaken during his time! The problem is that it is not pride! The bigger problem is that thanks to this, we are in trouble! Chapter 646 Episode 646: Hillbilliese to Seoul. (2) Although there was some controversy, the town allowed professors from European universities to visit. The next day, Huhu called Giovanni and informed him of the fragrances decision. After hearing the story, Giovanni expressed his gratitude with a bright smile. I am truly grateful that Your Majesty made that decision. Then when and how many people wille? Giovanni thought about it for a moment and answered Huhus question. If you consider the time to go back, the time to prepare, and the time toe back, I think it wille around fall. And the number of people Giovanni, who stopped talking there, looked embarrassed and continued. To be honest, I dont know how many people wille. There are peopleing from all over Europe to participate. huh? Are there that many universities in Europe? Its not a lot. And since people who were studying at the monastery also came to visit But wouldnt it be possible to roughly estimate how many people there would be? Giovanni did the math again and answered with an approximate number. I think there will be about 100 people. Most? at least? maybe? Heohu sighed at Giovannis uncertain answer. Whoa~. Just in case, Ill report back with an estimate of 150 people. Thank you so much! After sending away the happy Giovanni, Huhu grumbled while choking on his appetite. Tsk! What kind of bastard is doing this! If he were an official of our court, he would have heard, He who mixes ck bean tea with tonics! * * * The year that started like that went smoothly. There were no floods or droughts, and thankfully no gues urred. Outbreaks of water-borne infectious diseases were reported in several ces, but doctors and nurses who were already prepared were mobilized to prevent them from spreading significantly. Farming was also recording an average harvest thanks to the consistently maintained flood control facilities. As the food situation stabilized, the market also stabilized, and those engaged inmerce and industry also worked hard at their jobs. Meanwhile, a happy event urred in the imperial family. The Crown Princess had retired. People who saw the room posted on the bulletin boards of government offices across the country were filled with anticipation and talked about it. How many more days will there be added this year? * * * Meanwhile, after the Mid-Autumn Festival, a ship full of Europeans arrived at Mokpos trading port. The ship docked at the dock where the quarantine station was located, and nearly 200 Europeans disembarked through the railing. This is an inspection team from Europe. Here is a permit issued by the Empire, a certificate of identity personally granted by Gonfaloniere of Florence, and a directory. The official at the quarantine station, who epted the directory Giovanni presented, looked at the Europeans camped behind Giovanni. The official looked slightly tired of the situation being crowded with people who looked unusual at first nce, and looked at Giovanni. We need topare it with the directory, so I would like to ask for your cooperation. Sure. After getting off the ship, the European professors were guided to their lodgings after the directory was checked. * * * The ce Giovanni and the professors headed to was the quarantine centers luxurious waiting room. Since it was a ce where envoys from distant countries mainly waited, the facilities in the waiting room were quite high-end. You can use these buildings. Are there any ingredients that are religiously prohibited? There is none. After confirming that there were no restrictions such as Imic hl, the official guided the professors inside the building. The official who selected the rooms for the professors to stay in then guided them to the facilities. This is a bathhouse. Here, each person can carry one basket containing Bizou and loofah towels. Several professors asked in slightly frightened voices at the officials words. Do I really have to take a bath? The official answered the professors questions firmly. You must do this to remove salt from your body while on the beach. And in the Empire, regr bathing is a must for public hygiene. I see The official carefully observed the professors reactions. Thats interesting. The reaction was divided in two. The professors reactions were divided in two. One side was showing curiosity with an expression that it was no big deal, and the other side was showing no interest at all. * * * In fact, in medieval Europe, ideas about bathing were divided into two. Northern Europe, such as Norway, and Southern Europe, such as the Iberian Penins, had less aversion to bathing. However, in Central Europe, such as France, there was considerable aversion to bathing. This was due to the bathing custom that hade down from Roman times and the ck Death. Although it is said to be the Dark Ages of the Middle Ages, there were public bathhouses used by many people. Although the facilities were inferiorpared to ancient Rome, public bathhouses were in operation. However, these public bathhouses were used more as ces for prostitution than for cleaning the body. Because of this, religious people criticized it fiercely, and as a result, public bathhouses gradually disappeared. The bathhouses that disappeared like this reappeared after the Crusades, but had to disappear again as the ck Death swept through Europe. This was because there was a rumor that the hot water and air in public bathhouses carried the ck Death. * * * The official who introduced the bathhouse led the professors to the next location. You can relieve yourself here. huh? At the officials introduction, the professors eyes began to sparkle fearfully. Imperial toilets were not unfamiliar items to them either. Among the products sold by the empire to Europe, toilet seats made of porcin proudly upied a ce. Of course, it was an expensive item that most ordinary people could not even dream of. However, the European upper ss, who learned of the existence and convenience of toilet seats through letters sent by monks, willingly purchased toilet seats. What the professors were really curious about was a rather minor issue. How do we fill the empire with water? In Europe, whenever a toilet was used, a servant or maid with a bucket of water would wait outside the toilet. Because this was quite a hassle, the use of flush toilets naturally became a symbol of the upper ss. Servants and maids had no choice but to use traditional toilets or outside toilets. In the end, the professors, unable to ovee their curiosity, asked questions to the officials. How do you fill the water tank after using the toilet? The administrator answered the professors questions with an expression that said it was no big deal. It fills itself. It will be filled on its own? how? Seeing the professors expressions, the official pushed down the handle on the water tank. Shoot~. As soon as I pressed the handle, water poured out with a loud noise. As soon as the water drained, the sound of water filling up began to be heard in the tank. After some time, the sound of water stopped and the official looked at the professors. Its all filled. I cant believe it! One of the professors screamed and pressed the toilet handle. Then cool water poured out of the toilet again. How? There is arge tank outside and that is where the wateres from. Besides, by what principle does a toilet fill itself with water? The official answered the professors question with a perplexed expression. For that part, I am neither a researcher at the research institute nor a craftsman This was not mentioned in the letter they sent! The professors all nodded. This was Hyangs work. The letter sent by the monks contained a story rted to this. However, the scent that censored the correspondence at the time immediately erased it. There are more than one principle behind this simple device. And if you are in a hurry, they will fill in the nks. It was the result of a mixture of justification and spite. Can I open it? yes. After receiving permission from management, the professors removed the toilet tank lids and inspected the inside of the tanks. Hmm The professors who were looking inside the tank pressed the toilet handle. Shoot~. The professors who watched the water drain and then refill all eximed in exmation. Oh oh! What a clever move! How can you think like this! * * * The professors, who were amazed by the process of supplying water to the toilet tank, talked to the officials and examined therge tank that supplies water to the toilet. This is the fish tank. The professors eyes all turned upward at the officials introduction. Arge wooden tank was located on top of a steel structure approximately 7 to 8 cubits (approximately 3.5 m to 4 m) high. And the pipes extending from the bottom of the side of the tank were heading toward the surrounding buildings, and a thick pipe was connected to the top of the side. The upper pipe is the pipe that supplies water to thatrge tank, and the lower pipes are the pipes that supply water to the bathrooms and bathhouses of nearby buildings. How do we get the water up to that tank? In response to the professors questions, the official pointed to arge circr structure installed on the ground next to the water tank. I use that water pump. The official answered briefly and called the servants nearby. Look. Yes, Nari. Please show these people how to use a water pump. Yes, Nari. The servants who received the order from the managertched onto the handles on both sides of the water pump one by one and began to turn the handles. If you turn it like that, water will enter the tank. Can you see the structure? The official responded to the professors request with a perplexed expression. Only those in charge of maintenance can open and close the water pump. And those people are onnd. I really want to see it. If you go to theboratorys exhibition hall in Seoul, you will be able to see the structure. is it? The professors, who were trying to control their disappointment, soon asked questions to resolve other questions. How do you know when to fill that tank? I go up to the tank twice every morning and evening to check the remaining water. What if usage suddenly increases and bes empty sooner than expected? A device simr to the one attached to a toilet tank sounds an rm. Then juste and fill it up. Oh, I see. * * * Almost a day passed like that, exining and viewing toilets. After taking a bath and changing into clean clothes ording to the quarantine rules set by the empire, the professors gathered in the banquet hall to eat and chat. Huh~. When I was young, I visited Byzantium and Cairo Edirne. Those ces were truly developed, but this ce is even more so. When one of the professors who was enjoying the coffee tea shared his impressions, all the professors around him nodded. Simr sentiments came from many ces. I cant believe the facilities of a quarantine center, not even the capital, are like this! This makes me look forward to Seoul more and more! Now that I think about it, I can finally see the iron horse and the railroad! I have high expectations for this! If you arrive in Seoul, wont you have a chance to meet the emperor? It is said that many of the objects that surprised us came from the emperors thoughts, so I would like to meet and discuss! Thats right! The professors, full of anticipation, looked forward to the moment when they would be able to leave quarantine. As a side note, quite a number of professors flushed toilets overnight to learn more about the water supply system in toilet tanks. Thanks to this, the rm bell rang three times that night, and the servants had to turn the handle of the water pump to exhaustion to fill the water tank. Shit! These guys just eat and poop! And the next morning,wmakers, wary of the possible outbreak of an infectious disease, flocked to the waiting area. Chapter 647 Episode 647: Hillbilliese to Seoul. (3) Although there was a lot ofmotion, the professors were able to leave the waiting room on time without any problems. This was because no patients actually showed up. The steps of the professors leaving the waiting room were full of energy. There is more than one thing to look into and discuss! Thats right! Regardless of their major, all professors were full of enthusiasm. Interestingly enough, those who showed the most enthusiasm were medical professors. The medical professors who spoke with the imperialwmakers who had flocked there due to themotion on the first night of the waiting room were deeply impressed by the imperialwmakers deep medical knowledge and public health policies. -You never know when the ck Death will spread again, and a contagious disease as dangerous as the ck Death could break out! In order toe up with measures to deal with this, we need to watch and learn from what the empire is doing! -You must learn imperial surgical medicine! Surgery was an area where even European medical professors keenly felt vulnerable. As the Roman Empire copsed, much of its intellectual heritage was lost, but one of the areas that suffered the most was surgery. It was so bad that European medical professors evenined like this. -ughterers who have worked at a ughterhouse for 10 years will be morepetent than surgeons who have worked for 30 years! -Is there even a surgeon? And the painful truth was that theints were real. However, seeing the skills of the well-wishers on board the shiping to the empire and the skills of thewmakers in charge of the waiting area, the medical professors were so impressed that their eyes brightened. All of this is the result of policies advocated and implemented by His Majesty the current Emperor even before he ascended to the throne. After hearing thewmakers answers, the medical professors strengthened their resolve. -I will definitely have an audience with the emperor and receive his teachings! * * * After passing customs at Mokpo Trade Port, the professor and his group entered Mokpo Station. The professors who lined up on the tform to board the iron horse looked around while their hearts pounded. Am I finally riding the iron horse Ive only heard about? I was treated like a hillbilly by the ignorant sailors, but Im finally riding it! This was also true. Sailors from other countries who arrived at the trade port could not leave Mokpo, but they could roam around downtown Mokpo as much as they wanted. Because of this, they were able to watch the iron horsesing and going from Mokpo Station. In addition, the biggest customers of the circr iron horse that ran in downtown Mokpo were their sailors. The sailors who had seen and ridden the iron horse were busy bragging about their experiences back home. This was because I got a lot of free alcohol every time I told an experience that was a mix of 30% truth and 70% exaggeration. * * * Byeeek! As the loud sound of the whistle was heard, the station employee in charge of tform safety put a whistle in his mouth and started waving a g. Beep! Beep! Step back! Get back! Station workers waved gs, blew whistles, and shouted at the top of their lungs as they saw the professors getting closer and closer to the railroad tracks. Then the interpreters apanying him shouted the same words in Latin. However, the whistles and shouts did not reach the ears of the professors who were preupied with the iron horse. You shit! Youre so excited to see someone lose their job! In the end, the station employees kicked the professors and hit them with gpoles while spitting profanity. Stay back! Get back! 100 million! Ouch! The violence of the station workers forced the professors to step back, and several professors protested to Giovanni. You are using violence against guests from abroad! Where can you find such rudeness? Giovanni actually screamed at those words. If you had stepped down when I told you to step down in the first ce, you wouldnt have seen something like that! How can you understand them when they talk in their ownnguage! Thats why the interpreter shouted! And even if there was no interpreter! You should have noticed! If an ident urs, who will be responsible for what happens next? I will hold Gonfaloniere ountable! The professors all fell silent at Giovannis harsh words. One of the biggest donors to the universities where they worked was Cosimo de Medici. As the smallmotion subsided, a car specially organized to pick up the professors entered the tform. Oh~. When the iron horse stopped, the professors let out exmations and all clung to the iron horse and the carriage. The professors I was so attached to were all amazing. The part that transmitted the power generated by the steam engine to the wheels was basic, and the wheels that supported the carriage were also unusual. You can move such a huge thing with water and fire! Look at the wheels of the carriage! Its not just about putting wheels on axles! Giovanni looked bored as he saw the professors noisily looking at and discussing the carriages and iron horses, and then even taking out paper and charcoal to make sketches. The interpreter standing next to him also had the same expression and spoke to Giovanni. I remember that the painters we brought inst time werent that bad, right? After a heavy blow from the interpreter, Giovanni ced his hand on his forehead. The trantor, who had heard what Giovanni said from the station attendant, whether he knew how Giovanni was feeling or not, informed Giovanni. They say we need to leave quickly. They say that if you do something wrong, there will be problems with regr flights. Oh, I understand. In the end, Giovanni had to pick up the professors and put them in a carriage. After hearing about thister, Hyang grinned and muttered. Heh! Knowing is scarier. The saying came out for no reason. If you dont know anything, youll think, Thats fascinating. You can say it and move on, but human psychology is such that if you know even a little bit, you cant just get over it. * * * So the iron horse carrying the professor and hispanions moved toward Seoul. At first, the professors couldnt control their excitement and looked in all directions, but at some point, they sat down and admired the scenery outside the car window or talked to other professors. It was a special flight that went directly to Seoul, except for two stops for light meals and rest along the way, but it still took a long time of 8 hours. In addition, ess to the area around the Iron Horse, which I wanted to see most, was blocked. Thanks to this, professors could only sit quietly and look out the window or chat with other professors. In addition, the regr vibration and noiseing from the railway strangely made people rx, and eventually, one by one, they fell asleep shortly after. The professors who had fallen asleep began to wake up one by one by the time they arrived near Seoul. Seoul ising soon, right? exactly. But ording to the rumor I heard, the iron bridge over the river passing south of Seoul is huge. I heard the story too. The width of the river is almost 4,000 feet (approximately 1.2 km). To build a bridge over such a wide river. Hmm. If the river was that wide, the number of piers would have been enormous. I wonder how they would have handled the sediment. The professors who woke up talked about the Hansu and the bridge between them. Meanwhile, some well-behaved professors talked with the interpreter and passed on information to their fellow professors. They say we will pass that bridge in about an hour.: Oh really? Then it shouldnt be like this. Some professors, worried that they might miss an important moment, got up from their seats and headed to the bathroom. Anyway, using paper to clean up after things isnt it a luxury? * * * After making the toilet seat, I was able to use the toilet in a rather pleasant way, but I still had some dissatisfaction. That was the aftercare part. When Sejong or Hyang finished doing their business, the nine people who were waiting brought cotton cloths and wiped the back, which was a bit difficult for Hyang. Ive gotten used to it, but hard work is still hard work. Eventually, as mass production of paper using pulp began in Area 51, Hyang began to think about the production of toilet paper. -Paper is cheap so ordinary people can buy it without any burden, and it is soft so it does not hurt the delicate skin. Or something like that. With this goal in mind, Hyang trained craftsmen. However, creating an item that satisfied the goals set by the scent seemed not only quite difficult, but almost impossible. Ultimately, this task became a headache for Wan, who took over theboratory and Area 51 after Hyang. But Wan was also keenly aware of the need. I made a good bathroom, but isnt it possible to hang a rope or bring pumpkin leaves in? Eventually, after desperate attempts by craftsmen and researchers, Cheokji (켈 polishing paper) began to be sold a few years ago. Whats interesting is that this paper was hardly sold anywhere except the empire. In Muslim and Hindu spheres of influence, it was not sold because it used water, and the Ming and Japanese expressed resistance to paying money to buy paper for cleaning the back. It was possible to use waste paper or rece it with soft leaves. In Europe, there was a strong perception that paper was an expensive product and people were ustomed to using cotton cloth, so sales were rare. Even the upper ss, who were addicted to flush toilets, did not prefer chuckzi. This part was simr in the early days of the empire. However, starting from pces, the trend of using chucks spread and it became popr. -All the wealthy people use it, but its cheap enough that I can buy it too? Then buy it! -Lets enjoy the luxury of our butts! Based on this psychology, chuck paper was sold like crazy and became an everyday product. * * * The professors, who had prepared in advance, waited until they arrived at the railroad bridge located between the two sides. When the iron horse finally passed over the bridge with a loud whistle sound, the professors eyes widened. It was really a bridge made of iron! It was not called an iron bridge because it was a bridge for iron horses, but because it was made of real iron! Although they had heard about the iron bridge through Henry and others, the professors distrusted it. -Iron is not a material that is easy to produce so that it can be used in suchrge quantities. -It is not easy to produce iron of such excellent quality that it can withstand the weight of an iron horse. Because of this perception, professors distrusted the existence of iron bridges. Some professors even scoffed at saying this. why? They say there are ships made of iron floating on the sea, right? A bridge made of iron actually appeared before the eyes of the professors who were skeptical. The professors, who were frantically looking at the steel structures of the railroad bridge passing before their eyes, looked at their colleagues around them and said simr things. What kind of emperor is this who led all of this? Has Aristotle been reborn? The professors, who had not only admiration but even awe for the existence of incense, became even more determined. -I must have a discussion with the emperor. I will learn from discussions! * * * Arriving in Seoul, the professors undressed in the lodgings provided by the empire. I would like to meet His Majesty the Emperor and pay my respects. First, lets get rid of the travel fatigue Uh-huh! Thats not an example! Im going to upload it from a long time ago and take a break! After hearing the professors strong request, the vige allowed it. Hyang, who received a courtesy from the professors in the front yard of Geunjeongjeon, opened her mouth in a soft voice. You had a lot of troubleing to the elders. I am the emperor of this empire. I hope you have a good time during your stay in the Empire. After Hyang finished speaking, those who seemed to be the most senior among the professors stepped forward and spoke to Hyang. Your Majesty, I ask that I be able to discuss this with your Majesty before I return. With luggage? why? Before I came here, I have heard many stories about your Majestys knowledge. Therefore, I hope that we can discuss with your Majesty and share our knowledge. Share each others knowledge Hyang trailed off, thought for a moment and spoke again. I heard that the quarantine station inspected the toilets to the extent of filling arge tank three times throughout the night. yes. I couldnt control my curiosity, so I did something excessive. Please forgive me. I didnt say this to punish you. So, do you know how water is supplied from therge tank to the toilet tank? yes? Of course, water flows from top to bottom Hyang interrupted the professor with a cold expression. The toilet tank is not attached to the floor, but above the floor. On the other hand, the water pipe goes up the wall from the floor and connects to the toilet tank. If, as you say, it flows naturally from top to bottom, isnt this a contradiction? So, please answer the principle by which Jim solved this part. That that People who cant even properly answer Jims question want to share knowledge and have a discussion? Why the luggage? . At Hyangs point, the professors had no choice but to keep their mouths shut and bow their heads. A voice of incense flowed over the heads of those professors. Your inspection will proceed as scheduled. But since its a discussion Lets start by providing answers to the questions Jim asked. Authors Note Hello. This is Gukppong, who writes ck Enterprise Chosun. It is no different than that we will be taking a break during this Lunar New Year holiday. sorry. I continued to prepare for the Lunar New Year holiday, but things were not easy. Would you say youve been a bit tired? Even though I stayed up all night in front of the monitor, I couldnt think clearly, and even if I did sleep, I couldnt sleep for more than 2 hours, and I woke up feeling more and more dizzy. I will recharge during this holiday period and thene back and fill up my energy. I hope that our readers will show the same generosity as Hahae. We wish you a happy new year. Posted with soup. Chapter 648 Episode 648: Hillbilliese to Seoul. (4) Yes, Your Majesty! It is only natural for water to flow from top to bottom. This is something even a simpleton knows! What your Majesty said just now is unreasonable! In response to Hyangs words, the eldest professor and famous for his depth of knowledge came forward and imed that it was unfair. Hyang responded to the professors argument with an indifferent expression. Is it obvious? Right. Even a worm knows? Right. But thats it. Arent you professors and not idiots? I mean schr. We take a closer look at things that others would just overlook, find the truth hidden in them, and educate those ignorant people. Isnt that the responsibility of schrs like you? But still When the professor stuttered in response to Hyangs question, Hyang asked again. What is your name? My name is Camilo Libero Corza. okay. Camillo of the Libero n of the Corza family. Jim will ask. I petitioned to have a debate with Jim, but it was a debate In the current situation, is what you and Jim are doing a debate or an education? If we talk about discussions, were talking about learning from each other, but Jim doesnt think thats going to happen. What do you think? Camilos face turned red at the insulting words. But I didnt care about the scent and continued pounding. If you consider the value of the debate you want, it is not worth taking up too much time from discussing and deciding national affairs for the people. The reason is that, firstly, the level is so shallow that it cannot even answer the question Jim asked earlier. Second, it cannot be said that it is the attitude of a schr to downy something because it is something that even a simpleton knows. It is impossible to debate with people who do not even have the attitude of a proper schr. Go back, rest, and proceed with your schedule. After making that decision, Hyang resolutely turned around and entered Geunjeongjeon. The professors who were rejected by Hyang had no choice but to leave Gyeongbokgung Pce and return to their dormitories. The professors who returned to their dorms all burst out in anger. I cant believe I deserved this kind of insult! Why should we suffer this insult! Lets go back now! Thats right! Thats right! When about 200 people started talking at once, the dorm became noisy like a country market. While some impatient people raised their voices to go back immediately, the senior professors gathered around Camillo talked with faces full of embarrassment and disappointment. This is such a disappointment. Thats right. I thought he was a wise man based on what I had heard through letters, but he is so arrogant If he is so arrogant even though he has excellent knowledge It was Camillo who was forcing himself to refrain from saying, The future of the empire is also worth knowing. . The president of the University of Florence, who had been keeping quiet amidst themotion all around, opened his mouth. Professor Korza, dont you think something is a little strange? What do you mean? The emperors disposition as described in the letters sent so far was worthy of being called a wise man. Of course, there were people who said he had a difficult personality, but there was no one who said he was arrogant. Also, ording to his second son, Medici, who actually met the emperor, was a sharp-tongued speaker, but he did not say he was arrogant. He looks like that from the first time they meet? I dont understand. As the president pointed out, the space that had been noisy until then began to be quiet. The professors who had been moring to pack their bags and go back immediately quieted their silence and began to focus on the conversation between the president and senior professors. Then, do you think the emperors appearance today is a fake one? The president nodded in response to Camillos question. Another professor expressed doubts about the silent answer. why? After receiving the question, the president thought for a moment and then opened his mouth. I see youre eligible. Qualification? What qualifications are you talking about? Are we qualified to find out the knowledge the empire has umted? Think about what you said to Professor Korza earlier. Look closely at things that others take for granted and find the truth hidden therein. Didnt you say, That is the attitude of a schr? I think there is an answer in these words. The answer to why the emperor showed such arrogance. At the presidents words, the professors closed their mouths and began to think carefully. After a while, exmations began toe out from all over the ce. oh! Right! Thats what I meant! I cant believe there is someone this meticulous! Camilo also shook his head. I thought that someone who was simply well-versed in academics became emperor, but that wasnt the case. He had a deeper heart than anyone else. In the discussion that followed, the professors reached the following conclusions: -The knowledge umted by the empire is such a precious treasure that its value cannot be measured. Sharing such knowledge is extremely dangerous. -Thats why the emperor deliberately showed such arrogance. Our schrs are people with strong pride. It was a ploy to hurt that pride and make it go away without properly examining it. The professors who analyzed up to this point once again strengthened their resolve. Ill take a thorough, thorough look! You will never fall for a trick again! While strengthening his resolve, some professors also came out to analyze Hyangs words and actions from different angles and expressed their admiration. You can teach the correct attitude of a schr with just a few questions and answers! He is a wise man! He is the Socrates of the East! Meanwhile, Hyang, who returned to his bedroom in Gangnyeongjeon, grumbled while reflecting on the schrs requests. Im so busy already, but what kind of discussion is this? If I have time, Ill go to Area 51 to do some eavesdropping or sleep. * * * The next day, the professors visited the research institute ording to their schedule. Those who weed them at the institute were monks led by Angelo and Giovanni. wee. Wee to the Empire. On behalf of the professors who were weed by the monks, the president stepped forward and reciprocated. You are going through a lot of hardships in a far away country. no. On the contrary, I am truly happy to be able to do the research I want to my hearts content. exactly? That too is a blessing. I will guide you. The rector, who was entering the institute guided by the monks, spoke to Angelo. By the way. I met the emperor yesterday The presidentined while exining how he had been beaten by Hyang yesterday. No, it is natural for water to flow from top to bottom, but where is the insistence in asking me to exin the principle? In response to the presidentsints, Angelo looked at the president nkly. Why are you doing that? I should exin that part first. Can I reschedule for a moment? Sure. After receiving permission from the rector, Angelo gave orders in a low voice to the young monks who were moving with him. Eventually, the ce where Angelo led the professors was arge ssroom attached to the research institute. Angelo, who seated the professors in steps arranged in a semicircr space, stood at the podium and began his exnation. This is the answer your Majesty asked for. Using the tools brought by the young monks, Angelo exined the principles of the siphon. When the water on both sides bes equal, the water stops moving. If you use this principle well, you can send water a long distance without any special tools or power. The professors looked devastated at Angelos exnation. Ah That principle How did the emperor of the empiree to know that principle? Angelo answered the presidents question with a bitter expression. You said you learned about it after reading records about the Roman aqueduct. The professors once again looked devastated at Angelos answer. Rome How much have we lost That wasnt the end. Angelo showed various experiments using the tools brought by the young monks and exined the principles applied to them. When Angelo finished his exnation, the professors looked sad. How many things have we passed over by saying its obvious? I cant believe there were so many hidden principles Angelo continued as he watched the professors pounding their chests, unable to ovee their grief. To tell you the truth, we have found these principles, but putting them into perfect forms is still a work in progress. And this part is designated as the highest level of Jeonjeonrok. huh? When the words Challenge Rock and Top Level came out, the professors attention all focused on Angelo. If we look at the current situation, this area will be named mechanics and will be a field of study. At Angelos words, the professors eyes all began to shine. Hopefully! However, the professors looked mesmerized by Angelos subsequent exnation. The tools used in the current exnation were made in one bundle and supplied to social democratic schools across the country. All children of the empire who attend social democratic schools learn the principles that give rise to these forms. Of course, the depth is shallow. But People who are interested and willing to take on the challenge will continue to emerge, so there will be no shortage of talent. Angelo nodded at the words of the president who interrupted Angelos conversation. Thats right. For your information, this bundle of tools is one of the many teaching aids that the Emperor created to educate his younger brothers when he was still a young prince. her! * * * Jinpyeong, who suffered an ident on the railroad, risked everything on the railroad. The problem ofck of talent and budget was what stopped Jinpyeong from wanting to build railroads throughout Joseon as quickly as possible. Jinpyeong, who realized that investing his own money was not enough, reached out to his younger brothers. He attempted to cause his younger siblings to have idents by showing them models of railroads and other models, just like what happened to him. To put it another way, for my younger brothers who entered the science and engineering field, these teaching aids were created to keep the future workforce motivated. It is at the level of a rudimentary scientific box and experimental tool And after seeing the effectiveness of the teaching aids created in this way, King Sejong decided to supply them to social democratic schools across the country. * * * Itste. Shall we continue? The president, who looked tired from Angelos question, turned to the other professors. Seeing that the other professors all looked exhausted as well, the president shook his head at Angelos suggestion. Im going back today. Everyone is exhausted. All right. The professors who came out of the lecture room in great shock returned to their dormitories looking exhausted. The professors who gathered in the banquet hall for dinner continued to sigh. Those are tools for educating children? A new discipline? The professors, who were constantly ruminating on the shock they had received in the ssroom, simultaneously thought of the same thing. In the current situation, you need a clear guide to catch up and get ahead of whats behind you! Its a challenge! Dojeonrok is the only answer! * * * The young monks who were eating dinner in the institute dormitory at the same time asked Angelo and Giovanni. How long will theb guidancest? Hmm Looking at todays situation, its been at least 15 days. At Angelos answer, the young monks sighed in unison. Whoa~. I have a lot of work to do! Im going to get scolded by the chief! Even if I show you the form, you wont understand! Chapter 649 Episode 649: Hillbilliese to Seoul. (5) The young monks predictions were exactly correct. From the next day, the professors divided into groups and began to tour the facilities and research status inside the institute. Oh~. Oh~. The professors who entered one of the manybs located in the research center all eximed in exmation. The ckboard that filled one wall was filled with all kinds of numbers, shapes, and forms. And in one corner of the ckboard, researchers were gathering and continuing their discussion by writing forms and erasing them repeatedly. What is that form? The young monk who was in charge of guiding the professors questions answered after checking the paper hanging at the entrance to theb. You are conducting research rted to sequence. Sequence? As soon as they heard the word sequence, the professors eyes lit up. Sequences were not unfamiliar to them either. This is because since ancient Greece, many schrs, including Pythagoras and Archimedes, have studied and proven the concepts and forms of sequence. And this was because a great book called Square Root was written by an outstanding mathematician named Fiboni who lived 100 years ago. When ites to sequences, we know it well, so lets take a look at it. Of course. We are sure our advice will help you. The professors who approached the ckboard with such confident faces soon turned into perplexed faces. What on earth are these symbols? Most of the symbols used in the forms written on the ckboard were symbols they did not know. And Hyang was anticipating this situation. * * * After the use of Cheonchuksu was first epted, Hyang strongly advocated the use of mathematical symbols C especially the four arithmetic operations and the equal sign. -When writing forms, writing down the addition, subtraction, multiplication, and multiplication in letters is difficult to read quickly. Better to use symbols! Shit! Theres so much to do and so much to do, but you cant wait 100 years, right? I use it in advance! Aftereffects? Butterfly effect? What do you need to know! When presented with this argument and an example using actual arithmetic symbols, Sejong nodded and then asked a question. Its easy to find out for sure. However, these are symbols that I have never seen before in the books I have read in the West. What are the principles by which those symbols were created? yes. Using the principles of yin and yang In response to King Sejongs question, Hyang recited the theory he had thought of in advance. And when the exnation of the fragrance was finished, the ministers passionately pointed out. Your Majesty the Crown Prince. ording to the principles of yin and yang written in the Book of Changes If you think about the principles of yin and yang and the five elements Despite the passionate criticism of the ministers, Hyang stood firm. My learning is shallow and there are some mistakes. However, please first consider its meaning and usefulness as a symbol. In particr, please consider that all people who deal with numbers will have less trouble. The ministers who heard Hyangs words looked at the forms Hyang gave as examples. Forms using operation symbols were much more concise to look at than forms written using the cumbersome Chinese characters for addition, subtraction, and multiplication. In the end, King Sejong and the ministers epted Hyangs suggestion, and the four basic arithmetic symbols were established in all documents containing mathematical forms, starting with various official documents. And this was weed not only by the officials in charge but also by merchants. Howfortable! It catches the eye without having to worry about writing! But who first came up with this symbol? Its the Crown Prince! A person so young as Yeonchi is so outstanding, he is the Hongbok (鸣) of our Joseon Dynasty! At a time when the peoples praise was growing, cries were breaking out in the homes of high-ranking officials. The Crown Prince who is younger than you is already active like that, but you are still stuck in the Four and Three Kingdoms! Grandpa, Soson is doing his best too Shut up and roll up your calves! Shall I say that I am very fortunate? The time of hardship that the children had to go through soon came to an end. This was because as Hyang umted more and more achievements, the elders of the family waved the white g first. Huh~. They havepletely different skills and talents! Eventually, as the research center became more active, the mayor immediately gave the task. C Create industry-academia symbols by analyzing all the industrial-academic books that came down to Joseon as well as the Ming and Muslim peoples! And this task became the first imagination grade of Dajeonrok, which had just been created at the time. * * * Because of this background, a situation arose where professors were unable to properly understand the forms even after looking at them. The monk sighed softly as he saw the professors panicking and not knowing what to do. Whoa~. I thought my tail would grow! The professors, who had been examining the ckboard with perplexed expressions, looked at the monk. The monk who saw that looked like he couldnt help it. Please go back to yesterdays ssroom. I will exin the symbols. Cant we do it here? It is a hindrance to those conducting research. In response to the monks answer, the professors left theb in silence. The professors who came out of theb arrived at the main lecture room, and soon after, other groups of professors also entered the lecture room. The professors gathered again in the ssroom and Angelo, who had appeared after receiving a call, took the podium. Even if there is a dy in the schedule, it would be good to know this part and move on. The industry-academic special lecture that started like thatsted more than 15 days. It took less than three days to learn what the symbols meant, but it was an additional process of getting used to actually using them and the time to get used to Hunminjeongeum, which was used as a variable. As a side note, significant changes urred in the European scientificmunity due to professors who returned after learning various things in the empire. The reason why the empires industry-academic symbols were used inrge quantities in newly published academic books and papers was that the use of Hunminjeongeum consonants such as ? ? ? as symbols symbolizing variables became generalized. Hyang, whoter acquired these books through merchants trading with Europe, chuckled and muttered. Isnt this going to be ?-ray instead of X-rayter? * * * The professors, who had gone through these twists and turns and experienced their own growing pains, once again began exploring the research institute in earnest. And when the professors found out about the research being done at the institute, they were beyond amazed and on the verge of frustration. Holy shit! I cant believe were already this far ahead! The redefinition of ssics has already beenpleted! Except for a very few outstanding pioneers such as Fiboni, most of them were professors whomented their situation of still focusing only on the ssics. Can not help it! Learn as much as you can! The professors, who were driven to a situation that was close to frustration, gritted their teeth, got up, and asked Jeong In-ji to learn. No schr should bezy in learning even for a moment. then! The professors faces brightened at Jeong In-jis answer, but theirplexions darkened at the words that followed. But all the researchers at the institute have a lot of work to do, so we cant just leave them out. That authority lies solely with the crown prince, the director of the institute. Hearing Jeong In-jis words, the professors immediately went to Wan and begged him. Wan, who received the professors pleas, responded with an embarrassed expression. I will report it to His Majesty the Emperor. A few dayster, Wan notified the professors. There is a limit to the number of people in the engineering academy and industry academies attached to the research institute, and there are also restrictions on your schedule, so we will only ept 20 people at first. The professors who received Wans notice soon began a fierce war of words. I must stay! I should stay! The war of words, which even involved the president of the University of Florence, soon reached a critical point. Looking at my skills or whatever, Im the right person! With that skill? joy! You English hillbilly! Where does the French idiot get his eyes from? When the dispute between professors worsened to the point where it was on the verge of a fistfight, Wan, who received the report, proposed a mediation n. There is a way for everyone to ept it. Whates? Lets take the test. Test do you mean? Why dont you like it? Oh no. In this way, an industry-academia test for professors was decided. After hearing the story, Hyang called Wan and asked. How did you n on taking the test? They said they would stay and learn, but these are people who will get involved in practical work by any means necessary. In that case, the best way is for us to step forward and select talented people. In response to Wans response, Hyang hit his knee and burst intoughter. ha ha ha! Youve worked so hard! Thats too much praise. Wan responded to Hyangs praise by bowing his head. And the officer who recorded all this added diligently. - As the emperor praised him, the crown prince showed humility. The officer says: Bujeonjeon? Is it true? Phenotypic species? * * * Ten dayster, a selection test was conducted for professors. The professors gathered in the main lecture hall waited for the exam with excited hearts. Then lets get started. Following the words of Lee Sun-ji, who came as director, the young monks who were waiting distributed exam papers to the professors. After receiving the test papers and checking the questions, the professors collectively exhaled. omg! The problem they faced was a little more difficult than they expected. Soonji Lees voice was heard above their heads. I hope you do your best. Dont look there! Are you already rolling your eyes! If you do this one more time, I will definitely send you out! The results were notified to the dorms where the professors were staying the next morning. done! Ugh! Amid mixed feelings of joy among the professors who received the notification, Angelo continued. We will not announce the ranking. But Ill tell you if you want. What would you like to do? At Angelos words, the professors all threw up their hands. You dont have to reveal it. All right. * * * Just like that, those who would leave and those who would stay were decided and the schedule was almost finalized. With only a few days left before leaving, the professors petitioned Hyang again. You asked to see the challenge log? After hearing the professors request from Wan, Hyang thought for a moment and soon came to a conclusion. I allow it. Open the challenge log storage room to them. Would it be okay? Hyang smiled mischievously at Wans concern and asked. Where did I tell you to reveal? Challenge record storage room Ah! Wan, who understood the meaning of the incense, bowed his head with a bright face. I follow your orders! * * * The professors could not hide their excitement at the thought of being able to see the record of their dreams. This is the record storage room. The professors who entered the storage room while listening to the officials answer could not hide their bewilderment. The storage room, which was expected to have dozens of books, had a table in the front with only nine books on it, and behind it were dozens of bookshelves. And the bookshelf was full of typography. Please exin The professors asked Angelo, who apanied them as a guide, for an exnation. At the professors request, Angelo began to exin. Whats on the table over there are books that contain a list of challenges. There are nine volumes in total, from Imagination to Haha. If you find the part you need from that list and request it, we will find the corresponding item from the typefaces on the shelf and print it. Huh The professors, who looked dejected at Angelos exnation, had simr thoughts at the same time. I shouldnt even think about stealing it secretly. For your information, those typography are also challenge items registered in the challenge log. The goal is to create smaller, clearer print types. Difficulty level is up and down. In the end, the professors had no choice but to immediately leave the storage room. Then Jeonjeonrok only exists in that typeface? Angelo answered the presidents question right away. ording to rumors, there is a printed copy secretly stored somewhere in case of an unexpected ident or disaster, but that is just a rumor. There are so many people who covet challenging records. is it? The professors eyes changed strangely after hearing Angelos answer. Chapter 650 Episode 650: Diaspora. (1) While European vigers in Seoul were surprised by the new material, in the northern region, the remaining Ming people were surprised by the empires decisive actions. * * * Around the time of the Mid-Autumn Festivalst year, promations containing the local governments orders were posted throughout the Northern Territory. C Notify everyone living in the North! Report your family register to the imperial government office and register yournd by the winter solstice! This is the imperialmand of the imperial emperor! If you refuse, you will be expelled unconditionally! If you resist, we will use force! ording to the townships firm decision, all residents living in the Liaohe region, also known as Beiji, were required to report their family register and register theirnd. Even therades! Anyone who has not registered even after the winter solstice has passed will be expelled! The imperial officials dispatched to the Northern Territory traveled throughout the Northern Territory and spoke at the top of their lungs. The targets of their warning were the Ming people of the Liaohe region who were still carrying out a disobedience movement and the Jurchen people who had been sinicized. The reactions of these dissatisfied groups, who saw officials walking around and making noise following the official document, were divided into two. Are we done here? Write! I cant help it! It is clear that the Emperor of Peking has given up on us. Some people continued to acknowledge that times had changed and went to government offices to register family registers andnd, but there were also a significant number of people who refused to the end. joy! If youre going to make a fuss, make a fuss! I heard that even people with loud voices are not scary! Why are they telling me to report mynd! Theyre going to kill us all, what are you going to do? If we hold on, we win! While they were holding on, believing in their numbers, the winter solstice passed and imperial troops and officials stormed into the viges of the North. Bang bang bang! Everyonee out! Get out of the house right now! The soldiers went from house to house, banging harshly on doors and shouting. But the vigers response was slow. The imperialmander, who saw that many houses remained silent despite shouting like that, gave an order to his subordinates. Destroy it! ancient! When the imperial soldiers who received the order chopped down the gate with an ax and broke it down, the Ming Dynasty and Jurchen people inside the house rushed out. As residents gathered in the vacant lot in front of the vige, an official raised his voice. I will check your family register! Present your identity cards! In response to the officials order to ce behind the fully armed imperial soldiers, some of the residents held out their identity cards. The imperial armymander, who was watching the official in charge of family registrationpare the family register with the identity card, muttered as he looked at the people gathered to one side and just watching. I can see the picture The people handing out their identification cards were the ones who came out immediately after hearing the soldiers cries. On the other hand, those who gathered separately on the other side and only watched were the ones who came out only after the door was broken. Theparison work isplete. Everyone in this vige has registered. Then is it time for us to leave? In response to themanders question, the official studied the situation for a moment and then answered. Please wait a little longer. The official who blocked the movement of the imperial army gave orders to the vige chief through an interpreter. I will give you one visit (about 2 hours). Those who did not follow the emperors orders should immediately organize their family assets and prepare for movement. Oh my gosh! The vige chief screamed when he heard the order, but the official remained steadfast. These are people who did not follow the emperorsmands, no matter how many times they were hired! Are you thinking of continuing to live in this empire even after rejecting the imperial decree? Tell those idiots! In response to the officials shout, the vige chief delivered the officials order to the residents gathered on one side. However, the residents reaction was harsh swearing and shouting. Troop forward! At that moment, at themand of the imperialmander, the imperial soldiers standing behind all stepped forward, holding their guns. It was only then that the residents, who saw the murderous faces of the imperial soldiers holding gunsbined with fiercely shining bays, realized the seriousness of the situation. ! (Please save me!) Please save my life! saved. Stop the unit. When the imperial army stopped at themand of themander, the official again gave the order to the vige chief. Tell them to organize their household assets and prepare to leave within one hour. This time, in response to the vige chiefsmand, it was not a roar but a wail. Winter has alreadye, but they say telling us to leave means telling us to die. When I leave, I ask that even if I leave, I will only be able to leave after winter. After hearing the pleas of the vige chief and residents through an interpreter, the official thought for a while and looked back at themander with an embarrassed expression on his face. This is getting a bit awkward. Winter certainly came a little early this year. If we leave now, it is certain that many, if not all, of us will freeze to death on the way. But you cant break the imperialmand. I know that well, but disposing of a frozen body is also work. Themander also looked embarrassed at the officials words. Digging the frozen ground and burying the body was quite a struggle. However, if left unattended, it was certain that wolves and other wild beasts would be attracted. Even if you are lucky and the wild beasts are not attracted, the corpses that had been frozen all winter could be the source of a gue when they begin to thaw in the spring. Hmm After thinking for a moment, themander chose the easiest method. Lets ask the higher-ups. * * * This situation urred in many ces in the North, and letters demanding measures to deal with it poured into Seoul. Didnt you anticipate this situation when you set the deadline for the winter solstice? Hyang, who looked like he didnt understand, argued with Hwang Hee. Hwang Hee responded to Hyangsment by bowing her head. I expected this, but this winter came earlier than expected. In addition, the winter in the North has be more severe than before So this is why this uproar broke out? Im sorry the small gods are ipetent Huh Hyang exhaled, unable to hide his frustration, then closed his mouth and began to analyze the situation. It got warmer due to global warming, but even in the 21st century, I almost froze to death on the barbed wire fence in Gangwon-do. In the 15th century, in Bukji, a region higher than Gangwon-do, the situation was obvious even if you didnt look at it Those who dont listen are a problem, but the hardships of our soldiers will also be a problem, right? Hwang Hee immediately bowed her head in response to Hyangs question. Thats right. The hard work of our imperial soldiers will be greater than expected. Hmm Listening to Hwang Hees words, Hyang analyzed the situation again. Its easier if you kick them out after the sun is out. But if that happens, theres a high possibility that the damned bastards in the North will misjudge No, its not that its likely, its that they will definitely misjudge. Hyang, who had been thinking that far, growled at Hwang Hee. What does the Prime Minister think about the fact that whatever conclusion he reaches will be a handshake for him? Hwang Hee responded to Hyangs words by bowing her head again. Wouldnt that depend on how you say it? If you say, No matter how ungrateful they are who rebel against the empire and the emperor, we cant force them to die in the harsh winter, so I showed them mercy, I would actually praise Your Majesty. Also, since ancient times, people living in thisnd have liked the number three times. Including this time, it will be the third time. No matter what decision your Majesty makes, there will be no one who will criticize it as wrong. Hyang, who carefully considered Hwang Hees answer, came to a conclusion with a smile. ha ha ha! also! If the old Han Gojo had a eldest son, then Jim has a Prime Minister! I feel safe because the Prime Minister is here, so lets continue to work together with him to ensure the well-being of the empire! Hwang Eun is devastated. After the meeting, Hwang Hee came out, looked at the sky full of dark clouds, and muttered. Damn it both the sky and my life are gloomy I tried to use a trick and got my nose pierced again Appealing my resignation will be a waste of paper again. * * * -No matter how disobedient they are to the empire, it is unreasonable to expel them during this harsh time, so we will expel them on the spring equinox next year. As a final rmendation, register your family register andnd before the spring equinox! Dont forget that three favors are enough! Promations of incense were posted throughout the empire. All the imperial people from the main site who saw this nodded. yes. Since ancient times, it has been said three times, so it is okay to watch it three times. Our Emperor is truly generous! But those who held out in the north thought differently. -You just have to endure it! If you hold on just a little longer, theyll give up! It was a critical misjudgment. * * * As the year passed and the maind was busy preparing to deal with the European hillbillies, the imperial army was moving in earnest in the north. In addition to the units previously stationed in the northern area, units stationed in the main area moved to the northern area using iron horses and ships. The Yain Jurchen, Hae Jurchen, and Geonju Jurchen who saw the imperial army preparing step by step began to cower closely and observe the situation. They were the ones who smelled the fishy scent of blood flowing out knowingly or unknowingly from the imperial army, which was gradually strengthening its power. There will be another round of bloodshed. Im d wepleted the family register andnd registration in advance. You may not be able to move around as freely as you used to, but are you d that you are still safe? They quietly sighed in relief and quietly observed the development of the situation. -If you do well, you can seize great opportunities in the future! They instinctively realized that a great opportunity hade. * * * Five days after the vernal equinox, the imperial army once again visited the vige of disgruntled elements. The imperial official who summoned the vigers divided them into those who had identity cards and those who did not. Once the ssification was over, the official gave orders to those who did not have the ssification. Ill give you one examination! Pack up all your belongings and get ready to leave! Those who did not respond to the officials order knelt down again, waved their arms and raised their voices. Weve already finished sowing, but we cant leave! I will leave as soon as the harvest is over! Please let me stay until the harvest! The non-residentsined earnestly, but the officials did not back down. Orders do not change! Go in now and organize your property! In response to the officials firm reply, the residents who had been protesting just now stood up and started shouting. Troop forward! Seeing this, the waiting imperial army stepped forward, but the resistance of the disobedient residents became even stronger. The farmers who were leading this incident raised their voices to their neighbors. Do not be afraid! No matter how imperial the army is, it cannot use force carelessly! Thats right! Remember the events of the Imperial Army so far! Its just bravado! Lets hold on! We must endure to protect ournd! If you leave here and return to Hebei, you will end up as a peasant farmer! You have to hang in here! Ta-ta-tang! At that moment, the imperial soldiers simultaneously pulled the trigger. Those who had raised their voices at the front were covered in blood and fell to the ground in that one volley of fire. The disobedient residents who were shouting at that single salvo froze on the spot. The imperial official gave orders to such farmers with an indifferent expression. I will give you one examination. Go in and sort out your property. Chapter 651 Episode 651: Diaspora. (2) The disobedient residents, who realized the seriousness of the situation with a single salvo, immediately knelt down on the ground, waved their hands and cried as if they had never protested. Give me one more chance! I will do everything you tell me to do! Despite the cries of the residents, the attitude of the officials was as cold as ice. Your Majesty has already given you three chances. You are the ones who kicked those opportunities. There is no more chance! Organize your family assets in one hour! Residents who disobeyed the managements firm response got up in tears and headed to their homes. The only people left in the empty space were the families of those who had died in the crossfire earlier. Take the body. The families of the dead people carried the bodies of their dead family members while keeping an eye on the soldiers. So we started preparing for the move, but the pace was slow. This was because I slowly moved my hands, holding on to hope until the end. Seeing this, the imperialmander gave an order to his subordinates. Build a fire! After a while, arge bonfire was lit on one side of the vacant lot, and themander gave orders to his subordinates. In time, set fire to the houses of the disobedient! yes! The vige chief, who heard the order through an interpreter, desperately raised his voice. Hurry up and pack your bags! The soldiers will set it on fire! Get it quickly! hurry! After hearing the vige chiefs desperate cries, the people began to pack their belongings. Since I had already seen blood once, I recognized it right away. After the promised inspection, themander gave orders to his subordinates. Start a fire. ancient! After hearing themanders orders, the soldiers began setting fire to the pirs and rafters of the houses of those who disobeyed. As winter passed and spring came, the dried wooden beams and rafters immediately began to catch fire, and the residents inside rushed out with their luggage. As the residents came out, soldiers with torches went inside and set fire to everything that remained. Against the background of ck smoke rising from all directions, the disobedient residents who had gathered again in the vacant lot looked at the imperial soldiers with fearful eyes. Its all out. Great person. After hearing the vige chiefs words through an interpreter, the official gave the followingmand. Gather all the men, including the remaining residents and those who areining. Once you have collected them all, dig up all the graves where the ancestors of theinants are buried. yes? When the vige chief looked embarrassed after hearing an order that waspletely iprehensible and very ufortable to ept, the official continued. It is the Emperorsmand that he will not tolerate leaving traces of those who do not wish to live as subjects of the empire. Therefore, please cremate all remains found after digging up the grave. As a final mercy, we will provide the container for the ashes. yes. Following the order of the official, the vige chief mobilized men to dig up all the graves where the ancestors of the disobedient residents were buried and cremated the remains found there. Since the number of remains was not small, cremation would take a considerable amount of time. However, the cautious empire had already prepared arge amount of firewood. Thanks to the firewood soaked in oil and dried, the cremation waspleted in an instant and the ashes were ced in an urn. As soon as the remains were recovered, the disobedient residents had to leave the vige. The residents who left the vige under strict surveince by the imperial army repeatedly looked back and shed tears. * * * This bloody process of expulsion took ce throughout the Liaokha region. So far, the number of those who have been expelled and are moving in the direction of Shanhaiguan is approximately 1.2 million. Ultimately, we expect about 2.4 million. Hyang smiled slightly at Kim Jong-seos report. They dont even treat you like a human being. Even though it changed into an empire, in Joseon, there were divisions in the units for counting people. Won (T) was used to count officials, In () was used to count noblemen or low-level officials, Ming () was used to countmon people, and Gu () was used to count ves. But now Kim Jong-seo has not used any of them. It meant not treating them like animals, but also not treating them like people. Hyang, who corrected her expression, nodded and answered. Thank you for your effort. Please tell those working hard in the field to work a little harder. I follow the Emperorsmand. After Kim Jong-seo finished answering, Minister of Education Lee Sa-cheol raised an issue. your majesty. This time, it was truly appropriate that you expelled those who refused to rule the empire from the Northern Territory. However, even thinking about it, I think digging up the graves where their ancestors were buried is excessive. Hyang responded firmly to Lee Sa-cheols point. As I said before, this is not excessive treatment at all. Why should the roots of those who do not exist in the empire be in the empires territory? Looking at their behavior, as time passes, they will try to use the tomb as an excuse to enter the empire again. Do you think that would make sense? However, digging up the graves of our ancestors without permission is not only against the rules, but it is also against the rules It is not like I was acting as a lieutenant, so dont mind. Again, we should not do the foolish thing of leaving behind the roots of people who do not exist in the empire. If we look back on past history, people in the central region tend to insist that good things are theirs, and it is their nature to sneak in and satisfy their own greed whenever there is a gap. Therefore, it is best to prevent such a thing from happening in the first ce. Even if a hundred years or a thousand years pass, we must make sure that there is no room for saying such things. As a side note, the scents words became a prophecy. Centuriester, a significant number of Chinese people approached the imperial government, iming that they had connections to the northern part of the empire, and requested permission to reside there without screening for foreigners. Although such requests poured in inrge quantities, the imperial representatives answer was simple. It is not recognized because there are no family register records. * * * While many people in the North were shedding tears of regret and heading aimlessly to Shanhaiguan, there were many who changed their thinking. This is an opportunity to make a lot of money if you do well! Those who saw the crisis as an opportunity immediately went to thend department of the local government office. What brings you here? I came because I wanted to rent more farnd. Do you want to lease more farnd? yes. Thats right. * * * After Gyeongjang, allnd in Joseon became the kings based on the royalnd ideology. This was the same forrgendowners who had ownednd since their ancestors. Whether argendowner or an independent farmer with a patch ofnd as small as the palm of his hand, only the right to lease was recognized unconditionally. And based on this, the government made it impossible forndowners to arbitrarily raise rents. -How dare you abuse your power when you are also in a rented situation! Give me thend! Naturally, this caused a bacsh. However, as these opposing forces were wiped out on arge scale through the Giyu Rebellion, King Sejong established this system. And Hyang, who told King Sejong these numbers, whistled softly. This will make it difficult to y around with real estate. And this system was applied to all regions of the empire. * * * And those who learned about this system found opportunities in the North. As for what kind ofnd that is, it isnd that has already been cultivated by the idiots who were kicked out this time! There is no need to go through any trouble while reimingnd! If you miss and like this, youre the biggest idiot in the world! The sadness that those who lived in the neighborhood until yesterday were kicked out has disappeared in the distance, and the remaining residents have visited thend department of the government office, pursuing their dreams of bing rich farmers. * * * While many people in the North were going in and out of government offices dreaming of bing rich, there were also people dreaming of bing rich in a different direction. The idea was to gain wealth through violence. When the ouster operation was in full swing, Minister of National Defense Min Shin submitted a report to Hyang. What is? Something unpleasant has happened in the North. Something unpleasant? Hyangs face distorted fiercely as he received the report and examined its contents. Are there people who wouldnt be able to do a six-hour exam like this? The contents of the report were summarized as follows. C In the process of expelling the disobedients and escorting them to Shanhaiguan, there was an incident where the disobedients were killed and their property was hidden. C If we look at the people involved, the leader is a man named Hong Yun-seong. A group of military officers led by a man named Hong Yun-seong mobilized their subordinates and carried out the work. C ording to research so far, the number of disobedients who died in this process is estimated to be approximately 2,000. bang! Hyang hit the table roughly and raised his voice. Have you seen these damn bastards! Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, listen! There may be more people who have done something simr, so please investigate thoroughly! I follow your orders! And make sure you convey my orders once again! This work is being done for the well-being of the empire! However, anyone who tarnishes the name of the empire and harms its well-being will be punished! Tell it as it is! All the ministers, including Hwang Hui, responded to Hyangsmand by bowing their heads in unison. I follow your orders! Whoa~. Hyang, who managed to control her anger by taking a long breath, looked at the report again and her eyes lit up. Hong Yunseong? That Hong Yun-seong? It says that the leader here is Hong Yun-seong. What kind of person is he? As the second son of Hong Je-nyeon, I became a military officer through eumseo. When I heard the opinions of those around me, they said that I was very greedy for money. So he must have done such a terrible thing. Thats right, Hong Yun-seong. That guy also abused his power for material gain and suffered all sorts of hardships after his death. It worked! Lets organize one thing now! Aftering to a conclusion, Hyang asked Hwang Hee. What sentence is appropriate in this case? Even though they are those who disobeyed the empire, they are not those who resisted by force. The crime of murdering such people and hiding the looted property is a serious vition of militaryw, so beheading is most appropriate. Hyang nodded to Hwang Hees answer. Leader Hong Yun-seong and his clique should all be beheaded, regardless of their status. And thoroughly investigate their assets and return all hidden assets to the national treasury. And please once again caution all imperial troops mobilized for this matter. I follow your orders! After giving thatmand, Hyang muttered to herself with a bitter look on her face. This will add to our notoriety. Hmm I guess I should at least leave an excuse. Imand the officers and magistrates. At Hyangs point out, the officers and masters looked at Hyang with tense faces. Should I go out again? But what the scent said next was somethingpletely different. The officers and magistrates must record every detail of the expulsion that took ce in the Northern Territory and what happened today, as well as my words. This expulsion may seem excessive to future generations, but it was unavoidable for the well-being of the empire. The burden was handled fairly and ording to appropriate standards for this period, so I hope that future generations will not judge it carelessly. The officer who recorded up to that point added the following. - Since the emperor says this, everything will be recorded without exception. The officer says: As citizens of the empire, it is natural to follow the empiresws, systems, and imperialmands. Since ancient times, if you dont like the temple, you will leave. If you insist that you dont want to follow or leave, its natural to force them to leave. In the meantime, he also punished those whomitted unscrupulous acts. what is the problem? However,ter, progressive historians around the world criticized this expulsion, along with King Sejongs hwacheok (̳) arrangement, as inhumane. And in response to this criticism, schrs on the other side responded as follows. Didnt you read the Annals? Are you dyslexic? Meanwhile, other schrs pondered Hyangs remarks and shook their heads. A person from several centuries ago already predicted this situation. Are you human? Chapter 652 Episode 652: Woodpeckers Strange Neighbor (1) Im back! As the childs energetic voice echoed throughout the house, the childs mother, who had been cooking in the kitchen, came out, wiping her wet hands on a dishtowel. Wee. Were the school sses fun? yes! The child who answered moved the small water pump on one side of the yard, filled the basin with water, and thoroughly washed histhered hands with the soap ced next to him. This scene seemed like the daily life of an ordinary imperial family, but there was something else. This was Shinji, and the hat we just talked to was Shinjis hat. They were a new generation of indigenous people who wore clothes that were a mixture of traditional indigenous clothes and those brought from the empire, lived in brick houses with separate kitchens and flush toilets instead of traditional wigwams, used sanitation facilities using water and sewage systems, and sent their children to schools. . Whoa~. Woodpecker, who had finished washing the dinner dishes, sat down on a chair in the living room with a light sigh. Grabbing a cup filled with steaming ck bean tea with both hands, the woodpecker looked at his son, the clever fox, who was struggling with his homework on one side of the table. As the woodpecker watched his son struggling with his homework under the yellow light of a bluestonemp (so named because of the color of carbide), he suddenly felt an unfamiliar feeling. When I was young, I never thought I would lead a life like this * * * Around the time when the woodpecker C so named because of its loud cries C began to properly remember, a group of remote tribesmen came to her. Contacted the tribe. They came from ces farther than the territory of the Iroquois tribe to which their own tribe belonged as well as the Kanonsionni, a union of other tribes. She still vividly remembered how all the warriors of the alliance were very nervous when they appeared riding on beasts they had never seen before. However, they did not show hostility and wanted to talk. After learning that they needed a ce to stay in the conversation that followed with all kinds of hand and foot gestures, the union chiefs and warriors discussed their opinions with the n mothers and were soon offered a ce. This was because their skills were not known to fight them out. Having built a nest like that, they soon became members of the union. The reason for this was because they had a hostile rtionship with the Algonquin Huron people, who were hostile to the Confederacy. Not long after their appearance, Algonquin and Huron warriors joined forces and flocked. The unprecedentedrge-scale raid and the joint attack by the Algonquin and Huron tribes, who were hostile to each other as well as the Confederacy, made the Confederate chiefs and warriors prepare for extinction. At that time, when foreigners riding on unfamiliar beasts appeared, the Algonquin and Huron warriors suddenly began to hesitate. And when the outsiders aimed long sticks, the warriors of the two tribes suddenly began to retreat. And with a loud sound that I had never heard in my life, as if lightning had struck nearby, smoke rose from the sticks of the outsiders, and the warriors who were hesitating and retreating fell down screaming. After that, it was a one-sided massacre. The warriors who were hesitating and retreating attacked with vicious attacks, but fell down screaming every time smoke rose from their sticks. When the warriors who could not endure turned their backs and ran away, outsiders chased them with unfamiliar animals. In that battle, the Union warriors were able to clearly see the power of the foreigners. Weapons made from hard wood or stone were all that the Alliance warriors had. However, the weapons the outsiders had were shiny, hard, and sharp. The chiefs and mothers of the union who saw the power of the outsiders epted them as members of the union. -It is best to wee him as a brother rather than letting him be an enemy! And through conversations with these new members of the alliance, I learned that what they had was not just stone, but weapons made by melting down a stone called iron. * * * The Joseon army, which established a bridgehead in the northwest of Sinji, began to advance east ording to King Sejongs orders. C Reach the eastern end of Shinji as quickly as possible. -Also, secure a clear and safe transportation route between the bridgehead and the eastern advance point. C Prioritize rtions with the indigenous people youe into contact with during this process, but respond firmly if a dispute arises. The intensity of response should be simr to that of the Jurchen tribe. The beachheadmanders who received Sejongs order focused their attention on thest item. If we are to respond in line with the Jurchen tribe, this is an order to include even the Annihtion tribe. Themanders nodded and began to carefully examine King Sejongs orders in order to execute them more efficiently. Why do you want to give priority to reaching the eastern end? Themanders pondered the reason. ording to theirmon sense, the rule was to build up and expand step by step, like a wave spreading from a beachhead. While King Sejong was pondering why he issued such an order, amander came up with a usible opinion. There is a rumoring from the research center established by the Crown Prince that the world is round and shaped like a sphere. If thats the case, wouldnt you reach this newnd if you keep moving westward from thend of the West? Right! Only then did themanders nod as if they all understood. If you move ording to the rules and miss the time, there is a chance that you will fight for leadership with the Seo-i who arrived on the other side. However, if the East and West were connected and then expanded to the North and South based on that connecting line, there was a low probability that the West would give up the initiative even if they came. Of course, it was a bit far from the correct answer that Sejong thought C it was closer to Hyangs idea C but it was a very close understanding. Themanders who understood the order did their best to make it sessful. He created a friendly atmosphere with the natives he came into contact with through trade. Joseons advanced iron farming tools were the best weapon to win the favor of the native people. However, they responded firmly with force against the natives who bared their teeth. As a result of that armed conflict, the Algonquin and Huron people became hostile to Joseon. However, the difference in military strength was so great that the Algonquin and Huron people had to withdraw unconditionally when the Joseon army appeared. Given this background, the union between the Iroquois Union and Joseon was a mutually beneficial decision. In the case of the Iroquois Confederation, it gained a powerful ally that could subdue its archenemies, the Algonquin and Huron people, and in the case of Joseon, it joined hands with thergest group among the indigenous people. By joining hands with the Iroquois Confederation, which controlled the eastern part of Shinji, it was possible to create a canvas on which King Sejongs big picture would be painted. * * * As an unfamiliar tribe called Joseon joined the union, great changes urred in the lives of indigenous women like Woodpecker. The biggest change was that women learned Hunminjeongeum. A major part of the womens work in the Confederacy was memorizing tribal lore. It was their job to memorize what had been passed down orally from generation to generation, teach it to their children, and pass it on to future generations. However, their burden was greatly reduced by recording the tradition in writing using Hunminjeongeum. It wasnt just that. Byparing what was recorded in Hunminjeongeum, it was possible to correct incorrect transmissions. Soon after, a monopoly was established in the residences of Koreans, and the womens society of the Union once again became agitated. The cloth called gwangmok, which was different from the fur and roughly woven cloth that had been used as cloth up to that time, was amazing, and the needles made of iron were also shocking. In addition, the monopoly store was full of many interesting and useful things. If you want something, you have to pay for it. cost? Gold, silver, or leather are also good. I understand leather, but what about gold and silver? After hearing the womens questions, the salesperson in charge opened the bag and showed them gold and silver pieces. The yellow one is gold and the white one is silver. Ah where can I get it? The person who brought this said he picked it up from the river to the south. And the men of the union had to suffer from the sexualization of women. Go and catch a deer, or go to the river and find some gold! Although there were womens sanctification, men also had needs, so they passionately engaged in hunting and gold panning. What they wanted were Joseon weapons, especially bows and horses. As Joseon joined the Iroquois Confederation, exchanges between the Joseon army and the warriors of the Confederation became more frequent. Except for that long gun and horseback gun, there doesnt seem to be anything scary about it. The Joseon army grinned and muttered to itself at the words of the allied warriors. Youll faint when you see the artillery. Union warriors showed off the stone tools they used, such as tomahawks and war clubs, and boasted about their martial arts. And the Joseon soldiers kept nodding their heads and matching the rhythm. However, when the natives showed their bows, the Joseon soldiers quickly raised their hands. for a moment! Please wait a moment! After asking for understanding from the warriors, the Joseon soldiers returned to their quarters and brought out a traditional bow and arrow containing a rolled bow. The Joseon soldiers, holding their bows to their shins and attaching their bow strings, hung arrows on the strings and spoke to the warriors. Its called a bow And the soldiers eyes widened as they watched the Joseon militarys demonstration. Bows smaller than the ones they had shot arrows farther and more powerfully. The warriors who saw the power of Joseons Gakgung all muttered the same thing. I want it. The words were even more desperate. The usefulness of horses, not only in thest battle but also in various situations thereafter, was great. And Shin Sook-ju, who saw through the hearts of these natives, waved bait to them. Its impossible to say right now, but you can buy bows and arrows at the wholesale store. Really? Thank you! The natives who found a way through Shin Suk-ju soon moved forward, regardless of gender. Men worked hard to hunt or collect gold, while women trimmed leather or panned for gold in the river with the men. However, this was not efficient. With the weapons of the natives, it was difficult to catchrge animals alone or in groups of two or three. Of course, we had to go hunting as a group, and if we divided the results, our share was small. The same was true for gold dust. Even if you turned over the sand on the riverbed all day, it was rare to find a decent piece of gold. Of course, even with such a small portion, it was possible to obtain basic necessities such as needles. However, the natives wanted to get their hands on more expensive and valuable items, especially cotton. At that time, a Joseon soldier passing by secretly gave advice. Bear or deer are best. If you do that, you can get a lot of money just by catching one. huh? Thank you! And not long after, something interesting happened. The situation where the bear was chasing and the natives were running away suddenly changed into a situation where the bear was running away and the natives were chasing in droves. Chapter 653 Episode 653: The Woodpeckers Strange Neighbor (2) As they gained a taste for the monopoly, the lives of the natives began to change little by little. As time passed, not only the warriors of the Joseon tribes, but also other people gathered in increasing numbers, and the Koreans began to upy arge area around a particrlyrgeke C known in history as Super Rio before the intervention of the Hyang. In the eyes of the natives of the Iroquois League, these Koreans were truly interesting people. From the warriors to those who arrivedter, if they were familiar with the natives, they got along with them andughed a lot. Of course, when I got angry, I got really angry, but I quickly calmed down. However, when something happened, he acted resolutely. Of course, this situation was not good for both the natives and the Joseon people, so the elders of both sides often stepped in to diffuse the situation. However, even after that, they avoided bing more involved with the person they had rejected. In addition to these points, the biggest characteristic that the Joseon people had was their voracious curiosity. Joseons shamans called Uiwon C of course,ter found out that they were not shamans C soon became close friends with the tribal shamans and delved into all kinds of medicinal herbs and treatments. The Koreans who followed the warriors observed the tribes farming practices and carefully examined the crops they were growing. And when the harvest season came, they gave cotton and other things as gifts, took a lot of the harvested items with them, and learned how to cook them. What Koreans showed the most interest in was Maize. From now on, it will be written as corn. Other Koreans continued to search for something by wandering around the mountains and forests around theke, digging stones and digging tunnels. Meanwhile, the Korean people did not just ept it unconditionally. After taking a seat in the federation, Joseonswmakers implemented the Ceasefire Act on the federations residents. Do you see that face over there? Thats what happens when you get a bad disease. You need to get this treatment to stop it. Shin Suk-ju, who was in charge of interpreting between the natives and the Koreans, insisted on getting vinated, citing her disfigured face from smallpox. The federations chiefs and mothers, who saw real smallpox victims with their own eyes, agreed to and actively supported cowpox vination. Interestingly, a Korean named Shin Suk-ju became an important figure among the chiefs and mothers of the federation. Shin Sook-ju was someone who couldmunicate not only with thenguage used by the tribes of the Confederation, but also with the Algonquin and Wyandotte people who were hostile to the Confederation. (Note 1) No, she could use many of thenguages used by the indigenous tribes that the Joseon people hade into contact with. The genius ofnguage was Shin Sook-ju. Therefore, whenever a meeting was held not only with the Korean settlements but also with other tribes approaching the territory of the Federation, Shin Suk-ju was always present. And Shin Suk-ju, who had such an unexpected task, looked up at the moon every night and cried. This is not why I passed the state exam I would rather work all night * * * Around the time Woodpecker went through menarche and was recognized as an adult, the Joseon chief and his mother arrived. By this time, people in the league also knew a certain amount about Joseon. -A tribe from beyond arge body of water called the sea, which isrger than ake. -And its not a tribe, its a country. A country is made up of dozens or hundreds of tribes like themselves. This served as an opportunity to greatly expand the cognitive scope of the alliance and its surrounding tribes, the Algonquin and Wyandot tribes. Not only the tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy, but also the Algonquin and Wyandotte tribes all vaguely knew about the sea. This was because among the coteral branches of the tribe, those who lived at the eastern end knew the sea. -Argeke filled with salty water that is muchrger than thekes they know. This was the sea they knew, and since there were almost no people who went to the sea and returned, they thought the sea was the end of the world. Of course, the Vikings came hundreds of years before Joseon arrived. However, because they were so few in number and their stay was short, they had no influence on the natives, and Joseon became the first foreigner to inform them of the existence of other countries and people. * * * The arrival of the Joseon chiefs and mothers caused quite a culture shock to the Confederate chiefs and mothers. It was shocking to see the absolute respect and loyalty shown by the Joseon people who lived with them, but the attire of King Sejong and Queen Soheon was also shocking. The red war robe with a shiny gold leaf pattern and the red ginseng were of a different ss. King Sejong and Queen Soheon, who arrived at the Joseon peoples residence near thekes, soon arranged a meeting with the chiefs and mothers of the confederation. The taste and appearance of the food prepared by the fellow servants was something that the leaders of the federation had seen for the first time. The federations chiefs were impressed by the alcohol served at the banquet, and the federations mothers could not take their eyes off the clothes and essories worn by Queen Soheon. I hope we can maintain a good rtionship in the future. The chiefs and mothers who heard King Sejongs words through Shin Suk-ju responded immediately. And not long after, the Confederate chiefs were surprised again. Sejong, who had only recently arrived here, began to speak hisnguage fluently. How is this possible? King Sejong smiled and answered the question of the senior chief with whom he had developed a close rtionship. Hunminjeongeum is useful in times like this. Later, after hearing this story through a letter, Hyang nodded and muttered. When English was introduced in thete Joseon Dynasty, Koreans spoke English more fluently than Japanese, right? The pronunciation was also clearer. * * * With the arrival of King Sejong, the Joseon people began to make Shinji their own in earnest. Efficiency was greatly increased as the time it took to send reports to Joseon and receive orders was reduced. The artisans who came with King Sejong began building production facilities on one side of theke. As materials arrived from the beachhead, new facilities began to be built one by one, and preparations were soonpleted. Once Area 52 finished preparing, it was the miners who got busy. Thanks to the discovery ofrge coal mines and iron ore by prospectors dispatched in advance, resource supply progressed faster than expected. Once the most important coal and iron ore were supplied smoothly, the craftsmen of Area 52 began operating the steel mill. Amid the great sess of the steam engine, which was assembled in parts, Sejong began toy a railroad connecting the bridgehead using steel materials from the steel mill. Even if you dont have an iron horse, the railroad itself is a great help! * * * After King Sejongs arrival, the Algonquin and Wyandotte of the Iroquois Confederation, as well as all indigenous people around the passage created by Joseon, paid close attention to Joseons movements. Every time a ship arrived at the beachhead, arge number of people disembarked, and with them, all kinds of strange objects that they had never seen before entered Area 52. The iron farming toolsing out of Area 52, where ck and white smoke billowed out, became extremely important to the indigenous people who used to rely only on stone and wooden tools. Using iron farming tools, rockynd could be cleared easily and the digging could be done deeper, increasing harvests. Cattle brought in by the Joseon people were also important. At first, I thought it was brought in to obtain ingredients to prevent smallpox. However, the importance of cows was learned when the Joseon people showed them how to use cows for farming. We learned that horses and cows bring greater abundance and safety. That wasnt all. The most powerful people in Shinji were, of course, Koreans. In front of their military power, their number was not a big advantage. In particr, the Eulsik boxcar that came with King Sejong was terrifying. Sejong used these strengths very cleverly. King Sejong summoned the chiefs of the tribes who had been in hostile rtions until then and began to mediate between them. King Sejong entered into mediation, speaking thenguages of various tribes as fluently as Shin Suk-ju. What good is it if we fight like this? Isnt it best to get along with each other? But there is always a shortage ofnd for farming, and the tribesmen are hungry. We have a responsibility to solve this problem. Isnt thatnd out there? Wouldnt it be okay if we reimednd? Water is absolutely necessary for farming. In particr, if you want to grow maize, you must have a lot of water. Its not rice farming, so what Sejong grumbled a little, then immediately adjusted his expression and continued speaking. Wouldnt that problem be solved by digging a waterway? Isnt the problem that digging a waterway is not an easy task? Of course, if you dig it with your bare hands or a wooden tool, it will be a problem. Our Joseon has an answer. In this way, whenever the chiefs raised a problem, King Sejong gave a prompt answer. And because the answer was correct, the chiefs had no choice but to ept King Sejongs proposal. And in the process, the chiefs bowed their heads to King Sejong one by one. In this way, they began to mediate between tribes and hire natives asborers on the other side. Officials in charge of mines and logging sites visited nearby tribes and offered bait. Do you want to buy things from the reseller? Why are you saying the obvious? Then why dont youe and work? If you work, Ill give you money. What is money? If you have money, you can buy things from the monopoly store. The indigenous people who were shocked by those words went into the mines and logging sites and started working. And when the appointed day arrived, the natives who had received the money looked back at the officials with eyes full of suspicion. You can buy things at the reseller with this? The natives could not believe it. What they received was a small piece of cloth or something with various patterns engraved on it, and several pieces of scrap metal. I heard you can live! Oh my! Have you been deceived? The natives who visited the monopoly office with doubts asked the same questions to the sales office manager and received the same answer. In addition, monopoly representatives gave special lectures on banknotes and coins. As people who made money working in Joseons mines and lumberyards bought the goods they wanted at the monopoly, the local natives flocked to the mines and lumberyards. I will work too! Those who worked in mines and lumberyards were not the only ones who discovered Joseons taste for money. To provide meals to those working in mines and logging sites, Joseon purchased food from nearby tribes. Of course, the payment was made in Korean currency, and those who received this money also went to the monopoly store and bought goods. As this situation continued, the natives quickly became ustomed to the mary economy and the culture of Joseon. Sejong, who was checking the situation, shook his head. It was said that the monopoly would be the most powerful weapon This son of a bitch C The best weapon to not only win the hearts of the people, but also turn the Yi people out there into Koreans and turn theirnd into a powerhouse of Joseon. is not a gun or knife, it is a monopoly! In this way, Hyang emphasized the usefulness of the monopoly. And it has been proven to be the correct answer through several examples. And it was the right answer that worked even here in Shinji, where everything was different. Sejong, recalling Hyangs words about the usefulness of the monopoly, shook his head and grumbled. I should have made them work hard from the beginning instead of letting them do only what they wanted to do * * * Note 1) In thest episode, I wrote that they were the Huron people, but after researching, I found out that this was of French origin. Therefore, we modified it to the Wyandotte tribe. Chapter 654 Episode 654: The Woodpeckers Strange Neighbor (3) Through the experience he had umted through running the government, King Sejong steadily took control of the indigenous tribes of Shinji. Against the background of bribes disguised as gifts, subtle appeasement using push and pull, and Shinjis strongest military force, King Sejong began to ce the surrounding tribes under his feet one by one. However, King Sejong was never optimistic about the situation. They are the ones who have been roaring for at least hundreds of years, if not thousands of years. Its not easy to put together. Because it is natural that the ears of the next door neighbors field look more fruitful than the ears of my own field. If it is not sutured properly, it will fester and burst. We needpetition. It was clear that if there were suitable means ofpetition, they could be used to divert dissatisfaction. Therefore, King Sejong began to consider what the appropriate means ofpetition would be. Wrestling is okay, but wrestling alone is not enough. We need something that allows us to unite more and create opportunities to meet alone with the chiefs. What would be better? The first thing that came to mind when King Sejong was struggling was a stone tablet. All you need aremon rocks and a suitable club and shield, so its okay * * * For the Joseon people, Seokjeon was a time-honored game. On holidays or the first day of the year, men from nearby viges gathered and held a memorial service. Or, when a dispute arose at the vige level, a stone battle was held as a means of resolving it. However, since it was a stone battle where if you made a mistake, you could get injured or die, it wasmon for the battle to overheat in an instant and fights broke out. Therefore, when the stone war began, it was customary for influential people from the viges where the stone war was held or local officials who governed them to act as referees and coordinate the proceedings. Despite this, scuffles often broke out, and even the influential people who served as referees fought each other by the cor. Although it was such a rough match, the king, royal family members, and influential people enjoyed watching the stone battle. For example, when King Sejong did not like the stone shrine, his superior King Taejong said this and forced him to see the stone shrine. Its also a great training tool. In the end, it was the 9th year of King Sejong. King Sejong created systematic rules for seokjeon. Andter, as the military progressed, Seokjeon became a means of training reserve forces. However, in order to avoid those participating in the stone battle from getting injured more than necessary, they were instructed to wear old armor that had been left behind by longsword soldiers. Afterwards, as aprehensive entertainment center was created, a professional dialysis team was created. The stoning team, a type of professional athlete, traveled all over the country and engaged in stoning battles at entertainment venues. This was the birth of the League. And the te armor from the long sword corps, which was gradually decreasing in size, was used as protective gear for professional stone throwers. And when the government learned that the peoples sense of belonging was strengthened through these regr matches of the stone troupe, they began to make good use of it. * * * I thought it was okay, but Sejong immediately shook his head. no. Its barely been stitched up now. If you do it wrong, it will turn into a truly murderous battle. This is something that has already happened in Joseon. It was Seokjeon that people fought with each other to the death even though it had been a thousand years since they first became citizens of one country. King Sejong, who had given up on seokjeon, began to think of other means. Baduk? no. Its a good tool against leaders such as chiefs, but not good against warriors. We need something to drain the warriors vitality. Hmm Sejong, who was pondering so much, thought of something else. What about Gyeokgu? But soon Sejong shook his head. No, no. The time it takes to train magic is also a problem, and if you make a mistake when you are not yet limatized properly, you can make troublesome enemies. Sejong, who felt a headache in a situation where if there was one good thing, there were two or three bad things, put his hand on his forehead. Its a pain in the ass. Shall I call you? King Sejong shook his head in response to a question from the merchant ship next to him. No. I stayed in my room all the time and it was stuffy. Lets go out for a moment and get some fresh air. Shall I tell you to prepare your horses? No, were going to separate rooms. I tell you to prepare ordingly. When King Sejong came out of the room, the eunuchs holding bowls and stone balls made of agate followed him. * * * King Sejong was famous for his dislike of moving, but there were some exercises that he enjoyed. It was archery that made King Taejo famous, rope jumping suggested by Hyang, and fighting. Among them, Sejongs favorite was Gyeokbang. Even in history before Hyang intervened, there was a record that his subjects were worried about him because he enjoyed staying up all night in private battles. This was also the case in the history where incense was involved, and King Sejong, who noticed the attention of his subjects, gave them a considerable amount of tonic medicine as a gift. Although the subjects who received gifts from King Sejong expressed their gratitude, they turned around and showedplicated expressions. * * * Because King Sejong loved ying games, the first thing he made upon arriving at the temporary pce was the archery master and the master of the archers. King Sejong, who was enjoying a fierce battle at the archery range, lightly swung the stick in his hand and muttered. This is Won Its no fun ying alone. Would you like to prepare a device? No, its okay Sejong, who was replying to the merchants words that it was okay, suddenly stopped talking. Right! There it was! Sejong, who came up with a good idea, quickly returned to his room. It was simr to todays field hockey. The rule of Gigigi was for the yers, divided into two groups, to use long wooden sticks to throw wooden balls into the opponents mouth. Jikgigi, which had no restrictions as long as you didnt hit your opponent with the stick or trip on them, was the optimal exercise game for warriors. And, as King Sejong expected, Jang Ki-gi became explosively popr among indigenous tribes. As armed conflicts decreased, warriors who had nothing to do other than hunting boasted about their power through devices. Also, winning a match against another tribe, especially a tribe that had previously been at war with each other, was an honor equivalent to winning a war. The tribes did their best to win the match. We created a dedicated ce to practice Janggigi and constantly held Janggigipetitions to select those with good skills. That wasnt all. In Korean residences, I actively sought out Koreans who were good at gadgets and learned minor techniques. As a side note, as the reign of Hyang continued, this device match grew to an empire-wide scale. Thus, Janggigi and Toseokjeon grew into the two major professional leagues in the empire. Of course, there were several professional leagues, including archery and wrestling, but the most popr team sports were device and stone fighting. * * * Although the match event that would drain the warriors vitality and utilize the tribespetitive spirit had been decided, King Sejongs concerns still remained. As usual, Sejong muttered to himself as he took a break to cool his head. I need a suitable excuse to talk alone. Although Joseon controlled the tribes, it did not yet haveplete dominance. The current situation is that they have be the most powerful tribe among many tribes, not the head tribe. In order for Shinji itself to be a part of Joseon, we must obtain the chiefs of all the tribes in Shinji. The mothers dont have to worry because Jungjeon is taking good care of them Sejong, who was analyzing the situation, sighed. Whoa~. Is there an appropriate means to treat each other alone? In the Joseon Dynasty, you could go undercover and secretly search for the targets house, or hold a secret meeting at Giru. But that was impossible here. Even if you find the chiefs house, rumors are likely to spread right away. Also, the Giru had not yet been made, and considering the appearance of the chiefs at thest banquet C they all had a taste for soju, the first distilled liquor they had ever encountered C it was impossible to have a private party while drinking. If you use a drinking party as an excuse, they will start looking for alcohol. Feeling frustrated, Sejong swung the stick with all his might. Sigh! Sejong, who saw the stone ball flying far away with a light hitting sound, shouted without realizing it. Its a cool flight! However, King Sejong had a small appetite at the sight of the Naegwan running after the stone sphere disappearing in the distance. Tsk! Youre giving me trouble. But I feel refreshed inside. King Sejong, who saw the eunuch suffering so much, immediately closed the room and returned to the room. Still, I was feeling refreshed inside, but why should I just go pick it up? Sang-seon immediately bowed his head as King Sejong muttered to himself. How can you move the body over such a small thing? Such things can be done by small believers. But isnt hard work hard work? If you think of moving as exercise, it will work. Dont you think that if you move your body in moderation, you wont get sick? Then you say Im sick and sick? Sejongs mind suddenly brightened as he held back the words that were about toe out. wait! Is it possible to have a separate room with just two people? And if you put the ball in a waa (C), you move on to the next waa? So what if you do it in a wide field instead of in a narrow ce? Isnt what remains of this newnd a in? What if you set a long distance between where you hit the ball and the waa, and also keep the waa and the waa far apart? After thinking that far, Sejong hit his knee with a bright face. I found the answer! That is how Shingeokbang was born. King Sejong invited the chiefs to the 10-ri (approximately 4 km) one-way, 20-ri round-trip Gyeokbang field, introduced the Shingyeokbang and enjoyed the Gyeokbang together. Soon, Shingyeokbang became wildly popr among chiefs and elder warriors. These were chiefs and senior warriors who were physically too weak to fight alongside young warriors. However, Shingeokbang was the best ce to enjoy while maintaining a reasonable amount of stamina. Also, the fact that such a small number of people could enjoy the game alone gave them another sense of superiority. As the cult spread among the chiefs and senior warriors, King Sejong began to use it politically. Chiefs of influential tribes were invited and two or three of them had a private meeting and had secret conversations. And this Gyeokbangjang meeting became an important factor in elerating Shinjis incorporation into Joseon. If the culture and economic power of Joseon, symbolized by the monopoly, influenced ordinary natives to Joseon, the Gyeokbangjang Meeting politically influenced them to Joseon. * * * When the natives of Shinji were rapidly bing Joseon, there were some natives who were ahead of others. This was the case with Crouching Bear, the woodpeckers husband. He was the husband of a woodpecker named Crouching Bear because he wasrge from birth. Crouching Bear, who was expected to be a famous warrior thanks to hisrge size and strength, became a disappointment as he got older. He had good size, strength and intelligence, but his fighting skills were not that good. The fact that his fighting skills were inferior to that of other warriors was a major disqualification. No, to be precise, he had simr fighting skills to other warriors, but it was inferior to his size and strength. Although he had the advantage of being intelligent and having excellent situational analysis and judgment, this was easily ignored. The Crouching Bear, which had be a partner with the woodpecker, carefully observed the Koreans who suddenly became its neighbors. And as time passed, Crouching Bear volunteered to study Hunminjeongeum and learn Korean. Crouching Bear, who became ustomed to the Koreannguage, quickly learned basic academics, including industry and academia. And this appearance of a crouching bear caught the eyes of Koreans. Is that friend worth using? Didnt you say that Your Majesty would being soon? When that timees, youll definitely need friends like that. And with the arrival of King Sejong and the development of Shinji getting into full swing, Crouching Bear was officially managed. Although he was still the lowest level official, Crouching Bear hadid the foundation for moving up if he worked hard. In this way, the Crouching Bear and the Woodpecker came to live and make their home in the area where Koreans lived. And the Crouching Bears position in the tribe was instantly reversed. He had changed from an insignificant warrior to an important ally. Chapter 655 Episode 655: This time we also brought firewood, and a lot of it. (1) Gyeong-oh year (1450, 32nd year of King Sejong). winter. From around the time of the spring equinox at the beginning of the year until the Mid-Autumn Festival, there was a lot ofmotion due torge-scale expulsions from the north, and after the Mid-Autumn Festival, while the vigers from Europe were preupied with sightseeing in Hanyang, the township made one big decision. Lets finish it before the year is over! The era name was abolished. After the victory over the Ming Dynasty, the Qingje Jianyuan was a natural step. Therefore, the local government and ministers began preparations. In this process, it was Yeonho who caused headaches for the Hyang and ministers. It wasmon to select words from old books to metaphorically express the new emperors policy stance or tofort the people. Otherwise, in order to proim a new beginning, a wordbined with the letter won (Ԫ) was used as the era name. However, the prerequisites of the scent were problematic. -Now that we have left the central ins and are taking our own steps, we must eliminate all things that have already been used or are simr to those used by the emperors of the central ins. As a result, many of the candidate words that had been nominated began to be filtered out, starting with all words containing the word won (Ԫ) being filtered out. This is why the one world one won system was created The ministers who were searching for words at Hwang Heesint all nodded. Since Emperor Wu of Han used the era name system, more era names have been recorded in historical records than the countries that appeared and disappeared in the central ins. This happened because there were no set rules for changing the era name. Thanks to this, there were more than one monarch who used multiple era names during their reign, and during the period when many countries were divided, each country often used its own era name, so all the words that seemed eptable were used at least once. Among them, there was one word that the ministers most regretted: Yeongrak (). The era name used by King Gwanggaeto the Great, who was a loser in the early Three Han Dynasties, was Yeongrak. However, as Emperor Yongle of Ming used it, it became an era name that became difficult to rewrite. You can write it if you want to, but considering the habits of the people in the middle of the country, it would be worse than not doing it Hearing Hwang Hees words, Kim Jong-seo secretly brought up a conspiracy theory. Could it be that you wrote it knowingly? Did you know it when you wrote it? At Kim Jong-seos words, all the ministers eyes lit up and their ears perked up. Since ancient times, there was nothing more fun than doing something else when work was difficult. Kim Jong-seo presented the basis for the conspiracy theory he came up with. Where did the Yongle Emperor receive Wangji before he ascended to the throne? Its a kite. Its a stones throw away from the Liaohe River. There, the traditions of old Goguryeo would have continued to be passed down. Consider the stone monument discovered not long ago in Bukji. Its quite possible. The ministers all pretended to know what Kim Jong-seo said. Ah that stone monument! * * * After taking control of Northern Territory, the government conducted a thorough investigation to properly organize the administrative organization of Northern Territory. Although it was not yetplete, a huge amount of human and material information was being updated, and unexpected historical materials were also discovered. Among them, there was a discovery that made everyones eyes roll, not only in the royal court but also in the ruling elite. It was the discovery of the tombstone of King Gwanggaeto the Great. At first, it was thought to be from the Jin or Jurchen tribes. However, after receiving the report, Hyang gave a firmmand. Dont just assume its from Jin or Jurchen, but investigate it closely! It will consume a lot of time and budget. Who ruled thatnd before Jin and Jurchen? Its Goguryeo! Hwang Hui and the ministers immediately responded to Hyangs point by bowing their heads. If I did something wrong, I would have suffered the wrath of heaven and earth! I will immediately send someone to take a closer look! In this way, the true identity of the tombstone of King Gwanggaeto was revealed. The scent that gave themand muttered to itself. Although there are many librarians leftpared to the 21st century, the Three Kingdoms period is no longer an era that can be called a legend. * * * In any case, due to these various circumstances, the name of the era was undecided even after the opening of the empire. In a situation where there were not many words left suitable for use as an era name, Hyangdo became a headache. Why are the only remaining words like Myeongchi () or Yusin (S)? Both Myeongchi and Yushin were good in their meanings. However, in Hyangs memory, these words were very unpleasant words. In the end, Hyang came to a conclusion. Lets abolish the Yeonho system! yes? The ministers all looked perplexed at Hyangs decision. Yes, Your Majesty. ording to thew. Hwang Hee tried to argue that it was not possible, but Hyang cut him off. Which countrysw is thatw from? yes? Isnt the use of era names and thew of one world, one world, also of the Central ins? Now, you have dered that you will escape from the shadow of the Central ins and take the path of independence and self-strength. How long will you follow thews of the Central ins? Think about the habits of the people of Central ins. They are the ones who exaggerate every single thing, but if they follow the era name system, they will definitely say something different in the future. Hwang Hee, who thought about Hyangsment for a moment, came forward and answered. What your Majesty said is truly reasonable, but there will be people who do not understand its meaning and will object. I will devise a way to persuade them. What need do you think? Just tell me to discuss it. In this way, rooms were again added to government offices throughout the district. -Our Joseon has finally emerged from the shadow of the Central ins and entered the path of independence. ordingly, we would like to abolish the era name system in a symbolic sense. Discuss this. -If the era name is abolished, problems with the era will arise in the future. As a way to solve this problem, it is necessary to decide whether to use the short term of Danguns prayer or the first year of the founding of the empire. Discuss this. The deadline is the end of this month. As soon as the room was set up like this, for the first time in a long time,ints started pouring in from all over the Korean Penins. And this image also caught the eyes of European schrs who were still staying in Seoul. What is posted on that bulletin board? That is European schrs who heard the exnation through interpreters and monks could not hide their surprise. Are you saying that the emperor seeks answers from the people? Is there still no problem? Why does that matter? That too is one of thenguage routes. The innkeepers responded to the European schrs questions with expressions of iprehension, while the monks responded with bitter smiles. This is what the monarchs of this country often do. Thanks to this, the top and bottommunicate well. Of course, some say that this is the emperors fishing Fishing? The professors who heard the monks exnation were all amazed. That way! What a smart way to continue to recruit new talent! This is truly an excellent method because you can not only gain talent but also learn about public opinion! The professors were so admiring but also confused. The thing that threw them into confusion was incense. I thought he was a sinister person with harsh words and deep arrogance, but does that mean he wasnt? Is this the closest thing to the philosopher king imagined by to? That vitriol? * * * Most of the appeals filed were positive for the abolition of the Yeonho system. -Abolishing the era name system is a reasonable move as it is about escaping from the shadow of China, which calls itself Zhonghua (A). Because most of the appeals had simr content to the above, the local government officials were able to breathe a sigh of relief. However, there was a part in the appeal that was divided in two, so it was a question of date. C Since Dangun is the founder, it is correct to consider Dangun as the origin. C Short term is good, but it is better to start with the founding of an empire. The empire is no longer just an empire for Koreans. Since many residents of foreign regions have already be subjects of the empire, insisting on a short period of time can be a source of discrimination. In this way, a war of words broke out over the date of the anniversary, and arge-scale argument broke out that resulted in not only an appeal but also a written letter. And at the center of this debate was the Institute of Science. * * * C By studying old scriptures, we inform the people living today on the right path. For the above purpose, the Institute of Science, built in thetter half of the scriptures, was a ce where former government officials and those selected from the local nobles gathered to reinterpret and discuss the scriptures. Naturally, it was a ce that caused conflict among its members, so it was famous for fierce debates from the beginning of its establishment. As an aside. The question of incense that created a firestorm among the intellectual ss in Europe also created a simr firestorm here. -Is Zhu Xis interpretation of the old sages words truly the correct answer? A fierce debate took ce on this topic, and a new academic style simr to a mixture of ssical studies, Yangming studies, and archaeological studies began to be created. * * * Among the members of the Institute of Science, those from the nobility supported short term, and those from bureaucrats supported the origin year of the founding of the empire C the so-called Gaecheon. And as intellectuals from the Jurchen tribe participated in the war with new firewood, the center of gravity slowly began to shift towards Gaecheon. C Even if you exclude the Koreans, there are more than one people of the empire from different origins. Insisting on the short term can be a source of discrimination. -If Dangi is used, Buddhist weapons should also be allowed. Why are you blowing? What the Jurchen people believe in is Lama Buddhism. If you do it wrong, the Yeojin people can rise up. If you do that, it will be a headache In the end, Gaecheon, which started with the founding of the empire, became the best way to solve various problems. * * * The first month of the 2nd year of Gaecheon (Sinmi Year, 1451). The ships carrying the European professors back home finally arrived. Do I finally have to leave. Its a shame, its a shame! While the professors who were selected and had to return couldnt hide their disappointment, the professors who stayed spoke with excitement. It feels new to be learning again at this age. But isnt it fun to learn new things? Thats right. While there was a lot of joy and sorrow among the professors, their images were all conveyed to the local government and ministers. Seeing that you enjoy learning, I guess you are a schr. Hyang nodded at Hwang Hees words. However, Hyangs inner thoughts were the opposite. Future test takers will suffer even more. He did not know, or was trying to ignore, that his actions had already turned the future field of history, especially history, and especially Oriental history itself, into the worstbor-intensive profession. What do I know! * * * Upon arriving in Seoul, Giovanni immediately looked for incense and paid his respects. Ie to see your Majesty. I am very happy to see you in good health despite having to go on a long voyage every year. I am truly grateful that Your Majesty is so concerned about me. Then I hope you do your job well. Thank you. Giovanni came out after smelling the scent and proceeded to hold a meeting with Huhu. This is the quantity of Eulsik rifles and freight cars that will be purchased this time. The payment was made in silver. Heohus eyes lit up as he checked the items in the documents Giovanni held out. Do you have a lot of stock? I n to end this tiresome war within this year. This was the will of Henry and Mehmed II rather than that of Cosimo. And in the background was France. @KOI Chapter 656 Episode 656: This time we also brought firewood, and a lot of it. (2) Before Giovanni departed for the empire, messengers from the allies met in Florence. This was because France had announced that it would enter the war in earnest. And Frances participation in the war was a sufficient variable to change the situation of the war. France was a recognized military power even at this time. There were also many soldiers with richbat experience during the Hundred Years War. A messenger sent by Charles VII announced Frances decision to a gathering of Cosimo de Medici Henry Mehmet II. So I n to deploy 30,000 troops in the first round. Henry and Mehmed II, who had been listening to the messenger with chewed faces, opened their mouths as soon as the messenger finished speaking. Primary? 30,000 for the first round? Is that possible? The French messenger responded to Henry and Mehmet IIsments with a confident face. We are expecting about 50,000 people, including the first 30,000 people. Of course, if necessary, we can increase the size further. Is it possible? Both Henry and Mehmed II reacted negatively. * * * ording tomon sense in Europe and the Middle East at the time, an army of the size mentioned by the French envoy was rarely mobilized unless it was an all-out battle in which the national fortune of the country was at stake. Its a thing of the past, but during the Crusades, the number of crusaders who came from all over Europe with religious zeal ranged from 10,000 to 20,000. And in history before the intervention of Xiang, the number of Ottoman troops at the time of the capture of Constantinople ranged from 50,000 to 80,000. Of course, there was a im that 300,000 people were mobilized, but this was acknowledged as an exaggeration. In this situation, the statement made by the French envoy, If a total of 30,000 won and 50,000 people are needed in the first round, more than that can be mobilized, could not be trusted. * * * Although Portugal and the Ottomans, the main forces of the alliance, showed that they could not be trusted, the French messenger was still confident. Other countries may be impossible, but Great France grande france) is possible. This was not a lie from the French messenger. At the time of the Battle of Agincourt, which marked a milestone in the Hundred Years War, France mobilized approximately 36,000 troops. Of course, they were defeated by the British army, which numbered only 6,000 at the time. But Henrik and Mehmet were not easily convinced. Is there going to be a lot of bacsh? Are you okay? To Henrys point, the French envoy responded curtly with an expression of displeasure. I appreciate you worrying about French internal affairs, but thats not happening. The Estates General also actively supports it. This was true. When Charles VII, who decided to actively participate in the war, announced this decision, the Estates General actively supported it. The nobles saw it as a good opportunity to share the power concentrated in the king, and the clergy could not miss the superiority over Jerusalem and the Vatican. So did city representatives. Only a fool would miss out on a great opportunity to secure a base for direct trade with the Land of Flowers. Because it was an exquisite situation in which everyones interests were aligned, the Estates General actively supported Charles VIIs decision. * * * So there is no need to worry about mobilizing troops. The problem is firepower. France also demands the opportunity to participate in the distribution process of weapons imported from the Land of Flowers. Mehmed II responded to the French envoys request. Purchase, not distribution. Youre asking for a chance to buy it. At those words, Henry and Mehmet II looked at Cosimo at the same time. Cosimo, who was asked an unspoken question, took a moment to answer. If you tell me the type and quantity of weapons you need, I will get them for you. The problem is the payment. Dont worry about the payment issue. If necessary, I will use a loan. Instead, I would like you to reduce the price as much as possible. In response to the French envoys request for a discount, Cosimo nced at Mehmet II and responded. If you ept the conditions proposed by the Empire, a more favorable discount is possible. What are the conditions imposed by the empire? In response to the messengers question, Cosimo exined the conditions demanded by the empire. After hearing Cosimos story, the lion shook his head. The part about establishing a corporation and dividing shares to prevent conflicts between rted parties is okay, but it is difficult to ept that Kingdom of Flowers owns 40/100 of the shares. Osman epted. In response to Mehmet IIs words, the French envoy spoke with an ambiguous expression, whether ridiculing or pitying. It doesnt matter because Ottomans decision is Ottomans will, but I think France needs to reconsider. We fight the war and we do the construction afterward, so why should the Land of Flowers get the most benefit? This is unfair. If youre that dissatisfied, you can leave. Mehmet II responded to the French envoys words with a sharp voice. Anyway, the country that is shedding the most blood in the war right now is the Ottomans. I also know that less blood is shed because of the empires weapons. Thats why Osman doesnt think its unfair. Just because of weapons? under! The French envoy was so shocked that he could not speak, but Mehmet II smiled and asked back. Is it just a weapon? Dont you know that after the war, it would be impossible to build a canal or a railroad without an empire? Please keep in mind that construction is impossible without imperial equipment and imperial materials. If you dont have the equipment, you just have to bring in more manpower! All you have to do is bring in whatever workers or ves you have! You dont know the desert, do you? The French envoy was speechless at Mehmet IIs question. Mehmet II, who had silenced the French lion, exined the situation again. The desert is a ce where even if youe fully prepared, one small mistake can result in loss of life. But do you think the construction going on there will be easy? huh? Are you saying that if we just invest a lot of manpower, everything will be solved? If construction is done like that, it will not be finished even after 100 years. Do you think I made that agreement just because I was preupied with weapons? Even so, 40/100 is too unfair! If you dont like it, leave! Cosimo seemed to feel that the atmosphere was getting heated, so he intervened. Now, now I dont think its toote to reconsider the equity issueter. Isnt it more important to end this war quickly first? Doesnt Osman agree with this? Mehmet II answered Cosimos question in a gruff voice. I agree. Then lets focus on this part first. Well think about the problem againter. Nothing has been decided yet, starting with the establishment of the constructionpany, right? Osman has already promised. Arent there prerequisites? The prerequisite is If you establish a corporation. If this prerequisite disappears, the promise also disappears. huh? When Cosimo pointed out the blind spot, Mehmet IIs expression immediately changed. Looking at Mehmet IIs expression, Cosimo continued. The empires proposal for establishing a public corporation seemed quite reasonable, so I agreed to it. But no one knows what will happen after the war. If we think a little more, we maye up with a better way, that is, a better way to maximize the national interests of the alliance participating countries. If a better wayes out, theres no need to follow the empires conditions, right? Hmm Hearing Cosimos words, Mehmet II stroked his beard and was lost in thought. Cosimo skillfully orchestrated the situation. So, lets focus on the war first. First of all, do you agree with Frances participation in the war? I agree. I agree. After pondering Cosimos question for a moment, Henry and Mehmet II agreed to Frances participation in the war. Since France was involved to keep Spain in check, France also had a say and was entitled to share in the profits. In that case, it would have been better to send them into the war even if it meant sharing a little more profits. As the war dragged on, the finances of Portugal and the Ottomans were bing increasingly strained. Cosimo, who received the consent of Henry and Mehmet II, concluded with a broad smile. Then, at this meeting, we will only summarize the agreement that our ally France agreed to participate in the war in earnest. How about we discuss the rest againter? Everyone else nodded at the same time at Cosimos suggestion. I agree. * * * After returning to his quarters after the meeting, Mehmet II emptied his wine ss and muttered. As expected, a great merchant is a great merchant. At todays meeting, Cosimo skillfully coordinated the situation. Although he was the most powerful person in Florence, he did not reveal this and only revealed himself as a merchant. It was Cosimo who orchestrated the situation, bowing down in front of the nobles and royal family in the guise of a mere merchant. In the end, by doing so, Cosimo was able to maximize his own benefit. If future generations are like me, the prosperity of the Medici family will continue for a while. * * * You werent just blinded by trauma. At the same time, in his office, Cosimo was looking at Mehmed II differently. I thought it best suited the imperial proverb, If its trauma, even a cow will eat it. Isnt that true? When Cosimo heard from Giovanni about what happened on the day of the founding of the empire, he gave Mehmet II a harsh evaluation. -A human being who tried to pull a trick but ended up being defeated by the empire. But considering todays situation, that wasnt the case. Although he was hindered at first, it was Mehmed II whoter found a way to gain maximum benefit. -Instead of giving up shares to the empire, secure shares from others. This may have been Mehmet IIs strategy, so he reacted negatively to Frances full-scale participation in the war. But since half of them turned around, the other half must be the problem Cosimo, who had sorted out the situation, called Giovanni and gave orders. I have something to check on my way back from the Empire with the professors. * * * I had a truly wonderful time thanks to Your Majestys generous hospitality. I have seen and learned so much. Before returning to their hometowns, the professors who learned the scent bowed their heads and expressed their gratitude. After listening to the professors words, Hyang smiled and offered good words. Its great to see and learn so much. Anyone who has a passion for learning should never stop learning and improving their skills throughout their lives. I hope that when I return, I will continue to diligently walk the path of learning. Hwang Eun is devastated! After hearing Hyangs good words, the professors rode the iron horse back down to Mokpo and started their journey home. Whenever ships carrying professors stopped at ports of call, Giovanni secretly visited the professors and asked them questions. Youve seen the iron horse and the steam engine, right? I saw it very well. Do you think we can make it too? Most professors gave simr answers to Giovannis question. It may be difficult right now, but it will be possible if you put in the time and effort. Is that so? thank you. Chapter 657 Episode 657: This time we also brought firewood, and a lot of it. (3) Simr stories soon began to circte among the professors on their way home. Now that you think about it, isnt it a bit strange? What do you mean? This is an empire that uses steam engines to make iron horses and even excavators, but I have never seen a ship equipped with a steam engine. huh? Right! What is the reason? After pondering for a while, many of the professors came up with the following reasoning. -Steam engines arerge and heavy. The material and structure of a wooden ship would be difficult to withstand a steam engine. -It would not have been possible to use it on a wooden boat due to the risk of fire as fire was continuously used there. Based on this reasoning, the professors reached different conclusions. -If you can build a ship equipped with a steam engine, you can catch up with the empire! It was the professors who properly met the scented bait. Of course, there were quite a few professors who thought differently. -The emperor is someone who is as deep as he is wise. There must be some trick. This is clear if you think of Area 51. The township epted the professors earnest request and allowed them to observe Area 51. However, what the professors were able to see was mostly the process of making objects using steam engines as a power source. The manufacturing process of the iron horse, which received the most attention, only showed the final assembly process and did not show the assembly process of the core power unit. The same was true for the production of smokeless gunpowder and the production of silver. Of course, it was possible to earn a considerable amount of ie just by showing the parts, but the disappointment of not being able to see the core was significant. Because of these examples, they did not agree with the conclusion that the Empire had not yet built a steamship. Steamships must exist in the empire. Even if it is not at the level ofmercial or military use, there will definitely be steamships for demonstration purposes. They reasoned this way, but the conclusion was simr. -You must be able to build a steamship! Otherwise, even if you get the challenge record, it is of no use! Although the professors were divided like this, they all reached the same conclusion regarding education andnguage. -More people than now should benefit from education, andmunication channels should also be greatly opened! * * * The educational environment in Europe during this period was surprisingly good. Grammar schools were established in almost every city in Western Europe, providing basic Latin education as well as learning to read and write in the nativenguage. Church-managed schools also operated in smaller cities and viges. Such schools taught basic reading and writing and singing. Above these primary educational institutions, secondary educational institutions also began to emerge, and various types of secondary educational institutions were created. And temples and universities were established as the highest educational institutions. * * * The expansion of education advocated by professors was to raise the level of elementary and secondary education institutions. -The empire established social democratic schools throughout the empire. Through this social democratic school, the average intellectual level of the people of the empire greatly increased. If we look at the current situation in Europe, the standards of grammar schools in big cities and schools established in smaller areas are worlds apart. This must be corrected! -The same goes for secondary education. Rather than being an integrated system, most of them are established by various interest groups such as guilds. In this part, we must also look at the imperial system! * * * Looking at the Joseon Dynastys education system, which went through the period of the Empire or the Gyeongjang period, children who graduated from Social Ministries could choose to advance to one of two types of secondary education institutions. One was a middle school where education in the field of liberal arts was conducted, and the other was a technical school that focused on technology. Gihakdang was an institution created to train technical personnel who were the core of industry. After learning intermediate industrial and academic skills, which can be considered the basic course, at this institute, students moved on to advanced courses where they could learn the skills they wanted ording to their qualifications and preferences. And at these institutes, those who recorded excellent grades in industry, academia, or major subjects, or those who had recognized work experience, were able to apply to the engineering academy. At the liberal arts middle school, students took a more diverse range of subjects, such asnguage studies as well as industry and academia. And those whose academic background was recognized through the certification exam were able to apply to higher-level educational institutions such as military academies, medical academies,nguage academies, industrial academies, science academies, and engineering academies. Elementary and middle school educational institutions established throughout the empire, starting with the Social Ministries School, middle school schools, and elementary school schools, were subject to strict management by the empire. What the empire cared most about was the welfare and education level of students, symbolized by school meals. C At the very least, you should not go hungry when youe to school. -No matter where you study in the empire, you must be able to achieve at least an average level of academic achievement. This was the standard set by the Empires Ministry of Education. And to protect this, the empire strictly managed educational institutions. Of course, there was a provision that average academic achievement must be possible anywhere in the empire, but there were educational institutions that showed academic achievement that was quite a bit higher than average. And there were quite a few parents who moved to areas with such educational institutions in order for their children to seed in the world. And upon hearing this, Sejong was pleased and Hyang shook his head. They say its Maengmo Samcheonjigyo. There are so many parents who put so much effort into their childrens studies. Wouldnt that be a good thing? Even at this time, its a breeze. * * * Professors who returned to Europe after enduring a long voyage and crossing the path of martyrs, either alone or in groups, wrote Imperial Travels and published it. The records that were released like this soon sold out like crazy. Among the educated people with curiosity about the Eastern countries with outstanding civilization, as well as adventurers looking to make a quick fortune, those who were somewhat enlightened in Europe had to read and possess at least one of these travel records to participate in the conversation. And many of those who wrote these books met rich people around them. I want to develop a steam engine, so I need some money Many people who received requests for support from schrs did careful calctions. Its close to the number of gambles Those who were pondering this soon came to a positive conclusion. But if the steam engine is built properly, you can recoup several times your investment! What is interesting is that the biggest factor in their positive conclusion was the records written by the professors. * * * Although many professors focused on the development of steam engines and research on new mathematical theories, many others argued for institutional reform. When they heard demands such as reform of the education system and equal level of basic education, those in power evaluated them positively. Its okay. If we think about the future, we need a lot of people with a certain level of intelligence. You cant be dependent on the church forever. The best way topletely break away from the shadow of the church would be to reform education. Through various religious disputes, especially those ignited by embers thrown by incense, the shadow of the Vatican has lightened considerably, but the hearts of those in power have not. In order to erase the Vaticans shadow over the people as much as possible, those in power epted reform of the education system. However, another demand for reform raised by professors caused headaches for those in power. Expand thenguage route! The emperor of the empire was not afraid to ask his people! The king should listen to the people! Professors calls for expandingnguage channels gained full support from the urban middle ss and grew louder. Due to the ck Death, the traditional rural society centered on manors copsed, and urban merchants began to emerge as new economic centers. Although treatment was said to be better than before the ck Death, the lives of the serfs were still difficult. Because of this, many people ran away from the manor and hid in the city. ording to the customaryw at the time, those who escaped and hid in the city were recognized as city residents if they lived for one year and one day. For the merchants and merchants who were the main axis of the city, these new residents who joined the city were very useful people. This was because they providedbor as wage workers and were also important as a market for consuming their products. For these city residents, the expansion ofnguage channels was a good opportunity to expand their influence. Lets push out the country nobles who dont know whats going on in the countryside and increase our influence! We must make the king listen to us! City residents who shared this awareness began to strongly support the professors demands for reform. This political move caused headaches for those in power. Vulgar people who dont even know what politics is The traditional nobles turned a deaf ear to the city residents, calling them vulgar things. Not only was it not enough to close his ears, but he also requested the king to silence the city residents. The kings were also in an awkward position. From the perspective of reducing the power of the nobles and strengthening their own position, the demands of the city people were very useful. The financial power of the citys merchants and merchants was soon surpassing that of the nobility. If the demands of the city residents were epted and their financial power secured, the royal authority could be strengthened by using this as political funds. The problem was that the citys merchants, who had taken the positions of the nobles, became a new checking force. This is also a pain in the ass But the kings hearts were slowly turning towards the city residents. This was because the traditional nobles had so many things. And as a result, the perception of university and college professors changed. They had changed from unlucky people who only recite Latin and pretend to be proud to dreamers who call what they see as reform. In this way, European society began to be noisy once again. If the previous turmoil was due to religious disputes, the current turmoil was a dispute over political leadership between existing and emerging powers on one axis, and the race to develop steam engines on the other axis. In the French Estates General and other parliaments, established and emerging powers were fighting over leadership, and in the cities, there was amotion as posters with different ims were put up and taken down. On the other hand, there was a lot of noise, Who will build a usable steam engine first? A fierce battle for talent was taking ce. And at the center of it all, strangely enough, Florence, Paris and Lisbon werepeting fiercely. * * * Its hard right now, but it can be done. Cosimo, who heard the answer through Giovanni, immediately ordered the professors at the University of Florence. We will provide sufficient support, so please develop a steam engine as quickly as possible. And this was the same not only in Paris, Lisbon, but also in Genoa, Venice, London, and Vienna. Not only those in power but also merchants with financial power came forward to support professors. Thispetition was truly fierce. Not onlyrge merchants like Cosimo, but also small and medium-sized merchants with limited financial resources joined hands and even jointly invested money. But they all had to solve one problem. -There are not enough craftsmen to turn the drawings into reality! There was apetition for talent to acquire these artisans. Chapter 658 Episode 658: This time we also brought firewood, and a lot of it. (4) The professors first hires were cksmiths living in the city and nearby viges. And here, many professors experienced their first trial and error. A small cksmith shop on the outskirts of Paris. The expressions on the cksmiths faces as they epted the professors requests were truly mysterious. Jacques, the head of the cksmiths, looked at the drawings and asked the professors. What is this piece of paper? This is a drawing of a steam engine. So are you saying that we have to make the strange object depicted in this picture? Thats right. Do the numbers next to you indicate the size? Thats right. After hearing the professors exnations, Zach let out a long sigh. Whoa~. Sirs. Youre joking too much. Its no joke! Hearing the professors words, Zach raised his hand and pointed to his cksmith shop. If the numbers written on the blueprint are urate, you are now asking me to create arger object at my forge! huh? uh? Hearing Jacques words, the professors looked at Jacques forge and looked perplexed. Looking at the professors expressions, Jacques added. Let me give you some advice: my cksmith shop is the secondrgest in Paris and its surrounding areas. * * * After hitting the first wall, they soon began looking around for people who could produce suchrge-scale objects. The first people they contacted were craftsmen who made bells. Since even small bells in the countryside boasted a weight of several hundred Paris livres (French weight unit), it was thought that it would be possible for craftsmen who made such heavy objects to create a steam engine boasting a size. However, this second attempt did not produce good results either. Although it was sessful in casting arge piece, there was a problem with pressure resistance. Who can make objects that can withstand great pressure? Those who had been struggling so hard soon found the answer. Cannon craftsmen are the answer! There again a problem arose. * * * During this period, European cannon craftsmen were both artisans and mercenaries. Cannon craftsmen jumped into battle with themselves, their apprentices, and the cannons they made. And their customers were overflowing regardless of country or religion. In history before the intervention of incense, the Hungarian gunsmith Urban made the Dardanelles guns for Mehmed II of the Ottomans. In addition, it was alsomon for gs to be changed to promise higherpensation even while the war was in full swing. It was not until the reign of Louis XIV that this aspect of history changed before the intervention of perfume. * * * Although it was said to be mostly over, small-scale wars due to religious disputes were urring here and there, andrge-scale battles were continuing to take ce, especially in the Suez region. Thanks to this, the prices of cannon craftsmen continued to soar. European professors had to rush to attract cannon craftsmen whose arrogance was as high as their value. In the end, strongpetitors appeared just before it was possible to recruit retired craftsmen and craftsmen who were curious about steam engines. These were professors who worked in a different way than their own. * * * Unlike those who were motivated and went through trial and error, there were professors who moved forward by gradually umting experience. Remembering the model of the iron horse they had seen in the exhibition hall that was only partially open to the public, they created a scale model of the steam engine they designed. They contracted with cksmiths in the area who were reputed to bepetent, and soon began making actual scale models, recording errors arising from differences between theory and reality, and searching for answers. Chuk-chuk-chuk! Boom boom boom! Finally sess! Its a sess! When the scale model created after all the hard work began to emit water and move, the professors and cksmiths couldnt hide their joy as they hugged each other. After gaining a certain amount of experience andpleting a scale model that worked well, the professors and cksmiths attempted to create a full-scale model, and there they faced a wall again. When it was erged to the same extent as it had been reduced, it becamerger than expected and was very inefficient. I think we could reduce the thickness a bit But if we do it in a haphazard way, it will take up too much time. Those looking for the best method immediately thought of cannon craftsmen. Anyone who builds cannons must be well-versed in pressure issues! Lets meet them! In this way, apetition began to acquire cannon craftsmen. Funnily enough, thispetition gradually began to create deeper rifts between European universities. * * * During this period, European universities had their own strongworks. The glue that held thiswork together was Latin and ssical. Regardless of nationality, students and professors who entered university were required to use only Latin. Thenguage of the old Roman Empire was Latin, and we are the keepers of Romes heritage. To preserve this pride, professors and students spoke in Latin and took notes in Latin. The problem of ssics was also the same. Most books and documents from the Roman Empire used parchment. Of course, it was expensive and there were very few of them. Therefore, professors were active in interacting with other professors. Due to these two factors, European universities boasted a strongwork. Of course, there were rtionships that were greatly strained due to the war, such as between France and Ennd. However, that was the situation of those two countries, and universities in Ennd and France still maintained a closework with universities in other regions, excluding the universities in the other country. Thiswork was so strong that college students were recognized even if they changed schools midway through taking sses. However, thiswork slowly began to copse. As an aside,ter historians evaluated the beginning of this rift as follows: -The cause was not the steam engine, but the ssics produced by the empire! And this was mostly true. * * * Professors who visited the lodgings of monks staying in Seoul were greatly surprised to see books filled with books on a bookshelf on one side. Arent these all precious ssics? Where did you get this? As you can see, these are ssics printed by the empire. While listening to the monks exnations, the professors carefully looked at the books again and were surprised again. Such clear printing! No typos! The professors were again surprised by the clear print quality and almost no typos in the printed version. Two years earlier, in 1448, Gutenberg had created printing using metal type, but it was not yetmon. The most used ce was the printing of indulgences, followed by misceneous books read by the general public. Thanks to this, most of the ssics of ancient Greece and Rome were still books copied on parchment. But now, the monks bookshelf was filled with vividly printed ssics. The amount of books on the shelves is equivalent to that of a typical monastery library. Its also one room Do you know whats even more surprising? The owner of this room is a young monk. Huh The faces of the professors who muttered like that were a mixture of envy and greed. Who printed those books? It was printed by the Empire. By whose orders? It started from the time when His Majesty was the Crown Prince. The monks told stories rted to this to the professors. We are the empire! It was Joseon at the time. One of the things I did when I came to Joseon was to inspect the ssics collected by Joseon. We and the alchemists were all mobilized to inspect everything to see if there were any duplicates or transcription errors. Afterpleting the review and proofreading, we printed arge number of ssics. why? wherefore? I heard that this is to prevent researchers working in research institutes from not being able to work because they dont have books. Afterwards, we continue to produce books for use by students studying atnguage schools, industry academies, and engineering institutes. The professors ears perked up at the monks answer. Theyre still printing? Then can we be saved too? The monks thought for a moment and answered the professors questions. If you have money, you can get it, maybe? Wouldnt it be too expensive? No matter how expensive it is, it will be much cheaper than getting a manuscript. okay? Thats right! Soon, officials from the Ministry of Finance and Economy, who had heard that many professorsor, to be precise, all visitors to Seoulwanted to buy the book, went to work. You need books? exactly. Heres the list. And which do you want, Bakbon () or Ryeobon ()? Park Bon? Have you tried it? In response to the professors questions, Ministry of Finance and Economy officials took out two books. One was a cover made of thick yellow paper with the contents printed on yellow paper, and the other was a cover with the contents printed on the highest quality Korean paper and the title written in gold leaf on a thin wooden board covered with well-trimmed leather. And this idea stimted the vanity of the professors. Ryeovon! Ill buy it for free! thank you! Meanwhile, there were professors who made other requests. If there are any books that arent on the list. Im still collecting them, so you can get themter. Is it possible to ce a bulk order with a printed copy? Avable in units of 50 volumes. Among the books I have, there is something that is not on the list, but maybe Before I could finish speaking, the Ministry of Finance and Economy official answered with a smile. Is that so! If you provide us with a copy of the book you have, we will give you one copy to read for free and at the same time distribute a certain percentage of the profits based on the number of copies sold! exactly? The Ministry of Finance and Economy official nodded vigorously, stood up and gestured to the professor in question. yes! How about having a separate consultation for a while? Lets do that. * * * In this way, as printed books of ssics could be purchased inrge quantities at low prices through the empire, thework between universities began to crack. It was because of the professors pride. -This is a rare book I found this time. Would you like toe and take a look? It cost quite a bit of money, but it wasnt a big deal for someone like me. -The copy of your ssic copy was a mess. Why didnt you spend some money and get a proper copy? Although they said they interacted by looking at rare ssics that they each owned, there were many instances where their pride was hurt in this way. However, as ssics became easily avable at low prices through the empire, such exchanges decreased. -Why do something that will hurt your pride when you can just buy it from the empire? As the battle for craftsmen broke out, even deeper cracks began to form. As a side note, one of the things that continued toe from the Empire to Europe after the professors visit was a catalog of ssic books sold in the Empire. Even though it was a paid catalog, demand was steady. After receiving this report, Kim Jeom looked towards Geunjeongjeon and muttered. Ever since I was young and sold copies of the Tripitaka Koreana to Japanese lords, I thought it was unusual. Chapter 659 Episode 659: This time we also brought firewood, and a lot of it. (5) As the cohesion of thework became increasingly weaker, there was a lot of resentment left between professors whose rtionships were fractured due topetitions between professors for mastery. In the past, sharing research results with each other regardless of country of origin or residence would have beenmon. But at some point, this sharing decreased. The scope of professors sharing their knowledge and research results was broadly limited to colleagues working together in the same country or school. And as thework weakened, student exchanges began to gradually decrease in scale. * * * Meanwhile, professors who had fallen behind in the battle for masters struggled to turn this around and made a decision. The move they thought was to contact political leaders. And the political leaders they met readily epted their demands. For example, Charles VII of France went so far as to say this out loud. We, French people born and raised in France, work for the benefit of another country! This is treason! Charles VII, who said so, banned French craftsmen from leaving France. Charles VIIs decision received strong support from the French. This was because, after experiencing the Hundred Years War, a strong sense of belonging to the mothend of France and the French was established among the French. This was because of the enormous benefits that woulde if the steam engine waspleted faster than other countries. Under the strong orders of Charles VII, craftsmen who had made contracts with schrs from other countries had to break their contracts and return to France. And as a reaction to Frances decision, foreign craftsmen staying in France were also ordered to return to their countries. Many historianster summarized this period as follows: -The phrase Study has no borders (Vestibulum non finibus sapien) was changed to Study may have no borders, but schrs do (Etsi scientia fines non habet schres faciunt). Many areas began to close, except for the traditional form of exchange, the presentation of papers and discussions about them. * * * The changes did not end here. As political leaders from around Europe began to get involved, the form of research began to change. -For more efficient research, we must follow the empires behavior. Under this decision, research institutes created by Hyang and facilities imitating Area 51 began to be established in European countries. And schrs who entered the research institutes and development facilities created in this way were able to conduct research with abundant support from the country. Soon, political leaders around the world discovered another use for theseboratories. -Ideal for shutting up noisy guys! Regardless of field, schrs needed research funds to conduct their research. In order to obtain funding for this research, they sought out wealthy merchants and nobles, such as Cosimo, and asked for their support. However, once you enter a research facility created by the government, you will no longer have to worry about research funding issues. Because of this, many of the most powerful schrspeted to get into these research facilities, and once they did, they tried desperately not to be pushed out. And soon, schrs were able to learn something important. -To avoid being pushed out, results are important, but keeping your mouth shut is even more important. And soon the leaders noticed this and began to use it properly. * * * In this way, as research facilities created by the country and private research facilities sponsored by aristocrats and wealthy merchants mushroomed, research on steam engines in Europe began to elerate. After going through all kinds of trials and errors and even experiencing personnel issues, European schrs encountered another wall. -It is difficult to make a proper steam engine with bronze. -No, it can be made, but it is difficult to make amercially meaningful steam engine. -The answer is iron. steel. steel. steel. Iron is the only answer. Schrs and craftsmen who reached that conclusion began to focus on iron-making technology. -A way to producerge quantities of iron more easily and cheaply. You must obtain this technology first! Schrs and craftsmen from various European countries began researching iron-making technology simultaneously with the study of steam engines. In the course of such research, increasinglyrger st furnaces were created and ore preprocessing technology was refined. But European schrs once again encountered a wall. It was a fuel problem. Until this time, the fuel used in steel mills was wood and charcoal. In order to mass-produce high-quality iron, high-quality charcoal was needed. And to supply this fuel wood, European forests began to be cut down indiscriminately. Wood was a resource that had many uses other than fuel. The problem was that it took a long time to grow to a size that could be used properly. ordingly, schrs and craftsmen began research to find alternatives to fuel wood, and political leaders searched for easier methods. It was the use of force to take control of forestnd. The religious conflict that had caused the sacrifice of many people had barely subsided, but the mes of conflict began to re up again. * * * What is better than wood. French schrs who were struggling to find an alternative to fuel wood soon recalled a forgotten memory. Now that I think about it, didnt the empire use coal, not fuelwood, as fuel to power the iron horse? ah! It was like that! Wait wouldnt it be possible with coal? Do you think so too? Schrs who remembered the forgotten coal obtained it and began experiments. Schrs and artisans who confirmed the results of the experiment pped and rejoiced. I finally found it! Hurry and report to His Majesty the King! * * * Great! It is truly magnificent! Charles VII was greatly pleased after receiving the schrs report. Charles VII, who greatly rewarded the schrs and craftsmen who discovered this, gave an order to his subjects. Tell the prospectors to look for coal mines in addition to iron mines! Yes, Your Majesty! Charles VII, who gave such an order, thought about something for a moment and then added an order. If necessary, you can cross the border. Prospectors who received orders from the king began investigating not only all over France but also beyond the border. * * * Whilepeting fiercely with each other, each European country tried to stand in line with the empire. A country that produces many high-quality luxury goods. Before the professors visit to the empire, the perception that came to mind among European leaders when they thought of the empire C Joseon at the time C was as above. Of course, ording to the letters sent by the monks, it was a very developed country, but the general trend at the time was that the leaders regarded this as just an exaggeration. However, after the professors returned, this perception waspletely overturned. In particr, after learning that the doors to industry and academia and other overwhelmingly advanced academic fields were wide open, leaders in various European countries tried to take the lead more secretly and more passionately. -We must send talented people to learn advanced studies and bring them back! However, due to the battle currently taking ce in Egypt, it was impossible to make a direct line with the empire. ordingly, the leaders and their messengers from all European countries C excluding Genoa and Spain, which were parties to the war, of course C secretly visited the Medici family. Cosimo showed mixed emotions as he epted the bribe disguised as a gift they had brought. Huh this is how things change. In the past, he would have given them bribes disguised as gifts, but the situation was reversed. In any case, since he had received a lot, Cosimo ryed the business to the empire through Giovanni. And the answer that came back from the Empire was an entire warehouse of the ship filled with test papers, sealed answer sheets, and 10 officials in charge of grading. The citys response sent through officials was simple and clear. -I will ept those who have excellent test scores. I dont know if they have a lot of courage or if they are confident that the leaks through them are not that big of a deal. Cosimo, who was shaking his head while checking the fragrances answer, soon moved on to the next thing. But since I got the answer, I guess I should move. Cosimo delivered his response to the leaders who had wronged him and also conveyed this fact to the University of Florence. Soon, European universities became noisy once again. * * * College students were eager to study in order to qualify as international students for the Empire. And the residents of the vige around the university who saw this looked amazed. Cambridge, Ennd. In a pub where residents of Cambridge, where Cambridge University is located, gather, the topic these days was University students have changed. Whats up with gowns these days? I heard they did it so that I could be selected as an international student going to the Land of Flowers. The resident who spoke in response to his neighbors answer snorted. joy! Im just as good as usual! * * * During this time, the rtionship between European universities and the towns where they were located was quite poor. Students and residents shouted at each other, calling each other nicknames such as Gown and Town. This was because they moved as separate beings while living in the same space. Usually, universities were established with the support of the church, so they were subject to churchw rather than the civilw of the city in which they were located. Also, because the professors and students spoke only Latin, residents in the same room had no way of understanding what they were saying. And this made the rtionship between both sides worse. Lastly, problems arose from an economic perspective as university students and professors formed guilds to manage their interests. As these things piled up, the rtionship between college students and residents became bitter. * * * Meanwhile, in Seoul, ministers who had epted the towns decision to ept international students were worried. Wouldnt it be better to ask Your Majesty to reconsider? Hwang Hee shook her head in response to Kim Jong-seos question. Isnt this decision made in anticipation of something like this already happening? No need for inventory. Rather, it is wise to think about how to fulfill the orders given by His Majesty. The order that Hyang gave to Hwang Hee and the ministers was summarized as follows. Whates in is up to you, but whates back is up to me. What I added to that was this. Dont show it. Kim Jong-seo pondered over Hyangsmand and sighed. Whoa~. In some ways, it is a good thing that the number of people working at the research center is increasing. There are many research tasks that urgently need to be resolved for the empire. yes! If you look positive, good things always happen! Saying that, Hwang Hee muttered to herself. You know when you see me, right? I feel so relieved to have given up on resigning! On the contrary, it was Hwang Hee who tried to ignore the fact that her subordinates were bing more and more annoying. Chapter 660 Episode 660 A little seasoning makes it delicious. (1) Imperial Year 3 (1451). Whoa~. After finishing the report with a long sigh, Wan closed the report in front of him and handed it to the internal officer standing next to him. Lets just end todays work here. Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince. After finishing processing the approval documents from theb and Area 51, Wan stood up and lightly moved his waist. Ive been sitting for a long time, so my back is a bit stiff Wan left the office after rxing with some light stretching C as expected, the culprit was the scent, and it started with the scent and at some point spread to everyone. Im going to the deputy directors office. Please follow me with the payment documents. Yes, Your Highness. At that moment, the officials, officials, and researchers passing through the passage hurriedly paid homage to Wan. I would like to see you, Your Majesty. Shh! noiselessly. Wouldnt it be a hindrance to working people? Oh yeah. yes. Wan, who gave a light warning to those who hurriedly raised their voices to show respect, headed to Jeong In-jis office. Your Majesty has arrived. Jeong In-ji, who was notified of Wans visit, immediately got up and ran to the door. wee! Wan, who entered the office after being weed by Jeong In-ji, gave an order to the internal officer. Please give the approval documents to the deputy director. Yes, Your Highness. Jeong In-ji, who received the approval documents from the internal officer, looked at the thick pile of approval documents and sighed softly without realizing it. Whoa~. At Jeong In-jis sigh, Wan smiled slightly and spoke. You have a lot of work to do today, right? ah! I apologize. I have shown you the actual situation. no. Arent the researchb and Area 51 always a ce where work creates work? Jeong In-ji nodded at Wans words. Of course. Soon, Wan and Jeong In-ji continued their conversation with the ck bean tea brought by the servant in front of them. I didnt know before why His Majesty asked me to take charge of the work here, but these days, I think I understand. Is that so? What do you think is the reason? Jeong In-ji received the words with a smile as if she were looking at her child. The awkward attitude he had when he first arrived has disappeared and he now shows the appearance of a mature administrator. Wan answered Jeong In-jis question with a smile. It is the best ce to learn and be familiar with cesarean science. The greatest cause is to develop the empires learning and make it rich. Does this cause only apply to researchbs and Area 51? Isnt the government itself guided by this cause? Jeong In-ji nodded at Wans words. Thats right. You are truly right. In response to Jeong In-jis response, Wan added more strength to his voice. Watching through the various proposals that have been made to realize that cause, discarding the ones that are not right, and deciding on the future by considering the weight of the proposals. Isnt this what a king should do? And the most important thing. Making the most out of a given budget and sometimes how to fight to get a bigger budget. Isnt this the most important thing in kingship? So, I think His Majesty passed this position on to me. It is indeed so. While agreeing with Wans words, Jeong In-ji muttered something else in her mind. I understand that you looked like you didnt want to pass it on to me. However, when I look at the resultsing out of the research center and Area 51 while I am the director, I am honest about the fact that I do not want to pass them on to my children in the future. Jeong In-ji muttered to herself as Wan continued. As expected, that blood isnt going anywhere. As time passed in such a warm atmosphere, Wan stood up. Then I guess Ill have to go take care of thest business of the day. If its thest thing you do Jeong In-ji, who was trailing off for a moment to remember, looked at Wan in astonishment. majesty! no way! Im sure it will be right. I will never be reborn! Still, since it is necessary, I will ask for permission. If necessary, we should at least file a branch appeal. Oh my God! Looking at Jeong In-jis white face, Wan continued speaking with a confident face. Would you really like to go to the branch appeals office? Your Majesty is well aware of the importance of this n. Seeing Wan leaving with such determination, Jeong In-ji ced her hand on his forehead. Whoa~. That figurepletely excludes his uncle, Duke Jinpyeong. One falls into the iron horse and the other falls into the sky wow~. After sighing for a long time, Jeong In-ji chose one of the cups filled with herbal medicine from the table on one side and drank it. Big~. In order to taste the bitter herbal medicine, Jeong In-ji put a small candy in his mouth and looked at the closed door and grumbled. I cant quit taking medicine because of that rich man! It looks like Im about to get scolded again right now! My life is full of pills because of swearing! On the table next to Jeong In-jis desk, there were always different types of medicines for headaches, stomachaches, and stomachaches caused by irritability. * * * The crown prince has arrived. Please stop by. As soon as Hyangs permission was given, Wan entered Gangnyeongjeon and offered a bow of t porridge. okay. You worked hard today too. Whats going on? In response to Hyangs question, Wan took out a thick document he had been carrying in his arms and submitted it to Hyang. I ask for your permission. Isnt it okay to submit it to the political affairs meeting tomorrow? Hyang, unable to hide his doubts, took the document and his expression hardened. This was because the title was unusual. Self-powered flying aircraft? Thats right! Although a bhikkhu is a truly useful object, it has a fatal w. It cannot move in its own direction Stop. Hyang blocked Wans lengthy exnation and carefully examined the contents of the document. Whoa~. After studying the contents of the document in silence for a long time, Hyang put down the document with a sigh, and Wan looked at Hyang with a tense face. Hyang, who was ring at the documents with his arms crossed, finally opened his mouth. Not possible. Yes, Your Majesty! This is good not only for military purposes but also for civilian purposes. The purpose is good. one! The purpose is good, but the problem is that it has little chance of being realized. Hyang firmly interrupted Wan and exined why it was impossible. -The first problem is the size of the air sac that holds the heat. ording to the n submitted now, the size of the air sacs is as many as 70 pieces (about 210m). The size of the air sacs of the acetabulum currently used for military purposes is about 7 pieces (approximately 21m), and even that requires many highly skilled soldiers to operate properly. -Manpower requirements are not the only problem. The materials used to make air sacs are silk and Korean paper. Both are materials that are weak to fire. If you blow in air to properly fill an air sac the size of 70 pieces, a fire will definitely ur due to overheating. -I think the biggest reason for the increase in size was filling the steam engine with a power engine for self-powered flight. This is the biggest problem. The massive size of the steam engine is a problem, but the raw material, coal, is a bigger problem. As the coal, a heavy stone, is consumed, the weight of the device changes continuously, and the exnation on how to adjust it is insufficient. -Also, how to dispose of ash from steam engines is also a problem. If ash full of fire and heat is sprinkled from the sky, it can cause a major disaster. Even if stored inside the device, the risk of fire is high. Therefore, it is impossible. Wan immediately started to refute Hyangs words. -To solve the problem of overheating, the inside of the air sac will be divided into three parts and heat will be supplied independently. -Also, by dividing the air sac intopartments like this, you can avoid the unfortunate event of falling immediately if the air sac is damaged. -Steam engines use thetest technology and are smaller than before. This means that there is no need to load too much coal, which is a fuel. -Also, the problem of weight change due to coal consumption can be adjusted by adding or subtracting heat from the air sac. -The burned ashes can be disposed of by storing them inside. To resolve the remaining fire and heat issues, you can use water. -Also, idents can be avoided if only well-trained people operate the equipment. Hyang immediately refuted Wans rebuttal. Thest one is the biggest problem. Even the most well-trained people can make mistakes. Disasters can be avoided with well-trained people. Dont think, Humans always make mistakes. If you think like this, you can avoid disasters as much as possible. The scent that was mentioned up to that point once again confirmed the conclusion. Ill say it again, we cant sanction it to this extent. Please think more carefully. Thetest technologies areing now. Look at the challenge log again. Do you mean Dajeonrok? Is there an answer there? Hyang shouted at Wans expression of disbelief. You bastard! Should I even spoon feed him food? Go and search! There is definitely an answer! Dojeonrok is so vast. Get out, you bastard! Hyang, who kicked Wan out, grumbled without realizing it. Who the hell does that kid look like At that moment, the sound of the typewriter that was loudly ringing in Gangnyeongjeon stopped. Hyang stopped recording and asked as he looked at the officers and masters who were looking at him. huh? Why but? Oh, its nothing! The officers pounded their typewriters furiously. - So the emperor pointed out the problems with the n one by one and ordered a reexamination. The officer says: Bujeonjeon. After chasing Wan out, Hyang looked at the calendar for a moment and asked Sang-seon. The regr flight to Shinji hasnt left yet, right? yes. We will set sail in two days. Okay. After hearing the merchants answer, Hyang took out a nk piece of paper and started writing a letter to King Sejong. Although it was borate with all kinds of sentences to follow etiquette, the content was simple. -Please lend me Jang Yeong-sil. After finishing writing the letter, Hyang put it in an envelope, sealed it tightly, and handed it to the merchant. Put it on a regr flight and send it to Shinji. I also added that it should be conveyed to the situation as soon as possible. Yes, Your Majesty. * * * That night, Hyang sat alone in Gangnyeongjeon and grinned and muttered. When youre lost without an answer, its best to add some seasoning. Its also a treat to look at the continuous millstone tes. Hyang muttered something meaningful and ced a nk piece of paper on the drawing board ced on one side of Gangnyeongjeon. Shall we do a light warm-up before Jang Yeong-siles? Hyang, holding the stylus in his hand, paused for a moment. Waitdo you have time to warm up? Hyang thought for a moment and came to a cool conclusion. What is the reason for leaving Admiral Hwang Hee and the ministers alone? In times like this, you should use it well. That night, all major and minor ministers, including Hwang Hee, were put to the scissors. And for the first time in a long time, all herbal medicine stores in Seoul ran out of herbal medicine ingredients. * * * Fifteen dayster, Han Su-byeon. On the sandy beach with the water of the Hansu Riverpping, researchers from Hyang, Wan, and major and minor gods, as well as artisans from Area 51, all gathered. And behind them, Seoul residents gathered to see a new sight. What I wish to show you is that the steam engine is not the only means of self-motivation. yes. When Wan bowed his head at Hyangs words, Hyang gave an order. Let the bhikkhu float. Yes, Your Majesty. At themand of the incense, the monk rose into the sky. The residents of Seoul who were watching this all tilted their heads. Why is there a ferry boat? Below the air sac, instead of the usual square basket, there was something elongated that looked like a ferry boat. Send a signal. Yes, Your Majesty. At themand of the vige, the g bearer waved the signal. The soldier who saw the signal from the ferry boat hanging on the bhikkhu shouted to hisrades behind him. Its a signal! Step on it! Hey! With a brief cheer, the soldiers began pedaling. And as the gears and chains connected to the pedals turned, the pinwheels on the left and right sides of the ferry began to turn. As the pinwheel spun faster and faster, the bhikkhu in the sky began to slowly move forward. As the soldier at the back moved a rudder with a wide wooden board, the bhikkhu slowly moved in a circle. After seeing that, Hyang looked back at Wan. Did you see it? I saw it. Then what to do? I will do my best to search through the challenge records. Chapter 661 Episode 661: A little seasoning makes it delicious. (2) Hyang immediately added to Wans answer. Before looking at the challenge log, look at the propulsion device on that bhikkhu and see whats different. yes. your majesty. Wan responded to Hyangsmand by bowing his head and waited for the monk tond again. Soon after, the bhikkhunded on the ground again. lets go! Yes, Your Highness! Wan and his crew all rushed to the monk made by Hyang. Meanwhile, Hyang looked at the scene together with those who participated in the making of the bhikkhu and smiled happily. Hasnt it be quite useful? The old craftsman who was in charge of production nodded to the question asked by Hyang, who had his arms crossed and a happy face on his face. Thats right. These are people who are looking forward to the next 10 years. When that timees, it will be of great help to His Majesty the Crown Prince. That would be a really good thing. In the process of supporting Wans virtue, Hyang made a move. It was a tie-up with the young craftsmen of Area 51. They were confident young people who had received instruction from senior craftsmen and were confident that they had sufficient practical experience. C Prepare for the future by challenging various tasks with Wan and experiencing sess and failure. This was the ostensible purpose of the fragrance. But the inside of the scent was a little more sinister. I need to raise people I can use in advance when I hand over the throne to Wan and rule with peace of mind! That was the n, but their confidence was too much. Even Hyang, who admitted to being a crazy fanatic, shook his head. A bhikkhu with 70 pieces of energy! This is not imagination, its a delusion! Thats why Hyang showed a good example with the veteran craftsmen. * * * Meanwhile, Wan and the young craftsmen who arrived at the bhikkhu meticulously inspected the bhikkhus interior. Is this possible with only the gears, chains, and differential gears that connect the footrest to the axle? Wan and the craftsmen looked dumbfounded at the structure being so simple. Wan, who carefully inspected the structure, gave orders to the craftsmen who followed him. Look carefully and draw the outline without missing a single detail. Wouldnt it be better to dismantle it in Area 51? Wan answered his father-inws question firmly. This is something that His Majesty personally designed, so why are you trying to disassemble it carelessly? Disassembly is only possible at the end. The father-inw bowed his head in response to Wans firm reply. Im sorry! Please forgive me! I forgive you. Instead, write a report on all the principles included in the framework and submit it! The father-inw in question responded to Wans answer with a tearful look on his face. Fellow craftsmen who saw the scene from the side muttered the same thing to themselves. What a sight! Earn a beating with your mouth. A falcon. * * * After returning to Area 51 after the event that day, Wan reflected on the appearance of the monk he had seen during the day and wondered what the problem was. It is clear that there is a problem with the steam engine, but what is the problem? Wan analyzed the structure of the steam engine byparing it with what he saw during the day. The strength of the soldiers can be thought of as the steam power of a steam engine. There is no problem with this part. Then Wan tapped his fingers on the desk and thought over and over again. Then whats left is the driving part Here, Wan felt strongly that he was stuck in a wall. The bhikkhu he submitted also moved by turning the pinwheel, and the monk in his name also moved by rotating the pinwheel. It was the same method of movement. Thats why I designed a scaled-down version of the steam engine of an iron d ship rather than the steam engine of an iron horse Wan took out the blueprint of the engine section from the blueprint book for the Self-powered Flight Fighter ced on one side and looked at it carefully. There doesnt seem to be anything wrong The method of transmitting the engines rotational force to the power shaft and controlling the speed using the differential gears is the same Wan suddenly stopped talking and let out an exmation. her! It wasnt the same! It was soplicated! * * * The propulsion method of the irond ship that Hyang created together with the researchers was as follows. -Four power paths are installed on the left and right sides of the engine section. -Connect the rotary power transmission device from each power path and the central coaxial shaft. -A power distributor is attached to the end of the coaxial shaft to transmit power to the two propulsion pinwheels. -The power distributor uses a speed controller made bybining gears to control the rotation speed of the left and right pinwheels. By adjusting the rotation speed of the left and right propulsion vanes in this way, the irond was able to change direction more efficiently and even became a monster capable of going backwards. And Wan and Wans development team decided to create and install a scaled down engine part. * * * Wan realized what mistake he had made. It was tooplicated. In order for the acetabulum to move properly, it must be as light as possible, but the power unit is too heavy for this reason! There are so many people needed to coordinate and maintain such aplex device! This wasnt supposed to be like this! Hello! Yes, Your Highness! Wan, who realized what the mistake was, called the eunuch who was waiting outside and ordered him to do so. Assemble the Bhikkhu development team right now! Tell them to gather in the conference room! Yes, Your Highness! The craftsmen, who had been wrestling with the pictures they had drawn during the day all night, gathered in the conference room when Wan called. After a while, Wan entered the conference room and exined the reason for calling the craftsmen. I think we know what the problem is with the self-flying airne we were thinking of. The craftsmens ears perked up at Wans words. Wan, who gathered the eyes and ears of the craftsmen, continued speaking. The engine department was the problem. Wan exined to his craftsmen what he thought was the problem in the engine department. ah! indeed! Now that I think about it, that was the problem! After Wans exnation was over, the craftsmen rushed to agree with Wans words with bright faces. Seeing that most of the craftsmen noticed, Wan put more emphasis on his voice. Then what do you think we will look for in the challenge log from now on? The part that controls the output of the engine can be made simpler! Lets start looking for it right away, starting tomorrow! Yes, Your Highness! The young craftsmen and Wan had suddenly regained their momentum. From the next day, Wan and the young craftsmen set up house in the Daejeonrok archive. The craftsmen who were divided into groups carefully looked at the list of challenge logs divided into 9 levels. And because of the craftsmen who made their living like this,ints came out from all over. Ah-oh! I need to look at the list, so what are you going to do if youre sitting there like that? Why are you sitting here setting up a house? Whenever suchints were made, the young craftsmen immediately sold Wans name. This is the order of His Highness the Crown Prince. huh? If thats the case When the crown prince was mentioned, theints died down. However, there were some who could not stand it, and they immediately went to Jeong In-ji. This is unfair treatment! So you found me? Those who wereining about Jeong In-jis question immediately nodded, and Jeong In-ji also nodded. Well, thats true. If I go to His Majesty right away, I will be able toe to terms with it. I understand. I will tell you. Thank you. In the end, Jeong In-ji found Wan and told him in a euphemistic tone that she had manyints. ah! This is another mistake I made. thank you for telling me. After receiving Jeong In-jis warning, Wan immediately gave orders to his craftsmen. -If peoplee looking for Dojeonrok, give it up right away. That would take too long. Arent we the only ones who need challenge logs? Give in. The artisans who wereining had no choice but to step back under Wans orders. I follow your orders. * * * It was the fifth day since I looked into it like that. found! A loud shout erupted from one side of the Daejeonrok archive. At the words, I found it!, the craftsmen nearby came all at once. where? what? what? what? The father-inw answered the questions of his colleagues by pointing to one side of the record in his hand. This is it! A ducted thruster, a multi-wing propeller, a multi-wing propeller, a ducted multi-wing propeller! At the artisans words, the artisans who were taking turns looking at the record sighed in unison. Whoa~. Haa~. Just looking at the title, it seems like it would roughly fit haha. There was a reason for the artisans to sigh. Just looking at the title on the list, it seemed like the answer to what they wanted. But the grade was the problem. Grade: Sangsang () Registrant: Jang Yeong-sil. Not only was it at the top of the Jeonjeonrok ranking, but the person who registered it was the famous Jang Yeong-sil, who is considered one of the impossibles. The answer was found, but the problem was that the answer was located at the top of Mt. Taishan. And Wando sighed after receiving the report. Whoa~. They say you meet a tiger while trying to avoid a ghost Phew~. Wan let out another long sigh and gave an order. But if thats the answer, its something that cant be avoided. Please contact the archives to request a copy of the contents of the item. I follow your orders. * * * While Wan and his craftsmen were discouraged by another wall, others were burning brightly elsewhere. These were European professors who received permission to remain and remained in the empire. The monks I saw while visiting Seoul were shocking, but seeing the monks moving on their own was even more shocking. Who made that? It was made by craftsmen under orders from His Majesty. Oh oh! There are such great craftsmen! Id like to meet and talk with them! Please arrange a meeting! After hearing the answer, the professors could not contain their excitement and requested a meeting with the craftsmen. What are you going to do when you meet them? Isnt that obvious? I want to talk about how it works like that! The official shook his head at the professors words. The making of that bhikkhu was done by craftsmen, but the design and supervision were not done by His Majesty. I think you picked the wrong target. Ah The professors sighed in unison at the officials answer. This was because the memory of being robbed by Hyang was still vivid. In addition, the current situation of the professors was problematic. Most of the professors who remained had not yetpleted their probationary period. Although I was attending industry-academia lectures every day and taking tests periodically, there were more failures than sesses. This was also the grumpiness of Hyang. -In thend of the West, they are recognized schrs and teachers. Since they are like that, wouldnt it be more appropriate for us to appoint someone with good skills? And the person who appointed the professors to teach was Sunji Lee. Soon-ji Lee, who had already be fluent in Latin, was merciless in his harsh words toward the professors. Didnt you say you are a teacher who teaches students? Hmm. Grades? Huh The professors were making a desperate effort to suppress the anger that boiled up every time they saw Lee Sun-ji strangely interrupting their conversation and looking at her strangely. And every time this was reported, it was a scent that made me smile evilly. And the researchers at theb shook their heads. I expected it from the time you named Lee Sun-ji, who has a tongue-in-cheek attitude, but Then why do you act so proud These were researchers who sympathized with European professors who were suffering from Lee Sun-jis harsh words. Chapter 662 Episode 662 A little seasoning makes it delicious. (3) Wan and the craftsmen who found what they believed to be the correct answer started by making a small model by referring to the copy of the challenge log. Wings made from bamboo and Korean paper were attached to the bow shaft made from wood. What has been created is a windmill, but is it really possible? The craftsmen, who were doubtful as they looked at the model they made, took a windmill from one side and blew wind on the wings of the model they had made. Taltaltal. It runs well. If it doesnt run, there must be a problem. Then lets connect the conduit. Thats right. After confirming that it was running roughly well, the craftsmen took the conduit parts they had lying around and assembled them into a shape that surrounded the wings. Lastly, the craftsmen who fitted the wind frame to the entrance of the conduit checked again to see if it was properly connected. ruler! Then lets turn the windmill again! Thats right! The craftsmen wound the mainspring of the wind frame and then closed the switch. Weeeeeee~. Soon after the windmill began to rotate, the bow shaft began to rotate. Lets go! After confirming that the bow shaft was spinning happily, the craftsmen erected a wind frame and connected the pinwheel to the bow shaft. Turn! The artisans breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that the pinwheel began to spin gently again. Whoa~. Wevee this far. Please tell your Majesty. * * * Wan, who came running a month after receiving the report, saw the model in action and praised the craftsmen. Thank you for your hard work! great job! Under Wans rule, the craftsmen bowed their heads and responded. Thats too much praise. I am devastated. Wan, who was praised by the craftsmen, began to show more motivation. So lets take another look at this scale model and figure out what the problem might be. Lets find out what the problem might be and how to solve it. Yes, Your Highness! I will do my best! Wan and the craftsmen started the analysis with such enthusiasm, but soon they faced a wall again. If this current scheme continues, the size of the furnace will have to be enormous. Ill buy it back. If that happens, there will be a conflict with the initial goal of a power engine that is small but has good output and is easy to control. How do you want to solve this? A little more time The senior craftsmen also made strange expressions as they watched Wan and the young craftsmen pondering over the difficult problem ahead. This is it I think if I go a little further from there, the answer will pop out right away. However, if I intervene, I will end up just putting a spoon on a table that is already set up There is a rumor that Old Man Jang Yeong-sil will return soon, but seeing that doesnt sound good. * * * Hyang and Sejong While being harassed by Jang Yeong-sil, she developed a bad habit. No, there was amon habit among those who suffered from Hyang and Sejong. That habit was harsh. Hyang and Sejong, whose daily routine was to stay as small as half a step and as long as two or three steps ahead with expressions like dont you know that? Thanks to this, those who suffered from them became a habit of crying. Dont you know that? Is it an empty decoration that you put on without the head on your head? It started with such direct, harsh words and then turned peoples minds upside down with twisted words. Of course, there were exceptions here. It was Sunji Lee. From the time he took a position at the research institute, his harsh words were as famous as his academic and industrial skills. * * * After hearing the report, Wan and the young craftsmen are wandering around, Hyang stroked his chin and pondered. how will we do it? Should I secretly let it go? No. If you do it wrong, you may develop a bad habit of only looking at yourself. Hmm what should I do? Hyang, who was wondering what the best method would be, eventually decided to give advice. Eight! Looking at this makes me feel like my stomach is exploding! After making a decision, Hyang immediately called Wan. Did you call me? Yes, I heard that you are struggling to solve a difficult problem these days. What is the problem? There are some problems that are not easy to solve, but you dont have to worry too much. You will find the answer soon. For that matter, yourplexion is not very good. Although you are the administrator of theboratory and Area 51, you must keep in mind that you are the crown prince who will inherit this empire. Whats the problem? In Hyangs response, Wan exined to Hyang the problem that had been bothering him. Hmm After hearing Wans exnation, Hyang stroked her chin and fell into silence. Lets wait a little longer and then start. If you give the answer right away, you will learn my bad habits. After rxing for a while, Hyang asked Wan a question. So in order to supply enough steam to the multi-wing thrusters, arge heating furnace is needed, and this is the problem, right? Thats right. If you look at the steam discharge pipes of steam engines used in iron horses or assault ships, they are quite small. What do you think? And what do you think about the small size of the inlet and outlet pipes of the water supply pipes that supply water from wells in small viges to water dischargers used by firefighting troops to extinguish fires? Wan looked rather confused at Hyangs point and asked back. Arent the uses different? And if you look at Jang Yeong-sils design, the diameters of the intake pipe and discharge pipe are the same as the diameter of the multi-wing pinwheel. Is there no reason for Jang Yeong-sil of the world to make a mistake? From Wans question, Hyang clearly realized what the biggest problem was. Was it because of the name value? Jang Yeong-sil was renowned as a craftsman of the first generation. Because the objects he created were so magical, there were quite a few people among the nobility who respected Jang Yeong-sil. Even noblemen were like this, so the weight of the name Jang Yeong-sil among craftsmen was enormous. -This is what Jang Yeong-sil of the world thought! There is absolutely no mistake! Whoa~. After letting out a long sigh, Hyang spoke to Wan again. I will ask the crown prince. What was the title of the challenge record that you and your craftsmen referred to? The ducted multi-wing thruster ising. What should you guys make now? yes? Seeing Wans expression of still not understanding, Hyang asked again. What you are making is the propeller or the part that transmits power to the propeller? Power to the propulsion Ah! It was only then that Wan realized what the problem was. Seeing Wans expression like that, Hyang finished his work. Next time, start with a clear understanding of the title. Of course it will! I will keep in mind the golden and jade-like teachings your Majesty has given me! Hyang, who was watching Wan excitedly returning after finding the answer, suddenly burst intoughter. The researchers studying epidemiology at the research institute are probably going to have a nosebleed. ording to Lee Sun-jis report, the professors qualifications are quite usable, so we need to refine them ordingly. It was the scent that decided which ancient texts the professors would enter. After summarizing the situation, Hyang looked at the calendar and muttered. Its not long until Jang Yeong-sil returns. It will be fun toe back. As he spoke, the scent looked meaningfully at the drawing board ced on one side of the room. Hyang muttered as he looked at the drawing board, which was covered and locked with a lock to prevent others from seeing it. Once the proper turbine engine is built, everyone, starting with Wan and theb and Area 51, will know whats wrong with the steam engine. Then, the development of Shinji will elerate. If you digest Shinji properly, the worries that darken the future of the empire will be greatly reduced. Hyang continued speaking while looking at the map of the world hanging on the wall. We just need to secure Shinji. Until Shinji. Whether by rail or canal, the moment the Suez is opened, a battle for colonies will begin. This was the part that Hyang was worried about. I have no worries about military power for defense. Its full and overflowing. But if you think about expansion, its not enough. If you think about not only Southeast Asia but also Australia and Europe, it ispletely insufficient. No, it is not that weck military power, but the national power of the country as a whole iscking. Hyang was drawing negative conclusions about the imperialistic expansion of the empire. -You may have powerful weapons, but youck the soldiers to use them. -Even if military power is possible, supply capacity is very insufficient. -If you want to have a supply capability, the national economy will be destroyed due to excessive military spending. -If the national economic structure is changed to fit the total war system, sound economic growth will be lost. -The best example is Japan from the Meiji Restoration to 1945. -Finally, if a shortened route using Suez is created, a full-scale battle for colonies will ur. The Industrial Revolution did not cause the scramble for colonies, but the wealth gained through colonies elerated the Industrial Revolution. Hyang anticipated future measures. We need to buy them some time by leaving them some tasty food. In the current situation, if the empire, whether South America or Australia, eats up everything, the empire itself bes prey. This must be prevented at all costs. Phew~. Hyang sighed and continued speaking. The way they attack the empire is not only through military power. The best thing would be drugs. There are already great examples. The great example that Hyang mentioned was the Opium War. Britain, which was facing a huge deficit in trade with fruits and vegetables, began distributing opium to ovee this deficit. The opium distributed by Britain brought enormous profits to Britain and at the same time weakened the Qing. As the economy copsed due to opium, along with government corruption, the Qing became prey to the great powers. Looking at the numbers alone, the Qing Dynasty, which seemed unlikely to lose against the great powers, copsed. Hyang did not want the empire to end up like that. It may not be right away, but once they gain enough capabilities, they will definitely rush in to eat Europe. If you throw delicious food at those guys, they will happily eat it among themselves. The remaining areas of Africa Southeast Asia Australia South America India Vietnam and the Indochina Penins Why and finally the name. This is a very tasty meal. Especially if there are people around, they are the best prey. It was a scent that was willing to turn a blind eye to the misfortunes of other countries for the sake of the well-being of the empire. In the meantime, the empire mustpletely digest the New Earth and Siberian regions. Hyang strengthened his resolve as he looked at the world that still had space left. * * * Fifteen dayster, Jang Yeong-sil finally returned. Thank you for your hard work ining to the elder. No. There is something I really want to make with you. You are the only one who can make what Jim thoughte true. Jang Yeong-sil responded to Hyangs words by bowing her head. It is truly devastating to Hwang Eun that he looks so highly on a small spirit like a cow who is already old and useless. Isnt it wise for an old cow to have no energy? When ites to energy, it can be done by using young cows. Hwang Hee, who was listening to Hyangs words next to her, nodded without realizing it. And Kim Jong-seo, who was next to him, unconsciously stroked his goosebump-covered arm. If youe here, what will you make? In response to Jang Yeong-sils question, Hyang gestured to the eunuch. After seeing Hyangs gesture, the eunuch brought the drawing board, still sealed with a padlock, and ced it in front of Jang Yeong-sil. Hyang took the key out of her pocket and opened the lock. She removed the curtain and opened her mouth. Its a flying machine. Chapter 663 Episode 663: A little seasoning makes it delicious. (4) The city of Daejeon came to a standstill at the unfamiliar word flying. The officers and magistrates stopped typing and looked at the drawing, and the ministers also looked at the drawing with faces full of curiosity. You cane closer and take a look. Yes, Your Majesty. After receiving permission from the mayor, Jang Yeong-sil stood up and walked to the drawing board. Jang Yeong-sil carefully examined the drawing drawn by Hyang and asked a question. What do you n to use for the skeleton? I n to use a mix of iron and wood. Considering the weight, I think we need to make it as thin and light as possible. Suitable steel and woode to mind. However, even if you use it, considering the weight, it will be difficult to maintain the strength and shape properly Ah! Are these lines the alternative? exactly. Then wire would be the most likely option. I think the same thing, Jim. You are thinking of turning the pinwheel by manpower, but it seems impossible to control the de and turn the pinwheel alone. How about splitting it in two? Is it possible? Your Majestys n is already perfect, so I think we just need to think a little more. I will only believe in the scriptures. Hyang smiled brightly at Jang Yeong-sils answer, expressing trust. This is why I asked to borrow Jang Yeong-sil! * * * Jang Yeong-sil was the greatest craftsman of Joseon, or even the empire, at the time. His skills, not only in production but also in conception and design, were overwhelming. This could be seen just by looking at the items he had hidden and then taken away by Hyang and registered in the challenge log C the multi-axis propellers that Wan and the craftsmen were struggling with right now, as well as the many automatic dolls. The worlds opinion was that the scent was almost unique among those that could bepared to Jang Yeong-sil. And that was limited to conception and design. I tell you all, but Im a liberal arts major! Its neither science nor engineering! Every time I heard something like this, I was the only person who made this im. Of course, no one heard his argument. However, the reason Hyang called Jang Yeong-sil was not just because he wanted his design and production skills. It was because of the experience he had. From the time he entered the pce in recognition of his qualifications andter while working in Area 51, he had used all kinds of materials and knew their general properties. Of course, Hyang noticed this and ordered it to be documented, and rted books were created. However, the performance of the documented and biometric databases was different. Like what just happened. Through several questions and answers while looking at the drawings, Jang Yeong-sil selected candidates for steel and wood that could be used as materials. * * * Then, I will finish the preparations as quickly as possible and begin execution. I will visit often. I will do my best. When Jang Yeong-sil, who had paid homage to Hyang, stepped away, Hyang sat back down in the house. Okay then. Lets continue what we were doing. Kim Jeom carefully asked Hyang what he said. Your Majesty, I truly wish you to be honored. You said it was a flying machine. If you think about it based on the name, is it a flying object? Thats right. We already have an acetabulum and research is in full swing to further improve its performance. Do we need another de? The other ministers also nodded in response to Kim Jeoms question. Kim continued to point out the problem. There is no one who can match the empires technology, and even if they do, the empire will continue to be ahead. I am concerned that it might be too much or too little. Hyang nodded at Kim Jeoms point. The captains point makes sense. Of course, what the Captain said is right. It is true that few have now caught up to our empires technology. Even if we think theyve caught up, were sure to be ahead of them. But this may be a profound illusion. Kim Jeom was startled by Hyangs answer and asked again. Are you saying it was an illusion? Thats right. Hmm How can I say it more correctly. After thinking for a moment, Hyang continued speaking again. I may not have lived long, but I know that in this world there is not only one path to a destination. No, even if on the outside it seems like there is only one way, if you think about it, there are many cases where you can see another way. Hwang Hee immediately responded to the example of incense. Are you saying, Your Majesty, that a faster route can be found in another country than the one we are currently leading? Hyang nodded at Hwang Hees words. Thats right. And if something like that happens and it bes more frequent, our empire will face a major crisis. If we continue on the path we have taken so far, other countries will be more and more ahead, but if we follow other countries choices, we will have to change everything we have done so far and suffer great losses. Of course, if necessary, you will have to ept the loss and change, but I think it is best to find various ways in advance,pare them, and move forward without being afraid of change. Thats why I also thought about flying. Now, everyone is only focused on bhikkhu. I would say its the best example. The ministers all nodded at Hyangs words. Your Majesty, what you said is truly appropriate. I cant help but admire your majestys simplicity and simplicity. It is indeed so. Hyang smiled and waved his hand at thepliments from the ministers. I feel very burdened by the excessive praise from the magistrates. ruler! Then lets get back to work! * * * What Hyang said to the ministers quickly spread among the officials. And discussions took ce on this topic among officials. This was also the case in the signing room. The three people, excluding Seong Sam-moon, who was absent to act as Jinpyeongs coture, sat around and talked. Now that our empire is at the forefront, are there any countries that would think of a different path? Han Myeong-hoe immediately responded to Hawijis words. Why not try harder to find another way? A shortcut. Its a shortcut that allows you not only to catch up, but even to surpass you. Kwon Ram raised a counterargument to Han Myeong-hoes answer. Well will it really be that easy? Wouldnt it be more profitable to do our best to catch up? Maybe so. But if you do it wrong, you will have the problem of being followed forever. Are there any politicians who like this? Kwon Ram and Ha Ji-ji both nodded at Han Myeong-hoes words. But the conversation didnt end there. Even so, is there really a need to change ours to follow other countries choices? Hawiji nodded and added strength to Kwon Rams raised issue. sympathy. Even if other countries lead the empire in a different way, with the empires strength, I dont think they will fall behind even if they follow the existing path, right? Han Myeong-hoe thought for a moment about Kwon Ram and Hawijis words and then began to refute them. You are plowing the field. As I searched for better hoops to sharpen better, I found farm tools made of iron that would be good for making swords. But suddenly I looked at my neighbor and saw that he was carrying a plow made of poor quality cast iron to the rice fields. Who do you think will plow the field more? Kwon Ram immediately answered Han Myeonghoes question. Of course Soji. What would you do in such a situation? I guess Ill have to go into debt to save the cow, right? In response to Han Myeong-hoes words, Hawiji asked back on Kwon Rams behalf. Do you think His Majesty was referring to such a situation when he said, We must ept the loss and change it? Thats what I think. Hmm I guess so Is that really so Kwon Ram and Hawiji looked doubtful at Han Myeong-hoes answer. As the three were discussing, they heard Hyangs voice from behind. Itste at night, what are you discussing so seriously? Ie to see your Majesty! At the sound of Hyangs voice, the three people jumped up from their seats and bowed politely. Thank you for your hard work. After receiving a light bow, Hyang sat down in the seat prepared by the eunuch and opened his mouth. okay. What were you discussing so seriously? Well The trio told Hyang about the discussion they had just had. After hearing the trios story, Hyang nodded. I think Han Myeonghoes example is truly appropriate. I think that in such a situation, the answer is to save the cow, even if it means taking on debt. yes. Kwon Ram and Hawiji nodded and epted the confirmation. Looking at the trio like that, Hyang smiled evilly. Then I will give you an assignment here. In such a situation, think about what other good n is out there other than buying a cow, and submit it to Jim. However, something like I will buy a horse instead of a cow will not be considered an answer. yes? Jims expectations are high. The trios answer to Hyangs words was decided. I will do my best! Im not looking forward to it. Thank you for your hard work. Please rest in peace. The three people who saw Hyang off sighed at the same time without anyone saying anything. Haa~. Holy shit Meanwhile, Hyang, who had left Seungjeongwon, muttered to herself as she reflected on what had just happened. As expected, even a person with a traitor must have the ability Han Myeong-hoe is Han Myeong-hoe Then the answer is fixed. Han Myeong-hoe, you will be pinned next to me until you die. * * * While Hyang was busy with government affairs, he visited Jang Yeong-sils workshop whenever he had free time. Every time the fragrance moved like that, the road from Gyeongbokgung Pce to Area 51 was in chaos, so the fragrance had no choice but to go into hiding. Your Majestys safety may be in trouble! There was a lot of talk in Naegeumwi, but Hyang silenced them with a smile and encouragement. I can travel with peace of mind because I have my own money. Hearing those words, Naegeumwijang sighed slightly and bowed. I will do my best. Im nning to go out today as well, so please take care of me. I will prepare. After leaving Gangnyeongjeon, Naegeumwijang looked up at the sky and swore. Hey! * * * Hyang visited Jang Yeong-sils workshop and observed the progress of the work with Jang Yeong-sil. As expected, the central skeleton is iron? Thats right. We looked for steel that was tough and stic and made the framework. Of course, the weight of the iron was an issue, so I tweaked the shape a lot. Right. Hyang nodded at Jang Yeong-sils exnation. The frame, which had an I cross section like a railroad track for an iron horse, had holes drilled in it to reduce weight. The number of holes isrge, but after experimenting, I was able to find the right number. is it? Its amazing too. amazing. Thats too much praise. After observing the progress, Hyang looked around the workshop and asked Jang Yeong-sil. If there are any shorings in the work, please let me know right away. Let us support you right away. Thank you. Hyang, who was visiting Jang Yeong-sils workshop while receiving Jang Yeong-sils gratitude, noticed something wrapped in a corner and walked towards it. What is this? Oh that! Even before Jang Yeong-sil finished speaking, Hyang took off the package and looked back at Jang Yeong-sil with surprised eyes. Could it be a propeller? yes. I heard that young children were making a power engine using a ducted multi-axis propulsion system, so I was thinking about making one. Exin the framework. Yes. Jang Yeong-sil exined to Hyang about the framework she had in mind. Chapter 664 Episode 664: A little seasoning makes it delicious. (5) So the first idea was tobust the air sucked in from the front of the thruster in this internalbustion chamber and use that power to rotate the wings attached to the back. And the rotational force generated by those wings is sent to the pinwheel for propulsion. When Jang Yeong-sil finished her exnation, Hyang could not close her mouth. What is this monster! A turboprop! Its not really an alien! your majesty? Hyang came to her senses after hearing Jang Yeong-sils voice calling her and asked Jang Yeong-sil. So what are the chances of sess? In response to Hyangs curious question, Jang Yeong-sil bowed her head with an embarrassed expression. It is my pleasure to inform you, but the possibility of its realization is extremely low. What is the reason? Jang Yeong-sil exined why the possibility of realization was extremely low. -first. Fuel is the problem. Coal has many limitations in properly utilizing thebustion chamber concept. To solve this problem, I tried using finely chopped coal, but it still did not burn properly. -second. It is a matter of the material from which the organ is made. I have used all the steels developed so far, but their durability is very poor in high temperature and high pressure situations. In the case of a multi-wheeled engine using the steam of a steam engine, there is no major problem because it can only withstand the heat of the steam, but the heat of thebustion chamber bes a problem. If it can produce proper strength, it will at least be at a temperature that melts iron. Right. So its impossible right now? Thats right. In response to Jang Yeong-sils answer, Hyang nodded silently. But inside, I was sighing with relief. yes! This is normal! Look, we got a proper turboprop engine here! Is that an alien or a human? While Hyang was sighing in relief, Jang Yeong-sil became restless. This was because the scent remained silent. In the end, Jang Yeong-sil came up with n (). So, I have a new idea! What is it? Ites down to using a substitute mechanism. Daeshingikijeon? Are you nning to use gunpowder as fuel? Thats right! After thinking about Jang Yeong-sils answer for a moment, Hyang immediately began pointing out the problem. Do you remember why the military retired all new devices except the small ones used to send urgent messages in emergencies? It is due to the explosion of gunpowder used as a propent. We put a lot of effort into solving that problem, but you probably didnt forget that we couldnt solve it properly and had to retire it, right? Jang Yeong-sils head tilted downward at Hyangs point. * * * The gunpowder rocket symbolized by Singijeon was an extremely unstable object. Stuck between instantaneous explosion and continuousbustion, many experiments had to be conducted to maintain thetter. The result of the experiment was to ce a body made of paper on top of a pointed iron cone and fill it with gunpowder. Afterwards, when the cone was removed, the cone-shaped space became abustion chamber. Although this method enabled minimally stable firing, the risk of explosion was quite high due to the characteristics of gunpowder. In particr, the risk of usingrge amounts of gunpowder was much higher than that of small guns. Since the fuel used was gunpowder and arge amount of gunpowder, it took up not only manufacturing costs but also maintenance costs. Therefore, as the performance of artillery was greatly improved through the virtue of incense, and bigyeokjincheonroe and long guns were developed and distributed inrge quantities, the Daesin Machinery and Sanhwasingijeon were retired. However, just because it was retired did not mean itpletely disappeared. -Development of fuel suitable for the new technologys propulsion method. -Development of a method to control the driving force of Singijeon. The above problems were listed in the challenge log. Of course, the level of difficulty was an imaginary level called Ugong Isan. * * * Jang Yeong-sil, who was bowing her head to Hyangs criticism, carefully proposed an alternative. What if instead of making the body out of paper, I made it out of iron? If you were to run that body, would that structure and material be used? I think we could use iron instead of wood. Then the weight will increase, and then the Shingijeon will have to be bigger, right? Then the flying machine will be heavier again, and you havent forgotten the saying about a vicious cycle, right? Ah And isnt there also a problem with propulsion control, which is one of the problems listed in the challenge record? Jang Yeong-sil eventually waved the white g in response to Hyangs criticism. I apologize. God had such an absurd idea. I have been so proud that Your Majesty has cared for me all this time. At Jang Yeong-sils self-reproach, Hyang smiled andforted him. Jim thinks its not at all vain. There just isnt much left to actually do it right now. If our future generations do not forget to do so, they will be able to turn the thoughts of the Lord into reality. I just hope that happens. Then, I willplete the production ording to the drawings given by Your Majesty. I will only believe in the scriptures. Hyang, who finished the conversation and was about to go back, suddenly stopped and returned to Jang Yeong-sil. I have something to ask Sir. Perhaps Jang Yeong-sil, who was thinking deeply about Hyangs subsequent words, immediately nodded. I think its possible. Then lets pursue that as well. I follow your orders. After finishing her meeting with Jang Yeong-sil, Hyang sighed inwardly. Whoa~. I managed to save something that almost disappeared in the Anyeo incident, but it almost caused an even bigger ident! In history before Hyang intervened, Jang Yeong-sil disappeared from history after taking responsibility for the ident in which Anyeo, which King Sejong was riding, was destroyed. The record of birth and death itselfpletely disappeared, bing a mysterious entity. However, with the intervention of Hyang, Jang Yeong-sil became a key figure in Area 51 and a celebrity to the point of being called iprehensible. However, if an ident urred with the flying machine made ording to Jang Yeong-sils second n, it would have resulted in a more serious ident than Anyeo. Hyangs ident, which had continued up to that point, suddenly fell into Samcheonpo. What if that guy is really an alien and was targeted? If it was the nature of King Sejong or Hyang, it was certain that if there were no casualties, it would end in dismissal. Then, as expected, it would disappear beyond the records of history. Hyang, who had been thinking that far, smiled and shook her head. Aye~. It went too far. your majesty? Is there anything you would like to tell me? Hyang, who came to his senses and answered the question of the merchant who heard Hyang muttering to himself, shook his head again. Oh no. I was lost in thought for a moment. * * * A monthter, a room was attached to the unit that operated the monks. What kind of room is this? Recruiting applicants? Soldiers flocked to the applicant recruitment notice posted out of nowhere to check the details. -This time, Area 51 created a new object called a flying machine. We need people to handle this. -The flying machine is an object that flies in the sky like a bhikkhu. -Applicants are selected from among those who run the bhikkhu. -We wee those who have good eyesight, quick movements, good strength, and great courage. -It is a very experimental piece, so it is very dangerous. Aye~. Bhikkhus are also dangerous, but the word very isnt added, right? But very is added? Its best not to go. cancer! Your body is your property, but if you be an asshole, its only you who loses! Even as they said that, the soldiers could not leave their presence. The first reason was that these were soldiers who handled monks. These were people who knew better than anyone else the charm of floating in the sky. The second reason was because of thest condition. -Those who pass the test will be paid twice the sry. If a person dies or bes disabled due to illness, he or she will be treated as a first-ss war meritorious person. The sry was a sry, but treatment as a meritorious person was also a problem. First-ss war veterans were treated only by those who had umted meritorious deeds by participating in the Defense of Uiju and the Battle of Yangyangseong. In the end, within two days after the notice was posted, applicants flocked in. * * * Summer of the 3rd year of the Imperial Calendar (1451). The rainy season is over and people have gathered again at the waterside during the hottest time of the year. What else does Nara have to show you this time? They say its a flying machine? Fly? what is that? They say its a flying object. Then you are a monk? I heard hes different from that one? Draw it? With people full of curiosity gathering and the shouts of customers selling all kinds of snacks echoing from all directions, professors from Europe were also gathered in one ce, their eyes shining. Flying what would you like to call it? Wouldnt you know it only after seeing the real thing? Everything else is good in the Empire, but when an object is made, only the name in the imperialnguage is given. Isnt it an honor to choose a Latin name for that object? By the way, international students are still noting. From what I heard, very few people passed the first test. Im watching Jaesi again. The professors all sighed at the rumor told by their fellow professor. Whoa~. I sent a letter telling them to select as carefully as possible and take the test The standard of the empire is too high. While the conversation was going on, loud music and peoples cheers for national independence began to erupt. Your Majesty the Emperor! hurray! hurray! hurray! ording to the newly established etiquette, the people did not have to bow down on the floor. Instead, the people showed their respect to the emperor by passionately shouting Hurrah! This may have been an example, but it was proof that loyalty to the scent was strong. Hyang lightly raised his hand in response to the peoples cheers and soon climbed onto the prepared tform. As soon as all the royal officials took their seats following the scent, the demonstration began. * * * The demonstration of the flying machine that followed gave a great shock to everyone except those involved. This was because a small boat made of leather without air sacs, like the one on a bhikkhu, and a flying machine withrge bine wings and a pinwheel flew into the sky solely by human power. It flies! Fly! It flew! It flew! Wow! Amid the cheers of the people, the flying machine, which rose to about 20 feet (about 60 meters), circled above the head of the vige and soon flew toward the downstream of the Han River. The flying machine flew so far out of sight that it returned again after some time. The flight of the flying machine ended with a smoothnding through the skillful handling of the pilot. Hyang stood up and pped vigorously. How magnificent! Great! The two soldiers who were in charge of flying the ne under Hyangs rule bowed down on the ground and shouted. Hwang Eun is devastated! On that day, the big and small baserunners and baserunners in Seoul made the best sales. Also, professors from Europe wrote letters like crazy. You have toe and see it right now! Flying in the sky! * * * While many people were amazed by the flight of the flying machine, there were others who were not. It was Wan and the craftsmen he led. Im devastated. What did we do? While the emperor and Jang Yeong-sil were preupied with the steam engine-powered monk, they created somethingpletely different. When Wan and the artisans were feeling lost, the scent called them. Chapter 665 Episode 665: A little seasoning makes it delicious. (6) The ce where those who received the call from the vige gathered was the artillery testing site in Area 51. It was a magnificent ce, stretching over 10 ri (approximately 4 km) from one end to the other. What caught the attention of those gathered after receiving the call was the flying machine that had sessfully flown on the banks of the Han River a few days ago. Wan and the young craftsmen had a strange expression of joy and sorrow as they looked at the des where the canvases had been ced. On the one hand, it was a monumental object that demonstrated the self-powered flight they had dreamed of, and on the other hand, it was an object that made the work they had done meaningless. Is everyone gathered? Wan and the young craftsmen, who came to their senses at the sound of Hyangs voiceing from behind, quickly bowed and bowed. Ie to see your Majesty the Emperor. Thank you for your hard work. Its okay to give an example. I came to this position not as an emperor, but as a senior research director. At Hyangs words, Wan and the craftsmen straightened their posture. Hyang, who was looking at Wan and the artisans, asked Wan. I will ask the director. Dont you think youve seen this flying machine somewhere? yes? Wan, who had been carefully examining the de, shook his head at Hyangs words. Im not sure. Have you forgotten the things you first made to fly in the sky? In response to Hyangs question again, Wan and the craftsmen looked at the de again. Wan and the craftsmen, who had been looking at it for a while, let out exmations at the same time. ah! Come to think of it! Wan looked back at the scent and answered. The shape is very different from what you and the craftsmen made, but the framework seems to be simr. Do you want to know whats different? The birds head-like shape has been removed, and a vertical tail has been added. and? And eh Wan and the young craftsmen, who were once again examining the flying machine from nose to tail, soon reported the differences one by one. More iron was used than what the minor gods used to make! But it wasnt used too much! The area of the wings attached to the top and bottom is at least twice asrge as the one made by the small gods! Wan, who was examining the de with the craftsmen, tilted his head. If you do this, it will be difficult to maintain the shape Ah! Is that why these wires went in? Are the wires supporting the shape of the wings? The princes words are correct. And what difference has this change made? Hearing Hyangs words, Wan and the craftsmen put their heads together and exchanged opinions. After much discussion, Wan answered Hyang. ording to what Soja and craftsmen discovered at the time, therger the wings, the more wind they can catch and the easier they can float. This is the same reason why arge crane or an eagle hasrge wings. Thats right. So why did you fail and I seed? That is When Wan and the young craftsmen were unable to answer properly, Hyangs blunt words flew out. Why are you wearing a bird head? It bes difficult to maintain bnce and control. ah! After Hyang pointed out, Wan and the young craftsmen realized their mistake. Hyangs tone had suddenly changed to innguage. It was nice to imitate the shape of a flying bird, but I should have thought twice about it. Ah And the bigger mistake is Prince, do you remember what I said back then? Wan, who had been briefly remembering Hyangs question, answered with a red face. You just said that the guy who can roll his head is trying to jump. right. I had already thought about adding a steam engine to the report I submitted at that time. Now you know why thats a problem, right? yes. It weighs too much. right. We went too far ahead in a situation where we couldnt even create a properly floating object. After finishing speaking, Hyang gave an order to Jang Yeong-sil, who was standing on one side. Please bring the internalbustion multi-wing thruster and exin. yes. your majesty. Jang Yeong-sil brought a turboprop engine, a product of n A, and exined its structure. Wan and the young artisans listened with sparkling eyes to Jang Yeong-sils exnation. It was notmon to have the opportunity to see the inventions of Jang Yeong-sil, the living legend of craftsmen, while listening to the exnation from the person involved. Therefore, Wan and the craftsmen listened intently to the exnation, making sure not to miss a single thing. After the exnation was over, Hyang asked Wan and the craftsmen. Do you understand what the problem is? yes! If we solve that problem and create a proper engine, or if we create a small, powerful steam engine that operates on a simr mechanism, we will be able toplete not only a flying machine but also a self-powered flying machine with even better performance! A steam engine again No matter how much Im a steampunk fanatic, you too Hyang grumbled inwardly at Wans answer and ordered Jang Yeong-sil again. Bring it to me. Yes, Your Majesty. After a while, Jang Yeong-sil, along with other craftsmen, came pulling a cart covered with packaging. When Jang Yeong-sil unwrapped the package, there was a miniature model of a de reduced to 1/3 size. Find out what the difference is between that and that. Wan examined the scale model and reported to Hyang. More iron was used than arge de. And there is no wind vane. If I fly this, will it be able to fly? I think it will be difficult because of the weight. What if there is a strong driving force? But I think its impossible because of the weight. In response to Wans answer, Hyang gestured to Jang Yeong-sil. At Hyangs gesture, Jang Yeong-sil brought two medicine bottles and attached them to the wings of the scale model. Is it Soshingijeons medicine cab? no? Its a little bigger than that? While the craftsmen were buzzing, Jang Yeong-sil lit the wick connected to the medicine cab. Quaaa! After a while, the scale model flew into the sky with a loud noise and smoke. The flying machine flew into the sky with its wings sparkling, flew nearly halfway through the shooting range, and fell to the ground. Hyang saw that and asked Wan. It flew? Thats pretty good too. . * * * When the demonstration ended, Wan and the craftsmen werepletely discouraged. What have we done? I heard you write a text message in front of Confucius Thats exactly what we are like. Seeing Wan and the craftsmen so discouraged, Hyang continued speaking again. Why do you think me and Jang Yeong-sil showed me this today? Is this just a boast? . Wan and the craftsmen had no answer to Hyangs question. This was because I could not possibly guess what the scent was trying to say. In the end, Wan came forward as the representative and waved the white g. The child is still immature and does not know Abamas deep meaning. Please give me an answer. Then let me change my words. As the Europeans say, All roads lead to Rome. There is a saying. What do you think this means? Isnt this the manyu-gwi-jong that those who worship the embers speak of? That would also be true. But think differently. Wan, who had been thinking deeply about Hyangs words, looked at Hyang with a puzzled expression. Are you really talking about the dispute between the hundreds of disciples? right. All roads lead to Rome. If you think of this in another way, there is not just one road to Rome. That makes sense. This is consistent with what you guys are doing now. Fly in the sky. Is the only way to realize this goal being a bhikkhu or flying? Ah Wan and the young craftsmen all nodded at Hyangs words. Hyang continued speaking to the young people. The reason I did this demonstration today was not to brag to you. The flying in the sky that I had at first. He did this because he seemed to forget therger meaning and focus only on monks and steam engines. ah! However, it is not okay to immediately abandon the bhikkhu and practice Wu by hanging on to the flying machine. A bhikkhu is a bhikkhu, and a de is a de, so it has its own use. What you should not forget is that I want to tell you not to forget your initial intention, but to keep your eyes wide open. At Hyangs words, Wan and the young craftsmen simultaneously bowed their heads and responded in loud voices. I will keep this in mind! After the teaching of Hyang, the young craftsmen returned to the Bhikkhu development room. Meanwhile, Wan, who remained until the end, carefully spoke to Hyang. It was truly a teaching simr to that of Geumgwaokjo. This is something to keep in mind. Thats right. This is also true of state affairs. But if you look at it that broadly, it will take a lot of time and budget Thats up to you to solve. Arent you the director? . Wan fell into tears at Hyangs words and kept his mouth shut. As an aside. Jang Yeong-sils turboprop engine and rocket-propelled flying machine, which were shown in the demonstration that day, were sealed in the deepest part of the Area 51 storage facility. The problem was this rocket-propelled flying machine. Since there was only a demonstration without a proper exnation, the officer who apanied him recorded it as follows. -The flying machine, made entirely of iron, flew about 5 miles away with a loud noise, emittingrge mes and smoke behind it. Later, when the Annals of the Empire were released, this part became a key subject of conspiracy theories. A crashed UFO is hidden in Area-51. Looking at the officers description, it is clear that this is a rocket or a UFO. -The level of technology at the time was so primitive that repairs could not bepleted properly. -The background of the great leap forward, the subsequent stagnation period, and the transcendental technological development in the early stages of the empire was technology acquired from UFOs! When this conspiracy theory became a global issue, the federal response was simple and clear. Write nonsense, write nonsense. Then reveal Areas 51 and 52, or the remaining 50 areas! Areas 51 and 52 are top secret facilities. It cannot be disclosed. And the only ones that exist in the Federation are Areas 51 and 52. nonsense! Then we have to go to Areas 1 and 2. Why do you start with 51 and 52! It is a historical fact that the emperors naming skills at the time were the worst. Do not lie! When people say something, believe it! Do you want to fight? Would you like to join us? Whatever you say, you mention war! You gangsters who will go down in history like this! * * * What Hyang said to Wan and the artisans in Area 51 soon spread to the officials as well. Most of the officials who heard Hyangs words through rumors nodded. Keep your original intention, but keep your eyes wide open These are really good words. Its the same thing as gold and jade birds. Many people gave positive evaluations, but there were also those who gave negative evaluations. The representative of these people was Lee Sa-cheol, the Minister of Education. Three days after the Area 51 demonstration, Lee Sa-cheol filed an appeal to the local government. The contents of the appeal were summarized as follows. -What His Majesty said to the Crown Prince seems at first nce to be correct, but it is not correct. -The fact that there is not one path to a goal can be transformed into a teaching that in order to achieve a goal, it is okay to walk not only the right path but also the wrong path. In other words, it can be a teaching that it is okay to harm others for ones own gain. C Although there may seem to be many paths, there is only one path. This is the same principle as learning the meaning of ancient sages through the teachings of Zhu Xi. Whoa~. Hyang, who received and read Lee Sa-cheols appeal, let out a long sigh and red at Lee Sa-cheol from Geunjeongjeon. After taking a moment to catch her breath, Hyang asked Lee Sa-cheol. The Minister of Education, Jim, will ask. Answer. Please ask. Lee Sa-cheol, as well as the ministers around him, were very nervous as he answered. This was because the tone that came out of Hyangs mouth just now was one that I had never heard before. When climbing the mountain, one person followed a known path from long ago, and the other person climbed the rough rocks, risking risks in order to climb more quickly. In this case, did thetter go to the apostle? Did you harm someone else? No. Thats what Jim said, but its not right? Your Majesty, the example you just gave is just an extreme example to justify your words. So what Jim meant was wrong? At first nce, it seems right. However, the people are foolish and greedy, so no matter how good your Majestys intentions are, they often misunderstand them. Therefore, I think it is right to prevent such teachings in the first ce. Yes you bastard! As soon as Lee Sa-cheol finished speaking, Hyangs shout rang out at Geunjeongjeon. What is your job? Its education! It is your job to raise the same amount of intellectual wealth for future generations that will be responsible for the empires infinite development and well-being! But what do you mean by what you say now? Are the original people foolish and greedy? Have you forgotten that you are also a people? okay! As you said, it is extremely bad to break thews of humanity and heaven and harm public morals for ones own ends! Isnt education the way to prevent that? This doesnt work because its this way, and it doesnt work because it does that, so just learn what I teach and do it. Is this your education? Is your education aimed at raising children who can look broadly and spread Hongik Ingans will, or is it about raising livestock that can understand letters and words? your majesty. Thats not it Shut up! It is said that a schr is one who has a firm mind but looks wide and looks around. But youre trying to raise livestock, not a schr! The empire doesnt need officials like you! Submit your resignation immediately! your majesty! Lee Sa-cheol vomited blood and called Hyang, but Hyang shouted at Hwang Hee. Prime Minister, listen! Get the authors resignation letter and submit it to Jim right now! Hearing Hyangs words, Hwang Hee quietly bowed her head. I follow your orders. In this way, Lee Sa-cheol became the first subject to rmended resignation among imperial officials. Chapter 666 Episode 666: Stories from other countries (1) Emperor Gyeongtae, who took charge of the Ming Dynasty, which was devastated by defeat, did his best to restore it. -Liaodong and the North focus only on defense! Based on a strategy that thoroughly prioritized defense, Emperor Gyeongtae and his subjects reorganized the troops in the north. Although the war was lost, troops who had experience inbat and were especially familiar with the use of gunpowder weapons were deployed to the northern wall, and the remaining gunpowder and artillery were collected and deployed to the wall. And the troops that had been hastily gathered after being pushed back in the war were deployed to clean up the destroyed canals and transportationworks. To calm the chaos in Gangnam and secure proper tax revenue, restoration of the canal and transportationwork is an urgent priority! It was the Gyeongtae Emperors decision to quickly repair the damage. Some officials put the brakes on this. your majesty. Joseon can push through Shanhaiguan! We must prepare! However, before the Gyeongtae Emperor could take action, the Assistant Cab Secretary came forward and refuted their opinions. Joseon is in a difficult situation to digest the area it has secured. There is no need to worry about Joseon! For now, all I have to think about is the Dalits of the North! The northerners may take a detour. Do you think Joseon will just let the Dalits run amok in the north, where they have gained so much? No, in our current situation, it would be a great thing if Dalja would do that. . The situation was resolved as the Cab Secretary silenced the worried ministers. * * * The ministers initial evaluation of Gyeongtaeje was almost simr to that made by Seondeokje. -A general-purpose monarch. C It may be okay in a peaceful world, but in difficult times However, when people iming to be Geonmunjae and his son appeared in the Gangnam area and a chaotic situation arose, the ministers revised their evaluation after seeing Emperor Gyeongtaes reaction. Reassemble your troops right now and subdue them! Emperor Gyeongtae, who first heard the story, was furious and ordered an immediate subjugation. However, the Ministry of Health and Welfare opposed this. It is impossible in the current situation. There is a better n! All you need is one edict! Tell me. And Emperor Gyeongtae, who heard Sangseos proposal for illness, immediately epted his proposal. There was an unfortunate incident during thest crisis. Jim cannot hide his sadness at this. ordingly, Jim will restore Jianmun, the name of Emperor Hyes era, and install Jumun-gyu as the royal king. Therefore, Ju Joon-gyu, please retrieve your luggage. As the edict with this content was posted throughout Gangnam, those who called themselves Geonmunjae or Jumungyu began to argue, iming that they were true. And the ministers who received reports of this situation revised their evaluation of the economic system. -Knows how to listen. This is the biggest advantage. -Your judgment is as good as that of your predecessor. * * * While people were killing each other and dying in Gangnam, Emperor Gyeongtae and the ministers of Ming did their best to restore the canal. Funnily enough, those who helped greatly with this restoration project were Joseon merchants. In addition to conscripts, merchants from the Hebei region also participated in the restoration of the canal. The merchant owners who participated were in a very difficult situation. This was because Emperor Gyeongtae and the ministers of the royal court were urging itspletion as quickly as possible, saying it was a day away. The concerns of merchant merchants immediately became the concerns of the merchants under theirmand, who alsoined to the merchants of the empire. Not long after the war ended, the Joseon Shanghai branch in Shandong reopened. Trade with Joseon and other empires was also necessary for the Ming imperial family and government. This was because trade with Joseon was essential to obtain the necessary funds in a situation where tax administration was in disarray due to the chaos in Gangnam and the fractured canal. In the Gangnam area, where the Ming administrative power was still alive, grain collected through tax collection,rge quantities of sulfur, and saltpeter were the Mings main sales items, and the empire sold various iron agricultural tools, medicine, cotton, and a few luxury goods. This trade was also necessary for the empire. Now, stable agriculture has be possible through the flood control project, which has been converted to a management stage. However, there were many regions, including Daeseol Ind, where self-sufficiency in food was difficult, so there was still a long way to go before self-sufficiency. There was a situation where they had taken possession of the Bukji. In order to settle the people living in the north as imperial people, sufficient food was needed. The best way to solve this was to build arge-scale agricultural area in Xinjie in addition to strengthening agricultural production in the North. However, since both tasks required a lot of time and manpower, grain was absolutely necessary. Of course, it could have been imported from Daewol or Seo, but those countries were growing apletely different variety of rice from the rice that the people of the empire consumed most. On the other hand, in Gangnam, there were many farmers who specialized in growing rice that suited the tastes of the imperial family. Because it was profitable. In the case of Hwang and Choseok, it was due to the military aspect. It was an empire that was able to survive by supplying sulfur from Daeseoldo and importing saltpeter from Cheonchuk, but the saltpeter and sulfur sold by the Ming were bought as much as they could provide. The purpose of this was partly to prepare for unexpected situations, but it was also to control a significant portion of the military power of the Ming Dynasty. The situation in the past, when the Ming Dynasty controlled the procurement of buffalo horns, an essential material for making horn bows, was reversed. * * * Because of this background, the Joseon Dynasty, or even the Imperial Chamber of Commerce, reopened in Shandong, and merchants from both countries began to maintain their friendship again. huh? King Daein. Is yourplexion not very good? Its such a mess? ah! Daein Kim. Is myplexion that bad? If anyone sees you, you seem like a person who wouldnt be surprised if they smelled incense from behind a folding screen tomorrow. Would you like me to give you some of my health medicine? Wang Deok-gu, a merchant from the Ming Dynasty, was momentarily shocked by the words of Kim Il-su, an imperial merchant. This was because of one of the many meanings of the word health medicine in the Joseon Dynasty or the Empire. At Wang Deok-gus reaction, Kim Il-soo smiled and continued. What are you thinking? Its not because its a tonic, its because myplexion is really bad. Saying that, Kim Il-soo opened a desk drawer, rummaged through it, took out something and held it out to Wang Deok-gu. This is the Daeseoldosan bear dam that I found a while ago. Can you see the imperial emblem stamped on the packaging? Its genuine. Oops! What a ce to be thankful for! I will never forget the kindness of this great person, Mr. Wang! Wang Deok-gu, who bowed while holding his hand, was sincere. It was a ce filled with all kinds of counterfeit products, including medicinal ingredients for human consumption. Thanks to this, imperial medicinal herbs with the imperial emblem stamped on them were being traded at high prices. There was even a rumor going around that the Ming imperial family only used imperial medicinal herbs. In this situation, if it was a genuine Woongdam, it was worth calling. It would be okay to eat it yourself, but you could also sell it for a share or give it to someone else to benefit. What on earth are you worried about? Are you afraid to spend the night with your wife? Or are your children upset? Wang Deok-gu sighed and answered Kim Il-soos question, which was a mixture of jokes and seriousness. Its none other than the fact that the elderly person I serve is in charge of a big job at the top, and because of that, he loses sleep every day. Big deal? What kind of big deal are you talking about? I was put in charge of restoring the canal that was damaged in the previous war at the top, but it seemed like no one wanted to take on the job Civil engineering is the most valuable job, right? Kim Il-su tilted his head at Wang Deok-gus words. * * * As he said, civil engineering work was a job that left a lot to be desired. In the process of recruiting people to work, providing food, clothing, and shelter for field workers, etc., we were able to continuously make money. Of course, there were people who yed around with materials or did shoddy construction in hopes of making a quick buck. However, the moment they caught the attention of the governor, all their property was confiscated and the entire family became government ves and was taken to Aoji. To avoid this, there were attempts to bribe the superintendent and ask for favors, but no superintendent epted this. If something happenedter, the property would be confiscated, and if it was severe, it would be life-longbor in Aoji, which was the same for Gyomri. Well, as it changed into an empire, only the parties became government ves and worked until they died in Aoji or other rough ces. However, because all assets were still confiscated, the moment it was caught, the persons family had no choice but to sit out on the streets. * * * In response to Kim Il-soos point, Wang Deok-gu exined the reason. Thats because the country is urging us to shorten the air time every day. Dont you know Daein Kim too? If you make a mistake in a task entrusted to you by the country, wouldnt the three ns be exterminated? So youre worried a lot? yes. The size of the site is limited, so wouldnt it be impossible to cram in an infinite number of workers? It only increases the number of workers working for no reason. But I am worried because there is no answer other than that. Kim Il-su nodded at Wang Deok-gus words. Thats right. Hmm. The period needs to be shortened, but there is no proper way, and if the person serving you makes a mistake and suffers misfortune, it will not be good for the king. Is that why yourplexion is like that? Thats right. In response to Wang Deok-gus answer, Kim Il-soo immediately gave an answer. That problem could be solved right away with just a little bit of wealth, right? yes? How? Please give me some wisdom. please. Kim Il-soo, who saw Wang Deok-gu earnestly asking for a favor, talked about the reward. therefore. In that way, we divide the teams into groups, select the group that does the best work, and give appropriate rewards to the team leader and team members. If that happens, everyone will turn on their eyes and attack you from now on, right? ah! Wang Deok-gu, who had let out an exmation without realizing it, bowed down once again. I swear to this royal mother, the gods of heaven and earth! I will definitely repay this favor! If I cant repay you, I will repay you from generation to generation! At Wang Deok-gus oath, Kim Il-soo smiled and waved his hand. What kind of oath do you have? Its just a matter of making good deals in the future. Dont worry! Kim Il-soo clicked his tongue as he looked at Wang Deok-gu, who was excited to get an answer to the problem he was worried about. Tsk! There has been a reward system in our country for a long time, but how can a country that calls itself a great country Kim Il-soo, who expressed such doubts, soon found his own answer. Is it because there are too many people? I guess so. Since ancient times, the country overflowing with people was Ming or Jungwon. The midfield was the country where if one wascking, ten would be put in, and if ten were not enough, a hundred would be added. Therefore, there was no need to think about the reward itself. Kim Il-soo, who was clicking his tongue like that, suddenly brightened his eyes. wait? Come to think of it? The person who first thought of the bounty died, right? Huh~. indeed! He was a different person from the very beginning! Kim Il-soo, who was so impressed by Hyangs abilities, soon wrote a report to send to the top. Anyway if you do well, you can get a pretty strong rope. If it is a high-rankingpany that is in charge of civil engineering projects carried out by the country, it must also have ties to the Ming Dynasty government. * * * In this way, a bounty system was introduced at construction sites to restore the canal. With the reward system in operation, the efficiency of construction has improved to a visible degree. And the fall of the 3rd year of the imperial calendar. The disconnected canal was reconnected. Emperor Gyeongtae received the report and gave orders to his subjects. Think about moving the capital to Nanjing. Chapter 667 Episode 667: Stories from other countries (2) At Emperor Gyeongtaes order, starting with the cab replenishment, all the ministers were momentarily agitated. Your Majesty. Did you say it was the Heavenly Way? Emperor Gyeongtae nodded in response to the cab secretarys question. exactly. Consider when it would be best to move the capital to Nanjing. In Jims opinion, the faster we can move, the better. In response to Emperor Gyeongtaes answer, the cab secretary carefully asked the reason. My Majesty, could you tell me why you suddenly decided to move the capital? In response to a question from the cab secretary, the Gyeongtaeje exined the reason. -If you think about the death of Sunmangchihan (ËX), Beijing is now in a state of death. Therefore, moving to Nanjing is beneficial to national defense. -If we look at the current situation in Gangnam, it has been sorted out to some extent as the traitors calling themselves Hyeje and Jumungyu have been in conflict, but it is still a chaotic situation. Now that the canal has been restored, it is the right time to lead the Geumgun army down to subdue the traitors and stabilize Gangnam. Its not easy to make time if you stay in Beijing under these circumstances. Therefore, we must move the capital to Nanjing. The cab assistants and ministers nodded their heads at Emperor Gyeongtaes words. This was because they thought it was reasonable. In the end, the cab secretaries and ministers bowed their heads and answered the Gyeongtae Emperor. I obey the Emperorsmand! * * * After the meeting, the Cab secretaries and ministers from each department gathered in the cabs conference room. What do you think about Your Majestys Imperial Order? When asked by the Cab Secretary, the Minister of Military Affairs was the first to open his mouth. When ites to national defense, the decision your Majesty made is a reasonable one. Looking at the current situation in Beijing, Oira to the north and Joseon to the east are just around the corner. In the past, there would have been a buffer zone called Liaodong, but now that Liaodong is gone, it makes sense to go down to Nanjing. In response to the military service chiefs answer, the military service chief raised a counterargument. Isnt the situation simr in Nanjing? Across the sea, there is Joseon to the east and Wae to the south. The governor of the left responded to the remarks made by the Minister of Yebu. But if they want to n Nanjing, they have to cross the sea. The sea is a good passage, but it can also be a tricky obstacle. A tricky obstacle? What do you mean? In response to Yebu Sangseos question, Jwado-dok exined in more detail. -The sea is a ce where you cannot easily venture out without proper preparation. -The most important item in this preparation is the crew. Even a simple river boat must risk its life if it does not have skilled boatmen, but the situation is even more severe in the sea. If you think about preparing for war onnd, even if you bring in worms, 100 days is enough to use them at a minimum. But for the navy, that is impossible. -It is the same for soldiers, but it is also the same for the front lines. It takes a lot of time and money to make a proper wire. Therefore, if a wire is lost, it is not easy to rece it. You will understand this well when you look at the situation of our navy. The Cab secretary and ministers felt bitter at the Left Governors words. * * * In thest war, the Ming navy that Emperor Seondeok had put so much effort into raising was literally destroyed. Dozens of Daebo ships, which were considered castles on the sea, were destroyed by a single Joseon ck me Dragon, and the great ships and midshipmen who would assist the Daebo ships were attacked by the challenger-ss and sea emergency-ss fronts of the Joseon navy. As a result, the current Ming navy was in a situation where it was too difficult to defend the entrance to major ports. Fortunately, the new Japanese king of the Japanese kingdom was subduing the lords one by one, and the Joseon navy was holding on thanks to the eradication of pirates in the ocean. * * * With this background, an invasion by sea is not an easy task. If we strengthen our defenses by building bigger and stronger batteries at major ports than before, even Joseon will not be able to easily attempt an invasion by sea. The cab secretary, who was nodding to the left governors words, asked the military personnel. Now that I think about it how is it going with replicating the Joseon artillery and guns captured in thest conflict? The Minister of Military Affairs sighed and answered the Cab Secretarys question. Whoa~. The duplication of artillery and the Fuhrer has reached a certain level, but the problem is not its scope. We are urging the craftsmen, but we still havent found an answer. Huh~. Are the skills of our craftsmen far behind those of Joseon? In response to the Cab Secretarys question, the Minister of Military Affairs answered with a sad face. We are falling further behind than expected. But whats even worse is that many craftsmen were killed or kidnapped by Japanese pirates who took advantage of the previous conflict. And whats worse theres no budget. Making silver or high-quality gunpowder is not possible with just one or two experiments, but the budget is holding us back. Oh my Haa~. The Cab Secretary and other ministers all let out a long sigh at the reply of the Minister of Military Affairs. Sang-seo, the head of the hospital, quenched his thirst with the tea cup in front of him and continued speaking. I believe that relocating the capital is the best way to ovee the current situation. The canal was re-opened and Geumgun was able to go down to Gangnam again. We have to clean up Gangnam as soon as possible and get things back to normal. Otherwise, it will only be more and more difficult to keep up with the Joseon bastards who call themselves an empire. The Cab secretary shook his head at the words of the Minister of Military Affairs. Thats true, but transferring the capital is not an easy task, is it? Thats the problem. Isnt everything already in Nanjing? I dont think there will be much of a burden, right? The cab secretary sighed and responded to thement made by the Minister of Military Affairs. The problem is that it all exists. * * * When the Ming Dynasty founded the country, the first ce they chose as their capital was Nanjing. Afterwards, the Yongle Emperor, who came to power through the Change of Justice, changed the capital to Beijing and the name of Nanjing from Jingshi (Capital) to Nanjing. Although the capital was moved to Beijing, the administrative organization remained in Nanjing. Afterwards, Nanjing was operated as the second capital as the crown prince stayed there and learned how to run state affairs. This is why the cab secretary was worried. Although the subjects in Nanjing were lower in rank than those in Beijing, they were studded with stones. It was clear that a factional fight would break out the moment the vassals from Beijing entered Nanking. To be precise, there would be no particr problems for high-ranking officials such as cab assistants and ministers of ministries, but fierce factional battles would break out among mid- to lower-level officials. * * * Secretary Hobu, who understood the words of the Cab Secretary, expressed his thoughts. If the capital is relocated, only the locations of Beijing and Nanjing will change, so there wont be a big problem, right? Officials need to remain in Beijing just like they did in Nanking up to now. I dont think there will be any factional fighting youre worried about? At Hobu Sang-seos words, Ibu Sang-seo shook his head. Do you think we can take care of things more easily if we leave the people who have worked hand in hand with us here ande down? If we do something wrong, we may have to work while keeping an eye on the minds of those in Nanjing. And if we leave, how will we maintain the morale of the officials who will remain here? Oh my Hobu Sang-seo closed his mouth at Ibu Sang-seos point. Lee Bu Sang-seo continued speaking. You might think that since Nanjing is still safe, transferring the capital will be an easy task. But the biggest problem is the process of selecting who will go with you and who will stay. As the soldier said, Beijing is the core of the defense of the north. If the morale of those who manage such a ce drops, they may face great troubleter. However, if you bring them all down, not only will there be a factional fight, but there will be a problem that this ce will be Muju Gongsan. Thats not all. The ces that produce weapons used by the military and railways, iron horses, and steam engines are most concentrated around Beijing. We need to think about their problems too. Do you want to take it with you or leave it behind? Do you need to take me with you? It will just be a waste of money. Ibu Sang-seo asked back what Hobu Sang-seo said. Are you saying we should keep the ce that manufactures weapons used by the military out of sight? You mean Hobu Sang-seos face turned pale and he stopped talking. The reason the factories in question were located around Beijing was because of surveince issues. If a factory was left outside of surveince, many things would leak out no matter how hard it was managed. And if the leaked weapons fell into the hands of subversive elements, the subsequent situation would turn into the worst. Lee Bu Sang-seos words made the ministers again aware of the seriousness of the capital relocation issue. It was certain that if they made even the slightest mistake, a series of serious problems would arise that would make factional fighting seem like a cute thing. Hmm Oh my While everyone was pondering to find a good answer, the Cab Secretary made the decision first. Let us make sure that currency printingpanies and factories producing military weapons apany this capital relocation. If we only have those two in our hands, we will be able to prevent most problems in advance. Everyone present nodded at the decision of the Cab Secretary. I think thats best. The best thing would be to move everything at once, but we dont have enough money to do that After confirming that the attendees agreed with his decision, the cab secretary moved on to the next step. As for the transfer of the capital, it seems that the approximate results have been obtained. Are there any other issues? In response to the Cab Secretarys question, the Minister of Military Affairs opened his mouth. I mentioned the Geumgun earlier, but there is actually a problem with the Geumgun. problem? There is a problem mobilizing troops for subjugation. The Cab Secretarys expression became serious at the words of the Minister of Military Affairs. Military movement and strategy establishment for war were the areas of the right and left, but all rear-end work, such as mobilizing and supplying troops to support him, was the responsibility of the Minister of Military Affairs, and he was mentioning that there was a problem with the person in charge of that work now. Is there a problem with mobilizing troops? Tell me in detail. In response to the Cab Secretarys remarks, the Minister of Military Affairs exined what the problem was. C Excluding the troops lost in thest conflict and the troops currently assigned to defensive duties on the northern and eastern borders, the remaining troops are approximately 1 million. -However, these 1 million troops have so far been mobilized for canal and transportationwork restoration projects. And at that time, more than three years have passed. -The troops in charge of defending the border cannot be removed right now. This is because we are still barely able to maintain the power we need. -This means that the soldiers mobilized for the restoration project should be deployed to the subjugation. However, looking at the situation of the soldiers, training needs to be started again from the beginning. -Apart from the training problem, morale is a problem. Its already been three years since I was drafted. Of course, three years may not seem like a long time, but the problem is that three years have passed since the conflict that forced them to serve in the military ended. But then you train them again and send them into a battlefield where life and death are at stake? If done incorrectly, there could be mass desertion. However, if I send them to their hometown, problems will arise in subjugating Gangnam, which is a pain in the ass. Ibu Sangseo raised a counterargument to the words of Sangseo Lee. But there has been no talk ofrge-scale desertion so far, right? Because it was at a construction site, not a battlefield. As a bonus, I was paid a solid sry. Hearing the meaningful words of Sang-seo Lee, Sang-seo Lee kept his mouth shut. Hmm. In response to the warning from the Ministry of Health, the ministers began to think of a solution again. Soon after, Hobu Sangseo came up with a method. How about using those who recently returned from Liaohe? Yoha? Are you talking about those whom the Koreans drove out? exactly. Sangseo Hobu exined his method. -Those who have now returned from Liaohe have no protection whatsoever. -Also, looking at the situation in Gangnam, the number ofnds that have lost their owners has increased due to conflicts caused by bandits. -The returnees are mobilized as soldiers using the ownership and cultivation rights of thesends. If they had no financial support, many people would support them. In addition, there will be many people who will support those who wish to return home after the restoration project is over. Then, the military issue will be able to be resolved to some extent. All the ministers shouted at the same time at Hobu Sangseos suggestion. Thats a really clever idea! Chapter 668 Episode 668: Stories from other countries (3) Emperor Gyeongtae, who epted the n made by the cab secretary and ministers, immediately nodded. What a brilliant idea! The security was already unstable due to those returning from Liaohe, so this is a very good n! Emperor Gyeongtae was very satisfied and stamped the seal on the document and gave orders. Get started right away! I obey the Emperorsmand! * * * After receiving permission from Emperor Gyeongtae, the military and military departments began work immediately. -Support for the unit that subdues gangsters in Gangnam! -Pay adequate wages to soldiers in the punitive force. -Jangjuns who participated in the subjugation can receive unimed farnd from Gangnam after the subjugation. -Those who establish military positions can acquire morend. -This is what the emperor himself promised. For those who returned from Liaohe, the emperors edict issued by the Military Ministry was a lifeline that saved them from the danger of death. Great! Even so, it was a big problem to take such measures! I lived! Gangnams farnd is the fertile soil of all fertile soil! You can get thatnd, but you have to risk your life! Men from returning families who found hope, regardless of age or age, volunteered for the military. This was the same for retired soldiers who were packing their bags to return home. He was paid handsomely for restoring canals and other transportationworks destroyed in the previous war. However, there were many who found it difficult to survive when they returned to their hometown. These people also volunteered for the punitive force. Thanks to this, the Ming government was able to secure a force capable of carrying out a subjugation without withdrawing troops from the north. If we include the Jin soldiers stationed in Nanjing and other cities, we will be able to fully subdue the traitors! Emperor Gyeongtae expressed satisfaction with the report from the Ministry of Health. Great! Make them regr soldiers as quickly as possible! I follow your orders! In the process of turning the returnees into soldiers under the orders of Emperor Gyeongtae, the executives of the Ming army noticed one characteristic. These guys theyre so vicious. I agree. I guess its because I live in a rough ce. As the executives said, those who returned from Liaodong had a rough temperament. Not only the Jeongju Yeojin people, who were evaluated as having be much more mellow while living a settled life, but also the Koreans who lived alongside them were fierce in temperament. It was not easy to handle the returnees, who would immediately threaten to kill you or kill me at the slightest mistake. Rumors soon began to circte among the executives who had a hard time managing such rough people. If the settled Jurchen people, who are evaluated as having a very dead personality, are that fierce, then how much more fierce are the Jurchen people who still lead a nomadic lifestyle? And what about the Joseon bastards who make even the Jurchen people curl their tails? The executives whose thoughts reached that point sought out colleagues who had dealt with the Joseon army in thest war and asked about them. How fierce is the Joseon army? The Joseon bastards are those who, when they lose a battle, gnash their teeth in anger and attack, and when they win, they attack even more fiercely, thinking they are happy to win. Fear of the Joseon military began to gradually settle among the executives who questioned the words of the participants, who responded by shaking their heads. This was a harvest that even the scent had not imagined. * * * At the same time that Emperor Gyeongtae of Beijing was preparing to calm the chaos in Gangnam, the situation in the Japanese country was also not good. The Ouchi shogunate, which had acquired arge amount of funds and artisans during the previous war, was making efforts to strengthen centralization. And this was difficult for the existing vested interests to ept. Eventually, they drew their swords once again. And at the center of this massive army were the public families. * * * Throughout the Kamakura and Muromachi shogunate periods, a kind of division ofbor was taking ce between the shogunate and the feudal lords. Centering on Kyoto, the shogunate had control and military police authority over the eastern region, and the public families were in charge of the governments general administrative affairs and governance of the western region. However, the problem was that the Ouchi family, which founded the new shogunate, had its roots in the southwestern part of the Japanese country. Simply put, there was an ovep between the Gong familys control area and Ouchis control area. Another problem was that Ouchi did not establish himself in Kyoto, but rather brought the emperor to Yamaguchi. While not escaping from his sphere of influence, he even took control of the symbolic figure of the emperor. Ouchi, who took on both political symbolism and military skills, became unstoppable. We must abandon the old ways! Only then can we survive these turbulent times! Mochiyo, emphasizing the crisis, requested the emperor to give him another official position in addition to the traditional position given to the shogunate, General Jegi. The official position he requested was gwanbaek (v). Gwanbaek was in fact the highest-ranking position among the ministers of the Japanese government. Regardless of whether it was symbolic or not, on the surface all Japanese policies had to be approved by the emperor. However, this approval could not be made solely by the emperor, and ultimately had to be negotiated between the officials and the emperor. And this official position could only be held by people from five noble families called the Five Houses. Ouchi had requested such a position as a government official. * * * The Oseop family naturally had no choice but to protest when they heard of Mochiyos request. However, since it was Ouchi who controlled the actual force, they proposed a mediation n. Choose one of the five families and adopt one. Then I will admit it. When the messenger of the Oseop family handed over the arbitration n, Mochiyo drew his sword on the spot and cut off the messengers head. Have you seen these outrageous things? What do you think of our family that makes you say such nonsense? Those who dont even have a proper genealogy act like they are begging for beggars! Mochiyo couldnt hold back his anger. Since ancient times, the Ouchi family has imed that they are descendants of Prince Imseong of Baekje. In addition, the pride of the Ouchi family soared to the sky as Joseon created and presented a proper genealogy. However, upon hearing the suggestion to abandon such a historic family castle, Mochiyo cut off the lions head. Mochiyo, who was full of energy, shouted to his retainers. There are still traitors who are destroying the country! Failure to break away from old ways is truly treason! Prepare to deploy! Its a purge! hot! * * * Mochiyo came forward, calling for a purge, but the public families did not back down. No, I couldnt back down. If this goes on, not only all the government offices but also all the territories in Yamato will be Ouchis! There was reason for their concerns. Since the Ouchi family began sending students to Joseon, its scale has grown. The number of international students starting from 2 to 30 has now increased to nearly a hundred. And those who returned after learning and practicing in Joseon were responsible for the administration of the Ouchi shogunate. As they put to good use what they had learned and mastered, the Ouchi shogunate possessed powerful administrative capabilities, unlike previous shogunates such as Kamakura and Muromachi. And after Joseon defeated the Ming Dynasty and was reborn as an empire, Confucian schrs raised their voices. Abandoned Bunchi County (ñh)! Obviously Yamato is one country, but what nonsense is this for all the ns to call themselves Kuni! The same goes for rowing! Until now, it has rotted away due to the monopoly of the public houses! We also need to implement the civil service examination and hire talented people to renew it! We must also create educational institutions such as social democratic schools to develop our people into talented people! Those who learned directly about Joseons centralized political system and had practical experience called for reform in the Japanese Empire. And at some point, those who sympathized with them began to appear among the people. As the situation changed, public families also faced a threat to their survival. Finally, 2 years in the imperial calendar. As the purge became almost a fait apli, members of the official family in Yamaguchi began to leave Yamaguchi one by one. Those who escaped Yamaguchi moved carefully to avoid Ouchis surveince and moved toward their territory as quickly as possible. However, even though they moved in secret, their movements were all caught up in Ouchis surveincework. So everyone returned to their territory? hot! Mochiyoughed bitterly after receiving the report. Theyre moving without even knowing its a trap. Thats why they cant do it. Prepare for war immediately! Lets check again the condition of the new rifles and freight cars brought in from the empire! hot! The retainers who received the order hurriedly went out, and Mochiyo looked at Norihiro, who remained behind. Read. What do you think? Norihiro knelt down and answered Mochiyos question. I was waiting for the matriarchs decision! Once the purge of themunist family is over, Japan will be reborn as a truly one country! Norihiros voice was full of passionate desire. While traveling between the empire and Japan and participating in the war against the Ming, Norihiro was both impressed and envious of the empires development. This admiration and envy soon turned into thirst and impatience. The world is changing rapidly, but we, Japan, are just wasting our time in the well! How long are we going to just y lord! Norihiro, who could not bear his anger at the old-fashioned appearance of Japan, where only the head was changed but the body remained the same, was very happy about the Gong familys rebellion. And this was the same for Mochiyo. Bring paper, pencil, and ink! hot! Mochiyo, holding a brush in her hand, vigorously stroked the brush on a nk sheet of paper. There were only two words written on paper in one stroke. -It was a deration that wouldter be called Hotoku Yushin (ԾS), based on the era name of the Yushin (S) . Meanwhile, the nobles of the Gong family who returned to their territory gathered troops and revolted. In revolt, these nobles dered: Now the shogunate is using force to persecute the people and destroying the traditions handed down from the past! How outrageous this is! Put down the shogunate and revive the beautiful tradition! And the soldiers of those who rose up raised high a gpole with the following words written on it. C Hoecheon Restoration (͹) C Pieces of Heaven (ӑĻ) * * * The news of the sh between the shogunate and the feudal lords in the Japanese Empire immediately reached Seoul. After confirming this information, Hyang smiled bitterly and muttered to himself. Anyway, this damn word Yushin has something to do with Japan Wait! Of all the military operations carried out in Japan, there were very few that had good results, even those that entered the sky. Those personal feelings aside, after receiving the information, Hyang discussed the future with the ministers. What do you think about the renewed civil war in Japan? Hwang Hee answered Hyangs question right away. It has been said since ancient times that the most interesting things to see are fireworks and fighting. For the time being, wait and see appears to be the top priority. Of course, we have to be prepared in case a spark hits us. All the other ministers nodded at Hwang Hees words. I think the Prime Ministers words are reasonable. Hyang nodded at the ministers words. Then lets just look around for now. Chapter 669 Episode 669: Stories from Other Countries (4) The heads of the Gong family and all members of the family gathered at Kofukuji Temple in Nara, which can be said to be the progenitor of the Osube family, and held a ceremony. The reason they gathered at Kofukuji was because this temple was the private temple ( Ujidera) of the Fujiwara family, which can be said to be the roots of the Oseop family. The heads of the official families who held ceremonies at Kofukuji Temple emphasized the meaning of this uprising to those gathered. We will punish the shogunate thugs who blindside the Emperor and manipte state affairs, and return to the Emperors own government system! Our will is most righteous and our will is as strong as steel! With the blessings of Amaterasu Omikami and God and Buddha, we will definitely win! It was a public uprising with grandiose slogans. And when Mochiyo heard this slogan, he snorted. joy! Finding Omikami in a ce where Buddha is worshiped! Funny guys! ording to the religious views of the Japanese during this period, Amaterasu was considered the incarnation of the Great Nippon Tathagata, which was said to be the union of Shin and Buddhism. But if you look at it properly, it was quite funny. Mochiyo couldnt help butugh when he saw the Gong familys readiness. They dont even know whatbat is! All the retainers nodded at Mochiyos words. * * * During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, when two emperors fought over each other, the feudal dynasties also participated in their own battles. However, in the many civil wars that took ce after that, the people who just sat back and watched were themunists. Because of this, the Gong family was unable to properly adapt to the change in the way of war. A clear example of this was this uprising. Thebined strength of the Gong familys uprising forces, including the Oseop family, was about 60,000, and the Ouchis fighting force against them was about 35,000. Although the Gong family overwhelmed Ouchi in size, the Gong familys army had no musketry or artillery. * * * Gongga was also not unaware of the existence of musketry and artillery. Therefore, in the process of preparing for the uprising, they sought out lords who opposed the shogunate C especially lords who had their own muskets and artillery C and urged them to participate in the uprising. However, none of the influential lords whom the Gong family wanted to join joined. Only a few lords with extremely limited power joined the Gong family. There were three main reasons why influential lords refused to participate. -Now the core of war is musketry and artillery. If we participate, we will immediately be put in the forefront and then reduced to expendable items. -Now the shogunate is thinking of reforming the system. And both justification and skills arecking to prevent this. Only by securing as many troops as possible can you incur minimal losses in future political transactions. -Among the reforms of the shogunate, there is also a military reform. It is nned to establish a Japanese national army, simr to the golden army in the name of the imperial army. ording to information received, it is said that the feudal lords private soldiers and samurai will be incorporated into the national military system. If you use this well, you can establish a foundation within the military. Because of this calction, the lords, who had their own muskets and artillery, rejected the Dukes request to participate. * * * It was because of this background that the heads of the public family chanted Amaterasu and Gods protection at Kofukuji Temple. And the Ouchi vassals who heard the speeches of these noble families could not hold back theirughter. Omikami and divine protection? joy! Did they raise the tribute properly? Im d I didnt mess with the shamans or nuns! He exploited the people by relying on vested rights passed down from generation to generation, and criticized public families known for their promiscuous private lives. Those who said that also did not have healthy private lives. * * * The ce where the uprising army of the feudal lords and the shogunate army shed was Ikuta. This Ikuta was the ce where the Muromachi shogunate and the Ouchi fought a decisive battle, risking their lives. And before that, Ikuta Shrine, which provided the starting point for the establishment of the Kamakura Shogunate, was the site of the Battle of Ichinodani, which decided the direction of the historic Genpei War. Thanks to this, the vassals of the shogunate were confident of victory. This is a ce where we have already won! Victory is ours this time too! Stupid Gongga bastards! If you have to choose a location! That ce has always been a ce where those who dream of reform have won! Looking at past history, there were some who were confident of victory and others who were confident of victory for other reasons. We already know the geography of the area well through the past war! They picked the wrong ce! But Gongga also had a reason for choosing this location. The reason the Gong family uprising army chose this ce as the site of the decisive battle was because it was very close to Kyoto and Osaka. * * * After the Ouchi shogunate secretly smuggled the emperor away to Yamuguchi, the people of Kyoto were hostile to the shogunate, regardless of whether they were high or low. To what extent, in Kyoto, it was okay to shout Ouchi is a traitor! in the middle of the street in broad daylight. No, going one step further, they were even treated to free alcohol and food. This was due to hostility towards Ouchi, which had cruelly crushed the pride of being the capital of a country where the emperor had resided for nearly a thousand years. And the people who spent as much time with the people of Kyoto as the emperor stayed were the public family. Thanks to this, upon hearing the news of the Gong family uprising, many people living in Kyoto participated in the uprising. The cause is with us! Lets bring the Emperor back! The number of Kyoto people who joined the Gong family uprising army with these slogans was about 20,000. Thanks to this, the number of uprising troops quickly increased to 80,000. At this level, its worth trying even without guns and artillery! As the number quickly increased to 20,000, the owners of the Oseop family began to be optimistic about the situation. In addition, there was an abundance of military funds and supplies obtained by pressuring merchants in Osaka. Thanks to this, the soldiers of the uprising army were able to replenish their energy and increase their confidence while eating their fill. In a situation where confidence was so high, the words spoken by the vassals of the shogunate were heard in the ears of the heads of the feudal lords. The heads of the Gong family snorted after hearing the rumor. joy! We know the terrain! That terrain is and where no trick other than direct confrontation works! If its a head-to-head fight, the odds of winning are absolutely with us! Thatnd is where the shogunate was defeated! The shogunate is defeated once again! Look at the example of Kyoto! The public sentiment of the people belongs to us! The heads of the Gong family, who had absolute confidence in victory, also began to picture the situation after victory. -After destroying the shogunate army, bring the emperor back to Kyoto! -From now on, the very existence of the shogunate will be eliminated and the old consultative system between the emperor and the feudal lords will return! With such rosy dreams about the future, the uprising army of the Gong family entered into a decisive battle with the shogunate army. * * * In the fall of the 3rd year of the imperial calendar, a battle took ce that wouldter be called the 2nd Mid-Autumn Festival Joint Battle or 2nd Ikuta Joint Battle. What a nice weather it is! Victory is with us! Looking at the clear autumn sky, themanders on both sides were confident of victory. Clear, cool fall weather and moderately well-packed ground. In this situation, the soldiers will not tire easily and the cavalry can easily charge! Victory is ours! Themanders of the uprising army made these calctions and were confident of victory. This was the same for themanders of the shogunate. The weather is clear and cool, so the gunpowder does not get wet, and the moderately well-packed ground is the best for digging trenches and moving artillery! Its the best weather! While themanders on both sides were confident of each others victory, the heads of the Mochiyo and Oseop families, who had gone to the royal pce, waved their batons. Hit! * * * With the drums sounding loudly, signaling the start of the battle, the vanguard of the uprising army began to advance. bang! Quack! bang! The shogunates artillery fired fire at the vanguard of the uprising army, and holes were created here and there in the vanguard camp of the uprising army. The momentum of the bombardment is weaker than expected! Move forward! Go forward! With less damage than expected, themanders of the vanguard encouraged their soldiers. With the encouragement of theirmanders, the soldiers at the forefront of the uprising army continued to advance. As the vanguard continued to push in, the musketeers of the shogunate army lined up in three rows began to pull their triggers all at once. Ta-ta-ta-tang! With a loud gunshot and Choyeons sight obscured, the front line of the vanguard army copsed. Advance! Advance! Their eyes are covered! Forward! Those guys long guns take time to reload! Encouraged by theirmanders, the soldiers of the vanguard army continued to advance. Eventually, when the smoke cleared, themanders of the shogunate army faced the approaching uprising army. However, themanders of the shogunate army were not embarrassed and gave orders. Shoot! Ta-ta-tang! With loud gunfire and smoke blocking their eyes and ears, the shogunatemanders gave orders. Retreat! Retreat! Retreat loudly! At themand of themanders, the soldiers took up their long guns and retreated, shouting all sorts of things. Run away! Stand back! As the premiere drew to a close, themanders of the uprising army, who saw the musketeers of the shogunate army retreating, shouted with excitement. Chase! charge! charge! Kill the fleeing enemies! Wow! The soldiers of the uprising army, who saw the shogunate troops running away, became excited and began to chase the shogunate troops. Meanwhile, the heads of the Wushe family, who were watching this scene from behind, immediately mounted their horses. The main base is also deployed! Immediately mobilize all our might and attack! hot! In this way, not only the heads of the five families but also the nobles of the Gong family all mounted horses and participated in the great chase along with the soldiers of the main camp. And here a problem arose. As the nobles rushed out of the main camp at the same time, the camp became mixed up. Even among the nobles of the Gong family, there were some who did not know the art of war. However, the defeat of the shogunate army from the beginning paralyzed their reason. They were nobles who were confident of victory even before the battle and dreamed of what would happen afterwards. In addition, military service was absolutely necessary to gain even the slightest advantage in future political struggles or tomand a high ransom. The nobles, paralyzed by greed, tangled with each other and set out to chase the shogunate army. Meanwhile, Mochiyo, who was observing this scene through a telescope from a hill, smiled in remorse. You got caught. * * * The retreat of the shogunate army had already been nned. By adjusting the speed of the retreat appropriately, the uprising army continued to chase, and the soldiers waiting in the middle intercepted it, preventing the uprising army from getting too close. The distance they retreated while gently shaking the bait and striking a check was about 3 ri (approximately 1.2 km). When the barriers and trenches erected by theirrades were seen in front of the retreating shogunate army, themanders of the shogunate army gave orders. Observe order and pass through the entrance! As soon as you pass through the entrance, take a position on the defense line! The shogunate soldiers who passed through the entrances of the wooden fence in an orderly manner headed to their assigned defense line under the guidance of theirmanders. The shogunate soldiers who arrived at the defense line took a breath and prepared for the uing battle. * * * When the rear of the retreating shogunate army passed the barrier, the head of the uprising army appeared. The morale of the rebel army that appeared was strong, but their faces were full of tired expressions. And this was the shogunate armys aim. Chapter 670 Episode 670: Stories from other countries (5) As guns and artillery were distributed inrge quantities, the clothing of the shogunate army became very light. The cone-shaped iron jingasa () was almost the only protective equipment. On the other hand, the uprising troops were wearing all traditional armor. Therefore, in a chase thatsted about 3 ri, the uprising troops had to endure a great deal of physical exhaustionpared to the shogunate army. Like the soldiers, themanders of the uprising army, who had been chasing the shogunate army while breathing heavily, paused for a moment when they saw the wooden fence in front of them, but soon raised their voices. charge! A flimsy fence is everything! Destroy it! Charge! You can receive a reward every time you cut off a shogunates head! Its the shogunate army that was just running away! Dont be afraid! Wow! At the encouragement of theirmanders, the soldiers of the uprising army charged toward the fence with shouts. At that time, the shogunatemanders shouted from beyond the fence. shooting! Ta-ta-tang! Ta-ta-tang! With loud gunshots, the uprising soldiers began to fall down. charge! It takes time to reload Ta-ta-tang! Contrary to the vanguards expectations, the shooting of the shogunate soldiers behind the fence was rapid. Why Themanders of the uprising army, confused by the suddenly powerful gunfire of the shogunate army, soon grasped the situation. It was a trap! ording to their judgment, the shogunate army had dug a trap here. The unit that first dealt with the vanguard of the uprising army was assigned the Suzhou-style rifles used to fight the Muromachi shogunate, Ming artillery captured from the Ming Dynasty, and old-fashioned ck powder. Naturally, due to the slow rate of fire, short range, poor firepower, and massive degration, the vanguard of the uprising suffered less losses than expected, and their morale was high. Afterwards, at the right moment, the shogunate army retreated, and the uprising army entered into a chase without any hesitation and pursued the shogunate army. And here, about 3 ri away, the main force of the shogunate army was crouching and waiting for the uprising army. Toys already loaded with bigyeokjincheonroe, as well as Japanese-style freight cars imported from the empire inrge quantities formed a fire along the fence and trench lines, and the elites of the shogunate armed with Japanese-style long rifles were waiting for the uprising army. * * * After the shogunate armys first salvo, the vanguardmanders of the uprising army all had the same thought. Its over! The vanguard of the uprising army, realizing that it was a trap, urgently stopped the charge and tried to retreat, but due to inertia, they continued to be pushed into the barrier. The vanguard of the uprising army that was so pushed in was caught in the fires of the Bigyeokjincheonroe and Eulsikhwacha and began to melt. Run away too! Run away! The remaining troops of the vanguard army who survived the crossfire of the Bigyeokjincheonroe and Eulsikhwacha quickly turned around. But at that very moment, the main camp of the tangled uprising army rushed in. The vanguard trying to retreat and the main base pushing in became entangled, creating a situation where they were stranded. Themanders of the shogunate army who saw this raised their swords high and shouted. Wipe it away! Dont spare your ammunition! Even if it was not an order from themander, the soldiers of the shogunate wereunching a merciless attack on the uprising army that was tangled in front of them. Do or die! I have to kill them before I die! Kill the traitors! Subdue the traitors! With cries of Put down the traitors! erupting from all directions, the soldiers turned on their eyes and attacked the uprising army. Because they also heard something. -Soon, an organization called the National Army will be created by integrating the soldiers of the shogunate and feudal lords and samurai. -If you umte military merit now, you can receive better treatment in the newly created national army. -You cant just live as a soldier forever! This is an opportunity to elevate your status! Seeking an opportunity to turn their lives around, the soldiers of the shogunate frantically pulled the trigger. The soldiers of the uprising army, bleeding and falling before their eyes, were not people but a token of promise for the future. * * * In the face of the crossfire of the shogunate army, the advantage of superiority in troops did not exist. Mochiyo, who was looking at the rebel army falling after being caught in the fire of the Japanese boxcar, looked back at Norihiro. The imperial instructors did that, right? In order to suppress a properly equipped fire, we would need at least five times more troops. hot! Thats right! That wasnt an exaggeration. Mochiyo shook her head and sighed. Whoa~. Theres still a long way to go. But in order to go down that path properly, we have to deal with those ghosts first. hot! What a wise decision! The main force of the uprising army was destroyed in a battle thatsted about two hours (about four hours). The surviving nobles and soldiers, including the heads of the Oseop family, hurriedly retraced the path they had taken and began to retreat, but that path was also a dead end. The movement route of the uprising army was along the sea to the south, and to the north,rge and small mountains were lined up to form a wall. Therefore, there was no other way for the uprising army. And as they were retreating back the way they came, the shogunate army that was ambushing them on the hilly area attacked them. In the end, the uprising army, which went out with great vigor holding high the g of Overthrow the Shogunate, was annihted. The nobles who survived this process, especially the heads of the Oseop family, ended their lives by seppuku to avoid humiliation. * * * The war ended with the seppuku of the heads of the family, but the true end had only just begun. Hunting of defeated soldiers for bounties began to take ce here and there, and the shogunate army invaded the territories of the families who participated in the uprising and began massacring nobles. They are a bunch of weightlifters! Kill them all! As bloody massacres continued everywhere, some people begged for mercy. However, the shogunates response was stern. The Empire destroys the Three Tribes, and China destroys the Nine Tribes! There is no mercy for traitors! In this way, the number of noble families who participated in the uprising dried up, and all their fiefdoms became the property of the shogunate. Once the situation was somewhat resolved, Mochiyo visited the Emperor. We were able to deal with all the treasonous traitors safely. Thank you for your hard work. The emperor with a white face praised Mochiyo in a trembling voice. In order to quickly calm the chaos and run state affairs stably, we must fill the vacant position in the government. Do as the general wishes. In that case, please give Soshin the position of governor that he asked for in the past. That Mochiyo raised her voice as the Emperor seemed to hesitate. It is absolutely necessary to sort out this chaotic world and ensure the well-being of all ages! Please make a decision! The emperor immediately gave in to Mochiyos pressure. Thats right! If its for the well-being of the world, lets do it! In this way, Mochiyo became the top person in charge of both civil and military affairs. He became the actual owner of the Japanese nation, both in name and reality. As an aside, in the distant future, a famous Japanese science fiction writer wrote a novel based on the revivalist uprising of Gong family nobles, including the Oh Seop family. The depiction of the Oseop family and nobles in the novel was never positive. * * * The situation in the Japanese country was conveyed to the empire almost in real time. The reason this was possible was because the overseas schrs working at the core of the shogunate used ships to send news almost every day. This is definitely possible only with the permission of the shogunate general, right? Heo Hu immediately answered Hyangs question. Thats right. It is unprecedented to have such a detailed ount of what is going on in the Japanese Empire. Following Heo Hus answer, Hwang Hee spoke. It is clear what the shogunate general means when he does that. Its about keeping an eye on our empire. Are you looking into our empire? In response to Hyangs question, Hwang Hee exined the reason why the shogunate kept an eye on the empire. From a narrow perspective, we must express our regrets to our empire in order to replenish the bullets and artillery shells used up in this war. From a broad perspective, the safety of the shogunate regime can only be secured if the legitimacy of the shogunate is recognized by our empire. Hmm Hyang hummed at Hwang Hees words and analyzed the situation for a moment before asking Hwang Hee. Prime Minister. Then, will our empire be the superior state of the country of Wa? Hwang Hee answered Hyangs question right away. Thats right. Hmm In response to Hwang Hee, Hyang considered the situation again. Is it because of the stability of the regime? It was the same reason why we brought the Ming to Shangguo. After thinking that far, Hyang asked Hwang Hee again. What do you think is the reason why the Waeguk wants to wee us as the Shangguo instead of choosing Ming? The Ming is a traditional powerhouse, but its ruling power is now greatly weakened. However, since our empire is now in unity, anyone who can read the current trend will treat our empire, not Ming, as the superior state. Is this a good thing? It can be both a good thing and a bad thing. It is a good thing that not only the Japanese country but also small countries such as Yugu are volunteering to wee our empire as a superior country, as it means that our empire has be stronger. However, it is not a good thing for a superior state to not be generous in giving to a small state that has dered itself to be prompt. The ministers all nodded at Hwang Hees words. This was because Joseon also had a history of engaging in tribute diplomacy with the Ming Dynasty. Many people shed tears to meet the amount of tribute demanded by the Ming and the bribes demanded by envoys from the Ming, but the amount taken from the Ming was also enormous. And among the ministers filling Daejeon, most of the senior ministers had the experience of steadily extorting money by going back and forth between orders as envoys. Kim Jeom, who was next to Hwang Hee, continued speaking. The good news is that our empire dered in advance that it would not engage in tribute diplomacy. Thanks to you, that burden has been greatly reduced. At Kim Jeoms words, all the ministers and ministers nodded. After summarizing the situation up to this point, Hyang asked what the number of options the shogunate would choose in the future. A general of the shogunate has achieved the rank of government official. Will he be satisfied with this? Hwang Hee answered Hyangs question again. Thises down to half and half, as weve discussed before. The Emperor of Japan is a famous and insignificant person, so there is a high possibility that the shogunate generals, who hold all civil and military authority, will push him out. But in Gods opinion, I dont think its right now. Because, even if he is an obscure being, he is an emperor who has been in power for over a thousand years. Public sentiment may be shaken. Shouldnt it be at least 230 years? Following Hwang Hee, Heo Hu received the message. Just as Cao Cao did above, the general of the current shogunate will stop at the government post. However, there is a high possibility that the person who seeds him will make the same choice as Cao Pi. Same choice as Joby? Zen ising. Cao Caos son, Cao Pi, seeded Cao Cao as minister of the Later Han Dynasty and took over the throne from Emperor Xian to be emperor. Hearing Heo Hus words, Hyang asked a question with a slightly mischievous smile. What should I do? Shall we make a little fuss? In response to Hyangs question, Heo Hu immediately expressed his opposition. For the first time in a long time, we have a government that will listen to our empire. Is there even a need for that? And the Japanese people are a people who are by nature two-faced and forget favors easily and remember grudges from generation to generation. The day wille when they will set their teeth on us, but we must not be the first to provide the factor. What the Minister of Foreign Affairs said is reasonable. So it is. At Heo Hus words, Hyang took a step back. Then lets move on to a better direction for each other first. Chapter 671 Episode 671 Yu Yu Sang-jong (1) With the discussion on establishing rtions with the Japanese country over, Hyang moved on to the next point. You say there are international studentsing from Europe? yes. The first 50 people are scheduled toe next spring. The current prediction is that that number of people will continue toe every year. Hyang stroked her chin and spoke after hearing the report from Kim Ha, the new Minister of Education who seeded Lee Sa-cheol. I hope a lot of good peoplee. There are a lot of people missing in theb. These were words that showed the future of international students. * * * That night, Hyang sat alone in Gangnyeongjeon and muttered as he looked through the list of reports and challenge logs from the research institute. Hmm Professors have now reached a level where they can use it, so it would be a shame if they didnt use it. What would be better? While I was going through various lists, an eunuch came in and whispered something to the merchant. I understand. Sang-seon, who listened to the eunuchs words while nodding his head, dismissed the eunuch, approached Hyang, and bowed his head. your majesty. I heard from Junggungjeon that they are wondering if you will be immersed alone in Gangnyeongjeon today. At Sang-seons words, Hyang turned his head, looked at the calendar, and spoke to Sang-seon. I will sleep in the middle pce today, so tell everyone to stay together. Yes, Your Majesty. When the merchant left the room after hearing Hyangs answer, Hyang sighed and grumbled. Ha~. I dont think families do this My back is already hurting By the way, where is the medicine It was the scent of finding a medicine as I opened the drawer of the cupboard on one side. * * * A few dayster, Hyang visited the research institute. When all the researchers at theb gathered in the auditorium, starting with Wan, who rushed to theb from Area 51 after hearing the news, Hyang went up to the podium. How have you been? I have been in good health thanks to your Majestys blessings! Hyang smiled slightly at the researchers answers and continued. I heard that with outstanding schrs from Europe participating in research this time, we have some free time. At Hyangs words, the faces of everyone gathered in the auditorium turned white. Holy shit! Its been a while since I took a breather! Then yes! Your Majesty is not someone you can just ignore! What are you trying to do to cause trouble to people this time? Looking at the researchers screaming silently, Hyang held up two pieces of yellow paper. As you can see, these two pieces of yellow paper are the same size and have the same weight. If I drop this, it will fall the same way, right? Wan responded to Hyangs words as a representative. Of course not? At Wans answer, Hyang dropped the paper he was holding in both hands and looked at Wan. Right. Then Hyang crumpled one of the two sheets into a ball and looked at Wan. What if it were like this? Of course At that moment, Wan urgently stopped speaking. stop! There is no way Abama would ask for something obvious! This is a trap! Wan quickly changed his words. Are you saying there will be different results? In response to Wans question, Hyang silently rxed both hands. After seeing the result, Wan looked at Hyang. The crumpled paper fell first. Why? And Hyang paused for a moment and gestured to the eunuch. At the gesture of incense, the eunuchs brought water tanks with flowing water, two-arm scales, small iron beads, and thin iron tes. As you can see from the scales on both arms, this iron ball and the iron te have the same weight. But Incense dropped the iron ball and the iron te into the water tank at the same time. Compared to paper, the difference was greatly reduced, but the steel ball was a little faster, right? Thats right. In response to Wans response, Hyang gave a briefmand. Lets find the principle why. yes. In addition, we said that the heavier things usually fall first, but looking at the current results, that doesnt seem to be the case. Please check that again. yes. Looking at Wans tearful face, Hyang gave his finalmand. Confirm the challenge record grade as soon as possible and report it. I follow your orders. Hyang, who had given Wan and the researchers a huge headache, left theb with a brisk step. Im sorry, Mr. Galileo! Since I was already speeding, I picked up the pace a bit more! Come study abroad in the Empireter! * * * Wan, who had given Hyang the headache, turned his head and looked at the researchers. Whoa~. Wan, who was sighing as he watched the researchers desperately avoiding his gaze, noticed people on one side with their eyes shining with excited faces. They were European professors who had just passed the advanced course and had just joined the research institute. Wan, who saw them, asked them. Would you like to study it? Ill do my best if you just leave it to me! Please leave it to me! The professors responded enthusiastically. This was partly due to a desire for knowledge, but it was also a matter of pride. Even after all this, he was a professor who was well-known in Europe! But do research under someone else? You cant do that! Regardless of what he was thinking, Wan immediately came to a conclusion after hearing the professors enthusiastic answers. We will assign you as soon as the challenge log grade review is over. i look forward to. I will do my best! A few dayster, the professors who checked the grade of the challenge record tilted their heads. Imaginary Ugong Yi Mountain? Isnt this too difficult? But within three days, the professors were screaming and grabbing their hair. It was a trap! What a difficult problem! The other researchers and Wan clicked their tongues and shook their heads as the professors screamed from afar. Tsk, tsk, tsk Thats because I didnt know His Majesty He dug his own grave * * * Early winter of the 3rd year of the imperial calendar. When the water in the Hansu River began to freeze little by little, people gathered again along the Hansu River. This was because there was an experimental flight of a self-powered flying ball made by Wan and young craftsmen together. Hyang arrived after receiving the news and carefully inspected the interior of the self-propelled flight vehicle, especially the enginepartment. The size has be much smaller? Wan nodded and responded to Hyangs point. Thats right. We were able to reduce the size by incorporating the multi-wing propulsion framework designed by General Manager Jang Yeong-sil, who was promoted to the position of overseeing the production departments of Areas 51 and 52. You must have had a lot of trouble? Manager Jangs help has been great. At Wans words, Hyang looked full of regret and muttered to herself. If it werent for the prompting of the situation, I could have kept her longer Within a month after Jang Yeong-sils arrival, King Sejong continued to send reminders to return Jang Yeong-sil to Shinji. -Im dying because there are no people already, so why dont you send me! yes! Should I go! At King Sejongs urging, Hyang had no choice but to send Jang Yeong-sil away. He quenched his appetite with regret, but his eyes lit up and he began to look around the monk. Hoo? Did you remove the chimney separately? yes. When smoke enters the air sac, if sparks identally enter the air sac, there is a risk of the air sac being burned, so take it out. Instead, a pipe to heat the air was installed in the furnace like a water pipe. Thats interesting. I worked hard. It was Hyang who studied the monk intently and asked questions, and Wan answered without hesitation. As you know, Hyang has been a fan of steampunk, which has been recognized since the 21st century, and the Bhikkhu that Wan created now is an item that perfectly targets Hyangs taste. * * * In the test flight that followed, Wans self-powered flying ball boasted its performance. The pinwheels on the left and right sides of the bhikkhus cabin, floating in the sky, began to spin rapidly, and the bhikkhu began to move at little by little speed. Hmm It sure seems to be faster than the flying machine I madest time? Wan answered Hyangs question with a confident expression. Even though it is small, wouldnt a steam engine certainly be more powerful than a man-powered engine? Not really. So how far can you go? We will have to do more experiments to find out about that. However, if the cabin is properly loaded and not overloaded, we expect that the round trip will be at least 400 ri (approximately 160 km). Is that so? Well done. Then figure out how to use it as a means of transportation! yes! Wan responded to Hyangs words with a bright face. What Hyang said just now was that the self-powered flying monk passed the test. * * * When the self-powered flying machine was bing the center of attention not only in Seoul but also throughout the empire, the military was also showing interest. Lee Jing-ok, who ascended to the top of the military in ce of Choi Yun-deok and Lee Cheon, who retired due to exhaustion, talked with other generals with a report recording everything about the self-powered flight monk in the center. If you load this bhikkhu with the Bigyeokjincheonroe and drop it from above the enemies heads, you can show great power! Not only that. Since this bhikkhu can travel far on his own, he is more advantageous for reconnaissance than the existing bhikkhu! If you can go ahead and go farther than your allies ande back and tell them, your allies will have a huge advantage! Military generals who saw the flight of the self-powered flying aircraft were raising their voices calling for the introduction of the aircraft. Lee Jing-ok, who nodded to the generals words, came to a conclusion. The generals opinions are all reasonable. I will discuss this with my Minister of National Defense and submit a request to your Majesty. After hearing the militarys opinion, Minshin immediately nodded. I was already thinking about using it in the military. The Chief of Staff also thought the same thing, so lets write a n soon and submit it to His Majesty. Yes, old man. But will the Ministry of Finance and Economy stay silent? They also know how to spend money, so you should trust them. However, there was no confidence in Minshins voice when she answered like that. The n submitted with so much concern was surprisingly easily passed. In order to properly examine the expanding territory of the empire, existing methods are too inefficient. Self-powered flight equipment is a must. This is because a self-powered flying aircraft can fly and inspect a wide distance. This was because the scent was decided to be introduced. The day the scent decision was made. In a gibang in Seoul, high-ranking military officials and generals gathered and drank alcohol. Long live your Majesty the Emperor! * * * Not long after the decision to hire self-flying monks was made, it was the end of the third year of the imperial calendar. Lee Jing-ok looked embarrassed when he saw the n submitted by the Navy. Do you think this might be a bit too much? It is essential to seize control of the sea! Naval generals desperately emphasized the need. In the end, Lee Jing-ok and Min Shin submitted a naval n to Hyang. The drawing submitted by the Navy along with the n showed a new naval battle line. -Moves only with steam engines. -t deck integrated from bow to stern. -The self-powered flight aircraft is stored in a hangar built inside the hull, and if necessary, the aircraft isunched from the deck for reconnaissance. When Hyang saw the Navys n, he muttered to himself with a look of bewilderment on his face. Why is the aircraft carrier here? The content and drawings written in the n were precisely the operational purpose and shape of the early aircraft carrier. The difference was that instead of using an airne, a monk was used. Chapter 672 Episode 672 Yu Yu Sang-jong (2) Hyangs expression changed from astonishment to curiosity as he read the n. Hmm How did youe up with this idea? Who first came up with this idea? Please call me. Yes, Your Majesty. After about half an hour (approximately an hour), a young naval officer entered Geunjeongjeon at themand of the head. As soon as the naval officer who gave the military service sat down, Hyang started asking questions. You were the first to think of this n? Its not all thats covered. The Duke of Gwangju brought up the agenda for the first time. Hyangs eyes lit up at the naval officers answer. Duke of Gwangju? Dugga? Thats right. Hmm Hyang, who was gathering his thoughts while lightly stroking his chin, gave an order to Minshin. Ask the Duke of Gwangju toe. Yes, Your Majesty. After a while, two people with nk faces entered Geunjeongjeon and paid their respects. Yourplexion is not very good. Whats going on? Du answered Hyangs question with a slightly embarrassed expression. As I was directing the Navys year-end tax settlement preparations Ah At Dus answer, all the ministers in Daejeon nodded at the same time and muttered to themselves. Year-end tax settlement doesnt catch people They say even the Ministry of Finance and Economy of the world is helpless when it Thanks to this, this rumor circted among officials. If a war breaks out during the year-end tax preparation period and the year-end tax settlement period, officials will grab their guns and rush to the front line before the soldiers. Hyang also avoided furtherment because he was aware of the situation. You too are following in the footsteps of the ins. * * * After Gyeongjang sessfullynded in orbit, King Sejong brought the royal family into the court and made them work. Although they had to endure various political problems, they were still of the same blood and were highly educated people. ording to King Sejongs decision, the royal family members who entered the government were dispersed into various organizations ording to their aptitudes. Jinpyeong, which went into Area 51 and railroad construction, and Anpyeong, which went into the Cultural Affairs Agency, an organization under the Ministry of Education, were the best examples. When the royal family came in through a sort of parachute, working-level officials reacted either indifferently or negatively. But it wasnt long before working officials weed the royals. Perhaps it was because he came in based on his aptitude, but his work ability was excellent and he did not carelessly show off his royal status. And the best part was when there was a budget battle. When discussing with the officials of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, if the royal family C and King Sejongs children C were brought before them, most things were passed. In the end, when the royal family came forward in this way, the Minister of Finance and Economy or Kim Jeom came forward to deal with them directly. Thanks to this, there was not much fun from then on, but various departments, especially the military, still attracted royals to the budget department. Its definitely better than nothing! * * * Hyang, who was looking at Doo with a slightly pitiful expression, soon adjusted her expression and opened her mouth. Why did you think of putting a monk on a boat? I answered the question right away. This is because the sea is veryrgepared to thend. Just as there is a road onnd, there is also a road on the sea. However, if youpare it to a road onnd, it is so wide that it is difficult to evenpare. It is not easy to navigate these sea routes by boat. However, flying aircraft, especially self-flying aircraft, are the optimal equipment because they can survey a wide sea area from the sky. At Dus answer, the Hyang and the ministers all nodded. Hyang continued to ask questions. Why did they remove all the sails and masts and install only the steam engine? We are here to safely lift the monk into the sky and bring him down again. A steam engine alone wouldnt produce enough speed, would it? No. Youll gain speed, but you wont be able to go far, right? Isnt one of the biggest drawbacks of the charge return ship the range problem? Hyangs point was true. The Imperial Navys strongest front, the Assault Return Ship, had a shorter rangepared to the Challenger-ss front. If you were simply cruising, you could get to the Southwestern Province C Taiwan C with about 10% overload of coal. However, as mentioned above, it was a case of cruising. If a battle was expected to take ce in the middle of the battle, supply ships to supply coal had to move together. Du responded immediately to Hyangs point. In the case of the ship nned by the minor officer, the purpose is not to fight, but to operate the ship at the rear of the fleet. Because of this, there is almost no need to move atbat speed. ording to our calctions, with a hull the size of arge merchant ship operated by a private merchant, and with the speed of a panok ship, it is possible to sail independently from Tsushima Ind to Southwestern Ind or from Southwestern Ind to Temasek without a coal supply ship. Is that why the armament and hull defense are poorpared to the Challenger ss? Thats right. As I mentioned again, the purpose of operating this ship is to operate a brigade in the rear of the fleet. I think we just need to secure the minimum self-defense capabilities. Dus answer was clear and had a reasonable purpose. Thanks to this, Kim Jeom and Minister of Finance and Economy Park Jong-woo were preparing to secretly open their wallets. Hmm. How much additional allocation should I make? However, Hyang frowned slightly and did not stop asking questions. As you know, bhikkhus have almost no protection. But a bhikkhu can climb up to a high ce where bullets cannot reach. There is no problem with protection. Do you think that operating a bhikkhu on the sea is as useful as expected? For an ordinary monk, there is no need to make a separate boat. This is because they cannot move by their own power and move aimlessly with the wind. However, if we look at the case of the self-powered flying airne introduced this time, we can see that it can head to the desired location on its own. And since it has a considerable range, it is perfect for surveying the wide ocean. But even if you went that far and found the enemy first, wouldnt you have a way to quickly inform them? Of course, there are light-emittingmunicators, but dont light-emittingmunicators also have limitations? Just like I wrote that part down in the n Hyang cut Doo off. I read the n. ording to the n, six brigs and at least three marine emergency ships are needed at a time. * * * The method of operation of the bhikkhu that Duwa naval officers thought was as follows. -First, the bhikkhu mobilizes 6 units at a time. And the bhikkhu moves in groups of 2 and 1. -If you look at the flight trajectory of the bhikkhu, three concentric circles are drawn around the fleet, divided into three zones, and one group of bhikkhus and one sea emergency front ship are assigned to each. -When the bhikkhu in the outermost circle spots an enemy, he immediately turns around and approaches the other bhikkhu flying in the inner circle to ry information. -The inner monk who received the information rys the information to the sea emergency front moving further inward or delivers the information to the fleets main base. * * * Hyang pointed out the problem with this method of operation. If this n goes as nned, more funds will have to be invested than expected. This means that there is a lot of money going into the construction of sea emergency fronts and special ships, but the money going into the process of training them will be even more. Think about it. No matter how well you set the orbit in the vast ocean, it will move differently due to various circumstances. Do you think it will be easy to urately link it? Of course, we need to filter out a number of people who are several times more than the appropriate number, and we need to maintain their skills through consistent training. This means it will cost more than you thought. Therefore Hyang paused for a moment and concluded with a truly regretful expression. We are truly sorry, but this n cannot be implemented now. This n is only possible after a method for rapid and uratemunication over long distances has been developed. If youe Its on hold for now. The deadline is indefinite. If you want to push the deadline, ask the research institute to conduct research on means ofmunication. Du bowed his head and answered in response to the decision. I follow your orders. And Kim Jeom and Park Jong-woo sighed in relief without realizing it, and then looked at their surroundings in horror. Whoa~. Huh! * * * That night, Hyang, sitting alone in Gangnyeongjeon, put her hand on her forehead and grumbled. Oh~. Electricity is painful and rubber is painful. Hyang savored his appetite and continued. We are currently researching the electricity part, so even so, the rubber is the problem When Hyang had previously assigned homework on mechanics, he had also assigned the study of electricity, which he named brain power, as an assignment. Thanks to this, research on this is currently in full swing at the research institute. Of course, it was the highest level in the challenge log, but it still seemed like an optimistic prediction. But the rubber was a problem. * * * As trade with Southeast Asia began in earnest, Hyang insisted to King Sejong that an investigation into rubber was necessary. We should examine the sap of the trees growing in those countries? why? If we look at the current situation in Joseon, the sap of various trees, including resin, is being used well in many ces. The trees growing in those southern countries are very different from those in Korea, so if you look closely at their sap, you may be able to find something that will be helpful to us. Hmm Sejong, who had been pondering over Hyangs words, made a decision after some time. I gave the order to the navy. thank you! In this way, sap was collected from Southeast Asia and India and began analysis. However, there was nothing rted to the rubber whose scent was desperately sought, other than the one collected in India. However, the rubber obtained from India ended up being unprofitable and even then, Hyang put his hand on his forehead and grumbled. Do we really need to send people all the way to Central or South America? No, even if we do, what excuse do we have? I saw it in my dream. Or I have divine energy or I saw it in a book written by the schrs? joy! I dont even trust me! Hyang shook her head and could not hide her regret. The conclusion is that we should keep our mouths shut and wait until the American continent is discovered Aftering to that conclusion, Hyangs thoughts wandered off again. But it seems like if the people who sent it saw the South American empires bloody human sacrifice, they would rise up and say that they should be exterminated immediately. * * * Hyang, who had been reminiscing about the past due to the rubber problem, sighed again. Whoa~. I went to Shinji, but we are still not able to properly digest North America The real poption is gangsters Sejong, who is staying in Shinji, was actively digesting North America, but he was not able to speed up properly. It was. The biggest reason was that the headquarters did not have enough manpower to send to the new location. The biggest problem was that there was ack of manpower to educate the natives of the new territories who had been subordinated to the empire and were being used for expansion work. Thanks to this, people in charge of education were selected from among the indigenous people and trained, but it still took a lot of time for them to be put into the field. Chapter 673 Episode 673: Yu Yusangjong (3) Meanwhile, there was amotion in Shinji as well. The main character of themotion was the self-powered flying monk. * * * Jang Yeong-sil, who returned from a business trip at our headquarters, reported her return to King Sejong. Im back. Your Majesty. Good job. It was hard to travel a long way. No. I didnt know how difficult it was because it was something I loved to do. is it? Sejong, who smiled and nodded at Jang Yeong-sils answer, soon asked a question with a face full of curiosity. So what did we make here? yes. I made something called a flying machine. Fly? Jang Yeong-sil exined to King Sejong in detail about the de. I kept nodding my head and saying, Hmm? Sejong, who was making his own analysis by chiming in with an exmation like Hoo!, immediately asked a question as soon as the exnation was over. okay. Does that flying machine seem very useful? Jang Yeong-sil shook her head in response to King Sejongs question. Its still just a luxury. It can beunched by manpower, but even if it goes far, the limit is about 300 pieces (about 900m), and even if it goes high, the limit is about 20 pieces (about 60m). We need a lightweight and small engine that is several times more powerful than manpower. Then it wouldnt be possible with a steam engine. From Jang Yeong-sils words, King Sejong immediately identified the problem. Jang Yeong-sil nodded at Sejongs words. Thats right. After hearing Jang Yeong-sils answer, King Sejong stroked his beard and muttered. That bastard isnt the type to stop there Was there a recement n or something? The development of small, high-output engines and research on fuels to rece coal have been registered in the Docheon Register. And the crown prince developed a self-powered flight device, and I was able to participate in its improvement. King Sejong approached Jang Yeong-sil with shining eyes. Self-powered flying buddha? Please exin in more detail! I have prepared a document and brought it to you. Give it to me right now! Following King Sejongs order, Jang Yeong-sil rummaged through her bag, took out a report, and submitted it to King Sejong. Jang Yeong-sil felt a strange sense of dj vu as she saw King Sejong taking the report and reading its contents as if stealing it. Its a somewhat familiar scene Ah! In Area 51, Hyang robbed Jang Yeong-sil like that. Jang Yeong-sil, who found out the cause of the dj vu, grumbled inwardly. How can rich people be the same! * * * King Sejong meticulously checked the details regarding self-powered flight equipment. Hmm Sejong nodded after going back and forth several times to check the contents of the document. Definitely it is definitely superior to an ordinary bhikkhu who cannot control the direction of movement. The speed is expected to be about that of the Panokseon, and the estimated travel distance is definitely superior, even though it can only cover 300 to 400 ri round trip. Jang Yeong-sil nodded and agreed with Sejongs conclusion. Thats right. Sejong fell into silence after that. And the longer King Sejong remained silent, the more cold sweat began to run down Jang Yeong-sils back. The air is cold. Something makes me anxious. The moment King Sejong finally opened his mouth, Jang Yeong-sils anxiety became reality. Start production at Area 52. It wont take long, right? I will do my best. * * * Early spring of the fourth year of the imperial calendar. Shinjis Area 52. The self-powered flying amulet that had toiled craftsmen all winterst year was finallypleted. Oh oh! Float, float! Sejong, who was looking at the self-powered flying ball floating in the sky and moving by turning a pinwheel with a happy face, looked back at themander in charge of Shinji who was present. Wouldnt it be very useful for military purposes? In response to Sejongs question, themander immediately nodded. That is certainly true. This newnd is sorge that even the forest area in the northeastern part of it looks ridiculous. The cavalrys reconnaissance route clearly has limitations, so deploying these units inrge quantities would certainly be of help. It would be more useful if it carried a light-emittingmunicator, right? Thats right. In response to themander, King Sejong looked at Jang Yeong-sil and the craftsmen. Thank you for your hard work and great work. I believe that sess was possible because of your outstanding talent. Thats too much praise. Its not an exaggeration. I will soon give you a reward and vacation. I am devastated! At King Sejongs words, Jang Yeong-sil and the craftsmen bowed down on the spot and expressed their gratitude. The reward was good, but more than anything, they were very happy with the word vacation. I may not be able to go all the way back to my hometown, but where is the vacation? However, they froze at Sejongs next words. After the vacation is over, I need to make a lot of those self-powered flying amulets. First, lets build only about five ships. I follow your orders. It was Jang Yeong-sil and the craftsmen who answered in tears. As they moved the monk who wasnding after the flight back to the interior of Area 52, they found at least some positive aspects. But what does it mean to have a vacation?! Meanwhile, not long after, the n sent by Hyang was handed over to Sejong. Through this process, the self-powered flying airne was created. This self-powered flying acetabulum is very useful for surveyingrge areas from the sky. Therefore, I think it would be good for Shinji to make and use this as well. Im sending you the blueprint here. After reading the n sent by Hyang, King Sejong raised his gold pen and wrote a short reply. -It has already been made and is being mass-produced. * * * As Area 52 was just entering summer, four additional self-powered aircraft werepleted. It waspleted at a rapid pace as the division ofbor system between craftsmen who had already gained experience bypleting one machine and other craftsmen was put into operation. The five self-powered flying aircraft thuspleted were distributed evenly across the already secured areas and began reconnaissance activities. And when the natives saw the flight of this self-powered flying monk, there was an uproar. Among the indigenous people living around Area 52, there were many who were curious about Area 52. But no matter how curious I was, it ended there. I make a lot of amazing things but wouldnt being a warrior be better? If you want to be treated properly, you have to be a warrior! Or even management is fine! In this situation, the appearance of a bhikkhu flying in the sky, not just a floating bhikkhu that I had seen a few times before, but a bhikkhu that could fly on his own was enough to change the perception of the natives. The craftsmen who create such items must be blessed by God! I want to be like those artisans! When indigenous people with their own grand dreams volunteered to be artisans in Area 52, King Sejong issued an order through an official. First, learn the proper consonants and learn the imperialnguage! The person who speaks Jeongeum and Imperialnguage properly will be epted first! When King Sejongs order was delivered, even the natives who had shown a lukewarm response until then flocked to schools that taught Jeongeum and the imperialnguage. Thanks to this, the imperialization of indigenous people began to elerate. On the other hand, indigenous tribes who had refused to integrate with the empire until then were rushing to join the empire. * * * An area like a thin line crossing the east and west of Shinji and parts of the Great Lakes and eastern coast were made into the empires territory, but expansion of the territory was slower than expected. The all-purpose tool of the monopoly and the already subjugated natives were mobilized to cate the tribes that had not yet been subjugated, but the results were not very satisfactory. The reasons why the tribes refused conciliation were as follows. -Warfulness about the empire itself. -Since they are already providing enough food, clothing, and shelter on their own, they do not feel the need for a retail store. -First, the tribe that was appeased by the empire was their hostile tribe. For these reasons, there were tribes scattered here and there who refused to belong to the empire. Wouldnt it be resolved immediately if we set an example by using force like we did with the Jurchen people? Opinions were also raised to mobilize hard-line measures, but King Sejong rejected them. In the case of the Jurchen people, this was possible because of deep support from ancient times. However, Shinjis tribes do not have such resources. Mobilizing military force in this situation would only increase the number of enemies. And there was already an armed conflict in the process of clearing the corridor, and there were more than a few tribes who saw the horrors of the empire in the process. Nevertheless, it is being rejected like that. This must be kept in mind. Therefore, the only correct answer is to take the time to write appeasement. Since King Sejongs decision was reasonable, the empire insisted on appeasement. Of course, the tribes that showed their teeth first were chased to the end and annihted, showing why the empire was an empire. Due to this background, the self-powered flying monk appeared in a situation where expansion of territory in Shinji was slow. The area where self-flying monks mainly scouted was the border area where the territory of tribes that had not yet been appeased and the territory of the empire met. The indigenous warriors who guarded the border to guard the empire were astonished when they saw the self-powered flying monk flying in the sky. What is that? This is the first bird Ive ever seen! Its not a bird! The chiefs and warriors of the frightened tribes mobilized their personal connections to seek information. what? It was made in the Empire? Are you saying it was made by people? Is that possible? The chiefs, warriors, and fortune-tellers who confirmed the information gathered together and exchanged opinions. A flying ship! This means they are Gods agents! Could it be that I borrowed the power of the devil? Do you think the devil is closer to you when you see them fighting? But when you see how he heals the injured or sick, its right to see him as Gods agent! The chiefs, warriors, and shamans exchanged opinions on future measures, with heated words and even scuffles breaking out. After such a difficult and bloody exchange of opinions, many tribes flocked to the empire and dered that they would be one with the empire. King Sejong, who received a report on this, burst outughing and muttered as if he was dumbfounded. Heh! It reminds me of the old days. When you saw the railroad tracks, you called it Dragons Path, right? While Shinjis imperial territory was increasing at a faster rate than before thanks to the unexpected butterfly effect created by the self-flying monk, King Sejong was confirming a different agenda. So what are the qualities of the natives who entered Area 52? Is it worth it? Jang Yeong-sil answered King Sejongs question by bowing his head. The qualifications are not bad and the eagerness to learn is very strong. In particr, the strong enthusiasm for the self-powered flying statue is reminiscent of the Duke of Jinpyeong from the past. Jinpyeong? In response to Jang Yeong-sils evaluation, King Sejong muttered without even realizing it. As expected, is it a eugenic species? It would be fun if Jinpyeong came to Shinji. * * * At the same time as the self-propelled flight was causing a stir in Shinji, a smallmotion was also taking ce in our headquarters. The main characters were international students from Europe. International students who saw theb and Area 51 were literally amazed. They enthusiastically participated in in-depth learning and absorbed new knowledge like crazy. And whenever I had time, I visited Area 51. Even though they were only looking at ces that were allowed to open to the public, they kept making exmations every time and were afraid of missing even a single thing, so they kept an eye on it and sketched it. After hearing that report, Hyang muttered softly. Did Jinpyeonge in droves? Chapter 674 Episode 674: Yoo Yu-sang-jong (4) Students from Europe flocked to the school in groups, and it wasnt long before a flood of appeals came to Hyang. The reason was their behavior and clothing. * * * Although everyone came from different countries, this was not a big problem for international students. This was because the universities they attended, regardless of country, spoke in Latin and read and wrote in Latin. And a problem arose when several international students C at least four to five or as many as 120 C whomunicated well and had the same spirit, gathered together. Most of the students studying abroad were the second or third sons of noble families or the sons of wealthy merchants or rich farmers. To put it simply, they were from families that had a lot of weight on their shoulders in one area, so their actions were unhesitating. The notoriety of these college students was so high that, before the intervention of Hyang, British aristocrats in the 18th century encouraged their children to travel around Europe rather than go to college. In fact, during this time, an English noblewoman sent a letter like this to her niece. C To my beloved nephew. Its almost time to graduate from Eton School. From what I heard, you said you were nning to graduate from Eton School and go to Oxford. If you go to a university that is a den of scoundrels, I will not support you even a penny. However, if you choose to travel to Europe instead of going to college, I will cover your travel expenses and share a portion of your inheritance with you. To this extent, the reputation of college students was not very good. * * * It was true that the college students who were passionate about Area 51 and the high level of academics they saw upon arriving in the Empire attended sses with enthusiasm. They attended ss with all their heart and enthusiasm, and if they didnt understand something, they chased after the professors and asked questions. They were so passionate that professors at engineering schools, industrial academies, and medical schools said this to graduate students from the empire. Look at the international students from Europe! How hard are you working on math! Despite their enthusiasm, they were also energetic people in their 20s. And the monarchs and nobles of their countries of origin provided them with solid tuition. Dont worry about money! There is only one thing for you to do! Do your best to learn the empires knowledge and then return! Thanks to this, international students with deep pockets and liveliness flocked to Gibang Street in Seoul every day when there were no sses and caused idents. The incident started when he was rejected by the gisaeng. I cant ept it because its dirty and smelly! After hearing the words of the interpreter who apanied them, the international students got angry and pushed into the gibang, but what came back was Geomgye, who guarded the gibang, and the male servants hitting him with sticks. Eventually, this matter reached Hyangs ears and he warned the international students. I think you guys are dirty and smell bad. Take a proper bath first. If you fail toply, we will immediately expel you via the next trade ship. Due to the warning of incense, international students had to bathe diligently and put on clean clothes. -I havent even started yet, but if I get kicked out, Ill have to spit out everything! -No, I dont know what punishment I will receive, let alone vomiting! However, their overflowing blood continued to cause idents. After getting drunk, he tried to mess with the courtesans and was beaten with a stick. He said that this was unfair, so he gathered his gang and attacked them and started a fight. Then, he was dragged by the police and thrown into prison. These things are really They say that if the favor continues, it will be considered patronizing Hyang, who was reading the report with a frown on his face, immediately gave an order. Choose the five most misbehaving international students who caused trouble and have them expelled immediately! No matter how excellent their grades are, if they behave badly, expel them without mercy! If there are no trade ships leaving right now, please select a special ship and send it, and charge the parties for the freight! I follow your orders! ah! Give orders to the judges in Europe! If those who were expelled this time take the test again, they will be denied admission regardless of their grades! You are right! The ministers responded to Hyangsmand by bowing their heads in unison. Although their light has faded, they were also Neo-Confucian schrs. One of the most important things that Neo-Confucian schrs considered was the mean. -There is moderation and a line to keep when ites to drinking, singing, and dancing. To those with this way of thinking, the behavior of international students was something that could be met with all kinds of double insults. -How can those who study mathematics fail to maintain moderation? As a result, the five most troublesome international students had to pack their bags. The good news was that there was a trading ship that departed at the right time. * * * After all themotion, the international students were able to live peacefully. He still went to the gisaeng on days when there were no sses, but he still ended up drinking quietly and flirting with the gisaeng. However, there were still many appealsing to Hyang. And the main topic of those appeals was the clothes worn by international students. * * * Looking at the clothing of European men during this period, they wore a shirt and bra as their underwear. Also, something simr to todays stockings, called a hose, was worn over the bra and fastened to the top with a string. This hose was not stic, but it was something that fit tightly to the leg. And although there were some things where left and right were attached, there were also many things where left and right were separate. Naturally, the braai in the groin area had no choice but to be exposed, and the nobles and wealthy ss covered this area by attaching a pocket called a codpiece to the hose. However, this codpiece was a problem. To exaggerate masculinity, this codpiece was worn in arge size. In addition, daggers, which were everyday items for European men at the time, were also a problem. Instead of wearing it on the waist, close to the hand where it was easy to use, it was worn around the navel or hung from a string so that it dangled between the crotch. Naturally, upon entering the empire, the wearing of this dagger was prohibited. However, since only daggers were prohibited, international students wore dagger chains with luxurious decorations. The reaction of the people of the empire to the sight of such a bulging codpiece clearly exposed and a colorfully decorated dagger string hanging between the crotch was very negative. Tsk! What kind of ridiculous outfit is that? Take off your clothes! Are you wearing it or taking it off? oh! Oh my! The older noblemen and men clicked their tongues, and the women nced, pretending to cover their eyes with their hands. Because of this situation, there were a lot ofints saying, The absurd clothes of the people are damaging the taste and morals of the empire. * * * After reading the appeals, Hyang ced her hand on her forehead and muttered to herself. In the past, when I was upgrading military uniforms, I was worried about the stickiness, but this time its sticking out! When new military uniforms were issued to soldiers, there was a trend of shortening the length of pants among soldiers and military officers who thought they were stylish in their own way. During training orbat, they wore pants that were slightly shortened to allow for movement, but when on vacation, it was popr to wear tight-fitting pants and cavalry shoes to show off slim legs. Fortunately, the trend of tight pants has subsided to some extent, but cavalry shoes that make you look taller are still a must have item. Whoa~. After taking a long sigh and sorting out the situation, Hyang gave orders to his ministers. Please order professors and students from Europe not to wear the current attire because it does not suit our customs. I follow your orders! * * * However, at some point, the influence of international students was spreading throughout the empire. Duke Eunpyeongs outfit is disgusting! At some point, this rumor began to circte within Gyeongbokgung Pce, and it even reached Hyangs ears. Seul? Hmm After thinking for a moment, Hyang ordered the merchant ship. Please call Duke Eunpyeong. Lets meet in the front yard of Geunjeongjeon. Yes, Your Majesty. After a while, Seul arrived at the front yard of Geunjeongjeon, saw the incense, and offered a military salute. insect! Did you call me? Yes Hyanghyang, who was examining Seuls clothes, answered roughly and ced her hand on his forehead. Its abination of kokkini and kotuktu! What a horrible hybrid! Whoa~. Hyang heaved a long sigh and looked at Seuls clothes once again. Why is this guy sitting in the Ministry of National Defense looking at numbers so cavalry-like? I originally volunteered for the cavalry, and I wore them because they werefortable to ride on and off the horse. good night. Lets say thats the case. What are those pants? Isnt it stuffy? Seul blushed slightly and answered Hyangs question. Its a little stuffy. But why are you wearing it? Isnt it cool? In response to Seuls response, Hyang ced her hand on her forehead. Either the 15th century or the 21st century! Hyang, who was shouting inwardly, asked Seul again. Didnt your superiors say anything? There was none. Tsk! Hyang clicked his tongue slightly at Seuls answer. Of course you didnt! Because hes my child! In the end, Hyang said something to Seul. Its nice, but make it a little wider. Yes Its not good for your stamina. We will expand it immediately! If you widen it too much, it will be ufortable for your actions, so widen it moderately. ancient! Then go back and take care of your work. insect! Hyang muttered softly as he watched Seuls back turn around. Was the dress code toox? * * * The repercussions of Hyangs remarks to Seul were quite severe. People who had been wearing tight pants started to change to pants with a loose fit. Whats interesting is that it wasnt just soldiers who wore such tight pants. Not only young government officials but also young men from noble families wore tight pants. Men wearing such tight pants often tied the lower part of their pants back and walked around with their waists exposed. The men who were walking around dressed like that suddenly returned to their original pants. Thanks to this, women who sewed in downtown Seoul began to earn unexpected ie. And here an unexpected incident urred. European professors and international students, who had hesitated for various reasons despite the order given by the head of government, suddenly began to change their attire. And among those who changed their clothes like this, there were monks. And both professors and international students expressed doubts about the monks actions. Why you? Theres nothing to write about, is there? If you have a healthy body, shouldnt you be able to focus on research without getting tired? lets say so. After hearing the reportter, Hyang smiled bitterly. As soon as the word virility is mentioned And this aftermath spread to Europe. After seeing the letters sent by professors and international students, they began to request new, loose-fitting clothing. Do you have a solid basis for this? I heard the emperor of the empire said that? okay? Then. The weight of Hyangs remarks, not only for the Europeans at the time but also for the people of the empire, was enormous. Thanks to this, European clothing began to change in a different direction from the history before Hyang intervened. Chapter 675 Episode 675: Yoo Yoo Sang-jong (5) Although there was a lot ofmotion caused by professors and international students, the overall atmosphere in Seoul was calm. But Bukji was still noisy. The Ming people and the Jurchen people, who had resisted the imperial rule by force, werergely disintegrated after being intensively suppressed by the imperial army. The remnants who survived the imperial armys subjugation became magic bandits and plundered the surrounding viges, and the imperial cavalry and infantry were dispatched again to subdue them. As this situation was repeated, a constant game of hide and seek between the imperial cavalry and the magic bandits took ce in the Liaohe region. But this was a game of hide and seek with no end in sight. The imperial army had an overwhelming superiority right from the beginning, and the situation in the northern region was also bing unfavorable to the magic bandits. As the Ming people and Jeongju Jurchen people who were engaged in a disobedience movement were expelled, those who provided materials such as food and information to the magic bandits disappeared. In the end, the magic bandits, who were suffering from ack of supplies, resorted to plundering, and the residents of the surrounding viges became hostile to them. In the end, information about the magic enemies began to flow to the imperial army, and the imperial army was able to subdue them more efficiently. * * * While the rural areas in the north were gradually stabilizing, the streets of Liaoyang Castle were still noisy at night. It all started when members of the Milwi, who received a secret mission from the vige, installed pirs. Because it was the central city of the Liaodong region, Liaoyang City also had an entertainment district. However, the overall level was far below that of Beijing, Nanjing, or even smaller cities beyond Shanhaiguan. This was because the Liaodong region and the entire northern region were economically underdeveloped regions. The productivity of rural areas in the Liaohe region was barely at a level where self-sufficiency was possible. This caused the poor quality of alcohol supplied to entertainment districts. Most of the alcohol sold in entertainment districts was white liquor. And this white liquor was distilled liquor. To make proper distilled liquor, a muchrger amount of base liquor was needed. Naturally, in a situation where self-sufficiency was barely possible, good white liquor could not be produced. Therefore, a small number of high-end liquors imported famous white liquors from Hangzhou, famous for the entertainment cities of Beijing and Nanjing, and sold them at very high prices. And other ordinary baserunners sold low-quality white liquor at expensive prices. Because of this situation, those living in the fortress or those who visited the fortress in the vicinity had to put up with it even if they hadints. This was because there was no ce to drink in peace other than those baserunners. However, as the empire took control of Liaodong, the imperial g entered the entertainment district. * * * At first, when the pirs were built in Liaoyang Castle ording to the orders of the head, the atmosphere among the officials of the Militia Committee was full of negative energy. Can we do business properly when the customs are different and the drinks are different? It will only be used as an information gathering tool. But the situation was different from Milwis expectations. Customers were flocking to Giru. The biggest reason why customers flocked to Milwis restaurant was the reasonable price of alcohol. The soju sold at Imperial Giru was also not cheap. However,pared to the price of alcohol sold by existing baserunners, the price was quite reasonable. The alcohol is a bit mild, but at this price, its worth it! cancer! cancer! And are there one or two ces that sell Baegal (baekju) that is said to be mild but is worse than this at a higher price? Residents of the city of Yangyang, looking for alternative means, began to flock to Girudeul. The next thing that caused customers to flock to Giru were Gisaengs. There were also gisaengs in the bases of Yangyang Castle. The problem was that most of them were prostitutes. There were a few art practitioners, but their level of art was far lower than that of art in Beijing or other famous cities. However, all the gisaengs of Giru that Milwi set up were Yegi. Of course, most of them were gisaengs of this group and not of the same group. However, although they were sessful, they were people who dealt with officials and noblemen in the capital of the empire. And as a Korean people who has been well-versed in pungryu since ancient times, the level was not something that Liaoyangseongs noblemen couldpare to. Thanks to this, even though there was no prostitution, customers flocked to drink while enjoying the songs and dances of the gisaeng. And most of these guests were people who spent some time at the nursing castle. Okay, this is it! For someone like me, its only right to enjoy drinking in a prestigious ce like this! Its a pleasure to the eyes and ears, and the vor of the taste is overflowing. Where else can you find such luxury? And this situation immediately reversed the atmosphere of Milwi. Look at this? This would be a good side ie, right? Its not just side ie! The big fish we were targeting are flocking in on their own! We need to expedite the construction of the brewery even more! Tell Toegi, the Ilpae I recruited before, toe quickly! We must quickly select and train fellow students! The agents of Milwi, whose morale was boosted by Girus booming situation every day, began to work busily. * * * In a situation where a stone rolled in from nowhere and pulled out a stone stuck in it, the existing baserunners did not sit still. Even here, there were people who lived as parasites on the bases, dealing with drunken customers, processing truths, and collecting ounts. And the base owners, who had seen the heavy damage, wiped their shoulders. Are you just going to watch? Dont worry! The story has already been uploaded to the Ark, and he will be moving soon! As the shoulders said, the ark of Hengbang (ǎ), who was dominating the entertainment district of Liaoyangseong Castle, was keeping a close eye on the gs set up by Milwi. If I eat that, I think Ill get a decent share of it Ark was swallowing his saliva as he watched the Giru scoop up money every day, but the reason he couldnt go out easily was because of the presence of Milwi. Because Ark had experienced all sorts of hardships, he immediately realized that Milwi was an unusual group of people. Of course. Because they came all the way here and ran the bases. Hmm. However, I just looked at it and passed it on, and it turned out that it was the ark that I was only thinking about because I was so greedy for the pirs. But in the end, I had no choice but to shake off my seat and get up. This was because the loss of base running, which was the source of funds for the room, was too great. Gather the kids together! Yes, Ark! * * * Ark gathered all the members of the room and walked to the ce where the pirs were located. Seeing the sight of Heukrangbang moving in groups, the merchants around hurriedly organized their stalls and closed their doors. Meanwhile, the head of Milwis nursing branch smiled bitterly as he saw Heukrangbang approaching. Its a shame to see theming in droves in broad daylight The branch leader lightly shook his head and ordered his subordinates. Arm yourself and stand by. Should I take out the pistol too? In response to the deputy managers question, the branch manager shook his head. Hide your pistol and grace. Because hes the kind of guy who cant be used in a group fight like this. yes. * * * As the Secret Service established itself as a proper intelligence organization and gunpowder weapons becamemon, the Secret Service was also provided with firearms. One was a gun named pistol because it was the size of a fist. It was a product that minimized the barrel of the 6-shot horseback rifle used by the cavalry. Another firearm, the grace gun, was a single-shot gun with a silencer. To put it more precisely, it was an object that looked like a cane and was fired by inserting just one horseback gun bullet into it. Because reloading was an old thing, it was only used for one-hit assassination missions. Due to the nature of the organization called Milwi and the nature of the guns provided, Sejong and Hyang applied strict management guidelines. -Firearms can only be used by those with a murder license. -The discharge of a firearm can only be done with the consent of themander, assistantmander, and three people with a license to kill. -Check the entry/exit status of firearms and traces of use once a day. * * * The Ark of Hengbang stopped in front of the members of the Milwi who were standing with their backs to Giru and immediately conveyed his request. Come under us! Then we will guarantee safe business! The Milwi branch leaders answer to Arks request was simple. hey! Sprinkle salt! yes! In this way, an armed conflict broke out between Heukrangbang and Milwi. To deal with Hengbang, who came out armed with a thick sword and an axe, the workers took out their iris swords. I would like to use a silver sword, but As soon as the collision urred, the branch leader who was leaving behind grumbled, unable to hide his disappointment as he looked at the flocking members of Hengbang. * * * The silver sword, which was made by modifying the European rapier to make it easier to conceal and carry, was difficult to use in such a public ce. This was because of the words Jaeeumwiguk (l) engraved on the body of the sword. It was an item that boosted morale in life-threatening night battles with foreign, mainly Ming, ganjas, but it was an item that would cause headaches if used in broad daylight and passed on to a third party. * * * As soon as intelligence came in that bloodshed had broken out in the entertainment district, soldiers from the Imperial Armys inspection unit were dispatched. This was because Liaoyangseong was still carrying out military rule. This is so bloody Themander of the Gyugaldae, who saw the scene with blood and flesh sttering everywhere, sighed softly and gave orders to his subordinates. First, surround the area so no one escapes and wait for my signal. yes! After a while, as soon as a report came in that the soldiers were in position, themander of the Gyuchaldae pulled out the horseback gun he was wearing at his waist and pulled the trigger toward the sky. bang! As soon as the gunshot sounded, both Hengbang and Milwi stopped their actions. Drop your weapons! Otherwise, I will kill you! At themand of themander of the guard, both sidesid down their weapons. Take them all away! yes! * * * That evening, the branch manager who had been hiding during the day visited the Gyuchaldae. I am the person in charge of the management of the Giru in the entertainment district. I came today during the day because of an unpleasant incident. I would like to meet themander of the Gyuchaldae. The captain does not allow meetings with officials. Still, I really want to see you. The soldier guarding the branchmanders headquarters in the town center reported the situation. Soon after, the branch manager was able to meet the leader of the Gyuchaldae. Because of what happened during the day The matter will be handled based on imperialw. Discrimination between local residents and northern residents is prohibited byw. At the words of the leader of the Gyuchaldae, the branch leader put his hand into his bosom. Seeing that, the expression of the leader of the guard became fierce. How dare you bribe the head office! Its not a bribe. The branch leader answered calmly, took out a small iron fist (a book made of iron) from his pocket, and held it out to the leader of the Gyuchaldae. This is The expression of the leader of the Gyuchaldae turned serious when he saw the iron fist. It was because of the words engraved on the cover of Tekken. C License to kill. An item that had only been circted in secret rumors among the militarys inspection team and the high-rankingmanders of the Podocheong Office had appeared before my eyes. The branch leader spoke quietly to the leader of the inspection team. Here, the Liaodong and Liaohe regions in the north border the Ming and Oirat. Thats why His Majesty is worried because there are so many people who have gone there. Thats why we came. Then are all the people in that prison? There are a few of them, but who they are is confidential. Ah When the leader of the Gyugaldae nodded, the branch manager continued. The captains words are correct when ites to handling this situation. However, since the safety of the empire is at stake, please handle it secretly. The leader of the Gyuchaldae, who thought for a moment, soon came to a conclusion. Lets do that. Chapter 676 Episode 676 Yu Yu Sang-jong (6) After finishing the discussion with the leader of the inspection team, the branch manager was busy moving about. After returning to Giru, the branch manager, he quickly wrote a letter and called one of his subordinates. Are you the best at riding horses? Thats right. In response to his subordinates answer, the branch manager took out a round que from his pocket and held it out along with a letter. This is a general defeat that I received from themander of the Yoyangseong Gyuchaldae. Leave the castle right now and deliver this letter to Sinuiju. yes! * * * As the empire secured the northern territory, a new state, Sinuiju, was created across the Yalu River. The purpose of establishing the new Sinuiju was to make it a transportation and military center north of the Yalu River. -If something happens and we are pushed back, we will block it once in Sinuiju, north of the Yalu River, and again in Uiju. Sinuiju was created as a nned city with this goal. For reference, the starting point for the Yalu River side of the Bukji Railway that Jinpyeong is currently promoting was Sinuiju. Thanks to these location conditions, people flocked to Sinuiju as soon as the site was established. As people flocked in, the market grew and all kinds of supplies and rumors circted. Thanks to this, the support headquarters of the Militia Committee dispatched to Milbukji was established in Sinuiju. The industry that Millwi chose to disguise its support headquarters was a brewery. It was the best means of camouge because many people were needed to lift and carry many sacks of grain and barrels of alcohol to make alcohol. * * * The branch manager who dismissed the subordinate who received the letter checked the situation with other subordinates. What about the loss? Six injuries, three deaths. If you count the people who went to prison, its twenty. So there are fifteen kids left? The branch manager stroked his chin and pondered for a moment before giving an order. There are three bases we have to protect now. To put it simply, there are only five bases per base. I tell them to only focus on defense until an answeres from Sinuiju. yes. The branch manager, seeing his subordinates answering with sullen expressions, continued speaking. I want to get revenge for what happened today, but I dont have enough. You have to fill in the numbers correctly and then pay them back properly. Even though we are secretly fighting, we are from the sword world. I guess we should do it the way the sword world does to those Sapa bastards, right? At the words of the branch leader, the faces of his subordinates brightened and their voices grew louder. Thats right! As the branch manager said, even though they were agents of the Militia, they were from the sword world. Even though he had calmed down, much of that ferocity still remained. The branch manager, seeing that his subordinates morale had risen again, continued. What is the situation of the injured ones? There are two people who are injured so badly that they cannot go to the front line. The rest can return to the front line as soon as they get some rest. When peoplee from Sinuiju, make preparations so that the seriously injured and dead can be sent back to Seoul right away. yes. Ten dayster, about 40 people arrived from Sinuiju. Agents of the Militia Committee who entered the nursing castle disguised asborers or other various identities immediately hid in the branch. Its been a while. You had a hard time leading the strike force. Thank you for your hard work, branch manager. The leader of the strike team and the branch leader who had been dispatched to take control of the night of Liangyang Castle soon began talking about the current situation. How is it going with the judgment of those who were caught by the police? I think the verdict wille out within two or three days. I think everyone will be sentenced to hardbor and taken away. The leader of the strike team nodded at the branch managers report. The leader of the inspection team said he was cooperating and showed appropriate results. The branch leader also nodded at the words of the strike team leader. Since it was an incident that resulted in people being killed and injured, there was a high possibility that it would receive a greater punishment. However, if the punishment, including hardbor, was the same for both Hengbang and this area, it would be possible to stop the idea of discriminating between the residents of the main region and the northern region, and there would be no need for unnecessary additional efforts. The branch manager continued. Its fortunate that there hasnt been much change from the initial n to expose our identities up to the level of the inspector general and the referee. Did you even meet the judge of the tribunal? No, the only time I met him in person was with the head of the inspection team. However, looking at the news I heard, the leader of the Gyuchaldae must have told the judge. Whoa~. Good luck. Hearing the branch managers words, the leader of the strike team breathed a sigh of relief. * * * As time passed, people began to vaguely notice Milwis existence one by one. One of the reasons was that King Sejong or Hyang noticed things that were just starting to spread among officials and ordered investigations. Another reason was the battle between foreign countries, especially Ming ganja and secretaries, who approached to steal the empires secrets. Apparently, there were people gathering and fighting, stabbings, and screaming, but when they went to the scene, there were no traces other than blood stains, or the Pocheong came out to investigate, but things ended up going nowhere. Eventually, those who were quick-witted C most notably Han Myeong-hoe C began to vaguely notice Milwis existence. It was the same for incense to worry about this issue. But the answer was fixed. When the timees, I will reveal the parts that can be revealed, but until then, I will hide them as much as possible. Ah-oh! Damn Chinese bastards! They wont help you now or in the future! It was the scent of teeth grinding, reminding me of the secrets of a famous country trying to sneak in and steal confidential information whenever they get the chance. * * * Two dayster, the ruling was made by the Ministry of Health and Welfare Tribunal. All criminals will be sentenced to 10 years of hardbor! ording to the judges ruling, the members of Hengbang and the agents of the Militia were ced in a ship with their hands handcuffed and their feet in stocks. After leaving Liaoyangseong, Hamgeo headed to the nearest railway station. As the iron horse carrying them was leaving for Sinuiju, a military officer from the Naegumwi, a member of the Emergency Committee, secretly visited the Shinuiju Gyukchaldae. Why is Naegeumwi here? Upon the unexpected visit of the Naegumwi military officer, themander of the Sinuiju Gyukchaldae greeted the Naegumwi military officer with a very nervous face. Wee! Themander of the Gyuchaldae, who responded to the military officers polite manners, looked at the officer with a very nervous expression. What brings Naegeumwi here? In response to the question from themander of the Gyuchaldae, the military officer of Naegumwi took out a letter from his pocket. This is a personal letter from His Majesty. omg! Then I will prepare the table right away! The Naegumwi military officer, who saw the frightened leader of the Gyuchaldae trying to show courtesy, hurriedly stopped him. Its a secret letter. Others shouldnt know. iced coffee? ah! Okay! The leader of the inspection team knelt down, broke the seal on the document, and examined its contents. After carefully checking the contents, themander of the Gyuchaldae responded to the military officer of the Naegumwi and presented the letter. I want to hear the n. The military officer of Naegumwi, who received the letter back, held it against thentern next to him. Afterpletely burning the letters, the military officer of Naegumwi exined the n to themander of the Gyuchaldae. * * * The prisoners who departed from Yangyang Fortress disembarked at Sinuiju. It was to change iron horses to cross the Yalu River. The soldiers of the Sinuiju Disciplinary Unit, following the order of themanding officer, separated the Milwi agents and Hengbang members and housed them separately in two convoy carriages. I think we can all ride in one car? The seniormander answered the field workers question with a sour expression. This is an order from themander. If you have anyints, go and tell them in person. Guys! What are you doing! Hurry up and burn it! The iron horse carrying secret agents and Hengbang members crossed the Yalu River and separated from the convoy as soon as it arrived at Uiju Station. Among the separate convoy trains, the carriage carrying Hengbang members was connected to the iron horse heading to Aoji, and the carriage carrying secret agents was moved to a dark ce. The door of the carriage, which had been moved to a ce less visible to people, was opened, and the secret service agents inside took the keys, removed the handcuffs and stocks, and got out of the carriage. The agents who were lightly warming up after getting off the carriage saw the military officer of the Naegumwi standing in front of them and immediately took a motionless posture. Good work. Rest well for three days and return to Sinuiju. While the situation was being resolved in Uiju, Heukrangbang was being demolished by the Gyuchaldae in Yoyangseong Fortress. The crime for which the Gyugaldae destroyed Heukrangbang was selling cherry blossoms. * * * As the war progressed, Hyang, who had established his position on the rock, drew up various policies and insisted that King Sejong implement them. Among them was the ban on cherry blossoms. Should we ban cherry blossoms? Isnt cherry blossom medicinal? Not only King Sejong but also the ministers tilted their heads at Hyangs im. Cherry blossoms were the best painkillers. When I was suffering from stomachache or toothache, if I fed a small amount of cherry blossoms, I got better right away. Additionally, when treating trauma such as fractures, it wasmon to feed cherry blossoms and put them to sleep before treating them. Of course, cherry blossoms are good medicine. But I saw it in Seo-yis medical books Hyang exined the dangers of cherry blossoms to King Sejong and the ministers. After hearing the exnation of the scent, King Sejong and the ministers immediately nodded. Definitely its the product that best fits the saying too much is too little. Thats right. If a doctor who knows medicine well uses the right amount at the right time, it is a great medicine, but if not, it bes a poison that eats away at the country and the people. Sanctions are definitely needed. This is how the cherry blossom ban was implemented. Cherry blossoms were treated as medicinal products, and those with permits could only cultivate them in permitted locations. When it was time to collect the juice from the poppy, officials and police officers came out, measured the juice, and collected everything. And they burned it all, leaving only the bark, which was used as medicine, and the seeds needed for cultivation the following year. It has even been legited to treat it as a murder if caught growing poppies without permission or collecting prickly pear seeds from poppies growing in the wild. Although it was banned with strong punishment emphasized, for a while there were people here and there who were caught secretly cultivating poppies and their lives were in ruins. But over time, illegal poppy cultivation almost disappeared and was rarely seen except for use by doctors as medicine. * * * In order to destroy Hengbang and take over the Night of Liaoyangseong, Milwis agents quietly and persistently investigated everything about Hengbang. You could just destroy it with force, but it would also be a burden on Milwi to be under the control of the Gyuchaldae again. During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that the people who supplied cherry seeds to Cherry Cave were Hengbang. Thanks to the butterfly effect of scent, the use of cherry blossoms except for medical purposes was prohibited byw in the Ming Dynasty. Thanks to this, even at that time, the perception of Anesok Cave was not very good. The only difference was that the Empire struck down everything in sight, while the Ming tolerated it up to a point C it was illegal if more than 40 people came and went. Of course, it was the same for both the Ming and Joseon dynasties to catch those who supplied cherry blossoms to this cherry cave. Thanks to this, the method of supplying cherry to the cherry caves in Liaoyangseong was very secret, and Milwi caught it. The Milwi immediately handed over this information to the Ministry of Healths inspection team, and the inspection team that received the information immediately arrested Hengbang. Thanks to this, the captain of the Yoyangseong Gyuchaldae was delighted to have achieved tremendous results. Chapter 677 Episode 677: Yu Yu Sangjong (7) When Hengbang was copsing in Liaoyang Castle, Hyang secretly called Wan. Did you call me? There is a ce you can go with me tomorrow night at midnight. I will be sneaking around in disguise, so please do not reveal anything to the eavesdropping officers. Wan responded very nervously to Hyangs expression and words, which werepletely different from his usual expressions. yes. I will do so. The next day, when Wan, taking off his robe and wearing civilian clothes, came out of the room, not the eunuchs but the eunuchs were waiting for him. I will guide you, Your Highness. I know. Guarding Wan back, forth, left, and right, the Naegumwi headed behind Gangnyeongjeon. There, incense, Naegeumwijang, and a group of Naegeumwi were waiting for Wan. Lets go. yes. The movement of the Hyang group continued under tight security. Normally, evente at night, a small number of eunuchs and courtdies would be present to prepare for any unexpected events. But now those courtdies and eunuchs were nowhere to be seen, and the main streets were tightly guarded by the Naegeumwi. After a while, Hyang and his party came out through a small side door on the east side of Gyeongbokgung Pce. Arent there too few security forces? When Wan saw that only Naegeumwi and a very small number of security forces were apanying him, he asked Hyang, and Hyang slightly smiled and answered. The others wille soon. yes? Wan, who was puzzled by Hyangs answer, soon learned its meaning. As soon as they turned the corner of the alley facing the side door, a group of men were waiting for them. The men, wearing ck long robes, ck hats, and at least ck cotton hats, holding long silver canes, bowed their heads in unison as soon as they saw the incense and gave a military salute in low voices. Jaeeumwiguk (l). Thank you for your hard work. I will take you there. Hyang and Wan and their group headed to Giru Alley, escorted by men dressed in ck. * * * Wans expression was one of confusion as he walked around the alley following Hyang. what? Are you going to Gibang? Your Majesty? In general, fragrances were famous for not enjoying color. The women of the vige consisted of one empress and two empresses. What on earth? what? Wans confusion peaked the moment he entered the side gate of the famous Giru located in Bukchon. Why did you leave the front door open? No matter how much you say its a well-dressed stealth operation, its a side door that only servants go in and out of? Hyang and his party entered Giru through the side door and headed towards the inner corner of Giru. Amidst the sound of music and theughter of men and women across a wall, Hyang and his group quietly entered the small building located at the very back. * * * When Hyang entered the room, the two men waiting inside bowed, opened the closet door, and brought out a small wooden stand. When I stepped on the pedestal and climbed over the closet, there was a small passage inside. The ce where Hyang and his party arrived along the passage was a tile-roofed house located across from Giru. As the incense came out of the passage, all the men waiting inside stood up and saluted. Re-eumwiguk. Its a lot of hardship. Where did you put the dead? I will take you there. A small altar was ced where the incense and bowl were directed, and on top of the altar were three urns. After looking at the urn for a moment, he burned incense in the incense burner ced on the altar and bowed deeply. omg! At the sight of Hyang bowing towards the urn, Wan screamed in a low voice without realizing it. The scent was the emperor. It was etiquette for the emperor not to bow to anyone except when bowing to heaven during ceremonial ceremonies. But now, Hyang was bowing more politely than ever. After bowing twice to the dead, Hyang ordered Wan. These are loyalists who died while working for the empire. Please show courtesy. At Hyangsmand, Wan bowed to the urn. When Wan bowed and stepped back, Hyang looked back at Naegeumwijang. My gold camouge. Yes, Your Majesty. Naegeumwijang took out a small wooden box from his pocket and presented it to Hyang. After receiving the wooden box from Naegeumwijang, Hyang opened the lid of the wooden box to check inside and handed it out to the man standing in front of her. The man politely epted the wooden box and took out the things inside. What the man was holding in his hand was a ck wooden crown. The head of Dujeong, which was slightlyrger than a drinking ss, had the Samtaegeuk engraved in gold. The man inserted the three crowns with the Samtaegeuk engraved on them into the holes drilled in the wall behind the altar. Wans eyes lit up when he saw that. On the wall where the head had just been inserted, there were already close to 30 heads of the same shape. About half an hourter, Hyang and his party returned to Gyeongbokgung Pce. Wan, who had remained silent until then, could not ovee his curiosity and asked Hyang. Your Majesty, who are they? They are wheat. * * * Hyang returned to Gangnyeongjeon and sent everyone out except Naegeumjang. With only my stomach left, I started talking to Hyang Eun-wan about wheat wiping. The Militia are people who move in the dark to protect the empire and the emperor. They are the first andst to shed blood to protect the empire and the emperor. Starting with this, Hyang continued to give Wan a detailed exnation about Milwi and Bidawi. As Hyangs exnation went on, Wans expression changed from surprise to concern. Thats it. After Hyang finished asking Hyang, Wan took a moment to gather his thoughts and asked Hyang. Im from the sword world. Is that okay? These are people who have passed their own verification. And so far, they have faithfully performed their duties. But you dont know whether it will be like that in the future, right? Wouldnt it be better to select the right people from the military and deploy them? That would be nice too. But there is a problem. The organization may be rigid and the eyes and ears may be blocked. Hyang told Wan why such selection was problematic. -An organization that handles information must be flexible. No, it would be good for all organizations to have such flexibility, but it is difficult. In particr, the military is the most rigid organization. The personality itself doesnt suit me. -The most important task of the Milwi is information collection. This informationes from other countries, but there is also internal information. In order to properly secure internal information, people must be nted at various levels. However, if you limit the qualifications to join the Mill Commission, you will lose the ability to look at various sses. Ah Wan nodded at Hyangs exnation. Looking at Wan like that, Hyang added. There is a big difference between how people from the lower ss look at the Sangmin and how the Sangmin look at the Sangmin. Therefore, the selection of talent for milwi is left to milwi. Of course, it is true that, as you said, there is a risk that people with disqualifications or with different minds maye in. That is why the National Intelligence and Finance Committee is involved in the review process. At Hyangs words, Wan looked at Naegeumwijang without realizing it. Looking at Naegeumwijang, who nodded with an expression full of pride, Wan also nodded. Is there anything else you want to say? How do you finance your operating budget? 70% from the imperial family and 30% are self-procured. Is self-procurement possible? Dont you have a stoma? I understand that there are separate jeonju (X) in Giru. Hyang responded to Wans point by lightly caressing the sr plexus area. Thanks to this, the expenses were a bit high in the beginning. Ah Wan, who understood what Hyang meant, asked the question again. Are you going to continue to insist on secret operations in the future? What do you think? In response to Hyangs question, Wan thought about this and that before cautiously opening his mouth. Wouldnt it be difficult? why? Wan carefully exined his thoughts. -ording to Hyangs exnation, Milwi has a fairly long history. That means that there are quite a few people who have noticed the existence of Milwi to some extent. -No matter how loyal the subjects are to the empire, they would feel repulsed if they knew that there were people who would not dig up their secrets and could directly reveal their secrets to the emperor. -If so, these people in power will try to remove or share Milwi. Hmm Hyang, who had been nodding at Wans exnation, asked the question again. Then what choice do you think they will make? If it were them, they would choose to share. This is because if you hastily try to get rid of Milwi, you may end up suffering the opposite. I would rather share than take that risk. And they are most likely to choose the budget as a means of sharing. Its the budget Thats right, the budget is the surest sword. Hyang agreed with Wan and asked again. Then what are you going to do? I will show, but I will not show everything; I will share, but I will not share everything. But I will make them think they have seen everything and have shared everything. In response to Wan, Hyang pped his knee and smiled broadly. ha ha ha! Thats right! So when are you going to implement it? For your information, this father will endure until the end. At Hyangs words, Wan instantly became tearful. However, Wan immediately corrected his expression and epted the words. I n to hold on until Soja holds up as well. Have a hard time. yes. * * * After Wan finished the conversation and left the room, Hyang looked back at Naegeumwijang. What do you think? I think we are already fully prepared. Is that so? Hyang looked very satisfied and nodded. In fact, King Sejong and Hyang had already decided on the possibility of Milwis existence being revealed and the solution to it. And the conclusion was almost identical to what Wan said just now. In other words, Chairman Naegeums statement was an assessment that Wan appears to be fully prepared to run the government even if he takes over. Hyang smiled and thought about the future. After about five years, the situation wille back and Wans eldest son will be officially recognized as the third grandson, right? Then, wouldnt it be okay to elect him or take charge of the government and take care of the burden to Shinji? Naegeumwijang seemed a little worried at Hyangs words and gave some advice. Still, wouldnt it be better toy the foundation through proxy administration for about three years? What is there to worry about when you are in such a situation? Naegeumwijang closed his mouth at Hyangs words. Perhaps Hyangs making a healthy pig was sessful, and King Sejong was in quite good health. Especially after going to Shinji, I felt more energetic, perhaps because my mental burden had been relieved. I received a message that there would be no problem for at least 10 years Recalling the letter from the previousmander, Naegeumwi, who followed King Sejong to Shinji, Naegeumwi did some calctions. -The crown prince has already reached adulthood. -While responsible for the operation of Area 51 and the research institute, he was also properly trained in administrative duties. -In about 5 years, many of the ministers will be reced, and there will be fewer old people who will put pressure on the crown prince. -Even if it exists, the situation is even more worn out than that and will not stand still. After calcting up to that point, Director Naegeum came to a rather positive decision. I think itll be okay? The problem is that the crown prince must be having a hard time. Captain Naegeum smiled bitterly inwardly as he recalled the news he heard through the merchant ship. Wan said this while looking at Hwangson, who had just turned two years old. Grow up quickly! You need to grow up quickly so I can study Bhikkhu and Nalteul with peace of mind! Chapter 678 Episode 678 Yu Yu Sang-jong (8) The night of Liaoyang Castle when Hengbang disappeared was chaos itself. Heukrangbang was destroyed by the police, and most of Anesokgul caves were closed. And those who were poisoned by cherry blossoms were also judged as soon as they were arrested and taken to open-air mines near Aoji and Fushun. It was an open pit mine, so to dig up the right minerals, you had to dig at least 10 holes (approximately 30m), and prisoners who were sentenced to hardbor were mobilized for the most dangerous tunnel excavation work. In this way, the issue of nursing care seemed to have been resolved, but the confusion was just beginning. As Hengbang, which had been rocking the underworld of Yangyangseong, copsed, a group of idiots began to set up to take its ce. The problem with this was that Liaoyang Province was a much smaller citypared to big cities like Beijing and Nanjing. Because the city was small and its economy was small, there was no Sapaparable to Hengbang. In addition, because the surrounding area was overflowing with Jurchen people, who were known for their roughness, Liaoyang was a ce where there were almost no Murim people who called themselves Baekdo. In this situation, with the disappearance of Heukrangbang, the night of Liaoyangseong Castle became Muju Gongsan. There were more than one person who wanted to be the owner of the nightlife in Yoyangseong. Owners ofrge bases who had paid off Heukrangbang and paid attention to him began to aim for that position, and usurers also participated in thepetition. And those who supplied cherry blossoms to Heukrangbang also participated in thepetition. The only reason for those who participated in the fiercepetition that was sure to be bloody was more money. The thinking of the owners of the big bases was simple. -You can gain even more profits if you dominate and monopolize all other baserunners! -If we can bring under our control the moneylenders who were connected to Heukrangbang, we can solve not only the financial problem but also the supply and demand of women who sell their bodies in Juru at once! In the case of usurers, not only were they restricted in interest rates by the military government applying imperialw, but their ie was greatly reduced as officials from the National Tax Service came in whenever they could to conduct tax investigations. -You need to find another source of ie! Then the red light district is the best! The reason why cherry tree suppliers participated was because the cherry caves, along with the hengbang that protected them, copsed. Although many cherry blossom addicts were arrested, there were still a significant number of cherry blossom addicts remaining. -Juru is the best ce for these addicts to safely smoke cherry blossoms! -If you take control of alcohol, women, and usury to borrow money for the purchase of cherry blossoms, you can create a perfect cirction structure! These were people who jumped into the bloodypetition, dreaming of a rosy future that they could enjoy if they emerged victorious. * * * Even in this bloody battle, one eye and one ear of thepetitors were turned towards the Milwis base located on one side of the entertainment district. After the fight with Heukrangbang and only a few dayster, thepetitors saw that it had grown to a size simr to before and did not think about attacking the Milwis. This was because they calcted that if they stepped forward and suffered losses, only otherpetitors would benefit. Thats a stupid decision. Isnt that right? The leader of the strike team nodded at the words of the Milwi branch leader who analyzed the situation. Their choice was the best choice for Milwi. This was because the more they weakened each other by eating at each other, the easier it was for Milwi to be dealt with. They probably know the danger. But they cant join hands and attack us, can they? Because you never know when you might get stabbed in the back. So now were fighting for life or death like that. They will n to settle the situation as quickly as possible and then join us. When the strike team leader spoke, the branch manager smiled darkly and epted the words. Thanks to you, we are having a fun time watching the fight, and the captain of the Sangyangseong Guards is so happy with the umting results that he wants to die. * * * As thepetition to upy the night in the Liangyang Castle became more intense, Milwi was busily moving. Milwis agents, who had already be adept at moving secretly through previous experience, roamed around Liaoyang Castle and dug into the weaknesses of theirpetitors. The branch leader who organized the information obtained there met with the leader of the Gyuchaldae and handed over the information, and the leader of the Gyuchaldae used that information to capture thepetitors. They attacked the bootleggers bootlegging business and hit the illegal human trafficking scene. In this process, usury lenders were also arrested on charges of illegally borrowing money at high interest rates and coercing their sisters into extortion. And at the same time as arresting cherry blossom traders and human trafficking, they also captured the remaining cherry blossom addicts. In addition, the assets they had were confiscated by the empire as criminal assets. Thanks to this, the captain of the Yoyangseong Gyuchaldae umted tremendous achievements and receivedmendations and decorations from not only the military but also the Ministry of Finance and Economy. Thank you! We will spare no effort in providing all cooperation as long as the headquarters is here! The branch leader smiled and epted the words of the leader of the Gyuchaldae. Then we are grateful. About a month and a half after the bloody fight and the arrest frenzy by the police force erupted, the branch manager and the leader of the strike team stood up. Then lets move slowly. Ive been sore for a while, but Ill feel better now. Milwi, who had been quietly watching, made his move and in just three days, the night of Liaoyang Castle was taken over by Milwi. * * * As Milwi took control of the night of Liaoyang Castle, many things in Liaoyang Castle began to change. First of all, most of the liquor in Liaoyang Province had to contract with the liquor supplypany established by Milwi. And Milwis Liquor Supply Company put out a bid notice to select a merchant that would supply white liquor for use on base. Many merchants who saw the announcement submitted bids, and two merchants entered into contracts. The merchant, who signed a contract with the Liquor Supply Company, brought in various grades of white liquor that was of better quality than the white liquor that had been previously imported into the city. Milwis Liquor Supply Company sold these liquors to baserunners and the private sector at a reasonable price. Through this process, Milwi was able to take advantage on two asions just by running the bases. Once from selling alcohol to base runners, and again from the profits earned by base runners. Even while fiercepetition was taking ce, the foundation established by the mill continued to prosper. While all kinds of forces were fighting to control the night of Liaoyang Castle, the residents of Liaoyang Castle sought the safety of Milwi Giru. The wealthy enjoyed singing and dancing in a private room and drinking high-quality soju, while themon people sipped soju while sitting around on a bench spread out in the yard on one side of the main building. In this process, people who had a taste for imperial soju became regr customers, and Girus sales increased due to them. This wasnt the only thing. A loanpany, one of the frontpanies created by the Militia Commission, took the vacancy left by the usury lenders who were destroyed by the police. Although the lending standards were strict, the loanpany, which only charged interest as determined by imperialw, soon became frequented by residents of the city and nearby areas until the threshold was worn out. In the end, the branch manager had to urgently write a letter requesting support and send it to Sinuiju. -Please send in all the smart and calcting people you have! -caution. They are impressive guys! As he sent the letter, the branch manager let out a long sigh. Business is doing better than expected Wow. But with these funds, the families of those who died can live without worry Huh~ The branch manager sighed and looked at the documents again, looking towards the south and muttering. I can clearly feel how great the situation and the emperor are. * * * Both loanpanies and alcohol suppliers were businesses created by Sejong and Hyang while the restoration was in progress. It was the battlefield and loanpanies that pushed out the usury business that was draining the blood and tears of the people, and it was the liquor supply business that transformed the alcohol that the people used to make on a whim into a systematic and legal business. At some point, things that had be a part of daily life for the people of the empire had be a gift from heaven for the residents of the North. * * * Even though the night of recuperation has be more stable, there are some who do not receive this benefit. They were rted to the cherry tree. Cherry blossoms were a product that could make more money than alcohol, but Millwis response was stern. -This is an item that His Majesty has banned as it is said to be poisonous to the empire! How can we, who protect the empire and follow His Majestys orders, just let this happen! ording to this decision, the Milwi notified the inspection team as soon as it discovered the cherry addicts and the cherry blossom caves, and immediately killed the cherry addicts. asionally, when follow-up was not sufficient, the branch manager secretly visited the inspector general with a murder license and report. These bastards they do things in such a way that it bothers people Each time, the branch manager grumbled and moved, and the agents of the Millennium Development Committee had to be forced to move. * * * As the night of Liaoyang Castle stabilized, Liaoyang Castle and nearby areas also began to be lively. The merchants who came in and out to supply alcohol to the liquor supplypanies soon began releasing other products into the market as well. As the number of shops buying and selling goods brought by the imperial merchants increased, the market became more and more lively and began to grow in size, and nearby residents also came to and from Liaoyang Castle more and more frequently than before. As the floating poption increased, restaurants andrge and small bases began to be built to serve them. And in order to manage these newly created baserunners, the agents of the Mill Commission were busy. Then one day, a field agent of the Milwi reported to the branch manager. Branch Manager, this is a report about a bar that opened a few days ago. Are there just one or two bars? Isnt there a bar full of those guys? ah? there? The branch manager seemed indifferent to the agents further exnation. Surely its not a ce where homosexuality is practiced? Its not that kind of ce, but everyone who works at the store is unusual. The branch managers face became serious at the agents words. Isnt it serious? Is it from Myeongguk? no. No matter how you look at it, it looks like its an imperial army. huh? After finishing the report, the agent left and the branch manager stroked his chin and muttered. Because its the military you cant say theres no possibility. Hmm After thinking for a moment, the branch manager took out a piece of paper and started writing a letter. I guess I should post the report first and then visit. * * * Two dayster, the branch manager visited the tavern in question with his subordinates in charge of escort. American wine? Are you saying you are confident in drinking? Now that I think about it, this store doesnt have a contract with us, right? One of the subordinates who came with us immediately answered the branch managers question. yes. I found out that they had reported to the military government that they also had a brewing business. Hmm The branch manager, who was stroking his chin, soon walked into the bar. wee! As soon as the branch manager entered, loud voices came out from all over. The branch manager, who paused for a moment at the loud shout, immediately sat down and looked around. The branch manager, who had been meticulously inspecting the inside of the bar, smiled bitterly. How can a bar feel like an army barracks? Obviously, starting with the furniture, everything is like a bar, so it has a military feel Just as he said, all the furniture in the bar was neatly organized. The branch manager, who was looking at it, shook his head slightly and muttered to himself. If it is truly a camouge facility created by the military, there is nomunication from the beginning. Chapter 679 Episode 679: Yoo Yu-sang-jong (9) Wee! What kind of alcohol are you looking for? Jeom So-yi of Mi-ju approaches the table where the branch leader and his group are sitting and stutters in broken Chinese. I spoke to him. In response to Jeomsoys question, the branch leader looked at Jeomsoys face and spoke. I came from hell. Jeomsoys face hardened at the branch leaders words. This was because he also heard that the people who controlled the entertainment district here were swordsmen from the hometown. And not long ago, people from Geomgye came and took a quick look. Wait a moment. Jeomsoy responded with a stiff expression and tone and disappeared into the store. The branch manager, who was observing the situation, asked his subordinates. How is it? Is this an organization created by the military? It smells too military for something like that. youre right. If it were an investigation organization created by the military, it wouldnt smell like the military. Hearing his subordinates words, the branch manager stroked his chin and asked back. Isnt it because I have no experience? Arent they all saennim, whether its the military or liberal arts departments? Isnt Mugwa a ce where all kinds of people gathered since the Goryeo Dynasty? If youre lucky, people like us can go to Mugwa, so they wouldnt do something sloppy like this. Hmm Is that so? People areing. The branch manager and his subordinates stopped talking at the words of the subordinate who was watching. You came out of the world? With a voice full of ferocity, a man wearing a military uniform and jeogori walked to the seat where the branch leader and his group were sitting. The man who brought a chair to the spot where the branch manager and his party were sitting and sat down opened his mouth with a fierce expression with his arms crossed. So, what are the officials who control and shake up this entertainment district of the city doing here? The branch manager smiled and answered the mans question. I heard a new store opened so I went there once. I was wondering if I could help you if you have any difficulties. help? You dont want to eat it raw, do you? The branch manager answered the mans provocative question with a kind smile. They dont do things like that these days. Despite the branch managers words, the man did not stop making provocative remarks. What I learned from the war is that the more nice you are to someones face, the more you have to be careful of whats going on behind their backs. The branch manager responded to the mans words with a fierce smile. Didnt you learn that if you run wild like a wild boar thats been hit in advance, youll end up with your chin flying off, not the back of your head? The mans face became even more ferocious at the serious warning of the branch manager. The man answered by tapping the war badge attached to his military uniform. He is the one who survived even after fighting with stinking bastards on the battlefield. If youre going to blow off my chin, youll have to be prepared to have at least two of your chins fly off, right? I guess thats possible. But the problem is that we only have one or two members, right? . Its good to have a momentum fight, but lets watch the surroundings before we fight. If we hade to fight or to take over this store, we wouldnt havee so calmly. Do you think we will be treated quietly? So youre saying you dont intend to do that? If I had meant to do that, I wouldnt have ended up like this. Whoa~. Hearing the branch managers words, the man let out a long sigh and rxed. Ill believe it first. That would be good. Then what brings you here today? The branch manager responded to the mans words with a polite and kind smile. Since this store is located in the entertainment district of Yoyangseong, I came here to exin the rules of the town and also taste the liquor since the stores name is Miju. The mans face softened a little at the branch managers words. Hmm I dont know anything else, but Im confident about the taste of alcohol. * * * As the conversation went on, the atmosphere on both sides rxed little by little. therefore. When a disaster such as a fire urs, we help each other. If a dispute arises with a customer, do not use violence and resolve it through the cashier. If that doesnt work, report it to the regtory body or the grape office. Distribution of cherry blossoms or moonshine is prohibited, and prostitution in ces other than those permitted is also prohibited. Human trafficking is also prohibited. Usury neither borrows nor lends. The membership fee of the branch manager (a type of merchant association) is kept as low as possible The man, who had carefully reviewed and analyzed the rules exined by the branch managers subordinate, looked back. Behind the southwest, there were other people wearing military uniforms simr to the men. The men who received the silent question looked at each other and nodded. The man came to a conclusion after seeing that. Its good. I will join the fortune teller. Good decision! * * * As we overcame the crisis, the atmosphere in the store became softer. ruler! Since it hase to this, lets just say it out loud. I say I am Ha-min. My name is Park Gyu-seop. After finishing his speech, Ha-min moved on to his next interest. Lets try the liquor that your store is proud of! Park Gyu-seop responded enthusiastically to Ha-mins words. Wait a minute! You wont be disappointed! After a while, ceramic kettles and drinking sses were ced on the table. Ha-mins eyes widened as he poured a ss full of alcohol in one go. This is amazing! Everyone, try it! The subordinates who emptied their sses at Ha-mins words also couldnt help but be impressed. Kya! How can it taste like this! This is the kind of liquor that only the highest quality Giru can produce in Seoul! While listening to the exmations of his subordinates, Ha-min looked back at Park Gyu-seop. Where did you get this alcohol? One of myrades who opened a bar with me made this drink. Thats my friend. In response to the mans answer, the branch manager and his subordinates fixed their gaze on the man standing behind them. The man, who received a look of admiration, wiped the bridge of his nose and smiled as if he were embarrassed. After downing two more sses in session, Ha-min tilted his head and continued speaking. No matter how you look at it, it looks like Soju from a discharged family, doesnt it? Are you from a noble family? In response to the branch managers question, Park Gyu-seop began to exin on his behalf. That friends mother used to be the concubine of a noble family, but became a queen through the magistrate. They say thats what my mother learned back then. Soju-drinking is the secret of the family, so you wouldnt know it without knowing, right? Park Gyu-seop responded to Ha-mins point with a bitter smile. Were ves treated like human beings? Ha-min nodded at Park Gyu-seops words. A ve was a being who could not escape the clutches of his master until his death. Therefore, even if the ve knew how to make soju, he would have skipped it. Park Gyu-seops exnation continued a little further. It is said that although he became a monk through the sutras that you prepared, he did not drink soju because he was afraid of the owners house. Then, when the owners house was involved in the Giyu Rebellion and was destroyed, he started making soju again. It was just a smart move. At this rate, rumors would have spread for a long time, right? Park Gyu-seop grinned and responded to Ha-mins point. That guy is me. I learned how to make soju from my mother, and I also improved on it. improvement? That friends house is in Mokpo. It is said that he tasted the liquor that the people drink there, learned the method of making it and how to store it, and improved it. Huh~. Thats amazing. Awesome. * * * The mood got even better thanks to the best catalyst: alcohol. While the drinks were being exchanged, Ha-min began to ask questions that he was really curious about. Looking at your participation certificate, it looks like you went through both the Battle of Uiju and the Battle of Liaodong, is that correct? Thats right. I and myrades all experienced the mayhem. Huh~. Then, if you had stayed at the military gate, you would have been able to move up even further, right? Even if he was a soldier, he would have been able to at least rise to the rank of Jinmu or Gungun, right? In response to Ha-mins question, Park Gyu-seop made a bitter expression and emptied his ss repeatedly. After emptying his ss like that, Park Gyu-seop let out a sigh full of alcohol. Whoa~. I saw something dirty. Dirty look? I saw him stealing supplies and military waste (todays military badges) while iming to have saved deadrades, and even exchanging his own merits for those who died while leading bravely. Is there such a bad guy in the world? At Park Gyu-seops words, Ha-min seemed to be even more enraged, raising her voice and filling Park Gyu-seops ss with alcohol. ruler! ruler! Lets have another drink and listen to that bastards story! * * * After breaking up the drinking party, Ha-min patted Park Gyu-seop on the shoulder with a somber expression on his face. Have a nice drink! I hope you are doing well! Thats right! See youter then! Ugh! Im drunk! Ha-min, who was walking on a limb with a breath full of alcohol, was supported by his subordinates as they left Miju. Ha-min, who had been walking unsteadily, straightened his posture as soon as he left the alley where Mi-ju was located. What do you think? Its a pretty believable story. Half and half? The subordinates who were thinking hard about Ha-mins question answered. About 7 to 3? Were looking at 8 to 2. Hmm Hamin, who was thinking while stroking his chin, soon came to a conclusion. I need to write a report. My wife is going to be busy. * * * A few dayster, Hyang checked the report posted through Naegeumcam and checked the contents of the report again with a serious face. Its a military investigative agency so the possibility is not out of the question. There has been no report from the Minister of National Defense or the Chief of Staff. Hyang responded to Naegeumwijangs answer with a serious face. It would be nice to lean on it, but a secret agency could have been created that not even the Minister of Defense or the Chief of Staff knows about. Hmm Hyang, who was snoring and tapping his fingers on the desk, soon came to a conclusion. Director Naegeum, please investigate their military records reported by the Militia. Make sure you actually served on that front and that you were truly discharged. yes. And try to rob their superiors as well. If what they say is true, they not only stole money and valuables by manipting the records of dead soldiers, but also stole military service. If what they say is true, this is a crime equivalent to treason! I will rob you of every detail you have hidden. However the question is how His Majesty knew this. Hyang smiled bitterly at Naegeumwijangs point. You will have to suffer for a few days. * * * The next day, Hyang gave orders to Han Myeong-hoe. Go to the records office and bring back all records rted to war expenses used in thest war! yes? How can you say that? There was something that kept bothering me every time I thought about thest war, and Im going to check it out! yes. ah! Also, please bring along the logs and daily casualty records recorded during thest war! yes. Han Myeong-hoe muttered softly as he came out after receiving the order. If I do something wrong, there will be bloodshed in the military. By the way, both the situation and Your Majestys memory is truly monstrous As Han Myeong-hoe said, both King Sejong and Hyang had good memories. Even if the records were posted several months apart, if the records were different, it was a day of confusion. The reason why the scandal between Hwang Hee and Seo Dal was discovered in history before Hyang intervened was because King Sejong remembered it. And this memory was a great excuse for incense. Following the Hyangs order, Han Myeong-hoe and Seungjeongwon officials visited the Records Office, found a cartload of reports, and presented them to the Hyang. Bring a map too! yes! Hyang, who used arge room in Gangnyeongjeon as his studio, immediately called both Wan and Seul. From now on, we will disy the movement of the front lines by date on the map! Make a separate table of battle records and casualty records for each date! Also, record the status of supplies and military badges issued every day during the war! Following Hyangs orders, Wan and Du Seul proceeded with the work by searching through the records. Hyang also opened the records and muttered to himself. Lets die once! And soon after, Hyang screamed inside. ah! Computers areing! And soon after, all personnel of the imperial family, including Pyeongwon-gun, were summoned and began analysis work. Chapter 680 Episode 680 Yu Yu Sang-jong (10) There were several reasons why Hyang gathered only the members of the imperial family and ordered them to work. The first reason was external pressure. No matter how upright they were, even if they were directly under the emperors control, there was a possibility that they would cover up their previous sins if pressure came from other high-ranking officials. However, those gathered now were the emperors brothers on the side, and the emperors children C even the next emperor. External pressure is applied to these people? It was something that would cause not only him but his entire family to disappear. And my eldest brother and father were right next to me, saying, Im watching! or Dad, Im not sleeping! It was a situation where . In addition to blocking external pressure, efficiency had to increase. The second reason was that all of those gathered were experts in calctions. Hyangs younger brother, Duke Pyeongwon, and Hyangs sons, Du and Seul, were working in the budget department of the Ministry of National Defense. The same was true for Crown Prince Wan. In charge of the operation of the research institute and Area 51, I was struggling with various expense statements most of the time, excluding the time I was teaching. These werent the only ones. With the addition of Princess Jeong and Kim Dam, who were well-known in the industry-academia sector, every single penny of the militarys expenses before and after thest war was being counted. And the numbers that came up in this organized manner were written on oiled and dried oil paper and attached to a map. Thanks to this, more and more materials were attached to therge map hanging on one wall. However, as a result of such work, by simply examining the map properly, it was possible to determine the approximate situation that urred as the war progressed on a daily basis. And Hyang found the problem there. Look at this? Hyang, who was tracing the numbers of the people on the map with his finger, muttered with a wry smile. Prince, pleasee here for a moment. Yes, Your Majesty. Hyang, who had ced Wan next to him, asked while scattering the figures of a specific region with his fingers. Isnt something strange? At Hyangs question, Wans expression, who was looking at the numbers as he walked up and down the stairs, became serious. huh? this is? Do you understand? I understand! Everyone who was working on the conversation between Hyang and Wan stopped what they were doing and looked at them. Hyang saw that and beckoned to them. You cane and listen to the princes exnation and confirm. In particr, the Duke of Pyeongwon, the Duke of Eunpyeong, and the Duke of Bundang muste and see it. Yes, Your Majesty. After listening to Wans exnation, the imperial officials who approached realized what the problem was. -The day after the supplies arrived, reports ofrge numbers of casualties continued. If this happens, the supplies provided for casualties will end up floating in the air. The problem is that there were many battlefields where supplies floating in the air were lost. -The same goes for military corruption. ording to military regtions, imperial troops stationed in enemy territory are regrly paid a certain amount of military service depending on their rank. The problem is that reports of casualties increase rapidly the day after military pay is paid. Duke Pyeongwon and Du Seul, who confirmed the problem while listening to Wans exnation, looked devastated. In particr, the face of the Duke of Pyeongwon, who had been struggling with numbers at the Ministry of Defense throughout thest war, was beyond devastated. Why did I miss this part? The scent answered the Duke of insment-like advice. The most important thing was victory or defeat. This is what happened because we only focused on winning and losing. Ah After discovering the embezzlement that urred during the war, the imperial family members also began investigating the maniption of merit awards. The imperial family, who brought back from the record office the records of the major examination that had been conducted for the honoree, including records of war injuries and documents recording testimonies of people around them to prove the meritorious service, began to shake things up once again. * * * In the process, the thoughts of the imperial family members who participated in the work leaked to one side at the same time. your majesty! Please provide typewriters to the Record Office! Even though it was written in the correct pronunciation, it is difficult to recognize it immediately because the handwriting is different. What in the world would you do if you wrote Jeongeum in a cursive font? No matter how much you wish, this is a harsh treatment! Im getting it back! Just like the purpose of the Records Institutes founding, in order for future generations to use the current records as a reference point, they must be able to read them properly! Ill have to use a typewriter to transcribe everything so its legible! When Wan even went so far as to insist that the typewriter should be put into the record office, Hyang asked with a puzzled expression on his face. Are you saying this because you know how much records there are in the archives? Wan answered Hyangs question right away. Isnt that a matter for the people in charge of the records office to worry about and not for you to know? Hyangs mouth instantly gaped at Wans answer, which was so decisive. But Wan did not back down. Considering the purpose of the archives, it would be absolutely uneptable to back down just because the volume isrge! What would you like to do when you ascend to the throne? By that time, the amount will increase even more. your majesty! Why is there such a thing as a water-sealing machine? In the end, Hyang decided to put a typewriter in the record office. Of course, because the amount of records in the archives was enormous, rewriting by typewriter was limited to records from the first years of the empire. Nevertheless, the quantity was enormous. Recording all of this, the officer added: - So the emperor epted the crown princes petition and decided to install a typewriter in the record office. The officer says: Leaving records in the archives is so that future generations can immediately understand why previous generations did what they did and change them to fit the times. Therefore, it is not a bad thing to use a typewriter to make it easier for future generations to understand. I should nevermit a crime rted to work. * * * Although there was such a skit, the imperial family members who participated in the work did their best to analyze the records. And about 10 people who manipted military operations were found. Hyang received the report and ordered the merchant ship. Ask the Prime Minister, the left and right deputy prime ministers, the Minister of National Defense and the Chief of Staff toe immediately. Yes, Your Majesty. Hyang called the highest-ranking officials of the department in charge, starting with Hwang Hee, and handed out a report and gave orders. Read it. Lets talkter. After reading the report, the summoned officials had no choice but to kneel down on the floor and bow their heads. The gods were too insensitive to notice this! Please kill me! Do you really want me to kill you? . Sang Sang has said something repeatedly, right? If you dont want to die, dontmit a mortal sin. Please have mercy! Hwang Hee, the left and right Deputy Prime Ministers, the Minister of National Defense, and the Chief of Staff, who had been scolded by Hyang, proceeded with their work in a rage. It was the beginning of the bloody downfall. Why cant I resign and stay in government office for the rest of my life? Its all because of these guys! Its not because of your sons? Hearing Hwang Hees angry words, all subordinate officials thought the same thing, but no one said it out loud. In any case, thanks to the downward pressure that started from above, starting with Hwang Hee, those who were discovered had to receive more severe punishment. In particr, during this process, the person who insisted on as strong a punishment as Hwang Hee was Lee Jing-ok, the Chief of Staff. During thest war, some people were rolling around in the mud, suffering to death, but these guys were doing this behind their backs! Grab it right now and drag it to me! These guys are not good enough to be shot to death rather than shot! In the end, all those whose misconduct was discovered had to be severely punished. In addition to the confiscation of all assets, all privileges as meritorious persons were taken away, and they were also deleted from the list of meritorious persons. And depending on the nature of the crime, he was sentenced to at least 20 years of hardbor in Aoji and Fushun. After the transition to an empire, the guilt-by-association system was abolished, so the family was not punished, but there was just no official punishment. With all their assets confiscated, the remaining family members had no choice but to sit on the streets. As rumors spread among the neighbors, all social rtionships were severed. In the end, the remaining family members had no choice but to leave the ce where they had lived until then and move to Bukji or Daeseol Ind. * * * When chaos was going on in Seoul, Ha-min visited Park Gyu-seop. huh? Hyung, whats going on today? Would you mind giving me a few buckets of alcohol? Why are you digging at Giru? I will give it to you. Ha-min smiled at Park Gyu-seops joke and continued speaking. Thats not it, I want to tell you the truth. Truth? Im also very knowledgeable about alcohol, but that alcohol wasnt normal? So, I thought I would tell Nara the truth. I will post your names as well, so please give me some. Park Gyu-seop, who pondered Ha-mins words for a moment, nodded willingly. Lets do that. Ha-min, who obtained three wooden liquor barrels from Park Gyu-seop, muttered softly as he loaded the barrels into the carriage. But why does Your Majesty suddenly show interest in alcohol? In this way, Mijus alcohol was delivered to Hyang. Hmm Is this a new drink created by the people? Lets have a drink each. At Hyangs words, the expressions of the ministers who drank Mijus drink changed strangely. It is truly unique. Its like soju, but the vor is very different from soju. They said it was made from barley, not rice, so it seems like that. Nodding to the words of the ministers, Hyang emptied his ss and muttered to himself. also! Its whiskey! Theres still a lot of room for refinement, but its whiskey! After drinking a couple more drinks, Hyang gave an order. Send the craftsmen of Saonseo (the government office that made liquor for the pce during the Joseon Dynasty) to the North to learn how to make this liquor. And. Hyang wrote something on a piece of paper, stamped it with a seal, and then handed it to the merchant ship. Give this letter to the craftsman who made this drink. Yes, Your Majesty. In this way, the two brewers of Saonseo, Hyangs book, and the reward money arrived in America. Park Gyu-seop, who epted Hyangs letter, cheered and tapped Kim Bok-ju, who made the liquor in question, on the shoulder. You bastard! Congrattions! A handwritten letter from His Majesty! Heirloom of heirlooms! But Bok-ju was thrilled in a different way. This was it! After all, he is your Majesty! Your Majesty has clearly seen the inadequacy of my drinking! The contents of the letter sent by Hyang were as follows. -It is a good drink, but it is still immature. Aged for at least 8 years. C Consider mixing it with soju made from rice for a better taste. -Why not spend some money on the barrel for a better vor? It might be a good idea to put the alcohol in a barrel that has previously contained fruit wine for a long period of time and let it age for a long time, so think about it. The contents of the letter Hyang sent were the solution to Bokjus concerns. Bokju ced the writing in front of her and bowed deeply and shouted. Kim Bok-ju, a lowly citizen! I will definitely make the best liquor for your Majesty! In this way, famous liquor (),ter known throughout the world C a name written for intoxicating people with its color, aroma and taste C was born. This is how the product called whiskey in history before the intervention of scents revealed its existence in the empire. Andter, Who was first? came intopetition with Scotch whiskey. We are not legends, we have official records! You guys dont have any! * * * Meanwhile, Ha-min continued to look for Park Gyu-seop. After confirming the positive and negative information about Park Gyu-seop, Ha-min proposed to Park Gyu-seop one day. Look at you, Gyu-seop. Would you like to do something together with me? Day? What happened? Its for the greater good. Park Gyu-seop snorted at Ha-mins words. joy! What is the purpose of the Geom Realm? Its not just a sword world. Park Gyu-seops expression also changed as Ha-mins moodpletely changed. Lets just listen to what we have to say. However, there is nothing that is not a coincidence and a strange thing. Im telling you in advance for my brother Has sake, but please know this. I will not remain silent if it causes even the slightest harm to Your Majesty. If that happens, be prepared to die for me. Ha-min responded to Park Gyu-seops warning with a grin. You will never die. * * * Two monthster, a railroad construction site in Bukji. Theres a new member of the surveying team! The worker who was about to start the survey stopped when he heard that a new person had arrived and came out. Park Gyu-seop was standing where the workers were gathered. Hello! Its amazing that Im working with Park Gyu-seop starting today! Please take care of me! Chapter 681 Episode 681 Suez (1) Imperial Year 5 (1453). february. Hwang Hee passed away. He was 91 years old. It was Hwang Hee who lived one year longer than before the intervention of Hyang. It was Hwang Hee who was implicated in the corruptionmitted by his sons in the early days of Gyeongjang and was punished beyond punishment by having to work as an official until his death. However, he had be so severely weakened a year before his death that the county allowed him to retire. On the day Hwang Hee was allowed to resign, officials from both major and minor visited Hwang Hees house. This is it Should I say congrattions? Or should I say its disappointing? Hwang Hee responded with a smile to the words of Kim Jeom, who had been working hand in hand with Hwang Hee for the longest time. Me too. Should I say its refreshing? It was very refreshing to think about the situation and the trouble I had been through by the emperor, but considering the empire still had a long way to go, I wanted to stay there a little longer. But now my body no longer responds. Should I have given you more medicine? Hwang Hee, who looked sad for a moment at Kim Jeoms joke, soon smiled and epted it. There is no one in this whole empire who has taken more tonics than me, right? No, there you are. Didnt the situation give it to you directly? At Hwang Hees words, Kim Jeom shuddered slightly and continued. Thats when the saying the day you get a good fish meal was coined. Just a few months after Hwang Hee retired, Deputy Prime Minister Woo submitted his resignation. Since Deputy Prime Minister Wus health condition was not easy, the vige epted his resignation. Afterwards, the worlds attention focused on who would fill the vacant position created by the resignation of the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Wu. Of course, the Prime Minister will be Inspector General Kim Jeom, and who the left and right deputy prime ministers will be. I think the Left Deputy Prime Minister is also oblivious? The Minister of Finance and Economy will be appointed. Because our responsibilities ovep. Then what remains is the Deputy Prime Minister. Who do you think will be? It would be Captain Kim Jong-seo or Captain Hwang Bo-in. As the people expected, Hyang was weighing Hwang Bo-in and Kim Jong-seo with a serious face. We have simr experiences and simr abilities. If you think about Gyeyujeongnan, their loyalty is simr After pondering over and over again, Hyang finally came to a conclusion. Lets go to Hwang Bo-in first. The General Affairs Department does not yet have anyone to rece Kim Jong-seo. And since he is the right deputy prime minister, Hwang Bo-in is even more qualified. Although the names were changed to Prime Minister and Left and Right Deputy Prime Ministers, the basic division of duties was the same as the Prime Minister, Left and Right Ministers. While the Council of Ministers was the highest level of officials and coordinated the overall administration, the left deputy prime minister oversaw the work of departments such as the Ministry of Finance and Economy, the Ministry of General Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the right deputy prime minister oversaw the work of ministries such as the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Justice. Therefore, Hwang Bo-in was the right candidate for the position of Deputy Prime Minister. With the decision to appoint Hwang Bo-in, the vacancy was quickly filled. The left deputy prime minister, Kim Jeom, was taken over by Minister of Finance and Economy Park Jong-woo, and the right deputy prime minister was taken by Hwang Bo-in. As soon as the top position was filled, the vacancies that arose afterwards were immediately filled through internal promotions. In this way, the second cab reshuffle of Hyangs reign waspleted. * * * When Hwang Hees death was announced, Hyang stopped work in ordance with etiquette and visited the funeral with Wan. The person who greeted Hyang and Wan was Hwang Soo-sin, the third and youngest of Hwang Hees legitimate children. His older brothers had to serve 10 years of hardbor for previous corruption, and even after returning from prison, they were kicked out of the family and lived in seclusion. The youngest, Hwang Su-sin, was not harmed because he was not involved, but he was also deprived of the opportunity to write a secret. The popr opinion was that Hwang Huis family would be able to enter the civil service world again only after Hwang Huis grandson grew up, and this was actually the case. Although Hwang Huis death left him in a difficult situation, it was a great honor for him to be found by Hyang and Wan. Therefore, Hwang Su-sin greeted Hyang and Wan with polite courtesy. On the way back from visiting Hwang Hees funeral, Hyang looked up at the sky and muttered. Big stars are disappearing one by one. * * * Although a great star named Hwang Hee disappeared, the empire was running smoothly. This was because Sejong and Hyang had alreadypleted a solid structure, and those who filled the vacant positions were notcking in ability. But the scent still made me feel uneasy. Because it has changed so much. It was a history that had changed so muchpared to the history before the intervention of incense. Starting with Gyeongjang, the situation waspletely different from the history before Hyang intervened, but the reason he was able to feel at ease was because there was a person named King Sejong and capable subjects like Hwang Hui with rich experience. However, as those subjects disappeared one by one, the burden of Hyang was increasing. Therefore, the scent was still unsettling. I cant help it. I have no choice but to be as careful as possible. I guess Ill have to bang on the stone bridge to cross it. While Hyang was gathering his thoughts, news came from the Middle East. The war over Suez was over. * * * The war over Suez had been going on for almost 10 years. The war fought to monopolize the transportation route connecting Suez and the Mediterranean Sea involved more countries than expected, knowingly or unknowingly. Emerging and existing powers in the Middle East and Europe became entangled, and Italian city-states took sides and entered the war ording to each others interests. Because it was a war that involved the countries of Europe and the Middle East, historians with a European-centered view of history argued that this war was called World War I. Of course, historians who made this im had to be criticized as racists. * * * In any case, the war thatsted for nearly 10 years over the transportation route connecting Suez and the Mediterranean shifted the center of gravity toward the Portuguese-Ottoman alliance with Frances participation. However, the end of the war was an unfinished ending. The areas controlled by the Portuguese-Ottoman-French alliance included the Arabian Penins, the eastern coast of Egypt bordering the Red Sea, and the southern Mediterranean region bordering the Suez transportation route. In this way, the Suez transportation route was secured, but it had to be an unfinished task because the Mamluks still controlled the granary region of the Nile River. Its a bit disappointing, but lets stop here. Henrik Cosimo de Medici and the messengers of Charles VII all nodded at the words of Mehmet II, who seeded his father as Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. It is a bit puzzling that the Mamluks are controlling the Nile River region. Henry responded to the French messengers words. But the country is already in ruins. I dont think it will be easy to recover. Intermediate trade with the East conducted through Alexandria brought enormous wealth to the Mamluks. However, the problem was that the wealth led the Mamluk leaders to indulge in pleasure. As the leaders became addicted to pleasure, the running of the country naturally fell into disarray. Because of this background, the Mamluks were allies who expected that they would copse as soon as the war began. However, the Italian city-states that were inpetition with Spain and Florence intervened in the war and provided economic support, and it held out for nearly 10 years. Although they endured like this, the corruption of the leadership still persisted, so Henrik was pessimistic about the future of the Mamluks. * * * Henrys face was also full of regret as he said those words. It would have been nice if we had spent more money on war, but its a bit disappointing. Cosimo shrugged his shoulders at Henrys words. It was something that could not be helped. Because the war was longer than expected and I had no idea that so much gunpowder would be consumed. Cosimos words were the biggest reason why this war ended unfinished. As the war unfolded, both armies mobilizedrge quantities of gunpowder weapons. Italian cksmiths were busy supplying the gunpowder weapons used by both armies. The problem is that gunpowder weapons, especially firearms, were produced and consumed in quantities of at least hundreds of cases. Armor and swords were not cheap, but guns and artillery were very expensive. And gunpowder was never cheap either. In this war, unlike previous wars, gunpowder weapons were the key factor in determining victory or defeat. Therefore, the participating countries had to expend a lot of war effort to win. In the end, the war came to an unfinished end as the Italian city-states that had been fighting behind the scenes became exhausted first. * * * In the end, the one who benefits the most will be the empire. Those gathered at Henriks words nodded strongly. The performance was overwhelming, even from the senior-type guns brought in in the early days of the war. The primitive hand cannons possessed by the opposing countries had iparable performance, so the soldiers of the opposing countries worked hard to capture the Empires rifles. And he attempted to create a simr Seokseok-style gun modeled after the looted items. Because it was made in a ck box format, it was not easy to replicate, but as the operating principle was learned, simr firearms of simr structure were produced inrge quantities, and the situation became boiling. When the forces of both sides became simr and they fell into a swamp of a long war, the empire that won against the Ming introduced Japanese style rifles and freight cars, and the allies rushed to purchase them. However, Japanese rifles and freight cars were a double-edged sword. It had a performance that surpassed that of the Seokseok rifle in both range and uracy, but it was expensive and had the problem of having to use special ammunition. Therefore, there were opinions as to whether it was really necessary to use it, but the allies, addicted to the sweetness of victory, decided to continue introducing it. Thanks to this, the financial manager of the Medici family desperately sought God. * * * So, did you find out the secret of that damn pok-eun? In response to the French envoys question, Mehmet II and Cosimo shook their heads. We are mobilizing alchemists to research it, but we still havent been able to find it properly. Same. Whoa~. Huh~. In response to Mehmet II and Cosimos response, Henrik and the Lion of France let out a long sigh. The reason why special ammunition had to be used in Eulsik rifles and Eulsik freight cars was because of their width. If it were not for the width, Italy and the Ottomans would have been able to produce enough bullets inrge quantities. However, because they did not know the secret to manufacturing that wide silver, they had to purchase special ammunition from the Empire at a high cost. Therefore, Cosimo submitted a request to the University of Florence, and Mehmet II gathered alchemists and entrusted them with research on silver. Although the research was carried out with full support, the results were sluggish. ording to those who know the Kitai script, the silver character in pok-eun refers to silver. So we are continuing to experiment with silver, but have not yet found the answer. We need more time and budget. It was a series of failures due to wrong choices, but Cosimo and Mehmet II could not stop supporting them. -Once you know how to make silver, the uses for it are endless! -You dont have to do the dangerous thing of sticking a wick into a canvas and lighting it on fire! * * * It looks like the war has been roughly resolved, so lets move on. Lets first consider the conditions we will present to Spain and the Mamluks. Now it was a war on the table. It was not a war where bullets were exchanged and life and death were the difference, but a war fought with persistent verbal skills and deliberate bluster in exploiting the opponents weaknesses. Chapter 682 Episode 682: Suez (2) Negotiations were fierce. The messengers from Portugals alliance with Ottoman France and Mamluk Spains alliance with the Holy Roman Empire engaged in a fierce war of words. Although everyone agreed on the end of the war, neither side was able to achieve the goals they had originally envisioned. C Complete control of the Egyptian region through the fall of the Mamluks C Control of the Mediterranean Sea. -Monopoly of trade routes to the empire This was the goal the alliance set before the start of the war. -The expulsion of the allied forces that invaded the Mamluks. -Conquering the Mediterranean Sea. -Securing imperial trade routes upied by Portugal. This was the goal set by the Allied powers participating in the war. And both sides entered into negotiations without 100% achieving this goal. What was interesting was that none of those sitting at the negotiating table were Italian city-states. This was due to the characteristics of Italian city-states. Italysmercial city-states, symbolized by the Medici of Florence, were doing business with all European countries. The moment you sit down at the negotiating table on either side of an alliance or union, your dealings with the countries on the other side will be thrown out the window. Of course, if the alliance had clearly won, it would have proudly taken the spot. But if we cut it off in such a haphazard manner, we have no choice but to hide. Cosimosints represented the feelings of the Italian city-states at the time. Of course, I knew who in Italy was allied with the other, whether it was an alliance or coalition. However, unless it was officially revealed, the correct answer was to pretend not to know while knowing. This was because the capital power of the Italian city-states was absolutely necessary for them. However, seeing Italys situation like this, people who are worried about Italys future are starting to appear one by one. * * * The first ce where people worried about Italys future appeared was at a university in Florence. After the empire first appeared with the nickname Land of Flowers, there were a group of schrs who began to look at it with interest. Afterwards, I learned more and more about the empire through letters sent by monks who settled in the empires research institute. It was a heaven-sent opportunity for the empire to open its doors to such people. Schrs at the University of Florence made desperate efforts not to miss the opportunity to actually see the empire they had only imagined after reading the sentences. In order to participate in a visiting group organized to tour the empire, he appealed himself through various channels, andter, he used every means possible to obtain the position of professor in charge of leading international students. Schrs who went to the empire and observed the actual state of the empire and the trends of neighboring countries such as the Ming and Japanese countries began to increasingly worry about the future of their hometown, Florence, and Italy. * * * -Although it has been overshadowed by the Empire, the Empire is always on the lookout for the Ming. -Myeongseong, formerly called Kitai, has no problem being called thergest country in the East and Europe. This is because it boasts thergest size in terms of territory size, poption size, and market size. -On the other hand, the empire has powerful military power, technological power, and economic powerparable to that of the Ming, but is inferior to the Ming in both poption and territory. -The empire is well aware of this fact, so it actively encourages fertility. -Not only is it encouraging childbirth, but it is also actively subjugating the indigenous people living in the surrounding areas of the empire. -The biggest characteristic of the empires indigenous policy is that it does not regard indigenous people as ves. This means treating the serfs who fled from city to city in Italy as equal citizens of the empire, just as they were treated equally with city residents. -The empire is trying to solve the problem of supply and demand of talent by not only treating imperial people and natives equally but also providing opportunities for advancement for natives. -This is simr to the policy that Rome followed during the old Roman Republic as well as during the Empire. This policy allowed Rome to maintain its strong hold. Schrs who looked at the empire and its neighboring countries C especially the Ming Dynasty Cpared these results to the situation in Italy, where they lived. -If we look at the current situation in Italy and Europe, Italian city-states are dominating the European economy. -However, even our proud city of Florence, which is said to be the strongest among city-states, is just a city located in a small region called Italy. -If you look at the surrounding kingdoms, there are at least five or six cities like Florence, the territory is several timesrger, and the poption is dozens of timesrger. -Of course, most of those countries are divided intorge and small independent fiefdoms and cities, like the city-states of Italy. -However, ces like the UK and France that havepletely integrated into one country are starting to appear. -The country of most concern is France. -France is the country with thergest territory among European countries. -The people of France also came to have a sense of belonging as French. -If France actively promotes wealth and strong military power based on people with a sense of belonging, it will not be long before France bes the strongest country in Europe. -The process of bing powerful is not easy, but maintaining that position afterwards is also not easy. -The easiest way is to create political and economic dependencies. -From that perspective, the best prey is Italy. This is because a lot of funds are needed to maintain the position of the strongest, and Italian city-states are the optimal source of funds. -Our proud Florence as well as that damn Genoa and Venice are powerful, butpared to the whole of France, they are weak. -If France attempts to defeat them individually, the Italian city-states will copse helplessly. -Therefore, in order to avoid this tragic oue, the unification of Italy is inevitable. -If Italy, the birthce of the great Rome, is unified, it can establish itself as another powerhouse in Europe. Schrs who came to this conclusion began to argue for the Italian unification theory. However, the leaders of the city-states reacted indifferently to their ims. Even Cosimo de Medici, who was known to have excellent insight into the future, reacted as follows upon hearing this opinion: Its definitely a high possibility. However, France cannot be considered to have achievedplete unity yet. And if France tries to do something like this, Britain and the Holy Roman Empire will not stand still. If something like this happens, you can use those two. Just like its always been. Schrs naturally reacted to Cosimos words. If we were to unify into one Italy, that wouldnt even happen! In response to the opposition from schrs, Cosimo smiled and pointed out the problem. What you say is correct. But thats it. Thats the biggest problem. Who do you think will be the monarch who will unify Italy? me? Of course, it is true that I am a worn-out politician. But I am a politician and a merchant, not a kings bastard. So who will be the monarch? The tyrants of Genoa or Venice? Speaking of the resurrection of Rome, the Pope of the Vatican? Who will be the monarch? Or are Italians now aware that we are Italians? Even I just think of myself as a Florentine? . The schrs fell silent at Cosimos point. Looking at such schrs, Cosimo came to a conclusion. Unified Italy? Thats a good thing. But I will say it again: Italy is not ready yet. And the possibility of an invasion of France is considerable, but considering Frances current situation, it will take at least 100 years. Cosimos words ultimately forced the schrs to retreat. But this was Cosimos misjudgment. In history before the intervention of the French, the French invasion of Italy began in 1494. With this invasion, Italys tragedy began. It was revealed that the Italian city-states were economically prosperous but militarily weak. Afterwards, Italy became the stage ofpetition for hegemony among European powers and was torn apart. There was less than 50 years left. In addition, no one knew what kind of butterfly effect the sudden variables of fragrance and empire would have. Another characteristic was that the movement calling for a unified Italy surfaced sooner than expected. In history before the intervention of the township, it was almost 400 years from the First Italian War of Independence that took ce in 1849. Later, a political ideology called Risorgimento (Resurgence and Revival), borrowed from the Resurgence of Rome advocated by schrs, was born. * * * While such movements were taking ce inside Italy, negotiations were continuing tediously. Your demands cannot be epted! Are your demands like that sane? what? I know its sweet! Someone is saying something! Whenever a meeting took ce, there was shouting, and when bored, people would hit the desk with their fists and point at each other. Seeing this scene, the soldiers standing guard at the negotiation site had the same thought regardless of their alliance or union. Ah! Stop making a fuss,e out calmly and fight! Whether its punching or stabbing, its easy to do as the winner says! The negotiations to end the war, which had caused serious stress to the soldiers, were concluded after half a year. -The Mamluks give up territories upied by their allies. -Portugal and Spain stop attacking each others African colonies. -Stop attacks on ships of other countries in the Mediterranean. Afterwards, agreement was reached on several minor details, and the allies and allied countries signed the document ending the war and dered the end of the war. Is this the beginning of peace? Many people who heard the rumor thought of peace, but those who looked at the details more closely shook their heads. Spain and Portugal will continue to fight. why? You said you would stop attacking colonies and stop attacking ships in the Mediterranean region. The most important part, the eastern coast of Africa, is missing. Ah This was true. The east coast of Africa was one of the golden routes. Ships loaded with gold, silver, ivory, and ves from Africa were moving along the east coast of Africa. And the treaty omitted the part about stopping fighting along this route. This was because, in a sense, the interests of the two countries coincided. -If you touch a colony, you have to be prepared for a lot of blood loss, but its not a ship, right? * * * Once the treaty went into effect, officials from Portugal, Ottoman France, and Florence gathered again. ruler! Then lets talk about this Suez transit route. Lets do that. Then first of all, is waterway the only answer? In the first agenda item, all participants C especially Europe C had serious faces. This was because I had experienced what the desert was like during thest war. I think that mobilizing ves, as I first mentioned, was a huge waste of both time and money. Then, as expected, an iron horse? Thats the best way, but When the Portuguese representative trailed off, the Florence representative expressed everyones feelings. Isnt the problem that all iron horses and railways have to be imperial? Just like in war, the empire will make the most profit. It would be true to say that only the empire makes money. Chapter 683 Episode 683: Suez (3) Everyone present nodded at the French representatives words, Only empires make money. The meeting continued for several days, but the attendees were unable toe to a conclusion with expressions of displeasure. The reason they were so worried was because of the Empire. The reason they went to war was to monopolize trade routes with the empire. Even while fighting over religious disputes, goods from the empire, also known as the Land of Flowers, were being sold steadily. Even when expensive luxury goods faltered, mid- to low-priced goods filled the void, and as soon as there was a lull in the conflict or even a small agreement was reached, luxury goods started selling like crazy. Therefore, the alliance that monopolized the trade route with the empire was able to reap enormous profits. * * * And theposition of the countries participating in this alliance was truly exquisite. The Ottomans, who suffered the most blood loss but participated most actively in the war, were able to exploit the Middle East and Arab Eastern Europe as their markets. In the case of France, it was able to use its home country and the northern part of the Holy Roman Empire, which wouldter be Germany, as its market. In the case of Portugal, northern Africa and eastern Ennd were its markets. Africa? When Portugal announced that it would make Africa its market, all participating countries except Cosimo of Florence expressed doubts. Theirmon sense was that Africa was a poor and primitivend suitable only as a source of ves. But Cosimona Henry knew full well that this was only half the truth. There were surprisingly many wealthy people in North African countries such as Moro and Algeria, and there were also many Imic magnates who had umted considerable wealth. They were great markets. As a rosy future approached with monopolization of trade routes, the allies began to feel the shadow of the empire again. * * * The biggest problem is that digging a waterway orying a railroad will not work properly without the help of the empire. At Representative Florences words, the other representatives let out a long sigh. Whoa~. Thats the problem. Isnt this meeting always at a standstill because there is no solution to the problem? Whoa~. The profits the empire gained from trade were already enormous. However, a request came from the empire to create an upper body to manage trade routes and to give the empire a 40% stake in it. This was not pleasing to the allies. -We shed blood! The Allies went through all sorts of hardships to win the war. Even Cosimo de Medici supported mercenaries and provided huge amounts of military funds. However, the Empire was an obnoxious entity that sat back and only made money by selling weapons. -The best idea is to invest capital and create a joint venture to manage trade routes. -But epting the Empire at this top is the worst idea. Therefore, the allies agreed to achieve their goals without relying on the empire. Even Mehmed II, who wrote a memorandum in the name of Ah, agreed with this opinion. Mehmed II came to power by paying for it at a significantly discounted price or purchasing a huge amount of weapons on credit and took thergest share among the allies, but he was not satisfied with keeping his promises to the empire. In such a situation, the proposal of exclusion of the empire made by other allies was a truly sweet proposal. -I wanted to keep my promise, but other allies came to different conclusions. -Im sorry, but I cant keep my promise to the empire. -However, since this is due to unavoidable circumstances, the purchase price will be processed ording to the conditions stated in the memorandum. Mehmet II was nning to use this excuse to save money on purchasing weapons. Its a bit disappointing about the private coal issue, but as time passes, someone will definitely solve it. There is no need to buy weapons from the empire if the exclusive ammo is taken care of. Of course, the empire will protest, but the empire will have no choice but to ept it if it wants to sell its own goods. Even though we thought of our own alternatives, we boarded the same ship as our allies, but the ship was on the verge of running aground. Whoa~. After sighing again for a long time, Osmans representative asked the other participants. Everyone is currently researching steam engines and iron horses. Is there any good news? bang! In response to Representative Osmans question, the French representative mmed the table and became angry. shit! All those great schrs always say is, Spend more time and budget! At best, the prototype is slower than a person walking but it doesnt carry a lot of luggage. It makes me so angry to see that proud face after making a toy that could barely drag a cart and move! I heard that the Empire is already releasing a second-generation iron horse What about the Ottomans? Representative Osman, who was asked the question, also let out a long sigh. Were just hearing that damn time and budget thing. Phew~. The representative of Osman let out another long sigh, his eyes shining. ah! Come to think of it! I heard that Mingdo is building an iron horse! Do you know anything? In response to Representative Osmans question, Representative Florence shook his head. There is. After looking around, I heard that it was made based on blueprints brought in from the empire during the reign of Emperor Ming. How is the performance? They say it takes longer to repair a breakdown than to move it. But wouldnt it be a good alternative? If it breaks down, you just have to repair it, and if the price is right, shouldnt you just buy it in bulk and operate it? Still, in response to Representative Osmans attempt not to give up hope, Representative Florence shook his head. The rumor is that the price is not that cheappared to the imperial one. And the biggest problem is that both the output and durability of the core steam engine are too lowpared to the imperial one. And theres a bigger problem. It is said that during thest war, pirates from Zipangu attacked and took away many craftsmen, so many of the craftsmen who made iron horses moved to weapon factories. To put it simply, it can be said that Mings iron horse has been discontinued. Representative Osman shook his head at the exnation of the Florence representative. In what spirit did the Emperor of Ming make such a decision? This was also true for representatives of France and Portugal. Iron horses and railroads were the best means of transportingrge quantities of cargo and people over long distances. Now, anyone with thergest territory in the world C other countries were not yet fully aware of the existence of Shinji C would not have been unaware of the utility of the railway. But the iron horse was discontinued? These were representatives who could not understand the name decision by their own standards. Representative Florence, who checked the expressions of the other participants, continued his exnation. In the Ming Dynasty, there is a grand canal that crosses the country from north to south. A considerable amount of cargo uses the Grand Canal, so the railroad is merely a means to assist the Grand Canal. Ah Only then did the other participants nod as if they understood. The French representative, who was nodding like that, asked the Florentine representative. How do you know Florence so well? If you want to do business properly, dont you need to know your partner properly? Ah Participants from other countries nodded in response to the Florence representatives answer, but were thinking the same thing in their hearts. Seriously, business people! * * * Even after considering all the alternatives, no clear answer could be found, so the participants had no choice but to wave the white g. I guess Ill have no choice but to rely on the empire. I think that would be best. Whoa~. I will hear something from His Majesty the King. As the Portuguese representativeined, the monarchs of each country became angry after hearing the final decisions of the participants. I brought this as the best! There is no answer other than that. Ugh In the end, when they called other subjects and schrs and asked for their opinions, only to get simr answers, the alliances monarchs picked up their pens. Use it! I cant help it! And finally, Cosimo de Medici called his son Giovanni. I have to go to the empire. yes. * * * A few monthster, after receiving the personal letter Giovanni brought, Hyang presented it to Kim Jeom. What do you think? In response to Hyangs question, Kim Jeom, who received the letter, expressed mild surprise. Is this a personal letter written in the imperialnguage using the correct pronunciation? Thats right. I guess they were in a bit of a hurry. Kim Jeom, who listened to Hyangs words and carefully examined the contents of the personal letter, reported his thoughts to Hyang. God thinks Kim Jeoms opinion was as follows. -They had been thinking about the railroad from the beginning. However, aftering to the Empire and hearing the story, he changed his direction to water transport. -But the reason they insisted on the railroad again is that they changed their mind. -The biggest reason for doing so was to exclude the empire. But I think they reached out to us because the situation was not favorable. Jim feels the same way. Hyang nodded at Kim Jeoms words and smiled mischievously and asked. Then theres no need for us to look after it, right? Hearing Hyangs words, Kim Jeom also smiled and bowed his head. This is an extremely natural thing to say. They tried to stab us in the back, so shouldnt we blow their jaws off? I agree. The officer who recorded all of this added the following. C says the officer. Admiral Kim Jeom, who has be the new Prime Minister, is highly capable, but his tone is too frivolous, so I dont think he is a model for noblemen. But I feel cool inside. Thats right. If you receive something, it is polite to return it as you received it. After reaching an agreement with Kim, Hyang immediately took out a piece of paper and started writing down something. After rechecking the contents of the written sentence and stamping the seal, Hyang held out the paper to the merchant ship. Order Tao Seung-ji to convey this to Duke Jinpyeong in the North. ASAP. Yes, Your Majesty. Hyang muttered to himself as he watched the eunuch leaving Geunjeongjeon. It will take at least 15 days to get to the site in Bukji, so Ill see that bastard in about a month. But exactly 21 dayster. older brother! No, Your Majesty! What is this imperial name? At the sound of Jinpyeongs shouting that echoed through Geunjeongjeon, Hyang slightly shook his head and muttered softly. Did this kid fly? older brother! No, Your Majesty! What really is this imperial title? When Jinpyeong questioned again, Hyang narrowed her eyes and asked. Does the duke not know manners? In response to Hyangs point, Jinpyeong made an expression of regret and immediately raised his example. Duke Jinpyeonges to see His Majesty Lee Yu! okay. Its been a while since Ist saw you. But it came sooner than I expected? You have received such an imperialmand. Will youe leisurely? The imperialmand sent by Hyang was simple. -Select and send people in charge of surveying and estimates for the railway to be built in Suez. Of course I have to go for this! Dont you know that it is my dream toy railroads all over the world? Hyang briefly answered Jinpyeongs words. Thats why you shouldnt go. yes? Chapter 684 Episode 684 Suez (4) What do you mean, Sosin shouldnt go because of Sosins dream? Jinpyeong looked at Hyang with an expression ofplete iprehension. Hyang, who was looking at Jinpyeong nkly, actually asked Jinpyeong back. Are you sure you dont know this? I really dont know what you believe. Hello? I really dont know. Seeing Jinpyeongs expression that he really didnt know, Hyang sighed softly and exined the reason. Whoa~. your dream The dream ofying railroad tracks and running iron horses all over the world. The dream isnt a bad thing. But your temper is the problem. Do you mean the nature of your convictions? Because in order to achieve that great cause, you are the kind of person who can ignore even a small loss or even a bigger loss. The railroad being built in the Suez region is something that will bring tremendous national interest to the empire. However, if you were you, you would focus only on the construction of the railroad and ignore the national interests of the empire. Thats why I cant send you away. Jinpyeong raised his voice at Hyangs words. Soshin also knows how important the national interest of the empire is! And The moment Jinpyeong was about to continue, Hyang raised her hand to stop Jinpyeong. The moment you used the word and, you showed yourself to be unqualified for this job. Ah Jinpyeong lowered his head at Hyangs words. Hyang, seeing Jinpyeong like that, continued speaking. This negotiation is a dog fight in a mud field. In the worst case, you can only protect the minimum national interest by entering into negotiations with the readiness topletely turn the tables. You are soft in this area. No, the bowl is too big. Jinpyeong raised his head at Hyangs words. Is Gods vessel too big? In response to Jinpyeongs question, Hyang nodded with a small smile. Yes. Dreaming of ying railroads all over the world is something that is impossible for an ordinary person. I know very well how difficult and dangerous it is to build a railroad, so I can only trust you to push forward with the task. Its just that negotiation doesnt suit your nature. Jinpyeong responded to Hyangs words by bowing his head. I, the Duke of Jinpyeong, will devote my entire life to railway construction and live up to your Majestys expectations! Then I am grateful. ah! And the Japanese government also requested that they want to build a railroad. Please also select personnel to go to the Japanese country and investigate possibilities. I follow your orders! When Jinpyeong left Geunjeongjeon after all the ups and downs, Hyang smiled bitterly and ced her hand on his forehead. Heh! Its hard to console andfort him. Even though he is old enough, he still seems like a child Kim Jeom and the other ministers who were watching this scene smiled simrly at Hyangsint. Hyang, who put his hand on his forehead for a moment to cool off, muttered to himself. This time, I received help from Teacher Samcheonpo. -Why do you say things like that? It is said that after King Sejo ascended to the throne, he was infinitely merciful as he cared about the opinions of his public servants. Was it really because he was pressured by the public servants and was trying to keep an eye on them? Would such an observant person step forward and break the earthenware pot of Kim Jong-seo and Prince Anpyeong, Hwang Bo-in? This is my personal opinion, but King Sejos mind at the time must have been like that of a well-fed lion. You got the Bowie you wanted, and all of Joseon became yours, right? So, the tyranny of public servants was also tolerated. And its not like those public servants will live for 1,000,000 years, right? If you think its too much, you can purge it at an appropriate time. It doesnt necessarily have to be during his reign. The same goes for people. If you can take control of Joseon while protecting the throne, the rest bes I dont care. * * * Hyang recalled the memory of Teacher Samcheonpo for a moment, but soon cleared her expression and moved on. Then who do you think is the right person to go to Suez and negotiate? In response to Hyangs question, Kim Jeom bowed his head and asked back. Is there someone you have in mind? Hyang responded to Kim Jeoms question with a mischievous expression. I think the best choice is to be the Prime Minister? At Hyangs words, Kim Jeom turned white for a moment and stuttered to answer. Your Majesty holds your beliefs in such high regard that I truly do not know what to do with myself. Haha, Sosin is too old now. Thats why we excluded the Prime Minister. Whoa~. Huh! As soon as Hyang finished speaking, Kim Jeom, who had let out a long sigh of relief, realized his mistake and immediately looked around. Hyang, who was looking at Kim Jeoms expression, mentioned the person she had chosen. In Jims opinion, I think Captain Jeoljae, the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, is the right candidate. Huh! Kim Jong-seo was startled by Hyangs nomination and urgently asked Hyang. Are you talking about your small convictions? Is there another Chief Jeoljae here other than the Chief? So Sosin is also old and decrepit, and I am not confident that I can properly carry out the duties entrusted to me by Your Majesty. With the Captains ability, it would be possible. There are many young and talented people like Do Seung-ji. What do you think of them? Looking at Kim Jong-seo who didnt want to go to the end, Hyang slightly wrinkled her expression and clicked her tongue. Tsk! As soon as the scent hit my tongue, the inside of Geunjeongjeon becamepletely frozen. Wow! The sound of that guy clicking his tongue! Even in my dreams, when I hear that sound, Im immediately pressed by the scissors! How can rich people be so different! The ministers tensed up at the sound of incense tickling their tongues and red at Kim Jong-seo with all their might. Ah-oh! If I had to go, I would just go! I think Ill send you a lot of medicine! Hyang clicked his tongue and continued speaking, as if he knew what the ministers were thinking. Tsk tsk tsk! Do you not know the importance of this matter? It takes over half a year just to travel from Suez to here! Dont you know what that means? Those who participate in the negotiations must perform the important task of representing my will and deciding everything! But send someone with little experience? Do you think that makes sense? Kim Jong-seo bowed his head in response to Hyangs reprimand. Please forgive my foolishness! Gods thoughts were too short. Then we should go, right? I will do my best! I will begin preparations immediately! When Kim Jong-seo waved the white g, the scent secretly soothed him. Well, Im not going right away, so theres no need to rush. It would take at least a year for a survey team to go and investigate, starting with the soil quality. There is no need to rush like that. yes. Only then, seeing Kim Jong-seo with a relieved expression, Hyang grumbled inwardly. I bet they did something like that just because of Giru! Ah-oh! That stoma addict! Even while grumbling like that, Hyang worked hard to praise Kim Jong-seo. I have high hopes for Captain Jeoljae. He was braver than the military officers when he pioneered Dongbuk-myeon in the past, and I believe that the boldness and bravery with which he cracked the heads of the Jurchen tribesmen with the handle of a horseback gun will bring about the best results. Kim Jong-seo bowed his head and responded loudly to Hyangs words. Conviction Kim Jong-seo! I will do my best with the determination to never quit! * * * Once the problem of selecting a representative of the negotiators to be sent to Suez was resolved, the fragrance moved on. Hyang, who quenched her thirst with the ck bean tea served by the naekwan, continued speaking. I told Duke Jinpyeong earlier, but the Japanese government has made another troubling request, right? Kim Jeom answered Hyangs question right away. Thats right. In addition to the construction of the railroad, there is a request to train military officers who willmand the newly created Japanese Army. In response to Kim Jeoms answer, Hyang patted her chin and epted the words. Hmm Has the head of the Daenae n already taken control of the country to the point where he is confident enough to make such a request? Heohu responded to Hyangs question. It was a great help to me to subdue the noble families and take control of all their territories during thest civil war. * * * Until this time, the size of the territory controlled by the feudal lords was enormous, almost half of that of Japan. The Ouchi family, who acquired these fiefdoms by subjugating all the feudal lords in thest civil war, immediately acquired thergest fiefdom in Japan. To put it another way, it means that they became a family with the greatest economic power in the Japanese country. By taking control not only of the military power of the shogunate but also of the Japanese government and economic power, which had been dominated by the official family, the Ouchi family became the most powerful person in the Japanese country, both in name and reality. Mochiyo Ouchi, who took control of everything in the Japanese country, began in earnest to carry out his familys long-cherished wish of freeing Japan from Japan. The first thing that started was Pyeongbunchihyeon (ñh). -Abolish the feudal state (country of feudal lords) that has continued for so long! -Instead of abolishing feudal states, they are divided into provinces and prefectures ording to size, and are ruled by officials dispatched from the government! Since it was an unconventional deration, it was natural that the remaining daimyos and lordsrge and small protested in unison. In response, Mochiyo held out a carrot. -The lords are given central government positions ording to their rank. And this office is hereditary unless onemits a major sin. -In addition to the bonuses ording to their official positions, lords are paid an additional 10% to 20% of the taxes collected from their previous feudal lords. -All the soldiers raised by the lords belonged to the national army. The samurai whomanded them were given military officer ranks ording to their rank. Of course, they didnt just give carrots. -Those who hold central government positions must unconditionally reside in Yamaguchi. -Soldiers and samurai whose affiliations were transferred from each n to the national army must leave the n where they had been living until then and be stationed at a ce designated by the government. In this way, the ties between the lords, samurai, and the territory were severed. In addition, Ouchi used another method that could be called a separation tactic. -All official ranks and military ranks other than those given to lords are based on ability! -Further promotions will also be based on ability and performance. Ouchis policy began to discolor the traditional loyalty between monarch and vassal. In particr, young writers and samurai, collectively known as the feudal dynasty faction, elerated the rate of discoloration. Although the feudal lords each took a seat in the court, the influential people were still the Confucianists. The Confucianists who returned from studying abroad in the empire sat in the core working-level staff of the central government and local administrative organizations, strengthened their solidarity, and began to form factions. The feudal faction, strongly stimted by this, soon began to petition Mochiyo. -We also want to learn the advanced studies of the empire! Give me a chance to study abroad! Mochiyo, who was struggling to receive the petition from the feudal faction, summoned Norihiro, a member of the German Empire, and asked for his opinion. Norihiro, who had been thinking for a few days, shared his thoughts with Mochiyo. Wouldnt it be okay? Since ancient times, a well-fed hunting dog tends to bezy. No, if you do it wrong, it can bite its owner. But if you bring in another dog and make it slightly starve, those two dogs will be loyal and risk their lives. In response to Norihiros answer, Mochiyo patted her knee and smiled. Gadoks opinion is right! In this way, Mochiyo added Qing to the empire. -I want to send more international students to the empire! In addition, I want to send military officers to receive training! Chapter 685 Episode 685 Suez (5) Hmm. Although Daenae is still on good terms with us, I think there is room for consideration regarding the request sent this time. What do you think, Prime Minister? Kim Jeom gave an answer to Hyangs question as if he had been waiting. First of all, I will examine what Ms. Daenae of the Japanese Empire requested, item by item. First of all, the number of international students who will learn Confucianism and practical skills can be increased by up to 20%pared to now. Is it only 20%? If you pass the Gyeonghak course and are judged to be capable of practical work, rumors are reaching my ears that they will be busy recruiting you from all directions? When Hyang pointed out, Kim Jeom readily admitted the truth. Of course, it is true that there is still a shortage of workers to run the empire. This is because the ideal government that Sambong Jeong Do-jeon and other predecessors pursued in the past was very small. * * * With the founding of Joseon, there was no need for arge government for those who pursued a Neo-Confucian ideal state. -If everyone bes virtuous by educating the people, there is no need for a big government. Rather, as the size of the government grows, the burden on the people only increases! ording to this decision, it was standard for government officials at the time to hold at least two or three official positions. In a situation where concurrent employment was essential, the sry was actually reduced. Thanks to this, until King Sejong proceeded with the restoration, the Joseon Dynastys government not only had a serious personnel backlog, but also gave and received bribes. And the aftermath has now affected an entire generation. Or, to be more precise, the problem ofck of talent was being resolved to some extent as the Gyeongjang process began and women were allowed to enter the civil service. However, the problem was that the speed at which the empires territory expanded easily outpaced the speed at which it could supply and demand human resources. As a result, the supply and demand of lower-level officials was resolved to some extent, but the poor quality of the waist area was still a problem. * * * Hyangs eyes lit up at Kim Jeoms answer. You mentioned Sambong Jeong Do-jeon openly? Have you finally been released from your captivity? The existence of Jeong Do-jeon, who was purged by Taejong in the First Princes Rebellion, was a kind of taboo. It was mentioned asionally while King Sejong was in the process of preparing the pce. However, this was something that only King Sejong would asionally say, and ministers had to be as observant as possible and mention it in circles. This was because they did not know what harm they would face if they made a mistake and were subject to appeals from officials. However, now that Joseon was transformed into an empire, ministers naturally began to mention Jeong Do-jeon. The private army pursued by Jeong Do-jeon was abolished, and military power was taken over by the emperor. In addition, the conquest of Liaodong promoted by Jeong Do-jeon went beyond Liaodong and became a stronghold of the empire right up to Jangseong. And the harmony between royal power and divine power that Jeong Do-jeon dreamed of was also bing established as a legal system through the Choibeop. Therefore, it became natural for those who currently held the position of minister or new officials to mention Jeong Do-jeons name when necessary. As a side note, as the trend changed, there was talk of amnesty for Ryu Jeong-hyeon and hisrades who were purged by King Sejong, but Hyang resolutely rejected them. They did not understand the true nature of the situation and were caught up in their own stubbornness and tried to ruin the Great Precepts! Even if they are already dead, pardon and lottery can never be allowed! The theory of amnesty immediately sank into the deep sea due to Hyangs so resolute rejection. Afterwards, when Ryu Jeong-hyeons name came up among the officials gathered at the base, they all shook their heads. Why are you so pretentious to dig your own grave in the first ce? Its a blessing to be self-employed! Meanwhile, Hyang strengthened her decision, remembering the conversation she had with Sejong before. The empire is not yet stable. Whether it is the descendants of the Giyu Rebellion or the descendants of Ryu Jeong-hyeon and hisrades, we must make sure that they cannote near power, at least while I am alive. * * * Kim continued to exin why it had to be 20%. It is true, as your Majesty said, that we are short on manpower. As the saying goes, the more the better, the more Japanese people there are to work, the better. However, if that happens, the secrets that our empire, including Shinji, are hiding could leak out. Therefore, in order to use itfortably and in an appropriate ce, 20% is the best. In response to Kim Jeoms answer, Hyang muttered to herself. Thats it. Non-regr workers or dispatched employees who frequently appeared in Japanese dramas. Hyang quickly organized the thoughts that were about to go sideways and pointed out Shinji. Dont many of the people of the empire already know about Shinji? As your Majesty knows, what the people know is at the level of rumors. The only people who really know are the officials, soldiers, and artisans in Area 51 who are directly involved in the work. The expression on Kim Jeoms face as he answered and looked at the incense seemed to have a lot to say. Why are you asking me when you are the one who managed confidentiality so strictly in the first ce? Who are you trying to feed? * * * The townships confidentiality policy regarding Shinji was almost paranoid. The crew of transport ships traveling to and from Shinji, regardless of their rank, had to sign an oath of confidentiality. And, due to the civil society policy, people immigrating to the new area could only be permitted to immigrate if they agreed to the censorship of their letters. What kind ofnd is this? I applied because they said they would give me a lot ofndpared to Daeseoldo or Bukji, but why is it so difficult? Ah shit! I cant eat it because its dirty! Should I just go to Bukji? Many applicants who were upset by the screening process, which was more difficult than expected, turned to the northern region, which was at least familiar to them. However, those who passed this process and moved to Shinji and settled near Daehogun soon sent letters to their rtives in their hometown. The content of the letters was simple. -Stop talking nonsense ande to Shinji right away! And the rtives back home who received this letter looked skeptical. Come to Shinji? Have you forgotten the infamous screening process? Are you trying to feed me this? Or is there really something? Appeals continued to arise regarding such a rigorous review process, but there was no intention of softening the scent. We must hide it until the natives of Shinji are properly assimted into the empire and Shinjis own defenses are established. As far as I know, the year Columbus set foot on the New World was 1492, so preparations should bepleted within at least 20 to 30 years. After hearing the detailed n from King Sejong, who returned briefly to dere the empire, Hyang drew up a long-term n to further strengthen it. The goal of the n was simple. -At least North America and, if possible, Mexico are blocked on the Antic line! * * * great. So lets do it like this. In the case of international students whoe simply to learn academics such as economics, industry,w, and medicine, the increase is increased by about 10% every year, but for those who will learn administrative work, it is limited to those with excellent grades, up to a maximum of 20%. However, this 20% is not guaranteed, so lets limit it to those who passed the screening due to excellent grades. It is a warning that if you do not pass the screening, the number of people may be reduced. How is it? Kim Jeom bowed his head at the summary suggested by Hyang. This is truly a fitting sentence. In particr, I think that the warning that the number of people can be reduced rather than increased unconditionally is the optimal alternative. Then, international students will study harder and the empire will be colored. Hyang nodded lightly at Kim Jeoms words and looked back at the other ministers. What do other people think? The ministers responded to Hyangs question by simultaneously bowing their heads. This is truly a fitting punishment! * * * The problem with international students is that we can do it this way, and then the next problem is. The issue of epting international students into military academies. Kim Jeom immediately stepped forward and responded to Hyangs words. My knowledge of Shin-i is limited, but I believe this request should not be epted. Although the Daenae n is making peace with our empire and is amodating itself, a Japanese is a Japanese. This is because Japanese people are fierce in nature and obedient to others. The ministers all nodded at Kim Jeoms words. After seeing the faces of the ministers, Hyang turned to Min Shin, the Minister of National Defense. What does the Minister of Defense think? After gathering his thoughts for a moment in response to Hyangs question, Minshin immediately expressed his opinion. I also agree with the opinion of the Prime Minister. Looking at the current situation in the Japanese country, it is clear that the Daenae n has taken control of the Japanese country. I also acknowledge that Daenaejise (ڳ Ouchi Mochiyo), who currently leads the Daenae n, is a cooperative figure with our empire. But the problem is that the domestic market is very old. Of course, it is said that his sessor, Norihiro Ouchi, also wants to make peace with our empire and to do so quickly, but it is not certain. In this situation, training the person who will lead the Japanese army may do more harm than good. After hearing Minshins words, Hyang immediately asked a question. What are the pros and cons? The benefit is that we can show the majesty of our imperial army to those leading the Japanese army and discourage them from provoking them in advance. In addition, you can use techniques that will make you admire the empire. If you use this well, you can create a case where the Japanese army steps forward and refuses even if the new ruler of the Daenae n has an uneasy mind. Wouldnt that be very unlikely? No matter how much we admire our empire, isnt it natural for the military to follow orders from a group of superiors and subordinates? Minshin nodded at Hyangs point. I guess so. If something like that happens, the Daenae n of the Japanese nation will have to be seen as ruined. Hyang nodded at Minshins words and continued speaking. I understand the benefits. Everyone will know the relevant parts even if you dont listen to the exnation. Then would it be appropriate to refuse this part? Minister of Foreign Affairs Heo Hu came forward and expressed his opposition to Hyangs words. Rejection is best, but there is a high possibility that it will cause diplomatic problems. Although Japan is now in control of the domestic situation, there are still those who oppose it. If we reject the request of the domestic government, it will cause great damage to the prestige of the domestic government, which advocates exclusion from Japan and is friendly to the empire. If you do something wrong, your domestic power may be greatly shaken. Furthermore, if domestic rtions be hostile, another conflict may break out. Of course, if it is the power of the empire, it can be suppressed right away, but I think it is better to avoid unnecessary bleeding. After Heo Hu finished speaking, Kim Jeom spoke. The Minister of Foreign Affairs remarks also make sense. At Kim Jeoms words, Hyang revealed her true feelings without realizing it. How can these so-called neighbors be so full of problems The ministers nodded with expressions of extreme sympathy at Hyangs words. After that, the ministers continued their war of words, offering and refuting various opinions. Hyang, who had been organizing things in his own way while listening to the opinions of the ministers, finally shared his thoughts. How about doing it this way? After gathering the attention of the ministers, Hyang shared his thoughts. First of all, the Navy is excluded. The ministers all nodded at Hyangs words. As Japanese pirates have been famous since ancient times, it was natural to exclude the navy. And Hyang paused for a moment, quenched her throat, and continued speaking. In the case of the army, we send instructors rather than bringing them in. All the instructor has to do is teach you how to fight. It doesnt teach you how to win. Chapter 686 Episode 686: Suez (6) C It teaches you how to fight, but it does not teach you how to win. There was a smallmotion inside Geunjeongjeon at Hyangs words. Those who had military experience or experience handling military-rted affairs, such as Kim Jeom and Kim Jong-seo and Minshin, nodded their heads, but pure civil servants who did not had a puzzled look on their faces. I feel like I know something, and sometimes I dont That damn Zen question! As long as you know everything! Its either the situation or the emperor! Surely the crown prince wouldnt do something like that? If thats the case, Ill resign! I will resign even if it means taking poison! In a situation where all sorts of things were being said internally, Heo Hu came forward as the representative. Your Majesty, your convictions are so vague that I do not know much about your sacred ce. Please consider my foolish beliefs. Hyang smiled slightly at Heo Hus words and exined in more detail. -With the mass distribution of gunpowder weapons, the tactics used on the battlefield have changed significantly. -No, the big picture isrgely the same, but a lot of small parts have changed. -Therefore, instructors from the empire are sent to the Japanese country to teach them. -However, what the instructor teaches is limited to tactical aspects. Exclude strategy or other important parts. Heo Hu tilted his head slightly at Hyangs exnation and asked the question again. However,rge aspects such as strategy are emphasized in all the military methods handed down from ancient times. Even if the empire doesnt teach them, isnt this something they can figure out on their own? Hyang nodded slightly in response to Heo Hus point. That is correct. If you look at the military books that have written about how to win a war since ancient times, there is always a mention of strategy. But a lot changed when guns appeared on the battlefield. As a result, even if the same strategy is established, how it should be implemented has changed significantly. This part is not taught. And, considering the wars that Japan has fought in the meantime, this is something you will never know unless you teach it. But still As Heo Hu continued to make a puzzled expression, Min Shin joined the conversation. Your Majesty, do you mind if I exin your thoughts to the Minister of Foreign Affairs? Sure. Hwang Eun is devastated that you have granted such a rude request. In some ways, it was an unholy act to intrude into the conversation between the emperor and the minister, so Minshin thanked Hyang and began to exin to Hu Hu. The easiest example is supply. -Famous military books from ancient times never fail to mention the importance of supply. -However, if you look at the history of the Japanese nation, unlike the Lee Ming or us, they did not consider supply to be that important. -The reason is that most of the wars fought by the Japanese were civil wars and the territory of the Japanese was not veryrge. -How long will it take to march on a narrow piece ofnd, and even if there is a rotation, how many people will be mobilized? It is nothingpared to the vastnd of the central ins, where many books of military methods were written, or the old Three Han Dynasties, which sometimes fought against the empires of the central ins and fought over the unification of the three Koreas. -For this reason, the Japanese government takes this supply lightly. Spear swords are sufficient for warriors and soldiers to carry, and if in a hurry, they can cut down nearby bamboo or trees to make bamboo or wooden spears. The same goes for gungshi (ʸ). If you run out of food, you can loot it from nearby sources. -This will be immediately understandable if you think about the behavior of Japanese pirates in the past. -But as gunpowder weapons became the core of warfare, many things changed. -Gunpowder and bullets Gunpowder and bullets are not items that can be made right on the battlefield. Of course, there is nothing you cant do if you want to make it, but in order to perform properly, you have to make it properly from the rear. -This alone increases the difficulty and the amount of consumption is also enormous. Every time a battle urs, soldiers use well over hundreds of bullets. This is absolutely not a quantity that can be made in an emergency situation on the battlefield. When Minshin exined up to this point, Heo Hu pointed out a contradiction. Considering the civil war that led to Daenaes rise to power, wouldnt they be aware of the problems with gunpowder weapons? At that time, gunpowder weapons yed a leading role in the war, but the spearmen both started and ended. And what Daenaes soldiers used at that time was not the long gun used by the imperial army, but a gun of inferior performance. It would have taken at least seven days to fire hundreds of rounds with that gun. Ah Heohu nodded at Minshins words. The same was true for Hyang, who was listening to Minshin above the temple. Its not like the Twelve Apostles came out * * * In the early history before the intervention of incense, European soldiers using muskets carried wooden barrels containing one shot of gunpowder and one bullet. The average number of wooden barrels carried was twelve, so the soldiers at the time called them the Twelve Apostles. What is interesting is that all 12 Apostles were rarely used in one battle. When all 12 apostles were used, the prevailing opinion was that it was a bloody battle that would forever remain in history. As a result, this was the reason why spearmen survived until the era of line infantry came. Although the musketeers decided the oue, it was up to the spearmen to finish the battle. * * * As Heo Hu and the ministers who had expressions simr to Heo Hu nodded, Minshin began his final exnation. This is why the most intelligent people in the imperial military academies are assigned to the gunnery department, and the next brightest people are assigned to the administrative supply department. But do they ept Japanese people at military academies? This is something you should never do. The ministers who were nodding their heads at Minshins exnation soon remembered one thing. wait? Come to think of it When discussing personnel allocation at the military academy, Hyang was the one who most strongly advocated for this kind of allocation. * * * Until Joseon was founded, its main force was cavalry. No, it was moving from cavalry to artillery. This was because he realized the power of artillery through his first powerful experience of the Battle of Jinpo in thete Goryeo Dynasty. Therefore, the military academy tried to assign the most intelligent and qualified students to the gunnery department first, and then to the cavalry department. However, it was Hyang who prevented this and actively rmended the Administrative Supply Department. Since ancient times, it has been said to first ensure supply and then move the soldiers! If the supply of gunpowder, bullets, and ammunition to be used by the musketeers and artillerymen, the main force of the military, is messed up, we will fight a hundred times and lose a hundred times! Thanks to Hyangs insistence and Sejongs recognition of its importance, personnel allocation was made as Hyang suggested. There was a rumor going around for a while about this personnel allocation, not only among the students at the military academy but also in the military. -It is true that supply is important, but isnt it too much of an emphasis? -Isnt what a general proves himself to be his martial prowess and skillful distribution ofmand posts? -No way because the crown prince favors artillery? Despite such back-and-forth, Hyang and King Sejong steadfastly pushed forward with their principles. And the victory in thest war proved that Hyangs words were right. The supplies that arrived at the second line supply base by rail were moved to the intermediate supply base using steam traction trucks and carts pulled by ox horses. And the supply flowed like a stream to the front line using ox carts. In addition, the Ministry of Finance and Economy joined with the Ministry of Finance and Economy to create a policy regarding the operation of private businesses for the mass production of materials consumed inrge quantities at the front. The imperial army, which maintained its morale and strength while receiving proper supplies, defeated the Ming army, which was in the opposite situation, and achieved victory. And as a result of this war, the importance of administrative supply was proven, and no oneined about the allocation of personnel to military academies. Except for one person, Hyang Ah! You damn art lovers! In addition, the number of applications from those who realized that administrative promotion is a shortcut to sess has increased significantly, and thepetition rate has also increased. * * * The ministers who remembered such a series of trends looked at the incense with strange eyes. How many moves ahead were you looking at? Hyang, whether or not he knew what the ministers were thinking, organized the situation. So, lets focus on Mr. Daenaes request regarding the military as not allowing the navy, sending instructors to the army. Do you have any disagreement? I dont have any. This is truly a reasonable decision. When all the ministers agreed, they gave the order to Kim Jeom. I hope the Prime Minister, together with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense, wille up with a suitable excuse. I follow your orders. * * * Fifteen dayster, the townships response to Ouchis request arrived in Yamaguchi. Tsk! After checking the contents of the reply, Mochiyo took a sip of her food with a face full of regret. I expected it wouldnt be easy when ites to the military, but its still disappointing. Norihiro, who checked the contents of the reply to Mochiyosint,forted him. Isnt this an empire that has memories of being harassed by Japanese pirates? You think weve made a lot of progress since the instructors areing. Thats right, but I cant help but feel regretful. I wanted to nurture talented people properly and reduce the time it takes for them to go out into the wider world. It was called 1000 miles of beef. Many talented people are still working hard, so it will definitelye true. Mochiyo nodded strongly at Norihiros words. Gadok is right! How long are we going to have to stay on this narrow archipgo? We must go out into the world, make a name for ourselves, and expand our reach before it is toote! You cant just follow the empire forever! Thats right! Having made up her mind, Mochiyo moved on to the next step. How are the preparations for the school going to educate children? The selection of where the academy will be located and the writers who will teach has been done to some extent, but something else is the problem. Other? Something? Its a matter of naming. There is a strong argument that calling it a social democratic school just like the empire is a matter of pride. Mochiyo nodded at Norihiros words. That is correct. So have you prepared any useful names? yes. These are elementary schools and elementary schools. Elementary schools were built because they were schools for young children, and elementary schools were built because they were ces where children who would grow up as subjects of Japan learned. Both are okay, but Mochiyo, who was considering two options, soon chose one. Lets make it a public school. I will. Soon after hearing this news, Hyang smiled bitterly and shook his head. Is it a public school again? * * * Meanwhile, the surveying team members selected by Jinpyeong arrived in Suez with Giovanni. Whosend is this hot! Ive heard a lot of people say its hot, its hot, but its extremely hot! The surveying team members, who were surprised by the heat they had experienced for the first time in their lives, were surprised again when night fell. what? Why did the temperature suddenly drop? When the sun goes down, it bes a different world, right? Well, there are all these damn neighborhoods! Giovanni smiled bitterly and muttered to himself at the shouts of the surveying team members. But this is a calm ce because its by the sea. If you go into the desert, its even worse than here. Even whileining, the surveying team members unloaded the equipment while conserving sleep. After unloading the equipment andpleting the inspection, the surveying team members took a break and rxed from their travels. After resting for three days to relieve fatigue, the surveying team members loaded their equipment onto camels and finally began work. Okay then, lets get moving! Sure! But why is this beast of a camel so foul-tempered! Youre better than my wife! It was the beginning of a railroad that crossed about 400 ri (about 160 km) of desert while passing through a water source for about 300 ri (about 120 km) in a straight line. Chapter 687 Episode 687: Virtue never rests. (1) A lot of things happened inside and outside the empire, but the empire was still working hard. And among them, one of the ces that worked the hardest and was most divided was Area 51. _ _ The craftsmen standing behind them also had simr expressions on their faces and were whispering. The design is right, right? You did it right. The test product made by carving wood worked well. And the researchers at the research institute said that in theory there would be no problem. As the conversation continued, the craftsman in front took a deep breath and ced his finger on the brass box. Then lets get started! As he spoke, the craftsman looked at the numbers written on the paper next to him and began to turn the circr indicator attached to the box lid. 6 4 3. After turning all the numbers on the first line, the craftsman turned the numbers on the lines below. After turning the two rows of numbers, the craftsman finally checked the numbersing out through the holes in the lid and the numbers written on the third row of paper, and clenched his fist. You got it right! Hey! ats! The craftsmen who were cheering came closer and moved on to the next step. Then check again! Its good! Someone bring me some mountain branches and an abacus! Five dayster, Hyang, who was working at Geunjeongjeon, received a visit from Wan. So what happened? In response to Hyangs question, the craftsman who followed Wan into Geunjeongjeon politely held out a brass box. What is that? Semtle ising. Semtle? Bring it here and see. Hyang, who took the tray with shining eyes, shouted inwardly. me! me! Have you seen this before? I saw it on the Inte! What the craftsmen created was simr to Pascals calctor. * * * Even before the introduction of the Gyeongjang, the industrial and academic skills of Joseons noblemen and merchants were at a considerable level. One of the liberal arts that noblemen had to master was industry and academia, and there were many who studied industry and academia to relieve the stress they received from learning Confucian ssics. They learned industry-academia using industry-academia books imported from China as textbooks. The most basic was the Sangmyeong arithmetic method, and then I learned the Yanghwi arithmetic method and the industrial-academia enlightenment method. In particr, the level of enlightenment between industry and academia was so great that even higher order equations were introduced. And these problems of industry and academia were solved by Joseons noblemen using mountain branches. After establishing the research institute, Hyang introduced and distributed the abacus. It was judged that it would be better than Sangaji in the process of researching and solving more high-level industrial-academia theories and problems. In addition, as the economy develops, the abacus is also ced in the boom, where the units to be calcted increase exponentially. However, the response from those in charge was more lukewarm than expected. Everything can be calcted using mountain branches, so why bother learning something new to use it? To that extent, Joseons noblemen were experts in the use of mountain branches. However, as time passed, even Joseons mountainous area began to reach its limits. Problems began to arise immediately from the Ministry of Finance, which was in charge of setting and distributing the empires revenue and expenditure budget. You can feel safe if you check at least five times. The increased size of the empires governance has led to the above-mentioned words being circted publicly. And this was also true of the private sector. In the process of calcting ie and expenditure and adjusting the price ording to the local price of silver, a kind of key currency, while trading with foreign countries such as Ming and Yugu, Seo and Daewol, Sangaji began to show its limitations. Lastly, even in theboratory and Area 51, mountain branches began to show their limits. A miscalction of a single numberpletely changed the results of the research and caused ships that were supposed to float to sink, which led to the need for a recement for the mountain branches. Astute craftsmen saw this social phenomenon and smelled money. There is an abacus, but the abacus also requires a persons mental calctions! There are limits! If you make something that reces eggnt and an abacus, you can make a lot of money! Soon, a research storm began among the empires metal and woodworking craftsmen to invent new means of calction. It wasnt long before craftsmen learned what the most basic performance requirements were. -Be able to add and subtract at least eight digits. -You must be able to immediately check the number using the celestial scale. -urate calctions must be possible through machine power, not human mental calctions. -It must berge enough to be carried and fairly durable. Craftsmen who learned of the above basic performance requirements spurred further research. But the answer didnte out right away. The artisans, tired of research, quietly turned their heads to Area 51. I think those monsters wille up with some kind of answer. If even those monsters cant make it, it must be something truly impossible, right? While such words were circting outside, the craftsmen in Area 51 were also worried. I think there might be an answer to this What did we miss? I just cant figure it out It was a situation where there was no easy answer, but the craftsmen of Area 51 had a secret trick. It was Jang Yeong-sil. The craftsmen, tired of struggling to find an answer, wrote a letter and sent it to Jang Yeong-sil. Although the contents of the letter were detailed, they were simple to summarize. -Help me! A few monthster, the letter Jang Yeong-sil sent from Shinji contained just one line. -You left the sawtooth, are you going to use it when you have to eat during a bad harvest? ah! A truly master of sawtooth! Recalling the memories of Jang Yeong-sil, who even created a doll that moved automatically using springs and gears, the craftsmen began full-scale research based on the hints given. Meanwhile, Hyang, who heard the story, could barely contain his hips shaking. You have to be patient! You have to endure it! Ive finally reached the level where I can find and solve problems on my own! You can add the spoonfulter! While Hyang was barely able to endure the temptation, craftsmenpleted a calctor simr to Pascaline. * * * Hyang, who was looking at the calctor with a happy expression, handed it back to Wan and ordered. I want to see how you use it. The Left Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance and Economy are wee toe and have a closer look. Hwang Eun is devastated! Heo Hoo and the new Minister of Finance and Economy, Lee Gyeon-gi, came flying, appreciating the order from the vige. * * * In the demonstration that followed, Heo Hu and Lee Gyeon-gi carefully checked how to use the sample. Heo Hu and Lee Gyeon-gi, who spontaneously said the numbers and checked the results of addition and subtraction, had expressions of half satisfaction and half dissatisfaction. It seems like the Ministry of Finance and Economy will most likely use it once it bes avable. What do you think? Heo Hu and Lee Gyeon-gi answered Hyangs question by bowing their heads. There is no mistake about adding and subtractingrge numbers, so it is a truly useful item, but I am a little disappointed. Ill buy it back. It is useful, but it is a bit disappointing. What is that regret? When entering numbers, there will be arge error if you do not know the number of digits properly from the beginning. Of course, the problem can be easily solved by writing backwards from the lowest digits, but it is not easy to check the results. The Left Deputy Prime Ministers words are correct. After hearing Heo Hu and Lee Gyeon-gis words, Hyang nodded and muttered to himself. Its definitely difficult to recognize digits without the proper tools. Thinking that the two peoples point was correct, Hyang thought for a moment and then came up with an answer. Why not just color it? Wouldnt it be easier to recognize if we divided each number by four digits and colored them in a different color? Everyone who pondered Hyangs words for a moment soon eximed with bright faces. ah! Such a trick! Then it will be so easy to recognize! I cant believe there was such a simple number! Your Majesty indeed! Your Majestys presence in the empire is truly a great blessing for the empire! The inside of Geunjeongjeon was overflowing with words praising the incense. Hyang raised his hand with an embarrassed expression. Please stop giving undeserved praise as it is too much for you. So does that mean its okay to paint that frame? Thats right! great. Now, lets use the same method for the document. Wouldnt it be easier to read a document if you put a ma() every four digits? There is no need tobine numbers and consonants for no reason. Hearing Hyangs words, the ministers closed their mouths again and were deep in thought. Until now, the way to record numbers in official documents was in the format of Cheonchuksu + Jeongeum. For example, if it was 43567, it was written as 43,567. While I was wondering which method would be useful, Kim Jeom came forward and answered. For numbers withrge units, the current method is easy to use at a nce, but for small numbers, the suggestion you made seems to be more useful. Following Kim Jeoms remarks, Wan gave an additional exnation. The current method is good in the eyes of the people, but for writing down the results of academic studies or precise calctions, it is better to use only Cheonchuksu. And after the ensuing discussion, Wans proposal was epted. The existing method was used to post gazettes on the bulletin boards of government offices for the public to read, but in other parts, the incense method was used. And this method soon became fully established. It was because it was so convenient to use. I cant believe I didnt know this simple thing all this time! As a side note, through this process, the East-West reversal urred once again. When indicating the number of digits, Asians are ustomed to dividing numbers into four digits. On the other hand, Europe was ustomed to cutting into three digits. In history before the intervention of Hyang, the Asian region had to endure inconveniences and follow Western methods in the aftermath of the West East Point. However, due to the butterfly effect caused by the scent, people in the West began to feel ufortable using Eastern-style digit expressions. * * * Hyang praised the craftsmen who made the frame and ordered them to prepare for its production. ordingly, Area 51 proceeded with the standard design and began preparing a bid to select thepanies in charge of production. While he was busy, an item was delivered to Hyang from Shinji. And Hyang, who took the item, looked so helpless that he mumbled. Isnt this guy really an alien? The object that Hyang picked up was a sewing machine made by Jang Yeong-sil. The basic structure of the frame made by Jang Yeong-sil was simr to that made by the craftsmen of Area 51, using sawtooth. However, the way the numbers were entered was extraordinary. While the choice made by the craftsmen of Area 51 was to turn a circr instruction board, what Jang Yeong-sil created was a row of keyboards with numbers from 1 to 0 engraved on each number cell. Thanks to this, unlike the counting machines made by craftsmen, which had to constantly check the numbers in the number column and turn the instruction board, Jang Yeong-sils machine could be entered by simply pressing the numbered keyboard. In addition, while the items made by the artisans of Area 51 could only be used for addition and subtraction, Jang Yeong-sils items were incredible items that could even be used for multiplication and division. Chapter 688 Episode 688: Virtue never rests. (2) Anyway, this guy is also a mystery Huh! Oh my ha! Hyang kept bursting intoughter as he carefully examined the sample sent by Jang Yeong-sil. How many steps did you skip? The Pascal calctor made by young craftsmen in Area 51 was also ahead of its time. However, the product made by Jang Yeong-sil was a product that skipped a few steps. The only calctor that could immediately perform multiplication and division was the Leibniz calctor. However, the Leibniz calctor was a very unfriendly calctor. Only those who have mastered how to read and use the keyboard can use it properly. To put it simply, it was something that only smart people could use properly. However, the model created by Jang Yeong-sil was very intuitive. There was a separate button with the symbol for the four basic operations, so I could immediately see that if I pressed that button, the corresponding operation would be performed. Entering the necessary numbers was also an easy method, simply by pressing the numeric keypad. Thanks to this, the calction machine created by Jang Yeong-sil was somewhere between the Leibniz and Burroughs adding machines. Of course, its not without ws, but Hyang, who was carefully examining Jang Yeong-sils model, was soon able to find ws. Jang Yeong-sils calction system, as befits his title of master of springs and gears, was a method of calcting calctions by moving numerous gears. The problem was that the power source that moved this system was manpower. The gear wheels that moved each time a number was entered through the keyboard used the power of the mainspring. However, when drawing the final result, therge lever attached to the side of the calction frame had to be pulled once a time. The lever, simr to the lever on a slot machine in a casino, supplied power for calctions and simultaneously yed the role of rewinding the loosened spring. Thanks to this, Jang Yeong-sils lever had to be pulled with considerable force. After pulling the lever, Hyang smiled and continued speaking. If this part had been perfect, I would have seriously doubted whether this guy was an alien or not. Its the same with watches. * * * As Challenger-ss battleships were built inrge quantities and long-distance voyages to and from Aden and Suez became routine, not only the problem of time difference but also the need for precise clocks for safe navigation emerged. The gravity watch using weights, which first made scents appear, was not suitable for sailing. Therefore, a request for a precision clock was sent directly to Area 51 in the name of King Sejong. Many craftsmen worked together to solve the task given directly by the king, and thanks to the fantastic coboration between Jang Yeong-sil, an extra-standard entity, and MSG, a precision watch was finally born. Afterwards, at least three clocks C two precision clocks and a pendulum clock C were installed on bridges and captains offices on the Imperial front lines, including the Challenger ss front line. In addition, precision watches that were reduced to the size of a fist were produced inrge quantities and supplied to the army inrge quantities, although their uracy was considerably lower. This was because keeping time was very important for the army as well. Soon, these precision watches were released to the civilian poption as well. Craftsmen who thought they could make some money flocked to the government office, saying they wanted to use their intellectual property. And as time passed and Joseon was transformed into an empire, watch craftsmen began to emerge who were calling their watches luxury goods and increasing their brand value. What was interesting was the reaction of the Ming and Japanese countries when they saw this precision clock. In the case of Myeong-guk, it was nothing more or less than a wonderful toy. Although industry andmerce were as developed as the empire, agriculture was still the center of the economy. Precision clocks were of little use in an agricultural society that moved by days and months rather than hours by minutes. The same was true for officials and the wealthy. To them, arge pendulum clock with all kinds of fancy decorations was more suitable than a precision watch like this. In the case of Japan, the opposite was true. I was passionate about precision watches that move with precision, withrge and small gears and mainsprings interlocking. And I despaired at the fact that it was extremely difficult to make with the skills of Japanese craftsmen. It was not entirely impossible, but it was due to the fact that high-quality steel could not be made for the parts that went into the watch. Afterwards, many craftsmen were brought in from the Ming using the Jo-Ming war, but the gap was stillrge * * * Thus, Hyang concluded his evaluation of Jang Yeong-sil. I feel sorry for the young people in Area 51, but I guess we have no choice but to go with this. As a result, Semtles mass production ns had to start all over again. Based on the drawings sent by Jang Yeong-sil, artisans in Area 51 began preliminary production. By producing in advance, problems that may arise during the mass production process can be identified in advance, and proper quality supervision can be carried out when dispatched to the upper level in charge of mass production. Of course, small measurements continued throughout the process. First, in order to quickly identify the digits, we divided each digit into four digits and colored them in a different color, and the keyboard on the keyboard was also colored to make it easier to recognize. And the test models produced in this way were experimentally distributed to the Ministry of Finance and the Imperial Ministry of Finance to evaluate their usability. The evaluation of the use of the experimentally distributed sample was enthusiastically favorable. Why did something like thise out only now? How much is it? How much do you need? Ill give you money, give it to me right away! Judging that the marketability was sufficient, the government soon put out a bidding notice throughout the empire to select apany to produce the semtle. * * * The samples that were mass-produced through the threepanies that won the bid soon began to be sold everywhere. But the biggest customer was rowing. This was because the Ministry of Finance and Economy was not the only one struggling withrge numbers that were difficult to mentally calcte. In particr, the military department weed the emergence of Semtle as much as the Ministry of Finance and Economy. Try calcting each units supply requirements and budget for three days using only the living eggnts! Because of this situation, the military enthusiastically weed the emergence of Semtle. However, soon after, the military department submitted a proposal to Hyang. A small, portable tester? Thats right. The experimenter we are using now is very useful, but it is inconvenient to carry. There is no problem at the rear where there is no need to move, but at the front where there is constant movement, the problem bes more serious. And to use artillery properly, precise calctions are essential. Hyang nodded at Minshins exnation and sighed slightly after looking at the proposal posted by the military department. The size must be at least 1/4 of its current size, and yet it must be possible to calcte more than 10 digits? Isnt ten figures too much? Minshin responded to Hyangs point by bowing his head. No. If you count the number of bullets consumed by one unit (approximately 625 men) during a battle, it amounts to millions of bullets. In response to Minshins answer, Hyang could only nod while savoring his appetite. Tsk! All right. I will send a proposal to Area 51. And the craftsmen in Area 51 who epted the militarys proposal all uttered profanities. Holy shit! * * * The conditions imposed by the military were so harsh that the craftsmen who epted the proposal swore in unison. In the end, when months passed and there was no answer, Hyang smiled in remorse. This isnt about me arbitrarily adding a spoonful of food! Just some MSG! Giving herself a ridiculous excuse, Hyang started to practice for the first time in a long time. Lets see That calctor I bought at Hwanghak-dong and destroyed is probably the best, right? After sitting alone in her room for the first time in a long time, Hyang opened the drawing board and excitedly began drawing out designs and outlines. * * * Fifteen dayster, the craftsmen of Area 51 received a call from Wan. Did you call me? Wan called the craftsmen and got straight to the point by presenting a drawing of the incense stick. It is said that His Majesty has been thinking about a new model. He told me to look at it because it was a drawing of the shape and structure that he had drawn himself. At Wans words, the craftsmen unfolded a drawing of the incense stick. huh? uh? This way? Wan asked the question again as he looked at the craftsmen with surprised and shocked expressions. What do you think? Is that possible? In response to Wans question, the craftsmen who were closely examining the drawings opened their mouths one by one. I think its possible. There may be issues with securing durability, but I think it is possible. I think its possible if you choose the ingredients well. After hearing the artisans positive response, Wan nodded and gave an order. Then make a proper blueprint first. I follow your orders! As the craftsmen who received the drawings left the Ururu office, Wan sighed softly. Whoa~. How can Your Majesty think like that? Im surprised, envious, and burdened. The craftsmen who came out had expressions simr to Wans. Not only Elder Jang, but also His Majesty are great people. How can you think like this? Thats right. Youre thinking of making it out of a cylinder Whew~. When I look at Elder Jang and His Majesty, I feel like I have be a firefly under the moonlight. I dont even feel jealous anymore because the status is so different Hyangs work, which so amazed Wan and the craftsmen, was modeled after a kurta calctor. It was a mechanical calctor that I found at a flea market in Hwanghak-dong when I was crazy about steampunk and disassembled it. * * * In the 6th year of the imperial calendar (1454), a prototype of the Semptle designed by Hyang was finally created. Due to material limitations, it wasrger than the original kurta calctor, but was still able to meet the size requested by the military. In addition, it was an object capable of performing arithmetic operations up to 15 digits. Military officials who received the prototype were very satisfied, and soon the mass-produced sample containers began to be useful throughout the military. And soon after, appeals began to appear requesting the private sale of these semitongs. Why do private merchants need this? Kim Jeom stepped forward and answered Hyangs question. They say it is very useful for merchants who travel long distances. It is said that it is a very useful item for those who need a workhorse, from a short term to a breadwinner to a merchant traveling between Suez and Aden, but whoserge size is a burden. Hmm Hyang thought for a moment about Kim Jeoms answer and then gave an order. I will tell the imperial family to mass-produce it. Arent you going to bid? I heard there are quite a few people looking for it, but I dont think it will sell inrge numbers because there are more people who are satisfied with the existing model. Kim Jeom bowed his head at Hyangs exnation. This is a reasonable sentence. * * * And after a considerable period of time, merchants from Portugal and Italy came. Semtul, please! Semtultong, please! And the artisans belonging to the imperial family were in tears. Starting overtime today! huh? until when? I dont know either! Chapter 689 Episode 689: Virtue never rests. (3) Portuguese and Italian merchants learned about semtle and semtle barrel through the surveyors of the railway construction team dispatched to Suez. * * * The surveyors who first arrived at Suez had one request before starting work. -Guides who are familiar with the geography of this area -A map that records the geography of this area. At the request of the surveyors, the Ottomans and Portuguese arranged for guides familiar with the nearby geography and sought maps. However, the Ottomans and Portuguese who sought guidance looked perplexed. Do you think I will be criticized if I just give this away? The map they had only showed the huge freshwaterke ??????? ????? ?????? (al-Bu?ayrah al-Murra al-Kubr) in the middle and the Nile Delta area to the west, and the rest was nk. No, to be exact, it was a nk area marked as a desert. And the reaction of the imperial people who received this map was just as they expected. Is this a map? Is this a map? Eray shit! The surveying team members, who had started swearing as soon as they saw the map, soon had no choice but to face reality. Use it! I cant help it! Our people are like this! Thats how the surveying work began. * Fortunately, we were able to find guides who knew the area very well, so the work went smoothly. Under heavy guard by Ottoman, Portuguese and French soldiers, the surveyors went north and meticulously recorded the locations of potential water sources and the distances between them. The surveying team members who traveled back and forth between North and South Korea for six months soon began writing long reports and at the same time creating new maps based on the data they recorded. And the soldiers of Portugal and Ottoman France were frightened when they saw the map made in that way. Oh my god, such a precise map! The soldiers of the three countries were surprised to see a map made with greater precision than the maps at the time, and looked at the surveying team members with expressions of novelty. * * * Meanwhile, the members of the imperial surveying team they had seen were people with swear words in their mouths. To put it mildly, all kinds of imperial insults were used as a daily routine among soldiers from various countries who lived alongside the imperialists during those months. Whats interesting is that when we got into a situation where we were talking in our nativenguage mixed with profanity, the interpreter became free at some point. In addition to swear words and necessary words C water, rice, alcohol, woman, difficult, etc. C and with simple hand gestures and bodynguage, most conversations became possible. Thanks to this, the ce where the surveyors and the soldiers guarding them gathered was a mess with swear words from all countries mixed up. And the French, Ottoman and Portuguese nobles who visited this ce frowned and did not hesitate to call it Pandemonium. * * * In any case, nobles from various countries were impressed by the maps created by the surveyors and asked them to teach them map-making techniques. However, the imperial surveying team members who received their request responded by snorting. joy! Im too busy measuring toy the railroad right now, but Im sick of it! Of course, the executive in charge of the surveying team rejected the nobles request in a slightly polite tone. I am too busy with my current job to ept your request. sorry. If you truly want to make precise maps or learn techniques, please apply to the Imperial Research Institute. You mean the Imperial Research Institute? Thats right. There are real map-making masters there. Ah After hearing the answer from the surveying officer, the nobles had no choice but to quench their appetite or leave with a bitter smile. The Imperial Research Institute was a difficult ce to ess, even if it was less than Area 51. I thought it would be a little easier to get there, but are you saying that in the end, diplomatic means are the only way to go? Thats a pretty cool way to refuse. But what the surveying officer said was true. * * * When the research institute was first established, the question Is the world t or round? The controversy forced researchers to travel throughout Joseon at the time. And the township did not miss the opportunity and began producing precise maps. The researchers, who learned the basic concept of scale from the incense, began surveying using various measuring tools made by the incense. But theory was theory and reality was reality. Thanks to this, researchers at the time had no choice but to produce maps through numerous trials and errors. Still, through trial and error, the map I created became more and more precise. And once such a precise map was created, the idea of abolishing the map arose. -If such a precise map falls into the hands of an external enemy, it will pose a great threat! We must destroy all the maps we have made so far! King Sejong, who received the appeal at the time, was furious and refuted it. Indeed, you only know one and do not know the other! Not everyone in Joseon knows all eight provinces of Joseon, so how can they move without a map? Threat from an external enemy? Shouldnt our Joseon military know where it is before moving? Who on earth is this idiot who posted such a stupidint? King Sejong was so angry that he even used the egregious expression a waste of money. * * * While the nobles of the alliance were admiring the map, the expressions on the faces of the surveying team members writing the report were not very good. The desert is the problem. The desert is a desert, but water is a bigger problem. Fresh water is fresh water, but What troubled the surveyors was the quality of the water in the oases dotted throughout the desert and in the huge freshwaterke along the route C known in history as the Great Bitter Lake before the intervention of the township. * * * Youre drinking this? When the surveying team members saw the water in the oasis guided by the guide, they looked astonished. The smallke in front of me was filled with cloudy water. The guide asked back with an expression that he did not understand what the surveying team members said. Isnt it obvious? If we dont get water from here, it will dry up in just a few days. But the water quality is really bad, isnt it? You wont die even if you eat it. . The surveying team members, who were silent at the guides words, took out their notes and added information. -You must have a water purification frame. And these water quality problems were the same even after arriving at therge freshwaterke. The water quality was rtively clearpared to the oases we passed through on the way, but it was still very turbidpared to the water wemonly see and drink in the empire. Well I heard that sailors were ying a fresh game by piling up a lot of purification bottles in Aden and Suez and purifying everything from drinking water to washing up. If the clean water looks like this, then there is nothing to say There isnt anything * * * Water is water, but somehow getting rid of that sand is also work. When one person grumbled while writing a report, everyone else nodded. The biggest enemy in the construction of the railroad was the desert sand. Railroad construction was impossible until the problem of sinking sand was solved. To solve this problem, surveyors asked the guides for geographic information. The members of the surveying party, who had obtained some information, made a request to the nobles of the alliance. You want me to save the workers? how much? The more the better. Then its hard to get a feel for it Please save about 3,000 people first. Well, thats about it I will send the ves within a few days. The surveyors who were assigned ves began mobilizing the ves to dig up the deserts north of Suez. There is no need to go far, lets just dig about 100 pieces (about 300m). So the surveyors who had been working for a month on the northern border of Suez nodded. As expected, there is bare ground. If we dig down about 4 to 5 pieces (approximately 12m to 15m), we can strengthen the foundation. With that in mind, the surveyors began calcting toe up with more specific figures. And the nobles of the alliance who saw the calction process could not hide their wonder. Is it possible to make such urate calctions with those tree branches? Among the tools used by surveying team members, the abacus was one they were familiar with. However, mountain branches were an area that I could not understand. The calction waspleted by arranging the trimmed tree branches here and there and moving them again. Whats even more surprising is that when you look at the resultster, there are almost no mistakes. What magic! Is that the mystery of the East? While the nobles of the alliance were amazed, the members of the surveying party were bing more and more troubled. That damn sand! If I do this wrong, I wont have enough branches, right? Just then, the Semptel and Sempteltong sent by Jinpyeong arrived. I cant just ignore my babies suffering! And the surveying team members who read the instruction manual that came with it immediately shouted hurray. hurray! I survived! Long live your Majesty the Emperor! May you live long! * * * With the arrival of the measuring frame and measuring tank, the survey team members work elerated and the numbers became more precise. Allied nobles and Italian merchants who were observing them from the side began to focus on these semtles and semtle barrels. It was amazing to see the resultsing out right away when you pressed the keys with numbers engraved on them and pulled the lever, but what was even more amazing was the Sempttong. This was a miracle in itself, as you entered numbers and calction methods by manipting the number pads located around the barrel, then turned the crank on the lid once, and the results came out with a loud sound. Is it possible to calcte such arge unit with something so small? Its such a small thing, but it can even perform the four basic arithmetic operations! In reality, the size of the sedge was about the size of two gourds put together, which was not small, but it was small enough in the eyes of the alliances nobles and Italian merchants. We absolutely need that! And Italian and Portuguese merchants who immediately realized its value rushed to the empire. * * * Meanwhile, Hyang heard from the Minister of Finance and Economy that Europeans prefer shemtle barrels because they are small, and muttered to himself. that is? Well considering the current era, it would be an ultra-small, cutting-edge device. On the other hand, Europe, which had obtained the semtle and the semtle barrel, naturally tried to understand the structure. However, the moment they turned the tray and container over for disassembly, they looked helpless. There was a strong seal attached to the joint of the floor, and a warning sign next to it. -Warning Products with broken seals cannot be repaired. Holy shit However, there were some who ignored such warnings and attempted to disassemble it. However, a ck box that the scent had been using for a long time was installed inside. The moment they opened the lid, a few of the smallest, most difficult-to-find cogs flew out and broke off the deliberately thin shaft. Thanks to this, the craftsmen who opened it sat down with their heads covered. Chapter 690 Episode 690: Rip-off (1) The data organized by the surveyors in Suez was delivered directly to the Empire through the Empires front lines and merchant ships arriving at Suez. And based on the data delivered, employees of the budget department of the National Railroad Administration began to estimate how much it would cost, and the construction team studied construction methods. As expected, even if we take away all other factors, the problem is how to deal with this sand. Thats right. The subordinate nodded at the managers words. Thats right. So, the method that the construction department is thinking of is to apply the method ofying a railroad in the forest area of the northeast. How in the Northeast Woonds? Hmm Hearing his subordinates words, the head of the budget department stroked his chin and was lost in thought. * And based on this railwaywork, long railway lines will continue to run west and east. Thus, the ultimate goal was to connect the railroad to the Northwestern Great Lakes (now Lake Baikal), where the Joseon exploration team had confirmed the location, and to the Eonwol Penins (now Kamchatka Penins). Building a railroad from the Duman River to Dongbing Port was not difficult, except for the bitter cold of midwinter. This was because solidnd continued along the coastline leading to Dongbing Port. The problem was the railway that had been carved out of the forest area north of Dongbing Port. Building a railroad through dense forest to the North Great Lakes was not as easy as expected. The soil in the forest area was a mess. Humus umted over an indescribably long period of time had been deposited, causing the soil to sink. Beyond the forest area, there was an uninhabited area where it was difficult to find people. And in the winter, the frozen ground became muddy as the days warmed up, creating swamps and wends here and there. As problems that were difficult to find answers arose ovepping, those in charge of construction at the time responded with skepticism. Do I really have to let this go? Should we just take a detour? A bypass n was also proposed, but the Liaodong region at this time was under the control of Ming. In the end, Jinpyeong of the world also looked embarrassed and visited Sejong and Hyang. What would you like me to do? Hmm Sejong looked embarrassed as Jinpyeong looked for an answer. King Sejong showed genius not only in politics, literature, and Neo-Confucianism, but even in music, earning him the reputation of being outside the standard. However, King Sejong also could not immediately find the answer to this question. In the end, King Sejong chose the easy way. What does the Crown Prince think? At those words, Hyang grumbled internally. ah! Why me! However, King Sejong as well as Jinpyeong and the ministers were all only looking at the scent. Hyang desperately rolled his head, but soon his face became bright and he opened his mouth. You just have to dig as deeply as possible. Sejong immediately reacted to Hyangs words. Toy a railroad, of course you have to sellnd. Dig deep into that too. But thats the answer? Hyang nodded at Sejongs point. We dig deeper than digging a railroad track in ordinarynd. And we are building a bridge like a railway bridge across the Han River. huh? Eh? In Hyangs answer, Sejong looked like he knew something, while the others looked like they had no idea. Looking at the expressions of those people, Hyang continued. There is an old saying, A tree with deep roots cannot be blown over by the wind. The reason why the beautiful giant trees of the northeastern forest can grow straight without falling over is because they are rooted in solid ground that can firmly anchor theirrge bodies. In other words, even if the topsoils geology is messy, the subsoil is solid. So, dig up the ground until you find solid ground. Then, we build pirs on the ground and build a railroad bridge on top of them. If the remaining space is filled with soilter, the railroad will remain intact regardless of whether the ground is frozen or muddy. ah! Jinpyeong and the ministers simultaneously eximed exmations at Hyangs exnation. It may take some time, but I think its the best way! It is indeed Cesaro! Hyang heaved a small sigh of relief at the sight of not only Jinpyeong and the ministers but also King Sejong admiring them. Whoa~. Its so hard to maintain that image! * * * In this way, railroad construction began in the northeast forest area using the method suggested by the township. The workers mobilized for the construction began digging deeply into thend in front of them. How long are you going to keep digging? Do you know me? They just dig until I tell them to stop. As they grumbled and dug for a while, the workers were able to discover deep permafrost. Is it still frozen even though the sun is shining? The faces of Jinpyeong and its officials immediately brightened after discovering the permafrost. It starts here! In this way, piers and bridges were built with iron mortar in the permafrost, filled with gravel, and thenid railroad tracks. As an aside, in history before the intervention of the township, the way in which Tsarist Russia constructed the Trans-Siberian Railway at the time was almost simr. Of course, not only was manpower and budget sucked up like a swamp, but the construction period was several times longer than other sites. These difficulties could be solved by creating and deploying excavators and towing vehicles using steam engines. However, it was still a difficult section and one that caught the attention of Ministry of Finance and Economy officials. * * * Hearing the suggestion, Use the construction method used in the Northeast forest zone, the manager weighed the situation and quickly came to a conclusion. If the opiniones from the construction team that knows the best about railroadying, that would be the answer. good! Pleasee up with an estimate based on the cost of that construction method! yes! A monthter, Kim Jong-seo visited the railroad construction site. I heard you got an estimated quote? Yes thats right. Let me take a look. yes. Kim Jong-seo, who received the quotation from the vice president of the railroad construction, suddenly looked around and asked the vice president. But is Duke Jinpyeong still in the North? Thats right. Kim Jong-seo clicked his tongue slightly in response to the vice presidents answer. Tsk! What good is such a deste ce? Seoul is the best after all Kim Jong-seo checked the numbers on the estimate while grumbling and shook his head slightly. This is the perfect number to criticize Shall we reduce it a little? No, it needs to be increased further. I will report it to Your Majesty first. Kim Jong-seo took the quotation and headed back to Gyeongbokgung Pce. * * * This is the first estimate written by the railroad constructionpany. lets see. Hyang received the quote from Kim Jong-seo and frowned slightly when she saw the numbers. After concluding the numbers and submissions several times, Hyang looked back at Kim Jong-seo. What do you think, Captain? I think its too cheap. The same goes for Jim. Tell me to write it again and bring it back to you. I follow your orders! * * * Kim Jong-seo, who returned to the railroad construction, returned the estimate to the vice president and delivered Hwangs orders. Your Majesty assessed that the amount was excessively low. Please recalcte. The vice president expressed his disapproval at Kim Jong-seos words. Even now, there are evaluations internally that we have been greatly ripped off, right? Whoa~. Hearing the vice presidents words, Kim Jong-seo sighed briefly and continued. Look. Do you know where construction is taking ce now? Its Suez in the distance. Suez. Its a ce that takes at least three months by boat. Isnt it two months? Do you think youll be able to achieve speed carrying all those heavy metal blocks? . Even if a Challenger-ss battleship or merchant ship isrge, it would be impossible to move it while carrying an entire iron horse. Then we have to dismantle the iron horse, right? Thats right. Then the craftsmen who will assemble the iron horse on site should also go together, right? Thats right. So, that part has already been applied. What should I do if I get sick while going to an unfamiliar and unfamiliarnd? There are costs for treatment, costs for sending recement personnel, and time spent in the process, right? That part has already been applied. I mean, put it on a bit more generously. Would you trust their medicine? Ah Only then did the vice president nod. Kim Jong-seo looked at that and continued his exnation. The same goes for the iron horse part. The higher you go from Suez to the North, the more you will use iron horses to transport materials, right? Thats right. Looking at the report, I heard that the fresh water quality in that area is that bad? Doesnt that mean that there are a lot of iron horses that will break down before they can be properly operated? Then, the cost of repairing those iron horses. And since it is in no condition to be repaired, we need to budget enough money to discard it and rece it with a new one. I expected that too. That expectation is too low. Isnt this just a standard based on the phrase water quality is poor written in the report? Isnt this a situation where you dont know and I dont know how bad it really is? So, you should grab as much as possible. Isnt that right? Thats right. And so is the railroad with the iron horses. Wouldnt the railroads be wasted if such heavy materials were transported back and forth? Then, you need to budget enough money to rece that part. Theres already a lot of sand everywhere, so how quickly will it wear out? Kim Jong-seo went on to exin in detail why the estimate was set low. Now you understand why His Majesty gave the order, right? yes. Then correct it again. Itll take a day or two, right? The vice presidents face turned pale at Kim Jong-seos words. You have to give it at least six days. The calctor does all the calctions, so why does it take so long? Submit it within three days. yes. Then good luck! After handing over his work, Kim Jong-seo got up from his seat and leisurely left the office. The vice president grumbled as he watched Kim Jong-seo walk hurriedly toward the carriage. Do you know what kind of all-rounder Semteul is? This will continue to be overtime again. But its something that cant be written down roughly. Phew~. The vice president let out a long sigh. It had somemon characteristics with Sejong, including its scent. What I did roughly was to pick it up in an amazing way. And if you get caught like that, you start crying from then on. Meanwhile, employees of the Budget Department, who had been hit by an unexpected overtime bomb, shook their heads. I dont know who it is, but Im sure theyll rip you off! At the same time, Kim Jong-seo, who was heading to Geunjeongjeon on a carriage, looked out the car window and strengthened his resolve. Go as fast as you can, finish as quickly as possible, ande back! No one can interfere with my life in Seoul! * * * Three dayster, Kim Jong-seo visited the railroad construction again. Lets see. Kim Jong-seo frowned after seeing the revised quotation. Its a bit small. This is an estimate calcted with as much margin as possible! Still write it down. Give me a gold pen. Kim Jong-seo, who received a gold pen from the vice president, changed the numbers in several parts and then changed the first digit of the final amount. It looks nice now. Please appraise it and bring it to me. yes. Not long after, a re-written estimate with the numbers changed by Kim Jong-seo was posted. Chapter 691 Episode 691: Rip-off (2) After receiving the newly prepared quotation, Kim Jong-seo immediately returned to Gyeongbokgung Pce and submitted it to Hyang. I have prepared a new estimate. Did it go well? It looks good. Kim Jong-seo answered confidently and submitted the newly prepared estimate to Hyang. After receiving the quote, Hyang looked at the numbers and lightly tasted it. It looks better thanst time but I still feel like its a littlecking. Kim Jong-seos eyes lit up and he asked back at Hyangs point. Where would you like me to raise it? The ministers listening to Hyang and Kim Jong-seos answers next to them muttered to themselves with expressions of iprehensibility. A quote? Isnt it right that an estimate should be written based on urate data without any deception? While the ministers were muttering to themselves, Kim Jeom came forward and reported to Hyang. Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Emperor, may I take a look at Sosin? Of course you should see it. No, that would have been the correct order, but Jim made a mistake. This is truly regrettable. No! Please dont mind! Kim Jeom, who responded with an expression of disbelief at Hyangs apology, epted the quotation in question. Hmm Kim Jeom, who was looking at the numbers on the quotation, immediately nodded. I definitely feel like its a bitcking. How about adding one or two more zeros at the end? Kim Jong-seo immediately added to Kim Jeoms suggestion. I think two would be too much, but I think adding one would look better. I think it would be nice to see Sosin as well. Hyang nodded with a bright face at the words of Kim Jong-seo and Kim Jeom. Is that so? I think it will be really nice to see. The ministers who heard Hyangs answer fell into even more confusion. Its an estimate? Since when did you start looking at aesthetics when making estimates? In the end, Minister of Foreign Affairs He Hu stepped forward. Your Majesty, I am extremely humbled, but would you mind if I take a look at the estimate? Please. Heo Hu, who was looking at the quotation in charge of obtaining permission from the vige, asked Kim Jong-seo. How much was the original estimate? Well um Kim Jong-seo, who had been remembering for a moment, told her about the numbers written in the original estimate. Heo Hu, who wasparing that number with the number written on the quotation, looked amazed and made a noise without realizing it. It opened almost twice as much as the original estimate, but youre adding one more zero to it? And the unit of amount is silver? Do you think this makes sense? Kim Jong-seo responded to Heo Hus words with an expression that asked what was the problem. If you do that, doesnt that give you nine digits? People also say to be careful of the number nine, but is it any different if its an estimate? Wouldnt it be nice to fill ten seats if possible? Heo Hu looked dumbfounded at Kim Jong-seos words, but immediately bowed his head to Hyang and apologized. your majesty! This will cause major diplomatic problems! No country will respond to such a huge amount. The ministers who learned of the situation through Heo Hus words all nodded with simr expressions. Tsk! However, Hyangs response when he returned was to click his tongue. As soon as the scent hit their tongues, the ministers tensed up but strengthened their resolve. Ah-oh! The sound of that guy clicking his tongue! Still, we have to discuss what needs to be argued! As if Hyang had sensed the inner thoughts of the ministers, he asked Heo Hu a question. I will ask the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Please ask. The first thing to consider is this. How much damage did our empire suffer during the war in Suez? No. Then, is the benefit our empire will gain after the railway isid in Suezpared to before the war broke out in Suez? In response to Hyangs question, Heo Hu carefully considered the situation. The reason the war broke out in Suez was because of the profits that Alexandrian merchants made in the middle of the war. Italy and the European Ottomans, whose profits were reduced due to the share taken by Alexandrian merchants, started a war. If you think about it that way, it was clear that the empires benefits would not increase much. After thinking that far, Heohu bowed his head and answered. It will increase, but it will not increase significantly. However, if they find out the actual price estimate, they will be very dissatisfied. Its an actual estimate Do you think theyll know if we dont tell them? . Heo Hu, who had remained silent at Hyangs point, pointed out another problem. But they spent a lot of money during the long war, so it will be a big burden. It may be more beneficial to shoulder the diplomatic burden on them by making appropriate concessions. Tsk! At Heo Hus suggestion, Hyang clicked his tongue again and Heo Hus shoulders flinched. Hyang, who had a nonchnt expression on his face, asked Heo Hu again. Minister of Foreign Affairs. I will ask. Did you push our backs to fight that war? No. exactly. We didnt force the war. It was a war they started because of their own greed, and they spent money on it. And again, the damage our empire suffered because of that war was significant. Yet our empire said nothing. Then I think Ive put enough diplomatic baggage on it? I guess so And think about this too. We certainly argued in the past for the establishment of a joint venture to jointly manage the Suez trade route, and they agreed. But as soon as the war was over, they were the ones who left that part out and banded together among themselves. Do you think such people would consider the diplomatic burden too heavy? Heo Hu had no choice but to wave the white g at Hyangs sharp criticism. My thoughts were short. Please forgive my foolishness of conviction. It is not that the Minister of Foreign Affairs thoughts are bad, but they should not forget that their diplomacy is not only about swallowing what is sweet and spitting it out when it is bitter, but it is also part of daily life that involves Samsa Chos actions. I will keep this in mind. Hyang, who made Heo Hu wave the white g, looked back at the other ministers and continued speaking. Whether or not there is a railway across the Suez, our empire is certain to pay for its use. So shouldnt we make sure to take care of our empire as well? Among the popr sayings is, Row when the wateres in. I think there is a saying: You must not forget the phrase water-proof machine. I will keep this in mind! After hearing the answers from the ministers, Hyang gave orders to Kim Jong-seo. I think we are somewhat prepared at this level. Captain Jeoljae selects those who are good at calctions in railway construction and sets off for Suez. Its okay topletely turn the table upside down. Get the maximum benefit. Once again, it is they who are in urgent need, not us. Kim Jong-seo responded to Hyangs words by bowing his head. I will risk my life to bring you the best results! Ill just trust the captain. Your Majesty believes in me, so I will definitely make it happen! The officer who recorded all of these situations wrote as follows: - So the Emperor asked for the best, and Kim Jong-seo, Minister of General Affairs, responded with great gratitude. The officer says: Diplomacy is another name for fortune telling. I think that is correct. It is truly deplorable that ones own interests take precedence over good faith. However, the Emperors words, You have to row when the wateres in are truly true. These days, there are a lot of people who have had fun through investment safes, so I also tried it Why do officers write so much? Are you insulting Jim? Oh no! To do the job properly. Im sorry! * * * April, Year 7 of the Imperial Calendar (1455). Kim Jong-seo and railway construction employees arrived in Suez. Kim Jong-seo, who got off the ship through the pier hanging over the ship, grumbled while adjusting his hat. Egh! Why is the sun so hot! Hey! Bring me that Bangseomo or something! Yes Captain! Kim Jong-seo continued to grumble as he handed the hat to the employee, wearing the protective hat his subordinate had hastily brought. They say everything in the world is good and bad. The hat doesnt block the sun, but lets the wind through, and the heat shield blocks the sun well, but doesnt let the wind through. Ah, I want to go back to Seoul! Despite grumbling, Kim Jong-seo began to work meticulously. He directed his subordinate officials and railroad construction workers to thoroughly check that the cargo he had brought in was properly unloaded, and sent a message to the lodgings where the surveying team members were staying. A momentter, the executive in charge of the surveying team members ran towards Kim Jong-seo in a huff and bowed low. See you, Captain! okay. There is a lot of hardship in this extremely hot ce. His Majesty also praised your efforts. Hearing Kim Jong-seos words, the executive bowed his head with a bright face. Oops! Oh my gosh! Im getting a little seasick after being on a boat for a long time. Is there a ce to rest? Ill show you around right away! * * * After unpacking his belongings in his lodgings, Kim Jong-seo sent a message to the nearby allies lodgings through an interpreter. A high-ranking imperial official has arrived in Suez! They said they came because of the railroad! As soon as they heard the rumor, representatives of the allies visited Kim Jong-seo. However, Kim Jong-seo politely refused their visit. Its hard right now because wevee a long way and the travel fatigue hasnt subsided yet. Please wait. In response to the polite refusal, the representative of the alliance nodded and walked away. Kim Jong-seo, who was standing in the shade of the window in the dormitory and looking at the scene, muttered with a wry smile. Now you will start to think more. And the reaction of allied representatives was just as Kim Jong-seo expected. * * * The representatives of the allies, who had gathered again for the first time in a long time, talked with serious faces. I heard its a high-ranking official. How high is it? After asking around and finding out about him, we decided he was a minister. If you are a minister, are you a prime minister? I guess thats the case? Look at the luggage I brought with me. It must be considered an enormous feat to use an entire ship thatrge. When the representatives found out that Kim Jong-seo was bigger than expected, they became more serious and stood up. I need to contact my home country. Thats right. Those gathered here now were representatives of the alliance, but in terms of position, they were mid-level executives. For them, it was impossible to deal with Kim Jong-seo. Although there was a difference in rank, he was far from capable of dealing with Kim Jong-seo, a worn-out politician who had be a minister. In the end, numerous emissaries flew from Suez to the capital of the alliance, and messengers carrying letters rode on horseback and headed north. * * * While the allies were busy, Kim Jong-seo checked the newly acquired data from the surveying team members. So its definitely not an easy project? Yes, to do it properly, we will need to bring inrge quantities of excavators and tow trucks. Kim Jong-seo, who had been thinking for a moment about the survey team members answers, asked another question. ording to the rumors going around Seoul, they are nning to rece them with ves? To Kim Jong-seos question, the members of the surveying team simultaneously answered with sarcastic expressions. Then this construction will take at least 20 years. 20 years? Its to keep it to a minimum. Is there any solid evidence? In response to Kim Jong-seos question, the surveying team members exined again how they had dug in the desert in the past. Is that so? Okay, go and rest. Kim Jong-seo nodded to the exnations of the surveying team members and sent them out. Kim Jong-seo, who was left alone in the room, smiled darkly and muttered. Thats right then I can give you a proper p in the back. Chapter 692 Episode 692: Rip-off (3) As Kim Jong-seo and the experts arrived at the site, the revision of the estimate elerated even more. Yes, thats right its not a big differencepared to the estimate I brought from Seoul, but Its all thanks to the meticulous preliminary research done by the surveying team members. While the employees in charge of estimates were talking like this, the manager who had gone to Kim Jong-seo violently threw down the documents and shouted. hey! Take it all down! yes? yes? The employees, who were momentarily taken aback by the managers shout, frowned at the same time. Oh why! If it had been like Seoul, wouldnt they have raised the price to the point where they wouldnt have anything to say even if they were dragged to Pocheong and cursed at, saying, These bastards are cheating!? The managers impression was further strained by theints of his subordinates. Then why dont you guys go and ask Captain Jeoljae! . At the managers shout, the employees closed their mouths and gathered up the scattered documents and asked. Which part needs to be fixed? How dare we kill Chief Jeoljae The manager finally exploded at the actions of his subordinates who quickly changed their expressions. Hey you bastards! Wow! Whats below is down and youre avoiding people like a loach, and above is above and youre catching people? Thats fine! Lets all die today, you bastards! Chief, be patient! Cheongsimhwan! Cheongsimhwan! The employees were trying to calm down the manager, who exploded with stress and sadness at the same time as he was caught in the middle. * * * There was a reason for the explosion of exaggeration. The survey team members conducted a thorough preliminary survey, but as the survey became more detailed, changes emerged here and there. Each time, the employees in charge of the estimate revised the estimate and submitted it to Kim Jong-seo. Then Kim Jong-seos answer was consistent. Is it really going to be like this? Please increase the number. Ive raised it enough, but Did you feel anything whileing here? Its definitely not an easy road. Also, what is the climate like and what is the water like? No matter how good you say it, you can never say its good, right? Thats right. In other words, wouldnt it take at least 20 or at least 30 here to do the work that would take 10 people back home? Are only people like that? Shouldnt we prepare enough parts in advance to be used when servicing an excavator or tow truck? If something breaks and you dont have any parts, youll have to y for at least half a year. Isnt it all about money? Thats true. So make the numbers a little bigger. yes. The opposite of this was equally as frustrating. ording to new research data, it appears that costs in this area can be reduced somewhat. Upon hearing the managers report, Kim Jong-seo put down the ck bean tea he was drinking and looked at the manager. Why are you doing this? Why are you looking at me like that? I didnt make any mistakes, right? Kim Jong-seo must have read the managers inner thoughts when he answered with a pitiful expression. Why reduce it? yes? Of course It seems like it can be reduced now, but isnt it a variable that can change as construction progresses? Dont you think about that? The manager had no choice but to bow his head at Kim Jong-seos words. I will stick with the original quote. No, didnt you understand what I said variable? Doesnt the change mean that it can decrease or increase? Stretch it out a little more. yes. The process of criticizing Kim Jong-seo took a long, long sigh. Whoa~. I wonder if it was luck or misfortune that the officials from the Ministry of Finance and Economy did note together. When carrying out the construction of the railway construction, the most difficult opponents were the officials from the Ministry of Finance and Economy. The Ministry of Finance and Economy officials were the ones who took records of all deposits and withdrawals for three years, which was basically half a year, and checked every single coin to see if any money was spent in vain. As they dealt with such officials from the Ministry of Finance and Economy, they became ustomed to entering the correct amount in everything they did. Thanks to this, it was natural that a psychological rejection reaction urred every time Kim Jong-seos orders were carried out. At least Kim Jong-seo was able to survive by hypnotizing himself with excuses he told the employees. Kim Jong-seo smiled in remorse as he looked at the estimate that was taking shape more and more clearly through the hard work of the employees. Hmm Isnt it time toe now? Kim Jong-seo was slowly gathering his fighting spirit as he looked at the amodations of allied representatives visible through the window. Do you dare try to pull a trick against the empire? * * * July, Year 7 of the Imperial Calendar (1455). Finally, high-level representatives of the Allies arrived in Suez. It waster than expected. Kim Jong-seo smiled and epted the words of his subordinate. Isnt it time-consuming to cross the desert from the north to Suez here? Of course, this is just an excuse and they must have gathered among themselves first and talked about it. Ah Kim Jong-seo continued, looking at the official nodding at Kim Jong-seos answer. Now that weve arrived, the invitation wille in about five days. Under the pretext of relieving travel fatigue. Of course, it will be a matter of suppressing the momentum on the inside. Are you suppressing the momentum? It must be a vain attempt to suppress the momentum. But I made a mistake. Its not us who are in urgent need, its them. Ah Kim Jong-seo leaned back in his chair with a rxed expression as he watched his subordinates nodding their heads repeatedly. Either way, we just have to do our job. ah! Dont forget to check in with the surveyors and estimators. I will tell you to block their ess. Its important to prevent ess, but you also have to be careful about mindlessly spreading things around. Tell them to refrain from going to nearby bars for the time being. Yes, Captain. Kim Jong-seos prediction was exactly right. Exactly five dayster, invitations from representatives of the allied countries arrived. Its finally starting. After checking the invitation, Kim Jong-seo stood up leisurely. * * * The meeting between the empire and the alliance began around sunset to avoid the midday heat. Nice to meet you. My name is Kim Jong-seo, Minister of General Affairs of the Korean Federal Empire. Starting with Kim Jong-seos self-introduction, allied representatives also began to introduce themselves. Henry of Portugal and Giovanni of Florence, as well as confidants of kings and sultans from France and the Ottoman Empire, came forward as representatives and introduced themselves. After introducing ourselves and brief greetings, the meeting disguised as a banquet began. Our French prepared a meal today. Kim Jong-seo received the words from the French representative with his eyes shining slightly. Oh really? Im really looking forward to it because its the cuisine of France, a country renowned for its power. You will be fully satisfied. The French representative responded with a smile and gave a signal to the servants by lightly pping his hands. After receiving the signal, the servants brought in bowls filled with water for the delegates to wash their hands and began to ce them in front of the delegates. Representatives of the alliance looked with curiosity to see what Kim Jong-seo would do. ording to the data they obtained, this was because the Imperial and Ming Dynasties used chopsticks and did not wash their hands. If Kim Jong-seo did something else without washing his hands, such as drinking, the intention was to use this as an opportunity to put psychological pressure on him. However, Kim Jong-seos actions exceeded their expectations. Definitely, this area suffers from a lot of dust. While saying that, Kim Jong-seo leisurely washed his hands and wiped them clean with the linen towel ced next to him. The French representative, with a chewed expression on his face as he watched Kim Jong-seo behave elegantly ording to European etiquette, pped his hands again. Kim Jong-seo looked at the scene with a kind smile and muttered to himself. It doesnt deviate even an inch from His Majestys expectations. * * * They will use every petty tactic to break the spirit of our empire. We will have to prepare for this as much as possible. After saying this, Hyang called all the European university professors working at the research institute and ordered them to do so. Make sure to teach them how to walk, behave, and eat etiquette in ordance with the etiquette of European nobles! At the direction of the township, professors rigorously trained officials belonging to the delegation. Some ministers questioned Hyang about such harsh training. The Empire is also a country with excellent etiquette since ancient times. But is there any need to learn the etiquette of those monks? Hyang immediately responded to the ministersments. Everyone knows that etiquette is different in each country. But they have a strong pride that they are superior. Therefore, they willugh at those who do not know their manners. But if we follow our ownws properly and they fail to follow ours, wouldnt we be able tough at them? It means that we can capture the ship they were trying to capture first. All the ministers who questioned Hyangs words had no choice but to nod their heads and keep their mouths shut. And as a result of such harsh training, the representatives of the empire who attended the banquet enjoyed the banquet while urately observing European etiquette. Seeing the imperial delegation like that, I shook my head slightly and red at the French representative. I guess this is all I had in mind. I still didnt know what kind of ce the empire was. And Henrique and Giovanni came to the same conclusion. It was difficult from the beginning. And their predictions were correct. * * * The full-scale talks began two days after the banquet, which also served as a meeting ceremony, ended. You all requested that you want toy a railroad in this area, so our empire dispatched experts to conduct an investigation. To conclude, it is not an easy task. The alliance representatives impressions began to fade as Kim Jong-seo said, clearly showing his true intentions, saying, You guys have been whining so much that I looked into it, and Im sure Ill lose some money. Henrik, who emptied the ss of water in front of him, asked Kim Jong-seo a question on behalf of the representatives. So how much do you estimate it will cost? In response to Henrys question, Kim Jong-seo gestured to the officials waiting behind him. After seeing Kim Jong-seos gesture, the officials ced a thick folder on each representatives seat. The number written on the second page is the estimated construction amount, and from then on it is recorded in detail for each field. The representatives who passed the cover while listening to Kim Jong-seos words widened their eyes when they saw the numbers written inrge letters. Sigh! Huh! The representatives took a deep breath at the enormous amount and checked the numbers once again. Eventually, not long after, Henry asked Kim Jong-seo. Is this amount correct? For now, this is the bare minimum. It is highly likely that it will increase further depending on what variables emerge as construction progresses. The French representative shouted at Kim Jong-seos answer. I can not believe it! Kim Jong-seo, who heard the French representatives shout through an interpreter, strengthened his expression and added strength to his voice. Do you see our empire as a fraud? If you think about the trade that has been going on with our empire, you probably have a good idea of what kind of country our empire is, right? The French representative remained silent at Kim Jong-seos words. Imperial goods were famous for their reliability. Although the goodsing from the empire were expensive, they were always worth the price. Thanks to this, the Land of Flowers was a symbol of trust. But its still too much. Kim Jong-seo immediately responded to Henrys words. Then wouldnt it be okay to give up the railroad? Again, you guys asked for it first. I never asked for our empire toy a railroad. It was Kim Jong-seo who threw a strong attack, saying, If you cant do it, turn the board over. Chapter 693 Episode 693: Rip-off (4) Thats true, but the cost is too much. Kim Jong-seo asked with an expression that he did not understand Henrys point. You have been to our empire several times, right? exactly. Did that seem like an easy path? It wasnt an easy road. Kim Jong-seos voice gained strength little by little in response to Henrys answer. You have to carry a lot of heavy iron on that road. If there is a shipwreck in the middle of the ship, it will all sink in the deep sea, so of course that part needs to be included in the estimate, and since a lot of manpower is needed, that part was also included in the estimate. Other parts also cost that amount for the same reason. It is definitely not an excessive cost. The French representative, who had been examining the quotation while listening to Kim Jong-seos answer, put down the quotation and red at Kim Jong-seo with his arms crossed. The problem is that construction costs are high, but iron horses, passenger cars, and railroad tracks are also very expensive. It would be more appropriate to use our French one. Foot! Oh, Im sorry! Im sorry! As I get older, I find it difficult to hold backughter when I hear something even slightly funny. Kim Jong-seo burst outughing at the French representatives words, apologized with exaggerated gestures and intonation, and epted the speech. Even in the Empire, I heard the story of your iron horse. It is so fast that it is as fast as a child walking, and its strength is so strong that even if you load only two carts, the movement speed is halved. If you think you can make a profit with an iron horse like that, feel free to use it. urg! Such rudeness! The French ambassador, who could not bear Kim Jong-seos sarcasm, screamed and stood up. I cant stand this kind of rudeness! With those words, the French representative left the conference hall. Giovanni, seeing this, hurriedly intervened. Lets stop here for today. The construction cost has far exceeded our expectations, so we need to look at it more seriously. How about resuming the meeting in two days? Lets do that. I agree. Henrik and Osmans representatives hastily agreed to Giovannis proposal. Kim Jong-seo saw that and stood up leisurely. Then see you in two days. * * * That evening, the representatives of the alliances gathered together again. What is the reaction of the imperial representative? Giovanni answered the French representatives question. I was rxed. Oh my should I have pulled out a knife? At the words of the French representative, the expressions of the other three people were instantly crumpled. Seeing that, the French representative immediately spoke up. Im kidding. Im kidding. Anyway, lets pick the person who will ce the fishing pole next. Henrik shook his head at the words of the French representative. I dont think the representative of the empire is very capable, but is it really necessary? I agree. The Osman representative nodded at Henrys words. Seeing that, the French representative looked very angry and raised his voice. Wouldnt that just make me a weird person? Proceed as you first promised! In the end, Giovanni came forward again and proposed an arbitration n. I think we need at least one more time. greatness! Keuhum! At Giovannis words, Henrik and Representative Osman cleared their throats without hiding their ufortable feelings. But it was a promise already made. In the end, after a drawing of lots, the Ottoman representative was chosen, and Henrik and Giovanni made the sign of the cross without realizing it. The representatives who had ovee this critical moment continued their conversation while examining the quotation submitted by the Empire. Henrik, who was looking at the feast of numbers filled with each page he turned, ced his hand on his forehead. Rather than dealing with these numbers, it would be easier to find and hunt the Kraken somewhere in the sea. I agree. It would be more convenient to charge at the Mamluks rather than deal with these numbers. The two people, who were sping their foreheads as they looked at the numbers floating in front of them, looked at the French representative and Giovanni. The two people also looked simr to themselves. No, Giovanni, who was calcting with an abacus next to him, had a very frustrated expression on his face. Whats the problem? Giovanni answered Henrys question with a pained expression. Ive been calcting for a while now, but theres no mistake in my calctions. At least in the part Im looking at now, everything is falling into ce. This is impossible Giovanni, who was speechless, let out a long sigh. Whoa~. Is that why the empire created the system? Damn it The delegates, who were struggling with the difficult situation, had no choice but to quicklye to a conclusion. First of all, we have no choice but to postpone the meeting. It would be a priority to bring in people who are good at calctions and people who are good at construction to analyze the estimate. Henrik nodded at Giovannis words. I agree. Im sure we made a mistake this time. Its a defeat that I didnt know that the empire wouldpete with something other than politics. If the Empire bet on numbers and experience, we should do the same. I agree. Me too. In the end, the alliance representatives sent a messenger to Kim Jong-seo. Kim Jong-seo calmly nodded after checking the document, which had been written politely and ording to etiquette, from beginning to end. Tell him I agree. All right. * * * Representatives of the alliance moved quickly to secure victory in the talks with the empire. The first thing they did was to bring in architects and ountants from Florence. The people most skilled inrge-scale building construction during this period were Italians. And asmerce flourished, Italy also had many talented ountants. If you only calcte the distance, there was also the Ottomans, but the problem was that the Ottomans were a strong despotic monarchy. Since it was a country where the sultans orders were more important than issues of cost, it was bound to show weakness in this area. However, Italian architects were budget-conscious. They were ustomed to working ording to the given budget and the amount ofbor they received. After receiving that order, those who came to Suez in a hurry began to carefully examine the quotation provided by the Empire from beginning to end. The architects and ountants who made calctions and examined the items over and over again shook their heads and reported. On paper, there is no problem at all. The totals are exactly the same as the recorded costs for all items. Upon hearing the ountants report, the representatives frowned and looked at the architects. But the architects answers were simr. There are no traces of adding unnecessary items to the construction. I have never encountered a method of mixing iron and cementum, but considering the environment here, I think it is a very reasonable method. After hearing the answers from the ountants and architects, the representatives asked questions with perplexed faces. Are there any areas where costs can be reduced? The most influential part is the construction means. It is said that the Empire usesrge quantities of unfamiliar tools such as excavators and tow truck cranes, but I think this can be reduced to some extent by recing this with manpower. manpower? You mean ves? Thats right. To what extent? The more there are, the better. Still, lets talk about some certain numbers. At least 20 percent. The faces of the representatives brightened at the answers from the architects and ountants. Thats right! Its worth a try! * * * Three dayster, the representatives of the alliance and Kim Jong-seo gathered together again. okay. Can I hear a good story today? I would like to make a new proposal. Kim Jong-seos eyes lit up at Henrys words. New offer? I will not use the tools that the empire uses for construction, such as excavators, tow trucks, or cranes. Instead, let us supply the ves. Instead, lets reduce construction costs by 35 percent. Hearing Henrys words, Kim Jong-seo stroked his beard and muttered. A ve a ve Kim Jong-seo, who was muttering while stroking his beard, asked Henrique. Have you calcted the cost of clothing and feeding the ves? Of course. Then how can we fill the empty seats left by ves who died or were injured during construction? Also, if an epidemic breaks out and ves die in droves, are you confident that you will be able to receive supplies right away? It will take some time. Have you forgotten that time is also money? And to rece tools that can do the work of a few hundred people at a time, at least tens of thousands of additional ves are needed. What are the costs of acquiring those ves? And what about the extended construction period? We will deploy at least 100,000 ves. At that rate, the construction period will not increase significantly. The representatives had expressions simr to those of Henry, who answered confidently. But Kim Jong-seo dug in sharply. Do you know how much an iron horse weighs? The entire process of unloading the heavy iron horse parts from the ship, reassembling them, and putting them on the railroad tracks could all be reced by humanbor. But have you ever thought about how much space is needed to mobilize so many people? And have you calcted howrge the detention facility would need to be for so many ves to eat and sleep, and how many troops would need to be deployed to prevent the ves from escaping? At Kim Jong-seos point, the smiles disappeared from the representatives faces. Kim Jong-seo continued speaking as he watched the representatives expressions bing increasingly stiff. What about medical facilities to treat ves injured during construction? What about the supply of medicines? Howrge will the burial site be for the ves who died or fell ill during construction? And if you consume and resupply ves inrge quantities like this, their ransom will be more and more expensive. Have you ever thought about the increasing costs in the process? . Looking at the representatives whose mouths were closed, Kim Jong-seo lightly clicked his tongue. Tsk! Its because they cant see ahead like this Do you think our empire is bringing in excavators and tow trucks just out of greed for money? This is because it is cheaper in the long run. Whether its a tow truck or an excavator, the equipment used by the Empire will serve its purpose until the end of its life as long as it is properly maintained. But arent people like that? The representatives had no choice but to remain silent as Kim Jong-seo continued. In the end, Henrik came forward again. That part needs to be reviewed, so lets meet again in two days. Anyway. But take note. The longer the meetingsts, the more the start of construction gets pushed back. If you miss the right time, you could miss half a year. We will review it as soon as possible. After sending out Kim Jong-seo, the representatives called in ountants and architects to discuss measures. But even ountants and architects did not have sharp skills. At least there are no gaps in the numbers written on the estimate. If only we knew the unit cost that imperialists spend on construction in the empire, we could make an urate calction, but since we dont know that, its impossible. No matter how much they tried, the representatives who heard simr answers had no choice but to raise a white g. And the method they chose was towns. I would like to ept the Empires offer, but it is impossible to spend that kind of money. Are you saying its impossible? Its impossible. After hearing Henrys answer, Kim Jong-seo was silent for a moment, stroking his beard, and then slowly opened his mouth. Our empire proposes. Let us also invest in the joint venture you are nning to create. If you provide a reasonable share, our empire will cover 70% of the construction cost. A reasonable stake? The 45 percent you mentionedst time? Kim Jong-seo shook his head in response to Giovannis question. No, its 50%. Chapter 694 Episode 694: 60th birthday (1) 55 percent? Nonsense! Say something that makes sense! Even jokes are oily resin! There is no such thing as a robber! No sooner had Kim Jong-seo finished speaking than all the delegates began to scream. Kim Jong-seo was calm and calm, even though he felt safe from being stabbed right away. Here, pour me another cup of ck bean tea. Kim Jong-seo, who took a sip of the new ck bean tea, opened his mouth with an expression that asked what was the problem. Whats the problem? Are you saying that instead of our empire paying 70% of the amount you cannot afford to spend, we will only receive 50% of it? Do you not know how good the conditions presented by the empire are? What good conditions are these! At the French representatives shout, Kim Jong-seo turned his attention to Giovanni. I will ask the representative of Florence there. The representative of Florencees from a famous merchant family. Have you ever seen people pool their money and start a partnership, dividing the shares equally? Ive never seen it before. When Giovanni answered hesitantly, Henrik immediately joined the conversation. The situation is no different from this case! Whats different? Its a matter between countries! Isnt this different from simple merchants partnership? There is a difference in national power right now, so we need to take that into consideration as well! Kim Jong-seo responded to Henrys words with a wry smile. Should we take into ount the differences in national power? Then, can our empire demand 80%? Look! The representative of Osman, who could not hear him, shouted, but Kim Jong-seo paid no heed and spoke point by point. First, who controls the sea route from Suez to the Empire? Have you forgotten who the Duke of Portugal is? Henrik answered Kim Jong-seos question hesitantly. The Empire. Secondly, where did most of the weapons that brought victory in the war you talk aboute from? The Empire. Then, would the national power of an empire with hundreds of thousands of soldiers armed with those weapons be small orrge? For your information, our empire is the country that defeated the Ming you call Kitai. I acknowledge the strength of the empire. Kim Jong-seo was struck by Henrys answer. Then, ording to the dukes logic, wouldnt there be nothing to say even if our empire demands 80%? They are providing 70% of the cost of the construction and the country is also the strongest. . When Henrik couldnt answer and kept his mouth shut, the French representative stepped forward instead. joy! East of Suez, maybe! But will the empire really be a power from Suez? Kim Jong-seos smile became even more sinister due to the French representatives provocation. Kim Jong-seos mysterious smile made the representatives instantly realize one thing. interest! Not just a bureaucrat! He has been through the battlefield! Kim Jong-seo responded with a smile that seemed to smell like fishy blood. Would you like to check? Should our empire join hands with Mamluk Spain and go to war again? Our empire may not be the first to fight, but it will not back down from a fight. And they all won. If youre confident, give it a try. This one! The French representative jumped up from his seat and screamed. Seeing this, Osmans representative urgently intervened. War brings only suffering to everyone! I think the French representative made a mistake in this case! Instead, I apologize! Lets stop here! Following Osmans mediation, the French representative sat down again and Kim Jong-seo lightly raised his hand and expressed his apology. This was rude. As you get older, you have to be more self-respecting, but thats not easy. Hehehe. Although heughed like that, Kim Jong-seos eyes were never smiling. We managed to calm the atmosphere and the conversation continued again. To be honest, we shed a lot of blood to win thest war. However, it is difficult to ept that the empire is demanding such arge share. Kim Jong-seo nodded at Representative Osmans candid remarks. I heard from the Empire that it was a pretty tough war. But war is war and business is business. Please think carefully about this. But the reason we went to war Wait. Kim Jong-seo interrupted Representative Osman in a cold voice. There is something you must not forget. The Empire doesnt need to know why you went to war, and I dont want to know. because? Its not like we instigated our empire to start a war. Rather, please keep in mind that our empire has suffered great damage as the trade routes have been disrupted by the war you waged. Seeing Kim Jong-seo firmly drawing a line, Giovanni let out a long sigh and stood up. Ha~. I think it will be difficult toe to a conclusion today. Now that we have heard the conditions of the empire, we also need time to think. Lets stop here for today. Thats how the first days meeting ended. * * * After that, a bloody war of words continued for almost two months. Kim Jong-seo and the representatives of the alliance engaged in a fierce battle over the shares of the empire. There was frequent shouting and swearing, creating a hostile atmosphere, countless adjournments and adjournments were held, and as many foreigners and messengers traveled back and forth across the Mediterranean. As the representatives of the alliance were having a hard time in Suez, a fierce war of words took ce at home as well. And more and more men crossed the Mediterranean to assist the Alliances representatives. Through the process, the representatives criticism became sharper, but Kim Jong-seo epted their attacks with a rxed expression. Have you ever experienced the Sanghang era and the Tanggeum Emperor? Otherwise, would he have been brushed off by Ministry of Finance and Economy officials as a budget issue? Its funny, its funny! Every time Kim Jong-seo saw the representatives making a confident expression, as if they had been caught off guard, he snorted inwardly and handled it skillfully. This is what we need to discuss with our home country. And every time something like this came out, Kim Jong-seo was sure to hit the other persons stomach. When I came here, Your Majesty entrusted all responsibilities and rights to me. But I see that you are not like that Huh. Its such a pitiful situation for you to not have the monarchs trust! I was able to guess the content of Kim Jong-seosst words without having to listen to them. And each time, the faces of the representatives were cruelly crumpled. * * * After such a fierce war of words, the alliance and the empire were able to reach an agreement. -The Empire is responsible for 60% of the total construction cost. -The empire supplies iron horses, freight cars and carriages for the construction of railroads and railways. -The Empire manages the necessary equipment and technicians to avoid disruptions in construction. -The empire takes 40% of the shares of the joint venture that will manage this railway and port. But the greatest benefit to the empire was thest item. -To ensure the safety of the sea route from the Empire to Suez, the Empire can establish a military port in Suez. In return for this, the empire must clearly guarantee the safety of sea routes. -This military port is recognized as permanent imperial territory. Kim Jong-seo, who signed the agreement, took the documents containing the agreement and its attached uses. I dont think Ill get angry at this level. Now that the agreement has been concluded, the Empire will do its best to keep it. Please keep those words. Dont worry. Materials and technicians will arrive starting next year. When Kim Jong-seo, who had made that assurance, stood up, Henry asked Kim Jong-seo. Do you mind if I go and see how the remaining shares are divided? Kim Jong-seo smiled slightly and shook his head in response to Henrys question. Isnt that your problem and not the empires problem? After leaving the negotiation room and returning to his lodgings, Kim Jong-seo looked at the agreement and apanying documents andughed loudly. Ha ha ha ha ha! You caught a big catch! In the process of prior coordination with Hyang, Kim Jeom, and other ministers beforeing from Seoul, thest item was proposed by Hyang and actively approved by other ministers. If we can just build a military port, I can give up to 305 cents. I wont hold you responsible. Kim Jong-seo responded to Hyangs words with a stern expression. I will risk my life and not go below .400! And Kim Jong-seo kept his promise. That wasnt all. Because the construction cost was overestimated, the empire could still make a profit even if it took on 60% of the cost. And the railway to Suez was the beginning. The moment they saw the excellence of the empires iron horses and railroads, countries wanting them would flock to them. Of course, people would stop when they saw the cost of the Suez Railway construction, but by the time the Suez Railway waspleted, the empire would be running on a new iron horse that was currently being developed. -For this reason, even though it is used, I will sell it cheaply. Do you want to buy it? If a proposal were made in this way, there would be more than one country that woulde over. Finally, the empire was not the only one using the Suez railway. The Suez Railroad was the optimal means of transporting ves and other valuable items obtained from the eastern coast of Africa to Europe and other regions. The Suez Railway was the best means not only for sending goods from Africa but also from India and the Indochina Penins to the Mediterranean and exporting goods from Europe. In other words, this meant that the Port of Suez would grow into thergest trade port spanning the Mediterranean Sea and the Arabian Penins in Africa. And the imperial military port would be built in Suez. Of course, the allies were not unaware of this. However, since it was insufficient in all respects to seize control of the sea route from Suez to the Empire, it had no choice but to hand it over to the Empire. After analyzing the future situation, Kim Jong-seo looked towards the east and muttered. Is this the reason why you joined the Navy? How many moves ahead were you able to see? * * * Meanwhile, arge chunk of the empire was taken away, and the representatives continued to fight fiercely over what was left. We must not forget the blood our kingdom shed in thest war! That blood! We shed too! I forgot who supplied the war funds and mercenary weapons! The warm atmosphere that had created unity when dealing with the empire disappeared far away, and the alliance representatives engaged in a muddy fight. After such a fierce war of words, the shares divided were as follows. Ottoman 2 Portugal 1.5 France 1.3 Florence 1.2 After the distribution, no representative looked satisfied. It was a situation where everyone was dissatisfied. But Giovanni was smiling inside. I secured 1 percent more than my father told me to secure! No one, including the Empire, has reached the majority! This way, our family can reap the greatest benefits! * * * While the light and dark were changing in Suez, the scent was carrying out another trick and trick. Hyang called Wan, the head of Area 51, and handed out an order. Design and build a ship ording to these conditions. Yes, Your Majesty. After checking the order, Wan looked at the scent with surprised eyes. Are you telling me to build a wheeled ship using a steam engine? Yes. Arent wheeled ships using steam engines abandoned because they are less efficient than the pinwheel method we use now? Thats why Im asking you to make it. yes? Chapter 695 Episode 695: Sixtieth Birthday (2) Yes? It is difficult for you to understand Your Majestys deep intentions. At Wans answer, Hyang smiled and started talking. Europe has now begun to build steam engines. And we also started making iron horses, which are difficult topare to those of our empire. Everything a person thinks about is there. Once you have built an iron horse, it would be a natural step to think of putting a steam engine on a ship. Wans eyes widened at Hyangs words. So are you trying to show them the wrong path? Its not a wrong route, but its probably a slightly detoured route. In response to Hyangs response, Wan muttered to himself. How cunning you are! It wasnt a lie to say that he voluntarily went to the Ming Dynasty and stole the soul of the Ming emperor in exchange for a speech! In any case, it was a solemn royal order, so Wan bowed his head and answered. I will obey the Emperorsmand. Oh, but you shouldnt make it roughly. We have to perform as well as possible for them to follow that path. I will do my best. Wan responded by bowing his head, putting the order in his arms and leaving Geunjeongjeon. Meanwhile, the officer who recorded all these facts added as follows: - So the Emperor gave the order, and the Crown Prince epted the order with gratitude. The officer says: The Holy Spirit said to edify the world through virtue, but now the Emperor is not doing this. But for some reason, I dont think what the Emperor did was bad, so I guess Im a petty person too. * * * January, Year 8 of the Imperial Calendar (1456). Kim Jong-seo, who went to Suez, finally returned to Seoul. It was a longer voyage than usual because the season had changed and we had toe against adverse winds. Afterpleting the mandatory quarantine period, Kim Jong-seo immediately took a special flight to Seoul to enjoy the scent. Minister of General Affairs Kim Jong-seo has returned afterpleting his duties as ambassador plenipotentiary for the Suez railway negotiations. Thank you for your effort. What were the results? Kim Jong-seo answered Hyangs question with a confident voice. I have taken care of everything I need to take care of. Here are the documents rting to the agreement and its annexes. Hyang, who received the agreement through the visitor, carefully checked the contents of the agreement. Hyangs face became brighter as he checked the provisions written in the agreement. Thank you for your effort! After reading the agreement, Hyang praised Kim Jong-seo with a bright face full of joy. After reading the agreement, the ministers also praised Kim Jong-seo with bright faces. Your contribution is great! This is truly a feat that will go down in history! If Goryeo had Seo Hee, it would be safe to say that the empire has Dae Gam! While praise for Kim Jong-seo continued from all directions, Kim Jeom spoke to Hyang. I believe that the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications has made great contributions, so he should receive an honorary medal. What the Prime Minister said is right. Order the Seohooncheong to prepare. I follow your orders. Hyang, who gave the order, ordered Kim Jong-seo with a smile on her face. You must be very tired because you went all the way to Suez in an old man and aplished a great feat. Rx after three days of travel and return to work. I would like to give him about a month of vacation, but there are many things to do while waiting for themander-in-chief. Kim Jong-seo responded to Hyangs words by bowing his head. No! Even three days can be a daunting task! Hwang Eun is devastated! In response to Kim Jong-seos sincere gratitude, Hyang smiled and gave an order. Lets stop here for today. Ministers should also resign. Shouldnt we hold a celebration for Grand Master Jeoljae? By the way, I think the Giru in Seoul will be happy that Captain Jeoljae is back. ha ha ha! The ministers burst intoughter at Hyangs joke without realizing it. Kim Jong-seos Seoul Love, Giru Love was just as famous. Kim Jong-seo also smiled brightly and bowed his head. Hwang Eun is devastated that His Majesty knows your beliefs so well! * * * After receiving permission from the local government and leaving work on time for the first time in a long time, the ministers went straight to Kim Jong-seos favorite post. ruler! Lets all raise a ss! Isnt today a truly precious day? Thats right! You should be lucky this year that something good like this will happen from the beginning of the year! The ministers at Kimjeoms dock all raised their sses high. Its not that I havent been home from work on time like this for a long time. As several rounds of alcohol were happily flowing and the banquet was getting more and more exciting, a courtesan gisaeng entered the room. Im very excited, and Im sorry, but I have something to ask you, Captain Jeoljae. Something? Some girls were sent to me, saying they were sent by Captain Jeoljae. Do you know anything about this? Kim Jong-seo nodded his head sharply in response to the gisaengs question. Thats right! I still have a favor to ask of you! Are you doing a favor to a heavenly maiden? Kim Jong-seo got straight to the point when asked by the curious gisaeng. Make those girls the best grooms. yes? The ministers put down their drinks and listened to the conversation between Kim Jong-seo and Haengsu Gisaeng. Kim Jong-seo exined the whole story to the gisaeng. I stopped by the ve market just before returning from Suez. When the words ve market came out of Kim Jong-seos mouth, the expressions of the ministers crumpled slightly. After the restoration took ce, ves almost disappeared. Only those whomitted a crime and became government ves, those who were too old and needed help, or a small number of ves who remained in long-term rtionships with their masters were left to continue their life. Thanks to this, saving ves could have been a scandal. Kim Jong-seo must have read the mood and quickly added. ah! It wasnt because I wanted to, but European nobles took me there to give me a gift. If there is a ve I like there, I will buy it unconditionally. At first, I decided to reject it unconditionally, but then those girls caught my eye. So I brought you here. Of course, I ordered cotton cloth. I guess Ill have to register my family register now. After hearing Kim Jong-seos exnation, the gisaeng immediately understood what she was going to do. So, the job of the Heavenly Lady is to register those childrens family register and raise them with respect? We need to raise them with great examples. At Kim Jong-seos words, Haengsu Gisaeng sighed a little and answered. To be a great example, you must have good looks and qualities to back it up. Kim Jong-seo responded to the gisaengsment with a big smile. ha ha ha! Who am I? I am the absolute best! Do I have no eyes to see? Thats true, but When the gisaeng was confused and confused, Kim Jeom, who had been listening to the conversation until then, intervened. Bring those girls somewhere! Since we also have eyes to see, wouldnt we be able to understand things better? Thats right! thats right! Take me somewhere! Hearing the ministers anger, Haengsu Gisaeng sighed again and stood up. It had a bad smell, probably because it hadnt been washed properly. Ill wash you up and bring you back. At the words of Haengsu Gisaeng, the ministers looked at Kim Jong-seo. Kim Jong-seo answered the unspoken question with a humble expression. Whether its a baker or a trantor, theyre all men, so how would they order them to take a bath? This is especially difficult on a boat where water is scarce. The only thing I could do was wash my face once every two or three days. Ah Only after half an hour had passed did the female gisaeng bring in the girls in question. The ministers all eximed in exmation as they looked at the three children, who were staring at them with their eyes wide open with very frightened faces. Hoo~. Europeans say they have red-haired eyes, but they call them gold-haired green eyes It gives me a mysterious feeling. That kid looks closer to silver hair than gold hair. And she has gray eyes That girl looks like the typical red-faced girl weve only heard about The ministers who were looking at the girls said to the gisaeng. If they grow up like that, they will be the only gisaengs who will dance in front of His Majesty. I dont know about your talent in singing and dancing, but I think you will make a name for yourself just by your appearance. If those children grow up, the painters in Changan will be in an uproar. Were going to draw portraits of each other. The royal gisaeng responded to the positive evaluation of the ministers with a brighter face. The maiden also didnt recognize those children properly until she washed them. You are truly a great captain. The ministers all nodded at the Haengsu Gisaengs words. Exactly! All the training Ive done so far hasnt gone anywhere! As a side note, the ministers predictions came true. The children whom Kim Jong-seo brought in out of a moment of curiosity and sympathyter became the best example of dominating the social world of Seoul. -Learn the insight of the great general. Thister became a maxim for those raising children. * * * Themotion of the interlude passed, the drinks started flowing again, and the atmosphere got better again. Captain. Kim Jong-seo put down his ss and called Kim Jeom. Whats going on? Your Majesty said you have a lot of work to do. However, it is not new that there is a lot of work in the empire. Has something big happened? Kim Jeom was also about to turn ny. Therefore, Kim Jong-seo was politely polite. To Kim Jong-seos question, Kim Jeom emptied his ss and answered. Perhaps you are thinking of proxy cleaning. Are you sure this is a proxy statement? Your Majesty is still busy and you are already preparing for the proxy administration? In response to Kim Jong-seos question, Kim Jeom emptied his ss again and asked back. Have you forgotten what year next year is? Sang Sangs 60th birthday is next year. ah! Only then did Kim Jong-seo let out an exmation as if he understood. Kim Jeom nodded at that and continued speaking. Next year will be the 9th year ording to the imperial calendar, so since you dont like the number 9, you will return next year. And His Majesty will take the throne and go to Shinji. But youre still singing. Thats why you want to go even further. Shinji has barelyid the groundwork. In order to solidify the foundation and further expand the territory of Shinji, it would be best for His Majesty, who is in the prime of his life, to go and take the lead himself. And this is good for the crown prince too. The Crown Prince has gained administrative experience while running the research institute and Area 51, but isnt this a slouchpared to the entire empire? After learning the practical skills properly for two years, when you receive a senior rank, the Emperor wille back and look after you, and the imperial power will be strengthened. Its a good thing. Kim Jong-seo nodded at Kim Jeoms exnation and emptied his ss. After filling his ss again, Kim Jong-seo looked at the alcohol sloshing around in the ss and opened his mouth. Would it be beneficial to the empire if this type of seniority became a tradition of the empire? If the emperor, who has gained enough experience, bes the situation and manages the newnd, and the Great Emperor returns to help the emperor wouldnt it be a bad thing? At the very least, something like the rebellion that urred during the Giyu Rebellion will not easily happen. At Kim Jeoms words, Kim Jong-seo nodded and emptied his ss. * * * At the same time, Hyang, who was sitting alone in Gangnyeongjeon, was nning the future with a smile of conversion. The next two years. In two years, the situation wille back. By then, Wan will be old enough to be 26 and the situation will be watching over him, so there wont be much to worry about. Jinpyeong is relieved that I will take him with him If he goes to Shinji like that, he can do good deeds as much as he wants. Because Shinji is a ce where everything is but people. While Im at it, I have to go all the way to Mexico and find rubber. Chapter 696 Episode 696: 60th birthday (3) Two dayster, Hyang called Wan. Did you call me? okay. I have amand to give you. Please give me your name. We will be entrusted with proxy cleaning starting in March, so prepare. At Hyangsmand, Wan immediately bowed down on the floor and raised his voice. Your Majesty is still strong, so how could a minor act on his behalf? Please take away my order! I dont want to bete anymore, so Im entrusting you to clean the ce for me. Now is the time for you to learn how the empire works. So, you still have little learning and experience! I have already learned enough and it is an experience Unless I am reborn, how can I do well from the beginning? Experience is built through mistakes. So now is the best opportunity to build experience. Even if you make a mistake, Jim can correct it. Haona When Wan was about to retort, Hyang cut him off. The position of emperor is not an easy position. Every decision made by the emperor affects all the people of the empire. It seems like the biggest sin to take over a position without any experience. What do you think? At Hyangs words, Wan had no choice but to wave the white g. I follow your Majestys orders. Good decision. Who would you like to entrust with the operation of the research institute and Area 51? The research institute will be run by Captain Hakyeokjae (the pen name of Jeong In-ji), and you will also be responsible for running Area 51. I will do so. In this way, Wans proxy administration was immediately decided. There were no ministers who opposed this decision. First, most ministers had already guessed the situation. Second, it was because the logic of the scent was perfect. The position of emperor was a position of great responsibility. The reason why Chinas past emperors ate so much delicacies from the mountains and the sea and took all kinds of elixirs was not just for energy. This was because it was a position where there was a lot of psychological pressure, so the body was easily damaged. Emperors who did not know this and only enjoyed pleasure were recorded as beings who brought ruin to their countries. For the same reason, there was no problem like having someone who knew nothing about state affairs be the next emperor. As Hyang said, one decision of the emperor affected the entire people of the empire. That night, Wan secretly visited Hyangs sleeping quarters. Whats going on? Can we keep Captain Jeong In-ji in that position? Hyangs face hardened at Wans question. Even if others did not, Hyang knew the history of Gyeyujeongnan. no way! Do you mean its someone other than Jinpyeong? why? Do you think Jeong In-ji had any lingering feelings? ah! Thats not it! Wan hastily denied Yangs question and shared his concerns. Captain Jeong In-ji is a man of outstanding ability. I am worried that continuing to keep such a person confined to the research center may create problems. You have a point Nodding her head at Wans words, Hyang began to question Jeong In-ji. He actively supported Su Yang, who caused the Gyeyujeong Rebellion, and rose to the rank of Yeonguijeong. He is a man with a strong desire for power. On the other hand, he was also a bosinist to the extent of supporting King Seongjongs enthronement during the struggle for the throne during the reign of King Seongjong. Then After analyzing Jeong In-jis tendencies, Hyang smiled and looked at Wan. In fact, the position may be better for him. yes? Hyang exined the reason to Wan. -Jung In-ji may have political greed as much as his outstanding abilities. -In a situation where there is political greed, the position of deputy director of a research institute may be the best position. On the surface, it may seem like one of the few positions, but in a way, it is possible to maintain a good rtionship in the position closest to those in power. -Because all the crown princes pass through that ce. Nevertheless, politically, it is the position with the least burden. Wan nodded and admired Hyangs exnation. It is indeed so! Director Jeong In-ji is one of those who has been in charge of the research institute since its founding. Soja is also cautious towards Captain Jeong In-ji. It is a position where you are respected by the Crown Prince but do not have to be politically checked, so what your Majesty said is correct. Hyang smiled at Wans words and added. This time, since we are reviewing the awards of the Chief Inspector Jeoljae, lets include the Inspector General Hakyeokjae as well. He was actually responsible for the operation of the research institute for that long period of time. Wan responded to Hyangs words by bowing his head. I cannot help but be amazed by your majestys insight. Stop using goldcquer. Now that youre done with your business, go back and rest. At Hyangs words, Wan hesitated for a moment and presented another agenda. Your Majesty, wouldnt it be okay if you postponed your minors purge period by just one year? why? The research on Nalteul and Bhikkhu is not yetplete. You will be handling that part concurrently, so there wont be a big problem, right? Well, Soja thinks, when you return in two years, Your Majesty will honor me and go to Shinji. If that happens, wont the situation be looking after me anyway? I dont think there is a need to conduct proxy cleaning for two years. And to be honest, Your Majesty, the period of proxy purification wasnt that long, was it? Hyang immediately epted Wans words. It was longer than you. And you bastard! Even though it was unofficial, I have been acting as a proxy since the Montumu Rebellion broke out! Where are youining? But Get out, you bastard! I took a moment to calcte the amount of incense that had been chased away. Lets see Hwang Sun is six years old now, right? When I go to Shinji, even if it is confirmed that I am the Crown Princes grandson, he will be eight years old. Lets see Hyang, who had been calcting for a while longer, smiled and looked toward the East Pce. Maybe that bastards reign will be one of the longest in the history of the empire. As an aside, one of the things Hyang said was, How can you do well from the beginning unless you are reborn? was circted among low-level officials, and a strange conspiracy theory began to circte. Hey, isnt this a little weird? what? Your Majesty said, Unless you are born again, how can you do well from the beginning? It did. But if you think about it, Your Majesty, wasnt she normal from a young age? Because youre a genius. No, academics are like that. But think about the political opinion announcement you made at that young age. Thats impossible no matter how prodigy you are. What about theb and Area 51? Stop talking nonsense that even the neighborhood mutts wont believe and get to work. no. Are you saying its strange? if? I told you to stop talking nonsense! Soon, this rumor reached Hyangs ears, and he smiled and said to the ministers: I guess a lot of officials are free these days? At Hyangs words, the ministers became thoughtful and bowed their heads. Please do not be bothered by groundless rumors! This is just nonsense from people who like to talk. Most officials are still working hard and doing their best in their jobs. I guess so? He ended the conversation with an expression that said it was no big deal, but inside, it was a slightly unpleasant scent. Thats right! Surprisingly, there are people with good instincts! * * * As time passed and spring came, the empire stretched again. As the sea became calm, many trading ships hurriedly raised anchor and set sail for countries as close as Ming and Japanese, and as far away as Suez. Hurry! I have to go at least once more before the summer typhoonse! yes! In the main and northern regions of the empire, rice paddies and fields began to be dug up again ahead of sowing, and customers began to flock to monopoly stores and market shops. The same was true for Gyeongbokgung Pce. As Wans proxy administration officially began, officials had to prepare more detailed materials and draft ns more thoroughly. Hmm Im not sure about this, but why does it have to be like this? Wan pouted and said, Im a beginner so I dont know much. Seeing that, the ministers looked at the scent with earnest expressions. But Hyang smiled and spoke to them. Jim, its okay because I have umted experience, but Im not the crown prince, right? Please exin well. The crown prince will do better as he gains experience. Yes Wan was so stubborn with the mindset of I cant die alone! that the ministers had to scold their subordinates. Get the materials right! Documentation carefully! If youre going to say bullshit like following precedent, get out of there right away! * * * Meanwhile, ships carrying materials for the railway construction to be carried out in Suez also began to raise anchor, carrying cargo and technicians. And the navies tasked with escorting them and building a military port in Suez also formed a fleet and began to move. This was on arger scale than expected. And the Ming navy that discovered this was immediately put on alert, and an urgent report was sent to Nanjing. This is good foring to Nanjing. You can get news faster than in Beijing. Emperor Gyeongtae, who received the urgent report sent by the Ming navy, spoke to the ministers with a mixture of joking and sincerity. At Emperor Gyeongtaes words, all the ministers bowed down and shouted in sorrowful voices. your majesty! Please forgive the ipetence of the minor gods! It is because of your ipetence that you have brought such shame to Your Majesty! Please forgive the ipetence of the small gods! Its okay. Stand up. Hwang Eun is devastated. Long live, long live, long live! After the ministers three cheers for national independence ended, Emperor Gyeongtae gave an order with a serious expression. We will refrain from chanting three cheers until we punish Joseon, who ims to be an empire. Ha haona. The idea is to show our passion for self-reliance through action, not just words. I will refrain from chanting three cheers until I get revenge. If you vite this, you will not be able to avoid punishment. All the ministers had no choice but to bow their heads at Emperor Gyeongtaes firm decision. I follow your orders! Gyeongtaeje, who had strengthened his will to revenge, asked about this incident. What do you think? ording to the rumor, they are said to have been in charge of the construction of a railroad to Suez in the western region. It appears to be a fleet that probably escorts ships carrying those materials. The size of the fleet is quiterge considering that? As expected, ording to the rumor, a naval port for the Joseon navy is being built in Suez. It appears that the front lines stationed there are also included. Hmm Gyeongtaeje, who was stroking his beard and thinking about various things as he read the reports from the ministers, shared his thoughts with the ministers. If the size of the Joseon navy that sailed this time was thatrge, a vacuum would have been created in the Joseon navy as well. How about giving it a try? When Emperor Gyeong mentioned provocation, the ministers faces turned white. At that time, the left governor responded to Emperor Gyeongtae. I am asking you, Your Majesty. The ck me Dragon is protecting its ce. As long as there is a ck me dragon, provocation is impossible. Emperor Gyeongtae inevitably gritted his teeth at the left governors answer. Damn ck me Dragon! Chapter 697 Episode 697: 60th Birthday (4) The Empires assault and return ship, called the ck me Dragon, was an object of fear for the Ming Dynastys navy. When the Ming Dynasty navys defensive power was impossible to destroy with the artillery, and the firepower that could destroy most battle lines with one shot, the assault ships came out to patrol, all the nearby Ming nation battle lines had to flee to the military port. Gyeongtaeje, who was gritting his teeth and swallowing his anger, asked the ministers again. How is the development of the two-headed dragon going? To Emperor Gyeongtaes question, the Cab Secretary bowed his head and answered. There are still many hurdles to ovee, but we are making progress little by little. Emperor Gyeongtaes face brightened at the assistant cab secretarys answer. What good news! Once the Two-Headed me Dragon ispleted, it will be a day of revenge! Emperor Gyeong-tae was very happy, even clenching his fists, and seeing this, the ministers bowed in unison and responded. It is so! Instead of doing this, lets go to the shipyard! Right Now! As soon as he finished speaking, Gyeongtaeje got up from his seat and walked away. As Emperor Gyeongtae took a step forward, the ministers and eunuchs quickly followed behind him. * * * Although Emperor Jingtai moved immediately, the shipyard was located in Nantong (now Nantong City), 500 li (about 200 km) away from Nanjing. As the distance was so long, Emperor Jing had to travel to Nantong on the emperors own iron horse. However, the face of Emperor Gyeongtae, who was sitting in the luxuriously decorated privatepartment, was full of dissatisfaction, and the ministers and eunuchs who rode with him were anxious. Is it broken again? How much longer will we have to wait for this examination? They say the repairs will bepleted in half an hour (about an hour). bang! In response to the assistant cab secretarys answer, Emperor Gyeongtae mmed the table and burst out in anger. What the hell! Even the iron horse ridden by the emperor of Great Ming breaks down so often! This was the reason why Emperor Gyeongtae was so angry. Emperor Gyeongtae, who moved the capital to Nanjing, hastened the expansion of the railwaywork along with the restoration of the Grand Canal. Although there was a lot of talk about this and that, the iron horse was useful. Although there were a lot of horses, it was definitely faster than walking and there was a lot of material that could be transported at once. And it was the railroad that created jobs for people devastated by war and civil strife and made rapid economic recovery possible. However, the iron horses of the Ming Dynasty were still notorious for their poor durability and frequent breakdowns. Even the iron horse carrying the emperor broke down three times during the 500-ri journey. Whoa~. Phew~. Gyeong Tae-je, who calmed his mind by taking several deep breaths, red at the assistant cab secretary and provincial governors. The steam engine that will power the Two-Headed me Dragon wont be like this, will it? In response to Emperor Gyeongtaes question, the cab secretary and provincial governors quickly shook their heads. No! The craftsmen have done their best to improve it, resulting in an institution that is much better than this iron horse! We are developing a new iron horse based on the steam engine used in the Two-Headed me Dragon! Please be gentle! In response to the answers from the Cab Secretary and provincial governors, Emperor Gyeongtae leaned forward in his chair and gave a warning. I will believe what you say. It was after the sun had set that Emperor Gyeongtae, suffering from a breakdown, arrived at Namtong. Emperor Gyeongtae, who spent a day in the temporary pce built in Namtong, visited the shipyard early the next morning. Oh oh! Is this the keel of a two-headed dragon? Thats right. Gyeong Tae-je gave a series of exmations in response to the response of the supervisor in charge of the shipyard. Oh oh! What a huge battle line! If it ispleted, it will not be enough to be called a giant castle floating on the sea! In response to Emperor Gyeongtaes admiration, the cab secretaries and provincial governors next to him bowed their heads and added their words. Thats right! If the Two-Headed me Dragon goes to war, Joseons naval forces will alsoe to an end! Thats how it should be! Dont do that! Gyeong Tae-je, who once again strengthened his resolve, looked around and asked. Is there anything that has been prepared in advance to see what it will look like whenpleted? Ive seen the blueprint, but I need something more tangible! The shipyard supervisor bowed his head and responded to Gyeongtaejes request. I have a model made in advance. But its so big that its hard to move around. Guide! Here ites! The supervisor guided Gyeong Tae-je and his group to a building that was a converted warehouse. Oh oh! Entering the warehouse, Gyeongtaeje looked at the model in front of him and let out an exmation. In front of Emperor Gyeongtae, a model of a ship almost the size of a cart was showing off. The model of the two-headed dragon boasted an imposing appearance. The two-headed me dragon was shaped like two huge ships tied together. There wererge dragon heads on the two bows, and like the charging return ship, the muzzles of huge artillery guns were exposed outside the muzzles. There were numerous holes along the left and right hull of the catamaran, and in the center connecting the two wires, there were fourrge water wheels arranged in two rows. This catamaran structure and wheel arrangement were created after careful consideration by Ming Dynasty shipbuilding engineers. -Arger, stronger, and more solid front line than the Joseon assault line. C Equipped with a steam engine, it must have a speed simr to or superior to that of the Joseon Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty shipbuilding engineers who epted what Emperor Gyeongtae and the Ming naval forces wanted went through great deliberation. The size can be increased, but the problem is a stronger front. For this to be possible, it must be armored with iron armor like that of Joseon. With our current technology, it is impossible to build something simr in size to the Joseon Dynasty while wearing iron armor. We have to find another way. The solution that Ming Dynasty shipbuilding engineers found after struggling so hard was the catamaran. It is not easy to connect tworge power lines, but it is possible because the Yellow Sea is rtively calm. The problem encountered after finalizing the hull structure was the problem of the propulsion engine. Shipbuilding engineers who were unaware of the existence of pinwheel-type propulsion engines chose wheels as the propulsion engine. This was because there was already a record of wheeled ships operating since the Song Dynasty, so quick application was possible. The next thing I thought about was how to arrange these wheels. The first n to mount it at the rear, like the wheeled ships of the Song Dynasty that has been recorded, was proposed first, but it was rejected as soon as it was proposed. Considering the size of the two-headed dragon, its mobility is bound to be poor. If the Joseon Navy turns back and destroys the wheels, it will be a problem. Wouldnt it be okay if we attached an escort ship? If it were the Joseon navy, it would break through even if there were escort ships. Lets admit what we must admit. Thus, the proposal to install it at the aft end ended in failure, and the next proposal was to install it on the left and right sides of the catamaran. However, this proposal was rejected by the Ming Su army generals. It is uneptable that the number of blood clots is decreasing due to wheels! If the wheels are destroyed by the Joseon Navys artillery fire, wouldnt being crippled be the same as being stuck in the rear! Due to strong opposition from themanders of the Ming naval forces, this n was rejected, and the final solution was to install it in the central part where the left and right hulls are connected. Only then did the Ming navalmanders who epted thisst offer look satisfied. This is a really good suggestion because it allows us to increase the number of blood samples! Both hulls protect the wheels, so even if its thest situation, we can move! In this way, the double-headed me dragon that would defeat the ck me dragon was born. The Ming Dynasty shipbuilding engineers and artillery engineers who designed it smiled in remorse. The Koreans heavy guns only have one gate, but ours has two gates! The heavy artillery, which was produced by examining the records of the Hwangryong gun used by the Liaodong army in thest war, had a shorter range than the Hwangryong gun, but its power was formidable. Because of this, Ming Dynasty shipbuilding engineers and artillery engineers smiled with confidence on their faces. But there was something they didnt know. The assault gun for the return ship was a breech-loading gun. On the other hand, the dragon gun of the Ming Dynasty was of battlefield style. Therefore, for smooth loading, the gun barrel of the Ming Dynastys Yonggu gun was much shorter than that of the Joseon Dynasty. This naturally resulted in inferiority in range. In addition, the iron armor used for defense was even weaker due to problems with iron-making technology. In addition, due to the lower output of the steam engine than that of the Empire, the thickness of the iron armor surrounding the hull was also thin. * * * Emperor Gyeongtae, satisfied with his inspection of Namtongs shipyard, returned to Nanjing with a brighter face. Even on the train returning to Nanjing, Emperor Gyeongtae was busy checking the current situation of Ming. Has King Wenhoe arrived safely at the royal pce? The Cab Secretary bowed his head in response to Emperor Gyeongtaes question. Thats right. As soon as I arrived at the royal pce, I was deeply moved by Your Majestys grace and offered my thanks. In response to the assistant cab secretarys answer, Emperor Gyeongtae lightly nodded and muttered. okay? I hope you will remain calm from now on. I wont be able to go much longer because my strength has already been greatly weakened. Emperor Gyeongtae smiled wryly at the words of the assistant cab secretary. I guess that would be good for him too. * Emperor Gyeongtae, who realized that the time he had been waiting for hade, moved the capital to Nanjing and began to subdue them. The rebels, whose power had already been weakened through the Jajungji Rebellion, were helplessly swept away by the punitive forces. Emperor Gyeongtae, who cleaned out the rebels, soon issued a promation throughout the central ins. -All those who have been calling themselves Joo Yun-moon and Joo Joon-gyu are fakes who have caused the country to fall into ruin due to their insensitivity! -Thats why I raised the Golden Army to subdue them, so the people should not be fooled by false words and focus on their livelihood! -And we will give royal tribute to Jumun-gyu (Ĺ), the survivor of the unfortunate incident that caused this incident, honor him as King Wenhoe, and bestow royal wealth! ording to this decision of Gyeongtaeje, Joon-gyu Ju, who had been in captivity for a while, escaped from captivity and became a free man. But this was another confinement. ording to thew changed after the reign of Emperor Yeongnak, royal family members who received royal titles were not allowed to leave the royal pce and were prohibited from contacting officials or local officials around the royal pce. In addition, the condition of Ju Joon-gyu, the person involved, was also not good. This was because both his mind and body had been devastated by over 50 years of captivity. In any case, the economic system had a lot to gain politically through this decision. On arge scale, he organized the situation in Gangnam, which was in chaos, and on a small scale, he crowned Ju Mun-gyu as king, earning him the reputation of the people as an emperor who knew duty and mercy. * * * After sorting out the issues rted to King Yuanhui, Emperor Gyeong looked at the cab secretary with a much more rxed expression. From now on, we can implement the policy of national prosperity and military strength in earnest. Thats right. Pleasefort the merchants and tell them to work hard on trade with the western region. I follow your orders! And once again draw up a n to prate the Koreans Area 51. I follow your orders! Chapter 698 Episode 698: Sixtieth Birthday (5) At this time, Milwi was also in a difficult situation. The vice-chairman, who supervises the Mill Committee on behalf of Naegeum, ced his hand on his forehead while looking at the report. Those guys who went to the North Did they go to work or to do business? Im dying because I dont have any people to work with, but theyre asking for support again He was a vice-chairman who was troubled by the request for support sent by the agents of the Militia Commission dispatched to Liaodong Province in the North. * * * Starting with Liaodong Province, guild leaders pretending to be branches of the Milwi began to settle down one by one in various cities in the North. The ridges that were established in this way soon turned into nests for the local wealthy. Although there were already Chinese-style gpoles in the well-known capital city, it had the strong character of a ce where prostitution and gambling were mainly carried out. However, the performances by gisaeng who were good at singing and dancing and the imperial soju, which had a different vor from white liquor, made the wealthy people regrs at Giru. Not only did the unique vor of soju y a part, but the fact that soju was the alcohol of the empire also yed a big part. Are you saying that the most powerful people in the empire drink this soju? We have nothing to bow down to, so lets drink! Why are wecking something? Can cancer! We have the ability to watch and enjoy singing and dancing while drinking soju at Giru! The wealthy in the northern region had to be Girus regrs just to protect their pride. Thanks to this, the mill was busy. No, on the surface, it was Seoul Heung-eop (dI) that started Giru in the northern region. It was the imperial capital that opened the Northern Territory, and the person responsible for the action was the Secret Service, but this was a top secret matter. Therefore, among the executives of the Mill Commission, those who had clean records and whose financial power would not be suspected in an investigation by the National Tax Service were selected as founders to start thepany. To further avoid suspicion, he even received investment from an investment safe. Of course, since most of the funds came from the imperial family, Hyang even drew up a meticulously written secret contract for Milwi. Although it is true that I gave the money, it is definitely the property of the imperial family. Hyang signed the contract with this excuse, but his intentions were a little different. If you do it right, the entertainment industry can reap huge profits. Why do we just release the goose thatys these golden eggs? I have to grab it! Oh yea! Ive got an emergency fund! A problem arose when Seoul Heungup, which was created in this way, began to increase sales faster than expected. The immediate problem was supplying courtesans to work in the newly created giru. Although the gisaengs who had signed a contract at Heungup were training a significant number of their contemporaries (young gisaengs), it still took a lot of time for them to go to the front line. And the attention of wealthy people in the northern region was growing faster than expected. Therefore, it was certain that running Giru with a focus on gisaeng as originally nned would be problematic. This was because it became difficult for Hyang and Milwi to understand the movements of the wealthy and powerful people in the northern region, which was the purpose of establishing the Giru in the northern region. Because of this, Heungups secret agents had to be busy. In order to recruit the gisaengs of this group, who are not enough to be called a group, but are outstanding in talent and beauty, they came and went in and out of the Giru where they were until the threshold was worn out. He worked hard to persuade the gisaengs and Jeonju (X), while chasing after the top gisaengs who were not close to retirement. oh! Are you telling me to go to the north? Is this guy crazy? What are you looking at me for? The gisaengs who heard the offer strongly rejected it at first, saying this, but the people in charge of public rtions persisted. ah! Think about it! It wont be long before you have to retire! But I heard that if you go to the North and work hard for 2-3 years, you can make a lot of money! You should also think about retirement! And if I retire there, Im guaranteed a position to educate my ssmates! After much persuasion, a few gisaengs boarded an iron horse heading to Bukji. Recruiters didnt stop there. He visited a family that had Gagi (Ҽ) who were good at singing and dancing, negotiated diligently, signed a contract, and sent the Gagi to Bukji. The efforts of these public rtions managers brought about an unexpected butterfly effect. You mean Bukji makes money? -They say Seoul Heungup is raking in money from the North! These rumors began to spread all over the newspaper, and the Jeonju people with prosthetics, the gisaengs of Haengsu, and the noble families with good fortune soon began to seriously consider entering a new market. What fueled this was the prehensive entertainment center. There were several cities in the North that passed the standards for establishing a prehensive entertainment center, and aprehensive entertainment center was built soon after. The general entertainment center that opened in the northern area soon became extremely popr and attracted a lot of money. If the secretaries collected the money of the wealthy, the general entertainment center became a ce to collect the money of not only the wealthy but also themon people. As a result, the families who owned gogi began to think more seriously. -If you do something wrong, you will tarnish the name of your family by carelessly erecting a gpole or giving away the people on the gpole. -However, if you raise your name in the general entertainment field, you will raise your familys name. -The problem is that there is a lot ofpetition for this paper. On the other hand, thepetition in the North is not yet severe. -In that case, it might be better to actively raise your name in the northern region and then try to advance into the main region. The families who came to this conclusion began to actively seek out and educate girls who seemed fair-haired and talented. The difference from the past was that ves almost disappeared and gisaengs also gained the status of noblemen. Therefore, band members had to sign a contract with the parents of the girls they wanted to recruit. Of course, battlefield employees always had to be present when signing such contracts due to tax and legal issues. In any case, the entertainment industry, which Hyang hadughed and dismissed as a delusion, was establishing itself at an even faster pace. Aside from this butterfly effect, more and more stomata began to settle in the northern region. And this brought the problem back to the mill. * * * The vice president, who had been studying the report with his hand on his forehead for a while, soon looked at the ceiling and let out a long sigh. Ha~. There are too many people to work! Although the problem of parasitic supply and demand was serious, it was a small problem in the grand scheme of things. Even if the Giru was not a member of the Milwi, the Giru needed people to protect it, and most of those people were members of the Milwi. However, this part became the biggest problem for the mill. From its inception, those who made up the Milwi came from the sword world. And most of the members of the Geomgye were Seo-eols who were blocked from entering the civil service due to the Seo-eolgeumgo (Zd). Thanks to this, the secret organization directly under the king became the most powerful tool to satisfy their suppressed pride and increase loyalty. Of course, there were some who had problems due to living on Parakho for a long time, but most of them were able to be excellent agents through character education apanied by appropriate physical means. Those who did not pass the process were immediately expelled and became the subject of surveince. If there were people who tried to reveal the existence of Milwi, they were immediately dealt with by former colleagues. However, the passage of time and the circumstances were holding Milwi back. As time passed, many of the early members of the organization retired or took on administrative positions due to their age. In addition, there was a steady stream of people who lost their lives during the armed struggle against those targeting the research institute and Area 51. In order to fill the vacant positions, it was necessary to continuously recruit talented people, but as senior officials were allowed to enter the public service through the police chief, problems with supply and demand arose. It became difficult to find talent as most of the elites who were the best in terms of knowledge and military power left to be bureaucrats or soldiers. Of course, there were still Parakhos roaming the streets. However, the vast majority of them were people for whom there was no possibility of improvement through character education. Thanks to this, the agents of the milwi had to keep their eyes peeled to find those with even the slightest potential even while they were busy. If you look at it that way the guys from the northern region are nice, even though they are hateful. What I wasining about while looking at the ceiling was true. Park Gyu-seop and hisrades who spent time in the North, where they were already struggling to make ends meet, were very talented people. -We endured the chaos of the battlefield. -I learned basic martial arts in the military, so I just need to refine it a little more. -Familiar with handling firearms and explosives. -The most important thing. Murder is also familiar. Milwi, who thought he had found a new breakthrough through Park Gyu-seop and hisrades, was delighted, but soon his expression became perplexed. -Most military veterans of the appropriate age group, especially veterans of thest war, have mental or physical problems. -Most of the veterans with excellent levels of education and martial arts are from the Ban family. They cannot enter the mill, even if it is because of their familys honor. The second condition was the problem. No family would be happy that their child, who would enter the military and bring honor to the family, would one day be a bastard who yed and ate at the base. No, it was a problem even if it was made under Seoul Heungup. A guy who should work hard to be a general gets a job? Get out and die! It was a revtion that the elders of the family would react this way. * * * Fuck youre swearing While the vice-president, irritated by the knot that could not be undone, was spitting out curses, one of his subordinates carefully handed out a report. what! Well the Ming Dynasty kids are a bit suspicious these days. Ah shit!!!! Give it to me! The vice-president, who was handed the document as if it were being snatched away with an expletive, examined it with nervous eyes. However, as the contents of the document were read, the vice presidents face became increasingly serious. The vice president, who had been examining the documents several times, gave orders to his subordinates. Put a pipe in your stomach. I need to see you right away. yes. * * * Soon after, the report in question was delivered to Hyang through Naegeumwijang. Hmm this looks a bit serious. Thats right. At the Mill Commission ah the problem isck of manpower. Thats right. Therefore, the Mill Committee earnestly hopes that Your Majesty wille up with a solution. Hmm After thinking for a while, Hyang gave an order to Naegeumwiwi. Tell them to ssify the severity of the issues that need to be dealt with first. The most urgent matters that need to be dealt with immediately and those that require basic surveince due to suspicion should be handled by the Secret Service. For cases that are dangerous but appear to have time to spare and matters that require continuous surveince, report them to the provincial government using appropriate means. Are you nning on using Pocheong? Hyang nodded to Naegeumwijangs question. yes. If something like this is made public a few times, we will be able to establish a proper counterintelligence department within the Pocheong. It should have been installed a long time ago, but Jim put Milwi through a lot of trouble. And the problem of supply and demand of talent. Hyang paused for a moment and thought about it, but soon found an answer. We use the military. Do you mean the military? Yes, people usually say soldiers and generals like Meng Hao, but I think wolves are more suitable. A single wolf is scary, but isnt it most scary when they run in a pack? Naegeumwijang nodded at Hyangs words and Hyang continued speaking. But there are always those who are not wolves but tigers. These are people who have outstanding abilities but cannot fit in. Lets use them. But many of theme from powerful families. It wont be easy to prepare to be kicked out of your family. No, even if you are not from a powerful family, it will be difficult toply easily. Hyang added to Naegeumwijangs point. Say it like this. Even if your family forgets you, the emperor will remember you. Chapter 699 Episode 699: Sixtieth Birthday (6) Just as the Ming Dynasty used every possible means to steal technology from the empire, Europe did the same in Suez. Various mechanical devices using steam engines are introduced from the Empire. Lets mobilize schrs to understand its structure and operating principles. The confederate monarchs made this decision and dispatched schrs to Suez. Even though I was kicked out, the professors expressions didnt look bad at all. Its a great opportunity! I guess I can take a good look at it this time! Professors also had their own calctions. -The size of the equipment seen in person or through records in thest Empire was considerable. -It is certain that not only the size but also the weight is considerable since it is entirely made of steel. -The imperial transport ships are certainlyrge, but it is impossible to transport them as is. Of course, it will be disassembled and transported. -Since it was disassembled and transported, there will naturally be an assembly process on site. If you do not miss this time and pay close attention, you can examine the structure and operating principles of the organ in more detail. Since these calctions were at the bottom, the professors packed their bags without a second thought. * * * The professors who arrived in Suez earlier than the scheduled arrival date of the imperial transport ship looked at the data surveyed by the railway surveyors, toured the site of the assembly building prepared in advance, and waited for the transport ships arrival. Arrived! Ships from the Land of Flowers have arrived! The professors, who had been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the ships, rushed to the dock as they heard the cries of peopleing from the port. When they arrived at the dock, the imperial transport ship was in full swing unloading. huh? uh? The professors who arrived at the dock stopped when they saw the workers filling up the space in front of them. Why are you just watching here? This was because the workers, who would normally be stuck to the boats unloadingrge and small loads, were just watching the boats in front of them. Why on earth Unable to ovee their curiosity, the professors pushed through the workers and moved forward. The professors who made their way through the workers and came to the front gaped at the sight that unfolded before their eyes. Beep! Beep! Pull! Pull! Thats right! Thats right! stop! stop! Imperials were unloading equipment from the transport ship, blowing loudly the whistles in their mouths and waving the red signal gs in their hands. To the sound of their hand signals and whistles, a crane attached to a sailboat was unloading small equipment C still the size of two carts. The equipment was actually a mobile crane and tow truck equipped with a small steam engine. * * * What made not only the workers but also the professors gape was the process of unloading and assembling the small crane. Although it was small, it wasrge, so the main body and the arm on which the steel rope was attached were separated and unloaded. First, when the main body was unloaded, the technicians who got off first used familiar hand movements to join the main body and arms. The assembly of the main body and arms went smoothly thanks to the crane attached to the boat holding the arms and floating them. After finishing connecting the most important steel rope, the engineers started the steam engine. Chwiik! Chwiik! Chick chug! As the steam pressure rose properly and the small crane was able to move, it moved to the side, and the main body of another small crane came down from the cargo ship. This happened simultaneously on two cargo ships docked at the dock. As the number of small cranes that could move properly increased, the speed of unloading became faster. Once the unloading and operation of the small cranes waspleted, the tow trucks were then unloaded. The tow trucks, which had already been started inside the ship, moved to one side as soon as they were lowered onto thend, and then therge carts to be driven by the tow trucks were unloaded. By the time the small cranes and tow trucks finished unloading, the sun had already set about half way. Thats all for today! Move the cranes and tow trucks to the temporary garage! Following the orders of the foreman in charge of the work, the lifters and tow trucks moved to the tent erected on one side. Meanwhile, the interpreter informed the gathered workers of the situation. Theres a lot to do starting tomorrow, soe out early! yes! The workers responded to the interpreters call and left the dock in groups of two and three. * * * When the work was finished, the professors went to see the person in charge. I want to see the cranes and tow trucks. You have to have permission. The person in charge tly refused, but the professors persisted. Oh no, lets just wait a moment! Just look a little! Just a little bit! I said no! When the person in charge refused, one of the professors took out a heavy bag from his pocket. Dont do that, just take this and look at it for a moment. Seeing the person in charge trying to bribe him, his face turned bright red and he screamed. Who has this person decided to send to the record office now? Get out of here! Guard! Bring these people out! The professors who were dragged out by the guards after being called by the person in charge had their appetites quenched. This was a great opportunity Its a shame. The professors, who could not hide their disappointment, soon turned their thoughts in a positive direction. The big equipment hasnt been unloaded yet, right? Lets aim for that time. That would be fine. These were professors who were determined and looking for the next opportunity. Meanwhile, variousments were being made among those in charge of kicking out the professors. Do you think theyll give up? at all. I didnt see the looks in those peoples eyes earlier. Theyre almost crazy, right? Im worried about this. When one of the staff muttered in a voice full of worry, another colleagueforted him. Werent you prepared for it to be revealed to some extent anyway? All we have to do is dy that period as much as possible. And even if you see it, will you be able to recognize it properly? Have you already prepared such defenses? Thats right. The people in charge nodded with somewhat relieved faces. * * * Meanwhile, where the people in charge of operating and maintaining the equipment had gathered, a serious conversation was taking ce. What kind of sand There is sand everywhere, but I didnt believe that the really useful sand had to be scooped up from the beach whew~ All the technicians were nodding their heads while sighing andining. One of the biggest challenges in this construction was the sand used to make the ster. The sand lying in the desert waspletely useless for construction purposes. This was because the particles were too small to be blown away by the wind. Therefore, in order to properly carry out the construction, the sand from the beach had to be scooped up and used. The problem was the salt content in the sand. The biggest enemy of ster was sand. Thanks to this, when construction began, the first thing to be built was a fresh water production facility. The fresh water in and around the Suez area contained a lot of limestone, which was not good for steam engines. Therefore, facilities to produce fresh water for steam engines and decontamination work were built first. Thats not the only problem with that damn sand. The powder and castor oil will cost more than expected. The empire created a variety of equipment using steam engines. Lubricants were essential for parts made of all kinds of metals, including steel, to move smoothly. The first material used as a lubricant was graphite. Graphite, finely ground into a fine powder, was perfect for use as a lubricant and could withstand high temperatures well. Thanks to this, ink was used as a lubricant wherever machinery was needed. However, ink stone also had the problem of being weak against moisture. Therefore, what came out to solve this problem was castor oil. Castor oil was an excellent lubricant. It withstood high temperatures well and did not harden even at low temperatures. Even when in contact with air, it did not dry out quickly or deteriorate. These properties make castor an optimal lubricant for use in wet locations, most notably the sea. As castor oil became so popr, farmers took advantage of the opportunity to earn unexpected additional ie. In his spare time from farming, he grew castor beans to earn extra ie. In addition, ck stone powder and castor oil were also works containing fragrant seasonings. * * * One of the biggest topics of the 21st century was eco-friendliness. Lubricants made by refining crude oil are not environmentally friendly. So what was used as a lubricant before refined lubricants came out? Intrigued, Hyang searched through books in the library as well as the Inte. Lets see After all, its animal fat. In particr, whale oil was used a lot. However, in terms of eco-friendliness and animal protection, this is out. The same goes for things like pork fat. Hyang, who was digging through the data like that, soon found a good answer. Graphite and castor oil Wow. And when the problem of lubricants arose after his reincarnation, he proposed a solution called graphite and castor oil. And King Sejong and the ministers and artisans all nodded. also! * * * Just as the people in charge of managing the heavy equipment had worried, the professors moved persistently. And that persistence was soon rewarded. In order to assemble therge heavy equipment that is the core of the construction, arge assembly facility was needed. And for this purpose, the empire built arge structure near the dock. The pirs and beams were made of thick and strong steel, and iron tracks passed between them. And on the track wererge, strong pulleys and thick chains hanging. Parts of heavy equipment that were unloaded from ships and loaded onto tow trucks were assembled at this facility. There were gaps here and there in the fairlyrge site, and the professors had the opportunity to dig into the gaps and look inside the heavy equipment. Holy shit! However, the professors who were examining the parts had no choice but to swear. This was because all the parts that make up the heavy equipment were in a semi-assembled state as box parts C modules. Just ce the boxes of necessary parts in a designated location and connect them using power transmission parts or coupling parts to immediately be a finished product. In order to actually see the inside they wanted to see, they had to use specially made tools. And the entry and exit of those tools was under the strictest control. The number exported and the number recovered had to be exactly the same, and the identity of the exporter and the serial number engraved on the tool were recorded each time. In response, the professors tried to use bribes once again, but the people in charge, from the technicians at the bottom to the executives at the top, stubbornly refused. If you are caught taking bribes here, all your assets will be confiscated and you will have to bury your bones in the records office, regardless of whether you are high or low in the ss. Are you crazy! Everyone in the empire was already well aware of the Recorders notoriety. In the end, the professors had to grit their teeth and swear. Who on earth thought of such a dirty and cunning move! Who created the Record Office! Oh my gosh, youre so scared of the recorder that you refuse to take a bribe! At the same time, Hyang, who was at Gyeongbokgung Pce, picked his ears and muttered. Ah, cover your ears! Who is swearing at me like this? Chapter 700 Episode 700: Sixtieth Birthday (7) However, the professors were not discouraged and persistently looked for opportunities. Having a tool to break the seal means that there wille a time when you will need to break the seal! Im looking for that opportunity! Machines are bound to break down! Im aiming for that time! While the professors were circling around looking for an opportunity, the Empires technicians were carefully assembling the equipment, checking its condition, and making full preparations. You cant just focus on the railroad construction! We must also proceed with the construction of a military port! Check the inventory of materials and equipment properly! The Imperial Railway Corporation employees and military administrators in charge of managing supplies struggled fiercely with the temte and report in front of them. It is fortunate that there is support from the Corps of Engineers for the construction of the military port. It is said that in addition to the Corps of Engineers, there will be a significant amount of manpower support from the Army. Hearing his subordinates report, Manho Kang Dong-il, the administrative officer in charge of the construction of the military port in the Suez region, breathed a sigh of relief. Whoa~. Thank goodness. A subordinate expressed doubts about Kang Dong-ils words. We already dont have enough workers, and thend dogs are whining that we are giving our children to the seals. Wouldnt it have been better for us to get ves too? Kang Dong-il red at the subordinate who made the problematic statement. How are you going to get that budget? Are you going to go to the Ministry of Finance and get burned? Of course, there are budget issues, but if we resell it after construction ispleted, wouldnt we be able to minimize budget consumption? Where are you going to sell it? To do it right, you have to maintain at least 5,000 at all times, right? Where are you going to sell the 5,000 after construction is over? To Kang Dong-ils point, the subordinate immediately responded as if he had already thought about it. Why not sell it to a railroad constructionpany? I heard that although the distance is only 400 ri (approximately 160 km), it is expected tost 10 years because of the desert. Why not use that site? Kang Dong-il, who had been thinking about his subordinates words for a moment, shook his head. Not possible. Even before the creation of the title, the empire had made it a policy to reduce ves. But are they openly buying and selling ves? It will leave a blemish on the honor of the military, and indeed the Navy. So it doesnt work. However, it is a very useful measure when considering increasing the efficiency of construction progress and efficient budget execution. I cant do it because of the budget. yes? Kang Dong-il exined in more detail to his subordinate who couldnt understand what he was saying and just blinked. If you look at the big picture, the entire county is living off the budget. And the budget received in that way is shared between the Army and Navy. The problem is that we have never had a good budget. However, its not so much that its hugely debilitating, but its just enough to slightly depress you. But are you willing to tarnish the Navys reputation just to save a few bucks? Wouldnt that be possible? Right now, the Army gophers are going to trip over him and hit the Navy budget first, right? The subordinate, who understood the problem through Kang Dong-ils exnation, immediately bowed his head. sorry. Su Guans thoughts were short! Kang Dong-il nodded at his subordinates apology, but did not forget the warning. Whether you are amander fighting the enemy on the front line or an administrator fighting numbers at a desk, you have to look broadly and think deeply to get ahead. I will look after you this time, but if you make this mistake again, I guarantee you that I will make you live without sess. Dont forget that there are still many empty positions in the Records Office. At Kang Dong-ils warning, the subordinate broke into a cold sweat and repeatedly bowed his head. I will keep each bone in mind! Then go back and recheck the numbers in the report and take a look again at the measures regarding the binary that will arrive soon! Yes old! Kang Dong-il, who had given his subordinates a lot of work to do, looked out the window and let out a long sigh. Whoa~. Isnt there a smart guy somewhere? * * * The second team arrived at the Suez site, where numerous mid-level executives were struggling while being run over here and there. With the arrival of the second camp, which wasrger than the first camp, the empire was almost able toplete its preparations. The professors, who were once again looking for an opportunity with eagle eyes, froze when they saw the huge transport ship docked at the dock. A chimney on a ship? no way! The Empire has already put steam engines on its ships! When the professors saw the steamship blowing out ck smoke from the chimney, they ran to the ship without question. oh! Oh oh! Its so big! The professors who saw the steamship right in front of them repeatedly let out exmations of exmation. No, it wasnt just professors. The workers who rushed to get work and the allied soldiers guarding the port all had their eyes fixed on the huge ship in front of them. The professors, who had been staring nkly at the huge ship like a castle floating on the sea, soon came to their senses and began to observe various parts of the ship. What caught their eyes was the ships name te attached to the stern. The que made of copper was asrge as the ship. The name of the ship was engraved on the que in Imperial and Latin. Magna Orientem (|)? The professors who read the Latin names engraved on the que thought for a moment and nodded. Its a fitting name for a ship. The Empire is the strongest in the East so its a fitting name. However, this Daedongbang was a subtle ploy to divert the direction of European shipbuilding. * * * We are misleading Europe by creating wheeled ships that are much less efficient than pinwheel propulsion systems. Under this n, a newrge transport ship was built. Construction went smoothly because of the experience umted since the first steamship was built. But the scent constantly adds spice to this. -Build the structure that supports the ship to its maximum size using only wood. -A lot of colorful decorations are added to the outside. In addition, the transport ship that came out as a result of adding various seasonings was not onlyrge, but also quite shy in appearance. When theunch waspleted safely and it was time to decide on a name for the ship, the name chosen by Hyang was Daedongbang. When Wan heard the name chosen by Hyang, he immediately objected to Hyang. Your Majesty took great care to decide on the name, but for someone of that size, wouldnt Daejoseon be better? Hyang smiled and shook his head at Wans suggestion. Prince. What was the purpose of building that boat? Wan, who took a moment to remember Hyangs question, immediately bowed his head. ah! Sojas thoughts were too short! Im just intoxicated by its size! But its good to know right away. Meanwhile, the ministers who were listening to the conversation between the two from behind all had the same thought. Your Majestys naming skills are still not good. Hyang muttered to himself, as if he knew what these ministers were thinking. If you think about the fate of that ship, Daedongbang is a good choice. The origin of the Great East was the Great Eastern. In history before the intervention of perfume, the Great Eastern was thergest ship of its time. The purpose of the ship was to build a ship that could travel around the world without resupplying fuel. But the future of the Great Eastern, which was thus born, was bleak. With the opening of the Suez Canal, the route from Europe to the East was greatly shortened. However, the Great Eastern was sorge that it could not pass through the Suez Canal at the time. Of course, we had to travel around the African continent and our profits were always in the red. In the end, the Great Eastern disappeared from history without much activity. Thats why Hyang gave that name to the newly created pear. -An item that appeared to be ahead of its time but eventually became outdated. * * * Whatever the background, Daedongbangho docked at the dock was an object of wonder. The cargo ising out endlessly! Such a huge payload! While the workers and soldiers were amazed at the enormous cargo capacity, the professors nodded as they looked at the smokestacks and the huge wheels on the sides of the ship. Thats right a steam engine and wheels its a goodbination. I think we can apply it too. Id like to take a look at the engine department. While the professors were burning with a passion for learning and research, the alliance officials who had heard the rumors were bing serious in a different sense. The conversation started about the inconvenience caused by the ships safety. The Great East That means the East is ahead of us. And they are the strongest in the East. In the end, it would be correct to see that they are proiming that they are stronger than us. Its arrogant, but its probably right now. While they were talking like that, the French official suddenly looked back at the Portuguese and Ottoman officials with startled eyes. Now that I think about it I heard that the empire once rmended the construction of a canal. Is that right? Thats right. So then the empire was already setting its sights on Europe? The Portuguese and Ottoman officials could not hide their surprise at the mutterings of the French official, whose face suddenly turned serious. What do you mean? In response to the Portuguese officials question, the French official shared his thoughts. Look at the size of that boat. Right now we only load cargo, but what if we load cannons instead of cargo? In response to the French officials point, Portuguese and Ottoman officials imagined the expected map. Even now, the Empires front lines are famous for carrying enormous numbers of cannons. But with a ship of that size, just one or two ships would be enough to take on a sizable fleet! As the Portuguese and Ottoman officials expressions became serious, the French official added more force to his voice. With the waterway connecting Suez to the Mediterranean Seapleted, what if warships as big as that ship enter the Mediterranean Sea through the waterway? The worst thing like the Mongol invasion of the past will happen again. Right. Was it against this background that the empire requested a military port? Then shouldnt we think about turning all treaties into nothingness? The Portuguese official shook his head at the Ottoman officials words. That is impossible. Considering the economic losses we have seen so far, it is impossible to cancel. Following the Portuguese officials words, the French official also added. As long as there are no waterways, the nightmare I described will not happen. Just guarding against the empire is something that cannot be done without beingx even for a moment. Lets send the report back home. Lets do that. After reaching a consensus, the officials quickly began writing reports to send home. In this way, Daedong Bangho brought about an unexpected butterfly effect. -As long as there is a military danger to the empire, the canal will never be dug! -Be as careful as possible not to provoke the empire carelessly! We must not give the empire an excuse! In this way, the creation of the Suez Canal was pushed back considerably. In addition, the Wests advance into the East was also carried out very cautiously. This was because most of the eastern region was under the influence of the empire. Later, Wan and the ministers who heard the rumor through the merchants looked at the incense in amazement. Is this really what you thought about? No, I think I was lucky. The answer came with a humble smile, but Wan and the ministers all thought differently. You said that, but you clearly calcted it up to that point! I cant believe there was such a deep meaning to that clumsy name! As expected, His Majestys heart is deep and meticulous! Chapter 701 Episode 701 Sixtieth Birthday (8) January, Year 9 of the Imperial Calendar (1457). Inside Geunjeongjeon of Gyeongbokgung Pce, carpenters belonging to the Seongonggam (O) were busy working. And on one side of Geunjeongjeon, Wan and the ministers were looking at the work with faces full of pensiveness. The reason their faces were filled with deep sorrow was because the house was currently undergoing renovation work. * * * As the war progressed, the amount of work to be handled by the king and the court exploded. Therefore, while government affairs were handled at Sajeongjeon before, most of the government affairs were handled at Geunjeongjeon from the time of Gyeongjang. This was because the space was spacious and it was easy to bring additional or auxiliary documents if necessary. Lastly, as the power of Joseon became more powerful, the purpose of showing off also became greater, so all political affairs were held at Geunjeongjeon. -The Forbidden Citys Hall of Great Flowers is too greedy, but it has to be at the level of Geunjeong Hall to save face! One of the changes that urred while handling state affairs at Geunjeongjeon was the introduction of desks and chairs. When I looked down from the house, there were conference desks and chairs lined up on both left and right sides. The prime minister, left and right deputy prime ministers, and ministers of each department sat in the front row, and vice ministers and officials who would assist with work sat in the row behind them. As a result, the natural behavior of sitting cross-legged disappeared. -I have a lot of work to do, but sitting cross-legged all day is not something I can do! This was the position of the Prime Minister and ministers, and the position of subordinate officials was different. -I have to sit down several times a day and then jump out to get documents, but I cant do it cross-legged! Although the reasons were different, they agreed that desks and chairs were more convenient, so they were arranged that way. The reason Wan and the ministers were anxious while watching the renovation work on the temple was not because they were worried about going back to sitting still. This was because a new seat was being added one step higher behind the seat where the emperor sat. And the person who would sit in that additional seat was King Sejong. * * * The owner of the Tanggeum Empire was Hyang, but he regrly sent letters to King Sejong and reported on the situation of the empire. Naturally, a report was made to King Sejong regarding Wans proxy administration. To briefly summarize the contents of the reply sent by King Sejong, it was as follows. -I know very well what you are up to. -Im not doubting Wans ability, but confirmation is definitely necessary. -This time, I will be returning to the headquarters due to my 60th birthday issue, so I will do an interim inspection. So make room for me! Because of King Sejongs order, the carpenters of Seongonggam were repairing the house. And Wan and the ministers were looking at the scene with faces full of worry. Your Majesty has great work ability, but you are a step above him If you click your tongue, you wont be able to sleep well that night Would a cow or sick leave be better? While the ministers were pondering over the best way to escape, Wan was looking at them with those envious eyes. If they dont seed, they can at least throw a resignation letter. Im in a situation where I cant run away Haa~. While Wan was sighing without realizing it, the eunuch came and informed Wan and the ministers. His Majesty said that the construction of Geunjeongjeon will be handled by the Seongonggam, so pleasee quickly to Sajeongjeon. Oh, I understand. Hearing the Naegwans message, Wan and the ministers left their seats and headed to Sajeongjeon. As he headed to Sajeongjeon, Wan suddenly had a question. wait? It is said that when His Majesty was serving as Deputy Prime Minister, all affairs were handled at Seunghwadang. The situation only evaluated the results. But why me? Wans face brightened as he recalled memories of his days as a proxy for Hyang. good night! Lets consider this! After making his decision, Wan looked back at the ministers following him and gave an order. Please wait outside for a moment. I have a moment to share with you, Your Majesty. The ministers responded to Wans words by bowing their heads in unison. Yes, Your Highness. * * * After letting the ministers wait outside Sajeongjeon for a while, Wan entered Sajeongjeon alone. Hyang, who was sitting in the house built in Sajeongjeon and looking at the documents, expressed doubts as soon as he entered. huh? Where are the ministers going and is the crown princeing in alone? Soja ordered me to wait outside for a while. why? I have something I would like to ask your Majesty. In response to Wans answer, Hyang put down the document he was looking at and straightened up. So what do you want to know? I heard that when His Majesty was serving as Deputy Minister, he did business at Seunghwadang and only checked the results. But I would like to know why Soja has to conduct business in front of Your Majesty. Oh, that? He exined the reason with an expression that said the scent was not a big deal. First of all, it may seem like self-praise, but I definitely have more experience operating the research institute and Area 51 than you. And he already had a lot of experience in acting as a proxy due to the Muntemu Rebellion and other incidents. Thats why the situation trusted me and made that decision. Second, even so, there were times when the circumstances led to undesirable results. Then, corrections or adjustments need to be made, but a lot of time was wasted while going back and forth between Geunjeongjeon and Seunghwadang. However, if something happens in front of me, I can intervene right away, saving time. Lastly, although I am also an emperor, I have no choice but to follow orders given by the circumstances. Did you get an exnation? Wan responded to Hyangs words, bowing his head with a gloomy face. yes. Then tell the officials toe in. It would be a big loss if you get caught in this cold weather. yes. shell. Yes, Your Highness. While the eunuch was walking quickly to deliver orders, Wan headed to his seat with a resigned look on his face. The officer who recorded all of this added the following: - In this way, the Emperor answered the Crown Princes question directly, and the Crown Prince immediately agreed. The officer says: The prince passed away today as well. The position of crown prince is not easy. * * * April, Year 9, Imperial Calendar. The Northern Sea Route, which had been blocked during the winter, was cleared and the first regr ferry from Shinji arrived in Wonsan. While King Sejong and his party waited at the quarantine center created near Wonsan, Hyang and Wan arrived in Wonsan and waited for King Sejong. When King Sejong, who had safely passed the quarantine after the waiting period, got off the ferry, Hyang, Wan, and the ministers all bowed and bowed in respect. Id like to see the situation! King Sejong, who received the courtesy, also bowed politely to Hyang and reciprocated. I want to see the emperor. It is truly reassuring to see that you are strong. I am truly grateful that you are still strong. Sejong, who was saying well, looked at Wan and his face became bright. Oh oh! Our prince! It must have be a constitutional charter! There was indeed a reason for the emperors assurance! At Sejongs praise, Wan blushed slightly and lowered his head. Thats too much praise. ha ha ha! What is excessive praise! I look forward to seeing the prince at workter! Hup! At Sejongs words, Wan huped without realizing it. * * * Those in charge were busy preparing for the 60th birthday party to be held on May 15, King Sejongs birthday. Gisaengs who were famous throughout the empire and courtesans who were famous in general entertainment centers were gathered in one ce and their skills were judged to select the best ones. It was fun to the eyes at first, but now my head hurts. I agree. This is too much work, so I cant do it. Due to the stress brought about by the huge national event called Situations 60th Birthday, officials had to deal with their work with exhausted faces. This was also true for those who prepared food. In addition to traditional banquet food, I obtained recipes and ingredients for the foods King Sejong enjoyed in Shinji and practiced them in advance. In addition, following an ancient tradition, invitations were sent out to elderly people living long lives across the country. * * * The officials preparing for the 60th birthday banquet were going through a lot of hardships, but the officials entering Geunjeongjeon were on the verge of death. Wan sat right below the temple, Hyang sat on top of him, and Sejong sat one step above him, looking at documents, listening to Wans discussions with the ministers, and observing what decisions were made. Thanks to this, all officials, starting with the worn-out Kim branch, had to work as if they were walking on thin ice. The good news was that Wans ability to handle tasks was excellent, so Hyang and Sejong rarely clicked their tongues. However, if Hyang or Sejong clicked their tongue, it would be an uproar from then on. The minister of the ministry that was pointed out immediately returned to his ministry and reced the subordinates in charge of the work. Lets do our best! But the worst case scenario was different. It was a case where Hyang and Sejong clicked their tongues at the same time. When something like that happens, Wan goes nk and has to scramble to figure out the problem. Again, Wans work ability was excellent, so the problem was quickly resolved. If he liked the solution Wan found, Sejong nodded and said to Hyang. I think what the crown princecks is experience. Thats right. Whoa~. At the conversation between Sejong and Hyang, Wan sighed slightly and hisplexion returned. However, Kim Jeom had to endure hardships. The Prime Minister should have already looked into it, but didnt he find the problem? I apologize. Tsk! Sejong clicked his tongue at Kim Jeoms answer. At the sound of Sejong clicking his tongue, Kim Jeom turned his lowered head and red at the person in question. And after the political meeting was over, the minister in question was taken to Kim Jeoms office and suffered for a long time. hey! I! At this age! Should I listen to you clicking your tongue! Im sorry. Still, I feel a bit sick Youre sitting there talking like youre a body ache! The minister who cut Kim Jeoms joint like that shouted as soon as he returned to his department. Gather under me immediately! * * * Although the weather outside was warm, King Sejongs 60th birthday party took ce in Geunjeongjeon and Yukjo Street, frozen. It was a huge banquet attended by the entire royal family, including King Sejong and Hyang, as well as high-ranking officials and senior citizens from all over the country. Inmemoration of King Sejongs 60th birthday, a nationwide pardon was announced and retail outlets held special discount events. At these events, the people of the empire chanted Hurrah for national independence on the streets and prayed for King Sejongs long life. Hail, long live! Long live! May your situationst forever! May you enjoy being unemployed! The entire empire was in a festive mood. European monks, schrs, and university students who were watching this muttered without realizing it. How many monarchs are there now who are so loved? * * * After sessfullypleting the 60th birthday party, King Sejong took a short rest and prepared to return to Shinji. Once the preparation process was somewhatpleted, King Sejong called Hyang and Wan separately and exined Shinjis situation in more detail. So this is the end of Shinjis pioneering situation so far. The assimtion of the newly incorporated tribes is going smoothly, and the work of training native warriors to form a navy and army is gradually picking up speed. Hyang nodded and epted Sejongs exnation as he ced the map in front of him. We now need to properly prepare the sea defense wall that you mentioned earlier. Stop now. Emperor. Sejong immediately cut off Hyangs words. I hate nine moves. I willplete 10 years as promised. yes. Chapter 702 Episode 702: Sixtieth Birthday (9) Hyang immediately closed his mouth at Sejongs firm answer. Sejong and Wan seemed rather surprised by the quick abandonment of the scent. Why this bastard? Why Your Majesty? Sejong, unable to ovee his curiosity, immediately asked the reason. Is the emperor quick to give up this time? Do you have any health problems? Shouldnt we at least call the royal doctor right away? To Sejongs question full of worry, Hyang answered with a humble smile. It was something that was already expected to some extent. So, you took a quick stab at it? Is it a good thing to do, or is it something we cant do anything about? ha ha ha. Hey you bastard! Wan, who was watching this scene from the side, muttered to himself. This scene doesnt feel familiar! It was natural. Because it was a situation where Wan was broken by Hyang every time. After the skit ended, Hyang asked Sejong with a serious face. How did you view the Crown Princes handling of affairs? I think its very good. Sejong nodded at Hyangs words. The emperors judgment is correct. What the crown princecks right now is experience. There are old officials, including the Prime Minister, so they will not easily fall into a crisis, but they have one advantage. As I already said, they are experienced old gods, so they will not fall into crisis easily, but on the contrary, if they make even the slightest mistake, the emperor can be swayed by the old gods. There are only two ways to stop this: either have overwhelming ability and experience, or purge. Doesnt the emperor also remember Ryu Jeong-hyeons group? Hyang immediately nodded at Sejongs point. I remember it clearly. * * * When King Sejong had just escaped Taejongs convergence and entered into his own government, his most powerful helper and rival was Ryu Jeong-hyeon, the Prime Minister, and the old officials who followed him. The old subjects, who were fed up with King Taejongs dogmatic politics, tried to break King Sejongs momentum and establish a republican political system dominated by theocracy. However, they were purged on arge scale through the Duchang Incident and the government underwent major changes. And the descendants of Ryu Jeong-hyeons faction had not yet been pardoned or reinstated. King Sejong had no intention of doing so, and Hyang also did not mention anything about their amnesty and reinstatement. The foundation of the empire, or rather the emperor, is still weak! At least 100 years must pass! If you do it wrong, you will be Amitabha Buddha! The democratic revolution is not a revolution from above, but a revolution from below! * * * Meanwhile, Wans face, who was listening to Hyang and Sejongs story next to him, was full of resignation. Although many words were exchanged, there was only one conclusion. -I leave everything to the crown prince! The idea was to gain experience quickly, but the reality was that Hyang and Sejong would just sit back and watch. Of course, its normal to click your tongue every now and then to upset someone. Even though Wan was so resigned, he also inherited King Sejongs blood. In addition, there was something I learned while working with the research institute, Area 51, and government officials C especially the Ministry of Finance and Economy. I cant die alone! Wan made a firm decision and intervened in the conversation between Hyang and Sejong. I am truly humbled, but even if Your Majesty goes to Shinji, the situation will return, so wont it be difficult for the old gods to recklessly try to tyrannize? Sejong looked like he didnt understand Wans words and asked back. Why should I get involved in political affairs? Yes, of course it is the situation Sejong cut Wan off firmly. What I can do is advice, not interference. If I step forward carelessly, the imperial authority will be shaken. This is actually poison. Wan had no choice but to bow his head in response to Sejongs firm answer. Sosons thoughts were short-lived. Can not help it! Seson, I will only trust you! Grow up quickly! * * * While Sejong Hyang and Wan were talking, the conversation was also going on in Gyotaejeon. Empress Soheon, who returned with King Sejong, had gathered the empress and queen of Hyang, the crown princess, and the bean, and was conducting amand and inspection. Its been a while since Ist saw you, but everyone seems to be in good health. Thank you. Empress Soheon, who started with a well-wishes, looked at the Crown Princess and Bean and asked a question. Its great to see you guys looking healthy too. Thank you. How is your health? There is no major problem. In order to continue the royal family and avoid troubles, we must give birth to many healthy children. However, giving birth is a difficult task that takes a toll on your body and mind. Thats why you should always pay attention to your health and have the right mindset so it shouldnt be a cause for concern. This must be kept in mind. I will keep that in mind. Although the Crown Princess and Bean nodded slightly in response, Empress Soheons questions did not end. Do you shoot a bow? Its just a matter of pretending. Well then what about the horse gun? That too In response to the Crown Princess and Bins response, Empress Soheon immediately turned to the Empress and the Empress. Empress Dowager Soheon, who noticed the fact that they were unable to make proper eye contact, immediately clicked her tongue strongly. Tsk! As soon as Empress Soheon clicked her tongue strongly, the Empress and the Empress became very nervous. Something happened! Empress Soheon, her expression hardened, red at the empress and empress. What have you done? Archery and guny are the best means to train the mind and body, so why do theye to this? I apologize! In response to Empress Dowager Soheons reprimand, the empress and queen concubines bowed their heads in unison and asked for forgiveness, and the crown prince and queen became restless. Empress Soheon had a stern look on her face and gave advice to the Crown Princess and Bin. When I told you to train hard in archery and gunmanship, it wasnt just for your health. It is also a precaution in case something unpleasant happens at the pce. Of course, there are internal affairs, but you are the ones who will protect His Majesty the Emperor and the Crown Prince to the end. We must not forget this. I will keep this in mind! In response to Empress Soheons words, the Crown Princess and the queen hurriedly bowed their heads and muttered in their hearts. They say you are the heroine of the world, indeed! * * * At the time when the old Hanseong was engulfed in mes, King Sejong and Hyang had vacated the capital to observe military training. Naturally, confusion arose due to the absence of the highest decision-maker, and it was Empress Soheon who resolved it. Even though she was pregnant at the time, she pushed the officials to decide on priorities and lead the way in extinguishing the fire. That wasnt all. When the rebels led by Prince Yangnyeong and Seo Seon invaded Gyeongbokgung Pce, the Naegeumwi, under orders from King Sejong, attempted to evacuate her outside. However, she was a female leader who scolded the Naegumwi who came to her and ran to Geunjeongjeon with her own bow. In history before Hyang intervened, she died before King Sejong, but after Hyang intervened, she still maintained good health along with King Sejong. * * * After hearing Empress Dowager Soheons reprimand and advice, the Empress and her party politely went outside. Im sorry! The heavenly concubines are angry! As soon as they came out, the Crown Princess and the Queen apologized to the Empress and the Queen Mother by bending their backs at a 90 degree angle. Tsk! The Empress, who clicked her tongue with an angry face, gave orders to the Crown Princess and Bean. After breakfast tomorrow morning,e straight to the archery range. yes. mama. When youe, dont juste. Be sure to bring a jumping rope, bowstring, and horseback gun. You have to bring that yourself, too. Yes mama. After giving the order, the Empress turned to the courtdy standing next to her and gave the order. Send someone to the people inside the duke and marquis to convey my order. From now on, those who do not attend the archers and musketeers on time should not even think about seeing my face. Yes mama. In this way, the notoriety of the Gyeongbokgung Mafia became even stronger. * * * After all the big and smallmotions, Sejong and his party returned to Shinji. And as Sejong and Hyang said, Wan had to gain experience by handling more tasks. But Hyang didnt just sit idle. Anyway, Im leaving for Shinji next year. There are a lot of things to take care of before Wan can befortable. The first thing Hyang dealt with while worrying about Wans reign was the personnel policy, or to be more precise, the handling of the Gang of Four. If you take me to Shinji, it would be easier for me, but if Jinpyeong goes with you, its a problem. If you do it wrong, you could get in trouble at Shinji. Hyang, who was worried about preventing the meeting between the four, or rather Han Myeong-hoe and Jinpyeong, made a personnel change to the four. Han Myeong-hoe was moved to the Ministry of General Affairs, Seong Sam-moon to the Ministry of Justice, and Kwon Ram to the 3rd Vice Minister of Education, a subordinate branch of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From the outside, it was a miracle. However, Han Myeong-hoes expression was not very good. Youre telling me to try my best. At a small dinner party held just for the four of them tomemorate the personnel change, the other three who heard Han Myeong-hoes words tilted their heads. What are you talking about? In terms of the old rank, isnt it an unprecedented promotion from the 3rd rank to the 2nd rank of servant? Han Myeong-hoe smiled bitterly at Kwon Rams question. Its an unprecedented promotion, right? But the location is the problem. We all are vice ministers, but our positions are third vice ministers. From the outside, I am 4th in the hierarchy of the ministry, but from the inside, it is too much for me to go any further than that, even if it is just a little crooked. ah! At Han Myeong-hoes words, the other three let out exmations at the same time. As Han Myeong-hoe said, if you look at the position of Vice Minister from the outside, you can see that he was a high-ranking official. But if you look at it internally, it was 4th in line. Looking at the personnel policy of the empire that we have seen so far, when a minister resigns, the person who takes over immediately is the first vice minister. The seat of the person whose experience and ability was recognized was the First Vice Minister, and the hand prepared just in case was the Second Vice Minister. But it was not the Third Vice Minister. The position given to those who were recognized for their abilities or experience but still felt a bitcking was the position of third vice minister. In some ways, the 3rd Vice Minister was a position that was almost no different from the management officer at the level immediately below. If no clear results were shown, the position of third vice minister was to see the management officer below be promoted to second vice minister. The other three, who understood what Han Myeong-hoe said, emptied their sses with bitter faces. As expected, it is Your Majesty. I just cant see you beingfortable. In response to the words of encouragement, Seong Sam-moon filled his cup and epted the words. But wouldnt it be a good opportunity? Its such a close call, so wouldnt it be possible to get greater recognition if we perform well? Is that so? When Hawiji looked intrigued by Seong Sam-moons words, Han Myeong-hoe added. What Maejukheon C Seong Sammuns nickname C is right. To tell the truth, from the perspective of the assigned ministry, we are like a rolled stone. That means it will never be looked upon favorably. But if the results are recognized there, it means things will be solid from then on. I dont know what you think, but I have no intention of stopping here. If you were born as a boy, shouldnt you at least reach the position of one-in-one and all-in-one? The other three nodded in unison at Han Myeong-hoes ambitious words. yes! If youve already entered the workforce, you should see it through to the end! Meanwhile, Hyang, who received the report through Milwi, shook her head. As expected, its Hanmyeonghoe. Its Han Myeong-hoe. Chapter 703 Episode 703: The Second Battle of the Yellow Sea (1) As the township was secretly preparing for a stable transfer of power, information about the newly built super-giant battle line started toe in through various channels. Is this information true? Minshin immediately bowed his head and answered Hyangs question. Ive checked it over and over again, but Im sure its true. Is that so? Hmm Hyang muttered to himself as he examined the report in his hand. Its definitely hard to hide something this big. It was easy for us to hide the existence of the assault return ship because we had the East Sea * * * Operating a new front was not an easy task. Even if it was a type of wire that had been in operation before, when it was newly created, its characteristics were slightly different. Therefore, it took time for a new ship to beunched and put into service. This was because it took time for the sailors who would operate the ship to be ustomed to the ships personality. Because the situation was like that, building apletely new ship was bound to take a longer time until it wasmissioned. This was something that could not be helped no matter how skilled the sailors were. The reason why the assault return ship was able to go undetected during that time was because Joseon hadplete control over the West and South Seas at the time. There were no Ming or Japanese ships that prated the surveincework of the Joseon Navy to the East Sea, where the assault return ship was in full swing. This was because they were forcibly captured by the Joseon navy or disappeared into the sea. On the other hand, Myeong was in an unavoidable situation. As the empire tookplete control of the southwestern province (now Taiwan), which the Ming called Dongban, it was not easy to avoid the empires eyes in the Yellow and South Seas. No, it wasnt just the Empires eyes that were the problem. The Yellow Sea and the South Sea were the routes through which trade ships traveled. It was impossible to avoid all the eyes of the trading ships that came and went several times a day. Therefore, at some point, rumors began to circte about Myeongs giant front, and as soon as the facts were confirmed through various channels, a report was sent to Hyang. * * * But the information is more detailed than I thought? After reading the report carefully, Hyang pointed out suspicious parts to Min Shin. There was no part about core secrets C firepower, navigation ability, defense, etc. C but the approximate size, number of guns mounted, propulsion method, maximum speed, etc. were written in quite detail. Minshin bowed his head and responded to Hyangs point. The Navys analysis team was also surprised by that. I thought it might be disguised information, so I sent a spy ship disguised as a merchant ship to check, and most of it turned out to be true. Hmm Hyang, who was stroking her chin and contemting Min Shins answer, shook her head slightly. There are no really important secrets, but it is toox Seeing Hyangs uneasy look, Foreign Minister Heo Hu shared his thoughts. I believe it was leaked on purpose. You spilled it on purpose? wherefore? yes. One is to warn our empire by secretly revealing that the performance of the new giant battleship is formidable, and the other is to raise the morale of their people and soldiers by spreading the word that a powerful battleshipparable to our empires assault ship exists.ing. That seems reasonable. What do you think, Prime Minister? Kim Jeom nodded and answered Hyangs question. I also believe that the Minister of Foreign Affairs thoughts are reasonable. Same goes for Jim. Hyang agreed with Kim Jongs words and asked the question again. Is this the only new ship? Minshin answered Hyangs question again. From what I found by putting lines here and there, I heard that one more ship is under construction. How many ships do you expect to build? Just as Minshin was about to open his mouth to Hyangs question, Kim Jeom answered first. The military is expecting a minimum of three to a maximum of five ships, but Soshin and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are expecting two ships at best and a maximum of three ships. Hyangs eyes sparkled at Kim Jeoms answer. Hoo? What is the basis for such a difference? The reason is. Kim Jeom exined the basis on which he and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made that judgment. -ording to reports, the new front line is said to be armored and powered by a steam engine, just like our troops assault return ships. -It is expensive to put iron armor on a battle line of that size. -The same goes for steam engines. In order to move a huge body d in iron armor, arge and powerful steam engine must be installed, and it costs a lot of money to build such a steam engine. -Not only does it cost a lot to produce, but it also costs a lot to operate. -All of this is a burden on the people. However, looking at the current situation, the recovery is not yetplete. -In this situation, hasty tax increases can lead to bacsh from the people. Because of this, my belief is that I only saw two ships at best and three ships at most. Hmm That makes sense. As Hyang nodded and responded positively, Minshin raised his voice. Yes, Your Majesty. The reason Ming openly disyed such a front is that he still harbors hostility toward our empire. They suffered great humiliation in thest war, so it is natural to want to repay them! As the Prime Minister said, it is impossible to build five ships! But consider the case of our empire! If our empire has collected hugepensation from the Ming, they may think they can do the same! Look! No sooner had Min Shin finished his rebuttal than Kim Jeom raised his voice. The Minister of Defenses opinion may seem reasonable, but it is sophistry! Since the end of thest war, the Navy has been requesting the construction of additional assault ships! Even though two ships have already beenpleted! Be honest! The military is not exaggerating Mings threat and wants to produce additional assault ships! Additional production is needed! We cannot properly protect the trade route between the Yellow Sea and the South Sea with just two ships! No one knows that a challenger-level front is enough for Namhae! Do you know how much money it costs to build one assault ship? What about maintenance costs? I know! But there are times when you have to use it knowingly for the well-being of the empire! Inside Geunjeongjeon, the war of words between Kim Jeom and Minshin heated up. Just as the atmosphere seemed to be heating up, incense entered the room. stop. It was a low voice, but as soon as Hyang finished speaking, the two people fell silent. Looking at the two, Hyang continued speaking. Both of your opinions make sense. But the story is getting heated. As I was watching, I realized that I would soon be asking about my parents, so my luggage intervened. You must have forgotten that this is something that is forbidden by the circumstances, right? Kim Jeom and Min Shin immediately bowed their heads at Hyangs pointed criticism. I apologize. I apologize. The scent that soothed the overheated atmosphere came to a conclusion. I wille to a conclusion. Looking at the deployment n for the assault return ship, one ship was to be deployed in the West Sea and the other ship was to be deployed in the Southwest Ind. I will revise this n. Please deploy both ships to the West Sea. I believe that the trade routes in the southwestern provinces can be adequately defended at challenger level and naval emergency level. Thenguage of the fragrance had been changed to Haoche. This was an expression of his intention to push forward. However, Minshin raised a counterargument to Hyang. If Myung deploys the new front in question in the South Sea, it will be difficult. Maybe so. However, if the appearance of the new wire described in the report is urate, that ship cannot go out into the open sea. yes? Hyang exined the reason to Minshin. -ording to the report, the new electric wire is tworge electric wires bundled into one. -If you look at past history, you could see a few such ships, but most of them were fronts operating on rivers. It is difficult to operate properly at sea. -Perhaps, if the sea conditions worsen even a little, it will be impossible to properly operate therge battle line in question. Why arentrge catamarans or multihulls built even in the 21st century? As Hyang said, even in the 21st century, when shipbuilding technology has developed, the number ofrge catamarans is small. In particr, there was even less military use. The Spearhead-ss expeditionary high-speed transport used by the U.S. Navy was a symbol ofrge military catamarans. Hyang added, exining the reason why Myeongs new type of wire cannot advance into the deep sea. If that front line was truly a threat, I would have taken the initiative to build a new front line. Its the best opportunity to openly cheat, so why would you miss it! ah! As Hyang finished speaking, Minshin and all the ministers simultaneously let out exmations. I forgot! What kind of person is the emperor! The Hyang they knew was someone who never missed an opportunity. Hyang was the one who created all kinds of things using it as long as there was a reason for it. The meaning of the fact that such a scent discouraged Minshin from speaking was clear. C Myeongs new front is full of bravado! Looking down at the ministers, Hyang continued speaking. Of course, the Yellow Sea is a ce with calm seas, so their new front could pose a threat. However, if the Empires navy does not lose itsposure and responds properly, it cannot be a major threat. ah! Of course, there seems to be a need to improve the performance of fire bombs used on the assault return line and other fronts. Regarding this matter, please write a n as soon as possible and submit it to the crown prince. I follow your orders. * * * As the meeting ended, the ministers began to leave Geunjeongjeon one by one. But in the meantime, Minshin and Kim Jeom continued to bicker. Hey, Captain Min! I clearly said no to the additional construction of the assault return line, so why are you making a fuss about it by bringing it up! Thats not true because the captain shouted from the beginning without even listening properly! Of course its fire! There are already two ships, and the Chinese dont really know how many ships they will build, so they cant just build them! You have to think about your budget! That damn budget budget! We know the importance of budget, so we didnt just ask to build one more ship! That piece of iron is worth a penny or two! I told you not to waste your money like that! The captain said, I didnt file aint against His Majesty! The bottom line is, Your Majesty didnt say it was impossible! At Kim Jeomsst words, Minshin kept his mouth shut, and Kim Jeom had the expression of a winner. Minshin, who eventually returned to the Ministry of Defense, screamed at the entrance. Gather under me! In particr, those in charge of nning and analysis should not be left out! Anyone who falls out will be sent to the record office! * * * Meanwhile, after all the ministers left, Hyang and Wan, who remained in the empty Geunjeongjeon, continued their conversation with serious faces. Im worried about that person. Does Your Majesty also think that Ming will provoke the empire? Hyang nodded to Wans question. Before our empire arose, the Ming Dynasty was the loser who ruled the surrounding area. However, since they lost to us and lost their spot, it is certain that their pride was greatly hurt. They will definitely aim for Gwonto Jungrae. Phew~. After sighing for a long time, Hyang looked back at Wan with a face full of worry. The question is when is that time? Wasnt it the Joongwon that brought out the Washin Counseling test? They have already tasted the bitterness once, so they will endure it again and again to find the best opportunity. It is indeed so. We must not let our guard down even for a moment. Nodding her head in response to Wan, Hyang muttered to herself. Would you rather just create a gap? Chapter 704 Episode 704: Second Yellow Sea Battle (2) Imperial Year 9 (1457). autumn. Nanjing. A meeting was going on in the hospitals conference room. The Ministry of Injury and the Provincial Governors of the left and right gathered together to discuss the expansion of the navys power. The problem is the budget It is truly frustrating that as our budget increases, the Koreans budget also increases. The budget that is officially revealed is ufortable, but I am worried about how much more the budget they use unofficially is. The provincial governors on the left and right nodded in unison at the words of the sick man. * * * After changing the name of the country from Joseon to the Federal Empire of Korea, the township established a system of officially revealing the amount of the empires budget for the year at the beginning of each year. -These are taxes paid by the people! Therefore, the people also have the right to know where and how much their taxes are being used! There was quite a bit of bacsh against this decision, but thepany dismissed it. If you use it properly, there wont be any trouble! In the end, the ministers who were pushed out of the cause had to follow the will of the local government. By making the budget public, the people of the empire can now check at the beginning of each year how much of the budget was spentst year and how much was allocated this year. And every time, quite a few petitioners flocked to Gyeongbokgung Pce. Emperor Gyeong of the Ming Dynasty and officials discussed this behavior of the empire. Wouldnt it be great for us to disclose such valuable information just because the people need to know it? The ministers all nodded at Emperor Gyeongtaes words. Revealing the budget sounded like revealing everything about oneself. The king of Joseon, who called himself the emperor, said that the people should also know, but it was nonsense. Im sure the ignorant people will onlyin rather than really know what it is, so why tell them? King Gyeong-tae snorted and continued. joy! The king of Joseon has be so proud with just one victory! Isnt this a great thing for us? The assistant cab secretary stepped forward and responded to Emperor Gyeongtaes words. That is true, but we must be careful that this could be the male and female number of the king of Joseon. Male and female? Thats right. If you look at North Koreas budget table announced this time, the overall amount and budget for each ministry are listed, but it is not really detailed. Above all, doesnt anyone know whether the total tax revenue they wrote down is the real total? Your Majesty, the King of Joseon, has a long reputation for being cunning. It could be seen as a foolish act on his part out of pride, but it is also more likely that it was a trick to mislead other countries. It is indeed so! At the words of the assistant cab secretary, Emperor Gyeongtae pped his knees and raised his voice. If I were not careful, I would have fallen into the trap again! Truly a cab secretary! I will continue to trust your wisdom! In response to Emperor Gyeongtaes praise, the head of the cab bowed his head in silence. Hwang Eun is devastated. * * * Because this happened, the sick note mentioned the unofficial budget. Im definitely worried about that. In particr, if you look at Joseons battle lines wandering around in the Yellow Sea, not only the number but also the condition of the battle lines does not change wow~. The left governor slurred his words and let out a long sigh. The same was true for Udodog, who sat next to him. The same goes for their assault return. Since the two ships are holding on in the Yellow Sea and not moving I think something will happen if even one gets missing, but if we make a mistake, the two Two-Headed me Dragons we built will be useless. The medical examiner expressed doubts about Udodogs words. huh? Didnt you decide to be self-reliant until youplete the three ships you aimed for? The third two-headed me dragon has already beenpleted. All thats left is to burn the navy. However, if you deal with two assault ships, you have to risk losing two ships in the worst case. This is too much of a loss. Definitely The Minister of Military Affairs nodded in response to Governor Wus answer. * * * The Two-Headed me Dragon was a battleship built with a huge budget. As a huge budget was spent on building these battle lines, rebuilding the navy, and strengthening the northern defenses, the Ming government had to tighten its belt as much as possible. Thanks to this, Emperor Gyeongtae sometimes grumbled while remembering his predecessor, Emperor Seondeok. The Emperor should have promoted Oirat before Joseon After losing the Liaodong region in thest war, Oirat began to show its teeth. Thanks to this, the Ming had no choice but to pour money into the defense of the northern border area. However, what made Emperor Gyeongtae and the ministers of Ming even more angry was that Oirat, who showed his teeth to them, bowed down to Joseon, the self-proimed empire, like a dog that has met its master and shows its belly and ys tricks. However, this was something that even Oirat could not help. This was because I was able to see and even taste the power of the empire in thest war. After the Liaodong region became part of the empire, there were small-scale conflicts between the Oirats and the empire in the border area north of Liaodong. And in that conflict, Oirats warriors were all turned into food for beasts, leaving only a few survivors. The problem was that at the time, the number of Oirat warriors was more than twice that of the imperial cavalry. Afterwards, the empire warned the Oirat by mobilizing all its power topletely annihte the Oirat tribe in question. After receiving the warning, Oirat had to bow down to the Empire. * * * Hmm If there is even one less assault ship, I can take advantage of the opportunity Thats right. Its really frustrating. While the sick and provincial governors were discussing their frustrating thoughts, a young military officer hurriedly entered the conference room and offered a military salute. Whats going on? The military officer immediately answered the question from the medical examiner. There was a personnel change in the Joseon Navy! The Chief of Staff of the Joseon Navy and many generals resigned from their positions. what! Upon hearing the military officers report, the military inspector and provincial governors simultaneously jumped up from their seats. ording to a report brought by a young military officer, those with simr experience who hadmanded Joseons naval forces since thest war were simultaneously pushed out of their positions and moved to the Far East Fleet Command. Far East Fleet Headquarters Is that the fleet that the Koreans are building on the ind they say is Shinji? Maybe thats the right ce. The left governor nodded his head in response to the illness inspectors question. * * * When Shinji was discovered and rumors about him began to circte little by little, the government began strict secrecy control and proactive measures. -If you go a little further east of the Northeast Inds, there is an incrediblyrge ind. That ce is Shinji. -The size of Shinji is approximately three times the size of Daeseoldo. Thats why he was given the name Shinji. -Most of Shinji is a in area. The people of the empire nodded to the rumors that the government had spread. Daeseoldo is a really big ind, but its three times bigger than that? Then itsnd. cancer! Its a in area, so do you think there will be some farming? Shall I apply to Social Securityter? While struggling so hard, the Empire worked hard to control confidentiality. Letters sent by Europeans to their hometowns were censored even more strictly, and letters sent by imperialists who volunteered to emigrate to newnds to their rtives were also strictly censored. Through this kind of tampering and censorship, what the general public of the empire and foreigners thought of the new world was much smaller than it actually was. * * * Because of this perception, the military inspectors, the provincial governors, and the military officers who reported this all came to think that they had stepped down or were pushed out. Please forward this report to the Assistant Cab Secretary immediately. yes! After sending the documents back to the military officer, the soldier looked back at the provincial governors. What do you think? I think the King of Joseon did something for his son? The provincial governors all nodded at the words of the sick man. I agree. There are a lot of rumors that the King of Joseon will step down next year or the year after. Lets see if thats true. The Ministry of Health and the provincial governors believed that the reason for this personnel change was a political purge. -Its funny, but the rumor is that the current king of Joseon wants to ascend to the throne quickly. -ording to other rumors, he ns to go to a ce called Shinji as soon as he is elected. -The Joseon prince who will inherit the throne still has limited political experience. -In that case, a political purge is necessary for a stable transfer of power. -The military, and especially the navy, has been growing in stature since thest war. -That is why a purge urred under the guise of a personnel change. After analyzing the situation up to this point, the military inspector looked back at the provincial governors. The atmosphere in the Joseon navy must be very turbulent. It will be very confusing. If we do this well Udodog trailed off, but everyone else knew what came next. If you do well, you will have the best chance of getting revenge! * * * As the sick report and the thoughts of the governors suggested, the atmosphere in the Imperial Navy was turbulent. In particr, a cold north wind was blowing at the Imperial Navy headquarters in Seoul. Everyone from the lowest-ranking soldier to the general was moving cautiously, only paying attention to the Chief of Naval Staff. Ugh! Eek! It exploded again! Jump! Bounce! When a scream-like shout suddenly came out from the office of the Chief of Staff, the soldiers and generals around him immediately disappeared. At this age! Start building your fleet again from scratch! At this age! The person screaming into the air was Shin Shin-son, the Chief of Staff of the Navy. Whoa~. Phew~. Shin Shin-son calmed down his anger by repeatedly taking deep breaths andmented as he ced his hand on his forehead. What a fool I am I fell for His Majestys words, The only person who canplete this great task is a general . I had it. General, how well do you know about the construction of the Far East Fleet stationed in Shinji? I know that we are forming a sizable fleet. Its not a significant scale, its more than that. In response to Shin In-sons answer, Hyang exined the sea wall n that King Sejong had conceived and that he had worked on. This is the sea defense n. I hope the general will join me inpleting this n. yes? Hyang exined to Shin In-son in more detail. -We are trying our best to stop it, but rumors about Shinji are slowly spreading into Europe. -Europeans will definitelye to Shinji. -Then the direction is most likely to be east. -Therefore, the sea defenses must bepleted as much as possible before they arrive. And there is another reason. Its Myung. At Hyangs words, Shin In-son immediately felt the pulse. Are you trying to misjudge my name? exactly. Only a general can aplish the great task of achieving these two goals. Please listen to Jims request. Seeing Hyang bowing his head, Shin In-son was startled and threw up his hands. I dont mind asking you to do me a favor. All you have to do is give an order. Then will you join us? I will! Thats how the personnel change was decided. * * * Shin In-son sighed again, remembering what happened back then. Whoa~. Im a fool! Chapter 705 Episode 705: Second Battle of the Yellow Sea (3) Whew~. They say, A moments choice determines your whole life. Theres nothing wrong with that old saying. The n was well thought out, but execution was up to Shin Shin-son. Overwork was a ce where even the slightest mistake in the basics could result in heavy criticism. Therefore, we shouted and sighed whenever we had time, but the ship had already left. In the end, Shin In-son uttered a maxim that has be a tradition since Gyeongjang. Use it! I cant be the only one who dies! Shin In-son, who had made up his mind, opened the personnel list. Lets see useful people Shin Shin-son began to search through the directories and personnel evaluations of the imperial navys generals, admirals, and high-ranking military officers to select suitable people. Shin Shin-son spent several days and nights selecting the people he liked and gathered them all together. In-son Shin, who gathered generals and high-ranking military officials in arge conference room located at the naval headquarters, got straight to the point. Everyone, you must do something together with me for your majesty and the empire. In this way, arge-scale personnel change took ce that made people sick and the provincial governors excited. * * * Hyang nodded after receiving the list of personnel changes in the Navy through Minshin. Its a pretty good appointment. However, too many generals with excellent experience are being left out. Hyang gave a positive evaluation, but Minshin could not hide his worries. In response to Minshins concerns, Hyang smiled slightly and epted the words. But considering the Navys personnel backlog, this is a good selection. And arent those who will fill the empty positions all talented people? That is true, but people may misjudge. As expected, the Minister of National Defense! I like it! Inwardly admiring Minshins concern about Minshins misjudgment, Hyang looked at him with a secret smile. Minshins expression hardened at the unspoken answer visible beyond her smile and she asked cautiously. Are you sure you are inducing that? Hyangs smile grew even deeper at Minshins question. And the fishy scent of blood lingered in that deepened smile. If they still havent escaped the illusion of the past, they will definitely be caught in it. Well, I think we were caught from the moment we created the double-headed dragon or something Prince. Yes yes! your majesty! Pleasemand! Wan was startled by the sudden call of incense and looked at it. Hyang gave orders to Wan. This is your first time in war, right? This is a good opportunity. Do it right. yes? What do you mean? Wan, who was pale, asked Hyang again. Hyang exined Wans appearance in more detail. It is not something new that people have been shouting Gwontojungrae. Theirrge front line, which I mentioned earlier, is the best foresight. It would be a shame to wait until they are fully prepared. Make a n to make them lose their senses and attack you, a military n topletely suppress them if they attack you, and a n so that they will not even dare to try that again. At Hyangsmand, Wan immediately bowed down on the floor and raised his voice. your majesty! Its too much for a small childs abilities! Hyang tly rejected Wans request. No, your abilities are sufficient. What iscking is experience. Rather, now is a good opportunity. This is because there are ministers around him who are old and have already experienced war. They are enough. Haona. Dont worry. If it doesnt work out, Ill have to leave too. But if that happens, the prince will suffer a lot. Wan raised his voice at Hyangs words. I will do my best, even if I am prepared to die! That night, Hyang, who was left alone in his bedroom, grumbled softly. Even if you offer to help, Im still dissatisfied Hyang, who wasining as he remembered Wan burning his will as soon as he finished his sentence, quickly lost his appetite. Hey if I hear those words, Ill work hard too. After organizing Wans affairs, Hyang soon grumbled at another person. Anyway, what is a two-headed dragon? The two-headed me dragon and the ck me dragon, too, are the Ming Dynastys imperial family and army filled with only middle school soldiers? Hyang, who slightly shook his head at the word that had the scent of junior high school soldier, looked again at the Navys personnel transfer list. Hyang nodded after carefully examining the list of those in charge of Shinjis Far East Fleet. President Shin chose the right people. Most of the people chosen by Shin In-son were those who served on the front lines during the time when the navy changed into the navy. They were in charge of practical work in the process of transforming from a navy whose main mission was coastline defense to an ocean-going navy that controlled trade routes in distant seas. They fought bloody battles with Japanese pirates in the waters off the Korean Penins and with pirates in distant seas. They were not just ustomed to fighting. From Tsushima Ind as close as Suez to Suez as far away, everything from the location of military ports where the empires navy would stay to the selection of appropriate grade of battle lines were all created through their hands. We have a lot of capabilities and experience, so we can build a proper Far East Fleet. Will the pirs of the sea defense wall be erected properly? I can take a breather. Hyang nodded and looked satisfied. The subjects of the same time problem were looking at the moon in the sky and letting out a long sigh. To fall for that bastards words for the Empire and Your Majesty I cant believe Im starting from scratch at this age! * * * In any case, given this background, the Imperial Navy was busy with personnel changes. And the Ming Dynasty government, which had secured information on personnel changes in the Imperial Navy, was also busy. So, the military inspector general and provincial governors see this person as Tosa-gu-pin? Thats right. In response to Emperor Gyeongtaes question, the military inspector and provincial governors all bowed their heads and answered. Hmm Gyeongtaeje, who was thinking while making a snoring noise, looked at the cab secretary. What do you think of Subo? To Emperor Gyeongtaes question, Naegubo immediately answered with a sigh. I think your conviction is also a reasonable opinion. The biggest enemy that threatens royal authority from ancient times is the one who holds military power. That is why the King of Joseon is trying to purge them. Is that so While nodding his head at the words of the Assistant Cab Secretary, the Minister of Economic Affairs was slightly hesitant. The Emperor said that the King of Joseon is extremely cunning, so be careful until the end. Isnt it still the same now? Gyeongtaeje, who was worried over and over again, asked the ministers. Could it be a trap trying to lure us in? Isnt it truly borate? After we had just deployed the Two-Headed me Dragon to the front lines, there was a sudden personnel change. The ministers who were considering the possibility at Emperor Gyeongtaes point immediately nodded. There is a high possibility of that happening. The King of Joseon is famous for his cunning. I think this is also a n of the King of Joseon. Before we knew it, the trend among ministers was shifting from Tosagupang to Fragrance Trap. However, in any organization, there were bound to be people who wanted to stand out for their own advancement. I ask your Majesty, but even this may have been what the King of Joseon had in mind. Emperor Gyeongtae turned his head at the sudden rebuttal. Who is it? Herees Han Wang-gyeom, one of the most difficult people in the Soshin Yebu. So, are you saying that even what we think is the King of Joseons n is also the n of the King of Joseon? Thats right. Exin why. There are widespread rumors that the King of Joseon will leave for the ce they call Shinji within one or two years. Thats why theyre already having the prince act as a proxy. If Soshin is the king of Joseon, he would hope that there will be no threats until the princes power base is solidified. Thats why I took the lead in this personnel change. Through this personnel change, we are trying to strengthen the power of the prince and secure time for the disorganized Joseon navy to stabilize again. So, are you saying that we thought this was a trap for the King of Joseon and nned to make us miss a good opportunity? Han Wang-gyeom answered Gyeongtaejes question right away. Thats right. Its like the n that the dead Gongmyeong used to chase away the living Jungdal. aha! Emperor Gyeong pped his knees in admiration at Han Wang-gyeoms exnation. done! Han Wang-gyeom, who realized that Gyeong Tae-je had been fooled by his exnation, strengthened his voice. You must think about the new faith that Joseon has gained. The fact that the king of Joseon personally moves to this ind to work on it is proof that it is not just a small ind. In addition, King Sang of Joseon was already over sixty years old and was in a senile state. Therefore, the King of Joseon must personally go to Shinji within at least 1 or 2 years. Therefore, the king of Joseon, known for his cunning, came up with a n that kills two birds with one stone. I see! That was it! Emperor Gyeongtae, who was repeatedly impressed by Han Wang-gyeoms exnation, looked back at the cab secretary. What do you think of Subo? You have a point. Does Subo think so too? So does Jim! When I just think about Joseon, things keeping out that dont fit, but when I connect that new chapter, everything falls into ce! Gyeongtaeje was excited and shared his thoughts. -The Two-Headed me Dragon, newly developed by the Ming Dynasty, is a difficult battle line for even Joseon to deal with. -But now the king of Joseon must go to Shinji soon. -Purge of the military is absolutely necessary to ensure a stable transfer of royal power. -But it takes time for things to stabilize again after the purge. -In addition, people must not move during that time. -In that case, he intentionally leaked information to confuse the people. If you organize it like this, everything fits together! As expected, the cunning King of Joseon! How cunning! Emperor Gyeongtae, who spoke something unclear whether it was apliment or a sarcasm, gave an order to the ministers. Ask them to send a spy ship into the Yellow Sea and closely examine the situation of the Joseon navy! I follow your orders! After the assembly, the military officers and provincial governors who had left Daejeon gathered again in the military departments conference room. The three people, facing each other across a teacup, soon began to exchange opinions on the topic of what had happened earlier. What do you think? Is this really a ruse of Si Gongs life is the same as life? Its a possible n for the King of Joseon, but When asked by Sang-seo of the sick, the left governor blurted out his words with an embarrassed look on his face. But Udodog frowned and shook his head. Its very unlikely. What are you going to do if we think its a real opportunity and attack you? Its tooplicated and the risk is high. The medical examiner nodded at Udodogs point. Of course there is a rumor that the King of Joseon said to the monks of the West, The truth must be simple and clear. And even in the art of war, it is said to avoid overlyplicated strategies. But when I think of the cunning of the King of Joseon and I will be honest. The two-headed dragon is in excellent condition right now. But as time passes, it bes harder to be confident. Therefore, now, when the Joseon navy is in disarray, is the best opportunity. Are there a lot of problems with the two-headed dragon? Its not a problem with the two-headed me dragon itself, but a problem with the steam engine inside it and the iron armor that surrounds it. Isnt it true that we all know that the skills of our craftsmen are not as good as those of Joseon? When the left governor honestly acknowledged the problem, the sick minister and the right governor nodded without realizing it. Time is not on our side, so should we take a gamble? The three were bing more and more worried. Chapter 706 Episode 706: The Second Battle of the Yellow Sea (4) The Ming Dynastys court was debating every day about whether what was happening in the Imperial Navy was a Hyang trap or not. The problem was that Han Wang-gyeom, the protagonist of the sudden sudden remark, rose to be one of the Gyeongtae Emperors generals through his remark. The ministers of bothrge and small departments who saw the scene rushed toe up with their own thoughtful opinions and a heated debate broke out. As the situation progressed, the adjustment of names became a mess. Within the royal court, there were tworge factions and arge and small faction within them, leading to a war of words. Before we knew it, constructive opinions were gradually disappearing, and only opposition for the sake of opposition was rampant. Seeing the government in such dire straits, this was even said among young, low-ranking officials. Isnt this what the King of Joseon was aiming for? Among the reasons why the government of Ming Dynasty became such a mess, the biggest reason was that the Minister of Cab, who could be said to be the head of the ministers, the Minister of Defense, who was the head of the military that would carry out the war, and the provincial governors were keeping silent. They remained silent even as they watched mud fights taking ce every day. Why arent the monks saying anything? When Gyeong Tae-je, who could no longer bear it, asked the reason directly, the head of the cab answered by bowing his head while holding his hand. They all have the same opinions, so why would God argue so rashly? Still, the Lord is better than a cab member. Isnt the assistant cab secretarys job to listen to what they say and give him the right advice? We are doing our best to look into it. I wille to a conclusion soon. Whoa~. Emperor Gyeong-tae let out a long sigh in response to the assistant cab secretarys answer, leaned forward on his throne, and waved his hand. You dont look like the cab secretary I know. good night. Dont wait for an answer. But keep in mind. A persons patience is not that strong! To Emperor Gyeongtaes warning, the Cab Secretary responded by bowing his head again. I will do my best. * * * After the assembly, the sick inspector and provincial governors visited the office of the Assistant Cab Secretary. How did you do that? Dont you know very well that there are more than a few people who are just looking for an opportunity to push Subo out and take his ce? I know very well. Seeing the Assistant Cab Secretary calmly nodding his head, the sick secretary pounded his chest in frustration. How can someone who knows so well be like that! The provincial governors also nodded as if they agreed with the words of the sick man. The Cab Secretary exined this in a calm voice. Your Majesty listens to your subjects. Those are your strengths and weaknesses. When you talk a lot like this time, you start to sway back and forth. Thats why Subo, who knows this well, shouldnt step forward! The Cab Secretary let out a long sigh at the point made by the sick report. Whoa~. Dont you need to organize something to organize it? All the words that fill the court now are just empty puns. There is nothing worth taking note of, just things that are close to puns that are used to pick on the other persons tail and there is too little information about the situation in Joseon. If I could get more decisive information, I would decide to take a risk or gamble, but right now I cant do anything. Isnt that the same reason why the monks are silent? . In response to the Cab Secretarys question, the Minister of Injuries and Provincial Governors remained silent. It was for the same reason that they remained silent. * * * After thest war, the Ming desperately tried to discover the ws of the empire. In particr, if war broke out, the first priority was to know the situation of the imperial army in the Liaodong region, which would be the first to be dealt with, and the imperial navy protecting the ind sea (the empire called the West Sea the ind sea). For this purpose, the Ming Dynasty sent numerous spies to the Liaodong region and Jemulpo. However,pared to the many spies sent, the results were minimal. Spies disguised as citizens of the empire were caught using the empires unique identity card and battlefield ounts that all imperial citizens had. And the spies caught in that way quietly disappeared. Those disguised as merchants were a little safer, but their freedom of movement was very limited. Spies moving to spy on the empires ind sea fleet naval base or important military bases in Liaodong had to be inspected at important transportation points every time. The soldiers and police officers who confirmed the proof that they were permitted to enter the country as merchants of the Ming Dynasty asked the same questions every time. Why did a Ming Dynasty merchante here? ah? I heard there is good stuff here The responses of the imperial soldiers and police officers who heard the answer were all the same. Because all those items are in the resale shop. Please use the reseller. Oh my goodness! Wouldnt it make more sense to buy it at a lower price? Please take a look. The imperial army and police officers remained steadfast even though they had to resort to bribery as they did not have enough resources. Wow! If you cant do it, you cant do it! If you dont want to be thrown in jail right away, go back right away! In the end, the spies who failed to pass the checkpoint attempted to secretly bypass the checkpoint and approach their target, but were caught in the middle of the process and eliminated. Those who had a thick line connected to the underworld through connections from the old sword world were members of the Milwi. Thanks to this, Milwi was aware of the existence of guides who guided Mings spies. Helping foreign spies was a serious crime, equivalent to treason, but there were many people who were blinded by therge amount of money they received for their efforts and took on the role of guides. And Milwi was secretly monitoring these people. Thanks to this, spies trying to infiltrate military facilities or Area 51 using these guides were immediately caught in the dark. As time passed, Milwi went one step further. It was actually an agent of the Milwi disguised as a guide. Secret Services undercover agent seeded in several small, low-risk operations and gained the spys trust. And if a spy tried to ess really important secrets, he would be lured to where Milwis strike team was and dealt with. As spying using spies became sluggish, the Ming Dynasty began sending out spy ships, the most traditional method. And a fierce game of hide and seek took ce in the ind sea, risking the lives of the patrol ships of the Imperial Navy and these scout ships. * * * Even if the spy is like that, the spy ship is still missing? In response to the Cab Secretarys question, the left governor ced his hand on his forehead. Its not easy. The time spent running away is longer than the time spent scouting Whew~. Haa~. Everyone present sighed at the same time at the Left Governors answer. If only one piece of decisive intelligence came in, I would make a decision right away I agree. Thanks to you, Im so irritable these days that Im dying. Those who expressed their difficulties all prayed for one thing. -Bring in just one piece of crucial intelligence from anywhere! The reason they prayed like that was because they were tired of the chaos in the government. -Im tired of wasting my energy now! Lets just see the end! * * * Did their wishes work? Just as fall was turning into winter, a spy ship that returned inplete disrepair reported valuable intelligence. -One of Joseons assault return ships is undergoing repairs! Im reporting that a return ship has entered the election! Hearing the left governors notification, the sick mans face brightened. Are you sure this is true? This is the report from the spy ship that returned this time! Just in case, I sent another scout ship around and found that only one of the Empires assault return ships was moving! Hearing the words of the left governor, the minister immediately left his seat and stood up. Lets go to the Assistant Cab Secretary! * * * The assistant cab secretary, who heard the story from the sick inspector and provincial governors, immediately ran to Emperor Gyeongtae. Hmm One of Joseons assault ships has entered the election and is undergoing repairs? Thats right. They say that putting it up for election and repairing it is a big task that will take a lot of time. I believe this is a golden opportunity. Emperor Gyeongtae nodded at the words of the Assistant Cab Secretary. Of course it is much more advantageous to have three double-headed me dragons against only one ship than two assault ships. There will be less damage. Thats right. While nodding his head to the words of the Assistant Cab Secretary, the Minister of Economic Affairs began to confirm once again. Does it seem unlikely that it was a trap for the King of Joseon? It looks very shallow. But why now? In response to Emperor Gyeongtaes question, Governor Wu stepped forward and exined. -The Yellow Sea is famous for being calm, but the Yellow Sea in winter is quite violent. Of course, its not as bad as when a summer stormes, but its still not a good idea to form a fleet and engage in a naval battle. -Just as we send out spy ships, Joseon also sends out spy ships to check on us. Seeing that the third Two-Headed me Dragon was still only moving in the coastal waters, they probably decided that it had not yet been properly powered and began repairs. Hmm Gyeongtaeje, who had been nodding at Governor Wus exnation, asked the question again. Even if we get elected, if they find out we are moving, wont they send us back into the water? The possibility of that happening is quite high. However, if it were to be put up for election, it would be a veryrge repair, and even if it were to be refloated, it would be difficult to demonstrate its full potential. I see Gyeong Tae-je was silent for a long time, lost in thought. After some time had passed and Gyeongtaeje had made a decision, he looked at the ministers. good night! Attack the Joseon fleet! Lets at least make it clear to Joseon who owns the Yellow Sea! All the ministers responded to Emperor Gyeongtaes deration by simultaneously bowing their heads. I follow your orders! * * * Emperor Gyeongtae had made up his mind, but the Ming court was still noisy. This time, a fight broke out over the timing of the start of the war. -You have decided to start a war, but you cannot fight right away. nning a strategy and supplying supplies to the front lines all take a lot of time! Then its winter! It is too dangerous to engage in a naval battle in the rough seas of winter! It has to be postponed until spring! -You must finish preparations and enter battle as quickly as possible! It is highly likely that by spring next year, the aftereffects of personnel changes will have subsided and the maintenance of the sudden return line will have beenpleted. If you do that, you are just throwing away the opportunity given by heaven! We must take the risk and set out right away! What does the Cab Secretary think? The Cab Secretary responded immediately to Gyeongtaejes question. I think we should move out as quickly as possible. We must strike them before they escape the aftereffects of personnel changes and while they arezy and trusting in the winter sea. If even the Cab Secretary speaks so decisively Gyeongtaeje nodded and made his decision to the ministers. Prepare as quickly as possible and take advantage of the moment they are off guard. Ministers, do your best to ensure supply. I follow your orders! * * * While Myeong was going all-in on the gambling table, workers were grumbling at the imperial fleet maintenance depot in Asan. Shit! You damn barnacles! The workers were grumbling incessantly as they removed the barnacles that had clung to the hull of the assault ship that was on board. What a hardship in the harsh winter! The sudden return to election was a trap set by Hyang and Shin In-son. Chapter 708 Episode 708: Second Yellow Sea Battle (6) Early November, Year 9 of the Imperial Calendar (1457). As promised with Emperor Gyeongtae, the Ming Dynasty fleet was able toplete preparations for war by the end of October. Now its time topete! Its a fight! Although the weather was getting colder, the air at the military ports where the Ming Dynastys Yellow Sea navy gathered was getting hotter. Soldiers prepared for war, regardless of their rank, visited temples or convents near military ports, offered offerings, and prayed earnestly. Please let mee back alive this time too! Veterans who had experienced thest war earnestly prayed for their survival. Please help me achieve great sess by umting meritorious deeds in this war! On the other hand, soldiers and military officers who had not experienced the previous war hoped to achieve sess by umting merit. The Joseon navy is formidable! The seniors continued to warn, but the neers simply ignored their opinions. Im worried too much! We have a two-headed dragon! The Ming Dynasty navy was confident as they looked at the two-headed me dragon proudly perched on one side of the military port. -A one-man navy with a double-headed dragon is invincible! Their pride had some basis. The Double-Headed me Dragon was a two-headed me dragon that was connected to tworge shipsrger than therge ships used by Zheng Hes fleet in the past. In order to resist the artillery fired by the Joseon army, the hull was surrounded by 2 inches (about 6 cm) of iron armor. Lastly, there was the presence of a gun mounted on the dragon head located at the bow. Although it was smaller than the Hwaryongpo made and used by Ju Ji-jin, thergest gun among the guns used by the Ming Dynasty navy was mounted on the dragon head. The Ming Dynasty navys confidence surged every time they saw the huge gun muzzle of a gun with its wide open mouth and the shiny copper-ted dragon head on the outside. Compared to the two-headed me dragon, the ck me dragon is just a weapon! *** Four days before entering Weihai (present-day Weihai City), where the Ming Dynasty Yellow Sea Fleet headquarters was located. In therge yard attached to the fleet headquarters, the Ming Dynasty naval officers gathered and held arge ceremony. Admiral Deng Su-lin,mander of the Yellow Sea Fleet, who was in charge of overallmand of this war, read the list of candidates in a loud voice, and then a Taoist monk known for his spiritual powers raised an offering to the sky. Simr ceremonies were held at other military ports at the same time. When the ancestral rites were over, the wine and meat given by Emperor Gyeongtae were distributed to the soldiers and officers. The soldiers and officers sitting around in groups of twos and threes were eating meat, emptying their sses, andughing heartily. As the next day dawned, ships sailed simultaneously from all the military ports where the Yellow Sea Fleet was stationed. Families of soldiers and military officers flocked to the dock to see off the departing ships. As the front lines outside the port disappeared from sight, the family visited nearby conduits and temples and began praying as best they could. * * * The day after the Yellow Sea Fleet set sail. A self-powered flying ball was moving slowly in the sky over the West Sea. Oh~. Shit! Its so cold even in the summer, but now that its winter, its freezing! The guards, who were feeling the cold winter wind high in the sky, were swearing as they adjusted their thick cotton quilted winter clothing. When self-powered flight equipment was improved to the point where it could be used, the first ce to adopt it was, of course, the Imperial Army. -You can see details in low ces, but you can see far in high ces! The Imperial Army, which had greatly enjoyed the use of flying aircraft in thest war, introduced self-powered flying flying equipment and was putting it to good use. Of course, the soldiers who operated the self-powered aircraft had to suffer. Damn you bastards! In a winter like this, Ill just stay in the harbor and drink! Even as they worked hard to open the cors of their winter clothes, the guards continued to curse at the Ming navy as the cold wind blew through them. For some time now, intelligence has beening in that the movements of the Ming Dynasty navy are suspicious, and ordingly, the Imperial Navy has strengthened its reconnaissance of the ind sea. Large and small scout ships searched the ind and southern seas, and self-powered flying aircraft floated in the sky, scanning all directions. Even while swearing hard from their mouths, the guards put their telescopes to their eyes and diligently examined the sea below. uh! Smoke to the southwest! Wait a minute! At the call of the guard watching in that direction, Ki-chong, who was in charge of Bhikkhu, hurriedly ran in that direction, scanned the sea with a telescope, and shouted into the transmission pipe. Turn to the southwest! At the shout of the gun, the bhikkhu slowly turned and moved towards the ce where the smoke in question wasing from. And Gi-chong looked at the map and figured out their location. Before we knew it, the guards had closed their mouths and were very nervous as they scanned the sea with telescopes. Then at some point. found! Starboard bow direction! At the colleagues shout, all the guards fixed their gaze in that direction. At least 70 ships! More than 50rge ships! Two-headed man! no! Confirmed three double-headed me dragons! Among the Imperial Navy, the two-headed dragon was called a two-headed snake, or two-headed snake. -It moves by turning a water wheel? In the middle of the sea? Is that also a wire? Then its a snake, not a dragon! -If it has two heads, does a snakes head be a dragons head? Among the imperial navy, the two-headed dragon was an object of ridicule. Gi-chong, who personally confirmed the soldiers reports, recorded the movement speed and location of the Ming Dynasty fleet and then captured Jeon Seong-gwan. Return immediately! Turn your head! At Ki Chongsmand, the monk slowly turned around and began to go back the way he came. Shit! Damn backwind! As the season entered winter and the wind direction changed, Bhikkhus speed was not working properly, so Gi-chong swore, looked at the map, and gave orders to the guards. Prepare fireworks for signaling! Look for amunication line nearby! ancient! The guards shouted loudly at the gunmand and diligently scanned the sea again. * * * One of the biggest problems facing the Imperial Navy during this period was theck of a fast and efficient means of long-distancemunication. Fastmunication was possible onnd using a light-emitting signal tower, but this was not possible at sea. To solve this problem, what came out after much deliberation was tounch small ships at regr intervals in the ind sea and the southern sea. The small ships were equipped with arge number of signal kites and new devices, and when urgent news came from othermunication lines or bhikkhus, their mission was to use these means to contact othermunication lines andmunication towers installed on nearby inds. Although it was a good means, there was a fatal problem in that the small ships could not go out to sea if the weather was even a little bad. Thanks to this, finding a way to solve this problem has be a top challenge. And every time a rted issue was pointed out, Hyang had to ce his hand on his forehead and mutter to himself. ah! Its like electricity and its like rubber! * * * Fortunately, the bhikkhu found amunication line and was able to convey approximate information using a luminousmunication device and signal fireworks. And, usingmunication lines and the luminousmunicationworks of nearby inds, urgent reports were immediately delivered to the Ind Sea Command in Seosan and Seoul. The Ming Dynasty bastards have finally moved. Cho Jin-woong,mander of the Ind Sea Fleet, urgently summoned themanders and exined the situation. ording to the information received so far, the number of battleships mobilized by the Ming Dynasty bastards who moved this time is about 120. Among them, 100 ships are Daeseon. And of those 120 ships, 50 have moved toward Yeosun and 70 areing this way. Nam Ki-nam, the second captain of the Maeng Jin-ho, asked a question in response to Cho Jin-woongs exnation. Where did the two-headed man go? All three of those snake heads areing this way. At Cho Jin-woongs answer, the face of Ki-nam Nam and the captain of the assault ship, who was sitting next to Nam Ki-nam, brightened. Jo Jin-woong, who saw the bright faces of the captains of the assault ship, burst outughing and muttered to himself. Arent those guys scared in the first ce? After all, they are the ones who raised those guys like that * * * Nam Ki-nam and his fellow assault return ship captains were people who watched and learned from previous captains. And the previous captains were the first to sail the Challenger-ss battleship across the ocean. To put it nicely, they were courageous and daring people, and as Hyang put it, they were unparalleled thugs in the world. And since they were people who had seen, learned from, and been trained by such people, there was no way they were normal. * * * Jo Jin-woong immediately came to his senses and continued his exnation. Anyway, the only ones who can properly deal with those snake heads are our dragon heads. However, the problem is that they are outnumbered 3 to 2. The good news is that when ites to fleet size, we are not pushed back. The same goes for firepower. Themanders all nodded at Jo Jin-woongs words. The number of ships deployed to the Ind Sea Fleet is approximately 90. Among them, if you subtract the number of small ships used asmunication lines, the number of ships that can be deployed in battle is 72. Two ships were assault return ships, 30 of the remaining 70 ships were challenger-ss ships, and the rest were sea emergency ships. It was a situation where we were not inferior in numbers at all. fire power? No matter what the Ming thought, the Imperial Navy had no intention of being outgunned. * * * Since thest war, the Ind Sea Fleet has strengthened its strength. -There is no way people can stay still! The local government and ministers all made this judgment and the decision was made ordingly. ording to the decision of the local government and ministers, new Challenger-ss battleships were supplied inrge quantities to the ind sea fleet. With the auxiliary sea emergency fronts in ce, the Panokseon went through the process of being retired, leaving behind only a few in good condition. And the Panok ships that survived were equipped with small steam engines, armed with bigyeokjincheonroe and double-type freight cars, and were deployed to the Yeosun region fleet. The mission of the Panokseon, whose deployment was changed, was to assume the role of anding ship in the 21st century. If a conflict with the Ming broke out, the mission of the Panok ships deployed in Yeosun was tond troops in Tianjin and attack Beijing. * * * Cho Jin-woong continued his exnation. ording to the previously established operational n, if Ming did something, we wouldbine with the Northern Fleet in Lushun and attack Beijing. However, this incident has proven that they also have heads. Thanks to this, we got a little more busy. Smash the snake headsing this way as quickly as possible and head north. Then. Cho Jin-woo exined the operation n he had in mind. After hearing the exnation, themanders expressed their opinions, and the n was revised little by little, bing sharper. Cho Jin-woong, who confirmed the final n that waspleted, nodded with a satisfied face. Its okay. Then just keep going like this. The name of the operation was Snake Hunt. How is it? Then, everyone, go back to your assigned ship, check the supply situation, and immediately fill in any gaps. We will set sail tomorrow at dawn! yes! Themanders responded vigorously and left the conference room and ran to their ships. Cho Jin-woong, who was left alone in the conference room, opened a nk piece of paper and grumbled. Damn it Writing a report is the most troublesome thing, but you damn Minggu bastards No matter how politely you wrote a report, you had to follow etiquette, and that was never an easy task. Shit! It would be easier to go out to sea and fight to the death! What kind of sess this guy has! So does Captain Shin! Why are you leaving me out? The situation with Myeong-gwa is unstable, so the owner should stay for a while. You know I trust the owner, right? In thest personnel change, Shin In-son kept Cho Jin-woong in his position by saying this. At that time, Cho Jin-woong liked that there was no need to go through hardships in Shinji. Chapter 709 Episode 709: The Second Battle of the Yellow Sea (7) As the next day dawned, ships sailed from all military ports belonging to the Ind Sea Fleet. Cho Jin-woong, aboard the Challenger-ss front-line Ganggyeok, the gship of the Ind Sea Fleet, checked the situation. What about spy ships andmunication lines? We set sailst night, so it should already be waiting. What about the monks? Weunched it 1 oclock (about 2 hours) before the fleet sailed. I see Jo Jin-woong nodded lightly and looked at the chart to organize the situation. -It is a battle involving about 140 ships on both sides. Ultimately, the space where battles can take ce is limited. -The size of the Ming fleet deployed this time is very smallpared to thest war. This may be due to the belief in a super-giant electric wire called the double-headed dragon, although most of them arerge electric wires. -Because of their faith in that huge front, they will insist on direct confrontation. -In addition, after destroying the friendly fleet, we will immediately go up the Han River and make a show of force against Seoul. If we put it this way. Cho Jin-woong pointed at a small archipgo on the chart with his baton. The area right here near the Gyeokpyi Archipgo is the most likely. At thest meeting, when Cho Jin-woong pointed out that the area around Gyeokbiyeol Ind would be the battlefield, all themanders of the Ind Sea Fleet agreed. Therefore, the front lines departing from Seosan, Boryeong, Seocheon, and Gunsan, the main military ports of the Ind Sea Fleet, were nned to gather near Gyeokbiyeol Ind. However, variables always existed, so Cho Jin-woongunched a spy ship at night and flew allmunication ships and monks C not only self-flying monks, but also traditional monks who were fixed on ropes. While the scout ships and self-flying monks circled around the area to reconnoiter, themunication lines and the spherical monks were in charge of rying the information they sent to him. * * * It was about the time when the Empires Ind Sea Fleet gathered near the Gyeokbi Archipgo, just passing from Sashi (9 a.m. to 11 a.m.) to Oshi (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.). At the head of the fleet, there were two assault ships standing in front and behind, and to the left and right of them were a long line of challenger-ss battleships. And the fastest-moving sea emergency front lines were forming a straight line behind the fleet. I feel it every time I see it, but isnt it a truly powerful fleet? Especially those assault return ships. The captain of the Ganggyeok ship nodded at Cho Jin-woongs words. Thats right. I would like to add the word invincible, but it is forbidden by the imperial order Jo Jin-woong trailed off, unable to hide his disappointment, and the captain next to him nodded with a simr expression. * * * Imperial navies had absolute faith in their fleets. -The imperial fleet is invincible! Its an invincible fleet! However, upon hearing these words, Hyang became very angry and gave an order. The first thing soldiers responsible for the well-being of a nation must refrain from is pride! Never mention the words Invincible Armada again! The word Invincible Armada officially disappeared from within the Imperial Navy due to Xiangs firm order. Some people expressed dissatisfaction with Hyangs treatment, while others were supportive of Hyang. No, whats the problem with calling the Invincible Armada the Invincible Armada? I think you care about it that much. Why dont we give harsher names to our precious children the more we see them? I mean, it prevents dongti. I think its all like that. But Isnt good something good? And since it is the name of the emperor, we must protect it. Even though the naval officers and soldiers grumbled, Hyang resolutely pushed ahead. After all the things like Invincible Armada, none of them had a good ending! Starting from Spains Invincible Armada to the Japanese Navys 1st Aircraft Squadron! * * * Cho Jin-woong, who expressed regret for a moment, soon came to his senses and looked at the chart. But what Your Majesty said is certainly true. Conceit is prohibited. Nothing like cancer. While Cho Jin-woong was controlling himself, a military officer outside quickly came in and announced. Communication has arrived! Enemy fleet discovered! 150 ri (about 60 km) due west from point Gap! Size about 70! Three two-headed ships in the lead! Youngjin! That is all! Jo Jin-woong clenched his fists after examining the chart in response to the military officers report. also! Those guys faced off head-on! If so, you should ept it! Hang the sacred g! To Danjongjin! ancient! The military officer who responded loudly to Cho Jin-woongsmand gave a military salute and immediately went outside. After a while, the signal was raised on the gships mast and the luminous signals sent out signals. After a while, signals shed on other fronts as well, and the fleets formation began to change. The challenger-ss front lines that were forming a long line to the left and right of the assault return ships began to form two single formations, increasing the distance between them and the assault return ships. The sea emergency fronts at the rear also disbanded their straight formations and then began forming two single longitudinal formations. By organizing the formation in this way, the assault return line secured space to act more freely. The ships that made up Danjongjin were to move along the side of the Ming fleet and attack the enemy using the guns on the side. The tactics honed while dealing with pirates from the Ming Dynasty, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, as well as Japanese pirates, were put to use once again. C Instead of engaging in a melee, destroy the enemy step by step, making use of mobility and firepower as much as possible. This was the basic tactic of the Imperial Navy. The newly formed imperial navy passed the Gyeokbi Archipgo, the point A, and marched westward. Even during the voyage, the location of the Ming Dynasty fleet was continuously ryed through the monks, and the Ind Sea Fleet adjusted its direction appropriately and headed toward the front of the Ming Dynasty fleet. * * * About 1 and a half past hour (approximately 3 hours), the luminous signals of the leading assault return ships and challenger-ss fronts began shing. Enemy fleet discovered! Friendly front! Cho Jin-woong immediately gave an order to the shout of a military officer who confirmed the signal. Order to charge to return ship! Tell them to start snake hunting! ancient! Order the fleet! Everything goes as nned! Calmly destroy the enemy ording to the strategy! ancient! The signalman who received the order broke his wrist and moved the luminous signal. Soon, luminescent signals were shing from all directions, the assault ships began to speed up, and a deadly spirit began to hover throughout the fleet. Hmm~. Cho Jin-woong took a deep breath and looked back at the captain standing next to him. From now on, its up to you. Please take care of me. Leave it to me! The captain answered confidently, grabbed Jeon Seong-gwan and screamed. All personnel deployed for battle! * * * Around the same time, the Ming fleet also discovered the imperial fleet. I was already waiting. Jinyu, who heard the report on the bridge of the Great Bokship, muttered with a bitter smile. The captain standing next to his muttering responded with a simr expression. There were a lot of bhikkhus floating in the sky this morning. Wouldnt it have been strange not to know? Thats right. Anyway While nodding at the captains words, Jinwi looked with envious eyes at the self-powered flying spheres moving in the high sky. I really envy the imperial bastards dexterity. We still do best with bhikkhus fastened with rope The bhikkhu was already a well-known figure. Therefore, the Ming Dynasty also made efforts to produce it and began producing and deploying it some time ago. However, the monks ced by the Ming Dynasty were still operated by being fixed using ropes. The self-powered flight equipment used by the Imperial Army was still being researched, but there was still a long way to go due to the technology level being lower than that of the Empire. By the way, are you okay, General? What do you mean? Everyone, including themander, was on the Two-Headed me Dragon, but youre here alone The captains words were slurred, but he understood the truth right away. Jinyu smiled bitterly and shrugged his shoulders. It cant be helped, right? Someone has to lead from outside. * * * After thest private meeting with Emperor Gyeongtae, Jinwi became an outcast. It was known that the reason he remained alone was not to be reprimanded but to give advice. Whether good or bad, receiving the emperors attention had an impact on ones career. Thanks to this, Jinwi had no choice but to leave, taking on the task ofmanding one of the sub-fleets belonging to the fleet. On the contrary, all key personnel of the fleetmand, including themander, were located in the Two-Headed me Dragon. The reason why Jin Yu was taken on the Great Fuseon rather than the Double-Headed me Dragon, which was considered thergest and safest of the Ming Dynasty battle lines, was simple. -Fight hard and die! * * * The battle has happened anyway, so now I have no choice but to do my best to survive Jinyu, who was muttering self-deprecating words and holding up the telescope, chuckled as he looked at the telescope in his hand. Damn it this was also made by the Empire. Most of the things that are still usable are those made by the empire Hiding hisplex thoughts, Jinwi put the telescope to his eyes and looked at the imperial fleet approaching from afar. As expected, there are two ships. Jinyu, who was muttering in a bitter voice as he watched the two assault ships slowly speeding up, suddenly gritted his teeth. this! This is the worst! The assault ships approaching from afar had changed direction. What this meant was clear. -The Empires assault return n is not to fight head-on, but to bite off the side! However, what Jinyu judged to be the worst was the attitude taken by the allys two-headed me dragon. Instead of turning his head towards the charging return line approaching his side, he actually increased his forward speed. Jinwi, who saw the decision of the higher-ups with his own eyes, was furious and hit the railing with his fist. You make the mistake of believing only in the armor of the Two-Headed me Dragon without really knowing how much firepower the Assault Return Ship has! Captain! yes! Can we go faster than now? When asked about the truth, the captain answered with a slightly embarrassed expression. You can do it if you train your enemies, but it wontst long! doesnt care! I just need to buy time to stop that assault line! What youre saying is If the two-headed dragon is annihted, were finished! The captain thought for a moment at Jinwis shout, then nodded and called a military officer. Tell the soldiers to stir as quickly as possible! yes! Meanwhile, Jin Yu diligently gave orders. Pass it to the other ships! Do your best to block the assault ships path! yes! Signals containing Jin Weis orders were hung on the mast, and the great fleet ships under Jin Wei began to gradually increase their speed. Jinwis eyes were full of despair as he looked at his fleet moving at such a speeding pace. Its too slow Compared to the ships equipped with steam engines, the ship he was on and other ships were too slow. Is it already toote? * * * At the same time, the first ship of the Two-Headed me Dragon. The bridge of Jeongjo (). There were also two assault ships. Admiral Deng Su-lin,mander of the Yellow Sea Fleet, received the report from the staff with an arrogant expression. After all, Koreans only know how to use tricks. It doesnt matter because it was already expected. Shall we run the function? No, speed up and rush. yes? Rush in like this and destroy the Koreans ind sea fleet. Its repaying what happened in thest war! But the side is exposed! The two-headed dragons side armor is 2 inches (approximately 6 cm)! The wooden board behind it is also twice as thick! No need to worry! Rather, the problem is the grand foreshadowing! We must eliminate as many challengers as possible to make the Grand Convoy safer! Following Deng Su-lins decision, the three Two-Headed me Dragons increased their speed and began charging. Chapter 710 Episode 710: The Second Battle of the Yellow Sea (8) Deng Shulin did not make this decision solely by relying on the Two-Headed me Dragon. There was a more desperate situation than that. He was one of the generals who barely survived thest war. He clearly remembered the scene in which the great battleships, which were the pride of the Ming army in the war at the time, were cruelly destroyed by challenger-level battle lines that were not assault lines. The problem is that the Great Ship Line hasnt improved since then! We have to eliminate as many challenger-level battle lines as possible with the Two-Headed me Dragon! Up to this point, it was a reasonable decision. However, Deng Shulinter made a fatal mistake. He did not inform anyone of his decision. If Joseons assault return ship actually only has one ship, you can deal with it with two Two-Headed me Dragons. If two ships appear, you can charge at the challenger-ss ships at top speed. Then, the assault ships will not be able to move carelessly to protect their ships. All you have to do is aim for that time and deal with the challenger level fronts first. In addition, variables that no one expected may pop up. In that case, its best to make a decision right away on the spot. If you make too many unnecessary ns, the confusion will only increase. The more ns there are, the fewer people will be able to do them properly! It was Deng Su-lin who did not believe in the quality of the rebuilt Ming navy. But I didnt make up my mind just for that reason. There was another big cause: jealousy. The most representative example was the personnel action against Jinwi. A guy who only recently went from a guerri general to a general! A guy who doesnt even know what war is is just talking nonsense! Teng Su-lin, who thought that there were more than one person like Jin Yu, kept his mouth shut. And because of that decision, Deng Shulin encountered an unexpected situation. * * * You idiot! Deng Su-lin, who saw Jin Yus squadron suddenly speeding up and jumping out, screamed. What are you going to do if you break the fabric you made the most of? Deng Su-lin, who hit the railing of the bridge with his fist and shouted, gave an order to his staff. Signal for that idiot to go back to his seat! Its an order! ancient! In response to Deng Su-lins order, the staff quickly conveyed the order to the signalman. However, the staff members face turned white when he saw the reply that came back soon after. refusal? Protection of themand module first? Deng Su-lin, who received the report through his staff, became even more angry and raised his voice. Order them to return to the camp! Let them know that if you refuse, you will be charged with mutiny! No, deprive Jin Yu of hismand right now! ancient! This time, Deng Su-lins orders seemed to have worked as Jin Yus squadron slowed down and began to return to where they were supposed to be. The squadron is returning. Thats right. Only then did Deng Su-lin, satisfied, begin to examine the situation on the battlefield again. Where are Joseons assault ships? Both ships are charging from the right side of Abjo. No matter how you look at it, it looks like they are aiming for Abjos right nk. Order to Abjo. Concentrated fire on the assault return ships. ancient! While the staff member who received the order was giving orders to the signalman, another staff member cautiously expressed concern. No matter how you look at it, it looks like they are aiming for Abjos nk. Wouldnt it be better to order them to be careful? Deng Su-lin responded to the staffs mantra by gesturing as if it was no big deal. It is the armor of the two-headed me dragon that can withstand the main gun of the twin-headed me dragon. No amount of gun artillery can cause any damage! But It would be better to take care of one more of those naughty Challenger-ss fronts during that time! Have you already tested the armor problem? The staff in question had no choice but to keep quiet about Deng Su-lins progress. * * * As Deng Su-lin said, when the Two-Headed me Dragon was first developed, experiments on iron armor were conducted. In fact, they built a temporary wallbining 2 inches (about 6cm) thick iron armor to surround the sides of the double-headed me dragon and a thick wooden hull to support the back, and then fired the double-headed me dragons main gun at it. ording to experiments, if the range was not within 20 shots (approximately 60m), there was no significant damage even if the main gun was hit. Based on these results, the Ming Dynasty navy and shipbuilding engineers reported the following predictions to Emperor Gyeongtae. -In order for Joseons charge return ship to inflict damage, it muste within at least 10 shots (approximately 30m). What led them to this result was the fact that the main gun mounted on the Two-Headed me Dragon had a muchrger caliber than that mounted on the Assault Return Ship, and the expectation that even if Joseons technology was better than Mings, it would be impossible to equip it with thicker iron armor. -It is impossible to mount arger and more powerful main gun using the existing design method! -The same goes for iron armor. It is no longer possible to add thick iron armor to existing wooden structures. Because this was not just a prediction but a result of actual experiments, the Ming Dynasty navy and shipbuilding engineers believed in their predictions. * * * After receiving orders from Deng Shu-rin, Abjo poured fire on the two assault ships that were charging ording to his orders. Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwak! The fire bombs fired by Abjo created dozens of water columns in front of the assault ships. However, the charging return ships paid no heed and continued charging. Even though the bullets fired by Abjo fell far in front of the path, they seemed to be rushing at him very aggressively. Rather, it was Abjos captain and sailors who were embarrassed by this. What? Are you saying they arent even afraid of dying? Shoot! Shoot! Shoot without stopping! At the captains order, the sailors frantically loaded gunpowder and shells into the gun ports, then inserted wicks and started a fire. Kwakwakwak! As the shooting continued, several shots began tond on the charge return line. bang! You got it right! uh? The crew members of the Apjo, who were cheering as they saw the shell they fired hit, froze for a moment. This was because the bullet that hit the dragons head bounced off in vain. Reload! Reload! Lets see how long you canst! The moment the crew members of Apjos wing battery soon came to their senses and began reloading, the main guns on the two assault return ships opened fire almost simultaneously. Kkkwang! A huge explosion and mes poured out, and Maeng Jin-ho and Dang-hos dragon heads were momentarily obscured by smoke. And soon, a hole that could not be filled appeared on the right side of the two hulls of the boat. This was because the bullet that prated the thick hull made of iron armor and wood caused a huge explosion. With just two attacks, the right hull of the Apjo almost lost itsbat power. Water ising in! Stop it! I cant stop it! Sea water began to rush in through the hole created by the burst near the waterline. ordingly, the crew of the Abjo were desperately trying to prevent flooding, but the situation was not easy. Close the bulkhead! Not easy with the water pressure! The frame is broken! Junk ships of this period also had watertight bulkheads made of sliding doors. It was a structure that prevented flooding to other areas by pushing the sliding door to close the bulkhead, and this structure was also used in the Two-Headed me Dragon. However, the problem was that the double-headed dragons bulkhead sliding door was toorge to be moved by one or two people. To solve this, pulleys and ropes were to be used. However, the impact of the explosion distorted the trajectory of the sliding door, making it difficult for the bulkhead to move. Do whatever you have to, close it! If we dont close it, we will die! Pull! Pull! When the bulkheads began to close one by one through the crews desperate efforts, the second bombardment of the rush and fierce attacknded. Kkkwang! Boom! As a result of this second bombardment, Abjoho suffered irreversible and fatal injuries. Due to the seawatering in through the hole created by the second bombardment, the right hull of the Apjo began to tilt severely. Moment. Kugung! bang! Ugh! Its hot! Its hot! help me! Cold sea water rushed into the engine room and the moment it met the hot boiler, the boiler exploded. The engine room crew nearby copsed screaming, suffering fatal injuries and burns from fragments and hot steam from the exploded boiler. Abjohos tragedy began from then. As the power of the right hull was lost, only the left hulls aberration turned, and as the right hull sank into the sea, the Apjo began to spin in arge circle. At that time, the third bombardment of Dash and Maeng Jin struck Apjo Lake. The shell fired in this third bombardment hit the powder magazine of Abjos right main gun. Boom! With a loud explosion, the entire bow and half of the center section of the Apjos right hull disappeared, and soon after, the Apjo slowly began to sink into the sea. Dang-ho and Maeng Jin-ho, who had sunk one of the three Two-Headed me Dragons, began to turn their bows in search of their next prey. The next prey they were aiming for was the Two-Headed me Dragons number one ship, Jeongjo. * * * The tide sinks! The tide sinks! Deng Su-lin looked in disbelief at the staff members report. That cant be possible! That cant be possible! Its true! When the staff checked again, Teng Su-lin sat down in the chair and muttered. Even after chasing after them so much, Joseon is still ahead Admiral! Order! When the captain of the inferior chastity ship shouted for him to give an order, Deng Su-lin gritted his teeth and stood up. Order the Qin Dynasty! Turn your yer right now! We will engage in a direct confrontation with Joseons assault return ship! ancient! The captain and staff immediately repeated Deng Su-linsmand and took action. Soon after, King Jeongjo and Jinjo began to turn in arge circle. * * * The movements of Jeongjo and Jinwon were captured by a self-powered flying monk floating in the sky. Maeng Jin-hos vice-captain, who confirmed the light-emittingmunication sent by the self-flying aircraft, immediately reported it to Ki-nam Nam. They say the snake heads turned their heads. It seems like they want a head-on confrontation. What would you like to do? Its a head-to-head confrontation I think its a pretty good idea Ki-nam Nam, who was stroking his beard as if he was interested and pondering, soon came to a conclusion. There is no need to be foolish and take the difficult path instead of the easy one. Just like now, Im tearing off the sides! Tell it to the Dashanho too! ancient! After a while, a reply came from the dash. Dol Jin-ho also says he agrees. okay! Lets catch those messing around over there first! In this way, Dang-ho and Maeng Jin-ho increased their speed towards Jeongjo. Unlike the Two-Headed me Dragon, which had a water wheel installed in the center of the catamarans hull and was slow to change direction, the assault return ships were able to change direction very quickly. Making full use of that advantage, the assault ships rushed towards King Jeongjos nk. In this way, the three two-headed me dragons disappeared into the sea one by one. In order to avenge the humiliation suffered in thest war, the pride of the Ming people with the names of conquer Joseon (), suppress Joseon (恳), and oppress Joseon () sank into the sea. It was. Chapter 711 Episode 711: Second Battle of the Yellow Sea (9) As the Two-Headed me Dragons were destroyed, the situation for the Ming Dynasty navy took a turn for the worst. Even the Qin Dynasty has been destroyed! What should we do now, Captain? Ah Captain! The captain shouted hysterically at his subordinates almost screaming call. Bring Zhanjang here right now! But the order What does it matter if the person who gave the order went to the Dragon Pce! Bring her here now! Yes old! At the captains shout, the subordinate went straight down. The captain gritted his teeth as he looked at his subordinates who were still confused and confused. You look like a defeated soldier without even fighting properly! Damn it! Damn you bastards! The captain was swearing while looking at the ce where the two-headed me dragons had sunk C where a few floating objects and struggling allies were located. * * * Come out! The situation is urgent! Jinwi, who was sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, opened his eyes and asked at the sound of the soldiers urgent voice. How many Two-Headed me Dragons sank? It is annihtion! this! Jinwi jumped up from his seat with an urgent cry and quickly ran up to the bridge. * * * Captain! The situation is! In response to Jinwis urgent question, the captain raised his hand and pointed to one side. Jinyu looked at the direction the captain was pointing and sighed with a disappointed expression on his face. Oh my In the direction pointed by the captain, the Empires challenger-ss front lines were advancing confidently, led by assault return ships. Our troops Jinwi, who was observing the situation of the allies around him, was at a loss for words. The Ming naval forces, who saw that all the two-headed dragons that proudly jumped out of the water sank, were in a state of panic and did not know what to do. Jinyu, who saw that, smiled bitterly and muttered. It would have been better if we had just run away The majormanders had boarded King Jeongjo along with Deung Su-rin. As the chastity subsided, there were nomanders tomand the sub-fleets. With themanders disappearing, the Ming Dynasty fleet was left in a state of confusion, not knowing what to do. Of course, there were captains at the front lines whomanded them. However, if the captain moved the ship as he pleased, he would be beheaded ording to military discipline. This was Deng Su-lins work. * * * In the previous war, Deng Shu-lin, who had seen countless friendly front lines where the enemy would flee even if the slightest disadvantage was in their hands, and who was uneasy about the quality of the newly rebuilt navy, strictly applied military discipline. -If there is no order from the fleetmander, you will remain in that position even if you die! Afterwards, when several captains vited the above orders during a training exercise to subdue pirates, Teng Su-lin mercilessly beheaded the captains in question. Afterwards, the captains of the fleets trained by Deng Su-lin became ustomed to maintaining their positions even when themander was absent. Because of that, I was still confused, not knowing what to do. * * * After checking the situation, Jinwi gave an order to the captain in a calm voice. Hang the captainsmand g and signal g. The content of the signal is mountain (ɢ) and retreat (). All right. Soon, amand g was hung on the mast of the front line where Jinwi was riding, and a signal g containing an order to spread out and retreat was fluttering. As soon as they saw that signal, the ships of the 100 ships turned their bows as if they had been waiting. Jinyu, who was watching this, looked back at the captain. I feel sorry for you, but you will have to suffer with me. What if you say its hard work? No matter how much we tell them to spread out and run, they will be quickly caught up by challenger-ss front lines and assault return ships. So shouldnt we make it as inconvenient as possible? Ah The captain sighed softly as he understood what Jinyu had said. But he also knew that there was nothing he could do. The now retreating Grand Battleships were inferior to the challenger-level battle lines in speed, defense, and firepower. Therefore, Jin Yu gave the order to disperse and retreat. In the middle, quite a few ships would be caught up and sunk by the challenger-ss front lines and assault return ships, but many more would survive than if they retreated in a concentrated manner. In order to make arger number survive, someone had to stay behind to hold them back, and he was selected to carry themander of the subfleet. Arent your steering skills the best in our navy? I believe you will not be defeated easily. Whoa~. All right. I will do my best to tie their feet. At Jinwis words, the captain sighed and rolled up his sleeves. * * * In the dyed battle that followed, Jinwi and the captain showed fantastic chemistry. They fired artillery guns while skillfully avoiding the bullets fired by Joseons challenger-ss front lines, and cleverly crossed in front of the imperial naval front lines, entangling the fleets formation. This was entirely due to Jinwi and the captains efforts. Thanks to this, many of the imperial navys challenger-level battle lines that were pursuing the Ming navy became entangled and were stranded. Cho Jin-woong, who saw this, could not help but be impressed. There were some talented people among the Ming Dynasty people! Its amazing, its amazing! But admiration was just admiration. Cho Jin-woong immediately delivered the order. Order the challenger-ss front lines and assault return ships! Ignore those cumbersome lines and pursue the enemies! And order the 1st Marine Emergency Fleet to stop rescuing prisoners and catch that guy! If possible, capture them alive! ancient! * * * This is the end now As the imperial fleet under Cho Jin-woongs orders changed its movements, Jin-yu shook his head with a bitter smile. The challenger-ss front lines and assault ships he had been blocking quickly left their positions, reorganized their battle lines, and then began pursuing the Ming navy. Jinwi and the captain did their best to block such challenger-ss fronts and assault ships, but the empires front lines escaped them with their skillful naval skills. What would you like to do? Jinwi shrugged his shoulders and answered the captains question right away. From now on, we have to work hard to run away. I had a lot of wounds on my stomach and the soldiers were exhausted. Send half the gunners down and have them row. Ill have to endure as much as I can with the other half. All right. Following Jinwis orders, the gunners began rowing on behalf of the exhausted soldiers. But Jinyus escape failed. The Hae-eung emergency front lines chasing Jin-wi clearly proved why it was named Hae-eung. The emergency front lines in pursuit continued to press and fire while moving ahead or behind the Daebok ship in which Jinwi was riding. In the end, the Great Bokship on which Jinwi was riding was surrounded by sea emergency fronts while suffering from severe wounds. Surrender! Surrender or I will sink you! The captain looked back at the demands for surrendering from all directions. Jinwi ordered the captain with a calm expression. Hang the white g. yes. Since the old Han Dynasty, the white g has symbolized surrender. Therefore, when the white g was hoisted on the ship Jinwi was riding, the cries for surrender stopped. After a while, small ships from the nearby sea emergency front approached Jinwis ship. The imperial sailors and military officers who climbed up the rope from Jin Weis ship began to disarm the Ming navy. It is okay to wear armor, but wearing a sword is not allowed. At themand of the Imperial Navy officer who was leading the soldiers, Jin Yu utched the sword he was wearing at his waist and held it out to the officer. When the disarmament process waspleted, Jinwis great ship headed for Seosan under the watchful eye of two sea emergency ships. * * * As the sun slowly set to the west, the Ind Sea Fleet returned to its home port. In the ind sea fleet returning to its home port, several great ships were moving together, excluding Jinwis great ship. They were the ones who raised the white g as soon as they were caught up by the Ind Sea Fleets assault ships and challenger-ss ships. The Ind Sea Fleet arrived at its home port near sunset and began sorting the captured Ming prisoners ording to rank. High-ranking officers identified during the ssification process were led to separately provided quarters. huh? you? Jinwi, who was entering the dormitory under the guidance of an imperial soldier, heard a voice that recognized him and turned his head to find the owner of the voice. Jinwi, who confirmed the owner of the voice, approached him with a bright face. Admiral! Are you safe? The owner of the voice was the fleetmander, Teng Su-lin. When King Jeongjo was sinking, Deng Shu-rin jumped into the sea and took off his armor to survive. Thanks to this, his life was saved, but due to the extreme drop in body temperature, he was covered in a nket with a paleplexion. Although he was covered in a nket with a paleplexion, Teng Su-lins eyes were burning with anger. Why are you wearing armor? yes? You surrendered? . When Qin Yue couldnt answer right away, Deng Su-lin shouted. Yes you bastard! Are you saying that the general of the Daeming Dynastys navy surrendered? Seeing as there isnt a single wound, its clear that he didnt fight properly! I lost this time because of people like you! Admiral, you misunderstand! What a misunderstanding! Deng Su-lin criticized Jin Yu, almost like a curse. At some point, Jinyu gave up making excuses and kept quiet. He realized why Deng Su-lin was ming him. Youre trying to use me as a scapegoat! It was certain that if the war ended and the Ming Dynasty returned, Emperor Gyeongtae would be held responsible. Deng Su-lin chose Jin Yu as the scapegoat to save himself. In reality, Deng Su-lin did not hide his intention. When I see His Majesty the Emperorter, I will confess your sins and ask for punishment! You are a disgrace to the navy! . Seeing not only Teng Shulin but the other survivingmanders ring at him with simr expressions, Qin Yu quietly came out. Jinwi, who came out to the yard attached to the building that housed the captured Mingmander, sighed as he looked at the moon in the sky. Ha~. What should I do. Jinwi, whose future became bleak, continued to sigh in a frustrated chest. No, Jinwi also knew the answer. It would be okay if youpletely surrendered to the empire If youpletely surrendered to the empire, you would be able to secure your own safety. However, the problem was his family remaining in the Ming. The moment he was branded a traitor, it was certain that his family would immediately fall into the abyss. Whoa~. In a situation where he couldnt easily figure out what to do, Jinyu could only continue to sigh. * * * Meanwhile, An Hui, admiral of the Ind Sea Fleet, who received reports of the conflict between Jin Yu and Deng Shulin through the guards, smiled in remorse. Is that so? In this battle, the abilities shown by Jinwi and the captain of the ship he was on were quite outstanding. After thest war, the skills of the famous naval forces were quite superior even to the imperial navy, which had evaluated them as being a level below them. If possible, think about appeasement. If you are a leader, your loyalty will be quite strong. Still try your best. While he was struggling with Jo Jin-woongs orders, Deng Su-lin persecuted Jin Yu, and the report that Jin Yu was worried was like a rain in a drought. Hmm An Hui, who was diligently calcting in his mind, gave an order to his subordinate officer. If we move right now, nothing will work. Leave it alone for now. If you wait a little longer, it will calm down on its own. All right. An Hui, who gave orders to his subordinate officers, began to write a report to be submitted to Cho Jin-woong. And the situation went as Anhui expected. Chapter 712 Episode 712: Second Battle of the Yellow Sea (10) Deng Shu-lin continued to increase the intensity of his criticism. Coward! Shame of the unmanned! The one who repaid His Majestys favor with vengeance! Two dayster, when the Ind Sea fleet sailed again afterpleting maintenance and supplies, Deng Su-lins criticism reached its peak. This was because it was possible to know the destination of the ind sea fleet that had escaped from the fleet. It is a soldiers duty to sink at least one more ship of the Koreans battle line with the determination to die! Surrender! Youre a coward, and food goes down your throat! If it were me, I would have bitten my tongue and died right away! When not only Deng Shulin but other survivingmanders joined in the criticism, Jin Yu was driven into a dead end. Jinyu eventually came out and motioned for the guards. Is there a problem? Jinwi gave a short answer to the question of the interpreter who came with the guard. I want to be a citizen of the empire. The interpreter, upon hearing Jinwis business, immediately turned around. Please follow me. * * * An Hui, who received the report that Jin Yue is about to convert, smiled broadly and nodded. Of course it is! Bring me here right now! yep! The news of Jinwis conversion immediately reached Jo Jinwoong. Please bring Commander Jin with you. yes! Jo Jin-woong, who faced Jin-wi like that, opened his mouth with a warm smile. I was truly impressed by the exquisite steering skills and battlemand shown in thest battle. Thats too much praise. The captain I worked with was just good. But why did you decide to change jobs? Jinwi, who was silent for a moment in response to Cho Jinwoongs question, soon smiled sadly and answered. Since you received the report from the guards, I dont think you are aware of my situation. Jo Jin-woong lightly cleared his throat and responded to the subtle criticism, Dont tease people knowingly. greatness! Huh! This was a mistake made by the main office. Do you have anything else to ask? The director has a family in Nantong. If the wardens change bes known, they will be in trouble, so we need to take measures. Hmm I will stay with Your Majesty to get an answer on that matter. In response to Jo Jin-woongs answer, Jin-wi bowed his head and earnestly asked. If you save my family, I will repay you. Ill do my best. And then The captain who was with me at the time seemed fine, so howe you dont have an answer? At Jo Jin-woongs request, Jin-wi smiled bitterly and muttered to himself. It is said that what the Joseon people are most greedy for is people, and indeed It is probably a difficult situation, so if you speak well, you will get good results. Can the general help me? Jinwi, who thought for a moment about Cho Jinwoongs request, soon nodded. The director wille forward and persuade him. oh! Please take care of me! After finishing the conversation, Jinwi looked up at the sky and sighed. Whoa~. I cant help it. I have no choice but to do my best in this situation Jinwi, who had decided to change her career, soon did her best. The captain, who showed a lukewarm response at first, decided to convert after Jinwis continued persuasion. The conditions put forward by the captain who decided to change jobs were also simr to Jinwis. -Please get my family out of Nantong safely! And Janggye, who recorded all these details, soon went up to Seoul. * * * Hyang, who received the general message, immediately asked Wan a question. What do you think? Wan, who pondered Hyangs question for a moment, soon shared his thoughts. I dont think it is a good precedent to carelessly dismiss someone who converts. And looking at the general report sent by Admiral Cho, it appears that he has excellent judgment andmand ability. I think its good to ept him because hes a good talent. What if he did that with the intention of going back to the Ming? If I go back now, I will die, but if I return with confidential information, wont I have a chance to recover? Wan smiled slightly and responded to Hyangs point. Isnt it okay to send him to Shinji? Its really scary that there are not enough people there, and even if you want to go there, its impossible. Ha ha ha ha ha! At Wans answer, Hyang burst outughing and hit his knee. Thats correct! Satisfied with Wans handling, Hyang soon gave orders. Ask the converted captain Jinwi and the captain toe to Seoul immediately. I need to talk to you. I follow your orders! * * * The next morning. ording to Hyangs orders, Jinwi and the captain took the first train and came up to Seoul. Jinwi and the captain, who entered Geunjeongjeon, saw Hyang sitting on top of the temple and Wan sitting below them, bowed down on the floor and bowed their heads. Ie to see His Majesty Soin Jinwi. Little Hamdeokpung. Ie to see your Majesty. Nice to meet you. Have the eunuch bring chairs for them. As the two sat down on the chairs, Hyang started asking questions with a face full of curiosity. Did you say Hamdeokpung? I heard that your steering skills are excellent. How did you avoid most of the bombs fired by the Imperial Navy? Starting with that, Hyang asked Ham Deok-pung something he was curious about, and the ministers present listened to the conversation with faces full of curiosity. When the conversation with Ham Deok-pung ended for a long time, Hyang looked at Minister of National Defense Min Shin and opened his mouth. It sure seems scary to get used to it. I was surprised to see that the number of Ming troops destroyed in this battle was surprisingly small, but there was a reason for that. Thats right. We need to speed up improvements. Improvements are improvements, but I think we need to reconsider the training of the soldiers in charge of the artillery and the habits of the captains. This is because our armys challenger-level front is capable of withstanding the bombardment of the Ming army. Following Min Shins answer, Kim Jong-seo added. And all the ministers nodded at Kim Jong-seos remarks. Meanwhile, Pia had be ustomed to the artillery made by the Empire. The captains of the Ming Dynasty front lines, who had survived the previous battle and learned firsthand the characteristics of the naval guns mounted on the imperial front lines, utilized this experience to reduce damage as much as possible. And as Ham Deok-pung exined this, he learned why the results of this battle had decreased. In summary, the power of the artillery shell became stronger, but the problem was that the artillery itself was an existing one, so the range was the same. In addition, the habit of the captains, who were ustomed to attacking with artillery from as far away as possible, became a problem. And Kim Jong-seo argued that this habit should be abandoned and a more active approach should be carried out. But Hyang actually shook his head. Admiral Jeoljaes words seem right, but considering the situation of the empire, I think it would be better to improve the artillery itself. Haona. Stop. Hyang raised her hand to stop Kim Jong-seo, then turned to Jin-wi and asked. Does General Jin understand the reason? Jinwi immediately answered Hyangs question. Its because we dont have enough people. The Empires front lines and artillery are excellent, but to put it the other way around, it means that it takes a lot of time to get used to them. Therefore, if soldiers losses increase during closebat, it will take a lot of time to fill the empty space. And this will lead to a reduction in power. Thats the correct answer. Hyang nodded loudly in response to Jinwis answer and continued speaking while looking at Kim Jongseo. Our countrys challenger-level front lines are strong, but if they take a lot of hits, they will break through. Then, of course, there will be a loss of troops, and even if you win, it is not a victory. It takes a lot of time for army cavalrymen and artillerymen to be proficient, but isnt it a well-known fact that navy sailors need even longer than that? Kim Jong-seo responded to Hyangs exnation by bowing his head. My thoughts were short-lived. I dont think it was the captains mistake. Dont worry about it. Afterforting Kim Jong-seo, Hyang looked at Jin-wi and her eyes sparkled. Look at this? If I do well, I think Ill catch a big catch, right? Hyang, who had a strong feeling that he had caught a big catch, asked Jinwi. General, what do you think is our empires greatest weakness? Someone ising. The empire is stillcking. Actually. Jinyu repeated what he had said to Emperor Gyeong. The longer Jinwis words continued, the more the ministers eyes began to sparkle. Is this a long timeing? Its a waste of insight to just confine to Shinji, let alone the military! How can I bring him back? When a fresh talent came into view for the first time in a long time, the eyes of the ministers became stained with greed. huh? Jinyu, who had been exining for a while, suddenly felt a chill in his body and stopped speaking. Why do you stop talking? Oh, its nothing. I suddenly got chills After hearing Jinwis answer through the interpreter, Hyang smiled and ordered. It seems like the ministers are getting greedy for the first time in a while. Dont pay attention and continue your exnation. * * * After the interview, which was not an interview, Hyang gave orders to Jinwi and Ham Deokpung. I cannot hide my joy that talented people like you havee into the arms of the empire. We will do our best to achieve the salvation of your family that you have requested. Hearing Hyangs words, Jinwi and Hamdeokpung immediately bowed down on the floor and bowed their heads. Hwang Eun is devastated! You guys can go out. Jinwi and Hamdeokpung politely bowed to the incenses congrattory message and walked backwards out of Geunjeongjeon. After the two people left, Hyang asked the ministers and Wan. What do you think? I think they are outstanding talents. In particr, as Jinwi said, the moment our empire follows the path of Bucha is the beginning of crisis, which was a painful piece of advice. No sooner had Kim Jeom finished speaking than Kim Jong-seo continued. Ill buy it back. The mistake of conviction a little while ago was also caused bycency resulting from the victories we have achieved so far, so we must be on guard. Hyang also nodded at Kim Jong-seos words. Jim thinks so too. * * * With this defeat, the Ming will once again kill off their momentum and take advantage of the opportunity. General, when do you think that will be? Jinwi immediately answered Hyangs question. The empire will create that opportunity. Our empire will create it? how? Jinwis answer to Hyangs question was simple and clear. The moment the empire follows Buchas path, the Ming will have an opportunity. ah! At that moment, Hyang and all the ministers let out exmations of exmation at the same time. In Wasin Sangdam, Owang Bucha, the protagonist of Wasin, waited for an opportunity to avenge his father by sleeping on thorny firewood. And as soon as Bucha, who had developed his strength by seizing the opportunity, seeded in taking revenge, he enjoyed pleasure and forgot about the past. In the end, Bucha, who had be sozy, was defeated by Gucheon, who was looking for an opportunity while licking his galldder, andmitted suicide. In other words, the moment the empire becamezy due to its own power was the moment of destruction. But the scent was scent. Then I will ask you again. How many people will get that opportunity? Jinwi answered Hyangs question in an uncertain voice. I cant guarantee. Hyangs eyes sparkled even more at Jinwis answer. Youre surprisingly cool, arent you? I was taught that those who want to win must be as calm as possible. Then, judging so calmly, what does Mings future look like? Its not good. Chapter 713 Episode 713: Second Battle of the Yellow Sea (11) Hyang, who had evaluated Jin Yu and Ham Deok-pung favorably, who had surrendered to the empire, asked Wan. Jinwi and Ham Deokpung asked us to save their families. How would you like to resolve this? In response to Hyangs question, Wan kept his mouth shut and thought for a while. Wan, who had been pondering for a while with a serious face, told Hyang what he had thought of. Now, the Ind Sea Fleet, Yeosun Fleet, and parts of the South Sea Fleet have joined forces and begun a retaliatory operation. One of their operations is to destroy Mings major military ports. How about stealing their families through this operation? Hyang shook his head at Wans suggestion. There are so many things needed to do that. We need several people who know in detail all the alleys of Nantong (now Nantong) where their families live, and people who know Mings Gangnam dialect well. Not only that, but in order to properly rescue and steal away, there must be smoothmunication between the rescued troops and thended troops, but there is no way to do that. Wouldnt it be okay to use a bhikkhu formunication issues? Wan suggested an alternative, but Hyang shook his head again. It is very difficult to meet the first two conditions. That operation is impossible. Wan had no choice but to bow his head at Hyangs words. I apologize. I have troubled Your Majesty due to myck of ability. no. Its just that an unexpected variable popped up. There is no need for the prince to me himself. Afterforting Wan like that, Hyang looked back at the ministers. If there is a better way, please tell me. . Hyangsmand was given, but none of the ministers opened their mouths right away. As Hyang said, this incident was an unexpected event. Therefore, there was no way there was a pre-nned method. After a long period of silence, Kim Jong-seo came forward. Your Majesty, once this retaliatory operation is over, the Ming will have to negotiate whether they like it or not. During the negotiation process, we use appropriate methods to get things done. After Kim Jong-seo finished speaking, Hyang received his words with shining eyes. Please exin in more detail. Yes, Your Majesty. After hearing Kim Jong-seos n, Hyang added or subtracted a few more things from it, and through that process, a pretty good outline of the operation was created. Hmm its okay. Hyang nodded as he looked at the paper on which he had written the rough outline created during the conversation between himself and Kim Jong-seo and gave an order to Wan. Please discuss this with the Navy and refine it more properly. Yes, Your Majesty. Wan answered while bowing his head and epted the paper handed to him by Hyang through the inner tube. Two dayster, Wan submitted an operation n to Hyang. After reading the n, Hyang nodded and stamped the seal. Feel so good. Lets try it. yes. I will do my best. * * * Meanwhile, the imperial navys retaliatory operation was steadily progressing. The Ming fleet, which was keeping the empires Lushun fleet in check, began retreating immediately upon hearing the news of defeat. The Koreans will definitely attack our military ports! It must be stopped at all costs! The Ming front lines that retreated quickly encamped at the entrance to their home ports to protect them. Of course, there were others who said otherwise. If we split up like this, we will all be destroyed individually! It would be better to have a decisive battle with the imperial fleet! However, this principle theory had to immediately face strong opposition. It is suicidal to attack the Joseon bastards challenger-level battle line with arge double ship! It would be much better to defend by joining forces with the home port defense unit! thats right! In a military port, there is a chance of survival even if you fall into the sea, but you cant expect such luck in the middle of the Yellow Sea! Saying that, the Ming fleet retreated and split into pieces and returned to their home port. Just as they were returning to their home port, an order from Emperor Gyeongtae arrived. -The fleet must return immediately and defend its home port! Unnecessary naval battles are prohibited! * * * Thanks to Jin Yus activities, a considerable number of Deng Shulins fleets were able to safely return to their home port. The reports from the captains of the front lines who returned to their home ports were immediately sent to Emperor Gyeongtae. You lost! After reading the precepts, King Gyeongtae sat down helplessly in his chair. Defeat? Defeat? Gyeong Tae-je, who had been muttering the word defeat over and over again, suddenly screamed. Deng Su-lin! How on earth did this person lead so that he lost all the two-headed me dragons! Emperor Jing, who had raised his voice and cursed Deng Shulin, looked tired and looked back at his subjects. Since our attack failed, it is obvious that the Koreans will move. What should I do now? The left governor came forward and answered Gyeongtaejes question. As your Majesty said, the Koreans will try to attack us. However, the naval port is still safe. Since thest war, the defense facilities of the military port have been greatly strengthened, and there are many surviving ships, so I think it would be a good idea to use them to enter the defensive battle. Since the Koreans won again this time, there is a high possibility that they will let down their guard, so if we take advantage of this in reverse, it could cause a big blow to the Koreans. Is that really the case? Emperor Gyeongtae was skeptical, but the left governor gave more weight to his opinion. It is a shame that we lost the two-headed me dragon, which was our pride, in vain, but it is certain that the Koreans will look down on us through this. I think your conviction also makes sense. When the left-wing governors opinion was supported by the cab secretary, the Gyeongtae Emperor nodded with a brighterplexion. I guess so. If so, deliver the order to the surviving front lines and the armored fleet. Return to your respective home ports immediately and strengthen your defenses. I follow your orders! After making that decision, Gyeong Tae-je looked at the Cab Secretary and asked. What do you think we should do next? Negotiations with North Korea areing. We must enter into negotiations, iming that this incident was done arbitrarily because Deng Shulin could not give up his belligerence. Im using Deng Su-lin in private Will the Koreans believe me? Whether they believe it or not, we have to im it. Emperor Gyeongtae, who was pondering the words of the assistant cab secretary, soon nodded. There is no answer other than that. Then, please form a negotiating team. I follow your orders. In this way, when the Ming Dynastys Gap Fleet, which was keeping the Lusun fleet in check, returned to its home port, an order containing Emperor Gyeongtaes orders arrived at the military port. However, the empires counterattack had already begun. * * * The ces where the imperial navys counterattack first began were Shanhaiguan and Tianjin. The Imperial Navys front lines anchored along the coastline of Shanhaiguan began bombarding the outer castle of Shanhaiguan. Due to the rain of shells falling, the outer walls of Shanhaiguan were reduced to ruins, just like the previous war. The imperial fleet, which had taken away Shanhaiguans coastal defense capabilities, rushed to Tianjin. After thest war, fairly high and solid batteries were built on the left and right of Tianjins military port, andrge-caliber artillery pieces were ced there. And the front lines that had returned from the armored fleet were guarding the entrance to the bay where the port was located. Two assault ships jumped into action against them. The assault ships that rushed forward easily broke through the defense lines of the Ming Dynasty fronts and entered the interior. The artillery bombardment continued toward the assault return ships that seeded in breaking through, but the armor of the assault return ships withstood the bombardment. excuse me! Over there! Screw that big lump of copper first! The captains of the assault ships skillfully monitored the situation and began to gradually suppress the heavy guns ced in the battery. Meanwhile, at the entrance to the port, challenger-level battle lines were wiping out hundreds of battle lines. When the coastal batteries and wires defending the port were finally suppressed, the Panok ships that had been waiting behind them rushed into the port. Panok ships rushed to the ports wharf and the nearby sandy beach and immediately begannding troops. The bow of the Panokseon had been greatly remodeled. The bow, which was slightly above the waterline, was lowered, followed by the wooden pier, which touched the ground. The main force of thending force that began thending in this way were those who attempted tond at the dock. When the bridge reached the ground, the first to jump out were horsemen from the Jurchen tribe. The cavalrymen, who came down from the scaffolding on horseback, immediately kicked the horses side and charged at it. Hey! Heya! Hee hee hee! bang! Tatang! As the Jurchen cavalry charged, swinging the curved swords in their hands above their heads, the Ming soldiers who had gathered in formation for defense were frightened and began to pull the triggers at random. However, there were not many Jurchen cavalrymen who were subject to such random fire, and the Jurchen cavalrymen immediately rushed into the Ming armys defense line. Thebination ofrge European war horses and Jurchen cavalry had a very powerful pration power, and the Ming armys second line of defense, or even the firstnd defense line, was immediately breached. The imperial army, which broke through the Ming armys defense lines here and there on the docks and sandy beaches, rushed deep into the military port. The imperial armys goal was the destruction of military facilities located in the military port. Due to the imperial armys attack to achieve its goal, the military ports headquarters supply depot, coastal battery front, repair and construction facilities began to gradually turn into ashes. Through two days of persistent attacks, the military port in Tianjin was rendered useless. * * * Cheonjin was the beginning. The imperial navy gradually moved south, destroying Ming military ports. And at first, the scope began to expand beyond destroying only facilities rted to military ports. As military ports and nearby areas were gradually reduced to ashes, one by one, numerous refugees began to flock to Nanjing. It will be the safest ce since the Emperor is here! Not in the North! Joseon is a problem, but there is also Bukwon! No to the North! Since most of the refugees had this mindset, they inevitably flocked south to Nanjing. This was also the case in Namtong. It was the closest military port to Nanjing, where Emperor Gyeongtae was located, and there was also a shipyard where the Two-Headed me Dragon was built, so its defense facilities were very strong. Knowing this, refugees who could not enter Nanjing flocked to Nantong, and public order became a mess. The navy of Ming and the guards of Wiso were trying hard to maintain public order, but it was not enough. In this situation, one person was moving secretly. It was Wang Deok-gu, a famous country merchant who maintained a good rtionship with Kim Il-soo in the Joseon Dynasty office in Shandong. * * * Oh my gosh what is that damn aphrodisiac Wang Deok-gu continued to grumble as he walked carefully. -I have a favor to ask of my king Daein. -Didnt the Ming army and our navy have a big fight this time? It is said that quite a few generals from the Ming Dynasty were captured in that battle, and one of them was falsely used of defeat and was aggrieved and surrendered. -But I want Daein Wang to help me save my family. -Instead, I will give you a generous portion of the imperial sea god and ginseng extract. How much do you want? That was how Wang Deok-gu began his work. Well its obvious even without looking at what happened. Is there anything like General Ae Fei? Even if I report it, I will only receive a few pennies inpensation, but if I seed and receive a reward, I can be independent. Please also save the family of the person who was falsely used. Good is good. cancer! Wang Deok-gu was a loyal subject and a great general, but he justified himself by recalling the tragic death of Queen Yue, who died unjustly after being falsely used, and the enormous reward he would receive after his sess. Chapter 714 Episode 714: The Second Battle of the Yellow Sea (12) The day of Daeseol (12/7-8) in the 9th year of the Imperial Calendar (1457) . The imperial fleet arrived in Nantong. The Ming Dynasty soldiers were just about to have breakfast. Clink ding ding! Deeng~ Deeng! Puuu~ Puuu~. The Koreans have invaded! The Koreans have invaded! Send gunpowder and shot to the battery! While bells and trumpets announcing an emergency were ringing loudly from all directions, the soldiers threw down their dishes and ran hurriedly to their positions. Damn it! Of course, while eating! They dont even eat! The Ming Dynasty soldiers hurriedly reached into their rice bowls and shoved the rice they had grabbed into their mouths while swearing at the imperial navy. No matter how much of a war there is, there has to be at least some morals! * * * Meanwhile, a simr conversation was taking ce on a ship of the Imperial Navy that had arrived at the mouth of the Yangtze River and was facing the Ming fleet and coastal defense batteries stationed in Nantong. They say they dont even touch the dog while theyre eating, so it looks like we came in a little early. The manager, who was examining the situation on the front lines and the coast through a telescope, reported to the captain with a wry smile. The captain responded to the managers words with a voice that said it was no big deal. I heard something from my boss a while ago. I heard His Majesty said this. Dogs are bitten, so dont touch them. I say so. And its easier to deal with people who are low on energy than to deal with people who are well-fed and full of energy. Dont you know how heavy a bullet is? The manager nodded at the captains words. This was something he himself experienced. After a full-blown battle, regardless of rank, people felt extreme hunger. Once the soldiers managed to clean up the wounded, it was their daily routine to immediately boil water and eat the dry food first. At the beginning of his tenure, the manager thought that their hunger was a psychological problem. However, after a few battles, I realized that it was actually because I was hungry. The weight of the bullets and gunpowder used in the artillery mounted on the front line was considerable, and if you carried as few as 10 or as many as 20 or more rounds of them, you would quickly run out of stamina. The manager, who was nodding as he recalled his experience, suddenly thought of another thought. But isnt it a headache to deal with people who get so angry just because they kicked the bowl while eating? Were at the intersection! Then fire! Themander came to his senses after hearing the captains order to fire, put the telescope to his eyes and focused on the battlefield again. * * * Boom! Quack! Starting with the bombardment of the assault ships at the forefront, the Imperial Navys bombardment began. The imperial navys bombardment, which was now beyond skill and reaching new heights, instantly made the defense line of the Ming Dynasty fleet full of holes. As a crack appeared in the Ming fleets defense line, the assault ships split to the left and right and began attacking the remaining front lines of the Ming fleet from the center outward. The challenger-ss front lines that pushed into the space secured in this way concentrated artillery fire on Songmyeong Ind (u, present-day Chongming Ind) and the coastal batteries located in the opposite estuary C the current Shanghai area. In particr, the coastal batteries located on Sungmyeong Ind were subjected to intensive artillery fire. The reason they were under heavy bombardment was for strategic reasons, but the name also yed a role. This was because the name, which could be interpreted as Sungmyeong () or elevating the reputation, got on the nerves of the imperial navy. As the coastal batteries were suppressed through persistent bombardment from the challenger-ss fronts, thending panok ships waiting behind them began to move up the Yangtze River. The destination of the panok ships was the shipyard in Nantong, located on the lower Yangtze River. * * * The Koreans areing! Run away! Run away! Nantong was in chaos due to rumors that the imperial navy wasing. Reinforcement troops to support the Ming army defending the Nantong military port and refugees trying to flee Nantong became entangled on the road, creating a huge traffic jam. Move! Move! Get out of the way or Ill cut your throat! The military officersmanding the reinforcements drew their swords and issued warnings, but the refugees who had lost their senses continued to flock in. In the end, Mao Taek-il, themander of the reinforcement unit, gave an order to the military officers. Those who block the movement of troops are coborators with the enemy! Cut off his head! yes? Are you telling me the truth? When his subordinate military officers, shocked by the harsh orders, once again questioned the truth, Mao Taek-il screamed. Now the Koreans areing, so if blocking the road is not an act of collusion, then what is it? Behead him immediately! Yes old! Mao Ze-ils orders were quickly passed down. The military officers of the unit who were grappling with the refugees in the middle of the road swung their drawn swords as soon as the order was given. Aaaah! Ahh! Dozens of refugees fell to the ground, losing their lives, and a military officer holding a bleeding sword in his hand screamed. If you dont want to die, get out of the way! At the military officers shout, the refugees hurriedly got off the road and reinforcements rushed to Nantong Military Port. * * * Its Nantong! Prepare fornding! As the military port of Nantong came into view, the panok ships began preparing fornding. Puff! pop! The first attack was Nantongs coastal battery. The bombs fired from the defense batteries began to create a column of water around the Panokseon, and a few lucky shots hit the Panokseon. Kwasik! Kwasik! Wow! Ahh! Medic! While the unlucky ones were killed or injured by the shells that prated the hull, the armored Panok ships approached the riverbank and began to suppress the defensive batteries. Let go! bang! Quack! While the artillery mounted on the reinforced Panok ships engaged in an artillery battle targeting the defense batteries, other Panok ships prepared weapons to suppress the docks. The freight car is ready! Let go! Shush! ording to themanders order,rge shrines flew in the sky in a parabolic curve from the wagon mounted on the Panokseon. The Sanghashingsingijeon had reappeared. * * * The Daesingijeon and Sanhwasingijeon, which consumed too much gunpowderpared to their power, were retired not long after their development. But from the towns perspective, this was a sad thing. If you just put a little effort into it, its an object. Its a really good product, but However, because the cost-effectiveness was so poor, Hyang had no choice but to take a step back. In this way, the Daesingijeon and the Sanhwasingijeon would disappear into history, but as Joseon grew into an empire and saltpeter was steadily supplied through India, the Sanhwasingijeon was able to reappear. The newly created warhead of the Eulsik Hwasangsingijeon was a dedicated warhead that used the framework of the Bigyeokjincheonroe C its power was enhanced than that of the Bigyeokjincheonroe. The body was also made of thinly hammered iron tes rather than paper. Twounchers were mounted on a dedicateduncher that was a modified version of an existing boxcar, and a dedicated Panokseon was equipped with 10 suchunchers. If it worked properly, 20 rounds of oxygen fire would hit the expectednding point at the same time. And the Panok ships equipped with the new Hwasangsingeongi came to be called fire support ships. * * * The 60 rounds of fire-fighting bombs fired from three fire support ships turned Nantongs wharf and nearby areas into a wastnd. The Ming army, who were preparing for defense by setting up a wooden fence on the way to the pier and the dock, found the fence and the fence full of holes due to the fragments of Sanhwasingijeon. After a while, the Panok ships in charge of thending troops arrived at the dock and the nearby riverside and began disgorging thending troops. As expected, the lead of thending was the Jurchen cavalry. Hey~ Heya! Ta-ta-tang! The surviving Ming soldiers pulled the trigger and reloaded as they faced the Jurchen cavalry who rode up on horseback shouting loudly. There was a difference between victory and defeat here. The Ming army still had full-length rifles as its main force. The Ming army also knew this well, so just like in Japan and Europe, multi-stage shooting was the basic shooting tactic. However, there were necessary prerequisites to use this tactic. -Defensive means such as wooden fences to protect the musketeers while reloading -Muslims of a size capable of inflicting proper damage to the enemy Because of this prerequisite, when the Muntemu Rebellion urred, the Joseon army consisted of long sword soldiers wearing full-body te armor. was ced in front of the rifleman. However, in this battle, Ming failed to achieve the prerequisites. This was because not only the fence but also the troops suffered great damage due to the artillery bombardment that began with Hwasangsingijeon. Thanks to this, effective multiple firing was impossible, and the Ming armys defenses copsed due to the charge of the Jurchen cavalry, which took advantage of the opportunity to reload. * * * After breaking through the defense line, the Yeojin cavalry continued the charge along the main road. The orders they received were simple. -Take control of the gates of the castle that defends Nantong. -If control is impossible, block the gates and tie up reinforcements. The Jurchen cavalry, who were running along the highway to fulfill the order, encountered reinforcementsmanded by Mao Ze-il along the way. The Jurchen cavalrymen, who saw Mao Ze-ils reinforcements, did not hesitate to take out their spears, put them in their sides, and spurred on. Hee hee hee! Doo doo doo doo! The Jurchen cavalry mounted on their horses, which increased their speed even more, charged directly at the front of Mao Ze-ils troops. Kwasik! evil! Ahh! The Ming soldiers who were at the head of Mao Ze-ils unit were stabbed to death by spears or were seriously injured by being trampled by horses hooves. The Jurchen cavalrymen, who lost their speed due to the collision, immediately pulled out their curved swords and cut down the surrounding Ming troops, quickly falling back. When the leader of the Jurchen cavalry, who had sessfully charged, left the position, his ce was filled by imperial cavalrymen holding military-style rifles. Ta-ta-tang! In an instant, the imperial cavalrymen who fired the five preloaded shots fell to the side, and other imperial cavalrymen took their ce. Soon after, imperial infantry units arrived and participated in the battle. Mao Ze-ils unit copsed helplessly under the constant gunfire of the imperial army. Mao Ze-il urgently ordered his subordinates. San dog! Its a street fight! Sangae! Following Mao Ze-ils orders, the Ming army began to disperse into the alleys of Nantong. Seeing this, the imperial armys infantrymen also dispersed in groups (about 25 men) and began to chase after the Ming soldiers. It was the beginning of the Nantong street fighting. * * * The street fighting was fierce. Having secured the best bridgehead, the military port of Nantong, the imperial army began to steadily deploy troops. This was different from the battles that had previously taken ce at other military ports. In the previous battle, the imperial army retreated immediately after destroying the military port, its attached facilities, and nearby areas. However, in Nantong, they were gradually taking control of Nantong by deploying additional troops. In the process, a significant number of civilians were caught up in the fighting and lost their lives, were maimed, and lost their property. It was only after messengers arrived from Nanjing that the street fighting in Nantong stopped. I want to negotiate! When the gunfire stopped in Nantong, a sea emergency ship of the imperial army was crossing the West Sea and returning to Seosan. It was a ship carrying Jinwi and Ham Pung-deoks family. Unlike his family, who were looking all around with faces full of anxiety and worry, Wang Deok-gu was bouncing the abacus with an excited face. Lets see the market price of Haigu God these days Authors words. hello? This is Gukppong, who writes ck Enterprise Chosun. This is because the series has been dyed for the past few days, so I would like to apologize. Sincest week, my condition has worsened significantly due to persistent headaches. At first, I was able to relieve the headache with headache medication, but today it did not go away even with the headache medication, so I had to visit the hospital. The hospital said it appears to be a stress issue at the moment. There were no abnormal signs in a blood test recently. However, if the headache continues to not subside in the future, I was advised to go to arge hospital and get a thorough examination. I hope it doesnt go that far, and Ill do my best to publish the series without beingte or making typos as much as possible. Once again, we apologize for the frequent dys in serialization. I will do my best. Posted with Gukbbong Chapter 715 Episode 715: Second Battle of the Yellow Sea (13) Less than three days after the imperial army began its invasion of Nantong, detailed circumstances C the size of the imperial army and the situation in Nantong C were delivered to Emperor Jing. Newses faster than from Beijing. Emperor Gyeongtae, who had bepletely aloof from the continued news of the sad news, reacted with even greater surprise that the urgent news sent from Nantong, over 600 ri (about 240 km) away, was delivered three days earlier than expected. In response to Emperor Gyeongtaes reaction, the Cab Secretary bowed his head and responded. Although there were difficulties ining up the river, we arrived quickly because it was connected to the Yangtze River. Bonghwas help was also great. Is that so Emperor Gyeongtae nodded at the words of the Assistant Cab Secretary. * * * After the defeat in thest war and the transfer of the capital to Nanjing, the Ming began a major overhaul of itsmunicationwork. In addition to the traditional beaconmunication lines from the Great Wall in the north, beacon stations were built along the eastern and southern Ming coastlines. Through this signal, urgent information could be delivered more quickly than before. However, in the eyes of Emperor Gyeongtae and the Ming military, this was only half a sess. The initial n for the reconstruction of themunicationwork was to build amunication line using light-emittingmunication devices simr to those of the Empire. However, in order for this light-emittingmunicationwork to operate smoothly, many soldiers were needed who could read and write, but the high illiteracy rate of Ming soldiers was an obstacle. Most Joseon soldiers, no matter how low-level, can read and write. What a disgrace! Gyeongtaeje got angry when he heard the report, but it was not a problem that could be solved by getting angry. This was due to the deeply rooted anti-military ideology not only among the Ming but also among Chinese people who had lived in the Central ins for generations. -Good iron does not make nails, and good talent does not be soldiers. The quality of the enlisted soldiers was very poor because the perception of the military was not so good that such words were widely circted. And a vicious cycle was repeated in which the perception of the military got worse due to various incidents and idents caused by such poor enlisted soldiers. In the end, Emperor Gyeongtae and the Ming military had no choice but to build an emergencymunicationwork using traditional beacons rather than light-emittingmunications. * * * If quick contact was possible thanks to the Yangtze River, wouldnt the Koreans have been able toe up on the Yangtze River? Governor Wu stepped forward and responded to Emperor Gyeongtaes point. To prepare for that problem, we have built a defense line along the Yangtze River. Will that line of defense actually do its job? Tianjin, as well as Weihai and Qingdao, were all defended by strong coastal batteries. Governor Wu immediately responded to Emperor Gyeongtaes words. Because that military port was right on the sea, it was easy for the Koreans to concentrate their power. However, when youe along the Yangtze River, it naturally bes longer. If that happens, it will be difficult for Joseon to concentrate its firepower, and it will be easier for us to concentrate our firepower. Is that so? Youre saying youre confident, right? I just do my best. Are we just doing our best? At Governor Woos answer, the expressions of not only the Minister of Economic Affairs but also the Assistant Cab Secretary and other ministers darkened. After the annihtion of the two-headed me dragons, which were confident of a sure victory, the military never made any guarantees. No, I couldnt tell. In particr, as major military ports in the Yellow Sea, which had been confident of being defended by powerful coastal batteries, were reduced to ashes, military personnel did not dare to open their mouths. Emperor Gyeongtae eventually sighed in a hopeless situation where he could not see an inch in front of him. Whoa~. Right. Now we have no choice but to wait for the best oue for our soldiers. I will do my best. And King Ming did his best. The defense line was immediately expanded near Nanjing and along the Yangtze River, and troops that could move separately were selected and sent to Nantong. However, the troops sent in that way were gradually melted away by the imperial army that upied Nantong. Meanwhile, the imperial army was strengthening its power by deploying more and more troops into Nantong. * * * As time passed, Emperor Gyeong, as well as the ministers and soldiers of the Ming Dynasty, all felt puzzled. Why arent these guys moving? This was because the imperial army that controlled Nantong was only strengthening its power and did not move. why? The Cab Secretary, who was wondering why the imperial army was acting like that, soon found out the answer. It appears that the Koreans are threatening us. Scare me? I am asking you toe and negotiate on your own. why? Gyeongtaeje said with a sincere voice of ignorance. Joseons military power is overwhelming us not only in thest war but also in this war. Im sorry to the Ministry of Military Affairs and the Provincial Government, but couldnt Joseon be able toe to Nanjing within a few days if it wanted to? But staying in Nantong and forcing negotiations? It doesnt make sense. In response to Gyeongtaejes point, Yebusangseo stepped forward. In Gods opinion, it seems to be due to the limitations of Joseon. What are the limitations of Joseon? What is that? There are not enough people. The poption of Joseon has just surpassed 20 million. However, 500 to 6 million of them are Jurchen tribes from Liaodong and indigenous people from other regions. People who are not properly treated cannot be used as soldiers. In other words, Joseon has an increased amount ofnd to protect, but there is a shortage of people. In this situation, their intention is not to want to expand the campaign unnecessarily and lose troops. Ive heard something simr. At Ye Bu Sang-seos words, Gyeong Tae-je muttered without realizing it. It was because he remembered what Jinwi had told him before. -Our name is overwhelmingly advantageous to Joseon in terms of poption. In this area, it is difficult for Joseon to catch up even as time passes. Hmm Emperor Gyeongtae, who was mulling over Jinwis words and thinking about various things, shared his thoughts. Then how about preparing for a long-term war? At Emperor Gyeongtaes suggestion, the ministers kept quiet and began to weigh the possibilities. If its a long game, it looks like we have a good chance of winning. The difficult situation will continue for a while, but it looks like we will be able to win in the end. Soon after, many ministers began to express their approval, starting with the Yebu Sangseo. Its impossible! If the war continues for a long time, the country will fall! Absolutely not! However, this process of approval was blocked by the fierce opposition of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Emperor Gyeongtae did not hide his displeasure at the fierce opposition of Ho Bu Sang-seo and asked directly. what is the reason? In response to Gyeongtaejes question, Hobusangseo immediately answered the reason. It is because Joseon took control of the Yangtze River. The reason why it was said that a letter of honor and death was not possible was for the following reasons. -As Joseon took control of the Yangtze River, it should be said that the Ming lost its control north of the Yangtze River. -If Joseon advances to Nanjing, the imperial family must march. However, for the above reasons, you have to go further south or ind. -No matter which direction you move, the south of the Yangtze River will suffer heavy damage from the Joseon army. If Gangnam, thergest granary of the Ming Dynasty, bes a mess, the situation will be uncontroble. For this reason, long-term warfare is absolutely impossible! Please inform me! Emperor Gyeongtae, who listened to the impassioned speech of Hobu Sang-seo opposing the long-term war in a sorrowful voice, looked back at Byeong-bu Sang-seo and the provincial governors. What do you think? The first person to answer Gyeongtaejes question was Sang-seo for illness. I think Hobusangseos words are correct. As Hufushangshu said, once Joseon takes control of the Yangtze River, the area north of the Yangtze River must be abandoned. If we go into a long-term war, we will have to endure a huge expenditure of troops, but the area south of the Yangtze River alone has its limits. Isnt the area south of the Yangtze River so densely popted that it is a granary? The Minister of Byeongbu responded immediately to Gyeongtaejes point. It takes a lot of men to farm. Of course, farming is possible with just women and children, but it is impossible for them to produce as much as if men worked properly. Following the words of the sick person, the left governor continued. The form of war that is different from before is also problematic. In the past, you could be powerful with just a spear sword and a helmet. However, guns and artillery became the center of war. Many skilled artisans are needed to make and supply guns and artillery, as well as to make and supply the gunpowder, bullets, and bullets to be used for them. No, it is not only the craftsmen who are the problem, but also the supply and demand of materials. If this bes a long-term war without measures in ce, not only will we lose the war, but we will also suffer irreparable damage. Does that mean that if we enter a long-term war on our own without the help of anyone else from the outside, we will inevitably lose? . The left governor answered by keeping his mouth shut. Emperor Gyeongtae turned his head at that sight. What do you think of the sick report and Governor Wu? . . Both of them answered in silence, and the Gyeongtae Emperor looked back at the Cab Secretary with an earnest expression. What do you think of Subo? In response to Emperor Gyeongtaes question, the Cab Secretary opened his mouth with difficulty. Negotiation is considered the best alternative. The Cab Secretarys answer was the decisive blow. King Gyeong-tae weakly leaned forward in his chair and waved his hand. Organize a negotiation team ording to the orders I gave you before. Then send a messenger to Nantong and tell them that you want to negotiate. I follow your orders. * * * I want to negotiate. The imperial army, which received the above-mentioned letter through a messenger sent by Ming, immediately sent it to Seoul. I will let you know as soon as your Majesty sends me the answer. Then is it a ceasefire for the time being? In response to the messengers question, Ind Sea Fleet Commander Cho Jin-woo snorted. joy! Why us? But for negotiations We will fight until His Majesty gives the order to stop fighting. That is the first rule of our Imperial Navy! Like Cho Jin-woongs answer, the imperial army that upied Nantong clearly neutralized Nantongs major facilities. Except for the headquarters of Nantong Military Port, which was used as a temporary headquarters for the imperial army, all important facilities C defense batteries, shipyards, etc. C werepletely destroyed usingrge quantities of explosives, and the walls of Nantong Province were also destroyed. It would be cheaper to build a new military port than it would cost to rebuild this ce. The destruction was so thorough that the imperial soldiers who finished the destruction gave this assessment. And a few more dayster, the end of the 9th year of the imperial calendar. The negotiation team sent by the township arrived in Nantong. It was a negotiating team headed by Kim Jong-seo and including Han Myeong-hoe and others. On the boat going up the Yangtze River, Kim Jong-seos expression was solemn. Looking at Kim Jong-seos expression, the young officials spoke with voices full of respect. You are a great admiral who hates leaving Seoul more than dying, but when ites to the Ming Dynasty, you show apletely different side! Thats right! I guess thats why His Majesty the Emperor cherishes it! Definitely when working! They say, And be hot when you y! I have to follow that example! While the young officials were having this conversation, Kim Jong-seo was muttering to himself. Finish as quickly as possible and return to Seoul! Its cold, so what trouble is this! Chapter 716 Episode 716: The Second Battle of the Yellow Sea (14) The military port headquarters building at Nantong Naval Port. In the negotiation room set up in the headquarters conference room, the imperial and Ming negotiating teams sat together. From the beginning of the negotiations, the fighting spirit between both sides was great. The start of the fight was who would enter first. No matter how much it was renamed as an empire, Joseon has always been our vassal state! Of course, Joseon must enter first! Its not Joseon, its the Korean Federal Empire! And when did you get out of being a vassal, but are you still a vassal? And since the people who requested negotiations first are Myung, of course Myung should go in first and wait! what! If this happens, I refuse to negotiate! Kim Jong-seo, who heard the threats from the Ming envoys, snorted and looked back at Cho Jin-woong. joy! The imperial army needs to work harder. At Kim Jong-seos meaningful words, Jo Jin-woong nodded with a wry smile. Of course. As such, the negotiations were doomed before they even began, and the imperial army moved up the Yangtze River little by little and gradually reduced the viges and cities near the Yangtze River to ashes. Finally, five dayster, someone from the negotiation team came. The head of the negotiation team has been reced. I would like to start negotiations again. Please enter first. I will. * * * The next day, Kim Jong-seo and his party entered the negotiation room. Inside the negotiation room, a negotiator with a chewed-up face was waiting in advance. Thank you for your hard work ining this far. Kim Jong-seo nodded lightly in response to the words of the Ming negotiator. Thats right. If someone hadnt done something useless, we wouldnt have had to go through this trouble. Crack! Oh my! Do you think your teeth are bad? One of the five fortunes is Chibok, tsk, tsk, tsk The head of the Ming Dynasty negotiation team, who was gritting his teeth at Kim Jong-seos tongue-clicking, managed to control his anger and continued speaking. My name is Wu Si and Jang Gyeong-guk, the royal officials in charge of these negotiations. Youre saying we shouldnt negotiate. Kim Jong-seo immediately stood up after Jang Gyeong-guks self-introduction. Why are you doing that? Jang Gyeong-guk urgently asked the reason, but Kim Jong-seo asked back with a face full of displeasure. You should have already received the directory of our empires negotiating team, right? But Woo Si-rang appears as the leader? You look down on the Empire so contemptuously! I understand very well the attitude with which Myung is approaching these negotiations! Youre talking about war, not negotiation! As soon as he spoke, Kim Jong-seo stormed out of the negotiation room. As the negotiations broke down again, the imperial army began to break things down and move around again. Finally, after another three days, negotiations resumed with Ye Bu-sang-seo appearing as the representative of the negotiating team. * * * These are the conditions our empire demands from the Ming. As Kim Jong-seo finished speaking, Han Myeong-hoe, who was serving as an aide, held out a scroll. As soon as he opened the scroll he was handed and checked its contents, he let out a long sigh. Whoa~. The requirements presented by the empire were as follows. -For Tianjin, the military port in Qingdao will not be rebuilt. -No military ports will be built north of the Shandong Penins, including the three above. However, a small port can be built formerce or fishing. -Myung limits the number of fronts to avoid creating unnecessary tension between the two countries. The total number ofrge ships does not exceed 20 ships, and the number of medium ships and small shipsbined does not exceed 100 ships. Construction of veryrge wires such as double-headed dragons is prohibited. -Myeongpensates for the economic losses of the Korean Federal Empire caused by this war. Compensation is paid in kind silver or other resources equivalent to 70 million taels of gold. -The type of resourcepensated in lieu of silver will be designated by the empire, and the value will be determined by the empire. However, a title official is present during this process to confirm. Whoa~. As Yebusangseo continued to sigh, Kim Jongseo spoke with a slight smile. But hasnt our empire made a lot of concessions? Our Majesty is so kind that he shows such mercy even to his enemies That sounds like mercy! Who from where! Forcefully swallowing the words that were about toe out, Ye Bu Sang-seo opened his mouth with difficulty. Thepensation is too much. Hoo? Is the person who paid the 50 million taels of gold inpensation for thest warining? At that time Ye Bu Sang-seo couldnt answer properly and trailed off. * * * At the time of thest war, Ming national power was at its peak. With Emperor Seondeoks full support,merce and industry flourished and money flowed from all directions. Thanks to this, they were able to afford to pay arge sum of 50 million taels of gold aspensation. But not now. A lot of money was spent to repair the damage suffered in the previous war and the civil war. And after escaping from the damage, a huge amount of financial expenditure was made to rebuild the naval power, including the construction of the Two-Headed me Dragon. In the end, the familys finances were barely holding on. Im going to take revenge by giving him a big blow, and Im going to takepensation and get some breathing room in my finances. This was the purpose of Mings actions this time. * * * Whoa~. Yebusangseo let out a long sigh again and listened to Kim Jongseo. Ill be honest. Do you think thispensation makes sense? It wasnt an all-out war like thest one. It is an all-out war. Its because you cant see tens of thousands of armies moving at once like onnd. You probably know that the number of troops mobilized by both our Empire and the Ming is formidable, right? What Kim Jong-seo said was true. The smallest small ship had about 10 sailors on board, and the muchrger Challenger-ss ships orrge ships, which were equipped with dozens of guns, had at least 300 sailors on board C an average of 500 people. Simply put, the naval battle that took ce this time was arge-scale all-out war that involved tens of thousands of troops, just like onnd. I will admit that the number of troops mobilized isrge. But didnt hundreds of thousands of people mobilize like in thest war? Of course, this cannot be seen as an all-out war, and I think the amount ofpensation is excessive. Do you know how much a ship of wire costs? You have to think about that! Not a single one of your ships has sunk! All the sunken fronts are in our name! Ye Bu-sang-seo, who was screaming loudly, was filled with tears of shame. Although I was telling the truth, it was because it was such a shameful truth. I cant believe I have to say these words and beg! What should I do with this shame! Kim Jong-seo still smiled at Yebu Sang-seos words. Thanks to the Heavenly Rain Creed, no ships have sunk among the front lines of our empire. However, there are many ships that have suffered major or minor injuries and require repairs. And even if the ship escaped sinking, there are many dead or injured soldiers, so wouldnt it be necessary to pay for rescuing them? Even so, its too much! Then you shouldnt have done it. urg! Great man! Great man! Yebu Sang-seo, who was about to shout something at Kim Jong-seos words, lost consciousness for a moment and fell backwards. Negotiations were stopped due to a sudden ident. When Sang-seo regains his strength, how about we continue again? Kim Jong-seo nodded at Jang Gyeong-guks request. I will ept Wu Sirangs request. Lets do that. Then, could you please stop fighting for a while? Kim Jong-seo shook his head at Jang Gyeong-guks words. If there is no negotiation, there is no truce. However, given the current situation, I will ask you to stop fighting for two days. Jang Gyeong-guk bowed his head in response to Kim Jong-seos answer. This mother-inw (so-and-so). I will never forget your kindness. I hope that Sang-seo quickly recovers his strength and returns to the negotiation table. On the third day, Yebusangseo was able to return to the negotiation room. Although the Yebusangseo was returned, negotiations were stalled due to thepensation use. Okay. Then we will split thepensation and paypensation. Compensation in installments? How many years? 50 years! Lets just fight. At this point, it wouldnt be a bad idea to take a look around Nanjing. Then how many years would you like for the empire? 10 years. I wont bargain. Yebu Sang-seo, who had been weighing up Kim Jong-seos resolute answer, suggested an alternative. Okay. 10 years. step! I would like to exchange an amount equivalent to half of thepensation in exchange fornd. I will give you the Shandong Penins. Kim Jong-seo, upon hearing Yebu Sang-seos proposal, immediately rejected it as if there was no need to think about it. I dont neednd. I will split it over 10 years and receive only silver and resources. After that, negotiations continued. However, since the hilt of the sword was held by the empire, Ming had no choice but to continue to be dragged along. Meanwhile, the imperial army was steadily carrying out a demonstration of force around the Yangtze River. In the end, the Ming negotiating team had no choice but to ept the empires demands. However, the Empire also made a slight concession, increasing the number of great ships from 20 to 40. They say its to deal with pirates, so we have to take that into ount. If we do something wrong, the Southwestern Province and its affiliated inds could be in danger. Kim Jong-seo smiled secretly at Han Myeong-hoes words. If that happens, you wont be able to see the sea. Even though the sea is just around the corner. Thats true, but Kim Jong-seo continued, seeing Han Myeong-hoe still unable to hide his worries. Its the same reason why we didnt receivend in this negotiation. * * * From the moment the naval battle began, the empire began preparing for negotiations. -Preparing for negotiations with the assumption of victory carries a high risk. Opinions like the above were also raised, but not only the Hyang, but also Wan and the ministers were in an optimistic mood. Im worried if the guns and battle lines are as good as ours, but if not, were sure to win. Because they trusted the power of the Imperial Navy, the ministers of Hyang and Wan were confident of victory. In that atmosphere, while organizing the requirements to be presented to the Ming, the first thing that came up and the first thing to be excluded was territorial cession. Why? At the very least, if we take control of the Shandong Penins, the Ming will not even be able to reach the Ind Sea! In response to the opposition from young officials, including Han Myeong-hoe, Kim Jong-seo immediately asked back. Are there troops to guard that ce? yes? Kim Jong-seo exined the reason for excluding territorial cession. -Take the Shandong Penins as an example. As soon as it is ceded, a unit must be organized and stationed to guard it. -The Ming people living in the Shandong Penins are too numerous to introduce them all. -The Ming will continue to try to regain the Shandong Penins, and the empire must invest considerable power to prevent this. This is not an easy task, especially since it requires crossing the sea. -This is absolutely not a good thing considering the situation of the empire, especially the poption problem. Thats why the amount of territorial cession was excluded. If, in about 20 to 30 years, the poption of the empire increases to two or three times its current size, it will be worth taking it then. Ah The young officials nodded at Kim Jong-seos words. Meanwhile, Hyang exined another reason to Wan. If we lose this war again, the dissatisfaction of the people of Ming will increase significantly. In such a situation, if our imperial army were to hold out in Shandong or elsewhere, their dissatisfaction would turn into hostility and harass us. However, if it is received in money, the dissatisfaction and hostility will be directed to the Ming Dynasty and the emperor who took the money out of their own pockets. Chapter 717 Episode 717: The Second Battle of the Yellow Sea (15) Thank you for your hard work Hearing the gloomy voice of Emperor Gyeongtae, the Ye Bu Sang-seo and the negotiation team all knelt on the ground and wailed. Hehehe! your majesty! Please kill the gods! Please punish the ipetence of the minor gods! As the negotiating team wailed in unison, all the civil servants and eunuchs in Daejeon, starting with the Cab Secretary, knelt down and wailed in unison. Please kill me! Hehehe! Please punish the small gods! As the cries of his subjects filled Daejeon, Emperor Gyeongtae raised his hand. Stop it. This is more of Jims fault. Thats why I wont use you of anything. Please discuss future measures. Hwang Eun is devastated. The ministers bowed deeply and expressed their gratitude for Emperor Gyeongtaes mercy, then stood up and refined their attire. Once again, future measures are the problem. There are many issues that need to be dealt with, such as the issue ofpensation to be paid to Joseon, relief for those who lost property to the Joseon army, and the reconstruction of the navy that was once again in disarray. The first thing to consider is the issue ofpensation. Because this is where all the problems start. All the ministers nodded to Emperor Gyeongtaes point. How much wealth is currently in the national treasury? Hobusangseo stepped forward and answered Gyeongtaejes question. When I first heard the news from Nantong, I immediately looked into it and found that it contained approximately 15 million taels of gold. Its 15 million taels of gold how much would it be if converted to silver? Its 105 million taels of silver. Whoa~. I heard that during the reign of King Seon-je, there was at least 30 million taels of gold in the national treasury even when there was a bad harvest. How can I see Emperor Seon when I die At Emperor Gyeongtaesment, the ministers once again knelt down in unison. The ipetence of the gods. Stop. Before the ministers could finish speaking, Emperor Gyeong raised his hand and cut them off. Again, we are in a situation where we must first talk about measures before judging who is at fault. The police officers should firste up with countermeasures rather than just offering an apology. At those words, the Assistant Cab Secretary was the first to step forward. Joseon requested war reparations equivalent to 70 million taels of gold in silver or other resources designated by Joseon. Considering the exchange rate for gold and silver in Joseon, this amounts to 700 million cat of silver. Ifpensation is divided over 10 years, 70 million nyang of silver must be paid to Joseon every year. If this amount of silver were to escape, not only the government but also the lives of the people would be shaken. Therefore, I think it is best to rece it with resources rather than silver. Resources what resources do you think Joseon wants? Herees rice, sulfur, copper, iron ore, saltpeter. I see As Emperor Gyeong nodded his head, Ho Bu Sang-seo, who was next to him, answered. The good news is that we know the prices at which those resources are sold in Joseon through our merchants. Therefore, even if Joseon tries to use shallow tactics, we can block it. Are we saying we should pay a minimum amount of spot silver and rece it with minerals? Thats right. Gyeongtaeje thought for a moment about Hobusangseos answer and soon made a decision. Let the cab secretary work with other ministers to rece silver with resources. I follow your orders. Gyeongtaeje, who decided on a solution to thepensation issue, moved on to the next step. Next is to restore the viges and towns devastated by this war andfort the people. This is also an agenda item that requires a lot of financial expenditure. Should we raise taxes? As soon as Emperor Gyeongtae mentioned tax increase, the Cab Secretary came forward immediately. Tax increases are not possible! If the current situation continues with increased taxes, the public sentiment will change. Thats right. Im getting it back! As many ministers expressed their opposition, Emperor Gyeongtae asked another question. But arent finances the problem now? At Emperor Gyeongtaes point, Daejeon suddenly became quiet. Emperor Gyeongtae sighed a little as he looked at the expressions of his ministers who had closed their mouths. Whoa~. Looking at the expressions on the officers faces, it seems like its an answer thats difficult to give rashly. Speak. I wont criticize you. Even though Emperor Gyeongtae spoke, no one was willing to open their mouths. Eventually, the Cab Secretary came forward. This is possible if we reduce the budget for national defense. Defense budget? This is not to reduce the entire defense budget, but to preserve the budget for protecting the north but reduce the budget for rebuilding the navy. For the time being, only the remaining naval forces and front lines will be used, and only Nantong, which was excluded from the agreement, will be reconstructed as a military port. Then, although it is not enough, we will be able to secure significant financial resources, and if we save in other areas, it will be possible to cover costs without increasing taxes. Then how will we defend the seas? Should we re-issue the ban on the sea that the Emperor abolished? . In response to Emperor Gyeongtaes question, the Cab Secretary was silent for a moment, then closed his eyes and answered. Im leaving it to Joseon. To Joseon? In any case, the situation is such that Joseon has control of the sea, not only in the Yellow Sea but also in the South Sea. Therefore, tell them to keep the sea routes safe. Following the words of the Assistant Cab Secretary, the left-wing governor stepped forward. Are you nning to bring shame to our military? Youre asking Joseon to protect the sea that we should protect! Anyway, we suffered humiliation from this defeat. Whats the big deal about being humiliated once more? And if you use this well, you can gain many benefits against Joseon! Emperor Gyeongtae suddenly showed interest in the words of the assistant cab secretary who said, There are many benefits. There are many benefits Please tell me in detail. Yes, Your Majesty. The Cab Secretary talked about the benefits he thought. -By showing weakness to Joseon, you can catch Joseon off guard. Of course, we may not let our guard down from the beginning, but we will definitely let down our guard after at least 20 years. -If defense is entrusted to Joseon, Joseon will have to expend military funds. This can minimize as much as possible the wealth taken from us benefiting the empire. Emperor Gyeongtae, who listened to the exnation of the assistant cab secretary, stroked his chin and muttered. Is it Taogwangyanghoe (wB)? In response to Emperor Gyeongtaes question, the Cab Secretary immediately bowed his head. Thats right. Just as Liu Bei humbled himself and endured it while he was Cao Caos guest, we must now thoroughly humble ourselves and endure. If you wait and gain strength, the opportunity for revenge wille again! Hmm Gyeongtaeje, who was musing while stroking his beard at the words of the assistant cab secretary, soon made up his mind. Ill do as Subo says. If youve already been humiliated, whats the big deal about being humiliated once more? Instead, lets take this incident as a lesson and prepare more thoroughly. This is the same for the military. The left and right governors responded to the Gyeongtaejes decision with full authority. I follow the Emperorsmand. At that time, the minister of illness came forward and offered his condolences to Emperor Gyeongtae. your majesty. I ask, Your Majesty, please allow us to select several of therge ships assigned to the navy and install steam engines on them. A steam engine on a grand duplex? Tell me why. yes. In the future, it will be natural to attach steam engines to power lines. In that case, we need a lot of soldiers and military officers who are familiar with operating steam engines. This is not something that can be done in a day or two, so you need to train consistently. Also, if we continue to work with steam engines like this, we will be able to create increasingly superior steam engines, and we may even be able to overtake Joseon. I allow it! As soon as the sermon on illness had finished speaking, Emperor Gyeongtae gave his permission. * * * The post-war recovery n that Emperor Gyeongtae and his ministers worked together to establish for several days was immediately implemented. The first people to feel relieved when they saw the restoration policy implemented by the Ming court were the Ming people. Whoa~. I was worried that you might have symptoms Thats right. People who knew the history of the past, where symptoms usually continued after a war ended, heaved a sigh of relief when they heard that there were no symptoms. Dont you think this emperor is a saint? If you look at how the past war and civil war were resolved, you are definitely a sessful military leader. Except for hitting Joseon Shh! Before we knew it, there was a proverb going around among the people. -When the emperor goes crazy, he crosses the Yellow Sea. It was a proverb that was born in reference to the two times the empire was attacked and suffered painful defeats. Meanwhile, it wasmon for literate people living as barbarians to talk about the same topics. If taxes had been increased, a civil unrest would have urred. I agree. Especially if we lost to Joseon twice and taxes were increased, the people would immediately rise up. Why did people who knew how to think like that think about attacking Joseon Revenge is good, but protecting the enemyes first * * * Meanwhile, the Empire was not all that excited. It is good that we received arge amount ofpensation, but we are worried about prices Officials from the Ministry of Finance and Economy and the Ministry of General Affairs were racking their brains over how to manage the silver and resourcesing in aspensation. What wascking was funds and resources. If used well, it could make up for the empires shorings, but if it made even the slightest mistake, prices could skyrocket, making the situation even worse. While the officials of the Ministry of General Affairs and the Ministry of Finance and Economy were contemting this, Hyang was having a conversation with Wan. As expected, Myeong is Myeong. Thats right. Wan nodded at Hyangs words. 700 million taels of silver was a huge amount of money. With this amount of money, we could develop the new paper without any worries for at least 20 years. Therefore, the Hyang and ministers thought that it would be too much for the Ming. So, when the Ming begged, I nned to add a few conditions C such as the empire will be treated as a merchant state C as if it were a favor. But Myeong epted it. Of course, he proposed to rece it withnd, but he did not even mention adjusting the amount itself. As far as I know, thepensation Japan received during the Sino-Japanese War was less than this In history before Chinas intervention, Japan, which won the Sino-Japanese War, took over the Liaodong Penins and Taiwan and received 200 million taels of silver. I receivedpensation. This was equivalent to four years worth of the Japanese governments budget at the time. However, there was one thing that Hyang had forgotten: the annual budget of the Qing Dynasty at the time was 100 million taels of silver. The Qing Dynasty was an agricultural country that had not been properly modernized. However, as history changed with the intervention of the township, agriculture as well asmerce and industry developed dramatically, and the economic scale also grew significantly. Anyway, the only thing that was alwayscking was finances, but now that thepensation ising, its like a sweet rain in a drought. Thats right. But you shouldnt waste it carelessly. They are still gnashing their teeth and looking for an opportunity to exact revenge. I will keep this in mind. However, it seems that additional construction of assault return ships is unavoidable. Theres nothing we can do about that. Aspensation came in, the first thing decided was the additional construction of assault return ships. -Just as the people created the two-headed dragon, other countries will also try to build irond ships. Especially why. -In this situation, it is a problem that there are only two assault ships. All ministers agreed to the Navys im, and it was decided to build four additional ships. The number of assault ships increased to 6, with 3 ships assigned to the Ind Sea Fleet and 3 ships assigned to the South Sea Fleet. With the three ships deployed in this way, the Navy was able toplete the three positions of the assault return ship that it had only dreamed of C one ship carrying out missions, one ship training, and one ship maintenance. Chapter 718 Episode 718: Second Battle of the Yellow Sea (16) Not only the Navy was happy. The Army also began expanding defense facilities in the Liaodong region, which had not been able to do so at full speed due to budget issues, and began supplying infantry-type freight cars and assault rifles in earnest. That wasnt all. As military rifles were supplied to the cavalry, full-scale modification work began on the recovered horseback rifles. The project was to remodel the chamber that used existing paper casings and detonators into a chamber that uses integrated bullets. In addition, as the propent gunpowder changed from Eul-style gunpowder to Deokgap-style smokeless gunpowder, the gun body also changed. Durability has been improved, and the method of filling the chamber with bullets has also changed. While the existing horse gun was a folding type, the new horse gun had a side opening type (called a swing out), which gave it greater durability. And this modified horseback rifle was distributed as a secondary weapon not only for existing cavalry units but also for officers above the military school level. In addition,municationworks in the Liaodong region began to be installed on arge scale. Communication towers, which had been installed along railroad tracks until now, began to be installed in more and more areas and began to establish a more efficientmunicationwork. Asmunicationworks using light-emittingmunication devices became established, faster and more efficientmunication became possible than the existing methods of messenger or jeonseogu. Hyang, who received the rted report from Wan and checked the results, muttered to himself. Now all we need is electricity and rubber toplete the telegraphwork! Building amunicationwork not only in Liaodong but also throughout the empire was an expensive undertaking. However, because its effectiveness was excellent, the Ministry of Finance and Economy did not express much opposition. With the Ministry of Finance, which holds the purse strings for the empire, executing the budget without saying a word, the empiresmunicationwork has almost reached itspletion stage. Communication with inds far away from the empires headquarters, such as Jeju Ind, Tsushima Ind, Daeseol Ind, and Jongjang Ind, inevitably took time by boat, but even within those areas, quickmunication was possible using light-emittingmunication devices. And here, Lim Soon-wook revealed his presence for the first time in a long time. * * * Hmm if I do this well Lim Soon-wook, who was checking a report on building amunicationwork using light-emittingmunication devices, muttered to himself for a moment and then gave an order to his subordinate. Go to the General Affairs Department and check the status of changes inst years family register. Do you mean change in family register? thats right. ah! It is not a change due to birth or death, but a change due to a change in family register. All right. The subordinate official who came out after receiving Lim Sun-wooks order let out a small sigh. Whoa~. Im sure Ill hear some unpleasantments from my friends in the General Affairs Department. And the response from the General Affairs Department was not much different from his expectations. no! What are you going to do if you increase the workload when reducing the workload isnt enough? It was inevitable that records of changes in family register would be made every year. However, ressifying them ording to conditions was time-consuming. Of course, the final numbers for each item were recorded separately. But it was clear that what was wanted above was not that simple. Three dayster, the documents Lim Soon-wook requested were sent from the General Affairs Department. Lim Soon-wook, who epted this, smiled slightly bitterly. I didnt want it to this extent The documents he received recorded in detail how much the family register had been changed by region and how far it had been moved. * * * A few dayster, Lim Soon-wook submitted a n to the Minister of Finance and Economy. Its okay. Im going to be upset. Finance Minister Lee Gyeon-ki, who evaluated Lim Soon-wooks n positively, sent it to the Prime Ministers Office. Kim Jeom and the left and right deputy prime ministers, who gave the same evaluation as Lee Gyeon-gi, submitted it to Wan and Hyang. Soja thinks its okay. What do you think, Your Majesty? Hmm Its okay, but this isnt something the Ministry of Finance and Economy can do alone. It would be a good idea to call First Vice Minister Lim Soon-wook, the person involved, to hear the story in more detail and to hear the opinions of other ministers. I will do so. Soon after, Lim Soon-wook, who had been called, came into Geunjeongjeon. Lim Soon-wook, who saw the incense, bowed politely. Ie to see your Majesty. Its been a while since Ist saw you. I would like you to exin this n in detail. Yes, Your Majesty. Lim Soon-wook must have already prepared, so he hung up arge map and started talking. The n submitted by Lim Soon-wook was munication business using light-emittingmunicationwork. -Even now, many people in the empire live in the ce where they were born until they die. -However, more and more people are leaving their hometowns and migrating torger cities or other regions. -Even if they migrate, most of their close rtives, such as parents and siblings, remain in their hometown. -For this reason, people often return home ording to the season or send letters to ask about each others well-being. -The problem is that there is no means of informing parents of their critical condition or other urgent information. -In addition, the top brass of the empire often encounter situations that require urgent contact with their branches, but there is no means of quickly delivering the news. -As a solution to this problem, the militarysmunicationwork is used. -Light-emittingmunication devices can be used to quickly deliver news to desired areas. -However, the use of a light-emittingmunication device is only possible by paying money. This is to prevent unrestrained use. After Im Soon-wooks exnation was over, Hyang began to ask Lim Sun-wook questions. You said you would receive money, but how much do you think is reasonable? I think it would be nice to receive 10 won in coins for each letter of the text excluding the address and name of the recipient. Many ministers tilted their heads at Lim Sun-wooks answer. Even though it was a coin, 10 won was enough to buy one meal. Hyang, who saw the expressions on the ministers faces, asked Lim Sun-wook again. What is your basis for thinking that? First of all, you must first send the address where the person who will receive the news resides, and at the final destination, you must make this into a document and deliver it to the recipient. However, since it is urgent, of course we have to move the Pabalma. This part must also be factored into the cost. But isnt it too expensive? Its because of the emergency. It should only be used by those whose situation is urgent enough to send an urgent message. Otherwise, if an emergency situation arises for the empire, we may end up in trouble. So, think carefully and use it only for those who really need it? Thats right. How about building a separatemunicationswork instead? I believe this is an unnecessary expense until the empires poption increases by at least three times its current size. Hyang nodded slightly in response to Im Soon-wooks answer and looked back at Wan and the ministers. What do you think, Prince? I think its a good n. This is because it can reduce the risk of resentment due to missing the time when something urgent happens. What do you think? I think its a good n. As the Crown Prince said, this is because it can prevent you from bing resentful at the wrong time. It is a time when the headquarters of the empire and the northern region are vast, but there is a railroad so you can travel back and forth in just a few days or three. It is considered good because if you can receive urgent information properly, you can prevent failure. In this way, a new information transmission business was created using the imperial militarysmunications equipment. This service, named Bitgeul because it used a light-emittingmunication device, soon began to be useful to the people. However, the nickname Aggeul spread faster among the people than the name Bitgeul. This was because most of the urgent news delivered through Bitgeul was mostly bad news, such as informing people of their parents critical condition. * * * Meanwhile, Hyang made a n for a new research institute and called Wan. When you say war research institute, does it mean a ce where military techniques are studied? The art of war is the art of war, but you can think of it as a ce to study how to avoid war. yes? When Wan tilted his head, Hyang exined in more detail. -The empire has been able to reap many benefits through therge and small wars and conflicts that have taken ce, including thest two wars. -Through this experience, a tendency to resolve everything through war may emerge. -But this is definitely not a good trend. -There were a lot of benefits from past wars and conflicts, but there were also a lot of expenses. -However, if we are only focused on the benefits and ignore the burden that these expenditures will bring, this is the path to ruin. We are trying to establish a research institute to prevent this. Rather than simply gathering soldiers to study war, we are gathering people with outstanding talent in various fields to study how it affects the empire when a war breaks out. What Hyang wanted to create was an institution simr to the strategic research institutes that all major powers of the 21st century had. Hyang lightly quenched his throat and continued his exnation. As the Crown Prince experienced this time, war is not fought by soldiers alone. War is impossible to wage if there are no people to provide everything, including the weapons the soldiers will use, the uniforms they will wear, and the food they will eat. In other words, war is when all of a countrys capabilities are concentrated. If you take this lightly and be aggressive, you will end up doing everything wrong. Ah Wan nodded at Hyangs words. After thinking for a moment, Wan asked Hyang. So, the existing Weapons Research Institute and Tactical Research Institute will also be integrated here? That would be better, right? I think thats better. This is because we need to study how changes in weapons and tactics will affect war. In response to Wans answer, Hyang smiled and epted the words. You are right. You take responsibility for this matter and move forward with it. How about Ye Soja? Your thoughts are truly deep and trustworthy. So, proceed with confidence. But your Majesty is here Im busy packing. So you have no choice but to do it. Wan had no choice but to bow his head at Hyangs firm answer. I will do my best. I only trust you. After escaping from the sediment of incense, Wan let out a small sigh and muttered. Whoa~. It happened again. * * * In the end, Wan, who took on the burden from Hyang, did his best to promote the establishment of the War Research Institute. There were various controversies over the nature of the new research institute, but the atmosphere was generally positive. In particr, the ministries that most supported it were the Ministry of Finance and Economy and the Ministry of General Affairs. Do you know how much trouble we have from financial management issues once a war breaks out? Is it just finances? How do I organize my family register? Meanwhile, a positive atmosphere prevailed within the military. You know when you look at the Ming Dynasty, right? War is also gradually changing. You have to prepare in advance. In this way, the War Research Institute finally emerged. * * * Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Bukji. A subordinate quickly rushed to Jinpyeong, who was leading the railroad construction. dismissal! His Majesty has sent a message of light! Give it to me! Jinpyeong, who quickly received the telegram, opened the envelope and looked at the contents. -Pack your bags. lets go. ats! Chapter 719 Episode 719: Sun Wei (1) Fall of the 10th year of the imperial calendar (1458). Kim Jeom passed away at the age of 90. Compared to the history before the intervention of incense, he lived one year longer. * * * Still, there was the problem of old age, so he asked for his resignation in February of the 10th year of the imperial calendar, and the county had no choice but to ept it. I truly apologize for allowing the disloyalty of resigning. However, the small body cannot follow the heart. Please forgive me for not being with you, Your Majesty. When his resignation was epted, Kim Jeom politely bowed to Hyang and Wan. I also feel sorry for Jim. But who can stop the decline of the body? I am truly grateful for this time. Hyang, who hurriedly came down from the temple, bowed to the prostrate Kim Jeom and expressed his gratitude. Kim Jeom, who bowed to Hyang with gratitude, could not hide his tears. Your Majesty thinks so much of this old man, I have no regrets even if he dies! I am truly grateful for all this time. Thank you for your hard work! Thank you for your hard work! Following the incense, all therge and small officials and eunuchs present at Geunjeongjeon bowed deeply to Kim Jeom and expressed their gratitude. Thank you so much for congratting this old man who used to pick me up every day! Kim Jeom looked at the ministers who had shared hardships with him and expressed his gratitude. When Kim Jeom, who was allowed to resign, left Geunjeongjeon, Hyang supported him and headed towards Geunjeongmun. When the emperor himself moved, all the ministers followed and saw off Kim Jeom as he left. The ministers who came out to see him off were full of envy for Kim Jeom, who was supported by the emperor. And the officer who recorded all of this added: -So the Emperor, who had permitted the resignation of Vice Admiral Uichon, personally supported him and escorted him to Geunjeongmun, and many of his subjects expressed envy at this. Uichon Kim Jeom served four generations of monarchs, so there are few who can follow his leadership. He was the first envoy to visit Beijing after Ming moved the capital to Beijing, and he was also in charge of entertaining Ming envoys thereafter. If Sang Sang favored Hwang Hee, it is safe to say that the Emperor of Danggeum favored Kim Jeom. The rtionship between the Emperor and Kim Jeom is long and deep, dating back long before the Emperor ascended the throne. He was the one who argued with the Emperor over the management of finances, reconciled with them, and sought to enrich the country and strengthen its military, so it is natural that the Emperor regarded him with special regard. The officer says: i envy you. Will I ever be able to leave and be treated like that? Whoa~. Now all thats left to do is go. This is so refreshing. Finally, after finishing his work and leaving the Prime Ministers Office, Kim Jeom looked at Yukjo Street and Gyeongbokgung Pce with mixed emotions. * * * After resigning, Kim Jeom prepared for the end by organizing the things he had recorded while working and distributing his family assets. Meanwhile, the government was also busy trying to fill the void left by Kim Jeom. The township appointed Park Jong-woo as Prime Minister and Kim Jong-seo as Left Deputy Prime Minister. There was no one who opposed this appointment. Both Hwang Hee and Kim Jeom were very well-versed in government affairs. Therefore, Park Jong-woo, who served as Minister of Finance and Economy and then became Left Deputy Prime Minister, was considered suitable. This was the same for Kim Jong-seo. Since the Ministry of Finance and Economy and the Ministry of General Affairs were part of the left deputy prime ministers work area, it was appropriate for Kim Jong-seo, who knew this well, to sit in that position. And Kim Jong-seo was evaluated as the best person to mediate disputes between ministries. However, officials and celebrities always added a sentence after it. The problem is his love for Seoul. And Hyang added a sentence to it. If it werent for that love for Seoul, I would have dragged him to Shinji, so its a shame. Meanwhile, after this personnel change, there were people who secretly sought out contemtives. The questions they asked the contemtives were almost the same. Do you think I will live a long life? The people who asked these questions were those who were on the verge of bing high-ranking officials in the government. The reason they asked this was because not only Hwang Hui but also Kim Jeom had worked in government positions until they were nine years old, and the people who were now sitting in their ce were also quite old. It may sound like self-praise, but I have some abilities, right? If so, shouldnt we aim for the position of number one or universal person? But look. If you look at the people sitting in the chair, they are all well past their 60th birthday. I have to endure and live a long life in order to be rewarded! * * * After hearing the news of Kim Jeoms death, Hyang stopped working for a day ording to etiquette and went to Kim Jeoms house with Wan. Kim Yu-son, the eldest son of the merchant, was thrilled by Hyang and Wans visit and bowed deeply. Hyang visited Kim Jeoms house to pay condolences with Wan,forted Kim Yu-son, and returned to the pce. Meanwhile, while the funeral was taking ce, Kim Jeoms house was filled with mourners. ording to the newly established imperialw, the funerals of all people except the emperor were unified into three days, and during those three days, the funerals were full of mourners. These words were circted among the local people who were watching the scene. There is an old saying, When the dog of the Jeongseung family dies, there will be a crowd of mourners, but when the Jeongseung dies, not a single dog wille. I guess thats also true? In any case, Kim Jeoms death had several symbolic meanings. The first of these was that those who had been serving as officials since the Goryeo Dynasty no longer existed. Finally, Goryeo existed only in records, and its connection with the empire waspletely severed. The second was that the first-generation bureaucracy, excluding founding contributors, disappeared and the second-generation bureaucracy took its ce as the leading role. In other words, once Hyang ascended to the throne of Wan, from then on, the speed at which Joseons shadow faded would be faster and faster. * * * In the spring of the 11th year of the imperial calendar (1459), King Sejong returned from Sinji. While Sejong and his group were waiting at the quarantine center, Hyang and Wan, who received a call, arrived in Wonsan and prepared to wee Sejong. Its been a while. Its great to see you so strong. I am truly relieved to see you in good health. After saying hello, Hyang and Sejong walked towards the station with Wan behind them and talked. I heard that Captain Uichon passed away. Its truly a shame. Thats right. He was someone I could rely on a lot. In response to Hyangs response, King Sejong looked at the distant sky with a face full of regret. Jang Yeong-sil also went there just before leaving Shinji. Oh my! It is truly a waste of talent. I feel like my time is almosting to an end. Hyang quickly responded to Sejongs words. no. Hes still in full swing. Sejong responded to Hyangs words with a small smile. Thank you for seeing it that way. * * * Upon returning to Seoul, King Sejong immediately settled into Suganggung Pce (now Changgyeonggung Pce). As King Sejong took his ce, Hyang began to prepare for the royal ceremony in earnest. The first thing Hyang did was call Wan and announce his intention to ascend to the throne. You already expected this, and the ministers also expected it. So, dont do useless things like ster. His Majesty is still strong Tsu As Hyangs expression became fierce, Wan had to immediately lower his head and change his words. yep! I will follow Your Majestys orders! There is a lot of work to do when we go to Shinji, so lets not do anything that takes up each others time. got it? yes. Hyang, who conveyed his will to Wan in this way, officially announced his seniority at a gathering of ministers the next day. Prince Wan has already grown up and is skilled in taking care of state affairs, so I will ascend to the throne. Prime Minister Park Jong-woo immediately opposed the Hyangs deration. However, Your Majesty is still strong, so I think it is premature to make a decision. Tsk! The scent immediately filled his tongue, but Park Jong-woo did not back down. Ill say it again. Your Majesty is still strong, but your honor is not deserved. Of course, the crown prince has grown up and is adept at taking care of state affairs, but what is too early is too early. Then who will manage Shinji? Park Jong-woo kept his mouth shut at Hyangs point. None of the ministers knew that Shinji was of a size not only sufficient to establish a nation, but also to establish an empire. Therefore, the safest way was to control Shinji when the situation arose. Still, the reason he opposed Seonwi was because of what happened during the reign of King Taejong. When Grand Prince Yangnyeong was crown prince, Taejong dered his ascendancy whenever he had the chance. However, this was not because he truly wanted to be senior. It was the foundation for killing the crown prince and carrying out a political purge. That is why they are still opposed to the seonwi. Hyang, who was looking at the ministers who were unable to do either this or that, persuaded them. Ill say it again, the crown prince has already grown up and is skilled at taking care of state affairs. No, even if there are some shorings, the crown prince will not be in trouble now that the situation is back. That is why I intend to take the throne. Haona. Stop. Hyang, who interrupted Park Jong-woo, threatened the ministers. Everyone who opposes the election, please submit your resignation. Ill take care of it right away. Ande with me to Shinji and work. There is no need to recruit additional people since they already have a lot of experience, and the crown prince can appoint fresh talents to carry out state affairs as the crown prince. Isnt it really a good thing? . What do you think? Hmm Go and prepare for the civil servants visit. Yes, Your Majesty. While the eunuch was preparing for the civil service, the ministers were grumbling inwardly with their faces scrunched up. I cant believe you go to Shinji and suffer at this age! Even if I die, I cant! Leave Seoul? Even if I die, I cant leave! Isnt this what everyone expected anyway? Just have to ept it. In the end, the ministers epted the will of the incense. I will follow your Majestys will. Thank you. After finishing the meeting and leaving Geunjeongjeon, the ministers looked up at the sky and sighed. Whoa~. What a situation! The middle-level officials who heard the story also grumbled with simr expressions. What a situation! The young officials tilted their heads at the sight of their superiors. Isnt it true that you wont be directly involved in political affairs anyway? You know very well how your Majesty handles things and his disposition, right? Was it easy? Not at all. The person who raised that emperor like that is Sang-Gang. Like you said, you wont be directly involved, but if you show even the slightest sloppiness, the nightmare will begin immediately. Huh. * * * Meanwhile, King Sejong was looking at the list of people going to Shinji with his head together with Hyang. Hmm Are you saying that these are the people who will go to Shinji with the emperor? Thats right. Lets see Sejong looked at the list and coordinated his opinions. I think it would be better to send this money to Suez rather than Shinji. What do you think? Looking at Shinjis situation, I think it would be a good idea to increase the number of council members. If possible, lets add more people with enough experience to run a medical center. Lets add more artisans to Area 52. Sejong, who was mixing seasoning like this, saw a persons name and looked at the incense. Jinpyeong? Are you nning toy a railroad in earnest in the new area? Or is it for the princes safety? At Sejongs point, Hyang looked at him with surprised eyes. Did you know that? Chapter 720 Episode 720: Seonwi (2) Seeing Hyangs surprised expression, Sejong responded with a light smile. What is surprising? Although I upy the position of a king, I am also the father of only one person. You know your childrens personalities. No, especially since he was the king, he should have known better. Ah Hyang nodded at Sejongs answer. The existence of a prince was a being of antinomy. For the stable existence of a country, it was good to have many princes. Only then could the session continue stably even if the first-ranking prince died in an unexpected ident. On the other hand, the fact that there were many princes meant that there were manypetitors, and there was a high possibility that a fierce battle would break out over the throne. Therefore, Hyang also paid a lot of attention to the traffic control of his children, including the Wanduseul brothers. At least I could take a breather because the firstw hadpletely nailed down the session structure After muttering to herself for a moment, Hyang asked King Sejong. What did your father think about Jinpyeong? Its like a wild boar. yes? Wild boars are only good at charging. No, once you start charging, you dont look left or right. Isnt Jinpyeongs personality exactly like that? Think of the railroad tracks. Hyang smiled bitterly and nodded at Sejongs words. I guess so. When the rebels invaded the pce, the first thing they said as soon as they arrived was whether the railroad was safe King Sejong, who lightly quenched his thirst with ck bean tea, continued. If it were Jinpyeongs temperament, he would even start a rebellion for the sake of the railroad that he risked his life for. Knowing this temperament, didnt the emperor keep Jinpyeong out and make him stick to the railroad? Thats right. In response to Hyangs affirmation, Sejong spoke to Hyang with a serious face. The emperor must never lose sight of his health. Only then will the crown prince, who has been crowned, be able to safely solidify his imperial authority. yes? Seeing Hyangs puzzled appearance, Sejong exined in more detail. Even a wild boar, which doesnt care what to do once it charges, stops charging in front of a tiger. To Jinpyeong today, the emperor is that tiger. It would never be okay to feel relieved that Jinpyeong was dragged to Shinji. Hyang immediately bowed her head and responded to Sejongs words. I will keep this in mind. Its been a while since I remember Mr. Samcheonpo. -You know what? Even Grand Prince Suyang of the world was eager to rub his palms in front of King Munjong? Suyang, who was busy showing off his dancing skills while wearing a dress with the sleeves cut off to his shoulders, kept saying You are the best! in front of King Munjong! If King Munjong hadnt died so quickly, Suyang would have ended up as one of those great armies! It was a scent that once again awakened awareness of Jinpyeong. * * * Hyang, who had sorted out some of the talented people who would go from Joseon to Shinji with Hyang, asked King Sejong. It is truly unfortunate that Jang Yeong-sil died. I agree. Sejong also responded with a simr expression to Hyangs regretful words. To Hyang and Sejong, especially to Hyang, Jang Yeong-sil was like MacGyvers utility knife. Even if I only made a rough concept drawing and handed it over, a proper blueprint and model were created before I knew it. Most of Hyangs many inventions, which are already considered legends in the world, were revealed to the world through Jang Yeong-sils hands. You have weakened rapidly since yourst visit to our headquarters. Itsrgely my fault. Sejong shook his head at Hyangs self-reproach. Thats not it. Even though he himself did not know his exact date of birth. I just knew that he must have been in his 70s. And when I was young, I suffered from governmentbor, and as I got older, I continued to work in a ce overflowing with strong fire and iron energy so I said that it was time for me to go. Did you see thest of him yourself? Sejong nodded to Hyangs question. Even though I came from a problematic background, I was more loyal than anyone else, so if I dont go, who will? In particr, he was the one who had no children or wives other than the disciples he taught Jang Yeong-sils existence was truly mysterious both in history before Hyang intervened and in history afterward. There was no record of when he was born or when he died, and there was no information about his family. Still, I have a lot of regrets. I wonder if there will be someone with that level of skill in the future Sejong smiled slightly at Hyangs words. If you go to Shinji, you will be able to see Jang Yeong-silsst work. yes? Please tell me in detail what you mean. There is something that will be the end of Jang Yeong-sil and the beginning of the emperor. Of course, there will be some headaches due to budget issues. At Hyangs words, Sejong just smiled and said something he didnt know what he meant. * * * May, Year 11 of the Imperial Calendar (1459). The selection ceremony took ce right before Dano. With the Manjo White Crown gathered in the front yard of Geunjeongjeon, Hyang handed over the throne to Wan. After the ceremony, the front yard of Geunjeongjeon was transformed into a banquet hall. It was a banquet attended by not only members of the imperial family but also officials. In the center of the banquet hall, courtesans who were considered the best in the entire empire were showing off their singing and dancing skills. Among the most popr courtesans at entertainment centers that have now bemonce in Liaodong, these were the courtesans that Anpyeong, who had already earned the nickname Duke of Entertainment, selected again. While the attendees were having fun watching the songs and dances of courtesans whose beauty could be considered one of the few in the empire, a different atmosphere was being created at the head of the table. Are you leaving in two days? In response to Wans question, Hyang nodded slightly. exactly. We have already sent our luggage, so we will be leaving in two days. So now it will be difficult to see you often? Its a shame. Hyang smiled and epted Wans words. It wouldnt be a good thing for the Emperor to see me often, would you? . Wan closed his mouth at Hyangs words. As Hyang said, among the situations that had to be moved to Shinji, the only good thing was the national wedding that would be held by his eldest son, who was now crowned crown prince. In that case, most of the rest were rted to the safety of the empire and could not be decided on ones own and would require the advice of the person in charge. After seeing Wans expression, Hyang added. It is not good for the emperor that I have toe often while he is in Shinji. All decisions must be made by the emperor alone. If I or Tae Sang-tae intervene, it will only undermine the imperial authority. Wan bowed his head and responded to Hyangs advice. I will keep this in mind. Not long after, Wan, who was moderately drunk, asked Hyang a question. Anyway Since Shinji is sorge, there must be a lot of ces to experiment with flying machines and monks, right? I guess there are a lot. Wans eyes lit up at Hyangs answer. Im looking forward to 10 years from now! Hyang smiled mischievously at Wans words and asked back. Is it really possible in 10 years? What do you mean by that? Hyang continued his exnation by pointing fingers. Lets see The crown prince is 10 years old this year, so he has 4 years toe of age, plus at least 2 more years toplete the entire curriculum, and the time it takes to get married and see his ancestors This is heaven. Its up to you to decide, so lets move on. In any case, 6 years from now will have to pass before you will be in charge of management of the research institute and Area 51, and wont you have to endure there for at least 5 years before you can move on to proxy administration? Plus, it takes at least 5 years to watch Daejeongjeong hmmm at least 16 years? But if youre going to set a time limit, wouldnt it be better to just cut it to 20 years instead of cutting it prematurely? Then its 20 years. Wan just blinked at the calction of the scent. Of course, deep inside, I was furiously calcting to refute Hyangs calctions. shit! There are no empty corners! Theres an empty corner Wan, who was furiously racking his brain to find a loophole, soon smiled in remorse. I will have to issue a ban on marriage throughout the empire soon. Why the golden marriage order? If the crown prince gets married early and looks after his ancestors, wouldnt it be easier for him to do things from now on? . Hyang closed her mouth at Wans words and grumbled inwardly. If this continues, wont child marriage be a royal tradition? Interestingly enough, the scent prediction came true. Even as time passed andte marriage became the trend, the imperial family promoted marriage as soon as a person became an adult. Meanwhile, Sejong, who was sitting next to him and listening to the conversation between Wan and Hyang, burst outughing. ha ha ha! Now this bastard knows how I feel! The guy who always escaped like a loach ended up getting hit! ha ha ha! It was Sejong who could not hold back hisughter. * * * Three monthster, Hyang finally arrived at Shinji. It took four months even though I was on a sailboat I guess Ill have to work on a steam engine. The scent from the ship lightly rxed and grumbled. It was not a direct flight from Wonsan to Shinji, but a voyage that included time to visit the northern inds, including Daeseoldo, to meet residents andfort officials. It took four months, including times when we were stranded due to bad weather. However, even considering all that, four months was too long, and thepany chose to improve the steam engine as a solution to this problem. After arriving at Chosi, the bridgehead of Shinji, and resting from their travels, Hyang and his party soon began moving toward the east. The good news was that there was a railway line from Chosi to Mishigama (Indian name for Michigan), the center of the east. What Tae Sang-tae ced the most emphasis on was the construction of railroads. To properly digest Shinji, you definitely need a railroad. Hyang, who was nodding at the officials exnation, looked at Jinpyeong, who was studying the map right next to him. What do you think is best to do? Jinpyeong, who was looking at the map, answered Hyangs question right away. First of all, I think we need to expand the east-west crossing railway connecting Shinji and Misagama. Nowadays, iron horses travel on a single line. Right now, there is only one iron horse going back and forth per day, so there is no big problem, but if we think about the future, we need to at least expand it to a double track. That would be natural. Then whats the problem? Jinpyeong answered Hyangs question right away. Its a matter of manpower. The problem is manpower, not budget? There is no big problem with the budget because there ispensationing from people, but manpower is a problem. Construction in the North is not yet finished, and more and more manpower must be sent to Suez. We dont have enough manpower. At Jinpyeongs point, Hyang looked back at the officials present. It seems like the people who built this railroad will be fine, but are they keeping their workforce in good hands? yes. Experienced people are kept in charge of maintenance. And if additional manpower is needed, we can increase the number as quickly as possible. The people of Shinji love working on the railroad. In response to the officials answer, Hyang immediately asked back. Is it a monopoly? This is the exclusive store. Chapter 721 Episode 721: Seonwi (3) Thanks to the monopoly, the natives fortunes are progressing smoothly. Is that so? Hyang, who was studying the report while listening to the officials exnation, burst intoughter. This is it Was the report I received from Seoul an understatement? The information written in the report that Hyang was now checking went beyond what he had received in Seoul. If the report arriving in Seoul had recorded only brief details such as the number of monopoly stores increasing and the changes in revenue and expenditures earned through monopoly stores and those that were in deficit and those that were converted to surplus C although it was a thick book in several volumes C it would be now. What Hyang was seeing was recorded in more detail. This is it Hyang, who was checking the contents of the report, was at a loss for words. This cannot be considered a simple monopoly. The official nodded immediately at Hyangs evaluation. I think what His Majesty said is the most urate. Hyang, who was listening to the officials words and checking information rted to the monopoly, was lost in thought. How should I say this? Not only is it the center of transactions, but it also serves as the central base for politicalmunication and security * * * As Hyang said, Shinjis monopoly store had many differencespared to our magazines monopoly office. The only thing they had inmon was that they sold monopoly products such as salt, candy and pepper, as well as products from the private sector, and that the size of the monopoly stores and how many locations to set up were determined by the size of the poption. Shinjis monopoly had more roles. Their traditional role was to familiarize the people with the market economy by selling monopoly items and other products, understand the public sentiment through the people who came and went to the monopoly stores, and find out what the peoples lifestyles were like by looking at their consumption patterns. There was something else added to Shinjis monopoly. First, it was a garrison and supply depot for the imperial army. The imperial army stationed in Xinji was an organization centered on cavalry and artillery, almost identical to the organization operated by the empire in the Liaodong region. In order to reliably subdue arge area with a small unit, the correct answer was to have strong mobility and firepower. The problem was that proper supply was essential to operate it smoothly. In order for war horses to exert their strength properly, they had to be fed proper feed, not just grass. The same was true for the guns and artillery used by cavalrymen and artillerymen. There had to be sufficient bullets and gunpowder that were properly managed in a proper management facility. And the ce that made this possible was the monopoly where supplies were regrly supplied. Of course, the imperial army did not unconditionally live in the monopoly. There were people everywhere targeting monopoly stores full of salt, candy, spices, etc. This was the same in Shinji. No, in Shinji, that desire was even stronger. Not only salt and candy spices that I had never tasted before, but even fabric so soft that I couldnt believe it was made by humans. Thanks to this, in the early days of establishing the monopoly, we had to fight against the natives who attempted to plunder us. However, as the imperial army took hold, the monopoly was secured. The second was a ce for political consultation. This second role arose as an addition to the first role. Shinjis monopoly store, like ours, had its operating scale and number of stores determined by poption size. Inrge tribal associations such as the Iroquois Confederation, about 10 monopoly offices were established, but in areas where minority tribes were located in the outskirts, 2 to 5 tribes were grouped together and operated by one monopoly office. Although there were differences, the standards for instation location were the same. -A ce with easy transportation and a source of drinking water nearby. Retail outlets established ording to these standards have be the best ces for people to meet. When people gathered like that, dissonance of one kind or another was bound to arise, and it was natural for the political leaders of the tribe to gather at the monopoly and talk to resolve it. However, what is interesting is that just as there were few cases of good rtions between countries bordering each other, the rtions between tribes that were close to each other were not smooth. Even though they were branch tribes branching out of onerge tribe, there were some who growled whenever they met. Because of this situation, it was not umon for minority tribes to take out their weapons whenever they met. This was where the imperial army shined. There were no idiots taking out weapons in ces where the Imperial Army was stationed. The imperial army went one step further and allowed natives entering the monopoly to use the monopoly only if they handed over their weapons to the imperial army. And Sejong was not the type to just ignore this situation. King Sejong immediately applied the imperial armys monopoly stationing to all monopoly stations being established in the new area. Through this process, the empires control over the noble tribes was strengthened. Following that, they even pushed for a policy of turning the monopoly into a demilitarized zone (excluding the imperial forces). And the empire was dispatched to protest against the tribes that refused. However, some tribes rejected King Sejongs policy until the end, using force against the messengers sent by King Sejong, and King Sejong mercilessly suppressed these tribes. Of course, these hard-line measures were not the only measures taken. He brought together political leaders C chiefs, elders, warriors and shamans C of tribes that were already wealthy as well as tribes struggling over wealth, held a banquet and negotiated, and seeded in coordinating the conflict by acting as a mediator between the tribes in conflict. In this process, not only King Sejong but also Empress Soheon yed a major role. In most Native American tribes, especially the Iroquois Confederacy, women also held considerable political power. Queen Soheon invited the eldest mothers of these tribes to chat with them and build friendships. By using the monopoly, King Sejong was able to secure a firm grip on Shinjis political control. * * * Hyang, who understood the situation up to this point, looked serious and muttered. Tae Sang-tae left us a very difficult homework. The official who heard Hyangs murmur nodded without realizing it. Although it was only 10 years, King Sejong created a solid foundation for Shinji. And the officials of Shinji, who saw it right next to them, were busy sticking their tongues out every time. This is indeed the situation! The elders stories about the situation were not exaggerated! The officials of Shinji, who had seen and experienced King Sejong in person, were looking at Hyang, who took charge of Shinji after King Sejong, with a mixture of anticipation and worry. Danggeums situation is said to be as talented as Taesangs, but is it really Shinjis situation ispletely different from the main site, but is it really Whether or not he knew the feelings of Shinjis officials, Hyang came up with his own n. There is definitely a problem with relying solely on force. There are limits to supplying troops from the headquarters. And there is a significant possibility that Europe will cross the Antic within 10 years at the earliest. Even without Columbus. Hyang, who clearly knew that history had changed significantly due to his intervention, was confident that the advance of Europe would be faster than expected. The answer is to attract indigenous people to the military. For this purpose, unauthorized rule is the worst move. The problem is that we need to expand Shinjis territory at the same time Hmm What? Hyang, who was thinking about the future, sighed without realizing it. Whoa~. The door to suffering is wide open. I think Taehyang made up his mind and took action? The scent seemed to show King Sejong smiling mischievously. And this was true to some extent. Before Hyang left for Shinji, he exined his n to King Sejong. At that time, King Sejong mainly listened and did not give much advice. I wrote it briefly in the report on the situation, but He only started things like that every now and then to prevent him from going too far. In the end, Hyang arrived at Shinji and wrapped his head on the iron horse heading to Mishushigama. Jinpyeong said something indifferently at the sight of that scent. Thats why you can see Taesang well, right? He always did what he was told to do and stayed in Area 51 and the researchb whenever he had the chance Isnt it probably because he was worried that he would do the same thing here as well? At those words, Hyang gritted his teeth and epted the words. Jinpyeong. Would you like to open that door and go out for a moment? The iron horse is running now, so you want me to open the door and get out? huh. Jinpyeong immediately fell t on his face at Hyangs short answer. Ill just keep my mouth shut and work on the railroad n! Hyang, who was ring at Jinpyeong, who immediately buried his nose in the map, sighed again. Whoa~. I cant help it. I have no choice but to do it right. Because Tae Sang-tae is not the kind of person who would leave impossible homework. Everyone knew that although the work King Sejong entrusted was always difficult, nothing was impossible. Therefore, although Hyang grumbled, he did not lose motivation. * * * With that in mind, Hyang took in the surrounding scenery with a much more rxed mind and enjoyed Shinjimans food. The taste of the soup is unique, isnt it? Its unusual, but it doesnt taste bad. The hostess who ced the food in response to Hyangs evaluation smiled brightly and responded. This is a stew made using meat rice cakes made by the people of Shinji. Meat rice cake? When the scent showed curiosity, Sooksu exined in more detail. Meat rice cakes are made by making beef jerky from the flesh of bison or deer, mixing it with grain powder, and kneading it with hardened oil. After listening to Sooksus exnation, Hyang soon discovered its identity. Pemmican? Did you end up eating real orthodox pemmican, not factory made? Not bad? After eating a few more spoonfuls of soup, Hyang continued his evaluation. No matter how much the soybean paste is boiled, it doesnt have as much vor as I expected. It seems like your skills are good. At Hyangs praise, Suksu smiled brightly and bowed his head. Thats too much praise. The ingredients were good. When I first encountered meat rice cake, I thought a lot about how to cook it. But the meat rice cakes thate out these days have almost no vor to enjoy. is it? In response to Hyangs reaction, the official next to him added ament. There are rumors that the Imperial Navy also wants to purchase it inrge quantities. If we seed in supplying the military, there will be people among the residents of the new area who are as wealthy as the rich people in the main area. Hoo? how? When the scent showed curiosity, the official excitedly exined the reason. Imperials who first encountered meat duck had a hard time enjoying its vor. Its easy to eat, but the smell is a bit strong. No matter how much meat it is, the smell is too strong. The taste is so boring! Even though he continued toin, the imperial people could not throw away the meat rice cakes. This was due to the unique habit of imperial people who were sincere when it came to eating. Besides, its meat! meat! In the end, the people of the empire started boiling soup to enjoy it even a little bit. The people of the empire looked happy after eating the soup made with soybean paste and seasoned with vegetables found nearby. okay! This is what it tastes like! Chapter 722 Episode 722: Seonwi (4) This soup began to spread throughout the newnd following the imperial army and the monopoly, and many natives also tasted this soup. It tastes like this! Since the natives were also not ignorant of the taste, it wasnt long before dishes simr to jangguk began to circte among the natives. Meanwhile, some of the natives with a talent for cooking began adding salt and spices to the pemmican they made, imitating the beef jerky produced in the empire. So meat rice cakes with various vors began to appear. Hyang began to show more and more curiosity at Sooksus exnation. Do native people like spices? There are people who have not encountered it yet, but there is no one who has eaten it just once. Surprisingly. Sooksu exined Hyangs words in more detail. When indigenous people make meat rice cakes, they buy fruits instead of grain powder. However, if you look at these fruits, you will see that although some of them fill the stomach, there are also some that are added to satisfy the enjoyment. Hyang nodded at Sooksus exnation as if she finally understood. Is this the same as the vinegar we often use here? Thats right. Hyang, who had been nodding repeatedly to Suksus exnation, asked a question to the official next to him. You mentioned military service earlier, and Im curious about the process. Let me tell you. The beginning was. * * * Native people who came into contact with spices through monopoly stores began to actively use them when making pemmican. The people of the empire who saw this and tasted the newly created pemmican all nodded and said simr things. I heard people have different tastes. I thought Shinji people had very unique tastes. The imperial people who tasted the new pemmican soon realized one thing. Is this fun? yes? Its not even ours The vor of pemmican, newly created by indigenous people, was subtly different depending on the tribe that made it or who made it. It was simr to how the soybean paste and soy sauce made at home in the Imperial headquarters tasted slightly different from home to home. Soon, obtaining and tasting various types of pemmican from nearby tribes became a new pastime among the people living in the newnd. And the imperial cavalry stationed in Shinji began to use this pemmican asbat rations. Preserved foods such as pemmican were not unfamiliar to the Imperial cavalry. There was dry food made and distributed by the local government right away, and there was also beef jerky that I personally purchased. And if you look a little further away, there was Bortz that was introduced during the Mongol invasion. Thanks to this, the imperial cavalry became familiar with pemmican faster than other imperial troops. The wagons carrying the saddles and supplies of the Imperial cavalry on long-distance patrols always had sacks containing pemmican. Eating hot stew made with pemmican in a vast in or dense forest was another delicacy. And the stew made with pemmican was like a notice to nearby tribes announcing the arrival of the imperial cavalry. This was because the smell of soybean paste used in the soup could be smelled from far away. Thanks to this, not only the tribes that were noble to the empire, but also the tribes that were not yet noble were able to smell this soup and prepare it. And the imperial cavalry used this very cleverly. It was used as a distraction when going to subdue tribes that were hostile to the empire. The imperial cavalry reced meals by putting dried dry food in their mouths and drinking water, or sent a small detachment to the other side to boil stew and spread the smell. In this way, the hostile tribes were confused about the location of the imperial cavalry. Afterwards, the imperial cavalry put muzzles on their horses, put on galoshes on their hooves, and approached the hostile tribes while moving slowly and making no noise. The best tactic used by the imperial cavalry stationed in Shinji was to approach secretly and strike the back of the head of a hostile tribe that was caught off guard or distracted. A small entertainment soon arose among the Imperial cavalry, who had be ustomed to pemmican. The n was to take turns eating the pemmican made by the tribes in their area and evaluate its taste. And this gradually expanded its scope and developed into a situation where it was exchanged for the pemmican eaten by other imperial troops. And after some time, it was discovered that the pemmican made by certain tribes suited the tastes of the imperial people. If I do this well, will I make money? Imperial troops and officials who smelled money here contacted the tribe and signed a supply contract. In addition, the mixing ratio of pemmican produced by the tribe was registered as intellectual property. Not only that, but some pemmicans that were particrly well-received were even distributed inrge quantities throughout the new territory by resellers. * * * Hyang, who had heard the exnation up to that point, could not hide his curiosity and continued to ask questions. As far as I know, indigenous people have almost no concept of owning property or wealth. Dont they? The official answered Hyangs question with a slightly embarrassed expression. It was like that at first. However, as more and more people became ustomed to using monopoly stores and became imperial officials and soldiers, they became very familiar with the concepts of property and wealth. If we look at the current situation, it is verymon for natives to think faster than most imperial people. Hyang muttered to himself at the officials answer. After all, the power of capitalism! Hyang, who was emptying the soup bowl while admiring the powerful influence of the monopoly, muttered to himself when he learned another fact. This is it At least theres one more reason to push down to Mexico. I need to get some peppers too. Pepper or pepper alone could not match the spicy and sharp taste unique to pepper. Therefore, it was a scent that made me feel the need to move south again. For rubber, we looked for something simr in India, but it wasnt profitable. It is difficult to discuss the profitability of using dandelion sap, which I saw on the Inte in the 21st century, unless DNA maniption is involved. The starting point for peppers, along with potatoes and sweet potatoes, is the town down there The only conclusion is Namjin. * * * The incense arrived in Mishgama two months and ten days after departing from Chosi on an iron horse. Arriving at Mishgama, the scenting from the iron horse made me rx my stiff back and stick out my tongue. Its a veryrge piece ofnd. Its a town that takes almost a day to cross from east to west even if you take a ne Jinpyeong, who was also rxing his stiff body next to him, nodded at Hyangs words. That is certainly true. They said the Bukjido isrge, but Shinji is a ce of apletely different level. I think we need to pay attention not only to the iron, but also to the iron horse. In the main branch, it was considered very fast, and in the northern area, it felt a little slow, but here, the speed of a turtle is that of an older brother Hyang nodded at Jinpyeongsint. * * * Even after the iron horse became a full-fledged means of transportation, steady improvements continued. The most important thing was durability, followed by speed. After constant improvement, the iron horse boasted overwhelming durability and reliabilitypared to the famous iron horse. No, it was more urate to say that the quality of the iron horses made by the Ming Dynasty was very poorpared to those made by the Empire. In any case, the next task for Cheolma, which had secured reliability, was speed. Through constant improvements in materials, the speed of the iron horse was able to be maintained steadily from 180 ri per hour to 200 ri per hour. If converted to metric system, the speed increased from 36 km/h to 40 km/h. Of course, if overloaded, the speed could go up to 70-80 per hour, but stable operation could not be guaranteed. The iron horses that arrived in Shinji were improved iron horses like this. However, the enormous area of Shinji turned these iron horses into turtles. * * * While nodding to Jinpyeongs grumbling, Hyang passionately defended Cheolma. The iron horse was slow, but shouldnt the time it stopped in the middle also be taken into ount? As Hyang said, it was not a non-stop journey from Chosi to Mishgama. We had to stop three times a day for a meal, spending at least half a hour (about an hour) each time. Among the carriages connected to the iron horse, 4 were for kitchen use C 1 car was for incense and important guests, another car was for guard troops and courtdies, and another car was for low-level officials, and another car was for dishwashing, and thest car was for drinking water and water storage. And even though I prepared meals in advance while driving, that time was wasted. In addition, to ensure safe travel, operations were stopped at night. When the sun went down, a tent was set up next to the stopped iron horse, and Hyang and his group went to sleep there. Additionally, to ensure the health of the ship, it stopped operating for one day every ten days and rested. As a result, it took two months and ten days from Chosi to Mishgama. * * * Even so, it is too slow. In order for the iron horse to establish itself properly in Shinji, its speed must be even faster than it is now. I heard that when creating the specifications for the railway on which the iron horse runs now, His Majesty the King expected a speed several times faster than this. Hyang responded to Jinpyeongs words with a slightly bitter smile. I did. However, since the standard was set using a scaled model without proper actual measurements, the error will be significant. When railroad tracks were firstid across the country, the speed of trains familiar to the 21st century was used as the standard. Of course, it was not as fast as KTX, but the speed of a typical diesel train. No narrow gauge! Even if you lose a lot of money, you have to start right from the start! If you do it wrong, youll look like Japan! Hyang, who had learned about the problems of Japanese railways through the Inte C most of them, except for the Shinkansen, were narrow gauge, making them unable to transport logistics efficiently C insisted on broad gauge. The problem was that although I knew the term broad gauge, I did not know the exact specifications. To solve this problem, Hyang created a scale model of an iron horse with various lengths of track (the distance between the left and right wheels of a wheel) and began experiments by creating model railroad tracks with various curvatures and widths. Of course, it was not possible to test all cases, so we had to create 5 iron horse models and 10 railway models to conduct repeated experiments and create calction forms based on the data obtained from these. Of course, this was a form created through the blood, sweat, and tears of the institutes researchers. However, Sunji Lee was very happy. The specifications of the railway determined through the calction form could theoretically run up to 500 ri (100 km per hour) per hour. And Jinpyeong pointed this out. * * * But wouldnt it be faster than now? Thats right. Then you have to study it. Budget is the problem. I understand that arge portion of thepensation from Ming will go to Shinji? Isnt there a lot of room to write about? You have to save it. In response to Hyangs response, Jinpyeong looked at Hyang with strange eyes. Why are you looking at me like that? What Sangwang always told Tae Sanghang was about time and budget You bastard! Chapter 723 Episode 723: Seonwi (5) After bickering with Jinpyeong and lightly rxing, Hyang got on a horse and headed to Shinji Temporary Pce. I said it was quiterge Hyang couldnt hide his curiosity as he headed towards the temporary pce, which was about 5 ri (2 km) away. * * * After discovering Shinji and securing a bridgehead now called Chosi, the empire C Joseon at the time C began construction work to strengthen the bridgehead. The soldiers working on the construction work at the time had to cut down trees like crazy. Now just looking at the ax makes me sick! An enormous amount of logging had to be done in Chosi, to the point where this rumor was widely circted among engineers. This was because the surrounding area was all woond. The problem was the size of the woond. The forest area of Shinji was so enormous that it easily surpassed the cognitive realm of the people of the empire. The forest area north of Dongbing Port was also amazing, but Shinji seems to be several times that size. It was so vast that even seasoned veterans who participated in the construction of Dongbing Port and the subsequent exploration of the northern forest area were left speechless. However, even with theseints pouring in, logging could not be stopped. This was because space was needed to store supplies sent from the maind. There are two ways. One is to fill up the sea and the other is to cut down all those damn trees. Which one should I take? Upon hearing the words of the executives in charge of administrative supply, the soldiers immediately shut their mouths and picked up saws and axes. The trees that were cut down to create space for residence were dried well and then transformed into materials for building buildings. From this point on, things got interesting. * * * I dont think there will be enough ster for this? The same goes for rebar. yes? However, we cannot reduce food, medicine, and gunpowder. On the maind, ster and rebar had reced wood as the main building materials. However, it was inconvenient to use ster and rebar in the new area, which was too far away to receive supplies from the maind. And even at the beginning of the development of the newnd, there were more hostile tribes than friendly tribes, so it was not possible to reduce the supply of ammunition. In the end, themanders had no choice but toe to a conclusion. Lets just build it out of wood! Because the tree is everywhere! Fortunately, among the lower and mid-level officers in the engineering unit, there were many people who had worked as carpenters or masons. This was natural, because from the beginning of the establishment of the engineering unit, the township actively recruited carpenters and masons. And because there was so much wood and stone everywhere, they were so excited that they started building buildings. The quality of the wood is this good! In the maind, you couldnt even dream of building a house with wood like this unless you were quite rich! I cant believe I can use such great ingredients for free! Oh, thats good! The decisions of high-ranking executives and officials also yed a role. It is certain that more and more supplies and people will arrive in the future, so build big while you are building! yes! Not enough space? Then cut down some more trees! yes! ording to the decisions of high-ranking people, the buildings of Chu Shi boasted a considerable size from the beginning. Afterwards, as the eastward movement began,rge forts and garrisons were built along the way. Through this process, the skills of the carpenters and masons in the engineering unit improved greatly. Thanks to this, the further east you go, the more magnificent and sophisticated the buildings were built. It didnt just be bigger and grander. Even in the case of defense facilities, they were maderge and strong using wood, earth and stones. These buildings also had an unexpected effect: the nearby tribes who saw the magnificent buildings began to be friendly. Have you been to where the Thunder n stays? How can they build such big buildings? At the time, it was safe to say that the standard of living of the natives of North America, unlike that of the natives of Central and South America, was almost at the Neolithic level. Most of them lived in tents made from the skins of bison and deer. A small number of tribes built houses using wood, dirt, and stones, but in the absence of bronze, let alone iron, it was difficult to build structures that were limited to huts. In such a situation, just looking at the magnificent buildings and fortresses built by the imperial army was intimidating. Because of this, the surrounding tribes bowed their heads and began toe in. And the pinnacle of this change was the temporary pce built in Mishgama. * * * The further east we went, the more dense and hard wood the woond trees became. The solid hulls of American ships, which became infamous during the US-British War in history before the intervention of the township, were made from lumber harvested in this eastern region. Thanks to this, it was very easy to obtain the best building materials as long as they were properly trimmed. The decisive moment was the discovery of the Great Lakes (now the Great Lakes region). Since it was an area with many resource areas nearby and the east coast was just a little further east, King Sejong decided to make this the center of newnd development. Of course, the abundant vor of MSG also yed a role. You cant miss the Rust Belt! Since Sejongs decision had been made, the New Land Pioneer Corps carefully considered where to build a base city. I suddenly became an ambassador for martial arts! Then is this the Wangsimni seal? Although it was half-joking and half-serious, the pioneering team searched around Daeho-gun with the mindset of Ambassador Muhak looking for a new capital. After much deliberation, the ce we decided on was Mishgama. Mishgama, which means rge water and abundant water in the indigenousnguage, borders four of the five Great Lakes. A railroad will be built anyway, but until then, water transportation is avable, so its the best area. Its also good because theke itself serves as a natural defense facility. Having established themselves in this way, the pioneering group began to clearly establish a connection road to the bridgehead ter named Choshi) and began to erect buildings. After receiving the report, King Sejong sent arge-scale development team, further speeding up the construction of Mishgama. In particr, with therge-scale arrival of craftsmen for the construction and operation of Area 52, which was modeled after Area 51, Mishgama officials had a big picture in mind. Lets create a city that will not bepared to Hanseong C current Seoul! Thats great! Its going to be recorded anyway! I have to write my name properly at least once! As a country of records, the empire recorded the names of all involved people without exception in all administrative tasks. There were widespread rumors that King Sejong would move to Shinji and takemand after his election. And it was clear that the management of Shinji would not stop with Sejong, as the situation remained in Shinji. -Then lets do it clearly from the start! The problem was money. However, there was wood everywhere and the necessary steel was supplied by craftsmen who hade to build Area 52, so it seemed like a solution to some extent was possible. The issue of minerals to supply to artisans could be easily solved by coaxing the surrounding tribes. After much consideration, the officials and soldiers came to the conclusion that it was quite possible. Okay, lets do it! lets go! * * * Because of that development background, Hyang was curious about the temporary pce built in Mishgama. And when Hyang arrived at the main gate of the temporary pce, her mouth widened. This is a temporary pce? The official answered Hyangs question with a face full of pride. Thats right. Its quite spacious. Yes, its a bit spacious! Hyang muttered to himself at the officials answer. The Forbidden City looks shabby. How big is it? It is 5 ri (about 2 km) from east to west and 6 ri (about 2.4 km) from north to south. Hyang shook his head in response to the officials answer. Did the Cheonjo-guk scalee from a lump ofnd, not from a person? If it had grown a little more, it would have been as big as the whole of Seoul! Hyang, who was shaking his head at the unimaginable scale, asked the official. Isnt it too big? As it increased work efficiency, it grew in size. Work efficiency? Yes, because the administrative buildings and the imperial military garrison are located close together, it has grown in size. So, the buildings of the six dynasties, the pce, and the military garrison that defends Mishgama are all there? Thats right. It grew in size as we added a ce for people living outside to take refuge in case of emergency. Hyang nodded at the officials exnation. Its quite reasonable I understand. Lets go in. yes. your majesty. Guided by the official, Hyang and his party headed to the main gate of the temporary pce. insect! After passing through the main gate while receiving a military salute from the soldiers guarding the main gate, Hyang shook his head again as he looked at the straight street. I guess Ill have to ride a horse around the pce too. For reasons of cleanliness and efficiency, we are nning to operate a circr carriage. Circle carriage? yes. In response to the officials answer, Hyang shook his head again and shouted inwardly. Abama! What on earth have you made? * * * Hyang arrived at the inner pce and main pce and immediately gave an order to the official as soon as he unpacked his luggage. Please bring the map of Mishgama. From Yeodog to Pushim. Yeodog is Yeodog and work is one thing. Bring it with you. Yes, Your Majesty. After checking therge map the official brought, Hyang muttered with an embarrassed smile. This is it, Won Hearing Hyangs muttering, the official hesitated for a moment and then held out a letter to Hyang. Something? If His Majesty Sang-tae finds the map first, here is a letter left by Tae Sang-tae telling him to forward it to His Majesty Sang-tae. After receiving the letter from the official, Hyang opened the envelope and took out the letter. The content, which was clearly written by King Sejong, was short and concise. -I didnt start it. It just fanned the mes. Hahaha. Hyang burst outughing with a helpless expression, looked at the map, and gave an order to the official. Tell Duke Jinpyeong toe. Yes, Your Majesty. After sending the official out, Hyang red at the map and sighed. Whoa~. Rather than an east-west crossing railway, we should first build a circr railway within the city. I never thought I woulde across a situation where the saying I dont know how high the sky is, I only know how wide thend is. * * * Have you called me? As soon as Jinpyeong arrived, Hyang pointed to the map and got to the point. First, we need to build a railroad that goes around Mishgama. yes? When Jinpyeong expressed his doubts, Hyang pointed to the map with his finger. What the Jinpyeong, who suppressed the curse that was about to burst out as soon as he saw the map, looked back toward the vige. I didnt see this map on the way here. Why are you showing me this now? Im not like that. yes? Jinpyeong, who was expressing doubts, soon let out a long sigh. It seems like Tae Sang-tae really didnt want toe back to Seoul. I agree. It was King Sejongs small revenge for having to return to Seoul even though he wanted to stay in Shinji. The brothers sighed as they looked at the map and soon came to a conclusion. I think we need to abandon the concepts of distance and weight that we were used to in Seoul. Thats right. I thought this was too ridiculous of Shinjis size. Yodong was great, but here even Yodong looks ridiculous. Chapter 724 Episode 724 Jang Yeong-sils Legacy (1) Its wide, but its damn wide. Hyang, who was working at the temporary pce, cursed without realizing it. As he said, Temporary Pce was muchrger than Gyeongbokgung Pce. Thanks to this, if there was an urgent meeting or call in addition to regrly held meetings, the eunuchs or monks who delivered the information had to ride horses to the government building where the officials worked. The same was true for the incense-eating sura. Because there were rtively, as well as absolutely, small numbers of people working scattered all over the ce, amunal cafeteria was set up, and when it was time for meals, officials, regardless of their rank or rank, had to gather in the cafeteria to eat. The good news is that we are already familiar with the restaurant Since the Of course, no matter how used to it, eating with high-ranking people, including the head of the household, was an extremely difficult task, so the dining car was divided into two. Hyangs grumbles continued over the mercilessly wide temporary pce. The problem is that we are expanding from here. This guys mouth is so reckless Hyang med herself for making a big deal out of it by using her mouth without thinking. * * * The incident started when I was looking at the map of the Shinji Temporary Pce and the city area built in Mishgama. While Hyang and Jinpyeong were sighing while looking at the map of the temporary pce and the city area, which boasted a muchrger scale than expected, the officials next to them asked Hyang with their eyes shining. I am asking you, Your Majesty. How big is the Temporary Pcepared to the Forbidden City of Ming? huh? Have you never seen the Forbidden City? The official answered Hyangs question with a humble smile. I dont have much experience, and I belong to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Development, which has no connection to any ministry And hasnt regr envoy travel disappeared since the Qingjegeonwon? Oh, I see. Hyang nodded at the officials answer. * * * As Gyeongjang progressed, all envoy travel became the exclusive responsibility of the royal family, andter the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Of course, depending on the nature and importance of the envoys, high-ranking officials from other ministries were in charge of government and administrative affairs, but the middle-level and low-level officials who made up the envoys belonged to the royal rites. In addition, after the war ended and Joseon became the Korean Federal Empire, this kind of meandering itself disappeared. This was because, starting with the calendar, all the things that had to be received from the Ming became independent of the empire. Therefore, it was natural that young officials with about 10 years of experience, like the officials who asked the question now, or officials who were not affiliated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, did not know much about the Forbidden City. * * * Compared to the Forbidden City Hyang muttered, stroking his chin in response to the officials reply. The first impression was that the Forbidden City was shabby Hyang, who had been remembering for a moment and makingparisons, answered the official. If you look at the castle alone, Shinji Temporary Pce is much bigger. But in terms of imperial castles, I think the Forbidden City is a little bigger. yes? I asked this once when I went to the Forbidden City. I heard that from Tiananmen in the south to Jianmen in the north, it is almost 8 ri (approximately 3.2km), and that the east and west are almost the same. In that sense, it would be a bit bigger than Haenggung Pce. Of course, if you consider the pce starting from the fifth gate located inside Tiananmen, the temporary pce would berger. Is that so? Thats right. The scent should have stopped here. However, a needlessly detailed exnation, which is a typical habit of a fanatic, continued. Isnt there an administrative building and military station inside Shinji Temporary Pce? If we think about that, we should expand the scope to the main gate south of Tiananmen. This is simr to Seoul. Gyeongbokgung Pce, the imperial castle of Seoul, should also be built not just at Gwanghwamun but also at Sungnyemun. Then Shinji Temporary Pce is not that bigpared to the Forbidden City and the Imperial Pce of Seoul Is that so Hyang, who saw the dejected officials, offered words offort. Dont be too discouraged. Still, Shinji Temporary Pce is by no means small. And do you know? Will I need to grow more in the future? At Hyangs words, the officials eyes sparkled and they asked Hyang. Did you say you would raise it more? I guess so? Considering Shinjis size, more people wille to Shinji in the future looking for opportunities. If that happens, the temporary pce and other government offices will need to be expanded in advance. ah! Thats right! After some time, the meeting ended and the officials bowed and went out. huh? Why didnt you go out? Do you have anything to say? Jinpyeong, who remained even though everyone else had left, carefully answered Hyangs question. I am telling you, Your Majesty, but it seems that Your Majesty has made this happen. huh? Two dayster, officials from Shinji came to Hyang. I ask for your Majestys approval! sanction? what? In response to Hyangs question, the officials opened arge piece of paper and answered in a loud voice. The second construction n for Shinji Temporary Pce is here! Eh? n 2? As the officials spoke, Hyang looked down at the unfolded paper. There, inrge letters, was written Shinji Temporary Pce Architectural Map. Hyang looked at the figures written on the drawing and looked at the officials. This is n 2? Thats right. So, are we going to rebuild Shinji Temporary Pce now? Its not about rebuilding it, its about building it properly ording to n 2. In addition, I would like to add that the temporary pce is now the third option. The officials exined in detail to the vige. * * * When the original n was first presented, King Sejong rejected it. It is too small for an imperial temporary pce. Come back and think about it again. At King Sejongs words, the officials immediately pointed out the problem. However, there is a significant shortage of materials and manpower needed for construction, including wood. Wouldnt it be better to mobilize the indigenous people, who are abundant in trees and manpower everywhere? So it seems like two birds with one stone? Are you talking about the natives? Were there just one or two natives who wanted to use the monopoly stores butined of frustration because they had nothing? The officials who immediately understood King Sejongs words bowed their heads and responded. I wille back and think about it. And considering work efficiency, it would be nice to have the administration building and military station under one roof. I will keep that in mind. If possible, try toe up with something suitable for the name Empire. The officials responded to King Sejongs subsequent order by bowing their heads again. I will do my best. And a monthter, King Sejong, who epted the second n, shook his head again. Not possible. Its too big this time. No, it doesnt suit Shinjis situation right now. Haona. Budget is the problem. There is not enough budget to build it like this. Lets think about it again. Yes But make sure to secure thend in case n 2 is promoted again. You mean when n 2 is promoted again? Sejong, seeing the expressions on the faces of the officials who did not properly understand, continued speaking. Think about Shinjis size. How many people will live on thisrgend? There is a situation to govern them and there is a court. As a child grows up, shouldnt the pce also get bigger, just as it wears bigger clothes? Only then did the officials understand King Sejongs words and responded by bowing their heads. I follow your orders. * * * This is how Shinji Temporary Pce was built in ordance with the third n. His Majesty the Great has also said the same thing that the Great Emperor has said, so wouldnt now be the right time? Budget issues can also be resolved withpensation received from Ming. No, construction must bepleted whilepensation is received to avoid budgetary pressure. The same goes for manpower issues. More and more people areing to our site, and the number of natives who are honoring us is also increasing rapidly. If you hire them and pay them, it can be a great help in helping them quickly establish themselves. Hmm Hyang, who was listening to the officials with his arms crossed, remained silent for a moment and then asked a question. This is to help establish a foundation for thoseing from the maind and the nobles Since the nobles are natives, isnt there already a certain level of foundation established? The foundation is at a level where survival is barely possible. What they give is for a better life. Therefore, only by providing adequate support can they settle down as citizens of the empire. At first, we took this lightly, but then it turned into a hostile force and even mobilized military force. I saw it in the report. Hmm Then, other than the temporary pce, what support measure did you have in mind? We are mobilizing for railroad construction. Is that okay too? Isnt it better? Since the expansion of the temporary pce is carried out in a small area, there is a high possibility that slums will be formed around the temporary pce if done incorrectly. But since railroad construction takes ce over arger area, isnt it possible to avoid poption density? The problem is the reseller. Establishing too many monopoly stores is also not good for operation. If you look at the Mishigama City construction map, you will see that it has already been divided into districts. If we make good use of Area 52 and the surrounding ins, we can minimize the number of slums. He waved a white g in response to the officials endless responses. I will consider it positively. Hwang Eun is devastated! Lets go out. After sending the officials away, Hyang pped his mouth and muttered. This guys mouth is so righteous! After so much self-criticism, Hyang looked back at the unfolded drawings and rted reports and examined possibilities. Its definitely not a bad thing. Whether it was peopleing from the main branch or noble people, the purpose was the same. -Living a little better. It was not a bad thing to hire people with this purpose and provide them with financial support. In addition, as officials said, it was a good opportunity for financial issues toe in aspensation was received from Ming. Compensation was both medicine and poison. It could be a medicine to strengthen the weak parts of the imperial economy, but if done incorrectly, it could cause price instability and ruin the imperial economy. As a way to solve this problem, it was decided to invest a significant amount of thepensation into newnd development. Therefore, if temporary pces and other infrastructure were built during the period in whichpensation payments were received, budget pressure could be avoided in the future. Its not a bad thing The results were positive, but Hyangs expression wasnt very good. Im sure Wani will be grumbling right now, and the Board of Audit and Inspection will do the same It was a visible sight that the officials of the Board of Audit and Inspection were writing appeals, saying, How dare the detached pce be bigger than the main pce! Whoa~. Still, I think it would be a good idea to do it. If the Board of Audit and Inspection whines, just suppress it based on the status of the situation. It was a scent that made me decide with a sigh, but it was still a scent that couldnt hide my difort. It seems like I was attacked by someone again. * * * ording to the decision of the township, arge-scale reconstruction of Shinji Temporary Pce began. To ensure smooth construction, many indigenous people as well as engineers were hired. The response from the natives was higher than expected because there was a course to teach woodworking skills to those who wanted it. Native people who saw the empires wooden houses wanted to build their own houses like that. However, the imperial carpenters were busy, and the natives, who had not only education but also practical skills, were an excellent alternative. Thanks to this, indigenous carpenters emerged as high-ie professionals in the new world. Chapter 725 Episode 725: Jang Yeong-sils Legacy (2) The reaction of Seoul upon receiving the n to rebuild Shinji Temporary Pce was almost simr to what Hyang had expected. Whoa~. How can you start such arge-scale project as soon as you leave? Wan sighed, holding the report in his hand. Wan looked at the report several times and sighed again. The Board of Audit and Inspection is going to be in an uproar. But since it is absolutely necessary, I will have no choice but to ignore whatever the Board of Audit and Inspection says this time. * * * And as Wan expected, an appeal was filed by the Board of Audit and Inspection criticizing the reconstruction of the temporary pce. The main point of the Board of Audit and Inspection was as follows. -We acknowledge the need to support natives and immigrants in new areas so that they can easily settle down. However, it is not right to focus on the reconstruction of Shinji Temporary Pce when there are many other alternative projects, including railways and roads. -From ancient times, it was said that the Sangjeo Okbae () was the beginning of the fall of a nation. Simple ivory chopsticks and jade bowls are like that, but what about an excessively huge pce? -Even if you look at all the precedents of ancient times and modern times, the pce of the subordinate kingdom has never beenrger than the pce of the upper kingdom. This is a huge disrespect. Wan, who received and read the Board of Audit and Inspections appeal, refuted it point by point. -In addition to the reconstruction of the temporary pce, it is also a good idea to provide settlement support throughrge-scale civil engineering projects such as the construction of railroads and roads. However, among those who immigrated to the new area, only a small number are familiar with civil engineering, and the natives do not even know how to use iron tools. The reconstruction of Haenggung Pce is the best ce for them to learn skills and gain experience. -Like the famous jade pear, it is natural to be wary of extravagance. However, most of the wood used in Haenggung Pce is from trees cut down nearby, and the same goes for the stone. Gold and silver are rarely used, so it is difficult to say that it is extravagant. -Shinji is not an inner city, but a stronghold of the empire. ording to the imperialw, discrimination between the main branch and other regions is prohibited, so what is the spirit of discussing internal affairs? -Lastly, Shinji is the pce where circumstances reside. Just as parents raise their children with respect, it is also natural for children to treat their parents with respect. That is filial piety. Are you trying to make me into an unfilial person? Thest two items of Wans answer left the Board of Audit and Inspection and its officials dumbfounded. -He vited the First Law, the biggestw of the empire, and attempted to make the emperor, the supreme being, an unfilial person. If Wan, the emperor, was determined, a cause was created that could cause a bloody storm. In the end, the Board of Audit and Inspection had no choice but to wave the white g. The thoughts of the minor gods were short-lived. Please forgive me. Tsk! I wish I knew. The Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection, who flinched at the sound of Wan clicking his tongue, continued speaking. It is true that the finances going into Sinji are considerable. Tsk! Have you forgotten who is currently staying in Shinji? At Wans point, the Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection made an expression of regret and bowed his head. Gods thoughts were short-lived. I just made a mistake because I was blinded by the huge budget. Please forgive me. Jim also knows very well what the duties of the Board of Audit and Inspection are. The finances for running the empire are taxes paid by the people, so it is the duty of the ministers to make sure they are not wasted. Sir, you know better than anyone else the importance of the budget as well as the duties of the ministers. So, the officialsments are just groundless. I apologize. If you apologize, dont create something to apologize for. What kind of waste of time is this? Tsk! The auditor general, who flinched at the sound of Wan clicking his tongue, simply bowed his head. The funny thing was that every time Wan clicked his tongue, all the subjects in Daejeon flinched. Ah-oh! The sound of that guy clicking his tongue! I thought you wouldnt listen anymore! Well, who raised the emperor of Tanggeum And who raised him Forcing down the goosebumps that appeared every time they clicked their tongues, the ministers aimed at the main character in question, the Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection. I saw. Why on earth do you say such useless things! Did you properly look at the n the situation sent you? I think Ill send you some tonics or a big bowl! Perhaps knowing how the ministers felt, Wan looked at the Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection with a grumpy expression. Since you are so worried about Shinjis business, how about going to Shinji and help the situation? The Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection, whose face turned white at Wans suggestion, answered in a trembling voice. So Sosin is too old to take on such heavy duties. I understand that among the ministers and vice-ministers currently sitting in Geunjeongjeon, Kyeong is one of the youngest. I have been sick since I was young Tsk! Thats it! Theres nothing we can do if youre sick! Hearing Wans words, the Auditor General sighed inwardly. The crisis is over. But Wans attack was not over. By the way, isnt it the job of the Board of Audit and Inspection to look at everything in government affairs and find mistakes? But if you are that sick, will you be able to see it properly? My indifference could lead to something unfortunate, so it would be better for you to step down. Hearing Wans words, the Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection closed his eyes tightly. But it was already an irreversible situation. In the end, the Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection had no choice but to ask for his resignation. Please ept me as I am about to step down from my position due to my poor health. Thank you for your hard work. After hearing Wans answer, the Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection politely bowed and quietly left Geunjeongjeon. The ministers swallowed dryly inwardly as they saw the Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection retreating with slumped shoulders. I forgot! Emperor Tang Jin is also a child of the dragon! The person who inherited the blood of Sang Sang and Tae Sang Sang and grew up watching Sang Sangs achievements is the emperor! It should never be underestimated! I forgot that there is no one from that family who has no end! It was Wan whose presence had been weak until now, overshadowed by Sejong and Hyang. Because of this, the ministers were easily looking at Wan at some point. However, seeing the scene where the head of the Board of Audit and Inspection was blown off, the ministers had no choice but to be very nervous again. * * * The Emperor has cut off the Auditor-General! This rumor spread throughout Gyeongbokgung Pce and Yukjo Street faster than the wind. This is His Majestys outrage! The channel must not be blocked! We need to file an appeal right away! The officials of the Board of Audit and Inspection were energized and stood up immediately. The Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection saw themotion, saying they were filing an appeal or a sit-in protest, and shouted. What a disgrace! Stop right now! Director Haona! Your Majestys decision in this matter is right! On the contrary, even if I bowed hundreds of times (bowing with my head to the ground countless times) for epting my resignation without asking me for a crime, it would not be enough! The auditors asked with an expression of uncertainty at the words of the Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection. A major crime? What crime have youmitted? The Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection answered the auditors questions with a bitter expression. It is a crime of failing to keep words and actions consistent. A public official who has to risk his life to give advice has abandoned his duties for the sake of his ownfort. This is a mortal sin. Ah The auditors nodded slightly at the words of the auditor general. Wans order, If youre that worried, go directly to Shinji and control it C of course, it was a suggestion C the Auditor General made an excuse and refused, and Wanughed at it. And as the Auditor General said, even if Wan was used of this, he had nothing to say. No matter how much time had passed, their ideological basis was Neo-Confucianism, and consistency in words and actions was one of the guidelines that noblemen must follow. After organizing his desk, the Board of Audit and Inspection gave final orders to the auditors. Dont forget to keep your words and actions consistent! Its our job to do it, even if it means risking our lives! * * * That night. Whoa~. The Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection, sitting alone in the living room, sighed as he looked at the moon in the night sky. I feel at a loss after suddenly resigning. As I was struggling to sort out the emotions that had be overwhelming after suddenly bing unemployed, a servant came up to me and said something. A guest has arrived. Guest? this time? The auditor general expressed doubts about the servants words. Since serving as the Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection, the number of customers visiting his house has decreased significantly. They deliberately prevented guests from visiting because they could be caught up in a scandal rted to infidelity. And now that he had resigned from his position, there were very few people who could find him, who was in a lonely state. I dont know. Where did youe from? They say you came from the pce. In the pce? Please take us inside. Yes, Nari. The Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection, who sent the servant, looked at the clothes again and left the living room. Why in the pce? wherefore? The Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection, who was waiting for a guest on the veranda of the sarangchae with a face full of curiosity, went down to his feet and prostrated himself as soon as he saw the guest in question. Ie to see your Majesty! The Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection guided Wan to the head table in the Sarangbang. Im sorry for suddenlying to you in the middle of the night. Oh no. Looking at the Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection, Wan first apologized. I came to apologize for what happened during the day. Oh no. The crime of inconsistent words and actions. As the Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection, this was a serious sin. Now that he has put an end to this by resigning, I can only appreciate it. Thank you for thinking so. No. Its not that you dont know how much you care about the empire and the people. But this time I was unlucky. What do you mean by bad luck? Wan answered the auditor generals question right away. Recently, the discipline of the government has be veryx. Well, its natural. The empires affairs are running smoothly and the Ming Dynasty does not need to worry about it for the time being. But if you let go of that, wont all problems start from then? The Board of Audit and Inspection responded immediately to Wans question. Thats right. Thats why I did what I did today with the intention of punishing one and punishing others. Well done. If it is for the well-being of Your Majesty and the Empire, what does your well-being matter? Thank you so much for thinking that way. Wan, who had relieved the burden on his mind, got up and left the room. I will call you again in a few days, so until then, consider it a vacation and restfortably. Hasnt Gods resignation already been decided? It hasnt been documented yet. Ah Wan smiled as he looked at the Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection, whose expression was a strange mixture of all kinds of emotions. Do you think its easy to fill empty seats? There are already people who are good at their jobs, so why kick them out? This is the first thing I learned from Tae Sanghwang and Sanghang. Those who are good at work should use it to the end. Have you forgotten Captain Hwang Hee and Captain Jo Mal Saeng? Ah At Wans words, the Auditor General nodded without realizing it. Both Hwang Hee and Jo Mal Saeng were caught in connection with a power-rted corruption case. And Sejong and Hyang pampered them until they died. Seeing the Board of Audit and Inspection nod like that, Wan did not forget to warn him. Please keep in mind that, as the saying goes, one punishment does not mean that there are no sins. If Jim had made up his mind, it wouldnt have ended in resignation. I put it in the record office right away. Please keep this in mind. The Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection immediately bowed down and responded to Wans words. I will keep this in mind! Chapter 726 Episode 726: Jang Yeong-sils Legacy (3) Those who shouted opposition by blocking the Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection no longer appeared. The biggest reason was theck of justification for the causes mentioned by Wan C especially discrimination and filial piety C and the second reason was that the method of supporting the training and settlement of technical manpower using reconstruction was also good. Ministers gathered in the Prime Ministers conference room were reacting positively to the reconstruction of the temporary pce. Even though it is the samebor, there is not much to learn in railroad construction, but there is a lot to learn in pce construction (building or repairing new buildings) if done well. Thats right. This could be the best opportunity, especially for the natives. They will feel the need to learn sounds and numbers. While making such positive judgments, there were also those who judged that the political form of the empire itself could change . The most representative person was Kim Jong-seo. I think the future empire will not just be a federal government in words, but a definite federal system. Hwang Bo-in also nodded at Kim Jong-seos words. That would most likely be the case. However, as long as the tradition of ruling Shinji continues, there is no need to worry about division. That is the most reassuring part. Kim Jong-seo strongly agreed with Hwang Bo-ins point. *** Transportation and Communications As long as restrictions existed, Shinji had no choice but to operate separately from the main paper. Out of sight, out of mind. This did not apply only to the rtionship between men and women. Although there was a firstw that applied to the entire empire, the lowerws were bound to differ significantly depending on the environment and customs. And the enactment of these lowerws was based on the local situation. It was certain that the influence of the officials and people of the region who knew well would have the greatest influence. If this process was repeated, at some point Shinji would fall away from the empire. However, if Shinji took over the rule , this possibility could be greatly reduced. This was certain. Because he already had experience in running state affairs at the center of power in the empire, Sang-tae was the one who could appropriately mediate the conflict between the Shinji and the main branch. Not only that, but also the discrimination between the main branch and the Shinji that could ur implicitly. *** Whether there was such a movement in Seoul or not, Hyang was directing the reconstruction of the temporary pce in Shinji. I have no choice but to go since I have already decided to do it. I already wrote down the reason and sent it, and now I cant eat it anymore. No way. Are you going to cut off my head, the emperor and father of the current emperor? Because of that confidence, the county allowed the reconstruction and pushed ahead. And Shinji and Bonji are sorelycking in people. After mentioning the manpower shortage issue, Hyang raised his head, looked up at the sky, and muttered softly. If you know it, that guy is secretly good at bnce games Land is a cheat, but they gave him a nerf forck of poption. *** The small poption of both the original and new locations was a fatal weakness. In order for the empire to establish itself as a true power, it needed arger poption than it has now. No, for the stable operation of the country, arge poption, which was the basis ofbor and tax revenue, was essential. Therefore, from the early Joseon Dynasty, grain and cloth were given as rewards to those who had many children, and King Sejong even went so far as to create an official childcare leave system. This was promoted more actively as the country progressed and became an empire. Those who had three or more children were given tax benefits and childcare subsidies. Officials were also given extra points in performance evaluations if they saw many children. Thanks to this, many male and female officials had to suffer from overwork, not overwork, without a break, not only at work but also at home. Thanks to this, the poption of this site continued to show an upward curve, but it was still far short of the people located right next to it. And the most representative example of the result of this demographic difference was military doctrine. While the Ming nned operations based on traditional Incheon tactics, the Empire insisted on operations centered on quantity warfare and firepower warfare. This was also one of the reasons why the empire ced great importance on artillery since the Joseon Dynasty. *** Hyang was keenly aware of the problem of poption shortage as he looked at the newnd development n created by King Sejong and which he was supplementing. It may be the butterfly effect that I caused, but Europe may advance west faster than expected. In such a situation , there is a limit to relying on this paper . The problem Hyang considered was as follows: C The poption of this paper continues to increase. Thanks to this, the average age of this paper is getting younger. This has both good and bad points. -The good thing is that productivity will increase in the future. And as there are many young people with high sexual energy, the poption will continue to increase. -The bad thing is that everything except this is a problem. -The average age is young, but on the contrary, various professional This means that there are only a small number of people who have umted enough experience in the field. C Also, the young average age means that the economic base is weak. The standard of living in the empire has already increased significantly. Considering this, there will be a phenomenon ofte marriage or avoidance of marriage. You dont need to go all the way to Korea in the 21st century to see this. Just look at Europe from the Industrial Revolution to the early 20th century. Even at this time, the phenomenon of avoiding childbirth was bing a social problem . C If you think about all these situations, read the full text sent by this paper to Shinji. There is bound to be a limit to the supply and demand of manpower. -There may be many measures toy the foundation for a new territory prior to European expansion, but the first thing to be implemented is to educate local natives. Secondly, even if the country is blocked, people cannot be blocked. It probably wont work. Just like in the United States. The township even had an active immigration policy in mind for the development of new areas. However, the region Hyang was thinking of was Europe. -Ming is already too familiar with the country and the concept of China First. Even if you ept it, only problems will arise. -Why is there still no Japan-Japanese chauvinism, but we have be ustomed to the concept of a nation? -On the other hand, most people in Europe are more familiar with the concepts of territory and city where they live than with the concepts of country and nation. C In addition, we must also consider the impact of religious conflict, which has already ignited sooner than expected. Because it was faster than expected, the influence of the Catholic Church is overwhelmingly strong. This will force Protestants to emigrate. -What is interesting is that while Catholicism has a strong conservative focus on traditional agriculture, Protestantism emphasizesmerce and industry. -If we control the speed of immigration and prevent it from bing powerful, these Protestants will be excellent human resources. Just like America. C The issue of white supremacy can never be addressed at this point. And the thing to prevent is very. In some ways it is the easiest way, but it has the worst results. Hyang muttered as he crossed out very written on a nk piece of paper and erased it. *** As Hyang said, very was the easiest solution. By using overwhelming force to enve the natives and, if insufficient, importing ves from Africa or other Southeast Asian regions, they could easily and quickly pioneer new territories. But this was a choice that brought more harm than good. A traditional agricultural-oriented society would have been able to survive through very. But in industrialized society, very was a shackle. This was because ves had no market value. In order to cultivate technical manpower, professional education was essential, and it was certain that educated ves would rebel to escape very. No matter what the situation was, ves rebelled or threw society into chaos to escape very. Even in history before the intervention of Hyang, there were Spartacus rebellion, the Haitian Revolution, and armed resistance such as the Manjeok Rebellion of the Goryeo Dynasty. Even in the history after Hyang intervened, one of the first orders received after the establishment of the Milwi was to hunt down and kill yer masters. *** After reviewing the n for a while, Hyang gradually came to grips with it. First, lets start by solidifying the foundation by making the most of the support provided by this magazine. The expansion part is surprising, but the natives and the monopoly are taking care of it, so its not something to worry about. As Hyang said, the natives who were loyal to the empire were taking the lead in conciliating other nearby tribes and bringing them into the arms of the empire. They were like this . Passionately conciliating other tribes was the biggest issue of survival. Even when the empire had just entered the New Territories, most of the indigenous people in the New Territories were primitive tribalmunities. Of course, there were some who built sophisticated politicalmunities such as the Iroquois League. Most other tribes were repeatedly uniting and dispersing at the n level. The economy was also centered on primitive farming and hunting and gathering. Because the natural environment of Shinji was so good, survival was not difficult even under these circumstances, but once in a while It was not umon for the n itself to be extinct if there was a bad harvest or an epidemic. In such a situation, the empire was a grateful entity that guaranteed their survival. The empires officials traveled among the tribes to solve food problems, and if there was a shortage, this newspaper reported Food was brought from and helped the natives survive. In addition, the empires overwhelming force ensured the safety of their tribes from hostile tribes. Thanks to this, at some point, the number of tribes that followed the empire began to increase one by one. The problem was that among these noble tribes , there were subordinates who were hostile to each other. Imperial officials intervened and tried hard to mediate, but armed conflicts continued to break out among the tribes. This was resolved by King Sejongs arrival at Sinji . Sejong , who understood Shinjis situation, skillfully used carrots and sticks. Using his title and status as the greatest leader of the Thunder Tribe, Sejong, who was caught in the conflict, made sure that the tribe in question listened to his words. If they did notply, they provided ample support, and if they did notply, the imperial army was dispatched to forcibly mediate. -If they did not follow this mediation n, they would be exterminated! The tribes, who knew well the powerful force of the empire, had no choice but to follow the mediation n, crying and eating mustard. However, Soon most tribes epted the intervention. The reason they rejected the mediation proposal and held on was mostly a matter of pride. The next thing that King Sejong used was the appointment of private and educational officials. King Sejong, who realized that much of the conflict between noble tribes was a sh of pride, poprized his improved Gyeokbang and held openpetitions between the tribes. And the warriors of many tribes risked their tribes pride in fiercepetitions, and the tribe members enthusiastically cheered them on. Next, King Sejong appointed the natives as officials of the newnd through education and gave them instructions whenever he could. Think about it. How useless and useless is it to cover blood with blood? How good would it be if, in the arms of the empire, we could judge right and wrong in ordance with itsws and reduce pointless bloodshed? And as the number of tribes seeking safety in the arms of the empire increases, how peaceful will thisnd be? How great is it that your tribes no longer have to suffer from the fear of ughter? Indeed, yes. Before you knew it, the native officials who had been brainwashed by King Sejong were working hard to persuade the chiefs and elders of their own tribes, and the chiefs and elders were swayed by his persuasion. They actively tried to appease tribes that were not wealthy. Interestingly, the tool that the chiefs and elders used most was the monopoly. Chapter 727 Episode 727 Jang Yeong-sils Legacy (4) King Sejong ced one more fetter on him. However, it was more certain that the indigenous people brought it on themselves. As already mentioned, the military power of the imperial army in Shinji was overwhelmingly powerful. Some tribes who noticed this became nobles and then provoked a conflict between the tribes that were hostile to them and the imperial army. And as a result of the conflict, the opposing tribe became almost extinct, and the tribe that seeded in the n absorbed the territory and survivors of the opposing tribe almost for free and grew in size. At some point, imperial officials and soldiers also realized the tricks of the natives. However, the problem was that most of the officials and soldiers who came to Shinji at the time were people with shallow experience. It seems like a trap Its probably a trap. But the problem is that there is no alternative. Now, we have to noble one more tribe, but we cant turn the nobles into enemies at best My experience was limited. Therefore, in most cases, they were forced into it even though they knew that it was a trap for the natives. Of course, to resolve this issue, a report was sent to Hansom in Seoul at the time, but the times were not good. The Joseon -Ming War that transformed Joseon into an empire took ce. Thanks to this, officials and soldiers dispatched to newnds often ended up being used as useful weapons by the natives without receiving a proper answer. The person who resolved this situation was King Sejong. After arriving at Shinji and checking the situation, King Sejong immediately found a solution. It would be good to use the method used in the past against the Jurchen tribe in the northeastern region. The method used by King Sejong was to incorporate warriors from noble indigenous tribes into the imperial army. In particr, tribes that had grownrger than necessary by using the imperial army were forced to incorporate most of their warriors into the imperial army. If they refused, the tribe was immediately wiped out by the imperial army. Therefore, tribes that were loyal to the empire had to hand over their warriors to the imperial army. However, horses and gunpowder weapons were not provided to the indigenous imperial troops. Almost all that was provided to them was imperial military uniforms. Native soldiers wearing imperial uniforms had to stand at the vanguard of the imperial army, carrying the bows, arrows and stone tomahawks that had been used since ancient times. Sejong added one more number. When the intention to use the imperial army to deal with a tribe hostile to the tribe was confirmed, the warriors of that tribe were incorporated into the imperial army and then deployed first. Native warriors from other tribes and the imperial army watched the situation and intervened at the appropriate time to settle the situation. In the end, the tribe that tried to take advantage of the imperial army by using a scheme also had to suffer enormous damage. And when this happened several times, the tribes that tried to use rash tactics disappeared. However, King Sejong did not just use native warriors as expendable goods. Based on reports from the imperial army, indigenous warriors deemed capable were selected and given the rank of imperial military officers, guaranteeing them the same authority as imperial army officers from the maind. Of course, with the same authority came the same demands C loyalty, military knowledge, ability to manage troops, maintenance of dignity, etc. Because of this, indigenous executives became enthusiastic supporters of the empire. In the past, during the development of the northeastern region, they were made to follow a simr process as the Jurchen people who were introduced into the Joseon military and civil society. Thanks to this, when the fragrance arrived, the people who took the lead in the imperialization of Shinji were the natives. *** After checking the record, Hyang lightly licked his lips and muttered. Its theplete opposite of the East India Company. The process by which Britain colonized India was simr to, but different from, the process by which the empire assimted the newnd into an imperial power. At the time, Britain also had overwhelming military power, but it was insufficient to take control of all of India. Therefore, what Britain chose at the time was the interconnected system and the distributed system. Nominally, the Mughal Empire was the ruler of India, but in reality, numerous emirs establishedrge and small kingdoms. Britain, which realized this C to be exact, the East India Company C divided the emirates by creating divisions, and swallowed up the divided emirates one by one. And in the end, through the victory of the Sepoy Rebellion, the Mughal Empire was destroyed and India became a British colony. When applying this to the new paper, there was one thing inmon. Although it had overwhelming force, it was very insufficient to control the entire Shinji. However, because there were many more differences, the imperialization of Shinji proceeded in a different direction from that of India. *** Hyang looked at the report and summarized the situation. If we make good use of the governance of the situation part and go into a loose federal system, we will be able to continue without any problems. On the other hand, if we tie it up tightly, it will fall apart, so we just have to be careful about this part. And Shinji also provides support from this paper. Once it starts working properly, there will be no need for it, and if you exclude the poption issue, the managers morale map will be great. After summarizing the situation, Hyang looked at the map hanging on the wall. Hyang looked at the map carefully and breathed a sigh of relief. Im d I ate Manchuria, Siberia, Hokkaido, Sakhalin, and the Kuril Inds first. If I had finished with just the Korean Penins, we would have ended up like Britain after World War II. Britain, which lost its colonies after World War II, was shrunk. Of course, it still dominated the world in the financial industry and some other fields and was still a member of the G7. However,pared to the era when it was called the country where the sun never sets, it was a situation where the use of the word fall was notcking. It would be safe to say that the biggest reason for this was theck of resources. During the most advanced industrial revolution, the iron and coal mines of maind Britain were exhausted. Afterwards, during the colonial period, the country was able to maintain its status as the worlds most powerful country with the resourcesing from the colonies. However, with the loss of the colony, the manufacturing industry copsed. In the case of Joseon, if it had been satisfied with only the Korean Penins, it would have been in the same situation as Britain. However, by taking control of resource areas such as Manchuria, Siberia, Hokkaido, and Sakhalin, they had the ability to survive even without Shinji. And the scent was what made me breathe a sigh of relief at this point. Hyang heaved a sigh of relief, organized the documents, and stood up. I guess Ill finally have to go to Area 52 tomorrow. Jinpyeong will like it. *** The next day, Hyang left the temporary pce with Jinpyeong. Guided by an official, Hyang muttered with an expression of bewilderment. A week on horseback and three days on a boat. Even if the units are different, they are so different. The reason why Hyang grumbled like this was because of what the official said before leaving. I chose a ce with easy ess to resources, so I settled down a little far away. Reflecting on the officials words. Hyang-hyang shook his head. Is a ce a little far away 10 days away? Either way, this town is What was interesting was the fact that these 10 days were also shortened by a lot. Whening from Chosi to Shinji Temporary Pce. If they had rested and moved, it would have taken a good 15 days. After ten days of forced march, Hyang and his party arrived at Area 52. Is that Area 52? A fortress city with ck smoke rising from tall chimneys everywhere. After seeing this, the vige turned to the official and asked, Thats right. Is there a name that the natives used to call it from the beginning? Its called Shikaakwa. We call it Garlic Vige. Garlic vige? It was called that because there was a lot of wild garlic, but these days its called Garlic Vige because the smoke stings your eyes. Is that so? Hmm. Shika Aquara. Hyang, who was thinking about the name for a moment, muttered to himself. If you think about the pronunciation, is it Chicago? The ce where the temporary pce is located is Detroit, and the ce where Area 52 is located is definitely Chicago. Is it the Rust Belt? Interesting *** When the incense arrived at the entrance to Area 52, themanders of the military unit guarding Area 52 and the heads of the artisans were waiting in advance. The artisans who saw the incense The soldiers politely bowed ording to etiquette: I wee you to meet His Majesty the Emperor! It really took a lot of effort. Hyang calmly reciprocated, got off his horse, patted the shoulders of themanders and craftsmen, and praised them for their hard work. Because of you, the empire can always move ahead. Thank you so much. Under Hyangs reign, the soldiers and craftsmen could not ovee their overflowing emotions and responded in loud voices. Hwang Eun is devastated! After the meeting was over, Hyang went straight to the main topic. Rumors about Area 52. This is so cute. Lets go in. I have prepared a car. What? As the scent illuminated his eyes, the head craftsman stepped forward and answered. The horses have a hard time because the interior space isrge and there is heavy drinkinging from all directions. Is that so? Then lets go. Guided by the head craftsman, Hyang boarded the train, looked at the seats and interior, and let out an exmation. This is truly amazing! The head craftsman responded with a face full of pride as he admired the incense. It is one of thest things my father-inw worked on. Stepfather? Thete Director Jang Yeong-sil is my step-father. Ah! You are him! Hyang pretended to know the head father-inws answer. *** Jang Yeong-sil, who rose from a government ve to the director of District 52, insisted on being single for some reason. I was appointed as a servant, but no, all the ves were just ves. If you mate, why dont you start a family? If you want to start a family, shouldnt you start a family and look after future generations? People around her kept saying such things, but Jang Yeong-sil insisted on being single . However, aftering to Area 52, Jang Yeong-sil adopted her best disciple as her adoptive son. The adoptive son It was Jang On, the director of Area 52, who was currently guiding Hyang. *** But why did you settle down here, far away from Shinji Temporary Pce? In response to Hyangs question, Jang On immediately exined the reason. If you go a little southwest from here, you can find a lot of high-quality iron ore. And since it is a ce where a lot of fire, gunpowder, and other dangerous things are used, we kept our distance for safety reasons. Where does the coale from? There are many high-quality coal mines near the easternmostke of Daehogun. So the coal is transported by water transport. Some of the mined coal is used at Shinji Temporary Pce and the rest is used here. I do. I see Nodding, Hyang raised his head and looked out the window. Hyangs eyes as he looked out the window were full of anticipation. Its finally Area 52! Now I can understand the meaning of Tae Sang-taes words! Chapter 728 Episode 728: Jang Yeong-sils Legacy (5) First of all, I will show you where to make iron horses. Hyang shook his head at Jang Ons words. Starting from the steel mill. Iron horses, railroad tracks, and other equipment all require high-quality iron, so it makes sense to start with the steel mill. Jinpyeong, who was sitting next to Hyang, nodded at Hyangs words. Jang On was right next to the two peoples reactions. He grabbed the Jeonseong-gwan attached to him and changed his destination. We are moving to the steel mill. -Yes, I will go to the steel mill first. After a while, the tow truck pulling the fisherman turned around. Inside the train heading to the steel mill, Hyang muttered to himself. ording to a report we received two years ago, we were researching a new iron-making method under the leadership of Jang Yeong-sil. And the report I received just beforeing said that they were preparing for mass production using a new steelmaking method. If that is true, it should be applied to this newspaper immediately. By the way, Jang Yeong-sil had a hand in iron making was it really made properly? Hyang looked out the window with a mixture of anticipation and worry. *** Not long after, the fish truck arrived at the steel mill. The scenting from the fishing car exuded admiration at the enormous steel mill facilities unfolding before my eyes. Its truly huge! Jang On responded to Hyangs exmation with a face full of pride. I am confident that it is no lessrge than the steel mills in our hometown! I see. Lets go inside. I will guide you! Pleasee this way! Hyang-hyang, who entered the steel mill under Jang-ons guidance, could not stop admiring it. This is where Gorojanges. Its huge! The four-story steel structure was woven horizontally and vertically, and many indigenous people and local craftsmen were working among it. To be honest, it feels more properly polished than the steel mills in the main area. Thats because it was created with the problematic parts there in mind from the beginning. Is that so? Hyang nodded in response to Jang Ons answer. The steel mill in the main site was based on the traditional iron making method, which was expanded in size and gradually changed to suit mass production. A st furnace using stone and earth was reced with ster and iron refractory. By converting to arge-scale st furnace using bricks and using a blower using a steam engine instead of a bellows, the amount of steel produced by the two steel mills alone exceeded the amount of steel produced in the entire Ming Dynasty. The quality was even better. However, the st furnace and production facilities here now looked almost simr to the steel mills of the 19th century seen in documentaries and other historical books. Not only the design andyout of the facilities were simr, but even the production methods and production volume were simr. If you do this, this is a revolution! Hyang-hyang, whose expectations were growing higher, immediately asked Jang-on, Will it melt twice here too? The steelmaking method that Hyang chose through thepetition was to cool the molten metal that was first melted and then melt it again to reduce the amount of carbon. Through this process, it was possible to obtainrge quantities of high-quality steel, but only at the expense of increased coal consumption. In response to Hyangs question , Jang On smiled brightly and answered, It onlyes once! Is it possible with number 1? It is possible by using a stove! A stove? Let me see! This way! An object resembling a huge kettle was moving at the ce Jang-on guided. The object, which was filled with molten ironing out of the discharge port of the st furnace through the spout, was moved with the spout up and pulled by a tow truck. The ce where it was moved was blocked on three sides by a round dome-shaped fire wall. As soon as the equipment arrived in ce, arge blowing pipe was connected. And after some time,rge mes and drops of molten metal came out likeva through the high spout. When Hyang saw that, she screamed inwardly. me! me! Ive seen this on the inte! This is the Bessemer Converter! Jang On excitedly exined whether he knew what Hyang was feeling or not. .. If you blow hot air like that for a certain period of time, you can easily obtain steel of the desired quality. Are you adjusting the blowing time? Jang On answered Hyangs question with a surprised face. Thats right! Knowing the principle just by looking at it once is truly a waste of time! Thats too much praise. Then what about the annual production? Its close to the annual production of the No. 1 steel mill in the area. Is that so? Huh? Its worse than expected? Seeing Hyangs expression full of disappointment, Jang-on immediately added, Right now, only about 1/3 of the entire area is operating properly. huh? So does that mean that by moving only 1/3, the annual production of the first steel mill can be achieved? Thats right. Why is only 1/3 moving? Most of the remaining areas are still under construction and there is a severe shortage of workers. Then, many of the buildings seen from the outside are just shells. Is it there? We only have a roof and pirs. Hyang slightly frowned at Jang Ons words. Wasnt it too hasty to build a roof and pirs when it wasnt necessary yet? Maintaining them would also cost a lot of money, right? Of course it is. However, if you prepare the ground in advance, you can immediately know where it is convenient to transport people and materials Hyang stroked his chin and muttered to himself, So, the simtion was run on a 1:1 scale Looking at Hyang with a frown on his face, Jang On hurriedly took out his avoidance card. The previous director suggested it, and Tae Sang-tae gave his approval to do it. However, if you give me your order, I will immediately demolish it. Hearing Jang Ons words, Hyang threw up his hand. It was absolutely necessary, so the Emperor Taesang must have approved it. And demolishing it again would be expensive, so just take good care of it. I will obey your orders! Then see you next time. Yes! Then, I will show you the process of making tracks for railroad tracks! Your Majesty! Lets go! As soon as Jang Ons words came out, Jinpyeongs eyes sparkled and he smelled incense. Seeing Jinpyeong like that, Hyang sighed softly and responded. Hehe~ Okay, lets go. Go. I will prepare a car! How far can I go by car? Thats right. In response to Jang Ons answer, Hyang grumbled slightly. This damn piece ofnd. *** After seeing the manufacturing process at the orbital factory, Hyang lightly shook his head and expressed his impressions. Indeed, thend isrge. This is a possible method. Along the endlessly long factory, long pir-shaped steel materials were being made into tracks through a rolling process. When we first made tracks for iron horses, we used castings. However, it was difficult to achieve uniform quality and there were problems with mass production. Thanks to this, Hyang worked together with artisans from Area 51, starting with Jang Yeong-sil, to study rolling methods. Because the supply and demand of steel materials was smooth and the steam engine was introduced, the development and introduction of the rolling process went smoothly. There was just one problem:ck of space. Area 51 was already almost full, and the same was true outside. Residential areas and rice fields were already in ce in a space suitable for a factory. Of course, due to the royalnd ideology,nd nationalization had ended, meaning allnd in the country belonged to the king. However, there was also a problem with unconditionally expelling residents. Thanks to this, township officials had no choice but to acquire enoughnd near Area 51 and the steel mill to build a track manufacturing nt without causingints. As a result, the track of the railwayid in this area could not exceed 8 pieces (approximately 24m) no matter how long it was. *** The form of the factory that Hyang sees now is a typical form of sacrificing space for production efficiency. How long is it? There are about 400 pieces (about 1.2km) from end to end. Is it because of the furnace and warehouse? If you include the yard, its about 10 ri (about 4 km). 10 ri At Jang Ons answer, not only Hyang but even Jinpyeong of the world gaped in surprise. But Hyang soon came to his senses and understood. He nodded with a look on his face. Thanks to you, we can save a lot of time and resources in the production process. Thats right! Jang On nodded with a proud face. The process of making tracks in the track manufacturing factory that Jang On showed me was as follows. The steel in the yard is put into the heating furnace by a lifter, and from then on, other processes are made until the final finished product is produced. There was no way to move from ce to ce. It was mounted on a long roll and all processes started and ended on one line. In short, it was a production method that would be difficult to even think about unless there was an endless amount ofnd. Scientific design that only thought about production efficiency. Its the pinnacle of. Jang On, perhaps aware of Hyangs feelings, excitedly exined, We are not only producing 8 single track tracks for use in mountainous or curved areas, but we are also producing the most regr 20 track tracks (approximately 60m) in length. There is. Jinpyeong immediately joined in on Jang Ons words. 8 chapters is the standard in this newspaper, but thats standard here? Thats right. Since most of the tracks are t and straight, it is advantageous to make the track longer. Hearing that, Hyang took offense. There is a problem with the track stretching in the summer, so we limit the length and leave the joints open. But is it okay if it is longer? That part ? We also found the optimal joint space through experimentation and measurement. We are also continuing to research steel materials. So the ultimate goal is to produce a Jangtae orbit with a length of 100 Jang (approximately 300 m). 100 Jang! We must seed! When Jinpyeong was holding Jang Ons hand and earnestly asking for it. Hyang looked at the factory once again. The size of this factory the long rail was the goal Hyang, who had a bored expression on his face as he looked at the long factory ignorantly, asked Jang On. Was the design of this factory also done by the former director? yes! And the Tae Sang-tae has been granted permission! In response to Jang Ons response, Hyang ced his hand on his forehead. These noblemen! The report sent by King Sejong from Shinji simply said: C Construction of an orbital production nt. C Construction of a steel mill. C Details omitted due to limited length. . Shaking his head, Hyang looked at Jang On. It was possible because of Shinji. Hyangs words had several meanings. C When carrying outrge-scale construction and civil engineering projects, the most important thing to worry about is the budget. C And this Where the budget is spent the most is materials and wages. C However, in the case of Shinji, construction materials, including wood, were everywhere in abundance. Compared to the main paper, it is safe to say that there is almost no cost to obtain and transport materials. C Also, the quality is good. Iron ore and coal mines were discovered, and transportation costs were greatly reduced through water transport using Daehogun. C Andbor costs were greatly reduced by hiring the natives of the new area asborers. Of course, as time passed, these people also became skilled workers and did not discriminate against natives. We will have to pay wages, but this is not the case right now C the most important thing. It is difficult for officials from this newspaper C especially the Ministry of Finance and the Board of Audit and Inspection C toe and investigate in detail. In other words, as long as you stay within the given budget, crazy things like what you see are possible! Chapter 729 Episode 729: Jang Yeong-sils Legacy (6) After inspecting the railroad track factory, Hyang slowly began to feel anxious. Im starting to feel more and more anxious about this. I dont think what Tae Sang-tae said back then was just foreshadowing. Just before Hyang left for Shinji, King Sejong said something meaningful to Hyang about Shinji. -There is something that will be the end of Jang Yeong-sil and the beginning of the emperor. Of course, there will be some headaches due to budget issues. At first, I thought it was just a few objects, but I guess its not Hyangs expression became more and more serious due to the anxious energy creeping up. Its not like I dont know how Tae Sang-tae controls people, no, I dont. I know it well. Sejong was a man who made his subordinates work as hard as he worked hard. This was not about unconditionally handing over work and ordering, Do it!. After figuring out exactly what the person in question liked and what they were good at, he ced them in the optimal position and worked. He was a person who told people to do things. Or, he grabbed critical weaknesses and shook them while giving them appropriate carrots (mainly power) to make them do things. Representative examples of the former were Jinpyeong Anpyeong and Kim Jeom, while representative examples of thetter were Hwang Hee and Jo Mal-saeng. And Hyang was the former and thetter. It was abined situation. Of course, Hyang brought it on himself the most. The reason Hyang created the research center and Area 51 was to promote his virtue in the name of prospering the nation and strong military. Since he produced clear results in this area, King Sejong provided support. It didnt stop. However, Sejong realized that the incense was doing good work through the research institute and Area 51. And Sejong never missed this. With the budget as a weapon, Sejong made sure to roll out the incense whenever necessary . King Sejong clearly used this justification. Knowing this well, Hyang began to be more and more anxious. Your Majesty, have you found any problems in this factory? Jang On, who became anxious as Hyangs expression became increasingly serious, asked Hyang cautiously. Hyang, who hade to his senses at Jang Ons question, shook his head. No, I just have something to think about. Ive seen the orbital factory, so next. Lets move it. Yes, Your Majesty. Then, I will take you to the research and development buildings. Please get on the train. Thats right *** These are the research building and the development building? I think they should be called si rather than dong? As soon as you arrive at the entrance, get off the car and go to the research building. After seeing the size of the developmentplex, Hyang and Ian asked Jang On with a puzzled expression. Jinpyeong, who was sitting next to him, nodded eagerly with the same expression on his face. Jang On responded to Hyangs evaluation with a humble smile. Because it is a ce where a lot of dangerous materials and gunpowder firearms are used, we tried to space out the buildings, and it ended up like this. Area 51 in Seoul has less space than here, but such incidents rarely happened. Of course, its good to keep some distance between people, but isnt it even better to pay thorough attention to safety? If you take up this much space from the beginning, wont there be a shortageter? Humans are forgetful beings, so the Great Emperor hasmanded that it is better to create a space between people. And if there is no space to build a building, the Great Emperor has said that it is best to expand it around the area. Is that so? Then there is nothing we can do. Is this the situation before the start? Grumbling inwardly, Hyang continued to point out. Its good to ensure safety by leaving space between buildings, and its good to increase the size of the buildings to provide more space for production and experimentation. However, if its thisrge, it wont be easy to move the objects. How did you solve this? Hmm Have we made many portable potters wheels? We have made many potters wheels, but potters wheels alone have their limitations. So the former director created a new object. New product? As soon as I heard the word new technology, my eyes lit up. Jang-on, who saw the scent like that, was about to open his mouth when he heard a bell ringing from one side. Jingling jingling! Chi-ik! Cheek! That piece ising just at the right time. It is that one. Hyang, who was examining the object in question at Jang Ons words, cried out inwardly. Its a forklift! The former director and subordinates called that object a forklift. At the familiar name, Hyang unconsciously looked helpless. Sorry, but forklifts take precedence over everything here. Im sorry, but please step back a little. As a forklift carrying arge piece of metal approached, Jang On pushed Hangs group back. As Hyangs group stepped back, the forklift passed in front of them. Youre a minister. The forklift passed by. When Hyang saw the sight, he unconsciously uttered the word minister. Just as Hyang said, the minister was a minister. On the left and right in front of the slowly moving forklift, people holding red gs walked ahead, looking left and right with a whistle in their mouths. And the forklifts Craftsmen were hanging on the left and right sides of the cab, looking at the surroundings. Next to the chimney, which was emitting ck smoke, a small bell was continuously chiming. As the forklift passed by, Jang-on began to exin. The potters wheel is useful, but it has limitations due to its long length. There are a lot of them. Thats right. Hyang nodded at Jang Ons words. The boom, equivalent to the boom of a modern crane, was quite long. Therefore, it was easy to use in open spaces with wide open spaces, but there were various limitations in spaces such as inside a building. Jang Ons voice began to gain strength due to Hyangs positive response. However, in the case of forklifts, space is limited because teeth like the branches of a forklift are attached to the bottom. Thanks to this, they can be very useful when lifting and unloading items and assembling and disassembling them in the development building. Also, when maintaining items. Its veryfortable as you can easily lift and lower it. I see. But I dont remember ever receiving a report about the forklift? At Hyangs point, Jang Ons face turned pale and he answered in a stuttering voice. The Emperor, who saw it, told me not to report it until I was sure it could be used properly. Okay I understand. Hyang had no choice but to groan and nod his head. What can you say when you say you did it because King Sejong told you to do it? This is not a doubt, but a certainty.. Jinpyeong intervened when Hyang was grumbling like that. Looking at things like this, I guess theres something unusual about the iron horse, dont you think? The previous director thought about it, and there is one that is currently in production as a prototype. At Jang Ons answer, Jinpyeong immediately turned to face the vige. Brother, no, Your Majesty! Phew~. Okay, lets go. Ill guide you. yes. Please get on the fishing car. *** The fishing car carrying Hyang and his group arrived at the Cheolma Development Building. Hyang, who got off the fishing car, looked at the enormous size of the Cheolma Development Building and looked disappointed. Its not surprising anymore. Your Majesty! Pleasee in quickly! Okay, lets go. Go. When Hyang saw the iron horse being assembled orpleted in the development building he was guided into, he whistled lightly. Hwiyu. It looks as solid as the one made at home. The first one I made was a really bad product, but now Im confident that its perfect. Hyang, who was examining the iron horse while listening to Jang Ons confident answer, looked at therge wedge-shaped boat g attached to the iron horse and asked Jang On. The g is much bigger than ours? Shinjis deer and bison arerge, so we had to put up a bigger g. The deer that live in the northeastern forest here are quite big, arent they? Its bigger than them. Hmm Hyang, who was remembering while listening to Jang Ons words, nodded. Thats right The deer I saw on my trip to America right before I ran away from home at that time were quite big. Hyang, who was reflecting on the memories of a huge ident that urred in the 21st century, nodded and looked back at Jang On. I guess thats possible. So is this useful? It is usable at a certain speed. However, there are limits as deer roam in numbers of hundreds and hundreds in the area where the railroad tracks areid, and herds of bison roam in numbers of hundreds or thousands in the southern area that is currently being developed. Therefore, there is a limit to the ability for such arge herd of animals to roam. It is best to stop for a moment and wait for the herd to pass, or to chase it away and then speed up as much as possible to make up for the dy . That almost didnt happen when I came this time, right? Jang On immediately responded to Hyangs point. Perhaps the cavalry organized it at the right time. Ah Hyang, who nodded lightly in response to Jang On, pointed out another problem. With the current iron horse, there will be limits even if the speed is increased, right? Jinpyeong, who was next to Hyangs point, nodded his head loudly. Jinpyeongs biggestint was the speed of the iron horse. The speed of the iron horse in general use today was simr to the speed at which a horse runs. It was not slow, but the wide ins of Bukji Considering this, we need faster iron horses! This was the consensus of railway construction officials, and Area 51 was also continuing to make improvements to solve this problem. To Hyangs point, Jang On smiled and answered, Thats why the former director came up with the idea. This is it. With these words, Jang On sent a hand signal to the craftsmen standing behind him. The craftsmen who saw Jang Ons hand signal immediately ran somewhere. After a while, the door of one of the parking garages attached to the development building opened and an iron horse came out. It appeared. Beep! The iron horse that appeared made a loud noise. Seeing the appearance of the iron horse, Hyang opened her eyes wide and Jinpyeong screamed in joy. Thats right ! This is the iron horse! The iron horse that appeared boasted of its enormous size. The iron horse Im using now is so big it makes me look like a child. Yes, its a bit big. Its not a bit Hyang shook his head at the word a bit. I cant believe I lived to see a high-speed steam lotive in this era The huge iron horse in front of Hyang now boasted a simr shape and size to the monstrous steam lotives that roamed around in the twilight of steam lotives in the 1930s. This is it! This is it! Unlike Jinpyeong, who was delighted to see the huge iron horse, Hyang examined the iron horse carefully and asked Jang On a question. It is quiterge How many stokers will you have? There are two. However, to ensure smooth operation, four passengers are required to ride. I also n to have three coachmen who handle iron horses, not just one. Three coachmen? One person handles the iron horse, one person watches the surroundings, and thest one takes a rest. When Jang On said this, Hyang immediately pointed out the problem. If you want to be safe, lets go in groups of four. Watching the surroundings also takes a lot of mental energy. I understand. If thats the case, then the rest area is the problem In response to Hyangs point, Jang On showed the small space created between the iron horse and the tender. Make a rest area by making small rooms on the left and right like this. I made it for you. And herees the side. Its okay Hyangs face became more serious as he nodded. Just looking at this, it looks like it took up a lot of budget Are you mad about this? In the past, it was a fragrance that received a lot of criticism every time it requested time and budget from King Sejong. The person who did that! and! It is unfair! It was a scent that made me cringe with an inexplicable sense of injustice. Chapter 730 Episode 730: Jang Yeong-sils Legacy (7) Your Majesty, if your conviction is somehow wrong Jang-on stuttered and asked with a frightened look on Hyangs greatly distorted expression. In response to Jang-ons question, Hyang waved his hand and answered. It s nothing. Dont worry. Yes, yes he answered, but Jang On only observed Hyangs thoughts. Anyway, I carefully inspected the new iron horse. Huh? This is a very small abdominal organ, isnt it? Jang On quickly responded to Hyangs point. The beasts of Shinji are literally so big that even if you use a boat g, it is easy for the iron horse and carriage to derail. In that case, shouldnt we install a bigger boat g? Because there are limitations with the incubator, we are trying to apply other methods. other way? Please wait a moment! Jang On gestured urgently to the craftsmen standing behind him. The craftsmen who saw Jang Ons gesture brought therge paper scroll and desk they were holding. The craftsmen put down their desks in front of the incense stick and unfolded scrolls on it. Hyang looked at the picture drawn on the scroll and looked at Jang On. Are you saying we want to build a bridge over a in rather than a valley or river? Thats right. When I looked at the movements of the herds of deer and bison, I saw that they were moving along a certain path. Since something happens when a railroad crosses that path , it is better to build a bridge over the path where herds of bison and deer pass. Hmm Hyang snorted and looked at the picture again. The pier in question had a gentle arch. Considering that the arc is gentle and the gap between the iron horses and the carriages, we will have to build a huge bridge. I dont think size will be a problem since all that is left isnd anyway. After hearing Jang Ons answer, Hyang asked Jinpyeong, who was closely examining the painting next to her, What do you think? In response to Hyangs question, Jinpyeong immediately answered, I think it will be okay. The problem is probably the budget. As soon as the word budget came out, Hyang frowned. This was because the face of King Sejong, smiling mischievously at him, came to mind. It definitely seems like a trap card Even though she was so nervous on the inside, Hyang had no choice but to nod at Jinpyeongs words. Then lets review it positively. After sorting out the matter, Hyang looked back at Jang On. Speaking of budget, how much does it cost to build that new iron horse? When asked about incense, Jang-on hesitated and answered, Its a bit much. Of course it will cost a lot. How much does it costpared to a conventional iron horse? We can make one for the cost of making three existing iron horses. However, once the steel mill starts operating properly, the cost can be reduced even further. Stop. Jinpyeong First, letsy down the iron horse and use the existing iron horse. Your Majesty! Jinpyeong looked at Hyang pitifully, even shedding tears. But the scent was resolute. The budget is the problem. The budget priority is to focus on the railroad. Isnt that right? Jinpyeong answered in a sullen voice to Hyangs question. I guess so. Hyangs words were correct. No matter how fast and powerful an iron horse was, it was useless without a railroad. Even existing iron horses could be useful if they were properlyid. Hyang-hyang, who had grasped the strand like that, looked back at Jang-on. Then lets take a look at the next development building and research building. Yes, Your Majesty. *** Area 52 was a city. The smell of Jang Yeong-sil was thickly permeated in everything inside. And this directly hit the taste of the scent. This is a ce where monks and sharp tools are researched and developed. Huh Hyang looked at the building with his mouth wide open. I will easily fit three or four 747s! In such an enormous space, there were things everywhere that were simr to those that Hyang made in Seoul, as well as things that seemed to be improvements on them. The minister was outside the building. As soon as I left the building, a hugeke filled my field of vision, and in front of it was a tall hill that was obviously artificial and a U-shaped slide. Are the days thate from gliding down from the top of that hill to fly up through that glide path? Thats right! Jang On answered with a surprised face. You recognized it as soon as you saw it! Indeed, the situation is ruined! Jang Ons surprise continued. Hmm Looking at what was built facing theke, is it a preparation for a fall? Thats right! How are people positioned in case of a fall? Every time we conduct a flight experiment, we put people who are good at flying on a boat and float them on theke. Please pay more attention to safety. I will keep that in mind. Hyang, who was inspecting the external facilities like that, stopped when he saw the tall watchtower on one side. That cant be right I know how Hyang feels. As if he had noticed, Jang On immediately went into exnation. We are researching a device that will allow the soldiers on board to escape safely in the event of a Buddhist monk falling. The Great Emperor said it was simr in shape to a bowl and called it a drop cannon. You gave me a name. I want to see the real thing! yes! ording to themand of the township, a demonstration of the drop artillery took ce. Drop! fall! fall! After three warnings, a heavy sack fell from a watchtower about 20 feet (approximately 60m) high. p! As the white cloth attached to the sack unfolded, the sack swayed from side to side and fell to the ground at a speed that was clearly slower than the initial speed. Its okay. Have there been any experiments on real people yet? Im preparing, but theres no one afterward Jang On trailed off, but Hyang nodded. I guess so. Because life is precious. Dont neglect research until you reach a level where people can feel at ease. Yes! Then lets go next. Where is next? Its the shipyard! shipyard? *** Youve built a proper shipyard Hyang lookedpletely desperate as he looked at the election at the shipyard in front of him and the challenger-level battle line floating on the pier facing the election. What on earth are these gentlemen doing in Shinji Hyang, who hadpletely liberated himself, looked back at Jang On. Were there any shorings when constructing the Challenger-ss wire? No. Thats because the most important wood was lying everywhere. But why was it made? We are here to train the natives. Hmm So are they making it here and sending it to the East Coast? No. There is a river that connects Daehogun and the East Sea, but there is a section in the middle where it flows rapidly, so we cant do that. I see Youre talking about the St. Lawrence River. In order to use that river properly, a canal needs to be dug, so Ill have toe up with a n. While he was making his own n, Jang On cautiously opened his mouth. Haonde. Whats the problem? Yes, the Navy is having trouble with the orders given by the Emperor. Jang Ons face hardened seriously as he spoke. Tell me in detail. ording to Jang Ons exnation, the problem started with an oak tree cut down in the eastern part of Shinji. The wood of the felled oak trees was much denser and harder than ours. And the challenger-ss wire made from this wood had a more powerful defense than ours C about 40% or more. King Sejong received this report . An order was immediately issued C to reduce the thickness of the wood used in the outer wall of the hull by 30%. The Navy is in trouble because of this order. If I reduce 30%, will there be a problem with my defense? It turns out that it has almost the same defense power as our main battle line. In response to Jang Ons response, Hyang made a decision on the spot. Really? Then, I will tell the Navy that they will carry out the orders given by the Emperor. Yes. After deciding on such an important issue, Hyang continued to tour the shipyard. In the research center attached to the shipyard, Hyang gave onest shot prepared by King Sejong and Jang Yeong-sil. was beaten. *** This? This is a new engine for mounting on the front line. Is it using multi-wing propulsion? Thats right. Wow Hyang looked at the institution in front of him and once again had an expression of despair or liberation. Turbine propeller! Where did these people catch aliens? Jang On continued his exnation while observing Hyangs expression. The steam produced in the heating furnace is blown into the multi-wing propeller to turn the shaft attached to the pinwheel-type propeller. I dont think itspleted yet? In response to Hyangs point, Jang On bowed his head and replied, Unfortunately, with current technology, we cannot make the steel that can make up that thruster. I guess so. I will continue to focus on further research. I will definitely do that! Jang On and the craftsmen, who received encouragement instead of shouting, were all moved and responded by bowing their heads. Hyang responded by nodding slightly to them and muttered to himself, Of course it must be impossible. If this has seeded, Id be out looking for aliens. *** After spending almost three days, Hyang was able toplete his inspection of Area 52. Resting at the guesthouse in Area 52, Hyang looked out the window at the buildings in Area 52 and muttered, The entire Area 52 is Jang Yeong-sils legacy . And its a trap card. As I said before, the entire area of Area 52 was directly affected by the scent. However, 2/3 of the total was still only grounded. And Hyang was able to understand King Sejongs meaning here. -Dont waste time making useless things, just make sure of what I have prepared now! -Did you see what we prepared? Its just your taste, right? So you have to work hard, right? Phew~ Hyang sighed softly and grumbled while looking at the documents piled up on one desk. I think it would be better to wrestle with budget than with virtue. And Hyang continued, looking at the distant western sky. If you stop me, what I want to do more is virtue. *** After returning from the inspection of Area 52, Hyang immediately called Shin In-son,mander-in- chief of the Shenji Navy. Are you calling me? yes. I ordered you to follow the orders given by the Emperor. Oh, but if you do that, there may be a problem with your defense. ording to the experiments of Area 52 craftsmen, there is no problem. So dont worry. And there is a reason to expand that space. I have been informed that the defense of the East Coast is possible with the current payload. We need to load a lot of supplies to go down south. And Hyanghyang paused for a moment, lightly cleared his throat, and continued. We must advance eastward before they advance westward from Europe. I n to put a dagger under their chin. Chapter 731 Episode 731: Dagger (1) Did you say dagger? Yes. Shin In-son thought about it for a moment and answered, I understand what your Majesty meant. But would it be possible to cross the eastern ocean simply by widening the space of the Challenger-ss front ? Isnt there an example of the Jinpo ship? After arge number of challenger-ss battleships were deployed, the Joseon navy at the time carried out an adventurous operation C involving arge amount of local MSG C exploring the sea outside Daeseoldo Ind . It was an operation made possible by the deployment of challenger-ss fronts, thergest of the fronts that Joseon had at the time. And ording to this n, Jinpo departed from Naeseoldo Ind and sailed toward Jeongdong (|). And shipwrecked . Just before Hagi, it became a ship in distress and barely returned. Afterwards, the Joseon navy moved northward, using the northern archipgo as a stepping stone, and discovered Shinji. Shin In-son pointed this out to Hyang. -Conversely, it advanced to Europe andunched an offensive defense. Establishing a strategy is a good strategy. -The problem is the ocean that spreads out to the east. -I dont know how wide the ocean to the east is, so will it be possible to solve it by expanding the internal space of the challenger-level front ? It was a pointer made indirectly. If you criticize it outright, it would be considered disrespectful to the situation. Hyang nodded at Shin In-sons point. Of course, I admit that that part is quite ambiguous. However, ording to the results of research at the research institute, the world is round, right? Everymander of the navy, or indeed the navy, knows this. Thats why we know that the world came to be called Earth. To prove the Earth theory, researchers at the institute conducted dozens of actual measurements. Those who helped the most in this process were the Navy. . Therefore, the Navy was the ce with the most people who believed that the Earth is round asmon sense. Listening to Shin In-sons answer, Hyang continued, ording to the calctions made by researchers at the research institute, thergest part of this round world is The circumference is about 100,000 ri (about 40,000 km). Of course, to be exact, its 100,000 thousand miles, but lets skip that part After a pause, Hyang drew a circle on a nk piece of paper and continued. Lets call this circle the Earth. If you cross the widest part in the middle, its a challenge. Even self-sufficiency would be impossible. But this is where we are now, in the north. Hyang drew a straight line across the upper part of the circle and continued. What do you think it will be like if we go like this? Shin In-son thought about what Hyang said and answered in a slightly uncertain voice. Its hard to be sure its impossible, and its hard to be sure its possible. This is because there is so little information. We need to get that information now. Luckily, our empire doesnt have that tool, right? Shin In-son immediately responded to Hyangs words. Are you talking about a quadrant and a precision clock? *** A useful telescope and mirror appeared in Area 51, and Mansour Hyang, who rescued the quadrant C although it was still at a primitive level C immediately handed it over to Jang Yeong-sil. I want to make it more usable, so please take the trouble. Yes. As a somewhat useful quadrant was created, the Navy began to create more precise charts while increasing safety for long-distance navigation. However, a quadrant andpass alone were not enough to create a proper chart and ensure safe navigation. So Hyang C who was still the crown prince at the time C once again put Jang Yeong-sil in charge. I need a very precise watch. A watch that doesnt go fast or slow under any circumstances and doesnt waver even in storms. I need a watch like that. Is it too much to do with the current watch? It is said that clocks using weights, like todays clocks, are inurate in turbulent seas. Please. ..I understand. Although there was no answer, Jang Yeong-sil had no right to veto. It was because it was the crown princes order. However, even Jang Yeong-sil of the world found this to be a daunting task. Hyang clicked her tongue when she saw Jang Yeong-sil wandering around unable to find the right answer. Tsk! I cant help it! The scent that tickled my tongue was secretly sprinkled with MSG. How about using the mainspring to provide the power to move the clock? Ah! Jang Yeong-sils face brightened when Hyang secretly mentioned mainspring. From then on, it was all smooth sailing. The power of the mainspring was seen in history before Hyang intervened. It was Jang Yeong-sil who created a kiln that moved on its own. Although it ended in failure and Jang Yeong-sil disappeared from history after being held responsible. Because Jang Yeong-sil was an expert in winding, the product came out and received approval in all aspects except size. The watch was about the size of a naengmyeon bowl. However, the naengmyeon bowl of this era, when gluttony was a daily routine, was about half as big as that of the 21st century. Still, it had satisfactory performance, making it a challenger-ss item used on long-distance voyages. Front lines and merchant ships had at least three precision clocks ced in the captains office: one for the time at Hanseong (andter Seoul), one for the time at the destination (usually Suez), and thest one for the time at an intermediate stopover (usually Mka). Based on the time quadrants measured by these clocks, thetitude determined by the constetions, and the sailing speed regrly checked, captains and navigators were able to determine their positions with considerable uracy, and this made the Imperial Navy better than other nations . It was one of the driving forces that made it possible to have an overwhelming advantage. *** Hyang exined his future n to Shin In-son. As the admiral knows, in order to properly construct a sea defense wall, the east and west coasts of Shinji and the inds that will be around. We need to pinpoint their location. A quadrant and a precision clock make this much easier. Thats right. And through this process, Shinjis navy can also be raised to be elite. Thats right. Wait a moment Hyang, who was thirsty from the prolonged conversation, poured some ck bean tea and offered it to Shin In-son. Drink. Oh! Gwangyoung ising! Shin In-son, who received the ck bean tea poured directly by the scent, bowed his head in sincere emotion. After quenching her thirst with a sip of ck bean tea, Hyang continued speaking. I have nned for 10 years to train Shinjis Imperial Navy, and I have no intention of urging you to speed up this time. Instead, we must raise them to a sufficient size and elite level. Please leave that part to me. By the time the Shinji Navy is established, it is expected that the Emperor will enter into negotiations with Portugal in about 9 years. Are you talking about negotiations with Portugal? Are you going to form a military alliance? Its not a definite military alliance, but rather a mutual navigation security agreement? The Empire and Portugal guarantee the safety of ships belonging to both countries. About so. And this use will also include the provision of a refuge. Pausing for a moment, Hyang unfolded the map he had obtained from Europe and continued. There, the emperor will ask for the Azores Inds. In Africa . Its a bit far away. Thats right. But isnt it the perfect ce to rest along the way from Shinji? But if you do something wrong, Shinjis existence could be revealed sooner than expected. Hyang confidently responded to Shin In-sons point. It doesnt matter. By then, the sea defenses will have beenpleted. But if conflicts continue to be frequent, unnecessary losses may ur and be a big burdenter. Thats why we n to drive in the dagger. The location to put the dagger in is Hyang drew a spot on the map with his finger. Right here in Gibraltar (now Gibraltar). Shin In-son, who was looking at Gibraltar that Hyang had pointed at with his finger, had a serious look on his face. I looked at Lo Hyang. Its definitely a good location to stick a dagger in. But that is the river area of Spain. In order to upy that ce, you have to be prepared for armed conflict, and in order to wage an armed conflict, you need a justification. Thats right. So Im going to ask Portugal and its allies to give me a port. Or Im going to ask them to allow me to build a port. The location is right here. Hyang pointed his finger at another ce. It was the northern terminus of the Iron Horse heading from Suez to the Mediterranean. The reason for building the port is simple. Protection of the goods and merchants exported from the empire. Its okay. But will Portugal respond? In response to Shin In-sons concerns, Hyang still answered with a confident expression. We will respond. As you can see from the map, isnt Portugals situation simr to Sis? The momentum is growing and we want to increase it further. However, next to them is a powerful country called Spain, standing strong and putting pressure on them. So what tactics did Si use? We joined hands with the Tang. Does our empire be the partys role? Yes, Portugal and Spain have been at odds, but even now, when ships from the two countries meet at sea, they fight to the death. Even though both countries epted the Popes mediation. Now! As mentioned earlier, The Empire and Portugal guarantee the safety of the ships of both countries. Do you remember the use? This is what we use here. Shin In-sons eyes, who were imagining the situation at Hyangs words, glowed strangely. Does this mean that if we see a Portuguese ship engaged in battle, which is a party to the treaty, we will automatically join the war? exactly. I will have to busily travel between the port of Johan and the Azores Inds. It is something that should not be done by mistake . Or we can just move together whenever the Portuguese ships move. Arent Challenger-ss ships famous for carrying a lot of cargo ? I guess so. Shin In-sons facial expression, as he agreed, suddenly resembled Hyangs expression. After listening to the exnation, Shin In-son stroked his beard and predicted possibilities once again. After thinking about this and that for a while, Shin In-son gave Hyang his He expressed his opinion. It is a good n, and if ites to fruition, it will be the best to protect the national interests of the empire, but the problem is the people. In order for the n to operate properly, not only will we need a lot of our navy, but we will also need a lot of newnds navy. This n is only possible when the supply and demand of talent is achieved in a timely manner. I think it will be possible because the chiefs are stepping up to the te. And dont we have a monopoly? When Hyang mentioned monopoly, Shin In-son smiled and nodded. I forgot about the monopoly. It would certainly be of great help to have a monopoly. Then can I trust you to entrust this great work to the Admiral? Im going to change my mind! Then I will only trust the Admiral. *** After handing over the work to Shin In-son, Hyang looked at the map and organized the situation. We need to seize Gibraltar and tie up Spain. Just like Britain did. In the current situation, dealing with Spain is the top priority. If Spain is properly tied up, North America can be taken care of, and Central America can be controlled by South America if we are lucky enough. You can also eat the counseling part of . No, even if you digest North America properly, there will be almost no big guys who can mess with the empire. Chapter 732 Episode 732: Bisu (2) The situation Hyang analyzed was this. -The War of the Roses took ce in Ennd, just like in history before the intervention of the Fragrances. For the time being, I dont have the energy to worry about the outside world. -Britain began its overseas expansion in earnest during the reign of Elizabeth I, so if we count it as long as possible, there are still 100 years left. -France began to show interest in overseas expansion through its alliance with Portugal. However, the aftereffects of the 100 Years War still remain. -Portugal has grown more rapidlypared to its history before the intervention, but it is stillgging behind Spain. C Portugal has the upper hand over Spain in terms of maritime power, having taken the lead on African shipping routes, but is overwhelmingly behind innd power and territorial poption. -If the discovery of the New World is dyed as much as possible by holding Spain back, it will take more time for Europes perspective to move beyond Africa. -Theter it is before Europe turns its attention to the New World, the more the empire will be able to digest the New World. After summarizing the situation up to that point, Hyang muttered to herself. The bottom line is that the best thing to do is to tie up Spain. And the best card that can tie Spain down is Gibraltar. The problem is that no matter how you look at it, it seems to have fallen into Spanish hands sooner than expected. Was it the butterfly effect that I brought about? It was a suspicion, but it was true. *** The fall of the Emirate of Granada, thest Imic state upying the southernmost part of the Iberian Penins, urred in 1492. The fall of the Emirate of Granada, sooner than expected, was due to the dispute over Suez. It was an aftereffect of the international war. The international war between the Portuguese alliance and Spain C to be exact, the United Kingdom of Castile and Leon C resulted in the massive supply of gunpowder weapons. Although Spain withdrew after signing a humiliating agreement that bordered on defeat in the war over Suez, it was on arge scale. Spain had muskets and artillery. And Spain used these forces to destroy the Emirate of Granada. And Gibraltar, which it obtained after destroying the Emirate of Granada, began to gain more value as a strategic point. Portugal acquired goods and ves from Africa . In order to export goods to the eastern Mediterranean, or to export the imperial goods that arrived at Suez to Northern Europe, they had to pass through the Strait of Gibraltar. The problem was that with Spain taking control of Gibraltar, Portugals maritime transportation routes became dangerous. The Spanish fleet stationed in Gibraltar They began to attack Portuguese merchant ships whenever they had the chance. Of course, they could not do so openly because they had epted the Popes mediation. However, Portuguese merchant ships traveling alone became prey to the Spanish navy. As a countermeasure, Portugal They moved by forming arge fleet, but this was quite uneconomical. Another solution was to usend routes on the African continent and send goods to Northern Europe through Italy. However, this was also not a good method. Right now, the ind area of the African continent was It was a ce without any information. There was a route from the Western Sahara region to the northern part of Africa, but the countries along that route were all enemies of Portugal. The good news was that those countries hated Spain as much as they hated Portugal. Using Italy was an even bigger problem, as a significant portion of the profits were still being taken by Italy, especially the Medici family of Florence . It was foolish to use Italy in such a situation. In other words, Gibraltar had be a shackle preventing Portugals growth. *** Because of this background, Hyang was confident that Portugal would cooperate with the empire. Portugal probably thinks there is nothing to lose. Even if we fight, we fight. But if we take over Gibraltar, Europe will have to watch out for us from then on. Hmm Something suddenly urred to me . Hyang stopped talking and was silent for a long time. After a while, Hyang smiled and muttered. If you do well, you can pull off a huge fraud. The reason Columbus moved west in the first ce was to find another route to India, right? But the situation has changed, so this time it will be to find an empire. So I came, no, from the west. If the empirees Hyangs eyes began to glow dangerously. Until the Spanish discovered the New World, Europe did not know about the existence of the New World. Did you know that Columbus also believed that the ce he discovered was India? In that case, Columbus, whether it was someone other than him, came to the west, and when the imperial fleet stood and blocked him, he immediately believed it. Ill throw it away. Tsk tsk tsk! Hyang began tough mischievously. If they believed that the ce they had arrived was not the New World, Europes imperialistic expansion would be dyed much longer than expected. For us, its a newnd, but on the outside, its a federal empire! Hehehehe! New Admiral. I can reduce your worries. Well have to discuss our opinions again tomorrow. The next day, Shin In-son, who heard Hyangs story, pped his knee and was impressed. What a mysterious n! People have a hard time epting new things easily. Even when you see something new, you fit into the framework of what you already know, seeing only what you want to see and believing only what you want to believe. Therefore, it will take a considerable amount of time for the Europeans to learn the truth! After confirming Shin In-sons strong support, Hyang immediately revised his n. Then, I will inform Seoul of this as well. As an aside,ter foreign countries spoke about this amendment. The assessment made by historians was as follows: C The first international fraud of the Korean Federal Empire. And Hyang and Wan gained notoriety as C Those who blocked the development of geography. Whenever this was said, the spokesperson of the Federal Empire said: Commented as follows: C It is not a fraud, but just a legitimate disguise to protect national interests. C The information rted to Shinji was not known to other countries, but was already widely known internally. You only found out about itte. Nevertheless, you continue to criticize. When this came out, the spokesperson responded as follows: Are you willing to die for dishonoring the great emperors of the empire? Are you willing to die? Are you ready to be dered war? *** A n for Europe was established and decided to be implemented, but Hyang had something to confirm before that. Area 52s artillery testing site. Hyang, Shin In-son, and the naval generals brought by In-son gathered at the test site. What brought them together was to re-check the strength of Shinjis wooden hull. It may be pointlessly repeating the same thing, as the saying goes, there is a roof on top of the roof, but wouldnt everything go well if the peoplemanding those ships feel safe? In Hyangs words, Shin In- son said, and the navy generals all nodded. Seeing that, Jang On looked at the incense and bowed his head. It is an obvious decision. However, Jang Ons true feelings were exactly the opposite. no! What did you sayst time? Jang On wanted to raise his voice and argue, but he was forced to hold back. Hyang didnt know if he knew Jang Ons feelings, but his expression was slightly excited. No matter how much I think about it, I cant just ignore something fun like this! And its a good cause! It was a fragrance that found a very good excuse to satisfy its virtue. Then lets begin the experiment! A total of 30 virtual hulls were built, including virtual hulls made ording to the thickness and assembly method set in the original design and thicknesses reduced in 5-penny increments, ultimately reducing the original thickness by 30%, and artillery was fired targeting these hulls. It has been done. Experiments were conducted under various conditions, including not only the existing imperial navys normal artillery, but also new types of artillery that had just begun to be deployed, from monolithic bombs that were simple pieces of metal to incandescent bombs filled with gunpowder. Subsequently, artillery from Ming and Europe were brought in and experiments were conducted. Lastly, an experiment was conducted in which artillery was fired at the thinnest mock hull until a hole was created. After checking the results of the experiment, Hyang looked back at Shin In-son and the navy generals. What do you think? In your opinion, even though you cut 30%, it seems like you have more than enough. I think the director is sufficient as well. Do you have any other opinions? There were no generals who expressed opposition to Hyangs question. Although the hull was made of 30% carved wood, it showed sufficient defensive power. When their concerns were resolved, the generals expressions brightened. The more space we have, the better we can carry more water and food. I wee you back! Due to the nature of Shinji, we often have to go on long distance voyages, and if we have plenty of water and food, we can use more diverse strategies. With more space, gunpowder and explosives can be stored more safely. When the generals also responded positively, Hyang looked back at Jang On. Then, thank you for continuing with the original n. Herees the Emperor. I will do as youmanded. *** With one worry out of the way, Hyang moved on to the next problem. How are things going with the issue of vegetables to be grown on the front line? We are experimenting with various things. First of all, green onions and lettuce are the best, so we will start cultivating them on board first. I dont think those two alone will be enough? Thats why we keep experimenting. Hyang, who thought for a moment at Shin In-sons answer, continued. . Take a look at Shinjis vegetables as there may be something useful in them. If you ask the natives, you will get the answer. I will. As long-distance voyages from the Korean Penins to Suez became moremon, maintaining the health of sailors became important. Staying at intermediate stops such as the Southwestern Province and a Temasek kept people healthy. It was a good way to recover, but the importance of food eaten during the voyage was immediately mentioned. The problem of drinking water was solved to some extent through distilled water created with the virtue of scent and a distiller using sorghum, but the dry quantity was a problem. Dry mass does not spoil easily. However, as it became clear that it was difficult to maintain health with dry food alone, a n to grow vegetables in the stomach emerged as a solution to this problem. When this method was introduced, the scent was based on memories of seeing it on the Inte, and it was called mung bean sprouts, bean sprouts, and bean sprouts. and bean sprouts were proposed , but this turned out to be unreasonable. Water was the problem. It was possible to supply drinking water using stills and purification nts, but it was impossible to grow bean sprouts and bean sprouts. Of course, additional stills and purified water were needed. It was possible to mount the frame, but there was a space problem. So this part was still being researched. When advancing from New Zend to Europe, you may encounter the worst case scenario of no intermediate stopover. So, do your best to find an alternative. I follow your orders. As an aside, the Europeans called the Challenger-ss front lines Rogues of the Sea. And the biggest reason for this nickname was the Challenger ss that was created in Shinji and advanced into Europe. They were wires. Chapter 733 Episode 733: Beast (3) About half a year has already passed since we lived in Shinji. The area around Shinji Temporary Pce was already filled with the feeling of autumn. Under the clear, clear autumn sky, Shinji Temporary Pce was filled with the sounds of hammering, sawing, and people shouting from all directions. This was because the reconstruction of the temporary pce was in full swing. What is interesting is that as many machines were mobilized as people were mobilized for construction. Tow trucks were moving everywhere, pulling wooden beams and beams, and potters wheels, cranes, and forklifts were raising and lowering rafters and putting on roofs. And on one side, craftsmen were wrestling with ss to be used for windows and doors. If Yeongseon waspleted properly, Shinjis temporary pce would be thergest pce not only in the empire and Ming Dynasty but also in neighboring countries. No, it became thergest and most spacious pce in the world. *** As an aside, when Louis However, as soon as the n came out, it faced strong opposition not only from the ministers but also from the people. On what budget! Im still dying from taxes! The king is out of his mind! Get back! Louis XIV, who received not only strong opposition but also threats of forced abdication, had to abandon his original n. As a result of this incident, Louis And the revolutionary will of the French people began to sprout faster than expected. *** Although construction was going on noisily outside, the residence where Hyang and Hyangs benefactors stayed was quiet. Because the distance was so far away. Ah, the weather is nice for once. Hangs face was filled with gloom as he cursed while looking out the window at the clear autumn sky. Ha~. Hyang, who let out a long sigh, looked at the mountain of documents and muttered, I want to do good work Hyang was free to say what he wanted to say, thanks to the ban on the presence of the governor and the official in his private office. *** Shinji Haenggung Pce After arriving, Hyang couldnt go more than five times to Area 52. When he was in Seoul, despite being the emperor, he made various excuses to go in and out of Area 51. But in Shinji, that was most impossible. The biggest reason was that Temporary Pce and Shinji were too far away. Starting from Shinji Temporary Pce, you had to ride non-stop on horseback for a week, then take a boat for three days to reach Area 52. This was clearly nned by Taesangwang . Its a god conspiracy! Hyang was convinced that this was King Sejongs plot. In the end, Hyang gave orders to Jinpyeong. Leave everything else aside and immediatelyy down the rail between Shinji Temporary Pce and Area 52! Yes? Its an order! Yes! Jinpyeong, who had been unable to move from Hyang since he was young, immediately went to Shinji Temporary Pce at Hyangsmand. They began However, there was a lot of time left before the railroad waspleted, and Hyang was suffering from withdrawal symptoms. I have to write something What would be good? Hyang, who was suffering from symptoms, began to think of a way to solve the problem. Should we build a vi in Area 52? Thats okay or should we build a branch office for Area 51 here? Hmmthat might be better. Because what remains isnd. And building a branch office here will make less sense than building a detached pce in Area 52. Having made a decision, Hyang grinned and looked up at the sky. Theres a famous line, right? We will find the answer. As always. Having made up his mind, Hyang took out a nk piece of paper and started writing down the order. *** As Hyang was trying every possible way to escape from the virtuous withdrawal symptoms, Wans official document arrived from Seoul. . Request for Support? What support? Do you still need time to extract something from Shinji? The older brother, who was tilting his head as he looked at the title, unsealed it and looked at the contents. Hyang frowned as he examined the contents. This is ack of creativity! To summarize the contents of the document sent by Wan, it was Please support the development of new freight cars. The parallel boxcar developed by Hyang resembled the Maxim machine gun. The side-by-side boxcar, which employed a water-cooled cooling system and a bullet feed system, had firepower that overwhelms the meal box even though it was much smaller than the food car. Therefore, the military actively weed the adoption and introduction of fire trucks. Thanks to its small size, it could be mounted in greater numbers on the front lines of forts and defensive positions, and it was easy to operate thanks to the ammunition supply. However, through thest war, the military felt the need for new weapons. -Weapons are needed to cover thended soldiers. C Throwing bombs and lightning bolts are useful, but they have many limitations. C A weapon that will constantly fire bullets at the enemies and keep their movements in check is optimal. -There are wagons for this purpose, but even the smallest military wagons are too slow to move with moving soldiers. C Especially for sses that value mobility, such as the cavalry, it is cowardly to operate a freight car. C Therefore, a new freight car is needed that can move with the charging infantry or cavalry and provide support. The military, which came to this conclusion, even set the necessary conditions. -It can be operated by 2 soldiers or, in the worst case, 1 person. -Size and weight enough for one soldier to carry and run. Having set these conditions, the military submitted a report to Wan. Regarding this, Wan and the ministers concluded that the militarys request was reasonable and issued an order to Area 51. And Area 51 put out a prototype, but this was the problem. Hyang sighed after seeing the picture of the prototype enclosed in the report. Is it MG08/15? The prototype made by Area 51 was a boxcar with a stock and trigger attached. Of course, in order to reduce the weight, the size of the cont tank was reduced, and extra space in the body was cut out to reduce the size. Naturally, the response from the military was very poor. Is this something you made to use? Are we going to elect Gapsa (ʿ) again now? It would be better to just carry a boxcar! In fact, the military even began experimenting with ways to separate the body and gun bag of the boxcar and allow soldiers to carry it on their backs. Wan was also dissatisfied. I think there must be an answer, but its probably not the right answer Wan mobilized craftsmen to find his own answer. The first thing he did was to change the material or reduce the thickness of the parts that make up the freight car. As a result , Durability had disappeared. Wan continued to look for new materials and experimented with making parts with various thicknesses, but there were a series of false sales. In the end, Wan sent an SOS to Hyang. *** Hyang, who figured out the situation through the report, I sighed. Whew~. Should we say that it is ack of creativity or that we are too tied to the existing things? Tsk. It was a scent that I couldnt taste again out of regret, but it was a scent that I could understand the position of the artisans of Area 51 and Wan. If you think about it, it was still the 15th century. In the history before the intervention of incense, the wick was still lit. It was a time when point-fire matchlock cannons and hand cannons were thetest weapons. Items such as muskets were just existing as sketches on the desks of inventors and craftsmen. However, with the intervention of incense, they were taken several steps forward. Detonators and The Gatling rifle, a breech-loading rifle using cartridge- type bullets, was a revolutionary weapon. And, as a further development, the continuous-fire firearm using bullet feed and recoil was a transcendental weapon. That is why, even after hearing the militarys proposal, craftsmen did not produce such items. I couldnt help but think. -A bullet belt is absolutely necessary for continuous firing. -If the gun barrel overheats, a problem arises, so the gun barrel needs to be cooled. For that, a water tank is essential. -The bullet used now is the optimal result. C In order to feed a bullet with a protruding rim of the bottom te, aplex process is required, such as pulling the bullet back from the bullet belt and pushing it back in. Therefore, the size of the feeding part cannot be reduced. -Cannons are also cooled with water when heated. Overheating In order to cool down a gun barrel, you have to either leave it alone or cool it with water. This limitation of perception orck of concept is what created such a monster. Whew~ Hyang sighed lightly after understanding the situation, and rxed his body lightly. stood up. Hyangs face was so bright as he stood up. As expected, Wan is a dutiful son. ruler! Then shall we go take a quick peek? * * * Fifteen dayster, Hyang visited Area 52 and exined the situation to Jang On. So they say they need a new freight car. Are you confident? At Hyangs question, Jang On hesitated for a moment and then opened his mouth. Your Majesty, I would like to inform you that there is something that the former director told me to keep secret until the right timees. No way. Jang Ons answer made him unconscious. After muttering, Hyang immediately raised his voice and said, Bring it right away! Right Now! Bring everything you have! Be prepared if youe out after searching! Yes, yep! No! Guide me right away! Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Jang On, who was distraught at the sight of Hyang going out with a shout, hurriedly followed him. Arriving in front of the tightly sealed door of Jang Yeong-silsboratory, Hyang ordered Jang On . Open it. Yes. He entered theboratory. Hyang looked back at Jang-on. Bring it. Yes. Jang-on opened the drawer of therge dresser on one side of theb and took out a long wooden box and brought it in. Click. Jang-on unlocked the box and opened the lid. I showed the contents to Lee Hyang. Seeing the firearm in the box, Hyang smiled in emptiness. This guy really has no morals. He has all the fun by himself Inside the box is simr to the Soviet Unions DP-28. There was a visible gun in it. Hyang, who was looking at the gun in question with a helpless expression, red at Jang On. I clearly told you to take it all out. This is it. Its not that I dont know Jang Yeong-sil, so what kind of nonsense is this? . Seeing Jang Ons mouth shut with a solemn look on his face, Hyang offered apromise. Good. You dont need everything, just bring what is rted to this matter. Your Majesty If you make a mistake, I can find everything. Phew~ At Hyangs threat, Jang On let out a long sigh and took out several boxes and brought them in. When Hyang saw the contents of the boxes, he muttered to himself, Is this guy really dead? Didnt he run away on a UFO? Chapter 734 Episode 734: Dagger (4) What came out of the boxes that Jang On brought with him were two types of bullet belts, three types of machine guns, two types of guns, two types of bullets, and finally, one imaginary sword. The first thing the scent noticed was the bandana. Hmm Is it a belt made of iron? Yes, I guess so. Hmm Hyang muttered to herself as she examined the belt that Jang Yeong-sil had left behind. There is one method that is familiar and one thing that reinactors showed. One of the bullet belts made by Jang Yeong-sil was familiar to the military C the bullet was the connection point between links C and the other was the one that had been used by the German and Soviet armies of World War II and even into the Rishi era of the 21st century C metal links made of single pins. It was C connected to. In the end, the basic concept of the bandoliers created by Jang Yeong-sil was the same for both. -The material of the belt holding the bullet is made of iron, not cloth. This was to rece the cloth bandoliers used not only in double-type wagons but also in double-type wagons. Hyang, who was examining the metal bandolier, asked Jang On. Why did Jang Yeong-sil tell me to hide this? Was it also because of cost? It was a matter of cost and production. Hyang nodded to Jang Ons answer. Making that metal link does require some skill. In history before the intervention of incense, making bandoliers with cloth was the oldest method. As breech-loading single-shot guns became popr, everyone from soldiers to bandits wore bullet belts. Thanks to this, as soon as the concept of bullet feed was introduced, the first thing that became popr was the bullet belt made of cloth. Simply put, the belts that soldiers wore around their waists and chests were made longer and used for machine guns. However, making a metal bullet belt was not an easy task, starting from the material. Thats why Hyang nodded. After checking the belt, Hyang turned his attention to the freight cars in question. Is one M6 and the other M2? Thest one is what is it? What is this horrible hybrid? Jang-on, seeing Hyangs gaze turn to the freight cars in question, stepped forward. The freight car in front uses a metal bullet belt and new small bullets. Open the cover andbine the bullet belts Is this how it is done? Click! Before Jang-ons exnation could even be finished, Hyang opened the feed cover with familiar hands, connected the belt, and finished. Jang-on and the craftsmen could not hide their surprise at the sight of Hyang finishing loading with an indifferent expression. Yes, thats right. I buy it. How did you do that. After listening to the exnation and looking at the outline, it seemed like that. Hyang, who was preupied with the gun, answered in an indifferent voice. Jang On and the craftsmen were beyond surprised and shocked at that indifferent answer, but then they calmly responded. Yes, His Majesty was this kind of person The deceased Director Jang Yeong-sil was also iprehensible, but this person was also iprehensible Hyang may or may not know the minds of such craftsmen, but as he carefully examined the prototype freight car in his hand, he noticed a strange thing. He made an expression. What should I think of this? The prototype freight car made by Jang Yeong-sil looked simr to the M60, but there was a big difference. The prototype freight car made by Jang Yeong-sil could not exchange barrels. Even Jang Yeong-sil in the world did not know the concept of barrel exchange. Is it true? In some ways, it seems like its true, but looking at this, it doesnt seem that way? Didnt you make it like this on purpose? Hyang, who was pondering over Is this a coincidence or intentional?, looked back at Jang On and the craftsmen. Hwacha . How to solve if the barrel of the gun overheats? First, we prevented overheating by making the barrel thicker. Is that so? Hmm But with this structure, the imperial armys bullets currently in use cannot be used. In order to properly use the metal bullet belt made by Jang Yeong-sil, it took a lot of work to use the current bullets with protruding edges on the bottom te. Yes, so. I proposed a new bullet. Is this it? Thats right. Listening to Jang-ons answer, Hyang picked up the smaller of the two bullets and examined it. Its a typical rimless bullet. He went all this way alone Isnt this guy really an alien? Hyang exined his thoughts. Jang On, whether he knew it or not, quickly continued his exnation. As you can see, the medicine container containing the gunpowder was shaped like a gourd. This is using the principle of side-by-sidebat . Even though the same gunpowder is used, the power is increased by using a smaller bullet, right? Thats right! Listening to Jang Ons admiration, Hyang muttered to himself, Its interesting to hear why a shape that was familiar to me stuck out. Anyway The Ministry of Finance and Economy will be disgusted if wee forward to make and distribute these bullets. Jang On nodded at Hyangs words. Thats why thete Director Jang Yeong-sil also told me to wait for the right time. I see Then why was this made? Hyang asked Jang On, holding up arge bullet. No matter how you look at it, its caliber 50 Is the caliber half an inch (approximately 1.5 cm)? Thats right. Thete Director Jang Yeong-sil said. ording to Jang Ons exnation, Jang Yeong-sil made this bullet for the following reasons. C The bullets currently used in military rifles and freight cars are usable, but they are not suitable for all battlefields. C Especially in naval battles, if the enemy relies on a hull made of thick wood to hide himself, he cannot demonstrate his full power. -In this case, it ismon to use artillery. However, depending on the opponent, there are cases where artillery is actually a waste. -At this time, a freight car using this ammunition would be an appropriate means. Indeed Hyang, who was nodding at Jang Ons exnation, soon had another question. ording to the exnation, its okay to use it now, but why did you hide it? The empire has already clearly controlled the surrounding area, so I told you to wait for the right time because it could lead to a needless increase in military spending . That makes sense. Nodding his head, Hyang soon gave an order. It is said that the empire subdued its surroundings, but it only subdued the surrounding countries. Even though we put a lot of effort into suppressing them over the past time, there are still a lot of thieves everywhere. It is a waste to use nder to deal with such thieves, so it is right to produce them. I am sure His Majesty the Emperor will agree to this, so prepare for production. I follow your orders. *** In this way, something that Jang Yeong-sil had been hiding was revealed sooner than expected. This was the birth of the Gapsik Banchi Junghwacha. The heavy vehicles that appeared on the battlefield ughtered enemies at sea, onnd, and even in the air. Thanks to its exceptional power, the heavyweight car and the special tin used in it boasted notoriety such as Goddamn 0.5 (Empire) Inch, Devils .50 Caliber, and Flesh Crusher, and were used by the Empire and its allies for nearly 200 years. I was loved. *** Hyang frowned as he inspected thest remaining freight car. The freight car in question was a military rifle used by the imperial army with an ammunition supply mechanism attached to it. At first nce, Hyang shook his head when he saw that the structure wasplex and that breakdowns were likely to ur frequently. This is not like Jang Yeong-sil. Jang On quickly responded to Hyangs assessment. Thete Director Jang Yeong-sil also said that this was a failure and should never be revealed. That makes sense Lets see next time. Hyang then looked at the Chongga that Jang Yeong-sil had designed C equipped with a hydraulic reclining seat C and immediately made a decision. It is useful, but it is definitely still premature. Leave only the song that matches the wagon we decided to produce earlier, and keep the rest. I will follow your orders! After checking what Jang Yeong-sil had hidden, Hyang went back to the beginning. How were those freight cars made earlier? The imperial cavalry stationed in Shinji made a simr request. The Great Emperor ordered us to think about it . I dont remember receiving such a report. Perhaps Tae Sang-sang Jang On trailed off, but Hyang knew what he said next. If that report came to Seoul, you would have known that I would move right away! Thats why you hid it! Tsk! So, is that what Director Jang Yeong-sil made? There were things that the small gods came up with, but none of them were satisfactory.. I want to see what the craftsmen in Area 52 made as well. yes. After seeing the prototypes made by the artisans of Area 52, Hyang whetted his appetite.. Ugh.. Didnt Director Jang Yeong-sil say something? Is the head just a decoration? Jang On was speechless, but Hyang nodded. You made it worth it. Whether in Seoul or here The craftsmen in Area 52 also made them just like the craftsmen in Seoul. They were made based on freight cars. You must have been scolded for insisting on bullet belts and cartridges, right? Jang On immediately nodded and responded to Hyangs words. Thats right. In response to Jang Ons answer, Hyang stroked her chin and reflected inwardly. This seems like my mistake *** In history before the intervention of scent, magazines were created before bullet belts. In the early days, magazines were closer to cartridges rather than magazines. The best example was the magazine used in Gatling. Then, with the development of Maxim, bullet feed ammunition was introduced. However, as the scent intervened, the cartridge disappeared and went straight to the bullet belt. When the Eulsik Hwacha was manufactured, a bullet belt was introduced instead of a magazine to increase the continuous firing time. Thanks to this, the feeding mechanism of the food truck has be moreplicated, but its firepower has been greatly strengthened. The problem was that because of this, craftsmen did not know the concept of magazines. *** But Hyang soon realized one thing and asked Sang-on. Tsk! By the way, did Director Jang Yeong-sil also say that to you even after he made a modified version of that military rifle? No. After the military rifle came to Shinji, he thought about it for a while and made it, but he didnt like it so much that he hid it. Requests came in after that. So he entrusted it to the minor gods, but nothing was satisfactory Jang On continued his exnation, pointing to a simr product to the DP-28. This is what thete director Jang Yeong-sil, who pointed out the weight problem, made. Then what about the other two? They were made for referenceter when time passes and new freight cars are needed. Is that so? Hmm. Alien as expected? Hyang, who was questioning the existence of Jang Yeong-sil, who even showed insight ahead of his time, shook his head. Ah, Tae Sang-tae even confirmed his death, but it went too far. Hyang, who dismissed the Jang Yeong-sil alien theory, continued to think, But it would be too bad to just leave the existence of Jang Yeong-sil alone. Among the natives of Shinji, there are even those who consider him a god * ** When Hyang first visited Area 52, afterpleting his tour of Area 52, he visited the grave of Jang Yeong-sil. The former director asked to be buried here rather than at the Imperial Cemetery in Seoul. I want to continue to see the development of Area 52 here, even if I be a ghost Is that so? Hyang quietly nodded at Jang Ons words. I would have said that too. Area 52 was created by Jang Yeong-sil from the beginning It was a scent that seemed to know how Jang Yeong-sil felt. Hyang entered Jang Yeong-sils grave with Jang Ons guidance and made a bewildered expression. This was because the area around Jang Yeong-sils tomb was full of all kinds of symbols. What are those? Jang On stammered in response to the question about the incense. That is things like jangseung and stone masons that were erected by the natives in reverence for the deceased Director Jang Yeong-sil . Jangseung and stone masons as a sign of respect? You know that doesnt make sense, right? At Hyangs words, Jang On suddenly knelt down and bowed his head. Please kill me! Chapter 735 Episode 735: Bisu (5) Please kill me! Its over Hyang muttered inwardly at Jang-ons shout. But I also understood the scent. Well, if its Jang Yeong-sil Jang On must have known Hyangs feelings and desperately made an excuse. Isnt thete Director Jang Yeong-sil a person whose magic reached the heavens? Even the small gods who had already be ustomed to him by living with him for more than a dozen years were often amazed by his strangeness, but it was only natural for the inexperienced natives to think that the strange talent did not belong to humans! The deceased, who knew this well, prevented them from considering themselves sacred during his lifetime, but the natives were so foolish Stop. I understand what youre trying to say. Hyang raised his hand to stop Jang On from speaking. Even I doubt that Jang Yeong-sil is an alien, so wouldnt it be scary? While Hyang was thinking that, Jang On and the other craftsmen were contemtive and only watching Hyangs thoughts. The reason they became so thoughtful was because worshiping Jang Yeong-sil as a god was itself a great act of disrespect. Since ancient times, the only thing equal to heaven was the king. However, the fact that a mere subject or even a father-inw was worshiped as a god meant that the person concerned and the king were of the same level. Naturally, this was regarded as disrespect or disloyalty, and it was a situation where there was nothing to say even if used. While Jang On and his craftsmen were shaking in fear, Hyang, who was reminiscing about Jang Yeong-sil, asked Jang On. Did Taesang-tae know about this? Yes. What did you say? He said, Do not criticize these people who have not known the wideness of the world until now. However, I have told you to strictly refrain from doing so in the future. Hmm After thinking for a moment about Jang Ons words, Hyang immediately made a decision. There is no mistake in what Tae Sang-tae said. So, please keep it as is. I follow your orders. I will not hold you ountable for your sins this time, but if something like this happens again in the future, I will hold you ountable for your sins. I will keep this in mind! It would be a good idea to collect and disy the items made by the indigenous people separately and ce a que with a name written like this in front of them. People who admired Jang Yeong-sils mysterious skills used their own dexterity to create these. I mean. You know what I mean, right? I will do it right away! Jang-on and the craftsmen, who had revived the knight, answered with one voice. And Jang On and the craftsmen immediately carried out Hyangs orders. Jang On and his craftsmen, who left only the tombstone and altar in front of Jang Yeong-sils tomb, created a small exhibition hall near the grave. In that space, which consisted only of pirs and a roof, various sculptures made by indigenous people were disyed, and at the entrance of the exhibition hall, there was a stone monument engraved with the words spoken by Hyang. As a side note, this exhibition hall waster transformed into an exhibition hall that preserves the traditional crafts and culture of the Shinji indigenous people. *** Hyang recalled an anecdote from the past and strengthened his decision. Equality among civil servants was legited, and the caste system was actually diluted considerably. Except for Gwanno, who is a political prisoner. As Hyang said, the caste system was considerably diluted in the empire. In particr, as it was treated as property and subject to additional taxes, Sanobi almost disappeared. Most of the remaining Sanobi were too old and had problems bing self-reliant. The imperial court, which acknowledged this problem, also reduced taxes appropriately in this situation. However, Gwanno still existed inrge numbers. However, the concept of governmentbor has changed a lot from before, and now the people working in mines and various difficultbor sites as governmentbor are political prisoners and their descendants. Of course, as a relief measure for those who became government ves as soon as they were born because they were descendants of political prisoners, King Sejong enacted aw to exempt them from punishment in the third generation. The problem was that there were very few descendants of political prisoners who continued through the third generation. Although the caste system was greatly diluted with the exception of governmentbor, subtle discrimination still existed. Thats why Hyang came up with the idea of using Jang Yeong-sil. For artisans, the name Jang Yeong-sil carries enormous weight. If you use this well, you can dilute the bad habits of craftsmen and merchants and use it as a powerful motivation for growth. Then, as expected Hyang, who had made up his mind, muttered softly. I guess Ill have to contact Seoul. *** Then we decided to deal with that problem After finding a way to use Jang Yeong-sils name, Hyangs gaze turned to thest remaining drawing. Combining a Japanese boxcar and a steam engine? Yeul-style freight cars are driven by people turning them with their hands or stepping on the pedals with their feet. Thats right. Hyang nodded at Jang Ons words. When the Ulsik freight car was first made, it was moved by turning the axis by hand. However, this method had a slow firing speed. To improve this, Hyang used the pedal of an old sewing machine. The device was attached to the Eulsik wagon. Pedals were attached to the left and right sides of the Eulsik wagon, and two soldiers sat down and stepped on the pedals to turn the barrel of the wagon. As a result, the firing speed of the Eulsik wagon was significantly faster, and the advantages of bullet feed were highlighted. However, this was the case . The size of the wagons increased. Due to this problem of size, the existing hand-cranked wagons were assigned to the Eulsik wagons that moved with the cavalry or infantry, and the modified versions were deployed to forts and front lines. Jang On continued his exnation. So the steam wagons It was designed with the idea that if a train was turned using an engine, it would have a much faster firing speed than if it was turned by human hands or feet. Hyang shook his head at Jang Ons exnation. There seem to be several problems, right? The first thing thates to mind is that putting a steam engine that uses fire next to a ce where there are a lot of bullets full of gunpowder? Its too dangerous. Secondly,bining a steam engine in each boxcar is more dangerous than the stomach. It is bigger. Thirdly, if youbine a steam engine with a steam engine, the weight will be enormous, and it takes too much effort to turn left and right. Jang On immediately bowed his head at Hyangs point. Thete Director Jang Yeong-sil also ended up finishing with only drawings due to this very problem. He said that if only the steam engine problem could be solved, it would be better to build an Eul-style freight car that uses the half-chitan bullets shown earlier orrger bullets. It is a reasonable decision. Nodding his head, Hyang added, The deceaseds Post yourments in the record so that future generations can continue to think about them. I will follow your orders. After giving the order, Hyang looked at the pseudo-DP-28 in question and stroked his chin. Its a good gun, but theres something about it . Its a shame. Especially that damn tray, its not my taste. Hyang, who was torn between reason and selfishness, finally made a decision: This looks good, but there is a problem. That round tray looks like something that stores bullets. What is it called? It was named Tango because it is an object that stores bullets. Tangora. When the magazine runs out, does Tango be Engko? Its very unfamiliar? Lets change it! The Hyang immediately corrected the name as it had a very unfamiliar sound. Rather than go, they use the character chan (}) for each ce, so it is called a magazine. I think it would make a good sound to sing it. Yes. I will fix it right away. Hyang, who had thus renamed Tango to Magazine, continued to speak. A round magazine like that tray is inconvenient to carry. If youre a cavalry soldier and hang it next to your saddle, youll be fine. But it doesnt seem easy for infantrymen to carry it. ording to the militarys request, two people operate it, so I think its okay if one person carries the freight car and the other carries it . But isnt it still too much of a hassle? I think it would be good if you corrected it. Bring some paper and a stylus. Yes! At the Hyangsmand, Jang On and the others quickly went outside and brought paper and stylus. Here we are! The eyes of Jang On and the craftsmen were sparkling as they politely held out the paper and stylus. For the craftsmen who passed through Area 51, Hyang was an entityparable to Jang Yeong-sil. C You may not be able to make a proper drawing, but your idea is the best in the world! This was the evaluation of incense circting among craftsmen. I cant believe I actually saw the situation in which Sang Sang designed it himself! This is the best luck of my life! Such luck! We have something to brag about for generations toe! What kind of freight train were you thinking of? Hmm Hmm Hyang, holding a stylus in his hand, drew a picture and exined. The basic framework is the same as what thete Director Jang Yeong-sil thought. It uses the power of gunpowder to fire a bullet. However, if you use the gunpowder fumes right away, the soot can clog the pipe and cause it to malfunction. Thats why we attach a push rod like this so that the smoke pushes the push rod. Ah! And the magazine is made into a box shape like this and inserted into the top. This way, even if the spring inside the magazine breaks, there is no need to worry because the bullets will continue toe down. Ah! Thats right! Indeed! Jang On and the craftsmen were amazed while listening to the pictures and exnations. However, what Jang On and Jain admired most was the concept of swapping gun barrels. .. If you rece the barrel of the freight car like this, you can solve the overheating problem. Of course, it would be a problem if the enemies flocked to the point where there was no time to exchange, but I think that is a problem for themanders to solve. Thats right! Seeing Jang On and the craftsmen nodding their heads repeatedly, Hyang took a breath and asked, Phew~ I thought about it like this for now, what do you think? As soon as Hyang finished his question, Jang On and the craftsmen bowed down on the floor and shouted, His Majesty Sang Sang has bestowed his blessings and expanded the realm of the world! Hwang Eun is in ruin! Hwang Eun is in ruin! In response to the cries of Jang On and the craftsmen, Hyang He smiled humbly and waved his hand. What about Hwang Eun? Do you think its okay? This is the best! We will make proper drawings and prototypes soon! Good luck. Hyang muttered to himself as he looked at the high spirits of Jang On and the craftsmen. If you make it right, it will be the light machine gun that took the world by storm. What Hyang showed the craftsmen was the Bren light machine gun. As Hyang said, it was one of the light machine guns that dominated the era. It was one of the firearms whose construction I was eager to see through Yang Deok, whom I had developed a close rtionship with when I went to the United States. Please give me a name for this freight car. Hyang immediately responded to Jang Ons request. This is a light freight car that I can carry alone, so lets call it a light freight car. And since it is the first product to be released, we will add A () and call it an A-type light vehicle. Yes. I will! Hyang, who was organizing the situation while listening to Jang Ons answer, continued speaking as if he suddenly remembered something. Ah! You know that prototype freight car that Director Jang Yeong-sil made earlier? That little one. Yes? Yes. Please add a use saying barrel recement will be easily possible to the documents rted to that prototype freight car. It would be very useful if just the barrel could be easily reced. Ah! Yes! Ill add it right away! Ill post it in the challenge log right away! Hyang shook his head at Jang Ons words. Have you forgotten why Director Jang Yeong-sil gave such an order? Just keep it in storage for the time being. Yes. Jang On couldnt hide his regret, but Hyang also had a reason. Im sure if the military sees it, theyll make a fuss about hiring us right away. There are already a lot of things to spend money on, so if you try to change everything, starting with bullets, it wont be the military. The Ministry of Finance and Economy will stage a coup. In the current situation, we have a lot of time to spare, so its best to bury it. After solving one problem, Hyang came out with a relieved expression on her face and screamed inwardly. I feel like I can finally live! After all, living is fun only if you practice virtue! Whats in life? Chapter 736 Episode 736: Dagger (6) In Shinji, Hyang was busy making various ns for Europe and resolving various requests from the headquarters. This is not what I thought Hyang was in tears as she looked at the reports and approval documents that showed no signs of shrinking. The initial n was like this. C Tae Sang-tae If King Sejongs personality is anything to go by, more than 10 years would have been enough toy the foundation. -Then, I just have to go to Shinji, upgrade appropriately, and do what I want to do. -variable? Its enough to resolve variables through improvisation. -Talent supply and demand problem? Arent there indigenous people? As King Sejong showed, a quick solution is possible by mobilizing the Hunminjeongeum, various carrots, and appropriate sticks. -conclusion. If you struggle a little in the beginning, youll be fine from next time on! This was not just a delusion of incense. ording to the report sent by King Sejong from Shinji, King Sejong had clearlyid the foundation. Not only King Sejongs report, but also many other records C requests for supplies, requests for troop support, etc. C guaranteed that the foundation had been clearlyid. Therefore, the township was confident of the sess of the n because it had selected arge number of personnel needed for a smooth upgrade C especially the navy. But when I came to Shinji, the results I experienced were simple. -A dream is a dream because it is a dream. Hyang sighed as he ced his hand on his forehead. Whew. Im the one who forgot what kind ofnd this Shinji was in the first ce and that this is a time when there are noputers Hyang overlooked that Shinji is a continent in size and that everything has to be solved by manpower. It was a mistake. The n to educate the indigenous people of the new area and use them as human resources was sessful. The problem was that even if talented people were recruited, it would be difficult to properly manage this vast new area. In the end, there was only one best solution to solve this problem. -ept people from Europe. -However, it is epted only as an individual or unit, not as a national unit. And in order to seed, we mustplete the sea defense wall and obtain Gibraltar Hyang, who had settled the situation, ced his hand on his forehead and sighed. Huh~. Is this a return ticket? He sighed and felt dejected, but Hyang didnt just sit there. Think about when you can get a limited edition! A fan doesnt give up! Lets go! The scent was once again burning with fighting spirit as he grabbed hold of the documents and wrestled with them. * * * While Hyang was struggling so hard in Xinji, Europe began to be wary of the empire in another ce. Suez was the ce where Europe began to be wary of the empire. By taking charge ofying the railway to Suez, the empire acquired the right to build a port where the imperial navy could be stationed through an additional treaty. ordingly, the imperial navy moved quickly. Engineers from the Imperial Military Joint Construction Team arrived at the same time as the engineers in charge of the railway construction. * * * Among the things the empire created, operated, and used, many were evaluated as timeless. And among those receiving such evaluation were variousws and systems. Representative policies included womens management appointments, guaranteed maternity leave, and policies to encourage childbirth, and the Imperial Military Joint Construction Team was one of them. -Responsible for the construction and maintenance of various buildings and facilities necessary for the Imperial Army. The Imperial Military Joint Construction Team was created for this purpose. All buildings and facilities required for ces bearing the name of the Imperial Army, regardless of whether they were the Imperial Army or Navy, were necessarily built by the Imperial Military Joint Construction Team. Construction and operation, which had been created and operated by central heating, were now managed by one location, which not only increased efficiency but also reduced costs. What is interesting is that it was Wan, not Hyang, who proposed the creation of the Imperial Military Joint Construction Team. To be exact, it was the work of the Wanduseul brothers. Du and Seul hoped to enter the military service and be soldiers guarding the front lines, but due to the characteristics of their status as princes, they had no choice but to take positions in the budget department of the Ministry of National Defense rather than the front lines. The brothers began to wage a war not with external enemies but with numbers, and soon became experts in budgeting. And it was Du and Seul who realized the problem of budget waste while investigating therge-scale embezzlement that urred during the First Light War. To find a permanent solution to this problem, Du and Seul visited Wan, and the three brothers put their heads together to research a solution. The result was the Imperial Military Joint Construction Team. -Facility-rted areas are where arge amount of budget is constantly consumed, not only during exhibitions but also during normal times. -Looking at the current situation, the Army is operated separately as the Army and the Navy as the Navy. -Of course, this may be unavoidable since the characteristics of the Army and Navy arepletely different. But there are many things inmon. -However, the problem of not only beingx while operating separately but also wasting budget has been discovered. -Therefore, a specialized organization is created to construct and manage buildings and facilities for the entire imperial military, including the army and navy. Wans proposal, based on this outline, was immediately epted. The Imperial Military Joint Construction Team was busy as soon as it was created. Not only was it a collection of talented individuals with extensive experience in architecture and civil engineering in the Army and Navy, but it was also a result of being assigned to the Engineer Corps and possessing both theoretical and practical skills. As a side note, the ce where the talents most coveted by civilian constructionpanies gathered was the Imperial Military Joint Construction Team. * * * The technical staff of the Imperial Military Joint Construction Team that arrived in Suez moved diligently. Engineers who scanned the Gulf of Suez found a suitable location that had a source of drinking water nearby and was neither too far nor too close to the existing port. I want to build a military port here. Is that okay? Representatives of the alliance, who confirmed the location at the request of Geuk officials, held a separate meeting. How do you feel? I think its okay. I agree. The alliance representatives who reached a consensus immediately epted it, and the Imperial Joint Construction Team brought in engineers and began construction right away. Representatives of the alliance, who saw the arrival of manpower to build a military port, asked imperial officials. How long will construction take? Im expecting it to be two years. 2 years? In response to the answer 2 years, the alliance representatives all showed an expression of uncertainty. Later, the representatives of the alliance met among themselves and discussed the topic of this construction period. Two years? What on earth are you making? The time period is too long to see it as simply building a port, and it is too short to see it as building a military facility. I agree. It was a construction period that was iprehensible to themon sense of the alliance representatives. Two years was too short a period to build a sizable garrison with proper defense facilities, rather than a simple temporary garrison. I have no idea what kind of building they are trying to build I agree. * * * As members of the construction team began construction in earnest, the alliance representatives were able to resolve their questions. Cementum could be used like that. Its abination of cementum and iron bars interesting. Its really interesting to think of making bricks out of cementum The alliances representatives looked like they were amused by the sight of the imperialists usingrge quantities of mortar and steel bars to raise buildings and walls. However, as the fortress defending the military port gradually took shape, the expressions of the militarymanders of the same name began to change unusually. It looks trickier than the damned triple walls of Constantinople At the words of the Ottoman militarymander, the alliedmanders around him looked at him with surprised faces. Have you ever seen the triple walls of Constantinople? To the question of the Portuguese militarymander, the Ottoman militarymander answered with an indifferent expression. I tried to climb over that wall and barely survived. Ah The militarymanders of Portugal and Florence, France looked back at the Ottoman militarymander with meaningful eyes. In order to focus on the war over Suez, the Ottomans had signed a truce with the Eastern Roman Empire. However, it was an open secret that the Ottomans were once again targeting the Eastern Roman Empire now that they had taken possession of Suez. The people who are still struggling to get over that triple wall are the Ottomans, and they are more difficult than the triple wall? The alliedmanders, who had been pondering the words of the Ottoman militarymander, once again meticulously observed the wall in question. The alliedmanders, who observed the walls whenever they had time and studied strategies for attacking them, soon came to understand what the Ottomanmander had said. The alliedmanders, who were ring at the floor n of the ROK military fortress sketched through previous observations, swore. Damn it I agree. While the Portuguese and Florentinemanders were grumbling, the Frenchmander expressed his sentiments poetically. It is a wall that properly embodies the malice to kill the enemy. No, it should be seen as the sum of malice (summa me voluntatis). Allmanders present nodded at the Frenchmanders words. What do you think is the best means to attack that castle wall? In response to the Frenchmanders question, the Florentinemander smiled and answered. It seems easier to make my concubines get along than to attack that castle wall. Foot! Phew! There was a lightugh at the unexpected joke, but themanders faces immediately became serious. Even though it was a joke, it meant that it seemed impossible. The Florentine militarymander continued. If you look at the shape of the castle wall, it is the optimal arrangement for spreading crossfire. And if you look at the arrangement of the moat and mound, it will be difficult to push arge number of troops at once. The bottom line is that the attacker will only waste troops by pouring in one after another and wasting away one after another. What if we fire? If the walls are that thick, even a decent cannon wont make a scratch on them. Is there a cannon that can hit that castle wall within range? Mounds and moats are blocking the way to get close, and if you get too far, the sea is right there The power of the cannons carried on battleships is not zero Phew. ~. Themanders who were studying strategy all sighed. But deep down, I was thinking the same thing. I guess Ill have to send the report back home. If you reinforce the castle in that format, it will be the best means of defense. It was the butterfly effect of scent. In the history before the intervention of the city, the fortresses that had appeared gradually starting with the Italian War in 1494 quickly appeared over the next 30 years. If it had been up to this point, the empire would not have been a target of European caution. However, the alliedmanders stationed in Suez had extensivebat experience. They soon realized an even more frightening truth. Wait Im sure the Imperials dont know that we are observing them. But they showed it openly? That means they have a way to break down or attack that wall! Chapter 737 Episode 737: Dagger (7) Themander of the allied forces stationed in Suez was busy every day. This was because the situation waspletely different from what was expected when the deployment to Suez was first ordered. -The Mamluks and Spain are also in a state of disarray, so think of them as going on vacation. As the high-ranking people said, in the early days, it almost felt like a vacation. However, it was not a position of demotion. Even though it was a relief, the Mamluk cavalry asionally caused disturbances, and bandits from desert tribes also had to be careful. Therefore, the evaluation of Suez among alliedmanders deployed in the Suez area was as follows. -The best ce to increase your ransom if you y moderately and pay a little attention. However, the honey time of thesemanders disappeared when the empire built a fortress. Seeing the imperial fortress taking shape, the alliedmanders contemted a method of destruction while also acknowledging the usefulness of the imperial fortress. -This is a world where cannons have already be the center of war. The existing wall is like a barn door in front of the cannon. C If you repair your home countrys fortresses in this way, their defensive capabilities will be strengthened. The alliedmanders who made this judgment sent a long report back home without the knowledge of othermanders, along with relevant sketches and other information and their own judgment. And the reply from the home country arrived faster than expected. C Obtain as much detailed information as possible and submit it. -Check the reactions of other allies and report them. The alliedmanders who received the orders from the home country sighed. Whoa. The good days are gone. * * * The home countries of the alliance were not just sitting idle either. It must be acknowledged that it is definitely excellent at defense. We must rebuild as many castles and fortresses that must be protected as possible in that way. The allies who came to this conclusion began to busily renovate their castles and fortresses. This was an obvious choice. France fought the 100 Years War with Britain and is now in an uneasy rtionship with Spain. Likewise, Portugal is snarling with Spain. Florence is experiencingrge and small armed conflicts against other city-states. The Ottomans are zealously expanding their territory, but the need for castles is also increasing. All of the alliance countries were in need of excellent base defense facilities. Therefore, the Allies began to renovate castles based on reports and sketches sent by Suezmanders. France rebuilt the Paris Castle and Bastille fortress, Portugal rebuilt Lisboa, the capital and central trading port, Florence rebuilt the city walls divided into left and right sides by the Arno River, and the Ottomans rebuilt the walls of Edirne in a simr style to the imperial style. it started. * * * As the allies remodeled the fortresses and castles of their capitals and major bases in an imperial style, neighboring countries also began to react. Why them? Doing those things at the same time? Why? All neighboring countries who saw the movements of their allies simultaneously building or renovating new castles began to wonder, Why? What do they have inmon? Neighboring countries, who searched and analyzed the situation of neighboring countries and various information to solve their questions, soon found the answer. -They are all allied countries. -All of those allies have deep ties to the empire. -The imperial fortress being built in Suez looks very simr to the one being built by the allies. If you look at the time period, the allies made it ording to the style of the empire. In addition, militarymanders from neighboring countries reported this to their masters. It is difficult to attack with the means we have now! Eventually, as if the wave was spreading, neighboring allied countries also began building new styles of castles and fortresses modeled after the empires style. It was the beginning of the imperial fortress trend that marked a milestone in European architectural history. * * * Whether at home or not, the Alliedmanders stationed in Suez were concerned about how to destroy the fortress built by the imperial army. I think it would be difficult to even make a scratch with the cannons we have now. Other alliedmanders also nodded at the words of the Ottomanmander. If you were ordered to attack that Osae, what do you think would be the most appropriate tactic? In response to the Frenchmanders question, othermanders responded simultaneously. Istion. blockade. blockade. All of themanders expressed the same opinion, but their expressions were not bright. Blockade is the most correct answer, but the problem is that this fortress was built with that in mind. * * * When the Imperial Military Joint Construction Team decided on a site to build a fortress, they spent the most time trying to find a site that satisfied two prerequisites. C Sufficient water source C Must be close to the military dock to be built at the same time. To satisfy these conditions, engineers from the joint construction team scoured the entire Gulf of Suez and drilled holes for tube wells in dozens of locations. The result was a fortress that was slowly entering its final stages. * * * There is no answer to that problem since it supplies its own drinking water, and the only correct answer would be to seize the wharf connected to the fortress, cut off the supply route, and then dry it out. The Portuguesemander, who nodded at the words of the Florentinemander, continued. The problem will be the imperial battleships. Only by blocking those battleships can the supply route be cut off. I agree. We dont know much about ships, so lets call the captains and ask them. The othermanders all nodded at the Portuguesemanders suggestion. Soon after, the captains of Portuguese trading ships arrived, invited by themanders. The captains who had been invited to a gathering under the pretense of a banquet changed their expressions when asked questions from the alliedmanders. Did you ask whether you could sink the Empires battleships? Thats right. The captains who heard the confirmation all had simr expressions. Why are there all these idiots? The alliedmanders, who read that expression, suppressed their emotions and asked the question again. Did we get something wrong? Isnt that why you suddenly asked if you could sink an imperial battleship? We are getting along well at best, so why did you sink it? Isnt there such a thing as what if? The captains expressions also became serious as they heard the Portuguesemanders words. After gathering their thoughts for a moment, the captains began to open their mouths one by one. Defeat with regr attack methods. I agree. The Empires battleships have incredible firepower, but their defense capabilities are even greater. That much? The captains nodded to the Frenchmanders question. Why would we wait for the imperial warships and merchant ships to set sail and move together? At first nce, I counted them, but they are crazy people carrying more than 50 cannons. More than 50 cannons on one ship! Have you ever seen those cannons spitting fire all at once? Just looking at them makes you want to urinate. Theplexions of the alliedmanders turned dark at the captains words. The captains drove a wedge into suchmanders. Do you think it is the grace of the Lord that a railway has beenid from Suez to the Mediterranean? If the waterway had been opened, the ownership of the Mediterranean would have changed. Cancer! Cancer! Im already so distraught that the Imperial Navy has been asking about Africa these days! At that moment, the captainsst words caught the attention of those around him. Did you say that the Flower Country or the Imperial Navy was asking about Africa? Thats right. ording to what I heard, the people next to the Empire once went to Africa, so the Empire will also try it. I think thats probably why. As soon as I finished speaking, the other captains also pretended to know. Ah! I heard that story too. A eunuch who served the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty led a fleet to the east coast of Africa, right? Wasnt that a rumor? I dont think its a rumor. I stopped by Myeong briefly and heard there was a record of it. Hmm If the Ming did it, theres a good chance the Empire will do it too. And if it is an empire, it will be more fully prepared. While the captains were chatting about the Imperial Expedition to Africa, the alliedmanders C especially the Portuguesemanders C were deep in thought with serious faces. Empire in Africa? The possibility is certainly high. Its not like the empire doesnt know Africa. How should I respond if I bypass Africa and head north? Should we open our colonial cities? No, why more than that? If youre going to trade, theres no need to go through the trouble of going around, right? Why on earth? The alliedmanders became even more confused as they heard unexpected information. But the final conclusion was all the same. I guess Ill have to tell my country. * * * While the minds of the Alliedmanders were bing confused, the firearms to be deployed in the fortress, which was in the final stage, arrived in Suez. The alliedmanders, who were watching the guns with their barrels wrapped in thick packaging, were unloaded, looked full of envy. As expected, these are cannons made of iron. Its an iron cannon Were still a bronze cannon. I heard that Ennd is trying to make cannons out of cast iron. Does anyone know? I heard they are trying hard, but there are no rumors that a good one has emerged yet. While discussing rumors rted to cannons, themanders eyes were fixed on the weapons and soldiers being unloaded from the ship. Themanders who were observing the firearms being unloaded soon noticed something strange. Huh? Something strange? Did you notice that too? You? Themanders inspected the unloaded cargo with faces full of doubt. Over the next few months, the Imperial Navy brought weapons and soldiers to be stationed at the fortress. Every time a ship of the Imperial Navy arrived, alliedmanders came to the dock to inspect the unloaded cargo and watch the soldiers. And themanders all came to the same conclusion. There are no freight cars! Youre pulling out a freight car! What is the Empire thinking? The Eul-style freight cars, brought in half a year after the war over Suez, left a strong impression on the Alliedmanders. The Eulsik hwacha was a more useful item than a cannon to deal with the approaching enemies. But soon the alliedmanders learned why there were no freight cars. It would be nice to have a freight car. This was because a weapon I had never seen before was ced where I wanted to be. what? Its much smaller than a freight car Themanders who were curious about the identity of the new weapon immediately found the answer when familiar cartridges were ced next to the mysterious weapon. The Empire has improved its freight cars! That very day, all the globes flew into the sky of Suez. And within a few days, the allies dispatched messengers to Suez. And the monarchs of the allies who sent the messengers ced their hands on their foreheads. A new freight car! You crazy imperial bastards! Messengers were sent to ignite the military, but the monarchs were able to roughly understand the answer. If the Empire had pushed out the existing freight cars and deployed them, the superior performance was clear even without looking. Then, it was certain that the military would insist on its introduction, and it was certain that this would be a political and economic burden. Chapter 738 Episode 738: Dagger (8) The messengers sent by the allied monarchs arrived at Suez, moving ahead and behind them. wee. The envoys who arrived greeted by the alliedmanders went straight to the main topic. Do you have any new information regarding the Empires new freight cars? Themanders answers to the envoys questions were the same. Nothing new is known about it except that it is a side-by-side boxcar. Byungsik? When the envoys expressed doubts about the name Byungsik, the Portuguesemander exined its meaning. The Imperial Army gives the name Gap-eul Byeong ording to the order in which the weapon was developed. Sik can be thought of as having the meaning of Modelo. So, when ites to a weapon-type boxcar, you can think of it as the third boxcar developed. . Third? Not second? The one we introduced is said to be the second freight car developed. I see The envoys, who were nodding their heads as they received themanders reports, soon got to the point. So have you found out what the performance is like? Im sorry, but I havent done it yet. At the Portuguesemanders answer, the envoys turned to the othermanders. Seeing this, the envoys looked back at the other alliedmanders present. The Shinigami, who saw that they all had simr expressions, looked like they didnt understand. They will also be training, right? Cant we just request an observation? I was rejected. If we were training outside, we might be able to sneak peeks, but we are also training inside the fortress. Oh my The envoys, who looked slightly embarrassed by themanders response, soon agreed with each other. First, lets officially request to observe the training. If we go through diplomatic channels, they will have no choice but to respond. Lets do that. Then lets stop here for today. Thats right. I guess Im very tired because I came a long way. The envoys, who agreed to make the request through diplomatic channels, moved to the embassy built by their country. Upon entering their own space, the envoys called themanders and secretly delivered orders. Try to contact a high-rankingmander in the Imperial Army. I would like to meet him personally. Does that mean you will move independently? Shouldnt we use every possible method? Themanders looked perplexed at the envoys words. If you do it wrong, it can cause problems between allies. Our interestse first. And those guys are probably all giving simr orders, right? Themanders, who thought for a moment when the envoy said that other allied envoys would be giving simr orders, had no choice but to give the same answer. Ill try to draw a line. * * * Three dayster, Allied envoys delivered an official request to the Imperial Foreign Ministry official staying at the fortress. -I want to see the new freight cars used by the Empire. The Imperial Foreign Ministry official who received the request immediately sent a reply. -The request is rted to the military. It was ryed to the military, and the militarymander requested a response from the home headquarters. I will reply as soon as I get an answer. The Allied envoys looked helpless at the reply sent by the Imperial Foreign Ministry official stationed at the fortress. This is a very nice rejection. It only takes half a year to go from here to the Empire and back It means I wont show you at all. The faces of the French and Ottoman envoys who confirmed the reply containing the intention of rejection were suddenly filled with anger instead of despair. Are you looking down on our ally, France? As the French envoy shouted, the Ottoman envoy also nodded. Thats right! Even for an empire, this is rude! However, the Portuguese and Florentine envoys only smiled bitterly. I feel bad, but the Empire is not yet a member of the alliance And diplomatically, it is difficult to find fault with it. Since they did not reject our request at all Portuguese and Florentine envoys The French and Ottoman envoys had no choice but to keep quiet about the criticism. As they pointed out, the reply sent by the Empire had no diplomatic problems. The Empire was not a member of the Alliance. Therefore, it was okay to reject the alliances request as soon as it was received. However, the imperial official responded that as soon as he received the request, he immediately contacted the home country and asked to wait for an answer. This was a euphemistic refusal out of respect for the alliance. Using this as an excuse to coerce the empire was an exquisite response that would only bring shame to the alliance. They take a hit while maintaining courtesy. I really wonder who trained them like that. To the words of the Florentine envoy, the Portuguese envoy nodded and added. Merchants who have traveled to the empire say that the people of the empire speak very politely, but are experts at turning people around. Regardless of whether they are merchants or nobles. * * * Confirming the empires euphemistic but clear rejection, the alliances envoys attempted to personally negotiate a meeting. But their attempt ended in failure. This was because the imperialmanders, who had built up close rtionships with the alliedmanders, immediately rejected the story as soon as they heard it. I understand why you are asking to meet, but I can never agree to it until I receive an order from my country. Regardless of their status, the alliedmanders had no choice but to resign after receiving consistent answers. In the end, they once again targeted the time when the imperial army was training, but the result was the same as before. This was because the imperial army still trained only within the fortress. Thanks to this, loud gunfire came out of the fortress every day, but the allies had to satisfy their appetite. But alliedmanders soon realized a scary truth. You train with live ammunition every day? * * * Gunpowder was a very expensivemodity. Therefore, even in Florence, which was reputed to be wealthy, live ammunition training was only possible for the Florentine regr army. And that was only 4 to 5 shots per year. The situation of the mercenaries, who were the protagonists of the war, was even worse. The training they did was either repeating the process up to the moment of shooting or forming a formation and moving. Most of thebat training consisted of pointing an empty gun and making sounds with your mouth. Bam! Bam! Hey! Who fires two shots so quickly! * * * Alliedmanders were all experienced inbat. -The difference between soldiers who have fired at least one live ammunition properly and those who have not is the difference between heaven and earth. Because themanders knew this well, they became more serious about the training of the imperial army. As far as we know, there are about 3,000 troops stationed in that fortress. But they train with live ammunition every day? I dont think anyone would urinate in surprise at the sound of their own gun. If they have so much gunpowder, they will give us some These were alliedmanders having a conversation full of envy andints. But this was their misjudgment. There was a limit to the number of people who could train at one time at the shooting range built in the empires Suez Fortress. Therefore, imperial soldiers had shooting training once every seven days. And it wasnt like I could shoot as much as I wanted. Now, this is the bullet to use for training today. The soldier who received the belt from Jinmu, who was in charge of supply, looked at Jinmu with a puzzled expression. Sir, am I and Hwacha Sasugeol? So you gave me a belt? The soldier continued to argue and listen in his simple Seoul dialect. Look. With 20 rounds, you can just press the trigger once and its over? You get it like that every time and then you argue? If youre dissatisfied with it, you file an appeal! You say, I cant train properly because of the Ministry of Economics and Finance! The soldier closed his mouth and retreated due to Jinmus scolding. As he walked towards the road, the soldier continued to grumble. This isnt some kind of bullshit Its just a bunch of bullets * * * The alliances attempts to check the performance of the parallel boxcar continued to fail. However, the alliancemanders and envoys persistently looked for opportunities. And their wait bore fruit thanks to an unexpected presence. The unexpected person who helped them was the Mamluks. The Mamluks, who lost the Suez region and the eastern Nile Delta, were eventually forced to sign an agreement ending the war. However, the Mamluks did not give up on recovering the newnd and used their cavalry to engage in guerri warfare. However, the Mamluks did not have enough resources to start a full-scale war again, so they disguised their cavalry as bandits and sent them in. Because of this, the alliance could not wage war against the Mamluks even though they knew about it. This was because if they made a mistake, they could be stigmatized as having broken the agreement first. The Mamluk cavalry disguised as bandits traveled to the Suez region and harassed the allies. As time passed, these disguised cavalry degenerated into real bandits. However, since no work was done in the Mamluk region, the Mamluks sold gunpowder and firearms to them for money, but steadily provided personnel. Those who strengthened their power in this way began targeting the imperialists building the railway in Suez. * * * Clink! The railway construction headquarters was put on alert due to the sudden ringing of the emergency bell. whats the matter! Employees who were working in the office rushed out at the sound of the emergency bell. After a while, people covered in blood were taken out on stretchers from an iron horse that had retreated. Senator! Call the congressman! Come this way! Were short on workers! While everyone nearby gathered together to unload the injured, construction manager Lee Gil-son assessed the situation. What happened? The person with the bandage on his head answered Lee Gil-sons question. We were attacked by bandits. Thieves? How many of them havee? At least thousands Oh no! Take this friend with you! The person who was answering ran out of energy and copsed. Lee Gil-son looked serious as he watched the person being carried out on a stretcher. There were already more than 30 armed people at the scene, and about 200 allies There must have been at least a thousand, if not thousands. After analyzing the situation, Lee Gil-son headed straight to the fortress. * * * Fortressmander Han Taek-gil, who heard the story from Lee Gil-son, made a decision right away. I will provide troops. Please prepare the iron horse. Lee Gil-son immediately nodded at Han Taek-gils words. I will prepare as soon as possible. After hearing the answer he wanted, Lee Gil-son immediately returned. One of themanders who was listening to the conversation next to him cautiously opened his mouth. Allies will be able to know the capabilities of the fire truck. This is something that was already expected in Seoul. If this is enough, it willst a long time. Instead, if it is going to be seen, show it clearly. Prepare properly. ancient! Themanders recited Han Taek-gils orders loudly and quickly went outside. Soon, whistles and shouts rang out from all directions, and the soldiers began to move busily. Han Taek-gil, who was looking down at the figure, looked in the direction where the allies were and muttered. You were lucky. Chapter 739 Episode 739: Rain (9) After hearing the answer he wanted from Han Taek-gil, Lee Gil-son returned to the office and checked the situation. What is the damage? asked Lee Gil-son, a subordinate answered as he shuffled through the paper. There are five deaths and twenty injuries. Eight of them are seriously injured. What about the ves? The number of injured ves brought in is approximately 320. The number of dead has not been determined yet. We will check immediately with the number of remaining ves. I am sorry. Seeing his subordinate lowering his head, Lee Gil-son lightly waved his hand. It is toote to check now. More than half of them must have run away. And there is no need to worry about the ves as it is the responsibility of the alliance. What about the damage to the hired locals? About 20 people were killed and about 70 were injured. Unexpectedly, the damage was small? As soon as I saw the bandits, I was the first to run away. But as soon as the attack was over, I came back and cleaned up the scene. Pay sufficientpensation to the families of the deceased and those injured, and also pay rewards to those who participated in the on-site recovery. yes. What is the situation on the scene now? The Dongmyeong Army has been dispatched to the scene and is guarding the scene. But whates next is the problem. Lee Gil-son nodded at his subordinates point. We dont have enough troops. To be precise, the number of bandits is increasing, but we cant get reinforcements. * * * After the Battle of Suez ended, the Allies drastically reduced the number of troops stationed in Suez. It was not because they believed in the agreement, but because of war expenses and political struggle. The main yers in the war during this period were mercenaries. Most of those who were most familiar with not only traditional cold weapons but also thetest weapons, guns and cannons, belonged to mercenaries. Therefore, stationing arge army in Suez was not an easy task even for the Medici family. The best way to solve this problem was to station a standing army, but the second reason was holding it back. In France and Portugal, there was still a struggle between nobles and kings. * * * The Duke of Braganza, who purged Afonso, Count of Barcellus, and his associates, resigned from his position as regent as soon as Afonso V became an adult and acted as chancellor of the kingdom. What was interesting was the actions of the Duke of Braganza, who seized military power and power. He was preupied with consolidating the royal authority rather than consolidating his own power. The problem was that the person who would be the owner of this increasingly strong royal power was not Afonso V, but his son, Joao II. This was the result of Afonso Vs choice. When Count Barcellus was alive, Afonso V joined hands with him to push out the Duke of Braganza. However, due to the Duke of Braganzas counterattack, Count Barcellus and the nobles were purged. Afonso V, who saw Count Barcellus and other nobles dying before his eyes, did not step forward even though the Duke of Braganza stepped down as prime minister of the kingdom. Afonso V still entrusted power to the Duke of Braganza and spent his days indulging in alcohol and women. Thats bad. After confirming the situation of Afonso V, the Duke of Braganza focused on strengthening the royal authority for King Joao II, who was born to his daughter Isabe, Afonso Vs concubine. And France was in a simr situation. The only difference was that Charles VIIs biggest enemy was his son, Louis XI. * * * Because of this situation, the Allies were unable to deploy many troops to Suez. Therefore, the allies mainly operated cavalry. The cavalry operated by the Allies was very different from the existing cavalry in Europe and the Middle East. It was not a knightly order formed by wealthymoners or nobles at their own expense, but a cavalry unit managed by the state, simr to an empire. As for armament, simr to the Empire, long guns were the main force. Before we knew it, the allied forces stationed in Suez began calling this cavalry Dragoon. It was the emergence of dragoons who were far ahead of their time. Although it was a powerful cavalry unit, its size was smallpared to the area it was supposed to protect. Because of this, people who were not sure whether they were bandits or Mamluk cavalry began to set up camp, and this time they suffered greatly. * * * Gilson Lee, who wasining about the fatal weakness of the allies, gave an order to his subordinates. The Imperial Army has moved. Prepare the iron horse immediately for the Imperial Army to use. The subordinates face brightened at Lee Gil-sonsmand. Are you finally moving? Yes. I will prepare right away! The subordinate answered loudly and ran outside immediately. Wow! Not long after, a loud shout was heard from outside. Lee Gil-son smiled bitterly at the shouts raised by the imperial people. Theyre people who just cant live with what theyve suffered Lee Gil-son, who said that, was also from the empire. Lee Gil-son red at the map hanging on the wall andughed bitterly. I had fun so Ill be excited ande back again. That day is your memorial day. * * * The Imperials are preparing for revenge! Alliedmanders and envoys who heard the rumor came straight out and headed to the railroad construction headquarters. Hmm Hoo? The alliedmanders eyes began to shine after seeing the movements of the imperialists. Unlike before, two iron horses were bundled into one, andrge t cars were additionally connected to the middle and rear of the front freight cars of the iron horse. After confirming that it was properly connected, the imperialists mobilized local people and ves and began stacking sand bags on tbed trucks. Once the defense facilities were prepared with sandbags, the imperial army began loading military wagons and toys for firing Bigyeok Jincheonhoe. The expressions of the alliedmanders who saw this changed from serious to serious. You could call it a moving fortress. I understand why two iron horses were mobilized. The alliedmanders nodded at the Portuguesemanders words. I received the words while stroking the beard of the Ottomanmander, who nodded to the Portuguesemanders evaluation. Come to think of it weve never seen how the Empire fights on the ground, have we? Thats right We need to provide military support. * * * The imperial army gave a simple response to the alliances offer to support its troops. Not required. We repay what we have received. Youre arrogant. The Florentinemander responded to the Frenchmanders words. If there are too many troops, the bandits will not attack, so I agree that it is not necessary. At best, it looks like 200 to 300. Is that possible? In the end, the alliedmanders deployed several of their trustworthy subordinates disguised as local residents. * * * Construction resumed with materials supplied to the site using heavily armed iron horses. However, contrary to expectations, the raid did not continue immediately, and the imperial army began to gradually be bored. Its going to be a hot day, so if youre going toe,e quickly! The sun was blocked by the tent erected on the tbed, but the heat was still there. Therefore, the imperial army, exhausted from the heat, waited for the bandits even more patiently. After thirty-seven days (21 days) of waiting, the imperial army and the Mamluk cavalry finally met. * * * A sand dune a little away from the construction site. Mahdi, who was hiding on the ridge and examining the scene with a telescope, clicked his tongue lightly. Tsk! The defense has been strengthened as expected. What should we do? Should we back down? At the question of his subordinate who was watching along with him, Mahdi turned and looked down the hill. At the bottom of the hill his men waited for his orders. Mahdi, who was looking at his subordinates with confident expressions, turned his head again and looked at the scene. Now we are at 2000 No matter how you look at them, they dont look like they can exceed 300, but the problem is the freight cars Mahdi muttered as he looked at the freight cars on the iron horse through a telescope. Because of the bitter memories of being hit by a freight train in thest war, Mahdi was most concerned about the existence of the freight train. There isnt one Mahdi, unable to find therge, six-barreled freight car, made up his mind. There is no freight car! Then hit! * * * Hot, hot While the imperial soldiers, exhausted from the heat, were grumbling, bells and screams suddenly broke out. Ding ding ding! Its the enemy! Its the enemy! The imperial army, which had been stretched out by the peoples cries, urgently stood up. Where are you? Over there! Over there! Boredom disappeared from the eyes of the imperial soldiers as they looked in the direction pointed by the people running on iron horses. At the top of a distant sand dune, thousands of cavalry d in ck from head to toe were ring at the imperial army. Evacuate the workers and ves! Prepare for battle! Prepare for battle! While the railroad employees were evacuating the workers and ves, the imperial soldiers removed the packaging covering the cannons of the freight cars and began preparing for war. When the deputy gunner took out the bullet belt from the cartridge and inserted it into the bullet hole of the freight car, the gunner vigorously turned the rotating shaft attached to the body. m! m! Ready! The imperial troops, who had finished preparing everything from freight cars to toys and general musketeers, announced in loud voices that they were ready. At that time, the enemies on the hill began charging. Itsing! * * * Doo doo doo doo! With the sound of horses hooves pounding through the earth, themandersmanding the imperial army shouted to their soldiers while holding horseback rifles in their hands. Wait! Wait! Wait a little longer! Wait a little longer! The soldiers who were waiting for themanders orders swallowed dry saliva as they looked at the enemiesing closer and closer. Wait? Its already right around the corner? If you get any closer from here, shouldnt you be punching instead of shooting? Themanders pulled the trigger when they saw the murderous eyes of the running enemies. bang! Let go! Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-tang! As soon as themanders orders were given, the gunners on the boxcars pressed the triggers in unison. As soon as the fire trucks started spewing fire, hell broke out. The Mamluk cavalrymen and the horses they were riding became covered in blood and started rolling on the ground. 50 sheets in front of the iron horse (about 150m). This was the ce where the life and death of the Mamluk cavalrymen who attacked the construction site were decided. Very few Mamluk cavalry crossed the line. However, they too were caught by the waiting musketeers and either lost their lives or were seriously injured and fell to the ground. Damn it! Was there a new freight car! Mahdi, who saw the scene of the massacre, gritted his teeth andmented his mistake. The freight car was the only being that showed that kind of firepower. But he swears to Ah that the freight car he knew did not exist. What he meant was that the pagans, who deserved Ahs curse, had created a new freight car. Retreat! Retreat. Puff poop! Just when the Mahdi decided to retreat, the waiting toys simultaneously fired their Bikkeokjincheonhoe. As a trick to deliberately shorten the ignition time, the Bigyeokjincheonroe exploded all at once above the heads of the Mamluk cavalry. The Mamluk cavalrymen, hit by an unexpected rain of steel fragments, could not even scream and fell to the ground along with their horses. Among them was the Mahdi. * * * After about an hour (about 2 hours), the battle was over. The number of Mamluk cavalrymen who fled from the scene of brutal ughter did not exceed 30. Oh Ah The locals who returned after the battle looked for God as soon as they saw the hell that unfolded before their eyes. Chapter 740 Episode 740: Dagger (10) While the locals were earnestly searching for Ah, the imperialmanders looked perplexed. Its a matter of organizing things. What made them perplexed was the abundance of corpses in front of them. I think the battle took about an hour, but cleaning up will take at least two days. Thats a number that can only be achieved by borrowingbor from a construction site. Themanders, who were gloomy at the thought of clearing away the corpses scattered everywhere they could see, frowned when they saw the expressions on the faces of the soldiers standing around them. Why are you doing this again? If someone sees it, theyll think you guys are corpses. Oh, nothing Wow! Song, sorry Wow! The imperial soldiers, whose faces were as pale as the corpses littering the desert, could not respond properly and began vomiting. As soon as one or two people started vomiting, the surrounding soldiers also stuck their heads out of the tbed and started vomiting. Uweek! Ugh! Themanders shook their heads as they looked at the soldiers vomiting yellow gastric fluid. Youre so soft to throw up a tantrum just because you saw an invoice In response to the youngmandersints, the seniormanders behind themughed and said something. You guys did that in Liaodong too. The frog said he didnt know when he was a tadpole The youngmanders looked embarrassed at the scolding from the seniormanders. The seniormanders, who were criticizing the youngermanders, seemed to understand the soldiers behavior. When we were young, looking at invoices was not unfamiliar to us. Nowadays, it seems like it has be really unfamiliar to our friends. I agree. The saying Sangjeonbyeokhae (ɣ̺) really resonates with me. * * * As the seniormanders said, the presence of death in the daily lives of the people of the empire had greatly diminished. During thete Goryeo Dynasty and early Seon Dynasty, there were many corpses and refugees everywhere due to frequent invasions by Japanese pirates. Even when King Sejong came to the throne, thousands of deaths from starvation were reported to the government every year due to frequent poor harvests. If an epidemic broke out there, many people would often die. Therefore, those who spent their childhood during this period were familiar with death and corpses. However, as police officers became sessful, these tragic events began to disappear. The number of people dying from starvation began to decrease as policies were actively implemented, such as the expansion of water treatment facilities, the settlement of refugees, and the import of grain. In addition, the spread of basic hygiene culture such as bathing and bold support for public health and public medical care gradually reduced the prevalence of infectious diseases. As the situation improved, death gradually became distant from the daily lives of the Joseon people at the time. This was also true for soldiers. Asrge-scale bloodshed such as the Giyu Rebellion and the Muntemu Rebellion disappeared and the Jurchen people returned to power, the northeastern region stabilized and the number of incidents of bloodshed greatly decreased. Of course, there were many cases of seeing blood and corpses while fighting pirates at sea, but this did not affect the general public and soldiers. Soldiers who had gradually be ustomed to peace became ustomed to blood and death again through the First Light War. However, more than 10 years after Joseon became an empire, blood and corpses were once again unfamiliar to young soldiers. Thanks to this, when the excitement of battle subsided, there was vomiting from all directions. * * * I understand, but the problem is a problem. I havent had much practical experience so far. Although we did engage in actualbat, it was mainly in the Navy. High-ranking officials talked with serious faces. The junior executives who went through the chaos of the First Light War, especially the Yalu River Defense Battle, 10 years ago, have now be mid-level executives. The junior officers and soldiers who were supposed to assist them and take charge of the future of the imperial army were now vomiting like that, bing a subject of ridicule for their superiors. Of course, actualbat experience is the only answer But you cant fight a battle you dont have to fight I agree. These were high-rankingmanders who fully understood the importance of actualbat experience, but were troubled by theck of a way to solve this problem. It was passing on the choice of high-rankingmanders who had been pondering for a while. Lets send the report to Seoul. They will find the answer there. Thats right. The urgent thing now is to clean up this mess. * * * Anyway, as soon as the battle ended, the imperial army mobilized workers and began clearing the battlefield. First, imperial soldiers searched the bodies of dead Mamluk cavalrymen and took documents and other valuable items, as well as guns and gunpowder. It wasnt just the bodies of the cavalry that were searched. The saddles on the horses that carried the Mamluk cavalry had all kinds of decorations made of gold and silver, and the soldiers gathered all of these saddles and gathered them to one side. When the soldiers who took care of the necessary items left, the workers took charge. Y! Y! (Quick! Quick!) Under the urging of the imperialists in charge of the construction, the workers picked up the corpses of people and horses lying on the ground and ced them on carts. Like this! Like this! Hee hee hee! Hmm~. The carts pulled by oxen, horses and donkeys headed to a ce far away from the construction site. Lets bury it next to the railroad tracks? Its going to be haunted The construction workers, who felt a bit eerie, chose a far away ce as the burial site. In the ce where the carts were headed, the imperial excavators had already dugrge and deep pits. When the carts arrived, workers waiting in front of the pits unloaded the bodies from the carts and threw them into the pits. * * * Even though the workers who had been assigned to the construction were mobilized, clearing the battlefield took two days. The reason it took two days was because it took a lot of time to search through the corpses, and also because the process of collecting the bodies that had been broken into pieces by the Bigyeok Jincheonhoe also took a lot of time. Thanks to this, we had to light bonfires everywhere at night and stand guard to prevent animals from approaching. After the excavator finished digging up the dirt and covering the hole, the imperial troops and workers got back on the iron horse. Lets go back! * * * The imperial troops who arrived in Sudez were busy. Firearms that had survived the battle were unloaded and moved into the fort, and the wounded and dead soldiers were also moved inside. Meanwhile, nearby alliedmanders were watching the scene. There was less damage than expected. Perhaps the size of the bandits who attacked was small. The alliedmanders, who had expected it to be a small-scale battle due to the imperial armys lower-than-expected casualties, widened their eyes as they saw the enormous amount of loot being unloaded from other freight cars. How many? Themanders, looking at the constantly lowering horse saddles, ornately decorated swords, and matchlock guns, soon came to the same conclusion. At least 1,000 More than 1,000 cavalry were attacked by only 300? That too in an open field? The alliedmanders, who were astonished by the results that deviated from theirmon sense, soon had the same idea. no way? That boxcar? * * * That night, the soldiers who had been dispatched disguised as workers returned. Good job. So, have you checked the strength of the imperial army? yes. How does itpare to our allies? The soldiers answered with one voice to the questions of the alliedmanders. The Imperial Army must never be turned into enemies. In order to deal with the imperial army that has properly prepared for defense, we must deploy at least 10 or 20 times as many troops. The alliedmander looked in disbelief at the soldiers answer. We know that the imperial armys weapons are powerful because we have used them. But 20 times more troops? Have you confirmed this properly? I saw it clearly with my own eyes! The imperial army annihted nearly 2,000 enemies with only 300! The soldiers told the alliedmanders what they had secretly seen. I can swear on Gods name that everything Ive told you so far is true. When not only Christian but also Muslim Ottoman soldiers took the oath, the faces of the alliedmanders turned pitch ck. -It is only 1/5 the size of the Eulsikhwacha, but has a faster firing speed. -Unlike the Eulsik freight car that requires at least five people, it is sufficient to operate with only two people. To this advantage, the imperial army added volume. If a tbed wagon was loaded with thick defensive sand bags, each car could have a maximum of 6 guns, 3 on each side. This was due to the size of the freight car itself, the size of the operating personnel, and the storage space for the cartridges. With this arrangement, the number of freight cars that could be mobilized when a battle broke out was three. However, the imperial army built a position one level higher in the center of the tbed car and ced eight double-type freight cars there. Because it was located in a high space in the center, it was arranged so that all eight doors could be used even if enemies came from either the left or right. In the end, a total of 24 8-gun gun carriages at the front, middle, and rear were firing crossfire at the Mamluk cavalry. The problem wasnt just the side-by-side freight cars. The military rifles used by the imperial army were also scary weapons. The imperial style long rifle introduced and used in thete Suez War also provided overwhelming firepower. While the Mamluk and Spanish musketeers stood and reloaded, the Allied soldiers could reload while lying prone or kneeling on the ground. The firing rate was also the same. The Eulsik Long Rifle, a breech-loading single-barreled rifle, guaranteed an overwhelming rate of firepared to the full-loading matchlocks and rifles used by the Mamluk and Spanish armies. Therefore, now that the war was over, the allies were putting all their efforts into trying to replicate the Eulsik long rifle. However, the empire introduced a military-type long gun that overwhelmed the Japanese-style long gun. -A long gun that fires 5 rounds at a time. ording to the soldiers reports, it had advantages and disadvantagespared to the Japanese style long rifle. The advantage was the fast firing rate, and the disadvantage was the greatly increased bullet consumption. Its not just long guns Thebined-type long guns and thebined-type boxcars boasted an overwhelming rate of firepared to the Eulsik. In other words,pared to Eulsik, bullet consumption also increased significantly. The alliedmanders who thought that far had the same question. Even if I could import it, would my country be able to handle the supply? The alliedmanders who thought that far felt a chill down their spines. You mean an empire is possible? In the end, the Frenchmander muttered without realizing it. These crazy imperial bastards The Frenchmanders words were followed by the Florentinemanders words. If we join the empire, it would be quicker to go bankrupt than to lose in a war. Although facing a bleak reality, the alliedmanders conveyed the soldiers reports to the envoys and even conveyed the opinion that it would be a good idea to introduce it at the same time. And the envoys who heard themanders stories also had a sad look on their faces. Is it a problem even if there is no problem? Chapter 741 Episode 741: Dagger (11) The imperial forces stationed in Suez were not all thatfortable. Dont spill anything and put it all in! On the tbed truck that returned from the battle, the imperial soldiers were sweating and cleaning instead of cleaning. Soldiers holding brooms and shovels gathered shell casings and bullet cartridges from the floor of the tbed car into one ce. And on one side, a group of soldiers sat huddled together and sorted through a mountain of shell casings. The intact ones are on this side, and the damaged ones are on that side Next to them, other soldiers were busy sorting, checking the condition of the cartridges and belts. The most impressive thing was the soldiers with chisels in their hands. Of course, there were many gaps in the floor of the tbed made of wooden boards, and there were many shell casings that got stuck in the gaps after being hit and stepped on by the feet of the soldiers running here and there during the battle. The job of the chisel-holding soldiers was to use the chisel to remove shell casings stuck in the cracks. But do we have to go this far? One soldier, exhausted from taking out shell casings in a hunched posture, protested to the military instructor whomanded them C a modern-day sergeant. In response to the soldiers protest, the military instructor pointed to the sacks of shell casings piled up on one side with a sad look on his face. Thats all copper? You know how expensive copper is, right? Our empire is not such a poor country, is it? But if you spend a lot of money and dont get any rewardster, its not the bonuses that are the problem. It would be nice to pick up a knife and cut while everyone else is shooting, right? . Quickly get back to your task. After hearing the military training, the soldier cursed under his breath and went back to work. On the other side, other soldiers were alsoining. Ugh~. There are no corridors Its unfair to be dragged out and fight while all the other guys are having fun, but now Im out recovering shell casings in the scorching sun I mean The guys that grazed my forearms. Hes also a wounded soldier and hes lying down Ugh~ The soldiers involved in the cleaning and recovery work were soldiers who had participated in previous battles. I thought I would return from the battle and rest, but I was mobilized to work after only one day of rest. After the recovery work ispleted, maintenance of the freight cars and rifles continues! If the maintenance is poor, your sry will be reduced immediately, so do it properly! Yes~. Look at your voice! Should I take a pay cut right away? I will do it right! The soldiers, who had been roughly answering themanders orders from one side, came to their senses and responded to the threat of a pay cut. However, as soon as themander turned around, the soldiers started babbling in low voices. Are you shamefully threatening me with Bongrok? I wonder who created the punishment called Gambong At that time, in Shinji Temporary Pce, incense filled my ears and I grumbled. Who is cursing me like this? While the soldiers were toiling in the scorching sun, high-rankingmanders were watching and talking on one side. They are children who have not been able to rest properly after a battle, so some may say that they are doing too much. Lee Dam, who gave orders to his subordinate officers point, shook his head. No, you have to make it hard on your body. You saw it too, right? As soon as the battle was over, they were throwing up all over the ce because they saw the corpses of their enemies. If they had just released them to relieve fatigue after the battle, not many of them would have been able to sleep properly at night. Too much. You have to make them sleep without thinking about anything because they are exhausted. Then, when the recement troops arrive in a month, you can have them shift right away. Thats true, but In response to the subordinatemanders still-worrying message, Idam continued speaking while lightly tapping the subordinates shoulder. Its something I learned from thest Yalu River defense battle. Its definitely effective. * * * While the imperial army was working hard to recycle resources inside the fortress, messengers from the allied army were on their way home, carrying carefully written reports in their arms. Just like on the way back, the lions passed by the railroad construction site on their way back. How long is the construction left? The French lion asked the Portuguese lion next to him. To the French envoys question, the Portuguese envoy thought for a moment and answered. They say that if there is no bloodshed likest time, it will be over in three years. Three years The French envoy, who was looking at the scene in confusion at the Portuguese envoys answer, muttered softly. Do you think youll be able to move aroundfortably then? * * * As soon as the Allied messengers returned home, they immediately sought out their monarch. You did a good job going to and from the reactor. So, did you see the new freight car in question? I saw it, but I couldnt properly check its performance. But we were lucky. The messengers reported to their monarch and high-ranking officials about the battle that took ce with the bandits who attacked the railroad construction site. We were able to use that opportunity to send in secret agents and build the empires new freight train, the Byeongsik. We were able to understand the performance of the freight car to some extent. Afterpleting the exnation, the messengers submitted the reports they had brought. This is a report written by themanders stationed in Suez, and this is a written opinion of their convictions. The report the messengers brought was from the allies. It focused the attention of not only the monarchs, but also the military and administrative officials. The allied monarchs and dignitaries who carefully read and analyzed the reports written by the Suezmanders and envoys all looked perplexed. It is an overwhelming performance. Isnt the problem that the price is sure to be as high as its overwhelming performance? Yes, of course. There is also another problem. The overwhelming rate of firepared to the Eulsik boxcar means that it requires a lot of bullets. All the bullets that go into the freight cars are imported from the empire, so you have to consider the cost as well. What do the generals think? Its definitely an excellent performance. Honestly, this is a weapon that I really want. However, battles are not only defensive but also offensive. The offensive will require more supplies, so will it be possible to supply them? The reactions of high-ranking officials who analyzed the report, regardless of whether they were in the military or the administration, were mostly negative. Through the Battle of Suez, the light and shadow of gunpowder weapons were felt to the core. It was them. If the power of gunpowder weapons was the light, the cost of war, which consumed several times more than before, was the shadow. Therefore, most of the powers in the Allies were heading to a simr conclusion. -The weapons we have now are the weapons that the enemy countries have. We are securing a clearer advantage. -In such a situation, bringing in new weapons is a waste. Just when the odds were in favor of not introducing them, someone said something else. But. What happens if one of the allies other than us introduces double-type freight cars? Its an alliance now, but you dont know what will happen in the future, right? Those in power once again turned serious at the statement in question. The enemy was inside. * * * Under the name of alliance and themon interest of the Suez Railway Even though they were tied, it was a very dangerous coexistence. There was an immediate problem of religion between Im and Christianity, and the difference in national power was also a problem. -France, a European power that has almost finished the 100 Years War and is gaining ground again. -Maritime. Portugal has strong military power, butcksnd power. -Florence has the strongest capital in Europe, but cannot escape the limitations of a city-state. -Ottoman, a rising power in the Middle East. Among these, the object of French and Portuguese Florences greatest wariness was Ottoman. Viceroy Mehmet II, who took over andpleted the Suez War started by Murat II, was once again aggressively attacking the surrounding area. In particr, it was predicted that Mehmet II, who had secured artillery and musketry trained through the Suez War, would soon attack Constantinople. The rumor was almost bing a fait apli. -If the attack on Constantinople is sessful, where will Mehmet IIs next target be? Perhaps Suez? No, it is most likely Suez. Because of these concerns, Portugal, France, and Florence supported the Ottomans. This was why the alliedmanders moved together in Suez and the reason they moved together on matters rted to the empire. It was to keep the Ottomans in their sights and keep an eye on them. However , the rtionship between the three Christian countries was not all good. The best An example was Florence. * * * France was brought in to resolve the inevitable situation, but the most dangerous opponent was France. Except for capital power, France was the country that overpowered Florence in all aspects. Now, it was under the pretext of funds lent to France. France could be kept in check, but this could be overturned at any time. -If the person who lent the money ceased to exist, wouldnt it be necessary to repay the money? France was the country that came to this conclusion and could attack Florence at any time. It wasnt just Florence. For France, all of Italy was a coveted prey. * * * Because this was the situation within the Allied Powers, the agenda regarding the introduction of side-by-side freight cars was reconsidered from the beginning. The officials who were measuring this and that all sighed in unison. Whew. Its a situation where we have no choice but to decide to introduce it not because of an enemy country, but because of an alliance Its so embarrassing. Anyway, its a good thing that they use the same bullets as the Eulsikhwacha. If I made a mistake, I had to buy all new bullets, right? Thats the bigger problem. If the bullets had beenpletely different, they could have used that as an excuse to block the introduction. After much deliberation, officials submitted a report to the superiors that said, We rmend introducing even a small amount. Whoa. I cant help it. The dignitaries who confirmed the report submitted it to the monarchs and informed them. I think it would be a good idea to send an envoy to the empire. Please do so. * * * As they were selecting envoys from the Allied capital to the empire, the Alliedmanders stationed in Suez had serious faces. Where the eyes of the alliedmanders were directed, the imperial army was conducting outdoor maneuver training. Now youre saying it so openly. Thats beyond words. The imperial soldiers were now training openly with weapons that had been hidden inside the fortress and not shown until recently. The Ottomanmander, who was observing the training scene with a frown, sighed as he watched the military wagon being moved by the soldiers. Whoa. A horse or donkey is a must-have for a single move, but a military-type wagon only requires one soldier. Before the intervention of Hyang, it was a side-by-side boxcar that was simr to the Russian-made PM M1910. Thanks to this, the tank wagon had wheels simr to the PM M1910. Thanks to this, the boxcar could be easily moved from ce to ce with only one or two soldiers. Chapter 742 Episode 742: Rain (12) A monthter, the front lines arrived at the imperial military port of Suez. It was a force to rece the imperial army that had been stationed in Suez until now. Thanks to this, cranes and soldiers were busy loading and unloading cargo at the military port. Near the crowded imperial military port, allied soldiers and officers were wandering around, secretly monitoring the movements of the imperial army. The allied soldiers who were monitoring the movements of the imperial army began to twist their heads. Did you say it was a side-by-side boxcar? I think the stand has changed? Huh? I dont really know? No, something has changed. The Allied forces fell into confusion as they saw the newly arrived imperial troops moving with their boxcars. It felt like something had changed, but I couldnt quite figure out what had changed. After a while, some quick-moving Allied soldiers began watching the Imperial soldiers on their way home. Huh? I found it! What? What is it? Look at the freight car on the stand. Its going on the ship now, and its being unloaded from the ship there. The Allied soldiers who were looking at the two fire wagons looked dumbfounded at their colleagues words and muttered. How is that possible? The barrel of the gun was maintained horizontally regardless of whether it was going uphill or downhill. * * * The newly arrived imperial soldiers at Suez were operating improved military freight cars. The Tsonga of existing military freight cars had wheels attached to a folding tripod. This was to make it easier to move the freight car. The total weight of the wagon filled with water for cooling was almost 90 geun (approximately 54 kg). In order to move such a heavy thing easily, wheels made of iron were attached, and it ultimately weighed 100 geun (about 60 kg). Convenience was ensured by folding the two front legs of the tripod and then dragging it around using the rear legs as handles. However, not long after the supply of boxcars, the soldiers operating them on the front lines discovered a problem. It had wheels so it was easy to move. However, the moment I grabbed my rear leg and raised my body, the muzzle of the freight car was dragged to the ground. To solve this problem, I had to bend my back and move, which was a very ufortable posture. However, the soldiers were unable to request that this be improved. This was because Hyang was the most central figure among those who built the side-by-side boxcar. -How dare you criticize something that the emperor made with the soldiers in mind! It was natural that he would receive such criticism. This problem was the same with the original, so they forgot the scent. And the person who solved this problem was, of course, Jang Yeong-sil. Or, to be more precise, the scent was the one that controlled the speed of Jang Yeong-sils rampage. * * * To be exact, it was when the Hyang first inspected Area 52, long before the uproar over the prototype freight train that Jang Yeong-sil had envisioned. Hyang, who also sorted out issues rted to Jang Yeong-sils tomb, visited Jang Yeong-sils private residence and the workshop attached to the private residence under the guidance of Jang On. This is a workshop? Thats a private residence? Hasnt it changed? Hyang asked Jang On, looking at a small house that seemed to have no additional functions other than lodging and a huge workshop no matter how closely he looked at it. It is enough for a house to have just a ce to sleep He was truly unique Its not some kind of spiritual practice No, is this the final evolution of a fanatic? I did the same Hyang shook his head slightly, reflecting on how he lived a simr life in the 21st century, opened the door to the workshop, and went inside. Huh~. Hyang entered the workshop and opened his mouth without realizing it. The workshop was filled with all kinds of tools and blueprints for finished objects. Wasnt there also Director Jang Yeong-sils personal design studio and workshop in the main building of Area 52? He said that if you find the answer while sleeping or resting, it would be a waste of time to go to the main building Is that so? I think its a good one among the things designed and made here. Things are transferred to the main building. Is that so? Hyang, who had been examining Jang Yeong-sils workshop while answering roughly, ordered Jang On. Make a list of all the objects, tools, and designs in this workshop, prioritize them, and report them. Do you mean this entire workshop? To Jang-ons pale-faced question, Hyang answered as if it were obvious. Then are you going to leave this alone? I will follow your orders. The craftsmen who were in charge of ssification and recording duties ording to the direction of the vige sighed. Haa~. It doesnt end. Haa~. Is this what the recorder of rumors is like ? Whats going on? While I was organizing the personal workshop of thete Director Jang Yeong-sil, whom you had previously ordered, I havee to ask for an answer from His Majesty the King. You want my answer? What is it? It is an improved version of the side-by-side freight car, but there is only a design. So, I wonder if it would be a good idea to produce a prototype, His Majesty Give it to me right now! Yes? Old times! Before Jang On could finish his exnation, Hyang interrupted and held out his hand. Huh Hyang couldnt close her mouth as she epted the blueprint presented by Jang On. Jang Yeong-sils blueprint was unusual, starting with the title written above. -Hyanghyang, who was looking at the blueprint for a self-driving fire truck, put his hand on his forehead and screamed inwardly. What a wind-up lover! The chongga of the side-by-side wagon made by Jang Yeong-sil was moved using the power of the mainspring. It was Jang Yeong-sils original idea of attempting to create a pnquin powered by wind-up in history before the intervention of incense. Even Dr. Ferdinand Porsche, who insisted on building a tank with an electric motor even during the war, must be crying Hyang, who continued to admire Jang Yeong-sils obsession with wind-up, shook her head as she looked at the detailed blueprint rted to the driving part. It was. Regenerative braking! You idiot! Why is this here? It was natural that when the mainspring waspletely unwound, it had to be wound again. However, it was dangerous to wind the spring again during a battle with a hail of bullets. Jang Yeong-sil, who knew this, designed a device to rewind the mainspring using the recoil from theunch of a boxcar. And when Hyang saw this, he thought of regenerative braking. Hyang, who had been looking at the blueprint for a while, raised his head and looked at Jang On. Impossible. You understand why, right? Yes. Jang On nodded. Even in Jang Ons opinion, the self-driving freight car designed by Jang Yeong-sil was overlyplicated and detailed. But it was such a waste that I asked Your Majesty for an answer. I agree. With a face full of regret, Hyanghyang looked at the blueprint again and pointed out one part. It would be a good idea to keep the part that keeps the gun barrel and engine horizontal when the soldiers pull the wagon and move it. Since it uses the principle of modugi, there is no problem other than a slight increase in weight. By making use of this part, the gun price of the double box wagon is high. Please improve and bring it back. I will follow your orders! In this way, the sound of the side-by-side boxcar was improved. The military, which evaluated the value of the newly improved infantry-type wagons, was very satisfied and adopted them, and at the same time began to modify the value of the existing infantry-type wagons. And these improved double-type freight cars had arrived in Suez this time. * * * After hearing the soldiers reports, the alliedmanders gathered together again and exchanged opinions. What do you think? It will be morefortable for the soldiers who operate it. I agree. But what do you mean? asked the Ottomanmander, who was listening to the othermanders stories. Why are those who stay inside the fortress and only defend it worrying about the convenience of movement? Hmm Thats right The othermanders were lost in deep thought at the Ottomanmanders point. The first to speak was the Florentine militarymander. Defensive battles dont necessarily take ce only in fortresses, right? If you think about that, wouldnt it be natural to think about ease of movement? Of course, thats true. But maybe Im overthinking it, but here, people are always stuck in the fortress or riding iron horses. Why did the people who were going to ride it bring a new freight car? The Frenchmander responded to the Ottomanmanders point. Isnt it because you need to deploy reserve forces? Here in Suez, there are only our allies and the Empire, so is there any reason to n with reserve forces in mind? From the sea. There are imperial warships in the sea. Theyre carrying around? Have you forgotten what the captains said before? So what do you want to say? The Portuguesemander, who was listening to the Ottomanmanders repeatedments, asked the Ottomanmander. To the question of the Portuguesemander, the Ottomanmander answered with an expression full of embarrassment and anxiety. I dont know. I feel uneasy about something, but Im not sure why. The othermanders also looked serious at the words of the Ottomanmander. You cant ignore the feelings of someone who has been through realbat. Honestly, Im a bit anxious too. I dont know what the reason is When silence continued for a moment, the Florentine militarymander spoke. Perhaps the anxietyes from the question, What if the Empire attacks us? To be honest, although the Empire shares interests with our alliance, it is not a member of the alliance. That part is definitely the problem. Resolving that part is the most important, but it is a political problem Following the words of the Ottoman and Frenchmanders, the Portuguesemander spoke. Suppose the Empire attacks us. We need cannons to take down our fortress. Will that fortress cannons be enough? To the question of the Portuguesemander, all othermanders shook their heads. I think it would be impossible. It will be very difficult. They were also familiar with cannons. ording to their experience, the distance between the forts they were currently stationed in and the imperial fortress was outside the range of normal cannons. Of course, the cannons that the Ottoman army was said to have could have been within range, but ording to what they had seen so far, the empire did not bring such cannons. The conclusion then was that the cannons had to be moved, but the Empire did not seem to have a sufficient number of horses. Of course, there was an amazing device called a tow truck using a steam engine. However, the allies were not just watching as they used it to move the cannon. The troops immediately stationed there were also superior, and although they were not as good as the military-style freight cars, they were an alliance with a sufficient number of military-style freight cars and cannons. If you think about it withmon sense, there is nothing to be anxious about, but I dont know why Im so anxious. They were alliedmanders who nodded to the words of the Ottomanmander. A fortnightter, the Alliedmanders learned the reason for their anxiety. This was because the imperial artillerymen stationed at the fortress were conducting artillery training. The imperial artillery, which sent official letters to nearby viges to prevent fishing boats from leaving port and merchant ships to approach, opened fire on target ships floating in the sea. Alliedmanders who watched the training realized why they were anxious. The imperial armys cannons were superior to what he had known. If they drew a circle with a radius equal to the distance they flew toward the target, their fortress came in. And the power was also much stronger than expected. The Ottomanmander, who was watching the training with a serious face, sighed. The Empire has put a dagger under our chin. Chapter 743 Episode 743: Generational Change (1) In the 14th year of the Imperial Calendar (1462), the French regime changed. Charles VII, the Victorieux, died and Louis XI, the Prudent, ascended the throne. The change of royal authority was several monthstepared to the history before Hyang intervened. The rtionship between Charles VII and Louis XI was more of a political rtionship than a father-son rtionship. It wasnt bad from the beginning. In the second half of the Hundred Years War, when Charles VII regained Paris and France gained the advantage, Louis XI entered the war at the age of 16 and began to build up his achievements step by step. It was with the Fragheri Rebellion in 1440 that the strained rtionship between father and son began to surface. The start of the rebellion was the announcement of the Edict of Orleans. The nobility strongly opposed the edict banning the establishment of a standing army and the taxation of nobles from holding private armies. Louis XI participated in this rebellion as an aristocratic faction and rebelled against his father. However, the rebellion was suppressed, and Louis XI was ordered to concentrate solely on ruling his fiefdom, the Dauphine. It was a type of exile. That wasnt all. In order to keep Ennd, his war opponent, in check, he married Margaret, the daughter of King James I of Scond, under the orders of Charles VII. However, the couples rtionship was at its worst, and to make matters worse, the rtionship between father and son deteriorated further when Margaret died in 1445. Afterwards, the rtionship between father and son continued to deteriorate. In 1448, Louis However, even in such a situation, Louis XI continued to rebel against Charles VII and took an independent path, and soon the worst happened. In 1451, he signed a secret agreement regarding the division of the Duchy of Mn and pursued a marriage with Carlota, the daughter of Louis I, Count of Savoy. The problem was that while Louis Charles VII, who could not control his anger, sent an army to arrest Louis XI in 1456, and Louis XI fled to Burgundy. Afterwards, Louis XI was protected by Philip III the Good, and Louis XI waited for an opportunity to arise. Afterwards, he received word that Charles VII was in critical condition, but Louis XI thought it was a trap and did not move immediately. Then, when Charles VIIs death was confirmed, he returned to Paris, held a formal coronation ceremony in Reims, and became king. * * * After the coronation, Louis XI stayed at Amboise Castle on the banks of the Loire River. Although it was lost to the English army and then recaptured, Paris was an unwee ce for the French kings for various reasons. This rejection was especially severe for Louis Hmm what should we do next? Louis XI looked out the window and muttered to himself. Louis XI, who ascended the throne, immediately looked into the legacies left behind by his predecessor, Charles VII. Its unfortunate Louis XI, who was looking at the inheritance, looked perplexed. Among the legacies left behind by Charles VII, the most useful was the standing army, the Edict Army. The problem was that he was also involved in the rebellion caused by this imperial army. Thanks to this, as soon as he ascended to the throne, nobles who insisted on the abolition and restoration of the Imperial Army were putting pressure on him. Restoration is not possible Louis XI had no intention of epting the nobles demands. Although a truce was signed with Ennd, war could break out again at any time. In that case, those nobles could go over to Ennd as much as they wanted ording to their own interests. And there were still strong enemies inside France. This was the country of Burgundy, where he had been sheltering. After the Treaty of Arras, Burgundy, freed from its feudal obligations to the King of France, was a de facto independent state. From then on, Burgundys policy stance was to actively keep France in check in order to maintain its independence and expand its power. In particr, it was Louis In order to stabilize the kingdom, I, the king, need an army and officials that I can control and move with certainty. And a tax system that can support this. In other words, the Edict of Orlans cannot be abolished. Louis XI, who was analyzing the situation of himself and his kingdom, clenched his fists. The only conclusion is imperialization. * * * For European intellectuals and monarchs of this period, the empire was a utopia. -People who are hardworking and loyal to their country. -Honest officials who work day and night for the well-being of the country. -Schrs who tirelessly conduct academic research and the society and systems that support them. -A society where hard workers are respected regardless of their upation. C An avenue through which even poor and lowly people can immediately petition the emperor if they have any injustice C An emperor who has great power but does not abuse it carelessly and receives absolute loyalty from the people. Although it seemed like a utopia to Europeans who were ustomed to the bankruptcy system, letters sent by professors and students living in Seoul proved that this was not just a fantasy. And European monarchs and intellectuals who heard this information dreamed of reforming their countries. It was a reform movement that woulde to be called imperialization. However, although they dreamed of an empire and called for imperialization, their destination was not the same. -A being who monopolizes all power and leads the country with the help of specialized bureaucrats. If this was the imperialization that the kings dreamed of, the meaning of imperialization that others dreamed of was different. -A society where knowledge can be freely explored, free from religious restrictions. -A society without taxes that are set indiscriminately without reasonable standards. The shape of the empire dreamed of by those who called for imperialization in this way was different. But even though we had different dreams, one thing was the same. -Exclusion of the noble ss. The kings wanted to monopolize power, and people from other sses had the opportunity to secure their rights and rise in status. In order for the construction of the great French Empire to seed, the nobility must first be weeded out. But what is needed to weed out these nobility is imperialization. And what is needed to make imperialization sessful is money. After speaking up to that point, Louis XI ced his hand on his forehead. Money is the problem. Is that why the empire is so eager for trade? * * * While in hiding in the Dauphine and Burgundy countries, Louis At first, it was mainly about interests such as the strange objects and scenery of the empire. But soon Louis XI had other questions. How did Joseon be an empire? Louis XI asked the schr the question he had. The schr nodded and answered Louis XIs question. Im curious about that too. I want to research it, but The schr slurred his words, but Louis XI understood right away. If you need funds, let me know. I will support you. thank you. Schrs who received support from Louis XI began to travel around the empire to gather information. Gyeongjang was created by analyzing the data collected not only from the empire, but also from the Ming and Japanese countries when necessary. Louis Are you saying the king took the initiative to carry out this? Thats right. Werent there any nobles in the empire? There are people called noblemen. So youre saying it was a sess? Of course they say there was a rebellion. The schr exined to Louis XI about the Guille Rebellion. After hearing the exnation, Louis XI nodded and muttered to himself. After all, force is the key. * * * Recalling old memories, Louis XI thought of the situations he would face in the future and the things he would have to do. Despite the efforts of thete king, the power of the nobles is still strong. It is impossible for me alone to break the power of the nobles. No, I dont know when I will die. To avoid this, I need to increase the power to keep the nobles in check. The best thing is, of course, the Estates General. But the priests must be on the same level as the nobles. Then, as the king of the empire did, he must take control of themoners, especially the merchants. And to take over the merchants, just like the empire Louis I wrote down on a nk piece of paper the policy that would be put into their hands. -Tax reform -Mandatory education This is the most obvious, but what we need is money whew. Louis XI sighed and quenched his appetite. In order to reform the system, you need money, and in order to get money, you need to reform the system, and it goes around and around Phew~. Louis 11, who was sighing as he watched the problems going round and round, lifted up the ledgers that were ced on one side. Is this why you are so obsessed with Suez? Louis XI understood why Charles VII showed deep interest in Suez. Even now, there are significant profits from reselling goodsing from Suez. It is said that the king of the empire that first started light clothing used the monopoly system to secure funds. If that is the case, then I should also make good use of it. Louis XI, who remembered Suez, took the lead. Its not just Suez. If you look at Portugal, the profits it makes from Africa are enormous. In that case it has to expand into the sea as well as Suez. Should we try using the nobles for this part? Louis Louis Whew~. My head hurts. I need a strategist Louis I heard that the kings advisor who first performed the sutra was the Dauphin de Viennois? But I heard he was around 10 years old at the time Is this true? Louis XI, recalling the rumors rted to incense, shook his head. If thats true, then youre not even human. At the same time, in Shinjis office, people were muttering as incense filled their ears. Who else is criticizing me? This is it there are too many suspects I know very well that there are at least a few hundred people who will criticize me, not only in Shinji Temporary Pce and Area 52, but even as far away as Seoul. It was a familiar scent. Chapter 744 Episode 744: Generation Change (2) When Louis * * * The Lancastrian dynasty, founded by Henry IV, who overthrew Richard II, had lost its luster during the reign of Henry VI, who was defeated in the Hundred Years War. In order to revive his authority, which had fallen due to defeat in the Hundred Years War, Henry VI held the York family, the regents, responsible. In response, Richard, Duke of York, the head of the York family, imed that the cause of the defeat was not his fault, but Henry VI and his associates who did not provide proper support. As the situation reached its extreme, the Duke of York and the York family began to dream of a rebellion. This also had its own basis. When Richard II died, the sessor to the throne was Edmund Montimer. However, Henry IV argued that since Richard II had no children, the right of session to the throne should naturally go to his brother. However, if the throne was to go to Edmund Monttimer, as originally decided, it would then pass to Richard of York. On this basis, the War of the Roses, a civil war between the House of York and the House of Lancaster, broke out. In the turbulent battle that followed, Edward, Earl of March, son of Richard, Duke of York, was victorious and became King of Ennd as Edward IV. Edward IV took the throne after a bloody struggle, but it was not the end. The most powerful coborator of Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, the greatest contributor to his rise to the throne, had be his most powerful political opponent. * * * Interestingly, the biggest reason why Edward IV and Richard Neville became political enemies was the empire. Edward IV wanted a royal power as strong as that of an imperial emperor. In order to have such a strong royal authority, Richard Neville had to be eliminated. Richard Neville was also influenced by the Empire, but not directly. The person who had the strongest influence on him was the Duke of Braganza of Portugal. -All power is concentrated in the king, but the person who moves the king is the prime minister, the Duke of Braganza. Richard Neville wanted to have the same position as the Duke of Braganza. I am the master of Ennd! Not Neville! If this was Edward IVs idea, Richard Nevilles idea was different. Edward? Hes got nothing but good looks! Ah! He fights a bit, but other than that, hes a useless guy who only drinks and wants women! Its thanks to someone that hes wearing a crown! Of course, Edward IV was well aware that his power was weaker than that of Richard Neville, so he made efforts to resolve this. Using his looks and charm, which even Richard Neville recognized, as weapons, Edward IV began to increase his power. Even though they disliked each other, their love affair continued. This was because there were still people from the Lancaster family remaining. Since it was a war that was fought for the survival of the family, the victor could not be tolerated. Therefore, even though they were in conflict with each other, Edward IV and Richard Neville joined hands and did their best to eliminate the Lancastrian family. It was a coboration that was sure to end in disaster. * * * It would be difficult to simply bring in nobles. Edward IV analyzed his situation as coolly as possible. ording to his judgment, there were pros and cons to attracting nobles and increasing their power. The advantage was that it would quickly and easily expand its power and be powerful. But the downside was that he had to share his power. There could have been many cases in which another Richard Neville should not appear. Then, should we take possession of the free people? Deadward IV had the free people in mind. Of course, the only free people he was thinking of were the free people of the city. Serfs belonging to rural manors were not free people. In steadily growing cities like London, free people engaged inmerce and industry began to have increasingly powerful economic power. If you gently scratch their itch and cajole them, it was certain that they would be the most powerful sword against nobles and a sturdy shield to protect themselves. Edward IV, who was contemting how to obtain free people, sighed softly. Is the problem still money? In order to get free people on their side, the best way was to introduce imperial institutions. Cities like London had many problems with poor sanitary conditions. Thanks to this, all kinds of infectious diseases spread whenever possible, andrge-scale fires broke out, causing great damage. If he introduced the empires public health and disaster prevention systems to these cities, it was certain that the free people of the cities would enthusiastically support him. But this was something that cost a lot of money. Due to the aftermath of thest civil war and the Hundred Years War, Ennds finances were in disarray. In this situation, the introduction of a system that requiredrge-scale financial execution would causeints from free people. What should I do Edward IV, exhausted from thinking about the best way, turned his gaze to his surroundings to cool his head for a moment. As Edward IV was looking around, the imperial gold pen caught the eye. Edward IV, who was holding a gold pen in his hand, looked at the map hanging on the wall. Edward IV, who was looking nkly at the map, muttered quietly. We need ces like Cis. In the Hundred Years War, Ennd lost most of its territories in France, but kept Cis until the end. Through Cis, British wool was exported to Italian city-states, and Italian city-states such as Florence were making famous cotton fabrics from this wool and exporting them. Thanks to this, Ennd was covering about 35% of its financial needs with Cis alone. Therefore, Edward IV thought that a trading port like Cis was necessary. But soon Edward IV sighed. Whoa, theres someone who owns a good ce. As he said, all the good ces in Europe were already owned. We need another way Edward IV struggled to find a way to solve financial problems, achieve sessful imperialization, andy a solid foundation on this. Edward IV, who was pondering so much, looked at the map again. Edward IV, who was inspecting the Mediterranean area, red at Suez and muttered. Is there any way to intervene in that? * * * While Ennd and France were suffering from various changes due to the change of kings, the Japanese kingdom was also busy. Year 6 of the Imperial Calendar (1454). Ouchi Mochiyo, who made Ouchi the master of Japan, has died. He was 60 years old. When Ouchi Mochiyo died, Ouchi Morimis surviving son, Ouchi Norihiro, took over the government. Follow the will of our ancestors and make Japan a powerful nation! With these slogans, Norihiro Ouchi became more progressive in changing the Japanese country. We must also engage in trade! We cannot escape from being a poor country by only exporting cotton! Following Norihiros order to promote active foreign trade, the officials of the shogunate prepared to jump into trade. However, officials sighed at the grim reality. Compared to the Empire and Ming, it is too poor I expected it, but These were the officials of the shogunate who sighed at the poor quality of the products made in their country. It would be best to focus on cotton and raw silk. After receiving the officials report, Norihiro was frowned upon. Isnt there a strong connection between cotton and raw silk? And cotton and raw silk give arge harvest even if the weather is a little bad. Lets make this the main product of trade? Do you think it makes sense? The officials fell t at Norihiros reprimand. But even in such a prostrate situation, officials talked about reality. Thats true, but the quality of the items we made is very poor. The quality is very poorpared to what the Empire and Ming make and sell. Norihiros expression became serious at the officials words. In thest war, we brought in many craftsmen. And there are more than one person who learned and learned from them. Does this mean that the situation is still like that? Of course, we brought many craftsmen, but most of them were rted to steam engines and weapons production Oh Norihiro stopped talking at the officials answers. * * * In thest war, Ouchi brought arge number of craftsmen from the Ming. Ouchi, who brought the artisans with him, actively settled them. Thanks to his active actions, sometimes threatening and sometimes taking women into his arms, the brought artisans began to cooperate with Ouchi. Once the artisans were settled, Ouchi moved on. They selected boys who seemed to have some dexterity from the craftsmen in the estate and had them trained by the craftsmen. The Japanese government, which secured technical staff through such efforts, devoted itself to the development of steam engines and gunpowder weapons. That wasnt all. In thest war, the empire lost a significant amount of weapons to the Ming, and the Ming carefully inspected these weapons and improved their own. Ouchi, who received this information, paid arge amount of bribes and smuggled the empires weapons from the Ming Dynasty. He then thoroughly analyzed the stolen weapons andpared them with the weapons the empire had sold to him. And when it created its own barrel and artillery, the empire sold Eulsik long rifles inrge quantities. Ouchi spent a lot of money to introduce arge number of Japanese style long guns because they had overwhelming performancepared to the long guns they had. And the Japanese nation was once again caught up in the empire. This was because of the bullets used in the Japanese style long rifles and freight cars. Although the Japanese technology was very advanced, there was no technology for mass-molding copper bullet casings or manufacturing detonators. To acquire these technologies, the Ouchi shogunate made efforts both yin and yang. However, aside from the shell casing molding technology, the Noehong manufacturing method used in the detonator was a top secret. Everyone will find out eventually, but hold on as long as you can! Following this decision, the empire prevented technology outflow as much as possible. And for this purpose, many of Milwis agents disappeared in the dark. * * * Hmm Norihiro, who was thinking about this while holding the fan in his hand, found a way. Lets sell weapons. yes? The weapons we made are far inferior to those of the Empire, but they are on par with those made by the Ming Dynasty. Isnt that right? Its on par with famous snacks. The countries in the south also want the weapons of the empire. But the weapons of the empire are expensive and do not sell well. Lets sell them the weapons we made. If we sell them a little cheaper than those made by the Ming Dynasty, they will sell well. ah! In this way, the Japanese government began selling weapons to various southern countries and sultanates. It was targeting a so-called niche market. Chapter 745 Episode 745: Generational Change (3) Japans strategy of targeting a niche market was sessful. Countries of their own size, such as Daewol and Seomra, purchased Japanese style rifles and freight cars sold by the empire. Although it had excellent performance, it was sold at a lower price than expected. However, only long guns and freight cars were sold at low prices. In order for Eulsik rifles and freight cars to perform properly, they had to use special ammunition. And the Empire made arge profit from the ammunition. The Japanese government also adopted a simr strategy. For small countries that did not have the economic ability to purchase imperial weapons, such as the small countries of the Philippine Inds and the various tribal nations of the Indonesian Inds, the Japanese weapons were of moderate performance and reasonably low price. The Japanese government that sold the guns and artillery they made sold the gunpowder and bullets they used with significant marks attached. However, it was difficult to make profit because there was a strongpetitor named Myeong. Competition between the Ming and Japanese countries was especially fierce in Luzon and nearby areas where Chinese people had lived since ancient times. However, because the export of gunpowder weapons was illegal, most of the firearms of the Ming Dynasty were smuggled, while the Japanese Empire was slowly gaining an advantage thanks to the actions of the shogunate. * * * As the Japanese arms sales went well, the empire gained unexpected profits. In other words, the countries that purchased the empires weapons, such as Daewol, Sumra, and therge kingdoms of the Indonesian archipgo, did not get along very well with their neighbors. The surrounding weak countries that were under military pressure from Daewol Seomra immediately purchased weapons from the Japanese country. Although the superiority and inferiority of performance were clear, this could be offset by making good use of the natural environment. And weak countries took advantage of this. Thanks to this,rge and small armed conflicts broke out every day in Southeast Asia. Countries such as Daewol and Seomra fought against neighboring weak countries C especially the North and South countries of Myanmar, which were divided into North and South C and weak countries fought against countries bordering them C not onlyrge countries such as Daewol and Seomra, but also small and weak countries. received. Due to this conflict, a huge amount of ammunition and guns were consumed, and the empire was able to make a handsome profit by selling them ammunition and Japanese long-gun wagons that were being eliminated. * * * After receiving this report, Wan gave an order to his subjects. Lets assume there is no problem with the flintlock rifles made and sold by the Japanese government. I follow your orders. The ministers immediately epted Wans decision without much opposition. This was because it was almost unreasonable to say anything about flintlock rifles made and sold by the Japanese government. First, the empire made flintlock rifles and sold them to Japan, but the empire did not use them at all. Second, because this flint ignition device is used by Mingdo, it is difficult for the empire to im intellectual property rights. -Although it is simr to what the Empire sold us, we referred to it. If Japan said this, the empire would be at a loss for words. This was also the case with the rifling parts engraved on rifles sold by the Japanese government. -The long guns sold by famous people have rifling lines engraved on them, so we dug them up too! If I argued like this, as expected, I would run out of things to say. Therefore, when this first came up as a topic, Wan recalled what Hyang said. -The saying sessful replication is better than failed creation is a weapon. If you dont create a contract from scratch, you have to give up iming intellectual property rights. A weapon has many holes through which it can escape. -The Ming and Japanese are still desperately trying to catch up with us. Especially in the weapons field. And at some point, it will almost catch up with us. In particr, in areas such as long guns, it will soon be difficult to determine superiority or inferiority. -solution? Simple. All we can do is figure out our own way and keep getting ahead. Even if guns are unavoidable, the artillery section must be overwhelmingly superior. In particr, Hyangsst words were something that Wan and the ministers all agreed on. Thanks to this, people who were originally obsessed with cannons became even more obsessed with cannons. -Unconditional artillery fire, whether onnd or at sea! -Bigger, more powerful, and farther-moving artillery! -What is needed for an attack? More artillery! What do you need for defense? Even more artillery! -Fire artillery is the truth of victory! It was the beginning of Pobangbu, a ce that boasts history and tradition. * * * The Ouchi shogunate, which took control of the Japanese Empire, made great efforts to solidify its power. What the Ouchi shogunate put the most effort into was education and economic development. In the elementary school, which was a direct replica of the imperial social democratic school, children learned letters and loyalty to the country and monarch. However, the monarch here was not the emperor but the shogun of the shogunate. And he promoted various policies to develop the economy. Among them, the most important one was the prospecting project. The most important things to develop the economy are coal and iron! Private railways have their limits! Find iron ore! The prospecting project that took ce under Mochiyos strong support finally achieved results at the end of Mochiyos reign. Iron ore and coal mines were discovered in the Kumamoto area and iron ore mines were discovered in the Morioka (now Shiwate) area. Kumamoto is okay, but Morioka is a problem. Mochiyo, who received the report at the time, was filled with pains. The Kumamoto region was one of the areaspletely controlled by the Ouchi family. However, the Morioka region was far from the shogunate. Although the domain disappeared due to the abolition of the district, there were still disturbing movements because it was so far away. The shogunate officials had a war of words over the solution to this problem. Lets develop Kumamoto first and n on developing the Morioka areater! The existence of the mine is already known. If this is left as is, secret camming of minerals will be rampant and unsightly groups can abuse it! We must develop it at the same time! After a fierce war of words, Mochiyo made a decision. First, we will develop the iron mines in Morioka and the coal mines in Kumamoto. We will dispatch the shogunate army to Morioka and manage them directly. Then, even the subversive will not be able to move easily. That is, we will empty the iron mines in Morioka first and then develop the iron mines in Kumamoto. . Hot! Its a wise punishment! The officials responded to Mochiyos decision by bowing their heads in unison. Following Mochiyos decision, mines began to be developed in Kumamoto and Morioka. As important iron and coal mines were divided between South and North, a means of transporting them efficiently became necessary. Thanks to this, the railway construction that had been started at the request of the empire received further momentum. As these events continued in session, the entire Japanese nation began to suffer from the changes. Many people left the rural areas where they had lived and flocked to the cities and mines. And merchants and prostitutes flocked to the area, looking for money flowing from railway construction sites and mines. Those who had money in their hands moved for a better future for their children. Thanks to this, more and more children flocked to elementary schools. And in order to acquire higher levels of learning and achieve sess, numerous academies and dormitories (a type of boarding school) were established. Since these academies and dormitories were not official educational institutions, the shogunate established secondary schools, higher education institutions, sooner than expected. As the Japanese government grew, the Japanese people became more confident. As my confidence grew, people began to secretly say something different. Sir. Appeals have beening in these days. Yoshinori, who was busy approving a pile of documents, straightened his posture when he heard the word appeal. Appeal? What kind of appeal is this? There are manyints that the word governance should be changed. Government? Why? Come with an appeal. hot! At Yoshinoris order, officials brought trays containing appeals. The contents of the appeals werergely the same. -The word government is a word created and used by the empire. -The word Gyeongse is an abbreviation of Gyeongsejemin (). -Government is important, but citizens are also important. Therefore, it is not right to use only Gyeongse. -The empire is the empire and the country of Japan is the country of Japan. It is right to follow the example of previously developed empires, but there is no need to follow the example of things that are not right and that do not suit our Japanese country. -Therefore, it is correct to use the word economy instead of the word governance. Hmm After reading the contents of the appeals, Yoshinori stroked his beard and was lost in thought. The creed that was passed down from Morimi, the head of the Sandae family, through Mochiyo and even to himself was Escape from Japan. The goal was to abandon outdated old customs and be a powerful nation following the example of the developed Joseon Empire. But an empire is an empire and we are us. Are the people who submitted this appeal studying abroad? The officials answered Yoshinoris question right away. Most of them are students studying abroad. Bring those who can be brought in right away. hot! After about half an hour (about 1 hour). A group of officials prostrated themselves before Yoshinori. Did you write this appeal? hot! Answer my question. hot! In the question and answer that followed, the answers given by the students studying abroad were almost identical to the content of the appeal. But thest words provoked Yoshinori. I ept that the Empire is a powerful country that is ahead in all aspects. However, just 20 years ago, the Empire was in a position to follow the Ming. But now, it has be a power that overwhelms the Ming. The Empire was like that, but it is impossible for our Japanese country to do so. Do you want to do it? I think that abandoning the word government and choosing economy is the only way to make this clear. Wouldnt it be the same to choose the name Kookmin School instead of Social Democratic School? Hmm Yoshinori, who had been pondering while listening to the students studying abroad, made a decision. What you say is right. We cant just look at the empires back forever. Talk to other officials and bring Dungeo to rece the government. hot! * * * As movements to escape from the shadow of the empire were slowly taking ce, another war of words was taking ce among Japanese intellectuals. It was a sh between the maintaining faction and the separate faction. -The Emperor has already be famous and insignificant. Therefore, the shogun must be crowned. This was the argument of the Seonwi faction. The argument of the supporters opposing this was as follows. -He is a descendant of Amaterasu and is an emperor who has continued the world for all eternity. The superiority is unreasonable. The Xianwi faction snorted at this im of the preservationist faction. A promation for all ages? What happened in the past when the Northern and Southern Dynasties divided and fought? Now is the time for the Emperor to step down from history! Thats right! The Emperor is a symbol of old customs! He must step down! Chapter 746 Episode 746: Generational Change (4) The war of words between the proponent faction and the proponent faction is no longer limited to intellectuals. In many cities, the walls were littered with posters posted every night by those advocating for preservation and superiority. At first, the posters were filled with Chinese characters, but at some point, more and more posters written in hiragana began to appear. Some of the posters were written in katakana, perhaps to show a strong will to others. The old people clicked their tongues as they looked at the walls filled with posters filled with hiragana and katakana. Well they sent me to a public school or something to tell me to study hard and get ahead in life Once upon a time, the Mikado suddenly had two children and everyone went through a hard time, so Im sitting there talking about my superiors and superiors again. There will be trouble! Im doing useless work just to make a living! Its been several years since we suffered because of the war! Among those who suffered during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, there were very few who survived to this day. However, there were countless people who remembered the civil war that took ce between the Muromachi shogunate and Ouchi, and the civil war that took ce between the Ouchi who took over the government and the old families who tried to take over the government. Those who remembered the pain of the civil war that took ce did not like the war of words between the supporters and supporters. Although there was such a fierce war of words, the Xianyu faction had the upper hand overall. This was because the daimyo and feudal lords of various feudal dynasties, who were the core of the existing system, had fallen due to civil war and the abolition of the feudal lords, and most of the guges, who were the emperors most reliable support, were wiped out in the previous civil war. . Because of this situation, the voices of the Xian Wei faction became louder and louder. As the monarch who has led Yamato, I acknowledge the contributions of past emperors. But the moon also waxes and wanes. Its a new era, so we need a new monarch! The Emperor is a symbol of old customs! We need a new symbol! Look at the history of China and its empire! The Emperor of the Later Han Dynasty was honored by the Emperor of Wei, and King Gongyang of Goryeo was honored by King Taejo, the predecessor of the empire! This is the gateway we must pass through to advance into a new era! Among the Shenyang faction, the moderate faction argued for Shenyang, citing the history of China and Joseon as examples. However, there were also those who raised more radical ims. The current emperor has no legitimacy! They should just be kicked out! right! After thest North-South Korean Uprising, the legitimacy of the Emperor disappeared! We cannot recognize the authority of an unorthodox emperor! All hail, one day? How can you prove that! We must be ousted, no, purged! In this way, the voices of those advocating for betterment grew louder, but in some regions, on the contrary, proponents of preservation gained the upper hand. * * * The most representative region was Kyoto. what? Is it not enough to go out with Mikado secretly and also praise him? Have you seen these ten thousand thiefs! Traitors! Is the power given to someone who, at best, is nothing more than Marshal Im Wae-do really that good? Those who ridiculed the Ouchi family, who advocated post-Japanese invasion, saying we must abandon old customs and ept new civilizations to develop Japan, gave the Ouchi family the derogatory name anti-Japanese (Japanese who surrendered to Joseon). (Q) was added. In particr, people in Kyoto enjoyed using this derogatory term. The reason the people of Kyoto used it was out of pride. It has been the capital of Japan for generations since the Heian period, and it was a ce of pride as the center of Japan, where not only the emperor but also the shogun of the Muromachi shogunate lived. joy! Russian things from Kyushu! On the topic of anti-Japanese licking Joseons ass! When Ouchi, who had been called an anti-Japanese activist, came to power, he was called Marshal Im Wae-do. Youre talking about a shogun (܊) on the topic of anti-Japanese invasion! Wonsu Do would be a good fit! thats right! You should also be thankful for calling me Dowonsu! Of course, it was certain that if he used this title openly, he would be scolded, so even proud Kyoto people called him secretly. However, as the war between the Zonchi faction and the Seonwi faction rose to the surface, the atmosphere in the Kyoto area began to be increasingly ugly. What are you going to do with the traitor Mikado? You have to turn it over! And some people began to secretly collect weapons or collect fallen samurai one by one. * * * Meanwhile, even among the conservative faction, those who decided to use force began to appear one by one. What is interesting is that many of those who decided to use force were moderates. They are blinding the Shoguns eyes and leading him down the wrong path! They must be punished! The traitors must be punished! Their arguments began to develop further. We must punish the traitors, awaken the shogun, and force him to return the position of governor to the emperor! This happened because the shogun also served as a government official! It must be returned to its original state! The seeds of the so-called great political restoration had begun to sprout. Those who decided to use force began to act as soon as they were ready. The method they used was assassination. * * * Luxury residential area in Yamaguchi. A pnquin carrying high-ranking officials of the Ouchi shogunate was moving along the long wall. Because it was quitete, people carryingnterns were moving around the front and back of the pnquin, lighting the way. Meanwhile, in the dark alley along the path of the officials procession, several people were gathered and staring at the procession. e! Fortunately, there arent many bodyguards! Those who confirmed the situation looked at each other and nodded. Lets take action! Oh! lets go! Chop! Chop! Chop! The people pulled out the swords they had on their belts and ran out of the alley at once. Punish the traitor! Punish the traitor! As the men with drawn swords came rushing in, the samurai in charge of the guard were frightened and pulled out their swords. Its an attack! Protect Tono ()! Soon, Yamaguchis residential alley became a scene of tragedy, filled with blood, screaming and death. * * * When these assassinations began to ur not only in Yamaguchi but also in many cities, Yoshinori made a decision right away. A dmissioning order (U) was issued. -Anyone without permission from the shogunate or government is prohibited from wearing a sword. -Anyone who vites this will be immediately arrested and severely punished. However, the closure order brought about considerable bacsh. Even though a considerable amount of time had passed since the shogunate took over power, there were still many ces where security was unstable. You want me to leave my sword in a situation like this? Are you just telling me to die? Some people refused the closure order for their own safety, but there were also people who opposed the closure order for other reasons. They were descendants of fallen samurai and warlord families. The sword is our pride! I can never let go! In response to this, the Ouchi shogunates method was carrots and sticks. -Insecure security will be resolved by deploying arge number of police officers. -If everyone doesnt wear a knife, there is no need to be anxious. Therefore, anyone who does not follow the abolition order will be immediately arrested. -If you work in the shogunates temple department or military, you will be permitted to wear a sword. Not only will you be permitted to wear a sword, but you will also be given an appropriate rank based on your abilities. The samurai and descendants of military families who had rejected the abolition order were troubled when they saw thesest two provisions. Most of them refused to enter the military service due to disobedience to Ouchi and pride. However, they were also experiencing increasing difficulties in their lives and their situation was bing bleak due to their uncertain future. However, joining the shogunates security organization or military could solve both the hardships of life and an uncertain future. That is, as long as you break the pride you have maintained until now. Eventually, they split into two. One decided to join the shogunate, and the other decided to join those who resisted the shogunate. Divided into two, they fiercely criticized each other. turncoat! A stranger who cant see the future! * * * The shogunate strongly pushed for the abolition, but those who opposed it continued to resist. In the process of subduing them, significant damage urred, and officials pondered a solution. Of course, when you fight a sword with a sword, there is bound to be damage. thats right. In particr, it is verymon for those who resist to have superior swordsmanship. Assassinations need to be prevented, but this is the way to go. Those who were thinking about a good solution chose the empire, as expected. Lets bring in imperial weapons? The best way is to import the design and produce it ourselves. It may be impossible to produce ammunition, but we must negotiate to produce the weapons themselves. So what kind of weapon is it? The officials answered Yoshinoris question right away. Herees the horseback rifle or short rifle used by the Empire. * * * Under the leadership of the township, Area 51 developed the Flesh and Blood Horse Mounted Gun based on the Colt 1860 Army and supplied it to the cavalry. And the cavalry used horseback rifles very effectively. As time passed and copper cartridges became popr, these horseback rifles were modified or newly produced to use cartridge cartridges. And from this point on, these horseback rifles were no longer the exclusive domain of cavalry units. As it was chosen as the basic weapon for imperial army officers, the horseback rifle came to be called a short rifle. And this rifle was not only used by the military. Even the military officers of the Pocheong, who maintained public order in the empire, became basic weapons that they wore on their waists, along with a hexagonal bat and a rope for assault. * * * Since it was already being used well in the empire, the officials of the shogunate were thinking of importing it right away. There were many people who suggested introducing it before, but there was one reason why it was not introduced until now. It was quite expensive. However, the situation was such that it had to be introduced. Even so, if we can produce it, we can reduce costs, so negotiation is necessary. Hmm Yoshinori, who was pondering the officials words, made a decision with an expression that said there was nothing he could do. Select a messenger to send to the empire. hot! Even though he made that decision, Yoshinori had something to worry about. Importing machine guns from the Empire is the answer, but it takes time. An alternative is needed toplement this. The official responded immediately to Yoshinoris point. under! So, a proposal is being raised that it would be a good idea to create a separate organization by selecting those with excellent swordsmanship from the patrol department and the military. Good. Run. Have you decided on a name? Its stilling. okay? Then After thinking for a moment, Yoshinori took up a gold pen and wrote his name on a nk piece of paper. How about this? The name Yoshinori wrote was Baldo-dae (i). It was the birth of an organization that made the pro-Japanese and anti-shogunate factions tremble with shame, as well as an infamous organization that also terrified the general public. Chapter 747 Episode 747: Generational Change (5) In the 16th year of the Imperial Calendar (1464), Park Jong-woo, the Prime Minister of the Empire, died. He was 59 years old at the time of death. As the third Prime Minister of the Empire, he set the record as the youngest Prime Minister at the age of 53 when he was appointed Prime Minister in the 10th year of the Imperial Calendar (1458). At the time, there were many theories about why the Hyang appointed Park Jong-woo, leaving behind prominent officials including Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Hui. Among many theories, this was the most influential one. -The big picture of the emperor. Both Hwang Hee and Kim Jeom lived to the ripe old age of 90. And the time spent as an official was also very long. In addition, he had excellent crisis management skills as he experienced all kinds of upheavals as a high-ranking official during the turbulent times of the end of the Goryeo Dynasty and the beginning of the Joseon Dynasty from King Taejo to King Sejong. The problem was who would seed those two. They were Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in. Both had excellent work ability and were considered the best candidates to serve as Prime Minister. Hwang Bo-in had the personality of ensuring that once a standard was set, it was strictly adhered to. If he were to be Prime Minister, who was considered to be the leader of all people, he would be able to maintain his position and assist the emperor even in all kinds of unexpected situations and crises. Kim Jong-seo had a different outlook from Hwang Bo-in. While Hwang Bo-in was a stickler for his own standards, Kim Jong-seo was simr to Hwang Hee. You are right and you are also right. But given the circumstances, why not just back off a little? The person who achieved the best results by coordinating stakeholders in this way was Kim Jong-seo. However, when both sides refused to back down, he resolutely pushed ahead with his decision. That is why the pioneering of the northeastern region was sessfullypleted together with Hwang Hee. No matter which of the two became Prime Minister, they were people who could never make a wrong choice. But the problem was their age. Both Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in were in the 70th row. And it was impossible to guarantee that they would live as long as Kim Jeom and Hwang Bo-in. Therefore, it was said that the local government chose Park Jong-woo, who was recognized as the most capable among those in their 50s. And this was half the answer. * * * I had been wondering whether the appointment would be optimal for the vacant position of Prime Minister. Either Kim Jong-seo or Hwang Bo-in would be suitable, but they are too old. And it can be seen that it is a situation where there has not been a clear verification Hyang, who had been speechless, suddenly smiled bitterly and continued speaking. No, you probably dont believe your eyes. What Hyang was worried about was whether he was overestimating Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in. The reason Hyang was unsure of his own evaluation was because of the history he remembered. In history before Hyang intervened, Hwang Bo-in and Kim Jong-seo were purged through the Gyeyujeong Rebellion caused by Prince Suyang. Because of this, it became difficult for Hyang to trust his own evaluation of Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in. C Even if you look at the annals and records of the time, it is said that Hwang Bo-in and Kim Jong-seo were outstanding people. But is this an urate and objective record? Could it be that it is overrated simply because of its tragic end? There are very poor records of what abilities he disyed while serving as the Right and Young Councillors. In other words, because he was a loyal subject who met a tragic end in the Gyeyujeong Rebellion, Hyang began to doubt himself as to whether he was overestimating himself too much. Its definitely excellent, but Im still anxious. Age is also an issue You must be at an age where you can endure at least 10 years without hesitation. And Kim Jong-seos love for Seoul is also a problem After serious deliberation, the government appointed Park Jong-woo as Prime Minister and appointed Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in as Deputy Prime Ministers. The person who was trained under Kim Jong-woo is Park Jong-woo. His ability has been proven, and with the help of Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in, he can make up for theck of experience. And if it doesnt work out, you can drop Park Jong-woo as deputy prime minister and raise one of the two to prime minister. And when the timees, he will be promoted to Prime Minister again. This was not unusual. Even in history before the intervention of the Hyang, there were many cases where the positions of Young Councilor and Left Councilor were held in turns. That is why the government appointed Park Jong-woo as Prime Minister. However, Park Jong-woo suddenly passed away. * * * Wan, who was struggling to fill the position of Prime Minister left vacant by Park Jong-woos sudden death, visited King Sejong. Whats going on? I would like to get advice on choosing the Prime Minister. In response to Wan, Sejong put aside the book he was reading and looked at Wan. So who do you think is best, Emperor? Wan answered Sejongs question right away. I think its one of Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in. Youre both so old, is that okay? The younger generationcks experience. Even if it is dangerous for the time being, the time hase when the old gods are needed. Seeing Sejong silently nodding his head, Wan continued speaking. Hwang Bo-in is upright and strong-willed, so he will be able to firmly carry on the government. Jong-seo Kim is very flexible and can immediately find a solution even in unexpected crises. Considering the current situation of the surrounding countries and the empire, please give me advice on who would be better. Sejong thought for a moment about Wans answer and then opened his mouth. First of all, the nature of the two is the same as what the emperor said. Hwang Bo-in is strong on the outside, and Jong-seo Kim is strong on the outside. Hwang Bo-in is strict but takes good care of his subordinates, and Kim Jong-seo is strong and disciplined even though he appears indecisive. They are definitely someone who has a lot to offer. So its not easy. Hmm Sejong thought for a moment and answered Wan. The decision-making authority lies with the Emperor, but I think it would be better to have Hwang Bo-in as Prime Minister. And send Kim Jong-seo to Deputy Prime Minister Woo. Are you saying that Kim Jong-seo is Deputy Prime Minister Woo? exactly. May I ask why? The Emperor, please think about it. Wans face became serious at Sejongs words. Its a test! Wan, who realized Sejongs n, thought carefully about the reason. After thinking deeply for a while, Wan told Sejong his thoughts. Kim Jong-seo experienced war in the northeastern region. Looking at the current surrounding situation and the situation in Suez, we cannot neglect national defense. Kim Jong-seo is not only a tattooist, but he also knows war and has moderation, so he can avoid excessiveness in national defense. So, I can say that he is a worthy candidate for Deputy Prime Minister Woo. Sejong responded with a big smile to Wans answer. That is my opinion. In addition, even if there are people who are dissatisfied with Hwang Bo-ins rigidity, Kim Jong-seo willfort them. In that case, if Kim Jong-seo bes Prime Minister, things will get bigger. If there is a greeting or event that makes Kim Jong-seo angry, Hwang Bo-in will also be angry. Thats right. Shouldnt we prevent something like fire from ovepping and bing me? Ill buy it back. In this way, Hwang Bo-in was selected as the new Prime Minister. Next, Kim Jong-seo and Minister of Finance and Economy Lee Gyeon-gi took over as right deputy prime minister and left deputy prime minister. Lastly, Lim Soon-wook was appointed as the new Minister of Finance and Economy. Lim Soon-wooks inauguration as Minister of Finance and Economy was one of the butterfly effects created by scent. A person whose existence was not even known in history before the intervention of incense rose to the surface of history. As time passed, Hyang received a rted report from Shinji and frowned. Prime Minister, Hwang Bo-in, Deputy Prime Minister Woo, and Kim Jong-seo? This means Hwang Bo is in the Yeonguijeong and Kim Jong-seo is in the Woouijeong Hyang, who thought for a moment while tapping the desk with his fingers, looked out the window and muttered. Are you relieved that we brought Jinpyeong here? * * * When Hwang Bo-in was promoted to the new Prime Minister and the empire was busy with a series of personnel changes, an incident urred in the Ming Dynasty. Emperor Gyeongtae had died. Compared to the history before Hyang intervened, it survived for 7 more years. In addition, although everything changed, including the surrounding situation, there were some things that did not change. Emperor Gyeongtae had no heirs. He had one son and two daughters, but his son, Joo Gyeon-je, died of illness at a young age. Afterwards, he had several concubines and tried hard to have a son, but it did not bear fruit. When Emperor Gyeong died without an heir, the Ming court was shaken. To whom should the throne pass The ministers searched the imperial familys family tree and desperately searched for someone suitable to seed the throne. But it wasnt easy. The immediate previous emperor, Emperor Seondeok, had only two sons. One was Ju Ji-jin, whomitted suicide in Liaodong, and the other was Emperor Gyeong-tae. Should I go higher. If that happens, I will fall into a secondary world, and if I make a mistake, a civil war over the throne could break out once again. While the ministers were confused, not knowing what to do, someone found the answer. The legitimate son of the King of Liaodong is alive in Joseon! The King of Liaodongs legitimate child? Oh oh! The ministers were delighted with the information that Joo Jin-jins legitimate son was alive, but they soon faced another problem. -Although he was pushed out as King of Liaodong, Ju Ji-jin is the emperors legitimate eldest son. -Therefore, there is no problem with legitimacy if Joo Jin-jin is the legitimate enemy. Rather, it is an optimal existence with no problems with legitimacy. -But the only problem and the biggest problem was that the legitimate son was now living in Joseon. I lived in Joseon for almost ten years. If this is the case, shouldnt we be considered Korean? No matter how much you think about it, its probably like that. Will the people wee you? Then is there another alternative? Among the princes of Emperor Hongxi, the previous emperor, what do you think of Pus? Are you talking about Yangwang Zhou Chuanxian? exactly. Its not a deficit, is it? And youre already 64! Then, as the prince of the two kings. Not as a legitimate son, but as a coteral coteral? Do you think other royal family members are just watching that? What the ministers were worried about was thepetition for imperial power among the royal family. The ministers, who had already experienced the uprising of Jeongnan, the rebellion of Zhou Hu, and the civil war waged by those impersonating Zhou Yun-wen and his son, wanted to avoid something like that happening again. The ministers, exhausted from intense deliberation, sighed andined. Whoa~. At a time like this, there should have been an elder in the imperial family. The ministers recalled Empress Hyogongjang, the Empress of Seondeok, who had died a few years ago. However, the throne could not remain vacant forever. After much deliberation, the ministers came to a conclusion. Lets send someone to Joseon. * * * A monthter, eight messengers arrived in Seoul. Foreign Minister He Hu, who weed the messenger, heard Mings request and immediately reported it to Wan. Would you like Joo Gi-jins son back? Thats right. Wan, who had been briefly remembering Heo Hus answer, looked back at the ministers with an iprehensible expression. And where does your son live now? Ah In response to Wans question, all the ministers made the same expression as Wan. s! Ipletely forgot! I was only executing the budget and not paying proper attention! Since he was already in a kite that fell by the strings situation, the person he hadpletely forgotten was Joo Joo-jins son. Chapter 748 Episode 748: The Emperor of the Second Lieutenant (1) Ju Ji -jin, who was defeated in the war that took ce in the 30th year of King Sejongs reign (1448),mitted suicide in Liaodong Province. At that time, Joo Gi-jin and his wifemitted suicide together, and his concubines, eunuchs including Wang Chung, and courtdies all became prisoners of Joseon. The person who received the most attention in the process was Joo Gyeon-sim, Joo Joo-jins only son. The Joseon militarymanders all looked perplexed when they saw Zhu Gyeonsim wrapped in a nket because he was just born. The biological mother was also taken prisoner, but it would be difficult to look after the child alone. Find a nanny right now! ancient! Fortunately, among the captured women was Joo Gyeon-sims nanny, which put the Joseon militarymanders at ease. No matter how much you are the child of an enemy monster, you cannot kill a blood clot. Isnt it possible to tarnish the name of our Joseon military? The Joseon militarymanders all nodded at Choi Yun-deoks words. Thats right. * * * The war ended with Joseons victory. Joseon, which had taken care of everything from the previous agreement, asked Ming about the future of Zhou Gyeonsim. -What will we do with the dead Joo Jin-jins concubines and child? The Emperor of Ming and his officials were troubled by Joseons questions. After much deliberation, Ming answered Joseon. C I will bring back all the concubines, eunuchs, and courtdies who wish to return. But let Joo Ji-jins son stay in Joseon. joy! Thats a clear answer! After hearing Mings answer, Hyang snorted. And this was the same for the ministers of the court. Now, the Ming Dynasty was in a situation where Emperor Gyeongtae seeded Emperor Seondeok. The problem was that Gyeongtaeje was not a descendant of Seondeokjae, but was born from a side line. Emperor Gyeongtae ascended to the throne ording to the orders of Emperor Seondeok, but being a sessor to the royal family was likely to cause problems in the future. Because of this, Ming abandoned Zhou Jianxin. Anyway, I have heard your answer, so please act ordingly. I follow your orders. ah! Hyang, who was trying to sort out the issue regarding the state of affairs, let out an exmation as if he suddenly remembered something and added an order. Request for child support from Joo Gyeon-sim and receive it properly. Are you talking about child support? Hyang nodded to the question asked by Hwang Hee, who had a confused expression. exactly. Anyway, arent they royal family? You will need to find a suitable ce to live within the four main gates, and you will also need to find people to take care of you. Is that it? We have to provide clothing and food for the future, but doesnt that all cost money? We dont have enough money to spend, so shouldnt we be spending that much? Im getting it back! Kim Jeom was the first toe forward and agree with Hyangs words. In this way, Joseon once again robbed Myeongs wallet. -No matter what, the child is heir to the Ming imperial family. Are you going to make him live in poverty? In this way, he gently scratched his pride and ripped off his wallet. Joseon, which even paid child support for Joo Gyeon-sim from the Ming, followed the Mings demands. Joo Ji-jins concubines and pce eunuchs who were captured were asked whether they would return, and those who wanted to return were all put on ships and sent back to Ming. While most people hoped to return, there were some who decided to stay. They were Concubine Joo, Joo Ji-jins concubine and biological mother, and the eunuch Wang Chong. In the case of Concubine Zhou, it could be seen as natural since she was Zhou Jianxins biological mother, but Wang Chong was unexpected. Although you are forced to entrust your life to an enemy country, you are the only blood rtive of the King of Liaodong. Of course I have to take care of it. The superficial reason was the same, but Wang Chongs intentions were different. There have been rumors that the person currently on the throne is sickly! Session issues will inevitably arise! Waiting for that time! Just like Kang Tae-gong did! It was a life-threatening decision. When the returnees and those who stayed were divided, Hyang provided them with a residence in the western section of the Four Great Gates. Next, they searched for and assigned employees to take care of the household chores, and even set up a surveince post to prepare for any unexpected incident. In addition, the Ministry of Finance and Economy established the Jugyeonsim Management Office, a temporary department to execute child support received from people. This was for urate budget execution and management. Additionally, the township gave a special order to the person in charge of the management office. -In the future, when the timees when Ju Gyeon-sim needs to learn, he will be sent to a social democratic academy. Even if Joo Gyeon-sims biological mother refuses, they will forcibly execute it, and they will refuse even if there is a request to find a separate writing teacher. There are no special exceptions. -If you wish to study more advanced studies after graduating from the Social Democratic Institute, this is permitted. However, learning industry, academia, and crafts is prohibited. With the situation settled like this, Zhou Jianxin was forgotten by everyone. In this way, Zhou Gyeonsim, who had been forgotten by everyone, was brought to the surface again. * * * Upon receiving Mings request, the empire immediately confirmed Zhou Jianxins situation. Wans eyes lit up after checking the report from the department in charge. Have you already turned 18? Hmm. ording to the report from the management office, the current situation of Zhou Gyeonsim was as follows. -Current age: 18 years old. single. -The mother, Joo, is also in good health. -Personality is friendly and polite and maintains good rtionships with neighbors. -After finishing Social Ministries School, I finished middle schoolst year. Currently studying at home in order to be admitted to this academy. Hmm Wan, who was looking at the report, asked the ministers. Looking at your age, you should already be married, so whats the problem with you being single? Prime Minister Hwang Bo-in stepped forward and answered Wans question. I guess his origins arent the problem? ah? I see Wan nodded at Hwang Bo-ins answer. * * * Thanks to the child support he received from the Ming Dynasty, Joo Gyeon-sims life was without any shorings. These days, more and more foreigners were settling in the empire, and marrying such foreigners was no longer a novelty. So, in a way, he was a good groom with good judgment. This was because he had never lived a poor life. However, no matter how friendly the neighbors were, no one thought of him as a suitable partner for their daughter. This was because he was Joo Ji-jins child. No matter how much Joseon grew into an empire through that war, Joo Gyeon-shim was a newborn at the time, so even if he was not directly guilty, being Joo Ji-jins child was a stigma that could never be erased. * * * Wan, who was looking at the report, moved on. In the Ming Dynasty, it was said that the reason for finding Zhu Jianxin was because Zhu Zhu Jins legitimate son, but strictly speaking, isnt he a bastard and not a legitimate son? Hwang Bo-in came forward again and responded to Wans point. If you ask me, thats true, but I think its safe to say hes a legitimate child since he doesnt have any children with Mr. Jeon, the maintenance man, and hes the only child. If you wear it on your ear, its an earring. If you wear it on your nose, its a nose ring. You can look at it that way, but Zhu Gyeonshen is almost the only one who is closest to the bloodline of the predecessor, Emperor Seondeok. Wan nodded at Hwang Bo-ins answer and immediately gave an order. Theres no need for us to worry about their session issues, right? Thats right. Rather, the moreplicated and noisy their session issues be, the morefortable we will be. In response to Hwang Bo-in, Wan made a decision right away. Then lets send it to you as quickly as possible. I follow your orders. * * * That night, Wan received Milwis report in the safe house. Wan, who was checking the reports obtained and organized by the Secret Service agent who had disguised himself as an employee of Joo Gyeon-sims house and the Secret Service agents lurking nearby, tilted his head. A patient with middle school disease? Is there such a thing as middle school disease? In response to Wans question, the person in charge of the milwi smiled slightly and answered. To be precise, it is not a disease. It simply refers to the behavior often seen by men and women in the age group attending middle school. Behavior? In response to Wans question, the person in charge of the Militia exined about middle school soldiers. -It ismon practice in Joseon as well as nearby regions to recognize a person as an adult at around 14 years of age. -However, although the body has grown to the point where it can be recognized as an adult, the mind is often still immature. -There are cases where unusual behavior urs due to this disharmony, and this is collectively called middle school illness. This is because it is often seen among those who attend middle school. -Amon characteristic is being more serious than necessary or thinking pessimistically. Or, there are cases where they show excessive sense of entitlement. Or, they think that they are a very special being, but that specialness has been sealed for some reason. Special? seal? In response to Wans bewildered question, the person in charge of the mill added with a wry smile: Why dont you say that you have fetal dreams when you have children? But when you look at those prenatal dreams, there is nothing out of the ordinary, so you just think of them that way. There are more than one simr legend. Huh Wan, who was shaking his head at the person in charges exnation, asked with a serious face. Shouldnt we find a cure for this? If I do something wrong, I think it will be difficult to fit in with the world, right? The person in charge smiled slightly and responded to Wans face full of worry. Time is the cure. After about 1-2 years, once you get to know the world, you will get out of the middle school sickness. If there are any aftereffects, it could be that you end up being the subject of teasing at a drinking party or that you jump up and kick the nket off while youre sleeping. You know so well? Have you suffered from that disease too? My son is sick. Ah Wan nodded without realizing it and looked at the report again. Wans eyes lit up as he studied the report. Theres a woman you like? yes. How is their rtionship? I am in a situation where my head is desperately chasing after me. I dont think he regards the woman as anything more than a closepanion. This is getting interesting. Tell me to pay more attention to it. I follow your orders! As an aside, Wan wrote a letter about this middle school soldier and sent it to Hyang. The scent of Wans calligraphy was intoxicating. ha ha ha! Even at this time, Im still in my second year of middle school! * * * A few dayster, an official from the Empires Ministry of Foreign Affairs visited the house where Zhou Jianxin lived. wee. The official entered while being greeted by Wang Chong, the eunuch who yed the role of the butler, and politely bowed to Lady Zhou. Have you been well so far? I am at ease thanks to the mercy shown by His Imperial Majesty. So, whats going on today? In response to Mr. Joos question, the official took out a document from the bag he was carrying and handed it to Mr. Joo. This is a state letter sent from the Ming Dynasty. You need to return home. yes? Why? Why are people who have forgotten about us all of a sudden asking us toe back? There was deep resentment in Mr. Joos words. The official answered Joos question briefly. Prince Joo Jin-jin should take over the throne. At the officials words, Mr. Zhou and Wang Chongs eyes began to shine at the same time. A dark venom was slowly being stained in those shining eyes. Chapter 749 Episode 749: Emperor of the 2nd grade of middle school (2) Perhaps because he realized that the situation had changed, Mr. Zhous posture also changed to be more confident and proud. Mr. Joo, with his back straight, asked the official. Then how long do I have to prepare to go back? The government is asking you to return as soon as possible, but the decision rests with you. At the officials words, Mr. Joo leaned against the back of his chair. Mr. Joo, with a strange smile whose meaning was unknown, asked the official again. So youre saying its okay to dy the date of the next emperors return? Our Federal Empire doesnt care. Hmm Joo hummed lightly and thought for a moment before finallying to a conclusion. It was something I desperately wanted, but I had no idea it would happen at such an unexpected time. It is difficult to make a decision right now, so I will send the royal eunuch to let you know within a few days. I will report it that way. then. The official, who ced the state letter sent by the Ming Dynasty on the data table, bowed politely and stepped down. When Wang Chong, who had gone out to see off the official, returned, tears streamed down from Mr. Zhous eyes. Finally Seeing Mr. Zhou unable to finish his sentence and only shedding tears, Wang Chong immediately fell to the floor and cried out. mama! This is heavens punishment! Now everything will fall into ce! I salute you and congratte you! Mr. Joo responded to Wang Chungs words by dabbing his eyes with a handkerchief. The cancer needs to be put back in ce. Of course. Even if it was the order of His Majesty the First Emperor, the people who sent His Majesty to Liaodong and pushed him into a trap cannot be left alone. We must make them pay for it. Thats right! Mr. Joo, who was sharpening his de for revenge, soon realized something and jumped up from his seat. wait! The prince, or the emperor, hasnt returned yet? Yes, he went out to cool off for a while, but he hasnt returned yet. Unleash someone and bring them here immediately. Yes mama! After receiving Mr. Zhous order, Wang Chong immediately went outside and called the servant. Mr. Joo sat down on his chair again and looked at the contents of the state book. Mr. Joos eyes were burning blue with venom as he checked the contents of the state record several times. I still cant forget that day. It was Mr. Ju who clearly saw the final moments of Ju Ji-jin and Jeon Jeon, who decided tomit suicide on the day when Liaodong Castle fell. I will definitely get revenge! Jusi, who had been dreaming of revenge, let out a long sigh. Whoa~. The problem is the emperor hes probably chasing that girl. What should I do * * * While Mr. Zhou was sighing, Zhou Jianxin was really talking to a girl. Geumsoon~. Why dont you go to the entertainment hall with me the day after tomorrow? I heard that Hongmae, famous as Pyongyangs famous dish, ising. Lets go and see Hongmaes singing and dancing performance and eat some delicious food. You like Western Sundae, right? Lets eat together and watch a dance performance. I want to go, but my mother will scold me if she hears that I went to the entertainment center with a man from outside the house. Hes a neighbor, but hes not a man from the outside, is he? But that doesnt work. Geumsoon~. If I have any more, my mother will scold me. Im going~. The girl called Geum-sun returned home, leaving Jo Gyeon-sim feeling helpless and exhausted. Zhou Gyeon-shim, who was looking at Geum-suns back with a face full of regret, let out a long sigh and turned around. Whoa~. Several boys approached Joo Gyeon-sim, who was trudging along with his head down and sighing, making fun of him. Hey Jamryong ()! Have you been kicked again? Joo Gyeon-sim, who suddenly saw the boy with his arm around his shoulder and making jokes, smiled slightly and answered. Is it necessary and you guys? Then who else ys with the sleeping dragon besides us? Isnt there always a sleeping dragon next to a sleeping dragon? Joo Gyeon-sim smiled and responded to Pil-jis words. Isnt it a small fish and not a dragon? do you want to die? Catch it! I know your grades in social school and middle school, so why do you insist that you are a sleeper? In response to Joo Gyeon-sims words, Yoo Yoo responded with a face that said he was not praying. Is that so? As if he was aggrieved, Pil-Soo raised his hand and pointed at a boy next to him. Is Seok-Jun over there the only one here who has passed the entrance exam to this academy on the first try? Seok-jun raised his chin with a slightly arrogant expression at the words of the essentials, and the other boys next to him shouted at the same time. You bastard! Are you going to put salt on me when Im in pain? Im already making a fuss at home! As they said something to each other, the alley suddenly became noisy. The adults around them muttered with pitiful faces at the noise. Those troublemakers are here again. They should have put at least one more word of effort into math during that time. They are not bad-tempered people If only they were stupid, they would have made them do the work in the first ce. Is it a sleeping dragon or a misceneous dragon Zhou Gyeonshim and the boys around him were famous people in this neighborhood. * * * The rtionship between Joo Gyeon-sim and the boys began at the Social Min School. Children who entered the Social Ministries School were divided into groups and spent most of the day together. As they learned, yed, and ate together, Joo Gyeon-sim and the boys became close friends. Its not that the boys didnt know Joo Gyeon-sims identity. This was because I heard the adults around me whispering. Okay, is that guys father the problem? Whats the kids fault? Thats not true. The boys knew it sounded bad, even though they didnt really know what it meant. Thanks to this, the boys were slightly distant from Joo Gyeon-sim at first. However, as time passed, the boys became closer as they realized that Zhou Gyeonsim was not a bad kid. Andter, as they learned history, the boys learned the true meaning of what adults said. But then the boys all made a simr decision. Yes, as the elders said, Gyeonsims father was the problem. That guy wasnt the problem, right? The country doesnt hold us ountable, so we have nothing to me. The boys continued their friendship by making that decision. And at some point, the boys started calling themselves Jamryong. The reason why they called themselves Jamryongs and those around them as Japryongs was because of Jugyeonsim. When Joo Gyeon-sim came across the word Jamryong while learning letters and basic Confucianism at the academy, he immediately raised his voice. uh? Do I know this? This is what your wife says to me every day. At that moment, all the boys in the ssroom burst intoughter. ha ha ha! A sleeping dragon? He says hes a sleeping dragon! At the childrens ridicule, Joo Gyeon-simined of injustice with a face full of tears. Really! Your wife said that every day! And as time passed, the boys, who discovered Joo Gyeon-sims identity, nodded without realizing it. So it was a sleeping dragon? In this way, Joo Gyeon-sims nickname became Jamryong. The reason the adults around them clicked their tongues when they saw Joo Gyeon-sim and the boys was because of their talents. Although they werent excellent, they had pretty good minds. But their problem was that they were overconfident. If I just put in a little effort, sess wille! In fact, when one of them, Seokjun, passed the first round of the entrance exam to Lee Academy, their confidence skyrocketed. Look! If we just put in a little effort, we can get results like that! Thanks to this, their parents sigh every day. Would you rather let me get married? Arthur. Are you going to get divorced in less than 15 days? Those thunderbolts. * * * In this noisy atmosphere, Pil-il spoke to Joo Gyeon-sim. Do you like Geumsun that much? good night. Its to die for. Then why dont we just act first and leaveter? Zhou Gyeon-shim shook his head at Pil-jis words. Boys have pride. Where would you go on an extramarital affair like that? In response to Joo Gyeonsims answer, Yoo Il-soo tapped Joo Gyeonsims shoulder. yes! Thats how you be a sleeping dragon! A Jamryong must be a Jamryong! ha ha ha! ha ha ha! While the two were talking about each other, a messenger sent by Wang Chung visited Zhou Gyeonsim. Pleasee back quickly. why? I dont know about Soin, but he says something big has happened. okay? Hearing Yong-ins words, Joo Gyeon-sim looked back at Pil-pil and the otherrades. I think Ill have to leave for today. okay. See you tomorrow. * * * After returning home, Zhou Jianxin went straight to Mr. Zhous residence. Are you going to hear this again? When Zhou Jianxin entered the door of the main house, worried about Mr. Zhous nagging, he stopped in his tracks. Because Mr. Zhou, Wang Chong, and everyone else who was left with them were kneeling down and looking at him. What is this At that moment, everyone kneeling down shouted at the same time, putting their heads on the ground. I want to see you in heaven! Long live, long live, long live! Long live, long live, long live! Zhou Gyeonshen, who was unable toe to his senses due to the peoples shouts of hurrah, asked Mr. Joo. What is going on? Seeing the sky? Is there a problem? Wang Chong came forward and answered Zhou Jianxins question. You are now the Emperor of Ming. I beg your pardon? what? You have be the Emperor! Im sorry! Long live, long live, long live! Zhou Jianxin looked devastated at Wang Chongs words. I became emperor? * * * Ju Gyeon-shim barely came to his senses and checked the state records at Ju-sis residence. Is this national record really authentic? Wang Chong stepped forward and answered Zhou Gyeonshims question to confirm again. The original ising back. It was brought directly by an official from the Federal Empire Management Office. Huh At Wang Chongs answer, Zhou Jianxins mind turned nk. Im the emperor? Is that also the Emperor of Ming? Its not a dream, its reality? Zhou Gyeonshen could not believe the current reality. Of course, after finding out about his birth, he sometimes imagined himself bing emperor. But imagination is just imagination. Because I knew my own reality well, I thought it was just my imagination, but suddenly my imagination became reality. okay! Lets admit it! This is not a dream! I have be emperor! Whoa~. Zhou Jianxin, who managed to organize his thoughts, looked at Mr. Zhou and Wang Chong. So are you leaving right away? No. At Wang Chongs answer, Zhou Jianxin folded his arms and fell into thought again. Zhou Jianxin thought for a moment and looked at Mr. Zhou. What do you want me to do when I sit on the emperors throne? Since Mr. Joo caught up with him and talked about his past grudges whenever he got the chance, Joo Gyeon-shen expected an answer to some extent. And Mr. Joos answer did not exceed his expectations. Please punish those who pushed Your Majestys father into a trap. At Mr. Zhous answer, Zhou Jianxin could not help but sigh again. Whoa~. Chapter 750 Episode 750: Emperor of the 2nd ss of Chinese soldiers (3) Whew~. Zhou Gyeonshen, who had sighed several times, stood up. There is a lot to think about. I will step down first. Rest in peace. I will serve you. At Zhou Jianxins words, Wang Chong immediately stood up, but Zhou Jianxin raised his hand to stop Wang Chong. I will move alone. Be there. Haona. Its an order. At Zhou Jianxins firmmand, Wang Chong slightly bowed his head and stepped back. As Zhou Jianxin left the room, Mr. Zhou let out a small sigh. Your Majestys courage seems to be very disturbed. Wang Chong immediately responded to Mr. Zhous words. It seems like it was a sudden incident. However, since he is the one who has inherited the blood of the dragon, he will soon shake off his chair, stand up, and ascend to heaven. Mr. Zhou nodded at Wang Chongs words. Cancer! Cancer! You will definitely do that. What kind of person is that person? Meanwhile, Milwis undercover agent, who was eavesdropping on the story outside, clicked his tongue inwardly. Tsk! Its a dragon its a dragon somehow theyre all suffering from middle school disease * * * Meanwhile, back in his room, Zhou Gyeonsheny down on the bed, looked at the ceiling, and sighed. Whoa~. Its easy to say revenge It was understandable that Mr. Joo was crying out for revenge and Wang Chong was also helping the horse next to him. However, from Joo Gyeon-shims perspective, revenge was a word that was far from him. This was because histe father, Joo Jin-jin, was someone he could not even remember, and his current life in the empire did notck much. And the reason they called me from Nanjing was because of their protection, so how can they take revenge? Although I was hearing people say that I had middle school disease, I was also aware of the reality. -The reason the powerful officials of Nanjing want to establish themselves as emperor is to protect their power, although there may be issues with lineage. -Because he continued to live in the empire, he is an isted worker with no one to rely on. -By taking advantage of their situation, they will solidify their power. -If I show even the slightest hidden ability, they will try to eliminate me. It was a conclusion that was half truth and half middle school fantasy. However, Zhou Jianxin was confident that his conclusion would be the most urate. Whoa~. Zhou Gyeonshen, who was lying on the bed and sighing, stretched out his arms into the air and clenched his fists. Anyway, ascension has been decided! It is no longer a sleeping dragon! Then I will create my own empire! Ju Gyeon-shim, with a firm determination full of middle-school-grade bravado, got up from the bed and moved to the writing table on one side. If you move without any preparation, you will not be able to escape the situation of only doing what you are told. I need to know in advance what I can do and what I need to prepare. Zhou Gyeonsim began to write down various things on a nk sheet of paper. -Fluent in the Minggunguage. -Proficient in imperial etiquette. Although he had little chance of escaping from the empire until his death, Zhou and Wang Chong taught Zhou Jianxin the Mingnguage and imperial etiquette. Thanks to this, Zhou Jianxin was able to use the Mingnguage proficiently and was well versed in imperial etiquette. In fact, I sometimes earned pocket money by working with famous people at my friends fathers store. Of course, he had topletely hide the fact that he was a leader. Zhou Gyeonshen, who wrote the two sentences like that, frowned. Are these the only two cards I have right now? So what cards can I get or im? After mulling over it for a while, Zhou Jianxin added a new sentence to the nk paper. -Coordinated organizational structure of people. -The current situation of the Ming court. C Current internal situation. If you ask the management office about this, they will let you know. Any empire I know would try to avoid trouble in advance. Because of that damn overtime worker. If its to avoid overtime, everything is forgiven. Imperial officials disliked the esction of work to the extent that there was a saying, Choose only one method wisely. Therefore, it was certain that if I asked them to help me avoid trouble with Ming in the future, they would help me wholeheartedly. Of course, you think that will make me an imperialist. Anyway my situation is really interesting. Zhou Jianxin muttered with a self-mocking smile. Even though he was going to be the emperor, Zhou Jianxin continued to call him Ming. This was because he still did not feel like it was his home country. However, he did not think of the empire as his homnd. In some ways, he was a person who did not belong to either Ming or Empire. Joo Gyeon-sim, who was mocking himself while remembering his situation like Bupyeong Elementary School, soonposed himself and added a sentence. -I need my own personal force. This is the problem. Time is a problem to build apany, but it is also difficult to find the right people. It must be said that those within the pce are already bound by various ties. Even if we rescue those buried in the wilderness, we will be pushed out of the selection process. Because my country will do the same. Zhou Gyeonshen, who was contemting on the topic of building a personal power, wrote a word on a nk piece of paper. Jamryonghoe was a title used to refer to those who associate with oneself. Its not that theyck talent, but that they just couldnt seize the opportunity Zhou Gyeonshen had a high opinion of therades of the Jamryonghoe. The western area of Seoul, where Joo Gyeon-sim lived, was where the middle ss mainly lived. While the Bukchon area in Seoul was an area where traditional high-ranking bureaucratic families lived, Namchon was where craftsmen and military families connected to Area 51 lived together. Thest eastern part was inhabited bymon people involved in ranching and agriculture. And one area that has recently been on the rise is the Mapo area outside the castle. Because of these circumstances, Zhou Gyeonsim had a high opinion of Jamryonghoesrades. Although he had some decent abilities, it was difficult to break through the wall and rise to the top floor with that level of ability. -With my abilities, its easy to enter the workforce. -But its not enough to get to the top. It is said that when Tae Sang-tae reigned or before it was transformed into an empire, it was possible to rise to prominence by filing an appeal Nowadays, even that is not easy Those who yed around with a mixture of confidence and desperation were therades of the Jamryonghoe. Zhou Gyeonsim continued to write under Jamryonghoe. -Not the best, but decent ability. -Because we are not from a famous country, we will actively cooperate even for survival. -Because they are imperial people, the empire will also find ways to protect them. If you use it well, you can also ensure your safety. If there is a n to kill someone with a deadly weapon, wouldnt the opposite be possible? Zhou Gyeonsim, who was talking to himself like that, smiled. Heh! Such is my rity! This is why I have to ensure my safety even more! Joo Gyeon-sim, who said that if he had smelled the scent, would have shaken his head and then pped himself, added a name below it. -Geumsun. I am making Geumsuni the empress. This is also important for my safety. If I go without apanion, they will most likely push their daughter into empress. As a shackle and a tool of check. And Geumsoon is from the Empire. If it were a child of me and Geumsoon, the Empire would also be interested. Then my safety will be more assured. Joo Gyeon-sim, who had calcted things up to that point, made up his mind. good! Lets move like this! * * * The next day, Zhou Jianxin called Wang Chong. Did you invite your Majesty? Hearing Wang Chongs words, Zhou Jianxin reprimanded Wang Chong in a stern voice. Watch your mouth. I havent been able to sit on the throne yet. Dont you know that talking carelessly can lead to things going wrong? Dont ever use that title until I sit on the throne. If you break this, I will think you despise me and punish me severely. In response to Zhou Jianxins reprimand, Wang Chong bowed down on the floor and bowed his head. Please forgive me for my mistake of conviction! Be careful going forward! I will keep this in mind! Zhou Jianxin, who had thus defeated Wang Chong, got to the point. Call an official from the management office. We need the empires help. I follow your orders. After about an hour or so, an official from the management office visited Joo Gyeon-sim. I heard that you need help from the Empire. How can I help you? I need information about the Ming government structure and the people who are currently running the government. Officials expressed doubts about the request for a review. Wouldnt the eunuch know well about the Ming Dynasty structure? It has already been more than ten years since the royal eunuch stayed in the empire. Thats why we need the most up-to-date information. The official, who thought about Zhou Jianxins words for a moment, nodded. All right. I will report it to my superiors. You will probably get a positive response. Please. And Yes. What else can I help you with? I want to move forward with my marriage. Geumsun? Huh! The official, whose words came out without realizing it, quickly stopped talking and bowed his head. It was disgraceful! sorry! Its okay. Thats right. That girl. The official asked carefully in response to Zhou Jianxins answer. Did your wife allow it? I will take care of that part. All right. We will pursue that as well. Thank you. Is there anything else you would like to ask? Yes. I would like to take some of the empires talented people with me. Im sorry, but are you referring to the Sleepy Dragon Society? I guess the rumor spread all over Seoul. With a bitter smile, Zhou Jianxin nodded. exactly. And if I take them with me, I will also ask for the means to keep them safe. The official answered with a serious expression on his face. I will report on that as well. However, I would like to tell you in advance that there is a high possibility of a negative response as diplomatic problems may arise. I can solve diplomatic problems. Even if you do this, you will be an emperor. I will report on that as well. Then please take care of me. Ill do my best. * * * After the official returned, Zhou Gyeonsim visited Ju Ju and told him about the wedding with Geumsun. This is absurd! How can you take a woman of the empire, and even a woman of low status, as your empress? This will never happen! As the official expected, Mr. Joo strongly protested. But Zhou Jianxin persistently persuaded him. Mr. Joos expression began to change little by little as Joo Gyeon-shim continued to persuade him by giving reasons he had already thought of. Think about it. The woman of the empire became empress. And when a son is born who will be the next emperor, the empire will move to protect their safety. Even when we return now, enemies are everywhere. At this time, we can move forward with our work while maintaining safety with the help of the empire. Give me some time to think. There is a lot to do and not enough time. Please make your decision now. But what if Im still against it? I am the emperor. Mr. Joo waved the white g in response to Joo Gyeonshims answer. Do as the emperor wishes. Chapter 751 Episode 751: The Emperor of the Second Lieutenant (4) The management office that organized Zhou Jianxins request immediately reported it to the superiors. Wan, who finally received the report, studied the contents and asked the ministers. Has anything changed in the Ming Dynasty? I dont have any. Are you saying nothing has changed? Hello? Hwang Bo-in stepped forward and answered Wans expression of disbelief. Nothing has changed. In response to Hwang Bo-in, Wan shook his head. Our empire has changed its system several times since the old Joseon Dynasty but not a single thing has changed. Do you not know how much the world has changed? * * * By the time the campaign started by King Sejong waspleted, the Joseon Dynastys government had changed significantly. And as Joseon turned into an empire, he tried his hand at it again. Through this process, the traditional six ancestors were transformed into six departments, and in addition, semi-independent departments named Yuan and Cheong were created. As the size of the empire grew and interests among the people became moreplex, the administrative structure inevitably became moreplex. Although it was primitive, the system of separation of powers was also applied, so the administrative organization of the empire during this period became the mostplex administrative organization in the world. As if that were not enough, even now there is a separate institution that only studies methods to increase the efficiency of the imperial administrative organization. Because this was the situation, Wan shook his head. Why are they trying to change the government to model itself after our empire, but they are still unable to break away from the Tang system that has been in ce since long ago Tsk tsk Wan clicked his tongue without realizing it and gave an order. But I still dont know, so please grant his request. I follow your orders. After giving orders to his ministers, Wan looked at the reports again and organized them one by one. Lets put aside for a moment the issue of therades he asked to take with him and look at this marriage issue first. Who are the parents of this girl named Yang Geum-sun? The person in charge stepped forward and answered Wans question. I am the owner of one of the top five ssajjeon and breweries in the Seochon area. Then he must be quite wealthy? Yes, I am saying that I am using some effort in the vige. What are your origins? Are you from the Banga family? Yangin ising. Hmm Then what does Yang Geum-sun think of him? It seems like they are thinking well of each other, but I think it is more appropriate to see them as close as brother and sister. So youre saying hes even sweeter? Thats right. Hmm Even if the rtionship is simr to that of brother and sister, you are saying that if you pursue marriage, there is a high possibility that your wife and daughters family will ept it? Imend you. The rumor had already spread throughout the neighborhood Ah Wan nodded at the person in charges answer and thought for a moment before looking back at Hwang Bo-in. Do you think it would be good for a girl from a wealthy, but Han-American-Han family to be empress? The Ming imperial family ising. No matter how much money you have, how can youpare? Still, lets think about it. If the empress and her close associates were imperial citizens, wouldnt it be helpful to the rtionship between the Ming and the empire? Of course it can help. However, if done incorrectly, it could be seen as a means for the empire to interfere in Mings internal affairs. He wanted it first? How many people would even think about that? Wouldnt he feel bad towards our empire if we refused all of his requests except the first? It is not impossible. Hmm Wan, who had been thinking about Hwang Bo-ins words again, came to a conclusion. Lets think about this a little more ande to a conclusion. I follow your orders. * * * That night, Wan visited King Sejongs residence again. This was King Sejongs first question after hearing about the situation from Wan. What is the quality of those who belong to the group called the Jamryonghoe? Wan smiled bitterly at Sejongs question. You still have the same greed for talent. Wan, who was smiling bitterly at Sejongs unchanging greed for talent, straightened his expression and answered. Its not enough for me to use, and its a waste to give it to someone else. Hmm After thinking about Sejongs question for a moment, Sejong pointed out the problem. Even if those members decide to fight for life and death with him and go to Nanjing, that will be the biggest problem because they will notmunicate with him. And if the new emperor favors them, the existing officials will try to harm not only the members but also the emperor himself. Do you think he has any way to stop this? Wan, who was thinking of an answer to Sejongs point, answered Sejong with his eyes shining. Isnt it possible that our empire might want to provide that method? You want our empire to protect you? Hmm. Sejong, who thought about Wans answer for a moment, nodded. Of course it can. Even though he became emperor, the fact that he is an isted person does not change. Thats right. So, I think it is urate to think that he is trying to secure his own safety by using hisrades and his favorite wife. Even so, the problem still remains. If we allow our empires troops to stay in Nanjing, it could be said that it is interference in internal affairs. Wouldnt it be possible if we didnt stay in public? It has already been a long time since private armies were banned, but arent there still some families who knowingly or unknowingly have several men under guard warriors or other names? Thats right. Sejong nodded at Wans words. Private armies were banned from the reign of King Taejong, and with the suppression of the Giyu Rebellion, holding private armies waspletely prohibited. However, families with a lot to protect still had private armies. Of course, the only weapons in the Ming Dynasty were swords at most, so the imperial military authorities were in a situation where they knew but pretended not to know. He will be satisfied if we send an appropriate number of warriors sent by the family as bodyguards. Its a good method, but its a bit of a waste to give away talent. Wan once again smiled bitterly at the sight of Sejong still being greedy for talent. There are already many excellent talents in the empire. Wouldnt it be better if we endured a little regret and sent them to make the Ming people closer to the empire? We must also not forget that there is no guarantee that this will happen. If you do something wrong, they may cause trouble. Wouldnt that be better for our empire? At Wans words, Sejong looked at Wan nkly and then opened his mouth. At times like this, you will know for sure whose child the emperor is. Thats too much praise. And I am sorry to inform you, but the situation is not as good as it should be. You are the one who gave birth to that scent! It was Wan who inflicted factual assault. Sejong, who smiled bitterly at Wans factual assault, soon shared his conclusion. As far as I am concerned, if hisrades want to do the same, it would be better to let him go. Of course, we also have to have the means to protect them. Soson also thinks it is appropriate. Then the problem now is his marriage The fact that he asked us directly seems to indicate that he wants us to be hawks. ah! I hadnt even thought about it until now. Perhaps they thought that if we came forward, Lady Ju and her wifes family would also ept it. Wan, who nodded to Sejongs words, received the words. Hes a quick thinker. If youre quick, I think it would be better to make sure theyre on our side. I agree. The problem is that the wife and daughters family is too humble Sejong, who was tapping his fingers on the table and doing calctions, looked back at Wan. I need to call Duke Anpyeong. Wan, who immediately understood what Sejong meant, nodded his head. I will call someone right away. * * * While Sejong and Wan were nning various things, Joo Gyeonsim was also busy. Hey Jamryong. I heard people are busying and going at your house these days. Is there something big going on? Ju Gyeon-sim smiled lightly and responded to Yoo Ji-ils sincere concern. Something big happened. Is there anything we can help you with? I can help with everything except asking you to lend me money. Hearing Pil-ils words, Joo Gyeon-sims face became serious and he looked at Pil-pil and the otherrades. Can you really help me? You too? Let me help you. Even if we look like this, arent we still friends? cancer! We arerades! If there is anything I can help you with, I will help you. Hearing hisrades serious answers, Zhou Jianxin took a breath and got to the point. Then why dont you change the sky with me? When the word heaven appeared out of nowhere, Zhou Jianxinsrades instantly looked dumbfounded. what? Are you trying to plot treason? This is outrageous! Seokjuns eyes lit up at Joo Gyeonsims firm answer. So, have you really ascended to heaven? Joo Gyeon-sim nodded to Seok-juns question. Thats right. Then do you want me to change your name right now? Not yet. What kind of Zen questions are these two? Seok-jun stepped forward and answered the essential question of not understanding the conversation between Joo Gyeon-sim and Seok-jun. Jamryong has be the Emperor of Ming. huh? Eh? uh? The otherrades instantly panicked at Seokjuns exnation. This was because something that I had never thought of, or that I thought was possible only in my imagination, actually happened. Looking at the faces of hisrades, Zhou Jianxin continued speaking. Lets change the sky of Nanjing with me. No one opened their mouths for a long time after Zhou Jianxin finished speaking. It was essential to be the first to break the silence. Whoa~. Pi-pil broke the silence with a sigh and looked straight at Zhou Gyeon-sim. It is certain that you and we arerades. And if you need help, Ill be happy to help you. But you are from a famous country and we are from an empire. As a citizen of the empire, I cannot do anything that would be harmful to the empire. Joo Gyeon-sim responded immediately to Yoo Ji-yis words. I swear to the gods of heaven and earth that no harm wille to the empire. Really? Its true. If you want, I can even write a blood oath. Hmm In response to Joo Gyeon-sims answer, Pil-pil and the otherrades looked at Joo Gyeon-sim with more serious faces. But why us? You are the only people I can truly trust. If I go to Nanjing, I will be an isted worker and only be taken advantage of. All therades nodded at Zhou Jianxins words. It was natural for them to think so. I cant live a life where I get taken advantage of like that. If youre up in the sky, shouldnt you have a nice flight? And I think that those of you I have seen can sufficiently help me. Seokjun joined in with a slight smile at Joo Gyeonsims words. Dont you think too highly of us? No, I came to this conclusion after considering it seriously enough. If other people hear it, theyll think its because Im a middle school student. That must mean their eyes are knotholes. When others hear it, they say, Thats why its called a middle school disease! Seeing Joo Gyeon-sim saying this without hesitation, Seok-jun pointed out the problem again. We dont speak the Mingnguage. Of course, thanks to you, we can have basic conversations, but not to the point where we start a war of words. That makes it even better. You guys will only analyze the facts and not fall for false usations, and Im the only one who can know that, right? If you do it wrong, your life and ours could be in danger. If the empire has an idea about that, they wille up with a way. Hmm While everyone was thinking about various things in response to Joo Gyeon-sims words, therade who had been the quietest spoke up. Its all good but what are you going to do with Geumsoon? I will definitely get married! Chapter 752 Episode 752: The Emperor of the Second ss (5) At Zhou Gyeonshens firm answer, Pil-Il burst intoughter. Now were like sleeping dragons. I will always be me. Yes, a sleeping dragon is always a sleeping dragon. Pisang concluded his speech with a smile and fell into silence with his arms crossed. Pil-il, who had an unusually serious face, looked at Joo Gyeon-sim in silence, and Joo Gyeon-sim swallowed dry saliva and looked at Pil-il and the otherrades. When the silence was going on, Pil-Soo opened his mouth. Its natural for a boy to have a dream of flying into the sky. Jamryong. Can you give us a ce above all else? It may be difficult right now, but Geumsoon and you will always be by my side until I die. Its Geumsoon until the end. Pi-pil, who was bursting intoughter, seemed to have made up his mind. Lets dream the dream you dream together. What about otherrades? Otherrades who had remained silent in response to the essential question also corrected their thoughts and answered. I want to dream with you, too. Its not the sky of Seoul, its the sky of Nanjing, but lets fly nicely. If you want a sleeping dragon to fly, you have to fly properly. That way we can fly nicely. As therades of Jamryonghoe expressed their participation one by one, Seokjun spoke to Joo Gyeonsim. As I said earlier, we are an empire. I will not even think about doing anything that is harmful to the empire, and I will not do anything. If that were the case, I wouldnt hesitate to leave you. No matter how good the sweetness of power is. Can you promise never to do anything that would be harmful to the empire? Joo Gyeon-sim responded to Seok-juns words immediately, as if he didnt have to think twice. You answered me earlier, right? I swear to the gods of heaven and earth that something like that will never happen as long as I remain on the throne. What happens after you die? Im honestly not sure about that. Seok-jun, seeing Joo Gyeon-sims expression of uncertainty, burst intoughter. So I actually have more faith. Good. Then I will join you. Thank you! Joo Gyeon-sim was truly grateful for Seok-juns joining. -Its not because we y, but if we do it right, no one will get hurt! Seokjun was the one who best suited the words that Jamryonghoesrades, including Joo Gyeonsim, always used in their mouths. The first exam I passed at Lee Academyst time was also the result of only three months of preparation. If Seokjun had supported that guys connections, he would have been hanging out at Gyeongbokgung Pce by now. A dragon that cannot ascend to heaven because of a narrow pond. This was the evaluation of Seokjun by those around him. * * * Beneath the pavilion where Jamryonghoe was talking seriously, several beggars were lying down scratching their backs. However, these were not just beggars, but disguised agents of the Milwi who came out to monitor the Jamryonghoe. The leader of the mill, who was pretending to be drunk and smelling like alcohol, raised a gourd to his mouth and gave an order. Tell them that an in-depth investigation into the members of the Sleepy Dragon Association is needed. yes. As the subordinate who received the order left without a sound, one of the subordinates next to him quietly asked. Wouldnt the existing research be enough? Until now, I was the friend of the abandoned prince, but from now on I am the close friend and favorite of the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. I need to dig into more detail. We need to start with what the personalities of their parents are and find out as much as possible the true nature hidden behind those middle school diseases. Oh, I see. Then I will prepare. So be it. The leader who gave orders to his subordinates muttered softly. Its time to take off these rags. * * * The best social status to steal the hearts of the people was a beggar. This was because few people paid attention to the groveling beggars with their dirty faces and rags on their faces. However, beggars were not suitable for situations that required going deeper. In this case, it had to be changed to a different form. As time passed, the appearance of Milwi changed a lot. In the early days of its establishment, activities were mainly centered around Gibang, so the appearance of Geomgye alone was sufficient. But as time went by, I had to get information from more and more sources. Many of those ces were difficult to ess due to the appearance of the sword world, and the agents of Milwi needed another appearance. It wasnt just that. Those who came in to steal the empires secrets came disguised with various identities and appearances. In order to find this, Milwis agents also needed to be more and more diverse. Thanks to this, Milwis field agents had a variety of appearances. While there were agents who skillfully disguised themselves as multiple identities, there were also those who operated with only one appearance and identity. In the former case, there were many people working on the front lines, and in thetter case, most of them were operating intermediate bases or targeting the upper ss. Those who retained the form of the earliest Milwi were a strike force in charge of military force. * * * Because of this situation, the members of the Jamryonghoe became the objects of surveince and observation, both yin and yang. The sheep were the officials in the management office. The Emperor of Ming has asked me to go with you. Did you hear the story? Yes, I heard. So have you decided? Yes, I will go with you. It wont be easy, right? How can it be easy to pursue a great cause with close friends? After hearing the answers of the Jamryonghoe members, the official made a strange expression. You are working in the Ming Dynasty, not the Empire. Territorialism is basically a ce full of all kinds of scheming tricks. If you only think about the heroic stories in the stories, youll get yourself into big trouble. I am prepared. Im not so stupid that I cant tell the difference between reality and nonsense. The official smiled bitterly and muttered to himself at the answers of the Jamryonghoe members. Everyone said he was a middle school student. That serious bravado Big! Keuhum! The official cleared his throat to clear his expression and thoughts and got straight to the point. Submit to the management office a copy of your family register and a copy of your academic records from Social Ministries School and Middle School. Even if its a copy of the family register, why the sexual records? The official added an exnation to the puzzled looks of the members who were asked for something unexpected. These people are known to be part of the emperors inner circle, so shouldnt we know whether they are stupid or smart? In addition, the transcript includes an evaluation of your behavior while studying. Shouldnt the government know to some extent what kind of people you are in order to predict the future? Ah The official came to a conclusion after seeing the Jamryonghoe members nodding their heads. Submit it within three days. I am Hwangmyeong. yes. I will do as youmand. The interesting thing is that although the Jamryonghoe members did not know, their sexual records had already been secretly entered into the management office. The purpose was topare the records submitted by Jamryonghoe members with those secretly obtained to understand their personalities. In this way, while the officials in the management office moved in bright areas, the agents of the Secret Service moved in the shadows. The agents of the Milwi who infiltrated the store, sometimes as customers and sometimes as dayborers, figured out the personalities of not only the members of the Jamryonghoe, but also their parents and other family members. And the information thus obtained was well organized and submitted to Wan. After receiving the report, Wan visited Sejong and exchanged opinions. There doesnt seem to be any problem with your personality. It is especially fortunate that there are no people who see bing the emperors favorite as an opportunity for corruption. Sejong nodded at Wans words. I agree. It could be seen as a good move for someone with poor character to blind the new emperor and ruin the Ming Dynasty, but the new emperors foundation is too weak for that to happen. If you do it wrong, you will only end up losing a good hand. Thats right. Now all that remains is the question of marriage. Sejong immediately responded to Wans words. The Duke of Anpyeong has already sent someone for that part, so good news wille soon. * * * While work was going on at Gyeongbokgung Pce, Geumsuns house had the atmosphere of a mourning house. As soon as the rumor spread that Zhou Jianxin would be the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Jinsuns house became a mourning house. Oh my dear! Thats why I told you not to hang out like that! Geumsuns mother, who heard the rumor, immediately covered her head andy down. The whole neighborhood knew that Joo Gyeon-sim was only following Geum-sun. Therefore, Geum-soons parents not only advised her not to hang out with Zhou Gyeon-sim, but sometimes even beat her with a cane. Despite doing that, the rtionship between Geum-soon and Joo Gyeon-sim was getting closer little by little, and Geum-suns parents were feelingpletely heartbroken. Why is it that a famous country is also a prince! * * * During this time, families marrying foreigners were gradually appearing in Seoul. There were cases where foreign students who came to study in Seoul and imperial women married and started families. Of course, there were some funny back stories to this marriage. Most of those who came to study in the empire were energetic men in their 20s. As a result, there were frequent cases of crossing the line with imperial women, and at this time, the imperial court stepped in. What do you want to do? Are you going to get married or not? For your information, if you dont get married, we will punish you for terrorizing women. Oh one more thing! In our empire, the crime of terrorizing a woman is capital punishment. Most of the international students who heard this chose to get married. Then the empire added one more thing here. With things going this way, why not just be an imperial citizen? If you want to get married and receive proper support, its better to be an imperial citizen. In the end, foreign students who married imperial women became imperial citizens. In other cases, imperial soldiers or merchant sailors living overseas married local women. However, in this case, there was not much resistance. * * * In this way, marrying a foreigner became a familiar situation, but the problem was the judgment. -Son of the King of Liaodong who started thest war -Abandoned prince. Because of this background, Geum-suns parents were upset. In this situation, the news that Zhou Jianxin had be emperor added fuel to the fire. As soon as they heard the rumor, Geumsoon and her parents turned pale and sat down. ruined! Oh my, you bitch! Mom, what should I do! The despairing Geumsoon family hugged each other and cried. Even though they scolded Geum-sun, her parents expected that Joo Gyeon-sim and Geum-sun would be partners. -There are various reasons for disqualification, but Zhou Gyeonsim has been abandoned. -There is no need to return to Ming. -There is a difference in status, but as long as you cannot return to the Ming, there is no major problem. -Since the rumor has spread enough anyway, the only one who can take Geum-sun away is Joo Gyeon-sim. But when Zhou Jianxin became emperor, everything went wrong. -Not just an abandoned prince, but an emperor. The vast difference in status cannot be ovee. -The rumor has already spread, so there is no house to take Geum-soon to. In the past, concubines would have been epted, but now the empire prohibits concubines. Because of this situation, Geum-soon locked herself in her room and her mothery down with her head wrapped. * * * While the whole house was in the mood of a mourning house, the elderly man visited Geum-suns house. Are you there? Nuch? In response to a question asked by someone who worked at Geumsuns house, the man revealed his identity. The Duke of Anpyeong sent it. yes? Wait a minute! Chapter 753 Episode 753: The Emperor of the Second Lieutenant (6) Quickly preparing, Geumsuns parents greeted the man sent by the Duke of Anpyeong. The man who took his seat in the main hall went straight to the main topic as soon as the meeting ceremony was over. His Excellency the Duke of Anpyeong wants to see you two. Why is His Excellency the Duke of us? In response to Geum-soons parents reaction of not knowing what they were saying, the man added another word. I understand it is an issue with your wifes marriage. By our girl, do you mean Geumsuni? Thats right. The mans exnation was truly unkind. Geum-suns mother, who had a sweet body, sat close to her. Please exin in more detail. This is not something to make a big fuss about, so I hope you will hear it directly from the Duke. However, I can guarantee that it will not be a bad thing for you and your wife. With those words, the man closed his mouth. Keuung Geum-soons father, who was making a sound of pain at the sight, made a decision. Then can Ie visit you tomorrow? When will youe tomorrow? Ill be there at noon. Your Excellency is a man with a lot of work to do, and this is also an important matter, so you will have to be strict on time. I will definitely arrive by noon. Then I will report that to Your Excellency. After finishing his business, the man bowed lightly and left Geumsuns house. Geum-suns parents, who came out to the front door and saw the man off, looked at each other with faces still filled with confusion. What kind of daytime goblin is this? Still, its not a bad thing for Geumsoon, so lets believe him. * * * The next day, the couple, who stayed up all night worrying about all sorts of things, immediately got dressed up and went to Duke Anpyeongs house. The couple, who were very intimidated as they looked at the walls of the magnificently built house on the most expensivend in the Bukchon area, looked back at their clothes several times. In the Seochon area, they lived in a house where they could move around with their necks strained, but as soon as they entered Bukchon, they became very intimidated. greatness! Keuhum! Anyway, since he had to meet Duke Anpyeong, Geumsuns father cleared his throat and grabbed the doorknob on the front door. Bang bang bang! Stay! When I knocked on the doorknob and called for someone, the door opened and a servant came out. How did you get here? They call it the Yang family of Seochon. I came today to see His Excellency the Duke. Geum-suns father, who revealed his business, never treated her poorly. This was not simply due to the pressure of the Duke of Yangpyeongs power. This was because the person who opened the gate and came out was also a Yangin. * * * After Sanobi almost disappeared, it became a new trend for wealthy families and wealthy people to hire servants and maids. Since these people were not ves but outright adoptees, their employers could not do this carelessly. The government also secretly rmended hiring such employees. New jobs were created for those who were having trouble making a living because they did not have any special skills or possessions, and a decent tax source was created. This was because those who made money as servants and maids became a new factor that energized the market. The wealthy employees, too, were not the only ones suffering losses. This was because they received various tax benefits in proportion to the wages paid to their employees. * * * Due to these social changes, Geum-suns father did not treat the men in front of him poorly. After hearing the business, the servant opened the front door and raised his arm to point inside. Your Excellency is waiting. Pleasee in. Thank you. The couple was guided by a servant and headed to Sarangchae. At the entrance to the sarangchae, the man I saw yesterday was standing waiting for the couple. The servant who saw the man bowed his head politely and said. Elderly deacon. They say he came from Seochon. Good job. Go and do some work. Yes, old man. The butler who sent the servant said goodbye to Sarangchae. Your Excellency, Mr. and Mrs. Yang from Seochon have arrived. M?sige inside. Yes sir. * * * The couple who entered Duke Anpyeongs love house bowed deeply as soon as they saw Duke Anpyeong and his wife. My family living in Seochon ising to see you. The couple bowed deeply and stood there like a jangseung, not knowing what to do. Seeing this, Duke Anpyeong pointed to the empty chairs and said. The ceiling isnt copsing. Please sit there. I apologize. Hearing Duke Anpyeongs words, the couple quickly sat down on an empty chair. After a while, a maid followed the butler and brought in refreshments, but the couple only had eyes for the Duke of Anpyeong. Duke Anpyeong, who lightly quenched his thirst with ck bean tea, began speaking in a rxed voice. The reason I called you two today is * * * The couple leaving Duke Anpyeongs house about two oclock had faces as if they were dreaming. While walking down the street in silence, Geumsuns father spoke to her mother. Look here. Please pinch me. At those words, Geum-soons mother pinched her husbands arm as hard as she could. ouch! This guy! But what should I do if they tell me to die like this? I want you to pinch me! Geum-suns father, who had been making a small noise at his wifes beating, sighed. Whoa~. Our Geumsuni will be Duke Anpyeongs adoptive daughter and the imperial family will personally hold a wedding ceremony I wonder if this is a dream or reality The wife was equally in disbelief. . Thats right. And he even gave you the direct concubine of the head of the county What the Duke of Anpyeong said to the two people was as follows. -Zhou Jianxin, the new emperor of Ming, strongly hopes to marry Jinsun. We also n to use Geumsun as our maintenance center. C Here, a very difficult diplomatic and political problem arose. -The biggest problem is Geum-soons identity. Even if they are two people, the difference in status is too big. -If this is pushed forward as is, not only will it be a political burden for the new emperor, but the rtionship between the two countries, which are already on bad terms, may worsen further. C ordingly, Geumsun will be adopted as the foster daughter of Duke Anpyeong and recorded in the imperial genealogy book. -Also, Geumsun will be given the title of Hyangju. -Geumsun, who has received direct concubine, will receive training in imperial etiquette and everything necessary at the Naemyeongbu. -From now on, the imperial family will personally take charge of the marriage with Zhou Jianxin. If Geum-suns parents give permission, we will proceed immediately. Of course, if that happens, Geum-sun, their daughter, will be staying at my house and theirst names will change. What are we going to do? In words, it was a request for permission from the two people, but in reality, it was an order and an imperial decree. But the two could not easily answer. Of course, rationally, I knew this was the best way. But emotionally, it was something I couldnt easily ept. Anpyeong added words to the couples conflicted expressions. Of course, separating blood rtives is not easy. But considering the two of you, this is the best. In the end, Geumsoons parents had no choice but to ept the royal decree. Geumsuns parents stood up and bowed deeply to the Duke and Duchess of Anpyeong. I am truly grateful that you care so much about my daughter, who is in need. Please take good care of my daughter. Good idea. And His Majesty said he would pay special attention, so dont worry too much. Two dayster, the pnquin sent from Duke Anpyeongs house arrived at Geumsuns house. Geumsun, whose eyes were swollen from crying so much, said goodbye to her parents onest time and climbed into the pnquin. * * * Geumsun, who was adopted as the foster daughter of the Duke of Anpyeong, had to get busy as soon as she unpacked and calmed down. It was the beginning of paying homage to the Duke and Duchess of Anpyeong, who became adoptive parents. From the day after paying homage to the Duke and Duchess of Anpyeong, Geumsun visited Gyeongbokgung Pce and Sugang Pce to pay homage to the Wans and King Sejong. Geumsun, who was able to see in person people of such high rank that she would normally not even be able to see, forced her shaking legs to bow. And seeing Geum-soon like that, the Wan couple and the Sejong couple looked sad and gave good wishes. It will be difficult, but try to endure it well. Even if you go to Nanjing, dont forget that our empire is behind you. As a member of the imperial family, visiting the eldest member of the imperial family was over, the process of learning imperial etiquette and the basic virtues that an imperial woman should have began. In order to learn imperial etiquette and other necessary things, Geumsun had to go to Gyeongbokgung Pce every day. The first person to greet Geumsun was a very stern-looking courtdy. The person in charge is Lady Park Hyang-geum, who will oversee the discipline of Hyang-ju. * * * As the empire changed, changes urred in the system of courtdies and eunuchs. First, Yeongwolcheong (IId) was created as a ministry in charge of courtdies and eunuchs. This royal pce was to manage all the courtdies and eunuchs. And there were changes in the status and behavior of courtdies. Until just before it was transformed into an empire, courtdies had to keep a prohibitive marriage. This was because of the concept that all courtdies are the kings women. Of course, there were exceptional cases where people got married after an ident. In this case, the other man was punished with 100shes. However, ording to the story being told, it was mostly a formal and symbolic performance of a few ps and being kicked out. However, with the change to belonging to the Yeonggwolcheong, courtdies became able to marry like eunuchs. In addition, instead of staying at the pce 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it has changed tomuting to work. And the sry was also set more realistically. This change had its pros and cons. The positive side was that I was freed from the bondage of being single for life. Of course, there were some who somehow managed to catch the emperors attention and take a chance on his life. But unfortunately, the emperors of the empire were too busy to pay attention to anyone other than the already appointed empress and concubines. And on the negative side, it became easy for things inside the imperial family to spread out, and there were people who approached for negativity. Thanks to this, the inspection department became busy to prevent this. In addition, courtdies whomuted to work also needed a ce to live, so the price of rented rooms in Seoul soared. Hyang, who received the report at the time, could only shake his head. This damn real estate I thought it would solve the problems of officials and give them a breath of fresh air Officials who had lived in the provinces but came out to work and stayed in Seoul had no choice but to live in rented houses. Thanks to this, even in history before the intervention of Hyang, there were many records of officials expressing the sadness of living in rented rooms. * * * Park Hyang-geum introduced herself and exined her future schedule to Geum-sun. Do you have any questions? Why do I need to learn guny and archery? It is a tradition that women of the imperial family must learn archery and gunmanship. yes? Chapter 754 Episode 754: The Emperor of the Second ss (7) Geumsun looked like she couldnt understand Hyanggeums words. Then, Hyang-geum exined Geum-suns expression in more detail. When a big fire broke out in Seoul, the Empress Dowager led the fire extinguishment while still pregnant. Not only that, during the Pan-gung incident that took ce in thest year of Giyu, not only the Empress Dowager but also the Empress Dowager herself took up a rifle and suppressed the weightlifters. Therefore, it has be a tradition for all women in the imperial family to learn guny. Oh yeah Geumsun nodded, but Hyanggeum exined in more detail why this kind of training was necessary. The only people who can protect the monarchs closest andst are their concubines. Thats why you need to learn how to use a gun to protect your father. In particr, when the person who will be Hyangjus spouse arrives in Nanjing, he will be in an isted situation. In such a situation, please do not forget that Hyangju must protect him until the end. yes. I will keep that in mind. Hyanggeum frowned slightly at Geumsuns answer. Hyangju belongs to the Ministry of External Affairs, but he is higher in rank than the Sogwan. You need to quickly learn how to address and speak. I understand, no, I understand. * * * Thus began Geumsuns full-fledged royal life. In addition to learning etiquette and speaking skills, I had to learn academics more advanced than the middle school level that Geumsun graduated from. Of course, it wasnt at a deep level and was just scratching the surface. When I go to Nanjing, there will be times when I meet with the concubines of high-ranking officials who hold a ce in the Ming court. You have to learn this much to avoid being looked down upon. Yes, yes Did you say yes? Oh no. I understand. Under Hyanggeums stern gaze, Geumsun had to undergo harsh lessons. Hyanggeum continued to push Geumsun, who was struggling in ss. There is not enough time. Things that would normally take at least several years must be caught up in just a few months. So, even if you feel tired, please give us a little more strength. I understand When Geumsun returned to her dorm after such a difficult ss, she copsed on the nket and sighed. Whoa~. The sses at this academy will be easier. However, the ss that Geumsoon found most difficult was the firearms ss. * * * The people who taught Geumsun guny and archery were the Empress Dowager and the Empress. Even if you dont know archery, in order to learn how to use a gun properly, posture correction was a must, and men outside the imperial family could not carelessly touch the bodies of imperial women. Therefore, usually in such cases, the courtdy had to step in. However, the people in the imperial family who were most knowledgeable in guny were the Empress Dowager and her concubines. That is why they trained the Empress Dowager and the Empress. However, now that they are in Shinji with Hyang, the Empress Dowager and the Empress havee to teach Geumsun. And the Empress Dowager and Empress trained Geumsun harshly. At least archery is useful, so lets skip it and focus on shooting. The Empress nodded and agreed to the decision of Empress Soheon, the Empress Dowager, and Geumsun heaved a small sigh of relief. It was helpful to shoot an arrow at the archery range whenever I was bored However, during the gun shooting training that followed, the Empress Dowager and the Empress ced their hands on their foreheads. bang! Its mom! This was because Geum-soon, surprised by the sound and recoil of the gun she fired, missed the gun and fell to the floor. What are we going to do with that Tsk! The Empress Dowager clicked her tongue lightly and looked at Hyanggeum. To what extent have you learned etiquette and speaking skills? You have learned almost everything, and now you are mainly learning the ssics and poetry. For the time being, we will focus on gun shooting training. Yes After that, Geumsun had to undergo training that involved bleeding, ingraining eggs, and grinding her teeth. While Geum-soon was going through such hardships, Joo Gyeon-sim was also having a busy time. * * * Marriage with Geumsun, which was thought to be the most difficult problem, was easily solved thanks to Zhou Gyeonsims own stubbornness and the support of the empire. Although it is a bit unfortunate that I am a Hyangju, I am better than amoner, so I have to ept it. Lady Joo made an excuse for herself by epting marriage with Geum-soon. Considering that Joo Gyeon-sim was willing to marry Geum-sun even if she was amoner, the conditions were much better. And another benefit offered by the empire also became a decisive reason for epting marriage. -I will unofficially attach an appropriate number of escort troops. When her son Zhou Jianxin became emperor, Lady Zhou dreamed of revenge. However, Lady Joo was clearly aware of the reality that they would be in an isted situation. In this situation, the empires offer to provide escort troops was like rain in a drought. In the end, Lady Ju pretended not to be able to ovee her son Ju Gyeon-sims stubbornness and agreed to the marriage. In any case, since Queen Dowager Ju, the eldest of the lot, had given permission, the officials in the management office and the eunuch Wang Chong looked through the calendar to find a good auspicious day to hold the wedding ceremony. * * * Zhou Gyeonshen, who had ovee the great juncture of marriage, was butting heads with hisrades in the Jamryonghoe over the organizational chart and rted reports of the Ming court that he had previously requested from the management office. Isnt it really old-fashioned? Therades nodded at Zhou Jianxins cynical assessment. To put it briefly, it is a system that has been in ce since the Tang Dynasty. Its like this or that Zhou Gyeonshen gritted his teeth and spat bitterly. The origins of the Ming administrative organization, especially the central administrative organization, were the Partys three-caste and six-department system. As times and countries changed, there were little additions and additions, but this system has continued steadily. This system was maintained in the early Ming Dynasty. However, during Zhu Yuanzhangs reign, Hu Yuyong, the prime minister, abused his power. The so-called Ho Yuyongs Jade urred. Due to this incident, Zhu Yuanzhang abolished the official position of minister and changed to a direct system in which the emperor and the six ministries were directly connected. This is where the problem arises. It is impossible for the emperor to handle everything. Seokjun, who took on the role of head of the group, pointed out the problem by tapping the ruler on the hanger with a pointer. -Again, it is impossible for the emperor to handle everything. -This is why people use eunuchs. And for this reason, the eunuch organization is growing bigger and more powerful. -If this trend continues, it will not be surprising if the infamous Sipsangshi (ʮ) reappears. So the first thing to do is to organize the eunuch organizations. I agree. If thats the case, well have to disband the alumni group first. In response to Ju Gyeon-sims words, I received the necessary words. The problem is that those eunuchs already have great power. If you take action yourself, you will be at a disadvantage. You have to have a proper knife. Seokjun responded to Yoo Il-soos point. I would rmend using the Geumwiwi. Because most of the work that alumni do is the work of the Geumui Committee. Geumuiwi Joo Gyeonshim, who was stroking his chin at Seokjuns words, frowned slightly and asked Seokjun. Its good to disband the alumni association like that, but wouldnt the Geumwiwi be too strong? In response to Joo Gyeon-sims point, Yoo Yoo was removed on Seok-juns behalf. How about we, the Jamryonghoe, have what our ssmate had? Does the Sleepy Dragon Society have the parts that its alumni had? When Joo Gyeon-sim showed curiosity, Yoo Il-sil spoke in more detail. The role of our Samryonghoe is to be your personal guard. But we are a minority. The foundation is also weak. In such a situation, even if you be a member of the royal family, you will be unable to use any power. But wouldnt your power to wield be stronger if you took hold of the parts that your ssmate had? Zhou Jianxin nodded to Pi Qis words, but did not forget to point out the problem. The question is, how do we take what our ssmates had? Doesnt disbanding the alumni association mean getting rid of all the eunuchs belonging to the alumni association? All you have to do is get rid of the head Taegam and the few people under him and take control of the eunuchs under him. Hmm Its okay, but the problem is how to get rid of it. To Joo Gyeon-sims words, Pil-sil grinned and answered. Isnt there a Mr. Wang who would risk his life if it were your job? Joo Gyeon-sims face brightened at Yoo Ji-hos point out. aha! Once Wang Chung was chosen as the sword that would take Dongchangs hand, the next step went smoothly. The leader of the mill crew, who was disguised as a beggar and eavesdropping on the conversation under the pavilion, his eyes lit up. Roughly speaking, the roles of the Jamryonghoe members are being decided. Seokjun, who was recognized as the most intelligent among the Jamryonghoe members, was capable of analyzing situations and identifying what was the problem. And, implicitly, Yoo Yoo, who was treated as the head of the Jamryonghoe, was capable of finding ways. And the otherrades found the parts that Yoo and Seokjun missed or worked passionately to achieve sess. The leader of the Milwi had a rough picture of how they would move in Nanjing. -Using the power he stole from his ssmate, Seok-Jun analyzes and Yoo-Soo creates a method. And when the chief judge decides to carry out the action, otherrades move in and make the work happen. Leader Milwi imagined the picture he had drawn and muttered to himself. If done well, it will be the strongestbination, but if done poorly, it will be the seed of division. After finding an alternative to the alumni issue, Zhou Jianxin and hisrades returned to the issue of administrative organization. Change needs to be changed Everyone agreed that the administrative organization of people was the problem, but the problem was the answer. Both their knowledge and experience were insufficient to find ande up with the optimal answer. In the end, after much deliberation, the result was to take the imperial administrative organization and transform it. There are some shorings, but this is the best for now. Il-sil added to Seok-juns words. The problem is the justification for carrying out this reform. Joo Gyeon-sim grinned and responded to the essential point. There is a very good cause. okay? What is that? The sin of losing each of thest two wars. . Hearing Joo Gyeon-sims words, the expressions on the faces of Pil-pil, Seok-jun and the otherrades turned strange. And Essential expressed the feelings of thoserades. Are you sure that you too want to go to war against the Empire? Zhou Gyeonshen, who saw that Yoo Ji-yis expression became fierce, immediately threw up his hand. no way! I also like rich and famous movies! And peace at home is also important! It was a short sentence, but there was a lot hidden in it. -Preparing for war costs a lot of money. -Myeongs current situation is not good at all. -In this situation, in order to prepare for war, we must tighten our belts, but I would like to decline this. -I also dont want to think about what would happen if the empress was from the empire and went to war with the empire. Therades of the Jamryonghoe, who knew the true meaning of Zhou Gyeonshen, burst intoughter at the same time. ha ha ha! Chapter 755 Episode 755: The Emperor of the Second ss (8) As time passed, we began to hear about Geumsuns life in the pce. When Geumsuns parents entered Gyeongbokgung Pce to see her, Geumsunined about her difficult daily life. But Geum-suns parents had no choice but to give this answer. In the future, if you be the wife of the Ming Dynasty emperor, you will be in an even more difficult situation. We are preparing for this, so please be patient a little longer. mother! father! Please be patient. I said that to Geum-sun, but it wasnt what Geum-soons parents were talking about. Geumsuns parents returned home andined to their closest acquaintances to relieve their frustration. Because it was rted to the imperial family, I was only saying this to an acquaintance, but at some point, the words began to spread like a snowball. Among them, the center of attention was the imperial womens firearms training. Everyone who heard the rumor let out exmations of exmation. Hey! As expected, the imperial family is amazing! yes? The only thing we can do well is archery. Gunskill you mean using that expensive gunpowder? As expected, the imperial family is amazing~. Archery was one of the peoples pastimes even before the Joseon Dynasty. Thanks to this, the people recognized guny as a more expensive form of archery. However, there was someone whoseplexion turned pale after hearing this rumor. It was a judgment call. After hearing the rumor, Bangil and other Jamryonghoerades made a joke to Joo Gyeonsim. Look. Even when you go to Nanjing, you have to be nice to Geumsun. If you do something wrong, wont you end up with a hole in your sleep? I shouldnt even think about having a concubine. The Jamryonghoerades who had been making jokes like that shook their heads when they saw Joo Gyeonshim sweating with a white face. Hey friend! What should I do if I take a joke seriously? Do you really think Geumsoon would do that? But Zhou Gyeonshen answered with a very frightened face. Im worried that if its Geumsun, thats really going to happen. Oh, no way. * * * Amid all themotion, the departure date for Zhou Gyeonsim was set. It was three months after the Ming courts request was epted. I dont think Im fully prepared yet Zhou Jianxin still felt like he wascking and couldnt hide his disappointment. But Myeongs situation was not so good. This was because the emperors seat had been vacant for several months, and unsettling movements began to appear from all directions. Thanks to this, the Ming government sent messengers every day urging him to return quickly. In the end, the date for Joo Gyeon-sims return to Korea was set, and ten days before his return, the wedding ceremony of Joo Gyeon-sim and Geumsun, or Onyang Hyangju, was held. Even Wan and King Sejong especially attended the wedding held at the Duke of Anpyeongs house. On the surface, it was said that they were attending the royal familys auspicious asion, but in reality, it was pressure on the Ming Dynasty. -There is so much interest that even the Emperor of the Empire and Emperor Taesang are attending. So dont even think about doing anything rash! After the wedding, Ju Gyeon-sim and his wife, Joo Eunuch Wang Chung, other remaining Ming people, members of the Jamryonghoe, and courtdies to support Geumsuns life C a mixture of real courtdies and female warriors for protection C and finally, members of the Jamryonghoe. The familys bodyguards C actually military officers selected from the military C moved to Jemulpo to protect the families. In Jemulpo, ships sent by the Ming Dynasty had already dropped anchor and were waiting for Joo Gyeon-sim and his party. As soon as the Yebu Sang-seo, who led the weing group, saw Joo Gyeon-sim, he immediately knelt down and paid respects. Ie to see your Majesty the Emperor! Long live, long live, long live! Thank you for the warm wee. Lets get on the boat. I will guide you! Guided by Ye Bu Sang-seo, Zhou Jianxin and his wife, Consort Zhous eunuch Wang Chong, and Geumsuns courtdies boarded the ship. The problem urred here. Isnt it better for you, Your Majesty, to put the courtdies of your empire on another ship? Zhou Gyeonshim screamed at Yebusangseos suggestion. Are you telling us to put those who will assist the empress on another ship? For those people, the ship is already ready. Get them on another boat! Even the eunuchs! Yes, Your Majesty. This is yes. Its an order! At least the eunuchs I said it was an order! In response to Zhou Gyeonsims firm reply, Ye Bu Sang-seo had to move the courtdies and eunuchs who came with him to another ship. Ye Bu-sang-seo, who had brought Zhou Jian-shen and his party aboard the boat, muttered with a face full of worry. Youre an empress from an empire? * * * When Joo Gyeon-sim and his party all boarded the ship, all the ships sent by Ming raised anchor and left Jemulpo. As the Ming Dynasty fleet came to the sea off Jemulpo, the imperial fleet began to escort the fleet. The challenger-ss battleships majestically guarding the surrounding area with all sails raised, and the two assault ships moving right next to them while emitting ck exhaust smoke, made the people of Ming Dynasty very intimidated. Did you say he was a royal eunuch? Yes, thats right. Wang Chong bowed his head politely and answered the question of the Minister of Rites. Seeing that, Ye Bu Sang-seo approached cautiously. How many hardships did you go through while staying in the empire for such a long time? The royal eunuchs contribution is truly great. Thats too much praise. I just did what I had to do. When I go back, do you think I will receivepensation for my hardships? I didnt do this hoping forpensation. I just did my best as a eunuch. Seeing Wang Chong politely but firmly drawing a line, Ye Bu Sang-seo slightly savored his appetite. Theres a lot that hase together. Im sure Ill get a spot when I get to Nanjing, so I guess Ill have to brace myself. Sensing danger in Wang Chongs appearance, Minister of Ye changed the topic. Its a huge fleet. It seems like the empire paid a lot of attention. Wang Chong immediately responded to Ye Bu Sang-seos words. Isnt it natural that the Imperial Hyangju is on board? On the contrary, I feel very reassured that they are protecting me so firmly. I see Wang Chongs answer was slurred. Ye Bu-Sangseo, with a darkplexion, closed his mouth and looked at the imperial fleet surrounding him. In the conversation a little while ago, Ye Bu Sang-seo noticed one important fact. Not only the emperor but even the eunuchs are all dependent on the empire! This is certain! If something bad happens to the new emperor, there is a very high possibility that the Empire will intervene! Ye Bu-Sang-seosplexion darkened even more as he thought about it that far. If you think about the battles so far, the Empire always counterattacked after defending. But if we go on the offensive with all our might from the beginning, we will be finished! * * * After a tedious voyage, the fleet carrying Zhou Jianxin and his party arrived at the Ming Suigun military port in Nantong. When Zhou Jianxin got off the boat, the Ming officers who were waiting all knelt down and paid respect. Ie to see your Majesty the Emperor! Long live, long live, long live! Zhou Gyeonshim responded to the wee from the generals with a calm expression. Thank you for making me feel so wee. You can stand up. Herees the Emperor. Long live, long live, long live! After meeting with the navalmanders guarding Nantong, Zhou Gyeonsim rewarded the navalmanders with alcohol and meat. Zhu Jianxin, who boarded a ship heading up the Yangtze River to Nanjing, asked Ye Bu Sang-seo. Are we going to take a boat to Nanjing like this? Thats right. Isnt there a railroad? A railroad was built between the South and the North across the Yangtze River. Are you saying you couldnt cross the Yangtze River? I apologize. The empire built bridges over the Hansu, Taedong, and Cheongcheon rivers as well as over many rivers, but does that mean our name is still there? Ye Bu Sang-seo responded to Zhou Gyeon-sims reprimand by bowing his head. Both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River were sorge that they could not be built. I apologize. Are you saying that our name doesnt even have that level of skill? During thest war, many craftsmen were taken to the Japanese country. If you lost people, you should have thought about raising them again! You didnt even do that! I apologize. Ju Gyeon-shim clicked his tongue involuntarily at the sight of Ye Bu-sang-seo repeatedly bowing his head. Tsk! This is what it is It was Zhou Gyeonsim who forced himself to say, We suffered a crushing defeat in the Yellow Seast time! Meanwhile, Ye Bu Sang-seo was horrified by the sound of Joo Gyeon-sim clicking his tongue. I heard that the imperial officials start a fight whenever they hear the imperial emperor clicking his tongue, and its only natural! By the way, the new emperor lived a long time in the empire! As the three generations of King Sejong and Hyang Wan continued, it became the norm for the people of the empire to click their tongues when they were not satisfied. Starting with the ministers who were harassed by King Sejong and Hyang Wan, it became routine for them to click their tongues when something they did not like, and it naturally spread downward over time. * * * After a few days, Zhou Jianxin and his party arrived in Nanjing. At the dock in Nanjing, all high-ranking government officials, eunuchs, and high-ranking officials of the Imperial Court, including the Assistant Cab Secretary, were waiting for the review. When the boat carrying Zhou Gyeonsim arrived at the dock and Zhou Gyeonsim got off the boat, everyone who was waiting knelt down in unison to show respect. Ie to see His Majesty the Emperor. Long live, long live, long live! Nice to wee you. Following the calm visit, Zhou Gyeonsim exchanged greetings with the officials who were waiting under the guidance of Yebu Sangseo. After the short meeting ceremony, Zhou Gyeonsim and his party boarded a pnquin prepared in advance and entered Nanjing. Ie to see Your Majesty the Emperor! Long live, long live, long live! As soon as the residents of Nanjing who were out on the road saw the pnquin carrying Zhu Jianxin, they fell to the ground and shouted for national independence. Hearing the peoples cheers for national independence, Zhou Jianxin entered the imperial pce in Nanjing. * * * As soon as Zhou Jianxin was relieved of his illness after arriving in Nanjing, he began to carry out political affairs in earnest. As soon as Zhou Jianxin began his political affairs, the first thing he decided was to establish an era name. As we are gradually escaping from the past tribtion, I think sanctification would be good as it means moving towards perfection. Zhu Jianxin, who thought for a moment about the assistant cab secretarys report, nodded. Good. Lets decide it through sacred fire. I follow your orders. Bowing his head, the Cab Secretary muttered to himself. Isnt it very different from what the precepts say? If we continue to look like that, running the government will be easier. However, these optimistic thoughts soon copsed miserably. National marriage? yes. But Jim already has an empress. The Cab Secretary immediately responded to Joo Gyeon-sims words. She is an imperial person who was born in the empire and has lived in the empire. I dont know if she is a concubine, but she is not suitable as a mother of the nation. Zhou Jianxins expression immediately turned fierce upon hearing the Assistant Cab Secretarys answer. Zhou Jianxin shouted at the assistant cab secretary in a very angry voice. what? Doesnt suit me because Im from an empire? So what is the burden of living in the empire from the moment you were born? Are you saying that I am not fit to be the father of an empire? Thats not it Say it properly! At Zhou Jianxins shout, the assistant cab secretary turned white and violently shook his head. But there was one conclusion. Its an outside conversation! In the end, the Cab Secretary had no choice but to wave the white g. I was mistaken in my convictions. Then I will assume there is no talk of a national marriage. Those who are against it,e forward! No one came forward in response to the judgesmand. In this way, Zhou Jianxins reign began by breaking the spirit of the ministers and the powerful. -A reform monarch who did his best to rebuild the Ming Dynasty. -A cancer army that could not escape the shadow of the empire. This was the beginning of the reign of Zhou Gyeonshim, who received prizing evaluations. Chapter 756 Episode 756 Encounter (1) Imperial Year 18 (1466). At Shinjis temporary pce, Hyang was wrestling with documents. After processing the mountain of documents, Hyang looked at thest remaining documents and sighed. Even though you wrestled like that, the worry is still there Hyang, who made a pun, looked at the documents and swore. Damn it, this poption problem is the same regardless of whether it is the original or new territory * * * As Hyang said, the poption problem was a shackle holding the empire back. And to solve this poption problem, the empire actively pursued a policy of encouraging birth. This policy to encourage childbirth has been in operation since the time when it was called Joseon, not the Empire. Looking at history before Hyang intervened, there was a record that in the 16th year of King Sejongs reign (1434), King Sejong issued an order to provide maternity leave to men as well. C Recently, a pregnant woman died because she did not receive help during childbirth. Its so sad. What good is a womans maternity leave if she doesnt get help with childbirth and postpartum care? It is natural for a married couple to help, so the husband should also be given leave. Of course, this was a benefit given to the lowest ss, such as ves. However, support for prolific families did not discriminate between sses. There was no special support for twins, but for triplets or more, 10 pounds of rice and beans were provided. And this became a policy passed down from generation to generation. After the intervention of the township and its transformation into an empire, this policy was implemented more actively targeting a wider range of sses. In the history before intervention, multiple births of triplets or more were limited to one birth. However, after the intervention, support was provided when children had two or more children. 10% of the average sry of imperial workers was subsidized for childcare expenses. This ratio increased as the number of children increased, and if there were four or more children, childcare expenses were paid up to 40%. However, once the child reached the age of nine, the amount exceeded this limit and was paid up to 60%. This support for childcare expenses was cut off once a child graduated from a social democratic academy, because ording to the social conventions of the empire at the time, children were recognized as adults when they were 13 or 14 years old, which was the age at which they graduated from a social democratic academy. The problem was that the birth rate, which had risen rapidly thanks to these active support policies, began to rise slowly at some point. Township officials, well aware that the empires greatest weakness was its poption, began to investigate the cause. The county officials sighed after checking the results. Whoa~. Its because I started living well Hyangs face looked particrly serious as he checked the report. Is it Korea in the 21st century already? As the empires governance developed, the average marriage age of its citizens began to getter. If the household situation was as tight as it was in the past, people would quickly get their children married in order to save money as quickly as possible. However, as the number of families with a certain level of economic power C although not middle ss by 21st century standards C increased, the rate of early marriage gradually decreased. And the dy in child marriage was due to the high enthusiasm for education. Was this high enthusiasm for education imprinted in your DNA? As Hyang said to himself after receiving the report, the enthusiasm for education among the people of this empire was great. At least I have to send my children to middle school! cancer! Shouldnt my child be better than me? Parents who wanted their children to rise to a higher ss than themselves put effort into their childrens education. In addition, this was a time when the idea of male superiority over female was not yet fully established. Therefore, sending both sons and daughters to middle school has be the minimum duty parents must do. Another reason for the slow increase in birth rate was, ironically, entertainment venues. Until then, the entertainment of the people C ordinary people, excluding the upper ss C was limited to drinking alcohol or watching wandering shrine troupese to town. Naturally, most of the entertainment that people could easily ess was night life between couples, and this was linked to the birth rate. However, the ability to enjoy a variety of entertainment at permanently operated entertainment centers slowed down the rate of increase in the birth rate. The final cause was a medical problem. Pregnancy and childbirth ce a serious burden on a womans body. Even in the 21st century, dangerous situations in which the life of the mother and fetus are threatened during childbirth often ur, and despite advances in medical technology, there are many cases of tragic incidents. This was also the case in the 21st century, but this time the risk was much higher. Starting with Princess Jeongso,wmakers who focused on women and children began to be produced, but in most cases, midwives were still responsible for receiving babies, and the risks that mothers had to take were very high. Thanks to this, the rapidly increasing birth rate began to slow down little by little. * * * Shinjis situation was a little different from the main paper. First of all, most of the indigenous people lived in tribal units and still lived based on primitive farming and hunting. This was making the lives of the tribal people very difficult. In addition, the survival rate of children born was very low due to the level of medical science, which was almost at the level of witchcraft. In other words, the pace of poption growth itself was inevitably slow. But as people came in from the empire, things began to change little by little. Under the influence of the empire, the number of indigenous people who broke away from agriculture and hunting, the traditional and only means of production, and devoted themselves tomerce, industry, and the military began to increase significantly. The number of natives moving to the imperial residence for a better life increased significantly, and as they interacted with farmers who immigrated from the empire, the natives from the New Territories gradually became able to afford their lives, and the birth rate began to rise. But just when it seemed like a good situation, a warning light came on. It was the disease that caused the warning light toe on. * * * As more and more imperialists from the Old World entered the New Land, contact with the natives of the New Land became more frequent. During this process, the diseases that the imperialists had began to spread to the natives. This was fatal for the New Territories, who had been cut off from the Old World after the Ice Age. There were many cases where what was a minor illness for the people of the empire became a life-threatening and life-threatening illness for the natives of Shinji. Of course, Hyang, who knew this in advance, suggested it to King Sejong and sent a considerable number ofwmakers from the beginning. However, the number of indigenous people in the newnd who were struggling between life and death due to diseases brought by the imperialists often exceeded the capabilities of thewmakers. If we do something wrong, all the natives of the newnd will turn against us. Even though it may be difficult, we must send morewmakers and build educational facilities as quickly as possible. You are right. King Sejong epted Hyangs advice and sent morewmakers to Shinji. The problem was the establishment of educational institutions. In a situation where propermunication was difficult, establishing an educational institution was unthinkable. In the end, the establishment of a medical education institution became possible only after King Sejong arrived in the newnd and began operating it in earnest. Afterwards, Hyang arrived on behalf of Sejong and added seasoning. He called together the shamans of the tribes who were noble to the empire, gathered and organized their knowledge C mainly about medicinal herbs C and established it as a proper academic discipline. Herbal books that collected the knowledge of shamans soon began to be of great help to doctors and aspiring doctors working in the new world. And taking advantage of this opportunity, a new upation was created among the indigenous people of the newnd. It was Simmani. * * * Not only the natives of Shinji were in danger from the diseases brought by the imperialists. There were also opposite cases. The most representative one was syphilis. In the 21st century, the theory of its existence from ancient times and the theory of its origin by Columbus were both popr, but it was a very unfamiliar disease to the people of the empire at this time. Thewmakers who examined the syphilis patients shook their heads in embarrassment. Where on earth did they catch it? The doctors who persistently tracked the infection route of the patients finally found the cause. The problem was the rtionship with the native women Doesnt that mean that there are many patients among the natives as well? Right. Lets investigate. Lawmakers who investigated the scope further confirmed serious results. -Many people among indigenous people are infected. -The fatality rate is very high. -If an infected woman bes pregnant or a pregnant woman bes infected, the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, or birth defects is very high. After confirming the results, the doctors began to rush to find a treatment. Clinicians searched through medical books to find diseases with simr symptoms and treatments, and applied them to patients who came in for treatment. However, despite using various methods, no treatment was found that showed significant results. Every time a report filled with despair was received, Hyang suppressed the itching in his mouth and consoled thewmakers. I said it would work if the situation were to be difficult. Tell him to try a little harder. Thewmakers are doing well now. Hyang, who was left alone after encouraging thewmakers, sighed. Whoa~. I would like to say this, but if I say this, people will say that I am an alien in the future. surely. And as Hyang said, the doctors who tried everything to find a cure finally found the answer. It was a clean bacteria liquid created under the leadership of Hyang. With the mindset of all or nothing, the syphilis patients began to show definite remission when the bacterial solution was administered. This is it! found! Thewmakers, filled with joy, submitted their report to Hyang. Tell them that it is truly magnificent. And record the names of thewmakers who discovered the cure and reward them. I follow your orders! Left alone that night, Hyang looked over the report in question and sighed softly. The history of fierce challenge and response has finally begun. The battle between antibiotics and bacteria was a battle with no end in sight. Every time a new antibiotic with greater efficacy is released, a super virus resistant to that antibiotic emerges. Hyangs face was not very bright as he looked at the report. Compared to penicillin and other antibiotics of the 21st century, the bacterial solution used today was at a very primitive level. Although it is showing remarkable medicinal efficacy now, there wille a time when the bacterial solution bes useless. And looking at the level of the disinfectant solution, it was likely that the time would be faster than expected. The problem is that the field of medicine was not my area of interest, and I cannot understand germs or viruses with current medical concepts. Phew~. Hyang let out a long sigh and looked out the window at the sky. There needs to be talented people in the medical field quickly so we can solve the poption problem more easily Hyang, who was looking at the sky with a face full of worry, scratched his head and grumbled. Ah-oh! Nothing is this easy! Chapter 757 Episode 757: Encounter (2) Hyang, who was grumbling while looking at the sky, took a deep breath. Huh! Ha~. After taking a deep breath to sort out her emotions, Hyang looked back at the report and continued. Should we say it is fortunate that we have at least prevented the spread of a disease that will go down in history? The identity of the disease mentioned by Hyang was smallpox. * * * King Sejong learned how to prevent smallpox through Hyangs cowpox vination, which was recorded in the Annals as the crown princes self-harm incident. At that time, Sejong decided to first conduct test vinations on residents of Hanseong, the capital, and then implement nationwide vinations based on the results. However, Ryu Su-young, the then Prime Minister, and conservative ministers desperately opposed this, leading to a confrontation with King Sejong. On the surface, it was a conflict over the dangers of the uncertain method of leading, but on the inside, it was a challenge by senior ministers of the theocracy to prevent King Sejongs monopoly on power. During this confrontation, Ryu Su-yeong and senior ministers who sympathized with him were purged on arge scale, and the government was greatly reorganized. King Sejong, whopletely seized power through purges, actively expanded cowpox vination. As time passed, smallpox almost disappeared from Joseon or the Empire. asionally, there were rumors that the outbreak urred somewhere, but most of them were in outlying areas such as Bukji or Jongjang Ind. However, even the outlying regions gradually escaped the nightmare of smallpox, starting with Daeseoldo, and the empires medical officials were doing their best with the goal of eradicating smallpox in the North. Because of this past, the indigenous people of Shinji werergely free from the threat of smallpox. That wasnt all. Every time the natives of Shinji came to visit, the imperialists inocted them with cowpox. The natives, who saw pus collected from an animal they had never seen before, a cow that resembled a hairless bison, and ced it on themselves, asked the reason through interpreters or by making gestures with their hands and feet. Whenever such a question was asked, the imperialists exined it by pointing to those who had suffered from smallpox before being vinated and whose faces were scrunched up. If you dont get this right, something like that will happenter. After hearing that answer, the natives held out their arms to thewmakers without hesitation. Of course, the people who were the samples became tearful and protested. Why is it falling? Its not like I made this face because I like someone! Im sorry. But arent you the only one among us who has suffered from smallpox? But Instead, I will give you a special reward and constion money. How much will you give me? And those who epted the reward and confirmed the amount became more active. A body that has been thrown away! Please call me again next time! Through this process, indigenous people were also actively vinated against cowpox, and the risk of smallpox was greatly reduced. * * * Meanwhile, as imperial exchanges expanded, the existence and efficacy of cowpox began to be increasingly known. Of course, the first to learn about the effects of cowpox were the Ming and Japanese countries. There were cases of smallpox outbreaks in the vicinity of Joseon Shangguan, which waster renamed Imperial Choji (), which was created during the Ming or Japanese dynasties. Because the disease was so contagious, officials around Shangguan asked for help fromwmakers living in Shangguan. Hyang, who predicted that the possibility of this happening would be very high, advised King Sejong, and King Sejong and the government, who epted this, issued an order to their superiors. -If your superiors ask for help due to illness or natural disaster, provide support. -Even if the location is far from the superior, if it is not too far away, the person in charge and thewmakers should discuss and decide whether or not to provide support. Thanks to receiving orders in advance, the superiorswmakers rushed to the scene right away. Because there was a shortage of workers to treat patients,wmakers brought in people who worked at their superiors to help them. Experiencing this, the locals began to have one question. Arent Koreans afraid of smallpox? This was because the Koreans were not afraid ofing into contact with patients whose entire bodies were covered in inmmation and pus. Members of the National Assembly say thats possible. But the assistants over there used to work for their superiors, right? yes. Is there something strange? It was natural to have questions while looking at the Korean people caring for patients. Both the Ming Dynasty and the Japanese knew that once you got smallpox, you would never get it again. However, after suffering from smallpox, most people left traces on their bodies. It could have turned into a scary, ugly pall, and there was a high possibility that it would suffer from serious aftereffects such as blindness and physical disabilities. For the lucky ones, only a light trace was left behind, and there were those who passed over without a trace, to the extent that they were called lucky, but they were a very small minority. However, the faces, hands and feet of Koreans moving around in a ce where smallpox was prevalent were very clean. People who had not suffered from smallpox would not have been able to move so actively. However, it was strange that there were too many of them to say that they passed away without a trace due to natural misfortune. It doesnt make sense that only Koreans are special and suffer from smallpox without a trace, right? Right. Among the Koreans Ive seen in the past, there were more than a few morels. The Ming Dynasty and the Japanese, who were racking their brains to solve increasingly deep questions, soon came to simr conclusions. -Korean people know a cure for smallpox or a way to prevent it! This story immediately reached the ears of the leaders of the Ming and Japanese countries, and messengers from the Ming and Japanese countries immediately rushed to Hanseong. -If there is a cure or way to prevent smallpox, please let me know! At that time, King Sejong and the ministers of the government had a heated argument for and against the request of the Ming and Japanese countries. C Although there is a benefactor from the past, these are countries that are currently in a rtionship. Since it is a matter rted to human life, it is right to inform them. C Both countries are countries that may turn into enemies at any moment. Doing something helpful to those countries is an act of betrayal! Because both sides had good reasons, the conclusion was not easy toe to. In this situation, the person who stepped forward was Hyang. I think its a good idea to let them know. Hyangs argument was exactly this. C It is true that both countries are countries that can turn into enemies at any moment. However, many Ming and Japanese people already live in Joseon. C And we vinate against cowpox every year. ordingly, they will soon learn that cowpox inoction is the way to prevent smallpox. C Of course, you may not find out right away that the medicine used for inoction is cowpox, but you will find out if you put in the effort. This is because there was a history of implementing the capitationw during the Yuan Dynasty, and there are also a small number of documents recording cases of cowpox. -Lastly, if this is known and at the same time spread widely through the Joseon superiors, the people of the Ming and Japanese countries will deeply admire our Joseon. King Sejong and the ministers epted Hyangs opinion and informed the Ming and Japanese countries of the method of inocting cowpox. Of course, it was also natural to spread the word through his superiors at the same time. And it was natural that Joseon was talked about among the people of the Ming and Japanese countries. There was a method like this? and! After all, Joseon is amazing! As Hyang expected, the people of Ming and Japanese countries became more favorable to Joseon. No, it has changed into something more than that. They say there is a stone in Joseon that can light up by just pouring water on it. okay? I want to know what that stone is. Wouldnt you be able to make big rocks if you dig them up and sell them? I heard it wasnt a rock dug from the ground, but something made by a person? Is that possible? They said the Crown Prince of Joseon had artisans make it? Thats amazing. Why? I heard that a cart made of iron carries people without oxen or horses? Oh no way! The people of the Ming and Japanese kingdoms, who had been in doubt, let out exmations of exmation when the rumor was confirmed to be true. Joseon is truly amazing! They say people in the western region call Joseon the country of flowers. Land of Flowers. Those who were pondering the word Land of Flowers muttered under their breath. Cant I live in Joseon too? I want to live in Joseon. * * * This reaction was simr in the Middle East and Europe. Even in the Middle East and Europe, smallpox was a frequent and fatal disease. In particr, smallpox outbreaks urred frequently in the Mediterranean region due to the importation ofrge quantities of ves from Africa. If something like this happened near Alexandria or Suez Aden, it was natural for the Koreans present to help. And as Joseon transformed into an empire and international students and professors from Europe began to arrive in earnest, the number of people questioning it increased. Isnt that strange? Why isnt smallpox prevalent in the Empire? Isnt that why a separate quarantine center was created at the port? Thats the way it is on the sea road. But isnt the only way to the empire by sea? How are we going to block thend route? Wouldnt it be okay to block important areas onnd with fortresses and set up quarantine centers? Have you forgotten the siege of Kapaa Port all those years ago? What would you do if a body that died of smallpox was catapulted? Thats true, but It was only natural that the international students and professors who put their heads together to think about it came to the conclusion that there exists a cure. And they appealed jointly to Xiang, who was the emperor at the time. -I appeal to His Majesty, the Emperor of the Great Korean Federal Empire. When the small people came to the empire, they saw that the people of this great empire were living without worrying about smallpox. This may be because of the blessings of Almighty God and the selection of His Majesty the Great Emperor, as well as because there is a way to cure smallpox. I kneel down and cry and plead with you. If there is a cure or way to prevent smallpox, please have mercy and share your knowledge. If your Majesty, who rules this great empire, shows mercy, all of Europe will praise your name, and all the poets of Europe will write poems in your honor. Moreover, not only the people of Europe but also all the monarchs of Europe will adore your great majesty. Hyang, who read the petition for life extension from international students and professors, muttered with a bitter smile. I wrote it at a very long time. After putting down the petition and thinking for a moment, Hyang soon came to a conclusion. It is already known to both the Ming and Japanese countries, and the Ming and Europe are also entering into trade in earnest. If you do it wrong, it can only be a good thing. I should tell you. Hyang, who had decided to teach the Jongdu method, muttered with a bitter smile. Im sorry Mr. Jenner, but what do you know? Did I make one or two mistakes? It was a scent that had suddenly be a model of irresponsibility. Chapter 758 Chapter 758: Encounter (3) Due to the shackles of small poption, the imperialization of Shinji did not elerate at all, but the number of imperial territories and natives was steadily increasing. As the number of imperialists immigrating from the maind was increasing, the mood of administrative officials in the township and new region was optimistic. * * * After the discovery of Shinji and the sess of crossing the bridgehead and the eastern coast of Sinji, King Sejong began to promote the emigration of the people of the empire. Sejong and Hyangs priority choice for immigration was farmers. Officials and soldiers, as well as craftsmen who would run Area 52, went. Additionally, a resale office is also nned to be set up. But it would be difficult for the indigenous people alone to be self-reliant, right? Hyang immediately agreed to Sejongs point. Thats right. With the indigenous peoples farming methods described in the report, we cannot expect much production. I agree. I still dont know how much potential Shinji has, but if farming is done properly on thatrgend, it will be enormous. Hyang muttered to herself at Sejongs words. Potential? Thatnd itself is a cheat! Of course, if you just farm, you will reach the level of the 3rd captain. Due to King Sejongs decision, most of the people who immigrated to the newnd in the early days were farmers. King Sejong and Hyang chose word of mouth as the best way to move the imperial people to Shinji. Wouldnt it be more efficient to be a civilian like before? Although the ministers advised this, King Sejong pointed out the disadvantages of forced migration. In the case of the northeastern region, although it is far away, there is and route. In the case of Daeseol Ind, you have to cross the sea, but it is not that far away. But isnt that the case with Shinji? If forced transntation is carried out through civilians, the morale of the people will be degraded and the harm will be greater than the benefit. As soon as Sejong finished speaking, Hyang spoke. And if you want to promote private democracy, you have to offer something in return. Of course, it can be said that giving arge farnd is a price, but isnt that natural? So, in the past, we offered amnesty or immunity, but isnt that difficult these days? The ministers nodded without realizing it at Hyangs point. Samin was never a good thing. I had to leave my beloved hometown and go to an unfamiliar and unfamiliar ce. And thend received in return was also a problem. Compared to the small fields that I used to eat in my hometown, I received a huge amount ofnd, but it wasnd that had to be converted into agriculturalnd. Therefore, it wasmon for civilians to be promoted by force. Although it was apulsory move, it had its own standards. -A criminal who has notmitted a serious crime such as murder or robbery. -Sanobi and his family became sisters due to the familys poverty. In this way, those who were in an immediate situation were given priority for civilian support. Those people will desperately clear farnd and take root. However, as time went by, the situation grew, the military expanded, and security became stable. And as a result of tax reform, Sanobi was reduced to almost extinction. The scent pointed this out. Most of those who remain are government ves, and the majority of these government ves are those whomitted treason and those who were implicated in it. Should we send them? The ministers all shook their heads in response to Hyangs question. This will never happen! We cannot turn the newnd we worked so hard to gain into and of rebellion! The ministers who advocated for civilians immediately gave up their opinions. Hyang, who saw that, slowly turned her head and looked at Sejong above the temple. Sejong, who was above the temple, smiled and nodded to Hyang. * * * Once the policy was decided, gazettes were posted on the walls of government offices throughout Joseon. -This time, a new river area was secured to the east of Daeseoldo Ind. -Recruit those who will immigrate to this new river area. -Preference given to farmers. People who saw the gazette talked a lot about it, and rumors began to spread. -Thend they received in the northeastern region wasrge, butpared to thend they could receive in the new area, it was like a front yard. -Of course it needs to be reimed, but I heard the geology is very good. I heard that thend they received when they were civilians in the northeastern region was veryrge. Compared to the newnd, it is like a front yard? Okto there? Then lets go! Farmers in the northeastern region, who had already enjoyed pioneering the northeastern region, were the first to start moving. And, one by one, people with ambitions to be rich through farming began to follow suit. And Joseons real estate market began to fluctuate. This was because farmers who decided to migrate sold their farnd and houses. Of course, since the ownership of thend itself belonged to the king, what they sold was the right to cultivate and lease. Its a good opportunity for me, so I buy it, but Chilseong is sleeping. Are you really nning on going? When asked this question in the conversation that followed afterpleting the contract on the battlefield, Chilseong nodded with a confident face. I sold it because I was really going! Of course, its good to have the right to cultivatend muchrger than here, but isnt farming easy? I guess the problem will be finding help right away, right? In response to his neighborsment, Chilseong raised his hand and pointed in the direction of the sales office. Isnt there something good over there? In the direction Chilseong pointed, a tow truck equipped with a steam engine was showing off. * * * With the steady production of agricultural steam engine tractors in Area 52, the number of immigrants from the Empire began to gradually increase rapidly. King Sejong, who ran the newnd, created policies andws rted to distributingnd to these immigrants. ording to the policies andws created by King Sejong, thend that immigrants would acquire was outside of the indigenous peoples farnd. -There is a huge amount ofnd spread everywhere that needs remation. Why take away thend of indigenous people and cause trouble? No one dared criticize King Sejongs words. Although the standards fornd granting were set, there was still work to be done to persuade the indigenous people. It was a problem rted to hunting, not farnd. The indigenous people had noints regarding farnd preservation. The problem was hunting. Most of thend distributed to immigrants ovepped with the hunting areas of indigenous people. Because hunting is not possible in a small space King Sejong, who understood the dissatisfaction of the natives, presented them with an alternative. What King Sejong suggested was six animals raised at home: cows, horses, sheep, pigs, dogs, and chickens. -If you raise these livestock, you can get plenty of meat without having to go through the trouble of hunting bison or deer. The natives were skeptical of King Sejongs proposal. However, after seeing the immigrants who became his neighbors raise these livestock and obtain meat easily, he epted King Sejongs offer. As a by-product of these changes, Sejong created its first animal protection zone. * * * Thend to be given to the settlers was home to enormous numbers of bison and deer. In order to securend,rge-scale hunting of bison and deer urred, and prominent natives raised objections. -Bison and deer have lived here since our ancestors lived. Some tribes even believe that when an ancestor dies, his or her soul is reborn as a buffalo or deer. It is not right to kill indiscriminately. Because of that, there are even tribes that are hostile to us. In response to the indigenous peoples criticism, King Sejong put into practice what he had been thinking for a long time. okay? So wouldnt it be okay to create a ce for bison and deer to live without worrying about hunting? Thend isrge, so why worry? After making his decision, King Sejong immediately selected a suitable piece ofnd and designated it as a no hunting area. The officials who saw the size of the area chosen by King Sejong and the local government, whoter confirmed this through reports, shook their heads. The area of the hunting area isrger than the area of Hasam Ind (Gyeongsang, Jeo, and Chungcheong)bined, and there is a possibility that several more will be created in the future? * * * As Hyang operated Shinji on behalf of King Sejong, some changes urred in this hunting area. There are too many bison and deer in the game reserve? And there are poachers roaming around? Thats right. Hmm After thinking for a moment, Hyang gave an order to the official. Ask Duke Jinpyeong toe. yes. A few dayster, Jinpyeong entered the temporary pce after receiving orders from the local government. Did you invite your Majesty? I called you because I have something to do rted to the railroad the duke is building. Jinpyeongs face became very tense at Hyangs words. Whats going on? What is the status of the railway expansion work from Chosi to here? Its going smoothly. So now youre going to build a railroad that will cross from east to west in the south? yes. We are preparing now. Then make that route pass through the game reserve. yes? Hyang shared her thoughts to Jinpyeong, who looked puzzled. While listening to Hyangs story, Jinpyeong showed an expression that he finally understood. So, are you saying that you are going to open the game reserve and allow hunting for a certain period of time? Hyang nodded at Jinpyeongs words. yes. By doing so, we can prevent the overgrowth of bison and deer and stop poachers. Should it be called a restricted hunting area rather than a restricted hunting area? Jinpyeong nodded at Hyangs words. I understand. However, if you change the line like that, the construction cost will increase. For that part, we will receive money from those who hunt in the limited hunting areas. Ah Jinpyeong muttered to himself at Hyangs words. As expected, brother! He will never do anything to lose money! In this way, one of Shinjis famous tourist products was born. * * * Through various trials and errors and adjustments, Shinji was steadily bing an empire. After seeing farmers who had immigrated from the empire use ox and horse steam engine traction to mine crops, indigenous people also began farming using ox and horse steam traction on tribal farnd. Among the natives who enjoyed this process, the quick-thinking ones went straight to the imperial office and requested their own farnd. Hmm Since the farnd is owned by the entire tribe, we cannot give separate cultivation rights The official continued, pointing his finger at a ce on the map. There is a suitable ce here, far away from the tribe where we live now. But as I said, it is very far from the tribe where I live now. Do you still want to go? The native, who pondered the officials words for a while, nodded. I will go. In this way, thend of Shinji began to be developed step by step. And after receiving the report, Hyang muttered to herself. Is this Far and Away. without Uncle Tom and any other white people? Hyang, who was thinking about movies rted to the expansion of the West, burst intoughter. What do you think? The people living on thisnd pioneered it themselves. Chapter 759 Chapter 759: Encounter (4) During the process of imperialization of Xinji, the native people quickly changed from their previous appearance. More and more indigenous people left their tribal homes in search of new opportunities. The indigenous people, who learned new farming methods such as deep tige and fertilization using cattle, horses, steam traction trucks, and steel farm tools from farmers who immigrated from the empires headquarters, left the tribe in search of their own farnd rather than themon farnd of the tribe. To be precise, I dont think itspletely off the mark? Hyang, who checked the report from the Land Management Bureau under the Ministry of Finance and Economy, pointed out the facts. * * * Hyangs point was urate. Although the natives said they left their homnd, they did not go very far like the imperialists. No, in the past, it was a long distance where you would have thought you hadpletely cut ties, but not anymore. This was because the natives also took possession of the cattle and horse carts brought in from the headquarters of the empire. In the past, distances that would have taken a full day or two to walk could be covered in half a day by riding a cart on ox or horse. Therefore, it was not difficult to meet rtives still remaining in the tribe. After seeing the sess of their rtives who left the tribe first, the remaining people also began to leave the tribe one by one. * * * It would be more urate to say that the tribes territory has simply expanded, rather thanpletely leaving the tribe in which they lived. After hearing Hyangs exnation andments, the Director General of the Land Management Bureau bowed his head. ah! Thats right. The thoughts of the small gods were short-lived. Look a little wider and think once more. You must not forget that each and every policy you design and implement determines the future of this newnd. I will keep this in mind! Then write it again. yes. The Director General, who answered in tears, took the documents and left the office. Hyang muttered to himself as he watched the Director General trudging away. No matter what happens, I have no choice but to go with the American style. The American culture of not being able to live properly without a car was slowly emerging due to thergend area and low poption density. The Director General of the Land Management Bureau, who had retreated after receiving a harsh blow from Hyang, screamed as soon as he entered his office. All executives gather together! As the executives gathered in surprise at the shouting, the Director General screamed loudly. you! Its going to work like this! Am I going to have to hear that I cant work for His Majesty the Emperor? yes! * * * Meanwhile, Hyang was worried about something else. If I do this wrong, will public safety be a problem? The families of both the imperialists who immigrated to the newnd and the newly independent natives were far away from each other. There was no problem with bandits or thieves yet, but the intrusion of wild beasts was a problem. Of course, they said it was okay for each household to have a bow Since the people of this country used the bow as a weapon, a tool for survival, and a tool for entertainment, each household was allowed to have two or three bows. This was also true for indigenous people. Thanks to this, Shinjis monopoly officials unexpectedly recorded good results by selling Korean archers. This was because the natives, who saw the performance of the national bow, abandoned their primitive bows and purchased the national bow. However, since the bow was a weapon of long-distance lethality, it required strict management. At first, the popr opinion was to ban the sale of bows, but King Sejong, who ran Shinji, opposed it again. Currently, the military in charge of defending Shinji is severelycking in troops. Under these circumstances, it is not reasonable to ban the sale of bows. The alternative that King Sejong proposed afterwards was to engrave serial numbers on bows and arrows and record who they were sold to each time they were sold. I can make both bows and arrows myself, but will they be effective? There were many people who expressed this question, but King Sejong answered this way. Of course you can think that way. But dont bows and arrows do their job properly if they are made properly by craftsmen? Opponents remained silent in response to Sejongs criticism. This was because Sejongs point was correct. * * * The arrows used in the national archery were objects that had been shaped to fit the national archery over a long period of time. Therefore, arrows used in national archery could not be used in Ming or Japanese bows. The opposite case was also the same. It was impossible for an ordinary person to make a bow and arrow like this. This was especially impossible because the national archery was aposite archery. The same was true for arrows. Not only making a straight arrow shaft but also attaching a feather was a highly advanced technique. If the feather was crooked even slightly when attaching it, the arrow would likely fly in the wrong direction. Thanks to this, not only bows but also arrows were very expensive items, and most arrows had the name of the owner of the arrow or a symbol that only the owner could know engraved on the handle. * * * Hyang, who ran Shinji on behalf of Sejong, added some seasoning to this. A ce to engrave the serial number on the arrow was added and the engraving was made deeper. If the engraving was removed for impure purposes, it would render it unable to perform as it should. Hyang added one trick to it. The price of arrows was raised by borrowing an idea from an Americanedian seen on the 21st century Inte. Of course, it wasnt just about selling it at a high price. We also implemented a policy of giving discounts if you bring broken or old arrows. As a result of implementing this policy, the management of bows and arrows became very convenient. After checking the report, Hyang chuckled and muttered softly. Long live capitalism. * * * Although individuals were strictly prevented from arming themselves, security and safety issues due to low poption density became a concern again. But permitting gun ownership is not right. After mulling this over and over, Hyang eventually came up with his own solution. The first step was to create a vignte group by grouping together 30 households. The vignte group thus formed built a high tower in the center of the vige to monitor all directions. Additionally, well-sealed signal shingles were distributed to each house. If an emergency situation urred, the seal was broken and the Shingijeon was fired. Then, the vignte group who confirmed this new weapon took action. In addition, arge army of 25 soldiers was stationed in each 150 units in charge of security and security. If an emergency situation urred to the point where the vignte group could move, the emergency situation was announced in all directions through a light-emittingmunication device installed in the watchtower, and the officer in charge of the area had a higher-level unit dispatched at the same time as notifying the emergency. In these cases, speed was of the essence, so members of the vignte had to be familiar with horseback riding, and the garrison was deployed as cavalry. Hyang had a stern expression as he created such aplex system. Gun liberalization? Dont be funny! * * * Among the upations chosen by the natives of the new region in order to escape from the past, the soldier was chosen as much as the self-employed farmer. Expansion of military power was an urgent priority in order to imperialize the newnd and defend against European powers that would soon approach through the Antic. However, there were limits to bringing troops from the empires headquarters. Although the Ming Dynasty had already lost its momentum through two wars and a pro-imperial regime was established in the Japanese Empire, it was not possible to feel at ease unconditionally. Therefore, the empire actively recruited indigenous people into the army. Native Americans also viewed joining the military favorably. This was due to the characteristics of the imperial army, which was influenced by ability and rank, regardless of origin, and the tradition of considering it an honor to be a famous warrior. King Sejong and Hyang assigned nearly 70% of the natives who entered the army to the navy. -It is more efficient to deal with the European forces at sea from the beginning rather than blocking them after theynd. Here processing means removal. Hyang looked bitter as he inherited Sejongs decision. If someone who knew my identity saw this, they would swear From the perspective of the 21st century values that value life and human rights, this decision was a very cold and inhumane decision. In particr, Hyang was confident that the record that King Sejong, who was famous for his love for his people, made this decision and Hyang inherited it would inevitably cause problems for future generations. But if we allow Europe to advance without proper preparation, we will have to fight a fierce, long-term war. I have no choice but to be harsh until preparations arepleted. Hyang, who had been emphasizing her justification, gathered her emotions. If you want to swear, do it! After I die anyway! * * * Following the decisions of King Sejong and Hyang, the imperial navy stationed in Shinji rapidly grew in size. As it gradually grew in size, the Navy began to actively examine its surroundings rather than simply focusing on defense. As the Navys exploration scope expanded, maps recording the east coast of New China began to record increasinglyrger areas with greater and greater precision. Hyang, who was checking the map that gradually expanded north and south, stroked his chin with a serious expression. Even if its okay in the North, is the South the problem? In order to properly map the eastern coastline, a proper survey was essential. And for proper surveying, it was necessary tond. The problem was the civilizations in the southern region. There will definitely be an armed conflict. If you just try peaceful negotiation or annexation, the entire empire will rise up immediately. Hyang, who was aware of the problems faced by the civilizations in the area, had decided that military suppression was the only answer. After making that decision, Hyang let out a small curse. Damn human sacrifice. Unlike the history before Hyang intervened, it was an empire where dogmatic Neo-Confucianism had not established itself. However, even for the empire and its people with much more flexible values, human sacrifice was uneptable. -A tragedymitted by those who are still uncivilized. No matter how Hyang imed this, the imperial people would not ept it. If this was carelessly ignored, there was a significant possibility that the imperial power that was just establishing itself would copse. Therefore, the county was convinced that if the navy came into contact with the natives of Central and South America, a massacre under the guise of war would follow. * * * While people living in Central and South America were worried about the scent, our paper sent us information about Shinji. After confirming the intelligence sent from the headquarters, Hyang let out a long sigh. Its definitely a butterfly effect. ording to intelligence, talk about a western route was beginning to surface in Europe. Theres nothing we can do about it. After confirming the intelligence, Hyang began to write an order to send to the navy. After finishing reviewing the written order, Hyang sighed softly. Why is it Order 65? Im anxious Chapter 760 Chapter 760 Encounter (5) Hyangs order was immediately delivered to the Imperial Navy headquarters stationed in Shinji. Themander, Admiral Shin In-son, read Hyangs orders and then handed them to the captains. Make sure you memorize it and act ordingly. Are there no copies? When one of the captains asked a question, Admiral Shin In-son gave a short answer. This is a confidential order from His Majesty the Situation. There are no copies. Following Admiral Shin In-sons words, the captains took turns reading the orders. When Hyangs order came back, Admiral Shin In-son asked again. Do you have any questions? In response to Admiral Shins question, one of the captains stood up. I have spent the past five years in the East Sea. What I knew for sure during this time was that the sea of the East Sea, especially the winter sea, was as rough as the North Ind Sea (now the Bering Strait). No, its not just winter. Even in the summer sea, if you are a little negligent in caution, life-threatening events frequently ur. To cross these seas, not only must you be well prepared, but your crew must also be experienced. Is it really possible? * * * As Shinji was discovered and geographical information symbolized by maps was gradually umted, imperial names were decided, not the names known to the local people. First, the West Sea was renamed the West Ind Sea, and the East Sea was renamed the Ind Sea. The only sea that was not renamed was the South Sea, but the scope has changed. The South Sea was a wide sea extending all the way to the southwestern provinces and became the South Sea. Of course, because there was a relic in the middle, the cbash character Pyo (ư) was used, giving it the nickname Pyohae. And the strait between Tsushima and Japan became the Korean Strait, named after the Federal Empire of Korea. And in history before the intervention of the Xiang Dynasty, the sea called the Pacific Ocean was named the Middle Sea. Of course, because of its enormous size, there was a suggestion to give it the word rge, but it was immediately rejected. It was because of the people who called themselves Junghwa (A). You never know what nonsense they might say in the future. For this reason, it became Junghae without the word dae, but the name was changed again soon after. If thats the reason, the middle character is also a problem! Lets use the character between instead! Its the sea between our hometown and Shinji! Eventually, after a heated debate, the Pacific Ocean was given the name Daegan Sea. Finally, the Antic Ocean became the East Sea. This was because it was the eastern sea of the empire. When all the naming was finished, Hyang looked at the map with aplicated expression. The great Pacific and Antic Oceans have be mere seas of empire. * * * Fellow captains also nodded to that question. The North Ind Sea, the closest sea route from the home base to Shinji, was notorious for its rough winter seas. Everything on the ship and even the sea was frozen. In addition, as the waves became rougher, captains who frequently traveled the North Ind Sea route were given higher ratings than captains who had experience in other seas. The ce where even such captains were very nervous was the winter Northeast Sea. Admiral Shin In-son immediately responded to the sight of the captains. Of course, there is little chance of sess from the beginning. However, if 10 ships participate and only 1 seeds and returns, from then on, the impossible bes possible. If the sailors who gained experience on that one ship spread to other ships, one ship will be two, and soon dozens and hundreds of ships will cross the Outer East Sea. Didnt we do that too? The captains fell silent at Admiral Shin In-sons words. Admiral Shin In-son continued speaking while looking at the captains. It would be best to prevent the Europeans from advancing until we are fully prepared, but that is probably impossible. But you have to do your best to buy time. From now on, treat ships approaching from the east as if they are pirates or pirates. While Joseon was turning into an empire, Japanese pirates and pirates almost disappeared. However, it did not go extinct because of the circumstances of the countries along the route to Suez. Due to internal instability, armed conflicts between tribes, and the hardships of life, pirates constantly emerged and became targets of subjugation. Thanks to this, it became a routine practice for imperial ships traveling on the Suez route to first open the gunboat shutters whenever an unidentified ship was seen, and to raise a white g first for unidentified ships. Treat it the same way you deal with Japanese pirates and pirates. One of the captains again questioned Admiral Shin In-sons order. What if they find out we are an imperial ship and raise a white g? First, capture them and if they resist, sink them. With that question, the meeting ended and the captains left the conference room. After the delivery of Order No. 65 to European shipsing from the east, only Admiral Shin In-son and his subordinate admirals remained in the empty conference room. The admirals who came to Shinji with Shin In-son were busy moving about. I boarded a ship and observed the coastline, or rode a horse and traveled along the coastline to look for military strategic points. When we found a good area to secure a bridgehead, we recorded each point on the map and analyzed its military value with Admiral Shin In-son. After such analysis, defense facilities and military ports were built and fleets were stationed in ces with the highest military value. The admirals who were appointed as topmanders in charge of the respective military ports and defense facilities operated the ships under theirmand and explored the surrounding area. Admiral Shin In-son talked with the admirals while sharing ck bean tea and refreshments prepared by the administrative soldiers. His Majesty left a request to be especially careful when exploring the southern region. Is this a request? Please. The admirals expressions turned strange at Admiral Shin In-sons answer. * * * Strange rumors have been circting among the soldiers and officials of the empire for a long time. -Never ignore the emperors instructions! Im a little nervous. Please be careful. If a person says something like this about a certain issue, problems will most likely arise soon after. As this happened repeatedly, an unwritten rule arose among the imperial officials and soldiers. -Hyangs request = Stay alert, look closely, and prepare for the worst. -Hyangsmand = You didnt forget what I asked you, right? Move now! Thanks to these events, this rumor circted among soldiers and officials. Did you at least receive a divine gift? When Hyang heard these rumors through various channels, he smiled bitterly. How can I exin this when all I know is, This is going to happen? I just have to make a request * * * While pondering the request of the scent, the admirals in charge of the southern coast nodded. Im definitely a little concerned that the further south you go, the more dense the forest bes. Thats right. Its not a good ce. I agree. Its definitely not a good ce when you think about exploring the inds near Luzon or Temasek. The admirals had experience of the tropical jungle since the empire was still Joseon. In order to ensure the safety of the route to Suez, a port of call was needed where one could rest or avoid the route. The Suez route wasnt everything. In order to obtain things that were essential for Joseon but were not avable in Joseon, it was necessary to contact tribes near Luzon and Temasek and secure geographical information. What I learned during this process was the fear of the jungle. Although there were trees everywhere, the jungle was far from safe. The jungle was a ce teeming with all kinds of poisonous insects, poisonous animals, and wild beasts. But the most important problem was that of drinking water. Because there were trees everywhere, it seemed like drinking water would be found quickly, but it was difficult to find a proper source of drinking water unless you were the natives living there. That wasnt all. In the dense jungle, it was easy to get lost even with apass. If you lost your way without ess to drinking water, you would be in a life-threatening danger. Nature wasnt the only enemy. The natives who survived in this harsh environment were not at all friendly. -Everyone who is not their own tribe is an enemy. Since most of the natives had this way of thinking, a peaceful approach was unreasonable. Thanks to this, the faces of the admirals who recalled their experiences at Hyangs request became serious. * * * The admirals in charge of the southern region had newly updated geographical information and topographic maps spread out in front of them and talked with Admiral Shin In-son. So far, we have advanced all the way to this unnamed penins. The location that the admiral in charge of the report pointed to was the Florida Penins. Admiral Shin In-sons eyes sparkled at the admirals report. Was it a penins? yes. I thought it was a protruding coastline, but it turned out to be a penins. And the inds continue to the southeast. Hearing the admirals exnation, Shin In-son and the other admirals sighed involuntarily. Its too wide. Its okay to call it New World, not Shinji. As the exploration continued, Shin In-son and the admirals expressions became distant as the size of Shinji became increasingly wider. Can our empire properly digest thisnd? If you try to force it, wont your stomach burst and you die? Shin Shin-son and the admirals felt anxiety creeping up from deep within their hearts. Although they were soldiers, they were not ignorant of economics. They were the ones who felt the importance of money more keenly than anyone else as they battled with the Ministry of Finance and Economy every year over budget issues and secured war funds in the war against the Ming Dynasty. C In order to develop an enormous territory that far exceeds expectations, an equally enormous budget is required. C If you look at the development of newnd through the prenatal situation and situation up to the Tang Jin emperor, it is a method of actively inducing the migration of native people and the return of indigenous people. C However, if you look at the current situation of the indigenous people in Shinji, their numbers are too small and they are spread out too widely. Therefore, it costs more than expected and is less efficient. All of the admirals who had been thinking up to this point had simr thoughts. Is very the best answer? To the admirals, ves were not strangers. Through the Gyeongjang system started by King Sejong, there were almost no ves in the empire except for government ves. However, when the admirals were young, Sanobi weremon in every family. Additionally, ves were still abundant in countries along the trade route to Suez and in European countries beyond Suez. Shin Shin-son muttered to himself as he analyzed the situation. Steam engines and other objects are very useful, but when you think about cost and efficiency, ves may be more beneficial. But Shin In-son stopped thinking there. If I advocate very here, my head will be cut off. Because it goes against the policy that has been in ce since the time of Tae-sang. As Shin In-son said, introducing very was a reversal of the policy of reducing ves that had been in ce since the reign of King Sejong. This was something that undermined the authority of past emperors, and there was no way King Sejong would tolerate this right away. No matter what justification you give. Chapter 761 Episode 761: Encounter (6) Nameless Bay, east of the Nameless Penins. Because a proper survey had not been made, a name had not yet been decided and it was referred to as unknown. However, strong candidates were circting among the captains and admirals in charge of the area. C The shape of the bay resembles a round pottery, and the ind in the center resembles a bar blocking the entrance to the bay. ordingly, using the character jar () for the northern penins (Florida Penins), the northern penins (Florida Penins), the southern penins (for the southern penins C Yucatan Penins), and the ind that acts as a bar (Cuba), the bar bar (P) was used to refer to Daegwando (). The name Pu began to circte. This was unavoidable, and exploration ships needed geographicalndmarks to determine their location. The problem was that it was inefficient to unconditionallybel A as bottle just because the names of these milestones had not yet been decided. So, even though it had its own name, there was a scent in the background that could not be used immediately. * * * As Shinjis names increased one by one, Hyang gave the followingmand. C In the future, newly discovered new ce names will be named using the names used by the indigenous people or the imperial words and sounds. I dont understand because the beliefs are insensitive. The fragrance immediately responded to the officials requests. So, until now, we have been naming them in Chinese characters, such as Daeseoldo and Jongjangbando, but from now on, we are asking them to name us in the imperialnguage. Hmm lets take an example. Imagine that there is a ce name called Cape Dalmaji. This Chinese character for Got () has been used for a long time, so it doesnt really matter, but Im telling you not to change the name Dalmaji to the Chinese character Yeongwol (ӭ). But then it takes a lot of time to record. Even when making maps, there may be insufficient space to write down ce names. I guess Ill have to ept that part. Yes Stop, this is an order. Hyang raised his hand to stop the officials fromining and added. This is inevitable because the world is changing. Even if you put a lot of effort into choosing a name, there will be very few people who will know the meaning of that name. At Hyangs words, Shin Sook-ju, who was in charge of public affairs for the indigenous people in Shinji, brightened her eyes. Shin Sook-ju, who is considered a genius ofnguage, understood the meaning of Hyangs words. I heard from this paper that a lot of Jeong Han literary records have disappeared. Is that the same reason? Thats right. Nodding her head at Shin Sook-jus words, Hyang muttered to herself. Its something that cant be helped since Hangul came out. Even in the 21st century, you would have to search to find out what Apgujeong (tͤ) means. * * * As Hyang said, as the abbreviated form of Hunminjeongeum, Jeongeum, was promulgated and widely used, traces of Chinese characters quickly disappeared. In order to solve the problem of homonyms, official documents and official gazettes were required to have regr documents. However, in the private sector, it wasmon to send documents using only static sounds. In the private sector, most areas where designated weapons were properly used were documents with legal effect, such as contracts for exchanging money. Of course, there were problems with homonyms in the private sector as well. However, it was not a big problem because I could immediately understand the meaning by looking at the before and after of the sentence. If there were people who did not understand this properly, they would be theughing stock of those around them. Hey, thats not what you mean, is it? Dont you understand that? Where did youe from the Social Democratic Institute? There were also opposite cases. If I stubbornly wrote down or recited Chinese characters, I would hear gossip behind my back. Yeah, youre great! * * * Because of this situation, after about ten years, there will be very few people who will know what you meant by that name. Therefore, avoid naming in Chinese characters as much as possible. I follow your orders. Because of this order, even though a name was chosen, it was not made official right away. Of course, you could call it like Jar Jar Bay, North Jar Penins, South Jar Penins, Big Ind, but for some reason it doesnt fit your tastes The admirals and captains of the area expressed their disappointment as they licked their lips. Several decades had passed since Jeongeum was promulgated, and it was a time when it became routine to write official documents in Jeongeum. However, when it came to naming or writing elegant sentences, I felt that it was proper to use Chinese characters. But these days, young people dont even use official documents, right? Phew~. The admirals and captains let out a long sigh and muttered while looking at the sunset. Is this what it means to grow old * * * Due to these circumstances, a Challenger-ss battleship was passing through the western region of the unofficially named Namhang Penins. Captain Kim Taek-gil, who was looking at the navigation log and work log, looked at the nearby terrain and gave orders to the crew. Drop anchor and prepare fornding! The surveying work begins! yes! Captain Sir! Drop anchor! Drop anchor! Fold up the sails! Thanks to the crews busy work, preparations werepleted quickly. The manager who oversaw the preparation process approached and reported to Kim Taek-gil. Ready. Then, good luck. yes. Get the line down! yes! ording to the order of themander, an after-ship ship loaded with surveying tools and weapons was lowered with the crew on board. While the safety line, which released the rope connected to the crane, headed toward the beach, the fire trucks mounted on the front line entered the perimeter with their guns turned towards the beach area. If something unexpected happened on the beach, the fire wagon would be the first to burst into mes, followed by the artillery pieces that would hit the beach. And the sailors were supposed to use that time to retreat or for reinforcements to head to the beach. Kim Taek-gils face was filled with tension as he watched the Sahu ship carrying the manager, surveyors, and guards heading towards the beach. I hope nothing happens this time too This was because I heard that traces of people had been discovered on Daegwando Ind and the Namhang Penins. The fact that only traces were found meant that the natives were very cautious. If you were just too scared and cautious, you would be lucky, but if you were hiding for a surprise attack, there was a high possibility that you would encounter something troublesome. * * * The manager and his party, who had parked their boat on the beach, looked around to find a suitable ce. That would be nice. Under the direction of the manager who found a solid t area, the surveying team members installed surveying tools and began surveying. While the chief and the surveying team members carried out the survey work, the apanying soldiers held rifles and stood guard in all directions. As time passed, the atmosphere of the soldiers guarding their surroundings began to rx little by little. So far, there have been very few idents involving indigenous people, and this was due to the weather. Whoa~. The weather is so annoying. Among the soldiers in charge of security, an indigenous soldier was wiping sweat from his forehead and grumbling, and a colleague next to him secretly made fun of him. Isnt this weather familiar in your hometown? My hometown is Daeho County in the north. Its not this hot. Of course, its so cold in the winter that you could freeze to death, but Oh, I admit that. It was colder than my hometown. Where is your hometown? Uiju. These were soldiers who were looking in all directions with their eyes, but joking with their mouths. Right then. Rustle! A rustling sound was heard from the jungle bordering the coast, and a group of natives appeared. stop! m! m! The soldiers who saw the natives were very nervous and shouted Stop and immediately loaded their guns and aimed. At the shouts of the soldiers, the director took out a rifle from his belt and looked at the natives. The nervous soldiers and themander swallowed dry saliva and looked at the approaching natives. The natives who slowly approached them were equally nervous. * * * The Aztec warriors who encountered the imperial navy were equally nervous. While moving to catch things C animals or people C to be used as sacrifices, they came to the beach and encountered the imperial navy. There were only a few strangers on the beach, but the problem was the boat they appeared to be on. The ship floating near the beach was so huge that it was iparable to the ship they were riding on. If it werent for that boat If it werent for that boat, the strangers on the beach were the best for sacrifice. It was certain that he would receive great praise from the king and priests if he could capture strangers who had never been seen in the vicinity and offer a sacrifice. But that boat was the problem. If it was a ship that big, it was certain that there would be many more strangers on it. Therefore, the Aztec warriors looked at the jaguar warrior who had led them. Whether he knew what his subordinates were thinking or not, the Jaguar warrior Chupiputan Pjaekuriputan bit his lip and thought about it over and over again. What should I do If I could catch the strangers I see right now, I would have done a great job. But the problem was arge ship floating in the sea. If it was that size, I couldnt guess how many strangers would be riding it. No, there will be at least 100 people. If they tried to catch them in that situation, there was a higher chance that they would get hit. However, leaving like this was also problematic. It was shameful for a warrior to retreat after seeing the enemy. It was certain that even if he decided to step down and report to his superiors, he would be criticized. Im already receiving criticism because of my name If I were to interpret his name, it would be the disaster of a brown jaguar that brings disaster. There were quite a few people who stayed away from him because it contained the word disaster twice. Depending on what kind of strangers they were, it was certain that he would be branded as someone who would bring disaster. And in the worst case, the heart could be taken out as a sacrifice. Can not help it! Finally, after much deliberation, Futan looked back at his subordinates. I meet those strangers. Move as slowly as possible and do not attack unless I give you orders. After giving orders to his soldiers, Putan rose from the shadow of the jungle and began moving toward the beach. As soon as they saw Putan and his men, the strangers screamed inexplicably and aimed long wooden sticks at them. In response to the strangers reactions, Putan slowly approached, holding Macuahuitl with both hands and holding it above his head. The subordinates also followed Putan and slowly approached the strangers. The difference was that the subordinates were holding their spears, ready to stab at any time. After some time, the two sides faced each other with a distance of about 1 inch (about 3 meters). While the soldiers on both sides watched each other with great suspense, Futan and themander came up with the same thought at the same time. But will it make sense? They were both seeing each other for the first time, and everything about them, including their attire, was different. Of course, it was clear that words would not make sense. Chapter 762 Episode 762: Encounter (7) As the standoff continued, with everyone ring at each other, the manager made a decision. The surveying team, pack your bags. yes. The adjutant general, who gave orders to the surveying party, gave orders to soldiers holding rifles. If those natives try to do something stupid, punch a hole in their head. yes! After listening to the riflemens determined answers, themander stepped forward. The deputy director stepped forward and closely observed the native warriors facing him. Hmm While the manager was examining the armed status of the native warriors, Putan across from him was also examining the clothing and weapons of his opponent. The two, who were exploring each other like that, fell into simr troubles. Even if something happens, I think it would be possible to deal with just the people in front of me The problem is that they are not the only ones. The manager was confident that other natives were lying in ambush in the jungle, and Putan was conscious of a challenger-level front line. In the end, both people came to the same conclusion at the same time. Im backing off now! The decision they both made was the right one. Captain Kim Taek-gil, who saw the appearance of indigenous warriors, immediately began disembarking reinforcements, and new warriors gathered even in the jungle. If I just leave, Ill be sorry in many ways The manager slowly took out the dagger he was wearing at his waist. The manager, holding the dagger up to his chest, twirled the dagger once with great dexterity. Holding the handle with the handle facing towards Putan, the manager held the dagger out to Putan and smiled slightly. Futan, seeing the managers smile, carefully epted the dagger held out and ordered his subordinates. Im stepping down. So both sides began to withdraw at the same time. Both sides stepped back to avoid showing their backs to the other, and on the other hand, to prevent the other from misjudging. * * * Returning to the border of the jungle where he had first started, Putan watched the small boat carrying the strangers in question return to therger boat. The small boat the strangers were on looked exactly like the boat they came on, and it seemed much more useful than the boats they used. Whoa~. Only then did Futan sigh in relief when he saw that the strangers hadpletely retreated from the beach. Putan, who found peace of mind, was only then able to check the dagger in his hand. Huh Putan eximed as he examined the dagger handed to him by the stranger. The dagger, which was about the length of the de from wrist to elbow, boasted a beautiful wave pattern, and the de sparkled in the light. What the Futan couldnt close his mouth after seeing the beautiful wave-patterned sword. The dagger that the manager gave to Putan was an imperial dagger made to imitate the Damascus steel. * * * As European trade with the Middle East expanded, various European cultures entered the empire C Joseon at the time. Among them, the most popr were swords made of Damascus steel. When swords made of Damascus steel were first introduced, the leading military families rushed to purchase them. This is because it has the contradictory characteristics of being both hard and flexible, while maintaining the sharpness of the de for a long time. Of course, there was the problem that the shape of the sword did not suit traditional sword techniques, but in many martial arts, this was not a big problem. After all, the sword is decoration and the bow is everything! Afterwards, as high-quality steel was produced inrge quantities through the efforts of craftsmen in Sejong and Hyang Area 51, sales of swords made of Damascus steel began to falter. And at some point, swords made of Damascus steel changed their status as expensive luxury items. In terms of quality alone, high-carbon steel that was the same or better than Damascus steel began to be produced inrge quantities, and swords made from this material began to be released on the market at a much cheaper price. However, families that were worthy of their name consistently purchased swords made of Damascus steel. No matter how good the swords randomly produced in the factory are, can they match the beauty and strength of this rippled sword (so named because of its unique wave pattern)? It was natural that famous swordsmiths were upset by the rumor that the upper ss insisted on Damascus steel. Yeah~? In that case, I will make a ripple sword even more beautiful than the famous ripple sword of the West Region and show it to you! Although I decided to do so, the method of making Damascus steel is a secret among secret arts. Of course, figuring out the recipe wasnt easy. And herees the scent. The scent was moved by the rumor that even artisans from Area 51 were taking on the challenge of making the Ripple Sword. It wouldnt be me if I got caught up in something like this! Hyang approached the craftsmen at the same time as he spoke and spoke quietly. After hearing the rumor, I thought of something At Hyangs words, the artisans in Area 51 stood up with joy. I will listen carefully! Hyang continued speaking as he looked at the craftsmen looking at him with bright eyes. I thought that making Damascus iron was not only about secret techniques, but also about materials. But in order to make Damascus iron, you need iron from somewhere in the sky, but dont we have it? Thats right! Then I think we need our own secret techniques using the iron we have. So, this is what I came up with: stack various types of steel pieces like a pile of rice cakes, weld them, and then forge them, or put iron beads and iron powder in a crucible and heat them This method was spread through the Inte in the 21st century and was actually made by Hyang himself. As I exined, the craftsmen hit their knees. ah! That way! In this way, the imperial style emunication sword was born into the world. Thanks to the excellent quality of imperial steel, which was the raw material, the imperial ripple sword boasted a quality that wasparable to that of swords made of Damascus steel. In addition, the price was cheaper than Damascus products, so at some point, the empire took over the sword market in Europe and the Middle East. It wasnt just because of the Emunication Sword. This was possible because the swords that used just one type of high carbon steel also boasted better performance than most European or Middle Eastern swords. Thanks to this, at some point, such rumors began to circte in cities along the way, including Alexandria. -Even a simple iron sword made by the Empire with a flower pattern on it is superior to a poorly made Damascus sword! -They say the imperial iron sword cut the Damascus sword in two! As the situation progressed, products made from Damascus steel began to quickly be pushed out of the market. And taking advantage of this moment, the people sent by the city approached the craftsmen who made the Damascus steel. I admit that the swords you make are amazing. But in order to make that iron, doesnt it require iron from a specific ce? What will you do if the iron doesnte out? Wont that vein dry up someday? So why not try applying the secret to other steel materials? Would you like to go to thend of flowers with me? Several craftsmen headed to the Land of Flowers to appease the people sent by the scent. The craftsmen who arrived in Hanseong immediately became members of Area 51 and began to y a part in the development of steel smelting methods. Arent you treating them too much? The vige responded immediately to thements made by the ministers at the time. In the future, iron will be used in more and more ces. The fact that it has many uses means that various types of iron with various properties are needed. Thats why we need them. Wouldnt it be possible if our Joseon craftsmen were given more time? There is something I can use right now. This is where long guns and artillery are made. yes? Sejong hit his knee while the ministers, who did not immediately understand, just blinked. Is that right? The barrels of artillery pieces and rifles must withstand the force of exploding gunpowder. However, you cant just make it thick! Of course, we need iron that is both hard and tough, and with their secret technique, that will be possible! Hyang bowed her head and responded to Sejongs words. Thats right. In this way, the empires smelting technology advanced to the next level, and artillery and guns became more powerful. * * * Putan reported the situation to the Eagle Warrior who followed him. They are Gentiles. Arent they strangers from the north? At this time, knowingly or unknowingly, the Aztec Empire was interacting with the indigenous people of the north (presumed to be the Florida Penins). In response to the Eagle Warriors question, Putan immediately shook his head. no. In response to Futans answer, the eagle warrior, who was looking at the challenger-level battle line, looked at the dagger in Futans hand. Whats that? It was given to me by a stranger. I intend to present the truth to toani. When Putan said that he would present a treat to toani, the emperor of the Aztec Empire, the eagle warrior lightly took a bite and retreated. That would be better. Then lets go back. * * * After passing through the jungle for several days, Putan and his party arrived in the capital, Tenochtin, and were immediately able to have an audience with toani. In ordance with thew, Putan and his party took off their sandals at the entrance to the city and entered the pce barefoot. When they saw toani, they immediately bowed. Montezuma I, the contemporary toani, responded with an arrogant gesture and opened his mouth. So you met strangers? Thats right. This is what they passed over, and I would like to report it to toani. Bring it with you. At the order of Montezuma I, the attendant next to him took the sword from Putan and delivered it to Montezuma I. Hoo~. Huh! Montezuma I, who was examining the dagger with its brilliant wave patterns, let out a series of exmations. Montezuma I, seeing the sharp, shining de, swung the sword at the jaguar skin hanging on one side. Boom! Montezuma I was surprised when he saw the dagger cut a length of leather in one go and looked at the dagger again. Montezuma I, who saw the dagger still intact without a tooth, muttered in a trembling voice. This is amazing If you look at the sparkle and the color, it looks simr to silver, but it is not silver Metal smelting technology was introduced to the Aztecs as they interacted with the indigenous people of the north. Thanks to this, we were able to make various things by processing bronze, gold, and silver. However, with their current level of technology, the only thing they could do was make ceremonial objects and essories. However, what Montezuma I now had in his hands was not gold or silver, but apletely new metal. Yep! Montezuma I, who mmed his sword down on the stone throne next to him, turned pale. Theyre fine what kind of people are they? Montezuma Is face became filled with deep sorrow. Why, at a time like this! Why! This was because the current Aztec situation was not very good. Chapter 763 Episode 763: Encounter (8) The challenger-ss front led by Taek-gil returned to port at full speed. On the way back to port, a long report was written on the ship about the Aztec warriors themander had seen. Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who confirmed the report jointly submitted by Taek-gil and the director, immediately called his subordinate. Is there a sea emergency line in the port that can depart immediately? yes. There are emergency numbers 45 and 65. Put this report on No. 45 and send it north immediately. Its urgent. ancient! Sea Emergency Front No. 45, carrying the report, headed north at full speed. After confirming the report that arrived from the Imperial Navys headquarters stationed in Shinji, Admiral Shin In-son immediately issued an order. Submit this report to His Majesty the Emperor on the fastest departing iron horse! One oclock is urgent! yes! The Imperial Navy stationed in Shinji used all avable means to deliver the report in question to the vige as quickly as possible. Admiral Shin Shin-son, who sent the report, wrote a new report. The contents of the report prepared separately by Admiral Shin In-son were summarized as follows. -A railwaywork connecting military ports is needed. -A new means of transportation faster than an iron horse is needed. * * * Meanwhile, Hyang ced his hand on his forehead after receiving the report urgently received from the Navy. Ha~. Why, at a time like this The navy was expanding at a breakneck pace, but everything wascking. The number of fronts was still insufficient to build a sea wall in the Antic Ocean. In addition, there was ack of information infrastructure symbolized by charts and maps. The newlymissioned Challenger-ss fronts and maritime emergency fronts were exploring the east coast of North and Central America under the pretense of training and making maps and charts, but there were still many gaps. But its something you cant just let go of. If we do something wrong, we will leave a gap to Europe. Is this really an outsider Sigh~. I can only sigh. Sighing repeatedly, Hyang checked the contents of the report. Hyang, who had been reading the contents carefully, sighed and burst intoughter. Heh! I wonder if someone is not a soldier The report written by the manager was a detailed ount of the clothing and armament of Aztec warriors. C The natives contacted this time are believed to be properly trained warriors. C It is believed that there are differences in clothing and wearing protective gear depending on rank. C Those who appear to be ordinary soldiers wear sleeveless vests made of thick fabric, but walk around bare-skinned with nothing on except their undergarments. C The soldiers carry round shields and spears fitted with well-ground and sharpened stones. The stone used as a de appears to be obsidian. The shield appears to be made of wood and leather. C The person presumed to be themander covered his entire body with clothes made of quilted cloth. On his head, he wore a leopard-shaped helmet made of wood. -The weapon of the person presumed to be themander appears to have been carved into a wide cone shape with stone des embedded on both sides of the tree. Has a cutting function, but no stabbing function. C conclusion. The natives weapons appear to be very primitive. However, it must be seen that the ranks are divided and amand system exists. It can be assumed that the natives were capable of mobilizingrge-scale troops. Therefore, considering the possibility of armed conflict, it is expected that the friendly forces will have to mobilize arge number of troops at the same time as actively using fire trucks and bigyeokjincheonroe. Also, I think it is necessary to adopt full-body te armor, which was used by longsword soldiers in the past, instead of the heavy armor type armor like now. Of course, considering the performance of the military-style fire wagons and Bigyeokjincheonroe military-style long guns that our troops are currently using, te armor may be considered excessive. However, as mentioned above, if the natives are able to mobilize arge force of tens of thousands of units or more, we must keep in mind the possibility that closebat may ur due to numerical inferiority. * * * Hmm After reading the report, Hyang muttered, tapping his fingers on the desk. te armor for cutting or swinging striking weapons From what I could tell, the best weapon against te armor was a blunt weapon like an ax or warhammer. After thinking for a moment, Hyang realized his mistake. Ah the weapons of the Aztec warriors were des, not blunt weapons Hyang, who had realized his mistake and was thinking of a way to deal with it, ate up his appetite. Is this a revival of the longsword soldiers As time went by, all the longsword soldiers that existed until the early days of Gyeongjang and the Montemu Rebellion and Giyu Rebellion retired or moved to other sses, except for a few symbolic figures who protected Gyeongbokgung Pce. went. This was because the main weapons not only in Joseon but also in neighboring countries changed from swords and arrows to gunpowder weapons. But moving around in that hot jungle wearing full-body te armor is crazy but its also okay to just ignore it. Hyangs worries deepened. And the managers guess wasnt just unfounded. In history before the intervention of China, the Spanish who invaded the Aztecs were in danger due to being outnumbered. What saved the Spanish from crisis was the cooperation of local tribes who were resisting the Aztecs. After thinking for a moment, Hyang came to a different conclusion. There are differences between the empire and Spain. While the Spaniards used full-length aquibuses and monolithic shells, the Empire has machine guns, or tank wagons, rifles, and lightning bolts. It would be much better to carry as much ammunition and lightning bolts as the weight of the te armor. Applying Van Fleet day of fire to the Aztecs. In the process of preventing the Chinese offensive at the time of June 25, Van Fleet permitted up to five times the daily amount of ammunition that had been applied up to then. This permitted almost unlimited use of ammunition. And this response was useful in preventing the Chinese armys offensive. * * * Hyang, who had been thinking about various issues regarding the Aztecs, made up his mind, took out a nk piece of paper, and began to write down an order. It is possible to roughly predict what will happen in the future, but that is why we need a justification. A clear cause. To summarize the order written by the person who made that decision, it was as follows. C Mobilize at least three ships and as many soldiers as possible to contact the natives of the area. -When entering an indigenous tribes residence or the capital of an indigenous nation, never send only a small number of people. Respond to the natives requests with maximum power and firepower. C Deal with them as friendly as possible and check their situation carefully. -If an armed conflict urs with indigenous forces, use all avable ammunition, leaving only the minimum ammunition and materials necessary for withdrawal. After finishing writing the order, Hyang reviewed the contents of the order again and made a strange expression. Why, is it Order No. 66 * * * Hyangs order was delivered to Admiral Ahn Sang-soo through another route. After checking the order, Admiral Ahn looked out the window and shook his head. It looks like it wasnt just an order. On the dock visible from the window, arge number of wooden boxcars and bigyeokjincheonroe toys, wooden boxes containing cartridges for use in the boxcars, and wooden boxes containing bigyeokjincheonroe were piled up one after another. On another ship, carts carrying fire trucks, toys, ammunition, and bigyeokjincheonroe, and horses to pull the carts were being unloaded. Lastly, the soldiers who would operate these weapons were disembarking from the ship and receiving a roll call. Admiral Ahn, who saw the scene outside the window, spoke with an expression of bewilderment. Your Majesty, are you asking us to have peaceful contact with the natives, or are you asking us to destroy everything we see? The amount of ammunition and troops seen outside now would have been enough to destroy even the home base of arge pirate group. * * * In any case, an order was an order, so Admiral Ahn mobilized two Challenger-ss ships and three sea emergency ships. Instead of carrying a minimum amount of shells and gunpowder for self-defense, the five ships loaded with troops and weapons sailed south and arrived at the beach in question. Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who personally led the fleet, gave orders to Captain Kim Taek-gil. Beginnding. yes! Director! Raise the signal! yes! As soon as the signal from the gship went up,ndings began on other fronts as well. As thending neared its end, Admiral Ahn Sang-soo stood up and prepared for thending. Are you going to go in person? Admiral Ahn Sang-soo nodded in response to Kim Taek-gils question, full of worry. I have to go. If something happens that His Majesty is worried about, I have to give the order myself so there wont be any problemster. Please be considerate. At Taek-gils request, Ahn Sang-soo smiled slightly and patted Taek-gil on the shoulder. Thank you. * * * While the imperial soldiers were in the midst ofnding, there was a small movement in the jungle facing the beach. Sincest contact, Montezuma I had stationed warriors on the beach in question. The orders the warriors received were simple. -If the strangers in questione back, report it immediately! I really came Putan, who had been assigned the coastal surveince mission due to the previous incident, turned pale. The strangers in question came in many times more thanst time. Strangers who got off from five shipsrge and small were piling their luggage like a mountain on the beach. The question is whats in there Futan muttered, sweating. * * * The dagger presented to Montezuma Ist time was a weapon beyond imagination. It was clear that they would be no match for their own weapons made of obsidian. The conclusions of the nobles and the eagle warriors and jaguar warriors who checked the strangers weapons were very simr. -Closebat with those with these weapons is at a disadvantage. You have to use arrows to deal with them from a distance. However, Futan and some warriors thought quite negatively. -If they were going to make a weapon like that, wouldnt they have made something that could block that weapon? Those who could not solve such questions came to different conclusions. -You must not attack like you did to the surrounding tribes and cities! You must refrain from fighting as much as possible! And Montezuma I, the most important decision-maker, was reaching a simr conclusion. -Those who can make such weapons should avoid starting a fight. We must find out their true intentions as much as possible! Based on this conclusion, a small group of warriors was deployed to the coast. The mission of these warriors was not to fight, but to ensure that the strangers returned. * * * -The strangers are back! C Several times more than before! After receiving the report, Montezuma I rose from his throne. I will go and see for myself. toani is dangerous! The nobles and priests around him tried to stop him, but Montezuma I shook his head. I must go. There was a reason for Montezuma Is decision. As Montezuma I ascended to power following Itzcoatl, the previous toani, his rtionship with those around him worsened. The reason for this was the expansion policy andrge-scale human sacrifice that had been in progress since the previous era. In the process of securing the sacrifices needed for human sacrifice, the surrounding tribes and city-states suffered great damage, so rtions with neighboring countries were not good. In this situation, if nobles who were eager to secure sacrifices and expand their territory were sent out, there was a high possibility that conflict would immediately break out. Chapter 764 Episode 764: Encounter (9) Funny enough, it was his father Itzcoatl and Montezuma I himself who made the Aztec authorities enthusiastic about human sacrifice. It is not that human sacrifice had never urred before then. Only the royal family or warriors of the losing side in the war were sacrificed, or the royal family harmed themselves and became sacrifices. However, during the reign of Itzcoatl and Montezuma I, the scale of human sacrifices increased. In order to justifyrge-scale human sacrifice, they even condemned the previously believed doctrines as heretics and established new doctrines. And in order to obtain this sacrifice, they attacked the colonial tribes and pressured the vassal states. Through this process, it was intended to weaken the forces that could rebel against Aztec rule. It was because of the sword of the stranger that Montezuma I set out to meet the stranger in person. -They are armed with much more powerful weapons than our warriors. It would be dangerous if you rashly touch them and a war breaks out! The danger that Montezuma I thought was not defeat or the destruction of the country. -This is the area we govern. There can be no defeat. -But you can incur big losses. -If the empire loses a lot of its warriors, surrounding vassal states, colonial tribes, ormoners may take action. What Montezuma I was worried about was that he would be overthrown by an internal enemy while he had exhausted his strength in dealing with external enemies. -If the toani themselves take the initiative and create a conciliatory atmosphere, the nobles will have no choice. Then you can avoid unnecessary power consumption. This was the reason why Montezuma I decided to meet the stranger in person. * * * Imperial armynding site. Im tired of waiting aimlessly. Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who was observing the situation while sitting in themanders tent, muttered with a face full of embarrassment. Almost fifteen days had passed since the beachhead was established on the coast in question. There was no contact during that time, and the soldiers grew tired of boredom. For the first few days afternding, the soldiers were on high alert and looking around in all directions, but as each day passed without anything happening, the tension became dull. Therefore, Admiral Ahn Sang-soo reced the sailors who had been selected as riflemen with the sailors who remained on the ship. The idea was to maintain morale and maintain a certain level of tension by alternating between those who had to live on a stuffy ship with all sides tightly packed and those who spent time onnd on a vacation rather than a vacation. To prevent the soldiers from rxing, Admiral Ahn Sang-soo used another method. As it is, there is a shortage of drinking water. Find a source of drinking water nearby. However, it is limited to a half-day distance from the beachhead. How many people would you like to allocate? The minimum unit is a group (25 people). Dividing it below that is strictly prohibited. yes! ording to Admiral Ahn Sang-soos orders, a group of 125 people left the beachhead every day and searched the surrounding area. As they searched the surrounding area every day, the detection range of the imperial army increased from half a days distance to half a days distance. In the meantime, solving the drinking water problem by finding good spring water was a bonus. In addition, we were able to carry out the surveying work in detail, which we had not been able to do properlyst time. The imperial officers, who had gained some confidence as they searched around the beachhead, reported to Admiral Ahn Sang-soo. Wouldnt it be better if we went inside first? Admiral Ahn Sang-soo shook his head at the officers suggestion. Not possible. We currently have no information about this area. It would be self-destructive to move in such a situation. I think it is possible because we have enough equipment. Enough equipment? The weapons out there are for war, not exploration. The logging ind is the only one equipped for exploration. Dont you have apass? If you have apass, you wont have to worry about losing your direction, so wouldnt it be okay? When the young officer mentioned thepass, Admiral Ahn Sang-soo red at the officer in question. Have you ever been in the jungle? doesnt exist. If you get lost in the jungle, apass is no use. Its my experience. * * * When he was young, the admiral had joined an expedition party that explored the inds near Luzon. What Admiral Ahn Sang-soo learned during the expedition at the time was that the jungle is a living hell. If there was a rock mixed with iron nearby, thepass immediately became stupid. Measuring the direction by looking at the sun was also impossible due to the dense jungle. The jungle was a ce where, without a trustworthy guide, everyone could end up dead. * * * Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who spoke about his experience, concluded as follows. It is best if you have a trustworthy guide, and you should never enter the jungle unless you have a map at least. All right. Reckless challenges from young officers were prevented, but as time passed, Admiral Ahn Sang-soos worries grew. There are limits to just sitting there like this. Soldiers are a problem, but gunpowder is also a problem. The bullets used in fire wagons and rifles had some degree of resistance to moisture. This was because the shell made of copper contained gunpowder and the entrance was blocked by the bullet. Additionally, the box containing the bullets and cartridges contained charcoal to absorb moisture. The problem was the gunpowder contained in the toys and Bigyeokjincheonroe. Like the ammunition box, charcoal acts as a dehumidifier, but it has limitations in absorbing moisture from the beach. It was a new gunpowder that was more resistant to moisture than ck gunpowder, but it was like ck gunpowder in that it consumed a lot of moisture and was not good for it. There are other problems as well. Words dont make sense. Admiral Ahn Sang-soo was also concerned about this issue. In the past, in the case of the Luzon region, the My Penins, and the Indonesian Inds, there were different answers. They were Chinese and Imic believers who had been in the area since the Song Dynasty. If you put Chinese people and Muslims in the middle, it was possible tomunicate at least through writing. But when I arrived here, there was no information. The existence of an interpreter was unthinkable. Its impossible to bring in Captain Shin Sook-ju Shin Sook-ju was evaluated as a genius ofnguage and an iprehensibility ofnguage. But Admiral Ahn Sang-soo soon shook his head. Didnt the worlds Shin Suk-ju, Dae-gam-do, go through a lot of trouble when he first arrived at Shinji? Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who was contemting an answer to a situation where no matter how much he thought about it, could note up with an answer, made up his mind. Five days! Just wait five more days and if there is no contact, we will withdraw immediately! Admiral Ahn Sang-soos decision was conveyed to officers and soldiers. The officers and soldiers who heard the story looked sad. Should I say it was a wasted effort or should I think I had a good rest? Still, Im d the survey work was done properly. Theres no need to work twice. Still, I wanted to see what kind of people live here. Every day passed like that with all kinds of emotions mixed together. * * * While the imperial army was living like this, the Aztec warriors hiding in the jungle were equally ufortable. Upon receiving intelligence that a significant number of strangers hadnded on the beach, nearby Aztec warriors gathered in the jungle. However, they never appeared before the imperial army. -Never encounter them! Because of the strict orders of Montezuma I, the Aztec warriors had to just watch the imperial army. Even as the imperial army began its exploration activities, the Aztec warriors had to retreat out of the imperial armys exploration range and just watch the imperial army wander through the jungle. As this situation continued, the dissatisfaction of the lower-ranking warriors was considerable. This was because I had to just watch the imperial soldiers moving as a single unit. I think I can just attack them at that level Most of the lower-level warriors were ves ormoners. If you gain expertise or capture prisoners, in return you can escape from the status ofmoner ves and be a jaguar warrior. It was very unbearable for those who were obsessed with such desires to just leave the imperial soldiers standing in front of them without knowing anything. However, it was certain that if they disobeyed Montezuma Is orders, they would immediately be sacrificed, so the lower-ranking warriors gritted their teeth and just watched the imperial soldiers. Its really hard. Should I just hit it? And then you want to be a sacrifice? Cant we just say they attacked first? When impure words began to spread among the low-level warriors who became unbearable, a messenger brought news. -toani himself ising! Upon hearing the news that Montezuma I himself wasing, the eagle warriors and jaguar warriors began to strictly manage the lower-level warriors, and the lower-level warriors had to hide their impure intentions. * * * When there was only one day left until withdrawal. Soldiers who had gone on an expedition into the jungle rushed out of the jungle and rushed to the beachhead. emergency! emergency! The natives areing! Returning to the beachhead, the imperial soldiers shouted at the top of their lungs to announce the approach of the Aztec warriors. Ding ding ding! In response to the soldiers cries, bells signaling an emergency rang here and there on the bridgehead, and the soldiers who were taking a break hurriedly grabbed their weapons and ran to their area of responsibility. Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who was resting in the tent, rushed out to check the situation. Report! Themander of Yeo, who went on an expedition under the admirals orders, reported to the admiral. Arge number of natives are approaching this ce! What is the scale? At least a thousand units! Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who received the report, gave an order to his adjutant. Shoot the new weapon! yes! A momentter, a single Shingijeon rose into the sky and exploded. pop! When the signal signal, which meant enemy approaching, exploded, the signals rose into the sky from ships anchored at sea. This meant that the shooting mechanism at the bridgehead had been confirmed, and busy movements began to be seen even on the anchored ships. * * * Meanwhile, Montezuma I and the Aztec warriors, who had almost arrived at the beach, stopped when they saw the new war. what? How do we do it? The Aztecs, who had no means of producing simr effects, all came up with simr ideas. They have a very good shaman! The Aztecs thought so and took a more cautious approach. It would have been a big deal if an outstanding shaman who could create mes and smoke in the sky like that had ced a curse. The curse itself was a problem, but it was also because they might have to go to war or be sacrifices to get a sacrifice to break the curse. Moving cautiously, the Aztec warriors escaped the jungle and headed toward the beachhead. At the forefront was the pnquin carrying Montezuma I. Montezuma I, sitting in the pnquin, looked at the camp of strangers in front of him. Just as the jaguar warrior who first reported contact said, stranger warriors holding long wooden sticks were ring at them. Who is themander? Is he their king? While Montezuma I was looking for the leader of the foreigners, Ahn Sang-su was also looking for the head of the natives. Ahn Sang-su, who was examining the camp of Aztec warriors through a telescope, soon found Montezuma I riding in a pnquin. Could it be that the king himself came? Chapter 765 Episode 765 Encounter (10) The imperial army and the Aztecs faced off around the imperial armys coastal beachhead. The Aztec warriors surrounded the beachhead in a semicircle. Imperial military officers inspected the formation of the Aztec warriors surrounding the bridgehead and identified loopholes. It looks quite chaotic, doesnt it? It seems like you dont know much about war. The older, more senior military officer shook his head at the words of the junior military officer. no. If you look closely, you can see there are some guys with unique outfits here and there, right? Those guys must bemanding the surrounding soldiers. There is a chain ofmand. Oh, I see. The senior military officer, who pointed out the intermediate warriors, the Eagle Warriors and Jaguar Warriors, who were positioned in the middle of the camp, lightly licked his lips and continued speaking. Sweet. Anyway, its a perfect target. The eagle warriors and jaguar warriors covered their entire bodies in jumpsuit-like clothing with attached tops and bottoms. There were eagle warriors wearing clothes dyed in eye-catching primary colors and wearing wooden eagle heads or jaguar heads on their heads. Below the jaguar warriors were middle-level warriors wearing cueshtecatl. Intermediate warriors were those who wore iustli, a full-body uniform simr to that of eagle warriors or jaguar warriors, and a cone hat of the same color as the clothes they wore on their heads. These mid-level warriors wore full quilted armor with a butterfly-shaped decoration on their backs, depending on the number of prisoners they had captured. Thanks to this gorgeous outfit, the middle-level warriors and Eagle Jaguar warriors could be seen at a nce even among the low-level warriors wearing only quilted vests. But dont you think the soldiers are spaced too widely apart? I guess its because of their weapons. That stone-ded club seems to be the main weapon, but if it looks like that, swinging it is all you need. Stab is impossible. In that case, we need to leave space like that to be able to fight properly. The senior officers could not hide their disappointment when they mentioned the macuahuitl, the main weapon of the Aztec warriors. Isnt it true that the attack of the Bigyeokjincheonroe is a bit weak? If its a sloppy quilted vest like that, a boxcar would help. * * * While the empires junior and mid-level officers were observing those surrounding them, the high-rankingmanders near Admiral Ahn Sang-soo were observing those surrounding Montezuma I. If you look at the clothes they are wearing, it looks like the person sitting in that pnquin is a king or someone of quite high status. I agree. Anyway, Im a little worried about that unit. Im pretty sure its the Royal Guard or elite troops. The unit designated by high-rankingmanders was an elite unit of the Aztec Empire called Cuachique. Anyone who captured five or more prisoners in battle could be an officer or an elite warrior called Kouachik. And the unit in which these Kouachiks gathered was Kouachike. Like the jaguar warrior and the eagle warrior, they wore green-dyed iustli and shoppilli, decorations attached to their backs. As a unit made up of elite warriors, Kuachike disyed fairly strict military discipline. Do you see it back there? I see a sling and a bow. The tool attached to the window is unusual. It probably increases the distance the spear flies. Looking at the slings, bows, and tools attached to that spear, there are also long-distance projectile weapons. Its clear that they are more familiar withrge-scale battles than those we saw in Shinji. Sling When I was young, I yed a part in the local stone war with that. The voices of the Imperial Armys high-rankingmanders, who were conversing while observing the sling and bow atl (thrower), were quite carefree. This was because they had a strong belief in it. Even so, it would only be a target in front of a freight car or long gun, Bigyeokjincheonroe. I agree. Admiral Ahn Sang-soo smiled bitterly at the conversationing from behind him. Are they helpless soldiers? Rather than thinking about peaceful dialogue, Im thinking about how to win in a fight Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who was smiling bitterly at the belligerent conversation heard around him, immediately shook his head. Its not a situation to curse at others. Because its the same for me too. As soon as he saw the soldiers led by Montezuma I, he guessed whether they could be dealt with with the ammunition he had now brought to the beachhead. That wasnt all. As soon as I found Montezuma I, my first thought was the possibility of assassination. If I shoot the author, I can immediately turn the situation around, right? * * * It was the same for the Aztecs when it came to assessing the level of their opponents. What do you think? cochicalcatl, who was standing next to the pnquin, answered Montezuma Is question. cochicalcatl, who wore a bizarre helmet modeled after the skull-shaped goddess Chichimitl, immediately responded to Montezuma I. If you give me themand, I will attack you immediately and kill you as a sacrifice. I am worried that they are standing so proudly even though their troops are much smaller than ours. Its a bluff. Until now, there has been no enemy that has not fallen under the onught of our warriors. And even now, in Tenochtin, people are praying for our victory. In response to cochicalcatls answer, Montezuma I looked around and muttered. And he wants to fight more than anyone else. Where the Aztec warriors were encamped, priests armed just like the warriors were ring at the strangers. Just like the Aztec warriors, the more prisoners they captured, the more their priests uniforms changed. A capable priest who took more than six prisoners wore euistli dyed yellow or red and a coyote helmet on his head. Just give the toanimand. I will subdue them immediately. At cochicalcatls urging, Montezuma I looked to other high-ranking officers C catecatl Huiznahuatl and Ticocahuacatl. Seeing that they too had simr expressions, Montezuma I felt a headache. Whenever the Aztecs went to war, it was customary for the emperor, toani, to personally go to his fathers pce. And it was Montezuma I who enthusiastically led foreign expeditions. Thanks to this, the warriors thought that Montezumas movements were a war. Warriors, who had the opportunity to rise to a higher rank by capturing prisoners on the battlefield, were still hoping for war. If I hesitate here, the warriors will not be loyal. But However, after seeing the dagger thest time, it was not easy for Montezuma I to decide on war. There is nothing we can do about it Montezuma I, who realized that he was being tricked, gave an order. Lets try provocation first. yes! * * * Woooo~! The Aztec warriors, who received orders through messengers, began to provoke the imperial army camped at the beachhead. Starting with loud booing, the Aztec warriors provoked the imperial army with all kinds of swear words, curses, and sarcastic gestures. But surprisingly, the effect was minimal. What are they doing? Cant you tell just by looking at it? Its a provocation. Although they could not understand what was being said, they were imperial soldiers who sensed that it was a provocation based on the way they were doing it. However, at the provocation of the Aztec warriors, the imperial soldiers, especially those from the home base,ughed or looked dumbfounded. Are you provoking me here? Right now, Im doing something that only happens at the local Seokjeon. For the imperial army, which had been worn down through previous battles with the Ming, provocation was a foolish act. If youre going to fight, you should fire shells and bullets at them as soon as you see them. Why are you doing something provocative? Its a waste of time. This was the mindset of the Imperial Army from here. Rather, it was the imperial soldiers from Shinji who were upset. This was because they were ustomed to tribal battles, where provocations right before a battle weremon. Oh my gosh, these damn things! Hey, catch it! catch! Where on earth did you learn this strange dialect? The soldiers from the main branch had to sweat hard to stop the soldiers from Shinji who tried to pull the trigger at any moment. What are you doing when there is no order? Do you want to take a pay cut? No, I wont give you a pay cut, but rather a demotion! The soldiers from Shinji immediately came to their senses when they heard a shout from a nearbymander. For the soldiers from Shinji, who had be more loyal to capitalism than anyone else, pay cuts and demotions were something they hated more than death. Oh no! Im sorry! Where on earth did you learn that dialect? * * * Meanwhile, Montezuma Is expression became more serious as he sat in the pnquin and watched the imperial armys reaction. There was a reaction to the warriors provocation. However, the reaction was smaller than expected and soon calmed down. It means that not only upper-level warriors but also lower-level warriors do not get excited easily. This is giving me a headache. Montezuma I knew well through his past experiences that the most dangerous enemy was one who was not easily excited and kept his cool. Hmm Montezuma I, who confirmed once again that his opponent was not an easy one, looked at the high-ranking officers around him. Montezuma I, seeing the serious expressions on the faces of his seasoned high-ranking officers, made up his mind. Prepare an escort. I will meet you in person. toani! Its dangerous! Its not possible! All the surrounding officers tried to stop him, but Montezuma I was adamant. I have to get out! Prepare an escort! Following a firm order from Montezuma I, the officers prepared a bodyguard. After a while, the Aztec camp split to the left and right, and the pnquin carrying Montezuma I came forward. The pnquin carrying Montezuma I, heavily guarded by Cuachique, slowly moved toward the bridgehead. Their leader is moving, so I guess I should go out too. I will prepare an escort! Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who saw Montezuma Is movements, also left the bridgehead surrounded by guards. Montezuma I and Admiral Ahn Sang-su faced each other in the middle ground. Montezuma I got off the pnquin and introduced himself by raising his hand to his chest. I am toani Montezuma of the great Aztec. Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who understood the meaning through gestures even though he could not speak words, also answered by cing his hand on his chest. Ahn Sang-su, Admiral of the Korean Federal Empire. Aztec toani Montezuma. Korean Federal Empire? Naval Admiral Ahn Sang-soo? As they faced each other in silence while analyzing the other persons intentions, Admiral Ahn Sang-soo released the generals sword he was wearing at his waist and held it out. When Admiral Ahn Sang-soo held out his sword, Montezuma I ordered the warrior next to him to ept the sword. Slurp. Hoo! Montezuma I, who pulled out his sword from its scabbard, eximed with admiration as he looked at the well-made generals sword. You handed over a weapon? And judging by the reactions so far, it doesnt mean theyre going to fight. But you cant just trust it. Montezuma I desperately thought. In some ways, this is the middle of enemy territory. We must draw the enemy towards us. Then Montezuma I raised his hand and pointed at himself and Admiral Ahn Sang-soo and then pointed in the direction of the capital. You and I are going to Tenochn together. Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who saw Montezuma Is gesture, nodded and answered. I will go with you. After reaching an agreement through gestures, both sides returned to their camps. Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who returned to the beachhead, gave orders to his subordinates. I move with them. Prepare the soldiers. Contact the fleet and tell them to send troops to guard the beachhead. yes! Chapter 766 Episode 766: A disaster brought about by oneself. (1) A group of additional sailorsnded from the front group that confirmed the g signal sent from the beachhead. While a group of soldiers stood guard, the soldiers at the beachhead diligently loaded the carts. Drinking water and food are in the middle of the cart! Secure the stands of the freight car to the cart! Leave the cartridges near the freight car so they can be used at any time! Dont gather all the gunpowder for toys in one ce! If it explodes, the toy bes scrap metal! No, you all die too! What themanders were most concerned about was loading freight cars onto carts and loading gunpowder for toys that would fire bigyeokjincheonroe. It was like entering a ce where you never know what will happen. If you made even the slightest mistake, the location would be instantly dead. If something happened, they had to escape using the cart as a shield. The most important role at this time was the freight car. Therefore, themanders carefully considered where to fix the wagons pedestal on the cart to get the best results. Of course, there was a manual on this, but there were variables depending on the time and ce. Thats why the officers began to worry. The same goes for gunpowder used in toys. The toy would have been useless if it had been ced in a cart for convenience of transportation and was washed away by water or caught fire. No, it was fortunate that he was swept away by the water. They were all gathered in one ce, but if a fiery arrow flew in and struck them or even caught fire, hell would unfold. Therefore, themanders carefully managed the loading of the carts. Montezuma I and the high-rankingmanders who returned to base watched the movements of the imperial army with eyes full of curiosity. What caught their attention were the horses pulling the cart and the cart itself. I cant believe there is such a big animal * * * The horse that Hyang first brought in grew in size and endurance improved through continued breeding. The hardships experienced by horse farm managers and breeders to achieve this result were enormous. This was because the previous situation was so bad that there was a saying, No matter how big and powerful a horse is brought in, it gives birth to smaller and smaller foals. To solve this problem, horse farm managers and breeders intensively bred horses in the Gaema teau and the ins of the northeastern region. In addition, they searched for and hired arge number of the Jurchen tribe, who were known to be good at raising horses. After these efforts, the station horses and war horses brought to Joseon began to be known as famous horses. * * * Surely, if you use those beasts and tools, it will be easy to move around. Montezuma I nodded at his subordinates words. Its contradictory, but carts did not exist in the Aztec Empire and nearby regions. No, the wheel itself did not exist. The transportation of goods was all about people carrying them. Therefore, not only Montezuma I but all the Aztecs present could not take their eyes off the cart. And what followed was greed. I want to take that away How can I take it away? Whether or not they knew that the Aztecs were looking at them with greedy eyes, the imperial army was fully prepared. When preparations werepleted, Admiral Ahn Sang-soo mounted his horse and stood at the head of the unit. After confirming that the empires preparations wereplete, Montezuma I issued an order. Going back to Tenochn. * * * It was almost 20 days after leaving the bridgehead that the warriors led by Montezuma I and Admiral Ahn Sang-soos troops arrived in Tenochn. Its farther than expected Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who looked quite tired, looked back on the process of getting here and became distraught. If something goes wrong and I have to retreat, Ill have to suffer a bit, right? It was quite easy to pass through the jungle area facing the beach. This was thanks to the fact that many people moved together to open a passage. The problem was the mountain range we encountered after leaving the jungle. In history before the intervention of fragrances, it took up a lot of time as it passed through the mountain range called Sierra Madre Oriental. What took up this time was the cart pulled by the imperial army. Even when pulled by powerful horses, the rough and narrow road itself was a time-consuming obstacle. Because of this, even the imperial soldiers clung to the cart and, after a fierce struggle to push and pull, were able to pass through the mountain range. After going through a difficult battle, the imperialmanders looked at the Aztecs with different eyes. What greeted the imperial army as it passed through the jungle was arge Aztec supply unit. At a nce, Admiral Ahn Sang-soo and othermanders opened their notebooks at the enormous scale, which seemed to be several timesrger than thebat unit that moved with them. -Existence of a proper supply system. -However, the cart is not visible. Over time, the imperial army began to devalue the Aztec military system, especially its supplies. It was because the cart does not exist. Aztec soldiers hung baskets full of supplies on strings over their heads and walked by holding on to them with both hands. The imperialmanders and soldiers all clicked their tongues at the sight. Tsk! I guess I cant carry much like that! Tsk tsk! You dont even have to lose? You dont even have to carry a cart, let alone a cart However, this low opinion changed as we entered the mountain range. The Aztecs used strings to hang baskets on their heads, freeing both hands, so they could move easily even when encountering steep slopes. On the other hand, when the imperial army encountered steep slopes, horses and men worked as one to move the cart. After going through these difficult battles, the imperialmanders opened their notebooks again. -Arge amount of cargo is required for smooth distribution. * * * Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who was looking back on the path he had taken so far and worrying about what might happen, looked back at his subordinate officers. Did you do the measurement properly? yes. The officers of the imperial army were busy as they fought their way through the jungle and mountain ranges. On one hand, they had to direct the soldiers wrestling with the cart, and on the other hand, they recorded the route they took and the surrounding environment usingpasses and measuring tools. This was due to Admiral Ahn Sang-soos order. Allmanders are to record geographic information about the route taken so far. You mean all themanders? every. If something goes wrong and you have to escape, the more people who know the way, the better it is for survival. Following Admiral Ahn Sang-soos decision,manders recorded geographical information and set their own milestones to keep records. Of course, some officers were in tears. Oh my, my grades in the measurement method and Dokdo method were not very good Are you in the Navy? The most important thing to survive in the middle of the ocean is knowing your location, right? You cant do that? The good news was that they were all members of the Imperial Navy. In order to survive in the sea where there were nondmarks, knowing ones own location was a basic skill of an Imperial Navy officer. Thanks to this, ording to the admirals order, themanders gradually collected information rted to the movement route. * * * Admiral Ahn Sang-soo clicked his tongue lightly as he watched Tenochin getting closer. Tsk! The defense must be the strongest. Tenochin was created on an ind in the middle of a hugeke. To enter Tenochn, you had to use the causeway and bridge. Most passages were at best wide enough for a single cart to pass through. Hmm Admiral Ahn Sang -soo thought hard as he watched the Aztec warriors and King Montezuma I entering first. If you divide your forces, you may be destroyed individually, but if you all go in at once and even the transportation route is cut off, you will end up like rats in a poison. Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who had been thinking about finding the optimal method, made up his mind. Divide our forces! * * * ording to his decision, Admiral Ahn Sang-soo divided his troops. A cavalry corps of 10 officers on horseback was organized, and 5 wagons and 2 wagons (250 men) each apanied the admiral. The remaining troops will use carts to form a circle and be on guard. ancient! After giving orders to his subordinates who remained behind, Admiral Ahn Sang-soo drove his horse and headed toward Tenochn. * * * Guided by the warrior who was waiting for the admiral and his party at the entrance to Tenochins castle gate, the admiral and his party finally entered Tecinon. Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, sitting on a horse, carefully looked around. The city is well divided. The admiral, as well as the officers and soldiers moving together, looked in all directions with a mixture of tension and curiosity. Meanwhile, the Aztecs living in Tenochn also flocked to the streets and observed the strangers they saw for the first time with a mixture of wariness and curiosity. While everyone was observing each other, the admiral and his party arrived at the center of the city. Huh~. When Admiral Ahn Sang-soo saw the huge pyramids located in the center of the city, he unconsciously let out an exmation. Its simr to the pyramid I saw when I went to Alexandria before. After passing the pyramid where the temples were located, Ahn Sang-soo and his party arrived at the pce of Montezuma I and entered with a small number of guards. There may be a surprise attack. Pay special attention. yes. The guards briefly responded to themand of the officermanding the guards and moved while looking in all directions. * * * A banquet was being prepared in the banquet hall of Montezuma Is pce. When King Montezuma I saw Admiral Ahn Sang-soo and his party entering the banquet hall, he gestured with his hand and offered them a seat. While Ahn Sang-soo and his party were taking their seats, Aztec nobles and priests also entered the banquet hall. As soon as people entered the banquet hall, food was brought in. It was the beginning of a tragedy. * * * omg! Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who saw the food brought by his attendants, was so scared that he got up from his seat. Admiral Ahn was not the only one. All of the imperialists who came with Admiral Ahn stood up in shock. The meat that came with therge pancakes was clearly human. No, there was a whole human arm on arge te. Are there such damned squires! How can you use your money to do such a cruel thing! Enraged, Admiral Ahn Sang-soo red at Montezuma I and screamed. Have you seen these rude people! On the other side, Montezuma I was equally angry. It was very rude to get angry after serving the offering that came from a ancestral rite. Suppress those rude people! I will use it as a sacrifice for the gods! The Aztec warriors who rushed in at the shout of Montezuma I rushed toward Admiral Ahn and his party as soon as they heard themand. At that moment, the guards pulled out the single guns they were wearing on their waists and pulled the triggers. bang! Tatang! bang! With a loud gunshot, the Aztec warriors at the forefront fell. Escape! Protect the old admiral! Before we knew it, the guards surrounding Admiral Ahn Sang-soo were running through the passageway of Montezuma Is pce. enemy! bang! Tatang! Reload! The guards ran with familiar movements and loaded bullets into their empty rifles. Its a gunshot! Meanwhile, Imperial soldiers heard gunshots outside and began preparing for battle. Chapter 767 Episode 767: A disaster brought about by oneself. (2) m! m! As soon as they heard the gunfire, the soldiers sitting on the cart connected the cartridges to the boxcar and attached the cartridge belt to the wagon. Other soldiers also loaded their rifles and released the safety devices. The soldiers who finished preparing for battle immediately shouted loudly to theirmanders. Ready! Hearing the soldiers cries, Manho Kim Jang-saeng, whomanded the unit, stood upright on the saddle of the cart and looked in the direction of the pce through a telescope. lily! Its dangerous! Kim Jang-saeng confidently responded to the soldiers warning. hey! My name is Jangsaeng (L)! Jangsaeng! Hold on to your worries! Jangsaeng, who was looking at the pce while answering confidently, saw Admiral Ahn and his partye out of the entrance of the pce. Jangsaeng, who saw a couple of soldiers moving around with support, probably injured during the escape, gave an order to the cart right in front of him. The old man and his party are in danger! There are cars 1 and 3! Move now! Save the old man and his group! ancient! Hey! Hee hee hee! At Jangsaengsmand, two carts jumped out of the camp. Kyaak! Ahh! The Aztecs around them screamed and scattered in all directions as they saw the horse running wildly, as if it was going to trample everything in sight. Meanwhile, Jangsaeng, who was still standing on the saddle and observing the situation, shouted to the soldiers as Aztec warriors came running from all directions. The board is broken anyway! If ites within 100 steps, sweep it away! yes! Seeing the soldiers answering firmly, Jangsaeng continued. They eat people! Throw away any recognition! * * * When Ahn Sang-soo and his party entered the royal pce of Montezuma I and were frightened by the sight of human flesh, those outside were also frightened. The soldiers, who had formed a defense position and were taking a breather, saw corpses being smoked with strings tied around their necks. What is that! At the time, the Aztecs handled human sacrifices in various ways. One was to collect corpses that had fallen down the pyramids ramp, cut off their heads, and then cut off their limbs and boil them. The other was to burn them by hanging them on a rope, as if they were being hanged. However, this was not like burning at the stake, but was closer to smoking. It was this scene that the soldiers waiting outside were horrified to see. After seeing that, the soldiers from the main branch looked back at the soldiers from the new area. Did you guys do that too? Not now! The soldiers from Shinji hurriedly denied it due to the suspicious looks in their eyes from the soldiers from their home base. However, the soldiers from the headquarters did not easily agree. now? It used to be like that, but I heard that it all disappeared after the Great Emperor banned it! And I heard it wasnt that bad! * * * What the soldier from Shinji said was true. Consumption of human flesh wasmon among the indigenous people of the New World. However, this mainly targeted prisoners captured in war or those who invaded their tribes territory. In particr, the belief that eating a warriors heart would make one be braver led to fiercepetition. The natives brutally lynched and tortured those captured, killed them, and then consumed their human flesh. This was primarily to provide entertainment and entertainment, and secondly to alert the warriors. -If we lose the war, you will be eaten like that! Therefore, the warriors fought even more desperately and fanatically in order to avoid bing food for other tribes. (Note 1) The Joseon soldiers who were exploring the newnd immediately reported this fact to their home country. However, King Sejong and the Prime Ministers left and right deputy prime ministers immediately buried this report. This was for political reasons based on Neo-Confucianism, a national poetry, and for extremely practical reasons. -It is self-evident that people whomit such heinous acts should not be left alive, but they have never learned thew in the first ce. We must teach them morals and give them a chance for rehabilitation. -Of course, it may be right to destroy them all. However, considering the current poption of Joseon, that method would be the same as giving up God. After making this decision at the time, Sejong ced his hand on his forehead and sighed. Whew. Cannibalism has been reported frequently in the Jongjang Penins and the northern inds. How can the world be so cruel Hwang Hee, who was Prime Minister at the time, responded to King Sejongs words. Isnt it because they lived in such a remote ce that they couldnt learn morals and lived in an area where it was difficult to survive? I believe that the only answer is to do our best to teach them morals, edify them, and create an environment in which they can live like human beings. I agree. And dont let the crown prince know about this report either. That child has a wless character in an unexpected ce I will do so. In this way, King Sejong and the prime ministers concealed the report on cannibalism and then issued new orders to the Joseon army in Shinji. C Do your best to persuade noble or allied tribes to refrain from cannibalism. If this is vited, force may be used. The Joseon soldiers who received King Sejongs orders actively carried them out. Tribes that were affiliated with or allied with Joseon had to immediately stop cannibalism. There was resistance at first, but soon there was no choice but to ept the order. This was because the strongest people around them were the Joseon army, and I saw cases where entire tribes disappeared without a word while actually resisting. Afterwards, when King Sejong arrived in Shinji and began to manage Sinji himself, cannibalism in the Sinji area quickly disappeared. He used socialist schools to actively educate the natives and at the same time used various carrots to appease the chiefs and warriors. King Sejong did not only use these moderate measures. If necessary, they boldly used force. Thanks to this, there were many tribes that disappeared knowingly or unknowingly during the reign of King Sejong. King Sejongs policy of both warm and cold was sessful, and Hyang, who arrivedter, was only able to confirm this fact through reports. However, as Shinjis territory expanded, tribes with cannibalism continued to be discovered, and Hyang muttered as he regained his appetite. This is it Reminds me of that debate in the 21st century? * * * To be precise, it was a debate over a subject that often appeared in films dealing with the American War of Independence or the history of Western development in the mid-20th century. The subject matter was peeling the scalp. It was a scene where Indians who won the war killed their defeated enemies, mainly white people, and then scalped them. There was a debate over this scene. -It is a traditional custom of Indians. -No, it was originally started by white people. They first started it to kill the spirit of the Indians who were resisting them. Afterwards, Indians were pointed out as the culprits due to cultural chauvinism that civilized white people could not havemitted such a barbaric act. The unfortunate thing was that since this was not the area of interest, it was impossible to know who the winner was. * * * A debate is a debate, and now its reality, so we have to find an answer. Hyang, who had been worrying so much, found the answer right away. -Regarding cannibalism, the previous system will be inherited and implemented. In the end, following the policies of King Sejong and Hyang, the noble indigenous tribes quickly abandoned cannibalism. And at some point, the new generation of Shinji natives became extremely averse to the act of cannibalism itself. Thanks to this, even the soldiers from the New World were horrified when they saw therge-scale human sacrifice that was taking ce in Tenochtin. * * * They are our allies! Its an ally! Cheer up! Ahn Sang-su and his party, who were leaving the royal pce of Montezuma I amidst a fierce struggle, saw the carriages carrying our troops rushing towards them, and theirplexion brightened. Its an ally! Cheer up! Admiral Ahn Sang-soo and a small number of cavalrymen mounted a horse that had been hitched to one side and bought time by standing between the group and the Aztec warriors. bang! Tatang! bang! m! m! Admiral Ahn Sang-soo and the cavalrymen, who had run out of bullets from their short guns, took out the curved swords they had tied to their saddles and swung them. And then he immediately started swearing. Oh shit! The sword is short! * * * After Gyeongjang, there were two ces in Joseon and the Empire that used ded swords and even curved swords as secondary weapons. One was the cavalry and the other was the navy. However, even though they were the same curved ind, the curved inds of the cavalry and the navy were all different in shape and size. While the cavalrys curved sword was simr to a saber, the one used by the navy was simr to a cuss. Although the sizes were different, their purpose of use was the same. It was to be used in closebat situations. Thanks to this, the two looked very simr. However, Admiral Ahn Sang-soo and the cavalrymen were swearing because the cuss was smaller than the saber. Those sitting on a horse had to lean far to the left and right to use the cuss properly. If you made a slight mistake, you could be caught by approaching enemies and fall off your horse. To avoid this, Admiral Ahn Sang-soo and his cavalrymen swung their swords in a direction that threatened the Aztec warriors and blocked their approach rather than killing them. San dog! A mountain dog! When the cry of spread out was heard from the carts that arrived just in time, Admiral Ahn Sang-soo and the cavalry spread out to the left and right. Suddenly, in a wide open space, freight cars containing only Aztec warriors mounted on male carts suddenly burst into mes. Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-tang! As a total of eight wagons loaded on two carts burst into mes, the Aztec warriors flocking to the pce and nearby began to fall like sorghum sheaves. The Aztec warriors who were rushing in with great momentum suddenly froze like ice. For them, it was their first battle and death. They, too, often saw their leading warriors suffer heavy casualties in sieges and other battles. This was mainly done by slingshots or arrows and javelins. However, there were almost no cases where the battle line copsed in an instant like the attacks of those strangers. The elongated things attached to the unfamiliar vehicle that the stranger was riding spewed out mes, and the brave warriors that filled the space died. It wasnt even an arrow I couldnt even see it Admiral Ahn Sang-soo immediately shouted as the Aztec warriors froze in momentary panic. Escape! Join the main camp! The carts carrying the guards continued to shoot and left the square in front of the royal pce. * * * Ahn Sang-soo and his party, who joined the rest at the square where the great temples were located, immediately turned their horses and began to escape. Ta-ta-ta-ta-tang! Ta-ta-ta-tang! bang! Tatang! bang! The wagons loaded on the carts and the riflemen hiding in the shadows of the carts continuously fired bullets at the Aztec warriors who wereing from all directions. Wipe out all those who rush in! Abandon recognition! Everyone you see is an enemy! If you want to live, give up eptance! To survive under siege, imperial soldiers pulled the trigger on every Aztec in sight. C (Note 1) Chapter 768 Episode 768: A self-inflicted disaster. (3) Bang! bang! Do your best to escape as quickly as possible! Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who defeated the Aztec warrior running with his reloaded rifle, shouted loudly to his subordinates. However, contrary to the admirals earnest wish, the imperial armys escape did not speed up. One was the problem of moving the cart, and the other was the problem of the Aztec warriorsing from all directions. To be more precise, the Aztec warriors were dead or injured and fell to the ground. In order to suppress the Aztec warriorsing out in droves from the front of the escape route, concentrated fire had to be fired from wagons. Each time, the imperial army had to turn the lead cart to the side, and each time the procession had to stop. The concentrated fire of the freight cars ughtered the Aztec warriors who rushed at them. The problem was that the corpses of the dead Aztec warriors and the seriously injured Aztec warriors who fell to the ground filled the road. No matter howrge and solid the wheels of the imperial cart were, no matter how powerful the horses pulling the cart were, it was almost impossible to pass while trampling over the corpses and wounded that filled the road. Therefore, whenever the road was blocked like this, riflemen had to rush out and move the corpses and wounded to one side. The problem was that about half of the riflemen who rushed out were those on guard duty. This was to prepare for attacks by Aztec warriors disguised as corpses and wounded Aztecs who still had remaining strength, as well as unexpected surprise attacks. As this situation was repeated, the escape of the imperial army was slow. shit! It would be a big problem if I got paid like this! Admiral Ahn Sang-soo was frowning at the situation that was not going well. The admirals men did the same. Ta-ta-ta-ta-tang! Ta-ta-ta-ta-tang! The imperial soldiers swore as they pulled the trigger at the Aztec warriorsing from all directions. Holy shit! I didnt even touch an anthill! No matter how many times I kill, there is no end to it! If you want to live, kill! The imperial army, which was struggling like this, soon gained an unexpected helper. They were men and ves from surrounding tribes brought in to be used as sacrifices. @#$^$$#@! huh? Imperial riflemen, who were moving around to remove the corpses of Aztec warriors that filled the road, aimed their guns at the urgent crying from one side. There was a cage with a strong wooden fence, and people with painted bodies wearing swords and shackles on their necks and legs were shouting at the imperial warriors. The imperial soldiers who tried to ignore them at first stopped when they saw their sad expressions and voices. Fuck! I dont know! Eventually, Meoksoe, an imperial soldier nearby, took out a small hatchet from his belt and struck the thick rope that was tying the entrance to the cage. For Imperial Navy soldiers, a hatchet was one of the must-have tools. This was because it was the most useful tool when a ship had to be repaired in a hurry due to a storm or other ident, or when cutting ropes thrown by pirates who were desperately rushing forward. With two or three strokes of the axe, the rope was cut and the cage door was wide open. The prisoners and ves who came out through the open door presented the swords and shackles that were restraining their bodies to the ink. Shit! I saved him and he told me to give him the bundle! Holy shit! The man who opened the cage cursed and used an ax to cut off the handcuffs and shackles of the prisoner who ran to the front. Meoksoe, who cut off the prisoners handcuffs and shackles, handed the prisoner an ax. Fuck! Now take care of it! Afterpleting his errands, Meoksoe ran to join the main camp. However, without missing the gap, the Aztec warriors flocked in, and Meoksoe pulled the trigger of the rifle he was holding. bang! m! bang! m! m! Holy shit! After only firing two shots, Meoksoe became contemtive after seeing the gun with an empty magazine. When the Aztec warriors saw this and rushed towards him with shouts, the prisoners he had freed ran towards the Aztec warriors holding the macuahuitl that had fallen on the ground. The prisoners, who quickly subdued the Aztec warriors around Meoksoe, looked at Meoksoe. Meoksoe screamed at the sight of him clearly wanting me to go with him. Shit! Follow me! * * * As the prisoners joined, the retreat of the imperial army actually elerated. This was because prisoners who joined the ranks of the imperial army began to y arge role. They cleared the road by clearing the bodies of Aztec warriors killed by fire from freight cars and rifles, and swung their weapons at the ambushing Aztec warriors. Especially when dealing with Aztec warriors, the captives looked like Yasha. Admiral Ahn Sang-soo shook his head involuntarily at the fierce and cruel sight. How much resentment must I have But I understand. It was certain that those prisoners were the source of the human flesh that appeared at the banquet hall. Admiral Ahn Sang-soo understood how they must have felt as their colleagues had been turned into a meal and it was certain that they would have been the same. Isnt it a good thing that I know not to go too far? If you look at the Aztec warriors, they were prisoners who attacked without hesitation, but as time went by, they did not leave the ranks of the Jegu army. They also learned that in order to escape this ce, they had to stay away from the imperial army. * * * After a fierce struggle, the imperial army and prisoners were able to break through the gates of Tenochtin. Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who saw the long causeway and bridges leading to where the main force was located, stretched out his hand forward and gave an order. Speed up! Join the main force! At Admiral Ahn Sang-soos order, the carts lined up in a single line and went up the causeway. While the horses pulling the cart moved at a trot, Imperial riflemen and prisoners moved on the left and right of the cart, looking left and right. Its the enemy! Its the enemy! bang! Tatang! Ta-ta-ta-ta-tang! As canoes carrying Aztec warriors flocked from both sides of the causeway across theke, the wagons began spewing fire all at once. We have the advantage here! Suppress your enemies as efficiently as possible! Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, whomanded the unit, looked much more at ease. As they just said, this causeway was a very advantageous terrain for them. Although it was a single road, the carts running in a row and the soldiers lined up on the left and right were the front line of the imperial army, and the enemy wooden boats rushing across theke were converted into pirate ships or the front line of the Ming Dynasty, which was an aspect of a naval battle fought by the imperial navy. The Imperial Navy was invincible in naval battles taking ce in the open sea where there was no cover to hide. If only there had been a sudden return, the situation would have been over in the evening! Come to think of it an armored towed vehicle would be perfect for an assault return line! Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who had a slightly regretful expression as he thought about the armored towing vehicles used by the Empires main army, soon cleared his expression and raised his voice. Think of your enemies as pirates! Our Imperial Navy has never lost against pirates! Sweep away! We have to get through before they mess with this causeway! Keep them away from the causeway! Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-tang! As if in response to the admirals order, the wagons loaded on carts fiercely poured bullets at the canoes approaching from left and right. The Aztec warriors who were rushing in the canoe were covered in blood from the gunfire and fell into theke. When the Aztec warrior driving the canoe fell dead, more canoes began to lose their bnce and capsize. The tragedy of the Aztec warriors did not end there. Shuuuung! bang! Quack! The Aztec warriors who were swept away by the water column created when the thunderbolt fired by the imperial army waiting on the other side exploded and were torn to pieces along with their canoes or fell unconscious into the water and drowned began to appear one after another. Amid the bloodshed, Lake Texcoco surrounding Tenochtin began to turn red. * * * Taaaang~. Ta-ta-tang~. Its a gunshot! Its a gunshot! As gunshots began to be heard in the native city located in the center of theke, the main body of the imperial army, which had formed a circle and was on guard in all directions, was also put on alert. m! m! As the soldiers of the main imperial army were urgently preparing for battle, the sounds of trumpets and drums were heard from the city centered on theke. As soon as the sound of trumpets and drums began to be heard, the mood of the Aztec warriors surrounding them changed immediately. Woooo~. As the surrounding Aztec warriors approached with warrior cries and weapons held high, Manho Park Soo-min, who was inmand of the main unit, immediately gave an order. shooting! Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-tang! As the wagons spewed fire in all directions on top of the carts wrapped in a circle, the line of Aztec warriors rushing in instantly began to copse. Discharge the lightning thunderbolt! pop! Puff! At Park Man-hos order, the toys that were being prepared fired big-shot thunderbolts all at once. The lightning bolt, which was fired at a high angle to deal with the Aztec warriors nearby, soared high into the sky and fell into the middle of the Aztec warriors camp. bang! Quack! The Aztec warriors, caught in the explosion of the thunderbolt, could not even scream and fell to the ground. * * * The area around the Imperial Armys main unit was cleared in an instant due to the explosion of the Bigyeokjincheonroe and the attack from Hwachang. The Aztec warriors, frightened by the firepower of the imperial army they had never seen before, retreated without realizing it. Park Man-ho, who secured space, gave orders to his soldiers. Change Wonjin to Hakikjin! The entrance to the camp faces the entrance to that causeway! Secure an escape route for the Admiral! yes! ording to Park Man-hos orders, the imperial army changed the original formation to the Hagikjin. Afterpleting the frontier, the imperial army slowly approached the causeway. Through this process, the main body of the imperial army took on the appearance of a lid covering a causeway. The Aztec warriors, who saw the imperial army led by Man-ho Park moving to secure a causeway for the admiral and his party to escape, began to advance again. Their goal was to surround the imperial army, which was encamped with theke at its back, from three sides. If you do it wrong, you could be surrounded. Man-ho Park snorted at the concerns of his subordinate officers. Whats so scary about these guys who only have a stone knife? As soon as the old admiral arrives, you can immediately switch to the younger group and break through! Park Man-ho answered confidently and gave orders to his subordinates. A sudden thunderbolt release! Those naked bastards make me pee! ancient! pop! Puff poop! pop! bang! Quack! As Park Man-ho predicted, the big attack made the Aztec warriors terrified. The huge lump that fell from high up with a loud noise created a huge explosion of mes and smoke and turned the surrounding warriors into corpses. As the brave warriors who had terrified those around them died without even fighting properly, the Aztec warriors began to hesitate again. What kind of magic is this? Priests! Call the priests! The warriors, who believed that the explosion of the Bigyeokjincheonroe was the result of witchcraft, urgently sought out priests nearby. Stop that spell! At themand of the Eagle Warrior, the priests stepped forward holding their scepters. However, the priests who stepped forward became the targets of the riflemen. Chapter 769 Episode 769: A disaster brought about by oneself. (4) As even the priests died, there were no more Aztec warriorsing forward. Although the imperial armys weapons yed a role in stopping the Aztec warriors charge, it was fear that yed the biggest role. Death was not unfamiliar to Aztec warriors as they foughtrge and small wars such as the Wars of Flowers that continued from the Aztec expansion period. However, while fighting against those strangers, the Aztec warriors experienced dog death for the first time. The sight of fellow warriors losing their lives in vain without even fighting properly made the Aztec warriors fall into fear. The gunpowder weapons used by the Joseon army were also feared. The battlefield where war battles took ce was originally a ce overflowing with all kinds of noise. The battlefield was filled with loud shouts to maintain fighting spirit and morale, deathly screams from mortally wounded and dying enemies, and noise made by weapons shing with each other to the point where it was deafening. Therefore, after one battle, the jaguar warriors and eagle warriors became hoarse. However, the unknown presence of those strangers, whether they were using weapons or magic, immediately drowned out the noise of the battlefield. In particr, the explosion of mes and smoke created by the lumps theyunched along with the loud noise was terrifying. The lumps, the size of a human head, instantly created a bright sh and an explosion of smoke, causing the warriors around them to fall down, covered in blood. If the lumps turned into light and smoke, even the shield was useless. Some warriors covered themselves with shields, but the smoke created by the lump pierced even those shields. No, it seemed to pierce through. That wasnt all. The Aztec warriors fell helpless as the strange tools held by the strangers, riding on vehicles pulled byrge beasts they had never seen before, emitted bright mes and light smoke. In the end, the Aztec warriors who were pressuring the main force of the imperial army had to stop and look for God. Oh~ Huitzilopochtli~. The only action the Aztec warriors could do was to call on the name of Huitzilopochtli, the god of war and sun god who had ascended to the position of main god since the Reformation. He thought that only he, the god of war and the god of the sun, would overwhelm those strangers. * * * Meanwhile, as the attacks from the Aztec warriors from outside subsided, the main body of the imperial army was able to concentrate on securing the causeway. Send two units (about 50 people) forward to secure the road! yes! At Park Man-hos order, two riflepanies ran forward along the causeway. Man-ho Park, who saw Admiral Ahns party, who escaped from Tenochtin just in time, retreating along the causeway and Aztec warriors approaching across theke to catch them, hastily issued a new order. Intercept those boats! yes! Dont hold back on the lightning strike! yes! Imperial soldiers who received orders fired lightning bolts at the Aztec warriors approaching in canoes. By fighting against pirates on the route to Suez and against the Ming naval forces in thest war with the Ming, the imperial navy became masters of the lightning strike. The sailors, who measured the distance between the Aztec warriors approaching across theke and their allies, skillfully adjusted the timing device of the Bigyeokjincheonroe and then ced it in the toy. Let go! Bangpo! pop! Puff! The thunderbolts fired by sailors exploded just above or below the surface of theke. Canoes caught in the water column created by the explosion of the Bigyeokjin Thunder rose into the sky and then fell into theke or capsized. Next, the wagons loaded on carts began firing intensively at the canoes. Ta-ta-ta-ta-tang! * * * The Aztec warriors in the canoes showed the same appearance as the Aztec warriors who attacked the main force as they continued to attack with heavy fire and hwacha. Instead of approaching any further, they either stopped the canoe on the spot or turned their backs and ran away. Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who joined the main unit and saw this, shook his head lightly. It looks very different inside and outside the city. The natives who fought with them in their capital tenaciously attacked as if they had forgotten their fear. Admiral Ahn thought for a moment and soon realized the reason. Are you saying they are also the ones protecting the monarch? This was a bitcking, but it was the correct answer. The main Aztec warriors who attacked the imperial army in the street battles of Tenochtin were Kuachique, a group of warriors called Kuachik. Non-Kuachique warriors were also Jaguar warriors, those about to be Jaguar warriors, or those who acquired at least two prisoners and were eligible to wear the Kuechcatl. Because they were such, they tenaciously attacked the imperial armymanded by Admiral Ahn. Another reason was that the ce they attacked was the downtown area of Tenochtin. As they moved along the alleys that split in all directions, the warriors field of vision narrowed considerably. They could not see how the warriors before them had died at the hands of the imperial forces. All they did was follow the orders of theirmanders, go around the alley, and the imperial army attacked them. On the other hand, those who fought in the open area across theke and theke could clearly see with their own eyes how theirrades were dying, and their morale sank. The most important thing was that Admiral Ahn and his party did not have Bigyeokjincheonroe, and the main unit had Bigyeokjincheonroe. What those who fought the battle with the imperial army following the Joseon army feared the most was the bigyeokjincheonroe. Many countries, including Portugal and the Ottomans, saw its outstanding power and created simr weapons, but few could match the power of the Bigyeokjincheonroe. This was a difference made by whether or not smokeless gunpowder was used. * * * Admiral Ahn, who joined the main unit, gave orders to his subordinatemanders. Get out of here as quickly as possible! yes! The officers were busy following Admiral Ahns orders. The insted toys were collected and hung on the cart, and the injured were loaded onto the cart. What will those natives do? Park Man-ho asked Admiral Ahn what to do with the natives who escaped together. In response to Park Man-hos question, Admiral Ahn looked at the native prisoners. The native prisoners, holding macuahuitl in one hand, were looking at Admiral Ahn and the imperial troops with a mixture of relief and anxiety. It was a mixture of relief that they had escaped being sacrificed for human sacrifice and anxiety that they would be sacrificed again if the imperial army abandoned them. Perhaps knowing the feelings of the native prisoners, Admiral Ahn gave orders to Park Man-ho. The priority is to get out of here and reach a safe zone. We will deal with themter. yes. After hearing Admiral Ahns order, Park Man-ho called his subordinate officers and ryed the admirals order. The ce where the orders that went down the chain finally arrived was Meoksoe. Tell those guys to follow me. Meoksoe asked in a voice full of dissatisfaction at the order of the fivemanders whomanded the five divisions to which he belonged. Why me? Are you asking because you dont know? Ojang exined the reason by pointing to the indigenous prisoners gathered near Meoksoe. Look, hes still following you around like a puppy, so you should take charge of it. Are you dissatisfied? there is none. Where did you learn that damn dialect? Anyway, you will have to take charge of those Cheads from now on. until when? Until further orders are given. Well then, good luck. When themander finished his business and left to check on the other soldiers, Meoksoe immediately swore. Shit! As soon as Meoksoes swear words came out, one of the natives in front of him approached. what? Shit! Follow me! Lets go together! At Meoksoes gesture, the native prisoners followed Meoksoes footsteps with expressions of restlessness. * * * The imperial army led by Admiral Ahn left Tenochtin, retracing the way they came. The Aztec warriors continued their pursuit two days after leaving Tenochtin. However, when the Aztec warriors who caught up with the imperial army were wiped out twice, the Aztec warriors began to use their heads. The chase continued, leaving just enough distance to not lose sight of the imperial troops. What are you thinking? Admiral Ahn answered the questions of his subordinate officers while looking at the mountains and jungle in the distance. I guess they n to catch us in those mountains and jungles. I know very well how hard we went through on the way to get here. And they must be familiar with that ce. We must be on the highest alert. I guess what Ive experienced so far can be considered a failure. All right. Oh, and get the natives out. All right. And Admiral Ahns order was ryed to Meoksoe again through the route. I understand. After receiving the order, Meoksoe walked towards the natives gathered on one side. Hey shit! At Meoksoes shout, a native came running to Meoksoe. * * * In the process of leaving Tenochtin, Muksoi and his colleagues learned one thing. When Meoksoe opened the cage, he was the first to jump out, and the natives whoter saved Meoksoes life had a misunderstanding. He knew that Sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-d-d-t-t-t-w-w-w-w-w-ss-and he said it with a lot of emphasisCwas a title he used to call himself. Muksoi, if those natives learn the imperialnguageter, you will have to risk your life to avoid them. In response to the jokes of his colleagues around him, Meoksoe sighed and cursed. Whoa~. Fuck Then, dont you get a friend who thinks fuck is calling you andes to you? Speak evil! Speak evil! * * * Whatever the reason, Meoksoe exined the situation with hand gestures to Seong who ran towards him. we are! Now lets go back across those mountains! therefore! You guys go back to your hometown! Ssung nodded his head to Meoksoes words while gesturing with his hands and returned to his other native colleagues. It seems like they are crossing that mountain range. I think thats why theyre telling us to leave. Great warrior. Are you finally returning to your tribe? I guess so. Please tell this to other tribes as well. At Seungsmand, his subordinate warriors conveyed the information to the prisoners from other tribes who came with him. Thenguage used by each tribe was slightly different, so it was a bit of a struggle, but the natives who understood the content were soon ready to move. After seeing the movements of the natives, Seong gave an order to his subordinate warrior. Go back to your tribe and tell them about the strangers and spread my message. Hide and endure just a little longer. Sooner orter, the opportunity to take revenge on the Aztecs wille. The great warrior will not die? In response to the subordinate warriors question, Seung answered while looking at the ce where the imperial troops were gathered. I will learn from them the strength to defeat the Aztecs. Great warrior! I will go with you! You must go and inform the chief. You can send someone else. In the war of words between Ssung and his subordinate warrior, other natives approached to ask what was going on. Natives from other tribes who learned of the situation also started talking and soon became friends. When the situation was resolved, Ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssses Is his hands? Shit! Lets go together! Chapter 770 Chapter 770: A disaster brought about by oneself. (5) After hearing the natives intention to apany the imperial army, Meoksoe immediately reported it to his superior. Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who received a report from the wrong route, pondered for a moment and made a decision. If you want, Ill go with you. I think Ill need it for the future. What if its for the future? Admiral Ahn Sang-soo immediately answered his subordinates question. Shouldnt we make this a stronghold of our empire anyway? But lets just leave these crazy people alone? We have to prepare properly ande and sweep it all away. To do that, you need proper guidance and interpretation. You also need a helper. Ah At Admiral Ahn Sang-soos words, all of his subordinates nodded. Admiral Ahn Sang-soo added his words to the sight of his subordinates. Oh, you guys have never worked in the army. This is the method we used in the past when dealing with the Jurchen tribe. * * * As the war progressed, the township insisted on professionalization of the military. Sejong, who believed that Hyangs im was reasonable, epted Hyangs proposal. Until then, the Joseon military, especially itsmanders, alternatelymanded thend and naval forces. It was evenmon for a military official, rather than a military official, to exercise militarymand. Thanks to this, if he was capable, he could be a master general who mastered bothnd and sea warfare, but if he was general-purpose or ipetent, he would end up in a mess. And thetter cases were overwhelminglymon. Thats why King Sejong epted Hyangs proposal. And Admiral Ahn Sang-soo was thest generation to experience the Army and Navy forces together before they were divided. * * * One of the subordinates who was nodding to Admiral Ahn Sang-soo carefully pointed out a problem to the admiral. Admiral Haona. They said it was a euphoric type. They may also be cannibalistic. We will have to apply the current situation and the policies implemented by the situation. However, those who tantly cannibalize in broad daylight like that should be stopped. In the sense of punishing one punishment and punishing another. Ah Admiral Ahn Sang-soos decision was passed down the chain to Meoksoe. Thats how Ssss and his group also moved together. Its your responsibility, so take good care of it. Yes, I understand. And on the way, I teach them some words whenever I can. I understand. What on earth is that dialect? Or did you get your tongue cut off during a fight? Arent you going to answer properly? I will do it right. Good luck. Meoksoe, who received orders from Ojang, gestured to Seong who was standing on one side. Hey shit! Meoksoe, who sang Seong, pointed to himself and Seong with his hand and then pointed to the mountain range. me! you! together! Lets go! Seong, who understood Meoksoes words, nodded and returned to the natives. After a while, the natives got up from their seats and joined the procession. Once all preparations wereplete, Admiral Ahn gave orders to his subordinates. Go back! It wont be an easy road, so be prepared! * * * This It was a great help to allow the natives to apany us. While resting in the middle of the mountain range, Admiral Ahn revised his assessment of the natives who apanied him. The natives, including Seong, were surprisingly helpful. They guided the imperial army down their own path that even the Aztec warriors did not know. The natives, who had been harassed by the Aztecs for a long time, were well aware of the tactics of the Aztec warriors and their migration routes. Thanks to this, they guided the imperial army to avoid ces where Aztec warriors were likely to ambush. In addition, because he knew the nearby terrain well, he guided the imperial army to a ce where the imperial armys carts could easily move. It was not just useful as a guide. He knew whererge groups of people could stay and quickly found useful sources of drinking water. In addition, we immediately obtained medicinal herbs that were useful for those who were injured in thest battle and those who were injured in idents while on the move. At the sight of the natives activities, the imperial soldiers from the main region nced sideways at the imperial soldiers from the new territory and muttered. We are from the same Shinji, but Every time they heard such words from soldiers from the Shinji, they loudly protested. I do that in my hometown too! Yes, even a mutt eats half of his food before leaving home Shit! Why do you sing sss? Fuck! Meanwhile, military doctors were amazed by the usefulness of the medicinal herbs brought by the natives. Ill have a lot to ask those friendster. In addition to this, he was also good at erasing the traces of the imperial army, making it difficult for the pursuing Aztecs to pursue them. Admiral Ahn Sang-soo muttered softly after seeing that. It looks like youve been through a lot. What the admiral said was true. * * * While being harassed by Aztec warriors, the basic tactic of the weaker tribes was to run away. In this process, they became ustomed to erasing traces to avoid being pursued by Aztec warriors. Of course, as a reaction to this, the Aztecs developed a tactic of mobilizingrge numbers of troops and putting pressure on them. In this process, Aztec warriors became ustomed to moving inrge groups and at the same time became experts inmunication using messengers and drum trumpets. * * * In the process of returning through the jungle and mountain ranges, the natives became ustomed to the imperialnguage faster than expected. Because even the slightest mistake could put their lives at risk, and because they saw the overwhelming force of the imperial army, the natives had to desperately learn the imperialnguage. And the person who stood out the most was Seung. But Ssss wasnt all that good. This was because he knew that the sound that was used to call him, ssss, was an insult. Well, it was my mistake, so its hard to argue with them Moreover, they have a hard time calling me by my name When I said the name, which means brave and clever jaguar in the tribalnguage, all the imperial people looked embarrassed. It has been done. S Im going to bite my tongue while calling your name. Cant we just go shit? At those words, another imperial soldier next to him shook his head, secretly pointing at shit. You knew it was an insult. You dont have to use it when swearing, right? Where is the only swear word thats s***? Thats true. Through this process, an unspoken rule emerged among the imperial forces led by Admiral Ahn Sang-soo. C No matter how much swearing is used, do not use ssss. What was interesting was that there were almost no imperial soldiers who were ufortable with these rules. Well, sh*t isnt the only swear word As the soldiers said, the Imperial Army was a ce where all kinds of swear words were overflowing. The Imperial Army was a ce where all kinds of swear words were overflowing, including the swear words used by soldiers from the main region, the swear words used by soldiers from foreign countries such as the Northern Territory and Daeseol, and even the swear words used by soldiers from Shinji. It wasnt a situation where it would be inconvenient to miss even one ssss. Rather, somemanders saw this and thought differently. Hmm There have already been many people saying that the dignity of the imperial army is lowered because the soldiers swear too harshly. Why dont you try taking advantage of this? No, there were people who didnt just stop at thinking, but actually created a n. First of all, we only have a brief draft. I hope you will review it. Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who received the draft n submitted by them, clicked his tongue as soon as he looked at the contents. Tsk! sorry! As soon as the admiral clicked his tongue, the submitters were horrified and took back the n. Admiral Ahn Sang-soo clicked his tongue and grumbled as he watched the officers hurrying away. Tsk, tsk, tsk Thanks to Tsk and the others, I feel better, so I have more random thoughts. I wonder if I will be relieved when I hear them click their tongues in front of His Majesty * * * Thanks to the help of the natives led by Seong, Admiral Ahn Sang-soos imperial army was able to prate the mountain range more easily and faster than expected. I was able to. This was because the natives guided them to a ce with a lower slope and a wider passage than the ce led by the Aztec warriors. Thanks to this, I had to take quite a detour, but my travel speed increased and I was able to reduce time wastage. Still, it might take five more days, but Admiral Ahn Sang-soo muttered quietly as he finally passed through the jungle and arrived at the beach. Upon reaching the beach, the Imperial forces surveyed their position. ording to the survey results, the location where they are now is quite far south from the bridgehead. It was a simple task to move north along the beach, but the problem was finding solid ground where the carts could move. Considering the time wasted on that family, we had to move for another five days. Still, Im d we got over the mountain range, which was the biggest problem. Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who gave a positive evaluation, looked back at his subordinates. Just a little more and well reach the beachhead! Move while being careful of nk attacks! yes! Wow! When they heard that the beachhead was just a little further away, the soldiers cheered and gained energy. * * * Four dayster, Admiral Ahn Sang-soo was able to arrive near the beachhead. huh? What is this sound? Kwang kwaaang~. Ta-ta-ta-taaaang~. Admiral Ahn Sang-soos expression, sitting on a horse, became serious. This was because gunshots and gunshots could be heard from far away. Have they established a beachhead? Everyone prepare for battle! At Admiral Ahn Sang-soos order, the soldiers andmanders released the safety devices of long guns and freight cars. Move to breaking news! Following the admirals order, the soldiers began to move at a fast pace. As soon as I turned around the palm tree jungle that was blocking my view, I could see the bridgehead where Admiral Ahn Sang-soo and the imperial troops were engaged in a fierce battle. Admiral Ahn Sang-soo immediately pulled out his rifle and shouted. Riflemen form a three-line line! At the admirals order, the riflemen formed a three-line march. Advance! As the soldiers lined up in three rows advanced slowly, Admiral Ahn Sang-soo continued to give orders. Carts carrying freight cars deploy on both wings! Lastly, heat the toys! The soldiers were busy following Admiral Ahn Sang-soos orders. Ready! When it was reported that the freight cars and toys were ready, Admiral Ahn Sang-soo rode his horse and stood at the head of the riflemen. As the riflemen advanced, led by Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, the Aztec warriors attacking the bridgehead began to panic. Admiral Ahn Sang-soo shouted loudly at that sight. Let go! * * * As Admiral Ahn Sang-soos troops, aided by the natives, moved quickly through the jungle, King Montezuma I changed his strategy. They chose to go back! Go ahead of them and intercept them! Following the orders of Montezuma I, the Aztec warriors chose the fastest route despite the rough terrain and headed to the beachhead. Montezuma I, who arrived in the jungle closest to the beachhead, sent scouts to check the situation. -There are at best about 100 strangers on the beach. -The strangers ship is quite far away. Montezuma I, who confirmed the report, immediately nned a n. If we kill all the strangers on the beach, those ships will have no choice but to leave. Then those who ran away from us will be stranded. But help maye from those strangers ships. Montezuma I shook his head at the point made by the noblemanmanding the troops. Consider the number of strangers who have fled from us. No matter how big that ship is, it will only be able to send back the people on the beach. In Tenochtin, it was not possible to properly gather soldiers. But this time, weve pulled it off properly, so we can avenge Tenochtins humiliation! Go back now and prepare for battle! In response to Montezuma Is confident exnation, the nobles returned to their units and prepared for battle. Chapter 771 Episode 771: A self-inflicted disaster (6) Whew~. Its hot. The soldiers guarding the bridgehead grumbled as they wiped their sweat in the hot sunlight. Almost a month and a half had passed since the unit led by Admiral Ahn Sang-soo followed the natives into the ind. In the meantime, the bridgehead had its own changes. The defensive wall made of sand bags became stronger, and the bridgehead was divided into sections to increase the efficiency of living and fighting. In particr, the watchtower, made up ofyers of sand bags, was a masterpiece of conversion, offering a panoramic view of the surrounding area. Nimi Its a masterpiece of conversion for both the military and military artillerymen The sailors swore as they looked at the towering watchtower. * * * Hmm It would be a problem if the soldiers discipline becamex As Admiral Ahn Sang-soos unit disappeared ind and time passed, the captains became worried about the sailorsx discipline. If you were sailing, you didnt have to worry about this problem. This was because the sea itself was the biggest enemy. Even if it was a calm sea with no big waves and only a favorable wind, the sea was a ce where being a little careless could mean the difference between life and death. Compared to the danger of the sea, pirates were just a little trouble. However, living for a long period of time on a sunny, atmospheric tropical beach was the perfect situation to call for discipline. In reality, quite a few soldiers got injured while ying carelessly. In the end, the captains called on military instructors and gunners C simr to the modern-day rank of nonmissioned officers. If the soldiers be toox, it could be a problem if something happens. Think of a suitable method. All right. The fleets military and military personnel put their heads together to find a solution. I cant help it. Lets create a proper beachhead. I agree. No news may be good news, but it may not be. I agree. In this way, the military bridge and military machine gun were used to strengthen the bridgehead by harassing the soldiers, and the core of it was that watchtower. They brought in sandbags full of sand, stacked them high, and made roofs out of wood and sails. Instead of climbing the watchtower using adder made of wood or rope, a ramp was made using sand bags. This was not just a simple ramp, but a proper ramp made with sand bags as a barrier. Its not difficult because theres sand everywhere, right? To work hard. The soldiers all cursed in low voices as they watched Jinmu walking away after giving orders. Ningiri The soldiers who climbed the watchtower looked intently in all directions. No, I had no choice but to look. At the front lines at sea, they frequently asked about the situation using luminous signals, and if they failed to answer properly, the captains woulde and scold the beachheadmanders. And of course, the downward spiral continued. And the further down I went, the stronger the craving became. So the soldiers had no choice but to diligently scout all directions. * * * While the soldiers maintaining the beachhead were wiping their sweat andining, the soldiers in the watchtower were watching all around with binocr telescopes. There are nothing but trees The clever rabbit, who was grumbling as he looked at the jungle spread out in front of him, suddenly stopped talking and put the telescope close to his eyes. Oh my The clever rabbit, who was scanning the jungle with a telescope, hit the warning bell like crazy with a small hammer. Clink ding ding! The enemy! Its the enemy! what! Kim In-gyeom, the first officer who heard the warning bell, ran up the ramp as if he were flying. Whats going on! These are armed natives! The clever rabbit answered and held out a telescope. Kim In-gyeom, who confirmed the direction pointed by the clever rabbit, immediately sent a signal with a luminous signal. -Arge armed group is approaching! Support needed! While the watchtower was sending out requests for support to the fleet, the soldiers guarding the bridgehead were also busy moving around. Soldiers wearing helmets hastily jumped into trenches reinforced with sand bags. m! m! The soldiers hurriedly finished loading the freight cars and long guns, then ced their fingers on the triggers and looked ahead. Wow! Kyaaaaa~ Kwaaaaak! After a while, indigenous warriors came out of the jungle. Unlikest time, the soldiers swallowed their saliva as they saw the indigenous warriors approaching noisily with fierce shouts and instruments that made sounds simr to human screams. * * * Meanwhile, the gships captain, Kim Taek-gil, cursed while looking at the luminous signal sent from the bridgehead. shit! Why now! We dont have enough people! As Taek-gil said, there was a shortage of people at the bridgehead and fleet. At least 350 sailors were needed to properly operate a Challenger-ss ship. There were 200 people on the emergency line. In this operation, the two Challenger-ss ships carried 50 more people each, and the Sea Emergency-ss ships carried 30 more people. Conversely, all fronts in the fleet had to reduce as much shells and gunpowder as possible for the ships guns. This was to load food wagons and bigyeokjincheonroe to use up living space for additional troops. The problem was the troops led by Admiral Ahn Sang-soo. Half of the additional passengers were mobilized to manage the horses and carts. The troops to prepare for a possible armed conflict were taken from the ships crew. Therefore, those remaining at the fleets front lines and bridgeheads were the minimum number of people capable of moving the front lines. In addition, almost all of the remaining soldiers in charge of the freight cars C boasting the greatest power against people C were now at the bridgehead. Taek-gil, the fleets most senior captain and captain of the gship, eventually had no choice but to acknowledge the situation. Use it! I get cursed, but I cant help it! Acknowledging the situation, Taek-gil quickly gave orders. Concentrate all sailors on the starboard guns! ancient! Send orders to other fronts as well! We provide full-strength artillery support to the bridgehead! yes! Raise the fighter nes! At Taekgilsmand, the signal g announcing the battle was raised on the highest mast. Then, fighter nes went up on other fronts as well. * * * The fighter ne is up! The soldiers guarding the bridgehead swallowed dry saliva again and swore softly as they heard the shout, The fighter ne has gone up! Nimi. Sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss??? is ? is? is? is? am is am? am is is? is am is do is do ism am do ism is am am? is is be will am am be should be. Damn it I should have worn my armor properly The soldiers who had taken off their tops due to the heat but managed to grab only their helmets regretted it, but it was already toote. In the end, the soldiers tightened their helmet straps again and red ahead. * * * The natives who hade out of the jungle were approaching with murderous faces, but themanders of the bridgehead prohibited the soldiers from shooting. No firing until ordered! Shoot when I tell you to shoot! Fuck The soldiers only swore in response to themanders orders. At that moment, the native warriors at the back of the native camp hurled slings and arrows and threw javelins all at once. Get down! The soldiers who saw slings and arrows flying through the air quickly crouched under the trench wall. At that moment, a shingle rose from the watchtower into the sky. pop! As red smoke clouds rose in the sky, the waiting front lines fired their artillery at the same time. Ku-kwa-kwang! Due to the bombardment of the front lines,rge explosions urred in the jungle in front of the beachhead and in the camp of Aztec warriors that emerged from there. Themanders guarding the bridgehead shouted in unison as the fragments of trees swept away by the explosion of shells and the shredded body parts of warriors rose into the sky. Let go! Ta-ta-ta-ta-tang! bang! Tatang! Bang bang! As soon as the order was given, the freight cars guarding the bridgehead burst into mes, and the sailors long guns fired simultaneously. * * * The battle that followed was literally a bloody fight. The imperial armys firepower overwhelmed the Aztec warriors, but the problem was their numbers. The number was too small to suppress all the Aztec warriors who were pushing forward like a swarm of ants. And there were other problems as well. Arent these bastards afraid of dying? This was because the Aztec warriors continued to push forward even as they saw their fellow countrymen bleeding and falling down right in front of them, and dozens of people dying in pieces with each explosion. Because of this, the imperial soldiers who were pulling the trigger on them were starting to get scared. The Aztec warriors flocking toward the beachhead were addicted to drugs. * * * Before attacking the beachhead, Montezuma I and the Aztecmanders reviewed the Battle of Tenochtin. The soldiers were so frightened that they retreated backwards. The same thing cannot happen this time. right. This must be prevented. To prevent warriors who were frightened by the firepower of the imperial army from stopping their charge or retreating, King Montezuma I and hismanders fed the warriors coca leaves. Since ancient times, Aztec warriors have made good use of coca leaves. Even if you only take a small amount, it helps you forget about fatigue and has a good pain-relieving effect. And if you eat it inrge quantities, you will go into a state of hallucination and forget the fear itself. King Montezuma I and hismanders, who knew well the effectiveness of coca leaves, fedrge quantities of coca leaves to their warriors. The Aztec warriors, drunk on the narcotic properties of coca leaves, were continuing to charge at a rate that made even the imperial soldiers sick of it. * * * The drugged Aztec warriors gradually approached the beachhead, despite great sacrifices. Throwing bombs! Throwing bombs! The Aztec warriors fell to the ground from dozens of thrown bombs flying from the beachhead, but other Aztec warriors pushed in to fill the hole. Shit! Prepare for hand-to-handbat! Fuck! While themanders and soldiers guarding the bridgehead were preparing for closebat, a unit led by Admiral Ahn Sang-soo arrived. * * * The arrival of Admiral Ahn Sang-soos troopspletely turned the tide of the war. The unit led by Admiral Ahn Sang-soo attacked the nks of the Aztec warriors camp. After receiving a fatal blow to the side, the camp of Aztec warriors finally began to copse under persistent bombardment from battle lines floating in the sea. The Aztec warriors, who were able to perceive the surrounding situation to some extent no matter how drugged they were, began to retreat again. However, Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who saw this, gave an order to themanders. Advance and fire alternately! In response to Admiral Ahn Sang-soos order, themanders in charge of the riflemen shouted to the soldiers. Fire the first line! bang! Ta-ta-tang! 2nd line forward! Aim!unch! bang! Ta-ta-tang! Three rows forward! Aim!unch! The Aztec warriors, who were hesitant, turned their backs at once as the freight cars fired crossfire from both wings and the riflemen took turns firing and approaching one at a time in the center. Chapter 772 Episode 772: A self-inflicted disaster (7) The enemies are retreating! The enemy is retreating! The Aztec warriors, caught in the unintentional hammer and anvil tactic between Admiral Ahn Sang-soos troops and the troops guarding the bridgehead, retreated, unable to ovee the umted damage. Cannonballs fired from the imperial front lines continued to rain down on the heads of the Aztec warriors fleeing into the jungle. Seeing the Aztec warriors desperately fleeing under intense bombardment from the imperial front lines, the imperial soldiers at the bridgehead took off their helmets, waved them high, and shouted. Wow! Victory! Victory! Some soldiers, unable to ovee their passion, climbed up the battlements made of sand bags, raised their rifles high, and chanted Victory! Meanwhile, Admiral Ahn Sang-soos unit arrived at the bridgehead. How about we pursue the retreating enemies? His subordinate officers, drunk with victory, requested pursuit, but Admiral Ahn Sang-soo shook his head. It is not permitted. It is true that the enemy suffered a lot of damage. However, we must not forget that the jungle is a familiar ce to them and we are not familiar with it. And the soldiers were exhausted. As Admiral Ahn Sang-soo pointed out, the faces of the soldiers who finished the battle were full of fatigue. I was tired from maintaining tension while passing through a jungle full of all kinds of dangers. I didnt know it during the battle with the Aztec warriors, but as I watched the Aztec warriors attacking the beachhead flee, the umted fatigue came to me all at once. Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who stopped the pursuit, gave orders to his subordinate officers. The most urgent task is to quickly treat the wounded soldiers and check the damage. Send a signal to the front lines to request a military doctor. yes! * * * Following Admiral Ahn Sang-soos orders, military doctors busily treated the wounded andmanders tallied the damage. Hmm Its fortunate that there were only a few casualties. Admiral Ahn Sang-soo felt relieved after checking the number of wounded and dead counted by his subordinate officers. ording to the tally, there were 7 deaths in the battle in Tenochtin and the battle at the beachhead. Considering the bloody battle that took ce in Tenochtin and the beachhead, the number of deaths was a record low. As expected, the difference is in the weapons The double rifle was superior. Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who analyzed the cause while stroking his beard, pointed out the difference in weapons as the biggest reason. As he thought, the long guns carried by the imperial soldiers showed definite power. This was because 5-shot rapid fire was possible and native warriors who lost their senses could be suppressed with just one shot. * * * The reason why the bullets of military rifles had such power was because of the scent. For the time being, small-diameter high-speed bombs will just be a lump of luggage. After the end of World War II, small-diameter high-speed bullets had be the trend of the times, but it was judged that their shorings were rather serious. There were several reasons why Hyang made this decision. -Most countries still fight wearing armor. Of course, even small-diameter, high-speed bullets can easily prate armor, but considering the armor and the quilted vest worn underneath it, it is unsettling. -Considering the jungle area of Shinji and the indigenous people living within it, reliable punching power is more important than clear prating power. -In addition to the above reasons, there is a theory that the power of guns is halved for those who do not know their existence. I made the above judgment based on what I remember seeing about the scent on the Inte. ording to the results of an analysis by the American police at the time C I forget whether it was the LAPD or the NYPD C many of those who died from gunshot wounds died of shock. In other words, he did not actually die by hitting a fatal vital point, but rather, Ah! Ive been shot! It was said that he died of psychological shock, thinking, Im going to die now! It means too much is too little. They say that knowing too much is poison. If you think about it the other way around, its still a problem. It was certain that those who did not know the existence of bullets would continue to attack them unless they hit a critical point. Actually, thats why the Colt 45 was created The 45ACP bullet was chosen by the U.S. military based on the experience gained during the battle with the natives of the Philippines. Although its pration power was lower than that of the 9mm Parabellum, its punching power was a solid bullet. And finally -The jungle area of Shinji is overflowing with all kinds of wild beasts other than humans. You need solid punching power to knock them out with one blow. You cant carry them separately for catching people and animals. Arent the supply managers going to go crazy? In this way, the caliber and power of military rifles were determined. * * * Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who was the first to choose a military rifle, soon denied his judgment. No, it is unreasonable to limit it to only military-style long guns. No matter how good the rifle is, it can only kill one person per shot. Then, of course its freight cars, bigyeokjincheonroe, and artillery. As Admiral Ahn Sang-soo judged, the Hwacha and Bigyeokjincheonroe artillery pieces once again made their mark in the battles that took ce. Every time a freight car burst into mes, bigeokjincheonroe and artillery shells exploded, many indigenous warriors died. If thebined-type rifles delivered certain death, the freight cars and Bigyeokjincheonro artillery pieces inflicted iprehensible damage. Even if there is nothing you can do about freight cars, it is not efficient to carry bigyeokjincheonroe and artillery separately. As expected, what the imperial army needs in the future is artillery, and very powerful artillery. A single gun that can wipe out everything that stands in the way of the imperial army, from people to fortresses, is the only answer. Admiral Ahn Sang-soo was doing well but ended up falling into the extremely imperial conclusion that the artillery was a very powerful artillery piece. * * * Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who analyzed the reason for the low number of casualties, moved on. The vast majority of the injured are fractures and the shoulder area? Admiral Ahn Sang-soo opened the military doctors reports as most of the injured had unusual injuries, including shoulder fractures. The sling is the cause? Looking at the tactics of the Aztec warriors, warriors with macuahuitl and spears formed a position in the front, and warriors with slings, bows and javelins provided cover in the back. In this tactic, it was the sling that caused damage to the imperial soldiers. Arrows and javelins did surprisingly little damage. The bows used by Aztec warriors were inferior in many ways to the empires famous square bows. The biggest difference was the flight speed of the arrow. The same was true for the javelin. But the slingstone was different. The stones thrown by the slingshot were so small that they were difficult to see with the naked eye, and their speed was very fast. Aztec warriors fired slings aimed at the heads and upper bodies of imperial soldiers. Thanks to the helmet, the imperial army prevented head injuries, but suffered many injuries to the shoulder area. Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who confirmed the cause, added a sentence to the report. C Units moving to punish ruthless people whomit human sacrifice and cannibalism need to be equipped with protective gear to protect the shoulders and neck. * * * Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who safely returned to the beachhead, immediately prepared to return to port. Of course, it was imperative topletely destroy the beachhead before leaving. How did I make this! Shit! Why are you calling me that? The soldiers burst into anger as they destroyed the watchtower covered in blood, sweat and tears. Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who destroyed all facilities and equipment that might be used by the natives, led the fleet and returned to port. As the ships led by the admiral slowly sailed out to sea, the Aztec warriors hiding in the jungle moved. The strangers have left. Tell toani. The jaguar warrior who delivered themand to the messenger looked at the sun in the sky and prayed earnestly. Please, I hope they donte back * * * Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who returned to his home port, delivered a report to Hyang immediately using the waiting sea emergency wire. After receiving the report, Hyang ced her hand on her forehead and muttered softly. You didnt exceed my damn expectations. The report posted by Admiral Ahn Sang- su contained detailed records of Aztec human sacrifice and cannibalism . -The natives who apanied him, especially those called Jjong, actively learned the imperialnguage. From what I heard from this slut, the indigenous nation in question calls themselves Mxihcah. They sacrifice people as ritual sacrifices to the gods and then use the corpses as food. -All surrounding tribes, including the tribe to which Seong belongs, have the custom of cannibalism. However, like Messika, there are no cases where countless people are killed as sacrifices every time. -To borate, there is no way to count ssss beyond 20. ording to the expression Ssung, which means 20 out of 20, over 20, it can be seen that at least hundreds to up to tens of thousands of people are sacrificed. -Therefore, I believe that this Messika needs to be properly conquered and annihted. C Only when Mesica is exterminated will the surrounding tribes stop this evil practice. Extinction doesnt have a good English feel. After checking the contents of the report, Hyang felt ufortable seeing the word annihtion. In any case, Hyang was a person who had received democratic education in the 21st century, and the word annihtion was a word that was difficult to ept. Although he was born in Joseon and was greatly diluted by joining forces with the Jurchen and fighting against the Ming. But I guess this is the only answer for now. Of course, people here will have the same reaction. And Hyang paused for a moment and continued speaking with a long sigh. Whoa~. Still, it will be easier if you break it down to some extent. Human sacrifice and cannibalism are problems that are difficult to ignore. And this will be punishment, not conquest. Recognizing that Aztec punishment was inevitable, Hyang confirmed the battle report. After checking the battle report posted jointly by Admiral Ahn Sang-soo and his subordinatemanders, Hyang nodded slightly. Was it possible to avoid the Night of Sorrows thanks to the freight trains and the Bigyeokjincheonro? * * * The Day of Sorrows was a battle that took ce between the Spanish soldiers led by Cortes and the Aztec warriors. In the battle that began with a surprise attack by Aztec warriors, the Spaniards suffered fatal losses. At the time, the Spaniards were armed with matchlocks and crossbow cannons, but they could not ovee the numerical superiority of the Aztec warriors. This was natural. The most powerful weapon the Spanish had at the time, cannons, simply fired projectiles made of stone or iron. Of course, it was possible to fire pellets called grapeshots, but they were nothingpared to the power or firing speed of the Bigyeokjincheonroe. And the freight car that the imperial army dragged to the royal pce in Tenochtin was a major contributor. Lastly, the presence of the Bigyeokjincheonroe, a 5-barreled infantry rifle, allowed the Spaniards to avoid the Night of Sorrow that they experienced. Chapter 773 Chapter 773: A disaster brought about by oneself (8) Hyang sighed as he was analyzing the reason why the current empire did not face the crisis that the Spanish had to face in history before Hyang intervened. Whoa~. It is good that what could have ended in tragedy was avoided, but it has be necessary to clean up Central America sooner than expected. Human sacrifice and cannibalismmitted on arge scale. This was not something that could be concluded with a cover-up. If this was tolerated, it was certain that it would lead to the fall of the imperial power. No matter how much the image of Neo-Confucian Taliban Joseon almost disappeared through Hyangs intervention, this was not something that could be resolved. In addition, in order to control and digest the Central American region in the future, we need to sort out whether they are Aztec or Messica. Phew~. Hyang sighed again and could not hide his disappointment. The problem is that time gets in the way. Every time I try to do something, time is holding me back What Hyang meant by time was that the empire was still in its growth period. During the period of extreme turmoil in thete Goryeo Dynasty and early Seon Dynasty, as well as continuous poor harvests due to climate change, the poption of the Korean Penins was in a situation where the poption of the Korean Penins actually took a step backwards. This returned to growth when King Sejong, who took power after Taejong, actively promoted reforms. However, ifpared to a human being, the Empire was still in its adolescent stage of growth. Although it was full of vitality throughout the empire and was growing steadily day by day, it was still not fully ripe. That doesnt mean I can do good things for others, so I guess I should contact Wani. wait? Is this a problem too? Hyang, thinking of the current emperor, Wan, looked slightly embarrassed. * * * In thest letter, Wan had already told him that the crown prince had taken charge of Area 51. Since the crown prince was 16 years old, there was no problem, but Wan, who did not want to be caught by Hyang, wrote a letter carefully summarizing the situation. -The crown prince had alreadypleted the required level of education at the age of 14 and learned practical skills as an apprentice under Jeong In-ji for two years. -Married at age 12 and currently has one son and one daughter. Thats also true. -ording to Jeong In-jis report, he is running the research center and Area 51 with great enthusiasm. In particr, he is said to be very interested in the development of iron and electric wires using steam engines. It was okay up to this point. The problem was next. -Please clearly report on the results of the de experiment center and craftsman training n, which Tae Sang-taeng said was the foundation. It is judged that the results are insufficientpared to the past. In some ways, it was a very rude thing for a son to criticize his father, but since the son was the emperor, it was not a problem. Despite his circumstances, he was technically a subject of the emperor. The issue of filial piety was something to consider separately. In the end, Hyang had to write a letter of apology to Wan. However, to summarize the contents of the letter, which was full of sentences thrown around in circles, it was as follows. -Im sorry for begging you! -But if you keep craving it like that, you may not be able to return from here at all. Algan? After receiving Hyangs letter, Wan had to immediately send a letter of apology. * * * If that bastards personality is anything to go by, as soon as he sees this, hell immediately say, Im inheriting the throne. This is the guy who will say, Father, and then take action. As soon as Tae Sang-tae said that he had created a flying machineboratory, this guys butt was half-open Hyang- hyang, who knows Wans personality well, who ispletely obsessed with flying in the sky, uses this incident as an excuse to ask what Wan is up to. I could roughly tell what was going to happen. At least we made a promise for 20 years, so we have 14 more years to spare, but the problem is the age of the original situation. Sejong was now 69 years old. Compared to the history before the incense intervened, more than 15 years had passed, but the future was a problem. Youre turning 70 soon Of course, from what Im hearing now, it sounds like you dont have to worry about turning 90, but the situation of the elderly is something you dont know even tomorrow Hyang, who was worried about Sejong, who was approaching 70, suddenly realized how old he was. Now that I think about it, Im already over 50. Hmm Hyang, who had realized that he was getting older, suddenly started to sigh and burst intoughter. Heh! The Emperor stayed for 10 years and I n to stay for 20 years, so is Wan 30 years? Or, once youe, will it be customary to hold on until your 60th birthday? Hyang, who had wandered off to the wrong side and let her imagination run wild, soon adjusted her expression. Oops! I got sidetracked again! Thats not the problem now! Hyang, who managed to stop himself from going down a side street, thought about what would be the best way to deal with the current situation. The answer is to send troops from the headquarters The problem is that this seems to have a simr result to turning the cards In the current situation, the only answer was to increase troops from the headquarters. However, the problem was that as troops were missing, new troops had to be recruited. General soldiers could solve the problem to some extent by mobilizing reserve forces, but themanders were the problem. Even now, the number of people at the military academy has been steadily increasing, but time is needed for them to do their part. Hmm How should I stop this This was something that Emperor Wan and his subjects had to worry about, but Hyang, the person who created the problem, would also be less criticized if he presented an appropriate alternative. Because incense was a situation. -The situation may not help the country, but it only causes problems! This was because if such words were to circte, problems would arise with the imperial power. Considering what the scent had done so far, a usible alternative had to be presented. Hmm While Hyang was thinking abouting up with a good or usible alternative, an official from outside came in hurriedly. your majesty! The Navy is sending me urgently! In the Navy again? After receiving the urgent report from the official, Hyang frowned and swore without even realizing it. Oh shit! Why, at a time like this! The contents of the dispatch sent by the Navy were as follows. -Three European ships were discovered in the southeastern waters of Shinji. Two ships were sunk, but one escaped with serious damage. -In the process of chasing a runaway ship, he encountered a storm and returned to port. -All fronts used in the operation require repair. The reason is damage caused by wind and waves. -It is impossible to determine whether the escaped ship is alive or not. After checking the contents of the urgent report, Hyang ced his hand on his forehead. They said to make matters worse * * * Ugh Captain, are you out of your mind? Captain! Thomas, the captain of the English exploration ship Golden Mary, opened his eyes with difficulty at the shouts of his subordinate. Have we lost track of it? I think so. Please help me. I need to get up. Yes, Captain. Thomas stood up with the help of his subordinate and looked around. He and his men were on the beach in front of a jungle full of palm trees, and the Golden Mary, which was almost half broken, was stranded on the sandy beach right in front. Thomas sighed as he watched the Golden Mary almost fall to the side. Whoa~. Youre lucky you survived. Thats right. Thomas, who was listening to his subordinates and examining the broken ship, swore. Damn pirates! Damn Empire! * * * The Earth Concrete Theory was introduced to Europe through international students and professors who came to study in Seoul. Of course, the Earth theory was not an unfamiliar theory even in Europe. However, only a few intellectuals acknowledged this. Due to the influence of superstitions passed down knowingly or unknowingly for religious reasons, most Europeans believed that the Earth is t or the Earth is square. Because of this belief, Henry had many difficulties in the early days of his exploration. -It goes down south of the equator along the western coastline of Africa. This was because many of the crew members who heard about the purpose of the expedition refused to board. -The area south of the equator is an endless cliff, so you can fall to your death! -The sea south of the equator is full of rapidly rising water! If you go in there, you will be boiled to death! Because this superstition was widespread among the sailors, they refused to board the ship. Thanks to this, Henry had to offer more expensive wages than on other voyages as bait. However, as Henrys expedition safely passed the equator and ascended to the east coast of Africa, this superstition gradually disappeared. No, the superstitions disappeared and these expeditions began to be seen as an opportunity to make a fortune. In fact, there were people who followed the route discovered in this way and made huge profits by not only obtaining gold and silver but also acquiring ves. In this situation, the Earth theory began to receive attention again. Didnt that Eastern empire also say that the world is round? So theres no need to go around Africa or take a ship from Suez to the Empire? Conversely, wouldnt it be okay to go west? People with these thoughts started popping up here and there. However, those who put these ideas into practice were not easily seen. It wouldnt be impossible to go west. But you dont know how long it will take, right? Thats the problem. The ships most used in Europe during this period were the Karak and Galleon caravel. Long distance voyages were almost impossible with these ships. In reality, Africa had to use colonies or ports created along the way, and the eastern route also had to use cities in India and the southwestern ind of the Mka Empire as intermediate ports of call. In this situation, thetest geographical information came in through those who came to study in the empire. Although it was only a theoretical number, it allowed us to know the diameter and circumference of the Earth. Those who saw this figure began to predict possibilities once again. There may be errors in adjusting the imperial weights and measures to our own, but it seems possible, right? No matter what, its still too far. What if we go up north? When the idea of using the North Antic came up, those who had even a little knowledge about the North Antic and the North Sea immediately shook their heads. Those seas are famous for being rough. I heard that the famous Vikings also prayed really sincerely before setting out to the North Sea and the North Ocean. Is it that much? In fact, those who experienced the rough seas of the North Sea gave up the northern route. And the most likely route chosen by those considering other routes was to depart from the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea and head west. I learned about this to some extent through Portugal and Spain, so there is potential, but supply is a problem We need a big ship, and the only country that can build a ship that big is The only country that can build a ship that big is the Country of Flowers. . The problem is that the country does not sell suchrge ships, and even if it does sell them, it would have to return to Africa. You have to think of the infamous triangle waves in southern Africa. If you lose the boat you bought with a lot of money, youre ruined before you even start. When adventurers and investors were still hesitant, there was a country that took the initiative. It was Ennd. Chapter 774 Episode 774: A disaster brought about by himself (9) Edward IV, who took power through the Wars of the Roses, revived the economy devastated by the Hundred Years War and now took care of the nobles who wanted to share power with him, especially Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick. I had to find a way to keep it in check. Ennds main export during this period was wool. Wool from English manors was exported by ship to city-states such as Florence in Italy. Cities such as Florence processed this wool into high-quality woolen fabrics and exported them back to Ennd. Of course, this was a deal that was detrimental to Ennd. The kings of Ennd also knew this well, so they pursued protectionism and technician development policies, albeit at a primitive level. In order to grow the woolen industry, foreign technicians, mainly Italian, were encouraged to emigrate or their skills were transferred. Subsequently, policies such as encouraging the use of wool fabrics produced within Ennd, banning the import of foreign wool fabrics, and banning the export of wool were promoted. Through these policies, Ennds woolen textile industry continued to grow. At the same time, the number of people smuggling out wool began to increase. Italian woolen fabrics were still famous, so sessful smuggling could make a lot of money. However, the ban on wool export was temporarily suspended due to the Hundred Years War. Ennd exported wool to neighboring countries except France. This was part of securing military funds and diplomacy. Edward IV, who came to the throne after the Hundred Years War and the War of the Roses, again banned the import of foreign wool fabrics in 1464 and began preparing a bill to ban the export of wool again. This was to strengthen the governments finances and at the same time create jobs in the woolen textile field. The problem is that it is difficult to be wealthy with wool alone. Edward IV coolly analyzed the situation. Wool fabrics made in Ennd were still of inferior qualitypared to those made in Italy. The market for high-quality woolen fabrics, where real money was made, was still dominated by the Italian city-states. We will catch up eventually, but time and money are the issues. Internally,mercial capital and markets were growing, but there was a long way to go. That wasnt all. Portugal and Italy C Florence, to be exact C had other strengths. This was a situation where huge profits were being made by rying products made in the Land of Flowers. The problem for Britain was that it was almost impossible to ban the import of imperial goods. Immediately after Edward IV, the bedrooms and offices were filled with items from the empire, and a crystal chandelier made in the empire was shining on the ceiling of the banquet hall at Buckingham Pce. There were many products that came from the Land of Flowers that were irreceable, and they had superior quality and were overwhelmingly popr among the public. Therefore, if you hastily block imports, you will only suffer a lot of losses. This is how it should be Edward IV was worried over and over again about the Land of Flowers, which would be a bigger problem if it was left alone. * * * Edward IV, who could not sleep well at night due to economic and political problems, jumped up from his seat when he heard rumors about the Western Route. This is it! There was no one who didnt know that anything brought from the Land of Flowers could bring a lot of money. If the Western route was discovered, the country that controlled the route could immediately stand tall as a central country in Europe. That wasnt all. As seen in the case of Henrich the Navigation Prince, pioneering a new route was a project that required a huge amount of capital. It was almost a miracle to seed in just one attempt, and one had to be prepared to lose many lives and ship capital. Of course, if the exploration was sessful, enormous profits were expected. In the end, funding the exploration and development of new routes was spection, not investment. Edward IV had found a breakthrough in this area to break the power of the nobles. The only people who can donate a lot of money right now are nobles! If it were the Land of Flowers, the nobles would open their wallets right away! Edward IV, who came up with a way to consume the economic power of the nobles by using exploration of the western route, immediately started working. The first thing to do was to use his confidants to find a captain with suitable experience and ability. Afterwards, rumors were secretly spread throughout the aristocratic society and the market. C The King is looking for a captain to search for the Western Route! C We were not only looking for a captain, but we were also requesting the production of a ship from an actual shipyard! This was only half true. It was true that a shipbuilding contract had actually been signed with the shipyard. However, the purpose was not to find a western route, but to use it on the trade route between Cis and Italy. Finding the captain was a simple step. But Edward IV never said this. No, even if I tell you, you wont believe me. Edward IV muttered with a smile of conversion. Since the rumor had already spread, few nobles would believe Edward IV even if he told the truth. C No matter what anyone says, the basis of power was force. And what was needed to maintain that military power was financial power. C As long as he found an exclusive trade route with the Land of Flowers, Edward IV could seed in establishing aplete monopoly of power. C Italian trade is now almost at a standstill. It is absurd to put a new trade ship there. All of Ennds nobles, regardless of political faction, came to simr conclusions. Soon after, investment request letters with simr content began appearing on the London stock market. -Recruiting investors to invest in the Western Route Exploration Team! Arge-scale spection situationter called the Antic Bubble began to ur. * * * As Edward IV expected, those who showed the most enthusiasm in investing in the exploration party were the nobility. Commercial capital, which had just begun to grow, was in many ways inferior to the nobility and was the first to fall away. Its easier now that the people who only eat up the stake are gone! The nobles who had driven out their rivals soon joined hands in groups and began to form investment groups C ns. The nobles who had umted capital in this way soon began looking for capable captains. However, the captains reaction was negative. Lets see barely a caravel? Passing through a vast ocean we have never been to with just one caravel? I wont do it! Then how many ships There must be at least 5 ships! We have to start from Cis, but the area nearby is full of pirates, Portuguese, Spanish, and French pretending to be pirates! pirate? Have you never heard of the Barbary pirates? Dont they mainly plunder in the Mediterranean? These days, the game has gotten a lot bigger. Oh my In the end, the nobles had to provide additional funds. From then on, the nobles had to continue to invest additional funds. The first war of money to take ce was in the process of recruiting a head captain to lead the exploration team. It was notmon for captains to have the ability and experience to lead not only the sailors under theirmand but also the captains of other ships without saying a word. Naturally, there waspetition to recruit such captains. In this process, more money became the basis, and even if a contract was signed today, it was not umon for the contract to be canceled the next day. Thanks to this, a situation was created where extra money was added to the extra money, but the nobles could not back down from thepetition. This was because if you find a proper head captain, you can fill the auxiliary ships with proven people, from the captain to the crew. The second ce where there was petition of money was the shipyard, to be exact. We were going on a voyage that might be fraught with danger, but we couldnt go out on an old ship. Naturally, orders flocked to the shipyard, but the problem was the limited number of shipyards and the shipyards construction capacity. If you make it earlier than other ns, I will pay you more! To build a boat properly, you have to put in the right effort. If you make it in a hurry, it will be bad! therefore! Arent we asking them to postpone other ns ships and build our own ships first? Why would they give me more money! The Nari n isnt the only one with great influence. There are strong people in other ns too! Would you be an asshole just to get a few extra pennies? Observe the order! As the bubble grew, fraud cases aimed at making a fortune began to ur. I will help you find a capable captain. Hes a captain who signed a contract with another n, and I know him well. If you pay the appropriate brokerage fee and penalty, I will sign a contract right away. Some people said things like this and disappeared after taking money, while others impersonated famous captains andmitted fraud. That wasnt all. Now is the time when shipyards make money! The shipyard will be the goose thatys the golden eggs! I am nning to recruit a famous shipbuilding engineer from Spain! Saying this, some people began to flee abroad after receiving investment money, promising to bring in famous shipbuilding engineers from Spain and build a shipyard. As these big and small incidents and idents continued, the bubble grew like crazy. And gradually, nobles were pushed out of thepetition and left out. As the investment of funds became almost infinite, ns that were pushed out bypetition had no choice but to disband their ns. The problem was that even if the n was disbanded, most of the money invested would have been lost in thin air. And because of this, nobles began to go bankrupt frequently. The results that Edward IV wanted were starting toe out. Among the nobles who went bankrupt, there were those who supported Edward IV, but Edward IV lightly ignored them. They are chaff. Edward IVs real core forces had already been informed. They were either not investing at all or were just pretending to monitor the situation. -Once the situation calms down, it is not toote to move. While the core powers were watching, the first exploration team formed a fleet and set out to sea. It was an exploration team that included the Golden Mary driven by Captain Thomas. * * * Although they set off, Captain Thomas fleet was not fully prepared. There was a severe shortage of sailors. Well, I know that there is no cliff at the end of the sea, and I know that there is no boiling sea. Still, Im not splitting up. Go to a ce where there is no chart? If you get lost in the middle of that vast ocean, you will just die, so why do such a crazy thing? You would do such a crazy thing with just this sry? I wont do it even if it kills me! Sess pay? If I die, Im out of luck, so what I wont do it unless I pay in advance! Although there were some who readily epted the unprecedented challenge of crossing the Antic, most sailors refused to participate. Even though the n offered an incentive called sess reward, the situation was sluggish. In the end, the n and captains had no choice but to choose an alternative. Let us save the ves. Chapter 775 . Chapter 775: A disaster brought about by oneself (10) The n leader and other captains expressed doubts about the proposal of Jonathan Brow, the captain of the gship ship leading the fleet. Saving ves? Captain Brow. Are you trying to use ves as sailors? In response to a barrage of questions, Captain Jonathan Brough exined his thoughts step by step. -Nowadays, it is not easy to find a sailor even if you add more money as a down payment. -If you are unable to properly hire skilled sailors, you will have to hire people with little or no experience as sailors. -Then, it would be a good idea to buy ves and use them as sailors. -If you promise freedom to ves in return for a sessful voyage, they will work hard with only the lowest pay. The n leader and other captains nodded at Brows exnation. It seems like a good method The problem is the cost of buying ves. If you do it wrong, it could cost you more money than paying extra to save the crew. Captain Thomas, who was listening to the n leaders point, answered on Captain Brows behalf. There will be virtually no cost overruns. It is rumored that the ve market in Ceuta is overflowing with ves these days. Ceuta is overflowing with ves? why? It is said that the railway to be built in Suez is nearingpletion. They say that thanks to this, ves who are no longer needed areing back to the market. Hmm Then arent there just things that dont work properly? Captain Brow responded to the representatives concerns. Probably not. ording to rumors, people from the Land of Flowers take good care of their health and work well. It is said that those who could not work werepletely removed at the beginning of construction. It is said that the people of Land of Flowers were thorough in that part. Hmm Hearing Captain Brows exnation, the n leader stroked his beard and began to calcte in his mind. As Captain Brough said, those dispatched from the empire did their best to manage ves. In the early days of construction, ves were managed by people sent from Portugal and the Ottomans. But their management was a mess. ves had to do harshbor while eating poor meals. If you were injured in an ident during construction, you could not even dream of proper treatment, so it was not umon for you to be crippled and be abandoned in the desert. Seeing this, railroad construction workers dispatched from the empire stood up. Shit! If we do it that way, any construction project will fail! In the end, railroad construction workers even took charge of the management of ves. All the Alliance had to do was supply ves. The reason railroad construction workers took on the management of ves was for both practical and superstitious reasons. Even cows must be fed properly before they are put to work! If I feed you like that, will you be able to work properly? If you are injured, you should treat it properly and think about using it again! Or dont miss the chance and provide ves on time! If smooth progress of construction was the realistic reason, Superstition was fear of the vengeful spirits of dead ves. Just as sailors believed in all kinds of superstitions and jinxes, those working on the railroad also believed in superstitions and jinxes. Regardless of whether it was the headquarters of the empire or the new northern territories,ying a railroad was a life-threatening task. The scene was a ce where not only all kinds of wild beasts and bandits, but also all kinds of heavy equipment and gunpowder roamed around. Even the slightest carelessness could lead to death or disability, and because of this, those in charge of construction were sensitive to superstitions and jinxes. Before starting construction, it was basic to hold a prayer to pray for safe progress, and when looking at indigenous religious facilities simr to Seonangdang, it was basic to divert the route or hold a grand ceremony and demolish them. This was the same in Suez. First, a farewell service was held to pray for the empires sessful construction, and priests and imams offered blessings to the site. In this situation, it was natural for the people of the empire to go into an uproar when they saw ves dying indiscriminately. Even if the thieves attacked and died! But no matter how much those five ghosts are ves, they shouldnt be killed like that! How can I appease their vengeful spirits? What are you going to do when the sun breaks on theid railroad tracks? Its sad that you die or get injured, but if you die like that, Ill do it even if it means turning into a ghost! As practical reasons and superstitions ovepped, the imperialists took full responsibility for the management of ves. As the imperialists took full charge of ve management, the treatment of ves changed significantly. Immediately, the quality and quantity of food eaten by ves improved. Additionally, work was stopped when it was too hot and ample rest and water were provided. ves who were injured in idents or suffered from illness were able to receive sufficient treatment, and if they lost their lives, they were buried respectfully and a joint memorial service was held. As the imperialists stepped forward, the construction of the Suez railway elerated and progressed smoothly. * * * Its okay, but the catch is that they are ves who can only move when controlled with a rod. Seeing that the n leader was still skeptical, Brow added. All you have to do is pick the useful ones and then let them choose. Would you rather be a sailor or go to a sugarcane farm? At Brows words, the n leader nodded with a bright face. ah! There was a way! The ces that bought the most ves at the ve market in Ceuta were sugarcane ntations located in the Azores and Portuguese colonies in Africa. Sugar produced from sugar cane ntations in the Azores and Africa was the main source of ie for the Portuguese nobility. Sugar produced from sugar cane farms was a valuable product sold not only in Europe but also throughout the empire. Of course, there were people who suffered damage from this sugar. There were hundreds of sugarcane farmers. The price of sugar produced using ves was cheaper than sugar produced by Ming Dynasty farmers. Thanks to this, as time passed, Portuguese sugar began to increase its market share in the imperial and Japanese sugar markets. To go one step further, Portuguese sugar began to encroach on the Ming sugar market as well, and Ming began to think about countermeasures. * * * In the end, the n leader epted Brows proposal. Fortunately, the minimum number of crew members needed to move the ships in the fleet was secured. Then lets go! Where should you go first? Is it also Ceuta? When asked by the n leader who joined the voyage, Brow shook his head. no. Cises first. Why Cis? We must join the trading ships going to Italy. Its to avoid pirates. At this time, Cis was an English territory. And it was Enndsrgest trading port. It was a gathering ce for English trading ships heading to Italy, Alexandria, and various parts of the Mediterranean. The trading ships gathered at Cis passed through the Mediterranean in groups. This was due to the Barbary pirates who settled in North Africa, especially Moro and Algeria. The area at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea has long been home to many pirates. As time passed, Muslims and Jews who were pushed out during the Reconquistas recovery of the Iberian Penins joined the pirates, and their power grew stronger. In order to prevent the attacks of pirates, which became more powerful, trading ships chose to organize and move inrge fleets. Brow exined in more detail. The total number of ships in our fleet is five. The bigger problem is that there are too few sailors. It is best to bury it on board the fleet departing from Cis. Hmm I see. Then lets go to Cis first. Three dayster, Broughs fleet departed the port of London. It was a fleet consisting of two Karak ships and three caravels, and was the first exploration team to set out to find the Western Route. Many Londoners gathered at the Port of London to watch the departure of the exploration team, which was called the Brough Fleet after thest name of Brough, the chief captain of the fleet. Wow~. God bless you! I wish you sess! The fleet moved towards Cis with the support and blessings of London citizens. Members of other ns were busy moving as they watched the fleet getting further and further away. You may have missed the title of first, but you must not miss the title of sess! Go to the shipyard right away and check the situation! * * * The captains of the Brow Fleet that arrived in Cis were busy. On the one hand, I inquired about the departure date and size of the fleet departing for the Mediterranean Sea, and on the other hand, I went around looking for additional sailors to join the voyage. Naturally, as the captains were busy moving around, rumors spread, and upon hearing these rumors, a group of schrs approached them. You said you would join the voyage? Thats right. Why schrs? If the existence of the Western Route is proven, it will be asting achievement in academia. So please make sure to join us. After hearing the schrs request, Captain Brow and the n representative looked at the schrs with suspicious eyes. The schrs who saw that expression quickly added words. We are not French! Ill even finance it! Five schrs seemed to like the second answer and joined the voyage. * * * The Brow Fleet, which spent 15 days in Cis, joined the fleet heading to Italy and departed. As he slowly headed south and passed the Pirs of Hercules, Captain Brough spotted ships in the distance and took out his monocle. They are Portuguese. Brow checked the gs hung on the masts of ships in the distance and gave orders to the sailors. Raise the g! Make it clear that we are an English ship! yes! At Captain Broughsmand, a g with a red cross on a white background was raised to the top of the mast. Brow exined the situation to the representative. In some ways, the Portuguese and Spanish are simr to pirates. If you dont know the nationality of the ship in front of you or if it looks easy, you will attack it without fail. No, even if you know, they attack you. Even if you know, they attack you? Trade ships traveling between Africa and the Mediterranean make money. So you must not be left behind until you reach Ceuta. At Brows warning, the n leader looked at the Portuguese ships in the distance with a face full of worry. * * * The Brow fleet, which safely passed the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea, parted ways with the trading fleet near Ceuta. Be careful from now on! Now its really just us! yes! Brows fleet headed for Ceuta at the fastest possible speed, keeping watch in all directions. The Brow fleet, which safely arrived in Ceuta, soon caught the attention of Ceutas merchants and the Portuguese navy. Why did the English shipse? There are quite a few ships for saving ves, right? The ships are all brand new. Soon, rumors about the purpose of the Brow fleet began to spread, and the expressions on the Portugueses faces became strange. Western route? Chapter 776 Chapter 776: A disaster brought about by oneself. (11) Even while the Portuguese were showing strange expressions, the sailors and captains of Brows fleet were busy moving about. Two months! We have to make it usable within two months! At least make it to the point where you understand what youre being asked to do! Broughs fleet trained ves right in front of the port of Ceuta. We trained hard to raise and lower the sail and turn the crossbar left and right ording to the wind direction. And in this process, ves who could not adapt properly were sold back to the ve market and new ves were obtained. The sailors treated the ves harshly, but the ves desperately followed the sailors instructions. This was because, through the poor interpretation of an English interpreter, they had been told that if the voyage was sessful, they would gain freedom. And because they saw that if they fell behind even a little, they would immediately be sold on the ve market, the ves had no choice but to cling on desperately. As much as the English worked hard to obtain as many usable ves as possible, the ve traders in Ceuta also had a headache. Is it a return again? Why is it so picky One of the conditions the English put forward was quite picky. -You should be able to understand Latin to some extent. At this time, the officialnguage of the Mediterranean region was Latin, so captains and senior sailors C those seeking executive positions such as captains and navigators C spoke Latin fluently. Therefore, ves were required to be able to understand simplemands given in one or two Latin words. However, more than 60% of the ves entering Ceutas ve market were ves who had just been captured from Africa. The ves that met the standards required by the English were those from the Suez Railway construction, but the problem was that the English were not the only ones looking for them. Thenguage used between the imperialists and the allies at the Suez construction site was Latin C although it was at the level of a list of words C so the ves from the Suez site understood Latin. In addition, thanks to the thorough management of the imperial people, the ves from the Suez field were strong and quick to work with. As an aside, the word of empire spread throughout the Mediterranean through the ves from the Suez construction site and the allies who managed the construction site . This was because there was an imperialnguage spoken by employees and ves who managed ves. hurry! hurry! When those words were said, the ves from the construction site began to act faster. * * * The imperial people managing the field improved the efficiency of their ves using methods they had used well since their home base. This was also a way to vor MSG. ves were organized into groups and leaders were selected from them. And the group that did a good job was paid more food than other groups and even provided holidays. Lastly, in the case of the leader whomanded the group, additional food was paid in addition to the additional food, and even some money was paid. Ultimately, if the team leader recorded good grades without any idents for more than 6 months, he or she became a free worker and was hired as a full-time employee on site. The ves eyes widened as they saw ves like them being treated as free people before their eyes. hurry! hurry! When they heard those words, the ves gathered strength they didnt have and increased their speed. Praise makes even whales dance, but incentives make them fly. This was what Hyang muttered when first introducing the reward system. * * * Thanks to these advantages, the ves from the Suez site were very popr. Those who saved the most ves from Suez were the Ottomans, followed by the Italians. Here the English entered thepetition. Thanks to this, Ceutas ve market was booming every day. * * * About two months after Brows fleet stayed in Ceuta, Brow reported to the n leader. I think we can leave now. Can we leave right now? Just fill up with food and water and you can set off. Then lets leave as quickly as possible! As soon as the decision was made from above, the captain and crew got busy. Ceuta merchants introduced the most popr products these days to the captain and crew who went around the Ceuta market and purchased all kinds of food, beer and wine. The same was true for the merchant that Captain Thomas met. You said you were going far away, right? Then this is the best! What is it? Its called Geonryang made in the Land of Flowers. dry measure? When Captain Thomas showed interest, the merchant took arge paper bag from one side and opened the mouth. This one. Is it grain powder? Its a mixture of grains, beef jerky, dried vegetables, etc. mixed into powder. If you just pour hot water into it. The merchant poured dry powder into a small cup and poured hot water into it, then held out the cup along with a small spoon. Drink, Bossu. Hmm Hrup! Captain Thomas, who ate the dry food in the cup, nodded slightly. Its okay. Its not a bad vor. Normally, we carry dried bread with us on long-distance voyages, but is that bread? Its a rock. Captain Thomas nodded at the merchants point. In the past, when I went to the Land of Flowers on a Portuguese ship, the most difficult thing was eating the bread in question. It was okay because there were ports of call along the way, but if we couldnt stop at a port of call due to an epidemic or a storm, we had to survive by eating that damn bread. Honestly, I ate it so I wouldnt die Captain Thomas, recalling painful memories, asked the merchant. How much should I eat at one meal? With salted meat, its about The other captains were simr to Thomas. Should I eat porridge instead of bread? The n leader looked tearful, but the sailors expressions brightened. You mean I dont have to eat that damn bread? Dry goods were not the only imperial goods purchased by the fleet. A modified Sojugori desalination machine made and distributed by the local government was also carried on board the ship. This is a bit expensive When the captains expressed their disapproval at the hefty price, the merchants raised their voices, pointing to the flower emblem stamped on the manufacturing machine and dry bulk bags. See? Its a product from The Land of Flowers! Desalination machines and dry goods are both cheap from the Ming Dynasty, but the things you buy because they are cheap and end up ruined are the Ming Dynasty products! Thats not true Hearing the merchants words, the captains opened their wallets. * * * When preparations for departure werepletelypleted, Captain Brow spoke to the n leader and held a dinner party. Captain Brough, who had rented thergest bar in the port, climbed up to the table and raised his ss high. For the sess of your voyage! for! Lets drink! The captains and sailors who responded to Captain Broughs call soon began emptying their sses. While there was a lot of noise from all directions, Captain Brow and the n leader chatted in a friendly atmosphere. Im d we were able to get the timing right. Thats right. Im a little worried about the ves we brought inst, but will they be okay? I have no choice but to train as I go, but I think it will be okay. When the bar was so noisy, those on security duty looked enviously. Tsk. If only I hadnt been drawn by the damn lot But they said theyd bring me food and alcohol in a little while, so Ill have to endure it until then. Two dayster, Broughs fleet, fully prepared, departed Ceuta. God bless you! God bless you! While port workers and bar women flocked to the dock to enthusiastically bid farewell, several sturdy men moved around secretly. Tell them were leaving. yes. * * * Broughs fleet departed from Ceuta and headed toward the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea at high speed. Its fortunate that the wind helped us. Im grateful. Thanking the wind for blowing at the right time, Captain Brough gave orders to his crew. Look everywhere! From now on, this is where pirates will set up! yes! Raise the signal! As the signal g went up on the mast of the gship Golden Blow, signals went up on other ships as well. The sailors of the Brow fleet carefully looked in all directions. The sailors, who were very nervous and looking in all directions, all cursed Portugal. Damn Portuguese * * * The entrance to the Mediterranean Sea was famous for being teeming with pirates. The original n was to apany the Portuguese fleet departing from Ceuta to Lisbon. But for some reason the Portuguese refused to go along. Departure has been postponed due to unexined circumstances. How long has it been dyed? At least a month? this! After hearing the Portugueses answer, Brow exined the situation to the n representative. Maybe the Portuguese are interfering. Portugal? why? If we seed in our exploration, who will lose the most? Ah In the end, the Brow fleet had no choice but to decide to set sail on its own. This was because there were financial problems in continuing to stay in Ceuta. * * * Just as the Brow fleet reached the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea, the watchman in the watchtower shouted. Forward on the port side! Many unidentified ships! At the call of observation, Captain Brough ran to the forecastle and took out a monocle. Its not Portuguese, its not Spanish Its most likely pirates. Captain Brough, who saw the ships approaching, gave a loudmand. Prepare for battle! Raise the signal! Clink ding ding! Ready for battle! Ready for battle! The sailors were busy moving around while bells were ringing to signal an emergency on the ships in the fleet that saw the signal. The shutter covering the gun port was opened, and the muzzle of the fully loaded cannon was pushed out. When the cannons on the main deck were finishing preparing for battle. Longbowmen and musketeers wearing leather armor were stationed on the upper deck. Ready! After receiving the managers report, Captain Brow spoke to the n representative next to him. Its dangerous. It would be better to go into the cabin. At Captain Brows rmendation, the n leader pulled out the longsword he was wearing. Even if you look like this, you are a knight. In that case Captain Brow, who smiled slightly at the representatives fighting spirit, raised his monocle and looked at the fleet in question. Captain Brow, who checked the shipsing straight ahead without turning their bows, shouted. Its a pirate! Its war! * * * The battle at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea was fierce. The fleets gship ship, Golden Blow, and Golden Mary,manded by Captain Thomas, were quiterge even in the Karak ss. Thanks to this, the two Karak ss ships were equipped with 10 main guns, 5 on each side, and numerous light guns on the forecastle and stern. The three caravels did not have main guns, but each ship was equipped with about 10 light guns. Thanks to this, it was a fairly powerful fleet in terms of firepower. The pirates who attacked them were a group of about 20 small, fast dhows. They reced inferiority in firepower with mobility and quantity. And their target was not the powerful Karak, but the Caravel. Chapter 777 Chapter 777: A disaster brought on by oneself. (12) The pirates were able to target the caravel thanks to the tactics of the English fleet, or rather, the tactics of the European navies of this period. The tactics of European navies during this period did not change except that the main weapon was changed to cannons. It was amon battle for the Navys warships to mix in a disorderly manner and engage in a fierce battle. Karak was created to ensure victory in this naval battle. The high forecastle and stern looked like a castle floating on the sea. Until then, it was not easy to pilot a carrack using a typical caravel or dhow. Rather, if you tried to get close to attack, you were likely to suffer a fatal blow from the attacks pouring in from the forecastle and stern. Thats why the pirates rushed to target the caravel. The caravels targeted by pirates made evasive maneuvers around the Karak-ss battleships Golden Blow and Golden Mary. The goal was to lure pirate ships between two ships with overwhelmingly superior firepower. This was, after all, a traditional tactic. As a result, even though the pirates used their brains, a traditional melee broke out. If themanders of the Imperial Navy had seen this, they would have cursed right away. You idiots who dont even know how to form a battle line! Its a waste of time! * * * It has been quite a long time since the Imperial Navy formed a basic tactic in naval battles. It was at the end of the Goryeo Dynasty that artillery was introduced and the idea of mounting it on ships and firing it began. At first, all they had to do was push the front lines equipped with artillery into a small formation or block the gun ports and then engage in an artillery battle. But what broke this mold was, of course, the scent. Hyang, who improved the previously used artillery into more powerful artillery, proposed the Panokseon, a bombardment battle line equipped with these artillery pieces. Until then, if artillery was mounted on ships whenever possible, the Panokseon was a battle line built to properly operate artillery. Therefore, King Sejong and the navy began to gradually introduce panokseon. It was thanks to Gyeongjang that the Joseon Dynastys lifestyle became affluent. The scent continued to be sprayed with MSG. Should we just end with mounting artillery? Shouldnt we form a proper formation? Formation? At sea? Is that possible? Hyang gave a firm reply to the navalmanders who reacted negatively. We have to make it possible! They are all the same Panokseon, so we just need to train a little more. If you exclude the problem that many naval soldiers suffered because of the just a little more, Hyangs suggestion was a great help in improving the naval power. By forming various formations such as a straight line, a long line, and a crane wing, the naval force became several times stronger. This was because it became possible to concentrate firepower. And following the Panokseon, challenger-ss fronts and sea emergency-ss fronts were deployed inrge quantities, and the Joseon Navy and then the Imperial Navy entered the era of full-fledged ships of the line. As the saying goes, challenge and response and action and reaction, neighboring countries, especially the Ming Dynasty, responded actively to these changes. Additionalrge-scale battle lines such as the Great Cloak Ship were built, and line-of-sight tactics were introduced to the navy. In response to this, Hyang created a battle-line crushing ship called the Assault Return Line. And in response to this, Ming created the Two-Headed me Dragon, but only lost a huge amount of money and precious lives. * * * The reason Europe had not yet applied this battleship tactic wasrgely due to two reasons. The first and biggest reason was the issue of funding. Building cannons, ships to mount cannons, and raising crews to handle the ships all required a lot of money. Starting with Portugal and Spain, an increasing number of countries were realizing that controlling the sea was profitable, butnd and agriculture were still the center of the economy of most European countries. For many European countries, cannons were still merely weapons for siege warfare. The second reason was the absence of information. Portuguese ships traveling between Suez and Mokpos trading port did not see the imperial navy properly forming a battle line. When the battle with the Ming took ce, they were stranded in the southwest or Tsushima Ind for safety. During the voyage, I saw a battle between the pirates and the Imperial Navy, but all I saw were one or two Challenger-ss ships or three or four sea emergency ships plowing the pirates to pieces. Thanks to this, the concept of battleships and battle tactics had not yet emerged in European countries. In the battle that now took ce between the pirates and the English fleet, the English fleet formed a primitive battle line of two Karak ships. However, this was not an operation or tactic carried out by a properly trained navy, but merely an instinctive move by experienced captains based on experience. It was obvious that if things continued like this, it would take a lot of time and blood for the European navies to perfect their battle line tactics. * * * Whoa~. After the battle with the pirates, the captains and crew, including Captain Brow, sighed with exhausted faces. The captain and crew fought desperately to repel the persistent attacks of pirates. The pirate ships that came into the attack range of the two Karak ships while pursuing the lured caravel while making evasive maneuvers were attacked intensively and destroyed. Longbowmen positioned on the high forecastle and stern fired arrows with the famous English longbow, and musketeers also fired long guns. The pirates who were rtively lower fell down covered in blood from arrows and bullets, and the sails and deck were ignited by the fire arrows that were fired, turning them into a ball of fire. Pirates werent stupid either. They attempted to pilot the ship by blocking the caravans that were trying to escape, and the caravans changed direction to avoid the pirate ships that blocked their path. As a result of the cruel battle that took ce, the damage to the English fleet was considerable. Golden Wind is a sinking disaster, and Golden Rose is a major disaster. Other ships can sail without any problems with just a little bit of repair. Oh my Tsk! Captain Brow, dumbfounded by his subordinates report, looked back at the n leader. What should I do? Shall we return to London? What should I do? It might be a good idea to go back, regroup, and start again. However, since the main ships, Golden Blow and Golden Mary, are still alive and well, it is okay to continue sailing. Hmm Hearing Captain Brows words, the n leader stroked his chin and looked at Captain Brow. In response to the unspoken question, Captain Brow added: In the case of the former, it is good because you can prepare well and start again. But we need to get at least two new ships and new crews. This means significant additional spending will be required. Its an additional expense The CEO looked troubled at Captain Brows words. Even now, there was a lot of talk among n members due to spending exceeding expectations. In this situation, if the n returned empty-handed and said additional spending was needed, there was a very high possibility that the n would disband or go bankrupt. What are the pros and cons of thetter? The advantage is that many new sailors and ves have be more experienced through this battle. Since the main ships, Golden Blow and Golden Mary, are still alive and well, there is no major problem with long-distance sailing itself. The downside is that we do not have enough power to fight a battle like this one again. Do you think the pirates will attack again? If you go as far as the Azores, there wont be any pirates. Hmm The n leader, who was worried about Captain Brows words, came up with a mediation n. Lets gather the captains and agree on their opinions. Of course. After a while, the captains of the surviving ships arrived in boats and boarded the Golden Blow. Who is the captain of the Golden Rose? Captain Sanchez is dead. The same goes for the vice-captain. The navigator from the Golden Rose announced the death of the captain and vice-captain. After hearing the news, Captain Brow whetted his appetite. Tsk. We were fun friends, but its a shame. The Spanish captain, who was chatty but always cheerful, and Captain Brough, who was saddened by the death of his vice-captain, soon got to the point. After hearing Captain Broughs words, the captains soon agreed to continue the voyage. -When we left, there were manypetitors who had finished preparing. If you go back, you may fall behind yourpetitors. Let us continue our voyage. If that is your conclusion, let us proceed with the voyage. Then With the decision to resume sailing, the fleets crew and captain began maintenance in the middle of the sea. The crew, food, gunpowder, and other goods were taken out of the destroyed Golden Rose and transferred to other ships, and the bodies of sailors who died during the battle were transferred to the Golden Rose from other ships. What should we do with the injured ves? After being questioned, Captain Brough made a cruel decision. ves who are seriously injured beyond recovery should be moved to the Golden Rose. All right. In this way, severely injured ves were moved to the Golden Rose. None of the sailorsined about Captain Broughs decision. This was because they knew full well that there was no hope with the poor medical facilities and standards of the fleet. When the work was finished, the longbowmen of the fleet fired ming arrows at the Golden Rose. Thanks to having sprayed oil in advance, the Golden Rose soon became a ball of fire, and the crew of the fleet prayed in silence as they watched the fire. * * * Afterpleting maintenance, the fleet continued sailing towards the Azores Inds. The fleet arrived in the Azores and immediately began supplying supplies. While supplying the necessary food and supplies to the fleet, Captain Brough faced a difficult situation. Are you going to disembark? Yes, Captain. why? Its scary. Captain Brow looked perplexed at the words of the young sailor who had not lost his breast fat yet. Its not that I dont understand, but I became a sailor at a young age with a yearning for the outside world and a sense of adventure, but it was clear that I realized the cruel reality after thest battle. Hmm Captain Brow thought for a moment and then made a decision. Disembarkation is permitted. Ill calcte your sry for getting here. thank you! However, since the contract has been broken, we will base it on half of the promised sry. Thank you anyway! Simr situations urred on other ships, and the fleet eventually had to recruit new sailors and ves. * * * Afterpleting supplies and manpower in the Azores, the English fleet departed again toward the west. When the voyage, which continued silently toward the direction of the setting sun, exceeded ten days, the fleet once again faced a crisis. disease? Captain Thomas expression became fierce after receiving his subordinates report. The first things you didnt want to experience while sailing were pirates and disease. What disease is it? It looks like smallpox Captain Thomas face turned white at the sailors answer. Chapter 778 Chapter 778: A disaster brought about by oneself (13) Captain Thomas, surprised by his subordinates report that he was suspected of having smallpox, asked back urgently. Are you sure? Check again! no! Send the sailor with smallpox to check! yes! This was because of themon sense that people who had smallpox would not get it again. The subordinate who examined the patient under Captain Thomas order reported to Captain Thomas with a serious face. Its smallpox. shit! Someone got caught! I am a new crew member from the Azores. Damn it! After swearing, Thomas immediately continued hismand. Raise the signal! Find the sailors and ves who havent yet contracted smallpox! And I picked a couple of people with smallpox and took care of them! yes! The entire fleet was put on emergency alert by a signal from the Golden Mary, one of the main ships of the fleet. Captain Brough, whomanded the entire fleet, gave urgent orders. Make sure all ships are checked for smallpox cases! Select those who havent yet contracted smallpox and quarantine them! Captain Brow, who issued the quarantine order, ced his hand on his forehead and sighed. Whoa~. There is already a shortage of workers * * * An unexpected fact was revealed during the hastily followed inspection. All Suez ves were vinated against cowpox? Thats right. It is said that people in the Land of Flowers forcibly vinated people. Captain Brow looked dejected upon hearing his subordinates report. Should I call them bold guys? Or should I say they are thoughtless bastards. The reason why the imperialists dispatched to the Suez Railway construction site inocted ves with cowpox was a very realistic reason. -If for no reason something like smallpox spreads and we die en masse, that would be an even bigger loss! Considering the time wasted and money lost in the process of acquiring new ves, the efficiency that was reduced due to the immediate shortage of manpower, cowpox vination was cheaper. Therefore, the people of the empire contacted their home country and requested additionalwmakers, while also rescuing cows suffering from cowpox nearby. Whats interesting is that Europeans at this time already knew about cowpox vination. This was because in response to the pleas of European intellectuals, Hyang informed them about cowpox vination. However, the situation with cowpox vination in Europe was surprisingly sluggish. Prejudice, superstitions, economic reasons, andstly, the quality of medical care. -They say that when you get hit by cowpox, a cow head grows where you got hit. -They say that if you get cowpox, a person turns into a cow. -How can a person be like an animal, a cow? This is an Eastern superstition! There were many people who refused to get vinated due to these prejudices and superstitions, and there were also many who could not get vinated even if they wanted to. This was because it was difficult to find cows with cowpox, and it was also difficult to intentionally cause cows to get cowpox. How much does a cow cost? In the end, the cost of vination, which included the price of cows that died from cowpox, was bound to be quite expensive. Lastly, the level of medical care was an issue. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the standard of medical care in Europe deteriorated significantly. Internal medicine had not yet moved far from the level of abination of ancient Greek and medieval superstitions, and surgery was in an even more dire situation. -Raising the cost of a coffin is more helpful to the patient and the patients family than raising the cost of surgical treatment. Anyway, you have to be lucky to survive. The standard of surgery was so poor that this wasmon knowledge. Because the situation was like this, after seeing this, Hyang shook his head and said this. I had a rough guess, but it was no use telling me * * * By the time smallpox patients showed visible symptoms, smallpox had already spread significantly. Soon, smallpox patients began to appear one by one on each ship in the fleet. To prevent a greater tragedy, the captains and crew of the Brow fleet moved quickly. Sailors who had not yet contracted smallpox were forced to move to the upper deck. My clothes and nkets got wet every time the waves hit, but it was better than being in the same ce with smallpox patients. Second, sailors who already had smallpox were quarantined in one cabin. The condition of the quarantined crew members was poor. Suffering from high fever, the clothes and nkets they were wearing were soaked, but they could not change them. This was because they could not wash their clothes and nkets in a situation where there was not enough drinking water to drink. At least the old sailors who had already suffered from smallpox and had medical knowledge and experience, even if it was just looking over their shoulders and hearing things, were the only ones taking care of the patients. If we keep going like this, even if theres a typhoon, itll be over. Please dont just create a typhoon. Captain Brow was not the only one who looked up to the sky and prayed earnestly. The captain and crew all earnestly prayed for clear weather to continue. Even atheists. It was the ves from Suez who showed their true value in this situation. There was no need to worry about smallpox, and thanks to the training he received from the imperialists, his work ability was good. At some point, I became useful as I was able to understand a word or two of English. In the end, Captain Brow and the n leader ended up using a simr method to the imperialists. The best-working ves were released as free people and then a formal contract was signed. * * * After about 15 days of fighting, the smallpox subsided. But the sacrifices were not small. Among the smallpox patients, 12 died. The captain, holding an open Bible, held a memorial service, and the crew threw the bodies wrapped in nkets into the sea. Thanks to the heavy shells put together, the body immediately disappeared into the depths of the sea. Keep going west! The fleet continued to sail west. * * * Afterwards, on a voyage thatsted nearly two months, the sailors began to grow tired little by little. Im tired, Im tired Even the eastern route wasnt this bad The sailors, tired of sailing with only the horizon in sight, began toin openly. Many of the experienced sailors who made up the core of the fleet had experience traveling on the Eastern Route, the route between Suez and the Empire. The eastern route was also a long-distance voyage that took half a year toplete, but it was surprisingly a worthwhile voyage. This was because there were scattered intermediate ports of call, such as Aden, Bengal, and a, and inds and coastlines could be found along the way. Although it had the disadvantage of frequently encountering pirates, it was possible to sail safely by following closely behind the empires fleet. Thanks to this, the eastern route was the best route for European sailors. This was because he was able to have a good time with foreign women at ports of call along the way, and his pocketbook was full when he returned from the voyage. While the crew wasining outside, in the captains cabin of the Golden Blow, Captain Brow, the other captains, and the n representative were putting their heads together with the chart in the middle. Are we on the right track? Captain Brow nodded to the n leaders question. Were on the right track. If you continue to advance southwest like this, you will arrive at the southwestern province of the empire. Is it really not possible to go straight to the empire instead of heading south to the southwestern province? Captain Brow shook his head in response to the representatives question full of impatience. Its not possible. If you enter the maind of the empire without receiving an entry visa from the southwestern provinces, you will be immediately destroyed. Damn wow~. In response to Captain Brows response, the representative cursed and sighed. * * * With the southwestern provinces firmly in hand, the empire sent promations to Europe and the Middle East. -Those who wish to enter the empire and trade must stop by the southwestern province to receive a permit and g! If you dont have a permit or permit, you will be sunk! -Those who wish to receive a permit and certificate. Strictly adhere to the following conditions: the former. A personal letter from the king or monarch certifying that the visitor is a person wishing to trade or study abroad. (Shortly) In reality, there were ships that ignored the empires promation and headed straight for the empires headquarters. However, the ships were immediately sunk by the Imperial Navy, and the survivors were imprisoned and driven to Suez with most of their possessions confiscated. Why are you confiscating it! We just collected the cost needed to send it to Suez. What kind of damned bastard made thisw! You insulted His Majesty the Emperor. Minimum 20 years in prison and additional fines. Please choose. . Of course, there were some who tried tricks. The destination was the country of Japan, but I ended up in the country by chance. Permission to call at port The Navy will guide you. You can just follow that boat. Even if its just to supply supplies. The Japanese country is just a stones throw from here. But since Im here. Do you want to just follow me? Do you want to be sunk? Therefore, ships from Europe and the Middle East who wanted to trade with the empire had to stop at the Southwest Ind regardless of nationality. Because of this background, Captain Brough set his sights on the Southwest Ind. And this was pre-scented groundbait. Due to time and poption issues, it is impossible to monopolize. But no matter what happens, we have to hold on to North America. Because thatnd is a cheat. In that case, we shouldy the groundwork in advance and send it in the wrong direction. * * * We are on the right track! If you go a little further, you will reach Seonamdo! If you hold on a little longer, you can go to the nd of flowers! Is that true? Who is our captain? And what kind of person is Captain Brough? Believe it! The navigators and senior sailors who received orders from the captains encouraged fellow sailors who were tired from the voyage. Think about it! No matter how cheap something is sold in the Land of Flowers, it can be sold for several times the price! A quick win awaits! cheer up! The sailors moved again with great energy, holding on to the hope that if they were sessful, they would be able to obtain arge sum of money. * * * Clink, clink! After ten more days had passed, the watchtower rang a bell and shouted. An unidentified ship appears on the right front! Captain Brow, who hurriedly climbed onto the forecastle at the call for observation, took out his monocle and looked. Captain Brows face brightened as he examined the ship in question through a monocle. Its Sea Eagle! The ship visible through the monocle was clearly the Empires sea emergency front. Captain Brow exined to the representative who was running next to him. The Sea Eagle is a ship that never strays far from port! That means there is an imperial port nearby! Captain Brough shouted with joy to his crew. Its Mr. Eagle! Finally arrived! Raise the signal! wow! After a while, a signal went up on Golden Blows mast. The captains of other ships who saw the signal also diligently scanned the horizon with their monocles. Likewise, Captain Thomas, who was inspecting the sea emergency front, tilted his head. Why is there only one ship? And why are you turning the bow? The sea emergency front visible through the monocle was urgently turning its bow and moving away. When traveling on the eastern route, sea emergency ships sailing from Temasek or Southwestern Ind moved in units of at least two ships. And when an unidentified vessel was discovered, they always approached and inspected it. But the sea emergency front moving away in the distance deviated from that rule. Chapter 779 Chapter 779: A self-inflicted disaster (14) This is a bit unsettling Unlike Captain Thomas, who became anxious due to the sense of incongruity conveyed by his own experience, Captain Brow gave an order in a very excited voice. Unfold all sails! Im following that Mr. Eagle with all my might! If you just follow that boat, youll be in the nd of flowers! Ooooh! Raise the signal! yes! The ships of the Brow fleet began chasing the sea emergency front disappearing into the distance with all their might. The only exception was Captain Thomas and his henchmen. just in case. Be prepared to fight whenever necessary. okay. I feel uneasy about something. The vice-captain, navigator, and deck officer, who saw Captain Thomas expression full of anxiety, immediately lowered their heads. All right. I will check the guns. Captain Thomass henchmen neverined about Captain Thomas decisions. In some ways, Captain Thomas was so prepared that it could be said to be overly sensitive. However, thanks to that preparation, I was able to escape life-and-death situations more than once. Thanks to this, the Golden Marys crew, who had to undergo untimely gun maintenance,ined. What is this sudden maintenance? Didnt we also meet a ship from the Land of Flowers! Isnt itmon sense that if you meet that ship, youre safe? The sailors who had beenining so much became quiet at the words of the deck captain. The captain says he feels uneasy about something. This was because the senior sailors were also well aware of the captains ability to sense crisis. * * * Three dayster, the Brow fleet encountered the Imperial Navy fleet stationed in Shinji. Quite a lot of peopleing? There are 2 Challenger ss ships and 6 Sea Eagle ss ships Do they usually move that much? In response to the n leaders question, Captain Brow lightly shook his head. no. Usually, about two Sea Eagle ss ships move in pairs. Then isnt it dangerous? It wont be like that. Maybe they came in like that because they were surprised that they appeared from apletely unexpected direction. The n leader thought Captain Brows answer was reasonable and nodded. For sure It was clear that the route they had taken was one that even they had not expected. Seeing the n leadersplexion brightening, Captain Brow asked a question in return. Have you prepared your credentials? Ive already prepared it. Since thest time I saw Mr. Eagle, Ive always carried it with me. The n leader took a peek at the envelope containing Edward IVs credentials that he had kept in his pocket. Seeing this, Captain Brow cautioned again. You must have it. Without it, everything is in vain. I am keeping this in mind. If you do not have the king or monarchs credentials, you cannot enter the empire even if you arrive in the southwestern province. Because of the Empires notorious entry uses, n leaders had to gain credentials from Edward IV by presenting him with gifts. When the Imperial fleet was close enough to be seen with the naked eye, Captain Brough ordered: Raise the national g on the mast! yes! Captain Brow, who gave the order, looked more rxed as he watched the imperial fleet getting closer. Whoa~. Now I can take a breather. * * * But things did not go as Captain Brough expected. The imperial fleet was divided into two columns, led by two Challenger-ss battleships, and split into two halves with the Brow fleet in the middle. huh? this? Feeling uneasy at the unexpected movements of the imperial fleet, Captain Brow turned his head and shouted at his crew. The white ges. Kwakwakwak! Even before Captain Broughsmand was over, the Challenger-ss ships guns began firing. As the cannonballs fired by the Imperial Navy created a column of water near the ships of the fleet, Captain Brough issued an urgent order. Ready for battle! Ready for battle! Fire back! Why Land of Flowers? why! Captain Brow answered the n leaders screaming question with a white face. I dont think its the Land of Flowers ship! No, its definitely not the Land of Flowers ship! What are you doing! Open the shutters of the gun gates! yes! Are you sure its not the Land of Flowers ship! Im sure! If it had been that countrys ship, we would all have sunk on the first hit! In response to Captain Brows answer, the n leader looked uncertain whether he should cry orugh. When youre ready, open fire! firing! Quack! * * * The battle raged fiercely for quite a long time. This situation arose because most of the sailors in the imperial fleet stationed in Shinji were natives with nobat experience and the sailors of the Brow fleet were surprisingly capable sailors. Although seasonedmanders and executives at the headquarters trained hard, the native sailors, who were new tobat, were unable to show their skills. On the other hand, many of the sailors of the Brow fleet were experienced sailors. It was a situation where new sailors and ves had be seasoned through battles with pirates. However, as time passed, the Brow fleet became increasingly inferior. This was because the imperial navy already had a numerical advantage, and the native sailors were also ustomed to fighting, unlike in the beginning. Kwakwakwak! In the end, Golden Blow, who had suffered a fatal blow to his side, turned his body to the side and began to sink. As the gship sank, Golden Mary and Golden Wind attempted to escape. The two ships split off in different directions. It was to increase the chances of survival even a little. The emergency lines chased down the ships that were scattered and trying to escape. * * * Im d I survived, but Captain Thomas, who had regained his strength, trailed off as he looked at the Golden Mary stranded in the sea off the beach. The Golden Mary, which had been avoiding the pursuit of the sea emergency fronts, jumped into the middle of the storm without hesitation when it began to rise. Thanks to this, it was possible to avoid the pursuit of the emergency fronts, but it was difficult for the Golden Mary, which was already covered in injuries, to withstand the storm. You can see the beach on your right! Upon hearing the report of his subordinate who was looking around, Captain Thomas turned his head in that direction without hesitation. However, the Golden Mary, which was already heavily flooded, ran aground just a stones throw from the beach. Get off the boat! Lower the boat! Abandon ship! Captain Thomas, who suffered a head injury from the shock of running aground, ordered the ship to abandon ship with a bloodied face. At Captain Thomasmand, the crew lowered the boat, threw anything that could float in the water, and then jumped off the tilted boat. Captain Thomas, who was preparing to abandon ship for thest time, lost consciousness due to blood loss and was carried to the beach by his men. * * * Is it possible to repair the Golden Mary? The vice captain who escaped with Captain Thomas responded. It seems like something can be done since the carpenter is safe, but the problem is that we dont have enough workers. How many survived? Its about 1/3. Oh my But where is this ce? Captain Thomas looked around, unable to hide his disappointment at the vice captains question. If the ships that attacked us were ships from the southwestern provinces, would they be Luzon? In response to Captain Thomas question, the vice-captain, who had been looking around together, opened his mouth. I dont think its Luzon or the nearby inds. It seems simr, but something is different. yes? So where are we? As they wondered where they had drifted, they soon acknowledged reality. It doesnt matter where. The first thing to do is to repair the ship and get out of here. The survivors who decided what to do immediately took action. We secured what supplies we could from the stranded ship and scouted the nearby area to see if there was any usable wood. Its been 15 days since weve been busy trying to survive and escape. Aztec warriors began to appear one by one from the coastal jungle. The faces of the Aztec warriors slowly approaching were filled with murder. Seeing this, Captain Thomas and his crew quickly looked for weapons. However, as the Aztec warriors continued to push out of the jungle, the survivors sensed the end. Looking at those guys walking around, its definitely not Luzon. So have we discovered a new territory for Ennd? I guess so. It is an honor. Captain Thomas and Vice Captain talked with aloof expressions. The sailors around him also talked with simr expressions. Will you ept me if I surrender? Will you ept it? Anyway, are they the cannibals Ive only heard about? If I were a cannibal, I would enjoy looking at your belly fat. Wow! The Aztec warriors, who were slowly approaching the survivors, rushed towards them while shouting, and the survivors began a desperate resistance against the Aztec warriors. * * * Since they did not know the fate of Captain Thomas and his party in the south, Hyang concentrated on checking the report and preparing countermeasures. It would be best to move on the assumption that he returned alive. In that case, the first thing to do is to build and deploy the assault return ship. And the cleanup of those southern crazy people. Even if we give up the south, we can only feel safe if we get to Mexico. Hyang, who was writing down a list of things to do right away, sighed. Whoa~. The problem is people. There arent enough people. The township, which wasining about its chronic manpower shortage, soon made a decision. I cant help it. You have to turn and block. Hyang, who had taken out a nk piece of paper and was nning something to write to Wan, suddenly smiled. wait? Theres no need to draft troops from the military, right? If Im has the Taliban, we also have the Taliban, right? Hyang came to mind from Neo-Confucian schrs as a ce to supply the necessary manpower. Compared to the history I knew, it has been greatly diluted, but Neo-Confucianists are those who follow the principles of Confucianism and Alliance and immediately jump out when ites to edification. And these days, as it bes easier to make a living, the number of oldies is increasing, right? If we find people among them to punish and reform the cannibalistic natives, they wille out like a herd of African buffalo. Hyangs expression brightened and she started filling out the nk paper with excitement. * * * Wan screamed after receiving the report on the scent rted to the Aztec Empire. Are there such vicious people? Have you seen it too? The ministers bowed their heads in response to Wans question. Yes, I read it. This is truly outrageous. It is outrageous that people use people as food. Daejeon turned into a ce of ruin. After checking the reactions of the ministers, Wan got to the point. It is a problem that Europeans approach the newnd, but it is also a must to punish these unscrupulous people and educate the natives. So I think it would be a good idea to ept the suggestion you made. Hearing Wans words, the ministers began to do the math. But the oue was already decided. I think its a really good n. Hyangs proposal was a clever idea that served both the cause and the practical benefit. A few dayster, a room was taken up in the government office of the imperial headquarters. It was Wans promation that made the Neo-Confucianists at the Empires headquarterse out of the room. Chapter 780 Episode 780: A disaster brought about by oneself (15) Who has the loudest voice? The Gyejakjip Park family has the loudest voice! After the promulgation of Jeongeum, there was almost no illiteracy among the people of the empire, especially the Bonji people. However, waiting for ones turn to read the promation was time-consuming. Therefore, among the people around him, a person with a loud voice read the promation loudly and informed the people around him of its contents. Ah, that! Why call a busy person! Hey, read the promation! With your bare mouth? Ill buy you a chickenter! Hmm then. greatness! Keuhum! Gyejakjip Park cleared his throat and immediately began reading the promation in a loud voice. * * * The contents of the promation posted on the wall of the government office were as follows. -It has been a long time since our empire discovered a new river area called Shinji. During that time, a lot of effort was put into developing newnds and finding and educating the indigenous people. How can I not be grateful for the considerable effort put into all of this by Taesang and Sanghang? After that, sentences praising King Sejong and Hyang continued for a long time, and the people who read the promationined without even realizing it. shit! High-ranking people dont know simple and clear things! Do I really have to show off that Ive read so many books? Imprinting that promation is also my tax money! The peoplesints continued as long as the text stretched out. ruler! Ill stopining here! Lets get to the point! Sure! However, all the people who listened to the main argument were very excited. Are there such damned squires! There are still people who are not as good as this! -While exploring the unexplored areas of Shinji, I came across a group of indigenous people. Since they were people who had their own framework for a state, the Emperor showed courtesy and dispatched a delegation. However, what the imperial delegation saw in their capital was such a horror that it could not be put into words. They were a cannibalistic race. ording to the words of the natives who were captured by them and survived with the help of the envoys, they were people who had abandoned human duties. They attacked neighboring tribes, captured people, held sacrifices, and ate the corpses. Jim will speak firmly. It can be overlooked that sacrificing human beings because one does not know the principles is because one does not have the opportunity to learn the principles. However, if such offerings take ce every day and the number of victims exceeds thousands, this is not ack of knowledge of duty, but an abandonment of duty. ordingly, the natives who escaped with the help of the envoys shed tears of blood and appealed to the government to punish them. Oh my gosh! The Emperor also asked for help in punishing them, but how can he not be angry that the empires power is still insufficient? The empires army and navy are powerful, but they are not enough to protect the empire! Therefore, I ask the people for help! Those who are in the military reserve and want to punish them and teach them their morals should report it to the government office! We need someone who will punish on behalf of heaven those who have abandoned the moral principles and teach the moral principles to those who still do not know the moral principles and are leading a life of abstinence! Of course, this is not an easy task. It is a dangerous task that could result in death or disability in battle. Inpensation for this, we will provide applicants with the followingpensation. the former. Those who are killed or maimed during battle. They will receive the same veterans treatment as the imperial army. second. Among the applicants, those who have a middle school or higher education canter work as teachers at a social democratic school in the Shinji region. In this case, the same qualifications as a formal teacher are guaranteed. party. Those who wish to apply can receive cultivation rights in the newnd. In this case, I will give you the right to cultivatend at least three timesrger than thend you can receive in the main and northern regions. Hoo~. The peoples eyes sparkled as they read thepensation n that followed. Those who were killed or maimed in the Imperial Army, not only in war, but on various asions, werepensated ording to their rank. And this reward was by no means light. The same was true for the teacher at the Social Democratic Institute. Thanks to the strict selection of teachers from the beginning of the establishment of the Social Democratic Institute, being a teacher at the Social Democratic Institute or middle school was a highly respected profession. The right to cultivate was also an appetizing reward. As the empires economy developed day by day, the number of people making money as workers inmerce and artisan workshops increased. However, there are still quite a few people who think agriculture is the best. Unless there is a bad harvest, farming means you never have to starve! In addition, you could get horses and farm cattle if you wanted, as well as agricultural tractors powered by steam engines. Thanks to this, farming no longer required as many hands as it used to. This led to a situation where the wider the farnd, the more profitable it was, and being able to receive the right to farm at least three times as muchnd was an exciting reward. * * * Soon, men applying to apply began to flock to each government office in the imperial headquarters. The first to apply were people from the nobility. As someone who has learned the teachings of sage, how can I condone this! It is natural for any gentleman to severely reprimand and educate those who have abandoned moral principles! While some people applied to put into practice what they learned and believed in, there were also those who were pushed out. I cant stand by and watch you waste your time believing only in your familys wealth! Apply now! A golden opportunity hase to enhance the family name! Apply now! Those who believed only in their familys wealth and were idle, and those who had no choice but to step forward to enhance their familys honor, came to the government office and applied. However, most of the applicants from the noble ss applied voluntarily. As Hyang said, it was because the number of oldies had increased. Commoners were not the only ones who benefited from the expansion of the empire. Among these haves, many of them entered the capital market and acquired even greater wealth. Of course, they had to pay more taxes, but even after paying those taxes, they enjoyed a life several times more prosperous than that ofmoners. The noblemen, who enjoyed affluence and did not have to work all day likemoners, delved deeper into Neo-Confucianism, which could be considered their main upation. And through this, the era of imperial conflict was born. A dogmatic school of thought that believes in literally following the Neo-Confucianism organized by Zhu Xi. Zhu Xis Lihak (W) is important, but the Simhak (ČW) of Yuguyeon Wang Su-in, who emphasized the heart of a gentleman, is also valuable. As it has been a long time since Neo-Confucianism came out, and it has be embellished, the Neo-Confucian school wants to reexamine it based on the Five ssics that came out at the time. Looking at the sess of the scriptures, the historical school and the Silhak school advocate governing the world. The Supplementary Party, which sought to make up for the shorings of Confucianism by analyzing the Bible brought by European monks. Representative mainstream factions and coteral factions engaged in a war of words and arguments. And the battlefield was Lee Hakwon (WԺ). This was because while the research institute established by Hyang and Area 51 and 52 dealt with science and technology, Lee Academy was a ce to study ideas and philosophy. In this way, the stubborn schrs who were engaged in a war of words and arguments rushed to apply. This was also intended to overwhelm rival factions. While those big mouths are talking about Confucius and Mencius in the room, we are making known the sages way through our actions! In addition to this cause, there was something else they were aiming for, and that was merit gained on the battlefield. It was difficult to determine the winner through a war of words at Lee Academy. However, if the value of the medals and decorations received for meritorious actions on the battlefield were added, it would be possible to determine the winner. The respect the imperial people had for medals awarded by the emperor, especially military medals, was great. Because a medal received for military service on the battlefield = loyalty to the country = loyal subject, the words spoken by the person who received the medal had a different weight. This ising from an old man who received a medal, but it must be wrong! Because this was the perception of the people, many noblemen supported the faction they supported. * * * As an aside, because this was the perception of the people, the empire carefully observed the subsequent actions of those who received medals. If there was even the slightest bit of scandal, a thorough investigation was conducted to determine whether it was true or not. As a result of the investigation, if it is true, all medals and variouspensations awarded to the person involved were recovered and announced nationwide. This was such a great disgrace that many of those who received this punishmentmitted suicide. But even though this happened, the peoples reaction was cold. What kind of medal is this? If you did something like that, you will have to pay for it! joy! * * * As the nobility flocked in, the officials of the government office were faced with an unexpected hardship. Oh my, old man! Why do you want to go to such a rough ce when you are so old? Uh-huh! Does age matter in order to promote the teachings of a sage? Write down my name in three letters right now! Hey, master. I dont think we have even done the customs yet, so please go back quickly. I wasnt able to perform the rites, but Ive already done enough for one person! Have you not seen His Majestys official letter? Didnt he say he was a member of the reserve force? Doryeong is too young! Go back quickly! Huh~ Why is the baby crying! As people who were too old or too young came forward as applicants, the workload increased, but officials heaved a sigh of relief. Still, Im d His Majesty set the standard. -A person whose name is on the military register as a reserve. Because Wan had set an age standard, those who were too old or too young could be sorted out without any worries. * * * After about three months, the number of applicants to this paper exceeded 30,000. After receiving the report, Wan summarized the situation with the ministers. I think weve gathered the necessary troops. Thats right. Following Hwang Bo-in, Kim Jong-seo continued. It would have been a big deal if I had been drafted from the imperial army, but we were able to easily form a military force. Wan, who was nodding at Kim Jong-seos words, looked back at the Minister of National Defense. What is your future schedule? Lee Jing-ok, the newly appointed Minister of National Defense, answered Wans question. Since we have already entered fall, we will undergo training during the winter. And we will send troops as soon as the sea route opens next spring. If the transportation goes smoothly, all troops and supplies will arrive at the new location in the summer of next year. Is it taking longer than expected? Lee Jing-ok immediately responded to Wans point. Thats because its a sea route, not and route. The ships of the empire, especially the transport ships plying the Sinji route, continued to grow in size, but there was a limit to how quickly they could handle 30,000 troops and the weapons and supplies they would use. Hmm. I see As Wan was nodding, Lee Jing-ok took out a letter from his arms. What kind of letter is this? This is Gods resignation. Sajikso? This is because God cannot be left out when ites to stomping on those people who use iron swords. Chapter 781 Episode 781: A disaster brought about by oneself (16) As soon as Lee Jing-ok finished speaking, Kim Jong-seo came out. It is true that the natives you mentioned are the ones who used the sword, but I think it is excessive to even have the Minister of National Defense submit to his resignation. As soon as Kim Jong-seo finished speaking, Wan also nodded. Jim feels the same way. Among the sayings the author has is, To kill a chicken, you use a knife to kill a cow. Its not that I dont know the Minister of National Defenses feelings, but I think its excessive. Lee Jing-ok bowed his head and responded to Wans words. Its not excessive. Since our empire was restored to its title, there has been only one fight for the fate of our nation. Not only the Navy but also the Army is severelycking inmanders whomand soldiers on arge scale. The reason Lee Jing-ok said he would resign was as follows. -The soldiers of the unit that will now go to Shinji and punish those who used the sword are volunteer soldiers. Of course, since they are reservists who undergo regr training, training is not a big problem. -The problem is themander. -As I already said, there are not manymanders who have experienced major battles that put the fate of the nation at stake since the restoration of the title. -Of course, those who experienced war as entry-level or mid-levelmanders at the time are gradually rising to high-ranking executives, but those with experience in movingrge armies while looking at the big picture are continuing to retire. -ording to the letter sent by Sang Sang and the battle report sent by the navy stationed in Shinji, those natives had a national system and the ability to mobilize tens of thousands of soldiers at once. -In addition, our empire will deploy more than 30,000 troops. A high-levelmander is needed who has experience coordinating the movements ofrge numbers of people while looking at the big picture. -Therefore, I have to go. Its not wrong After Lee Jing-oks exnation, Wan looked embarrassed and blurted out his words. This was the same for other ministers as well. I dont think its wrong, but it feels like its too much. Kim Jong-seo came forward again to represent the feelings of these ministers. I understand why the minister submitted his resignation. But it still feels like its too much. And the high-rankingmanders of the Imperial Armyck the experience of operatingrge armies. That is correct. But dont you think this punishment is a good opportunity to gain that experience? Its a good opportunity. However, if you make a mistake while gaining experience, you may end up making unnecessary sacrifices. We need someone to stop this and teach us. That someone is a minister? Lee Jing-ok responded to Kim Jong-seos words by nodding. Hmm Even after the conversation between Kim Jong-seo and Lee Jing-ok ended, no one opened their mouths easily. The same was true for Wan, who was sitting at the party house. Wan also struggled while stroking his chin. Tae Sang-tae said it was not right, but Sang-tae said that an appropriate level of conflict was necessary for the safety of the empire. * * * Regarding national defense and war, the opinions of King Sejong and Hyang seemed to be the same but different. -The correct answer is a national defense power that is not at the level of invading other countries, but is at a level where other countries cannot even dare to invade other countries. This was something both Sejong and Hyang agreed on. However, in this next part, Sejong and Hyang had different opinions. -It is not good to move the military carelessly. No matter how small the dispute is, there is bound to be sacrifice of generals and the use of war funds. All of this is done with the peoples taxes, so we must not act carelessly. This was Sejongs idea. But the scent was different. -There is a saying, The best defense is offense. Of course, it would be foolish to hastily use force. However, if they continue to respond with patience to the provocations around them, they will look down on the empire and this could lead to greater chaos. When necessary, we must boldly use force. In addition, it is necessary to always retain a certain number ofmanders with practicalbat experience. Andpensation for sacrifices that will ur in the process and war expenses must be considered fixed expenses. As the Emperor was reinstated, King Sejong went to Shinji, and since Hyang, who became emperor, ran the empire, the imperial army moved ording to Hyangs policies. The Imperial Navy gained practicalbat experience by constantly attacking pirates, and the Imperial Army continued to gain practicalbat experience by suppressing magic bandits operating on the Mongolian border. However, during this process, the problem that Lee Jing-ok pointed out urred. After the Battle of the Yellow Sea,rge-scale army and navy movements ceased, and the movement ofrge armies was limited to road training. The current situation of the Imperial Army was that it experienced only small-scale battles in actualbat and had abundant bat experience butcked war experience. * * * Finally, after two days, Wan epted Lee Jing-oks resignation and at the same time assumed the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Shinji Punishment Army. Volunteers are soldiers who will carry out punishment, and at the same time, they are people who will do a lot of work in the newnd afterwards. I will believe in you. God Lee Jing-ok. I will sacrifice my life to carry out Your Majestys orders! Lee Jing-ok bowed his head and answered firmly. The days assembly ended with Wan epting Lee Jing-oks resignation. Kim Jong-seo from Daejeon called Lee Jing-ok. Hey, Captain Wonbong (A). Although it is a follow-up visit, lets ask. Do you really have to go? In response to Kim Jong-seos question, Lee Jing-ok firmly nodded. I must go in order to properly deal with those who used the sword. Kids these days are so soft Most of the people around Lee Jing-oks words, soft, looked astonished. The imperial army was the people who made pirates and magicians run away at the sight of them. Lee Jing-ok evaluated the imperial army as weak. Lee Jing-ok must have seen the expressions on those peoples faces as he added. Think about the times we used to fight with Jurchen tribesmen or Japanese pirates. Arent they simr to Shinjis trash, except they are cannibals? It was like that. Especially those damn Yeojin bastards. Pud! Kim Jong-seo, who was nodding at Lee Jing-oks words, gritted his teeth. * * * When pioneering the northeastern region in the early days of Gyeongjang, Kim Jong-seo and Lee Jing-ok dealt with the Jurchen tribe together. At that time, the Jurchen people who refused to return to Joseon were vicious. Whenever possible, they attacked and massacred the viges of the wealthy Jurchen people and the viges of Koreans who had immigrated through socialist policies. The Jurchen people who attacked at that time did not simply massacre. Looting and rape were the norm, and it was not umon to cut off the heads of residents and hang them on wooden fences. The response of Lee Jing-ok, whomanded the Joseon Army cavalry on the front line at the time, was an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. When it found out which tribe the Jurchen people who hadmitted attacks and massacres belonged to, it was the cavalry of the Joseon Army under Lee Jing-ok that chased them to the end and retaliated against them. The only good Jurchen people are dead Jurchen people. This was the motto of the Joseon Army cavalry that was roaming the northeastern region at the time. In the end, the Jurchen people had no choice but to surrender to the Joseon army cavalry. As a side note, in the battle with the Ming that followed the battle with the Liaodong army, the Joseon armys cavalry showed its ferocity without filtering. * * * Looking at Kim Jong-seos expression of strong sympathy, Lee Jing-ok continued. Arent the pirates and magic bandits that kids hang out with these days much quieter than the Jurchen tribe or Japanese pirates of the past? Maybe thats why theres no venom in their eyes! Miasma! If thats true for active duty, what about reserve duty? If you go and see the devastation of the neckless dog, you will either lose your senses and curl your tail, or you will threaten to kill everyone, regardless of whether you want to kill or save. To avoid such a situation, shouldnt I, who has experience, go and suffer? Only then did the people around me nod their heads in understanding. However, Kim Jong-seo instead looked suspicious. Huh? Why does Grand Master Wonbong of the world speak like this? Hmm. Was it yered siha that Captain Wonbong hated the most? If you stay here, arent you trying to run away because youre being tormented? Oh no. I am acting solely out of loyalty to the empire. Where are you talking from? Ill go first! There is a lot of work to do, starting with creating a headquarters! Kim Jong-seo clicked his tongue as he watched Lee Jing-ok disappear. Tsk! That person also got older and became more cunning At Kim Jong-seos words, everyone around him had strange expressions. Is it a eugenic species? Its truly amazing that you recognize it right away! Ah-oh! Shit! Give me back my emotion! Meanwhile, Wan, who had heard the story through various channels, ced his hand on his forehead and muttered. Should I reject the resignation? However, it is not wrong to say that if you want to deal with crazy people, you have to be tough whew~. Wan let out a long sigh, licked his lips andined. Tsk! How did Sang-tae and Tae-sang-tae control and sway people like that? * * * Those who volunteered for the conquest army that would go to Shinji continued to do so, although their numbers had decreased significantly. Its good that the support continues, but I think its better to get it sorted out now. youre right. If we continue to ept this, it will be difficult to establish an urate budget and organize troops. The task force created with Han Myeong-hoe in charge seriously discussed ending the application process. The working-level staff, who decided to end the application process, began to write a report on this. At that time, an appeal was received from monks and international students working at the institute to volunteer for the conquest army. The working-level staff who received the appeal screamed loudly, both above and below. Since the mullet is jumping, the goby is also jumping! Why are these guys doing this again? * * * The reason monks and European students applied was because of the doctrine. The summary of the appeal they submitted was as follows. -In the Old Testament, Yahwehmanded the Jews settling in Canaan topletely destroy those living in Canaan. -The reason Yahweh gave thismand was because they made human sacrifices. -Many saints were martyred while doing missionary work in Europe, and this was also to prevent human sacrifice by those who did not yet believe in Yahweh. -As a believer, how can you remain silent when something strictly forbidden by Yahweh is happening in Godsnd? We will also support you. Wan, who received the appeal, asked the ministers. Are you sure that the control of information about the new world for Europeans is working properly? yes. Europeans think that Shinji is simr in size to Daeseoldo. Hmm thats a good thing. When Wan looked relieved, Hwang Bo-in pointed out the problem. The problem is whether their opinions are reasonable. It is difficult to refuse without permission since we are providing support based on doctrine. We have a good hand in that area. yes? Wan muttered to himself as he looked at the expressions on the ministers faces. Did you think this far when you made such a condition in the past? Chapter 782 Episode 782: A disaster brought about by oneself (17) The next day, Wan called the monks and students who had applied. I have read the appeal you submitted carefully. It is a good thing that you are supporting us to protect the doctrine. The faces of the monks and students abroad brightened at Wans words. So, are you allowing support? I will ask you before that. If we look at your doctrine, there is a phrase that says, Spread the truth to the ends of the world. In that case, you will go to the new world and do missionary work, right? That is Answer in the name of the God you believe in. I wont deny it. Hmm After hearing the answer, Wan snorted and made a strange expression. Wan, who was silent for a moment, pointed out the problem. The problem is that even though the Pope, the head of your religion, has changed several times, there is no answer to the questions sent by our empire. * * * When the monks first entered the empire C Joseon at the time C Hyang, who was the crown prince at the time, again asked two questions. One was a ritual about ancestors, and the other was about the inerrancy of scriptures. If you dont have an answer to this problem, you cant do missionary work! At that time, the religious world in Europe C Western Europe to be exact C was in a very difficult state. -Which is greater: the authority of the Pope or the authority of a secr monarch? -Will the Pope follow the Council or will the Council follow the Pope? -Will we allow or deny unity between the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church? The religious world in Western Europe was in a tumultuous situation, with pros and cons divided on each of these issues. To put it simply, a bomb with a burning incense stick was thrown into a warehouse full of gunpowder. Religious leaders, who were sharply divided over issues that were difficult to coordinate, began to engage in a war of words over the answer to this issue, and soon military force was mobilized. * * * Wan continued speaking. How much time has passed and how many popes have changed since the situation demanded an answer? And yet your Pope has not responded. Wans point was not wrong. Five popes have appeared, starting with Eugene IV, who was the pope when the incense asked the question, and ending with the current pope, Paul II, but the Vatican has still not responded. The monks and international students bowed their heads at Wans point. I apologize. I would like you to send me an answer as quickly as possible. Wan continued to push the monks and students. Does your Pope ignore the burden, the situation and our Empire? Oh no! Absolutely not! The monks and students hastily denied Wans reprimand. To be honest, the situation in the Vatican is not good. The situation has not been good for a while. * * * As the monks and students studying abroad said, the situation in the Vatican has been a mess, even now. The religious conflict, which involved the use of force, was barely resolved, but notpletely resolved. Religious leaders from various European countries and the Vatican still engaged in a war of words whenever they could. As military force was mobilized, problems began to arise as the people were squeezed under various pretexts to replenish the enormous funds consumed for war expenses. What kind of people are you! Are you a shepherd wandering around looking for a lostmb, or are you a merchant selling sacrifices in the temple? It was once again noisy as those who criticized the churchs doctrine of reform and called for reform reappeared. As this vicious cycle continued, the question of fragrance had disappeared into the distance. * * * Hmm I have already heard rumors simr to what you just said. How can those who are supposed to lead lostmbs to the truth, as written in your scriptures, show such disgrace? Tsk tsk tsk! When Wan clicked his tongue and shook his head, the monks and students lowered their heads in embarrassment. Wan, who was looking at them with a pitiful expression, came to a conclusion. Shinji is clearly a stronghold of the empire. Therefore, it follows thews and policies of the empire. Until your Pope sends an answer, and until it is concluded that the answer does not disturb the traditions of our Empire, neither the propagation nor the support of your religion will be permitted. Go back. At Wans decision, the monks and students bowed with gloomy faces and left Geunjeongjeon. Wan, who sent away the international students and monks, clicked his tongue once again. Tsk tsk tsk! What kind of Gods will and doctrine are these people who make a fuss in Seouls gibang whenever they get a chance? What is the difference between the Buddhists of Jeonjo and the Weigunians of the period of Giyu Eh! Tsk! When Wan did not hide his displeasure by mentioning the monks who were notorious for extorting the people during the Goryeo Dynasty and the noblemen who hadunched the Giyu Rebellion, all the subjects in Daejeon fell silent and only watched Wan. If you say something wrong here, youll be in big trouble! Its best not to say anything here! I dont know anything! What do you think, Prime Minister? When Wan pointedly asked a question, Hwang Bo-in quickly answered. Im getting it back! This is truly a natural thing to say. Thats right! As soon as Hwang Bo-in finished speaking, other ministers also joined in. Hmm Wan rested his chin and thought for a moment before giving an order to Hwang Bo-in. Please convey my orders to the Crown Prince and Jeong In-ji, who manage the research institute. Lets ssify the international students by looking at their achievements, attitude toward studying and research, and their mindset. And send those of low rank back to their hometowns immediately. Those who came to search for the truth are causing trouble in the gibang Tsk! Hwang Bo-in and the ministers immediately responded to Wansmand by bowing their heads. I follow your orders! * * * After the assembly, Hwang Bo-in, Kim Jong-seo, and Lee Gyeon-gi sat separately. It seems that His Majestys order to liquidate the Europeans was not just a matter of defense. What do you think? Lee Gyeon-gi responded to Kim Jong-seos question. You said it was a good time to sort things out, right? Hwang Bo-in shook his head at Lee Gyeon-gis words. I think the issue of defamation is an excuse. There are rumors going around these days that some of those international students and professors are trying to do something other than their main job. Something else? When Lee Gyeon-gi expressed doubt, Hwang Bo-in continued. It would be more correct to say it was something else. Im trying to do ganja Ganja! When Hwang Bo-in mentioned ganja, Lee Gyeon-gis face hardened. * * * The number of international students staying in the empire was gradually increasing. In the past, Japanese people made up thergest number, but now international students and professors from Europe boast thergest number. What most students studying abroad in Japan learned was Confucianism and public administration. Of course, efforts were made to learn the technology of the empire symbolized by Area 51, but the empire did not leak any advanced knowledge and technology beyond Gihakdang. For this reason, the Japanese government established a technology research institute. In this research institute, craftsmen who had previously been brought in from the Ming Dynasty and returned after learning at the Gihakdang were gathering and conducting research to catch up with the technology of the empire. Most international students and professors from Europe were active in fields such as industry, academia, physics, and mechanics. From the beginning, the scent was received only by those involved in this field. Among those who learned or participated in research at industrial academies and research institutes, those with excellent grades were actively recruited and allowed to take up positions in the empire, and the level of the empires basic science was gradually increasing. Of course, there have been a steady stream of people returning home every year without giving in to this kind of amodation or because they were unable to keep up with the progress. However, when these people returned home, they were treated as valuable talents. This was because the level was higherpared to those who were currently staying in their home countries in Europe. It was only natural that those who saw this from the side would go on to study abroad in the empire. As the imperial study abroad craze spread, new high-ie upations were created. He was a home tutor specializing in studying abroad. In order to study in the empire, one had to first pass an exam conducted by the empire. In order to pass this test, the number of people who returned from studying abroad in the empire was increasing as tutors for their children. And those who gave up studying abroad and returned began working as tutors. I returned home because I could not keep up with the progress, but the fact that I studied abroad was proof that I had the skills to pass the exam. Through this process, as the number of people who came to the empire to study and returned afterpleting their studies increased, people with other purposes began to slowlye in. While working as a student studying abroad for 2-3 years, those who sought to recruit and take the empires craftsmen or acquire the empires technology began to mix together. They were well aware that it was impossible to recruit artisans from Area 51, so they moved to acquire artisans or their skills that were well-known in the public. Their movements were immediately noticed by the Milwi, and over time, they became known to officials through Pocheong and Dangol Girus gisaeng. Hmm what should I do with this? After receiving Milwis report, Wan struggled to find an answer. The most important and lucrative technologies were located in Area 51. If those Europeans had touched the craftsmen in Area 51, they would have immediately mobilized the Secret Service to deal with it, but that was not the case. But we cant just leave it like that Perhaps because of the belief in heaven, the craftsmen who were recruited so far have note out. The leaked technologies were also at least two generations behind. While I was pondering the answer, something like this happened. Did you say Jihwaja! at a time like this? * * * Think about it. Didnt all the former Sungkyunkwan Confucian students just study to death? Were there just one or two people who went out and ran around whenever they got the chance? Kim Jong-seo and Lee Gyeon-gi nodded at Hwang Bo-ins words. Looking at the two peoples reactions, Hwang Bo-in continued speaking. There were not just one or two people like that, and it happened more than once or twice. Were there people who were expelled? Hardly any. Your Majesty wants to use this incident as an excuse to weed out those who came in for other purposes. Of course, you can be caught and punished outright. However, there is no solid physical evidence, and if we do something wrong, we may miss out on the talent we want. Are you saying were all going to get scared and go back? Hwang Bo-in nodded at Kim Jong-seos point. exactly. But that can be avoided if we follow His Majestys orders. Whats even better is that they will work harder on their studies and research to avoid being expelled. Hwang Bo-in, who had spoken up to this point, sighed. Whoa~. Every time something like this happens, I be aware of whose blood your Majesty inherited. Hearing Hwang Bo-ins words, Kim Jong-seo and Lee Gyeon-gi sighed at the same time. Whoa~. Sejong and Hyang never did anything that would result in loss, and the principle of getting two benefits at once was basic. And it was Wan who clearly proved that he inherited that blood. Chapter 783 Episode 783: Internal sorrow (1) Hwang Bo-in immediately conveyed Wans orders to the crown prince and Jeong In-ji. His Majestysmand is a solemn one, so it must be followed. The Crown Prince and Jeong In-ji, who received the order, nodded with calm faces. Hwang Bo-in was slightly embarrassed by the two peoples calm reaction and asked a question. Your Majesty the Crown Prince, you have beenining every day that there are not enough people. Is that okay? In response to Hwang Bo-ins question, Crown Prince Hyeon nodded with a calm face. Its okay. No, its actually good. Its okay if yourezy, but there were a lot of people who influenced the people around them, and its time to sort them out. After Crown Prince Hyeon finished speaking, Jeong In-ji continued. Sunji Lee, the head of the Department of Industry and Academic Affairs, says, These are people who only make shit and shit, so it is better to get rid of them because it will save the budget. Hwang Bo-in felt a little worried at Jeong In-jis words. If you are Sunji Lee, arent your standards too strict? * * * Along with Hyang Jang Yeong-sil, it was Lee Sun-ji, who was called the Unfathomable. He was famous for his outstanding abilities in industry and academia, to the point where he was called inscrutable, but he was also famous for being someone who rose to prominence solely through his own skills without any background. The person who first joined the research institute where Hyang was created as the person in charge of industry and academia was Sunji Lee. Afterwards, he continued to be promoted beyond his seniors and ssmates due to his outstanding industrial and academic skills. In the end, as the reorganization was expanded, he took on the role of head of the newly established Department of Industry and Education, and it was natural that he would seed Inji Jeong in the future. The reason that the theory of Lee Sun-jis session was taken for granted was not only because of Lee Sun-jis qualifications, but also because of the power of the department called the School of Industry and Education. * * * As the size of the research institute grew, the Industry-Academic Department, which was in charge of industrial expansion, was created as a formal department. The duties of the Department of Industry and Academia were education of graduate students at industry academies and research assistance for schrs researching physics and mechanics. It was the job of the industry-academic department to help physicists and epidemiologists express their concepts in forms. Thanks to this, the people who had deep knowledge of the entire research field at the research institute were academics affiliated with the industry and academia. As a result, it was a great honor for schrs who studied abroad and those whopleted the industry-academia course to enter the institutes industry-academia department. The problem was Lee Soon-ji, a monster who existed in the glorious industry-academia department. * * * Lee Soon-ji was worthy of the nickname impossible. No matter how difficult the concept or theory was, Sunji Lee was able to create a form within a few days. Thanks to this, researchers at the institute were able to say this publicly. If I tell a concept, no one can understand it, but they can understand Lee Soon-jis form. Only those who have the ability. The problem was that Lee Sun-jis harsh words were as famous as his abilities. If I was even the slightest bit unfaithful or couldnt properly formte or prove the form, I had to shed tears while listening to his harsh words. An artist of forms and a murderer of vitriol. Professors and students from Europe gave him this nickname. However, there were few people who hated Lee Sun-ji. There were very few people he hated. The only cases where he threw harsh words were when he failed to properly carry out his duties. On the other hand, if a job was done properly or a good result was achieved, he would clearly record it and report it to the top. Thanks to this, this kind of talk has been circting among academics and professors belonging to industry and academia for some time. Im not saying his harsh words are wrong, so if you cant avoid them, enjoy them. After hearing thister, Sunji Lee looked like she didnt understand. If you cant avoid it, enjoy it? Why do you enjoy being criticized? If you enjoy it, youre crazy, right? * * * Hwang Bo-in was worried because Lee Sun-ji was like this. If you are Sunji Lee, I think you will set your standards too strictly. Crown Prince Wan responded to Hwang Bo-ins point with a slight smile. Lee Soon-ji is having fun manipting people these days, so you dont have to worry because hell get away with it. Thats right. And Ill skip it once too, so there shouldnt be any major problems. Then It was Hwang Bo-in who nodded with an expression of relief. * * * Two monthster, about 40 international students and professors were expelled from research institutes and industrial academies. Its unfair! Just one more chance! International students and professors targeted for expulsion begged for one more chance, but Wan and officials were adamant. No schr should ever bezy in his search for the truth. But you have beenzy. It is not worth reconsidering! After Wans firm answer, they had to board a ship to Suez. Whoa~. While those on the ship were sighing in regret, Girus gisaeng in Seoul were also sighing. Whoa. Its going to be hard to do business now that a lot of the big buyers have left. Whether the gisaengs sighed or not, Wan and the officials looked like they had sighed. This way, we can weed out those who are doing the wrong thing. Thats right. Its a good thing that it alerted other international students and professors so they could focus more faithfully on their duties, and those who tried to do wrong things were also able to be kicked out without much fuss. All of this is thanks to Your Majestys wise decision. Here ites. Thats right! As soon as Hwang Bo-in finished speaking, all the other ministers praised Wan. Wan, who looked embarrassed, soon moved on to the next step. Okay! Lets stop painting Jims face and move on! Theres a mountain of things to discuss today as well! yes. Lets take a breather first and then move on. The officers should turn their cars around. At Wans order, the eunuchs brought trays containing teapots and sses filled with ck bean tea. After drinking a cup of ck bean tea and taking a breather, Wan and the ministers resumed the meeting. Lets see. Why do you say Japans internal affairs are still so turbulent? To what extent? Hwang Bo-in stepped forward and answered Wans question. There are rumors that Japanese monarch Yoshinori Ouchi is suffering from heart disease due to this problem. * * * At this time, the Japanese government was divided into two groups, those who insisted on respecting the emperor and preceding the emperor, and it was noisy. -The emperor must relinquish all power and focus only on the task of presiding over the rites. -The Emperor is the one and only monarch of our Japan who has been around for all eternity! Rather, the shogunate should step down from his position as regent and official and return power to His Majesty the Emperor! The two forces, who were in a tense confrontation, soon began to mobilize force. Naturally, the key figures in power in the shogunate secretly gave strength to the senior faction, and the inferior faction, which was at a disadvantage,mitted terrorism. In order to suppress the samurai who were hired by the Zonchi faction andmitted terrorism, the shogunate established the Baldo Corps. Yoshinori, who needed a visible achievement to quell the increasingly severe internal chaos, mobilized diplomatic means. * * * Why, please call me Japan? Yoshinoris son Masahiro, who came as an envoy, bowed his head and answered Wans question. Thats right. Our country has been using the name Japan since the Si era. Not only that, but it is also clearly stated as the country of Japan in the national records of the upper empires and Ming countries. That is correct. Wan nodded at Masahiros words. In the state letters sent by the Joseon Dynasty andter empires to the Japanese Empire, the shogunates shogun was written as King of Japan. This was also the case for Myeong. The official letter sent from the Ming to the Japanese was written as Country of Japan. In response to Wans affirmation, Masihiro bowed his head again and continued. However, the schrs andmoners of the upper kingdom call our country the country of Wa () and our people the Wa people. This word Waes from the word Wa (), which means small. Hmm Thats right. Masahiro bowed down and raised his voice as if he was vomiting blood. I earnestly inform your Majesty! Decades have passed since our country looked up to the empire as its superior country! Our literary men admire the imperial way and do not hesitate to follow it, and our warriors imitate the imperial army and refine their bodies and minds. We are devoting ourselves to national defense. The people also adore the empire! In such a situation, the literary people and people of Shang Dynasty belittle our country and its people. How can this be right? Please call us Wae. Please prohibit the use of andmand us to call it Japan! This will be the cornerstone of the good rtions between our two countries for generations toe. Hmm Masahiro finished speaking, but Wan did not open his mouth easily. Wan stroked his chin and thought for a moment, then opened his mouth. I will give you an answer after discussing it with the ministers. The envoy should wait at the envoy hall. Masahiro politely bowed to Wansmand and left Daejeon. After sending Masahiro out, Wan asked the ministers. It seems like what the messenger from Waeguk said is definitely wrong. What do you think? Hwang Bo-in answered Wans question first. It is certainly true that the country of Japan has been written in national records since ancient times. Also, it is not proper to belittle a country and its people that are maintaining good neighborly rtions. The question is why. After Hwang Bo-in finished speaking, Kim Jong-seo spoke. The reason we call it Wa is not just because the people are small in size. It is because the judgment and actions of the Wa people are small-minded. They follow their will rather than the cause, and they often betray trust in the pursuit of immediate profit. This is how trust is lost. I call them why because they are small people who cannot do anything. To be honest, it is difficult to trust their convictions when they talk about good neighborliness that will be passed on for generations. In response to Kim Jong-seos words, Wand also spoke honestly about his true feelings. Is it only the Dae-jang who does not believe in the good neighborliness and faithfulness that the Japanese speak of? What Tae Sang-tae and Sang-taek continued to say was the same. Yesterday and today are different, and it is the Japanese who overturn their decisions more easily than flipping their palms. They can never be trusted. I cant do it. Ill fight back. Ill buy it back. The ministers all shook their heads at Wans words. Hwang Bo-in spoke on behalf of those ministers. What the messenger said is certainly true. But what he said about good neighbors for generations cannot be trusted. It is in their interest for the Ouchi, who currently rule the Japanese country, to be kind to us and continue good neighbors. We If they think that harming them will bring greater benefit, they will not hesitate to betray their trust. The problem is that if we reject Ouchis request, we can give them a good cause. Thats the problem. Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Ha came forward after Wans words. As the Prime Minister said, there is no need for us to instill ill feelings towards them first. Also, since Ouchi, who currently rules over Japan, is providing help to our empire, it would be good for us to respond ordingly. To be honest, they are suddenly making such a request. Is it really for that reason? Isnt it to gain momentum in the current chaotic situation? Thats right. In the end, Wan concluded to ept Ouchis request. Chapter 784 Chapter 784: Inner sorrow (2) Two dayster, Wan called Masahiro. From now on, my country and the empire will refer to the country of Japan as Japan, not the country of Japan. This is not only in official state letters, but also in official documents used within the empire, and in conversations and remarks in various ces where people gather, the country will be referred to as the country of Japan instead of the country of Japan. We will legite and guide its use. Masahiro, moved by Wans notification, bowed down on the floor of the main hall and raised his voice. Hwang Eun is devastated! You have granted our countrys secret wish. How can I forget this grace? May you live long, long, long! May you live long! After getting what he wanted, Masahiro repeatedly bowed down and withdrew from Daejeon. Wan, who was watching that scene, suddenly looked back at Hwang Bo-in to see if he felt something. Isnt it fun to be the Prime Minister? Huh? Im not sure what youre talking about. Its the same for the Japanese and Europeans. Cant we nowmunicate without an interpreter? Hwang Bo-in bowed his head and said at Wans point. Oh, thats right! * * * As the empire established itself as the most powerful country in Northeast Asia, the imperialnguage became the internationalnguage not only in Northeast Asia but throughout Asia. Those who wanted to study or do business in the empire were proficient in using not only the imperialnguage but also Jeongeum. No, at least conversation in the imperialnguage was possible. These werent the only ones. Tribes or weak nations that had their ownnguage but no writtennguage used Jeongeum as their writtennguage. This was the result of the governments strategy from the beginning of the Jeongeum promulgation. In the 21st century, there are many Southeast Asian countries that have modified the alphabet and used it as their own characters. Jeongeum will take that ce! And this will be recorded. Then there will be no people spouting nonsenseter! The scents aim worked well. Due to the strong national power of the empire and the convenience of Jeongeum, Jeongeum became established as amon script among many countries in Southeast Asia. A simr situation was happening in Europe. Merchants who wanted to trade with the empire worked hard to learn the imperialnguage and Jeongsin. It wasnt just merchants. Schrs also learned the imperialnguage and Jeongeum. It was to read academic books published by the empire. This was the result of abination of the fact that the empires level of basic science was higher than that of Europe and the intellectual vanity of its schrs. You read a Latin trantion without knowing the imperialnguage and pronunciation? Ha! And youre still a professor? Reading and understanding the original imperialnguage became a way to secretly boast about ones depth of knowledge. Thanks to this, it became fashionable for upper-ss people in Europe to have a library full of original books in the imperialnguage or to carry around one or two original books in the imperialnguage. The ce where this imperialnguage craze was strongest was Japan, not Japan. The first country to send international students was Japan, and the country where those international students early established themselves as the core of power. The Confucian faction that held the core of power deliberately spoke in the imperialnguage to ridicule the domestic faction. Thanks to this, the imperialnguage was spoken more than Japanese at the Ouchi shogunates castle located in Yamaguchi. Hyang, who was the emperor at the time,ughed and muttered to himself after hearing the report. Even in the 21st century, those who say they are popr have used English to ces where it should not be used. After all, peoples lives are all the same. The only ce that escaped this craze for imperialnguage and Jeongeum was the Ming Dynasty. Because of their pride in being China and Zhonghwa, they resolutely rejected the imperialnguage and Jeongyin. The strong nationalism of the Ming authorities and intellectuals became a headache for the newly crowned emperor Zhou Jianxin. * * * Wan had made his decision, and within a few days, new rooms were being added to government offices across the empire. As always, someone with a good voice came forward to read the room and people listened. .Therefore, it is prohibited to say Japanese, Japanese in all official documents, including state records, and in ces where people gather. This is for the sake of good neighborliness between our empire and Japan, so the people of the empire should also follow suit. I hope. The people who heard the contents of the room gathered in groups of twos and threes and talked. Then, from now on, should we not use the words Waenara or Waenom but instead say Japanese country or Japanese guy? He must be Japanese. Tsk, I have to say Waenom to get it to stick in my mouth. Tsk tsk tsk. In any case, because it was a solemn imperialmand, the people came to use the word Japan rather than the word Why. Of course, even during that time, there were some rebellious non-mainstream people. No matter how hard I try, it wont stick in my mouth. It doesnt feel good! Words taste best when they stick to your mouth! Eventually, they created a new word, and over time, it spread among many people. The new word that spread like that was Jjokbari. It was a nickname given to Japanese socks or shoes because they looked like pigs feet when worn. * * * After achieving sess in the empire, Masahiro headed straight to the Ming. After hearing Masahiros request, Zhou Gyeonshen immediately moved the Jamryunkai. After hearing about the empires decision through members of the Jamykai who secretly visited Masahiro, Zhou Jianxin immediately gathered the ministers. It would be a good idea to listen to their request since they have already written about the country of Japan and the king of Japan in the national records. Instead, how about asking for the return of the craftsmen who were taken to the Japanese government and the reopening of the Shangjang Pce? Due to the aftermath of thest war, exchanges between Ming and Japanese had almost stopped. -Those who harmed the Ming Dynasty were traitors and criminals even in our Japan. Our shogunate caught them and punished them, and those caught in the Ming announced that they could be punished ording to Ming nationalw. So, please open the door again. Mochiyo, who was the shogun of the shogunate at the time, made the above im and requested open doors and mutual exchanges several times, but Emperor Gyeongtae resolutely refused each time. Because of this past, the ministers who heard Joo Gyeon-sims words reacted negatively. Exchange with the Japanese has been prohibited since the time of the Emperor. To loosen this would be to go against the will of the Emperor. Zhou Jianxins face became fierce at the negative reactions of the ministers. Hey! Whoa~. Zhou Jianxin, who was about to raise his voice, took a deep breath to calm himself and continued speaking. The craftsmen who were forcibly taken away in thest war want to return, but the roads are blocked and they cant. Cant you see their pity? And although exchanges are said to be blocked, isnt it a secret that even Samcheok-dong knows that smuggling trade is thriving in Gangnam? Rather, If we officially open the door and strictly crack down on smuggling, wouldnt it be a good thing that new revenue sources could be obtained and poor artisans could return to their families? But going against the will of the Emperor When the ministers still responded negatively, Zhou Jianxin screamed. Is the emperor you serve a savior or a burden? Answer me now! At Zhou Gyeonsims shout, all the ministers bowed down on the floor. Forgive me! Answer me! Forgive me! I told you to answer! I had no choice but to raise the white g due to the pressure of Ju Gyeon Shim. Your Majesty. Then this matter will be decided ording to my wishes. Those who oppose this should submit their resignation! In the end, the ministers had no choice but to follow Zhou Gyeonsims will. * * * Masahiro, who returned from the Empire and Ming, reported his achievements to Yoshinori. After receiving the report, Yoshinori praised Masahiro with a bright face. Oh! This is a better result than expected! It shows how much effort Gadok has put in! What do you think? The retainers and officials present at the same time answered Yoshinoris question. Im fighting back! Resumption of exchanges with Ming is truly an unexpected achievement! This is entirely to Gadogs credit! As the praise from retainers and officials became more frequent, Yoshinori asked a question with a look of great concern. The problem is the demand to send back the hundreds of craftsmen brought in from thest war. What should we do about this? Masahiro stepped forward and answered Yoshinoris question. We are requesting the return of the Ming craftsmen. Most of them are old, sick, and dead. Their children were registered as Japanese, not Ming, and we taught and raised them. In other words, they are our Japanese. Therefore, the old craftsmen I think it would be enough to select and send only those who want to return home. Yoshinori weed Masahiros suggestion by hitting his knee. What a brilliant idea! What do you think? To Yoshinoris question, the retainers and officials answered with one voice. What a brilliant idea! * * * A few dayster, rooms were avable in government offices across Japan. So, from now on, Joseon, or the Empire, or the Ming will stop calling it Wae and call it Japan? I guess that means so. You did a great job in the shogunate. yes. At that time, the Japanese were also well aware that the Ming and Empire called themselves the derogatory title Japanese (Q). Thanks to this, many intellectuals were openlyining about this. However, the shogunate solved this problem. Thanks to this, the Xianwi faction gained energy and the Zonchi faction lost momentum. The problem is that in this process, the session structure of the shogunate will be even stronger. I agree. Do you remember what happened to the Crown Prince at the time when the Empire was Joseon? Didnt he go to Beijing and seed in securing the royal throne and solidify the session structure? The foodie followed suit. Its a pain in the ass. Things are going to get harder from now on. Its the same for the noble families, but its also a problem for merchants. If exchanges with the Ming resume, merchants will have no choice but to support the shogunate. Chick show! In an increasingly difficult situation, the conservatives began to think of more drastic measures. With the situation like this, it is difficult to achieve great results through assassination alone, so a bold move is needed. A bold move? Its war. War? Radical elements belonging to the conservative faction began to call for war. -Its already been a long time since Yamaguchis Ouchi guys took power. Many people already recognize Ouchi as the monarch of this country. C Among the lords who survived thest civil war, many of them have already died from old age. -This means that there are not many people left who remember the Emperor and Kuni. As time passes, Japan naturally bes Ouchis. -Therefore, we must fight against the grain before it is toote. Prudentialists pointed out problems with the extremists ims. The number of governors is sufficient to end a battle, but the problem is the war secrets. The shogunates dogs are armed with the new imperial guns and cannons, but most of ours are swords and a small number of old guns that were secretly hidden during thest civil war. Its all about guns and artillery. This is an unconditional defeat. At the very least, we need to bring in guns and artillery from the Ming Dynasty, but its all about money. The extremists responded immediately to the criticisms of the prudentists. The people of Kyoto have decided to help with all their might. Kyoto is already a ruined city. Its difficult for them alone. The rebuttal of the prudentialists was true. Kyoto was in a state ofplete copse as the shogunate removed the emperor to Yamaguchi and also moved the economic center to Yamaguchi. Chapter 785 Chapter 785: Inner sorrow (3) In the final battle against the Muromachi shogunate, Kyoto suffered heavy losses from arge fire caused by arson during the battle. Afterwards, the battle between Ouchi and the public family, which took ce amidst difficult restoration, inflicted fatal damage on Kyoto. Ouchi, who hadpletely subdued the Muromachi shogunate and the feudal lords of the old era, dragged the emperor to Yamaguchi. -I will serve Your Majesty in a safer and morefortable ce! With this justification, Ouchi dragged the Emperor to Yamaguchi. The emperor was held hostage within his sphere of influence. Also, it wasnt just a cause. In reality, the Imperial Pce built in Yamaguchi boasted a considerable size and the environment was also pleasant. However, from the perspective of Kyoto residents, it was a huge wound to their pride that could not be washed away. Kyoto was the capital of Japan for nearly 700 years after Emperor Kanmu designated it as the capital during the Heian period. -The bandits of Ouchi have kidnapped His Majesty the Emperor! This was themon thought of most Kyoto residents. Therefore, Kyoto was still a ce where the anti-Ouchi spirit was strong, and it was also a ce where the results of various policies implemented by Ouchi were sluggish. As the situation progressed, it became a vicious cycle. Due to antipathy toward the Ouchi shogunate, the promotion of various policies implemented by the Ouchi shogunate became sluggish, and the Ouchi shogunate drastically reduced its support for Kyoto. The most representative example was education. They sent their children to mandatory elementary schools, but did not send them to secondary schools, which were higher institutions. * * * As elementary schools became established, there was a demand for a higher level of education to achieve sess and satisfy academic aspirations. To meet this demand, many academies and boarding schools were built. However, because it was not redited, the level varied and the tuition fees were considerable. ordingly, the Ouchi shogunate began building secondary schools throughout Japan sooner than expected. In addition, if existing academies and school amodations passed the screening process, they were certified as educational institutions equivalent to secondary schools. * * * Most residents of Kyoto did not send their children who graduated from elementary school to secondary schools established by the shogunate. Instead, they sent their children to dormitories and academies established by influential figures in Kyoto. In response to these movements of Kyoto residents, the Ouchi shogunate drastically cut the support needed for reconstruction. Those who only live with their pride! On the contrary, Kyoto residents became more united. On the topic of traitors! Even if I starve to death, I wont take your money because its dirty! As the situation progressed, Kyoto was still unable to regain its former glory. It wasnt just Kyoto. Naniwa, the old name for Osaka, close to Kyoto, was also in a state of great decline. During the Muromachi period, Naniwa was the central port for trade with China. Afterwards, with the establishment of the Joseon Dynasty, merchants from all over Japan gathered in Naniwa. -In Naniwa, beggars only ept money. Naniwa was enjoying such a boom that people started saying things like this. However, two civil wars caused Naniwa to decline. During the civil war, Naniwas merchants remained strictly neutral and kept an eye on others. Civil war especially. After the second civil war, the Ouchi shogunate moved its trading ports, especially its imperial offices, to Yamaguchi. Due to Ouchis decision, many merchants left Naniwa and moved their headquarters to Yamaguchi. From then on, Naniwa began to decline. The most decisive cause was the railroad. After seeing and hearing about the usefulness of railroads, Ouchi beganying railroads in Japan as well. The first ce where railroads began to beid was Kyushu, the home of Ouchi. Honshu was everything Japan had to offer. The Ouchi shogunate decided that the northern route of Honshu would be built along the northern coastline, and the southern route would be built along the existingnd route. This southern route dealt a fatal blow to Kyoto and Naniwa. In order to kill Kyotos momentum, the Ouchi shogunate built a railway that passed through Naniwa to go straight to Nagoya via Omi (the old name of the Shijiang city) without passing through Kyoto. The reason for passing through Omi was to supply water from Lake Biwa to the lotive. As the railway went to the Kanto region without passing through Kyoto, Kyotos economy clearly copsed. This was because there were limitations to the farming done by residents in Kyoto and nearby areas. It was the same with Naniwa. Merchants from other regions used iron horses to go straight to Yamaguchi to buy goods and then rode the iron horses back home. The only time merchants stayed in Naniwa was when it was toote and they had to stay overnight. As a result, the traditional lodging and warehouse storage businesses also suffered significant losses. In the past, cases of staying for as little as 2 to 3 days or as long as 10 days or more while bargaining with merchants have almost disappeared. As a side note, Ouchis discriminatory and economic policies gave birth to deep-rooted regionalism in Japan. Kyoto and Yamaguchi people do not marry each other. This was such a deep-rooted regional feeling that it became a proverb. It was also the reason why Japans most famous private educational institutions flocked to Kyoto. * * * For this reason, the Newists shook their heads as soon as Kyoto was mentioned. Kyoto is good for gathering troops, but not for war. There is no ce to get war funds. It would be nice if you didnt ask us for money. The radicals immediately refuted the words of the conservatives. Of course, the situation with Naniwa in Kyoto is not good. But there are still many rich people left. There are a significant number of people who are willing to support not only deep-rooted noble families but also rich farmers. Arent we nning a long-term war? All we have to do is engage the Ouchi in one joint war and win that battle. The conservatives still pointed out problems and did not easily agree with the words of the radicals. Would the Ouchi bastards try to unite each other in just one battle? Unless they were fools, wouldnt they try to avoid such a thing? Even if Ouchi loses a battle, he will choose a way to win the war. Lets face the situation. Doesnt Ouchi have the advantage in every way? Ouchi will never want a short war. The radicals immediately responded to the words of the conservatives. So, didnt you say that we should bring in the Ouchi guys? We should make them think that if they drag on, they will lose out too! The conservatives began to show curiosity at the words of the radicals. How? First, assassination. The conservatives shook their heads at the word assassination. Its not easy because of the damn footpath. If you do it wrong, youll only lose the precious governors. We have found quite skilled gunners. Although they have Minguk-made rifles that are inferior in performance to those made by Joseon, they are capable of hitting targets at least 200 paces away. Are they trustworthy? These are people who passed through the Muromachi shogunate and the feudal lords. Then The conservatives nodded in response to the radicals answer. Ouchi, who won the civil war, persistently persuaded the defeated soldiers to join their side. In the appeasement operation, many people joined the Ouchi, fought against the opponents, and achieved sess through meritorious exploits. The fact that such people stood on the other side of Ouchi until the end, even though they were popr, meant that they could be trusted. While nodding their heads at the words of the radicals, the conservatives remained hesitant. No matter what, the war funds are still insufficient. In response to the words of the conservatives, the radicals presented theirst card. Then lets try to attract His Majesty the Emperor. His Majesty the Emperor? Is that possible? We have already recruited some of those who enter and leave Gyoko. And there is a governor who used them to gain an audience with His Majesty the Emperor. Who is it! At the shouts of the conservatives, the person sitting at the back of the radicals came forward. Its called the Konoe familys Tarot. Konoe Ramen! The eyes of the new believers lit up when they heard Tarots castle. Among the tattoo families who assisted the Emperor in his inner circle, the highest-ranking family was the Konoe family. The Konoe family was the family that had held the position of government official currently held by Ouchi for generations. The Konoe family was the most important family in thest civil war between the Ouchi and Gong families, and it was a family that was rumored to have been exterminated as a result of the defeat. When they heard that a man from such a family had even met the Emperor, the eyes of the conservatives changed. What did Your Majesty say about our resolve? Taro calmly answered the questions of the conservatives. His Majesty said, I am grateful that the patriots still exist. I sincerely hope that your cause will seed. Oh oh! After hearing the Emperors words of encouragement, the Chinese people trembled with emotion. Taro continued speaking as he looked at these conservatives. His Majesty also said this. Due to the tyranny of the past shogunate, previous emperors lost their power and had no choice but to live in despair. I also cannot help but feel aggrieved by the current situation. I hope that the attempts of the patriotic governors seed and this Japan He said, I hope we can return to our proper country. With that wish Taro took the envelope from his arms and unfolded the contents. The letter Taro opened wide had four letters written inrge letters. -Daejeong Bong-hwan (߀) It was written and given by His Majesty himself. Oh! What an honor! Daejeongbonghwan! The new believers were once again moved when they saw the phrase written by the Emperor himself. After time passed and their excitement calmed down, the conservatives asked the radicals. Are you sure that if our governors ask for help, Your Majesty will respond? The chances are high. The possibility alone.. Let the prudentists show hesitation again. The radicals pointed out reality. We know and Your Majesty knows that if time goes on like this, Ouchi will have everything. Now, the Ouchi people respect Your Majesty, but if Masahiro takes over the shogunate, no one can guarantee it. Not just Masahiro, but everyone around him. These are people who went to Joseon and learned. What kind of country is Joseon? Isnt it a country where a general overthrew the king and became king? Im sure they will say that they can do the same because they learned from that country. Thats not true The conservatives nodded at the extremists words. Ouchi was the owner of present-day Japan. The emperors shadow still remains, but as time passes, no one will remember him. The radicals continued talking. If that happens, we will not be patriots but traitors. We must turn everything back before it is toote. At the words of the radicals, the conservatives nodded without realizing it. Looking at those cautious factions, the leader of the radical faction came to a conclusion. Your Majesty already knows that this is the end of the world if we fail, so he will ept our help. Chapter 786 Chapter 786: Inner sorrow (4) Is it because of the words of encouragement and tarot that the emperor wrote in his own hand? Or has he faced the reality that if not this time, there will be no next chance? We will be with you too. There must be times when we act boldly for the greater good. Finally, the conservatives decided to join the radicals. Of course, there were some who did not lose their caution until the very end. The representative of such people was Matsudaira Chikatada, who ruled West Mikawa. After the meeting was over and everyone had left, Chikatada continued talking with Takeda Nobushige, the central figure of the radical faction. Are you really sure about that? Nobushige expressed doubt in response to Chikatadas question. Who are you talking about? Konoe Taro. Im sure. Really? Has anyone confirmed that he met the Emperor? There was someone who went in with me. Hmm Chikatada folded his arms and pondered in response to Nobushiges answer. Seeing this, Nobushige asked a question. What are you worried about? Chikatada answered Nobushiges question with a serious expression. The biggest problem is that he is from the Konoe family. Isnt the Konoe family the family that was most thoroughly trampled upon after the Kuge family was defeated in thest civil war? As Jikatada said, Ouchi, who won the civil war, thoroughly crushed the noble families of the feudal lords who had rebelled against them. They tracked down not only the direct lineage but also the coteral lineage and killed both men and women. Those who survived this process were only a small number of coteral families that did not participate in the civil war and a few lucky people who changed their surnames through marriage with other families. Thats why Jikatada was suspicious of Taro Konoe. Do you think it is possible that you survived with thest name Konoe despite Ouchis persistent pursuit? Nobushige responded to Chikatadas point. ording to him, he made a living by stealing the battle tablets of those who died on the battlefield. By stealing a fighting tablet? Ouchis fighting tablet was modeled after Joseons, and that was possible? As Jikatada pointed out, the new identity badge of the empire, made with the breath of incense, was famous for being difficult to forge. No, it was almost impossible. * * * The imperial identity card, which was created after several revisions, was divided into two pieces. One of the two sheets contained the bearers name, date of birth, and ce of birth. On the other page, the bearers facial features were recorded in detail, especially physical characteristics that could be recognized at a nce, such as moles on the face. These badges were ced in a protective frame, which was secured with screws and lead was poured over the screw holes. Ultimately, the official seal was stamped on the lead seal to make it impossible for it to be counterfeited. As soon as imperialists graduated from the Social Democratic Institute, they had to make a status card like the one above. The protective frame containing the identity badge was made in the form of a notebook, so imperialists had to carry it with them at all times. If you were caught walking around without this identification card, you were immediately imprisoned and had to go through a notoriously difficult identity verification process. The reason why the question was asked again and again was because not only the person involved but also everyone around them were called in to check if it was the person. In the case of loss, the same notorious procedures followed and the cost of reissuing was equivalent to ten days wages for an ordinary worker. Thanks to this, the people of the empire took good care of their identity cards as if they were holding a sacred tablet. Perhaps because of this inconvenience,ints were asionally made. -Isnt it impossible to forge and falsify and easy to possess by having a letter tattooed on your body like those who served in the military did in the past? Every time an appeal like this came up, the courts answer was the same. -What should we do when verifying the womens identities? Are we going to ask them to take off their clothes in the middle of the street? And although forgery and alteration are said to be impossible, it is possible. Therefore, it is not allowed to rece ones identity badge with a piece of advice. Hyang, who was the emperor at the time, chuckled and muttered to himself. In the 21st century, instead of getting a tattoo , It was a biological chip, right? But what were the results? _ _ _ Did you see the scar? Its an intentional wound. It is said that he chose someone with a simr impression, stole the battle tablet, and then used the injury as an excuse to get away with it. The bottom line is, you dont know that he is the real Taro of the Konoe family. The emperor is a direct descendant. In particr, it is said that he answered correctly when asked about the family head and family name. Especially things like facial expressions and speaking habits. Wouldnt that be enough? Nobushiges exnation made sense. The heads of the Kosekke family and their families, who inherited the positions of government officials, were always in the Emperors inner circle. Therefore, the Emperor was a member of the Konoe family. He knew very well about his direct lineage. If Taro Konoe had not been able to answer properly, the Emperor would have doubted him. Hmm. Even after exining, Chikatada could not hide his anxiety, so Nobushige raised his voice. It has already been done. The work has begun! Its a symbolic trend! Now is not the time to argue back and forth, but the time to run forward courageously and boldly! Shh! Your voice is loud! Seeing Jikatada paying attention and looking around, Nobushige pounded his chest. Its really frustrating! I know how cautious you are from past experiences, but this time you went too far! Whew~ Chikatada sighed long at Nobushiges reprimand and nodded. Youre right. The work has already begun. Now is the time to run. I will cooperate with all my might. Isnt Issho Kenmei (One Life and One Life) the iron rule of a warrior? Lets do our best. Chikatada added the word isshokenmei, which means a samurai sacrifices his life to protect his territory. Are we the emperor instead of the prefect? I guess so. Speaking of the Emperor, do you really think he will help us? To Chikatadas point, Nobushige immediately responded, He also knows very well that this is hisst chance. Of course, you will have no choice but to risk everything. Chikatada nodded at Nobushiges words. * * * After returning from the meeting, Chikatada looked out the window and pondered. He only said Emperor. No, he said he at the end The bottom line is that he just wants to be the master of the shogunate. And he is capable enough. Unlike me. Takeda Nobushige was the inheritor of the influential family known as Takeda. Although he lost his fiefdom due to the abandonment of the feudal lord in Ouchi, he still had great influence. Compared to that, his own influence was still strong . The Matsudaira family was a family with a short and humble history. Thanks to this, they were able to survive the civil war between the Muromachi shogunate and Ouchi and the civil war between Ouchi and Kuge without any major losses. However, Ouchi was able to endure the civil war between Ouchi and Kuge . Chi did not forget. Ouchi, who had a firm grip on Japan, took political revenge through a series of reforms, including the abolition of the feudal lords. That is why Chikatada joined the half-Ouchi group. Chikatada joined the group. He soon began to stand out. As Jiketada waited for an opportunity toe based on caution and patience and was sure to seed, the number of his followers increased, and before he knew it, he had established himself as a symbol of the New School. He also had ambition. Now that Kuge is gone, the position of Ichigo, Tenjinji is what he was aiming for. But the strongestpetitor was, of course, Nobushige of the Takeda family. He was superior in every way. What is more important than that is still the existence of Taro Konoe. Im so anxious Jiketada was still unable to hide his anxiety. In the end, after thinking for several days, Jikatada made a decision. Gathering his sons together, Jiketada exined the situation. Therefore, I am the Emperor . I will dedicate myself to a fierce fight for the sake of the shogunate. I will prepare. The sons nodded with calm expressions at Chikatadas words. They already knew that their father had participated in the force that overthrew the shogunate. As expected, he wanted revenge for Ouchis political retaliation. Jikatada nodded at the sight of his sons and continued, But the family line cannot be cut off. So, the youngest should indulge in this rebellion. Father! It is the order of the family head. But it is the shame of a warrior! If the rebellion seeds, it will be a temporary shame, but if it fails, it will be the best move to continue the family. Youve just gotten married, and wont your first child be born soon? The eldest son, who had been listening quietly, asked a question. Does your father think this venture will fail? Its half and half. With the assistance of His Majesty the Emperor, and well-meaning patriots gathered their strength. However, the power of those Ouchi guys is so great that we will only know whether they win or lose when it is over. Thats why we left out the youngest son. In response to Jikatadas words, the youngest son gritted his teeth and answered, I will follow. However, please be sure to seed in your act and let this end to a brief shame. Thank you. Jikatada lightly responded to his youngest sons words and held out a heavy bundle. I put a new identity card and some belongings in it. Its just one chance. If, by any chance, your heroism fails, you will have to live with the surname contained within it. Although the wealth contained may not be abundant, it will be enough to establish a stable position. At Chikatadas words, the youngest son unpacked the bundle and checked his identity card. Tokugawa? Thats right. If the rebellion fails, you will have to live as the Tokugawa n. I hope you seed in the rebellion. I will. The eldest son, watching the youngest son packing up his bags again, asked Chikatada. But how? Did you make a new identity card? In response to the eldest sons question, Chikatada smiled slightly and answered, Isnt it already a known fact that the dogs of Ouchi love bribes? I secretly gave him a few pennies and he made it right away. Is it because there is no recorder? Hot! Hahaha! The room, which had been filled with sadness, filled withughter at Chikatadas unexpected joke. * * * Despite loud calls for reform and royal politics, paradoxically, the corruption of lower-level officials of the Ouchi shogunate was considerable. There was almost no corruption in the arms and tax collection areas directly managed by the shogunates leaders, but other than that, in the general administrative area. It was an open fact that all kinds of bribes were exchanged in the Empire. The reason this was possible was because there was still no one to rece them. Those who studied abroad in the empire started in mid-level executive positions as soon as they returned, and there were still a small number of those who graduated from elementary and secondary schools and entered low-level management positions. In the end , When those in power, especially those who studied abroad, learned of this, they raised their voices and advocated for the establishment of a record office. The reason they openly ept bribes is because they know full well that if they leave, there will be no one to work immediately! Rather than killing such arrogant bastards, we should show them suffering to the point of death! The justification for the record office created by the empire is sufficient! Yoshinori and other retainers agreed with the Confucian schrs argument, and the record office finally appeared in Japan. I am ready to pay. Chapter 787 Episode 787: Internal sorrow (5) A few dayster, Yamaguchis Kyoko. It waste at night and the Emperor was having a private meeting with Taro Konoe. So the governors decided to rise up? That is so, Your Majesty. Whoa~. In response to Taro Konoe, the Emperor let out a long sigh. After taking several deep breaths to calm the fire in his heart, the Emperor opened his mouth. It was truly a long time. Those miserable times when the shogunate, established by a general who was merely a vassal, was over the emperors head Phew~. The emperor was sighing to calm down the boiling fire again. * * * Originally, the shogun, the head of the shogunate, could not open the shogunate in the capital, Kyoto. However, the Muromachi shogunate, which ended the four generations of the Northern and Southern Dynasties, opened a shogunate in Kyoto and reigned over the emperor. Ouchi, who ended the Muromachi shogunate, went one step further. He dragged the emperor out of Kyoto and brought him to Yamaguchi, his sphere of influence. Kyoko, built by Ouchi in a more pleasant environment in many ways than Kyoto, which was devastated by the war, was also magnificent in its own way. However, it paledpared to the Imperial Pce in Kyoto. The biggest problem was that the emperor had now bepletely alienated from the people. In the case of Godaigo Tenno, who opened the Northern and Southern Dynasties era, he staged a coup dtat and abolished the Kamakura shogunate and established a pro-government system. The reason this was possible was because the control over the nobles and the people was strong. However, as time passed, the Muromachi shogunate came into power again, and the emperor was once again covered by the curtain created by the shogunate. There was a court led by the emperor and nobles of the old family who ran the court, but they could only exercise their power in the Kyoto and Kanto regions. Thanks to this, the rtionship between the emperor and the people had no choice but to be distant again. As Ouchi began a new shogunate regime, the rtionship between the emperor and the people became even more distant. This was because the Ouchi shogunate, which hadpletely cleaned up the pce, brought the emperor to Yamaguchi. In the Kyoto and Kanto regions that Kuge controlled, there were many people who still remembered the emperor. However, to the people of Kansai, the emperor was a figure that only appeared in stories and was loved by children. Traditionally, the people of the Kansai region were ustomed to the rule of Kuni, the territory of the shogunate and feudal lords. Therefore, the Emperor was able to understand why Ouchi had brought him here to Yamaguchi. -Complete severance of rtions between the emperor and the people. This was Ouchis desired goal. * * * Phew~. The Emperor calmed down hisplicated feelings with a long sigh and continued speaking again. Now I can let go of my anger. So, when will the rebellion begin? To the Emperors question, Taro Konoe answered while kneeling down on the floor, I am doing my best to carry out the rebellion as soon as possible. But Im having a hard time because I dont have enough. I dont have enough? Didnt you say before that the people of Kyoto and Kanto responded favorably? The people and nobles of Kyoto and Kanto are doing their best, but they are having a hard time because they have lost so much in the civil war. Huh~. Thats a real problem. After hearing the story, the Emperor could not hide his disappointment, so Taro Konoe got to the point. That is why the governors are desperately seeking your help. If your Majesty shows them favor, their morale will skyrocket. Hmm. The Emperor looked perplexed at Konoe Taros request. * * * Although hecks muchpared to previous emperors, the emperor had a lot. Ouchi also did not touch the fields owned by the imperial family out of respect. In addition, since the emperor also served as a Shinto priest, the shoguns of Ouchi offeredrge offerings whenever a ancestral rite was held. Compared to the emperors who had to live during the Warring States Period in Japans history before Hyang intervened, they were in an incredibly wealthy situation. The problem was that the emperor wanted to take advantage of the fruits achieved by the governors, but did not want to open his own pockets. * * * Konoe Taro seemed to have sensed the Emperors feelings and bowed his head. The Ouchi faction, a high treason criminal, still has great power. On the other hand, the governors are shedding tears of blood as they realize their shorings. Your Majesty! If this rebellion fails, there will be no loyalists left to free your Majestys wish. Itsing! Whoa~. The Emperor, who let out a long sigh at Taros feet, finally made a decision. I will give you an order. Discuss it with him and then do it. When the Emperors permission was given, Taro Konoe bowed down and raised his voice. Hwang Eun is devastated! * * * Then be careful. I understand. Taro carefully came out through the side door used by the servants working at the school, looked at the bowl, and quickly hid in the darkness. Taro returned to his lodgings after wandering around the back alleys to avoid potential pursuers. As soon as he entered the room, he untied the hat he was wearing, threw it away, and sat down. Heeyu~. After taking a long breath, Taroy down and looked at the ceiling. Her Majesty the Emperors Majestys Return Foot! Taro burst outughing and continued speaking with a face full of cynicism. Everything will be ruined! Whether its the Emperor, Ukokuji Incident, or Ouchi, everything will be ruined! * * * Although Taro was a direct descendant of the Konoe family, he was a bastard. It was also the child of a maid who had been raped by her father. -If you are a man, you must take responsibility for what you do! At the time, Taros grandfather decided to give him the surname Konora, but his situation was not good. In the case of other lions simr to him, their mothers and concubines were also women from families with a certain status. Therefore, even if he was an illegitimate son, he could be treated as a member of the family. However, Taros mother was a maid who worked at the mansion. -I gave you myst name at the order of the head of the family, but how do I know if I really inherited the blood of the West? Taro had to spend his childhood hearing these words thrown out loud in his face. Thanks to this, Taro was treated simrly to the servants working in the mansion. The same was true for education. The illegitimate children and other illegitimate children had to gather in one ce and learn how to read by watching them learn. This situation was the same even in the civil war that took ce after Taro grew up. The other brothers, who had grown up, wore fancy armor and becamemanders leading the army, but Taro was in the position of leading 50 spearmen and charging at the front line. And in the battle that took ce, Guges army suffered crushing damage and was defeated by Ouchi. His half-brothers and family rtives, who had gone to the front in fancy armor, became targets of the Ouchi army, who were seeking merit. Those who barely survived the battle were all captured and killed in Ouchis continued pursuit. The family was also wiped out, regardless of its direct or coteral line, by the invading Ouchi army. In the process, Taro survived because he cut his own face and used a fighting tablet stolen from the corpse of a fallen soldier. Taro, who barely survived, returned home and saw horribly burned mansions and arge burial mound. Taro, who saw the graves where the Ouchi army, who had exterminated his family, gathered the bodies and buried them in one ce, developed strong resentment toward the Ouchi. No, he also harbored a grudge against the conservatives who started the war that killed his mother. This damn world! Fuck it all! * * * Taro, who wandered around Japan as a revenge demon, came into contact with the Zonchi faction and became a member. However, his treatment within the organization was not very good. Ho! Did you say the Konoe family? This was because the people who had been pleased as soon as they heard Tarosst name became unhappy when they saw Taros identity. No, there are people who openly look down on me one by one. You guys are the same guys! Sigh! Taro gritted his teeth and did his best to create opportunities. First, he joined an extremist group that was passionate about recruiting and recruiting talent and built up his own personalwork. And he used those connections to secure funds. Why the funds? I would like to see His Majesty the Emperor. Is it possible? I think its possible. After securing funds, Taro made desperate efforts to secure a meeting with the Emperor through the servants of Kyoko, who served the Emperor. Taro smiled bitterly as he returned from his appointment. This damn castle helped me this time. Taro was able to meet the Emperor along with a member of the extremist faction. There was a survivor of the Konoe family! This is the God of Heavenly Rain! The Emperor was thrilled when he asked various questions and confirmed that Taro was from the Konoe family. And through the apanying executives, this incident spread within the radical faction, and Taro was able to be the core of the radical faction. And as time passed, Tarot became an important link between the emperor and the radicals, and this time he finally gained the emperors help. However, Tarots goal was different from what the Emperor and the Zonchi faction thought. Taros goal was the chaos and destruction of Japan. * * * Imperial Year 17 (1465). March. The railway station of Omi (old name of Kita River City). The railway station built in Omi was veryrgepared to the poption of Moi. The purpose was to supply iron horses with water drawn from the nearby Lake Biwa and to maintain the iron horses that returned after traveling long distances. Arge number of Ouchi troops were stationed here. This was because facilities rted to the railroad, one of the countrys core facilities, were gathered together and Kyoto was nearby. If a subversive movement urred in Kyoto, the troops stationed in Omi were to immediately dispatch and suppress it. Its still a chilly March night. A group of people were moving silently between the shadows of the railway facilities at Omi Station. After a while, the people who were moving relying on the shadows of the building and the iron horse gathered in one ce and whispered softly. Is everyone in? hot! What about luggage? In response to the conductors question, some of the men held up thick bundles. Good! Today is the start! Dont forget that you must seed! hot! Then Sangae! As soon as the conductor finished speaking, the people again divided into groups of threes and fives and disappeared into the darkness. After a while. Who are you? Stand there! If you move, Ill shoot! bang! Tatang! Quack! A loud explosion followed by a loud gunshot. bang! Quack! Soon after, arge pir of fire rose from the area where the water tank and iron horse maintenance facility were located. Fire! Put out the lights! Take out the equipment! Workers at the railway station made desperate efforts to put out the fire and save precious equipment. Some kind of crazy guy! It was a signal announcing a full-scale armed resistance by the conservatives. Chapter 788 Episode 788: Inner sorrow (6) Ding ding! Ouchi soldiers who were resting in their barracks rushed out at the loud ringing sound of the bell. Get armed! Its an attack by weightlifters! Its an attack by weightlifters! Hearing the words attack by weightlifters, the Ouchi Army soldiers hastily packed long guns and ammunition bags. The urgency was so great that a significant number of soldiers were barefoot, wearing only fundoshi (traditional Japanese underwear), wearing nothing more than bullets and jingasa (hat-shaped helmets), and carrying guns. At that moment, the Zonchi factions soldiers hiding in the dark all pulled the trigger. bang! Tatang! bang! Woah! Ugh! Ouchi soldiers who had lost their lives or were seriously injured in the unexpected attack rolled on the ground. Get down! Find cover! Move the wounded! Find the enemys location! In response to themanders urgent orders, the soldiers immediately fell to the ground or ran to a hiding ce as soon as they came out of the barracks. Uttattata The soldiers, who had quickly secured safety, seemed to have finally relieved themselves and frowned as they stroked the wounds they had received from being swept on the ground or scratched by the pirs of the barracks. But right now, the scratches werent the problem. If he made a slight mistake, there would be a bullet hole in his body. The soldiers crouched down as much as possible and only slightly raised their heads to look in all directions. Chick show! Meanwhile, Goro Yamashita, themander of the Zonchi faction, who was watching the movements of the Ouchi army in the dark shadows of the forest, cursed softly. After taking a moment to catch his breath, he could not hide his regret. The Ouchi guys reacted faster than I expected. Are they really the Ouchi guys? * * * The first strategy was to evacuate immediately after the surprise attack. However, Goro, who was in charge of the operation, answered his superiors with a confident face. If we are attacked at night, the enemies will be confused! If we attack the confused enemies, we will achieve a great victory and even secure the weapons weck! Seeing Goros confident appearance, the superior sighed a little and answered. You cant look down on the Ouchi guys. They have a lot of experience in the battlefield. There is a good chance of winning. Stop talking nonsense and follow the n. .All right. I answered like that and left, but Goro muttered softly. On-sitemand is the responsibility of the on-sitemander. You can rece punishment with meritter. * * * So I made my own calctions and started the battle, but as my superior said, Ouchi was Ouchi. Ouchi-gun, who had been confused by the first gunfire, was soon out of confusion and moving calmly. Seeing this, Goro hit the tree with his fist and swore. Chiksho! If we had long guns like the Ouchi guys, the situation would have changed! The main rifle of the Zonchi faction was the Ming Dynasty rifle used in thest civil war. Unlike the one used by the Muromachi shogunate, it had a grooved rifling and had a superior uracy rate, but it had the fatal weakness of being fully armored. If it had been a breech-loading rifle like the one the Ouchi army had, the Ouchi army would have suffered fatal damage before it could respond properly. However, while the Zonchi faction soldiers who had finished shooting put gunpowder and bullets into their guns and reloaded, the Ouchi army gained time to prepare its posture. Goro looked at the Ouchi army camp with a face full of regret. If only there had been a little more troops, or at least if only Joseon-made square bows had been brought in The best way to make up for the shorings of full-length rifles was to mobilize arge number of troops and fire sequentially, such as three-stage shooting. Or, while he was reloading, he would rain down arrows and immobilize the Ouchi army. However, the number of troops the Zonchi faction had was too small to carry out the first operation. Even now, people from around Kyoto and the nearby Kanto region are gathering together. However, because he was working to avoid Ouchis eyes, gathering people, training them, and obtaining and supplying weapons were slow. The second operation, using bows, also had many problems. Japanese bows were veryrge. The problem was that the range was too short, about 20 shots (about 60m), considering its size. With itsrge size and short range, it was impossible to carry out a surprise operation like the Ming Dynasty long rifle. The only bow possible for this type of operation was the Joseon-made square bow. About 100 square bows (approximately 300 meters) made properly flew easily. However, obtaining a Joseon-made square bow was a cakewalk. This was because exportation from Joseon was prohibited. Also, even if brought in, it was not easy to store it in Japans natural environment. In the end, Goro, who could not hide his regret, had no choice but to make a decision. Its a shame, but I think we should stop here this time. Goro sent a hand signal to the surrounding soldiers. After confirming the hand signal, the soldiers quietly began to retreat back. * * * The bombing operation in Omi was just the beginning. Upon hearing the news from Omi, Ouchi immediately began preparing to send reinforcements to Omi on iron horses. The people who do this cant possibly be sane. But even if they were sane, they could think and would try to touch the railroad tracks! Send an order to the military camp near the railroad tracks! Search the railroad tracks! hot! After a while, Yoshinoris orders were transmitted using luminousmunication devices installed along the road. Interestingly, themunication symbol of the luminescentmunication device was the static symbol used by the empire. The idea was to transcribe the Japanese pronunciation into correct pronunciation and then send it. After receiving Yoshinoris order, Ouchis military camp sent out soldiers to inspect the surrounding railroad tracks. * * * Currently near Himeji City, Japan. What are they doing! At the shouts of the Ouchi Army soldiers who were searching the railroad, the Zonchi faction members who had been installing gunpowder on the railroad began to run away toward the nearby forest. Chase! Stand up! At themand of themander, the Ouchi soldiers grabbed their guns and started chasing the Zonchi faction. When the Ouchi army soldiers reached the edge of the forest, the warriors of the Zonchi faction who were hiding in the forest attacked the soldiers all at once with their swords drawn. Oops! Stop it! Unfortunately, the Ouchi soldiers who were attacked by the Zonchi faction warriors were new soldiers. Although he received training in hand-to-handbat using a bay, it was not enough to deal with the warriors of the Zonchi faction who were familiar with swordsmanship. The warriors of the Zonchi faction, who cut down the soldiers in an instant, rushed towards the Ouchi army soldiers who remained around the railway, covered in blood all over their bodies. Huh? Huh? The Ouchi armys new recruits were slow to react to the unexpected counterattack, and the Zonchi faction warriors did not miss the opportunity. Soon, most of the Ouchi armys soldiers fell to the ground with their swords, and a few soldiers threw away their rifles and ran away. Whoa~. Himura, a samurai of the Zonchi faction, took a long breath, shook his sword to shake off the blood, and put it back in its sheath. What are you doing? Now is not the time to be cool! We need to collect the Ouchi guys weapons and blow up the railway right now! Move! Oh yes! Yes! At themands harsh words, Himura moved quickly and searched for the dead Ouchi soldiers. After a while. bang! The explosives installed by the Zonchi faction exploded and the railroad was cut off. We have to get out of here before the Ouchi guyse! Move! * * * Things simr to what happened near Himeji City urred here and there on the railroad leading to Omi. However, cases as sessful as Himeji were rare. The Ouchi army, led by an impatientmander, pulled the trigger as soon as it saw the Zonchi faction trying to destroy the railroad. The cautiousmanders went about the operation by dividing their units into soldiers responsible for search and tracking and soldiers preparing for surprise attacks. The worst case scenario was the Zonchi faction figures who met with the Ouchi unit where the Baldo Corps was deployed. The members of the Baldo Corps were warriors skilled in swordsmanship, and in addition, they were armed with short guns that the shogunate purchased from the empire and distributed. What is interesting is that the members of the Baldo Corps preferred to use this rifle rather than the sword. The short gun, which had enhanced punching power rather than prating power by referring to the taste of the scent and previous military training, showed clear killing power. The members of the Baldo Corps, who were in love with the lethality and heavy recoil of the single gun, called it the six-blood gun and cherished it. The members of the conservative faction who encountered the members of the Baldo Army resisted fiercely, but were soon subdued. The Zonchi faction members who were wounded and captured at the end of the battle were immediately taken to Baldos garrison. Those who were imprisoned in the garrison prison soon had to undergo severe torture. Where is your base! Tell me who yourrades are! * * * In any case, with only a few sesses, the railroad was cut and Ouchis reinforcements were stranded. Chick show! Yoshinori became angry and threw the report away with an insult. Huuuuu! Huu~. Yoshinori calmed his excitement by taking deep breaths and immediately gave an order. Send the reinforcements right away! Tell them to move by rail until they reach the railroad connection, and then on foot! If its toote, those bigots from Kyoto might do something stupid! We have to finish it before then! hot! * * * As the activities of the Zonchi faction became more active, the air in Yamaguchi gradually became heavier. Those crazy people might be doing something in Yamaguchi. Give guards to officials of the 4th rank or higher. hot! ording to Yoshinoris orders, high-ranking officials of the shogunate and the integrated court continued tomute under heavy escort. And as Yoshinori predicted, a surprise attack by the Zonchi faction targeting them took ce. Taaaang! Its a surprise attack! Nari! Nari! Blood sttered on the awning of the pnquin as a gunshot was heard in the distance. Amid the urgent cries of the guard next to the pnquin, the surrounding warriors and members of the Baldo Corps looked in all directions. Its over there! Its over there! The members of the Baldo Team, who saw the gunpowder smoke fading around the second floor of the Daru a little distance away, immediately drew their swords and ran to the Daru in question. Attempts to assassinate key figures continued thereafter. As the number of people who lost their lives or were seriously injured in attacks by Zonchi sect members increased one by one, the group searched through downtown Yamaguchi to track down the sectarians. When Baldo found people who were even slightly suspicious, they immediately arrested them and interrogated them. Innocent people were harmed in this process, but since there was also a harvest of real supporters, the pro-democracy group gradually increased its intensity. In this process of investigation and tracking, Baldodae gained apletely unexpected harvest. -The Zonchi faction and the Emperor are connected. After receiving the report, Yoshinori looked serious and gave orders. Block off Kyoto! Make sure not a single rat can get in and out! hot! * * * As Japan was falling into the vortex of civil war again, the empire was busy in a different way. -Lets go and kill those who are terrorizing the poption! The Shinji Conquest Army, with Lee Jing-ok at its head, had finally begun to board the ship. Chapter 789 Episode 789. Noblemen, go to Shinji. (1) As soon as spring arrived and the northern sea routes were cleared, the empire organized a transport fleet. In order to sessfully carry out tasks such as adjusting the types of ships that will make up the fleet and the date of the ship, Kim Jong-seo took over as the top manager. Some said that it was excessive for Deputy Prime Minister Kim Jong-seo to step in, but many people thought that things could run smoothly if someone of Kim Jong-seo took charge. This was because it was the empires firstrge-scale expedition. Of course, the empire also had experience fighting wars and battles in which more troops were mobilized, such as the wars fought in Liaodong and the Battle of the Yellow Sea. However, at the time, most supplies and troops were transported bynd. This was the first time I had been on a long-distance transport or expedition by sea between the main site and the new site. That is why Kim Jong-seo became the top person in charge. * * * Its fortunate that Area 52, located in Shinji, is doing its job. Huh~. Kim Jong-seo, who was looking at the records of the supplies to be loaded on the transport ship, sighed with an expression of relief. However, Kim Jong-seo, who was looking at the list, shouted at Han Myeong-hoe with a grim expression. Look, Apgu! The numbers here are wrong! Are you not doing your job properly? Should I send you to the records office? At Kim Jong-seos shout, Han Myeong-hoe ran up to him and bowed his head. Im sorry! If you apologize, dont make something to apologize for! Im sorry! Review it again and bring it back! yep! Kim Jong-seo continued to beat as he watched Han Myeong-hoe quickly gather the documents. Did you forget to take proper care of it since it is the Empires firstrge-scale expedition? You must have forgotten that your name will be included in the report sent to the Emperor! I will do my best. * * * When Han Myeong-hoe first became Vice Minister of General Affairs, people around him did not look well. -A man who rose to prominence simply because he served His Majesty nearby since he was crown prince. This kind of backstory applied not only to Han Myeong-hoe but also to all four people. Kim Jong-seo, who was the Minister of General Affairs at the time, gave this advice to Han Myeong-hoe. Try your best. If you make a mistake, not only will you be criticized, but it will also tarnish His Majestys prestige. What could be more disloyal than tarnishing the prestige that His Majesty has built up since he was crown prince? Han Myeong-hoe responded to Kim Jong-seos request by bowing his head. I will do my best! I have high expectations. Afterwards, the Constitutional Council did its best. And Kim Jong-seo had a lot of fun with this Hanmyeonghoe. The fact that His Majesty has him in his inner circle means that he has that much ability, right? But is this really it? Ill try my best! Perhaps thanks to those efforts, the negative views toward Han Myeong-hoe and the gang of four gradually disappeared. However, because it did notpletely disappear, the four could not rx. * * * Ill say it again, this is the Empires firstrge-scale maritime expedition! There cant be any mistakes! Ill say it again, your name will be included in the report sent to the Emperor. Dont forget that it was the Emperor who selected you. Dont! yep! Han Myeong-hoe, who answered in a loud voice, took the documents and left Kim Jong-seos office. Han Myeong-hoe, who came out, looked at the sky and sighed. Whew~. Its been a while since I turned 50. Still getting beat up Is this such a damn thing? Han Myeong-hoe, who wasining while looking at the sky, looked towards where the prime ministers offices were and grumbled. People who are already over 80 are still lively, so they say, Jeong Seung! Is it true that longevity is essential to sess? Han Myeong-hoe, who returned to the General Affairs Department saying a mixture of jokes and seriousness, screamed as soon as he passed through the entrance. Jump under me right now! He was surprised by Han Myeong-hoes shout . Executives quickly gathered in Han Myeong-hoes office. Han Myeong-hoe threw the report in his hand onto the desk and screamed, Im going to work like this! I apologize! Dont do anything that makes me sorry! Outside of Han Myeong-hoes meeting. The middle-level officials and low-level officials who were listening to the shouts sighed softly, I guess its going to break again This is why I hateyering Throughout the process, the expedition team prepared for departure step by step. However, as Kim Jong-seo said, the burden was greatly reduced as Area 52 was operating normally in Shinji. Various weapons and ammunition and gunpowder were smoothly produced in Area 52, and the wide fields of Shinji were maintained. Horses and cows were growing profusely in the empire. Thanks to this, most of the preparations at the headquarters of the empire werepleted by simply preparing the soldiers and the food and medicine they would eat during the voyage. What was causing the officials the most trouble now was transportation and nature. It was a problem of the environment. Even though the minimum battleship strength for the empires defense was gathered, it was impossible to transport 30,000 troops at once. C At least 10 times. The military had to make at least 10 round trips to transport 20,000 troops. We had concluded that it was possible. Considering the time it would take to travel to and from Shinji and the Northern Sea Route, which freezes over from early winter, it would take at least a year just for transportation, and it was a possible operation only when there was no damage from typhoons or other natural disasters. It would be nice It would be best to have a transport ship as big as the assault return ship Those involved, especially the navy, could not hide their disappointment upon seeing the assault return ship. * * * Everyone involved in ships, including the navy and merchants, was keenly aware of the need forrge ships. -More bigger guns on bigger ships! If this was the navys slogan, this was the merchants slogan. C A big ship that can carry more cargo and move! The demand for theserger ships grew, but it was not an easy task. This was because the ship they requested was an iron ship, not a wooden ship. Even in history before the intervention of the township, battleships and trade shipsrger than the Challenger-ss ships were made of wood. However, people who saw the assault return ship came to think that big ships are always iron ships. We have alreadyunched several iron assault ships, so why cant we build bigger ships? Navy officials and merchants used to talk like this, and whenever they heard it, the artisans in Area 51 would swear. Fuck! You guys should make it! If I had just said it would work, I would have alreadyunched 100 pieces (approximately 300m) of iron boats! Steel and wood were materials withpletely different characteristics. And the front lines and transport ships were different in design. This meant that a lot of trial and error still awaited, which meant that more time and budget were needed. Although time was inevitable, budget was an issue. In this situation, the news that Crown Prince Hyeon was fascinated by iron ships was the worst of bad news. Hyeon, who saw the sudden return, fell into the iron ship and frantically devoured information about it. When Jeong In-ji and everyone involved in Area 51 saw that, they all thought of Duke Jinpyeong. Even though hes a master, that blood doesnt go anywhere Its been that way since the beginning However, the ship officials in Area 51 started to get angry on their faces. The crown prince is interested? Its a thousand years old! While theplexions of the ships officials were getting brighter, theplexions of the flying crews officials were getting worse. Although it was a flying research department that was favored by the emperor, the real power of Area 51 of the research center was held by the crown prince. Since the Crown Prince was fascinated by iron ships, it was clear that more budget would be allocated to that area. Of course, the budget would be adjusted once by Jeong In-ji and ultimately adjusted and approved by Emperor Wan. However, since the crown prince gave his support, it was certain that even a little more budget would go to the ship research department. With a limited budget, it was natural for one party to receive more and the other to receive less. While the joys and sorrows of the ship research department and the flying machine research department were going through each other, there were some who were carefree. First, there was the Institutional Research Department and the Artillery Research Department. No matter how hard you work, if you dont have an institution, youre in vain. As the employees of the agencys research department said, the Empire was focusing on improving and improving steam engines. The same was true for the artillery research department. As long as the Ministry of National Defense was at the back and Ming and Japan were on both sides, there was almost no chance of the artillery research departments budget being cut. By the way. Anyway, isnt life a lot easier these days? Is it because the situation is in Shinji? Is that so? Thats because Sang-tae is not here and old man Jang Yeong-sil is not there. The craftsmen of Area 51 were still burdened with a lot of work, but they felt psychologicallyfortable without the two iprehensibles of Hyang and Jang Yeong-sil. It was because I didnt know what Hyang was nning in Shinji. * * * Lets just wait. What is the word rubber in the localnguage? Hmm Oh, thats right! Chicle! Chicle is probably right! The scent that came up with the word chicle immediately called the naegwan. Go get shit. Yes, Your Majesty. A little whileter, after being called, Seok bowed down on the floor and bowed. See you, Your Majesty. Im still not good at the imperialnguage, but Ive improved a lot. Thank you! Try harder. yes! After praising the couples improved imperialnguage skills, Hyang got to the point. Perhaps. Do you know that when the juice from a tree dries, it turns into an stic lump? What gives you sticity? Hmm lets see As various questions and exnations continued, Seok finally understood what Haeng wanted, closed his mouth, and searched through his memories. After taking a moment to remember, Seong immediately answered with a bright smile. Ah! There it is! There is a tree that produces juice like that! That juice is called chicle! At Seungs answer, Hyangs face also brightened. Oh! Is that so? Can you recognize that tree? yes! I see! So how does your tribe use the juice? In the tribe of small people, they apply it to their feet during the rainy season. Apply it thickly and then cut it off when it dries. Then, your feet wont get wet and it will befortable. These are natural boots. Hyang, who was muttering under his breath at Seoks exnation, tilted his head to look at Seoks face. You dont look good. Whats going on? We had to offer the juice to the Aztecs. Then the Aztecs made balls out of it and had uspete against each other. Hmm If I lose there, will I die? Yes Tsk! Okay. Im going to punish them soon, so prepare yourself too. Thank you! Hyang, who let out a sigh, clicked her tongue again and muttered. It definitely feels different from reading it as a record and hearing it in person Anyway, the conquering army wille soon, so we can sort things out. As for the Aztec, after wrapping that up, I moved on to the real interest. By the way, they even mentioned lightning and made people call it brain power, but how do we draw attention to this? Should we really fly a kite on a day when lightning strikes? Chapter 790 Episode 790 Noblemen, go to Shinji. (2) As spring came into full effect, the first line of the Shinji conquest army that departed from the maind arrived in Shinji. Arriving at Chosi, the first group relieved themselves of the fatigue umted from the nearly two-month voyage and then set off on their way to Sinji Temporary Pce. * * * About 15 dayster, an event hall was set up to wee the conquering army at the railway station located at the entrance of Shinji Temporary Pce. On the temporarily created tform, local government officials gathered and waited for the conquering army to arrive. Even though the speed of the iron horse has increased thanks to the efforts of Jinpyeong and Area 52 craftsmen, it is surprising that it takes nearly 15 days. Jinpyeong, who was next to Hyang, responded to Hyangsment. I said it would take some time toe because I was going through training at the same time. Really? Anyway, Ill be busy again once the crazy people in the far south are sorted out, right? The Duchess will be a little upset. Jinpyeong responded to Hyangs words with a bright face. How can physical hardship be a problem for someone who has be a member of the imperial family? I will have to face a long separation from my family again, but I know very well that I have to endure it because my wife and children are also members of the royal family. Hyang, who saw Jinpyeongs words and expression, smiled and epted the words. You child, erase the smile from the corners of your mouth before you speak. Hes over 50 and still cant manage his facial expressions. Hmph! * * * What the empirecks is people. This was one of the problems that had not yet been solved. In particr, Shinjis talent shortage problem was even more serious. Although the headquarters continued to attract officials and educate indigenous people to create officials, there were still many vacancies for the key positions of ministers and vice ministers. Although the chiefs and elder warriors of the indigenous tribes were absorbed into rtionships and politics, there were still limitations in seeing the big picture. Thanks to this, officials who came to Shinji from the beginning and rose to high positions are expected to hold at least two concurrent positions. Thanks to this, Sejong and Hyang continued to lead busy lives. Holding concurrent positions did not mean that checks would be weakened, but there was a high possibility of corruption urring. Audits and checks to prevent this were entirely the responsibility of King Sejong and Hyang. Therefore, King Sejong and Hyang had to look at documents and check the receipts and disbursements of the budget more strictly and meticulously than when they were on the maind. Of course, it was too much for Sejong and Hyang to do alone, and helpers were needed. King Sejong chose the Empress as his assistant, and Hyang chose Jinpyeong as his assistant. Empress Soheon, whose own government was wiped out through Taejongs political maneuvering, was able to be King Sejongs biggest helper for that very reason. In Jinpyeongs case, it was an iron horse and a steam engine. You know that if officials are corrupt, you wont be able toy a railroad, right? Theyre using the budget as an excuse. I know very well. Really? Then find out on your own. yep! At Hyangs words, Jinpyeongs eyes lit up, he cross-checked the documents, found the problem, and went out to inspect the site. The reason Hyang was able to run Jinpyeong with peace of mind was because Shinjis railroad construction went more smoothly than expected. This was because, unlike the main site, where a mountain appeared again after crossing one mountain, most of the railway in Shinji was in, except for the mountainous areas that had been difficult in the beginning. In other words, the difficult section was already almost over before Jinpyeong arrived, so the burden on Jinpyeong was greatly reduced. Hyang did not just leave Jinpyeong like this and entrusted him with the role of auditor. As an aside, Jinpyeongs family was very grateful to Hyang for this decision. This was because Jinpyeong, who used to be outside all the time because he was busy working on railroad construction, startedmuting to work regrly and spent more time with his family. However, Jinpyeongs eyes were always on the railroad, and he was excited by the news that the conquering army wasing this time. This was because the railroad could be further expanded if the conquering army conquered the south. * * * Hyang and Jinpyeong, who were bored waiting for the conquering army to arrive, continued their conversation. There was a lot of praise for Marquis Uigyeong and Count Hae-yeon, saying they were doing a good job. Jinpyeong sighed in response to Hyangs praise. Woo~. What do I do if I do well? Theres no one who wants to follow in their fathers footsteps Jinpyeong grumbled with an expression of displeasure. Unlike the history before Hyang intervened, Jinpyeong did not have a concubine. Thanks to this, Jinpyeong and his wife Yoon only had two sons and one daughter. At a time when fertility was the trend, the number of children was very small. Thanks to this, the scent was enough to murmur like this. Isnt this the reason why the royal descendants direct lineage almost disappeared from the mid-Joseon Dynasty and coteral lines appeared frequently? Suspicions were just suspicions, and Jinpyeongs children lived a life different from the history before Hyang intervened. The biggest characteristic was that, unlike in history before the intervention of incense, no one lived a short life. In this situation, Hyang stroked his chin and his eyes lit up. Is it true that my fathers life was short-lived because of his karma? However, like Jinpyeongsints, there were no children who followed in Jinpyeongs footsteps. The eldest son, Crown Prince Soong, showed interest in public administration, especially finance-rted fields, and immediatelymitted himself to the Ministry of Finance and Economy. Although it was a tough job that involved working overtime every day and struggling with numbers, Soong enjoyed the work. From Soongs perspective, Shinjis finance work was the best environment. The second son, Hwang, also chose a different path from Jinpyeong. Because he was naturally weak, Jinpyeong and his wife paid great attention to his health. Seeing the Jinpyeong couple like that, the scent of Hyang was triggered. Medicines are good, but it is said in medical texts that moderate physical training is better for health. The influence of Hyang, who was the crown prince at the time, was so great that Jinpyeong and his wife searched for famous warriors. Unlike in history before the intervention of Hyang, Jinpyeong was obsessed with steam engines, so there were no warriors or merchants at home. In the end, after hearing the story, King Sejong ordered Naegeumwi to select a person from Naegeumwi and send him to Jinpyeong. Perhaps Hwangs prescription was effective, and Hwangs constitution gradually changed to a healthier state. The problem was next. Hwang, who became interested in radish through Naegeumwi, who taught him, immediately applied for military service. Then, he was put in a challenger-level battle line and began to follow the path of the navy. As a result, Huang was now serving as a captain at the Imperial Naval Base guarding the route between the maind and Suez. Lastly, Uisuk, who was loved as the only daughter of the Jinpyeong couple, followed in the footsteps of her aunt, Princess Jeongso, and became a medical professional. Since all of Jinpyeongs children were capable, Hyang decided to bring them with him when he came to Shinji. There are two reasons. -They are all talented people. -I am taking it out of the headquarters to prepare for any unexpected events. In making this decision, it was Hwang who made us think about scent. Both Sung and Hwang are capable, but if they make a mistake, both the administration and military government can fall under Jinpyeong. ording to this analysis, Hwang, unlike his other brothers, continued to work at the southwest naval base. What was interesting was that Jinpyeong and Soong, who lived together in Shinji,ined every day. The conflict between the father and son became more severe when Jinpyeong took on the role of auditor. Look! Director of Finance! What is this budget? Why is this the only budget allocated for railway construction! Thats enough! Isnt that a 5 penny increasepared tost years budget? This isnt enough! We cant speed up the railroad construction with this budget! Is the only work being done here in Shinji? National defense is more urgent as a priority! The construction of the front lines is being dyed due to ack of budget right now! That is more urgent! It has already been approved by His Majesty the Situation! Hey you bastard! Ill say it again, this has already been approved! Im at work! Please leave! Jinpyeong, who was kicked out of Soongs office, was furious and beat his chest. Before, only my older brother was mistreating me, but now hes also mistreating my son! I cant live because Im so angry! * * * Oh brother! Thats what I mean! Im so angry that I cant live! Okay, okay. Ill pay more attention While Hyang was listening to Jinpyeongsints with a bitter smile, the sound of the iron horses whistle was heard from afar. Ppaeaek~. Hearing the sound of a whistleing from afar, Hyang and Jinpyeong looked at their clothes again and straightened their postures with serious expressions. Soldiers carrying military uniforms began to descend one after another from the iron horses that arrived at the station. Beep! Beep! Move quickly! Oh, keep your heat! The soldiers took their seats at the event site under the direction of executives with whistles on their mouths. Jinpyeong, who was watching the soldiers taking their seats in line with Oh, slowly leaned towards Hyang and asked a small question. Brother, no, Your Majesty. Are the people we are seeing now soldiers or thieves? In response to Jinpyeongs question, Hyang also gave a small answer with a slightly confused expression. I, and Jim, are curious too. The soldiers lined up in front of Hyang and Jinpyeong had close-shaven heads and bushy beards. And his eyes were full of venom and murder. A military courtesy to His Majesty the Emperor! insect! When Lee Jing-ok, themander-in-chief, ordered a military salute in a loud voice, the soldiers saluted in unison. After receiving the military courtesy of the conquering army, the vige weed them with a short and simple speech of encouragement. Thank you for your hard work ining to the Presidency. I hope to punish the cruel and ruthless people who enjoy cannibalism in the south and establish proper principles in Shinji. insect! After giving a short and simple speech of encouragement, Hyang went down from the stage and looked at the generals and soldiers and encouraged them. Hyang, who was looking at the generals and soldiers while encouraging them, looked at Lee Jing-ok and asked briefly. I heard in the documents I sent and the documents I received that most of the conquering army were noblemen. But the people I see now are not noblemen, but rather Lee Jing-ok smiled heartily and answered at the sight of Hyang slightly slurring his words. Hahaha! People from the nobility areing to wee you! But arent theying to the civil service examination center now to watch civil service exams, rather than to fight a war? Thats why I trained them a bit! Jinpyeong, who was listening to Lee Jing-oks answer from behind, muttered softly. How can I train a nobleman to be a thief? The officials who heard Jinpyeong muttering around him nodded at the same time. Hyang, who had been looking at the soldiers once again while listening to Lee Jing-oks words, looked at Lee Jing-ok again. Seeing that they all have strong bodies, it seems like they were chosen carefully. They are truly trustworthy. Lee Jing-ok smiled and responded to Hyangs words. I have practiced some virtue. huh? There are many people who not only have a generous heart but also a generous body, hahaha! huh? Lee Jing-oks cheerfulughter made Hyang think, No way? They had expressions like this, and a small sound of teeth grinding could be heard among the soldiers lined up. Pop! This was because those who had be less generous thanks to Lee Jing-ok ground their teeth without realizing it. huh? Where does the sound of teeth grindinge from Chapter 791 Episode 791: Noblemen go to Shinji. (3) Lee Jing-ok, who even gave up his position as minister to lead the conquest army that would go to Shinji, worked passionately. The first thing Lee Jing-ok received was a request for additional spending to provide military uniforms. I understand that you have enough abalone in stock? The person in charge responded to Lee Jing-oks point with an embarrassed expression. There are a significant number of people for whom the existing abalone does not fit. Lee Jing-oks face brightened at the response from the person in charge. Oh~. okay? Do you have a lot of friends who are that strong-willed? Hmm. Lee Jing-ok stroked his beard and did the math. They say there are a lot of people from noble families, so most of them have some degree of intelligence And if they have strong bones, they will also have considerable physical strength I think if we teach this well, we can fill in talented people who can be used in the military, right? Even Lee Jing-ok could not avoid the greed for talent that started with Sejong. They said more is better! After making a decision, Lee Jing-ok stood up. Ill have to take a look at how strong and magnificent these guys are! Where are they gathered now? First of all, we are gathering them at Namhansanseong Fortress. Go now! As soon as he finished speaking, the person in charge muttered under his breath as he watched Lee Jing-ok leave the office and mount a horse. Thats not true Lee Jing-ok, who immediately rode on horseback and arrived at Namhansanseong Fortress, faced the soldiers in question. Lee Jing-ok sighed when he saw the soldiers wearing in clothes because they had not yet received any uniforms. Whoa~. These are friends who do not know how high the sky is, but only know how wide thend is. These are friends who know very well * * * Since ancient times, gaining weight has been a symbol of wealth. Originally, those living on the Korean Penins were famous for being big eaters. This was even acknowledged by the people of neighboring countries, the Ming Dynasty and the Japanese. But surprisingly, the number of fat people was small. The biggest reason was that they did not have the financial means to eat every meal to their hearts content, and the second reason was that they suffered from extremely intensebor every day. Thanks to this, it has be a habit for our followers to overeat and eat gluttony whenever they have an opportunity such as a party. Given this background, gaining weight was a symbol of wealth. Because it was proof that one could eat well without doing hardbor. As time passed and the empires governance developed, it was natural that the number of obese people increased among men from noble families who began to transform into the capitalist ss. But as this happened, problems slowly began to arise. The number of people suffering from diseases caused by obesity was increasing. An interesting fact is that the real upper ss living in Seoul actually tried to avoid obesity. This was the butterfly effect brought about by the scent. In the history before the intervention of Hyang, King Sejong suffered from various diseases such as diabetes and vision loss caused by obesity. To avoid this, the countyunched the so-called Operation to Create Healthy Pigs. Abama. It is said that if you do this kind of exercise, men will not back down when ites to matters between men and women. Hyang prevented King Sejong from bing unnecessarily obese due to virility, a topic that has been passed down from generation to generation. In addition, King Sejong and his wifes gold threads improved, and Queen Soheons incense came to be loved. The upper ss in Seoul, who heard and saw this from afar, worked hard to lose weight. The problem was when they went to their head family in the province. No, you! Why are you so skinny? Was living in Seoul that difficult? It looks like it will fly away even if the wind blows. Tsk tsk tsk. Brothers! Why dont you know whats going on in the world? Those who moved down from Seoul emphasized the need to lose weight, but those who stayed in the provinces shook their heads. No matter what, if youre a man, you have to have some good looks. Am! Please tell me something other than that noise. Like jumping ropest time! Those who were still obsessed with the perception of the past showed interest in exercises and medicines that were good for stamina, such as jumping rope. * * * Thanks to that background, most of the people standing in front of Lee Jing-ok were from the local nobility. Lee Jing-ok, who had been looking at the people standing in front of him for a long time, turned his head and red at the person in charge. So, its not that there are a lot of people with long bones, but there are just a lot of people who are fat, so the cost of clothes is higher? Thats right. The person in charge answered Lee Jing-oks question in a hushed voice. This is so true! Lee Jing-ok, who was shocked by thepletely unexpected situation, came to a conclusion. Its not about adjusting the abalone, its about adjusting your body to the abalone! Although the conclusion was reached, Lee Jing-ok also had many concerns. Lee Jing-ok, who returned to the office, ced his hand on his forehead and sighed. Whoa~. If you take those lumps of flesh with you, youll end up as a target but if you just let them roll behind the scenes, there will be issues with fairness ugh~. Lee Jing-ok, who continued to sigh, clicked his tongue. Tsk! If that were the case, you would have given me a clear answer right away! Lee Jing-ok, who encountered an unexpected difficult problem, thought about it for several days, but could note up with a clear answer. Eventually, Lee Jing-ok found Wan. Thats right. Its a difficult problem. Wan, with a perplexed expression on his face, tried his best to think, but could not find the right answer. Hwang Bo-in, who saw Wan and Lee Jing-ok worrying, intervened. Your Majesty, I think you can ask Jeoljae about this difficult issue. To Captain Jeoljae? As Wans eyes lit up, Hwang Bo-in continued. Jeoljae was recognized for his outstanding ability to improvise and was put to good use by Taesang and Sanghang. So, if you are invincible, you will find the answer. The ministers who were listening to Hwang Bo-ins exnation all muttered the same thing in their minds. Its not an ad hoc response, its probably a trick! In the end, one more task was added to Kim Jong-seo. * * * shit! Even if I reduce even one task, its not enough, so the workload has increased! Kim Jong-seo, who was grumbling and swearing under his breath, gave an order to the official waiting outside the office. Go and bring Jajun! yes! Kim Jong-seo smiled while waiting for Han Myeong-hoe to arrive. With that guy, its possible. This is it Is this why Mr. Bangchon ( Hwang Hees pen name) put me through such a hard time Did you call me! Come in! Kim Jong-seo, who smiled slightly as he recalled the memories of having suffered under Hwang-hees influence all those years ago, straightened his posture and greeted Han Myeong-hoe. So His Majesty ordered us to find a solution. What would you like to do? In response to Kim Jong-seos question, Han Myeong-hoe frowned and became lost in thought. After thinking for a while, Han Myeong-hoe shared his thoughts with Kim Jong-seo. If you have a body like that, wouldnt it be okay if you knew that you would die as soon as you entered the battlefield? Tell me in detail. Han Myeong-hoe exined in detail the method he came up with. Kim Jong-seo, who nodded and listened to the story, looked slightly embarrassed and pointed out the problem. Do you think it will cost a bit of money? Think about the additional cost of clothing and food. Hmm After hearing Han Myeong-hoes answer, Kim Jong-seo did the math in his mind and immediately nodded. Its okay! I will report this to your Majesty! The next day, after hearing the story from Kim Jong-seo, Wan nodded. Good idea! As expected, it was a good decision to entrust the work to the captain! Herees the Emperor! And the Vice Minister named Han Myeong-hoe. There must be a reason why the situation kept it so close to you. Hmm Kim Jong-seo muttered to himself as he looked at Wan, who was deep in thought. I feel sorry for Jajun. There will be more work in the future. * * * Ten dayster, Lee Jing-ok gathered the soldiers in question. Why does it seem like the number has increased sincest time? The person in charge answered Lee Jing-oks question with an embarrassed expression. Thest group of volunteers joined us a few days ago. The people who were in charge of the meal must have suffered a lot. . Lee Jing-ok, who came up to the podium, leaving the person in charge speechless, shouted to the soldiers. His Majesty has given an imperialmand! The message of the Emperorsmand is for you to lose weight! As soon as Lee Jing-ok finished speaking, there was an uproar everywhere. quiet! Be quiet! Lee Jing-ok, who quieted the soldiers, continued speaking. This is not just to harass you! Its for your survival! Lee Jing-ok led the soldiers to the training ground. At the training ground, about 20 soldiers of average body type selected by Lee Jing-ok were already waiting. Lee Jing-ok dragged both types of soldiers to the temporary facility created at the training ground. Lee Jing-ok, standing in front of the facility, continued his exnation. This is a ce created in anticipation of the enemy firing artillery! You have to start here and run all the way to the other side! If you are even a littlete, you will be found dead by a shell! Lee Jing-ok, who exined briefly, moved to the side with a torch in his hand. Do you see the wick here? Lets light the wick now! If you arete, you will be killed by a shell! run! Wow! Lee Jing-ok lit the wick as soon as he gave themand, and the soldiers started running with shouts. As soon as I started running, I started to see a difference. The average-sized soldiers suddenly started running ahead and the distance between them and the obese soldiers gradually increased. pop! Puff poop! At some point, the buried gunpowder exploded and lime dust rained down on the soldiers. Phew! Cough! Cough! In an instant, soldiers covered in white lime powder arrived on the other side, sneezing. Lee Jing-ok arrived a littleter and spoke to the soldiers with a pitiful expression. Do you see the lime dust on you? You guys have already been hit by fire bombs. why? Because of that weight! ah! Right! From now on, the crazy squires youll be dealing with have no guns! Instead, there are arrows! Follow me! At the shooting range, five boxcars that had already been dmissioned and were in the warehouse were fully prepared and waiting, and on the opposite side, where the target had been, there were about 20 scarecrows with thin or fat bodies erected. Shoot! Shushusuk! At Lee Jing-oksmand, the waiting trains fired a total of 500 rounds of bullets. Lee Jing-ok asked the soldiers as they looked at the scarecrows that had been recovered after the shooting. Because hes so big, hes got a lot of arrows stuck in him, right? . After that, through several demonstrations, the soldiers learned why they needed to lose weight. ruler. Do you know why you need to lose weight? With your bodies now, you wont be able to fight properly, and youll either be knocked down or captured, leaving you to feast on them. Do you have any objections? Oh no! Lee Jing-ok smiled darkly at the soldiers answer and continued. Well, since the Emperors name was given anyway, you all had to follow it unconditionally. Anyway, now that we know why we need to take it out, lets start taking it out. Chapter 792 Episode 792: Noblemen go to Shinji. (4) Lee Jing-ok personally led the operation, also known as Operation Gamdeok, to reduce the weight of obese soldiers. Lee Jing-ok improved performance by checking the results every day and coordinating areas for improvement and areas for strengthening. Interesting Lee Jing-ok smiled slightly as he checked the strength of the obese soldiers. Was it to maintain a heavier body than others? The muscle strength of obese soldiers was considerable. However, even if it was significant, it was not enough to be called business. He was just good at lifting slightly heavier loads than others. The ability to carry it long distances or walk or run for long periods of time was inferior to that of soldiers of normal body type. Lee Jing-ok, who was looking at the report again and again, muttered softly. Lets just wait The situation said something about this. What was it? Hmm Hmm Yes! Agility, endurance, and survival skills! * * * To ensure the sess of the Creating a Healthy Pig operation for Sejong, Hyang carefully observed Sejongs actions. In times like this, the position of crown prince is very good. Hyang was 8 years old at the time. It was when he had just been installed as crown prince. In order to make the n right, Hyang stayed close to Sejong and watched his every move. Why does the Crown Prince stick next to me? Isnt this the age where you should focus on math? To Sejongs question, Hyang bowed her head and answered. Abamamas wisdom is recognized and praised by both the great and small ministers and the people. In the future, we must continue this Joseon Dynasty following in Abamamas footsteps. Is there any better form of mathematics than learning by observing everything that Abamama does? ha ha ha! guy! Your mouth is the best in the world! Sejongughed out loud at Hyangs answer. But I didnt forget to warn him next. Its really nice to hear the crown princes words. However, what a ruler should be most careful about is keeping people close to him who only say good things about him. The crown prince must keep this in mind. I will keep this in mind! That guy Sejong couldnt hide his smile as he saw Hyang bowing his head in response. Although they gave him a stern warning, the cute child respected his father and wanted to learn from him, so there was no one who disliked him. And the crown prince, who was evaluated to be superior to most of the guests, came forward to learn from him, and there was no way he would dislike him. Hyang, who followed King Sejong and observed him, came to a conclusion. As expected, endurance and weight are the issues The clearest example was when drawing a bow at the archery range. King Sejong, like Naegumwi, was good at pulling the battle bow. The problem was that after 3 rounds (or 15 shots), my arms started shaking. Considering that it was customary for Naegumwi and military officers to fire at least 10 to 50 rounds a day, endurance was clearly an issue. However, Sejong did not get tired easily when enjoying his favorite game. Is it okay to walk? Your lower body muscles seem to be fine Hyang, who was analyzing Sejongs condition, suddenly looked into the distance. That kid did that, right? Its called survival muscle. * * * When Hyang of the 21st Century was a college student, one of his friends who were fanatics of Hyang was severely obese. Anyone who sees it says, Huh? He was a friend who copied the image of the 10 nerds that was circting on the Inte to the extent that people thought, That person is a nerd! He was a friend who knew that his obesity was a problem, so he put in various efforts. One day, Hyang saw the friend in question appear with a strange expression and asked worriedly. Hey, whats going on? Oh, I went to the public health center yesterday and got some counseling This is what my friend said. At the public health center, the doctor told me about my friends condition over the body fat test results. You are definitely extremely obese, but you also have a lot of muscle mass. The lower body is especially impressive. Looking at the muscle mass for each area shown on the results sheet, the upper body, including the arms, was standard, and the lower body was excess. So if I lose fat like this, will I be a muscr man like a bodybuilder? The doctor answered his friends question with a wry smile. no? For that to happen, you will have to exercise separately. Right now, muscle mass is for survival. Ah The friend who told me what happened yesterday ended with a still strange expression on his face. So my body says, I cant live like this! I need muscle! This means that you have increased your muscle mass. In particr, the lower body gained excess muscle mass, thinking, If you cant withstand this weight, youll be left behind! Hyang patted her friends shoulder after hearing her friends words. Cheer up, friend. * * * In any case, Hyangs Operation to Make a Healthy Pig produced sessful results. King Sejong was not obese, but rather had a good appearance, and metabolic diseases such as diabetes were also fairly mild. Sejong himself, who was initially annoyed by Hyangs persistent interference, saw that his condition was maintained in good condition over time and actively followed Hyangs advice. It was the medical doctors who paid attention to these changes in King Sejong. The royal surgeons greatest duty was to protect the kings health. For this purpose, they were medical doctors who even tasted the kings feces, so they could not miss this change in King Sejong. In the end, medical doctors had no choice but to find incense. Hyang, who had umted various medical achievements, including the treatment of the bean sprouts, came to have a strong influence in the medical field. * * * Hmm What did the situation do at that time Lee Jing-ok visited military doctors as well as royal doctors, found out the method used by Hyang, and applied it to Operation Gamdeok. During this process, the biggest objection from obese soldiers was diet. General! Are we Uma? Why do I have to eat only grass every day? Isnt there meat at least once a day? How can chicken meat and fish meat be meat? If you dont want to eat, starve. General! Do you think you can eat well on the battlefield? Especially the ce we need to go is not one where supply is easy! Do you think you can eat meat for every meal in a ce like that! . The soldiers who wereining about Lee Jing-oks words fell silent. But Lee Jing-oks criticism continued. What did the old sage emphasize over and over again? Isnt it moderation and moderation? Are those who want to follow in the footsteps of the sage, learn and establish doctrine, and are dissatisfied because they cannot ovee their appetite? How can you still call yourself a nobleman! . I apologize. I showed my disgrace. In response to Lee Jing-oks criticism, the soldiers apologized for their mistakes and silently raised their spoons. Afterwards, whenever the soldiersined about the meal issue, Lee Jing-ok criticized them by citing supply and nobility, and the soldiers had to keep quiet. However, Lee Jing-ok did not always use the whip. The situation said, If you are angry, appease me, right? Lee Jing-ok faithfully followed Hyangs teachings. The Imperial Army, like its officials, was assessing service ratings. Promotion was achieved bybining this rating, the physical strength test, and the points obtained through the functional test for each branch. This applied to all ordinary soldiers as well as executives. In the case of ordinary enlisted soldiers, there was a difference in pay based on this score, and promotion to general was decided. And if you umted more points there, you could be promoted to a low-level military officer like Jinmu. Lee Jing-ok followed Hyangs teachings and offered carrots to the obese soldiers. First, among obese soldiers, additional points were given to those who faithfully lost weight. It wasnt just the obese soldiers. It was impossible for the executives of the conquest army to manage each and every obese soldier. Therefore, regr soldiers with standard body types were paired with obese soldiers and had them move together. And if obese soldiers got extra points, their paired soldiers also got extra points. And if the points umted in this way umte above a certain level, the parties involved will receive great benefits. Those who want to work at Shinjis Social Democratic Institute will be given priority in allocation, and those who want to acquirend in Shinji will get arger piece ofnd where they want! Lee Jing-ok, who dered to the soldiers, immediately raised a document. This is not just something I say. It is something that His Majesty has permitted! The soldiers eyes began to sparkle as they heard Lee Jing-oks shout. Operation Gamdeok was carried out sessfully with the proper use of carrots and sticks. When the departure schedule for the first team was finally decided, Lee Jing-ok nodded with a satisfied expression. Now you can be considered a soldier! At first, I was worried that it would only prey on those crazy people! However, when he arrived at Chosi after a nearly two-month voyage, Lee Jing-ok exploded. These! You just ate it on the boat! Many of the soldiers who had lost weight had regained their physique. The yo-yo phenomenon urred because I was eating all the time on a boat with limited space and not moving properly. Half of the points you have umted so far will be deducted! We will conduct special training on the way to Haenggung Pce! I will give you points again based on the results of that special training! The soldiers gritted their teeth at Lee Jing-oks results. However, because it was their own situation, it was impossible to file aint. Therefore, the soldiers had to do their best in the special training that followed. The problem was that the intensity of the special training was considerable. Soldiers were able to lose a lot of weight by receiving training such as Run 10 li next to an iron horse running at a low speed. Butter, just thinking about it became a memory that made me grit my teeth. * * * That is why, as soon as I arrived at the outpost, I immediately sent an order to headquarters. Soldiers belonging to the rear will have to do their own training on board the ship and their food intake will be restricted. Is that so Hyang trailed off with a slightly embarrassed expression at Lee Jing-oks exnation. I heard youre tough after all! Lee Jing-ok continued speaking, not sure if he knew the inside of the incense or not. Still, thanks to the circumstances and His Majestys concern for Area 52, we have been able to relieve a great deal of burden. This is because it would have been several times more difficult if we had had to transport weapons and explosives to be used by the conquering army. Hyang responded to Lee Jing-oks words with a confident face. Dont worry about weapons and organs. Its not that badpared to this magazine. How is the training of the soldiers? Lee Jing-ok also answered Hyangs question with a confident face. As long as we receive weapons, we can set out for conquest right now! is it? Trustworthy! Then lets start with the transportation n and check it again! yes! With this, the empires invasion campaign against the Aztecs began to get into full swing. Chapter 793 Episode 793: Noblemen go to Shinji. (5) The transport fleet organized by the Imperial Navy diligently transported the conquering forces back and forth between the new territory and the maind. This was because the Northern Sea Route had been frozen and blocked since early winter. -More troops faster. This was the task undertaken by the Imperial Navy. Assault return ship emerged as a hot topic among Navy executives who were considering all kinds of ways to solve this problem. How about using assault return? A sudden return trip? Dont you know that the biggest drawback of assault return ship is the short range? Youre going to stop before you even get halfway through? Its about reducing weight. Losing weight? There are no pirates on the Northern Sea Route anyway, right? Even the Ming Dynasty guys and the Japanese guys cant do it. So, we unloaded all the artillery and gunpowder, and instead loaded extra coal, troops to transport water, and food. Hmm I hope youll be okay? In this way, a n on Using Assault Return Ships as Transport Ships was drawn up. The upper echelons of the Imperial Navy received the n and looked perplexed. This is should I say its creative or absurd? Well, letse In some ways, its a novel idea, but While I was pondering this, there were some people who responded positively. Dont you think it would be a good idea to give it a try? In any case, as time passes, fronts and transport ships equipped with steam engines will bemon. Rather than worrying about it right away, wouldnt you be able to check the possibilities in advance and know what to pay attention to in order to use them properly? Hmm? In the end, the upper echelons of the Imperial Navy believed that there would be more benefits than losses, so they revised the n and submitted it to Wan. Hmm what do you think? After reading the n, Wan asked the ministers. Hwang Bo-in stepped forward and answered Wans question. I dont think its a bad idea to give it a try. Of course, since the uses of fronts and transport ships are different, it is understandable that the results obtained from this experiment cannot satisfy both. However, it is believed to be sufficient to provide a glimpse into the potential of iron ships equipped with steam engines. Hmm I see. Lets give it a try. ording to Wans decision, one of the three assault ships that had just been deployed to the Ind Sea Fleet was selected. Youre going to have to suffer. yes. The captain, who came out after hearing the imperial order from themander of the Ind Sea, kicked the stones at his feet and burst out in anger. My proud assault ship has to be a barge! Since this was an order approved by the emperor, the work of unloading artillery and gunpowder from the assault return ship proceeded quickly. Are you going to get off all the freight cars? Get everything down. There must be a minimum amount of armament What are you worried about when its not just one assault ship moving? And if the assault ship decides to run away, is there a ship to chase after? All right. Everyone will get off. However, everything did not end with the unloading of artillery and bombs. First, the weight of the unloaded artillery and bombs was carefully measured one by one. Based on the average weight of the soldiers and the weight of themander If its the distance from here to Shinjis Chosi, how much coal do you need? The weight of the food the soldiers eat in a day After careful calctions by the executives in charge of supply, the expected figure came out, and the superiors who received it looked perplexed once again. 800 people? Isnt that too little? Right. Considering the size of the assault return line, isnt it too small? In response to the criticism from superiors, the people in charge exined the reason. -The assault return line is the front line. In order to minimize flooding damage that may ur during battle, thepartments are divided into small pieces, making it difficult to utilize space. Isnt it possible to stack healthy soldiers on top of each other like they are carrying luggage? As beds for soldiers were installed, space was reduced, and as food, water, and coal were additionally loaded, space was reduced. -Still, the transport capacity is almost three times that of the 300 additional troops that can be loaded on the Challenger-level front line. Hmm I guess well have to start over with the design of the transport ship. I agree. Now it would be a good idea to transport it myself and check the problem. I agree. In this way, arge-scale experiment called transportation using assault return ship was carried out. It wasnt long before the first improvements were reported. -It is considered desirable to design new steel wires and transport ships in a traditional shape. huh? why? They say the natives of the port of call started the fight. * * * The transport fleet regrly stopped at ports of call along the northern route. Although the issue of shortening the time was important, supply and rest for the crew were also important. The problem was when the assault return ship appeared in the port. Its a monster! Run away! Help me! The indigenous people who had gathered to supply food and water to the fleet or to carry various local products to the sailors and soldiers of the conquering army screamed and scattered in all directions. This was because they thought that the assault ship, which spewed ck smoke from its back and had a huge dragon head decorated on its bow, was a monster. * * * Although there was such amotion, the assault return ship clearly had its own advantages. To be precise, this was the advantage of the steam engine. Unlike sailing ships, whose speed varied depending on the direction and strength of the wind, steam engines were able to sail steadily at a constant speed. -If you have good quality coal and clean water, you can use your time more effectively. The Navy, which epted this result, gave the crown prince more power. majesty. If you need a budget, Sosin can help you. Thank you! * * * Thanks to the transport fleet that moved so diligently, the conquering army quickly arrived at Shinji. Each time a new conquering army arrived, the conquering army headquarters provided weapons produced in Area 52 and began adaptation training and practical training. One day, Hyang took some time to observe the training of the conquering army soldiers and shook his head. Sergeant Hartman is in a group. It was a scent that reminded me of the instructor who could be said to be the main character in the first half of a movie set during the Vietnam War. To that extent, the imperial army instructors pushed the soldiers to their limits. Who told you to rest! Run until I tell you to rest! You think the enemy will give you rest just because you are tired and exhausted! You cant manage your organs properly! The moment your rifle breaks down, you die too! run! run! If you get this high, you wont die even if you jump! If you hesitate because this is scary, youll burn a hole in your stomach! You guys dont kill people! Protect the empire and protect your family! Thats why youre a soldier! Dont think of mercy when you pull the trigger! If you want to be so merciful, put aside the sages teachings and everything else and go into the mountains and y Buddhist temples! You bastards! If you want to die, you go alone! Dont let your colleagues die because of your stupidity! you! you! you! you! and you! stay! Its special training! I will definitely turn people like you into proper soldiers! As if pushing the soldiers to their limits wasnt enough, the instructors even gathered soldiers who were underperforming separately and gave them special training. Isnt this too harsh? Lee Jing-ok shook his head resolutely at Hyangs point. Its light at that level. Sooner orter, you will be deployed to the battlefield, and if you are even the slightest bitx, not only yourself but your colleagues will die as well. ording to the report, they are worse than the Jurchen tribe. We must prepare well. Hyang muttered to herself at Lee Jing-oks words. Well, its time And, starting with Lee Jing-ok, most of the seniors have been against the Jurchen people since their youth In the 21st century, there was a time when things that would be called war crimes weremon, and it was the period between the Jurchen people and the Joseon Dynasty in the early Joseon Dynasty. It was a time of conflict. This was despite the fact that the military power of the Joseon army was strengthened due to the intervention of Hyang at that time, and the number of Jurchen tribes that returned to Joseon greatly increased through King Sejongs active intervention. If you think about the Aztecs, I cant tell you to apply 21st century standards. No, it is unreasonable to ask for the level of thest lighting war. Hyang had no choice but to acknowledge the problem of time and ce. * * * While the final hardening of the soldiers was in full swing, Lee Jing-ok looked for incense. You said you needed a new freight car? yes. Thats right. I think the side-by-side boxcar is pretty good now, right? Lee Jing-ok immediately responded to Hyangs point. The fire wagon is a good weapon. But it doesnt suit the ce. Its too heavy. Is it too heavy? Thats right. Lee Jing-ok exined the reason. -The parallel boxcar is a very excellent weapon. But its too heavy. -It is difficult to operate fire trucks and artillery in a ce that will be a battlefield. -Of course, we cannot give up freight cars and artillery for victory. However, if you consider the number of horses that will pull the artillery, the amount of hay and feed that the horses will eat, and the number of carts and horses that will transport the hay and feed, the vicious cycle continues. -To solve this problem, we need to reduce as much as possible. -Then the only answer is freight cars. Because we cannot give up artillery. For this reason, we need new freight cars, to be precise, light freight cars. Dont the fire trucks have wheels so soldiers can pull them and move them? Ill buy it back. However, to operate it properly, one freight car requires five. They say that it is difficult for even a person to move in the jungle in the south, but it is difficult to move a boxcar. Hmm Lee Jing-ok continued as Hyang fell into thought with a serious expression on his face. I am not asking to change the freight cars of the entire conquest army. If the battle takes ce in an open area, a double box wagon is better. But if the battle takes ce in the jungle, light freight cars are needed. Hmm Now that I think about it, the general wants a freight car that can be carried and moved by individual soldiers. Is that correct? Thats right. There is yin and yang in all things in the world. If there are advantages, there are also disadvantages. In my opinion, we wouldnt be able to pour in as many bullets over a long period of time as in a boxcar. Do you think thats a problem too? You can rece that part with numbers and feet. Soo and Val? It makes sense to pay more soldiers, and since the soldiers can move quickly, it will tie up the enemys feet, so this is a good idea. Hmm I roughly know what the general wants. I acknowledge the necessity, but I think it will be difficult to find the right time. Lee Jing-ok smiled and responded to Hyangs words. There was Jang Yeong-sil in Shinjis Area 52. And since it has been several years since your Majesty stayed here in Shinji, is there really nothing simr? . Hyang was speechless at Lee Jing-oks words. You know me too well! Chapter 794 Episode 794: Noblemen go to Shinji. (6) Hmm. Hyang forced himself to maintain a serious expression and looked at Lee Jing-ok. As if he already knew everything, he said, You have it, right? When Hyang saw Lee Jing-ok with the expression Give it to me right now!, an unknown aura rose up in Hyang. I cant just hand it over! This was an error caused by a situation that was different from what had happened between the township, soldiers, and other officials. -The scent insists on making something and using it. -Actual users, such as soldiers and officials, are reluctant or opposed to it because they do not know its utility. In particr, Ministry of Finance and Economy officials strongly oppose it due to budget issues. -Butter, in real life, Hyangs invention yed a big role, making those who opposed it fall into silence. This had been the custom and tradition until now, but now Lee Jing-ok had created the opposite situation. Thanks to this, the slightly off-putting incense smelled like Ddanjuk instead of Ddanjuk. Hmm Is the weapon you were thinking ofing here? No. I had simr thoughts at this magazine. Is it only for the general? Then maybe the general misjudged something? Oh no! There were quite a few young people who had simr thoughts as me! But why wasnt it developed? I understand that there are several craftsmen and researchers in Area 51 who have devoted their lives to developing new freight cars. What Hyang said was true. The Effect of Incense To be precise, there were many people who were impressed by the various firearms made by incense and risked their lives to create new firearms. One of the fun things about Hyang was evaluating the extraordinary firearms they made C for example,bining a saber with a short gun. Lee Jing-ok responded to Hyangsment with a slightly embarrassed expression. Because it goes against the empires military action policy, and there are also those who think that artillery is better than freight cars Hyang nodded at Lee Jing-oks answer. It is true that the military policy of the empire is centered on defense. And the military wagon is an item that goes well with it * * * The military foreign policy of the empire was absolute defense first. -Never hit first until you get hit first. This was the strongest prerequisite for the empires military actions. The reason these prerequisites were created was because of the situation of the empire. -If you consider the northern part of the empire, the surrounding inds, and the New Territories, there is no need for territorial expansion. -War is an event that ces a great burden on the empires finances. The empires governance is not yet strong. -The biggest problem that created the above two restrictions is poption. The empire is still underpopted. Even a poption of about 1/3 of the poption C about 30 million C can ovee the above two constraints. Because of these weaknesses, the empire insisted on a military foreign policy centered on thorough defense. -In a tightly fortified defensive position, use artillery and freight cars to block the enemys offensive and thenunch a counterattack to punish the enemy. And in order to operate this doctrine more efficiently, significant funds were invested in the operation of amunicationwork using reconnaissance devices such as Bhikkhu and luminousmunication devices. However, there were many objections to this. Of course, although it was a counterargument, it was not an argument for changing the preconditions themselves, but rather for changing from a passive response to an active response. -Even if our empires castle is strong, it will copse under a strong attack. Therefore, the concept of offensive defense must be introduced. -When counterattacking, you must move quickly. However, the freight cars and artillery guns used by our military are heavy and difficult to move quickly. As a simple example, at least six horses are needed to move the Imperial Armys most basic artillery, the General Artillery Artillery. Training horses to get used to the noise of the battlefield is not only a problem, but also transporting feed for these horses to eat is also a problem. The same goes for side-by-side freight cars. In order to operate properly, one door must be ced in each door of the freight car. It is difficult to time these heavy weapons when chasing down retreating enemies or engaging in street fighting against enemies hiding in a copsed city. To those who argued in this way and argued for the development of light guns and light freight cars, the mainstream opponents responded as follows. -In the case of a freight car, one soldier must be deployed, but two soldiers can move it when necessary. This can be said to be light enough. -It is true that artillery is heavy. Therefore, towing vehicles that are clearly more efficient than warhorses are being deployed. -The artillery is heavy, but its power is certain. If chasing down retreating enemies or street fighting is a problem, you can upgrade it to guns with longer range and more power. The summary of their argument was this. The problem is catching fleeing enemies? Then you can use guns that fly farther, right? If the problem is enemies hiding in the city, you can use more powerful fire bombs, right? With one or two shots, you can level up the city with a fire bomb that can pulverize a fairlyrge stone building, right? whats the problem? More powerful guns, more guns. Fire guns are the truth. In love with powerful artillery, regardless of whether it was the Imperial Army or Navy, Hyang shook his head and muttered softly. Such canvas lovers. Is it not Mother Rossia but Mother Korean Empire? * * * Because Hyang knew this background, he nodded to Lee Jing-oks words. However, Hyang soon asked Lee Jing-ok with a mischievous expression. Wasnt the general the loudest among those who opposed it? Lee Jing-ok blushed slightly and answered Hyangs question. At the time, Gods insight was not extensive, so I did not know that a war would be waged in a jungle area like this. Hmm Hyang pretended to think for a moment while listening to Lee Jing-oks answer, but then nodded. I understand. Lets find the number. I dont know if Ill be able to make it in time, but Ill try my best. Hwang Eun is devastated! Hyang sighed as he watched Lee Jing-ok walking away while repeatedly bowing his head. Whoa~. Are you unpacking your bundle sooner than expected? Hmm lets solve one thing. Just one thing After making up his mind, Hyang called the eunuch. Contact Area 52 and bring in Jang On. Tell them toe as quickly as possible. Yes, Your Majesty. Five dayster, Jang On entered the temporary pce in a huff and looked for incense. I havee under your Majestys orders! Wee. I have work to do in Area 52. Please order! I actually got to make the light car that was sealed in Jang Yeong-sils safest time. What kind of light vehicle are you talking about? Using magazines. ah! ah? After pausing for a moment, Jang On cautiously asked Hyang. Yes, Your Majesty. Didnt you tell usst time you left school that the things sealed in the safe of thete Director Jang Yeong-sil should remain for at least 30 years? It did. But the situation is urgent, so there is nothing we can do. I understand. Then I will go back and start right away. I know. After sending Jang On out like that, Hyang jumped up from his seat a momentter. No! Are you going to just let someone else do this and end up having such a great opportunity? Absolutely not! Nae-gwan! Yes, Your Majesty! Pack your bags! Its a business trip to Area 52! All business will be conducted there for the time being, so let everyone know! Yes, Your Majesty! The eunuch, who came out after receiving the order, looked back at Hyangs office and shook his head. At a time like that, you are just like Duke Jinpyeong Are you sure you cant deceive your blood? And the officials who heard Hyangs order through the eunuch held the back of his neck. Ah-oh! A business trip! If that happens, your Majesty wont be the only one going! Send the official letter below! For now, send the report to Area 52! * * * While working with Hyang in Shinji, the officials became more cunning. In the past, everything would be organized at Shinji Temporary Pce and then sent back to Area 52 or another business trip location for approval or rejection. Naturally, a lot of time was wasted and officials had to work through the night. Then, at some point, officials realized one thing. wait? Anyway, there are railroad tracks in Area 52 and there is plenty of space to work, eat, and sleep, right? I just need to get the report there, right? I see? Officials who realized this fact moved when the incense moved. And work efficiency has improved significantly. However, only the efficiency of the officials working at the temporary pce. Officials working in Shinjis local administrative agencies had to check the railway timetable whenever they received orders to send reports to ces other than the temporary pce. This was because although the direction of Haenggung Pce passed almost once a day, Area 52 departed only from Haenggung Pce once every two days. If the timing was not right, a disaster would ur with a dy of at least 4 days. The next to suffer were the officials in charge of operating Area 52. For them, the incense that came with their mother-inws incense and the officials at the temporary pce were their sisters-inw. No, the scent was okay. The problem was the officials of the temporary pce who followed. Now that Im here, I need to check on the operation status. With these words, the officials from Temporary Pce took a close look at the operational status of Area 52. huh? Isnt this spending strange? Isnt there an error in the input and output here? Every time the officials from the temporary pce spoke out, the officials in Area 52 had to bow their heads. Im sorry! The person in charge is still new. If he was new, he should have looked into it more. Im sorry! If youre sorry, dont do something to be sorry about? If you do that, it will be us who will be scolded by His Majesty! Im sorry! And how many of the amodation facilities were broken? Did you see them? We will fix it right away! You should have looked before pointing it out. Arent you going to get ahead? Im sorry! Ill say it again, if youre sorry, dont make yourself sorry! Ill leave you alone! Hi! I will do my best! In this way, the officials of Area 52 had to go through all kinds of hardships. But they had to endure this hardship. Most of the officials from the temporary pce were superior to them. Even if they were in the same rank, they were about to be promoted, so it would be a big deal if they got dirty. * * * In this situation, Hyangs Area 52 business trip was known to every corner of the new area through the luminousmunication device. Ah-oh! Why this time! You havent had anything to go these days! News of the unexpected business trip sent officials into a frenzy to find the cause. found! who is this? General Lee Jing-ok! ?. The officials suppressed the six-headed character that was about toe out. It was Lee Jing-ok, the mander of the conquest army and former Minister of National Defense. In the end, officials chose action over words. A lot of medicines areing these days Lee Jing-ok looked bitter as he looked at the bundles of medicines piling up in his office and dormitory. This was because I knew very well the meaning of the medicine. Would you like some too? At Lee Jing-oks words, the subordinate generals all shook their heads. Ironically, among those who sent the medicine were some of his subordinate generals. Chapter 795 Episode 795: Bloody fight in the jungle (1) Imperial Year 19 (1466). As the year turned, the conquering army finally finished preparing to leave for the south. If things had gone ording to n, we could have set off inte fallst year, but At the ceremony to send off the fully prepared conquest army, Hyang muttered softly in a voice full of regret. * * * After the efforts of the Imperial Navy transport fleet, it was around early fall when thest troops of the conquering army arrived. And the troops who arrived in the second half were so well trained that they did not need separate finishing training. This was because Lee Jing-ok, who was angry at the condition of the first vanguard unit and the second line troops that followed, issued an order for improvement. The words were orders, but the content was a bloody threat. -If youre going to train your soldiers in this mess, Ill strip you of your skin and send you to be eaten by those crazy native bastards! In summary, the training instructors at our headquarters who saw these orders desperately trained their soldiers. They were also the ones who would participate in the conquest along with the current conquest army. Lee Jing-ok was famous for being a person who always kept his word. If he didnt like the soldiers training in the slightest, he was ready to strip them and throw them away. In addition, the size of the Imperial Navys transport fleet was gradually expanded under Wans orders. The reason Wan issued this order was at the request of Kim Jong-seo and the Ministry of Finance and Economy. -The longer you stay at your home base, the more you will spend more than necessary! Its best to send it away as quickly as possible! -The cost of increasing the transport fleet is cheaper! Since it seemed like a reasonable opinion to Wan, he ordered the Navy to increase the size of the transport fleet. The Navy, which received the order, was reluctant at first, but soon found an answer. In any case, the conquering forces heading to Shinji were boarding the ship with only military uniforms and personal equipment C ammunition bags and backpacks. This was because all items made of metal, such as long guns, logging, military daggers, and canteens, were to be supplied by Area 52. As a result, our training instructors, who had no time to spare, had to increase the intensity of their training once again. It was to avoid Lee Jing-oks reprimand. Because of these various reasons, the training status of the soldiers who came to the rear gradually improved. The training was at a level where I could go straight intobat once I got over my travel fatigue. However, it was concluded that the implementation of the operation would beginter this year in the spring. This was because the winter in Shinji, especially in the northern part of Shinji, where the Shinji Temporary Pce and the Conquest Army Training Center were located, was as harsh as the winter in the maind. The cold is not a big problem, but the problem is that there are luggage that needlessly takes up space. All subordinate generals nodded at Lee Jing-oks point. What Lee Jing-ok pointed out were the winter supplies used by the conquering army. ording to reports and exnations prepared by the Navy stationed in Shinji, the southern area where the war was to be fought was a hot area, with warm temperatures all year round. If we were to go out now, we would have to throw away our winter gear as soon as we arrived at the beachhead. However, if I were to go on a mission after this winter, there was no need to bring unnecessary winter gear. The winter supplies used by the conquering army could be used by other soldiers or sold to new local residents to generate additional ie. This was because the items used by the imperial army were popr among residents because they were sturdy and had excellent functionality. Of course, it was possible to load winter supplies back onto the transport ship that carried the conquering army. But it cost more and had other problems. -It is better to load more gunpowder, ammunition, and medicine into the space for cold weather supplies! Especially medicine! Bad medicine! * * * As the exploration of the navy stationed in Shinji went further south, more people fell ill with mria. Not only in the south, but also in the northern area of Shinji, there were quite a few people suffering from the disease in the summer, so the doctors assigned to Shinji searched medical books or sought the help of native shamans to find medicinal herbs used for treatment and turned them into pills. In particr, medicine for ailments became very important as many of the soldiers returning from the previous battle with the Aztecs suffered from ailments. Its not something that happens identally; it has to be seen as something that happens for sure! ording to the decision of the upper ss, including Hyang and Lee Jing-ok, arge amount of poison pills were added to the list of supplies for the conquering army. In addition, another order was added to the defecting natives, including Seong. -Find and secure herbs and trees used to treat ailments! It was not an order that the Aztecs or the surrounding natives were immune to, and the tribes shamans were confident that they would have relevant knowledge due to a tradition that had continued for thousands of years. This was not just a guess based on confidence, but because there were people with experience. I have suffered from a disease simr to the one you mentioned. At that time, I boiled the tree bark that the shaman gave me and ate it and was cured. Taste? I wrote it ignorantly. Kinine is extremely bitter, right? This is it! The incense was an order added to the reports posted by Seung and other natives. * * * Lee Jing-ok smiled slightly in response to Hyangs grumbling. Isnt something good happening? First of all, the soldiers were less likely to get injured because their bodies were warmed up, and secondly, we received quite a few light vehicles. Im sorry its only 200 tablets. Lee Jing-ok showed an expression of disbelief at Hyangs apology. Oh no! Even though it was a sudden request, didnt you make 200 tablets? The generals and generals of the conquest army are sincerely grateful to Your Majesty and the craftsmen. I especially know how hard the craftsmen worked, so it would be wrong to me them for their shorings. Thank you for thinking so. To be honest, the Gap-sik light vehicle was not easy to make. Phew~. Hyangs sigh was sincere. * * * The design of a light vehicle existed, but realizing it was not an easy task. The most problematic area was the trachea, especially the torso. There were no problems with the drill, gas bolt, seat spring, etc. as the craftsmen had already umted a lot of experience. But my torso grabbed my ankle. The vige and the craftsmen were worried over and over again. It was easy to use a boxcar because it wasrge Thats right its not easy to use a boxcar. Because the side-by-side wagon wasrge, making the body was surprisingly easy. All you had to do was cut a well-made iron te to fit the frame, insert it into the fixing frame, and secure it firmly by driving in the crown. Because it had to withstand the recoil of hundreds of rounds per minute, very strong steel tes and pins were used, and of course, it was heavy. However, since it uses a dedicated gun and is designed to be carried by two people, there was no major problem. However, the problem with light vehicles was that one person had to do everything. Of course, it had to be light, so it was certain that if it was made in the same way as the body of a side-by-side freight car, it would immediately break down. That was possible in the 21st century. No, it was taken with a press and then welded. But now, both the level of steel and welding technology are far behind, so I cant use it. Hyang, who was thinking about a solution, sighed. Whoa~. The conclusion is that we have no choice but to use the most traditional but most expensive method What Hyang thought was cutting. A solid steel ingot was put into a mold, then beaten with a steam pressure hammer to create the outer shape, and the inside was hollowed out with a cutting machine toplete the process. By adopting this production method, Gap-sik light vehicles were able to secure durability, but they had no choice but to sacrifice manufacturing costs and production time. In addition, the magazine to be used in the armored light vehicle was also a problem. The semicircr magazine, which holds 30 rounds of ammunition, broke down immediately if it deviated even slightly from the values set in the blueprint. Therefore, craftsmen had to pay more attention to magazine production. Thanks to this, full-scale production began as soon as a satisfactory level of prototype was produced in mid-summer, and even though production was conducted overtime throughout the fall and winter, only 200 were selected. However, it was not always the case that there was only loss. Through the process of producing Gap-sik light vehicles, the craftsmen of Area 52 standardize and standardize parts. We were able to gain significant experience in maintaining quality. And the mass production method established through umted experience became the basis for serving as the Arsenal of the Empire in several future wars. * * * After finishing the farewell ceremony, the soldiers of the conquering army divided into several groups and climbed onto iron horses. The n was to travel by iron horse to the southernmost naval base, and then travel south from there on naval lines. Thanks to you, only Jinpyeong was exciting. The main stops on the railway to Shinji were Shinji Temporary Pce, Area 52, and the Army and Navy bases. This was for quick transportation of supplies and troops. This was because the transportation capacity of iron horses and railroads easily surpassed that of sailing ships at this time. Perhaps the day when transportation capacity using sea routes will again surpass that ofnd routes will be whenrge steel transport shipse out. Hyang, who was watching the soldiers climbing on the iron horse, looked into the distance and muttered. However, Hyang smiled slightly and continued speaking. Then Ill try spooning it again. These days, there is a lot of talk about the need for a steam armored ship that can go out to the open ocean and secure control over the seas, and it is said that the ship is moving Dont you think that growing sprouts need to be stepped on once for them to take root? * * * Meanwhile, on the iron horse heading to the starting point, Lee Jing-ok and his subordinate generals were putting their heads together and reviewing the future work. On therge desk in the middle of the carriage was a three-dimensional map made of wood and y, and Lee Jing-ok and the generals were talking around the map. Thending point is a little further into the bay. Wouldnt the ce we used as a beachheadst time be better? A subordinate officer responded to Lee Jing-oks point. ording to the exnation of Sung Cho-gwan and his subordinates, the currentnding site has a wider beach, making it advantageous for arge number of troops tond and stay there. Isnt the problem that the distance to go to the Aztecs or the Mesicas could be longer? That part is also a bit longer, but it is said to be a morefortable route. Hmm It would be a big problem if there was a problem maintaining the supply line Lee Jing-ok was worried as he stroked his chin. Lee Jing-ok, who lived and fought on the battlefield for a long time, knew very well the importance of supply. A subordinate officer stepped forward and responded to Lee Jing-oks concerns. Because of that problem, Sheng Chuguan further rmended this route. The area around this route is inhabited by the tribes from which Seng Cho-gwan and his men came. With their cooperation, there will be no major problems in supplying our troops. In that case Lee Jing-ok hid his anxiety at the words of his subordinate officer. The hatred that Seng Choguan and the natives who came with him had against the Aztecs was beyond imagination. Because of that hatred, Seng Cho-gwan and the natives participated in training more enthusiastically than anyone else, learned the imperialnguage, and cooperated with the empire more enthusiastically than anyone else. Chapter 796 Episode 796: Bloody fight in the jungle (2) The subordinate officer continued. If you listen to the words of Chogwan and other natives, they say that there are more than one tribe that grinds their teeth when they see those bastards who are either Aztec or Mesica. Are you saying its not just the tribe of Shit and hispanions? Thats right. If we can properly work with them, we can receive great help in supplying troops and maintaining supply routes. Hmm its okay. Thats usible. But not everything goes as expected. Lets check the n assuming that we are moving independently, rather than just by the tribe and our fellow tribesmen. yes. Lee Jing-ok, who was giving orders to his subordinate officers, seemed to suddenly remember another problem and pointed out another problem. ah! And thats it. Are we properly informing people of the prohibited use of profanity? yes. Lee Jing-ok grumbled at the sight of his subordinate officer stuttering his answer. How on earth why did they choose a name like that * * * In the process of returning to Shinji, some of the defected natives took on imperial-style names. Among the natives with such names, most of them recognized as their names the titles they called themselves during the process of escaping with the imperial army, such as Seong. Thanks to this, a tacit agreement was reached between the imperial forces on the ship returning to Shinji. -Do not use profanity that natives use as names. And this agreement was immediately written into a report and sent to the township. After checking the report, Hyang immediately gave an answer. The military must not use the profanity on this list. Jinpyeong, who was watching Hyangs decision from the side, immediately pointed out the problem. Swearing is something thates out without thinking, so wouldnt it be better to just ban swearing? Words are what show a persons ss, so why not take this opportunity to ban the use of profanity? Hyang responded to Jinpyeongs words with a sour expression. You dont swear? How could a nobleman be so lowly. Do you know that there are one or two reports that say you are the person with the harshest mouth in the field? . And why did you say that the nobleman was swearing so vulgarly? If you think like that, Tae Sang-tae is not a gentleman? Huh! Jinpyeongs face turned white at Hyangs point. When King Sejong got angry, he swore profanity without even realizing it. No, it wasnt just Sejong. Taejong was also good at swearing. In particr, in the case of King Taejo, who lived most of his life on the battlefield, half of what he said in private was swearing. Fortunately, in the case of King Sejong, he changed his habit by clicking his tongue instead of swearing. However, there was not a single person who did not know the curse hidden in that tongue-clicking sound. Thats why Jinpyeongs face turned white. If there was even the slightest misunderstanding of what Jinpyeong had just said, it would immediately be an insult to Tae Sang-tae. I was mistaken in my convictions! Jinpyeong immediately bowed his head and admitted his mistake, and Hyang responded by clicking his tongue. Tsk! * * * Hyangs orders were the same for the conquering army. In order to prevent unexpected mistakes, the conquering army had to be familiar with this from the time they received training at the headquarters. -(Strategy) For this reason, the use of the profanity listed above is prohibited. If you are caught using the above abusivenguage, your sry will be reduced. Among the soldiers who read the orders posted on the bulletin board, those who were not from the same n made an expression that it was no big deal or actuallyughed. Well, its no big deal Thats not the only swear word It seems like the unit that fought in the south of Shinji only had surprisingly calm friends? Even the kids who go to the social school in our neighborhood use harsher swear words than that. Funnily enough, those who received the most pay cuts over time were soldiers from the gentry. Those who graduated from the gentry lived a life that was far from swearing. The ce where they encountered swearing was mainly at social democratic schools. This was because, in ordance with the philosophy of social equality, the academy held sses in one ce without ss distinction. The problem was when the children in the ss used profanity at home that they had learned at school. How can a child from a noble family use such vulgarnguage! I think I learned it from kids my age at the Social Ministries School. Then you should have stepped in and prevented it from being used! As the bacsh continued in this way, graduates of the nobility were taught and trained not to swear. As these people volunteered for the conquest army and underwent harsh military training, swear words soon began to appear in their mouths. However, most of the swear words they were familiar with were the swear words they knew when they were young, and the problem was that most of those swear words were on the banned list. * * * The conquering troops arrived at the southern naval base on iron horses, rested for a day, and then immediately boarded the ship. Theres a long way to go! After sailing for 15 days, the conquering forces arrived at their target and immediately began building a bridgehead under themand of Lee Jing-ok. Then Ill go right back and load up the rear. Lee Jing-ok nodded and epted the words of the admiral leading the transport fleet. Please take care of me. Good luck. Thank you. By the way, I heard a story on the way, that a European ship was found stranded nearby? yes. Looking at the traces, it looked like a ship that had escaped from a friendly attack before. Were there any survivors? After searching the surrounding area, it seems like I was attacked by those bastards. I dont have to see what it would have been like to know. The admiral nodded at Lee Jing-oks words. Seeing the admiral like that, Lee Jing-ok spoke again. Are ships stilling from Europe these days? Theye from time to time, but every time theye, they are either sunk or captured. You must be very worried about the situation. He said I had to hold out for at least five more years. Make it hard. thank you. Afterpleting the unloading of troops and supplies, the fleet immediately turned around and returned to its home port. Lee Jing-ok waved goodbye to the returning ship and turned around. This is where it really begins. How should I deal with these things? It was Lee Jing-ok, who was full of murderous intentions towards the Aztecs. Its easier than expected because there are big boats, so we have to do it right. ording to the n, the conquering army would arrive at the bridgehead through a total of 10 transports. It was arge operation to transport 3,000 people at once, and this was possible thanks to the deployment of fiverge transport ships newly designed by the township. Although it was a slightlyrger transport ship than the Challenger ss, it was equipped with only the minimum armament for self-defense. It was a ship specialized for transporting passengers and cargo. It was made because the trees of Shinji wererge and strong, but it could not be released until control of the Antic Ocean was taken over. Or, lets look at it again While expressing slight regret, Hyang sent the blueprint in question to our headquarters. This was because it was certain that it would be useful in the Suez route, where maritime control had already been secured. When the conquest army was safely transported five times, Lee Jing-ok finally began to move. They formed three units of 1,000 men and dispatched them with Seong and other defected natives. Their mission was to establish contact with the Tseng and other indigenous tribes and bring about their cooperation. ording to Chu Guan, the round trip will take at least a month What should I do to spend my time? After pondering for a moment, Lee Jing-ok soon summoned his subordinate officers. Did you call me? I have something to do. Please order. Lee Jing-ok raised his hand and pointed to the jungle ahead. Push all that away. yes? The troops will continue to arrive, but thisnd is hotter and more humid than expected. If you do it wrong, there is a high chance that you will get tired or get sick before you even fight. So, you need to secure enough space in advance. And since the jungle blocks your eyes, you may be surprised. So, we need to push it as much as possible to reduce our weaknesses and utilize our strengths. All subordinate officers nodded at Lee Jing-oks exnation. Ill do it right away. Soon, all the soldiers except those in charge of security left the beachhead, carrying logging des and saw axes. Why did they say they were sending a lot of logging des and axes and saws Did Ie to fight or to cut wood? The soldiers began to push out the jungle, one by one, while grumbling. Afterwards, Hyang read the message sent by Lee Jing-ok and shuddered slightly. The divisionmander said, Move that mountain. When he did this, the mountain moved. Ugh~. I suddenly get goosebumps. * * * It had been about a month and ten days since the units that had left the bridgehead returned. Behind the returning troops were dozens of indigenous warriors armed with macuahuitl. Lee Jing-ok, who was watching the scene from the watchtower, smiled slightly. I think it went well. Judging that things seemed to have gone well, Lee Jing-ok came down from the watchtower and greeted the returning troops. insect! Good work! Let the soldiers rest and youe and report! yes! After dispersing the soldiers, themander led the indigenous warriors with Seong and visited Lee Jing-ok. Again, thank you for your hard work. I was a little worried because it took longer than expected, but Im d to see that most of them returned safely. thank you. Okay, report it. yes. Themander began reporting to Lee Jing-ok. Themanders report was summarized as follows. -The tribe of Sseong hid in a deeper jungle than where they originally lived. C After hearing the attack on the Aztecs, the tribe promised full cooperation. The hostility they have toward the Aztecs is beyond imagination. -The tribe ns to move the entire tribe to the vicinity of the beachhead. This is to ensure the safety of the tribe and increase the efficiency of joint operations. -They are requesting weapons for battle. The weapon they most want is a logging sword. Even logging? Lee Jing-ok, who was a little skeptical about wanting a logging sword, quickly nodded when he saw the macuahuitl held by the indigenous warriors. Indeed Compared to the wooden sword made of obsidian, the logging sword was a weapon with much superior performance. Additionally, the logging sword was a weapon that they could use right away without any special training. They werent thoughtless. I thought you would definitely ask for a long gun, but Lee Jing-ok muttered softly and answered his subordinatemander and Seong. As soon as the operation begins in earnest, we will issue logging maps. Is there anything else? Themander answered Lee Jing-oks question right away. They say the Aztecs are cursed. curse? yes. When I listen to what they say, I feel like I have a pox. pock? how? Lee Jing-ok asked with a look on his face that said he couldnt understand. Smallpox was a disease that had almost disappeared, regardless of whether it was native or new. One of the first things the natives living in newly developed areas did whenever they returned home was to inocte themselves with cowpox. Thats why Lee Jing-ok looked like he couldnt understand the word smallpox that suddenly appeared. Chapter 797 Episode 797: Bloody Battle in the Jungle (3) Are you sure its really smallpox? Isnt this another disease simr to smallpox? Lee Jing-ok, who still had an expression of disbelief, asked the question again. Themander answered Lee Jing-oks question right away. Most of the symptoms the chieftain described were simr to those of smallpox. How can you Lee Jing-ok, who was about to ask why he was so sure, looked at themanders face and immediately closed his mouth. Themanders face was slightly confused. Hmm, Kwon Jo is a little over fifty now, right? If you think about the time when smallpox vination began It was only after major incidents such as Hyangs self-harm incident and Ryu Jeong-hyeons death in prison that cowpox vination was implemented nationwide. However, due to problems with the supply and demand of trained doctors to secure cows infected with cowpox, it took a considerable amount of time toplete nationwide vination. Therefore, there were quite a few unfortunate people who contracted smallpox during that time, and Kwon Gwan, who is reporting now, was one of those unfortunate people. I dont know if it was heavens blessing or his parents sincerity, but Kwon Gwans face showed signs of slight tangles. I guess I can trust it because its confirmed by someone who has already suffered from smallpox. The problem is Then how did the smallpox spread to them? Did you find out the reason? In response to Lee Jing-oks question, Kwon looked back at Seong Cho-gwan standing next to him. Seok stepped forward and responded to the unspokenmand. It is said that the tribal chief and the shaman also heard the rumor, but it is said that the Mesika nobles and warriors first got it. Gwon Kwon added to Seungs words. It seems like the European ship I saw on the way was the source of the problem. europe? ah! You mean that ship that ran aground? Thats right. Shit Chogwan. Exin to the general what you heard. yes. It is a rumor that has been heard through various tribes but the ce where the story first came from is said to be xcaltec. Starting with the mention of the city where the rumor first began, Seung talked about the rumors he had heard from the tribal chief and the shaman. * * * Captain Thomas and a small crew of men who barely survived the stranding of the Golden Mary were attacked by Aztec warriors. In the battle with the Aztec warriors, most of the survivors, including Captain Thomas, lost their lives, and five were taken prisoner. After taking the prisoners, the Aztec warriors searched the interior of the stranded Golden Mary and took various metal utensils and swords. Andstly, we packed all the clothes and bedding worn by the sailors. The fabrics used for clothing and bedding were softer and better than anything they had ever encountered, so the warriors rummaged through everything they could. Even those of those who suffered from smallpox. * * * The Aztec warriors immediately returned to Tenochn, taking prisoners and loot. The Aztec warriors, who thought they had avenged the humiliation suffered by the imperialists in the previous battle, walked as quickly as possible and hastened their return. It was a forced march that covered a distance that would normally take about 20 days in 15 days. In that forced march, two of the five prisoners who were seriously injured lost their lives and were abandoned in the jungle. The warriors who arrived in Tenochn presented the surviving prisoners and loot to Montezuma I. This is truly magnificent! Montezuma I, who praised the warriors, distributed the loot he had received to the nobles. Among the trophies distributed to nobles, the most popr were iron swords, followed by bedding. After the distribution of the spoils waspleted, Montezuma I held a memorial service by sacrificing the captives. If those guys fromst timee back, I hope they be sacrifices like they did this time! And then the nightmare began. * * * It started with warriors returning from battle. The warriors who returned suddenly began to suffer from high fever and soony down from exhaustion. Soon, red spots began to appear on the bodies of the warriors who were lying down due to high fever, muscle pain, and exhaustion. Surprised by this, the family requested treatment from priests and therapists. However, smallpox was a disease that even experienced priests and healers had never seen before. In the end, they had no choice but toe up with a simr prescription. Its as if I came across a poisonous nt. He will get better soon, so please take good care of him. The family members, who listened to the priests and healers prescriptions, stayed close to the patient and cared for them with care. In the process, smallpox began to spread more widely. After warriors, those who contracted smallpox were nobles and ves. Many of the bedding distributed were stained with sea water and pus from smallpox patients. With ack of drinking water, it was impossible to wash the bedding of smallpox patients, so Captain Thomas best bet was to ce the bedding in arge box, seal it, and store it in the deepest ce. The tightly sealed box survived the stranding. And the nobles who received and spread out this bedding had their ves wash it. In the process, smallpox spread among nobles and ves. As an unknown disease began to spread among nobles and warriors, Tenochin was in chaos. This is a clear curse! Our enemies have ced a curse on our home, Mesico Tenochin! As the situation became more serious, Montezuma I called the smallpox a curse of his enemies. More sacrifices are needed to lift the curse! By order of Montezuma I, numerous ves were sacrificed. It wasnt just ves. Small nearby tribes were also attacked by Azten warriors, and most of the tribesmen began to be taken away as sacrifices. To escape from the Aztecs clutches, those who survived began to hide deeper and deeper in the jungle. * * * Even as more and more sacrifices were made, the situation in Tenochtin grew worse. Eventually, Montezuma I began to gather an army. There are still not enough sacrifices, so the curse cannot be lifted! More offerings are needed! Shouting like this, Montezuma I ordered the warriors gathered in Tenochin to go to war. Under the orders of Montezuma I, Aztec warriors attacked the Aztecs hostile cities, starting with xcaltec. This was Montezuma Is aim. -No one knows what is the cause of this situation or whether it is truly a curse. It is clear that this is a very critical crisis. -There is a possibility that the troops who were not stationed in the capital may oust him for this reason. -It is certain that external enemies will also see this as an opportunity. -Then lets encourage each other. After these calctions, Montezuma I decided to go to war. * * * The war waged under the orders of Montezuma I was fierce. Aztec warriors and xcaltec warriors fought fiercely to avoid being sacrificed to lift the curse ced on theirpatriots. And during this process, smallpox began to spread among the Aztec and xcaltec warriors. Among the Aztec warriors mobilized for war, there were not only those stationed in the outskirts. Naturally, the warriors stationed in Tenochtin also moved together. Warriors who had already developed smallpox were excluded, but the problem was that warriors who were in the incubation period were sent to the battlefield. And through them, smallpox began to spread among the Aztec and xcaltec warriors. Eventually, as time passed, both sides became seriously ill with smallpox. The battle naturally came to a ceasefire and the warriors on both sides retreated. Soon, smallpox began to spread to xcaltec. And as time passed, smallpox began to spread to other cities and tribes through traders traveling in and out of Tenochtin or xcaltec. * * * This whole process happened while the empire was preparing for conquest. Huh Lee Jing-ok made a strange expression after hearing Seungs report. Cheonwoo Creed? Or how about a fisherman? It seems like everything is beneficial to us but its a bit hard to like it out loud. is not it? Lee Jing-ok asked Seong, hiding hisplicated feelings about whether he should like it or not. Is your tribe okay? yes. They said they had already moved their home after hearing the news I brought to Shinji, and as soon as they heard the rumor about the curse spreading, they immediately blocked ess from other tribes. The chieftain was wise. So the curse has been avoided, but food is running low. Thats why we need more logging roads. As soon as Seung finished speaking, themander added. Before returning, we distributed some of the extra dry goods the soldiers were carrying. I think it would be better if we supplied dry matter along with logging. Let me consider it. Is there anything else to report? doesnt exist. Then write it down and submit it right away. yes. And damn Chogwan. When ites to logging and supplies, priority will be paid ording to the number of people who came with us. That would be fine. thank you! Then lets do that. Dont forget to write a report and submit it, too. yes. But because I have such bad handwriting. Dont you have a typewriter? I hope to receive it by tomorrow morning. At Lee Jing-oks words, Seok responded with tears in his eyes. I will fill it out and submit it right away. Then lets go back. Lee Jing-ok, who sent the people out, stroked his chin and muttered. Hmm I guess Ill have to tell your majesty that I need some beef. By the way, gunpowder is important in this war, but medicine is also important. If you take the right medicine, you can win more easily. By the way Lee Jing-ok paused for a moment and looked at the map with a serious face. We still only have half of our troops. Should we move right away? Should I wait? * * * That evening. Lee Jing-ok, who summoned themanders, exined the situation and asked questions. The situation is like this. How do the officers think it is best for us to move? Is it better to move right away? Would it be better to wait for all troops to arrive? In response to Lee Jing-oks question, the opinions of themanders were divided into two. We have to move right away. Why is there such a thing as a water-saving device? They are weakened by smallpox! The more time we give them, the more time they have to perk up! The opposite is true! You have to wait! There is a long way to go to the enemys capital. We need to think about distribution! The pox has not only weakened our enemies, it has also weakened our would-be helpers! That means we have to take care of all the maintenance of the supply route! We must secure enough troops and minimize power loss! Since both sides had a point, it was not easy to reach a conclusion. As the tense war of words continued for a long time, one of those who chose to wait pointed out the most important issue. It is true that smallpox is a serious disease. And it is certain that the smallpox spread and caused losses. But no one here knows how much the loss is. It could be a situation where the country is truly about to fall, but on the other hand, it could also be a situation where the country is on its feet by now. Unless we have certain information, we must move as cautiously as possible. Lee Jing-ok nodded at those words. That makes the most sense. Chapter 798 Episode 798: Bloody Battle in the Jungle (4) The idea of sending troops out immediately without waiting for a rearguard action soon became useless. It wasnt because of Lee Jing-oks decision. This was due to the natural environment of the beachhead. Around the time the 6th transport waspleted, rain began to fall on the bridgehead. It was the beginning of the rainy season. I dont even care about the rainy season here. The staff member next to him responded to Lee Jing-oks words as he watched the rain falling down the eaves of the headquarters building. ording to the story of Chogwan and hispanions, they do not move carelessly during this rainy season. Once the heavy rain passes, the road that was there disappears. How long does this rainy seasonst? The longer term is half a year. Hmm this is the problem. If you think about the time the troops travel, you can face this damn rainy season again when you arrive in Tenochtin. Lee Jing-ok looked at the sky with a face full of worry. Lee Jing-oks worries were not unfounded. * * * As the rainy season began, the weather around the bridgehead became perfect for catching people. Once the rain stopped for almost half of the day, the humid weather with extreme humidity continued. Nimi! The summer here was heaven! The soldiers, exhausted from the hot and humid weather,ined while wiping their sweat. Is it because of this weather that there are people who wouldnt be able to kill you by peeling off their shells? The soldiers, exhausted from the irritating weather, were all on edge. The good news was that the weather was so humid and hot that the energy to fight was gone. It is said that everything in the world has its own benefits Themanders, who were worried that a fight would break out between the soldiers who were tired of the weather and waiting, sighed in relief and looked at the rainy sky. * * * It would be a big deal if we encountered the rainy season when we arrived in Tenochtin, the capital where those damn bastards live. The soldiers may be exhausted and not be able to fight properly. The supplies will get wet and be a mess. Lee Jing-oks face was full of worry. A force of 30,000 was by no means a small force. ording to the n, it took only five days for 30,000 troops to leave the bridgehead. And there were almost no proper roads on the route to the enemys capital. Of course, there was a road for the natives, but it was as good as nonexistent for 30,000 troops to use. In other words, they had to go out by pioneering a path that did not exist, and of course the procession was bound to be long. Naturally, the troops pioneering the path at the forefront would tire quickly and would have to rece the troops at every opportunity. And every time, the advance would be dyed. Supply was also a problem. The longer the procession, the more time it would take to supply it. Supply is the problem Lee Jing-oks biggest concern was supply. * * * Even when the first operation was nned, difficult discussions took ce to find a solution to the supply problem. One of the proposals made at that time was for the soldiers to carry all their food and ammunition with them. It is a daily routine, not only in our hometown but also in new locations, to walk tens of miles a day with a full load on our backs! Just lose and move! In the case of military provisions, it may be heavy at first, but it will gradually be lighter over time. Because the amount will decrease as the soldiers consume it! Lee Jing-ok, who heard this suggestion, gave a simple answer. Just like you said, pack your bags and take a walk. yes? Not only are soldiers moving with their burdens, but shouldnt military officers also be moving in the same way? So, you guys, please demonstrate first to see if it is possible. Lets see You said it would take a few days to get from the beachhead to the enemys capital, right? The shortest time was 15 days. Hmm Ill take a 15-day ration, enough ammunition for 3 battles, and all the necessary medicines. I I told you to try it! Following Lee Jing-oks order, the proponents had to pack their bags and go around the parade ground, and in less than half a day, the proposal was spread out. Now Im so exhausted after half a day even on t ground that I cant move. What kind of ce should we go? We have to go through the jungle and cross the mountain. Do you think it will be possible? To Lee Jing-oks question, the proposers answered with difficulty with tired faces. The officials were mistaken. Go in and rest. Lee Jing-ok turned around and muttered softly. Was it too peaceful? There are too many people who knowbat but dont know war After hearing the reportter, Hyang chuckled and muttered. There wont be anyone like General Mudaguchi, a man of merit for our independence. * * * I made ns anticipating the jungle and rainy season, but the situation is worse than expected. The staff spoke again to Lee Jing-ok, who was worried about the operation bing difficult due to the rainy season in Central America. Didnt this bastard Cho-gwan report that part? Tenochtin doesnt get this much rain. It is said that the weather will fall at about one oclock a day and the rest of the time will be clear, so there is nothing to worry about. Thats the problem. What I didnt expect was that Chogwans experience and ours were so different. When Chogwan said it would rain heavily all day, we only thought about the rainy season here. But see now. Isnt this the rainy season here? . The staff fell silent at Lee Jing-oks point. Lee Jing-ok returned to his seat and continued speaking. This is an operation based on my experience at the headquarters. The local situation exceeds our expectations, so coordination is needed again. Call themanders. yes. * * * Surprised by the local natural environment exceeding their expectations, the imperialmanders diligently revised their strategy and monitored their soldiers. Thanks to the diligent actions ofmanders, starting with Lee Jing-ok, the soldiers of the conquering army stationed at the bridgehead were able to endure the rainy season without major losses. And all of this process was written up in detailed reports and loaded onto the returning transport ship. After confirming the contents of the report brought on the transport ship, Hyang gave orders to the officials. This is a very important lesson. Please transcribe it properly and send it to your original paper. Yes, Your Majesty. Lee Jing-oks report, copied at the direction of the township, was also included in this paper. After receiving Lee Jing-oks report, Wan carefully examined the contents and gave orders to Hwang Bo-in. Order the Ministry of National Defense to revise its manual and doctrine based on this report. Yes, Your Majesty. As a side note, thanks to this feedback, the imperial army was able to obtain all the environmental information of a considerable area. And based on this information, it became the most adaptable military. In addition, meteorologists, environmental scientists, and biologists from all over the world came to call the Empires Ministry of Defense a treasury of data because it was the holder of the widest range of weather and environmental information for the longest period of time. * * * As the rainy season neared its end, all the forces of the conquest army were gathered at the bridgehead. Even through the rainy season, the expansion work on the bridgehead continued, so by the time thest troops arrived, the bridgehead had be a full-fledged military port and defense facility. This wille in handy! Lee Jing-ok smiled and epted the admirals admiration for the well-built facility. Think of it as a recement for the ferry fare you pay whening and going. Then a little more You damn man! Its a joke. Nong. ha ha ha! ha ha ha! The two people created a warm atmosphere by joking lightly and continued their conversation. Anyway, the report you sent was really helpful. I am especially grateful that you investigated changes in weather and when strong winds blow. The admirals gratitude was not pretentious. For sailing ships, the wind was both medicine and poison. Therefore, the imperial navies meticulously recorded the times when storms frequently urred on major shipping routes. However,pared to this paper, Shinji was stillcking in quantity and uracy. As the number of fronts and personnel of the Navy stationed in Shinji increased, information was increasing, but it was still insufficient. In such a situation, the weather report written and sent by Lee Jing-ok was like the sweet rain that ended the drought. Its nice to hear that it was helpful. Then will you be dispatching troops as soon as this rainy season ends? ording to what Chu Guan said, the rainy season will end in ten days, so we will leave in five days. Is that so? Good luck once again. Thank you. Five dayster, the gates of the bridgehead were opened and the vanguard of the conquering army finally began to advance towards the jungle. * * * The southern jungle is terrible. Lee Jing-ok stuck out his tongue as he moved along the path cleared by Seonbong. The soldiers who entered the jungle became exhausted faster than they initially expected, or even faster than theirter ns. As if it wasnt enough to be on guard for possible ambushes, poisonous nts that could kill you with just a slight nce were swarming everywhere, and poisonous insects and wild beasts were abundant. The soldiers had never been this tired when clearing the jungle near the bridgehead. This was because there was a beachhead right behind it. The existence of a beachhead where they could immediately escape in case of even the slightest danger was a great support for the soldiers. But where they were now was in the middle of the jungle. The only people the soldiers could trust were their fellow soldiers. However, if you neglect your precautions even a little, you end up alone in the jungle. This was because the dense jungle bushes made it impossible to see anyone even from a short distance away. In reality, something simr to this happened and the advance was halted several times. If something happened, such as a soldier going ahead disappearing or losing connection with the unit following, all units came to a standstill. I guess I should give up the idea that we will pass through the jungle in 15 days. At Lee Jing-oks words, themanders all nodded with gloomy faces. To lighten the gloomy mood, the staff reported as many positive aspects as possible. We anticipated that and prepared enough supplies. And if you encounter Ssang Cho Guans tribe and other tribes, you wont have to suffer like this because you can secure a sufficient number of guides. There is no time I look forward to them more than now. Three dayster, the vanguard unit made contact with the warriors of the Zeng tribe. Seong, who was leading the unit, greeted the tribal warriors with a bright face, and themander of the vanguard unit immediately sent a messenger. Only then did Lee Jing-oks face brighten after receiving the report through the messenger. I can finally take a breather! Lee Jing-ok paired the warriors of the Xeng tribe with the imperial soldiers and ced them in the middle of the unit. These people,posed in this way, went back and forth between the processions, preventing them from getting lost or going off onto different paths, and quickly finding water sources that the conquering army needed. Thanks to this, the movement speed of the conquering army gradually increased. Chapter 799 Chapter 799: Bloody fight in the jungle (5) After this, warriors from eight additional tribes joined the camp of the conquering army. The tribes of those who had moved to Shinji with Seok and the tribes that were close to them had sent warriors. Please give them a logging certificate as well. Its a friendly gesture. Yes general. ording to Lee Jing-oks orders, logging swords were also provided to warriors from newly joined tribes. The native warriors eyes sparkled as they held the rough but sharp logging des. Although it was slightly shorter and heavier than the macuahuitl they had used up to that time, the sharpness and durability of the de were far ahead. If only I had a sword like this The warriors who joined the conquest army muttered simr words while stroking their logging swords. All of them had the experience of losing their families to the Mesica people who had be entrenched in Mesico Tenochtin. (Note 1) Therefore, their hatred for the Mesica people was beyond imagination. And in order to relieve that hatred, they cooperated with the conquering army with all their might. These strangers can get rid of those Messika bastards! Some of the natives who escaped with Seng returned to their tribes and told stories of the battle between the Mesica warriors and the imperial army. The tribesmen who heard the story of just a few hundred imperial troops killing thousands of Mesika warriors initially thought it was an exaggeration. However, as time passed, rumors heard here and there, and Messikas sudden shrinking movements became evidence that it was likely true. In the end, the tribal leaders, shamans, and surviving warriors decided to unite with the empire. Their advice is correct. I dont know now, but Im sure those Messika guys will strike again soon. Hide a little deeper. The tribes who heard the escapees hid deeper into the jungle. Life would be more difficult, but it was an inevitable choice for survival and for the future. And it was a wise choice. This was because they were able to avoid the tragedy when the smallpox storm was driving Mesica and the surrounding area into tragedy. * * * When the native warriors who joined the conquering army saw the armament and number of the conquering army, they immediately sent messengers to their tribes. These people are strong. And it is providing a lot of help. It is safer to join them. The tribal leaders who heard the warriors message led the tribesmen to join the conquest army. Lee Jing-ok, who received the report, stroked his bushy beard and looked embarrassed. Its good that the number of people who can help has increased, but wont there be a problem with the speed of advance? I dont think there will be much of a problem. And there is also a good thing about it. Lee Jing-oks eyes lit up when one of the staff members answered that it was actually good. Rather good? Please exin in more detail. Anyway, considering the current size of the troops, even if they joined, it would not have increased to the point where it would be a problem. That means it doesnt affect movement speed much. Hmm, thats right. Lee Jing-ok nodded at the words of the aide. It was impossible to move quickly through the jungle without a proper path. Even now, the march of the conquering army stretched almost 5 ri (about 2 km) long. Therefore, as the staff said, it seemed usible that there would be no major problems if the tribesmen joined. On the contrary, the good thing is the cowpox vination. Vination? When they heard the news about cowpox, the first thing they and their party requested was to let their tribesmen release cowpox. That was it. Lee Jing-ok nodded at the staff members exnation. * * * When Seong and his party first arrived at Shinji, the first order given by the governor who met them was to inocte them with cowpox. Seong and his party received Wudu even though they were curious and did not know the English meaning. If I can get their cooperation by getting this right, I should get it right. When time passed and he returned to hear and report on the epidemic of smallpox, the imperial people he had be friends with told Seng and hispanions. Hey~. You wont get smallpox. pock? Thats the curse ced on those Messikas or something. Thats smallpox. And you were hit as soon as you arrived at Shinji, right? Thats the medicine that stops the smallpox. Is that true? then! No one among us gets smallpox after taking that shot. After hearing the story, Seong and his party immediately petitioned Lee Jing-ok. Please give Wudu to our tribes brothers and sisters too! Lee Jing-ok, who received the report at the right time and was writing a report to Hyang, immediately epted their petition. * * * Anyway, I had to go to their tribe to get the cowpox vine. But its actually better that they came directly. It saves us the trouble of wandering through the jungle to find it. Lee Jing-ok nodded at the words of the staff. Right. They say everything in this world has its pros and cons, but there are also good things about it. Then, call Sung Chogwan and hispanions and inform them that the tribesmen will be vinated against cowpox and ask them to help. It doesnt make sense, but if you do it wrong, something bad can happen. yes! General! As soon as Lee Jing-oks order was given, the military doctors and medics belonging to the conquest army were busy. Seong and his party moved actively next to the military doctors and medics. If you hit this, you can stop the curse on those Messika guys! The tribesmen, who were anxious ahead of the cowpox vination, rushed to put out their arms in response to Seongs groups words. If you can stop the curse, you should do it! If there is an army that defeats the Mesica bastards, the shamans and priests will also be stronger than the Mesica bastards! They give it to you, so it has to be right! The military doctors who heard the stories of the natives through Seong and his party smiled bitterly. We are not shamans, butwmakers. Well, isnt itpletely wrong to say that someone who has just be a member of the National Assembly is treated as a senior member? The words, We can stop the curse, seemed to be effective, as the tribesmen and warriors were obediently vinated, and the military doctors were able toplete the vination faster than expected. * * * The conquering army slowly but steadily advanced through the jungle toward Tenochtin. The conquering army, which safely crossed the mountain range blocking the bridgehead and Tenochtin, began to gradually increase its speed. As the conquering army, which had passed the biggest hurdle, gradually increased its speed, the soldiers and native warriors at the forefront became more nervous. Keep in mind that from now on you can run into those damn bastards at any time. Dont forget that if you turn a blind eye even just a little bit, your life will be lost. yes. The soldiers responded to themanders words with tense faces. As it got closer to the Messicans territory, the movement of the vanguard changed slightly. The most capable and experienced native warriors moved in pairs of two or three, about 20 lengths (about 60 meters) and 10 lengths ahead of the vanguard. The task of the indigenous people at the forefront was to fall back immediately upon spotting the enemy and inform the troops. The mission of those who were located about 10 ces behind them was to notify the main camp as soon as the presence of those at the forefront disappeared. Before passing through the mountain range, the scouts had been deployed about 10 times in front, but they had been doubled thick. Behind this twoyered skirmish line were those who led the vanguard. Their task was to open a passage using logging des and ax saws. Right behind them, light trucks and soldiers with long guns were on guard in all directions. If the enemy broke through the skirmish line and made a surprise attack, those pioneering the path at the front would immediately lie down or retreat, and those waiting behind would block the surprise enemy. And behind them was the main camp of the vanguard. Their mission was to organize and expand the opened passages so that the main base in the rear could move properly, and to immediately deploy as reinforcements when a battle broke out on the front lines. * * * As we were getting closer to Tenochtin, the first battle finally began. huh? uh? The soldiers of the conquering army, who were in the midst of pioneering a passage, stopped what they were doing when they saw the native warriors who had been out scouting running towards them. Its already shift time Why Unlike when they had just crossed the mountain range, the soldiers of the conquering army, who were quite rxed, expressed questions, but it was only for a moment. When the soldiers realized what the expressions on the faces of the rushing native warriors meant, they immediately stopped what they were doing and turned around. Its the enemy! Its the enemy! At the shouts of the returning soldiers, the soldiers waiting behind them quickly dispersed in all directions to find cover. At the same time, the returning soldiers found their weapons in a cart parked behind them and hid behind cover. Its rewarding to train so hard. Gwon Hyeok Ahn, who had a pleased expression on his face as he watched his subordinates quickly preparing for battle, soon adjusted his expression and gave an order to his subordinates. Send a messenger. Ready for enemy encounterbat. Yes, Nari. After a while, the messenger paired with the native raced towards the rear. Gwon An, who nced at the back of the messenger who was rushing away, shouted to his subordinates who took cover in all directions. Open your eyes and look in all directions! If you do it wrong, youll get stabbed in the side! After shouting like that, Gwon Ahn took out the rifle he was wearing at his waist, grabbed it, and put the whistle in his mouth. ording to Imperial military doctrine, no shooting was allowed until themander blew his whistle or gave a verbalmand. * * * While the vanguard of the conquering army was preparing for battle, Mesica warriors were also preparing for battle in the jungle on the other side. Even for the Messica warriors, this battle was not what they expected. Not long after the conquering army established a bridgehead, the Messicans also noticed the conquering armysnding. However, when thending of the conquering army was noticed and the troops were prepared, the rainy season had begun. Tenochtin was an area that was not greatly affected by the rainy season due to its location in an alpine area, but the area where the conquering armys bridgehead was located was an area that was strongly influenced by the rainy season. It seemed certain that if we left right now, we would lose more troops during the move than we would lose in battle. Therefore, the Mesica people waited until the rainy season passed. And at the end of the rainy season, the Messicans reassembled their soldiers and entered the jungle. The problem was that the Mesica people, who had once been defeated by the empire, had gathered an unprecedentedlyrge army. They also experienced the same problems that the conquering army experienced. During the battles they fought, they were able to receive supplies along the way by ordering from nearby colonial cities and merchants. ves and apprentice warriors were also mobilized to transport supplies. Thanks to this, the Messika army was able to lighten its body and move quickly. However, the jungle was an area where intermediate supply was impossible. Therefore, the Messicans had to mobilize more ves and apprentice warriors than was customary. Thanks to this, the size of the unit grew several times. Additionally, the level of tools used was also a problem. The logging tools made of stone and bronze were at a poor levelpared to the iron tools used by the empire. Because of this, the Mesicaans encountered the conquering army in their territory. C (Note 1) As I continued to research while writing, I found out that Aztec was a name given byter Western historians. The Aztecs themselves are said to have called them the Messicans. So we change the name. Additionally, I am worried about this title. I dont think there is a right answer. Somewhere Messica and somewhere Mexican Montezuma, Montezuma, Moctezma Its difficult. My head hurts too Chapter 800 Episode 800 Bloody Battle in the Jungle (6) Just as the native warriors belonging to the conquest army discovered the Mesica army, Mesicas scouts also discovered the native warriors. The jaguar warrior leading the scouts immediately gave orders to the lower-ranking warrior. Tell them that you found the people you couldnt find before. yes. When the Jaguar Warrior saw the junior warrior who had received orders heading to the rear, he lightly chewed his mouth. I cant believe Im meeting people here who have been hiding so long that I couldnt find them If I do well, I can rise to the level of Eagle Warrior. We can also wash away the stigma of being the cursed one. The face of the jaguar warrior, who did not hide his desire, was severely intertwined. The jaguar warrior, who was now greedy to capture the native warriors alive, was the one who safely survived the storm of smallpox that hit Mesica. * * * The death rate among Messicans infected with smallpox was more than half. The death rate was very highpared to the mortality rate in Europe and Asia, which was about 30%. Unlike Asians and Europeans who had suffered from smallpox for thousands of years and developed immunity to it, whether they knew it or not, it was the first time the Mesica people and the surrounding indigenous people had experienced the disease. Those who survived were not in good condition either. Some people lost their hearing or vision while suffering from high fever, and many people suffered from intellectual disabilities. Even those who safely endured this danger had their entire bodies entangled. Whether they were lightly entangled or greatly entangled, there was only a difference. They were all entangled. Those with an ugly appearance soon came to be called the cursed. And regardless of gender, age, or status, people were discriminated against. Afterwards, the tribes around the Mesica people faced even more difficult times. In the past, the people the Mesicas mainly targeted were warriors or children. It was intended to reduce the power that could threaten them and to use them as sacrifices. However, after the smallpox epidemic swept through, young women with clear skin were also captured and taken to Tenochtin. This is a spiritual body that has escaped the curse! You must get it for future generations! It was to give birth to children of the Mesica people. * * * Eagle warriors from the rear, who heard the news through a junior warrior, rushed to the front leading the warriors. Where did it go? Its over there. In response to the Eagle Warriors question, the Jaguar Warrior raised his hand and pointed forward. The eagle warriors who saw the direction the jaguar warrior was pointing all nodded. Its auspicious. Its auspicious. The Eagle Warriors were very nervous about meeting the imperial army at any moment as they advanced through the jungle. For these people, the news that they had found a tribe that had been hiding for so long was enough to be considered auspicious. We have enough warriors, so lets attack right away. Thats right. The faster this happens, the better. If you do it wrong, those who notice can hide even deeper. I agree. After reaching an agreement, the eagle warriors began to advance through the jungle, led by a group of jaguar warriors who first discovered the native warriors. In the hope of obtaining the women who had escaped the curse, the Mesica warriors began to push through the jungle with all their might. * * * The Messika warriors, who were pushing through the jungle with all their might, stopped for a moment. At some point, the jungle that was blocking their sight disappeared, and beyond the wide open space, people other than the natives they had targeted were gathered. Those who wore the clothes of strangers who gave them terrible fear and disappeared. omg! Theyre already here! The warriors stopped in fright and immediately turned around. However, they got tangled up with other Messika warriors who were running after them. Right then. Beep! Ta-ta-ta-ta-tang! Tatang! bang! bang! With a loud whistle, the guns of the conquering army soldiers, starting with the light wagon, opened fire all at once. Oops! Ugh! The Messica warriors, who were struggling with those running forward and those trying to run back, were covered in bullets from the conquering army and fell to the ground, covered in blood. profit! They are a minority! Fight! Fight! The Eagle Warriors, cornered in a dead end, decided to fight and pushed the warriors forward. It is a body that can withstand a curse! Fight! lets fight! In response to the eagle warriors fierce fighting, the warriors rushed to the conquering army with the determination to die. It was an inevitable choice for them. For the Mesica warriors, it was shameful to turn ones back on the enemy. In addition, most of the warriors here now were cursed people. If I were to be put in a situation where I was already receiving such unfavorable attention and had to run away from the enemy, I could have lost everything I had umted so far. Therefore, they had no choice but to desperately attack the conquering army. The most desperate of these were the ve soldiers who made up the majority of the lower ss warriors. ve soldiers who achieved meritorious achievements in battle were able to escape their status as ves. If you earned more merit there and became a jaguar warrior, you could receivend and even ves. However, in the opposite case, they would again be ves working on farms or, in the worst case, they would be sacrifices. Because they were in such a dead-end situation, they attacked the conquering army like moths to fire. bang! Tatang! bang! Ta-ta-ta-ta-tang! bang! Quack! With sharp gunshots tearing the air and throwing bombs exploding from all directions, Commander Ahn Kwon continued hismand, shouting at the top of his voice. The barrage on the left is thin! Reinforce the left side! yes! Do not spare your grenades and bullets! Keep in mind that if you dont save it, you will die! yes! Gwon Ahn, who continued hismand by encouraging his subordinates and reinforcing areas where his firepower was weak, soon took a long breath. Whoa~. With this, we have achieved some degree of victory. Thats right. Congrattions, Nari. This is the first victory of the conquering army. Gwon Ahn shook his head at his subordinate Ki Chongs words. The battle is not over yet. Hasty optimism is prohibited. Are the reserves ready? Yes, Nari. The reserve force is the most important in order to properly dominate this battle. Please check again. Yes, Nari. At Gwon Ahns order, Ki Chong turned around to check the situation of the reserve unit. Kwon Ahn, who sat down on the drivers seat of the cart used as a temporarymand center, muttered softly as he surveyed the battlefield. It would be best not to mobilize the reserve forces but if we do our best, it will be possible. Gwon Ahn began to secretly be greedy for the honor of being themander who won the first battle of the conquest army. Gwon-gwan Ahn, who was smiling slightly as he imagined his name appearing in a report that would be sent not only to Hyang, the situation, but also to Wan, the emperor, jumped up from his seat and screamed. Where are the idiots who leave the right side empty when they tell us to strengthen the left side! right! Reinforce the right side again! Yes yes sir! While Gwon Ahn was rushing around dreaming of victory, the Eagle Warriorsmanding the Messika warriors on the other side were looking desperate. I was in too much of a hurry Greed blinded me I wasnt in a hurry The eagle warriors currentlymanding the battlefield were regretting their hasty decisions. I had to notify themter and then wait for support. * * * As soon as they received the report that they had discovered the natives, the Eagle Warriors sent a messenger to the rear to inform them of this and immediately moved to the front. Afterwards, out of a desire to catch the natives, they decided to attack right away. This was their decisive mistake. The Messicans were also aware of the arrival of the conquering army and believed that the conquering army would move once the rainy season ended. And the soldiers were gathered together and moved to intercept this conquering army. Because of the mountain range in the middle, the travel route was extremely limited. Since many soldiers had to move there, it was possible to predict which way the conquering army woulde. Therefore, the Messica army chose the expected route for the conquest army to move. It was an excellent choice up to this point. In reality, the conquering army moved along the route predicted by the Messicans. However, their critical mistake was overlooking the moving speed of the conquering army. The Mesica people pioneered the jungle with blunt stone tools or bronze tools and transported most supplies, including food, using human power. However, the conquering armies pioneered the jungle using logging tools made of high-quality steel. The transportation of supplies was also done using carts pulled by horses and donkeys. In addition, contrary to the expectations of the Messicans, the conquest army came much closer than the Messicans had expected, thanks to leaving the beachhead before the end of the rainy season. Because they did not expect this, the Eagle Warriors made a fatal mistake. Even bted regrets did not change the hopeless situation. In the end, the eagle warriors beckoned nearby warriors and called them to order. Go to headquarters immediately and report their arrival. I also tell them to prepare well. yes. The lower-level warriors who heard the eagle warriors orders immediately disappeared into the jungle. The eagle warriors who sent the messenger took up their weapons and jumped into the battlefield. * * * Beep! Beep beep! Stop shooting! Stop shooting! After hearing Gwon Ahns whistle sound, the soldiers took their hands off the trigger to stop shooting. Clear the battlefield! Search for enemy survivors! Under orders from Gwon An andmanders, the soldiers of the conquest army paired up and searched the battlefield. The soldiers searched for survivors, prodding the fallen Messika soldiers with bays on their long rifles. To be precise, it was not a search, but rather a killing of the Messika wounded who were still alive. It was a very cruel act, but the soldiers of the conquering army had no hesitation. The reason they volunteered for the conquest army was to punish the Mesica people whomitted human sacrifice and cannibalism, which were outrageous acts for human beings. Gwon An, who was watching the soldiers actions with a slightly frowning expression, gave an order to Gwan Cho standing behind him. If I were the enemymander, I would definitely send a messenger to the rear. Tell them to send out the native warriors again to monitor the enemys movements. Yes, Nari. Following Gwon Ans orders, the native warriors began to move with logging swords. Kaaak~. Tsk! The native warriors spat on the corpse of a Mesica warrior who had fallen nearby, and then retreated into the jungle, silencing their footsteps. * * * At the same time, Lee Jing-ok, who was in the rear, received a report from a messenger sent from the vanguard unit. So you won? Thats right. Thank goodness. How much damage is there? They say there are only a few minor injuries. Thats good news. Do you have anything to add? There is a high possibility that there will be a full-scale attack by the enemy, so fire support is needed. That is highly likely. Lee Jing-ok nodded his head in agreement and ordered the messenger. Tell them I will prepare it and send it to you right away. Go. Yes General! After hearing Lee Jing-oks order, the messenger gave a military salute and ran toward the vanguard again. Its finally starting. Lee Jing-ok, who looked at the location of Seonbong for a moment, soon gathered his staff. Chapter 801 Episode 801: Bloody Battle in the Jungle (7) While Lee Jing-ok was organizing a reinforcement unit consisting mainly of military-type wagons and Bigyeokjincheonroe Japanese-style firebox units and sending them to the vanguard, themanders of the Messika Army were listening to the news brought by the messenger. Good work. Join the other warriors in the main camp. yes. After sending out the messenger, Ab Zfu Achatsuku Okan, the generalmander of the Messica Army, looked back at his subordinatemanders. It seems like the Korean warriors arrived sooner than we expected. What should I do? When Admiral Ahn Sang-soo met Montezuma I, the admiral introduced himself as the naval admiral of the Korean Federal Empire. In a situation where both sides could notmunicate, the Messicans began to refer to the empire as Daehan. Although it was a coincidence, it was the Messians who found the closest answer. The subordinatemanders could not immediately answer Okans question. Many of them were survivors of the bloody battle of Tenochtin and those who survived the curse. They could not give an easy answer because they were the ones who experienced and survived the empires terrifying firepower. In the end, the first person to speak was one of those who had never experiencedbat at the time. ording to the messengers report, the number of Korean warriors does not exceed 2,000. The number of our warriors now exceeds 40,000, so wouldnt it be a good idea to join forces? Survivors countered the belligerent remarks calling for a battle. The problem is their weapons. Their weapons enable one warrior to do the work of more than ten men. I agree. Their weapons are the problem. Warlikemanders opposed the survivors opposition. So are you going to turn your back and run away? If we leave here, it will be Tenochtin. If we show our bad side, the xcaltecs will attack us! youre right! As the militants raised their voices, the survivors also raised their voices. We know full well that Tenochtin is right behind us! But its foolish to insist on fighting unconditionally! x Caltech? Compared to those great warriors, they are nothing! While the militants and survivors raised their voices and fought, the prudentists who had been watching quietly moved. We also heard about their weapons. Tenochtin and its vicinity are open areas. Maybe thats why it showed such power? huh? What does that mean? From what I heard in Tenochtin, I believe their weapons are simr to powerful bows or catapults. Isnt it? Hmm In response to the cautious question, Okan and the survivors looked back on their memories for a moment and nodded. I guess you could say they are simr. Definitely. The cautious group weighed in on the reactions of Okan and the survivors. The bow doesnt do much in that jungle. Its useful in hunting or small-scale battles, but doesnt it actually put you behind in a big battle? Thats right Okan nodded. In a battle whererge armies on both sides of the Pia gathered together, the bow had the role of inflicting damage to the enemy by firingrge quantities from a long distance. But it wasnt easy in the jungle. Even if they were fired inrge quantities, the jungle trees became a natural barrier. That wasnt all. In a jungle filled with lush trees, closebat was bound to ur naturally, and bows were vulnerable to closebat. Seeing Okans positive response, the cautiousists gained momentum. If their weapons are like powerful bows, they wont be as effective in the jungle. So were taking advantage of that. The survivors again raised a counterargument to the words of the cautiousists. Of course you can. But their weapons are very powerful. If you do it wrong, you can suffer great losses. Although they were still opposing, the survivors spirit had waned slightly. In response to the survivors opposition, prudentialists pointed out a problem. We are aware of the problem. If you do it wrong, it can cause great damage. But consider this. This is the first battle. If you avoid battle and show your back from the first battle, the morale of your warriors will drop significantly. No, they will look at us funny. You have to consider that many of the Jaguar warriors and lesser warriors came from ves. . Both the militants and the survivors fell silent with serious expressions upon the criticisms of the prudentists. * * * The points made by the prudentialists were reality. The lower-level warriors of the Mesica army were primarilymoners graduated from Telpochkali (Military School in Mesica). However, frequent wars of conquest led to the exhaustion of soldiers, and the Messicans used captive ves as soldiers. Of course, a rebellion could ur, so officer-level prisoners were used as sacrifices. If you umted merit on the battlefield, you were promoted from ve tomoner. If you umted more merit, you were promoted to jaguar warrior and provided withnd and ves. In response to thispensation from the Messicans, the ve soldiers showed a strong will to fight, and the Messicans pushed more ves into the army. The problem was that this policy was slowly starting to show problems. As more and more Jaguar warriors emerged, they began to unite into one force. Themoners and nobles of Mesica could rise to the level of eagle warrior, but the jaguar warrior was the limit for soldiers from ves. The problem was the number. They were Jaguar warriors who had suddenly be the core of the Messika army. That is why prudentialists mentioned this issue. If they retreated immediately without fighting, there was a good chance that the Jaguar Warriors would change their minds. * * * Of course, you can fight, lose, and retreat. But in that case, the number of jaguar warriors will also be reduced, so it can be controlled. Okan and themanders, regardless of faction, all nodded to the cautiousists further exnation. In the end, Okan made a decision. It would be a good idea to stick together first. But you shouldnt use all your might. Lets just push in about 1/3 and look at their strengths and weaknesses. And even if they are defeated, they do not retreat right away. We do our best to tie their feet. Call the messengers. yes. When the messengers arrived, Okan gave them a mission. Immediately go to other units and tell them that Korean warriors areing here. And tell him toe here as quickly as possible. yes. Okan, who had sent out the messengers with a mission, looked at themanders. Then lets figure out how to fight them. * * * About half an hour (about an hour) after the end of the first battle, the native warriors who had entered the jungle returned once again and announced the enemys approach. How many enemies? In response to Gwon Ahns question, the native military officer and the native warriors who served as interpreters talked for a long time. The native military teacher, who ended the conversation by repeatedly nodding his head, reported to Gwon Ahn. They say at least thousands. At least thousands. I couldnt check properly because the trees were so thick, but they say its at least thousands. Okay. great job. Then tell them to prepare for battle. yes. After finishing the conversation, Gwon An gave orders to his subordinate officers. Check your preparations again. Yes, Nari. As the subordinate officers who received the order were scattered in all directions, Gwon An called a messenger and gave orders. Tell the artillery unit that the enemy is approaching again. Yes, Nari. Gwon An, who sent the messenger, sighed lightly. Whoa~. Its fortunate that reinforcements arrived in time. The unit that followed Gwon Ahn immediately sent reinforcements, and an additional heavy weapons unit under Lee Jing-oks orders arrived. As the number of troops increased, the defense of the vanguard became more solid. The formation, shaped like an arrowhead aimed at the jungle, was able to reinforce the nks that had been problematic in the first battle. The advance route, which was like the body of an arrow, had troops deployed on the left and right, ready to block the enemys diversionary attack. With the defense strengthened in this way, Gwon An heaved a sigh of relief. Although his face looked much more rxed than in the first battle, Gwon Ahn never rxed. Dont forget to fire the new weapon as soon as I give the order. Yes, Nari. Gwon An, who gave instructions again to the soldier in charge of contacting the artillery unit located in the rear, again held the rifle in his hand and shouted in a loud voice. Never pull the trigger before the whistle blows! Yes, Nari! While listening to his subordinates answers, Gwon Ahn put a whistle in his mouth. At that moment, soldiers shouts erupted from the front. Its the enemy! At the shouts of the soldiers, Gwon Ahn climbed onto the drivers seat of the carriage. At the sight of Messika warriors emerging from the jungle beyond the clearing in front of him, Gwon Ahn blew his whistle as hard as he could. Beep! Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-tang! As soon as the whistle sounded, the soldiers pulled the trigger. * * * The battle thatsted until the sun tilted to the west was literally a bloody battle. Unlike the first battle, therge-scale Messica army continued to push forward due to its numbers. Thanks to this, we were able to push in right in front of the conquering armys trench lines several times. What saved the Mesicas from the danger of their defense line being breached were the boxcars and artillery located right behind the vanguard. Every time a soldier under the order of Gwon An fired a gun, the guns created a wall of fire in the jungle in front of the defense line. While the barrage of artillery blocks the additional forces of the Mesica army, the armored fire wagons and armored light wagons positioned at the trench line dispose of the Messica warriors who were right in front of them. A small number of Messica warriors broke through the wall of shells and bullets and jumped into the conquering armys trench line to engage in closebat, but were dealt with by the officers single-shot guns. In the end, the Mesica people, suffering huge losses, disappeared into the jungle again. There are some losses in this battle. After all, there is no business in cramming a limited number of people into a limited space? Lee Jing-ok could not hide his regret after hearing the report that the vanguard unit had suffered a considerable loss of life. Just like the old Ming Dynasty guys, those who push with their numbers are very disgusting! Lee Jing-ok, who was tired of thinking about the battle he had fought against the Ming Dynasty in Liaodong, immediately began issuing the following orders. This battle has caused damage to the vanguard unit, so we will rece the unit! And in this weather, there could be an epidemic, so cremate the bodies right away! yes! Dont forget the report! yes! * * * Meanwhile, Okan, who was observing the battle from a distance, gave orders to his subordinatemanders. As expected, it is impossible to fight head-on. Ill do my best to hold back. yes. Afterwards, the Messica army chose a method simr to modern guerri warfare. The Messika army, divided into dozens of units, scattered throughout the jungle and began harassing the conquering army. The Messica army, ambushed in the jungle, either killed the indigenous warriors of the conquering army who were scouting or attacked the moving soldiers of the conquering army and fled. Every time there was a surprise attack by the Messika Army, the conquering army had to stop moving and the pace of advance gradually slowed down. In the end, Lee Jing-ok made a decision. Prepare the raiders. Yes General! Soon after, a group of imperial special forces and native warriors escaped from the conquering army camp and melted into the jungle. The imperial troops who had melted into the jungle hadpound bows in their hands, and their traditional weapons were filled with swords. Chapter 802 Episode 802: Bloody Battle in the Jungle (8) The Dark Force was an entity that was born through past wars. In thest Light War, Joseon overwhelmed the Ming in many fields. The capabilities of the Joseon army in the battle between the Joseon and Ming armies were great, but there were more things that the Mingmanders were afraid of. Among them, the famous ones were the Chakho Musketeers. Equipped with special rifles and special ammunition produced at the arsenal in Area 51 Cter adopted as standard ammunition for military rifles C the musketeers went into hiding in groups of two or four into the Liaodong and Tianshan Mountains. The hidden musketeers faithfully carried out their missions of scouting, reconnaissance, and sniping. Thanks to this, more than one Ming armymander lost his life to bulletsing from unknown sources even though he was not on the front line. The Imperial Army, having had fun with the assigned musketeers, steadily strengthened the equipment of the assigned musketeers. First, the vernier aiming device was reced with a monocr telescope. Because there were still performance limitations, the monocr was almost as long as the barrel of the gun, but the capabilities of the attached musketeers had developed into more lethal ones. Although the Imperial Army had fun as the Commander-in-Chief, they still felt inadequate. It would be nice to have a unit that could go a little deeper and carry out operations Even if the musketeer unit moves as much as possible, it has a limit of 4 people. We need a unit that can move on arger scale. -A unit that can move secretly like a musketeer, but can go deeper into enemy territory and move inrger groups. This was the new unit the imperial army wanted. Although the overall size was small, the undercover corps was created as a unit that could move on arger scale than the musketeer corps. The undercover team, which means moving secretly and inflicting fatal blows, had to go through a strict process starting from the selection of personnel. Among the soldiers who had at least the rank of Jinmu (modern sergeant or sergeant) or higher, they were selected with the support of those with outstanding intelligence, physical strength, endurance, andbat ability. The most important part of the screening process to select the best person was the training provided by the Chakho Musketeers. Because the Armys higher-ups were the best at moving secretly, the upper echelons of the army handed over candidates to the Commanders Musketeers. The applicants who were handed over in this way had toplete the training course of the Chakho Musketeers. The training of the Chakho Musketeers, which originated from hunters who hunted tigers, the most powerful beast in Northeast Asia, was harsh, and the instructors mercilessly singled out unsuitable personnel. The reason the instructors did this was because of their pride and thepensation given by the upper echelons of the army. The upper echelons of the Army promised that 1/4 of those who passed the training would be assigned to the musketeer battalion. Being able to secure talent suited to the characteristics of the unit in a timely manner was not a loss for the Chakho Musketeers. The Imperial Army, which was trying to put into operation the ambush squad created in this way, soon realized the problem. -Soundless weapons are needed! As long as one used gunpowder, whether it was a sniper rifle or a rifle, one could not escape the shackles of heavy drinking. The gunfire was so loud that a joke circted that it was not a joke: If you fire just one shot, there is no one within 5 ri (about 2 km) in any direction who knows that a gun has been fired. Of course, Hyang had a solution for this. It was a silenced gun used by Milwi. However, the silenced gun Milwi used was a weapon that could only be used with one shot. Due to the nature of the organization called Milwi, the goal was to inflict as many fatal injuries as possible, from as close a distance as possible, with as little noise as possible. Thanks to this, Milwis silenced gun didnt look like a gun at all and the firing sound was extremely quiet. In return for securing such performance, the reloading process was extremelyplicated, making it a weapon that could fire only one shot. Therefore, the county modified a military rifle and developed a five-shot silenced rifle that uses bullets from a single gun. It was a simr-looking item to the De Lisle Carbine, which was developed and widely used by the British during World War II. Herees something I really like. Whatever Even after deciding to re-recruit, the Armys greed remained. The Gap-style silent gun is a good product, but its range cannot exceed 20 shots (approximately 60m). And in order to properly demonstrate its power, it must be contained within 10 chapters. We need something with a slightly longer range. Hyang, who was slightly annoyed by the armys response of shouting A little more!, took on the homework. Then you guys try making it. Even if I make it as best as I can, its all whining and shit! The Army, which was tasked with this task, soon found the answer by selecting talented people who were known for their intelligence. The answer that the gathered talented people came up with after much deliberation was bow. To be exact, it was a square bow. Its also small. Its even scarier if you fly far away and use a side story. Its good, right? Thats right! Talented people who found the answer reported it to their superiors. The higher-ups who received the answer looked embarrassed. Gakbow? Thats okay But you guys. You probably dont know why King Taejo opposed the conquest of Liaodong, right? Ah When Choi Young decided to conquer Liaodong, one of the reasons why Lee Seong-gye opposed it was the problem of the bow. -The time of conquest and the rainy season ovep. If this happens, the bow will absorb moisture and be unusable! Yes, but the bow is the only answer for now. Thats not true In the end, the upper echelons of the army had no choice but to ask Hyang for help. What Hyang came up with at the Armys request was the Compound Bow. I will make a bow out of iron. Will there be any problems? The pce mayors of Area 51 who received Hyangs question scratched their heads. The iron bow is familiar, but its shape is unfamiliar. Joseon made various attempts to rece rhinoceros horn, the key material for each bow. The iron bow was one of them. The problem was its shape. After some trial and error, thepound bow was revealed, and the army that tested it was very satisfied and immediately adopted it and issued it to the army. * * * The undercover unit that entered the jungle under orders from Lee Jing-ok was not part of the conquest army, but was a unit directly under the imperial army. Give me the firing squad! Give it all! Everything is impossible To prepare for the unexpected, Lee Jing-ok requested an undercover brigades, and the Imperial Army selected 1/3 of the undercover brigades and handed them over to Lee Jing-ok. In this way, the members of the undercover squad who arrived at Shinji epted thepound bow that Hyang had once again modified. It was a lighter and strongerpound bow. The members of the undercover team looked excited as they received the new equipment. When will Ipete? I wish I couldpete soon. Even after arriving at the beachhead, the raiders did not remain still. The assassination team went through the nearby jungle in the name of training. The members of the assassination brigades who roamed through the jungle were asionally able to contact the natives. I dont know if this is an enemy or an ally The members of the undercover team, who knew that the natives, including Seong, had set out to bring theirpatriots, were unable to attack right away. This was because there was a high possibility that it was their ally. In the end, the members of the assassination team who made contact with the natives quietly followed them. This is the best training! Dont forget. If you are caught, you will definitely be sent to the beachhead. * * * The indigenous warriors who hid in the jungle with the undercover brigades changed their view of the undercover brigades over time. When they first entered the jungle, the native warriors who saw the assault brigades holding bows scoffed. You use a bow in that forest? You dont know the forest! What are you going to do with such a small bow? Both the bows used by the natives and the Mesica people wererger than the bows used by the ambushers. However, due to the material, it was not that powerful. Because of this, the native warriors looked down on the bows carrying the ambushers. But over time, the native warriors had to change their judgment. What the heck The members of the assassination team, who thought they didnt know much about the jungle, moved as well as they did. Native warriors were excellent at things like finding drinking water sources. Searching for signs of the enemies, the Mesicas, was difficult. However, the most frightening thing about the members of the undercover team was that if they hid, it would be difficult to find them. When the members of the undercover brigades made up their minds and started moving secretly, even the native warriors could not be found properly. After looking around for a while, I saw members of the assassination team appearing in apletely unexpected ce. These secretive raiders soon became a nightmare for the Mesica people. * * * Shh! Oops! A Messica warrior who was moving to stop the conquering army heading toward Tenochtin suddenly let out a short scream and fell to the ground. At that moment, the Messika warriors around them covered themselves with their shields and began to look in all directions. What the hell! How The Messika warriors, looking in all directions, could not hide their bewilderment. The warrior who had just died was located in the center of the camp. It became difficult to find the enemys location as the soldier in the middle, neither at the front nor at the back, was attacked. Shh! Shh! Shhh! Tsk! Once again, with the sound of the wind breaking, several warriors lost their lives at the same time. The faces of the surviving Messika warriors were filled with fear. With this attack, I realized that there were not just one or two enemies. No, I could tell that I was surrounded. But the scary thing was that I couldnt see where they were. What was even scarier was that the arrows fired by the unknown enemy were powerful enough to prate the shield and take ones life. The Messika warriors, unable to ovee their fear, began to slowly retreat. Shhh! As theirrades fell again with the sound of the wind ripping, the surviving Messika warriors immediately turned their backs and started running backwards. evil! Ahh! My feet! My feet! However, before they could go about 10 yards (about 30 meters), the warriors grabbed their feet and rolled on the ground. And then he screamed again. evil! Ahh! What made the fleeing Messika warriors scream was the caltrops that had been sprayed in advance by the Assault Team members. His foot was pricked by a caltrop thorn, and as he fell, the caltrop thorn got stuck in other parts of his body, and he screamed from the pain. The Messika warriors who were stranded while running away lost their lives to the indigenous warriors who pursued them. * * * As time passed, the Mesica Armys headquarters also began to sense abnormalities. It seems like something is wrong. At Okans words, the subordinate officers and Eagle Warriors nodded with serious faces. About 100 surprise teams consisting of 15 people entered the jungle to stop the Korean warriors. They were to withdraw immediately if the surprise attack was sessful and return to the base to receive supplies. If those who went out did not return, they would have been killed by Korean warriors. In nning this strategy, Okan set the return rate extremely low. However, it was not a loss as their deaths could hinder the Korean warriors. The problem was a report sent by a scout some time ago. Although the return rate of the raiding team was greatly reduced, the movement speed of the warriors did not decrease significantly. Chapter 803 Episode 803: Bloody Battle in the Jungle (9) It seems like the Korean warriors found out about our trick and found a way. At Akons words, the subordinate officers looked at him with great nervousness. Akon continued speaking while looking at the jungle. As warriors, we are definitely pushed back when we face each other head-on. So, like a jaguar hiding in the jungle, I hid and targeted them. And it seems to have worked. You mean Their weapons are as noisy as they are strong. Like the sound of thunder in the sky. But these days, such sounds are rarely heard. This means they dont use those weapons. What do you think this means? . The subordinates answered Archons question with silence. In times like this, not answering anything was the basic way to behave. Akon continued speaking with a grin. They say there is something wrong with the weapons of the Korean warriors. In other words, we suffered the loss of a significant number of the warriors we sent out, but they suffered even greater losses. ah! The subordinates faces brightened at Akons words. Clearly, the weapons used by the enemies were powerful and made a loud noise like thunder. When the warriors were first sent out into ambush, loud noises continued to sound as if the jungle was leaving. However, as time went by, the noises became less frequent and were now heard only asionally. The number of raiding teams sent out by the Mesicas returning was decreasing. However, a significant number of the raiding teams returned safely, and the Mesicaans filled up the number of raiding teams that had been consumed and sent them out again. In this situation, the noise made by the enemies weapons was decreasing, which meant that the enemies were unable to use their weapons or that there was a problem with the weapons. The subordinates realized what Akons words meant and began to fire up their fighting spirit again. Then are you going to face it again? Akon shook his head in response to his subordinates question. No, there is some danger, so I avoid direct confrontation. Moves like a jaguar. Are you going to increase the number of raid teams? simr. Akon paused for a moment and exined his n. -ording to the messenger, 30,000 additional warriors will arrive within a few days. -Let the 30,000 warriors guard the entrance to the jungle, then divide the warriors into two groups and enter the jungle. -We nk the enemy in the jungle while the newly arrived warriors deal with the Korean warriors. One of Akons subordinates who heard of Akons n pointed out a problem. Its a good trick, but will the new arrivals really want to do that? The subordinates point was reasonable. Looking at the decrease in sounds as loud as thunder, it was clear that there was a problem with the weapons used by the enemy Korean warriors. But even though the thunder had subsided, it was still there. This meant that not all weapons used by the enemy were problematic. In that case, those who face the enemy head-on must be prepared to suffer great losses. Akon responded to his subordinates point with a wry smile. They will actually step forward to take on that mission. Because its a warrior. The subordinates gritted their teeth at Akons words. * * * Archon, who had retreated after his first defeat, sent out an ambush team and at the same time requested support from other Mesica armies. At that time, a messenger who had been to another unit came back with a reply other than I will arrive as soon as possible. It was an usation of Akons retreat and guerri warfare. -There may be defeat. However, it is unbing of a Messika warrior to retreat immediately after losing or tounch an ambush or surprise attack. Akon gritted his teeth upon hearing this criticism. These guys are just casually hunting for sacrifices! Not worthy of a warrior? under! The Messicans did not always face each other proudly. No, rather, the battle was thest thing to take ce. Long before the battle, Mesicas disguised as merchants would sneak into enemy cities and divide the leadership or spread rumors, greatly undermining the enemys strength, and then deploying troops. The only time the Mesicas attacked with confidence was when they were dealing with smaller tribes that were much weaker than them. He was angry because he was an Archon who knew this well. * * * Since they are the ones who emphasize their warrior-like qualities, they will naturally take the brunt of it. So dont worry about that part. Archon answered confidently and muttered to himself. Or you can just make it that way. The subordinates, reassured by Akons confident answer, began to n how to move. Meanwhile, in the jungle about 50 yards (approximately 150m) away from Akons camp, a group of raiders and indigenous warriors were quietly hiding and observing the movements of the Messika warriors. They were the ones who came here in pursuit of the returning Messika ambush team. This is their base. Shall we go in and cause some trouble? At his subordinates words, Kang-seop, the first officer inmand, shook his head slightly. no. It just observes the movement and returns. The subordinate looked slightly disappointed by Kang Chu-gwans decision. This must be boring. Kang Cho-gwan responded to his subordinatesints with a chuckle. Look at those kids. Does it look like you have something to y with? I guess so. To Kang Cho-gwans point, his subordinate, who was examining the Messicans camp with a monocle, responded in a downcast voice. And you didnt even bring any kindling? I guess so. One of the missions of the undercover brigades was to infiltrate enemy territory and inflict a serious blow to the enemys firepower. And in the current situation where gunpowder weapons have bemon, the best thing to do was to blow up the enemys gunpowder and ammunition stores. And what was made for this purpose was the fire arrow, nicknamed fire starter. * * * sh-and-burn warfare already existed even before the underarmed forces began using it. However, Hyang modified this sh-and-burn method for the sake of the undercover raiders. In the past, a gunpowder was a bag containing a mixture of gunpowder and sulfur wrapped around a long gun. Then, the wick inserted into this pocket was lit and then fired. However, incense greatly strengthened the power of this sh and burn attack. Firecrackers made of the appropriate size and weight to be mounted on a reload C they were firecrackers in name only, they were dynamites C were inserted into the shaft of the arrow like a skewer. And a cone-shaped arrowhead was attached. Inside the conical arrowhead was a contact fuse. In other words, if the safety pin attached to the arrowhead was removed and the bow was fired, it would explode the moment it hit the target. The problem was that it was not just ck gunpowder, but firecrackers. The militarymanders who saw the first demonstration of the sh-and-burn technique, which was named Eulsik sh-and-burn rice cooker, said to Hyang: You mean blowing it up rather than setting it on fire? Are you not sure about the effect? Thats true, but Then shall we cancel? Oh no! How can you just throw that away! In this way, the Eulsikhwajeon was adopted as a weapon exclusively used by undercover soldiers. In the process, the armymanders all whispered like this. Those who fall victim to this will curse at us again. Hes a guy who doesnt know the extent of things. What can I do? That is our imperial army. Because its my nature to like things that explode Whether the armymanders were whispering or not, Hyang muttered as he organized the reports rted to Eulsikhwajeon. They say the only thing scarier than apatible mama is a video * * * On the third day since the Assassination Team members and native warriors secretly ambushed and observed the Messicans camp, reinforcements from the Messicans arrived. These are reinforcements. Kang Cho-gwan, who was resting crouched on one side, immediately came to his senses at the whisper of his subordinate and crawled forward. Once Kang Cho-gwan was seated, the subordinate handed over the monocle and continued speaking. Its a significant number. Right. Lets see Kang Cho-gwan looked at the newly arrived Messicans through his monocle and examined the size of the reinforcements. Lets see I think the guys following behind me are porters and the fighters are hmm about 30,000? I guess thats about it. A subordinate next to Kang Cho-gwan asked what he said. Are you going toe back and report right away? Hmm After thinking for a moment, Kang Cho-gwan looked back at his subordinate. Then divide the group into two. You take half the group and go back and report. Ill have to take a closer look here before returning. All right. Then we will return as soon as possible. Like that. ah! Dont forget to y it cool. yes. The undercover squad, which specializes in moving and operating secretly, left various marks to reveal their own routes and information. The ng term for this type of sign was shichimi. It was taken from the sichimi that was attached to the leg of a hunting falcon to identify which one it was. Even while half of the men were leaving, Kang Cho-gwan put the monocle to his eye and inspected the enemy lines. * * * Good! Well take over that mission! Themander of the newly arrived unit heard Akons operation and responded coolly. After all, a warrior must be proud! To be a warrior, you must fight proudly face to face and gain victory! Akon smiled and epted his generous words. Then please take care of me. I will move right away. It takes time to move in the jungle. Do it! Akon, who came out, smiled and looked towards where the newly arrivedmander was. A warrior must be proud? Thats funny There was a reason for Akons ridicule. Among the customs of the Mesicas was fighting between captured warriors and Messica warriors. The problem is that the Macuahuitl used by the Mesica people had a proper obsidian de, but the one used by the prisoners was without a de. And instead of fighting in equal numbers, the number of Messica warriors was much greater. Knowing that tradition, Archonughed at the reinforcementmander. And there were other reasons as well. When Archon first suggested it, the reinforcementmander was slightly hesitant. ording to what our warriors have scouted, it appears that there are many problems with the enemys weapons. Theres a problem? As soon as he heard Akons exnation, the reinforcementmanders attitude immediately changed. * * * As each task was divided, the Messicans immediately began to move. Kang Cho-gwan, who watched the movement, quietly looked back at the remaining people. Let us move too. Kang Cho-gwan and his party, on their way home, moved quickly while maintaining secrecy. What helped them the most in their return was the foolishness left behind by those who left first and the other groups undercover team members. Thanks to the fact that they moved while confirming the foolishness, Kang Cho-gwan and his party were able to quickly return and exin the situation to Lee Jing-ok. After hearing Kang Chu-gwans report, Lee Jing-ok muttered while stroking his bushy beard. Things are getting fun. Chapter 804 Episode 804: Bloody fight in the jungle (10) Lee Jing-ok, who was silent for a moment, soon sent a messenger to gather his subordinatemanders. Those guys who are going to do the martial arts are trying another trick. At Lee Jing-oks words, the expressions of subordinatemanders, especially those in charge of the vanguard, hardened. It was because of the memories of the hardships of being stranded in ambushes by the Messicans over and over again. The unfamiliar natural environment of the jungle brought about an instinctive fear in the soldiers. As the Mesica peoples surprise attack was added, the mental fatigue of the soldiers rose rapidly. Fortunately, the soldiers fatigue was significantly reduced as the undercover squad came out and hunted down the Messicans. However, without the undercover brigades, many soldiers would have been expelled from the military due to mental fatigue. Because of this, the expressions of themanders of the vanguard units hardened. Lee Jing-ok looked at the expressions of themanders and continued speaking. It looks like they are trying to use hammer and anvil tactics. To summarize Lee Jing-oks words, they were as follows. -The total size of the Messicans is estimated to be about 60,000. However, this is a minimum estimate. -The Messians divided it into two groups. -Of the two groups, one of them is preparing to block the front of our path with about 30,000. Another group is moving with the intention of striking our right nk. Its definitely a hammer and anvil tactic, but One of the subordinatemanders who heard Lee Jing-oks exnation raised a counterargument. For this tactic to be sessful, the Hammer must be quick. But most of them are infantrymen, so would they be able to move quickly? Its a stupid choice for us, so Im d, but Im worried that this might be a trap. Thats a good point. Lee Jing-ok responded to the subordinatemanders point by nodding and shared his thoughts. I think there are three main reasons why the enemymander thought of this operation. Lee Jing-ok shared his reasoning as to why the enemy nned this operation. -The enemys feet are slow, but our feet are rtively fast. And the jungle is the best shield to cover our eyes. They dont have to take a long detour by using the natural barrier called the jungle, and since we move quickly, they can aim for our nks if they move just a little diligently. -These are people who have already experienced our firepower firsthand. Now that you know some of the pros and cons, you may want to focus yourrge force on one point on the nk and attack them. Finally, it is clear that they have no choice but to divide their forces. The most likely thing is that themanders of both groups are of the same rank. Since there are two heads in one body, they probably thought it would be better to split the body into two. It would be icing on the cake if the rtionship between the twomanders wasnt good. Hmm. Lee Jing-ok paused for a moment and thought about his words before continuing in a confident tone. Its clear that the twomanders dont have a good rtionship. Otherwise, those who have already experienced our firepower would not have divided their hands equally. Themanders all nodded at Lee Jing-oks words. Then how will you respond? Lee Jing-ok gave a short answer to the subordinatemanders question. Simple. Break the anvil and reverse the siege and annihte. Lee Jing-ok exined his n. -They think their anvil is solid. No, even if they werent strong, they probably nned this strategy with the expectation that it would give them time to attack our nks. -But we have never mobilized all the firepower we have. -From now on, we will do our best to move the artillery forward. We also divide our forces into two. -Concentrate the firepower of the artillery to destroy the anvil in front, then mobilize your troops to break through. -The troops that broke through the anvil annihte the remaining troops of the anvil and at the same time turn around and pursue the bypassing enemies. -The remaining troops form a defensive line in front of the bypassing enemy to defend against the enemys offensive and at the same time apply counter pressure. -The units that form the defense line operate around military-style wagons. Simply put, it is a fight over which is stronger, the anvil they have or the anvil we have. Whoever has the harder anvil wins. Surely our anvil wont get any softer? Themanders responded with a wry smile to Lee Jing-oks joking question. Is that possible? good! Lee Jing-ok, satisfied with his subordinates confident and life-filled answers, continued. The anvil is an anvil, but we are stronger than the hammer. Because the ce where the enemys anvil is located is a in that spreads out in front of the jungle. If we just break the anvil, we can use our cart properly. Once we can use the cart properly, we will be able to properly hit the back of the heads of those who are targeting our side. Themanders all nodded at Lee Jing-oks words. Did everyone understand? yes! Then lets divide the troops. * * * While Lee Jing-ok was busy reorganizing his troops, Akon was also reviewing the strategy with his subordinates in the jungle. Do you keep moving as a group? Yes. Korean warriors are spread out more widely than you might think. For both sides to attack together, their hands and feet must work well together, but in this situation, messengers cannot be used properly. Ah The subordinates all nodded at Akons exnation. Akon continued his exnation. And didnt you see the weapons used by Korean warriors? There is a gap in between. You have to rush in the warriors without missing that moment. To do that, you need to have enough warriors. Thats why we didnt share it. okay. As expected, Archon! Receiving praise from his subordinates, Akon again exined the changes in future operations. After understanding the strategy, the subordinates returned to their units and Archon, who was left alone, muttered softly. This war was a lost war from the beginning. Akon sensed defeat. The weapons that the Korean warriors had were much more powerful and lethal than their own weapons. It seems like there is a problem with their weapons now, but any thoughtfulmander would have had a reasonable amount of spare weapons. Because he would have done the same. It was clear that the reason they did not use such spare weapons was because they judged that they could withstand the current situation with just what they had. After all, he would have done the same. But now it was a decisive battle. If the enemymander had any intention, it was certain that he would take out all the weapons he had stored away. In that case, it was certain that all those idiots blocking the entrance to the jungle would die. In that case, the right answer was to take as many of the troops under hismand as possible and retreat to Tenochtin. There was still a significant number of troops left in Tenochtin. And the Korean warriors would have expended a considerable amount of weapons and soldiers while dealing with those idiots lined up at the entrance. The solution Akon thought was political negotiation. It was certain that if hebined his forces with the remaining forces in Tenochtin, he would have enough power to subdue at least one nearby city-state. If that were the case, it would be a significant burden on the Korean warriors who had consumed troops and materials, and in the end, it would have been possible to end it on a reasonable level through negotiations. Only by ending like that could Messikas safety be secured. If not only those idiots but also his own troops were destroyed here, it would be impossible with Tenochtins might to stop the Korean warriors. What happened afterwards was also problematic. Around Tenochtin, cities hostile to Messika were waiting for an opportunity. For them, the moment when Tenochtin was devastated by Korean warriors would be the best opportunity. The opposite is also true. Even if all the weapons of the Korean warriors be useless due to the blessings of Tezcatlipoca, the main god and god of war, and those idiots hold up surprisingly well, the united unit will remain as one. It was necessary. It was for the reason I told my subordinates. However, it was a clear reality that the situation in which the Mesicas were pushing the Korean warriors was impossible. Whoa~. How did wee to this situation? Archon sighed in despair at being certain of defeat, not victory, and finding a way to avoid ruin. * * * Ten dayster, the conquering army advanced to the very entrance of the jungle. This was because the process of unit coordination, such as moving the artillery units located in the rear to the front, took up time, and the movement of heavy artillery units from the front slowed down. I thought they would push in first Lee Jing-ok muttered with a grin after receiving the report of the indigenous warriors and the assassination team that had gone out to scout. We would be grateful if you would wait patiently like this. I mean it. Lee Jing-ok muttered something to himself, unable to tell whether it was sincere or sarcastic, and gave an order to his subordinates. Tell the monks to stand up. Yes General! After a while, Lee Jing-ok smiled bitterly as he saw the monks floating in the sky. To fight properly, you have to prepare properly. Check the preparation of the artillery! Yes General! Meanwhile, the Messica military camp camped beyond the jungle was in an uproar. What is that! What is that in the sky! The eagle warriors came forward to see not only the lower-ss warriors but also the jaguar warriors struggling. Wake! Be serious! The enemy is just around the corner! Its the enemys hex that is messing with your eyes! You will die if you sell your eyes out there! The warriors stopped struggling due to the shouts from the Eagle Warriors and officers. However, the warriors were looking alternately at the sky and the jungle with eyes full of anxiety. This was the same for Eagle warriors and officers. On the outside, he shouted at the soldiers with a calm face, but their eyes were constantly shaking. * * * It is said that all artillery preparations have beenpleted. Then tell them to start firing. Shortly after Lee Jing-oks order was issued, standard guns spewed fire from the batteries that had been irradiated. pop! Puff! The artillerymen, who quickly finished reloading, raised their heads and looked at the monk floating in the sky. The artillery unitmanders, who saw the luminous signal sent from Bigu, adjusted the firing angle of the artillery guns and fired the standard guns again. Hit! Fire all artillery! At themand of the batterymander, the signalmen waved their gs and all the waiting guns fired at once. * * * The Messika Army, which was camped at the entrance and waiting for the conquering army, began to suffer fatal damage due to the simultaneous bombardment of the conquering armys artillery. A distant thunder-like sound was heard beyond the jungle, and soon after, the ground broke apart and rose into the sky, apanied by a loud explosion, all over the Mesica army camp. No, it wasnt just the ground that was broken. The warriors standing on the ground were also shattered and rose into the sky. Where on earth? how? Its a curse! Its magic! The Mesica people, who could not even imagine attacking through the jungle, thought it was a curse or magic. Its magic! Its a curse! Run! Run away! The Mesica warriors, who thought the bombardment of the conquering army was a curse or magic, began to retreat in a hurry. Among the retreating warriors were also eagle warriors and officers. However, the artillery of the conquering army, aided by Bhikkhu, was persistently pursuing them and destroying them. As the Mesica army camp was copsing after being bombarded, a conquering army armed with light vehicles and long guns came out of the jungle and pulled the trigger on the Mesica warriors. Chapter 805 Episode 805: Bloody fight in the jungle (11) The artillery bombardment of the conquering army was so persistent and meticulous that it cut the Messika armys camp into small pieces. This level of bombardment was possible because the artillery units belonging to the conquering army were directly under the imperial army. The artillery unit and special warfare unit, the artillery unit and the special warfare unit, which were the core forces in this conquest, were not the troops of the conquest army, but the regr army of the empire. They were the imperial artillerymen who had been properly trained and had be experts throughrge and small battles. Thanks to this, they were able tounch a frighteningly urate bombardment using only the information sent from Bhikkhu. As an aside, a schr who was part of the conquering army and saw this scene recorded this in his journal. -The bombardment of the imperial artillery was nothing short of miraculous. Of course, one can argue whether shelling, a heartless act that takes the lives of countless people, can be called art. However, that heartless act saved countless lives of our soldiers. How can you not praise it as a miracle? As the schr said, the bombardment of the imperial artillery was close to a miracle. The cannonballs fired by the imperial artillery destroyed the Messica army camp right across from the leading group of the conquering army. However, the artillery fire was carefully designed to prevent the leading forces of the advancing conquering army from entering the dangerous firing range. The imperial artillerymen, who had cut off the very front of the Messika army camp, gradually advanced the barrage forward. The conquering army began to grind the Mesica Army, which had been torn to pieces by such careful and persistent artillery bombardment, into dust. The camp andmand system copsed due to the artillery bombardment, and the Mesica warriors, who were unable toe to their senses from heavy drinking and shock, copsed helplessly under the shooting and throwing bullets of the conquering army. * * * The weapons that showed the most powerful presence in the battle, which could be called a battle of annihtion or massacre, were light vehicles and throwing bombs. There are things ahead! As soon as he heard his colleagues shout, the light vehicle gunner pulled the trigger toward the Messika warriors in front of him. Tu-ta-ta-ta-tang! Reload! bang! bang! Ta-ta-tang! While the light vehicle gunner, who had emptied the magazine in an instant, was changing the magazine, his colleagues around him pulled the trigger of their rifle. In just one gunfight, about 30 Messica warriors gathered in front of one of the conquering troops were annihted. Advance! After confirming that the enemies in front of him were annihted, themander led his men and rushed forward. In a battle where hit and run were repeated, light vehicles were the best support weapons. The manual states 30 rounds, but for smooth operation, only 28 rounds were used, which was a method of operating a light vehicle learned through battles in the jungle. It was a weapon that was dissatisfied with the magazine, which was far short of the magazine that used 200-round cartridges as standard, and the inconvenience of having to empty and rece a magazine in an instant when the trigger was pulled. However, it was the most reliable weapon in that it could move with them and create a wall of bullets when necessary. And thebination of light vehicles and long guns of the conquering army, which had fully learned the optimal tactics written in the manual through the battles that took ce in the jungle, worked smoothly like a cogwheel. If the light truck was a saw de that crushed the enemies, the throwing bomb was a hammer that crushed the enemies. The biggest weapons of a thrown bomb were shock waves and shrapnel. If the gunshots from light armored vehicles and long guns deafened my ears, the shock waves from thrown bombspletely paralyzed my hearing. And the fragments of the thrown bombs turned the bodies of the Messika warriors into rags. * * * The conquest army, trained by Lee Jing-ok and themanders and refined through actual battles fought in the jungle, was grinding the anvil of the Messika army to dust. How can this be Atrukut, themander of the Messika army, looked at the battlefield with an expression of disbelief. When he first assured Akon, he was confident. Although he suffered considerable losses due to the curse that struck the empire, the warriors he led were undefeated warriors who boasted of reversal. It wasnt just the soldiers who believed. Atrukut also made his own preparations and was waiting for the enemy. First, he gathered the warriors who had survived the previous battle in Tenochtin and listened carefully to what weapons the enemy used and how they ughtered the warriors. It killed the warriors nearby with mes and a roar. Hmm After hearing what the warriors said, he spread the gap between the warriors forming a camp a little wider than usual. After finishing the formation of warriors, Atcourt gathered the survivors of Tenochtin and showed them the formation. How is it? In response to his question, the survivors who wereparing memories of the past nodded. This looks good. Right. After hearing the survivors words, Artcourt red at the jungle with a confident face. Even now, imagining the conquering army that was slowly approaching, he strengthened his fighting spirit. In Tenochtin, I suffered because I didnt know, but this time it will be different. But there was something he didnt expect. At that time, the empires heavy weapons that terrified the Messican warriors in Tenochtin were barracks and lightning bolts, and even that number was the minimum for self-defense. On the other hand, the approaching conquest army was a well-equipped unit. As the imperial army was evaluated by both the Ming and Japanese as cannon-crazy guys and cannon perverts, the conquest army also had sufficient artillery forces. To put it simply, the conquest army he was going to face was carrying a lot of artillery pieces with a longer range and more powerful power than the Bigyeokjincheonroe. * * * Atkurt screamed as he saw his warriors being torn apart. This cant be happening! This cant be happening! It was Artcourt who vehemently denied his misjudgment. But even though he denied it so vehemently, the reality was that he had lost. bang! Quack! bang! Tu-ta-ta-tang! Tatang! bang! Aaaah! Every time the enemys weapons made a loud noise, his golden subordinates were either reduced to mere pieces of meat or fell to the ground screaming in sorrow. In the end, Artcourt shouted to his subordinates next to him. Retreat! retreat! Tell them to retreat! yes! After hearing themanders order, the subordinates immediately began delivering the retreat order. Soon, loud drums and conch trumpets began to echo from the Messika camp. And this order to retreat brought about an even bigger disaster. The camp of the Messica warriors was already copsing and copsing due to the bombardment and shooting of the conquering army, and the warriors morale was at a low point. The retreat signal given in this situation led to a reckless rout. Retreat! retreat! Run! Run away! The Messika warriors lost their senses and immediately turned their backs and ran away even though the enemy was right in front of them. Maintain your formation and retreat! Its not a flight, its a retreat! Keep order! Eagle warriors and officers tried to prevent the copse of the camp by shouting loudly, but once it began to copse, the camp copsed uncontrobly. The bhikkhu, who was observing the battlefield while floating in the sky, immediately reported the situation using a luminousmunication device. -Enemy lines copse * * * The enemys anvil has been broken! Lee Jing-ok smiled darkly at his subordinates report and looked around. Its a little faster than expected. It seems that the anvil of those misceneous things was weaker than I thought. Thats right! In a friendly atmosphere, Lee Jing-ok gave an order. Order the artillery unit to hit the backs of the fleeing guys even harder. yes! And tell them to send out carts through the secured passage and prepare to load the troops. 1/3 chases the fleeing enemies, and the remaining 2/3 carries troops to counter-surround. Remember to move faster from now on. Yes General! ah! What are we doing with those guys targeting our nks in the jungle? They say its almost at a standstill. huh? Lee Jing-ok expressed doubts about the report that Akons unit, which was moving towards the nk of the conquering army, was almost stopped. What are you nning? * * * Lee Jing-ok was not the only one who questioned Archons movements. Artcourt, who was frantically giving orders to prevent the copse of the front line, red at the jungle and screamed. Acon! Where is Archon now? If the strategy had been initially discussed, Akons troops should have been nking the enemy by now. However, there was no significant change in the enemies movements. This meant that Akons troops had not yet engaged in battle with the enemy. What was even more questionable was that although messengers continued to be sent, no messengers came back. Where on earth is Archon. Boom! Just as Atkurt was about to vent his anger at Akon once again, a cannonballnded a short distance away. Artcourt, who was swept away by the shock wave and rolled around on the ground, looked around with a dazed expression. His men, who were proud warriors, were not only running away with their backs, they were even throwing away their weapons and running away. The warriors who fought the enemy while protecting their pride until the end were covered in blood and fell to the ground from the enemys attack. Artcourt, who was staring at the scene nkly, turned his head and looked at the jungle. As he watched the conquering army continue to push out of the jungle, Atkurt learned what had happened. You lied! Akon! You lied! It was Archon who had met the conquering army before him. A smart archon would have realized that they could not deal with the conquering army with their current strength. Nevertheless, Archon came up with a usible n to divide his army to deal with the enemy. He took a quick bite of it. In the end, Archon nned to use Atkurt and Atkurts troops as sacrifices and escape. It was a trap Atkurt, who realized Akons n, smiled bitterly. By now, Acon would have been ready to lead his men back to Tenochtin, or rather flee. Even if he came back alive and said it was Archons plot, Archon would definitely respond like this. The authors unit copsed so quickly that they had no choice but to retreat! Everything is the responsibility of the author! Atkurt muttered as he stood up using Macuahuitl as a walking stick. If I go back anyway, Ill be dead. If thats the case hmm! Atkurt took a deep breath and ran forward, yelling. Warriors! We are the warriors of Messica! Protect your pride! charge! Follow me! Seeing Atkurt running towards the conquering army while shouting, a considerable number of warriors turned and charged towards the conquering army. Half of them wanted to protect their pride as warriors, while the other half felt desperation that they couldnt escape anyway. Waaah! As the conquering army watched the Messika warriors rushing towards them, shouting at the top of their lungs, the conquering army pulled the trigger without saying a word. Tu-ta-ta-ta-ta-tang! bang! Tatang! bang! Chapter 806 Episode 806: Bloody Battle in the Jungle (12) The suicidal charge of Atkurt and the warriors who followed him ended with their annihtion in the crossfire of the conquering army. The surviving Messica warriors continued their desperate route, dying from the artillery fire of the conquering army. The Messika warriors who were running away frantically had already lost their senses due to fear. Fellow warriors who had copsed from injuries held out their hands for help. However, the frightened Messica warriors violently shook off these hands and ran like crazy to avoid the conquering army. The destination they were heading to was Tenochtin. * * * As the rout of the Messika warriors continued, themand team led by Lee Jing-ok arrived at the entrance of the jungle and was examining the situation. Shall we chase the fleeing enemies? Lee Jing-ok shook his head in response to the question asked by the staff member who checked the fleeing Messika warriors with a monocle. No, theres no need to chase now. In fact, it would be better to let them go now. yes? Lee Jing-ok, seeing the staff member expressing doubt, continued speaking. Those who are running away now must be very scared, right? Seeing the disorderly rout clearly frightens them. Will those bastards be able to fight properly when they meet us againter? no. And what do you think will happen to other trash things that see those trash things? The aides face brightened after thinking for a moment about Lee Jing-oks question. You will be so scared that you will cower! It will be a battle won without fighting, which is called the greatest victory in Sun Tzus Art of War! Lee Jing-ok smiled slightly and shook his head at the advisors words. A fight must be fought. Why did wee here? Arent they here to kill those things that dont look like humans and eat people? If you just surrender, you will only lose your cause. The reason we leave these things running away now is so that we can easily kill themter. Either they run around in fear and get swept away, or they rush at them like a cornered rat and die. Either way, it will save us effort. Now we are on an expedition to a ce where there is no proper route. Its best to put in as little effort as possible. So Lee Jing-ok paused for a moment, turned his head towards the jungle, and continued. Right now, the priority is to kill those who are just watching in the jungle. Because it seems like there is someone who has his own thoughts. The most troublesome opponent in war is the one who can think. All right. The cart is almost ready, so we will get it going as soon as possible. Tell them to hurry. Yes General! After a while, carts equipped with military wagons and carrying soldiers began to move along the border of the jungle. The conquering army on the cart was able to save time thanks to the monk floating in the sky informing them of the location of the Messika warriors led by Akon. At the same time, the soldiers defending the nks of the conquering armys positions began to leave their positions and enter the jungle. Thanks to the help of the monks and the undercover troops, the conquering army quickly advanced towards the Messika warriors even in the jungle. * * * The thunder is bing more frequent. Is it over already? As the gunfire and gunshotsing from beyond the jungle became more frequent, Akons expression got worse. I thought you could hold out a little longer you ipetent bastard! Archon, who was cursing Atkurt, gave an order to his subordinates. Leave the jungle immediately and retreat to Tenochtin! You mean without even fighting? In response to his subordinates question, Akon asked back, pointing in the direction of the conquering army with his chin. Do you think we can beat the Dumbins in the situation that Atkurt suffered? no. If Atkurt had fought properly, the sound of thunder would not have be more frequent. That ipetent guy messed up. In the current situation, retreat is the best. However, the subordinate continued to point out. Couldnt Atkurts troops have defeated the enemies? If that were the case, our troops drums and trumpets would have sounded. Can you hear me? no. But if we retreat, the Archon may be insulted. Akon responded to his subordinates words of concern for him with a somewhat solemn expression and voice. I can handle that part. Now, Im going to return to Tenochtin with as many warriors under mymand as possible. Korean warriors will definitely target Tenochtin. We have to stop it. Compared to the dangering to Tenochtin, my shame is nothing. Akon In response to Archons response, not only the subordinate who made the problematic statement but also the surrounding warriors all looked at Archon with expressions full of respect. At that moment, the scouts who had been sent to the conquering armys camp returned in a huff and delivered an urgent report. The Korean warriors we were targeting have left their camp and are moving! Where are you going? Itsing straight for us! In response to the scouts answer, Akon urgently ordered his men. Retreat immediately! yes! At Archons order, the men quickly returned to their units and prepared to retreat. Our location has already been discovered! There is no need to move secretly! Retreat as quickly as possible! yes! At Archonsmand, the Messika warriors began to retreat as quickly as possible. As he ran through the jungle following his men, Akon continued to analyze the situation. The enemysmander appears to be very capable. Usually, when you lead an army that strong, you be so absorbed in its power that you neglect to look around. But the biggest problem is From the moment he heard the scouts report, there was a problem for Archon that he could not find an answer to. How did they find out our exact location? While the archon was struggling to find an answer to an unsolvable problem, the bhikkhu floating in the sky was diligently conveying information through luminousmunication. As Akons troops gave up on moving secretly, Bhikkhu was able to more clearly detect the movements of the Mesica warriors. The fact that tens of thousands of warriors were moving with all their might could not be hidden even by the dense trees of the jungle. Thanks to this, the conquering forces pursuing the Messika warriors were able to track their enemies more easily. * * * Even as he ran frantically through the jungle, Akon did not forget to send out scouts. The problem was that the news the scout brought was not very good. Korean warriors are blocking the jungle. already? how? Are you sure? Looking at Archon with an expression of disbelief, the scout answered once again. Im sure. how? They used the strange vehicles and beasts they rode when they came to Tenochtitran. Oh my Akon bit his lip in response to the scouts reply. * * * When the Korean warriors first visited Tenochtin, they rode on vehicles pulled by animals they had never seen before. Ironically, although there was a decent roadwork between Mesica and the surrounding cities, there were no carts. Not only was there ack of concept, but it was also because there was norge, strong animal to pull the cart. After contact with Korean warriors, there was an attempt to make a cart. But it continued to fail. * * * In response to the scouts answer, Akon looked at the sky with a serious face. Archon, looking at the sky seen through the lush trees, asked his subordinates. How far are we from the Korean warriors following us? I think well catch up by nightfall. Oh my Acorn, who had a perplexed look on his face,mented inwardly. Night raids might also be a problem After thinking for a moment, Akon got up from his seat. Ill have to see for myself. Acorn secretly approached the entrance to the jungle that was being blockaded by the conquest armys diversionary unit, and hid in the shadows to observe the situation. The conquering army was building a blockade using carts as positions. Acorn, who had been observing the movements of the conquering army, returned to the base and gathered his men. Daehans men are creating a blockade, but it is notplete yet. However, judging from the fact that the carts are continuing to arrive, it appears that the blockade line will be stronger as time passes. Lets break through that blockade now. You mean now? The warriors are exhausted. At his subordinates words, Akon shook his head with an expression that said there was nothing he could do. There is no chance other than now. When I first heard the scouts report, I thought of a night attack, but considering the guys chasing us, a night attack was impossible. If we do something wrong, we will suffer. Ah At Archons exnation, a sigh full of despair was heard from his subordinates. Looking at his subordinates, Akon continued. I wanted to avoid battle as much as possible, but now there is nothing I can do. Break through them with all your might and retreat. Fortunately, the blockade is not yetplete. Do your best to pass through holes that are not yet blocked. All right. Get ready. yes. After hearing Archons orders, the men returned to their units and began preparing for a breakthrough. * * * Meanwhile, Lee Jing-ok, who learned of the movements of the Messika warriors through Bhikkhu, nodded. As expected, they are preparing to break through. Thats right. It seems like they dont know its a trap. Even if I knew, there would be no answer. The hole in the blockade was a trap created by Lee Jing-ok. -Based on my experience so far, when a battle takes ce in the jungle, closebat inevitably breaks out. -If a hand-to-handbat urs in closebat, you may suffer greater losses than expected. -Also, if a night battle urs, this also bes a problem. -Anyway, the decisive battle will have to be held in their capital. -Then, the more frightened enemies there are, like the soldiers who fled from the battle two days ago, the better. After all this thought, the holes in the blockade were created. The holes in the seemingly unfinished blockade were the result of careful calctions. In order to pass through those holes, approaching enemies would have to be caught in the crossfire of the conquering army. It was certain that if the enemy passed through the hole alive, they would have a strong fear of the conquering army. And through those who returned, the fear would spread even louder and faster. This was Lee Jing-oks calction. Lee Jing-ok, who confirmed that Akons troops were moving as he expected, gave an order to his staff. Tell the pursuit team to put more pressure on the enemy. I know its hard, but please just work a little harder. Yes general. * * * The pursuit team of the conquering army, which received Lee Jing-oks orders through Bhikkhu and the undercover corps, increased its movement speed a little. Akon gritted his teeth after receiving the report from the scout. I wanted to start after replenishing my stamina a little more, but I have no choice! Archon, who had made up his mind, shouted to his subordinates. Break through! In response to Archons cry, his subordinates shouted to the warriors. Break through! Break through! Run only looking ahead! Wow! The Messika warriors who heard themand shouted and ran out of the jungle. The warriors running out of the jungle had only one macuahuitl in their hands. Their shields were thrown away anyway because they were nothing more than a piece of baggage that was of no use to their weapons. The food bags were also thrown away as they were in trouble. All that was needed was Macuahuitl. Chapter 807 Episode 807: The stars fall. (1) Hyang was in Seoul around the time when Lee Jing-ok was pioneering the Road of Guns towards Tenochtin, giving the Messica warriors a shock and fear that they would never forget even after death. It was to share Sejongsst days together. Not long after Lee Jing-ok set sail with the first line of the conquering army, Hyang received an urgent report from Seoul. -Deterioration of fetal condition. this! Call Duke Jinpyeong! * * * After receiving the urgent news, Hyang immediately boarded the iron horse along with the Empress Dowager, her concubines, and the Jinpyeong family. In order for the Hyang party to return home quickly, the railway management bureau of Xinji changed all timetables, and the management bureau of Chuxi blocked the departure of the empires first sailing ship that hadpleted its first voyage. After boarding the ship, Hyang gave a short but firm order to the captain. I will take responsibility! Its okay if the engine explodes, so sail at full speed! The captain responded to Hyangsmand with a solemn expression. I will sacrifice my life and fulfill mymand! The ship, filled with only coal and charcoal to power the steam engine and food and drinking water for the people of Cheongsu, sailed at full speed toward Wonsan. Because it only stopped at ports of call when the cargo hold was full of coal and charcoal, the incense-burning ship was able to anchor in Wonsan in 40 days. * * * The incense that came to Wonsan went directly to Wonsan Station and visited the station master. It may cause harm to the people, but the matter is urgent, so please assign an iron horse. Im sorry this happened to you. The stationmaster bowed his head with a bewildered face at Hyangs apology. Oh no! Of course it has to be done! Its not a given. This is clearly against railroadw. But its urgent, so Im asking for your understanding. Oh no! I will prepare immediately! The station master and station employees quickly began preparing the train for Hyang to ride. Since there were no special carriages to carry imperial personnel, the station master and station staff had no choice but to force the passengers on the carriages to get off. why! Why are you telling me to get off the iron horse that I paid for with my own money? Naturally, people protested one after another, and the station employees had no choice but to exin the situation. His Majesty the Situation says that you must go to Seoul urgently. So please help me! Oh, then I heard the Lord is in a hurry The people who had been protesting against the station staffs words fell silent and began to gather their luggage and get off the carriage. After Sejong, the most respected emperor was Hyang. Because the people who made it possible for people to live as they do now were King Sejong and Hyang, the respect and affection of the people was enormous. Of course, I was also worried about what might happen if I interfered with the event. Hyang, who saw the crowded situation on the tform, got up from his seat and headed to the tform. Whew~. Situation: His Majesty is passing by! Back off! Hehehe! Hearing the noble eunuchs shout, the people on the tform quickly retreated and bowed down. Although there was no need to prostrate through the reform through Gyeongjang and the firstw, the habits passed down through sessive dynasties were like instinct. Oh my s***! In an instant, Hyang, who took a small bite at the sight of the people prostrate on the floor, opened his mouth to the prostrate people. Everyone can stand up. However, even though the scent spoke directly, few people got up. Hyang took a small sip once again and continued speaking. I am truly sorry for breaking the strictws of the empire and causing inconvenience to the people. However, since Tae Sang-tae was in critical condition, I was anxious and decided to do something like this. I hope that the people will be generous and forgive my actions. As soon as he spoke, Hyang fell down on the floor and bowed deeply to the people on the tform. Huh! oh my! This is such an outrageous thing! The people hurriedly stood up and bowed to the great bow of the incense. Hyang, who got up, spoke to the people. We will request a referees judgment regarding this matter, so something like this will not happen in the future. After all themotion, Hyang and his group boarded the train and headed to Seoul. As an aside, the people who received the incense bow at Wonsan Station on that day always boasted about it every time they got drunk at a drinking party. Is there anyone here who received me from His Majesty Sang-tae? I received this! * * * Through an urgent report sent from Wonsan, the iron horse carrying Hyang and his party was able to head straight to Seoul. The railroadpany that manages the railroad let the iron horse that Hyang and his party rode pass through first. Thanks to this, trains between Wonsan and Seoul had to stop at intermediate stations. Seeing the iron horses waiting at each station stopped my appetite again. Tsk! This is it If you dont really go to the umpire, the auditor will go crazy. As the situation grew bigger and bigger like a snowball, Hyang, who had been eating his mouth again and again, spoke with a bright expression. But its better than receiving bad news as soon as you arrive. cancer. * * * Thanks to running at full speed, Hyang was able to arrive in Seoul that night. It was the members of the Naegumwi dispatched by Wan who greeted Hyang and his group as theynded on the tform at Seoul Station. After arriving at Gyeongbokgung Pce under the escort of Naegeumwi, Hyang entered Geunjeongjeon and had a private meeting with Wan. I want to see the emperor. Its really nice to see you in good health. I am just thankful that you are doing well. Thank you. So, how is Tae Sang-tae? Wansplexion darkened at Hyangs question. Its not very good. He had a chronic illness and was very old I see Itste, but I have to go to Sugang Pce. Lets go together. Hyang and his party, along with Wan, headed to King Sejongs bedroom at Sugang Pce. * * * Please stop by. Under the guidance of the eunuch, Hyang and his party entered the bed. Sejong, who had a gaunt face, saw Hyang and his party bowing deeply, smiled and opened his mouth. Its really nice to see you after such a long time. Its really nice for me, too, to meet Abama. When Hyang called himself Soja, Sejong said with a bright face. It was not a meeting based on circumstances and circumstances, but an opportunity to meet as father and son. Sejong, who looked much more rxed, held out his hand and said. Take a seat. King Sejong, who was looking at each member of the group as they sat down, looked back at the Empress Dowager who was sitting next to him. Those children are also very old. The Empress Dowager responded to King Sejongs words with a small smile. Those kids are getting older too, so theres nothing we can do about it. Thats not true After that, the friendly atmosphere continued and King Sejong and Hyang Jinpyeong continued their conversation. You must be very tired because you havee a long way. Lets call it a day. Yes Abama. Hyang and his party bowed politely and left King Sejongs bedroom. After leaving King Sejongs bed, Hyang asked a small question to the eunuch who followed him. I heard from the emperor, but is it really bad? To Hyangs question, the nae-gwan answered with a sad face. The medical doctors say it looks like you have regained your strength now, but they say this should be seen as a shback. I see hehe~. Hyang sighed and spoke to the eunuch. But please do your best to maintain your strength. I will do everything youmanded. After ordering the eunuch and heading to Changdeokgung Pce, where he was staying, Hyang looked up at the sky and muttered softly. Yes I guess the inevitable is inevitable Meanwhile, King Sejong, who had sent Hyang and his party away, talked with the Empress Dowager. Its really funny and really sad to think about that kid. What is so funny and what makes you sad? Isnt this guy who used to draw such a line when he was young, but now hes doing the exact opposite? Thats why its both fun and disappointing. As King Sejong said, when he was young, his scent was quite distant from him. This was because Hyang had memories from before reincarnation. The memories he had with his parents before his reincarnationbined with the fact that his father was a famous person named King Sejong, made him distance himself from them. As time passed, the sense of distance from the scent gradually faded. However, as King Sejong ascended to the throne and Hyang was installed as crown prince, the speed at which the distance faded became even slower. This was because their positions as king and crown prince greatly reduced their time together. The reason that the distance between King Sejong and Hyang was drastically reduced was due to various situations that threatened the royal authority. As they went through hardships together, overcame crises, and studied Hunminjeongeum, King Sejong and his hometown became very close. As time passed, the bond between the two grew stronger, but the position of Emperor, Sang-tae, and Tae-sang took away almost all the time they had together. The night in Seoul was deepening, filled with appreciation for the time that had passed by. * * * The next day, Hyang visited Sejong again. Please eat some more. Ive had enough. Please eat some more vegetables. Sejong smiled mischievously at Hyangs words. Isnt it time to worry about bad energy now? But you still need to think about the harmony of your diet. Oh my Sejong, who had a displeased expression on his face at Hyangs words, grumbled while picking up some vegetables with chopsticks. That son of a bitch always fights when he eats. Even dogs dont touch you when theyre eating Dog If you touch them, theyll bite! I know, you bastard! * * * After Sejongs breakfast, Hyang slowly left his bed and prepared to get up. It looks like you had a good breakfast, so lets go. Stay there for a moment. yes? When Hyang sat down again with an expression of confusion, King Sejong gave orders to the eunuchs and courtdies. Take the prize and bring some of it. yes. As soon as the courtdies took the table, the eunuchs came in carrying a bunch of thick books and put them down. What is this? In response to Hyangs question, Sejong smiled slightly and began to exin. I came back to the headquarters and started doing various things. However, there are some things that have not yet been processed and some that have only been framed. So, I need you to do something. . At Sejongs words, Hyang looked at the pile of books with a white face. Hyang, who was looking at the books with a tired face, looked back at Sejong. When did you do all this? When I return to my hometown, all I have left is time. What are you going to do when you y? . It was all designed for the emperor and the empire. But now my strength has weakened and I am unable to finish it properly, so I am very worried. But fortunately, the situation hase, so I am relieved. At Sejongs words, Hyang looked at him with strange eyes. Are you faking it? Its not a trick. Who said what? You bastard! Your eyes are talking! In the end, Hyang, who took over the work from Sejong, went outside, looked at the sky, and made an expression that there was nothing he could do. But I cant die alone, right? At that moment, all the brothers in the vige, including Jinpyeong and Anpyeong, shuddered at the same time. what? Why do I suddenly have goosebumps? Chapter 808 Episode 808: The stars fall. (2) Something is unsettling The brothers in the vige, regardless of whether they were in the family or not, all shuddered at the ominous feeling. This was not a simple feeling. When I started feeling this ominous feeling, it wasnt long before the door to suffering was wide open. Since when did that start? thats right! It was after I went through the formalities! The frightened brothers covered their heads with urgent faces. What should I do? There is a good way I thought about it again and again, but the answer I came up with was simple yet hopeless. -No holes to avoid. No matter how many times they looked back, they only got the same answer, so the Hyang brothers looked up at the night sky and screamed. After all, I was born into the imperial family! Lets sell this damn thing! It was King Sejong and Hyang who made Hyangs brothers scream while looking at the night sky. * * * In general, the kings greatest opponents were his sessors. And the sessors biggest enemies were his brothers. Next were the subjects. It was for this reason that King Taejong massacred his brothers and Jeong Do-jeon during the two Princes Rebellions, and the purge of Shim On, and finally, Oksa, where King Sejong purged Ryu Jeong-hyeons faction, was ultimately due to the same reason. However, for King Taejong, whoid the foundation first and solidified his royal authority with the death of Ryu Jeong-hyeon in prison, Hyang became not a political enemy but his best politicalrade. While showing absolute loyalty to King Sejong, he did not forget sound criticism and created all kinds of objects that could enrich the lives of the people and strengthen the national defense at the same time. There was nothing to be afraid of for King Sejong as he sessfully suppressed the Giyu Rebellion, which was thest resistance of the nobility, the vested ss, and the Yangnyeong Grand Prince, which threatened King Sejongs royal authority. As the situation unfolded, hardships began to unfold for the brothers of Hyang. Princesses Jinpyeong, Anpyeong, Geumseong, and Grand Prince Jeongso and Princess Jeong, who escaped early in search of their aptitude C perhaps because of Hyangs intervention, King Sejongs concubines were greatly reduced and no princesses were born C these were the lucky ones. At least. The great generals and soldiers who had been lounging around because they could not find their aptitude were all summoned to King Sejong and were given positions one by one and suffered through the hell of overtime work. Of course, the Grand Army and counties did not immediately ept it. Abamama Sojas lifes wish is to just stay safe and enjoy the pleasures of music Really? Then, I will take back all the bonuses given to you and give you an appropriate amount ofnd. If you say it is an appropriate amount ofnd, how much would it be Lets see King Sejong answered after opening a book from Hojo among the books he had left nearby and flipping through them. Among the people of Joseon, those who do farming have an average of 4 grains of rice. So Ill give it 4 votes. I will retrieve all the ves and the mansion as well. Abama! I am also a member of the royal family, so how can I live with only 4th grade? Anbinnakdo says that Eumpung Nongwol is your wish? What need would a person who is not going to leave alone need an ancient room with a ve or a wide field? . Why is there no answer? I will work wherever Abama takes the position. Well thought out. You The generals and military officers who had epted their duty stations and official duties returned with slumped shoulders. Sejong clicked his tongue as he looked at the backs of his children like that. Tsk! My eldest brother is such a loser, but still earns more than his own food! If you dont have the hang of it, your body will suffer! Tsk tsk tsk! King Sejong, who was speaking ambiguously, unable to tell whether it was apliment, an insult, a scolding, or ament, turned his arrow towards Hyang. Anyway, this kid pays for the food, but its such a waste. Hmm What should I do At the same time, Hyang suddenly shuddered and looked in all directions. Suddenly, I got goosebumps Even after that, the struggle of the great army and soldiers to escape from King Sejongs magic continued. Im not feeling well Im sick The answer given to the generals and soldiers who applied for sick leave due to illness was arge amount of medicinal herbs and medical doctors. His Majesty said, What parent would feel at ease seeing his or her child lying down in bed because of weakness? So, I sent herbal medicine and herbal medicine. I hope she will wake up right away. He sent her medicinal herb and herbal medicine. Hearing the words of the eunuch who came with them, the Grand Prince and his soldiers gritted their teeth, stood up, and bowed deeply towards the pce. I am devastated! And then the eunuchs sent by the county visited the prince and the military. His Majesty the Crown Prince told me to tell you this. Its easier if you give up. Please tell me that I will keep in mind the teachings that are like gold and silver. yes. The princes and soldiers who sent back the eunuchs sent by Hyang uttered abusivenguage. Damn it! Holy shit! * * * Sejongs magical power was not limited to his own children. King Sejong entrusted the work to as many of his rtives as possible, starting with the children of his older brother, Prince Hyoryeong. There were many reasons why King Sejong acted like this. First was theck of talent. Before King Sejong started to build a new government, Joseon had advocated a small government. Therefore, as the size of the government grew through Gyeongjang, vacancies began to appear in droves. These vacancies are being filled by reforming the civil service examination system, expanding education, and opening doors to women, but the problem is right now. In addition, the Buddhas created through the Sutra were secretly avoided by officials due to their simplicity. Second, finances were also a problem. As the Gyeonggi became effective, the Joseon Dynastys economy grew significantly, and through this, its finances also grew significantly. However, there were still financial problems in the beginning. The best answer to solving these numerous problems was the royal rtives. Because they were members of the royal family, they received a considerable level of education. In addition, as the royal rtives settled down, the avoidance of government officials was reduced. Another big reason was that there was no need to receive additionalpensation since they were already receiving food orpensation. This was because it could reduce the financial burden. As the situation progressed, the royal rtives suffered from overwork due to the coboration between King Sejong and Hyang. It was Hyang that thought of a way to use it even for his n rtives. Its a hereditary kingdom anyway, right? Its easy to think of it as arge-scale family business How good is family-like coordination? And its safer to let it sit in front of you and let it roll around than to worry about where it is and what its up to! And Sejong quickly epted this offer. As expected, its Cesaro! After all, its Cesaro! With such praise. As time passed, this word began to circte among the princes, military, and n rtives. Its not a family-like court, its a family group. Shh! Although rtives who were distantly rted were able to take voluntary retirement over time, there was no such thing for King Sejongs princes and counties. This time, because of the scent, they caught them and tied them up. Isnt it natural for children to help their parents? Am I the only child? Thats right. * * * After three days of shivering at the unknown ominousness, the ominousness became a reality. The situation has told me to enter the pce. I understand. Hearing the message sent by the magistrate, the Grand Prince and his soldiers put on their official uniforms and left the house. The expressions on their faces as they headed towards Changdeokgung Pce, where the scent lingered, were like cows being led to a ughterhouse. After receiving the greetings of the arrivingmander and troops, Hyang went straight to the main topic. So we must finish the work that Tae Sang-tae could not finish. So I called you guys. At Hyangs words, Jinpyeong stepped forward. How much is it? In response to Jinpyeongs question, Hyang gestured to the eunuch. The eunuch, who saw Hyangs gesture, went outside without saying a word. After a while, about a dozen eunuchs came in carryingrge trays filled with thick books and scrolls. The eunuchs brought books and scrolls on two asions. Seeing the mountains of books and scrolls piled up before their eyes, the great army and the soldiers turned pale and spoke their true feelings without even realizing it. Holy shit. What the hell is Abama. Quiet! Hyang stopped the whispers of the Grand Prince and the soldiers, but Anpyeong came forward and protested. Maybe its because Im getting older these days, but my body is different yesterday and different today. But its impossible to handle that much work. In response to Anpyeongs protest, Hyang briefly questioned. Raise your hand if you are older than me here. But the situation is the situation You are also dukes and marquises. . Hyang, who interrupted Anpyeong, continued speaking while looking at the general and the soldiers. These are the ns that the Emperor Tae Sang-tae carefully considered for the future of the empire and the peace of its people. However, since Taesang was unable to finish it properly due to hisck of energy, isnt it our job as children to take over and finish it? If this is not filial piety, what is it? Thats right. All right. What should I do first? Once the Grand Prince and the counties epted the reality, the townships began dividing work in earnest. First, lets start by dividing the group around Anpyeong and Jinpyeong. I ssified it once and gathered the necessary materials, but I will need to ssify it again or add additional materials. Lets figure it out. Jinpyeong immediately questioned Hyangs words. What are you going to do in the meantime? me? First of all, I have to check the safety of the fetal situation and ssify them. In response to Hyangs response, the Grand Prince and the military looked at the books piled up next to Hyang. The great generals and the military muttered involuntarily when they saw the book, which although thick, was less than ten volumes long. Her? Hyang smiled and opened his mouth at the reaction of the king and his troops. It doesnt seem like much, does it? Jinpyeong answered Hyangs question honestly. yes. okay? Then, Jinpyeong, would you like toe forward, read all of this, grade it, and then register it in the challenge log? Do you want to do it? Dojeonrok. In response to Hyangs response, Jinpyeong looked back at Anpyeong. How shall we divide the younger siblings? Hey, gather around! Hearing Jinpyeongs words, Anpyeong immediately gathered the general and the troops. At Anpyeongs call, the great army and the military gathered together and put their heads together. Seeing her younger siblings like that, Hyang ced her hand on her forehead. Those are my younger brothers I heard Hyang grumbling, but the Grand Prince and the military didnt even seem to listen. Challenge? Challengerok? Id rathery railroad tracks than sort the tracks! It would be better to be thrown into the record office! To those who were not experts in organizations rted to Jeonjeonrok, Jeonjeonrok was something they did not want to even look at. It wasmon for non-experts to react like this when they saw the challenge records. The white one is paper and the ck one is food. Thats why they all backed out when they heard that it was a matter of dividing grades before registering the challenge record. Chapter 809 Episode 809: The stars fall. (3) The first thing that the Grand Army and counties in charge of checking the ns promoted or nned by King Sejong C dukes and marquis after the restoration of the title to the Empire C clung to was Gyeokbang. To be precise, it was a game simr to modern golf called Shingyeokbang or Shinjigeukbang. Hmm. Include the new Jigyeokbangjang in the general entertainment hall. After confirming the title of the agenda, the Duke and Marquis looked at Anpyeong at the same time. This was because the general entertainment center was under the jurisdiction of the Entertainment Office, and the person who had been sitting as the director of the Entertainment Office from the time of its founding until now was Anpyeong. Anpyeong, who received the attention of his younger siblings, lowered his head with an embarrassed face. Its not easy. You know how wide the new Jigyeokbangjang must be, right? The Duke and Marquis all nodded at Anpyeongs words. * * * Not long after returning from Shinji, Sejong started to feel itchy. Ah I want to y Gyeokbang Even before going to Shinji, Sejongs favorite sport was Gyeokbang. -Every time Gyeongsinil came around, the king would gather his rtives and high officials and stay up all night enjoying a feast. King Sejong liked Gyeokbang so much that it is recorded in the Annals of History before Hyang intervened. Since the situation was so bad that he retreated to the back room, King Sejong enjoyed the private room without hesitation. But soon after, Sejong shook his head. This is not it! Sejong, who was dissatisfied with the traditional game, immediately went to Wan. I have a request from the emperor. Just say the word. Give me somend. yes? ording to imperialw, all the territory of the empire belonged to the emperor. The people rented thisnd from the emperor to live. Therefore, the most basic tax that the people paid to the country wasnd rent. Of course, King Sejong and Hyang did not forget to ce a ban preventing the emperor from raising thend rent at will. Thisw preventedndlords from collecting unreasonably high taxes from tenant farmers or renters. It was a kind of publd concept. And because that was thew, King Sejong also asked Wan to give him thend. King Sejong, who was granted suitablend in the Samnam region of Gyeonggi-do and Chungcheong-do, built a gyekbangjang and enjoyed gyeokbang. Of course, I wasnt the only one enjoying it. Family rtives were first invited, and soon after, influential figures from the ce where the gyekbangjang was located were called and enjoyed the gyekbang together. Being invited to the Gyeokbangjang by local figures was an honor for the family that would be passed down from generation to generation. And thats how Gyeokbangjang started, and soon began to stand out as a new entertainment. The pleasure of hitting a ball in an open field was highly addictive. Also, the simple but clever rule of determining the winner with the minimum number of strokes also provided fun. In the end, people who had fun with the new gyekbang room submitted a petition to open the gyekbang room. And here, the Ministry of Finance and Economy, which smelled money, made a proposal to Wan. Wan, who thought this proposal was reasonable, asked Sejong, and Sejong nodded willingly. Wouldnt it be better for people who want to enjoy Gyeokbang even without me to pay an appropriate amount of money to use it? Like hot springs. In this way, the Gyeokbangjang was opened to the private sector. When King Sejong was not using it, anyone who wanted it could use it, regardless of status. As the new Jigyeokbang became popr, new new Jigyeokbangs began to open throughout the empires territory C not only in the main and new regions, but also in Daeseoldo and the southwestern provinces of the North. * * * Because of this background, King Sejong created a n to include Sinjigyeokbangjang in the general entertainment center managed by the Entertainment Administration. However, Anpyeong, who was in charge of practical work, expressed his disapproval, saying that this problem was not easy. The biggest problem was the size of the new leader, which Anpyeong had already mentioned. Perhaps because the ce where we first started was argend area, we needed arge area to enjoy the new location. It also had to be adjacent to a suitable hill or mountain, not just an empty in. It was impossible to install such a private room wherever there was an entertainment venue. I wonder if Bukji or Daeseoldo are newnds The main location is impossible. Space is a problem, but wild animals are also a problem. If you do it wrong, you will often need to bring not only a bow and a ball but also a bow and arrows to enjoy the game. Although the Chakho Musketeers worked hard, wild beasts such as tigers, leopards and bears were still inhabited in the rugged mountains of the area. It was because of the thought, Wild beasts are also a part of this world, so dont kill them until they harm the people. Seeing Anpyeong with a perplexed expression, Duke Lim Yeong fleshed out the story. Thats right. It takes a lot of money to prepare the necessary equipment. * * * Just like the Gyeokbang that we enjoyed here, the Shinji Gyeokbang also required carrying various types of sticks. This was because different heads were needed depending on the location. And this Gyeokbangchae was a monster that ate up wealth. While Bonjis Gyeokbangchae consisted of bending wood or bamboo into a frame and attaching a handle to the head covered with cloth or leather, Shinjis Gyeokbangchae consisted of a head made of wood or iron or copper with a handle made of strong and tough wood. The problem was that the woodworkers who made and sold the sieves made the handles of the sieves extravagant to show off their skills and receive more money. In the case of our magazine, all we had to do was paint the handle with five colors symbolizing the five elements. However, Shinji Gyeokbangs Gyeokbangchae was made with gold or silver thread iid on the handle instead of using vermilion orcquer on the handle. Sejong and Hyang were also responsible for this. This is because the first people who started it were King Sejong and Hyang, and the craftsmen put a lot of effort into making it. The same was true of Chaes head. Since the yer who gets the ball into the ball with fewer strokes wins, it is essential to have a head that is advantageous for hitting long shots. And to make hair like this, cksmiths wrapped the hair and conducted research after research. Chae, which was good at hitting long shots, could be sold at a high price. In less than 10 years, craftsmen known for making excellent sieves appeared in this magazine. Thanks to registering the head of the head they developed with the Intellectual Property Management Office, the value of the craftsmens name gradually increased. It wasnt just the cabbage that became more expensive. Balls were also bing more expensive. In the case of this papers gyeokbang, it was simply carved from wood or agate. However, in the case of the Shinji Gyeokbang, which can fly dozens of pieces with one hit, colorful wooden balls or agate stones with colorful stripes were selected to make them easy to find. In addition, as it became known that the more perfect a sphere is, the better and straighter it flies, so ball craftsmen worked hard to create even more perfect spheres. This naturally led to an increase in prices, and a box of 5 well-made balls was usually priced at 2 to 3 silver coins. Even though prices had risen a lot, this amount was enough for a family of four to live for 15 days. * * * Anpyeong sighed and continued. Already, there are frequentints that Shinjigyeokbang is the main culprit of extravagance and disorderly conduct. I dont swing the gyekbangsa in the gyekbang field like everyone else, but I swing something else. As he spoke, Anpyeongs eyes were fixed on Duke Imyeong. Duke Imyeong, who received Anpyeongs re, made an expression of disapproval. What am I! You bastard, theres already a rumor in this newspaper. Because its just me! So thats the problem ugh~. As you can see from the Gyeokbangchae and the ball, Shinjigyeokbang was a game that required a lot of money. Of course, it was possible to enjoy it with cheap sticks and wooden balls, but most of those who enjoyed Shinjigaekbang were local wealthy people. Naturally, they invited the gisaengs and had fun with them, and of course a scandal was bound to arise. Since he was Duke Lim Yeong, who was known for being lecherous, he naturally had a ce in this scandal. * * * In a situation where he could not find an answer even after thinking about it for several days, Anpyeong made a decision. There is only one person who can solve this problem. Anpyeong turned his head. In Anpyeongs gaze, there was a scent with his head wrapped and staring at a book. Your Majesty, no brother. why! Anpyeong froze at Hyangs harsh voice. why? Whats going on! That Anpyeong managed toe to his senses and exined the problem to Hyang. Hmm After hearing Anpyeongs story, Hyang crossed his arms and was lost in thought. After briefly remembering the scent, the existence of a golf driving range immediately came to mind. There was at least one ce in most neighborhoods. There were more screen practice sheets. After finding the answer, Hyang soon answered Anpyeong. -Most entertainment centers are located in ces with good scenery. Most ces with good scenery are nearrge rivers or rivers. -Most of those who enjoy Shinjigaekbang enjoy the pleasure of long shots. -Therefore, a tform is built on one side of the entertainment center and a ce where one can hit the ball toward the river or river is created. -If there is a river or a ce where I am not present, set up a curtain at an appropriate distance and have the yer hit the ball towards it. Draw a target on the screen and practice hitting it correctly. -Those who enjoy ying at a general entertainment center can use their own sticks, but must only use those from the ying field. And only balls made of wood are used in the Gyeokbangjang. -Nets are installed in the rivers and creeks where the hit ball falls to prevent the ball from flowing downstream and make it easier to retrieve. -The private space installed in the entertainment hall can be used on a half hour basis (approximately 1 hour), and one basket of balls is provided free of charge. Pay extra for additional time and effort. Of course, the number of balls to put in the basket should be just a little bit less than half an hour, right? ah! okay! Looking at Anpyeongs face bing brighter, Hyang continued speaking. -The number of new Jigyeokbang leaders will be appropriately increased while looking at the peoples livelihood. This also applies to the space to be installed in the entertainmentplex. -Anyone who enters the Shinjigyeokbang is prohibited from apanying gisaeng, regardless of the reason. Of course, gatherings of gisaengs and women are allowed to enter and leave. However, in this case, a separate date is designated and only avable on that day. The scent described up to this point looked at Anpyeong. How do you feel? In response to Hyangs question, Anpyeong bowed his head with a bright face. You are my brother after all! It would be better with a little more work. yes! Hyang, who was excitedly watching Anpyeong returning to his seat, turned his head and red at the book in front of him. What the hell is Abama Hyangs expression as she looked at the contents written in the book was literally one of shock and fear. Why does nuclear physicse out here! King Sejongs thoughts C literally misceneous thoughts C written in a book titled Japsangrok (s) shocked Hyang. Chapter 810 Episode 810: The stars fall. (4) The first thing that Hyang, who took on the task from King Sejong, was ssification. This is already in progress This is just nning And this is just nning Hyang, who was sorting through the piles of books and scrolls one by one, let out a long sigh. Ha~. Shinjis work is urgent Even though he wasining, Hyang continued to sort without stopping. It wasnt just ssification. Ill write you a list, so you can go to the archives and get a copy. Yes, Your Majesty. The internal officers assigned to Changdeokgung Pce as well as the officials assigned to assist in the affairs of the township carried manuscripts back and forth between Changdeokgung Pce and the Record Office ording to the instructions of the township. Among them, negligence in the management of records was revealed, and the people in charge were reprimanded and demoted. What was interesting was that the ce he was demoted and assigned to was also the records office. The person whose name was changed from Records Supervisor to Records Director clearly showed what the expression of someone who has fallen into the abyss is. Even in thismotion, the pace of work at the township was unrivaled. The young eunuchs and officials who saw this from the side clicked their tongues. You can handle things so quickly and make almost no mistakes! This is not the level of royalties! This is why the officials and old masters start a fight whenever they hear the word of a situation! The scent also had its own reasons. I have to deal with it quickly and hand it over to my younger brothers! That way, we can rob Area 51 before we return to Shinji! Because I forgot about erosion and busily continued sorting for my own goal, I was able to almost finish the incense in two days. Is that all thats left now Hyang, who was looking at the less than ten books left, took the book on top in his hands. Lets see Japsangrok Kwon Il (ȯһ)? Hyang checked the title written on the cover with a sour expression, turned the cover over, and began to read the contents. But as the pages passed, Hyangs face became more and more serious. No way Hyang, with a stiff face, looked at the titles of the remaining books. They are all misceneous records Hyang, who was quickly checking the contents of the remaining misceneous records, grabbed the first volume among them in his hand and hurriedly got up from his seat. I will go to Sugang Pce and see the state of affairs, so please let me know in advance! Yes, Your Majesty! * * * Hyang arrived at Suganggung and immediately went to see King Sejong. Sejong, who got up from his seat with the help of the eunuch, gave an order to the eunuch. Im thirsty. Go and get some medicine. Yes, Your Majesty. King Sejong quenched his thirst with a sip of the medicinal tea brought by the eunuch and looked at the incense with a smile. So, what brought you here? I already asked about your greetings in the morning, so Im curious whats going to happen. In response to King Sejongs question, Hyang politely held out the wild rose to King Sejong. Its because of this. Sejong, who received the Japsangrok from Hyang, still smiled and opened his mouth. Oh, you mean this? I wrote this from the bottom of my heart. Living as an old man in the back room, isnt it time that you have a surplus? I have so much time and nothing to do, so I only think about random things. Hyang looked dumbfounded at Sejongs answer. Right now, there are more than one thing that Tae Sang-tae has promoted or nned, so you have time left? Hehe~. Compared to the time when I ruled the main territory when it stayed as a kingdom, and the time when I handed over the throne to Sang-yang and then ruled the new area, its not that big a deal, right? Thats right. Thats certainly true. Hyang nodded at Sejongs words. All tasks and responsibilities for managing the empire belonged to the emperor. The situation was such that the role of political guardian and advisor to the emperor was sufficient. So,pared to the days when I was ying on the front line, I definitely had more time. Especially for Sejong, who was a workaholic, he would have had more time. Hyang, who understood the situation through Sejongs words, grumbled without realizing it. Whoa~. Even though it was only a cursory examination, not only will all of them be included in the challenge record, but most of them will be of the rank of Ugong Isan Sejongs eyes lit up as Hyang muttered to himself. Hoo? Do you think those misceneous items have value? yes. Very high. Isnt this fun? The emperor and other ministers said it was just an interesting idea? In other words, everyone thinks its a fantasy or a delusion, but isnt it just a situation? On what basis? In response to King Sejongs question, Hyang was heartbroken and quickly made an excuse. ha ha ha. Arent I the one who fantasized about and made various things? The cases are different. exactly? I think Deputy Director Jeong In-ji thinks simrly to everyone else? Thats it Isnt it because Vice Director Jeong is only in charge of the operation of the research institute and Area 51? is it? Ill wake up! Sure. King Sejong made a strange expression as he quickly bowed and watched the scent leaving. Hmm Hyang, who came out of the Sugang Pce, looked at the Japsangrok in his hand and burst intoughter. haha! Are you saying this was written out of curiosity? this? Hyang, who wasughing while looking at Japsangrok, continued speaking to himself. I heard its not outside the standard Anyway Hyang felt a strange sense of kinship as he looked at Japsang-rok. When he handed over the throne to Wan and had to step down, Hyang dreamed of work-life bnce. Of course, there is a lot going on in Shinji, but with Tae Sang-taes personality, he would haveid the foundation. I just need to handle it appropriately and enjoy my virtue. However, not long after arriving, the scent became frowned upon. This isnt it This was because even now, even though Shinji is so huge, its territory is expanding and managing it is not an easy task. In particr, as I came into contact with Messika and Europeans across the Antic sooner than expected, the work-life bnce I had initially nned was thrown into the trash can. In order to have leisure and enjoy what you want to do, Emperor Wan of Tanggeum had to hand over the throne to Hyeon and move to Shinji. And Hyang was writing his own bucket list in preparation for when he returned to headquarters after leaving work to Wan. Of course, as long as I dont die before then This is why I felt a sense of kinship with the scent. * * * After returning to Changgyeonggung Pce, Hyang gathered her courage and opened the book. If you cant avoid it, you should enjoy it I just have to sort it out. The real hard work falls on the researchers at the research institute. That day, schrs at the institute collectively applied for leave,ining of unexined chills. Be that as it may, Hyang studied the contents of the records and diligently carried out the ssification process. -It is said that the world revolves around the energy of yin and yang and the five elements. But what about the energy that Hyang calls Rae Qi (ך) or ()? It is difficult to exin with traditional yin-yang and five elements. Are yin and yang and the five elements truly the only energies that move the world? I guess I can hand this over to the epidemiology department. The grade is mid to high. -There are many different types of weights and measures currently in use, making it difficult tomunicate with each other. In the case of the Empire, the unit of length was unified based on Yeongjocheok, and the same applies to weight. However, if you look at the origins of these weights and measures, they began with the human body and grain as standards. Since all people are different sizes and each grain of grain is different, errors are bound to ur. Therefore, we need a measurement unit that will not cause errors no matter where we go in the world. The difficulty level suddenly jumps? This is amon task for the Department of Industry and Science and the Department of Water Science. The level of difficulty is like Wukong Yisans imagination. Hyang, who was setting the difficulty level and designating the appropriate department, crossed his arms and sighed. Whoa~. Right from the beginning, Woo Gong Yi-san keeps popping up Im sure there will be more than one person who will criticize me even after I die. I still have to do it. Hyang quenched his thirst with the prepared ck bean tea and moved on to the next step. -Dancing and singing are integral to the entertainment enjoyed by the people. In order to properly express dance and song, urate sheet music is essential. The way the Empire writes music and the way Europe writes music arepletely different, sopare them to find a suitable method. This is kind of easy. And Anpyeong will like it. The grade is medium to high. After receiving the assignment, Anpyeong went wild. What level is this? He also yed a part in the process of creating the Imperial March! To be honest, Anpyeong was an innocent victim. Music was not a field of incense. I took a breather like that, but as I opened the next page, Hyang sighed. Whoa~. Damn it. King Sejongs misceneous thoughts were diverse, regardless of field. -When you get sick, it is routine to treat it with medicine. However, there are many cases where people stumble because they cannot find the right medicine depending on the time and ce. If we could know which part of the medicine is effective and if people could make it, wouldnt we be able to reduce the number of unfortunate idents that result in loss of life due to untimely death? The Academy of Medicine and the Department of Chemistry. Wukong Yisan is seriously injured. -Treat poor people at military clinics and hospitals throughout the empire. However, there is a difference between those who show the same symptoms and go into remission even when given the same prescription and those who do not. Its the same symptom, but isnt it a different disease? So, is it really possible to make an urate diagnosis with just a pulse and a medical examination? If you look at books on medicine, there is a technique for dividing bone and flesh and examining the inside. But isnt it possible to separate flesh and bones every time? Is there a way to look inside the human body without separating flesh and bones? After re-reading the item in question several times, Hyang pondered for a while and came to a conclusion. Academy of Medicine, Academy of Engineering, Department of Industry, Department of Chemistry, Department of Physics. Difficulty: Wukong Isan Sangsangsang. It was the moment when a new ss was born. Hyang opened the next page with a tired expression and shook his head. Are you into politics this time? -Now the power of the empire is concentrated in the emperor. Since the Joseon Dynasty, those who would inherit the throne were groomed to be kings through thorough training. However, it cannot be denied that no matter how much discipline is given, a person with insufficient qualifications can seed to the throne. If that happens, not only the safety of the imperial family but the empire itself could fall. Is the division of power the answer to avoid this? If there is a split, who will have how much power? And how to prevent those who share power from abusing it? Lee Academy. Imagination of Mount Wukong. -In the past, there have often been people iming munist dispersion. As the empires power grows, the gap between the rich and the poor is certain to widen and be a problem. Then, those who im munism wille out again and be insensitive. We need a way to prevent this. As expected, Lee Gakwons Wukong Yisan Sangsang Award. As I proceeded with the sorting process step by step, when I got to the 6th volume, the scent froze. It was just a joke so far. Chapter 811 Episode 811: The stars fall. (5) The content of freezing incense filled almost 1/3 of the 6 volumes of Japsangnok. The contents were roughly summarized as follows. -If you look at the appearance of an adult person, it is difficult to find what they looked like when they were young. Of course, there are some things that do not change throughout life, such as the appearance of moles or ear ps, but other external appearances change significantly over time. -Are only people like that? The same goes for not only beasts but also loyalists. -If you look at the growth of bugs, frogs, fish, etc., this change is clear. Can you imagine a butterfly or moth with wings when you see a caterpir crawling on the ground and trees and gnawing on leaves? Can you imagine what a frog or toad looks like when you see a tadpole swimming in the water? -The same goes for nts. Can you imagine the appearance of a giant tree just by looking at the tiny cotyledons rising from the ground? -What is the reason for this change in people, animals, bugs, and trees? Isnt there somew or reason we dont know yet? -ording to stories handed down from ancient times and those who believe in God, everything is ording to the providence of the Supreme God. However, it is not the duty of the noblemen to believe this as is and move on. -Also, just as people grow and change in appearance and behavior, isnt this world also changing in appearance as it continues to grow? So, will the world hundreds or thousands of years from now be the same as it is now? Or will people and all things in the world look the same as they do now after a much longer period of time has passed, which is difficult for ordinary people like me to even imagine? Whoa~. After reading the entire contents, Hyang let out a long sigh. Hyang, who was staring nkly at Japsangrok, suddenly became tired and burst intoughter. Abama is the culprit? When women hear this, they swear at it. I got stoned Hyang, who burst outughing at Sejong calling himself a culprit, immediately covered his head and fell into trouble. But where do we assign this? The institute does not have a biology department and considering the philosophical considerations that follow, the academy cannot be left out Hyang, who was wondering which department or academy to entrust to, was able to make a decision. I cant help it. The Department of Biology was established at the research institute. The reason is to find ways to properly raise poultry and livestock and eliminate sea animals and pests that are harmful to people. Next Ill have to hand it over to this academy and create a new grade as well. Hmm the name is Hyang, who was thinking about a name for the new grade, soon found an appropriate name. Unexplored Unexplored Good! Imagine the grade! In this way, new departments and new grades were created. Among the existing grades, a higher grade was created than Ugong Yisan, the highest rank. There was some basis for deciding that the scent was unexplored. All of the things that have been listed as Ugong-i-san so far have been extremely difficult. However, they all had one foot on traditional knowledge that had been passed down since ancient times. However, this misceneous idea reminiscent of the theory of evolution had no such basis. It was necessary to create concepts and theoriespletely from nothing. Of course, in a simr case there was a heliocentric theory, but those who argued for the heliocentric theory had existed since the days of ancient Greece. Because it was apletely different case, the fragrance was given a new ss called unexplored. Hyang, having ovee such difficult times, turned the pages of the book and sighed. Whoa~. Its a mountain beyond a mountain. -I saw craftsmen in the 51st district devise ways to make ma iron. -Mas are many useful items, includingpasses. But (sigh) Lets skip the prologue Thats when the scent started to focus. -A ma has a positive and negative pole, and when the different poles face each other, they stick together. -But when you look at cases like this, there is a characteristic. A small ma sticks to arge ma. If they are of simr size, they will pull and stick to each other. -Maybe all things in the world are like that? -Water flows from top to bottom, and a rock thrown upward always falls to the ground. -But isnt this phenomenon happening because they are pulling each other? Isnt it just that thisnd is sorge and heavypared to all things in the world that everything falls to the ground and people and animals all live with their feet attached to the ground? Is it the Emperors Ma and not Newtons Apple? Hyang muttered with an expression of bewilderment and soon decided on a grade. The level of difficulty is imaginable. Assignment is between the Department of Physics and the Department of Industry and Science. Hmm Lee Soon-ji must be happy. Unlike the history before Hyang intervened, Lee Sun-ji was still alive and actively carrying out research activities. I think its because I did a job that suited my aptitude Hyang, who remembers suffering from depression while living in the 21st century because he was forced to do a job that was not his aptitude, thinks this is the reason why Lee Sun-jis lifespan increased. did. After that, many of Sejongs misceneous thoughts were recorded in Volume 6 of Japsangnok. However, since they were really simple misceneous items or not very difficult, I was able to easily clean up the incense. Its not sweet or salty no. Is it salty and salty? Hyang, who left his impressions and looked rxed, held the 7th volume of Japsangrok in his hand. Huh! Huh Hyang , holding Volume 7 in her hand, took a deep breath with a very nervous expression on her face. This was a salt farm from the beginning, right? * * * -Large, hard megaliths break to be rocks, rocks break to be pebbles, and pebbles break to be sand. And when the sand is further ground, it bes soil. -You can tell the underlying gemstone from gravel or sand. This is because the properties of the gemstone remain. -But the soil cannot know its fundamental stone. Because I sleep so well. -Then, if we continue to break all things into small pieces, wont they at some point lose their original nature? -Lets take iron as an example. Iron sticks to mas. Iron powder made by cutting and crushing arge iron ingot also sticks to a ma. However, even if I grind this iron powder further to the point where it is barely visible to the eye, will it still stick to the ma? -Then how small is the size at which iron retains its iron nature? And what is it that makes it maintain its nature until it reaches that size? Is it energy? Is it strength? -If it is force or energy that maintains that nature, how powerful is it? And cant people use that energy or power? Hyang, who had summarized the contents up to this point, wrapped her head and red at Japsang-rok. Why does nuclear physicse out here! Whoa~. Hyang sighed long and came to a conclusion. The grade is an unexplored imagination. The person in charge is the Department of Physics, Department of Industry, Department of Chemistry, and Area 51 of the Institute of Engineering. * * * After that, Hyangs hardships continued. -You cant steal seeds. There is a saying, Where beans are nted, beans grow, and where red beans are nted, red beans grow. why? Why? Is it gics this time? Wukong Yisans mourning and mourning. Assignment: Department of Biological Sciences, Medical Center. -Usually ships float and move on water. Cant we build a boat that goes into the water? If you could go underwater, how would you breathe? Even a submarine? In mourning for Mt. Wukong Wait? The scent that was deciding the grade paused for a moment. Its a submarine development, but isnt the rating too high? Isnt it just assigned out of habit? Hyang, who was questioning his own judgment, stopped what he was doing and began reviewing again. Hyang, who was writing down a list of technologies and scientific knowledge needed to develop submarines on a piece of paper ced on one side, nodded. You set the rating too low. Wukong Yisan adjusted to medium to high. After adjusting the grade, Hyang looked towards Shukang Pce and muttered. If I could live for another 10 years, I would be even more excited about the future Of course, schrs will die from overwork * * * While Hyang and his brothers were busy working, an emissary from Sugang Pce I rushed over. Tae Sang-tae is in critical condition! At the eunuchs shout, Hyang jumped up from his seat and screamed. this! Isnt he safe until morning? You suddenly lost your strength Oh my! Hyang and his brothers quickly started running to Sugang Pce. When Hyang and his brothers arrived at Sugang Pce, King Sejongs room was already full of people. Starting with the Empress Dowager and Emperor Crown Prince Wan, even high-ranking officials stopped what they were doing and flocked to King Sejongs bedroom. When Hyang and his brothers arrived, those who came first got up from their seats, bowed, and cleared the way. Hyang, who was located right next to the bed where Sejongy, called to Sejong with a face full of sadness. Your Majesty Hearing Hyangs voice, King Sejong opened his eyes with difficulty and turned his head. Sejong, who saw the scent, smiled faintly and opened his mouth. Are you here? I think its time to go. no. Youre just feeling weak now, so youll get back on your feet soon. No, I know my body well. Now its time to go. Thank you for everything. I was able to achieve this great feat because the circumstances supported me. no. It was only possible because His Majesty guided us. Thank you for saying that. There is a letter in the writing table to give to you. Read only the situation. I will. Could you please wake me up for a moment? Yes, Your Majesty. Hyang directly supported King Sejong. Sejong, who stood up with the support of incense, opened his mouth as he looked at the people filling the room. I was able to achieve this great feat thanks to your help. Thank you very much. Thats too much praise. Wan and the ministers responded to King Sejongs words by bowing their heads in unison. Sejong, who was looking at the ministers with a smile, looked at Wan and Hyeon. I have something to tell your Majesty and the Crown Prince. As I wrote on the main beam of Geunjeongjeon, I and I did our best under the circumstances and achieved satisfactory results. From now on, it is the responsibility of His Majesty, the Crown Prince, and their descendants to protect this empire, so please do your best. I will keep this in mind! Then, King Sejong, who emphasized the harmony of the imperial family and loyalty to the emperor,y down again. Now I have to go down a path Ive never been before. Are you curious? With those words, Sejong closed his eyes and never opened them again. It was the moment when one of the people who yed the biggest role in changing not only the history of Joseon but also the history of the world disappeared into history. King Sejongs death was not a simple death. It was a signal that a generational change in the imperial power ss had begun. And it signaled the end of a chapter of the revolutionary period thatter historians called the Great Leap Forward. Chapter 812 Episode 812: The stars fall. (6) King Sejongs funeralsted for 15 days. Isnt the funeral date too short? Regarding the funeral, whichsted for 15 days, most people responded that it was too short. When King Sejongs father, King Taejong, died, it took almost four months to inform the people of Taejongs death andter bury him in the tomb. Naturally, the people also had to endure considerable hardship during this period. Weddings and ughter were prohibited until the end of the Jolgok () ceremony, which was held on the first day or the third day (), three months after the death. That wasnt all. I was banned from listening to music for three years. The only cases where music could be used wererge-scale rituals. ordingly, King Sejong and Hyang established the emperors funeral period as 15 days through the firstw. It was not only the emperors funeral period that was shortened. Except for the emperor, everyone, regardless of their high or low status, was unconditionally limited to three days. Of course, it was natural that there was a bacsh against the funeral provisions written in the firstw. King Sejong responded by issuing the following promation throughout the country: -The most important thing in holding a funeral is to remember the deceased and control the sad hearts of the bereaved family. -But what is the current situation? The basic rule for a loan is that you live for six months. -The problem is that the original beautiful meaning of to hold a funeral as an example has gone nowhere and has be a means to boast about the power and wealth of the family. -What did Confucius Duna mean when he criticized Tzu-yu based on the ancientws and teachings of sages? * * * When Confucius was seriously ill, the eldest of his disciples made a schr his vassal and had him prepare the funeral. However, Confucius, who got up from his seat, found out about what had happened and criticized Tzu Chi. ording to thews of the time, only those who held public positions in the country and sat on the throne could have vassals. However, at that time, Confucius was unable to have a vassal because he had resigned from his official position. That is why Confucius criticized Tzu-yu. I shouldnt have any vassals, but I do have vassals. Who am I fooling? (omitted) Also, even if I cannot have a grand funeral when I die, will I really die on the street with no one to take care of me? * * * King Sejong, who mentioned the example of Confucius, continued his criticism. -Confuciuss criticism of Tzu-yu was not simply an issue of overstepping authority. He was concerned about the funeral being too much, to the point of exceeding the authority. -What the old sage emphasized several times is not to boast about wealth and power carelessly. Looking at the current situation, there are many people whose livelihoods are ruined due to frequent overflowing of water during ceremonial rites, so it is appropriate to prohibit this byw. Because King Sejongs will was strong and the reason was valid, Samiljang was soon established. However, this time, there were those who took issue with the emperors funeral period. But why is it only the emperors full moon? Man, do you think the emperors funeral is the same as the funerals of wealthy men and women like us? When you be an emperor, even funerals are political. Ah but what is pilbu pilbu? Such a stone ask your son! As the people said, King Sejongs funeral was an extension of politics, especially international politics. As soon as they heard the rumor that King Sejong was in critical condition, not only Ming and Japan, but also small Asian countries including Ryukyu, Bengal Sultanate, Portugal, Ottoman France, and Florence immediately appointed envoys and sent them to the empire. Of course, it could not be said that they hade to pay condolences to someone who had not yet died, so the cause given by the envoys was Sejongs recovery. I heard that Tae Sang-tae has lost a lot of energy. ordingly, the Sovereign of God has sent his message, praying for a speedy recovery. I hope the medicinal herbs I brought will be of great help. Thank you. The envoys, who had an audience with the emperor Wan and presented him with precious medicinal herbs, soon found lodgings and began to stay there. Ming and Japan go one step further here. It was not enough to simply send an envoy, they prepared the fastest ship to their port and Chemulpo and even appointed a proper condolence delegation. Meanwhile, envoys from various countries staying in Seoul were busy. He visited the Empires Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Finance to discuss trade-rted issues and meet with envoys from other countries to discuss diplomatic matters. Thanks to this, the gibangs in Seoul were overflowing with people every day. Envoys did not only use Gibang for diplomatic meetings. * * * Countries that have their own schrs working at research institutes have invited schrs to the Gibang. -It is tofort ourpatriots who are working tirelessly day and night in a distant foreign country. The envoys who called the schrs and monks with this justification quietly brought up the main topic. Im talking about Dojeonrok. Is it still impossible to obtain those records? Didnt I already tell you before? Jeonjeonrok is the object that the Empire cares the most about security. Its impossible to get the desired grade out of your home country. Is it really impossible? Hello? It doesnt have to be the highest grade among those recorded in the challenge log. The schrs all asked with puzzled expressions at the envoys words. Have you not even inquired with the Empires Ministry of Education? huh? uh? Ministry of Education? The envoys looked puzzled at the schrs questions. The schrs looked at the envoys expressions and asked questions with expressions of uncertainty. huh? Didnt you know? About four years ago, the contents of the challenge log and response log were opened to higher education institutions such as technical academies, engineering academies, and industrial academies throughout the empire. Those who are interested in learning or teaching at the school should do their own research and find the answer. So are there any results? yes. There were quite a few submissions from the institutes schrs that passed the review process and were included in the response log. Not only that, but there were responses that were even better than the existing responses. Thanks to this, the response from schrs has been positive. You can encounter very fresh ideas. I see Then what kind of reward did those who found the answer listed in the response log receive? I was immediately recruited to the research institute. Why did you tell me that now! You wrote it in a letter and sent it? The envoys gritted their teeth and burst out in anger at the schrs answers. That damn thing! * * * All letters sent from schrs and monks working at the institute to their homnd had to be censored. Those in charge of censorship in the beginning were Muslims who settled in Joseon, such as Hyang and Hassan. In the early days of the institutes establishment, most of the letters were sent to Im and Europe. Hassan was in charge of the letters going to Im and the letters going to Europe. At the time, Latin was the officialnguage in Europe C especially in the academic field C so it was possible to handle the situation alone. However, as the tasks assigned to the county increased and interpreters who learned thenguages of European countries, including Latin, were produced, the censorship work was handed over to the interpreters. This is where the problem urred. Although the interpreters were fluent in thenguage, they did not know much about the studies covered at the institute. Which should be erased and which should be saved? I cant ask you every time Its hard to ask Hassan and hisrades. Those friends are also overworked right now The interpreters, who were worried over and over again, found the easiest and surest way. -Unconditionally delete all sentences that contain at least one word rted to academics! It was a very reliable method, but there were many things that were missed. They even erased and sent away all the parts that would have been left alone, saying it was a popcorn scam or starting a fire. * * * After hearing the story from the schrs, envoys from each country immediately went to the Ministry of Education. After hearing the envoys request, the Minister of Education looked puzzled and pondered before answering. I will report this to Your Majesty and give you the answer. After hearing about the situation through the Minister of Education, Wan immediately discussed it with Hyang. I want to allow it, but what do you think about the situation? Hyang immediately nodded at Wans answer. I think the emperors decision is reasonable. However, considering the value of Challenge Rock, there will likely be quite a bit of opposition. What answer will you give? Wan answered Hyangs question with a grin. If the bait is good, wont the likelihood of catching a big catch increase? In response to Wan, Hyang also smiled and nodded. The officers and magistrates who watched this scene from the side recorded it as follows. - So, when the superior made his decision, he agreed that the situation was reasonable. The officer says: I think that attracting talented people by sharing a little bit of knowledge is better than a strategy. The more talented people there are in the country, the more Officer, you are not criticizing me, are you? Oh no! -They say you cant steal seeds. * * * In this way, the envoys who requested the Ministry of Education received copies of the challenge record and response record. This is a copy of the low-to-medium grade struggle ording to the empires policy. I am truly grateful for Your Majestys decision. Although they said so, the envoys faces turned white. Why are there so many! The envoys screamed inwardly as they looked at the cart full of books. Its said to be a struggle, reaching a mid to low level! Anyway, the envoys who received the Jeonjeonrok called the schrs together again. The schrs who came after receiving the call from the envoys looked at the records of challenges and responses rted to their fields and nodded. Its clear that there are struggles ranging from medium to low. At the answers of the schrs from the institute, the faces of the envoys and the schrs who came with them turned white. Are you saying this is only a small portion of such arge amount? These are not easy problems at first nce, but these are only at the mid-to-low level of struggling? To their reaction, the schrs working at the research institute responded as if it was nothing special. Compared to the grades above, its not much. You have to risk your entire life just to do horseback riding. No, its not just my life, I have to risk my childrens lives as well. Huh The schrs who followed the envoys began to change their expressions little by little after hearing the answer. I want to see a challenge record of a higher level! How profound would the content be at a higher level? If I can unlock a higher level, my name will go down in history! Meanwhile, the envoys began to get greedy for other reasons. If only I could get a higher level challenge record! And if only I could get the results of that research! There are no people who will harass our country! Envoys from Europe began writing reports on this matter. We must have European hegemony! In the future, a clear opportunity was created for a bloody war to break out between the industrial spies of foreign intelligence agencies and the Secret Service over the record of the challenge. Chapter 813 Episode 813: The stars fall. (7) As the envoys stayed in Seoul for a long time, a problem arose. It was a question of living expenses. The empire operated guesthouses for envoys visiting the empire. Banquets held by the envoys and diplomatic gatherings held in separate rooms, etc. were paid for with the money the envoys brought, but all costs of maintaining the guesthouses where the envoys stayed were paid out of the budget set by the empire. First of all, since it was like the face of the empire shown to envoys from other countries, the ingredients, dishes, bedding, and furniture were all of the highest quality. In addition, all of the receptionists working at the guesthouse were highly qualified and properly trained professionals. Thanks to this, the budget allotted for the guesthouse was a considerable amount. However, when looking at the year-end settlement every year, we were narrowly avoiding a deficit. This was because there were quite a few envoys visiting the empire for one reason or another. Officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sighed and muttered as they received the bnce sheet of the guest house at the end of each year. Its a good thing we didnt receive tribute If the Ming Dynasty had done tribute diplomacy like it did in the past, the expenses would have been several times higher. However, due to the seriousness of King Sejongs death, the visiting envoys broke records in every way. The number and number of people visiting the empire also reached the highest, and the period of stay also recorded the longest. Thanks to this, the yearly budget allotted for the guest house disappeared within less than three months, and the emperor ordered the Ministry of Finance to allocate an emergency budget. I guess its fortunate that the people who came with Shinjis tribal leaders were able to use management-only amodations. Kim Jong-seo shook his head in response to Hwang Bo-insints as he epted Wans order. We almost exhausted our budget there too. A report full ofints will be posted soon. Haa~. Hwang Bo-in took a long sigh and quenched his appetite. Tsk. Ill have to prepare for that in advance as well. Kim Jong-seo responded to Hwang Bo-ins words with a face full of dissatisfaction. This guy or that guy is only interested in jet food rather than ancestral rites * * * Hyang quickly returned to his hometown, and about a monthter, arge number of tribal leaders from Shinji also came to the headquarters. Most of them were people who had a rtionship with King Sejong during the expansion of his territory. -Those who did not enjoy Taesangtae and Shinjigyeokbang should not go anywhere and say they are the chiefs. As soon as the chiefs, who had such a close rtionship with King Sejong that a rumor like this circted, heard that King Sejong was in critical condition, they packed a bundle containing all kinds of medicinal herbs and talismans and boarded a ship returning to their hometown. It wasnt just the chiefs. Those who were likely to be the next chief, shamans, and native officials who were likely to rise to high positions in the newnd all boarded the ship and headed to the headquarters. Except for the chiefs, everyone had their own goals. The candidates for the next chieftain were to receive a face painting from the emperor of the province and at the same time establish rtionships with high-ranking officials of the province who were in power, and the shamans were to obtain thetest medical knowledge. The purpose of the native officials was to learn how to manage the ever-expanding territory smoothly and efficiently, while at the same time making their presence known to high-ranking local officials. The purpose was to highlight their enthusiasm and abilities to slightly increase their chances of rising to high-ranking officials in Shinji. Kim Jong-seo was grumbling when he saw the amount of envoys who were hell-bent on stealing the empires secrets, including Jeon Do-rok, and the Shinji natives who were busy trying to improve themselves. * * * In this way, King Sejongs death was announced amidst a swarm of human beings busy working to fulfill their own interests. News was delivered immediately to the main and northern districts, which were connected bynd, using a light-emittingmunicationwork, and to areas that had to cross the sea, such as Jeju Ind and Daeseol Ind, news was delivered over a period of one to five days. Government offices and military units that received the news of King Sejongs death immediately posted a notice announcing King Sejongs death on the bulletin board and changed their clothes. All officials working in government offices wore white official uniforms, ck belts without official cap patterns, and ck leather shoes without patterns. The imperial army wore uniforms rather thanbat uniforms, and wore an armband made of hemp with the word Gijung () engraved on their left arm. It wasnt just a matter of changing clothes. The imperial troops confronting the Mongols and Oirats in the north immediately sent messengers. -I hope that no conflicts will ur for the next 15 days. The document the messenger brought contained much longer sentences, but in summary, it was the above. Some of the Mongol and Oirat tribal chiefs who received the document provoked the imperial messenger. What if we reject this offer? It might actually be a good opportunity for us, right? The Imperial Army messenger who was provoked answered right away without even blinking. If you want to deal with an imperial army that gives its all, go for it. i get it. Honoring the deceased is something we also value. I will ept the imperial armys offer. The tribal leaders who had provoked the imperial envoys answer had no choice but to immediately give in. * * * The people who heard of King Sejongs death immediately flocked to Gyeongbokgung Pce. All the people gathered in front of Gyeongbokgung Pce sat down on the ground and began to cry. Oh, Your Majesty~. Oh my god~ The people who cried in front of Gyeongbokgung Pce were not only those living in Seoul. At first, residents of areas close to Seoul, but after a while, people from Hasam Ind and Bukji came riding iron horses and gathered in front of Gyeongbokgung Pce to mourn. People who could note to Seoul due to unreasonable circumstances sat in front of the local government office wearing mourning clothes made of rough hemp and mourned. This was not simply following etiquette. There was no rule in the etiquettew to do this when the king died. This was done out of the sincerity of the people who loved and respected King Sejong. Wan delivered this news to Hyang, who guarded King Sejongs funeral. After hearing the story, Hyang looked at the ce where King Sejongy and smiled sadly. Did you hold out until fall just in case something like this happened? Are you concerned that the people might overwork themselves in the summer heat? * * * The peoples reaction did not end with mourning. Among those who retired from public service as soldiers and officials, some began tomit suicide. -If you served me while alive, I will serve you even when I die. The number of people who wrote these brief wills and died in battle soon began to increase in number. There were three main reasons for the increase in the number of martyrs. One was his loyalty to King Sejong, the other was a matter of pride, and thest was the honor of himself and his family. -A guy who was of lower rank than me and couldnt do his job gets praised for dying a martyrs death? This cant be happening! In the end, loyalty was a justification, and as the number of martyred deaths due to personal desires increased, Wan had to issue a promation urgently. -Your loyalty is extremely beautiful, but your death is a pity. Therefore, this is prohibited. This is a golden name. Although the number of martyrs decreased under Wans orders, they still continued to ur. In response, the mayor came forward and issued a promation in the name of the situation. -The loyalty to serve Tae Sanghang even after death is truly a beautiful thing. However, it is truly unfortunate to end ones remaining life on ones own. There is no one who has experienced Tae-sang-sang, including myself, who does not know the nature of Tae-sang-sang. Do you think that Tae Sang-taeng will look favorably on those whomit suicide and follow Tae-sang Sang-tae? Are you going to do something that will make Taehyung click his tongue until he dies? If you have that kind of loyalty, you should rather serve in white clothes! Dont expect anything in return but pass on your experiences to others! Using your experiences as fertilizer, future generations will create an even bigger and more beautiful empire! This is the proper expression of loyalty to Tae Sang-tae! Former officials who read the townships promation, especially those who worked in the central government, nodded. If the situation is right, you can do that. No, he is someone who can do that and still live. That sound of clicking your tongue Ugh! Even now, I have goosebumps all over my body In the end, the announcement of the incense was issued and no more deaths were reported. Instead, people began to put their names on the advisorymittee newly established by Hyang-i Wan. * * * Thest day of the 15-day funeral period. The bier carrying King Sejongs remains left Sugang Pce and headed to Dongjaegi. In the 21st century, when Hyang lived, the Imperial National Cemetery was located in Dongjaegi, which was called Dongjae-dong (incorporated into Sadang-dong). With Gongjakbong Peak at the foot of Mt. Gwanak as the main peak, a ridge surrounds three sides and the Han River flows past, a huge cemetery was created at the famous site of Baesan Imsu where those who died fighting for the empire or while working as imperial officials, as well as the emperor and empress, would be buried. * * * When Hyang first presented the agenda regarding the National Cemetery and the Imperial Cemetery, King Sejongs reaction was cautious. I like your opinion. They died while working hard for their country, so it is an extremely beautiful thing for the country to honor them. However, there will be many who are opposed to burying the king and queen together with them. It would be better to build a separate royal tomb. Hyang responded firmly to Sejongs point. Without the people, there is no king. Since we were with the people while alive, isnt it natural to be with the people even when we die? And no matter how much of thend belongs to the king, he makes it difficult for the people by finding and building a good ce to build the royal tomb. I dont think this is right. Youre right! This is how the National Cemetery was born. * * * Oh my gosh~ Oh my gosh~ As the bier left Sugang Pce and walked along Jongno Street, all the people gathered by the side of the road sat down on the ground and cried. As the bier gradually moved forward, the people got up from their seats and followed behind the bier. As the bier crossed the bridge over the Han River and headed toward the National Cemetery, a huge procession of people followed behind the bier. Chuung~! As soon as the soldiers guarding the entrance to the National Cemetery saw the bier, they all saluted. As the bier passed through the entrance to the National Cemetery, the people gathered in front of the entrance and cried. In this way, the funeral of Emperor Wen of the Korean Federal Empire was held. When the title was established as an empire, the posthumous title and era name were abolished due to the justification that it was impossible to follow Chinese etiquette, and he became Emperor Yuan. * * * After King Sejongs funeral, the empire slowly began to return to daily life. Hyang also began preparing for Shinjis return. The problem is this Hyang looked at the book in front of him with a very nervous face. It was a letter that King Sejong left behind just to look at the incense. Its hard to guess what on earth is written inside Hyangs worries were due to the misceneous records left behind by King Sejong. This was because King Sejong, who used his free time to meditate and created Japsangnok, a work of art that made one feel all kinds of extraordinary things, even fear, asked Hyang to look only at himself. Chapter 814 Episode 814: The stars fall. (8) Hmm what should I do Hyang, who had been pondering over the letter that King Sejong left behind, let out a long sigh and took the letter in his hand. Whoa~. Since you said only look at me, you can just bury it, but this damn curiosity Unable to ovee her curiosity, Hyang smiled bitterly at her choice to open the book and tore the seal on the book. Look at the scent. C Look at the scent. From a young age, you were a child who showed unusual talent. At an age when an ordinary child would barely be able to write a thousand characters, you had already studied a high level of Confucian ssics, and even debated with guests in the Crown Princes Gangwon Province to the point of admiration. Your level was so excellent that people said, This is not the insight of a child. Every time I listened to the guests, I was very happy. What parent would not be happy to see their child excel? I was happy too. But at some point I found out. The reason you devoted so much to mathematics was not to deeply understand and enlighten the doctrine of sage. On the contrary, he viewed Gyeonghak as a shackle and made an effort to quickly remove it. After removing the shackles, you were able to do what you wanted to do with all your heart from then on. This is while using clever tactics to avoid criticism from noisy ministers. The most representative one was the gold pen. Not only did he make gold pens, prove their utility, and sell them to help the countrys financial resources, but he also prevented people from saying that you were doing business with Insunbus money. How could thate out of the head of a child less than 10 years old? The same goes for the political opinion statement you made. (omitted) In the past, several people, including me, gathered to talk about you. Among the stories that many people told at the time, there were three major ovepping stories. One is that you already know, but since we dont, we struggle to exin it as easily as possible. Another thing we figured out after much thought was that you already knew. Lastly, if there is one thing we must know, it is that we can cleverly lead our thoughts in that direction. Those who gathered at the time had many questions about this. Where is this? Even during the process of making Jeongeum, your behavior was unusual. It gave me the feeling that you were familiar with using things that I was still only thinking about. This question became stronger as I looked at the papers that came out of your room. (omitted) As these things happened, I sometimes felt like you were not my son. It felt as if a person from hundreds of yearster was living in the shell of my son. And every time this thought urred to me, I would me myself and brace myself. How bad of a person is he to envy his son and think such ridiculous thoughts? It means that you should use that time to refine yourself and work harder. And so I did. Of course, I am also human, so sometimes such bizarre thoughts creep in and bother me. But I have seen you since the moment your mother gave birth to you, and you are my child. Of course, those who worship the Buddha sometimes talk about reincarnation. However, even if you reincarnate, it means that you move through time and be reincarnated again in the past, not that you go back in time and be reincarnated in a past life. Because going back in time is reverse and unpleasant. So my conclusion is that you are very superior to others. Although he may not be the kind of person who took three steps as soon as he was born and said, Heaven and earth are the only infants. I say again, you are my child. He is my proud child. Now it is time for me toplete my journey in this world. When Ie this far and look back, I realize that I have continued to walk down a new path. Every day was a new day that I had never experienced before, and each new step I took was stepping on ground I had never walked on before. I am proud that I have done my best by walking a new path every day, not the path of yesterday. Therefore, I will walk with a light heart even though I walk the path of the afterlife rather than the path of this world. So, I would like to make a final request to you. Release everything you are holding on to ande. I know very well that you still have a lot inside you. This is not my misjudgment. This is the confidence I have in your appearance after seeing the misceny that I have shown you. Not only Wan, who learned from you, but also the ministers with deep experience, who search for knowledge together with schrs at the research institute and Area 51 every day, and even I, you were the only one who found something in the phrases that I thought were nonsense. I guess you already thought of something simr to what I thought and recognized its value in your own way. So, before you leave this world, release everything you were holding inside. Even if you cannot match the knowledge of schrs and the talent of craftsmen, let it go ande. Even if we cant reach it now, it will be a great milestone. I earnestly ask you not to fail my instructions. I still have energy left to add a few lines. Now that I think about it again, if it were you, I would solve it even though I know its impossible right now. One of your bad habits is to hide it and unravel it little by little, and the other is to leave it open and watch. If you were you, you would think about releasing it all right before you die, right? And then he is sure to dieughing at the frustration of the schrs. Instead of being cursed until you die, figure it out in advance. Dont eat swear words that you shouldnt eat. This is myst request. * * * Whoa~. Hyang, who had finished reading King Sejongs letter, let out a long sigh and quenched his appetite. Tsk you knew me so well. Come to think of it Not long after Hyang created Area 51 and the research center, the behavior of those around Hyang began to change slightly. Until then, Why this? Most responses were, Is it really possible? However, at some point, when Hyang gave me a task, I did my best to achieve results rather than questioning it. The same was true for budget issues. Of course, Area 51 and other events provided great help to the budget. However, it was still necessary to keep an eye on the good fortune every time the budget was set. But at some point, the pressure from budgeting began to weaken little by little. Of course, Kim Jeom, who held the countrys treasury at the time, had to be cautious, but Kim Jeom did not blindly oppose things like he did in the past. Of course, every time I requested additional budget, I had to listen to King Sejong. Get out you bastard! Hyang, who was recalling old memories, looked at the temple with a sad expression. It was because of the sentence written on the letter, You are my son. It took a considerable amount of time for Hyang to recognize Sejong as his father. In a way, it was a natural reason. This was because it was not easy for him to realize that King Sejong, a great man who would go down in history, was his biological father. There was a strong belief that only parents in the 21st century were ones parents. Therefore, when I was young, I was more polite to King Sejong. As I read the contents of the letter, I realized that King Sejong also kept a distance from himself. However, King Sejong carried his scent with him until the end. They say that when their parents die, children only have regrets To hide her suddenly depressed feelings, Hyang forced herself to change the topic. Anyway, you said to solve it and go How do I solve it? It looks like rubber will be avable soon, and we have already gone down apletely different path from the history I knew Hyang folded his arms and began to think. History has already be a mess. Shut up and follow me! Should I push through it? no. This is giving me a headache. Hmm.. Hyang worked hard to find an easier and morefortable way. Should I also write something like a misceneous leaf and throw it away before I die? Ah~. Then I wont have fun After much thought, the conclusion Hyang came to was simple. Lets go like we do now. If it doesnt work out, why not write a misceneous record? Anyway, youre going to get a lot of criticismter just for what youve done so far It was Hyang who decided that if Sejong had heard, he would have immediately shouted, You bastard! * * * Having decided on the future, Hyang looked at the letter in front of her. The envelope containing the letter had King Sejongs orders written on it. -Burn it after you see it. But for some reason, its a waste Its a letter that clearly reveals my fathers humane side and attitude of constant effort It is difficult to erase King Sejongs denial and fierce self-discipline revealed in the letter. It was a wasteful scent. After much deliberation, the decision made by the fragrance was sealing. Let me see a suitable book Hyang rummaged through the books on the bookshelf and took out one. This would be good. What Hyang chose was the Area 52 Top Secret Task List. Because it wont be made public right after I die. This is a book that will not be released until 100 years have passed at the earliest. If it were discovered then, historians would be in an uproar. I discovered the human side of Emperor Wen. Hyang smiled, anticipating what would happen in the distant future, and put the letter left by King Sejong in the book and then put it back on the bookshelf. As an aside, it was 200 years after Hyangs death that King Sejongs writings left behind by Hyang were discovered. As Hyang expected, the discovery of the writings shook the worlds historical circles. The letter left behind by the emperor who shook the worlds history upon his death This alone had tremendous historical value, but the person who received the letter was also in trouble. -If Emperor Wen opened the door to the empire, the first emperor paved the way for the empire. -The one who threw the world into chaos. -The person who left the greatest mark on the history of scientific development in the world. -Are you human? This was because the scent receiving this evaluation was the recipient. The contents of the book were made public amidst the attention of not only the historicalmunity but also the interested public C mainly imperialists. Most people who learned of the contents of the letter were, as Hyang expected, moved by King Sejongs humanity and his ceaseless efforts, but some focused their attention on other aspects. Look here! There are traces that even Emperor Wen had doubts about the first emperor! Its an alien disguised as a human! Dozens of conspiracy theory books filled with chapters like this were published and sold like crazy. As the global storm raged, the Imperial Imperial Spokesperson sighed into the broadcast. Ha~. everyone. Lets think about the environment. Let us think of the trees sacrificed to produce those books. Is that all? In response to the reporters questions, the spokesperson asked back with a tired face. Isnt it annoying to say and write the same words every time? Ah The reporters nodded without realizing it at the spokespersons words. This is because they also copied what the spokesperson said from another manuscript. Chapter 815 Episode 815: Siege of Tenochtin (1) When King Sejongs funeral was over and the ind was slowly returning to normal, the final battle was being prepared in the south of the ind. To be precise, it wont be the final battle. It has its own form of country. It would be like cutting off your head and breaking your back. So dont think its the end. You cannot let your guard down. At a meeting ofmanders, Lee Jing-ok calmed down themanders who were slowly starting to rx. However, Lee Jing-ok also expected victory deep down. There may be a difference between an easy victory or a natural victory. There was a reason why Lee Jing-ok and themander of the conquest army were confident of victory. * * * The conquering army, which achieved a great victory in the battle that took ce at the entrance of the jungle, chased after the Mesica warriors who were defeated, or rather routed. Because it was a rtively heavy conquering force, there was a considerable distance between them and the fleeing Mesica warriors. However, Lee Jing-ok ordered his subordinates to be serious. It was called 1000 miles of beef. Right now, it is more important to recover injured officers and maintain supply routes clearly than to pursue the fleeing enemy and expand the battlefield. One of the subordinatemanders raised a counterargument to Lee Jing-oks words. The best way to expand the battlefield is to pursue the routed enemies. If you leave them alone now, you will be giving them time to regain their strength. Not only that, but it also gives them time toe up with a n to deal with us. So we have to continue the chase right now? Thats right. We have a very useful tool called a wheelbarrow. If we use this well, we can chase after the enemy and ughter them while maintaining our strength. Then how will we treat the soldiers injured in the battle? You just need to leave an appropriate number of military doctors and medics. If the remaining military doctors and medics follow along, they can also take care of the treatment of casualties from the ensuing battle. Hmm Lee Jing-ok nodded while listening to his subordinatemanders words. The speaker, who thought Lee Jing-oks reaction was positive, looked confident. Tsk! Lee Jing-ok, who was staring at the confident expression of his subordinatemander, clicked his tongue with a disapproving look on his face. When Lee Jing-ok clicked his tongue, the speakers confident expression from a moment ago disappeared and he turned white. Since Jingjang and Qingje Jianyuan, there has been an unwritten rule among imperial officials. -If your superior sighs, you are alerted. If you click your tongue, you are alerted. Since this unwritten rule was the same in the military, Lee Jing-oks click of tongue made me think. Lee Jing-ok, who had a look of disapproval on his face, continued to ask questions. The battle will continue and there will be casualties each time. If we leave behind military doctors and medics every time that happens, there will be a shortage of military doctors and medics by the time we get to their capital. What will we do then? At that time, if we mobilize the remaining military doctors and medics Where will we get the carts to carry them? No, lets say I have a cart to bring. So youre saying we should abandon the remaining wounded here? If we use the additional reinforcements that wille. What will we do if the supply route is a mess? Dont you know what the jungle is like here? Even if you cut down trees and bushes to make a road, if you dont take care, the road will disappear in just a few days. If we leave an appropriate amount of troops. How many? We talked about reinforcements now, but most of the conquering army are volunteers, and the additional ones that wille are only a few hundred at best. In any case, the ce where the enemy will fight most fiercely is the ce right in front of the enemys capital. This is a ce where even if we mobilize all our power, it wont be enough, so lets divide the troops? . And youre from the northwest, right? Yes, thats right? Do you know well that before the Great Emperor announced the Northwest Territories, people from the northwest region were banned from going to work? yes. Most of the soldiers receiving treatment out there now will be here to educate the natives once the war is over. What would happen if we neglected those who were entrusted with such important tasks? Do you think they will be loyal to His Majesty the Emperor and the Empire? . The speaker in question fell silent at Lee Jing-oks point. The speaker, who couldnt find a suitable answer even after thinking about the answer, had no choice but to wave the white g. So Guans thoughts were short. Next time, think again and open your mouth. I will keep this in mind. You too, keep that in mind. Lee Jing-ok looked back at themanders attending the meeting and continued. Those who experienced the war that took ce in Liaodongst time will also be here. At that time, our troops advance was very fast. However, even though it was so fast, it never neglected the treatment of injured officers. As our troops advanced, more military doctors and medics came from the rear to the front. Is that it? Look at the military academy. We start pruning by dividing it into three chunks: Army, Navy, and Military Medicine. Why do you think this is? Do you think that the only reason is simply His Majestys merciful decision? This is because the soldiers out there are the foundation of maintaining the empire. If they know that His Majesty the Emperor and the Empire value them, they will also value the Empire and His Majesty. Keep in mind that loyalty is not something you can simply force. I will keep this in mind, General! Despite hearing the answers from his subordinatemanders, Lee Jing-ok continued his sermon. Its the same for the soldiers out there, but its the same for the natives on thisnd. It would be a foolish idea to end with simply subjugating them. We must educate them and make them loyal subjects of the empire. That is the purpose of this conquest. If you are amander in name and in appearance, your first virtue is to think about what the purpose of the war you are currently conducting and what you should do to achieve that purpose. Keep in mind that you will never achieve victory if you ignore it even if you aremanding the smallest force! Yes General! Keep in mind that there is no promotion without victory. The subordinatemanders responded even louder to Lee Jing-oksst words. Yes General! ording to the results of the meeting, the conquering army took a breather. After treating the injured soldiers, those with more serious injuries than expected headed to the bridgehead under the careful care of military doctors and medics. This was because naval ships regrly came into the beachhead to unload supplies, and proper treatment facilities were also built. Next, they began to thoroughly manage the supply routes by mobilizing warriors from defecting tribes such as Seong. Not only indigenous people were mobilized. Engineers mobilized from the main and new locations entered the bridgehead inrge numbers, and the road leading from the bridgehead to Tenochtin began to beid. The waist of the Shinji Expressway Network, whichter became Shinjis specialty, was born. * * * Through this respite, the morale of the soldiers of the conquering army gradually increased. Soldiers who suffered minor injuries returned after receiving proper treatment, while other soldiers recovered their physical strength through sufficient rest. In addition, as more carts and horses were supplied, the mobility of the conquering army became stronger. The conquering army, supplied with spent ammunition, artillery shells and gunpowder, got back on the cart and began to chase after the fleeing Messica warriors. To be precise, rather than pursuing the Messica warriors, they began advancing toward Tenochtin. Anyway, the final decision will take ce in their capital, so there is no need to worry! Lee Jing-ok exined the situation to his subordinates with a confident expression. Just watch out for your nks and move forward! If there are idiots blocking your path, step on them! Yes General! * * * As they advanced toward Tenochtin, the conquering army encountered an unexpected situation. On the way to Tenochtin, a pile of human bones was discovered. The problem was the condition of these human bones. ording to what Chu Guan said, it looks like he was eaten. Lee Jing-ok, who was looking at the pile of human bones, frowned at the aides report and swore. Have you ever seen three generations of bastards who wouldnt even freeze to death after fucking like this! Lee Jing-ok, who swore harshly, called Seok over and asked for more details. Is it everyday for those bastards called Messika or something like this to do something like this? Not really. It only happens in Tenochtin. But why? It appears to be a supply issue. supply? Sheng exined his guess. -Mexicans operate arge supply unit when going to war. However, this supply unit alone cannot cover all supplies. -For this reason, the Messicans sent messengers and merchants in advance to colonial cities located around the advance route. Then, merchants prepare supplies and the Messicans purchase them from them. -In this case, the situation is a little different. First of all, the area where the battle took ce is far from colonial cities. There would have been little room for supplies. -In the case of retreat, it was not an orderly retreat but a disorderly rout. Of course, there was no time to properly pack supplies. In the end, they probably preyed on those who were injured or ves while escaping. That seems usible. Lee Jing-ok, who was nodding at Chu Guans words, muttered without realizing it. But you eat people Ah! Thats what they used to be! Lee Jing-ok, who was frowning and examining the pile of human bones, gave an order to his staff. Show these piles to the soldiers and exin the situation. And convey my orders as well. Theres no need to hold those Messika or whatever bastards prisoner. Kill them all! You bastards, you bastards, are worse than Yeojin! For Lee Jing-ok, who fought against the Jurchen tribe in the northeast during his youth, the expression wild people, worse than the Jurchen people was the ultimate insult. The staff immediately responded to Lee Jing-oks order. Yes General! The soldiers of the conquest army, who saw the pile of human bones under Lee Jing-oks orders, boiled over with hostility toward the Messika warriors. Originally, most of these conquering troops were people who volunteered because they were angry at the Mesica peoples human sacrifice and cannibalism. But hearing it from across a bridge and seeing it with your own eyes werepletely different things. Even those who volunteered for the conquest army, aiming for new opportunities rather than conquest and reformation, developed strong hostility towards the Mesica warriors after seeing this tragedy. Thanks to this, those who suffered hardships were the indigenous people who defected first, including Seong Cho-gwan. Is it true that you too? Its not us! Every time they received such attention, Seng Chogwan and other defected natives desperately denied it. Why would you do such a crazy thing when your tribe already doesnt have many warriors! Raid a smaller tribe Its easier and safer to hunt! Ah The soldiers of the conquest army nodded in response to Seong and his party. If both parties were armed with simr weapons and armor, the attacker could have died as well. Considering this, as they said, hunting would have been easier and safer. hello? This is Gukppong, who writes ck Enterprise Chosun. Fortunately, my mother was discharged from the hospital yesterday. You havent regained your strength yet, but I hope you do so quickly. I will have to go to the hospital regrly starting next week, but I am also worried about that. I sincerely apologize for not being able to publish the series for a while. I will do my best to continue publishing in the future. We sincerely hope that you will continue to love ck Enterprise Chosun in the future. I will do my best. Gukppong dream. Chapter 816 Episode 816: Siege and Defense of Tenochtin (2) The momentum of the conquering army heading towards Tenochtin was very fierce and rough. The momentum of the conquering army was generated by hostility toward the Messicans rather than by confidence in victory. This was because I saw with my own eyes the tragic scene of people eating people. Cannibalism was a thing of the distant past not only for the volunteer soldiers who made up most of the conquest army, but also for the professional soldiers whomanded them. * * * There were records of cannibalism in the empire as well. Starting with the Gojoseon period, the old Three Kingdoms period, the period of the North and South kingdoms of unified Si and Balhae, the Later Three Kingdoms period and Goryeo, to the period of chaos that urred in thete Goryeo Dynasty and early Seon Dynasty. People who were unable to farm due to civil war or civil war due to famine or gue resorted to cannibalism as ast resort. And most of those who recorded this added sentences like this at the end of the record. -I cant help but feel devastated that parents eat their children and the children eat their caregivers. The only way to survive was cannibalism, and he could not help but feel devastated because he knew that this was a great sin. However, for the generation that went through Gyeongjang and the generations that followed, famine and disturbances were something only recorded. Through the flood control project, weirs and reservoirs were properly built across the country. Dredging projects were carried out onrge and small rivers, deepening the water depth and reducing flood damage. As water resources were managed systematically, the supply of waterways and water wheels, which were previously unthinkable, increased significantly. As water was supplied sufficiently through canals and water wheels, transnting became popr and rice production increased significantly. This wasnt the end. In the early years of King Sejongs reign, there were frequent harvests. However, through the active intervention of the township, the governments response was different from before. He sent an envoy to the Ming to ask for their understanding and then purchased arge quantity of grain from the Gangnam area of the Ming. And the grain purchased in this way was not just released. Only those whose family register was registered with the government office were eligible to receive relief funds. It was to prevent the urrence of refugees. Even those whose family register was registered did not just receive it. It was to be received in return for working on various civil engineering projects carried out by the country. In this way, the government was able to quickly proceed with the flood control project, which required a lot of manpower. As a stable food supply became possible through this method, cannibalism for the people of the empire only existed in records. * * * The conquest army, united in hostility toward the Messicans, who were not even human and should not be treated as human beings, headed toward Tenochtin without hesitation. It seemed like it was going to crush everything that was in front of it, but it had its own twists and turns. The cause was a dispute with indigenous tribes encountered on the way to Tenochtin. The native tribes who saw therge conquering army advancing chose one of two options. Run away or fight. To the natives who had been suffering from the Messicans for a while, the conquering army they saw for the first time seemed like another Messican. They will eat us too! The indigenous tribes who made this misjudgment fled or attacked the conquering army. To avoid an unexpected conflict, Lee Jing-ok mobilized native defectors and persuaded them. However, there were not many indigenous tribes who believed the words of the conquering army. The natives, full of distrust, attacked the conquering army, and the conquering army mercilessly suppressed them. In front of the overwhelming firepower of the conquering army, native warriors died senselessly, and the surviving natives scattered in all directions and fled. And through those who fled like this, the fear of the conquering army spread to all directions. Through the rumors that spread, more and more tribes, especiallyrger tribes and leaders of tribal unions, became deeply troubled. -Resistance or surrender? If the rumors were true, resistance was meaningless. However, if they surrendered, they would have to suffer from other cannibals besides the Messicans. What should we do with this? While the tribal leaders were pondering, messengers sent by Lee Jing-ok visited with the native defectors. What is their business? The defectors answered the leaders questions on behalf of the messenger. To punish the Messicans along with the empire. Is that the end? no. All human sacrifices must be stopped and cannibalism must be banned. You must also follow thews and institutions of the empire. Stop human sacrifice and cannibalism? Thats right. Human sacrifice and cannibalism are prohibited under any circumstances. Hmm The defectors answer made the leaders look embarrassed. Those who believed in the same gods as the Mesicaans could not escape human sacrifice. The only difference was that they did not sacrifice people and cannibalize on arge scale like the Mesicas. Perhaps aware of the leaders concerns, the defector ryed the messengers message. The emperor of the empire said, How can a god who epts humans as sacrifices and tolerates humans eating humans be a good god? Hmm Also, His Majestys father, Sang Sang, said this. He said, It is said that the sun will rise the next day thanks to the Mesica people offering human sacrifices, but even though the empire does not believe in such gods, the sun rises just fine. The sun rises well Listening to Wans words from the defector, the leaders became even more worried. How long do I have to give you an answer? I will wait three days. I understand. After hearing the leaders answer, the messenger and the defectors returned to the main camp of the conquering army. After the conquest armys messenger came and went, the leaders engaged in a fierce war of words. The biggest justifications for those who insisted on resisting the conquering army were the prohibition of cannibalism and human sacrifice and questions about God put forward by the empire. Does it make sense for people who dont really know the god we believe in to discuss good gods and bad gods? I have lived in peace until now because I sacrificed a human being! The justification given by those who opposed this was smallpox, which they called a curse. We sacrificed so hard, but we couldnt lift the curse! Is a God who can neither remove nor prevent curses a good God? It is disrespectful to insult God! The fierce confrontation between the two sides often resulted in bloodshed. And when this conflict was severe, something unexpected even happened to the conquering army. What The messengers and defectors of the conquering army who returned to the tribe on the appointed date looked bewildered. This was because the tribes residence was overflowing with corpses. Most of them were warriors who could be said to be the core of their power. Most of those who survived were children, women, and the elderly. There were two reactions from the warriors who survived the bloody struggle. I will ept your offer. One was to ept the conquering armys offer with a tired face, and the other was. We will not ept your offer. But I wont even fight! He shouted this with a face full of hatred and left, leading the surviving tribesmen. The worst case scenario was to approach with a promise of surrender and cooperation and then ambush them. However, this surprise attack ended with them being annihted by concentrated fire from military machine guns that had been prepared just in case. * * * It was after the contact between the xcaltec natives and the conquering army that indigenous forces began to participate in earnest in the attack on Tenochtin. When they first heard rumors of the strangers approach, the xcaltec leaders reaction was simr to that of other native tribes. They areing to eat us! lets fight! Even if you just surrender, you will be eaten, and even if you lose, you will be eaten! Lets fight and die! This strong reaction began to slow down as time passed and new rumors about the conquering army began to spread. Ban cannibalism? Human sacrifice is also prohibited? You came to punish the Messika guys? It was thest rumor that caught the attention of xcaltec leaders. -I came to punish the Messika guys. The people who suffered the most from the Messicans who settled in Tenochtin were the xcaltecs. Therefore, the hostility they had toward the Messicans was beyond imagination. I think it would be okay to join hands with foreigners But The reason they hesitated to join forces with the conquering army was, of course, a religious issue. Although they suffered the most from the Mesica peoples human sacrifices, they also sacrificed people. The only difference was in scale and frequency. While the leaders of xcaltec were worried, a messenger from the conquering army visited them. The demands delivered by the messenger and the defectors were very simr to those heard through rumor. The deadline given by the conquering army was getting closer, but the leaders were not able to easily reach a conclusion. At this, young warriors rose up. We must join hands with the Gentiles! We must not miss the opportunity to get revenge on those Messika guys! Is there anything wrong with what they said? Is there a God who can neither stop nor remove a curse? The young warriors were distrusting the gods they had believed in until now. It was because of the curse that swept through nearby areas, starting with Tenochtin. As the curse spread, the Mesica people of Tenochtin sacrificed more people than ever before, but they were unable to stop the curse. And even in xcaltec, where they could not avoid the curse that had spread, many people lost their lives or turned into hideous figures. Young warriors who lost their families and acquaintances to this curse began to doubt the gods they believed in. And rumors about the conquering army also stimted them. It was certain that if they joined hands with the conquering army that had defeated the Mesica people, the strongest people in the area, they would be able to resolve the grudges they had suffered so far. These factors piled up and young warriors rose up. The leaders, under pressure from young warriors, eventually decided to form an alliance with the conquering army. One of the leaders who made the decision muttered with a wry smile. Is the God who cant even block curses a God?. Thats not wrong. * * * As the leaders decided to form an alliance, about 10,000 xcaltec warriors joined the conquest army. And these were the beginning. -xcaltec joins hands with strangers! As word of the xcaltecs choice spread, many surrounding tribes made simr decisions. This is your chance for revenge! It might be possible with those strangers! Sensing that an opportunity for revenge hade, the tribes quickly decided to form an alliance with the conquering army and sent warriors. As the alliance of indigenous tribes elerated, the conquering army grew in size more and more rapidly. Lee Jing-ok, who confirmed the situation, turned to his staff and handed them a snack. I guess this is why I tell you not to live a life of sin. The staff nodded at Lee Jing-oks words. Thats right. This was the same for the soldiers of the conquest army. How on earth have you done so crazy for something like this to happen? If you look at what I saw on the way here. Chapter 817 Episode 817: Siege of Tenochtin (3) Starting with xcaltec, the size of the conquering army grew frighteningly with the addition of indigenous people who had a grudge against Mesica. What is the approximate size so far? About 60,000 people including the natives and the conquering army. When we arrived at the beachhead, there were about 30,000 people, right? And when we broke through the jungle and set off again, it was about 20,000? Thats right. About 40,000 new people have joined. Its good that hes gotten bigger Lee Jing-ok couldnt hide his worry as he stroked his thick beard. I dont have to worry about supply, but everything else is a problem A strong group called xcaltec joined, and the tribes that joined after them were alsorge tribes, so supply wasnt a big problem. This was because most of the tribes joining the conquest army brought their own food and weapons, so they had less to worry about the most problematic areas: food and armament. * * * The indigenous warriors who joined in this way paid attention to the logging swords used by the warriors of the defective tribes who joined the conquering army first. This was because it was a much stronger de than the macuahuitl they used. Most wooden shields lose half when swung once, and swinging at a person produces simr results. The macuahuitl they used could have produced simr results if it were not a shield. However, there was a difference in the input force. The logging sword was able to create deeper wounds with less force than the macuahuitl. The leadership of the conquering army, who knew well that the indigenous people were very fond of the logging ind through the case of the defector tribe that joined first, used this logging ind as a political tool. The logging sword was given to themanders and tribal leaders of the newly joined indigenous tribe warriors, starting with the xcaltec. Those who received a new, sharpened logging sword that no one had used yet and a leather scabbard with a beautiful pattern engraved on it C of course, by searching for dexterous soldiers C expressed their gratitude with big smiles. What is interesting is that the logging sword gifted by the conquering army became a symbol of authority. This was thanks to the fact that the logging sword was not just handed over casually, but was handed over with great courtesy and a carefully crafted scabbard. Themanders who received the logging sword showed off themselves by holding up the logging sword to their subordinates, and the leaders also acted simrly. purple! Those strangers offered this to me as a sign of respect! * * * The biggest problem faced by the suddenlyrge conquering army was identification of enemies and confusion in themand system. Among the Mesica warriors, those who took prisoners wore the Cueshtecatl, a colorful full-body uniform dyed red, yellow, blue, or green. And as they umted more merit, they became jaguar warriors or eagle warriors, and as they became officers or kuachikes, they wore more ornate decorations on their backs. However, the warriors who had not yet achieved any feats wore only white quilted vests and short cape underwear. When I first fought the Messika warriors, this wasnt a big problem. Most of the warriors of the tribe to which the defectors belonged were barefoot in their underwear, and the conquering army solved the problem of identification by providing them with military uniforms that had been stored in supplies. However, this became impossible as indigenous people joined inrge numbers. xcaltec warriors, like the lower-ss warriors of Mesica, wore only white quilted vests and short cape undergarments. The only difference was the headband and headdress worn around the head. If they were just one-on-one, the headgear would be enough to distinguish them, but the problem is that now we have multiple forces mixed together. It is impossible to tell whether the group targeted by the fire wagon or artillery is friendly or enemy. Themanders all nodded at Lee Jing-oks point. Lee Jing-ok stroked his beard and continued speaking. Delivering orders is also a problem. We have takenmand, but we cantmunicate, so we cant hold on to it. Thisnguage issue had been a concern since the first conquest n was made. But there was only one answer. -Actively utilize defectors and their tribes. The decision was made based on the fact that although the tribes of the defectors were all different, they couldmunicate to some extent. -When themanding officer of the conquering army issues an order, the defectors interpret and deliver it. -If the number of allied tribes increases, the defectors will only serve as interpreters, and the warriors of the defected tribe will serve as messengers. This was the initial n. However, the number of indigenous people who actually joined the conquering army far exceeded expectations. As the scale grewrger than expected, thenguage problem also became more serious. Although it was based on the same Nahuatlnguage, each tribe spoke differently. Of course, since the basis was the same, it wasnt that we couldntmunicate at all. However, it was impossible to understand the exact meaning correctly and quickly. If we made a mistake, we could have achieved a surprising victory rather than an easy victory in a situation where we had superiority in numbers and firepower, or even a draw, or even a defeat. Of course there is no draw in war. However, it is uneptable to engage in a longer-term war than necessary. Lets think of an answer. The staff andmanders racked their brains and pondered over Lee Jing-oks order. Its useless to try to be pretentious The same goes for armbands. It may be noticeable in a closebat, but it is impossible to detect in a long-distance artillery battle. Still, I need an armband. Because you cant avoid hand-to-handbat at all. While various words were being exchanged, Kim Soo-jik, one of the staff members, came forward. How about having a little one? Kid? Since ancient times, it has been used as a means of identifying enemies and confirming rank by attaching it to the helmets of soldiers or military officers. This continued in the Imperial Army, and the Imperial Armys helmets and uniforms and the Imperial Navys uniforms also had a little squirrel on them. However, as gunpowder weapons became moremon, the pins attached to helmets became small and simple ck thread decorations. However, the little ones wearing military and formal hats were at the peak of their splendor. Its okay its okay, but While manymanders, including Lee Jing-ok, were shaking their heads, there were also those who raised objections. Its a good method, but its hard to recognize it from a distance, even for little ones. And getting feathers for the little ones is not an easy task. Look at the indigenous people out there. There are many tribes who only wear headbands because they do not have headdresses made of feathers. Of course there would be a problem with feathers. So I thought of something else. Kim Soo-jik exined the little girl he was thinking of. -Take light and stic tree branches and roll them into a ring shape, then attach a sack. The size of the ring is about the size of a human head. -Wrap fabric around round tree branches and dye them. -Aboriginal people attach the dyed hair like this to the back of their hair ties. they dye their hair with dyes that are easily avable here and then divide the natives into groups based on this color. Because of therge size of the little one, it is possible to identify it from a distance, especially in the case of monks. If a monk can make a clear decision, conducting bes easier. After hearing Kim Soo-jiks exnation, themanders all shouted in one voice. This is the best answer! In this way, the indigenous warriors who joined the conquering army came to wearrge pins on the back of their heads. * * * The conquering army headquarters divided the joined natives into four groups. Thergest number, 10,000 xcaltec warriors, was divided into two groups of 5,000 each, and the other tribes were gathered into two groups. And each of the four groups thus divided wore a pin dyed in green, red, yellow, and blue. Its definitely visible at a nce! The conquering army, which organized the natives, trained them to move to the sound of drums. Based on the drum sound signals used by the xcaltec warriors, which can be said to be the core of the indigenous forces, the conquering army created four signals. Forward, retreat, turn left, advance, turn right, advance. If you just listen to this properly and move, you wont have any trouble. As Lee Jing-ok said, the indigenous warriors soon became ustomed to the sound of drums. As the native warriors began to move in unison to the sound of the drums, Lee Jing-ok summoned his subordinatemanders again. Now lets go to George. Yes General! * * * Ten dayster, thebined forces of the conquering army and the natives arrived in Tenochtin. I was waiting for you as expected. Lee Jing-ok, who was on a horse and looking ahead with a telescope, muttered in a calm voice. To defend Tenochtin, located within Lake Texcoco, numerous Mesican warriors lined up and waited for the conquering army. Lee Jing-ok, who confirmed the Messika warriors who had lined up and prepared for battle, gave orders to his subordinates. Today is not a good day for fighting. It was already veryte and the soldiers were exhausted. We are still far from the enemys stronghold, so we camp here today. All right. Oh, there will definitely be a night raid. Make sure you prepare properly for that as well. Yes general. ording to Lee Jing-oks orders, the Allied forces built a camp in preparation for a night attack. After pitching a tent and eating dinner, the Allied forces divided their forces and took turns resting and guarding. However, the night attack that everyone expected did not ur. Even the Messika warriors were not in a position to conduct a night attack. * * * Akon, who escaped through the crossfire of the conquering army with all his might, returned to Tenochtin with all his might. When he got hungry, Akon raided nearby viges to fill his stomach and returned to report his defeat to Montezuma and other leaders. lost? I lost! The operation was good, but Akon desperately made an excuse to save his own life. The greatest responsibility for the defeat lies with Atrukut! He misled hismand and was unable to give our troops a chance to attack! Archon desperately made an excuse, shifting the me to Atrkut, who was obviously dead since he had not yet arrived. The operation was definitely good. Thats right. Perhaps the Archons excuses worked, but Montezuma, the other nobles, and the priests did not hold the Archon ountable any further. Then what should I do next? Acon immediately answered Montezumas question. Its a negotiation. Negotiation? yes. The weapons the foreigners have are more powerful than ours. This must be acknowledged. But they have toe a long way to get here. The long game will be difficult. Just once! You just have to win once and then you negotiate! Montezuma epted Archons opinion and prepared for the final battle. And Akon was again appointed as themander to lead the battle. I will give you onest chance. Acorn gritted his teeth and responded to Montezumas warning. I will do my best! Defeat is death! Whether the heart was taken out as a sacrifice or lost to the conquering army, the price of defeat was death. Chapter 818 Episode 818: Siege of Tenochtin (4) The number of troops given to Akon, who had hisst chance, was a little over 80,000. Whoa~. Akon, who saw the Messika warriors lined up in front of him, sighed and shook his head. Are they all How many people are there in total? The subordinate next to Akon answered the question. A little over 80,000 in total. Whoa~. At his subordinates answer, Akon sighed again. The condition of the Messika warriors gathered in front of us was miserable. The number of jaguar warriors, eagle warriors, and kuachike, the true elite soldiers, had decreased significantly. The same was true for low-level warriors. To make up for the shortage of soldiers, ves were also brought in, and even boys from Kalmecak, a priest training school, and Telpochkali, a warrior training school, were brought in. The problem was the morale of the warriors who gathered like that. The boys, who stayed at school without experiencing a proper battle or actually experiencing the fear of the conquering army, were looking forward to the battle with a mixture of excitement and anticipation. But the morale of the ves and other warriors was at an all-time low. The warriors who had barely survived the previous battle, as well as the boys and ves who had been in charge of supply work on the front line, were gripped by fear. They were not the only ones who survived the battle. Those who were already ustomed to war were bing increasingly demoralized as they watched the reactions of those who returned alive. Just as Lee Jing-ok had aimed for, fear began to spread through those who were routed. Can we carry out a proper operation with them? Archon, who asked himself, shook his head. Its impossible. Akon, who witnessed the bleak situation of the unit he wouldmand, began to think about what the most likely operation would be. Dividing units is absolutely not allowed. The moment we share, there will be countless people who will run away. We have to move as one piece. As a result of wars of conquest against neighboring countries, Messica warriors also knew how to use a variety of tactics. Night raids, ambushes, diversionary maneuvers, etc I knew how to know and use these various tactics, but there were prerequisites to use them properly. C Well-trained, experienced warriors with high morale Among those lined up in front of me, the experienced warriors had low morale, and the boys with high morale were inexperienced. If those with low morale were left alone in the selection process, most of them would run away. If inexperienced boys were mobilized for a night raid or ambush, it would have been perfect for them to get overly excited and miss the time. In the end, we have toe together as one and decide where to fight next No, we have to think about where the enemies wille from. After much deliberation, the location Acorn chose was the southeastern area of Lake Texcoco. This area was and that jutted out toward Tenochtin. Akon raised his hand and pointed to the area in question, exining it to his subordinates. Those strangers ride on vehicles pulled by strange beasts. There are many rivers to the east and west of Lake Texcoco, making it difficult for their vehicles to move. But this is drynd without such a river. Those who are attached to those strangers will also guide them there. Thats true, but considering the direction they came from, they mighte a little further east. I already told you, there are a lot of rivers there, so its hard for them to move. However, this is also drynd and is closest to Tenochtin. There is also a causeway connected to Tenochtin. Ah As his subordinates nodded, Akon continued. There, we fight with Tenochtin on our backs. Cut off the causeway. yes? Looking at his subordinates who could not hide their surprise at the unexpected and drastic decision, Akon pointed to the warriors lined up. Do you think such messed-up guys can fight properly? . You cant even use a proper strategy with such sloppy guys. As long as its sloppy, youre lucky. There will be more than half of them who will try to escape whenever they get the chance. That area is surrounded bykes on three sides, so there is nowhere else to run. If we cut off the causeway right before the battle, the only way for them to survive is to fight and win. . The subordinates responded in silence to Akons words. They too were well aware of the current dark situation. Those with high morale didnt know how to fight properly, and those who knew how to fight had low morale. In this situation, I had no choice but to use extreme measures to make them fight properly. Then go back and take those idiots and get ready to move. yes. Archons men walked in groups of threes and fives to the unit they wouldmand. While walking like that, someone muttered softly. I became a prisoner of war in a diatorial contest At the end of the dry season, a festival took ce in front of the main shrine. The most popr thing at this time was diator games. It was apetition between captured enemy officers and Mesica warriors. The enemy officers were given macuahuitl without a de, and the Mesica warriors were given macuahuitl with a proper de. There were differences in armament, and since it was a one-on-one match in form C the prisoners had to face the Messica warriors until they died C in most cases it ended with the death of the enemy officer. If the prisoner survived, and if he survived as a victor, he could have be an officer in the Messican army. Thats why Archons subordinates talked about diatorialpetitions. The foreigners weapons were powerful and merciless. In front of them, their weapons were nothing more than macuahuitl without des. In other words, they were like prisoners in a diatorial contest, hoping for a glimmer of hope in a hopeless situation. * * * Because of these circumstances, the most important thing to worry about after crossing theke and setting up camp was to prevent escape. Every day, several people attempting to escape were caught and executed. And as this continued for several days, the Messicans became mentally fatigued. When on earth are the strangersing? It would be better to fight. When the exhausted Messika warriors were half in despair, the conquering army and the allied tribes appeared. The allied forces arrived in the afternoon and took up positions quite a distance away from where the Messica warriors were encamped. I dont know who the enemymander is, but he is truly a cunning man. As expected Akon looked at the area where the Allied Forces were encamped and admired it with a wry smile. Although it could be seen with the naked eye, the camp was set up too far away to rush to battle. Even if the Messica warriors rushed out right now, they had stopped in an exquisite position that would give them enough time to defend themselves. I dont know who the enemymander is, but he is skilled in war. However, there were some who only knew the basics. In particr, they were those who had not experienced the previous Battle of Tenochtin. One of those people submitted an opinion to Akon. Wouldnt it be better to attack now? They must be exhausted because they havee a long way. Do you think they are tired? The officer in question slightly blurted out a question asked by Akon, referring to the Allied Forces that were actively moving and building a camp. But in general. In general, its not someone you think about. Then even if its a night raid Its not allowed. Both the number and quality of warriors are insufficient to carry out a night raid. It must be decided in just one battle. In response to Archons firm reply, the Messika warriors had to sit and guard their positions. * * * At the same time, Lee Jing-ok, who was standing on a cart and examining the Messika camp with a monocle, let out a small exmation. Hoo~. Its Bae Soo-jin The enemymander was determined to die. The staff member who was observing the enemy lines next to Lee Jing-ok spoke to Lee Jing-ok. Shouldnt those who are prepared to die be careful? Lee Jing-ok responded to the advisors words with a wry smile. I will rush at you desperately, so I will have to do my best to crush you. Dont we have that level of ability? Yes, of course. But like you said, you need to be careful. Lets reorganize the strategy. yes. * * * Early the next morning, the Allied forces slowly began preparing for battle. The first thing the conquering army did was to fill their ships, and the next thing they did was tounch the monks. Oh~ oh~. As the monks carrying the soldiers floated into the sky, the natives of the Allied Forces looked at them with exmations of wonder. The native leaders, who were admiring the monks as well as the soldiers, had the same thought. They have such strange things! Good hand holding! They had god-like powers! If you have other thoughts, you could get into big trouble! The leaders who saw the bhikkhu waved the white g in their hearts. Once Bhikkhu waspletely in position, the Allied soldiers left the camp and began to advance. Drum, rattle, rattle. The Allied soldiers walked slowly to the sound of the drums beaten by the Allied drummers. Itsing The Messica warriors, who saw the Allied forces advancing, swallowed dryly and held Macuahuitl tightly again, but their eyes were full of despair. It was because of the bhikkhu that rose into the sky. People are floating in the sky? Isnt that something only God can do? Do they have the power of God? Are we fighting those who have the power of God? Whoa~. Suck. Looking at the advancing Allied warriors, Akon took a deep breath and analyzed the situation. Should I wait? Shall we hit? Looking at the situation over there, I dont think you n on making the first move? As Akon said, the leading forces of the advancing Allied forces were the natives, and the conquering army remained motionless behind them. In response to Archons question, the subordinates next to him expressed their opinions. Wouldnt it be better to wait? How about spreading the warriors left and right and moving forward? Even these young kids can do that. Hmm. We must charge at all costs. Considering the weapons they have, gathering together like this is dangerous in itself. We need to cling to them as much as possible. In particr, think about the magic tool floating in the sky. If you do something wrong, you will lose before you even fight. Atst words, Akon made a decision. That was the problem. good night! Charge! Push through the guys in front of you! yes! After a while, loud conch trumpets and drum sounds came from the Messika camp. At the same time, the Messika warriors began to shout and move forward. Just seeing the bhikkhu was a desperate effort to raise his morale, which had fallen to rock bottom. Lee Jing-ok, who saw the signal sent from Bhikkhu, looked at the enemy lines with a monocle and smiled. yes. You have to move like that. * * * This is a map of Tescoco Lake. The protruding area at the 5 oclock position below is where the battle took ce. Authors words. hello? This is Gukbbong, who writes ck Enterprise Chosun. I would like to express my apologies to the readers who love ck Enterprise Chosun. In fact, we will be taking a day off tomorrow. We are scheduled to hear the results of my mothers additional examination and biopsy tomorrow. I just hope that the biopsy resultse out good. I cannot hide my regret for the hiatus. Please continue to love ck Enterprise Chosun. I will do my best. Gukppong dream. Chapter 819 Episode 819: Siege of Tenochtin (5) The Messica warriors shouted and charged. Lee Jing-ok, standing on the cart, checked the signal from Bhikkhu and looked at the battlefield with a monocle. What a mess Lee Jing- ok smiled more and more bitterly as he watched the chaotic charge of the Messika warriors running towards him while shouting. So its better for us. Signal! Proceed as nned! yes! In response to Lee Jing-oks order, the staff conveyed the order to messengers. After a while, the indigenous allied forces advancing from the front began to split into left and right, emptying the middle. They are running away! Tear it apartpletely! As the indigenous allies began to empty the center, the Messica warriors increased their momentum even more. The inexperienced boys were excited and started running forward recklessly. The problem was the experienced warriors and the former captive ve warriors. Normally, the warriors would have realized right away that splitting like that was a sign. However, out of fear and desperation for the conquering army, they lost their senses and ran forward unconditionally, shouting after the boys. At some point, the indigenous coalition waspletely divided in two and became a wall blocking the left and right sides of the Messica warriors. No, it was not a wall, but a funnel that pushed the Messica warriors into the entrance of the conquering army. And the defensive wall of the conquering army appeared in the eyes of the madly charging Messika warriors. Behind a low defensive wall built using batteries made of nearby earth and sand, a boxcar and the muzzle of a rifle were waiting for them. And behind the muzzles were the eyes of the conquering army soldiers aiming at the Messika warriors. Let go! Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-tang! * * * The defensive wall built by the conquering army had a hollow shape on the inside. ording to that shape, the Messica warriors had no choice but to push deep inside and were caught in the crossfire of the waiting conquering army and were cut apart. However, the Messika warriors continued to charge recklessly toward the low barrier in front of them. There were other reasons for their reckless rush besides desperation. Just before the Messican warriors charged, Akon cut off the causeway to Tenochtin before their eyes. Until all enemies are defeated! We cant go back! You cant run away! All you can do is kill all those strangers! There was only one thing the Mesica warriors could do as they saw the causeway broken in front of them and listened to Akons words. To kill all those strangers. * * * They attacked the desperate Baejin lines and charged without fear of death, but the difference in firepower could not be ovee. The Messica warriors copsed in vain under the rain of bullets rained down by the conquering army. The boys who charged in most passionately and with the greatest recklessness were the first to die. Experienced warriors jumped in, taking advantage of the short gap between the fire trucks and the ammunition that had been expended while killing the boys. It was a tactic that utilized what was experienced through previous battles. However, the conquering army opposing them had also transformed from clumsy volunteers to seasoned soldiers through the previous battle. While the soldiers were loading the cartridges of the rifle, the soldiers next to them simultaneously pulled the triggers of their rifles and threw the projectiles. * * * The Messika warriors rushed forward recklessly in a do-or-die situation, but at some point they began to retreat. To be precise, it did not retreat, but began to copse under the continuous fire of the conquering army. Lee Jing-ok, who confirmed that the morale of the Messika warriors was not only broken but also suffered huge troop losses, gave an order to his staff. Now we have to attack their base. Tell the guys who were hanging out to pay for their meal. Yes General! Following Lee Jing-oks orders, the artillery pieces of the conquering army, which had been silent so far, began firing at once. bang! Quack! bang! The target of the conquering armys guns was the main camp of the Messicans behind them. The artillery of the conquering army once again demonstrated artistic bombardment. The artillery of the conquering army cut the camp of Messika warriors into small pieces. -Splitting logs into firewood and splitting firewood into kindling. Thats what the Imperial Artillery does. Like a joke going around among the imperial artillerymen, the camp of Messika warriors was split into small pieces. * * * Once the artillery of the conquering army was properly paid, the indigenous allied forces slowly began to move. The indigenous allied forces, who were divided into left and right sides and formed defensive positions, began to push upward. The indigenous allies were in no hurry. -Never rush until you are given themand to charge! Repeat! Never rush! This was the warning delivered by the conquering army before the battle. And as the battle unfolded, they keenly felt why the conquering army delivered such a strong warning. The Messika warriors, who were the object of fear, died helplessly. The same was true for the headquarters of the Messika warriors they were currently heading to. As the ground shook with a loud noise and pirs of earth rose into the sky, limbs that appeared to belong to Mesica warriors flew out in all directions. If I had charged in without thinking The natives, who had been imagining things for a moment, trembled. They too would have suffered something like that. But at the same time, I felt refreshed. This was because the Messica warriors, who until recently had reigned as objects of fear and threatened their lives, were dying helplessly. As the indigenous allied forces approached the Mesica main camp, the artillery fire of the conquering army stopped. Suddenly, the sound of drums and trumpets began to sound loudly in the quiet battlefield. The warriorsmanding the indigenous allies screamed at the trumpet sound, which was different from the familiar trumpet sound. charge! Kill those Messika bastards! Revenge! * * * The battle that followed was a one-sided massacre. The Mesica warriors, whose leadership, including Akon, were blown away by the conquering armys persistent bombardment, did not receive propermand. The chain ofmand was destroyed and the Mesica warriors, who were in a state of panic due to the imperial artillery bombardment, lost their lives in vain to the iing indigenous allied forces. In the meantime, the surviving Messican army officers gathered Messican warriors and resisted. However, it was impossible to gather a sufficient number of warriors in a situation where they were torn apart by the bombardment of the conquering army, and they were individually defeated by the indigenous allied forces who attacked in several times greater numbers. The indigenous allies, confident of their victory, mercilessly ughtered the Messika warriors. asionally, Messika warriors begged for mercy and surrendered, but the native warriors mercilessly cut off their heads. This was because the resentment umted over the years was too deep to show mercy to the Messika warriors. As the sun set that day, the Messica warriors who went on a defensive battle were defeated. There were no surviving Mesica warriors. * * * The conquering army and the indigenous allied forces that won the battle were busy making their next move. Lee Jing-ok released the conquest army and indigenous allies that were waiting in reserve around Tenochtin. Their task was to cut the causeway connecting Tenochtin with the outside world and to cut the aqueduct that supplied Tenochtin with drinking water. The unit that received Lee Jing-oks orders moved quickly. Among these detachments, the unit with thergest number of troops was the unit heading to Chapultepec. This is because Chapultepec has the waterway that supplies drinking water to Tenochtin and the best-built transportation route. Thanks to this background, Chapultepec was Messicas most reliable ally and protector. However, the rumor spread faster than the conquering army expected, and the leaders of Chapultepec immediately surrendered to the detachment. The Allied forces took Chapulpetek faster than expected and cut off waterways and transportation routes into Tenochtin as nned. And soon, the transportation routes created to the west and north of Tenochtin were cut off. The conquering army diligently cut off the transportation routes on one side and connected the transportation routes that the Mesicas had cut off on the other side, and at the same time began to build ships and rafts inrge quantities. It was preparation for the full-scale invasion of Tenochtin. * * * Meanwhile, news of the defeat reached Tenochtin. Tenochtins leaders met with Montezuma to discuss future actions. -Surrender or resistance? While a war of words was going on over opposite methods, new news continued to be delivered to them. -Chapultepec was taken over by foreigners. -Traffic routes and waterways toward Chapultepec were cut off. -The causeway north of Tenochtin was cut off. Montezuma and the leaders looked gloomy as they continued to hear the grim news. I think the only answer is surrender. Is it just surrender? As Montezuma and his leaders were converging towards surrender, another news arrived. -The guys attached to the strangers killed all of our warriors! -The units still remaining in the north have begun to advance south! Montezuma and the leaders put their heads together again in response to the newly received information. Even if you surrender, you will die The army ising down from the north again, and the main force of the Gentiles is in the south The measure chosen by Montezuma and the leaders was resistance. Hold on until the northern army arrives! If you endure, you will win! * * * The southward advance of the remnants of the Messika army also reached the ears of the Allied forces. That was thest defeat that made those bastards endure. Lee Jing-ok, who received the report, smiled and looked at the situation. After the victory in thest battle, the size of the indigenous allied forces easily exceeded 100,000. This was thanks to the fact that the surrounding indigenous tribes and cities, which had been paying attention until now, quickly joined the allied forces. This was because they now knew for sure who the new ruler of this region was. Then Now is your chance for revenge! In order to impress the new ruler, he joined the allied forces to avenge the damage suffered by the Messicans over the past time. Lee Jing-ok, who was analyzing the situation, smiled and gave an order to his staff. Tell all the native chiefs to gather together. Yes General! * * * Lee Jing-ok, who gathered all the indigenous leaders, starting with the xcaltec leaders, exined the situation and concluded as follows. Therefore, if we just deal with these Messicans advancing south, our victory is certain. So I will send troops to intercept them. First, we will select 10,000 men from our conquest army. What are you going to do? Native leaders, who heard the defectors story through their interpreters, raised their hands. We will bring our warriors to join us! So do we! Give our warriors a chance! Our warriors are no less excellent warriors than the Messika warriors! Native leaders desperately tried to get their warriors to join them. This was the result of political calction. The tribes that joined first, starting with the xcaltec, wanted to protect their political interests as first movers, and theters wanted to appeal themselves through this battle. In the end, about 50,000 Allied forces, including 10,000 of the conquering army, set out to intercept thest of Messikas forces advancing south from the north. Authors Note Hello. This is Gukppong, who writes ck Enterprise Chosun. Yesterdays biopsy results showed that my mother had a simple ulcer. I think its all thanks to our readers. thank you I couldnt sleep the night before yesterday because I was worried about yesterdays results, so todays manuscript iste. Its not like it used to be??. We will do our best in the future. I sincerely hope that you will continue to love me a lot in the future. Gukppong dream. Globurn Co., Ltd. Chapter 820 Episode 820: Siege of Tenochtin (6) When part of the Allied forces separated to intercept the Messica armying down from the north, indigenous leaders were not the only ones to join in with enthusiasm. High-rankingmanders in charge of the conquest armymand center and units also came forward with enthusiasm. -General Lee Jing-ok mustmand the main camp here and maintain contact with Shinji! -In that case, the troops moving north should be taken care of by someone other than General Lee Jing-ok! -The battle against those bastards like Messika or something is already a battle where victory is expected! As long as you dont do anything stupid. -Then this is the best opportunity for further promotion! Whether it was a ss in charge of directbat or a ss in charge of supply and administration in the rear, victory was the best stepping stone for promotion. Therefore, in order to have the best opportunity to obtain the title of general, themanders insisted that Lee Jing-ok should make himself themander. I can clearly see what you guys are thinking Lee Jing-ok, who was looking at his subordinatemanders with aughable expression, immediately turned to a sharp expression and looked at his subordinatemanders. You havent forgotten what is the most important thing in our Imperial Armysbat doctrine, right? Lets repeat it. Themanders shouted loudly at the same time at Lee Jing-oksmand. Win with minimal damage! * * * Even before the empire, the biggest problem of the Joseon military was insufficient poption. Especially as the Ming turned into the most powerful hostile force, this problem became one that must be resolved. As a solution to this, King Sejong and the Joseon army chose artillery and freight cars. C Actively use artillery and freight cars to reliably intercept hostile forces from a long distance. C Avoid closebat and hand-to-handbat as much as possible. Based on this basic premise, the Joseon military changed its constitution. It was not just about increasing the size of thebat troops, but also the size of the supply and fortificationmunication medics. The standards for evaluating amanders qualifications were the same. Even a victoriousmander had to be criticized if there were many casualties. -Amander who prepares properly is a mastermander. C Instead of consuming soldiers, consume bullets and shells. This was the basic operating doctrine of the imperial army. * * * After the detachment left, Lee Jing-ok steadily carried out the work to capture Tenochtin. All causeways leading to Tenochtin were cut off, and aqueducts supplying drinking water were cut off. At the same time, wooden pontoon bridges and materials to reconnect the broken causeway, as well as boats and rafts, were built and stacked. That wasnt all. The artillery units of the conquering army regrly fired cannonballs toward Tenochtin every day. The artillery fired by the conquering army went around Tenochtin and reduced it to ruins. If we gather the magic created by those powerful magic tools in one ce, we wont have to wait or get cut off like this, right? Chicotencatl (the title of chief) of the Nahuatl tribe, the most powerful among the tribes of xcaltec, saw the bombardment of the conquering army and asked Lee Jing-ok. Lee Jing-ok answered Chicotencatls question with an expression that said it was nothing. The enemys spirit will still be alive. If you push in recklessly, the damage will be great. It is better to kill their momentum and then attack. Oh indeed In response to Lee Jing-ok, Chicotencatl nodded and walked away. Lee Jing-ok, who was watching the chiefs of other tribes crowding around the retreating Chicotencatl and talking, asked the young officers nearby. There are two things that kill the most soldiers on the battlefield. What do you think one isbat and the other is? In response to Lee Jing-oks question, the young officers pondered for a moment and then began to open their mouths one by one. Isnt there a shortage of food? Isnt it a disease? The young officers chose those two things first. Lee Jing-ok smiled and opened his mouth in response to the young officers answers. Its simr, but its not the right answer. Its water. You mean water? Thats right. If you dont have clean water to treat injured soldiers, their wounds will heal and they will die. If you make food with dirty water, it bes poison rather than food. If you drink any water just because youre thirsty, youll get a gue and die. Thats why water, to be precise, clean water is important. One of the biggest losses to the Ming army in thest Battle of Liaodong was the dirty water of Liaodong. Ah The young officers nodded at Lee Jing-oks exnation. Lee Jing-ok continued speaking, looking at the young officers like a grandfather looking at his young grandson. This is why we make sure to take a water purification bottle with us when preparing for a military expedition, and this is why we always filter water that looks clear through a water purification bottle before boiling it before drinking it. And the same goes for the artillery firing bombs here and there on the enemys capital. Look at that enemys capital. Its in the middle of ake, so why build a separate channel to get drinking water? Because the water in theke is dirty! yes! Since the waterway has been cut off, there will soon be a shortage of drinking water. And as the artillery attacks continue like that, there will continue to be casualties. If you drink dirty water and treat the wounded, a gue will soon spread. That is our chance to attack. Ah. It also appeared in Sun Tzus Art of War, but victory without fighting is the best. And the same goes for our imperial armys doctrine. Always keep this in mind. yes! Then lets take a look at things. Yes General! Lee Jing-ok, who was looking at the young officers returning to their posts, muttered with a serious face. This is a problem. The time is approaching for those who experienced the Battle of Liaodong to step down, but there are too few young people with actualbat experience. Experience is not something that can be gained simply by listening or reading, but that doesnt mean you cant fight unnecessary battles or wars all the time Lee Jing-ok, who pondered for a moment, walked towards his tent. I guess I should write a letter to His Majesty. * * * When almost 15 days had passed, the detachment that had gone out to intercept returned. We won! Good work. What about the damage to our troops? In the case of the conquering army, there were 35 injuries and 8 deaths. The natives suffered a loss of about 2,000. What is the size of the enemy and what is the damage? The army numbered about 5,000 and was wiped out. The only prisoners captured were 600 captured by the conquering army. Did you bring any prisoners? I left it behind in a nearby native city. I have made a very strong request to keep him alive just in case. You handled it properly. Good job. Lee Jing-ok congratted the detachmentmander by lightly tapping him on the shoulder and continued speaking. Then write a report and submit it. I want to receive it quickly. yes. Lee Jing-ok, who dismissed themander of the detachment, red at Tenochtin located across theke and muttered. If you hear that the rescue soldiers who were waiting for you have been wiped out, will you lose your spirit? Although a considerable amount of time had passed since the waterway was cut and the ground-breaking operation began, the Mesica people of Tenochtin were still stubbornly holding on. Hmm Lee Jing-ok, who was thinking while looking at Tenochtin, soon came to a conclusion. I guess Ill have to hit it now. If we dy here any longer, this side will get tired first. Many of the soldiers in the conquest army already showed signs of exhaustion. Most of the volunteers were those who volunteered in anticipation of the end of the war. The longer the war went on, the faster they would be exhausted. The same was true for the natives who joined after thest battle. They were unable to see the true firepower of the conquering army, and as time went by, they would not look at the conquering army with suspicion or be so intimidated as they do now. And it was clear that he would make his own political calctions. Lee Jing-ok, who had made up his mind, called his staff. After three days, we attack the enemys capital. Gather themanders and chieftains. Yes General! * * * Three dayster, as soon as daybreak came, the artillery of the conquering army began firing at once. bang! Quack! bang! Unlike before, the bombs fired by the conquering army were concentrated around the expectednding site. While the conquering armys artillery wasying waste to thending site and its surroundings, boats and rafts full of indigenous people began crossing theke. Reconnect the road! yes! As soon as the orders from themanders of the conquering army were given, the waiting natives began to reconnect the broken causeway using materials and wooden pontoons that had been prepared in advance. Heavy artillery will have a hard time passing, but freight cars will be able to move. It is quite possible. Lee Jing-ok, who was observing the situation while standing on the cart, raised his head and looked at the sky. Lee Jing-ok muttered softly after checking the signal sent by the monk in the sky. Smooth! The road continues! Send the natives! Yes General! As soon as the causeway was connected, well-armed native warriors began to rush up the causeway and into Tenochtin. After the deployment of the indigenous warriors, the conquering forces, mainly using fire wagons and light wagons, began to push into Tenochtin. * * * The street fighting that took ce in Tenochtin was fierce. Although the Messicans were weakened by hunger and disease, they still showed formidable fighting power with their venomous faces. This was the same for the attacking indigenous allies. The indigenous warriors, who had suffered greatly from the human sacrifices and cannibalismmitted by the Messicans over a long period of time, also attacked the Messican warriors with faces full of venom. There was no humanity on the battlefield where these poisonous people fought against each other. Neither side would leave the wounded alone or ept surrender. * * * As time passed, the situation of the war was heading towards the defeat of the Messicans. This was because, in addition to being weakened by Lee Jing-oks high-stakes operation, the army was also pushed back in size. And from this point on, the conquering army entered the situation. If there were any points where the Messica warriors still stubbornly held out, the conquest army was sent in. Tu-ta-ta-tang! Tatang! When the camp of the Messica warriors copsed under the fire of fire trucks and light trucks, the native warriors rushed in to finish the battle and ran toward the center of Tenochtin. * * * As the battlefield gradually moved toward the center of Tenochtin, the conquering armies following the native warriors began to frown. This is a bit harsh Its fifty paces or a hundred paces The indigenous warriors engaged in street fighting did not just pass over the nearby Messican houses. There were many natives who immediately broke down the door, killed all the Messicans in front of them, regardless of age or gender, and headed to the next house. Should we stop this? Its too much While the soldiers of the conquering army were thinking about this, another soldier who was looking at the house shook his head. Just leave it alone. why? Isnt that too harsh? Come in and look at this. The soldiers of the conquering army who entered the house after being told by their colleagues were speechless when they saw what was hanging on one side of the wall. There was a well-smoked human arm hanging there. These crazy people I forgot this This was somon that most of the conquering army became bystanders. Lets just leave it alone for now. If you get tired of killing people like that, you wille to your senses. While ordinary soldiers said that and became bystanders, themanders were waiting for their time, remembering Lee Jing-oks orders. -If you see enemy monarchs or nobles, intervene unconditionally and capture them alive. Chapter 821 Episode 821: Siege of Tenochtin (7) The battle between the indigenous allied forces and the Messica warriors gradually moved towards the center of Tenochtin. When the battlefield was finally moved to Tenochtins great temple and pce, Messicas high-ranking priests and nobles appeared. It is finally time for us to step forward. As Montezuma and other Messica leaders appeared, the conquest army that had been watching from behind began to move. * * * It has finally appeared! Kill! As Montezuma and other Messica leaders appeared, the indigenous allies began to push the Messica warriors even more fiercely. The time for revenge hase! Lets open their chests and take out their hearts! As the vengeful indigenous allies attacked, the Messica warriors also desperately tried to stop them. Protect toani! To protect Montezuma and the high priests, thest remaining Cuachiques (Mesica elite troops) and Pipiltin (Mesica nobles) fought with all their might against the natives. However, more and more of the Mesica warriors, who were already weakened and outnumbered by the long siege, lost their lives and fell on the steps of the Great Temple. The blood of the Mesica warriors began to flow down the steps of the main shrine, where the blood of those sacrificed as sacrifices would normally have flowed. * * * Ta-ta-tang! When almost all of the Cuachiques and Pipiltines were dead and only Montezuma and a handful of high-ranking men remained, the conquering army intervened. While the native warriors were hesitating at the sound of gunshots fired in the air, the soldiers of the conquering army divided the tribe between the Messicans and the natives. They will be punished through the imperial court! Woooo! The native warriors, who heard the words of themander of the conquering army through an interpreter, booed loudly and resisted. However, when the conquering army warriors immediately raised their guns and aimed, they were forced to suppress their anger. This is what your chieftains and leaders have agreed upon! Through the imperial trial, their crimes will be clearly recorded and they will be punished! Some high-ranking native warriors, who were pondering what themander of the conquest army meant, asked themander of the conquest army: Even if they do, what will they do with the others? Those who surrender will be spared. The high-ranking warriors who heard themanders words chuckled, then turned around and shouted something at their own tribe warriors. Ooooh~. After hearing the words of the advanced warriors, the native warriors raised their blood-covered macuahuitl high, shouted, and scattered in all directions. After a while, peoples screams began to echo throughout Tenochtin. As screams came from all directions, themander spoke to his subordinate officer next to him. It reminds me of the phrase a grave tomb. Wu Zi-she, who lost his father and brother to King Ping of Chu during the Spring and Autumn Warring States Period,ter led the army of Wu and attacked Chu. Wu Zishu, who seeded in conquering the state of Chu, dug up the tomb of King Ping, who had already died, took out King Pings body, and then beat the body with a copper whip. It is said that the body was beaten so many times that when Wu Ja-seo stopped whipping, the body could not even be found. A subordinate officer, who understood the meaning of the idiom spoken by themander, carefully raised a counterargument. Even so, its too much. So its not a cave poem? The survivors may feel resentful. Isnt that why we turned around and retreated? . The battle is ours, but next is politics. Our job is done. After saying something meaningful to his subordinate, themander turned around and gave an order. We will tie up those prisoners and lead them away. The general will be busy from now on. All right. The officer who received the order led his subordinates and tied up Montezuma and other high-ranking members of Messica and dragged them away. * * * Once the battlefield was somewhat settled, Lee Jing-ok entered Tenochtin. Lee Jing-ok, who was looking at the ruins of Tenochtin with an indifferent expression, turned to themanders of the conquering army who were waiting for him. Good job. Thank you very much. Thats too much praise. Lee Jing-ok, who praised themanders, headed to where the leaders of Messica, including Montezuma, were. Lee Jing-ok, who was looking at the captives kneeling on the ground, turned his head and gave an order to themanders. Keep it locked up in an appropriate ce. Sooner orter, the judges from the tribunal wille. In response to Lee Jing-oks words, amander stepped forward and expressed his opinion. All right. The resentment among the Haonde people runs deep. If you think about the future, wouldnt it be better to hand it over to them? Lee Jing-ok nodded slightly at themanders suggestion. In some ways, it could be a good method. But the empire has its ownws. And our imperial army must follow the military discipline of the empire, thews of the empire, and the orders of His Majesty the Emperor. His Majestys orders, both military discipline andw, dictate that they be handed over to the Tribunal. All right. And if I kill him without question now, I will feel relieved. But in the distant future, there will be people who will im that they are unfair victims and that we are the viins. No way When you be desperate to increase your fame, you will do all kinds of things. Thats why the referees ruling is necessary. And Lee Jing-ok took a moment to catch his breath and continued hismand. It is aw that requires a judgment from a referee to prevent the foolish actions of such people, and solid evidence is needed to obtain a proper judgment. Find those among the soldiers who are good at drawing and tell them to leave a clear picture of what those bastards did. All right! * * * ording to Lee Jing-oks orders, the conquest army selected soldiers and began to thoroughly record everything in Tenochtin, especially buildings and traces of human sacrifice and cannibalism. For this work, many soldiers and artillerymen skilled in drawing were mobilized. The reason artillery units were mobilized was because urate numerical records of the buildings and facilities where human sacrifices took ce were needed. In order forrge, heavy artillery to demonstrate its power properly, properly made batteries were needed, and thanks to this, many artillerymen were experts in fortification and surveying. The problem was that those who were mobilized and began recording work began toin of severe mental fatigue. This is not something humans should do The most obvious example was the building recorded as the Skull Altar. -The Skull Altar is a building that is about 12 pieces long (about 36m), about 5 pieces wide (about 15m), and 2 pieces high (about 6m). -The altar consists of two floors, with a skull tower and skull wall made of skulls on the second floor. -A skull tower is a tower made of skulls stacked in a round shape in the shape of a well. It is about 6 feet (approximately 1.8m) in both height and width C There is a skull wall behind the skull tower. This skull wall, called Tzompantli in theirnguage, is in the shape of a half-buried skull tower described earlier. -The skull wall is made by stacking disy stands made of skulls. The gap between the front and back of this disy stand is slightly less than 3 feet (approximately 0.9m) (lower) Those in charge of recording and tranting various decorations made of human skulls into picturesin of mental pain. did. In the end, Lee Jing-ok had no choice but to divide the soldiers and alternate rest and work. After much trouble, Lee Jing-ok, who received the report they wrote and read its contents, took deep breaths repeatedly to calm down his boiling anger. Huh! Huh~. Lee Jing-ok, who managed to calm down his anger by taking several deep breaths, gave an order to his subordinates. Give the captives just enough food to keep them from dying. Make it so that you dont even have the strength tomit suicide. All right! Even fill them with swords and shackles! * * * The battle report written by Lee Jing-ok and the report on human sacrifice written by the conquering army arrived at Sinji Haenggung Pce using the fastest connection. After safely returning from King Sejongs funeral, Hyang checked the report and immediately gave an order. Send the judges from the tribunal as quickly as possible! Yes, Your Majesty! And make a copy of this report on human sacrifice and cannibalism and send it straight to our headquarters! It will be an important reference for the Emperor when he makes his decision! Yes, Your Majesty! The scent that gave themand muttered with a bitter expression. I would like to tell them all to kill, but there is aw and justification In Joseon as well as the Empire, it was the kings responsibility to decide on the death penalty, or the punishment for serious crimes. Sentencing and sentencing for quite a few crimes were made through the judges created as the case progressed, but the death penalty had to be decided by the emperor. If the county were to order the death penalty, it would be a serious vition of authority. But I can handle other things Hyang began to write a letter to Wan. The letter written by Hyang went to our headquarters along with the reports, and we were able to receive Wans response through the next regr service. -Do as the situation dictates. After receiving Wans answer, Hyang began to write down the order. After checking the contents of thepleted order, Hyang muttered with aplicated expression. In the future, there will be more people who will curse at me Whats there to know? * * * Lee Jing-ok, who confirmed the order sent by Hyang, called themanders together. What are the judges doing now? We are checking again to see if what is written in the report is true. Whats the reaction? I dont think there is any argument that he is guilty. Hmm I see. The situation gave the order. As soon as the situation was mentioned, themanders immediately straightened their posture and looked at Lee Jing-ok. Lee Jing-ok delivered Hyangs orders to themanders. C Among the captured Messicans, all except those awaiting trial at the Judgment Court are made public servants. -Mesica people who became government ves were put to work on road construction. -The road on which they will be deployed is the section from the bridgehead to Tenochtin and the road connecting it with nearby cities. -Use these toplete the bridgehead and Tenochtin connection road, which is currently being built by the Corps of Engineers, to a level that can be maintained permanently. -Tenochtin will cut off all connecting roads and make it uninhabitable in the future. -Mesicas who became government ves are forced to live in a separate residence other than their original residence, including Tenochtin. -The authority to supervise the Mesica people who became government ves was entrusted to the natives who cooperated with the conquering army. -The work performance of government workers is thoroughly supervised. Lee Jing-ok and themanders who had checked up to this point all had the same thought. Its a road murder. Like Tx Caltech, there were many indigenous people who suffered from the Mesica people. If they were given the authority to supervise them and rewarded and punished them ording to their performance, it was certain that they would treat the Messicans harshly. And Lee Jing-ok and themanders expectations were exactly correct. The Mesica people were mobilized to work at harsh construction sites as government ves and had to work under the supervision of native supervisors. Native overseers, driven by deep-rooted hostility and seeking rewards, treated the Mesica people harshly, and at some point, the number of the Mesica people began to decrease. Thanks to this, the Mesica people came to live as a minority tribe in this region in the distant future. In history before the intervention of the Incense, this was the opposite of the situation where they were still the dominant race in the Mexican region. And because of this cruelty, it became the most famous of Hyangs few mistakes. However, politicians and historians from the indigenous tribes who had been attacked by the Messicans strongly opposed this. If the first emperor had not done this, the Mesicas would still be oppressing us! That decision was the best decision for us who were oppressed! Chapter 822 Episode 822 Ming and Japan C Internal stability and expansion (1) It was not only the empire that was changing busily. The immediate neighbors, Ming and Japan, were also busy. However, the directions in which the two countries moved were opposite. * * * The direction chosen by Myeong was interior. Seonghwa-je, who ascended to the throne after Gyeongtae-je, was nicknamed the Emperor of Goryeo. There were many reasons why he was nicknamed the Emperor of Goryeo. First of all, he grew up in the Empire. Emperor Seonghwa grew up in the empire after the defeat in the Liaodong War. Thanks to this, Seong Hwa-jes Chinese was a bit problematic. There was no problem with the conversation, but the ent gave the impression that there was a lot of dialect mixed in. The second was that he had an imperial empress. An even bigger problem was that he had no concubines other than the empress. ording to traditional Chinese customs, the emperor had 3 pces, 6 circles, and 72 secrets. You must not ignore traditional customs! Having many descendants is also a duty that an emperor must fulfill! The ministers of the Ming Dynasty begged to take in concubines for reasons of custom and reality. Emperor Seonghwa red at the ministers who begged him to take in concubines. Are the Lords pleading just for that reason? My beliefs are based solely on my sincerity! It is absolutely necessary for the stability of the empire! As the ministers put pressure on him by mentioning the stability of the empire, Seonghwaje had no choice but to take a step back. Good! I will follow your will! Hwang Eun is devastated! ording to historical records, on the day this decision was made, Seonghwaje visited the empress and prayed that her hands would be feet. Geumsoon~. I really didnt do this because I wanted to! Really! Trust me! I really only have you as Geum-soon! Uh huh! Put down the needle! Put it down! If youre going to throw something, throw something other than a wooden needle! It is said that the next day, the royal doctor of the Ming Dynasty ced many needles on the Seonghwajes waist and made a medicine to restore energy. * * * As soon as Seonghwajes permission was given, the ministers of Ming were busy moving about. First, people were sent all over the country to select 5,000 beautiful girls and sent them to Nanjing. A physical examination was conducted on 5,000 beautiful girls who entered the pce, and 4,000 girls were eliminated and had to return. Next, the private parts were inspected and 300 people remained. In this way, the remaining 300 people were sent to Seonghwaje for practice, and after a month, only 50 people remained and were appointed to Bibin. In some ways, it seemed like apletely objective and fair procedure, but the problem was that out of the 300 people who came in this way, about 100 were the women of major ministers. Their calctions were simple. -If you can gain the emperors favor and ascend to Vienna or Vienna, pushing out the empress from the empire is a piece of cake! -The Emperor of Tang Jin has a weak power base. If I can be the emperors father-inw, the power of the empire will be mine! -If my daughter only gives birth to a son, my family can continue to enjoy power as maternal rtives of the imperial family for generations! The ministers who pushed their daughters in with such greed paidrge amounts of bribes. But the Seonghwaje exceeded their expectations. I listened to the advice of the officials and brought in a concubine. But after this, its up to Jim. Seong Hwa-je did not sleep with the 300 beautiful girls who came in like that. your majesty! For the well-being of the empire, there must be many princes to carry on the session! ah? Dont worry about that problem. Because Jim and the Empress are working hard. As Emperor Seonghwa said, Emperor Seonghwa and the Empress already had three sons and two daughters. In the end, some of the ministers who could not stand it rose up. your majesty! This is a question of legitimacy! It is absolutely impossible for a prince born to a Joseon woman to inherit the throne! Joseons culture must not seep into the imperial family! So the prince born to me and the Empress cannot inherit the throne? Thats right! How can Joseon blood be mixed into the imperial family? Among the concubines that Emperor Yongle had, there were women from the Empire or Joseon. Joseon blood is already mixed in the imperial family, so whats the problem? They are far from worthy of the throne! The cases are different! Please inform me! It is absolutely impossible for anything from Joseon to be mixed with the richest blood of the imperial family! Please inform me! Emperor Seonghwas expression became fierce as he saw the ministers desperately opposing the princes born to him and the empress. what? Shouldnt Joseons blood be mixed with the richest blood of the imperial family? If you think about it that way, even I wouldnt be an emperor to you? Wasnt Jim the one who grew up in this imperial family, in Joseon, or in the empire, and was exposed to the most things about the empire? Hello! Immediately arrest these people, throw them in prison and interrogate them! It is a crime to disdain my burden! Interrogate them thoroughly and find out who they were working with and who they were taunting me with! Yes, Your Majesty! ording to Emperor Seonghwas orders, the soldiers of the Jinyiwi pulled out the subjects in question. The ministers desperately shouted as they were dragged away by the rough hands of the Geumuiwi soldiers. your majesty! Its unfair! Please do not doubt the loyalty of your beliefs! Its unfair! Please understand the loyalty of your beliefs! However, what awaited the ministers who were dragged away were advisors from Dongchang and the Geumwiwi. In particr, the torture of the ssmate was vicious and persistent. The head of Dongchang was Wang Chong, who returned from Seoul with Emperor Seonghwa. * * * A few days after entering Nanjing, Emperor Seonghwa summoned Wang Chong along with hisrades from the Jamryonghoe, his personal guard. King Eunuch. I had a hard time taking care of my luggage in Seoul. Jim wont forget that ball. Thats too much praise. I just did what I had to do. I have a favor to ask of you. No, only you can do it. Please leave it to me. I will risk my life toplete it. Take control of the ssmate. Are you talking about ssmates? Seeing Wang Chongs surprised expression, Seonghwaje got straight to the point. Although I became emperor at the request of the ministers here in Nanjing, you know very well that both you and I are in a situation where we may die. Hearing Emperor Seonghwas words, Wang Chong nodded without realizing it. This was because Wang Chong also experienced reality during the journey from Seoul to here and during the few days he spent rxing in the pce. I was confident when I first set off from Seoul Those in Nanjing had already built up their own stronghold and were thoroughly ostracizing Wang Chong. Seeing Wang Chong nodding, Emperor Seong continued speaking. Both you and Jim need to work together until the end in order to survive and gain power here. The moment one of us and you has a different mindset, both of us will be destroyed. Do you understand? yes. your majesty. In response to Wang Chongs answer, Emperor Seong Hwa continued. I will give you the power over the life and death of the eunuchs. Weed out the eunuchs and ssmates on your own. How long will it take? I willplete it as quickly as possible. I want you to tell me the exact deadline. Can it take a month or two? Please give me 100 days. I understand. Ill give you 100 days. In this way, Emperor Seonghwa and Wang Chung of the Jamryonghoe came together. They came together for survival and power, no, survival. The next day, Wang Chong received two teaching papers from Emperor Seonghwa. One was to appoint Wang Chung as the head of the Dongchang n, and the other was an order to purge the eunuch organization over 100 days (strictly controlling and correcting corruption). The problem was what was written in the second textbook. -If necessary, reviewing first and second is also permitted. -The object of purge is all eunuchs regardless of rank. Simply put, if you fail, you are to kill him, and it does not matter if the target is of a higher rank than Wang Chung. The moment Wang Chong read the teachings of the Holy Fire Emperor, all the eunuchs present froze and began to sweat. Afterwards, Wang Chong selected young and ambitious eunuchs from all eunuch organizations, including Dongchang, and made them his servants. It was not just the young eunuchs who insisted. He brought together eunuchs who werepetent but had been pushed out of the faction fight and who were close to him but had been pushed out of the mainstream, and made them part of his force. With the power he created in this way, Wang Chong caused bloodshed within the eunuch organization. Because the emperor was a subordinate, even the head of the eunuchs, Gye Tae-gam, had to pay attention to the opinions of his second-inmand, Wang Chong. After all this bloodshed, Wang Chong was able topletely control not only the eunuch organization but also Dongchang within 80 days. When Wang Chong took control of the eunuch organization and Dongchang, Emperor Seong Hwa took back the authority of Xian Chamhugo that had been granted to him. Dont be upset. This is for each others safety and trust. I know very well. You know that this is just the beginning, right? Yes, Your Majesty. Wang Chong, who took control of Dongchang, secretly began inspecting the remaining royal family members and ministers. * * * Because survival was at stake, the bond between Emperor Seonghwa, Empress Jamyonghoe, and Wang Chong was unusually strong. To avoid the risk of poisoning, the food for the Seonghwaje was cooked by the empress and the imperial courtdies sent to her. Food ingredients also had to pass inspection by pce maids andwmakers sent by the empire and the imperial army. And the food cooked with the ingredients passed in this way was eaten together by Seonghwaje, Empress Dowager Jamryonghoesrades Wang Chung, and Seonghwajes mother, Lady Zhou, who was consecrated as Empress Dowager. The atmosphere of those who gathered together to eat was friendly. Of course, there were more than one minister who took issue with this. And every time those words were said, Seong Hwa-je answered with a smile. Im sorry. After living in the Empire for a long time, I still feel ufortable with the food in Nanjing. I keep working hard, and something like this wont happen anytime soon. At the time, very few people understood the true hidden meaning of these words. But those few characters sent shivers down my spine. Dangerous! I can smell blood! You must never act rashly! * * * This lineage issue was a very good opportunity for Seonghwaje, who had prepared so carefully. Dongchang, led by Wang Chong, persistently tortured the ministers in question and made them confess why this was said and who the people involved were. No, it was not a rumor, but a confession that they and their politicalrades were also involved. And with this confession, more people were caught by their ssmates. As the number of people caught by alumni increased significantly, the Gold Safety Committee stepped in. The number of sinners is too many for the ss to handle them all. Please give us a chance. Let it be so. I look forward to it. To Seong Hwa-jes words, themander of the Geumuiwi bowed down on the floor and responded loudly. There will be nothing that goes against Your Majestys expectations! Long live, long live, long live! It was the beginning of a great purge that wouldter be called the Jade of the Holy Fire. Chapter 823 Episode 823 Ming and Japan C Internal stability and expansion (2) The great purge initiated by Dongchang and Jinuiwi was the opportunity that Emperor Seonghwa was aiming for. Reform cannot be sessful with the current system and personnel. Thats right. A great purge is needed. Just like Emperor Wen purged the elder ministers before starting the scriptures. At Seonghwajes words, therades of the Jamryonghoe and Wang Chong looked serious. A lot of blood will be shed. The great purges carried out in Chinas previous dynasties differed in scale from those of Joseon. Excluding the Giyu Rebellion, which attempted to restore everything except the king, the number of people involved in the Great Purge in Joseon who died or was exiled did not exceed 100 at most. However, in the case of people, the default was 10,000 units. This is why therades of the Jamryonghoe and Wang Chong had serious faces. However, Seong Hwa-je seemed unconcerned about this. It was something I was prepared to do. Reform bleeds. You shouldnt be afraid of that blood. Keep in mind that Emperor Wen, who is a saint, resolutely saw blood when it was necessary. After confirming that Sanghwaje had made his decision, hisrades in the Jamryonghoe and Wang Chung bowed their heads and responded. I will make every preparation to meet Your Majestys expectations. After finishing the meeting, Wang Chong let out a long sigh. Whoa~. This is why there are rumors going around that he is the Chairman of Joseon or the Emperor of Goryeo If only he had followed the example of Emperor Hongwu or Emperor Yongle. Emperor Seonghwas way of thinking and standards of judgment were all imperial-style. No, except for what they wore, everything they did, including eating and drinking, was imperial style. Moreover, the person whom Seonghwaje regarded as a monarch whom he could emte was King Sejong, the original emperor of the empire. However, Wang Chong was able to understand Seonghwajes actions. You have been living in the empire since you were a baby And the Emperor Wen of the empire is a holy prince. And because he is the one who founded the empire in a situation simr to the present. * * * Because the Seonghwajes decision was thus established, Wang Chung and the Jamryonghoe secretly began preparations. My ssmate secretly conducted an internal investigation to determine which ministers hadmitted corruption and the political inclinations of those with whom they were close friends. It wasnt just the ministers. The every move of the royal family living in the province was monitored more carefully. The Jamryonghoe also did not sit still. Therades of Jamryonghoe carefully examined administrative documents from all over the Ming Dynasty. The most important thing to look into during the process was family registration and cleansing. It was a huge task to check all the documents submitted by the prefecture, the smallest unit of local administrative organization. The Jamryonghoerades meticulouslypared the poption size and records of the towns revenue and expenditure to determine whether there was any corruption. If there was any abnormality, the local officer in question was separately recorded and reported to Seonghwaje. On the contrary, if there were local officials who were honest andpetent, they were also selected separately and reported to Emperor Seonghwa. Good job. Im sorry, but please work a little harder. For reform to be sessful, this department of killing must be properly created. I will do my best. * * * While preparations were proceeding step by step like this, a major incident urred that put the qualities of the empress and prince at stake. ording to the orders of the greatly angered Seonghwaje, all those who were even slightly involved, starting with the ministers who made the remarks, were arrested and imprisoned. What they said was a bit harsh, but wasnt it too much for Your Majesty? Some ministers were concerned that Seonghwaje might be making too big a deal, but many other ministers shook their heads. I cant believe Im messing with the dragons evil spirit because I have nothing to touch At this time, its best to keep your mouth shut and just pay attention. As many ministers expected, mentioning the empress and the prince would offend the Emperor Seonghwa. He had already taken in concubines and would continue to take in concubines in the future. There were many beautiful women walking around in front of his eyes, but it was not possible to guarantee that Emperor Seonghwa would continue to favor only the current empress. Why step forward when you can just wait for your time like Kang Tae-gong! They were the ones ming the ministers who were imprisoned for causing this incident. Those who were more thoughtful there looked at the military with eyes full of worry. The army should remain still But the Ming army was not moving. * * * As Emperor Seong Hwa struggled every day to reform the internal affairs of the Ming Dynasty, the first thing he paid most attention to was the military. Even now, after defeat in thest war, the fact that we are still in a difficult situation at the border means that there is a problem with the military! Following this conclusion, Emperor Seong Hwa began arge-scale crackdown on the military. The first thing to do was to organize the military records managed by the military department on arge scale. Next, we inspected units scattered across the country to determine whether there was any corruption. Whenever irregrities were discovered, such as embezzlement of budget by making up ounts to make it look like there were more soldiers than there actually were, themander in question was severely punished and his family assets were confiscated. It wasnt just punishment. Opportunities for those who entered the military gate with the dream of achieving good fortune have also increased. Military officers who entered the military gate gathered in Nanjing periodically every year topete in their respective martial arts and discuss military strategies. Those who achieved good results at this event, directly observed by the Seonghwaje, could immediately rise to the ranks of sess. This wasnt the only thing. We are well because there are those who guard the great walls and the desert fortresses. Jim has not forgotten your hard work. Seong Hwa-je, who said this, personally took care of the situation of the troops guarding the border area. With Seonghwaje taking care of it himself, the strength of the border troops was greatly improved. And the Jingun began to be absolutely loyal to Emperor Seonghwa. Although the military was absolutely loyal to Emperor Seonghwa, there were also dissatisfaction. I wish it was a little bigger It was aint about Seonghwajes reduction of the size of the army. Emperor Seonghwa reduced the army for an unavoidable reason. The Ming economy was severely damaged by the civil war in Gangnam that followed the defeat in the Battle of Liaodong. The previous emperor, Emperor Gyeongtae, tried hard to recover, but was once again deeply wounded by the defeat in the Battle of the Yellow Sea. ordingly, Emperor Seonghwa reduced the size of the army. For the time being, we are only focusing on Mercury! Theres no need to make yourself bigger than you need to be! But make sure you secure enough power for defense! ording to Seonghwajes decision, the Kings army was reduced in size. However, it was not an unconditional reduction, but a reduction through selection and concentration based on rational judgment. First, the troops organized for the purpose of arge-scale expedition were disbanded. Instead, as above, the power of the troops defending the border was strengthened. The same was true for the navy. The number ofrge ships built for battle with the empire was reduced, and instead arge number of small and medium-sized ships with adequate firepower and excellent mobility were supplied. Their mission was to patrol major ports and coastal shipping routes and prevent pirates from moving around. Maintaining the well-being of the people and stable trade routes is the top priority! ording to Seonghwajes orders, the basic strategy of the Myeongsu army itself had changed. Although he was slightly dissatisfied with this reduction in the size of his army, his loyalty to Emperor Seonghwa remained firm. This was because there were many opportunities for sess, personal sess was certain, and there were no problems with supply. * * * Seonghwaje, who secured the loyalty of the military, continued the bloody purge. In the process of purging those who questioned the qualifications of the princes, he grouped together and purged all nobles who were dissatisfied with him. It wasnt just intellectuals. Among the royal family residing in the provinces, he identified and purged those who had a high session rank or were hostile to him. It was a period of great purges, called the Age of Blood and Terror. However, the peoples reaction was surprisingly calm. This was because since Zhu Yuanzhang established the Ming Dynasty, and even in previous dynasties, there had been more than one or two bloody incidents to strengthen the royal authority. Even after the founding of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang carried outrge-scale purges and Emperor Yongle carried out purges. Even Emperor Seondeok, who ushered in the Great Peaceful Era known as the Government of Inseon, purged the disobedient nobles and superiors. Therefore, suchrge-scale purges were not unfamiliar to the people of the Ming Dynasty. It didnt really matter as long as it didnt hurt only him. In addition, like the military, the people also supported the Holy Fire Festival. This was different from calling him the Emperor of Joseon or the Emperor of Goryeo. The reason why the people of Ming supported Emperor Seonghwa was because Emperor Seonghwa also cared about stabilizing the lives of the people. * * * Emperor Seonghwa did his best to stabilize the lives of his people. The first thing to do was to reexamine tax administration to prevent unfair tax collection and stop tax leaks. In this process, the heads of officials whomitted corruption were executed, and their family assets were confiscated and returned to the national treasury. Seonghwaje, who confirmed the amount of wealth confiscated from the national treasury, called together the ministers and reported them. What on earth did the police do? Look at the wealth of the dignitaries returned to the national treasury! Its equivalent to two years worth of our budget! What did the ministers do when those raiders were eating away at the people and the country like that? Please punish the gods for their ipetence! Shut up the nonsense and do your job properly! Otherwise, the Lords will punish you however you wish! As if the threat of the Seonghwaje had worked, ministers and officials began to properly manage the ablutions, and the burden on the people was greatly reduced. This alone greatly increased the peoples support, but the Seonghwaje did not stop there. Create an Intellectual Property Management Office! yes? Seeing the ministers with nk expressions, Seong Hwa-je continued. Arent our people all farmers who only farm? There are many fishermen, merchants, and artisans. is not it? Ill buy it back. But look at the artisans and merchants. We put a lot of effort into creating new objects and products, but we are losing money because of those who secretly copied our products. How do we get over this? The ministers nodded at Seonghwajes words. Chinese imitation and counterfeiting has a long and famous history. Even during the Song Dynasty, it was famous for selling counterfeit antiques from the Han or Tang Dynasties, and even now, it ismon for people to get into trouble for selling fake medicines or foods. However, the ministers nodded and looked perplexed. Your Majesty, you are well aware of this problem It is a behavior that has been going on for a very long time So are you going to ignore it? But its such a difficult task So youre saying were just going to give it up! As Seong Hwa-jes voice rose again, the Cab Secretary responded urgently. Oh no! I will find an answer and let you know as quickly as possible! This was the beginning of something that would give Seonghwa Emperor headaches throughout his reign. The so-called war against imitation had begun. hello? This is Gukppong, who writes ck Enterprise Chosun. After the serial was uploaded yesterday, there werements saying that there was a problem with the change in perspective. I found outter that an error urred while uploading somewhere else and the files were mixed up. However, I took this opportunity to reflect on myself once again. It is true that my skills are not good yet and I am rough and immature in many areas. In the future, I will work harder on this part and post a better article. thank you I hope you continue to love me even more in the future. Chapter 824 Episode 824 Ming and Japan C Internal stability and expansion (3) The Jamryonghoe was behind Emperor Seonghwas order to create the Intellectual Property Management Office. One side of the imperial pce in Nanjing. There was a vi here where therades of the Jamryonghoe lived. This vi was unusually guarded by soldiers sent from the empire. It was a ce that all the courtdies, eunuchs, and ministers called by the nickname Secretary Pce. * * * When they first arrived in Nanjing and were deciding where to live for the Jamyonghoe, Seonghwaje designated one of the many vis in the Imperial Pce in Nanjing. Not only the ministers of the Ming Dynasty but also therades of the Jamnyonghoe rose up and expressed their opposition to this decision of the Seonghwaje. your majesty! The Imperial Pce is where Your Majesty resides! You cant have outsiders in a ce like this! your majesty! Although the minor gods are Your Majestys subjects, they are outsiders! For minor gods to reside in the imperial pce, it is a burden to Your Majesty! However, Seong Hwa-je ignored all of their opinions. These are my limbs and my eldest son. Of course, you have to stay close to Jim. Emperor Seonghwa firmly refused, but the ministers persistently opposed it. In the end, Seonghwaje had to take a step back. good night. We will house them temporarily until they find a ce to live. Hwang Eun is devastated. Long live, long live, long live! However, therades of the Sleeping Dragon Society had still not left the imperial pce. The most representative reason was Nanjings exorbitant real estate prices. After Emperor Gyeongtae settled in Nanjing, real estate prices in Nanjing soared. When Jamnyonghoe members said they were looking for a house to live in, there were people who deliberately asked for a higher price. I should sell my house to the imperialists. The imperialists have a lot of money, right? You must have a lot of money because you are a close associate of the emperor! Building owners in Nanjing deliberately charged higher prices due to their hostility toward imperialists and their greed to rip off people. For this reason, therades of the Jamryonghoe continued to stay in the vi, and the ministers came out again. If foolish people ask for high prices, you can control it with the royalmand. Seonghwajes face became fierce at the words of the ministers. Are the police telling me to be a tyrant? Is it what the Lords want, to be a tyrant rather than a saint? In response to Seonghwajes angry question, the ministers immediately knelt down and bowed their heads. The gods stumbled. Please forgive the gods for their slip of the tongue! Dont do something you deserve to be forgiven for before you ask for it! Ill pass this time, but there is no next time! I will keep this in mind! Hwang Eun is devastated for your mercy! Long live, long live, long live! If you really want them to stay outside the pce, give them the houses they own! . Why arent you saying anything! . I will let them stay in the vi until they find their own ce! Your Majestys will be done. Later, the Jamryonghoerades who sat down with Seonghwaje all expressed their concerns. If the gods are here, Your Majestys honor will be tarnished. In response to the words of hisrades, Seong Hwa-je spoke his true feelings. To be honest, its for my safety. I am the rolled stone and they are the megaliths. It is said that the stone stuck in the rolled stone is pulled out, but it must be of simr size. If they decide to do so, I will be a dead person at any time. If there are imperial troops and imperial people, they wont be able to use their hands carelessly. In this way, therades of the Jamryonghoe continued to stay in the vi. Seonghwaje did not just leave the Jamryonghoe as a shadow. After the Hongwu Emperor, the Secretariat, which had been a famous and ineffective institution, was revived and Jamryonghoerades were made to work there. The secretariats job was to summarize all reports submitted to Seonghwaje to make Seonghwajes work easier, and to convey Seonghwajes orders to the relevant departments. As the Seonghwaje said, it became the head and limbs of the Seonghwaje. In the case of the Secretary General, he received the same rank as the 6th Department Award. In other words, the only person who received a higher rank than the Chief Secretary was the Cab Secretary. The problem was that the work of the Secretariat ovepped with that of the Cab Office. Until now, the job of the Cab Minister was to organize the work of each department, report it to the emperor, decide what was right and wrong, and draft a bido. However, the duties of reporting to the emperor and delivering the emperors orders ovepped as the secretariat took over. Recognizing this problem, Seonghwaje and Jamryonghoe organized it in an imperial style. Just as the Empire coordinated state affairs through the Prime Ministers Office and the Minister of State was in charge of secretarial work, the Cab Secretary was in charge of coordinating the operation of state affairs, and the Secretariat was in charge of the emperors secretarial work. After hearing the Emperors decision, Subo, the Cab Secretary, returned to his office and muttered to himself, Is this the resurrection of the Emperor of the Emperor? Subo, who was quietly looking out the window, was full of worry. Whether it will truly be a world of all people or just a fa?ade As time passed, ministers learned where the real center of power was. This was because Dongchang, led by Wang Chong, was working closely with the Secretariat. The Geumui Committee moved to see the alumni cooperating with the secretariat. This was because they were in charge of the work of political police and secret police, so they were immediately aware of the flow of power. With alumni and the Gold Council meeting together, there are no longer anyone who ignores the Secretariat. And like the concerns of the Cab Secretary, the Cab Secretary and the Cab Secretary came to exist as a mere one-person and all-powerful person. * * * We said we were cooperating with Gyeonsim, but we are also imperial people. thats right. For the safety of Gyeonsim and Geumsuni, we must develop Ming for our future, but we must avoid doing anything that would endanger the empire. sympathy. Therades of the Jamryonghoe, who came together in this way, began to look into the policies that the Ming Dynasty had implemented so far. What I found was the promises that Emperor Seondeok had made to craftsmen in the past. When there was a technologicalpetition with Joseon during King Sejongs Joseon Dynasty, Emperor Seondeok gathered famous craftsmen and attempted to catch up with Joseon and further surpass it. But the process was not easy. This was because the artisans were not willing to reveal their secret techniques. When Emperor Seondeok learned of this, he used carrots and sticks at the same time. The carrot was to recognize the value of their secret skills and pay a certain price, and the whip was to select and execute craftsmen who resisted until the end. Thanks to Emperor Seondeoks carrots and sticks, intellectual property rights management began to take root around therge armory built in Beijing. And Emperor Seondeok, who realized that this was helpful, ordered merchants and craftsmen throughout the Ming region to follow the same rules. Even though it was the imperial order, many merchants and craftsmen refused to do so, and Emperor Seondeok executed them all and confiscated their family assets. Thanks to these extreme measures, the concept of intellectual property took root in the Ming Dynasty. However, everything returned to nothing as the Liaodong War broke out, which transformed Joseon into an empire. * * * The Japanese allied with Joseon swept through the central Ming region, leaving everything in ruins, and the Ouchi family took advantage of the opportunity to take away arge number of Ming craftsmen. This alone caused great damage to Myungs technical skills. Emperor Gyeongtae and the Ming people had to make desperate efforts to revive the Ming economy, which had been ruined by the Liaodong War and the subsequent civil war. And in this process, the imperialmand that intellectual property rights issued by Emperor Seondeok should be recognized was forgotten. People with important technology or intellectual property were either sacrificed in thest war or taken to the Japanese government. In this situation, it was not easy to resume production of the product while individually searching for the owner of the intellectual property rights. Because of this, several young artisans and merchants chose the easy path. Lets make it and sell it first! I have to make a living first, right now! Thanks to this, counterfeit products and imitations began to abound again in the Ming Dynasty. * * * Jamryonghoe, which understood the context rted to intellectual property rights, wondered why this happened and what the answer was. -Although survival was at stake, intellectual property rights were initially downyed. -It was said that the Imperial Order had been issued, but there was no official office to formally document and manage it. The conclusion is, of course, the establishment of a new government office. sympathy. Otherwise, Taesang and Sangtaeng did not create the government office. Therades of the Jamryonghoe who found an alternative wrote it down and proposed it to Seonghwaje. Hmm Its the Intellectual Property Management Office. Is it useful? When Seonghwaje showed hesitation after hearing the proposal, Pil-pil, the head of the Jamryonghoe and the secretary-general, stepped forward and answered. It may seem less useful right now, but it is absolutely necessary for the future. Craftsmen would not discipline themselves if others copied or used the objects and techniques that they put in all their effort into creating their masterpieces without paying anything in return. If you model something or use technology without knowing it properly, will you get something that works? The people who bought it without knowing it could be in danger. Thats right. Seong Hwa-je nodded and Pil-il put a little more emphasis on his words. Its not just the people of Ming that suffer. Merchants and people from other countries across the sea will also suffer losses. And if this continues, merchants and people from other countries will not want to trade with the Ming. If we want to continue trading, we will have to sell goods at low prices. Then, merchants and artisans will make lower quality goods to make a profit, and a vicious cycle will follow. And finally, the Ming Dynasty itself will be recognized as a cheap country. Thats not going to happen! Seonghwaje stood up from his seat at the words of the must and ordered the eunuch. Gather the cab assistants and ministers! * * * In this way, the Intellectual Property Management Office was created and began to crack down on the registration and unauthorized use of intellectual property. However, the people of Ming Dynasty did not change easily. Ive done well so far, why are you having such a hard time? I dont even have money to eat, so why should I give it to someone else! Many artisans and merchants began secretly trading products made in defiance of intellectual property rights. However, as crackdowns intensified, they responded more cleverly. The shape of the copied object was slightly changed. Its simr, but its apletely different product! They just look simr because they have the same function! While themotion was going on outside, therades of the Jamryonghoe continued their own conversation. It may take some time, but if it is established properly, it will be helpful to people as well. And during that time, our empire will move further ahead. And we need to grow reformists by continuing reform under this justification. There are still many people who want to attack the Empire. As long as those idiots hold out, our safety is at risk. They wererades of the Jamryonghoe who did their best to find a way to benefit both the Seonghwaje, who gave them the opportunity, and the empire, their homnd, and a way to ensure their own safety. Anyway, does Seoul know that we are going through such a hard time? I guarantee you that all the officials in Seoul will say this. But you guys dont work overtime, do you? We do it sometimes too Chapter 825 Episode 825: Ming and Japan C Internal Strength and Expansion (4) Going through this support and stir situation, Seonghwaje and Jamryonghoe steadily took control of the power of the Ming Dynasty. The most important thing is to control public sentiment. That is correct. Seeing a consensus, Seonghwaje and Jamryonghoe devoted all their efforts to controlling the public sentiment. It started with correcting tax administration. After correcting the government, the method of mobilizing manpower to carry out the countrys civil engineering projects was also improved. What had previously taken the form of unconditional conscription was changed to a form of employment through the sanctification system. By doing this, we can help those who beg for ss to settle down. Is that it? As those who receive the money spend the money, nearbymerce prospers, so its a win-win! The ministers expressed their disapproval at Seonghwajes decision. Your Majestys intentions are truly beautiful, but the problem of finances is. You can collect a small amount of ie tax while paying wages, and you can also collect taxes from merchants who made their money by doing business with workers. And it is enough to find and prevent leaks and embezzlement in the area of executing finances! Yes, it is unprecedented. It is difficult to be sure of sess. There is no precedent for sess? There is a precedent for sess when it was implemented when that empire was Joseon! And yet there is no precedent? Are the eyes of the monks just knotholes? Joseon is a small country. Thend is small and the poption is low. But our name is a great country. Thend isrge and the poption isrge. There are many different cases to apply it right away. Are you saying something like that after trying it? . Right now, our name is in critical condition! In order to ovee this crisis, it is the responsibility of the minister to not only look back at past and present cases, but also look at other countries cases! Why are you just saying that you cant do anything? And you are still a minister under this title! The ministers who lost their justification for Seonghwajes actions followed Seonghwajes wishes and pursued a policy of hiring workers forrge-scale civil engineering projects. This was followed by a policy of encouraging artisans and merchants will to develop through the establishment and operation of the Intellectual Property Management Office. As these improvements, reforms, and implementation of new policies continued, the people of Ming gradually began to support the Holy Fire Festival. Nevertheless, the people of the Ming Dynasty called Seonghwaje by nicknames such as the Emperor of Joseon and the Emperor of Goryeo. This was because most of the policies implemented by Seonghwaje were imported and modified from those that had been implemented in the empire and had achieved good results. * * * Unlike the growing number of people supporting the Seonghwaje, the ministers were ready to die. Why did I be an official through the civil service examination This is Won Arent we in the same situation as Uma, who just follows the orders given by the emperor? This is all because of the Jamyunhoe! The great and small officials of the Ming Dynasty had a lot to say about the emperors excessive personal affection. To be precise, there was a lot of talk about the Jamryonghoe crouching in the secretariat. C Revitalize the fallen people! Under this cause, Seonghwaje changed many things. However, most of these reforms and improvements came from the leadership of the Jamryonghoe. The Cab of Ministers and officials of each ministry also followed the wishes of the Holy Fire Emperor and introduced various policies. However, most of the proposals they presented were evaluated as old-fashioned and were rejected. In the end, the cab ministers, ministers, and officials below them became mere puppets who actually carried out the orders given by the Holy Fire Emperor. And officials who were dissatisfied with this area were holding Jamryonghoe in their mouths. But this issue has rarely surfaced. This was because the aftereffects of the previous purge still remained, and the Dongchang and Geumui Committee were closely monitoring therge and small officials and officials. Eventually, many officials began to show passive behavior, simply doing what they were told. However, a small group of ambitious people smiled in remorse. * * * Tsk tsk tsk Thats why I hear people say its old-fashioned. You still dont know that the world has changed. The time hase for the Yangtze Rivers rear water to push out the front water! Young and ambitious officials, realizing that they had an opportunity to advance, began to act diligently. There is an answer in what Your Majesty said! In order to seize opportunities for advancement, young officials looked back at the policies implemented by previous dynasties and looked at policies implemented in the empire and Japan. The policies implemented in Japan are all modeled after those of the empire, right? Is empire the only answer? The young officials began to eagerly analyze the empires policies. And the officials who came up with a pretty good n submitted their ns to their superiors. However, most of the answers they received were swear words and reprimands. Why are you doing something you werent told to do? huh? Why are you doing something you werent told to do? When you have time to do something like this, do what youre told to do properly! After hearing such abuse and reprimand, the young officials became discouraged and had no choice but to step down. However, there were people who were watching them carefully. It was an alumni and gold medalist. -It may be a truly insignificant n, but if not, you can achieve great results! Afterpleting the calctions, the alumni and members of the Gold Council found the appeal and submitted it to the Secretariat. Jamryonghoe, who heard the story of the appeals, immediately reported it to Seonghwaje. Are there such killers? After receiving the report, Emperor Seonghwa was very angry and summoned the cab secretaries and ministers. How do gentlemen greet each other! Seong Hwa-je, who reprimanded the cab assistants and ministers, identified and executed all the officials who had blocked the appeal. If you are not rebels, then who is? Compared to thest purge, the scope of the purge was smaller, but it was once again bloody. The officials looked at each other in silence and muttered. This is it The more capable the emperor is, the more difficult it is for him to survive The nightmare of the old Emperor Xuandes days ising back to me. Emperor Seondeok, who would have been known as a great prince never again in history if he had not waged war with Joseon, was also synonymous with purges. Although there was a huge uproar, the Jamryonghoe selected the good ones among the appeals that came in and submitted them to the Seonghwaje. Seong Hwa-je, who received and read the appeal, called the author, highly praised him, and immediately gave him a high-ranking official position. From now on, appeals rted to reform and improvement of state administration should be submitted directly to the Secretariat! Following Seonghwajes decision, the secretariat began to be filled with ns from ambitious new officials. As they looked at the increasing number of ns, therades of the Jamryonghoe collectively sighed. We dug our own grave But the Jamryonghoe knew well that there was nothing they could do. If Alumni and Geumuiwi are the eyes and ears, we need limbs to rece us. thats right. We need stones to fight those embedded stones for us. by the way. What if they raise him like that and then confront uster? Before that, the emperor and we must secure power. We just have to raise it to an appropriate level. You cant make the mistake of turning your dog into a tiger. In such calctions, Seonghwaje and Jamryonghoe raised new officials with their own hands and feet. And the new officials grew up as expected. The most representative one was the title for the empire. Most high-ranking officials in the Ming Dynasty still referred to the empire as Joseon. However, most new officials referred to the empire as Daehan or Korean Federation. There were even people who called it empire, like Seonghwaje or Jamryonghoe. -We must acknowledge that the current empire is not the Joseon of the past. -You have to admit what needs to be acknowledged. This was the thinking of the new officials. And as he was favored by the Seonghwaje, he also developed a close rtionship with the Jamryonghoe. As they built up their power, new officials came to the forefront of political struggle with older generation officials. * * * The power struggle taking ce between the Seonghwaje and Jamyonghoe new officials and the older generation officials was conveyed to Seoul as quickly as possible. The imperial army dispatched to protect not only the courtdies who followed the Seonghwa Emperor and the Empress to Nanjing, the Seonghwa Emperor and his wife, but also the Jamryonghoerades included well-trained spies. The spies dispatched in this way immediately conveyed what was happening in Nanjing to Seoul. They werent the only ones. Wan knew more deeply through Milwi. This was because Milwi seeded in recruiting three of the Jamryonghoerades. In order to recruit them, Milwi even asked Wan for help. If thats the case, Jim should definitely step up! Wan, who responded to Milwis request, met with Jamryonghoesrades at the safe house Milwi had built. It was not a meeting between Wan and all of therades he was recruiting, but a one-on-one meeting. Please help for the sake of the empire. However, this does not mean that you should betray your faith. All you have to do is tell the truth about what is happening. The Jamryonghoerades who met Wan were so moved that they immediately bowed down and responded. As a citizen of the empire and a subject of Your Majesty, it is my natural duty to do so! I will perform this with all my might! In this way, Milwi was able to bury his ears into the deepest part of Nanjing. As an aside, the threerades who were recruited by the Secret Service knew that they were the only ones who saw the emperor through the Secret Service and that they were the only sources in the Jamryonghoe. Thanks to this, Milwi was able to identify any abnormalities byparing the intelligence sent by each of these three people. After being founded by Hyang and King Sejong, the Secret Intelligence Service established itself as the worlds most powerful and world-ss intelligence agency at this time by taking charge of all kinds of missions. * * * Hmm In the end, it appears that the name has decided on strengthening its internal stability. I dont think we need to worry much about the military for the time being. Hwang Bo-in responded to Wans words. Thats right. The problem is that it is good not to worry about military matters, but managing intellectual property rights takes a while. If they make sound efforts atmerce and industry, wouldnt it be disadvantageous for us? If you think about their vastnd and poption. Hwang Bo-in responded to Wans point with a slight smile. The problem lies in the vastnd and poption. No matter how much the Ming emperor tries to spread his good intentions, it will take a long time because thend is so vast. In addition, it is impossible to correct this right away because it has been a daily routine for people in the Middle ins to create imitations and forgeries since ancient times. In my opinion, it will take at least 100 years for it to be established. Thats 100 years, assuming theres nothing wrong with Nanjing. Following Hwang Bo-ins words, Kim Jong-seo spoke. In addition, the corruption of the low-level officials ruling the Ming region continues, so even 100 years is a short period of time. No, even if things are corrected within 100 years, the empire will be further ahead during that time. I should, but Im very worried. It is difficult to break away from injustice and corruption, and isnt this the same for our empire? Kim Jong-seo smiled and responded to Wans concerns. Hahaha~ Your Majesty. Our empire has a recorder! As soon as the word Recorder came out, all the officials in Daejeon and even the eunuchs were shocked. Wan opened his mouth at Kim Jong-seos words, whether he knew it or not. ah! Speaking of the recorder Chapter 826 Episode 826: Famous Sweets Japan C Internal Strength and Expansion (5) When Wan mentioned the Record Office, all the ministers looked at Wan with nervous faces. The same was true for Kim Jong-seo, who first mentioned the Record Office. Looking at the ministers, Wan got to the point. The governor of Shinji sent a letter and said he would like to create an archives office in Shinji as well. In response to Wans words, Hwang Bo-in asked a serious question in a firm voice. Are the native officials in Xinji already causing trouble? It was Hwang Bo-in, who had long experience in thew-rted department of the Ministry of Justice after the previous punishment. As is typical for him, as soon as he heard the words establishment of a new record office, he thought of corruption among officials. At Hwang Bo-ins words, Wan smiled lightly and shook his head. ha ha ha. no. Is that so? In response to Wans answer, Hwang Bo-in showed a rxed expression. The same was true for other ministers. So, are you going to select people from among those working in white clothes at our archives office? exactly. At Wans answer, Kim Jong-seo smiled slightly and crawled in. Because the history of Shinji is short, there will be little to record, and if so, there will be many people who want to go to Shinji. The other ministers also nodded at those words. Seeing the ministers like that, the smile on Wans face deepened. Is that really the case? At Wans words, all the ministers in Daejeon shouted inwardly. I got hit! Its a trap! I forgot whose blood I inherited! Wan continued, enjoying the looks on the ministers faces. Isnt the Record Office only in Seoul now? The situation is worrying about this. It would be a big problem if an unexpected disaster urred and problems urred at the records office. Ah The ministers all nodded at Wans words. In fact, there was a big fire in Seoul early in King Sejongs reign and it suffered great damage. Wan continued speaking. That is why we are nning to create a record office in Shinji to safely store all the records of the empire. Then, those who receive document records and serve their sentences at the record office will have twice as much work to do. Maybe so. At Wans calm answer, the ministers all had the same thought. There will be a sound of crying. Wan continued speaking. We will request it from the Legitive Review Office, but we will also legitepensation measures for those who work in white clothes at the Record Office. If you say it is apensation measure. If we look at the examples so far, those who faithfully serve their sentences are pardoned and reinstated. Of course, it is not the original rank, but a rank two levels below. We will change this to reinstatement to one level lower. Hwang Bo-in responded to Wans words by bowing his head. Even those who work in white coats will like it. But the other ministers were all mumbling the same thing to themselves. The problem is that very few people are involved How many people have been pardoned and reinstated so far? It was a number you could count with your fingers, right? * * * Recorder. It was a ce of fear for officials of the Korean Federal Empire, and indeed for everyone in public office. -Find, organize, and preserve administrative records not only from Joseon but also from past dynasties. -By examining the records kept in this way, we create better policies to bring peace to the people and prosper the country. The Record Office was created for this purpose. The problem was finding people to work at the records office. -Those who can read and write Chinese characters properly. -Those who are good at biceps. This condition alone was a headache, but what was even more problematic was the enormous workload. It was truly an enormous amount of work to find and organize the records of not only Joseon, but also its predecessor, Goryeo, and even previous dynasties. The people who caught the eye of Sejong and Hyang, who were struggling to find people to take on jobs that boasted enormousbor intensity, were officials. -He can read and write Chinese characters properly and is also good at biceps. Sejong found the optimal ingredients and started using them right away. Starting with officials who had performed the royal ritual, which was prohibited byw, all officials whose misconduct was discovered were imprisoned in the records office, regardless of their status. The most representative example was Jo Mal-saeng. Jo Mal-saeng, who was involved in the Kim Do-ryeon incident, had all his assets confiscated and had to serve in white clothes at the Records Office. Later, after faithfully serving his sentence, Jo Mal-saeng was able to return because the national defense needed talented people. However, Jo Mal-saeng returned and became apletely different person. He returned as a person with integrity and innocence and unconditional loyalty to the king. Afterwards, the record offices notoriety among officials grew. -Decades have passed since it was created, but the workload shows no sign of decreasing at all. -The perception of those around us pouring in on those who received document records and their families. People around me said I couldnt help it, but the problem was the incredible amount of work. It was fortunate that the documents were written as genuine letters or sentiments. It was difficult for even officials who were familiar with calligraphy and Chinese characters to immediately recognize documents written in Haengseo or Cursive. If I made a typo while transcribing it, I had to rewrite it from scratch. -It is a document that future generations should see, but if there are traces of modifications, problems may arise regarding its authenticity. If a typo urs, rewrite from the beginning. Because of this, white-robed officials had to be always on edge. However, working slowly also had problems. This was because if the amount of output was small, the period of imprisonment was not reduced. * * * As time passed, the enormous workload began to decrease little by little. It was thanks to the desperate struggle of the officials who served in white clothes. Now there is hope! But their hope turned to despair. This was because King Sejong had promulgated the Hunminjeongeum. C All records are interpreted again in Jeongeum and recorded again! Ahh. Fortunately, with the invention of the typewriter and its widespread use, work became a little easier. However, Hyang and Wan pointed out the problem to the ministers. What the hell! Why is it that there is no end to the number of people receiving written punishment? Im sorry! I told you not to create anything to apologize for! The reason why Hyang and Wan expressed such dissatisfaction was because people who received written punishment continued toe forward. This was because among the female officials who were now starting to establish themselves stably, there were those who received document records, as well as eunuchs and courtdies. And those who were caught in this way were punished and thrown into the records office. At first, there were concerns that an unfortunate incident might ur as the man and woman were together, but that did not happen. In the archives, men and women have no time or energy to share affection. And on the main beam of the archives was a proverb whose author was unknown. -Typewriters are fair. * * * Because they knew about the circumstances, the ministers reacted negatively even after hearing Wanspensation n. But Wans words werent over. Jim and Sang-tae talked about many things, and we n to actively use Shinji and Bukji to preserve records. First of all, I n to build additional buildings in Shinji and Bukji to store the Annals. This is a truly appropriate sentence. The ministers responded positively to Wans words. As Wan said, increasing the number of idents was a good way to prepare for possible disasters. However, the ministers were taken aback by Wans subsequent words. And since the record office is being created in two ces, I also n to take care of it. If you say you will look at my hands Do you know about the great library that was in Alexandria? Wan exined his and Hyangs ns to the ministers. -It is said that there used to be a great library in Alexandria. -It is said that all the historical records of knowledge in the West at the time were gathered in the great library. -We want to make the Archives a great library of the East, or even the Empire. -In the future, the Archives will collect and preserve not only the administrative records of past dynasties, but also all books and records rted to the knowledge and life we have today, including historical books and Biblical trivia. -Of course, we will not simply preserve it but also restore it, and we will make copies so that people who want to can see them. . The ministers who heard Wans n all opened their mouths and said nothing. After some time had passed, Hwang Bo-in barely came to his senses and spoke to Wan. Your Majesty. This is truly a beautiful meaning. However, in order to carry out such a great project, a huge budget is needed. I know you too. Of course, I have no intention of seeing itspletion during my reign. Wouldnt it be possible to do this without putting a big burden on the budget if we anticipate a time horizon of about 100 years? Hwang Bo-in, who thought about Wans point for a moment, nodded. I think thats okay. Okay. Please write a n regarding this. And Wan paused for a moment and continued with a wry smile. Shouldnt this be enough to reduce negativity? Where on earth does that reckless confidence that you wont get caughte from? Tsk! At the sound of Wan clicking his tongue, everyone in Daejeon had simr thoughts. I guess Ill have to crack down on my children once again! I heard strange rumors around my nephew In this way, the records offices transformation into a great library proceeded as Wan and Hyang had intended. It was arge undertaking with the reputation of being not finished even after 100 years. A huge amount of records were produced every year, and organizing and preserving them was an impossible task. Thanks to this, the records office buildings located in the main and new locations had to be constructed additionally every 10 or 20 years. It was a record office that came to be called a treasure trove of human knowledge, dungeon, and magul. * * * Hmm Lets leave the matter of Ming and Records like this, what about Japan? Its been a while since the Ouchi family became kings of Japan, but are you still making noise? Hwang Bo-in stepped forward and answered Wans question. I think things have been sorted out now. Then I think the burden on the South Sea Navy will be reduced. First of all, yes, but I have some concerns. worry? What is it? Hwang Bo-in answered Wans question. It looks like Japan has finally decided to advance south. Going south already? Does Japan have that level of capability? Its still too much, but I think well start moving in earnest soon. Do you have any physical evidence other than your heart? Hwang Bo-in answered Wans question. They say they sought out shipbuilding engineers from Europe and brought them over. A shipbuilding engineer Wan trailed off with a serious expression on his face. * * * Wan as well as the local government officials were confident that Japan would definitely choose to expand abroad. One of the reasons was that it was difficult for Japan to be self-reliant with its own internal resources, but the biggest reason was that Japan thoroughly followed the steps of the empire. -Both the empire and we, Japan,ck what we have. Just as the empire grew greatly by looking outward, we, Japan, must do the same! This was the motto of the Ouchi family, now the king of Japan, and many Japanese intellectuals were shouting simr ims. The problem was the rtionship between the empire and Japan. Both countries advocated good-neighborhood diplomacy with each other, and there was considerable human and material exchange. However, Japan also knew well that the empire would never give more than a certain amount. In the end, the alternative Japan chose was Europe. Chapter 827 Episode 827: Gyeruk (1) At this time, European shipbuilding technology was developing explosively. It was a change that was at least 100 years faster than the history before the intervention of incense. As expected, in the background of this, the empire ultimately had its ce. Before Hyang intervened, most of Europes ships were divided into galleys in the Mediterranean region and cog ships in the North Sea region. Cog ships were widely used in Northern Europe, where they had to deal with the rough seas of the North Sea and North Antic, while galleys were active as a center of trade in the famously calm Mediterranean region. Karak and Caravel were born in this situation where development was divided into two branches. Without Hyangs intervention, it would have taken nearly 100 years for Galleon to emerge from this situation. This was due to technical limitations and limitations in the amount of information. This was because the existence of a new continent, which had not been known until then, was discovered, and as voyages became longer and trade volume increased,rger andrger ships were needed. However, this changed with the intervention of incense. * * * After Joseon, which was called the nd of flowers, many merchants from Europe flocked to Alexandria as imperial goods were released to Europe. And naturally, interest in the nd of flowers that produces these amazing objects has increased. In such an atmosphere, the letters sent by monks and schrs who entered the Land of Flowers all contained stories about ships used by the Land of Flowers navy. -A ship that is bigger, faster, and more powerful than any ship youve ever been on. What does the badge look like? Those who were curious crossed the desert and headed to Suez. But the first to move were Portuguese and Italian shipbuilders. I cant believe it Portuguese and Italian shipbuilding engineers, who had soared their pride while building the carrack and caravel, which were proud of being the best performance at the time, were greatly frustrated when they saw the challenger-ss ships anchored in Suez. did. It wasnt just a bluff. European shipbuilding engineers, shocked by the sight of Challenger-ss battleships, soon began improving carracks and caravels based on these. And their challenge was weed by the ruling sses of Portugal, Spain and Italy. This was because the bigger and more powerful ships were, the greater profits could be made from African trade. * * * With the solid support of the ruling ss, European shipbuilders devoted all their energy to developing a new ship C a challenger-ss battleship, to be precise. But this was by no means an easy task. The ship that Hyang built to the fullest of his abilities was a challenger-level battleship. Of course, it was within the scope of what was possible with the technological level of Joseon at the time, but if necessary, the fragrance boldly incorporated what could be called over-technology. The appearance of the Challenger-ss battleship created in this way was close to that of thete or early Galleon battleships. But inside, it was a monster simr to ater battleship. It was impossible for European shipbuilding engineers to immediately catch up with such a monster at a time when Karak and Caravel were thetest. European shipbuilding engineers, who realized that the work was not easy with their own abilities, began to look for auxiliary means. Lets recruit shipbuilding engineers from the nd of flowers! If possible, lets recruit the person who designed that ship in the first ce! But even this was not an easy task. There were two shipyards in Wonsan and Dongbing Port that built Challenger-ss battleships. And security was tight here. Even though it was difficult to contact the engineers, all of the Flower Country engineers shook their heads. I dont want to go. Any amount of money. Money is not the problem; you will be caught and punished for treason. I can never go. Then can you tell me who designed that ship? Count me to sleep. Lets count? The word seja refers to incense and when Europeans learned what incense was made and distributed, they could not keep their mouths shut. This was all done by one person? Is the prince of this country a monster? * * * European shipbuilders who failed to find auxiliary means had no choice but to follow the rules. Camped in Suez, I sketched thoroughly the appearance of the challenger-ss battle lines. Others disguised themselves as merchants and boarded the ship to inspect its interior. Of course, the Empires sailors were not fools, so they thoroughly prevented anyone from entering the most critical part of the battle line. Nevertheless, European engineers who had obtained some information began building new ships based on this information. In this way, ship development in Europe was elerated by about 100 years. This was a remarkable result among countries excluding the Empire and Ming. The empire was already several steps ahead, and he was a man who steadily evolved junk ships. Japan, which had poor shipbuilding technologypared to the Empire and Ming, ended up recruiting European shipbuilding engineers by paying extremely high prices. After receiving this report, Hyang shook his head and muttered to himself. Back then it was a rifle, but this time its a boat? * * * Hmm Japan is trying to bring in shipbuilding engineers from Europe to build ships capable of long-distance voyages And when such long-distance voyages be possible, they will choose to move south? Thats right. Hmm Namjin Namjin Wan, who was pondering the word Namjin with a serious face, asked Hwang Bo-in. Last time I heard, didnt you say that Europeans are heading south as well as west? yes. Such intelligence continues toe in. Wan, who thought about something in Hwang Bo-ins answer, asked again with a more serious expression. Could it be that Operation Gyeruk has already begun? No. Operation Gyeruk still exists only as a document. Then how? It seems like it ignited on its own, just like you said. Youbusted yourself? Thats right. Hmm In response to Hwang Bo-in, Wan stroked his chin and was lost in thought. * * * After King Sejong advocated for active foreign trade, the Joseon navy continued to secure maritime supremacy and explore sea routes. In particr, after building a military port in Temasek (now Singapore) and seizing control of the Strait of a, the navy searched the surrounding area more actively. Paradoxically, those who provided the greatest help to the Joseon navy at this time were Chinese who had taken root in Mka, Mya, Sumatra, and Luzon. Overseas Chinese moved actively in their greed to be able to trade Joseons products. The most useful help provided by the Chinese was the information about the surrounding area that they had recorded for generations. Based on the data obtained from the Chinese, the Joseon navy was able to conduct more efficient exploration. As the data analysis and exploration progressed, new reports came to King Sejong and Hyang. -There are rumors going around that there is a hugend in the south. -It is highly credible as simr stories exist among different indigenous tribes. After making a fortune like this, Give me the budget. Please give me a boat. Sejong looked back after reviewing the report that was full of whining saying, Please give me someone. What do you think? What do you n to do, Abama? After thinking for a while, Sejong told Hyang about his decision. Now, Joseon is already focusing a lot of effort on newnd. It is difficult to reach all the way to the south. What do you think? I think too much is too little. huh? Sejong looked surprised at Hyangs answer. Thats unexpected. I cant believe the guy who worked so hard to lead the way when Shinji was discovered is now trying to save himself. It still feels like a waste. But why did the saying too much is too littlee about? Thats right. In this way, King Sejong did not allow southern exploration. Theter forgotten Southern Exploration surfaced again when Joseon was transformed into an empire and Hyang was slowly trying to hand over the throne to Wan. -Now, newnd development is continuing stably. -Then, now we have to search the southern room where we have been staying for a while. -Europeans are already traveling around Africa and arriving in Luzon. -If Europeans hear rumors about a continent to the south, they will immediately flock there. -If a continent truly exists in the south and Europeans take control of it, it would be a great loss to the national interests of the empire. -We must resume exploration now. -So, give me money, give me people, give me a boat. What do you think? Wan, who had been thinking deeply about Hyangs question, carefully opened his mouth. Unfortunately, I dont think its possible right now. The reason is? Although the development of Shinji is continuing stably, it still requires a lot of wealth and people. The cost of the exploration itself is a problem, but it will also be a problem even if the continent is truly discovered. So its impossible? Thats right. Maybe Soja thought wrong? When Wan looked at Hyangs thoughts, Hyang smiled slightly and answered. It is the same idea that luggage is also impossible. But the reason is a little different. What is the reason? Hyang immediately answered Wans question. Not if there is actually a continent there. You said there were a lot of natives, so there must be. If so, that ce will be a curse for the empire. What do you mean? Im sorry to inform you, but I dont know why. Wouldnt it be better for us to take the lead? There are times when it is more beneficial to throw away something than to keep it. The rumored Southern Continent is like that. Hyang exined the reason to Wan. -If the rumored Southern Continent exists, the route to get there is a problem. Although our empire clearly controls the southwestern provinces,rge and small sultanates and tribes have already established themselves in southern Luzon. It would cost a lot of money to establish or subdue diplomatic rtions with each of them, but maintaining it afterwards would also cost a lot of money. -Because, as you said, European powers have entered Luzon. Things getplicated when they incite the natives or the sultans to turn against the empire. This is different from Shinji. Ah At Hyangs words, Wan nodded as if he finally understood. The route from the empires headquarters to the new world belonged solely to the empire. However, several countries had already established themselves on the route to Suez. Its not just that. Humans are greedy animals. And in order to satisfy greed, it ismon for even enemies to join hands. Even enemies join hands Wan, who had been pondering Hyangs words carefully, looked at Hyang with surprised eyes. no way! Are you saying that several countries will join forces to invade the empire? Hyang nodded and epted Wans words. It is quite possible. If the empire has too much, or takes over everything that is beneficial, they will unite and try to bite our empire. No matter how powerful the empire is, if it joins forces like that, it will inevitably fall. So, all we have to do is throw away the gyereuk and take only the most delicious parts. Those hungry wolves will fight among themselves to take over that throne. Ah Wan nodded at Hyangs exnation. Chapter 828 Episode 828: Gyeruk (a) (2) As he said to Wan, for Hyang, Australia was a worse card than Gyeruk. Anyway, looking at the current situation of the empire, there is no need and should not be greedy for Australia and South America. As Hyang said, the empires territory was steadily expanding. It wasnt just about gaining Shinji. The northern region of the empire continued to expand its territory. * * * After winning the war caused by Emperor Seondeoks misjudgment, Joseon took control of the Liaodong region and transformed into an empire. The acquisition of the Liaodong region was not just for the sake of restoring the ancientnd. The rich minerals and considerable poption of the Liaodong region were obtained, and more importantly, the development of the Siberian region became smoother. Before taking control of Liaodong, supplies and personnel had to be moved through a thin transportation route that ran from the Duman River along the coastline. However, once the Liaodong region was taken over, the shackles disappeared. Larger steel mills were built using iron ore and coal from Liaodong, and steel from those mills was used to build railroads heading north on arge scale. Fur hunters and gold seekers traveled north through the railroads constructed in this way. And following them, merchants and farmers looking for new homes moved. As people moved like that, the eastern part of Lake Baikal, where they had previously only nted gs, began to establish itself as a river area of the empire. * * * As the river area between the Northern and New Territories gradually expanded, the city once again realized the need for selection and concentration. I know where everything is, and if Im being greedy, I say, Its all mine! I want to do this, but if I do that, its a disaster. First of all, the empires capabilities arecking, and then the problem is the greedy people of Europe. The Ming and Japanese countries are also problematic At the time, the Ming was under the reign of Emperor Gyeongtae, and Emperor Gyeongtae did not hide his hostility toward the empire. In the case of the Japanese state, the situation was not good for peace of mind because Ouchi, who opened the new shogunate, was pro-imperial. First of all, although the Ouchi shogunate was passionately reforming the Japanese country and strengthening its control, it did notpletely control the Japanese country. Therefore, there was a possibility that the Ouchi regime would copse at any time and a new regime hostile to the empire would be born. That wasnt all. Another problem was the age of the head of the Ouchi shogunate, which could be said to be absolutely pro-imperial, and of the sessors. Even when they stepped down and were reced by a new generation, there was no confidence that they would be cooperative with the empire. No matter what, the location of the Japanese country itself is like a sword pointed under the chin of the empire Hyang, who had beenining about the geographical location of the Japanese country, smiled bitterly. For the same reason, the Empire of Japan annexed Joseon, right? Then why should we eat soup? Hyang, who momentarily thought of the annexation of the Japanese Empire, shook his head. Aye~. Lets not do the same thing and get criticized. And even if you eat Japan, you have to lose money. After erasing the annexation of the Japanese country, Hyang tapped the desk with his fingers. The problem is how to appease these greedy people. If we do something wrong, another crusade might be created and attack our empire. Or, they might attack, transcending race and religion, shouting We are the World! They have to throw food to each other to bite and tear. After making this decision, Hyang chose Australia and South America as the best prey to throw to Europe and Japan. * * * There were several reasons why the fragrance chose Australia and South America. -There are many problems in pioneering Australia and South America with the current level of technology. -It was not until thete 20th century that Australia and South America came into the spotlight as resource powerhouses. -There are many problems with the current level of technology to ovee the wide desert of Australia and the Amazon jungle of South America. -Even if iron ore and coal mines are developed in Australia, it is difficult to secure economic feasibility with the current level of shipping and transportation capacity in Europe. -The same goes for South America. Among the resourcesing from South America, the most valuable resources will not be in the spotlight until internalbustion engines and semiconductors bemon. -In this situation, things like gold and silver can easily attract the attention of greedy people, including those in Europe. -Fortunately,rge gold and silver mines exist in Australia and South America. -Profit! Satisfied up to this point, Hyang concluded with a rxed expression on his face like a well-fed cat. The eastern part of Shinji will be able to rest for an hour once the sea wall nned by Abamama ispleted. And if the empire continues to grow steadily in the future, there will be no worries when the resources of Australia and South Americae into the spotlight. At that time, you can use capital as a weapon. Hyang muttered while ring at the Shinji section of the World Missionary Mission hanging on the wall. Australia and South America are ces that are bnced by the desert and the Amazon. The level of difficulty is also high. You cant be greedy and miss out on the Cheat Key of the Host Fraud Map World. * * * Because this was a situation where a conclusion had been made in advance, the township concluded that Australia would be used as a discard as soon as the Navys n was submitted. Right now, our empire is working hard to block it, but someday other countries will learn about Shinjis information. If they try to join hands to take over Shinji, it would be a big problem, so it is best to throw them some suitable prey. Its 50/50 whether there really is such an unknown continent or not. At Hyangs words, Wan bowed his head and let out exmations. The n your Majesty hase up with is the best n! I cant help but be amazed! This is too much praise. You too can do it if you think twice about everything. I will try! After creating a warm atmosphere with Wan, Hyang gave orders to the ministers. Please carefully consider the n sent by the Navy and Jims thoughts ande up with an appropriate n. I follow your orders! The ministers who responded to Hyangsmand by bowing their heads felt cold sweat running down their spines. Your Majesty is truly a scary person to think of such a fatal trick on the spot! Sang Sang is famous for his depth of heart, and His Majesty is also someone who never falls behind! ording to the order of the township, Operation Gyeruk was created with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense as the main forces. -If the Europeans learn of Shinjis existence, they will begin an operation. The operation that disappeared below the surface with these preconditions was Operation Gyeruk. But at some point, it spontaneouslybusted. This spontaneousbustion urred when Europeans began to guess the existence of Shinji. * * * The spherical Earth theory came into the spotlight again through European intellectuals who entered the empire. Of course, the spherical Earth theory was imed in ancient Greece and Rome, but it was not recognized as an orthodox theory. However, as the empire recognized the spherical Earth theory as an orthodox theory and even presented evidence to prove it, Europeans also came to recognize the Earth theory as an orthodox theory. And quite a few Europeans came up with the same idea at the same time. Wait a minute If the Earth was round, wouldnt it be possible to get to the empire without having to go to Suez or go around Africa? And among those who came up with this idea, those with capital and executive power set out to explore the western route. The most representative people were the British aristocrats. With the dream of making a fortune, many people formed a fleet and set off from London. However, very few of them returned. Only those who lost their ships in a typhoon at the wrong time or barely survived an attack by pirates waiting in the middle returned. Except for them, everyone else never returned. Those who set out to explore the western route were loaded with abundant supplies and wealth in preparation for the long-distance voyage in case the exploration was sessful. And they came down south to avoid the rough waves of the North Antic. The problem was that pirates from North Africa and the Mediterranean region set out on expeditions to prey on these expedition ships. It wasnt just pirates. Portuguese and Spanish ships also pounced, looking for an opportunity. It was the Imperial Navy that was waiting for the exploration ships that managed to ovee this crisis and headed west. The sea defense system started by Sejong and continued by Hyang was almost in its final stages. In particr, the township, which was aware of Columbus discovery of the New World, ordered the naval fleet stationed in New Earth to move its patrol area further south. ording to Europeans, the northern part of the sea between Europe and New Zend has rough waves and is not easy to navigate. If so, they wille further south and head to Shinji. So, send the fleet a little further south. I follow your orders! Exploration vessels that attempted the western route were caught in the maritime barrier moved to the south and disappeared into the sea. As failures continued, interest in the Western Route slowly began to fade. This was because the nobles who had financed the continued failure either went bankrupt or gave up, and the sailors did note forward. In particr, sailors who were sensitive to all kinds of superstitions waved their hands whenever they heard anything about the western route. The Earth is round? gibberish! There was a huge cliff there that had been around for a long time! Thats why they all fell to their deaths! Okay, lets say the Earth is round like you smart people say. But dont take the western route! That route is definitely a cursed route! They are all cursed to death! As investment decreased and crews became increasingly difficult to find, interest in the Western Route gradually waned. At that time, rumors about Shinji began to circte among Europeans. -They say the Land of Flowers has discovered a newnd in the east! -It has been a while since thend was discovered and it was named Shinji. Where did this rumore from? Europeans who heard the rumor soon began looking for the source of the rumor. After the investigation, there were several sources. -Things said by imperial sailors whonded in Suez while drunk at a bar. Isnt that just nonsense thates out when youre drunk? no. No matter how drunk I was, as soon as the word Shinji was said, people around me would stop talking. Hoo? Another source was sailors who entered the empire to trade. A considerable amount of time had already passed, so European sailors fluent in the imperialnguage weremon. Of course, it was because of an insidious intention to seduce imperial women Whatever the purpose, European sailors who were fluent in the imperialnguage understood the conversations between the imperial people and learned of the existence of Shinji through those conversations. The second source is more credible. So that means the rumor is true Isnt there some connection between Shinji and the disappearance of the expedition team? Europeans who wondered if there was a rtionship between the two recalled forgotten memories. It was a promation issued by the empire in the past regarding entry and exit into the imperial territory. -All ships and foreigners wishing to enter the imperial territory must stop by the southwestern province to obtain permission! If you break this, you will be considered a pirate and will be sunk! no way! Chapter 829 Episode 829: Gyeruk (a) (3) No way The Europeans who found the document written and distributed in Latin by the Empire looked astonished. Do you remember when that promation came out? It wasnt long after Joseon changed its name to the Federal Empire of Korea, right? Yes if you think about it, the empire was already aware of the existence of the newnd at that time. Or, it means that people have already been sent to thatnd. Hmm The empire was already taking care of its cause back then! The Europeans who learned the true meaning of the promation looked like they had taken a hit. During this time, the empire maintained a policy of zero tolerance toward pirates. If the pirates encountered the imperial navy, the end was inevitably death. * * * Imperial ships unconditionally moved in a fleet and were escorted by the imperial navy. Marine emergency lines patrolled the sea areas around ports of call and imperial military ports where ships transited. In this situation, reckless pirates who tried tomit piracy on the ships of the empire continued to appear. once! You only have to seed once! As mentioned before, the end of most pirates who attempted such a reckless challenge was death. Either they were drowned with their ships while fighting, or they were drowned while running, or they surrendered, or they were captured, tried, and then executed. Some people narrowly escaped execution during the trial. However, they were sentenced to life imprisonment and had to do hardbor on farms in the southwest or mines in Liaodong until their deaths. * * * The empires policy toward pirates was very harsh, but no country took issue with it. This was because other countries were also dealing with pirates in a simr way. No, it wasnt just pirates. When it encounters a ship from another country that is not its own, even a normal ship immediately turns into a pirate ship. It was a time when there was little distinction between civilian merchant ships and warships, so when something like this happened, a fierce battle broke out. In this fierce battle, the winner dealt harshly with the loser. All the property on board the defeated ship was taken away, the ship was buried along with the seriously injured sailors, and the surviving sailors were often sold on the ve market. And the people who bought the most of these enved sailors were pirates from North Africa and the Mediterranean region. Therefore, those who saw the empires promation looked like they had been hit. Ive already built up enough justification. Then maybe No. Among the ships that sailed the western route, those that withstood pirates and typhoons were probably disposed of by the empire. Then organize a fleet To deal with the front lines of that damned empire? Do you think you have a chance of winning? . Especially against those damn Challenger level battle lines. . People fell silent when the Imperial front, especially the Challenger level front, was mentioned. * * * At this time, Suez was firmly established as an international trade port. Many European countries sent ships to Africa to trade with the empire. The ships safely circumnavigated Africa and arrived at Suez, underwent maintenance there, and then moved east. For those departing from Suez, the eastern route was the golden route. Even if it was not an empire, it was because there was India and there was a people. Indian spices have been famous since the Middle Ages, and the products produced by the Ming Dynasty were of quite good quality. In particr, as the railway connecting Suez and Porto do Prncipe Henrique in the north wasid, more and more European ships flocked to Suez. For merchants in Europe, especially Northern Europe, railroads were very valuable items. As long as the prerequisite of safely traveling around Africa and arriving at Suez was met, theoretically, the empires goods could be obtained and distributed smoothly with just two ships. One ship would go from Suez to the East, and the other would go from Prince Henry Port to Northern Europe. There was no need to make the long and dangerous voyage around Africa to the East and then around Africa again to Northern Europe. The maintenance of shipsmissioned on the eastern route had to be done at the shipyard built in Suez. Crew shifts were also possible quickly and safely using rail. Later, they evenmissioned a shipyard in Suez to build ships and send only crew members. As a result, the area where Suez, Prince Henry Port, and the railway connecting them are located have be the goose thatys the golden eggs. This Suez had be the entity that brought the greatest benefit to the allies. On the other hand, the Eastern Route, which led to theying of a railway in Suez, became a supporting role. With so many ships flocking together, it became a red ocean. As the eastern sea route became a red ocean, the profits of the captains who operated the ships and thepanies that hired them decreased. To make up for these dwindling profits, captains and merchants resumed their side businesses in North Africa and the Mediterranean. It was piracy. And this is where the notoriety of the challenger-level front spread. * * * Portugals ships, which were well aware of the power of the imperial navy as they traveled along the eastern route in the early days, unconditionally moved with the imperial fleet. However, after the Imperial Navy took control of the sea, ships that entered the eastern sea route often moved independently. The reason was that it was a waste of time to wait to move with the empires fleet, and to upy the space when there were fewpetitors. And what if we meet pirates? pirate? There wasnt one? Even though they exist, they are no match for those small boats! The Strait of a, which had long been known to be full of pirates, had already been cleaned by the Imperial Navy, so all that remained were pirates riding in small boats. And even the pirates were being pursued and exterminated by the imperial army to the end. Therefore, they chose to sail alone rather than move with the imperial fleet. And these people who moved alone turned into pirates and started targeting other ships. However, they had forgotten the existence of the Imperial Navy. When it was discovered that those who had turned into pirates were attacking other ships, the Imperial Navy jumped in immediately. The response squadron, consisting of two or three ships, surrounded the ships engaged inbat and fired threatening shots to stop thebat. When the ships stopped fighting, the Marine Emergency Squadron took them to a nearby military port and assessed the situation. But the challenger-level fronts responded in a different way. The idea was to push in between the fighting ships and fire cannons at both sides. Only after firing a salvo at both ships did the Challenger-ss battle line give the order to stop fighting. The ships, which had already been wounded in the battle that had taken ce, were unable to handle the firepower of the Challenger-level battle line, so they had no choice but to raise the white g and be taken away. * * * It was inevitable that the challenger-level fronts chose this tactic. Unlike the sea emergency fronts that moved as a squadron, the challenger-level fronts moved alone. Therefore, if the ships that were engaged in battle fled in different directions, one of them had no choice but to give up. The captains of the Challenger-level front line who did not like this chose to beat both sides one at a time. The reason the captains of the Challenger-ss fronts chose this method was because they believed in the firepower and defense capabilities of the Challenger-ss fronts. And their choice was the right one. The cannons aboard European merchant ships were unable to prate the hulls of the Challenger-ss ships. No, it didnt even cause proper damage. And the ships that made such reckless attacks either sank under the concentrated fire of Challenger-ss front-line guns or had to raise a white g while barely avoiding sinking. In the end, due to this radical mediation method of the Challenger-ss front, the Challenger-ss front gained the notoriety of the scoundrels of the East. * * * Since they were already well aware of the infamous Challenger-ss battle line, they reacted negatively to the idea of forming a fleet and pushing in. Still The situation is not good. Others who saw these people unable to hide their regrets talked about what the problem was. -We do not know when the empire took control of thend it calls Shinji. -The fact that there is no news from more than one fleet that has set out to explore the western route means that there are already significant challenger-level fronts there. -The firepower and defense of the Challenger-ss front are the strongest. The current European ships are no match for us. -In that case, we must prepare for the sacrifice of a small number of people and push forward with a massive offensive, but the problem is that the empires front is not just a challenger-level front. -The Marine Emergency Front, a grade below the Challenger ss, has slightly lower firepower than the Challenger ss, but has greater mobility. The bigger problem is that theck of firepower is the challenger level standard. Compared to our European counterparts, it is overwhelmingly powerful. To conclude, in the worst case scenario, even if we gather all the warships in Europe, there is a possibility that we will be no match for it. Then should we give up the western route? Well have to wait until the empire opens up. Ah Its best to think of thend called Shinji as too sour grapes for us to eat. At a time when ambitious Europeans were gaining spiritual victory by forcibly giving up their greed for western routes and unknownnds, rumors were heard about an unknown continent in the south. There is arge continent south of Majapahit? Isnt this a rumor? There are more than one indigenous tribe with simr legends. If you think about it, you cant dismiss it as nonsense. Hmm The ambitious people who were talking about the unknown southern continent soon pointed out another problem. This rumor must have reached the Empire, right? Why is the Empire quiet? ording to the rumors, the empire seems to be preupied with Shinji. okay? Thats right European ambitious men and monarchs, who received intelligence that the empire was preupied with the new world, made the same decision at the same time. Then we must move first! We go first before the empire moves! Soon, many ships began to bypass Africa again, andrge orders were ced at the Suez shipyard. The attention of all of Europe was this time focused on the New Continent of the South. It wasnt just Europe. Japan, which decided to expand overseas, also jumped on this wave. It spontaneouslybusted before the empire could carry out Operation Gyeruk. * * * When the international situation was going like this, Hyang, who was checking the report from the Messika region, breathed a sigh of relief. Whoa~. Im d, Im d. Hyang finished speaking with a more rxed expression. Now I can really abandon South America without any hesitation. Chapter 830 Episode 830: Gyeruk (a) (4) When Operation Gyeruk was first proposed and a n was created, everyone except Hyang thought that the target of this operation was the unknown continent in the south. This was because information from South America had not yet arrived. This was due to the policies of Sejong and Hyang. In order to protect Shinji from Europe, King Sejong and Hyang focused on taking control of the eastern part of Sinji first. To this end, most of the power of the Imperial Navy, which was growing in size in Shinji, was concentrated in the east. The western region was all about maintaining the northern route connecting the main site and the new site. Of course, just in case, the Imperial Navy stationed on Daeseol Ind was monitoring Japans movements. If Japanunches a ship to the east, that would also be a headache. In the end, Hyang was the only imperialist who knew of the existence of the South American continent at this time. However, the scent that was included in the category of gyeruk even on the South American continent was a series of concerns. It was easy to give up on Australia, but South America is still at stake. The scent couldnt hide the disappointment and it whetted my appetite. Tsk! South America, not any other ce, is the real joke. Tsk tsk tsk. Hyang , who continued to taste his mouth, let out a swear word. Damn rubber. Because of the rubber, the scent was something I couldnt let go of my lingering attachment to South America. * * * The scents obsession with rubber wasnt just because of electricity. Rubber was an important item that could once again give impetus to the imperial economy, which was now slowly entering a period of stagnation. The first part that could be used was waterproof material. When it rained, people used shurubs (Korean for umbres) made of greased paper in urban areas of the empire, and in the countryside, they used hats and hats. Soldiers and police officers who needed to have both hands free wore long guns made of oiled leather. As a side note, this outfit, especially thebination of long guns and cavalry boots, which Hyang borrowed from the trench coat design, was quite cool, and it wasnt long before the citys fashionable people were imitating it and wearing simr outfits. The difference between a soldier and a police officer was the hat. Soldiers and police officers wearing hats made of felt just walked around, but fashionable people wearing hats made of horsehair or silk covered them with hats. The problem was that oiled paper and leather were notpletely waterproof. Clothing wasnt the only ce where waterproof materials were needed. It could now be usefully used in the packing and gaskets of small-head water pumps, which were bing essential items in every household in the empire. Of course, in areas that had to withstand high temperature and pressure, such as steam engines, packings or gaskets made of copper had to be used, but in many other areas, rubber could take their ce. Considering the price of copper, this could bring enormous economic benefits. In addition, rubber has endless uses, starting with the wheels of rickshaws and tow trucks. Thats why I became obsessed with the scent of rubber. However, the problem was where the rubber trees were located. In the past, a type of rubber tree was discovered in India, but it was evaluated as unprofitable and had to be closed down. The rubber trees in Southeast Asian rubber ntations that were famous in the 21st century almost all came from South America Wow. At that point, Hyang couldnt help but sigh. The conclusion is that we have to search the Amazon, but this is not possible with manpower Hyang, remembering the size of the Amazon, could not help but shake his head. * * * In the end, Hyang almost gave up on South America. Wandering around Amazon does more harm than good. Europeans who are crazy about money are perfect for that part. If the Europeans find it, its better to move then. When Europeans still dont know its value. Fragrance, which chose the next best option, decided to hand over South America to Europe. As time passed and the Mesica Incident urred, Hyang had the opportunity to meet with the defected natives. In the process of talking with them, the Hyang confirmed that the natives were aware of the existence of rubber and gave a separate order to Lee Jing-ok. C After organizing the messica, check for the existence of the tree where chicle is said toe from. At this time, the name rubber did not even exist, so the indigenous people used the word chicle for incense. And two months after clearing out Messika, a report was posted saying that chicle radishes had been found. After checking the report, Hyang looked much more at ease. Whoa~. Now I can really throw South America at ease. Of course, if possible, I should obtain the saltpeter mine in Chile. Hyang continued speaking while looking at the map hanging on the wall. Now we are importing it from India without any worries, but the UK is worried. No, Im worried about all of Europe. For Europeans, India is still a golden country. So, I am using my hands * * * By acquiring saltpeter inrge quantities from the Sultan of Bengal in India, the post-Joseon empire was able to escape the problem of gunpowder shortage. Of course, it was necessary to spend a considerable amount of money importingrge quantities of saltpeter, butpared to the cost of producing saltpeter using traditional saltpeter production methods, it was overwhelmingly cheaper. Additionally, by selling the empires goods on the market, they were ultimately making a profit. As time passed and Joseon defeated the Ming Dynasty and became an empire, the Sultan of Bengal became interested in the empires weapons. It was because of the Delhi Sultanate dynasty that became independent. Although there was no major war after the two wars, war could break out again between the Bengal Sultanate and the Delhi Sultanate at any time. In particr, rumors were spreading that the Beli Sultanate was bing rich through trade with the empire. In response, the Sultan of Bengal demanded that the empire sell weapons. In response to the Bengal Sultanates request, the empire quickly sold the remaining Gap-style rifles that had been sold here and there. Not only were they selling long guns, but they were even selling new firearms that were rotting in warehouses. This was because it was a weapon perfectly suited to the tastes of the Bengal Sultanate, which had to engage in defensive warfare. Afterwards, instructors were selected and dispatched to the Bengal Sultanate to properly use the imperial weapons introduced. * * * The instructors who arrived in the Sultanate of Bengal trained the soldiers and officers of the Sultanate of Bengal and established contacts with the main leaders of the Sultanate. But along the way, there were also things that couldnt beughed at. One of the most famous of them was the Yakpo Incident. The armored rifle was a full-length rifle using a percussion cap. Therefore, in order to fire a bullet, you had to tear the paper package containing gunpowder and bullets with your teeth, pour in the gunpowder, and then push the paper and bullets into the loading rod. However, the paper that packaged the gunpowder and bullets became a problem. If the paper gets wet, problems arise? Thats right. However, since the paper packaging the bullets and gunpowder is oiled, there is no need to worry about any moisture. The expressions of the officers and soldiers of the Sultans army turned sour at the instructors answer. Do you have any problem? Oil is the problem. During this time, oil was generally used in cooking. And most of that oil was of animal origin. Vegetable oil was mainly used for voring purposes. Some of our soldiers are Hindus and others are Muslims. Hindus cannot eat cows and Muslims cannot eat pigs. The same goes for oil. But I heard that the imperial people eat both beef and pork. Then isnt the oil that soaked that paper also the fat of cows or pigs? The imperial instructors responded to the sultans army officersment with a look of bewilderment. Soybean oil and palm oil? huh? Afterwards, the Sultanates soldiers bit into the paper packaging without any hesitation. * * * Armed with imperial weapons, the position of the Bengal Sultanate was strengthened. However, the empire was not optimistic about the situation. At this time, India was home to manyrge and small states, including the Delhi Sultanate and the Bengal Sultanate. And those countries were repeating mergers and alliances for their own survival and growth. To borrow an expression from Hyang, it was Indias version of the Warring States Period. To survive these difficult times, Indian monarchs were desperate to strengthen national defense. They also approached the empire, but the empire rejected their proposals. This was because the stock of old weapons had been exhausted. If old weapons were produced again to sell to them, the production of weapons to be supplied to the imperial army would be disrupted. At this time, the imperial army was in full supply of military rifles and freight cars. Eulsik rifles and freight cars that had been reced with assault rifles were piled up in warehouses, but selling them was problematic. I sold Japanese style long guns to the Sultanate of Bengal, but selling Japanese style long guns to others would have caused more harm than good. In addition, the big yers had already booked Japanese rifles and freight cars. The allies who were waging war over Suez at the time were the big yers. Indian monarchs who were rejected by the empire turned their eyes elsewhere. The ce their eyes focused on was the Ming and Japanese countries. Indian monarchs who examined the weapons of the Ming and Japanese countries made the following evaluation. -The guns of the Japanese are worse than those of the Ming Dynasty, and the guns of the Ming Dynasty are inferior to those of the Empire. However, due to the circumstances, among the monarchs of India, those with economic power purchased firearms from the Ming Dynasty, while those with less economic power purchased firearms from the Japanese Empire. And their choice was the choice of Asian countries at the time. Countries that were close and economically cooperative with the empire were able to purchase the empires weapons. However, countries that could not do so purchased weapons from the Ming or Japanese countries based on their own economic power. The highest level is the Empire, followed by the Ming and finally the Wa. This perception was the same not only in weapons but also in other fields. If people had enough money, they bought things from the empire, and if they didnt, they bought things from the Japanese kingdom. And this perception remained the same even after Japan changed to Japan. Therefore, Japan had to make a lot of effort to break away from this perception. However, when Japan was actively trying to expand overseas, strongpetitors appeared. These were European countries. * * * The main products of Europe that advanced into Asia were ves and weapons. Europeans sold ves they rescued from African ve traders to sultans in India and Southeast Asia. Europeans who started the trade with vester entered the arms market. Through the religious conflicts that took ce in Europe and the subsequent Suez War, European weaponry improved greatly, but it was still not enough to catch up with the empire. But Europeans could not give up the arms market. Those purchasing weapons were the countrys leaders, and only by maintaining good rtions with them could future transactions proceed smoothly. This choice of Europeans was different from the one they made towards African leaders. If it had been Africa, they would have intimidated it with guns and cannons to open trade or colonize it. However, this method could not be used in Asia after the intervention of Hyang. This was because when Europeans brought out cannons, Asians also brought out cannons. Chapter 831 Episode 831: Gyeruk (a) (5) The intervention of incense and the resulting butterfly effect had arge and small impact on Europe and Asia. One of them was that Asian countries became familiar with gunpowder weapons. * * * In history before the intervention of the Xiang Dynasty, most Asian countries except the Ming and Joseon Dynastyto be precise, the countries east of Indiawere not familiar with gunpowder weapons. Excluding the Ming Dynasty and Joseon Dynasty, the Japanese kingdoms of Daewol and Seo were almost all known, and most of the gunpowder weapons they knew were artillery used in siege warfare. The concept of personal firearms was almost entirely simr to the European hand cannon. Because countries familiar with gunpowder were in this situation, the situation in Southeast Asias minor sultanates was even more bleak. They were still ustomed to the crude iron swords they made themselves or the Ming Dynasty swords brought in by overseas Chinese. Because of this situation, they had to bow down to the Europeans armed with muskets and Arcebus cannons. Meanwhile, the Japanese nation, which quickly introduced firearms from Europe, plunged the three Northeast Asian countries into war in the 16th century. And India and Central Asia developed their own guns and cannons based on guns and cannons imported from the Ottomans and Eastern Europe. However, it was more than a generation behind Europe and became prey to Britain and Russia. But everything changed with the intervention of incense. At a time when Europe was just evolving from hand cannons to arquebuses, the Joseon Army rifle corps armed with percussion cap rifles, the ultimate in full-length rifles, was born. In addition, a rare weapon of mass destruction called Bigyeokjincheonroe appeared. Joseon, confident in its military power, actively engaged in foreign trade, and not only Southeast Asia but also the Sultanate of Bengal in India came into contact with Joseons gunpowder weapons. And the subsequent developments were the same as described above. * * * Because of this, European countries that advanced into Southeast Asia could not act like they did in Africa. The Southeast Asian sultanates were already armed with imperial, Ming, or Japanese guns and artillery. No, it wasnt just armed. In addition to being proficient in tactics to properly utilize firearms and artillery, they were also skilled in operating tactics tailored to their countrys natural environment. In addition, the empires extraordinary love for artillery was reflected in the fact that they were arming themselves with not only imported but also domestically produced artillery, and even built strong fortresses simr to the castles of the Empire and Ming Dynasty. Thanks to this, Europeans who stopped at ports of call in the middle, starting from Mka, were able to see the well-built fortress and the hole in the wall. I couldnt help but swallow my saliva as I saw the Southeast Asian soldiers armed with long guns. -This ce is different from Africa! After confirming the information brought by the captain and crew, European monarchs and capitalists had to whet their appetites. Tsk! The eastern part of India should not be taken lightly. But However, there were no monarchs who would give up the mercantilism and rich country and strong military that started in the empire and quickly became a global trend. The same was true for capitalists who wanted more profits. They needed colonies and even more colonies. In the end, they turned their attention to India, which was still in trouble, and an unknown continent rumored to lie to the south. And the countries most enthusiastic about thispetition were Ennd and Spain. It was because of France that Britain became desperate to get ahead in this race. * * * France, a member of the Suez Alliance, was having a lot of fun through Suez. France was spending a considerable amount of military spending to protect Suez. However, the profit dividend was much higher than that. Based on this dividend, Charles VII and his sessor Louis XI were consolidating their power and making France strong again. In particr, Louis XI was sessfully strengthening his power based on these profit dividends. Especially after the recent annexation of the Duchy of Burgundy, there were almost no difficulties. * * * Since the time of Charles VII, Frances feudal nobility had been an obstacle to the strengthening of royal power. And in this background was the Duchy of Burgundy. While King Charles VII of France and Philip III, Duke of Burgundy were alive, their rtionship was at least good. However, a problem arose when Charles I, the Bold Duke, seeded Philip III as Duke of Burgundy, and Louis XI seeded Charles VII as King of France. Charles I aspired to reunite the Duchy of Burgundy, which had been divided into North and South, into one and then bepletely independent from France. For the unity and independence of the duchy, it was necessary to annex the Lorraine region and at the same time be king, not duke. In order to seed, Charles I secretly supported the rebellious French nobles to Louis However, the request sent to the Holy Roman Empire was thwarted by Louis XIs sabotage. I cant do this anymore! Louis XI, seeing Charles Is movements, moved his army and invaded the Duchy of Burgundy. In history before the countys intervention, the Burgundian War, whichsted three years starting in 1474, took ce almost 10 years earlier. * * * Louis XI decided to start the war because he had a chance of winning. First of all, the war that took ce in Suez was almost in its final stages. Minor small-scale battles were still taking ce, but the real fierce fighting was taking ce at the negotiating table. Next were the soldiers who returned from the Suez War. Those soldiers, armed with imperial weapons and with extensivebat experience, were not private soldiers of nobles, but royal troops who only acted under their own orders. As the returning soldiers recovered their stamina, Louis XI moved quickly. First, the Estates General was held to convene nobles, church powers, and city representatives. When the summons was gathered, Louis XI mobilized the edict army and imprisoned all the nobles. All nobles were imprisoned, regardless of whether they joined hands with Charles I or those who did not. Noisy distractions taken care of! With a smile of conversion, Louis * * * Unlike the war thatsted nearly three years in history before the intervention of the township, this invasion was able to end in one year. It was a speedy decision that even Louis XI, who had decided to invade, could not believe. The biggest reason this was possible was imperial weapons. The imperial army, equipped with imperial weapons with overwhelming killing and destructive power, instantly overwhelmed the principality army, which still had outdated cold weapons and early models of muskets. Eventually, in the final battle, Charles I the Bold, who was leading the duchys army, died and the Duchy of Burgundy became French territory. * * * Through this battle, Louis XI gained a lot. First, the Low Countries C present-day Belgium, the Nethends, Luxembourg, northern France, and parts of western Germany C were taken over. In history before the intervention of the fragrance, it became the territory of the Habsburg royal family by being inherited by the Duchess of Bourgogne, Marie de Bourgogne, the daughter of Charles I. Afterwards, the southern region was divided into the Spanish Nethends and the Austrian Nethends, and the northern region was divided into the Dutch Republic. However, as this war ended quickly, the inheritance was not properly carried out, and the Duchy of Burgundy became French territory. This was a major event that shook Europe. By annexing the Duchy of Burgundy, France gained a territorial foundation that could overwhelm the Holy Roman Empire. In addition, Louis XI was able to secure the political support of city representatives representing themon people by using the profits from this territory and the Suez Canal. By securing the political support of city representatives, Louis XI brought about the downfall of the nobility. -He joined hands with Charles I and nned treason! Louis XI executed nobles who rebelled against him for the above reasons. In fact, some people were executed because they joined hands with Charles I, but there were also many people who were executed for resisting Louis XI by insisting on traditional feudalism. In the end, the surviving nobles had no choice but to swear loyalty to Louis XI. As the aristocracy copsed, the church, the remaining axis of the Estates General, had no choice but to silence itself. Looking at it this way, Louis XI seemed to have lost nothing, but he also lost something. It was a huge war effort. Imperial weapons are powerful, but they consume too much money Every time he received reports-receipts-rted to war expenses spent, Louis XI became tearful and signed them. Imperial weapons had a high consumption rate as well as overwhelming performance. The imperial weapons owned by the Imperial Army were used items handed over after being used by the Imperial Army. These were weapons that had been overused in the Suez War. Fortunately, since these weapons were properly made for use by the imperial army, the damage rate was not seriously high. However, because it had to quickly replenish broken weapons and expended ammunition and shells, France had no choice but to reach out to its allies. This was because it was time-consuming to receive it again from the empire. Allies, at Frances request, supplied weapons and consumables at cost prices. Although the Ottomans and Florence, Spain received the cost, the war costs were enormous. Both the Eulsik Long Rifle and the Eulsik Wagon boasted enormous bullet consumption, and the same was true for the artillery. In addition, as he reached out to his allies, he also took on a political burden. Louis XI and France lost a lot, but they gained even more. And based on what they gained, France began to emerge as the loser of Europe. Britain, frightened by the growth of France, desperately attempted to acquire colonies. And Spain was in the same situation as Ennd. * * * Spain was also wary of the growth of its allies. In particr, the rapid growth of Portugal, the main axis of the alliance, forced the Spanish monarchs to make a decision. It cant be like this! ordingly, Isabe I of the Kingdom of Castile and Ferdinand I of the Kingdom of Aragon were married andbined into one kingdom. It was the emergence of a true Spanish kingdom. Spain, united as one, was a country of considerable size. It upied most of the Iberian Penins and had arge poption. The problem was that Portugal, a thorn in its side, was holding Spain back at all costs. Portugal was ahead in thepetition for colonies in Africa, and was also losing out to Portugal in Mediterranean trade. But the biggest problem was Suez. Portugal was growing rapidly as its allies upied Suez and gained enormous profits. Portugal, armed with weapons imported from the empire, was not an easy opponent despite its small size. In addition, Portugal and its allies had signed a mutual defense treaty and had be a firm military alliance. You join hands with heretics! Apostates! Although they cursed like that, Spain had also joined hands with the Mamluks. Although the Mamluks are now on the verge of copse. - hello? This is Gukppong, who writes ck Enterprise Chosun. Yesterday and today, the series continues to be dyed. sorry. There is also the issue of poor physical condition due to rapid weather changes, but there is too much to consider due to the long-term serialization. Settings, character events, etc. I write them down separately or keep scrolling through them, but its taking up more and more time. Thanks to you, I apologize for the dy in publishing the series. We will do our best not to bete in the future. We hope that you will continue to love ck Enterprise Chosun. Ill try my best. Gukppong dream. Chapter 832 Episode 832: Chicken (6) Spain did its best, but the situation in the Mediterranean region and the West Coast of Africa was not good. It wasnt bad when we firstpeted with Portugal to secure the west coast of Africa. Rather, despite the limitations of the union system of kingdoms, it was gradually ahead of Portugal as it overtook Portugal in terms of poption. Thanks to this, the leaders of the United Kingdom at the time viewed the situation optimistically. It is time to punish the traitors of Portugal! We can annex Portugal again! However, before we knew it, Portugal had not just caught up with Spain but started to move ahead. why? The Spanish monarchs and nobles could not understand the situation that was different from their expectations. This was the result of Portugals effortsbined with Spains limitations. * * * There were several reasons why Spain had its limitations. -Politics and economy dominated by Catholic fundamentalism. The United Kingdom of Spain and Portugal were the countries that expelled Muslims from the Iberian Penins and established Catholicism as the state religion through the Reconquista. Although Catholicism was the state religion of both Portugal and Spain, their policies toward pagans were different. In the case of Portugal, Muslims and Jews could continue to live as long as they were loyal to them. On the other hand, in the case of Spain, the policy waspletely opposite to that of Portugal. Spain expelled all Muslims and Jews living within its territory. This did not end with simple expulsion. With the expulsion of Muslims and Jews, Spain lost its powerful merchant power. As Muslim merchants and Jews disappeared, not only did Spainsmerce and finance industry shrink significantly, but the humanworks that Muslim merchants and Jews had also disappeared. In the end, Spain had no choice but to entrust its economic management to Italian merchants in Genoa. Traditional feudal aristocrats based on pastoralism had no other problems other than having to pay high prices for luxury goods, so they ignored this problem, whichter became a shackle as the importance of international trade emerged. -Portugal took the lead in trade with the Land of Flowers. Thepetition that took ce on the west coast of Africa was a situation where Portugal and Spain were either ahead or behind. However, the ambitious Henry dominated trade with the empire and became the driving force behind Portugals advancement. And this led to the next problem. -Lost in thepetition for talent supply and demand. Although Spain was ahead of Portugal in terms of poption, its naval power was rather inferior to that of Portugal. Looking at the situation in Europe at the time, most of the key people who operated the ships of each country C captains, vice-captains, navigators, etc. C were employed regardless of nationality. Not only executives but also experienced senior sailors often moved ships for better pay. Ships with many capable and experienced officers and crews had a high chance of surviving unexpected events such as storms or pirate attacks. And the higher the probability of survival, the more profit it would bring to ship owners. Sry was not the only criterion forpetent sailors to select a ship. Safety of navigation was as important as pay. In this part, Portugal overwhelmed Spain. The routes to and from the Land of Flowers werepletely controlled by the Imperial Navy. Therefore, as long as we moved along with the empires fleet, we only had to watch out for storms. No, even the storm was not a big problem as long as it moved along with the empires fleet. If a storm seemed likely, the imperial fleet would head to the nearest port. This was because there were no ports that did not want the imperial fleet to call, and Portugal was a country with national trade rights with the empire. In other words, this meant that the empire guaranteed identity. Thanks to this, Portugal was able to safely enter and trade with many Asian countries. A ship of the nation capable of traveling on safe and profitable routes. Few captains would refuse to operate a ship with these conditions. Because of this, Portugals naval power, which had many capable captains and sailors, became superior to Spains. -Finally, Portugal and its allies control the Suez trade route. The construction of the railway linking Suez with the northern port of Prince Henry changed the economic structure of North Africa and the Mediterranean region. * * * The decline of Alexandria, thergest trade port and center of trade in the North African region, was the beginning of change. And the decline of Alexandria elerated the fall of the Mamluks. It wasnt just the Mamluks. Based on the huge profits from the Suez trade route, Mehmed II of Ottoman greatly strengthened his military power. In particr, after seeing the sess of the empire and Portugal, Mehmed II greatly expanded the navy and made generous use of the stronger navy. As a result, the maritime power of the Kingdom of Aragon, a major political force in Spain, copsed. This was because the trading rights in the Levant region were lost to the Ottomans. Mehmet II, who seeded in controlling the Levant region and the Caspian Sea region, finally conquered the Eastern Roman Empire. With this, the eastern Mediterranean area was in the hands of the Ottomans. This change in the powerndscape in the Mediterranean region also had a great impact on Italy. * * * The first to rise to the surface was that the Medici family had clearly taken control of Florence. Cosimo de Medici was a man who controlled and influenced the monarchs of Europe with enormous funds, but he also had many problems. This was because construction projects carried out in Florence and other regions failed and a huge amount of funds were wasted due to various wars and political interventions. Therefore, as soon as the Suez War showed signs of turning into a long war, merchants who were Cosimos vassals visited Cosimo. I think it would be a good idea to get out of Suez! youre right! A huge amount of money is still being invested! If you do it wrong, you will go bankrupt! Even now, other families are hoping for our family to fail! Especially the Pachi family is showing their teeth! He strongly advocated for the vassals to withdraw from Suez, referring to the Pazzi family, the family that owns a powerful bank in Florence and the strongestpetitor to the Medici family. You idiots! Dont just look right in front of you, look further away! But Cosimo de Medici did not listen to his vassals warnings. No, they went one step further and actively invested funds into Suez. Cosimos gamble returned several times the profit. On the surface, it was the smallest stake, but it was an exquisite casting boat between the empire and the alliance. To prevent Cosimo from joining hands with the empire, the allies secretly handed over a significant portion of their profits to Cosimo. It wasnt just profit dividends. Most of the military funds expended by the Alliance in the Suez War were lent by Cosimo. Thanks to this, a significant portion of the huge profits earned by the alliance in Suez came to Cosimo in the name of loan repayment and interest. Based on this influx of funds, Cosimo began to dominate European politics once again, and the Pazzi family was relegated to second ce. This was the beginning of Cosimos Medici family once again andpletely taking control of Florence. * * * While Cosimos Medici family and Florence were gradually gaining momentum, Florences strongestpetitor, Genoa, was gradually declining. When Spain and Portugal entered into full-scalepetition in Africa, Genoa actively supported Spain. This was because it was an opportunity for Genoa, which had already benefited greatly from influencing Spains economy, to gain even greater profits. Another problem was that Portugals economic sponsor was Florence. Since Genoa waspeting with Italy for economic power in Europe, it could not back down. The proxy war between Genoa and Florence, waged on the behalf of Portugal and Spain, reached its peak through the Suez War. This was because the enormous economic benefits that could be gained through trade with the Land of Flowers could not be missed. Genoa also fought back to defeat its visible enemies, the allies, and Florence, which lurked behind them. It aplished the union of Spain and the Mamluks and attempted to tie up France by mobilizing the Habsburg Holy Roman Empire and Britain. But this was only half a sess. Britain was in a state of disarray due to a civil war, and the Habsburgs, who were too busy suppressing their rivals seeking the throne of the Holy Roman Empire, could only pretend. Therefore, Genoa provided considerable funds to the Eastern Roman Empire, which was in a weak position. It was to tie up Osmans feet even a little. Genoa tried its best to win at a gambling table with huge stakes, but ultimately lost. This was because the alliance took the strongest card called Empire first. By losing the gamble, Genoa had no choice but to decline. This was because the enormous amount of money lost in the Suez War could not be replenished. It would take a long time just for Spain to sell the ves and spices it acquired in Africa. To make matters worse, Mehmed IIs copse of the Eastern Roman Empire proved to be a fatal blow. This was because the Levant, a major market for ves and spices, was lost. * * * Britain, Spain and Genoa, cornered in this way, became desperate to find a way out. For those who were desperately trying to escape the crisis of destruction, rumors rted to the unknown southern continent were a ray of salvation. You can escape crisis if you just look for it! You must find it! As with the Western Route, a craze rted to the unknown southern continent began to spread in Ennd and Spain. No, it wasnt a craze, it was a craze. Whenever they met nobles, merchants, as well as intellectuals and ordinary people, they talked about the southern continent. Of course, there were many people who reacted negatively and were worried about this. Arent we being too confident when we dont have any certain information? Its just a rumor going around among the natives, right? To this objection, the Convictionists responded as follows. Arent there a few natives who say the same thing? Then there is a high possibility that it is true! Look at the Imperial God! There is not enough evidence that there is an unknown continent, but there is also no confirmation that it does not exist! After a fierce war of words between the two camps, the Empire was brought in. The Empire must have heard these rumors, but the Empire doesnt move! That means there is no such thing! In response to the words of the deniers, the believers were at a loss for what to say. At that time, a new rumor came from Suez. -Its not that the empire isnt doing it, its that its not doing it! -It is said that the imperial navy earnestly requested it, but the emperor and prime ministers of the empire refused. The reason is because Shinji alone is having a hard time! European intellectuals who heard the rumor realized what was hidden in the rumor. -If the empire had the power, it would have gone on an expedition! -That means the Empire believes there is a high probability that the rumors are true! -If you think about the damn ships of the Empire, the Empire has probably already done some research and is counting on it to be true! The Europeans who had analyzed up to this point simultaneously jumped to their feet. The empire was pouring fuel into a situation where Europe was burning spontaneously. The unknown southern continent is real! Chapter 833 Episode 833: Gyeruk (7) Britain and Genoa, Spain, actively moved to find the unknown southern continent. No, it was not active, but desperate. -Only the New World can survive! Before we knew it, the unknown southern continent had been changed to the title new continent (novum continentem). Ennd worked hard to win again in thepetition against France, Spain against Portugal, and Genoa against Florence. They were not the only ones betting on the huge gamble of discovering the New World. Competitors from the three countries also jumped into this gambling game. There was a difference. While Genoa, Spain, Ennd, and Spain risked their national fortunes, France, Portugal, and Florence gambled individually or with small investment groups. Thanks to these people who jumped into the gambling game, the Suez shipyards became prosperous. This was because many peoplemissioned ships from the Suez shipyard to reduce the risk of bypassing Africa. European shipbuilding engineers did not miss this opportunity. European engineers took jobs at the shipyards in Suez, even at the expense of their sries. At the shipyard where they established their nest, they began designing and building the new sailing ship they had in mind. This was because it was certain that if the ships they designed did their job, they would receive not only great honor but also many times the profits. But soon, strongpetitors emerged. They were merchants of the empire. The new product brought to market by imperial merchants was the sailing ship. * * * Decades have passed since the challenger-level and emergency fronts first appeared. Naturally, not only the merchants of the empire but also other countries saw these battle lines and there were many who became greedy. King Sejong, who epted the request of the imperial merchants, ordered Hyang to develop amercial transport ship, and Hyang developed a new sailing ship with reducedbat and defense capabilities but increased transport capacity. The newly released civilian transport ships were useful not only for civilians but also for the military. Especially on the routes to and from Sinji, these transport ships were the most useful. Naturally, merchants from Europe and Japan also coveted this transport ship, and merchants from the empire smelled money here. Do you think I can make money if I do this well? And as the New World craze began to spread in Europe, hopefully changed to certain. Merchants who smelled money looked for suitablend to build a shipyard, reported it to the government office, and then searched for craftsmen. Those they targeted were craftsmen retired from the empires shipyards. As time passed, craftsmen working at the shipyards in Wonsan and Dongbing Port retired and a generational change took ce. Merchants entered into negotiations with these retired artisans. However, retired artisans reacted negatively. Oops! Lets build ships for the country to use? Are you going to build that ship and sell it to another country? Hey! wife! Bring salt with you! This is why you get called a businessman! go away! Are you saying I should be put in the records office at this age? You go to the record office! Even though they were shut down at the door, the merchants held on tenaciously. In addition, he appealed to the government and the emperor. What do you think? The ministers responded in various ways to Wans question. Even though they are merchant ships, not front lines, these shipse with performance that overwhelms other countries front lines. It must be disallowed! Its a given that its a ship with outstanding performance. However,pared to the challenger ss or maritime emergency front line, these ships are significantly inferior. Its okay to allow it! Because both those in favor and those opposed had valid reasons, it was difficult to make a decision. In the end, Wan sent a letter to Hyang and asked for his opinion. And once again, a ship carrying only one letter went to and from Sinji. Hyangs reply on his return by express was a thick letter envelope and a well-sealed drawing container. Wan smiled bitterly after seeing the thick letter and drawing box that Hyang had sent. Did you already expect this? I can see you clicking your tongue Wan, who opened the letter and remembered the image of Hyang clicking his tongue as he wrote the letter, smiled bitterly again. As expected * * * If the contents of the letter sent by Hyang were organized in order, they were as follows. -Ships are not made by craftsmen alone. A blueprint is absolutely necessary. The blueprints of the front lines as well as the designs of the transport ships are confidential. If merchants or retired craftsmen have blueprints for imperial battle lines or transport ships, they should be used of treason. -If you dont have a blueprint, sell the enclosed blueprint. Although its defense power is lower than that of existing transport ships and front lines, it is a much stronger ship than the ones they are making now. If you emphasize that Shinji haspleted verification and improvement, merchants will open their pockets. After reading up to this point, Wan nced at the drawing box that came with it and then moved on. You clicked your tongue as expected. -The armored assault ship has been released, and development of wires made of iron is already underway. How long are you going to stand still and only think about the neckline? Have you given up on the fact that Crown Prince Hwang is researching iron wire? If Captain Kim had been there, he would have been very angry, asking if he was going to blow the opportunity to make a lot of money! If youre that worried, wouldnt it be okay to just sell the boats and not the guns? If youre worried, shouldnt you just be stronger and move ahead? Dont you want to do your job properly? Am I the emperor or are you the emperor? Could it happen that I just sit down on Shinji? Whoa~. Wan let out a long sigh, folded the book, and gritted his teeth. p! I guess Ill have to start by punishing the ministers! You were trying to stop my journey! At the same moment, all the ministers shuddered. Why do I suddenly have goosebumps And old ministers like Hwang Bo-in and Kim Jong-seo sighed. Whoa~. I seem to hear you clicking your tongue again. * * * After many twists and turns, including Wans grappling and ministers cries, the merchants of the empire made eight ships for the Europeans. They started off by selling ships built in their hometown, but soon the merchants moved their shipyards to an area closer to Suez. The new location was Mayn (now Man) in Luzon. The imperial sailing ships, made from tropical wood abundant in Luzon and nearby inds, were sturdy andrge. ordingly, not only explorers who wanted to explore newnds, but also merchants who needed trade ships purchased imperial sailing ships. Some of the sailing ships sold in this way ended up in the Suez shipyards and were dismantled. European shipbuilders who disassembled and examined imperial sailing ships soon began applying imperial technology to their own ships. But this was one of the traps dug by the scent. Its hard to catch up with just imitation! You have to understand why you did that! This came from the experience of incense. This was an experience I gained when I ran away from home to America in the 21st century. The second pitfall was the structure of the hull. Challenger-ss wires and sea emergency wires were made of twoyers of wood on the sides of the hull. However, the sides of the ships sold to Europeans were only oneyer. Of course, it was made slightly thicker, but its defensive power was clearly insufficientpared to the imperial front lines and transport ships. That wasnt all. The ships sold by imperial merchants did not carry naval guns, but space was made for them. Hyang yed a trick here. The guns currently used on European ships were irrelevant. However, it was designed to cause problems ifrger, heavier, and more powerful artillery was loaded in the future. Of course, the problem was not created right away, but the structure was weakened so that problems could arise after one or two battles. It will take a long time to realize that this is a problem and fix it! Although it was a ship equipped with various types of traps, its performance was so good that soon most of the ships made in Suez and Europe had a simr shape and structure to the ships sold by the empire. In other words, ships that had been filled with incenseid traps began to sink in the sea. * * * Many people and ships gathered at Suez to explore the New World for trade with Asia. Many ships came and went at the Suez trade port, and people of various races gathered to indulge in pleasure in the entertainment district facing the trade port. Also, for those who prayed for the safety of themselves and their ships before setting sail, and for those who returned safely, they visited cathedrals and mosques to thank God. Temples and shrines were built. So many people were preparing to go out to sea to gamble with their future. * * * The Karak-ss medium-sized sailing ship San Domingo is in full swing ahead of its departure. While many sailors were busy moving around, a brown-haired young man in his 20s was leaning on the ships railing and looking out. Where his gaze was directed, a ship had just raised its sails and was heading out to sea. If I had a ship like that made in the Land of Flowers, I would have gone to the New World right away A harsh shout came from behind the young man, who wasining as he watched the ship heading out to the distant sea. hey! Cristobal! Cristobal Colon! Youzy donkey! What are you doing there! Hi! Sorry! Sorry, navigator! Cristobal, startled by the swearing he heard from behind, bowed his head and ran towards the navigator. Seeing Cristobal like that, the navigator raised his voice. You bastard! Everyone else is busy working so why are you wasting your time there? If youre sozy, when are you going to be a navigator! No, azy guy like you bes a navigator? Oh Virgin Mary! What crime did Imit to take on thiszy donkey as my apprentice? Cristobal had to keep bowing his head to the navigatorsment. sorry! sorry! I will do my best! If yourezy like that again, Ill kick you out of the boat! Yes, I will do my best! In response to Cristobals answer, the navigator kicked Cristobals ass. Dont just talk, get moving! You donkey! Yes yep! Cristobal was busy stroking his kicked buttocks. After sessfully loading and checking cargo and food, the San Domingo raised anchor and headed out to sea. After safely leaving the busy port and heading out to sea, Cristobal took a breather and asked the navigator. Everyone is making a fuss about looking for the new continent, but the ship owner and captain are not interested? If you seed properly, you can be very rich. You can make a lot of money by sailing now. But its not a big deal, is it? Still, I earn more than you. And its toote to go around like that. If it really exists, we will find it soon, and we will be very angry when we first find the route. The navigator exined the practical reasons to Cristobal. okay. therefore. Stop dreaming and learn to work properly! You donkey! Yes Cristobal, who had retreated after being imprisoned, looked up at the sky and muttered. Is there really only one route? Because the Earth is round new routes will exist. If I find that route, I will be able to make a name for myself as Cristophoro Colombo, right? The young man, whose name was Cristoforo Colombo in his hometown Genoese, Cristobal Colon in Spanish and Christopher Columbus in English, looked at the sea with eyes full of ambition. Chapter 834 Episode 834 Pursuit in Europe (1) Not everyone in Europe was only interested in discovering the New World. In order to catch up with or move ahead of the empire that was already ahead in many fields, many schrs and engineers devoted themselves to research and development. But what they spent the most time on was finding a sponsor to finance them. They also had families to support and assistants and employees to pay. In addition, money was needed to obtain the materials and the imperial-made smelter and smeltong, which were one of the most useful tools. Therefore, they met with nobles and merchants to seek sponsors. The good news was that during this time, European Catholic clergy also began to show considerable flexibility. In addition, European monarchs came forward and began to actively support them. It was one of the butterfly effects caused by scent. * * * When Seoul was called Hanseong, the questions asked by incense to the monks who came across the sea to work at the research institute were still ongoing. -Is performing ancestral rites in gratitude for the grace of ancestors an act of filial piety or idtry? Is this really breaking the Ten Commandments? -Does the Bible you tranted into Latin have no errorspared to the original? The Catholic hierarchy at the time, which was alreadyplicated by many issues, fiercely fought over the answer to the question posed by the incense. The answer to the first question was still being debated, but it was slowlying together. The answer to the second question was even more dramatic. The number of monks and theologians who began to study the Hebrew or Aramaic scriptures they had found with great difficulty increased significantly, and new trantions came out. That wasnt all. Until then, there was only a Latin version of the Bible, but Bibles tranted into English, French, and German began to appear in various versions. The clergys reaction to the appearance of these trantions was divided. One side was those who epted only the traditional Latin text, and the other side were those who weed the Bible in their ownnguage. Not only that, but the general public also weed the Bible in their ownnguage. This was because you could read the Bible as long as you knew how to read texts written in your nativenguage. As a result, the number of religious people who came closer to the people increased. * * * As the religious world went through changes like this, societys perception also began to change. The most stark examples were alchemists and witches. In the past, people would be burned at the stake for being heretics or for giving their souls to the devil. However, in order to catch up with the empires advanced iron and alloy technology, these alchemists became the most important, and the number of cases of persecution of them as heretics greatly decreased. No, the social status of alchemists rose significantly, and the number of people aspiring to be alchemists began to increase. And finally, alchemy began to be registered as an official department in university departments. It was the same with the witch. The case of witches was even more dramatic, and it was the empire that yed the biggest role in this change. Thanks to the active support of King Sejong and Hyang, the medical science of the empire was developing rapidly. Medicine was developing rapidly, but pharmacy was also developing at a rapid pace. And the result was Hyangyakjiseongbang. Under the orders of King Sejong, the Hyangyak Collection Book, which organized the types of medicinal herbs growing naturally on the Korean Penins and their utility, was continuously being revised. As Joseon transformed into an empire and its territory expanded, information about new medicinal ingredients continued toe in. It was not simply a record of the names, shapes, and benefits of medicinal herbs. -There are some herbs in Bukji and Shinji that have simr medicinal effects to this herb found in this area. -There is a herb that grows only in Shinji, and the effectiveness of this herb is (summary) As the list of medicines that can be reced depending on the region or the information on medicines that have unique medicinal properties for specific diseases are constantly being revised, the herbal medicine collection room is beingpiled. It got thicker and thicker. As a side note, as time passed, the subjects that those studying medicine and pharmacy in the empire were most afraid of were subjects that used the Herbal Medicine Collection as a textbook. * * * ording to the decision of the township, the herbal medicine mixture was exported to Europe. Of course, the part rted to Shinji was missing. European medical practitioners who epted the herbal medicine collection carefully examined the contents of the book. So, for these symptoms, you use a mixture of this herb and this herb? Doctors who saw the content wanted to apply it right away, but there was a problem. Which one is the herb and which is the poisonous herb? Its all grass? Although there were professional herbalists in Europe, their numbers were very small. Doctors who were looking for a solution were able to find the answer in the preface to the herbal medicine collection room. -The temperament of the mountains and rivers of Joseon is different from that of China, so it is difficult for Chinese medicine to be effective on the people of Joseon. -So, I asked the elderly, shamans, and shamans to find medicinal herbs, confirmed their effectiveness, and recorded them. I hope that by using these, I can easily ovee the disease. Is that so? The doctors who read the preface containing King Sejongs will immediately took action. He started by visiting elderly people and herbalists in nearby viges, asking about medicinal herbs and recording them. In this process, the existence of witches was highlighted again. Actually, it is. There is an old witch hiding deep in the western forest The farmers and herbalists carefully revealed their secrets to the doctors with whom they had be close friends. The doctors who discovered the secret went to the witches. The first reaction of many witches to an unwee visit was to hide deeper in the forest. However, thanks to the doctors persistent contact and persuasion, the witches revealed their knowledge of medicinal herbs. And furthermore, witches began to work as assistants to doctors. In this process, many misunderstandings about witches were resolved, and witches who had been hiding in the shadows began toe out into the sun again. Of course, there were conditions. -If you openly tell fortunes, practice witchcraft, or cast a curse, you will be burned at the stake! -Swear your faith in God and faithfully perform the Sacrament of Confession! Witches who promised to keep these conditions and had a certificate of guarantee that they were faithfully keeping their promises were allowed to live in viges and towns. * * * As Europe moved away from religious solemnity, more and more things began to change rapidly. This was a change that continued rapidly for at least 100 yearspared to the history before the intervention of incense. The first change that was seen was that mercantilism became the mainstream ideology. Until then, Europe also looked down on merchants. Although he was very interested in the wealth that merchants had, he looked down on them. It was impossible to meet kings, aristocrats, and high-ranking religious figures unless they were magnates or big capitalists who controlled Europes finances like Cosimo de Medici. All I had to do was deal with their agents. However, his values changed as he became exposed to the way imperial officials treated merchants and the various policies created to encouragemerce and industry. -If the people live well, of course the monarch will live well too! No need to squeeze it! As values changed, mercantilism became the trend among European leaders. As the values of leaders were changing, society was also changing. The Renaissance era had begun in earnest. Of course, it was a little different from the historical Renaissance before the intervention of incense. -purple! The brilliant appearance of the Land of Flowers! -Learn from the monarch who created that splendor! In this social movement, European intellectuals studied King Sejong and Hyang. As this research deepened, a movement began to arise to introduce an imperial system in addition to a return to the ssics. -We too, like an empire! -Lets change it to something like Land of Flowers! It was an empire that suddenly became a utopia. As this movement deepened, the imperialnguage became another officialnguage after Latin. Of course, in intellectual society, the imperialnguage already had almost the same status as Latin. However, before we knew it, it had be a situation where not only nobles but also wealthy people had to be able to speak a word or two of the imperialnguage to be treated well. * * * The empire was a country that people wanted to emte politically and culturally, and wanted to make their own country do the same. But economically, it was the empire that had to catch up and be ahead. This was because the empire was reaping too many benefits. The empire boasted quality that was far ahead of most products. Therefore, European merchants imported the empires products and sold them to the people. This was because it was more profitable to import and sell the empires products than to sell products made by domestic artisans. Fortunately, British cast iron cannons and Frenchce were internationally famous exports. Although British cast iron cannons had limitations in performance, they were cheaper than bronze cannons and became a popr product in Europe. Frenchce was a popr product sold not only in Europe but also in the Ming Empire. It was especially popr in the empire, where it was fashionable among nobledies to wearce decorations on their sleeves. -I wont get my sleeves dirty! He boasted of his wealth withce decoration. When Frenchce was just beginning to be popr among the wealthy, the Emperor at the time smiled bitterly. I heard there was a trend among noblemen in thete Joseon Dynasty to grow their little fingernails, right? To boast that you can make a living without working. Hmm Hyang thought for a moment and made a decision. For now, lets wait and see. Already, people are starting to say that we are stealing too much from Europe. * * * In this way, the empire was making huge profits in most fields except for a small number of products. This trade imbnce was a serious problem for European monarchs who had just be absorbed in mercantilism. So much gold and silver is going into the empire. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, European monarchs began providing active support to develop their own industries. * * * The field they most actively supported was steam engines. Before the Iron Horse began operating in Suez, it was just a story from a distant country. But the story changed when the Iron Horse became operational in Suez. European monarchs and nobles, who saw with their own eyes the enormous economic benefits provided by iron horses, began to actively support the development of steam engines. And this led to a chain reaction. In order to make a high-performance steam engine, high-quality iron was needed, which required advancement in iron-making technology. Not only steel but also alloy parts used in important parts needed performance improvement. To solve this problem, the knowledge of alchemists was essential. Thanks to this, the alchemists social status rose rapidly. While Europe and Ming and Japan were busy moving to position themselves as empires, the empire was also moving. On the one hand, they were focusing on research and development as they had done so far, and on the other hand, they were moving to monitor the movements of other countries. The Imperial Armys intelligence agency as well as the Secret Service were quietly infiltrating Europe. Chapter 835 Episode 835 Pursuit in Europe (2) -Imperial Army Geographic Information Research Institute. This was the name of the imperial military intelligence agency. C Create maps and analyze geographic information for the Imperial Army and Navy. This was the justification raised by the Imperial Military Geographic Information Research Institute. And actually, the work was carried out. * * * When the empire had almost taken control of the seas east of Suez, it formally sent envoys to countries along the empires trade routes, including the Ming and Japanese Ryukyus, requesting cooperation. -We will investigate changes in water depth and coastline due to the movement of high and low tides, the presence of coastlines and possible reefs. The countries that first epted the empires request expressed reluctance. This was because maps and geography, especially maps, had tremendous military value. In addition, the coastline and the parts connected to it that the empire wanted to survey were also problematic. This was because the items the Empire said it would investigate were all rted to thending war. The empire was well aware of this, so it immediately presented alternatives andpensation. -Do not enter ind more than 10 ri (approximately 4 km) from the coastline. -You may involve as many officials and schrs from the country as you wish in the investigation process. All costs will be borne by the empire. -The results of the investigation will be shared openly with the parties involved. We will also provide a map. Hmm this is ho The parties who epted the alternative andpensation n presented by the empire had no choice but to worry. Making maps and acquiring geographic information was a time-consuming and expensive task. Purchasing expensive imperial precision measuring instruments cost a lot of money, and training personnel also took a lot of time and money. Although they expressed reluctance, most of the parties did not have proper maps of their coastlines and geographical information. If something happened, the only option was to recruit fishermen who knew the coast of the area well and use them as human guides. This was a simr situation even to Myeong. Detailed maps were created around major military ports, but for other areas, it was necessary to rely on maps that were as old as a few decades or as long as a hundred years old, or to call in local fishermen. However, ording to rumorsing from merchants who boarded the empires merchant ships, the empires maps were extremely precise. It was a huge temptation for an empire with such precise mapmaking capabilities to create and hand over maps. -If we observe the imperial map-making process and know how, we can produce our own precise maps! -If you ept the Empires precise map, you can properly find military strategic points and strengthen your defenses! In the end, all other countries except the Ming epted the empires proposal. In the case of Ming, rejection was a natural situation during the Gyeongtae era, and Seonghwaje, who was nicknamed the Emperor of Joseon, also had to reject it with reluctance. No matter how much of a burden it is, if you ept this, there will be an immediate rebellion. At Seonghwajes words, all therades of the Jamryonghoe also nodded. * * * When most of the countries along the trade route epted the offer, the empire began sending people. As there were not enough personnel from the Imperial Army and the Ministry of Land Development, a considerable number of personnel were mobilized from the railway construction, and the Imperial Army followed to escort them. Another gang was hiding among this imperial army. Surveying and geographical information research for map production was not something that could bepleted in a day or two. Naturally, we had to find a vacant lot and a water source near the survey area where many people could stay, and the Imperial Army officers who participated in this process memorized this information well and secretly recorded it. That wasnt all. As arge number of people stayed, a lot of food was needed, and the imperial military convoy headed to a nearby city to purchase this food. And likewise, imperial officers memorized this route well and secretly recorded it. While keeping the condition of I will not go further ind than 10 li from the coastline, I took everything I needed to take care of. This wasnt the only thing the imperial armys hidden faction was aiming for. Once the Empire began work, officials and soldiers from the parties also joined in. After being together for quite a long time, a friendship began to build between the people on both sides, and here was the empires target. The officials and soldiers who participated, especially militarymanders, were capable military officials, generals, or nobles who were trusted by the monarch. In other words, they were the core of power or would be so in the future. The goal was to build friendships with them and turn them into pro-imperialists or to find out about the military trends of the party. What is interesting is that the parties cooperating with the empire also had simr aims. -The imperial people dispatched to map production are the empires talented people. -In that case, themanders of the imperial army dispatched to protect them would also be capable people. -If you are apetentmander, you have a high chance of sess in the future, so make connections! -And if possible, find out about the movements of the imperial army, especially future weapon development and changes in deployment strategies and tactics! The parties with this intention C especially Japan C treated the imperial armymanders with the utmost hospitality. On days off from work, they invited imperial people C especially imperial militarymanders C to a banquet. At these banquets, outstanding beauties would sit next to the high-ranking officials of the empire and seduce them. It was a banquet where the peopleughed and enjoyed each others intentions while hiding their true intentions. * * * While this intelligence war of deceiving and deceiving each other was taking ce on one side, traditional intelligence wars were taking ce on the other side. In the area facing the Mongols, cavalry and cavalry troops were moving secretly and observing the Mongols movements. In the sea route east of Suez, the imperial front lines moved around and monitored trends around the sea route. And the imperial troops and officials stationed in Shangguan monitored trends and regrly sent reports. The empires superiors were located not only east of Suez, but also to the port of Prince Henry of Suez and Alexandria. The superior office was a ce where officials were stationed to provide safe amenities for the empires merchants and resolve civilints, and even served as an embassy. It was natural for the imperial army to be deployed to protect the civilians and officials staying at Shangguan. However, because the deployment of the imperial army was something that would irritate the state party, permission had to be obtained first. What was interesting was the form of corrtion. In the area east of Suez, it was simr to arge mansion where local officials lived. It was just bigger and had more warehouses. However, the superiors located in the ports of Suez and Prince Henry of Alexandria were small fortresses. The most representative ce was the imperial naval port of Suez. Meanwhile, while the imperial military intelligence agency was still unable to leave the southern Mediterranean area, Milwi was expanding its reach to the northern Mediterranean. -Seoul security service. They had begun advancing into the heart of Europe through one of Milwis frontpanies. * * * As time passed, generational changes continued in Milwi Ind. As generations changed, Milwi also began to suffer from chronic diseases of the empire. -Lack of talent. Most of those who first formed the Milwi came from the sword world. Although most of them were from Seoul and were involved in the sword world, they were highly knowledgeable and skilled in martial arts. However, the problem was that with the abolition of the Seoul Geumgo, those entering the Geomgye almost disappeared. All capable graduates entered government or military positions, and those who snooped around Geomgye were all unskilled. No, they were human waste of the level of impossible to be rehabilitated even if beaten. In order to solve the problem of talent supply and demand, Milwi traveled to Daeseol Ind and Shinji as well as the main and northern regions to attract talented people. Those that Milwi mainly targeted were young warriors who had justpleted their training and were preparing to enter the service, and middle and lower-level executives of the imperial army. The problem is that the nose is too high. Young people dont know whats going on in the world, and former executives are out of pride In the end, the executives of the Milwi, who were worried over and over again, asked Hyang for help through Naegeumwijang. Hyang, who epted Milwis request through Naegeumwijang, nodded willingly. Its for the safety of me and the empire, so of course I have to help! In this way, Milwi mobilized his strongest card. * * * This is roughly how Millwi acquired talent. First, we look at the personnel evaluation list obtained through the Internal Revenue Service and when we find suitable talent, we quietly approach them. Would you like to work with us for the Empire and Your Majesty? The reactions of the recruits who heard these words were very simr. What kind of bullshit is this? You look like a crazy person, so I wont report it to the Pocheong! Get out of here! However, Milwi continued to approach, and the subjects reaction became more serious. And when he thought it was ripe, Milwis agent extended an invitation to him. There is someone who wants to see me. Would you like to follow me? Sure. If you are going to do something foolish, I wont let it go even if it kills me. Please do so. Afterwards, the person involved was blindfolded and moved to Milwis safe house, where he faced Hyang. Ie to see His Majesty the Emperor! One of the emperors jobs was to tour troops throughout the empire or call units that had made meritorious contributions to Seoul to praise those who had made meritorious contributions andfort the soldiers. Thanks to this, all executives with a certain level of rank and experience knew Hyangs face, and thanks to that, they were as shocked as they are now. You can sitfortably. Your Majesty the Emperor. As soon as the subject straightened his posture, the scent got to the point. Jim has a favor to ask of you. Just give orders! I willplete it even if it means dying! Give up your honor for the safety of me and the empire. yes? If the person concerned seemed confused by the Hyangs words, an executive of the Milwi exined the existence and mission of the Milwi on behalf of the Hyang. After the executives exnation was over, Hyang spoke. Bing a member of the Militia means that you have to give up the career you have always dreamed of. Maybe I could live a paradise life. Yourrades willugh at you and your family will cast you out. Nevertheless, I have no choice but to ask you to help me. I can only promise you that I and my future generations will not forget you. Please. There was not a single person who refused Hyangs request. Who would refuse a request from the Emperor himself? In this way, the manpower shortage at the Mill Committee was resolved to some extent. However, the faces of the new people who came in that way were not very good. Until just yesterday, he was a glorious officer in the imperial army, but from today, he has be a paralyzed man who only looks after the enemy. I was prepared, but it was too hard to bear, and there were more than one person whoined about it. The disguised business that Hyang created for them was Seoul Security Service. Chapter 836 Episode 836: Pursuit in Europe (3) With the establishment of Seoul Security Service, most of the field agents of the Secret Service moved to Seoul Security Service. It wasnt just a matter of changing seats. The rtionship with Giru, where the field agents were mainly based, alsopletely changed. In the past, it was living on the roof, but after theunch of the service, it changed to work contract between the service and the roof. These changes had the effect of vastly expanding the scope of activities of secret agents. Before that, I had to stay almost permanently at the base and had to make all kinds of excuses and lies when I was away for camouge operations. Nevertheless, he had to receive various looks of suspicion from gisaengs and customers who did not know Milwis identity. However, this problem was resolved when the contract format was changed. I went somewhere else because of a contract issue. I went on a business trip because I had an important request. If I said it this way, everyone would nod their heads and move on. Although this solved the psychological difficulties of the agents, it was not aplete answer. If you worked so hard to enter the military gate, you should be praised for longevity! How did you join the Parakho group? Ah! You are a disgrace to the family! I will dig it up from the genealogy, so you will know! Agents from prestigious noble families were expelled from the family, regardless of whether they were the legitimate child or firstborn. It wasnt just the family that was kicked out. Look! Have you forgotten the Cheongunjiji (i֮־) that you cherished together through the hardships and sorrows of joining the military after studying at the military academy as an alumni? How did it be Parakho? Im sorry. It looks like I couldnt ovee Yeokmasal. Youre talking like a reverse demon! From now on, you will no longer be my friend! I was abandoned by my colleagues who I had shared joys and sorrows with at the military academy and in the military. Every time something like that happened, Milwis agents overcame their worries with a drink and worked even harder on their mission. Because of theirmon sense of solidarity, the agents of the Militia banded together more closely than anyone else and were loyal to the emperor. Only His Majesty acknowledges us! Isnt it a gentlemans dream to be recognized by the monarch? * * * When the Seoul Security Service wasunched, Hyang gave one preferential treatment. The possession of short and long guns was permitted. Of course, there were prerequisites. -Possession and use are prohibited within the empire. Even with these prerequisites, there was considerable opposition to allowing gun ownership. In response, the township exined why it had to grant permission. -It is already a well-known fact that the security of countries other than the empire is unstable. -In addition, there are reports that bandits armed with firearms aremon. -It is diplomatically and financially problematic to always bring the imperial army along to protect merchants traveling to ces like this. -For this reason, it is reasonable to allow those in charge of their security to carry and use firearms. -However, since indiscriminate arming with firearms cannot be permitted, it is reasonable to give preferential treatment only to those who have been granted security service permission. Since the reason given by the Hyang was reasonable, the ministers expressed their opposition. Thanks to this, Milwi has be much morefortable managing guns. Although secret weapons such as silent rifles could not be revealed, other weapons could be supplied openly, and in particr, the supply of ammunition became easier. * * * As Hyang expected, as soon as the security service wasunched, merchants traveling overseas, especially to Europe, hired them as bodyguards. Most merchants had their own bodyguards, but guns were a problem. Even though it was a matchlock gun, there were guard warriors armed with swords in front of the bandits armed with guns, but they were mana. However, it was not possible to receive escort from the imperial army every time. In this situation, hiring people armed with guns as escorts would solve everything. This was because even in countries where imperial soldiers could not enter, entry was permitted if they were bodyguards rather than soldiers. Unintended victims emerged as merchants attempting to travel abroad, especially to Europe, rushed to contract with Seoul security services. These were the existing guard warriors. When signing a contract for service, the merchants fired the bodyguards. When the guard warriors, who had suddenly be unemployed, were in a state of despair, Milwi approached them. It was Songdo Security Yoyeok, another undercoverpany under Milwi. And the township allowed them the same preferential treatment as Seoul security services. * * * Moving with merchants like this, Milwi advanced into Europe. The merchants who hired them moved away from traditional trading areas such as Alexandria and Suez and established bases in ces such as Florence, Paris, London, and Vienna. It was also the result of these merchants that Frenchce became popr throughout the empire. These adventurous merchants of the empire soon became friends with the upper sses of European countries. This was because the amount of money they distributed was enormous. Naturally, banquets where nobles invited imperial merchants or merchants invited nobles became more frequent. And the Secret Service agents in charge of security at the banquet hall swept up the information flowing out. Whats interesting is that the ce where this banquet was held was an imperial-style Giru. * * * Many foreigners stayed in the empire to study for trade. Unlike the Ming, Japan, and other Asian countries, Giru was a very impressive ce for Europeans. Europeans, especially merchants, who were deeply impressed by Giru and Gisaeng, returned to their home countries and made something simr to Giru, but everyone who experienced Giru in the empire shook their heads. This is not it! Thats a parasitic? A prostitute wearing nothing but imperial clothes! Here the empires merchants and secret agents seized their opportunity. If you use it well, you can keep your eyes and ears on Europe! Milwis disguised merchants, who already had experience managing Giru in the North, moved quickly. Immediately after obtaining permission from the imperial government, they rushed to Europe and obtained permission to establish establishment in Paris, London, Vienna, and Florence. The foundation erected in this way soon became loved by nobles and merchants. The biggest reason why Giru installed in Europe became popr was gisaeng. They were not prostitutes wearing imperial clothes, but properly educated beauties within the walls. * * * In the past, the ve girls that Kim Jong-seo brought with him became, over time, famous women known in the empire. Seeing that girls became famous enough to perform their singing and dancing at banquets hosted by the emperor, many people went all the way to Alexandria to look for girls with promising futures and raised them as gisaeng. The same was true for Giru, run by Milwi, so there were many gisaengs from Europe and they were brought back to Europe. And the gisaengs within these walls soon became regrs in European society. Milwi did not stop here. He went to orphanages scattered throughout Europe to find girls with potential and raised them to be future gisaeng. Of course, the priests who ran the orphanage were reluctant, and the agents of the Militia worked hard to persuade them. It would be nice if they lived well as adults, but wouldnt seven or eight out of ten girls be prostitutes and seven or eight out of ten boys be mercenaries or thieves? A gisaeng is not a prostitute! And the gisaeng raised in this way became the ears of Milwi without even knowing it. * * * The imperial-style rouge Red Moon (lune rouge) built in Montmartre, Paris. Various banquets were taking ce in Girus rooms and outbuildings. Servants and maids were busy delivering alcohol and food, and courtiers were moving between rooms and outbuildings, dancing and singing, or sitting next to the guests and pouring drinks to cheer them up. Today is unusually busy There is no time to rest. There is no time to rest. The female gisaeng in charge of running Giru kept grumbling with her mouth, but her face was full of smiles. Im asking for more drinks and snacks in Eulsil. Are you asking for a new award? also? yes. The servant girl frowned at the servants answer. There were now four guests in Eulsil. One was a merchant who had alreadye two or three times, and the other three appeared to be the merchants customers. The problem was the cost of alcohol. The price of alcohol in Red Moon was famous for being expensive. But now it was the third time setting the table. Although he was a merchant who had never had a credit card, he was not rich enough to pay such a high price for alcohol. The three people who came with us were added. At first nce, their appearance was full of rudeness, but they did not seem like people who woulde to a ce like this. Ha~. This is not a trauma Sigh~. The courtesan gisaeng sighed and ordered the servant. Go and get Manager Kim. yes. * * * After a while, Gisaeng Haengsu entered Eulsil with Manager Kim, who had been sent from Yongyeok. Entering Eulsil, the royal gisaeng spoke to the merchant with a bright smile. oh! Mr. Martin! I heard you asked me to set the table again? I think youve already drunk too much. Why dont you stop? Hearing the gisaengs words, the merchant waved his hand. are you okay! are you okay! Please prepare a new table and bring it with you! Bring more alcohol! The kids got drunk a lot and the drinks cost a lot Then lets bring in some new gisaengs! Dont worry about the cost of alcohol! But As the gisaeng began to trail off, the merchant raised his voice, pointing to the three people present. I told you not to worry about money! I know who these people are! Alchemists! Whats even more amazing is that these people created the silver! What is the width? At the word pok-eun, the gisaeng tilted her head, and the face of Manager Kim, who was present, slightly hardened. Whether he knew this or not, the merchant continued speaking with vigor. Yes, width! Its already been patented! He even signed a contract to be with me! Now all thats left is to make money! Is that so haha I understand. * * * The party in question continued to drink after that and returned in the carriage drunk. Fortunately, there were no injuries, so the gisaeng was satisfied, but Manager Kim had a serious look on his face. Manager Kim returned to his room and sighed. Whoa~. Poe-eun Manager Kim, who had a serious look on his face, pointed out a finger. The drinking carriage ising in two days, right? If thats the case, I guess Ill have to dig a little deeper * * * The report written by Manager Kim arrived in Seoul through the fastest route. -Completion of development of material simr to French silver. -It is estimated to have a simr level of stability and explosive power as the bomb used by the Empire. -It is estimated that mass production is possible. Wan, who confirmed the urgent news through his camouge, let out a long sigh. Whoa~. Poek-eun Pok-eun Wan, who was thinking about the word pok-eun over and over again, remembered Hyangs words. -If the Europeans create a silver surplus, from then on they will chase the empire like crazy. -From then on, the emperor of the empire must be alert. But why now? Such a curse Wan grumbled at the fact that something had happened while he was the emperor. Chapter 837 Episode 837: Pursuit in Europe (4) It was three months after the Intelligence Bureau sent the information that the Imperial Armys Intelligence Department reported information about Poe Eun. The expressions on the faces of Wan and the ministers who received the report submitted by the Imperial Military Intelligence Department were serious. However, the reason why the ministers and Wan had serious expressions waspletely different. Oh oh Oh no Itsing Unlike the ministers who were concentrating on the issue of exploited development, Wan was paying attention to other issues. was writing Its taking too long! There is a difference of three months! Have the guards already appeared again? * * * When Wan was still learning about state administration and various other things as the crown prince, Hyang informed Wan of things he should pay special attention to as the emperor. Wan. Do you know what officials like best? Wan thought about Hyangs question for a moment before answering. I think its a regr dismissal. That is an answer, but it is not apletely correct answer. And finishing work anding home on time is something everyone likes, not just management. What officials like is Today is the same as yesterday, tomorrow is the same as today. The scent was exined in more detail. -Managers hate variables the most. Because when variables arise, work increases. -What I hate as much as increasing work is responsibility. They try to take only as much responsibility as the authority given to them. -Thats why I dont rush in. If you step up and do something wrong, you will lose money in the performance review, get your fill of criticism, and your workload will only increase. -This is why today like yesterday, tomorrow like today is created. -And to maintain this situation, officials be stricter than ever. In other words, flexibility disappears. -If a general report or document, not even a contract, vites the wording or format, it will be rejected immediately. Otherwise, it will be rejected on the grounds that there is no precedent. -Of course, if it is rted to the safety or life of the people, it is right to insist on the principles. However, as time goes by, even as better technologies and methods emerge, they are rejected without proper examination. -If this happens, the empire will not move forward but will stand still or, at worst, fall behind. Whats worse is that it leaks into a side street. That is why there is no decrease in the number of people at the records office. Tsk! Hyang clicked his tongue with an expression of disapproval and continued speaking. When Sang Sang first implemented the Kyeongjang, the mostmonment and appeal was, There is no precedent. If you think about the time it took to correct that behavior Thats why not only I, but also the emperors who will seed you when you be emperor. It wont work. Wan bowed his head and responded to Hyangs teachings. I will keep in mind the teachings that are like gold and jade birds! * * * Wan had a serious expression on his face because he remembered Hyangs teachings. The content is more detailed and includes trends not only in France but also in other European countries. But Im not faithful enough to be three monthste! Hmm When Wan, who had a serious expression on his face, muttered, the ministers quickly made positive remarks. your majesty! We have known for a long time that many European countries and people are researching silver! We are already working hard at theb and in Area 51, so please dont worry too much! Following Hwang Bo-ins words, Kim Jong-seo and other ministers also bowed their heads and continued speaking. Thats right! Looking at the report, it seems like they are just taking their baby steps. Of course, this is something that should not be ignored, but it is also something that should not be treated with contempt. Im getting it back! With their breadth alone, its a long way for them to surpass the empires weapons! It is okay to keep an eye on it, but it is not something to be overly sensitive. The ministers, who had seemed serious just a moment ago, were trying to ease Wans worries by making positive remarks one after another as if they had never done so before. Wan sighed and epted the words of the ministers. Jim, I have also known for a long time that Europe is using all kinds of methods to make silver. No, is it just Europe? I know that Ming and Japanese Ottomans are making every effort to make silver. As Wan said, among the countries that came into contact with the empires silver, all those with a certain level of technological power were struggling to make it. Those who took the forefront of this challenge were Europe and the Ottomans. * * * It was thanks to alchemists that Europe and the Ottomans were able to take the lead. The first thing alchemists paid attention to was the meaning of the word wide silver. What does width mean? The alchemists and their disciples headed to Alexandria to find out the meaning of fortune. The meaning of exploding silver is exploding silver (exploding argentum) That means silver Silver explodes? Alchemists who learned the meaning of silver soon began conducting various experiments with silver. After investing a huge amount of time and budget and going through all kinds of trial and error, European and Ottoman alchemists raced to create a substance simr to silver. They created brain silver (pulmin silver). However, even though they literally created exploding silver, the alchemists expressions were not very good. Its so unstable. Too sensitive. It explodes even in water? It can never be used for military purposes! There were too many shorings in the material that was created at best. No, there were bigger drawbacks than those drawbacks. Silver is a material! That precious silver! Alchemists tried once again to lower manufacturing costs and increase stability, but they continued to fail. Rumors rted to the alchemists challenge spread everywhere and even reached the ears of the empire. Meanwhile, a few alchemists who were tired of continued failure had a different idea. Couldnt the silver in Pok Eun not mean silver but something else? Chinese characters dont necessarily have only one meaning, right? Alchemists changed their thinking and began looking for minerals that had silver in their names in Chinese characters or had a luster simr to silver. The most representative one was lead. As time passed, the number of alchemists who changed their ideas in this way increased, and after fiercepetition, a substance simr to the silver used by the empire was finally created. * * * Wan lightly cleared his throat and continued speaking. Captain Prime Minister. Let me ask you something. Please ask. Its something that shouldnt be ignored, but you said you shouldnt do Chimsobongdae either? Thats right. Is it really Chimsobongdae? yes? Seeing Hwang Bo-ins expression, which clearly showed that he did not understand properly, Wan held up the report in question and continued. When did this report arrive in Seoul? No, when did you receive this intelligence from the front line, when did you decide to report it, and when did you arrive in Seoul? I that Tell me to check that right now and report it. Yes, Your Majesty! After a while, Ministry of National Defense officials who received orders from Hwang Bo-in ran towards the Ministry of Defense building. * * * Wan clicked his tongue after reading the report that recorded the route and time taken for the intelligence to arrive in Seoul. Tsk! When Wan clicked his tongue, the ministers became restless. Either way, Wan continued to click his tongue. Tsk tsk tsk This is it The intelligence I obtained was stranded in Suez for two months Tsk! When Wan pointed out, the ministers became quiet and only looked at Wans thoughts. This was definitely a problem. * * * At least two Challenger-ss ships were always on standby at the Imperial Navy port located in Suez. Their mission was to bring urgent information that could affect the safety of the empire to the empire as quickly as possible. However, in this case, the person in charge did not mobilize these fronts and instead waited for transport ships that came and went regrly. It was a fatal misjudgment by the person in charge. On the other hand, in the case of Milwi, speed was the priority. Milwis agents, who had secret letters to send to Seoul, moved to Seoul in search of the fastest ship, regardless of nationality. That is what created the three-month time gap this time. * * * Wan continued to point out the problem. To prevent intelligence rted to the safety of the empire from being dyed, we ced a ship on standby at Suez and gave the person in charge the authority to move the ship. But why did it happen this time? . At Wans point, the ministers kept their mouths shut and bowed their heads. Looking at the ministers like that, Wan clicked his tongue. Tsk! Is it still a cost issue? Moving a single Challenger-ss ship was quite expensive. Therefore, the person in charge of the Suez region waited for a regr flight. Authority is one thing, but being criticizedter is another thing. Wan muttered to himself as he looked at the ministers who were still speechless. Is this why you said you need a fast and uratemunication tool? There was a Jeonseo-gu for high-speed, long-distancemunication, but using the Jeonseo-gu from Suez to Seoul was extremely inefficient. Therefore, the empire had to bear the cost and keep ships waiting in Suez. * * * Wan continued to point out the problem. If you think about the time it took for intelligence about silver to reach Suez, or the time it took for it to travel from Suez to Seoul, it would have been long enough for a factory to make silver to have already been built in France. Not only that, if you look at the trends of other European countries mentioned in the report, it is rumored that they have also created simr things. But is it really Chimsobongdae? . If you look at the guns made by Europeans, dont you know that they caught up with our empire in many areas except for width? But Chimsobongdae? Wans voice started to be more and more sharp. The first weapon introduced to Europe by the Empire was the rifle-type rifle. Although it was a smoothbore gun without a rifling, it boasted superior performance to the matchlock guns used in Europe at the time. From then on, European gunsmiths desperately imitated imperial firearms. The understanding of the principles cameter, and we first began to faithfully catch up with the parts that could be imitated. This was the same even after the Gap-style long rifle was introduced. European craftsmen who studied long-arm rifles soon began rifling their own firearms. Without knowing why rifling was needed, it was simply because the Empire had dug it The problem was that just by following it, the performance of the rifles made by European craftsmen improved even further. Afterwards, a belief almost like a religion developed among European gunsmiths. -When ites to weapons, follow whatever the Empire does! Knowing the principles and reasonsester! Chapter 838 Episode 838: Pursuit in Europe (5) Whew~. Wan let out a long sigh and continued speaking. Its Europe, so you said it was Chimsobongdae? Tsk! When Wan clicked his tongue, the ministers instantly flinched and became silent. But the ministers also had something to say. Kim Jong-seo spoke on behalf of the ministers. Your Majesty, there is no mistake in what you said. However, everything in the military does not change just because the weapons change. A military strategy that matches the changed weapons must be prepared. Please think about the Li Manchu Rebellion and the Battle of Liaodong all those years ago. * * * What yed the biggest role in Joseons transformation into an empire was its economic growth, but what yed an equally big role was its powerful army with enormous firepower. However, the Joseon military at that time was not powerful from the beginning. When the Lee Man-ju Rebellion took ce, the Joseon armys tactics were a mixture of medieval and modern times. The tactic of the Joseon army at the time was to use a type of tercio tactic in which long sword units heavily armed with te armor stood in front of a line of riflemen armed with full-length rifles using percussion caps to protect the riflemen. This alone was a powerful force, but it was not enough to deal with the Ming. This was because it was not possible to ovee Mings volume war with Tersio tactics alone. Afterwards, as Joseons military scale steadily grew, the Eul-sik long gun, a breech-loading long gun, and the Eul-sik hwacha, a Gatling machine gun, were created, and artillery also developed greatly, marking the beginning of real change. However, as Kim Jong-seo said, Joseon did not be an empire just by changing weapons. Instead of the traditional method of having the armies of both sides sh head-on on a wide in, they used trench warfare and mobile warfare as their main tactics to subdue the Ming. That is why Kim Jong-seo pointed out this point. * * * Wan immediately began to refute Kim Jong-seos words. The captain is right. Its true that not only weapons must change, but also strategic strategies. But In the previous battle at Suez, the Portuguese and Ottomans became ustomed to using Korean rifles and freight cars and used their own tactics. Is that it? Our imperial army set an example byying a railroad in Suez. As Wan said, in thetter half of the Suez War, the Ottomans, Portugal, Florence, and France introducedrge quantities of imperial rifles and freight cars and deployed them into battle. And after trial and error using the sacrifices of soldiers in actual battle, they came up with their own tactics. In addition, during the construction of the railway in Suez, arge-scale improvement was made by observing the battle that took ce between the Mamluk army disguised as bandits and the imperial army. . The ministers could not easily open their mouths at Wans point. Looking at the ministers, Wan continued speaking. The Emperor said this while worrying about Europe. * * * Hyang added these words when talking about Pok-eun. The biggest reason why we need to pay close attention when arge amount of silver is created in Europe is that none of the European countries are on good terms. The description of the scent was summarized as follows. -Once again, the biggest problem is that none of the European countries are on good terms with each other. Portugal and Spain are like this, Ennd and France are like this, and France and the Holy Roman Empire are like that. -And the countries mentioned above have alreadye into contact with our empires Japanese-style rifles and Japanese-style freight cars. Once the width is made, it will soon catch up with Japanese rifles and freight cars. -And if countries armed with new weapons be confident, it will not be long before a war breaks out. -If war breaks out, it will be more serious from then on. -War is an event that costs a lot of money. Therefore, new and excellent weapons will note out like mushrooms. Instead, the level of craftsmen will increase significantly. As weapons used in war are manufactured inrge quantities, they will continue to be refined. -This is the problem. Once the war is over and some breathinges back, European countries will use these craftsmen to create more lethal and dangerous weapons. Ah Wan nodded repeatedly while listening to Hyangs exnation. Looking at Wan like that, Hyang muttered to herself. Neither jet engines nor rockets fell from the sky at any moment. The concept and basic technology existed before the war. Therefore, not only Germany, but also Britain and the United States developed jet fighters. ah! Except Japan. Wait Should the atomic bomb be included in this category or should it be an exception? your majesty? ah! I thought about something else for a moment. How much did you say? Hyang, who had been distracted from her thoughts for the first time in a long time, came to her senses at Wans call and continued speaking. * * * Wouldnt Europe, which has in its hands weapons made with the technology honed while fighting each other like this, be a source of worry for our empire? At Wans point, Hwang Bo-in bowed his head and continued. your majesty. I know very well that European countries are enemies with each other. And if you use the skills youve honed while fighting, youll also end up with something to worry about. It takes a lot of money to make a gun, but even more money goes into making the bullets and gunpowder to use in a gun. With the current situation in Europe, it is difficult to raise an army to a level that will cause concern to the empire. The ministers all nodded at Hwang Bo-ins remarks. Because the current situation of the imperial army was like that. Every year, the budget requested by the Imperial Army was increasing, but it was impossible to meet all of the Imperial Armys demands. Therefore, a fierce power struggle took ce between the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Finance and Economy every year when the budget was set. Hwang Bo-in continued to bow his head and speak. Your Majesty, it is clear that the fact that silver was made in Europe is something that should not be taken lightly. However, it is not right to attach too much importance to this. If you do something wrong, the empires livelihood will be ruined and the peoples lives will be difficult. It is said to be slow but ox-walking. I think it is reasonable to move steadily while continuing to monitor movements in Europe. It would be too sensitive to move quickly now. So, given the current situation in Europe, there is still time? Thats right. Hmm Wan was lost in thought at Hwang Bo-ins answer. It seems a reasonable idea at first nce Hwang Bo-ins analysis was urate. * * * It was after the Age of Exploration that Europe began to dominate Asia in earnest. This was made possible by securing overwhelming economic and military power based on Africa and the New World. But with the intervention of fragrance, many things changed. In history before the intervention of the Xiang Dynasty, the countries of Northeast Asia, which lived like frogs in a well with the bar closed, were actively engaging in foreign trade and strengthening their military power. In particr, the biggest change was securing and developing newnds since the time when the empire was Joseon. If we seeded in securing North America and then Central America as per the n initiated by King Sejong and supplemented by Hyang, it was certain that the pie that would go to European countries would be greatly reduced. In other words, to the extent that it was reduced, Europes economic power would decrease and its military power would also decrease. * * * Hmm you might think so. But The problem is that governance. Isnt there a possibility that European countries will join hands and fight against the empire in order to obtain more wealth? Hwang Bo-in responded to Wans point with a slight smile. Didnt youe up with Operation Gyeruk to prevent them from joining hands like that? Of course, before we could do anything, they started doing things among themselves. Isnt it one thing to find the New World they talk about, and another thing to join hands to invade our empire? Hwang Bo-in responded to Wans persistent criticism without hesitation. your majesty. Even when people hold hands, the strong and the weak are divided and superiority is determined. Is it any different from country to country? Please think about the Spring and Autumn Period in the central ins. There will be no joining hands until the loser (the head of the feudal lords) is determined. Wan refuted Hwang Bo-ins words again. And they will fight fiercely to determine the loser, and their swords will be sharper. This is it Dont you feel like youre just saying the same thing over and over again? Hwang Bo-in took a moment to catch his breath and answered Wans words. Of course it will. Yes, Your Majesty. It is natural for people to try to avoid things that would cost them money. They know full well how powerful the empire is. Therefore, instead of targeting the empire, they will target Ming and Japan. Im probably going to target people the most. Its famous and Japanese Hmm. Thats right. Arent Ming and Japan famous for silver? Wan, who thought for a moment about Hwang Bo-ins words, nodded. If you think about silver. * * * Myung, no, Jungwon has produced and used a lot of silver since ancient times. In the case of Japan, a significant amount of gold and silver was being mined from newly developed silver and gold mines as well as silver mines that had been jointly developed since the Joseon Dynasty. On the other hand, the empire was officially an importer of silver. Silvering from Japans joint mines and silver purchased from the Ming ounted for 80% of the silver distributed in the empire, and the remaining 20% was domestically produced. However, the actual production from domestic mines was much higher than that. The empire was gradually collecting and storing the excess silver that it had hidden. It was to prepare for any unexpected situation. Because of this background, when Europeans heard the term Silver of the East, they first thought of Ming and Japan. In fact, the amount of silver exchanged between Europe and Ming Japan was significant and was increasing every year. Therefore, Hwang Bo-in judged that European countries would target Ming and Japan rather than the empire. * * * As Wan appeared to be convinced, Hwang Bo-in added strength to his voice. Your Majesty, if I were to summarize the current situation, it would be like this. -France made a fortune and it is certain that other countries will soon make a fortune too. -This is definitely a problem. But there is no need to act rashly. -It is certain that Europes military power will be stronger with the acquisition of silver, but this military power will not be directed directly to the empire. -Before that, there will be a big war that will decide who will be the loser of Europe. -It is certain that from now on they will turn their eyes to the east. -The most likely targets for them are Ming and Japan. Hwang Bo-in, who exined up to this point, took a moment to catch his breath and concluded his speech. Just as your Majesty is concerned, the problem is that their des are bing sharper. Therefore, it is right for us to prepare as well. However, it is foolish to blindly buy a new knife or sharpen all of your knives. I think it would be most appropriate to carefully examine how long and sharp their knives are, and then select a suitable knife and sharpen it. Wan nodded at Hwang Bo-ins words. Thats right, no matter how sharp a new knife is, a kitchen knife cant be used against a long sword. So lets look at this part first. Due to Wans decision, not only the main branch but also Shinjis army began to turn upside down. And Hyang, who learned the whole story through a letter sent by Wan, was troubled. Oh, Im worried should I add seasoning or not Chapter 839 Episode 839: Pursuit in Europe (6) Hyangs worries grew deeper and deeper between his own virtue and the current level of technology and finances of the empire. The first thing I want to make is a tank, and if a tank doesnt have an internalbustion engine, it cant escape infinite hell * * * When Hyang used a steam engine to create a tow truck, a modified version of a tractor, King Sejong decided to put artillery on top of the tow truck. I had an idea of what it would be like. However, this was not realized due to safety issues. The problem was that the steam engine was an externalbustion engine. It was dangerous to ce gunpowder and coals near a crater that was always full of mes. An alternative was proposed to build a bulkhead between the powder magazine and the enginepartment, but the problem was that it would be bulky. No, it was impossible to use the steam engine itself in a tank. A steam engine that could use power properly was of considerable size and weight. Since the main enemy at the time of initial nning was the Myeongdo artillery, it had to be armored with considerable thickness in order to withstand attacks from the Myeongdo artillery. This is where a vicious cycle began. -To protect therge size of the steam engine and artillery, the tank must berge. -In order to break through the enemy lines while withstanding artillery fire, you must be surrounded by armor. Its also big and thick enough to cover itsrge size. -Thick armor adds a lot of weight, so the output of the steam engine must be increased. -As the output of a steam engine increases, its size and weight must increase. -Infinite repetition below. In a situation where such an answer was not avable, the only answer that came out was abat lifter and an armored tow truck for engineers. The crane, which was armored and armored to protect engineers in battle, boasted a size that literally looked like a tile-roofed house tens of square feet moving alone. Even though it was only equipped with fire trucks for self-defense instead of artillery. In the case of armored towing vehicles, a towing vehicle armored with steel tes of appropriate thickness pulled a cart that was also armored and topped with artillery. It was a weapon that was only possible to develop because it had thin armor because its mission was to fire artillery fire at the enemy from a point slightly far away from the front line where the battle was taking ce. This is it It should be called a self-propelled artillery, not a tank. As Hyang muttered to himself, it was something closer to a self-propelled artillery than a tank. In some ways, they were weapons that were close to failures. However, thanks to their impressive performance in the Battle of Liaodong Province, the imperial army continued to use them. * * * Miss When ites to building an internalbustion engine, Texas is still far away The only ce near our home base where crude oil is produced is the core region of the Ming Dynasty, so we cant even touch it The famous Texas. The oil field was still a mere pipe in the picture. The empire was working hard to expand its territory. However, in the east, they could not put in all their effort because they had to worry about the Antic Ocean, and in the south, it was just the beginning and the jungle was blocking the way. West? The west hadnt even really started yet and the damn desert was holding out. Therefore, the incense was a reference to Ming. The Ming and Japanese empires knew of the existence of crude oil. It was already mentioned as oil water in the Book of Han (h), and Sim Gwal of the Song Dynasty wrote about oil in his book Monggyepildam. If you look at Chinese historical records, there are records of using this crude oil in chemical engineering. In addition, crude oil, famous in the Ming Dynasty, was the main ingredient for the bitumen used to paint ships. Therefore, there have already been several ces in the Ming region where crude oil flows. The problem was that these regions were in the traditional minds. It was possible for an empire to dominate this region, but it was impossible to dominate it. The famous Daegyeong oil field was located in the Manchurian region secured through the Battle of Liaodong, but there were problems here too. Hyangdo did not know the exact location of these oil fields. Drilling technology wascking. Thest and biggest problem was that Hyangdo also did not know how to refine crude oil. I know that distition is the basis, but As Hyang said, distition was the basis for refining crude oil. However, in order to properly refine crude oil, chemical knowledge and technology had to be supported. And in this area, the empire also had a long way to go. * * * The conclusion is that all electricity produced by crude oil and internalbustion engines is a waste of money. Hyang concluded with an expression full of regret. Hyang, who had already reached old age, was also making his own preparations. I took turns with Wan to write down a list of things to do upon returning to the headquarters and to create my own Japsangrok. Originally, I was going to only do the virtuous things that are possible now and bury everything else. Among the knowledge and technology of the future that he knew, he tried to bury everything except those that are possible to be virtuous and those that are possible at the level of schrs in the current empire. It was incense. However, Hyang-hyang, influenced by the Japsang-rok that King Sejong handed over to him just before his death, changed his mind. If the level of misceneous records left behind by Tae Sang-hang is at this level, I think it would be okay to leave them behind. After making this decision, Hyang began to write his own personal memoir. And this also had its own practical difficulties. To be honest, I know it, but I feel like it would be a waste to bury it since I cant even grasp the concept properly at this level. However, there were limits to my ability to do everything. Whether it was electricity or an internalbustion engine, some results could be achieved by recing schrs and craftsmen based on the concepts and knowledge known by Hyang. But persuading schrs and craftsmen was a problem. If you ask me how I knew, its hard to exin. Thats just what I thought is no longer enough Especially those damn oxygen and bustion Phew~. If we go a little further from here, the disced alien theory will be established theory. Knowing this limitation, I decided to keep the knowledge I was trying to bury as a misceneous record. It would be possible because there are various records of the situation. If this happens, I will remain just a human being with unique perspectives and thoughts. This was the scent that led to the creation of Japsangrok while making these calctions. As a side note, King Sejong and Hyangs Japsangrok, along with Jeon Jeonrok, were treated as top secrets among top secrets. And when it was revealed over a longer period of time, it became the center of historical controversy and all kinds of conspiracy theories. * * * When Hyang was torn between his virtue and the limitations of reality, an official request arrived from this newspaper. Hyangs eyes lit up as he received the official request submitted by the Imperial Defense Ministry and approved by Wan. This is what I expected huh? this is? Isnt this something I didnt expect? What Hyang expected was the mass production of Gap-sik light cars. Imperialmanders who participated in the conquest of Messika submitted a report praising the effectiveness of light vehicles. After confirming the battle reports and post-war analysis reports prepared at the time of the conquest, the upper echelons of the Imperial Army and the Ministry of Defense imported light vehicles from New China and began field testing in the North. As the evaluation from Bukji was also very positive, the Ministry of National Defense decided to officially adopt the Gap-sik light vehicle. ording to this decision, the Gap-type light vehicle was transformed from a regional specialized weapon used only in Shinji to a weapon used in all regions of the empire. On the other hand, from the perspective of countries that were hostile to or wary of the empire, one more damn troublesome imperial weapon had been added. The official adoption of light vehicles had a significant impact on Shinji. This was because, ording to Wans orders, Gap-type light vehicles were produced in Shinji and supplied to the imperial army. So far, all funds for the development of the new site have been supported by the magazine. In such a situation, the fact that the production cost of the Gap-style light vehicle was going to Shinji meant that Shinji was finally starting to be self-reliant. In some ways, it was simr to a numbers game, but it was a very symbolic event. * * * If the official adoption of Gap-sik light tea was within the expected range of the fragrance, there were also things that the fragrance did not expect. Are you asking me to make a thrown grenadeuncher? Hyang, who received another request from the imperial army, looked surprised. The performance of the weapons requested by the imperial army was summarized as follows. -A firearm that can fire fire bombs with simr power as throwing bombs farther than throwing bombs. -Can be operated under the soldiers first or second name. -Education and training will not take a long time. After confirming the required performance stated by the imperial army, Hyang slightly tilted his head. What should I call this? Rifle grenade? A stray bullet? The Battle of Mesica was behind the imperial armys request for such weapons. In the jungle battles in the Messica region as well as the street battles in Tenochtin, the imperial army made great use of thrown bombs. The power itself was much weaker than that of Bigyeokjincheonroe, but the portability of the thrown bomb was far superior. All imperialmanders who participated in the battle at the time paid attention to its portability. But there were also some regrets. Because it was thrown by a person, it could not fly far. The upper echelons of the Imperial Army all nodded after confirming the reports of the warringmanders. Its definitely good to carry around and use throwing bombs. I agree. Bigyeokjincheonroe is certain, but it requires a toy It means it cant fly. No matter how good the soldiers are at slinging, they are still inferior to toys. I agree. This is how the Imperial Army decided to develop a projectileuncher. Following the Imperial Armys decision, artisans in Area 51 began developing a grenadeuncher. However, when the imperial military leaders saw the projectileuncher made by the craftsmen, they all looked strange. Performance seems to be good, but something seems to becking I agree. It seems like something is a littlecking, but theres something When the subsequent practical evaluation showed simr results, Wan immediately asked Hyang to develop it. * * * Hyang, who learned of the situation through the records sent by the imperial army, nodded. Of course there is a problem. -Simr to the power of a thrown bullet -Fly farther than a thrown bullet. -Can be operated by 1 or 2 soldiers. Even in Hyangs memory, there were more than one weapon that satisfied these requirements. There are rifle grenades, grenades, 60mm mortars, and the Japanese armys famous grenade barrels All were satisfying the requirements of the imperial army, but they had different advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, other weapons, except for the grenadier, continued to be used even into the 21st century. Hmm Then my choice is Considering the current level of technology of the Empire Among the various candidates that came to mind, the one that caught my eye was the M79 Grenade Launcher. Of course, we cant make the detonator and safety device of the grenade itself exactly the same but it will still pay for the food. Chapter 840 Episode 840: Pursuit in Europe (7) The answer given by Hyang to the request sent from our headquarters was returned to our headquarters. ording to the drawings sent by Hyang, the imperial army began practical evaluations with prototypes from Area 51. In a practical evaluation conducted against magic bandits who were engaged in theft in the border area where the borders of the Mongol and Ming empires ovepped, the Yutan () and Gray Gun made by Hyang received good reviews. During this period, the cavalry was the main unit engaged in fighting against demonic bandits in the border area. As the imperial army was crazy about cannons, artillery pieces were also deployed in the cavalry. However, in the frequent chases against fast-moving magic enemies, artillery was a very cumbersome item. In this situation, grenades and grenade guns were the best weapons for the cavalry. It is easy to carry by hanging it on a horses saddle, has simr lethality as a throwing bomb, and has a range that clearly flies farther than a throwing bomb. It is the best weapon for secretly approaching the stronghold of magic enemies and striking them with a single blow. After receiving the evaluation letter full of favorable reviews, the upper echelons of the Imperial Army decided to hire him immediately and requested Wans approval. As soon as Wans approval ran out, grenades and grenade guns went into mass production and began to be deployed to the imperial army. The reaction of the soldiers of the imperial army, especially the army, who epted this, was somewhat ambiguous. Its certainly more useful than throwing bombs, but But that doesnt mean you dont carry throwing bombs, right? You carry the throwing bomb as a throwing bomb, and this guy carries it like this Its a hassle to carry a long gun when marching, so why dont you carry one more on top of that? The youngest! From now on, carry the grenade gun with you! When one problem was solved and the next problem was faced, Wan and the ministers looked perplexed. The challenge they faced was the proposal sent by Hyang. C Proposal for improving standard bullets for the Imperial Army You sent it again Whoa I wonder how many times it has already been * * * There was no significant change in the Imperial Armys bullets after the adoption of the automatic long rifle. The caliber, length, weight, and amount of gunpowder for propulsion of the warhead were the same regardless of whether they were used in military or military style. The only change was the bullet casing. Casings for automatic long rifles were made by rolling paper on a copper bottom te with a detonator embedded in them, and shells for military rifles and freight cars were made entirely of copper. And the scent continued to send proposals to change this bullet. -Im not saying we want to change everything. All parts rted to the warhead and propent gunpowder are the same as now. -There are only two things I want to change. -One is to cover the warhead with copper, and the other is to remove the border at the bottom of the shell. Hyang went on to exin why it was beneficial to make this change. -Covering the warhead with a copper shell makes it easier to maintain the barrel. The lead bullets used today deposit lead inside the barrel each time they are fired. This lead causes malfunctions and problems with uracy. Most of these problems can be solved by covering the warhead with a copper shell. -The same goes for removing the rim on the bottom of the shell. The reason the bottom te had a border until now was because of limitations in manufacturing technology. In the case of the Eulsik long gun, the rim was used to ensure that the cartridge ejects after firing. However, technology has advanced to the point where it is possible to manufacture military rifles and freight cars. This means that there is no need to leave a border. Rather, the border became an ufortable situation. -It is a weapon that can fire multiple rounds of rifles, boxcars, and armored light vehicles. However, the operating structure besplicated due to such protruding edges. -When the operating structure bes moreplex, it means that more parts are required. This means that it bes more prone to breakdowns and the production cost bes more expensive. (omitted below) You are right in every detail, but wow~. Whoa~. Wan blurted out his words and sighed. The ministers also sighed. On behalf of these people, the new Minister of Finance and Economy, Lim Soon-wook, spoke. As your Majesty said, the proposal you made is correct in every detail. However, considering the current state of the empire, the problem is that it is difficult to implement this proposal. After Im Soon-wook finished speaking, Kim Jong-seo sighed and continued. Whoa~. I made too much. No, we are still making it. * * * The empire, which experienced the Liaodong War and the subsequent Second Yellow Sea Battle C to be precise, thending battle that took ce simultaneously with the naval battle C meticulously analyzed the war lessons of the time. When the war broke out, the empire analyzed the enormous consumption of bullets and shells and produced them inrge quantities every year and stored them in warehouses. It was not known when the Ming or Japan would fight again, andrge and small battles were still taking ce in the northern border area with Mongolian tribes disguised as magic bandits. Therefore, the empire produced and stored enough bullets and shells in preparation for an unexpected war. -If a war breaks out anyway, arge amount will be extracted, but there must be enough tost until then. The empires policy was at a standstill. At the very least, the bullets used in the Japanese rifles and wagons and the shells used in the artillery pieces were okay. As military rifles and freight cars became popr, it was possible to quickly clear inventory by selling the guns and freight cars that had been pushed back. No, additional production was even carried out due to the Suez War Special. In the case of cannonballs, pirates were helpful. This was because shells were constantly being consumed in the process of eliminating pirates who boasted persistent vitality, and the artillery itself took a longer time to change generations than long guns or freight cars. Afterwards, as military rifles and freight cars became standard, the arsenal in Area 51 produced bullets like crazy. A huge amount of bullets were needed just to use them for training purposes in the units currently being deployed and for the conflicts taking ce in the border area. Considering the Imperial Armys policy of emphasizing live-fire shooting training, future production would only increase and never decrease. Therefore, the arsenal was producing new bullets like crazy. Thanks to this background, the inventory of bullets for military rifles and freight cars was enormous. No, it was still increasing. This was because they were replenishing the supplies consumed in the conquest of Messica and producing supplies to supply the imperial troops stationed in the Messica region. * * * Thats why Wan and the ministers who epted Hyangs proposal all looked embarrassed. Of course, the points you pointed out are correct in every detail. But considering the amount of bullets currently in inventory, it is impossible. Is it unreasonable to take the bullets currently in stock and recycle them? Minister of National Defense Jang Hang-seon shook his head in response to Wans question. Im sorry to tell you this, but its impossible. Warheads are easy to regenerate, but the gunpowder and explosion in the shell are problematic. If you do something wrong, a terrible ident will ur. Even in the 21st century, disposal of old military explosives was not easy. No matter how technologically advanced the empire was due to Hyangs intervention, the technology of this period was not enough. Therefore, disposal of old ammunition during this period was simple. It was shot at a shooting range built in a no-mansnd. Following Jang Hang-seons words, Lim Sun-wook stepped forward. Modifying rifles and freight cars to match the new bullets is also problematic. Sang-tae sent us a drawing of the parts for this, but the time and cost of producing the parts, the time of selecting modifiable long guns and freight cars, the time of modifying the long guns and freight cars, the time required to re-train the soldiers, and the cost of all of this. Just thinking about it makes me dizzy. Considering the cost of equipment that needs to be reced to produce bullets and long-gun wagons that meet the new standards, the defect rate and consumption costs that will ur until craftsmen be ustomed to it, it is absolutely impossible. Ugh After hearing Lim Sun-wooks answer, Wan groaned and frowned. Lim Soon-wook, seeing Wans expression, quickly bowed his head. It is impossible to solve the problem in the current situation with the power of belief. God forgive me for my shorings. Please forgive the gods for their shorings! When Lim Soon-wook and all the ministers bowed their heads and asked for forgiveness, Wan waved his hands. Its not that there is ack of officers, its just that the situation is unfavorable, so I wont mind. Hwang Eun is devastated! Hmm Then how about selling all the rifles and freight cars we have produced now and producing new ones? Just like the time of the Japanese rifle and the Japanese wagon. Jang Hang-seon stepped forward and responded to Wans suggestion. It is impossible. In the case of automatic rifles and freight cars, we were able to adopt that method because they were inferior to military weapons. But in this case, nothing has changed other than the specifications. Right. Its truly a pity. Tsk! Wan couldnt hide his disappointment at Jang Hang-seons answer and quenched his appetite. As Jang Hang-seon said, the weapons the empire sold to other countries were always weapons that were one generation behind. Therefore, Wans proposal was impossible. Whoa~. I cant help it. I wille to a conclusion. At Wans words, all the ministers looked at Wan with nervous eyes. Are you really going to decide that its impossible? Or will you use your authority to push it? Looking at the nervous ministers, Wan announced his decision. I will not ept this offer from you. The reason Imitted great disloyalty by choosing not to ept the proposal even though it was reasonable was because the situation in the empire was not easy. I hope you will understand my painful feelings and try harder. I follow your orders! Lets take a break! Wan, who dered a brief suspension and came out, looked up at the sky and sighed. Whoa~. How can I write a letter so that I get less criticism? * * * Tsk! I knew it would be like this, but Hyang clicked her tongue after receiving and reading Wans response in the next regr episode. Hyang also did not think that his proposal would be easily epted. Because it was he who decided to mass produce and store it. Nevertheless, continuing this proposal was forter purposes. As firearms develop, bullets must also continue to develop ordingly. However, the most conservative part is weapons, especially military guns. If I do something stupid like this, future generations will not forget the necessity and we can continue to move ahead. As long as there was a record of Emperor Xiang continuing to suggest it, the next generation of military engineers would not neglect the bullet part. Yes, but Tsk! Hyang clicked his tongue and grunted. Is it impossible because there is too much inventory? Is this MacArthur? While developing a new rifle for the U.S. military just before World War II, MacArthur was stubborn. -Fit for .30-06 Springfield bullets! The reason for MacArthurs stubbornness was the enormous inventory of Springfield ammunition. Chapter 841 Episode 841: Pursuit in Europe (8) Even as I grumbled like this, the scent stopped there. -The man who was the emperor kept asking questions. This record alone would continue to be of interest to future generations. At least we can avoid being bombarded with 7.62mm NATO rounds. This was the true purpose of incense. And the scent went as expected. Because it was a problem the emperor was interested in, the imperial army showed constant interest in improving and improving ammunition. Thanks to this, the Imperial Army was able to have ammunition that was well suited to or ahead of the changing battlefield environment. * * * Meanwhile, in Seoul, Wan was sighing with his hand on his forehead. Whoa~. Since the situation is quiet, is it you this time? Crown Prince Hyeon stood proudly in front of Wan, who ced his hand on his forehead, holding out reports and drawings. A new front for the Imperial Navy ising! If these battle lines roam the seas, the Imperial Navy will be invincible! There is something called procedure in the administration of an empire. Have you forgotten that military-rted matters must be uploaded through the Imperial Army and the Ministry of National Defense? That would take too much time! The warlike nations of Europe are already on the move! I dont have time to waste on procedures! Whoa~. Wan let out a long sigh and muttered to himself. Sang Sang sighs whenever he sees Duke Jinpyeong Now I understand how he feels Whew~. Give it to me. Here we are! Your Majesty will be satisfied! Hyun handed the report and drawings to Wan with a confident expression. Wan opened the report he had received and looked at its contents, then ced his hand on his forehead again. The wire itself weighs 1 million tubes (about 3,750 tons)? Apletely iron wire there? Thats right. Starting with the keel, everything is made of iron! Yes, yes there are examples of assault return lines, so it is not impossible As Wan said, assault return lines already existed in a battle line made entirely of iron, starting with the keel. The problem is weight. The assault return line isnt this heavy either. Still, you probably dont know why assault return ships only move in coastal waters, right? Wan pointed out the problem of the assault return with a cool expression. * * * The Assault Return Line has been an invincible frontline ever since it first enteredbat. In reality, there had not yet been a front line that could surpass the firepower, defense, and mobility of the assault return ship. However, assault return ships were not deployed inrge numbers. The first reason was the high construction and maintenance costs. Expensive steel was used in everything, starting with the keel. In addition, only carefully selected skilled workers were mobilized during the construction process. In other words,bor costs were also quite expensive. Afterwards, the amount of money spent on maintaining the front line was not a penny or two. If this were the only problem, the Empire would have built arge number of assault ships. Because it was an empire that already had that level of capability. However, the second reason led to the abandonment of mass construction of assault return ships. The second reason was the short range. The ship, which was about 1.5 timesrger than the Challenger-ss battle line, was the assault return ship. However,pared to its size, its range was extremely short. The space upied by the steam engine that moves the assault return ship, the space upied by artillery pieces and artillery shell explosives, the space upied by thick bulkheads and hull side armor for the safety of the front line, excluding the space for the crew, there is not enough space to load coal, which is the fuel. Because it wasnt. Of course, the executives of the Imperial Navy who were fascinated by the assault return searched for the upper echelons with their own solutions, and the executives at the upper echelons sought help with these. The answer is to increase the size of His Majestys assault ship. If we want to move that thing quickly, we have to use a bigger steam engine. You probably dont know the term vicious cycle, right? . If we reduce the space ceded to His Majestys crew a little Do you think the soldiers who lived in such a small space will maintain their fighting ability properly? That is, if you develop your base energy (power to persevere) through training Do you want to be treated as a bodys weak point again? You should target a person with a weapon. Are you thinking of hitting a person with a weapon? Is the front line a military uniform? And yet he is a general in the Imperial Navy! I apologize! If you apologize, dont make something to apologize for! Your Majesty, wouldnt it be okay to reduce the armor of the assault ship and widen the space between the fightingpartments? It is impossible as the artillery of neighboring countries is bing more and more powerful. In this way, the mass construction of assault return ships was thwarted. And because of this short range and maintenance costs, the assault return ships deployed to the South Sea Fleet rarely left the military ports in the southwest. Therefore, few Europeans actually saw the assault return ship. And the Europeans in the shipping industry who saw the return ship returned to their homnd and made a fuss. Not in the imperial military port! Theres a pitch ck ship with a monsters head! They said it was a ship made entirely of iron! Stop talking nonsense! How does a ship made of iron float on water? Even if its a flower country, its impossible! Its true Hmph! At most, it would be a thin iron te on top of a wooden board! The witnesses felt aggrieved, but most Europeans dismissed it as nonsense. * * * Hyun confidently responded to Wans point. Unlike back then, steam engines are much better now. Even if they are the same size, they can use more power. Is that why you grew so big? Thats right. Thanks to this, we were able to secure enough space. Hmm Hearing Hyeons words, Wan looked at the report with a serious face. Just looking at the report, it seems okay Wan, who responded quite positively, unfolded the drawing. huh? Make the main gun bigger, then put it in a box and install it in the center of the hull? Thats right! When looking at the Challenger-ss front or any other front, dozens of artillery pieces are loaded onto ships! However, if you look at the situation of a naval battle, even in the optimal situation, you can only use half of it! Thats right Wan nodded at Hyuns words. During this period, the method of loading artillery onto the front lines was very simr to any country. The artillery pieces were distributed and deployed on both sides of the front. When a battle broke out, only the guns installed on the gunwale facing the enemy ship participated in the battle. Because of this, many countries divided the deck into two floors like empires and mounted more artillery pieces. As Wan nodded, Hyeon continued his exnation with a more confident expression. Then, the n is to build a gun box along the center line of the hull and ce guns on it! Rather than loading dozens of small guns, it is better to pack a fewrge, powerful guns into a gun case and turn the case left and right! Then, the firepower will be more powerful and the usable space will increase! At Hyuns words, Wan nodded silently and focused on the drawing. The ministers who were listening to the story around nodded as if Hyuns exnation was usible. In particr, the Minister of National Defense focused on Hyuns exnation with sparkling eyes. But Yes, Your Majesty. This gungak. The armor must be thick to protect the guns and soldiers from enemy ship attacks, right? And since it is arge and powerful gun, it must weigh a lot, right? You have to turn it left and right The framework is in the third drawing! okay? Lets see Wan, who had opened the drawing in question and examined it carefully, looked at Hyeon. Are you installing a separate steam engine to move the gun boxes? Thats right! Following Hyeons answer, Wan made a decision right away. Not possible. Why? There is a storage room for coal and gunpowder under the gun case, but the problem is installing a steam engine underneath it. That problem can be solved by installing a sufficiently thick bulkhead. Is that really the case? First, try to understand again why the situation gave up on putting artillery on top of the tow truck. Once again, its impossible. Yes At Wans decision, Hyeon took the report and drawings and walked away with a downcast look on his face. Watching Hyeon retreat like that, Wan looked back at Hwang Bo-in. Captain Prime Minister. How many days do you think? Jim is expecting a full moon. Hwang Bo-in responded to Wans words with a slight smile. But its not an easy problem. Wouldnt it take at least a month? Wan chuckled at Hwang Bo-ins answer. What about that guys personality? At Wans words, everyone in Daejeon nodded and muttered to themselves. Captain Hwangbo took it too lightly. He is the grandson of Sang Sangs blood This was the topic of the Zen question and answer shared between Wan and Hwang Bo-in. -When will Crown Prince Hyeon bring an amendment? It was ten dayster that Hyun visited Wan with the amendment. I havee with corrections to the parts your Majesty pointed out! Im confident this time! After exchanging a strange look with Hwang Bo-in, Wan took the drawing from Hyun and examined it. Hmm Huh Hmm. Wan, who was examining the drawing with some thoughtfulness, came to a conclusion. Not possible. Why? It is good to draw power from the engine part of the wire, but too much space is consumed for that. If you grow a little bigger. You will get hit by more enemy bombardment. If you want to endure it, you will have to thicken your armor, and then the weight will increase again The crown prince probably doesnt know the term vicious cycle, right? Ah Hyun looked embarrassed at Wans point. Looking at Hyeon like that, Wan continued. Well, there is nothing wrong with making railroad wires. Its just a long way to go. In other words, a lot of thought is needed in the future, which means we have to look long term. I If youre going to say that you can reduce the time if you give us more budget, then just leave. Hyeon flinched at Wans firm words, then sighed softly, bowed to Wan and walked away. Seeing that, all the ministers, including Hwang Bo-in, had simr thoughts. This scene is not unfamiliar. It was a skit that took ce between emperors and crown princes, starting with King Sejong and Hyang and passed down from generation to generation. As an aside,ter European intellectuals who saw this tradition firsthand evaluated it as follows. -How the emperor of an empire can greatly reduce mistakes. During his time as crown prince, he experienced all kinds of trials and errors, and when he became emperor, he developed the ability to make the right decisions based on this experience. But there were also drawbacks. It was heartbreaking to see the crown prince doing the same things he did in the past. * * * After the meeting, Wan sat alone in Daejeon and sighed slightly. What Hyun is doing is so simr to the situation Are we really going to send him to Shinji? No, no, I would feel morefortable if I went to Shinji I have to quickly go to Shinji and study flying How many years do I have left? It was Wan who could not give up on flying research until the end. Chapter 842 Episode 842: The Empires Daily Life (1) During this period, the empire was truly a symbol of vitality. In the headquarters and new locations of the empire, everyone was busy working to realize all kinds of creative ideas and fantasies, symbolized by chitwan and prefectures symbolized by incense, and many craftsmen and schrs. The driving force that made everyone except Hyang, who was a cheat, be active like this was Jeon Do-rok. In particr, as the contents of Jeonjeonrok were made public to an appropriate level, not only the empires artisans and merchants, but also those skilled in misceneous knowledge among the nobility living in the countryside began to take on the challenge. The fields that the graduates challenged were mainly chemistry and industrial-academia-academic physics. -Isnt it the virtue of a gentleman to find and exin the principles of the world and to help those who dont know them understand them? The noblemen devoted themselves to research in the desire to make their names known by solving the problems listed in the Dojeonrok. The area that these noblemen clung to the most was industry and academia. Industry and academia were not unfamiliar subjects to the noblemen. It was an economic problem that industry and academia became familiar with. For noblemen whocked financial resources, industry and academia were the optimal pastime. Therefore, surprisingly, there were many hidden experts in the industry-academia sector, and these experts took on the challenge to solve the problems recorded in the challenge log. While most of the noblemen who challenged Daejeonrok did so for honor, most of the artisans and merchants did so for economic reasons. This was because the iron horse and other objects from Area 51 and the Imperial Workshop were full of rumors of people who became rich overnight with a surprisingly simple object, such as someone who swept up money with a pitchfork and made a wire mesh. Every time they heard rumors of such people bing rich suddenly, artisans and merchants emptied their sses in taverns andmented. * * * A simr example was Mr. Park, a cksmith who poured alcohol in an alley on the outskirts of Seoul. What am I worse than those bastards? My dexterity is also good! Your hands are full, but your head is empty. You bastard! I say this as arade Im saying this because Im arade Ugh~. Seeing Mr. Park emptying his drink again while pounding his frustrated chest, a friend who was working on a masterpiece suggested an alternative. Instead of doing that, why dont you look it up in the challenge log? huh? Challenge record? Isnt that something that only people who go to Gihakdang or Engineering Academy can see? If you want, you can go to Kihakdang or Engineering Academy to see it, or you can buy it at a bookstore. Mr. Parks expression became serious as he heard his friends exnation. The ss of alcohol in his hand and the spirit of alcohol had already disappeared far away. Arent the difficult problems in the challenge log only able to be solved by learned people? Thats it, you have to choose the items in the challenge log carefully. We should look at the technical field, not the academic field, which is full of unfamiliar letters. Mr. Park, what youre good at is alloys, right? I guess theres alloy as well? Hmm At his friends words, Mr. Park stroked his rough beard and fell into trouble. Seeing Mr. Park like that, his friend continued fanning him. Hey friend, think about it. Yes, as you said, your dexterity is notcking somewhere. Okay then. But your head is the problem. hey! Did I say something wrong? But do you know that Jeon Do-rok is going to take care of your head? Then the problem is solved! Hmm they sell it at the temple down there? okay! Mr. Park had a strange expression on his friends answer. Isnt that your store? No way. Hey! Even if its not you, Jeonjeonrok is the best-selling book! I only rmended it to you because we have been neighbors since we were kids and went to school together! If youre going to think that way, fuck it! Mr. Park responded to his friends reaction by waving his hand. Oh no. Ill cut taxes on your store tomorrow. Well, Ill pick out some challenge records in areas that you might be interested in. Please. The next day, Mr. Park visited his friends essay and carefully read the challenge records his friend had selected. Mr. Park, who forgot to eat and looked at his challenge log for several days, finally chose a book. With this, you can reduce your tax. Some of the things in here are of interest to me and I need to take a closer look. I know. A monthter, Mr. Park found his friend. I found what I can do! Its a part rted to alloy steel, so its worth a try! okay? Hmm. This time, his friends expression became strange due to Mr. Parks confident expression. Mr. Park, seeing his friends expression, expressed doubt. Whats wrong with Ssangpan? Is there a problem? Are you really confident? Im confident! Its not that I dont know your talent, hmm My friend, who was thinking about something, asked Mr. Park again. It will cost some money to solve the problem you challenged, right? It would cost quite a bit to get iron and other minerals. Hmm At Mr. Parks words, my friends expression became even more serious. My friend, who had been thinking for a while with his mouth shut, looked at Mr. Park with an expression of determination. Lets work together! Partnership? okay! Ill pay for the materials! Instead, if you are sessfulter and register your intellectual property and it sells a lot, you share the profits. How is it? Mr. Park, who thought about his friends suggestion for a moment, soon nodded. Material costs were already an issue, so lets do this together! Then lets go to the imperial battlefield and write a contract! In this way, the two people signed a contract and Mr. Park took on the challenge. Afterwards, Mr. Parks friend had to receive all kinds of abuse from Mr. Parks wife and his own wife. Why do you create a division by blowing nonsense on people who are living well? Why are you shaking the roots of someone elses house? Hey, you idiot! I cant survive! What kind of investment is it worth investing in a topic that I can barely talk about even now? I cant live like this! You die today, and I die! Despite being mistreated, the two men persevered and continued their challenge. * * * As the record of the challenge became public, the case of cksmith Park and his friend becamemon. Do I have no brains or talent? Speaking this way, many craftsmen have purchased Daejeonrok to find something they can do. As the artisans moved, the merchants also moved. When a rumor was heard that there was someone challenging Jeonjeonrok among the artisans belonging to the merchants or the artisans in the vige where they lived, the merchants responded immediately. Merchants asked people around the artisans in question about them. After finding out what the craftsmen originally made, what their skills were, and what they were up to, the merchants seriously decided whether to invest. And once the investment was decided, it moved quickly. Well catch them before the others spit on them! Even if only one out of ten explodes properly, it will be a sess that will go down in history! Merchants and artisans did their best to achieve great sess. However, not all craftsmen benefited from this trend. This is a delusion! There are things that I thought were impossible, but they were possible! Still, this is crossing the line! This is a delusion! There were many craftsmen and schrs who were pushed out of investment due to this kind of evaluation. Is that really true? Wan, who started the secretmittee and received reports through various channels, was lost in thought. This was because Wan grew up right next to the person who actually created things that everyone else said was impossible and delusional. After all, it must be termination of the marriage. After much thought, Wan muttered this and sent a letter to Hyang. Make up your mind Hyang smiled bitterly as he epted the letter Wan sent. Its not wrong. Considering all the things he had done so far, he had nothing to say even if he was called the culprit. In the end, Hyang and Wan created a new system. C Those who have a new idea or idea about a product but are having a hard time due to unfavorable circumstances shoulde to the court! -The government and the government will sort out the good and bad, and the government will support those that are considered good. -I will only receive it once every three years. It was a kind of contest. It was an event thatter came to be nicknamed The Worlds Best Delusion Exhibition or An event that proves that a genius idea and a creative delusion are just a piece of paper apart. Those who ced theirst hope on the promation issued in the name of the emperor rushed to the government office. And the officials at the government office became tearful and swore. Holy shit! Your Majesty has done something again! What are the high-ranking people doing? I should have stopped your Majesty! The officials who epted the proposals despite swearing like this only recorded their personal information and immediately sent them to Seoul. It was a small revenge in its own way. Huh~. Wan, who looked at the mountain of proposals with a puzzled expression on his face, soon made a decision. Please pack it as is and send it to Shinji. your majesty? Sang Sang has excellent insight, so he will definitely choose good jade. The eunuch, who was pondering Wans words for a moment, looked around and said quietly. My Majesty. The situation will not remain silent. Arent you the kind of person who likes quirky things? Your Majesty, to be honest with you, Huhwan. Lets think about what happened then. I follow your orders. Hyang, who received the ns in question through the regr flight, burst intoughter. Hehehe. Wans letter, which was sent along with ns that filled onepartment of the freight car, contained this content. -I cant tell in my head whether this is a delusion or a good idea. -Sang Sang has always been ahead of the curve, so he will be able to distinguish between good and bad. To put it simply, it was passed on to me. Hyang realized the true meaning of the letter and smiled bitterly. This kid has grown up a lot? * * * Hyangs answer arrived through thest regr service of the year. -These are worth considering even if it takes time and money. -And it is rmended that the items marked separately be registered in the challenge log. -Considering the number and importance of the emperors work in this paper, I think it is appropriate for the situation to be in charge of evaluating and ssifying such ns. Therefore, I would like to establish this as aw. The ministers who had read up to this point shouted in unison. What a worthy offer! It is right to establish thew! Thats true But Wans expression wasnt very good. This was because of what Hyang wrote about this in a letter he personally sent. -Isnt it long before Shinjies? It was Wan who would be working at Shinji when thew that was created began to work properly. The problem was that there was little justification for rejecting thatw. Even though Shinji has a lot of work, it is a little less than the main magazine. Whoa~. Watching Wan sigh as he recalled the contents of the letter, the eunuch shook his head slightly. Thats why I stopped it like that. Chapter 843 Episode 843: Daily Life in the Empire (2) Not all ambitious imperialists were obsessed with challenge logs. There were quite a few people who delved into the legal code in the hope of bing an outsider of the U.S. Tribunal C todayswyer. What was interesting was the change in name. Since the Goryeo Dynasty, writing aint to the government office was not something that ordinary people could easily do. There were people who wroteints on behalf of these people or gave legal advice to those involved inwsuits, and they were called external branches. And most of these foreign branches were low-level officials or middle-ranking officials of local government offices. However, the situation changed as the referee was officiallyunched in the process of finishing the field and the foreign branch, which was a kind of pseudo-legal profession, became a profession that required formal qualifications. In particr, it was decisive that those who had umted experience over a certain period of time and recorded a win rate above a certain percentage were eligible to run for the position of junior judge on the umpire. As the system was created, two paths became avable for those who passed thew department. After passing thew department, one started as a low-level judge or prosecutor (a modern-day prosecutor) and worked his way up, or worked in an external branch and met the qualifications to move up to a higher position. During this process, quite a few people chose to start as external branches. Because it is certain that the ie will be better than working as a judge or prosecutor, and it will take less time to rise to a mid-level judge! As a result of these calctions, an increasing number of people were choosing to pursue careers abroad. However, their mistake was that they did not really know who Sejong and Hyang were. Sejong and Hyang, who had already expected this to happen, had already put restrictions in ce. -When appointing additional mid-level judges or filling vacant positions, those from outside branches cannot exceed 205%. -When evaluating applicants from outside branches, additional points are given to those who have dealt with more criminal cases that discuss crimes than cases between citizens. It was a use that clearly revealed King Sejongs philosophy that there is absolutely no easy path, and preference is given to those with ability. Nevertheless, there were a significant number of people who chose foreign branches. In this way, as the number of foreign branches from the nobility increased, the name of the foreign branches changed. Even after all this, I am from the noble ss! And he deals with thew! For this reason, the name Oejibusa was created by adding Seonbi Sa (ʿ) to the end, and the same Oejibusa called each other Yulsa (ʿ). * * * However, not all nobles in the empire C whether in the maind or in other parts of the North C weed this change. Those who call themselves noblemen and noblemen are only obsessed with water and fruit! Conservative noblemen and intellectuals looked down on these fields that were not traditional Confucian ssics, collectively calling them mulgwa. However, even among those with such conservative thoughts, there were those who dreamed of achieving sess and fame. The field they challenged was science. To be precise, it was a researcher position at the Institute of Science. In a conservative noble family, the title of Researcher of the Institute of Science was treated much higher than any other official position. It was literally the honor of the family. However, working at the Institute of Science means that fierce arguments and verbal exchanges are everyday life, and a battle of wits is essential for survival. The Institute of Science was a ce where various theories emerged, debates and wars of words took ce, and factions were divided and gossip abounded, to the extent that the term hundreds of disputes was appropriate. In order to survive in a ce like this, you either had to belong to a decent faction ore up with an original theory that everyone could consider worth thinking about. Since thetter case was not possible for everyone, most researchers had to join a faction that suited their tastes and participate in a war that was not a war. Meanwhile, what was interesting was that even though there were so many factions and so many theoriesing out, there was no one iming munist dispersion. No, but the correct answer was that he was expelled immediately. When a theory based on munist distribution was introduced, senior researchers at the research institute and former bureaucrats raised topics that had been raised by Sejong and Hyang, who were heavily addicted to MSG in the past. -There are more than one type of work that people do for a living. How do we determine the value of these jobs? Would you say they are all the same? -The same goes for fungi. Is sharing equally the right answer? Is this really fair if those who work hard and those who arezy receive the same amount? Most of the answers given by those who imed munism to this topic were full of loopholes. Is this really the answer? And youre still a researcher at the Institute of Science! In the end, unable to withstand the persistent attacks regardless of faction, they were expelled and disappeared. In this fiercepetition for survival, the resultsing out of the Institute of Science became increasingly diverse and sophisticated. * * * Changes in the empire did not only ur in terms of academics and technology. There were also big and small changes in areas closely rted to the peoples daily lives. The most representative part was entertainment. The most representative one was the shrine que. Before the start of the ceremony, there were almost no cases of crossing the border of the province where the shrine que was first created. Simply put, Gyeonggi-dos Sadangpae could not escape Gyeonggi-do, and Chungcheong-dos Sadangpae could not escape Chungcheong-do. However, the situation changed when a general entertainment center was built and a railroad wasid. Not only was it not enough to ride an iron horse all over the country, but they were also able to go to remote areas such as Bukji and Daeseoldo Ind to perform. But the person who made the biggest contribution was Anpyeong. Anpyeong, who took on the title of Director of the Entertainment Office, was literally in a fish out of water situation. Anpyeong destroyed all the Sadangpae (Sadangpae) that existed in Joseon at the time and made them belong to the Entertainment Office. After bing part of the Entertainment Office, many things changed for the Sadangpae. Although it was not much, my life became stable as the basic sry was paid every month. However, since it was literally minimal, the sadang group received a share of the profits from performances at general entertainment venues. And this was the true source of ie for Sadangpae. In addition, by performing at a general entertainment hall, performances can now be performed more safely than before. But it wasnt all good things. Performing at entertainment venues across the country also meant that there was no choice but to bepared to the sadang troupes that were active in the region. If the level dropped even a little, they were subject to all kinds of boos. Their skills were not judged only by ordinary people who visited the entertainment venue. Once a year, all Sadang troupes gathered in Seoul topete in their skills. ording to the performance of thepetition, the Sadangpae were ranked Gap-eulbyeong. And depending on this grade, the performance profit sharing ratio of sadang troupes changed. Therefore, the Sadang group did their best in thispetition. This was because not only was there an economic issue, but also reputation was at stake. What was interesting was the ce where thepetition took ce. Thepetition was held at Ttukseom Entertainment Center, thergest entertainment center in Seoul, and was crowded with spectators from not only Seoul but also other regions to watch the event. If you miss this part, youre a fool! Not to miss this part, all kinds of merchants flocked in and amodations raised their room prices. Of course, the same was true for entertainment venues. I think the entrance fee for Iboshu has gone up? Every time a question like this was asked, the person in charge answered with a face that said it was no big deal. Its not something you see every day, is it? Of course its expensive. If you dont want to be scammed, get out. Mr. The people who entered like this were an important screening tool for officials. Officials who judged the performance of the shrine pae used the reactions of visitors as the most important criterion. As a side note, every time apetition like this urred, Anpyeong stopped what he was doing and took a seat at the entertainment venue. Your Excellency. This is also work. Judge their skills. Commissioner, we already have someone in charge of screening Is there anyone here who can see things more urately than me? None of the officials answered No to Anpyeongs question. This was because Anpyeongs words were true. * * * Since he made King Sejong hold his back by saying he wanted to be a member of the sadang group when he was young, there was no one in the empire who could follow Anpyeong when it came to the field of entertainment. Anpyeongs insight became sharper as he became the head of the entertainment office. This was because the judges were judged after watching the performances of the shrine troupe gisaengs, who were considered to be the best in the empire. The director of the entertainment office is sitting in the chair, and people selected by the entertainment office are performing a royal performance! How can you entrust this to someone else? With this justification, Anpyeong attended thepetition without exception. Of course, there was a lot of gossip and Hyang called Anpyeong. Thats why Sosin had to attend! After hearing Anpyeongs words, Hyang looked at Anpyeong and said a word. You know what self-interest means? your majesty! Its unfair that its for self-interest! Anpyeong, who wasining about his unfairness, looked around and told Hyang. Your Majesty, would you please hand over the officials and the scribes for a moment? Please leave the officers and clerks for a while. When the magistrates and provincial governors withdrew at Hyangs order, Anpyeong revealed his true colors. Oh brother! Self-interest! What kind of bastards are talking like that? Self-interest! Its unfair! I was just doing double duty! Gyeom In response to Anpyeongs response, Hyang ced her hand on her forehead. Looking at that scent, Anpyeong raised his voice and continued. Speaking of which, lets take a look! Why do you only have me? Brother Jinpyeong is the president of the railroad constructionpany and goes aroundying railroad tracks. Isnt that self-interested? Thats it! My eldest brother is also 51. Thats it. When Hyang raised his hand, Anpyeong kept his mouth shut. Looking at that scene, Hyang continued speaking. If you say any more, Ill throw you in the record office. okay. Well, to be honest, you and I will just call it a day and move on. Instead, do it in moderation. Moderately. I follow your orders, Your Majesty! You bastard get out! Anpyeong quickly bowed to the viges order to congratte the guests and went outside. Anpyeong, who had just walked out the door, caught the sight of the officers and bookkeepers quickly hiding something in their sleeves. Anpyeong, who saw this, sighed lightly and made a pitiful expression. You guys are having a hard time too. But Anpyeong had forgotten. The fact that Hyang is the first person to be considered a strong-willed person. A few dayster, Hyang called Anpyeong. I went on a brief stealth trip not long ago. Yes, Your Majesty. There is nothing new in new songs. The new song that Hyang mentioned was a traditional song that was sung in a gibang in the past. It was given the name Sinjapga because it was a new type of japga. When Hyang mentioned Sinjapga, Anpyeong felt something ominous and asked with a slightly trembling voice. What do you mean, there is nothing new? I think this is a problem because nothing has changed other than what happened when Jim was still the crown prince. In addition to that, there are many new songs circting. Isnt it the same melody, only the lyrics have changed? To say there are many is not enough. Anpyeong had no choice but to bow his head at Hyangs words. Because it was just as the scent said. Chapter 844 Episode 844: Daily Life of the Empire (3) The maiden boatman and maiden of Soyang River taught to courtesans when Hyang was crown prince were sung throughout the empire. However, at some point, the people felt bored, and the gogi and singers who noticed this responded by changing the lyrics. But this was only a temporary measure. This was because in most cases the melody and lyrics did not match. To solve this, we tried things like slightly modifying the middle melody, but it only brought about worse results. In the end, a new song is the answer The singers and singers looked embarrassed. It was a natural result, but there was no way to solve it. This was because Sinjapga waspletely different from the folk songs they had learned orally through oral tradition. This was the same for Anpyeong, who was pointed out by Hyang. Your Majesty, are you asking us to create a new Sinjapga? exactly. Anpyeongs decision was quick in response to Hyangs response. The ability of conviction is not enough. Please take it away! It was Anpyeong who immediately rejected it without thinking twice, but Hyang didnt back down either. The results the duke has done so far prove the dukes ability? Cavalry on the Front Line, Soldiers on the Wastnd, Battle Cry, and finally Imperial March, werent they all from the Dukes hand? Anpyeong was the person who yed the biggest role in the process of changing the theme song of Dor Trilogy and Imperial March into Korean traditional music. Of course, it was Anpyeong who taught the tune and gave advice, but it was Anpyeong who recorded it, turned it into sheet music, tuned it, and produced the result. Haona. There is only one peacock. Anpyeong had no choice but to bow his head at Hyangs firm words. I follow your orders. * * * Anpyeong, who received the order from Hyang, pondered over and over again, but could not get the right result. Not this either! Anpyeong, who was notating the melody he had just thought of on Jeongganbo, shouted and threw down the notation he had been writing down. I get excited in my head, but why does it get boring when I write it down? why! why! why! Anpyeong screamed with a sorrowful expression and struggled. I dont even have time! Time was the most powerful enemy Anpyeong faced. Since the work he had to do as the director of the entertainment office did not decrease, Anpyeong had to divide his time intoposing music. Whoa~. I guess I have to admit it. Letting out a long breath, Anpyeong turned his head towards Gyeongbokgung Pce. I have to admit that my eldest brothers abilities were not average. I did everything I had to do, but I also did everything I wanted to do Im definitely not an ordinary person Although he acknowledged Hyangs excellence, Anpyeongs expression wasnt very good. But everyone thinks theyre the same! If you entrusted me with a task, would you reduce other tasks? Even cows will lie down if you tell them to do this! I cant stand it! Anpyeong jumped up from his seat and ran straight to Gyeongbokgung Pce. So either reduce the work or give us more time! Hearing Anpyeongs whining, Hyang looked puzzled and asked. I never gave you a deadline to make it? uh? Anpyeong, who had a nk expression in response to Hyangs question, carefully reviewed his memories. It really wasnt there Ah! Every time I was told by what time to finish Ahh! Anpyeong, who could not bear to utter a curse word, pounded his chest in frustration. Seeing that, Hyang secretly asked. Can I help you? Anpyeong bowed deeply to Hyangs words and answered in a loud voice. Hwang Eun is devastated! * * * A few dayster. Rooms were attached to Jangakwon and government offices across the country. -Notified by the entertainment office. -Looking for a new song. -Only songs with different lyrics and melodies that are different from existing misceneous songs are recognized as new new misceneous songs. -Composers and lyricists of new songs registered with the Entertainment Administration have intellectual property rights to the new songs. -Profits are distributed toposers and lyricists ording to the number of times new songs are sung at general entertainment venues. (Omitted below) When they saw the promation officially issued by the Entertainment Office, many people began to make a fuss. Shall I give it a try? You? thats right! You sing! Those who made some noise in the neighborhood and those who knew how to y musical instruments began to respond to the entertainment offices promation. Whats interesting is that not only the imperialists reacted. Among the schrs and students staying in the empire, those who knew how to y musical instruments or were versed in music also moved. I guess I can make a name for myself through music So at some point, people with notes and sheet music for the new songs they had created began to gather at the entertainment center in Seoul. After receiving the report, Anpyeong muttered with a bewildered expression on his face. You only get good results if you put money into it * * * New new songs began to appear, but it took more time for misceneous songs to be as popr as the songs that were spread by incense. Hey, theres only a melody and no lyrics? Yes, Soin doesnt have writing skills. It wont be registered if it only has a melody, so take it back and add the lyrics. Then why not add the lyrics to an existing misceneous song? Have you forgotten the condition that you must have a different melody and different lyrics from existing misceneous songs to be recognized? Composers who were rejected for not having lyrics soon began to search tirelessly to find lyrics that fit their misceneous songs. The first people they visited were people known around the area where they lived to be good at writing poetry. Yes you bastard! Do you want me to write lyrics that go well with the song you wrote? What are you looking at me for? The problem was that most of these people were high-ranking noblemen. It wasmon for people to be covered in salt or feces, and in severe cases, they would even be rolled into a mat. Of course, if something like that happens, the Pocheong government steps in. After these hardships,posers found an alternative. Among them, they were famous for their skill in writing poetry and prose. The lyrics written by those who left were extremely sad. After obtaining the lyrics, theposers reworked the melody ordingly and then visited the entertainment office. Its okay. I will register. thank you! Gratitude is something that I rather be thankful for. So, at what entertainment venue and when will who sing? Thats not yet. You have to be sure about that so you can receive profit sharingter. Yes yes! After listening to the advice of an entertainment office official, theposer decided to quit again after much deliberation. Theposer found a suitable ce through Toegis connections and reported it to the entertainment office. * * * After all of these processes werepleted, a bulletin board was posted at the entertainment venue in the town where Gagi lived. huh? Maewol is singing a new misceneous song? The title is Light Pink First Love? Residents visited the entertainment venue in anticipation of hearing new songs, and the audience seats on the stage at the entertainment venue were filled with people. After the song ended, people who liked the new song pped and shouted loudly. Re-creation! Re-sing! Once more! Once more! In response to peoples heated requests, Gagi smiled brightly and calmed his voice. Meanwhile, next to the stage, an entertainment office official meticulously recorded these reactions. Of course, not all new songs received this kind of response. There were as many songs that received harsh reviews as there were songs that received favorable reviews. And the singers who sang the well-received songs soon went on tour to entertainment venues in the surrounding area, and as time went by, they went on tour to entertainment venues all over the empire C it was not yet possible to reach Shinji. However, since touring performances alone could not meet the demand, some singers went to theposer and negotiated for permission to sing their songs. If these negotiations were sessful, a contract was established under the notarization of an entertainment office official. Songs that received favorable reviews in this way earned theposer and lyricist Gagi a lot of money. Thanks to the state-run entertainment venue, profit distribution was transparent, so no one had any doubts orints. After receiving a lot of money, theposer and lyricist became happy, and the National Tax Service also became happy. Withholding tax is the best! Long live your Majesty the Emperor! In this way, people who made a lot of money came out, and famous people sought out famousposers and begged them to sing for them. Additionally, those who thought they had some talent for writing began to aim to be lyricists. The same was true forposers. Also, the same was true for the noble families who raised children in their families. In addition to further refining the skills of the gogi they were raising, they also invited famousposers and lyricists to sing for them. It was a natural change for more and more new songs to be more diverse. This was because the tastes of misceneous songs were as diverse as the people who listened to them. Thanks to this, not only singers sang misceneous songs, but singers also began to appear on stage. Love songs sung by women and love songs sung by men had different emotions, andter, many singers who received overwhelming support from women began to appear. As the singers of misceneous songs were added to the ranks of singers, the title Gain came to be used to refer to those who sing misceneous songs. The change in japga was not limited to the addition of gender. In the beginning, the only solo was sung by Gain alone. However, as people from Europe began working asposers, misceneous songs using chords and double singing began to appear. As dance was added, misceneous songs became more diverse and colorful. As more and more people came forward as Gainers, there were even people who signed contracts with them and managed their schedules. It started with the Kiruna family, who took care of Gagi (). However, as time passed, professionalpanies emerged to provide professional services. Of course, among thesepanies, there were several disguisedpanies. Every time she received a report about this, Hyang smiled bitterly and muttered. Indeed, apart from drinking, singing and dancing, we are a people called the Corpse. As a side note, at the entertainment center, every day there is a performance, a bulletin board is posted showing who is performing. At this time, it was natural to write the name of the most popr singer at the top in thergest possible format in order to attract more viewers and sell more rted products C portraits. And the entertainment office tallied the poprity of singers, created a ranking table once a month, and hung it on the entertainment venues advertising bulletin board. And every time a ranking was posted on the bulletin board, there was an uproar. no! Hyangwol is in 12th ce? Does that make sense! Oh my! Your brothers are only in 7th ce? Nonsense! Dont do this! Be sure toe to the entertainment venue this time! Dont fall in! It was the origin of theter music ranking program. * * * As time passed and Wan ascended to the throne following Hyang, Sinjapga was no longer exclusive to the empire. International students or sons and daughters of international students who came to study in the empire entered the world of new families. International students mainly attemptedposition and lyric writing, and those who were good-looking among their sons and daughters attempted to be singers. This was because their appearance, which was different from that of ordinary imperial people, contributed to their poprity. The most important of these foreigners were those from Europe. As mentioned before, European music, such as harmonic music, waspletely different from the music of the empire and brought a unique inspiration. As many foreigners came and left, new music began to flow not only from Ming and Japan, but also from Europe and the Ottoman Empire. - Authors note. I have to go to a big hospital. It seems to be the limit now. I hope I end up in orthopedic surgery. Chapter 845 Episode 845: Daily Life in the Empire (4) Except for the drinking, singing, and dancing, they are truly a nation called Corpse. Just like the scent muttered to itself, the people of the empire enjoyed drinking, singing, and dancing. No, it was human nature. As the empire continued to grow, the peoples livelihoods became increasingly prosperous. As the economy became more prosperous, the spending of those who enjoyed drinking, singing, and dancing increased. Of course, the gap between rich and poor still remained, and there were still quite a few people who were worried about surviving each day. For the emperors of the empire, and even the kings of Joseon before that, this was a difficult problem that must be solved. This was a deep-rooted problem that all Eastern monarchs must solve. In Western political history, symbolized by Europe, the traditional role of the state and monarch was diplomacy, defense, and security. However, in the East, economy was added to it. The most important part of the Yao and Shun era and Gyeoyangga, which are mentioned as symbols of the era of peace and prosperity, was that no one is hungry. Therefore, not only King Sejong but also those who actually opened the gates of the empire put the most effort into resolving this issue. * * * There is a saying, Not even a king can relieve poverty. The ministers all shook their heads at Hyangs words. Looking at the ministers like that, Hyang continued speaking. But the problem is that it is not a monarchs job to just sit back and watch. Its truly a challenge. The ministers responded to theint by bowing their heads in unison. I am truly sorry that your subordinates are ipetent and cannot relieve your Majesty of your worries! I am truly sorry! Hyang smiled slightly at the words of the ministers. There are a lot of people who would be discouraged if they said that the police officers were ipetent, so lets not say things like that. Even if its a difficult problem, if you work hard, wont a good daye someday? I will do my best! Recording the warm atmosphere of the incense and the ministers, the officer added as follows: -The minister was concerned about the people, so the ministers asked for forgiveness, and instead of condemning them, the minister encouraged them. It was nice to see a series of responses between the ministers and ministers. The officer says: The boss told me to work hard, so Im working overtime again today. * * * In any case, the township and imperial court did their best to reduce the number of poor people. After introducing various experimental policies, a meticulous verification process followed. After this verification, many policies were supplemented and abolished, and through this, the empires economy became increasingly sound. The busiest officials in this process were the National Tax Service and the imperial battlefield officials. C Taxation that everyone understands. This was the National Tax Services motto. However, every time the officials of the National Tax Service saw a picture frame with those words written on it, regardless of high or low level, they grumbled quietly. It must be a tax administration that not all people can understand. Greed is Whenever taxes were paid, the reactions of the people were very simr, regardless of whether they were rich or poor. -I pay this much, but why dont they only pay that much? It is unfair! Despite their grumbling, the people continued to pay their taxes. This was because all tax rates and details were made public, and if there were any objections, they could be confirmed by raising objections. The efforts of the county and government did not stop here. -As long as illegal methods are not used, the empire does not block the people from bing rich. It does not discriminate between high and low levels of knowledge, old and young, and male and female gender. -If you have a n and will with sufficient potential, but arecking in other areas, look for adjustments! Mediation will help! -However, this is limited to those whoply with thews of the empire and pay the specified taxes. In this way, the emperor and court stimted the imperial people. Thanks to this active support, many people took on the challenge of starting a business. To help these people, the empire actively utilized its battlefields and investment treasury. As a result, the empires capital market also grew increasinglyrger. Of course, just as there is darkness where there is light, some people used illegal methods during this process. However, the officials of the National Tax Service who had been trained by Hyang did not have it easy, and these people ended up in ruin. Its not the 21st century. The township, which had already seen all kinds of hardships in the 21st century, treated crimes rted to the economy on the same level as treason. This was also true for officials at the National Tax Service. The words of Hyang were firmly embedded in the minds of National Tax Service officials. -A reward or a recorder? In this way, by using sticks and carrots, he guided the peoples upward spirit in the most healthy way possible. Jim was reading a book containing old European fables, and there was this old story. There was a poor widow. Every year during the harvest season, the widow and her son went to thendowner to pay rent. It is said that every time she saw thendowners big house, the widow said this to her son. Dont just be jealous, and dont just hate. Think about how you can be that rich and work hard. It is said thatter, the son followed the widows teachings and became a very wealthy man. I think you and the court should y the same role as the widow. Shouldnt we prevent people from stealing because they are blinded by the desire to be rich? The ministers responded to Hyangs words by bowing their heads in unison. I will follow you carefully! As time passed, European professors and monks who heard this anecdote all tilted their heads. There was such a fable? * * * In this way, in addition to the efforts of the emperor and the court, the peoples desire for improvement increased, and the peoples lives became increasingly better. As life became more prosperous, people began to spend more and more money on drinking, singing and dancing. As the peoples spending increased, just as the singing and dancing, symbolized by Sinjapga, developed greatly, Drinking also gradually developed. Takju, which has been enjoyed by themon people since ancient times, is beginning toe in a variety of vors. Its because the damn barley hill is gone. Is only the barley hill gone? When was thest time you heard, There is a bad harvest? Thats right. As the people said, the words barley hill and famine were no longer heard. With the flood control project now fully on track, grain production in the imperial headquarters also increased significantly, and grain was steadilying in from Gangnam and Daewol Seo. We cant rely on Mings Gangnam forever. Thats right! ording to the decision of the township and government,rge-scale development projects were carried out in the Bukji and Shinji regions. In particr, Shinjis grain production was rapidly increasing, as the vige said, the cheat key of the Bangjang Sagi Map Earth. As grain production increased and surplus increased, the peoples eyes began to turn to brewing. Alcohol can be medicine in moderation, but in excess it can be poison. Ill buy it back. Its been a while since the barley hill disappeared, but you never know what the future holds. If you turn all the excess grain into alcohol, something big could happen. And if you use it well, you can secure a decent tax source. After these discussions, the county and government established a system in which anyone who wanted to brew alcohol would have to obtain permission. And to protect those with permits, bootlegging was strictly controlled. Breweries that received permits in this way soon experienced a huge boom. People with deep pockets began to enjoy alcohol in earnest. In particr, as drinking while enjoying performances at general entertainment venues has be a daily routine, the consumption of alcohol has gradually increased. Here, the iron horse began to show off its presence. Through Iron Horse, alcohol could be sold to other regions. As a result,petition broke out among breweries, and liquors with their own unique characteristics began to be released. However, the alcohol that benefited the most from Cheolma was soju. Fermented liquors such as Takju and Cheongju had the fatal problem of quickly turning sour if care was not taken when storing and transporting them. Because of these restrictions, Takju was limited to about 100 ri (approximately 40 km) around the city or vige where the brewery was located, and Cheongju could not exceed the provincial border. However, soju, a distilled liquor, had no such restrictions. By rail and ship, Suzhou spread throughout the empire C from the North to Xinji. The winner of the soju te is the real winner! Breweries that confirmed the marketability and future of soju focused on developing soju. It wasnt just the brewery. When talking about Soju, noble families cannot be left out. In particr, the family with the famous soju brewing method immediately jumped into the brewing market. And at some point, a battle of pride broke out between noble families in the Suzhou market. no! Soju from our family with a long history is being pushed out by soju from a family with a short history? Does that make sense! Funnily enough, it has been a little over 200 years since soju was introduced to the Korean Penins. Nevertheless, a fight broke out among noble families, iming that their soju had a deeper history. After receiving the report, Hyang burst intoughter without realizing it. It would be funny to think of whiskeypanies that boasted about being founded in 1820 or 1860. Since this business was founded in the 1400s. As time passed, an unexpected powerhouse appeared in the soju market, where the Warring States period took ce, centered on the Gayang liquor of noble families. There were nicknames such as Northern Liquor and Liaodong Liquor, but the nickname Multicolor Liquor (ɫ) became a proper noun for soju. Here too, there was a lot of MSG in the vor. The sweet scent was not what I expected. * * * The beginning of multi-colored liquor, which emerged as a dark horse in the soju market, was soju made by Park Gyu-seopsrade. It was an original liquor made bybining the method of making soju, which he learned from his mother, who was a ve from a noble family that was exterminated in the Giyu Rebellion, and waster dismissed, and the method he learned from European merchants staying at the trading port. Hyang, who was curious after receiving the report, immediately sent a secret message and obtained alcohol. If you think of this as whiskey hmm. After thinking for a while, Hyang made up his mind and made a thick order, even drawing a picture, and delivered it to Milwi. Since the Hyangs orders were absolute, Milwis agents immediately carried out the orders. They began full-scale brewing by using only barley in a copper still and even making oak barrels. The taste is okay, but its a bit spicy. The spicy taste is the problem. They said, It will age for at least 3 years, so lets wait for 3 years. And three yearster, those who opened it again and tasted it shouted at the same time. This is it! How can it smell like this! Now I can sell it! You said, Jang is not the only thing that is good for a long time, right? Thats what you meant! Lets pick some good drinks and stay somewhere for a while! In this way, they began releasing 3-year-old liquor, and over time, longer-aged soju was released. Soju, which took on a light brown color as it was aged in charred oak barrels, soon became popr as the nickname multi-colored liquor. And not long after it came onto the market, it stood out as a new leader in the soju market. Chapter 846 Episode 846: Daily Life in the Empire (5) Multicolored liquor was not only sold well within the empire. Even in the European market, the position of multicolored stocks was bing increasingly solid. The unique taste and aroma of multi-colored liquor yed a role in its poprity, but the biggest reason was the bottle containing the multi-colored liquor. In the imperial ss workshop led by Raphael and Pietro, most of the artisans were already at the stage of maturity. te ss used as window ss had already entered the mass production system using steam engines. It wasnt just te ss. Simple-shaped ss bottles and ss tes were produced inrge quantities using molds. Even in the case of crystal ss, which Europeans called crystal ss and tried to buy by taking out debt, the inexpensive products were made by printing them out of molds. Where the craftsmens skills were truly demonstrated were the expensive ss bottles and crystal ss products. Just as potters put a lot of effort into creating pottery, ss craftsmen also put a lot of effort into creating products. The biggest customer for these expensive ss bottles was the Bukjido family, which produced multi-colored liquor. * * * In order to investigate the internal affairs of the Northern Territory and find those who were in cahoots with the Ming, Milwi established posts in major cities, starting with Liaodong Province. And amunicationwork was established under the pretext of supplying alcohol to this port. The brewery built to maintain thismunicationwork became the headquarters of the wheatmittee operating in the North. Milwis action agents rested or recuperated here while waiting for their next mission. However, this did not mean that the brewery work was neglected. Giru had to be firmly established to carry out their duties smoothly, and for that to happen, alcohol was as important as the gisaeng. And with the eptance of Park Gyu-seop and hisrades into Milwi, Milwis brewery experienced a great change. This was because the person in charge of the millmittee, who was impressed by the soju made by Kim Bok-ju, a colleague of Park Gyu-seop, appointed Kim Bok-ju as the head brewer of the Taoist n. From now on, the most widely brewed alcohol in our Taoist n will be myeongju ()! Hyang, who was curious after seeing Milwis report, gave a secret order and obtained Kim Bok-jus alcohol. Hyang, who shared the liquor sent in the name of Jinsang with the ministers, was impressed by its scent and taste. The name chosen on the spot was Myeongju. It was a liquor with the Chinese character get drunk meaning get intoxicated by the scent and taste. Hyang sent an official letter praising the wine for making good wine and promising to give it the name Myeongju, and at the same time sent a secret document detailing improvements, and looked towards the north with eyes full of expectations. And Myeongju, who epted the improvements in incense, achieved results that exceeded expectations. The executive of the Militia Committee in charge of the undercover headquarters with a sign reading Northern Map Family screamed. Business is doing so well! The executives on site screamed, but the executives in charge of Milwis household and Hyang smiled happily. Whoa~. Thanks to you, I will be able to take a breather from my financial problems. It was a pain tounder and use the royal familys secret funds, but now I can take a breather. But the scent felt a little off-putting. This was because Multi-colored liquor became popr instead of Myeongju, the name he had worked hard to create. After checking the report, Hyang licked his appetite and muttered. I guess Im definitely not good at naming things. It was a scent that made me feel my limitations once again after Wanduseul. Hyang, who had been appetizing like that, decided to change his mind and rolled up his sleeves. The water hase in, so I have to row! Is the name the problem? When ites to whiskey, its highly aged and limited edition! In this way, Hyang led the premium marketing of multi-colored liquor. In the process, a marketing strategy was born that sold multi-colored liquor in bottles made in the imperial ss workshop. * * * Fragrance did not necessarily push for luxury. Although it was a bit expensive, weid out the basics at a price point that ordinary people could buy and drink if they wanted to, and then released products at various price points. Here again, the fragrance yed a trick. Rather than just putting it on the market, it was a tasting event held by inviting renowned luxury chefs to the state. The nobles holding invitations sent in the name of the northern leader entered the gilru where the event was held. Until they received a small ss filled with the highest grade multi-colored liquor, most of the luxury people looked displeased. The color is the same as that of multi-colored liquor, but if thats the case, then its not just the bottle that has changed The luxury drinkers who had tried the high-grade multi-colored liquor while grumbling had an expression of disbelief. How can it taste and smell like this! I wondered why it was called Myeongju The luxury drinkers, impressed by the taste and scent, immediately opened their wallets. But here, Hyangs second trick shined. This is our first year, so only 50 bottles were produced. this! Ill buy it right now! Ill buy them all! Look! A person must have shame! The tasting room quickly became a mess. At that time, a person in charge of the Northern Leadership Group stepped forward. Get in line! And we will limit it to one bottle per person! After the event, the luxury drinkers who were unable to get alcohol grabbed the people in charge of the North Leader Street and began asking questions. Are we going to sell this alcohol again next year? yes. Are there only 50 bottles again? Ill have to go there then to find out. Because we only select silk that matches the grade. Oh my! In this way, they began to maximize sales through a policy of differentiation by grade. As an aside, the luxury drinkers who had obtained the highest quality multi-colored liquor stared at the bottles of multi-colored liquor in question with eyes full of love and hate. Should I drink that or not As time passed, this multi-colored liquor became known to Europeans as well. Multi-colored liquor in ss bottles soon became popr among the European upper sses. Of course, distilled spirits such as brandy already existed in France and Italy. However, with the value of the name Land of Flowers and the quality befitting the name, multi-colored liquor prated into the upper ss of Europe. And European nobles and royal families, who heard rumors about the finest multi-colored liquor, also joined thepetition. It wasnt just royals and nobles. Even among merchants and the middle ss, there were those who raised money and joined thepetition. There was a lot of demand but a shortage of supply. Therefore, if you could find even one bottle and sell it, you could make a fairlyrge profit. Later, an overheated spective phenomenon urred that economists called the multi-color stock bubble. Meanwhile, other sojuspeting with multi-colored liquor were not just watching. They also released various grades of soju to survive in the market. Some people are starting to worry about their fiercepetition. Cow is an expensive drink, but isnt this causing the people to be addicted to luxury? Thats right. I think it is right to ban people from drinking soju. Whenever a petition was raised to ban the consumption of soju out of concern for the luxury of the people, the vige called the Minister of Finance and Economy. Is the luxury of the people that extreme? No. Soju is expensive. However, the soju that the general public drinks the most is the cheapest soju, and the amount of it is muchrger than that of takju or cheongju. So youre saying that only people with money drink it? Thats right. Then what do you think these people really mean? There may be people who are genuinely worried, but I think the majority of people do not like the idea of people who they think are inferior to them drinking soju like them. If they were truly concerned, they would have said that soju, which is used in Jeju (alcohol used in ancestral rites), should also be banned. Hmm Hyang nodded after hearing the Minister of Finance and Economys answer. Jim thinks the same thing. In this way, the township did not ept the appeal. * * * Drinking, singing, and dancing were not the only things that changed as the peoples livelihoods became richer. Various changes were continuing in the area where people lived and ate. First of all, when looking at eating, the diversity of cooking methods, especially meat recipes, caught my eye. This was because the people of the empire loved meat, regardless of whether they lived in the maind or in the north, and European recipes were introduced as exchanges with Europeans continued for a long time. Various meat recipes were created, and seasonings and seasoning sauces were created to match them. As meat consumption increases, the number of farms specializing in raising cattle, pigs, goats, and poultry has also increased. As the number of livestock increased and Western recipes were introduced, cheese and butter became no strangers to the people of the empire. It wasnt just cheese and butter. While dealing with merchants from Portugal and Italy, which were major business partners, pao and pane, or bread, also began to appear on the imperial peoples dining tables. In this way, the imperial peoples dining table became increasingly diverse. * * * It wasnt just eating and drinking that became more diverse and fancy. The clothing of the imperial people was also bing more diverse. Just as the clothes and essories of the men of the empire were bing more diverse and extravagant, womens costumes were also bing more extravagant. The biggest feature was that the jeogori was getting shorter. Until the mid-Gyeongjang period, womens jeogori (jeogori) went down to the hip line and were rich. This was so that the person wearing the clothes could subtly boast about their wealth. -I am so rich that I can afford to spend this expensive fabric as much as I want! In this way, he wore rich clothes to subtly show off his wealth. However, as gyeongjang (gyeongjang) moved to theter period and household life became more luxurious, womens jeogori (jeogori) began to get shorter. As the economy progressed, womens outdoor activities increased, and having multiple sets of clothes and changing them frequently became a new way to show off their wealth. In extreme cases, it was rumored that the wife of a certain noble family changed her clothes five times a day. As jeogori became shorter, a new trend was created. Due to the shortened jeogori, the jjolitmal (strap that ties the chest) and the breast covering and anoreum began to be visible on the outside, and stylish ways using them began to be popr. In particr, it started to be popr to draw attention by embroidering and dyeing the jolitsmal and angoreum. And the veils that women use whenever they go out have be more extravagant. In particr, other colors began to be used in the veils fabric, which was previously ck, and patterns also began to appear. The veil created in this way gave a visual effect that made the woman wearing it look mysterious. Men from Europe and the Middle East who came to the empire were fascinated by the sight of imperial women wearing veils like this, and before they knew it, this type of attire began to be popr among women in European social circles as well. This trend was not a one-way street. Among the fashions worn by the European upper ss, those that were popr in the empire also began to appear. The most representative items were essories such as headdresses and nes used by women. However, as Joseon turned into an empire and the reign of Hyang began, a bomb was dropped on womens fashion. Hubok () In other words, the cheongsam, a 21st century expression, was starting to be popr. It was an incident that caused great controversy among the mainstream sses of the empire. Chapter 847 Episode 847: Daily Life in the Empire (6) Hu Fu () entered the Empire C Joseon at the time C when the Jurchen people came to stay in Hanseong. As the children of the Jurchen tribes noble chiefs and high-ranking officials in Joseon received official positions in the central government and stayed in Hanseong, the residents of Hanseong at that time came into contact with the Jurchen tribes good fortune. The first reaction of Joseon people who came across Hobok was grave grave. The clothes look a bit cramped. It would befortable for riding a horse. Like the reaction of the Joseon people at the time, Hobok was a garment created to meet the needs of the Jurchen tribe, who were nomads. The neck and chest were tightly closed to prevent wind from seeping in, and the side lines were open to make it easier to get on and off the horse. Underneath the Hobok top made in this way, women wore skirts or trousers and men wore trousers as everyday attire. The fact that Jurchen women wore skirts and pants was also a sign of status. Upper-ss women who rarely rode horses wore skirts, and lower-ss women who had to move a lot wore pants. Therefore, this suit did not be a bomb in the fashion world. Even for the nobility who liked to argue, it was good clothing that did not pose any major problems. Rather, what the noblemen hated were the foot bindings of women from Ming Dynasty. What made this kind of luxury clothing a bomb in the fashion world was the fragrance of the women of the imperial family. * * * Hyang was making steady efforts to improve clothing, starting with skirt pants made by modifying the riding pants that were popr among Western upper-ss women in thete 19th and early 20th centuries. Funnily enough, it started with the most basic problem, the bathroom. Wow! There are so many things hanging around! Im going to pack up my clothes! Because of this basic inconvenience, Hyang worked hard to improve his clothing. Thanks to these efforts, the clothing of people from the Joseon Dynasty andter empires continued to change. However, what made this scent difficult to touch was the womens clothing. Even the most zealous effort to abolish Gache ended up being only half sessful. The gache, which was sorge and heavy that it was said that it broke the neck of the new bride, and the eoyeo-meori on which it was topped almost disappeared, but the gache boasted its tenacious vitality as the jojim-meori with cheopji and jokduri became popr. * * * In addition to the gacha, the thing that Hyang couldnt easily touch was womens underwear. Isnt it too stuffy Hyang grumbled inwardly every time she saw the Crown Princess and Yangje Yangwon in their underwear in the bedroom. Starting with leg underwear, which can be considered the panties of the 21st century, women of the nobility wore fouryers of underwear under their skirts, and women of womens houses wore threeyers of underwear under their skirts. The top was also everyday wear, consisting of severalyers, starting with the undergarment and the undergarment. Of course, the poor who could not afford to dress up in various outfits could only wear red socks and underpants. However, it was a daily routine for women in families with enough money to make a living, regardless of their gender, to wear at least that muchyering. To go one step further, there were cases where women who were rtives or high-ranking officials wore more than 10yers of underwear and bottoms. Of course, mujigi, the main culprit for increasing the number ofyers, was to put on and take off the ovepping skirts by tying them together, but that did not mean that 7 to 8yers became oneyer. Because the situation was like this, the scent was grumbling. I have a long way to go but if I keep going like this, Im going to kill myself. It was the scent that made me grumble inside every time I went to bed with my queen and concubines. Because it smelled like this, it was a daily routine for me to mutter to myself whenever I saw the royal robes of the Jurchen couple attending a banquet held by King Sejong and paying their respects. Cheongsam and swords are a cheat key If you add a garter belt and a pistol, its theplete version It doesnt matter if its a real event or an animation As an aside, this is an afterword about the fragrance that looks intently at the women of the Jurchen tribe. This was going around. Isnt it possible that the crown prince is interested in Jurchen women? no way? Didnt you only have the Crown Princess and Yangje Yangwon? Thats right. In the beginning, you said you would only have one Crown Princess, but due to His Majestys insistence, there were only three. The crown prince is also a man. Do you know anything? Hmm Eventually, this rumor spread and reached Sejongs ears, and he immediately called Hyang. I will ask you boy to boy. Perhaps Before Sejong could finish his sentence, Hyang urgently answered. Oh no! I was just intrigued by their clothes! I know so. King Sejong responded with a strange expression and sent out incense. King Sejong, who was paying his respects and watching the scent go out, muttered softly. But its a bit disappointing. Bringing in a Jurchen woman was a good move politically, but * * * Afterwards, Joseon turned into an empire and Hyang, who became emperor, muttered with a strange smile. I mean, I gathered enough ingredients Hyang, who sat alone in the bed and muttered something meaningful, gave an order to the eunuch. Please call the Councilor Eochimjang. Yes, Your Majesty. After a while, the chief of the royal family came running after receiving the eunuchs message and bowed with a very nervous expression on his face. Did you call me? Okay, Jim has a favor to ask you. Hearing Hyangs request, Eochimjang bowed down on the floor and raised his voice. Its extremely unfair of you to ask a lowly Jangjang! Just give orders. I understand, then Juseo and the officers should leave for a while. After sending out the officers and the chief priests, Hyang opened the drawer of the writing table, took out a piece of paper, and handed it to Eochimjang. Take it. Yes, Your Majesty. Eochimjang, who came at a kneeling pace and handed over the paper, looked at the picture drawn on the paper and looked at the scent with surprised eyes. It was a serious offense to look directly at the emperor without permission. Nevertheless, the picture drawn on paper was so shocking that I almost forgot about it. After seeing Eochimjangs reaction, Hyang smiled softly and continued speaking. These are pajamas for the empress and her queen. Ah While nodding his head at Hyangs words, Eochimjang had a perplexed expression on his face. Its unconventional. Sometimes there has to be something unconventional like this. Then I will exin the ingredients. yes. At Hyangs words, Eochimjang took out paper and a stylus from his sleeve. As soon as the preparations for fish sauce were finished, Hyang began to speak. First of all, the finestce and silk stocka (predecessor of stocka stockings) made in France on top-quality silk that is so thin and soft that it is transparent. Yes, yes. As time passed, Eochimjang wrote down all the fragrance orders. I came out of the bedroom holding the picture with the design in my hand. On his way back to the hospital, Eochimjang stopped several times to look at the painting. Eochimjang, who was examining the painting by the moonlight, let out an exmation. Kya! Looking closely, I cant believe that its a tigers uniform, and that such a sexy acupuncture suites out of the tigers uniform! There is nothing your Majesty cant do, and you even have such style! Eochimjang, who could roughly guess what kind of clothes woulde out just by looking at the design, was amazed. This will soon cause an uproar in all corners of the empire! Eochimjang, who was anticipating what would happen in the future, suddenly became stiff. wait! If it goes as I expected, all of my rtives will soon find out and if that happens, there will be work Eochimjang, who was already well aware of the power of the Gyeongbokgung Pce Mafia, sighed. Whoa~. My uniform has exploded. It exploded. At least my name will be known. Aspensation for this incident, the local government ordered an officer to record that Eochimjang did the work under the local governments orders. * * * Following the orders of the vige head, Eochimjang diligently collected ingredients. To obtain the necessary materials, the merchant, together with an interpreter, visited a French merchant staying in Seoul. The French merchants face became brighter as he wrote down the order through the trantor. Everything is of the highest quality! How much is this? The merchant who was groveling and writing it down asked the trantor. Where can I deliver it? Its the imperial pce. omg! The startled merchant answered immediately. What we have now is not enough to serve in the imperial pce. The quality of the item is the issue, timees second. But I cant wait forever. I will do my best! Dont forget. Everything must be of the highest quality. And we must arrive before it is toote. Yes yes. The French merchant who received the order immediately rode an iron horse and went down to Mokpo. The merchant who boarded the trading ship that departed from Mokpo immediately returned to France. Under normal circumstances, only a message would have been sent, but the merchant chose to make the move himself. Its about delivering to the imperial family! If you do it right, you can make a lot of money from then on! As a merchant who had seen the power of word of mouth while staying in the empire, it was an opportunity that could not be missed. * * * It took some time, but once all the ingredients were obtained, work began immediately. Eochimjang directly or supervised the entire process, starting with dyeing the stoka andce ck. Eochimjang, who had sessfullypleted the first work, worked hard to cut the silk, sew it, and apply gold leaf. Finally, after finishing all the work and making three sets of acupuncture suits, Eochimjang clenched his fists and shouted. No more! did my best! Eochimjang, satisfied with his results, visited Naegwan. Please report this to His Majesty. I understand. Hyang, who heard the story through an insider, went to see the doctor himself. After checking the results, the Hyang highly praised the Eochimjang and the Chimjangjang and gave orders to the Naegwan. Please deliver it to the empress and empresses. Yes, Your Majesty. After receiving the order, the eochimjang carefully packaged the acupuncture needles and handed them to the naekwan. Hyang had a sad expression on his face as he watched the eunuchs carrying the wrapped acupuncture needles and heading towards the ce where the empress and her concubines were. They have such a good bass Hmm! Hyang muttered something meaningful and immediately turned around. ruler! Today must end on time! * * * That night, the fragrance visited the Empresss bed. Your Majesty, please turn off the light. Lets wait a little longer. The Empress couldnt ovee her shame and twisted her body as she saw Hyang looking at her wearing a gown with a sad expression. Haha, its not polite to dress like this Have you ever been fully dressed when we sleep together? At Hyangs words, the Empress immediately lowered her head with a red face. As Hyang said, when the two of them slept together, they never wore proper clothes. Hyang was so tired that he could not even take off his clothes and slept in them, or he could sleep without anything on. Anyway, that night, the two had a hot night for the first time in a long time. No, it wasnt just the empress. The same was true for the two empresses. It was good up to that point, but after that, Hyang called a medical doctor and put apress on his waist. But there were other unfortunate victims. They were Jimilsanggung and merchant ships who always had to stay near the vige. Jimilsanggung muttered softly while covering up the nosebleed that was flowing out. The person who was in charge of the East Pce before had frequent nosebleeds, so I wondered why Chapter 848 Episode 848: Daily Life of the Empire (7) Rumors rted to the Empress, her concubines, and Hyangs hot night quickly and secretly filled Gyeongbokgung Pce. -They say the emperor made a huge bedclothes for the empress and his concubines! -It is said that if you wear that acupuncture gown, it will turn you into a fairy! The rumors that had been circting among the inn (courtdies who received the rank of the Ministry of Internal Affairs) and merchant ships had already reached the ears of officials. And those who loved to talk, both high and low, talked about this mysterious acupuncture point. There were all kinds of stories, but the endings were all the same. Because His Majesty the Emperor is not a criminal I would like to at least see what the acupuncture needles look like. And of course, this rumor reached the ears of the Gyeongbokgung Pce Mafia, and the women belonging to the mafia immediately visited the empress and empress. After hearing the request of the women belonging to the mafia, the empress and empress brought out the acupuncture gown in question with an expression that was half shameful and half proud. He was embarrassed because it was a vulgar item to show to others, and he was proud that Jiabi had even made such a bedclothes for him. Oh my Oh my The womens eyes sparkled when they saw the full set of needles in question. And just as Eochimjang had expected, the Empress order came to the upper chamber. Once again the French merchants made a fortune and the Chambeins chiefs received handsome rewards. * * * The acupuncture needles that were leaked through the Gyeongbokgung Pce mafia soon began to be a trend among women regardless of ss. Women from noble or wealthy families purchased bedding made of silk and made of stock andce imported directly from France, while women from less wealthy families purchased items made of cotton. However, even if they were made from cotton, the prices of really high-quality cotton items were high. Therefore, it has be popr for women to form rtionships among themselves in order to obtain high-quality acupuncture needles. A precept exclusive to women, called acupuncture precepts (), was born. As acupuncture needles made by incense became popr, unexpected victims arose, including the Jurchen people. The newly popr acupuncture medicine was soon given the name Hochimui (). It was named like that because it was modeled after the Hubok (). However, those who did not know its origin, especially men, said this. Huh~. I thought the Jurchen people were barbarians and didnt know about pungryu, but surprisingly, they have pungryu! Every time they heard these rumors, the Jurchen people pounded their chests and became frustrated. therefore! Even though those hochimui are simr, they are not our clothes! Just show me what it is! I will tear it all apart! When rumors spread about these Jurchen people, there were people who looked like they were in the same disease. They were residents who lived near the Soyang River and Nakdong River. It was because I had a simr experience due to a song that Hyang had spread in the past. * * * If it were like this, it would have been a very provocative acupuncture device. However, the people who turned Hochimui into a bomb in the imperial fashion world were gisaeng. Although they were freed from their status as low-ss citizens as a result of the civil service, restrictions on courtesans existed, knowingly or unknowingly. Of course, there were not only restrictions but also special cases, but the human mind was more concerned about restrictions than special cases. Because of this, gisaengs were very provocative in their personalities and attire. Such provocative gisaengs began to wear hochimui as going out clothes. Even if you were a gisaeng, it was problematic to wear a hochimgi as going out, so the gisaeng ced an order with their regr chimseongga (ᘾ). As a result of the coboration between gisaeng and chimseong practitioners, a new type of hochimui was created. The first thing made was a jeogori worn over the hochim. In keeping with the trend of womens jeogori bing shorter, the jeogori worn over the hochim was also very short. It wasnt just the length that got shorter. The pus disappeared and it was fastened with buttons, just like a holster. Likewise, the bow and cor also changed into a shape that wrapped around the neck C a kind of Chinese cor C creating the effect of making the neck of the gisaeng wearing the jeogori look thinner and longer. In addition, the jeogori and hochimui used the same color orpletely contrasting colors to reveal individuality. However, from now on, it continued to be the subject of controversy. From the beginning, the hochimui did not have a breast covering, and the sides were open slightly above the middle of the thigh. Therefore, no matter how much the jeogori was worn, the gisaengs body lines were clearly visible. In particr, the side slits on the legs were the biggest problem. This was because no matter how much I covered it with a stoka, the lines of my legs were still exposed. If you let your guard down even a little, there was a high possibility that your insides would be seen. To solve this problem, I wore very short shorts-like underpants, but still, about half of my thighs were exposed. The price of the silk robe with all kinds of gold and silver leaf embroidery was enormous. However, when gisaengs, who are known for their beauty, take to the streets wearing these clothes, the effect is outstanding. When a rickshaw carrying a courtesan wearing a robe for going out, a colorful cap, or an open flower-patterned parasol passed by, all the heads of the people on the street turned to follow. In particr, some of the more provocative courtesans sat with their legs crossed when sitting on the rickshaw. And the effect was fatal. As the effect was so fatal, the bacsh was also strong. -The attire of gisaengs is damaging to customs, so this must be cracked down on! The officials were rmed by the flood of appeals that had beening in for the first time in a long time, and Hyang clicked his tongue inwardly. Tsk! I think it looks good Anyway, Hyang asked the ministers for their opinions. What do you think? The first person to answer Hyangs question was, of course, Kim Jong-seo. Gisaengs need to have more than just singing and dancing! You must be good at poetry and calligraphy and have good speaking skills. But above all, we cannot leave out the color. Just as flowers show off their beauty, courtesans also show off their beauty and sexiness, so I dont think it should be stopped. At Kim Jong-seos words, not only the ministers but even the vige nodded. Absolutely exquisite! The scent came to a conclusion while everyone admired it. I also think that Captain Jeoljaes opinion is reasonable. Unless the courtesans did it to show off their beauty and tried to use it tomit a crime, I dont think there is any need to stop it. They say it harms customs and customs, but what is the difference between humans and beasts? Dont you know how to control yourself? In this way, all theints criticizing the gisaengs clothing were rejected. * * * As the problem of gisaengs go-out hochim was resolved through incense, gisaengs wore go-out hochim without hesitation. Thanks to this, the streets of towns and cities famous for their colorful scents began to be overflowing with people watching the gisaeng in colorful outfits. This wasnt just for imperialists. After hearing the rumor, people from Ming, Japan and Europe flocked. And the money these tourists spend on eating and sleeping became another source of ie. And as time passed, simr clothing began to be popr in Ming and Japans red light districts and brothels. The same was true in Europe. Among those who came after hearing the rumor, there were many painters and sculptors. After sketching the attire of courtesans, they returned to Europe and created paintings and sculptures, which spread new trends throughout high society. Like the women of the empire, trimming their hair, wearing a robe, and wearing a veil or full head covering became the basic attire for upper-ss women attending banquets. * * * As time passed, hochimui, which was worn only by courtesans, for going out began to be popr among women. Of course, it was not as unconventional and provocative as what gisaengs wore. To be precise, it was somewhere in between the original royal attire and the gisaengs vulgar clothing. As this type of hochimui slowly became popr, something that emerged along with it was womens pants. The people who invented and poprized womens pants were female officials called Yeori (Ů). Women who first passed the civil service examination and entered into a rtionship woreyered skirts in ordance with etiquette. However, it wasnt long before the women realized that theseyered skirts were an obstacle to working. This was because, rather than just sitting still, one had to keep moving while searching for data or managing the receipt and receipt of documents. Especially when I went out to work, skirts became a chore. For long distances, you could use an iron horse, but for intermediate distances or ces far from the railway station, you had to ride a horse. Of course, there were womens horse riding clothes that were worn over a skirt. However, the method ofyeringyers on top of theyered skirts could not be said to befortable, even with empty words. In the end, the female officials who had to go out more often chose abination of riding pants and boots. Riding pants made of a slightly thicker and tougher fabric than regr riding pants and boots modeled after cavalry boots satisfied thedies. And it went well with the Salvia dandelion ginseng provided as official uniform for female officials. And at some point, it became routine for women to wear riding pants even when going to work. As riding pants became moremonce, riding pants also began to be more diverse. The width of pants became narrower or longer, and various colors began to be used instead of just white. And when women wore hochimui, they chose these riding pants instead of stoka. As they werebined with the hochimui, the riding pants became even narrower. And the boots that fit perfectly also became tighter as the neck became longer. In addition, the high heel, which is the biggest feature of cavalry boots, has be even higher. Before we knew it, women had realized the advantages of high heels. -It makes you look taller and your body looks prettier. This advantage was maximized when wearing a hochimui that showed off the body, and soon, hochim pants and boots became the official attire for women who boasted of being stylish. As the womens attire changed, the attire of the gisaengs also began to change again. Unlike women in Yeoyeom, they wore boots with short necks or Danghye with high heels. The reason gisaengs wore short-necked boots or high-heeled danghye was to emphasize their sexual appeal. -Thanks to the high heel, you are tip-toed and your calves look thinner. -It naturally raises the buttocks and makes the back look stand out. -When you walk, coquetryes out naturally. As this happened, the clothing of the women of the empire began to change more and more properly. After receiving the report, Hyang looked embarrassed. Are simr products of high heels already being released? This is not my work Hyang, who had such an embarrassed expression on his face, looked out the window. Has it changed to the point where it can move on its own? At the time when the war began, it was a society where there was almost no movement unless King Sejong or Hyang came forward and led the way. But now, society and people have changed to the extent that they either change on their own or react immediately to the slightest hint of seasoning. Chapter 849 Episode 849: Daily Life in the Empire (8) These changes in the empire continued even after Hyang handed over the throne to Wan and moved to Shinji. Sejong, who was in charge of Shinji before Hyang took charge of Shinji, created a new sport called Shinjigyeokbang or Shingeukbang. King Sejong originally liked private rooms, and the political purpose of having a quiet conversation while moving around with two or three or four people was added, and Shingyeokbang was born. The natives of Shinji, who had few special means of entertainment, quickly fell in love with Shingeokbang. But there was a big problem in the Shingeokbang. This was because there was a limit to the number of peoplepeting at one time. No matter how hard we tried, the maximum was 4 people. If more people startedpeting at the same time, smooth progress was impossible. If there was apetition with arge number of participants, the yers had to divide each group into groups of four and enter the room sequentially. Naturally, as the problem of supply and demand arose, applications for building a private space were flooded in, but the local government did not easily grant permission. Its easy to go because thend is overflowing, but we have to think about nature conservation issues and future work. Lets promote other things instead. In this way, Masanggyeokgu and Masangjae were introduced as substitutes for incense. This also had a military purpose. Thanks to Jinpyeong, the railroad is beingid step by step, but it is impossible to cover this dirty vastnd with railroads. In conclusion, training cavalry is essential. The environment is also the best. As Hyang said, the vast ins of Shinji were the best environment for raising cows and horses. If it werent for the transportation problem, there would already be a lot of cattle moving around by now. Although the scent was disappointing, livestock farming is still the biggest source of ie for the indigenous people of Shinji. To be precise, it was the processed meat industry represented by pemmican. * * * For Native Americans, pemmican was a must-have food for survival. Before the arrival of the Empire C Joseon at the time C farming was at a primitive level and most people survived by hunting and gathering. In order to survive the long winter with the food obtained in this way, a storage method that could preserve it for a long time was needed, and this is how pemmican was born. When they first encountered pemmican during contact with the natives, the imperial people gave a strange look. This is subtle However, the imperialists, who knew that pemmicans best advantage was that it could be preserved for a long time, began to use all kinds of methods. No matter what anyone said, the people of the empire were more serious about eating, especially meat, than anyone else. Even Europeans acknowledged this. -People in the Land of Flowers love meat very much. More than us Europeans. And the most representative person was King Sejong. Therefore, even while King Sejong was busy pioneering newnds, he paid considerable attention to making pemmican and various types of processed meat. Of course, the first thing to do was to bring in the cows and increase their number. This part also had hidden military and economic purposes. In order to solve the food supply problem for soldiers, food that could be preserved for a long time was essential. Economically, it was to establish a stable and permanent rtionship between the new paper and the main paper. Shinji was and with infinite potential, but it required enormous funds to develop it. For the time being, this was possible with war reparations obtained from the Ming Dynasty. However, when thispensation was depleted over time, it had to be paid for through taxes from the people. If things were handled incorrectly at that time, it was certain that the people of the empire would rebel against the emperor and the court. In addition, discrimination against the indigenous people of the newnd would be routine. The same was true for Shinji. If they were to be dependent on the main branch, at some point the natives of the new area would rebel and the union between the local area and the new area would copse. The optimal way to solve this was to build aplementary rtionship, not a dependency. The system that Kim Jeom, who has now be a historical figure, dreamed of was the answer. And the starting point was agriculture and the processed meat industry. * * * Thanks to Sejong, which had great expertise in meat and meat dishes, quite good results were produced in the area of processed meat, including pemmican. The evaluation of these processed meat products released on the market by people who tasted them was quite good. Is it delicious? It feels different from beef jerky? I think if I boil soup with this, it wille out with an interesting vor. With such favorable reviews, Shinjis processed meat products became established in the imperial market. And it began to expand its markets further and further along the empires trade routes. Conversely, as the empire imported more and more spices, it developed increasingly close ties with the Sultanate of Bengal. * * * The story went sideways for a moment, but there was a problem in defending Shinji with the railroad alone. Topensate for this, a lot of cavalry was needed. However, there were limits to what the main branch and the northern branch could handle, and the only answer was to foster it within the new area itself. However, horses were an unknown animal to the natives of Shinji, so it was difficult to approach them easily. The best way to solve this problem was to have fun and introduce Gyeokgu and Masangjae as a scent. And as time passed, Gyeokgu and Masangjae became the favorite pastime of the Shinji natives. It was human nature to want to do something if you liked it, and the number of natives applying to join the cavalry began to increase. No, even if they did not apply for the military, they would ride the pack horses they had at home andpete in hard-fought games at the vige level. If the wateres in, you have to row! After receiving the report, the township soon organized a regrpetition. Now, the n was to connect the general entertainment centers that were establishing themselves in Shinji, take turns in fierce ball games, and record the wins and losses to determine the rankings. Thepetition organized in this way drew an enthusiastic response from the indigenous people of the new area. * * * As Gyeokgu became popr, Gigigi also began to gain poprity. The game of hitting a ball using a wooden stick was a familiar pastime for the people of the empire. Although horseback riding was bing popr, horses were still expensive animals. Even for well-established farms, it wasmon for each household to have one or two pack horses. It was not possible to drag such a precious pack horse every time topete, so those who came from the empire began ying with the equipment they were familiar with. And the neighboring natives, who saw this, began to join in and enjoy the game. As a result, Janggigi began to spread among the natives even faster than Gyeokgu. This was because one could participate in the match without saying a word. The problem urred here. Even for those who came from our hometown, the rules were different depending on their hometown. In that situation, as it spread among the indigenous people, it became a situation where there were no rules and they became rules. As a result, the match progressed quite roughly, and it wasmon for big fights to break out when the emotions between each other became strong. In particr, since it was a match with clubs that were perfect for beating up people, when the fight broke out, it immediately turned into a bloody brawl. And as this happened frequently, the doors of trouble were wide open forwmakers and soldiers in charge of public security. There is no reason to stop them from doing it You cant just arrest them because they got hurt while ying In the end, they had no choice but to write an appeal to Hyang. Hyang sighed after seeing the influx ofints. Whoa~. Because he was infamous along with Seokjeon In some ways, the horse-riding Gyeok-gu was more calm Even in the headquarters of the empire, Jang Ki-gi was infamous along with Seokjeon. However, because it was not possible to let go, the vige gathered officials from the headquarters and put their heads together on how to create rules. Officials from the main branch also actively participated because they had memories of seeing blood while fighting as a child, and soon integrated rules were created and distributed throughout the new area. -Proceed with the device match ording to these rules! -If you vite it, it will be considered a crime and you will be punished! In this way, Gigigi became established as an official sport of its own. As a side note, the Ice Machine, which was yed on a frozenke in the winter, was notorious as a game that still retains the most extreme form from the early days. Because people were covered from head to toe in protective gear to prevent injuries from slipping or falling on the ice, violent physical fights became a part of daily life. * * * As the rules were established like this, an interesting thing happened: the rules of the device system established in Shinji spread to the maind. This was because the rules were different for each neighborhood, and if a fight broke out, a fight would break out, as was the case in the main district. As the integrated rules were applied, Janggigi also developed its own framework and became one of the games held at entertainmentplexes. As it became established in a general entertainment center, Gigigi grew explosively. Unlike archery, which requires various types of bows depending on the time and ce, and requires a horse that costs a lot of money to maintain, and is immediately a crime if it is not in a permitted archery area, it is difficult to distinguish between a bow and a ball that meet the standards. This was possible because all you needed was a dyed vest. Thanks to this simplicity, it grew explosively and became the first sport wherepetitions were held across the entire empire, regardless of whether it was the main region or the new northern region. * * * While the empire was changing rapidly inside, the outside of the empire was also changing rapidly. The busiest and most unstable ce was Europe. As Hwang Bo-in predicted, an arms race was sparked. At the forefront of this fierce arms race were Britain, France, Portugal, Spain, and the Ottomans. The arms race began with the development of wide silver. As the silver that the empire had kept secret was developed in Europe, countries that were recognized as strong in Europe began an arms race in earnest. And behind that shadow were Milwi and Florence. * * * Milwi, who received intelligence about the development of silver from Giroux in Paris, immediately conveyed the information to Seoul. After delivering the intelligence, the executives of the Secret Service in charge of Europe gathered together. The executive presiding over the meeting looked at the executives present and opened his mouth. Do you agree that this is a secret situation? All other executives nodded to his question. I agree. Since it was an era when quickmunication was impossible, several crisis situations were assumed and corresponding sealing orders were issued to the secretaries who went overseas. Among situations detrimental to the security of the empire, the highest level was armor. With the consent of the executives, the executive in charge of the meeting took out a small wooden box from one side and ced it on the table. Next, the executives present took out small keys from their pockets and inserted them into the key holes in the box. It was a box that, if all the keys were not inserted in the designated order, a self-destruct device inside would activate and burn all confidential instructions inside. Inside the box that was safely opened, there were several sealed documents with the title of a Level 1 situation. And in those situations, there was also something with pom written on it. All executives who saw the title could not hide their surprise. You said that you created all of these anticipated documents I dont think the rumor that he sits and looks out a thousand miles is an exaggeration The executives who mentioned the rumor about the incense soonposed themselves and released the sealed document. After opening the envelope and checking the order, everyone could not hide their doubts. huh? The first page of the order that came out of the envelope contained only one line ofmand. -Spill it. Chapter 850 Episode 850: Their Ambition (1) Spill it? What are you spilling? Could it be that you mistyped what you meant to write Holly? When one of the executives said this, all the executives around them shouted at the same time. Say something that makes sense! Have you forgotten what the situation is? But the person who received the rebuttal also had something to say. Isnt themand to shed too unexpected? Dont you think the n to use Girus courtesan to charm the alchemist in question would be more reasonable? But what is your situation The executives around him looked intrigued by his reasonable argument. As they rose to the position of executives, they also had considerable experience and achievements. As such, operations using the world of beauty were not unfamiliar. At that time, the executive who was checking the order first opened his mouth. You didnt write it wrong. The situation ordered us to leak the recipe for making silver. That is this operation. aha! The executives who heard those words pped their knees and let out exmations. Then he red at the colleague who made the typo remark. The executive in question, who received silent criticism, muttered with a humble expression on his face. Sometimes people make mistakes. Tsk! The executives clicked their tongues in unison and confirmed the details. -Europe is a ce where countries that are hostile to each other are adjacent to each other, so joint alliances are the trend. -The recipe for making silver is passed on to the most powerful country among the enemies of the country that developed it. -If the country that developed the silver is called A and the enemy country is called E, select the country that keeps A and E in check at the same time and follow the recipe in the same way. -However, the countries to which this recipe will be delivered are limited to countries capable of self-reliance and self-defense. -Lastly, the existence of the Empire and Milwi must not be revealed. and this is the recipe for making silver written in Latin. Hmm After checking thest details, all of the executives of the Mill Committee folded their arms and were lost in thought. After a long silence, the executive in charge of Paris spoke. Hmm I guess Ill have to use my beauty skills to charm that damn alchemist. Alchemist? Isnt the recipe for silver already here? In response to other executivesments, the executive in charge of Paris exined the reason. Thest phrase you wrote is caught. The concentration or ratio of the acid solution used in manufacturing may vary slightly. If other countries, especially their archenemy Ennd, were to create a surplus of silver, France would immediately suspect the leak and start digging in and out. In the process, if the ratio is different from the width they created or the developer is unclear, they are sure to suspect someone elses involvement. Then the risk of not being able to keep the instructions left by the situation increases. I see The other executives all nodded at the words of the executive in charge of Paris. After that, the executives put their heads together and began field coordination to make this operation a sess. As a result of this meeting, the future direction was decided. -First, check the trends of Frances biggest enemy, Ennd, and its strongpetitor, Habsburg Spain. -Look for suitable minions who can hide the true identity of the Empire and Milwi. However, avoid direct contact with these minions. -The person in charge in Paris recruits the alchemist or key craftsman in question and steals the manufacturing secret. -Afterwards, Ennd, Spain, and Habsburg would look at the development situation and if it was poor, they would leak Frances secrets. -If the development of the above three countries is too far behind or the operation in Paris fails, use minions to spread the empires recipe. Good. Lets move like this. Sure. Measure. Great country. The executives concluded the meeting by shouting the Milwis motto, Re-eumwiguk (l), and quietly hid themselves in the darkness. * * * After returning to Paris, Milwi executives quietly began preparing for the operation. In Red Moon (Lune Rouge), the Milwis camouge base, there were several courtesans who were disguised as courtesans, or rather members of the Milwi. The executive of the Milwi gathered together the courtesans belonging to the Milwi and exined the operation. so I need to recruit that alchemist or the craftsmen below. Do you have any good ideas? One of the courtesans came forward and answered the officers question. If youre that boneless alchemist, Sarah is the perfect fit. If its Sarah, doesnt she belong to us? Instead, I like money. If someonees forward and whispers that it is an opportunity to make a fortune, they will immediately be our help. Hmm I see In response to the gisaeng, the executive stroked his chin and did the math in his mind. If you bring a guy with a smooth face among the guys from other branches and use him as a jab, hell get over it right away. Ill be fine. The executive quickly thought of additional operations and moved on to the next step. good. Lets use Sarah for that part. Were there any incidents that needed to be reported while I was on a business trip? The gisaeng who had answered the officials question came forward again and answered. There were people who approached that Mugolhoin and Jeonju. okay? Did you recognize who it was? The first ones looked like they were from Burgundy. Brugoneura In response to the gisaengs response, the executive looked as if he understood what was going on. Are you trying to relieve the resentment of the ruined country? Burgundy, which had dreamed ofplete independence from France, was instead annexed by France. The Duke of Burgundys family was all purged by Louis XI, and nobles from influential families also suffered the same result. Thanks to this, there were quite a few Burgundians who still held a grudge against this. I guess theyre trying to get revenge by stealing that secret and handing it over to Frances enemies. If youre good at it, youll be able to blow your nose without even touching it. The executive, whoseplexion brightened at the thought that if he did well, there would be no need for the Intelligence Committee, continued to ask questions. So are those Burgundians still meeting alchemists these days? At the officers question, the gisaeng shook her head. Youre not showing up these days. why? When asked why, another gisaeng came forward and answered. I recently heard from another guest that the bodies of those who appeared to be Burgundians were found along the Seine River and in a back alley. Thats why they said that the Royal Guard in charge of security in Paris was in an uproar. The Royal Guard? yes. The officials face became serious at the gisaengs answer. Did you get caught and suffered? As far as I know, the King of France doesnt have an organization like ours? Could it be the intervention of another force? Considering the existence of another variable, the executive asked questions again. Then no one meets those alchemists and Jeonju these days? No, these days Italian merchants oftene with them. Italy? They looked like merchants from the Medici family. Medici? yes. But no matter how I looked at it, it seemed like they were trying to make a fool of themselves using investment as an excuse. Medici. Thinking about Medici, the executive searched his memory. * * * Secret Service officers and agents assigned to Europe received training on the European situation before departure. European powers Ennd, France, Portugal, Spain, Holy Roman Empire. These are countries that we must absolutely pay attention to. But there are ces where you really need to be cautious. The Medici family of Florence. The person in charge of education devoted the most time to education about the Medhi family. Although they are the monarchs of a single city, the Medici family is a family that even the most powerful monarchs in Europe cannot carelessly look down on. What made this possible was their enormous financial power. The war that took ce over Suez is a clear example of their financial power and influence. The enemies of Im and Catholicism held hands and fought a war, and are still fighting together in May. This was possible because of the capabilities of the Medici family. You must never disrespect the Medici family. The person in charge of education repeatedly emphasized the capabilities of the Medici family and urged caution. When the executives and agents responded that they understood properly, the person in charge moved on to the next step. Now then, what kind of Europe does the Medici family want? The situation and the ministers of His Majestys court think this way. Eternal Warring States Period. To summarize what the education manager said, it was as follows. -The Medici family does not want peace in Europe. However, I do not want endless war. -The reason is that most monarchs and countries in Europe are indebted to the Medici family. -If peacests for a long time, the country and monarchs will pay off all their debts to the Medici family and will most likely not owe them again. -But if the war continues, we will lose the ability to repay our debts and bankruptcies will follow. If that happens, it will be an even bigger loss. -In order to pursue its own interests stably and permanently, the Medici family does not want the emergence of a uniquely strong state and monarch. This is because the Medici familys financial power is great, but its military power is not. Therefore, they do not want the emergence of a uniquely strong country and monarch because it is certain that only money will be taken from them. -To summarize everything, what the Medici family wants is for the situation just before the war to continue. If that happens, European countries and monarchs will constantly expand their armaments and will have no choice but to rely on the Medici family for the necessary funds. -And if the situation on the verge of war continues like this, the safety of the Medici family can also be secured. The moment you touch the Medici family, the countrys enemies will attack you and the Medici family will tighten your purse strings. Huh The executives and agents who heard the education managers story could not hide their bewilderment. Just a merchant family After hearing someone muttering to himself, the person in charge of education immediately continued. During the Warring States Period, the Yeo-Bul-Wi appointed an emperor. However, the Medici family does not want an emperor to be born. Again, the Europe that the Medici family wants is an eternal Warring States Period. And The education manager paused for a moment, cleared his throat, and continued. One of the biggest missions of our Militia is to prevent people like Yeobulwi and Medici from appearing in our empire. Dont forget this until you die. No, risk your life for this. * * * The Paris representative muttered softly, recalling memories of the training he had received in the past. If you are a Medici, you can eliminate the Burgundians. Hmm. The executive, who paused for a moment and counted the variables and possibilities, gave an order to the gisaeng. Next time the Medici merchants and their boneless mene, please be more careful when entertaining them. Yes, I understand~. Chapter 851 Episode 851: Their Ambition (2) It was when the agents of the mill, who had settled in Paris, were waiting for the French alchemist, Jeonju, and Medici to visit the merchant. Soon enough, the people in question visited the Red Moon (lune rouge), as if their origin had worked out. Oh my! Wee! As the royal courtesan weed them with a warm voice, the Medici family responded with a voice full of excitement. ha ha ha! Its been a while since Ive been here, right? Please take care of me today too! Dont worry! The courtesan gisaeng, who still answered with a gentle voice, lightly winked at the servant who followed and ordered. Separate VIPs! yes! Pleasee this way. oh! The separate building is nice! You know my heart very well! Milwis agent, disguised as a servant, guided the three people to a separate building inside. The separate building inside was a great ce to have a private chat. Of course, it was a really good ce for Secret Service agents to hide and eavesdrop. As soon as the three people sat down, a sumptuous drinking table was set out. When all the snacks were ready, the courtesan who followed in asked the Medici merchant in a still annoyed voice. What kind of alcohol would you like? Multi-colored stocks? Vin Brule? Grappa? Vin Br?le was an early form of alcohol that wouldter be called brandy. Grappa was a distilled liquor made by distilling the lees left over from wine making in Italy. Naturally, the price range was highest for multi-colored liquor, followed by Vin Brule and Grappa. The Medici merchant became even more excited about the gisaengs question. If youre going to drink here, of course its going to be colorful! Is anything okay? Oh my! You are so lucky! Some good drinks arrived recently! They bring really good drinks! If its such a good drink, wouldnt the price be good? Are you worried about the price? The Medici merchant confidently responded to the gisaengs harsh words. How can that be! Bring it! Yay~. Please wait a moment! After a while, the female gisaeng came in carrying a wooden box as big as her body. When I opened the lid of the carefullycquered ck box, multi-colored liquor in a gorgeous crystal bottle was revealed. Oh~. Oh wow~. The alchemist and Jeonju couldnt help but be amazed as they looked at the bottle and the alcohol inside, shining brightly in the light of the chandelier. The Medici merchant, who was equally impressed, was already breaking into a cold sweat. shit! The price is no joke! We must make this happen! Otherwise Im broke! The Medici merchant, who had made up his mind, raised his voice again with an excited expression on his face. ruler! Open the lid! Lets raise a ss! * * * Two bottles of ultra-expensive multi-colored liquor disappeared and the Medici merchant, who had ordered a third bottle, gestured to the courtesans. Please leave for a moment. At the order of the Medici merchant, the courtesans quietly got up and went outside. When all the courtesans disappeared, the Medici merchant got to the point. So have you thought about it? When the Medici merchant asked a question in a subdued voice, the alchemist and Jeonju looked slightly embarrassed. Thats a bit Its not that difficult, is it? All we have to do is put three of us in a factory that makes silver. Im not asking you to tell me everything from beginning to end about what and how much to mix. I just ask you to let me see what to write and how to make it while working. If you do just that, I will thank you enough. Jeonju responded to the Medici merchants words with a face full of trouble. But even if it is just an example, if you think about the benefits we will gain from therge amount of silver Before Jeonju could finish his sentence, the Medici merchant interrupted the conversation with a cold expression and pointed out. Do you think France will take the position of Land of Flowers? Will Ennd buy Frances silver? Or Spain or Habsburg? The Medici merchants point was real. * * * As the imperial weapons entered Europe, replicas were made in many countries. Of course, thanks to Hyangs trick, a replica was not created right away, but over time, replicas with simr performance emerged. After persistent efforts, they either figured out the trick of incense or discovered the principle and created it with their own technology. Thanks to this, no special tricks were used with the Eulsik long rifle, and rifles imitating it were popping up here and there. However, even if they made long guns like this, they could not produce enough silver, so they had no choice but to purchaserge quantities of silver from the empire. Consumables are the ones with the highest profits. As Hyang muttered to himself, the empire was reaping significant benefits from just its width alone. In this way, imperial silver took on the position of a kind of international standard. Long guns of different lengths and calibers followed imperial standards only for the part where the copper cap filled with silver (called a copper cap in the empire) was inserted. In this respect, France, Ennd, Portugal, and Spain, all enemies of each other, had the same standard. * * * This was exactly what the Medici merchant pointed out. Even if French-made silver was cheaper than imperial-made silver, there was almost no possibility of neighboring countries adopting it. The only countries that had any chance were Portugal and a few city-states in Italy. Therefore, it was almost impossible for Alchemist and Jeonju to dominate Europe with the vast silver they had created. Ennd and Spain will be willing to buy imperial silver even if it costs more. Or they will try to make it themselves. Just like you. The alchemist and Jeonju nodded to the Medici merchants point. They also knew that they were some kind of lucky people. Even now, there are many people here and there in France who are trying to create new silver by avoiding their patents. There would be even more in Ennd and Spain. The Medici merchant, who saw the expressions on the alchemists and Jeonjus faces, coaxed them with a more subdued voice. So, lets join hands. Again, Im not asking you to hand over confidential information. We just ask that only our three craftsmen be allowed to work in the factory. Hearing the Medici merchants words, the alchemist and Jeonju pondered over their thoughts while fiddling with their drinking sses. While pondering for a while, Jeonju made a request to the Medici merchant. Please leave us alone for a moment. Lets do that. The Medici merchant nodded, got up and opened the door. Ugh! This drink is a bit strong! Hey! Id like to cool off for a moment. Is there a ce to rest? I just want to do some business! Oh my! Come this way! When the Medici merchant left, the alchemist and Jeonju talked with serious expressions. Can Ie in? You maye in. The Medici merchant returned to the room and asked the two people as soon as he settled down. Have you decided? I will ept the Medici familys offer. I just want to adjust the gratuity. What followed was a bargain. After some pushing and pulling, the three achieved a mutually satisfactory result. Okay. The key money was decided to be paid that way, half in advance and half in arrears. Is that right? Thats right. After reconfirming each others conditions, the three raised their sses with satisfied faces. For the good of all! For profit! After happily emptying his ss, the Medici merchant opened the door and shouted. Look! Tell the gisaengs toe in! Yeah~. * * * The agreement reached in the annex was immediately put into writing by Secret Service agents. This is it One of the Secret Service agents who was reviewing the written document muttered with a pitiful expression. whats the matter? No, no matter how much they say they are businessmen, they dont show any loyalty and are only pursuing profit An agent next to himughed andughed. why? Doesnt the Medici merchant faithfully follow his masters orders? Even so When we were educated, why did we evaluate Europe as the Warring States of Spring and Autumn? This ce has not yet escaped the feudal era. Why not, you can think of it as Japan or fifty paces The agent who pointed out the problem to his colleagues words had no choice but to nod. * * * As the milwi agent said, the concepts of nation and people had not yet been fully established in Europe. The country that was establishing itself the fastest was France. The concept of France and French people came to be established during the Hundred Years War with Ennd. Other countries were still unable to escape from the concept of the feudal era. Britain was still divided into Ennd, Scond and Wales. Of course, Ennd and Wales were unified, but they were still distinguished from each other as I am English and you are Welsh rather than patriots. Scond was a separate country. Because of this situation, the perception of Europeans was that they were not citizens of the country but citizens of their own territory. In France, too, the concept of nation and people was just bing established, so it becamemon to think of ones own self-interest before national interest and loyalty. * * * After such a short period of saddam, the secret service agents made their own predictions about the future. Now that the Medici family has stepped forward, our work will be reduced. Thank goodness, Im so d. But will the Medici family do things right? This is a family that dreams of being the powerhouse of Europe, so they will do it right. After reaching their own conclusions, the secret service agentspiled a report and submitted it to their superiors. The executive who received the report reviewed its contents and immediately issued an order. Make a copy and send it to Seoul. ASAP. yes. The executive in charge of Paris, who gave orders to his subordinates, stroked his chin and looked at the ceiling. For the sake of Europe we should gather once again. Even if you are a Medici, it is a dangerous move. I think we need to move. His premonition, which had been active for a long time after going through difficult times, was telling him that Milwi needed to move. * * * News of the sess in Paris was immediately conveyed to Florence. Good Cosimo muttered, looking much more rxed after checking the report while lying on the bed. It went well. It will increase the chances that myst transaction will seed. Cosimo muttered something meaningful and pulled the rope attached to the bed. After a while the door opened and a servant came in, and Cosimo gave an order. Ask Giovanni and Lorenzo toe. yes. After a while, Lorenzo de Medici and Giovanni de Medici, who had received Cosimos message, entered Cosimos bedroom. Did you call me? Please take a seat. At Cosimosmand, Giovanni and Lorenzo sat on the chairs next to the bed. Cosimo, lying diagonally on the bed, looked at the two people with eyes filled with mixed emotions. Are you learning Lorenzos work well? yes. Lorenzo answered Cosimos question with a confident face. Lorenzo took charge of Florence politics on behalf of his father, Piero. It was a huge burden on Lorenzo, who was still in his early 20s, but Lorenzo was well-received for his youthful vitality and talent. Chapter 852 Episode 852: Their Ambition (3) In some ways, the person who showed the most dramatic change in the history that changed with the intervention of perfume was Cosimo de Medici. Even in history before the intervention of perfume, Cosimo de Medici, or rather the Medici family, was one of the wealthiest families in Europe. However, this was a bright apricot. In the name of returning wealth to society, he invested his wealth in the construction of various public facilities, and in addition to this, he invested his wealth in various construction projects. And most of these projects ended in failure. In addition, as they spent a huge amount of money on wars between city-states and spent a lot of political money to appease the monarchs of other countries, they were gradually falling apart on the inside. However, as the scent intervened and actively intervened in the history that began to change, Cosimos history and the history of the Medici family changed. The biggest change was that Medici Bank, which had been gradually turning into a loss-making business, became more solid by recording a surplus. In this background, there was also an empire. At first, they started making profits by selling products from the Land of Flowers to Europe. Cosimo, who believed that he could make a lot of money through this trade, actively entered the ry trade. Compared to the already saturated spice and ve trade markets, the intermediate trade with the Land of Flowers did not yet have any significantpetitors. Thanks to Cosimos bold decision, the Medici family was able to profit handsomely through intermediate trade. However, it was the Suez Railway that made it possible to obtain the most enormous and permanent profits. * * * As time passed, the intermediate trade market was also bing saturated. The products in the Land of Flowers ranged from extremely expensive luxury items to inexpensive items that could be purchased without burden, so there was still a stable demand. The problem was that the market became saturated as there were too many suppliers. This was thanks to the fact that even powerful countries such as Ennd and Habsburg Spain entered into trade with the empire. Naturally, to protect their own merchants, these countries imposed heavy tariffs on merchants from other countries or banned their entry. However, these countries also had to use the Suez Railway to bring goods into their countries. Otherwise, not only would you waste a huge amount of time, but you would also have to prepare for losses due to storms or pirate attacks. Conversely, if you use the railroad, transportation time could be greatly reduced and the risk of encountering pirates could also be greatly reduced. Of course, pirates were also following these movements and moving their operations to the Suez region, but merchants were able to receive protection from the allied fleet stationed at Prince Henrys Port. The cost of using the railroad and protecting the fleet was considerable, but considering the damage it would cause from pirates, it was a reasonable price. Therefore, all Europeans who traded with the empire used the Suez Railway, and the Medici family was able to receive huge dividends. And based on the funds received in this way, Medici Bank became more firmly established. If the health of the Medici Bank was a change in the family, Cosimos personal fate also changed. It lived much longer than before the intervention of incense. Funnily enough, it was the empires health medicine and incense that greatly helped Cosimos longevity. * * * Not long after starting trade with the empire, Cosimo heard an interesting rumor. All the subjects in the Land of Flowers are so old, yet they correct themselves like that? Cosimo, who heard the rumor, became curious and gave an order. Let me check if its true. Yes gonfaloniere. The merchant who received the order reported that the rumor was true. The facts are correct. They say it is a health medicine. Healthy medicine? It is said that medicine that is good for the body is called restorative medicine. After hearing the merchants words, Cosimo immediately followed up with a new order. Get me that tonic. yes. However, the merchant who returned a whileter had a troubled look on his face. Gonfaloniere. That health medicine is not something that just anyone can buy. huh? The merchants exnation was as follows. -Most of the medicinal ingredients used in tonics can be purchased by anyone. However, to see the full effectiveness of these herbs, they must bebined. That is a tonic. -But thatbination is not something everyone can do. A well-trained clinician should carefully monitor the condition of a person in need of herbal medicine and adjust the type andbination of medicinal herbs ording to the condition. -For this reason, tonics are not something that just anyone cane and buy. After hearing the merchants story, Cosimo whetted his appetite. Do I have to go to the Land of Flowers to meet a congressman? It is said that there arewmakers at the top of the Land of Flowers staying in Alexandria. okay? Then I guess Ill have to go to Alexandria for the first time in a while. Cosimo, who visited Alexandria like that, had his pulse checked by a doctor and was prescribed tonic medicine. It takes more than half a year to receive one medicine Cosimo, who was looking at the medicine pills filled ording to the prescription, looked at the medicine baths next to him. What are these? These are things that are used to brew herbal medicines. Among the medicines, those tied with a red string should be made of silver, and those tied with a blue string should be made of porcin. Itsplicated. Thats why I hired someone from The Land of Flowers. For the next month, I will teach the servants how to brew medicine. Good job. Afterwards, Cosimo, who saw the effectiveness of the medicine, looked at the bowl of medicine in his hand and shouted loudly. This is truly an elixir! Afterwards, Cosimo visited Alexandria regrly, received checkups from doctors, and took medicine. After hearing the rumorter, Hyang muttered with a bewildered expression on his face. Some people are thinking about how to make Western medicine, while others are shouting Long live herbal medicine Meanwhile, the ministers who heard the same rumor muttered with strange expressions. The best part of tonics is not to eat them, but to cheat them Cosimos love for tonics continued endlessly. Later, when Joseon was transformed into an empire, the county specially sent a royal encyclopedia to Cosimo. Your Majesty the Emperor hopes that the Duke will always be in good health. Please tell your Majesty that I, Cosimo de Medici, leader of Florence, am truly grateful. Cosimo expressed his sincere gratitude. The medical doctor carefully examined Cosimo and wrote a new prescription ordingly, took out a small booklet from his pocket and handed it to Cosimo. What is this? This is a health book created and distributed by His Majesty when he was dying for the sake of the peoples health. Health book? What is that? This is a book about ways to stay healthy. After hearing the exnation through the interpreter, Cosimo looked at the cover of the book again. Its written in the imperialnguage? yes. It was distributed as the people became ustomed to Jeongeum. is it? After hearing the exnation of the meaning, Cosimo handed the book to the interpreter. Trante. Hyangs health book, more famous with the subtitle If you do this, you too can live a long and disease-free life!, was spread throughout Europe. * * * Unlike the provocative subtitle, the content was about how to live a healthy life C such as the importance of hand washing and bathing. As one of the chief executives, Hyang promoted the strengthening of public and personal hygiene. Through the efforts of King Sejong and the Hyang, public hygiene and personal hygiene were greatly improved, but in the Hyangs eyes, it was stillcking. As time passed and Jeongeum was promulgated and the people became ustomed to Jeongeum, the county began to create health books. I made it but how can I get the peoples attention? After much deliberation, the fragrance was sweetened with such a provocative subtitle. And as Hyang expected, the health book began to spread in an instant. * * * Afterpleting the examination, Cosimo carefully asked the doctor. Can you please watch my son? The son that Cosimo asked for a medical examination was his eldest son, Piero. He made the request because he was worried about his eldest son, who had been weak and suffered from various diseases since childhood. Hmm Huh After finishing the treatment, the doctor sighed with a sad face as soon as he left the room. How is it? Both Qi and God are in great decline. Is there any good medicine? Jeongyang (calming the body and mindfortably) is the only medicine. Hes the eldest son. I have a lot of work to do. Then only people will be lost. Cosimo became speechless at the doctors firm answer. I understand. Thank you. Cosimo, who had been pondering for a while even after the meaning had passed, finally came to a conclusion. If this happens, we will have no choice but to change our ns. I have no choice but to entrust it to Lorenzo Cosimos n was to entrust politics to his eldest son, Piero, and the Medici Bank to his second son, Giovanni. However, in a situation where it turned out to be unreasonable to hand it over to Piero, Pieros son Lorenzo was chosen as the next best option. Following Cosimos decision, Lorenzo began to be trained as a political sessor. ordingly, famous schrs educated him in humanities, philosophy, Greek, and Latin. In addition to this education, he apanied Cosimo when he visited the Pope in Rome or the monarchs of other countries to learn practical skills. While Lorenzo was learning theory and practice, Cosimos second son, Giovanni, was gradually establishing himself at the Medici Bank. Giovanni di Cosimo de Medici was also a change brought about by the intervention of scent. * * * In history before the intervention of perfume, Giovanni died a year before Cosimo. Giovannis death left Piero in charge of everything, contrary to Cosimos original n. And this had a significant impact on Pieros deteriorating health and became the reason for his death five years after taking over the presidency. It didnt just end with this. The problem was that as the person in charge of finance andmerce disappeared, Lorenzo took charge of this part as well. Lorenzo was talented in diplomacy and politics, but ipetent as a business manager. Lorenzo was the one who couldnt even read the ledger properly. This problem led to the downfall of the Medici family. But Giovanni survived. The person who knew best about the financial situation of the Medici family survived. It was a variable that urred in the Medici family. * * * Against this background, Cosimo had a hand in the silver developed by France. So the transaction in Paris was sessful. Lorenzo and Giovannis faces brightened at Cosimos words. Cosimo continued speaking while looking at the faces of the two. You know what to do, right? Giovanni answered Cosimos question. I think we can make a good deal with Edward in London. Its silver instead of gold coins thats okay. Cosimo responded positively to Giovannis answer by nodding his head. Lorenzo, who sat next to me, did the same. Edward IV of Ennd was a troublesome, nay, very anxious customer. Be very careful when lending money to the king or nobles. The person who helped us understand why the proverb passed down to the Medici family was created was Edward IV. - hello? This is Gukppong, who writes ck Enterprise Chosun. Its none other than that we have a break tomorrow. I had to take my mother to the hospital, so I had to take a day off. Sorry for the hiatus. We will do our best to publish the series without interruption as much as possible. thank you Posted with soup. Chapter 853 Episode 853: Their Ambition (4) In the history before the intervention of Fragrance, the person who yed the biggest role in the downfall of the Medici family was Edward IV. Or, to be more precise, it was Edward IV who cut off the Medici family, which was struggling to breathe as the end approached. Lorenzo de Medici waspetent in diplomacy and politics, but ipetent in running the bank, which was the core of the family. Thanks to this, the 16 branches inherited by his great-grandfather went bankrupt one after another, leading to the downfall of the Medici family. Among these bank failures, the one linked to Edward IV was the failure of the London branch in 1472. * * * The biggest source of ie for Florence and other Italian city-states was the woolen textile business. To make the famous Italian woolen fabrics, high-quality wool was needed, and the biggest supplier of this wool was Ennd. Ennd had already made great efforts to foster the woolen textile industry since the reign of Edward III. Not only did they scout out woolen craftsmen from Italy and the Benelux region and settle them in Ennd, but they also ced restrictions on the import of woolen fabrics. They blocked the import of low-priced products and ced restrictions on the quantity of high-priced products first. Thanks to these policies, Ennds woolen textile industry grew significantly. But where there is light, there is darkness. As the woolen industry within Ennd grew, the amount of wooling into Italy decreased significantly. To solve this problem, wool from Spain and other countries was used as a substitute, but the quality was not as good as the wool exported from Ennd. In the end, at a meeting to import wool from Ennd, Edward IV requested arge loan. Lorenzos Medici family had no choice but to weep and approve this loan. And Edward IV took advantage of this loan, and the London branch of the Medici bank went bankrupt. The reason Edward IV was able to do this was because the Medici family was not the old Medici bank. The enormous financial and political power of Cosimo de Medicis time had long since disappeared, so Edward IV took it away without any worries. * * * However, as history changed due to Fragrances intervention, the rtionship between the Medici family and Ennd also changed significantly. First of all, Cosimo and Giovanni had lived for a long time, and there was a proper division of work between Lorenzo and Giovanni. In the beginning, Giovanni was evaluated as general-purpose, but he was definitely more capable than Lorenzo. In addition, the track record and experience he had umted traveling between the Empire and Italy over time made him not just a merchant, but a worn-out snake. The Medici Bank also became stronger as it returned more profits than Cosimo spent. Thanks to this, European monarchs, including Edward IV, still had no choice but to pay attention to the Medici. In addition, the market situation that changed due to the intervention of the county caused difficulties for Ennd and Edward IV. The scent wasnt intentional, but it was the result of the butterfly effect. * * * Thanks to the rich vor of MSG, Sejong and Joseon opened their doors early. And following Joseons lead, other Asian countries, including the Ming and Japanese countries, began opening their doors one by one. At first, trade was all about importing and selling Eastern civilization, starting with items from Joseon, which was symbolized as the nd of flowers. But a merchant was a merchant. There are limits to just importing and selling items from the Land of Flowers or the East. We have to have something to sell. In order to gain more profits, European merchants tried to export European products to the East. However, European merchants who attempted to enter the Eastern markets suffered failure. I forgot why Oriental goods were so popr in Europe The merchants couldnt help but smile bitterly. The reason why products from the East, including Joseon, were able to be popr in Europe was not simply because they were wonderful items from a distant, foreign country. This was because it had far superior quality and beautypared to European objects used for simr purposes. And what was at the peak was the post-Joseon empire called the Land of Flowers. Therefore, although they were able to make some profits in many underdeveloped Southeast Asian countries, they had no choice but to suffer losses in Northeast Asia, especially in the Empire and Ming, which were thergest markets. To be precise, merchants did not suffer a deficit, but European countries had no choice but to suffer a national deficit. In order to escape the one-sided trade rtionship, European merchants did their best to tap the markets of the Empire and Ming Dynasty. In the process, woolen fabrics and expensivece emerged as influential products. Wool textiles exported from Europe, especially Italy, attracted the attention of imperial fashionistas. The Jurchen tribe in the northern part of the empire and the nomads of Mongolia also produced woolen fabrics. But the European ones were of better quality than those. In addition, because the quality of dyeing was superior to that of Northern China or Mongolia, European woolen fabrics began to be used for winter clothing for the people of the empire. As woolen fabrics began to be sold throughout the empire, Italian merchants, including Medici, began to focus on exporting woolen fabrics. The winter of the Empire is famous for its harshness! It can sell well! However, contrary to expectations, sales of woolen fabrics were sluggish. While Italian woolen fabrics weregging, Frenchce was bing popr among upper-ss women of the Empire and Ming. The person who was most stimted by this was Giovanni. One of the main industries of the Medici family was woolen textiles. The pride in woolen fabrics was also high. Lets find out why people in the Land of Flowers are reluctant to wear woolen fabrics! yes! The results obtained through our own market research were as follows. -It has good warmth and sticity, but is too heavy and stiff. Heavy and stiff? After receiving the report, Giovanni examined the cloth made by the imperialists and the Ming Dynasty. Giovanni nodded as he searched for silk and cotton linens by price range. I see In the case of silk and cotton fabrics preferred by imperial people, the more expensive they were, the softer and lighter they were. This was the same in Ming Dynasty and Japan. On the other hand, Italian wool fabric was heavy and stiffpared to this. When Giovanni learned of the problem, he began looking for wool from Europe and the Middle East to find a solution. Through the investigation, Spains adoptive mother emerged as a strong candidate. Wool from the Merino breed of sheep had a qualityparable to that from Ennd. There was an advantage that the English product did not have. The wool was very thin. ordingly, Giovanni turned his purchasing focus to Spain. The production of wool fabrics from Spanish wool initially suffered from an extremely high defect rate. This was due to craftsmen who were familiar with English wool and looms tailored to the characteristics of English wool. However, as artisans became familiar with Spanish wool and improved looms, cotton fabrics that could be sold in the Northeast Asian market began to appear. And as time passed, woolen fabrics that were as soft and light as silk, preferred by the people of the Empire and the Ming Dynasty, came out, and Florentine woolen fabrics became popr in the Empire and Ming Dynasty. In addition, a new trend among the European upper ss also yed a role. As the imperial style became popr, upper-ss European women had to wear empire-style dresses to avoid being ostracized. To make empire-style clothes, the answer was to make them with cloth from the empire, but making them from top to bottom with cloth from the empire was too expensive. However, the new woolen fabrics from Florence were as close as possible to the characteristics of imperial cloth and were reasonably priced. Thanks to this, Florentine woolen fabrics became popr in European high society. As time passed, stories about Spanish wool and wool fabrics made using it began to circte among Florences rival cities andpetitors, and Spanish wool gradually began to disce English wool. This change made things difficult for Ennd and Edward IV. Although the scent was not intended. * * * I dont really like delivering arge amount of silver to Edward of London. However, it is unavoidable to prevent France from going too far ahead. Tsk! Cosimo clicked his tongue. Edward IV of Ennd was never a good customer. However, he was a necessary figure to control France. It was France, an ally of Florence along with the Ottoman Portuguese. But France was a European power. France was the country with thergest poption and most fertilend in Europe. In addition, France had recently be evenrger by annexing the Duchy of Burgundy. France was the powerhouse that would dominate the political situation in Europe as long as it escaped the aftereffects of the Hundred Years War. If we cannot stop Frances monopoly, our family will be reduced to the French kings purse. This must be stopped. Giovanni and Lorenzo both nodded at Cosimos words. Although the Alps were blocking the attack, France could attack Florence at any time if it wanted to. The Medici family lending money to the French king and nobles had a business aspect, but it was also a way to ensure the safety of the city. If France were to dominate as Cosimo feared, the French king would turn into an insincere trader. Nevertheless, it was clear that the Medici family would have to continue lending to the French king as much as the French king wanted. Otherwise, the King of France would not only use up the loan borrowed from the Medici family, but would also mobilize his troops to attack Florence and plunder it. Of course, the attack on Florence could be seen as the worst case scenario. However, it was clear that the Suez Railways share structure would change immediately. The stakes of the Ottomans and the Empire would be difficult to control, but Portugal and Florence were sure to suffer great losses. Therefore, Cosimo nned to steal secret information from France and leak it to neighboring countries. And Ennd was chosen as the first target. Lorenzo. yes. What do you think will happen if we dont reveal the secrets of the fortune? Lorenzo answered Cosimos question without hesitation. Even if we dont shed it, they will either develop it themselves or steal it. But it will be muchter. And France will be ahead of its time. France, so far ahead, will be the first to fight Ennd again. why? Because of Cis. Cosimo nodded at Lorenzos answer and looked at Giovanni. Do you feel the same way? Giovanni nodded his head in response to Cosimos question. Thats right. Cis will be the spark of war. And we will have to spend money unnecessarily. A lot of that too. Chapter 854 Episode 854: Their Ambition (5) Cis. This port and the surrounding area, located in northern France, were a ce that must be recaptured by France. Cis has been an English territory since it was upied by Ennd at the beginning of the Hundred Years War. Cis was also an important area for Ennd. It was Ennds only gateway to maind Europe and the famous export port for Ennds wool. By order of Edward III, those who wanted to import or export wool from Ennd could only do so at Cis. Therefore, in addition to the problem of territorial recovery, France had to take Cis in order to tighten the economic stranglehold on Ennd. On the other hand, Ennd had to protect Cis for the opposite reason. And the Medici did not want either Ennd or France to gain the upper hand. * * * Cosimo continued, looking at Lorenzo and Giovanni. As Giovanni said, if France starts a war to take Cis, we will have to spend an unexpected amount of money. Thats more than we can do. And you wont even be able to receive the principal properly, let alone receive the interest. This is absolutely not what we want to do. Giovanni and Lorenzo nodded at Cosimos words. Thats right. When the Medici Bank lent money to the king and nobles, the repayment period was at least 10 years. And I thought there was little chance of getting the principal back within the repayment period. What the Medici wanted were their rights and interest as creditors. Of course, the interest was also an invisible interest, not a visible gold or silver coin. The best examples of this were the alum mines of Volterra and the loans of Edward IV. * * * Alum was an essential ore for the key industries of Italy at the time: ss making, leather processing, and textiles. And at that time, this album was imported from the Ottomans. However, the Ottomans controlled exports and Genoa exercised a monopoly. But things changed when an alum mine was discovered in Volterra. The Vatican promoted the project first, but the Medici Bank subsequently decided to invest. It was a natural decision for Medici. Volterras location was important right away. Volterra, about 50 km southeast of Florence, was a subsidiary city controlled by Florence. Therefore, it was necessary to prevent the Popes influence from reaching the area. Secondly, it was possible to give a shit to Genoa, which exercised monopoly rights. In the process of taking Suez, Cosimo joined hands with Mehmed II. By joining hands with the Ottomans, Cosimo requested that Genoas monopoly be abolished. However, Mehmet II expressed reluctance. It is a policy that has been handed down since our ancestors, so I cannot change it arbitrarily. However, both Cosimo and Mehmet II knew well that this was an excuse. Nevertheless, Cosimo had no choice but to retreat. This was because the Ottomans were a strong opponent that Cosimo could not help with his strength alone, and Suez was at stake. To properly deal with the Ottomans, at least a crusade had to be organized, and if that happened, Cosimo would have had to give up his interests in Suez. However, with the discovery of the alum mine in Volterra, it became possible to give the Genoese a big deal and the Ottomans a little bit. In order to obtain the Volterra mine, the Medici bank bribed the Pope and the Vatican and made additional loans. Finally, the Pope, who epted the condition of providing alum produced at the Volterra mine with a fee, banned the import of alum from the Ottomans by papal decree. * * * Cosimo continued talking to Lorenzo and Giovanni. It might sound like an old mans nagging, but I have no choice but to keep talking. Its for the survival and glory of our family. Cosimo gave teachings to Giovanni and Lorenzo based on his own experience. -Never lend money to only one party. If we do it wrong, that money cane back as a knife aimed at our heart. To prevent that, the borrower must also lend money to the borrowerspetitors. Even if you cannot lend the same amount, you should lend enough to maintain a good rtionship. If we do that, they will be a shield to protect us. -Do not stop borrowers from being extravagant. The more extravagant they are, the more we can have. Cosimo, who continued to give various other pieces of advice, took a sip of the wine he had left next to him and finished the conversation. As for the extravagance of the borrowers, this would be a reason to lend to not only the king but also the nobles. This is well demonstrated by the example of Edward III of Ennd. In order to establish Ennds woolen industry, Edward III adopted several policies, one of which was to ban the import of woolen fabrics produced in maind Europe into Ennd. However, discrimination existed in this policy as well. Woolen fabrics intended formoners werepletely banned, but the import of high-quality woolen fabrics used by nobles was permitted to some extent. This was an unavoidable decision by Edward III, who was concerned about opposition from the nobles. This was because if the nobles rose up immediately, their power would be unstable. This was the same for Edward IV and Louis XI, who were actively seeking to strengthen the royal power. Even those who were evaluated as having overwhelmingly strong royal authoritypared to previous kings sometimes made concessions to nobles in some areas. Lorenzo. yes. As soon as he was nominated, Lorenzo straightened his posture and looked at Cosimo. What I have said so far is limited to Europe. No, broadly speaking, it extends to the Ottomans. However, be sure to keep in mind that this does not work with the countries of the East, the Empire, and Ming and Japan. In particr, the Empire and Ming are countries that can epass all of Europe with just one country. If we use foolish tactics for no reason, our family will be exploited. Keep this in mind. yes. He answered, but Lorenzos expression was not good. Cosimo, seeing that expression, turned to Giovanni. Giovanni, you know because youve been through it, right? Yes, these are the people you should never let down your guard against. Even the Japanese merchants, who are the weakest among them, are people who can never be underestimated. Giovanni shook his head slightly as he answered, probably recalling bad memories. This was because none of the transactions made between the Empire and the Ming and Japan were easy. Among the Empire and Ming Japan, the one that suffered the most was by far the Empire. In other countries, all you had to do was deal with merchants. As long as the officials took a little extra care, everything went smoothly. But the empire was of a different level. The merchants were so cunning that even the Jews cried. And the imperial officials were ying on the merchants heads. Bribery didnt work there either. It was because of that damn recorder. Cosimo, who was looking at Giovanni, looked at Lorenzo again. Ive been hearing that youve been hanging out with delusional peopletely. They are patriots, not delusions. Cosimo snorted at Lorenzos answer. joy! Isnt the unification of Italy and the revival of Rome a delusion? If thats not a delusion, what is a delusion? People flying in the sky? ah! This is not a delusion. Because the empire has already put people in the sky. Despite Cosimos criticism, Lorenzo expressed his opinion. Italy must be one. Otherwise, you will just be food for other countries! Survival is impossible with the current city-state system! Cosimo responded to Lorenzos protest with a serious expression. Your perception of the situation is not wrong. Certainly, looking at the current situation in Europe, it is difficult to survive as a city-state. Thats right! Therefore, unification must be achieved! Whoa~. When Lorenzo raised his voice, Cosimo sighed and muttered. I heard that the emperor who founded the empire clicked his tongue whenever he saw his ministers during his reign. I understand how he felt. Tsk! Cosimo clicked his tongue and began barraging Lorenzo with questions. Not long after I went to study abroad in the Land of Flowers, there were people among the professors at the University of Florence shouting nonsense like you. There was something I asked at that time. Please answer too. First, how many Italians today are aware that they are Italian? Everyone starts by naming the city where they were born, such as Im from Florence or Im from Genoa. Do you think there will be unification in this situation? First, we need to unify and then educate. With education? Yes, the first thing is to make people aware that they are Italian. Hominges next. Do you think it is possible? If we look at the example of Japan, I think it is possible. Hmm After hearing Lorenzos answer, Cosimo stroked his chin and was lost in thought. After the passage to the East was opened, much information from the East came into Europe to the Medici. For other European monarchs, it was only a satisfaction of curiosity, but for Medici and Cosimo, it was the most important information. In particr, stories and information rted to the war that broke out again between the Ming and Joseon empires after the war between the Ming and Joseon Dynasties stimted the young people of the Medici family and young intellectuals in Florence. A weak country gradually strengthened its power and overcame the great power that was oppressing it? That was possible? The young people of the Medici family and the young intellectuals of Florence simultaneously thought of the same topic when they realized that what they thought was impossible was not impossible at all. then? Young people began to consider the possibilities of Florence as an empire. But soon the young people became frustrated. The situation is so different. Although the Land of Flowers is a small country, it is several timesrger than Florence. I cant ignore this part. Even if youbine the poption of Florence and the areas subordinated to Florence, including Pisa, the poption was much smaller than when the empire was in its heyday. Intellectuals who dreamed of unification could not help but be frustrated in a reality where everything was so small except for financial power. However, it was Japan that brought these frustrated people back to their feet. To be more precise, it was Ouchis unification of Japan. The monarch who unified Japan and his family started out as one family? Those who were stimted by Ouchis unification of Japan began to look closely at Ouchis process of unifying Japan. This is the answer! Those who were researching and analyzing like crazy cheered as if they had seen a ray of light in the darkness. Convinced that the answer they wanted was found in Japans unification process, they dug deeper and more passionately. And those who dug in like that ced their hands on their foreheads. Is it the Land of Flowers and its emperors again? Chapter 855 Episode 855: Their Ambition (6) In the process of Ouchi taking control of Japan, the existence of the empire, Sejong, and Hyang were not revealed to the surface. However, the young unificationists in Florence were able to find the presence of the Empire and Sejongs hometown in the records they found. If you look at each one separately, you will never be able to find it. But if you look at it all together, it changes. This could never have seeded without the intervention of the Land of Flowers and its monarchs. The first reaction of the unificationists who found traces of the empire and Sejongs scent during Ouchis rise to power was frustration. Are you saying that unification is impossible without a strong backing? Is it impossible for us in Florence alone? Although they were so frustrated, the unificationists regained their strength and looked into Japans unification process. In the process, what caught the eyes of the unificationists again was the slogan shouted by Ouchi Morimi of the Ouchi family at the time when everything first started. Escape from Japan? Lets throw away all the old habits of Japan and learn the good things of Joseon to be stronger. After Morimi shouted, the unificationists who had been pondering the central ideas of the Japanese leaders changed their minds. I think we should look again at the unification process of Japan. Here, a divergence arose between the unificationists in Florence and the unificationists in other city-states. During this period, those calling for the unification of Italy were not limited to Florence. They were radical unificationists whom historianster named the Scu Giovani. * * * As Eastern countries, including the empire symbolized as the nd of flowers, Ming and Japan, actively entered into trade, Europe also received a lot of stimtion. This was the same for Italy, which was divided into many city-states at the time. Young intellectuals living in powerful city-states such as Genoa, Venice, and Florence began dreaming of Revolution, stimted by Eastern culture and systems. The first to publicly call for reform and unification were young Vian intellectuals. At this time, Venice was on the downhill path of decline. The famous Vian ss industry was gradually losing ground to the empire and other countries, and it lost its hegemony in the Eastern Mediterranean to the Ottomans. But it was Suez that dealt the most fatal blow. Spices and goods from the East came inrge quantities through Suez and were distributed to the Eastern Mediterranean region by the Ottomans, leading to the fall of Venice. As their country was declining day by day, young Vian intellectuals desperately tried to find a way out. The path they desperately sought was Italian unification. -Unified country, unified system This is the path to salvation that will lead everyone in Italy to happiness! The unification of Italy advocated by young Vian intellectuals spread over time among intellectuals in other influential city-states. Or, to be more precise, it rose to the surface and became mainstream thought. * * * Even when Cosimo decided to invite Florentine schrs to study in the empire, talk about unification was circting among university professors. However, most politicians with vested interests, like Cosimo, who heard the story at the time, reacted negatively. This was partly to protect their vested rights, but also because, as Cosimo pointed out at the time, there were strong obstacles preventing unification. -How do we make ordinary people, who only know where they were born, not Italy, realize that they are Italians? -Who will be the monarch? It is a situation where everyone except the ruling city that controls the city and vige where they were born are considered enemies. Is there a monarch who can convince them all? Every time the word unification came up among university schrs, the citys ruling ss asked the above question, and each time the schrs had to keep quiet. And the same question was asked to young intellectuals. To find answers, young intellectuals turned to the East and learned about Japan. Japan is the answer! * * * Before unification, Japan was divided intorge and small domains. Although there was a government and monarch symbolized by the shogunate and the emperor, the actual people who ruled various parts of Japan were the daimy. This was the same in Italy. No, the situation was worse than in Japan. Italy had no monarch. There was a Pope, but the Pope was just a Pope. Those who ruled Italy were powerful city-states such as Florence, Genoa, and Venice. The rest were subsidiary cities and viges under their control. Thanks to these simrities, young intellectuals persistently delved into Japans unification process and discovered traces of the empire and King Sejongs scent there. And when they discovered the traces, they became frustrated. As expected, was there a need for a back boat? Here a divergence was born between the Young Schools of Florence and other city-states. Youth schools in other cities began to pay attention to the existence of back boats. We must seed in unification and revive Italy, even with the help of powerful countries! There will be interference at first! But it is insignificantpared to the great cause of unification! If Italys own power bes stronger, it can escape interference! Unificationes first! They chanted unification first, then self-reliance and set out to find monarchs of powerful countries who would be their sponsors. Young people from Genoa headed to Spain, which was already on the path to bing a powerful nation, young people from Venice went to the Holy Roman Empire, and young people from Mn went to France. Due to the actions of these young people, their hometowns called them traitors or traitors. Meanwhile, the reactions of most kings of countries that received their requests were simr. I will seriously consider your suggestions. For the sake of our country and Italy, we absolutely need the support of Your Majesty and the Kingdom. The kings responded with the utmost seriousness to the earnest requests of young intellectuals belonging to the Youth School. Ill try to think as positively as possible. But its not something we can decide right away, so lets go back first. The kings who sent the young people away immediately snorted and looked at the ministers around them. joy! What should I call them? Stupid idiot? Or naive people who dont know anything about the world? They are pigs who stick out their necks for the cook. Thats correct. Its Italy Lets make a n. You cant miss out on such a great opportunity, right? The kings of Spain and France, the Holy Roman Empire, began to plot with their ministers. To seize the coveted prey called Italy. * * * Meanwhile, the youth schools in Florence paid attention to de-Japanese immigration. The most important thing is that you break old habits with your own strength. No matter how much the monarchs of the Land of Flowers provided weapons, it would not have been possible without Ouchis own capabilities. But no matter how much it is, it would not have been possible without the support of The Land of Flowers. I think the biggest support isnt something tangible like a weapon. They are international students. foreign student? Did you forget? Ouchi was the first ce to send international students to the empire. And what the international students in Ouchi learned, unlike the international students in Europe, were in the areas of administration and politics. And based on what we learned, we reformed the administration and military. Young people in Florence focused on Japans administrative and military reform. The young people of Florence nodded their heads as they investigated the administrative reform symbolized by the abolished feudal lord and the military system reform symbolized by the Japanese army. In order to make it one Italy, control of the city must be returned to the state. I agree. Look at France. The nobles fiefdoms are continuously being reduced. As long as territory is recognized, the control of the state and central government is bound to be weak. An even better example than France is the Land of Flowers. There is no such thing as territory in the Land of Flowers. The officials who rule local areas are always dispatched from the central government. I heard that there was a noble rebellion in the Land of Flowers, right? If we think about unification and centralization, we need to purge the nobles. Its a purge Then, of course, strong military force is needed and the military system needs to be reformed. Its the military system The conversation, which continued smoothly, ended at the point about military system reform. As can be seen from Ouchis case and the Empires case, even if not in those cases, the answer was already known. The correct answer was a standing army. And thats not mercenaries, but the Florentine army. Here the young people of Florence were blocked. * * * The main yers in the war during this period were mercenaries. Of course, when war broke out, the nobles summoned the citizens of their territories to participate in the war. But the most important force was the mercenaries. Because those most familiar with war andbat were mercenaries. But mercenaries were dangerous beings. There were cases where they switched sides during battle at the prospect of being paid a little more, and there were cases where they attacked their employees if they did not receivepensation. There were even cases where a mercenary leader became the ruler of a city, like Francesco Sforza, the ruler of Mn. Of course, he gained justification by marrying the daughter of Filippo, Duke of Mn. Even though there were so many dangers, many nobles and kings preferred mercenaries. This was because operating a standing army required enormous amounts of finances. Clothing, feeding, and training soldiers all involved money. Themon thinking at this time was that it was wiser to hire mercenaries when necessary rather than spending this amount on a fixed basis in preparation for a war that could ur at any time. However, the young people of Florence were keenly aware that they had to break thismon sense. This was because the beings who broke thatmon sense were right next to me. They were Charles VII of France and his sessor, Louis XI. -France The Royal Army is an army that receives orders only from the King, the monarch of France. -The imperial army assembled under the kings edict is the true French army. As the perception of the French people changed, the position of the French nobility decreased. Surely a standing army is the answer. The problem is finances. In the end, is it Medici? Should we collude with the dictators family? At the time, Florence was ruled by the Medici family, but there were many families that opposed the Medici family. In order to withstand thispetition, the Medici family had no choice but to implement a dictatorship, and there were many intellectuals who opposed this. However, the young people of Florence had no choice but to form a rtionship with Lorenzo de Medici. It was about joining hands with a dictator for the cause of unification. Lorenzo de Medici, in his 20s, full of vitality and ambition, immediately epted their offer. Ruler of unified Italy how beautiful a title is this? Chapter 856 Episode 856: Their Ambition (7) Although the Medici family was the ruler of Florence, rivals to the Medici family still existed. Like the Medici family, families engaged in banking and the woolen business attempted to win thepetition with the Medici family and take the Medici familys enormous wealth and influence for their own. However, the problem was that as Cosimos bold investments, which were considered gambles, seeded one after another, the possibility of winning thepetition disappeared. Judging that there was no chance of defeating the Medici throughpetition, the rival families decided to use the most time-honored methods. The traditional methods they chose were assassination, kidnapping, and coup dtat. Medicis rivals were secretly plotting, but there was a crucial loophole. Underfunded and underfunded troops. They also encountered the same obstacles that the Young Mens School faced. As I mentioned earlier, most of thepetitors were operating the same financial and woolen industries as Medici. However, as they lost out inpetition, their wallets were empty. It was not easy to recruit skilled experts who could carry out assassinations or kidnappings in a situation where it was only possible to maintain the status quo. The same was true for the troops. There was not enough money to hire mercenary units. It was said that even if the assassination or kidnapping was sessful, there would not be the military power to oust the Medici family and take control of Florence. In the end, they had no choice but to ask the tyrants of other cities for support. It was the same choice as the young schrs who visited the kings of France and Spain, the Holy Roman Empire. And their choice ended in failure. The tyrants who received their request decided to support them, but this was because the tyrants of other nearby cities who learned of this fact informed Cosimo in advance. It was not in good faith that they gave information to Cosimo. If the Medici of Florence were to fall, it was obvious without looking that other tyrants who supported their rivals would devour Florence. If that happened, Italys power structure would change and they would lose their vested rights. I dont care what happens to Medici, but I cant lose whats mine because of it! In order to protect their vested rights, the tyrants informed Cosimo in advance. And those who plotted were immediately suppressed and disappeared. As these attempts became more frequent, Cosimo decided to go into hiding. On the surface, it was put forward as old age, but in reality, it was to escape the risk of assassination and kidnapping. As the ruler of Florence, the external activities that Lorenzo had to do were to protect the control of the family by managing the financial business, which was the core business of the young and energetic Lorenzo family, while Giovanni, who had reached the point of maturity, controlled the situation from a safe ce. When the reorganization of the Medici family waspleted, the young schrs of Florence approached Lorenzo. If Lorenzo de Medici is young, he must be as ambitious as he is, right? He is a person who will do anything to surpass his grandfathers achievements and reputation. If its Giovanni de Medici, whos like a snake, he wont listen to us, but if its Lorenzo de Medici, its totally possible. Judging by this, the youth school came into contact with Lorenzo and brought him into the fold. Lorenzo was lured in with the sweet lure of being the ruler of a unified Italy. * * * Hmm Considering the case of Japan, isnt it impossible? Thats right. Do you really think its possible? Its entirely possible! Whoa~. In response to Lorenzo de Medicis answer, Cosimo ced his hand on his forehead and sighed. Oh Virgin Mary! That guy is the grandson who will lead our family! Holy Virgin, who raised the Lord! Please give me wisdom! Cosimo, who prayed earnestly in his heart, red at Lorenzo and began asking questions. Do you know how many years it took Japans Ouchi to unify Japan? I know. Then do you know how long it took to prepare before making a full-fledged move? I know that too. Hmm Then do you know what they started with during that preparation period? We sent talented people to study abroad in the Land of Flowers so they could learn what they werecking in. right. The important thing here is that they first figured out what they werecking in. What do you think Italy, or rather Florence,cks? Its education. education? Hoo? Cosimos eyes lit up at Lorenzos answer. Thats an interesting answer. Please exin in more detail. yes. When Cosimo showed a positive response, Lorenzo looked bright and began to exin. To summarize Lorenzos exnation, it was as follows. -The level of education not only in Florence but also in Italy as a whole is very poor. Both absolutely and rtively. -In other countries, children are educated at a local cathedral or monastery. Of course, it is not a deep level of education, but is at the level of learning basic reading and arithmetic skills. But we, Italy, are not even able to do that. -Although cathedrals and monasteries in Italy also provide education for children, there are too many parents who make their children work instead of education. -As a result of this poor education, the residents horizons have be too narrow. It is because of this narrowed perspective thatmoners began to prioritize their ce of origin over thinking about being Italian. -For this reason, education formoners must bepulsory. We need to make themon people aware of themselves as Italians and the necessity of unification. Only then can a proper standing army be raised. -Education is important in the training of standing armies and officers. Relying on mercenaries is a very dangerous thing. Hmm Cosimo, who was nodding his head while listening to Lorenzos exnation, asked Lorenzo again. Is the standing army also modeled after Japan? no. This is the Imperial Army. The Japanese army also followed the imperial army, so in order to do it properly, it is best to follow the imperial army. The Imperial Army is a money-grubbing monster. Wouldnt it be better to hire apetent and trustworthy condottiero (condottiero mercenary leader)? In response to Cosimos question, Lorenzo shook his head with a stern expression. The era of condotieros and mercenaries is over. No, I dont know about other mercenaries, but the Italian mercenaries are finished. why? Because of guns and cannons. And because they are afraid of war. Im afraid of war. Its not wrong. Both Cosimo and Giovanni nodded at Lorenzos words. Italian mercenary forces were bing increasingly famous. In a bad way. * * * The Italian city-states, which had umted wealth through trade since the 13th century, had very weak military powerpared to their umted wealth. As mentioned before, it was due to the problem of fixed expenses. To ovee their weak military power, city-states contracted mercenaries to defend their cities. Early mercenary units wereposed of foreign soldiers andmanders. However, as time passed and the mercenary army grew in size and made money, itsposition began to change to include Italian soldiers andmanders. Noble children who had nothing to receive because they were not the eldest sons andmoners who dreamed of making a fortune flocked to the mercenary group. And the notoriety of Italian mercenaries began to grow. Mercenaries were those who gathered together for money. This was the same for all Italian and other European mercenaries. However, the Italian mercenaries cared for themselves to the extreme. Battles between Italian mercenaries looked grandiose and fierce on the outside, but if you look at the reality, most of them ended without significant damage. Additionally, the condottieri, the mercenarymanders, were symbols of capriciousness. Even in the midst of a war, they often switched sides to offer more money. Because of this situation, even Cosimo hired and dispatched foreign mercenaries rather than Italian mercenaries during thest Suez War. * * * I repeat, this is the era of guns and cannons. The Italian mercenary army is now over. Lorenzo decisively dered the end of the Italian mercenary army. Cosimo and Giovanni did not raise any objections to Lorenzos deration. In particr, in the case of Giovanni, he was the first to see the age of guns and cannons from the front lines. Lorenzo is right. Italian mercenaries are now a product of a bygone era. Cosimo also nodded at Giovannis words. The main force of the Italian mercenaries was cavalry. It was also a heavy knight wearing full te armor. Of course, it was gorgeous to look at, and it looked like a fierce battle was going on. However, as they were protected by strong armor, mercenaries were unlikely to be killed or injured unless they encountered an unfortunate event such as falling from a horse. However, mercenaries from other countries during this time were armed with guns and cannons. In particr, mercenarymanders who had experience in international wars such as the Suez War mobilized all kinds of connections to form troops by introducing imperial style rifles and simr European-made rifles. However, Italian mercenaries still remained in medieval arms and warfare. It was the symbol of a frog in a well. * * * Thats why we need your grandfathers decision. My decision? Something? I want to select young people and send them to study at the empires military academies. Imperial Military Academy? Yes, isnt the Imperial Army the ones who have the best use of guns and cannons in the entire East and Europe, and who use that army most effectively? Giovanni intervened in Lorenzosment. youre right. I can guarantee that. Not really. But Cosimo, who paused for a moment and quenched his thirst with wine, pointed out what they had not said. It is also the military that spends the most money throughout the East and Europe. To put it bluntly, When the imperial army tries to move, the empires finance ministryes out with a gun first. There is even a joke saying, Because it works cheaper. As Lorenzo said, the most powerful army in the war of guns and cannons is the imperial army. Therefore, sending someone to study abroad at an imperial military academy is not a bad decision. However, learning at the imperial military academy means that everything will be in line with the imperial military standards. The best but most expensive to maintain are the imperial armys weapons. How will we solve this problem? In response to Cosimos question, Lorenzo immediately looked at Giovanni. Giovanni, who received Lorenzos gaze, responded with a slightly embarrassed expression. It is possible to a certain extent, but not like an empire. If you do that, you will be bankrupt. Lorenzo looked rather happy at Giovannis words. Im d if its even to some extent. With a standing army armed with imperial weapons and properly trained, it is possible to start small. The more regions we integrate, the more funds we can secure, and we can grow our power based on those funds. It was an idea that, if I had smelled it, I would have snorted and said, Should I pay for it? Chapter 857 Episode 857: Their Ambition (8) As soon as Lorenzo finished speaking, Cosimos reaction was to click his tongue. Tsk! As soon as Cosimo clicked his tongue, not only Lorenzo but also Giovanni became victims. * * * Since the story was told that the great sage and emperor of the distant East would click his tongue whenever his ministers made mistakes, the act of clicking ones tongue became a trend among European kings and monarchs. This was because it was evaluated as a very elegant action that scared the ministers without swearing or getting angry. However, soon the number of kings and monarchs who clicked their tongues decreased significantly. The wise man from the East in question had the insight, knowledge and wisdom to point out the mistakes of his ministers and teach them the answers after clicking his tongue like that. In other words, clicking ones tongue meant boasting that one had a level of insight, knowledge, and wisdom that could overwhelm the ministers, and if these conditions were not met, it would only result in humiliation. The problem was that Cosimo had enough insight and knowledge not to be embarrassed even if he clicked his tongue. That is why, as soon as Cosimo clicked his tongue, not only Lorenzo but also Giovanni became a victim. * * * Tsk, tsk, tsk Youre raising your army with the funds you obtained by annexing other cities? And using the army raised that way to annex more regions? Did I hear that correctly? Thats right. Then where will the merger begin? Which one is the most likely? Its not yet. You idiot! North or South! Tell me now! Right Now! Lorenzo, who was pressured by Cosimo, answered urgently. Its buk buk! Is it really North? Thats right! The cities in the north are wealthy, so theres plenty of help! You idiot! Cosimo did not hide his anger and scolded Lorenzo. -Venice is under the protection of the Holy Roman Empire, and Genoa is under the protection of Spain. Is it just that? Mn is under the protection of France. -The moment the standing army you worked so hard to raise attacks one of those cities, the countries behind it will mobilize their armies. -In order to prevent the offensive of powerful countries, the standing army that has been raised must be consumed inrge quantities. -Even if you are lucky enough to block their offensive and gather funds and people from the annexed city to rebuild your troops, it is a problem. This is because the troops raised in this way must be deployed to defend the northern border. -In the end, in order to annex the southern region of Italy, more funds and blood from Florence will be needed again. In response to Cosimos point, Lorenzo immediately changed direction. Then the south. Have you forgotten who is behind Naples and Sicily? And in the south, most farmers only do farming. How much money do you think it would cost to recruit foolish farmers and turn them into soldiers? Dont forget that, as you say, this is the age of guns and cannons. It doesnt end with just dragging someone and holding a spear! As Cosimo continued to point out, Lorenzos head lowered more and more. Cosimo, who was looking at Lorenzo like that, took back the whip he had been swinging hard and held out a carrot called advice. Of course, the Italian unification that you and the delusions you go around with is not a bad thing. If sessful, it will make a huge profit. Then At Cosimos words, Lorenzo looked at Cosimo with a glimmer of hope. But the n you just mentioned is literally a delusion. The only thing that can save us is education and the development of a standing army. Administration and politics are missing. If its politics. Take care of those who are holding back our family first. Either coax it to one side or erase it. The first thing to do is to deal with those who make noise inside. Yes yep! Next is diplomacy. Roasting and boiling pears from other cities. There is no need to bake and boil everything. All you have to do is grill and boil one noodle properly. Which country is it? Tsk! Yes yep! Ill figure it out! Dont just put it into action right away and dont forget to report it to me first! Yes yep! Finally, find someone suitable to be the monarch of a unified Italy. yes? When Lorenzo looked surprised at the unexpected words, Cosimo smiled and looked at Lorenzo. why? Did you want to be the king of a unified Italy? . Looking at Lorenzos silent affirmation, Cosimo shook his head slightly and continued. It is impossible for you to be King of Italy as long as you bear the surname Medici. Even if they view the unification of Italy positively, there are many people who immediately turn against them when they hear thest name Medici. That is reality. Ah Lorenzo nodded without realizing it at Cosimos words. In the process of ruling Florence andpeting with other cities, the number of people with a grudge against the Medici family increased. It was certain that if Lorenzo de Medici came forward as a symbol of unification, they would immediately turn into enemies. Lorenzo, who concluded that Cosimos point was reasonable, bowed his head, hiding his regret. Yes, I understand. If possible, it would be better to choose someone who is far from Spain and the Holy Roman Empire. France is connected to Suez, so we can moderately appease it, but the other two cannot. Is it possible to find someone who has no ties to those three countries? Lorenzo asked, unable to hide his embarrassment. During this time, there was no one in Italy who had worked hard and had some reputation but had no ties to the three countries above. This was the reality of Italy, which had been divided for over a thousand years. Even while fighting the Hundred Years War with Ennd, France was exerting influence on Italy, and so was the Habsburg family of the Holy Roman Empire. At the very least, even Spain, which was just emerging as a new power, was spoon-fed to Italy through the Kingdom of Aragon, a member of the United Kingdom. Cosimos answer to Lorenzos question was simple and clear. If you dont have it, make it. With the power of our Medici, it is possible. All right. And when you make it, make it a hero, but make sure it doesnt leave our family. It wont be easy. Did you think that the unification of Italy you mentioned would be easy? Hmm Kitai So, if you look at the long-ago history of thend where the Ming Dynasty is now * * * While researching information rted to the empire, Cosimo also learned about Chinas history. This was because of the various proverbs and idioms spoken by the imperial people. In the process of learning about Chinese history, he met someone who suited Cosimos tastes and could be said to be his ideal type. It was a question of whether or not it was possible. Cosimo, who used money as a weapon to deal with European kings and nobles, was very fond of Yeobulwi and his actions. But my age is the problem. Cosimo, who could not hide his regret at seeing himself so old, tried to make his dreame true through Lorenzo. * * * dont forget. The greater the hero called Unified Monarch of Italy, the greater his shadow will grow, and within that shadow, our family can do more and more. Ill keep that in mind! Also, do not ignore the words of the Buddha. I think the moment the hero escapes the hands of the Medici is the end of the Medici. Ill keep that in mind! Lorenzo ends here Giovanni. yes. When Cosimo called him, Giovanni answered with a very nervous look and looked at Cosimo. The idea of nurturing a standing army and officers who willmand that standing army is not a bad idea. However, when considering the opponents of Lorenzo and his gang, quantity is still an issue. Same performance cannot ovee the difference in volume. youre right. Out of all the people here right now, you are the closest to the empire. We will try to contact the empire and import its weapons. Its okay to introduce long guns that are being retired. However, the cannons and freight cars that the imperial army currently uses must be imported. Also, we are spending some effort on the issue of allowing students to study abroad at military academies. Giovanni answered Cosimosmand honestly. Ill do my best, but it wont be easy. Cosimo immediately gave advice to Giovannis words. Use France and Suez. You mean France and Suez? Are you going to hand over your stake in Suez to the Empire? When Cosimo mentioned Suez, Giovanni immediately mentioned shares. In response to Giovannis question, Cosimo immediately frowned and clicked his tongue. Tsk! sorry! As soon as Cosimo clicked his tongue, Giovanni immediately became a turtle. Cosimo, who was ring at Giovanni, exined in more detail. Provide information to the empire that France has developed wide silver. And I emphasize that Florence must survive in order to protect its share of the Suez Railway. ah! Giovanni immediately recognized Cosimos exnation and let out an exmation. Looking at the shares of the Suez Railway construction, the empire took 40/100, and the rest went to France and Florence, Ottoman Portugal. Of these, Florences share was 11/100. Although it was the smallest stake, the majority of the shares changed hands depending on where this stake went. And Florence took advantage of this very well to its own benefit. However, the problem was that France developed wide silver. By freeing itself from the restrictions on the breadth of the country, France was able to force its shareholding structure in Suez. The first thing to be expected was to cross the Alps and pressure Florence. If Florences share was taken over by France and Portugal was then put under pressure, the governance structure of Suez would change into a two-power system between the Ottomans and France. Therefore, with just one news of development, Florence was able to appeal its importance to the empire. Cosimo, seeing Giovannis expression, continued, As I said before, the empire hates war. Because it costs a lot of money. However, if we help Florence, we will be able to protect the interests of Suez with much less spending. Emphasize this point. Yes, I understand! Giovanni answered with a brighter face. Cosimo, seeing Giovannis positive appearance, turned to Lorenzo. Did you see it? This is diplomacy and politics. yes! Ill try my best! Then lets get moving! The more days you dy, the more money you have to spend! If expenses increase, profits decrease! yes! At Cosimos urging, Lorenzo and Giovanni immediately bowed and left the bedroom. Cosimo, who was looking at the closed door, turned his head and looked at the map hanging on the wall. Cosimo, who was ring at the empire located on the eastern side of the map, burst intoughter. How do I move? You probably expected it. But no matter how much you expected it, the shock is different when you actually hear it. It was Cosimo that had a somewhat savory feel to it. Chapter 858 Episode 858: Their Ambition (9) When Cosimos approval fell, Lorenzo and Medici moved quickly. The first thing Lorenzo did was establish a public educational institution. C Gather children from Florence and its affiliated cities and teach them basic readingprehension, writing, and counting skills. -This is a public project carried out by the Medici family for Florence. With this slogan in mind, Lorenzo passionately promoted the establishment of an educational institution. The first reaction from the residents of Florence and its affiliated cities was lukewarm. Or, to be more precise, it was Why? Why do we already teach children in cathedrals and monasteries? The more you know, the more youin. But is it really necessary to take the trouble to teach it? Even if I dont know the letters, I know the difference between gold and silver coins and what to do with them, so why bother? Looking at the lives of residents in various cities in Italy at the time, it was a series of contradictions. Even illiterate ves andborers walked around reciting passages from Dantes Divine Comedy. Children of the urban poor and rural areas learned the knowledge they needed to survive not from school but from their parents and adults in their neighborhood. From how to farm to how to pickpocket and how to defraud while pretending to be knowledgeable. Proper education for children was only possible for middle-ss or higher families, and such families used the educational facilities of cathedrals and monasteries or tutors. Because of this situation, there was a lukewarm response to the educational institution that Lorenzo said he would establish. However, Lorenzo emphasized the need for education for these people. How long will we teach immorality as a crime! Are we going to raise our children to be criminals too? Even if you cant speak Latin, you should at least be able to read and write Italian properly! Education is free! What moved the lower ss was thest word, Free. Well its true that getting out of the dark can help in many ways. I heard its free. Its better than learning useless Latin at a cathedral or monastery. In this way, more and more children began to flock to the elementary school (Scu elementare) established by Lorenzo to receive education. After receiving the report, Lorenzo looked at the Young School with a smile of conversion. I think I got the first button right. The intellectuals of the Young Mens School nodded at Lorenzos words. The elementary school was the first step toward a unified Italy. * * * Through elementary school education, children would instill in them a sense of loyalty to Florence and Italy. In addition, only when many properly educated people came out, it was possible to organize and run a proper administrative organization even in slums and remote viges. This was because administrative power could be exercised over all areas of Florence in order to properly prepare for the great cause. Lastly, many educated people were needed for the standing army, which is still being prepared step by step. Trained people were needed to properly operate not only long guns but also freight cars and cannons. This was because it was not an era where spears were handed out and used as consumables like in the past. In order to properly operate a standing army, soldiers with patriotism and a sense of duty were needed, and such soldiers could only be created through education. No, to be honest, its been strange all along. Think of the great Roman army. The era when the Roman army was most powerful was the era when the army wasposed of free people and nobles. thats right! The standing army we want is the resurrection of the great Roman army! If schrs who were well-versed in Roman history listened, there were more than one or two things they would point out. However, the youth school fell into the idea of turning Florences standing army into a resurrected Roman army and unifying Italy once again like Rome of old. * * * We have made the first step, but there is still a long way to go. I need your help. How can I help you? Ill help you with anything! If you need funds, I will give you all I have! Lorenzo suppressed a sneer when he heard that he would give up all his wealth. What do you think of me and my family now? Lorenzo desperately adjusted his expression and got to the point. There are not enough teachers to teach children in elementary schools and people to manage school administration. I would like you to help me with this part. If thats the case, of course we should step forward! Just leave it to me! The sry is paid, but it may not be enough. That part is okay! Thats all it takes for a unified Italy! Most of the youth group were young people attending university. It was that passionate and pure. Therefore, after hearing Lorenzos request, they happily packed their bags and left for the elementary school in Sabang. Lorenzo, who returned to his office after seeing off those leaving, smiled darkly and muttered. Now I can finally shake off the noisy delusions. The Youth School was a great support force for Lorenzo, but they were also a troublesome entity. Again, most of the Youth School were young people. Although he was full of energy, he was also very idealistic. Therefore, considering the future, it was necessary to organize the youth schools, and Lorenzo did so by dispatching them as teachers and administrators of elementary schools. Lorenzo, who had sorted out the youthful factions that had been bothering his ears, muttered as he organized the report to be submitted to Cosimo. Your uncle must be very busy right now * * * Contrary to Lorenzos expectations, Giovanni was having a leisurely time. Of course, it wasnt the leisure I wanted. As soon as Giovanni arrived in Seoul, he visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Minister of Foreign Affairs who met Giovanni was Shin Sook-ju. Shin Sook-ju, who had excellentnguage skills and friendliness, was busy moving from Aden to Shinji. Shin Sook-jus inauguration as Minister of Foreign Affairs was evaluated as a very sessful appointment. However, this greeting was also a work of incense. It has already changed enough to change, but variables always exist. In order to prevent something that might happen when he meets Jinpyeong in Shinji, Hyang summoned Shin Suk-ju to his headquarters and embedded him in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs just in time for his appointment to Shinji. Shin Sook-joo, who started working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, demonstrated her abilities and was promoted repeatedly, eventually bing the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Giovanni, who met Shin Sook-ju, took out the documents with a serious face and submitted them. What is? Something has happened that poses a serious threat to the safety of Florence, the Empires most loyal ally. France created silver. France is rich in silver? Thats right. Considering the time our Medici family found out and the time it took me toe to Seoul, mass production would have already begun. In response to Giovannis answer, Shin Sook-ju asked Giovanni with a puzzled expression. huh? Isnt France also an ally of Florence? Theres a saying in Europe: Were all in the same boat. Ah. You mean May Dongju. Shin Suk-ju, who muttered under her breath at Giovannis words, asked again with a slightly worried expression. I understand what Florence is worried about. Do you need help from our empire? Thats right. Giovanni responded immediately, took out another document and handed it to Shin Suk-ju. I want to introduce imperial weapons. It would be even better if they let us produce it. I understand that our empire has already introduced many of its weapons. Are you looking to buy more? I would like to introduce the same weapons that the Imperial Army uses now, rather than weapons that have been retired from the Imperial Army. You mean the same weapons our military uses now? Thats right. I dont know much about the military, but even if we introduce weapons like the ones the imperial army uses now, it wouldnt be easy to use them, right? Giovanni immediately responded to Shin Sook-jus point. youre right. So, we want to dispatch instructors to train the military and allow young people in Florence to study at military academies. Hmm Shin Suk-ju, who was stroking her beard with an embarrassed expression at Giovannis words, gave a general answer I will report it to His Majesty the Emperor. Please do not forget that Florence shares interests with the empire. Your Majesty will make the right decision. All right. Ill wait. After this conversation, silence continued for a month. Its stuffy. Its not like an empire that talks about hurry, hurry. At the Medici familys mansion in Seoul, Giovanni was frustrated as he waited for an answer from the empire. I dont know why youre holding back so much. The emperor and his subjects are not all idiots. * * * As Giovanni expected, the emperor and his ministers had already made a decision. It was an empire that had already received information long before Giovanni delivered it. -Who will be the first to report this information to the Empire? Portugal? Ottoman? Florence? The answer to the question of Wan and the ministers who received the information was Florence. Sharing profits is not wrong. Hwang Bo-in nodded at Wans words. It is true that those in Florence are those who make the most profit with a 10% stake. exactly. The problem is their demands, what do you think? France is a big and strong country. Florence is a much smaller countrypared to that, so they are probably trying to rece quantity with quality. As soon as Hwang Bo-in finished speaking, Shin Sook-ju spoke. It may not just be to protect themselves in France. Wans eyes lit up at Shin Sook-jus point. Are you talking about the unification of Italy? Thats right. Rumors are already spreading that there are more than a few people in Mn, Genoa, and Venice who are asking for help from neighboring countries. Hmm At Shin Sook-jus words, Wan nodded and closed his mouth. Following Shin Sook-ju, Kim Jong-seo continued. What is noteworthy is the word standing army written in the request sent from Florence. Looking at the situation in Italy, it ismon to hire mercenaries rather than have your own army. But having your own army? This would mean that we are sincere about the unification of Italy. Is there a chance? The ministers remained silent in response to Wans question. Everyone must have already done the math, right? Tell me. At Wans urging, Hwang Bo-in started to give his predictions. I think the chances are high. Because they are from the Medici family. Medici will be able to cover not only the war costs but also the costs of stabilization afterward. The Medici family is a family that controls the wealth of Europe, but it has its limits. No matter how Medici you are, it will be difficult. When there was a tense battle over sess and failure, Kim Jong-seo came forward. I think its best to look at it as half and half. This is because no one knows what the future holds. Right now, the priority is to decide how to use Florence to maximize the interests of our empire. Its a correct answer to a random question. Wan answered immediately and looked back at the ministers. I think discussing possibilities is just curiosity. Let us first consider the interests of our empire. If Florences sess is in the interests of our empire, shouldnt we make sure Florence seeds? Chapter 859 Episode 859: Their Ambition (10) At Wans deration, the officials and the judges paused for a moment. Arent what your Majesty said too arrogant? What if Florences movements are not natural? Although many thoughts urred to them, they paused, but the officer and the juicer began tapping the typewriter keys again. Their mission was to record all the happenings and conversations happening here and now. Their personal opinions could only be written down after the records werepleted. * * * Although the officers and governors thought Wan was arrogant, Wan was confident enough. The empires army now numbered approximately 600,000, including the army and navy. Considering that the number of Joseon troops at the time of the founding of the Joseon Dynasty was about 300,000, the current size of the empire, and the Ming army located right next to it C even though Emperor Seonghwa carried out arge-scale reduction of the army, it still numbered 1.5 million C you could think that it was a surprisingly small size. However, the 300,000 army in the early Joseon Dynasty was just a number on the ledger. This was because there were many refugees during the chaotic period of thete Goryeo Dynasty and early Seon Dynasty, and many of them ran away to avoid military service or became ves. In fact, even in the case of the Tsushima conquest that took ce at the beginning of King Sejongs reign, the military force C especially the navy C was so short that anyone who could drive a ship or know how to shoot an arrow was recruited, from the noblemen to the nobles of the Jae-ye-pae. However, the 600,000 imperial troops were not numbers on a ledger, but actual soldiers. They were also elites who were skilled in the weapons they wielded. In addition, with the proper functioning of the administrative organization from the Northern Territories to the New Territories, it was possible to quickly expand to at least 2 million people. Of course, Shinji, who still had a long way to go, was left out of the reserve force mobilization n. This was the empire under Wans reign and the imperial army. In addition to this, there was another reason why Wan was interested in Florence. It was practical experience. What the Imperial Armycked now was experience. Most of those who experienced the battles that took ce between the Ming and Joseon Dynasty have retired. Most of those who participated in the Battle of the Yellow Sea that followed became high-rankingmanders. In other words, most of themanders who had to fight on the front lines had very little actualbat experience. Of course, the navy fought against pirates, and the army fought against bandits in the Mongolian border area. However, because the scale was so small and the pirates and thieves had almost dried up, it became something that only a fewmanders experienced. Fortunately, in the case of the army, many officers had experienced actualbat through the previous conquest of Shinji. However, the people they faced in the conquest of Shinji were natives armed with obsidian weapons. The problem for the Imperial Army was thatmanders with experience fighting enemies properly armed with guns and artillery had almost disappeared. Of course, the imperial army was sharpened through rigorous training that was close to actualbat, but training was training and actualbat was actualbat. Simr to the imperial army, experience was needed to deal with a proper enemy. Therefore, it was intended to actively intervene in Florences movements. And Hyang also agreed to this. C Gain as much experience as possible while shedding as little blood as possible without putting a strain on the empire. This was Hyang and Wans thoughts. And Florences request for cooperation was the best opportunity. The armies of Europe were well armed with guns and artillery. It was also a ce where countries that were likely to sh with the empire in the future for various reasons were concentrated. If we made the Florentine army into another imperial army, put it into battle, and carefully observed the results, we would be able to know what needs to be changed and corrected. * * * Florences request is certain to be helpful to our empire in many ways. But you cant just ept it without knowing anything. Have you received any reports about the movements of cities other than Florence in Italy? yes. I am here. After Hwang Bo-in finished speaking, he ced a tray filled with thick books on Wan. Hmm Wan, who had been carefully reading the contents of the report, raised his head and looked at the ministers. Have you read all the sutras? There are some who read it and some who didnt. After stroking his chin for a moment in response to Hwang Bo-ins answer, Wan gave Hwang Bo-in an order. I dont think this is something we should just listen to the opinions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense. Be prepared because you will need to listen to the opinions of everyone who is qualified to attend the assembly. ASAP. yes. Please tell the crown prince to attend as well. Yes, Your Majesty. The emperors orders were immediately conveyed to practitioners. Working-level officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense gathered in one ce and prepared for the presentation, starting with creating an orbital chart. Im working overtime today again. Meanwhile, Crown Prince Hyeon, who received Wans order, stuck out his mouth and grumbled. I have a lot of work to do. Your Majesty told me to tell you this. It is time for the crown prince to know how the empires state affairs are run and how to make judgments. I have already learned that part every time I receive a budget. You told me to tell you this again. If you want to see the Emperor click his tongue, stay where you are. Tell him that I will definitely attend and that it is truly an honor to be able to see His Majesty run the government. yes. majesty. * * * The prepared briefing session began the next day. It was a briefing session that was attended by all, including high-level executives who normally do not attend. something is wrong. Good job. Hwang Eun is devastated. As the presenter bowed and stepped away, Wan turned his head towards the ministers. Both Wan and the ministers had bad expressions. This is it. Huh. Tsk! With negative reactions popping up here and there, Wan looked at Hwang Bo-in and asked. What do you think, Prime Minister? Do you think their choice is reasonable? It is not appropriate. If your own strength is insufficient, it is natural and natural to increase your strength. But now that we dont have enough strength, are we borrowing the power of a foreign power? This is an infidelity and a contradiction. I agree. Following Wans words, most of the officials present nodded. Then do you think they will seed if they bring in foreign powers to do their work? Kim Jong-seo came forward and answered Wans question. This is going to be extremely difficult. The foreign powers they are trying to borrow power from are enemies among themselves, so the first step is to block the assistance of other foreign powers. If a foreign poweres in, persecution will inevitably follow, so the people will not wee foreign powers or those who bring in foreign powers. If the people do not wee it, the chances of the project being aplished are extremely low. This is the second. Lastly, even if the work is aplished, foreign powers will take over the results since they do not have the strength or merit to do so. I see Do you have any objections? . The ministers all responded in silence to Wans question. Wan nodded slightly and continued to ask questions again. Then how about Jimply with Florences request? Our empire is also a foreign power. Kim Jong-seo came forward once again and answered. Cases are different. Cases are different? yes. In the case of other cities, they are trying to achieve things by borrowing the power of foreign powers, but in the case of Florence, they are asking for help in increasing their own power. This is a different case. Right. So what will our empire gain if we ept their request? Minister of Foreign Affairs Shin Sook-ju stepped forward and answered Wans question. Florence is one of the most influential cities in Italy and is famous for trade. If we give them grace, we can use them as a stepping stone to reach Europe and the Ottoman region more easily. Of course, even now, there are not many cases where our empire experiences inconveniences. But it gets even easier if you use Florence. It also makes it easier to protect our imperial interests in Suez. Following Shin Sook-jus words, Minister of National Defense Jang Hang-seon came forward and responded. It is also helpful from a military perspective. Our imperial armycks actualbat experience. In particr, there is no experience of war with arge army armed with guns and artillery, other than the battles that took ce in the Yalu River and Liaodong. Now, most of the European armies are armed with guns and artillery, so if we make the Ferencic army like the imperial army and then send it into the war as expected, we will be able to recognize and correct our shorings without shedding blood. Good idea. When Jang Hang-seon expressed an opinion simr to Hyangs and his own, Wan nodded with a satisfied expression. The officials who saw Wans expression all thought the same thing. The decision has been made. Then do you have any other opinions? . Because they had already figured out Wans intentions, there were no people except for one person who came forward to ask for differences of opinion. The main character in question was Lim Soon-wook, who became the Minister of Finance and Economy. The words of Her Majesty the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Defence, while reasonable, must be limited. Should there be limits? yes. It is not considered a big problem to send an instructor at Florences request. However, permitting the production of guns and artillery rather than selling them is different. To summarize Lim Soon-wooks opinions, they were as follows. -In the eyes of other Italian cities and foreign powers, the fact that Florence produces imperial weapons means that we are Florences allies. It is not just an alliance, but a military alliance. -If you look at the current rtionship between our empire and Florence, they are simply good business partners. However, if the alliance bes a military alliance, the empire will also deploy troops as needed. -Sending troops to Florence would cost a huge amount of money. -No matter how bad the situation is, if there are no limits, there will be great damage to the empires livelihood. This is why it is best to set limits. Shin Sook-ju came forward to express her opposition to Lim Soon-wooks words. The words of His Majesty the Minister of Finance are at first nce reasonable, but some of them are unreasonable. It is reasonable to say that the empires livelihood should not be a burden. It is also reasonable to say that it will be a military alliance. However, even if a war breaks out and the situation of the war bes unfavorable to Florence, it is unfair that the army should not be mobilized beyond the predetermined limit. If we do that, Europeans will consider our empire to be faithless, and no country will want to maintain good rtions with the empire. There is no one who likes someone who cant help but exim with admiration. This is Sotamdaesil. Starting with this, a war of words began between Shin Sook-ju and Lim Soon-wook. It was a heated war of words between Shin Sook-ju, who insisted, For the sake of the future, we must endure massive blood loss, and Lim Sun-wook, who said, No matter what happens, the empire must not be harmed. Meanwhile, unexpected casualties urred in the heated war of words between the two. They were the magistrates and the magistrates. They screamed inwardly as they pounded the keyboard desperately to record their war of words. Ah-oh! Its a finger! Seed! Should I just spend the gold? Chapter 860 Episode 860: Their Ambition (11) The war of words between Lim Sun-wook and Shin Suk-ju was so intense that the officers and the Zhou schrs were screaming inwardly. The other subjects were looking at the verbal exchange between the two with perplexed expressions. This was because both opinions were reasonable, so it was not easy to take one side. Meanwhile, on top of the restaurant, Wan was watching the two peoples war of words with a serious expression. But Wans intentions were not like that at all. rice cake! I need rice cake! A lot of that too! It was Wan who discovered the beauty of a war of words, not a war of words in which two groups were divided into two groups and even resorted to harsh words, but a war of words waged by a small number of people with logic and justification. This is what makes the situation so fun to watch! Sometimes, this is more fun than the acrobatics of wealthy people or the singing and dancing of gisaeng! Wan, who had finally realized the meaning of what Hyang had told him, watched the exchange of words between the two with an interested expression. And what did you say? thats right! Didnt you tell me to hang up before it gets too heated by asking about the other persons parents well-being or asking about their past exam grades? Hmm When would be a good time? Wan, looking for a good time to break up the war of words, looked towards where the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers were. Hwang Bo-in and Left Deputy Prime Minister were sighing softly with their hands on their foreheads, and the smile on Kim Jong-seos face, who had been smiling just moments before, was slowly disappearing. Now is the time! You two, stop talking. Wan, who saw Kim Jong-seos expression, raised his hand andmanded him to stop, and Shin Sook-ju and Lim Sun-wook stopped what they were saying. Looking at the two people, Wan continued. Its good that the two people are having a war of words, but they are increasingly straying from the main point. This is not good. I also know very well that the fight between the two of them was all due to loyalty to me and the empire. It was done out of loyalty to Jim and the Empire, so what could be wrong? But now the two people have forgotten their original intentions and are just trying to suppress the other, so this is wrong. In response to Wans criticism, Lim Soon-wook and Shin Suk-ju bowed to the floor and bowed their heads. Please forgive me for my disgrace! Before I knew it, I was only looking at the trees, not the forest! Please forgive me for my disgrace! I have no intention of punishing you since all your quarrels are motivated by loyalty. But if you show this kind of indecency again, you will definitely be severely punished. I will keep this in mind again! After stopping the war of words between the two, Wan turned his head towards Hwang Bo-in. Prime Minister. I will ask. Please ask. Once again, the opinions of two people do not mean that only one is right or wrong. I think both opinions are right and wrong. Jim thinks coordination is needed. What do you think? Hwang Bo-in answered Wans question by bowing his head. I think what your Majesty said is most appropriate. Both of those words were spoken out of loyalty to Your Majesty and the country, and are extremely appropriate. Rather than choosing one of the two, it is truly appropriate to mix and coordinate the two. Then how should we coordinate it? Then lets think about it. The small gods will think about it ande up with it. No, its not often that we all get together like this, so lets put our heads together and think about it now. yes. Hwang Bo-in, who was answering, and the officials who were listening behind him all smiled slightly and grumbled inwardly. Are you asking me to give my opinion in front of His Majesty? Youre catching people! It was, at best, worthless for the emperor to express his opinion in a private meeting. It was especially dangerous right after an opinion that was outstanding enough to attract the emperors attention was expressed, like Lim Sun-wook and Shin Suk-ju just moments ago. As I wrote above, I had to do well to get my due, and if I made a mistake and even got criticized, the future would be difficult. However, since the emperor had ordered it, it was a situation where he could not take it or leave it. But there were also those who saw this as an opportunity. Han Myeong-hoe, who had already risen to the position of Minister of General Affairs, was burning with motivation with shining eyes. Its an opportunity! If I do it right this time, one of the two seats above me will definitely be mine! Traditionally, the left deputy prime minister was the Minister of Finance and Economy, and the current Minister of Finance and Economy, Lim Soon-wook, was called another dondog. Therefore, Han Myeong-hoe was targeting the Deputy Prime Minister, held by Kim Jong-seo, or the Prime Minister, held by Hwang Bo-in. However, because he wascking in many ways to take on the role of Prime Minister, Han Myeong-hoe was aiming for the position of Deputy Prime Minister. Of course, in the end, I have to go up to Prime Minister! If so, now is the important time! ruler! Lets think! think! Han Myeong-hoe began to think over the war of words that took ce between Lim Sun-wook and Shin Suk-ju. * * * While the ce was being cleaned up again, Wan and his subjects took a short break. Even as they went to the bathroom or came out of Daejeon to rx their stiff bodies, their heads were spinning like crazy. The difference between the two opinions is What can be discarded in this opinion no, what must be discarded Ah! Why cant I think of this! Try Chongmyeongtang Its a tonic! support! Resting is not resting I really want to cry! When the break was over and all the subjects returned to Daejeon, Wando returned and sat down in the temple. Okay then, lets get started. yes. Those were the answers, but no one opened their mouths easily. While the ministers were looking at each other, the first to speak was Han Myeong-hoe. Now is your chance! Han Myeong-hoe stood up, bowed his head to Wan, and began to speak. Your Majesty, there is something I missed in the conversation between those two earlier. What did you miss? What is it? The timees. hour? yes. And I think that time is the most important answer. Tell me in more detail. Yes, Your Majesty. To summarize what Han Myeonghoe said, it was as follows. -It is impossible for Florence to do anything right now. Therefore, there is no need for our empire to get involved in a war right now. -The reason is the training of the military. Turning men who know nothing about guns and artillery into proper soldiers is not something that can be done in a day or two. In particr, if Florence were to go to war, the countrys fortunes would have to be put on the line, and in that case, an even longer period of time would be needed. -The empire can use that time. If nothing else happens, the empires reign will be bigger and stronger as time passes. By making the imperial army bigger and stronger by taking advantage of the situation that has be sorge and strong, even if an emergency arises, it can be dealt with with greater ease. Ites this far. Interesting. Wan, who was stroking his chin with an expression of interest in what Han Myeong-hoe said, asked Han Myeong-hoe. Then how much time does the Minister of General Affairs have for that? I think we have to wait 10 years even if we cant do it. 10 years That seems usible. Minister of Finance and Economy. Yes, Your Majesty. How much is possible in 10 years? Lim Sun-wook, who thought about Wans words for a moment, answered cautiously. The budget currently allocated to the Ministry of National Defense is insufficient. The reason is? If we have to send the imperial army to Italy in earnest, we will need more ships than we have now. Ships are very expensive items, and even considering the cost of training soldiers to handle them, it is not enough. However, if the budget for the Ministry of Defense is increased, the budget allocated to other ministries will decrease. If we want to increase the overall budget to solve this problem, we will have to collect more taxes. If that happens, the peoples dissatisfaction will increase. Is it impossible to increase taxes within a reasonable range? Even now, we are receivingints that the taxes are excessive. Shin Sook-joo responded to Lim Soon-wooks answer. Havent there always been appeals like that? Cant we ignore it to some extent? If the peoples dissatisfaction builds up too much, the country may be shaken. So, in moderation. The justification is the problem, the justification. Italy is a long way from the empire. And there hasnt been a war yet. Since a war will be fought far away from the empire, will we increase the army and collect more taxes for this? Do you think the people will understand? And you havent forgotten the national anthem of the empire, right? . Shin Sook-ju closed her mouth at Lim Sun-wooksst question. At the time of the founding of the empire, the national poem proposed by King Sejong was Hongik Ingan. The national policy of widely benefiting people also included not using force carelessly. Im Sun-wook, who covered Shin Sook-jus mouth, bowed his head to Wan and continued speaking. In order to achieve sess without unreasonably increasing taxes, 10 years is a little, if not a lot, short. Its not enough I see. So what if you release the gold and silver you are currently umting? * * * With the start of Gyeongjang, gold and silver mines were developed throughout the Korean Penins. And together with Ouchi, he developed the Iwami silver mine. Most of the gold and silver secured in this way was gradually piling up in the secret safes of the imperial government. When unexpected natural disasters orrge-scale epidemics paralyzed the economic activities of the people, the imperial government implemented various financial policies for the people. In most cases, this was done using reserve funds allocated in the budget. However, when greater finances were needed, gold and silver were taken out of this secret safe and used. The same was true when a war broke out that put the countrys fate at stake. * * * Lim Sun-wook shook his head at Wans suggestion. If we do it wrong, too much money will be released into the market and we will not be able to control prices. Kim Jong-seo, who had been silent as Lim Soon-wook spoke, intervened. Then what should I do? Dont say no or no, but if there is an alternative, say it. Doesnt that mean that what His Majesty wants now cannot be done! Lim Soon-wook immediately responded to Kim Jong-seos words. We have to get as much as we can from Florence. If we can get it, we must get everything from the cost of training the army to the price of selling weapons. Shin Sook-ju responded to Lim Soon-wooks words again. Isnt that a bit like selling weapons? Among their requests was to be allowed to make their own weapons. Isnt that because they dont want too much money being spent on weapons sales? Minister of Finance and Economy Have you forgotten that they are holding a very important hostage? Suez. Then what would it be like if we also promoted a n to receive a certain amount of money as royalties for each weapon manufactured? Shin Sook-ju nodded at Lim Soon-wooks suggestion. When the two were reaching an agreement, Jang Hang-seon came forward. I am opposed to handing over the Imperial Armys weapons production technology to them. Right now its only Florence, but over time, all of Europe will be armed with weapons of simr performance to our imperial army. That would be a real headache. As the Ministry of National Defense opposed it, the story fell into abyrinth again. This was because each persons interests had be a rtionship where they were biting each other. While everyone was struggling to solve a difficult problem, an official from Seungjeongwon came in and spoke to Wan. The goods sent from Shinji have arrived in Wonsan. First of all, here is the list that came with the note that Your Majesty wants to see. Bring it. After checking the letter Hyang sent, Wan unfolded the list. Florentine rifle? Chapter 861 Episode 861: Their Ambition (12) Send the items on this list, or rather the Florentine Long Rifle, to Seoul as quickly as possible! ASAP! In response to Wans urgentmand, the official responded cautiously, observing Wans feelings. I already brought it to you. A special order had already been given from Shinji At the officials words, Wan got up from his seat and came down from the party house. Ill go and see! Guide! Yes yes! Lets see the scriptures together! Yes, Your Majesty! The official who was reporting urgently guided Wan to the ce where the Florence Long Gun was located, and Wan and the officials followed him. Hwang Bo-in quietly followed Wan at a hurried pace and spoke quietly to Do Seung-ji. I almost got into big trouble. Be careful. In response to Hwang Bo-ins warning, Do Seung-ji Seo Geo-jeong bowed his head slightly with a hard face. I will keep this in mind again and again. thank you. There was a reason why Hwang Bo-in warned and Seo Geo-jeong was so nervous. * * * No matter what anyone says, the owner of the empire was the emperor. No matter how special the situation was, it was customary to receive the emperors order and then act ording to the order of the situation. In other words, once a special order from the township was confirmed, it was necessary to inform Seoul as quickly as possible using the light-emittingmunicationwork and receive a response from Emperor Wan before moving on. Ignoring this and moving first on the grounds that it was a special call of the situation was a grave sin of disregarding the authority and power of the emperor. Again, no matter what the situation was, the owner of the empire was the emperor. However, the particrly close rtionship between King Sejong and Hyang Wan led to this being forgotten. Another reason was Seo Geo-jeong himself. It was Seo Geo-jeong who was forced into office for the crime of studying with Han Myeong-hoe as an alumni. At that time, the youngest among those who were implicated and forced into exile was Seo Geo-jeong. Thanks to this, he was the youngest among the highest-ranking officials in Wans court. And this part was the problem. The story was a matter ofter, but the fact that Seo Geo-jeong, who was simr in age to him, was sitting at the very top was enough to make him an object of envy. Especially after the Eumseo system was abolished through the Sutra. That is why Hwang Bo-in warned Seo Geo-jeong. * * * At the ce where the official guided me, there were three long wooden boxes and several soldiers were standing next to the boxes. insect! Thank you for your hard work. Looking at your uniform, youre not part of the Naegeumwi, but you belong somewhere. In response to Wans question, the one who seemed to be the most senior among the soldiers answered with a very nervous expression. yep! I belong to the 3rd division stationed in Shinji! You worked hard toe a long way. Did the circumstances send you? Yes! I sent you to demonstrate how to fire a Florentine rifle! is it? Then, show me the long gun first. yep! The soldier recited vigorously and opened the lid of the box with his subordinates. As the soldiers removed the straw they had put in the box as cushioning and took out their guns, the hands of the Naegumwi soldiers around them went to their waists. This is a Florentine rifle! Wan took the gun the soldier held out, looked around, and then tilted his head. Its so different from a military rifle. Are they using the same bullets? Yes! Hmm it would be best to watch the demonstration. Move it to the shooting range in Naegumwi. Also, send someone to the Ministry of Defense and the Imperial Military Headquarters to tell them that anyone who wants to observe shoulde immediately. yep! At Wans order, the soldiers from Shinji and the Naegeumwi soldiers began to pack and move the boxes again, and Wan and the ministers moved to the Naegeumwi shooting range. Additionally, messengers and eunuchs began running in all directions to deliver Wans orders. * * * Following Wans orders, the Naegeumwis moved busily. Bring out the chair! chair! What are you doing! The floor is full of dust! Sweep quickly! After diligently sweeping, mopping, and arranging chairs and desks, preparations werepleted to some extent by the time Wan arrived. You worked hard. After praising the Naegumwi soldiers forpleting their preparations, Wan sat down in the prepared seat and gave orders. Then lets begin. yep! When the shooting demonstration sent by the soldiers from Shinji ended, Wan had a strange expression on his face. This is a bit strange The guns performance was clearly good. However, Wans worn-out sensibility in Area 51 was showing that something was wrong. Its strange theres something going on Unable to ovee his growing suspicion, Wan got up from his seat and walked to the shooting range. Give it to me. yep! After receiving the gun from the soldier, Wan began examining it more carefully than when he first saw it. Its a lot lighter, isnt it? Its easy to hold in your hand hmm Wan, who had been looking from the muzzle to the stock several times and pulling the reloading handle several times to reload, tilted his head. Slightly ufortable? Why did you do this? Lets take it apart. yep! The soldiers disassembled the Florentine rifle with familiar hands. Wan, who was examining the disassembled engine part of the rifle, looked even more puzzled. Its much simpler than a double rifle, but why are we so reluctant? Feeling an inexplicable strangeness, Wan looked back at the generals who hade to observe. The generals, pleasee and take a look. yes. The generals who approached under Wans orders held onto the Florentine rifles and aimed them at the target, moved the loading handle, and carefully inspected the disassembled rifles. The generals who looked at the Florentine rifles had expressions simr to Wans. How do you feel? yes. As seen in the soldiers demonstration, the uracy rate itself is not much different from that of a rifle. But I felt something was ufortable and inadequate. All the generals standing behind Jang Hang-seon nodded their heads. Seeing that, Wan asked again. Then what would you do if I were to adopt this Florentine rifle into the imperial army? If Your Majesty orders, I will follow Wan muttered to himself as he saw Jang Hang-seon speechless. I guess that means I dont want to use it. Hmm Wan, who was examining the Florence rifle again, asked the soldier in question again. Look. yep! If you were asked to choose between this Ferentze rifle and a double rifle, which would you choose? Its a double rifle! why? The Florentine rifle is inconvenient for rapid fire! At that moment, both Wan and the generals let out exmations of exmation. ah! okay! This was the problem! * * * The military rifle was a masterpiece of conversion that satisfied Hyangs virtuous spirit. It was made based on the Swiss Armys K31 rifle, but contained the unique scent of MSG. The vor of MSG was changed by changing the position of the charging handle. In the case of the existing K31, like other bolt actions, the loading handle was attached to the rear. However, Hyang moved this loading handle forward like the ROK Armys K2. Thanks to this, the Imperial Army was able to reload quickly while holding it on the shoulder and was able to fire overwhelmingly quickly. On the other hand, the Florentine rifle was made based on the Mosin-Nagant, an early version of the Mosin-Nagant. Thanks to this, the charging handle located at the back was sticking out to the side. Theter models of kar98 and Mosin-Nagant had this handle bent downward to make carrying and reloading a little easier, but the early models of Mosin-Nagant did not have this. After hearing the soldiers answer and re-reading the letter, Wan smiled bitterly and shook his head. As expected, this is the situation. Its a situation. Ha ha ha ha ha! Wan burst intoughter and stood up. This will be the long gun I will supply to Florence. It will bring great benefit to the empire. Lets go back. Jim will exin. yes? yes. The ministers, who were momentarily confused by Wans answer, soon followed Wan without saying a word. The reason it was possible was because of the scent. The idea was toy at least two or three moves as a trap. If a scent arises, a situation will arise in which the other person is eitherpletely unaware of it or is forced to suffer it even though they are aware of it. * * * Wan, who returned to Daejeon, unfolded Hyangs letter and looked at the ministers. Everyone, please listen carefully. If you wonder why Sang-tae made the Florentine rifle The summary of Hyangs manuscript that Wan read was as follows. C Looking at the report sent by Wan, it was said that the movement to unify Italy, which was divided from Italy, is bing stronger. -However, since the small countries of Italy are enemies, unification will be achieved through the use of force. -Since the powers of small countries are simr to each other, there will be those who seek to borrow the power of foreign powers. -Florence is not very familiar with the power of our empire and will try to borrow power from us. But our empire is so far away from Europe that our army will ask for the weapons we are using right now. They will also ask you to send people to teach them how to use it properly. Furthermore, he will ask you to send imperial troops. -Florence is with us over Suez, so I think it is better to ept it to protect our interests. However, the decision is up to the emperor, so this is only advice. -I think it is best to simply ept the sale of weapons and the dispatch of instructors. -Also, as I expected, Florence will ask for permission to make long guns for their own use. If things go as I expect, I strongly rmend giving them your Florentine rifle. -Our Empires military rifles are more sophisticated and superior in all respectspared to existing military rifles. -If you give them the production technology for double-barreled rifles, they are sure toe up with improved products based on that technology. -As a simple example, the armored light vehicle recently adopted by our imperial army was created based on the framework of a military rifle. There is no way something like that wont happen in Florence and Europe. -That is why the Florentine long gun was created. The Florentine long gun has a much simpler structure than the double-type long gun. Therefore, Florence and other European countries that have acquired it can easily follow suit. But that simplicity will be a shackle. It is extremely difficult toe up with a light gun in the framework of the Florentine rifle. -Also, in order to properly make the Florentine rifle as shown in the drawing, parts made in the Empire were made to be used. -It is nationalw and militaryw that all weapons used by the Imperial Army must secure the durability required by the military. However, the imperial weapons have at least twice the durability required. This also applies to military rifles. All parts are designed to withstand up to 8,000 rounds, but it can withstand up to 17,000 rounds. -However, the limit of the Florentine rifle is exactly 5,000 rounds. This is because the dimensions of the parts were adjusted to fit the 5,000 rounds. Huh All the ministers who had heard up to this point were unable to close their mouths. How manyyers of traps have youid? Although the ministers did not know it, it was the Florentine rifle that gave rise to the concept of the Sony Timer. Chapter 862 Episode 862: Their Ambition (13) Wan continued reading Hyangs manuscript. -Saying that the dimensions of the parts are matched means that proper performance is achieved only if they are made ording to those dimensions. -European iron-making technology is still far behindpared to the empire. Parts manufactured ording to the dimensions of the railway they made cannot perform properly. -For this reason, even if Florence produces its own products, it must purchase parts from our country. -Of course, Florence will be dissatisfied with this and will try to find an alternative. -There are two alternatives they can choose from. Either improve the quality of the iron that makes the parts or change the values of the parts to match the performance of the iron that they can produce or obtain. -Both methods are possible only after much trial and error. This means that a lot of time and capital is invested. -And our empire will be able to use that time to get ahead and at the same time prepare for a war that may ur. As Wan read up to this point, it was clear that Lim Soon-wook wanted to say something. Wan nced at Lim Soon-wooks expression and read the next contents of the manuscript. -There may be some among the ministers who will oppose this n. -This is probably the reason they are against it. Europe is already making great efforts to catch up with the empires technology. Greatly stimted by this incident, they will work harder and the time needed to catch up with the Empire will decrease even faster. -To counter this, there are probably many people who are preparing for war while looking at the situation in Italy. From whales, warfare has greatly advanced technology. Bronze swords changed to iron swords, and gunpowder weapons also gradually developed. -Europe has already elerated its preparations for war. They would have nted numerous spies not only in our empire but also in rival countries. -If the drawings of the Florentine Long Gun are handed over to Florence, it is certain that they will soon spread everywhere. -In that case, they will not follow directly the path our empire took, but will return slightly. -If that happens, our empire will be able to buy a little more time. Of course, gaining some wealth is a bonus. Thats it Wan, who was putting down Hyangs letter, and all the ministers who heard the contents had expressions of disappointment on their faces. At first, I was full of admiration, but as time passed, the ce was filled with disappointment. Youre leaving me with no room to refute anything Everyone in Daejeon nodded at the same time as Wan muttered. If you dont know, you cant help but suffer, and even if you know, you cant help but suffer You leave me with nothing to say. Kim Jong-seo, who was nodding at Hwang Bo-ins words, answered. He is someone to whom the phrase sitting and looking out into the sky suits him. Since you know the situation so urately with only the small information sent here, its a bonus toe up with an answer that suits it At Kim Jong-seos words, Wan had to suppress the itching in his mouth. * * * Ministers could only receive information sent by employees of the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Foreign Affairs dispatched to Europe, but Wan and Hyang were also receiving information from the Milwi. Because Milwi was far superior in both the speed and quality of information delivery, Wan and Hyang knew the external situation better than the ministers. No. Considering where you are Even though Milwi delivered information faster than the Ministry of National Defense or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shinjis Hyang had no choice but to receive the information muchter than Wans. This was because they had to rely on regr transport ships going between the new site and the main site. If something was sent separately without a valid justification, it was certain that the ministers would notice the existence of Milwi. Since the secret inspection of ministers and major generals was also the mission of the Secret Service, there was no good thing about the Secret Services existence being revealed. * * * Big! Keuhum! Wans light coughing helped the ministers escape from their thoughts. Wan came to his senses again and opened his mouth as he saw the ministers looking at him. What do you think about the alternative you sent me? I think its a pretty good n, Jim. At Wans words, the ministers all looked at Lim Sun-wook. Lim Soon-wook, who received everyones attention, cautiously opened his mouth. It is clear that the alternative you sent is a very good n. However, I think it is right to look more closely at the Florentine rifle. In response to Lim Soon-wook, Shin Sook-ju stepped forward. Do you dare criticize the n of the situation? Lim Soon-wook also immediately objected to Shin Sook-jus point. I agree that the n you sent was very good. But maybe its only a good thing for us to see. Lets take food as a simple example. The seasoning is good for my taste, but for others it may be too salty or nd. Isnt it necessary to check this and add water or more salt so that others can eat it? You think that Florence can make something like that Florentine long gun, but in reality, you cant make even that much, so what are you going to do? . Shin Suk-ju kept her mouth shut in response to Lim Sun-wooks question. Wan, who was watching the scene from the top of his house, made a decision. The Minister of Finance and Economy is right. Please have the Ministry of Defense take the Florence rifle, examine it carefully, and report its pros and cons to Jim. I follow your orders. And the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Wan, who gave the order to the Minister of National Defense, summoned Shin Sook-ju. Please give your order. The situation clearly said it was advice and that he rmends hiring you if you think its okay. This means that the governor and the ministers should take a close look once again and decide whether or not to ept it. But how dare you Then does that mean Jim should follow suit unconditionally? Wans voice was soft and t. But as the conversation continued, the air in Daejeon grew colder and colder. At the same time, Shin Sook-jus face became increasingly pale. As soon as Wan finished speaking, Shin Sook-ju bowed her head in despair to the floor. My thoughts were short-lived! Please be kind to me! It is not good to be a minister of a country and show short-thinking. The minister should keep in mind the word deliberation. I will keep this in mind again! Wan looked back at the other ministers and continued speaking. Its the same for all of you. Always remember to think carefully. I will keep this in mind! All of the subjects responded with one voice and red at Shin Suk-ju. Be sure to raise Sadal. Sadal! I went out of my way to look good and ended up looking hateful Tsk tsk tsk I guess Ill end up with a ministerial position He was quite a greedy person I guess Ill send him a bunch of medicine! Although the atmosphere changed to a thin ice one at the end, the meeting still ended smoothly. As they left Daejeon, all the subjects nced at Shin Suk-ju. Shin Sook-ju, still with a pale face, was walking unsteadily. A little away from Shin Suk-ju, a group of officials were looking at him with serious faces. These were officials who, knowingly or unknowingly, maintained a rtionship with Shin Sook-ju. Meanwhile, Wan moved to his quarters and talked with Crown Prince Hyeon. This situation is a great blessing that heaven has bestowed on our empire. The crown prince must carefully observe the events of the situation and prepare for your reign. yes. your majesty. Yes Hyun paused for a moment, looked at the magistrates and bookkeepers in the bedchamber, and asked Wan. your majesty. I may be presumptuous, but please pass on the magistrates and bookkeepers. Hmm Let the officers and clerks leave for a while. As the officers and officers went outside, Hyeon cautiously asked Wan. your majesty. Are you going to leave Shin Suk-ju alone? In response to Hyuns question, Wan stroked his chin and looked thoughtful. Hmm If you look at his abilities, he is a very capable person Didnt His Majesty tell me something? Me to you? What was it. The standard for evaluating ipetence andpetence. You said that the standards by which the people evaluate you and the standards by which the emperor evaluates them should be different, right? Oh, that? Only then did Wan look like he was remembering. This teaching was also given to me by the situation. * * * When Wan was just taking the crown princes lessons, Hyang said this to Wan. Personally, I like dating good people, good people, and trustworthy people. However, when ites to manipting people, we cannot only look at their human nature. You have toy down what a person is like and check the following. What the fragrance said next was as follows. -If the people say they are ipetent, then the monarch is also ipetent. It should not be appointed. -The people said, Its normal. Or, if you say, Its okay, the monarch should think like this. You can change it at any time. -If the people hear that the monarch is petent, they can trust him and use him for a long time. -If the people hear that a person is very capable, the ruler should use him but keep an eye on him until the end. Highlypetent people know that they arepetent. Because of this, you can go astray and mess things up by only believing in your own abilities. In this case, it can lead to worse results than hiring an ipetent person. C Therefore, if you are a monarch, it is better to hirepetent people rather than verypetent people. Hyang, who had been exining up to this point, suddenlyughed and gave another example. Its the same with gisaeng. Its best to avoid gisaengs who are too pretty. Those gisaengs are also arrogant because they know their pretty things very well. There are times when you go out to enjoy the arts, but end up feeling bad instead. Its better to avoid it. yes? yes. ah! okay! * * * Hmm Shin Sook-ju is definitely a very capable person. Hyeon put a little more emphasis on Wans words. Its not just about what happened today. There have been several instances where reports have been made of events that have crossed the line. Jim knows too. Milwi quietly and persistently inspected high-ranking officials andmanders. And the results were reported to Wan and Hyeon. ording to Milwis report, people were gradually gathering around Shin Sook-ju. Since there had been no illegal activities such as bribery or personnel corruption, Wan was just watching. Not yet. Its hard to find someone as talented as Shin Sook-ju. I am quietly looking into those who are slightly less capable than Shin Suk-ju but have sufficient experience, so the crown prince should not worry. Hyeon bowed his head in response to Wans answer and suddenly asked Wan as if he remembered something. your majesty. So what do you think about Hanmyeonghoe? Isnt he also very capable? right. Very capable and ambitious. It is a known fact that he is targeting the Prime Ministers Office. Then shouldnt he take care of it somehow? In response to Hyeons concerns, Wan smiled slightly and shook his head. No, if its Hanmyeonghoe, you can rest assured. As talented and ambitious as he is, he is also cautious. What you can and cannot do. I know very well what I can do and what I should never do. So you can rest assured. Ah Hyun nodded at Wans words. Han Myeong-hoes behavior in that way was partly due to his nature, but his scent also yed a role. This was because when he first came forward to reveal himself, Hyang was the first to understand his true intentions. -It was a great opportunity, wasnt it? From that day on, Han Myeong-hoe could never harbor any other feelings toward Hyang and Wan. Chapter 863 Episode 863: Their Ambition (14) In the end, Wan ordered a thorough analysis of the Florence Long Gun sent by Hyang. Although he epted the opinions of the new faction symbolized by Lim Sun-wook, there was also a problem with the authority of Emperor Wan himself. Everyone knows that the situation is thorough. But it was said that it was a match made in heaven. As it is a matter that has a great deal to do with the future of the empire, it is right to take another look and consider it. I follow your orders! The ministers responded to Wansmand by bowing their heads. While bowing their heads like that, the ministers looked at Shin Suk-ju from the corner of their eyes. Shin Sook-ju, who had already been photographed by Wan, was bowing her head with a dead look on her face. Rumors rted to Shin Sook-ju were overflowing in the back alleys of Yukjo Street. -They say that not only the emperor but also the crown prince is looking for Shin Suk-ju! -They said the Board of Audit and Inspection is already digging into Shin Sook-jus back! The rumors that were circting among officials had already spread behind Shin Sook-ju. After that, Shin Suk-ju began to work even harder and save herself. But before he knew it, people around him were moving away. Seeing Shin Suk-ju like that, all the ministers clicked their tongues. Tsk! So, I should have moved around a bit! You should have stopped when you were fighting with the Minister of Finance and Economy! * * * While Shin Sook-ju was desperately trying to make up for her mistakes, Area 51 meticulously analyzed the Florence rifle. Area 51s gun craftsmen were aze with enthusiasm. This was because after Hyang went to Shinji, the number of guns made in Area 51 was increasingly adopted as a ritual, and thepetitive spirit became stronger. The craftsmen who diligently opened and analyzed the Florentine rifle all looked at the Florentine rifle with ambiguous expressions. Its the same situation. It looks like its well made, but its a really poorly made long gun. If the developers of the original Mosin-Nagant had heard this, they would have been unable to hide their disappointment, but the craftsmen were sincere. In the case of firearms that had been made with a spoonful of vor, they were basically originals with excellent capabilities with ergonomics added. Therefore, the Florence long gun, which was honestly designed as the original and added some inconveniences, had no choice but to be a vaguely poorly made product. But its much better than Eulsik. Thats why its scarier. Anyway, lets write a report and post it. A few dayster, a report was sent to Wan through Crown Prince Hyeon. The prefectural government and ministers who had checked the report in advance all had ambiguous expressions. Why are you looking like that? You will know when you look at the report. Hmm At Hyuns answer, Wan stopped asking questions and opened the report. The contents of the report were summarized as follows. -The uracy of the Florentine rifle is lower than that of the double rifle. However, it does not drop significantly. -The Florence long gun is slightly lighter in weight. However, this is also not light enough to be obvious. -The steel that makes up the barrel and engine part of a long gun is one grade lower than the steel used in the imperial armys long gun and short gun wagons. -Both the thickness of the gun barrel and the thickness of the hammer are slightly thinner than those of the imperial army. -Therefore, the durability of the Florentine rifle is best at a level that barely satisfies the requirements of the imperial army. -After processing thetest European steel obtained from Area 51, making it ording to specifications, and testing it, it was confirmed that proper performance was not guaranteed. -What makes it superior to a double rifle is its simple structure. Even if a country has a lower level of technologypared to the empire, production is possible. Huh~. Wan, who had read the entire report, made a bewildered expression. I confirmed it while actually shooting, and it was something I already knew through the local documents. However, the report written and posted by experts had a different weight. Hmm Wan looked at the report once again and looked at Lim Sun-wook. Minister of Finance and Economy. I will ask. Please ask. Can you ease your worries with a Florentine rifle? After gathering his thoughts for a moment in response to Wans question, Lim Soon-wook bowed his head again and answered. I think it would be a good idea to hand over the Florentine rifles on the condition that the armored light wagons are not sold at all and all freight cars and artillery pieces are purchased from the empire. Also, I think it would be a good idea to hand over the technology and tool blueprints but purchase the materials from the empire as an optional condition. A choice? If you force it from the beginning, it will feel like a hard sell, but once they realize that they cannot reach what the empire has created, they wille to the rescue on their own. Right. Wan nodded at Im Soon-wooks words and looked back at Shin Suk-ju. Minister of Foreign Affairs. As soon as Wan called, Shin Sook-ju immediately responded by bowing her head. Yes, Your Majesty! We will definitely conclude the negotiation ording to the conditions stated by the Minister of Finance and Economy! Wan responded to Shin Sook-jus answer in an emotionless voice. Ill look forward to it. I will definitely make it happen! This is what happened while Giovanni was in drag. * * * The Minister of Foreign Affairs asked to see you tomorrow at 2:30 PM. Giovanni, who was restlessly waiting for an answer in the Medici familys mansion in Seoul, responded with delight to the message from the Foreign Ministry official. I will definitely be there at that time! All right. then. The next day, Giovanni visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the appointed time. Giovanni entered the office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs under the guidance of an official, saw Shin Sook-ju, and immediately greeted her. long time no see. Minister. Long time no see. Come this way. Shin Suk-ju, who offered Giovanni a seat, sat across from him. How did your Majesty make your decision? Your Majesty has made great concessions for Florence, a good neighbor of the Empire. then! Giovannis face brightened at Shin Sook-jus answer. Looking at Giovannis face, Shin Suk-ju continued speaking. You authorized the dispatch of instructors to train the Florentine army. We will dispatch it as soon as Florence is ready. I am truly grateful for Your Majestys bravery! Giovanni, who expressed gratitude for Wans decision, soon moved on. And how did you decide on the weapon? After a brief pause, Shin Sook-ju spoke of her requirements. There are a few conditions. Wagons and artillery must be purchased from the Empire. Bullets for freight cars and long guns must be purchased from the empire. Hmm Giovanni was lost in thought with a serious expression on Shin Sook-jus words. Giovanni, who had been thinking about it in his mind, soon nodded. I will ept it. This is as expected. * * * Beforeing to Seoul, Giovanni had discussed with working-level officials in Florence what conditions the empire would impose. Among the things that came out there were the conditions that Shin Sook-ju just mentioned. And the answer to these conditions was I ept. -The current iron manufacturing facilities and technology in Florence cannot produce cannons with the same performance as the imperial cannons. -Simrly, it is impossible to producerge quantities of bullets with Florences production facilities and capabilities. -Therefore, if the empire presents the above conditions, it has no choice but to ept them. -Instead of epting this condition, permission to produce long guns must be obtained. Starting with long guns, we catch up with the Empire. This was the conclusion that emerged from the discussion at the time and came to Seoul with Cosimos approval. * * * I will ept the conditions presented by the Empire. However, we also have conditions. I would like to produce and procure the long guns used by the imperial army directly in Florence. Hmm Shin Suk-ju kept her mouth shut at Giovannis request. As Shin Sook-jus silence became longer, Giovanni continued speaking. The Empire and Florence are good neighbors with shared interests. If you have something to give, shouldnt you also have something to receive? Florence must make at least long guns ourselves. Giovanni emphasized the legitimacy of his demands. Shin Sook-ju, who remained silent for a moment, slowly opened her mouth. I already know that part from thest request. However, it is impossible to allow the production of military rifles used by our military. Minister! It is a problem rted to the safety of the empire, but there is also a problem with Florence. It is our empires judgment that it is impossible to mass-produce military rifles with the dexterity of Florentine craftsmen. Wouldnt the empire just send craftsmen to teach that? Since this part was also expected, Giovanni immediately suggested an alternative. The empire does not send out artisans carelessly. Instead Shin Sook-ju paused for a moment and quenched her throat with ck bean tea. Giovanni desperately held back the growing heat at Shin Sook-jus rxed behavior. Whoa~. Shin Sook-ju let out a small sigh and continued. Instead, I made a long gun that was made in Florence and could be used. Its called the Florentine rifle. Florentine rifle? Is there a soldier among the group who is familiar with long guns? there is. Then lets meet tomorrow at the Imperial Army Headquarters. The time is * * * The next day, Giovanni visited the headquarters with his group. The soldier who greeted Giovannis group at the entrance guided them to the shooting range. This is a Florentine rifle. Giovanni, who saw the long guns in front of him, looked back at the officer who came with him. After receiving the silent order, the officer headed to the ce where the long guns were ced with the soldiers. The officers and soldiers, who learned how to use it through an interpreter, loaded five bullets into the Florence rifle and pulled the trigger toward the target. Its best! Afterpleting the test, the officer reported to Giovanni with a flushed face. At first, the soldiers seemed to stutter a little, but after 10 shots, they got used to it and showed incredible rapid fire. It has a much better rate of fire than an Eulsik long rifle! Its a really cool long gun! Giovanni had a strange expression upon hearing the officers report. As far as he knew, the best advantage of a double rifle was that it could fire five rounds in session. In order to win in a situation where they were outnumbered in size, superiority in quality was essential, so they requested double-type long rifles. But you made a special long gun for us that has the same performance as a double rifle? Unrequited favor makes you look like a saint, and those who are closer to Satan than saints are the Empire. why? Giovanni couldnt hide his ominous feeling. In the end, Giovanni argued and listened. Why did the Empire make long guns exclusively for us? This is because the talents of Florentine craftsmen cannot properly make a military rifle. This Florentine long gun. After hearing the characteristics of the Florentine long gun, Giovanni felt even more iprehensible and continued to question it. Why does the empire show this favor? Its so strange to receive this kind of favor. Shin Sook-ju responded to Giovannis words with a grin. It is certain that a big game will ur in the future, but the empire does not want to bet on a losing game. Ah In response to Shin Sook-jus answer, Giovanni actually looked relieved, as if the tooth he had been suffering from had fallen out. okay! These are the Empire! Chapter 864 Episode 864: Imperial style (1) Giovanni, who learned of the empires will, began negotiations with a rather relieved expression. The Empire is already aware that war is inevitable! If our Florence falls, the empire will suffer loss in the operations and dividends of Suez! Giovanni, who was under a psychological burden, actually participated in negotiations more actively. As Giovanni took an active role, Shin Suk-ju was pushed out. I cannot decide this on my own, so I will report it to Your Majesty. Every time she was cornered by Giovannis counterattack, Shin Suk-ju stopped the meeting by saying this. Okay then. Every time that happened, Giovanni smiled leisurely and nodded. Then I will wait for a good answer. Please be sure to consider themon interests of Florence and the Empire. I understand. Giovanni nced at Shin Suk-ju, who was looking like he was about to die, then got up and left the negotiation room. Giovanni, who decided he had the upper hand, turned to his aide and told a half-sincere joke. This Minister of Foreign Affairs is truly a good negotiating partner. Isnt it? If you had dealt with the former Minister of Foreign Affairs or the current Minister of Finance Ugh! Help from the Virgin Mary. Nothing like cancer! The aide nodded at Giovannis words while lightly crossing himself. He had been with Giovanni since the Medici family first came into contact with the empire and had experienced the imperial people. -The imperialists are so vicious that even Jews and Arabs, who are famous for business, trickery, and negotiation, will cry. This was the conclusion he reached while dealing with the empire and its people. Where on earth where did these peoplee from? How do they think like this? However, after contacting the Ming people, he began to understand to some extent. The people who are as harsh as the Jews and Arabs are not Kitae, but the Ming people. The Zipangu people are no slouch either. His judgment was only half correct. From the Three Kingdoms period to the Goryeo period, the empire was famous for international trade. In addition, the imperial people became more harsh as they dealt with merchants who were famous for being harsh in their business. But the biggest culprit was, of course, the scent. As the centuries went by, the imperial officials were almost at the level of thest boss, having been trained by Hyang, whose 21st century speaking and negotiation skills became sharper and harsher, and dealing with the harsh imperial merchants. This was the same for Shin Sook-ju. As soon as she left the negotiation in tears, Shin Sook-ju straightened her expression. Shin Suk-ju, who returned to her usual expression as if it had never happened before, looked back at her subordinates and sighed. Whoa~. Its not easy to force a crying expression. I have to thank Captain Lim. Just as Florence also practiced by creating various collections of expected problems, the Empire also went through rehearsals. A difficult debate took ce over how to anticipate Florences demands and secure the empires interests. When Lim Sun-wook looked at Shin Suk-ju and opened his mouth when he had almostpleted the expected answers, such as giving some things to Florence and some things the empire must secure, etc. Now the biggest challenge remains. What is it? Is this the captains face? My face? The emotionse out as they are. His mouth isining, but his eyes are smiling, so someone like Giovanni would recognize it right away. To use the words of the author, It is a view that should never be allowed to go near a battle board. Ah Now lets start practicing facial expressions. Do I need to practice that too? Ministry of Finance officials must practice. Especially as next years budget preparation period approaches, practice clearly. * * * Every year, when the budget preparation period came, all the ministries of the empire put pressure on the officials of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, shouting One penny more! Every time they were put under such pressure, Ministry of Finance and Economy officials would cry and make excuses. What kind of power do you say we have? In particr, when female officials said this with tearful eyes, officials from other ministries who had acted as if they were going to eat them had no choice but to step back. Of course, as time passed, other ministries also came up with ways to respond. As with the Ministry of National Defense, which is the most representative example, a member of the royal family was appointed as the person in charge to put pressure on the Ministry of Finance and Economy, and if the Ministry of Finance and Economy put up female officials as a shield, this side also put up female officials. * * * In this way, Shin Sook-ju, who received special training from Im Soon-wook and Ministry of Finance officials, secured the interests of the metallurgical empire by looking like she was being dragged around with a tearful expression on her face. On the surface, it seemed like Florence was benefiting, but in reality, it was making the empire benefit. The most representative example was the Supply and Demand Case for Florentine Long Gun Parts. -Purchase parts produced in the empire and assemble and produce them. This was the first proposal made by the Empire. Naturally, Florence strongly opposed this. We will even make parts in Florence! Hand over the parts production facilities! Even Florences steelmaking facilities can make this much! Thats a bit Florence agreed to introduce Florentine long guns, not the imperial armys military-style long guns! Give way to the empire too! Under pressure from Giovanni, Shin Suk-ju stepped back with a tearful look on her face. I will report it to Your Majesty. Until then, lets take a break. And the next day, Shin Sook-ju delivered Wans answer in a weak voice. Your Majesty has epted Florences request. Thank you so much! Giovanni was happy and Shin Suk-ju had a gloomy expression. War was predicted anyway. This meant that there was not enough time. They were greedy and said they would make Florentine rifles using the steel they produced, but it was clear what the result would be. As written above, it was impossible to make proper steel or change the specifications of long gun parts in a situation where there was not enough time. In the end, Florence had no choice but to import parts made in the empire or steel from the empire, even though it knew it would be a loss. In this way, in most cases, it was pretending to suffer even though you knew. But sometimes, Giovannis blind spots hit him. Each time, Shin Sook-ju walked away in real tears and had to listen to Wan clicking his tongue. * * * After intense pushing and pulling between Florence and the Empire, the agreement waspleted. After the signing ceremony of the agreement between Shin Sook-ju and Giovanni, Giovanni visited Wan. Giovanni politely bowed and thanked Wan, who was sitting on the table. Hwang Eun is truly devastated by your Majestys brave decision. The empires support will be of great help to Florence. It is to protect themon interests of our empire and Florence. I hope we can help realize Florences grand dream. Giovanni responded to Wans words even more politely. This is what will help you the most. Florence will never forget the support of the Empire. Then we should be thankful too. But Yes? When Wan suddenly became slurred, Giovanni tensed and raised his head. Looking at Giovanni like that, Wan got to the point. Our empire also has eyes and ears, so it knows the situation in Italy. So I learned about the dream of Florence. So I have a question. May I ask? If I can answer, I will answer without lies. In response to Giovannis answer, Wan asked directly. How will Florence move to achieve its dream? yes? no way? You dont think that just raising an army will solve everything, do you? Thats because God is somewhat ignorant about the military Im sure there were a lot of wars and battles that I saw and experienced during my time traveling between Italy and the empire, right? That is. Huh~ Tsk! When Giovanni slurred his words, Wan exhaled and clicked his tongue as if he was truly frustrated. As soon as Wan clicked his tongue, Giovanni flinched and became a turtle. This was because he also knew very well what it was like for emperors to click their tongues. I heard that your family, the Medici family, is a famous merchant family. Merchants with a reputation for being stubborn never act in a sloppy manner. Those who have made a name for themselves as merchants carefully examine the current situation, anticipate future events, and then prepare and move step by step ordingly. But what is your answer now? Is that all we need is an army and guns? . Giovannis head gradually fell to the floor as Wan criticized him. Its scarier than when I was scolded by my father. But this scene somehow feels familiar. ah! That time when Lorenzo was scolded by his father! Giovanni, who was thinking of Lorenzo being defeated by Cosimo after talking about getting revenge, was inwardly impressed. Are these people who know how to see and draw the big picture at the top of power? So what exactly is the answer? Tell me! Giovanni, who suddenly came to his senses at Wans urging, bowed his head and answered. There is still a lot of room for improvement. That means you couldnt even frame it properly. Cosimo de Medici, the owner of the family, must be very worried. Tsk! . Wan clicked his tongue again, but Giovanni, unable to find anything to say, kept his mouth shut and bowed his head. Wan, who was looking at Giovanni like that, continued speaking. Please postpone your return for a few days and visit the Ministry of Defense. You mean the Ministry of National Defense? I may be presumptuous, but if you tell me the reason, I will truly appreciate it. The empire has conducted its own research. It will help Florence. Giovannis face brightened as he heard Wans words, and he repeatedly bowed his head in gratitude. I am truly devastated that you have provided such great help to Florence! Hwang Eun is devastated! Again, it is for themon benefit of the Empire and Florence. I hope this helps. This will be a great help! Hwang Eun is devastated! The reason Giovanni was so moved was because of the history of the empire. It was a small country that only paid attention to Kitai, but it was the empire that defeated Kitai and became the strongest. It was clear that giving up all of the familys wealth would not have been a waste of advice from an empire with such experience. Hwang Eun is devastated! As Giovanni left, expressing his gratitude repeatedly, Wan smiled slightly and looked back at Hwang Bo-in and the ministers. Everyone in the gambling ring is nning on cheating, so we cant just sit back and watch, cant we? Then youre a brat. All the ministers nodded at Wans words. -Sess is impossible with Florence alone. -In that case, the military, political, and economic power of the empire must be projected. -In that case, we need to n the situation in advance in a way that is favorable to the empire. That is why Giovanni was sent to the Ministry of Defense. Operation name Patchwork had begun. * * * Giovanni woke up the next morning, quickly got ready, and visited the Ministry of Defense. Come this way. Giovanni and his group arrived, following the imperial troops who were in charge of guidance, to arge conference room. Minister of National Defense Jang Hang-seon and several high-rankingmanders were waiting in the conference room. After briefly exchanging greetings with Giovanni, Jang Hang-seon gave an order to the military officer standing in front of the ruler. Lets begin. Chapter 865 Episode 865 Imperial type (ۇ), imperial style (2) In response to Jang Hang-seons order, the military officer bowed lightly and began to open his mouth. First of all, what I am saying from now on is based on information obtained by our empire. And this information was obtained through imperial merchants who engaged in trade, Italians they met at trading points, and books purchased through various channels. So its not a perfect fit. I assume that this is simply a study of the situation in Florence based on rumors I heard. If I do it wrong, people might say, What kind of bullshit is this? I am confident that it is not to that extent. This is a cross-verification of what I heard from many sources. To Jang Hang-seons question, the military officer answered with a small, wry smile. * * * If tongue-clicking from King Sejong was the most avoided in the general bureaucracy of the empire, Jang Hang-seons swearing was the most avoided in the Ministry of Defense and the General Headquarters. After being specially appointed by King Sejong, Jang Hang-seon became the best expert in the empires defense department. Since it was such a long-haul ship, meticulous work was essential. If any loopholes or poor work were discovered, Jang Hang-seon immediately pointed them out and listened to them. If the cause was someone superior to him, he went to the person in charges office to argue with him, and if it was a subordinate, he called him in right away and scolded him until he lost his senses. It was the perfect behavior to look hateful, but surprisingly, it rarely caused problems. The biggest reason was that it was a special offer made after meeting and talking with King Sejong in person. Being chosen by the highest authority was a fairly powerful shield. Second, it was because, except for being picky about work, he rarely caused any problems. In this way, Jang Hang-seon was the person who gradually rose to the position of Minister of National Defense. And the higher his position, the more famous Jang Hang-seons profanity became with various meanings. What kind of bullshit is this? was a joke. The more inadequate the work was done, the more intense the swearing became. You damn bastard! The swear words mixed with the harsh northern dialect made the listeners feel sick. In any case, perhaps because of this long-haul ship, the Ministry of National Defense and the Imperial Army handled their affairs neatly. It waspletely different from the publics assessment that it was a ce of robbers who only know how to fight, which has been around since ancient times. * * * Giovannis groups eyes began to sparkle as they listened to the conversation between Jang Hang-seon and the military officer. Through its rtionship with the empire, Florence also received a lot of information about imperial officials, especially high-ranking officials. In particr, information rted to the Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, and Minister of National Defense, who were considered most closely rted to them, was information that must be secured. Of course, information rted to the Janghang Ship had already been obtained. If you can answer like that to the famously picky Minister of National Defense, its worth listening to! ording to the personality of the Minister of National Defense, the position would have already been reviewed and created. But if they had a conversation like that, they tell us to listen carefully! Then you should listen properly! Giovannis men, who judged this, straightened their posture and listened. In reality, the Janghang Line had already been reviewed and supplemented before it was built. And that was the norm. Nevertheless, having a conversation like just now was a subtle emphasis. -This is an important story, so listen carefully! Looking at me, it seems like I figured it out right away. It might be worth a bet. Jang Hang-seon, somewhat satisfied, leaned back on the back of his chair. The military officer, receiving the silent signal, calmed his voice again. greatness! Huh! Then lets begin. * * * To summarize the military officers exnation, it was roughly as follows. -Currently, Italy is home to dozens of city-states. -But looking at the current situation, it is roughly divided into five forces. -Mn, Venice, Florence, the Papal States, and the Kingdom of Naples. -Although there is Genoa in addition to this, Genoa should be considered as belonging to the Kingdom of Spain and Naples. -These five major powers achieved a bnce of power through the Treaty of Lodi led by Cosimo de Medici in 1454. -If we look at the contents of the Lodi Treaty, they are as follows. -The countries participating in the treaty do not allow one country to dominate other countries. -Countries participating in the treaty are prohibited from borrowing power from foreign powers. -If a problem arises between the countries participating in the treaty, it is resolved through talks and ambassadors. -The Italian Alliance, made up of treaty participating countries, joins forces to resist foreign powers. -Despite this treaty, the Italian unification movement surfaced and foreign powers began to take action. -If this unification movement changes into a movement involving military force, problems will arise in the supply and demand of troops. Most of the parties will mobilize mercenaries, which will interfere with smooth troop supply and operation. In the worst case, mercenaries will defect to the opposing camp during the war. -Therefore, the best way is to create a standing army. -ording to the obtained information, the poption of Florence is estimated to be approximately 80,000, or approximately 250,000 to 300,000, including Pisa, Volterra, and other surrounding cities and viges. However, it is assumed that this number does not include ves. -Based on this poption, the number of standing troops that Florence can stably operate is up to 15,000. After that, the military officer exined many items, starting with the operation of the reserve force system. As the military officers exnation continued, Giovannis men became more sincere. Before they knew it, they had taken out paper and a stylus and frantically wrote down what the interpreter said. Therefore, in order for Florence to increase its sess rate, I think it must change not only its armament but also its entire organization and support system to the imperial style. That is all. Good job. Under Jang Hang-seons reign, the military officers bowed and left the conference room. When the military official left, Jang Hang-seon looked at Giovanni. How do you feel? I was truly impressed. Your Majesty told me to be sincere, so I put in a lot of effort. I can only thank you, Your Majesty. After thanking Wan, Giovanni looked back at his men. Giovanni looked at the faces of his subordinates, who wrote them down diligently but seemed to have missed a lot, and then looked back at Jang Hang-seon. Can I get a copy or trantion? Ill give it to you within two days. thank you! Giovanni was truly grateful, and his men looked like they had been beaten. ah! That way! * * * Five dayster, Giovanni boarded a ship bound for Suez. The ship Giovanni was on and the three ships following him were loaded with various equipment to produce Florentine long guns, 100 prototypes of Florentine long guns, and 10,000 rounds of ammunition. But thats not the most important thing. Giovanni looked at therge wooden box on one side of his cabin. It was an ordinary wooden box containing personal belongings, including the clothes he would wear, but inside was a trantion provided by the Imperial Ministry of Defense. That document is worth a thousand pounds That document the problem is Giovanni acknowledged the value of the trantion, but he was also full of worries. If it goes ording to that document, it wont end with just recing the military. Everything in Florence must be torn down. Is it really possible? Will the people of Florence follow suit? And what does it cost? Nothing was easy. However, it was also a price that must be paid for his proud family and Florence to y a leading role in the unification of Italy and rule over a unified Italy. Whoa~. Giovanni let out a long sigh and ran his fingers through his hair. Giovanni, looking to distract himself, stopped at the map hanging on the cabin wall. Whoa~. Pisara. Giovanni, who had read the reports provided by the empire over and over again, was keenly aware that there were many difficult problems. And the most representative of those difficult problems was Pisa. * * * The imperial report did not mention Pisa directly. -The naval power must be strengthened in order to subdue the Kingdom of Naples and Venice and block the ess of foreign powers more effectively. Florence had already secured the optimal city to sessfully carry out the words of the empire. It was Pisa. However, considering its past history, Pisa was not an easy city for Florence. Pisa was one of the four major maritime powers of medieval Italy. However, after being defeated by Genoa, it became Genoese territory andter declined into a small city-state. Afterwards, Pisa surrendered to the military force mobilized by Florence and became a subsidiary city of Florence. Naturally, the city that still showed a rebellious attitude towards Florence was Pisa. Of course, because they were pushed out by force, they did not show it openly, but the city that secretly rebelled was Pisa and the Pisa people. However, the problem was that Pisa was the best ce to foster naval power. Its really embarrassing. Is this called Gyereuk in the Empire? Giovanni, who was worried about a problem that could not be easily answered no matter how much he thought about it, waved the white g. I dont know. In this case, your father will give you the answer. Just like its always been. * * * After Giovanni left Seoul, Wan talked with the ministers. The topic of conversation was a document given to Giovanni by the Ministry of Defense. Wan, who was already familiar with the contents of the document, asked Hwang Bo-in. At first nce, it seems full of challenges. Will they really follow suit? Hwang Bo-in answered Wans question right away. If they are sincere, I think they will ept it as much as they can. Following Hwang Bo-in, Kim Jong-seo spoke. All decisions depend on Cosimo de Medici. Hearing Kim Jong-seos words, Wan stroked his chin. Cosimo de Medici He is the one who truly showed what it means to be old and cunning. But this wont be easy for him either. Kim Jong-seo responded to Wans words. But now he is much older. And thats the problem. His grandson, Lorenzo de Medici, and his second son, Giovanni de Medici, represent him, but important decisions must be made through him. However, if the old man falls, it will be very difficult for the two people who are still inexperienced, especially Lorenzo de Medici. Wan nodded his head in response to Kim Jong-seos words. I think our empire will step in as an advisor at that time. And it all started with what was given this time by the Ministry of National Defense. Thats right. As soon as Kim Jong-seos short answer ended, Hwang Bo-in spoke about the true intentions of the empire. By making Florence an Italian empire, we can gain a lot with a little money. Justicees from getting what you deserve. Chapter 866 Episode 866: Imperial type, imperial style (3) Making Florence an empire did not mean making Florence into a powerhouse worthy of being called an empire. The idea was to make Florences administrative structure, national affairs, and peoples thoughts simr to a Korean federal empire. It was Wan who first thought of this. As much as I thought about it, its never easy. Ministers do not move easily. I need someone to give me more strength. To be precise, someone who will kick the heavy butts of ministers. And yet there is only one person who will not be criticized There is only one person like that. Wan immediately began writing his letter. After learning the general information through the sealed letter sent by Wan, Hyang immediately gave an order. Is there still a boat in Chosi? Tell them to stand by. Yes, Your Majesty! I have to go to Seoul after a long time. Please tell the Empress Dowager as well. Yes, Your Majesty! Hyang muttered softly as he looked at the eunuchs and officials who had received his orders. I cant help it, is it now Uh, American style? Its fortunate that the south is somewhat on track. Since they were already ustomed to Hyang, all preparations werepleted quickly. Thanks to the officials prompt response, Hyang was able to quickly return to Seoul. Wan, who weed Hyang back to Seoul, gathered Crown Prince Hyeon and the ministers. The reason I asked Jim toe here is because we have something to discuss in depth together. At Wans words, the ministers became very nervous once again. Those rich people are good at catching people off guard! Dont let it cken even a little bit! If His Majesty has called you to this situation, then he is telling you to learn from me properly! Dont miss a single thing! When I ascend to the throne, I must not make the ministers look down on me! The prefectures and ministers were very nervous and focused on Wan in case they missed anything. greatness. Keuhum! Wan cleared his throat with a light cough and finally began to open his mouth. Jim is thinking about turning Florence into an empire. For a moment, the quiet Daejeon became noisy. Are you sure you want to annex Florence as part of the empire? Its impossible Are you saying you want to grow Florence like our empire? There are a lot of problems with that too Wans words were unexpected and yet far beyond his expectations. He forgot the time and ce and began to mutter, and Hyang ced his hand on his forehead. You bastard! What will you do if you leave there like that? Even if it were me, I would be overturned. As themotion did not subside easily, a scent emerged. quiet! Quiet! This is where His Majesty resides! What a disgrace! And yet you are a subject of a great empire! At Hyangs words, Daejeon instantly became quiet. Tsk! At the sound of incense tickling their tongues, the ministers became quiet and only watched. No, even Wan looked at Hyangs feelings. Hyang, who was about to bite his tongue at this sight, held back and looked back at Wan. Please continue. But Hyangs eyes had a fierce glow. See youter! * * * To summarize Wans words, they were as follows. -Again, making Florence an empire means making Florence like an empire. -Florences administrative structure is designed to make the peoples way of thinking like an empire. -ording to the information received so far, the situation in Italy can be seen as simr to the old Spring and Autumn Festival. The difference is that while the Spring and Autumn factions have ascended to the position of losers over time, the losers of Italy are now coexisting with each other. -But now, even among them, superiority and inferiority are slowly being determined, and there are talks and movements regarding Italian unification among those who can be called noblemen. -This is a very simr situation to Japans unification process. -Japan also had a proliferation ofrge and small feudal lords who could be called shogunate states, the emperor who could be called the son of the emperor or the loser of the emperor. -Norihiro Ouchi is the person who unified Japan, which was in disarray, and was crowned king of Japan by the emperor. -Norihiro was able to be king because there was an army armed and trained with the weapons of the empire and officials who learned and learned from the empire. -And as those who had learned and learned from the empire settled down, Japan pursued policies such as the abolition of the Japanese colonial rule, the suppression of religion, religion, and Buddhism, and equality between citizens. If you look at Japan now, you can see it as another empire. -Also, those who had learned and learned from the empire came to power, and the southern coastline of the empires headquarters became peaceful. This is partly because the empires national power is great, but it is also because those who admire the empire and want to emte it came to power. -The Japanese case is transnted to Europe. -Although Florences power is strong now, it is not enough toplete the unification of Italy. -Our empire must not miss this opportunity. -Persuaded that in order toplete Italian unification, it was best to ept and reform the imperial administrative and military system. Florence is made to ept this. -epting a system is difficult to seed by simply epting its form. We must understand the meaning of the system and live ording to that meaning. -This means that everyone, from those in power in Florence to the nobles and the general public, must think and live in ordance with Hongik Ingan, the national poem of the empire. -To put it another way, Florence bes another empire located in Italy. -Also, if Florencepletes the unification of Italy, it will adore the empire like Japan and will try to spread the beauty of the empire throughout Europe. -In addition to this, it is also of great help in military terms. -Represented by Suez, the interests of various European countries and empires began to sh in more and more fields. -This means that, although we dont know when, an armed conflict will break out between European countries and empires. -If we look at the current situation, even though we are diligently scouting, we do not really know the military capabilities of Europe. -If the predicted armed conflict bes an all-out war rather than a local conflict, it must be examined in advance whether the imperial armys military system and strategy are also effective for the European army. -For this, Florence must be made like an empire. -The battle that will take ce in Italy is both a local conflict and an all-out war. From the perspective of the surrounding countries, including the empire, it is a local war taking ce between small cities in Italy, but among the parties involved, it is an all-out war with their survival at stake. -They say that if we can make Florence like an empire and then wage a war of unification, we can preview the war that will break out between the empire and Europe. -Also, it is clear that if the war intensifies, foreign powers will interfere. If we look at this carefully, we can know in advance the strengths and weaknesses of the European army that will be our future enemy. The reason it took so much effort is because Europe and the empire are so far away. This is because, no matter how fast ships are mobilized, it takes half a year to receive reports about what is happening in Europe, discuss them, and send back answers. If you go to Europe without looking into it in advance and encounter important variables, you may end up in a situation where you will be left behind after the fact, and the empire may lose a lot of things it does not need to lose. Therefore, I will ask the monks how to use such a number. Even after Wan finished speaking, none of the ministers opened their mouths easily. It wasnt because he was clever, it was because he was busy doing calctions here and there. Hyang opened his mouth while observing the reactions of the ministers. The emperors idea is good. But When theye into contact with the Florentine army trained in the style of the imperial army and realize that the Florentine army is stronger than expected, the European army will also change. If we do something wrong, wont it only benefit Europe? Wan immediately responded to Hyangs point. All Europeans already know how powerful our empire is. Thats why its still changing. Its just not immediately visible. Foreign powers will also suffer great losses if Italy is lost, so they will intervene in the battles taking ce in Italy. The moment they intervene, we can know in advance how they have changed and even how they will change. In response to Wans answer, Hyang silently nodded his head. After a while, Hwang Bo-in asked Wan. your majesty. It is truly a big and beautiful n. How could it not be beautiful to spread the beautiful national poetry and ideas of the empire? In addition, through this, the empires prestige can be spread widely and its interests can be protected, so it is truly a clever strategy. Thats too much praise. Wan responded to Hwang Bo-ins praise with a slightly embarrassed expression. However, neither Hyang nor Wan Hwang Bo-in had smiling eyes. Its politics. Its always the first thing to do before hitting. Haona. Hwang Bo-in began to point out, just as Hyang had expected. Yes, Your Majesty. Humans are beasts that pursue profit even when their lives are at risk. This also applies to those in power in Florence. No matter how beautiful the empires national g is and how useful its various systems are, if there is no benefit to it, it will not be epted. In that case, the Empire has a lot to offer them. Not only will we need to provide a lot of wealth, but we will also need to send valuable talents. If they lose them in the war they are going to wage, the empire will suffer great loss. Hyang nodded at Hwang Bo-ins point and muttered to herself. Unlike the Cold War, the camps were not divided. Was it a war otherwise? It was a war between the dor and the ruble. After World War II, many countries that gained independence from colonies were divided into liberal andmunist camps. Ideology yed a role in their division, but the dors and rubles that filled the pockets of those in power also yed a role. Wan nodded at Hwang Bo-ins point. What the Prime Minister said is not wrong. It is certain that Florence will demand much from our empire. They will ask for help ranging from small things like weapons torge things like people and property. But wouldnt it be a mistake if you were to save it and lose the opportunity to look into it in advance? In response to Wan, Hwang Bo-in closed his mouth and stepped back. Afterwards, several Q&A sessions followed. But the conclusion had already been decided. Then, I will prepare ording to the n your Majesty hasid out. Do it. In this way, the action n Operation Patchwork was created. However, there were some who opposed it until the end. They were the new faction represented by Lim Soon-wook. Your Majestys strategy is beautiful, but it is dangerous. If you do it wrong, not only will your empire be stigmatized, but it can also fall into a quagmire. You must ask for reconsideration. Even if it means risking your life. Hwang Bo-in responded to Lim Soon-wooks point by stroking his beard. Its a ploy that can only be used if Florence requests it. Only if Florence asks. Arent the Florentines the ones Im sure to invite! . This is why Lim Sun-wook actively opposed it when Florences request came in. Meanwhile, on the boat heading back to Shinji, Hyang smiled and muttered in remorse. Do you think it would be a good idea to make that and send it to me? hello? This is Gukppong, who writes ck Enterprise Chosun. Finally, 2022 is thest year. Of course, there is one day left tomorrow, but psychologically, today is thest day. This year has been a very eventful year for me. I waspletely preupied with various problems. Still, as the sun sets and a new year begins, I need to pull myself together and do my best. I hope all readers have a good year and a happy new year. Posted with soup. Chapter 867 Episode 867: Imperial type, imperial style (4) The empire did its best to obtain information in advance and was able to make its own preparations behind the curtain. Thanks to this, when Giovanni arrived and ryed Florences business, he was able to pretend to be in a hurry, but then smile with regret. Thanks to this, when Giovanni boarded the return ship, gleeful that he had made a good profit in the negotiations with the empire, working-level officials gathered at the girdle in Seoul and held a feast. We caught a big fish, so lets have a drink! ha ha ha! Thats right! The alcohol is really sweet today! Bring me multi-colored liquor! Multi-colored liquor! Even if the roots of the pir are pulled out, I will have to drink today! cancer! You should drink it today! If they hadnt epted it, they would have died of injustice! This was why the working-level staff held a party, shouting Lets do it! There was no easy task for imperial officials, but this one was especially serious. This was because the emperor, Wan, had personally expressed his intention and issued the order. Of course, the existing work was also done from top to bottom. However, most of the work involved going up step by step from the bottom, receiving permission from the emperor, and thening back down. Therefore, this situation was twice as difficult as other tasks. If there was even the slightest gap, the sound of clicking tongue would immediatelye out, and that day would be the day of crying. In reality, it was like that. Because time was running out, the officials in charge of the work literally put their souls into the work. Therefore, if the result of such hard work turned out to be useless, there were many people who would not be able to ovee their sense of injustice and would make an uproar. * * * Meanwhile, Giovanni, who had arrived in Suez, was moving diligently toward Florence with his cargo. This is precious cargo! The seal must never be broken or damaged! Take a good look! Whenever Giovannis men stopped at stations along the railway, they carefully inspected the condition of the cargo loaded on the freight cars. -These are essential things for Florence to seed in her great cause! It must never be noticed or damaged! Giovannis orders were there, but his subordinates, who had read the situation in their own way, looked at the condition of the cargo with all their might. Giovanni, who was observing the scene from the tform, frowned and muttered. Compared to transporting it on a camel, it is much faster, but still inconvenient Would it have been better to dig a canal like the empire suggested at the time? * * * When talk arose about a transportation route linking Suez with the North, the first thing the Empire proposed was a canal. However, the cost of everything, including the construction period, manpower, and necessary materials, was astronomical. Because of this, the allies refused the empires proposal. And their choice was iron horses and railroads. This also consumed a considerable amount of money, but much less than the canal. And through this iron horse, the allies were able to benefit enormously. However, when transporting cargo on arge scale that requires confidentiality, as it is now, it was quite inconvenient, and the canal came to mind again. * * * At one point, Giovanni, who had been thinking about the profitability of the canal, smiled and summed up the situation. Isnt there a saying among the imperial sayings, the rice cake of a painting? Thats exactly what I am now. The current situation in Florence is just like the iron horse. Only when wepletely take control of Italy and are recognized as a proper country can we confidently make our demands. To do that, we have to make Florence one. Wow! Just when the need for Italian unification was being realized again, the iron horse that had finished its supply sounded a whistle to announce its departure. As he got back into the carriage, Giovanni pledged once again. I must It was a promise full of many meanings. * * * Giovanni and his party arrived at Prince Henry Port and began loading cargo onto waiting ships. The Medici family official residing at the port reported to Giovanni with a troubled expression. I dont have enough stomachs. I think Ill have to send it in two installments. Giovanni responded firmly to the officials report. Send news to Livorno! In my name, tell them to gather all the ships that can be used and send them to you! Then, if you have time why dont you borrow ships from other countries? Are you saying that because you know what kind of cargo you are currently loading? Send the news right away! Yes yep! And stop shipping right now and put it in storage! Double your expenses! yes! The official, frightened by Giovannis harsh orders, began to carry out the orders in a hurry. The shipment, which was in full swing, was stopped and all cargo was unloaded and stored in the Medici familys warehouse at the port. Once all the cargo was back in the warehouse, Giovannis men put locks on the warehouse doors and ced seals on the main entrance. Double the guards! yes! This movement attracted the attention of other merchants and foreign officials nearby. Why is this so unfortunate? Its suspicious What did you bring from the Land of Flowers? Curious merchants and foreign officials secretly approached the warehouse. However, due to the guards surrounding the warehouse and Giovannis men, they had no choice but to quench their appetite and retreat. Wow! Its so embarrassing The bluff of Italians Youre an Italian too. Green one! Meanwhile, at Giovannis misadventures, some peoples eyes lit up and they threw a tantrum. About ten dayster, ships arrived from Livorno. After mobilizing all of the newly arrived ships andpleting the loading, Giovanni immediately raised anchor toward Livorno. * * * Its Livorno! Weve finally arrived. After hearing the captains report, Giovanni appeared on the deck with a sigh of relief. Giovanni muttered softly as he looked at the scenery of Livorno beyond the deck railing. Did you say it was important to grow the navy? Hmm. Giovanni, who was muttering to himself as he watched Livorno getting closer and closer, turned around. It might cost a bit more, but its better than Portopisano. Livorno began as a coastal fortress to defend Pisa. At the time, the naval port of Pisas navy was Portopisano. Following Pisas defeat in the Battle of Meloria between Genoa and Pisa in 1284, Portopisano was destroyed and Livorno was abandoned. Since Florence purchased it from Genoa in 1421, Livorno has been gradually growing in size. After listening to the advice of the imperial army, Giovanni saw Livorno and came up with the idea of making it a base for the Florentine navy. -It is a strategic military point so that the old Pisa people built a defensive fortress. -It is a small vige with just over 400 people when the first census was conducted. Now the poption has increased, but it is all foreigners. In other words, there is no sense of belonging to Pisa. -This is why Livorno has an advantage over Portopisano. Portopisano, as its name suggests, is closely rted to Pisa. Although Pisa is now subordinate to Florence, it cannot bepletely trusted. After this analysis, Giovanni decided to make Livorno the base of the Florentine navy. Ill have to report it as soon as I get back to Florence * * * Thank you for your hard work. After receiving the report from Giovanni, who returned to Florence, Cosimo nodded lightly and praised Giovanni. thank you. However, yourplexion is not good. Are you okay? Giovanni asked, looking at Cosimo with a face full of worry. While Giovanni stayed in Seoul, Cosimo grew weaker. Before Giovanni left, he was lying down to be seen by others, but now Cosimo was lying down exhausted. Dont worry. My mind is fine. As he said, Cosimos eyes still contained vitality. Fortunately, the. And the Emperor of the Empire has sent us advice. advice? yes. Giovanni handed Cosimo a document prepared by the Imperial Ministry of Defense. Hmm The problem with these writers is that their handwriting is too small Cosimo, who was grumbling as he looked at the document filled with small letters, picked up the magnifying ss he had left next to him and began to read the document. Hmm Hmm Hmm? hmm! As each page of the document passed, Cosimos face became more serious. Whoa~. After reading through to thest page, Cosimo let out a long sigh and looked back at Lorenzo. You should read it too. yes. Lorenzo, who took the document in his hand at Cosimos order, was instantly immersed in it. Whoa~. Lorenzo, who had been immersed in the document without even being able to breathe properly, let out a long sigh and raised his head to look at Cosimo. What do you think? Lorenzo answered Cosimos question with a bright face. This is truly excellent advice. Even now, there are systems that follow those of the empire, but I cannot shake the feeling that they are insufficient. But after reading this advice, I can see why! Of course, we need to look at it more carefully and consider it, but if we take this advice, Florence can definitely seed in its great cause! In response to Lorenzos response, Cosimo turned to Giovanni. What do you think? I also think the same way. If you apply the empires advice well, you can achieve great things. I see I see Cosimo, who had been repeating the word I see several times, took the document back and waved his hand. Go out and do some work. I want to read this again. yes. Lorenzo and Giovanni bowed to Cosimosmand and quietly left the room. Cosimo, left alone in the room, looked at the report in his hand and quenched his appetite. Tsk! The Empire has discovered our weakness. The absence of philosophy. Cosimos appetite was bitter. Lorenzo was young and full of energy. He was also talented in diplomacy and administration. What hecked in experience was something he would make up for with time. He also had ambition. Giovanni was the same. In the meantime, I gained ample experience dealing with merchants from the empire and Europe. Although his talents were general, he had the ability to maintain the family and make it bigger. And he was ambitious enough to agree with Lorenzo. But although those two men had ambition, they had no philosophy. -There was an ambition to unify Italy, but there was no philosophy on how to run that unified Italy. No, theck of that philosophy is the weakness of all of Europe. Cosimo muttered with a bitter smile. The Empire has clearly recognized our, and indeed Europes, weaknesses. I noticed. Whew~ Cosimo let out a long sigh and looked at the empire on the map hanging on the wall. Is this another invasion from the East, following the Huns and Mongols? Cosimo was keenly aware that he had met a truly powerful enemy. Chapter 868 Episode 868: Imperial type, imperial style (5) The problem has been that since Greece and Rome, there have been philosophies for individuals but no philosophies for the nation Cosimo still got a kick out of it. He muttered with an expression like, These days, the Greek and Roman era is called the ssical era by schrs at European universities, including Florence. Until at least a thousand years ago, it was no exaggeration to say that all knowledge in the world was gathered in Greece and Rome. Naturally, this was a time when various types of philosophies and ideas emerged. It was a time when Athens was evaluated as when 100 people gather, 101 opinions emerge. However, there was no philosophy for the country. No, almost none existed except for tos Republic. The famous Solon also left a record of what he did C though it is questionable whether it was true C but what he was thinking about doing it was not left behind. Additionally, Numa, who is credited withying the foundation of Rome, has not been told what he had in mind and pursued such a policy. Of course, records of famous heroes, kings, and politicians remained through records such as Plutarchs Chronicles of the Heroes. However, most of them were just sagas oveid with legends and myths. Little remains of what they thought of their country and people or how they dreamed of ruling them. Other philosophies mostly discussed metaphysical things, such as the truth that moves the world and theposition of all things. And after the copse of the Western Roman Empire a thousand years ago. It was a time of violence and religion. Phew~. Cosimo sighed. * * * As we moved into the feudal era, the peoples perspective narrowed to the manor to which they belonged, rather than the territory to which they belonged. The same was true for kings and nobles. There was loyalty and reward ording to the mutual contract between the king and the nobles, but there was no ce for the people anywhere. The same was true for philosophy. Philosophy, which discusses humans and society, gave way to Christianity. Christianity was a double-edged sword. Abination of factors contributed to the decline of the Vikings, who had been terrorizing Europe for a while, but their eptance of Christianity also yed a role. However, it was Christianity that led to the history of a long, bloody war with Imic forces. Of course, Cosimo took pains to ignore the fact that the Italian merchant powers efforts to take advantage of the transit trade also yed a role. The same was true after the decline of the Crusades. As Eastern Europe was shaken by the Mongol invasion and Western Europe was shaken by the Hundred Years War, the period of war continued and many things changed. That wasnt all. Even as the empire came into full view of Europeans and exchanges between East and West became more frequent through Suez, changes in European countries were slow. France, with its cry of France, France, the nation of the French, stopped there. Ennd? Magna Carta did exist. But for a while, it was just a piece of tissue paper. Of course, Magna Carta contained the phrase consent of the people of Ennd, but in reality it was merely an agreement on the division of power between the king and the nobles. In addition, Parliaments were created and operated in various countries and cities, including his own Florence. However, this Parliament was also a ce open only to those who had money. There was no ce formoners. To sum up, there was no ruling ideology or philosophy for themon people called people in the East. Although it is called a ruling ideology or philosophy, it was not something grand. -What kind of life will the people live in the future? -I will tell the people how to live. This was what could be called the ruling ideology and philosophy. However, the thoughts of many European monarchs and nobles that Cosimo had met were simple. The people? Cant we just let them live without starving? How should I live? You should ask the church about that. Why are you asking me? After thinking this far, Cosimo let out another long sigh. Whoa~. Its church again. However, the ce where the term Pandemonium is most appropriate has be the church * * * As Cosimo said, the church during this period was a symbol of corruption and corruption. For nearly 60 years, the Council and the Pope fought over who had authority over the church. In addition, through incidents such as the humiliation of Canossa, the Ani Incident, and the Avignon Captivity, the conflict between secr monarchs and the Pope arose sharply. In this situation, various denominations emerged within the church, and disputes arose over differences in interpretation and doctrine of the Bible. It was themoners who suffered as they lost their minds due to these conflicts. Every time themon people asked, How should we live?, the clergys answers were very simr. We must live an honest Christian life. Then what is the honest Christian life? This is where the people fell into confusion. If your job is honest, you just have to stick to it. ah! Of course, if I can help others, I help them. I am a businessman? Its not a sin if you dont deceive the customers. There were clergy who said this, but there were also many who argued the opposite. What! Be abstinent! Wealth means falling into the devils temptation, so live frugally! Working hard but sharing what is left over with others is the life of a true Christian! As these different ims met, theologians engaged in a heated war of words, and believers who followed the doctrine shed with believers of other denominations. Wealth is not a sin! If you earn it through honest work, enjoying wealth is not a sin, it is natural! There is no such thing as honest wealth! Its all just exploitation of others! Your doctrines only lead believers into corruption! Starting with the Vatican right now. Look at that proud Vatican! Most popes are illegitimate sons of influential families, and there is no one, including cardinals and bishops, who does not have concubines! Isnt that corruption! As the situation inside the church became so messed up, believers became lost. From the state and the king to the nobles and the church, those who were supposed to provide direction and vision to themon people hade to a situation where they were not properly carrying out their duties. Cosimo let out a long sigh as he thought about the situation in Europe, which was bing more and more morous on the outside but was bing a mess on the inside. Whoa~. Maybe it would be better to ept that of the Empire, or rather, that of the East. * * * As exchanges with the East, including the empire, continued in earnest, the number of European schrs studying Eastern studies began to increase. The beginning of a new academic tradition called Eastern Paleoscience (|W) was, of course, professors and international students who worked at or returned from imperial research institutes. What they became interested in was the empires policy of suppressing Buddhism. In the Suppression of Buddhism and Buddhism policy that had been implemented since the beginning of the Joseon Dynasty, Suppression of Buddhism and Buddhism continued steadily, although Suppression of Buddhism was omitted and its intensity was weakened. First of all, in the early days of Gyeongjang, construction of new temples other than the 36 temples designated by King Sejong was not permitted. Expanding the size of existing temples was also prohibited. The only possibility was that it was old and needed repairs. The same was true for bing a monk. Bing a monk was possible only after bing an adult, and bing a monk waspletely prohibited. Bing an adult and bing a monk was not easy. First, you had to know the Buddhist scriptures perfectly and be able to interpret them in writing. In addition to this, the imperial courts policy of suppressing the French government seemed to bex but strict, including prohibiting the increase of temple assets. What the empire required of Buddhists or monks was simple. C Since you are this zealous, I dont care if you believe in Buddha, but dont expect to live with a full stomach and a warm back! European schrs became interested in this imperial policy. In a way, this was because they were people who had lived their entire lives in a kind of constitutional society. As a result, they became interested in studying abroad. After conducting research in their spare time in their busy research lives, they gradually became immersed in the political ideas of the Empire, and indeed of the East. Royal politics. Royalty and power. Confucianism and legalism. Peoples book. The more they dug into it, the more fascinated European schrs became. And at the top of it all was the superw. Benefit widely people. Isnt this the Christian ideal? Equality of citizens! Before thew, there is no distinction between rich and poor! What wonderful words! The distribution of power between the monarch and the people is clearly stipted! A legitive reviewer! How to maintain the foundation but constantly change! We are pursuing the perfect harmony between Confucianism and Legalism! European schrs who were fascinated by superw eagerly sent letters to their colleagues in Europe. oh my god! What a letter without any ink! Colleagues who received the letter were very surprised to see that it had no ink at all. This was because I had never received a letter without ink before. Schrs who had memories of even simple greetings and replies that had been overshadowed by letters read them with deep curiosity. And they became addicted to what was written in the letters. Schrs who read the letter several times immediately sent it to their colleagues in Seoul. -Please obtain thew code of Chobeop and send it to me. Those who received the letter immediately forwarded it to their superiors. After receiving the report, Wan immediately gave permission. I admire the imperialw and want to know more. How can I stop it? Sell it. Is it for sale? Tax for sale. Dont forget to inspect it carefully before loading it on the boat. I follow your orders. In this way, dozens of volumes of legal codes recording the firstws of the empire entered Europe. This continued to happen, and reports continued toe to Wan that the number of people studying the imperialw in Europe was increasing. As time went by and he was exining his n to the entire gathering, Wan cited this incident as an example. There are already more than one schr in Europe who studies thews and systems of the empire. However, in order to properly understand thews and systems of the empire, one must properly understand the empires national policy. So, I will refer to the things that are visible on the outside, such as thews, systems, and culture of the empire, as imperial type, and the national poetry and meaning of the empire contained within them as imperial type. At Wans words, the Hyang and the ministers all nodded. Hwang Bo-in responded on behalf of the ministers. The type on the outside and the flow on the inside they really suit each other. Hyang nodded at Hwang Bo-ins words and muttered to himself. Is it the Imperial Wave, not the Korean Wave? Interesting. Not American style, but imperial style Does history go round and round? Chapter 869 Episode 869: Imperial type, imperial style (6) It is true that Europe is a bitte in this regard. If I remember correctly. Hyang muttered to herself as she traced her memories. It was when the Enlightenment became the mainstream of academia that the rtionship between the state and the people began to be discussed in earnest among European intellectuals. Through the American War of Independence and the French Revolution, the Enlightenment, or Enlightenment thinking, becamemon knowledge in the West, and it became part of the basic worldview and human outlook of modern people in the 20th and 21st centuries. Therefore, the county naturally had such a way of thinking, and it was revealed in the announcement of political views. And this way of thinking conversely influenced King Sejong, and Chobeop was born in conjunction with the traditional values symbolized by Hongik Ingan, the traditional Confucian Minbon ideology. In the eyes of European intellectuals, where the power of religion C Christianity and indigenous religions incorporated into Christianity C was still strong, it was a very progressive and innovative ideological and political philosophy. Its the Empire style Are we bing the America of thete 20th century and beyond? * * * As the United States emerged as the victor of World War II in thete 20th century, half of the world epted itsws, institutions, culture, and values. This was not just the case for countries that had just gained independence from colonies. Europe, which was devastated by World War II, also gave up its pride and adopted American culture and values. However, as I said before, only half of the world epted it. The other half epted themunistw and system mentality symbolized by the Soviet Union. Of course, as time passed, variations were created in both East and West. The Third World ims to belong to neither East nor West, but in reality receives from both East and West. Korean-style democracy to justify developmental dictatorship. Maoism, Chinese socialism, Juche ideology, etc., which were created to escape from the influence of the Soviet Union and at the same time strengthen their own dictatorial power. However, after the 1990s, with the copse of the Eastern Bloc, most countries began to adopt the American style. American style had be a global standard. Of course, there were countries that rejected this and insisted on religious fundamentalism or socialism. However, among these countries, most of them except China have been pushed out of the mainstream. The cultural aspect was more serious. Dramas and movies that point out the ills and problems of their countries have been produced in many countries and are known overseas. However, among these films, the ones that exerted the greatest influence were those that came from Hollywood. It was difficult for works made in other countries to cross their own borders, but Hollywood works easily crossed borders. And pro-Americans who saw these works eximed: Look! They reveal and criticize their own shame without hesitation! That is Americas strength! Among those who shouted anti-Americanism in Korea in the 1980s, quite a few people nodded to such an argument. Well thats eptable. Although there is a lot of capitalistmerce mixed in. Of course, there were some who criticized this. You idiots! Thats all propaganda! We in America are so free that we can get away with such tant criticism! This is our America! Praise! This is what happens! But its better than not being able to make it outright, right? . And as the Korean Wave became popr in the 21st century, a simr phenomenon began to ur in China. -Bbangz (a derogatory term for Koreans) are better because there is no censorship in movies or dramas! -The fact that there is no hesitation or censorship in revealing the secrets of others should be imitated! If it were us, we wouldnt even be able to put it in theaters due to the partys censorship! Hyang, who was reminiscing about the 21st century, muttered with a small smile. Thats interesting. Fun. * * * Thats not fun. Not funny. Cosimo, who had been reading the document sent by the Empire several times while half-rising from the bed, red at the report with an expression of disapproval. Certainly, the offer made by the Empire was sweet. Elementary educational institutions simr to the social democratic schools of the empire had already been established and operated, and positive results were visible. -Systems andws that enabled small countries under pressure fromrge countries to grow into powerful countries. -And I will send officials who are familiar with the system andws to give advice. These werews and systems that clearly produced visible results. This could not be denied. Cosimo, who had been interacting with the Land of Flowers since the time when it was called Joseon rather than an empire, could never deny the effects of thosews and systems. Since it was decided to enter thepetition with the goal of unifying Italy, Florencesws and systems alone had their limits. In order to overwhelm otherpetitors in thepetition, Florences potential had to be raised to the limit, and this required the assistance of experienced people. Therefore, the empires offer to Florence was like a sweet rain falling after a drought. However, this was a poisoned chalice. Looking at the behavior of people purchasing items brought from the Land of Flowers, they were divided into two groups. One was simply for decoration purposes. From fancy chandeliers to cheap bowls, these were people who just wanted to show off that they had something from thend of flowers. The other group were those who used it properly. They carefully inspected and purchased imperial products to see if they were suitable for their purposes. But I didnt forget these words. What was the Empire thinking when it made this happen? And after learning about its purpose and use, they used it in an imperial way. And both sides became addicted to empire at some point. This was also the case with the empires proposal to Florence. The moment Florence epted the empires proposal, the peoples reaction was divided into two. -The great country of the East has joined hands with Florence! The fact that an empire that is ahead of everything joined hands with our Florence is because our Florence is that outstanding! -These are thews and institutions that yed the biggest role in creating that empire! It is said that people wille to teach us, so we must use this opportunity to further develop Florence! Whether they were those who were intoxicated by appearances or those who took advantage of their own interests, over time they would all be stained by the empire. Just like objects,ws and systems are a product of the values and thoughts of those who created them. And that too in the most concentrated way. Those who studied to transnt the empiresws and systems to Florence and those who exercised power using thesews and systems would be the first to be imbued with the empires ideas and values. Subsequently, themon people under their rule would be affected. And as time passed, Florence would be another empire. Whoa~. Cosimo let out a long sigh and quenched his thirst with wine. Its not fun, but if you think about Lorenzo, its a shame that there is no other answer than this. Lorenzo was in his 20s and was so energetic that he evenpeted in joustingpetitions. From a young age, he gained experience by serving Cosimo on behalf of his father, Piero, and had a broad perspective. If Lorenzo had the remaining time, ability, will, and family capital plus the advice of the empire, it was entirely possible to achieve the great work. However, if we think about the future, the absence of philosophy was a serious problem. -The great cause of Italian unification was achieved. So what happens after that? The current Lorenzo could not answer this question. No, it was clear that most of those calling for Italian unification throughout Italy would not be able to answer. If you were to ask me that, I wouldnt be able to answer either. Cosimoughed and muttered self-deprecatingly. Cosimo dreamed of bing a humanist when he was young. He had a history of being blocked by his father when he attempted to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to collect ancient documents. Instead of taking over the family business ording to his fathers wishes, he collected and copied ancient documents and even created the Medici family library. Naturally, Cosimo was better than most schrs in terms of humanistic knowledge. Because of that, it was Cosimo who obtained and read the imperialw before anyone else. It was also someone who read the original printed in full pronunciation, not a Latin trantion. Because Cosimo had explored thew and identified the empires ideas and values embedded in it, he was able to understand the hidden meaning of the empires proposal. But that was the end. Now I have very little time left. If only Piero had been strong. Since his eldest son, Piero, who was to seed him, was sick, Cosimo chose Lorenzo as the next best choice. This was a good method, but it meant that Cosimo would have to spend more time on the front line. To put it another way, Lorenzo, who dreamed of a great cause, did not have time to refine the necessary political philosophy. Heh! Its an excuse! Cosimo snorted at himself. I am a businessman. And now, I am a businessman to my core. The only thing that matters to me is the interests and well-being of my family. Great job? representation? Thats ridiculous. Cosimo evaluated himself calmly. Among the powerful figures in Europe at this time, Cosimo had a broader perspective than anyone else and was unrivaled in his ability to analyze and judge situations. But Cosimo was still a man of the old world. Lorenzo and Giovannis enthusiasm pushed him to allow it, but Cosimo still did not realize the need for Italian unification. For him, the only cause was the familys good fortune and well-being. For this cause. I am the one who will shout Hallelujah in the Vatican and Ahu Akbar in Ma. After evaluating himself like that, Cosimo came to a conclusion. For the well-being and benefit of the family, for Lorenzo, and for the sake of that proud unified Italy, it would be better to ept the empires offer. Of course, you cant just end at the level of advice and drag the empire into this gambling game Ah! Theres no need to drag me in. This proposal itself is a signal from the empire that it wants to jump into this game. What kind of cards is the empire hiding in this gambling table full of people who have no intention of gambling properly? Cosimos eyes were now full of curiosity and joy. If I had been a little younger, I would have been at the front and jumped this way and that. Its a shame I cant do that now, but it might be fun to watch from behind. * * * Two dayster, Cosimo summoned Lorenzo and Giovanni and gave them orders. Say you will go to Seoul as soon as possible and ept the offer. instead! Get as much as you can from the empire! Remember! Thats what you get! Not living! yes! Lorenzo, check once again the census of Florence and nearby areas as well as all other preparations! The owner of Florence is our Medici family! Check properly to avoid being dragged around! yes! Chapter 870 Episode 870: Generational Change (1) Cosimos decision became the decisive key, and Florence and the empire moved quickly. Among them, those who moved the fastest and most passionately were Giovanni and Lorenzo. As soon as Cosimos permission was given, Giovanni crossed the Mediterranean again and headed for Suez. As soon as he arrived in Suez, Giovanni looked at the ship and looked embarrassed. There are no ships All of the merchant ships belonging to the Medici family had set sail. * * * During this time, the port of Suez was bustling with trading ships from Europe, the Middle East, and Japan. Most of the trading ships that entered and left the port of Suez from sunrise to sunset belonged to European countries. Suez during this period was the starting point of the Golden Route. Not all European trade ships were destined for the empire. More trade ships went to India than to the empire. Indian spices and various dyes have been famous in Europe since ancient times. Until the connection between Suez and Prince Henrys port, Indian spices and dyes were monopolized by Muslim and Italian merchants. Among the reasons for the outbreak of the Crusades was the operation of Italian merchants to monopolize the spice and dye trade. However, through the Crusades and subsequent developments, Imic merchant forces gained the upper hand. In this situation, the construction of the Suez-Prince Henrique Port Railway was tantamount to opening a new era. European merchants flocked to India, bypassing the African continent or carrying ships built in the shipyards of Suez. And as a result of this chain reaction, maritime traffic in the Mediterranean became more active. This was because the cargo that arrived at Prince Henrys Port from Suez had to cross the Mediterranean to take it back to their home country. And by acting as an agent for cargo transportation and operating warehousing businesses, Italian merchants once again established themselves as a central force in the European economy. And the person with the greatest influence on this Italian merchant power was the Medici family. Cosimos insight shone through as he recognized Shinjis existence early on amid various rumors and took action. * * * Upon hearing that the familys ships had already set sail, Giovanni took his group and headed straight to the empires military port. This was because there was a very high possibility that confidential information would be exposed if you boarded a ship from France or another country. Arent they clueless? He was obviously watching my movements the whole time, so there was no need to give him a chance. To prevent leaks of confidential information and ensure personal safety, Giovanni headed to the empires military port. And there are always imperial ships in the imperial military ports. The empires ships, both military and merchant ships, stayed at the empires military ports. Therefore, among those trying to go to the Empire, Ming Japan, or India, those who missed the ship unconditionally headed to the empires military port. This was because at any time, there were at least two ships heading to the empires military port. Giovanni and his party boarded a ship heading to the empire and stayed in the cabin to check their requirements. If you can get this, definitely get it. It would be good to get this as much as possible, and to get this After meticulously adjusting the priorities of the demands they would present, Giovanni and his group let out a long sigh and put down their stylus. First of all, weve finished sorting things out Will the empire really listen to our demands? To be honest, I also agree. Giovanni responded with a slight smile to his subordinates concerns. We have already been thinking about getting involved since the Empire proposed it to us. Now that it is involved in the huge gamble of Italian unification, the empire has no choice but to keep betting in order not to lose its stake. Thats what my father said. iced coffee. okay! As expected, Giovanni! You are truly amazing! Giovanni smiled humbly and waved his hand at thepliments from his subordinates. Whats so amazing Come on! Lets review it one more time when we have time! yes! Giovanni muttered to himself as he watched his subordinates reviewing the demands again with serious faces. Its my mistake and my shorings that I didnt realize the true intentions of the empire until my father told me! Need to try harder! There are no double mistakes! * * * Giovanni, who had made such a firm decision, visited Shin Suk-ju again as soon as he arrived in Seoul. Shin Suk-ju, who epted Giovannis demands, sent the original to Seungjeongwon and immediately went to Hwang Bo-in to submit a copy. Hmm Hwang Bo-in, who was reviewing the copy handed out by Shin Sook-ju, ordered an aide who was waiting. Go and get the deputy prime ministers. Yes, Captain. After a while, the deputy prime ministers who heard the news gathered together and Hwang Bo-in presented Florences demands to them. Hmm Huh Among the Deputy Prime Ministers who carefully checked Florences demands, the first to speak was Kim Jong-seo. I think they realized that our empire was also nning to get involved. After Kim Jong-seo finished speaking, Lee Gyeon-gi added. Im just saying that since youre involved in the game, you should bet your stake properly. Hwang Bo-in also nodded at the words of Kim Jong-seo and Lee Gyeon-gi. I think so too. So what should I do? Where should I ce my bet? Thats not true. I guess not. At Hwang Bo-ins words, Kim Jong-seo and Lee Gyeon-gi shook their heads at the same time. I think it would be a bad idea to bet on everything from the beginning. I agree. I dont know what the hidden cards of those who get involved in the game are, but its a shameful thing to ce a bet unconditionally. Hwang Bo-in nodded silently at the words of Kim Jong-seo and Lee Gyeon-gi. Seeing that, Shin Suk-ju opened her mouth with an expression of surprise. I guess you three enjoy gambling? Its at the level of entertainment. Its Pungryu, its Pungryu. greatness! Keuhum! Shin Sook-ju muttered to herself at the three peoples reactions. I didnt hear it ording to the rumors, the three peoples gambling skills were considerable. Although he is said to enjoy it as long as it does not raise questions from the Board of Audit and Inspection, it was rumored that he boasts skills that would make him a master at various gambling games, including baduk and janggi, as well as Ssangnyuk and golpae. greatness! Hmm Hwang Bo-in, who cleared his throat and returned his attention, hastily came to a conclusion. First of all, we will have to discuss it again in Daejeon, but lets start by cing moderate stakes. Is it okay if I report this to Your Majesty? I agree. Lets do that. Once the conclusion was reached, Hwang Bo-in gave an order to his aide. Make several copies and hand them to the ministers of each department. As they say, His Majesty will ask for an answer sooner orter, so prepare well. No, no. Tell him to think of an answer by tomorrow and thene to me. You should avoid hearing people click their tongues. Yes, Captain. * * * Three dayster, Wan summoned the ministers. Have you seen the demands sent from Florence? Jim thinks its a call for the Empire to bet on something made in Italy? Hwang Bo-in stepped forward and answered Wans question. Even the small gods think so. Is that so? Hmm. Wan thought about Hwang Bo-ins answer for a moment and then immediately asked the next question. Then I think its right to bet, but how much should I bet? Soonwook Lim came forward and answered Wans question. The reason you ce a bet on a gambling table is because you are confident that you will win the game and win money. There are two main ways to win big at the gambling table. One way is to bet big only when you have a good hand. If I do this, the opponent will suspect that if I bet arge amount of money, it is a good hand and will back off. If this suspicion builds up, even if I y a bad hand, I will back down if the stakes are high. Hmm its okay then what is the other one? In response to Wans curious question, Lim Sun-wook continued. The other thing is that you keep losing it little by little at first. If you lose little by little like that, you will incur less losses and you will be able to learn about your opponents habits by observing the sessive rounds. If you know your opponent, you can win the biggest game. Thats interesting. Then what method do you want the Minister of Finance and Economy to use? Lim Soon-wook answered Wans question without dy. If you believe in it, you will use the second method. why? I can assure you that the situation taking ce in Italy is not a proper situation. As we lose little by little, we must first find out who is a swindler (a type of Chinese gambler who wins money through deception) and who is a cheater, and whether Florence will be able to hold on to the game with the empire until the end. Therefore, I believe that the second method should be used. That sounds usible. Then do you have any other opinions? Han Myeong-hoe stepped forward in response to Wans question. I believe it would be more appropriate to make a big statement from the beginning. why? As the game continues, not only do we get to know our opponents better, but they also get to know us. However, if it is the first or second edition, they will not know us properly and will just guess. If you make a big fuss from the first episode, they will be scared and start shrinking. If that happens, we may end up spending less time, money, and people than expected. Should we use bravado? Rather than bragging, it would be closer to not hiding anything. Hmm What the Minister of General Affairs said makes sense Wan and the ministers all nodded at Han Myeong-hoes words. In fact, Wan and the ministers were already aware of Lim Sun-wook and Han Myeong-hoes ims. This was because Lim Sun-wook and Han Myeong-hoe had a war of words at the meeting hosted by Hwang Bo-in before Wan convened it. -Anyway, it is a job that requires a lot of time and money from preparation topletion. It is right to taste the seasoning little by little and aim for a good match. -Costs incurred during the preparation period are unavoidable. However, when the odds are against you, it is best to win by making as big a deal as possible from the beginning rather than holding on sluggishly while waiting for a victory that maye at any moment. Since both of their opinions made sense, no conclusion was reached easily, and Hwang Bo-in left the decision to Wan. You both have a point. But I cant make a decision easily, so Ill report it to His Majesty and wait for his answer. So now, a war of words broke out in front of Wan once again. And Wan, who was already aware of the war of words between the two through various channels, was once again on the verge of recovery. The difference was that the ministers who attended Hwang Bo-ins meeting divided into groups and participated in a war of words. In order to have the opinions they supported adopted, the ministers fleshed out the opinions of the two men. The problem was that the way it was expressedpared it to gambling. The officer who recorded this situation added this to the record: - So, when the Emperor asked for an answer to Florences request, the ministers began a war of words,ing up with various methods. The officer says: Daejeon became a gambling den. * * * Meanwhile, as time passed, Hyang learned of the situation through a letter sent by Wan and burst intoughter. Im Soon-wook did it like Im Soon-wook, and Han Myeong-hoe did it like Han Myeong-hoe. Lim Sun-wook, who had lived as a solid merchant even before entering government service, presented a conservative yet solid n, and Han Myeong-hoe, who had been a fortune-teller even before the intervention of Hyang, was aiming for a big deal. Hyang, who was analyzing the current situation in the empire and Europe, looked at the map and muttered. Was the Great Game yed over Italy in the 15th century? Chapter 871 Episode 871: Generation Change (2) The war of words over Lim Sun-wook and Han Myeong-hoes proposal continued for a long time, but in the end, Wan had no choice but to reach a conclusion. I really listened to your opinions carefully. I cannot hide my joy because I can see in every word that you have worked hard for the well-being and strength of my empire and my empire. The ministers responded to Wans praise by bowing their heads. That is an undeservedpliment. I simply fulfilled my duty as a subject. After softening the mood with praise, Wan shared his thoughts. Jim thinks that the opinions of the Minister of Finance and Economy and the opinions of the Minister of General Affairs both have advantages and disadvantages. To summarize Wans words, they were as follows. -The Minister of Finance and Economys n is sound, but it is difficult to get the timing right. If the timing of advance and retreat is not properly determined, the empire will have to prepare for more burden than necessary. -The problem is that Italy and the empire are far away. Even if something happens in Italy, it takes a long time for Seoul to hear about it, and vice versa. -The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications n is bold, but it can save time and money. -However, there is a high possibility that the divided Europe will unite and oppose the empire. -Because in the eyes of Europeans, our empire is pagan and alien. These are the people who suffered greatly due to the Mongol invasion. Why is there a saying Tacho Gyeongsa? -If we look at the current situation of our empire, the Ming, Japan, and Mongolia are surrounding the Ind and Northern regions. Currently, they and our empire are friendly and in good rtions with each other, but there is always a possibility that they will be enemies at any time. Increasing the number of enemies is not a good strategy. But other than these two options, there is nothing good. So I thought why notbine the two. The strategy revealed by Wan was as follows. -Establish an imperial embassy in Florence. Through this embassy, the situation in Italy is officially observed and reported to Seoul. This way, those who want to intervene in Italy will be aware of the empires intervention and will bring out their hidden cards. -Never show all your cards from the beginning. Only at Florences request will the empire move. In this way, the empire can gain justification and reduce those who doubt the empire as much as possible. You can also find European countries to join the Empire and Florence. -If a situation arises where the empire must deploy military power, it will mobilize all avable troops to Europe and fight in a short-term war. -And when military power is deployed like this, the starting point is Shinji. Did you say Shinji? exactly. Ive already discussed this with Jim and decided it was the best n. At Wans answer, the eyes of all ministers, including Hwang Bo-in, turned to the Minister of National Defense and the Chief of Staff. With the attention of the ministers focused, Jang Hang-seon and the Chief of Staff analyzed Wans proposal with serious expressions. The two people exchanged opinions while whispering among themselves, nodding as if they had finally reached a conclusion, and then turned their heads to look at Wan and the other ministers. I think Shinji is the most suitable in the opinion of the minor gods. Is it possible with Shinjis capabilities? Jang Hang-seon immediately responded to Kim Jong-seos point. Its not enough right now. However, this applies not only to Florence but also to anyone else who tries to intervene in Italy. If the 10 or 15 years we expected have passed, and if we carefully cultivate Shinjis naval power, there is a good chance. Shin Sook-ju listened to Jang Hang-seons words. Most European countries are already vaguely aware of Shinjis existence. Of course you wont be on guard when work begins, right? The whole of Europe will take defense in the direction of Shinji? exactly. Jang Hang-seon shook his head at Shin Sook-jus words. Its impossible. First, the countries with the strongest naval power in Europe are Spain and Portugal, and both countries are investing their naval power inpetition for interests in the Mediterranean and African regions. We dont have any extra power to deploy in the direction of Shinji, so we wont deploy it even if we do. Because the moment you invest, you will be pushed out of thepetition. And the Minister of Foreign Affairs knows that Portugal has good rtions with our empire. Arent there also Ennd and France? The enemies of the Great Heaven are joining hands? There is a saying that it is May Day, but the possibility is very low. But isnt there a what if? As the host continued to bite, Jang Hang-seon snorted and answered. joy! Do you think that our Ministry of Defense has no eyes and ears? I know very well what the performance of the cables the Europeans use is and what kind of ships they are building! because? Thergest shipyard among the shipyards that build those ships is the Imperial Shipyard in Suez! He knows the performance of the ships that the Europeans will use in battle, knows the performance of our front lines, and is taking great care in nurturing the navy! If something happens beyond our expectations, theres absolutely nothing to worry about! At Jang Hang-seons assertion, Shin Suk-ju closed her mouth with a pale expression. The ministers who were listening to the conversation between the two looked at Shin Suk-ju, shook their heads slightly, and muttered to themselves. That person did it again. Pointing out problems or questions and questioning them was not something to criticize. The problem was that Shinji had a situation. And that situation was incense. The ministers who were already well aware of the nature of the situation could tell from Wans words, The situation and agreement have been reached, that a decision had already been made. It was certain that the Shinji Navy would be properly raised within the time expected by the Ministry of National Defense, or even faster than that time. No, its lucky as long as you raise it properly. Given the nature of the fragrance, there was no way something worse than an assault repatriation could have urred. In this situation, continuing to doubt was the same as doubting the situation and the emperors abilities. Shin Sook-ju, who was trying to show off her thoughtfulness, had another major ident. Shin Sook-ju desperately tried to make up for her mistakes. But werent there more than one or two European exploration ships that were sunk by the Shinji Navy? The Europeans who sent the exploration ships also probably assumed that the empire was causing harm. If we determine that the empire is moving, wont we strengthen the defenses in the Shinji area? The Chief of Staff nodded at Shin Sook-jus point. Of course it will. Still, they are defenseless. First, the sea between Shinji and Europe is veryrge and there are no proper charts. ah! Let me correct you. Only the Empire has charts that are somewhat useful. As the Chief of Staff said, the Empire had charts that recorded the Antic Ocean, especially the North Antic. * * * When trade with Europe and the Middle East began, one of the most difficult items to collect was sea charts. Although the scale and uracy were a mess, charts drawn during the ancient Greek and Roman times and the subsequent Viking era were brought to the Ministry of Defense as soon as they were discovered. Additionally, the navies being trained in Shinji were also busy. In between surveying the eastern and western coastlines of Shinji and eliminating exploration shipsing from Europe, one or two ships were sent out to explore the route to the east. Whats interesting is that the biggest helpers in this expedition were exploration ships from Europe. In the beginning, when exploration ships were discovered, they were stern and sunk. But as time passed, the fragrance changed its policy. Its a waste in many ways Following the townships decision, the navy stationed in Shinji changed its operations. -First, fire a bombardment to inflict damage. -If the opponent continues to resist or tries to escape, it will be destroyed. -When the enemy raises the white g, all crew members and cargo are confiscated and the exploration ship is sunk. In this way, quite a few Europeans were brought into the naval camp in Shinji. At the camp, an official sent by the township was waiting for them. We have decided not to open this sacred site yet, so we have no choice but to detain you. I find this very unfortunate. Now I will give you a choice. They will refuse to work or work at the railway construction site until the door is opened. What happens if I refuse? We will be forced to build roads and railways in the Messica region in the south. I dont think theres any difference between the two? There is a big difference. The first is that sufficient wages are paid and you can rest when you want. The second time, there is no such thing. Is there no option to return home? If that was possible, why did they sink your ship? . Eventually, Europeans came to work at the railway construction site in Jinpyeong. This is more important than people But what Hyang saw as most important were the navigation logs and charts obtained from the expedition ship. Through the voyage logs and charts, the empires charts of the Great East became more and moreplete. * * * The Chief of Staff continued speaking. It is impossible for the Europeans to defend all their vast coasts and ports when we do not know where we wille. Thats true, but And the Europeans know the habits of our people, so they wont pay much attention to the new world. The habits of our people? Not only Shin Sook-ju, but also other ministers paid attention to the Chief of Staffs words this time. exactly. The habits of our people are very famous. A little more profit and A little faster. Europeans probably judged it this way. If the route from Shinji to Europe had been faster and more profitable than the route from Seoul to Europe via Suez, imperial ships would have already beening and going. Im not doing it because it doesnt make money. And you can clearly see this by looking at the behavior of Europeans. ording to reports, the number of exploration ships approaching the New World has almost disappeared, but the number of exploration ships heading to the Southern New World, which was finally discovered not long ago, has increased significantly. As the Chief of Staff said, Australia was finally discovered not long ago. It was real! lets go! European explorers, excited by the discovery of the New World, sailed straight to Australia. When explorers arrived in Australia, they followed the coastline, recorded it thoroughly, and dug ind. It did not end with the discovery of Australia. On the way to Australia, while looking for a ce to rest and resupply, numerous inds in the South Pacific were discovered. * * * Thanks to the Southern New Continent, Europes attention is now focused south. I calcted the future in 10 or 15 years based on the current national power of European countries, but I dont know The Chief of Staff trailed off, but the ministers could guess what he was going to say next. Even after 10 or 15 years, Europe will not be able to handle the empire! Hwang Bo-in looked at the Chief of Staff with a bitter smile. I thought he was a natural warrior, but it turned out to be a bad thing. The Chief of Staffs vague remark was in case his prediction turned out to be wrong in the future. You werent that confident! But what is this? Of course, neither he nor the Chief of Staff would be present until then, but being cursed in their presence was more painful. Chapter 872 Episode 872: Generational Change (3) The Chief of Staffs remarks were like those of a general on a chessboard. Without Meng to stop the general, the ministers had nothing to do but quench their appetite. Tsk! I cant do it anymore. From now on, all I can do is hold my ankles. The Emperors will is already clear and there is no justification. It is not precepted. Not only is there no problem that no one can see, but the emperor has already made up his mind. The emperor is also the emperor, but The reason why the ministers could not easily open their mouths was because they were cornered by a foreigner and because Wan had already made up his mind. But the biggest reason was Hyangs shadow behind Wans back. * * * Most, if not all, of those who are now running state affairs with Wan had worked under King Sejong since the days when the empire was called Joseon. Therefore, the images of King Sejong and Hyang were clearly imprinted in their minds. For them, Sejong and Hyang were a wall they could not ovee. Wan was also an excellent monarch, but he was not perfect in all aspects. The help of the ministers was needed from time to time, and the ministers were able to show their presence by assisting Wan. But it wasnt Sejong and Hyang. To put it to the extreme, for King Sejong and Hyang, ministers were eyes, ears, arms and legs on their behalf. It can also be reced at any time. Nevertheless, it was simple that ministers who served for several decades during the reign of King Sejong and Hyang weremon. Sejong and Hyang were people who did not easily cut off talented people, and the ministers in question were so talented that they are still talked about in the poption. * * * In the sense that Wan, or Hyang, had made up his mind, the ministers had decided on what to do. C Shut up and do as you say! Therefore, the ministers red at Shin Suk-ju once again. What a sight! Dont use your mouth again! That damn club! In the end, Hwang Bo-in, representing the ministers, came forward and bowed to Wan. Your Majestys n is truly ingenious, so I will do my best to implement it. Thank you. ruler! Then lets take care of Florences whining first. Yes, Your Majesty Following Wans order, the ministers began exchanging opinions on what Florence had requested. First of all, Please have a high-ranking imperial official reside in Florence. Also, please appoint someone who has a certain degree of decision-making authority on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor. Hmm. After reading Florences first request, Wan decided with an expression that it was no big deal. This is not a problem as it will be done by setting up an embassy Next Wan and the ministers decided what to ept and what to reject regarding the issues requested by Florence. The standards of Wan and ministers were simple. -Financial support will not be provided until Florences preparations are in full swing or until they are pushed to the cliff. Why should we provide financial support to Florence, a wealthy city known in Europe? -If Florence wants it, it will provide manpower. Except for the technicians. -Considering the situation, secure a permanent military base in Italy. * * * After Wan and the ministers had made their selections, Shin Sook-ju and Giovanni continued to negotiate fiercely. The Empire cannot ept that request. But for the sake of good neighborly friendship between the two countries, you must listen. The Empire is not a phnthropist. In order for Florences great cause to seed. It would be good if that great cause seeds. But for that cause, cant our empire bear more burden than necessary? Giovanni cursed Shin Suk-ju in his mind as the tense war of words continued. What did this person eat wrong? Why are you being so grumpy? But Shin Sook-ju had no choice but to be desperate. You cant be pushed out of here! No more mistakes! No, the only way to win is to get more than your Majesty and the other ministers expected! Shin Sook-joo, who had already been voted down twice by Wan, had no choice but to back Bae Su-jin in this negotiation. In the end, Giovanni couldnt stand Shin Sook-jus behavior and got up from his seat. Eight! Negotiation requires coordination from both sides! Its so one-sided! This is not right! I will see His Majesty the Emperor in person! Ibo show! Embarrassed, Shin Suk-ju stood up and tried to dissuade Giovanni, but Giovanni immediately left the negotiation room and ran to Gyeongbokgung Pce. * * * your majesty. An envoy from Florence is fighting at the entrance to Gyeongbokgung Pce. Wan, who was looking at Seo Geo-jeongs report, expressed doubts. The Florentine envoy is fighting? why? They say they are arguing because they must see His Majesty. If you want to see your luggage, tell the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take the Cheonghae route. It looks like there is a problem with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. With the Ministry of Foreign Affairs? Hmm. ording to the report that came up, it was said that the negotiation room was noisy Whew~. Wan let out a long sigh and asked Seo Geo-jeong with an expression that he understood the reason. Is it because of Shin Sook-ju? It seems so. Whoa~. After sighing again for a long time, Wan gave an order to Seo Geo-jeong. You go yourself and bring an envoy from Florence. He is a Shinigami in name and appearance, so he should be treated that way. I follow your orders. After bowing to Wan, Seo Geo-jeong left Daejeon and walked towards Gwanghwamun. Seo Geo-jeong cursed Shin Suk-ju the entire time he was walking to Gwanghwamun. You damn old mung bean sprouts! Why do you always have idents! They say youre good at your job! Why do I always feel inspired to do such a good job? Did you eat rotten mung bean sprouts? Shh! Seungji inspiration! There are many ears to listen! The subordinate officials who followed him urgently tried to stop him, but Seo Geo-jeong instead raised his voice. why? Did I say something wrong? The envoy who was negotiating is causing an uproar by overturning the table and threatening to report directly to His Majesty, and the people of Seoul are flocking around to watch! This is not a disgrace to the country, what is a disgrace to the country! Is it just a disgrace to the country? And even His Majesty. Seo Geo-jeong, who barely refrained from mentioning Wan, cursed Shin Suk-ju. Eight! You look like a damn old man of mung bean sprouts! Everyone in the empire knew that Shin Suk-ju liked mung bean sprouts, regardless of whether they were from the original site or Shinji. Shin Suk-ju loved mung bean sprouts so much that she brought mung beans to Shinji to grow and eat them. Because of this anecdote, the number of people calling mung bean sprouts bean sprouts was increasing. However, there was another reason why Seo Geo-jeong could not control his anger. Hey, Do Seung-ji! What happened to me was I had to listen to Giovannisints all the way back to Geunjeongjeon. As an Italian who is known for being talkative, once Giovanni opened his mouth, words poured out like a waterfall or a river. If you listened to him for a while, you would be confused as to whether you were listening or if you were being swept away by the flood of words. * * * I have brought an envoy from Florence. When Seo Geo-jeong, with a haggardplexion and a half-fazed expression, reported, Wan responded with a pitiful expression. Good job. No. When Seo Geo-jeong retreated, Wan turned his head and looked at Giovanni. When Wan looked at him, Giovanni bowed politely. Giovanni di Gosimo de Medici, envoy of Florence, meets His Majesty the Emperor of the Empire. Its been a while. okay. Why did you make such a fuss to see my luggage? That Just as Giovanni was about to open his mouth, Wan quickly raised his hand to stop him. If you talk too long, I will send you out right away. Be mindful. Say what you need to say as concisely as possible. Didnt your ancestor Cato tell you to keep your speech simple? Ill keep that in mind. You even know Cato! Who are the emperors of this empire? Giovanni, alert to Wans warning, reported to Wan what the problem was. No matter how much a negotiation takes ce between arge country and a small country, there must be a degree and there must be something to give and something to receive. However, looking at the current negotiations, the Empire has no intention of giving anything and is only thinking of receiving. your majesty! This is too much, considering how good the Empire and Florence have been as good neighbors! I see Wan responded to Giovannis words with a bitter smile. I think the Minister of Foreign Affairs has crossed a line by thinking too much about his country and the empire. As the envoy said, has Florence and our empire been on good terms for a year or two? Even though we are such good neighbors, it is not good to only look out for our own interests. cancer. It seems like the Minister of Foreign Affairs was too ambitious. I will tell my Foreign Minister and there will be nothing like this. Im also sorry about this incident. Giovanni responded to Wans words by bending his waist. I am so grateful that Your Majesty is so generous! Negotiate well. I will do my best! After getting what he wanted, Giovanni bowed politely again and left the pce. Wan, who was watching Giovanni walking happily, gave an order to Seo Geo-jeong. Do Seung-ji. Tell this to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Too much is too little. I will tell you right away. Whoa~. Wan let out a long sigh, looked at the ceiling, and muttered. I cant do it. If we dont do something * * * Wans warning seemed to have worked, and the subsequent negotiations continued smoothly. The negotiations ended with both the Empire and Florence taking care of as much as possible of what they considered essential. After receiving satisfactory results, Giovanni visited Wan again and announced his return. I dont know how to express my gratitude for your Majestys favor. Florence will never forget this favor. Wan smiled softly and epted Giovannis words. I hope that Florences great dream wille true. With Gods blessing and Your Majestys help, we will definitely seed. As Giovanni, confident of sess, left Daejeon, Wan looked back at his ministers. Now then lets choose someone who will stay in Florence and protect the interests of the empire. Minister of Foreign Affairs. Shin Sook-ju hurriedly bowed her head at Wans nomination. Yes, Your Majesty! I heard that the Minister speaks Italian and Latin very fluently. Oh no. It just takes a little bit. I speak Italian only a little bit in the Tuscan dialect. Florence is in Tuscany. It worked. The Minister of Foreign Affairs must go to Florence. The empires interests are at stake, so the captain must go. I follow your orders. Shin Suk-ju was in tears and bowed her head. This was a demotion no matter who saw it. Exercises full authority on behalf of the Emperor in Florence. On the surface, it was a position with great authority. But in reality, that wasnt the case. There were three ambassadors stationed in Florence. It was also the same status. It was a system where the three people decided by majority vote. Chapter 873 Episode 873: Generation Change (4) The total number of ambassadors stationed at the imperial embassy established in Florence is three. Article 1. 2. The ambassadors called the third ambassadors were of the same rank. -If only one ambassador is stationed, he can wield tyranny and cause serious damage to the interests of the empire. -If there are two ambassadors, there is a high risk that if there are differences of opinion, the conflict will continue until the end and the result will be lost. -For this reason, the number of ambassadors is set to three and decisions are made by majority vote. In this way, you can prevent as much as possible the concerns of falsification or tyranny. -Of course, it was maximum In this way, the number of ambassadors in Florence was decided at three. Wan continued to call out the names of the ambassadors in Florence. For this reason, I will appoint Shin Sook-ju as the first ambassador, Seong Sam-moon, the first vice minister of education, as the second vice minister, and finally, Yu Eung-bu as the third ambassador. If you think that someone else is more suitable than these, please rmend them here. The ministers said nothing to Wans words. Personnel power was one of the most powerful powers possessed by the emperor. If there were no major problems with the person chosen by the emperor, it was normal to ept it. And the people Wan called out now were people for whom the term right ce at the right ce was appropriate. -Shin Sook-ju is a self-proimednguage genius. He had a genius talent fornguages, starting with the Minggunguage, bing fluent in Japanese, Latin, the Tuscan dialect, and several indigenous dialects of Shinji. In addition, he had a high level of understanding of the entire administration as he was in charge of and directed all kinds of administrative tasks during the process of pioneering new territory. The downside was that his greed for power was considerable. This time too, I was overly ambitious in order to get better results than expected, which ended up causing me anger. -Seong Sam-moon is currently the First Vice Minister of Education, but he was expected to be the Minister of Education in the near future. He was one of the Four Gang of Hyang and suffered the most along with Han Myeong-hoe. On the contrary, he was the most talented person along with Han Myeong-hoe. Thanks to all the hardships he endured under his hometown, Seong Sam-muns administrative skills were also outstanding. In addition, he was so knowledgeable that when he first entered office, Jo Gye-saeng, who was the Minister of Education at the time, took him with him. Lastly, Seong Sam-moon was a principled person who insisted on following principles, but showed surprising flexibility when necessary. The most representative example is Seong Sam-mun, who reined in Duke Jinpyeong, who would run amok whenever he got the chance while working on railway construction in the Bukji region. -Yu Eung-bu A born soldier who has steadily built up his career and major in the military. He was the person who could most clearly understand themand of the Imperial Army instructors to be dispatched to Florence and the surrounding military movements. If the imperial army was dispatched in earnest, it was most likely that it would be amander who received a local rank. The ministers who were looking back at the history of the three people mentioned by Wan nodded. If Shin Sook-ju is stubborn or causes an ident in Florence, Seong Sam-moon will be able to resolve it. It is indeed a ruin. They are the people for whom the phrase right ce at the right time best fits. Hwang Bo-in came forward and bowed his head on behalf of the ministers who judged it to be a reasonable appointment. They are truly the right people for the right people. Then can I choose these people? yes. your majesty. Then lets do it. The ministers all bowed their heads at Wans decision. Shin Sook-ju gritted her teeth and bowed her head. This is a clear demotion! ording to Wans n, ambassadors stationed in Florence were of the same rank as ministers. This was because it was a position where he exercised full authority on behalf of Emperor Wan. However, the reason Shin Suk-ju thought she was being demoted was because of Seong Sam-mun and Yu Eung-bu. Although they were evaluated as the next Minister of Education and the next Chief of Staff, they were ranked below them in terms of rank. This meant promotion to them. If I dont make a big mistake in Florence, I will be given the position of Chief of Staff as Minister as soon as I return. But I Shin Sook-ju, like Han Myeong-hoe and others, was also aiming for the position of Prime Minister or Deputy Prime Minister. -Shouldnt the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister nowe from ministries other than the Ministry of General Affairs and the Ministry of Finance and Economy? In private, Shin Sook-ju openly said this. * * * As Shin Sook-ju said, previous prime ministers and deputy prime ministers came from the Ministry of General Affairs and the Ministry of Finance and Economy. This was due to the decision of the emperors who valued work efficiency and the governance of the empire. The only exception was Hwang Bo-in, the current Prime Minister. Although Hwang Bo-in was from the Ministry of Justice, he was skilled at coordinating conflicts of interest between ministries. His personality was also faithful to his principles, but he had no weaknesses and was able to lead his ministers well. However, those likely to be the next Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister were again from the Ministry of Finance and Economy and the Ministry of General Affairs. * * * Shin Sook-joo was confident that with her experience and abilities, she could rise to the position of Deputy Prime Minister. However, whether he was too confident or too motivated to make himself stand out, he made mistakes over and over again and ended up being picked on by the emperor. Considering the ages of the current prime minister and the left and right deputy prime ministers, there is a very high probability that this will change while I am in Florence! Then, when I return, I am once again the Minister of Foreign Affairs! Shin Suk-ju looked at Han Myeong-hoe and Seong Sam-moon from the corner of her eye. If it werent for them Most of those expected to be the next ministers and prime ministers, including Seong Sam-moon and Han Myeong-hoe, were people who had shared joys and sorrows together in the old night office. Those who were friendly and friendly at the time were now blocking their path. Whoa~. Shin Sook-ju sighed softly and steeled herself internally. Now there is only one road! Good luck with the phone! Im betting everything on Florence! Even if Han Myeong-hoe has no choice, he will definitely overtake Seong Sam-mun! Han Myeong-hoe, who is considered the first among the Gang of Fragrance, has been attracting the attention of many people since before the Gang of Four. Therefore, for Shin Suk-ju, Han Myeong-hoe was an object of envy, not an object of overtaking. But it was not Seongsammun. If its as good as Seongsammun! Meanwhile, on top of the temple, Wan was quietly observing the situation. Its good when the party is like this. If you sit on the throne ced on a tform called Dangjip or Canopjip, you can look down on the ministers. On the other hand, ministers could only see the emperor if they raised their heads. Thanks to this difference, the ministers were unable to properly examine the emperors facial expressions, while the emperor was able to immediately examine the facial expressions of his ministers. Therefore, Wan, who was ced on the throne, was able to read Shin Sook-jus expression. ording to Milwis report, he was said to be very ambitious. Indeed. After hearing the order, Go to the ambassadorship in Florence, Shin Sook-jus expression changed colorfully. Watching her changing expression, Wan was able to understand Shin Sook-jus inner thoughts to some extent. As ambitious as it is, you dont give up easily. Ill have to meet Seong Sam-mun and Yu Eung-bu separatelyter. When Shin Sook-joo was appointed as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, she continued to have trouble with the ministers of other ministries. The problem was that it was not for the sake of the Empire or of a personal nature. He wanted to show off his abilities and gain recognition from himself, the emperor. -I understand that your ambition is as great as your abilities are. However, those who show off or go out of their way more than necessary are in big trouble. ording to Hyangs teachings, Shin Suk-ju was a person with many problems. Just looking at the current negotiation case, he put pressure on the other party to show off his abilities and almost made things go wrong. If you look at the previous evaluation, it was said that the person was generous and good enough to be entrusted with a big task, but why? In fact, the positive evaluations of Shin Suk-ju in history before the intervention of Hyang were as follows. -A multi-talented genius. -Master of diplomacy, including treaties. -A pioneer who supported the promotion of privatemerce. Even after Hyang intervened, Shin Sook-jus evaluation was good. In particr, he received very good scores in the new territory development process. If he didnt have an ident like this negotiation, he could really aim for the position of prime minister or deputy prime minister. The reason why Shin Sook-jus evaluation changed was because of the scent. To put it more deeply, it was because of the Four People of Hyang and Shin Sook-jusnguage skills. In the process of discovering and pioneering Shinji, smoothmunication was a problem that must be solved. Therefore, Shin Suk-ju, who possessed not onlynguage skills but also excellent administrative skills, had no choice but to stay in Shinji for a long time. My experience working at this new site had be a double-edged sword. His outstanding performance at Shinji made him stand out, but the long time he spent at Shinji made him feel that he had been pushed out of the mainstream. The mainstream that Shin Sook-ju thought of was the Four Fragrances. Those who had enjoyed the ups and downs and favored each other in their prime were now upying high-ranking positions in major ministries. The mix of original ambition and impatience to make up for what was pushed out as quickly as possible led to mistakes big and small like this one. And Wan decided to expel Shin Sook-ju early. * * * Once the ambassadors appointment was decided ording to Wans wishes, the rest proceeded smoothly. Well, most of the rest of the work involves selecting people, but As Hwang Bo-in said with a wry smile, most of the work this time was starting with people and ending with people. Ministers and vice ministers of each department stayed up all night and searched through performance evaluation forms to find suitable talent. -The highest rank is Deputy Manager. -Excluding those who are too old or too young. -A person with a unique personality. This is the original Its because the standards are so vague The ability to handle tasks is basic, so theres no need to mention it. After going through the evaluation forms and selecting suitable candidates, the ministers and vice ministers called the candidates and conducted interviews. Because of this situation, we need people who will preside in Florence and represent His Majestys will. After listening to the ministers and vice ministers, the candidates looked sideways at those sitting next to them and diligently calcted their profits and losses. No matter how you calcte this, it seems like the harm is greater than the benefit Arent there people whoe forward on their own? . When few people came forward despite being encouraged, the minister and vice minister used coercive force. You should go. Your Majesty is also looking forward to it. Will you take care of it? Those who heard You go to Florence responded with confused faces. yes. I will do my best. Thank you. Then lets start working now. If you say its work. You should choose someone to work under you. . This is how the passing on began. After much deliberation, people were selected to work at the Florence embassy. Meanwhile, the opposite situation urred in the military. Ill take care of it! No, its up to you! There was an influx of volunteers for the positions of instructors to train the Florentine army and military attachs to work at the embassy. The volunteers intention was simple. -If you look at the current surroundings of the empire, it is difficult for a major war to break out. -But it is certain that war will break out in Florence and Italy. It was also a big war. -The Empire will also intervene when the timees. -In that case, those who know the situation in Florence and Italy well will be reappointed. -This is the best opportunity to umte military merit and get promoted! Chapter 874 Episode 874: Generation Change (5) Even in a chaotic situation where some people were anxious not to go and others were anxious to go, the personnel selection process ended. Once the selection process was over, Hwang Bo-in submitted a report to Wan. Herees a list of those who will go to Florence. Those in the front will leave in ten days. They will go and settle down. Hmm I guess for everything to go well, you have to get it right from the beginning. Do you think it will be okay with them? yes. In response to Hwang Bo-in, Wan looked at the list once again. The first people on the list were Shin Sook-ju and Seong Sam-mun Yu-eung-bu. Wan, who had been looking at the names of the three people carefully, looked back at Hwang Bo-in. It seems like the prime minister paid a lot of attention. Thank you for your hard work. Thats too much praise. The first to send three people at the same time was the result of Hwang Bo-in and the deputy prime ministers careful consideration. -Sending all three at the same time is definitely excessive. -However, if one of the three is sent first and another is sentter, it can act as a weakness when a conflict of opinion arisester. How much do you know that you camete! If the argument continues like this, it bes a fight of horns rather than a healthy exchange of opinions. -In conclusion, the correct answer is to send all three at the same time, even though you know it is excessive. In this way, the three people ended up heading to Florence at the same time. The justification was also appropriate. -Shin Sook-ju is fluent in Latin and Tuscan dialect, so she deals with the Medici family. C Seong Sam-moon worked at the Ministry of Education for a long time, so he is well versed in educational administration. Therefore, it can be of great help to the educational projects currently being implemented in Florence. -Yueungbu is a soldier and has extensive experience in training soldiers as well as actualbat experience. It can be of great help in creating a new Florence County. Because there was indeed a suitable cause, Hwang Bo-in and the Deputy Prime Ministers concluded to send all three at the same time. Hmm Satisfied with the selection of the advance and follow-up teams, Wan moved on to the next step. The embassy and imperial residence are also San Donino and Livorno? Thats right. I have already created a document with Giovanni de Medici. Therefore, as the main base moves, the railroad construction personnel will also move. Hmm Wan nodded at Hwang Bo-ins words. * * * When the imperial embassy was established in Florence, it was not the only ce where imperial officials would stay. Not only the instructors who would be in charge of training the Florentine military, but also the officials and the instructors families would move together. It was clear that a fairlyrge space would be needed to amodate the merchants who would supply supplies to them. It was difficult to create such arge space in downtown Florence. When we called merchants who frequently visited Florence and asked about them, their answers were very simr. How wide and well-cleared is the road? The main street is wide, but once you enter the alley, it bes the size of a snot. Big roads are also a problem. Its so twisted and tangled that if you get lost, youll have to sleep for three or four days. Isnt that a bit of an exaggeration? There is someone with experience. I didnt starve because I had money, but if I didnt have money, I would have starved to death. Wouldnt it be okay to ask the residents to show us the way? Do you know how clever the Italians are? Show me the way and it will lead you deeper and deeper. And if you go that deep, thieves will rush in and rob you. Im d they dont kill me because Im an imperial citizen. Is security that bad? To put it bluntly, its nagging. When the report summarizing the merchants stories was posted, the expressions on the ministers faces were not good. This is it I cant believe the security is this messed up Rather than sending military instructors, shouldnt we be sending people from the Pocheong first? I think that would be more of a priority While the conversation was mixed with jokes and seriousness, Wan, who was looking at the report, looked at Hwang Bo-in. Isnt this a good opportunity? yes? The idea is to use the unstable security conditions in Florence as an excuse to create an imperial residence in a suitable location. In my opinion, Livorno would be good When Livorno was mentioned, Hwang Bo-in urgently tried to call an official and order him to bring maps and geography. At that time, Wan raised his hand to stop Hwang Bo-in. There is no need for maps and geography. I understand that the distance between Florence and Livorno is about 200 leagues. Its quite a distance. your majesty. Instead, we areying railroad tracks. Do you mean by rail? exactly. Wans n was as follows. -Florence city center is already densely packed with buildings and the roads are inconvenient. -Therefore, if you tell them to give up a lot of useless space in a ce like this, you will get angry from the residents of Florence. This must be avoided. -Therefore, only the embassy is located in downtown Florence. Soldiers and officials rtives and merchants are made to live in separate imperial residences. -Livorno is a suitable ce for imperial residence. -Livorno is a port in Florence, but it is not a major port. Here, imperial residences are allocated and actively developed. -The core of development is the construction of arge port, railroads, and a light-emittingmunicationwork. -Using the light-emittingmunicationwork, you can learn news about Florence faster than others, and you can travel quickly using the railroad. -Building arge port can be used to deploy the empires military power. Boyin carefully pointed out the problem in Wans story. This is truly a brilliant idea, but will Florence respond? I willply. Once you create a residence for the imperial people, the imperial army will be dispatched to protect it. If the Prime Minister were the Medici of Florence, would he feel at ease if there were more imperial troops than expected coiled up in his hearnd? Even if they are allies and are training their own troops. Ah Hwang Bo-in and the ministers all nodded at Wans words. In the negotiations that followed, Giovanni epted the Empires request. As Wan expected, people would have been reluctant to build it in downtown Florence, but that was because it was Livorno. In addition, the empires proposal to build a railway at its own expense and allow the Florentines to use it, as well as the proposal to develop the port of Livorno, were weed by Florence. The development of Livornos port was a necessary but expensive project. There was no objection to the empires n to develop this at its own expense and build a railway in addition. Meanwhile, Hyang, who found out about the situation through the letter sent by Wan, had an ambiguous expression. The Gyeongin Line Railway and the Yongsan Garrison Will the empire be an empire? It was a scent that reminded me of the painful history before my intervention. Is it a sh between the head and the heart? Rationally, it was a good n for the national interest of the empire, but it was a bit of a problem in my heart. Whoa~. The Empire ended up taking a hit, but the Empire will get away with only a moderate amount of profit. So this is a good thing for both Florence and the Empire. Anyway, even in modern times, thats the rule of capitalism so thats a noble person. * * * Meanwhile, Wan, who was sitting alone in the bedroom reviewing the n, stopped what he was doing and looked at the calendar. Wan, who had been counting his fingers while looking at the calendar, sighed. Whoa~. I was nning to move on to Shinji after justpleting 20 years This year marked the 18th year of Wans reign. If nothing special happened, like a war, he would have been happily researching flying machines in Shinji two yearster. If only Florence hadnt had an ident. Damn Florence I thought,paring it to the words of Jesus, the founder of Christianity, and saying, Florences affairs are for Florence, but it was a national interest that was at stake as the national interests of the empire were expected to be enormous. Considering the time it took for information and people to travel between Florence and Seoul, it was certain that at least three to five years would pass before it would reach a somewhat stable track. The prime minister and deputy prime ministers were already there, clearly having a hard time. It would take at least a year for the newly elected prime minister and deputy prime ministers toe to some sense. Putting all of this together, the expected 20 years was clearly unreasonable, and 5 years would have to be added to that to make it possible to ascend. Whoa~. Wan let out a long sigh and clicked his tongue with an annoyed face. Im sure Hyeon and someone in Shinji who were stuck in Area 51 were excited. Tsk! As Wan was thinking about the joy he would have in Shinji, a memory suddenly came to mind. Now that I think about it you said you found tree sap that seemed very useful and that if done properly, it would greatly reduce the burden caused by sinji problems. What was its name? Chicol? chicle? The scent was that I had finally gotten my hands on a rubber tree. * * * The imperial advance force that arrived in Florence via Suez was warmly weed by the Medici family. Wee! wee! Thank you for the warm wee. Shin Sook-ju, who politely responded to Giovanni and Lorenzos warm wee on behalf of the group, immediately looked around and asked Giovanni. I have to pay my respects to the Chief, where are you? Giovanni answered Shin Sook-jus question with a puzzled expression. Youve been very unwell these days and have difficulty moving around. Oh my! If so, we should go out and find it. Please guide me. Lets do that. Guided by Giovanni, Shin Sook-ju and his party entered Cosimos bedroom. Shin Sook-ju and hispanions stood in front of Cosimo, who was lying on the bed, and politely bowed. Cosimo raised his hand with difficulty and opened his mouth with difficulty. These precious people havee. Please understand that I am lying down like this to greet the distinguished guest. Shin Sook-ju stepped forward and responded to Cosimos words. no. Of course, it would be polite for us toe visit you. Thank you for thinking so. I would like to sit down with all of you from the empire and discuss the country, but I cannot hide my regret. You will be able to do so soon. Thank you for saying that. Since Giovanni and Lorenzo are notcking, there will be enough to discuss the match. Please consider that I exist. Of course. Then please take care of me. Im sorry, but I need to get some rest. Please be considerate. As Shin Sook-ju and her group left, Cosimo let out a long sigh. Whoa~. I guess Ill just have to pray that Lorenzo gets ripped off as little as possible. After checking the report submitted by Giovanni, who returned from Seoul, Cosimo immediately identified the traps hidden within. Livorno Railway Imperial Residence Phew~. Is the empire trying to swallow Florence? Cosimo, who noticed the trapsid by the empire, became suspicious that the empire was trying to conquer Florence. But soon Cosimo shook his head. No, considering what the empire has done now, it is unreasonable. The empire is having a hard time digesting what it has done so far. What the Empire wants is always time. Time to digest what they have swallowed. If I were the emperor of an empire, I would use Florence to prevent Europe from thinking about anything else. Phew~. Cosimo let out a long sigh, and his eyes were full of sadness and regret. If I had still had the energy, I could have made Florence reap the maximum benefit Chapter 875 Episode 875: Generation Change (6) Of course, it wasnt Cosimo if he justy still in bed and swallowed his regrets. As soon as Cosimo realized what kind of trap the imperial favor shown in the negotiation treaty Giovanni brought was, he called Lorenzo and Giovanni. I think this is what the empire is aiming for. Ah. Oh my Lorenzo and Giovanni made expressions of regret at Cosimos point. In particr, Giovanni, who returned with great joy, saying that he had made a great profit in the negotiations with the empire, med himself with a disappointed look on his face. sorry! I was stupid! If I had known that this trap was hidden, I would have prevented it in advance! Cosimo waved his hand at Giovannis remorse. No, even if I knew, I should have epted it. Even if you knew in advance? Cosimo nodded in response to Lorenzos question. Yes. In order for the great cause you mentioned to seed, Florences power alone is not enough. Inevitably, external help is needed. If you think that way, the Empire is a good opponent. Then can we just overlook this incident? Its a matter of leadership. Initiative? This is what Florence, we Italians, are doing on Italian soil. However, if you neglect even the slightest caution, Florence will lose its initiative and be a mercenary of the empire. Well, if you think about the situation of the empire and the personalities of its emperors, Italy will not be swallowed up. But all we can take away will be glory. The honor of being the protagonist of Italian unification. Ah At Cosimos words, Lorenzo and Giovannis faces brightened as if they finally understood. Looking at the two, Cosimo continued. In rtion to unification, most of the work done with the empire will be a situation where we will pretend to be deceived while knowing each other. But you must never forget that if you are truly deceived, from then on it will only drag you down. yes. First of all, lets ept the imperial favor for now. The development of the port of Livorno and the construction of a railway leading to Florence are essential. There is no need to stop the empire from doing things that cost a lot of money with their own money. Giovanni and Lorenzo nodded at Cosimos words. Thats right. Its a benefit for us. Then take this incident as a lesson and deal with the empire properly. Now I want to get some rest. yes. Cosimo, left alone in the bedroom, looked at the closed door and muttered. Both of them are just a little bit inexperienced, but theyre not stupid, so theyll do well. However, after seeing the imperial ambassadors who had visited him, Cosimos expression became serious. It wont be easy. We sent the worn-out guys. * * * Lorenzo and Giovanni, perhaps aware of Cosimos concerns, were pushing and pulling against the imperial ambassadors. Where do you think the embassy should be established? In response to Lorenzos question, Shin Sook-ju stroked her chin for a moment and then answered. Im thinking of the San Donino area. Lorenzo, who was looking at the map to check the location, slightly frowned at Shin Sook-jus answer. Its a bit far from here. That is true. Shin Sook-ju calmly nodded to Lorenzos point. There was a considerable distance between San Donino, where the empire decided to build an embassy, and the Medici Pce. Wouldnt it be better to build it here, near the pce? There will be a lot of things to discuss in the future, right? Shin Sook-ju shook her head at Lorenzos point. Thats why we need to move it further to the outskirts. There are probably many spies from other cities and countries hiding here in Florence. You have to think about their eyes. But There are many other problems besides that. The roads around the Medici Pce here are very narrow andplicated. And the biggest problem is that there is a cathedral right in front of you, isnt there? How many years have we been asking for an answer regarding the current situation of our empire? Ah Lorenzo was at a loss for words at Shin Sook-jus point. There is still no answer to the issue of ancestral rites that was sent to the Vatican when Hyang was the Crown Prince. By the time the answer arrived, a lot of war of words had broken out over this issue, and theplex internal situation at the time had added to the problem, leading to a religious dispute. And now. How many humans are left to remember that problem? The empire has never had a proper recruitment since then. There was mention of this issue through students who studied in Seoul or professors recruited to the research institute. However, because it was not an official recruitment of the empire, it was not officially discussed again in the Vatican. After thinking that far, Lorenzo answered Shin Suk-ju. I know a lot of people in the Vatican on that matter, so I will try to get a decision made as quickly as possible. There is nothing urgent in our empire, so take care of it. But no matter how much I think about it, San Donino is too far away. Even if its far, its quick if you ride a horse. And if you float a boat on the Arno River, you can avoid being noticed. Ah And I didnt mention it earlier, but when I saw the houses and roads near the Medici Pce on the way, there was a problem with disease Shin Suk-ju slightly trailed off, but Giovanni interjected with a blush on his face. We are also working to solve sanitation issues in urban centers and residential areas. Of course, it is still not as good as Seoul, but it will soon catch up. Im not saying anything. However, I chose San Donino because there were more than one family that would apany the officials working at the embassy, and among them were many children. Lorenzo, who waspletely pushed out of his cause, had no choice but to wave the white g. Then it would be better to go to San Donino. What size will you make it? I think it would be best to decide on that after examining San Donino in person. Then lets do it. * * * Shin Sook-ju and her group, who spent some time rxing at a guesthouse set up in the Medici Pce, headed to the San Donino area under the guidance of Florentine officials. Shin Sook-ju and Seong Sam-muns courtier, who were looking at the outside scenery through the carriage window, frowned. Looking at it again, the condition is so bad. Even the back alleys of Ming and Japan would be cleanpared to this. I agree. If this is the case, I think diseases that never existed will develop. If there is a gue, it will be the end. The temporary barracks built during the Liaodong War will be cleaner than this. Outside, the streets of Florence were overflowing with sewage everywhere, and the wind blowing in through the window was filled with a foul odor. But the three people didnt know. The situation in Florence is at least good. Most of Italys influential cities have their origins from the Roman era. Thanks to this, most Italian cities had water and sewage facilities. The problem was that it was just existing. As the technology of the Roman era disappeared, proper maintenance was no longer possible, and the cities water and sewage facilities fell into disrepair. In particr, the first thing to disappear was the water supply facility symbolized by the aqueduct. To some extent, the sewage facilities were holding up, but not 100%. Because of this, the streets of Florence are now a mess. In order to survive, I will have to settle down in the San Donino area. Seong Sam-moon and Yu Eung-bu silently agreed to Shin Sook-jus words. * * * Upon arriving at the San Donino area, Shin Sook-ju and her party looked around and looked satisfied. Good. Its a good area. Its also good for taking refuge in an emergency. At this time, the San Donino area was a farming vige located on the outskirts of Florence. Thanks to this, the resident poption was small, so the amount ofpensation paid could be reduced. From a military perspective, it was possible to move directly to Livorno by using the Arno River located right in front. Conversely, it was also possible to move directly from Livorno to Florence. Even if the railroad was cut, the imperial army could move using the Arno River. Now that I think about it, the person dispatched from the railroad constructionpany seemed very dissatisfied Yu Eung-bu immediately responded to Shin Sook-jus words. It was easy to sigh after looking at the map of the Arno River provided by our military. Why are you so twisted? Also, the mountains in the distance are a problem. The best way is to install a railroad along the river, but if its twisted like that, its easy to sigh that the iron horse wont move as fast as it should. Shin Sook-jus face became serious at Yu Eung-bus words. Then isnt this a serious problem? So he said he had a few ideas. Hmm they are the ones who know the most about railroads. * * * The people who knew the most about railroad construction and maintenance were railroad construction employees. Even in situations that would have made them sigh, they found the answer andpleted the railroad. People on the outside may not know, but inside the railway construction, there was something that seniors would tell neers first. If you dont do it right, Duke Jinpyeong wille right away. Can you bear the re from Duke Jinpyeong? In the past, when a railroad was being built in Bukji. A tiger blocked the area, but when the Duke red at it, it started urinating and rolling over. Can you endure that? I will do my best! Keep in mind. The person scarier than Mama Hwahwan is Duke Jinpyeong. The person who is scarier than him is his older brother. got it? If thats your older brother Ah! * * * Because the selected area of San Donino was liked, the ambassadors immediately began follow-up work. The ambassadors, who used Florentine officials as intermediaries to purchase the area, soon called in those in charge of construction. Those in charge of constructing the imperial embassy and imperial residence in the San Donino area were imperial army engineer officers disguised as imperial top and top employees. Engineer officers meticulously surveyed major transportation routes and nearby areas in the name of paving the road from San Donino to Florence. Next, surveying crews dispatched from the railway construction moved along the Arno River and conducted surveys. And all these results were immediately copied and headed to Seoul. In Seoul, employees at the railroadpany headquarters and officers of the Ministry of National Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff covered their heads with copies of this copy. Railroad construction workers were concerned about how toy more efficient railroads, and imperial army officers were concerned about how to efficiently move the imperial army. Which branch should I send it to? artilleryman! artilleryman! It is true that artillery is important, but. Artillery! artilleryman! Shut up! artilleryman! artilleryman! Its an established fact that artillery is the center, so shut up! Thats why they call us po-bang-bu from the outside! No matter what anyone says, the main force of the imperial army, especially the army, was artillery. I attack with a powerful weapon from a greater distance than others! That is the path to victory. This was the imperial armys theory. Therefore, what the imperial army officers are currently worried about is which branch should be sent first as an auxiliary unit to the artillery unit. Chapter 876 Episode 876: Generation Change (7) A simr concern was faced by the first group of instructors who arrived in Florence. Youre so shocked that 10,000 is too many. Youll faint when you hear the story of the Liaodong War. They didnt even believe it. * * * As I had already exined to Giovanni in Seoul, the Empires Ministry of Defense expected the size of the standing army that Florence could organize to be 15,000. The military officer who was reporting on this at the time added the following. Of course, this is not urate. It was based on hearsay obtained from imperial merchants who stayed in Florence and Italians who entered the imperial trading ports. The numbers may change if we get urate poption information from Florence and recalcte. Literally, the instructors who arrived in Florence requested the data in question from Florence city hall officials. The officials who received the instructors request asked back with embarrassed expressions. Is this something you really need right now? Isnt it obvious? By knowing exactly how many people can be mobilized in the army, we can adjust the ratio of the branches and coordinate the training process. Ha~. Actually Hearing the instructors words, the officials let out a long sigh with faces full of embarrassment and exined what the problem was. The instructors who heard the officials exnation looked astonished. Does it make sense that there is no family register not only in Florence but also in the city halls and viges of its affiliated cities? Then what about tax collection? The vige head and the tax collector in charge are in charge of the district head vige in the district. Is urate cleaning possible that way? Even toymen like our soldiers, it doesnt seem like urate tax collection and payment is possible. Having said this, those in charge of budgeting in the empire knew tax administration well, regardless of the ministry. We need to know how much taxes areing in so that we dont fall behind in the battle to secure budget against the Ministry of Finance and Economy. Naturally, the imperial army instructors dispatched to Florence included experts in supply and administration. This was because proper supply was essential to properly move the army, and urate budget management was essential for proper supply. The officials responded to the instructorsments with a humble expression. We are well aware of the problem in that area. So there is a saying like this. The people who know the situation of city people best are moneylenders, and in rural areas, they are priests. Why on earth? ording to subsequent statements by Florentine officials, the biggest reason for this was the low survival rate of residents C especially infants C and the poll tax. If an epidemic broke out, there would be mass deaths and family registers would be a mess. Also, although it has almost disappeared now, reducing the number of family members due to the poll tax issue was amon urrence. Therefore, as officials said, usurers in cities and priests in rural areas were the ones who knew the residents situation best. This was because the priests kept records of births, deaths, marriages, migrations, etc., including baptisms, final sacraments, and wedding ceremonies, for the purpose of human trafficking in lieu of debt in case of emergency. * * * Huh After hearing the officials answer, the instructors still looked dumbfounded and shouted inwardly. Is this a country? Although the instructors faced unexpected difficulties from the beginning, they soon came to their senses and began looking for alternatives. In that case, please ask the church for cooperation in obtaining urate poption data. Its not easy. The priests will only cooperate if ordered to do so by the Vatican. Whew The instructors, who suppressed the urge to immediately grab the officials by their cors in response, left the city hall and returned to the guesthouse at the Medici Pce. The ambassadors who received reports from the instructors frowned and looked at each other. How can a ce that calls itself a country in name and reality. Proper family registration is absolutely necessary for proper education While Shin Suk-ju and Seong Sam-moon were perplexed, Yu Eung-bu showed an expression of understanding. . I heard that it was the same for our empire before Emperor Wen started to make scriptures. So, wasnt the first thing Emperor Wen did was register the family and reorganize thend? Ah Shin Suk-ju and Seong Sam-moon nodded at Yu Eung-bus words. * * * Until the early days of King Sejongs reign, Joseons family register and tax administration were a mess. This was due to the chaos that urred during the transition from Goryeo to Joseon, the invasion of Japanese pirates, poor harvests, and pestilence, which resulted in a huge number of refugees. Therefore, when starting the construction of the pce, the first thing that was focused on was family registration andnd consolidation. A full-fledged funeral was carried out based on properly organized family registers. * * * It was a difficult situation from the start, but the ambassadors found their own solutions. I will go see Lorenzo de Medici tomorrow and talk to him. He said he knows a lot of people in the Vatican, so he might be able to help. ah! One of the Medici familys family businesses is money lending. Wouldnt that also be helpful? Shin Sook-ju nodded at Seong Sam-moons suggestion. When Shin Suk-ju epted the offer, Seong Sam-moon continued speaking again. Then I will take a look at how the education project in Florence is progressing. If we roughly look at the number of children currently studying in schools in Florence and the Florence region and the number of those who havepleted their studies, it will be possible to estimate the size of the army. I guess that could have happened. What a brilliant idea. Shin Suk-ju and Yu Eung-bu could not help but be impressed by Seong Sam-moons idea. In the case of social democratic schools in the empire, by the time one entered the school, received education, and left the school, he or she had reached the age to be recognized as an adult. If Florence was simr, it was possible to roughly infer how many men were of an appropriate age to be mobilized as soldiers. Following Seong Sam-moon, Yu Eung-bu also talked about what he had to do. I will take a look at this Florentine army starting tomorrow. I should especially look at those mercenaries. I dont know how I can use it, or I have to cover up the gems and stones, or else I have to throw it all away whew~. Yu Eung-bu stopped what he was saying and let out a long sigh. No matter how I look at it, Im worried that Ill have to use thest move. In response to Yoo Eung-busment, Shin Sook-ju asked with a face full of worry. That much? Didnt you see it when you came? Hou Dae is fine and his armor is shiny, but his military discipline is a mess. I remember the European history book that the first emperor found and showed me. It was written that their ancestors, the Roman soldiers, were the strongest army in the world who followed strict military discipline, but their descendants have no idea Tsk! Yu Eung-bu clicked his tongue with an expression of disapproval. This was because he did not like the sight of the mercenaries who guarded him while he was traveling from Livorno to Florence. The mercenaries hired by Italian cities were mostly cavalry. The sight of cavalrymen moving on horseback, covering their chests with well-made te armor and hiding their faces with helmets, was truly majestic. However, Yu Eung-bu, who had built his career through battlesrge and small, frowned at them. What a wonderful folding screen! The mercenaries guarding them did not smell the blood of the battlefield at all. Every time we took a break, Yu Eung-bu carefully inspected the mercenaries. Egh! Tsk! Every time, Yu Eung-bu couldnt hide his difort and wrinkled his expression and clicked his tongue. And the Florentine officials apanying him each time became restless. Is there a problem? no. Its because its ufortable after sitting for a long time. Tsk! After looking around roughly, Yu Eung-bu walked to where the instructors were gathered and talked. What do you think? The instructors responded with embarrassed expressions to the questions asked by the Yueungbu, who pointed to the mercenaries with their chins. The horse seems to be riding well. Hes also good at marching. On the battlefield? . The instructors responded with silence to the response departments question. Once upon a time, when I was your age. First emperor! At that time, you were counting. There is something the first emperor said to us. Im telling you to be an army thats good at marching, not an army thats good at just marching. He also said that the militarys greatest virtue is victory. Ah The instructors all nodded and reflected on Yu Eung-bus words. * * * When I said this to Yu Eung-bu, Hyang was muttering softly on the way back. Come to think of it I heard that an Italian officer who saw the German army made that assessment when World War II had just begun, right? Bad marching pattern. Well, whether in movies or on the Inte, the Italian armys march was unusual. At the end of the film, which depicts the resistance of Europeans who were isted in Beijing due to the Boxer Rebellion C and of course Japan C there was a scene where the armies of imperialist powers entered Beijing. In the scene, the Italians were cantering in. Also, in the 21st century, videos of a military band belonging to Italys Versalieri performing while running at a canter were circting on the Inte. The scent, which remembered the notoriety of the Italian army during World War II (excluding, of course, a few units including Versalieri), was a warning to the Imperial Army officials. * * * Although he was already greatly disappointed on the way from Livorno to Florence, Yu Eung-bu still went out to inspect the mercenary unit. Because there is talk that just in case Yu Eung-bu, who went on an inspection with a faint hope, headed to the mercenary units garrison with Lorenzo de Medici. wee! Upon hearing that their employer was visiting, the Condottiero, whomanded the unit, rushed out to greet them. Its been a while. Long time no see. Is this person here the Imperial soldier of rumors? Lorenzo nodded and answered Condottieros question after seeing Yueungbu properly dressed in the Imperial Army uniform. This is Lord Yu Eung-bu, the imperial ambassador and general of the imperial army. In response to Lorenzos introduction, the condottiero politely bowed and introduced himself. My name is Piero Corleone. Nice to meet you. After the short meeting ceremony, Yu Eung-bu went straight to the main topic. I want to see the units training. Ill show you right away. The training of mercenaries belonging to the Medici family was spectacr. Cavalrymen wearing shiny breasttes formed in formation and moved as one body, repeatedly charging and retreating toward the virtual enemy lines. As countless horses ran, the earth shook and the cavalrys shouts echoed through the sky. How is it? Yu Eung-bu gave a short answer to Corleones question. You seem well trained. shit! If I only had five wagon doors, Id send them all to Goll! Whether or not she knew Yu Eung-bus intentions, Corleone received the words with a confident expression. Is that so? I dare say that there will be no one who can stop my unit! You can even swear to the Virgin Mary! In response to Corleones question, Yu Eung-bu asked with a calm face. Can you keep your word even in the face of artillery, boxcars, and long guns? yes? Chapter 877 Episode 877: Generation Change (8) Corleone could not hide his doubts in response to Yu Eung-bus question, and Lorenzo de Medici also had a simr expression on his face. Those who seemed to understand something in response to Yu Eung-bus question were Giovanni, who came with him, and the mercenaries around him. Responding to the reaction of the people divided into two, the responder asked Giovanni. Did Prince Lorenzo de Medici and that mercenary unit ever see or experience the Suez War? Giovanni answered immediately to the question asked by the nurse. Lorenzo was too young when the war broke out Then what about the mercenary unit? It was the core force defending Florence, so we couldnt move. Is it the same in other cities? Its simr. her! Yu Eung-bu cried out inwardly with a bewildered expression on his face. There are no frogs in the well! However, the characteristics of Italian city-states also yed a role. As these cities grew based onmerce, they had absolutely no intention ofunching a siege. Therefore, most of the battles between cities took ce on the ins outside the cities, and most of the victories and defeats were decided by shes between cavalry. In this situation, the city-states core strength was a mercenary unit consisting of cavalry, and they could not be sent to Suez. Thanks to this, the Italian city-states moved ahead of everyone else in themercial sector, but weregging behind in the military sector. * * * Yu Eung-bu gathered his wits and continued asking questions. Do you have artillery or long guns? Of course there is! Corlione confidently showed off the artillery that his unit possessed. After seeing the artillery pieces, Yu Eung-bu nodded slightly. Its an appropriate gun to use in cavalry. Isnt there anything bigger? This is the biggest cannon. Then how many more doors are there? These five doors are all. barely? Corleone got angry at Yu Eung-bus words. Its only winter! Among the mercenary units in Italy, no one has more artillery than us! Rather, Yu Eung-bu, who was looking at Corleone who was getting angry, asked something else. Then how many long guns do you have? If you count 40 musketeers and extras, thats 60 guns. Do cavalrymen also carry guns? Of course! These days, it is standard for even cavalrymen to have at least two single guns. Lets look at the musketeers long guns and the cavalrys guns. yes! After a while, after seeing the long guns and short guns that the mercenaries had brought, Yu Eungbu looked back at Giovanni. Surely the Empire purchased a significant number of Japanese style long guns and short guns? Giovanni answered Yu Eung-bus question with an embarrassed expression and voice. Most of them were assigned to the forces stationed in Suez. The only thing that came into Italy was a few rifles provided to the guards. Haa~. Yu Eungbu sighed in response to Giovannis question. The long guns and short guns proudly disyed by Corleones mercenaries now were long guns and short guns fired using flintlocks. Giovanni, who was watching Yu Eung-bus thoughts, immediately exined the reason. Considering the interests at stake in Suez, we should never have fallen behind in armament. And because the Italian mercenaries are all armed there is even talk going around that our mercenaries, which even have artillery, are excessive. Huh~ When Yu Eungbu answered with a sigh, Giovanni continued speaking. Because I know the problem well, I asked to produce the imperial firearms myself. I see I think I can see what I should do now. Lets go back. * * * After returning from inspecting the mercenary unit, which was the core, or rather the entirety, of the Florentine army, Yu Eung-bu began drawing a sketch of what the Florentine standing army would be like. Following Yu Eung-bus footsteps, even the instructor who returned from inspecting the mercenary unit participated in the work, and the image of the new Florentine military that would be born was quickly drawn. If you think about the number of troops that Florence can operate, the main force will be infantry and the main weapon will be freight cars. Artillery will be a strategic weapon. Lorenzo and Giovanni nodded while listening to Yu Eung-bus exnation. On the other hand, Colleoni, who was present at the meeting, asked Yu Eung-bu with a dissatisfied expression. Shouldnt the main force of the army be our cavalry, no matter what anyone says? The cavalry is an auxiliary force. The main mission of the cavalry will be scouting, expandingmunications, and cutting off the enemys supply lines. This is uneptable! In response to Colleonis objection, Yu responded with a calm face and asked a question. Do you remember the question I asked before? The question is, Can you keep your word even in the face of artillery, boxcars, and long guns? Of course you can keep it! Ive only heard rumors about freight cars, but we also have artillery and long guns, so I know their pros and cons! Its powerful, but it takes a long time to reload! And the price is high, so even in units of more than a thousand people, the number of riflemen is usually only a few dozen! As long as they survive the first blow, the musketeers will be food for our cavalry! In response to Corleones protest, Yu Eung-bu nodded. As for the war so far, you are right. But if there is a war ahead, what you say is wrong. War in the future? What sophistry! Corleone screamed loudly, but Yueungbu ignored him and asked the instructors standing behind him. Has the freight car arrived?? yes. Then let me show those friends the bitter taste. After giving a meaningfulmand, Yueungbu looked at Lorenzo and Corleone. Youve never seen a freight car, right? I will tell you what a freight car is. In the subsequent demonstration, the freight car proved that the notoriety it gained in Suez was not just a rumor. Yu Eung-bu, standing in front of the tattered armor with bullet holes, looked at Corleone and Lorenzo who followed behind and asked. You just have to endure the first blow? I think that will be the final blow. . Looking at the hole-filled te armor, Corleone fell silent and Lorenzos eyes began to shine. Its a freight car! If only I could have such powerful freight cars, my dream would be reality! Yu Eung-bu continued speaking, as if he knew what Lorenzo was thinking. As you can see, the freight car is big and heavy. And the ammo consumption is enormous. Therefore, the infantry will move around the freight cars. And the cavalrys mission will be to take charge of scouting and prepare for the enemys movements in advance, and to pursue the fleeing enemy and expand the battlefield. All right. After seeing Corliones understanding, Yu Eungbu looked back at Lorenzo. What do you think, Duke Medici, of the military building n devised by our empires instructors? Lorenzo broke his neck and nodded in response to Yu Eung-bus question. great! How good! As the ruler of Florence, I will actively ept your country and your subjects proposals! Then lets start implementing based on this. In this way, the construction work of the Florentine army began in earnest. However, the construction of the Florentine army was shaky from the start. * * * The first creak was the departure of the mercenaries. You want me to take care of the chores? Is there such a disgrace? Many of those who could not endure the news that they would be reduced from the main force on the battlefield to an auxiliary force quit the Florentine mercenary corps and left to find other mercenary corps. And there were also those who left the mercenary army for other reasons. Did you see a demonstration of that freight car? That is absolutely a weapon of the devil! There is no guarantee that only Florence will have it! Charge in front of the enemys freight train? Thats a dogs death! Im out of here! Among those who saw the power of the freight train with their own eyes, many also quit the mercenary army and escaped. is it? Right. I hope I can keep that honor elsewhere. For the first reason, they left the unit with a positive evaluation and farewell. But those who left for the second reason did not. Hey~! Cowards! Take away the thing that is shaking between your crotches! Cowards with no pride! Those who always have death as their friend are mercenaries! Dont go anywhere and say youre a mercenary! They had to leave the unit after hearing all kinds of ridicule, jeers, and insults, saying they had no pride as mercenaries. There is no shame. Colleoni could not hide his shame as he reported therge number of deserters. Lorenzo, who received this report, also spoke to Yu Eung-bu with a simr expression. This is truly shameless. Yu Eung-bu responded to Lorenzos words with an expression that said it was no big deal. its okay. Prince Medici. In fact, its even better because I skipped it once. Is that so? yes. Yu Eung-bu, who gave a positive evaluation, did not forget carrots. But it is also true that morale is low. We need something to boost our morale. Shall I give you a raise? Thats good too, but What Yu Eung-bu suggested was a unified uniform and armor. The armor worn by mercenaries during this period was purchased at their own expense, so it had different shapes. Good. Lorenzo epted Yu Eung-bus proposal. ordingly, ck tunics and ck te armor were issued to the remaining mercenaries. This was the beginning of theter famous ck Legion. * * * The second creaking factor was conscription. Thanks to the bribes Lorenzo paid to the Vatican, the instructors knew with some certainty the number of people living in Florence and its territory. In addition, the instructors, who knew the number of city residents through the usury ledger obtained from the Medici family, were able to calcte to what extent the army could be increased based on this. -The appropriate size of the standing army is 23,000 for the navy and the rest for the army. -If all avable manpower is conscripted, up to 80,000 people can be recruited. 80,000? Is this really possible? The instructors answered the questions of the Florentine officials right away. This is possible if we gather all the men of the age group who can go to the battlefield. ah! ves were removed. When you say gathering everyone, do you mean gathering everyone from farmers to merchants and artisans? yes. Therefore, this is a figure that should only be used in the worst case. Then youre saying 20,000 isnt that too much? No, there are too many! The instructors looked like they couldnt understand what the Florentine officials said. yes? In response to the imperial army instructors reactions, Florentine officials exined the reason. Even for France, it would be best to mobilize around 30,000 troops at once! Even France! But 20,000? Do you think it is possible? Is this a figure that came out because it is possible? No! Impossible! About 10,000 is best! 10,000 is too little I heard its a standing army? standing army! We need to think about our finances too! thats right! Why would we use mercenaries? . It was a squeak brought about by the difference in thinking about the military and military service. For a country that manages finances at this level, up to 20,000 is not unreasonable Ill say it again, up to 10,000 is possible! What nonsense is a standing army of 20,000! Chapter 878 Episode 878: Generation Change (9) Even though there were great differences in each others way of thinking and values, the instructors and Florentine officials did their best to continue cooperation. As a result, the Florence County finally emerged. The size of the Florence army that appeared was about 3,000. Among them, about 1,500 cavalrymen changed jobs from mercenaries to regr soldiers. The rest were infantry and artillery. For artillerymen, freight cars are the main force, but. The instructors could not hide their disappointment. The imperial artillery was as expensive as its performance. It was possible to use a trick simr to the Florentine rifle, but the time and cost required to do so was considerable. The amount of gunpowder required for a single shot was iparably greater than that of a long gun, and the empires artillery production methods were several generations ahead of those of other countries. Therefore, even in wealthy Florence, imperial-made canvases were the bread and butter of paintings. Still, we really need cannons Lets try to get about 10 cannons. Even if we cant get them all at once. Lorenzo received the words from Giovanni, who was responsible for the finances, with an expression full of regret. Will it be 10 questions? Didnt the president of the bank always say to me, The secret to the Imperial Armys constant victory was more cannons and more cannons? I did. Giovanni nodded calmly at Lorenzos words and added. But finances are the problem. First, lets start with question 10. Lets rece the missing cannons with ones that attract imperial troops. They are an empire that cant even imagine a war without cannons, so they will bring a sufficient number of cannons first. Lorenzo nodded with a bright face at Giovannis words. Such a good method! Although there were unavoidable circumstances and tricks, the 1,500 infantry and artillery were the cornerstone of the Florentine army that would grow in size in the future. They would be old soldiers and nonmissioned officers and lead new recruits into battle. And the first group of 50 people who wouldmand them and n their operations were suffering in Seoul. * * * When they greeted the candidates for military officers who would lead the new French Army, the instructors at the Imperial Military Academy looked astonished. Hmm The instructor in charge, who had been looking through the candidates list several times, looked at the candidate representative standing in front of him and asked. Are those who havee to Seoul now candidates for military officers in the Florentine army or manders of the private army of the Medici family? The candidate representative slightly blushed and answered the instructors question. These are candidates for military officers in Florence County. But why are they all Medici? Not everyone No Among the 50 military officer candidates who came to Seoul, 30 had thest name Medici. Therefore, the instructor in charge looked at the candidate representative with suspicious eyes. Exin it properly. Our imperial army cooperates in nurturing officers to lead the Florentine army. Im not cooperating in training the Medici familys private army. Under pressure from the instructor in charge, the candidate representative exined the reason. Most of them are the second sons or bastards of coteral. Oh, I see. At the short answer from the candidates representative, the instructor in charge looked like he knew. * * * The inheritance method in Europe during this period was eldest son takes all. In the case of the daughter, she was married off to a powerful family with a considerable dowry, but in the case of the second son Iha and the first illegitimate son, there was no such thing. Of course, in a family with the same wealth and power as the Medici family, even sons who were not eldest sons and illegitimate coteral sons found their own way out. They provided positions in various businesses run by the family, or sent them to a monastery early on, and then paid bribes to get them positions as cardinals or bishops. However, it was inevitable that the further away one was from ones roots, the harder life became. Thats why, as soon as they saw the official notice that said, Recruiting people to be officers of the new Florentine army, they applied like bees. In an era where it wasmon for fallen nobles or the sons of nobles with nothing to inherit to enter the mercenary business, the position of an officer in a new army was a very attractive position. In particr, it was certain that their lives would be on the road to sess if they could start the great cause that adults talked about and umte military merit. If youre going to be a low-level employee at a bank or spend boring time in a monastery, then join the army! * * * The instructor in charge nodded at the representative candidates short answer, but had other thoughts in his mind. I can understand it in a way because our empire was also banned from entering the public service before Gyeongjang, but is that really all? Starting from the emperor to his immediate superiors. Those who were sitting in high positions in the empire all had the same thing inmon. -While pursuing one task, there are multiple purposes hidden within it. Simply put, moving one unit was not a simple unit movement. There were several purposes mixed together, such as ensuring the safety of roads connecting to other viges and the livelihood of viges near the units garrison. Since I was an instructor steeped in that imperial way of thinking, I wondered, Is that really all there is? Hmm I understand. Then, unpack your bags at the assigned amodation. yes! The instructor in charge who sent out the representative candidate began writing a report on paper. The instructor in charge of recording the representative candidates answers then added his own thoughts. -It is assumed that he was appointed in order to properly control the army with the most powerful force. The instructors judgment was reasonable. If the size of the army increased as nned and it absorbed mercenaries, the Florentine army would grow into a force that could be called the strongest in Florence and even in Italy. This could be the strongest attack on the Medici family, but on the contrary, it could also be the most threatening. The best way to prevent this was to appoint blood rtives of the family asmanders of the army. However, considering the great cause, just sticking it in was not the right answer, so he was sent to study abroad in the empire. It was judged that a talented person selected through the empire would be able to achieve two goals at the same time: securing the safety of the family and aplishing a great cause. * * * That seems usible? Reports containing the instructors analysis began to move up ording to the judgment of superiors. Thanks to everyone making simr decisions, the report in question was uploaded to Wan. After checking the report from the Ministry of Defense, Wan looked at Hwang Bo-in. What do you think? I have an idea. The military can be a strong shield, but it is alsomon in history for it to be a dagger that stabs you if you make even the slightest mistake. The ministers all nodded at Hwang Bo-ins answer. Wan continued speaking after seeing the ministers like that. Then what is our empire to do? First of all, we have to choose the right stones among them. If the empire intervenester, it will be difficult if it bes a hindrance to the empire. Next, we must engrave loyalty and trust into their bones. I see While Wan was nodding, Kim Jong-seo added. While engraving it in, we must also engrave in it an absolute fondness for the empire. The more our empire touches Florence, the more people will hate it. However, if the army is on the empires side, they will not be able to raise their voices carelessly. Please think about Japan. Wan nodded deeply at Kim Jong-seos words. Indeed! * * * During this period, Japan resembled an empire to the extent that it was called a small empire. Among them, the most simr parts were the Japanese royal family and the imperial court, followed by the Japanese military. The Japanese royal family and government, filled with pro-imperialists, remodeled the Japanese army to resemble the imperial army. This was to emphasize their legitimacy. -The Japanese army is not a shogunate armymanded by samurai. These are Japanese soldiers who are loyal to His Majesty the King and protect the people! By instilling these new values, the Japanese army became an imperial army. And thanks to the new citizen open military system, this value took hold among ordinary Japanese people. Thanks to this, those who called for the resurrection of the fallen emperor after thest rebellion disappeared. No, there were still a few remaining who chanted in the darkness to resurrect the Emperor and overthrow the King of Japan, but those who responded were gone. * * * Wan, who was nodding at Kim Jong-seos words, looked at the Minister of National Defense and gave an order. The military must sincerely teach the talented people sent from Florence. If they establish themselves aspetent generals, it will benefit both our empire and Florence. I will keep this in mind. Ask them faithfully and faithfully. I follow your orders! I will do my best to engrave it properly! And Jang Hang-seons answer was immediately put into action. Themander candidates from Florence were treated so well that a sweet taste came out of their mouths. This was unavoidable. From the Empires perspective, their military knowledge was outdated. I would like to hold on to it for about 10 years and start teaching again from the beginning, but I dont have time for that! Therefore, from now on, follow me with the readiness to die! If you fall behind, we will send you back to Florence right away! This was not a threat. In reality, as one or two people continued to be kicked out, the remaining people had to prepare to die to keep up with the progress. It wasnt just academics that bothered the candidates. -Special sses for international students in Florence. What is the correct posture of a soldier? Through special sses held only for international students in Florence, the imperial instructors instilled loyalty and godliness with terrifying intensity. Of course, he didnt just swing the whip like this. Whenever a correct result was achieved, the instructors provided amplepensation. In addition, during holidays, he took the candidates to demonstrate the weapons used by the imperial army and showed them the training process, and after the event, a banquet was held. As time passed, the international students sent to Florence changed as the imperial army intended. Through meticulous identification, those who remained showed signs of being usefulmanders even in the eyes of high-rankingmanders of the imperial army. In addition, through special sses and variouspensation measures that were held together, they became more pro-imperial than anyone else. But there were also side effects. -10 cannons? Are you kidding me? The more cannons the better! Combat is firepower! -Only 10,000? I calcted again here and it seems that up to 40,000 is possible! There must be at least 40,000! For the sess of the cause, it must be at that level! Giovanni and Lorenzo ced their hands on their foreheads every time they read letters from Seoul. What on earth are you learning in the Empire? Maybe they should have sent it to the Ministry of Finance and Economy instead of the military academy But every time they heard rumors about this, the instructors and Yu Eung-bu said with a grin. Those guys learned it right. If those friendse, I think we can do together what we couldnt do because of those guys from the Ministry of Finance and Economy. Chapter 879 Episode 879: Generation Change (10) As time passed, the officer candidates who had gone to the Empire to study returned one by one. The returning candidates were ssified as beginner, intermediate, and senior officers. There were two main criteria for assigning ranks to candidates. One was the transcript submitted by the candidates, and the other was when they returned from studying abroad. The report card was certified by the Imperial Military Academy. There were some who attempted to forge, but these idiots could not avoid the eyes of the instructors staying in Florence. Who do these idiots think we are? Did you think you could avoid the eyes of those people who rolled around at the military academy? Theres nothing to see! Definitely expelled! They are the ones who ate everything from the very beginning! They are the ones who will sell the weapons they are given to the enemy! Instructors insisted on the expulsion of those who attempted to cheat. However, Lorenzo, Giovanni, and those at the top of the Florentine military had slightly different thoughts. Still, they are the ones who learned from the Empire and returned If they go to be mercenaries in another city, they can pass on our tactics and strategies. Something needs to be done. They may be stupid, but they are the seeds of our family We cant just kill them all As this opinion became mainstream, the fate of the idiots in question was determined by their rank as nonmissioned officers. Be thankful just for saving my life! If you want to be an officer, umte merit! By another standard, it was the time of return for a very simple reason. If you are properly educated, there is no reason toe early, right? It was better than expected, so we may have shortened the time Was there such a guy? Not yet This is how the ranks of the candidates were decided. Next was the decision on the ss. -The guys with the best results are artillery, then engineers, and then supply. * * * With the Florentine militarymand and officer corps smoothly established, the next step was to expand the size of the army. Based on the capital of the Medici family and the defense budget allocated from the budget, the imperial army instructors and the Florentine militarymand increased the size of the army. Its too slow But its hard to speed up as you want. Budget is also an issue and there are too many eyes watching. Florences strongpetitors, including Mn, Genoa, and Venice, also had ears to hear and eyes to see. Therefore, they were also aware of Florences movements and were gradually paying attention to their military power. But their choice was a traditional one. -Hire more and more mercenaries. Even though he knew through spies hidden in Florence that the Florentine army was built and operated in the style of the imperial army, he chose the traditional method. The reason they insisted on traditional methods was because of distrust. -The Empire is said to be a powerhouse in the East, but can it exert its power in Europe as well? -Italy has its own way! The Empires methods dont work! On this basis, they insisted on traditional methods, and the prices of Italian and Swiss mercenaries began to rise. Neighboring countries with interests in Italy also noticed Florences movements. And their choices were also divided into two. The Holy Roman Empire and Spain were drawing very optimistic conclusions. -The empire is far from Italy. -Because of this, even if you wanted to project military power to Italy, it would be impossible to time it right. -In that case, the only way the empire can choose is to deploy troops in advance. But this also takes a lot of time. -As a result, we have enough time. -In addition, the empires famous navy is blocked by Suez and cannote to the Mediterranean. -If necessary, the empire can be tied up simply by destroying the Suez railway. -Lastly, it is famous that the empires navy is strong, but is the army really strong as well? The Holy Roman Empire and Spain were drawing optimistic conclusions, believing in the natural barrier of Suez. However, it did not mean that I waspletely idle. They began allocating more and more budget to the development and purchase of new long guns and artillery using the silver manufacturing method stolen from France and Ennd. On the other hand, France was very nervous and moved quickly. Youve seen how the Empire fights, right? If you underestimate it, you will be annihted! Since mass production of firearms has begun, we must also make usable long guns! Send spies to Florence! We need to get the ns for the Florentine rifle! In response to this reaction from France, the ruling circles of the Holy Roman Empire and Spain also gradually began to be more serious. You crazy French belligerents! Italian hillbillies are not the problem! France is the problem! It was the Holy Roman Empire and Spain, which bordered France and had experience of armed conflict. In the end, they had no choice but to abandon their optimistic mood and participate in a full-scale arms race. Ennd was the country that took the lead in the arms race among maind European countries. Cannon! Build more cannons! Just make it and it will sell! The cannons made by Ennd were renowned for their reasonable price and reasonable quality. The reason why English cannons were famous for their cost-effectiveness was because most of the cannons they made were made of cast iron. At that time, cannons were made of bronze. But bronze was an expensive item. Thats why the English made cannons out of cast iron. Although there were many trials and errors in making cannons with cast iron, which can be said to be the worst material for making cannons, the English eventually created a decent cannon. Although it had an extremelyrge and heavy bodypared to its firepower, it was still cheaper than bronze cannons, so the Holy Roman Empire and Spain began purchasing English cannons inrge quantities. Meanwhile, Ennd, which unexpectedly benefited from the arms race, did not rest on itsurels. They say the Empire makes cannons out of steel! We too are made of steel! As a result, France, Ennds enemy, could not remain silent. We too challenge the steel cannon! And the financial officials of the countries involved in this arms race shed tears of blood. The budget the budget * * * As Italian cities and European powers were getting closer to the nned war, Florence was entering a full-fledged generational change. Cosimo de Medici, whose family had grown in size several timespared to the history before the intervention of perfume, had died. A really fun time is just around the corner, but its a shame After finishing hisst words full of regret, Cosimo closed his eyes. At the funeral held at the Basilica of San Lorenzo, the citizens of Florence flocked to mourn the giants departure. The three ambassadors who attended on behalf of Emperor Wan had a small talk as they looked at the crowd of Florentine citizens. The response from citizens has been amazing. Seong Sam-moon nodded slightly in response to Shin Sook-jus words. Because he was a giant Yu Eung-bu, who was nodding at Seong Sam-muns words, nced at Lorenzo and Giovanni, who were sitting as representatives of the bereaved families, and continued speaking. Still, Im d that those who took over are useful. Thats a good thing. Now that I think about it, I heard that there is a promotion scheduled for this paper as well? In response to Seong Sam-moons words, Shin Sook-ju continued speaking with eyes full ofplex emotions. I already had some expectations when the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers stepped down As Shin Sook-ju trailed off, Yoo Eung-bu opened her mouth. But didnt youst five years longer than the 20 years you expected when you took the throne? At Yu Eung-bus words, Seong Sam-moon shook his head slightly and said. If Florence had not done its work here or had done its work two yearste, the person who would have gone to Shinji after just 20 years would have been the Emperor. I wonder if your Majestys Majesty is Did he even hide a pot of honey in Shinji? Seong Sam-mun was the one who knew better than anyone else about the war of nerves that took ce between King Sejong and Hyang and between Hyang and Wan over his reign. Hearing Seong Sam-moons words, Shin Sook-ju also shook her head and muttered. The bill you made while preparing for the election is the minimum period of office * * * Damn it! I survived 20 and 5 years! I cant live because Im so unfair! While preparing for the position, Wan was filled with resentment. Sang Sang ran away to Shinji after just 10 years! Why me! As soon as Hyangpleted his 10-year reign as emperor, he ascended to the throne of Wan and fled to Shinji without even looking back. your majesty! No, Abama! Not father! Youve only been here for 10 years and youre in good hands! Isnt that too much? Its okay because the foundation was wellid over the past 10 years. Still, youre a senior after only 10 years! Hyangs expression became fierce at Wans words. barely? Hearing Hyangs words, Wan immediately bowed his head. sorry! I made a mistake! Tsk! What Hyang has done in those 10 years is so much that it is hard to even say barely. Thats why Wan immediately bowed his head and apologized. Then I just have toplete 10 years, right? No, you are 20 years. Why! Hyang immediately responded to Wans protest. You didnt clean up as a proxy. If you include the time I spent as a substitute cleaner, its 20 years. So 20 years. This is Hwangmyeong. Wan gritted his teeth and responded to Hyangs words. I understand. I willplete 20 years. Yes, I only trust you. Wan, who became emperor in this way, had to work hard and wait for the 20th anniversary. And he faithfully applied what he had learned from Hyang, leaving only Area 51 and the researchbs work to Hyeon. We need to block in advance the holes that can escape under the excuse of proxy cleaning! I cant be the only one defeated! Wan went one step further. Sang Sang said, If you have learned something, you must know how to apply it. Nothing like cancer! Wan, who had made up his mind, called together his ministers and discussed his thoughts. If you look at the current administration of the empire, the emperor directly governs all regions except Xinji, and Xinji is managed by delegation. This is due to the problem of distance and the enormity of Shinji. At Wans words, the ministers looked at Wan with eyes full of doubt. Why are you mentioning this now? As if he knew what the ministers were thinking, Wan got straight to the point. At first, the circumstances set a limit of 20 years. But while working with Florence this time, this thought urred to me. What will you do if something big happens at an awkward time like Florence? Therefore, I would like to determine the minimum and maximum period of the emperors reign. You have to stay in this position for a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of 25 years to be able to ascend to the throne. Discuss this and make it aw. I follow your orders. When he answered like that, the ministers muttered to themselves. Youve had a lot to aplish. Your Majesty also said that I couldnt die alone. Thus, the Law on the Emperors Reign Period passed the review board and was officially enacted. Chapter 880 Episode 880: Generational Change (11) To summarize the contents of the bill that Wan framed and the ministers modified, it was as follows. -Unless the emperor is sick, he must work for 20 years and perform his duties diligently for the empire and its people. -If something happens within thest three years of the reign that will have a long-term impact on the security of the empire, the reign is unconditionally extended by five years. -The above matter is not a decision of the emperor alone, but must be agreed upon by more than half of the ministers of the court. Or, if more than half of the ministers request it, an extension of the reign period is decided. -The extension of the reign period cannot exceed 5 years. The only exception is when the crown prince dies before the emperor. Even in this case, the additional period cannot exceed 5 years. -If a problem arises with Sang-tae, who is in charge of running Shinji, one of Sang-angs half-brothers will be appointed to act on his behalf. It would be so unfair if I was the only one whopleted 20 or 25 years! Although it was a bill filled with Wans selfish intentions, there were no ministers who opposed it. -Its so unfair that some people work to death without being able to resign, while others run away after just 10 years! I cant see that! cancer! Absolutely! This was because the ministers were also full of selfish interests. * * * When this bill was passed, there wereints like this among officials below the vice minister level. Those who are called grandmaster whine that they cannot resign, but at best, those who are called nari or yeonggam resign and leave when they turn 60 Dont the lieutenants also have to set a retirement age? And what will you do if the emperor and ministers all separate on the same day? . If you look at the timing of recement of ministerial ministers in the current empire, most of them were reced in the middle of the emperors reign. The superficial reason was retirement due to old age. However, it was a tradition, not a tradition, that after applying for resignation several times, resignation was only allowed until right before death. This tradition was created because of policy connectivity. If most of the high-ranking ministers were reced at the same time as the emperor changed, it was clear that long-term policies that could be implemented over 10 or 20 years would be unthinkable. And even though he had gained practical experience in Area 51 and the research institute, the emperor who had just ascended the throne was bound to be clumsy in all aspects. In order to assist the emperor and run the empire, worn-out old servants were needed. Of course, there was a significant possibility that these worn-out old officials would manipte state affairs. However, although he was clumsy, he was an emperor who had already gained practical experience, and after him, Tae Sang-hang, who had returned from Shinji, was holding on. * * * Meanwhile, the emperors brothers, including Du and Seul, smiled bitterly when they saw the final conditions of the decree. Your brother is really strong-willed too. Although Wan became crown prince and emperor ording to the principle of primogeniture session, Wan did not forget his brothers who quickly fled to other ces, leaving him alone. In particr, Wan had a deeper grudge against Du and Seul, who were like twins because they were born on the same day and at the same time, although their families were different. Are these people just running around for their own sake? Well see! However, before Wan could step forward, the officials relieved him of his resentment. -Hes His Majestys brother! Youd be a fool if you didnt use it! Contrary to Du and Seuls wish to work in a field far away from Gyeongbokgung Pce, it was assigned to the budget department of the Sixth Dynasty government office located right next to Gyeongbokgung Pce. Nevertheless, it was Wansst resort to include the phrase including same-sex and half-sisters. * * * On the other hand, even though they saw the same use, the officials reaction was the opposite. Is there really anything wrong with the situation in Shinji? This was because everyone, starting from Sejong to Hyang and Wan, paid special attention to health and used it. In the case of Sejong, it was the result of Hyangs making healthy pigs. And in the case of Hyang and Wan, it was because of their own virtue. Only when the situation calls for you to step away can you do what you want to do with peace of mind! You have to hold on until then! But Shinji was not an easy ce. Thanks to this, Hyang and Wan had to raise their goals. You have to hold on until the situation is right and you can yfortably! Ivested 25 years now! I have to survive in Shinji for the next 20 years to have time for myself! Health is the best! Dreaming of a retirement faithful to virtue, Hyang and Wan did their best to take care of their health. And this continued to Hyun, who would now inherit the throne. It wont be until 40 years before Im free! Until then, I cant die even if I die! I cant even forgive you for making a fuss! And this became a tradition passed down to the imperial emperors. -Do you want to live a peaceful retirement without being criticized and doing what you want? Then run! The sweat you shed today guarantees your peaceful retirement! * * * After this littlemotion passed, Wan was ascended to the throne and Hyeon was enthroned. He returned to the Hyangdo headquarters to attend the Hyeons coronation ceremony and transfer the right to run the newnd to Wan. As soon as the ship arrived at the dock and the incense appeared, the waiting imperial military band began ying the Imperial Army March. The expression on Hyangs face as he walked down the bridge while listening to unfamiliar yet familiar music was mysterious. Im like Darth Vader! When Hyang safelynded on the ground, Wan, who was waiting, greeted him happily. Wee back! I sincerely wee you back! Do you think you like it too much? When Hyang spoke with narrowed eyes, Wan answered with a grin. sure! Isnt it a good day? Have you grown much? ha ha ha! Thats too much praise! Hyang grumbled inwardly at the sight of Wan taking it with ease. Youre very skinny. Im so tired As he headed to the special train, Wan continued to ask Hyang questions. A series of questions and answers followed, including the most up-to-date information about Shinji, and Wan asked the final question. By the way, what is the situation at the Flying Lab? Unlike when asking other questions, Wans face was serious. Seeing Wan like that, Hyang shook her head. Wan, who saw the cargo unloaded from the ship and loaded into a freight car connected to an iron horse, asked Hyang. You brought quite a lot of luggage with you. ah! Its a gift for my grandchild. Is that so? Its not in the records. May I know what it is? Hyang responded to Wans question with a yful face. Its a secret. * * * When Hyang arrived in Seoul, a banquet was held at Gyeongbokgung Pce to wee its return. Therge banquetsted for several days, first with only the imperial family, then with the participation ofrge and small officials, and finally with people of national merit. After a banquet thatsted for several days, a ceremony for Wan to transfer the throne to Hyeon was held on an auspicious day chosen after careful consideration. The coronation and enthronement ceremonies, which were held sessfully with the attendance of all members of the imperial family and envoys from various countries including Florence, Japan, Florence, France, Portugal, Ottoman, and India, crowned Hyeon as the third emperor of the empire. Three generations? Isnt it the 4th generation? When envoys from Europe raised questions, the interpreter exined the reasons. The first person to create an empire was Emperor Wen, and the next person was the first emperor, so he is the third emperor. Ah The coronation ceremony ended sessfully and a banquet was held for the envoys. Banquets held for envoys were another ce for diplomacy. The envoys talked with the officials of the empire or envoys from other countries in attendance and prepared for the diplomatic negotiations that would follow. In particr, Florence and France negotiated diligently when they met alternately with envoys from the Empire and the Ottoman Empire. Although they had shared interests regarding Suez, the moment something happened in Italy, the rtionship between France and Florence was bound to be strained. Therefore, French and Florentine envoys diligently met with Portuguese and Ottoman envoys and imperial officials and tried to win them over to their side. In particr, French envoys were desperate to attract the Portuguese and Ottomans to their side. -The Empire has already joined hands with Florence! Dont go over to the Portuguese and Ottomans! However, despite the efforts of the French envoys, the reactions of the Portuguese and Ottoman envoys werergely the same. Florence and France are both valuable allies to us, so we cannot take sides carelessly. I just hope that nothing unfortunate happens. * * * As time passed after the coronation ceremony and the envoys visiting the empire were leaving one by one, Hyang called Hyeon and Wan to the Naegeumwi shooting range set up in Suganggung Pce. Im grateful and sorry that you came here even though you must be busy with government affairs. Hyeon responded to Hyangs words with a polite expression and voice. no. Tae Sang-tae called me, so how could I refuse? Thank you. Wan looked alternately at Hyangs happy face and Hyuns thrilled face and muttered to himself. For Hyeon, Tae Sang-hang must be a living legend. It was correct. For Hyeon, the scent was a legend. Most of the many things that brought the current empire into existence were revealed to the world through the head and hands of Hyang. And the challenge record that still makes schrs at Area 51 and the research institute risk their lives was also Hyangs work. Therefore, it was an honor for Hyeon to be with the legend right now. The reason I asked you toe here is because I have a few things to show the emperor. Whates? First of all, lets call it a fire truck. Fire truck? As Hyeon and Wan expressed their doubts, Hyang motioned to the Naegumwi soldier who was waiting. At the gesture of incense, the waiting soldier removed the red cloth covering the desk. huh? Its big What appeared was a gun slightly more than half the size of a military rifle. It has everything you need, starting with the stock, but is this a freight car and not a long gun? No, if its a freight car no way? That is true. Does this mean that continuous shooting is possible? Thats right. Ill show you. Hyang, holding the fire truck, ced the long magazine next to him underneath and pulled the loading rod. click! After finishing loading, Hyang aimed the fire truck at the target and pulled the trigger. Ta-ta-ta-tang! In an instant, dozens of bullets poured into the target, and Hyeon and Wan could not keep their mouths shut. After emptying two more magazines, Hyang took a deep breath with an expression of relief. Whoa~. Its thrilling after all! In the meantime, Hyun came to his senses and asked Hyang. Is this why its a fire truck? exactly. Wan opened his mouth in response to Hyang. I want to know why you made it. It was because of the battle report posted after conquering the Mesica tribe. As soon as he heard Hyangs answer, Wans expression changed strangely. I dont think so? Hyangs expression also changed strangely in response to Wans expression. Have some faith! a little! In the silent conversation between the father and son, Hyeon was looking at the fire truck with an ecstatic expression. Chapter 881 Episode 881: Generation Change (12) With an expression still filled with distrust, Wan argued with Hyang. What happened in the battle to conquer Messika? In order to subdue an enemy in a close-rangebat, you have to pour a lot of bullets into the opponent at once, but because of its size, it is difficult for a fire truck to move right along withrades who are moving quickly. The alternative that came out was to use throwing bombs. That part has already been pointed out in other battles before, and hasnt a response already been issued? One is to carry more throwing bombs, and the other is the Gap-style light vehicle made by Tae Sang-tae. Hyang nodded at Wans words. Thats right. However, there were shorings in the street fighting that took ce in Tenochtin, the capital of the Mesica people. The description of the scent was summarized as follows. -The battle to conquer Tenochtin was, of course, bound to be a street battle. -Tenochtin, the capital of the Messica tribe, was a city with narrow alleys than expected. -The enemy took advantage of the characteristics of this city and continued to surprise our troops in small groups. -Of course, our troops had no choice but to split into small pieces and fight. -In the worst case, there were cases where people moved in groups of 5 (consisting of 5 people). -Encountering the enemy right in front of you was not umon, and in these cases, closebat often broke out. -In most of these cases, indigenous warriors who cooperated with the friendly forces stepped forward to deal with the enemy, so there were also cases where this was not the case. -In that case, using throwing bombs was effective. However, if the distance was too close, throwing bombs could not be used. This is because there is a risk that friendly troops may be injured by fragments of thrown bombs. -The optimal response to this was to use Gap-sik hardening to annihte the enemies. C However, when suddenly encountering an enemy right in front of the enemy, there were many cases where the gunner of a light armored vehicle was unable to fire in a timely manner. -ordingly, seasoned old soldiers or executives with more experience than Jinmu often fired preemptively and encouraged their subordinates to fire. -However, since the firing speed of the double rifle is slow, the enemies also have time to react. -As a result, senior soldiers and executives started using Gap-style light vehicles. The scent described up to this point lightly moistened his throat and continued speaking. -In this type of urban warfare, the Gap-type light vehicle had advantages, but it also had disadvantages. -The downside was that it wasrger and heavier than a military rifle. -In addition, executives like Jinmu had to not only lead subordinates but also liaise with superiors. -For these people, arge and heavy light armored vehicle is a very burdensome weapon. Thats why I made this fire truck. Hmm After hearing Hyangs exnation, Wan picked up the fire truck ced on the table and began to examine Yomojomo. Its definitely light. Its small size makes it ideal for executives who have a lot of work to carry around. How many rounds are in the magazine? 30 rounds go in. Looking at the size of the magazine, it looks like it will hold short rifle bullets. The effective range would be shorter than that of a long gun, right? Instead, pouring it all at once from a close distance is no better than a Gap-style light truck. Hmm Wan, who was shaking his head at Hyangs words and examining the bullets going into the fire truck and magazine, looked at Hyang with strange eyes. Its not a conventional single bullet? The edge of the bottom te of the existing single gun bullet protrudes too far out, making it impossible to put it in a magazine. So I made a bullet without a border. You have been advocating the development of a new bullet for a long time, right? So, Shinji will be fully responsible for the production of these fire trucks, new cavalry rifles, and new rifle ammunition. Wan looked dumbfounded at Hyangs very confident answer. Did you even make a cavalry rifle? As expected, it was created based on the lessons learned from thest Messika conquest. There were manyints that the 6 rounds of a single gun were too few. If you failed to reload in time, you would have to deal with enemies surrounding you with swords, and in this process, the cavalry suffered significant losses. Although it had a spear de made of obsidian, it was still a spear. Fighting against arge number of spear-wielding enemies from atop a high horse was a fight with guaranteed death. This is the new cavalry rifle. After exining excitedly, Hyang showed off the new cavalry rifle in question. Wow~. Unlike Hyeon, who kept forgetting his age and making exmations, Wan meticulously examined the new cavalry rifle. This one also uses magazines. How many feet does it take? 12 rounds. The method is to insert the magazine in front of the trigger. Hmm Wan thought for a moment and soon realized one thing. Why am I worrying about this? Im in a situation, right? The hiring decision is up to Hyun, right? The problem is Wan turned his head and looked at Hyeon. And then I looked up at the sky. Its over. The new emperor of the empire was holding Tae-sang with bright eyes and asking questions, and Tae-sang was answering with a happy face. This is it Isnt it simr to the grandson who receives a new toy as a gift and the grandfather who is happy to see it? These days, boys in the Empire do not y war with wooden swords, but with guns made of wood Are they actually long guns and short guns here? Wan, who realized that the decision had already been made, quickly changed his mind. no! This is a great opportunity for me too! Shinji needs to make a living on his own! Of course, there is nothing to worry about just having cropsing from a huge amount ofnd, but we also need industry! In that case, those fire trucks and cavalry rifles are quite helpful! Its a great opportunity for me to save myself some headaches too! Wan, who made a decision in a positive direction, looked at Hyun. What do you think, Emperor? Hyeon answered Wans question without dy. I think the problem that Tae Sang-tae pointed out will also be a problem in Florence. Florence and other Italian cities are notorious for their maze-like alleys. Therefore, the weapons that Tae Sang-tae has created will be a good enough answer. And if Shinji produces it exclusively, it will be a great help to Shinjis independence. Therefore, we will have to discuss with the ministers, but we will go in the direction of hiring as many people as possible. Wan nodded to Hyuns answer. Its a good idea. Anyway Wan, who looked much more rxed, said to Hyang as he looked at the fire truck and cavalry gun in question. It looks pretty cool. Hyang grinned and responded to Wans words. I think so too. If you look at the early automatic machines, the German ones are very handsome! The fire truck in question was based on the MP34, and the cavalry rifle was based on the Mauser C96. * * * The fact that Hyang made the fire truck was partly due to the analysis of military training during the Messika Conquest, but the biggest cause was, of course, Hyangs virtuous spirit. If machine guns came out, submachine guns shoulde out too! Thats the rule of the country! Thats how Hyang decided, Lets make a submachine gun! and put it into action, but it wasnt an easy task. I thought it was either Thompson or MP38 However, the situation was reality is a gutter. Both submachine guns used parts made through machining. No matter what my situation is, this is Shinji Shinji still relies on the main branch for a lot of things. It was quite noticeable that they were not only developing new guns but also developing new special ammunition. In addition, if a cutting processing method was adopted, which consumes an enormous amount of time and money, it would be immediately scrapped. At least in the case of a Gap-style light vehicle, even the firepower is good Hyang, who knew well what could and could not be done, looked for an alternative. But you cant make stainless steel or grease guns, right? Not only was the performance itself a problem, but the psychological resistance of those who would use the gun was also significant. When I showed the concept diagram of the Thompson MP38 stainless steel gun, the reactions of Imperial officers were very simr. Suggestion A looks pretty good, but the rest are a bit If you tell me to write it, Ill follow it, but I know what you mean. Tsk! Oh no! I will put it to good use! As soon as the scent hit their tongues, the imperial army officers turned white and changed their words, but waved their hands with an expression that the scent was nothing special. no. Dont mind it. Its just a draft anyway. I havent decided whether to do it this way or not. I was just curious about your opinions. Then. Its just something I drew as it came to mind. Then, I may be presumptuous, but please be sure to leave out Suggestions ? and ?. Ill keep that in mind. After sending the officers out, Hyang looked at the sketches of Sten and Grease Gun and muttered. Even though the times are different, is something thats old bad still bad? What emerged after such trial and error was a fire truck based on the MP34. Cutting was used to a minimum to reduce costs as much as possible and psychological resistance was also reduced by using a traditional wooden body. The same was true for the newly proposed cavalry rifle. With 6 rounds, people whine about peeing on a frozen foot, but 12 rounds with interchangeable magazines is the best, right? Did you know that when Winston Churchill participated in the war as a cavalry officer, there were many times when he escaped danger by using the Mauser while others were using 6-shot revolvers? Lastly, where would this cavalry rifle be most used? Its the North, right? Northern Manchuria! When ites to Manchuria, this is the guy! Whether its the independence army, the Kuomintang army, themunist party, or the Japanese army, wait a minute, isnt it the Japanese army? Anyway, wouldnt this be a gun that wouldnt have much of a problem with historical facts no matter who heard it? It was a scent that tried very hard to persuade itself. When I first thought of an automatic pistol, the first thing that came to mind was Colt 45. However, Hyang was immediately pushed out as a candidate. Its all good, but theres not enough ammunition. Six or seven shots And look at the mouser? How ssic and cool is this? Compared to Glock, Colt has a ssic look, but still notpared to Mouser! Mouser was a scent he chose purely based on his own geek standards. And this caused talk at Gyeongbokgung Pce. * * * Although Hyun had made up his mind, there was a procedure. In particr, weapons-rted projects, which cost a lot of money, had to follow the procedures meticulously. Therefore, the prefecture immediately put this item on the agenda, and the ministers carefully read the copies they received and weighed the profits and losses. Hyang, who participated in the meeting as an observer and advisor, observed the mood of the ministers and muttered to himself. As expected Han Myeong-hoe, who became Prime Minister, seemed to have already made up his mind in favor of it. -Your Majesty has made a decision, so I will follow it. Budget issues can be figured outter. -Especially with Tae Sang-hang sitting like that, you are against it? Die? Han Myeong-hoe was almost instinctively observing Hyangs feelings. Wan, the situation, did not evene into his sight. On the other hand, Lim Soon-wook, who became the left deputy prime minister, was sighing as he looked at reports after report. The Left Deputy Prime Minister will of course be against it. And Deputy Prime Minister Woo. Jang Hang-seon, who rose from Minister of National Defense to Deputy Prime Minister, had aplicated expression. -I want to hire them unconditionally, but budget is an issue. Strengthening national defense is very important, but we should not sacrifice peoples livelihood for that reason. This was Jang Hang-seons theory. Chapter 882 Episode 882: Generation Change (13) It was quite unusual for Jang Hang-seon to be Deputy Prime Minister. After the Prime Minister system was established during the Gyeongjang era, the right deputy prime minister was mainly held by the ministers of the Ministry of General Affairs and the Ministry of Justice, while the left deputy prime minister was monopolized by the Ministry of Finance and Economy. Under these circumstances, Jang Hang-seons appointment of Deputy Prime Minister Woo was quite unconventional. Therefore, Wan had to give considerable thought before selecting the Janghang ship. On the contrary, it was easy to select Prime Minister or Left Deputy Prime Minister There were no ministers who expressed opposition to the selection of Han Myeong-hoe as Prime Minister and Lim Soon-wook as Left Deputy Prime Minister. The prevailing assessment was that both people had no experience, performance, or personal rtionships. Oh, isnt it Hanmyeonghoe? As Wan said to himself, there was something to say about Han Myeong-hoe. * * * Since his time as Minister of General Affairs, Han Myeong-hoes nickname has been The Emperors Weathervane. This was because he understood the emperors true feelings faster and more urately than anyone else and proceeded with his work in that direction. But that doesnt mean theyre treacherous profiteers Thats more of a problem Because they sometimes oppose it Thats why its a problem. As long as he follows the emperors will, he is a treacherous traitor who only greedies for power Wasnt he the standard from the first time he entered the service? As the saying goes, Han Myeong-hoe was the emperors yes man. However, this does not mean that they will follow it unconditionally, and in some cases, they have expressed opposition or proposed coordination ns. And since it all made sense, Wan either withdrew his offer or epted the arbitration offer. Thats why officials had a lot to say about Han Myeong-hoe. Are you a rare traitor who is good at finding a way to survive, or a powerful god who knows how to lead the world properly? The person who put this controversy to rest was retired Kim Jong-seo. Han Myeong-hoes ability is exactly what a Prime Minister needs. The first and most urate way to understand His Majestys will is to move his subjects or find out what is wrong and guide them to the right path. That is the skill a prime minister needs. With Kim Jong-seos words, the controversy died down, and Han Myeong-hoe was able to be Prime Minister without any trouble. On the day he returned after being appointed Prime Minister, Han Myeong-hoe looked at the night sky with eyes full of all kinds of emotions. Finally. It was a life lived with the goal of achieving sess, fame, and bing the top of all people. It was a position in which he had umted performance and experience, sometimes through ingenious strategies, and sometimes through routine. Han Myeong-hoe, who was looking at the night sky with mixed emotions, frowned when he realized the reality. Finally, shit! Its a mountain beyond a mountain! Emperor Wan of Tangjin was someone who could never be underestimated. Wan didnt just act as a proxy, but he was more skilled than anyone else in dealing with ministers. Already operating Area 51 and the research institute, making ns, determining business priorities, setting budgets, etc. He had mastered all aspects of government affairs through prior education and practical training. This was the same for Hyeon, who was scheduled to be the next emperor. Watching Wan and Hyeon, the ministers learned well why King Sejong and Hyang made the crown prince responsible for the operation of Area 51 and the research institute. Before the proxy administration, the Kings Studies ss, which had been limited to theory, waspletely changed to focus on practice. While running Area 51 and the research institute, the Crown Prince became a worn-out figure in administration. Still, he still has Yeon-chi, but the problem is that hesing back. For Han Myeong-hoe, Hyang, his natural enemy, was returning. Of course, as Tae Sang-tae, he could not directly interfere in politics, but it was possible to control and sway the entire government just by calling Hyeon to Sugang Pce and saying a hint or two. Thats why Han Myeong-hoe had a frown on his face. Unlike Han Myeong-hoe, who became prime minister amid controversy, Lim Soon-wook became left deputy prime minister without much opposition. No, on the contrary, there were quite a few people who weed Lim Soon-wooks inauguration as left deputy prime minister. Those who weed Lim Soon-wooks inauguration were not only Ministry of Finance and Economy officials, but also many ordinary people working inmerce and industry. If youre Director Lim, youve been involved inmerce for a long time, so youll be able to solve management problems well! Nothing like cancer! People had high expectations for Lim Sun-wook, who had a solid career as a top-ranking official and had extensive experience in the Ministry of Finance and Economy. * * * Anyway, after much deliberation, Wan appointed Jang Hang-seon as Deputy Prime Minister. There was talk about the unusual decision, and Han Myeong-hoe stepped forward on Wans behalf to exin and persuade. Your Majesty believes that the war taking ce in Italy will have a great impact on the safety of the empire. How big of a war do you think it is? Isnt France, Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire the countries that will be dealing with at least 10 years of preparation? Even if Spain is like that, France and the Holy Roman Empire are among the most powerful powers in Europe. You probably think that if you look at this in vain and do not prepare properly, the empire will suffer great loss and disgrace. In the past, even when fighting against the Ming in Liaodong, risking the survival of the country, they did not appoint the Minister of National Defense to the position of Deputy Prime Minister? Isnt the name just around the corner? But the war that will take ce in Italy is different. For the first time in the history of the empire, we will be entering a war taking ce in a distant, foreignnd. It also has to go across Shinji. Its a daunting task, starting with war expenses. Thats why they thought Captain Jang Hang-seon was the right candidate. What is Captain Jangs theory? He ims to be iron-blooded, but isnt his philosophy that national defense should not eat up the peoples livelihood? I guess Captain Jang thought that we would prepare properly for 10 years. Many officials nodded at Han Myeong-hoes words. However, there were people who continued to point out the problem. France and the Holy Roman Empire are considered to be the greatest powers in Europe, butpared to the Ming Dynasty, they pale inparison. Arent you overestimating it? Hemostasis of blood in the joints is not correct. However, during the Liaodong War, the Ming looked down on us and did not prepare properly, while we were well prepared. That was the difference between victory and defeat. Isnt that right? I guess so. The problem is Suez. At Suez, France saw the capabilities of our imperial army. Now that they know that we have joined hands with Florence, wouldnt it be natural for them to make strong preparations? And the Holy Roman Empire and Spain, which are wary of France, will also strengthen their military power. You have to deal with people like that. . There were no further counterarguments to Han Myeong-hoes exnation. This was because what Han Myeong-hoe said was reasonable. Thanks to Han Myeong-hoes actions, there was no longer any talk about Jang Hang-seons inauguration as deputy prime minister. And Wan, who learned of the situation through various channels, muttered with a satisfied expression. Han Myeong-hoe is definitely worth using. If you do something wrong, you might be swayed, but that wont be a big problem because Hyeon is a formidable guy. He was a prefecture who was well versed in all sorts of tricks and tricks while running Area 51 and the research center, especially in developing the high-speed armored steam engine battleship. And when Hyeon ascends to the throne, the situation will alsoe back Wan felt reassured, remembering the most powerful safety device, incense. However, Wanter became a little worried when he saw Hyeon mesmerized by the fire truck and cavalry gun that Hyang brought. Is it really okay? Wouldnt it be like fanning the mes of a house on fire? * * * Because of this background, Jang Hang-seon was deeply troubled. After looking at the contents of the report and the demonstration, it was a weapon truly suited to the circumstances of the imperial army. The problem is the cost Im Sun-wook was the first to speak, as if he knew Jang Hang-seons feelings. ording to the report, the exclusive production of weapons tentatively named fire trucks and new cavalry rifles in Shinji would be a great help to Shinjis independence. In my opinion, I think this is a problem. If we can be self-sufficient by producing fire trucks, new cavalry guns, and new bullets for them, how much quantity would we need to produce? And to extinguish that volume, 50% of the Imperial Army would need fire trucks and cavalry rifles. I dont know much about Sosins military strategy, but I heard that he knows that every weapon has a designated use. If you go to the wrong ce with the wrong weapon, you could not only lose the war but also lose many lives. Im Sun-wooksments focused the attention of the ministers on Jang Hang-seon. After receiving the silent question, Jang Hang-seo cleared his voice with a light cough and opened his mouth. greatness! Huh! What the Left Deputy Prime Minister said is correct. Both fire trucks and cavalry guns are very powerful in closebat, but they lose their power when the distance is far away. Hyang intervened in Jang Hang-seonsment. Your Majesty, as someone involved in this matter, do you mind if I speak? You can do it. After receiving Hyangs permission, Hyang immediately asked Jang Hang-seon. Italian cities are densely packed with buildings made of thick stone. Wouldnt it be useful in a ce like that? Jang Hang-seon immediately responded to Hyangs point. Of course it is. But not all battles are street fighting. And if the enemy uses thick stone buildings as shields, why should he respond with rifles and freight cars? Of course, we have to use artillery. The prefect and ministers all nodded at Jang Hang-seons answer. Hyang shouted inwardly at that sight. hey! You cannon lovers! But I forgot about the scent. That the canvases that poisoned them were all made by Hyang. greatness! Keuhum! When even Jang Hang-seon showed a negative reaction, Hyang cleared his throat, cleared his voice, and continued speaking. I also have no intention of promoting Shinjis self-reliance with only fire trucks and cavalry guns. I just hope that the Imperial Army recognizes its usefulness and introduces it in appropriate quantities. Hearing Hyangs words, Hyeon turned his head and looked at Lim Sun-wook and Jang Hang-seon. What do the Deputy Prime Ministers think? It would be good to introduce it in an appropriate amount. Following Jang Hang-seons answer, Lim Sun-wook also received a speech. I also have the same thoughts. When Lim Sun-wook, who was the most strict, agreed, Hyun looked at Han Myeong-hoe with a bright face. The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister should join forces with the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Finance and Economy to prepare and submit a report on the optimal quantity, budget, and introduction period. I follow your orders. Looking at Lim Soon-wooks expression on one side, he slowly prepared to bring up another story. We have to unpack one more bundle for our Captain Im Soon-wook. Otherwise Ill cry. greatness. Huh! your majesty. I have something to tell you. Do you mind? Of course! Hyang, who received the right to speak from Hyeon, looked at Im Sun-wook and opened his mouth. I found something quite nice in the territory acquired during thest Messika conquest. It is called chicle by the natives. Is that so? Lim Soon-wooks eyes began to sparkle as Hyang said those words. He said it was definitely okay! Then it means its something that makes money! ording to Lim Sun-wooks memory, when Hyang started talking like that, things that brought in a lot of money soon starteding out. Chapter 883 Episode 883: Generation Change (14) While Lim Soon-wooks eyes were shining brightly, Hyang continued speaking. This chicle is the sap of a specific tree that grows in the Messika region of Shinji. When this sap hardens, it bes waterproof. Lim Soon-wook responded to Hyangs words with a little disappointment. Once the rosin hardens, it bes waterproof. Thats not true Pausing for a moment, Hyang reached into the sleeve of his dragon robe and took out a small white ball. Take a look at it. yes? yes? Dungio. As soon as she spoke, Hyang threw the ball to Lim Sun-wook. He didnt just throw it either, he threw it to the floor. container! The ball lightly bounced on the floor and rose into the air. Embarrassed, Im Soon-wook hurriedly stretched out his hand, but the ball hit his fingertip and fell to the floor. Thong thong degurrrrr. The ball bounced lightly on the floor, rolled on the floor, and then stopped. Lim Soon-wook, who was looking at the ball with surprised eyes, looked at the incense. Seeing that, Hyang smiled and opened his mouth. Its a ball made of chiclo. How do you feel? In response to Hyangs question, Lim Soon-wook held the ball, looked around, and answered. You said it has a soft texture, sticity, and waterproof performance, so if it can be processed easily, I think it will make money in many ways. I thought Captain Lim Sun-wook would recognize it right away. Hyang looked at Hyeon with a confident expression. I have many things to show your Majesty and the ministers. Can I ask for some time? Hyeon nodded his head loudly and responded to Hyangs request. Of course! Please show me right now. Thank you. Look inside. Go to Sugang Pce and bring back all the boxes that are being kept with Chi in the middle. I understand. After half an hour (about an hour), an internal officer came in and reported to Hyun. The luggage that His Majesty the Great Emperor asked us to bring has arrived at the front yard of Geunjeongjeon. Is that so? Lets go out and take a look. Following the Hyuns order, the ministers left Geunjeongjeon without a word. * * * In the front yard of Geunjeongjeon, severalrge and small wooden boxes brought from Suganggung were ced. Hyang, standing in front of the boxes, looked at the prefecture and the ministers and opened her mouth. These are various objects made using chicle. These are not items made for mere curiosity or entertainment, but are items that will be beneficial to the people. Of course, these are also things that will help the empires finances. Lets open Chi-1 first. yes. At Hyangsmand, the eunuchs used a presser bar to pull out the nail that sealed the box. The first thing to appear was the wheel. These small ones are wheels suitable for a rickshaw, and therger ones are wheels that can be used on carts or gun carriages. Please take a look. Immediately after speaking, Hyang stepped back, and Lim Soon-wook was the first to follow, followed by Jang Hang-seon and the Minister of Finance and Economy and the Minister of National Defense ran over to inspect the wheels. The ministers looked at the shapes of the wheels here and there, pressed them once, and even rolled them lightly. Im Sun-wook, who was looking around, raised his head with a bright face and looked at Hyang and Hyeon. This is truly a pleasure! Until now, the outer rim of the wheel was made of wood or iron and covered with leather. Because the people of the empire loved meat, there was no problem with the supply of leather, but the price was an issue. The ministers nodded at Lim Sun-wooks words. It was famous that the people of the empire loved meat and ate a lot of it. Thanks to this, a lot of leather was produced, but leather was an item that was used in many ces. In particr, rickshaw wheels and cart wheels had to be made of cowhide. This was because cowhide was the toughest. However, no matter how tough it was, it was bound to wear out, and cowhide was an expensive item. Therefore, poor farmers and troops who had to move long distances while carrying or dragging heavy objects such as artillery used iron tes instead of cowhide. But the iron te was not a cheap item. Additionally, the weight became much heavierpared to leather. To support the heavier rim, the spokes of the wheel became thicker, creating a vicious cycle in which the entire weight of the wheel became heavier again. Lastly, in the winter, when the pavement bes slippery due to freezing or rain, even withrge studs installed, it often slips without any countermeasures, resulting in fatal idents. Lim Soon-wook continued speaking excitedly. If Tae Sang-tae can guarantee this, it means that this sap can be easily obtained in the Messika area. If so, the price will be cheaper and it will be helpful to the people. And if you look at the outside of the rim, you will see that there are irregrities engraved on it, which will prevent it from slipping easily even on rainy or icy roads, thus reducing the number of mishaps. Good to see. Hyang smiled and nodded at Lim Soon-wooks words. Following Im Soon-wook, Jang Hang-seon spoke. After looking at the wheels used on this cart, I think it would be good for use in the military. Adding steel tes increases the weight and noise, but also requires more horses and tow trucks to pull carts or artillery, and more hay, fodder, coal, and fresh water. If you use this wheel well, it will be a great help in solving that problem. I agree. When Jang Hang-seon gave a good review, Hyang nodded with a confident face. If those two had said that, the situation would have been over! Hyang went on to exin these wheels in more detail. In particr, not only the ministers but also the prefectural government expressed their admiration for the method of inserting a tube to reduce weight while strengthening load-bearing power and improving ridefort. Then I think it would be a good idea to manufacture and supply wheels using this chicle in Shinji. What do you think? There were no ministers who came forward to express opposition to Hyuns words. Han Myeong-hoe came forward on behalf of the ministers. If Shinji can be self-reliant, the burden on other strongholds of the empire, including the main region and the northern region, will be greatly reduced. The only thing Im a little worried about is whether it will be possible with just these wheels, but I think it will be fine as a cornerstone. Jim feels the same way. But Hyeon paused for a moment, looked at the other boxes that were still sealed, and continued. I guess it depends on whats in those other boxes. ah! At Hyuns words, the ministers unanimously eximed in exmation. Enjoying the curious expressions of Hyeon and the ministers, Hyang ordered the eunuch. Open the Chi-2 box. yes. The side lid of the elongated box was opened, and what came out inside was a bicycle, to be exact, the Rice House Bicycle of memories. When you roll your foot to turn the footrest on therge gear on the front, these chains transmit the force to the small gear on the back wheel. Then, with that force, the wheel turns and moves forward. After briefly exining the principle, Hyang rolled up the lower hem of the dragon robe. At that moment, all the ministers who saw this cried out. Oh, Your Majesty! It was an unconventional scene to the point where the word Your Majesty came out without realizing it even though Hyeon was in front of her, but Hyang didnt mind. Never mind. Hyang got on the bike with an expression that it was no big deal and pedaled. After taking a long walk around the wide front yard of Geunjeongjeon, Hyang returned and looked at the ministers and Hyeon. How do you feel? The first toe to his senses in response to Hyangs question was Lim Soon-wook. Can only one person ride it? It is safe for only one person to ride. But we can carry more luggage. How heavy can you carry it? You can carry up to one bag of rice (approximately 80kg), excluding the person riding it. Of course, you can load more if you overdo it, but then it will get damaged in no time. Lim Soon-wook immediately responded to Hyangs words. Is this really what you were aiming for? Half and half. The ministers all nodded at Hyangs short answer. Then yes! What kind of person is he! Usually, items made of iron boasted a long lifespan. That object could also carry up to a bag of rice, so it would not have been an ordinary sturdy object. And the generalmon sense of the imperial people was this. Made of iron = sturdy = can be used for a very long time. Therefore, the scent was deliberately limited. It was a trick thatter gained notoriety as the incense timer or imperial timer. Im Soon-wook, who must have known this Hyangs thoughts, came up with a great excuse. If you take care of it properly, it can be used for a long time, but if you do not follow the precautions exined in advance, it will be damaged due to your own negligence, so there is no need to get criticized. Thats right! So what do you think? I dont know about pedestrians who have to go on rough mountain paths with ovepping uphills and downhills, but I think it will be very useful when going back and forth on well-trodden paths in cities and viges. I think it will be useful for those who make deliveries or move official documents in cities or viges. ah! I think it would be nice tobine this piece with a rickshaw! Did you make that too? I just brought the drawings. The artisans in Area 51 will be able to make it. In response to Hyangs answer, Lim Soon-wook nced at the Minister of Finance and Economy. Lim Soon-wook, who saw the Minister of Finance and Economy looking like he was about to jump out at Hyeon at any moment, immediately told Hyun. This equipment will be of great help to the people. However, the price will be an issue. Hearing Lim Soon-wooks words, Hyun looked back. Hyang immediately answered the unspoken question. We will be able to set a reasonable price. Its a piece that requires a lot of work, but Shinjis wages are still cheap. Hearing Hyangs words, Hyeon made a decision right away. Then lets produce this in Shinji as well. By the way, what is the name of this object? Hyang responded to Hyuns question with a slightly embarrassed expression. I want you to decide that from now on. I couldnt think of an appropriate name. When I tried to make it a two-wheeled vehicle, there were only two wheels in an era, and when I tried to use a bicycle, the etymology was a problem Im terrible at naming! Hearing Hyangs words, the prefecture and ministers began to argue over what a suitable name would be. You have to stomp your feet to get there, so how about a foot car? Even the cart has to roll its feet to go. Whether it is a magical foot or a human foot. And jokdongchara Isnt the pronunciation a bit frivolous? Group I guess so As various names were repeatedly mentioned and pushed out, Han Myeong-hoe came forward. How about a stomping wheel? Stomping wheel? Hmm The ministers who were pondering the name Han Myeong-hoe gave nodded. It seems okay, but The ministers who had reached their own agreement looked at Hyeon and Hyang at the same time. Hyun, seeing the expressions of the ministers, nodded. It kind of feels like a kick, but isnt it too long? How about a cloud car? That would be great! Thats how the bicycle was given the name Cloud Car. Chapter 884 Episode 884: Generation Change (15) The chiclo-rimmed wheels and the rolling car were the beginning. After that, various objects made of chiclo appeared, and the eyes of the prefects and ministers sparkled. Among those objects, there were some that caught the eye of Jang Hang-seon and the Minister of National Defense. What they coveted were the buffer te on the back of the stock, raincoats, and military boots. Jang Hang-seon, who was examining the butt stock cushioning, looked back at the Minister of National Defense. Starting from the Battle of Liaodong in the past and continuing even now, do you know how to pick out cowards? In response to Jang Hang-seons question, the Minister of National Defense nodded. I know very well. After the battle, you take off your jeogori and check your shoulders. The bullet of the long gun used by the Imperial Army had a power intermediate between the 7.62mm NATO and 30-06 bullets. In the open ins and desert areas west of Lake Baikal, which are still being explored in the northern and Mongolian border areas, bullets capable of striking long distances were essential. Also, in Shinji, powerful bullets were needed to deal withrge beasts of prey and natives who hid in the jungle and made surprise attacks. Therefore, the imperial armys bullets had no choice but to be powerful. Of course, as powerful as it was, the recoil was considerable, and when you looked at the soldiers after the battle, the part of the shoulder where the butt had been applied had turned red. And taking advantage of this, a custom was created among soldiers to single out cowards who could not even shoot properly. While listening to the story between Jang Hang-seon and the Minister of National Defense, Hyang muttered to himself. There were simr scenes in movies I saw in the 21st century. There was a simr scene in a war movie about the Spanish Civil War. A simr thing happened among the Republican soldiers who had finished the battle, and it was a scene where a soldier with good shoulders was being criticized. Meanwhile, one of the ministers who was listening to the conversation between Jang Hang-seon and the Minister of National Defense pretended to know something. By the way. If that te made of chiclo reduces shock, wouldnt it be a disadvantage in closebat? In response to that question, Jang Hang-seon and the Minister of National Defense both looked astonished. Why do you fight hand-to-hand? Why do we have to fight hand-to-hand? One of the ts of the Imperial Army is to avoid closebat as much as possible. The imperial army is already short on men, so fighting in hand-to-handbat? Why do we have artillery? Ah But there is one possibility It is themanders responsibility to avoid that one possibility. I made a mistake. Tsk! Tsk! Jang Hang-seon and the Minister of National Defense, who were clicking their tongues with ufortable expressions, turned pale for a moment. Who are you sticking your tongue in front of now! When ites to clicking ones tongue, the person who can be said to be the originator along with King Sejong was standing right in front of us. However, the fragrance did not show any particr reaction and the two people let out a small sigh of relief. The raincoat modeled after the 21st century engineer raincoat and the raincoat modeled after the officer raincoat also received favorable reviews. Type A raincoat looksfortable to move around in and wont get your limbs wet, so I think it would be good during battle or while working. I agree. Type Bs raincoat has the same appearance as the imperial armys long guns (trench coats), so I think it would be good to use it as a uniform. But it was the military boots with rubber heels and soles that received the most praise. I dont know anything else, but I think this must be introduced first and foremost! Im getting it back! After seeing the military boots, Jang Hang-seon and the Minister of National Defense shouted for unconditional employment. Among the things the Imperial Army, especially its infantrymen, hated most, was marching. Regardless of history or country, there were no soldiers who liked marching. Even the Roman army was nicknamed Marius mules. Military boots also yed a role in the imperial armys dislike of marching. The soles of the Imperial Armys military boots made of leather were made by selecting the toughest part of cowhide andyering it on top of each other. The problem was next. To ensure adhesion and durability, military boot craftsmen put a huge number of studs on the soles. The problem was that these studs did not help the feet of soldiers on the march. So, some soldiers wore thick straw sandals over their military boots before going on a march. However, the military boots made by Hyang used rubber soles and minimized the use of studs. The thick, uneven sole was much morefortable than the studded leather sole. Even so, military boots are military boots and no soldier likes marching. After observing the reactions of Jang Hang-seon and the Minister of National Defense, the county made a decision right away. Lets just adopt the military-rted items among the items that have been released so far. Han Myeong-hoe stepped forward and responded to the countys decision. This is truly a reasonable decision. * * * After a short break, Hyangs presentation continued. Lim Soon-wook asked Hyang with an expression that said something was a littlecking. Of all the things that havee out so far, it seems that the only things that can tempt the people are wheels and rolling wheels. Do you have anything else? huh? I think raincoats and military boots are okay? In response to Hyangs rebuttal, Lim Soon-wook pointed out the problem. I buy good things in return. However, while it is tailored to the needs of the military, there are some parts that do not fully suit the needs of the people. At least As raincoat looks good, but the rest is a bit Dont you know the military look? Wait The military look is also close to the realm of virtue. Hyang nodded and opened his mouth. Good point. So, there are a few things I have prepared separately. shell. yes. From now on, all the boxes are small, so open them all at once. yes. At Hyangs gesture, the naeggwan began to open the remaining boxes. As new items began to emerge one by one from the opened boxes, the ministers eyes began to shine even brighter. In particr, Im Soon-wook and the Minister of Finance and Economy even brought the calction model with them and started making various calctions. What Lim Soon-wook and the Minister of Finance and Economy paid most attention to were chicle shoes (rubber shoes) and chicle tubes (rubber hose). They are tougher than straw shoes and dont get wet, so I think they will sell well if the price is right. I think it would be quite fun if we used a split strategy where rich people go for expensive leather shoes and those who dont have money go for chicle shoes. Lim Sun-wook, who was talking excitedly, asked Hyang with a very excited face. How much is your production per year? And what price do you expect? Production volume needs to be adjusted based on sales volume, and the price is expected to be around 5 to 8 won. Lim Soon-wook frowned slightly after hearing Hyangs story. The price is a bit ambiguous. No, to be honest, I feel it is a little expensive. Unless its a little cheaper, people will still wear straw sandals. Hyang shook her head at Im Soon-wooks words. Due to various circumstances, it is impossible to go any cheaper. If I were to tell you what the situation was Hyangs exnation was summarized as follows. -If you leave chicle outside, it hardens quickly. Therefore, it is sealed immediately after it is bottled, but it is difficult to transport it long distances. -For this reason, all rted facilities had no choice but to be built in chicle production areas. Because the railroad had not yet beenid, there was no choice but to transport it by ship. -Produced products also have to be brought back to the north by ship and then transported back to Chosi via rail. For this reason, it is unreasonable to lower the price for the time being. If the railroad connection ispleted, it may be a little cheaper, but Lim Soon-wook did not give up despite Hyangs exnation. Is it difficult to transport it from the Messika area to the north? The loss rate is too high. Then is it too much to go near the port built in the Messika area? It is possible to get there, but it is not possible due to other problems. If you say its a different problem. What do you think is the fastest way to turn the natives of the Messika region into imperial people? Lim Soon-wook, who thought for a moment about Hyangs question, suddenly looked like he had taken a hit. No way do you like money? exactly. Hyang smiled and answered Im Soon-wooks question. But Hyangs smile was full of fishyness. Hmm Then I guess Ill have to find another way. After hearing Hyangs answer, Lim Soon-wook began considering other options instead of giving up on the pricing policy. Lim Sun-wook, who had been thinking for a while, seemed to havee to a conclusion, went to Hyeon, bowed his head, and opened his mouth. First of all, I have to go to Bakridamae. Also, the country monopolizes wholesale and production rights. Chicle shoes and chicle pipes have great advantages, so if we spread word of mouth well, we will be able to secure a certain amount of sales. Hyun nodded his head at Lim Sun-wooks words and concluded. I already know your skills well, so I will trust you and leave it to you. I will put everything I have into it to make it a sess. In this way, the production and sale of chicle-rted items brought by the fragrance were permitted. And all information and policies rted to this were organized into documents and delivered to Wan. Wan, who was checking for thest time before leaving for Shinji, took the documents and sighed. Ha~. I dont have enough time to study flying but theres just more work to do. Wan, who began to look at the documents with a sigh, soon straightened his posture and began to look at the documents with a serious face. That wasnt all. Wan, who had an ink pen in his hand, began to write down on paper the things he would prioritize and implement upon arrival. As Tae Sang-tae said, the quickest way to turn natives into imperial people is to have the taste of money. It was a method derived from the experience gained in the process of turning the indigenous people who lived in the areas absorbed into the empires territory into subjects of the empire. Native people who encountered the empires novel and useful objects were possessed by a strong desire to own them. Do you want this? Then bring the money. money? What is money? After hearing the exnation about money, the next question was how to get it. The natives who learned of the method immediately took action. It started with obtaining and exchanging what the empires merchants wanted C fur, herbal resources, etc. As time passed and mines and other production facilities were built, native people found jobs there, became workers, and began paying taxes to make a living. In this way, they became citizens of the empire. Of course, this method was possible because the empire had strong military power and the ability to project. Otherwise, the natives would have chosen plunder rather than trade. Because that was the easiest and most familiar method. * * * As time passed and sufficient inventory was secured, the imperial court began to introduce products such as chicle shoes and chicle pipes to the market. What is this? chicle? Its not leather or fabric. Its amazing, isnt it? But isnt it a bit expensive? Among those who hesitated because of the price, people began to buy them one by one. And soon, word of mouth began to spread and it soon became explosively popr. Chapter 885 Episode 885: Generation Change (16) As expected, it was chicle shoes that started the flow of chicle products. The shape of this is simr to danghye In fact, the shape of the chicle shoes made by Hyang was borrowed from the shape of danghye, which were often worn by noblemen and rich people. For women, it was modeled after Onhye. The look is good, but the price is ridiculous The imperialists who saw the chicle shoes for the first time showed a lukewarm reaction. The price was much cheaper than the expensive Onhye and Danghye, but it was much more expensive than straw sandals, which could be made and worn for free as long as you had straw and dexterity. And the color is also good The fact that only white was avable was one of the main reasons why imperialists hesitated to purchase it. Still, if youre paying money to buy it, shouldnt you have a nice frame? cancer! cancer! Contrary to initial expectations, the sales situation was sluggish or even frozen, which gave management a headache. * * * At this time, it was Lim Sun-wook who came up with a n. Im Sun-wook, who found the incense, immediately bowed down on the floor, bowed his head, and made a request. Conviction Lim Sun-wook! I would like to make an impious request to His Majesty the Great Emperor! Profanity? Something? I hope to rely on Your Majestys prestige to sell chicle-rted items, especially chicle shoes! My name? Hmm Hearing Im Soon-wooks words, Hyang stroked her chin and muttered to herself. Are familiar advertising methods popping up in the 21st century? There wont be any problems Ah! I was in a prenatal situation! As Hyang said, using celebrities to advertise was the mostmon method. However, even at this time, political leaders and religious leaders were not invited as models. Moreover, it was now the 15th century. It was certain that if he carelessly mentioned the state of the fetus, he would be used of insulting the Supreme Being. Anyway Hyang paused for a moment and red at Im Soon-wook. Did youe here with permission from the emperor, or did you move on your own? This is something only your Majesty the Emperor knows. It is certain that if there are many ears to listen, there will be more words. is it? In that case just wait a moment. Hyang took out a nk piece of paper, wrote something down, and settled it. As if the hand-me-down wasnt enough, I even stamped the seal I had left next to me and presented it to Lim Sun-wook. This is confirmation that Jim gave permission. Submit it to the emperor. We will definitely be able to stop the humans who are trying to capture the pod. Lim Soon-wook, who received the confirmation from Hyang, was deeply moved and bowed deeply in response. I am truly devastated by your great grace! I am devastated! I have a responsibility when ites to chicle, so its a natural thing to do. I hope we get good results. There will definitely be good results. The townships document became a clear shield, preventing bacsh, but not preventing bacsh. I heard youre so stubborn I didnt know that Captain Im Soon-wook would pull such a trick, right? Im sure I was influenced by Captain Han Myeong-hoe! But the water is still low. If it had been Captain Han, I would have rushed to Taesang right away. At least since I am the Inspector-General, I went with permission from His Majesty. Isnt it fifty or a hundred steps? * * * Anyway, not long after, arge banner was hung in front of a store selling chicle shoes. -Tae Sang-sang himself wears chicle shoes instead of his hands! Is that what Taehyung did? Then its different! Incense was almost like a religion to the people of the empire who had benefited greatly from all the objects and systems created by incense. Thanks to this, as soon as the scent was mentioned, people who had hesitated started buying chicle shoes one by one. What is interesting is that those who bought the shoes showed unusual behavior. Those who bought the shoesid out a table in the yard, carefully put them out, and bowed to them. It is an honor to wear the precious shoes made by Tae Sang-tae. After bowing to their shoes, they carefully put them on and walked around the yard. And then he let out an exmation. Kya! Its different after all! The chiclesin made by Hyang went through some improvements. The soles are thicker than traditional rubber shoes, greatly reducing the impact on the soles of the feet. For women, the heel was slightly raised to enhance the look. What was particrly well-received was its waterproofness. Unlike straw sandals, which be unusable when wet, chicle shoes can be worn even when wet, and all you have to do is dry them well in the sun. Through word of mouth from those who bought them first, chicle shoes began to sell like crazy. It was very interesting to see how those who purchased chicle shoes wore them. In households where one could make a decent living, they were worn as everyday shoes. However, in poorer families, they usually wore straw sandals and only took them out when attending family events or important events. Another interesting thing is that the imperial people started calling the chicle shoes chickle shoes. They started calling them squeak shoes because they said that if you walk in wet chicle shoes, your feet will make a squeaky sound. And these scrapy shoes pushed out the name chicle shoes. To a certain extent, Japanese merchants who came to purchase chicle shoes said this. Jukkkkushin Gudasai! How many should I give you? Chicle shoes have suddenly be an essential product for themon people of the three countries in Northeast Asia. * * * As chicle shoes became popr, those who found themselves in trouble were the kibachi. As quite a few noblemen began to wear chicle shoes, their ie was greatly reduced. ordingly, a group of people living in Seoul visited the Ministry of Finance and Economy. Even small people are citizens of the empire! Are you telling us that small people should starve to death? It was Lim Sun-wook who appeared immediately upon hearing the noise of a crowd of ragtags causing amotion. I heard your story well. There is such a problem. This is not something you should take so lightly! The small peoples food bowls are at stake! Lim Sun-wook smiled softly and epted the desperate protests of the kibachi. I still have something to show you. Do you have something to show me? Thats right. At Lim Sun-wooks gesture, an official from the Ministry of Finance and Economy next to him went outside and came in carrying a box. Gods sole made of chiclo. Is it because its the sole? Thats right, when you make a shoe, you put the most effort into every part, but isnt the sole the part youre most concerned about? Everyone nodded at Lim Sun-wooks words. Not only did the toughest leather have to be used, but the studs had to be carefully installed to prevent it from slipping easily. The toughest means that it is difficult to make a hole with a needle or an awl, and it is one of the most difficult processes. Lim Soon-wook held up the sole and exined. If you look closely, you can see that even the irregrities have been carved with chiclo. This means that there is no need to put any effort into studs and the waterproofing problem has been solved. And you intentionally made a groove on the side, right? If you sew along the groove, it is easy to attach the dori (side of the shoe) and the bottom. How is it? After listening to Im Sun-wooks exnation, the kibachi held the sole in question in their hands and examined it thoroughly. After looking for a while, the Gabbychi asked Lim Soon-wook. Do you mean to sell these soles to small people? Thats right. The shape of the soles of the shoes made by small people is a little different from these. If you really insist on that shape, you can order it separately. But then the price will go up quite a bit. I rmend using that for the sole. But then you be the same as other gods Hehe. Dont people who wear shoes buy shoes based on the soles? Everyone buys it to see how stylish and suitable the eyes and patterns carved on the body are. Wouldnt it sell better if we paid more attention to that part and put more effort into making the sole? Ah. Those who fell for Lim Sun-wooks persuasion signed a purchase contract for the sole. Ministry of Finance and Economy officials who saw this scene from the sideter gathered in small groups and started whispering. No matter how you look at it, its true that its about patience and persistence. Wasnt Captain Lim originally engaged inmerce? Isnt bargaining the basis of a merchant? Captain Lim was originally apetent merchant, so he must be good at bargaining. Its up to you to bargain. The Inspector Lim I know is not someone who can be persuaded that skillfully. No matter how I look at it, its stained. To whom Ah! Shh! Later, when the rumor spread and reached Han Myeong-hoe, Han Myeong-hoe immediately went to Lim Sun-wook. I need to buy some bee wine. It was a meaningless statement, but Lim Soon-wook immediately nodded. Of course. * * * After eliminating the resistance to chicle with chicle shoes, the product introduced was a wheel with a chicle rim. Rickshaw wheels with air pockets made of chicle inside, and cart wheels with wire mesh instead of air pockets and full rims filled with chicle, became very popr as soon as they appeared on the market. Its so much better than a leather frame! Customers also like it because its quiet and theres less sshing! Its quieter than an iron ring, so thats great! This is the best because its less slippery even on wet roads. As it became so popr, the first to move were, of course, Japanese merchants. Ano. Are you looking to buy chicle rim wheels? Hi hi! This was the same for Myeongguk as well. Ministry of Finance and Economy officials smiled in repentance as they watched the famous merchants returning home after buying a boatload of chicle-rimmed wheels. You guys cant copy that. Illegal copying by Ming people has been famous since ancient times. Although products withplex and precise structures, such as high-end gold pens or sembuls, could not be copied, copies of many products that were worth money began to appear. On the other hand, the Japanese came to the empire and signed legal contracts for products that sold well in their country. Of course, there were those who attempted illegal copying even within Japan. However, in a situation where everyone in power is pro-imperial. It was a situation where an empire with greater military power than Japan was just around the corner. In these circumstances, piracy was gradually disappearing because anyone caught could not avoid severe punishment. As this situation was established, merchants from other countries, including Europe, took full advantage of it. -Imported goods that will be used in moderation, regardless of quality,e from famous countries. -Imported goods from Japan are of reasonable quality and reasonably priced. -Things that must be of the highest quality must be made in the empire. And the objects made of chiclo were meant to destroy this structure. But the country was a famous country. Over time, Myungguk began replicating the chicle-rimmed wheel. Where did these kids get their chicle? The imperial people who received the information and began investigating soon smiled empty-handedly. The Ming Dynasty people collected chicle from old, unusable chicle wheels, melted it down, and used it again. Its so gross! * * * Meanwhile, products made from chicle were a huge hit in a field that not everyone had thought of, or even incense, which was expected. The product in question was an eraser. Everyone who used a stylus, from school students tomercial clerks and managers, weed the eraser. Now you dont have to get your fingers wet! Chapter 886 Episode 886 Prologue (1) Chicle-rted products, which were an ambitious project of the imperial court and government, gradually established themselves through variousmotions. In particr, the Japanese, who wore straw sandals or geta (which were much simpler than the clogs worn by the imperial people) simr to themon people of the empire, were enthusiastic about these chicle shoes. It was the same for Myeong-guk. The shoesmonly worn by Ming Dynasty people at the time were shoes made by adding marks or fabric to wooden soles. Unlike hard wooden soles, thick soles made of chicle werefortable on the feet, and there were no famous people who disliked them. Meanwhile, insoles made of chicle began to gain poprity in Europe. In Europe, the soles of shoes were also made of wood or leather. Additionally, the streets of Europe were famous for being dirty. In order to avoid the feces and other waste that littered the streets, high-heeled shoes C heels made of thick wood or iron frames C caused considerable fatigue to the feet. In this situation, chicle insoles exported from the empire were the best product loved by everyone in Europe, from nobles to peasants. And here a problem arose. * * * Substitutes existed for many of the goods sold in the empire. It could be produced in Europe or reced with low-cost products produced in Ming or Japan. For parts that guaranteed reliable performance and quality, or for luxury items such as chandeliers, imperial products had to be used, but even these were gradually being reced by products made in Europe. However, items made of chiclo were only produced in the empire. In addition, things like insoles really scratched the users itch and were reasonably priced. Thanks to this, those who once tasted it continued to purchase these items. And here once again the European countries began to suffer a deficit against the empire. In particr, if you were not too poor, you could buy products made from chicle without much burden. As everyone made purchases together, the saying your clothes will get wet in a light rain became a reality. Thanks to this, European monarchs and merchants began sending spies once again. -Where did the Empire secure that chicle? However, the first to find the answer to the problem were European schrs. -The etymology of the word chicle cannot be found even in the imperialnguage. -Then this means that it was not secured from the original territory of the empire. -Then, it is an external area like Daeseoldo and Jongjangdo in the northern part of the empire, but if you think about the time when this area became the territory of the empire, Chicle came out toote. -Then its Shinji! Subsequent information received through sailors and spies made this im a fait apli. -The first emperor of the empire was involved in the development of chicle products! Considering that Shinji is where the first emperor stayed until recently, it is true that it is Shinji. European monarchs and merchants were convinced that the goods in question came from New Zend, but they had no choice but to satisfy their appetites. I knew it was Shinji, but The problem is that its Shinji. It was a certainty, not a doubt, that the empire was involved in the disappearance of the expeditioners who had already set out to explore the Eastern Sea Route. Even if they wanted to protest against this, there was no clear physical evidence, and the Empire was exercising its right to remain silent every time such questions were asked. However, when it came to holding them ountable through military action, the empire was too far away and their military power was no joke. Therefore, Europeans searched for simr substitutes in Southeast Asia and Africa. But this wasnt an easy task either. The problem was that we didnt even know what chicle was made of. We dont know if its a mineral or a by-product from animals or nts Another reason was the situation in Southeast Asian countries. As a result of early active exchanges with Imperial Japan, not only did the political system and culture develop considerably, but the military sector also developed significantly. Simply put, when the Europeans brought out their guns and cannons, they also brought out their guns and cannons. Performance did notg behind either. Therefore, Europeans had to treat them as objects of trade rather than colonizing them. The only areas where Europeans could roam around exercising violence as they pleased were the ind and southern regions of Africa and the New World to the south, which had been discovered about 10 years earlier. In the end, most European monarchs had reached a tacit agreement. -Sooner orter, we must give the empire a military blow! And it was certain that the mes of war slowly rising in Italy would be that opportunity. * * * The reason why European powers saw Italy as a ce of opportunity was because of the Italian unification movement that was taking ce in various cities in northern Italy C which can be seen as the yolk of Italy. Initially, it started among a small number of intellectuals, but by this time, it had be generalized to the point that even ordinary citizens were shouting slogans. The problem was the subject of unification. -Unify Italy and revive the glory of old Rome! -The Holy Roman Empire was just the Gallic barbarians borrowing the name of Rome! -It is only we Italians who can truly revive Rome! -So you guys from other cities, follow us! Thisst part was the problem. Influential cities in northern Italy, such as Mn, Genoa, Venice, and Florence, were iming that they should be the agents of unification. The movements of these Italian cities immediately caught the attention of European powers. After analyzing it with the monarchs of the European powers who received the report, they concluded as follows. -It is impossible by ones own strength. And this conclusion was reached by the Italian city-states as well. Many city-states looked for their allies and formed alliances. The sessors were France, the Holy Roman Empire, Spain, and finally the Empire. And here the European powers found an opportunity to give the empire a blow. -The empire joined hands with Florence. -If war breaks out, the empire has no choice but to deploy military power. -But Italy and the empire are too far away. It is impossible for the empire to deliver troops and supplies in a timely manner. -In the end, the empire has no choice but to be defeated. -The defeated empire has no choice but to give up many of its interests to us. What the Holy Roman Empire of France, Spain, and Spain all coveted was the shares of Suez owned by the empire and Florence. Spain was also targeting Portugal. -If the empire and Florence copse, Portugal will have no one to rely on! You can eat it then! The problem was that neither France, the Holy Roman Empire, nor Spain had any intention of sharing the shares of Suez owned by the empire and Florence with other European powers. This hinted at another war. In this way, the European powers began to prepare for war step by step in order to keep the profits from Italy for themselves. * * * Meanwhile, the empire was not just sitting idle. By building the military port of Livorno, the empire secured a bridgehead with strong defense capabilities and built a railroadwork connecting Florence, Livorno, and surrounding cities. Many people and officials of the empire expressed opposition to the fact that the empire was leading, that is, pouring money into building a railroad. Why should we use our own money to build a railway in Italy? We should also ask for funds from Florence because it is also helpful to Florence! Although there was opposition, Wan exercised his authority and proceeded with the project. After the railroad waspleted over a period of five years, it brought many benefits to the empire. First of all, railway fares belonged to the empire. Although it was a rtively short distance between Livorno and Florence, it was of great help to merchants. Merchants using this railway were not only those from the Empire and Florence. The route between Prince Henrys port and Livorno was secured by the Imperial Navy, and many merchants sailed along this route to avoid the famous pirates of the Mediterranean or loaded themselves and their cargo on imperial and Florentine transport ships. The imperial navymanders smiled bitterly at these merchants movements. The sight of a small ship like this is enough to scare the pirates What the hell * * * The ships of the Imperial Navy that guarded the Livorno route were built at the shipyard in Prince Henrys Port. Of course, it followed the European style, not the imperial style. Imperial navies called these ships scrap ships. This was because it was a smaller ship than not only a challenger-ss ship, but also a sea emergency ship. The reason was that the Mediterranean was a ce where mobility was more important than long-distance navigation performance, and it was to prevent secrets of the Challenger ss or maritime emergency front from being leaked to Europeans. Where the imperial taste was clearly reflected was in the number of guns mounted. -20 guns on the port and starboard sidesbined. Funnily enough, this front was the strongest front not only in the Mediterranean but also in Europe. This was because among the ships in the Mediterranean and Europe during this time, there was no ship that carried more artillery than these ships. The number of artillery pieces was scary, but the artillery pieces loaded there were made and brought from the empire. Thanks to this, the navalmanders of the European powers who saw these fronts were all in awe. You guys are really crazy about cannons! It wasnt a joke! At least their number is small and their defense power is the same as our ships, so Im relieved. Even so, European powers began building warships simr to the imperial navys scrap ships. Our cannons are weaker than theirs! Then load more! Its not just about loading a lot of cannons! Build more ships! It was the financial officials who died in this navalpetition. Not only is it not enough to make a wire simr to the Challenger-ss wire for long-distance sailing, but they are also making another wire for the Mediterranean? Are you making more of that too? What do you think the budget is! A navalpetition was taking ce, and ships simr to the Empires Mediterranean ships were appearing here and there, but the Imperial Navy was in a carefree mood. A ship with paper armor like that. If I see the assault return ship, Im going to pee. * * * In any case, the port of Livorno began to overflow with merchants and cargo as merchant ships came and went along the routes secured by the Imperial Navy. And merchants used railroads to transport these cargoes to their bases. Even though its from here to Florence, where is it? Merchants, for whom time was money, were willing to pay to use the railroad. Of course, spies and soldiers disguised as merchants meticulously inspected the railroad tracks. It would definitely be advantageous for transporting troops. But if just one or two sections of the railway from Livorno to Florence are cut, it will be useless. But they didnt know. The railroads that the empireid in Florence and surrounding cities were adjusted in anticipation of that. Even if one or two ces were cut off, troops could be transported using a detour. Of course, it was notpletely connected, but disconnected, making it impossible to know properly before the war broke out. If war broke out, the empire would immediately connect these broken parts andplete the railroadwork. To hide this trick, the empire built a railwaywork at its own expense. Through the railwaywork and light-emittingmunication towers along the railway, the empire was securing and maintaining its own transportation andmunicationwork. Chapter 887 Chapter 887 Prologue (2) The empires monopoly on Livorno and the railroad was not just for military reasons. As mentioned earlier, the number of merchants using Livorno Port continued to increase. Therefore, the empire built many warehouses in the port of Livorno and made profits from the goods storage business. It wasnt just the warehouse. The process of loading and unloading cargo from a ship, moving it to a warehouse, moving it from a warehouse to a station, and loading it into a freight car all required a lot of manpower. -The Empire does not recognize the use of ves. Thanks to this principle being clearly established from the beginning, many people were hired asborers. The poption of Livorno, which numbered around 400 when the port was first built, had soon grown to close to 10,000. This figure excludes imperialists living in imperial residential areas and a very small number of Italians. As the number of residents living in Livorno soared, officials in Florence asked the imperial embassy for help. I will take charge of this task. If its Captain Castle, Im at ease. It was Seong Sam-moon who came forward upon receiving Florences request. With the help of Seong Sam-mun and imperial officials, Livorno quickly established itself. No, it turned into another imperial city. Because it was a small vige with almost no native inhabitants, it had to be created from scratch, and Florentine officials could not hide their embarrassment. In response, Seong Sam-moon stepped forward. Our empire will take care of it. Are you sure you want to? The port is right next door, so if theres a problem here, well be in trouble. So well take it. Thats a good way for both sides. Instead, we would like to have ownership of thend and buildings. Thats right. Then lets document it. In this way, the empire rolled up its sleeves and carried out all urban division work in imperial style, starting with water supply and sewerage facilities. As the citys roads and water and sewage systems became imperial-style, the interiors of newly built houses in the vige also changed to imperial-style. It seems a little familiar, but also unfamiliar? It was natural for the Italians who moved into the house to say this. While carrying out the renovation, water and sewage systems were introduced and new houses were built ordingly, and Hyang introduced as much of the 21st century residential culture that he was familiar with as much as possible. Because of this, it seemed familiar to Italians, but gave a feeling of unfamiliarity. However, it was instantaneous for them to get used to the new residential culture. And over time, Livorno became the second most livable city, regardless of Florence and its affiliated cities. The first was the imperial residence. As Livorno became known as a good ce to live, wealthy people in Florence also began building vis in Livorno. Naturally, the empire was in charge of supplying water supply and sewerage connections and water supply equipment. In doing so, the housing rental and housing construction industry in Livorno became another source of ie for the empire. * * * The empire invested the profits it made in Florence back into Florence. The empire invested its profits in meal service and schrship projects. The empire provided lunch to students attending the elementary schools (Scu elementare) founded by Lorenzo. In addition, we provided tuition assistance to students who had good grades but were struggling due to poor financial means. If a student had excellent grades, support was provided to enter university or study abroad in the empire. This meal service and schrship project received great response from parents. This was because for the lower ss people in the city, just reducing the number of meals a child would eat was a big help. The same was true for schrship projects. Through this reinvestment, the empire made everyone from the powerful in Florence to themon people on its side. Of course, Lorenzo and Giovanni were not unaware of these movements of the empire. Should we stop it? Giovanni, who was troubled by Lorenzos words, shook his head. You have to be careful, but I dont think theres a need to stop it. For the Empire, Italy is not a very interesting ce to own. Is it because of Shinji? Giovanni nodded to Lorenzos question. The Medici family, along with the Mansur family of Aden, were the families with the longest rtionship with the empire. Naturally, both the quality and quantity of iing information were overwhelming otherpetitors. Of course, since it was an empire that extremely prevented information leaks, it was impossible to obtain truly core secrets C for example, tasks corresponding to the Ugong Isan level in Jeonjeonrok C but other minor information was constantlying into the eyes and ears of the Medici family. . And the talented people of the Medici family pieced together the information and reprocessed it into more valuable information. What came out through that processing were things rted to Shinji. Thanks to that information, Giovanni was convinced that the Empire was not paying attention to Florence, Italy. But Lorenzo could not shake off his doubts. But if you look at the amount the Empire is doing now, they are putting in more effort than you might think. Thats the Empires way. Before doing something big, take a long time and prepare step by step. Im worried that this big deal might engulf Italy. As I said before, the Empire is not interested in conquering Italy. Their interest in Italy may be due to the problems they will face if they use Italy as a battlefield. Lorenzo let out a long sigh at Giovannis words. Whoa~. Its war Lorenzo was already in his 30s. I was still full of energy, but unlike when I was in my 20s, I was also more cautious. In the past, I only hoped for war, wondering when it would break out, but now I am increasingly afraid. Giovanni smiled slightly at Lorenzos words. That is the correct character of the monarch. Surprisingly, the people who dont like fighting are the monarchs of the empire. Is that so? yes. Lorenzos face brightened at Giovannis words. For European intellectuals of this period, the emperors of the empire were the model of monarchs. In particr, King Sejong and Hyang were the most ideal monarchs. Your Majesty is as famous as the Emperor of the Empire! This was the highest praise that could be paid to the kings and monarchs of Europe during this period. * * * Speaking of war, I think I now understand why the empire put so much effort into education. It really is. We saw it too easily. Lorenzo responded to Giovannis words with sincere reflection. -Through elementary school education, children imprint loyalty to Florence and Italy in their minds. This was the purpose of the Youth School and Lorenzo at the time. And they thought it was easy. No matter how clever, stupid, orzy you are, you learn properly in front of a stick. Both the Young School and Lorenzo were wealthy intellectuals. From a young age, they had tutors and learned Greek and Roman ssics andmon sense. However, even these children were subject to significant corporal punishment when they first received education. Because of that experience, they carried out indoctrination training apanied by violence. However, when Seong Sam-moon and the imperial officials saw this, their expressions were frowned upon. I admit that when a mistake is made, the cane is used for reformation. Because the whip is something that is meant to be used that way. Is that so? In other words, it is for edification, not education. A person is not an animal, so if you try to tame him with a club, will it work out? In the end, Seongsammun and imperial officials also had a hand in Florences curriculum. The first thing that Seong Sam-moon and the imperial officials worked on was textbooks. Many illustrations were included in each textbook to encourage childrens curiosity and focus on learning. And as the level of learning increased, it created a sense of loyalty and belonging to Florence and Italy. It was a textbook based on the biography of a general famous for his prowess and loyalty during the Roman era and the story of a medieval knight, and was based on this to engrave in peoples minds a sense of belonging and loyalty to Florence and Italy. Is this a textbook or a storybook? The first reaction of the young schrs who saw the textbook supervised by the empire was criticism. But as time passed, they had to reverse their decision. Children who learned with the new textbook had higher academic achievement and higher motivation. That wasnt all. His loyalty to Florence and Italy was also great. The unification of Italy is in the hands of Italians! Unification of Italy through the hands of our Florentine citizens! Shouting these slogans, boys who had just graduated from elementary school and had just been recognized as adults, or who wanted to be recognized, applied to the military. There was a calction that it was the fastest way to achieve fame, but it was also because he wanted to participate in the process of creating a unified Italy. How could this result Looking at the young students with shocked expressions, Seong Sam-moon exined the reason. For you, the war so far has not been your war, but other peoples war, and for them, it has been their war. What does that mean? The wars you are familiar with were all about mercenaries fighting each other. Where is loyalty and trust in that war? Then they If you first tell them their roots, justification wille from those roots, and loyalty and trust wille out Seong Sam-moon, who paused for a moment, shook his head and clicked his tongue. Tsk! In Europe, there were more than one person who maintained loyalty and honor, and there were more than one story of the people who went out of their way to protect their country. How did it be that war is someone elses business? This is why loyalty and loyalty have all be bullshit. At least an imperialist, or even a nobleman, would have been shocked. In the empire, it wasmon to hear stories of ordinary people, even ves, stepping up to fight against foreign enemies, even if they were not soldiers or generals. That was loyalty, trust, and loyalty. And this wasmon sense among the people of the empire. If a foreign enemy invades, of course we have to step in and stop it! Nothing like cancer! However, there was someone who did not take this for granted, which everyone takes for granted. It was incense. Dont take it for granted that if its not you and me, who will protect it? If you go out and neglect the people, those words wont be natural, theyll just be bullshit! Hyang continued to emphasize this to the ministers. Remember that there is no loyalty if you are not loyal to your people! For the people of the empire who were ustomed to this way of thinking, the medieval feudalistic way of thinking in Italy and Europe was an iprehensible set of values. No matter where you live and the traditions are different, loyalty and loyalty are all the same. Mercenaries do the war and they just make a living or just watch? What cant you do to fail? That is why there were different reactions to the young Florentine men and boys flocking to the military. It was a surprise to Florentine intellectuals and a natural thing to imperial officials. Chapter 888 Episode 888 Prologue (3) The report on the changes in the values of young boys in Florence and the confusion of Florentine intellectuals due to these changes was immediately conveyed to the Empire. Why on earth? Why take something for granted? The ministers who checked the report expressed their doubts, saying they did not understand why Florences intellectuals were in confusion. This was the same even for the Han Myeonghoe in the world. Why? What do you think? . Huh~. His Majesty will definitely ask. . Even when Han Myeong-hoe was summoned, none of the ministers opened their mouths. As expected by Han Myeong-hoe, Hyeon asked the ministers the reason. But no one came forward to answer. Its frustrating I think my predecessors would have given an answer Hearing Hyeon s words filled with disappointment, all the ministers bowed to the floor and raised their voices. Please forgive the gods for their ipetence! The officer who was sitting on one side writing the essay recorded this and added the following. - The king was frustrated with this result, so the ministers bowed down and asked for forgiveness. The officer says: Its really embarrassing. Are we wrong in thinking this is such a natural thing, or are Europeans wrong in thinking this is unfamiliar? In the end, unable to find an answer from the ministers, Hyeon turned to Hyang and asked a question. Hyang answered Hyuns question simply and clearly. Because thats how I learned it. yes? Learning is not just about reading books or learning at school. We learn from the adults around us and the actions and words of those we respect. And those adults learned from their predecessors. In this way, learning and teaching be very natural as they are passed down from generation to generation. Just like breathing. Arent there people who wonder why humans and animals need to breathe? Ah At Hyangs words, Hyun nodded as if he understood. Looking at Hyeon like that, Hyang continued speaking. The same goes for Emperor Wens creation of the Three Rivers of Conduct and having it used in the Social Democratic Institute. Even if its something as natural as breathing, we wont know it unless we teach it. Thats why education is important. Thats why theres an old saying, With one years n, grow crops, with 10 years n, grow trees, and with 100 years n, grow people. Therefore, our empire should not lose interest in education either. Hyeon bowed his head and responded to Hyangs request. Ill keep that in mind. That night, Hyang sat alone in the bed, ruminating on the days events and muttering softly. I heard Moltke said that when he came back after winning the Franco-Prussian War, right? The heroes of this war are not soldiers but elementary school teachers. So, you should be more careful. If we do it wrong, we could fall into a militaristic state through education. * * * Meanwhile, Florence, facing a higher-than-expected support situation, was faced with other concerns. If we do well, I think we can exceed the nned 30,000 and even reach 40,000 The problem is financial resources. We secured financial resources by reducing, cutting, and dividing here and there, but only 20,000 at a time is the best. Whoa~. After analyzing the current situation, Florentine officials sighed. No matter how many brains they thought of, they couldnte up with a clear number, so the Florentine officials sighed and wrote a report. Lorenzo and Giovanni, who received the report, also sighed. It is unfortunate that 20,000 people at all times is the best even though the poption of the area controlled by Florence has increased significantly over the past time. It cant be helped. Weapons can continue to be used as long as they are properly maintained, but humans inevitably grow old no matter how hard they try. At Giovannis words, Lorenzo nodded with a face full of regret. The military was a group that consumed constantly. Even when there was no war, the military constantly consumed human and material resources. Over the years, Florence had be increasingly economically prosperous, but maintaining an army that was growing at a simr rate was quite difficult. But there is a problem with the 20,000-member system. Once a full-scale war begins, there will continue to be a need for troops and properly trained troops. This problem must also be resolved. Thats the problem Lorenzo and Giovanni, unable to find an answer as expected, visited the imperial embassy again. If thats the case, how about doing it this way? The person who answered Lorenzo and Giovannis questions was the responder. I think it would be good to introduce an imperial reserve force system and a veterans system. As Yu Eung-bu exined about the reserve army and veterans system that have been put to good use since the time of military service, Lorenzo and Giovanni looked at Yu Eung-bu with great admiration. As expected of a godfather! As the imperial army was deeply involved in the training of the Florentine army, Yu Eung-bu was nicknamed godfather and imperial army instructors were nicknamed brothers. It wasnt just a nickname. The Florentine army even made military uniforms modeled after the imperial armys uniforms and wore them to its soldiers. It was a huge improvementpared to the armies and mercenaries of other European countries during this period, who could hardly escape the uniform of armed civilians. Of course, it was not a 100% copy of the imperial armys uniform, and there were twists and turns. Florence was originally famous for its textile industry, and Italians had a good sense of fashion during this period as well. Not only the Imperial Army, but also civil servants at the embassy and civilian merchants all ced their hands on their foreheads when they saw the military uniforms, which had the characteristic Italian bravado added to them. Is this a military uniform or street clothes? Lorenzo looked slightly intimidated by Yu Eung-bus not-so-good expression. This was because he was the one who had a hand in setting the military uniform design. Is it that bad? A lot Yueungbu and imperial army instructors pointed out the problem. -The colors are so colorful. Military uniforms using the primary colors of red, blue, and yellow may be good for marching, but they are definitely not forbat. -Most European armies were already armed with breech-loading rifles. This type of long gun has the ability to hit an enemy from a distance of approximately 100 shots (approximately 300 meters). Additionally, since it is a breech-loading rifle, it is easy to shoot while lying down or hiding. Would you wear such a fancy military uniform in such a situation? You just be a target. -The width of the military uniform is too small. When a battle breaks out, you have to run, roll, and move non-stop, but if you wear tight clothes like that, your fighting power decreases. -There are not too many pockets. There are many things to take care of to properly prepare for battle. Most of them can be put in a backpack or bag, but you still need a pocket. So youre saying its not this military uniform? exactly. But if you change everything you pointed out, it will be stylish If you want to die looking for style, why not just make it and dress it as is? However, our imperial army would never wear uniforms like that. But How much are you going to spend on military uniforms, which are already under budget? . Lorenzo and the Italians, in tears, changed the design of the military uniform due to the cold criticism of the military and imperial army instructors and the realistic limitations of the budget. Thest thing that came out was a military uniform simr to the imperial army, with the top and bottom all in ck. Its ck. Thats better than the colored military uniform. Its much better. Its not something well wear, so thats okay. In this way, the ck uniform became the symbol of the Florentine army. The ck Legion, which was the nickname of Florences mercenary unit in the past, had be a symbol of the entire Florentine army. However, this did not mean that Florence was unconditionally influenced. Starting with the imperial army instructors, the imperial army stationed in Florence and Livorno were also influenced by the Florentine army. The most representative military cap was decorated with ck grouse feathers. This kind of feather decoration was not unfamiliar to the imperial army. The military uniform worn during the Joseon Dynasty also had pheasant or eagle tail feathers, and in the case of kings, peacock tail feathers. Naturally, the official military caps of the imperial army had simr decorations, and the imperial army stationed in Italy reced them with rich grouse feathers like those of the Florentine army. As Florence was famous for its textile industry, it produced most of its military uniforms and military uniforms, but only one item had to be imported from the empire. They were military boots. Imperial military boots, initially made with leather soles andter with chicle soles, became a must-have item for soldiers. On the other hand, officers and cavalrymen wore boots modeled after the cavalry boots of the imperial army. An interesting scene was created as uniform uniforms were issued to the Florentine military. The scenes of conversations between the Imperial Army wearing green imperial uniforms and the Florentine military wearing ck Florentine military uniforms in the downtown area of Florence, at the port of Livorno, at the training ground on the outskirts of Florence, gave a routine yet somehow unfamiliar feeling. This was the same for painters and sculptors supported by the Medici family. Inspired painters and sculptors immediately began painting and carving. This was the moment when the trend called Florentine art was born. * * * Meanwhile,petitors, stimted by Florences military strengthening, followed Florences lead. They also began to strengthen elementary education and expand the size of the standing army. But little by little, their paths with Florence began to diverge. Although the goal of Italian unification was the same, the paths diverged into several paths. What showed this most clearly was elementary education. Florencespetitors chose the traditional method of indoctrination based on violence, and the young people who received this education showed a very passive behavior. Next was the military. Florences rivals and their associates, like Florence, organized standing armies. In particr, the subordinates organized arge standing army suitable for a powerful nation. However, the standing army they created was not the citys army or the states army, but the tyrannys army and the kings army. The mercenary personality had not yet beenpletely washed away. This was due to social limitations that prevented them from escaping from the feudal system. The kings grip was bing stronger, but the power of the nobles was still strong. Therefore, there was no choice but to recruit soldiers, not through conscription. Nobles and wealthy people with money or power were exempt from military service by paying a military service exemption tax (scutage). Of course, among them, those who were aiming for a higher rank or entry into the prestigious upper ss applied to be officers. No, he became an officer by purchasing the appropriate rank with money. Therefore, most of the most important ordinary soldiers were from the lowest ss of society. And the means of turning them into soldiers was violence. By making these different choices, Florence and herpetitors began to stand at the starting line with simr yet different personalities and appearances. Chapter 889 Episode 889 Prologue (4) In Italy, the arms race between Florence and its rivals, as well as the European powers that yed a role as its backbencher, led to a chain reaction. Ennd was the first to react. As France, its most powerful enemy, grew both in size and quality of its army, Ennd also entered the arms race. Almost simultaneously with Ennd, Portugal also entered the arms race. It was because of Spain, which borders us. In particr, Portugal could not be left out of the arms race as there was a conflict with Spain during the founding process and the two countries still had bitter resentment. Another power that entered the arms race was the Ottoman Empire. There was a natural barrier called the Mediterranean Sea, but the ship-building technology that had developed so far has destroyed this barrier. In addition, the goose thatid the golden egg called Suez had to be kept safe. Even though we are friendly with Europe, we do not trust them. This was Mehmet IIs diplomatic policy. The problem was the economic burden brought about by this arms race. Suddenly, the main role in the war changed from knights and cavalry, swords and spears, to guns and cannons. When swords and spears became worn out, they could be melted down and remade, but for guns and cannons, that was difficult. To be precise, it was possible to melt it, but making it, especially making a cannon, was impossible at the level of a local cksmith shop. Naturally, high-quality craftsmen and manufacturing facilities, iron and steel smelting facilities were needed. This was something that cost a lot of money. But the most troublesome thing was gunpowder. Gunpowder was a product that could only be used once. ck gunpowder was a very unstable product. Therefore, gunpowder was an item that could never be driven into and stored after building a warehouse. In other words, it meant that a lot of buildings were needed that paid attention to humidity and temperature control, and that this also cost a lot of money. And in this arms race, it was the gunsmiths and gunpowder makers who both benefited and lost the most. * * * In history before the intervention of incense, it was the Hungarian Urban who created the famous Ottoman Urban cannon. Even after the intervention of Hyang, many gunsmiths and gunpowder craftsmen remained frencers. They wandered around looking for countries that offered better wages and support benefits. Those who demonstrated this most clearly were cannon craftsmen. They not only made cannons, but they also operated them. They entered the war as mercenaries with cannons they had made. * * * The countries participating in the arms race scouted out capable gunsmiths and gunpowder makers. -More pay. C Spacious mansion and servant maids. -Providing facilities that enable stable research and production. -Grant of title, although it is a knight rank. In addition, by offering various conditions, they obtainedpetent gunsmiths and gunpowder craftsmen. The families of the artisans were satisfied with the luxury they had never enjoyed before, and the artisans looked proud. However, as time passed, artisans came to realize that all the benefits provided to them were sweet poison. Artisans were now part of the state that employed them and could not escape them. If you tried to escape from the past, you would be punished for treason. Of course, I was giving up all the benefits I had received so far. In addition, he was forced to raise his students and share his unique skills. Lastly, we had to produce results that would satisfy employers. The most stark example was the French craftsmen. You managed to make an Arquebus, but you made a military rifle and released it! Make a cannon out of steel? Cannons are made of bronze! If you make it out of iron, you will have to be able to drag it like an elephant! The craftsmen protested against the extremely high demands, but French politicians, starting with Louis XI, responded with a cold face. Youre making Land of Flowers, right? make. If you quit, its treason. * * * As the arms race, which could almost be called a frenzy, continued, the countries participating in thepetition risked their lives to secure the necessary budget. Fortunately, France, Ottoman Portugal, and Florence, which have shares in Suez, were able to ease the burden. This was because the dividends from Suez belonged solely to the monarch. However, Spain and Ennd, the Holy Roman Empire, did not do this. The burden was considerable for Ennd, which had not yet merged Scond and Irnd and was not yet experiencing the shadow of the Industrial Revolution. However, Ennd continued to expand its military. Unlike the history before the intervention of Fragrance, Edward IV, who was influenced by Fragrance, was able to properly seize power, and this was thanks to the cooperation of nobles who were wary of Frances military expansion. The Holy Roman Empire was walking a more difficult path than Ennd. This was due to the ipetence of Frederick III, who ascended to the throne after his predecessor Sigismund, and the chaotic political situation within the empire. Although it had the title of empire, it was internally divided into many princely states and principalities. Even in Austria, which could be considered its home base, there were frequent rebellions by nobles. Although it was a series of vicious struggles due to his own ipetence and external adverse factors, Frederick III had no choice but to enter the arms race. -Now that Constantinople has fallen, I am the only one who can stop the pagans! It was because I was properly aware of reality. Frederick III tried desperately to improve the worst situation. As soon as his younger brother and most powerful rival, King Albrecht VI, died, he immediately absorbed Albrecht VIs territory, thereby reducing the financial burden. And he used methods such as appeasement, threats, and assassination from the Austrian nobles to obtain their cooperation. C Friedrich has changed! Rumors circted around the world about Frederick IIIs actions, but this was only half correct. His son, Maximilian I, who had just entered his twenties, moved in hiding in the shadow of Frederick III. Compared to the bad struggles experienced by Ennd and the Holy Roman Empire, Spain was in a slightly better situation. This was because the African colonies secured whilepeting with Portugal served as an excellent source of funds, and themercial power of Aragon, which was one of the pirs of the united kingdom, was still holding on. This was thanks to the fact that they made a decent profit by supplying weapons to Genoa, which wanted to be a main character in the Italian unification movement. Even so, it was a slightly better situation, but not a good one. For this reason, Spain set its sights on Suez. If only I could get Suez This was the same forters Ennd and the Holy Roman Empire. In the end, they needed war, or victory, to secure stable financial resources. * * * The arms race between the European powers had already been going on for over 10 years, and the military power of the powers was almost reaching saturation point. European intellectuals who saw this situation became worried. If this continues, it will spontaneouslybust sooner orter! The whole of Europe will be on the phone! However, there were no people who easily argued for disarmament. This was because theirpatriots, the Europeans, did not want it. The shocking existence of an empire encountered at the point of escaping from the stagnation of the Middle Ages made Europeans yearn for change. And in the process of change, countless ambitious people appeared and disappeared. The me of yesterday and the me of tomorrow will be different! The sons of Pungwoon, who had ambitions of achieving sess and achieving good fortune, without hesitation boarded ships and went on expeditions or joined the military and waited for war. Disarmament or peace in a situation full of Europeans who want chaos. Even when I shouted for stability, it was a mai-dong wind (R|L). From the kings office above to the ignorant farmers in the remote countryside below, when the storm of war was predicted, those who further fueled the chaos appeared. It was the emergence of doomsday theorists. In city markets and rural marketces, doomsayers stood on wooden boxes and raised their voices. Listen! Listen! The end is near! Soon the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse will appear and lead this world to the end! Lift up your eyes and look around! The signs are already overflowing! Doomsday theorists raised their voices and shouted that the end time hade. Their argument was as follows. -Think of the Mongol invasion and the ck Death that followed! The first seal has already been broken and the White Knight has already appeared! -Now the second seal will be broken and the Red Knight will appear! No, the second seal has already been broken! Look at that mighty army! Thats the proof! We all know that a big war will break out in Italy sooner orter! -Where are the seven hills on which the great prostitute of the Apocalypse sits? Its Rome! This is Rome, Italy! -The war that took ce in Italy is the beginning of Armageddon! The doomsday theorists, who listed the evidence indicating that the end times hade, shouted at the people. Put all your family assets in order and follow me right now! I will provide you with shelter! Not long ago, Christ appeared to me in a dream and revealed this secret to me and told me to prepare a refuge and lead thembs! Put your assets in order and follow me! Just as God told Noah to build an ark, hemanded me to build a ce of rest! Follow me! All over Europe, doomsday theorists said this and insisted that people liquidate their family fortunes and follow him. What was interesting was when different doomsayers encountered each other. They are false prophets! Heresy! They are the ones who have been taken over by the devil! They used each other of being false prophets and heretics who have fallen for the devil and caused bloody shes with their followers. As these doomsday theorists began to rampage, monarchs and churches in each country began to crack down on them. If caught, they received all kinds of severe punishment, including hanging, but doomsdayists continued their activities even more secretly. This movement became even more noticeable in Italy, which would be the battlefield. Despite the strong crackdown by the soldiers and priests in charge of the citys security, there were more than a few people openly shouting for the end in the square. Hehe There are cults running around right in front of the Vatican Shin Sook-ju responded to Seong Sam-moons words with a look of understanding. It must be that uneasy. Following Shin Sook-jus words, Yu Eung-bu also opened his mouth. It is said that the number of people who would rather see war break out than continue to feel anxious like this has increased. Wow phew~. Seong Sam-moon sighed in sorrow and soon returned to reality. War could break out even tomorrow. Shouldnt we evacuate our people who are currently staying in Italy? Shin Sook-ju shook her head at Seong Sam-moons words. We should never take the first step. All eyes in Europe are on us now. If we evacuate our people, they will think it is the beginning of a war. To borrow a European expression, we are blowing the trumpet of war. We are not ready yet. Chapter 890 Chapter 890: Prologue (5) From the king to a remote viger, from native Europeans to foreigners staying in Europe formercial purposes or for various reasons. Most people living in Europe could smell the burning embers of war. Those who were particrly serious were schrs and veterans who had experienced hardships and hardships. -If a real war breaks out this time, it will be an enormous war the likes of which we have never experienced before. Schrs had predicted that the future war would be significantly different from existing wars through exchanges with the empire. If you look at the wars taking ce in the East, including the Empire, especially the most recent wars, they were wars in which at least 100,000 units were mobilized. If a war like this were to break out in Europe, would Europe be able to survive? Meanwhile, the situation was even more serious for old soldiers who had fought wars and battles with weapons exported by the empire and weapons that had been copied from them. Even an eight-year-old can pull the trigger of a long gun. The problem is that the generals are still obsessed with ying knights. The generals are the problem The old soldiers concerns were valid. * * * Among the fiercely foughtrge-scale battles that risked the fate of the nation, the most recent war was the Hundred Years War. It has only been a little over 30 years since the Hundred Years War came to aplete conclusion. In those 30 years, everything about the war changedpletely. Until the Hundred Years War, the main weapons of soldiers were spears, axes and bows. The cannon was a weapon used only in siege warfare. But now the soldiers main weapon was the long gun. And cannons were used not only for siege warfare but also to crush the approaching enemy lines. It wasnt just weapons and tactics that changed. The concept of supply has alsopletely changed. Existing spear swords could be made by either capturing them from the enemy and using them as is, or by requisitioning iron farming tools used by local residents and melting them down. However, as gunpowder weapons becamemon, this became impossible. It was because of gunpowder. Sacks and wooden barrels filled with ck gunpowder disappeared as soon as a small torch touched them. The only thing that could be procured through local requisition was food. In other words, if supply was not properly promoted from the rear, a proper battle, let alone victory, would be impossible. This drastic change urred in just over 30 years. Because of this, high-rankingmanders, or high-ranking nobles, in various European countries were still only familiar with the wars of the Hundred Years War. * * * Of course, there were manymanders who were familiar with the war of guns and cannons through the Suez War. Therefore, the empire was paying special attention to France. This was because soldiers andmanders who were familiar with war through the Hundred Years War were filtered out once again as they experienced warfare using guns and cannons. However, unlike the empires worries, Frances internal problems were holding it back. First, there was the problem of Suez, which produced such experienced soldiers andmanders. Even at this moment, Suez was one of the most active trade routes. There were more than one great power targeting Suez, and France was unable to take out the elite soldiers guarding Suez on arge scale. As an alternative, a method of recing existing units with newly formed units was promoted. However,rge-scale recement was impossible due to problems maintaining the power of the Suez garrison and transportation issues. In other words, the Suez Garrison Force, one of the most powerful military forces, should be calcted as non-existent. -Losing Italy is a loss, but losing Suez is a very big loss! This was Louis XIs judgment. The second was the very problem that the veterans were worried about. There were quite a fewmanders who achieved meritorious deeds in the Suez War, and there were quite a few who rose to prominence in recognition of their merits. However, even if they were sessful, very few of them grew to the point where they could influence French defense policy. The biggest reason for this was that most of them weremanders of the Imperial Guard, the standing army of France. To be more precise, most of themanders of the Royal Guard, the French kings standing army, weremoners or lower-ranking nobles. Therefore, even if they seeded, there were bound to be limitations. If only the Marshal were alive Those who were blocked by the high and thick wall of sessmented the absence of Marshal Richemont. Arthur de Richemont, hero of the Hundred Years War and reformer of Charles VIIs loyalist military. If he had not died immediately after the Hundred Years War, he would have been their most powerful supporter. However, the French nobles, who were desperately trying to prevent the kings power, which had be stronger after the annexation of Burgundy, from further strengthening, strongly blocked the session ofmanders from the Imperial Order. Louis XI, who still needed the cooperation of the nobles, also epted the nobles demands through a kind of mediation. In this way, the current topmanders of the French army were those who still remembered only the period of the Hundred Years War. However, Louis XI did not simply step down. Befitting his reputation as the cunning king (le rus), he hatched a conspiracy. First of all, the imperial corps was clearly made into the kings army. From the supply of troops to the supply of weapons, the royal order was prioritized and the sries received by soldiers andmanders were also increased. Next, he brought the nobles who had withdrawn into reserve forces back to the front line. The situation in Italy is suspicious right now, so I think the police should step in. Of course, they had some idea that this was Louis XIs n, but they had to follow Louis XIs orders. This was because the cause put forth by Louis Eventually, the nobles under Louis XIs orders gathered and trained troops. Here, another n of Louis XI was put into motion. Of course, the government will supply the weapons needed for the troops. But since the budget is not enough, I hope the officers will provide half of the necessary budget. For the same reason, you must purchase the bullets, shells, and gunpowder for training at your own expense. Of course, if war breaks out, I will supply the necessary ammunition and gunpowder for free, even if I have to spend my own money. The nobles had no choice but to ept Louis XIs proposal and order. This was because gunpowder was an expensive product. However, because it was such an expensive item, the training of the troops organized by the nobles was bound to be poor. A very small number of nobles who knew how to monitor the situation reduced spending on areas such as banquets and devoted themselves to live-fire training, but in most cases, they engaged in training by holding a gun and pointing it with their mouths. Themanders of the imperial corps, who were watching this training scene from afar, had a wry smile on their lips. It will end up as a consumable that will consume the enemys ammo. I agree. Rather, it is a situation where mercenaries are training more faithfully. * * * Those who responded most actively to the changing battlefield situation were mercenaries. Although the European powers were increasing the size of their standing armies, there were still limits. This was due to maintenance cost issues. And this problem was more serious for weak countries sandwiched between powerful countries. And these weak countries had no choice but to use the traditional method of hiring mercenaries. However, this did not mean that they hired just any mercenary unit. Monarchs of weak countries applied strict standards. The standard they insisted on was guns and cannons. -At least half of the soldiers must be armed with long guns and have five or more cannons. -The musketeers must be skilled musketeers. This was the minimum standard required by monarchs of weak countries, and if it was not met, the contract was in vain. Eventually, in order to survive in the market, mercenary leaders and mercenaries diligently began arming themselves with guns and cannons. The problem is long guns! Even if its impossible to get a military rifle made in the Land of Flowers, you have to get one that is at least up to the standard of a Japanese rifle! firelock? are you kidding! If things dont work out, use a bribe! If that doesnt work, steal it! The mercenary leaders and mercenaries worked diligently to obtain an Eulsik rifle or a breech-loading rifle simr to the Eulsik rifle. In this situation, there were mercenary units that showed surprisingposure. They were mercenaries who participated in thest Suez War. At the time, the allies provided Japanese style rifles to the mercenaries and mercenary units that participated in the war and also steadily supplied parts. Youre having a hard time The other mercenaries reacted angrily to the words of the Suez veterans. Instead, you are tied to the reins until you die! . As the saying goes, the mercenaries and mercenaries who participated in the Suez war were provided with an abundance of thetest rifles and ammunition, but they signed a life-long contract that did not allow them to escape from the country that hired them until their death. After securing firearms through various methods, including smuggling and theft using bribes, the mercenaries next move was training. Ammunition is too expensive. I cant help it! What you spend today guarantees your survival and sry tomorrow! The mercenaries faithfully continued training with live ammunition, even though they were crying over the high price of ammunition to the point where they were sick of it. As they say, for tomorrows survival and tomorrows sry. Peoples eyes were fixed on Italy, with some feeling anxious, others looking for an opportunity to make a name for themselves, and others dreaming of making a fortune. But the gunfire erupted from apletely unexpected ce. Matthias I of Hungary invaded Austria. * * * In 1457, a riot broke out in Hungary. Ladius Postmus, the monarch of Hungary at the time, fled to Vienna butter died in Prague, Bohemia. After the suspicious and untimely death of Ladius, Frederick III imed the throne from Bohemia and Hungary. However, the parliaments of Bohemia and Hungary rejected Frederick IIIs demands and elected their own kings. In the end, the rtionship between Habsburg and Bohemia Hungary could not be good and they had no choice but to watch each other with wary eyes. In this situation, Habsburgs participation in the arms race forced Hungary to make a choice. In the end, Hungary also had no choice but to enter the arms race. What followed was a worsening situation. When the King of Bohemia, Irgis Podebrat, was emunicated by Pope Paul II at the time, the Catholic nobles of Bohemia revolted. Through the ensuing civil war and peace agreement, control of Morava, Silesia and Lusatia was transferred to Hungary. However, Hungarys growth made the Habsburgs more hostile to Hungary. The increasingly intense arms race and increasingly deteriorating rtions with the Habsburgs forced Matthias I, King of Hungary, to make a choice. If the arms race continues as it is now, it will be a problem for both the Habsburgs and us. Remember when you once asked us for the throne! Frederick will definitely try to take over our Hungary! We strike first! ording to Matthias Is decision, the Hungarian army invaded Austria. Chapter 891 Chapter 891 Prologue (6) The size of the Hungarian army that invaded Austria was 18,000, including about 4,000 cavalry. A country that until recently had only paid attention to the Habsburgs had mobilized a considerable army. The Hungarian armys offensive was quite fierce. In thest session to the throne, Frederick III of Habsburg asked for the throne, which was the biggest reason that ignited their will to fight. This was thanks to the fact that all Hungarians who felt unfair due to Frederick IIIs intervention united as one. Their progress seemed to be going very smoothly. From the beginning, the Hungarians were a people skilled in warfare from their very beginnings. Although it was devastated by the Mongol invasion, the spirit of the Hungarians did not go anywhere. In addition, Hungarys economic power greatly improved as Matthias I, who pursued an absolute monarchy, actively imported developed culture. The decision to invade Austria was made due to thebative temperament, the improved national power of the country, and the realistic problem of the threat of the Habsburgs. The Hungarian army, which invaded Austria by surprise, upied the territories of Austrian nobles in the border area and then turned its course to the northwest. Their destination was Vienna. With the war going more smoothly than expected, Matthias I began to secretly be greedy. If the Vienna invasion is sessful, lets take control of the remaining parts of Austria. However, as the main force of the Hungarian army began to move towards Vienna, Frederick III also began to move. To be more precise, the army that Frederick III had carefully raised had begun to move. * * * The size of the Habsburg army mobilized by Frederick III was approximately 15,000, including 2,000 cavalry and 3,000 Swiss mercenaries. Approximately 30% of the military power raised by Frederick III was mobilized. I wanted to mobilize everything out of greed, but Friedrich trailed off, unable to hide his regret. However, there were still quite a few Austrian nobles who had a rebellious attitude, and the movements of France and Italy also hindered Frederick. Lastly, the road conditions and poor supply system inside Austria, which were still not properly maintained, also maderge-scale mobilization difficult. In the end, 30% was the maximum power that could be used right now. Can we really win? Isnt that too little? Unlike Frederick III, who was anxious, his son Maximilian I responded with a confident face. You can win! Have faith in Your Majestys army! Dont believe it. Then Ill be back! I will dedicate my victory to Your Majesty! Maximilian I, confident of victory, led his generals and left the royal pce. And a few dayster, the Habsburg and Hungarian armies finally faced each other. * * * The ce where the armies of both sides met was near Pottendorf. Its the perfect ground for fighting! The Hungarian armymander looked at the surrounding terrain and smiled in remorse. The Pottendorf area was thergest in in the area. The open in area was the best ce for cavalry to move. There, Vin was just around the corner. If the Habsburg army was destroyed here, Vienna was just around the corner. This was Pottendorf, so close that his cavalry could move at a trot and reach Vienna in half a day. Vienna was too close to the border to begin with. Thinking of Vienna in the north, the Hungarian armymander looked back at his subordinatemanders. Are you ready to send a new victory report to Your Majesty? yep! After hearing the confident answers of his subordinatemanders, themander lifted his baton. Then lets begin! ancient! After reciting loudly, the subordinatemanders returned to their units. After a while, cannons began firing towards the trenches where the Habsburg army was sitting. bang! Quack! As the cannons located at the very front of the Hungarian army camp fired in unison, pirs of earth rose here and there from the trench lines dug by the Habsburg army. Advance! As soon as themanders order was given, the line of Hungarian infantrymen, each holding a rifle, began to move forward. And behind them, a line of infantry armed with Japanese-style breech-loading single-barreled rifles was waiting. * * * Hungary had no choice but to enter the arms race for its own survival. The most important things are guns and cannons! Arquebuses are not the answer! Hungarian militarymanders were well aware that guns and cannons were now the dominant force on the battlefield. However, Hungary did not have many skilled gunsmiths who could make breech-loading rifles. They alone could not keep up with the production and development speed of other countries. ordingly, King Machi I had to promote domestic production and introduction from foreign countries at the same time. However, external introduction was not easy. It would be best to import things made in the Land of Flowers, but However, importing imperial-made long guns was almost impossible. The empire was strict about exporting the weapons it used. In addition to its excellent performance, the price was also scary. If imperial weapons could not be obtained, there was a way to obtain weapons from France or other powers, but this also had many difficulties. The great powers also found it difficult to supply supplies to their own armies. Also, even if you did get it, getting it in was a problem. This was because bothnd and sea routes were blocked by the Habsburgs. Now that I think about it, if I cant solve this problem, its a problem even if I get weapons from the Flower Country. In the end, what the Hungarian army and King Macis I chose to solve this problem was smuggling. And the target was Ottoman, one of Hungarys strongest enemies. * * * Hungary and the Ottomans originally did not get along well. Fortunately, the rtionship between the Ottomans and Hungary softened slightly as Mehmet II, who had swallowed the great fish of Constantinople, adopted a pro-European policy. As the Ottomans implemented a policy of appeasement and rtions softened, Machis Is subjects and Hungarian army officers disguised as merchants hid in the Ottomans. They attempted to smuggle guns by recruiting suitable Ottoman merchants. After several attempts, the Hungarians seeded in smuggling and were able to bring arge amount of Japanese-style long guns and Japanese-style long guns into Hungary. Of course, we had to spend a lot of money to obtain ammunition and maintenance parts. But the Hungarians faces were bright. We bought time! In the current situation, time is more precious than gold! Whats interesting is that the Ottoman merchants they thought they had captured were also Mehmed IIs loyalists disguised as merchants. * * * Mehmed II could never smile as he watched the arms race in Europe. Theres no guarantee that they wont do something crazy like a crusade again! ordingly, the Ottomans had no choice but to join the arms race. The problem was, of course, funding and the strictness of the empire. The Ottomans are a strong ally of our empire, so selling weapons would be the rule. But the current situation in Europe is problematic. If we do something wrong, our empire could be used of encouraging an arms race. In response to the imperial representatives response, the Ottoman envoy imed unfairness. So you should sell it to us instead! Because as they be stronger, we must be stronger too! That way the scales will be bnced! Thats right After persistent negotiations, the empire decided to sell the side-by-side freight cars. Of course, the quantity was much smaller than what Ottoman wanted. Too little! The quantity is sufficient for defense purposes. That aside! Why are long guns boycotted? If we even sell long guns, the empire will get all kinds of criticism. Instead The imperial representative whispered to the Ottoman envoy in a low voice. You are well aware that Florence has begun producing new long guns on behalf of our empire, right? Why dont you get it? A new long gun in Florence? Its something called a Florentine rifle. Would you like to take a look? After examining the Florentine long guns, Ottoman immediately sent an envoy to Florence. And after several rounds of negotiations, Florence decided to sell it to the Ottomans. And upon hearing this report, Hyang and Hyeon both smiled in conversion. This allows us to put on another shackle. You can also gain wealth. If used against only the Florentine army, the Florentine long guns were bound to suffer a loss. However, if even the Ottoman military, a major yer, purchased Florentine long guns, economy of scale would be realized, turning into a surplus. Both Florence and the Empire. And Florence, with more funds, would be able to strengthen its forces more faithfully, which would reduce the burden on the empire. And here, another trap of incense came into y. The Florentine long gun was created under the prerequisite that it must be leaked. And ording to reports from the imperial militarys intelligencework and secret service, leak attempts were increasing. It was certain that it would leak out sooner orter, and soon the long guns of European powers would follow the Florentine long guns. This was the same for Osman. Osman was also researching firearms to supply to his army. It was certain that once the Florentine rifles were introduced, the Ottomans would soon follow the path of the European powers. And the Ming Dynasty and Japan would also join that path. Although Seonghwaje was taking a pro-imperialist stance, he could not do the same when it came to national defense. Japan was known as the imperial dreamer, but as time went by, it was trying to stand on its own. In the end, both Ming and Japan would develop weapons based on long guns simr to the Florentine long guns. In doing so, the Florentine rifle would be a kind of standard. Even the quality is one level lower than imperial guns. It became a kind of downward leveling operation targeting all of the empires militarypetitors. This was the incense trap. * * * It is true that the Ottomans were a wealthy country, but they were not a country overflowing with money. It would be good to purchase Florentine rifles, but the funds. Mehmet II, who was worried about financing issues, was delighted as soon as he received the report that Hungarian disguised merchants were trying to smuggle rifles. Ah bless you! Mehmet II immediately put his loyalists in contact with the Hungarians by disguising them as corrupt merchants. And they overpriced old firearms that were being retired from their own military and handed them over to the Hungarians. And the Hungarian army, armed with those guns, faced the Habsburg army. _ there was. As support weapons, there were about 20 freight cars modeled after Eulsik freight cars. However, the cannons were less than those of the Hungarian army. To conclude, overall, the power of both sides was almost simr. Now the game woulde down to who was luckier. The Hungarians areing! Fire the cannon! bang! Quack! The Habsburg armys cannons began firing at the Hungarian lines advancing toward the trenches. Chapter 892 Episode 892: Prologue (7) Every time the shells fired by the Habsburg army hit the ground, arge plume of dust rose up and the Hungarian soldiers fell. Maximilian I, who was watching this scene through a telescope, could not hide his disappointment. It is said that the cannonballs in the Land of Flowers explode and cause even more damage Those damned bastards dont even try to sell cannons and shells Hearing Maximilian Is words full of regret, a loyalist next to him said, I received these words. It would be nice if there were more cannons, as well as artillery shells. It would be even better if that were the case Those damn Hungarians, that damn nd of flowers Maximilian muttered with a face full of dissatisfaction. Making a cannon required a higher level of technology than making a gun. And, unfortunately for the Habsburgs, there were no such talented craftsmen in the Habsburgs. On the other hand, there were several in Hungary. Fortunately for the Habsburgs, most of the Hungarian craftsmen in question had already moved to countries such as France, Ottoman Spain, and elsewhere. As for the cannon issue, we have already sent people to the Knights Temr and various ces, so we will get a good answer soon. Speaking of solutions rted to cannons, Maximilian I put the telescope to his eyes again and examined the battlefield. The Hungarians are in firing range! Almost immediately after the subordinates report, the five freight cars and soldiers sitting in the first trench line pulled the trigger. Ta-ta-tang! bang! Bang bang bang bang bang! As the soldiers fired volleys and the rapid fire of freight cars continued, the area in front of the Habsburg armys trench line became filled with smoke. * * * Argh! Ahh! The Hungarian soldiers who were advancing in line fell under the Habsburg armys volley of fire, all at once like a hay bale. Get down! Get down! After receiving a volley of fire, the Hungarian soldiers immediately threw themselves on the ground and aimed their guns at the Habsburg armys trenches. shooting! bang! Ta-ta-tang! As soon as themanders order was given, the Hungarian armys bullets poured into the Habsburg armys trenches. The Habsburg army, who had just finished reloading and was on the firing line, had to quickly hide from the rain of bullets. Also, some truly unlucky soldiers fell to the floor of the trench after being hit by bullets. Its time! charge! Wow! At themand to charge, the Hungarian army rose up and charged towards the Habsburg armys trench. bang! Tatang! bang! The Habsburg army pulled the trigger on the Hungarian armys charge, but could not break the Hungarian armys momentum. The Hungarian army, which reached the trench line while enduring the gunfire of the Habsburg army, jumped into the Habsburg armys trench and began engaging in closebat. Why Maximilian I, who was examining the battlefield through a telescope, looked iprehensible. This was because the unit armed with breech-loading rifles and sitting in the trench allowed the unit with full-loading rifles to charge. * * * European firearms developed rapidly after the empire appeared on the international stage. And the war over Suez slowed down the pace of gun development in Europe. Until the beginning of the Suez War, the Europeans, who had not been able to properly replicate the main rifles sold by the empire, were suddenly going beyond breech-loading rifles and attempting to develop long guns simr to the Florentine rifles. This was not created unconditionally simply because it was created by the empire. France, which confirmed its usefulness in actualbat, immediately followed the empires lead, and the experiences of mercenaries who fought in Suez made a decisive contribution. -Rear-loaded long guns are definitely superior to full-loaded long guns! Based on Frances movements and the mercenaries experiences, otherpetitors followed Frances lead. Because of this, Maximilian I was unable to understand the current situation. * * * The reason the Habsburg army allowed the Hungarian army to charge was the result of abination of problems. The first was ammunition. No, to be precise, the propent of the ammunition was still ck gunpowder. The smoke produced by the ck gunpowder momentarily blocked the soldiers view. It wasnt just the gaze. The fumes of ck powder bothered the soldiers eyes and respiratory tract. This was reduced with the change to the post-garnish style, but it still remained. In addition, the ck powder used by the Habsburg army was of poorer quality, and even with the introduction of breech-loading rifles, it still bothered the soldiers. This was because the moment the chamber was opened to reload, the soot remaining in the chamber flowed out and harassed the soldiers eyes and respiratory tract. On the other hand, the Gap-style long guns and Eul-style long guns that the Hungarian army imported from the Ottomans used genuine imperial ammunition. And the Empire used ck gunpowder, which produces less smoke, from the time it introduced the box-type rifle. Afterwards, it was possible to reliably import saltpeter from the Sultanate of Bengal, and from the time the Japanese rifle was adopted, smokeless gunpowderpletely reced ck gunpowder. Thanks to this, the Hungarian vanguard was free from the problem of exhaust fumespared to the Habsburg army, even though it was armed with a full-length long rifle. In other words, even though it is a full-length long gun, it is more advantageous for aiming and shooting. Although it was often limited to the first shot. Second, it was due to the weakness of freight cars and the Hungarian armys tactics targeting them. The Eulsik freight car, modeled after a Gatling machine gun, was quiterge. Therefore, the Eulsik wagon, which was made mobile, was mounted on arge carriage. In addition, as it usedrge cartridges rather than bullet feed using a bullet belt, it becamerger and required more soldiers to operate it. The Hungarian army took advantage of this weakness. The Hungarian army gathered soldiers with good shooting skills and provided them with Japanese-style long rifles. They were then deployed immediately behind the first line and at the left and right ends. After the bombardment ended and a gunfight broke out, they were tasked with hitting the Habsburg armys high-value assets. They were themanders of the Habsburg army and the artillerymen of the boxcar cannons. When this mission and operation was first created, manymanders and soldiers expressed disapproval. Themanders are nobles Traditionally, capturing nobles was a priority. This was because it was good for exchanging prisoners or receiving ransomter. However, starting from King Matthias I, the attitude of high-rankingmanders was strong. Follow orders! And the Hungarian soldiers who faithfully followed these orders sniped at the soldiers operating the freight cars, rendering the freight cars useless. As the most powerful support weapon, the freight train, became useless, the Habsburg army allowed the Hungarian army to break through. * * * As closebat broke out in the first line of trenches, the Habsburg and Hungarianmanders simultaneously issued the same order. Send in the reserves! After a while, reserve forces from both sides entered the trench line where closebat took ce almost simultaneously. With the introduction of reserve forces, closebat became more intense, but the superiority and inferiority of the game was not easily determined. After confirming this, themanders on both sides frowned and shook their heads. If we do this, the losses will be too great In the end, the Hungarian militarymander made up his mind first. Signal to retreat. And deploy the remaining reserves to cover the retreat. yes. After receiving the order a short timeter, the Hungarian army came out of the trench and began to retreat to the main camp. Additional Hungarian army reserves were deployed to block the pursuit of the Habsburg army, but no Habsburg army pursued. Because they too were tired. * * * The subsequent battle situation turned into a series of boring confrontations. This was because it was not easy for both sides to recover the troops and resources lost in the first battle. War is something that normally consumes a lot of money, but it is increasingly taking up more and more money. But war will not disappear. I guess so. Intellectuals discussing the war between the Habsburgs and Hungary soon came to simr conclusions. In theing war, the losers will meet a terrible ending. Because the winners will take everything. A simr story was circting among the ambassadors at the imperial embassy in Florence. Wouldnt war disappear if you knew that the moment you lose, its over? It wont disappear, but wont it decrease a bit? It used to cost a huge amount of money, but now it has be something that requires a lot of money. Yu Eung-bu shook his head at Shin Suk-ju and Seong Sam-moons words. No one goes to war thinking they will lose. Everyone only thinks about the future where they are the winners. Hmm Shin Suk-ju and Seong Sam-moon became speechless at Yu Eung-bus cold words. Seong Sam-moon, who had been thinking about something for a while, asked Yu Eung-bu. Then what about our empire? Yu Eung-bu answered Seong Sam-moons question right away. From the time of the Crown Prince to your Majesty, from Emperor Yuan to your current Majesty, have you ever mentioned the word war before? They are probably the people who hate war the most. Shin Suk-ju immediately responded to Yu Eung-bus words. I guess thats because they are originally of high virtue. At Shin Suk-jus words, Seong Sam-moon and Yu Eung-bu put down the teacups they were holding and looked at Shin Suk-ju. Why do you look at me like that? Lets talk properly here. What am I? . Shin Suk-ju, pressured by the two people who exerted silent pressure, finally waved the white g. I made a mistake. They are people who will not go to war even if it is a waste of money. They are the ones who will never reduce the budget for Area 51 and the research institute. Isnt the biggest reason they care about national defense because it allows them to build their favorite weapons and military ships? -You bastards! You know me too well! If we dont deal with it somehow If they had smelled the scent, they would have said this. The three people who had the conversation soon changed the topic. How do you think the war in Austria will end? In response to Seong Sam-moons question, Shin Sook-ju, who is well versed in diplomacy, opened her mouth. It will probably end with negotiations where both sides give and take a reasonable amount of time. Will the Habsburgse to negotiations? Because Italy will provide greater benefits than Hungary. And the Pope also came forward. The Pope Seong Sam-Moon, who was thinking about the word Pope, shook his head. When I came here, I saw and heard a lot of things I couldnt understand, but the thing I couldnt understand the most was the Pope. What on earth is the Pope? I cant really tell whether he is the head of a religion or a secr monarch. Also, the attitude of monarchs towards the Pope is the same. Sometimes they ignore it, and sometimes they obey it unconditionally, saying it is the order of heaven In response to Seong Sam-moons criticism, Shin Sook-ju gave a brief definition. I cant define the Popes justice, but isnt the attitude of monarchs just one thing? If its sweet, you swallow it. If its bitter, you spit it out. The other two nodded at Shin Sook-jus words. Yu Eung-bu, who quenched his thirst with a tea cup, continued speaking. The biggest problem in this war is that the number of troops who know how to use guns and artillery properly is increasing. If you think about the difference between training and actualbat, this is the biggest problem. It is also the biggest problem our imperial army has. Chapter 893 Chapter 893: Prologue (8) Shin Suk-ju pretended to know what Yu Eung-bu pointed out. But werent there a lot of military officers with practicalbat experience from the battle to conquer Messika that took ce about 10 years ago? Not really. But Yu Eung-bu seemed to be frustrated, lifted his teacup, quenched his throat, and continued. The problem is that it has been over 10 years. The guys who were running wild at the front with the soldiers back then have now taken a step back and moved up to a position where they can only lift their fingers. Newbies still have to taste it to know if its poop or soybean paste. Seong Sam-moon and Shin Suk-ju both nodded at Yu Eung-bus words. Even though they were tattooists, they were able to empathize with the experience problems of newbies. * * * The reactions of those who had just entered the workforce could be broadly divided into two. -This guy doesnt move unless you tell him to. -A guy who runs wild without being told to do so. In the first case, the guys who did just what they were told showed potential. However, the problem was that there were more people who were not good at what they were told to do or could barely do it. This was a situation we were increasingly seeing as the empire entered a period of stability. -If you want to make money, get a job at a toppany or start an investment business using your familys money as a seed. Why do you manage it? The biggest advantage of management is that you can live a stable life as long as you dont make mistakes. Since these were people who came in with the goal of a job that is long and thin and will have some reputation after retirement, the number of people who burst their hearts out just by looking at them was increasing. Of course, the guys in the second case were also troublesome. Although he did not yet know anything about work, he ran wild, causing all kinds of trouble on the t ground and causing idents that made people stop work with a hoe with a phlegm. Those in the second case were mostly ambitious people. -Shouldnt we go from one person to all people like Grand Master Han Myeong-hoe, who has already been in office? Their idol was Han Myeong-hoe. This was because Han Myeong-hoe was a person who rose to the top position through his own efforts, even though he came from a down-and-out family, not a famous and prestigious family that had been passed down for generations. The problem came after the ident. There were people who fully reflected on their idents and did not repeat them, but there were also people who constantly repeated idents. And the bosses used it as a great strainer. C Those who do exactly what they are told are the best at running a stable government. -Those who reflect on their mistakes and never repeat them can make the empire keep up with changes. * * * But the Navy is fine, isnt it? Yu Eung-bu sighed at Shin Sook-jus point. Whoa~. Thats not the case these days. The pirates have dried up. Even now, the only pirates that can be seen are small fish, so they can be subdued with the armament of most merchant ships. But we cant rush in and out first And since most of the uing battles in Italy will be ground battles, isnt it also impossible to bring the front lines tond and fight them? Seong Sam-moon and Shin Suk-ju also looked embarrassed at Yu Eung-bus words. It is indeed a difficult situation. Thanks to the efforts of the empire, peace has been achieved, but on the other hand, the imperial army may be a foreign currency guest After hearing Seong Sam-muns words, Yu Eung-bu concluded with an expression of helplessness. The only answer is to prepare through actual training. And I just hope that incidents like the current war between Hungary and the Habsburgs will not happen again. As the number of enemies familiar with guns and artillery increases, it bes more of a headache. Shin Sook-ju objected to Yu Eung-bus words. huh? Isnt that actually a good thing? What do you mean its good? The number of opponents who are familiar with actual battles is increasing, so is this good? Yu Eung-bus expression did not improve, but Shin Sook-ju smiled slightly and exined in more detail. Gunpowder is an expensive product. Thanks to this, the monster that eats up money is war, but it now eats up even more money. If another war breaks out before the war in Italy and the war funds are used up, wouldnt there be a need for time to replenish those war funds? We will gain that much time. And although you will gain soldiers andmanders with actualbat experience, wont you also lose many of the soldiers andmanders you invested money into? Wouldnt it take time to replenish the lostmanders and soldiers? You could see it that way. Seong Sam-moon nodded his head in understanding, and Yu Eung-bu also began to think over Shin Suk-jus opinion with a serious expression. Seeing that scene, Shin Sook-ju continued speaking. And from a diplomatic standpoint. This is the easiest way for junior ships to make up for the war expenses wasted in this way. They are reaching out to the Italian cities that depend on them. It would be nice if that were appropriate, but. When Shin Sook-ju slightly trailed off, Seong Sam-moon continued speaking. It would never be appropriate. The same thing that happened to me when I was pretending to be Sang-guk will happen again here. Thats right. In the worst case, Italian cities will move to find other ships. And that will be the spark. Hearing Shin Suk-jus words, Yu Eung-bu stroked his chin and muttered. Even if the process changes here and there, war will break out in Italy. Isnt it good that we have bought some time? In particr, I have a good cause tofort that fierce Lorenzo de Medici. Seong Sam-moon looked troubled at Shin Sook-jus words. Are they just hot-blooded, ignorant of the world, or overly confident? Looking at the current situation in Florence and the Empire, the hardliners in Florence, symbolized by Lorenzo de Medici, were insisting on a quick start to the war, and the Empire was preventing this. . There is still not enough time. Please wait a little longer. How long should I wait! Our power is already at its strongest! After a back-and-forth war of words with the Florentine radicals, the empire was able to gain two years. C Make sure to secure at least 2 years. It was the result of Shin Sook-jus hard work to fulfill the orders from Seoul. Why on earth two years? why? And I dont understand themand that followed. Do you want to double the size of the Viville coal depot built in Livorno? The ambassadors could not hide their doubts after confirming the order, which was only briefly conveyed due to problems of distance and means ofmunication. We are going through all the trouble to keep the existence of the coal warehouse built in Livorno a secret, but are you asking us to double it? Do you think its possible to keep it secret? I need to check this again in Seoul. The ambassadors immediately questioned Seoul. And the answer that came back after a long time made me even more curious about the lines. -Thats why Im telling you to just hold on for two years. Why on earth! * * * It was because of Shinji that the Empire needed two years. This was because a huge saltpeter mine was discovered in Shinji. Or, to be more precise, we discovered a ce where a lot of raw materials for saltpeter were piled up. A coastal exploration vessel of the Imperial Navy discovered a guano mine. In order to make Xinji definitely part of the empire, King Sejong and Hyang promoted the construction of a sea wall on the eastern coast and sea of Xinji. Toplete this n, most of the navy raised in Shinji was deployed to the sea east of Shinji. However, this did not mean that the empire was just watching the western coast and sea of Shinji. Every year, a small exploration fleet was organized and traveled down the western coast of Shinji to survey and investigate the environment. However,pared to the nature of the work, which can be called persistent, there were not enough workers and the work pace was slow. Thanks to this, the cornerstone of the problem was discovered only after Wan came to Shinji. The exploration vessel that discovered the guano mine immediately turned its bow and returned at full speed. Upon arriving at Chosi, the probes captain delivered an urgent message to Wan. Wan, who received the urgent news, jumped up from his seat and cheered. This is heavens blessing for the well-being of the empire! Deliver this to Seoul immediately! ASAP! Yes, Your Majesty! Seoul was put on alert after receiving the report from Shinji. Now that things havee to this, I think we will have to change our strategy regarding Italy. Thats right. There were no ministers who opposed the countys decision. To be honest, when considering the well-being and interests of the entire empire, the saltpeter mine that had just been discovered was overwhelmingly more important than Italy. In particr, it was the time when Europeans based in the Southern Continent beganunching exploration ships one by one toward the east. And the cornerstone was a strategic material of utmost importance regardless of the empire or Europe. In particr, it was an empire that imported all of its saltpeter from the Bengal Sultanate. If the Sultanate of Bengal cut off trade or the supply of saltpeter was blocked for various reasons, there would be a serious threat to the safety of the empire. Therefore, the county gave the highest priority to this line of saltpeter mines. The biggest problemes with naval power. Currently, most of the navy stationed in Sinji is staying on the east coast of Sinji. Wires can be made at a shipyard in Chosi, but people cannot. We need to remove people from the Shinji Navy stationed on the east coast. Regarding the Italian issue, please order the ambassadors to buy as much time as possible. Hyeon pointed out the problem in Jang Hang-seons words. The problem is the time. Keep it as short as possible. How many years do you need? It takes 5 years. Its too long. Lets set it to two years. I follow your orders. Thats how at least 2 years was decided. Meanwhile, Hyang, who heard the report following Hyun, scratched the back of her head and muttered. This clearly reveals the problem that geography is not my area of expertise Unless it was an area he liked, Hyang was almost a nk te. It was such an urgent matter, and as the number of eyes on the empire grew, the empire only sent simple orders and only the ambassadors suffered. * * * Meanwhile, many things have changed in Shinji. Jinpyeong was the first to move. We need to change the priorities of construction. Jinpyeong smiled brightly and responded immediately to Wansmand. Of course ites! I will change it right away! Wan, who saw Jinpyeong moving as soon as he received the order, muttered to himself. You bet everything on the railroad, so you like the increase in work? It is truly iprehensible. Thus, the construction of a new railway heading south from Chosi began. Due to the importance of the issue, construction on all sections except those in the process ofpletion was halted. And all the personnel in charge of construction moved to the western part of Shinji. Additionally, workers from the Empire who would participate in construction boarded ships and headed to Shinji. It was a war, not a war in which the empires capabilities were concentrated, and the opponent was time. Chapter 894 Chapter 894: Prologue (9) Meanwhile, Florence, who had received the order, was also in a difficult situation. No, there are degrees of Geojeolmido! Just do something! Do something! And thats it! The officials at the embassy who received and read the order sent from Seoul, from the ambassadors to the lowest-ranking officials, were outraged. Recently, there was a feature seen in most secret official documents sent from Seoul. Even though it was brief, it was too brief. Many documents of all types were being exchanged between Seoul and Florence. Among these documents were many confidential, and both Seoul and Florence wrote them in encrypted text and then mixed them with regr documents. The problem was that, as mentioned above, the content of the ciphertext sent from Seoul had be very brief recently. Shin Sook-ju, who confirmed the contents of the confidential document sent from Seoul,ined to other ambassadors who were also checking the contents. No matter how concise the password document is, dont you think this is too much? Seong Sam-moon nodded his head and added to Shin Sook-jus statement asking for consent. No matter how briefly I said it above, it ismon sense to add some exnation. Sending orders like this? I guess the higher-ups in Seoul dont hold their tongues these days. Thats right! Shin Suk-ju responded to Seong Sam-muns words with a congrattions. However, Yu Eung-bu, who was sitting next to him, reacted differently. Isnt this inevitable in Seoul? There are more than one eye spying on us these days. No, Im d I just peeked and didnt even touch it, right? Even so * * * As Yu Eung-bu said, the number of eyes watching the imperial embassy in Florence and the imperial military port in Livorno and the imperial residence area was increasing. -The saying that the Empire has established a base in Florence means that the Empire will also intervene in the war in Italy. This was because the surrounding powers that made this decision dispatched arge number of spies. Because of this, embassies and military ports had to pay special attention when hiring workers. At least, one could work at embassies and military ports only with the guarantee of the Florence city hall or the Medici family. However, even this was canceled as some people came forward by forging documents or taking bribes. In the end, the empire had to hire people from their home country and bring them in. What a waste it is to have to pay multiple times the wages to hire a dayborer! Lets use a crane and a tow truck instead! In the end, the military port of Livorno and the imperial residential area had thergest number of tow trucks and cranes except the port of Suez. The problem was that the great powers were not enough to just spy on it and began to take action. The liaison troops traveling between Livorno and Florence were attacked. As the liaison troops consisting of 5 people per unit were wiped out and their bags disappeared, they had to move in units of 25 people per unit. Even after the iron horse wasid from Livorno to Florence, this happened several times. When the iron horse stopped at a station in the middle, people came out and attempted to rob a freight car loaded with various supplies and travel bags to be used at the embassy. Of course, the imperial and Florentine troops stationed at the station stepped forward and suppressed them immediately. Subsequent investigation revealed that these people were simple thieves. But questions remained. How did they choose just that freight car to rob it? To resolve this question, investigators from Florence and the Empire conducted additional intensive investigations. And as a result of the investigation, the shoplifters confessed to what they had been hiding. Some men designated that boxcar. Who are you? What country are you from? I do not know. After continuing the investigation and failing to obtain any more information, the investigators ended the investigation and put the shoplifters in jail. Afterwards, the bags and confidential documents were separated and transported personally, but the carrier disappeared. In the end, this problem seemed to have been barely resolved when the carriers moved in groups of five rather than in groups of two. However, an invisible fight still continued between those who wanted to rob it and those who tried to stop it. And the level of document encryption has also increased. This was because it had been a long time since Imperial and Ming Japan appeared on the international stage, so there were many Europeans who were fluent in Jeongeum and Chinese characters. Experts who were not only fluent in letters but also in ancient idioms and Asian culture appeared. Because of this, the empire had to create a moreplex encryption system. Until then, it was a simple method using broken letters and old idioms. However, this was discovered when experts came out. However, due to theck of basic academic knowledge, including mathematics, it was not possible to create an advanced encryption system, and the empire had to resort to other measures. It was written in the most concise and concise way possible. In reporting this to Hyeon, Han Myeong-hoe exined as follows. The ambassadors in Florence and we in Seoul already know the deepest details, and this must be done. Themands and replies we are exchanging now are only minor adjustments, so there is no need to write in detail. Wouldnt there be a misunderstanding in Florence? Han Myeong-hoe answered Hyeons question right away. These are people who have already been recognized for their outstanding talent. They are not people who misunderstand or cannot understand. If something like that happens, they will have to take responsibility for their own name. Hmm indeed there is no one in Florence who does not know how outstanding they are. They will do well. Then lets do it this way first. I follow your orders. step! They wont just stay there forever, and wont the number of countries where the empires ambassadors stay increase in the future? I cannot be confident that all the ambassadors at that time were as excellent as those in Florence now, so pleasee up with a solution to this issue as soon as possible. I think you can show Jim a good enough result. After Hyeon finished speaking, Han Myeong-hoe bowed his head and answered. I will do my best. However, Han Myeong-hoes expression as he looked at the floor was not good at all. After hearing this story, Hyang held his stomach andughed. Ha ha ha ha ha! After all, its Hanmyeonghoe! And he is the emperor! This was Han Myeong-hoes n to give a shit to his potentialpetitors while not causing himself to be criticized. -There is no new way with the current situation, so you guys have to work hard. If youre smart, this is a piece of cake, right? no? And Hyun noticed this and struck Han Myeong-hoe. -I heard youre smart too? Then you too. Hyangughed until tears fell and looked towards Gyeongbokgung Pce with a happy expression. If Hyun is like this, theres no need for me toe forward just to catch one Myeonghoe. As a side note, the ambassadors whoter returned to Korea on leave learned more detailed information. And the ambassadors sent Han Myeong-hoe a huge gift of medicinal herbal medicine. Anyway, an order was an order. The Florentine ambassadors performed their duties to the best of their ability. Thanks to his overflowing confidence, he boiled Lorenzo de Medici, who was showing symptoms of end-stage middle school disease, to make him immobile, and expanded the secret coal storage he had built in Livorno. Filling it up is also work. Ambassadors and the imperial army secretly filled the coal storage without others noticing. * * * While the ambassadors and imperialists were busy, the conflict in Austria was alsoing to an end. After the sessful battle at Pottendorf, both sides were repeating boring trench warfare. When making a detour using cavalry, Hungary had a problem with the Habsburg reserves. On the other hand, in the case of the Habsburgs, the problem was the numerically superior Hungarian cavalry. In the end, both sides had no choice but to continue a war of attrition over the trench linesid in Pottendorf. Both sides, feeling burdened by the greater than expected loss of men and equipment and expenditure on war effort, secretly sent messengers to the Pope. Pope Paul II, who received bribes and bribes, immediately sent his loyalists to urge negotiations, and both sides pretended not to win and epted the Popes proposal. In the negotiations that soon took ce, both sides engaged in a fierce war of words. If one side overturned the negotiation table, the other side overturned it the next time, and the Popes loyalist, who was in charge of mediation, busily went back and forth between both sides and continued to coordinate. He also held banquets whenever he had time and invited dignitaries from Habsburg and Hungary. The reason negotiations took so long despite these mediation efforts was because there was no clear winner or loser. We are winners! Thats ridiculous! We are winners! Those who lost their territory are the winners? Say something that makes sense! Then shall we fight again? Do you really want to join us? Do you have an army to fight? Are you guys there? Lets really stick together! When both sides fought with blood on their necks, the Popes messenger in the middle looked tearful and stopped both sides. ruler! ruler! Dont do this! Isnt this an end-of-war negotiation? Lets negotiate! In the end, Paul II stepped forward to negotiate with no end in sight. -It is not right to continue conflict between Catholic countries when pagans upy Constantinople! Give both sides a little bit! Otherwise, I will emunicate you! In response to the Popes threat of emunication, both sides took a step back and concluded the negotiations. -The Habsburgs officially recognize Matthias I, who was elected by the Hungarian Parliament, as the King of Hungary. -Hungary returns all upied Austrian territories to the Habsburgs. The negotiation n based on the two points above soon received approval from the monarchs of both countries and came into effect. With the entry into force of the treaty ending the war, the Hungarian army retreated. The Hungarian troops returning to the border were all radiating confidence as winners. We are the ones who got right in front of Vienna! Ottoman? Bohemia? Tell everyone to attack! The Hungarian armys morale was soaring with pride that they were the winners. This was followed by a noisy triumphal procession and a public performance parade. After the excitement subsided to some extent, Matthias I gathered his subjects and generals together and talked to them. This war was truly pitiful. If only I had a little more strength Matthias I was speechless, but the nobles and generals were able to fully anticipate what would happen next. We need to import more new imperial long guns from the Ottomans. youre right. Full-loading long guns are now at their limit. When more aggressive military expansion became the trend, a nobleman pointed out a problem. The problem is that the Ottomans no longer sell long guns and ammunition. So, I think it would be a good idea to purchase a Florentine long gun. Florentine rifle? This is a long gun made in Florence. However, it is difficult to regard it as Florences own long gun. It is said that Land of Flowers provided all parts and technical tools. Thats why they say they use imperial bullets. To those words, all the generals responded with one voice. If youre going to use imperial ammunition, youll need to get a Florentine rifle! Chapter 895 Chapter 895 Prologue (10) The reason the Hungarian army generals insisted on using imperial bullets was because of the lessons learned through bloodshed in actualbat. * * * There were two main types of long guns that Hungary smuggled from the Ottomans. One was an armored rifle using a percussion cap, and the other was an Eulsik rifle, a breech-loading single-shot gun. The Hungarian army deployed the armored rifles, which were avable inrge quantities, to the front-line units, and the self-styled rifles, which were avable in small quantities, were deployed to the main forces that followed behind. Immediately after the start of the war, until the point when the Austrian territory on the border was upied, the armored rifle was surprisingly useful. Most of the troops guarding the Austrian territory were armed only with rifles, and there were even units armed with spears and swords. Due to this smooth advance, there was an optimistic atmosphere within the Hungarian army, from soldiers to generals. Do you think this is enough to end the war even with a Gap-style rifle? However, this optimistic mood was shattered when they encountered the Habsburgs real main force at Pottendorf. As the trench warfare of advancing and retreating took ce, the armored rifles, which were inconvenient to reload, were immediately turned back. What stood out most in the ensuing trench warfare was the imperial bullet used in the Japanese style long rifle. The Habsburg long gun, which was made by imitating the breech-loading long gun made in France, had a simr caliber as the French long gun C 0.5 Pouce (about 0.5 inches). However, the caliber of the imperial bullet was about half that smaller, but its power was almost the same. In other words, soldiers using Imperial bullets could carry twice as many bullets as soldiers carrying French or Habsburg long guns. The new battle was based on intense gunfights, in which more bullets had to be concentrated faster to gain the upper hand. In that respect, twice the carrying capacity was a very superior advantage. Another advantage was that very little smoke was produced when firing. French or Habsburg bullets produced a huge amount of smoke after firing. If a unitrger than a certain size fired a volley of fire, the smoke was enough to momentarily obscure the view. However, Imperial bullets, which emit less smoke, were optimal for breech-loading rifles that allowed quick reloading and aimed shooting. Later, there was even apetition among Habsburg soldiers to capture Japanese rifles. When the Habsburg militarymanders heard of this incident, they openly expressed their dissatisfaction to their superiors. We also need bullets with excellent performance like imperial bullets! Why dont we have it! Its so big for no reason it doesnt have any good points other than its power! After hearing suchints, Frederick III scolded those in charge of weapons. Those in charge of weapons, who were manipted by higher-ups, had no choice but to manipte gunpowder craftsmen or send spies to France and other countries to spy on secrets. And the situations of other countries obtained through spies were not much different from theirs. -If the size is reduced to increase portability and reduce smoke, the power will not be released. And everyone was going through all kinds of simr trials and errors to solve this problem. This is it While the weapons managers who received the spies report were perplexed, the gunpowder craftsmen and bullet craftsmen looked helpless. The reason this bullet caliber and gunpowder quantity were created in the first ce was to catch up in terms of power to those damn imperial bullets As they say, to catch up to the power of imperial bullets that are now used in Eulsik rifles and military rifles. What came out was the current caliber and amount of gunpowder. This was the best situation with Europes current steel alloy technology and gunpowder manufacturing technology. And this was the same in Ming and Japan. Thanks to this, the battle between spies and the Imperial Counterintelligence Bureau to steal secrets of gunpowder manufacturing was still fierce at the Empires headquarters. And in maind Europe and the Middle East, chemists and alchemists were once again experimenting. Someone else got the silver first, but I got the new gunpowder first! They were motivated by the rumor that the French people who had seeded in developing silver were sitting on a lot of money. * * * Although this war ended through negotiation, there is no doubt that in reality it was our victory. But the Habsburgs cannot stand still. If so, we also need thorough preparation. We must introduce Florentine rifles that use imperial bullets and develop freight cars. When the general who fought on the front line mentioned hwacha, the generals around him simultaneously uttered curses. Damn freight cars It was freight cars that killed the most Hungarian soldiers in this war. The Habsburg cannons also had great power, but because they were simple chunks of iron and stone, their killing power was lowpared to their size. But it wasnt a freight car. One freight train had the power of dozens of musketeers. The Hungarian army was able to upy the Habsburg armys trenches through a slow rate of fire that allowed for a certain degree of response and the tactic of suppressing operators through sniping. However, in thetter half of the battle, as the Habsburg army installed artillery shields on freight cars to protect the operators and operated more and more freight cars, it became difficult to upy the trenches, and conversely, it became necessary to block the Habsburg armys attacks. And in these defensive battles, captured freight cars yed a part in the defense. In the end, freight cars became a thing of love and hate for the Hungarian military. * * * After listening to the generals words, Matthias I nodded and answered. We have already mobilized craftsmen and started producing freight cars. Sooner orter, our Hungarian army will also have our own freight cars, not looted ones. And its a Florentine long gun Lets send someone to Florence. What a wise decision! The generals praised Matthias I with bright faces. However, the financial officials and nobles drank wine and imperial liquor with distorted faces. Easier said than done what are you going to do with the budget? * * * Meanwhile, the Habsburgs also imed that they had won. We stopped the Hungarian invasion and regained the lost territory! Its our victory! Praise the heroes! The troops returning from the war marched proudly through the city of Vienna, and citizens weed them by throwing confetti and flowers. After the subsequent banquet and banquet, the generals and nobles gathered to discuss the future. First of all, the effectiveness of the new long guns and freight cars has been proven. All attendees nodded to themanders analysis during his presentation. As seen in the case of arge number of territories that were captured in the early stages of the war, spears and swords were no longer the main yers on the battlefield. Guns, including breech-loading rifles and freight cars, were the main yers in the battlefield. Themander continued speaking. However, shorings of the new long guns and freight cars were also discovered. -Rtively small carry-on ammunition due to size. -Arge amount of smoke generated when shooting. This was amon problem with new long guns and freight cars, and the freight cars had additional disadvantages. -Slow rate of fire. -Difficulties in supplying ammunition. -The size and weight have increased due to the addition of the gun mantlet. This causes inconvenience in operation. Considering the Italian war that is certain to ur in the future, this part must be improved. In particr, we must not forget that the Korean Federal Empire is certain to intervene. When themander mentioned the empire, everyones faces, starting with Frederick III, became serious. You forgot the Land of Flowers Damn While most of the attendees were struggling with the powerful enemy called the Empire, there were also those who thought the opposite. Their representative was Maximilian I. Everyone, arent we looking at The Land of Flowers too big? At Maximilian Is remarks, all those present asked, What are you talking about? I looked at him with that expression. Are we looking at the Land of Flowers too big? What does that mean? In response to Frederick IIIs question, Maximilian I exined in more detail. Everyone here is saying that the army of the Land of Flowers is very powerful. Because its true. Is this really true? Has anyone actually seen the battle fought here by the Land of Flowers? No one came forward to ask Maximilian I. In response, Maximilian I added more force to his voice. Of course, the weapons and army of the Land of Flowers will be powerful. Otherwise, he would not have be the ruler of the East. And it wouldnt have gained notoriety in Suez. But yes. I dont know about the armed forces of the East, but if you look at the armed forces of the bandits in the Suez region, they are extremely poor. It can be seen that there was a significant exaggeration. To summarize Maximilian Is following argument, it was as follows. -The performance of the bullets currently used by our military is lower than that of the Empire, but their power is almost the same. This is like saying that whoever sees first and shoots first wins. C To paraphrase the above, it means that if you properly use the Tomb of Command, you can defeat the empire. -The empire has a weakness in that it is far from Italy. There are bound to be limits to the supply of troops and weapons. -On the other hand, we have the advantage of having a short supply line. -Of course, you can send troops and supplies from a newnd somewhere in the west, but you have to cross the wide sea. -This means that there are still problems maintaining supply lines. Once again, Land of Flowers will be powerful. However, I dont think there is any need to be scared. If we look at their weaknesses and our strengths and find a way, we can win. Hearing Maximilian Is remarks, the generals entered the battle with serious expressions. Hmm Indeed After a while, the generals began to nod. In the war with Hungary, the Hungarian army used imperial army bullets and long guns. However, the distance at which the Hungarian army began to pull the trigger was not much different from that of the Habsburg army. As Maximilian I said, the one who sees first and shoots first wins. Of course, the Hungarian armys snipers were causing trouble, but the concentration of fire from the Habsburg soldiers was enough to suppress them. And the empire had a major weakness. -Its too far from Italy. This meant that supply would be hindered. During this battle with Hungary, themanders who were troubled by supply issues, especially ammunition and gunpowder, were able to see how big a weakness this was. In the end, the Habsburg militarymanders reported this to Frederick III: Land of Flowers is powerful. However, it also has several serious weaknesses. If we prepare well, we will take control of Italy. As time passed, the contents of this conversation reached Milwis disguised business in Vienna. The executive of the Mill Committee who summarized this and wrote a report chuckled and muttered. Its not wrong. Its not wrong but these guys forgot something. No, you havent experienced it? The empire does not fire bullets first, but shells first. Chapter 896 Episode 896 Prologue (11) The war between Habsburg and Hungary was attracting the attention of surrounding powers. The great powers that had topete for control of Italy could not miss the lessons of this war. This was because it was an all-out war between troops armed and trained with proper gunpowder weapons. ordingly, the great powers mobilized their various connections and dispatched their own nobles or militarymanders to the Habsburgs and Hungary. This was the birth of the so-called gwanjeonmugwan. But bing a military officer was not an easy task. To see the full picture of the war, he had to stay on the front line, which was a dangerous mission that risked his life. If you make a mistake, you could lose your life from blind shells or bullets, or from attacks by soldiers who lost their senses in the chaos of closebat. In the end, the military observers stayed slightly away from the front line and observed the battle. Additionally, to avoid the risk of being mistaken for an attack, they stayed in a highly visible location as much as possible, wearing their ornate uniforms. It was the birth of a European military conquest that wouldter be famous for its splendour. * * * After risking their lives, the military officers wrote and submitted a report on how to fight the uing war. The report written by the warring parties as well as military attachs was voluminous, but the conclusion was simple. -If a well-trained unit attacks while maintaining strong morale and fighting spirit, it can break through the enemys defense line. It was the birth of an offensive military doctrine symbolized by the French armys Attaque outrance. The authors also meticulously recorded the evidence that led to this conclusion. -It is true that the power of freight cars and cannons is enormous. However, both cannons and freight cars have problems with firing rate and duration. -The cannon cannot fire continuously due to overheating issues. -In the case of freight cars, their greatest strength is continuous fire that does not stop until the cartridges are empty. However, space is limited due to itsrge size. Weaknesses include slower-than-expected firing speed and the time required to supply and reload bullets, which consumerge quantities of bullets. Well-trained soldiers can take advantage of this weakness. Up to this point, it was pretty much the same, but there were some differences after that. However, the conclusion of all reports was that only an unstoppable attack is the answer. The monarchs and highest-ranking noble generals who saw this report all nodded. Indeed Most of them had seen demonstrations of freight cars and cannons. Therefore, I was able to sympathize with the weaknesses listed in the report. And vigorous attacking spirit was also a word that suited their taste. This was because they were ustomed to the battlefield where, not long ago, the soldiers gathered in the field formed a camp and engaged in a defensive battle, and knights wearing iron armor charged with long spears pointed. However, there were also those who raised objections to this. Arent you being too optimistic? Our opponents are not only in Europe! We must not forget the Land of Flowers! You saw them wipe out the bandits in Suez! We are using freight cars that are more advanced than the ones we use. Besides that, they dont know what else theyll bring to the nd of flowers! Every time a counterargument like thises up, the attackers immediately start to refute it again. The basis used by the attackers for their rebuttal was distance. -The road from the Land of Flowers to Italy must pass through the sea, desert, and then the sea. -The Land of Flowers has the most ships in Europe and the East, but the problem is Suez. The Suez railway has limited transport capacity. Also, this railway is not monopolized by the Land of Flowers. Aplex consultation process must bepleted. -This means that there is a limit to the amount that can be transported at one time. -The better the new freight cars made by the Land of Flowers, the more bullets they will consume and problems with supply will arise. -In that case, this problem can be resolved if we attack first before the Land of Flowerspletes its preparations. At thest word, the neoliberals fell silent. Certainly, distribution was the biggest fetter in the Land of Flowers. If you use it well, you have a clear chance of winning. Eventually, European powers began preparing for future wars C including the war that was certain to take ce in Italy C based on this report. Meanwhile, the Empire was also able to obtain information about this. It was through smuggling with European nobles that they seeded in secretly recruiting him. * * * Milwis report was delivered to the prefectures and townships through the fastest possible route. Hyang, who received Milwis report through Hyeon and read it, looked astonished. Are these people nning to film World War I or even Hill 203? In the Battle of Lushun, one of the fiercest battles of the Russo-Japanese War, the Japanese army, which was shouting Bushido, suffered huge losses. The doctrine chosen by the European powers now seemed to be as foolish a choice as the Japanese army during the Russo-Japanese War. The scent of reading the report over and over again whetted my appetite. Tsk! Is this also the limit of people who have only seen non-exploding artillery shells and boxcars? In Europe, scorching bombs had not yet be widespread. Although explosive bombs simr to Bigyeokjincheonroe existed, they were notmon items, starting with the special gun gun. The same was true for freight cars. I was able to immediately tell the difference between double-style wagons and side-by-side wagons. Bang bang bang bang bang vs. The difference was in the firing speed. And this was one of the problems that the European powers could not immediately solve. Bullet casings made of copper tes and paper, which were still used in Europe, could not be applied to tank-type ammunition-feeding firecars. The firing speed was much slower than that, and the Eul-type freight car, which used a vertical feed cartridge, was limited. Of course, its true that we aimed for that part to some extent, but Hyang muttered,ughing at the imagination of Europeans who still couldnt escape the Eulsikhwacha. Isnt there a famous saying? Everyone has a usible n. Until you get hit * * * Meanwhile, the imperial army also analyzed the information it received and reported it to the prefecture. The seat is the seat, so bring Tae Sang-tae. Yes, Your Majesty. In this way, the report was carried out in the presence of even the vige head. A report was distributed to the ministers of the prefecture and township in attendance, and the military officer who stood on the podium paid a military courtesy to the prefecture. When Hyeon returned the favor, the military officer took a deep breath and began his report. Ill start with the conclusion. The doctrine chosen by the European powers now is Sasang Pavilion. No, if you follow this doctrine,rge-scale war will never be possible. huh? uh? Hyang and Hyeons eyes lit up at the military officers assertion. The military officers exnation that followed was summarized as follows. -The doctrine chosen by the European powers nowes at the cost of massive human losses. -Of course, it mentions an appropriate mix of crowding and spreading crawling and assault, and appropriate support from friendly artillery, but the conclusion is the idea that if you deploy more troops than the bullets pouring down, you will win. -The question is whether the European powers now have the ability to mobilizerge-scale troops. -The Imperial Army believes that this is not yet possible in Europe. -This is because the soldiers who make up the armyck a sense of belonging. -In thest Liaodong War, our Empire and Ming were able to mobilize hundreds of thousands of troops. This was because both we and the soldiers had a sense of belonging as Joseon people and people from a famous country. -However, Europe has not yet resolved this issue of belonging. -Just looking at Italy, the perception of people as Florence, Vian, and Genoese is stronger than that of Italians. for a moment. Hyang, who stopped the military officer, pointed out the problem. Looking at the recent war between Habsburg and Hungary, it seems like your sense of belonging is not weak? The military official responded immediately to Hyangs point. Because it is Habsburg and Hungary. If the sense of belonging had been strong, it would have been a war between the Holy Roman Empire and Hungary. Hmm I see. After the satisfied scent withdrew, the military officer continued his remarks. -In the case of Hungary, the sense of belonging grew stronger as Hungarians who felt unfairly pressured by the Habsburgs came together. And through that sense of belonging, we were able to endure a war of attrition like this war. The Habsburgs were also able to solve the problem of belonging because it was a problem for the Habsburgs alone, not for the entire Holy Roman Empire. -If the uing war turns into arge-scale war of attrition, it will be very difficult for the European powers to wage the war. -Not only is there a problem with war costs, but it is also difficult to supply troops. -However, if there are countries that have their own solutions in this area, we can think of our empire and France. -This is because a sense of belonging as a French was created through thest war with Ennd. Because of this, our military judged this doctrine to be a false ideology. If the European powers continue to insist on this doctrine, the war that will take ce in Italy will not be a long-term war. Hyun, who was quietly listening to the military officers report, gathered his thoughts a little more and asked a question. What about our empire? Do you have the confidence to handle a long-term war? If you ask me to, I will do it, but to be honest, its impossible. Hyuns eyes lit up at the military officers honest answer. why? The Empire is still short of people. And Italy is too far away and there is not enough justification. Even now, natives continue to worship in various ces in the newnd? Shinjis power area continues to increase. Its so difficult to handle. Everyone gathered in the room nodded at the military officers answer. Hyun asked the question again. Then what preparations are the imperial army making? Variables keeping out? We are still nning around short-term warfare. The most important thing right now is the first battle. The goal is to overwhelm the enemy with overwhelming firepower in the first battle and make the opponent lose his fighting spirit. Do you think it is possible in just one battle? Considering the difference in firepower between the imperial army and European armies, we believe it is quite possible. At that moment, the scent gave me a strong feeling of dj vu. Nana! Have I seen this scene before? -If I give you a nice kick, youll be scared and start negotiating, right? This was the Japanese militarys strategy just before the start of the Pacific War. And the result was. In the end, Hyang had no choice but to enter the game again. You could call it resentment, but I think the militarys analysis of the current situation is too optimistic. I think its better to think that a long-term war will inevitably ur and make ns again. Everyone in the room froze at Hyangs words. The person who had more experience with war than anyone else in the room right now was Hyang. That scent was now pointing out, Thats your misjudgment! Chapter 897 Chapter 897: Prologue (12) Of course, among those present, most of those sitting at the very top were those who had experienced the wars that the township had experienced, starting with the Liaodong War in the past. However, when the war in question took ce, they were in charge of practical work on the front line. Like incense, he had no experience running the country while creating the big picture at the top. Thats why he froze at Hyangsment. * * * Hyang pointed out the problem he thought of. -It was said that the people and nobles of the European powerscked a sense of belonging. However, there is a possibility that nobles who must protect their honor will conscript territory residents on arge scale. Ignoring this is a big mistake. -Although the great powers keep each other in check, they should be considered as capable of joining forces to secure or protect external enemies ormon interests. -The external enemy here would be our empire. Also ofmon interest is our empires share in Suez. -Religion can also be a big factor in inducing long-term wars. Consider the question of ancestral rites that the Vatican still has no answer to. If webel our empire as a heretic, they will have a cause for alliance, which increases the likelihood that it will lead to a long-term war. And how long do you think the European powers will keep each other in check? If even one of the monarchs of the European powers changes his perspective, it will be possible for the powers to join hands. You said you would change your perspective, but are you talking about active alliance rather than active check? Hyang nodded to Hyuns question. exactly. Among the ministers present in Hyangs response, the Vice Minister of Education raised a counterargument. These people areing because they have not been able to eat each other until now. Is it possible for them to form an alliance when they keep each other in check by tripping up other countries whenever they get the chance? No, do you have the means to make that possible? Han Myeong-hoe, who had been silent at the Vice Ministers point, immediately responded. Marriage. ah! All attendees responded in the same way to Han Myeonghoes short and concise answer. The Minister of Education nced at the Vice Minister in question sitting next to him and continued. If its a marriage, theres definitely a high possibility. If you look at our history, the Naje Alliance was already established through marriage during the old Samhan period. Hyang nodded and epted the Minister of Educations words. exactly. Its about forming an alliance through marriage. There is Habsburg! The famous spat chin! Even in history before the intervention of the county, the Habsburgs used marriage to maintain their status as a powerful nation. -Be gerant alli tu felix Austria nube. (Make others go to war. Marry you, happy Austria.) This Latin phrase symbolized the marriage alliance of the Habsburg family of the Holy Roman Empire. Hyun, who was thinking deeply about Hyangs words, opened his mouth. It certainly looks like a good possibility. Hmm Then I think it seems most likely that Spain and Habsburg will form a marriage alliance. France has recovered much of its national power that was lost in the war with Ennd. Nevertheless, it is not enough to call him a loser. The local government and ministers all nodded at Hyeons analysis. After Hyun finished speaking, Han Myeong-hoe continued. Originally, joining hands is something that people who have a strong enemy in front of them do first. The Naje Alliance was also a coboration between Si and Baekje to deal with a strong enemy called Goguryeo. In Europe, it would be France, Goguryeo, Spain, Habsburg, Si, and Baekje. After Han Myeong-hoes words, Vice Minister of Education Ye asked a question again. Not our empire? Then the Minister of Education, who was right next to him, red again and responded. The empire is central. I think its right to look at it as a midfielder. Its the strongest, but its far away. So, the priority is to keep Goguryeo in check right in front of us. And you can make Jungwon your friend, but isnt it difficult to make Goguryeo your friend? okay. From the Minister of Education, his immediate superior, to Han Myeong-hoe and Lim Soon-wook, he took turns exining the reasons. However, the expressions of the three people looking at the vice minister in question were not very good. No, I dont understand this much, so what should I do? And youre still a vice minister? Seeing this expression full of reprimand, the Vice Minister was so intimidated that he had no choice but to answer. * * * Eventually, the nature of the briefing session changed into a discussion session. -The war that will take ce in Italy will be a long war. What are the measures for this? The vige and county ministers continued to have a heated discussion on this changed topic. -Warfare costs are certain to increase significantly. How much will it increase and how much will it be able to handle? And what are the means to procure it? -Production of weapons that will be consumed inrge quantities in war. Is it the right answer to have Areas 51, 52, and the Royal Armory take full responsibility, as has been the practice so far? Is opening up to the private sector and encouragingpetition the right answer? What about security? -Problems with supply of manufactured weapons. What are the optimal supply lines and means? What to do with Suez, which is certain to be blocked? What are the diplomatic problems if the Suez route is upied? What are the chances of an esction? -Problem of mobilizing troops. A situation where men from the core age group who provide the mostbor force are conscripted. How much should the limit be expected to avoid putting a strain on the economy? -What are the measures for those who died or were disabled in war? It is certain that thergest number of casualties will ur since thest Liaodong War. If so, measures for the parties involved and their families must also be reconsidered. Whoa~. I feel like just trying to listen to stories only adds up to more work. All the ministers nodded at Hyeons sigh-filledment. Why on earth has work increased? Im already tired and hungry and want to go home! Why shouldnt I go to work! With all kinds ofmentationsing out of his mind, Hyeon got up and left his chair. If I did something wrong, I would have made a mistake worth a thousand years and one loss. I am truly grateful that the Great Emperor prevented this with the Creed of Heavenly Rain. Hyeon, who gave credit to Hyang, politely bowed to Hyang. After seeing this, all the attendees quickly stood up and bowed to Hyang. Hyang, who received the thanks, also politely returned the favor. Thats too much praise. Isnt it all your Majestys merit? I know what needs to be fixed now, so if I do my best, I wont miss the time. Hyeon expressed his gratitude again to Hyangs words. These words are truly like gold and jade birds. I will keep that in mind. Hyun expressed his sincere gratitude and looked back at the ministers. If we look at the current situation in Europe, there is not enough time. Therefore, I would like to receive revised measures as soon as possible. Prime Minister. When Hyuns name was called, Han Myeong-hoe immediately responded by bowing his head. I will upload it within 15 days at thetest. Please. As soon as he said that, Hyun went out with incense. As the two men disappeared, the ministers and officials rxed and looked at Han Myeong-hoe with eyes full of resentment. However, Han Myeong-hoe showed an expression that it was no big deal. Why are you looking at me like that? Do you think 15 months is too short? So, should I answer here, It will take more than Dalpo? Then I guess all you heard was clicking your tongue? Why are you looking at me like that when you know very well that even if I didnt answer, it wouldntst more than 15 days? But Try saying that to Tae Sang-taek. . When Han Myeong-hoe mentioned incense, the ministers turned away with slumped shoulders. -Someone who got more work done faster than anyone else. This was the evaluation of the scent. If I hadined in front of Hyang that there was a lot of work to do, it was certain that Hyang would have clicked his tongue and said this. Tsk! really? There are a lot of these? In any case, the deadline was set and the government was among those to review it, so the officials had to suffer from overwork once again. The officials, who were taking a break while drinking ck bean tea filled from arge kettle ced on one side, looked at the distant sky and muttered. Is Florence a bit free? * * * While Seoul was suffering from overwork again, Florence was also suffering from overwork. This was because the political rtionships between the influential northern cities had beplicated since thest Habsburg-Hungarian war. The origin of the matter was, of course, the Habsburg-Hungarian War. After the war, the Habsburgs spent a lot of money recovering facilities destroyed during the war and rebuilding the military. And to replenish the funds thus wasted, Frederick III turned to Venice. The Habsburgs were chosen by Venice as a helper for the unification of Italy. Naturally, Venice provided significant military expenses during the Habsburg-Hungary War and also funded the reconstruction projects that followed. However, Frederick IIIs subsequent demands exceeded Venices capabilities. After losing control of the Eastern Mediterranean when Constantinople fell to the Ottomans, Venice was gradually declining. The famous Vian ss was also losing itspetitiveness due to ss products imported from the East, including the Empire. In this situation, Venices plunge into the great cause of Italian unification was a gamble to solve their difficult situation once and for all. And in order to win that gamble, they chose the Habsburgs as their backbenchers and provided a lot of funds for thest war as well. However, the Habsburg demands continued to exceed Venices capabilities. If this continues, the only thing left to do is ruin! Eventually, Venice changed its line from Habsburg to France. After hearing Venices request, Louis XI of France readily epted Venices request. This was because if Venice came under France, the passage for the Habsburgs to Italy would be blocked. Of course, it was possible toe down through Switzend, but since Switzend was in the midst of a war of independence, it was not possible to use the route. When Venice joined hands with France, Mn broke with France and joined hands with the Habsburgs. The rtionship between Mn and Venice was extremely bad. And it was because they thought it was certain that France, which had taken control of Venice, would use it to dominate them. After receiving Mns offer, he also readily epted Mns offer. This was because if Mn leaves, France will also have its way down to Italy blocked. Mn was wealthier than Venice. The Habsburgs had no reason to refuse. As thebination of influential cities in northern Italy and the powers that backed them changed, the power map of northern Italy began to fluctuate. And there were unexpected victims. It was Switzend. Chapter 898 Episode 898: The Imperial March (1) Currently, Switzend was waging a war of independence against the Holy Roman Empire, or to be more precise, the Habsburgs. In particr, as emperors of the Holy Roman Empire continued to emerge from the Habsburg family, Switzends autonomy was gradually diminished, and the war of independence became more intense. In this situation, France intervened. -Recognition of Swiss independence. -Hiring 10,000 Swiss mercenaries. Up to this point, conditions were very good for Switzend. But the conditions that followed were the problem. -Concluded an alliance with France. -If there is a request from France, mercenaries are contracted on very friendly terms. Even though Switzend was already waging a war of independence against the Habsburgs, if the above conditions were followed, Switzend would be the real enemy of the Habsburgs. Dealing with the Habsburgs with Switzends meager national power was like hitting a rock with an egg. Of course, in that case, our ally France would support us, but Frances intentions were very obvious. -Use Switzend to drain Habsburg power. It seems like their intentions are too obvious But if you think about the Habsburgs While the leaders of the Swiss Confederation were gathering to consider Frances proposal, the Habsburgs also sent a messenger to Switzend. The proposal sent by the Habsburgs was summarized as follows. -Guaranteeing expansion of autonomy for autonomous cantons belonging to the Swiss Confederation. -Reduction of various taxes and reduction of tax rates imposed on the Swiss Confederation. -All mercenary contracts give priority to the Habsburgs and the Holy Roman Empire. -If necessary, the Habsburgs and the Holy Roman Empire can intervene in mercenary contracts between Switzend and other countries. The leaders of the Swiss Confederation put their hands on their foreheads at the Habsburg proposal, which seemed as clearly a carrot-and-stick proposition as Frances. If you think about it, they will immediately turn it into kindling They are oppressors, but they are also one of the biggest employers This was the problem. Although a war of independence was being waged against the Habsburgs and the Holy Roman Empire, it was not a full-scale war. Therefore, whenever the Holy Roman Empire went to war, a significant number of Swiss mercenaries were hired to participate in the war. In other words, on one side, there was a dispute over independence, but on the other side, the long-standing and major yer was the Habsburgs. Of course, the Habsburgs were well aware of this situation. -We have a bit of an advantage now, but there are limits as long as France exists. -Therefore, alternative means are needed. -The best alternative is a standing army, but cost is an issue. We need to raise another mercenary group. In this way, France and Habsburg were wielding carrots and sticks over Switzend. And neither France nor Habsburg had any intention of giving up Switzend. This was because the road down to Italy was taken over by the other. In order to take over Switzend, both France and the Habsburgs made efforts to recruit influential figures in Switzend while simultaneously showing off their military power. Thanks to this, the atmosphere among Swiss people became increasingly hostile. Do we have no future? While the Swiss were in mourning, the Empire intervened. * * * All news about thepetition between France and the Habsburgs over Switzend was sent to Seoul, regardless of whether it was rumor or fact. If you consider the time it takes to get to Seoul, analyzing it here is a waste of time! Filter it appropriately and send it to me! Embassy officials responded by following Shin Sook-jus orders, which were apanied by practical difficulties and frustration. Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense had to go through a lot of trouble to analyze the documents sent to Seoul. Hyeon received the report and thought about it before getting up from his seat. I have an idea, but Im not sure what to do. As Hyeon left, saying something that was unclear whether he was talking to himself or asking people to listen, the ministers gathered around Han Myeong-hoe. What do you think Your Majesty is thinking? In response to the ministers questions, Han Myeong-hoe turned to Lim Sun-wook. I dont think youre thinking of mercenaries? I think its a mercenary. But Lim Soon-wook, who was speechless for a moment, sighed and looked back at the Minister of Finance and Economy. Be prepared because a lot of the Ministry of Finance and Economys treasury will be robbed. Oh my The Minister of Finance and Economys face became grim as Lim Soon-wook spoke. * * * The ce Hyun headed to after leaving Geunjeongjeon was Suganggung Pce, where incense resides. Hyang, who was looking at various drawings, hid all the drawings when he heard that Hyeon had arrived and stood up. You must be busy with government affairs, so why did youe? I came to get advice from Taesang. There are excellent people around, including the Prime Minister, so would advice from an old man in the back room be helpful? If they object, we have to start with a fight, but if Tae Sang-tae objects, we know the reason and can naturally think again. Hyang nodded at Hyuns words. * * * Unlike before, just before the war broke out, the current empire was in a situation where the emperor and his subjects coexisted peacefully. No, it was a situation where the emperors imperial authority was slightly superior to the divine authority of his subjects. The main reason why this was possible was because King Sejong carried out a great purge just before the start of the Gyeongjang era, erasing the senior subjects of the theocratic faction, and eradicating the fundamentalist noblemen through the suppression of the Giyu Rebellion. Afterwards, starting with King Sejong, most of the monarchs did not exercise power carelessly, and the subjects also knew the monarchs will in advance and proposed reasonable alternatives to continue coexistence. However, there was always the possibility of violent disagreements between the emperor and his subjects. In particr, the more unconventional the emperors thoughts were, the more likely it was that a conflict would ur. Therefore, the existence of a situation or prenatal situation became more important. The situation or pre-existing situation was the best and most powerful mediator. If he said so When the statement of the situation or the state of affairs was conveyed, both the emperor and his subjects said that and agreed. Of course, for this to be possible, the situation or situation had to have a solid track record. And Sejong and Hyang had more than enough track records. And Wan, who seeded him, also had a formidable track record. In addition, the situations that followed in the future would also have significant results. It was because of Shinji. As long as the situation was in charge of the operation of the new site, there would be nothing toin about in terms of performance. * * * Good. Then lets hear what our emperor thinks. yes. At Hyangs words, Hyun began to line up what he was thinking. Hyang listened to Hyeons words with a serious face. Hmm Hyang, who had been stroking her chin and counting for a long time after Hyun finished speaking, came to a conclusion. I think its a good idea. But Id like to flesh it out a little more Is that possible? In that case. The two grandsons put their heads together and continued to make corrections and adjustments. The officers and scribes who were recording all of this next to them looked bored and were typing away at their keyboards. How do you feel? I think this will be okay. I am so d that Tae Sang-tae is with us. Thats too much praise. If youe across a drawing of an interesting object, be sure to show it to me. You cant watch it alone. Lets try. After finishing the conversation, Hyun got up and left the room with a relieved look on his face. Meanwhile, the officers who recorded this added: -Is this possible? Just our empire? The next day, Hyeon told Hyang and the n he had made in front of the ministers. As Hyuns story continued, the ministers faces became more and more mesmerized. Even the One Myeonghoe of the world could not close their gaping mouths, and the Minister of Finance and Economy had no color on his face. The Minister of Finance and Economy, whose face was as pale as a corpse, looked at Lim Soon-wook. Did you expect this? Lim Soon-wook, who received the silent question, shook his head with a face as pale as the Minister of Finance and Economy. What do you think? . When Hyeon finished speaking and asked for his opinion, no one could open his mouth. Hyun quietly waited for the ministers answers. Finally, Han Myeong-hoe gathered all his strength and opened his mouth. You can see it as a ploy, but if you look at it another way, you can say it is standard. It is worth considering. Following Han Myeong-hoes words, Lim Sun-wook spoke. Please forgive my disloyalty for not being able to give you a straight answer simply because the policy your Majesty came up with goes far beyond the limits of a criminal like your convictions. Even disloyalty I just thought in a different direction. Jim knows very well that this is not an unusual ploy. So, think carefully and give me an answer by the day after tomorrow. I follow your orders. And for two days, the ministers engaged in a war of words, forgetting about the night. Two dayster, Han Myeong-hoe, with a tired face, reported to Hyeon on behalf of the ministers. Looking at the current state of the empire, I think this is the best n. Then lets proceed like this. * * * A few monthster, a special envoy from the empire arrived at the imperial embassy in Florence. Come quickly. But has so many people suddenlye? Is there something urgent going on? The Minister of Finance and Economy, who headed the special envoy, answered Shin Sook-joos question right away. I came because of urgent matters to be done to win the uing war in Italy. Its something that needs to be taken care of urgently Of course, Switzend? exactly. Please make room. After a while. A seat was quickly created in the embassy conference room. With all the high-ranking officials staying in Italy gathered, starting with the three ambassadors, an official from the home country began his exnation. I will now exin the operation targeting Switzend. First of all The official turned the first page of the chart. The second page that appeared had only two letters written inrge letters. Battle? Money fight? The official answered Seong Sam-moons question right away. Yes, this is the name of the operation for our empires first victory over Europe. Hoo~. Hmm The three ambassadors responded with curiosity to the officials answer. On the other hand, the Minister of Finance and Economy continued speaking with a tired face. Among us, we call it money shit. huh? What is that. You will know when you listen. The three ambassadors and officials listened to the Minister of Finance and Economys words and listened to the subsequent report. That is all. . When the exnation was over, not only the three ambassadors but also the officials stationed in Florence had no one to speak. Huh As time passed, Seong Sam-moon was the first toe to his senses and looked at the Minister of Finance and Economy. There is only one person who can make such a crazyno, such a grand n. Are you in the prenatal situation? At Seong Sam-moons words, Shin Suk-ju, Yu Eung-bu and all other officials stationed in Florence nodded. But the Minister of Finance and Economy shook his head. No, its your Majesty. Tae Sang-tae only gave advice. Oops! Cough! Cough! Seong Sam-moon, who was momentarily out of breath, coughed and everyone around him muttered the same thing. What on earth is that blood! Authors words. This is a map posted on Premium Shipbuilding in 2016. In the case of Florence, you can see that its power has grown further as it upies a significant portion of the northern region of the Papal States. 2. Please be careful of colds during the change of seasons. Be careful of stress too. Since the end ofst year, I have been suffering from a cold, probably due to excessive stress due to various events happening at the same time. Its been over a week and it hasnt gotten better. I would really appreciate your generosity even if there are frequent dys in serialization. I hope you have a good weekend. Posted with soup. Chapter 899 Episode 899: The Imperial March (2) A few dayster, the leader of a Swiss mercenarypany hired in Florence visited the imperial embassy. * * * The size of the Florentine standing army was gradually growing from over 20,000 to 25,000, but this was clearly not enough. Wouldnt you trust Reisl?ufer? You can trust them. In response, Lorenzo and Giovanni hired Swiss mercenaries. Swiss mercenaries were popr for their strong fighting skills and credibility. At Lorenzo and Giovannis choice, 5,000 Swiss mercenaries signed a contract and joined the Florentine army. However, Lorenzo and Giovanni sighed when they saw the Swiss mercenaries who had just joined them. This is it It was because of the armament of the Swiss mercenaries who had joined. Most of the mercenaries were still armed with traditional long spears and halberds. Swiss mercenaries were not unaware that guns and cannons were the main yers in modern battlefields. However, guns were expensive items, and bullets and gunpowder were the worst consumables for cost-effectiveness. Still, in order to keep up with the times, they worked hard to acquire firearms and train musketeers. However, the firearms they could obtain were almost all flintlock rifles that were one generation behind. Also, imperial flintlock rifles were expensive, so most of them wererge and heavy European flintlock rifles. To solve this problem, they attempted to smuggle breech-loading single-barreled guns made in France or Habsburg, but the cost was too high. It was a price that poor Swiss or Swiss people could not easily afford. Of course, there were also Swiss mercenaries armed with Japanese style rifles. They were mercenaries stationed in Suez . However, due to a lifetime contract, they could not leave Suez. And as we face the current chaotic situation, this lifetime contract has be a contract that makes both parties feel regret. Frances disappointment was especially great. -A unit with extensivebat experience that skillfully uses Japanese rifles. This was because the units that could be used as the most powerful cards in theing war were shackled. This was because there were five countries in total that signed the contract C France, Portugal, Ottoman Florence, and finally the Empire. Among these countries, the Ottomans most strongly opposed France whenever they mentioned moving mercenaries or renewing contracts. Even though they shared the Suez and shared profits, they still did notpletely trust each other. In this situation, it was uneptable for France or Portugal, or rather France, to bring in the most powerful force. To resolve this, they had topete based on stakes, but each time Florence and the Empire sided with the Ottomans, Frances attempts failed. * * * Against this backdrop, the Swiss mercenary leader who visited the imperial embassy sighed softly. Whoa~. I wonder why these strangers are looking for us, but The smell of blood from war was getting thicker. Among the countries that would enter the war in Italy, the country furthest away was the Empire. In order to prepare for a war that could break out at any time, if they brought in arge number of their own troops C 20,000 to 30,000 C and stationed them in advance, the enormous maintenance costs would be a problem. However, if troops were sent after the war broke out, the timing would be dyed and unnecessary losses would be incurred. The best solution was mercenaries. This was because maintenance costs could be reduced and time would not be missed. If negotiations go well, the gun issue can be resolved to some extent Because the long guns from the Flower Country are much better than those made in France. The carrot offered by France in addition to the contract for 20,000 mercenaries was the supply of French-made long guns and ammunition. But the stick that came with the carrot was the problem. Its a losing business if you only sign a contract for about 5,000. If you think about the whip that France and the Habsburgs will wield. They said it was only 5,000, but even for national contracts, 5,000 was the limit. Of course, in case of a major war, there were cases where up to 10,000 people were contracted. However, it was a number that could only be mobilized in a war where the rise and fall of a real country depended on it. Thats why France suggested the number 20,000 and the Swiss Federal Council was concerned. If the Empire doesnt invite at least 20,000 people, Ill have to say that the contract is impossible. The leader of the mercenary force currently visiting the embassy had that much authority. The leader of the Swiss mercenaries during this period was amander, businessman, and diplomat. It was the sorrow of poor Switzend, whose most potent exportmodity was mercenaries. * * * The mercenarymander entered the embassy under the guidance of a junior embassy official and looked around the room with wide eyes. The building, made of all kinds of stone and wood, including marble, seemed simple yet luxurious. There was no dust in the hallways, and there was almost no odor that wasmon in European buildings. I am the smelliest person here. The mercenary leader followed the official with a wry smile at his own bad smell, which was evident from the outside but was clearly felt as soon as he entered the embassy. The ce where the mercenary leader arrived, following the official, was the conference room where the ambassadors were located. Meet the ambassadors. My name is Hans Mayer. I am currently leading a mercenary force hired by Piren. After seeing the lines, Hans politely bowed and introduced himself. Im sorry for asking someone who is busy with military duties toe. However, since an important order was delivered from the home country, I had no choice but to ask him toe. no. Of course you shoulde. Please take a seat first. Its going to be a long story. yes. Hans sat down in the seat Shin Suk-ju took, and Shin Suk-ju lightly waved a small bell. As soon as the bell rang, a junior employee of the embassy came in carrying a kettle and tea cup filled with ck bean tea and poured it for the attendees. After picking up her teacup and taking a light sip, Shin Sook-ju got to the point. Let me get straight to the point. Our empire would like to hire Swiss mercenaries. Hans responded immediately to Shin Sook-jus words as if he had been waiting. What size contract do you want to sign? How much is possible? Hans answered Shin Sook-jus question honestly. Ill be honest with you. For orders of less than 1,000 people, a contract can be made immediately. However, it is difficult to make a contract with around 10,000 people. Even if there are more than 10,000 people, it will be difficult to sign a contract unless the conditions are very good. The reason is? Because if we sign a contract with the Land of Flowers, France and the Habsburgs will not stand still. If there are less than 1,000 troops, they will not say anything since they are the troops protecting this embassy and the imperial residence area, but if there are around 10,000, they will definitely find fault and threaten us in Switzend. Even though its just a mercenary contract? It is certain that the Land of Flowers will be involved in the uing war. Paganism in European affairs oh sorry! I made a mistake! Shin Sook-ju smiled slightly and waved her hand at Hanss observation. Its okay. From our empires perspective, you are heretics. Itsmon for everyone. thank you. For this reason, it is difficult to conclude a contract with general conditions and scale. Hmm thank you for your honest answer. no. At that time, Seong Sam-moon, who had been listening nearby, intervened. Maybe its a good opportunity? Wouldnt it be possible to sign a contract, receive money, and then pretend not to know? After all, our empire is pagan. Hans responded firmly to Seong Sam-moons words. The first virtue of a mercenary is trust. As the Ambassador said, even those who say they can deceive us because they are heretics will not believe us when ites to their own situation. Then our descendants will starve to death. If you dont sign a contract at all, its the virtue of our Swiss mercenaries to keep your trust until death if you do sign a contract. In response to Hans answer, the three ambassadors looked at each other with meaningful faces. I think I made the right choice. Because they are that desperate. I feel a bit uneasy because it feels like they are taking advantage of such desperate people. Lets call it mutual aid. Mutual aid. The three people who were talking in the imperialnguage soon straightened their expressions when they found Hans sitting nkly. Big big! First, we n to hire 1,000 people on short-term contracts. The purpose is to guide our imperial delegation to Bern. Are you just hiring 1,000 people as receptionists? Shin Sook-ju, who saw Hans with an expression of not understanding, answered with a serious face. If you think about the negotiations that will take ce in Bern, 1,000 is not enough. First, I will only show it to the captain. With these words, Shin Suk-ju handed Hans a folder that had been ced on one side. As time passed, Hans hands began to tremble as he opened the folder and read its contents. This, this This is the employment contract the empire wants. This is something we will discuss in Bern. Hans responded immediately to Shin Sook-jus answer. I will assign 3,000 people as guides. The price is enough for 1,000 people! In response to Hans response, the response department stepped forward and responded. 1,000 is enough. There are already 2,000 troops prepared to escort the delegation. If its too much, it can overstimte others. All right! Then I will prepare 1,000 right away! What about the contract? Ill get it right away tomorrow! See you tomorrow then! Lets do that. Hans quickly bowed and hurried out. Hans, who returned to the unit and regained some sense of reason, suddenly shook his head. 3,000 mercenaries is too much stimtion? What are 2,000 imperial troops? * * * Three dayster, the imperial delegation headed to Bern, escorted by Swiss mercenaries and imperial troops. As they left Florences territory, the mercenaries and imperial troops in charge of escorting them began to look around without rxing. The route chosen by the delegation was to pass through the neutral zone created between Mn and Venice. By passing through the neutral zone between the two city-states, one could avoid the risk of provoking either side, but on the other hand, the possibility of being attacked by disguised bandits was also very high. Knowing this danger well, the Swiss mercenaries cleaned their rifles and refilled them with gunpowder whenever they had time. This was to prevent the gunpowder from bing wet and misexploding. The imperial army executives who observed the mercenaries meticulousness scolded the imperial soldiers. Did you see it? saw? Thats how you manage guns! Thats whatbat readiness is! As a result, imperial soldiers began to manage their weapons thoroughly. * * * About two months after departing from Florence, the imperial delegation was able to arrive in Bern. Upon hearing that the imperial delegation had arrived, not only the mayor of Bern but also the members of the Swiss Federal Council came out to the castle gate to wee the imperial delegation. wee! Thank you for weing me like this. The imperial delegation entered Bern, weed by the Swiss. It was the first time the empire appeared on the European diplomatic stage. Chapter 900 Chapter 900: The Imperial March (3) The members of the Swiss Federal Council and the citizens of Bern treated the imperial delegation that arrived in Bern with great hospitality. Bern city officials willingly provided their mansions so that the delegation and the imperial army could restfortably. Two dayster, the imperial delegation met with members of the Swiss Federal Council in Bern. Wouldnt it be a good idea to get some more rest? The Minister of Finance and Economy responded with a smile to the rmendation of the Speaker of the Federal Assembly. I got enough rest. And I have to go back quickly! The longer you dy, the higher the mountain of documents grows! Although he was anxious on the inside, the Minister of Finance and Economy continued speaking with a calm expression on the outside. Then lets get straight to the point. The situation in Italy is not easy right now. yes. ording to the letter sent by General Hans, the empire would not only contract more troops than expected but also provide various preferential treatment. Is that correct? exactly. Here are the terms we propose. At the gesture of the Minister of Finance and Economy, the official sitting behind held out a folder with a thick cover. The Chairman took the folder and opened it and began to carefully read the Empires proposal written in Latin. Huh gasp! The chairman, who was reading the proposals written in the proposal, was out of breath and gasped. Why gasp! Seeing the chairmans appearance, thewmakers who had taken the proposal and read it as if taking it away also had simr expressions. * * * The Empires proposal to Switzend was summarized as follows. -The Empire hires Swiss mercenaries under the following conditions. -100,000 employees, 30 years of employment. -After 30 years, the number of employees and period are adjusted every 5 years. -Switzend deploys 75,000 of the above-employed personnel under the imperial army dispatched to Italy. 25,000 remain in their home country to defend Switzend. -The Empire supplies armament, clothing, and ammunition for the 100,000 people it employs. -However, armament, ammunition and clothing are not provided free of charge but are provided at partial cost. The ssification conditions are as follows. Armament, clothing, bullets, and other materials for use by 75,000 Swiss mercenaries stationed in Italy will be provided free of charge. The armament and ammunition provided to the 25,000 troops stationed in Switzend are paid at a regr price of 30% of the purchase price by the Florentine military. However, if Switzend wishes, it can receive it in bonds. -The armament and ammunition supplied to the Swiss army are as follows. Florentine long guns and ammunition Commanders 6-barreled short guns and ammunition Military wagons and ammunition Medium and small toys New high-speed thunderbolts to be used for them Uniforms and military equipment identical to those of the Florentine army. This is the same for both the Swiss troops stationed in Italy and the Swiss troops stationed in their home country. -The Imperial Army is responsible for training Swiss troops stationed in Italy. If this is what the empire provides to the Swiss mercenaries, the empires requirements follow. -In the event of an armed conflict in Italy, the Swiss Army will only be under themand of the Imperial Army. -The Swiss Confederation and its constituent cantons (kantons) do not supply mercenaries to countries other than the Empire. -If the Empire requests it, Switzend will provide priority in supplying the troops requested by the Empire in addition to the troops contracted above. -The Empire is responsible for paying the sries of Swiss troops under contract with the Empire. However, imperialization is given priority. -The moment this contract is concluded, Switzend deres territorial neutrality. At the same time, the Empire recognizes Switzend as an independent country. If Switzend invades another country, the empire will cancel the contract and stop providing support. * * * The chairman and members of the Federal Council, who confirmed the proposal put forward by the Empire, looked at each other with serious faces. The conditions are very good. Its too good. There are a lot of requirements attached, but these are the requirements that everyone else is also asking for Its Frances requirements to be exact. In the end, the chairman spoke to the Minister of Finance and Economy on behalf of thewmakers. I would like to take some more time to consider the Empires proposal. The Minister of Finance and Economy responded to the Chairmans words by leaning on the back of his chair. Its only natural as it is arge contract. * * * After that, coordination between the two sides continued for almost fifteen days. To be precise, Switzend, which did not believe in the conditions of the empire, continued to question and listen, and the empire was a repetition of exnations. What Switzend was most puzzled about was the distribution of troops. What is the reason for hiring at most 100,000 people and leaving 25,000 behind in Switzend? The empires answer to the Swiss question was simple. If we hire 100,000 people and take them all, will the surrounding countries stay still? Its easier to leave it behind from the beginning than to go through the trouble of sending it back after bringing it with you. Isnt that good for you too? Because if you go to put out a fire at someone elses house, you can prevent your own house from burning down. Thats why we provide military wagons and bigyeokjincheonroe toys. Wagons and toys are not provided to the Florentine army either. Ah When the imperialists mentioned the double boxcar, the Swiss nodded. Since its first appearance at Suez, the double-barreled boxcar has been one of the first weapons that every nation wants to acquire. Many powers, including France, were making efforts to develop weapons simr to the double-barreled boxcar, but they continued to suffer. The biggest reason was that, unlike the Eulsik freight cars, there were no freight cars avable. Since I couldnt understand the internal structure, I couldnt figure out what it was like, and I was in constant pain. In addition, through the Swiss mercenaries stationed in Suez, the Swiss knew the value of fire trucks better than anyone else. If it was hidden well along the Alpine mountain path, it could be the best defensive weapon In a situation where the Empire wanted the fire truck more than anyone else, it was baiting them. The next thing the Swiss were worried about was sry. Will the Land of Flowers be able to pay the sries of 100,000 people? Not only France and Habsburg, but also the Italian city-states, which were reputed to be rich, had to worry about sry when hiring Swiss mercenaries. After much deliberation, the size that emerged was 5,000 to 10,000. However, the offer made by the Empire now was a long-term contract of 100,000 and for 30 years. In response to Swiss concerns, the Minister of Finance ordered officials to: Bring them. One box at a time. yes. After a while, several imperial soldiers came in carrying tworge, tightly sealed boxes. As the soldiers who ced the boxes on the table stepped back, the waiting official took a key out of his pocket, unlocked the box, and opened the lid. Oh oh. Gasp! Thewmakers who saw the contents of the box were speechless. Of the two chests, one was full of imperial banknotes and the other was full of gold bars. A banknote is worth 1 million gold nyang, and a gold bar is worth 100,000 gold nyang. Come and check it out. At the words of the Minister of Finance and Economy, the chairman andwmakers came around the box and checked its contents. The crisp banknotes that showed no signs of ever being used and the gold bars that I looked at and looked at and even bit into were all genuine. The Minister of Finance and Economy continued speaking while looking at the Swiss people who froze as they saw before their eyes arge amount of money that they could not save even if they spent their entire lives. I will be honest. Aside from the two major wars it fought in the past, the Empire has never truly emptied its pockets. To be precise, more money came in than was spent. Because of that, we are having a hard time managing prices The Swiss, who could not understand the Minister of Finance and Economys true intentions, nodded to the Minister of Finance and Economys words. Indeed. Indeed. After the sea route to the East was opened, many merchants began to make a lot of money. Most of those merchants were those who brought in and sold goods from the Land of Flowers. In the end, the Empire was making the most money. If youre worried about paper money, Im willing to pay in real gold. The Empire has ample capabilities. Swiss people fell silent at the confident words of the Minister of Finance and Economy. After the negotiations ended that day, thewmakers gathered again and exchanged opinions with serious faces. Can I really believe it? Imperialism is the currency with the highest credibility. Dont you say that even the Jews store imperial currency in their treasury, not gold bars or jewels? If they werent so stupid, they wouldnt trash their own currency. But if I receive it in gold bars How will you handle transportation and storage distribution? Thats true, but will they be able to pay in gold bars until the end? If you doubt that, everything weve talked about so far will be in vain! Thats true, but Im so anxious Didnt you see the confident expression of the person who came as the head of the delegation? I guess that means youre confident. Thewmakers all nodded at thest words. When we talked earlier, the Minister of Finance and Economy continued to talk with a confident expression. In reality, the Minister of Finance and Economy was confident. * * * Although other countries did not know, the empire at this time was umting thergest amount of gold in the world. Gold mines were being discovered here and there, including Unsan. In addition,rge and small gold mines were being discovered in the northeastern forest and in Shinji. Thanks to this, the empire was now in a situation where only a few suitable gold mines were mined and the rest were sealed and only recorded their locations. -Minedter when needed. There were so many gold bars piled up in the Imperial Ministry of Finance and the imperial warehouse that it seemed like such a leisurely move. * * * As the conversation about the same content continued among thewmakers, the oldest member summed up the situation. Isnt this making it tooplicated? Its a mercenary contract. What is a mercenary? Its an exchange of money and life. Maintaining this agreement is a matter of trust. The moment this trust breaks down, the contract ends. ah! The faces of all thewmakers who heard those words brightened. From then on, talks between the Empire and Switzend continued smoothly. When the contract was concluded with each others stamps and seals ced on the contract, the President of the Swiss Federal Council asked the Minister of Finance and Economy: Lets be honest. Why on earth did you sign a contract for 100,000? To win before the fight. The Speaker of the Federal Assembly nodded to the Minister of Finance and Economys words. If you add the Florentine army to the 75,000 mercenaries, the number was 100,000. I dont know how much it would be there, but if the imperial army was added, it would be the force with the most troops in Italy. It was clear that there would be no one who would provoke such a force. I guess we can fight an easier war than expected. The Minister of Finance and Economy muttered to himself as he looked at the Chairman of the Federal Assembly whose face lit up. And because its cheaper. Chapter 901 Episode 901: The Imperial March (4) What the Minister of Finance and Economy muttered to himself was not a joke. Considering the cost incurred in transporting the imperial army to Italy, the cost incurred in the process of stationing them, the cost of variouspensations and veterans policy to be paid to those who are injured or killed during training and battle, and their families, it is necessary to hire mercenaries and provide them. It was cheaper to supply firearms used by the imperial army. And this has been proven in various studies conducted to efficiently carry out the prefectures orders. -If you fill the space needed to transport 100 Imperial soldiers with supplies, you can transport 10,000 soldiers. Is this a possible number? Jang Hang-seon immediately answered Hyeons question after receiving the report. People need space to breathe, but things dont need that space, right? Oh, I see The operation to send troops from Shinji is scheduled to be carried out soon. However, if we take into ount variables such as the distance from New Earth to Italy, the constantly changing climate, and possible outbreaks of infectious diseases, the number of imperial troops that can go from New Earth to Italy is at most 10,000. In that case, it is tactically advantageous to hire as many mercenaries as possible and send materials instead of people. Hyeon nodded to Jang Hang-seons answer. With the adoption of Hyeons proposal, the empires operations changed once again. -The empires top priority is to dominate the Mediterranean Sea. Ground warfare is mainly conducted by the Florentine military and mercenaries. And the reason Swiss mercenaries were chosen as suitable mercenaries was not just because of the evaluation confirmed in Suez. Switzends geopolitical location also yed a role. Switzends geopolitical position was highlighted as Mn, which had originally joined hands with France, joined hands with the Habsburgs, and Venice, which had previously joined hands with the Habsburgs, joined hands with France. In a situation where the fastest and most convenient route down to Italy was blocked in both France and Italy, the best detour was Switzend. Therefore, it was immediately predictable that France and Habsburg would seek Switzend. In that case, the best thing to do is to drive the stake down. Based on this decision, it was decided to hire Swiss mercenaries. As an aside, not long after the delegation departed, a report came to Seoul that France and Habsburg were making various proposals and threats to Switzend. After checking the report, Hyeon clicked his tongue without realizing it. Tsk! Peoples thoughts are all the same no matter where they live. * * * A mercenary contract was concluded between the Empire and Switzend, and the Swiss Federal Council publicized this fact to the states within the federation. - ordingly, strong men are recruited to work as mercenaries. Those who work as mercenaries must meet the following conditions: -A male between the ages of 17 and 30 with intact limbs. No religious affiliation. -A person who knows how to read, write, and do math. (Shortly) After checking the carefully written down conditions and sries, the Swiss men immediately packed their bags and headed to the recruiting station. Hey! Who cares about cows? The cow! You have a little brother, right? Little brother! Your little brother is only eight years old! Ive been herding cows since I was seven! Dont catch me! In order to escape from the harsh environment and to leave their hometown to see the unknownnd of Italy, rural youth and guild apprentices threw themselves into dangerous gambling. The delegation, which was briefly checking the recruitment situation before returning to Florence, looked at the Swiss men flocking to the recruitment center and had an ambiguous expression. They probably dont know that they have to risk their lives That must be how desperate their situation is. The Minister of Finance and Economy, who was listening to the young officials conversation mixed with sympathy, said something to the young people. Dont forget that if Emperor Wen and Tai Shang had not been around, we might have been simr to them. When I was young. There were many people who made themselves and their families into ves to avoid poverty and hunger. yes. The young officials nodded and muttered to themselves at the words of the Minister of Finance and Economy. It came out again. Back in my day The young officials looked slightly worried as they looked at the scenery outside the window of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, perhaps knowing that they were grumbling internally. I dont know whether it was a good idea for His Majesty and His Majesty the Great to insist on changing one use that they had in mind. From the perspective of the Minister of Finance and Economy, it was a reasonable decision, but from the perspective of a nobleman who knows virtue and benevolence, it is a bit difficult. * * * Ministers who reviewed the proposals made by townships and prefectures strongly opposed one of the many provisions. The provision they opposed waspensation for those killed or injured during the battle. -Provides the samepensation as the imperial army. The ministers had stumbled upon this. This is too much treatment! Im getting it back! Its too much! Facing strong opposition from ministers, Hyun looked to Han Myeong-hoe. Are you sure this is too much? I think so. Even though they are soldiers for soldiers who risked their lives for the Empire? These are people who risk their lives not for the empire, but for money. Please dont forget that they are mercenaries. Hyeon looked slightly surprised by Han Myeong-hoes answer. This was because Han Myeong-hoe, who followed the emperors will to the point of being nicknamed the emperors weather vane, was expressing his opposition in a surprisingly cool voice. Its unexpected. Although slightly surprised by the unexpected appearance of Han Myeong-hoe, Hyun continued to listen. But dont you think its a good enough move to bring their home country, Switzend, into the bosom of our empire? If Switzend ispletely taken into the arms of the empire, France and the Habsburgs will not remain silent. Switzend must remain neutral to avoid unnecessary conflict and attrition in the future. It is best for our empire to have only Swiss mercenaries. Thats cool. But it is a reasonable opinion. I will ept your opinion. When the prefecture gave in, the ministers all bowed their heads and shouted. Hwang Eun is devastated! And Han Myeong-hoe, who received the concession, was busy moving around. Your Majestys intentions are not bad, are they? He thought of it that way, even considering the people of a foreign country, but it is not his job as a subject to unconditionally do something without it. But isnt it possible to revive the use again? Then you can arouse suspicion that we are ying with your majesty! So what Im saying is lets take a middle path. Moderate moderation. How good is it? Middle way? Han Myeong-hoe grinned and shared his thoughts. After hearing Han Myeong-hoes opinion, the ministers immediately agreed with his opinion. I think the captains idea is really good! In this way, a new article was created and submitted to the prefectural government. -Three months wages are paid to those who are disabled due to injuries sustained in battle, and one years wages are paid to the families of those killed in action. You look okay. Please add this use. That night, Hyeon looked for incense. Did you hear what happened today? I heard. As expected, Hanmyeonghoe is Hanmyeonghoe. Thats right. So you have to be more careful. Ill keep that in mind. But I feel a little resentful at being pushed out by my subjects. At Hyuns words, Hyang looked like she couldnt help it. The emperors justification is virtue, but isnt it inevitable that the subjects justification is not only national interest but also practical reasons? But resentment is resentment. In that case, lets hit him in the backter. You mean the back of the head? exactly. What do you mean After hearing Hyangs story, Hyuns face brightened and he nodded. What a refreshing method! I need to use it properly at the right time! It was a night of intrigue. * * * Neighboring countries, upon hearing the details of the contract between the Empire and Switzend, reacted almost like a game. 100,000? 100,000? These crazy guys! The money is rotting! Was it not the Land of Flowers but the Land of Gold? Ordinary people were surprised by the enormous size of the contract and its cost, and started talking about it. However, the expressions on the faces of those discussing strategy in the pce and military barracks were more serious than ever. Its amazing that they spent that huge amount of money, but turning all 100,000 people into musketeers is an even bigger problem. Its not shock, its fear. Thats a Florentine long gun. The performance of the Florentine long gun, which was discovered by sending spies, was amazing. -A long gun that can fire 5 rounds without stopping once loaded. With the advent of the Florentine long gun, France and other powers had to overturn all their existing long gun development, production and supply ns and start over from scratch. -You may not be able to obtain the Imperial long-arm rifle, but you may be able to obtain the Florentine long-gun! After a fierce and persistent challenge, a small number of Florentine rifles flowed here and there. The powers that had acquired long guns disassembled them, figured out their structure, and began reverse engineering. The problem is still the bullets As long as ck powder was used, the bullets used in the Florentine rifle were bound to berge. Bullet casings were also a problem. European powers were still using bullet casings made by wrapping paper around a copper base te with a detonator attached. The bullet casing made by oiling thick, tough paper was suitable for a single-shot gun. Like a military rifle, in order to put a few bullets into the magazine, you had to push them in with force, but each time you did that, the paper cartridges would get crumpled or tear, causing problems. As expected, shell casings made of copper are the answer. The problem was that the level of mass production technology was much lower than that of the Empire. In the end, the European powers had no choice but to make a simr choice. The replica of the Eulsik freight car uses an existing bullet, and the newly developed long gun uses a new bullet using a copper cartridge. This was because freight cars that used free-fall cartridges using gravity had no major problems even when using paper cartridges. In addition, it was easy to mass-produce using a material called paper, so it was perfect for freight cars that consumed a lot of ammunition. The militaries of the great powers, who were surprised by the unprecedented contract between the Empire and Switzend and were looking for a solution, soon came up with a simr method. Even in the Land of Flowers, it will take time to supply armaments for 100,000 people. Would you rather hit it now? Are you okay? Where should I hit it? It would be difficult to attack a well-armed Florence, so why not attack Switzend? If you do that, the Swiss will be stuck in the Alps. Thats okay. However, their attempt was thwarted before it even began. The down payment was not the only thing the Empire left behind in Bern. These were Florentine long guns and 1 million rounds of ammunition, enough to arm 10,000 people, and instructors to train them. 10,000 Florentine rifles! These were 10,000 Florentine long guns of reliable performance made directly by the empire. It was not only theoretically possible to say that if there was space to transport 100 fully armed soldiers, it would be possible to transport supplies for 10,000 people. The imperial soldiers who transported these supplies also shook their heads and muttered. It reminded me of the nightmare I had when loading and unloading those supplies. Chapter 902 Episode 902: The Imperial March (5) The Empire did its best to carry out a camouge operation to hide the type and amount of cargo moving with the mission. It was to avoid the eyes of the powers that would be on the way from Suez to Florence. Therefore, military supplies such as guns and ammunition were ced in camouged boxes rather than the wooden boxes that everyone knows, and were shipped as close together as possible to reduce the number of transport ships. Those who suffered the most during this process were the imperial soldiers . This was because the loading and unloading process was repeated several times in order to load as much cargo as possible while maintaining the safety of the ship. Thanks to this, the number of imperial transport ships departing from Prince Henrys Port to Florence did not increase significantly, and the eyes and ears of the surrounding powers who were watching this judged this. -Slightly more than usual. From this point of view, it appears to be a normal envoy. It was a mistake to miss that the waterlines of the ships heading to Florence were sinking more than usual. Despite such efforts, a significant amount of military supplies had to be moved to Florence on regr flights. And even when they arrived in Livorno and Florence, the imperial soldiers had to take care of the unloading of these supplies. This was because they had to fool Florences eyes just in case. They are good friends but their mouths are the problem. Youre too chatty. Chatting is a problem, but his bragging is a bigger problem. What kind of bastards bluff is as strong as those from the Ming Dynasty? I guess thats what all Italians are like? The imperial peoples opinion of the Italians was not very good. -Good friends to hang out with, but a bit hard to work with Italians were passionate, but just as excited and careless. * * * Switzends mercenary recruitment was not smooth, but it was like a storm. Applicants began to flock from ces close to Bern where the promation was posted early. As time passed, promations were posted and rumors spread even to small rural areas, and the area in front of the recruiting office became crowded. Imperial Army officers belonging to the mission held head-to-head meetings with officers of the new Swiss Federal Army every day. Among the imperialists and Swiss, it was the Swiss Federal Army, but its external name was Unified Swiss Mercenary Corps. This was due to the characteristics of Swiss mercenaries. Swiss mercenaries started out as militias in each state. The state government operated its own military. Thanks to this, the Swiss federal government sometimes hired them. But things changed when the empire employed 100,000 people at a time and recognized the Swiss Confederation as an independent nation. -Integration is necessary for efficient operation. The Swiss federal government, which epted the empires ims, integrated the militias that each state operated independently into a single army. Of course, it was an army operating under a single banner called White Cross, but it was not yet a perfect army. The units stationed in each state wereposed mainly of residents of that state, and the state was responsible for recruiting personnel. To give a simple example, if a unit created in the canton of Bern was sent to war and suffered losses, it would be recruited from among the residents of the canton. This is something that is very inefficient But we cant just say that we should abandon tradition unconditionally We have already experienced the problem of manpower recruitment while fightingrge and small battles, and have found a solution to some extent. It was a frustrating thing for the imperial army officers to see. But I couldnt force them to just throw it away. This was because it was a foreign countrys military and, if done incorrectly, could result in interference in internal affairs. It wont be possible until you experience it properly in a really big war. Until then, the supply staff will die, but Recruiting manpower was also the job of the supply branch, and the imperial army officers who briefly expressed condolences for the misfortune of the supply staff, who were sure to have a hard time ahead, soon revealed their true feelings. Do you understand? Were going to die now! If I think about training those big guys right now, my eyes are nk! Amidst all this confusion, Imperial and Swiss Army officers solved the problem one by one. First of all, the total number of troops secured so far is 34,000. How many of these people have experience? Its 13,000. It could be more, but the 2,000 hired by the Suez Defense Force couldnte because they had lifetime contracts. So these 13,000 people returned after breaking the contract? yes. I paid the penalty and came back. The Imperial Army officers all looked worried at the Swiss Army officers answer. Wont there be a problem with trust? To the concerns of the imperial army officers, the Swiss army officers responded with a slight smile. its okay. Most of the units had their contracts terminated due to cost issues anyway, and from now on, the Empire will be the only contract target. Is that so. Then I will understand and move on. In response to the Swiss army officers response, the imperial army moved on. First of all, of the troops we have secured so far, I rmend that 5,000 be assigned to the task of defending the home country and 29,000 be moved to Florence. The Swiss army officers frowned slightly at the words of the imperial army officer, did some calctions, and then asked back. Weve already secured 10,000 long guns and ammunition, wouldnt it be a good idea to leave 10,000 men behind? In response to the Swiss army officers point, the imperial army officer exined in more detail. There must be surplus to supply soldiers who will be assignedter or to rece damaged or lost long guns. And if you calcte the amount of ammunition you have now, each bages out to about 100 rounds. Supply will continue to arrive, but we must also consider cases where supply may be blocked. Or, it is possible that another country will cross Switzends borders before supplies arrive. Because. The imperial officers exnation that followed was summarized as follows. -First of all, if 50 million is allocated, the ammunition to be given to them will be 200 rounds per person. -Of these 200 rounds, 50 rounds are used for training and the remaining 150 rounds are used for actualbat. To achieve maximum effect with these 150 rounds, the best way is to ambush and snipe by actively utilizing the terrain of the Alps. The Swiss army officers nodded at the words of the imperial army officer. Most of the Swiss army officers present here weremanders of mercenary units. Thesemanders, who were already aware of the existence and tactics of long guns that had emerged as a major yer on the battlefield, had simr thoughts every time they returned to their hometown. If we had to defend our hometown with long guns and freight cars, what would be the best tactic? Wagon trucks are expensive. Poor people like us cant even dream. It should be limited to long guns only. The tactic that came out after such consideration was ambush and sniping suggested by the imperial army officers. Because Switzend was a poor country, itcked the ability to stagerge-scale campaigns using cannons and freight cars like other powers. Therefore, as soon as I heard the exnation from the imperial army officers, I immediately understood and nodded. * * * Thanks to the Swiss armys immediate agreement, 29,000 Swiss mercenaries who were to be part of the imperial army were able to move with the returning imperial delegation. Because it was a hastily constructed force, the Swiss mercenaries had different armament and clothing. The only thing they had inmon was the polearm and halberd on their shoulders. It was like a march of a ragtag group, but morale was still high. Surprisingly. Its unexpected. The imperial army officers who were watching the march of the new mercenaries could not erase their expressions of surprise. The imperial army officers in this position had already traveled back and forth between Europe and the Middle East several times or had stayed there for a considerable period of time. Thanks to this, they were familiar with mercenaries, something that ordinary imperialists would not be familiar with. Mercenaries were people who sold their lives in exchange for money. Most of those who volunteered for these mercenaries were people who ran away from their hometowns, which were just stuffy viges, to escape poverty. They joined the mercenary army out of a mixture of desperation and a sense of adventure, but after a while, most of them began to regret it. In particr, neers who experiencedbat for the first time and learned reality were faced with a choice. Either run away or just get corrupted. Therefore, what we saw in many ces in Europe and the Middle East were the corpses of mercenaries who had deserted and were hanged, as well as the corpses of mercenaries who had abandoned the battle and were hung for excessive looting. However, the ragtag group of people marching in front of me now had high morale and discipline, unlike the chaotic march. Is this why you are a Swiss mercenary? Seeing the surprisingly impressive appearance, the Imperial Army officers asked the Swiss Army officers who were moving with them as to the reason. And the imperial army officers looked like they had been taken aback by the answer given by the Swiss army officers. Thats because most of them are from the same hometown. As I said before, mercenary units are formed on a canton or vige basis. So, if they are in the same unit, they alle from the same hometown. But deserting or showing cowardice on the battlefield? As soon as the news arrives in my hometown, it is obvious that all my family there will be criticized as the family of a fugitive and the family of a coward. Ah * * * After 15 days, the delegation and mercenaries arrived in Florence. The ambassadors and Lorenzo de Medici, Giovanni de Medici, who had heard the news through a messenger in advance, waited for the returning envoys and mercenaries at the entrance to Florence. The Medici people, Shin Suk-ju, and Seong Sam-mun were waiting with excited faces without hiding their expectations, but Yu Eung-bu and the imperial army officers were showing unusual expressions. This was because of a separate report sent by the Imperial Army in addition to the officially sent report. -Someone sent 29,000. The situation is a mess, but morale is high. -Help me! Or please send more people! It looks like its really serious The response department and the Imperial Army were worried as they recalled the report sent by the Imperial Army officers remaining in Switzend. The good news is that we have taken over the Swiss mercenaries hired by Florence? Soon after the imperial delegation headed to Switzend, Shin Suk-ju and Seong Sam-moon worked hard to persuade Lorenzo and Giovanni to take over Hans troops. -The Empire will also hire Swiss mercenaries. -In order to increase the efficiency of operation andmand, the Empire will take charge of all Swiss mercenaries. -Instead, the empire will take responsibility for all supplies and sries. As if thest condition had worked, Lorenzo and Giovanni handed over all of the Swiss mercenaries, including Hanss troops, to the empire. The empire that took over the mercenaries began to train them. Doesnt that seem like too much training for getting used to a new weapon? I guess theyre training their own regr troops, not mercenaries? It looks more like training instructors than that? While the officers of the Florentine army were expressing doubts about the training being more intense than expected, an incident was heard from Switzend in which the empire stabbed the great powers. The Florentines who heard the rumor looked at the imperial embassy and the imperial people with surprised eyes. so! It was certain that those who were now being trained to have a sweet taste in their mouths would be instructors who would train theirpatriots who would arrive in the future. Thanks to securing enough instructors, the newly arrived Swiss mercenaries would be mobilized in a short period of time, and the existing force structure would be overturned in an instant. Chapter 903 Episode 903: The Imperial March (6) With the arrival of the first group of Swiss mercenaries under contract with the Empire, the military barracks on the outskirts of Florence were crowded with people. I cant even get you to sleep properly at this rate! Sleep is not the problem! I cant even feed him properly! Even cows must be cooked properly before they are put to work! cancer! cancer! You have to eat well and eat well to do your part! As an empire that was a country of food, clothing, and shelter rather than food, clothing, and shelter, the imperial army mobilized arge number of manpower to expand the barracks and restaurants in the camp. Of course, in order to save time and cost, most of the manpower was new mercenaries from Switzend. The new mercenaries looked tearful as they moved around carrying materials. This is not why I became a mercenary Although there were many rtives or hometown people who went out as mercenaries and returned crippled or disabled, the new mercenaries still harbored illusions. -Bing a hero on the battlefield, receiving praise from people and being courted by beautiful women. Of course, in reality, he was treated as a viin or a thief, and instead of a beautiful woman, he was flirted with by a cheap bar farmer. This is training too! You have to quickly build camps and forts on the front line to increase your win rate! Yes yep! While construction was being carried out under harsh criticism from imperial army instructors and senior Swiss mercenaries, officers of the Florentine army were chatting and watching the scene from the side. I dont understand why you would expand the restaurant before the training facility. Isnt it like the nd of flowers? That is the nd of flowers. Thats true, but Why didnt you hear that rumor? If you want to see when the Army of the Flower Country is at its most energetic and ready to fight, aim for mealtime and start a fight. There are rumors like that. * * * The process by which the Imperial Army instructors train the Florentine army. The first thing to be checked and supplemented was the lodging facility C the restaurant, to be exact. As a country with food, clothing and shelter, there were things that people were concerned about eating, but there were also more practical issues. ording to what we have observed, too many outsiders areing in every time the soldiers eat. There is no choice if the soldiers have to find food. Thats the problem. As the imperial army instructors pointed out, the Florentine armys camp was crowded with outsiders during meal times. This was because the soldiers families and merchants flocked to give or sell food to the soldiers. There were even women who came in to sell their bodies to the soldiers under the pretext of drinking. Unlike the imperial army instructors who found this a problem, the Florentine army officers did not consider this a big problem, which was a cultural difference. They began organizing a standing army, but until then, the troops that protected the city were mercenaries. Because of this, the mercenary culture remained intact. I dont know if we fight with spears and swords like before, but this ce is overflowing with all kinds of ssified equipment, including guns and artillery. But youre bringing in outsiders? Thats nonsense! It was precisely because of this problem that the Imperial Army was serious about building a restaurant. Initially, a significant number of Florentine officers and soldiers rebelled. Isnt it enough to just fight well in battle? Why are you even interfering with this! charge! There are no idiots who leak confidential information! Training is training and practice is practice! However, the imperial army soon silenced such opposition. This was done through random inspections, internal roll calls, and an insanely meticulous inventory survey. Using this meticulousness, they caught those who leaked a significant number of Florence long guns. Among them, there were even those who attempted to steal a military boxcar, one of the empires confidential equipment. Through an intensive investigation, the imperial army discovered the organizations trying to steal the weapons and arrested the soldiers and officers who had handed over the weapons to them in exchange for bribes, and immediately reported this to the ambassadors. Are you saying we are going too far when there are so many people who have tried to sell off guns and ssified equipment for a few pennies? . Lorenzo and Giovannis faces turned red from embarrassment at Shin Sook-jus reprimand. In the end, the arrested soldiers and officers, as well as the thieves who tried to bribe them and run their business, were all beheaded. Please have mercy. Father, for my soul. Hey, lets decide who goes up first. Roll the dice. okay. Youre going to die anyway. Some begged Lorenzo and Giovanni for mercy or asked the priest to help them go to heaven. However, some who did not feel remorse gambled with dice to determine the order in which they would be executed. After the purge, the number of outsidersing in and out of the Florentine military camp stopped. The only time the Florentines could fly with outsiders was when they went out on the weekends. I understand because something happened, but. They are such toxic people. The Florentine army and citizens of Florence clicked their tongues and said this whenever they saw the imperial army. The imperial soldiers who heard the storyter smiled bitterly and muttered. It wasnt like that for us from the beginning. * * * The imperial army did notpletely ban outsiders from entering the camp from the beginning. Even during the Joseon Dynasty, people often served as militarymanders and local governors simultaneously. Therefore, it wasmon for there to be gisaengs around militarymanders, or formanders and gisaengs to gather together and hold a party after training. Since themanders were like this, it wasmon for outsiders toe and go in the barracks and sell goods or engage in prostitution. However, as King Sejong proceeded with the Gyeongjang, all these practices disappeared. This was also a joint product between Sejong and Hyang. What do themanders think of training? Do you think he went out hunting or on an excursion? Why are you apanied by gisaengs? In response to King Sejongs reprimand, the military generals at the time bowed their heads and made excuses. I apologize! But this is a tradition that has been passed down for a long time. Its probably not a tradition, its a bad custom! How can there be properly disciplined soldiers when the generalmanding the soldiers is drunk and drunk? ording to King Sejongs decision, gisaengs and ordinary people were prohibited from entering the barracks. However, sometimes it was tradition that had a stronger power than the famous names. Even though King Sejong gave this order, there were stillmanders who took gisaeng with them. And here, Hyang dug a trap. They secretly stole or copied one or two confidential military documents through gisaengs associated with or recruited by the Military Intelligence Committee. And the things taken out in this way were delivered to Hyang as is, and Hyang passed them on to Sejong. Im sorry to tell you, but there are many things I havente to my senses about yet. Sejong was on fire after checking the confidential and rted documents in his hand. Have you seen these killers! Are they people who think that the name of a fish is less important than a dogs dick! Hello! Call Uigeumbu Manufacturing right away! As a result, a harsh wind of purge swept through the county. Military officials and local leaders who vited themandments were removed from their official positions and had to be imprisoned in the Record Office. And that too indefinitely. With this purge and the subsequent separation of military and administrative organizations, this practice disappeared. As a side note, King Sejongsment that he was a dogs dick was also recorded in the Annals. However, ording to historical records, it was a much more direct swear word than that, and the officials and schrs of the time desperately tried to purify it. * * * Once the expansion of the camp waspleted, training for new mercenaries began. Senior Swiss mercenaries who had already been treated well by the Imperial Army instructors became instructors and provided intensive training to the new recruits, while the Imperial Army instructors quietly said a word or two behind the scenes. Thats not how you do it The results were worse than expected Every time these words were heard from behind, the Swiss instructors increased the intensity of the training. The Imperial Army instructors did not stop at simply saying a word or two in passing. At the end of each days work, the Imperial Army instructors summoned the Swiss instructors and evaluated the days training. It was a time of mixed joy and sorrow for Swiss instructors. Instructors who received good evaluations were more likely to receive a sry increase or rapid promotion, while those who received good evaluations were more likely to remain at the bottom. Arent we setting the bar too high? In response to the Swiss armymanders question, the imperial army officers shook their heads with stern faces. If war breaks out, never think about a short war. It will take longer than expected and require more people than expected. In that case, it is important to have people who will properly teach the new recruits. In response to the Imperial Army officers answer, the Swiss Army officers asked again with serious faces. Are you sure it will be a long fight? With considerable probability. The Swiss army officers had simr questions in response to the imperial army officers answers. Right now, thebined forces of Florence, the Empire, and Switzend are close to 100,000, so its going to be a long-term war? There are no countries that can mobilize close to 100,000 people? * * * A simr story wasing out of the ambassadors office. The Italians believe there is little chance of a long-term war. In fact, I think we think that our prediction that there is a high possibility of a long-term war was a misjudgment. Yu Eung-bu shook his head slightly at Shin Sook-jus words. Im so worried that they dont even think about the joint union. If they do something wrong, a situation could arise where our empire has to grab them by the cor and take over everything. This is a big worry. Both the ambassadors and the Minister of Finance and Economy nodded at Yu Eung-bus words. As soon as Yu Eung-bu finished speaking, Seong Sam-moon sighed and continued. Whoa~. Its not like there were no stories of joint alliances in their history Shin Sook-ju raised a counterargument to those words. Isnt it because the assassination of someone behind the scenes is moremon than the death of a joint union? Maybe Shin Sook-ju asked the Minister of Finance and Economy as the conversation continued to worry about a business partner who did not think about the long-term game. When will Seoul send the imperial army? Even if you hire 100,000 Swiss mercenaries, you still need the Imperial Army. Isnt it possible to entrust the empires standards to mercenaries? Minister of Finance and Economy nodded to Shin Sook-joos question and answered. That is correct. The imperial army should also be here. There should be actual units, not instructors. That way, Europeans here wont be able to misjudge it either. So when are youing? Its not like Seoul doesnt know about the situation here, right? If you fail, the damage the empire will suffer will be enormous. It wille soon. But I dont know the exact date and time. why? Seoul thinks there are too many rats in Florence. But wouldnt you like to know when itsing so you can make some preparations here too? The Minister of Finance and Economy responded to Shin Sook-joos protest with a meaningful expression. Soon the imperial military band will arrive in Florence. And the imperial military band will arrive in Florence and y the imperial march within two months at thetest. Chapter 904 Episode 904: The Imperial March (7) Is that all? Is there nothing more you can say other than that? In response to the Minister of Finance and Economys words, Shin Sook-ju and Seong Sam-moon requested additional information. However, the Minister of Finance and Economy did not open his mouth. Yu Eung-bu, who had been thinking about something for a while, asked an odd question. How big is the military band being sent to Florence? I didnt hear it properly, but they say it will be organized with at least 50 people. If you want to y Imperial March properly and worth listening to, you have to be at that level. Hmm In response to the Minister of Finance and Economys answer, Yu Eung-bu nodded with a snort. Shin Suk-ju and Seong Sam-moon, who saw Yoo Eung-bus expression as if he knew something, grumbled inwardly. what? Is there something we dont know about? This is it I want to ask the Minister of Finance and Economy more, but my pride is somehow hurt I guess Ill have to ask Byeok-ryang, Yu Eung-bus nickname,ter. The Minister of Finance and Economy seemed to know the feelings of Shin Sook-ju and Seong Sam-moon and stood up. I think Ive finished all my business here, so I should hurry up and get ready to go back. I feel uneasy at my desk in Seoul. How many documents must be piled up wow~. The ambassadors looked pitiful as the Minister of Finance and Economyined, which ended in a sigh. Thank you for your hard work. You have aplished a great thing. His Majesty will probably praise you greatly. The ambassadors stood up and offered well-wishes to the Ambassador of the Ministry of Finance and Economy. * * * When the Minister of Finance and Economy left, Seong Sam-moon and Shin Sook-ju asked Yu Eung-bu questions. What is the significance of the size of the military band? What are we missing? To Seong Sam-moon and Shin Sook-jus questions, Yu Eung-bu answered with an expression that it was no big deal. Didnt you listen to the Imperial March many times? What are the characteristics of the Imperial March? Dont you think you have to gather at least 30 musicians to make it worth listening to? Thats not true Shin Suk-ju and Seong Sam-moon nodded in response to Yu Eung-bus answer. * * * The Imperial March was a song famous for its unique grandeur and intense intimidation. Thanks to this, the first song foreign envoys C especially Ming and Japanese C heard when they arrived in Seoul was the Imperial March. When an envoy arrived in Seoul, it was polite to first visit the emperor and offer greetings. And from the moment they crossed Gwanghwamun, the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Pce, to meet the emperor, foreign envoys began to feel discouraged. Fully armed guards were lined up on both sides of the road leading from Gwanghwamun to Geunjeongmun, and envoys had to pass through the road. And the moment the envoys crossed Geunjeongmun, the Imperial March began to y. There were more guards lined up in the front yard of Geunjeongjeon, and as they got closer to Geunjeongjeon,rge and small officials were standing in rows. And in front of the wide open door of Geunjeongjeon, the emperor sitting on the throne was waiting for the envoy. The envoys, who walked along while listening to music that oppressed their hearts through their ears and receiving the gazes of the guards and major and minor officials C which were not at all favorable C were already in a state of dispiritedness. Thanks to this, when they arrived in front of the emperor, the subjects naturally kneeled and paid homage to the emperor. Having experienced this over and over again, the great and small subjects of the empire truly realized the value of the imperial march. You can make people kneel with just one tune! Its not something to ignore just because its a piece of music! Additionally, the envoys who had this experience returned to their countries and emphasized the need for this type of music. As a result, European powers were the first to begin producing simr songs. This was because simr music, such as church hymns, already existed. On the other hand, Asian countries such as Ming and Japan had difficultyposing music. Its not that Asian countries dont have solemn and heavy music, but theres very little that immediately creates pressure like the Imperial March. In the end, Ming and Japanese musicians created music that was simr to the Imperial March, or could be called giarism, and were harshly criticized by the Ming Emperor and the King of Japan. Youre going to y this in front of envoys sent from Seoul? How much do you want to make Jim aughing stock! Hello! Take this person out now and behead him! * * * Because it was such an imperial march, it had to be yed by many musicians to make it taste good. Yu Eung-bu continued speaking. This imperial march is often yed when greeting soldiers who have marched long distances in the army or soldiers returning from battle. However, because it requires a lot of musicians, it is customary to y it only when many soldiers are moving. If there are many soldiers, how much? At least a department Bura In response to Yu Eung-bus answer, Shin Suk-ju and Seong Sam-moon stroked their chins and started calcting. If there is wealth filled with essence, there are more than 3,000 people. Its a lot, but it doesnt look like this. They said they were ying the Imperial March properly. Then Shin Suk-ju and Seong Sam-moon, who had been doing their own calctions, looked back at Yu Eung-bu. At least the stomach? In response to Shin Sook-jus question, Yu Eung-bu nodded. If you consider stationing costs and supply issues, the above is probably the maximum. If the stomach is filled with purified water, there are almost 18,000 people. Would that be possible? It will be difficult toe all at once. Hmm Do you really think Shinji has that level of power? Yu Eung-bu responded to Seong Sam-moons concerns without hesitation. Isnt there also Suez? If war breaks out, wont Suez be cut off right away? At Seong Sam-moons point, Yu Eung-bu burst intoughter. Surely Shinji will only send transport ships? Of course you wont send the escort fleet, right? You certainly dont think that the escort fleet will just quietly protect the transport ships, do you? Do you think that the transport ships armament will be poor before then? If you look at the merchant ships operated by the empires merchant ships, dont they only have a few gunspared to their size? As far as I know, there are about 10 small artillery pieces and a few Eul-style freight cars In response to Seong Sam-moons answer, Yu Eung-bu shook his head with a smile on his face. I guess you are an imperial citizen with no choice. I see that you judge that armament to be weak. With that level of armament, the Europeans here would call it a battleship, not a merchant ship. Ah Seong Sam-moon nodded and Yu Eung-bu continued, still smiling. The arrival of the fleet from Shinji means that not only the sea south of Suez but also the Mediterranean Sea will be the seas of our empire. And yet they touch Suez? Our empires stake will increase significantly. Isnt that a good thing? There was a smile on Yu Eung-bus face as he continued his exnation. But that smile was too fishy. Seong Sam-moon and Shin Suk-ju muttered to themselves as they looked at Yu Eung-bus smile, which was filled with the scent of blood. Rather, he wants to be touched. If we do something wrong, not only Italy but the entire Mediterranean will be in chaos. I just hope Europeans dont make stupid decisions Seong Sam-moon, who had been thinking about that, suddenly burst intoughter and muttered. Heh! I made a stupid decision from the moment I decided to start a war, but Huh? What do you mean? ah! Its no big deal. I just think the Europeans made a big mistake. Ah. * * * After finishing their business, the imperial delegation left the military port of Livorno, receiving a grand wee. The ambassadors who saw the delegation off had to be even busier. What should we do with these middle school students The most urgent task was to console the Florences anti-corruptionists. The number of Swiss mercenaries stationed in Florence had already exceeded 30,000 and was approaching 40,000, and the number of mercenaries remaining in Switzend in charge of defense was also exceeding 10,000. We have enough troops! Now lets start a rebellion! To the north! To the north! Let us take Mn and Venice! The main faction, led by Lorenzo de Medici, shouted to mobilize troops and advance north immediately. Thanks to this, most of the ambassadors daily work involved dissuading these main proponents. We dont have enough troops yet. Lets hold on just a little longer. Swiss mercenaries and Florentine troopsbined number more than 60,000! How can this not be enough? If you just look at the numbers, its amazing. But lets not get carried away by the numbers. We are not yet equipped to handle a two-front battle. Speaking of two fronts. The Vatican and the Kingdom of Naples. The moment war breaks out, the alliance will copse and they will be enemies. You need to think about that too. In particr, do not forget that the Kingdom of Naples is in a position to block the sea route to Livorno. Oh my C We join forces to fight against the foreign powers that are targeting Italy. In the cause of survival, the Papal States of Florence, Venice, Mn, and the Kingdom of Naples were allied with each other. However, from the moment the first gun sounded in the war of Italian unification, this alliance would be a piece of paper, and from then on, each would be each others enemy. And the Papal States and the Kingdom of Naples, which upied southern Italy, were formidable opponents. Althoughmerce and industry were far behind those of northern cities, it boasted enormous farnd and arge poption based on that farnd. There was no way the powers that were dealing with Florence would just leave them alone, and Florence and the empire had to endure a two-front battle. While the ambassadors were continuing their vicious struggle against the main airwaves, breaking news arrived from Livorno. -Imperial military band arrives. -Size: 80 people. ats! Shin Suk-ju and Seong Sam-moon were delighted with the news they had been eagerly waiting for, and Yu Eung-bu muttered with a more serious expression. Now all that remains is who will pull the trigger first * * * With the arrival of a military band and massive amounts of supplies, the mood in Livorno changed once again. The mood of the imperial troops stationed at the military port of Livorno began to be more and more serious, and their actions gradually began to take action. Livorno was the beginning. The changed mood of the imperial army and people was transferred to Florence. Imperial Army instructors once again conducted intensive training for Swiss mercenaries and Florentine troops and meticulously checked the inventory and condition of various supplies, including ammunition. And at some point, a monk appeared in the sky over Livorno Naval Port, and the patrol range of the imperial fleet stationed in Livorno gradually expanded. Two months and ten days after the military band arrived, the bhikkhu floating in the sky began sending out luminous signals like crazy. The signalman who deciphered the signal sent by the monk immediately ran to themander and reported it. Its urgent from the bhikkhu! The Imperial Fleet has arrived! Multiple plumes of smoke confirmed! Send them to Florence immediately! ancient! The officer who gave the order immediately climbed the signal tower. The officer, who was scanning the horizon through a telescope, soon began to see plumes of ck smoke. one two three four five six? what! The officer, who was once again counting the number of plumes of smoke, soon sorted out the situation. It was said that the main branch and the new branch were developing new electric wires and transport ships equipped with steam engines. You said that since the front line has an assault return line, you should develop transport ships first, right? So are they all transport ships? No, what kind of crazy people are our navy? There is no way the assault return line is missing. And thats more than two ships The officer who had analyzed that far continued with a smile. This Mediterranean Sea will also be the sea of our empire. Chapter 905 Episode 905: The Imperial March (8) The Livorno naval port began to move busily after receiving the message from Bhikkhu. It says its arge fleet, but I dont know exactly how many ships there are! Clear the marina! Gather all the tugboats and oarsmen you can find! yes! Following the portmanders orders, the tugboats began to move busily. * * * The military port of Livorno had piers of various sizes built so that ships could dock ording to their size. However, the docks have rarely been operated for their intended purpose. The imperial front lines patrolling between Livorno and Prince Henrys Port were mostly small galleons or carracks, and there were more merchant ships anchored there than at the front lines. And the merchant ships lined up and anchored at the longest and widest pier among the piers built at the military port. If you dock your ship at the longest pier over there, its easy to unload and load! thats right! The crane and potters wheel on this dock are the biggest! Easy to get in and out! * * * Because of this situation, not only the tugboats that had gone out to sea on their turn, but also the tugboats that were taking a break, had no choice but to rush out. Luminous signals and gs were constantly fluttering from the high watchtower built at the dock mooring, and tugboats attached torge and smallmercial and military ships and towed them here and there to clear the dock. While the tugboats were busy moving, the Imperial Military Band, which had been staying at the Imperial Military Garrison in the military port, began moving to the dock. The military band, dressed in cleanly washed and properly stringed uniforms, checked their instruments once again and departed for the dock. * * * By the time the uproar had subsided to some extent, the squadron that had gone out on patrol in the morning returned to the port. pop! Puff! pop! A signal shingle was fired into the sky from the front line, and the military portmander, as well as military officers and signalmen on the dock, deciphered the signal without realizing it. Imperial fleet 22 ships 22 ships? 22 ships! Themander, surprised by the number, looked back at his subordinates around him. Have you prepared enough seats? yes! The adjutant who answered loudly looked back at the other military officers standing right next to him. The military officers responded as one to the unspokenmand. There are enough seats! But inside, everyone was muttering the same thing. Maybe There was a reason why they were so unsure. Even at our military port, it was rare for 22rge battleships, such as challenger-ss ships or assault ships, to dock at the same time. In most cases, the routine was to set anchor a short distance from the dock and then ferry boats woulde and go to unload their crews. The only time a ship was docked directly was to load or rece ammunition and food. But this time was different. The first was a fleet that came from Shinji across the East Sea C the Great East in the Empire and the Antic in Europe. Since there were power linesing across the ocean, it was clear that they were allrge ships. It was certain that the imperial troops and supplies to be stationed in Italy were being brought there. Therefore, we had no choice but to dock at a dock equipped with arge crane and a potters wheel. These were thest ships to havepleted their long-distance voyage. In order to properly check its condition, it had to be docked at the dock. Therefore, the military officers in charge of maintaining the military port looked at the sea with eager faces. Please I heard a rumor that they have grown a little, but I hope only those who have grown appropriately wille While the military officers were praying earnestly, gongs and drums sounded from the watchtower built on the dock. Jing~ Dung! Duung duung! e! At the sound of drums and gongsing from the watchtower, themander and military officers all raised their telescopes and looked at the sea. And everyone sighed. ah! Holy shit! The rumors were true! The problem was the huge ship that filled the telescope. The huge ship, slowly turning towards port, had four masts and what seemed to be nearly 20 sails, including triangr sails at the bow and stern. * * * -As long as Shinji goes, everything bes bigger! Regardless of whether it was an iron horse or a wire It was a rumor rted to Shinji for some time ago. And this was true to some extent. The northern and northeastern forests of the empire were vast, but Shinji was even vaster. Transporting people and goods across that vastnd from north to south, east to west, was not an easy task. The main and northern sites were so close to each other that sometimes Pabalma was faster than the light-emittingmunicationwork. But in Shinjis case, the oue was different. If you want to go to a neighboring vige, Shinji is a ce where you have to prepare well and announce the departure news in advance using the luminousmunicationwork before leaving. The reason for announcing the departure in advance was because if the ship did not arrive by the time it arrived, a search had to beunched. In most cases, they were lost and shipwrecked along the way. However, there were times when people were harmed by wild beasts or, in rare cases, lost their lives due to thieves. And in these cases, the military was called in. Therefore, in the case of Shinji, both iron horses and ships had to transport a lot of supplies at once. To transport arge number of goods and people at once, it had to berge, and to move that mass quickly, arger and more powerful steam engine or more sails had to be installed. And through all kinds of trial and error, the iron horses and ships began to grow in size. And what showed the most dramatic change here was the attitude of the vige. When Hyang first received the relevant proposal, he looked up at the sky and made an excuse that was not an excuse. I swear, I didnt do anything this time Hyang, who was looking at the proposals with the feeling that he heard Sejong shouting, Get out, you bastard! soon changed his attitude. Its the demand of the times! Then you should ept it! Hyang changed his stance without any hesitation and started flying around. Thats right, its time to start a game! Lets go as far as we can! Thanks to this, it was a miniature version of the Windjammer, but by todays standards it was a veryrge transport ship. On the one hand, I am proud, and on the other hand, I am sad Hyang muttered with a mixture of pride and regret as he looked at therge transport ship named ck Whale. This was because there was a mixture of pride in having created arge ship that would go down in history and make Europeans faint when they saw it, and regret at having to hand Shinji over to Wan. Now that Ive confirmed that it floats well and moves well, I think I should take the drawings and return to Seoul. By the way, Seoul will faint when they see this drawing. Thanks to the still frustratingly slow means ofmunication, not a single piece of information rted to the development of the ck Mirror was delivered to Seoul. No, the truth was that the fragrance was deliberately hidden thanks to the budget managers in Seoul who would be in an uproar when they heard the news of the development of the ck Mirror. Hyang paused for a moment and then continued speaking with a grin. Does it matter to me? Are you really going to ruin the situation? * * * The fleet that departed from Shinji, starting with the veryrge transport ship Heukkyung, entered the military port of Livorno one by one. The military officers looked helpless as they saw the front lines and transport ships entering the military port. The smallest ship is Challenger ss. The tugboats are going to die In reality, the tugboats at the military port were suffering to death. Usually, even if arge merchant ship came in, it could be easily moved with 2 to 3 tugboats. However, it seemed that the iing battle lines could barely move if there were at least 6 ships attached. How are we supposed to pull that thing and move it As if they knew that the tugboats oarsmen were in tears, the fleets front lines and transport ships were unloaded. As ferry boats and tugboats worked together to pull the ship, power lines and transport ships began docking at the dock. * * * The first to dock at the dock were Heukgyeong and two assault ships. You also had a hand in the assault return line. The eyes of the naval officers who saw the assault return ship docked at the dock all brightened. Is that the rumored ocean-type assault return ship? The docked assault return ship had a slightly longer and slimmer hull than the existing assault return ship. The bow also had a distinctive crown, but the bow beneath it was sharper and more pointed. Most of the naval officers here had experience in long-distance sailing and had learned and experienced a lot about the shape and characteristics of hulls since their days at the military academy. I heard there is a possibility that a new ship type will be created because of that. A new ship type? There are rumors that several names are being mentioned. It is called a jehaeseon (ƺ) in the sense of dominating the sea It is already too big to be called a cruiser ship or a ship just because it sails across the sea, so it is already too big. ), and there is talk that the name should be used. Hmm. While the military officers were talking, the military band that was waiting began to y the Imperial March. As the Imperial March began to y, all the military officers and sailors standing on the dock, starting with themander, straightened their postures and looked at the assault ships and the ck mirror docking at the dock. Cooung. With a dull sound, the docking of the assault return ships and the ck Guard ended, and soon after, the pier was connected and people began to disembark. The imperial troops who got off the ship soon began to split into two. As the Imperial Navy, wearing white naval uniforms, and the Imperial Army, wearing green military uniforms, stood in a line, a middle-aged soldier wearing a thiefs rank insignia stepped forward. Wee. I am Ahn Young-gyu, the thief in charge of Livorno. I am Lee Si-ae, a thief inmand of the Imperial Army stationed in Florence. Nice to meet you. Soon after, a naval thief got off the assault ship and approached. I am Song Il-won, a thief whomands the East Sea Cruiser Fleet. Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you. Two people who would cause a stir in the Mediterranean and Europe had arrived in Italy. * * * Meanwhile, the arrival of the imperial fleet from New Zend in Italy shook Europe. West? I came across the western sea! Those arerge ships weve never seen before? Have you misunderstood the challenger level? what? Is the challenger level the smallest? what! There are ships without sails? The naval officials of the European powers were confused by the imperial fleet appearing in the most unlikely direction. Wake! What has already appeared cannot be helped! It is urgent to check how much power we have! As naval officials barely came to their senses and tried to send spies, bizarre rumors began to circte among the general public in Europe. -I came to Italy from the Land of Flowers, dragging sea monsters with me! -In the Land of Flowers, there was a wizard who controlled sea monsters! Sea monster? The rumor spread, starting with fishermen in the Mediterranean region who saw a charging return ship crossing the Mediterranean Sea, emitting ck smoke. Chapter 906 Chapter 906: The Imperial March (9) The first Europeans to hear the rumor were Portugal and Spain. Portuguese and Spanish fishermen, who saw the imperial fleet passing through the Strait of Gibraltar and returning home, were frightened and rushed to the port. The fishermen who arrived at the port ran to the cathedral, screaming in fear. Its a monster! A monster has appeared! Monsters spitting ck smoke have appeared! The end hase! The fishermen arrived at the cathedral screaming loudly, grabbed the priests, and told them about what they had seen. Father! Monsters have appeared! The end hase! The end hase! Say no! Hey guys! Wake! The priests tried to calm down the fishermen, who were repeating the words the end of the monster world with half-mad faces, and asked them everything that had happened. A sea monster? What on earth did you see that makes you call it a sea monster? It was a huge monster I had never seen before! Among the ships Ive seen, Karak was the biggest. It was so big that it looked like a small boat! Its just spitting out ck smoke and fire from its mouth Thats right! That was a dragon! Its a dragon! Its a dragon! The dragon I had only heard about appeared! The end times havee! To calm down the fishermen who lost their senses and showed signs of anger, the priests held out sses full of wine. Now calm down have a ss of this and take a breather Yes, yes As the fishermen calmed down their excitement by sipping wine, the brides I confirmed the facts more urately. So it was the first animal I had ever seen? Yes! Yes! Are you sure its a beast? yes? maybe? Its an animal! A man-made ship cant be that big! If the ship spewed out smoke and fire like that, it would have burned up and turned into ashes in no time! Hmm right, right Although they were eagerly countering the fishermens words, the priests eyes were full of doubt. Paradoxically, the most intellectual and rational people at this time were priests and monks. In particr, it was the group of priests and monks who had umted knowledge by interacting with the empire for the longest time. The priests continued to ask questions, analyzing what the fishermen had said so far. So were there just those beasts? Or were there other things as well? Of course there were only animals! No, no wait it wasnt just animals. thats right! There were other boats too!! thats right! thats right! There were some really big boats too! The priests eyes began to light up when they heard that there were other ships as well. okay? Then is it true that those beasts really spewed smoke and fire from their mouths? Where else would smoke and firee from if not from the mouth? thats right! thats right! In response to the fishermens words, the priests ced a small cross on the table and asked again. Answer in the name of God. Did he really spit out fire and smoke from his mouth? The fishermen hesitated to answer questions that followed while cing the cross in front of them. Well that was. I definitely saw the smoke and mes, but the rest was fine. Where else would ite from if not from the mouth. Hmm. Listen to the fishermens words. The priest who had put it all together was speechless. After remaining silent for a long time, the priest finally came to a conclusion. Its not a sea monster. yes? Youre not a monster, right? Seeing the fishermens expressions of disbelief, the priest exined in more detail. You guys also heard the rumors about the Iron Horse, right? Yes, yes I heard Iron horses and railroads had not yet arrived in Spain and Portugal. However, in France, home-made iron horses had already started running, and in Ennd, some visible results were being produced. In addition, there were almost no people who did not know about the iron horse among the sailors who went to and from Prince Henrys port. The priest continued speaking. I heard that in the Land of Flowers in the East, there are ships that travel using water and fire like iron horses. They say those ships sail just fine without sails. And there are rumors that France and Ennd are also working on building simr ships. What you saw were those ships. Ah The fishermen nodded at the priests exnation. Most of the fishermen then breathed a sigh of relief, but there were also fishermen who did not believe it. But thats also a rumor But the fishermen who were so distrustful were stopped by their fellow fishermen. Shh! The person I learned the most from here is the priest! Why do you want to argue with me about what you know? . So dont worry and go home. This is the end, so dont talk about it for no reason. Yes, yes At the priests words, the fishermen bowed and returned home in groups of twos and fives. The priest, who was looking at the fishermen, got up from his seat. I cant just stay there. The priest left the cathedral, climbed on a donkey and headed towards the lords castle. Soon after, the lords officials posted a promation in each vige of the lord and read the promation. -Listen! These days there are rumors about a sea monster, but it is not a monster! This is a ship made in another country, so dont worry and do your best at your jobs! Most of the priests who heard the rumor reacted rationally, but a few priests cried out louder about the end of the world and thest days, creating even greater confusion. But this confusion soon subsided. A new rumor had begun to circte through Livorno and Florence. No, it wasnt a rumor, it was a greatly exaggerated fact. -The Land of Flowers fleet has arrived in Livorno! -I heard there are over 100 ships! -Among them, there are ships powered by steam engines! -The ships are so big that they easily exceed 1,000 cubits (about 500 meters)! And this rumorter developed to this point. -The Land of Flowers fleet that arrived in Livorno was over 100 ships, and all of them were over 1,000 cubits long! * * * The first reaction of naval officials from European powers who heard these rumors was to snort. joy! This is why ignorant people. Livornos military port is big, but 100 ships is too much! One thousand cubits? Theres no way a ship like that would be possible! Although they snorted, the naval officials of the great powers soon analyzed the situation with serious faces. You can just ignore what the ignorant people are saying, but it is true that a fairly powerful-looking fleet has arrived in Livorno. Its not just that it looks powerful, its a powerful fleet. You know very well how troublesome a Challenger-ss battleship is. The Challenger ss is a problem, but the steamships that came with it are the problem. Although it may not be 1,000 cubits as rumored, it is quiterge, and considering the crazy love for cannons of the Land of Flowers people, I cant even guess how many cannons it must have loaded. ording to the rumors, its an irond Really. Its not a ship made of iron, is it? No matter how crazy they were, they couldnt have done something that crazy They probably just put iron tes on top of wooden boards. Navy officials had reasonable grounds for being confident that it was an iron-d ship and not an iron ship. -The keel and ribs are important elements that help a ship survive the waves. Of course, strength is important, but sticity is also important. -Complete the outer shell of the hull by connecting steel tes? Is it possible to make a steel te that big? -Even if it were possible, it would only take one or two pieces, so is mass production possible with uniform quality? Even if it is the Land of Flowers, it is impossible. Because of these limitations, naval officials of the great powers were convinced that it was an irond ship. And irond ships were something that the European powers were also somewhat familiar with. To be exact, it was a copper-d ship, not an iron-d ship. As the challenger-level front was developed and time passed, Hyang tried his hand at the challenger-level front once again. The hull sides and bottom below the waterline were covered with copper tes. This was to strengthen the strength and defense of key parts and prevent barnacles from sticking to them. After it was confirmed that the lower part of the hull of the Challenger-ss ship was covered with copper tes,rge European ships also began to use copper tes. And as time passed, it was natural that a method of adding iron armor to the wooden hull was developed to increase the defense power of the battleship. Therefore, France, Ennd and Spain began building one or two armored battleships. And everyone fell into the same problem. Its good, but its too slow. The armor has increased its armor, but its weight has also increased significantly. There are limits to sails. After all, we have to use steam engines. Since steam engines were certain to be the best alternative, the great powers were also gradually researching steamships. And a steam irond ship suddenly appeared before the eyes of those great powers. Send spies to Italy! * * * While the spies of the European powers were moving toward Italy, in Livorno, the Florentine hillbillies were looking at the imperial front lines with fascinated expressions. A ship that big A ship without sails Giovanni was already used to the challenger-ss battle line, but he couldnt take his eyes off the dark lights and charging return ships in front of him. Especially in front of an assault ship with no sails, I was just a wreck. I want to see inside! Lorenzo and Giovanni made a strong request, but fleetmander Song Il-won tly refused. It cant be done because its a military secret. Arent we allies! Its military discipline. Tsk! Giovanni and Lorenzo couldnt hide their disappointment at Song Il-wons firm response and quenched their appetite. This was because he already knew well that the empire was surprisingly resolute in this regard. Forcing their regrets, Giovanni and Lorenzo changed the topic. From now on, the entire fleet will be stationed in Livorno? No, the eight ships, including the ck Mirror, will return to Shinji. Why are you going back? Because I was in charge of supply and escort duties. Lorenzo pretended to know Song Il-wons answer. ah! So, the troops areing in the next direction? Army troops wille through Suez. Those ships will be responsible for transporting artillery and other supplies. Lorenzo and Giovanni looked in disbelief at those words. More cannons areing? More here? After hearing of the arrival of the imperial fleet, Lorenzo and Giovanni immediately departed Florence with their ambassadors. When they arrived in Livorno, they saw cannons filling the open space at the marina. And thest ship on its turn was in the midst of unloading its cannons. Cannons Cannons Cannons It was the day Lorenzo saw the most cannons since he was born. But more cannons areing? Lee Si-ae, who saw Lorenzos disbelieving expression, joined the conversation. Thanks to the Swiss mercenaries, the troop problem has been resolved, so we should prepare to fight properly. Since ancient times, in a war, no matter where the battlefield is, you have to have a lot of artillery to win. Of course, it must be a gun with guaranteed power. In that matter, our Empire is always sincere and doing its best. Chapter 907 Episode 907: Alliance (1) At Lee Si-aes words, the Italians, including Lorenzo and Giovanni, looked stunned and were speechless. However, the first toe to their senses were those in charge of finances, including Giovanni. Gunpowder is an expensive product They say artillery shells can be made from iron castings, or if that doesnt work, they can be carved from stones This time, Lee Si-ae, who heard the Italians muttering, looked puzzled. You still make cannonballs by carving stones? From the imperial armys point of view, sandstone artillery was an object that only existed in records. Does Italy still carve stones to make cannonballs? Lorenzo hastily answered Lee Si-aes question. Of course not. I only use it in the worst case scenario. For those whomand the military, it is a basic knowledge to avoid such situations Tsk! At Lee Si-aes tongue-clicking, the Florence military executives blushed lightly and red at the finance managers. Why should I say such nonsense For anymander whomands an army, it is a basic quality to always prepare reserves and extra ammunition Afterwards, as Lee Si-ae continued to preach, the Florentine army Themanders red at the finance managers with increasingly fierce faces. Why are you making me listen to the sermons I was so sick of hearing at the military academy here again! As an aside, the imperial army rotatedmanders with extensivebat experience to military academies. The purpose was to learn not only theory but also practical experience. Although I only heard about it rather than experienced it directly, this alone was of great help. And Lee Si-ae was one of the strictest instructors. Why are you making me listen to that picky guys sermon again? In the end, Giovanni stepped in and took care of the situation. ha ha ha! All of the Florentine militarymanders here have learned and trained at the Imperial Military Academy. There will be nothing to worry about. greatness. Keuhum! Lee Si-ae ended the sermon by clearing her throat at Giovannis words. But Giovanni also had a backstory. What the finance officials are really worried about is gunpowder, not artillery shells. A lot of cannons means a lot of gunpowder is needed. The need for a lot of expensive gunpowder means that a lot of war effort is needed. The finance officials of Florence all nodded at Giovannis words. Even now, the people who suffer the most while preparing for war are financial officers. At Giovannis point, the imperial soldiers all looked at the Italians with strange expressions. Are you worried that the empire will ask you for war support? Is that possible? But isnt there a saying that we should keep the worst-case scenario in mind when doing everything? At Giovannis words, Lee Si-ae turned to Son Il-won who was sitting next to her. Son Il-won, who epted Lee Si-aes silent words, opened his mouth on Lee Si-aes behalf. Unless the Mediterranean Sea is blocked, the worst will note. And as long as our Imperial Navy fleet is here, the Mediterranean will not be blocked. ah. okay! At Son Il-wons answer, Giovannis face brightened and he nodded. This was because he had been traveling between Italy and the empire and was well aware of the power of the imperial navy. The other ships are great, but even with those two monster ships, you wont lose control of the sea! Theres nothing to worry about! Thanks to the assurances of both the army and navys topmanders, the Italians returned to Florence with bright faces. After seeing the Italians off, Son Il-won let out a small sigh. Whoa~. The bravado worked. Hearing Son Il-wons words, Lee Si-ae also let out a small sigh of relief and nodded. Whoa~. I agree. Now I understand why there is so much bravado in the art of war. It is said that if you want to deceive the enemy, you must first deceive your allies The first operation carried out by the imperial army in Italy was a foolish show. * * * The imperial armys operation in Livorno was a mixture of half truth and half fiction. Therge number of artillery pieces ced on the moorings of Livorno military port were real. However, the ammunition and gunpowder used by those cannons and the ammunition and artillery loaded on the fleets front lines were fictitious. Most of the army ammunition and artillery boxes ced on the moorings were loaded with food and water. And by the time we arrived in Livorno, the camouge boxes were almost empty. Therefore, the imperial army that had now arrived in Livorno had only enough strength for one battle if a full-scale battle was fought. Only after the arrival of the second force, which was to arrive through Suez, would the imperial army be equipped with its proper fighting force. If a full-scale war broke out before the second camp arrived, the empire would be in a situation where it would have to desperately focus on defense. This happened because it had to cross the Antic and Mediterranean Seas from New Zend to Italy. Not only was the distance a problem, but the return of the two ships was also a problem. The problem is that there is no supply base in the process of passing through the East Sea. We have to load enough coal and fresh water. The Imperial Navy did not forget its previous experience when it deployed assault return ships on the North Sea route from its home base to New Earth. Therefore, on the assault return ship from Shinji to Italy, various efforts were made, starting with refining the shape of the hull C mainly extending the range. Nevertheless, it was calcted that a considerable amount of coal and fresh water were needed. They say you can load as much fresh water as you can, and if its still not enough, you can make up for it by using a still and a purification machine, but that wasnt possible with coal. Therefore, the Navy decided to load less bombs and gunpowder on assault return ships. -Only loaded with ammunition and gunpowder for one full-scale battle. -The remaining space is used to carry coal and fresh water food. -Execute the same measures on all other fronts, not just the assault return line. The engineers who built the assault return ships and front lines unanimously opposed the navalmands decision. The newly built assault return ship was redesigned with that in mind! The range is sufficient! The same goes for the challenger-level front! This is a ship built from the beginning with long-distance voyages in mind! Its too much to worry about! Although the technical staff protested, the navalmand also had something to say. We have to cross the wide East Sea. You havent forgotten the shipwreck of the Jinpo, have you? . When the navalmand mentioned the Jinpo ship, the technical staff fell silent. The ship that fearlessly attempted to cross the Middle Sea and the Pacific Ocean and barely returned was the Jinpo. The navalmand learned that the East Sea was also a veryrge ocean through navigation logs and chart survey records obtained from captured European exploration ships, and nned its strategy as conservatively as possible. And the background that made this operation possible was the fact that Europeans knew very well the power of the challenger-level front. They already know what the challenger-level front lines are like. If you move at a fleet size, you cant even think about attacking them properly. There are assault return ships there too. Are you running into a power line youve never seen before? No one is that crazy. There were Myungguk kids, right? They believe that it is a two-headed dragon or a two-headed dragon. We dont have that in Europe either. The prediction that there would be no chance of attacking the Challenger-ss front lines moving in fleet size was correct, and the Imperial Fleet arrived safely in Livorno. * * * It would have been easier if the gunpowder and coals had been piled up in advance in the warehouse built in Livorno Son Il-won nodded at Lee Si-aesint. I agree. But that gunpowder guy is a really picky guy Thats the problem. They say they are constantly tinkering with gunpowder, but I wonder when good results wille out Thanks to Hyangs efforts, he was able to acquire smokeless gunpowder early on, but this gunpowder also had a lot of room for improvement in terms of safety and lifespan. I was sure that war would break out in Italy, but I couldnt stockpile gunpowder in Italy when I didnt know when it would break out. Because of this, arge amount of gunpowder could not be stored in Livorno. But the second group will arrive in about 15 to a month, so lets be patient. The bed will be morefortable only when the second team arrives Son Won-il grinned in response to Lee Si-aes words. Surely you cant sleep as well as the Europeans who saw our army and fleet? Lee Si-ae grinned and epted Son Il-wons words. Heh! Can they sleep? * * * As Son Il-won and Lee Si-ae predicted, navy and army officials of European powers were suffering from insomnia. Spies! Are there still no reports from the spies? Not yet! What do the Florentines who captured say? Still still! Damn it! The generals and admirals who received the reports from their subordinates swore. They say that The Land of Flowers uses a luminousmunicationwork or something tomunicate in an instant! We are still so slow! Even as they cursed at the backwardness of their countrys means ofmunication, the generals and admirals were busy moving about. Gather up some rumors! yes! ASAP! I must report to His Majesty the King! You keep picking up the pieces! While the generals and admirals were recruiting C to be exact, the kings recruiting C the subordinates were busy going out and collecting rumors and returning to analyze them. what? It has a lot of thorns on its back and spits fire and smoke from its mouth? Is this a boat? Its a monster! Take this out! A giant ship the size of 10 Karak shipsbined? 40 sails? Hey this seems like an exaggeration. It would be better to cut it in half. Surprisingly, the rumor that was filtered out with keen eyes was soon made into a report and submitted. Hmm The monarchs of the great powers who received the report looked at the contents with serious faces. Although the countries were different, the contents of the reports received by the monarchs of the great powers werergely the same. -Rumors say the fleet is at least 50 ships, but it is unreliable. Considering the size of the Livorno naval port and the size of the challenger-ss battle line, a maximum of 30 ships is the limit. -Threerge ships were confirmed. -One ship is estimated to be arge transport ship and two ships are battleships equipped with steam engines. Thebat power of battleships equipped with steam engines has not yet been confirmed. However, considering the characteristics of the Korean Federal Imperial Army, it is assumed that it had at least firepower equivalent to that of a challenger. Challenger level or higher? At least that too? To the kings question, the naval admirals all nodded. Thats right. There is a high possibility that it is an irond ship. Whoa~. The kings of the great powers let out a long sigh at the naval admirals exnation. The kings, who checked the reports again and again, asked simr questions to the naval admirals. If you were to challenge the imperial fleet that arrived in Italy, would you be able to defeat it? . To put it objectively, it is a fight between David and Goliath. I understand that David won that fight? . The problem is that Kingdom of Flowers is not Davids Goliath. The problem is that Goliath is crazy about cannons. Chapter 908 Episode 908: Alliance (2) As time passed, more detailed information came in from spies hiding in Florence and Livorno. However, the pitfall was that although it was detailed, it was not certain. To summarize the information sent by the spies, it was roughly as follows. -The size of the newly arrived imperial fleet in Livorno is approximately 20 ships. -About half of these are scheduled to return to the transport fleet soon. -One of therge ships stationed in Livorno is a specialized transport ship. However, it is said to be the fastest ship in terms of speed alone. -The two steamships are known as ironds. -The imperial armys security was tight so they could not get close, but it is estimated that the number of side blood vessels would be the same as the Challenger level. -As a result of selecting reliable ones among the collected rumors, the number of imperial troops stationed in Florence is estimated to be approximately 4,000 for the army and approximately 4,000 for the navy. Hmm After receiving the spies report, the navalmands of the great powers once again put their heads together and began analysis. The fact that the transport ship is the fastest makes sense when you look at the number of sails but the problem is the steam ship. sympathy. It would be most reasonable to think of it as an irond ship, right? That would be the most reasonable. Even if they are from the Land of Flowers, they cant reach the iron line. Most naval officials of the great powers agreed that the assault return ship was an irond ship, not an iron ship. -No matter how high the technology level of the empire is, it is impossible to reach an iron ship! Its impossible! It was a conclusion they thought was as reasonable as possible based on their perspective. However, a heated war of words broke out among Navy officials in the next item. -Is the armament of those steamships the same as the Challenger-ss ships? Navy officials were divided into two groups on this issue. What kind of people are these Land of Flowers people? At least twice as big as the Challenger level wire! Putting the same number of cannons as a Challenger ss on something sorge? Unless they lose their minds as a group, that will never happen! Think of it as a steamship! Think of an iron horse! The iron horse needs to be filled with water and coal whenever possible! Its a much bigger ship than that! The space created like that is sure to be filled with water and coal! Their iron horses are more efficient than the iron horses we made! You have to think about that! Of course, we will fill the expanded space with water and coal, but not everything! I would have definitely added more cannons! At least 10 questions! You should think about steam engines! If you add more cannons, you have to load more gunpowder and shells, but you cant store them next to a zing steam engine! When considering the safety of the ship, there are limits! While the officials divided into two groups were engaged in a bloody war of words, others came up with another idea. I thought about steam engines. Theye from the west, right? But why? The Antic Ocean is not a small sea, is it? But you came across that sea? What about water and food to drink? And what about the coal and water to run the steam engine? You mean At that moment, everyone who was arguing had a look on their faces as if they had been punched. Although they had not been able to obtain information about Shinji due to persistent interference by the empire, they were European powers who had secured considerable information about the eastern part of the Antic. And ording to that information, there was an open sea to the west of the Azores Inds secured by Portugal. Hmm. I guess Ill have to rethink this from the beginning. Not only did they just say that, but the naval officials of the great powers re-analyzed it from the beginning. Out of the 4,000 Imperial Navy personnel stationed in Livorno, the size of the Navy that arrived with that fleet ranges from a maximum of 3,000 to a minimum of 2,500. Even at the minimum, the amount of food and supplies they will consume If the circumference of the Earth calcted by schrs is urate, then they The sailing period is from a minimum of 2 months to a maximum of 6 months. Taking this into ount Those who started calcting based on their own standards and data saw the numbers filling up before their eyes and immediately called their subordinates. Bring the sewing machine! Or even a shemp tong! yes! Those who were casually handed the tray and container paused for a moment. Those who were looking closely at the tray and container in their hands burst intoughter. To make calctions for fighting the empire using items made in the empire Its a contradiction. In any case, the naval admirals looked serious as they looked at the conclusion that emerged after starting the analysis from scratch. Maybe an empty boat. Otherwise, you can fight at most once. No matter how much you think about it, there is no possibility that it is an empty ship, so it is most likely to be considered a one-time battle One battle hmm if you do this Admirals with warlike tendencies are nning their own strategies. While nning, the cautious admirals looked cynical. You dont think we can win that one battle, do you? Hopefully, its possible, right? You dont know the firepower of our battleships, do you? Doing well doesnt mean praying in a cathedral and asking for a miracle, right? . The entire strength of our navy will be destroyed in that one battle. The warlike admirals shouted at the criticisms of the new admirals. Then what are we going to do? Lets give the Mediterranean Sea to them like this! The new admirals responded with a calm expression to the criticism of the warlike admirals. I think diplomacy is the beginning of the strategy to win against the Land of Flowers. diplomacy? ah! The warlike admirals, who were pondering the words of the new admirals, all eximed in exmation. What is interesting is that regardless of country, the navies of all powers made the same decision. -We are sure to lose on our own. -Then how about joining hands with other countries? -With our strength alone, we will inevitably lose, but if we unite, the oue can change. * * * The monarchs of the great powers who epted the navalmands suggestion looked perplexed. Its a union its an alliance, right? Thats right. This is what I want I cant believe I have to join hands with those guys The rtions between the powerspeting for Italy were not good. This is because a vicious cycle of biting each other has continued for a long time. First of all, France and the Habsburgs of the Holy Roman Empire were not on good terms due to the issue of Swiss interests in Italy. And when Louis XI annexed the Duchy of Burgundy by force, rtions took a turn for the worst. And France and Spain also did not get along well. Frequent border disputes between France and Spain. It was due to a conflict taking ce between the Kingdom of Naples and Sicily. Although there was no particr conflict between the Habsburgs of the Holy Roman Empire and Spain, the rtionship was not close. That is why the monarchs who heard the Navys proposal looked perplexed. Among the monarchs, the one who showed the most resistance was the new King of France, Charles VIII. * * * Although he lived a long timepared to the history before the intervention of perfume, Louis XI died shortly after Charles VIIIsing of age ceremony. However, because Louis And the subsequent marriage of Charles VIII further worsened the rtionship between France and Habsburg. This was because Duchess Anne de Bretagne, who married Charles VIII, was originally engaged to Maximilian I of Habsburg. However, the marriage took ce because France and Charles VIII were unable to hand over important strategic locations in southern France to the Habsburgs. Even from the perspective of the Duchy of Brittany, the marriage to King VIII was unavoidable. Frances national power became stronger rtively quickly, perhaps as a reaction to the distorted history caused by the intervention of the French. In particr, the annexation of the Duchy of Burgundy, which urred at a much earlier point in history than before the intervention, was a decisive event that led to the rapid growth of French national power and the entire Habsburg family. In history before the intervention of the County, the owner of Burgundy was the Habsburgs. With the support of Spain, which became an ally through the marriage policy, and the national power gained through Burgundy, the Habsburgs existed as Frances strongest opponent. However, due to the distortion caused by the intervention of the French, the Habsburgs were reduced to a petitor requiring attention rather than a strongpetitor of France. Because France quickly returned to being the loser of Europe through the reaction of history, the Duchy of Brittany had no choice but to consummate the marriage between Charles VIII and the Duchess. After hearing this storyter, Hyang muttered to herself: Sometimes they say reality is better than drama NTR * * * Charles VIII felt strong resistance when he heard the Navys proposal, but he could not reject it right away. It was because he understood why the Navy made such a proposal. Therefore, Charles VIII summoned the generals of the army, the navy, and the ministers. So the Navy made this proposal. I want to hear your opinions. As Charles VIII spoke, the attendees quietly whispered and shared their opinions. After whispering and exchanging opinions for a while, the first to speak were the generals of the royal army. From the Armys perspective, the Navys proposal is not a bad one. Honestly, its a very good n if you consider the ultimate goal, the Kingdom of Naples. Frances final target in Italy was the Kingdom of Naples. If Mn was captured and the Kingdom of Naples was annexed, France would be able to secure its own independent transportation route from Suez to France. And if that transportation route was secured, France would be able to further strengthen its influence in Northern Europe. No, if it were not just a simple expansion of influence, but annexation one by one, it would be possible to revive the old Frankish kingdom of Charlemagne. Of course, Savoy is caught in the middle The Duchy of Savoy was located on the road to Mn and Italy, but it was not a major obstacle for France and Charles VIII. If you think about it, the Habsburgs and Spain are not a big obstacle either By producing its own silver, France was able to arm itself by independently producing Japanese style rifles and Japanese style freight cars. In the eyes of France, whose military power had grown dramatically as it was able to independently produce and supply long guns and freight car ammunition, the Habsburgs and Spain were not particrly worried. Frances real worry was the imperial army stationed in Florence and the 100,000 Swiss mercenaries. To be precise, it was the imperial army and navy, whose number may not be known, and the Swiss mercenaries, which were increasing in number from 50,000. Lastly, the Florentine standing army numbered 20,000. Chapter 909 Episode 909: Alliance (3) The generals of the Imperial Army ended their exnation with the following words. if our proud French grande arme gives its all, we can achieve our goal. However, we will lose a lot of blood in the process of subduing the union between Florence and the Empire. Charles VIII, who pondered the words of the generals, discovered the hidden meaning. Are you saying that if we do something wrong, only Spain and Habsburg can do good things? Thats right. Hmm Charles VIII closed his mouth once again and considered the situation, then looked back at the ministers gathered. Then how about joining the imperial alliance with Florence? After hearing Charles VIIIs idea, the Prime Minister immediately shook his head. Its impossible. No, its impossible. The reason is? It is because of the cause of Italian unification put forward by Florence. I see Charles VIII nodded in response to the Prime Ministers answer. * * * Frances ultimate goal was to secure the Kingdom of Naples. This was not a simple invasion, but a reasonable im with its own justification. If you look at the rtionships between European nobles and royal families during this period, you will find that they are surprisingly intertwined through various blood ties. This was because arranged marriages were amon urrence in order to secure and maintain the security of the territory and vested rights. Thanks to this, Charles VIII also had the right to im the right of session to the throne of the Kingdom of Naples. In addition, thanks to requests for support first from Mn and then from Venice, they had an additional justification to advance south into Italy. What is interesting is that both Mn and Venice, like Florence, insisted on Italian unification. But for France, there was a big difference between these three. Florence, which had taken the hand of the empire, was a partner to be seriously considered, but Mn and Venice were merely noisy dreamers. No, the Sforza family of Mn were people to be taken a little seriously, but Venice had no value beyond providing justification. * * * But that doesnt mean the losses are too great for France to deal with the empire on its own. We dont know how many imperial troops will be stationed in Florence. It should never be ignored. But Charles VIII, who was listening to the objections raised by the generals of the imperial army, raised a question. Is the imperial army that strong? Many people nodded to Charles VIIIs point. All of them, like Charles VIII, were of the young generation. And Charles VIII and they had something else inmon besides being a new generation. He said he had never seen the Empire fight a battle. Of course, thete King Louis XI also never saw the battles of the empire in person. However, many of themanders under Louis XI had seen with their own eyes how the empire fought at Suez. In addition, Louis XI also experienced harshbat during the Hundred Years War. The Hundred Years War was the war that began to change from a war centered on cold weapons to a war centered on gunpowder weapons. Through the Suez War that followed and the military annexation of the Duchy of Burgundy, it was Louis Therefore, Louis XI never missed the movements of the empire, especially military movements. However, for the younger generation of France, symbolized by Charles VIII, the strength of the empire was something that was not easily understood. One of the reasons was that most of the veterans who fought against Britain, at Suez, and at Burgundy had retired. Another big reason was that France broke away from the empire and gained its own armament. As they began to ownrge quantities of their own breech-loading single-barreled guns, freight cars, and standardized cannons, the confidence of the younger generation soared. Our French military power is the best in the world! This is not the old France where you had to fight with spears and swords again if the empire didnt sell! 5-barreled long gun? Its amazing. But we can make it too! In fact, copper cartridges for long guns and pistols had been developed and received positive reviews, so mass production was decided. In line with this, the development of Frances own five-barreled long gun was progressing. As a result, the younger generation of France, filled with confidence, began to have a skeptical view of the power of the empire. * * * The generals and ministers of the army and navy answered simultaneously to Charles VIIIs question. Its powerful. Its very powerful. In response to the answers from the generals and ministers, Charles VIII frowned and asked again. Arent our French weapons quite powerful as well? And isnt it the same for imperial soldiers who die if they get hit by a bullet? To Charles VIIIs point, a general from the royal army stepped forward and responded. Your Majesty, what you said is not wrong. However, the Imperial Army fires shells when the enemy fires bullets. Then they spray bullets with a freight car. Dont we have cannons too? Shouldnt we just fire shells too? The problem is that the Imperial Army fires cannons like we fire long guns. huh? Thats ah? ah? ah! Charles VIII, who did not immediately understand and expressed doubts, was soon unable to close his mouth. ording to the expression of incense, Charles VIII was a man of virtue. He collected all kinds of weapons and armor, including swords, spears, and armor used throughout Europe and the Middle East, as well as gunpowder weapons ranging from hand cannons to freight cars. Charles VIIIs propensity for phnthropy did not stop at simply collecting. He actuallymanded troops and made experimental attempts to increase the lethality of cannons and long guns. The most representative example was the sess in developing a copy of the Empires favorite weapon, Bigyeokjincheonroe. I was shocked because it was Charles VIII. There are two ways for a long gun to demonstrate its true power in battle. One is sniping and the other is group shooting. To paraphrase what the general just said, this means that the imperial army will mobilize arge number of cannons. Of course, we also use a lot of cannons, but the general didnt say that. Then, it means that the imperial army mobilizes more cannons than us. After analyzing up to that point, Charles VIII asked the general who made the statement in question again. ording to what the general said, the Imperial Army seems to operate arger number of artillery pieces than our French Army How many? Onetwo times? Three times? We operate an overwhelming number of them. Isnt it too abstract? General Charles VIIIs Bolmensori exined the reason. It was at Suez that the Major General saw the Imperial Armys artillery operation, and they operated so many artillery pieces that it was almost tiresome to see them. But what was even more surprising was that many of the cannons were not filled with pure water. So, how much were those cannons, so many that I was sick of looking at them? There were almost 50 guns, not counting the cannons in the forts guarding the port. I am not sure about the number of cannons in the fort, but the number of cannons was almost 100. Charles VIII remained silent at the generals answer. Now France was working hard to build and deploy cannons. Nevertheless, the number of cannons deployed in the army had barely exceeded 100. Of course, if you include the cannons mounted on naval battleships, the number increases to over 300 guns The Empire carries more than 70 cannons on just one Challenger-ss ship We have 20 cannons at most. . Charles VIII, realizing the overwhelming size of the difference, looked back at his ministers. As far as I know, gunpowder is not easy to make. In particr, the cornerstone is the biggest problem. Do you have any idea how the Empire solved this problem? As expected, Charles VIII pointed out the most important point right away. This was because France was also struggling with the problem of obtaining this cornerstone. In response to Charles VIIIs question, the official who was in thest seat stepped forward and answered. This is India. I understand it is imported from the Sultanate of Bengal in India. India Hmm Ah! Blocking the sea route from India to the empire Oh my Charles VIIIs face brightened for a moment as he remembered the location of India, but then darkened. The idea of a maritime blockade shed, but it was immediately abandoned after considering who upied the route in question and Frances naval power. * * * After continued discussions, Charles VIII and the younger generation had no choice but to acknowledge reality. Whoa~. It would be impossible for France to annex Italy alone. It would be possible without an empire. But since there is an empire, its just a y on words. But that doesnt mean we cant form an alliance with the empire So, does that mean we have to form an alliance with those goddamn bastards and Iberian bastards? The Prime Minister stepped forward and answered Charles VIIIs question. That is the most reasonable alternative. Following the Prime Ministers remarks, generals from the Army and Navy came forward and added their words. If Spain and Habsburg are added to expand the front, Florence and the Empire will have no choice but to disperse their power. That will reduce the burden on us. Not only will power be distributed, but there will also be problems with distribution. Then our chances of winning will be even higher. Charles VIII, who was listening to the stories of the prime minister and generals, looked full of regret. Its a shame we cant dominate Italy. We just need to properly upy the Kingdom of Naples. All you have to do is split the rest into small portions and eat it. I see In that case, study how best to divide it and report it to Jim. Yes, Your Majesty. And before two days had passed, information came into Milwis undercover base in Paris. This was thanks to the drunken chatter of French officials and officers who stopped by to enjoy drinking and gisaeng. The executive of the Mill Commission, who waspiling the information obtained through the gisaeng and writing a report, chuckled and muttered. How did the May Movement end? * * * A few dayster, the generals of the French Army and Navy and ministers gathered in one ce once again. The Prime Minister, who spoke, exined the n by pointing with a stick at various points on arge map of Italy ced on one side. A rough summary of the Prime Ministers remarks was as follows. -There are two things France can take from Italy. One was the annexation of the Kingdom of Naples and the other was the ousting of the Empire. -For this purpose, we form an alliance with the Spanish Habsburgs. -In return for the alliance, the Habsburgs recognize control of Venice and northeastern Italy, and Spain recognizes control of Sicily. -Spain faces the Imperial Navy. The naval power of Mn, Genoa, and Venice also moves together with Spain. -The Habsburgs are responsible for the ground war in Italy together with France. -In this way, the Imperial Navy will distribute its power to deal with Spain and the Imperial Army to deal with France and the Habsburgs. Its okay Charles VIII nodded with a satisfied face and soon made a decision. Please proceed like this. Yes, Your Majesty. Chapter 910 Episode 910: Alliance (4) As soon as Charles VIIIs sanction was granted, French diplomats began to busy themselves with the Habsburgs and Spain. A banquet was held for those in charge of envoy duties, and many nobles attended the banquet. Banquets were also held in Paris for middle and lower-level officials who could not attend due to status issues. Afterwards, the nobles who had attended the banquet gathered in groups of twos and threes ording to their factions and had a drinking party again in the gibang. Thanks to this, Milwis agents stationed in Paris had to be busy. This was because, while attending a banquet held in a gibang, he had to collect information spilled by drunken lower-ranking officials and overhear nobles attending a banquet held by the king and the highest nobles discussing the possibility of sess. Armed with the information thus obtained, the secret service official stationed in Paris headed to Italy. * * * The executives of the wheatmittee gathered at the liquor warehouse in Livorno and shared their opinions and shared the information they had obtained. I am worried that the changes in the situation in Europe are elerating. Seoul is too far away. An executive working in Lisbon pointed out the problem with a frown on his face. At his point, other executives also nodded with simr expressions. It took 4 months if I was lucky, or 6 months if I was lucky, to send information from Italy to Seoul and receive a reply from Seoul. In any other time, I would have epted it and moved on, but now was not any other time. And right now, the person in charge of Lisbon was in the most urgent situation. How is Lisbon now? In response to the Paris representatives question, the Lisbon representative sighed. Whoa~. Dont even talk. Every day in the pce begins and ends with arguments, and the streets at night have turned into awless zone. Thanks to this, sales are at a low level and information collection is a mess. The Lisbon representativesints continued for a long time. Why did I have to settle down in a ce like that No, when all the prominent people passed away Pooh~. Other executives who heard the Lisbon managersints were able to understand his difficulties. As it became clear that not only the European powers but also the empire would be involved in the war taking ce in Italy, it was Portugal that found itself in the most difficult position. * * * Portugal had been enjoying a golden age ever since Henry visited the empire. This was because they gained enormous economic benefits by joining the empire and were able to keep Spain in check by importing weapons from the empire. In addition, as Portugal became amunity of interests with France through Suez, the situation continued to be no better than this. This was because Portugals burden was gradually decreasing as France, a powerful army, kept Spain in check. Portugal did not miss this opportunity and moved quickly. It was to steadily improve the armys strength and at the same time strengthen the naval power. Thanks to this, Portugals naval power has grown to a position where it ispeting for the lead in Europe. And based on that naval power, the colonial project in Africa grew further. Afterwards, in the race to find the rumored Southern New Continent, I was able to get ahead of otherpetitors and was having a lot of fun. However, because of Italy, all this opportunity turned into a crisis. And Portugal was faced with a choice. It was because of France and the empire. Both justification and practicality only showed the conclusion that France and the empire could not coexist. There was also a conclusion that Portugal would find it difficult to survive on its own if it did not choose one of the two. Because of this, a fierce war of words was taking ce every day in the royal pce in Lisbon. Empire! We must join the Empire! Even a child knows how powerful the empire is! But the Empire is far away! We must join hands with France! Empires have to cross the sea, but France cane right on foot! There are rumors going around that France and Spain could join hands! Spain is targeting our Portugal! So youre saying were going to pretend to be with France? I think our army can handle the French army! Whoa~. King Joao II sighed as he watched the nobles and ministers divided into two groups and engaged in a war of words. Both sides were asserting their opinions out of consideration for the country, and both sides had pros and cons. Whoa~. King Joao II sighed once again and intervened in the war of words. stop. Everyone was so excited. Lets calm down for a moment. Im sorry. It was disgraceful. At Joao IIs point, the ministers and nobles bowed their heads and remained silent. After stopping the war of words, King Joao II shared his thoughts. How about we just dere neutrality? Ministers and nobles, regardless of faction, simultaneously shook their heads at Joao IIs proposal. Its impossible. The Empire may recognize it, but France will reject it. Why? The nobles and ministers responded immediately to Joao IIs question. Its because of our Navy. Ah Upon hearing the answer, King Joao II immediately nodded. Again, Portugals naval power was one of the most powerful in Europe. As the empire became involved in the war over Italy, European military officials studied ways to win against the empire. -To win against an empire, the best way is to cut off the supply lines in the Mediterranean. -For this, a strong naval power is needed. All European military officials who reached this point focused on Portugal. No, I focused on Portugals navy. They will definitely force an alliance on us because of our proud navy? Thats right. I will definitely try to get my hands on it, especially after the Imperial Fleet crosses the Antic and arrives in Italy. Whoa~. Its a pain in the ass. King Joao II ced his hand on his forehead and sighed. So, join hands with the empire No, join hands with France While King Joao II was pondering, the nobles and ministers began to engage in a fierce war of words again. While there was a fierce war of words in the pce during the day, life and death were fought at night. This was because each side sent assassins to eliminate political opponents. * * * As this mess continued, everyone from King Joao II to the general merchants at the market had the same thought. If only they were alive The people they miss were the first Duke of Coimbra and Prince Henry the Navigator. Those two were the ones who created what Portugal is today. With quicker judgment and bolder decisions than anyone else, he enriched Portugal by heading toward the empire, and prevented the tyranny of the nobles through a great purge of nobles, including the Duke of Braganza. But now they too have be figures of the past. The second Duke of Coimbra, who seeded the first Duke of Coimbra as prime minister of the kingdom, was also a capable person. However,pared to the first Duke, it paled a little. Thanks to this, I was still confused and couldnt make a decision. And this was increasing the burden on Joao II. After the Great Purge symbolized by the purge of the Duke of Braganza, Afonso V almost entrusted full authority to the Duke of Coimbra. The first Duke of Coimbra, who was disappointed with Afonso V, did his best to teach kingship to Afonso Vs son, Joao II. Thanks to the teachings that included examples of famous emperors from the old Roman era, as well as anecdotes of King Sejong and Hyang, King Joao II was able to be apetent king. Even in history before the intervention of Hyang, he was called King of Perfection, King of Muheum, King of Wanmi (o Prncipe Perfeito). However, no matter how capable the king was, if his subjects were confused, there was no way the government could run properly. Like right now. King Joao II, tired of the repeated war of words every day, looked out the window and muttered. I envy the Ottomans. Bayezid II, who seeded Mehmet II as sultan, was doing his best to strengthen the internal stability of the Ottomans while watching the chaos unfolding over Italy. Just watch them bite each other. But if you bite me, raise your club without mercy. This was Bayezid IIs idea. * * * The executives of the Militia Committee, who were looking for the best method in an increasingly urgent situation, soon reached a consensus. Do you agree that the current situation is a situation where on-the-spot judgment takes top priority? agreement. agreement. Then lets document it and put a stamp on it. After reaching an agreement among all members, the executives of the Militia Committee soon put their heads together and began toe up with a n. A few dayster, a man entered the imperial embassy in Florence. Whats going on? In response to the embassy officials question, the man hesitated, then looked around intently and quietly opened his mouth. I Im a person named Song Mo who works at a bar in Paris. I have something urgent to report to the ambassador Something urgent to report? yes. The safety of the country is at stake. At the mans words, the official quickly got up from his seat. Wait a moment. * * * After a while, the man was called to where the ambassadors were sitting. See you ambassadors. Did you say you were from Paris? The elders are having a hard time. Please take a seat. Thank you. As the man sat down, Shin Suk-ju opened his mouth. So, what is it that the safety of our empire is at stake? Soin works at a bar in Paris. Its a rather expensive bar, so the customers are people who pretend to act a bit even in Paris. If its Paris red moon (lune rouge)? When Shin Suk-ju pretended to know, the man nodded loudly. Yes it is! Right. Lets keep going. yes. After working for a few years, I learned to understand a few words of French. Not long ago, officials from the royal pce came over and had apany dinner. As I was bringing drinks to the ce, what I heard at first nce was something like Spanish-Hapsburg alliance. So I listened a little more closely and it seemed like France was sending messengers to those countries. Im a guy who works at a bar, but I still know a little bit about whats going on in the world, so I came here just in case. is it? Thank you so much. But do you know when it will be sent? It would already be Dalpo. is it? Thank you. I will report your matter to His Majesty the Emperor. Its an honor! After sending the man who repeatedly bowed down, the three looked at each other with serious faces. I expected it to some extent, but We also need to take measures. So Shin Sook-ju looked at the other two people and spoke her thoughts. I should go to Portugal. If we do well, well be able to drive in at least one wedge. Seong Sam-moon and Yu Eung-bu also nodded at Shin Sook-jus words. Good idea. If its Portugal, it could be a pretty cumbersome wedge. Chapter 911 Episode 911 Alliance (5) The reason all three ambassadors were able to remain so calm was because it was something they had already expected to some extent. -Thend force, numbering over 100,000 men including Swiss mercenaries, is thergest on the Italian front. -Fighting alone against these numbers is something only a fool would do. -Of course we will try to unite. -I think about the next thing then. Although Seong Sam-moon nodded at Shin Sook-jus words, he continued speaking with an expression that he did not understand. I thought the first ce France would reach out to was Portugal but its a bit surprising. If what the man from Paris said is true, France was sending messengers to Spain, but had no ns yet to send messengers to Portugal. Of course, considering the time difference, there was a possibility that the messenger went to Portugal as well. However, considering Portugals values, Spaines before Portugal was a strange thing. Yu Eung-bu responded to Seong Sam-moons point. France may not think that Suez and Italy are separate. Suez and Italy are separate? Hmm. Maybe. Shin Suk-ju and Seong Sam-moon, who were considering Yu Eung-bus opinion, soon nodded. * * * France was notpletely unaware of the empire. No, I knew it well. Therefore, it was natural to judge that if Suez was touched, the empire would move sincerely. And this was clearly evident from the words of the person from Paris. The onlypensation offered by France to Spain and Habsburg was the division of Italy. In other words, Frances only goal was to protect its own interests in Italy and exclude imperial interference. -We cannot give up Italy, but we have no intention of breaking all ties with the empire. -In other words, Italy and Suez are separate. The three people judged the reason why France withdrew Portugal. * * * Huh~. Seong Sam-moon, who realized Frances intentions, shook his head. There is a saying, Everyone has a usible n. But where did the confidencee from that Spain and Habsburg would ept it if they said they were separate? In response to Seong Sam-moons criticism, Yu Eung-bu reacted with a cynical response. I received the words in a tone of voice. Isnt it a great country? A great country is a mess Hmm If France turns out like this As if he had a good idea, Seong Sam-moon suddenly stopped talking and got lost in thought. Seong Sam-moon, who was shaking his head and thinking about something, looked at Yu Eung-bu. How many Eulsik rifles and Eulsik wagons are left in this ce? Theres a lot left. why? If they are using a joint n, shouldnt we use aprehensive n? Heehyeondang C Shin Sook-jus nickname C I heard that the Captain is going to Portugal, so I have to go to Hungary. Wouldnt Hungarians like Japanese-style rifles and Japanese-style freight cars? Good idea. Good idea. Then lets write a report as quickly as possible, send it to Seoul, and get moving. Contact Livorno and ask for some ships. Lets do that. Thus began a fierce diplomatic battle that marked the beginning of war for Italy. * * * While a fierce diplomatic battle was taking ce centered on Florence and Paris, the imperial military port of Livorno was crowded with imperial front lines. This was thanks to the fact that the main base of the imperial army arrived in Italy via Suez and the second transport fleet from Shinji arrived at the same time. There was definitely enough time left! why! While were at it, take care of at least one more ship! It starts now! Baggage and people are still arriving at Port Henrique! Same goes for Shinji! The imperial navy that managed the port, starting with the portmander, moved without proper rest. We organized the berthing order of the arriving ships, brought in cranes and wheelbarrows, and unloaded the cargo. On the other side, carts pulled by ox horses and tow trucks moved like worker ants in a row to move the unloaded cargo to the warehouse. As Livorno was busy, Florence was also busy. Check the railroad connections properly! yes! yep! At the Imperial Army garrison on the outskirts of Florence, the response department was checking the situation with great nerves. This was because the railway, the most important of the facilities being built at the imperial military garrison, was in its final stages. If a railroad wasid directly connecting Florence Station to the Imperial Army garrison, the Imperial Armys new main weapons could be transported conveniently. After confirming that the newlyid railway was properlyid by mobilizing the spare iron horse at Florence Station, Eung-bu let out a long sigh. Whoa~. Damn trench warfare to even think about actually using those strange objects Around the same time, the Imperial Army Yard in Livorno. Artisans belonging to the Army and dispatched from Areas 51 and 52 were assembling the parts unloaded from the ship. Beep! Ppaaeak! No problem! Its running great! Then load it! The equipment, which hadpleted assembly and final inspection, was loaded one by one into t wagons on one side of the warehouse. Put it on! Tie the rope tight! Wrap yourself up tight! As the equipment was loaded onto the wagon, the soldiers came together to wrap it and tie it tightly with thick, strong rope. At night, an iron horse entered the warehouse. As the guards boarded the freight cars that came out of the warehouse one after another, pulled by iron horses, the iron horses boarded the railroad heading to Florence and departed Livorno. Their final destination was the imperial military garrison on the outskirts of Florence. The craftsmen muttered withplex expressions as they watched the freight cars disappearing into the distance. I thought it was just a pastime for His Majesty the Emperor, but its even more surprising that His Majesty the Emperor set aside a budget to mass-produce it. Thats the blood Shh! No matter what, I feel sorry for the Ministry of Finance and Economy officials Break time is over! Theres still a lot more to assemble! If you want to sleep well, move quickly! Yep! Say the slogan again! Your sry will be reduced for one defective product, and your sry will be increased for one defective product! Itsing! Who are you! These are craftsmen raised by His Majesty Tae Sang-sang and Jang Yeong-sil! Oooh! The craftsmen vigorously chanted the slogan and worked hard with their tools. It wasnt just the reward that made the craftsmen do their best. This was because they were curious about how the Imperial Armystest weapon, which they had just assembled, would perform on the battlefield. And it was because of the strange sense ofpetition that blossomed among the craftsmen. -In order for that equipment to make a name for itself, we have to properly handle it! -The honor of Area 51 is at stake! Show off your original skills! -Shows what Area 52 is like! Prove who Jang Yeong-sils direct descendants are! * * * While fiercepetition among craftsmen was taking ce in Livorno, chaos was also going on in Seoul. It all started with a small rumor that came from Sugang Pce. -The Great Emperor ordered a new military uniform to be worn! Military uniform? why? Han Myeong-hoe, who heard the rumor, tilted his head. But soon he stood up with a white face. no way! Probably not! It shouldnt be! Shouting out words that sounded like a scream, Han Myeong-hoe forgot his body pain and sprinted towards Geunjeongjeon. Huh! Your Majesty Breathe! The Prime Minister has arrived Huh! Tell me! When Han Myeong-hoe spoke while breathing heavily, the eunuch answered right away. Your Majesty has now gone to Shugang Pce! Holy shit! Han Myeong-hoe had to sprint back to the Sugang Pce while swearing without realizing it. Huh! Huh! Knock! Oh my gosh, Prime Minister! Han Myeong-hoe, who arrived at Hyangs residence, was almost out of breath, perhaps because he had sprinted from the Prime Ministers Office on Yukjo Street, to Geunjeongjeon, and back to Sugang Pce. An eunuch who was startled by the sight ran over to help him, and Han Myeong-hoe, who had managed to catch his breath, got to the point. Your Majesty, I Before Han Myeong-hoe could finish speaking, Hyuns shouting rang loudly from inside. Its not possible! Youre going to Italy! You know what happens there! Han Myeong-hoe looked dejected at Hyeons shouting. Perhaps it was me Hueup~. Phew~. When what she had expected happened, Han Myeong-hoe was relieved of her despair and actually became calm. After calmly catching his breath, Han Myeong-hoe spoke to the eunuch standing next to him. Please tell me. Yes, Captain. your majesty! The Prime Minister has arrived! Get out! After receiving permission from the prefecture, Han Myeong-hoe went inside. Han Myeong-hoe, who saw Hyang and Hyeon, bowed politely, and Hyang smiled and weed him. Wee. Please sit there. Han Myeong-hoe, who was sitting in the position where Hyang had authority, immediately got to the point. Recently, there was a strange rumor going around in the pce, so I hurried over and heard it outside. Are you really going to Italy? exactly. This is going to be a battlefield. Thats why Im going. In response to Hyangs words, Hyun raised his voice again. So what is your reason for leaving? This is because of new equipment and supply issues. yes? Hyang exined why he had to go to Italy. -The Imperial Army being deployed to Italy this time has a number of new weapons. -Small weapons may not be a big problem, butrge weapons are. C Although it has been verified, no one knows what problems will arise in practice. For a quick solution, there must be someone who knows the mechanism well. And I know the mechanism best. -And the supply issue also helps. Long-distance supply must be carried out regardless of whether it is a new site or a main site. If you do it wrong, supply may be a problem and even a winning war could be lost. Thats why I have to be there. Could it be that there is a great person who would mess up the supply when Tae Sang-tae is there? Finally, we cant just have ambassadors be there to receive the surrender of European monarchs, right? Wouldnt it be worth it to have at least a state of affairs? Hyeon made a bewildered expression at Hyangs words. You dont even expect the empire to lose! Well I dont expect to lose either. Hyeon, who was not convinced, looked at the military uniform hanging behind the incense stick. Hyun muttered to himself after seeing the pitch ck military uniform from start to finish. Youre openly telling me to kneel. Even if I understood it, it was something that couldnt be done. Perhaps knowing how Hyeon felt, Han Myeong-hoe tried to dissuade Hyang. The battlefield is a rough ce. It is a ce where corpses abound everywhere and all kinds of ugly things happen. I hope you dont forget that I too have the experience of risking my life and facing enemies right under my nose. Ah Han Myeong-hoe was speechless at Hyangs point. Hyang was the one who fought at the forefront of the battle that took ce in the year of Giyu. Chapter 912 Episode 912 Alliance (6) Hyangs words were quite usible. Neither Hyun nor Han Myeong-hoe could ept it as yes. No matter what anyone said, the scent was as it should be. It was he who created this glorious empire. He was a being who received absolute loyalty not only from the situation and the emperor, but also from the ministers and the people. Someone like that is on the front line? As a hostage, he was of the highest value. No, if Hyang died or was injured on the front line, the morale of the imperial army and people would plummet to the bottom right away. And it was certain that the people of the empire would hold the emperor and ministers ountable. Of course, the country that did the wrong thing will have to pay the exact price to the empire that was engulfed in anger. As the emperor of the empire and as his grandson, I cannot ept the request of the Great Emperor. I must go. Otherwise, the empire and its people will suffer greatly in Italy. Have faith in the Imperial Army and its people. I am going because I believe. We cant afford to lose such loyal imperial troops and people in vain, can we? Han Myeong-hoe intervened in the conversation between Hyang and Hyeon, who were drawing parallel lines. The meaning of Tae Sanghang is truly beautiful. But please consider Your Majesty the Emperor. If you go to Italy, what will the people think of you? I will immediately denounce this as unfilial piety. And what do you think of themanders who will lead the troops at the front? They say that if you are so incapable, the high-ranking Emperor Taesang must go to Italy. Why does my age appear here? Hyang smiled bitterly at Han Myeong-hoes words and muttered softly. But he soon straightened his expression and refuted. What does age matter? Look at Bangchon- Hwang Hees pen name-Do Uichon-Ui-chon Kim Jeoms pen name-Do Jeoljae-S Kim Jong-seos pen name- and Jibong-֥o Hwang Bo-ins pen name-. All of them have been carrying out important duties for over 90 years. But I cant do that because Im old? That doesnt make sense. At Hyangs words, both Hyeon and Han Myeong-hoe swore in the same way. Damn it! I cant even curse at people who have already passed away, its driving me crazy! The people Hyang mentioned were those who served as prime minister and deputy prime minister around the founding period of the empire. They were such outstanding subjects that it is said that it was because of them that King Sejong and Hyang kept the empire on a stable track. And they were all famous for their long lives. And now that Im older, do you think I have a problem to the point where I cant even move? Hyeon and Han Myeong-hoe answered Hyangs question by shaking their heads at the same time. Oh no! No! This was true. * * * Looking at Hyangs appearance now, it was hard to believe that he would turn eighty the day after tomorrow. His back and waist were straight and his gait was powerful. He was also physically fit enough to enjoy horseback riding and shooting in his free time. Even before the intervention of Hyang, records about King Munjong show that he had a good appearance and was beautiful. In other words, the hardware itself was quite good. However, it was impossible to maintain this level with only the innate hardware. It was King Sejong and Deokjil who made this possible. The scent is for King Sejongs health, making healthy pigs. I designed and operated the project. No matter how much you threaten to blow it, it has an expiration date. It clearly says, If you tell me that and tell me to do it, why dont you do it? In order to give King Sejong a clear motivation, Hyang exercised regrly and made and used exercise equipment Cmonly seen in mineral springs and other ces in the 21st century. The reason Hyang paid such attention to exercise was not just because of King Sejong. What you need to be a member of this branch is money and health! Another big reason was to enjoy my favorite hobby for a long time. The scent was still vibrant through regr exercise and a diet that included both vegetables and meat. Thanks to this, not only among the people of the empire but also in neighboring Ming and Japan, a simr lifestyle under the name of Emperors Health Law became popr among intellectuals C to be precise, the leisure ss. * * * In the end, because Hyang was stubborn, other ministers had to step in as well. Words simr to what Hyeon and Han Myeong-hoe kept saying, and Hyang responded without hesitation. Finally, the reason I have to go to Italy is for the morale of the Imperial Army. What do you mean by that? In response to Han Myeong-hoes question, Hyang lightly moistened his throat and continued speaking. This is because the oue of the war that will break out this time is very different from the wars our empire has fought so far. To put it more simply, the justification is weak. Justice do you understand? When Hyang brought up the justice, Hyeon and Han Myeong-hoe looked like they knew something. Hyang nodded lightly at the expressions on the twos faces and exined in more detail. -Most of the major wars fought by the empire so far have been defensive wars. In other words, it was a war fought to protect the safety of the empire. -But participating in the war that will take ce in Italy has different consequences. To put it bluntly, the empire is interfering in the internal affairs of other countries. -Of course, you can ask what the battle to subdue Messika was that took ce in Shinji. However, the war to subdue Messika has a clear justification. There was a justification for saving the indigenous people who were being persecuted by cruel people who abandoned human nature and practiced cannibalism. -From this perspective, the justification for Italys participation in the war is too weak. This is because the empires territory was not being invaded, nor were Europeans abandoning their human duties. -Therefore, there is a very high possibility that the morale of the imperial soldiers stationed in Italy will be greatly reduced. -Therefore, I have to go and continue to promote legitimacy in order to raise the morale of the soldiers. Its a cause But the fact that the soldiers morale is low is a bit The ministers looked skeptical, but Hyangs expression became full of confidence. It will definitelye down. Right now, the empire has so much money that it doesnt need to worry about the outside world Yes? What do you mean by that? If you look at the current situation of our empire, it has an extremely wide river area, including the main territory, the northern region, and the outer northern new territories. And the people are very few. In other words, all the people can make enough to eat and live just by developing the river area of the empire. But why go all the way to Italy and get involved in the war? Are you sure that there are no people who would say that it would be better to iste the country? I heard that one of the reasons why the US military was such a mess during the Vietnam War was for a simr reason, right? . The ministers fell silent in response to Hyangs retort. Looking at the ministers like that, Hyang continued speaking. Do you know why there is a saying, The thorns under my fingernails hurt more? . At Hyangs words, the ministers were still silent with expressions of doubt. However, the ministers could not back down. However, amand system is already in ce in Italy. If you do it wrong, there will be a lot of confusion. Do you think there will be more confusion if I dont go? Isnt the Army also a thief and the Navy a thief? Theyre both of the same rank? The battle between the army and navy boasts history and tradition. The ministers responded immediately to Hyangs point. Ambassador Yu Eung-bu was dispatched because of that problem. If war breaks out, Ambassador Yu Eung-bu will be provincial marshal andmand the imperial army. Of course, I think that part is reasonable. But the problem is Florence. To be exact, Lorenzo de Medici, the tyrant of Florence. Is it possible to control Lorenzo with only the response unit? Its possible because the war hasnt started yet, but will Lorenzo stay still even when the war breaks out and our side wins? . At Hyangs point, the ministers fell silent again. ording to the information received so far, Lorenzo de Medici was a fairly capable monarch, but he also had many ipetences. -As his ability is proven, his ambition is also great. However, he failed to prove his military talent. Because it was this kind of assessment, the ministers remained silent in response to Hyangs criticism. Looking at the ministers like that, Hyang muttered to himself. I heard that Mussolini was the idiot that even Hitler was ashamed of? Looking at the ministers who were speechless due tock of answers, Hyang drove in the final wedge. Even if it is a small country, it is not good for a minister to persecute the monarch of a country, and the people of Florence may have animosity towards the empire. So shouldnt someone worthy go? Thats a reasonable thing to say, but the spring and autumn season is too high It would be better if the situation were to go away Tsk! Hup! The minister, who was about to say that he should send Wan instead of Hyang, froze as soon as Hyang clicked his tongue. It was imprinted on my body as I suffered from Hyang and Wan for a long time. Have you thought about the time it takes to send someone from here to Shinji and travel from Shinji to Italy? Have you forgotten that even if you move tomorrow, you could bete? The ministers fell silent once again at the words that clearly revealed Hyangs true intentions: Even if I die, my rice bowl cannot be taken away from me! In the end, Hyun had no choice but to admit that the conclusion had already been decided. Whoa~. Hyun let out a long sigh and looked at the scent. Please promise me just one thing. You will never go to the front lines. Hyang responded to Hyeons words with a smile. I promise. In the end, it was decided that the scent would head to Italy. As an aside, Hyeon, who made this decision, immediately sent a long letter to Wan in Shinji. It was a letter full of excuses andints. As time passed, Wans reply, which arrived in Seoul, was short and concise. -I tried hard. It was a reply with a lot of meaning. * * * -Tae Sang-tae is going to Italy! -Tofort the imperial troops stationed in Italy and hold talks with the allied monarchs! This promation was posted on the bulletin boards of all government offices in the empire. However, there were few people who believed this statement literally. This was because quite a few people were aware that something was happening in Europe that interfered with the empires interests and that the imperial army had been dispatched. Nevertheless, the news that the scent was going to Italy shook the world. Why does someone who is so old go to the battlefield? Is Italy such a serious ce? To the point where Taehyang himself went there? Many people were wondering, Why?, but some were shaking their heads and muttering. There must be a ce where the sound of crying ising from now Just as they said, there was a ce where the sound of crying wasing out. It was the Imperial Army Logistics Command. why! why! Why! Holy shit! Imperial soldiers working at the Logistics Command, regardless of rank, screamed and cursed. But reality was reality. Those who recognized that the situation was unavoidable made desperate moves. Recheck the supply n from the beginning! Look closely! If the situation in Italy goes even a little bit wrong, Im still a record holder! Chapter 913 Episode 913: The Imperial March 2 C Charge return, run on the ground. (1) A few days before the promation was posted throughout the empire, cries of soldiers and officials began to echo from the Imperial Army General Staff Headquarters, the Ministry of Defense, and the Ministry of Finance and Economy. A marine emergency ship left its home base and was traveling through the sea at top speed. Ignore everything else! Its all about speed! We have to go to Southwest Provincetodays Taiwanat full speed! The marine emergency front, which removed the artillery and gunpowder and loaded water and food in its ce, ran at full speed toward the southwestern province. The captain of the maritime emergency front who arrived in the southwest ind immediately got off the ship as soon as it docked. Its urgent! Bring the horse! yes? word! Yes old! While the soldiers on the dock went to get the horses, the captain gave an order to the adjutant who followed behind. Replenish food and water as quickly as possible! You can beat up the person in charge or steal it! The most important thing is speed! I take responsibility! ancient! Finish by the time I get back! Again, I take responsibility! Yes yep! With those words, the captain, who arrived on the horse, spurred the horses side. Hey! As the captain disappeared with the wind, the adjutant looked at the soldiers who hade down and shouted. Did you hear what the captain said? Shake it off! ancient! The captain rode his horse at full speed and headed straight to themanders office as soon as he arrived at the imperial military headquarters stationed in the southwest. Get out of the way! The captain pushed the adjutant who was guarding the door to themanders office and entered, immediately took out the sealing order from his pocket and presented it to themander. This is an emergency order sent from Seoul. Yes? Thank you. Would you like to have a cup of tea while I check? There is no time. We need to get to Suez as quickly as possible. then. Yes? Have a hard time. As he spoke, the captain gave a military salute, and themander responded with a puzzled expression. When the captain got back on his horse after finishing his errand, the screams of themander stationed in Southwestern Province echoed through the headquarters. Aaaah! This situation continued wherever the emergency front line passed. The imperialmanders who received the emergency orders from captains in Luzon, Temasek, and Chittagong were astonished. Why! Aaaah! Holy shit! Leaving behind themanders screams and swearing, the captain steered the ship toward the next destination. Meanwhile, themanders who had screamed and cursed immediately called their subordinatemanders together. From now on, all units will undergo a deep cleaning! Sweep and wipe so that not a single speck of dust is visible! And organize your books properly! Keep in mind that if you have one long gun in your ledger, you must have one in reality! The subordinatemanders looked bewildered at themanders order. yes? Are the damned Ministry of Finance and Economy or the Board of Audit and Inspectioning? Tae Sang-tae ising! Ouch! Shit! Move while youre swearing! Yes yep! At themanders shout, the subordinatemanders rushed out. Themanders who returned to their units trained their officers and soldiers. From now on, we will sweep and mop everything! Close inventory again! * * * Shit! Why on earth! why! why! As soon as themander of Suez, the final destination, confirmed the order, he cursed and screamed. Why on earth are youing? I dont know what the jurisdiction is! I guess so Nam-i, the Suez stationmander who managed toe to his senses, looked at the rest of the orders handed to him by the captain. Nami, who was looking at the envelopes of orders with destinations for Henrys port, Livorno and Florence, respectively, gave an order to his adjutant, who was as white as himself. Send these orders immediately by the fastest iron horse. If not, please organize a special episode and send it. Yes yep! As the adjutant holding the orders quickly disappeared, Nami looked back at the captain standing in front of her. So when are you going back? Id like you to bring me some letters from the soldiers stationed here on your way back? I think I need to rest and move for at least three days. Because all the children are spread out. I came all the way from my hometown to here without being able to rest. is it? Okay. I will provide you with a ce to rest. thank you. Thanks to Namis help, the crew members of the emergency frontline whopleted the delivery were able to restfortably. The sailors, who had been eating and sleeping for the first two days, were able to regain their energy on the third day. And the sailors, who were so energized, began to brag with the typical bragging of a sailor. Have you seen the guys who got from headquarters to Suez as fast as us? I didnt juste here! Ive been through all the rough ces! * * * The reactions of Port Henrique and Livorno, which received the orders sent from Suez, were not much different. To calcte the time it takes to get from Seoul to here Themanders of Port Henrik and Livorno, who had been calcting the date with their fingers and thumbs, sighed softly. Whoa~. At least I have some time to spare. I can take a closer look Themanders, who were momentarily relieved, burst intoughter. however! An older person is just in afortable ce! Why are youing? why! why! Why is there an old saying that the more precious a person is, the more important it is not to move carelessly? These were the words shouted by most of themanders who epted the order. * * * This situation was the same in Florence. Whoa~. Damn it. Yu Eung-bu, who was left alone and struck by lightning, quickly found the Woohwang Cheongsimhwan, chewed it, and swallowed it, sighing and swearing at the same time. Yu Eung-bu, who quickly regained hisposure, perhaps thanks to Woohwang Cheongsimhwan, called the embassy official waiting outside and gave an order. Go to Livorno immediately and arrange for two fast ships to be sent to Portugal and Hungary. The mission is to urgently return ambassadors from Hungary and Portugal. Emergency return? Seeing the officials face full of doubts, Yu Eung-bu pondered slightly and then continued speaking. Well, you guys should know this in advance. Tae Sang-tae ising here. Hup! Now you understand why there is an emergency return, right? If you dont get the timing right, you dont know what kind of disaster will happen, right? Ill move right away! Yu Eung-bu, who watched the official disappearing for a moment, gazed intently at the order ced on the desk. The orders that arrived in Florence were quite thick, unlike the orders that went elsewhere. Heforts the imperial soldiers and people of the empire and takes on an advisory role Thats advisory Huh~. Yu Eung-bu let out a long sigh again and continued. What about his personality? * * * Less than 15 dayster, Seong Sam-Moon and Shin Sook-Ju returned to Florence. Shin Sook-ju and Seong Sam-moon, who entered the embassy office with white faces, shouted at the same time. Show me the orders! Here it is. Seong Sam-moon and Shin Sook-jus first reactions as they took turns reading the order handed to them by Yu Eung-bu were very simr to Yu Eung-bus. Why on earth! why! After a while, Seong Sam-moon and Shin Suk-ju regained theirposure and continued talking with Yu Eung-bu. It says its forfort and advice, but Im sure it doesnt end there. I can assure you. After exchanging words like that, Seong Sam-moon and Shin Suk-ju looked at Yu Eung-bu. If war broke out in Italy, which was now almost certain, Yu Eung-bu would be the provincial marshal andmand the imperial army and navy. However, if Hyang came here, Yu-eung-bu would be shackled. It was written in the militaryw that even the monarch could not arbitrarily interfere with the decisions of generals in war, but this was rarely followed ording to the militaryw. In addition, his ability to see the big picture of the great war taking ce between nations was far superior. This was due to the experience umted starting from thest Battle of Liaodong. In other words, from the moment the scent arrived, whether one liked it or not, the intervention of the scent became unavoidable. However, Yu Eung-bu, who could be said to be the biggest victim, had a surprisingly calm expression. I was worried at first too, but now I feel fortunate. huh? why? To be honest, although I have been in the military for a long time, I stillck the ability to see and draw the big picture. But now that there is someone who can fill that part, I can take a breather. And wont there be no need to tremble or worry about supply or troop expansion issues? Ah Maybe Seong Sam-moon and Shin Suk-ju nodded at Yoo Eung-bus words. It was clear that the situation was here and that they would not create a dangerous situation by neglecting supply or reinforcement of troops. Looking at Seong Sam-moon and Shin Suk-ju, whose expressions gradually became brighter, Yu Eung-bu concluded his speech with a slight smile. And wouldnt you be more worried about the thieves than me? Because it suddenly becameyered. He is a thief by name, but if he does something wrong, he will have to hear the sound of his tongue being kicked right in front of his nose. Shin Suk-ju and Seong Sam-moon, who unconsciously recalled the sound of incense being kicked by Yu Eung-bus words, got goosebumps on their bodies. * * * While all the imperial military bases along the route from the southwestern provinces to Suez were suffering, an incense-burning fleet departed from Jemulpo. The first ce where Xiangs fleet arrived was the Ming Dynasty naval base located near Nanjing. Now that Im out, wouldnt it be nice to meet my neighbors and strengthen my friendships? Japan is okay, but the name is a bit Hyeon and Han Myeong-hoe expressed their disapproval at Hyangs words, but Hyang instead smiled and answered. With the Emperor of Ming and Tang Jin, there is no need to worry and there is no need to talk about Japan, right? But Those who oppose the empire in Ming or Japan will have to be considerate. If such an unpleasant thing were to happen, the Emperor of Ming or the King of Japan would be given the best justification and opportunity. In this way, Xiang had a meeting with Emperor Shenghua in Nanjing, and then arrived in Japan and had a meeting with the Japanese king. Ming and Japan were not the end. He also met with the sultans of Mka and Luzon Bengal and continued talks, strengthening good neighborly friendship with the empire. And he did not forget tofort the imperial soldiers every time he arrived at the imperial military port, including the southwestern provinces. You must have had a hard time cleaning. yes. The soldier, struck by Hyangs words, mumbled before answering, and themander next to him became thoughtful. Hyang chuckled and lightly patted themanders shoulder. Its okay. Thats what happens when someone highes. Thank you for your hard work. thank you! * * * As the scent was heading towards Suez, rumors also reached the European powers. -The first emperor of the Land of Flowerses to Italy! -The Wise Man of the Eastes to Italy! The European intellectualmunity began to stir up excitement over the rumor. No matter how close war is, we cant miss out on such a great opportunity! Lets go to Italy! While the greatest intellectuals were packing their bags, the monarchs of the great powers were also in trouble. The emperor, and the emperor who founded the empire, ising, so you cant just sit still. You say the emperor ising, but you cant just send someone with such a title as an envoy. And the coin faction ran to the monarchs as if they had been waiting. Its your chance! If we do it right, we can achieve the best results without having to go to war! Chapter 914 Episode 914: The Imperial March 2 C Assault return, running on the ground. (2) The coiners strongly insisted that their monarchs begin negotiations. The Korean Federal Empire wants to negotiate now! We must negotiate too! They want to negotiate? Is there any basis? The basis is that the former emperor of the Korean Federal Empire hase! It means they are willing to negotiate too! Hmm. Your Highness! Negotiationes first! Please consider their might! As the monarchs showed hesitation, the Chinese faction took the lead in negotiations even more forcefully. Even after seeing these actions of the Juhwa faction, the Juhwa faction could not easily oppose them. This was because the current situation in Italy was not one to call for war carelessly. * * * While the envoys of the countries involved, starting with France, were busy going back and forth and ying a boring tug-of-war, the empire diligently mobilized Swiss mercenaries. Thanks to the empires diligence, the empire created its target of 100,000 Swiss mercenaries in less than half a year. Although there was still considerable finishing work to be done, the intended goal was achieved. If it doesnt work out, well have to do the final finishing touches through actualbat In some ways, this was a very callous assessment from the Imperial Army instructors andmanders. But the pressure of that number of 100,000 was very strong. Immediately, a force of 100,000, including the imperial army, the Swiss mercenary unit, and the Florentine standing army, was crouching in Florence and preparing to rush out. What was even scarier was that these 100,000 were not the end. Through a reserve force system modeled after the empire, it was possible to increase up to 30,000 troops if necessary. In addition, Switzend could mobilize more than 50,000 troops if necessary. At least. But the empire only has a standing army of 300,000 Its terrible Its fortunate that the distance is far away and that we can take a breather if we block Suez properly. However, as the imperial fleet departing from Shinji arrived in Italy, the headaches multiplied. Additionally, it became impossible to detour through Switzend. This was because 25,000 of the mercenaries contracted with the empire remained in Switzend. The detour route had disappeared due to the 25,000 mercenary troops trapped in the naturally protected area of the Alps. Even if there was a detour, the biggest problem is that it remains the same Thats right. Even if you passed through the Alpine corridor located in Switzend and entered Italy, you would still end up dealing with that damn 100,000 army that was holding out in Florence. It will be a headache if the three-way negotiations do not seed. We must make the three-way negotiations sessful. The immediate task for the main fighters was not the opening of the war, but the sess of the three-way negotiations. * * * Because of this background, the main proponents kept quiet. Meanwhile, a small number of extremists were meeting secretly. How much value would a former emperor of an empire have? Of course its worth a lot of money, right? What if we could just kill him? What will happen to the morale of the imperial army in Italy? Will the empire stay still? Think about the time it takes for news of an assassination to spread, the time it takes to decide what to do about it, and the time it takes to act on that decision. Italy will have already been sorted out by then. You have to consider that the imperial army in Italy is also quiterge. Of course, it will move back and forth without hesitation. Thats better. If that happens, even our talkative cowards will move desperately. Times are changing! How long are you going to stick to chivalry? The era hase where you have to risk everything and jump in to have everything! Thats not true either. Lets think about it. The extremists continued to talk while emptying their sses. The problem was that most of the ces where these extremists talked were pirs built by Milwi. * * * As Milwi advanced into Europe, he established g posts in major cities, including the capitals of the great powers. Trained gisaengs and employees were put to work on the Giru built in this way. These gisaengs and employees were red-haired, white-eyed imperialists. Simr cases continued after the young girls Kim Jong-seo rescued from the ve market in Alexandria became famous gisaengs. Believing that it would make them money, Giru and merchants began to rescue female children from Alexandria and raise them as gisaeng. Milwi put a spoon on it. -We have to go to Europe, but our appearance is so different from theirs! Its the best alternative! Milwi, who immediately received approval from Hyang, moved quickly. They rescued girls from Alexandria who were sure to grow up to be beautiful girls and raised them as agents of the Secret Service. Thanks to the fact that he started out as a sword guard guarding a gisaeng house, the secret agents eyes were urate, and the children he rescued grew up to be gisaengs who boasted outstanding beauty. It wasnt just about educating gisaeng. Girls with clear qualifications were selected again, and they continued to be trained as intelligence agents whenever they had time, and were made to learn thenguages of the European powers. Those who fell behind in this process worked as gisaeng in undercoverpanies set up in the main branch and Bukji, etc., and were engaged in surveince missions for those with vested rights. However, the most important thing was to create absolute loyalty to the empire and the emperor. Through a process that could almost be seen as brainwashing, they became loyal agents of the Milwi. While most of the female agents were supplied through this process, most of the male agents were from Baekjeong or mixed race. As exchanges with the outside world increased, the number of people scouted from abroad and settled in the empire also increased, and the number of people who went abroad and formed rtionships with women there also increased. In particr, when stories rted to thetter began to be heard little by little, King Sejong and Hyang immediately made aw. -Anyone who has a rtionship with a foreigner must unconditionally marry them and bring them into the empire. -If there is bigamy, the person concerned will be severely punished. We already dont have enough people, so we have to use these measures! In this way, the number of mixed race people increased in the empire, and Milwi turned them into agents. And like the female agents, those who had passed a process and training that bordered on brainwashing were dispatched to Europe. And in the undercover base created in Europe, they acted as the owner of the Giru and the gisaeng employees, while the executives of the Milwi acted as servants under them. Thanks to this, Europes vested interests had little aversion to disguised bases. Because they looked the same as them. And Milwis Giru was quite useful politically. The leaders of political factions were always under surveince, not surveince, by hostile forces. If a banquet was to be held, the nobles attending the banquet would be closely examined to identify their loyalists. Hosting a banquet there itself required considerable expenditure. However, at Giru, it was possible to meet under the guise of coincidence, and the expenses were rtively lesspared to a banquet. In addition, political negotiations took ce in unexpected ces as people of all factions gathered at the base. Thanks to this, Giru became a ce where nobles always gathered. Before Hyang intervened, Girl politics was born at least 200 years earlier than Salon politics, which had been popr since the absolute monarchy in history. * * * The extremists plot to assassinate Hyang immediately reached Milwis ears. After receiving the report, the branch manager of the Milwi made a decision right away. Firste first, then second go. Remove it immediately. ancient! Who has the best shooting skills? James is the best. Call me right away. ancient! When the subordinate went outside to call James, the branch manager unlocked the safe on one side and took out two long boxes and a slightly smaller box. Did you call me? There are people trying to assassinate His Majesty Tae Sang-tae. It must be removed. Can you do it? We will definitely remove it. The blond man named James answered with a stern expression. After hearing James answer, the branch manager opened a small box and took out a small book. Its a license to kill. Write down your name, sign the order, and put a stamp on it. ancient! James wrote his name on the license issued by the branch manager and signed the contract. Afterwards, James took out the sword he was carrying and bled on his hand, leaving a red handprint on the murder license. When James, who had wiped the blood and bandaged up, stood in front again, the branch manager held out two boxes. Its a silenced gun. How much time will it take to get used to it again? Itll take just two days. In response to James response, the branch manager took out a key from his desk drawer and handed it to him. Use basement room 2. yes. * * * Five dayster, in a luxury residential area in Paris. It was a ce where the mansions used by nobles with estates in the provinces when staying in Paris and the mansions where wealthy merchants and capitalists stayed were gathered. When darkness hadpletely settled in, a carriage stopped at one of the mansions where nobles stayed. Are you back, Baron? Okay, Im going to change my clothes and go out right away, so get me ready. yes. When the servant waiting in front of the entrance opened the door, the Baron got out of the carriage, talked about his future ns, and climbed the stairs of the entrance. puck! When the Baron stood in front of the door, a bullet flew from somewhere and hit the Barons head. Baron! Baron! Its an assassination! Its an assassination! The servant and coachman who followed rushed towards the fallen baron, screaming like a scream. Whats going on! omg! Those who came out to hear themotion outside were shocked to see the Baron dead, bleeding from his head. The men, whose faces turned white, urged the servant who was hugging the fallen baron. Where did the bullete from! I dont know! You must have heard gunshots! I didnt hear you! I didnt hear it either! What? In response to the servant and coachmans response, the men raised their heads and looked in all directions. But I couldnt find any traces anywhere. Meanwhile, in a dark alley about 70 yards (about 200 meters) away from where the assassination urred, James quietly disassembled a silenced rifle, hid it in a secret pocket in his coat, and walked away. The smell James, who was slightly frowning at the unique stinging smell thates after gunpowder is burned, soon chuckled. Paris and Europe are ces where odors worse than this are overflowing Whether the rich or the poor live, Paris and Europe are ces filled with excrement and garbage and filled with the smell of decay. I miss Seoul These assassinations did not only ur in Paris. Simr things happened in Vienna and Madrid. And the nobles of the three countries regarded this as the behavior of hostile factions, and revenge, not revenge, began to ur. Chapter 915 Episode 915: The Imperial March 2 C Assault return, running on the ground. (3) Even while the European powers were suffering from internal strife, the tour of the city continued smoothly. To be precise, while the scent was moving smoothly and leisurely, underneath it was moving so much that my feet were sweating. When Hyang arrived at the port and was unpacking his clothes, Foreign Ministry officials and imperial army officers met with themander stationed at the port. This is His Majesty Tae Sang-taes schedule. I would appreciate it if you could let me know about the next port of call. I understand, thank you. Okay then. Good luck. The basemander, who saw off the Foreign Ministry officials and officers, looked at the schedule and immediately called his adjutant. Copy this and send it to the next port of call right away. Who was the friend who drove the boat the fastest? I am a captain of Haeung 44. okay? Send that friend. yes. In that way, as soon as the fragrance arrived at the port, the sea emergency front departed for the next port. Thanks to this continuation, when Hyang arrived at Henrik, an assault ship was waiting to pick him up. Hyang looked deeply moved when he saw the assault ship floating proudly in front of him. We wee the arrival of His Majesty Tae Sang-tae! Its an honor to serve you! Thank you for weing me. insect! Following the captains wee, all crew members standing on the deck saluted. After receiving the courtesy, Hyang climbed onto the bridge of the assault ship. This ship is the first ship of the second generation, Onught, right? Thats right! Were there any problems while passing through the East Sea? There wasnt one! Hyangs expression became stern at the captains answer. It would be even stranger if there were none. The reason why ship number 1 is the most important is because it is the first actual wire created. No matter how much craftsmen put thought into making a boat, there is bound to be a w somewhere. Of course, we carefully examine and fix those parts beforeunching andmissioning, but they still keeping. Of course, even after going through boxes 2 and 3 and reaching thest box, the defect is still visible. Still, we must not ignore the importance of ship number 1. Im sorry! The captain broke into a cold sweat and asked for forgiveness at the reprimand that was not a reprimand from Hyang. He patted the captains shoulder with an expression that said the scent was nothing special. Im not asking you tomit a crime. This is because, as a person who yed a part in designing and building this ship, I need to know the problem and fix it. yes! Then I will report! While crossing the East Sea. The captain traced his memories and reported the problems discovered during the voyage. Hmm hmm I see. Hyang listened to the captains story while nodding repeatedly and gave an order as soon as the captains story ended. You probably recorded all that, right? ancient! Did you send it to Seoul? ancient! Hmm I guess our paths diverged. Please make a copy and submit itter. ancient! The captain answered loudly, and soon a question came to mind. huh? You could have just told me to submit it as a reportter, right? * * * Amid such a smallmotion, the incense-burning assault ship left Henrique Port. The assault return ship, which took its ce at the head of a small fleet loaded with officials and supplies, set sail for Livorno. On the bridge of the assault ship, which was cruising powerfully through the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, the eyes of those in charge were bing cross-eyed. This was because Hyang was sitting on the bridge. Because I had to look at the scent with one eye and the sea with the other, I unintentionally became cross-eyed. But the biggest victim was the captain. The captain, sitting in the captains seat, felt uneasy and looked at the seat next to him. The captain looked at Hyang, who was sitting behind and slightly lower than the captains seat, and spoke with an anxious expression. My Majesty. How would you like to sit here right now? huh? Why luggage? That seat is where the captain of this ship sits. Arent you the captain of this ship? Thats really a monthly pass. The rule is that the captain sits in the captains seat. All right. In the end, the captain had no choice but to give up. Not even the queen can sit in themanders seat on a British warship? I think thats right. Hyang acted ording to what he knew in the 21st century, and he thought it was right. As a side note, thanks to Hyangs actions, an unwritten rule was created in the Imperial Navy. -Only the captain can sit in the captains seat. The first emperor didnt sit down, but you sat down? What are you! No matter how famous a politician or person he was, the moment he sat in the captains seat, he would be criticized by public opinion and would have to make a public apology. No, I was d it ended with just an apology. In many cases, it even led to social burials. While this was happening on the bridge, everyone in other parts of the assault ship was thinking the same thing, regardless of rank. Binaida Binaida. I pray to the God of Heaven and Earth. No, I pray to His Majesty Tae Sang-tae. Please stay on the bridge! The ones on the bridge are enough to die! * * * As the arrival of the incense approached, the port of Livorno began to be bustling. Three water sses floated in the sky at the same time and looked in all directions, and more than 10 tugboats were waiting to help the assault ship dock. At the dock, the fully dressed Imperial Military Band was once again seated, facing the sea, and fully armed Imperial Navy and Army soldiers were standing in rows and rows, waiting for the arrival of the ship. In the middle of the group of soldiers, there was a red carpet path leading to a tform built in the back. And at the forefront of those gathered like this were the ambassadors and the thieves of the army and navy. * * * Meanwhile, the docks security was extremely tight in preparation for any unexpected incident. The dock where the assault return ship would dock was cleared of all other ships. Warehouses around the docks were thoroughly searched, doors and windows were locked and seals were ced. And soldiers carrying long guns loaded with live ammunition continued to patrol, checking the condition of seals and ensuring that doors and windows were properly locked. When the day came for the incense to arrive, Chakho Armys snipers and spotters climbed onto the roofs of the warehouses and began to inspect the surroundings. It wasnt just the docks security that was tightened. Vignce in nearby viges has also be tighter. Anyone who came from anywhere other than the viges residents had to undergo extremely meticulous checks by the imperial army. The same was true for the houses in the vige. The imperial soldiers were moving around without fail, blocking the windows to the dock with thick wooden boards. The imperial soldiers, who even nailed down the area and put seals on it, made a request rather than a request to the residents. Even if its ufortable, just endure it for a few days! From then on, we patrolled every morning and evening to check that the windows were sealed. Most of the vige residents knew what was happening and did notin much. * * * Boom! Puff! Hesing! As a signal signal was fired from one of the monks floating in the sky, the soldiers who had rxed tensed again and checked their outfits. Has it been about half an hour (about an hour)? The assault ship entered the military port, emitting ck smoke. gulp! The soldiers swallowed dry saliva as they watched the assault ship approaching the dock, pulled by tugboats that clung to each other like a swarm of ants. This was because most of the soldiers present were seeing the Emperor for the first time. The soldiers were not the only ones swallowing dry saliva and feeling nervous. Lorenzo and the envoys of the Giovanni de Medici powers, who were seated on a tform behind where the soldiers were stationed, all swallowed dry saliva and looked at the assault ship that hadpleted docking. As the front door opened and thedder was lowered at the fully docked assault return ship, the ambassadors and thieves standing right in front froze and stared at the front door. insect! insect! When the incense was revealed amidst the military salutes of the officers and soldiers guarding the front gate, the ambassadors and thieves froze to frostbite and screamed inwardly. OMG! You really came! It was good so far! As the incense slowly came down while holding on to the railing, the imperial military band began to powerfully y the Imperial March. With the marching music loudly ringing in the sky of the military port, Hyang came down thedder and looked at the ambassadors and thieves who were waiting. insect! Ie to see His Majesty Tae Sang-tae! The ambassadors and priests who made eye contact with the incense shouted at the top of their lungs to show their respect. Thank you for your hard work. Just by looking at the reports, I can see how much trouble it must have been. Now, lets go. I am devastated! The ambassadors and priests who responded vigorously to Hyangs death quickly moved behind Hyang and walked along the carpet path. insect! insect! Chuung! The incense slowly headed towards the podium in return for the military salutes of the soldiers on the left and right sides of the carpet path. The people of the Medici family and envoys from the great powers, who sat on chairs and then stood up, became short of breath due to an unknown pressure as they saw the scent approaching. what? What is this pressure? Is this really majesty? Are you a person more suited to being a tyrant rather than a wise man? How can someone who is about to turn 80 have such energy! Those on the tform, looking at the slowly approaching scent, were beyond shocked and began to be ovee with fear. The Hyang that was approaching them was tall and boasted a proud appearance. Even though he was about to turn eighty, his back was straight and he was walking briskly without a cane. Clothing also yed a big role. On his head, he wore a ck cap with ck peacock feathers. He wore a ck Imperial Army coat and uniform, and ck cavalry boots on his feet. A ckcquered wooden holster was attached to the right side of a ck belt with a ck shoulder strap extending from the right shoulder to the left side. And the pistol grip of the new silver-finished cavalry rifle shined outside the holster. Lastly, it was Scent wearing a ck cloak. Just walking down the red carpeted street, which was uniformly ck from top to bottom, created a strong sense of pressure. As the scent approached the podium, the guests were able to see the expression on the scents face. It was impossible to see his eyes because his lips were slightly tilted forward, but his lips, which were covered with a short but well-trimmed beard, were smiling with a light but confident smile. The guests who saw this all shouted the same thing in their hearts. The empires current situation is certain of victory! And this was an urate perception. * * * Hyang ascended to the podium and spoke to the guests in fluent Latin. Nice to meet you. My name is Lee Hyang, the former emperor of the empire. Its an honor to meet you. It is an honour. After bowing lightly and saying hello, Hyang turned around and looked at the soldiers lined up on the dock. Looking at the soldiers who had their eyes fixed on him, Hyang walked towards the loudspeaker located in the center. Loyal soldiers of our empire! I wont talk for a long time. We have always won and we will continue to win! Soldiers! Achieve the glory of victory! Long live the Empire! The soldiers shouted as loud as they could at the dock of the incense. Long live the Empire! The ambassadors and priests standing behind immediately understood the meaning of the incense. Youre forcing me to make a choice. Chapter 916 Episode 916: The Imperial March 2 C Assault return, running on the ground. (4) The envoys who attended as guests of honor also had simr thoughts. Youre not even thinking about defeat. Is this a deration of war? Is this a deration of war? In this ce? Are you asking us to choose between war or negotiation? The nature of the negotiation must be the problem The Hyang had already openly dered victory. Do you negotiate in such a situation? Naturally, the Empire and Florence would be in the winner position, and the other countries would be in the loser position. If that were the case, it would have been obvious without even looking at the negotiations. Even if there is a war The strongest force in Italy right now was, of course, the union of the Empire and Florence-Switzend. Of course, Switzend dered neutrality, but even the Swiss considered themselves to be on the same side as the Empire. The envoys were reaching simr conclusions as they looked at Hyangs back, looking down at the imperial soldiers lined up at the moorings. I am not even thinking about the possible threat of assassination. Is that the winners margin? Is that what the true emperor (Caesar) looks like? The problem is that no matter what choice you make, there is almost no benefit to be gained! Is it only right to form an alliance and deal with the empire? While the envoys were makingplex political calctions while looking at their backs, Hyang was thinking about something else as he looked at the soldiers below him. The military uniform Im wearing was deliberately calcted and matched, but isnt this just a coincidence? * * * Originally, the imperial emperor was required to wear the uniform of the imperial army or navy, depending on the time and ce. When wearing an army uniform, they wore the Armys green uniform and an ANZAC-style military cap C a slouch hat C and when wearing a navy uniform, they wore a distinctive white uniform and a white brimmed hat. However, Hyang created his own military uniform. ck is the best to suppress the opponents energy! After creating uniform ck military uniforms, unexpected results emerged. huh? Jeongrip suits you surprisingly well, doesnt it? This is how the whole grain was chosen over the slouch hat, which produced the best results. If you even wear a face mask hey! That went too far! * * * The coincidence that Hyang mentioned was not his military uniform, but the arrangement of the soldiers. Because it was a ce to wee incense, all the soldiers stood in uniform and fully armed. The port garrison guarding the military port consisted of sailors driving dark gray ships, white army infantrymen, and soldiers operating green tow trucks and artillery guns, neatly dressed in ck uniforms. The sight of soldiers standing in five rows, divided on the left and right by a red carpet, with the huge ck hull of the assault ship docked at the mooring in the background was literally a scene from a famous science fiction movie. * * * While the imperial troops who filled the moorings and the envoys who heard Hyangs short and powerful speech had mixed feelings, some people showed different reactions. Afonso from Portugal, Louis from France, szlo from Hungary, andstly Lorenzo de Medici. To exin in more detail, Afonso was the son of King Joao II and the crown prince of Portugal. Louis was the Duke of Orlans and the most likely sessor to Charles VIII. The reason why Louis became the most likely sessor was because all of Charles VIIIs children died at a young age. Of course, Charles VIII is still in his 20s and does not know his future. szlo, who came from Hungary, seeded Irgis Podebrat as King of Bohemia, but passed the throne to Matthias I ording to the Treaty of Olomouc. However, since Matthias I had no sessor, he was the most likely sessor. Whats interesting is that they were all affected by the butterfly effect caused by the intervention of scent. If it had not been for Hyangs intervention, Afonsu would have already died in a falling horse ident. But the iron horse he saw in Suez as a child changed his life. It became the Portuguese version of Jinpyeong. Whenever he had time, he summoned schrs and craftsmen and announced that he would build Portugals own iron horse, and caused a stir by running away from home to study in the empire, so much so that King Joao II ordered a ban on the tribes. Thanks to this, I avoided a falling horse ident. Although he had recentlye of age, he was the head of the delegation in name only due to hisck of experience. But the crown prince was a crown prince. There were no envoys from other countries who looked down on Afonso. The case of szlo and Louis was a little different. In the case of szlo, the reason for the change was that Matthias I, who should have already died, was still fine. This was because Matthias I maintained his health by adopting the empires hygiene methods, which were reputed to be the secret methods of the East C such as washing hands and bathing frequently. Louis case was simr. In history before the intervention of the county, Charles VIII died in 1498, which was also an ident, so there was still a lot of time left. However, after the early deaths of his children, Charles VIII became deeply interested in the secrets of the East, and no one knew what the future would hold. And Lorenzo de Medici was someone who needed no further exnation. Anyway, while most of the envoys were growing wary of Hyang, they looked at Hyangs back with eyes full of longing. That is the dignity of a monarch! A true monarch should be like that! I will be like that too! Hes my ideal type! I will learn without missing a single thing! * * * After a short but impressive wee ceremony, Hyang boarded a specially prepared iron horse with the ambassadors. Hyang sighed lightly as he boarded the special carriage, which had solid armor tes hidden behind its gorgeous exterior. Whoa~. I can get some rest now. shell. Yes, Your Majesty! The eunuch came running at Hyangsmand and helped Hyang take off his cloak and coat. huh? The ambassadors who saw the coat removed by the scent looked at the scent with surprised eyes. Thick iron tes were hidden in the cor and chest of the coat, which was made in China color style. When Hyang saw the ambassadors expressions, his expression became mischievous. I know that life is precious, too. When I think of the time I got hit on the calf while trying to meet Geomgye in the past The ambassadors who were nodding their heads at Hyangs exnation were soon shocked to realize another fact. No matter how you look at it, it looks like it weighs a lot, but you cant tell if youre wearing it? Who turns eighty the day after tomorrow? No matter how much you inherited the blood of King Taejo! What are you doing? Didnt you say youd be leaving soon? Please take a seat. Yes old! As the ambassadors sat down, Hyang began to check thetest situation in Italy. The news is a bitte because Seoul is far away. How are Italy and Florence these days? It seems like your people are definitely ready for war. Applicants are flooding into the Florence military recruiting station. The number of foreigners attempting to ess powder kegs and other key locations is increasing significantly, so we are paying special attention to security. Im worried about the approach of outsiders. Yu Eung-bu immediately responded to Hyangs point. We have already greatly strengthened our security in cooperation with the Florentine army. Hyang slightly shook his head in response to Yu Eung-bus answer. There are limits to what can be blocked from the inside. Hmm the best thing is to increase your observing eyes. I will negotiate with the Medici family and ce a prize. Prize prize do you mean it? Yes, they put up a promation saying, If you find someone whose behavior is suspicious and report it, you will be greatly rewarded, and they actually give out a prize. Wouldnt it be better if there was a difference in prize money depending on the severity? The ambassadors faces brightened at Hyangs words. It is indeed so! Then all of the authors people will be Watchers! It would be impossible to avoid all their eyes and ears! There are some who collude with foreigners, so it may not be impossible. Still, it will greatly reduce the burden. Thats right. I will do this as soon as I arrive in Florence. I know. By the way did the assault vehicles disguised as tow trucks arrive safely? yes. Only the final assembly remains. The agencys confirmations must have been correct, right? yes. Craftsmen from Areas 51 and 52 carried it out with pride. Hyangs expression became much more rxed at Yu Eung-bus answer. If the artisans put their pride on the line, you can trust them. My Majesty. Shin Sook-ju, who was listening to the conversation from the side, joined the conversation. Something? Tell me. I have seen that Soshindo is an assault vehicle. It is clear that it is a very powerful weapon, but is it really necessary? huh? In response to Shin Sook-jus question, Hyang looked back at Yu Eung-bu. Didnt you exin? I did it. When Yu Eung-bu answered urgently, Hyang looked back at Shin Suk-ju. If you had heard the exnation, you would know why it is needed, right? What do you think is the problem? Yes, I have also heard the exnation. It is my pleasure to inform you, but I have doubts as to whether I will truly do my part as I say. To summarize Shin Sook-jus next words, they were as follows. -If the enemy hiding in the trenches is the problem, wouldnt it be better to mobilize more artillery? With the money it takes to build one assault car and the money it takes to operate it, you can make at least 10rge artillery pieces. There is no need to talk about the usefulness of artillery on the battlefield, so wouldnt it be better to make more artillery? This ispared to an assault vehicle that is only used in assault battles. That makes sense. Hyang lightly nodded at Shin Sook-jus words. But assault vehicles can make up for theck of artillery. And in this war, the one who solves those shorings will be the winner. Yu Eung-bu nodded loudly at Hyangs words and looked at Shin Suk-ju with an angry face. Are you saying that after looking at thest Liaodong War as well as the war between the Habsburgs and Hungary? Arent the wagons and guns used in the Habsburg-Hungarian war all outdated and less powerful than those used in the Empire? There were only a few numbers ced there! There is noparison! Shin Suk-ju, who insisted on iparability, advised Hyang. your majesty! I think its better to deploy morerge, powerful artillery pieces rather than assault vehicles that are slower,rger, and heavier than horses! Youre not wrong, but theres one thing youre forgetting. yes? Looking at Shin Suk-ju, who couldnt hide his doubts, Hyang talked about what he had forgotten. This time we have to strike first. * * * The imperial army continued to analyze the battlefield lessons of thest Liaodong War, especially the trench warfare that took ce on the Yalu River. -It was possible to break through waves byying barbed wire, deployingrge quantities of artillery and freight cars, and building severalyers of trenches. -Now, the enemies of the empire will also dig trenches and deployrge quantities of artillery and freight cars. What if this happens? The first alternative that emerged from this analysis was more powerful and more artillery and freight cars. And the empire began to develop and deploy more powerful freight cars and artillery. But the imperial armys troubles did not end there. -Even if its about defense, what about when we attack? Chapter 917 Episode 917: The Imperial March 2 C Assault return, running on the ground. (5) Isnt that why artillery is more important? Shin Sook-ju did not back down easily. This was because he firmly believed that it was a reasonable opinion. I agree with what your Majesty said. Thats why I think its better to bring more artillery pieces rather than assault vehicles, which are just such pieces of equipment. To summarize Shin Sook-jus argument, it was as follows. -Again, if you look at thest battle between Hungary and the Habsburgs, the trench line can be breached if the attacker has the will. No matter how strong the trench line is, it can be seen that it will always be breached. -Of course, in this process, the attacker must make many sacrifices. -Hungary and Habsburg also knew this well, so they actively used artillery and freight cars in both attack and defense. -However, since the artillery and freight cars used by Hungary and the Habsburgs were old, they did not y a greater role than expected and sacrifices had to be made. -If the description of the assault vehicle is correct, it would be possible to break through the trench line. But what next? -It is slower than a horse, cannot travel far at once, and cannot carry many soldierspared to its size. -As the name suggests, even if you charge towards the enemy camp and break through the trench line, what is the use if you cannot pursue and destroy the fleeing enemy? -In that case, I think it is better to use arge amount of artillery to pave a wide road than to open a few small holes in the trench line with assault vehicles. For this reason, Ie here to say that it is better to deploy morerge and powerful artillery pieces than those assault vehicles. After hearing Shin Suk-jus words, Hyang muttered to herself. Painting the road with cannonballs what a Russian thing While grumbling inwardly, Hyang gathered his thoughts and began to refute. -Artillery and assault vehicles have different duties. This is the biggest reason. -It is incorrect to say that if the attackers will is strong, even a well-fortified trench can be breached. Even in thest Battle of Liaodong, no Ming army broke through to thest trench line. -Even if arge number of powerful artillery units are mobilized and intensive bombardment is applied to the trench line, it is rare for the trench line to copse. It should not be overlooked that the will of the defender can be as strong as the will of the attacker. -In other words, the attacker can break through or upy the enemys trench line only by using direct means such as soldiers, not indirect means such as artillery fire. -The speed of an assault car is slower than a horse, but it is as fast as a person running at full speed. And if a person sprints with all his might, he soon bes exhausted and cannot move. However, an assault car can be ironed continuously as long as it has firewood and water. This difference is veryrge. -Finally, it is important to pursue and destroy the fleeing enemy. But that also cannotst long. This is becausemunication is impossible. Breaking through to the furthest point within the range where smoothmunication is possible. That is the mission of the assault vehicles and assault brigades. This is why most of the troops deployed by the Empire to Italy this time consisted of assault troops, artillery troops, andstly, transport troops. Artillery pieces shake the enemy lines, assault troops break through the enemy lines, and convoys diligently carry follow-up troops and advance through the holes. What can I say primitive Hootier tactics? Well, weve gone too far to argue that this is the end point of the offensive. For now, I guess Ill just have to focus on seeing through first. While Hyang was muttering like that, Yu Eung-bu came forward and spoke to Shin Suk-ju. Its not like the Imperial Army and the Ministry of Defense sent assault vehicles to Italy without thinking. This is the optimal answer that we came up with after diligent deliberation, assuming we were in the attackers position. Well, when I first saw it, I thought it was entertainment for His Majesty the Great Emperor, but * * * If the Empire is the aggressor and must charge into the enemys trench line, what is the best answer? The answer that the imperial army came up with after mulling over the above topic was more powerful and more artillery. However, during thendings that took ce in the Battle of Liaodong and the subsequent Battle of the Yellow Sea, the imperial army realized that there was a loophole in the above decision. -Even if you bombard the enemys defense line with fire bombs, it will notpletely copse. -If the defenders will is strong, he will somehow hold out. -To pierce the tooth, you have to see a lot of blood. Seeing a lot of blood was a serious problem for an empire with a short poption. To solve this problem, more powerful and longer range artillery pieces were created and deployed. However, it was still impossible topletely solve the first problem. Officials of the Ministry of National Defense, who were concerned about solving this problem, searched the archives out of curiosity. And This is it! They caught arge catch ording to records kept in the record office. I found what King Sejong had said to Hyang when he was building a gun towing vehicle using a steam engine. C Wouldnt it be better to put armor on the tow truck and then move it with artillery or soldiers? At this time, they answered that they would also develop fragrances, but they were buried. The biggest reason was that the output of the steam engine used in the towing vehicle at the time was significantly insufficient. Since then, there has been ack of time and budget to develop and design steam engines for engineers, lifters, and ships using steam engines, as well as various other things. But the biggest reason was that Hyangs interest had cooled. You even built a tow truck, right? Then other humans will take care of it. There is not enough time and there is a lot to do! The problem was that most of the artisans in Area 51 went beyond Hyangs expectations as they were put into the process of producing new equipment or actually making things that Hyang had designed or envisioned. And it was just buried in the archives. When the relevant records were uploaded from the Ministry of Defense, it was when the situation had retreated. Ahyou forgot this? After checking the report sent from the Ministry of Defense through Wan, Hyang muttered with a bitter smile. I hadpletely forgotten about it since there was no major war Hyang, who lost interest and glossed over what he had forgotten with the excuse of peaceful times, immediately rubbed his hands and grinned. An opportunity is a chance, right? Its perfect! Many new steam engines have been released, so lets give them a try! This is how the assault car was born. The assault vehicle developed by Hyang was soon adopted. However, as Shin Sook-ju pointed out, high production costs were a problem. Therefore, the Imperial Army had no choice but to choose small batch production rather than mass production. You have to make a lot at once to eat it cheaply! Assault weapons? Will the Ministry of Finance and Economy and the Board of Audit and Inspection just wait and see? There are not enough artisans and production sites. I cant help it. In this way, training and deployment were carried out piecemeal as the budget allowed. However, this situation changedpletely with the arrival of the war between Hungary and the Habsburgs. -No matter how much the help of artillery is avable, breaking through the enemys trench line with bare infantry requires enormous sacrifice. Following this war lesson, the Imperial Army sent most of its assault vehicles to Italy and asked the prefecture for permission to mass produce them. And this was passed immediately after receiving the approval of the prefecture. * * * Why is there such a thing as right ce at the right time? Although artillery is a useful weapon, it is not an all-purpose weapon. If it were the 21st century artillery department or Cheonjoguk, they would have tried to use it for almost all purposes, but they even made reconnaissance artillery shells Shin Suk-ju answered by bowing her head to Hyangs words. My thoughts were too short. Please forgive me. The Lord said what he said after much deliberation for the sake of the empire and the imperial army, so what is the crime? It was just a different perspective. Now, lets end the story about the assault car here. Yes, Your Majesty. After wrapping up the conversation, Hyang moved on to the next thing. Where are the countries that sent envoys this time? Yes * * * As the special train carrying incense got closer to Florence, the envoys hearts became more anxious. We dont have much time Once we arrive in Florence, proper negotiations are impossible. There is only a yes or no decision! Most of the envoys agreed with the above opinion. Due to the arms race that had already taken ce among the great powers, the military power of each country was at its highest in history. And due to this strong military power, a warlike atmosphere prevailed among the people and nobles. -This is worth a try! Merchants were hoping for war specials, people were hoping to make a quick fortune through looting on the battlefield, and nobles were hoping for war, hoping that their power would be strengthened. Of course, the empires intervention gave them some pause, but they soon made a positive decision. -The Land of Flowers is far away! You wont be able to use your strength properly! -Isnt it the same for soldiers in the Land of Flowers who die if they get shot? Our long guns are also excellent! -Its worth a try! -If that doesnt work, you can form an alliance and kick out the empire! -While were kicking them out, lets take away the rights to Suez! It was precisely because of the interests at stake in Suez that the nobles and people of the European powers became warlike even against the empire. Those with thergest stake in Suez were the Ottomans and the Empire. -Ottoman is a big burden, but if it is an empire, it is possible! It was an extremely optimistic judgment that would make the people of the empire scoff in amazement when they heard it. Because of this, the Juhwa faction, which made up most of the envoys, became desperate. -I dont even want the empire to retreat. We just have to end it while maintaining the current system! -The unification of Italy is of no help to our national interests! They just need to continue to be torn apart like they have been up until now! Thats the best! -The empire must also realize that maintaining the current system is best! The word Ancien Rgime, spoken by a nobleman in the French delegation, soon spread throughout the envoys of the great powers. yes. The maintenance of the old system is And these stories were passed on to the ambassadors and local government through the imperial officials who treated the envoys. After hearing the story from the officials, Hyang looked back at the ambassadors. What do you think? Shin Sook-ju was the first to answer Hyangs question. This may be the best answer to avoid war. However, unless war can be avoided, it is nothing more than a delusion. What is the basis for it being a delusion? Isnt it possible for our empire to retreat through what they call persuasion and negotiation? Then they will fight among themselves. Its because so many people want war. Hearing Shin Sook-jus words, Hyang and the other ambassadors nodded and thought the same thing. Well if you look at diplomacy, hes a very talented person I get criticized for interfering in ces I dont need to get involved in I was muttering to myself about Shin Sook-joo like that. In the middle, Seong Sam-moon asked Hyang. Are you by any chance considering appeasement? Do you think appeasement is possible? In response to Hyangs question, Seong Sam-moon shook his head. Its impossible. Chapter 918 Episode 918: The Imperial March 2 C Assault return, running on the ground. (6) Seong Sam-moon continued in more detail. They are already full of military confidence. Of course, we are not unaware of our empires military power, so we are just keeping an eye on them. But they also know that our empire is far from Italy. If the empirees up with a policy of appeasement here, they will misjudge that the empire is trying to force itself ande up with a policy of appeasement first, and will try to extort even more from them. The first thing they will do is try to rip off Suezs shares. At Seong Sam-moons words, Shin Suk-ju and Yu Eung-bu nodded at the same time. This was because, while staying in Italy, I got to know the way of thinking of Europeans, especially the leaders. Hyang, who was listening to Seong Sam-moon, smiled slightly and asked another question. How do you think they will act if the empire not only stops intervening in Italy but also gives up its shares in Suez and withdraws? In self-respect, yesterdaysrades will be todays enemies and fight against each other. Hyangs smile grew even deeper at Seong Sam-moons answer. What would it be like if our empire attacked when we were tired of fighting and biting each other like that? At Hyangs words, the ambassadors became thoughtful and shouted. Absolutely not! There is no justification! If you do something wrong, the empire will be a symbol of evil! Its not just the cause that matters! That would mean we would have to wait at least five more years! At least 5 years toe! The empires fortunes will be shaken by excessive military spending! When the ambassadors unanimously shouted their opposition, Hyang smiled and responded. ha ha ha! I think its just a thought. Im just wondering what would happen then. It takes even more effort to stop an empire that has already begun to move, and I know that well. Even though they heard Hyangs answer, the ambassadors looked at Hyang with faces full of worry. Do we not know you, Your Majesty? Have you been hit once or twice? What kind of joke is this person who already has an action n in ce every time he says something? Youre joking! Youre telling me its a joke? What is that distrustful face? Again, the empire has already begun to move, but I am well aware that stopping it will require even greater effort. Dont you know what a world you believe in and live in means? When the scent slightly expressed its displeasure, the ambassadors immediately bowed their heads. Please forgive the disgrace of the minor gods. Please forgive me. Even forgiveness Im not unaware of your concerns, so I wont mind. I am devastated. Afterwards, a few small stories continued and the three ambassadors left the room where the incense was ced. After passing through the shaky passage between the carriages and returning to their own carriage, the three headed to the conference room instead of the bedroom. The three people sitting on the chairs in the conference room let out a long sigh at the same time. Whoa~. Even though they sighed, the three ambassadors filled their sses with water and emptied them again and again, as if their stuffy stomachs were not relieved. Pooh~. I want to drink, but I cant I agree. Anyway, did Your Majesty really just think about it? Shin Suk-ju and Seong Sam-moon answered Yu Eung-bus question at the same time. That can be possible! I know this because I have served His Majesty along with the Prime Minister since I was young, but the fact that you said such a thing means that you have already nned everything, including how to execute it. This hasnt happened once or twice! He clearly had a n to carry out! huh? Yu Eung-bu expressed doubts about Seong Sam-moons words. You must have had it? Then do you think you wont put it into practice? In response to Yu Eung-bus question, Shin Sook-ju cautiously opened her mouth. Perhaps not so? Its the best if you only look at the benefits you can get, but isnt the cause the problem? Following Shin Sook-jus words, Seong Sam-moon added. It is clear that His Majesty the Emperor in Seoul will suffer the most, so he must have stopped. Ah Hearing Seong Sam-moons words, Yu Eung-bu nodded with a look of understanding. * * * After Joseon, a small country in the East, was transformed into an empire, the pride of the imperial people soared. But even if that were the case, Italy would withdraw, even giving up Suez? It was clear that the people would not remain silent. Immediately, appeals woulde pouring in from all over the empire. No, if the Emperor of Tang Geum is the Emperor Taesang, there will never be a flood of appeals. If the emperor were Hyang now, the situation would have been different. He is sitting and looking out a thousand miles, if not ten thousand miles, so he must have a deep meaning. Nothing like cancer. The people who heard the story would have said this. But the problem was that the current emperor was Hyeon. -If it were Tae Sang-tae, you wouldnt have shown such weakness! This is because the emperor is ipetent! With this logic, it was certain that a flood of criticism woulde against the emperor. -This was decided locally by the Prime Minister. It is not His Majestys will! Even if he made excuses like this, public criticism would not stop. -How unreliable was the emperor for the Great Emperor to make such a decision on the spot? What a cowardly excuse! -This is because the emperor is ipetent! In the end, all the me fell on the emperor, Hyeon. * * * When Yu Eung-bu appeared to be convinced, Seong Sam-moon continued. If you throw away your cause and face, and if this is a war that will take ce near the empire, it can definitely be said to be the best tactic. However, since His Majesty, Emperor Tang Jin, is not in his prime, this can actually be poisonous. I guess thats why he stepped down like that. It would certainly be more correct to see it as a trick rather than a strategy. Yu Eung-bu, who was nodding at Shin Sook-jus words, had another question. Then why did His Majesty the Great Emperor ask us? Seong Sam-moon, who was looking at the ss of water in his hand in response to Yu Eung-bus question, emptied the ss in one go and answered. I guess you wanted to give me some water. That guy Wow! Its not like that personality has gone anywhere. Are you giving me water? If they had agreed that it was good for us, we would probably have been hearing cackling until now. Ah Shin Suk-ju added while Yu Eung-bu was making an expression as if he had been punched. Now that I think about it thats what Emperor Won always said. Any official, especially a middle-ranking official, must never lose his mind. You always have to be on your toes and keep an eye on whats going on in the world. At that moment, Yu Eung-bu and Seong Sam-moon realized why Hyang had done this. It was because of you! Then why do you use your mouth so needlessly! huh? Why do you look at me like that? Its nothing! * * * The closer Florence got, the more anxious the envoys became. I have to speak alone with Tae Sang-tae In order to gain even a little bit of political advantage, it was best to have the opportunity to speak alone with Hyang. But the scent never showed any signs of weakness. When the iron horse stopped to replenish coal and water, the envoys approached the incense-filled carriage. But every time, the imperial soldiers guarding the carriage stopped them. His Majesty Tae Sang-tae said he does not want to meet anyone right now. Its important. But that doesnt work. Oh my The imperial soldiers had no choice but to turn their backs on the resolute response of the envoys. In the end, the envoys met with the ambassadors and asked for a private meeting with Hyang. But the ambassadors rejected their pleas. His Majesty has already decided that there will be no private armament. So theres nothing we can do. As the ambassadors began to refuse, envoys began to subtly coerce them. If ites out like this, you dont know that there is nothing but war, right? War. Every time they heard something like that, the ambassadors responded by snorting. Do you think the Empire will be afraid? * * * When the train arrived in Florence, Hyang got into the prepared carriage and headed straight to the embassy. A carriage burning incense was passing through the city streets of Florence under strict road control by the Florentine and Imperial forces. Behind the walls of soldiers lined up on the left and right along the road, the residents of Florence stood on tiptoe and looked at the incense sitting in the carriage. He is the Sage of the East! How majestic is this? While the residents were admiring the sight of incense slowly appearing through the carriage window, a group of artists were shining in the background. Whenever you go to Seoul, even the three-penny coins make a name for themselves You cant miss this opportunity! When the Empire first opened its doors to Europe, there were artists who followed schrs and merchants to Seoul. After returning to their hometown after their stay in Seoul, they tranted the scenery and people of the empire they had seen and experienced into paintings and sculptures, and soon made a name for themselves as famous artists. Afterwards, going to the empire became a lifelong wish for those who wanted to make a name for themselves as artists. However, even if one desperately wanted to, going to the empire was not easy. This was because it required a lot of money and time. Poor, unknown artists had no money, and well-known artists had no time to create works requested by customers. For these people, visiting Hyang was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and without hesitation, they immediately packed their bags and headed to Florence. Among the artists who arrived in Florence, there were some unknown artists and some famous artists. The most representative person was Leonardo da Vinci. The middle-aged da Vinci strengthened his resolve as he watched Hyang passing by in a carriage. If I can meet Tae Sang-tae and create a work of art, I can tten that brats nose! A lucky guy! The person who criticized da Vinci for being a child was Michngelo. And quite a few artists were busy envying him and swearing at him. Michngelos skills were famous, but most importantly, his patron was Lorenzo de Medici. As the sponsor was a sponsor, rumors were widespread that Michngelo would meet with incense. And all the artists who heard this rumor became envious of him and cursed him. Lucky guy! i envy you! * * * After safely arriving at the embassy and undressing, Hyang soon conveyed his intentions to the envoys through the ambassadors. -We would like to hold a meeting attended by all envoys from countries wishing to exchange opinions on the future of Italy. -Participating envoys clearly state their countrys intentions in front of each other to prevent misunderstandings. For this reason, you have not treated yourself alone so far. After hearing the ambassadors exnations, the envoys from each country gritted their teeth and nodded. I understand. I will definitely attend the meeting. After the ambassadors returned, the envoys were able to clearly understand what the incense meant. -Lets not hide our greed from each other. -The conclusion is decided anyway, right? In the end, what Tae Sang-tae wanted was to create a viin. -The Empire supports the unification of Italy. But they are interfering! Justice is in our Empire and in Florence! Chapter 919 Episode 919: The Imperial March 2 C Charge return, run on the ground. (7) Even if it was a meeting with a clear oue, I could not refuse to attend. Because there is even the slightest possibility If we want to have at least the slightest justification While expecting catastrophe, the envoys headed to the imperial embassy in Florence. The sight of gorgeous carriages escorted by knights in shining armor and helmets passing through therge main gate of the imperial embassy was spectacr. Florence residents gathered around the embassy entrance and formed a long line to see something that is notmonly seen. wow! Its Medici! Its Gonfaloniere! The residents of Florence shouted when they saw the carriage with the Medici family emblem engraved on it. When Lorenzo de Medici made a glimpse of the residents cheers, the residents cheered even more enthusiastically. Gonfaloniere! Gonfaloniere! Long live Florence! Glory to Florence! Long live Italy! As the Medici familys carriage entered, amid cheers from the Florentine residents, the embassys main gate was tightly closed. * * * The envoys who arrived at the embassy were ushered straight to the conference room. The aides who followed the envoys were stopped by the imperial army. Whats going on! You need to undergo a light body search. What rudeness! The aides protested fiercely, but the executivesmanding the imperial army did not care. Please understand that this is to avoid any unpleasant incidents. impolite! If you refuse, I will ban you from entering the conference room! The aides had to be searched due to the resolute response of the imperial army officers. The imperial armys body search was thorough. First, all the daggers that men of the time ceremonially wore around their waists were ced in separate boxes and sealed. Afterwards, they had them take off their coats with fancy gold and silver decorations, and then scattered their entire bodies with wooden sticks attached torge mas. m! If there was metal in the clothes, a ma would naturally stick to it, and these people would be taken to a separate room and subjected to more intensive investigation. When more than three people were taken to a separate space, the aides, who were full of dissatisfaction, kept their mouths shut and calmly responded to the search. Its good if its an ornament, but if its a weapon If you do it wrong, you could face all kinds of criticism! Meanwhile, inside the conference room, the envoys who entered first wereining to the ambassadors with simr content. This is rude! They are proud nobles from their home country! Shin Suk-ju responded to the envoys protests. And they are also people who dream of bing heroes. Even if its a stigma, its okay. What would you do if someone did something unsavory with the thought of I will leave my name in history!? Thats it No way Shin Sook-jus point made the envoys run out of things to say. The thought of I will leave my name in history even if it means stigmatization was a strong temptation. In addition, among the countries currently participating in the conference, there were almost no countries on good terms with each other. Keu. I will definitely protest this issueter! Dont even think about just ignoring it! With the words Well see!, the envoys sat down. After a while, the aides who had passed the search entered the conference room. As the aides quickly approached and reported something in whispers, the envoysplexions suddenly changed. Is that so? You idiot! The reactions of the envoys who received the aides reports were divided into two. You got a good hand before you even started. Looking at envoys from hostile countries with gleeful faces. You idiots! You might get upset by seeing the losses before you even start. * * * After a while, the inner door of the conference room opened and the official who came out raised his voice. His Majesty Tae Sang-hang ising! At the officials shout, everyone in the conference room stood up and greeted the scent. Jump and jump. Along with the heavy sound of the studs embedded in the soles of cavalry boots, a man wearing a distinctive ck uniform and helmet entered the conference room. Thank you for your hard working. Wee. Lets all sit down. The envoys and aides who sat down at Hyangs words felt ufortable once again as they saw Hyang wearing a ck uniform. What on earth is this pressure? My chest is tight The envoys who were looking at the incense while desperately taking a deep breath saw the left arm of the ck coat that the incense was wearing. A small imperial g with the Three Taegeuks and Bagua embroidered on a ck background with golden thread was attached to the left arm shoulder. The national g on your clothes? Are you saying you are a nation? Then lets start the meeting. As the incense announced the start of the meeting, the envoys came out of their thoughts and began to concentrate. * * * As expected, the start of the meeting was with Hyang taking the lead. The reason Jim came all the way to Italy is because of the emergency faced by our ally Florence. I heard that Florence, a good ally of our empire, is being unfairly threatened, and I want to resolve this in a good way. Louis, who came from France, immediately responded to Hyangs words, which were tranted into Latin through the imperial trantor. We, France, are also good allies of the empire. But it sounds as if we are putting undue pressure on Florence. Isnt that true? Thats not true. I only gave advice to prevent Florence from disturbing the peace of all of Italy. Florence is disturbing the peace of Italy? Thats right. Florence is making other Italian cities nervous by iming Italian unification. Rather, it is Florence that has acted unjustly. As soon as Louis finished speaking, the Spanish and Habsburg envoys lined up and spoke. youre right! Thats why those who were anxious asked us for help, and we just responded! It is Florence that has acted unfairly. Is it not unjust to break the peace that has existed in Italy until now? Hmm Hearing the envoys words, Hyang leaned back in his chair and smiled strangely. The ambassadors who saw that scene simultaneously had goosebumps running down their spines. OMG! That look! That facial expression I dont want to see even in my dreams! If you hear a clicking sound from over there Ugh I get chills just thinking about it Tsk! With a clicking sound that made the imperial officials shudder, they began to take incense one by one. Jim heard that Florence was not the only one who advocated Italian unification? I understand that Mn, Genoa, and Venice made the same im? But why is only Florence unjust? Eh thats I dont see the difference between saying that if someone else has a child through an affair, its a dirty illegitimate child and if I give birth to a child, its the fruit of a beautiful love? Its a bit of an analogy At Hyangs words, the envoys blushed and looked embarrassed. This was because I ran out of things to say about the parable that criticized the European aristocratic society, which was overflowing with all kinds of affairs and scandals. The scents attacks continued. And those who have lived without being able to be one since the copse of the Western Roman Empire set out to be one again. I dont think theres any reason to stop this, Jim? If that happens, the peace we have had so far will disappear! Peace for whom? In response to the question, Maximilian I from Habsburg raised his voice. Peace for Italy, not for all of Europe! Tsk! Once again the scent hit his tongue, and Maximilian I momentarily flinched and fell into confusion. why? why! As soon as I heard that clicking sound, why? why! Regardless of whether Maximilian I did it or not, he epted the scent right away. The people of Italy want unification, but this is detrimental to the peace of Europe, so please be patient? Isnt this truly unfair? Is this not the arrogance of the powerful? Some sacrifices are necessary for peace! What the Habsburg envoy wants now is peace or the defense of interests disguised as peace? No matter how much you shout for peace, will the Italian people walking up and down the street believe you? . When Maximilian I, at a loss for words, fell silent, this time the Spanish envoy stepped forward. Didnt the Empire also send troops to Italy to gain profits? Tsk tsk tsk The Spanish envoy will answer. What benefit will our empire gain from acquiring Italy? . At Hyangs retort, the Spanish envoy looked embarrassed and closed his mouth. As Hyang pointed out, even if the empire gained Italy, there was little benefit to it. It was an empire that was still reaping enormous profits through Suez. From the empires perspective, acquiring Italy was not particrly beneficial. No, you might only end up losing money Hyang continued, looking at the Spanish envoy who was furiously racking his brain to find an answer. Italians living in Italy establish one Italian nation. Because Florences intentions were beautiful, the empire decided to help Florence. I would like to ask the delegates gathered here. Shouldnt Italians living in Italy live as citizens of a unified Italian nation? why? The French live as subjects of France, and the Spaniards live as subjects of a united kingdom. But why are Italians not possible? . The ministers could not immediately respond to Hyangs words. It cant go on like this! In the end, Louis of France came forward and spoke to Hyang. Today is the first day, so how about we stop here? It seems that since it is the first day, some envoys have not prepared properly. It could be because the first day is usually just a meeting. Well, Ill leave it at that for today. Then how about holding the meeting again the day after tomorrow? Louis stepped forward and responded to Hyangs suggestion. It looks like a reasonable spacing indeed. The other envoys will agree. The other envoys looked ufortable at Louis words. The two of you sit down and do everything. But it was also difficult to refuse. Excluding the empire, the strongest country here was France. And it took time toe up with a logic to counter the logic of the scent. In the end, the other envoys had no choice but to agree. Then lets see the day after tomorrow. As they left the embassy in the carriage, the envoys let out a long sigh. Whoa~. The opponent is too tough. * * * Before the sun set that day, the envoys found themselves defeated once again. Something big has happened! The low-ranking officials and servants who had gone outside looked for the envoys with white faces. What big deal? Did you say the emperor died suddenly? no! A record of todays meeting has been posted on the wall of the Imperial Embassy! what! The envoys who received the report were frightened and ran outside. At the same time, Hyang was receiving reports from the ambassadors. Florence residents came inrge numbers to see the poster on the wall. is it? Have you prepared leaflets? yes. As you ordered, I took 200 photos and put them outside. But isnt 200 too few? Hyang slightly smiled and answered Seong Sam-moons question. No, its appropriate. If its more than that, its definitely intentional, but if its that much, it can be dismissed as just an old man being crazy. Yes After sending out the ambassadors, Hyanghyang, who was left alone, looked out the window and muttered. Its called propaganda. Chapter 920 Episode 920: The Imperial March 2 C Assault return, running on the ground. (8) The reason Hyang came to think of this method was the Ms Telegram Incident. After hearing the French ambassadors request regarding the Spanish throne, Wilhelm I sent it by telegram to Bismarck. Bismarck received the telegram, looked at it briefly, and then passed it on to the press. In the process, the French ambassadors rude words and actions turned into extremely rude words and actions, and the Prussian people who read the newspaper burned with anger. Ultimately, the Franco-Prussian War broke out based on the support of the people of both countries, who were burning with hostility toward the other country. And the scent was a slight variation of this. The envoys of the region and the participating countries conversed in Latin. Of course, Hyang stopped the interpreter in the middle. It was a matter of imperial pride. In any case, the conversation between Hyang and the envoys was meticulously recorded by trantors, and Hyang ordered them to be transcribed into Italian C the dialect of Tuscany, where Florence is located, to be exact. The Florentines had sky-high self-esteem based on their umted economic and military power. I didnt have to look to see how the Florentines would react when I hung this trantion on the embassy wall. Printing only 200 leaflets containing the contents of the poster was another trick. -Rumors are bound to spread anyway. People who read the poster will talk about it, and leaflets will be copied and distributed everywhere. But will the content be conveyed as is? -Obviously the content will change and spread. With more provocative content. -But its not our responsibility. Because we only wrote the truth. * * * The next day, envoys from each country invaded the imperial embassy, ahead and behind them. What are you doing? What on earth have you done! Are you sane to leak the details of a negotiation that hasnt even been concluded yet? Thats right! Have you forgotten what diplomatic negotiations are? What disrespect is there in leaking information without consent? Despite the envoys strong protests, Shin Suk-ju responded with a rxed expression and voice. His Majesty Taesang said this. It is unreasonable for Italians to not know when the fate of Italy is at stake. We must let them know without any lies. So I just copied it into Italian and posted it. How can the empire do that at will! Shin Suk-ju responded to the envoysments with a slight smile. Why do you think it is arbitrary in our empire? There is definitely a leader in Florence? That means There was the consent of Lorenzo de Medici, the gonfalonier of Florence. Shin Suk-jus answer left the envoys at a loss for what to say. Shin Suk-ju muttered to herself as she looked at the envoys, who were showing a mixture of embarrassment and anger. Its definitely rude. But war is inevitable anyway. In that case, the hearts of the people must be united. Its the best way to do that. Just wait and see! I will never forget this courtesy! In the end, the envoys had no choice but to retreat, leaving behind only this threat. Shin Sook-jus words were heard behind the retreating envoys. Todays work will be on the wall. urg! The envoys, who were about to scream for a moment, forced their anger away and got into the carriage. And the negotiations that continued the next day became even more parallel, and the atmosphere among the envoys became even more hostile. * * * As the flyers and rumors spread, the reaction of residents in Florence and nearby areas was not much different from what was expected. What do these people think of us? Why do non-Italians want to do whatever they want with ournd! Damn you guys! They lived as barbarians when we created the Roman Empire! With their pride wounded, men from Florence and the surrounding area headed to recruiting stations. The sudden surge in applicants was immediately reported to Lorenzo de Medici. Lorenzo de Medici, who received the report, boasted about it to the governor. How is it? Our people in Florence are so loyal! They are the pride of Florence! It is indeed so. While agreeing with Lorenzos words, Hyang muttered to himself. Who said that? Are you saying that the only countries thate out and grab people by the cor when there is an ident are Korea and Italy? People who have one temper tantrum are the end of it all. This is truly heart-warming news. By the way have you heard anything about the reactions of other regions? Lorenzos face became brighter at the question about the fragrance. It has be a lot noisy. Thanks to you, the tyrants are having a hard time. The perception that Italian unification is an inevitable fate was already widespread among Italian intellectuals. In this situation, conservative remarks made by envoys of great powers, who are recognized by others as the backbenchers of influential cities, brought about anger and resistance from intellectuals. The fate of Italy must be decided by Italians! Foreign forces go away! And as this confusion worsened, those who had been quiet for so long began to move. It was the Pope and the Kingdom of Naples. They say the cardinal sent by the Pope will arrive soon. Lorenzo de Medicis expression as he told this to Hyang became much darker than before. After seeing Lorenzos expression, Hyang asked the ambassadors sitting next to him. Who is the current Pope? This is Alexander VI. His name before he became Pope was Rodrigo Borgia. What kind of person is this? When asked about fragrance, the ambassadors looked at Lorenzo. Lorenzo, who received the silent question, answered right away. The ability is good, but there are also many scandals. You can be a goodrade, but you can also be your worst enemy. You sound like a person who is faithful to his own interests. Everyone present nodded at the conclusion of the incense. Alexander VI and the previous popes were goodrades in dealing with the Kingdom of Naples, which controlled southern Italy, and in dealing with Savonar, who was causing trouble within Florence. But it was a strongpetitor in other areas. * * * The cardinals visit to the imperial embassy a few dayster caused trouble from the start. His Holiness is very concerned about this matter. Why would a pagan emperore forward and control the affairs of Italy, where Christians live? It is a pagan country and its emperor has blocked missions that lead lost souls to heaven. For this reason, His Holiness strongly reprimanded this. He said that if monarchs who continue to join hands with heretics from now on will be found guilty and emunicated. The faces of the envoys became serious at the cardinals words. Of course, the power of the Pope has weakened significantlypared to before. However, the Popes cooperation was essential in resolving various political problems or in covering up the monarchs corruption. In particr, the emunication was a very serious political bomb. * * * Hmm heretics It was Hyang who broke the silence in the conference room, which had be quiet due to the cardinals remarks. Hes a pagan Hyang, who was muttering the word pagan over and over again, looked at the cardinal with a grin. Look here, Cardinal. Do you know what? From our empires perspective, you are heretics. How dare you say such terrible things! Jims speech isnt over yet. Incense covered the Cardinals mouth and continued speaking. There is something I asked the Vatican about when I was crown prince. It was a matter of rituals performed by the people of our empire. Its already been over 60 years since Jim asked me to send an answer, so why is there still no answer? Are you blocking missionary work? Jim said the same thing when he asked that question. Missionary work will be unconditionally banned until an answer is received. ruler! Who is responsible for the ban on missionary work? I think the burden lies with you guys who havent responded in over 60 years? The cardinal, who had been triumphant just before, looked embarrassed due to the fierce attack of incense. Over the past 60 years, the issues raised by incense have created all kinds of controversy. As the power structure of political factions within the Vatican changed, the task of answering this question continued to be pushed back. And just like the military aspect, the empire was too far away. The Land of Flowers is too far away. So you dont have to worry too much. You can use it politically in moderation ande up with a rough answer. Due to such political judgment, no conclusion was reached for over 60 years. No, it was forgottenter. Even though Lorenzo de Medici stepped forward in the middle. The discussion on that part is not over even among schrs yet The cardinal tried to exin it away, but the scent persisted. Your scriptures say that if you pray with all your heart and seek answers, the Holy Spirit will answer. Why are we trying to solve it with human brains? How can you take responsibility if your decisions are different from the will of the God you believe in? Ah that is The Cardinal could only continue muttering. I already expected this to be a problem! Incenses attack was sharper and more lethal than Rome had thought. Romes response to this problem was simple. We borrow the power of other participating countries. For this purpose, the cardinal who came as an envoy said emunication as soon as he entered. However, before the envoys could react, Hyang counterattacked first. Thanks to this, the envoys present took a step back and watched the exchange of words between the incense and the cardinal. And it seems to me that you are here not as a mediator but as an interested party? Yes, what is that You mean the Pope. Its in other countries, but its also a big part of it here in Italy, right? It was given by King Pepin But legally speaking, it is the territory of the Holy Roman Empire. And Scent, whose words were slightly slurred, looked at Maximilian I and continued. And isnt the current emperor of the Holy Roman Empire the monarch of the Habsburg family? In other words, I dont think the true owner of the Papal States is the Pope? Hyangs remarks were a bombshell. Maximilian I and the Habsburg people, who listened carefully to what he said, looked at the cardinal with strange eyes. And looking at the movements of the Habsburg delegation, the conference room began to be a little agitated. Hyang spoke, resting his chin on his sped hands. I must be feeling a bit burdened after meeting the messenger sent by the Pope himself. Jim has read your scriptures before. But there was no Pope in that scripture? Is the position of Pope the will of God? Such shamelessness! The Cardinal shouted, but the Hyang continued to ask questions in a calm tone. The ts of your religion preach, To Caesar what is Caesars, and to God what is God. So what is the Pope thinking when he sends you now? Why do you covet what belongs to Caesar? C hello? This is Gukppong, who writes ck Enterprise Chosun. We would like to provide rification to our readers regarding the serial upload issue. After I write the manuscript andplete the proofreading, the manuscript will be uploaded. Some tforms allowpanies to upload directly, while others have an approval process. Therefore, if I amte in writing the manuscript, there will be a time gap between tforms. In other words, it happened because my hands were slow. I am very sorry for any inconvenience caused to my readers due to my chronic illness and poor physical condition. We will do our best to ensure that our readers do not feel any inconvenience until the end of ck Corporate Chosun. We would be very grateful if you continue to love ck Enterprise Chosun. Chapter 921 Episode 921: The Imperial March 2 C Assault return, running on the ground. (9) The Cardinal was unable to properly counterattack the Hyangs attack. Holy shit! If this was going to happen, His Holiness should havee! Alexander VI. No, Rodrigo Borgia received a doctorate in canonw from the University of Bologna. He was not just a legal schr, but he was highly praised as the most outstanding and discerning legal schr. If he hade in person, the oue of this debate would have been different. No, even if we couldnt guarantee victory or defeat, it was certain that we wouldnt just be pushed back like we are now. However, once he was seated as Pope, it was difficult for Alexander VI to move around Rome. Additionally, the cardinal who was stationed here was not a good legal schr. Although he was not of Borgia family blood, he became a cardinal and came to this position because of his loyalty. Therefore, he had no choice but to repeat the basic defense. The position and duties of the Pope are inherited from St. Peter, and St. Peter was chosen by the Lord If you read the scriptures, this is true. Hyang interrupted the cardinal and continued his attack. The founder of Christianity told Peter to be the rock of the church. If the Pope seeds Peter, why does he want to be a crown on his head when he should be a rock? In the same way, the religious leader said to Peter, Fish for people, but did he say, Judge people? That is The cardinal, who was desperately searching for a logic to refute while stuttering, brought out the mostmonly used logic. The Lord said to Saint Peter, I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. So whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. To judge a man, your Majesty said, is to bind and loose, and this is the power of the Pope, handed down from generation to generation from St. Peter. When the cardinal asserted the supremacy of the Pope that has been passed down from generation to generation, Hyang smiled even brighter and asked again. okay? Then I will ask. Is it the human soul or the human body that binds and looses? Eh isnt that everything? Ill say it again. The dogma said, To Caesar what is Caesars, and to God what is Gods. Binding and loosing even the human body seems to be coveting even Caesars things? Are you even viting the teachings of the dogma? Ruthless! The cardinal shouted, but Hyang concluded with a calm expression. Now this is a ce where Caesars representatives gather to discuss worldly issues. Its not a soul problem. Nevertheless, if I were to sit here and talk, I would have no choice but to think of the Pope as a secr monarch. If you acknowledge that, I will acknowledge your right to speak. Infidels are cruel! The cardinal shouted hysterically. Looking at the cardinal, whoseplexion had turned bright red with shame and anger, the fragrance continued. That shameless heretic will ask. Did your religious founder say to spread the truth to the ends of the earth, but to kill and destroy the heretics? Are you following the teachings of a dogma? Or are they following the orders given to the Jews who were trying to escape Egypt and return to Jerusalem? Do you believe in Christianity or Judaism? He truly has the devils tongue! Finally, the cardinal could not stand it anymore and left his seat. Before leaving the conference room, the cardinal looked at the seated envoys and his assistant Lorenzo de Medici and left a warning. Anyone who joins hands or negotiates with the heretics, the seed of the devil, will be regarded as a heretic and emunicated! In response to the cardinals warning, Hyang responded by resting his chin on one hand. I guess that part is the Popes authority? Are you superior to the Pope? urg! The cardinal fluttered with anger and left the conference room. As the cardinal and his followers disappeared from the conference room, Hyang looked back at the envoys. How about we stop here for today? Louis quickly responded to Hyangs suggestion. That would be great. Others will agree. I agree. Then how about the next meeting in five days? Five days By then, the Popes answer wille from Rome. Well, I can guess what the answer will be. In the meantime, Ill have to talk to ambassadors from other countries. Louis thought for a moment and nodded. It seems appropriate. I agree. Then well see you in five days. The envoys and aides who agreed with Louis words gathered up and stood up. Before leaving the conference room, the envoys paid their respects to Hyang. Hyang returned the courtesy of the envoys and left meaningful words to the departing envoys. I guess the officers are happy that they got a good cause now, right? But thats it. Did Jim make a fuss without knowing that? Think about it carefully. . The envoys who paused for a moment at Hyangs words soon left the conference room. The faces of the envoys leaving the embassy were more stern than ever. The meeting was over, but Hyang stayed and talked with Lorenzo. I feel sorry for Gonfaloniere. Hyang first apologized to Lorenzo. It was clear that the cardinals warning would not end as a warning. And in Lorenzos case, the choice to break away from the empire was already impossible. In the end, it was clear that Lorenzo would be emunicated. Lorenzo responded to Hyangs words with a smile. no. If there is a dismissal, there is also a pardon. Lorenzo answered with an expression that it was no big deal, and he was sincere. Emunication against European monarchs was a political issue, not a religious one. Thanks to this, if the Pope was changed or the power of the emunicated king became very powerful, pardons could continue at any time thereafter. Of course, even if this was not the case, if you paid a considerable bribe and bowed your head just a little, the pardon followed immediately. In Lorenzos case, he had sufficient funds and a cardinal from his family was in Rome. Because he was powerful enough to participate in the conve, Lorenzo had a rxed expression. Are you going to live on the wall today? of course. Lorenzos face became a little more serious at Hyangs answer. Wouldnt it be better to skip today? why? I always walked whenever there was a meeting. If you dont walk, residents will be curious and soon turn into suspicion. But the cardinal left with a warning of emunication. I dont mind it, but the situation is different for residents. Hyang nodded at Lorenzos exnation. Of course it could be so. How about using a good helper for this part? Helper? Savonar. ah! * * * Not long after the envoys left the embassy, the residents of Florence gathered around the embassy. The purpose was to read the posters hung by embassy officials. After a while, imperial officials put up a poster, and residents flocked in and began to read the poster. Hmm Huh? what? The residents who were reading the poster looked perplexed. It was because of the emunication mentioned by the cardinal. Its an emunication what should I do? But I dont think there was anything wrong with what the emperor of the Land of Flowers said Yes, but its an emunication! As the story spread, the residents of Florence began to get upset. Although the authority of the church was greatly weakenedpared to the period before the ck Death, its authority was still strong among ordinary residents. In a situation where not only daily life but also interactions between residents mostly revolved around the church, being emunicated was a matter of survival. However, rebelling against the Medici family and the empire was also a problem. This was because he was well aware that other cities and powers could not touch Florence because of the Medici and the Empire. No, war will break out anyway, but then we need the Land of Flowers even more. This is it While many residents of Florence were confused, there were some who looked up at the sky and cheered. This is the Lords protection! It was Savonar. * * * Savonar, a nobleman from Ferrara and a member of the Dominican Order, was famous for his outstanding learning and ascetic life. Savonar, who arrived in Florence in 1482 after being dispatched to the Monastery of San Marco, gained high reputation and support from the Florentine residents. Afterwards, Savonar toured Florence and nearby cities, preaching republicanism and political liberalism. Politically he was a liberal, but morally he was an ascetic, so he even created a famous anecdote in which the residents of Florence, influenced by his sermons, burned paintings and colored novels in a square in Florence. As he was a republican and a political liberal, the targets of his attacks were Lorenzo de Medici, the ruler of Florence, and the Pope. Lorenzo de Medici is a terrible dictator! The freedom of the people of Florence is being suppressed! The Pope and the Church must wake up! Look at what the Vatican and the church look like now! The merchants whom the Lord had driven out of the temple are now sitting in priestly robes! In some ways, Savonar was an extreme republican and liberal, but he was surprisingly friendly towards the empire. Republicanism is the ultimate system, but if not, the emperor and political system of the Land of Flowers are the best! When it came to the empire, Savonar always spoke favorably. It was when Savonar heard about the actions of King Sejong and Hyang that he began to criticize the empire favorably. If there must be a monarch, it must be done like this! What made Savonar, who had developed an affinity for him by reading books written at the level of a memoir, bepletely pro-imperialist was the acquisition of a Latin trantion of The First Law. yes! Equality before thew! This is a must have! Savonar, who had be pro-imperialist, shouted to his supporters after reading the leaflet that recorded the war of words with the cardinal. When the Lord was born, wise men came from the East! And this time a wise man came from the East! This is the Lords blessing! Savonar ascended the pulpit and preached loudly to his supporters. Everyone, what is wrong with what the wise men of the East said? doesnt exist! What is Caesars is Caesars, and what is Gods is Gods! It is absolutely wrong for the sessor of Peter to behave like Caesar! Do not give in to the Vaticans threats of emunication! Trust your conscience! Threatening monarchs with emunication is a symbol of the corruption of the Vatican. Do you know how much money you have to give to be pardoned from emunication? So where do those richese from? These are things that were taken from you with your taxes! The Vatican must go back to the Vatican! This war is a holy war for him! Chapter 922 Episode 922: The Imperial March 2 C Assault return, running on the ground. (10) -Everything the Sage of the East said was correct! -The Pope of Rome must abolish all the evil practices that have continued until now! -We Italians must decide the fate of Italy! When Savonar publicly expressed support, the public sentiment in Florence was able to unite again. Those who had hesitated due to the emunication now had an excuse to join again. It means that Savonar has as much power as the Pope, at least as far as Florence is concerned. Gonfaloniere might be a bit of a pain, though. Shin Suk-ju responded to Hyangs words in a tone full of cynicism. It is a self-inflicted disaster. Savonar was famous as a religious figure, but he was even more famous as an authority on humanities, philosophy, and medicine. The reason Lorenzo de Medici invited Savonar to Florence was not because of religion, but because he was a famous humanities schr. Although Savonar received support from the Medici family, the problem was that the Medici, especially Lorenzo de Medici, attacked him politically. Hyang nodded at Shin Sook-jus answer. I see. Ah! That song almost popped out at that moment! It was a scent that forced itself to sing without realizing it at the words a disaster brought on by itself. Hyanghyang, who managed to suppress the feeling of virtue that came out almost instinctively, hurriedly moved on to the next thing. A letter of protest must have reached the Pope by now, right? It has arrived. After the war of words with the Cardinal, the Hyang demanded a five-day suspension, which was due to several people hiding. Firstly, it was to attract Savonar, and secondly, it was to examine the unity and collusion of the envoys of the participating countries, including the great powers. With the Popes envoy openly mentioning emunication, the powers also had cause to act openly. Lastly, it was to secure time to send a public letter of protest to the Pope. The content of the protest written jointly by Shin Sook-ju and Seong Sam-muns support department was simple. -How dare a single cardinal say that Tae Sang-tae of the Korean Federal Empire is being cruel! -As a proud citizen of the empire and a subject of the empire, I cannot ignore this! The next morning, a poster with the full text of the protest letter was posted on the embassy wall, and the imperial cavalry and Florentine cavalry with the same protest letter departed for Rome in broad daylight. All Florentine citizens and envoys could see the scene of the Florentine g, the Medici family g, the imperial army standard, and the white g waving as they departed for Rome. After hearing Shin Suk-jus answer, Hyang smiled bitterly. The Pope must be having a lot of trouble. From what I hear, they are currently negotiating various things with the Sultan of Ottomans. At Hyangs words, Shin Sook-ju also nodded with a simr expression. * * * This is a pain in the ass. Haha~. As expected, Pope Alexander VI ced his hand on his itching forehead and sighed. I sent him as an envoy, and then something like this happened I wanted to summon him right away and then oust him from his position as cardinal, but that was difficult. This was because his loyalty to the authority of the Pope, or in other words, his faith and loyalty to Alexander VI himself, was as strong as a rock. In order for the reform policy he nned and implemented as soon as he took office as Pope to be sessful, he needed many cardinals who were absolutely loyal to him. Therefore, the cardinal who caused this scandal could not be dismissed carelessly. But then you curse the emperor of the empire, calling him a shameless man and a pagan If you do this, you will immediately cause problems with the Ottomans haha. As soon as he thought of Ottoman, Alexander VI became even more troubled. If you do it wrong, a useful card will disappear, which is a big problem. The useful yer mentioned by Alexander VI was Bayezid IIs younger brother, Cem. * * * In the civil war to determine the sultan who would seed Mehmed II, it was Djem whopeted with Bayezid II until the end. After losing the civil war, Jem entrusted himself to the Knights of Relief to save his life. Bayezid II, worried that his brother might return and start another civil war, offered a considerable bribe to the Knights Temr and the Pope. And this useful card was passed down to Alexander VI. * * * What Alexander VI was worried about was the rtionship between the Ottomans and the Empire. As long as Jem was alive, the possibility of civil war recurring was quite high. Therefore, Bayezid II refrained from external expansion. In addition, unlike Mehmed II, who preferred European culture, he valued returning to Imic traditions. Bayezid II also always maintained good rtions with the empire. When an imperial envoy visited, Bayezid II was the one who stopped what he was doing to greet the envoy. If this incident were to reach the ears of Bayezid II, there was a high probability that he would abandon his current domestic policy and return to expansionism. -You insulted the great emperor of the East! How much more so what would Im think! Its a temple! In that case, the gems utility value would disappear. If you find them and kill them while you are waging a holy war, it will end. * * * I cant help it. I have no choice but to follow the principles. The answer that Alexander VI, who had been pondering over and over again, found was Follow the principles. The order sent by Alexander VI to the cardinal staying in Florence was summarized as follows. -Make sure to apologize respectfully to the former emperor of the empire in public. -Promise to send an answer within two years at thetest regarding the ritual issues raised by the previous emperor. -Respond to other issues, especially the papal decree, from the perspective of a secr monarch. -We will send a helper regarding the above issue. After putting his seal on the handwritten letter and sealing it, Alexander VI gave an order to his aide. Send it to Florence as quickly as possible. Yes, Your Holiness. After his aide left, Alexander VI, left alone, tapped his fingers on the desk and fell into contemtion. ording to the principles The problem is the principles. Alexander VI muttered with a bitter expression. The power of the Pope, which was strong enough to create an incident called the Humb of Canossa, gradually weakened over time. In particr, the weakening of the Popes power elerated with the Avignon Captivity. At least, it still shows off its considerable presence because it has political power based on deeply rooted faith among the people of Europe and actual economic and military power symbolized by the Papal States. If it had been as powerful as it was when it caused the humiliation of Canossa, the principles would probably have changed. Even if he was the emperor of an empire, he was a pagan. * * * After confirming the order sent by Alexander VI, the cardinal visited the conference hall and bowed his head to the priest. I am a short-thinking person and have done a great disservice to Your Majesty. I ask you to forgive me. I can tolerate one mistake. But not twice. thank you. After receiving the cardinals apology, Hyang looked at the newly arrived cardinal. If you look at the priests uniform, he is a cardinal, but he is too young. Who came with you? In response to Hyangs question, the cardinal introduced a newpanion. This is Cesare Borgia, Archbishop and Cardinal of the Diocese of Valencia. This is Cesare Borgia, who holds the undeserved position of cardinal. It is an honor to meet your famous majesty. Nice to meet you. While responding to Cesares polite greeting, the scent muttered to itself. A person who will be remembered in history has arrived. By the way, will the newly arrived cardinal take over this position? Cesare stepped forward and answered the question. No. Ie to discuss Caesars. Caesars? Ha ha ha ha ha! The fragranceughed heartily at Cesares answer. It was a brilliant answer using the same logic he had presented. However, although Hyangs mouth was smiling, his eyes were not smiling. Is this really true? It wont be easy. But Hyang looked at Shin Sook-ju and Seong Sam-moon who were preparing for a meeting next to them. I have two useful cards. * * * The meeting finally began to move in earnest when Cesare, who came with the title of Vice-President of the Pope, joined. To be precise, building justification for war and dividing sides had begun in earnest. This is the Empires way of achieving the peaceful unification of Italy. I already heard it. Do I need to hear it again? Shin Sook-ju responded to Louiss point by looking at Cesare. Theres a new person here, so shouldnt we go over it again? Right. When Louis took a step back, Shin Sook-ju immediately moved on. -The unification of Italy must be led by Italians. -For peaceful unification, the empire rmends a federal system. -The principalities and republics that make up Italy maintain their own independent systems. However, this is limited to cases where it is acknowledged that it belongs to a unified country called Italy. -The principalities and republican kingdoms belonging to the federation (hereinafter referred to as federation members) do not possess independent military power. Instead, it operates an integrated military organization called the Italian Federal Army. -Members of the federation maintain their own independent system, but taxes and judicial affairs follow federalw. In other words, Italians living in Italy are subject to the same tax and judicial systems regardless of where they live. Thats it. As soon as Shin Sook-ju finished exining, Louis immediately pointed out the problem. I always ask this question every time I hear this story, how will you decide who will rule over this self-proimed unified Italy? I answer every time, but didnt you already say it at the beginning? Leave it to the Italians. joy! Louis snorted lightly, nced at Cesare and asked Shin Suk-ju. What if Italians choose the Pope as their monarch? If it is the Italians choice, of course we will ept it. step! Shin Suk-ju, who paused for a moment, nced at Cesare like Louis and continued speaking. I will ept it if it is a peaceful choice. But if its a method that draws blood, the winner will have the choice. Listening to the conversation between Shin Suk-ju and Louis, Cesare knew for sure. This is not a ce to discuss peace! This is the ce to write a deration of war! Cesare, learning the nature of the meeting, cleared his voice and cautiously opened his mouth. Does that membership include the Papal States as well? Includes the Papal States located in Italy. But the Papal States As Cesare went to rebut, Fragrance, who was only watching, intervened. Remember that the cardinal hase to discuss Caesars. Ill keep that in mind. In the end, Cesare had to do his best to attend the meeting in order to protect the interests of the Pope and the Papal States. * * * As time passed, the meeting went as Hyang expected. The meeting was an afterthought, and the true feelings of the envoys were revealed only after the meeting was over. Partitioning was almost finished. Chapter 923 Episode 923: The Imperial March 2 C Assault return, running on the ground. (11) Even though the partitioning was somewhat over, the envoys from each country continued to sit in the conference hall and continue their war of words. It was a tedious battle that waster evaluated as a desperate struggle to avoid stigmatization. For them to engage in such a boring battle was extremely unusual in the way of thinking at the time. Of course, even during this period, it was natural to seek justification for starting a war. But this was literally just a formality. Negotiations often broke down as soon as they started, and wars broke out because of that breakdown. And when the war that took ce in this way became sluggish or the oue became unclear, the parties ran to the Pope and insisted that they were right. And the Pope coordinated the two sides appropriately and proposed a mediation n. In most cases, a mediation n that satisfies both parties was not sessful. However, both sides had to ept the mediation proposal. -If you refuse, you will be emunicated. Although it was inferior to the past, the Popes emunication was fatal. It was an open secret that the Pope and his close associates were able to receive significant bribes during this process. However, all of this was impossible at this meeting. The first thing was that foreign powers were arguing over Italys internal problems. Here, it was the empire that gained the first and greatest justification. -It is right for Italians to decide the fate of Italy. It is not right for foreign countries to intervene carelessly! -The same goes for our empire. If the Italians decide for themselves through peaceful means, the Empire will ept it! As soon as they arrived in Florence, the empire was the first to obtain both indulgence and justification due to the incense statement hung on the embassy wall. Second, the Pope lost his qualifications as a mediator. It was because of the Papal States in Italy. About a quarter of the entire territory of Italy, excluding Sicily, was the Papal States. The problem was that the area was one of the most fertile regions in Italy. No matter how devout Italians were, there was no way they could just ignore this part. Likewise, there was no way the Pope would just put it out there. Ultimately, the Popes representative also had to participate in the meeting as a stakeholder. Thest thing that was predicted was that this war would not end easily. Looking at the current situation, it was simple. Imperial Florence Switzend VS. Papal States of the Kingdom of Naples, Spain, France. And other city-states in Portugal and Italy were watching. The biggest problem in this situation was how many troops could be maintained and for how long. As Switzend, famous for its mercenaries, joined the empire, all other countries had difficulty supplying troops. Fortunately, the Habsburgs had the Landsknecht, a mercenary group that was born in the Swabia region and was gradually bing famous. And because of thisndsknecht, the calctions becameplicated. Aside from the Imperial Union, the country with the strongest military power was France. However, the problem was that the main force of the French army was the standing army. Since they were recruiting citizens rather than mercenaries, there were limits to finances for sry payment and veterans policy. If the war was prolonged, the Habsburgs, who had an easier time mobilizing troops, would have a higher chance of bing the final victor. In other words, from Frances point of view, there was a high possibility that it would be like throwing porridge and giving it to a dog. Spain also had a headache. The problem was that there was nond route from Spain to Italy. In order for the Spanish army to move bynd, it had to pass through French territory. It was an area where numerous border disputes took ce between Spain and France. No matter how much they worked together, there was no chance that France would open its borders for the Spanish army. In that case, the troops had to be transported by sea, and the imperial navy encamped in Livorno and Prince Henrys Port could not ignore this. Pressure was being put on Portugal to resolve this issue, but Portugal was just paying attention. The situation in the Papal States and the Kingdom of Naples was not all that good. The risk of an internal uprising was increasing. Both the Borgia family of Pope Alexander VI and the Trastamara dynasty of the Kingdom of Naples had their roots in Spain. Many of the Italian cardinals and residents of the Papal States had a close opinion of the Pope due to his origins. If the war slowed down and the burden they had to shoulder increased significantly, it was very likely that the residents of the Papal States would use this as an excuse to rise up. The same was true for the Kingdom of Naples. The current king, Ferdinand I, had a history of suppressing several rebellions by nobles who rebelled against him. In order to keep these nobles in check, preferential treatment was given to free citizens of the city and urban nobles to keep the feudal nobles in check. However, when the cause of Italy for the Italians was added to the harmful effects of a long-term war, there was a high possibility that the citys nobles would turn their backs. In other words, everyone expected that if the Empire and Florence alliance could not be clearly suppressed in the beginning, a long-term war would enter. And themon thought of everyone except the Empire was that the Empire would be the most advantageous in a long-term war. It was thanks to Switzend that Switzend showed what happens when an empire makes the right decision, releases money, and runs its factories. But there is no way to avoid war In the end, a tedious war of words ensued to find a scapegoat who would endure until the very end and overturn the stigma. * * * Based on the situation so far, this is how we envision the front lines of the future war. A five-day adjournment was dered in response to the request of envoys who were tired of the boring war of words. The incense and Lorenzo de Medici ambassadors and thieves of the imperial army gathered in the embassy conference room, and finally, the highest rankingmanders of the Florentine and Swiss armies were gathered to receive reports on how war would proceed if a war broke out. Hmm After listening to the exnation carefully, Hyang looked back at Yu Eung-bu. To summarize, a two-front battle cannot be avoided. Thats right. This has be a boring situation. Thats right. The best would be for uprisings and revolts to ur in the Papal States and the Kingdom of Naples to the south, loosening the southern front. Then, I think it would be best to clear the south as quickly as possible and move up to the north. Everyone except Hyang nodded at Yu Eung-bus words. However, the scent could not help but frown. Something feels ufortable Thanks to being a military fanatic, Hyang had a lot of knowledge rted to war history, but he couldnt shake off an inexplicable feeling of difort and a very unpleasant feeling. Because of this, Hyang looked at the map on the wall and the report in his hand several times with a frown on his face. Seeing Hyangs behavior like that, the others began to be more and more anxious. what? I think its the most standard and stable strategy? what? What did I miss? The scent that had made others anxious shook its head lightly and clicked its tongue. Tsk! evil! As soon as the scent hit their tongues, the others screamed inwardly. Anyway, Hyang, who was looking at the report and map again, asked Yu Eung-bu. Why south? yes? Why did you want to clear the southern front first? As you have seen in the report, the main force of the armies of the Pope and the Kingdom of Naples are still soldiers and knights armed with spears and swords. Are you sure this is the most recent information? That is not true. If I were the monarch of Spain, I would have sent weapons to the Kingdom of Naples first. And the newly appointed Pope must have been well aware of what was going on in the world, so he would have brought in arge number of guns and artillery. And Hyang talked about what made her feel ufortable. -Considering the time it took Florence to prepare for the unification of Italy, it is quite possible that the main weapons of the Papal States and the Kingdom of Naples changed. -Funny enough, there is a problem with the geographic information we have. As for the northern area, we are faithfully prepared, but in the south, both quality and quantity arecking. -It is literally a wishful thinking that an uprising will ur in the Papal States and the Kingdom of Naples. There is absolutely no possibility that it will happen. -Our imperial navy controls the route from Prince Henry Port to Livorno, but it does not control the entire Mediterranean Sea. If Spain and France use Sicily, they can use the Kingdom of Naples to create a trap. -In other words, if we attack from the south in this situation, we could fall into a trap. This is why I think Southern Front First is a bit dangerous. Everyone present became serious at Hyangs point. If you think so indeed The strategy was developed from a sufficiently conservative perspective, but why? Hyang continued speaking while looking at the expressions full of reflection and doubt. Of course, I understand why that strategy was developed. Take care of difficult enemiester and deal with easy enemies first.. The same goes for geographic information. Since powerful armies like France and the Habsburgs were in the north and close to Florence, they had no choice but to be careful. The Papal States in the south had a very weak military, and the Kingdom of Naples had been in disarray due to a rebellion not long ago. But that doesnt mean its too dangerous to move south. Proper geographic information iscking, and the sea is especially problematic. The sea is our strong wall, but it can also cause us any trouble. Hmm. Hyang paused for a moment and got up from his seat and walked in front of the map. Hmm Hyang, who was looking at the map and thinking deeply about something, looked back at Yu Eung-bu. How about organizing things from the north? You meaning from the north? I see. Hyangs n was like this. -The best route from Naples to Florence is through Rome. Therefore, we focus on defense by setting up defense lines in appropriate ces. -In the meantime, concentrate your efforts to annex northern Italian cities. C During this merger process, gather troops from the city you merged first and attack the next city. -Once you clear out Northern Italy, you can use the Alps to block the path of France and Habsburg. -Afterwards, troops mobilized from northern Italian cities would be used as the main force to clear the southern part. The scent described up to this point continued with a wry smile. The cause is the cause of Italian unification, but there are other purposes as well. It exhausts those who are dissatisfied with Florence. Ah The participants were speechless at Hyangs words, which were so heartless. In particr, Lorenzo de Medici looked very shocked. What my grandfather said was true! When Cosimo de Medici was alive, he said this about fragrance: -He may be a wise and great monarch, but he is just as heartless! Chapter 924 Episode 924: The Imperial March 2 C Assault return, running on the ground. (12) Lorenzo de Medici was not alone. Themanders of the military, including Yu Eung-bu, and Shin Suk-ju also looked as if it was their first time seeing Hyang like this. The only exception was Seongsammun. This was because when he was young, he worked as Hyangs close associate with Han Myeong-hoe and others, and they saw each other quite often. Thanks to that, the trickster Han Myeong-hoe bes intimidated when he stands in front of His Majesty Tae Sang-tae and bes desperate Anyway, Hyang was talking about why he had to use this method. If Florence bes the protagonist of Italian unification, there will definitely be people who are dissatisfied. Most of them would be from Mn and other northern cities. Unlike the Papal States and the Kingdom of Naples, this is the ce with the most people calling for Italian unification. Isnt that right? Lorenzo nodded with a slightly ufortable expression in response to the question. Yes, of course. Thats why I use this method. Those who are dissatisfied will inevitably explode their dissatisfaction at some point. Thats why you need to remove it first. When you have the best cause, shouldnt you use it properly? Will they respond to the recruitment? You talk about Italian unification but you dont actually fight for it? Wouldnt it be better then? Are you going the other way and taking the lead because you could be publicly disgraced? If you appease after carefully weighing the details, you will be the bestrade in Florence. okay. And if you think about the future of Florence, this is absolutely necessary. If only the residents of Florence die in the war, it will only be good for others. ah! Lorenzo, who only then realized the intention of the incense, stood up with a bright face and bowed. I finally understand Your Majestys deep intentions. Thank you so much! Thats too much praise. While answering calmly, Hyang muttered to himself. Tosagupin is not just about sorting out public figures. You have to sort out your enemies as well. Did you say that the Yuan Empires invasion of Japan was one of them? Looking at the records of the Yuan Empires conquest of Japan, most of the main forces were troops from the countries they conquered. This was the Mongolian tactic of using the troops of the tribes or countries they had conquered as fodder for their arrows. Praise for the scent continued, but many people were thinking simrly. If we look at the war for unification and the subsequent political situation, it may be the best solution, but isnt it too heartless? They say a monarch must be heartless but sometimes I think His Majesty Taejangs heartlessness is too much Is it true that the blood of King Taejo, who founded Joseon, and King Taejong, who exterminated his sons wifes family, has not gone anywhere? .. This was not only because of the monarchy that Hyang had learned, but also because it was ingrained in him while living in the capitalist world of the 21st century. -A world where we usually talk about individual happiness and human rights, but when necessary, individuals are simply treated as number 1. I served in the military, where this method of calction was basic, and although it was only for a short period of time, it was something Ipletely ingrained while working as a public servant in the finance department. Therefore, the incense was thought of Mongolia, but it was actually a method closer to the 21st century. So, I want to organize my luggage starting from the north. What do you think? In response to Hyangs question, the imperialmanders did not open their mouths easily and began to think carefully. Lorenzo and the Florentine and Swiss militarymanders were deeply impressed by the sight. amazing! Usually, when an absolute monarch like Tae Sang-tae speaks, he immediately follows it! Both the subjects who do not immediately ept the monarchs orders and the monarch who tolerates them are both amazing! Among the imperial armymanders who had been pondering for a while, the first to speak was Son Il-won. If we only look at the situation onnd, the method your Majesty came up with is the best. But I think a lot of trouble will happen if we go over to the sea. This is because Spanish and French naval forces will try to send soldiers and supplies to Naples through Sicily or disrupt the transportation routes of our Imperial Navy. As Your Majesty has just pointed out, it is too much for our Imperial Navy forces in Livorno to handle all of this. However, if we clear the south first, the transport route leading from Prince Henrys Port will be very short, so the burden will be greatly reduced and we will be able to attack the Spanish and French naval forces and swimmers. As the Spanish and French naval forces weaken, the imperial navy will be rtively stronger. The navalmanders all nodded at Son Il-wons point. The safety of the transport route was sufficiently secured even with the battleships currently in Prince Henrys Port. However, if war broke out, Spain and France would do their best and the situation would be different. The current naval power was insufficient to simultaneously secure the safety of friendly transport routes and block enemy transport routes from Sicily to the Kingdom of Naples. That makes sense. Hyang nodded to Son Il-wons point and presented the alternative he thought of. So, Jim, Id like to propose bringing in Portugal. You mean Portugal? Im sure theyll demand something in return. When Shin Suk-ju expressed concern, Hyang smiled and answered. All you need is a map. map? Map Among those who pondered Hyangs words, the first one to understand was Seong Sam-mun. your majesty! Are you talking about Shinjis map? Thats right. Then the price is too high! Shin Suk-ju desperately protested, but Hyang still smiled and answered. Of course, we will have to write an agreement not to touch the empires river areas. Still, I think its too much. Shin Suk-ju continued to object, and this time, everyone in the empire, including Seong Sam-moon, nodded. But this time, the scent didnt back down either. Be aware of reality. For the empire, the strongholds it has secured so far are the best. Anything more than that would be impossible. If you insist on eating more, your crotch will tear and your stomach will explode and you will die! But Despite Hyangs firm reply, the imperial people couldnt hide their disappointment and mumbled. Meanwhile, Lorenzo and the Florentine Swiss next to him began to twinkle in their eyes. I was listening to the conversation so far through the imperial trantor. However, the scent mentioned Portugal and at some point the interpreter fell silent. Fortunately, among Lorenzos aides, there was someone who was fluent in the imperialnguage, and through him, Lorenzo was able to hear the conversation between Hyang and Seong Sam-mun and Shin Suk-ju. Its Shinji! also! And looking at their reactions, Grandpa was right this time too! Before his death, Cosimo de Medici left these words: -It is certain that the rumor about the unknown southern continent was deliberately spread by the empire. -The reason is, of course, Shinji, whom we only heard about through rumors. -If rumors are intentionally leaked, the new location must be a veryrge ind or continent. -If the emperor mentions Shinji, it will be when he has already taken care of almost everything he needs to take care of. -Still, if that timees, dont miss the opportunity no matter what! -If Shinji were a continent, there would be many things the empire missed. You must dominate before anyone else! No, even if it is impossible to take the lead, you must not fall behind! Lorenzos eyes lit up as he remembered Cosimo de Medicis words. You cant miss this moment! Lorenzo, who was trying to open his mouth with a sense of urgency, froze for a moment. Hyang was smiling at him. Hyang smiled slightly as he looked at Lorenzo who stopped while trying to say something and then turned his head to look at the ambassadors. Of course, you have to take care of things other than what I just said. Wouldnt it be more convenient to use Portugal than to go directly to swimming in France and Spain? And wouldnt it be good if an imperial military port were created in the Asoros Inds? But its still a waste. I think its too much. Hyang still smiled and responded to Shin Sook-jus words. Dont worry. Because I already took care of what I needed to take care of. Rather, now is the right time. How long do you think Spain, Portugal and France will remain unaware? ah! Theres also Ennd. And which is more mouth-watering, Italy or Shinji? ah! At Hyangs point, Yu Eung-bu let out an exmation. Looking at Yu-eung-bu like that, Hyang continued speaking. Which would be easier to deal with: an enemy who charges at you with all his might or an enemy who is distracted? In response to Hyangs question, Seong Sam-moon asked back with a serious face. Do you think the map will be leaked, Your Majesty? Rumors spread really quickly here in Europe. At Hyangs words, everyone in the conference room had the same thought at the same time. If the rumor doesnt spread, I n to leak it at least on purpose! Shin Sook-ju, who understood the intention of the fragrance to some extent, began to make her own calctions. If the rumor goes around, Spain and France will not do their best against Italy, even if the Habsburgs, who arendlocked countries, do not know! And if you do it well Shin Suk-ju, who was doing her own calctions, asked Hyang. Your Majesty, are you nning to involve Ennd as well? Wouldnt ite on its own even if we dont drag it in? I guess so. Afterwards, the atmosphere in the conference room seemed to be shifting toward epting Hyangs proposal. However, Seong Sam-moon organized the situation meticulously. Your Majesty, regarding the guidance of God, is it your Majestys guidance or is it something you have approved? If His Majesty the Great Emperor is dogmatic, I will risk my life to oppose it. At Seong Sam-moons words, Hyang took out a sealed letter from a bag ced on one side. Hyang broke the seal on the letter and presented the letter inside to Seong Sam-moon. I received permission. While listening to Hyangs words, Seong Sam-mun looked at the temple. The contents of the letter were identical to what Hyang had said. And at the very end of the seal, there was a sentence authorizing this, along with the seal of the prefecture and the royal seal, and underneath it were the seal of Han Myeonghoe and the seal of the prime minister. It means that not only His Majesty the Emperor but also the court agreed. Whoa~. Seong Sam-moon handed the document in question to Shin Suk-ju with a sigh and bowed his head to Hyang. Please forgive me for exceeding my convictions. I presumptuously doubted your Majesty. No, its a natural thing to do if you are a subject of the empire. If you hadnte forward Hyang slowly trailed off, and all the imperialists in the conference room swallowed dry saliva. If I had made one mistake, there would have been bloodshed! Then lets call the Portuguese envoy tomorrow and leave it here. When the incense dered the end, all attendees bowed and left the conference room. After returning to her bedroom, Hyang looked out the window and muttered softly. The map must have been passed down to Japan and the Ming by now. * * * The empire was not the only one developing during this period. Although he was given bad nicknames such as the Emperor of Goryeo, the Emperor of Joseon, and the Emperor of Seoul, the Ming Dynasty regained stability through the reign of Emperor Seonghwa. As politics stabilized and the economy developed again, Myeong began to look outside in search of markets. This was the same in Japan. After abdicating from the Emperor and founding the Ouchi Dynasty, Japan was also developing smoothly. However, Japans domestic demand alone had its limits, and Japan also began to pursue expansionary policies. Chapter 925 Episode 925: The Imperial March 2 C Assault return, running on the ground. (13) If the steam pressure bes too strong, wont even a solid steam engine eventually explode? Hyeon nodded at Hyangs words. Its okay if it just explodes, but the anger could spread to us too, so lets take the pressure off in advance. I think thats correct. -Before you think that Ming and Japan are dangerous for no reason, take out the steam. Hyeon agreed to Hyangs words and persuaded the government to hand over the map to Ming and Japan. And the government readily agreed to their decision. -Because I already took care of everything I needed to take care of. To the south and west of Shinji, it was an empire that had already taken control of the coastal area where guano mines were located. There was no need or space to pay attention to the southern coastal areas and densely forested ind areas. And because they had already taken control of the Messika area, they were also able to block the route from the south to the north. This was a huge benefit. By blocking the road from south to north, Louisiana, which was supposed to be thergest granary in North America C which was only known as the region, but whose value the people of the empire were now gradually learning C came into the hands of the empire. As it was literally a situation where everything that needed to be taken care of had already been taken, the township and county government decided to hand out maps with a relieved mind. There would bepetition between Ming and Japan in the west and Europe in the east. Even if a fight broke out between Ming and Japan, or if Ming, Japan, and Europe fought each other in the southern ind of Shinji, it would be a stranger to the empire. As long as you dont touch the empire. Thats why he was more desperate for the war taking ce in Italy than anyone else. If you see the true military power of the empire, you will think long before touching it. However, if spending bes toorge, it is not good for the empire. Hyeon and Hyang nodded to Han Myeong-hoes argument. Thats right. Thats why I think its best not to just dump Europe, but to choose an appropriate opponent to attack. Who do you think is best? Han Myeong-hoe, who thought for a moment about Hyuns question, immediately chose two. Portugal and Florence. The reason is? Portugal is strong, butcks the power to defend it to the end, and Florence is also strong, but has a light mouth. At Han Myeong-hoes words, Hyeon and Hyang nodded lightly at the same time. Portugals naval power was powerful. No, only the naval power was strong. Due to its extremely small territory and poption, its army strength was inferior to that of France and Spain. In the case of Florence, thete Cosimo de Medici was well aware of the benefits of silence. However, Lorenzo de Medici wascking in that respect. He was quite generous and knew when to advance and retreat and when to bend his knees. But my mouth was a bit light. No, the problem was the typical Italian chatter. Thanks to this, ambassadors did not share more confidential information than necessary. huh? Just barely? barely? Han Myeong-hoe, who felt that the intensity of sympathy between Hyang and Hyeon was weak, hurriedly continued speaking. The strength of Portugal and Florence can be put to good use by our empire. Portugal can use its naval power, and Florence can use its army and political cause. Hyun, who thought for a moment about Han Myeong-hoes words, looked back. What do you think? National decisions are your Majestys authority. I am just an advisor. In response to Hyangs words, Hyeon gave an order to Han Myeong-hoe. Then I will ept the Prime Ministers proposal. Let the Prime Minister write up the order and submit it. I follow your orders. This is how incense worked in Florence. Portugal would immediately recognize the value of this map and be willing to join hands with the empire. And even in these times, Florence, doing business between France and the Habsburgs, would have spread this rumor without even knowing it. * * * The next day, around noon, the Portuguese delegation, invited by the township, visited the embassy. Wee, His Majesty Taesang is waiting for you. Shin Sook-ju, who weed the delegation, led the delegation to the conference room. Crown Prince Afonsos mind wasplicated as he followed Shin Sook-jus footsteps. Why all of a sudden? Why just us? What is this important thing? Abama told me not to act rashly Because his experience was still shallow, he was only a symbolic figure in the delegation, but he was the one who would be the ruler of Portugal after King Joao II. Pleasee in. Thank you. Two hourster the Portuguese delegation left the embassy. Return as quickly as possible! Following orders full of urgency, the carriages carrying the delegation and the escorts ran through the streets of Florence with all their might. And all night long, the lights did not go out in the lodgings where the Portuguese envoys were staying. The actions of the Portuguese delegation, who were always absent from their lodgings, caught the eyes and ears of other delegations. Why Portugal? Hes been like that since he went to the imperial embassy. What did he hear? The envoys of the great powers released people to solve their doubts. And right away all sorts of rumors came in. Although the rumors were a mixture of bluff and usible lies, the envoys were able to find onemon thread among them. -The Empire made Portugal an offer it couldnt refuse! Its an offer I cant refuse what is it? Can we find out at the next meeting? The envoys of the great powers eagerly awaited the holding of the next conference. * * * And at the reconvened meeting after a five-day recess, the envoys suspicions grew stronger. As soon as the meeting opened, Crown Prince Afonso stood up and dered. The prince who represented the Kingdom of Portugal judged the empires proposal to be extremely reasonable. ordingly, this kingdom deres its full cooperation with the Empire and Florence! The conference room immediately becamemotion following Crown Prince Afonsos deration. The envoys who attended the meeting talked with their aides with urgent looks on their faces, and the aides also talked among themselves. Quiet! Be quiet! Themotion in the conference hall subsided as Shin Sook-ju, who presided over the meeting, shouted. After calming down themotion, Shin Sook-ju asked Afonso. I am very grateful for your support of Florence and the Bonn Empire. But I need confirmation. Are Portugals intentions clear in the deration just now? Shin Sook-joos gaze as she asked the question was fixed on the Portuguese officials behind Crown Prince Afonso. Among the Portuguese officials who caught Shin Sook-jus gaze, the deputy spoke. Yes, the deration made by the Crown Prince is the will of the Kingdom of Portugal. In fact, when the head of the delegation affirmed, the faces of the other envoys became even more serious. What did the Empire promise Portugal! Is this a proposal worth the risk of war for Portugal? Due to the situation bing moreplicated due to Portugals unexpected actions, Louis and Maximilian I strongly requested an adjournment, which was epted. * * * The envoys of the great powers quickly stopped the meeting and released people once again. Now find out what that offer you cant refuse is! Find out at all costs! The subordinates who received orders from the higher-ups began to do their best to inquire. As time passed, the connections and deep pockets that had been built up over the years showed effectiveness, and those who secured information immediately reported it to higher-ups. A map? barely? It is said to be a map of a ce called Shinji in the Land of Flowers. Shinji? Find out more details! Dont worry about money! ancient! As time passed, more detailed information came in. -The map promised to be provided by the Land of Flowers records a significant portion of the eastern coastline of the southern region of Shinji. -Its not just the coastline. The map shows the territory of the Land of Flowers. -The Land of Flowers has confirmed that it does not care about areas outside its territory! -The problem is that the area is the size of the Unknown Southern Continent! Is this true? The Florentine merchant who told me said that even Lorenzo de Medici was astonished when he saw the map. Okay, lets go out. The French-Spanish Habsburg envoys, who had obtained the information by a narrow margin, took on a serious look. This situation has beplicated. * * * The envoys of the great powers began to once again consider the current situation and its rtionship with the empire. The mostplicated situation here was in France. -If you look at Suez, it is amunity of interests different from the empire. -But when ites to the interests at stake in Italy, the Empire is the strongestpetitor. -If we think about Frances future, we need colonies. However, we are already far behind in Africas colonialpetition. -What if the empire takes control of the areas it promised not to touch before Portugal? If you look at this point, it would be right to withdraw from Italy and reach out to the Empire. The French officials present at Louis words all nodded, but did not forget what the problem was. But that would damage the face of our great France. Its not just that. We have no idea what benefits we can gain from Shinji or how much we can obtain. But about Italy I already know all that. youre right. In particr, it is unclear whether the empire truly made concessions in good faith or whether it was neglected because it was a useless area. Louis expressed doubts about the officials point. Looking at Portugals immediate attachment to the empire, it doesnt seem like neglect? Isnt the Prince of Portugal a kid? Even the people who came with us are not kids. Portugal is a small country. Its a big win for them, but probably not for us. So lets ditch Shinji and focus on Italy? Most of the officials present responded simrly to Louis question. I think that makes more sense. Regarding Shinji, it is not toote to take action after seeing Portugals movements. The officials answer was Italy first. But Louis face did not straighten easily. Thats fine, but Im concerned that the imperial army has already entered Italy. And Im also worried about Spain. If its Spain, theres a chance theyll be satisfied with protecting Naples and attack Portugal instead. The rtionship between Spain and Portugal was ambiguous. It was a situation where each party was plotting to merge the other. The reason why things happened like this was because the royal families of the two countries were rted from the beginning. Therefore, the monarchs of both countries imed that they had the right to seed when the other countrys throne became vacant. But was Shinjis map passed on to Portugal? Spain, which was superior in every way except its naval power, could have invaded Portugal instead of Italy. Louis was worried about this. At the same time, Spain was also having simr concerns. If it is France, there is a possibility that it will give up Italy and attack Portugal. Meanwhile, Maximilian I of Habsburg was smiling in conversion. This is where things get interesting. Chapter 926 Episode 926: The Imperial March 2 C Assault return, running on the ground. (14) At the conference over Italy, Maximilian I became convinced of war. -War cannot be avoided. The problem is the result of war. Maximilian I had already experienced a battlefield that changed from a war of soldiers and knights to a war of guns and cannons through the battle with Hungary. Guns and cannons had already yed a leading role in the war to acquire Suez. However, even then, the quantitative main force of the army was infantry armed with spears and swords and knights wearing armor. The Habsburg-Hungarian War could be considered the first true war that was fought only with guns and cannons from beginning to end. And in this war, Maximilian I was keenly aware of the importance of firepower. Of course, I came to the conclusion that a strong charging spirit or will to fight can overwhelm firepower, but I also learned that the superiority and inferiority of firepower cannot be ignored. Therefore, even beforeing to Florence, Maximilian I dispatched men to inspect the firepower of the imperial and Florentine forces. Afterwards, when the main force of the imperial army arrived in Florence, more people and funds were released to examine the imperial armys firepower. I already checked, isnt it a waste to check again? Maximilian I shook his head after hearing his subordinates doubts. No, it is something that must be done. You can only win if you know the firepower of a properly organized imperial army. yes. All right. However, the imperial army was surprisingly thorough in security. In the case of long guns, they trained together at the Florence military shooting range, but in the case of artillery, the training scenes were hidden as much as possible. If an artillery training using live ammunition were to take ce, the area around the training site would be thoroughly blocked before the training was conducted. You control a training ground that is almost the size of the city of Florence? Is it possible? No, you mean that a cannon shell flies that much distance? Is it possible. Think of Urbans heavy artillery. Thats a st! Ive never heard of the Imperial Army having such a big gun! Despite this doubt, Maximilian Is subordinates persistently spied on the imperial armys training. In a fierce game of hide and seek between those who tried to block and those who tried to break through, Maximilian Is subordinates achieved some sess and were able to report to Maximilian I. -The range of the Imperial cannons is long, but not as long as you might think. It is believed that the size of the training ground was a safety issue. -All areas where the shells were estimated to havended were plowed over to erase any traces. However, judging from the traces left, it is clearly stronger than the cannons used by our troops. Caution is required. -As a result of spying on the movement of the imperial army, equipment called tow trucks and material transport vehicles were used a lot. -After examining the organization, the imperial army is deploying at least three times more cannons than the friendly army of the same size. Hmm this is getting boring. After checking the report, Maximilian I shook his head. Judging based on the contents of the report, defeat was a foregone conclusion if the Habsburgs were to face the empire with only their might. Even if they joined the alliance promoted by France and fought, the results were not optimistic. If you make even the slightest mistake, you will lose. If you do your best, it will be a draw that is close to annihtion. Even if you win miraculously, the loss will be severe enough to be called Pyrrhic victory. Even if the losses are great, alliance is the only answer. Thats right. The damage is significant, but it can be recoveredter. Maximilian I nodded at his subordinates words. In proposing an alliance, France proposed redistribution of interests between Italy and the Middle East aspensation. Although the word was Middle East, it was clear that it meant Suez. It was a mouth-watering proposal for Spain and Habsburg, who were well aware of the enormous profitsing from the Suez corridor. -Alone, he is sure to lose, but when the three join forces, the story changes. -Lets talk about the ratio of redistribution againter. In this way, the Three Kingdoms Alliance, which had been gaining ground in its own way, was shaken by a single map. Seeing the mess again, Maximilian I smiled in remorse, saying, The situation has be interesting. * * * Italy was a coveted ce for Maximilian I, and even for the Habsburgs. This was because the Habsburgs route to the sea had been blocked after thest battle with Hungary. Of course, it was possible to go to sea if one went through the Hanseatic League in the Rhine River basin. However, the North Sea was famous for its roughness, and the lords and nobles of the region belonging to the Hanseatic League were rebellious against Habsburg rule. Therefore, the Habsburgs needed Italy to go to sea. However, after examining the situation, Maximilian I changed his mind. You dont need all of Italy just to go out to sea, right? -What the Habsburgs need is a few ports where their warships and merchant ships can stay safely and freely. -If those conditions are met, there is no need for the Habsburgs to go to war. -Considering the location of the Habsburgs, it is enough to secure Venice and a few nearby ports. -What if I add a little concession here? There is no need to make it our territory. You just need to be guaranteed safe and free use. And it would be good for us if Florence and the Empire unified Italy. If Italy was unified around Florence, it would be the best force to keep France in check. It was the best politically, but economically it was also a pretty good move. If rtions between unified Italy and France became bad, France would lose the shortest route to Suez. On the other hand, if all went as nned, the Habsburgs would be able to secure the shortest route from Suez. If this was sessful, the trade route from Suez to the Hanseatic League would pass through Habsburg territory rather than France. Wouldnt it be fun? After hearing Maximilian Is thoughts, his subordinates were troubled. One of the subordinates who had been calcting profits and losses for a while asked Maximilian I. Couldnt France or Spain also make the same offer to the empire? Maximilian I responded with a smile to his subordinates point. Its impossible because of the Kingdom of Naples. * * * France was iming that it had a legitimate right to the throne of the Kingdom of Naples, and in the case of Spain, the son of the King of Aragon was the king of the Kingdom of Naples. Even though he was an illegitimate child. Because of this background, Maximilian I was confident that France and Spain would not retreat. ah! France could probably back down. But if Spain retreats, it will be even more of a headache. Spain was a country created as an alliance between the United Kingdom of Castile and the Kingdom of Aragon. The core power of the Kingdom of Aragon, one of the pirs of the alliance, was themercial nobles, and this was the problem. When the Ottomans overthrew Byzantium, they lost the Levant region and Aragonsmercial power greatly declined. It was certain that if the Kingdom of Naples was lost here, Aragon would lose its status as an equal ally and be subordinate to Castile. How is it? At Maximilian Is question, his subordinates gave up their worries. The lord has already decided. No more worries are a luxury. Now I just follow orders faithfully. When Maximilian I realized that he had made up his mind, his subordinates immediately bowed their heads. I think itll be okay. Lets make a n. We dont have much time. Make it usible as quickly as possible. I will do my best. * * * At the same time, France was also busy. Your Majesty, the Duke of Orlans wishes to see you. Please stop by. yes. After a while, Louis entered the office and politely bowed to Hyang. Hyang returned the favor in ordance with etiquette and offered Louis a seat. Hyang, who had quenched her thirst with the ck bean tea brought by the naekwan, smiled and asked. The Duke of Orlans Orlans reminds me of The Virgin Mary. Louis made an excuse with an embarrassed look on his face when Hyang attacked him first. You are a poor victim of the conspiracy of heretics. It is not a conspiracy of heretics, but a political conspiracy. Isnt it? Could it be possible that a bishop or two would fall into heresy? That is As Louis fidgeted with an embarrassed expression, Hyang continued with a deeper smile. I just said it because it suddenly came to mind when I heard the word Orleans. So lets stop here. So, why did you find my luggage? Hyang changed the topic in a rxed voice. However, Louis face could not be straightened easily. I was screwed from the start! I never thought you knew Joan of Arc! Its a mistake! huh? Why are you silent? What brought you here? Louis desperately tried to keep his cool in response to Hyangs repeated questions. I heard an interesting rumor a while ago. Interesting rumor? Something? The reason Portugal sided with the empire was because of the map. Hoo~. Hyang, who uttered something I couldnt tell whether it was an exmation or something else, quenched his throat with ck bean tea once again and answered. Arent negotiations inherently a political transaction? In a transaction, there is something being given and received. I will neither confirm nor deny whether it is a map or not. Louis voice began to rise in response to Hyangs response. your majesty! France and the Empire have been pursuingmon interests together for a long time. Portugal and Florence were also there. But why was France excluded? Didnt France rule it out first? Wasnt France the first country to put a brake on Florences movements? It is for the stability of the system. It must be the maintenance of vested interests. And be honest. Hyang leaned against the back of the chair and spoke to Louis. Isnt this division over Italy caused by the different interests pursued by our empire and your France? But its not okay to be upset. . Louis couldnt open his mouth due to Hyangs honest criticism. After a while, Louis let out a long sigh. Whoa~. I cant say anything else. Ill admit it. Now that I have acknowledged it, I will make a proposal to Your Majesty. proposal? Something? If France supports the empire, will it receive the samepensation as Portugal? Hyang closed his mouth for a moment in response to Louis question. Hyang looked at Louis for a moment and then asked Louis back. Is that decision something you can make? Can France do it? yes? What do you mean by that? As this happened, France abandoned our empire and Florence. And this time they are trying to abandon Spain and Venice. Will any country trust France in the future? Ah Louis face turned white at Hyangs question. Looking at Louis like that, Hyang pointed out reality. Thats a good card you offered. But the problem is that France cannot use that card. Chapter 927 Episode 927: The Imperial March 2 C Assault return, running on the ground. (15) Louis was cornered to the point where his face turned white due to Hyangsments. However, soon after, Louis regained hisplexion and came forward to refute Hyangs words. The greatest virtue of a subject or an aristocrat is to prioritize the promotion of the national interest. In any case, the rtionship between countries is one of the best of the jungle. What is the sin of the powerful putting their own interests first? You mentioned trust, but is the empire really keeping trust well? Hyang responded to Louiss point without hesitation. Thats why the Empire doesnt make friends very well. And once you make a friend, you have to remain faithful until the end. And its thew of the jungle. After quenching her throat for a moment, Hyang continued speaking. Is it true that the rule ofw only applies between countries? Even among peoplepeting for profit, thew of the fittest applies. Thew of the fittest is an instinct. But have you ever thought about this? What do you mean? Its an instinct to eat the jungle. Its an animal instinct. But why were people able to escape from the bondage of beasts? ah! It would be more correct to say how rather than why. If people had followed their instinct to eat the flesh and put their own interests first, wouldnt they still have lived like animals? After God created man, hemanded him to rule over all things. You should only talk about religious matters to the priest. Please answer rationally. . Louis was at a loss for words at Hyangs words. This was because I did not properly understand the meaning of the scent. A religious story? Are you denying that God created humans? Although Louis was educated at a high level in ssical humanities and philosophy, he was unable to ovee the wall of creationism. Hyang smiled bitterly as he looked at Louis expression, clearly not understanding the question itself. Ah, its a time when the theory of evolution hasnt even been invented yet. And atheists dont even think about this. Hyang, once again realizing what kind of era we were in, continued speaking. If only thew of the fittest that you spoke of was the absolute truth, this world would still be full of the fight of all against all (Bellum omnium contra omnes). And we would still not be able to escape the era of barbarism. But look at the world today. Hasnt the era of barbarism passed? Louis nodded at Hyangs words. Looking at Louis like that, the scent was heading towards a conclusion. The reason the world escaped the era of barbarism was because we overcame the instinct of the fittest of the fittest. Rather than just looking at the immediate benefits, we learn that greater benefits can be gained through small concessions to each other. The same goes for international rtions. In particr, a country with power and a country that wants to be looked up to by other countries should not follow its instincts. Justification and truste first. Justification and trust. Because of that, you have to stay still or move even though you know you will lose money. In the 21st century, there were several great countries that were criticized for ignoring this and doing whatever they wanted. is not it? Rather, was that honest? The image of the great country that Hyang spoke of was a fairly ssic image. Thats why some honest politicians from countries that are recognized as big countries in the 21st century said this. -That is pretense and hypocrisy! -There is no need for pretense and hypocrisy in pursuing national interests! And international rtions went to shit. While Hyang was muttering to himself, Louis argued again. So is that what the Empire does? What does it look like to you? Louis mouth closed again at Hyangs words. Anyone could see that the empire was acting strictly for its own benefit. But at the same time, the empire also had the strongest cause. To be honest, Id like to say that Im running a fraud to deceive the world, but Hyang concluded, whether or not he knew how Louis felt. Once again, the Empire has few friends. The standards for making friends are a bit strict. But if we be friends, we try our best to be good friends. Of course, in some peoples eyes, this may be considered pretense and hypocrisy. But Hyang smiled and looked at Louis. But isnt it cooler than those who go back and forth openly? As the fragrance spoke, Louis also came to a conclusion. In the end, you are saying that you will reject my, or Frances, proposal. Its your proposal, not Frances, is it? And France sees such a proposal as impossible and has gone too far. Haa~. Louis sighed, stood up and bowed to Hyang. Maybe Ill see you on the battlefield next time. Please take care. I hope you are healthy too. After seeing Louis off, Hyang turned around and muttered softly. Why am I going to the battlefield? its crazy? Meanwhile, after the meeting between Hyang and Louis, the friendship theory mentioned by Hyang became a hot topic among the ambassadors. It is true that our empire has few friends. Seong Sam-mun and Yu Eung-bu nodded at Shin Suk-jus words. If this war is to end sessfully, I think we will have to engage in active diplomacy. At Shin Sook-jus next words, Seong Sam-moon and Yu Eung-bu shook their heads. why? Is there a need to be proactive? Why Shin Sook-ju, who was about to raise her voice in response to Seong Sam-moon and Yu Eung-bus reaction, closed her mouth. Well, if you think about the current situation of the empire If you look at the current situation of the empire, there was no need to engage in active external activities. As the development of the Northern and New Territories was on track, the empires internal market was actively running. To put it in the extreme, there would be no problem even if we dered istion from the country right now and closed the doors. Therefore, among the imperialists, the number of people advocating istionism was increasing one by one. -Trade? Do you have to do that? -Most of the things sold outside are luxury goods, right? Even the items thate in are hardly in good condition. One of the main reasons for the spread of istionism among the people of the empire was that, except for spices and ck beans, there was almost nothing that was imported from Europe and other countries. The city smiled bitterly at the report that istionism was spreading. Did I try too hard to make money? -I am very anxious about the Korean Penins and Manchuria alone! -Take advantage of the opportunity when ites! -Eating the ground is the rule of the country! With this idea, the side effect of actively expanding the territory of the empire urred. -Why should I worry about the outside world when I have so much territory right now? It was an iprehensible thought for someone with memories of the 21st century, but it was a natural thought for people of this era. I have acquired ces that can be called cheat keys Hyang nodded, thinking about the reason why istionism spread not only among the general public but also among the ministers of the government. * * * As the meeting between Hyang and Louis broke down, the negotiations quickly headed toward catastrophe. France, having confirmed that it had already reached the point of no return, took an active part in pursuing an alliance with the Habsburgs of Spain. The independent unification of Italy by Italians. This motto raised by the Empire also led the Papal States and the Kingdom of Naples to join the alliance promoted by France. To be precise, those who had been moving secretly were now moving openly. Well now I know Pia for sure. Its not a bad thing, is it? Lorenzo nodded at Hyangs words. November 1490. A new post was posted on the wall of the Imperial Embassy. Whats interesting is that this post wasnt posted by the Empire. A joint statement from the participating countries, excluding the Empire and Florence, was attached. After hearing the story, Hyang smiled bitterly. These people will only post it at their embassies. Ah wasnt there an embassy in Florence? Hyang muttered something to herself and took the statement on the desk in her hand. The contents of the questionnaire, which was lined with the seals of the participating countries, were simple. -We neither agree nor support the Italian unification movement promoted by Florence and the Empire! -What the Empire and Florence are pursuing now is a dangerous action that will harm not only the peace of Italy but also the peace of Europe! -We ask the Empire and Florence to preserve peace in Italy and Europe! -Maintaining the current system is the only answer! Empire and Florence agree to this! -If you refuse, war will break out, and all responsibility for this lies with the Empire and Florence! After reading the statement, Hyangs bitter smile became even deeper. After Pontius Pte, passing it on became a tradition. After a while, the scent that greeted Lorenzo, who arrived at the embassy, got straight to the point. What do you want me to do with the ball? Lorenzo answered the question about the scent right away. The unification of Italy is my lifelong belief. There will be many sacrifices. I and the citizens of Florence are already prepared. What will you do with the Empire? The Empire will stand together with its ally Florence. After a while, a new post was posted on the embassy wall. There was only one word written on therge poster. -VETO! (Reject!) Florence residents who saw the post shouted. Wow! Its war! Long live Florence! Long live a unified Italy! Long live the Empire! Louis, who received the empires response at the same time, smiled bitterly. Its concise. So its more like an empire. * * * With war decided, envoys from each country left Florence as quickly as possible. Protection from excited Florentines. In the name of this, the Florentine and Imperial cavalry surrounded the envoys and guarded them. However, the envoys sitting in the carriage had even worse expressions. This was because the armament of the surrounding cavalry, especially the imperial cavalry, hadpletely changed. Cavalry spears and cavalry 6-barreled cavalry rifles have been the armament of the imperial cavalry until now. However, no spears were visible among the imperial cavalry armored forces surrounding the envoys carriage. Instead, a long gun was stuck on one side of the saddle, and instead of the six-shot cavalry rifle, a new cavalry rifle C the one that had been hanging on Hyangs waist C was attached to his waist. The only thing that didnt change was the cavalry sword swinging from the saddle. As the envoys looked at this, their hearts became increasingly frustrated. What have we seen so far? * * * Upon returning to Paris and reporting the results to Charles VIII, Louis concluded: The real enemy in this war is not Florence, but the Empire. You must keep this in mind. Maybe we will lose. Its not a possibility, but it could be a certainty. Charles VIIIs face also became serious upon hearing Louis report that hid his true feelings. Is it that much? The Empire intends to fight with all its heart. Chapter 928 Episode 928: The Imperial March 2 C Assault return, running on the ground. (16) Charles looked like he didnt understand Louis words. Are you serious about the war? Is there a country that goes to war without sincerity? Do you really think so? I have no idea what youre trying to say. Try to say it properly. At Charles VIIIsmand, Louis shut his mouth for a moment and collected his thoughts. After a while, Louis, who had gathered his thoughts to some extent, opened his mouth. They were not going to war for the sake of negotiation. Isnt negotiation the goal? Hmm Charles VIII pondered Louis words with a serious expression. Looking at Charles VIII like that, Louis added: your majesty. Think of Burgundy. Burgogne? Burgundy Ah! Charles VIII, who had repeatedly said Burgundy, finally learned what Louis meant. When the Empire begins negotiations again, it will be at a point where the game has been decided? And are you saying that the point at which the game is decided is when the empire has achievedplete victory? Thats right. Hmm In response to Louiss response, Charles VIIIs expression became serious. * * * The war in Europe during this period had a strong characteristic of a war for negotiation. In other words, the best means to gain the upper hand in political negotiations was war. The Hundred Years War between France and Ennd did notst for 100 years. Rather, the negotiations that took ce in between took up more time. The Brugony that Louis spoke of was the War of Annexation of Burgundy waged by thete King Louis XI. At that time, Louis XI did not engage in any negotiations until the annexation of the Duchy of Burgundy ended. In fact, in the time wasted through negotiations, they took control of every inch of the territory of the Duchy of Burgundy. Thanks to this, the Habsburgs and the Vatican missed the opportunity to intervene and eventually had no choice but to acknowledge the annexation. * * * Isnt the only war that goes to the end without negotiation a civil war? Charles VIIIs point was valid. This was because the justification given by Louis XI during the War of Annexation of the Duchy of Burgundy was civil war. -Even though it is an autonomous principality, Burgundy is French territory! They say this is an internal affair in France! No outside interference is allowed! Louis XI used this justification and blocked the intervention of the Habsburgs and Rome. By the time the Habsburgs and Rome found a reason to defeat Louis XIs cause, the annexation of Burgundy had already ended. Louis responded immediately to Charles VIIIs point. Couldnt the war taking ce in Italy also be viewed as a civil war? Thats right. So the Empire has no intention of negotiating? Thats right. Even though the previous emperor of the empire came? The former emperor came not for negotiations but to find a cause for war. I have already reported to you, but the first thing the former emperor of the empire did when he came was to block foreign powers and Roman intervention. how? Do you remember the Caesar Controversy? You mean it wasnt just a religious debate? Thats right. As a result of these negotiations, Rome lost its role as mediator. In response to Louis answer, Charles VIII stroked his chin and muttered. Thats right. So, is winner takes all what the empire wants? Thats right. Hmm Charles VIII kept his mouth shut in response to Louis response. Charles, who had been mulling alone for a while with his mouth shut, raised his head and looked back at his subjects. If the empire is determined to see to the end, we will have to change our attitude. I want to hear what the gentlemen think. Following Charles VIIIs order, the civil servants and nobles in the royal pce began to organize their thoughts. At that moment, the front door opened and a young officer rushed in. Whats going on? Itsing quickly! Urgent report? The Florentine army began to move. We have already left the territory of the Duchy of Florence! After hearing the officers words, one of the generals present immediately asked. South or North? Its both ways! In response to the officers answer, the generals all shouted at Charles VIII. The Empire made a mistake! youre right! Its a two-sided wire! This is clearly the Empires mistake! The faces of the generals, who were convinced that it was the Empires mistake, were all white. -A two-front war must be avoided at all costs! This was the basis of military strategy, regardless of East or West. Not even the great Roman Empire attempted a two-front war! This is the Empires mistake! The empire is conceited! However, unlike the generals reactions, Louis had a face full of doubts. The emperor made a mistake? As far as I know, the emperor is not a stranger to war Louis, who was questioning what he would not have done if he knew what he was doing, asked the officer. Where is the empires main force headed? We dont know yet! I dont know? So where is the Imperial Navy headed? I havent confirmed it yet! Louis got so angry at the officers answer that he screamed. I dont know this, I dont know that! What on earth do you really know! And what are the generals going to do? You cant believe it was the empires mistake without even checking properly! The generals who had been gleeful just a moment ago turned toughter at Louiss sharp words. Tsk! Louis clicked his tongue without realizing it and reported it to Charles VIII. Your Majesty, from what God has seen and experienced, a former emperor of an empire would never make a mistake! Theres clearly a n in ce! Its urgent to find out where their main force is heading! No, we need to move our military right away! If you do it wrong, you wont even be able to enter Italy! Charles VIII once again looked like he didnt understand Louis remonstrance. Whether it is the emperors mistake or not, our army has to move anyway. Im sure the generals also meant it that way. But you cant even enter? I dont understand. In response to Charles VIIIs words, Louis calmed his anxious mind and answered calmly. A former emperor of an empire that God has seen and experienced would never make a mistake. If we let our guard down and move, we will be caught in a trap. Consider Switzend. We have already lost an important corridor. If we move with acent mind and talk about the emperors mistake or the emperors misjudgment, all we will gain is defeat. Look at it now. They clearly calcted and made their move. The move was made just in time for the envoys, including Sosin, to return and report! Such meticulous people attempt a two-front war? This is incoherent! At Louis words, the inside of the main hall was frozen cold. The generals who had been gleeful just now became as hard as stone. The dukes words make sense Charles VIII nodded to Louis words and gave orders to his subjects and generals. Army prepare to deploy immediately. We must get to Italy as quickly as possible. I follow your orders! Same goes for the Navy. Get as far into the Bali Mediterranean Sea as possible. I follow your orders. And Duke Louis. Please give your order, Your Majesty. Send a messenger to Spain and the Habsburgs as soon as possible. If necessary, the Duke moves it himself. We must obtain an army from Habsburg and a navy and military port from Spain. Louis responded to Charles VIIIsmand by immediately bowing his head. I follow your orders! Although the atmosphere was urgent, Charles VIII muttered to himself as he watched Louis bowing his head. After hanging out with the former emperor of the empire, he behaves in an imperial manner. ah! As for clicking your tongue earlier It was already widely known in Europe that emperors clicked their tongues when expressing dissatisfaction. And the number of European monarchs who clicked their tongues in imitation of this was increasing. Even Charles VIII, who is now grumbling at Louis. As the French army moved busily ording to the orders of Charles VIII, the French people also sensed that war had begun. I heard the empires army is very strong. Can we really win? The empire is far away. No matter how powerful you are, it wont be easy. When the French people were anxious, assessing the oue of the war that had finally begun, a rumor circted. -If we win this war, the route to Shinji will be opened! -In Shinji, it is said that gold and silver nuggets are somon that you can get your feet kicked! Is that so? The eyes of people who had been worried about the war until recently began to change strangely. You just have to win, right? yes! Then we must win! Long live war! The atmosphere of French society suddenly became belligerent. And Louis reported this to Charles VIII. Thanks to you, the people of France will do their best to support the war. Good job. It was the right thing to do. But if we win the war, will we be able to obtain the real Shinji? Louis answered Charles VIIIs question with a stern expression. It was the Empire that first advocated winner takes all. In that case, they should also bet. Thats right Just then, an officer came into the ckout. We have confirmed the location of the Imperial Armys main force! Where is it! We have captured Bologna and are advancing northwest! In response to the officers answer, Charles VIII and Louis looked at the map and shouted at the same time. Mn! Its Mn! The generals were also convinced that Mn was where the main force of the imperial army was headed. But at the same time, he tilted his head. Why from Mn? I understand that you attacked Bologna. Because the Apennine Mountains block the road to the north. But why Mn? Is it because you can protect your nks by following the Apennines? The other side is clearly exposed? From amon sense point of view, it would be advantageous to start with Venice Why Mn? While the generals were pondering over this, new urgent news came in. Its urgent! Imperial Navy bombards Genoa! Genoa is in danger of falling! The generals who heard the urgent news asked, Why Mn? I found out the answer. Bologna was just a defensive base blocking the northern entrance! If Genoa falls to the Empire, the Empire wont have to worry about its nks! If we connect Genoa and Mn, thend route through which our French and Spanish armies can enter Italy will be blocked! If the empire seeded in preventing France and Spain from entering Italy, the only remaining opponent in northern Italy would be the Habsburgs. If the Habsburgs are pushed back, there is only the south. Check how far south the imperial army has advanced! After upying the Principality of Siena, we are building a defense line! After confirming the movements of the imperial army, the French generals quickly visited Charles VIII. We will dispatch troops immediately! Allow me! Be sure to win! Two days after Charles VIIIs permission was granted, the first line of French troops waiting at the border entered the Duchy of Savoy. At the time, Duke Carlo II of Savoy, monarch of the Duchy of Savoy, was only two years old. His mother, Bianca di Montferrato, who was in power as regent, allowed the passage of French troops. The reason the French army was allowed to pass The duchys officials quietly expressed their opposition to the regents decision. However, their mouths couldnt help but join together at the regents words. So, if you block the passage of the French army, you can win the war? . Chapter 929 Episode 929: The Imperial March 2 C Charge return, run on the ground. (17) The French armys entry route into Italy was to start from Lyon, pass through the territory of the Duchy of Savoy, and then head to Mn via Turin. The problem was that the road from Lyon to Turin had to pass through a mountain road in the Alps. Because it was a narrow and rough road, it was difficult to move arge number of troops at once, and it was also difficult to transportrge-diameter cannons. The good news was that the Alpine mountain road in question was the territory of the Duchy of Savoy, so it was possible to avoid interception by the Swiss army. This was not the route initially chosen by the French army. Passing through the Duchy of Savoy was the same, but took the coastal road from Marseille through Cannes to Nice, a territory of the Duchy of Savoy. Using this route, many troops could move quickly at once. In addition, since most of the roads were on t ground, there was an advantage thatrge-diameter cannons could be easily moved. Of course, there was the problem that if you chose this route, you would have to pass through Genoas territory. However, this was not a big problem as negotiations with Spain were proceeding smoothly. However, this route was lost when Genoa fell through bombardment by the Imperial Navy and the subsequent amphibious assault. As Genoa fell to the Imperial Navy, the coastal road from Nice to Genoa became useless. * * * The impact of the Imperial Navys attack on Genoa on Europe was enormous. -You can neutralize a coastal city with proper defenses using just a battleships guns! During this period and even in previous history, there were manynding battles involving fleets. However, even in the history after cannons were established, naval guns yed a supporting role before thendings. The firepower of the artillery on the battleship could not cause serious damage to the thick castle walls. It was the role of siege guns brought in by transport ships escorted by battleships and reassembled onnd to make holes in the walls. Almost all that could be done with the battleships artillery was to provide stronger firepower to boost the morale of friendly troops in the process of securing a beachhead and to attract attention through engagement with nearby coastal batteries. However, in the battle for Genoa, the Imperial Navys challenger-ss fronts and the artillery of the assault ships literally reduced Genoas single-character walls and coastal batteries to heaps of rubble. Genoa, which lost most of its defensive power as its walls and coastal batteries copsed due to artillery fire, had no choice but to allow thending of the Imperial Navynding force. This was because the famous Genoese navy had already beenpletely robbed by the assault ships. * * * With Genoa falling to the Empire, the French army had no choice but to choose the route of the Alpine mountain road. No, was it forced? The Frenchmanders smiled bitterly as they looked at the map. This was because transportingrge-diameter artillery was an almost impossible route. Lets think positively. Thanks to you, didnt you choose the fastest route to Mn? Thats right The other generals forced expressions of understanding at the young generals words. As the young general said, the route they chose was the shortest route to Mn. And from Turin to Mn it was a in area. Gendarme, another pride of the French Army, was the optimal terrain to show off my skills. Of course, the equipment and tactics of Jang Darum in history before the intervention of Hyang and Jang Darum after the intervention were very different. In the history before the intervention, the Jang Darum was a heavily armorednce cavalry with even horses covered in armor, but after the intervention, the Jang Darum was a lightly armored cavalry wearing only a simple breastte and helmet and armed with a breech-loading rifle and a pistol saber. Thanks to this, the tactics used have also changed a lot. In the history before the intervention, Jang Darum relied on heavily armored armor and long spears to deliver a strong shock to the enemys front lines, but after the intervention, Jang Darums mission was to break through using lighter weight and firepower. As heavy armor disappeared, the current strategy was to use the horses mobility to jump over the enemys trench line and then charge into the enemys rear to strike. And it was a good tactic. Unless youre an empire that says, Theres always barbed wire in the trenches. If we go to Mn by this shortest route, the Empire will not be able to afford to properly erect that barbed wire. I guess so. The question is how well Mn can hold up Arent they the ones who were the first to see the damned thorn fortress of the empire? It will hold up quite a bit. I see It was a long straight wall along the coastline of Genoa, so it copsed like that, but it wasnt Mn, right? The generals faces became brighter as they remembered the newly built walls of Mn. * * * The butterfly effect brought about by the intervention of scent was not the only one. The same was true for the fortress, which not only the French and other European generals, but also the Ming Dynasty generals called it the damn Thorn Fortress or the cursed castle wall. The imperial fortress, which was created bybining the concept of a European star-shaped fortress with the fraudulent item of reinforced concrete, was infamous from its bonfires against the Jurchen before the Liaodong War. Europeans who saw the forts of the imperial army built at each of the imperial armys garrisons, not only in the southwestern provinces but also in Temasek and Suez, soon recognized the advantage and began to build simr forts in their own military strategic points. And the first ce to do this was Mn. Mns threeyered walls were nicknamed Italys Theodosian Walls. It was a nickname given to it because it was evaluated to be as strong as the walls of Constantinople, which were famously impregnable. And after receiving this information, Hyang grinned and muttered. I guess that wall copsed too? * * * The French generals, recalling the walls of Mn, became more positive. During the road training conducted with Mn as a virtual enemy, the most troublesome thing was the triple wall. What was needed to break through the castle wall, which prevented each other from being blindsided and allowed firepower to be concentrated in one ce, was arge-diameter cannon with powerful firepower. And not just one or two doors, but as many as possible. In the road training that took ce, the generals mobilized 20 cannons, which was twice the number ofrge-caliber cannons that France had at the time. Its not maniption because we can fill this number soon. Isnt that right? Thats right. Nevertheless, the results of the icon training were not good. This was because the French armys cannons had a weakness in that they had a short range. Many losses were incurred in the process of approaching the range where these guns could demonstrate their power and protecting and maintaining the batteries from the Mnese armys counterattack. This problem, which caused hair loss in many French military generals, was helped this time. Of course, the French generals were well aware of the characteristics of the imperial army. -Those crazy about cannons. -However, the Imperial Armys cannons seen at Suez had a shorter range than our cannons. There were explosive bullets, but their firepower was too weak to prate the castle walls. -In conclusion, no matter how crazy the imperial army is with cannons, it will not be easy to attack the walls of Mn. While the imperial army is distracted by the troublesome walls of Mn, our French army approaches Mn through the shortest route. The imperial army will be embarrassed to see our French army approaching faster than expected. And the Spanish army is also moving. As soon as the Empire and Florence moved, France also moved quickly. Thanks to the negotiations that Louis personally conducted in Spain, the Spanish army was also dispatched. The first line consisted of 40,000 men, 20,000 more than the French army, which mobilized 20,000 men. And Spain chose the coastal road that passes through Nice. -From Spains perspective, the salvation of its ally Genoaes first. Geneva must be restored as quickly as possible. -This is the only way for this many soldiers to move quickly. -There may be sacrifices, but we have no choice but to make them. Spains choice would have forced the imperial army to split its forces. The biggest reason the Imperial Navy attacked Genoa was to quickly supply supplies to our troops staying in Mn. This would naturally reduce the burden on the French military. -The Imperial Army forces attacking Mn will also be appropriately reduced, and then the attack on Mn will also be appropriately sluggish, and then we can fight an appropriately reduced and exhausted enemy in terrain suitable for deploying our tactics. If I do this well, I could win big, right? The French generals became increasingly optimistic as they crossed the Alps. And this atmosphere of the generals was also contagious to the soldiers. Soldiers who were very nervous when they first deployed began to rx as they received optimistic informationing from themand center. As time passed, informationing in also made the French military fall into an increasingly optimistic mood. -Spanish army passes through Sanremo. -The losses of the Spanish army, which was intercepted by the Imperial Navy, were approximately 1,000. 1,000 loss? You made a good save. The French militarymand tried to ignore the fact that Sanremo was closer to Nice than Genoa. The information delivered the next day made the French militarymand even happier. -30,000 Imperial Florentine Allied Forces changed course toward Genoa. -The number of Imperial Florentine Allied Forces heading to Mn is 30,000. This is it! After confirming the information, the French militarymand clenched their fists. The troops of the imperial alliance that departed from Florence numbered approximately 80,000. Of these, 20,000 went south to establish a defense line in Siena, and 60,000 advanced north. Of those 60,000, half, or 30,000, headed to Genoa. And the area where the Empire and Florence allied forces were passing through was hostile territory for them. In order to ensure the safety of the supply line, there was no choice but to keep splitting up the troops. In other words, the Allied forces that would arrive in Mn and Genoa would not exceed 25,000 at best. If it is 25,000. If you consider the size of the following friendly troops. If you also calcte Mns defense power. Recalcte the possibilities based on new informationing in. The French militarymander, who was watching, made the sign of the cross without realizing it. Its a miracle! The superiority and inferiority of power has been reversed! But when the French arrived in Turin, they went from heaven to hell. -Mn surrenders. surrender? You cowards! The Mnese army officer who escaped from Mn and brought the news desperately made excuses to the criticism of the French armymanders. We are not cowards! It was force majeure! irresistible force? irresistible force? Even with that wall? Could it be that there was someone who had a secret? The first thing that came to mind for the French generals when they heard the word force majeure was the insider. No matter how strong the walls and tightly closed gates are, they can be broken through with just one key held by the insider. In response to the French generals questions, the Mnese officer shook his head. There was no insider. I was hit by a cannon. Chapter 930 Episode 930: The Imperial March 2 C Assault return, running on the ground. (18) Cannon? A cannon The French generals nodded in response to the Mnese officers answer. It is well known that the imperial army is madly fond of cannons. Still, there were some parts I didnt understand. It is well known that the Imperial Army attaches great importance to cannons. But thats it. Arent the walls surrounding Mn rebuilt to ount for such cannon attacks? But it fell so quickly? We thought we couldst at least 15 days. However, considering the time when you arrived and when you heard the information that the Imperial Army has arrived in Mn, wouldnt it havested less than ten days? How did Mn fight? To a question that meant, Didnt they just surrender without fighting properly?, the Mnese military officer answered with an angry face. We, the Mnese army, did our best to resist! Resistance, not defense? I dont know any more. How on earth did it fall? No, correct me. How many days did it take until it was taken over? To the questions of the Pras army generals, the Mn army officer bowed his head and answered. one week. one week? In such a short period of time? . her! In response to the French generals sarcastic response, the Mnese officer had no choice but to keep his mouth shut and lower his head. Because there was one thing he couldnt say until the end. The actual battlested three days! * * * The process of the Empire-Florence alliances attack on Mn was left behind in a famous poem. It was a poem written in sorrow by an unknown poet living in Mn. The poem he wrote was like this: first day. The Eastern army arrived in front of the walls of Mn. The proud walls of Mn were high and majestic like the Tower of Babel, and the trenches dug by the Eastern army were deep and shabby like a graveyard. A day has passed. Second day. A messenger sent by the army in the East advised surrender. The bravepatriots of Mn looked at the lion andughed, and the lion also looked at hispatriots andughed. Another day has passed. third day. The Eastern armys cannons destroyed the first wall. The messenger came again and urged us to surrender, but our bravepatriots refused to surrender. The lionughed at us again. But half of ourpatriots couldnt smile. Another day has passed. Fourth day. The Eastern armys cannons destroyed the second wall. The messenger again urged us to surrender, but our strong-willedpatriots again refused to surrender. The lionughed at us again. Among ourpatriots, not a single one smiled. Its been a long day. Fifth day. Thest wall copsed. Our wounded and exhaustedpatriots raised a white g and demanded negotiations, but were rejected. The day barely passed. Sixth day. Thepatriots of Mn surrendered unconditionally. From the positions of the Eastern army, ck smoke from merciless steel horses rose into the sky, and from our poor hometown of Mn, ck smoke from burning the dead rose into the sky. All our poorpatriots cried. Another day has passed. Seventh day. The armies of the East rested. But ourpatriots could not rest. This poem, titled A Week of Downfall, waster published in an Italian textbook. * * * Although it is not mentioned in this poem, Mn was not left helpless. When thebined imperial-Florence forces first arrived, the Mnese army immediately went to intercept them. -They must be tired froming all this way! Regain your energy and strike before the position isplete! -In particr, we need to inflict as much damage as possible before the imperial artillery can properly establish itself! Only then will you be able to survive the siege for a long time! It was a reasonable decision no matter who looked at it. After receiving orders, the Mnese cavalry and infantry kicked down the gates and charged towards the Allied forces. However, the Mnese army, which charged with such high morale, suffered serious damage and had to retreat. This was due to the disregard for the fact that the imperial army carried as many freight cars and toys as it did artillery pieces. The Mnese army, caught in the crossfire of the imperial armys boxcars, boxcars, and small and heavy vehicles, was literally torn apart. After the battle was over and the battlefield was cleared, the imperial troops, both high and low, muttered the same thing. I heard that Hwacha and Bigyeokjincheonroe are the best for stopping people flocking in groups. I was a little worried about the newly made Bigyeokjincheonroe and toys, but they are useful! The new bigyeokjincheonroe and toys mentioned by the imperial army were mortar shells and mortars. * * * Among the various artillery and bombs used by the imperial army, the most frequently used was, of course, the Bigyeokjincheonroe. Bigyeokjincheonroe showed clear effectiveness against natives without proper armor, bandits armed with guns, and troops. Although it was a bigyeokjincheonroe and toy that appeared in almost every battlefield, it was also disappointing. It would be great if it were easy to carry Because of the shape of the toy, even the smallest small toy required a cart pulled by a horse or donkey to transport. Hyang noticed this and proceeded with the development of a mortar to satisfy Deoksim. However, when it was first developed, it was not adopted right away. Existing toys and Bigyeokjincheonroe are sufficient, so is there a need to develop a new model? If you have the money to spend it, I think the priority is to improve and produce artillery and ammunition! Due to the priority of funds, King Sejong and the ministers all opposed it and it was buried. As time passed, funds became avable, and small-scale irregr warfare became more frequent thanrge-scale regr warfare, and the new toy and bigyeokjincheonroe ns began again. As a side note, there was a reason why Hyang continued to use the names Toy and Bigyeokjincheonroe instead of the names Mortar and Mortar Bomb. Fired at a high angle and falls on the enemys head. Rtively short range. A lightning strike or a mortar is almost fifty paces away, right? Then there is no need to use the name Made in Japan called Mortar, right? And at this time, the name toy is more familiar than the word mortar. In this way, mortars and mortar shells inherited the names of toys and bigyeokjincheonroe. * * * In the Mnese armys interception battle against the imperial army and the Florentine army, the imperial armys freight cars and heavy vehicles and small toys boasted a quick response speed. Also, the quantity was no joke. Battle is firepower! Firepower is artillery! The Imperial Army, especially the Imperial Army, was faithful to this concept and once again modified the existing five-point organization. The smallest group, Oh (), consisted of three long rifle soldiers, amander of the rank of military officer or military officer, and one fire wagon soldier who operated a Gap-type light wagon. . The Dae (), which is a collection of 5 units, isposed of 3 gun units, 1 box car unit that operates 2 fire wagons, and 1 toy unit that operates 1 small toy unit. Yeo (), which consists of 5 battalions, included 3 rifle corps, 1mand corps, 1 central guard corps, 1 medic, 1 supply unit, and 1 unit in charge of supply. As firepower ovepped and strengthened in this way, the power of the imperial army became exponentially stronger as the group grew. Naturally, the consumption of supplies, including bullets, increased exponentially, and the supply staff could not let go of the shells and barrels. In addition, officials from the Ministry of Finance and Economy. In any case, because the imperial army was so serious about firepower, it destroyed the Mnese army with only light armored cars and heavy-duty and small-type boxcars. The eyes of the Swiss and Florentine armies lit up when they saw the Mnese army attack with the intention of inflicting damage, but instead retreated as if running away after suffering heavy damage. That light truck looks useful too. It would be nice to have more toys. The small toys were small and looked funny, but it was okay. It would be even better to use while traveling around the mountainous regions of the Alps. I have to ask for more for mypatriots back home. Themanders of the Florentine and Swiss armies, who recognized the value of light vehicles and small toys that had been neglected in favor of heavy artillery and tow trucks, muttered as they took out bottles of high-quality wine hidden in their luggage. Who should I roast and boil to deliver it to His Majesty the Emperor the fastest? * * * Mn has already fallen, so lets find the next best solution. French generals quickly acknowledged the reality and put their heads together to find an alternative. Now that Mn has fallen, there are two directions for the imperial army to go. One is Genoa and the other is Venice. I think they will try to deal with Genoa first. Genoa? Considering the firepower of the imperial army that captured Mn, would there be a need to send additional troops to Genoa? Do you think it makes sense to go to Venice? Think about supply. Why did the imperial army bother to upy Genoa first? Arent you trying to supplyrge quantities quickly and easily by ship rather than the long andplicatednd route? Rather than wasting time fighting Spain, we will focus our forces and try to deal with them quickly. Right. The French generals who heard the story all nodded. And they must have realized that our French army has arrived, so they will definitelye this way. He is like that too. Then where should we fight? The French generals, who were confident that the imperial army that had captured Mn woulde down to the south, ced the map in the center and wondered where it would be best to fight. The generals, who were struggling to find a good ce, soon focused their attention on one ce. How about Fabia? Favia? Its about 45 leagues (about 189 km) from here. 45 leagues An average adult male could walk 1 league in an hour. Even taking into ount rest time, meal time, and sleep time, if you walk a little diligently, you could walk 10 to 11 leagues a day. Then we can arrive in about five days. But isnt Pavia too close to Mn? When the conservative general pointed out this problem, the general who first rmended Fabia responded right away. I think that makes it even better. Will the people of Mn stay quiet if word spreads that we are approaching? The imperial army will not be able to move easily. Another general followed suit. The people in Mn are probably still in a rebellious mood. We need to stoke the me even more before the Mnese lose their momentum. He is like that too but still a bit When the new generals were convinced but could not easily agree, the general who first rmended Fabia emphasized why it was Fabia. If we can really drive a wedge into Pavia, we can block the supply route from Genoa to Mn. And if the Spanish guys do well, we can push down to Bologna. aha! The generals who examined the map all eximed in exmation. Pavia was located in the middle of the transportation route from Mn to Genoa. And if you go a little further east, you can take the road from Mn to Bologna. It was an important transportation route that had been used since ancient Roman times. Chapter 931 Episode 931: The Imperial March 2 C Assault return, running on the ground. (19) Having decided where to fight, the French army marched at full speed. Nevertheless, the daily distance traveled by the French army did not exceed 10 leagues (about 42 km). First of all, the physical strength of the soldiers was a problem. Walking while carrying their guns, ammunition, helmets, nkets, etc. required a lot of physical strength. Next was the issue of supply. Supplying food for soldiers and hay for horses pulling cannons or carrying cavalry was also a formidable problem. If this continues, it will be a big problem if the imperialists arrive first The French generals became impatient at the distance they could travel, which did not increase no matter how hard they tried. But no matter how smart the generals were, this was something that could not be helped. But its hard to urge them any further here. If they urged them further, they could have exhausted their stamina to the extent that the soldiers could not handle it. The distance from Mn, upied by the Empire-Florence coalition, to Pavia was much closer than the distance from Turin, where the French army departed, to Pavia. Even if the Allied Empire-Florence forces departed after clearing the battlefield of Mn and stabilizing the upied territory, there was a very high possibility that they would arrive in Pavia at a simr time to the arrival of the French army now. In the worst case, there was a possibility that the allied forces of the Empire and Florence would arrive first and settle down in trenches. It was the worst situation to face such a situation when the soldiers had exhausted all their physical strength due to the harsh march. Because of this, generals andmanders were unable to train their soldiers more than necessary. Instead, he released his cavalry and focused his efforts on observing the situation ahead. In particr, they did their best to monitor the situation in Pavia beyond the Chito River by making the most of the cavalrys mobility. And every night, Iid out the map and struggled to find a city or strategic point to rece Pavia. But as Pavia got closer, the generals began to fall into confusion. You cant see the enemies? why? You must have heard that we were moving? The French generals were so confident because of the information brought by the cavalry. -Encounter with enemy cavalry. -The enemy retreated immediately without attemptingbat. They probably didnt run away because they were scared. They probably did it to inform the authorities. Hmm I guess theyll move too. Contrary to expectations that thebined imperial and Florentine forces would move, they were not seen near Pavia. There is definitely a n! But its an opportunity for us too! Hopefully It could be a plot to make our soldiers waste their stamina by being tempted by that hopefully well done. Lets solve that problem by putting more effort into reconnaissance. I guess thats the norm. After reaching an agreement, the generals began action the next day. In addition to sending more cavalry into reconnaissance, he persuaded the soldiers. I know very well that it is difficult. But lets cheer up a little more! You will be safer if you dig a trench first before the enemyes to Pavia! Thats not true. Keu~. Stand up! At the words of the generals andmanders, the old soldiers began to move first, followed by the new soldiers. If you arrive first and dig even 1 pouce (French inch) deeper, you will be safer! The best battle is to hold on in a safe ce like that and then charge! Lets go, slugs! The old soldiers said this and led the new soldiers. This was also the butterfly effect created by the scent. * * * Until the Hundred Years War, and even afterwards, the people in Europe who most believed in chivalry were the French. Even during the Hundred Years War, France was obsessed with knightly attacks and suffered the bitter taste of defeat. Even though the Hundred Years War was over and guns and cannons became the main characters of the battlefield, the scent of chivalry still remained strong in the French army. However, after seeing the usefulness of trenches in various battles, including the Battle of Suez, the French army began to change its constitution little by little. Their proud Jang Darum was changed from a heavy cavalry unit to a light cavalry unit, and reconnaissance became its main mission. Infantrybat also changed from an assault by soldiers forming a square on a wide in to an appropriate mix of trenches and artillery musketry. The problem was that even though the constitution changed, the mind did not change as well. The scent of chivalry gradually became fainter, but it did not disappearpletely. -Defense is good, but the best is assault! -Dont be afraid to charge! And the conclusion drawn from analyzing the Hapsburg-Hungarian War became the philosophy of the French military. -Defense is just preparation for an assault! A faithful defense is the stepping stone for a faithful assault! -If you can charge, you can ignore defense! -Do not be afraid of enemy guns and cannons! As long as we keep the attack spirit (Attaque outrance) alive, the final victory will be ours! Because this philosophy permeated the soldiers, they followed the generals orders withoutint. -I refuse to die while standing nkly in the field, but dying while charging is not an unavoidable misfortune, but a glorious death. -The stronger the trench, the more spectacr the assault. This was the thinking of the French soldiers. * * * As time passed, Hyang, who received this report through Milwi and the imperial army dispatched to Europe, asked Hyeon. This is not a wrong idea. In order to win, you must upy the enemy camp and the enemys territory. And this can only be achieved by charging and advancing. Also, charging and advancing always require sacrifice. No, war or battle without sacrifice ispletely impossible. But is it only France that has an offensive spirit? no. In response to Hyeons answer, Hyang asked again. If the opponent also has the will to fight and the offensive spirit to win, and also has more powerful weapons and firepower, who do you think will win? It will be your opponent. Thats right. Hyang nodded at Hyuns words and continued. Thats why the Empire clings to artillery even though it hears people calling it crazy. And we are diligently observing the movements of other countries. Are you talking about knowing everything and not killing anything? Rather than that, to win without fighting. ah! Hyeon, who let out an exmation at Hyangs words, bowed his head and continued speaking. I will keep in mind the same teachings as Geumgwaokjo! After sending out Hyeon, Hyang, who was left alone, chuckled and muttered. Armed with a strong spirit, you can ovee firepower. There were some idiots who believed that and charged in, only to be swept away, right? Thanks to ignoring the fact that the opponents are people with mental and firepower. * * * After confirming the information that thebined Empire-Florence army was not visible, the French army increased its speed and approached Pavia. Thanks to this speed-up, the French army arrived in Pavia in 4 days, rather than the 6 days initially expected. wee! The garrison protecting Pavia warmly weed the French army. Pavia was a city belonging to Mn, and most of the garrison guarding Pavia were mercenaries hired by Mn. After Mn fell, the mercenaries guarding the city and the city council members were divided into two groups and were in conflict. -Surrender to the Empire vs. resist. Since it was a life-threatening matter, the two sides were in a tense conflict. In that situation, the French army arrived, and the city council and mercenaries decided to wee the French army. -The Empire is not moving from Mn, but the French army is right in front. This was because it was judged that cooperation would be more beneficial than holding out against the French army, which at first nce could easily number more than tens of thousands. The French army entered the castle of Pavia without blood and immediately went into action. First, the garrison guarding the castle was broken into small pieces and incorporated into the vanguard unit. It was because of concerns about possible defection. Maybe not, but the Swiss wouldnt know. They are the ones who change the g as soon as the situation bes even slightly strange. The French generals, who had taken measures to prepare for defection, released more cavalry units to inspect the areas of Mn and Bologna, and at the same time began constructing a trench line north of Pava Castle. Two days after the construction of the trench line began, reports began toe in from the cavalry. C Enemy departure to Mn. -The size is about 20,000 to 25,000. -Movement speed is very slow. The French militarymand, which confirmed the continued reports, was delighted. The movement speed is slower than expected. It got better for us. I agree. Now that we can further strengthen our trench lines. The morale of the soldiers will also increase. -The Imperial Army is slower than a snail! After hearing the information, the French soldiers smiled brightly and began to further strengthen the trench lines. This was Hyangs n. * * * After settling in Bologna, he gathered together themands of the Imperial, Florentine, and Swiss armies and exined his n. I would like to name this operation Song Yangzhiren (֮). Are you Song Yang Ji-in? exactly. Everyone in the imperial militarymand felt unimpressed by Hyangs answer. This was because he knew well the content of Songyangjiin C that it is not righteous to attack an enemy who was not properly prepared, and that he was defeated while waiting C or rather, because he knew Hyangs personality well. This time, hes trying to catch someone with some kind of trick! Although they grumbled to themselves, they were looking forward to it. This was because if you nned and executed a strategy ording to Hyangs n, you would always win a big victory with little damage. Of course, in return, the staff andmand staff were overworked. Thats it. However, the faces of the Imperial Army Command, the Florentine Army and the Swiss Army Command who heard the n that followed were mercilessly frowned upon. On behalf of themand, the Yueungbu stepped forward and dealt with the vige. I have learned the reason why Your Majesty named him Song Yang Ji-in, but no one who has entered the military gate knows how useless Song Yang Ji-in is. In the art of war, it is best to strike before the enemy prepares. It says so. That is true. Hmm After thinking for a moment, Hyang gave an order to the Florentine and Swiss armymands. Go out for a moment No. Generals, listen too. Hyang then exined why he thought of this operation. -It is important to subdue Italian cities and powers in this war, but it is even more important to subdue foreign powers as well. -If it is possible to properly destroy the well-defended French army, foreign powers will reconsider the situation. -If that happens, the chances of it not falling into a long-term war increase. Then our empires Ministry of Finance will be very happy. Isnt that right? ha ha ha. Hyang, who softened the atmosphere with a light joke, continued. -Also, if we do this, we will have easier supply and we will not have to deploy reinforcements. Rather, France is forced to take on this issue. ah! At Hyangs words, themanders who were examining the map all eximed in exmation. If the Empire moved first and upied Pavia, France would never cross the Po and Tacino rivers. Even if they were French militarymanders, they would have chosen another area instead of crossing the river. That would require the empire to cross a river and cause headaches with supply issues. Or, they could have had to form a defensive line against a French attack targeting the time when the imperial army was crossing the river. However, it was certain that if they movedte, France would definitely move to upy Pavia first. This was because it could block the supply routes leading to Genoa and Bologna. Please have the interpreter stop interpreting for a moment. Hyang, who covered the interpreters mouth, spoke only to the imperialmand staff. Chapter 932 Episode 932: The Imperial March 2 C Assault return, running on the ground. (20) I confirmed it once during thest siege of Mn, but it is necessary to liquidate the artillery held by the Imperial Army through this battle. The imperial militarymanders all nodded at Hyangs words. * * * Looking at the artillery pieces possessed by the Imperial Army, especially the Imperial Army, during this period, they were quite messy. Looking at just the major grades, there were eight grades, from thergest General Firearms to the Eight Battle Chongtongs and finally toys. It was fortunate that the Shinje Chongtong and Sechongtong Cheolseon guns, which were small in caliber and size, were integrated and changed into long guns and short guns. As improvements continued, there were also guns that started with the Gap type and went on to the regr type. Thanks to this, at the worst time, there were about 40 types of artillery in the military inventory, including those made in the early Joseon Dynasty. Afterwards, the Army and Navy were separated and all old artillery pieces were sent to the st furnace, which was somewhat liquidated. However, the Imperial Army still possessed more than 20 types of artillery pieces and matching ammunition for both the Army and Navy. And that too in huge quantities. This was not a good situation for anyone to see. Therefore, there was a movement to organize the extremely messy artillery system starting from Sejong, through Hyang, and up to Hyeon. However, every time the emperors tried to make such a move, the Ministry of Defense officials fiercely resisted, writing appeals for resignation. -Why do we need to retire artillery pieces that are still in good use? -There is a saying, Right ce at the right ce. The artillery pieces currently in use are doing their part in each location, from the frontier fortress to Namhansanseong and Bukhansanseong Fortress. Organizing this carelessly can cause even greater confusion. C Considering the disposal of artillery and ammunition and the retraining of artillerymen, it costs more than necessary! -Above all, if you organize the artillery, you must produce new artillery and ammunition to fill the empty spaces. What would you do if you were shouted at at this time? It is said that Ming and Japan are now on friendly terms, but it is not certain that this will continue to be the case in the future. Hyang looked helpless as he read the resignation and life extension appeals of Ministry of Defense officials andmanders. So the conclusion is, Why are you throwing away these precious shells when you are still using them well? and Are you throwing away these precious shells because you knew when the enemy would attack? Phew~. Hyang let out a long sigh and looked out the window. Are these the roots of the Republic of Korea Army, which used canteens produced during World War II until the 21st century? * * * A lot of time has passed and the world has changed a lot. Therefore, those messy canvases must be cleaned up. Many among the generals will still be opposed, but this is inevitable. Hyang went on to exin why it was necessary to settle things through this war. -The enemys forts and trenches that you will face this time have been properly fortified by the enemy. By dealing with this in actualbat, we can cull out the outdated ones among the artillery we currently have. -Also, by continuously moving through various fronts, you can clearly check the points that need improvement, including the gun carriage. -Lastly, if the performance of the artillery you have now is not sufficient, you must immediately develop a new artillery. That is why we must faithfully cultivate the virtue of Songyangjiin this time. The more tightly they dig a trench, the better we will be able to conduct experiments. That is so! Your majestys wisdom and wisdom are justcking! After hearing the exnation of the scent, the imperial militarymanders all praised the scent. Then do you think it would be a good idea to carry out this operation as you have nned? I think its for the best! It is a precept to kill two birds with one stone, so of course I think it is right to do it! Hyang, Shin Sook-ju, and Seong Sam-moon actually became suspicious of the enthusiastic wee from those who had been full of doubts just moments before. Isnt the attitude change too fast? Why on earth? Why are people foaming at the mouth and opposing every time we suggest getting rid of artillery? The three people who were struggling to resolve the question Why on earth? soon found the reason. -If power is insufficient, develop new artillery immediately. Was this it?! People crazy about this artillery! This is why other countries curse! In any case, this is how Operation Songyangjiin was established and implemented. A report came in from the cavalry that was on reconnaissance that the French army was increasing its movement speed, but the Empire-Florencebined forces, to be precise, the imperial army was moving more leisurely. Arent you giving them too much time? If you do it wrong, it can cause anger. The Florentine and Swiss armymanders, who could not ovee their anxiety, showed signs of impatience and became anxious, but the imperial armymanders responded with an expression that it was no big deal. Sometimes waiting shows greater strength. Its not to give them time, but to make our preparations more thorough. Ah The Florentine and Swiss armymanders nodded at the exnation of the imperialmand. In reality, the imperial army did not just sit back and rx. More and more firewood, bullets, and other supplies continued to arrive through the supply line starting from Livorno to Florence and Bologna. Additionally, the imperial cavalry constantly roamed around to spy on the movements of the French and Spanish Habsburgs. -French troops arrive at Pavia. The construction of the camp begins. -The Habsburg army stopped near Venice. It appears that they are taking a wait-and-see approach to the situation. -Spanish army movement speed slowed. It appears to be due to an attack by the Imperial Navy. There is also a possibility of changing the route. I think it would be better to check the movements of the Spanish army before moving. After hearing Yu Eung-bus report, Hyang briefly inspected the situation and asked a question. If you think about our troops going down to Genoa right now, wouldnt Spain be very worried? I think our troops will arrive in Genoa faster than the Spanish troops. Right. In that case, even if we change direction to chase after the Spanish army, it will be time consuming. Thats right. Hyang nodded at Yu Eung-bus exnation. In that case, lets take a closer look at the Spanish armys movements and make a move. And contact the troops heading to Genoa and tell them to slow down. Yes, Your Majesty. In this way, thebined imperial-Florence forces staying in Mn departed five days after the French army arrived in Pavia. * * * The Allied Empire-Florence army departing from Mn arrived in Pavia ten days after the arrival of the French army. Even snails are faster than those guys! Its an assault made by those slow guys Dont they charge in the morning and arrive in the evening? ha ha ha! The French soldiersughed sarcastically as they arrived in the distance and saw the imperial troops lined up on their left and right. While the jeers of French soldiers were overflowing from the trench line about 1,000 cubits (about 520m) away from the walls of the city of Pavia, the Frenchmanders gathered on the walls were analyzing the situation with a more serious look. Is it about a quarter of a league (about 1 km) away? I think so. Its so vague The Frenchmanders looked perplexed as they measured the distance between the point where the imperial army stopped and the friendly trench line. This was because there were not adequate means to attack the ce where the imperial army had stopped. No, their only means of attack were their cannons and freight cars. The soldiers long guns did not guarantee effective uracy. The problem was that they did not have many cannons. There are a total of 70 cannons, including the cannons of Pavia Castle and the cannons whose carriages were broken on the way It is fortunate that there was enough time to finish repairing the carriages. It would be foolish to charge that distance. French militarymanders who were examining the situation in Pia uttered abusivenguage. You damn squires who dont even know chivalry! They had found out what the imperial army was thinking. -You do know that our cannons fly farther, right? -And you know we have more cannons, right? -What do you want to do? Will it end in a firefight? Or assault? Anything is fine.e in!e in! It is a rule to confront each other fairly and squarely! With barbarians who dont even know chivalry! The French militarymanders were furious, but this was just an excuse for themselves. These people knew very well that if they had had many cannons that went out as far as the imperial army, they would have done the same. How about we attack first before theyplete their position? When one of the generals suggested attacking first, the other generals once again looked at the situation of the imperial army and predicted the possibility. But soon all the generals shook their heads. It does more harm than good. The distance is too far. And those cunning bastards have already spread out. As they said, the imperial army was spread out in preparation for a surprise attack. Even if we bombarded them with the cannons we had now, it was clear that it would be difficult to inflict a proper hit with the small number of cannons we had. The conclusion was that the soldiers had to charge, but considering the freight cars they had, that was also a huge loss. The best we can do now is to sit and guard Pavia Castle until our reinforcements arrive. Reinforcements? Hapsburg would be good, and Spain would be good too. Our French army would be the best. Whoa~. The French generals who were talking collectively sighed. ording to the reports of the cavalry that went on reconnaissance, the situation of the Spanish army heading to Genoa was not very good. As time passed, this was thanks to the imperial navy properly beating the Spanish army. Thanks to this, I was wasting a lot of time looking for a route farther from the coast, and most of the roads I ended up finding were narrow and messypared to the coastal roads. As these unfavorable conditions ovepped, the Spanish armys movement speed was gradually slowing down, and damage was gradually umting. The Habsburgs were also slow. No, they were deliberately wandering around Venice. In the end, the only thing they could count on was reinforcements from theirpatriots, the French army. The bottom line is that the only correct answer is to hold on as long as possible. The only correct answer is for us to dig deeper while they are digging. Hmm How about raiding while theyre digging? Take a look through the telescope. I mean, those freight cars lined up. And huh? For a moment, both the general who proposed the surprise attack and the general who refuted it looked surprised and forgot what to say. Chick chug! Ppaeaek! Excavators belonging to the Imperial Army Engineers came forward and began digging, making loud noises and emitting smoke. Every time the huge shovel des of the excavators moved, pits that would require dozens of people to shovel were revealed, and long trench lines were being created connecting the pits. Crazy people Envious people The generals on the castle walls and the soldiers sitting in the trenches were all muttering with simr expressions. Chapter 933 Episode 934: The Imperial March 2 C Assault return, running on the ground. (22) Lee Si-ae, who returned to themand center, shared her thoughts with her subordinatemanders. I want to keep doing it the way I am now. What do you think? I dont think its time to attempt an assault into enemy territory yet. Most of the subordinatemanders nodded at Lee Si-aes words. The enemys defense power was not lost yet. No, it still maintained proper defense. Unless they were fools, there was no one who would charge towards the well-held enemy lines. In particr, we have not yet properly verified the power of the new artillery pieces. It is premature to charge. The power of the new artillery was proven to some extent by destroying the walls of Mn, but it was not perfect. Now was the time to verify how powerful it would be on t ground, especially against well-constructed trenches. While everyone seemed to agree with Lee Si-aes decision, themander of the assault force wearing a ck uniform intervened. It may seem presumptuous, but wouldnt it be a good opportunity? season? how? When Lee Si-ae showed curiosity, themander of the assault force shared his thoughts. ording to the scouts report, enemy reinforcements are approaching. I think it would be a good idea to break the morale of the enemy by striking them properly before doing so. Or you could just crush it. So youre saying youre going to use the new artillery to attack that trench line? Themander of the assault force immediately responded to his fellowmanders point. The artillery bombardment alone has its limits. The most certain thing is for our soldiers to upy the enemy camp. But charging toward the enemys trench lines involves taking heavy losses. To solve this problem, it is best to take your time and attack it with artillery. Isnt the problem that we dont have a sufficient number of artillery pieces to make such a gradual move? Have you forgotten that a trench is different from a castle wall? Themander who was disputing the words of themander of the assault force looked embarrassed. No matter how high and thick the wall was, if it copsed, it was over. No, there was a problem that the higher and thicker it was, the more difficult it was to recover if it copsed. But the trenches were the opposite. Even if it copsed, it could be restored if given a little time. No, it was also possible to create another trench by connecting a trench line to the hole created by the shell. In order topletely copse such a trench line, it had to be pounded so densely and for such a long time that recovery was impossible. And this method was very difficult even for the imperial army, which was crazy about artillery. No matter how densely the bombardment was fired, errors continued to ur as long as the firing angle and direction were adjusted by human hands. Also, there were limits to persistent bombardment over a long period of time because the heated gun barrel had to be cooled while using arge amount of gunpowder. The conclusion was to advance as much as possible and then charge the infantry. Themander of the assault force continued speaking, pping his hand on his ck uniform. Why are our assault troops here? This is to break through that trench! It doesnt matter if its new or old! As long as the artillery fires properly attack the enemys trenches, we can prate straight through! Arent you afraid of having to see the enemys gun fire right in front of you? Thats why there are assault vehicles and the uniforms of the assault troops are ck. The armor te of the assault vehicle was sufficient to block enemy gunfire. And there was a rumor going around that the reason the stormtroopers wore ck uniforms was to hide the flowing blood. Of course, there was more talk going around that it was to hide urinating. Hearing the words of the assault forcemander, allmanders, including Lee Si-ae, had the same thought. Water came in, right? You are rowing very diligently. The enemy had already conceded first strike. The assault force, which had been only looking for opportunities, could not miss this opportunity. Whoa~. Lee Si-ae sighed and grumbled inwardly. What a damn tradition of the Imperial Army C Since the Challenger-ss front appeared in the Imperial Navy, there are no sane people among those who took on new weapons and sses for the first time. It was a tradition that was not a tradition passed down regardless of the imperial army or navy. From the challenger-level front to the assault return line, themanders and soldiers who were in charge of the new weapons for the first time were a nuisance that everyone recognized. And in the army, it started with the long sword corps and continued into the assault corps. But the problem is that what he said wasnt wrong Lee Si-ae had a headache. The trenches, which had always been a strong barrier for the imperial army, had now be a liability. Lee Si-ae was keenly aware of how troublesome the trench dug by a sane military unit with the right intentions was. But to deploy a unit that hasnt even been verified yet is it a good opportunity to verify it? While Si-ae Lee was struggling to make a choice, it suddenly became noisy outside. Whats going on? As Lee Si-ae frowned at the suddenmotion, the adjutant went out. The deputy returned a short timeter and reported the situation. There is a disturbance within the Florentine army. turmoil? why? They are making a fuss saying they will attack first. what? * * * When the Count of Roen of France arrived as a messenger, Florentine and Swiss armymanders and soldiers were also around. Through them, Count Roens proposal spread to the Swiss and Florentine camps. And the reactions of the soldiers who heard the rumor were divided into two. To be precise, the reactions of the Swiss and Florentine troops were different. Arent you crazy? Thats right. The Swiss armys reaction was simr to that of the imperial army. -Why attack when the enemy is still alive and well? I need to lose some momentum before I go in. However, the reaction of the Florentine army was the opposite. When they heard the rumor, some generous people brought a wooden box, stood up there, and began to raise their voices. We proud people of Florence! Listen to me! Comrades who learned and trained together, listen to me! As the eyes and ears of colleagues around him gathered, the speaker added more force to his voice. People,rades! A messenger from the French army came and went just a moment ago! The speaker who reported in detail the conversation between Count Roen and Lee Si-ae raised his voice with an indignant voice and expression. People,rades! Arent you angry! Isnt that embarrassing! This is thend of us Italians! It was we Italians who decided on war! But why do we have to sit back and watch? Should we be spectators to the great feat of Italian unification? People,rades! Think Mn! Have the idiots of Mn surrendered to us? Surrendered to the Empire! Where is this shameful thing? Still, can we say that they are Italian men who inherited the blood of great Rome? Do you think the women of Florence, Venice, Rome, and Naples will smile at you! Ooooh! The Florentine soldiers stood up in excitement at the words that stimted their pride as men. Its not that it wasnt, it was because something simr happened in Mn. The soldiers, who were very excited, went to the officers and asked them to take the lead. For the officers who desperately wanted to umte merit, it was like the sweet rain at the end of a drought. I will dly submit to your threats! Follow me! This happened several times, causing amotion near themand center where Lee Si-ae was currently staying. * * * These guys or those guys Lee Si-ae, who heard the detailed circumstances, put her hand on her forehead and shook her head. But its also something that cant be helped. Politics cannot be left out in war, and this war is especially strong No matter how much the Imperial Army and Swiss Army were the center of power, the Florentine Army could not be ignored. This was because there was a justification for the Florentine army. The problem was the chronic disease of the Florentine army. No matter how much they trained, once they got excited, they fought in a disorderly manner. In the end, there was a very high possibility that the entire front would be a mess due to them. Hmm Was this what the French army was aiming for? Its highly likely. They are more familiar with Italians than we are. Whoa~. Captain Shin Sook-ju or Captain Seong Sam-moon should have been in charge of the thief. Phew~. Si-ae Lee, who was sighing and grumbling repeatedly, red at themander of the assault force who was gleeful next to her and asked. Are the preparations for the assault forceplete? yes! You can sortie at any time! We will begin the operation the day after tomorrow morning. Make sure you have everything ready by then! If we get started and something goes wrong, I will use your head as a cannonball! yep! Go and get ready! Themander of the assault force, who had been saying he was happy until now, quickly saluted with a white face and disappeared. Lee Si-ae, who sent themander of the assault force, gave orders to his adjutant. Call themander of the Florentine army ande! Modify the strategy! yep! Late evening that day. Imperial officers and interpreters holding high white gs arrived at the French trenches. I have news to deliver to Count Roen! At the shout of an imperial officer sitting on a horse, the Count of Roen came out of Pavia Castle and arrived at the trench line. Count Ro?n, who responded to the polite courtesy of the Imperial Army officer who identified him, got straight to the point. So what has the Empire decided? Our Allied forces have decided to ept the French armys offer. The attack will begin the day after tomorrow morning at 10 am European time. is it? Okay. When Count Ro?n nodded, the Imperial Army officer continued. The thief told me to tell you this. I was deeply impressed by the bravery and chivalry of yourmanders. Therefore, I will do my best with respect and admiration. That is all. I understand. Okay then. After finishing their business, the imperial army officer and interpreter turned on their horses and disappeared. Count Roen looked at the imperial army messengers disappearing in the distance and looked back at his fellow generals with a bitter smile. No matter how much I thank you, theres no need to give me your all I agree. Anyway, we have one day, so lets get ready. And throughout the next day, French soldiers strengthened the defenses of the trench line. The bottom of the trench was dug deeper, and the walls and roof of the shelter were strengthened with bags filled with earth. In addition, barriers were erected with dirt bags along each traffic route. This was to reduce the damage from fragments even if a shell exploded if it fell into a trench. After making thorough preparations, the soldiers and junior officers visited the priest and held a mass. I hope I can survive safely, and if I must die, I hope I can die at once without suffering from injuries * * * The next morning. After finishing breakfast early, the French generals climbed the walls of Pavia Castle and inspected the Imperial Allied Forces camp. The generals held up their telescopes while swallowing dry saliva with tense faces. Like the generals, the soldiers who entered the trench line swallowed dry saliva and swallowed the front lines. What kind of smoke Oh, what about that? The French generals who were looking through the imperial army camp through telescopes focused on therge amount of smoke rising right behind the imperial army trench line. The French generals who were paying attention to the plume of smoke that appeared to be quite white all expressed their doubts. Why are the tow trucks there? While the spies were questioning the mass of equipment they said were tow trucks, another general shouted. excuse me! Look 1 league (about 4km) behind! huh? omg! Why are they here? At least 10 monks were rising in the sky far behind the Imperial Allied Forces trench line. As monks who had not been seen anywhere other than the port of Livorno began to appear, the French generals suddenly felt a chill down their spines. I will give my all. It was because I remembered the words the lion left behind. Chapter 934 Episode 933: The Imperial March 2 C Assault return, running on the ground. (21) The imperial army also said various things while looking at the trenches being dug by excavators. Its true one hole is dug with one shovel. Its refreshing. As these words were exchanged, someone expressed their sincerity. You can do it like that, but why did you train to build a trench like that? So The soldiers recalled the nightmare of training where they dug trenches while digging with shovels and pickaxes and filled them with dirt and stones after training. Do you think the excavator wille every time? Youre not going to dig a trench if you dont have an excavator? yes? Oh no! Then stop talking and just fill the bag with dirt! Fill it up and build a wall! Yes yep! The soldiers began to move as themanders shouted from behind them. Thanks to the excavators, the Imperial Allied trench lines quickly emerged. Walls and passages made of tightly packed y-filled sacks connected the trenches, and sturdy open and closed trenches took their ce. The Frenchmanders, who were looking down at the imperial armys trench line from the walls of Pavia, began to look increasingly sad. Damn you guys Are you digging in and sitting down instead of building a fort? Their trench line was also constructed with considerable effort. However, the imperial trench line taking shape in the distance was a trench boat with such brains that it was worthy of swearing. The killing zone where the crossfire of freight cars and cannons would pour down was densely formed along the trench line. It was designed so that no matter which direction the attacking side charged, they would suffer enormous casualties. To avoid these losses, a detour had to be made, and in order to bypass the trench line currently being built by the Imperial Allied Forces, one had to travel a considerable distance. And by traveling such a long distance, the Imperial Allied Forces would naturally have enough time to respond. You forgot they were the ones who created the damn trench in the first ce. The tactic of building defensive structures called trenches has existed since ancient times. However, the Empire was the first tobine this antique object called a trench with guns and cannons and turn it into a lethal defense facility. That was also what the Sage of the East envisioned, right? Are you a wise man or a devil? Thats not the question. aide! Go find some painters and bring them back! I need to sketch those trench lines! yes! Instead of just cursing, we should use what we have learned. That is correct. * * * While painters under orders from French generals were busy sketching, the Imperial Alliespleted the trench lines. Are the deployment of artillery finished? yes! Then lets get started! yes! After a while, several of the guns located in the rear trench line of the Imperial Army turned and opened fire toward the French trenches. Puff! Quack! Temporarily erected watchtowers where the imperial artillery was located checked thending points of the artillery shells and diligently operated the luminous signals, and the imperial artillery adjusted the angle of the artillery ordingly. Quack! You got it right! Fire all guns! Artillerymanders, who confirmed the signal that the standard gun had been fired correctly, ordered specialized simultaneous fire. When the signalman waved the g vigorously, all the waiting guns fired at once. bang! Quack! bang! Soon, the earthen pirs created by the Imperial Armys fire bombs rose up all at once along the French Armys trench line. Bow your head! Never stick your head out! From the moment the standard guns started firing, the French soldiers took refuge by lying down close to the trench line. bang! Quack! Ahh! Theres someone hurt here! Help me! Virgin Mary Hearing the cries of their unfortunaterades who had been hit directly by a cannonball, the French soldiers crouched even closer and grabbed their rifles. Once this bombardment is over, the enemys assault will continue! Wake! The French soldiers, who knew this well even if it was not the shouts of theirmanders, held the rifles in their hands even more tightly. bang! After confirming that there was no more artillery fire after thest shellnded, the French armys junior officers shouted to their soldiers. Stand up! Prepare for the enemys assault! At the shouts of themanders, the soldiers got up, climbed to the firing squad, and pointed their guns toward the front. huh? uh? As time went by, the French soldiers in the trenches, regardless of their rank, showed an expression of uncertainty. There was no charge by the Imperial Allied Forces. * * * Over the next five days, the imperial army continued to fire intensively three times a day. And somehow the French soldiers became ustomed to this trend. bang! Quack! The bombardment is over! Lets have lunch! Lets eat! After confirming that the bombardment was over, the French soldiers sent their soldiers towards Pavia Castle. After a while, the gates opened and carts filled with baskets of bread for the soldiers, pots of soup, and bottles of wine came out. In the wide open space in front of the castle gate, soldiers lined up began to receive bread, soup, and wine to share with theirrades. Meanwhile, next to it, carts carrying unfortunate friends entered the castle. At themand center inside the castle, French generals were analyzing the situation with expressions ofplete iprehension. I just cant figure out why. I dont know. Only an artillery battle for five days. Whats even more strange is that the power of the shells they are firing is weaker than expected. The walls of Mn copsed due to a cannon like that Its weaker than you think, but its definitely not a weak thing. Thats true. Looking at our militarys umted losses now, its definitely not something to ignore. The loss of cannons and freight cars is especially painful At thest word, all the generals nodded. After the first bombardment of the Imperial Allied Forces on the first day, the French army also fired shells at the Imperial Army positions. As soon as the French armys first shot ended, the imperial artillery selected only the French batteries and fired counterattacks. Fortunately, due to the weak power of the imperial artillery, fatal losses were avoided, but the French army still suffered significant damage. Afterwards, the French army not only repaired the broken cannons but also moved the cannons back. Of course, it wasnt that he pulled back all that far. Hide it as best as you can until they charge! yes! ording to the orders of theirmanders, the French artillerymen moved the cannons to shelters with strong roofs or moved them further back. The cannons were not the only ones to suffer losses. Although it was said that its power was less than expected, the number of dead and wounded steadily increased in the trenches where it was hit directly, and the loss of troops as a result was increasing. There are still nearly ten days left until reinforcements arrive, and if losses umte at this rate, it will be a serious problem. They say that when raindrops gather, they be a flood. We have to do damage to them before its toote. how? Look at those trench lines. Charging is absolutely not allowed! The general who first expressed his opinion on what the other generals said opened his mouth. We should make them charge, not us. So how do you make that possible? Thats right. Unless they are fools, wouldnt they be unaware of the losses that an assault would cause? So, they are just bombarding us like that. What the French generals thought was the most reasonable reason for the Imperial Allied Forces continued bombardment was ck of troops. -It is certain that the Imperial Allied Forces have thergest number of troops. -But as the front line widens, it is increasingly splitting up. -Empires in particr have difficulties with the continuous supply of troops. -Charges against well-prepared enemy trenches must bear heavy losses. -Because the empire has problems with the supply and demand of troops, it postpones the assault and continues to bombard it. The reason they are continuing the bombardment now is to minimize the losses they will incur during the assault. In that case we should make them charge. therefore! How do you make that possible? We are using the Italians. Florence? exactly. The general who insisted on a decisive battle exined his n to his colleagues. The other generals, who had reacted skeptically at first, began to nod their heads as the exnation continued. Sure considering the talkative nature of Italians, it would be possible. I think itll be okay. If things continue like this, the morale of the soldiers will definitely deteriorate. You have to show your true worth once. Lets prepare the lion. At those words, the general who first brought up the n stepped forward. I will go myself. Wouldnt it be dangerous? If Im wrong, wouldnt that be a good reason? * * * While this conspiracy was going on on the part of the French Army, a conspiracy of its own was in full swing on the Imperial Army side. Of course Your Majesty was right. All subordinatemanders nodded at Lee Si-aes words. It is certainly very weak against properly constructed trenches. The firing speed is also too slow. The process of dragging the guns that were pushed back every time they are fired, checking the inside of the gun barrel, and loading through the muzzle is too cumbersome. Its a shame, but its time to throw it away. It was the old artillery of the Imperial Army that had been pounding the French trenches for the past five days. The regr bombardment three times a day was to properly observe whether the firepower of the old artillery was still usable. And the conclusion that came out was, Its time to throw it away. Hmm I guess so. They were really friendly guys, but unfortunately, I have to throw them away now. Then, starting tomorrow General! The French military messenger has arrived! A young officer came inside, interrupting Lee Si-ae who was just about to conclude. lion? yes! He is also said to be a French general! okay? Upon hearing the officers report, Lee Si-ae got up from her seat and came out. Lee Si-ae climbed onto the horse tied outside and headed to where the lion was waiting. I am the Count of Roen, whomands the great French army. This is Lee Si-ae, a thief whomands the proud Imperial Army. A short and concise meeting followed, and Loen got to the point. I believe any more tedious artillery warfare is useless for both sides. So, I wish we could have a male and female child. As a descendant of a knightly family that follows chivalry and as a general leading the great French army, I allow you to attack first. It is said Lee Si-ae, who heard the story through an interpreter, looked at the subordinate generals around her with an expression of bewilderment. Arent you crazy? Lee Si-ae, whose mind wasplicated by the unexpected proposal, managed toe to her senses and answer. This is a very grateful offer, but this is not an easy decision. Ill have to take a moment to discuss my thoughts with the chiefs. When a decision is made, I will send a messenger to inform you of the answer. I hope you make a wise decision. Lee Si-ae nodded lightly to Count Roens words and muttered to herself. The smartest way is to just bombard like now. Chapter 935 Episode 935: The Imperial March 2 C Assault return, running on the ground. (23) The Swiss and Florentine armies were also in confusion . Why are the tow trucks here? Many of the tow trucks that had been pulling the cannons from Florence through Mn to Pavia were brought to the front line. Why on earth? Now that I think about it those are the carts? Why are there guys here who arent worth their weight? The Swiss and Florentine soldiers, who were looking at the tow trucks that were suddenly rushing in and emitting smoke and steam, twisted their heads even more. There were two main types of tow trucks they had seen so far. There were two types: one that had nothing on it other than a luggagepartment that contained firewood such as coal or firewood, and one that had an additionalrge luggagepartment that could easily amodate at least 2,300 people. Every time they moved, the imperial army moved various supplies on a tow truck with arge luggagepartment. But is there something strange? The Florentine and Swiss troops, looking at the tow trucks, began to feel something strange. In the cargo area of the tow truck in question,rge iron pirs were erected along the center line, and thick steel bars were connected between the pirs. And on the sides of the luggagepartment,rge iron tes connected by hinges were fixed. And because there were alreadyrge steel structures in ce inside the luggagepartment, only a small amount of supplies could be loaded. The same was true for cannons. Other smaller tow trucks and war horses were also pullingrge-diameter cannons, but these big guys were only pulling the smallest cannons. Because of this, the Florentine and Swiss soldiersughed at him, calling him a guy not worth his weight. Why are you dragging around guys who arent even worth their weight? Of course, there were some who had doubts. It was because it didnt seem to be of any use to them. This was because the extremelyrge man was dragging the smallest cannon, and whenever the march stopped for a day, soldiers and craftsmen rushed to maintain it. The most unusual thing was the soldiers. The soldiers operating the tow trucks and the soldiers marching along the perimeter were all wearing ck uniforms, unlike other Imperial soldiers. The weapons these soldiers carried were also unique. One-third of the soldiers were carrying light armored vehicles and one-third were carrying long guns. The problem was thest third. He was holding a gun as small as the toy wooden guns that the boys in Florence yed with. All the tow trucks that seemed like a waste of the Imperial Armys money were all flocking to the front line. But why are they all standing upside down? That wasnt the only thing the Florentine and Swiss troops couldnt understand. As they looked while moving, the tow trucks control room was clearly in the front, followed by the engine room and the useless luggagepartment was at the end. But the tow trucks standing in front of me were just the opposite. The luggagepartment was at the front, followed by the engine room and finally the control room. The strange thing continued. At the front and back of the tow truck was a steel structure simr to the bow, or rather, a curved steel structure simr to the front of the sled de of a snow sled . The roof was created by connecting the iron tes hanging next to the luggagepartment and the iron bar hanging in the center of the luggagepartment. Among those who were examining the sled de, some with good eyesight immediately noticed their eyes shining. uh? this? It looks like the ones in that luggagepartment? Hmm what is it? While everyone was shaking their heads in unanswered questions, imperial army officers wearing unique ck uniforms held whistles in their mouths. Beep! Take off the wrapping! Following the officers orders, soldiers wearing the same ck uniforms clung to the tow truck. As the wrapping covering the front part of the tow trucks luggagepartment was removed, the eyes of the Florentine and Swiss soldiers nearby grew wide. A short, thick gun barrel protruded from the front of the tow trucks luggagepartment. Other tanks had gun muzzles sticking out along the front and left and right sides of the cargopartment. Beep! embarkation! embarkation! After another loud whistle, the officers shouted, On board! Soldiers in ck uniforms, repeating the officers orders, climbed the stairs protruding from the left and right sides of the cockpit and entered the luggagepartment. Pow! Beep! With a loud whistle sound, the tow trucks carrying the soldiers began to move. The tow trucks moved in a line, watching the signals sent by soldiers holdingrge signal gs waving them. The area where the tow trucks were heading was bare ground located in the middle of the trench line. I was wondering why they didnt dig a trench there Was it the route of advance for those tow trucks? The Florentine and Swiss troops finally learned everything as they saw the tow trucks carrying soldiers in steel luggagepartments and the passage created by cutting through the trench lines. C Break through the trench line by loading soldiers into a tow truck surrounded by iron tes! Are they newly born knights for a new era? As the monks rose into the sky, the eyes of the French generals and soldiers were all focused on the monks in the sky. At that moment, the sound of a whistle sounded loudly from the Imperial Armys trenches, and the gaze of the generals and soldiers came down from heaven to the ground. The soldiers and generals who saw the smoke columns of the tow trucks moving around felt something ominous. I dont know what the hell is going on. Thats why I feel anxious. I agree. How about we start bombarding first? Its a promise made on the honor of a knight Promises are meant to be broken Pugh~. While the French generals were discussing the first attack, gunfire rang out from the rear of the Imperial Allied Forces in the distance. Just one shot? From that far away. Kwaang! The French generals, who had already realized the meaning of the first shot fired during the previous artillery battle, shouted in horror. But before he could finish his words, arge pir of earth rose up from the French trench line. Pop pop pop~. Then, as about three more shots were fired, the French armys junior officers positioned along the trench line shouted at the soldiers. Its going to rain soon! Everyone,e to your senses! Not long after the officers finished speaking, the serious bombardment of the imperial artillery began. bang! Quagwang! bang! Quack! The sincere bombardment of the imperial artillery was not the shower described by the poetically sensitive French soldiers. It was a torrential downpour, or a murderous downpour that came with a typhoon. The Imperial Armys artillery, already worn out through the many wars and battles it had experienced over the past time, demonstrated its skills to the fullest this time. Confirming the observation results sent from Bhikkhu, the imperial artillery gradually copsed the walls on the left and right of the city gate of Pavia and the trench lines protecting the front gate. Why are you leaving the gate alone? The imperialmander indifferently answered the question of a Florentine officer who was watching the bombardment from the side. Because it is easier to open the castle gate and enter than to climb over the copsed castle wall. But there must be a lot of enemies waiting right behind the gate, right? That crazy stormtrooper will like it better. No need to go far. You damn bastards, board at least 3 paces do you think theyre in the navy? huh? While the Florentine military officer was questioning the iprehensible words, a subordinate officer reported. Message from the bhikkhu! Lets go sailors! okay? Then, from now on, we will only tighten the walls! yep! While subordinate officers and artillerymen were diligently adjusting the azimuth of the guns at themand of themander, the Florentine military officer was still tormented by an unanswered question. embarkation? Navy? Boat guy? No matter how you look at it, the Imperial Navy isnt here? As the Florentine military officer was struggling to answer his question, an interpreter stepped in and gave him the answer. I say that because the structure resembles a ship with structures attached front and back to pass through the trench. And if you ride that, you will definitely get motion sickness. Carsickness? Wow! Yuck! Is that bastard, who has been assigned to the assault force for a long time, still sitting there feeling motion sick? As some of the soldiers sitting on the simple chairs attached to the boardingpartment got motion sick, other soldiers around them grumbled. Eup~ body constitution wow! How can it be that the constitution doesnt ept it Wow! How do I do this? Even soldiers suffering from motion sickness had something to say. The assault car that carried them was something that built a wall between thefort of the ride. The county was well aware of this problem and used coil-type springs and te-type springs as much as possible. However, after doing this, a problem arose where maintenance requirements became toorge. There is still nothing we can do because technology still has its limitations. In the end, Hyang was disappointed and had to reduce the number and use of springs, resulting in the worst riding experience for the soldiers. Are there any soldiers to support this? Should we be forced to deploy it? Armymanders who had ridden the prototype were worried, but surprisingly, quite a few soldiers supported it. Its better than walking barefoot while bullets rain down on you, right? And you dont have to run! Even in the midst of this, they were soldiers who found positive aspects. * * * Ugh. Ugh! help me! Someone! The French trenches and walls, which had been hit hard by the artillery fire of the imperial army with all their heart and soul, were devastated. Soldiers groaning and screaming from injuries sustained as shell fragments and trenches copsed were flooding in from all directions. After a while, as the imperial armys artillery fire began to slow down, the executives and soldiers who came to their senses raised their voices and settled the situation. stretcher! Bring the stretcher! Move the wounded! Get the guy buried over there! There is no time! Officers and soldiers desperately prepared for the next step by removing dead or injured soldiers as quickly as possible. Check the condition of the freight cars and cannons! There is only one reason why the bombardment has slowed down! They areing! The soldiers, who came to their senses after hearing the shouts of officers and soldiers, soon checked the condition of the freight cars and cannons. There are not enough people on the freight car! you! you! you! Go and help! The artillery position is also short on personnel! Talk to the back! French officers guarding the trench line continued to make choices to achieve the best oue. In the case of freight cars, regr soldiers could also assist, but cannons were not possible. Anyway, in closebat, freight cars are better than cannons! Secure as many freight cars as possible! ancient! Its a monster! Its a monster! Monsters areing! The French officers, who were struggling to maintain their best strength to defend the trench, looked up when they heard scream-like criesing from around them. what? Hehe! omg! The French military officers looking ahead were frightened. Monsters were running, emitting plumes of ck smoke. No, Lee Seong insisted that he was not a monster. However, on therge iron te covering the front, there was a picture of an ugly monster baring its teeth. [ck Enterprise Shipbuilding] Chapter 936 Episode 936: The Imperial March 2 C Charge return, run on the ground. (24) When she first picked up the final blueprints for the Assault Car Type A and Type B, Hyang ced her hand on her forehead and muttered. No matter how much I came up with the idea, what is it? What about this horrible hybrid? The shape of the assault vehicle, drafted by Hyang and designed by craftsmen, was a mixture of the Saint-Chamond tank made by France during World War I and the AAW7 used by the US Marine Corps and the Korean Marine Corps in the 20th century. To be more precise, Type A, which is equipped with siege artillery, resembles a life-and-death dream, and Type B, which is a troop transport type, resembles the shape of the AA7V turned upside down. The steam engine and basic frame of both types A and B were the same in power and size. The difference in space,monly called the baggagepartment, was what differentiated Type A and Type B. Type A was characterized by thick frontal armor in the shape of an ? when viewed from above. Additionally, the roof covering the ceiling of the open luggagepartment and the armor tes covering the sides were also thicker than Type B. Thick armor was adopted because of the G-type characteristics of having to stand at the very front, break through trench lines, and destroy enemy defenses. Also, there was a thin groove in the middle of the ? shaped frontal armor, and a siege gun was installed in that groove. In the case of type B, a pentagon-shaped luggagepartment thatbines a triangle and a rectangle was adopted. No, it would be more urate to see it as a hexagon by cutting off the sharp vertex at the front. On each of the three sides of the front line created in this way, one military-style wagon was attached to fire bullets at the enemies loitering in front of the assault vehicle. also. There was an appropriate amount of space between the steel te that covered the sides of the luggagepartment and the roof that covered the top. It was a vent and a kind of wall that allowed the soldiers in the luggagepartment to breathefortably. Soldiers who climbed up using simple chairs made in the luggagepartment as stepping stones could fire toward the outside . The offense and defense of incense continued. The engine room, located between the cockpit and the luggagepartment, was blocked front, rear, left and right with thick bulkheads. This was to prevent additional casualties from urring if the engine was destroyed by an enemy attack, with high-temperature and high-pressure water vapor covering the cockpit and luggagepartment. In addition, the engine room was an unmanned space. The fire outlet for putting firewood into thebustion chamber of the steam engine was opened on one side of the cockpit. Unlike the thick front, left, and right bulkheads, the upper part of the side had a small window with blind-type spokes. The blind-type flesh blocked the fragments of enemy bullets or artillery shells, and at the same time, as mentioned above, even if the steam tank exploded and high-temperature, high-pressure steam was released, it was designed to escape directly through this window. cing the cockpit and engines behind the luggagepartment was also intended to increase survivability and improve mobility . This was because, if it had a steam engine attached to the front like a regr iron horse and was destroyed by an enemy attack, it would have to endure the loss of life that could have been caused by high-temperature, high-pressure water vapor. However, if thicker armor was installed, there would be a problem that the mobility, which was at least that of a rabbit, would drop to that of a tortoise. In order to break through the enemys trenches, the structure attached to the front and back of the car body C simr to the one attached to the butt of the Renault FT tank C had increased its weight, so it was absolutely impossible to make it even heavier. In this way, an assault car was created and an assault force was established. Assault soldiers wearing ck uniforms began calling the assault vehicles they rode assault return ships. There was a usible reason, because it was surrounded by iron on all sides and the mission was the same, charging into the middle of enemy lines, but there was also a different reason. . -Because I always get motion sickness when I ride it- * * * The ghost face drawn on the front armor of the assault vehicle was entirely the soldiers idea. Looking at you like this, you look so calm! The assault troops, looking at the wide frontal armor te without anything, could not help but get the impression that it was too calm. If I rush in with a gentle face like this, will the enemies be scared? yes! yes! The soldiers greatly sympathized and soon submitted a request to their superiors. Ho~ That seems like it? In this way, the soldiers petition reached Wan, the emperor at the time . And the answer that came down was simple. -Allowed only whenbat urs. If you go around acting like crazy on a regr basis, who is going to take care of maintenance? It was the scent of MSG * * * As the assault vehicles with ghost faces painted on the front charged in with high smoke columns, the French soldiers in the trenches fell into a state of panic. Its a monster! The monster ising! Run away! The soldiers were in a semi-conscious state due to the persistent bombardment of the imperial artillery, so they did not properly perceive the situation. Its a monster! Run away! bang! Come to your senses! To calm the panicking soldiers, the French military officer held the trigger in the air and shouted, extending his hand toward the front. Wake! Thats not a monster! It was made by the empire! It was made by humans! Wake! Come to your senses! Are you the proud French Army?! Afterwards, several executives raised their voices to calm the soldiers. Such efforts seemed to have worked as the soldiers soon came to their senses. Thats right Go back to the trench! Protect the trench line! The French soldiers and soldiers of the Pavia Castle garrison who had run out of the trench line at the shouts of the executives jumped back into the trench line. Bring the cannon! Hit it with a cannon! At themand of themander, the French artillerymen rushed to the hidden cannons. Some cannons were damaged by the imperial armys persistent bombardment, and many war horses died or ran away, so the French artillerymen had to drag the cannons out manually. Push! Push! Bring gunpowder! Bring the cannonballs too! The French artillerymen, who had dragged the cannons to their positions with great difficulty, could not rest properly and immediately began preparations. No problems inside the gun barrel! Load! After confirming that there was no problem inside through the gun barrel, the artillerymen immediately began loading gunpowder and shells. Aiming continued while the loading was in progress, and finally, the entire procedure waspleted by inserting the detonator into the percussion device and pulling the detonator back. unch! bang! Qua! Quagwang! bang! When themander pulled thenyard, the cannon fired a cannonball with a loud gunshot. Then the French cannons located nearby opened fire. pop! Puff! Soon,rge and small earthen pirs rose up around the charging vehicles. However, because the bombardment was aimed at Mokpo as a moving target, few shells hit properly. Empty! Boom! A few shells hit the front armor of the assault vehicle approaching in front, but bounced in vain into the air. Holy shit! Keep doing it! Guess it right! bang! Quack! bang! Under the urging of theirmanders, the French artillery reloaded and targeted the assault vehicles. What are the freight cars doing? Fire on the freight cars too! Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang! After a while, the fire from the freight cars began to rain down on the assault trucks. The assault cars advanced silently under heavy fire from the French armys cannons and freight cars. Among them, unlucky assault vehicles also began to appear one by one. Although the French armys artillery shell did not prate the armor, it was destroyed in an endless orbit and stopped. As a result, assault vehicles also responded. Squeak! Lets go! Hey! After spotting the French artillery, the assault car types stopped moving forward and turned their bodies toward the French battery they had targeted. Afterpleting fine tuning by turning the car body at an appropriate angle and moving the gun barrel, the assault car type 2 immediately burst into mes. bang! Quack! One by one, the French artillery guns on the trench line began to fall silent due to the bombardment of the assault vehicles. * * * It was inevitable that the A-type assault vehicle had a simr appearance and main gun cement to the Saint-Chamond tank. If you put a rotating armored turret on an assault vehicle powered by a steam engine, it literally turns into and battleship. This is impossible. And battleship is a dream, but a dream is a dream, and reality is reality. This is something that even Hitler gave up, right? Chew, tsk, tsk. Hyang, unable to hide his disappointment, took a sip of his appetite and fluttered his arms. Unlike intuitive externalbustion engines like steam engines, internalbustion engines require imagination and the development of science and technology, including chemistry, is essential. By the way Hyang paused for a moment and looked out the window. Hyang smiled bitterly as he looked at the ck smoke rising from all over the ce. At first nce, I remember saying that the most positive thing Mongolia did was dying global warming by more than 200 years. Then I might go down in history as the person who advanced global warming. As Mongolia swept across Europe and Asia, many civilizations were destroyed. And in the aftermath, there were some technologies that regressed and some that advanced. What Hyang said was that among the technologies that had retreated were coal and oil. At the time, the Southern Song Dynasty, which used coal as its main heating fuel, copsed and went back to using firewood, and the only record left was that petroleum was also used here and there by distilling crude oil. Because of this, the half-joking, half-serious statement that Mongolia dyed global warming by 200 years came out. * * * Although it did not have a rotating turret, the assault vehicle types faithfully performed their duties. As a result, most of the French batteries on the trench line were suppressed, and the assault vehicle group E, which was quietly following behind, began to speed up. Was this it? What answer did the imperial army think? I think so. The French generals, who were looking down on the battle situation from the walls of Pavia Castle, muttered with sad expressions. Thanks to the good fortune of being right above the castle gate, most of the French generals were able to survive safely. And thanks to their luck in surviving, they were able to clearly see with their own eyes the serious bombardment of the Imperial artillery and the best assault of the Imperial assault force. And they felt it desperately. -Their thoughts were not wrong. But the means were the wrong answer. Victory was recognized only when the friendly forces upied the enemy camp or enemy territory. In that case, it was necessary to advance and charge C up to this point, the answer was correct. But the means were the problem. The bare body assault of soldiers armed with the spirit of assault was not the answer. Human skin was helpless in the face of bullets, and this meant enormous loss of life. Here, the imperial army revived the traditional method of knightly charge. The only thing that changed was that the assault was carried out by knights riding steel warhorses powered by steam engines and armed with cannons and guns instead ofnces and long swords. I know that the wall has beenpletely destroyed by this bombardment, and that the trench line can be easily breached thanks to those tow trucks, so what should I do? At the question posed by one of the generals, the others all fell silent and were lost in thought. After a while, the generals answered almost simultaneously, Urban warfare. We have to lock ourselves down with street fighting and pull back our main force in the meantime. Chapter 937 Episode 937: The Imperial March 2 C Assault return, running on the ground. (25) Then lets move right away. That would be better. Will that trench ship be nothing more than a deserted ce now? I agree. Once the generals made their decision, action followed quickly. Ppuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu~ p! p! A trumpet sounded loudly from the tower above the castle gate, and a signal g fluttered. The noise made the eyes of the soldiers and executives in the trench turn back. Its a retreat signal! Retreat! Retreat! I survived! As soon as they heard the word retreat, the faces of the soldiers staying inside the trench line brightened. This was because they ignored the attacks from cannons and freight cars and expected death as they watched the approaching enemies. The soldiers hurriedly climbed up the trench wall with their rifles slung over their shoulders. stop! Keep order! We are retreating, not running away! Protect the pride of the French Army! The executives whomanded the soldiers at the trench line desperately tried to calm them down and lead an orderly retreat. If we rout like this, leadership of the soldiers will be impossible! If we dont keep morale up here, it will be difficult to raise morale again! Even when retreating, you must maintain discipline and morale! After making that judgment, the executives attempted an orderly retreat, even hitting the soldiers in the face with their fists. And the attempt seemed to have worked, as the soldiers came to their senses and began to retreat while maintaining order. * * * Hoo~. Thats surprising. Lee Si-ae, who was observing the situation on the watchtower at the front line, was truly impressed. Maintaining order even in a rout. Something substantial? The staff members who were nodding their heads at Lee Si-aes favorable evaluation added their words. It may be possible because there was no fighting other than the artillery battle. youre right. They themselves say, We are retreating because the situation is unfavorable, not because we are defeated. You may be thinking that. Lee Si-ae nodded at the words of her advisors. Even in the Book of War, retreat and rout were clearly distinguished. -A rout is when you quickly and urately judge the terrain of the battlefield and the pros and cons of the situation in battle and retreat, but when you make a mistake in your judgment of retreat and are pushed back with heavy losses, it is a rout. -In retreat, you can look for the next opportunity, but in defeat, it is difficult to seize the next opportunity. Going further than this, there was even a book of militaryw that differentiated between retreat () and backward progress (M). In any case, it was certain that the soldiers who retreated in such an orderly manner would be difficult opponents in the next battle. Lee Si-ae put the telescope to her eyes and looked at the situation, continuing to exim in exmation. Hoo! This battle is definitely a series of surprises. Arent people who are busy chasing after women suddenly stepping forward to take the lead? Europeanmanders, who are still said to bemanders by virtue of their powerful families, are surprisingly quick to assess the situation and make appropriate decisions. under! The staff members nodded at Lee Si-aes words, unable to tell whether they were sincere admiration or sarcasm. * * * The actions of the Florentine army in the Battle of Mn, which took ce before the Battle of Pavia Castle, were truly pathetic. With the Imperial artillery in charge of the battle from start to finish, the infantry had little to do. Nevertheless, the behavior of the Florentine army when it entered the city of Mn, where the imperial Allied forces had surrendered, was spectacr. He marched through the city with great swagger, his shoulders full of strength, and flirted with every woman he saw, regardless of age or age. The Imperial and Swiss troops could not hide their pitiful expressions when they saw the Florentine army like that. If anyone sees him, theyll think hes a hero who has turned the tables The funny thing is, even though he boasted like that, the results were not very pleasant. The citizens of Mn C mainly women C were well aware of who the real protagonists of this war were. Thanks to this, even the barkeepers treated the imperial and Swiss troops better than the Florentine troops. Because such experiences continued, the Florentine army volunteered first and volunteered to take the lead in this battle. After epting the request, Si-ae Lee found out about the situation and shook her head. I feel it again, but Italians Meanwhile, the surprise shown by the French army was one of the butterfly effects caused by scent. End of the Hundred Years War. Charles VII, who obtained the weapons of the imperial army through Cosimo de Medici, further strengthened the royal army, the kings army, based on these weapons. The same was true for Louis XI, who seeded Charles VII. It was Louis XI who increased the size of the imperial army based on the capital acquired through Suez and refined the system into a perfect standing army. Since it was an imperial army that was refined as the kings sword to check and overwhelm the power of the nobles, most of themanders were not from traditional noble families but were those who rose up from the bottom through actualbat. As time passed and themanders of the Hundred Years War and the Suez War retired and the Royal Army changed to the French Army, themanders began to be aristocratic little by little. However, thanks to the different starting point, the army was led bymanders with a realistic and flexible mindset instead of an aristocratic and rigid mindset. Above all, the biggest reason was that although the name was French Army, it was not French Army but French Kings Army. No matter how noble it was, it couldnt be aristocratic or aristocratic. * * * Hmm Ill end my admiration here and send a message to the Florentine army that follows. Ovee the assault army and enter the castle of Pavia. Will you hand over the honor of being the first to enter the Florentine army? Lee Si-ae smiled and answered the staff members question about her intentions. I think so. I volunteered to take the lead, but I have to give up that much. You already gave in in Mn, right? This is the realm of politics. You can just give away small money like Mn and Pavia. If it were Rome, it would be different But still Lee Si-ae added after seeing the expressions of the staff who were convinced on the one hand but unable to hide their disappointment on the other. Again, this is the realm of politics. And it is an order given by His Majesty the Great. I will call a messenger. As soon as Hyang was mentioned, the staff began to convey Lee Si-aes orders without a second thought. Lee Si-ae muttered softly at that sight. There is no such thing as lightning. * * * This is an order from the Commander-in-Chief! Give it to me! After reading the order brought by the messenger, the Florentine armymander looked back at his staff with a bright face. This is an order to attack! The Florentine army will ovee the assault force and rush into Pavia Castle! Wow! its okay! The staff clenched their fists and cheered at themanders words. Send a messenger to the front immediately! Charge! yes! Themander, who gave orders to his staff, fastened the belt he had loosened and called his adjutant. Bring my knife! And prepare my horse! yes! After a while, themander of the Florentine army, wearing a beautifully decorated saber at his waist, mounted his magnificent white horse and shouted: We are also going to the front lines! yes! Following themander, the staff and other officers of themand board mounted their horses and began to run to the front. The nickname marching army is over! When someone in the group shouted this, everyone around them nodded. * * * stop? yes. Thats right. The assaultmander, who was leading the unit in the second assault car line, frowned slightly. But he soon rxed his expression and nodded. The order is earlier than expected, but I understand. Adjutants order passed! Capture the trench line and then stop! yes! After a while, gs were waving and shing signals were shing from the signal towers erected on all sides of themand assault vehicles luggagepartment. The officers who were next to the signalman to check whether the order was received correctly gave orders to the signalman. I didnt receive a reply confirming it. Send it back. yes. The officers shook their heads and grumbled as they looked at the soldiers waving the g and operating the sh signal again. Its morefortable than Messenger or Pabal Jeonseo-gu, but its still ufortable. Isnt there some more reliable method? These were officers who would calmly say things that soldiers from other countries would swear at by saying, Im so full that Im going to explode, and the soldiers next to me would nod their heads as if it was natural. * * * The assault force that upied the French armys trench line stopped and went on the defensive. Assault car type A, which stopped on the imperial side of the French armys trench line, raised its guns in unison and aimed at the walls of Pavia Castle. Assault vehicle type B, loaded with assault troops, crossed the trench line and stopped. While the military wagons attached to type B luggagepartment were aiming at the walls of Pavia Castle, the back doors on both sides of the luggagepartment were opened. Get in the trenches! Disembark! Disembark! The soldiers of the assault force who came down the stairs connected to the back door ran like crazy and jumped into the trench. oh my! Medic! Of course, in the meantime, soldiers with sprained ankles came out looking for medics. And those soldiers received criticism from their colleagues. Thats a really good thing~. In such a small skit, the assault troops who entered the trenches aimed their guns at the copsed walls of Pavia Castle. The soldiers of the assault force muttered involuntarily when they saw that only the castle gate and the pavilion above the gate were intact, even though all the walls except the one facing the Tachino River had copsed and were reduced to rubble. They say that the most fearsome people in the imperial army are the artillery units Hey, look at how they left only the castle gate. But why did you leave the gate behind? Its easier to enter through the castle gate than to climb over the castle wall. How do you open the gate? Are the guns on the assault car decorative? Ah While they were chatting, loud trumpets and drums were heard from behind. Bah bah bah bam! Floating! As they watched the Florentine army band blowing trumpets and beating onrge and small drums, the soldiers of the assault unit all muttered the same thing. Arent those Cheads even out of breath? After a while, the Florentine army, led by a military band, surpassed the assault force and charged into Pavia Castle. While the military band stopped in front of the castle wall yed military music even harder, the Florentine soldiers began to climb over the copsed wall. Soon after the Florentine soldiers crossed the castle walls, soft gunfire began to erupt from inside the castle. As gunfire began to be heard, the assault troops who had been rxed until just now began to be nervous again. Among the soldiers looking at the castle with nervous faces, a middle-aged Jinmu muttered quietly. Those lechers why would they choose street fighting even if they had to choose? yes? Is street fighting that difficult? its hard. Jinmu answered firmly to the question of the new recruit, who was still full of youth. Why? Jinmu continued speaking after seeing not only the new recruits who continued to ask questions, but also the soldiers around them pricking up their ears. In the past, when I had just attained the rank of fivemanders, I participated in the battle to conquer Shinji. At that time, I went through a battle to attack the city of Messika, and it felt like hell. Jinmu, recalling that time, shuddered slightly. What a struggle it was to fight against those armed only with stone knives and stone spears The scariest thing in street fighting is not the enemys weapons. Its the buildings and roads that make up the city. ah. Chapter 938 Episode 938: The Imperial March 2 C Assault return, running on the ground. (26) Although the first entry into the city of Pavia was given over to the Florentine army, Lee Si-ae did not rest. Move the bhikkhu further to the outskirts! How much longer will it take? It wont take long if we move the monks who are on standby. Then move immediately to the left and right nks of Pavia and hold on to the Florentine cavalry well, right? yep! Then divide the Florentine cavalry and the imperial cavalry into two and move them to the left and right of Fabia City. On which side would it be better to ce the Florentine cavalry? Afterbining, divide in two. It is dangerous to operate or givemand to the Florentine cavalry alone. I also came from a cavalry unit, but cavalry soldiers are guys whose bodies move before their heads. But its even worse for Florentines, or Europeans. The staff members all nodded at Lee Si-aesints. From the time of the past skirmishes with the Jurchen tribe, the cavalry had a strong characteristic of being an independent unit that moved independently. When arge rotation urred, it was always the cavalrys responsibility to take losses and push toward the enemy. Thanks to this, cavalrymanders had very independent and warlike tendencies. In addition, as the Jurchen tribe waspletely absorbed, the cavalry became more warlike. As Joseon grew into an empire and faced a formidable opponent called the Ming Dynasty, the imperial cavalrymanders became more cautious. This was because they realized that if they made even the slightest mistake, a war would immediately break out. When Lee Si-ae arrived in Italy and saw the Florentine cavalry and the European cavalry, she shook her head. You guys like the Jurchen tribe! Therefore, Lee Si-ae did not want to give independent operational authority to the Florentine cavalry. You have to rein it in properly! After confirming Lee Si-aes intentions, the staff diligently organized the cavalry formation and wrote orders. messenger! Thebined cavalry of the Empire and Florence, which received the order through a messenger, divided into two and headed to the left and right of Pavia Castle. Bhikkhu preparations areplete! As soon as the cavalry arrives at its destination, we will send it off. good! Let the main artillery unit and the waiting reserve unit depart immediately! The cavalry drives the wedge they put in properly! As soon as the main artillery unit and reserve unit depart, the units deployed to the trench line change their duties to the reserve unit! yep! Are you going to leave the assault force alone? In response to the staff members question, Lee Si-ae lifted the telescope and looked at Pavia Castle and answered. Stand by at current location, ready to enter Fabia City. It is certain that in a little while a messenger from the Florentine army willeining. They seem to have been well trained for rotation, but they have little training in trench warfare or urban warfare. And since they are wearing the same ck military uniform, there will be less confusion. All right. Hearing Lee Si-aes words, the staff wrote down the order without a second thought. * * * The main training that the assault force received was to reliably prate the enemys defense lines and trench lines. The meaning of reliably prating was to enable subsequent units to safely transcend and continue to advance. To achieve this, the assault force had to thoroughly clean the trench line or defense line they had breached. Thanks to this, the assault troops were specialized in closebat, starting with their weapons. Arge number of armored fire trucks and armored light vehicles were deployed, and each soldier carried arge amount of throwing bombs. And these characteristics of the armament allowed it to have a clear advantage even in urban battles. The assault car also yed a role. The armor of the assault vehicle provided reliable cover in urban warfare. And the artillery mounted on the armored vehicle was for siege use. * * * About an hourter (about 2 hours), the flood of reports began to flood in once again. This is a report from the cavalry that advanced on the left wing. Arrived at the destination! We are preparing for the Battle of Hippo! The cavalry advanced to the right wing and made a sudden attack! We are under enemy fire! We are preparing for an artillery battle! After confirming the report received from the cavalry, Lee Si-ae immediately issued an order. Order the cavalry advancing to the left wing! Prepare for enemy artillery fire! Yep! Send the same order to the units following on the left wing! Even if you turn a little, move out of the enemys artillery range! It hurts the most to get hit while moving! yep! Order the cavalry advancing on the right wing! Make full use of the strengths of our artillery! Hold the enemy back while reducing losses as much as possible! Thats the most important thing! Repeat! The most important thing is to stop the enemy! Yep! Order the right wing follow-up unit! Join the right-wing cavalry while watching out for enemy artillery fire! Yep! While the staff who received Lee Si-aes orders diligently wrote the orders and delivered them to the messenger, Lee Si-ae looked at the map and muttered. I was nning on getting out as expected. * * * Looking at the geographical environment of the city of Pavia, the Ticino River flows in the southern direction. Looking at the political environment, Mns sphere of influence was the city of Fabia. As the first fortress to defend Mn from the French and Genoese, the walls of the city of Fabia had a unique structure. The side facing Mn had only a singleyer of walls, but the southern side facing the Ticino River had twoyers of walls. The reason Lee Si-ae became convinced that the French army was trying to escape was because the cavalry advancing to the right was attacked. From the empires perspective, the right wing, that is, the northwest side of Pavia Castle, had bridges and ferry crossings across the Ticino River. In other words, from the perspective of the French army, which had decided to retreat, these bridges and ferry ports were precious facilities that must be protected. Therefore, as soon as the cavalry of thebined Empire-Florence army approached, the surviving cannons of the French army opened fire. * * * I dont like the idea of making them move ording to their ns Hmm Si-ae Lee, who was looking at the map and thinking about something, lifted the telescope and looked at the copsed walls of Pavia. If we push in the assault vehicle right now and there is confusion, it will be a headache It was an assault force with the mindset that the road is where the assault vehicle goes. It was clear that if the Florentine army and the assault army, which had a big difference in fighting style and speed, were mixed, they would bepletely entangled and be no match for life. But I dont like just waiting Then I guess Ill have to make an excuse, right? Lee Si-ae muttered meaningful words and gave orders to her staff. Delivery to the Florentine army that has entered the city of Pavia! Conquer the southeast with Visconti Castle as a border! The assault force will rush in from the northwest! The staff members who were examining the map immediately responded with meaningful smiles to Lee Si-aes order. ancient! We will deliver it as quickly as possible! Pass it to the assault troops too! Pass through Pavaasi as quickly as possible and capture the bridge and ferry port! Yep! After a while, the messengers with Lee Si-aes orders in their arms rode towards Fabiasi with all their might. * * * Pavia City Gate. The Florentine militarymand center was built inside the wide open castle gate. This is an order from the Commander-in-Chief. Give it to me. Hmm. Giuseppe, the Florentine militarymander who checked the order while stroking his mustache, nodded. Hmm Its good if we do this, the burden will be lessened. Report to themander-in-chief that you will carry out the same. The document Hearing the messengers words, Giuseppe turned his head and looked at the staff. Giuseppe signed the document written by the staff and handed it to the messenger. Its here. yep! The messenger who received the document gave a military salute and left the Florentine militarymand center. Gather together. Giuseppe gathered his staff and told them about the orders given by Lee Si-ae. So we are ordered to take control of the southeastern part of Pavia. It was a pain in the ass, but it worked out well. The staff all nodded at Giuseppes words. It was just around noon when the Florentine army entered Pavia Castle. Because it was a much smaller citypared to Florence or Mn, it was expected that its fall would only be a matter of time, but even as the sun slowly set to the west, less than 1/3 of the area had been controlled. As Lee Si-ae expected, the Florentine army was not ustomed to street fighting. Because of this, the Florentine army was unable to properly use the weapons they had. Thebat wagon, which could be said to be the most core force, was an extremely inconvenient object in urban warfare where it had to be constantly fired and moved. It wasnt easy having to search through theplicated alleyways one by one. Thanks to this, the situation was sluggish even though nearly 10,000 infantrymen, including the first and second lines, were deployed. Giuseppe continued, pointing at the map with his baton. The Empires idea is simple. The goal here is to capture this bridge and ferry port as quickly as possible. If that happens, the French army will either be frantically routed or resist and be destroyed. For us, all we have to do is watch. Giuseppe, who noticed Lee Si-aes thoughts, smiled. Seeing him like that, one of his staff pointed out a problem. Arent we handing over too many military honors to the empire? Ive already taken care of what I need to take care of. And there are many battles left. Troop losses should not be ignored. ording to the rumors Im hearing now, there are a lot of applicants. What do you think will happen if coffins rush past these guys who show up with such courage? The staffs mouths were firmly shut in response to Giuseppes question. Applicants were flocking to the area due to their passion for victory and adventure, as well as the unique bravado of Italians. But bravado was bravado and reality was reality. It was certain that as more people died on the battlefield, the number of volunteers would plummet. If we think about future battles and the aftermath of unification, we cannot afford to lose troops foolishly. Its unfortunate, but it should be enough to take care of what you need as you are now. It would be a shame that soldiers would have less things to brag about in front of women. The staff nodded silently at Giuseppes cynical words. Then lets write an order and send it out. All right. Ppaaeak! At that moment, the sound of the assault vehicles whistles echoed loudly in the sky. Giuseppe lightly shook his head and grumbled at the sound of the assault cars whistle. Its so urgent We Italians are also famous for being in a hurry, so its fun to see people who are even more in a hurry. After a while, the assault troops, led by the assault vehicles A, began to pass through the gate and enter. The expressions of the assault troops riding on or moving around the assault vehicles were very confident C they would prate the northwest area of the city of Pavia at the shortest distance and seize the bridges and ferry ports. It was the type of mission they were most confident in. In particr, they were assault troops who really liked the word shortest distance written in their orders. The assault vehicles will make a very nice road. I wish there were more expensive houses. There was a saying passed down among the soldiers after the street fighting in Liaodong Province in the past. -If you destroy a thatched house, you will be criticized and say, Even if you are a citizen of an enemy country, h h h. But if you destroy a tile house, you will not be criticized. Chapter 939 Episode 939: The Imperial March 2 C Assault return, running on the ground. (27) After passing through the gate, the assault troops soon pushed into the residential area, which was tangled like a maze. At the forefront of the assault force that was pushing forward without hesitation were the assault vehicle A group. Chick chug! Lets go! With the loud noise and dull vibrations from the steam engine and tracks echoing through the road, the A-type assault cars slowly moved forward along the road. The A-type assault cars passing through the city like this were showing a unique appearance. The assault troops stood on the railings on the left and right sides of the cockpit, which was raised about half a floor higher than the front battle room, and watched all directions. Their mission was to eliminate enemies that suddenly appeared in the shadows of city buildings or to find buildings that were at risk of blocking the advance of friendly forces in advance and inform the control room. * * * After the assault vehicles were first deployed, their strengths and weaknesses were revealed through various training and mock battles that followed. -It is the best weapon for breaking through enemy barriers or trench lines built in ins. -But when you enter a street fight, you suddenly be blind. In the wide in area, it was possible to move while checking the luminous signals attached to themand vehicle. In addition, since we were moving in a wide open area, we were able to immediately check the movements of friendly assault vehicles and infantry. However, once entering the city, it was impossible to check themand cars orders in real time. Additionally, it was not easy to deal with enemies jumping out of blind spots created by the thick armored vehicle body. In an open in on all sides, assault vehicles could block each others blind spots, but this was impossible in an urban battle. The good news was that there was a conduit connecting the fighting room and the cockpit, so that some level ofmunication was possible inside the car. Ultimately, when entering an urban battle, the personal judgment of themanders in charge of the assault vehicles determined everything about victory and survival. In the end, the only way to solve this troublesome situation was to operate arge number of messengers or send soldiers outside the cockpit to provide snow. After checking the contents of the report, Hyang ate his food with a face full of regret. In some ways, you could say its a case of a bad head and a hard body. We are still in an era where wired and wirelessmunicationworks are not even imaginable despite all our efforts. Although researchers were appointed at the research institute and registered in the record of challenge, research on electricity, which was named noegi (ך), was sluggish. Even though we did it that way, peoples cognitive areas havent expanded that far yet Sigh. Electricity ising. Electricity hurts. Of course, once you smelled it, you could make things like basic generators and telegraphs. But the problem was next. -How are you going to exin it? It was impossible with the knowledge I had umted through entrance exam preparation education. No, even if it was possible, the problem would be big. It was a question of how? -How did you find out? -Is there anyone who doesnt have enough time to take care of the duesing from all over the empire? -Are you human? Because of this very problem, the scent was just waiting for its time. Im sure it will be after I die, but * * * Anyway, in order to make up for the shorings of these assault vehicles, assault troops inspected all directions in the left and right aisles of the assault vehicles cockpit. stop! stop! The soldiers who saw our troops running from the front corner screamed at the top of their lungs into the cockpit. Lets go! Squeak! As the assault vehicle stopped and the soldiers stood guard in all directions, the soldier who came running said his business. Go around the front right corner and theres a bell tower 10 feet (about 30m) ahead! Go around the right corner and see the bell tower ahead! check! check! The soldier who confirmed the contents delivered the business through the gun hole in the control room. Lets go! Hey! After a while, the assault vehicle Gap slowly turned the corner and aimed at the bell tower in question. Quang! With a loud explosion, the bell tower that was monitoring our troops actions copsed. This was because the bell tower was too weak to withstand the siege artillery shells made to attack the thick castle walls. Simr things happened here and there in the city of Pavia. The cathedrals bell tower, as well as the four-story stone buildings, gradually copsed under the bombardment of assault vehicles. The good news was that if there were any civilians in the building, they had to vacate it first and then blew it up. If there were French troops in the building and they resisted, the assault troops immediately fired the cannons. * * * C Prate the city of Pavia in the shortest possible distance and take over the bridge and ferry over the Ticino River. The assault vehicles of the assault force faithfully carried out the orders they received. Starting from the castle gate where we first entered, a wide, straight road decorated with ruins stretched out step by step to the bridge and ferry in question. As an aside, it was a passage thatter became Jungang Street even after Fabia City was rebuilt. The soldiers of the assault force dismounted to protect the allies who would follow behind the assault force and began clearing the surrounding alleys. A bloody bloody battle began to unfold in the small alleys of Fabia City. In the street battle that took ce in a small alley, the assault troops moved in units of five and one. The most used weapons of the assault troops, which consisted of 5 to 25 people moving as one body, were throwing bombs and light fire trucks. Jinmu Oh Dal-su, who was leading his unit at the head of a group of assault troops running down an alley chasing the French army, stopped when he came across a corner to the right in a dead-end alley and raised his clenched hand. After seeing Oh Dal-sus hand signal, the assault troops behind him immediately stuck to the left and right sides of the alley, and Oh Dal-su walked carefully until he reached the corner. Arriving at the corner, Oh Dal-suy down on the floor and stuck his head out to look around the corner. Oh Dal-su, who saw that a group of French musketeers had camped with a freight car around the corner, carefully retreated. What is there? Oh Dal-su answered in a low voice to the question of Ahn Taek-gil, the leader of the great army, who was approaching before he knew it. About one enemy is encamped with one freight car. The distance is about 4 feet (approximately 12m). Can you hold it? I think its possible. Ill leave it to you. After lightly tapping Oh Dal-su on the shoulder, Ahn Taek-gil turned back again. After a while, except for Dalsus Oh, the other Oh soldiers clung to the front doors of the houses in the alley. Oh Dal-su, who confirmed the movements of other Ohs, sent a hand signal to the Ohs he wasmanding. Among the soldiers who saw his hand signal, a soldier carrying a light truck took his ce right behind Dalsu. When the crouching light gunner nodded, Dalsu took out a throwing bomb, opened the handle, and mmed the percussion unit against the wall. Perfect! Chichik! The wick inside the bomb bag began to burn and Dalsu counted the numbers in small numbers. two three! As soon as he said three, Dalsu leaned forward, threw a throwing bomb, and immediately hid himself. bang! Tootong! bang! Ahh! As soon as they saw Dalsu, the French soldiers in ambush pulled the trigger all at once. However, almost at the same time, the grenade thrown by Dalsu exploded, and the French soldiers injured by the fragments screamed. At that moment, the light vehicle gunner crouching behind Dalsu leaned forward and started shooting at the light vehicle. Ta-ta-ta-tang! Wow! The moment Dalsus thrown bomb exploded and the light vehicle gunner pulled the trigger, the assault troops behind kicked open the front door of the house in front and rushed inside. Aaaah! Ahh! As the shivering residents gathered in the corners of the house screamed, the assault soldiers ran through the house or went up to the second floor. Wow! The soldiers crossed the first floor, kicked open the back door, and ran to the neighbors house. Meanwhile, the assault troops who went up to the second floor ran to the window and opened it. As the French armys ambush was visible beneath the open window, the assault troops began to pull the trigger mercilessly. Bang bang bang! Ta-ta-tang! The French soldiers who had been ambushed by the assault troops fell bleeding or began to run backwards. Just then the stormtroopers moving through the houses spotted them and immediately started pulling the trigger. * * * The closer the assault force got to the bridge and ferry in question, the stronger the French resistance became. The French soldiers desperately held on to the assault troops in order to escape for themselves and theirrades. bang! ttering! To block the advance of the assault troops, the French army also began to use cannons generously. French cannons opened fire to block the assault forces approach or to target buildings that had seen the assault force enter. Because it was not a scorching bomb like the shells used by the Imperial Army, there was no secondary explosion, but buildings hit by the French Armys shells either hadrge holes in their walls or copsed. Those who suffered the greatest casualties in the artillery battle between both sides were the residents of the city of Pavia. * * * As the battle intensified, the assault vehicle brothers began to busy themselves with their second mission. It was used to transport wounded assault troops from the battlefield or to transport military doctors and medics. Before we knew it, a temporary field hospital for the imperial army had been built on one side of the city gates of Pavia. Tents were erected in rows with the Chinese character for medical written inrge letters, and pots were boiling water in makeshift furnaces on one side. This is where medical equipment is sterilized, and this is where bandages and nkets are boiled. This is the water the wounded soldiers drink. ah! Dont forget that water for wounded soldiers must be boiled once and then cooled before storing! yes! It was an imperial army medical unit that had its own system through therge and small battles it had experienced so far. How did the water purification frame instation go? Its done! There must be plenty of clean water for the wounded soldiers to drink! yes! We must not forget the words given by His Majesty the Great Emperor! I am keeping this in mind! Even now, in imperial military hospitals being built throughout the empire, wooden boards with the incenses words engraved on them were hung. -A son of the empire is a son of the empire even if he dies or is maimed! Its Jims son! ordingly, military doctors belonging to the empires military clinics did their best to treat wounded soldiers. This was because if a problem arose due to neglect of treatment, it would be a sin for harming the emperors son. The existence of such an imperial field hospital became an object of envy among both allies and enemies. And this is where Hyang and Hyeons trick came into y. -Build a hospital for Swiss soldiers employed by the empire! -All necessary funds will be covered by the assets of the imperial family and Taesang Province! It was a neat shot for those who opposed providing the same veterans policy as the imperial army. * * * The richest person in the empire during this period was the imperial family. Many of the highly profitable businesses were operated at the top of the imperial family. It wasnt just operations. The imperial family was also seeing significant profits in the investment sector. -Because it was the imperial family, didnt the emperor know in advance and take action? As word like this circted, Hyang neatly handed over the audit to the Board of Audit and Inspection to resolve the question. When the Board of Audit and Inspection, a descendant of the three oldpanies, announced the results of no abnormality, all those who expressed doubts fell silent. What kind of people are the people of the Board of Audit and Inspection Even though the imperial family was this wealthy, Hyangs own wealth was also considerable. It was thanks to intellectual property rights. Chapter 940 Episode 940: The Imperial March 2 C Assault return, running on the ground. (28) The reason why Hyang created and cared about intellectual property rights was not only because of his own greed. When people realize that their own ideas or skills can make money and that they can be recognized for sure, they will start to turn their brains around. Its not like I can know or do everything on my own. Something I hadnt thought of could pop up in ces I didnt even know about. For this reason, the township paid special attention to the registration and management of intellectual property rights. And inbination with business And in addition to business, he registered the things he came up with, the things he designed, and the things he made as intellectual property rights. Starting with the Golden Pen, all the little things he had touched were registered, making both the Intellectual Property Management Office and the Pocheong referees very nervous and having to work overtime. Ever since the gold pen was created, there were people who secretly copied it and sold it. However, after the fragrance was registered on arge scale, a significant number of vitions were reported even though only a light, small-scale investigation was conducted. The fact that the intellectual property rights were officially registered was because there were more than one person who secretly copied Hyangs product, which had been steadily upgraded to Crown Prince] Emperor. How dare you secretly steal from His Majesty the Emperor and make a profit? How is it any different from treason? ording to the opinions of the Intellectual Property Management Office and the Pocheong Jury, those caught were treated as those who hadmitted a serious crime equivalent to treason. As the situation was like this, crooked words soon starteding out about it. Are only His Majestys intellectual property rights important? It is natural to take issue with this. The intellectual property of the people is equally precious! Following the decisions made by Sejong and Hyang, intellectual property rights management has be more thorough. In ordance with the policies of King Sejong and Hyang, people began to appear among the people of the empire who could make money with their own ingenious ideas. And as time passed, not only individual intellectual property but also group intellectual property began to be registered. And this too started with scent. From the time when gold pens were made through Gungigam, the county distributed a certain amount of shares to the craftsmen. Afterwards, whenever he registered his new intellectual property with the Intellectual Property Management Office, he registered the artisans who participated in the design and prototype production as partners. In this way, a considerable amount of the profits brought in through intellectual property rights went to the artisans. Thanks to this, the artisans who tasted the money became even more loyal to Hyang. This trend also spread outside. Although they had fresh ideas of their own, theycked manual dexterity. They soon found renowned craftsmen, signed contracts, and turned their ideas into reality. After registering it as intellectual property, he shared it with his craftsmen when profits arose. The problem was thatrge and smallwsuits arose over the distribution of profits arising from this process. Eventually, aw was enacted specifying appropriate profit distribution. As rted systems andws were created andmerce and industry became firmly established in society, the township was able to secure another source of ie. In the eyes of Hyang, who lived in the extreme capitalist, consumer-centered world of the 21st century, things that could make money were clearly visible. The royal family invested in items that looked good to people living during this time. On the other hand, he used his own wealth to invest in items that were certain items based on knowledge acquired through learning or searching in the 21st century, but seemed very unfamiliar or reckless to the knowledge and concepts of this period. It was an investment that was close to gambling, but if sessful, it was an investment that would bring huge profits. As time went by and the citys adventurous investments continued to seed with a significant probability, a trend began to spread in the empires investment market. -If someone invests, invest even if it looks like shit. Its not a lump of shit, its a lump of gold. Its just that your eyes are sick. When Hyang heard this rumor, he smiled bitterly and muttered. Ive failed in a number of cases Ill have to get kicked in the face toe to my senses. Why is there a saying, Investment decisions are at your own discretion? I cant take responsibility. As a side note, among those who were rejected for umting wealth through intellectual property was Jang Yeong-sil. When Hyang came up with an idea or created a basic design, Jang Yeong-sil was the one who not only converted it into a proper blueprint but also supervised the production of a prototype. Thanks to this, Jang Yeong-sil was the person with the secondrgest stake after Hyang, and through this, he was able to amass a huge amount of wealth. And based on this enormous wealth, he created prototypes and blueprints for things that transcended time and space, which even shocked Hyang. * * * In any case, he set out to build a hospital for the Swiss army by mobilizing the imperial familys private property and the county, one of the richest people in the empire. You took a hit. As expected As soon as the war broke out, Han Myeong-hoe, who heard the story through Hyun, shook his head with a bitter smile. Lim Sun-wook, who was next to him, also received the words with a simr expression. There is nothing to say about the Crown Prince and His Majesty using private property, but he is already spending enormous amounts of wealth for the people of the empire, so even those who like to talk have no choice but to keep their mouths shut. As Lim Sun-wook said, incense and the imperial family was also spending a lot on the welfare of the people of the empire. Creating childcare facilities for orphans and supporting educational expenses was basic. A significant amount of money was also provided for education for the disabled and technical education projects for a stable life. -It is true that even a country cannot alleviate poverty. However, we must provide at least a way to make a living. This is benevolence, righteousness, and the royal way. The slogan raised by Sejong became more firmly established as generations passed. To this end, the Ministry of Finance and Economy allocated a significant budget to the welfare sector, but it was not sufficient. ordingly, a dedicated organization was created in the name of the emperor and the imperial family to supplement the shorings. This is definitely better than in the 21st century As Hyang said, the views of the people of Joseons sessive empires towards people with disabilities were extraordinarypared to the 21st century. For the people of this period, disability was only a little inconvenience. If you had the ability, you could make a good living. No, now is normal and the 21st century was extraordinary? * * * Although the townships and prefectures said they would build a hospital using imperial property and personal property, the most important thing was the people who would fill the hospital. ordingly, the government posted a promation throughout the empire. C Urgent need for a doctor! wmaker? Youre looking for awmaker to go to the far western station over there? Youre giving preference to clinics that treat trauma well? The expressions of all the imperial people who read the contents of the promation turned sour. We dont have enough doctors who are good at treating trauma Because the era of differentiation in detail had not yet ended, medicine wasrgely divided into internal medicine and surgery. The field of surgery was wide, ranging from simple abrasions and sprains to major surgeries that could mean life or death, and there was still a shortage of specialized surgical clinics. At least, surgical specialists began to be produced through military hospitals established in the mid-Gyeonggi period, and thanks to the Imperial Army Emergency and Trauma Treatment Centers located throughout the empire, this problem was being resolved to some extent. However, it was notpletely dismantled, so the people expressed their disappointment. Eventually, the government issued a promation to military clinics and emergency trauma treatment centers located throughout the empire. Hmm Im in charge of treatment and education. Shall we take a look? If the imperial family supports you, you wont have to worry about sry issues. Its a problem here, but I dont think it will happen there, right? I think it would be nice to be treated rather well. As time passed, people with their own dreams and desires began to volunteer one by one. * * * While these movements were taking ce in the headquarters of the empire and other regions, gunfire was still filling the air in Italy. In the battle over Pavia, the French army suffered serious losses and had to retreat. The French army resisted desperately to protect the retreating main camp across the Ticino River and to defend the bridges and ferry ports they had to cross. The imperial assault force also suffered considerable losses due to the resistance of the French army, which ignored the safety of the citizens of the city of Pavia. The French armys resistance copsed when the bypassed imperial armyunched a pincer attack. As the wall batteries targeting the bypassing imperial army copsed, the imperial armys bypassing troops entered the city of Pavia. The French defense forces, caught in the imperial armys pincer attack, began to copse like sand castles and began a disorderly rout towards the bridge and ferry. The assault force, highly energized, doggedly clung to the back of the retreating French army. In the end, the French army that crossed the Ticino River was reduced to 60%pared to when it first entered the city of Pavia. The French army, which suffered serious losses in men and equipment, did its best to recover its forces and prepare for the imperial armys reverse crossing. However, the imperial army did not cross the river right away. No, I couldnt do it. This was because the imperial armys equipment, including assault vehicles, was too heavy. The slender bridge across the Ticino River could not withstand them. I should have hurried a bit Tsk tsk tsk. Lee Si-ae, who was taking a bite with a face full of regret, soon corrected her expression. Its unfortunate, but the French army took a big hit, so the set goal was achieved. But we dont know yet Lee Si-ae, who was thinking about something for a moment, called her aides. Call the engineers and tell them to prepare for the river crossing. yes? The soldiers need maintenance. I know. Just tell them to get ready. We cant give those French guys a chance to rest. The aides face brightened and she responded to Lee Si-aes next words. All right! If possible, should we prepare the artillery as well? That would be the icing on the cake. As the Imperial Engineers and Artillery Corps began to move ording to Lee Si-aes orders, the French Army across the street began to be very nervous. It looks like the Imperials are trying to cross the river. Can you stop it? The loss of the groups troops was great, but the problem was that most of the cannons were lost. We dont have enough firepower to stop the imperial army from crossing the river. Damn it We didnt underestimate it They were too strong. Amidst the abundance ofments and excuses for reflection, the opinions of the generals were gathered. Lets retreat to Turin. I think that would be good. We dont have enough firepower right now. Even if we try to block it, we will only be wasting our troops. Thats right. The imperial army is heavy and slow to move, so it is best to retreat to Turin as quickly as possible for rest and maintenance. After reaching an agreement, the French generals immediately began moving their troops. The French army, which seemed to be preparing for defense as noisily as the busy imperial army, escaped towards Turin by taking advantage of the night. The generals, who were sitting on their horses with confused expressions, looking at the faces of the soldiers beaming with joy at living, looked in the direction of Genoa and muttered. The Spanish will have to do it right But when they returned to Turin, the news they heard was despairing. -Spanish army annihted. Chapter 941 Episode 941: Ijei () C Regional appraisal. (1) The Spanish army, which entered the territory of the Republic of Genoa using the coastal road of the Duchy of Savoy, was soon bombarded by the imperial navy. At first, the bombardment was not very serious and the Spanishmanders came to optimistic conclusions. This is worth taking. Rather, use the wide and t coastal road to strike Genoa as quickly as possible! However, this was a trap for the imperial army. As the Spanish army advanced to a point where no good detour was possible, the Imperial Navy began pounding the Spanish army in earnest. It was an imperial navy that steadily used what it had learned in the previous war against the Ming Dynasty. -Therger the enemy, the more limited the number of movement paths you can choose. -Once you pass a certain point, not only does retreat be impossible, but it also bes difficult to find a suitable detour for therge army to move. -If attacked in this situation, the enemy has only two choices. -Move forward as quickly as possible to reduce the time you take damage. Or, split the troops into smaller pieces and move them using several detours. -If you choose the first choice, it will be very delicious food, and if you choose the second, it will also be very delicious food. If possible, it would be better to choose the second option. Yu Eung-bu, who exined the strategy to Hyang, ended with the above words. Hyang nodded at Yu Eung-bus words, which were a mixture of jokes and seriousness. In a situation where there is no proper means ofmunication, splitting the unit into small pieces and moving around is the worst way to kill oneself. Even in the 21st century, where people use not only walkie-talkies but also satellitemunications using cell phones, such distributed movement was an adventurous operation. At a time when messengers and messengers moving on foot or on horseback were the best option, dispersed movement was a viable option only in the worst case scenario. How will you respond if the Spanish military takes the second option? Yu Eung-bu answered Hyangs question without hesitation. First, we will use mountain warfare to harass them as much as possible. Mountain warfare is not easy. Is it possible? Yu Eung-bu smiled even brighter at Hyangs point out. All we have to do is mobilize the Imperial Army and Swiss Army from our home country among the troops deployed in Genoa. Oh, there they were. For the Swiss who lived in the Alps, and for the imperial troops from the maind, where mountains were right in front of them as soon as they opened the front door, a considerable amount of mountain warfare was possible. Hyang thought that Yu Eung-bus n was reasonable and nodded. I think Dowonsus military strategy is sound. I will trust you and entrust everything to you. I will do my best! Yu Eung-bu, who received full support from the vige, proceeded with his operation confidently. As a result, the Spanish army, which had crossed the point of no retreat, was beaten by the imperial navy. After seeing serious damage that far exceeded expectations, the Spanish militarymand was forced to make a choice. As expected, the Spanish militarymand had two options. The alternative is, Move as quickly as possible to reduce the time it takes you to avoid the inevitable rain shower. Or, Split it like firewood and then fall into a side street. I dont like either of them. Theres also just pack your bags and go back. That may be the best answer, but wouldnt impeachment in Toledo be the problem? Toledos impeachment is a problem, but having to look at the French brats is also a problem. Due to limitations inmunication means,munication between the Spanish and French armies was limited. Even though they became allies, there was no proper exchange of information due to past resentments and issues of their own national interests. Thanks to this, the Spanish militarymand, which did not know the situation in France and Italy properly, had to find the best option with limited information. After a long and fierce war of words, the Spanish military leadership came to an agreement. Lets give up going straight to Genoa. I agree. Under the current circumstances, we will be wiped out before we even get there. Instead, let us take the fortress of Alexandria. That will be the starting point. The fortress of Alexandria was built in 1168 and named after Pope Alexander III. Alexandria The Spanish militarymander, who was looking at the map, all nodded. Its okay. Alexandria was a transportation hub. If I could get my hands on this ce, I could control all the transportation routes between Turin, Mn and Genoa. Thanks to this, when it was first built in 1168, there was only a fortress, but now it has be a fairly prosperous city. If the Spanish army were able to take control of Alexandria, they could not only cut off the imperial armys supply route between Mn and Genoa, but also show off to the French armying from Turin. If you hope for a little more luck, you can move along the Apennine Mountains and take Bologna. Of course, well have to move along with those arrogant French bastards. Lets think about that after we take control of Alexandria. After reaching an agreement, the Spanish militarymand soon began splitting up and redeploying its units. I think Im splitting it into too many pieces When one of themanders pointed out with a worried face, the othermanders insisted that there was nothing they could do. I cant help it. Unless they were idiots, they wouldnt have left Alexandria empty. In that case, we must secure numerical superiority by moving as many troops as possible in the shortest amount of time. Themanders point in iming force majeure was as follows. -As we have experienced on our way here, the firepower of the imperial army is very powerful. -But if there is a weakness, it is that there are few numbers. -The number of detours confirmed so far is five. If you find an easy route to travel, it will be reduced to three. -If you only use these three passages, your troops will be stretched out longer than necessary. -In the worst case, you may make the mistake of sending troops one after another in the process of upying Alexandria. -In that case, split the troops into smaller pieces and use all five detours. If you do this, you can mobilize as many troops as possible to the upation war in the shortest possible time. Thats true, but After hearing the exnation, themander was convinced, but could not erase his worries. In order for such split-up movement to work, smoothmunication and a clear chain ofmand must be secured But he eventually kept quiet. This was because he had no good strategy other than the current one. Also, the problem was that he kept giving a bad impression to his colleagues by constantly asking questions. Even if something was sessful, he would be ridiculed as a coward, and if something went wrong, there was a possibility that he would be framed as a scapegoat. Its best to stop at an appropriate time and then bury it quietly. The Spanish army, thus divided, soon took a detour. * * * The detours chosen by the Spanish army were where the Alps and the Apennines meet. Although it was a ce where the ends of two mountain ranges met, the mountain paths were quite rough. Passing these mountain passes was not an easy task. In order to move the heavy artillery, which was the core of the force, in addition to the war horses already assigned, the cavalrys spare horses had to be returned to the artillery unit. Nevertheless, it was not easy for the heavy artillery to pass through the mountain path, and in the end, even the artillerymen had to stick together and push and pull the heavy artillery. Despite all this hardship, there was no speed, and the Spanishmanders overtook the infantry that followed. Of course, a guard unit was left behind in case of an unexpected ambush, but as these incidents were repeated, the units that were already broken up into small pieces were split even more. And at some point, there were people who smiled in remorse as they saw the Spanish army advancing in such a fierce battle. They were imperial and Swiss army scouts who were ambushed in the thick forests on the left and right of the passage. The scouts, who recorded the movements of the Spanish army on the map they had taken out of their pockets, quietly began to retreat. The scouts who escaped like that quickly returned to their base. How is it? The scouts responded to themanders question with a wry smile. A flock of plump sheep areing, carrying everything, including firewood and pots. The scouts responded with meaningful words, took out maps from their arms, and reported them to themander. The Spanish are moving along these passages and corridors here. The scale is After receiving the scouts report, themander looked at the map hanging on the tent wall. The paper hanging on the wall disyed the areas assigned to him and the areas assigned to other units. * * * While nning the mountain interception battle, the response team used two sure tricks. One was clear territorial division and the other was clear autonomy. -Be sure to clearly distinguish between the area assigned to you and the area assigned to other units. Avoiding mistaken engagement is most important. -From the moment an operation begins, the unitmander exercises full authority. From deciding to fight to moving and retreating, everything is decided by the fieldmander. The reason Yu Eung-bu made this decision, like the Spanish army, was because of the ck of a reliable means ofmunication. Sanguns do not carelessly enter the territory of other mountainlords. The same goes for you, too. Please keep this in mind. ancient! And I will clearly guarantee in writing that once the operation begins, all decision-making authority rests with you. Instead, do not be unnecessarily excessively greedy. I will be held responsible for this first. Ill keep that in mind! * * * Themander stroked his chin as he studied the map, remembering the assurances and warnings Yu Eung-bu had given. Hmm Lets see The Spanish vanguard has already passed a long time ago, and the main camp has already passed about halfway, right? All that remains now are the artillery and supply units Hmm. Themander, who thought for a moment, looked back at the scouts and grinned. Would it be worth fighting if there were no cannons and nothing to eat? The scout immediately answered themanders question. Not at all! Then move. Call the kids together. yep! After a while, the Imperial Armys mountain guerri force departed from the ambush position. * * * Hee hee! Hey! Hey! Push! Push! A small mountain road near Asti. The horses and soldiers were sweating and having a hard time dragging the carriages loaded with heavy artillery up the hill. What was normally pulled by 4 war horses was pulled by 8 horses, with even soldiers clinging to it, but going up the ramp was a difficult task. The Spanish militarymander, who was surveying the situation on horseback on one side of the road, let out a long sigh. This is it Is this how we can make it on time? Its frustrating. To relieve his frustration, themander reached for the canteen attached to the saddle. Right at that moment. Tsk! Taaaaaang. Themander fell from his horse as a hole opened in his breastte. And the gunfire echoed for a long time. Its a sniper! Its a surprise attack! Chapter 942 Episode 942: Ijei () C Regional appraisal. (2) The Imperial-Swiss guerri forces, which started from small units (approximately 125 people) torge units (approximately 625 people), undermined the Spanish army. Since they were a guerri force that had to move through ces that were not roads, the only support weapons they had were light armored vehicles and small grenade guns. I dont know if this alone will only make those guys more venomous. The Imperial Army was worried that the firepower of its supporting weapons was poor. However, the Spanish militarys reaction was different from expectations. Such firepower! Are you saying that all those in the empire are businessmen? The wagons and artillery they had were allrge and required many horses, donkeys and mules to transport them. However, the Imperial-Swiss guerris who raided them gave a strong blow and quickly disappeared. It was a mobility power that could not be easily achieved by heavy weapons that required horses, donkeys, and mules like theirs. We went a step further and found no trace of horses, donkeys or mules. So that means they were all carried and moved by human hands. This was the most reasonable inference considering only the circumstantial evidence. And the conclusion drawn based on that reasoning was that the imperial troops who attacked them were all warriors with tremendous strength. And this soon caused strange rumors to circte among the Spanish military. -They say that all the imperial bastards hidden in those mountains are giants who are over 5 cubits (about 2.25 meters) tall! And the rumor gave birth to another rumor. -The giants are so strong and vicious that they can tear people in two like tearing paper! -They say he can eat a horse or a cow in one sitting because he has so much strength! -They say that even people eat when there is nothing to eat! -Even if they get shot, theye back unharmed and eat the person who shot them! -They say that if you encounter one, the best thing to do is to run away! Before we knew it, the Imperial-Swiss guerris began to transform into terrifying beings simr to the ck Death or the devil. * * * The Imperial-Swiss guerri forces were producing impressive results to the extent that such scandalous rumors were circting within the Spanish army. In fact, the results of striking the Spanish army were significant, but the unintended consequences of the chain reaction were also significant. The main yers who caused this chain reaction were Chakhos army and a small number of Swiss soldiers. The response department deployed most of the troops to the guerri force. It was judged that Chakho Army, which was good at ambushes and sniping scouts, would be more useful to the guerri army. And this judgment was exactly right. The soldiers assigned to the guerri unit urately identified the route and size of the Spanish army passing through the mountain pass and reported it to the main unit. The guerrimanders who received the report let the Spanish army pass or attacked them, considering the size and capabilities of the guerri force theymanded. This choice made the Spanish army even more confused. Are there any imperialists on this road? They say those who went before us passed safely Every time they turned a bend in the narrow passage, the Spanish army, from themander to the soldiers, had no choice but to worry seriously. And this kind of deliberation greatly slowed down the movement speed of the troops, which caused the movement of the entire Spanish army to be sluggish. And if it was actually hit, the Spanish army would suffer even more serious damage. Themand system of most of the units that were raided had copsed. When the surprise attack began, the defenders and the Swiss soldiers, who had good shooting skills, shot the Spanishmander. The Spanish army, which had suffered significant damage and lost itsmander in a surprise attack, had to choose one of three options. -The road continues, so just follow it forward. -Wait until the follow-up unit arrives. When the follow-up unit arrives, it is under themand of the follow-up unitmander. -Desertion. Most Spanish troops chose the second option. They put their dead or injuredrades and broken equipment aside and looked around nervously, waiting for the follow-up unit. The problem was that if they did this, they too would be another obstacle. As the soldiers rxed as they met the follow-up unit, arge number of exhausted soldiers came out, putting the entire unit at a standstill. However, choosing the first option was not a good decision. The mountain road through which the Spanish army moved was not a proper road. If you go on a mountain path without proper signposts, it is easy to take the wrong path and be shipwrecked. Of course, to prevent this from happening, eachrge unit had a guide attached to it. However, when battle broke out, these guides immediately ran away. It was never advisable to follow the troops ahead without a guide. The final desertion urred in two main cases. The first was an unintentional desertion while getting lost and wandering as above, and the second was an intentional desertion. These urred mainly in units that had suffered severe damage. As most of themanders were shot, themand system disappeared, and many of the colleagues around him were either killed, injured, or lost consciousness. It wont work! I need to get out of here! The soldiers who decided to desert took whatever food they could get their hands on and disappeared into the forest. Lets go a little deeper and hide for two to three days. After that, you can go back the way you came. Their thoughts were based on reasonable grounds. The first was that subsequent allies would prioritize going to Alexandria rather than finding themselves. Second, just by looking at the clothes he was wearing, he could not tell whether he was a deserter or a resident of a nearby vige. At this time, there were only three troops wearing military uniforms on the Italian front. Imperial Army Swiss Army Florentine Army. The French military is also attempting to establish its own military uniform, but this has not yet been done. It was a time like this, so it was impossible to distinguish between civilians and soldiers by taking off or changing only a few characteristics C helmets, breasttes, jackets, etc. Therefore, they calcted that they could hide in the forest for a few days and thene out. However, most of those who attempted desertion did not end well. First, the timing was bad. It was a time of passing winter and heading towards spring, but the nights in the Alps and Apennines were bitter. It was a fatal time for deserters who could not even light a fire to avoid pursuit. The second was that the deserters also did not know the way. It was a forest where it became difficult to find your way even if you go a little deeper. Unless you were a hunter or woodcutter who was familiar with the forest, the forest was a ce of life and death. Without being able to find a way out of the forest, they became shipwrecked and disappeared. The third was to be caught by guerri forces. Considering the circumstances of the guerri forces, which had to move continuously, it was impossible to take prisoners with them. However, it wouldnt have been possible to just let it go. He could have tried to get rid of his crime by going straight to the Spanish army and telling them, but this time, he could have been caught by the Spanish army and confessed. In the end, the guerri forces had no choice but to quietly dispose of the captured prisoners. * * * After a fierce struggle, the Spanish army passed through the mountain pass and regrouped just before Alexandria. The damage is greater than expected The Spanish militarymand frowned after finishing regrouping and inspecting the state of the army. The units that the Imperial-Swiss guerri army attacked intensively were the artillery and supply units. Due to the guerris surprise attack, the Spanish armys artillery lost half of the cannons and 80% of its ammunition. The supply unit also suffered heavy damage, losing almost all of its food and about a third of its ammunition. If we fight properly, we can barely fight once. Oh my If things continue like this, even if you return to the army, your impeachment will be confirmed. Most of themand staff were Spanish nobles. Because of this, I couldnt think about politics separately. The Spanish armys participation in this war was not just to maintain vested interests in Italy. No, at first that was almost all the reasons, butter an even bigger reason arose. It was a map given to Portugal by the scent. The map of the terra incognita on the western side of the Antic Ocean was truly an invaluable item. Because of this one map, Portugal clung to the empire. After hearing about this map, Spain requested Portugal to share the map in various ways. King Joao II of Portugal responded to Spains request. -If you want it,e and get it. Do you know the way? If you remove the loud diplomatic rhetoric, the content of the reply was as above. Spain, who received the provocative reply, immediately tried to attack Portugal, but was unable to move. This was after the imperial fleet departing from Sinji arrived in Portugal, handed over arge amount of weapons, and deployed a corps of instructors to train the Portuguese army. Thanks to this, the Portuguese armys power was rapidly strengthened, and Spain had no choice but to stop. However, when it came to mobilizing the navy, the Portuguese navy was evaluated as being equal to or slightly superior to the Spanish army. Therefore, the only solution for Spain was to achieve victory on the Italian front. -If Portugals sessor, the empire, is defeated in Italy, Portugal will prosper on its own. With this intention, Spain dispatched troops to Italy. But the capital, Toledo, was still noisy. -The losses in war are too great! Rather, we should hand it over and negotiate! -right! Dont you already know that the empire is powerful? -War is the only answer! How long will you be dragged around by the pagan empire! -right! Who are we! Arent they the descendants of those who drove out the pagans and regained their homnd through the Reconquista? Negotiating with heretics! This is nonsense! -Is it really true that the empire is powerful? It could be a bluff! If the Empire was truly powerful, it wouldnt have stayed so quiet! Think of Mongolia! C Thats right! Even with the military deployed, there were still fierce shes between moderates and hardliners. Therefore, the Spanish militarymand that arrived at Alexandra was more desperate for victory than anyone else. For ones own position and the familys position. * * * It would be dangerous to turn in this situation But we cant retreat. While the Spanishmanders were at a loss, unable to do anything about it, the cavalry that had gone out for reconnaissance returned with an urgent report. -Fortress Alexandria and nearby areas are empty. -Many traces of residents evacuating in a hurry were confirmed. The fortress is empty? yes. What about the fortress defenders? It looks like he deserted. As expected of the Italians. The faces of themanders who had been sneering like that soon brightened. What a great opportunity! Thats right! Chapter 943 Episode 943: Ijei () C Regional appraisal. (3) Of course, not all of the Spanish militarymand agreed. This must be their trap! These guys have already ambushed you on the mountain path! So you knew we wereing, but you emptied everything and disappeared? It must be a trap! Seeing themanders shouting that it was clearly a trap, the othermanders responded with bitter smiles. Dont we know that? Is there any other alternative than entering that fortress? Themanders who imed it was a trap remained silent. Considering the troops and equipment lost while passing through the mountain path, turns had to be avoided. However, it was toote to withdraw troops right away. There was insufficient supplies, including food, to make a detour. As those who argued for a trap remained silent, othermanders pointed out the reality. It is impossible to rotate in our current situation. The best thing to do is to go into that fortress and hold a sit-in. The reason they left it nk like that is probably because they are confident in their cannons. But wouldnt it be better for us to have at least a fortress to rely on than nothing at all? If we do our best, we can hold out until reinforcements arrive. If that happens, I will have something to say when I return to Toledoter. Still, shouldnt we go in because its a trap? Lets go in. In the end, the Spanish militarymand chose to stage a sit-in at Fortress Alexandria. * * * The Spanish militarymand, who arrived at Fort Alexandria and inspected the surrounding viges and the interior of the fortress, could not help but smile bitterly once again. I cleaned it up once. Not only the inside of the fortress but also the surrounding viges werepletely emptied. On the other hand, the moat surrounding the fortress was meticulously filled. It was not simply filled with soil and stones and gravel, but even ster was covered on top of it. Other than that, it seemed like they had left in a hurry, and the interior and exterior of the fortress and surrounding vige houses were littered withrge and small furniture and clothes that they had not yet taken with them. However, none of the important things such as food and gunpowder were visible. Was the purpose of the ambush on the mountain path also to buy time? I dont know who the enemymander is, but he is truly cunning. Thanks to this, everything wascking, but the morale of the soldiers, who had fallen to rock bottom, recovered rather quickly. But there is a wall Even though the value of the fortress has decreased significantly as cannons have be the core of military power, the fortress wall was a reassurance to the soldiers. Although they had to survive the day with soup as thin as in water, a few pieces of dried bread, and a few pieces of salted meat, the soldiers worked even harder to climb up and down the walls and dig trenches outside the moat. If youre going toe,e! This time its our turn to show our true worth! However, the Imperial Allied Forces, which seemed likely to appear tomorrow, did not appear. After confirming the information brought by the scouts, Yu Eung-bu looked at his subordinatemanders and staff and spoke his thoughts. The enemy will have regained their morale. Attacking at a time like this can result in greater losses than expected. Wait a little longer. Time is your best ally. Themander and staff all nodded at Yu Eung-bus words. As Yu Eung-bu said, as time passed, the morale of the Spanish army began to drop again. The biggest cause wasck of food. I ate as sparingly as I could, but food ran out quickly. The soldiers, exhausted from hunger, once again went around the surrounding viges and searched the houses. But there was no luck, and at some point the number of Spanish troopsing out began to decrease. After receiving the report, Yu Eung-bu smiled in remorse and gave orders to his subordinatemanders. Lets start slowly. Please check the status again. ancient! And about ten days after the Spanish army began its sit-in, the imperial allied forces appeared in front of Fort Alexandria. e! The Spanish cavalry marched from Fortress Alexandria to see the imperial allied forces moving leisurely. Lets hit them hard before they finish preparing! Lets get some food! Supplies! Supplies! The Spanish cavalry, blinded by their survival instinct rather than their assigned mission, ran towards the imperial allied forces like a gale. The Imperial Allied Forces, who saw the charge of the Spanish cavalry, responded calmly. The military wagons that were waiting in advance at the outermost part of the line C the side closest to the fortress C immediately finished preparing to fire, and the gunners and assistant gunners of the armored light wagons also took their positions around the military wagons. Bangpo! Ta-ta-ta-ta-tang! At themandsmand, the wagons burst into mes and the Spanish cavalry fell in vain. The Imperial Allied Forces, which began by annihting the Spanish cavalry, got straight to the point. Bangpo! bang! Quack! bang! The heavy guns of the imperial armys heavy artillery, which had finished dissipating, began pounding on the walls of Alexandria, and the walls of the fortress began to copse helplessly. The walls began to copse, but the damage to the Spanish army was surprisingly small. This was because the Spanish militarymand, expecting that the imperial army would copse the walls with artillery fire, hid its troops as much as possible in basements and temporary shelters. -Anyway, the end of the siege is the deployment of infantry. Hold on until then! -Even if the castle wall copses, the remains be a great defense! Take advantage of this! The expectations and responses of the Spanish militarymanders were reasonable. The only problem was that the Imperial armys heavy artillery had more firepower than they had expected. The imperial armys heavy artillery copsed the walls of Alexandria faster and more fatally than expected. The imperial armys heavy artillery, which tore down the walls, opened fire on the buildings and temporary shelters built within the fortress. The temporary shelters, which were built based on the firepower of the artillery of the countrys army, were powerless against the shells of heavy artillery. Temporary shelters made with materials brought from dismantled houses in nearby viges were destroyed by artillery fire, and the Spanish soldiers sheltering inside began to suffer heavy damage. bang! Every time a temporary shelter copsed due to shelling, countless pieces of wood, stone, and human body pieces flew in all directions. The imperial armys heavy artillery, which had meticulously pounded the walls and interior of the fortress, soon turned its guns toward the trenches created outside the moat. Bangpo! bang! Kwakong! bang! bean? misfire! Holy shit! Sometimes unexpected things happened, but the imperial armys heavy artillery steadily pounded the forts and trenches. I think I touched it appropriately. Get the soldiers out. yep! Following Yueungbus orders, the imperial allied forces, led by the Swiss and Florentine troops, began to advance toward the fortress. The battle that followed was close to a sweep. The Spanish army suffered serious injuries both mentally and physically due to the continuous bombardment of the imperial armys heavy artillery. As the Swiss and Florentine troops approached, a small number of Spanish troops began to resist, but were soon overpowered. Eventually, the fortress was captured not long after. The Spanishmanders and soldiers who managed to escape began fighting in the surrounding viges and retreating the same way they came. The chase that followed and another ambush on the mountain path forced the Spanish army to suffer once again. And the report delivered to Toledo through the follow-up unit that followed was brief but fatal. -annihtion. * * * The French and Spanish armies, who suffered a crushing defeat from the Allied Empire, could not move easily. The French army set up camp in Turin and the Spanish army set up camp in Nice, and sent cavalry out in all directions to find stragglers and join them. By finding soldiers who had fallen behind and joining them, and catching and punishing deserters, the French and Spanish armies began to reorganize in earnest. As time passed, the reorganization of France and Spain waspleted, but both countries could not move easily and only watched what was seen. A single attack against the Imperial Allied Forces, which were firmly entrenched near the Po River, was unthinkable. Therefore, France and Spain sent messengers to each other to discuss the proper formation and operation of the Allied Forces and at the same time began to mobilize additional troops. At the same time, messengers were sent to the Habsburgs and the Kingdom of Naples, the Roman Empire, urging them to participate in the war. As a side note, the price of mercenaries began to rise again due to this special war, which was not a war special. Since Switzend had already been taken over by the Empire, most of the mercenaries were from Germany and Northern Europe, who hadunched a new brand called Landsknecht. Due to overwhelmingly greater demand than supply, the price of these mercenaries soared steeply. As long as you survive, you will have money to y and eat for the rest of your life! Rather than living here as an apprentice or a dayborer, lets aim for something big! Many Northern European youth visited the mercenary tent, hoping to make a fortune. It was not just young people in Northern Europe. ck ves who escaped from rural manors or ranches and lived in hiding in the city also volunteered for mercenary units. -As long as you survive, your status and sry as a free citizen are guaranteed! It was too sweet an offer for the ves. * * * While the enemy countries were preparing once again, the empire did not sit still. Posters soon began to be stered in every city and vige in the Florence region as well as Mn and Genoa. The posters stered on the walls and bulletin boards of government offices and cathedrals all hadrge pictures and phrases stamped on them. There were two main types of posters. One was a portrait of a man dressed in the attire of an ordinary Italian man. A middle-aged man who appeared to be in his 50s was raising his finger firmly and pointing at the people looking at the poster. And above the mans head, what he wanted to say was engraved inrge letters. -Voglio te! (I want you!) And a more detailed sentence was written below it. C Come for the unification of Italy! Another picture showed a man wearing old Roman military armor standing with his back to a woman and children who were gripped by fear. The man, who was standing with his back to the woman wearing torn clothes exposing her breasts and the child who was looking at them with frightened eyes, was staring to one side with a stern expression, tightly gripping the sword in his hand. There was arge text engraved at the bottom of the picture. -Descendants of Roman warriors! Come forward for Mother Italy and her children! In addition, posters with the same picture but slightly different text began to be stered everywhere. As time passed, these posters began to show little by little their medicinal effect. The young men of Genoa and Mn, who had been looking at the posters with indifferent or hostile expressions, began to move. Unification, unification What added fuel to the movement, which was only a small ripple, was the news of the crushing defeat of the French and Spanish armies. After hearing the news, more and more young people from Genoa and Mn began to visit military recruitment centers. This was also Hyangs trick. * * * It is more likely that this war will be a long-term war rather than a short-term war. Hyang looked at the report and calmly analyzed the situation. And the empire should not deploy more manpower than necessary. Switzend also has limitations. In the end Hyang paused for a moment, looked at the map of Italy, and continued. Its Italys problem, so Italians should take action. Hmm Should it be Uncle Giuseppe instead of Uncle Sam? Should it be Mother Italy instead of Mother Russia? In this way, they began producing propaganda paintings using the images of Uncle Sam and Mother Russia. Because the best artists happened to be avable at the same time. The people the fragrance spoke of were Leonardo da Vinci and Michngelo. Leonardo da Vinci and Michngelo, who received the scents orders, soon began production. The result, which went through several revisions under the guidance of Hyang, came out very well, and was soon printed inrge quantities and began to be stered on the streets. Hyang, who was examining the sample, immediately burst intoughter and muttered. Propaganda paintings by Leonardo da Vinci and Michngelo? In a few hundred years or so, it will be an item that will cause a stir at auction houses. How many more should I pack? Chapter 944 Episode 944: Ijei () C Regional appraisal. (4) It was abination of coincidence and luck that allowed Fragrance to hire Leonardo da Vinci and Michngelo. At this time, Michngelo was active in Florence under the support of the Medici family. On the other hand, Leonardo da Vinci was active in Mn. This was due to the limitations of being born illegitimate. Leonardo da Vinci, who left his hometown, returned from Mn to Florence as soon as he learned of the arrival of incense. The Sage of the East will understand my idea! Leonardo da Vinci, filled with such hope, knocked on the door of the imperial embassy in Florence. I may be presumptuous, but I, Leonardo da Vinci, would like to paint a portrait of His Majesty, the former emperor. It was the best justification for approaching Hyang. The embassy staff who greeted Leonardo da Vinci had a strange expression. In the meantime, there were many self-proimed artists who asked to be met with incense, making excuses like Leonardo da Vinci. However, the name Leonardo da Vinci had too much weight to just ignore. Thats why he had a strange expression on his face that was a mixture of boredom, asking Again? and surprise, Even this person? What should I do with this? After much thought, the official came up with the most reasonable method. He passed it on to his superiors. Eventually, through a simr process, I learned about the scent of Leonardo da Vincis visit. Leonardo da Vinci? Let them in. After going through a strict body search and entering the mayors office, Leonardo da Vinci immediately bowed and bowed politely. Leonardo da Vinci, a humble painter,es to see His Majesty, the former Emperor of the great Eastern Empire. If Leonardo da Vinci is of little value, isnt the value of his name assessed too lightly? Nice to meet you. Its an honor. Leonardo da Vinci answered by bending his back and bowing his head. Except for diplomats and a few schrs and experts, most Europeans knew nothing about the Empire or the etiquette of the East. The only source of information they could ess was almost Marco Polos History of the East. And ording to what is written in the record of the visit to the East, when meeting the monarch of the East, one had to bend ones back and keep ones head down. It was a great act of disrespect to look the monarch in the eye with your body straight. Sitfortably in the chair with your back straight. My back hurts just looking at it. Thank you. Da Vinci straightened at Hyangsmand and sat down on the chair given to him by the eunuch next to him. Da Vinci sat down carefully, looked at the scent sitting behind the desk, and unconsciously let out an exmation. It was clearly a scent known to be approaching 80 years old. However, no matter how I looked at Hyang, who was sitting upright in a chair and looking at me, he did not look like that kind of old man. In particr, the faint smile and confident expression made Hyangs face look even younger. So you want to draw Jims portrait? Yes Da Vinci paused for a moment, opened therge leather bag he held dearly in his arms, and took out a bundle of papers inside. I want you to look at these. Hoo? Give it to me. shell. Yes, Your Majesty. Hyangs eyes lit up after being handed a bundle of paper through the inner tube. What da Vinci presented were records of what he had investigated, observed, and studied. Hyang eximed inwardly when he saw conceptual drawings and blueprints of the famous helicopters and tanks, as well as conceptual drawings and blueprints that were unknown toter generations. You got to see this in the original andplete version? Big! My virtue is boiling! Hyang, who was expressing exmations in his heart but calmly analyzing the situation in his head, looked at Da Vinci with a slight smile. I guess my intention was to find someone who would help me make these rather than to paint Jims portrait. Thats true, but I also wanted to be acknowledged by Your Majesty. admit? Its not an empty delusion Hyang nodded as she looked at Leonardo da Vinci, who was unable to finish his sentence and lowered his head. Well, theres something like that Hyang opened his mouth, feeling his own sympathy for the same illness. The idea itself is good. But there are some problems. What if you say its a problem? When a criticism, rather than a ridicule or reprimand, was made, Da Vincis head straightened and his eyes began to shine. Hyang continued as she looked at Da Vinci, who suddenly burst into life. The first thing you see is the problem of power. Hmm. Jang Yeong-sil was trying to solve the problem with wind-up, but Da Vinci is trying to solve it with manpower. Well, its a power source thats easy to find, but Wait! Its been a while since steam engines were known in Europe, right? After thinking about that, Hyang asked Da Vinci. If you look at these drawings, most of them are moved by human power. Human power alone has its limits, so have you ever thought of using a steam engine? The steam engine gives off a very indifferent impression I guess I could say it looks ssless Da Vinci stammered out his answer, looking at the fragrance. This was because the steam engine was criticized harshly in front of the person who created it. Meanwhile, after hearing Da Vincis answer, Hyang screamed internally. This nobleman was also part of Jang Yeong-sils ss! Hmm yes you might think so. After barely regaining herposure, Hyang stood up and headed to the safe on one side. Hyang opened the door of the tightly locked safe, took out a thin booklet, and handed it to Da Vinci. Please read it. Whates? Its part of the challenge log. At Hyangs answer, Da Vincis eyes widened and his hands began to tremble. This one, this one, this is a challenging book Among schrs and literate people, it is called the secretary of secret books, and I want to be able to see it at least once in my life I turn the pages with difficulty with trembling hands. Da Vincis eyes began to shake mercilessly. This is On the open bookshelf were drawings and designs of objects that looked simr to the helicopters or tanks he had in mind, but moved in apletely different way. Ah ah ah~. Da Vinci, who was examining the contents of the challenge record, copsed in his chair, making a sound that was unclear whether it wasmentation or joy. How is it? I have found that I am very foolish. Hyang shook her head at Da Vincis self-me. You are not stupid. Its just that my insight was narrow. In our empire and in the East, they call it the frog in the well. All you can do is sit in the well and think that is the whole world. ah! I am just that kind of frog! Looking at Da Vinci giving an exmation, Hyang continued speaking in a soft voice. How is it? What about going to the Empire with Jimter? Wouldnt you like to work in the Empires Area 51 or Area 52? Of course, if you want to draw, I will let you do so. Area 51! Da Vinci jumped up from his seat at Hyangs suggestion. If Daejeonrok was a secret book, Area 51 was a secret ce and a utopia. Da Vinci immediately nodded at Hyangs suggestion. I will do it! I am so grateful that you have given me this unprecedented opportunity. I dont know what to do! Please take care of me. Hyang answered in a calm voice, but internally cheered as she clenched her hands holding her back. I caught it! Good thing I brought it! It was a copy of the challenge record that I brought with me to find and obtain Da Vinci on my way to Italy. Although it was a copy with various stains and deletions just in case, it fulfilled its role as a decoy very faithfully. On the day of catching Da Vinci, Hyang was left alone looking outside and suddenly became curious. If this continues, what will happen to the Mona Lisa? Surely there wont be a Mona Lisa wearing a hanbok and a gache or jokdori? As a side note, the frog in the well mentioned by Hyang left a great impression on da Vinci. Afterwards, da Vinci left behind a considerable number of paintings, and these paintings included frogs along with his autograph or as part of the background or subject matter. * * * In this way, the city that hired Da Vinci even borrowed Michngelo to create propaganda paintings. Although the two had a significant age difference, they were famous for their great rivalry. Thanks to this rtionship, the two people who received a request rather than a request from the vige did their best toplete the propaganda painting. After receiving the firstpleted copy, Hyang ced her hand on her forehead. Do you think these pictures can be printed? But if you think about aesthetic value What Jim wanted was not a beautiful picture. After exining in detail what needs to be fixed, Hyang sent the two out. Draw it again. Remember to be punctual. yes. Then that Xian Ill keep it in my luggage just in case. If it doesnt work out, Ill have to use this at least. The eyes of the two people burned at Hyangs words that strangely scratched their pride. I will definitely bring a picture that will satisfy Your Majesty! Im not looking forward to it. ah! Sign here and leave. After sending the two people away after signing thepleted copy, Hyang muttered with a happy expression on his face. A series of works by painters that will remain in history Its an heirloom among heirlooms, right? * * * Propaganda paintings reminiscent of Da Vinci and Michngelo began to attract young people from not only Florence but also Mn and Genoa. However, the expression on Hyangs face when he received the report was not at all scary. More and more people are flocking here, but the growth rate is too low. I dont have much time to think about the training period or southern Italy. Hyang, who had been thinking about something for a while, let out a long sigh. My bad reputation will increase one more time. Fifteen dayster, additional new posters were posted in cities and viges in the Florence, Mn, and Genoa regions. -Brothers of the Arno and Po rivers! Lets be one! Northern Italy, lets unite! Cities in Tuscany, including Florence, were along the Arno River, and cities to the north, such as Mn and Genoa, were along the Po River. When the Arno and Po rivers became one, it meant that northern Italy became one. However, to achieve this, Venice had to be incorporated as well. Here, Hyangs trick was used again. Starting with viges and cities in the Genoa region, other posters began to be posted. -Only Venice remains! -lets go! To Venice! You mean Venice? The expressions on the faces of residents in the Genoa region turned fierce when they saw the poster. Genoas biggest enemy over the years was Venice. Genoa and Venice have been constantly fighting fiercely to dominate the trade market in the Mediterranean region. This long and fierce bloody struggle ended with the Genoese defeat at the Battle of Chioggia in 1380. Because of this, the Genoese peoples view of Venice could never be resolved. In the end, recruiting stations in the Genoa region began to suffer from the influx of Genoese young men and women. Okay, lets go! Lets go to Venice! Lets go to Venice to crush the Vians! Chapter 945 Episode 945: Battle of Corsica. (1) Rumors of the crushing defeat of Spain and France in Mn and Genoa spread throughout Italy as if they had wings. After hearing the rumor, the leaders and residents of the Kingdom of Naples in the Papal Kingdom of Venice became confused and began to worry about their future. And it was the posters that delivered the fatal blow. The posters stered on the walls of Florence, Mn, and Genoa did not only shake up the young people in those regions. Soon, dozens of posters flowed through various channels to Venice and the Papal Kingdom of Naples. These are the posters hanging in Genoa, Mn, and Florence these days. How did you get this? ording to the merchant who handed it to me, he secretly removed the items from the wall and brought them back. Isnt it too clean for something like that? There are no rips or tears anywhere. Well. Is it okay if I just shrug my shoulders and say, I dont know. Thats not important right now. Thats right. The expressions on the faces of all the intelligence officers of the Kingdom of Naples, the Papal Kingdom of Venice, who were looking at the posters while muttering like that, became serious. First of all, you say out loud that it is Venice. Youre saying well eat the north first and then the south is next, right? You hungry pigs! Most of the leaders of the Vatican and the Kingdom of Naples were outraged when they saw the poster. Lets conscript us too! Thats right! Let us ask His Holiness to emunicate them! Thats right! In this way,rge-scale conscription began in the Papal States and the Kingdom of Naples. Soon after, the emunication of Lorenzo de Medici and other leaders was officially dered in the name of Pope Alexander VI. -The crime of destroying the peace of Italy by colluding with heretics. Heresy? Hap? under! Hyang, who read the promation, sneered briefly with an expression of bewilderment and threw the promation aside. Its not worth the effort. Just use it as firewood. Yes, Your Majesty! Anyway, we didnt block the passage of priests, so we only hear nonsense like this. Ivosio Gonfaloniere. If they were emunicated anyway, why not just block the passage of priests? Lorenzo looked embarrassed at Hyangs words. Blocking the passage here would have cut off the connection with Cardinal Giovanni di Lorenzo de Medici in Rome, who wouldter be Pope Leo -No matter how much you are enemies, you must leave at least one line of credit. Even if it were not for the above instructions left by Cosimo de Medici, it was not an easy decision to cut off all ties with the Holy See. Hyang, seeing Lorenzos expression, nodded. Of course its too much. This was Jims short-sighted opinion, so dont worry about it. However, I think it is essential to strengthen the checks on clergy entering and leaving Florence to maintain confidentiality and prevent internal unrest. Therefore, I propose this to Gonfaloniere. Even though Florences ally was the Empire and the city was the previous emperor, Lorenzo was the owner of this ce. Therefore, the scent took the form of a suggestion rather than amand. After hearing Hyangs suggestion, Lorenzo immediately nodded. I think its a good idea to do that. The fragrance added its words to Lorenzos decision. This promation was not directed at Gonfaloniere and the members of the National Assembly. This is a mean-spirited n to divide Gonfaloniere and its residents. Let us also use Savonar. Thats a good idea. I will call someone soon and tell them the story. Interestingly enough, before Lorenzo could call for help, Savonar was moving. * * * Brothers! Brothers of Florence, brothers of Mn, brothers of Genoa! Listen to me! The Pope of Rome has emunicated our leaders! This is something we cannot help but deplore! Savonar traveled to Mn and Genoa and spoke passionately. They said we destroyed the peace! What is the peace they speak of? Protecting ones interests is peace! It is not a peace that contains the interests of our Italians and our future! Brothers and sisters! Open your eyes! We must stop those from Spain and France from reigning over us! Oooooh! Savonars impassioned speech was responded to with enthusiastic cheers. Of course, there were those who refuted this. If you think about it that way, arent the Land of Flowers also foreigners? They also instigated war for their own interests! gibberish! The energetic Savonar shouted as if he was vomiting blood with his face turning red. They are bleeding with us! Were not the only ones bleeding! And the wise man who leads them gave an honest answer! * * * Savonar visited the embassy where all the envoys had left just before the war broke out. It was because he received an invitation from Savonar, who had previously wanted to meet him, and epted his request. Wee. Nice to meet you. It is a pleasure to meet the wise man of the East. The governor responded to Savonars words with a light wave of his hand. Sage is an excessive title. I am just a child who is happy to be given shellfish on the beach in front of the vast ocean of truth. Oh oh! Savonar became even more enthusiastic about the incense answer, which he borrowed from Newton. What your Majesty said is the truth! I will try harder too! He who explores and preaches the truth must always work hard. After that, Hyang and Savonar continued their conversation for quite a long time. As the story went on, Savonar went beyond adoring the scent and began to worship it. The climax of the incident urred while having dinner together. Savonar kept his mouth shut when he saw the neat white dishes made of white porcin and organic materials, silver cutlery with in patterns, and food that was neat but far from shy. Ah the tableware used by people of our empire must be unfamiliar. I will order you to bring some utensils that you can use. Oh no! I have tried a lot of food from the Land of Flowers. Thanks to the butterfly effect created by the scent, the food of the empire spread considerably. In particr, as Florence and the Empire joined hands, restaurants selling imperial food were established in major cities and major streets of Florence, including Livorno. Thanks to that, the imperial spoon was not an unfamiliar dishware. What Im curious about is that the food and dishes your Majesty eats are very simple. Your Majesty, cant you always eat good food? In response to Savonars question, Hyang smiled and answered. Among the proverbs of the East, there is a saying called Sangjeo Jade Bae (). To put it simply, it means tableware made of ivory and vessels made of jewels, and one of the things a monarch must be most wary of is luxury. Lets exin it further When Hyang exined the meaning of Sangjeo Jade Bae further by giving an example, Savonar immediately shouted with a face full of joy. This is the truth! The truth that teaches the attitude a monarch should have! your majesty! Thank you so much! In this way, Savonar came to worship incense. * * * This is why Savonar became enraged as soon as words criticizing the city and the empire were uttered. When I met you, your majesty, you said this to me! As an empire is also a country, it is natural to prioritize interests. However, the benefit must satisfy both parties, not just one party. Satisfying only one party is extortion! Look at what France and the Spanish Habsburgs are doing now! If thats not extortion, what is! Most of those who objected to Savonars point remained silent. But Woooo! go away! Of course, there were those who steadfastly tried to argue against it. However, due to the boos and insultsing from all directions, they kept their mouths shut or quickly disappeared. Thanks to Savonars passionate and even fanatical campaign, the emunication issued by the Pope did not have much effect. Rather, it was used as a material to call for unity among Italians by questioning the origins of the Pope and the King of Naples, who originated in Spain. -Italians Italy! Hyang, who was looking at the reportsing from all over, became serious and sighed. Whoa~. Nationalism its a double-edged sword. Its starting to smell like fascism wow. Hyang sighed again and looked out the window. From what I understand, Savonars end didnt turn out so well, but it wont end well either. Tosagupin. Savonars influence among Italians in the Florence, Mn, and Genoa regions was bing stronger. Right now, we are making good use of that influence, but it was certain that it would be a problem if it grew any further. Savonars political style was too heterogeneous to share a stake in the politics of unified Italy. It should be seen as simr to Khomeini or IS. If you do something wrong, a situation may arise where the tail wags the body. They must be expelled at an appropriate time. The face of Hyang mentioning expulsion was not very good. This was because physical expulsion rather than simply political expulsion was the most likely. * * * Even in a situation where someones tragic end was decided, Florence, Mn, and Genoa were steadily training their troops. And information about this continued to flow into Venice. The situation in Venice, the st piece of Northern Italy, was not very good. Venice was divided into two groups, from the leadership to the poorest, resulting in extreme conflict. -The trend is integration! Rather, we should actively cooperate in integration! -no! Our Vian sovereignty and independence are more precious than anything else! We must cooperate with the Habsburgs and endure! The unification faction and the independence faction were in conflict without giving an inch. Its the Italy of the Italians! We are Vians! We must take the lead in unifying Italy! Only then will we have a future! Do you think unification will be easy? We have lived separately until now! We cannot give up our sovereignty! Look at the power they have! You just have to ask for cooperation from the Habsburgs! Are those who shout for independence open their hands to foreign powers? Itsnguage nonsense! Even if we open our hands to foreign powers, we cant bend down to them! Especially for Genoa! Its a matter of pride! When Genoa was mentioned, the integration faction also hesitated. This was because they also had no idea about Genoa. okay! Looking at the power they have, its clear that they wont be able to withstand it! But that doesnt mean you can curl your tail and crawl in! It is intolerable for our Venice to fall under Genoa! Even if we lose, we can solidify our position only if we take a good hit! Chapter 946 Episode 946: Battle of Corsica. (2) Even if we lose, we give a good blow. Afterwards, political stake is secured through negotiations. The integrationists unanimously expressed opposition to the idea of the independence faction. Nonsense! You have to have the power to demand a share! Do you think they would listen if I asked for a share after wasting my strength in a useless battle? The integrationists point was reasonable. But the independent faction did not retreat. What do you do when the power is strong? If you bow down here, you wont even get your moneys worth! I need to show you something powerful! Venice is powerful! Such an impression! Lets waste all our energy just because of that one impression? It would be much better to stage a sit-in war against the Habsburgs camped down there! Battle is the only answer! Only then can we secure Venices autonomy and sovereignty even after unification! Our proud Venice! We cant let our hometown be under the control of Florence, Mn and Genoa! Especially not in Genoa! How dare you beg for negotiations from those who were only paying attention because they lost to us! This is a disgrace! It should never happen! People from the integration factionmented the cries of the independence faction. That is madness, madness You are going to ruin everything because of your pride Unfortunately, most Vian citizens had simr thoughts as the independents. C Should we bow our heads to the misers of Florence and the losers of Genoa? This is absolutely uneptable! -We are citizens of great Venice! -No one can look down on us! -More than anything, I absolutely cannot stand looking at the Genoese bastards! In the end, it was Genoa that led Venices main ruling ss and citizens to make and support the irrational decision of post-war negotiations. * * * The Battle of Chioggia, which defeated Genoa in 1380, was Venices pride and everything. The victory in that battle brought about the fall of Genoa and firmly established it as a leading yer in the Mediterranean region. -No matter what anyone says, the Mediterranean is our Venice! However, this glory of Venice quickly disappeared after the full-scale intervention of incense. At some point, Florence began to emerge as a Mediterranean power, and as the Suez Passage became established, Venice continued to be pushed to the periphery. On the other hand, Genoa, which had been paying attention to the surrounding powers amidst the unstable political situation, was stretching itself again. This was thanks to the sessful investment made through connections with Spanish nobles. Venice was ufortable just because Florence was pushing out Venice, but Genoas revival was annoying. When the Medici of Florence were the first to step forward and call for the unification of Italy and to join in, most Vians, regardless of their status, became outraged and took action. -unity? Its good! But the protagonist of that unification must be Venice! Not that Florence miser! Amid such social sympathy, news of Genoas defeat came to Venice, which was making its own preparations. ha ha ha! Those Genoese losers have lost again! A loser is just a loser! Its a festival! However, the rumors that soon reached Venice, which was rejoicing over Genoas defeat, were enough to turn their joy into anger. -The Genoese are flocking to the army! -Its for the unification of Northern Italy! The only ce left in Northern Italy is Venice, right? These! In the end, the old grudge against Genoa had blown away the Vians reason. * * * This Vian movement was sent to Florence by spies nted by the Medici family. Hyang, who was analyzing the report with Lorenzo de Medici, made a bewildered expression. What the hell! Venices choice now was simple. -If I hit you with a nice punch, youll be scared and negotiate, right? Then there are more than one failed country, so they choose this? ah! Its a long time ago now than their time, right? Hyang, who was grumbling internally, looked back at Lorenzo and the others. If it were Venice, they would take good care of their military power and use it as a bargaining chip, but they are wasting this precious military power in battle? I dont understand. The director can exin that part. Piero Corleone, who was sitting on one side, came forward at the scents words. He rose from a mercenary condottieri unit in charge of the defense of Florence C Medici, to be precise C to a keymander of the Florentine army. Because he was a clown with proven experience and abilities, people looked at him with a serious face. Pierrot calmed his voice and got straight to the point. To sum it up, the Vian army is still mainlyprised of mercenaries. No sooner had Pierrot finished speaking than the fragrance spoke. Does that mean that even if a significant loss of power is lost, it can be restored immediately? Thats right. The loss of power to the army is recoverable until the Vian coffers are empty. But it takes time to train new recruits Ah! They were mercenaries. Thats right. Although it is said that strengthening the standing army is the trend these days, the center of the Vian armys power is still mercenaries. And if its only a matter of time, Habsburg forces are stationed around Venice. We will use them. I see Then, if we want to force negotiations by causing serious damage to Venices power, we will have to do our best to prepare. Thats right. And we must neutralize Venices navy before its army. Navy? yes. The Navy focuses on citizens rather than mercenaries. Hoo Hyang and Lorenzos eyes lit up at Pierrots exnation. Navy As Hyang muttered with his eyes shining, the Imperial Navymanders shook their butts. There was no one who was as desperate for a naval battle as they were. Im sick ofnd bombardment now! I want to go out to sea! I want to tear through the enemy fleet and cut the enemy ships to pieces with artillery! sea fight! sea fight! Definitely a naval battle! Since naval battles were the best way to prove their worth, navalmanders looked at the scent with earnest expressions. Hyang and Lorenzo looked at the map and talked, whether they knew their feelings or not. Thanks to Portugal joining us, the French navy is unable to move properly, and what is left is Spain What are the chances that France and Spain will attack Portugal together? It may not be surprisingly high. To subdue the Portuguese navy, you have to be prepared to suffer significant losses, and neither country wants to suffer such losses. A persons greed or is it selfishness? Hyang muttered with a bitter smile. However, it was not impossible to understand that the two countries were trying to protect themselves. * * * Raising proper sailors was as time-consuming as creating a proper army. For every ship lost, 200 to 300 such skilled sailors were lost. No, thetestrge battleships had to carry at least 500 people to properly fight. And the losses suffered in the process of suppressing the Portuguese navy were not the equivalent of one or two battleships. Therefore, both France and Spain were hesitating and only observing each others thoughts. -We need to take down Portugal, but I dont want to take the first step. Cant you go first? It is difficult for France to put in all its effort because Ennd is holding on. If Spain takes the lead, we will follow immediately. We, Spain, are not in a position to afford anything. We have to supply supplies to the Kingdom of Naples and keep the imperial navy in check in Genoa and Livorno. Ennd is quiet these days, so I think its best for France to take the lead. These were two countries that had each others backs, making usible excuses. Portugal, just around the corner, was a problem, but the empire standing behind it was an even bigger problem. And whether they won or lost, the biggest problem was thepetition to advance into new territories, which was certain to ur after the war. In order to gain an advantage over thepetition, it was necessary to have well-built ships and many skilled sailors. Thats why, rather than taking the first step, they were pushing each others backs. * * * I cannot help but be amazed every time I see the n you used to tie down the Spanish and French navies with a single map. Thats too much praise. Although Hyang was humbled by Lorenzos praise, he couldnt take his eyes off the map. It seems like we can move the assault ships and other battleships appropriately, but the Kingdom of Naples is giving us trouble. There were currently two routes through which supplies were delivered to the imperial forces stationed in Italy. One was to cross the Great East (now the Antic Ocean) from Shinji, and the other was to use the Suez route. Due to problems with production capacity and distance, approximately 70% of the supplies needed by the Imperial and Allied forces came via the Suez Corridor. This is where the Kingdom of Naples encountered difficulties. The route from Prince Henrys port to Livorno passed between the Kingdom of Naples and Sicily. Nothing much happened because the Imperial Navy escort fleet was now moving along with the transport fleet. However, if the forces were dispersed for offensive operations, there could be people who made dangerous attempts. Even if something like that happens, our Navy will definitely win! The Imperial Navymanders assured victory, but Hyang couldnt shake off the anxiety brought on by the word what if. -If even one or two transport ships are lost, soldiers will worry about supply and their morale will drop. -And enemies who see this will target the transport route even more persistently. -To prevent this, we must also deploy more battleships to escort. But then Livorno and Genoa may be attacked. -The best thing is to increase the size of the fleet. However, it is difficult for Shinji to withdraw any more power due to problems with the sea defenses. This takes too long because we have to bypass Africa. Whoa~. Hyang sighed softly, looked at the map, and muttered. Its the Vian Navy Is there any way to use it? At the same time, naval staff in France and Spain were also thinking simr thoughts. How about using the Vian Navy? If possible, the Habsburgs should also be included. Is that a good idea? Then lets move right away! After hearing the naval n, the monarchs of France and Spain immediately gave permission, and envoys from both countries rushed to Vienna and Venice. Isnt Venices naval power the strongest in the Mediterranean? Let Venice be the main force of the alliance fleet! Not even the Habsburgs need the sea! This time, dont just pay attention ande forward! Chapter 947 Episode 947: Battle of Corsica. (3) The Vian leaders, who heard the story through French and Spanish messengers, were intrigued. Hoo? This might be good in its own right Although it faded with the advent of the empire, Venices navy was renowned as the strongest force in the Mediterranean. Likewise, although it was overshadowed by the emergence of the Empire, it was one of the pioneers who attempted to mount cannons on battleships. Historically, they foughtrge and small naval battles against Genoa and continued to gain practical experience against pirates in the Mediterranean region. The Land of Flowers ships are powerful, but if you use the terrain and numbers well, there is a surprising possibility. yes. And as you can see from the cases of Pavia and Alexandria, ground battles must be avoided. Especially going on the offensive is a no-no. You cant lose the initiative in negotiations. These were Venices independent factions who still did not give up hope for first-bread-and-then-negotiations. Then it would be best to ept the French-Spanish guys offer as long as a few prerequisites are met. What would be better? The prerequisites that came out after discussion between the independent factions were as follows. -France and Spain will also mobilize all avable naval power. We already know the naval capabilities of the two countries well, so dont try to deceive us. The same goes for the Habsburgs. -Themanding authority of thebined fleet is exercised by Venice. France and Spain may know the Antic Ocean well, but we know the Mediterranean Sea better. The independence faction, which organized the requirements in this way, showed them to the integration faction. What do you think? Although they were politically conflicting, the unificationists were also Vian nobles. Without their cooperation, maintaining the Vian navy would be very difficult. The integrationists, who had carefully examined the requirements written by the independent factions, soon nodded. You look okay. Lets move forward like this. Good. Then lets focus on defense first in the ground war. Do you agree? I agree. Things progressed smoothly as both sides made small concessions to each other. * * * Venice conveyed its demands to French and Spanish envoys. At the same time, they sent a messenger to Vienna to convey their demands. Insolent The first reaction of the monarchs who received Venices requirements was insolent. Although it was an economic powerhouse along with Florence and Mn, it was still only a city-state. A country so small that it would be too much to call it a small country was telling it to follow its lead. The problem was that it was very difficult to abandon Venice. Since they had already suffered fatal defeats at Pavia and Alexandra, they had to avenge this. If the news of victory was not announced through a revenge war, the power of the monarchs would be seriously damaged. But again, it wasnt a good idea to do arge-scale rotation on the ground. This was because the powerful power of the Empire-Florence alliance was confirmed through two battles. In order to win the battle, we need more troops and weapons than we have now. More time and budget were needed until the preparations werepleted. And to secure this, the peoplesbor and wealth were needed. The problem was that if exploitation was unconditional, the number of dissatisfied people would increase more quickly than expected, which would soon weaken the monarchs power. In the end, the monarchs, who were worried over and over again, gave orders to their subjects. It may be arrogant, but they have a point. Coordinate it. Yes, Your Majesty. Although time is running out, remember not to make too many concessions. Ill keep that in mind. * * * In this way, the three axis countries of the alliance and the Vian diplomats and naval admirals engaged in a fierce war of words. However, since both parties were well aware that there was no time to spare, they did not usemon techniques such as deliberately procrastinating the meeting. Thanks to this, their coordination took only a historically short period of time, just five days. Afterpleting the coordination, the result was as follows. -France, Spain and Habsburg agree to mobilize all avable naval power. -Thebined fleet ismanded by coordinating the opinions of each countrys navalmanders. -However, since the area where the naval battle takes ce is the Mediterranean Sea, the opinion of the Vian navalmander is respected and considered greatly. And the navalmanders of each country, especially the captains, who saw this agreement, all had gloomy expressions. Quick on-the-spot judgment was overlooked. Because of the special nature of naval warfare and battleships, battleship captains were very independent. Even so, it was the suprememanders responsibility to draw the big picture. Middlemanders and captains moved within that framework in their own way. However, if you look at the agreement, there were four suprememanders of thebined fleet. It was a structure that could never produce good results. This is unsettling * * * It wasnt just the captains who were anxious. The topmanders of each countrys fleets were equally anxious. In the end, a horn fight broke out, and the final winner was Venice. -You may know the Antic Ocean well, but I know the Mediterranean Sea best! -fire power? Dont you know our Vian Gallius? Among the navies gathered, the most powerful battleship was the Gallius, owned by Venice. There were as many as 8 ships. In the end, the topmanders of the three-axis navy had to respect the Vianmander and listen to his opinions. The strategy that came about after listening to his opinions was as follows. -The French Navy breaks through Portugals check and passes through Gibraltar to join. -To help the French Navy pass through Gibraltar, the Spanish Navy attracts the attention of the Portuguese Navy. -The French Navy, after passing Gibraltar, rests and undergoes maintenance in Barcelona. -Once France passes Gibraltar, the main fleet of the Spanish Navy moves to Naples, rests and maintains in Naples, and waits for the Vian and Habsburg navies to join. -The Vian and Habsburg fleets bypass Sicily and head toward Naples. -After finishing rest and maintenance in Naples, thebined fleet of Venice, Spain, and Habsburg heads north to the Tyrrhenian Sea. -From now on, the fleet departing from Naples will be designated as the 1st Fleet, and the fleet departing from Barcelona will be designated as the 2nd Fleet. -The target of the 1st Fleet heading north is Corsica. -2nd Fleet also joins from Corsica. -1st Fleet blocks the sea route between Corsica and Tuscany. -The Imperial Fleet will sortie to unblock the 1st Fleet. -While the 1st Fleet and the Imperial Fleet sh, the 2nd Fleet bypasses the ind of Corsica and raids the rear of the Imperial Fleet. Hmm The 1st Fleet bes the anvil and the 2nd Fleet bes the hammer? exactly. A French naval admiral who was looking at a map pointed out a ce on the map. Wouldnt it be a problem if the Imperial Navy diverted through the small waterway between Tuscany and Fiorentina? The canal is less than 3 leagues (about 12.6 km) wide. And there are reefs in between. It is impossible forrge wires to pass quickly. And if necessary, you can ce a few wires to block it. In response to the Vian naval admirals answer, the French naval admiral nodded and closed his mouth. After that, the Spanish Navy Admiral spoke. The problem is that Corsica belongs to Genoa. How about fighting near Naples instead? The navy of the Kingdom of Naples is also useful. You mean to fight in that wide Tyrrhenian Sea? Have you forgotten how fast those Imperial ships can move? We must not forget that the speed of the imperial ships is their most powerful weapon. . The Vian naval admiral silenced the Spanish admiral and exined in detail once again. The reason the strait between Corsica and Tuscany was set up as a battlefield was to tie up the imperial navy. It is also to prevent the imperial navy from using its cannons properly -If many battleships are concentrated in the narrow strait between Corsica and Tuscany, the imperial battleships will not be able to use their unique mobility. -Also, as many battleships gather together, problems arise where their firing lines ovep. What this means is that the Empire cant use that damn cannon properly. -In the end, the firepower of both sides bes simr. -There, the 2nd Fleet will take on the role of hammer. But can you be sure that if we go that way, they wille that way too? Cant they bypass it just like our 2nd Fleet can bypass it? The Vian Navy Admiral responded to the Habsburg Navy Admirals point with a confident expression. They have no choice but toe. Detour? Then we can go straight to Livorno. Considering the number of battleships they have, Livornos defenses will be greatly weakened. aha! Many admirals expressed exmation at the words of the Vian Navy admiral. Meanwhile, there were still some admirals who were very worried. But Im worried about the imperial cannons. They have firepower, but arent they the ones who carry so much that its so hard to grind your teeth? Even if it bes such a tangled battle that we cant use it properly, wouldnt we still be able to use a lot of numbers? Our navys Gallius also has many cannons. Of course, the Empires cannons are powerful. However, if a melee with shells exchanged right in front of us urs, our cannons will also show considerable power. But arent Imperial battleships famous for their sturdiness? Arent those ships made by the Empires headquarters? Arent the imperial ships currently in Livorno the ones built in that ce called Shinji and Prince Henrys Port? I dont know how strong the trees in Shinji are, but dont we know the defensive power of the ships built in Prince Henrys Port? Hmm Hearing the Vian Navy Admirals words, the other Navy Admirals did the math again. -The main numerical force of the Imperial Navy currently stationed in Livorno are ships made in Prince Henrys Port. -Those ships can be easily defeated in a melee situation. -If the battleships that are the main force in numbers disappear, all that remain are battleships from Shinji. If you use your quantitative superiority, the probability of defeating them will gradually increase. As that conclusion was reached, the gathered naval admirals began to smile. If the Vian admirals n had worked out correctly and they were trapped in that narrow strait and a melee broke out, the game would have been a close one. It was well known that the Imperial Navy was extremely averse to melee. To paraphrase this, it means that the Imperial Navy was vulnerable to melee. On the contrary, melee and hand-to-handbat were their strengths. If you do this well It was an opportunity to give a big blow to the imperial navy that had been showing off in front of them. Of course, if I encountered a real regr fleet of the Imperial Navy in the ocean, I would have to run away, but the exhration of getting a shot in the arm wouldst a long time. Chapter 948 Episode 948: Battle of Corsica. (4) Things seemed to be going smoothly as the n proposed by the Vian naval admiral was passed. But time was the problem. It takes a lot of time to maintain the fleets battleships. The other naval admirals all nodded at the French naval admirals words. Each time they set sail and returned, battleships had to undergo maintenance. The same was true for the battleships staying in port. We had to look at the condition of the wood that made up the hull, find the wood that needed recement, and rece it. It wasnt just wood. I had to check the condition of the artillery and gunpowder and change everything that needed to be changed. This was all time consuming. Both ship lumber and gunpowder required careful storage and were expensive. As a result, these materials, especially gunpowder, were always in short supply. In other words, it would take a considerable amount of time to supply the necessary amount of gunpowder to the ships that would be used in this operation. If you think about gunpowder, I cant be that envious of the Imperial Navy. The other admirals all nodded at the French Navy admirals words. * * * The method of obtaining saltpeter, the most necessary and important material for making gunpowder, was simr in both the East and the West. Because of this, Europe also had to go through a difficult time finding saltpeter. This was also the case in Joseon. No, Joseon was at the level of neurosis. Joseon was able to escape from this neurosis only when it was able to freely obtain saltpeter from India through the intervention of Hyang. Of course, it cost a lot of money, butpared to the times when I couldnt get it even if I had money, it couldnt have been better. And by breaking free from the shackles of this cornerstone, Joseon was able to be an empire. Later, as the road to India was opened through Suez, Europe also became aware of the foundation of the Bengal Sultanate. However, unlike history before the intervention of incense, Europe could only obtain saltpeter by paying the right price. This was also a big problem for Europe, which had less economic power than the East. Of course,pared to before, it is now easier to obtain it inrge quantities, but it is still expensive. In the end, Europe had to suffer from a chronic gunpowder inventory shortage. On the other hand, the empire that discovered the cornerstone of India as well as guano mines in Sinji was able to maintain an army more familiar with gunpowder weapons than anyone else. * * * No sooner had the French admiral finishedining than the Spanish admiral continued hisint. The time it takes to maintain the fleet is a problem, but the imperial fleeting from the west is also a problem. The imperial fleet stationed in Shinji regrly sent supply fleets. And this part dyed the start of the operation once again. There was a subtle ovep between the expectedpletion of fleet maintenance and the arrival of the Empires supply fleet in Italy. The imperial fleet currently stationed in Italy was a very difficult situation. But additionally, fighting at the point where the battleships are staying? It was crazy. In the end, it was two and a half monthster that thebined fleet of France, Spain, and Venice began operations. The question is whether we can keep the soldiers on edge until then. Im sure as the tension eases, there will be people who talk carelessly. Although not as strict as the imperial army that was disciplined by the intervention of the Hyang, European soldiers were also well aware of the military discipline of confidentiality. However, the problem was that it was not observed well. Especially in the case of the army, where mercenaries were the main force, military discipline was almost ineffective. This was because it was not umon for mercenaries who wanted to make more money morefortably, more safely, and tomunicate with mercenaries belonging to the enemy army C a type of match-fixing. Fortunately, in the case of the Navy, thanks to the sailors strong work ethic, it did not reach that level, but it was still veryx. It was because of his drinking and bravado. Whoa~. The French naval admiral let out a long sigh and shook his head. Isnt the biggest problem that our enemies are not limited to Livorno? At those words, the French and Spanish naval admirals present nodded their heads loudly. The strongest enemy is behind us. The powerful enemies in the rear they spoke of were their king and the nobles of the court. -The Army is struggling and shedding blood in Italy, so what is the Navy doing? -What are those battleships that the Navy boasts about? Is this something that admirals use when boating? These criticisms were heard every day in the royal pce and in the banquet halls of nobles. Among the admirals who were tired of these criticisms, some suggested taking action immediately, but soon withdrew their opinions. This was because it was a sure defeat for what was happening now. Then, it was obvious that he would receive even greater criticism. I cant help it. For now, I can only endure it. * * * Two and a half monthster, Portugal. There was a heavy atmosphere in the Portuguese naval headquarters located in Lisbon. Why are the Spanish doing this? Not long ago, or to be more precise, after the Imperial Navys supply fleet passed through the Strait of Gibraltar and disappeared westward. Arge Spanish fleet began stationing at Cdiz, and its number continued to increase. Cdiz was not alone. The Spanish fleet stationed in Algeciras, located across from Ceuta, was also growing in size. Because of this, the Portuguese navy was very nervous. The main fleet of the Portuguese Navy was currently stationed in Lisbon and Ceuta. Lisbon was in charge of defending the French side, and Ceuta was in charge of the Strait of Gibraltar and North Africa. The problem was that Spain stationedrge fleets in Algeciras and Cadiz at the same time. If it werent for Algeciras, all you had to do was monitor Cadiz from Ceuta. However, as the size of the Spanish naval fleet in Algeciras grew, the Portuguese navy in Ceuta could not pay attention to Cadiz. If this happens, the fleet in Lisbon will have to worry about Cadiz If that happens, France is in trouble. The Portuguese navalmander and staff were troubled by theck of answers. * * * Portugal dered an alliance with the empire and war broke out, but it was still in a desperate situation with France. This was because the French naval fleet did not enter the coastal waters of Portugal, especially Lisbon, or attack Portuguese warships. Thanks to this, the Portuguese navy also responded politely and peacefully to the French navy. Whenever the French naval fleet approached to pass through the Strait of Gibraltar, Portugal sent out a fleet to block the passage and sent messengers. -This sea route is blocked, so please go back. The Portuguese Navy was evaluated as I dont know the army, but I recognize the navy. This warning worked well. Of course, the Spanish Navys response was different. Whether it was Spain or Portugal, it wasmon practice for them to fire their cannons without question as long as they were within range of each others cannons. * * * It is an unchanging fact that Portugal, while joining hands with the empire, is in a hostile rtionship with France. No matter how friendly France appears, we must not forget this. Hmm. While the Portuguese Naval Command in Lisbon was struggling to find an answer, a scout ship that had gone out for reconnaissance in the direction of Nantes returned to Lisbon in a hurry. Its urgent! The French Navys great fleet has appeared! Great fleet? The scale! The scout ship captain answered themanders question with a white face. About 80 ships! Among them, there are about 60 three-masted warships! Emergency call! yep! After a while, Lisbons military port began to be noisy. Ignoring themotioning from outside, themander and staff frantically analyzed the situation. With three masts, these are the newly adopted battleships from France these days, right? Thats right. ording to what is known, about 40 cannons are mounted on the second-floor gun deck. Sixty ships is almost all of the French Navy. Hmm Themander, who was looking at the map while listening to the staffs exnation, made a decision. I guess I should report this to His Majesty. Its war. The staff responded to themanders decision with somber faces. yep. I will gather the captains. I will devise the best strategy. I will only trust you. I will go to the pce ande back. Themander, who was sitting alone in the carriage heading to the royal pce and looking out the window, smiled bitterly and muttered softly. You really bought an expensive map * * * While the Commander-in-Chief of the Portuguese Navy was reporting a report on the French Navy to King Joao II, his staff desperately brainstormed a n. Even if we say it is desperate it is at the level of basic tactics The strategy set up by the staff was simple. -The entire fleet stationed in Lisbon is dispatched, leaving only the minimum strength for the defense of Lisbon. -The fleet is ambushed between Sagres and Lagos. -The moment the French fleet bypasses Cape Sagres, the end of Europe, the fleet sorties and blocks the French fleet. -If the French fleet attempts to break through the blockade, force will be used immediately. While the appropriate disposition of the fleet for this purpose was being discussed, another dispatch arrived in Lisbon. -Spanish fleet sails from Cadiz! -The course is west! Is this a concerted attack? Its a concerted attack! The staff members, who judged that France and Spain were nning a joint attack against Portugal, turned white. We have to reorganize the entire strategy from scratch! * * * Its a joint attack Themander nodded after receiving the staffs report. There is a possibility. So whats the n? All battleships of the fleet stationed in Lisbon will do their best to defend Lisbon. Its simple and clear. But arent we so weak that theres nothing we can do? The problem is that half the power is in Ceuta. Still, I dont like it. How is being locked up like this any different from a prisoner? What sin have wemitted? But it is impossible to deal with the French and Spanish pincer attack with the Lisbon fleet alone. I dont like it Themander, who was looking at the map with an expression of disapproval, suddenly had a thought cross his mind. wait? Just hold still Yes? Who is the biggest enemy of France and Spain now? Are we Portugal or an empire? Its an empire? But we are losing precious military power just to deal with Portugal? Do you think its stupid? If you overpower us, you can stop Gibraltar. You want to block Gibraltar against the Imperial fleet? joy! Themander snorted lightly and continued. And even if Gibraltar is blocked, as long as Suez and Livorno remain intact hold on! Is this it! After saying those words, themander closed his mouth and red at the map. Like a stone statue, a mysterious smile began to appear on themanders face after he had been silent for a long time. Chapter 949 Episode 949: Battle of Corsica (5) Is it really Portugal that the French and Spanish will attack and overthrow? Yes? Commander, what do you mean by that? The staff looked at themander with puzzled faces. Admiral Ricardo, Commander-in-Chief of the Portuguese Navy, had an even more sinister smile on his face. Admiral Ricardo, with a fishy smile that gave off a strong bloody smell, asked his staff again. Which is more threatening, the imperial fleet in Livorno or our Portuguese fleet? The staff immediately answered Admiral Ricardos question. Of course the Imperial fleet is more threatening. By any chance has themander judged that the French and Spanish fleets are using a deception tactic? Admiral Ricardo nodded to the question posed by this sharp-witted member of the staff. Another staff member objected to that appearance. No matter how France and Spain attack together, considering the strength of the imperial fleet in Liverno, they will have to suffer very fatal losses. It would be more reasonable to suppress our Portuguese fleet and then block the Strait of Gibraltar. Thats reasonable Is the only route for the Empires supply ships now to pass through Gibraltar? No. There is also the Suez passage. Still, do we have to block Gibraltar? Will it really have a significant effect? .. But considering the firepower of the Empires ships, I think that Spain and France alone are close. In particr, no one yet knows the power of the irond ships that the Empire calls assault return ships. If we look at the deployment of one more ship following the first two To summarize the ships logic, it was as follows. -The Imperial Army, regardless of whether it is the Army or Navy, ces importance on firepower and survivability. -Currently, one additional ship is deployed in Livorno in addition to the first two assault return ships. -This means that the center of the Empires naval power is the assault return ship. In other words, the firepower of the assault return ship is stronger than expected. .Even the French and Spanish would expect this, unless they are idiots. It was a logical rebuttal, but Ricardo also had his own basis. -There are not only Spanish and French navies in the Mediterranean. There are also Vians and Habsburgs. In particr, Venices naval power is quite powerful. -One of the navies that knows the Mediterranean region best is the Vian Navy. If it is a battle in the Mediterranean region rather than an ocean battle, those who know the terrain well will have an advantage. -I admit that the assault return will be stronger than expected. However, it is impossible to handle both clearing and supply by assault return ship alone. If the apanying fleet suffers serious damage, the imperial army will have serious supply problems. .. Therefore, we judged that the current movements of France and Spain were a deception. While our Portuguese navy was stuck in the port and just watching, the French navy passed through the Strait of Gibraltar and entered the Mediterranean Sea. Afterwards, it allied with the Vian Habsburgs. . Strike the imperial fleet. If we move only then, it will already be toote. We must move now. At Admiral Ricardosst words, the staff sensed that the admiral had already made up his mind. If you are going to move right now, are you in the French Navy? No, they are all enemies of us and the Empire. For this, we are tricked. Admiral Ricardo exins his nned operation to his staff. -First of all, there is no movement in and around the ports of Lisbon and Ceuta, as if they had been deceived by France and Spains deception. -As soon as the passage of the French and Spanish fleets is confirmed, they immediately set sail and chase after them. -When the French and Spanish gangs enter into battle with the Empire, they attack the French and Spanish gangs. Hmm After hearing Admiral Ricardos n, the staff all looked embarrassed. It would be easier to walk a tightrope in an ocean full of sharks. The operation the admiral had just conceived was one of a very grandiose scale. It was an enemy battle that required extreme delicacy. It was not easy to hide in and around the ports of Lisbon and Ceuta and then pursue the French and Spanish. If they were in too much of a hurry and France and Spain noticed, they would immediately turn their ships around and try to deal with the Portuguese Navy first. However, if we started toote, we would not be able to enter the battlefield in time. It is not an easy operation. Admiral Ricardo maintained a resolute stance in response to the senior staff membersints. Its a gamble with huge stakes, but did you think it would be easy? And I dont think our Portuguese navy is so messed up that it cant do anything like this. The staff all gritted their teeth at Admiral Ricardos words. I will definitely make it a sess! ording to Admiral Ricardos assurances, all responsibility for the failure of the operation would fall on the staff. This operation had to seed in order for them to survive. We dont have much time. I want to hear whats sorted by tomorrow afternoon. .I will do that. Theres a saying going around that the ranks of the Imperial Army are gangsters, right? Either there or here * * * Hmm. Its okay. Ill report it to His Majesty and get approval. Admiral Ricardo, satisfied with the operation that his staff worked hard toplete, headed to the royal pce with the n in hand. If this operation is sessful, what benefit will Portugal gain? Most of thend in Iberia will belong to Spain, but the sea will belong to us, Portugal. ..Enemy war is permitted. Bring victory to me. I will risk my life to make it happen! With the approval of King Joao II, the Portuguese navy was busy. First, all Portuguese merchant ships in Lisbon harbor were conscripted into the navy. Next, naval officers searched houses in the port and arrested smuggling merchants. From now on, your job is simple! Go back and forth between Ceuta and Livorno, avoiding the eyes of the French and Spanish! Then search the surrounding area and destroy the French and Spanish scout ships! If you perform well, you will receive not only a pardon but also a prize. That is equal to the number of enemy ships you have sunk and the number of missions you havepleted! If you refuse, I will hang you from the mast! At the crossroads of death or gold, the smuggling merchants chose gold. This became an excellent choice for the Portuguese Navy. Most smuggling merchants had their own ships. Although their ships were small, their speed was outstanding. Since he also did piracy as a sideline, he was carrying appropriate armament. Lastly, there were few people who knew the surrounding routes as well as these people. They were able to travel in and out of the Mediterranean Sea without the eyes of the French and Spanish navies. The Portuguese Navy loaded additional weapons on the ships of these smuggling merchants and put them into operation. Officers and soldiers from the Portuguese Navy were also brought on board to operate the additional armament. Its duties were to monitor battles and trades, and to record exploits. As smuggling merchant ships went into operation in earnest, the sea west of the entrance to Gibraltar became stained with blood. The French and Spanish fleets were also deploying small ships for reconnaissance. The closer we got to Gibraltar, the more frequently we encountered Portuguese, French and Spanish scout ships. The scout ships encountered in this way, especially the Portuguese scout ships, rushed at the enemy ship like sharks that had caught their prey. Its delicious food! Kill it! Oooh! Portuguese scout ships persistently stuck to the enemy in hopes of receiving amnesty and money. French and Spanish scout ships also responded desperately. pop! Puff! bang! Tatang! Cuckoo! Were stuck! Lets move on! Kill them all! The ships that approached each other fired small-diameter cannons and long guns like crazy. Then, at some point, when the two ships came together, the sailors on both sides went over to the other ship with all kinds of weapons, including swords and rifles, and engaged in hand-to-handbat. * * * While the sea at the entrance to Gibraltar was stained with blood, a Portuguese ship arrived in Livorno. Captain Thief. This is an urgent report from Portugal. Son Il-won frowned after opening the document brought by his adjutant. Its hard to read this damn Western cursive Thanks to the nature of the imperial navy, which was frequently stationed overseas, Latin was essential for officers above a certain rank. Thanks to this, most of the piers were able tomunicate in Latin. This was because the cursive handwriting, which had a lot of ir unique to Europeans C nicknamed Western Chaucer C was difficult to recognize. In particr, the higher ones social status and knowledge, the more extravagant the cursive writing style became. In the end, the Imperial Navy made an extraordinary decision. -Foreign official documents sent to the Imperial Navy will only be epted if they are written in a clear voice! If youin, send it to the Ministry of Defense! And the Ministry of National Defense handed it over to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But you sent it in Latin? Either way. Either it was to cause trouble or it was really urgent. In the current situation, the former is crazy and thetter is Son Il-won, who was muttering with a serious face, immediately An interpreter was called and entrusted with tranting the document. After a while, Son Il-won, who received the tranted copy, frowned even more. A joint fleet of France and Spain? There is a high possibility that Venice and Habsburg will join it? Hmm Son Il-won, who was ring at the document, ordered his adjutant. Write a copy and send it to Marshal Dow as soon as possible, and then summon the staff. Captain. * * * A little whileter, in the conference room where the staff gathered, Son Il-won informed them of the contents of the document sent by Portugal and held it out. While the staff with serious expressions were taking turns reading the document, Son Il-won opened his mouth. Considering the date and time the document was written and the time it took for the document to arrive, thebined fleet of Spain and France would have already entered the Mediterranean Sea. Under normal fleet operations, they would first have stopped at a nearby military port for rest and maintenance. Nodding their heads at Son Il-wons words, the staff did the math. If Venice and Habsburg join forces as Portugal expects It looks like it will be in 15 days at the earliest. Fifteen dayster would be a good time to go to bed. Then, where do you expect them to use as a battlefield? In response to Son Il-wons question, the staff all looked at the map hanging on the wall. If you think about the size of the friendly fleet and the size of the enemy fleet For arge-scale fleet to engage in battle, a veryrge space is needed The staff who were analyzing various reasons soon turned to this. A ce was pointed out in the same direction. Its the Sea of Tyrea between Sardinia and Naples. This is the perfect ce forrge fleets to engage in battle. Son In-won nodded in response to the staffs answers. Its reasonable. Then At that moment, Son Il-won suddenly stopped, with goosebumps appearing on his back. wait for a sec! The prenatal situation is so smooth? Nonsense! It was Son Il-won who felt as if the sound of incense clicking his tongue was ringing in his ears. C Whenever His Majesty Tae Sang-tae is nearby, always exercise caution. If you are even a little bit negligent in your precautions, all sorts of things will happen. -When His Majesty Tae Sang-tae is nearby, even normally stupid enemies be smarter. Chapter 950 Episode 950: Battle of Corsica (6) Of course, the word nearby did not mean physical distance. Huh? Will it actually move like this? Operations that showed even the slightest interest C most of which were negative C inevitably ended in unexpected difficulties due to unexpected enemy control. Thanks to that, that kind of word started to spread. It wasnt just in practice. Hyang, who was evaluated as a crazy nerd, mobilized all his virtuosity to create War Game. The war game named Myosan (R) from Sun Tzus The Art of War was immediately introduced into the military officers curriculum. Next, the township issued an order disguised as a rmendation to use this not only in the training process but also in the process of nning actual operations to anticipate possibilities. The militarys response to this was not bad. There is also the practice of silent silence And in times of peace, there were many cases where the county directly participated in war games. From Hyangs perspective, it was an analog RTS game in which people yed instead ofputers. It was semi-entertainment for Hyang, but the other party felt like death. -Even if you win, if you lose, youll have a hard time! If he won against Hyang, there was a high possibility that he would be criticized or ndered, saying, I took victory from the emperor. On the other hand, if he lost, he criticized him harshly, saying, Isnt the military officers qualificationscking? We should think about His Majestys military talent! Even when I protested like this, the response I received was criticism. Still, a military officer who only studies military tactics all year long shouldnt lose! Dont make excuses! There were various war games that Hyang attended. There were many small-scale actions carried out by the Army and Navy, and manyrge-scale actions conducted with neighboring countries as virtual enemies. And Yang, who attendedrge-scale war games, always yed as an enemy of the empire. And in most cases, scent won. In the discussions that followed while analyzing the results, Hyang always said this. Keep in mind that the enemy also knows your strengths and weaknesses! And dont forget that the enemy is also getting stronger! Dont assume that the enemy will always do what we think! All the generals present responded with one voice to Hyangs words. I will keep this in mind! Looking at that scene, Hyang muttered to herself. I heard that the general who told me not to make prejudicial decisions wasted his promotion, right? After World War I, Japans greatest enemy became the United States. At the time, the Japanese Navy frequently engaged in war games against the United States. At that time, the general of the Japanese Navy, who yed the role of the United States, won game after game. The way he won was simple. It was a thorough reversal of the fleet battle and gradual interception that the Japanese Navy had blind faith in at the time C in other words, it was a proper understanding of Americas capabilities and use. At the time, the general responded to his colleagues who called him a coward. Forget the idea that the U.S. military will act the way we think! After that, the general could not go any higher. And the Japanese Navy, unable to abandon fleet battle and decreasing interception, epted an even more disastrous result. * * * Son Il-won, who had experienced being attacked by Hyang several times, looked at the map and thought again from the beginning. -The size of the enemys fleet is veryrge. -For a fleet like that to properly operate, a wide sea area is needed. -The strength of our navys battleships is that they have stronger performance than theirs. Firepower, defense, and mobility are all superior. -If it were such a wide sea area, we would rather wee it. wait! They probably dont know this either, right? Son Il-won began to think the opposite, as he had learned from Hyang. -If I were the enemy, I would try to neutralize even one of the empires strengths. That way, the probability of winning increases. -Among firepower, defense, and mobility, the easiest to neutralize is mobility. To tie up our fleet Son Il-won, who was looking at the map with a devouring expression, stopped at Corsica. In that ce By blocking the strait between Corsica and the Tuscan Inds with arge fleet, the imperial fleet could be tied up. Of course, if it was a return line, there was no problem in breaking through. Challenger-level front lines would also struggle, but breakthrough would be possible. The problem was the escort fleet of the transport fleet traveling between Suez and Livorno and the battleships of the Florentine Navy. The qualitative main force of the current fleet was the assault return ships and challenger-ss ships sent from Shinji, but the numerical main force was the escort fleet and the fleet of the Florentine Navy. In the case of the escort fleet, its mobility and defense, excluding firepower, were on par with European ships, and the Florentine fleet was exactly the same. It was certain that if the escort fleet and the Florentine fleet were stranded by the enemy fleet in the strait and became involved in a melee, they would suffer serious damage. If the escort fleet and the Florentine fleet suffered serious damage, supply routes would be problematic. The powerful firepower that our imperial army is proud of is only possible if proper supply is maintained. Then Its not Tyrrhenia. The enemys destination is Corsica. The strait between Corsica and the Tuscan Inds. The staff members all looked like they did not understand Son Il-wons conclusion. Do you mean Corsica? The strait is too narrow for arge fleet to engage in maneuver warfare. All the battleships that are going in will be tangled up and stranded. Son Il-won immediately responded to the aides point out, Arent we also stranded? Despite Son Il-wons exnation that followed, the aides still looked skeptical. They said that. Can they use a certain level of cunning? These are the people who insist on chivalry or something, but insist on a head-on collision to the point of stupidity. Are you that smart? Tsk! In response to the staffs disbelief-filled response, Son Il-Won clicked his tongue without realizing it, and the staff became astonished. Son Il-Won asked the staff with a pitiful expression. Before making a grave decision, I always What were you shouting? The enemy doesnt move as we think ah! The staff members who responded conditionally turned to look like they had been punched, and Son Il-won said to the staff with a sharp expression. We. The guys youre dealing with arentnd guys, theyre sailors. These guys risked their lives every day fighting with pirates who had no idea about chivalry. Dont forget this and think about it again. At Son Il-wons order, the staff members once again looked through the data and analyzed the situation. As time passed, the staff members let out a long sigh. Whew~. It seems that Captain Thieves is right. If its Corsica, theres a good chance well get a shot. If thats the case, then reconsider your strategy ordingly. ah! They say the Portuguese fleet ising, so take this into consideration. Yes, Captain. Dont forget that the enemys fleet ising here at this very moment, so I wont disappoint you, right? I will do my best! In response to Son Il-wons subtle threats, the staff nned the operation all night long. Two dayster, Son Il-won, who reviewed the operation n submitted by the staff members who had be Kimchi, nodded. Its okay. Ill ask you to proceed like this. And are you dispatching the scout ships and scouts properly? Yes, Captain. * * * The operation report submitted by Son Il-won was immediately uploaded to Yu Eung-bu. The enemys n is that the most effective tactic is to force arge fleet into that narrow strait? Yu Eung-bu looked at the report several times with a puzzled look on his face. No matter how I look at it, I dont understand it. But maybe Im mistaken. Because I am from the army. Yu Eung-bu, who was well aware of his limitations, immediately took the documents and stood up. It would be quicker to ask His Majesty. Hyang received the naval operation n submitted by Yu Eung-bu and prepared the map and n. He looked in turn and continued his analysis. Hmm the enemy definitely has grounds to act like this. But if you look at the strategy, isnt it a good strategy? Hearing Yu Eung-bus words, Hyang shook his head. No. I think its a good strategy. Hyangs exnation that followed was very simr to Son Il-wons. If you really look at it that way, it can be said to be a good strategy. When Yu Eung-bu agreed, Hyang wrote down an order on a nk sheet of paper and spoke. He added, I dont think they were simply thinking of tying up our fleet and beating it with numerical superiority. It will be the perfect situation to use the time-honored tactic of hammer and anvil. As soon as he finished speaking, Hyang handed over the written order to Yu Eung-bu. C Proceed as nned, but keep in mind the possibility of a diversionary attack by the enemy and deploy the fleet. Adjust. C Keep in mind that the fleet is more valuable when out on the sea than when it stays in port. * * * Thebined imperial and Florentine fleets, which modified their operations based on the orders sent by the governor, were busy. Countless While the scout ships were patrolling the Ligurian Sea and the inds of Corsica and Sardinia, the imperial escort fleet, the Florentine fleet, and one assault return ship left Livorno and moved to Genoa, while challenging the two disqualified return ships remaining in Livorno . The self-sufficient battleships prepared for battle by rechecking the status of their gunpowder and shells. In particr, the busiest ones were the assault return ships. Smoke was billowing from the funnels of the assault return ships, which had moved to the sea in front of the port so that they could depart at any time. Soared up. While fully prepared and waiting for the enemy, the ships that had gone out to scout for Sardena began to hurriedly return to Livorno. C Enemyrge fleet discovered! C Enemy fleet continues to head north! At least 120 ships! C Correction ! At least 150 ships! C Confirm the military discipline of Spain, Venice, and Habsburg! C Confirm many fronts of unknown affiliation! Presumed to be pirates based on size and scale! Son Il-won and his staff analyze the reports brought by the scout ships and learn the enemys intentions. There are more than 150 ships If so , it would be impossible to build a line connecting Bastia and Coscana. Thats right. Rather, it is more likely that we will adopt a sack-shaped formation connecting the south and Tuscany. Son Il-won nodded at the words of the senior staff. In order to tie down the imperial fleet even a little more securely, the imperial fleet must be drawn in further. Just like that, when the imperial fleet came in, they would tie the mouth of the sack and pound it from all sides. .. Otherwise, as your Majesty said, it would be to hold on by acting as an anvil. In that case, it would be better suited to be a Hak-in-jin rather than a sack. Are there any among them who are a Hak-in-jin with that much skill? The world is wide and there are many skilled sailors. While talking with the staff, Son Il-wons eyes were fixed on the map. The problem is whether a bypass fleet exists. If there is a diversionary fleet, it will be a crane wing, and if not, it will be sacked. Two dayster, scout ships that had advanced to Corsica returned with urgent information. -Anotherrge fleet moving west of Sardinia and Corsica! Son Il-won smiled bitterly and muttered at the reports from the scouts. I lost to Your Majesty again Chapter 951 Episode 951: Battle of Corsica (7) But its also something that cant be helped. The idea of using numerical superiority to tie down the imperial fleet and then take over was not a bad idea. However, there were limits to pushing the ships in to tie them up. No matter how chaotic the situation was, a minimum level ofmand and control had to be possible. And, if we seeded in tying the enemys feet, we had to recognize that we could use the hammer and anvil strategy, a ssic and standard tactic of military strategy. It would be arrogant to say that it is difficult to use hammer and anvil at sea, or that there are no people skilled enough to do such crazy things, except for our imperial fleet After reflecting on himself, Son Il-won looked at the map and tasted it. He died. Tsk. That one assault ship I left out just in case would be exciting. In order to avoid unnecessary losses, the first draft of the operation was to move the Florentine fleet, escort fleet, and transport fleet to Genoa. However, Son Il-won, who epted Hyangs point, modified his strategy and changed it to sending one assault ship. No, youre saying we shouldnt fight on the assault return ship, but rather just fight the evil wind from the rear? There are no sane captains of assault ships. As if what was circting among the Imperial Navy was true, the captains of the assault ships who heard of the operation strongly protested. However, as the saying ss isw implies, I had no choice but to follow Son Il-wons orders. The captain and crew of the assault ship, which was decided through a lottery, had to set sail for Genoa while grumbling openly. But now they were given the most important task. Son Il-won was a kind person who could be seen without even looking at the captain and crew of the assault ship who were happy as soon as they received the order. Now! My regrets end here! You just acted like your majesty, as always! If thats the case, then I have to pay for the meal too! I cant hear a tongueshing in this country! After steeling himself, Son Il-won summoned his staff. * * * Over time, people flocked to Corsica and the Tuscan Inds. -The imperial fleet and the European fleet face off! -It is said to be bigger than any naval battle I have ever seen or heard of! As these rumors spread, people flocked to see a historic naval battle. After receiving the report rted to this, Hyang smiled bitterly. I heard rumors spread quickly even at this time The French fleet, which passed through Gibraltar and entered the Mediterranean, headed for Barcelona, and the Spanish fleet headed for Naples. While resting and repairing while waiting for the Vian and Habsburg fleets, many sailors disembarked from their ships and flocked to the bars of Naples. And the drunken sailors were shouting things like, Were going to have a fight with the imperial fleet! and even started saying that they were going north to do it. The rumor that spread in the bar quickly spread everywhere. Reports about this went straight to themanders of the allied fleet. Themanders who received the report smiled bitterly. Drinking and boasting are inseparable from sailors. Isnt this what you were prepared for? Lets consider ourselves fortunate that it has happened now! The other admirals nodded at the words of Admiral Venezia, who had just arrived. As Julius Caesar said long ago, the die was cast. The sailors probably knew this, so they opened their mouths that had been kept tightly closed until now. He may be trying to give himself courage by making such a fuss and boasting. Because the admirals knew how the crew felt, they did not take any action even as the rumor spread. Because the most important secret is not known Because it will set sail in just two or three days But the Italians liked to make more noise than expected, and the speed at which rumors spread onnd was at full speed. It was much faster than the sailing ship. The rumor that spread in this way soon reached the ears of luxury lovers. Unlike the north, where there had already been fierce fighting and small-scale battles still ur sporadically, the magnates of central and southern Italy, which had been fairly peaceful with only continued confrontation, began to shake their butts. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! You cant miss it! Going to a battlefield to watch war? Arent you crazy? Its a naval battle, a naval battle! ah! Unlikend battles, where there is a high risk of getting caught up in a fight if you get too close, this battle was a sea battle. Unless you went out to sea on a ship, there was no need to get involved in a fight and suffer a lot. Even now, as long as you pay a few pennies and go through the search, you can go north! You cant miss an opportunity like this, can you? I see! Lets go! Lustrous men from the central and southern regions, and even from Venice, flocked to Grosseto, south of Florence, and to Corsica, the Tuscan ind. You said the sailors were going up north! Then there will be a naval battle near Corsica! Thats the only ce! Among these people who flocked in, there were many painters. This is a great battle that will go down in history. Lets make my name known through the pictures I paint to the best of my ability! In this way, a historic naval battle that suddenly became a circus took ce. * * * The first to arrive at the battlefield was thebined Spanish-Vian-Hapsburg fleet. Thats surprising. If they had heard the rumor, they would have moved already. Did he get scared and hide after hearing rumors about our grand fleet? Hearing the Habsburg Admirals words, the other admirals fixed their gaze on the Habsburg Admiral. The other admirals who saw the Habsburg admirals face full of seriousness all had the same thought. what? What about this idiot? You said that, but are you still looking down on the imperial fleet? Big! Big! The Vian naval admiral, who diverted his attention with a light cough, returned to the main topic. Come on! Lets not miss our good fortune! Its only about 25 leagues (approximately 100 km) from here to Livorno. Even the slowest ship can travel in half a day. We need to quickly form a formation and not waste the golden time. At the words of the Vian Navy admiral, the other admirals settled the situation with serious faces. After a serious meeting that followed, the Allied Fleet deployed its ships. As the battleships of the fleet were moving to find their respective positions, several sailors suddenly pointed to the sky and shouted. Captain! Sky! Sky! Look at the sky! huh? The captains, who had narrowed their eyes and looked at the sky at the shouts of the sailors, froze. High in the northern sky, a small bhikkhu was moving with ck smoke hanging like a tail. The captains, who had been staring nkly at the Empires self-powered flying vessel, soon came to their senses and gave orders to the crew! Signalman! Notify themand module! Enemy spotted! Sky! Yep! At the captainsmand, the signalman climbed up to the highest point in the stern and waved the signal g toward themand ship. They say the Empires luminous signal can transmit sentences in units, but ours only has a few words Tsk. The captain, who was taking a sip of his food with an expression full of regret, raised his head again and muttered as he looked at the monk floating in the distance. They say that all kinds of strange things are made in the Land of Flowers * * * The self-powered flying monk who discovered thebined fleet immediately turned around and returned to Livorno. The self-flying monk who discovered Livornos signal tower quickly operated the luminousmunication device and briefly conveyed information. As soon as the bhikkhu touched the ground, the bhikkhusmander submitted the document written by the bhikkhu to the headquarters. After checking the report with his staff, Son Il-won shared his decision. If we sortie now, we will have to fight in the field. I dont think this is a good idea. We willunch as soon as dawn tomorrow. Our troops are the minority and our enemies are the majority. Wouldnt a field battle be more advantageous? Son Il-won shook his head at the senior staff members response. Its nice to think like that, but keep in mind that you have to constantly move in order to subdue the majority with a small number. If even one ship from our front lines gets stuck in the middle of enemy territory, things will be difficult. Ah! Su Guans thoughts were short. No, if this was the sea of our empire, it would have been a good operation, but this is an unfamiliar sea to us. We cant go on a field battle with only what we confirmed after only staying for a few months. Son Il-won, who pointed out the problems with the senior staff members proposal, went back to the main topic. The operation will begin as soon as dawn tomorrow. First * * * The next morning. As soon as dawn broke, the imperial fleet left the port of Livorno and headed straight for Corsica. The Empire has moved! Ooooh! Wake up! Wake up! Onlookers who had been sleeping on a high hill on the ind of Corsica rushed out of their tents and headed to higher ground when they heard the imperial fleet was moving. Onlookers who climbed to a high ce with a clear view of the sea eximed in exmation as they watched the imperial fleet passing by in the distance. Amazing, amazing! Do you think those ships moving in front, spouting smoke, are the rumored irond ships? I guess so. Its an irond ship Its floating, right? While various stories were being exchanged, those with some military insight were sharing different stories. If you look at the formation of the Imperial Fleet, it is in a straight line, and if you look at the Alliance Fleet, it is in a close formation Is this a battle between spears and shields? Rumor has it that the Imperial Navy prefers one-point breakthrough tactics. That seems to be true. If you look at the current formation of the two tribes from the sky, it is a confrontation between a modified straight formation and a dense formation with a strengthened center. At the head of the imperial fleet heading towards the enemy lines were two assault ships. The arrangement of the two assault ships was a bit unusual, and they were not in a typical straight line. The subsequent assault return line was not directly behind the leaders assault return line, but was located on a diagonal line to the right. This was to use the bow main gun mounted on the assault return line. Because I couldnt make fun of the most powerful artillery among the guns mounted on the assault return ship. The challenger-ss battle lines were moving in a straight line following the two assault ships positioned like that. Admiral Son Il-won named it Seom ( Harpoon Ind) Jajin because it resembles a harpoon when viewed from above. The arrangement of thebined fleet opposite was as follows. The Vian fleet, with its main five ships, the Vian Gallius, arranged in a pentagon, was located in the center, followed by the Habsburg fleet. And on the left and right, the Spanish fleet was encamped. And between the Vian and Habsburg fleets, pirate ships hired as mercenaries were filling the gap. The Spanish fleet located on the left and right heavily reinforced the Vian and Habsburg fleets located in the center, and the fleets on the sides were arranged in a long line. This was to prevent the approaching Imperial fleet from gaining speed by being caught in a long line of guns trying to pass through the nk. When viewed from above, it looked like arge whale was blocking the view with its head facing north. The battle began to see whether the whale would block the harpoon or the harpoon would catch the whale. Chapter 952 Episode 953: Battle of Corsica (8) Enemy fleet approaching! The staff member, who confirmed the g signal sent from the spy ship, shouted out the contents of the signal at the top of his voice. The direction is to the right of Kaprai Is! The number of enemy ships is approximately 18! Including 2 assault return ships! The assault return ship is the leader! First row, column! Contact scheduled within 2 hours! Admiral Costangio, themander of the Vian Navy, who was listening to the staff and checking the g signal through a telescope, nodded. As expected, the iron shovel ship is in the lead. And it is a single column This was also expected. It was exactly as he had expected so far. If you think about the number of ships, it seems like only ironds and challenger-ss battleships havee forward Are you confident that you can ovee the 1:10 difference? The size of thebined fleet now was nearly 190 ships, including pirate ships. Of course, if we were to select only battleships of simr size to the Challenger-ss battleships, there were about 120 ships, but in any case, the overall numerical difference was approximately 1:10. Is it pride? Is it an inevitable choice? Or both? * * * ording to sailors familiar with the Eastern Route, the imperial navys favorite tactic was the one-point breakthrough tactic. Battleships lined up in a row would attack the enemy while crossing the enemy fleet, and after breaking through, they would turn around and repeat a simr attack. As these attacks were repeated, the enemy fleet was increasingly divided into smaller pieces, ultimately leading to individual attacks. In order for this tactic to be sessful, strong firepower and solid defense had to be guaranteed. Considering this, the ships built at the shipyard in Prince Henrys Port were rather cumbersome. Although its firepower was one of the strongest in the Mediterranean region, its defense power was inferior to that of its challenger. In addition to these limitations, it was clear that the Imperial Navy had blind faith in the firepower and defense capabilities of irond ships and Challenger-ss ships. * * * Nothing is bad for us. Admiral Costanzo quickly put aside his doubts and looked at the five Vian Gallius ships that seemed to surround the gship. Admiral Costanzo, as well as the surrounding staff and sailors, looked at the Vian Gallius with faces full of pride. If its firepower, those kids wont be pushed back. For the Vian navy, Vian galliuses were the best battleships. Among the three decks, including the oar deck, the first and second floors were gun decks, and about 20 cannons were mounted on each side. However, the symbol of the Vian Gallius was the turret located at the bow of the bow. The circr turret, which was simr to the fortress turret, was equipped with 12 cannons on the first and second floors. Because they were ced in circr turrets, these cannons were able to fire shells in all directions, including the front. This was a huge advantagepared to other ships that had cannons ced only on the left and right sides. This was because shelling was possible not only when the sides were visible, but also when the two sides were facing each other or slightly off. In addition, his defense was at a formidable level, and his only weakness was his slow feet. But in the current situation, those slow feet were not a problem. This was because the one attacking was the Empire. Two hours Id better get ready soon. Give orders. Yes Admiral. But after 30 minutes, Admiral Costanzo was scared. Enemy fleet discovered! What? Already! The steam-powered assault ships as well as the truly moving Challenger-ss ships were much faster than typical European ships. * * * Enemy fleet spotted! Where is the Vian Gallius? Right in front! And its Chuksi (r) and Hashish (r)! After hearing the answer, Captain Lim Gil-bok smiled fiercely. Prepare to fire the dragon gun! The target is Gallius in front! The target is Gallius in front! Confirm the target! Lim Gil-bok, who confirmed the answering from beyond Jeonsunggwan, grabbed the other Jeonsunggwans and gave an order. Go straight like this! Straight! Engine room! Engine output regr maximum! Regr maximum! No problem! As the situation progressed smoothly ording to his orders, Lim Gil-boks expression became brighter than ever. When I came to Shinji, I thought it was just a waste of time, but this opportunity hase! Its worth it to pour out purified water every night! It was Lim Gil-bok, who developed the same personality while serving as a manager under the famous Captain Gangnam-gil. Everyone listen! Its the captain! Weve clearly split the piles of firewood floating in the water! This clearly shows that our assault return ship is the strongest in any sea! Ooooh! At Lim Gil-boks deration, the charge return ship Buji (ֹ will not stop) rang loudly with shouts from the crew. This is Yonggu Cannon! Aiming isplete! Everything is ready! Bangpo! Bangpo! Kuaaang! Huge mes and smoke spewed forward from the snout of the dragon head located on the bow of the assault return ship. * * * Fire on the enemy irond ship! On that street? Admiral Costanzos surprise soon turned into astonishment. bang! The shell from the Yonggu cannon fired by Bujinded right next to the Vian Gallius, which was standing in front. The problem was next. Yonggupos 200-geun (approximately 120 kg) shell was not just a piece of metal. The 80 pounds (approximately 48 kg) of gunpowder filled in the shell caused a huge explosion below the water, and the shock wave created by the explosion hit the Vian Gallius. Shock waves created by water, which is much denser than air, caused greater damage than expected. First of all, all of the oars on the starboard side of the Gallius werepletely shattered, and all of the starboard oarsmen who were holding the oars suffered major and minor fractures and injuries. Not only people were injured. Due to the impact of the shock wave, the joints of the tes that made up the starboard hull opened andrge and small cracks urred. And sea water began to rush in through the gap created. While these things were happening inside Gallius, people watching the ship from outside had other concerns. Wouldnt that make the boat capsize? Gallius was shaken dangerously by the ripples created by the shock wave. The Vian gallius was slightly longer than other galleys, but slightly narrower and taller. Other galleys had the same two-story gun deck above the oarseck, but the problem was the prow gun gun, which Gallius was proud of. The gunwales were one floor higher than other galleys, and the stern had to be considerablyrger to maintain bnce. And as a result, the center of gravity of the Vian Gallius was significantly raised. Due to the increased center of gravity, the Vian Gallius in question was swaying from side to side to the extent that there was concern that it would capsize. bang! Quack! what! Surprised by the sudden loud explosion, Admiral Costanzo turned his head in the direction where the explosion was heard. Ship ship Among the five Vian Gallius ships arranged in a star shape, the Gallius at the front right apex was not visible. Instead, only traces of the boat were left there. With just one shot? Is it the enemys luck and our bad luck? It was a result that would not have happened unless it was a fluke. At that moment, a roar erupted from ahead again. Quack! It was the sound of angry sub-munitions fired from Bu Ji-hos Yonggu gun, which failed to hit the first shot, destroying the target. As Admiral Costanzo saw the two Gallius disappear in an instant, the color drained from his face and his legs rxed. Admiral! Admiral! Costanzo, who was surprised by his staggering appearance and managed to get his body together thanks to the urgent efforts of his staff, gritted his teeth. The enemys firepower is stronger than expected, but we are still superior in numbers! There is no change in the strategy! We will fight back with all our might! Deliver the order! The strategy remains the same! It is hand-to-handbat! yep! While the signalmen who received orders were diligently waving their signal gs, the surviving Vian galliers began firing their cannons at the imperial fleet. bang! Quack! The cannonballs fired by the Vian Gallius created a column of water around the assault ships charging at the front. The Vian galliers fired their cannons like crazy. Among the shells fired in that way, several of them hit the charge return line but bounced off in vain. However, every time the crown of the assault return ship spewed fire, the Vian Gallius or nearby battleships met a futile end or were destroyed and began to drift. Admiral Costanzo, who saw this, mmed the railing of the bridge and shouted in anger. Eye! Those monsters! And at some point, the assault ships broke through the formation of thebined fleet. Later, a nobleman who observed this naval battle on the ind of Corsica left this record. -Before the naval battle, the formation of thebined fleet looked like a thick castle wall. However, as the battle unfolded, the Empires ck battleships turned into nothing more than a thick lump of butter in front of them. * * * The assault return ships cut through the formation of the Combined Fleet to the extent that metaphors such as a lump of butter and a lump of cheese emerged. Moving behind the assault ships that were pushing forward without hesitation, the Challenger-ss ships fired wildly from their left and right guns. bang! Quack! bang! The guns of the Challenger-ss battleships left the surrounding Alliance Fleet battleships riddled with holes. The battleships of thebined fleet were not alone. They also desperately fired cannonballs at the imperial fleet. However, the shells they fired, to be more precise the metal chunks, bounced off the steel hull of the assault return ship as well as the hull of the Challenger-ss battle line. * * * The oak trees felled in the mountainous areas were overwhelmingly harder than the oak trees in the main region. Thanks to this, the challenger-level wire made by Shinji was overwhelmingly stronger than the challenger-level wire made by ourpany. Thanks to this, the Challenger-ss battleship built in Shinji was improved once. Since the defense power of the challenger-level wire made by this paper was sufficiently high, the thickness of the te was reduced to maintain the same defense power. And through this, more materials could be loaded into the increased space. This was an improvement made due to a shortage of personnel and an overwhelming increase in the area to be defended. However, as it became clear that it would be deployed on the Italian front, the new challenger-ss fronts made by Shinji returned to the pre-improvement standards. Thanks to this, the challenger-level front lines currently engaged in battle possessed overwhelming defensive power. * * * Breakthrough! After hearing the managers report, Lim Gil-bok checked the situation again. How far has our fleet prated? Im reporting that things are going smoothly! good! Lim Gil-bok nodded, looked at the chart and decided on a route. Return in the middle of Pianosa Ind and Montecristo Ind! Break through the enemy lines once again! Let the other fleets know! yep! The imperial fleet broke through thebined fleet formation blocking the ind of Corsica and Elba and continued its southward advance. The imperial fleet turned between Pianosa Ind and Monte Cristo Ind, selected by Lim Gil-bok, and began charging toward the enemy once again. The captain of the challenger-ss fronts shouted to his subordinates with a very tense face. From now on, we have to go against the wind! In other words, there is a long way to go and the number of people holding you back will increase! A closebat may break out, so stay alert! yep! The sailors who heard the captains orders, especially those on the first floor deck, tightened their belts with their sailors swords (variated cusses made by Hyang) and single guns attached. Chapter 953 Episode 953: Battle of Corsica (9) The Empires challenger-ss front lines entered the enemy camp again, facing a headwind. The sailors of the imperial fleet charging forward gathered their spirits. In order to advance through a headwind, one had to meander (moving in a meandering zigzag manner) while avoiding the wind. Naturally, speed decreased with speed and distance increased with distance, and sailors had to pay more attention to handling the sails than to fighting. Suddenly, there was one more enemy. The good news was that the empires sailors were ustomed to dealing with headwinds. This was because the mission of controlling trade routes to and from the empires headquarters and patrolling the east and west coasts of Shinji could not be properly aplished by waiting for favorable winds. Thanks to this, the imperial government, including the imperial navy, was seriously considering installing steam engines on all ships. -Is it cheaper to put a steam engine on it? Or would it be better to sell them all and rece them with new ships? But both the sailors and officers of the Imperial Navy had something else to worry about. It was a problem ofck of experience. Not since the Battle of the Yellow Sea has dozens or hundreds of ships lined up to engage in group warfare. Thanks to this, for most executives and sailors, this was their first experience of groupbat. Because of this, the sailors and officers had to constantly gather their wits. Themand of the Imperial Navy was well aware of this, so the formation changed when re-entering against a headwind. The re-entering Challenger-ss ships were moving in pairs. Two ships paired together would protect each others weaknesses and deal with the enemy. The two assault ships also showed different movements. Instead of looking at the front of the ship, I looked at the fleets situation from the left and right sides of the fleet. In the Imperial Navy, it was to perform a mission called herding dog. Its mission was to save allies in danger using its mobility regardless of the wind and its powerful firepower and defense. * * * The Imperial Navy repeated entry and re-entry three times. As a result of the three attacks on thebined fleet, about 30% of thebined fleet was sunk and about 20% suffered serious losses and were separated from the camp. Half of the fleet was gone, but the fighting spirit of thebined fleet was still alive. The enemys movements have slowed down! They are human too! They are not monsters! Try contact! Closebat is the answer! As the officers said as they turned their soldiers around, the movement of the challenger-ss front lines was gradually slowing down. This was because the sailors quickly became tired of the double hardship of constantly adjusting sails and fighting while repeating entry, breakthrough, and re-entry. As the monster-like Challenger-ss battle lines gradually became dull, the battleships of the Combined Fleet clung tenaciously like a school of sharks attacking a sperm whale. Among the warships of thebined fleet that rushed in this way, the most active ones were pirate ships hired as mercenaries. * * * When hiring pirates, the leadership of the Allied Fleet presented the following conditions. -I will pardon all previous piracy acts. -If you make a big contribution in a naval battle, you will be rewarded. -Challenger-ss battleship. Defeat: 700 Vian ducats or 900 French libras. Sink: 1000 ducats of Vian gold or 1200 libras of French gold. Capture: 10,000 ducats of Vian gold coins or 112,000 libras of French gold coins. -Irond ship. In case of defeat or sinking, twice the amount of a Challenger ss battleship is paid. Marque: 100,000 ducats or 1.2 million libras of Vian gold. But the pirates also noticed. Attack an irond ship? Thats bullshit! What the pirates were really aiming for, having given up on assault return from the beginning, was a Challenger-ss battleship. If you take over a Challenger-ss battleship, youll run away immediately! This was the pirates real intention. -slope? What if I just quit piracy in the future? Are you going to continue pirating in the future? -repulse? Sinking? And what if you die? -The capture prize is only 10,000 ducats? barely? -If I make a Challenger-ss battleship as my own, how much can I earn? The captains of the pirate ships with these intentions rushed at them like crazy. * * * Coooooo! Its stuck! Throw the hook line! Oarsmene up too! After many sacrifices and attempts, several pirate ships and Vian galleys were able to cling to the challenger-level lines. Even for the ships that stuck to the challenger-ss battle line, the first floor decks were miserable. Sailors who had been subjected to concentrated fire from military fire trucks installed on the first deck and mast watchtowers of Challenger-ss battleships were lying all over the ce, and the floor was muddy with red blood. After a fierce struggle, the eyes of the pirates and Vian sailors who had clung to the Challenger-ss battleship were filled with evil. The pirates and Vian sailors attached hooks to the side railing of the Challenger-ss battleship, which was one floor higher than the pirate ship and Vian galley, and began to climb up the rope with swords in their mouths. Cut the rope! Fire the single gun! Fire! bang! Tatang! The imperial sailors on the challenger-level front lines who were allowed to make contact were not just there either. He cut the hook rope with the sailors sword or ax he had, or he aimed the short gun or long gun he had at the heads of approaching enemies and pulled the trigger. The pirates and Vian sailors fell into the sea when their lines broke or their heads were punctured. However, the pirates and Vian sailors threw the hook rope again and climbed aboard. On the other hand, he leaned out of the railing and sniped at an Imperial sailor who pulled the trigger. Tatang! Kaaak! evil! Imperial sailors who had been shot fell into the sea with a scream or disappeared behind the railings, and pirates and sailors climbed up the rope to take advantage of that moment. * * * The two assault return ships were busy moving around, but at some point, they were the Empires challenger-level front lines that were stuck one by one. When they were stranded like that, battleships from thebined fleet came from all directions and attempted to make contact. Or, he attempted a crash tactic of running at full speed and striking the side of the challenger-level battle line. Most of the battleships that attempted collision tactics like this were able to be stopped by assault return ships, but there were also cases where collisions were allowed due to missed timing. Although there have been no sunken Challenger-ss battleships yet, most of the battleships were in a serious condition due to umted damage. This isnt so good Check how much ammunition is left! Also check the condition of the artillery! yes! The smile on Lim Gil-boks face as he gave the order suddenly disappeared. The smile had disappeared into the dust. Im Gil-bok stroked his dust-stained face and looked at the view outside the bridge. Lim Gil-bok muttered softly as he looked at the scene of melee taking ce all around him. This isnt really good Just then, Gyun Sis report came in through Jeon Seong-gwan. Arge fleet appears in the rear! Affiliation unknown! Confirming! what! Lim Gil-bok, frightened by the inspection report, ran to the rear window of the armored bridge. Gilbok Lim put the telescope to his eyes and muttered. I heard that the French fleet diverted Where did ite from? Was it a trick of deception? Worried about the worst, Lim Gil-bok focused his gaze on the mast of the approaching fleet. The military g Lim Gil-boks face suddenly brightened as he looked at the military g fluttering from the mast. Its the Portuguese Navy! Now we can take a breather! * * * I managed to get the timing right. Whoa. Admiral Ricardo, who was examining the situation from the gship, finally sighed with an expression of relief. It was Ricardos fleet that left Lisbon as soon as he heard that thebined French and Spanish fleet had passed through Gibraltar. Admiral Ricardo passed through the Strait of Gibraltar and joined the fleet stationed in Ceuta and headed for Corsinca with all his might. Getting the timing right is the most important thing! If they arrived before the battle began, there was a high possibility that they would be targets of thebined fleet or serve as the vanguard. However, it was certain that if I arrived after everything was over, I would only have an appetite. The best thing to do was to jump in when the fighting on both sides was at its peak. If it was sessful, maximum effect could be achieved with minimum loss. For this reason, Admiral Ricardo diligently released a spy ship to check the situation while moving at full speed. As a result, Admiral Ricardo, who confirmed the information that the French fleet was bypassing Corsica, divided the fleet into two. -The main force continues like this and enters the Tyrrhenian Sea to attack the enemy fleet. -The detachment pursues the rear of the French fleet and attacks the rear of the French fleet as well. -Keep in mind that the empire must start a naval battle before entering it. -Keep in mind to minimize the losses of your fleet. And Admiral Ricardo drove the fleet into battle at the best moment. * * * The intervention of the Portuguese naval fleet clearly decided the oue. The Allied fleet, losing nearly 70% of its fleet, was scattered into four divisions and routed. Aldans ships fled to Corsica, while others fled to Sardinia and Naples. However, the exhausted imperial fleet did not have the strength to pursue them. And the Portuguese fleet had no will to pursue its fleeing enemies. -All sailors were exhausted as they went straight into battle after a long voyage. On the surface, this was an excuse, but there was another ulterior motive. -The cause and practical benefit have already been taken care of. -It is certain that this naval battle will not be the end, so unexpected losses must be avoided. Eventually, the Portuguese and imperial fleets returned home to Livorno. Admiral Ricardo, who was looking at the imperial battleships in disarray here and there, turned his gaze to the sea north of Corsica and muttered. It doesnt look like it will be an easy battle on that side either * * * As Admiral Ricardo expected, the naval battle that took ce in the northwest waters of Corsica was also a difficult battle. At this time, the worlds most powerful assault ship was deployed, but there was only one ship. The fleet that participated in the war was also problematic. In the case of the Empires escort fleet, its firepower was good, but its defense was a problem. In the case of our friendly Florentine fleet, the main force was galleys equipped with about 20 guns. On the other hand, the opposing French fleet consisted of 60rge three-masted ships equipped with over 40 guns and more than 20 auxiliary ships. The Spanish fleet was also added, making it arge fleet of about 110 ships. In terms of numbers alone, the power difference was 1:3, and the Empire was number 1. In the end, both sides were engaged in a fierce battle until the Portuguese contingent arrived. * * * Ultimately, the naval battle ended in victory for the Empire and the Florence-Portuguese alliance. France lost 50% of its battleships, Spain lost 70%, and Venice and Habsburg suffered near annihtion. However, it was not an easy victory for the empire either. Eight escort battleships were sunk, and all of the Challenger-ss ships had to go to a shipyard in Florence for repairs. If this happens, the true nature of a challenger will be revealed. Son Il-won bowed his head at Hyangs words. This happened due to the wardensck of ability. I ask for forgiveness. No, this is unavoidable. There were too many opponents. And it is also Jims fault for overlooking this. And not long after, Hyang smiled bitterly at the information that came from Corsica. It finally broke through. C Mobilizing French Navy divers to search for sunken friendly ships. Chapter 954 Episode 954: South, North, and the Middle (1) The naval battle that took ce in the Ligurian Sea between Corsica and Genoa was a fierce battle. If the Portuguese Navy had not participated in the second half of the war, the French Navy and the Imperial Navy would have faced mutual destruction. No. The assault return ship must have survived. While checking the report, I tried to imagine what would have happened if the Portuguese Navy had not participated in the war. More than two-thirds of the French Navys newestrge battleships were sunk, and the Imperial Navys escort fleet was annihted. And the only surviving assault ship would have been ughtering the remaining French fleet like crazy. However, since a single assault return ship could not sink the entire French fleet, the number of surviving French ships would have increased further. If that were the case, it would have been even more of a pain whew. I exhaled a long breath and the scent whetted my appetite. Tsk! I guess Ill have no choice but to ept Portugals condescension. We could have won even without the help of the Portuguese Navy! After the battle, a significant number of Imperial Navy captains and most sailors imed the above. How condescending to someone who just stepped in at thest minute and spoon-fed him! This was because the Portuguese navy that entered Livorno and Genoa after the battle was irritating to the eyes. However, high-rankingmanders, including Hyang, acknowledged the merits of the Portuguese Navy. Its a bit annoying that Portugal is being condescending, but I have to admit it. And the naval battle doesnt end with this one time. At Hyangs words, the eyes of the high-ranking Imperial Navymanders attending the meeting all focused on one ce on the map. -Al Heciras. It was a Spanish military port located in a ce called Gibraltar, connected to nearby areas in history before the intervention of the Fragrance. Among the goals the empire was aiming for in this war, it was a goal that had a reality that could be seen with the naked eye. Portugal is well aware of the importance of Al Geciras, and since Ceuta is right across the street, they will do their best for their own safety and interests. The imperial navymanders all nodded at Hyangs words. While the future naval operations were being discussed, a report came from Corsica. C Mobilizing French Navy divers to search for sunken friendly ships. * * * The area where the French-Spanishbined fleet and the Empire-Florencebined fleet faced each other was the Ligurian Sea, north of Corsica. During the fierce battle, most of the Florence Navys battleships and eight frigates of the Imperial Navys escort fleet were sunk. Of the eight frigates that sank, three sank close to the northern coast of Corsica. The French Navy, which had taken refuge in Calvi, did not miss this. This was because all the battleships that participated in the naval battle and survived were stuck in port due to maintenance problems. This was the same for the French Navy. However, thanks to the empty sea, the French Navy used a speed ship to sendmunication to the home country. -Severe damage to our fleet. In addition to sending battle-rted reports, we also sent requests for support. It was a request for support for various supplies and manpower, but there was also one unusual request. -A significant number of sailors or fishermen skilled in diving are needed. Soon after the divers arrived, the French Navy used small ships andnd routes to go to the ce where the Imperial Navy frigates sank. The French Navy mobilized divers to search for the sunken imperial frigate. In a search that continued while avoiding the asional patrol boats of the Portuguese and Imperial Navy, the French Navy finally obtained what they wanted. These were boxcars, Imperial Navy naval guns, and incendiary bombs and fuses for naval guns. Items salvaged from the sunken frigate were sent to Calvi bynd and then to France via speedboat. The French navalmanders who carried out this salvage war also had ulterior motives. -Relieve as much of the responsibility for defeat as possible by obtaining and sending the empires advanced firearms. Imperial Weapons To be precise, the weapons used only by the imperial army were famous for their performance far superior to that of other countries weapons. In particr, the performance of freight cars and cannons was well-known for beingpletely different. Because of this, European countries were just waiting for an opportunity to get their hands on it. That is why the French navalmanders who were hiding in Calvi tried to use this to exchange merit and crime. * * * The Imperial Navymanders and Hyang, who confirmed the report, all had the same thought. Now it looks like the Europeans will have enough freight cars and artillery. The wardens are ipetent and have caused great trouble. Please forgive their sins. When themanders asked for forgiveness, Hyang responded with an expression that it was no big deal. On the battlefield, looting and suffering are routine. Regardless of whether you win or lose. In any case, leaks were something that was nned from the time the empire decided to participate in the war. So, it is not the generals fault. I will not hold them ountable. Hwang Eun is devastated. Themanders all expressed their gratitude at Hyangs words that they would not hold him ountable. Hyang muttered to himself as he looked at the faces of the navalmanders whose color had returned. Its one thing to figure out how it works, but quite another to make it the same. If it were easy, China would have overtaken Cheon Jo Guk in the first ce. And Hyang turned his head and looked at a corner. Leonardo da Vinci and Michngelo were sitting there sketching diligently. Hyang smiled at the sight of Da Vinci and Michngelo working hard to sketch the scent in paintings and sculptures. Even if the French chase you, you can just stay one step ahead. I just happened to have a good talent avable to rece me. * * * The victory in the Battle of Corsica was brought about by the empire. However, the local and navalmanders considered this a victory that only hurt, andter critics among historians defined this victory as Pyrrhic victory. Although it dealt a fatal blow to the French and Spanish navies, the imperial navy also suffered significant damage. Immediately, the Florentine navy was almostpletely annihted and the imperial escort fleet suffered severe losses. All challenger-ss battle lines of the imperial fleet from New Territories were thrown into the shipyards. Upon receiving the results, the Imperial Navy immediately sent an urgent report to Suez, and the Imperial Navy in Suez and the Indian Ocean immediately mobilized personnel and sent them to Suez. Additionally, new frigatesunched from Prince Henry Port and Shipyard headed straight across the Mediterranean to Italy. France, Spain, Venice and Habsburg also moved to rebuild their severely damaged navies. Thanks to this, the Mediterranean Sea became Muju-gongsan. No, there were Ottomans and pirates, but even they could not move easily. As pirates hired as mercenaries were wiped out, there was a shortage of manpower. As the pirates suffered from a manpower shortage due to the loss of arge number of skilled personnel, the Ottoman Empire, which employed them as a navy, also suffered from a shortage of talent. ordingly, the Ottoman Empire also began to focus its efforts on training a regr navy, but it was time consuming. The Mediterranean became quiet as all the countries and groups involved took a breather. * * * As the Mediterranean Sea became quiet, thend of Aeje began to gradually be noisy. This was because the training of the soldiers who volunteered in Mn and Genoa had beenpleted, and the formation of units had also beenpleted. In order to prevent popr sentiment,manders from Genoa and Mn were assigned to units of soldiers from Genoa and Mn. However, because there were not many who passed the imperial standards, some units were staffed withmanders and executives from Florence. There was little discord between the Florentine executives and the soldiers from other countries, but the local and imperial forces quickly controlled it. Its not something Ive experienced once or twice From a distance, it was a conflict between the Koreans and the Jurchen people, and as close as a conflict between the natives of Shinji and the local residents. The imperial army was adept at calming down this type of discord. The method chosen by the township and the imperial army was simple. -Strict personal punishment. By resolutely adhering to this principle, the Imperial Army created the (tentative name) Italian Army. With the rapidpletion of military deployment, the Imperial Army and the Florence and Italian Allied Army headquarters settled the situation. -France has finished reorganizing, but Turin is just watching. -The Spanish army, which had retreated to Alba, continued to try to recover, but was blocked by Genoa and was in a sluggish situation. However, recently, as the Imperial Navy and the Florentine Navy began maintenance, supply began again. -Venice, whose navy, the core of its power, has copsed, is urgently strengthening its army, but it is not an easy situation. The reason is Habsrubk. -Simrly, the Habsburgs, who suffered fatal losses in their naval power, are urgently reorganizing their forces. They are hiring mercenaries from nearby Croatia, Slovenia, Bavaria, and Swabia. -Croatia and Slovenia mainly have navies. Bavaria and Swabia regions focus on hiring the army. Themanders of the Union Army who had sorted out the situation were deep in thought. Lets leave France and Spain behind and sort out Venice first. You could get hit in the back of the head. As the war of words over simr content continued for a long time, the scent eventually came out. I think it would be better for France and Spain to respond by building a defensive line centered on the Po River. Isnt Venice the most important thing now? If we think about the cause of unification, I think we should take control of Venice first. Only then can we protect the cause and prevent foreign powers. You can reduce it by at least one. Themanders all nodded at Hyangs words. The Habsburgs were idle until the Battle of Corsica. We are moving actively now, but it was toote. In that case, the right answer was to push the Habsburgs out before they were properly prepared. In this way, the point of thebined imperial-Italian army was turned towards Venice. * * * Once the goal was decided, the Allied Army Command convenedmanders and held a meeting. So the first ce well head to is Venice. As soon as the interpreter could trante Lee Si-aes words, themanders of the Genoese unit came forward. Our unit will take the lead! Lee Si-ae, who was looking at the faces of themanders who imed to be the vanguard, slightly tilted her head. They say they are from Genoa, but they are from Florence? Oh, of course, the soldiers in the unit are from Genoa, but. Lee Si-ae, who thought for a moment to answer the question, soon came to a conclusion. Considering the bad rtionship between Genoa and Venice, it was inevitable. If I backed off, my bed would be disturbed In the end, Lee Si-ae epted their request. Its the same for me, and its okay for my sleep to be disturbed. That night, after finishing the unit deployment, Lee Si-ae emptied her drink andined. From troop deployment to politics Isnt this originally the Marshals responsibility? Why should I do this And the Marshals support department in question was currently struggling among politicians in Florence, Mn, and Genoa. It was because of the scent. I think its too much for Jim to step forward and deal with them as well. Isnt it a matter of rank? It wasnt wrong, because Yu Eung-bu was suffering from body aches instead of Hyang. Chapter 955 Episode 955: South and North, and the Middle (2) Afterpleting the formation of troops, the Empire-(tentative name) Allied Army of Italy marched towards Venice. The imperial and Florentine militarymands used a little trick. The Imperial Army Command and the Florentine Army Command were divided into three routes. One route was to use a passage at the edge of the Alps to pass through Virenza to Venice, and the other was to travel further south through Padua to Venice, and finally, a route south of the route was used to travel along the Vian Lagoon. On the Virenza route, troops from Mn were deployed as the center, and a mountain warfare unitposed of Swiss troops was added. The mission of the Swiss mountain warfare unit was to scout and clear the hills and mountains along the route in advance. Although it was blocked by the Alps, it was right next to the Habsburg sphere of influence, so there was concern about ambush. The Padua route in the middle ced Genoese troops at the front and Florentine troops at the rear. The final route consisted of Imperial Army and Swiss units. This was because the road from Bologna, the supply base for the imperial army, to Venice all passed through the ins. Because of this, the artillery force, the center of the imperial armys power, was able to move without much difficulty. That was not the only reason the Imperial Army chose this route. Because it was the closest route to Bologna, the supply base, both assault vehicles and tow trucks were able to operate without difficulty. Here, the trick used by the imperial army and the Florentine armymand was to designate different routes for the troops from Mn and Genoa. -It is important to arrive in Venice as quickly as possible in order to gain a greater political stake after unification! This political calction was used to stimtepetition between units from Mn and Genoa. They were appointed based on military talent and ability, and imperial army officers were assigned to assistant or staff positions, but basically, themanders of the units were from the upper sses of Mn and Genoa. Therefore, it was certain that units from Mn and Genoa wouldpete fiercely. Wait? Doesnt this only benefit Mn? Simply looking at the route, Mn was the most advantageous as it had the shortest travel distance. The Genoese and Imperial armies were to depart from Genoa and cross the Po River at Parma, and the Florentine army was to cross the Epennines and join Genoese units at Parma. The Imperial Army and the Swiss Army were to move to Bologna, replenish supplies, and then cross the Po River at Ferrara to Venice. This is why suchints arose. However, the Imperial Army and the Florentine Armymand adjusted the difficulty level exquisitely. The Vicenza route was the shortest, but it had to deal with the Habsburg army crossing the Alps. Padua was a problem along the route where the Genoese troops were deployed. Padua, a transportation hub connecting Venice with other regions of Italy, was tightly defended by Venice and the Habsburgs. Therefore, it was certain that a fierce battle would take ce on the axis connecting Vicenza and Padua. The outline of the operation was that during the fierce battle on the Vicenza-Padua axis, the Imperial Army and the Swiss Army, who had bypassed along thegoon, would attack the nk of the axis, copse the defenses, and attack Venice. * * * As the Imperial Army, which hadpleted its preparations, was departing from Genoa and Mn, the Imperial Navy, which had taken a breather, also began to move again. Afterpleting maintenance at the shipyard, the Challenger-ss ships went out to sea again, loaded with ammunition and other supplies. The Imperial Navy and the Portuguese Navy divided their fleets into three major divisions. The 1st Fleet, consisting of 60 main Portuguese battleships, including one assault ship and four challenger-ss battleships, was tasked with going around the Italian penins and entering the Adriatic Sea to strike Venice. The 2nd Fleet, consisting of 6 Challenger-ss ships and 30 Portuguese main battleships, was tasked with blocking the movements of the Spanish fleet by striking the military ports of Naples and Sicily. Finally, the 3rd Fleet, consisting of one assault ship and two Challenger-ss ships, 12 Imperial frigates and 20 Portuguese auxiliary ships, was tasked with pounding the French fleet trapped in Calvi. Thest remaining assault ship and a few frigates were responsible for the defense of Livorno harbor. It was the beginning of an operation named Prison. If you receive a friendly visit, it is the duty of a gentleman to give a definite reciprocation. Themand of the Imperial Navy, including Son Il-won, said so, but the goal was to turn the remaining fleets of Spain and France into prisoners in prison. * * * In this way, the Battle of Venice, which was carried out on bothnd andnd, was so sessful that it remained in military textbooks. While the assault return ship assigned to the 1st Fleet and 40 Portuguese battleships pounded Venice, the 4 Challenger-ss ships and 20 Portuguese battleships pounded Trieste, located opposite Venice. Operation Prison, which included naval attacks on Venice and Trieste, was based on a thorough reflection of the Battle of Corsica. -Those guys are not pirates or famous people who run away after one hit. These are the guys who will bite you until you die. Closebat should be avoided. Based on this conclusion, the strategy was decided. In the case of Venice, the assault return ship that entered deep enough to run aground was stirred up, and then challenger-ss fronts pounded the port. At this time, the Challenger-ss ships used the superior performance of their naval guns to fire shells from outside the range of the Vian harbor defense batteries. When the charging return ship took out the opponents soul and the challenger-ss battle lines knocked out the opponents teeth, the waiting Portuguese fleet invaded. The Portuguese fleet stormed into the defenseless port andpletely destroyed the remaining ships and facilities. After this smooth operation, the Vian and Habsburg fleets that remained in Venice and Trieste were no longer able to be called fleets. This happened simrly in Naples and Calvi in Corsica. The difference was that while Venice and Trieste focused on destroying ports, Naples and Calvi, Sicily focused on destroying French and Spanish ships. And that is until the capture of Venice is over If only the capture of Venice is over The captains of the Imperial Navy gritted their teeth as they looked at the distant ports of Naples and Sicily. * * * After hearing the news that the operation to block the passage from Venice to the sea was sessful, the Imperial Army and the (tentative name) Italian Army began to attack the Vicenza-Padova axis in earnest. The Italian Army, which seeded in taking control of the mountainous area north of Vicenza sooner than expected, set up a Mnese unit at the vanguard and began its attack on Vicenza. At the center of the Vicenza attack were the artillery pieces handed over to the Italian Army by the Imperial Army. These guns were handed over to the Italian Army C to be exact, the Florentine Artillery C after confirming the ck of firepower in the Battle of Pavia. Although they were insufficient in firepower by the Imperial Armys standards, these guns boasted sufficient firepower for the Italian Army and the opposing Vian Habsburg Army. You mean this ce, not Pavia, was the main attack! Surprised by the Italian Armys stronger-than-expected firepower, the Habsburgs and Venice quickly concentrated their forces in the Vicenza area. While the Habsburgs and Vians were focused on Vicenza, the Genoese-Florentine troops advanced through Parma and Mantua and began their attack on Padua. The Italian Army, whichunched an attack on Padua, also carried out operations centered on powerful artillery firepower. So many cannons! You crazy people! Your money is rotting! Where did you get so many cannons Ah! The Habsburg and Vianmanders, who were surprised by the powerful artillery force that overwhelmed the Habsburgs, one of the powers that controlled Europe, soon fell silent. Empire There were crazy people with those cannons The Vian and Habsburgmanders, who immediately understood the situation, soon had other questions. Then Where are these crazy people from the Empire now? Theyre not just watching from behind, are they? Once the scouts go out, they nevere back Thanks to the performance of the cavalry of the Empire and the Italian Army, Venice and Habsburg were blinded. Because of this, they had to fight passively in battles in Vicenza and Padua. The real enemy is not those hillbillies! Its the Empire! Release the scouts! Release whatever you can! Habsburg and Vianmanders epted heavy losses and released reconnaissance units. After gathering not only cavalry units but also those who could ride horses and sending them out on reconnaissance, they were finally able to obtain the desired results. C Found in the Imperial Army Piove di So! The faces of the Habsburg and Vianmanders became colored at the words delivered by the scout who returned covered in blood. Piove di So was located southeast of Padua. The problem was its exquisite location. From there, it was possible to hit the nk of the Vicenza-Padua axis or to go straight to Venice. And no matter which one of the two was chosen, both were fatal. Of course, a unit in charge of mutenguage was stationed here as well. However,pared to the imperial army, it was nothing. In the end, the Vian and Habsburgmanders, who had been pondering over and over again, had to make a decision. Retreat. There will be no choice but to retreat. ording to the decision of themand, the Habsburg and Vian armies in the direction of Vicenza retreated. And here began the rupture between Venice and Habsburg. The ces where the troops withdrew from Vicenza were positioned were Mirano and Noale. Noale-Mirano-Venice The Vianmanders who saw the defense line stretching from Noale in the north to Venice in the south all had the same thought. Im thinking of running away if I have to! Although it was considered a major European power, the Habsburgs were the weakest among them. This was because although it was the owner of thergest country in Europe called the Holy Roman Empire, it had the weakest control. Now that Trieste was in ruins, the Habsburgs were at a dead end. If he suffered further losses here, it was almost certain that he would be pushed out of his position as the master of the Holy Roman Empire. Then After learning of the Habsburgs intentions, the Vianmanders began to think differently. In the end, the end of defeat is in sight. then? Then wouldnt it be better to raise a white g? Anyway, it was a battle to show our capabilities. Wouldnt this be enough? The Vianmanders, who had been making various calctions, secretly sent men to their subordinates. * * * While those in power in Venice were busy with betrayal, betrayal, conspiracies, and collusion, the imperial army and the Italian army walked their own path step by step. The Imperial Army and the Italian Army, which joined in Padua, settled the situation. Lee Si-ae, who confirmed the defense lines of the Habsburg and Vian armies, opened his mouth by pointing at a ce on the map with his baton. Lets hit Mirano in Venice. If we hit Mirano, well know their reaction for sure. Chapter 956 Episode 956: South, North, and the Middle (3) Themanders who heard Lee Si-aes decision all nodded. The Noale-Mirano-Venice defense line itself clearly showed the intentions of the Habsburgs and Vians: If anything happens, we will break out! The information brought by the scouts was turning this guess into certainty. -As a result of checking the military standards, the main force of the Habsburg army was stationed in Noale, and the main force of the Vian army was stationed in the direction of Venice. -Mercenaries are ced as the central force on both sides of the defense line. -Only mercenary units exist in Mirano. -The mercenary unit stationed in Mirano is organized around Landsknecht. It appears that Landsknecht, who was faithful to the contract, is nning to hold back while buying time. As Lee Si-ae realized the intentions of the Habsburgs and Venice, he took Mirano. He was determined to strike. -Only by taking control of Venice can he achieve the symbolic result of the unification of Northern Italy. -Afterwards, he would push back the ground forces of France and Spain remaining in Northern Italy, andter establish an alliance with Southern Italy. If we are thinking about war, we must reduce troop losses now. We must reduce losses not only in Venice but also in Mn and Genoa. -In that case, the best way is to attack Mirano. When Lee Si-ae told his staff of this decision The staff expressed their doubts: Then wouldnt it be better to hit Noale? It is a foreign power that intervened in Italy along with France and Spain. I think now is the right time, as the Habsburgs have lost their will to fight. Thats right. The Landsknecht is famous for people who strictly adhere to their contracts as long as they are paid. In some ways, they are more toxic than Swiss mercenaries. Mirano is where those guys are stuck in a dead end. You may incur more damage than necessary. Lee Si-ae smiled slightly and responded to the advisorsments. If you attack sincerely, then yes. And if they really intend to fight, that would be the correct answer. Yes? * * * ording to Lee Si-aes n, the artillery of the Imperial-Italian alliance struck the Vian and Habsburg defense lines. Boom! Boom! Its artillery fire! Get into the trench line! As soon as the Allied artillery fire began, the Habsburg and Vian soldiers hurriedly hid themselves in the trenches. As time passed, some among the soldiers hiding in the trenches began to express doubts. The artillery fire is weaker than expected? This was because the current bombardment was considerably weakerpared to the terrible bombardment experienced in Padua and Vicenza. Of course, if you were even a little careless and exposed yourself or got hit directly by a cannonball, you would still end up in the afterlife. Its strange This makes me even more anxious. The lighter-than-expected artillery fire actually made the Habsburg and Vian soldiers more anxious. And that anxiety soon came as a shock that shook the ground. Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwak! The bombardment was so intense that even the bombardment experienced in Padua and Vicenza felt like a breeze. The Imperial Army artillery joined in the bombardment. The bombardment of the Imperial Army artillery was as good as its reputation. The first line of trenches, where Habsburg and Vian soldiers were hiding, was still destroyed by the first salvo. Hit it slowly! Hit it slowly~. Yay yea. bang! Quack! The expressions on the faces of themanders from Mn and Genoa as they looked at the imperial artillery firing shells with moderately rxed facial expressions and gestures were trulyplex. It reminds me of the nightmare I had when I was hit by that bombardment. Dont say anything. Im still having nightmares. Themanders from Mn shuddered as they clearly remembered the sight of their proud castle walls copsing under the bombardment of the imperial artillery. On the other hand, the Genoesemanders had mixed emotions. The Empire, both the Army and the Navy, are terrible bastards. Commanders who had experience of being bombarded by the Imperial Navy while conducting defensive battles in Genoas coastal defense fortresses shuddered in a simr way to those from Mn. On the other hand, themanders who saw the Imperial Armys artillery fire for the first time were frightened. Wait? Are you saying that the artillery fire is gentle? So what happens if we hit it properly? Having destroyed the Habsburg and Vian first line of trenches with a first concentrated bombardment, the Imperial artillery chose to move instead of a second bombardment. Where are they going? Habsburg and Vianmanders paid close attention to the movements of the imperial artillery. Mirano was where the imperial artillery, which moved openly in front of them, was gathered. The gun ports of the imperial artillery massed in and around Mirano were aimed at the area between Mirano and Noale and the trench line in front of Mirano. Hit it properly this time! Make sure to move! Yay! Yay! Let go! He is the Lord! Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa! Due to the sincere bombardment of the Imperial Artillery, the trench line in front of Mirano and half of the trench line between Mirano and Noale began to be swept away. This was the breakthrough line! The rest were checks! The Habsburg-Vianmand, thinking it had figured out the intentions of the Allied Empire and Italy, made the same decision. Retreat! Habsburg and Venice decided to retreat at the same time, but in different directions. The Habsburgs headed toward Treviso, while the Vian troops passed through Oiago and headed toward their hometown, Venice. * * * The retreat of Habsburg and Venice created two tragedies. The first tragedy was the Sack of Venice. The Habsburg army, which was retreating from Noale to Treviso, organized a unit centered on the cavalry and dispatched it to Venice. The mission of the troops dispatched to Venice was plunder. -I have no choice but to hand over Venice anyway. -Venice that passes over like that will be an enemy of the Habsburgs and the Holy Roman Empire. -Then take everything you can from Venice and destroy everything you can! -The longer the restoration of Venice is dyed, the more the birth of a unified Italy they want will be dyed! ording to this n, the Habsburg soldiers who invaded Venice plundered and destroyed the city. This news immediately reached the Vian army. Oh no! Lets get back as fast as we can! Were going back with all our might! You traitors! The enraged Vian soldiers gritted their teeth and made their way home with all their might. And here the second tragedy was born. It was the fratricide of the Landsknecht. The Landsknecht stationed in Mirano firmly maintained their position despite suffering heavy damage from the imperial armys bombardment. The orders we received are to defend Mirano. We will literally defend it! They faithfully followed the orders given by their employers and defended Mirano. But the problem began when Habsburg and Venice decided to retreat. As their employers retreated without any follow-up orders, the Landsknecht mercenaries defending Mirano were in a state of panic. What should I do? What should I do? The front-linemanders in charge of the mercenaries discussed countermeasures with confused expressions. bang! bang! You damned bastards! Youre shooting cannonballs even under these circumstances! Even if you think about it in a quiet ce, you cante up with an answer, but as the Imperial Armys shells continued to explode nearby, the Landsknechtmanders started swearing. Wouldnt it be right to retreat? You idiot! There was no order to retreat! There was an order! Themanders repeatedly argued over voluntary retreat and shooting as ordered. While they were arguing, messengers came running and delivered orders to them. Retreat immediately! Themanders made the sign of the cross and cheered at the orders brought by the messengers. I survived! As the order to retreat was given, the Landsknecht troops quickly withdrew from Mirano. The Landsknechts who escaped from Mirano divided into two groups ording to the orders of their employers. The units employed by the Habsburgs headed towards Treviso, and the units employed by Venice headed towards Venice. It was the beginning of tragedy. * * * The Vian army retreated with all its might upon receiving the urgent message that our hometown is being plundered. But what they saw was a burning Venice. Baduk! These guys! The Vian army, unable to ovee their anger, tried to chase the Habsburg army, which was running away in the distance, but preventing the fire from spreading more and more was more urgent. Baduk! Those damned bastards! They deserve to be cursed! Turn off the light first! Damn it! As I was shaking from the ovepping bad news, I thought of the mercenaries hired by the Vian militarymanders. messenger! * * * An order sent from the Vian army arrived at the Landsknecht unit, which was withdrawing to Venice. C Immediately turn around and strike the retreating Habsburg armys marauding troops. -If you eliminate the looting unit and return with the loot, I will pay you a very generous reward in addition to your wages. After checking the order, Landsknecht immediately turned around. Using the messenger who brought the order as a guide, the Landsknecht troops began pursuing the Habsburg marauding troops. The Habsburgs, confident that Venice would surely pursue them, hid scouts at every corner of the road. And through the hidden scouts, Venice used the Landsknecht to give orders to the Habsburg army to the Landsknecht it had hired. -Do your best to defend against the Vian pursuers. -Promises to pay additional reward if defense is sessful. The Landsknecht unit, which received the order on the way to Treviso, immediately turned around. * * * The ce where the two Landsknecht units, which took on the diametrically opposed missions of pursuit and defense, encountered was Preganciol, south of Treviso. In Mirano, the two units, which had been colleagues who had endured the imperial bombardment shoulder to shoulder, but now met as enemies, shed. Unlike the Italian mercenaries, who were famous for match-fixing, the two units fought with all their might and sincerity, and the results were disastrous. After a battle so fierce that the Habsburg and Vian armies who rushed to watch for support shook their heads, the result was mon annihtion. It was the birth of a tragedy that was officially recorded as the fratricide of the Landsknecht. * * * With theplete destruction of the Landsknecht units hired by different employers, the Habsburg army withdrew from Italy. And Venice immediately hoisted a white g and opened the city gates. We, Venice, will do our best to participate in the unification of Italy! Come on! The citizens of Venice C from nobles to ordinary people C gritted their teeth and pledged full cooperation. What the Habsburgs did in Venice quickly became known to other countries as well. After receiving the report, Hyang smiled bitterly and muttered. People who have a lot to protect have no mercy even when ites to abandoning them, right? The monarchs of France and Spain who heard the story had roughly simr reactions. It may be a bit extreme, but its the best way to reduce losses. Chapter 957 Episode 957: South, North, and Middle (4) During the reign of the Hohenstauffen family, before the current monarchy, the Habsburg family, the country with thergest territory in Europe was the Holy Roman Empire. As the Habsburg family ascended to the throne, it decreased slightly, but it was still the country with thergest territory in Europe,peting with France for the lead. The problem was that there was no firm control over such a huge territory. The empires great and small feudal lords tried to escape the empire whenever they had the opportunity. Even powerful dukes were plotting to push out the Habsburgs and ascend to the throne themselves. Therefore, the Habsburg emperor Frederick III and his sessor, Maximilian I, who already held most of the real power, were unable to focus their energies on Venice and Italy. -There is so much to protect, but I cannot protect everything with the power I have now. -Then lets throw away what we can throw away, but take as much as we can of what we can. Because this decision was underlying, different results urred when dealing with Hungary and Venice. Hungary, which threatened the very origin of the Habsburg family, fought against it with all its might, while Venice was only stationed there rather than participating in the war. In particr, after suffering crushing damage from the imperial navy in the Battle of Corsica, the country returned to aplete wait-and-see attitude. And in the ensuing Battle of Vicenza, the Habsburgs, who once again confirmed that thebined power of the Empire-Italy was overwhelming them, simply withdrew. The reason was that there were many people within the empire that were of concern, but there was no need to waste energy on unnecessary things. It was for a simr reason that neither the Prefecture nor France and Spain criticized the Habsburgs actions excessively. -If I were in that situation, I would make a simr decision. Hyang added a word to it. At best, its best not to get involved in a situation where you cant go anywhere. Therefore, the ck of Venice did not be a big public issue. From the point of view of the city and Lorenzo de Medici, it was something they had nothing to lose, and it was not considered a big problem by the French, Spanish or other Europeans. During this period, war and plunder were inseparable. And there have already been clear cases. The sack of Constantinople that took ce during the Fourth Crusade was the precedent. Thanks to this, both the great powers and the empire achieved decent results in the Battle of Venice. Except for the Vians, who are furious when their city is sacked. On the contrary, there were intellectuals who were cynical while looking at the Vians who were going through this harshly. They are getting back what their ancestors did in the past. What! In the Fourth Crusade mentioned above, the Vians were the ones who used the crusaders as mercenaries under the pretext ofck of money. * * * In any case, the unification of Northern Italy has almost reached itspletion stage, even in Venice. The remaining areas were the French-controlled Turin area and the Spanish-controlled Cuneo area. Wouldnt it be better to start attacking right away? Lorenzo, who had be confident as they joined Venice, suggested an immediate attack, but Hyang shook his head. They said there was no fighting, but the losses were considerable. And the soldiers were exhausted, so I think it would be unreasonable to start immediately. Im exhausted, but my morale is high. Taking a rest on the road is also a tactic of war. And arent both France and Spain on high alert now? Its been a long time since they didnt carelessly touch a poisonous snake. But I think the priority is to refine the rough soldiers in Venice who joined us. We also need a process of coordinating the Vians who havepleted training with other soldiers so that they can work together properly. The Vians are in the process of unifying the South If that happens, I dont think Mn and Genoa will like it, let alone the residents of Florence, right? Some people are fighting and shedding blood, while others are just ying around in the background. Lorenzo had no choice but to step back at Hyangs point. Oh, my thoughts were short. The scent that had withdrawn Lorenzos proposal muttered softly. The ces where the mentality of Im the only one suffering and youre having fun is maximized the most are battlefields and fireworks. But if you really pull back, then its going to be a real mess. Of course, I dont mind if they grab each other by the cor and yell at each otherter, but for now. No. And Hyang paused for a moment and looked at the thick reports ced on one side of the desk. Hyang muttered softly as he looked at the reports that listed the dead and wounded of the Imperial soldiers who participated in this war and the various equipment that was lost. You can buy new equipment, but you cant do that with peoples lives. Youve already made good political gains. There should be less bloodshed now. Its a European war, so its enough for the Europeans to be the ones to suffer. As Hyang said, the empire has already made significant gains. Regarding military power, it showed the real military power of the empire, which had been only rumored, and prevented Europeans from making bold moves, while at the same time expanding its sales channels to the Ottomans and small and medium-sized European countries. Politically, the first thing to do was to clearly establish control over the newnd. Such a powerful fleet came from Shinji? That fleet is not the entire fleet stationed in Shinji Shinji should not be messed with. I want the unidentified area on the map I gave to Portugal. The European powers, who were greedy for the newnd, wondering, Isnt it possible? instead of giving up the newnd, they began to set their sights on the remainingnd. Next was to strengthen the empires right to speak. From the meeting that took ce just before the start of the war, the empires presence and voice clearly became stronger. Among the European powers attending the conference, there was not a single country that ignored the existence and statements of the empire. In the end, Hyang decided that he had taken care of everything he needed to take care of, so he started to take care of himself. * * * As France, Spain, and the Empire and Italy alliance were slowly taking a breather and replenishing their stamina for the st game to be held in Northern Italy, unwee guests from our headquarters arrived. Arge number of high-ranking officials from the government and the Ministry of National Defense came, led by Han Myeong-hoe and Jang Hang-seon. Ie to see His Majesty Taesangwang! Seeing that he is strong despite living in a rough ce for a long time makes me just give thanks to the gods of heaven and earth. Ie to see His Majesty the Great Emperor! The officials from the headquarters, led by Han Myeong-hoe, all paid their respects to Hyang. Thank you for saying that. But. Hyang returned the smile and looked at Han Myeong-hoe and Jang Hang-seon and asked a question. But why did the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Wue here? No, not just the two of them, but they brought a lot of their families as well? Its definitely because of Corsica I asked the question, but the scent already knew the answer to some extent. And the answer that came back was exactly what Hyang thought. The Navy suffered very heavy losses in this naval battle, so we are looking into this in detail to ensure that something like this never happens again. Han Myeong-hoe held out a golden envelope as soon as he answered. Hyang sighed after seeing the word Myeong () written on the outside. Phew~. I understand. Good luck. I am devastated. God has ordered me to stand by His Majesty Taesangs side and assist His Majesty for the time being. me? In response to Hyangs question, Han Myeong-hoe nced at Shin Suk-ju and Seong Sam-moon standing next to him and bowed his head. Yes. The emperor is very concerned. Please take care of me. Once the situation was resolved, Jang Hang-seon led the officials outside. Tell me these guys! Both Hyang and Han Myeong-hoe smiled bitterly at Jang Hang-seons swear wordsing from outside the door. As soon as the people disappeared, Hyang wiped his smile and asked Han Myeong-hoe. What kind of trouble has happened here? This ce is in peace. The Imperial Navy suffered great losses here, but not to the extent of affecting you. What kind of disaster is this? Han Myeong-hoe looked around as he heard the honest scent. After hearing the silent answer, Hyang ordered the people in the office. Everyone, except the prime minister, should go out. Everyone, both the officers and the governors. At the Hyangsmand, everyone, starting with Shin Suk-ju and Seong Sam-moon, left. I asked again about the scent of the only man present. What happened? Your Majesty the Crown Prince, there has been a problem with the instation of the Crown Prince. At the crown princes investiture? Is there a problem with Yus health? Oh no. But why? In response to Hyangs question, Han Myeong-hoe took out a red envelope from her pocket. I am a private envoy sent by the emperor and the Emperor. Hyang received the envelope from Han Myeong-hoe, took out the letter, and quickly read the contents of the letter. As the contents of the letter were read, Hyangs face changed more and more strangely. After finally reading the letter, Hyang ced her hand on her forehead and sighed and cursed. Haa~. Shit! The summary of the contents of the letter was simple. -Wu, the eldest son of the Hyeon, is holding out and saying he will not be crown prince! * * * As Joseon became an empire, there were changes in the instation of the crown prince. Unlike Hyang, who was installed as a crown prince at the age of 8, in the empire, when a person reached the age of 12 to 14, which was the age at which he finished attending the Social Democratic School, the crown princes instation and wedding ceremony took ce at the same time as he was certified as an adult. This too was not a matter of custom, but rather a procedure established byw. After the instation of the crown prince, the crown prince and his wife were chosen ording to thew, and the national marriage took ce. The reason why this order was established was because the imperialw prohibited concubines and bigamies. The only exceptions were the emperor and crown prince, so that the line of imperial descendants would not be cut off. Therefore, the instation of crown prince was the beginning and peak of preparing for future generations. But you dont like the position of crown prince? Thats right! Hyun sighed softly at Woos answer, the eldest son, and then asked a question. why? Wu immediately answered Hyeons question. Its because when I be the crown prince, I have to take responsibility for Area 51 and the research institute! I want to study the rhythm of small sounds! huh? Wus answer reminded Hyeon of something the Empress had said not long ago. -Your Majesty, they say that these days, Ua hangs out with Yungi every day. If it was Jung he was the son of Count Jinpyeong, right? In the history before Count Jinpyeong-hyang intervened, Yeonsangun, the son of King Seongjong, was famous for his deep knowledge of music even at a young age. However, as much as his expertise, he was notorious for scandals involving women. It is custom andw that the emperors eldest son must be the crown prince, and the crown prince is responsible for managing the research institute and Area 51. Thats why Soja should not be the crown prince! Hyun screamed at Woos firm answer. Hey! You bastard! Oh, Im not doing it! As the father and son were drawing parallel lines, Woos brothers and sisters were on one side watching the war of words. What was interesting was their facial expressions. The half-brothers were full of worry, and the half-brothers had excited faces. Chapter 958 Episode 958: South and North, and the Middle (5) Whoa~. Whoo~. Hyun, who managed to control his anger by sighing repeatedly, asked Woo. I said I would study music, but is it aak or hyangak? Herees a quick prayer! Inside hey, you bastard! You are the emperors child! Hyeon screamed, but Woo did not push back. How can you look down on it as a folk song? Are only aak and hyangak the most precious melodies? The folk songs sung by the people embody the hearts of the people, so how can they not be precious! Still, its a joke! Its absurd! The Great Emperor also wrote folk songs, and Duke Anpyeong is also collecting and recording not only old folk songs but also new folk songs! How can you say this is absurd! Keuung Hyun, who had been hit by Woo, made a groaning sound and grumbled internally. Are you in a precarious situation again? Thats why such rumors are going around * * * These days, these rumors have been going around in families who are said to be putting in some effort, regardless of whether they are in the main or northern regions. Tae Sang-hang and his brothers are the source of all evil! It was a perfect remark that, if done incorrectly, would lead to usations of sphemy and treason. However, neither the Milwi, who collected and reported it, nor the county that received the report took it very seriously. Rather, the head of the Milwi, who first received the report, or the Hyeon who received it, were muttering simr words. Its because of my childrens farming, so its only natural The ces that were first influenced by Hyang and Gyeongjang were Bonji and Bukji. Thanks to this, the main and northern regions were the ces where I first tasted the empires movies. Thanks to this, the upper ss, which had secured economic reserves, was the first to be conservative in the main and northern areas. As a result, these families believed that the right answer was for their children to advance into rtionships or military careers C where they could have power and honor at the same time. No, it would be better if I went into themercial world! I could at least make a fortune! The reason upper-ss parents were pounding their chests andmenting was that many of their precious children were going down different paths. I want to follow the path of a craftsman! I want to follow the path of an entertainer! I manage the railroads and iron horses You bastard! How dare you tarnish the familys name! Every time they heard a story like this, not only the parents but also the elders of the family got angry, but the children did not back down. How can this tarnish the familys name? Isnt that the case with King Tae-sang, and there are examples of Duke Jinpyeong and Duke Anpyeong? . Among King Sejongs children, the ones who stood out the most were Hyang and Jinpyeong and Anpyeong. The presence of the other younger brothers and sisters, regardless of age, was obscured by the shadow of the three of them. Because of the childrens willingness to follow the path taken by those at the highest level of power, the saying went around that Hyang and his brothers are the root of all evil. * * * Its like I was watching someone elses house burn down and my house caught fire too. Chuck Hyeon, having finished his appetite, began to work on persuading Woo. First of all, you need to know the root cause to find the answer. What made you interested in folk songs? When I was young, I was listening to The Maiden of the Soyang River and The Virgin Boatman at an imperial banquet. As expected Hyeon shook his head, thinking of someone, and hung up holding the pod in his mouth. Did you mean a quick prayer? Thats right. Many people are already working on creating melody and lyrics for quick-sounding songs. Therefore, quite a few quick-sounding songs are being produced, and there are some who have made their names widely known. But you want to invent quick-sounding songs? Thats right. As your Majesty said, there are people whose names are widely known, but I feel they arecking. What wascking? Its not just one or two. Not just one or two? In response to Hyeons question, Woo exined what he thought was a ck. -The shadow of the two quicksand songs created by Tae Sang-sang is too strong. The melody of many quick songs cannot escape from the melody of the two quick songs. -Because the rhythm cannot be broken, the yarn used also has its limits. -Because the melody and poetry do not match, the new quick song has little power to touch the heart. Woo, who exined up to this point, bowed his head to Hyun and argued. What is the reason why the two speed songs created by Tae Sang-tae were spread widely among the people? It is because they touched and touched the hearts of the people! However, the speed songs that sound in the author today do not have this kind of sound and caressing. That is why only the old songs The word Its not good continues to go around! Your Majesty! This is why Xiao Tzu is trying toe up with quick music! Since Emperor Wen organized Gaak and Hyangak, the only thing that has developed is military music! Civil and military music must be harmonized in state affairs as well. Just as it is right, civil and military life must be in harmony with the peoples livelihood! So, if military music is nothing, then speed yoga is the door, so this is it? Thats right. Isnt there hyangak and aak? Hyangak and Gaak are nothing more than a fresh game for the authors people. Hyun nodded in response to Woos answer. There is that aspect Hyangak and Aak were yed at the imperial banquets and banquets of high-ranking people. Therefore, military music is more popr than hyangak and aak in recent authors. This was also the butterfly effect of fragrance. * * * Most of the military musicposed by Hyang-i Anpyeong, including National March, were OSTs for famous movies. Because it is music that directly stimtes the senses of moviegoers, it is more popr than Hyangak or Aak among ordinary people. As a side note, among the military songs created by Hyang and Anpyeong, there were a few that were not part of the OST, and they were modified versions of Britains The British Grenadiers and Germanys Panzer-Lied. These two songs were the most famous pieces of music among Mildeokdeul. By refining the incense, the former was changed into an infantry march and thetter was changed into an assault song and were adopted by the imperial army. Afterwards, the French people who heard Infantry March in Italy tilted their heads and muttered. This feels strangely English, doesnt it? The English soldiers hired as mercenaries also tilted their heads and muttered. This strangely sticks to your ears? Meanwhile, Assault Song changed from a favorite song of the cavalry to a favorite song of the assault troops. Eventually, as time passed, it spread widely throughout Germany through captured Landsknecht mercenaries and Habsburg soldiers. * * * Hmm Hyuns face turned serious at Woos words. Are you saying you think its a problem that the people of the empire are obsessed with military music? In response to Hyeons question, Woo immediately bowed his head and answered. Thats right. In general, military music is a melody used in the military to raise the morale of soldiers and turn them into soldiers. The author is not from the barracks, so how can it not be a problem that military music sounds familiar? So youre going to step forward? Thats right. Hmm After thinking for a moment, Hyeon asked Woo again. Then, what would it be like to work under the Duke of Anpyeong? At that time, the Duke of Anpyeong asked for his resignation due to his age. How about learning from him before he retires and taking over his work afterwards? Are you saying you have been appointed crown prince? Yes. Woo immediately shook his head at Hyuns answer. It is against thew. As His Majesty said, the most important responsibility of the crown prince is management of Area 51 and the research institute. It is against thew for a person appointed as the crown prince not to take charge of this. Isnt it up to me, the emperor, to decide? Wu raised his voice at Hyeons words. This is something that should never be done! Please consider the work handled at the research center and Area 51 and its value! This is something that should never be left to someone else! The one who knows that Before Hyun could finish his words, he raised his hand and pointed at his younger siblings. Therefore, Ie here because it is best to appoint a suitable person among my younger brothers as crown prince. How about Min? He was admitted to the Engineering Academy as soon as he finished his training and is still working at Area 51, so I think it is best! No sooner had Wu finished speaking than the third child, Min, vehemently refused. Impossible! All I want to do is create objects and invent things! I am confident that I have some talent in practicing techniques and devising their principles! However, I have no talent in administration! This is because of the academy and Area 51s Even the teachers and craftsmen acknowledge this! And I am the third son! How could the third son take over, leaving the eldest and second sons aside? The second son, Gu, got angry at this. Impossible! Soja has already been admitted to a military academy! I am confident that I have the talent to treat Sojas illness, but I do not have the talent to see her to maturity! They say so? At Hyuns words, Wu turned his head and looked at the other brothers. At that moment, the Bongbok brothers who were standing behind Wu took two steps back in unison. The half-brothers took three steps back and knelt down in unison. The eldest son has no ws, but the younger sons are the crown prince. It is impossible for someone who is not of the royal family to be installed as the crown prince! This will be a spark that will bring chaos to the empire, so it will never be done! Seeing his younger brothers rejecting him with all his body, Woo screamed. These are my little brothers! Seeing Woos behavior like that, Hyun gently threw a bait. It was a traditional bait that has been passed down since the first birthday party of his father, Wan. You know that the Crown Prince can exercise his right to greet members of the imperial family, right? Dont you like your younger brothers? When you be the Crown Prince, they will do as they please. I can do it. To the bait thrown by Hyeon, Woo responded with a stern face, I know, but this is something that should never be done. All personnel matters, especially those rted to the imperial family and empire, must be fair based on ability and ability. It is absolutely impossible to rely on ones personal intuition to decide personnel affairs. As soon as Wu finished speaking, Hyun and the other princes started shouting. Why would a person who has the qualifications of a crown prince enough to know the gravity of personnel matters not do it? Are you holding on? Why is someone who knows so well making such a fuss! I told you to just be the crown prince! Why are you throwing sparks at us! Lets live a little morefortably. A little! Oh! I dont want to do it! * * * Hyang, who lost the letter containing this entire story, swore profanity without even realizing it. Phew~ Hyang sighed and put the situation in order. Lets see Its me, Wan and Hyeon. Hmm Its about time someone who jumps to the sidees out. Hyang, who put his fingers in order, came up with his own solution. In this case, you can just appoint people who are good at practical work and put them under them. I think so Wait? Hyang, who was searching for his own answer, paused for a moment. Wan and Hyeon are not the ones who dont know this, so why? Chapter 959 Episode 959: South and North, and the Middle (6) Even if we try to keep it as low as possible Even if Hyun couldnt have thought of it, he had the experience and ability to think of a method like this if he were Wan. However, if you look at Wans letter, which arrived at the same time as Hyeons letter, it simply stated that it was only a request to give a bidap (). No matter how I look at it Hyang, who had been worried for a moment about the unbing behavior of Wan and Hyun that he had seen, soon realized the reason. Was it because of me? It was Hyang who created the research institute and Area 51 and even created thews and systems to operate it. That kind of scent is alive with your eyes open, but you can freely touch thew and system? Even though he was the emperor, it was not an easy task. There was a high possibility that not only the Board of Audit and Inspection, known for being strict and strict, but even the governments subordinates would oppose it. No, I was sure. The conclusion was termination of the decision. The person who pooped is supposed to clean it up Hyang continued to grumble as she wrote down the answers that Hyun and Wan knew but pretended not to know. Are these people looking at me as a fraud ? I turned these bastards into assault vehicles! Gritting his teeth, Jang Hang-seon headed to the naval headquarters in Livorno and entered, kicking down the door to themanders office. bang! They say you are thieves and staff bastards,e out now! Oh my! How did Deputy Prime Minister Woo end up here Upon Jang Hang-seons appearance, Son Il-won greeted him with an expression that showed he wasing. How did you get here? I got here with my own feet! Whats the problem? In response to Jang Hang-seons extremely crooked answer, Son Il-won responded with an embarrassed expression and a forced smile. Is there a problem? Im just surprised that someone who should be in Seoul dragged his old man all the way to this far away ce. A person who cares about my body would do something like that? Get the staff first! Right now! Yep yep! Son Il-won, who was dispirited by Jang Hang-seon, who spoke in thick dialect, immediately summoned his staff. Jang Hang-seon, who was ring at the staff who entered the conference room with great nervousness, exploded. This operation came from your heads, right? ..Thats right. Didnt you answer properly? There are no humans here right now and only hoes are meowing? Oh no! Then this operation came from your heads, right? Thats right! Theyre such bastards! Jang Hang-seons shouting began to echo throughout the conference room. To summarize Jang Hang-seons criticism of his staff and Son Il-won, it was as follows. -I will not criticize the victory in this naval battle. -I will not criticize the capture of the artillery. Capturing enemy weapons or having allies weapons captured on the battlefield is a daily urrence. -I will not take issue with the loss of the frigate. Because it is impossible not to lose a single unit of our front line in a fierce battle. If there is a human who can do that, his name will forever be remembered in history. Jang Hang-seon, who paused for a moment, resumed his main topic. C What is problematic and should be criticized is tactics. C As we know, the art of strategy is to strengthen the strengths of our troops andpletely hide their weaknesses. -The strength of our front line is its firepower and defense, and its weakness is its small number. -In that case, the standard would have been to surround the enemy from a distance and then gradually reduce them using overwhelming firepower. C As the name suggests, the mission of the assault return ship is to charge and cut the enemy lines to pieces, and it has the appropriate defense, mobility, and firepower. -If you think about what I just said, the tactic of invading the enemy camp following the assault return ship is the wrong tactic. Thanks to you, we suffered more losses than necessary in this naval battle, right? Because of your poorly designed tactics, the valuable sailors and captains became unwanted guests! In response to Jang Hang-seons words, one of the staff members carefully made an excuse. The officials were just following the decision and n of the Captain of the Jeoldesa Shut up! If youre going to do that, then what are you keeping the staff for? If you say that, does that mean that all the fault lies with His Majesty Taesang? Now, thats an excuse too. Are you fluttering like that? Oh no! The staff officer who had opened his mouth to Jang Hang-seons criticism was astonished and hastily denied it. As Jang Hang-seon said, permission to execute all operations was the responsibility of the township. The conclusion was that the operation was carried out because the township gave permission, and therefore the township was responsible. Jang Hang-seon continued to criticize his staff. Why do we have a staff? When themander makes a decision, isnt it the staffs job to brainstorm to make that decision a sess? If theres a problem with what the thief thinks, isnt it the staffs job to correct it, even if it means risking ones neck? Come on! Youre making excuses that dont work! In response to Jang Hang-seons criticism, the staff desperately defended themselves. A senior staff member stepped forward as a representative of those staff members. It is not that I do not know what Deputy Prime Minister Woo said. The subordinates also did their best to devise a strategy. They reflected on the lessons learned from thest Battle of the Yellow Sea and the battles against pirates they had experienced so far and came up with a strategy. As the Admiral said, Italy The weakness of our navy stationed in the Pacific Ocean is that the number of front lines is small! Since the number is not enough to divide on both sides and surround the approaching enemy ships, we thought of an active rush in. Even in the previous Battle of the Yellow Sea, the assault return ships destroyed the enemy lines and defeated the enemy ships. The front lines made the wound even bigger. Especially when the assault return ship invades, it is aplete loss Shut that mouth! Jang Hang-seon was very angry and blocked his staff from making excuses. You bastards! What was the first thing you heard at the military academy? What were the words your seniors kept repeating until your ears were worn out? Dont level the enemy at the level of a bastard. If youre going to level them, set them at the level of Japanese pirates. Wasnt it like this? But whats the point? If the assault return ship invades, youll be defeated, right? Hey! When Jang Hang-seon screamed, the staff had no choice but to keep their mouths shut and their heads down. Jang Hang-seon looked at the staff who had bowed their heads and then screamed. And yet youre asking for the budget? Are you asking for it? * * * In Livorno, while Jang Hang-seon was crushing the staff of the Naval Headquarters, Han Myeong-hoe was talking with Hyang on the topic of Navy Budget. .This has led to a significant change in the direction of naval battleship construction. Is that so? The Ministry of Finance and Economy must be crying. Its something that cant be helped. Han Myeong-hoe responded to Hyangs words with a detached expression. After epting the results of the Battle of Corsica, the Imperial Navy and the Ministry of Defense began topletely revise their nned battle line construction ns. -For the next 10 years or so, we will maintain the challenger-level front and sea emergency front as our main focus. -Afterwards, new power lines equipped with steam engines began to be mainly used. This was the original n, but it waspletely revised following the Battle of Corsica. -The battle lines made at the shipyard in Suez may have strong firepower, but their defense capabilities are the worst. -Therefore, in order to protect the empires interests in the Mediterranean in the future, a front line with at least sea emergency defense and firepower is needed. -Mobility is also a problem. The reason the Challenger-ss ships suffered losses in the Battle of Corsica was because they lost speed due to headwinds. You must be able to achieve the desired speed regardless of tailwind or headwind. -Conclusion: The iron ship equipped with a steam engine is used as the main ship to support the irond ship. Hmm Hyun, who received the amendment submitted by the Imperial Navy and the Ministry of National Defense, examined it carefully and asked the Minister of National Defense. The auxiliary ships are battleships to be used in the Mediterranean? Thats right. This is an irond ship that will rece the Marine Emergency. Wouldnt it be better to make it all out of iron wire? Im Sun-wook, who was next to Hyuns question, immediately intervened. The Ministry of Finance and Economy will file a joint appeal for resignation. Oh, I see. Tsk Hyeon, who was unable to hide his disappointment, quenched his appetite again while looking at the projections for the new electric wires attached to the revised n. Ugh the artillery cement is still fixed left and right. The rotating turret that Hyeon had been hanging on until he became emperor was still under development. Knowing this, Hyeon only whetted his appetite. It would have been possible to install a rotating turret in about 10 years But the situation was not favorable In the end, Hyun had no choice but to take a step back and put his stamp on the revised n. Please consult with the Ministry of Finance and Economy to proceed with the n. Hwang Eun is devastated! Afterwards, conspiracy theories spread within the Ministry of Finance and Economy. These belligerent guys didnt cause the ident on purpose? -He deliberately suffered great losses in Corsica due to his desire to change all of the navys front lines to iron ships and irond ships. But the Ministry of Finance and Economy was unaware. There were other people who were truly obsessed with madness. * * * The Navy suffered defeat in Corsica? Thats right. Craftsmen in charge of design at Area 51 and various shipyards in Shinji, including Wonju of District 51 headquarters, all listened at once to the oue of the Battle of Corsica. In particr, when they heard the news that thetest ships used by the Imperial Navy had been captured, the designers eyes brightened. Thats right It was certain that the European powers would model their ships after the captured guns, and then the Imperial Navy would need a more powerful front. Afterwards, when the Imperial Navy and the Ministry of Defense delivered the New Wire Construction Amendment, designers rolled up their sleeves all at once. Its your chance! And then, crazy ideas started pouring out like a flood. And the high-ranking people who received this all ced their hands on their foreheads. Tae Sang-tae abandoned all the people Although it was full of madness, it was full of usible reasons and tactical value, so the worries of the high-ranking people became deeper and deeper. Its difficult to give a proper evaluation based on our ignorance. I agree. Lets move it up. As a result, these ns were promoted to the prefectural government. This is it Hyun, who was examining the ns, ced his hand on his forehead. In some ways, it was a creative innovation, and in other ways, it was a crazy persons delusion. Hyun, who was thinking about the n, called the eunuch and gave orders. All future proposals, including these, should be sent immediately to the Prime Minister of Italy. I follow your orders. * * * When the situation was being somewhat resolved in Livorno and this paper, Han Myeong-hoe was submitting a report to Hyang. Hmm. It is very likely that the Kingdom of Naples will decide to advance north? Thats right. In response to Han Myeong-hoes answer, Hyang carefully looked at the report. After studying the report several times, Hyang finally nodded. From a political point of view, I think the Prime Ministers judgment is correct. Advance north to a line that does not directly contact our empire and Northern Italy Hmm. Hyang, who was speechless, gave the map . He continued speaking while looking at. Will the game be decided by who sets foot in Rome first? Chapter 960 Episode 960: South and North, and the Middle (7) While the imperial army and the Italian Allied Forces were in full swing, the imperial officials were not idle. The agents of the Medici family traveled around the north, south, east, and west of the Italian penins, gathering all kinds of information and bringing it to Florence. From highly reliable information to usible theories and nonsense rumors. Florentine and imperial officials ssified the information brought by the Ganja one by one, checked its authenticity, and put things into perspective. It was an arduous task that imperial officials called patchwork. The result of such painful work was the movement of the Kingdom of Naples. -Possibility of Kingdom of Naples advancing north. Reactions to Seong Sam-mun, Shin Sook-ju, and Han Myeong-hoe upon receiving the thick report containing the conclusions and their rationale were varied. First, Seong Sam-moon viewed this negatively. I think advancing north is impossible. -King Ferdinand I of Naples is a man of great courage, but he is still unable to properly control the nobles of the kingdom. -The number of artillery pieces and musketeers is insufficient to advance north. -It is difficult to keep the Spanish navy in check at the Port of Naples. And above all, Ferdinand I is not only an illegitimate son, but he also returned from living in Barcelona. He is not suitable for the cause of unification of Italy by Italians. This was the basis for Seong Sam-Moons negative view. On the other hand, Han Myeong-hoe judged that the possibility was very high. -Despite the w of being an illegitimate child, he ascended to the throne of king. C Although he was not able to control all the nobles of the Kingdom of Naples, the outstanding ability of him can be seen in the fact that he was able to control and shake the entire kingdom. -Although the number of artillery and musketeers is insufficient, this also applies to the Papal States located in the middle. In terms of overall power, it is stronger than the Pope. -The Spanish fleet trapped in the port of Naples was devastated by the attack of the Imperial Navy fleet, and most of the surviving fleet fled to Sicily. For this reason, I think there is a very high possibility that the Kingdom of Naples will advance north. Lastly, Shin Sook-ju had reservation. It is the human mind that was different yesterday and is different today. And most of the evidence is derived from rumors, so I think we should not make any predictions. As the three people could not reach a consensus, Han Myeong-hoe recorded it as is and submitted it to Hyang. Hyang, who received and read the report from Han Myeong-hoe, smiled and looked at Han Myeong-hoe. The fact that you recorded such inconclusive matters and posted them to me means that you are confident that your opinion is correct? Its not that you are confident in your beliefs, its just that you know your Majesty well. Isnt your Majesty the one who knows your beliefs best? Hahaha! In response to Han Myeong-hoes response, Hyang burst intoughter for the first time in a long time. Wiping away the tears from my eyes, I received the words. Thats true. Ive known you for more than a year or two. Hmm Hyang muttered to herself as she looked at the report again. The personalities of the three people are clearly revealed. Seong Sam-moon is conservative and puts priority on causes. Han Myeonghoe prefers active preemptive response rather than passive response based on practicality rather than justification. Unlike the other two, Shin Sook-joo looks at the trend and finds the most optimal move. The personality differences between the three people were contained in this one report. Hmm Hyang-hyang put down the report he was studying and ordered the eunuch. Call Shin Suk-ju and Seong Sam-moon. Yes, Your Majesty. * * * As Shin Suk-ju and Seong Sam-moon gathered together, Hyang opened her mouth. I read the officers report carefully. I think we need to make a quick decision. However, we must avoid the mistake of jumping to conclusions and making a mistake. That is why I asked the officers toe. At Hyangs words, the three people, including Han Myeong-hoe, straightened their posture and collected their minds. When Hyang saw that the three people were ready, he started asking questions. .. I have listened carefully to your thoughts. Then, I will ask the Prime Minister for thest time. In my opinion, the biggest fetter on the Kingdom of Naples is King Ferdinand I. Is there a solution to this? A solution that is not force. . Han Myeong-hoe, who thought about Hyangs question for a moment, answered right away. This is Alfonso, his eldest son. He is not an illegitimate son, but the legitimate eldest son, and was born and raised in Naples. There is no need for justification. Moreover, since he is already an adult, I think it is enough to present Alfonso. Alfonso is said to have a cruel temperament. Can he be an alternative? Most of that evaluationes from his actions on the battlefield and spread by his political opponents. Rather, he may have a personality that suits these difficult times. Seong Sam-moon frowned at Han Myeong-hoes answer. When Hyang saw that, she muttered to herself. This is indeed the answer that the main character of Gyeyujeongnan would give and the reaction that Yukshin would show. By the way After hearing Han Myeong-hoes answer, Hyang closed his mouth and began to ponder. While Hyang was organizing his thoughts, the three people swallowed dry saliva and looked at Hyang. I wille to a conclusion. I think the Kingdom of Naples will advance north. Han Myeong-hoes face brightened at Hyangs decision, and Seong Sam-moon could not hide his regret. However, Seong Sam-moon soon hid his regret and organized his expression. It is Your Majestys decision. The duty of a subject is loyalty! After gathering his thoughts, Seong Sam-moon bowed his head to Hyang and said. What are the gods jobs to do? * * * With Seong Sam-muns words, the situation was settled. After hearing Seong Sam-moons answer, Hyang walked towards the map of Italy hanging on the wall. ording to the reports analysis and the Prime Ministers opinion, the limit of the Kingdom of Naples offensive was the Papal States. Jim also agrees with this. Then, I think the most important thing is Romes preupation. What do you think? The three responded unanimously to Hyangs question. . Rome is the beginning and the end. Thats right. Hyang shook his head at the three peoples answers and asked the question again. Then who would you like to be the first to enter Rome? Our empire? Florence? Or Naples? At Hyangs question, the three people began to ponder at the same time. Looking at that scene, Hyang muttered to herself. Isnt this the most important issue? Even during World War II, Britain and the United States argued over who would enter Rome first, and the same goes for the Korean War. The photo of the Taegeukgi hanging at the Central Office is famous, but think about the Pyongyang race as well. After a while, Han Myeong-hoe was the first to speak. Considering the status and importance of the empire in this war, it is reasonable for the empire to enter first. However, considering the politics that will urter, this is not a very good method. Following Han Myeong-hoe, Seong Sam-moon added his words. I wee you. No matter the twists and turns, the justification for this war is unification of Italy by Italians. If our empire enters Rome first, there will be a problem with the justification. Thats right. Thats right. In response to Han Myeong-hoe and Seong Sam-moons answers, Hyang nodded and agreed. Seeing that, Shin Suk-ju opened her mouth, not wanting to miss the opportunity. But if the empire makes concessions, it will be the empire that suffers and the condescension will be done by them. However, if the empire takes a step back and puts them in the lead, they will criticize them for using them as arrows. Of course, that is true to some extent, but . Im not saying this out loud, but I am saying it. Shin Sook-ju continued as the scent did not pay much attention to the slightly dangerous remark. The best course of action would be for their symbol to be the first to enter the public arena. Hyangs eyes sparkled menacingly at Shin Sook-jus words. Symbol? Are you talking about the national g? Thats right. All you have to do is make a piece of cloth worth ten thousand gold. Good! In response to Shin Sook-jus response, Hyang pped her knee and expressed admiration and reflection at the same time. yes! By the way, I remembered the picture of the Taegeukgi being hung at the Central Office, but I cant believe I missed it! Anyway, Hyangs face brightened and she looked at Han Myeong-hoe and Seong Sam-moon. I think it would be okay if the empires g entered the entrance to Rome first, but their g entered the Vatican first? Seong Sam-moon answered Hyangs question. Wouldnt it be better to join the Vatican? No. If you enter an enemy city, plunder will inevitably follow. If the Vatican is plundered, there will definitely be bacsh. The Vatican is better off taking a step back. Its good. I think the Prime Ministers words make sense. Han Myeong-hoe expressed opposition to Seong Sam-moons proposal, and the Hyang sided with Han Myeong-hoe. Well then, I guess we can do things like this from now on Come to think of it, does Italy have a g? Ah! I guess I should tell them to make a g first. * * * Looking at the movements of the Kingdom of Naples, it is certain that they will advance north. So I think it is best for us to also begin advancing south. Lorenzo de Medicis face brightened at the scents words. Are we finally moving south? Are we entering Rome? Isnt that up to you to decide? Jim just gives suggestions and advice. Lorenzo made a decision right away after hearing the fragrances words. Then we will begin our advance south! I will notify the alliance and prepare for it! It seems that unification is finally in sight. Thats right! All of this was possible thanks to the help of the empire. We in Florence, not Italy, will never forget that help! I just hope that the good rtions between our two countries will continue for a long time. By the way When the incense slightly clouded his words, Lorenzo quickly calmed his excitement and looked at the incense. Seeing that Lorenzo was ready to listen, the incense got to the point. After entering Rome and the Vatican, Italy was unified. I think we need a symbol to make it known widely. If its a symbol, Ill build a sculpture that will go down in history! We need something to make before the sculpture. The national g. You mean the national g? Is there a g with the citys emblem on it? It is a symbol of the city, not of a unified Italy. Shouldnt there be a g symbolizing a unified Italy? Like the g of the empire. Ah! While preparing to advance south, the work of making a national g also took ce. However, it was not an easy task at all. This was thanks to the stubbornness of both Mn, Genoa and Venice, who had be allies. If this continues, it seems that the alliance will be broken. When Shin Suk-ju, who was in charge of coordination, reported with a haggard face, Hyang stood up from her seat. This is the won And two dayster, Shin Suk-ju presented a g to the representatives of the alliance. His Majesty Tae Sang-tae gave this g. You asked what it was like. Huh? Shin Sook-jus words drew attention to the g raised. Green symbolizes the ins and mountains of Italy, white is the ice caps of the Alps, and red symbolizes the blood of those who fell for unification. And the four emblems engraved in the center symbolize the allied cities that participated in unification. The delegates who were examining the g while listening to Shin Sook-jus exnation responded with one voice. Its the best! Then will you adopt this g? Right Now! In this way, the overheated atmosphere calmed down very easily. Meanwhile, Hyang, who had received the report, looked out the window and grumbled. Haha Do I even have to spoon-feed you this? Meanwhile, Da Vinci and Michngelo, who were sketching the incense on one side, repeatedly expressed their admiration. He is indeed a wise man from the East! There is no problem whatsoever! Even the title of wise man is not enough! * * * The royal pce of the Kingdom of Naples. King Alfonso II knelt down on one knee before his father, King Ferdinand I, and reported. All preparations areplete. Your Highness. Then go to war. For the glory of the kingdom and your future. Yes! Chapter 961 Episode 961: Choice, defection, negotiation (1) The design of the g of unified Italy was decided, but twists and turns continued. All the seamstresses in Florence, Genoa, and Mn who could sew were mobilized to makerge and small gs, and carpenters and cksmiths were mobilized to make gpoles and gpole decorations. -The gpole and g that will be erected proudly in front of Peters Basilica in Rome must be ours! It was a kind of battle of pride that took ce. This battle of pride also took ce in military uniform. As the ck Florentine military uniform was designated as the unified Italian Army uniform, all Italian troops were required to wear the same uniform. However, as the ground war entered a lull, soldiers who had more free time began to try their hand at military uniforms C more specifically, military caps. Soldiers from other cities, who saw the Florentine army adorning their military caps with ck grouse feathers, began to rece them with feathers of different colors. At first, the feathers of pheasants and other birds were used as is, but at some point, dyed feathers began to appear in abundance on the military caps. When Hyang saw the military cap decorated with literally colorful feathers, he muttered with an expression of bewilderment. Red Juno Chopanambo. Its not the military, its the Power Rangers Squadron? Isnt it because they didnt touch the military uniform? As time passed, the feather decorations were not enough, and the brooches that connected the feathers to the military caps and the caps attached to the front of the military caps also became more ornate. The Imperial and Swiss soldiers muttered as they looked at the sparkling brooches and hats ted with gold and silver. Thats right its the best to use as a target, but are you still doing that even though you know it? * * * Despite various battles of pride, preparations for the advance south proceeded steadily, and the departure ceremony was finally held. On the podium made in the Florence pavilion, the incense, Lorenzo de Medici, and the heads of allied cities were seated, and the audience seats to the left and right were filled with nobles and citizens from allied cities, as well as nobles and citizens of Florence. A procession of soldiers marched across the square toward southern Siena, with the imperial military band ying the Infantry March. However, this departure ceremony also had many twists and turns. -As this is a campaign for the unification of Italy, I will give the lead to the Italian army. Florence and allied cities were delighted and epted the favor. But what happened next was the problem. -Who will be at the head of the Italian army procession? Of course we are Florence! We were the first to start the unification war! Thats true, but that doesnt make it right for Florence to take the lead! After all, arent we all allies now? Thats right! And we, Genoa, were in charge of blocking the French and Spanish while advancing south! Taking that into ount, its only right that we give up the lead! If you think about it that way, please give space to our Venice, which suffered the most damage! The city that suffered the most damage from foreign powers in this war is our Venice! In the end, Hyang, unable to see the two people arguing over who should take the lead, came out again. Just march the soldiers in eight columns, with two columns for each city! Then, why not ce a g bearer with the Italian g at the front and a g bearer with each citys g behind him? aha! The citys representatives epted Hyangs words with bright smiles. Hyang returned to his room, took a long sigh, and grumbled softly. I can see how much trouble it must have been for King Solomon the Great. At the departure ceremony, which went through many twists and turns, when the imperial army passed in front of the podium, the imperial military band began ying the Imperial March instead of the Infantry March that had been yed repeatedly. While the heavy Imperial March that weighed on peoples hearts filled the square, the imperial army, with the imperial g bearer at the forefront, crossed the square. Military courtesy! At the shout of Lee Si-ae, who was on horseback and following behind the rider, the imperial soldiers all looked at the scent and shouted. Chuung! Hyang also politely reciprocated by cing his right hand on his chest. And this appearance gave a strong shock to the heads and nobles from Genoa, Mn, and Venice. This is what a truly strong army looks like! The heavy music that touched the heart and the disciplined marching were beyond admiration and were close to wonder. Would the Roman army, which is only told in legend, be like that? And many artists, including da Vinci, were frantically sketching this figure. * * * When the southward advance began, the troop deployment of the Allied Empire and Italy was as follows. -Total troops: approximately 250,000. Imperial Army: Approximately 100,000 including Swiss troops. Florence and allied cities: approximately 150,000. -50,000 troops centered around 30,000 Genoese troops, plus 20,000 imperial and Swiss troops, kept the French and Spanish troops in check. -30,000 troops, including 10,000 Mnese troops and 20,000 Vian troops, checked the southern advance of the Habsburgs in Mn and northern Venice. -Of the 25,000 Swiss troops deployed in Switzend, 18,000 use the Alps to monitor the movements of France and the Habsburgs and initially block them. -Approximately 30,000 and 20,000 troops deployed as reserves in Florence and Bologna. Depending on the war situation, additional units will be deployed to the South and North. -Of the remaining approximately 100,000 troops, 10,000 are stationed at the Siena defense line and are responsible for securing logistics routes and maintaining the defense line. -Of the 90,000, 55,000 Italian troops and 10,000 imperial troops marched south toward Rome. The main force is the Italian army, and the imperial army is responsible for fire support. -The 25,000-strong imperial army attacked San Marino and took control of the Duchy of Romagna east of the Epennine Mountains. Of the reserve units stationed in Bologna, 10,000 are prepared to be mobilized immediately for the attack on San Marino if necessary. Due to the butterfly effect of incense, the Principality of Romagna was established quite early. However, in the aftermath, the territory of the principality was very smallpared to its history before the intervention. In history before the intervention, San Marino was the southernmost city and a principality that upied a wide space between Genoa, Florence and Mn, with Bologna in the center. However, the current territory of the principality was San Marino in the north, and it was a small principality bordering the Kingdom of Naples to the south. At least the southern territory was secured with the protection of Pope Alexander VI. However, there was a good possibility of harassing the imperial-Italian alliance advancing south by conducting a guerri war through the Apennine Mountains. Therefore, the Imperial Army and Swiss Army, which were skilled in mobile warfare and mountain warfare, became the main forces to attack San Marino. * * * Sienna. At the headquarters building of the Empire-Italy Allied Forces advancing south, Yu Eung-bu looked at the map and muttered. The n is always good. It was a huge n with 250,000 soldiers moving here and there. The movement of such arge army was not something even the empire was ustomed to. The Liaodong War and the Battle of the Yellow Sea, which are now considered old stories, were the most recent. Among those currently sitting at the top of the imperial army, very few had experienced the war of the time, and even they were low-level military officers at the time, not in a position to see the big picture. For this reason, Yu Eung-bu was closely watching the situation. If only there had been a fast and urate means ofmunication, I would have felt much more at ease The Imperial Armys luminousmunication device was excellent in terms of uracy and speed. However, in order to utilize it properly, a tall and sturdymunication tower was essential. Of course, if necessary, it could be used on the front line and was useful. However, the low, temporary watchtower could not demonstrate its capabilities to its full potential. It was thanks to the monk in charge of broadcasting that he was able to use it usefully on the front line. ordingly, the Imperial Ministry of Defense drew up a n to build an ultra-long-distancemunicationwork using Bikou and conducted experiments. However, the experiment was half sessful and half failed. Communication using the acetabulum was fully possible. However, like themunication tower, there was a problem of having to float a monk at a certain distance. The n was halted due to the cost of producing and maintaining the acetabulum, the physical limitations of the crew aboard it, and the constraints of nature C it could not beunched even if the wind was slightly strong. As a result, long-distancemunication still relies mainly on dispatches and messengers. Isnt there some innovative way? Yu Eung-bu, who had been thinking for a while, suddenly burst intoughter. What are you doing? Im not even your majesty. I need toe to my senses! Afterposing himself, Yu Eung-bu looked at the map. The Imperial-Italian Allied Forces departing from Siena were divided into two and were advancing south. One group was heading to Rome via Perugia, and the other was heading to Rome along the coastal road via Grosseto. The Perugia route had the dual mission of blocking the connecting route between the Principality of Romagna and Rome, and the Grosseto route had the dual mission of controlling the ins on the road to Rome. For the Grossero route, the Imperial Navy followed the Army down the sea. This was to avoid the same thing that happened to the Imperial Navy when the Spanish army was moving to attack Genoa. Winning or losing in the battles that will take ce in Perugia and Grosseto will determine the future. Yu Eung-bu looked at the map with a serious expression and muttered. Perugia and Grosseto were the most influential archdioceses and the northernmost archdioceses among therge and small dioceses in the Papal States. This was because the dioceses and church groups to the south would react differently depending on how the archdiocese or provincial church group of Perugia and Grosseto responded and the oue of the game. If the Allied forces were to easily win, the morale of the priests and church troops in the diocese would hit rock bottom, and if the Allied forces showed a strong victory or a sluggish performance, they would show a strong will to resist. If you only think about that part, it would be best to establish our imperial army at the vanguard If that were the case, the dissatisfaction of Florence and other allied cities would increase, so the imperial army was in charge of fire support. The problem was that most of the soldiers in the allied cities, excluding Florence, were not mercenaries but soldiers who had volunteered through military service. Even before leaving Siena, their morale was strong, but if they encountered even the slightest difficulty, their morale would immediately drop and they could be a ragtag group. If that happened, there was a possibility that even the experienced Florentine army would copse. Because of this, Yu Eung-bu could not stop worrying while looking at the map. Chief Marshal! This is a report from Perugia! Really? What are the circumstances? Has there been a major battle? They say we entered without blood! Eh? Yu Eung-bus expression was momentarily nk due to the answer that was far beyond what was expected. Avascr? yes! After a while, another military officer came in and reported to Yu Eung-bu. A report has arrived that the Allied forces have entered Grosseto without blood! Huh Yu Eung-bu, who had been standing nkly, soon came to his senses and immediately gave an order. Tell them to send me a detailed report as soon as possible! Chapter 962 Chapter 962: Choice, defection, negotiation (2) Two dayster, a report containing more detailed information was delivered to Yu Eung-bu. C Upon hearing the news that the Allied forces were approaching, the Archdiocese of Perugia immediately fled to the Vatican. -Church forces stationed in Perugia also withdrew to the Vatican. -ording to information collected from Perugia residents, the Archdiocese of Perugia fled to the Vatican with all his family and property. -It is said that the church army also went around Perugia and nearby viges looting, as well as the property they had, and then withdrew. -Need to supply food and medicine to affected residents. Huh This is it The report sent from Grosseto is also very simr. Yu Eung-bu, who checked the report, looked astonished. Isnt the head of the archdiocese or province supposed to be a high-ranking monk with deep faith? But with all the money and wealth the church army even plundered It wasnt even during the Goryeo Dynasty back in the day This is why I took a repressive policy Yu Eung-bu shook his head when he was informed of his actions that went far beyond the doctrine of preaching Gods providence and saving sentient beings. One of the staff members who had a simr expression to Yu Eung-bu suggested another possibility. Could it be that they used clear field tactics? Its a clear-field tactic Yu Eung-bu, who was thinking over the words of the staff, sighed and muttered. Ha. It would be better if it was a clear night tactic * * * Afterwards, the bloodless nature of the Popes invasion continued. There were cases where they packed up everything early and entered Muju Gongsan Mountain, and there were cases where they raised a white g and surrendered as soon as they saw the Allied forces. This is it Themanders of the Allied forces marching toward Rome looked at the marching soldiers with perplexed expressions. Even as they left Siena, the soldiers faces were full of determination and tension. However, the enemies who were expected to be waiting for them in a highly poisonous state did not even see a shadow, and as the bloodless invasion continued, the soldiers faces were filled with only rxation. It wasnt just his face that was rxed. Flowers picked from the side of the road were often stuck in the muzzles of long guns slung loosely on their shoulders, and some soldiers even had bottles of wine hanging from their muzzles. And the song that one or two people started singing to relieve the boredom and fatigue of the march led to a chorus. Folk songs from Genoa, Mn, Venice, and Florence came out from everywhere, and the soldiers were excited. You cant be pushed around by those hillbillies with a song! As a kind of battle of spirit took ce, the soldiers sang with the veins in their necks standing up. The imperial military officers who were watching this from behind muttered with incredulous expressions on their faces. You can tell wereing from a hundred miles away. Thats not the problem. Our kids are calling too. Thats the problem As the military officers said, the Imperial and Swiss soldiers were also singing their own folk songs. This was thanks to the continuous bloodless process and the added sense of relief of being in the rear, which relieved the tension. In response, the imperial military officers reprimanded the soldiers several times to strengthen discipline, but once discipline was loosened, it was not easily tightened. Eventually, conspiracy theories began to circte among military officers who were exhausted from the task. Could this be the enemys n? * * * Could it be the enemys n? stratagem? As expected, clear field tactics? To the response departments question, the senior staff immediately answered, It is highly likely. Rather than wasting power by repeating useless battles, it is better to boldly abandon areas to preserve power. In addition, doesnt it kill two birds with one stone by lowering the other persons guard? Thats not all. The supply of food and medicine to local people who had been plundered was in disarray. It seems that there is a very skilled person among the enemys staff who knows how to use such advanced tactics. I see Yu Eung-bu nodded at the senior staff members words. But both the Yu Eung-bu and the staff knew. . The current situation was not the enemys n, but they were just giving up and running away. Still, the response department and staff wanted to believe that it was a n. It would be too unfair to do otherwise! It was to escape the sense of self-destruction that everything they had done to reduce the losses of the imperial army was a foolish act. However, when the report of the interrogation of the bishops and cardinals of the dioceses and provinces that surrendered under the white g was posted, the response department and staff were relieved of the feeling of self-destruction. The contents of the report were summarized as follows: -At the beginning of the war, the fighting spirit was high. -However, I was greatly shocked by the fact that the power of the Empire and Florence was much stronger than expected. -France and Spain were defeated. As the Habsburgs escaped from Italy, the pessimistic outlook became stronger. -The main force of the church army fell to the Duchy of Romagna, leaving no way to replenish its strength. -The army of the Kingdom of Naples advanced north, causing it topletely lose its will to fight. So, youre saying that they just gave up because they were hit from above and below at the same time. Thats right. Perhaps the absence of the main force is the biggest reason. Yu Eung- bu, who was looking at the map while nodding to the senior staff members exnation, shuffled through the documents ced on one side. Lets see the monarch of the Principality of Romagna. .. After digging through the documents and finding the report, Yu Eung-bu looked at the contents again. Hmm. The illegitimate son of Pope Cesare Borgia, who is in his mid-20s and has great abilities and ambition Is he an illegitimate child again? ? Yu Eung-bu, who had paid attention to the word illegitimate child, soon returned to the main topic. You said the main force of the church army was in the Principality of Romagna, right? The results from there will be a watershed. The good news is that the main force of the unit heading there is our Imperial Army. Yu Eung-bu, somewhat relieved that the most reliable unit had headed to Romagna, asked his senior staff. Where has the unit heading to San Marino gone now? ? ording to reports posted yesterday, it would have arrived today. Is that so? I guess Ill just have to wait tediously for the messenger again. Our imperial army has arrived, so you dont have to worry too much. Thats a good thing. * * * The next afternoon, a messenger sent from the unit heading to San Marino arrived at headquarters. Huh . The senior staff member, who checked the report brought by the messenger, checked the report several times with an expression of disbelief and submitted it to the response department. Things became interesting. The Pope messed up his childrens farming. What does that mean? Yu Eung-bu, who read the report with an expression of doubt, burst intoughter. Heh! Youre right. You have ruined your childrens farming. -Currently in confrontation with the church army of the Principality of Romagna. No armed conflict. -Duke Cesare Borgia, the monarch of the Principality of Romagna, has delivered the following requirements. The attached document contains the requirements of Cesare Borgia. It was written : -If you acknowledge the Principality of Romagna and your political status, you and the Principality will actively cooperate with the Empire not only in the unification of Italy but also in the future. So, if you only promise me your political share, you will betray your father. Yu Eung-bu, who was examining the document with an expression of astonishment, gave his evaluation of Cesare Borgia. Here, too, was a man who was a vassal during his reign and a traitor during times of turmoil. After adding a short report containing his opinion, Yu Eung-bu ordered his staff. I will immediately convey this to His Majesty the Great Emperor, because this is the realm of politics. Yes , Captain . What do you think? Han Myeong-hoe was the first to speak in response to Hyangs question. I think its better to ept hisments. Its a good thing because it doesnt cause unnecessary bloodshed, and if you think about the future, its also in the empires interest to have more allies. Is that so? It was Seong Sam-moon who spoke next. I think its better not to ept it. . Its good to be able to avoid fighting, but joining hands with someone who even betrays your father is detrimental to the empires honor. And we cannot be sure that those who have already betrayed us will not betray us again. It would be better to send additional troops to stop their reckless actions. I think it would be best to liquidate Rome while they, who are pressed down in terms of military strength, are just watching. That also makes sense. What do you think, Ambassador Shin? Shin Sook-ju, who was pointed out by Hyang, gathered her thoughts for a moment and answered, You seem to be a person who is good at recognizing the general trend and finding your own direction. In this case, as long as we are confident that the empire will guarantee our interests, we will bepletely on the side of the empire. Since it is suitable for use as a chess piece, I think it would be a good idea to hold hands. I see After hearing the three peoples answers, Hyang smiled strangely and muttered to himself. It is an answer that reveals the values of the three people. After looking at the three for a moment, Hyang turned his head and asked the waiting official. Did you also deliver copies to the leaders of the alliance? Your Majesty. Then I guess I should talk to them. Send someone and tell them that I asked to meet you. Yes, Your Majesty. After giving the order to the official, the Hyang turned to the three people and continued. I have listened carefully to the officials opinions. All of these answers have valid reasons, so I think they are worth considering. However, this is not the internal affairs of the Empire, but the internal affairs of Italy, so we will follow the decisions of the leaders of the alliance. It is an excellent decision, the three of them answered, bowing their heads to Hyangs words. But the three of them knew it well. Although it is Italys internal affairs, todays Italy cannot escape the influence of the government. In other words, the decision of the government bes the decision of the alliance. We just cover our eyes and say nothing. * * * The next day, Hyang, who was with the leaders of the alliance, asked them, Why do you think this Cesare Borgia betrayed his father? Even though he is an illegitimate child, it is certain that he would not have be a duke of the principality without his fathers help. The person who answered the perfumes question was Lorenzo de Medici. He made his second son, Giovanni di Lorenzo de Medici, a cardinal and sent him to the Vatican. It was because he knew the situation in the Vatican well thanks to his input. It was because he became a duke with the help of his father. The current Pope, Alexander VI, has quite a few enemies. If he dies, Cesare Borgia will immediately lose everything. So you will join hands with us now to ensure your position is preserved? Thats right. Hearing Lorenzos exnation, he muttered to himself. Really . Hes just as bad as Jojo. At the ensuing meeting, the leaders of the alliance agreed to ept Cesares demands. Although they did not like the idea of reducing the size of the pie they would upy, they believed that it would reduce unnecessary blood loss and allow them to grow bigger at the same time. Considering the Kingdom of Naples, this was the best choice. Chapter 963 Episode 963: Choice, defection, negotiation (3) Cesare Borgias choice was a forced choice, as Lorenzo de Medici exined. The only way for him to survive while maintaining a minimum of his power was to join the Italian Unification Movement. Whew. If only France and Spain had done the right thing Cesare Borgia sighed and cursed France and Spain. * * * If France and Spain had subdued the Empire and Florence, he would not have defected. No, even if it had only been a long-term game, there was nothing bad about it. Because you can charge a high price for yourself. However, France and Spain, who had attacked with great vigor but were cruelly defeated, were hiding in their burrows and just watching. In the Battle of Corsica, they defeated the Imperial Navy, but that was the end of it. This was because the enraged imperial navy searched for ports where French and Spanish warships had taken refuge, such as Corsica and Naples, and destroyed them. In the end, only a few warships managed to find a gap in the imperial navys surveincework and escape to the Duchy of Savoy and Sicily, and that was the end of it. Battleships stuck in port like that never came out to sea again. Regarding this Battle of Corsica, the authors ordinary people said the following: The neighborhood mutt bit the tigers tail without realizing it. Even more famous were the sarcasticments made by a cynical cardinal in the Vatican C most likely Giovanni di Lorenzo de Medici. If a prisoner punches a guard in the nose, isnt he just a prisoner locked in a cell? On the contrary, his situation will only get worse. Did you ever think that the guard who got hit would say, Youre the first person to hit me, so Ill let you go. Even a cheap ywright I wouldnt write a script like that. As the cardinal said, the situation in the Mediterranean has worsened for France and Spain. This was because the Imperial Navy fleet was moving around the entire Mediterranean Sea with its eyes lit up. Ships flying the French and Spanish gs must be destroyed or captured. Ships that did not have a g were unconditionally inspected, and if goods not authorized by the empire C mainly drugs C were discovered, they were unconditionally seized. If they escape or resist, they are considered pirates and are immediately sunk. The actions of the imperial navy were such that even the Ottoman Empire had to take notice. The Ottoman Empires ships did not even set anchor in the North African region west of the Mediterranean Sea. Thanks to this, there was even a conspiracy theory going around among merchants in the Mediterranean region. Could it be that the Imperial Navy deliberately showed weakness in Corsica? * * * Because of this situation, Cesare Borgia decided to defect, but he was still preparing to pay a high price. The problem was that it was almost exactly what Venice had thought. -Raise the ransom by showing off the strength of the military Imand! It can be formidable. Cesare responded confidently to the point made by a close associate who had heard of Cesares inner thoughts. Its not for the faint of heart. * * * There were people everywhere who sold goods, even to their own enemies, for their own benefit. The same was true in Florence. As the war unfolded, enormous amounts of military supplies were produced. With the application of mass production and all-out war system, production increased significantly, but the problem was that management was still stubborn. The empire took issue with this and changed its management system to an imperial style, but in that short period of time, a considerable amount of weapons and military supplies flowed south through smugglers. This was because, unlike the north, where imperial management was tight, the south wasx. * * * And through this ck market, Cesare was able to form an additional 2,000 musketeers armed with Florentine rifles. Adding together the existing rifle corps and artillery corps, a total of approximately 10,000 rifle corps and an artillery corps with 50 cannons was created. This is not easy! Cesare, confident in his power, drew up a long list of demands. Cesare looked pleased as he looked at the list of dozens of requirements. Its simple enough. I think its too much for the size of the principality. How about reducing it a bit? Cesare shook his head in response to his concerned aides suggestion. I heard its simple enough. Its enough as long as the imperial army doesnte! And negotiation is a bargain! You have to ask for a high price at first! But the news that followed made Cesare despair. -The main force of the troops heading to the principality is the imperial army. No, most of the forces are imperial troops. -At least 30,000 troops. Holy shit! Cesare swore and tore up the list he had. -The Empire does not bargain. -You want to bargain? Dont you know what happened to Mn? The case of Mn, where the city wall itself disappeared after rejecting the empires proposal, was very famous. In the end, it was Cesare who set only the minimum requirements. * * * When the news of Cesares defection spread, Rome was turned upside down. So, didnt I say you shouldnt trust that bastard? Duke Juan Borgia de Gandia, the illegitimate son of Alexander VI and the older brother of Cesare Borgia, was furious, with veins forming on his neck. How many times have I told you that he is a great man who would go to Ma and praise Ah if he could get enough of his stomach? Whoa~. Juans criticism continued, and Pope Alexander VI just sighed, putting his hand on his forehead with a sorrowful expression. So that damn bastard! Whoa~. Seeing Juan walking around the room, swearing and cursing Cesare, Alexander VI sighed and muttered to himself. How can brothers born in the same boat * * * Juan and Cesare, the sons of Alexander VI and Bannocha Catanei, were famous for their enmity. To be more precise, it was not an enemy, but an enemy of Bulbuldaecheon. The reason their rtionship became like that was because of power. When Alexander VI became Pope, Juan was given the following positions: the Popes standard-bearer, Commander-in-Chief of the Church Army, Administrator of St. Peters Basilica, Duke of Gandia, Duke of Cesa, and Archbishop of the Diocese of Naples. However, Cesare only went from being bishop of Pamplona to bing a cardinal. To ensure the prosperity of his family, Alexander VI entrusted military power to Juan and appointed Cesare as a cardinal. Cesare was dissatisfied with this and came to regard Juan as a thorn in his eyes. Juan also did not know this and could not take his eyes off Cesare. Eventually, when the rupture between the two became too loud, Alexander VI summoned Cesare and had a private talk. Afterwards, Cesare resigned as cardinal and established the Duchy of Romagna with the support of Alexander VI. It would have been best if it ended there, but the situation got even worse. An incident urred in which Juan was attacked just before the start of the war. As Juan was walking down the streets of Rome at night with only two guards and a retinue, assassins disguised as thieves attacked him. In the process of preventing the attack, it was a major incident in which one guard and servant were killed and Juan was slightly injured. Without these, I would be dead. What saved Juans life were two Imperial six-barreled cavalry rifles. Juan, who purchased it through the ck market, always hid it in his arms, and this time, he was saved. Juan, who survived the attack, tried to identify the dead attackers at the scene and find the culprits, but the case ended up being unsolved. However, rumors filled Rome that Cesare was the one who instigated the attack. When Juan disappeared, Cesare was almost the only one who could fill the vacant position C the position ofmander-in-chief of the church army and several ducal titles. However, because Cesare was staying in the Principality of Romagna, the situation was only suspicion and no physical evidence, and the case had no choice but to end as unresolved. The case was left unsolved, but Juan gritted his teeth whenever he heard the name Cesare. And now Gilgil became angry and cursed Cesare in front of Alexander VI. * * * Phew~. So After sighing for a long time, Alexander VI asked Juan. So is there a way to escape the current crisis? Juans mouth remained closed in response to Alexander VIs question. The state of the church forces now gathered in Rome was desperate. Compared to the armying from the north, its size was heartbreakingly small and its morale was at its lowest. At least it was a good thing that I had brought the right weapons. There was hope in the Kingdom of Naples armying from the south, but this too soon turned into despair. It was because of the motto raised by the Kingdom of Naples army. -Italys unification and internal affairs must be decided by Italians! -The Kingdom of Naples rejects intervention by foreign powers! -The troops were dispatched to prevent intervention by foreign powers! Among the causes put forward by the Kingdom of Naples, there was nothing like protection of the Papal States or protection of the Pope. The Pope and the Papal States werepletely excluded from this war. Is there a way? .There is no military method. What about France and Spain? Im just hiding in the cave and rolling my eyes. In response to Juans reply, Alexander VI ced his hand on his forehead again. After thinking for a while, Alexander VI raised his head and looked at Juan. There is no military method, right? Thats right. . Then you are saying that we have to negotiate What can we gain through negotiation? It would be the safety of the church and His Holiness. If you try hard enough, can the Papal States outside of Italy be recognized? In response to Juans answer, Alexander VI looked despondent. Outside of Italy? The moment you lose the inside of Italy, you will lose all the papal territories outside of it. Aside from Italy, there were still a significant number of papal states in various parts of Europe. And these papal states were granted as fiefs to cardinals and bishops. The papal states were coveted prey for secr monarchs. If the papal states inside Italy disappeared, the very moment the papal states outside Italy would disappear by being eaten up here and there. Still, it would be best to do your best to negotiate. Thats right. That, too, must be ended before the church army copses. With France and Spain unable to help, the only solution was negotiation. And the church army currently staying in Rome was also in trouble. Morale was at its lowest and sries continued to be dyed. We were losing. If we made a mistake, it would not be the churchs army, but a band of thieves plundering the church. Send a messenger. Lets negotiate. The Vatican is fully willing to negotiate for Italian unification. * * * Hyang, who heard the story through the Vaticans messenger, immediately called Han Myeong-hoe. Will the Prime Minister step forward? Leave it to Sosin! Originally, the start of a war is politics, and the end of a war is also politics. So Shin, I am confident in politics! Then I will leave it to the Prime Minister. I will do my best! Hyang, who handed over the task to Han Myeong-hoe, looked at Gibraltar on the map and muttered, I will return what I received and take care of what I need to take care of. Chapter 964 Episode 964: Everyone is a hustler except me. (1) The ce where the Allied Empire-Italy armying south from Siena and the Kingdom of Naples armying north from Naples met was a in located southeast of Rome. In history before the intervention of the fragrance, the two sides that met on the in where Leonardo da Vinci International Airport was located were creating an ominous atmosphere of imminent danger. Even though the cavalry on both sides, who had already gone out to scout, reported, the momentum on both sides was ferocious. Fortunately, the riders were standing at the front, and an order was issued prohibiting hasty engagement, so there was only a confrontation. As the tense battle between the two sides continued, the highest-rankingmanders from both armies appeared at the front. My name is Corleone, who leads the Florentine Legion of the Italian Army. When Corleone, representing themanders sitting on the horse, introduced himself by slightly lifting his hat, Alfonso, who was sitting across from him, also slightly lifted his hat and responded. My name is Alfonso, Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Naples and Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the Kingdom of Naples. Are the strangers there members of the Imperial Army? Lee Si-ae, who listened to the story through an interpreter, nodded lightly and responded. My name is Lee Si-ae, a thief whomands the Imperial Army. After the introductions were over, Corleone got to the point. Are you going to join us or are you going to stop us? Alfonso did not give up and answered Corleones direct question right away. We will be together until we enter Rome. After that, it will depend on your actions. At Alfonsos answer, themanders of the Allied forces, including Corleone C especially the Florentine and Swiss forces C smiled strangely. Themanders standing in the front row ended with a strange smile, but themanders standing behind everyone burst intoughter. Lee Si-aes mutterings, heard through an interpreter, directly reflected the feelings of thesemanders. Only when you flutter like that and burst into tears, will you realize your true nature. Pfft! Oh, dont trante this. Yes, old master thief. Having agreed to a kind of truce, the two armies stood shoulder to shoulder and headed toward the gates of Rome. This was not a metaphor. The pride of the Kingdom of Naples was hurt to follow in the footsteps of the Allied forces, but standing in front of the Allied forces made the back of my head itch. This was the same for the Allied Forces. Thanks to this, the two armies stood side by side and headed toward the gates of Rome. And that too at a reasonable distance. When the Allied forces and the Kingdom of Naples troops arrived in front of the castle gate, the gate opened slightly and church army officers and soldiers came out holding white gs. Is this surrender? While the soldiers were muttering as they looked at the church troops holding white gs, an officer of the church army raised his voice. I brought you a personal letter from Duke Juan Borja de Gandia, Commander-in-Chief of the Church Army! At the shout of the Church Army officer, soldiers from the Allied Forces and the Kingdom of Naples Army simultaneously rushed out and red at each other. As the Allied Forces and the Kingdom of Naples Army were ring at each other, and the Church Army was unable to do one thing or another and only watched, themanders of the Allied Forces and the Kingdom of Naples stepped forward. A battle of wits broke out once again, and a tent was set up halfway between the Allied forces camp and the Kingdom of Naples camp. As themanders of both armies sat around a round table in the tent, an officer of the Church Army took out Juans personal letter from his pocket. But to whom To whom are you giving your personal letter? As the situation became more tense once again over the question, Who will be the first to read a personal letter?, Lee Si-ae gave an order to the interpreter. You go out and get it and then read it out loud. You mean me? The interpreter, who was overwhelmed by the bloody atmosphere, was shocked and asked Lee Si-ae. Then Lee Si-ae responded with an expression that said there was nothing she could do. Either way, if someone in military uniform steps forward, there will be a lot of trouble. You are the only person here who is not in military uniform. Please do me a favor. All right. The interpreter, who had received a request from Lee Si-ae that was not a request, gave a small hexadecimal message and walked towards the church officer. huh? uh? While themanders of the Allied and Kingdom of Naples forces momentarily froze, the interpreter who took the letter as if snatching it from a church army officer read it loudly. Notice to the armed forces outside the gates! A messenger from the Holy Father has reached the leaders of both sides! I propose a truce until the messengerse with an answer! I believe that if you are good Christians, you will ept this offer! Themanders on both sides, who heard the story through an interpreter, all looked at Lee Si-ae. Lee Si-ae smiled and responded to the interpreters report when she returned with a personal letter in her hand. I am not a good Christian, but I ept the offer on the honor of the Imperial Army and His Majesty the Emperor. Alliedmanders who heard Lee Si-aes answer through an interpreter immediately joined in. We, the Italian Army, will ept that offer. When the Allied Forces epted the offer, Alfonso opened his mouth with a chewed expression. We, the Kingdom of Naples Army, also ept the offer. I cant believe the steamboat was taken away! This will never happen again! In any case, the truce went into effect as the Allied forces and the Kingdom of Naples troops epted the proposal. * * * As the truce went into effect, the church army on the wall, the Allied forces under the wall, and the Kingdom of Naples army looked only at each other. It would depend on what answer the messenger brought, but the soldiers were very d that they could rest without fighting. As more time passed, the atmosphere between the Allied Forces and the Naples Kingdom Army, which had been sharp at each other, began to soften. Although the truce yed a major role, war merchants also yed a role. War merchants who followed the Allied and Kingdom of Naples troops sold alcohol and food while traveling between the Allied and Kingdom troops camps. It wasnt just alcohol and food. Suddenly, prostitutes gathered near the camp and began selling alcohol and their bodies to the soldiers. After hearing the report, Lee Si-ae muttered with a bewildered expression on her face. In a sense, it is the unification of Italy. The South and the North have be one. Lee Si-ae, who studied the report for a moment, gave orders to his subordinatemanders. We will do our best to manage the soldiers. We will not stop them from buying and consuming alcohol and food, but if any soldiers are caught with a venereal disease, we will be severely reprimanded. ancient! Because of Lee Si-aes orders, the imperial armymanders managed their soldiers with a spark in their eyes. The management of soldiers was also an important item in evaluating the qualifications ofmanders. How did we get this opportunity? We cant just let it go! In any case, between the Allied forces and the Kingdom of Naples army, the imperial army was called Saennim and Monk. Youre so good at fighting, but youre terrible at everything else! The monks in our vige will treat women better than those! But this was a misunderstanding. Many of the imperial troops who came to Italy were from New Zend. To the imperial soldiers from The New Territories, European women looked very unfamiliar. In addition, the Europeanndscape itself was unfamiliar, so the soldiers from Shinji were busy seeing the scenery and trying new drinks and foods. When ites to food, Italy is on par with France. The situation was simr for soldiers from ces other than Shinji. The eyes are big, the breasts are big, the ass is big, everything is nice, but it smells so bad! And its dirty! In the eyes of soldiers from areas where imperialization had already beenpleted, Europeans were too dirty. And the body odor unique to Europeans was also severe. Thanks to this, the soldiers of the Imperial Army unintentionally led a modest life. Of course, among them, there were always those who got into trouble. In any case, as tensions between the Allied forces and the Kingdom of Naples troops eased, soldiers from both sides talked frequently. What emerged as a new and hot topic among the soldiers, who were talking about their hometowns, women, etc., was the weapons of the imperial army. To be exact, it was a fire truck carried by imperial army officers and soldiers of special forces such as assault troops. What is that gun? It seems only the Imperial Army carries it but at first nce, it looks like a childrens toy. Its a shame that my big friends use such small guns. As the Kingdom of Naples armyughed at the fire truck, which was slightly more than half the size of the Florentine long guns and double rifles, the Allied soldiers, especially the Florentine soldiers, looked strange. By the way, thats the one that killed the most French people in Pavia after imperial artillery shells. After all, thats the gun that only the Swiss and Imperial armies have. Oh, so you say so? At the words of the Allied soldiers, the eyes of some Naples Kingdom soldiers began to shine. Seeing the Neapolitan soldiers like that, the expressions of the Allied soldiers became serious. This is because Naples has long been famous for having many petty thieves. The Allied soldiers, whose expressions became serious, warned the Neapolitan soldiers. Its better not to think about unnecessary things. If you want to live, you have to be quiet, right? Huh? Me what? Eh~. Dont think like that! In response to the Allied soldiers warning, the Kingdom of Naples soldiers waved their hands excessively and shook their heads. However, the expressions on the faces of the Kingdom of Naples soldiers who left their posts and came back were not like that. How much do imperial weapons sell for on the ck market? Didnt the merchant I met a while ago say that if I brought him imperial weapons, he would buy them at a high price? Meanwhile, the Allied soldiers who were watching the Kingdom of Naples army disappearing from behind shook their heads. There will be bloodshed soon. There will be bloodshed among the imperial army. Dont you know how many ghost-like people there are * * * A few dayster, deep at night, there were shadows secretly sneaking into the Jegu Armys camp. The shadows, alone or in groups of two or three, were hiding in tents to avoid the eyes of the imperial soldiers on guard. They walked carefully between the shadows. The shadows that were moving so cautiously found suitable tents and approached them. Squeak. They carefully tore the fabric of the tent and when the shadows raised their heads, a blunt piece of metal hit them on the head. Heads up. What the shadows could see was the muzzle of a gun pointed at their heads. Beep! Beep! And not long after, whistles sounded here and there in the camp. * * * The next morning, Alfonso weed an unwee guest. Soldier. They stole it? Yes. Im telling you to take over the captured soldiers and the bodies of the soldiers who died while trying to escape. This Alfonso, barely able to hold back his swearing, roughly pulled back the curtain of the tent and went outside. In front of Alfonsos tent, the Kingdom of Naples was tied up with ropes. Soldiers were gathered on their knees. Behind them, the officers and soldiers of the Empire and the Allied Forces who had dragged them were rolling their eyes. And on a cart next to them were corpses covered in cloth. Whew~. Alfonso let out a long sigh and ordered his subordinatemander. Take care of those thieves ording to militaryw. And what about the bodies? They died while trying to escape. I didnt hear any gunshots? Well they were killed by a weapon simr to an axe. Axe? Imperial soldiers used tomahawks. He said. Chapter 965 Episode 965: Everyone is a bully except me. (2) The criminals are to be hanged! Naples soldiers who were tried on charges of theft were sentenced to death by hanging. Please have mercy! Mercy! The soldiers who heard the verdict shed tears and begged for mercy, but themander in charge of the trial answered in a cold voice. This is a ruling based on military discipline. There is no overturning. Take them away. Mercy! Even as they were taken to a temporary prison built on one side of the camp, the soldiers longed for mercy. The expressions on the faces of all the soldiers watching the scene C from the Kingdom of Naples to those of the Imperial Army C were grave. Unlucky And this was the same for themanders. The battlefield was a ce where instinct took precedence over any other ce. Looting and theft were almostmon among soldiers going into battle. Therefore, it was customary formanders to turn a blind eye to a certain extent. The problem was when it went beyond that certain level. In that case, the army would instantly be a band of thieves with enormous military power. Therefore,manders used these unlucky soldiers to establish discipline in their units. What made the soldiers who were now sentenced even more unfortunate was that the ce where they attempted the theft was, of course, the Imperial Army camp. If you went in to steal, you might get caught! What a shame! This is at the most important time! It was an added offensive that hurt the pride of Alfonso, themander-in-chief of the Kingdom of Naples. * * * Before the soldiers were tried and sentenced, themanders of the Kingdom of Naples interrogated the criminals. How did you get caught? Although he couldnt boast about it openly, Naples was famous for its many thieves. From pickpockets who steal the wallets of passers-by, to full-blown thieves who climb over walls at night. It was not easy for people who were so good at stealing to be caught hiding in a temporary camp that was not a properly built fortress. This meant that the imperial armys discipline and capabilities were unusual. The criminals answers to themanders questions were the same. It was like they knew we wereing. It moved without any sign. It was like a ghost! It was like a ghost! The persistence was like meeting a pack of wolves! Themanders muttered with serious faces in response to the criminals answer. If you look at the story, they are almost like wild beasts? What kind of people are they? Soon after, strange rumors began to circte among the Naples Kingdom army. -I heard there are wizards in the imperial army who use strange techniques! It is said that if those wizards cast a spell, they can see at night as if it were day, and a person bes as strong as a bear! -It is said that Imperial soldiers turn into beasts when the moon rises! It was a rumor created by imperial soldiers from Shinji. * * * As the empires territory expanded, various races began to mix in the imperial army. In particr, the percentage of people from the New World was very high in the imperial troops stationed in Italy. This was because the main supply line was Shinji. And the imperial army preferred soldiers from the New Territories. As the development of New Land progressed, the empire recognized the military talent of the New Land natives. The indigenous people living in the ins of the Northern New Territories were good at group warfare and had a strong will to fight. Once a fight starts, he bites until the end, and when he hears orders, he moves in unison. He has the best qualities as a soldier! On the other hand, people from forest tribes had exceptional skills in stealthy movement and ambush shooting. I havent gone through any special training, but my skills are as good as Chakhos! Thats amazing! And the soldiers from Namsinji endured better than others even in harsh environments such as the jungle. They were the best human resources for the imperial army, which was suffering from troop supply issues. It wasnt a bad thing from the natives perspective either. For the indigenous people, where warriors were treated with respect and belonging to a powerful group of warriors was an honor, the imperial army was the best ce to work. * * * In addition to this background, the Italians misunderstood because most of the troops who arrived in Italy were from New Zend. Many of the military doctors in the imperial army from Shinji were native shamans. Although they received proper medical education and wore formal uniforms of the imperial army, they always wore their tribes traditional decorations. And to ensure the mental and physical stability of the indigenous soldiers from the east, traditional tribal dances and songs were periodically performed. Each time this happened, soldiers from the relevant tribe or indigenous warriors from nearby areas gathered together to join them. It was the birth of a wizard who uses strange techniques. And as already mentioned, thanks to the talent of the soldiers from Shinji, the rumor gained weight and spread. * * * In any case, after receiving a serious nose injury, the Kingdom of Naples army did not target the imperial army. At the same time, the Italian soldiers of the alliance did not move hastily and only watched the imperial army. Meanwhile, the troops heading to the Duchy of Romagna and the soldiers of the Duchy of Romagna arrived in Rome. Soon after, imperial officials, led by Han Myeonghoe, and monarchs of allied cities, led by Lorenzo de Medici, arrived in Rome. Meanwhile, a messenger from the Kingdom of Naples arrived in Rome and quickly looked for Alfonso. Your Majesty hasmanded you to participate in the negotiations on behalf of the Kingdom of Naples. Your Majesty also said, I trust that your tongue will be as sharp as your sword. The messenger who delivered Ferdinand Is words presented the edict to Alfonso. After breaking the seal and checking the contents of the edict, Alfonso answered calmly. Please tell me that I will fight with the determination to die. Yes, prince. The next day, politicians such as Han Myeonghoe, Lorenzo de Medici, Alfonso and Cesare Borgia gathered and had a formal meeting. After the tense meeting, the politicians decided to send a joint letter to the Pope. -Open the gates for peace! A brief but firm joint letter was delivered, and the gates of Rome were opened the next day. * * * Soldiers carrying the gs of the Empire, allied cities, the Kingdom of Naples, and the Duchy of Romagna entered through the wide open gates. The vanguard unit entered after the g corps, followed by politicians. Hmm If you look at the librarian I found and read in my home country, it said that the movies of Rome are iparable The faces of the Italians, including Lorenzo, turned red at Han Myeong-hoes exquisitely blurry words. This was because the Rome they entered now had declined iparably with the Rome of the past. The Colosseum, which was responsible for the entertainment of Roman citizens, copsed on one side and was in ruins, and all the public buildings and public buildings disappeared, leaving only a few pirs and cornerstones. Only the magnificent Aurelian Wall reminded us of the mighty and splendid Rome of the past. No matter how extravagant a movie is, it is ultimately just a dream it is fleeting. This was Han Myeonghoes sincerity. * I ask you to remain here while the negotiations proceed. Thank you for your favor. When Han Myeong-hoe expressed his gratitude, Cardinal Giovanni smiled and responded politely. It is my honor. Politicians from allied cities, including Genoa and Mn, and Alfonso also dressed as women in the mansions of cardinals or archbishops with whom they had ties. The only courtesy was Cesare Borgia. He stayed at his mansion in Rome. As the locations for politicians to stay were decided, soldiers surrounded the mansion to protect them. What is interesting is that as they settled in like this, the imperial army and the soldiers of the allied Kingdom of Naples and the Duchy of Romagna ended up surrounding the Apostolic Pce, where the Pope was staying. After a war of words thatsted until the sun set, the venue for negotiations was decided to be the conference room at Sado Pce. * * * Two dayster, full-scale negotiations began. Negotiations began to explode as soon as they began. And the first plosive sound was caused by Cesare Borgia. Why is a traitor worse than Judas Iscariot here? As long as that traitor is present, there can be no negotiations! Juan, who appeared as the Popes representative, pointed a finger at Cesare and screamed. It was Han Myeong-hoe who responded to Juans protest. The Duke of Romagna is a member of the alliance. So of course the Duke of Romagna must also attend. If you do not ept this, there will be no negotiations. In response to Han Myeong-hoes firm reply, the negotiations were dered adjourned as soon as they began. While the adjournment continued, negotiations for negotiation took ce. However, the response of the Hanmyeonghoe was resolute, and in the end, Juan had to acknowledge Cesares attendance. And with this, superiority and inferiority were clearly differentiated. The first thing discussed in the resumed negotiations was whether the Popes decree exists. I recognize the unification of Italy. No, I wee it. But I want to maintain the current Papal States. Lorenzo gave a short answer to Juans request. Impossible. The current Papal States is toorge. Only 10 leagues (approximately 42 km) in all directions around Rome will be recognized. The remaining Papal States will elect leaders through the votes of their citizens. Voting? Huh! Isnt this a sign that you will share in the end? Even if we share it, it is still one Italy. If you dont like it, you can break the negotiation. Ugh When Lorenzo forced him to choose between war or surrender, Juan groaned and closed his mouth. Myung-hoe Han joined the conversation as he watched Juan grinding his teeth. When I came to Italy, I saw that even though it was a Papal territory, tyrants had taken their ce in each region. The church is run through donations from believers anyway, so why insist on a Papal territory? Thats His Majesty the Great Taehyang once said, To Caesar what is Caesars, and to God what is God. Didnt the dogma preach, To God what is Gods. How can those who are called to save sentient beings give up worldly worldly desires? Cant you? .. Juan kept his mouth shut at Han Myeong-hoes point. Although the scent had already been removed once, this was the most painful and delicate part of the Vatican. After two days of squirrel-like negotiations, King Juan Alexander VI and the Vatican gave in. In return, the safety of Rome and the Vatican has been secured. I guess Ill be satisfied with this. With these words, Alexander VI surrendered. But this wasnt the end. Since wevee this far, Id like to hear a definitive answer on this as well. What Han Myeong-hoe requested an answer to was the issue of rituals for ancestors. In the main and northern regions of the empire, as well as in the new region, ancestral rites are very important. If you want to spread your faith, I hope you will give an answer to this question. Right here and now! Chapter 966 Episode 966: Everyone is a fanatic except me. (3) That part is because he is not a monk Juan was sweating and avoided answering, but Han Myeong-hoe pressed Juan even more. Because youre not a monk? Well, thats possible. But isnt this Rome? Its the holy capital of your religion! Whats the problem with you wandering around so much that as soon as you open the door and go out, the monks of your religion get kicked? But it is a matter that will take a long time to decide right away Decades have passed since His Majesty Tae Sang-tae first asked, and we still need more time? Huh! Han Myeong-hoe snorted and gave an ultimatum. Ill give you two days! If you refuse, not only European monks, but no Europeans will be able to set foot in the empires territory! Two days Ill say it again, if you open the door and go out, the streets will be overflowing with monks and the Popes residence is just around the corner! Just giving me two days is a mercy from His Majesty the Great Emperor! ..All right. That was the end of the days negotiations. * * * That night, in the imperial lodgings provided in the annex of Cardinal Giovannis mansion, Han Myeong-hoe and Seong Sam-moon Shin Suk-ju were talking about todays events. But, do you really need a confirmation from someone called the Pope? Seong Sam-moon, who raised a question, continued speaking. There are already quite a few people in the headquarters of the empire who believe in Im, also known as Imism. Isnt Im as popr and as eager to spread Im as the Catholic religion that Europeans believe in? But isnt there much noise caused by it? The imperialw already contains information about it. There is a use. The firstws of the empire clearly contained provisions rted to religion. -Empires can believe in any god they wish as long as they are loyal to the empire and the emperor, follow thews of the empire, and do not cause harm to others. And quite a few Muslims had already been living there since the end of the Goryeo Dynasty. However, since it was not causing any problems, Seong Sam-Moon saw it as excessive and pointed it out. Han Myeong-hoe shook his head lightly in response to Seong Sam-moonsment. The saints are simr, but there is a big difference between Im and Catholicism. Im does not have a pope, but Catholicism does have a pope, right? There will certainly be people who will honor the pope more than the empire and the emperor and risk their lives to follow him. Han Myeong-hoe, who lightly quenched his thirst with a cup filled with ck bean tea, continued speaking. Even now, the number of people in the empire who believe in Catholicism, knowingly or unknowingly, is gradually increasing. The issue of ancestral rites is not limited to simple rites. Through this, the Pope must be subdued. It must be clearly revealed that His Majesty the Emperor and thews of the Empire are superior to the Pope, so that East Ti will be able to do soter. It will not happen. We must not forget how the monks who believed in Buddha created the country in the previous dynasty. I see Seong Sam-moon and Shin Suk-ju nodded at Han Myeong-hoes exnation. Although several generations had passed since the founding of Joseon, the ruling ss in Joseon was showing a rejection that bordered on paranoia when it came to religion. And there were other reasons as well. And there is another reason. To increase the number of people. Ah Is this finally the beginning At Han Myeong-hoes words, Seong Sam-moon and Shin Sook-jus faces became more serious. * * * The urgent problem that the empire had to solve first was poption. In the meantime, it was an empire that promoted a policy of encouraging fertility withpensation that was worthy of the word unconventional and actively absorbed the indigenous people of the newnd. Thanks to this, the empires poption recently exceeded 30 million. However, imperial officials were not very pleased. It has increased significantly, but if you think about the size of the entire empire There is no need to go all the way. If we live together like the main site, it will be fortunate if it only fills 1/5 of the new site. This was also the case with scent. If wepare it to the 21st century, it means that the number has exceeded 100 million. There is a saying, If the poption exceeds 100 million, the economy will run only through domestic demand. But that is still not enough. In the end, the conclusion reached through discussions between sessive emperors and officials was eptance from outside. The question is Where? The first ce that came to mind was Ming and Wae. But just as it was the first thing that came to mind, it was also the first to be excluded. -Ming people, or rather Chinese people, are Chinese people whether they live in the Ming or elsewhere. It never blends together. The Japanese also show simr tendencies as the Ming people, although the intensity is weaker. Therefore, Ming and Wa were excluded first. Next, we gradually expanded the scope and predicted possibilities, but the results were not very good. -Countries such as Daewue and Seo also have problems. Just Buddhism. Considering the influence Buddhism has on the people of that country, it is absolutely impossible. -Arab Muslims also have problems. This is because of Imicw. Currently, the Muslims residing in the empire do not cause any major problems, but if their numbers increase, they will definitely cause trouble due to legal issues. There are so many things to eat there! People from the empire who are serious about eating are sure to sh, especially with the local people! -The five ghosts of Africa also have many problems. It takes too much time and manpower budget to educate people to the point where they can do basic math, such as following minimummunication and etiquette. Just imperializing the indigenous people of Shinji would be enough, but doing it to even the five ghosts of Africa would not be enough. In addition, the imperialists perception of African ghosts is also a problem. It was while traveling to and from Alexandria that the imperial people truly learned about the Five Ghosts. The problem is that most of the ghosts encountered there were ves. Less than 10 years had passed since Sanobipletely disappeared, and it was an empire where people whomitted serious crimes equivalent to treason still worked as government ves. It was clear how the five ghosts, who had difficulty evenmunicating properly with the people of the empire, would be treated. Of course, there were also nobles who achieved considerable achievements as free people in Italy and elsewhere. However, it was impossible for them to put down the wealth and status they had worked hard to build and raise it to an empire. In the end, after filtering and filtering, those who remained were Europeans. -The Europeans that most imperialists came into contact with were wealthy merchants, schrs, outstanding craftsmen, and talented sailors. Thanks to this, he left a good impression on the people of the empire. C ustomed to following thew and following orders from officials. -Many of the people are having a hard time due to the exploitation of the nobles. If they can afford to pay just the right amount of taxes, they will voluntarily emigrate. -There are many craftsmen with good dexterity. -As we can see from the example of the Swiss, we are well aware of the importance of trust. If the Empire treats them right, they will be absolutely loyal. -Europeans have a lot of hostile rtionships with each other. If civilians take advantage of the scheme of IJI, Europeans will watch each other and fight to be loyal to the empire. Its good up to this point, but the problem is the religion they believe in. Most Europeans were Catholic, and the influence of priests and popes on them was absolute. That is why Han Myeong-hoe put so much pressure on Juan that he said it was excessive. This was because the future would be easier only if the authority of the Pope and the Church was broken. As a side note, this wasnt a n that Han Myeong-hoe came up with alone. As expected, my scent was behind it. At that time, Han Myeong-hoe, who came out after finishing the meeting with Hyang, looked back at the closed door and muttered softly. This is why there is a rumor going around that His Majesty Tae Sang-tae is behind all the conspiracies. Meanwhile, Hyang, who sent Han Myeong-hoe out, muttered while reviewing the n. If this n fails, we should at least give ginseng and eel to every newlywed couple in the empire Or should we give them a 100-day vacation each * * * Two dayster, Juan told Han Myeong-hoe about Alexander VIs The answer has been delivered. The conclusion reached by the Pope and the Council of Cardinals was, If family members gather together to honor their ancestors, we judge that it does not vite thew. Han Myeong-hoe, who had already heard about it through Cardinal Giovanni, nodded lightly and answered. I am deeply moved by the fact that the answer to a problem that has been waiting for a long time has been decided. Bio expresses my gratitude on behalf of His Majesty Taesangwang. However, if possible, I would also like to receive an official document. At Han Myeong-hoes words, Juan gestured to the priest behind him. On the silver tray the priest brought was a document containing what Juan had said. The document was adorned with wax ribbons bearing the seals of Alexander VI and the cardinals. Juans face was as stiff as ever as he handed over the tray containing the historic document to Han Myeong-hoe. This was because this document was the official document of surrender that the Pope had lost to secr power. * * * With Han Myeong-hoe receiving the Popes document, the issue of the Pope and the Papal States was settled. However, the participants of the meeting continued the meeting by staying in the conference hall of the Apostolic Pce. They had entered into a division of shares regarding Italy after today. It was the beginning of real negotiations. The Empire has no reason or intention to interfere in Italys internal affairs, but I think advice is possible. So, I would like to give you some advice. Would that be okay? Of course! Of course its okay! Lorenzo answered the meetings question with a bright expression. However, the other leaders of the alliance responded with a shocked expression. its okay. This is advice, so I will listen. shit! Id like to tell you to go since Ive done all my business! It is clear that if the Empire falls, the Kingdom of Naples will be established It would be better for the Empire and Florentine people to establish it rather than the Neapolitan countrymen to establish it. This was the reason why they epted Han Myeong-hoes proposal even though they looked hesitant. The one with the most power in this ce was the Empire. It wasnt just powerful, it was overwhelmingly powerful. The next most powerful was, surprisingly, the Kingdom of Naples. Florence, which received direct support from the empire, was also powerful. However, if the Imperial Army was withdrawn, the Swiss Army would also be withdrawn, and Florence would be pushed behind the Kingdom of Naples. Because of this, Lorenzo actively kept pace with Han Myeong-hoe, and the tyrants of Mn, Genoa, and Venice had no choice but to be dragged around with a shocked expression on their faces. I am truly grateful that you said so. The Empire, looking at Italys pitiful situation, could not help but feel sorry. Now that the unification of Italy is just around the corner, we sincerely hope for the development of Italy, the Empires benign neighbor. Im praying. Han Myeong-hoe, who had given a long introduction full of all kinds of fancy modifiers, cleared his throat for a moment and continued. The people gathered here are the leaders of cities and kingdoms who stepped up for the unification of Italy. In order for Italy and your cities to develop together Later, he was evaluated as except for the empire, they were all noble. The received meeting has begun. Chapter 967 Chapter 967: Everyone is a bastard except me. (4) To summarize the national structure n for a unified Italy presented by Han Myeong-hoe, it was as follows. -Unified Italy maintains a federal system, which is a collection of states. -The qualifications of the states that make up unified Italy are limited to the states that participated in the unification of Italy along with Florence. -Recognized states participating in the unification of Italy are limited to cities and kingdoms that participated prior to the agreement with the Vatican. -The monarch of unified Italy is elected. -Qualifications for electing a monarch are limited to the monarchs of each state andwmakers elected by each state. -The elected monarch holds a permanent position and is responsible for the national defense and administrative diplomacy of unified Italy. -However, tax administration must receive the consent of the First Assembly, a gathering of monarchs andwmakers from each state. If you look at the old history of our empire, there are names such as Jegahoe, Hwabaekhoe, and Jeongsaamhoe, but you probably also have organizations with simr names. The leaders who participated in the meeting nodded at Han Myeong-hoes words. Its like a parliament. So far, there has been no sign of dissatisfaction on the faces of the Italian leaders who have listened to Han Myeonghoes exnation. By limiting state qualifications, it was possible to prevent the emergence of newpetitors. In addition, elected monarchs were not unfamiliar to them. In the secr world, there was the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, and in the religious world, the pope was the elected monarch. Rather, elected monarchs were the best way to securely maintain their vested rights. However, as Han Myeong-hoes words continued, the leaders expressions became cruel. -Theposition ratio of the consensus body where the monarchs andwmakers of the state gather is as follows. Florence shares 40%, and other states distribute the remaining 60% appropriately. However, Florence cannot ount for more than 40% under any circumstances. -In addition, the monarch of Florence continues to chair the consensus body. Nonsense! This is ridiculous! If this happens, the consensus body has no meaning! Officials from Mn, Genoa and Venice angrily expressed their opposition. Alfonso, representing the Kingdom of Naples, also frowned and argued. Are you saying that our Kingdom of Naples, the master of southern Italy, is no better than the city of Florence? Voices of criticism abounded from all directions, but Han Myeong-hoe responded with a grin. Its just a suggestion. A suggestion. If you dont like it, cant you just think about it in private? But, but The smile disappeared from Han Myeong-hoes face as he paused for a moment. Han Myeong-hoe looked at the leaders with a stern expression. Everyone was shouting Italian unification with their mouths, but wasnt everyone just watching what foreign powers thought? At that time, who was the one who stood up and fought, covered in blood? Wasnt it Florence? It didnt give in to stand up to that mighty new power of France, Spain. Who fought? Florence! Isnt it only fair to give due respect to the one who fought first! But Your ancestors, Rome, were like that, right? They treated those who stood shoulder to shoulder with them and shed blood with the highest regard. If you look at it that way, how much blood did you shed? No, Florence was the one to shed it. Were you sincere about unification before you stepped forward? Thats Answer me without muttering! Han Myeong-hoes gaze was fixed on Alfonso. Alfonso secretly turned his head under Han Myeong-hoes gaze. Big! Big! Han Myeong-hoe cleared his throat a few times, hiding his difort, and continued speaking. Again, this is not a decision, but a proposal. Once again, this is Italys internal affairs and our empire has no intention of interfering in the internal affairs of other countries. This has been a national policy established since the founding of the empire. At Han Myeonghoes words, everyone except Lorenzo and other Florentine people simultaneously cursed under their breath. Thats just what you say! But it was something that could not be said outwardly. Also, although Han Myeong-hoe is now saying it was a suggestion, it was the empires will. And those gathered here had no choice but to follow suit. The imperial army currently stationed in Italy numbered 100,000, including the Swiss army. It was the strongest in Italy both in terms of the size of its troops and its firepower. If one wanted to, it would not be impossible to make it the Medici Kingdom rather than Unified Italy. In addition, in order for them and unified Italy to survive under the pressure of the Holy Roman Empire of France and Spain, they absolutely needed the help of the empire. Therefore, they had to argue only with proportions. And Alfonso came forward to represent these people. We are not unaware of Florences courage and sacrifice, and we respect her. But we cannot give Florence too much. Everyone else nodded at Alfonsos words, and the expressions on the Florentines faces turned fierce. At Alfonsos point, Han Myeong-hoe smiled again and looked at Alfonso. Alfonso cursed inwardly at the sight of such a meeting. cadet! How can I smile like that? I want to m my fist into that face! Either way, Han Myeong-hoe answered without hesitation. As I said before, didnt your ancestor Rome set a good example? Isnt it enough to shed that much blood? Blood? Isnt there still some Italian territory left that hasnt been reimed? At that moment, everyone in the conference room let out exmations of exmation. ah! The French and Spanish armies were holding out around Turin and Bra to the south. -The ratio can change depending on the performance shown in the process of expelling the French and Spanish troops in the area! Han Myeong-hoes next words were the deciding blow. I heard a rumor that the French and Spanish troops are packing their bags -If you let them go, Florence will take over everything! At the words of the meeting, the leaders of Mn, Genoa, and Venice and Cesare Borgia whispered to the officials next to them. All right. The official who heard the whisper gave a short reply and hurried out. Meanwhile, Alfonso looked embarrassed and became speechless. Whats the problem with the Kingdom of Naples? Ah! Did it have a special rtionship with Spain? At Han Myeong-hoes point, all eyes of other leaders focused on Alfonso. The Genoese tyrant looked at Alfonso for a moment, then smiled strangely and blurted out his words. Now that I think about it, the royal family of the Kingdom of Naples Alfonso V, the father of Ferdinand I, the current King of the Kingdom of Naples, was the King of the Kingdoms of Aragon and Sicily. And Aragon was an axis of the Spanish united royal pce. The Genoese tyrants words were vague, but his meaning was clear. -You guys were of Spanish descent, right? It was certain that if we went a little further from here, the Kingdom of Naples would also be a target of subjugation. Therefore, Alfonso hastily made an excuse. Whatever our roots may be, I and my people are all Italians born and raised in Italy! We too will participate in the unification of Italy! Its just that we are worried that Spain will threaten our hometown of Naples! Han Myeong-hoe quickly intervened in Alfonsos excuse. So, if there is no threat from Spain, you are saying that you will mobilize as many troops as possible to join the advance north? Thats right! If there were no threat from Spain, our Kingdom of Naples would mobilize as many troops as we can and advance north! We cant move our troops because of Spain! Alfonso, who had said that far, suddenly brightened his face and continued. If the Spanish army in the north is attacked, the Spanish will definitely attack Naples! I think preventing this and repulsing it would be as great an achievement as Florence! Han Myeong-hoe immediately refuted this. Spain does not have enough naval power to attack Naples. Our Imperial Navy has already caused devastating damage. Of course, in the process, it also caused some damage to Naples port, but you wouldnt know it, right? Spains army, which suffered such crushing damage, Do you think your fleet can break through our Imperial Navy and take Naples? What if? And it wasnt just a little bit, it was serious damage! They call it inevitable. Hmm If you are so afraid of the Spanish Navy, how about this? Our Imperial Navy will dock at Naples. If you make a ce for the Imperial Navy to stay on one side of the Naples port, the Imperial Navy will stay there. I will help with the safety of Naples. What do you think? Give me a moment At this very moment, France and Spain in the north are preparing to retreat. Ugh At Han Myeong-hoes words, Alfonso groaned and ced his hand on his forehead. Youre backed into a corner. Was it a defeat to mention the Spanish Navy?. If the Spanish Navy was intact, it was an idea that could serve both the cause and practical purposes. However, now that the Spanish and French navies were in tatters, what was supposed to be an ingenious idea turned out to be a defeat. While Alfonso was pondering, one of the staff members behind him came up to him and whispered softly. I am offended, but I think it would be good for you to allow the Imperial Navy to remain stationed there. why? Where the Imperial Navy is stationed, pirates dont evene near. Thanks to this, merchant ships flock there. It is said that the Imperial Navy is also of great use. Hmm Alfonso thought for a moment and asked his staff. But our kingdoms army must go north and fight. If we do something wrong, we could suffer great losses. I think it would be a good idea to ask for support from the empire in that regard. And fighting the French or Spanish will have less losses than fighting the empire. Less damage? Overwhelmingly. I see I understand. Stay back. yes. Alfonso left his staff behind and began to furiously weigh the profits and losses. -If the Imperial Navy allows port calls, it may be used of inviting foreign powers. No, you will be criticized. -But if you think about it, Spain is also a foreign power. The question then is which one will bring greater benefits. Hmm After thinking for a moment, Alfonso asked Han Myeong-hoe. If the Imperial Navy were allowed to call at port, would you protect the safety of the Kingdom of Naples and the surrounding seas? of course. But we cannot allow it to interfere in the kingdoms internal affairs. As I said before, non-interference in internal affairs is the national policy of the empire. Alfonso, who became anxious at the simple answer, demanded solid evidence. Please leave it in writing. Of course, the document needs the imperial emperors seal. It would take too long to get approval from His Majesty the Emperor, so the Crown Prince who is here now will approve it. ording to imperialw, this will also be fully effective. In response to Han Myeong-hoes answer, Alfonso predicted profit and loss again. I heard that the previous emperor in Bologna had stronger authority than the emperor. Then Alfonso thought for a moment and then made up his mind. Okay, lets ept it! Were running out of time! Mn, Genoa, Venice and Romagna have already started moving! If you arete here, your share of the kingdom will be less! Okay! I will ept the empires offer. I will send people to coordinate the agreement. I am truly grateful for the Kingdom of Naples choice! Expressing gratitude for Alfonsos decision, Han Myeong-hoe internally cheered. done! This allowed the influence of the empire to reach both North and South Italy! Chapter 968 Chapter 968 Everyone is a hustler except me. (5) Considering the national interests of the empire, Naples must also be kept within the empires sphere of influence. Just before the negotiations took ce in Rome, Hyang sternly insisted to Han Myeong-hoe, Shin Sook-ju, and Seong Sam-moon that they should take possession of Naples. Han Myeong-hoe and Shin Suk-ju nodded at Hyangs words. However, Seong Sam-moon raised a problem. If we only think about national interests, it is natural that the shadow of the empire should be cast over Naples. However, there is a question of justification. No matter what happens, our empire is a foreign power. If we make a mistake, there are those who will criticize the empire for interfering in internal affairs. There can be a lot. Hyang responded to Seong Sam-moons point with a smile. Thats a fair point. It will happen if we take the initiative. But wouldnt it be okay if we make them need us? No, they will definitely need us. Yes? Why is that so? When Seong Sam-moon expressed his doubts, Han Myeong-hwa spoke on behalf of Hyang. The unification of Italy does not end with the unification of cities and kingdoms. Isnt there also a restoration of territory? Isnt that obvious? The territory that Italy is currently recovering is not only the Papal States, but also Turin and its surrounding areas in the north. And the armies of France and Spain are gathered there. ah! Seong Sam-moon knew what Han Myeong-hoes words meant and let out an exmation. -Will the Kingdom of Naples participate in the unification of Italy? The choice must be made between remaining a separate country. -However, itcks the capabilities in all aspects to survive as a separate country. Therefore, it will participate in the unification of Italy. -In order to have a voice in Italian politics after unification, one must participate in the battle taking ce in the north, whether one likes it or not. C Of course, it will turn away from Spain, which has been the backwater of the Kingdom of Naples until now, and will ask the empire for help to protect the safety of the country. Seong Sam-moon, who learned of Hyang and Han Myeong-hoes calctions, nodded. Because of the problems in the north, Naples in the south will voluntarily fall into the shadow of the empire, so there will be less opposition. exactly. In that case, there is only one thing the minors can do. That is to try to reduce even the slightest bacsh. I will only believe in the scriptures. I will do my best. And in the negotiations that took ce in Rome, Naples came under the shadow of the empire. As Naples came under the shadow of the empire, the empire was able to exert definite influence over southern Italy. * * * As negotiations progressed, the situation became more bleak for France and Spain, who had upied the northern tip of Italy and were holding out. At first, these countries came in with great enthusiasm with the intention of dividing Italy into North and South. However, after only a few months, they found themselves stuck at the edge of the north and became anxious. For the French and Spanish soldiers who were so anxious, something even worse was happening in Rome. The Italian Army, which included the armies of the Principality of Romagna and the Kingdom of Naples, had begun to advance north. For the Italian army now advancing north, the French and Spanish armies had changed from being things of fear that make ones spine tingle just thinking about them, to trophies that must be taken quickly. The morale of the Italian army heading north was sky-high, and the marching soldiers were in high spirits. On the other hand, the anger of the imperialmanders at the Allied Forces headquarters was sky-high, and the imperial soldiers were walking around with murderous looks in their eyes. You guys! You guys dont even think about supplies! All you have to do is move north without thinking! I taught you so rudely not to do that! This happened because I was suddenly taking on several times more rear-end work than when I was advancing south. I expected it to some extent After hearing theints of staff and subordinatemanders in themanders office, Yu Eung-bu looked at the map with a bitter face. He also had some knowledge of the details of the negotiations that took ce at the Apostolic Pce and had some expectations that something like this would happen. But things happened faster and bigger than he expected. Guys from other cities can do that. But the problem is with the guys from Florence. Theyve been doing just what I taught them, but they act just like other idiots Yu Eung-bu smiled bitterly at Lee Si-aesint. Isnt itmon for everything to turn into a mess when politics gets involved? Thats true, but it tastes bitter. Theres nothing we can do. Anyway, arent we a foreign power? Hearing Yu Eung-bus words, Lee Si-ae and the others all nodded with bitter expressions. Isnt itmon for peoples hearts to change as their circumstances improve? Lets not worry about that and just do our jobs well. Ill keep that in mind. Anyway, our empire is also a member of the Allied Forces. First, lets just deal with the supply issues of those idiots who are moving up without thinking. The remaining time is spent regathering the scattered units, reorganizing them, and preparing for battle. Lee Si-ae and her staffs expressions changed as Yu Eung-bu said something meaningful. You mean battle? Does Marshal Dow think they will be defeated? These guys are going up without thinking like that, so they wont be able to win easily. Shouldnt we set a good example then? Lee Si-ae and the staff smiled bitterly at Yu Eung-bus words. Yu Eung-bu spoke with a smile simr to theirs. No matter how much they are stuck in a hole and only paying attention, they are much more worn out than those naked thunderbolts who are running wild without thinking right now. There is never an easy victory. So if you want to show off, shouldnt you prepare properly? Of course! So make sure you prepare well. One of the staff members objected to Yu Eung-bus words. Captain Dowager. ording to the information and rumorsing in, the French and Spanish are packing their bags. There is a possibility of an easy victory. The response department responded to the staffs words by marking a ce on the map with the baton. The battle in Italy is not the end, is it? We need to prepare for a real battle. You dont know that the Navy is sharpening its teeth right now, right? Lee Si-ae and her staff responded loudly to Yoo Eung-bus words. I will prepare for sure! The ce where the responders touched was the port of Algeciras. It was a natural port located in Gibraltar. Gibraltar was a ce that the empire was determined to acquire from the beginning of the war C to be exact, even before the war broke out. As the whole of Italy was sorted out to some extent, the empire had some time to spare and began an attack on Gibraltar. There was only a small change in the Imperial Navypared to before the start of the war. If the atmosphere was very optimistic before the start of the war, after the Battle of Corsica, the situation became extremely tense. Knowing this atmosphere of the Navy well, the Imperial Army also came to its senses as soon as Yu Eung-bu mentioned it. -I made fun of you like that after watching the Battle of Corsica. Gibraltar makes a mistake right under the Navys nose? That should never happen! Yu Eung-bu, who ended the meeting and was organizing his work, smiled bitterly. Even though he was a marshal, he was showing favoritism I guess theres nothing I can do about the army * * * The troops that came with him were frantically advancing north, but the politicians remained in Rome. Their battlefield was the conference room of the Apostolic Pce in Rome. And now they were waging a war of words against Han Myeong-hoe. The topic of the war of words was railroads. Now that Italy has been unified, I propose to build a railroad. You are well aware of the usefulness of railroads, right? All the leaders present nodded at Han Myeonghoes words. Han Myeong-hoe, who confirmed the leaders favorable response, proposed the following. -The empire takes responsibility for building railroads throughout Italy. -The empire is responsible for the materials and wages of artisans used in railroad construction. -Italy is responsible for the workers employed in construction. Here, the scope of responsibility means securing wages, medical support, food, clothing, and shelter. -Once the railway ispleted, the Empire covers maintenance costs at the rate of 4 and Italy 6. -Profits generated from operating the railroad are divided in the ratio of 6 to the Empire and 4 to Italy. Isnt the profit distribution wrong? Other leaders also nodded to Alfonsos objection. Han Myeong-hoe asked back with a rather strange expression. You gave in quite a bit, actually? Why is the Empire taking 6? Is that a concession? The empire is paying most of the costs of railway construction, so I think taking only 60% of the profits is a big concession. Hmm Han Myeong-hoe, who paused for a moment, made a hand signal to the officials behind him. The officials who saw Hanmyeonghoes hand signal soon came in with thick folders and distributed them to Alfonso and the leaders. Those documents record the costs incurred during the construction of the railway between Suez and Florence. Hmm Alfonso and the leaders who were checking the documents all cleared their throats. This was because the amount written down was considerablyrger than they thought. What caught their attention was a specific detail written in a report rted to Florence. -Not only Florence but all of Italy has a significant mountainous area separated from the Apennine Mountains and the Alps. -Constructing a railway throughout Italy will incur significant additional costs. ..If we provide an additional portion of the funds, excluding the workers portion, would it be possible to adjust the share? In response to Alfonsos question, Han Myeong-hoe looked back at the leaders of Venice, Mn, and Genoa and asked back. Do you have time to spare? Just rebuilding the cities and viges destroyed by the war must be too much for you, right? Big! Big! Keu In response to Han Myeong-hoes question, the leaders of Mn, Genoa, and Venice cleared their throats or made groaning noises and looked away. This was because Mn and Genoa suffered serious damage from the Empire-Florence alliance, while Venice suffered serious damage from the Habsburgs. And this was the same for Alfonso. This was because they suffered significant damage from the imperial navy that attacked the Spanish fleet trapped in the port of Naples. But 6:4 is too much! Thats right! In the end, after intense bargaining disguised as negotiation, a distribution ratio of 5.5:4.5 was decided. * * * Starting with the railroad, the empire began to gain many interests in Italy. What was interesting was that nothing was taken outright. The best example was the Imperial-Italian Customs Agreement. Now that Italy is unified, I think it is appropriate to abolish tariffs between the states. Han Myeong-hoe, who began this way, rmended that tariffs not be levied between Italian states. These were tariffs that existed because they were effectively separate countries until unification. Since it was an issue that could be taken care of for both justification and practical benefit, the leaders agreed to this. After removing the tariff use, Han Myeong-hoe immediately presented the next card. I propose a tariff-free agreement between the Empire and Italy. The Empire will not impose tariffs on goods imported from Italy. Instead, Italy will not impose tariffs on goods exported by the Empire. huh? uh? Chapter 969 Episode 969: Everyone is a slut except me (6) As soon as they heard the empires proposal put forward by Han Myeong-hoe, the Italian leaders who were about to immediately express opposition suddenly fell silent and began to think carefully. Wait a minute if I do this well If I did well, I was starting to see the possibility of eliminating otherpetitors. * * * During this period, Europe eitherpletely closed off or, even if it did open, protectionism was the basis. The most stark example was Ennd. Florences famous woolen industry was also based on wool exported from Ennd. Ennd implemented extreme protectionist policies to develop its woolen industry. Not only was it not enough to impose a huge tax on woolen textilesing from overseas, especially Italy, but restrictions were ced on the amount of imports. Ennd, which not only restricted the import of woolen fabrics but also restricted the export of wool, the raw material, began scouting for woolen craftsmen in Italy and Europe. Thanks to the implementation of these active development policies and protectionist policies, Ennds woolen textile industry grew to the point where it couldpete with Italy. * * * As in the example of Ennd, protectionism was the basis in Europe during this period. The only exception here were items made in the empire. The main products exported by the empire are expensive luxury items only used by nobles, such as crystal chandeliers, or medicines good for stamina, such as ginseng, that can only be obtained in the empire. Lastly, ceramics that can only be made in the empire C in history before the intervention of incense, bone china Known as -products and carbide. Therefore, European countries did not prevent it at all, but reced it with imposing a high rate of authority. The problem here was that the tariffs on products such as ceramics and carbide used by themon people were higher than on the luxury goods and medicines demanded by the nobility. Naturally, public opinion expressing dissatisfaction with this increased significantly, and European governments offered the following excuse. -The tax rate is low, but the price is so high that the tax amount is much higher. -And the tax rate is not that low. This was half the truth. It was true that the tax rate was low, but not very low. And since it was such an expensive product, it was also true that the tax itself was a huge amount. However, the problem was that the main consumers were the aristocrats who were in power. The nobles were also dissatisfied with taxes. So the tax rate was lowered to an appropriate level. * * * Because of this background, Italian leaders were unable to immediately express opposition and began to worry. In northern city-states, including Florence,merce and industry were the center of the economy. The southern Kingdom of Naples wasrgely agricultural, but the core of its power was urban aristocrats who made their fortune throughmerce and industry in the city. -Until now, goods imported from the empire were subject to high tariffs. In particr, imperial goodsing through other city-states were subject to higher tariffs. -However, if there are no tariffs, even if the price is lowered a little, the profits can be big. -It is impossible in ces where merchants from those countries already dominate distribution, such as Ennd, France, Spain, and the Habsburgs, but it is possible to secure overwhelming pricepetitiveness in markets such as Eastern Europe and the Principality of Moscow in the Hanseatic League. Its okay in its own way, but doesnt the empire benefit the most? It seems like a good intention since it is a tariff-free agreement, but isnt it only the empire that is benefiting one-sidedly? Thats right. Wouldnt it be a good agreement if it goes in a direction that is mutually beneficial? When the Italian leaders made a deal disguised as a counterargument, Han Myeong-hoe smiled slightly and agreed to the bargain. That is correct. It is a good agreement if it goes in a direction that is mutually beneficial. So Han Myeong-hoe, who was speechless for a moment, once again sent a hand signal and the imperial officials distributed a new report. Looking at the goodsing into the empire these days, I see a lot of woolen fabrics from Italy and high-qualityce silverware from Franceing in. The empire is taxing these items. If there were no taxes, wouldnt the people of the empire buy more? As Han Myeong-hoe said, Italian wool and leather products were very popr in the empire. Wool was a fresh material for the people of the empire who were only ustomed to cotton fabrics. The same was true for leather products. Unlike imperial-made products, which were only functional and had a simple appearance, leather products made in Italy were very shy and popr. Hmm Hoo The Italian leaders eyes lit up after checking the report. Give me a moment. This is not something that anyone can decide on their own. Everyones will muste together. Of course. Negotiations were temporarily suspended due to the concession of Han Myeong-hoe. The Italian leaders moved to another conference room and listened to Lorenzo de Medici. How much do you know about this! Florence is close to the Empire, so it would not have been unaware of this proposal! Lorenzo waved his hands with an embarrassed expression in response to pressure from other leaders. I didnt know either! I knew something about national politics! But I didnt know about this part! I swear to the Virgin Mary that I dont know! That cant be possible Honestly, isnt this part of the empires internal affairs? But would you have told me? ..Right. That makes sense. The other leaders nodded at Lorenzos protest. When the leaders were satisfied and withdrew, Lorenzo hurried to get to the point. Isnt the important thing now is whether the empires proposal is beneficial to us or not? Right. After a long period of back and forth, the Italian leaders reached an agreement and returned to the negotiating table. Unified Italy will ept the Empires offer. Han Myeong-hoes face brightened at the words of Lorenzo, who came forward as the representative. What a wise decision! This will further strengthen the rtionship between the Empire and Italy! In this way, most of the issues were settled, starting with the national polity. A document summarizing this began to be written. However, the documentation work was unexpectedly slow. This was because of the stake issue of state representatives participating in Congress. Well, its something that was already expected. Han Myeong-hoe enjoyed ck bean tea with a rxed expression. Seeing this, Seong Sam-moon nced at Han Myeong-hoe and asked. Do you think you are happy about this situation now? You are not busy with work like you are in Seoul and His Majesty the Great is in Bologna. Han Myeong-hoe shook his head exaggeratedly at Seong Sam-moons point. No way! How could a subject of the empire harbor such sphemous thoughts? Isnt that the color on your face? Do you think you have rejuvenated yourself? Big! Big! Han Myeong-hoe, who simply silenced Seong Sam-moon, came to a conclusion. Until newses from the north. Lets not miss this moment of leisure. Seong Sam-moon and Shin Sook-ju quietly nodded at Han Myeong-hoes words. * * * As time passed, the newsing from North Korea was not very good. -The front line is deadlocked. -Both French and Spanish troops are strongly resisting. -Additional reinforcements are needed. Whoa~. Oh my The Italian leaders all sighed after checking the report sent from the front. The only exception was Lorenzo de Medici. Han Myeong-hoe muttered to himself as he looked at the Italian leaders with sad expressions. If His Majesty Tae Sang-tae were here, he would click his tongue very loudly. Han Myeong-hoe reflected on the imperial armys report delivered to him. C Jaeseungjabak due to failure of cooperation. -Sotamdaesil -disgraceful behavior. Han Myeong-hoe, who saw a report that could be summarized like this, read the report again and again and clicked his tongue. Tsk! If it were the imperial army, you would be a novice who would have nothing to say even if you were immediately removed from office. * * * This time we will take on France and Spain. what! Corleone, whomanded the Florentine army, shouted at the words of themanders of the Kingdoms of Genoa, Mn, Venice, Naples, and the Principality of Romagna. General. Please be patient. Ugh Lee Si-ae stopped Corleone with a soft voice and answered with a slight smile. Thats right. I look forward to your good luck. Thank you. Lee Si-ae, who was looking at themanders leaving with an arrogant look on his face, turned his head to look at Corleone and his subordinatemanders. It seems we went to war too easily because we looked so lightly on France and Spain. Its going to be a bit of a struggle. Lee Si-ae shook her head and responded to her subordinatemanders words. Its lucky if we dont lose the war. And the battle that followed was a series of vicious struggles. * * * Before the battle began, the morale of the French and Spanish troops was at its lowest point. ording to the information brought by the scouts, the size of the troopsing towards them was muchrger than theirs. Should we prepare to withdraw.. Even if we do withdraw, shouldnt we fight at least once? Can you fight and win when the soldiers morale is at its lowest? While themanders of the French and Spanish armies were having these conversations and worrying, the scouts were constantly asking for information. When receiving reports from such scouts, the French militarymanders felt something strange and expressed doubts. Wait? The scouts are wandering around like this, but they alle back safely? Nonsense? If it were the Imperial Army they knew, something like this could never have happened. One of the first things the empire did was eliminate as many enemy scouts as possible. -Fightfortably with the enemys eyes and ears removed. This was the basic tactic of the imperial army. Something is strange! Send out more scouts! The Frenchmanders expression became fierce after confirming the information he had obtained by releasing more scouts. These? -The enemys leaders are Genoa, Mn, Venice, Naples and Romagna. -The Imperial Swiss Army and the Florentine Army are located in the rear. These? Do they think they can deal with us as well as Genoa or Mn? What a disgrace! Themanders, enraged with shame, exploded at the information that followed. This was information brought by bold scouts who disguised themselves as farmers and merchants and infiltrated bars on the Italian armys route of advance. At the strong request of themanders of the advanced army, the imperial and Swiss Florentine forces were pushed to the rear. -The soldiers of the leading unit consider their allies to be cowards. Ha! These really are! The French and Spanish militarymanders were angry but could not move easily. Find out where the Imperial Artillery is that would be worthy of being thrown into the brimstone of that damn hell! Same goes for the assault corps! The information brought by the scouts who moved after receiving the order was as follows. -No imperial artillery in the leading units. There are no assault troops either. Is that so? After confirming the information, the French and Spanishmanders sent messengers to each other. They seem to be looking at us funny, so lets make a point of it! Sure! And this atmosphere also spread among the soldiers who heard the rumor. Are these guys who know how to y soldiers making fun of us? Ill make you shed bloody tears! Do you think they are imperial soldiers? Just look where they are! Chapter 970 Episode 970: Everyone is a brat except me. (7) The French and Spanish troops, who were furious, began preparing for defense in unison. A trench line with a greater emphasis on defense was built and themand system was refined to ensure smooth cooperation between the two armies. In this process, themanders of the French and Spanish armies once again felt the fear of the empire and its troops. Imperial Army, what on earth have you crazy bastards done? Although the French and Spanish armies worked together, big and small explosions and chaotic disputes continued to pop up throughout the entire process that followed. However, in all the past battles, this was never revealed between the imperial army and the Florentine army. Even in the Battle of Pavia, where the Florentine army suffered the most damage, when the imperial army advanced, the tangled threads were instantly unraveled and the French army copsed. And this was something the Spanish army also felt keenly through the Battle of Alexandria. Although they trembled every time they mentioned the empire and the imperial army, the French and Spanish armies quickly and efficiently built a united front. If the imperial militarymanders and instructors had seen it, they would have immediately evaluated it as a clearance exam. While the French and Spanish troops, who had received deep lessons from the imperial army, were preparing by making use of what they had learned, the Italian army advancing north was not at all like that. The biggest reason was the wrong judgment about the French and Spanish troops. -It has already suffered heavy damage from the imperial and Florentine forces and has lost its power to a serious level. -Looking at the results of the battle, it appears that the army is not as powerful as expected. -After the battle, I stayed in Turin and its surrounding areas and just watched. Perhaps it was because the lost troops could not be replenished. -Recently, we are preparing to withdraw. In that case, they will try to run away rather than fight. You can make an effort without much effort. Themanders of Mn, Genoa, Venice, Kingdom of Naples, and Duchy of Romagna, who made this decision, pushed back Florence and the imperial army. In particr, themanders of the Kingdom of Naples and the Duchy of Romagna most persistently kept Florence and the imperial army in check. Its sure to be an easy battle. Its an opportunity we cant miss. Themanders of the Kingdom of Naples and the Duchy of Romagna, who were thest to join, had no intention of giving up the main advantage. After receiving such fierce checks, the Florentine army and the imperial army were pushed to the rear. The Florentine armymanders were furious, but the imperial armymanders stepped in andforted them. However, the imperial militarymanders were not all in a good mood either. The imperialmanders muttered in a cynical tone as they watched the fools advancing excitedly. You see war so easily. Did we fight too well? The Italian army advanced north with great vigor and encountered the French-Spanishbined forces near Turin. The Italian armys offensive, which took ce after two days of rest, was disastrous. The words written in the report sent by the imperial army that followed were not excessive, but rather wasted. * * * The first thing themanders of the five factions, who had confirmed the information brought by the scout sent out only when they were within sight of Turin, was to divide them intopartments. They divided the area where the French and Spanish troops were stationed into five equal parts and drew lots. Crazy Themanders of the Imperial Army who saw that scene gave advice while suppressing the swear words that were about toe out. Each unit has different strengths, so it doesnt seem reasonable to allocate areas by drawing lots. Considering strength, it is best to divide the vanguard and follow-up and shorten the offensive route a bit.. Dont worry! Well take care of it! Lee Si-ae, who saw themanders of the five factions screaming before he finished speaking, immediately stepped back. I understand. I look forward to it. The imperialmanders who were watching the scene from behind muttered in unison. Just try whatever you want. Lee Si-ae, who came out of the meeting as if she knew how themanders felt, gathered the imperialmanders together and gave orders. You learned about the conquest of Tsushima Ind at the military academy, right? yes. Of all the mistakes our military made there, the biggest mistake was made here as well. Drawing lots, ha! Lee Si-ae shook her head and gave an order, mentioning the mistake made in the conquest of Tsushima Ind in the first year of King Sejongs reign. It makes me anxious to see what those idiots are doing. Be prepared just in case. ancient! The armies of the five factions, knowing or not knowing that the Imperial Army and Florentine Army were looking on pitifully from behind, charged towards Turins trench line, aiming for the battle in front of them. And then it copsed ugly. * * * The biggest reason for the conflict was that there was no cooperation between the five factions. If you calcte the troop size and firepower of all five factions together, they were superior to the French and Spanish armies. If themanders fought properly in coordination, they could have achieved the results they wanted. But since it wasnt possible, it ended up being a waste of money. As the five factions, which had shown great momentum, copsed ugly, the French and Spanish troopsunched a counterattack. At that moment, the imperial army, which was observing the situation from behind, immediatelyunched arge-scale artillery bombardment. Once the wall of shells was erected, the French and Spanish quickly returned to their trench lines and took up defense. The problem came after the battle was over. I was just unlucky today! This will never happen next time! exactly! Themanders of the five factions were still stubborn, insisting that it is not possible. -If you show disappointment to Florence and the Empire here, you will have to continue to be dragged around! Such things must be avoided! Lee Si-ae, who was looking at the five factions who were stubborn enough to be called stubborn, immediately backed away. I understand. Lee Si-ae, who returned to his military camp, gathered only the imperial and Swiss armymanders. Its better. They got hurt this time, so they wont act rashly. But they wont bow down to us and the confrontation will continue. Themanders all nodded at Lee Si-aes prediction. Lee Si-ae smiled slightly and continued. Again, its a good thing. Thanks to those idiots stupid actions, France and Spain will also be able to hold out and we will have more room to maneuver. Then, we will be able to more easily attack Spain. It will be possible. * * * And the situation went as Lee Si-ae expected. After that, three more attacks followed, but they continued to fail. Themanders of the five factions, who had suffered a major loss of power, requested help from Florence and the imperial army. Upon receiving the request, the Florentine army immediately moved its artillery forward and joined the battle. However, the Florentine armys old imperial artillery was not enough to prate the trench lines of the French and Spanish armies. In response, they requested help from the imperial army, but the imperial army did not move. why! Were a bit short on shells. ordingly, themanders of the five factions immediately sent an urgent report to their leaders. Why isnt the empire moving! Han Myeong-hoe responded to the criticism from the leaders of the five factions with an expression that it was no big deal. It is difficult to move right away due tock of supplies. The empire is short of supplies? Make sense! Well, because some people were holding me back, I ended up spending a lot of money on the war effort. The leaders of Genoa, Mn, and Venice blushed at the words of the Boney Society. After saying that, Han Myeong-hoe continued speaking while drinking ck bean tea. The soldiers dispatched to Italy are also very tired. So they have to be reced, so unfortunately, it is difficult to move right away. The front lines are still desperately asking for help! But the impossible is impossible. And isnt that an Italian thing? Ugh The leaders of the five factions groaned, but it was difficult to keep forcing them. It was because of what they said. In the end, the five factions gathered additional troops and sent them to the front. Meanwhile, France and Spain were also caught in the same situation. France and Spain, upon learning that their empire had fallen behind, immediately turned to hope. If you do this well -The most powerful enemy on the Italian front is the Imperial Army. -But the imperial army fell back. ording to intelligence, this is due tock of supplies and recement of troops. This is something that takes a long time. -The Italian army, excluding the imperial army, is not strong. This was confirmed in the current battle. -If we dont miss the time until the Imperial Army returns, we have a chance! France and Spain, having reached this point, immediately began deploying additional military service to the Turin area. The problem was that the Italian army was not strong, but it was not weak either. As the battle continued, the Italian army broke away from the ragtag ragtag army of the beginning and transformed into a decent army. Eventually, a war of attrition broke out in the Turin area. When France and Spains eyes were focused on Turin, the Empire hit Spain in the back. * * * After the naval fleet was almostpletely destroyed by the Imperial Navy, Spain lost the ability to monitor the sea. If I were topare Spains current situation to a person, it would be like having one eye. And the remaining eye was fixed on Turin. And the empire did not miss this opportunity and moved. A fleet carrying troops and supplies departed from Sinji and headed straight for Gibraltar, and ordingly, many of the troops in Italy left behind and headed for Gibraltar. The Portuguese Navy also yed a role in the Imperial Navys attack on Gibraltar. It was the Portuguese Navy that went back and forth between the imperial fleeting from New Earth and the imperial fleet stationed in the Mediterranean, coordinating the timetable and constantly attacking Spanish warships and ports to disrupt them. The Portuguese Navys active cooperation was not simply because they were allies. -If the Empire takes control of Gibraltar and Algeciras, Spain will not be able to go out to sea! -This means that one of our strongestpetitors will disappear! -If Spain is unable to advance into the sea, its national power will stop growing! -If that happens, the dynamics of the Iberian Penins will change! Not only can the political dynamics change, but the size of the territory can also change! Portugal, harboring such ambitions, actively cooperated with the empire. * * * The Empires invasion of Algeciras was a fatal blow for Spain. Spain, which had sent a significant portion of itsnd forces to Turin, was unable to react immediately. The Spanish army stationed in Algeciras and Gibraltar was a second-ss unit and was wiped out without being able to properly resist the imperial army. The defensive batteries built in the port and on the coast copsed under the bombardment of the Imperial Navy, and thending forcended smoothly. It was an imperial army that had already understood the characteristics of buildings and cities in the Mediterranean region in Italy and was ustomed to urban warfare. The Spanish armys attempt to disrupt thending of the imperial army through street fighting failed, and the imperial army pushed into the mountainous areas surrounding Algeciras and Gibraltar. The moment the imperial army that took control of the mountainous area nted the imperial g on the mountain peak, Algeciras and Gibraltar becameplete imperial territory. And this was the moment when Spain and France announced their defeat in the war over Italy and the Mediterranean Sea. Chapter 971 Episode 971: Everyone is a bastard except me. (8) The imperial armys attack on Gibraltar was an inflection point. The moment the bridgeheads were sessfully established at Algeciras and Gibraltar, a battleship of the Imperial Navy sailed towards Italy at full speed. After receiving the urgent report from the Navy, the response department summoned all the Italian militarymanders. The war situation is very sluggish. We need to move more actively. Themanders of the five factions all looked embarrassed at Yu Eung-bus words. We want to move actively, but we are short on troops and supplies. If only someone would provide us with a little more supplies Do you think that someone did their best to support them? . Themanders of the five factions had no choice but to remain silent at Yu Eung-bus words. Supplies arecking. As mentioned, the empire provided sufficient support for most materials except artillery shells. After silencing themanders of the five factions, the Yueungbu announced its conclusion. In two days, the Florentine army and the imperial army wille out. Now, lets end this boring war. If it goes on any longer, it will only be difficult for the people. I understand. Two dayster, at dawn. The imperial artillery began to move busily. Until now, it was the Imperial Artillery that only appeared asionally when the front line was in danger of copse. But this day was a little different. For the first time in a long time, monks ascended to the sky, and light-emittingmunicators continued to send light signals from the temporary watchtower. Lets begin. Yes, Captain. After a while, the standard guns of the Imperial Artillery that were waiting at the front line began to fire all at once. Each time the shells fired by the standard gunnded, Bigu continued to send signals, and the artillerymen of the battery readjusted the bearing and angle of the guns. Once the adjustment was over, the imperial artillerymen fired shells in unison. Kwakwakwak! The shells of the Imperial artillery fell heavily between the French and Spanish armies. It was one of the organs of the Imperial artillery, in which shells fell at an incredible density in one area of the front line, creating a hole or passage that could not be filled. As arge passage was created in the trench lines of the French and Spanish armies, the assault vehicles of the Imperial Armys assault corps began running toward the passage. What was interesting was that there were several carts lined up behind the charging assault cars, and the carts were full of Florentine and Swiss soldiers. It was a trick that the Florentine and Swiss armies became ustomed to during the battle. -In order to properly utilize a hole in the front line, follow-up units must pass through the hole as quickly as possible. -But the speed is too slow to walk. -However, it is impossible to rece them all with cavalry. -then? The n that the Florentine militarymanders came up with was to attach carts to the back of the assault car. An assault car is not an iron horse! Although themanders of the assault brigades strongly resisted, the Florentinemanders dealt with them with typical Italian brutality. Isnt it the same whether its an iron horse, an assault car, or a steam engine? Lets just take a few carts. Isnt it better for you if the follow-up unit follows quickly anyway? But the speed With that powerful Imperial artillery, wouldnt it be okay if the speed was a little slower? In this way, the assault vehicles came to charge with carts attached to the back. This was well received by the Florentine and Swiss troops as well as the imperialmanders. However, those in charge of maintenance continued swearing. Didnt you look at the textbook? Why did they set a certain number of students? Are they just pretending they wont take care of the maintenance? * * * The assault cars arrived at the entrance to the passage dug by the Imperial artillery barrage, separated the carts and passed through the passage. While the assault vehicles equipped withrge and medium-sized weapons were blocking the French and Spanish troops crowding around the passage, the assault soldiers jumped out of the assault vehicles that had passed through the passage. The assault soldiers who got off the assault vehicles gradually cleared the surrounding trenches and widened the passage. Shingijeon! yes! Beep! pop! As the Shingijeon rose into the sky and created a cloud of smoke, the Florentine and Swiss troops who had been waiting at the entrance of the passage pushed into the passage. In the end, the French and Spanish trench lines copsed before the sun set that day. The French and Spanish troops, whose trench lines copsed, eventually retreated to Turin Castle and entered into a sit-in. Themanders of the French and Spanish armies, who had built a defensive line relying on the Po River passing in front of Turin, had to send a report full of sorrow to their home country. And a few dayster, messengers from France and Spain arrived at Turin Castle. The next day, messengers carrying white gs visited the Italian and Imperial Allied camps. -I want to negotiate an end to the war. After seeing the document the messenger brought, Yu Eung-bu lightly clenched his fist and muttered. ats! * * * Afterwards, a conference center was established in Asti, located southeast of Turin. Various negotiations rted to the end of the war took ce at the conference hall where high-ranking officials from France, Spain, Florence, Genoa, Mn, Venice, Romagna, Kingdom of Naples, Switzend, and the Empire gathered. The negotiation process was a series of vicious struggles. The negotiations were so difficult that Han Myeong-hoe, tired of the negotiations, proposed this to Hyang. Your Majesty, since we have already upied Gibraltar and Algesaris, how about we just move north from there and conquer Spain and France? Do you want to go to the archives? I will do my best. There were two biggest difficulties in negotiations. -War reparations. -Return of Gibraltar and Alhesaris. The first obstacle, war reparations, was a challenge from the start. We didnt lose! France and Spain never admitted defeat. You didnt just bet white. Isnt it true that you lost? I said I didnt lose! Im just saying that we should end the war because were both causing a lot of damage! In a situation where the treadmill continued to spin, the scent had toe out directly. Then lets keep fighting. your majesty! It seems that France and Spain want to increase the stakes in the gambling game of war. If so, I will agree to it. I will risk everything I have, including the survival of the country, to continue the game. Because that is what you want. The Empire will not back down. Han Myeong-hoe continued speaking with a serious expression on Hyangs words. As His Majesty the Great Taehyang said, the empire will not back down. Lets go to the end. Are you ready? At the end of the Hanmyeonghoe, the representatives of France and Spain found themselves in a situation where they were unable to do either this or that. Agreeing to war reparations would mean admitting defeat. In that case, the authority of the monarch and the ruling ss would fall to the ground. It was certain that the monarch would carry out a massive purge to preserve his power. Authority and power were not the only issues. The amount to be paid as war reparations was also a problem. If you add up all thepensation demanded by the Empire, Italy, Portugal, and Switzend, it was enough to tighten your belt for at least 10 years in the case of France and 20 years in the case of Spain. If we pay this muchpensation, our kingdom will speak out! What do we want to know? Look! Then why dont you keep fighting? Ahu Han Myeong-hoe, who had put strong pressure on the representatives of France and Spain to mentally support them, quietly swayed the bait. If you hand over control of Gibraltar and the vicinity of Algeciras, the Empire will reduce yourpensation by 3/10. Really? The representative of Spain looked intrigued by the proposal of Hanmyeonghoe. Han Myeong-hoe, who nodded lightly, presented a simr proposal to the French representative. I will reduce Frances share of the Suez Railway by 2/10, and if you sign a tariff-free agreement, I will reduce the war reparations by 4/10. At the proposal of the Hanmyeonghoe, the representatives of France and Spain looked serious and fell silent. Its definitely a good offer. But Because it was a difficult issue to decide hastily, the representatives of France and Spain could not give an easy answer. But then Swiss and Portuguese representatives also took the bait. -Recognition of Switzend as an independent nation. -Signing of tariff-free agreement with Switzend. -Half of Spains colonial cities in Africa will be transferred to Portugal. In the end, the French and Spanish representatives took a step back. We do not have the authority to decide this matter. We will report this to the home country and receive an answer. I would like to hear an answer within 15 days. this! The representatives of France and Spain, who were about to get upset about the deadline suggested by Han Myeong-hoe, responded with a long sigh. Whoa, Ill do my best. * * * In the end, France and Spain had no choice but to ept the conditions proposed by the empire. Of course, not everything was epted as is. On the contrary, the empire engaged in a fierce war of words and numbers to get as much as possible. In this way, France received a 45/100 discount on the condition that 15/100 of the shares held by the Suez Railway and agree to a tariff-free agreement. In the case of Spain, it received a 35/100 discount by epting the condition of officially recognizing Gibraltar and Algeciras as imperial territory. In addition, Portugal and Switzend also used the reduction of war reparations as bait to get what they wanted. Once the negotiations werepleted, Hyang presented a new proposal to everyone. I think it would be a good idea for you, the leaders of Italy, the kings of France, Spain, Portugal, and Switzend to get together and sign an agreement. How nice it would be to see monarchs get together and agree on peace. The monarchs of France and Spain, who received the proposal for incense, epted it after much deliberation. On the day of the historically historic signing ceremony, at the signing ceremony hall in Turin, not only nobles from various countries who arrived to escort the monarchs, but also renowned artists gathered to sketch the signing ceremony. Leonardo da Vinci and Michngelo sat in the best seats and diligently sketched the scene. In the midst of this, there was someone who became an outcast in Western Europe. It was Habsburg. Hapsburg When Hapsburg was mentioned at the summit meeting that followed the signing ceremony, the expressions of all attendees turned sour. The leader of Venice, whose city was reduced to ruins by the plunder of the Habsburg army, gritted his teeth with Bonno, and the monarchs of France and Spain did the same. It was because we asked to move together but didnt do it properly. If only the Habsburgs had done it right! Of course, the Habsburgs had a lot to say about this, but they werepletely marginalized. After understanding the situation, Hyang muttered to herself. Maybe it will be another spark. * * * After negotiations with France and Spain, Italy became independent as a unified country. And it got loud again. It was a national issue for a unified Italy. A fierce war of words ensued, but in the end, the Basic Law of Unified Italy was created, in which most of the empires initial proposals were epted. The leaders of the factions who epted the thick code ofws created with the help of imperial officials expressed their gratitude to Hyang and at the same time sent a subtle congrattory message. You mean Tosa-gu-pin It must be Gamtan-go-to. They are not trustworthy. In response to Seong Sam-moons angry words, Hyang and Han Myeong-hoe responded with a grin. But we still hold the reins. While creating thew code, the empire used a trick. It simply said, Leaders and representatives of the six Italian states. Since the names of the current leaders, such as the Medici family and the Kingdom of Naples, are not listed, these leaders could change at any time. Considering the influence of the empire, it was said that those currently in power and those seeking to take power must have support from the empire. This ended the war of Italian unification. Historianster evaluated it as a war in which all participating countries became allies of the empire. Chapter 972 Episode 972: A tree with many branches.. (1) With the end-of-war agreement and the Basic Law of Unified Italy created, the people of the empire began to pack their bags. I think the three ambassadors will have to stay in Italy for the time being. At Hyangs words, Shin Suk-ju and Seong Sam-muns wife nodded. Not everything ended with the unification of Italy. The most representative one was the rtionship with the Habsburgs. Venice, an axis of unified Italy, considered the Habsburgs to be its enemies. Anyone could have predicted that once the newly unified Italy took a breather, a conflict with the Habsburgs would break out. It wasnt just Italy. Spain and France also viewed the Habsburgs with unkind eyes. Therefore, the ambassadors staying in Italy had to have a considerable level of diplomatic, political, and military insight, and for this reason, the three remained in office. Sooner orter, someone suitable for that position wille, so I hope you will suffer a little more. The emperor will also remember you. The three people responded to Hyangs words by bowing their heads. As a subject, I just do what I have to do. Nevertheless, I am devastated that you look at me like this. Hwang Eun is devastated. The loyalty of the gentlemen is truly admirable. While the three people praised the answer, Hyang muttered to himself. Isnt your facial expression young? * * * While finalizing the personnel policy for the officials working at the embassy, Hyang inspected the luggage and people to be brought to the empire. Is itplete? Thats right! Look Hyang began to examine the painting ced in an ornately gilded wooden frame. And next to them, Michngelo and Leonardo da Vinci were waiting for the fragrance review with very nervous faces. Hyang, who was looking at the cooking picture, smiled and looked at the two people. You did it right this time, right? Ill pay for it. Whoa~. Haa~. The two people, who had sighed unconsciously, were startled and bowed their heads to Hyang. thank you! thank you! The reason these two people showed up like this was because they had already been severely scolded by Hyang several times. When two people who were already famous in history before the intervention came, Hyang hired them without a second thought. A portrait of me painted by masters whose names have left their mark on history? Of course I should paint it! However, when Hyang saw the sketch the two drew, he frowned. The old man in that picture is Jim? Is that so? Jims face doesnt look like that in the mirror, does it? Where is he going and is there an old Italian sitting there? Ah Why is he dressed like that? Is he a Roman general? .. As the scent continued to point out, the two peoples heads gradually lowered. Both of them created a new painting style that represented the Renaissance. However, there were limitations to perception. Although I drew it while looking at the incense directly in front of me, it was a drawing of a European person who looked simr to incense, not incense, ovepping the skeleton that my eyes had be ustomed to over the past time. This became a problem as it ovepped with the Roman style that was favored by the European nobility of the time. Portraits are drawn in the Empire too. The artist who paints the portrait must depict everything about the other person without hiding anything. That is the same as what Jim asked of you. He does not want a portrait of Jim, but an imaginary painting. Its not what I wanted! Im going to draw it again right away! Ill draw it again! The two responded to Hyangs reprimand in their poor imperialnguage and went back to work. Hyang muttered to herself as she took up her position again for the two of them. This problem doesnt discriminate between time and ce. Is it also a matter of habit? 21st century. A rtive of Hyangs who had traveled to Paris, France, had shown him a portrait painted there. Everyone who saw the portrait at the time said the same thing. Who is this? Likewise, da Vinci and Michngelo made simr mistakes. No, it wasnt just Michngelo and da Vinci who made mistakes. Simr mistakes weremonly seen in the paintings of the imperial people by the painters who rushed to Florence to dream of windy weather. On the contrary, the opposite phenomenon was seen in the paintings painted by Dohwaseo painters from the empire. Is this what the Duke of Medici looks like? Why is an imperial man wearing Italian clothes here? If you do it wrong, it could be a major diplomatic disgrace. Draw it again. I follow your orders. In this way, a huge butterfly effect was created by the scent. Hyperrealism was born, both in the East and the West. Even the scenery reflected in the water droplets on the ss must be no different from the real thing. If the picture drawn after looking at the reality is different from the reality, how can it be called a telegraphic painting? The hyper-realistic painting style, which was born from the painters of da Vinci and Michngelo who came to Italy, quickly took over the art world of Europe and the East. The problem was that the main customers, nobles and especially nobledies, disliked it very much. However, since the trend was hyper-realism, the nobles had to follow the trend. What was unfortunate fordies who needed correction was that this trend continued for a very long time. This was thanks to the fact that the upper ss of the empire, especially the townships, took hyper-realism for granted. Lets avoid photoshopping even in this era As an aside, the paintings and sculptures created in this way have be important data for historians. This was because, just by looking at the work, one could understand not only the social situation at the time but also the nutritional status of the people to some extent. In addition, the posture taken by Hyang when drawing a portrait, sitting with legs crossed, cing sped hands on knees and looking straight ahead with a confident expression, became the basic posture for portraits of emperors of all time. No, it became the basic posture for portraits of not only imperial emperors but also monarchs of both the East and the West. * * * When the incense-burning ship that finished its work in Italy arrived in Chemulpo, the empire was in an uproar. When the incense that had stayed in the quarantine facility on Yeongjong Indnded at the Jemulpo dock in ordance with the procedures established byw, the county that was waiting weed the incense. How hard have you been in the wilderness? I am truly grateful to see you so strong. Hyang responded to Hyeons words with a smile. Why suffer if it is for the well-being and prosperity of the empire? Isnt that what an imperial citizen would naturally do? Hearing Hyangs words, Hyeon gave orders to the officers and officers behind him. The magistrates and the magistrates must record what Tae Sang-tae said now. Yes, Your Majesty. The two Joseon people talked a lot as they headed to the waiting carriage. What is the scenery like in Italy? How do the people of Italy live? The scenery of Italy * * * The first thing Hyang did after returning to Seoul and recovering from his travels was to hold a ceremony for the imperial soldiers who died in the Italian War. The ceremony was held reverently with the attendance of not only the county and prefectures, but also civil and military officials and the bereaved families. When the ritual was over, Hyang and Hyeon visited the bereaved families and expressed condolences one by one. When Hyang personally visited and expressed condolences, the bereaved family members responded by bowing their heads. I will remember this honor for a long time, as His Majesty the Emperor and the Great Emperor remember me this way. I will protect the empire for generations toe! And this matter was known throughout the empire through Jo Bao (). They are indeed not ordinary people! The people who learned the story through Jo Bo shared the story with proud expressions. * * * With the ceremony over, the empire returned to its daily life. For the emperor, daily life is an endless stream of documents. Phew~. Hyun let out a long sigh and looked at the pile of appeals. Whoa~. Hyun sighed once again and unfolded the paper on one side. On the paper was a list of appeals organized by the Seungjeongwon. Hyun ced his hand on his forehead as he looked at the list of types and numbers of appeals, starting with how many appeals were not filed without even thinking about them. As expected, a lot came up today too. Huh~. Hyeon sighed again, looked in the direction of Sugang Pce, and hisplexion brightened. At least now that Taesang has returned, we can resolve this. Hyun stood up and ordered the eunuch. Im going to Sugang Pce. Yes, Your Majesty. * * * Hyang, who had been spending time looking at various drawings, opened his mouth when Hyeon came, offering him the head table. Why did the emperor, who is busy with construction work,e all the way here? There is a question I want to ask Tae-sang-sang for an answer to. I couldnt ask him that even if I wanted to because he was in Won-ji all this time, but now that he has returned, I havee to Su-gang Pce. Whats going on? It is a matter of the crown princes marriage. Hyang expressed doubts about Hyuns answer. If it were a marriage issue I guess we could have discussed the situation? Hyeon immediately responded to Hyangs point. Isnt he the person involved in thews rted to the crown princes marriage? And since he is the eldest member of the imperial family, of course I have to ask the Crown Prince. I see. So whats the problem? Even as I asked the question, I had some expectations about the scent. Its probably aint that its difficult to find a suitable marriage partner. * * * King Sejong created the Chobeop, but of course the breath of incense was strongly permeated. The crown princes wedding was one of them. -Those who are 4th cousins on the fathers side or 3rd cousins on the mothers side of the family that married the crown prince are prohibited from submitting candidates for crown princess for the next 100 years. The reason Hyang included this use was to prevent one family from monopolizing the queen, but it also had the purpose of excluding incestuous marriages. Although it was not as severe as Goryeo, the Joseon royal family also secretly had a lot of incestuous marriage. There is also a theory that the umted influence of incestuous marriage was behind the fact that the kings of thete Joseon Dynasty were so short-lived and had no sessors, so they were passed down through coteral lineages. There was a theory that the imperial family had the Hapsburg chin. It wouldnt be okay if this came out. It was a use introduced by the government to prevent problems in the imperial family due to gic diseases caused by incestuous marriages. * * * However, the problem Hyun mentioned was beyond Hyangs expectations. It is no different. Appeals are pouring in from Bukji and Daeseol Ind due to the issue of deciding the crown princess. Beiji and Daxue Ind? Yes. They are filing an appeal iming that they are fully qualified to nominate a candidate for empress. Huh At Hyuns words, Hyang made a strange sound without realizing it. ording to Hyeons subsequent exnation, themon content of theints pouring in from Bukji and Daeseoldo Ind was roughly as follows. -Decades have already passed since Bukji and Daeseoldo became a stronghold of the empire. In particr, in the case of Daeseol Ind, it became a stronghold of the empire long before Bukji. -When they first became a part of the empire, they did not know the duties of man, but now they have be citizens of the empire who are well aware of the duties of people and the national policies of the empire. -In addition, there are many people who work with heavy responsibility as imperial officials and soldiers. -Given Tang Jins situation, why is the Crown Princess only appearing in this paper? -Beukji and Daeseoldo are also rivers of the empire, and the people who live there are also citizens of the empire, so they are fully qualified to pay the crown price! After listening to Hyeons exnation, Hyang made a strange sound once again. omg Chapter 973 Episode 973: On a tree with many branches (2) Hyang, who was dazed for a moment by the unexpected story, soon came to his senses and asked Hyeon. What do the government ministers say? There is nothing to take issue with the contents of the appeal, and we all agreed that it is natural if it is natural. Of course, the word for the time being was added For the time being Hmm then what is the situation? Did you do it? Im sure you werent aware of the situation, right? Sang Sang also said, First of all, what you said is not wrong. Hyang nodded and muttered to Hyuns answer. As expected, for now.. Thats right. Hmm With a small groan, Hyang was lost in thought. Their appeal is not wrong. Because the empire is no longer a single nation-state. The problem is the exclusive perception of local people. If you start looking into the roots, its a problem that extends back to the Three Kingdoms period. One of the typical characteristics of agricultural society was exclusivity to the outside world. And those living in the Korean penins, called Bonji, had a particrly strong sense of exclusivity. It seems like an easy problem, but its never easy. Thats right. The two Joseon made embarrassed faces and kept their mouths shut. -In reality, it is right to ept their appeal and reorganize the system. Only then can the empire run stably without any disruption. -But I cant help but think about the bacsh from the local people, who are the strongest foundation supporting the imperial family. Hmm Hmm Hyang, who continued to moan and worry, turned his head in frustration and looked in all directions. what? Is there a lot of dust over there? I guess Ill have to ask them to clean Hyang, who was trying to escape reality by thinking about something else, fixed his eyes on the candle on the bookshelf. The rule ofw Yes? Hyangs face became bright and she looked at Hyeon. The rule ofw is fundamental to the empire in running the country and governing the people. Is that so? What is written in the First Law, which is the most fundamental of allws? It says that all citizens of the empire are equal before thew and must follow thew. What you said is Hyeon, who had been pondering Hyangs words, continued. Certainly, there is no provision in thew that limits the qualifications for the crown princess to those from the maind. ording to thew, not only the Northern Territory and Daxue Ind, but also Xinji and the southwestern province of Temasek can submit candidates for the crown princess. The problem is not the public sentiment of the people of the primary province. Do you want to? Hyeon answered in a slightly bored voice. What Hyang had just said had already been said among the government officials. -There is no legal problem. However, the public sentiment of this paper is the problem. Thats why Hyeon went looking for Hyeon, but was disappointed when he got the same answer. I thought Halbamama would give a clear answer Hyang continued, perhaps aware of Hyeons despondency. The emperor seems to have forgotten, but what was their appeal? They were asking for permission to nominate a candidate for the crown princess. They didnt say that she must be the crown princess unconditionally, right? Huh? Huh? Ah! Hyeons face, who had been tilting his head to Hyangs point, brightened. Looking at Hyeons face brightening, Hyang continued to exin further. -Since we are all citizens of the same empire, there is no problem in submitting a candidate for crown princess. -And what is the problem with the Crown Princessing from a foreign country rather than from the hometown? If she were to appear as a candidate for the Crown Princess, there would be no problem with the New Testament, and wouldnt the Crown Prince, who would be Jiabi, be pleased with her and wee her? -If you still express dissatisfaction, me yourself for not being able to raise a woman worthy of the Crown Princess. Hyun nodded repeatedly at the exnation of the scent that continued up to this point. Yes! That is right! You are truly right! And order the General Affairs Department to look into the records of the marriages of the people of the empire. Are you talking about the record of marriage? Thats right. Dont all the people of the empire who have married and be married have a record in the family register? Please look at the records and check how many marriages have taken ce between people from your hometown and people from other countries. If the number is high, this decision has been made. If you oppose it, you can use them of treason of antinomies. The scent that was mentioned so farughed bitterly. You hold a marriage ceremony as you please and then argue over the crown princes marriage? Arent you truly old-fashioned? While were at it, lets clear this up. Hyeon nodded and epted what Hyang said. I think it will be a good opportunity. The officers and scribes who were recording this from the side added the following. -.It is good to see that His Majesty the Emperor and the Great Emperor have found the answer in this way. The officer discusses. Why is the story suddenly moving in that direction? * * * Hyeon, who returned from Sugang Pce, immediately summoned the ministers. When all the ministers gathered in Geunjeongjeon, Hyeon opened his mouth. The reason I asked the officials to gather is because of the crown princess issue. When Hyeon mentioned the topic, Han Myeong-hoe came forward. The minors had a conversation about that issue, and it seems appropriate to ept the appeal. Huh? Why? Hyun looked surprised at Han Myeong-hoes answer and asked the reason. The reason is Han Myeong-hoes subsequent exnation was almost identical to Hyangs words. If those who oppose this are harming the unity of the empire with their old-fashionedness, I believe they should be punished. Hyun was secretly impressed when he saw Han Myeong-hoe even suggest using this as a political opportunity. indeed! indeed! If you look at the way he organizes his work as soon as he returns, its indeed Han Myeong-hoe! There is a reason why Taesang and Sanghang cherish him and never let down their guard! Hyun, who was exmating inwardly, looked at the other ministers and asked. Do you all think the same? Thats right. Good. Lets proceed like this. Ah! Just in case, the Minister of Internal Affairs should check the family register. What Im asking you to do is investigate the family register Check how many marriages have taken ce between men and women from our hometown and men and women from other regions. We cannot postpone the crown princes marriage, so I would like to receive a report as soon as possible. I follow your orders. All the ministers had the same thought in their minds as they looked at the Minister of General Affairs who bowed his head in response. The officials of the General Affairs Department will have a hard time. It will be a very difficult task. So, I will order all the officials of the General Affairs Department to provide fish meals. Hwang Eun is devastated. * * * Five dayster, fifteen days after the headquarters of the empire, the prefectural statement was posted in the government offices of Bukji and Daeseoldo. -We will also include people from Bukji and Daeseoldo as candidates for the crown princess. Rmend women who would be suitable for the Crown Princess and the Empress. -As time goes by, we will add other rivers, including Shinji. As soon as the countys statement was posted, the headquarters of the empire and the Great Snow Ind in the North were turned upside down. The officials of Bukji and Daeseoldo Ind began to search through their families and viges in search of a suitable guardian for the crown princess. On the contrary, as expected, appeals taking issue with this issue began to be filed one after another. -The imperial family has its roots in its hometown! Therefore, it is natural that the Crown Princess should be from this region! As appeals full of such content came in, the county once again publicly issued a rebuttal. -There is no denying that the imperial family has its roots in this ce! -However, it is not reasonable to limit the crown princess to those from the main region. Hyun then concluded by pointing out how many marriages there had been between people from the local area and people from other areas. -People from different ces are married and living well, so why should the imperial family be any different? -It is the Crown Princes responsibility to choose the Crown Princess. To argue about this is crossing a line! -This is an act that undermines the unity of the empire and is a serious crime equivalent to treason! I will not sit idly by and ignore this! As soon as the word traitor was mentioned, the number ofints that had been going on for a while decreased, as if turning a blind eye to Maparam. However, the prefecture and government had finished the selection and were moving on. Meanwhile, among the people who were carefully reading the rebuttal presented by Hyeon, the older ones tilted their heads. The writing style seems very familiar? Its familiar, but its so familiar Those who were tilting their heads at the familiarity felt in the sentence soon muttered with exmations. Ah! I heard you cant steal seeds after all The strong scent of incense remained in the writing style that attacked the opponent in a simple, clear, yet poignant manner. * * * As one problem was solved, another problem emerged. Budget is always an issue The working-level staff put their hands on their foreheads when they saw the amount of budget needed. ording to the procedures established by the firstw, there were many cases where money was spent. -Travel expenses for women elected as crown princess candidates to travel between Seoul and their hometowns. -Costs for construction or maintenance of temporary amodation for crown princess candidates. -Costs provided for clothing and eating by the Crown Princess candidates. To ensure fairness in selection, all candidates must wear identical clothes and essories supported by the imperial family. -A gift to give to those who were eliminated from the first and second grades. Since they came as candidates for crown princess, you can never give them cheap gifts. A considerable amount of money was spent on the search for the crown princess of Wan and Hyeon, but this time, candidates came from as far away as Bukji and Daeseol Ind. Not only was the travel cost a huge issue, but the clothes the candidates would wear and the essories they would have to wear also took up a significant budget. Since the name and color were for the candidates for the Crown Princess, it was absolutely impossible to use something shabby or cheap. Moreover, these clothes and essories were disposable. This was because the hobos who were eliminated in the selection process took these clothes and essories with them when they returned home. Whats interesting is that the process of making these clothes and essories was a fierce battle for the pride of the craftsmen. -All candidates must wear the same clothes and wear the same essories. Because of this provision, clothing and essories were made inrge quantities. In other words, if selected, artisans could make a lot of money. The money received from the imperial family was not everything. The evaluation that rice fields satisfied the famous royal family members was the most powerful weapon to attract upper-ss people. In addition, those who were rejected from the selection process and returned home showed off their clothes and essories to their rtives and friends in their hometown, and those who saw them became new customers. Therefore, when an announcement was made that the selection of the crown princess had begun, the most prestigious acupuncturists and silversmiths worked hard to create a prototype. And the more effort they put into it, the more the unit price goes up and the more and more budget they have to spend. However, it was impossible to consider cost-effectiveness for the important event of choosing the crown princess. Because of this, the working-level staff of the Imperial Household and the Ministry of Finance and Economy could only sigh and pound on their hands. * * * Hyang, who was talking with Hyeon about the entire empire being shaken by the issue of selecting the crown princess, smiled slightly and gave a positive evaluation. But isnt it a good thing that the empire is moving more energetically? How heavy has the atmosphere been over the Italian issue? Thats right. In a way, it was helpful to take up time starting with the crown princes investiture letter. At Hyuns words, the older brotherughed mischievously and stabbed Hyun in the painful spot. But thanks to this, the day for the emperor to hand over his position and go to Shinji was greatly dyed. I wish you hadnt said that Hyang, who was left alone after such a happy time, looked out the window and muttered. The selection of the Empress has be a national event. How will it change in the future? A dating program or Miss International? Chapter 974 Episode 974: A tree with many branches.. (3) Haa~. Im disturbed. Crown Prince Wu, who was processing the documents, sighed with a distraught expression. Why are you looking so distraught? The sergeant is right around the corner. Ah! Are you here? Wu, who had hurriedly stood up and bowed in response to a remark uttered by Duke Anpyeong, who was passing by, responded with a still distraught expression. That slope makes people feel uneasy. Hahaha! Its natural to feel distraught when marriage is right in front of you. But isnt it all natural? But starting with the instation of the crown prince, its not something I wanted to aplish Anpyeong felt a little sad as he watched Wu slurring his words. He didnt be the crown prince because he wanted to * * * The uproar that urred when Wu became the crown prince was already widely rumored throughout Seoul. There were two main reactions from Seoul residents who heard the rumor. If you had asked me to be the crown prince, I would have said Thank you! and epted it with a ttering response. But you turned it down? You were so generous! Even the lowest-ranking officials at Gyeongbokgung Pce and the royal court go around crying every day, saying, Im going to die or Im going to live. How much hardship would it be for the crown prince or the emperor? Even if it were me, Id run away. But youre the crown prince, right? That means youre the next emperor, right? You can have all the power and wealth of this empire, right? Why do you turn it down? Is it just power and wealth? You can have all the beauties you want and enjoy the rich world, right? There is an Board of Audit and Inspection? And what kind of pot holder is the firstw? . Why is there a saying, taking care of maturity in the first ce? Even if you get a beautiful woman, do you have time to y with her? But hes the emperor. What do you do if youre the emperor? Its allyered. ah! * * * Knowing the circumstances, Anpyeong looked at Wu with sad eyes. No, not just Anpyeong, but all the musicians and officials around him looked at Wu with simr expressions. How many things in the world can be done the way you want? You have to give in to what you have to give in moderation. Whoa~. Wu sighed unconsciously at Anpyeongs words and confessed his feelings. Its not that I dont know that either. But in the process of selecting a crown princess, there is a process of looking at archery, but why is there no process of looking at music or singing and dancing? I dreamed of a scene where the queens danced to my song and shared affection, but the music and dance were not there. Why isnt there a course to watch the dances and dances? .. .. At Wus words, Anpyeong and everyone around him fell silent. Please return mypassion! However, soon after, Anpyeong and the people around him looked at Wu with sad eyes again. Well, its famous that you be powerful as soon as you enter the internal list * * * Among the rumors and stories rted to the imperial family during this period, there were a few things that all the people of the empire nodded their heads to. One of them was a story rted to the women of the imperial family. -There are five total armies in the empire. Army, Navy, Internal Affairs, Internal Affairs, and Foreign Affairs. The empress, her concubines, and the inns that served them were collectively called the Naemyeongbu, and the organization where the royal rtives and the wives and wives of high-ranking officials gathered was the Oemyeongbu. The internal register mentioned by the people was not the traditional internal register, but only referred to the empress, the crown princess, and the crown prince. However, the reason why the Internal Affairs and Foreign Affairs departments were treated as military was because if you became a member of the Internal Affairs and Foreign Affairs departments, you were unconditionally trained in the art of guns. And thats not at the level of a hobby, but at the level of an elite soldier. The origin of this tradition was the Beomgwol Incident that urred in the year of Gyeyu. At that time, when the private soldiers led by Grand Prince Yangnyeong and Seo Seon crossed the wall of Gyeongbokgung Pce, not only Empress Soheon, but also the Crown Princess and her subordinates participated in the battle to stop them. From then on, an implicit rule and tradition arose that all the emperors women should know how to properly use a gun. -No matter what, it is the emperors women who stand by the emperors side until the end. We are the emperors final sword and shield! This was the reason why the women of Naemyeongbu learned gunsmithing skills properly. Since the internal list was like this, it was natural that the external list also joined the wave. And archery was added to the process of selecting the crown princess and benefactor. -Guns are something that the people of Yeoyeom are not allowed to have, so lets just look at archery. -The crown princess and the queen, as well as the women whose names are listed in the foreign register, must learn the art of guns under the supervision of the empress. In this way, the rumor was born that the internal and external registers were also military. And then another scandalous rumor began to circte. -The reason the emperor does not take women other than the empress and the empress is for survival. Later, when Hyang heard this cheeky rumor, heughed and shook his head. Its so hard to find time to brush, but the three of us are too much. Dont you know the saying, If your husband is into fishing, you dont have to worry about cheating? * * * That doesnt mean you cant understand Hmm Anpyeong, who had been pondering for a moment over Woosints, made a suggestion. Then wouldnt it be okay to add singing and dancing to the selection process? Is that possible? After hearing Anpings proposal, not only Wu but also those around him looked at Anping with simr expressions. What else is impossible? But the worlds evaluation of song and dance The imperial peoples social evaluation of song and dance and arts has been quite harsh since ancient times. Things got better when a high-ranking person named Anpyeong came out publicly and aprehensive entertainment center was created, but there was still a long way to go. Thats why Wu was worried. The Board of Audit and Inspection will not sit still if we put the singing and dancing in the selection process. It does not suit the royal familys tradition. joy! Anpyeong, who snorted at Wus point, responded with an expression that said it was no big deal. Chetong? Do you know, Prince Hwang? That in the past, when Emperor Won was organizing Aak and Hyangak with Park Yeon, Emperor Won created Jeongganbo. yes? Anpyeong, who mentioned King Sejongs anecdote, snorted again. Hmph! Even Emperor Wen did not take melody lightly, so what a freezing cold! If you argue about it, it will be an insult to the state of affairs! Who was the first to create quick melody! ah! Wus face brightened at Anpyeongs words. This was because it had the most reliable shield. Looking at Wus brightened face, Anpyeong told him the best and worst way. If you keep trying to make it a problem, say you wont be the crown prince! aha! And Wu immediately went into action. * * * Ha~. This bastard Hyun, who saw Woosint, held his forehead, thought about it, and looked for incense again. Hyang, who received Woos appeal, responded right away. Isnt it okay to ept it? But The fact that she has already be a candidate for crown princess doesnt mean there are no problems with her family or behavior? They are not only reviewing officials, but they even went to the Secretariat Committee and skipped it once. I guess so. In that case, I think it is okay to add the conditions the crown prince wants. Since we have granted the desires of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, shouldnt we also grant the crown princes desires? The person we will live with is not us, but the crown prince. Hyun, who thought about Hyangs words for a moment, answered with a bright face. I will. After the string was turned, Hyang looked out the window and clicked his tongue. Tsk! Its been a while, Anpyeong. I guess I have to deal with this guy. I cant give a child constructive advice, but can you tell me how to make him cry? As the scent filled his tongue, Anpyeong suddenly shivered from the chills that came over him. I suddenly got a chill Look, I have to leave the office early today. When Anpyeong hurriedly retreated from the hospital due to a sudden chill, all kinds of tonics and rare foods were poured into Anpyeongs house. Duke, you must live a long life! Artists who were greatly indebted to Anpyeong gathered together in groups of three and five to obtain medicine and delicacies and brought them back. Thank you, Maui. I guess I didnt live in vain. Duke, dont say things like that, you must live a long life! Isnt this enough to live like this? Oh my gosh, Duke! Dont worry, I wont die until I die. Some artists who were worried about Anpyeongs health poured purified water and prayed for Anpyeongs health. * * * Perhaps due to the butterfly effect caused by the scent, all of the scent brothers were living long lives. It wasnt just longevity. Everyone was making a name for themselves in various fields. Jinpyeong, famous for its railroads and iron horses, and Anpyeong, famous for its entertainment, were not the only two cities. Princess Jeongso was renowned for her medical skills, and Princess Jeonggui was renowned for her research in industry and academia. In addition, Hyangs half-brothers were making a name for themselves in the fields of military affairs,merce, industry, and art. What is interesting is that not only Hyang, but also Jinpyeong and Anpyeong yed a role in the background of their bing famous. When they took on practical tasks using their aptitude, what they mostcked was human resources and budget. To solve this problem, Jinpyeong and Anpyeong actively attracted their sisters and half-brothers. At the time, Hyang said it was a recruitment of talent that was evaluated as a royal multi-level approach. In any case, Joseon was quickly transformed into an empire thanks to the active movement of royal personnel. Of course, this would not have been possible without King Sejongs active support. Thanks to the active support of King Sejong, whopletely seized power, Hyang and his brothers turned Joseon around. Later historians evaluated this period as follows. -It was possible because it was a time of chaos in the early Joseon Dynasty, when nothing was yet standardized or fixed. -The empire was able to grow like that because it had branches called imperial brothers on the strong root of Emperor Yuan and the strong trunk of the first emperor. * * * Although a time worthy of the term peaceful era continued, incidents and idents continued to ur. Not long after Crown Prince Wus selection of crown princess, a huge scandal broke out. In the history before Count Jinpyeong-hyang intervened, a sex scandal involving Yeonsangun broke out in the history before Yung-hyang, the son of King Seongjong, intervened. Jung, who received the title of baron after hising-of-age ceremony, was famous for his deep knowledge of melody. However, even before he became an adult, under the pretext of discussing music, he frequently visited gisaeng houses and yed with them, causing constant scandal. However, despite this scandal, there were many sympathetic views on Jung. This was because her father, Count Jinpyeong, was famous for having an uneven marital life, to the point where he was called the Divorce Count. But this scandal had a very different oue. Not only was he caught engaging in adultery, but he alsomitted adultery with several men and women, engaged in sodomy, and even smoked cherry blossoms, which were prohibited byw. Naturally, the Board of Audit and Inspection rose up, and appeals from local nobles who heard the rumor poured in like a flood once again. What should I do? After all, it would be reasonable to follow thew, right? Hyang frowned and nodded at Hyuns question. Isnt that thew? Of course it is right to follow thew. In the end, he was sentenced to heavy punishment through the Yungun Trial and was forced to work in a mine. And it was deleted from the imperial family tree. As an aside, the Duke of Jinpyeong, who could not bear the embarrassment and shame upon hearing this news, called Count Jinpyeong and beat him until he cried out. However, because of Duke Jinpyeong, who could not hold back his anger, the tigers living in the great forests of the northeastern region C Siberia C had to suffer. Chapter 975 Chapter 975: On a tree with many branches.. (4) There were few people in this area who did not know about the evil rtionship between Duke Jinpyeong and the tigers. -Having an iron horse is something that the Duke of Jeonpyeong risks his life for, and hunting tigers is a hobby that the Duke of Jinpyeong risks his life for. -As long as iron horses and railroads exist, the tiger is the Duke of Jinpyeongs Buddha. This was what was said between Duke Jinpyeong and the tiger. When railroad tracks were firstid across the region, many people sacrificed their lives during construction in mountainous areas. Even though they chose a rtively t detour route, excluding the rugged mountainous terrain, starting from the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range, there were quite a lot of casualties. It wasnt just the terrain. The casualties caused by wild animals such as tigers and bears were also significant. When arge number of people crowded around, it wasmon for even the most vicious beasts to avoid the scene and hide in the depths. However, wild animals that became difficult to hunt due to old age or developed a taste for human flesh cleverly took advantage of the opportunity to hunt people. -For half of the year, people hunt tigers, and for the other half, tigers hunt people. The local people were familiar with ipatibilism to the point where such words were widely circted, but the problem was that it was so severe. To solve this problem, King Sejong increased his troops, but casualties continued to ur. Have you seen this kind of bullshit! Thatmanders words are a bit harsh. Whats the problem with saying that things that are worth six times are worth doing? Bring a bow! After receiving the report that construction would be dyed due topatibility, Jinpyeong C the Great Prince at the time C immediately grabbed his bow and arrows and traveled through the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range. Jinpyeongs proactive response must have worked, as wild beasts no longer appeared at the railway construction site. -They say that even the mountains of the world urinate in front of Duke Jinpyeong. There were rumors like this going around. Afterwards, the evil rtionship between Jinpyeong and the tiger continued in the forest areas and northern regions of the northeastern region. In particr, Jinpyeong moved more actively after receiving permission to use long guns. If Jinpyeong saw a tiger or heard a rumor that a tiger had appeared somewhere, he would immediately run out with a gun. In the end, Hyang sent Jinpyeong a letter with bones. -Its good to hold, but hold in moderation. The people who farm are having a hard time. This was not just a warning. As the tiger disappeared, wild boars and deer elk, whose numbers had suddenly increased, began toe down to nearby farnd and create sagebrush fields. * * * The first thing I noticed about this problem was, of course, the scent. More and more reports began to surface that wild boars and deer elk were descending and causing damage to farms, but King Sejong and most officials did not take this seriously. Its not even the 21st century, so this is happening? After confirming the general information, the county immediately ordered Hojo to investigate. After investigation, Hyang drew a corrtion between Jinpyeongs tiger hunting and damage to farms and reported this to King Sejong and officials. .It is natural to catch a tiger that has caused harm to the people. However, hunting beyond that level bes problematic. It is not only for humans that the cycle and harmony of yin and yang and the five elements, as well as maintaining moderation, are important. Do you think so? First of all, we named it food chain, but as you can see, this chain is disrupted and the people suffer damage. Right. Its truly amazing! That the cycle of yin-yang and the five elements and the mean bnce was so important to all things in the world! Food chain.. Its a really catchy name! After receiving Hyangs report, King Sejong nodded with a serious face, and the ministers could not help but be impressed. As expected, its Cesaro! As expected! Thats too much praise. While expressing humility at the praise of King Sejong and his ministers, Hyang muttered to himself. Rather than exining it in aplicated way, I exined it in terms of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements and the Mean, so they understood it right away. In this way, Jinpyeongs reckless tiger hunting was sanctioned. That wasnt all. The empire was also the first to have a system to limit ruthless agriculturalnd development and establish nature protection areas. * * * Afterwards, the Duke of Jinpyeong rarely hunted wild animals, especially tigers. However, upon hearing the news that arge number of leopard skins were suddenly given to the imperial family after the scandal of Lee Yong and that leopard skins had bemon in the markets of Seoul, Hyang shook his head and clicked his tongue. Tsk! That bastard again! Hyang shook her head, unfolded the paper, and began to write a letter. Its better for me toe forward with this issue than for Hyun toe forward. No matter how much he was the emperor, it was a bit awkward to deal with superiors like Jinpyeong and Anpyeong. It was not simply a matter of lineage and number of rtives, but they were elders among elders who were active in the early days of the empire along with King Sejongs hometown, and are still ying a major role. The best thing about the gate was that it smelled fragrant. Well, since Jinpyeong is as old as he is, he probably wont be able to do something like Gyeyucheolnannan It was a scent that I still couldnt forget about the dream I had all those years ago. So the Hyang sent the letter, and 15 dayster, an extremelyrge leopard skin was presented to Suganggung Pce. In Jinpyeongs handwritten letter enclosed, it was written as follows. -I guess Im old too. From now on, I will just go quietly and build the railroad. Quietly? So much! * * * By the time themotion rted to Jinpyeong had quieted down, Hyang was troubled by another problem. I raised tiger cubs. And that too in droves What made Hyang grumble as he ced his hand on his forehead were the blueprints sent by the craftsmen of Areas 51 and 52 and the craftsmen of the shipyard in Sinji, Wonsan. They had already be familiar with steam engines and iron ships through assault return ships and Heukyeong-ss transport ships. In addition, the multi-wing propulsion engine C the turbine engine C designed by Jang Yeong-sil and which shocked everyone, was also nearingpletion as a test specimen for verification. Hyuns part isrgely responsible for this. The part that Hyeon clung to like crazy during his time as crown prince was this Daik propulsion machine. Thanks to the crown princes full support, the project quickly got back on track. And all of this came together to create designs that would make even Hyang freak out. A high-speed battleship equipped with a rotating turret, an aircraft carrier equipped with self-powered aircraft This is the same. A high-speed aircraft using multi-wing propulsion? Hyangs expression changed as he looked at the design drawings with an expression of astonishment. Is this going to be fun? Hyang had an expression that would have been contemtive if he had already seen the deceased King Sejong and Kim Jeom. * * * The first thing Hyang considered was a high-speed battleship equipped with a rotating turret. When this proposal was first submitted by Hyeon, Hyang rejected this. -It takes a lot of force to rotate the turret. Of course, it is not possible with manpower or axial force, and a steam engine must be used. -It is structurally too bad to use a shaft or pedestal rope connected to a steam engine that moves the wire. No. -In that case, a dedicated steam engine must be installed to move the turret, but there is a space problem. -Even if the space problem is solved, there is a safety problem. Installing a steam engine near a turret that is already full of dangerous gunpowder and shells It is too dangerous. Thisst problem was the biggest cause, so the city rejected this proposal. But there was something that the city did not know. The Monitor, an irond ship built by the North during the American Civil War, was equipped with a steam engine for propulsion to rotate the turret. I connected the axis. Monitors are not my type. Hyang was unaware of this because of his extremely nerdy values. Hyang was also a fan of steampunk. In any case, what the craftsmen came up with as an answer to the problem Hyang pointed out was standard yet very bold. C Set an appropriate distance between the steam engine for driving the turret and the turret. Float. C Surround the turret with a water tank. Water tank? Hmm Hyang, who was looking at the blueprint, nodded. When viewed from above, the design was to surround the turret with a donut-shaped water tank. This water tank was to be filled with fresh water for use by the steam engine and soldiers. . Hyang, who was pondering over the blueprint, immediately called the person in charge of the design. Its a good idea, but the problem is that its not easy to make a water tank this way. What is the solution? The person in charge responded to Hyangs point without hesitation. It is possible with the skills and tools of the imperial craftsmen. Of course, it is impossible to make that shape into a solid shape. You have to break it into several pieces and then put them together. How are you going to solve the waterproofing problem in the process of putting them together? Isnt there chicle? I see. Hyang nodded at the person in charges answer. Hyang. The person in charge, encouraged by the favorable response, exined in more detail, Of course, rubber cannot be used in hot and high-pressure areas such as the heat tank of a steam engine. That part still requires the use of parts made of brass. However, it is okay to ce chicle in ces that are not high, such as around the turret. I see. Hmm I understand. I will report to my emperor and get permission. Upon hearing Hyangs words, the person in charge immediately bowed down on the floor and shouted, I will do my best to produce the best results! I look forward to it. Hyang summarized the matter regarding the high-speed battleship. He moved on to the next. Please call the person who proposed the bhikkhu. It is already a clear fact that a self-flying bhikkhu is more useful than a simple bhikkhu. However, it is also true that there are limits to the range of movement. In that case, it is best to carry it on the wire and use it. However, rather than loading everything on any front line, it is best to build a ship just for monks that can supply and maintain it. I understood that far and judged it to be reasonable. The problem is next. Put a bomb on a self-powered aircraft and drop it on an enemy ship? In order to use a fire bomb with sufficient power, I think we need to work on the self-propelled flight apron as well . You can do that by using a self-powered aerone using multi-wing propulsion. Bring it in. In this way, I selected designs that I thought were good and submitted them to Hyeon. Please provide some budget support. It looks okay. Are you sure? Hasnt there been information that European countries are attempting to build irond ships? I have to be at least half a step ahead of them, but I think its worth the challenge. I understand. Im sure Admiral Lim will dislike it a lot. Isnt that the emperors responsibility? ..I should ascend to the throne as soon as possible. In this way, steampunk-style things that directly hit Hyangs taste began to be attempted. But the world There was also something that I dismissed as soon as I saw it. It was a nd battleship submitted by Leonardo da Vinci. C The entire hull was covered with iron armor and a rotating turret and a fixed turret were installed. C The rotating turret was equipped with two assault return main guns and mounted on its own left and right. The fixed turret attached to the turret is equipped with a smaller artillery piece. When I saw Leonardo da Vincis proposal, an image immediately came to mind: This is a ratte! Why is this an item that even Hitler gave up on? Chapter 976 Chapter 976: Clear-Eyed Madman (1) After rejecting the proposal for Land Battleship submitted by Da Vinci, Hyang put his hand on the image and sighed. Haa~. Maybe they should have just put him in the drawing office instead of Area 51 When I first met Leonardo da Vinci, I was filled with anticipation. Da Vinci, Da Vinci! That da Vinci! Da Vincis position not only in art history but also in the world of nerds was in the heavenly world. It was Da Vinci who drew out sketches that stimted the imagination of enthusiasts, such as tanks, helicopters, and rocket-propelled battering rams. The parts that went too far can be coordinated through the craftsmen of Area 51 and the Engineering Research Institute. The most important part of da Vinci is his imagination. All you have to do is get your imagination right! Hyang, who calcted this way, seeded in the operation to catch Da Vinci by using part of the Daejeonrok as bait. done! Wee to Deokhu World! * * * Da Vincis actions, having been lured into Seoul by Hyang, seemed to be following Hyangs n. The first thing da Vinci made was a harpsichord. This was an order given by Hyang to Crown Prince Wu, who said, I will make a quick song that will touch the hearts of the people. These are all my sins, so what should I do? And since Im serious about this, not entertainment, I need to help. Thats how Da Vinci made a harpsichord and presented it as a gift. Of course, this harpsichord was not 100% Da Vincis work. You mean vicembalo? Of course you can make it. Please do me a favor. Harpsichord in English was an item that was not unfamiliar to Da Vinci. This was because the primitive harpsichord had already appeared in 1397, and improvements had continued throughout that time. I also added a spoonful of incense to it. Even in the 21st century, Hyangs virtuous spirit was wide-ranging, and thanks to that, he was able to learn to y the piano, albeit at a rudimentary level. To be exact, it was a pipe organ. It was because he fell in love with the pipe organ yed by the viin in a movie he loved. With the introduction of Hyang, who knew how to y the piano, albeit at a rudimentary level, the harpsichord made by da Vinci came to have a much higher level of perfection than other harpsichords of the same time. When the harpsichord was made and presented, not only Hyang and Hyeon-woo, but also the Duke of Anpyeong and the musicians of Jangjagwon all gathered to see the new instrument. I heard that the crown prince had great intentions. So I made it in the hope that it would be helpful. Hoo~. Huh~. Onlookers both high and low eximed in exmation at the wonderful carvings on the body of the harpsichord. Duke Anpyeong, who had been carefully observing the structure of the harpsichord, looked back at the incense and asked. Do you make a sound when you press those wooden boards in a row? Thats right. Should I say Geum () or Gyeong ()? As expected, you are Gosu-ro! Looking at Duke Anpyeong, who was looking at the structure like an expert and considering the identity of the instrument, Hyang was inwardly impressed and asked, Should we say somewhere in the middle between the two? Its a European instrument, so its hard to match it to our standards. Thats true. How do you y it? Its like this. Hyang, sitting on a chair in front of the harpsichord, yed the Chopstick March. and! ah! While almost all of the onlookers were admiring the powerful notes of the harpsichord, the Duke of Anpyeong was admiring in a different way. The left and right hands can produce notes of different heights at the same time! Are you saying that nonghyeon, which only those who have learned the gayageum or geomungo for a long time can y proficiently, is possible by pressing those wooden boards at the same time? Thats right. And its called a keyboard, not a wooden board. Its a keyboard When a closed note is yed, it uses key keys and the table that holds the keys together makes it a keyboard. Its a good name. But why did you make this instrument? To Duke Anpyeongs question, Hyang looked back at Wu and answered, Isnt it good that you can y the tune easily and quickly if you just learn the ying technique? I even made a score that goes well with it. Hyang held out the staff paper he had made and exined how to use it. As he yed the harpsichord and exined how to use it, Duke Anpyeong let out a series of exmations. Indeed! This is a sheet music suitable for European instruments! I think you can use this score for melodies that cannot be notated with Jeongganbo or that are not easily recognized! Thats right! While Hyang and Duke Anpyeong were exchanging words like that, those who were watching behind them shook their heads without realizing it. No matter how much a grandfather loves his grandchildren They even make musical instruments for the world? And Hyang, the person involved, had simr thoughts. At first, I was thinking of making a simple guitar In a drama that 21st Century Hyang watched when he was young C a ssic even at the time C the main character, who was an unknownposer, yed the guitar andposed a song. It was the scent that made me think of the guitar while recalling the scene I was ying. But after a while, I changed my mind. Hold on? Youre not a dirt spoon, youre the crown prince, right? Guitar doesnt suit me! The scene where he scribbles on sheet music while ying the keyboard! Its a scene fit for a crown prince! In this way, the harpsichord was the winner. A piano would be better, but you dont know its structure, right? Then lets go with this! It was the result of the well-known grandfathers love for his (great-)grandchild. As a side note, this incident once again left Hyangs name in history. C The person who developed the worlds first staff notation. Still to this day . It was the first creation of staff notation at a time when three-line notation or diagonal notation was used. * * * Up to this point, it was okay. No, it was okay for Da Vinci until he first encountered all the results of Area 51. However, there is a need to encourage creating something creative. Da Vinci slowly began to run away after seeing the trend of Area 51, the facilities that supported it, and the talented craftsmen. However, whatpletely turned Da Vinci into a runaway lotive was looking at the hidden parts of Daejeonrok and Jang Yeong-sils belongings. I cant believe theres already someone who created such wonderful works! From now on, I will treat you as the teacher in my heart! And then the runaway started, and Hyang became a headache. The most frightening thing about Da Vinci was that he would persist until he was convinced. When the proposal for Land Battleship was rejected, Da Vinci He rushed to Sugang Pce and looked for Hyang. If there is anythingcking in my proposal, please let me know. If someone thinks hes Italian, look at that hot-tempered personality. If you do well, Ill hit you? Looking at Da Vincis face full of dissatisfaction, Hyang muttered to himself and exined the reason: What are we going to do if we bring a whale that is not even an elephant tond? Yes? After listening carefully to Hyangs exnation, Da Vinci nodded. My thoughts were too shallow! Ille with an improvement n soon! Even the improvement n Hyang ced his hand on his forehead as he saw Da Vinci disappear before Hyang finished speaking. But the situation was getting more and more difficult. Da Vinci created it again. The Ministry of Defense, especially the Army, showed interest in miniaturend battleships. Isnt it quite useful to put artillery on an assault vehicle? Thats right. Then wouldnt thisnd battleship also be useful? Huh? for a moment? Is that so? The army, which showed interest in this way, began to support Da Vincis proposal. What made things even more troublesome here was that Jang Hang-seon and Lim Sun-wook showed favor to this n. Make the navys ships out of iron and make them bigger and more powerful. What is the reason for putting a canvas on it? Isnt it to block enemy attacks with solid iron armor and repel enemies from a greater distance with powerful artillery? And doing this is to reduce the loss of soldiers, who are precious citizens of the empire. Wouldnt this be the same for the army? It takes a lot of money to make an iron ship, and it also costs a lot of money toe up with a powerful gun to put on it! Still, the reason you spend money is because you can save more money in the end! When Jang Hang-seon and Lim Sun-ok, who were most opposed to the uncontrolled expansion of military spending, showed strong support, the county also turned its thoughts in a positive direction. Okay. Lets make a scale model first. I follow your orders. Thus began the development of a newnd battleship. As time passed and the scale model waspleted, all township and county officials and military officials gathered to observe the model. Hmm It looks okay When most of those gathered were reacting positively, Hyang looked at Da Vinci and the developers and asked. I didnt know I would say this line here! Why did you open a city war on an assault vehicle? yes? Da Vinci and the developers just blinked at Hyangs words, which were a variation of Stalins famous words. Once again, Hyang pointed out the problems of the newnd battleship in detail. Ah Oh The longer the scents exnation continued, the more Da Vinci and the developers became paralyzed and only looked at the ground. This was also true of army officials who were giving positive evaluations. The reason why only one siege gun was mounted on the A-type assault vehicle was because of these problems and limitations. Even if a steam engine that can generate more power using multi-wing propulsion was created, this is an absurdity. . In the end, Da Vincisnd battleship ran aground once again. But we were notpletely stranded. A newbat vehicle was developed equipped with a rotating turret equipped with only one gun. Of course, there is a limit to the rotation of 180 degrees rather than 360 degrees After seeing the design, Hyang took up a golden pen and wrote Chariot (war vehicle) on one side of the n. * * * Da Vincis bold challenge did not end here. Da Vinci was impressed by the automata and exoskeleton created by Jang Yeong-sil and designed the Siege Giant. -A propulsion unit that is 8 pieces tall (approximately 24m) and has an expanded endless track like an assault car or tow truck. The upper body is made in the shape of a human. -Huge iron balls are attached to both arms, and artillery and freight cars are mounted on the chest. -If you swing your arms from the control room located at the head, the iron ball will destroy the enemys castle wall. -The artillery and wagons attached to the chest hit enemies on the castle walls. The military already hasrge cranes equipped with steam engines. They can be used to build bridges, but they can also be used to break down enemy walls by attaching iron balls like the one you mentioned. But why do we have to make these too? They are shaped like people, too? Da Vinci responded immediately to Hyangs point. Of course, this can be done with a military crane. However, it is not as professional, so it is less efficient. The reason it took the shape of a human is because people have been afraid of giants since ancient times. Digging trenches rather than building castles is already the mainstream of war. There is no need for this. AhI understand. As he looked at Da Vincis dejected back, he took a sip of his food with an expression full of regret. Huge humanoid weapons are a dream, buttsk tsk tsk tsk. Chapter 977 Episode 977: The Clear-Eyed Madman (2) Da Vincis challenge continued. The second challenge I took on was the flying field. After seeing the actual and model blueprints of various des made by Hyang and Wan Jang Yeong-sil, da Vinci knelt down on the spot and shouted to the sky. Oh my God! Da Vinci thanked God and was thrown into the studio assigned to him. As the rumor spread that Da Vinci was locked in his studio!, the craftsmen in Area 51 began to brighten their eyes and show curiosity. Hoo~. What else will pop out this time? Since when? Among the 51 artisans, those who followed da Vinci began to appear one by one. No, to be precise, it was not a matter of following, but closer to unity of spirit. * * * When da Vinci first entered Area 51, the craftsmen quietly ostracized him. Are you a craftsman from the West? What are you good at? I heard it was a painting? A painting? If its a painting, you should go to the drawing school. Why are youing to Area 51? I heard Taehyang brought you here? What about the situation? If thats the case. In Area 51, Area 52, and various research institutes, Hyang was a sacred and invible entity. Therefore, even if they did not immediately understand what the scent was doing, everyone nodded and moved on. There must be some twist, right? When have you ever seen him work in vain? Thats why everyone was silent when they heard that Hyang had brought Da Vinci. However, the craftsmen who saw Da Vincis work were greatly disappointed. I thought he was someone who was doing something Because hes not as skilled as an apprentice master He was very disappointed when he saw Da Vincis dexterity but poor technical skills, and began to secretly ostracize him. There, Da Vinci became an outcast by acting arrogantly out of pride in being one of the greatest artists and inventors in Italy. However, the situation changed as people learned the imperialnguage and Jeongsin and became able tomunicate. Da Vinci put down his pride after reading the proper challenge record and looking at the various unusual objects and blueprints created by Hyang and Jang Yeong-sil. Ah! Theres still a long way to go! Da Vinci, putting aside his pride, put in a lot of effort to narrow the distance between himself and his craftsmen. In addition, craftsmen who were in sync with Da Vinci arose by working hand in hand with craftsmen in the process of designing and developing the nd battleship. Well maybe because hisst name is Da Vinci, he is very dexterous, but his brain is extraordinary! The craftsmen who joined forces with Da Vinci by making such old-man jokes evaluated him like this. -Jung Yeong-sil, who cant ruin it. Although Da Vinchigis skills were inferior to those of professional craftsmen, his creativity was unmatched by any other craftsman. * * * When the craftsmen who had joined forces with Da Vinci heard the news of Da Vincis seclusion, they gathered in groups of twos and threes to talk. What did you see again this time? Fly. Flying? Huh~. Are you distracted by something that isnt easy again? Thats right. Thats true. Anyway, how much fun can we expect to see this time? The artisans, unable to ovee their curiosity, lingered in front of the door of Da Vincis studio whenever they had time. How many days did this repeat? The door to Da Vincis studio burst open and a haggard-faced Da Vinci came out. Its out! When the craftsmen who heard the story gathered together, Da Vinci presented the blueprint. Please take a look before I show it to Taesang. At da Vincis words, craftsmen gathered around the blueprint. Let me see. Ah! That! Get your head off! The craftsmen who had been examining the blueprints were fighting back with embarrassed expressions. Its a flying machine with a steam engine Wasnt the steam engine removed because it was too heavy for the output? I think it would be okay if I put a multi-wing propeller on it like old man Da Vinci thought The multi-wing propeller is powerfulpared to its size, but I still think it would be too much, right? Whats even more worrisome are those wings. They fly by fluttering like a bird? If you look at the design, those engine parts must be made of iron. The frame is also a problem. Even if it is made of wood, the weight is not a problem if you consider strength. The craftsmen, who pointed out problems as they came to mind, now began to think of solutions. I think the multi-wing propulsion engine is the right choice for the propulsion engine Shall we try installing the propulsion device that is being tested? How about changing the material of the teeth and springs used in the device that makes those wings flutter? I think the new ferroalloys that are out these days would be a good fit. The one thats notoriously difficult to handle? The hair is dirty, but I think it would be perfect to use here, right? How about using that wood to make the framework? The balsa we brought in from Shinji. Balsa wood? Its very light. And its like a willow tree, but it doesnt break easily, so I think itll suit you. I see The craftsmen who had been trained for generations since the creation of Area 51 had already reached the state of maturity. Because of this, the scent was enough to say something like this. If only Jang Yeong-sils creativity had been there, it would have been the icing on the cake, or the pinnacle of the fire To solve this problem, the empire held regr events and the Hyang nned to catch Da Vinci. In any case, craftsmen who found their own potential in da Vincis design worked with da Vinci to refine the blueprint and write a proposal. Since they were already seasoned craftsmen, the work waspleted in an instant and the work was delivered to Hyun through Woo (who was also holding the position) through the formalities. Hmm Multi-wing propulsion machine Hyuns eyes lit up when he saw the blueprint and proposal for a de equipped with a multi-wing propeller that he had been holding on to since he was the crown prince. After carefully looking at the blueprint and proposal, Hyun signed off on the job title and handed it to the in-house officer. I authorize the development. Still, I dont know, so send it to Taesang. Yes, Your Majesty. After checking the blueprint and proposal at Sugang Pce, Hyang slightly shook his head. A steam engine was added to the blueprint I saw on the Inte? By the way, it ps wings? When Hyang checked the content written in the proposal, Flying his wings and flying, a scene suddenly came to mind. It was a scene from a documentary about the development of aircraft, and it was about the airnes thatpeted with the Wright brothers around the same time. There was an airne gliding with its four or fiveyer wings pping. Thats the result..Ah! It was a st! Hmm After looking down at the blueprint for a while, Hyang returned the blueprint and proposal to the eunuch standing next to him. Tell him I think it would be a good idea to try. yes. We already know the results, but progress can only be achieved if these attempts continue. And just as Hyang expected, the result ended with a wajangchang. As soon as it flew off the scaffolding that looked like a ski jump, it immediately fell to the ground and broke apart. why? Faced with the result of failure, Da Vinci and the craftsmen thoroughly inspected the broken de to find the cause of the failure. -pping your wings was a huge mistake in itself. -Even if a multi-wing propulsion device is used, it still has power. In order to increase strength, you need to increase size, and then a vicious cycle urs. -The frame made of balsa wood was surprisingly good. After identifying the cause, da Vinci and craftsmen immediately began making improvements. Da Vinci and the craftsmen continued the challenge by making improvements one by one, starting with removing the wing-pping device. But the challenge continued to end in failure. And the analysis results were as follows. -The connection between the multi-wing propulsion and the pinwheel-type propulsion was surprisingly good. -But the steam engine that transmits power to the propeller is a problem. Its too big and heavy. -Condensation: An engine to rece the steam engine is needed. This is a problem that has already been posted on the challenge list a long time ago! The craftsmen who confirmed the conclusion all shouted in one voice. This has been a problem since the de was first created. Ultimately, what youre saying is that there must be an engine to rece the steam engine. Its not just the institutions. We need firewood other than coal. Hyang, who received reports through various channels, looked at the map with a smile. Chemistry is also developing steadily, and since we have Texas in our hands, something interesting will happen soon. No, there is no need to go all the way to Texas. You can easily get it in Arab. If we umte more knowledge about electricity here, we may be able to create an internalbustion engine. There must be. As Hyang looked out the window, thinking about the future, he saw plumes of ck smoke rising from all directions. Hyang, who saw the smoke, smiled bitterly and muttered. My name will be the first toe up as someone who has had a significant negative impact on the Earths environment. * * * Da Vincis obsession with flying machines was persistent. New thrusters, new engines, new fuel Da Vinci wandered around Area 51, thinking about the problems that needed to be solved first to make the flying machine sessful. Look! Its a dangerous area! Get out quickly! I told you to get out! Ah! Im sorry! Da Vinci, who had been wandering around with his mind preupied with something else, was so shocked that he apologized and stepped back. Why are you selling your mind? Im sorry. Da Vinci apologized repeatedly and stepped back, looking at the craftsmen and soldiers who had shouted at him. Huh? What is this? Its called Oxan Oxide Singijeon. Hearing the rough answer, Da Vinci looked at Sanhasan Singijeon. Step back! If you make even the slightest mistake, you could end up having to eat the ancestral rites! Oh, okay! Da Vinci stepped back from a distance and looked at the work done by the craftsmen. The craftsmen who connected the wicks to the oxidation ring went into the trench, looked in all directions, and lit the wick. . Ignite! Kwaaaang! Shhh! Puff pop! The gunpowder inside the body burned and flew noisily, separating the warheads near the target. The warheads separated from the Singijeon fell around the target and exploded loudly. Hey. ! Sess! The craftsmen and soldiers cheered with excitement. Even in history before the intervention of incense, the Sanhwa Singijeon, which was a kind of two-stage rocket, was continuously improved by incense. As a result of that improvement, the Sanhwa Singijeon tested now is a type of rocket. It had be a short-range multiple warhead missile or a cluster bomb. Da Vinci, who was looking at the craftsmen and soldiers who were cheering and celebrating sess, suddenly clenched his fists. This is it! I went to my close craftsmen and said, Lets use gunpowder? Gunpowder? Ay! No gunpowder! The craftsmen all waved their hands and rejected Da Vincis words. Da Vinci expressed doubts about the appearance of such craftsmen. why? Gunpowder is dangerous! If you make a mistake, it explodes! It just goes straight into the hole! I tried using gunpowder when I first made a flying machine, but it just exploded! The craftsmen repeatedly said no, but da Vinci did not back down easily. Shingijeon of Sanhwa was flying well? Is that it? The Sanhwa Shingijeon flies well, but why cant the Flying de fly? huh? huh? Wait The craftsmen cocked their heads at Da Vincis point. Chapter 978 Episode 978: The Clear-Eyed Madman (3) The craftsmen who thought Da Vincis idea was usible worked with Da Vinci again to draw a blueprint and write a proposal. Funnily enough, the thing that yed the biggest role in this process was the typewriter. Is this old man writing? Is he drawing? Drawing Jeongeum like this is a talent Da Vinci, who used only the alphabet, wrote Jeongeum and was famous for his bad handwriting. So much so that some of the soldiers stationed in Area 51 were seriously considering using it to create passwords. Eventually, the craftsmen, tired of deciphering da Vincis code, brought the typewriter and spoke to da Vinci. Recite whateveres to mind. I will transcribe it. Of course But this was also hard work. .. If I just change this part like this Again! Even if it went well, I tended to edit or add content right away when something suddenly shed. Eventually, the craftsmen got tired of da Vincis whims and whims and gave him a typewriter. Chisel it out yourself! Huh? Huh? Sure In the end, Da Vinci sat down in front of the typewriter and began typing on his own. I should have done this a long time ago! The craftsmen were happy because da Vinci typed the typewriter himself, relieving them of a great burden. This was because it was possible to check the content and make corrections right away without having to worry about bad handwriting. However, in this process, Da Vinci got sidetracked. Its a bit difficult to type this and its possible to use a typewriter that can type the alphabet. Would you like to make it too? Da Vinci felt ufortable with the typewriter he was using and began designing a new typewriter. Again! This time, I definitely went astray! This is a side street! Its apletely different path! Even as they grumbled, the craftsmen showed interest in what kind of typewriter Da Vinci would make. As time passed, Da Vincipleted the typewriter blueprint. The craftsmen who analyzed the blueprint all brightened their eyes. Does this look good? Lets make it! In this way, the craftsmen put away the gunpowder-propelled de and made a typewriter first. After trying out thepleted typewriter, the craftsmen all turned to Da Vinci. What are you doing! Register this as intellectual property! I just modified the original typewriter The officials will take care of that! The texture ispletely different! This is enough to register separately! After receiving urging from craftsmen, Da Vinci registered the typewriter he made as intellectual property. The officials of the Intellectual Property Management Office who received the model and blueprint of the typewriter made by Da Vinci immediately submitted it to the mayor. The first typewriter was created and the Intellectual Property Management Office This was because the person who registered was Hyang. If something like this happened among ordinary people, it would have been decided through an authoritative interpretation by the Intellectual Property Management Office or through awsuit by a referee. However, it was a matter rted to the situation. Officials had no choice but to do their best. Its better to hear a tongueshing now than to be criticized by higher-upster. And then things got messy. * * * Tsk! As the officials expected, Hyangs first reaction was to click his tongue. I understand why this came up to me, but. No matter how bad my location is, I dont know what to do because of what others think Tsk tsk tsk! Hyang clicked his tongue repeatedly and tapped on the typewriter made by Da Vinci and the craftsmen, and his eyes sparkled. Are you okay? The typewriter that Hyang made was reminiscent of the structure of typewriters that Hyang had seen in the 21st century. However, it was a product that had problems in terms of structure and performance. It was a product that had to be lumped together and endure inconvenience due to unclear memory and technical limitations. This is what came out. The typewriter made by Da Vinci was a greatly improved version of the typewriter made by Hyang, but it was a product with a much different texture. C Since it is a product with a much different texture, it can be considered a separate intellectual property. Da Vincis typewriter was returned along with a written opinion. Hyang stroked his chin and muttered, Is this going to make money? Before that problems that will arise must be resolved in advance. Hyang began to write a document to be sent to Hyeon. -The independence of the judges of the Tribunal is established byw so that not even the emperor can touch it. -Intellectual Property Management Offices The same goes for the authoritative interpretation. C If the currentw is insufficient, I think it needs to be revised again. That is a valid point. Hyun, who received and read Hyangs document, nodded and called Han Myeong-hoe. There is a problem. Since you are a fair person not only to Jim but also to the situation and the situation, something unpleasant will not happen, but you never know what the future holds, right? Please supplement it. .. I follow your orders. And the officials of the Intellectual Property Management Office had to be scolded by high-ranking people and members of the review board. That! If youre going to stare at me like that, why are you sitting there? You just have to do it ording to thew. ording to thew! I already have so much work that Im dying. I cant reduce the workload, but Im just increasing it! Do you know how manyws and decrees we have to review and decide now? There is a set deadline for everything, and you have to write a written exnation for everything that passes or fails! These are all things that are permanently stored in the archives, so you cant do them in a hurry! I know I have time left! * * * As an aside, all decisions on revising and establishing new imperialws were decided through the review board and ratified by the emperor. And here, Hyang hit Sejong with MSG. The work of the members of the review board is very important. It is heavy enough to bepared to the emperors maturity. Thats right. As it is a matter rted to the lives of the people of the empire, representatives from certain regions are selected to serve as members of the reviewmittee. And he wants to put that much honor and treatment into the firstw. Thats right. As time passes, he will only want to be treated well and will not take responsibility. We need a system to prevent this. I see. Because of the MSG incense, the members of the review board had to perform their duties arduously. -There is a set deadline for the revision ofws and ordinances, new establishment, and abolition, and the results are produced ording to this deadline. -All members must perform the task of processing a certain number ofws and ordinances. -Members who perform the task must write a report on the processing of the tasks they have been assigned and a statement of reasons for their judgment, which are submitted to the records office. It is stored permanently. -The members of the reviewmittee cannot take charge of revising or abolishing newws and ordinances regarding the duties and treatment of judges as described above. Only the emperor can make a motion and it must be voted on by all citizens eligible to vote. It can be dealt with. Over time, the auditors will turn into parliament. I dont see the kind of National Defense Lawmakers I knowing out. * * * Amid thismotion, Da Vincis typewriter was sessfully registered as an intellectual property. A few dayster, an official from the Intellectual Property Management Office brought the registration certificate, and the fragrance was released. The emissary sent found Area 51. Where is Da Vinci? Wait a moment! The craftsmen who heard Naegwans story rushed to find Da Vinci and bring him in. Its been a long time. When Gwan, who had traveled all the way to Italy and brought incense with him for a long time, pretended to know, Da Vinci also responded with a bright expression. Its been a long time indeed! But what is going on? His Majesty Taesang has made a suggestion to you. You said you wanted to invest in making and selling your typewriter. You mean my typewriter? Isnt there already a store that makes and sells typewriters? Wasnt there a contract there? Da Vinci asked the eunuch with an iprehensible expression. When Da Vincis typewriter was sessfully registered as an intellectual property, Da Vinci and the craftsmen had a simr conversation. Shall we create a business and a factory to sell it? This seems like something that would make money, but the problem is that there are already typewriters on the market. Its not the same thing, but its definitely something that will make money. But the opponent is too powerful. Its not the opponent, but the team behind it is too powerful. The conclusion reached by the craftsmen who mentioned the presence of scent, which could be considered a hint, was as follows. -It would be best to sign a contract with apany that already makes typewriters. Da Vinci expressed doubts because he had already heard this story. The eunuch smiled at Da Vincis point and exined the reason. His Majesty the Great Emperor said this. C Although a long time has passed since the typewriter currently used was first introduced, nothing has changed. This is because there was no one topete with. -For this reason, better typewriters will onlye out if there is someone topete with. And this will help the people. And finally, he said this. Dont worry about the same backhanded tricks anyway. . What are you going to do? Da Vinci turned his head and looked at the craftsmen at the eunuchs words. The craftsmen who were asked the silent question all nodded fiercely. After confirming the advice of the craftsmen, Da Vinci turned his head and looked at the interior. I will ept His Majesty Tae Sang-taes offer. Good idea! Then lets go to the battlefield and write a contract! No sooner had the eunuch finished speaking than the craftsmen behind him shouted. We want to do it too! Really? Lets do it. By the way The eunuch muttered to himself. The smell of money is amazing. I learned well from Jang Yeong-sil. Isnt it the reign of Tae Sang-tae? * * * Jang Yeong-sil umted quite a bit of wealth while working with Hyang. And this was the same for the craftsmen who followed Jang Yeong-sil. And craftsmen with deeper pockets were able to afford to design or make things of their own mind outside of work hours. Or they invested in their families, such as building a better house. And this was the same for the internal officers. Among the nuns who worked with Hyang, many of them followed Hyangs investments and made wealth. Of course, there was no way Hyang didnt know this. If internal officials were found to be using illegal means, not only through the Board of Audit and Inspection but also through the Intelligence Committee, they were punished mercilessly. * * * This is how the typewriter produced by Da Vinci Typewriter Company began to gain poprity in an instant. While youre making it, make sure the font is pretty! Thats good! As a renowned artist, the font Da Vinci created looked good and was easy to read. In addition, the typewriters keyboard moved quite smoothly and cheerfully. It wasnt just the keyboard. The sound of the typewriters operating parts moving, starting with the type, was very pleasant. The typewriter I used before was noisy, but this typewriter sounds really good! The font looks good too! The Da Vinci Typewriter Company quickly established itself amidst favorable reviews from the public. However, soon, the number of products handled by Da Vinci Typewriter Company increased. Whats the owner of this ce? I heard hes the one who made the Chambalo or the Cimb, is that correct? Is that true? If I get the price, Id like to order one. Huh? Wait a moment! What are you doing? You are a precious guest! Take care! As it became known through Jangakwons musicians and celebrities that this was thepany of artisans who made the famous harpsichord, people flocked to order harpsichords. Harpsichords, which were divided into several grades, ranging from the rtively cheap price of 10 silver coins to the huge price of 2 gold coins, soon became a must-have item in the mansions of famous giru and wealthy people. As a side note, the Da Vinci Typewriter Company, which established itself in this way, changed its name to Da Vinci Keyboard Company and became apany boasting history and tradition. -From light switches to piano keyboards, Davinichs is the best at ying with your fingers. This was the evaluation DaVinci Keyboard Company received in the future. As the Da Vinci Company slowly established itself, Da Vincis eyes began to change little by little. I can make whatever I want without worrying about the budget! Chapter 979 Episode 979: The Clear-Eyed Madman (4) Da Vincis good fortune continued. What brought da Vinci good luck this time was da Vincis improvisation. Even when typing a proposal on a typewriter, I would often edit the content as soon as an idea urred to me, which was a very cumbersome task. This is because there were many cases where the content before and after the part to be edited also had to be edited, and in these cases, it had to be done all over again from the beginning. That wasnt all. When reviewing the written document, there were always typos, and in this case, I had to retype the page with the typos. This is inconvenient No, its more annoying than inconvenient. Ive never written as many documents as I do now. Im already running out of time Theres a mountain of things I need to do and things I want to do, but Im trying to save time by writing documents. Da Vinci felt ufortable and regretful about eating animals and devised a solution. This is it! Da Vinci, who had extensive knowledge of various paints and additives using oil painting and fresco, thetest European art techniques at the time, and his preferred tempera technique, created a primitive correction fluid. Register this too! As expected, fellow craftsmen who smelled the money immediately registered it with the Intellectual Property Management Office. In this way, the water eraser that appeared on the market became very popr. This was because there were many people who felt ufortable having to rewrite the document from scratch due to incorrectly transcribed sentences or typos. C Use a chicle eraser for documents written with a stylus and a wet eraser for documents written with a typewriter or gold pen. This was the public opinion after da Vincis water eraser was released. * * * Da Vinci, who had secured sufficient funds through the typewriter and harpsichord water eraser, ran wild like a fish out of water. Aside from ns that were carried out through formal procedures, whenever an impromptu idea urred to him, he immediately locked himself in his studio. After Hyang and Jang Yeong-sil had several idents back in the day, several new rules were created in Areas 51 and 52, and this was one of them. -In addition to permitted work and works, you must pay for your own personal work and works. The problem was that even with this regtion in ce, it did not be an obstacle because Jang Yeong-sil had a lot of money. This was also the case with scent. However, it was a very burdensome provision for craftsmen who could not afford it. To solve this problem, craftsmen sought out like-minded colleagues and conducted research in their own home workshops, spending time rather than money. Of course, there were people outside looking for a jeonju (X) to support them, but the number was very small. This was because there were too many people who tried to obtain other things through him, such as challenge logs or top secret technologies, rather than his own development products. If I make a mistake, not only I but my whole family will be in trouble, so I will never do that! No, I wont be able to! * * * Da Vinci, who became a fish out of water, took on the challenge with all his might and effort: the gunpowder-propelled flying machine. Of course, this was unauthorized work. The proposal written by da Vinci and his colleagues was rejected out of favor. -Gunpowder is an expensive and dangerous product. It is not allowed as even the slightest mistake could lead to death or injury. Da Vinci immediately presented an alternative to Wus decision. I will start experimenting with a small de and work my way up the stairs step by step! Isnt there already good results in that area? Its a new technology. And what is that new technology used for? Isnt it used to catch people? Its not allowed. Da Vinci, disobeying Wus decision, proceeded with the work privately with his fellow craftsmen. Most of the materials needed to make the flying machine were expensive, but it was not a big problem for da Vinci, who already had a deep wallet. The problem is gunpowder Gunpowder, the most important ingredient, was something that could not be purchased privately. Da Vinci, who was thinking about a solution to this problem, soon found a solution. Ill make it! Da Vinci already knew how to make ck powder. Da Vinci obtained the ingredients for ck gunpowder through casting and immediately made ck gunpowder. All preparations areplete! Its time to start! Oooh! * * * Da Vinci and his colleagues challenge was bold from the beginning. They told Wu they would start with a small model, but now they were working on producing the actual size. Paradoxically, it was Woo who gave them the reason for this attempt. -A small model? You already have one, right? Its called Singijeon. Among those who worked with da Vinci, there were craftsmen in charge of researching and producing new items. Shingijeon? No one knows that better than us! The basics are simr anyway. Leave it to us! In this way, the gunpowder-propelled de that da Vinci named Fenice was introduced. * * * Please allow a test flight? yes! In response to Da Vinci and his colleagues loud responses, he ced his hand on his crying forehead and sighed. Ha~. Did you actually make this? Wu, who was looking at Da Vinci and his fellow craftsmen with pensive eyes, let out a long sigh again. Ha~. Why are you there? Woos younger brother Min was also standing among the group with Da Vinci. In the end, Wu granted da Vinci and his groups request. However! For the safety of many people, the testing site is designated as Hansubyeon! Also, we will severely caution anyone who manufactures or handles gunpowder without permission. If the same thing happens again, you will be held ountable immediately. yep! Three dayster, arge scaffolding was created on the riverside north of Sansu. Arge number of Seoul residents who could not contain their curiosity after seeing the bridge being built gathered around the test site. What are you saying this time? I heard its a flying test? Flying? Huh! I saw that when I was very young, but its been a while! With onlookers gathered around, Da Vinci and his crew finished assembling the de and conducted a final inspection. I dont think theres anything wrong? It cant be same! You have to be sure! After so many meticulous inspections, all preparations werepleted, and my father-inw, who was selected as the pilot because he was the smallest and lightest among the crew, sat in the cockpit. Huh! The father-inw, wearing a windshield over his eyes and fastening the seat belt of his chair, held up a green g and waved it. Light it up! Cheek! The craftsmen waiting lit the long fuse behind the de. Quaaaaa! The spark that entered the fuse ignited the thruster behind the de. As the propeller, which had five propeller cylinders arranged in a pentagon shape that looked like a trumpet attached to a solid iron cylinder, started operating, craftsmen next to the scaffold released the brake. When the brakes were released, the de ran down the Biwondae runway, which stretched downward like a slide. The speed of the de gradually increased due to the eleration force of gunpowder plus the force of gravity. The fly that arrived at the end of the scaffolding rising into the sky immediately rose into the sky. Its up! Hmph! Kwachang! However, the flying frame that rose into the sky soon fell into the river. Fortunately or unfortunately, the flying frame did not fall from the head, but started from the fusge. As the fusge hit the water, arge ssh was created and the wings of the flying machine fell off. But the flying didnt stop. The fusge of the flying machine rushed to the opposite riverside, dragging the spray created by the mes emitted by thebustors like a tail. Egg money! Ouch! Itsing this way! Avoid! Kwazijic! While people watching and frightened on the opposite riverside were running away in all directions, the fusge of the flying machine that crossed the Han River climbed onto the sandy beach of the riverside and came to a halt. Chi-ik~. When thebustor of the de, which had used up all the gunpowder, stopped, onlookers who had run away from a distance slowly approached the de. Among them, those who were more courageous than others approached the de. They found their father-inw sitting in the cockpit and started talking to each other. You dont even make a move? I dont think hes dead though? Those who approached the flying machine tapped the craftsman who was frozen in the cockpit and spoke to him. Ibosho? Hello? Oh my gosh. Im lost. Hey guys! Lend me a hand! Gruntcha! The onlookers were busy as they forcibly released the hands that would not let go of the control stick and took out the father-inw. Someone call the doctor! Get me some cold water! Cold water! * * * The experiment conducted by Da Vinci and his gang turned the government upside down. You must be punished! Its a flying craft loaded with gunpowder! I cant even imagine the tragedy that would have urred if it had hit even a pir of the Hansu Bridge! They must be punished! There have been repeated ims that da Vinci and his craftsmen should be punished, but the county resolutely rejected this. It was an experiment that ensured safety in ordance with establishedws and procedures. We have already taken strict warning measures for the gunpowder manufacturing part, so we cannot be charged with the crime again. It was just bad luck, and there was no illegal activity, so we cannot be charged with the crime. .And if they are punished like that every time, who would go to the trouble of learning tricks and making new objects? Therefore, they are innocent! Hello, Your Majesty! Tsk! When Hyeon clicked his tongue, the ministers who insisted on punishment fell silent. The countys decision was reasonable and it was a situation that was tongue-in-cheek. I had to step back from here. But the ministers knew it well. Among the things that your Majesty the Emperor, as well as the situation and the state of affairs, have done from the past to the present and in the future, there will be more than one or two such outrageous incidents! So you made a move in advance! These were ministers who were already familiar with Hyang and its descendants. The flying experiment ended in failure, but things went strangely once again. A naval officer who was visiting at the time came up with a brilliant idea. Isnt the speed amazing? What if a ship that fast charges? No, what if its loaded with gunpowder and crashes into an enemy ship? The naval officers eyes lit up as he pondered over the idea that suddenly came to his mind. Is this possible? Who did you say made that? * * * Ah! Such a number! When da Vinci heard the idea of the naval officer who found him, he pped his knee in admiration. If you attack it, it will be a powerful weapon! Da Vinci, who had been depressed due to the failure of the experiment, blushed again as soon as he heard the suggestion. I will write a proposal immediately! But this is not just mine, and I would like to know the officers name. Its called Kangbaekdu. Wear a white bag and a headgear. I heard your parents took me on a trip to Mt. Baekdu? The proposal written by Kang Baek-doo and Da Vinci received surprisingly good reviews and was promoted to the top. Hyang, who was in charge of the final review, read the proposal and his eyes lit up. Its a self-propelled bomb. If you just look at the concept, its a torpedo? Are the proposers Da Vinci and Kang Baek-doo? Hyang looked at the personnel report that was uploaded and had a strange expression on his face. Whitehead if written in English? Is this also fate? It was a scent that reminded me that it was Whitehead who created the first modern torpedo. Anyway a torpedo is useful. My brother wrote a review saying, I think it would be better to allow development, and sent it to Hyeon. In this way, the worlds first torpedo was revealed through the hands of da Vinci. Chapter 980 Episode 980: Clear-Eyed Madman (5) Haa~. Kang Baek-doo let out a long sigh while looking at the sky and continued his conversation with difficulty. I was crazy Kang Baekdus face was filled with regret as he said simr words to what someone said long ago. Why should I join hands with a crazy person no Kang Baek-doo suddenly stopped talking, looked around, and said what he wanted to say. What should I do between crazy people, crazy people, and even more crazy people? Of course, I was also crazy * * * The purpose of developing the autonomous bomb proposed by Kang Baek-doo and Leonardo da Vinci was as follows. -In the future, the front lines of enemy countries opposing the empire will berger and stronger. -In line with this, our empires front lines will also berger and stronger. -However, as the size of the wire increases, its disadvantages also increase. (omitted) C Therefore, autonomous bombs are essential in terms of efficient budget management and securing firepower. Kang Baek-du and Da Vincis proposal was to scratch the itch of national defense, especially the navy. The imperial navy suffered considerable losses in the naval battles in Italy, especially in the naval battles in Corsica. If only there had been four more assault return ships However, the assault return ships were money-eating monsters in every aspect, from construction to operation. Thats why the Navys financial officials said this about the assault return ship. A sudden return ship is a starfish. It is a starfish that only eats money, not metal. Small wires also had problems. Because of its small size, it could not carryrge and powerful artillery. Therefore, the small battle lines had no choice but to engage in closebat and suffer the most damage. To solve this problem, there were two improvement ns put forward by the Navy and Areas 51 and 52. -It is equipped with a small, high-intensity steam engine to increase mobility. -Develop small but powerful weapons. And the first answer was a new power nt thatbined a multi-wing engine rather than a simple steam engine. As a side note, arge-scale glossary of terms rted to steam engines was carried out. For the reason that it is confusing to understand because the propeller oveps with the propeller, the part that creates power using steam is a motor, and the entire engine thatbines the part that creates steam and the motor came to be called a motor. If this happens, we will be able to clearly distinguish between internalbustion engines, nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, and anything else in the future. An answer to the first improvement n was found, but an answer to the second improvement n was not easily found. There were many suggestions, but there was no one that said, This is it! In that situation, Kang Baek-doo, Da Vinci, and self-exploited bombs came out. However, as the scent got involved, a situation arose that Kang Baekdumented. But Hyang also had something to say. Who is calling me crazy? * * * Hyangs job in the development of self-propelled bombs was review and advice. In the old days, I would have yed the field without question, but now it suits me, At this age? Hyang, who jumped into the scene, looked at the first blueprint and scale model and red at Kang Baek-du and Da Vinci craftsmen. Obviously, the proposal called for a self-detonating bomb, but why are you sitting around making a self-destructing bomb? Thinking of a torpedo. I came here and asked why there was a suicide boat made by Japanese idiots during World War II! In response to Hyangs point, Kang Baek-du stepped forward and exined the reason: The wires floating in the sea are always moving. Especially during battle, they move faster and more violently, making it easy to miss the target. This is to increase the uracy as much as possible by burning the person in charge of controlling it. Is it true that the attitude that our imperial army must maintain includes death but not mortal death? It is not a self-destruction. If you get close to enemy lines, the pilot will throw himself out. Haa~ Hyang sighed for a long time at Kang Baek-dus words and asked again. You know how to ride a horse, right? Yes, I learned it at the military academy. Do you know how difficult it is to jump from a galloping horse? ..Yes. On a ship that runs much faster than a horse galloping at full power, and in a situation where enemy bullets and bombs are raining down, the pilot must remain calm. Do you think you will be able to fly your body well? I will improve. I look forward to it A few dayster, after seeing the report and blueprint recording what had been improved, Hyang ced his hand on his forehead. Hadadais it an ejection seat now? C In the first design, the pilot stood and steered the ship. However, in the improved n, the pilot sat on a chair and steered the ship. C When approaching the enemy ship, the pilot was connected to a chair. Pull thenyard. C As soon as the pilot pulls thenyard, the rudder of the boat is fixed. Then, the gunpowder installed under the chair on which the pilot sits explodes, causing the pilot to escape from the ship. C When the chairnds on the sea level, the pilot pulls the safety strap. He releases it and leaves. Naeguan! Hyang, who was reviewing Malups proposal and blueprints, called out to the inauguration. * * * Youre suddenly telling me toe to the shooting range, and thats the shooting range in Suganggung? Do you know whats going on? In response to Da Vincis question, Kang Baek-du shrugged his shoulders. I dont even know what its about. I just feel a little uneasy. Are you sure youre trying to use us as targets? Dont even say that as a joke! Im sorry. He shouted and covered Da Vincis mouth, but Kang Baek-du also did so. It was equally unsettling. When the two men arrived at the shooting range, Hyang was waiting for the two men at the shooting range. Follow me. Hyang, who took the two men to the firing squad, continued speaking as he loaded the buckshot. Ill make a good n for improvement. I read it. preparation! Use the power of gunpowder to throw the controller into the sky Fly! Bang! Bang! Crispy! As soon as Hyangsmand was given, the soldiers used small catapults tounch the target. Hyang aimed at the target that flew into the sky. I pulled the trigger. The target made of earthenware shattered every time it was hit. After shattering the target, Hyang turned around and red at Da Vinci and Kang Baekdu. You know what I want to say, right? Yes. Yep! Kang Baek-du and Da Vinci immediately responded to Hyangs words. Even if the coordinator escaped safely, he would be like that target for the enemys shooting and artillery. I might add to that. How will we bring back the escaped coordinator? How in the middle of the battlefield where bullets and shells are fiercely exchanged? Kang Baek-du and Da Vinci fell silent at Hyangsst point, and Hyang clicked his tongue looking at them. Tsk, tsk! I should have thought this far! I will make a decision right here. Forget the idea of burning people with self-propelled bombs! An arrow leaving a bow, a cannon leaving a cannon, or a bullet fired from a gun cannot change direction in the middle. So why the unnecessary greed? ? Compared to bullets and fire bombs, self-propelled bombs are very expensive to manufacture. We spent a lot of money on making them, but if the uracy was low, we thought the problem was serious. I also believe that there is no weapon that can strike fear into the enemy as much as the fire bombs that pursue it. But there is no reason to risk a persons life. This is an order. yes. In this way, the manned guidance function was deleted from self-propelled bombs. If this happens, it will only go straight forward like a wild boar There is nothing we can do. What Tae Sang-tae said was not wrong Da Vinci and the craftsmen endured their regret and removed the function. Designed a self-propelled bomb. Hmm Im feeling better now. After seeing the blueprint, Hyang finally nodded. But after a while, he picked up a golden pen and wrote a document. But a torpedo must be a torpedo. And Da Vinci and Kang Baek-du craftsmen who received Hyangs document all cocked their heads. huh? Eh? uh? -Theunched self-explosive bomb will sail through the water and hit the enemy ship. Da Vinci and Kang Baek-du artisans who epted the requirements for incense came up with the same idea at the same time. You crazy! * * * Meanwhile, the body of the self-propelled bomb designed by Kang Baek-du and da Vinci craftsmen was in the shape of a traditional ship. Moving in the sea = moving on the water. This wasmon sense until now, so as soon as we saw the fragrance requirements, everyone thought to themselves, This is crazy! And after hearing the requirements of this county, officials from the Ministry of Defense and the Navy visited Wu, and Wu visited the county. And Hyeon found incense. I dont know why the Great Emperor asked for these conditions because Soson is so poor. Please be kind to Soson and give me the answer. In response to Hyeons request, Hyang exined the reason. -When sailing on water, you are greatly affected by wind and waves. However, if you float in water at an appropriate depth, you can use it more usefully because it is less affected by wind and waves. C If you sail underwater, it is difficult for the enemy to notice until you get close, so it is very advantageous for surprise attacks. Thats why we requested underwater navigation. okay. Hyun nodded his head at Hyangs exnation, but his expression was full of worry. But since this is an unprecedented request, I am worried whether it will seed. So you have to think hard about it. And when the craftsmen heard the answer from the scent that came down the stairs again, they let out a long sigh. Whoa~. But Da Vincis eyes began to shine. Its unprecedented If I were to paraphrase this, wouldnt it mean that if I seed, Ill be the first in the world? Hey guys! Cheer up! Kang Baek-doo shook his head alone at the sight of Da Vinci encouraging the craftsmen to join him. This seems crazy But things got worse. After hearing the news that Da Vinci is encouraging craftsmen to work on new ideas, Hyang personally visited Area 51s studio. Thank you for your hard work. It is thanks to your hard work that the well-being of our empire is protected. Thats too much praise. The scent that the craftsmen praised was finally directed to Da Vinci. It is an unprecedented task, and the difficulty will be unimaginable. But if sessful, the results will be enormous. Just think about it! If a self-propelled underwater vehicle is sessful, wouldnt it be possible to create a wire that goes underwater? Imagine a battle line firing self-propelled bombs at enemy ships! Wouldnt that be amazing! Oh! Ohh! Ohh! Yes! Yes! Kang Baekdu screamed inwardly as he looked at Da Vinci, who was enthusiastic about the idea of incense. no! Everyone is crazy! We have to get out of here! But he couldnt leave that ce. You must work hard to help da Vinci! Although he is talented, he iscking in military skills, especially when ites to the navy, so he will need your help desperately. I will do my best to help you. Kang Baekdu had no choice but to respond to Hyangs words with the feeling of crying and eating mustard. Chapter 981 Episode 981: The Clear-Eyed Madman (6) After making the final decision on what to use, for what purpose, and how, Da Vinci and Kang Baek-dus craftsmen began developing self-propelled charcoal in earnest. The smoothest part was the propulsion. Will the propeller work properly in the water? I think itll just go fishy~ and turn off? Da Vinci and some craftsmen were worried about this, but naval officer Kang Baek-du and the craftsmen who created Singijeon were rather confident. I dont know if it was the gunpowder of the past. Gunpowder these days is fine. They say you can use it well even if you go in but you still need to find some clear rules. What I learned most painfully aftering to the Empire is that you cannot rely solely on experience. The results of the experiment that took ce were as follows: C Gunpowder is fullybustible unless it is already wet with water. The conclusion is that it is waterproof. All you have to do is dispose of it, but the best thing is to seal it, right? All we have to do is to block it firmly so that fire cannot enter. At Da Vincis conclusion, Kang Baek-du and the craftsmen who made the Singijeon looked at Da Vinci nkly. Why? Whats the problem? Do you know what happens if you block everything like that? Thats a bullet. Ah After that little fuss, development of the propulsion part began. The propulsion part, whichbined the gunpowder charger andbustion chamber, showed a pretty decent shape and performance. But the next problem started. All sorts of things. Problems began to arise. Unable to ovee the powerful thrusting from behind, Hwatan struggled in all directions and failed to travel in a straight line. But if you reduce the thrust, the speed will note out Da Vinci and the craftsmen were worried. When I was there, the scent that I had enjoyed watching suddenly threw out MSG. How about modifying the shape of the body? Since it is an object that moves quickly through the water, wouldnt it be a good idea to refer to the shape of the fish? If I see a torpedo shape that I know from the beginning, Im sure Ill hear alien sounds, right? Itll take some trial and error. ah! I am devastated that you have awakened the foolishness of small people! In this way, Da Vinci and the craftsmen bought dozens of fish from the fish market and looked at their shapes. The shape that da Vinci and the craftsmen focused on was mackerel. It is a fish that is reputed to be fast, so try imitating this shape. Thats right! Hyang, who was enjoying this scene next to him, muttered to himself, If it were a mackerel, wouldnt it be closer to a submarine than a torpedo? Through trial and error, Da Vincis self-propelled bomb was gradually refined into a more believable shape. No matter how you look at it, it is more science fiction than reality. Its close but I have to leave it as homework. If it ispleted properly, it will be a lethal weapon for the time being. Hyang, who had reviewed the production process as well as the report thoroughly and gave his own positive evaluation, quietly said, The gyro part, which is the real core, should be put on the challenge record. Because I can do it, wow~. In some ways, it may seem like a waste of money, but you have to leave a trace at least like this. Because then we will continue to think about it and strive for survival. It was a scent that remembered the fierce technological war that took ce throughout human history in the long term and from thete 19th century to the 21st century C a term that is definitely more appropriate to call war thanpetition. I dont know how long it willst, but if we want to survive as an empire for at least 200 to 300 years, we must continue to have challenges to ovee. No, you have to develop the habit of taking on challenges. This was Hyangs decision. * * * The development of the self-propelled Hwatan went as Hyang had expected. The Hwatan, which sailed around while refining the shape of its body and attaching long fins extending from its head to its tail, struggled. I tried to prevent hitting as much as possible. Arent you still struggling? Then that means it cant be used. But thats the best. Think about it again from the beginning. Yes At Hyangsmand, da Vinci and the craftsmen reviewed everything from the beginning again. As a result. ordingly, the body of the self-propelled bomb became thinner and longer, the warhead became more pointed, and its characteristic long fin became more firmly established. I guess its not long now, right? yes? ruler! Just a little more strength! you can do it! The craftsmen and Da Vinci, who thought they had passed the most difficult hurdle, encouraged each other and tackled the next task. However, the next task was maintaining depth of field, which was one of the most difficult parts. It was called underwater navigation, but it was immediately visible from the outside with the naked eye. All you have to do is navigate to a difficult depth. Did you say its difficult to see with the naked eye? Thats right. You have to be right in front of me to recognize it? That would be good. At Hyangs words, Da Vinci and the craftsmen took a boat out to the Hansu and West Seas and began experiments. -How far down would one have to go before it would be visible to the naked eye? After dozens of repeated measurements, the results were as follows. -The higher you are, the deeper you can look. -However, it is difficult to find it with the naked eye even if you go below the water level by at least half ayer (approximately 1.5m) based on the Challenger-ss front deck. -Conclusion The optimal depth is 1 below the water surface. Jang (about 3m) I found the right depth, but how do I maintain this depth? After intense deliberation to solve the problem, the answer that Da Vinci and the craftsmen came up with was fill it with water. C Prepare an empty space in advance in the body of the self-contained bomb. This space is divided into severalpartments. C The bomb facing thepartment Attach a stopper to the shell. -Open the stopper just before spraying. Open the stopper assigned to the desired depth and release the spray. -Afterwards, as you sail, the empty space is filled with water to adjust the depth. Its okay! I think thats the right answer! However, the results of the actual experiment were not very good. The speed at which the depth controlpartment was filled with water was too slow. Why? Why? Da Vinci and the craftsmen racked their brains and pondered the answer as the result was different from what they had expected. But the answer did note easily, and Da Vinci and the craftsmen thought of the challenge record. Should it be registered in the challenge record? While they were seriously considering whether to register the record, the craftsman with the longest experience among the craftsmen who were watching intervened. Put another stopper on. Do you think it will be easy to get in and out since everyone trying to get in and out uses the same hole? ah! Tsk, tsk, what did you learn when making steam engines? The craftsman, who was clicking his tongue, looked at his colleagues around him and continued toin. Dont they teach things like that in middle schools and public schools these days? Its just a basic skill. In the end, this issue was raised to Woo. It makes sense. Wu, who thought it made sense, immediately ordered an investigation and found out that there was a problem with the content of the training. C Only old techniques were being taught. -Even after graduating from engineering school, there are so many things you have to learn again when youe to the field. If this happens, its a big problem. In the end, Woo reported this problem to Hyun, and major revisions were made to the curriculum and content. * * * Even after that, After countless trials and errors, a self-propelled bomb was revealed. The result of the Navys experiment with the finished product was half the sess. C Speed and power are good. C However, the range is shorter than expected. Challenge The problem is that the range is only half that of the maximum range of a standard naval gun mounted on a self-sufficient battle line. It is natural to suffer damage from enemy fire when approaching to use self-propelled bombs. -Also, consider the space upied by the anti-aircraft gun and the risk of storage. If so, it is difficult to mix it with other naval guns. I really like the speed and power, but it iscking in other aspects. If it werent for that, it would be a really good weapon. In response to the answers from the Minister of National Defense and Navy generals, Hyun looked back. Do you have any good ns? Hmm Hyang seemed to be thinking for a moment and told Hyeon about his thoughts. What do you think about creating a dedicated electric line? You mean a dedicated line? But arent wires something that costs a penny or two? The Minister of National Defense and the Navy generals all nodded at Hyuns point. Hyang lightly clicked his tongue at that sight. Tsk! Hyang clicked his tongue, and while Hyeon and everyone tensed at the same time, Hyang continued. Didnt you say something before? A new engine thatbines a multi-wing engine. The idea is to attach a new, powerful motor to a small wire. He is small in size but has great strength, so wouldnt his speed be iparably faster? Since it is small, it will be difficult to catch it with enemy artillery. However, it would be too far to catch him with a gun. It is operated by cing two or four rounds on such a front. Of course, we will have to operate with at least 10 ships, not just one or two. But it is difficult for such a small ship to operate in the ocean. When a naval general pointed out the problem, Hyang clicked his tongue once again. Tsk! I believe you were talking about using it for ocean operations? Im talking about something that defends the empire in the coastal waters! Think of the headquarters of the empire and the southwestern Daeseoldo Ind! ah! At Hyangs point out, Hyeon and the others faces brightened. The imperial armys strategy was a defense-centered strategy. However, that defense had a strong character of blocking at a distance from the empire. There were quite a few people who raised the issue, saying, We need to have the means to prepare if it enters coastal waters. C Its not just the enemying from afar thats the problem. Think of the Ming and Japan! Since it was a reasonable issue to raise, the Ministry of National Defense and the Navy devised countermeasures to deal with it. However, as the Imperial Army is the beginning and end of artillery, the most effective countermeasure was a gunboat that looked simr to a monitor ship. This is not my taste. Hyang was dissatisfied with this. Is that why I supported self-propelled bombs? ? even I did not know? Anyway, the method of use proposed by Hyang was to definitely scratch the itch of the Imperial Navy, and the Imperial Navy epted Hyangs suggestion and built a high-speed gunboat. What was interesting was the number of self-propelled bombs it carried. C 2 or 4 At Bal Hyangs suggestion, the Navy chose 2 guns. The pronunciation of -4 is the same as death, and to carry more than 4 guns, the ship must berger. 2 guns are optimal. And the high-speed gunboat created this way is He did his part well in theter crisis. * * * Not long after the decision to adopt self-propelled bombs, strange information came to Hyang. -Leonardo da Vinci went into hiding. -It was not a seclusion for a new idea, but closer to seclusion. . huh? After checking the document reporting Da Vincis abnormality, Hyang immediately called Da Vinci. What are you worried about? Or does it hurt somewhere? Da Vinci answered with a tired face when asked about the scent, Oh no. I just feel dejected. I cant figure out what I want to do. Hyang nodded at Da Vincis words. Is it burnout? Its worth it. But I need to suck it up a little more What is Hyang that I was thinking about for a while. He thought about it and said to Da Vinci, Do you remember when you drew a portrait of me in Italy and got scolded for it? Yes. Then 15 dayster, strange rumors began to flow from the medical center. C A crazy person has entered the dissection room! C Everything about the dissected dead person is being transferred into pictures ! It was a problem because it could have been one day, but it was immediately calmed down by the words Hwangmyeong. And not long after, senior members of the medical center who confirmed the results of the madman visited Hyeon immediately. They printed all the paintings of that painter named da Vinci. It must be made into a will! A treasure that will never be found again in surgery! Chapter 982 Episode 982: The Clear-Eyed Madman (7) The reason why Hyang gave Da Vinci the job was not just for the unforgiving reason of Lets suck it up to the end. It would be a waste to waste a talent as talented as Da Vinci so quickly With such a sinister intention, Hyang implemented the Million Dori n to recharge Da Vincis vitality. The first step was recording the human body structure. * * * After the Medical Academy was established by Gyeongjang, the medicine of the empire developed remarkably. Traditional oriental medicine based on yin-yang, five life forms, and energy has also developed considerably, but it was herbal medicine and surgery that developed so appropriately that the word explosive developed. With the addition of the Hyang Herb Collection, which King Sejong reworked, to Distilled Herbal Medicine, which waspiled during the Northern Song Dynasty and marked a milestone in East Asian herbal medicine, the herbal medicine of the empire is recognized by even high-ranking schrs. progress has been made. But it didnt end here. As Daeseoldo and Shinji entered the empires territory, the herbal medicine knowledge known by native shamans and shamans was also added. It was not a simple addition. Compared to the herbs listed in Distilled Herbs and Herbal Medicine Collection, we found herbs that could rece them or had better medicinal effects. Herbalists, who hadpleted arge database of medicinal herbs, then began researching how to process these herbs to make them more useful. -If it is a river area of the empire, good medicinal ingredients must be avable regardless of time and ce. -For this purpose, methods of processing medicinal materials must also be studied. To achieve the above goals, herbalists have tried various methods. In addition to traditional methods such as drying or steaming, methods such as powdering or making pills were also tried. That wasnt all. We also triedplex treatments such as steaming the steamed product again or drying the steamed product again, as well as fermentation, which is expressed as steaming. Through these various attempts and trials and errors, the herbal medicine of the empire developed greatly. Although these developments in herbal medicine were remarkable, the medicine that developed even more worthy of the modifier transcendence was surgery. In addition to the surgical treatment tools and medicinal materials that had been traditionally handed down, the medical books and treatment tools imported from Europe (especially during the old Roman era) were added, and the imperial surgery field was ready to grow into a giant tree. Sejong and Hyangs subsequent active support and guarantee of activities promoted the growth of surgery. And on the battlefield where Joseon was transformed into an empire, surgery became established as a proud field of medicine. However, it was Hyang who contributed the most to imperial surgery and medicine. This was because incense revived the need for disinfection and sterilization, which existed in Roman times but was forgotten by Europeans as time went by. Sterilization and disinfection were not the end. It was a fragrance that seeded in mass production of natural antibiotics using honey and penicillin (called bacterial liquid), which, although of low purity, was still high enough to be used for treatment. However, his greatest achievement was the importance he ced on medicine and clinics. Until then, being awmaker was never a good job. Excluding those who worked for the king and royal family in the pce, most of thewmakers suffered from hardships. Of course, the biggest reason was that most of the people who visited thewmakers were poor. [They do not receive proper treatment fees] Life is difficult] Medicines and treatment fees are expensive] Patients cannot properly pay treatment fees. As this vicious cycle continued, the number of people working in the medical profession gradually decreased. In addition, the perception of the leadership that looked down on medical professionals was also a problem. The most obvious example was that the royal family dismissed the examination to select doctors responsible for the kings life as a misceny. However, Hyang helped King Sejong and actively repaired this part. No, it wasnt just a matter of tearing it down and repairing it, it was at the level of tearing it all down and building a new one. First of all, anyone who wanted to work in the medical profession had to pass a national exam and obtain qualifications. And those who passed this test were first given the rank of 8th rank. Although it was an honorary position that did not grant any sry or title, it was a rank recognized by the king and the country. It didnt end there. Those who achieved medical achievements, such as new medical techniques or treatments, had them publicly announce them. Once this announcement was officially recognized through review by medical doctors and famouswmakers, the person concerned was promoted to the appropriate rank. In addition, a considerable amount of money was paid to the parties in the form of pensions. Instead, other doctors could know or learn about the persons achievements for free. -This is recognition of the members intellectual property. However, since it deals with human lives, the country just stepped in. Raising the status of doctors was not the end. Hyang and King Sejong established a new military clinic at the military academy. Those who passed the military service and became military doctors were given the rank of 8th rank veterinary surgeon. Afterwards, as he umted experience and performance, he continued to be promoted, and over a certain period of time, he reached the rank of Jeong 4th grade, Manho. As a result of this policy, social awareness ofwmakers gradually increased over time. Thanks to this, people from prestigious families began to aim to bewmakers, and the options for those dreaming of rising social status increased, making imperial society more dynamic. As time passed and the county took over full power, starting with Daecheongjeong, measures for the people who needed medical services began to be established and implemented. It was the beginning of a primitive medical insurance service using Hyeminseo and Hojo ter the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of General Affairs). As a result, the people of the empire became more proactive rather than waiting for death in despair when they got sick. -No matter when you go, try to use at least one pill. This was the changed mindset of the people of the empire. As a side note, the achievements created by the cooperation between King Sejong and Hyang caused headaches forter historians C all historians who study the period, regardless of nationality. If you ask me to choose my greatest achievement, which one should I choose? Politics? Military? Culture? Education? Society? Damn it! I cant do it! Why did I make this period my major? It wasnt just historians. Students who want to be historians, students preparing for entrance exams, and those preparing to be civil servants all worked hard on this. Oh my god! They chose this period as a separate subject instead of national history! Damn it! It also has the highest points! I want to be a technical civil servant, but why! why! Why! * * * Imperial medicine made great progress regardless of field, but there were problems that needed to be solved. One of the biggest problems was the textbook. All of the oriental medical books that have been handed down to date, regardless of internal medicine or surgery, have only sentences. It was full of pictures. Of course, there were pictures here and there, but the quality of the pictures was so pitiful. This was also the case with European medical books. The pictures included in medical books that were copied rather than printed did not serve as materials properly. It was an absolute majority. This was because most of those who drew the picture had no medical knowledge. No, the person who first drew the picture may have drawn it based on medical knowledge, but those who copied itter did not, so they could not copy it properly. Of course, the medical center Petitions asking for a solution to this problem kepting from the military clinic, and the local government sent painters from the Dohwaseo to the dissection room. However, the results were almost impossible to obtain. Assuming that 10 painters were sent, 5 out of the 10 who received the order resigned. They protested fiercely. Even though they used Hwangmyeong as a weapon and tried to coax him, 3 out of 10 people resisted until the end, and in the end, 7 people had no choice but to go. Then, all 7 people drew pictures just fine until just before dissecting the body. Afterwards, thewmaker raised a knife and cut the corpse. When they started to cut open the stomach, three of the seven people disappeared on the spot. As the dissection progressed, the painters disappeared, and at most one artist remained until the end. And the drawings made by the artist who remained until the end were not helpful academically. It would be suitable as a prop for a monster Thats why the scent was sent to Da Vinci. This was because Da Vinci had already been in and out of the dissection room in Italy. But I wasnt sure about the scent either. I created it. Its hard to be confident because theres more than one butterfly effect. Hyang, who wasnt sure, was satisfied with pushing Da Vinci into the dissection room through the strings. I guess Ill just have to hope that da Vinci is that Da Vinci. And then into the dissection room. Da Vinci entered and proved himself: Some crazy person has entered the dissection room! * * * Da Vinci, who entered the dissection room as an observer, was calm at first. All I had to do was sit down near the dissecting table and quietly sketch the dissected bones and muscles. However, as time passed, da Vinci began to show a lively behavior that shocked not only the medical students taking his sses but also thewmakers he taught. If this continues, I wont be able to record properly! Stop for a moment! Da Vinci stopped the dissection and meticulously recorded the proportions and dimensions of the skeleton using various measuring tools. Would you mind lifting your arm up there for a moment? As if you were extending your arm. Huh? Huh? You mean like this? Thats right! Stop right there! Stay where you are! Da Vinci adjusted the posture he was dissecting and immediately sketched the location and appearance of the bones and muscles. Considering that it is already a stiff body Da Vincis entricities did not stop there. I want to dissect this young mans body! What right do you have? Consider yourself lucky that youve seen me until now! Two dayster, da Vinci presented a document with the emperors name written on it, and he was able to perform the dissection he wanted. Lawmakers and students were horrified by the sight of Da Vinci holding several knives, dissecting them with such meticulousness that they could be considered obsessive, and sketching them one by one. That is madness, madness However, as time passed, professors andwmakers at the Medical Academy who saw da Vincis sketches ran to Hyeon and begged him to publish a medical book based on da Vincis drawings. Da Vinci, who heard Hyunsmand, immediately responded by bowing his head. I ept the Emperorsmand. It is truly an honor to have my drawing featured in a book that contains the truth of medicine. He answered willingly and walked away, but Da Vinci was a little worried. But can I save my sketch properly? When I mentioned this concern to a craftsman from Area 51 who happened to be visiting his studio, the craftsman responded with a chuckle. Did you take a quick look at the bills you receive on payday? huh? Hearing his father-inws words, Da Vinci took out a bill from his wallet and examined it carefully. Da Vinci, who was looking at the bills here and there, shook his head and muttered. You got another shot Da Vinci asked his craftsman as he examined the pattern on the bill, which was printed meticulously and precisely to prevent counterfeiting. I respect the craftsman who created the typeface with such precision even though it is such aplex design. The same goes for the person who created the design. The person who created the design was a painter from the drawing board, and the person who made the letterpress was our predecessor craftsman from Area 51. But the person who created and taught the technique was The craftsman paused slightly and pointed to a portrait hanging on one side with a grin. . Da Vinci looked at the portrait that only had its final touches left and let out a long sigh. Ha~. Is it that person again? Chapter 983 Episode 983: The Clear-Eyed Madman (8) Because it was a painting by Da Vinci, whose skill was so good that he left his name in history, the depiction of the human skeleton and various organs had precision and realistic proportions that were close to the real thing. At best, Da Vinci even depicted the texture of the muscles that make up the body and organs. Therefore, da Vinci, who was worried about whether it would be possible to print properly, put his worries aside when he saw the imperial banknotes. Da Vinci was very satisfied when he saw the first test version that came out some timeter. Now I understand why the word rainy weather is used! Da Vinci was very satisfied with the result, and his eyes lit up as he rubbed his hands together. Is that so? Then what else should I draw? Same time. With a strange smile, Hyang called the eunuch and gave an order. Get Da Vinci. Yes, Your Majesty Taesangwang. After the inner coffin left, Hyang, who was left alone, lightly rubbed his hands and muttered. Da Vinci will definitely start, so you have to work hard to get it to work. As time passed, Da Vinci came in and paid homage. Hyang responded lightly and ordered Da Vinci. Your help in the newly revised and published Basic Anatomy Textbook of the Institute of Medicine has been truly great. This is indeed Leonardo da Vinci. Thats too much praise. Theres another ce where you can show off your outstanding drawing skills. Da Vinci, energized by Hyangs praise, answered confidently. Just tell me what to say! Ill do my best! Its not easy for you either. This is Leonardo da Vinci. Please leave it to me! Hyangs smile grew even deeper as he heard Da Vincis boast. I caught it! Its a big one! Then I will trust you and leave it to you. What Hyang entrusted to Da Vinci was to draw pictures of medicinal herbs to be included in the medicinal herb book. -There are many examples of medicinal herbs and poisonous nts having simr shapes. -It is not easy to distinguish between them unless you are a skilled herbalist or doctor. -In this situation, there are many cases where ignorant people confuse medicinal herbs with poisonous nts and end up in trouble. -Therefore, we n to publish an herbal medicine guide that will be helpful not only to doctors and herbalists but also to the general public. Thats why its not easy for you either. Da Vincis eyes brightened even more at Hyangs words. One of the fields he was most interested in was natural science. Just leave it to me! Still, if you need it, ask for help. As long as its not too much of an effort, Ill definitely give you help. Hwang Eun is devastated! In this way, da Vinci took on another big and beautiful task. _ _ There are too many! The herbarium, which was 50 sheets long (approximately 150 meters) and had four floors C the name herbarium would be more appropriate C was filled with a huge number of storage cabs. And the drawers of the cab were filled with specimens of medicinal herbs. It wasnt just herbs. In some cases, poisonous nts that looked simr to the herb in question were located right next to each other as specimens. Here is a list of specimens. Is this a list? Da Vinci muttered without realizing it when he saw the list book that the official held out. If I hit it with this, my head will just break. Everyone says that. Thats why everyone uses the index book over there. In the ce the official pointed out, there was a really small chest of drawers. On the drawer handle, the consonants of Jeongeum were engraved one by one. Hmm Da Vinci opened the drawer and his eyes lit up. Inside was a que with the names of herbs written in phic order. And on the name te was written the number of the dresser and drawer where the specimen was located. Im sure it will be easy to find the herb you want to see. Who thought of it? Your Majesty Tae Sang-tae. . Da Vinci, who was just looking at the ques in silence, asked the person in charge again. How many herbs are there in total? Dont you know? Eh? I counted it up to 10,000, but the numbers kepting in after that, so I gave up. Incidentally, I also gave up on naming Jeongeum. Now Im just using the name given by the residents of the area where I discovered it. It keeps increasing? Is that possible? Because medicinal herbs from other countries, as well as the Northern Daeseoldo Shinji, keeping into our area. Why things in other countries? What should I do if an imperial citizen who goes there gets sick? Shouldnt I find some herbs to use there? Ah Da Vinci, who was nodding his head at the exnation of the person in charge, became even more gloomy. I could neverplete this on my own! Its impossible! Da Vinci, who was thinking about finding a solution, muttered softly. I cant die alone This was the first imperial sentence I learned aftering to the empire. * * * Da Vinci immediately wrote several letters to be sent to Italy. So, it is difficult for me to seed with my own abilities. I would like to call some people. Here is a list of people who will receive the letter. Hmm There are quite a few names I heard in art ss and liberal arts ss? Hyang, who was looking at the list of recipients, asked Da Vinci. Are they all okay? I dont know their mentality, but they have good skills. In other words, they are people with good abilities but dirty temperaments. You do realize that all these letters must also pass censorship, right? Im keeping that in mind. After thinking for a moment, Hyang soon nodded. I will submit a request to the emperor. But keep in mind that there is a possibility that I may not be able to do so. yes. But da Vinci never thought that his request would be rejected. Tae Sang-taees forward and is rejected? Oh no way! And things went as da Vinci expected. The county readily epted da Vincis request, and da Vincis letters were sent to Italy. The painters who received Da Vincis letters were amazed by the contents of the letters. -Guaranteed fairly long employment period. -It is less than the amount received per case in Italy, but guaranteed payment (but taxes must be paid). For painters who could not escape poverty without requests from nobles, a fairly long employment period and guaranteed sry were attractive conditions. Even if I starve to death, I cant go to that heathennd! There were some who strongly rejected it. However, a significant number of painters work alone. Otherwise, he boarded a ship heading to the empire with his family and disciples. There were suggestions that it would solve the problem of living difficulties, but this was because da Vinci cleverly stimted artists. The best example was that of Michngelo. -Hey kid! Are you satisfied with bragging that you are the best in a ce where I am not? -If you really want to be evaluated as the best,e to the Empire! This time, there is a request from the empire. (omitted) C Of course, it would be okay to make a name for yourself by only painting portraits of nobles or sculptures and temple murals, but there are paintings and sculptures that only high-ranking people can see, murals that can be seen once a week, and anyone can see them regardless of their status. To leave a proud mark as a participant in a book that has been and will continue to be viewed by the world in the future. Which one is more valuable? -Are you afraid that everyone except a few people who praise you will judge you worse than me? ah! Did you say that sculpture is superior to painting? This arrogant and arrogant old man! Has he grown old and senile? He says I am worse than him! I wille and destroy that arrogance right now! After roughly crumpling the letter, Michngelo immediately packed his bags and boarded a ship heading to the empire. Heres the portrait I wasmissioned to do! The sculpture! I willplete it and send it to you from the Empire! * * * As the renowned artists of the Renaissance era arrived in Seoul, they elerated the work of illustrations for the herbal medicine book. The Italian art world had already established a hyper-realistic painting style. Thanks to the arrival of those at the top there, the illustrations in the illustrated book became incredibly realistic. But this can be printed? Oh, really? The painters, who had a simr reaction to Da Vinci, were surprised when they saw the test prints. This is what happens Meanwhile, the painters of the empire also began to change due to the painters who came from Italy. The style of hyper-realism began to spread in ink paintings and portraits as well. Perspective began to be applied to paintings that emphasized the beauty of nk space and imagery, and an exquisite fusion urred. It was the birth of a painting style thatter art historians called Third Gandhara Art or Seoulism. * * * Didnt I tell you to paddle when the wateres in? You cant miss this time! Hyang sensed that now was a time that should not be missed, so he got busy. Now that so many talented people have gathered, I want to create a new book. A book? What kind of book is it? At Hyangs words, the eyes of the prefecture and the ministers lit up. Although the colors have faded a lot, most of the ministers were from the nobility. Since book was mentioned, it was natural for them to show interest. An encyclopedia. Dictionary? Are you talking about an autobiography? I dont think painters and autobiographies go well together. Hyang continued speaking at Hyeons slightly disappointed reaction. I chose the wrong word. You can think of it as a collection of collections or something like a natural history journal imported from Europe in the past. ah! Only then did the prefecture and ministers nod to Hyangs exnation. But questions followed immediately. But why do we need to create a collection of books? Arent there already textbooks for those learning at the academy and various types of illustrated books already avable or being made? Of course there is. I also recognize the excellence of each one. But each one is ultimately like a tree. We need a forest. No, we need a map depicting what the forest looks like. The prefecture and ministers nodded at Hyangs words. But I didnt fully understand it. Hyang confirmed this and added. It will be a book that will make everyone in the world acknowledge the empire. It will make everyone acknowledge that all the knowledge in the world is gathered in the empire. It doesnt just end with a few sentences, it also includes pictures to properly exin it. A book that makes you understand. Of course, it doesnt go into depth like a textbook or an illustrated book, but it is a book that allows even ayperson to understand it to some extent. Han Myeong-hoe immediately responded to Hyangs words. If it ispleted properly, it will be a book that will be evaluated as a sess. Thats right. Ifpleted properly, the empire will cover the world not with guns and artillery, but with knowledge. One of the first things Japanese tranted during the Meiji Restoration was the encyclopedia, right? Diderots Encyclopedia? Britannica? Say fuck you! The standard for encyclopedias will be the Imperial Encyclopedia! And the standard of the world will not be London in Europe or Washington in the United States, but the Seoul of the Empire! Chapter 984 Episode 984: The Clear-Eyed Madman (9) No, the emperor is creating something called an encyclopedia! We are looking for people who will participate in this! After a while, when this rumor spread throughout Seoul and the entire empire, people gathered in small groups and murmured. Encyclopedia? What is that? I dont know. But since His Majesty the Emperor said it was made, it must not be an ordinary item. Hmm is that really true? Isnt Tae Sang-tae behind you? For the people of the empire during this period, Emperor and Tae Sanghwang were the same words as Shinhoe. -There is nothing wrong with what His Majesty the Emperor and the Great Emperor do! -Even things that seem vain and cause a lot of loss to us right now, when we look at them over time, they are all for the benefit of the people. -Conclusion: You, the guy who criticizes the events they are doing, has a hole in his eye. Or a smug idiot. They were people who showed almost Shinan-like trust. And a few dayster, notices rted to this were posted on bulletin boards in government offices throughout the empire. -Encyclopedia is not really an ordinary item. -If I participate, my knowledge can be recognized! What does this mean again? The rumors that flowed from people who came to see Jobo also moved the educated ss of local regions with heavy hips. After seeing Jobo, the local educated people gathered at a nearby Daru and talked. So, I guess this encyclopedia can be seen as something simr to a collection of historical records. I think it would be more appropriate to think of it as a concubines house that was put together ordingly, rather than as a house for auspicious people. Right. The local literate ss, who were discussing the identity of the encyclopedia in Jobo, concluded that an encyclopedia was closer to a collection of Confucianism. And the first reaction from the local literate ss was negative. I dont know if participating in a concubine house that is not a concubine house will really help me achieve the clean name I want to achieve. Gyeongjajip and Yujip were traditional book ssification methods in the East. It was aption of the scriptures of the scriptures, the history of the Four Books, the Hundred Disciples, and the Buddhist writings on subjects such as Buddhism and Taoism, and divided them into collections. The Yujip was a list of books ssified ording to the ssification of the Gyeongjajajip and the list of books that did not fall under the ssification criteria of the Gyeongjajajip. This is why local literate people reacted negatively. If youre putting together a family of a lucky person, you may as well be putting together a family of a deceased person. Is this really something that requires knowledge? * * * Although the empire was already showing signs of an early capitalist society, the local educated ss still showed signs of conservative and rigid Confucianism. People like Han Myeong-hoe C those who took up positions in the center Cughed at this behavior of the local educated ss. These guys are openly ying with money! As they say, the main source of ie for the local literate ss was capital investment. The Adventure Capital Safe, created in the early days of the market, grew in size and its name changed to Equity Trading Safe. The adventure capital investment that I first started with has turned into one of the tasks handled by the equity trading safe. And the local literate ss was enjoying economic prosperity through the profits earned from this share trading treasury. Through the active application of the royalnd ideology that all thend in the empire belongs to the emperor, there were nondowners in the empire. Landowners did not own thend, but borrowed thend from the emperor and entered intobor contracts with the peasants. ordingly,ndowners had to paynd tax as a kind of rent, and contracts with tenant farmers had to be concluded using an imperial court contract on the battlefield in front of a battlefield officer. After the harvest was over, it was natural to pay ie tax. Local literate people who could not find enjoyment in agriculture, their traditional source of ie, naturally entered the capital market. As the empire grew actively, the local literate ss was able to maintain a stable economic well-being. These were the people who enjoyed the Shingeokbang created by King Sejong the most. However, as they failed to advance into central politics, partly by choice, they fell further into Confucianism and Confucianism. * * * But not all local literate people were like that. If you are simplypiling a collection of benefactors or a collection of convicts, there is no need to attach a room to it. All you have to do is print the list in the record office. Something is a bit strange. They walked back to the room and began to examine the contents in more detail. And they noticed the hidden meaning between sentences. This is not just a ssification! An encyclopedia does not simply refer to 100 items! It literally ssifies and organizes all knowledge in the world in all fields! All the knowledge in the world! Those who realized the hidden meaning between the sentences began to see a heat simr to madness shining in their eyes. My name should not be left out of such a great task! At the same time, Han Myeong-hoe and the ministers were having simr conversations. Although I already tried and got rejected, I cant shake the feeling that the sentences are too vague. Im worried that people who see that room will understand it properly. Han Myeong-hoe responded to Lim Sun-wooks words in a carefree tone. This is a sentence that His Majesty wrote along with the state of affairs, so what can we do? But its too vague. Do you still not know their intentions? Im Sun-wook, who thought for a moment about Han Myeong-hoesment, ced his hand on his forehead. Are you going fishing again? Han Myeong-hoe drank ck bean tea and spoke calmly. He cut the ground by letting people go and spreading rumors about the author, and then set a fishing rod by attaching a room written in ambiguous sentences. If there is someone who knows the hidden meaning of rumors and sentences and applies, wouldnt it be a person who will be useful in the future? Whoa~. Lim Sun-wook let out a long sigh at Han Myeong-hoes words. The problem is that this is a trick and not the norm. What will those who have properly passed the exam and taken the steps think? So, isnt that why you want them to start from the middle instead of from a high rank or position? To be honest, those who started from the past and worked their way up are so frustrating. Why bother looking at thew code and precedents when it is an urgent matter that needs to be judged and decided quickly? Once or twice? Flexibility and rigidity need to be in harmony. If you give priority to one, you will inevitably end up in trouble. Thats true haha. Looking at Lim Soon-wook letting out a long sigh, Han Myeong-hoe added hisst words. Whether it is standard or clever, it is not something that His Majesty has done. The rest is the responsibility of us, the subjects. It is our responsibility to select those who are inherited. It is our responsibility to monitor and filter the work, and it is also our responsibility to properly use those we have acquired. How is it that things just keep increasing.. Whew~. The conversation started with worry and ended with a sigh, and Han Myeong-hoe, who was left alone in the office, was struggling to answer one question. Its strange anyway. No matter how many people were released, the rumor spread too quickly. Of course, rumors spread so fast that the term exponential is appropriate, but they are so fast. Did His Majesty send special people? The questions that arose from the rumor that spread faster than expected became increasingly serious. Now that I think about it, there are definitely a few strange things. There have been more than a few instances where His Majesty already gave me a knowing look before I took the route and reported it to His Majesty. Of course, the rumors in the pce are said to be faster than light, but it is strange. Hmm Han Myeong-hoe, who continued to analyze and deduce while tapping the desk with his fingers, came to a conclusion. Your Majesty has a separate organization. Its also quitepetent in terms of information. Not verypetent. And they will also be responsible for inspecting the officials. Han Myeong-hoe, who was pondering the conclusion he hade to with a serious face, grinned and muttered. So what? Theres nothing I can do about it, right? And what are you going to do by making it public? If I just do my job properly and dont be unnecessarily greedy, its okay. * * * The talented people who had been lured by Hyang and Hyeon gathered again in Seoul, and the production of the encyclopedia began smoothly. However, as the work got into full swing, the participants began to worry rather than worry. Can I finish this before I die? As work progressed, work increased rather than decreased. Thanks to this, starting from the research institute, all referees and reviewers were involved in the production of the encyclopedia. And painters and painters from Italy were put to work on the illustrations. The participants, who were initially worried about the enormous scale of work that would never end, became more enthusiastic about the work as time went by. -Oncepleted, it will be a book that no one in the world canpete with! -As Captain Han Myeong-hoe said, once it ispleted, it will be a dragon that will cover the world! A boom that will cover both the East and the West! While the participants were working with all their passion and passion, Michngelo was being dragged into the race. * * * Lets take a look Isnt Michngelo more sculptural than a painting? Hyang, who was checking the progress of the illustrations to be included in the herbal encyclopedia and encyclopedia, expressed his uneasiness at the mention of Michngelo. Of course, I know that it is difficult to distinguish between Da Vinci and Da Vincis skills, but it is still a bit annoying. I think there is a ce where I can put it to better use. While Hyang was walking through the garden of Sugang Pce while pondering this, a group of monks came into sight. It was not an unfamiliar sight as the maintenance of the incense and the concubines often invited monks to listen to sermons. Therefore, Hyang, who was trying to walk without thinking, suddenly let out an exmation. Ah! There it is! Hyang, who was about to quickly walk to the office, stopped again andughed. Now that I think about it, something simr happened to me when I was young, right? Hyang, recalling the memory of the Limited Edition Tripitaka Koreana, smiled and walked towards Suganggung. Three dayster, Michngelo received the order issued by the prefecture. We have to go to a ce called Gyeongju? Thats right. If you go there, there are ces called Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple. Among them, I need to take a look at Seokguram Grotto. Is this maintenance work? I understand. Oh, by the way! That Seokguram Grotto is a Buddhist temple. Is that okay? Michngelo grinned and answered the officials question. It doesnt matter. As long as you pay me properly, I can repair the temples of Ma. Really? Then I can believe it! Michngelo and his disciples, who arrived in Gyeongju after receiving such an order, arrived at Seokguram Grotto under the guidance of an official. Oh oh! Michngelo and his disciples, who looked around the inside of Seokguram Grotto, could not keep their mouths shut as they let out exmations of admiration. When Michngelo came out after touring the Seokguram Grotto, the official asked: Can you do it? I would risk my life for such a masterpiece! Michngelos expression was more serious than ever. Chapter 985 Episode 986: The Clear-Eyed Madman (10) Michngelos expression was a mixture of determination and confidence at the same time. -Its not often you get the chance to touch a masterpiece like this! I will definitely take it! -yes! You have to be as good as me to tinker with a masterpiece like this! no! Its impossible without me! Seeing Michngelos expression like this, the official cleared his throat and continued speaking. Cut hum! Taesangtae, who was in charge of supervising this mill, said that the following conditions must be observed. The conditions stated by the official were as follows. -Materials used for repairs must be the same as those originally used. To put it simply, ces where granite is used should be reced with granite, and ces where marble is used should be reced with marble. -The use of materials such as cementum or rebar is not permitted. -Do not change the structure from when it was first built. Hmm Michngelos expression became very serious after hearing the conditions stipted by the scent. From what I looked at earlier, it was full of granite Michngelo thought for a while and asked the official. Can you hire the imperial masons? We will spare no effort in providing all support if necessary. .. Michngelo, who had been silent and thinking about those words again, opened his mouth. I will take care of it. I will go back to Seoul, pack my bags, ande back. Thats how Ill report it. * * * As the person in charge of the work, Hyang confirmed the report from Gyeongju and reported it to Hyeon. After carefully checking the report, Hyeon asked Hyang before putting the seal in the payment column. Its not that I dont believe in what the Great Emperor is doing, but will this Michngelo really be able to do it well? Even though he is young, isnt he too young? Hes definitely young. Hyang nodded at Hyuns point. Michngelo, who took on the job now, was in his early 20s. But he didnt seem to care much about the scent. It is true that it is a historic ce that has been around since the Si era, but isnt it a ce only Buddhists visit? There wont be any major problems. After the center of power left Gyeongju, it began to decline, and Seokguram Grotto was greatly damaged by the policy of pro-Confucianism and suppression of Buddhism that had continued since the founding of Joseon. Although local officials and local officials made some repairs, they were limited to a level where no further damage was done. Therefore, Hyang was looking for a suitable excuse to present to the Board of Audit and Inspection and the private Confucian schrs. -Although it is a Buddhist building, it has been in existence for over 700 years. It is our responsibility to manage it well and leave it to our descendants. -However, since it is a Buddhist building, we cannot put too much effort into it, and since European craftsmen are useful, we will hire them to do the work. To put it simply, it was like this. -What would you say if you hired A-level craftsmen to repair Buddhist facilities? So it was done with B-level craftsmen. Any problems? And Michngelo, who was so young that he could even be considered young, was the optimal alternative. The problem is that the content is S-level, not B-level. Is it because of the butterfly effect created by the scent? Michngelo blossomed sooner than expected. Thanks to this, the rivalry between da Vinci and Michngelo arose almost 10 years earlier than in history before the intervention of fragrance. Despite Hyangs answer, Hyeon still couldnt erase his worries. If you think about it that way, there is no particr problem, but I am very worried when I think about the events that are going on. Renovation of Bulguksa Temple, Renovation of Mireuksa Temple Site, Renovation of Cheongam-ri Temple Site and Jeongneung Temple Site, etc. If you think about the national policy that has been handed down since the Joseon Dynasty, there is a lot to talk about. Cost. Thats also a problem. Think of it not as a Buddhist facility, but as a legacy left behind by our ancestors. If you look at old documents, you will find that even people from China and Japan purposely came to see it and admire its beauty. We need to refine that legacy and leave it to our descendants. Wouldnt you? But since they are so stubborn, they will definitely start talking. Looking at Hyeon, who still couldnt shake off his worries, Hyang gave a short answer. At that time, answer like this. Everything goes well with family Yes? Hmm Hyuns face immediately brightened as he pondered Hyangs answer. Oh, I see! To add to that, we are also thoroughly conducting tests such as the concubine system and monks. It is not that we have abandoned the national policy. And I feel more secure at a temple in the ins with a lot of people than a temple in a deep, deep mountain. Dont you agree? Ah! Dont think too much about this. Its a white sound that came to mind after hearing a white sound around the author. Hyeon responded to Hyangs words with an embarrassed smile. I think so. * * * Even though Sung-yu-eok-buddhism was the national policy, many people still believed in Buddhism. In particr, many women, regardless of their status, believed in Buddhism. Monks even came to Gyeongbokgung Pce and Suganggung Pce to give sermons. Therefore, a very deep-rooted question asked by someone cynical about religion circted around the author. -Why is it that a child who was not born like that can be born if the wife goes to a temple and prays for 100 days? Why is it only effective if you pray at a temple instead of at home? And as Hyang said, it was difficult to be a Buddhist monk even after bing an empire. First of all, I had to go through the royal examination held by the empire. Only by passing the monks examination could one receive a docheop and be recognized as a legitimate monk. In addition, many of the benefits that had been given to monks and temples since ancient times have disappeared. Officials from the National Tax Service under the Ministry of General Affairs were stationed at the temples of the sects that survived King Sejongsrge-scale sect reorganization. The job of dispatched officials was to check the amount of various donationsing into the temple and collect taxes. -Ie from shareholders is ie! It wasnt just the donor. Taxes were also collected from the agriculturalnd leased by the government to temples. If the farnd was entrusted to a tenant farmer, he had to go to the battlefield and write a legal contract, just like in the secr world. In addition, ie tax was collected immediately upon ie earned through economic activities such as medicinal herb cultivation and papermaking. This strict administration was not only carried out at the temple level. The same was true for individual monks. Even if you passed the civil service examination and received a military service, you had to pass the examination once every three years. Also, like other secr people, they had to undertake military service. Of course, God was not the only one who was under such pressure. -We are citizens of the empire and pay taxes faithfully, so what needs to be protected must be protected. Also, if you have made a contribution, you must definitely acknowledge and reward it. ording to King Sejongs decision, temples and the monks practicing there were protected byw. The practice of aristocrats living near temples breaking into temples and causing all kinds of chaos, which had continued since the beginning of the countrys founding, was banned. Not only that. When a temple mobilized monks to engage in economic activities, the temple had to pay wages to the monks C although this was at the minimum wage level set byw. Of course, the government collected ie tax from monks. In addition, temples and monks who carried out charity work to help victims of various disasters or the poor were rewarded by the government after considering the circumstances. As a result, unlike the Goryeo and early Joseon Dynasty, the number of people converting to Buddhism decreased significantly. -There is no difference in the magnanimity and harshness of the secr world or the mountain temple, so why do you be a monk? * * * Thanks to the active advocacy of incense and Michngelos own proactive intention, Michngelo was able to be the person responsible for the repair of Seokguram Grotto without much noise. But why did those friendse? Michngelo, who was about to gather his students and workers and begin work, looked at his fellow painters gathered around him and expressed doubt. In response to Michngelos doubts, the eunuch who came down on behalf of the incense exined the situation. Those painters will leave pictures of everything you do while they work. And the officials next to me will leave sentences about all the steps you take. And when all the work is done, the records and pictures will be published in a book. I will tie it up. Then, future descendants will also know how you worked here. Haha! This is a heavy weight on my shoulders! Michngeloughed heartily at the eunuchs exnation. My name will remain in the book! Then you can never do it sloppily! Okay! Then, what were going to do today is start with a more detailed survey. I need to polish this before that. yes? Michngelo, who was stopped by the eunuch, turned his head in the direction indicated by the eunuch with a slightly annoyed face. Huh? A rock I havent seen before? There was arge granite boulder standing in the area pointed to by the inner coffin. Seeing Michngelo tilting his head, the eunuch said something. This is a task given by the Great Emperor. Carve that rock and make a que. You mean the que? Thats right. And the names of everyone who participated in this work will be engraved on the que. From the Tae Sanghang at the top to the apprentice masons below, everyones names will be engraved in Latin and Jeongeum. Except! At first, the name of the que I will make it and after everything is done, your name will be engraved on it! Michngelos face became serious as he heard the scent conveyed by the eunuch. This is a test and a warning! The test is to see how well I can handle granite, not marble, and how cool I can make it! And its a warning that if you dont do your job properly, you can be kicked out at any time! When should I finish by? Wouldnt the sooner be better? Because the really important thing is Seokguram Grotto. At the eunuchs words, Michngelo took out charcoal from his bag and walked in front of the granite rock. Lets get started right away. Pass with flying colors! Meanwhile, the eunuchs and officials who were watching from behind looked at each other and talked in low voices. As expected, he is a talented person chosen by Tae Sang-taeng. As soon as he heard a few words, he immediately recognized the hidden meaning. Thats right. I have a lot of work to do in the future, so Im looking forward to it. When they heard the message from Hyang, the eunuchs and officials had thoughts simr to those of Michngelo. Thats why I was satisfied with Michngelos reaction. However, the reason why Hyang gave this message was for a different reason. I remember briefly seeing Michngelo engrave his name on the famous Piet, right? Hmm If the character I know is the type of person he is, he would do that to the original Buddha in Seokguram Grotto. In that case Perhaps ? The Hyang was worried that Rado mightmit a misdeed at Seokguram Grotto, so he took precautions in advance. If you had your name engraved on the front door, you wouldnt do anything crazy! Although it was an order given for a simple reason, those who heard it interpreted it differently based on examples of what Hyang usually did. Chapter 986 Episode 986: Clear-Eyed Madman (11) Ten days passed and a huge sculpture was created at the entrance of Seokguram Grotto. Huh.. The masons of the Empire Seonggonggam, who had gathered to support the repair of Seokguram Grotto, looked amazed when they saw the huge sculpture in front of them. The sculpture, which was shaped like an open book, was worthy of being called a masterpiece in itself. Only when creating the firstrge shape did he borrow the help of his students and masons, and all subsequent processes were carried out by Michngelo alone. The book that is wide open and the book support that supports it are all one How This is ridiculous Do-byeon (߅), who oversees the left and right sides of the Seon Gong-gams mason organization. Jang Mal-ryong continued to express his admiration. It reminds me of an old man who served me when I was a baby mason and had just tasted stone powder. He was the one who handled the hard granite as if it were y Jang Mal-ryong sat down on the ground with a very tired face. Looking at Michngelo drinking water, I recalled the distant past. He created that huge stone object by himself Jang Mal-ryong was not the only one who admired the que created by Michngelo. Not only the Seongonggams stone master, but also the recorders sent to record and the eunuchs sent by the county could not keep their mouths shut. And on one side, Michngelos students were looking at him with a mixture of admiration and pride. He is truly a teacher! Who would believe that a master like that is around the same age as me? Did you see it? Did you see it? He is my teacher! This was also the case for European painters and painters who recorded this scene in pictures. In just 10 days Da Vinci was amazing, but this guy is no slouch either. Meanwhile, Michngelo, who was sitting on the ground catching his breath, was relieved to see people admiring the que. It looks like you passed the first hurdle * * * Michngelo decided that being asked to carve such a huge block of granite and make a que was clearly a test of the situation. What I handled in Italy was marble, so youre testing whether I can handle granite as well! If you dont give me even the slightest satisfaction, Ill fire you right away! If he had been Michngelo in Italy, he would have thrown down his sculpting knife and left the scene as soon as he was tested like this. What are you looking at me for? And Michngelos reputation was so high that this was taken for granted. However, Michngelo, who came out to tour Seokguram Grotto, could not miss this. It is nothing short of worthy of being called a masterpiece of masterpieces! I cannot pass on the honor of repairing such a masterpiece to someone else! That is why Michngelo did his best to carve the que. And in return for that effort, I was able to treat granite like marble for a while. * * * Michngelo passed the first gate that he had not even thought about before and began repairing Seokguram Grotto in earnest. During this process, Michngelo continued to cooperate closely with the masons of Seongonggam, especially Dobyeonja Jang Mal-ryong. The repair of Seokguram Grotto was arge-scale project. You cant call it repair by just carving out a few stones and adding more, right? Send it like that. Hmm.. I guess well have to cut down the mountain first. Jang Mal-ryong looked embarrassed at Michngelos words. Then it would be quite a big deal, and I think we need to get permission first. Do I need to get permission again? budget. Ah And so the rted request went up to Seoul. Five dayster, a document was delivered from the prefecture and township. The current document was simple and clear. -Permitted. A representative from the Ministry of Finance and Economy wille. And Tae Sang-tae After checking the document sent by Hyang, Michngelo and Jang Mal-ryong let out a long sigh. Whoa. Im in the middle of a mountain. -Record all disassembly and reassembly processes with pictures and documents. C Be sure to record where repairs were made and how they were repaired. -Be sure to keep this in mind. If it was divided into 100 parts during the disassembly process, all 100 parts must be included in the restoration process. If there are any parts left over, dismantle them all and start again. It would be better to build a new Seokguram Grotto. Michngelo nodded to Jang Mal-ryongsint. However, there was a reason why the scent was so picky. The evaluation of the restoration work carried out during the Japanese colonial period was such that there was a saying, It was worse than not done at all. We have already hired experts to do the work, so we need to do it properly. And Hyangs motivation brought about a stir at the scene. Im offended, but I think this is beyond the point of being picky. The eunuch sent by the fragrance immediately responded to Michngelosint. Tae Sang-tae said this. The repair of Seokguram Grotto does not end just this once. As time goes by, repairs will be needed again. At that time, future generations need something to refer to. What you are doing now is not just repair, but a path for future generations. He said, It is to clean the face. At the eunuchs words, Michngelo and Jang Mal-ryong immediately returned to the workshop. If I dont want to be criticized by future generations, I have to do it right. Right. * * * Michngelo and Jang Mal-ryong were once again full of enthusiasm and devoted themselves to their work, but soon shes of opinions arose here and there. The area where the most conflict urred was various scientific knowledge applied to Seokguram Grotto. The best example of this conflict of opinion was the floor b issue. There was a conflict of opinion between the two over whether or not condensation had been intentionally created on the floor. You said humans did this on purpose back in the day? Thats ridiculous! This just happened because the underground water flow path changed! No matter how you look at it, it seems like it was done on purpose. The water vein doesnt change that often. As the conflict of opinion between the two sides arose, the eunuch who saw this immediately delivered urgent news to Hyang. And less than two dayster, the scent appeared in Gyeongju. Hyang, who visited the repair site, listened carefully to the opinions of Michngelo and Jang Mal-ryong and came to a conclusion. I think what Do-jae-yeon said is right? Haona.. I know very well what you want to say. Hyang interrupted Michngelo, who was about to retort, and continued his words. Have you ever seen the Colosseo in Rome? yes. Cant you believe that such a huge building was built more than hundreds of years ago? ..no. Lets get rid of the prejudice that people in the past had less talent than they do now. There may be more skills and knowledge that have been lost. Dont forget that. Ill keep that in mind. After sorting out the situation, Hyang smiled and told a joke that wasnt a joke. Youre not the only one who has that question. Do you know about the pyramids? Yes, I know it is a huge building in Egypt. I know that many luxury people still go to see it. It is said that the pyramid was a famous sight even in the ancient Greek and Roman times. The Greeks and Romans who visited the pyramid at the time said the same thing, right? No, they built this in the long, distant past? How? Ah After the incense was cleaned up, Seokguram Grotto repairs were back on track. * * * However, as time passed, the scent that received regr reports became perplexed. I dont know if this is a good thing or a bad thing Its getting bigger. Seokguram Grotto repairs were moving beyond simple repair work. If anything suspicious was discovered during the repair process, work was immediately stopped and discussion took ce. -Did it change over time or was it nned this way from the beginning? The problem was that both Michngelo and Jang Mal-ryong were weak in this area. After receiving the report, the township selected schrs from the research institute and sent them to the site to resolve the situation. The problem was that even schrs had different opinions, which often led to fierce debates. In order to resolve this debate, more and more schrs gathered at the Seokguram Grotto site and each came up with their own hypotheses. Lets think positively. Integration has increased the speed of research in the field of natural science, which had been moving slowly, right? Hyang, who gave a positive evaluation, paused for a moment and immediately began writing a n. I told you to row when the wateres in! Its time for there to be a lot of useful ruins still left! Lets do this properly! It was a time when quite a few relics from not only the Three Kingdoms period but even earlier still remained. There is a very high probability that something like the Japanese colonial period or the Korean War will not ur, but we still dont know! Concerned about what might happen, Hyang decided to study in earnest the old ruins remaining in the empires headquarters and northern regions. Of course I wont have to y on the field. However, you must not miss the moment when the worlds people, and even those in power, are paying attention! As traces of various scientific construction techniques were discovered in Seokguram Grotto, the attention of upper ss figures began to focus. C These technologies were used in the old days? really? This curiosity was leading to interest in the old Three Kingdoms period, which remains only in records. And Hyang never wanted to miss this. And the prefectures and ministers who were captivated by the scent soon formed arge-scale academic investigation team. The first ce the academic research team headed to was Gyeongju. The academic investigation team began a thorough investigation of old ruins scattered throughout Gyeongju. And here, too, there was plenty of MSG voring. -Excavation and investigation of ruins should not be carried out recklessly. -All processes and excavated objects must be recorded in documents and pictures. (Shortly.) It was an application of perseverance and research techniques that had begun to be applied in the mid tote 20th century, and surprisingly, this was weed by the educated ss of the empire. Ahm! Everything must be recorded! These are all precious things to leave behind for future generations! As time went by, the scent grew to the point where I got tired of it. These record lovers Hyang, who had beenining like that, grumbled once again as she wrote the n. The Ministry of Finance and Economy will be in trouble again. The n written by Hyang was Regarding the establishment of a museum. Just by looking at the name, it is a museum, so you can tell what it is going to be used for. Considering the number and type of relics that have been excavated and their value, we definitely need a ce to properly collect and manage them. Hyeon looked at Hyangs n and nodded while sighing. The problem is the budget. Suddenly, there are a lot of ces to put money Shouldnt you spend it when you have to spend it? Thats true. Phew~ Hyeon sighed and put a seal on the n. When you have to do something, you have to do it. And its not about building the Forbidden City, its about future generations, and its a good cause. Afterwards, the ministers who learned of the townships n through the prefectures order gathered in the conference room. Is it possible to prepare a budget? The Minister of Finance answered Han Myeong-hoes question with a frown. It is possible. But we have to reduce other areas But before the Minister of Finance could even finish his words, shouts erupted from all directions. Thats not right! This is something that cannot be said! Im still tightening my belt as much as possible! Youre telling us not to even breathe! Chapter 987 Episode 987: The Clear-Eyed Madman (12) The inside of the conference room instantly became chaos due to the shouts of the ministers. As time passed, themotion did not subside. Han Myeong-hoe, who was sitting at the head of the table, mmed the desk and screamed. bang! Quiet! Be quiet! All ministers fell silent at the shouts of Han Myeong-hoe. Han Myeong-hoe criticized the ministers who had be rulers. What on earth are the ministers of the empire doing? Who knows that they dont know how to scream and are doing this! Im sorry for showing you such an indecent behavior. Im sorry. The ministers apologized to Myunghoe one by one. However, Han Myeong-hoes criticism continued. If there is a problem, you should point it out and find a solution. What if all you do is scream? What if you just raise your voice? If thats the case, from next time, youll get angry and embarrass me! Dont deal with people like this! So Im sorry Tsk! Han Myeong-hoe, who interrupted the ministers by clicking his tongue, red at the Minister of Finance. I know very well that the finances of the empire are determined ording to revenue. I also know that it is best to have revenue and expenditure aligned perfectly with each other. However, in everything in the world, something unexpected always happens, and arent there things you have to prepare for this? I think thats the case, too? The prepared thing that Han Myeong-hoe was talking about was silver produced from the empires silver mines. In the empire, silver was a tool of currency and gold was a tool of wealth. And the silver and gold mines were operated directly by the empire as state mines. Therefore, gold and silver from state-owned mines went straight into the warehouses of the Imperial Ministry of Finance and were being piled up. And using this gold and silver, the empire was guiding its governance in the most sound direction possible. The Minister of Finance and Economy looked embarrassed at the mention of Han Myeong-hoe. Of course, it is possible to solve the problem by opening the warehouse and taking the silver out. But then there is the problem. Doesnt it end with just building a building like Parkmun-gwan? If you do it wrong, the silver could be released uncontrobly. If that happens, the empires The situation is going to be a mess. But youve done well so far, havent you? Isnt that too harsh? Other ministers nodded at Han Myeong-hoes words. As the Minister of Finance and Economy was about to open his mouth, Lim Soon-wook spoke first. Then, would you like to take charge of the Ministry of Finance and Economy? What do you think, Prime Minister? Would you please try taking charge of the Ministry of Finance and Economy? Would you like to take charge of the Ministry of Finance and Economy? Big! Big! I apologize for being harsh. Keuhum! Seeing Han Myeong-hoe hastily apologizing, Lim Soon-wook responded by clearing his throat loudly. However, since he could not keep repeating the same story forever, Soonwook Lim began to speak his thoughts. If you listen to the story just now, it is clear that the size of the pce is enormous. Your Majesty said that you are building the Forbidden City, but if you add a little more, it could be asrge as the Forbidden City or the Abang Pce. It is currently being excavated in Gyeongju. Think about the amount of artifacts. The ministers nodded without realizing it at Lim Sun-wooks point. * * * Even now, about 10 chests wereing into Suganggung from Gyeongju almost every day. At first, it was supposed to go through Gyeongbokgung Pce first, but as the volume increased, the prefecture changed the procedure. Starting with Han Myeong-hoe, Vice Ministers who could not ovee their curiosity gathered together to watch and express exmations. However, as time passed, I became increasingly tired of the huge amount of artifacts that kepting up. I only dug about 1/100th of Gyeongju, but there are so many? Only 1/100th of it? No matter how old it is, it is a thousand-year-old city * * * Knowing the situation in Gyeongju, where relics are still pouring in, the ministers all nodded to Lim Sun-wooks point. Lim Soon-wook, who confirmed that the ministers understood, added more force to his voice. It is appearing like that in Gyeongju alone now, but if you think about the old sites of Baekje and Goguryeo, as well as the old sites of Buyeo and Balhae it might be as big as the Forbidden City. I dont know about Abang Pce but anyway! Thats what we started with. Its be a troublesome problem because we cant just let our ancestors relics rot carelessly. Thats why I think its best to build a museum just like a child grows up and bes an adult. Its like a child growing up Han Myeong-hoe, who was thinking about Lim Sun-wooks suggestion, asked if his thoughts were correct. What Director Lim is saying is, lets start with a budget that doesnt strain the budget and gradually increase the size? Thats right. Again, just looking at the example of Gyeongju now, its hard to tell how many relics will be produced in the future. In any case, it is certain that expansion will continue from generation to generation, so lets not overdo it from the beginning. Instead, the site for Park Mun-gwan should be located in the right ce. We have to be sure. Even now, viges are continuously being built outside the four main gates of Seoul. The ministers all nodded at Lim Soon-wooks words. Likewise, Han Myeong-hoe, who was nodding, grumbled slightly. Who said, Send the people to Seoul and the horses to Shinji and the North? * * * Even during this period, the real estate problem in Seoul was serious. As the empire expanded and became more powerful, the number of officials responsible for administering the empire gradually increased. Those who increased the most were local government officials, but the number of officials working at Gyeongbokgung Pce and Yukjo Street in Seoul also increased. Because of this, it became impossible to find agriculturalnd inside the four main gates. In ce of the lost farnd, residential areas and markets were established. Nevertheless, there was always a shortage of housing in Seoul. Therefore, Wan and Hyeon had to adjust the administrative districts of Seoul and Gyeonggi-do near Seoul. First, Seoul was changed to Seoul Province (), and the surrounding area was renamed from Gyeonggi-do to Seoul. Afterwards, four stations were built near the four main gates of Seoul and a railwaywork was established with nearby areas. Additionally, a separate railroad was built to connect these stations with the railroad in central Seoul. Of course, it was notpletelypleted and construction was still in progress. -It is more efficient to connect them directly to Seoul Station rather than creating those four stations separately. This appeal continued, but Wan and Hyeon did not ept it for the following reasons. -If connected directly, the inside of Seoul will be too crowded as people wille and go in a disorderly manner. -For the sake of showing off, there will be more and more people who wille all the way to Seoul to purchase documents that will be purchased at the marketce and monopoly in the vige where they live. This is a hardship for those engaged inmerce outside of Seoul, so this should be prevented as much as possible. -Also, although they have be obsolete, the four main gates are the gates of the castle wall that defend the city. Therefore, it must be possible to close it when necessary. But the fact that people flocked to Seoul was itself a problem. And to solve this problem, various solutions have been mobilized as far back as the reign of King Sejong. However, this problem still caused headaches for the emperor and ministers. Why? Hyang gave a simple answer to Hyeonsint. Thats because the power is in Seoul. Ah * * * In this way, the construction of the museum began. The ce that the government chose as the museum site was near Gwanaksan Mountain. Hyang had a strange expression after reading the report about this. At that time, it was the site of a university, and now it is the site of a museum This is also a strange rtionship. If this continues, how will the saying, If someone asks about the future of the country, raise your head and listen to the music change? Who is the empire? Will it change to If you ask about the glory of , raise your head and see Gwanak. As a side note, in the distant future, the Imperial Museum located in Gwanak became thergest museum in the world. It was also nicknamed the museum with the least belongings. This was because many of the artifacts owned by famous European museums were looted from ces such as Africa and Egypt. But the most famous assessment was this: It would take your whole life to see everything in the Imperial Museum. Another story was also famous. -Something you should never challenge even if you risk your life. Seeing everything in the Empires three halls C the Archives, Herbarium, and Museum. * * * They say work brings work and then theres something to spend money on Sigh~. The Minister of Finance and Economy, who was studying the report, let out a long sigh and red at the Minister of General Affairs in front of him. What did the Prime Minister say? I didnt go. It was obvious that I would just tell them to consult with the captain anyway. The Minister of Finance and Economy nodded at the Minister of General Affairs words and stood up. Ha~. Okay. Lets go together. After a while, Han Myeong-hoe, who checked the report presented by the Minister of General Affairs who came with the Minister of Finance and Economy, looked at the Minister of General Affairs with bright eyes. Lets select people to do record work at the Archives? Are there finally no more criminals to enter the Archives? .. Was it a joke? Han Myeong-hoe whetted his appetite at the silent answers given by the Minister of General Affairs and the Minister of Finance and Economy. * * * Those who entered the records office were mainly officials caught in bribery and other forms of corruption, those who asked for favors from them, and those who hadmitted crimes such as fraud, including document forgery. If found guilty, almost all of their assets were confiscated and they had to work at the records office for a set period of time. This record work was one of the worst punishments, with less physical hardship but great mental fatigue. High-ranking people expected that the number of crimes that would be punished by the Recorder would definitely decrease, but the number of people was steadily increased every year. Therefore, a joke like this was going around among high-ranking officials. Seeing as there is no shortage of people in the archives, it seems that the poor evil theory is correct. * * * But what happened that there are suddenly not enough people in the record office? In response to Han Myeonghoes question, the head of the General Affairs Department answered in a sour voice. What could it be? Even though the workload has increased, it has increased too much. Has the workload increased? Do you know how many documents are currently being uploaded from Gyeongju? Documents recording the Seokguram Grotto repair process, ledger documents rted to the costs involved in the repair process, documents from other excavation sites in Gyeongju What are the records offices iron rules? Han Myeong-hoe answered the Minister of General Affairs question right away. From the beginning to the end all the documents are organized and recorded. Hmm. It will definitely increase. Its not just about racing, theres also an encyclopedia. Oh my The Minister of General Affairs answer made Han Myeong-hoe understand the seriousness of the matter. There has been a flood of documents. Flood? Tsunami. In the end, Han Myeong-hoe called the deputy prime ministers. Chapter 988 Episode 988: Clear-Eyed Madman (13) In the end, this issue reached Hyun. Seeing as it has been brought up to the Prime Minister, it is certainly an urgent matter, hmm Hyun, who was checking the report that was submitted jointly by the Ministers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Finance, Ministry of Finance, and Education, spoke while resting his chin and tapping his fingers on the armrests of his throne. It was cloudy. Theres something bothering me, what is it? What was it? I dont know what it is, but Hyeon felt something like a bitter feeling that was constantly clinging to his heart, and he thought about it again and again. I cant remember what it is Should I just pay? No matter how much he thought about it, he couldnt find the answer and was about to give up. Hyangs words suddenly appeared in Hyeons mind. -An emperor must think twice at thest moment. Hyangs advice came to mind and Hyeon once again thought about finding an answer. What is it? What is it? After thinking for a while, Hyeon turned his head and looked at the officials in Daejeon. Hyuns eyes, which were staring nkly at the officials, began to shine. This is it! After finding the answer, Hyun organized his thoughts and opened his mouth. I acknowledge that the Archives needs to select someone to handle the records, but I think there are issues that need to be resolved first. Han Myeong-hoe responded to Hyeons words by bowing his head. If you tell me what is sacred, I will find the answer. It is the eyes of the people. yes? Isnt something simr happening in the mines? Even if we give them more money, they dont want to go down to the bottom. ah! Han Myeong-hoe and the officials all eximed in exmation at Hyeons point. * * * When the Navy was a naval force, the most avoided position among the naval forces was that of oarsman. The perception of oarsmen was so poor that there was even a saying, Shinryang Yeokcheon (v). Afterwards, oarsmen rarely appeared in the navy except on tugboats, and the term Sinryang Yeokcheon disappeared. However, there were still many cases in society that were treated as Sinryang Yeokcheon. The most representative of them was Makjang. The word referring to the very end of the deepest tunnel in a coal mine was makjang. The problem was that this makjang was used in a very negative sense. And Hyang and King Sejong were involved in its origin. Starting with the suppression of the Giyu Rebellion, King Sejong applied the crime of treason to the noblemen who challenged the throne, made all the noblemen and their rtives into government servants and officials, and sent them to the mines. And the ce where most of these government workers were deployed was the makjang. It was pushed into a ce where there was the greatest loss of life. As time passed, the number of noblemen whomitted treason or other serious crimes and became government ves decreased. Sejong and Hyang sent those whomitted serious crimes into coal mines. However, unlike the nobility who became government servants and had to dig mines until their deaths, these men only worked for a certain period of time. The problem is that if you are a prisoner who has to go to prison, the default is life imprisonment. The prisoners working in the mines were not only felons. Among those sentenced to fines, those who could not afford to pay the fines were forced to work in the mines. In this case, the period of work at the mine was determined by dividing the fine by the minimum wage investigated and announced by the Ministry of General Affairs every year. However, in general, it wasmon to work at least 2 to 3 years longer than that period. Safety equipment, pickaxes and shovels were provided free of charge. However, I had to purchase the work clothes, gloves, and overshoes I had to wear while working at my own expense, and I also had to pay for food. On the other hand, those who chose a normal job were all provided free of charge. -You cannot spend the taxes paid by a good neighbor on someone who harms that good neighbor! It was a regtion applied ording to the decision made by Sejong and Hyang. Therefore, only the amount of the above expenses deducted from the sry settled each month would offset the fine and result in working for 2 to 3 more years. Of course, not all prisoners working in the mines were felons or those who came to pay fines. Among misceneous criminals with low sentences, those who had difficulty making a living after being released from prison volunteered to work in mines. Since he was a leftist, only the minimum wage was applied. However, since he could keep the rest in his own pocket, if he worked hard during his sentence, he could earn a lump sum of money. And there was a trick. If people who came in with a fine or misceneous criminals went down to thest level, they were given hazard pay. Many of those whopleted their sentences in the mines returned to work in the mines. This was because those who chose it as a job rather than a punishment received wages that were higher than average. Additionally, the sries received by those with some experience were at a fairly high level. Even if you worked as a prisoner, if you wanted to get a job, this period was recognized as experience. However, there was a penalty. It was calcted as half of the career umted by normal people. This was also the intervention of King Sejong and Hyang. -It is a good thing to choose to live an honest life without breaking thew. -But we cannot treat them the same way as those who did notmit such a crime in the first ce. -Recognizing only half of your career means reflecting on the sins you havemitted. However, after this, you will be treated the same as those who have notmitted a crime, so from now on, do notmit sins and do your best to lead an honest life! However, as time passed and Hyang ascended to the position of emperor, a problem arose. The perception that miners are sinners had spread throughout the world. In particr, the ce where one could receive the highest wages was the makjang, but as the perception that they were makjangs and government-nosed felons spread, it became an industry to be avoided. Therefore, the township had toe up with measures to address this. First, we distinguished the colors of the work clothes worn by miners. The work clothes worn by government workers and criminals were dyed ocher, and normal miners were given work clothes dyed blue. Additionally, medals were awarded to miners with long experience and those who yed a significant role in solving mine shaft idents. This packaging was not simple. Those who put it on their ID card or wrapped it on their clothes were treated politely every time they entered a government office and received a discount when purchasing goods at a reseller. Despite all the efforts, it took quite a long time for the perception of miners to improve again. To be more precise, full-fledged improvement became possible only after most of those who had be government ves died due to events such as the Giyu Rebellion. Therefore, when Hyeon said Makjang, Han Myeong-hoe and the officials all understood. The recorders most famous nickname was Makjang. To be more precise, it was the worst of those who misused what they learned and then settled down as the worst. * * * Han Myeong-hoe urgently bowed his head and asked Hyeon for forgiveness. The minor gods were short-thinking and allowed Your Majesty to use Seongryeo, so they have trulymitted a grave sin! Please forgive the minor gods for their sins! Forgive me! I forgive you. Now! So what do you want me to do? In response to the prefectures question, Han Myeong-hoe and officials racked their brains to find a usible solution. And after a while, Han Myeong-hoe found the answer. It would be best to provide official uniforms. Official uniform? Are you talking about beatification? Since the recorder is also a part of the government, isnt it natural to provide beatification? Han Myeong-hoe bowed his head again at Hyeons point. Sosin spoke too hastily. I would like to exin in more detail. It is natural that beatifications worn at rites and other events should be provided. What Sosin is talking about is mourning clothes. To be precise, the idea is to create regtions rted to mourning clothes. There were two main types of uniforms worn by imperial officials. One was the beatification attire worn at various official events, and the other was the mourning attire worn in daily work. The beatification wears a breastte with a different pattern depending on the rank and rank, and the color of the robe and type of belt worn around the waist are different depending on the rank. The mourning clothes did not have a breastte and were variegated, so a variety of colors could be used. However, as the county modified the uniforms of the imperial army, Muban came to wear the imperial army uniform, and only civil servants and civil servants belonging to the Ministry of Defense wore mourning uniforms and beatification uniforms. Han Myeong-hoe exined the special regtions he had in mind. The recorders currently working at the records office are those who are paying for their sins by being white-robed servants. Therefore, they are not allowed to wear official uniforms. However, those who are selected and assigned to record work are not criminals, so they are not criminals. They can wear it. Therefore, we are having them attach an embroidered emblem with the letter Ki to the danryeong they wear as mourning clothes. As Han Myeong-hoe exined, Hyeon stroked his chin and imagined what it would be like. You can tell that he is an official just by his Danryeong, but it will be even clearer if he wears the reporter emblem. While Hyun was reacting positively, Lim Soon-wook intervened. Your Majesty, there are still quite a few officials working at the Archives. And they all wear Danryeong. However, even those who wear Danryeong are embarrassed to work at the Records Institute, so they enter and leave the hospital through the back door. It is still like that now. If you put the Ki emblem on it, it will be even more embarrassing. I guess thats true too. Prime Minister, do you have a job for this? Han Myeong-hoe, who thought about Hyeons question for a while, came up with an answer. There is. Your Majesty can hand out the emblems directly to the officials in charge of the records office. Jim himself? Thats right. Its an honor to give them. Hmm Hyeon, who had been looking at the profit and loss for a moment at Han Myeong-hoes words, smiled and looked at Han Myeong-hoe. I think the Prime Minister learned a lot from Tae Sang-hang. Thats too much praise. Big effect with little effort. It was one of the words Hyang always said. * * * As these major idents were resolved one by one, the empire was running rtively smoothly. Artists from Europe, painters, masons, carpenters, and even schrs gathered in Gyeongju and were constantly producing results. And in Seoul, other painters, painters, and schrs were working together on various works, including encyclopedias. In the meantime, Da Vinci found incense. What is the reason for visiting while you are busy? In response to Hyangs question, Da Vinci bowed his head politely and brought up his business. Id like to take a break from work for a while. Do you want to take a break from work? Are you asking for a vacation? Thats right. Whats bad about it? No. There is something I want to make. At Da Vincis words, Hyangs eyes began to shine. ats! There is something I want to make..what is it? Its some kind of flying machine. Heres a sketch of it. Lets see. After checking the sketch submitted by Da Vinci, Hyangs eyes began to glow menacingly. Its a helicopter! Chapter 989 Episode 989: Clear-Eyed Madman (14) Hmm With a small snort, Hyang carefully examined the sketch submitted by Da Vinci. As expected, it has changed! In history before the intervention of fragrance, the helicopter sketched by Da Vinci had rotor des that looked like drills. However, the helicopter that da Vinci submitted now had rotor des simr to pinwheels, like helicopters made in the 20th century. If this is fun in its own way, its fun. Its about checking what has changed. Hmm Hyang, who was studying the sketch while hiding her true feelings, looked at Da Vinci and asked. Are we going to use this pinwheel here to go higher? Thats right. Hmm, thats interesting. How did youe up with this idea? The idea of a flying machine with Spirali wings has been around for a long time. However, aftering to the Empire and meeting Gong Yajang, I was able to make great progress. * * * As Michngelo was busy in Gyeongju, da Vinci was also busy in Seoul. This was because he was in charge of drawing illustrations for various encyclopedias as well as illustrations for various illustrations produced at the medical school and supervising others. However, the ce da Vinci was most attached to was, of course, Area 51. Therefore, da Vinci stopped by Area 51 and spent time whenever he had time. Oh! Da-hyeong (), its been a while since Ive seen you! Oh! Gong-hyung ()! As Master Gong, the most senior and outstanding craftsman among the ironsmiths working in Area 51, greeted him warmly, Da Vinci also greeted him warmly. At some point, the person who got along best with da Vinci in Area 51 was Gong Yajang. Although they were simr in age, they were an excellent match, making up for each others shorings. If da Vinci came up with a genius idea, it was Gong Yajang who made it a reality. The two people, who held each others hands and shared joy, soon moved to Da Vincis studio. Whats going on with someone whos so busy outside doing all kinds of things? I came here on purpose because I have something to tell you. To me? No way! Da Vinci held out a piece of paper to Gong Yajang, who looked pleased. Like I said before, I drew the frame of the picture frame once. Oh! Ohh! Thats amazing! I have to tell Soga and ask him to make it like this! Thank you so much! Its no big deal. I really envy you. You have such a precious heirloom. After seeing the design drawn on the paper, Gong Yazhang expressed his sincere gratitude. However, da Vinci envied Gong Yazhang in a different sense. A handwritten prayer that Gong Yazhangs grandfather received from his wife when he was a crown prince. That was because. It was a treasure among treasures that even had Hyangs handprint on it. Afterwards, the two sat across the data table and continued chatting. Anyway, youe up with so many amazing things. I feel like Im looking at Old Man Jang Yeong-sil from the past. In response to Gong Yajangs words, Da Vinci hurriedly waved his hand. Dont go somewhere and say something like that. I am cursed. This was Da Vincis sincerity. * * * Beforeing to the Empire, or even before meeting Hyang and seeing part of the Jeonjeonrok, Da Vinci did not doubt his genius. The technology of the world cannot keep up with my brain. there is! I am so irritated! Da Vinci, who was arrogant like this, realized his shorings when he saw the empires cultural relics and records of his achievements. However, he did notpletely surrender. The empires level of technology is superior, so I can create what I have in mind. Now the world knows how much I can do. Youll know if hes a genius! However, when da Vinci saw Jang Yeong-sils works at Area 51 in Seoul, he fell to his knees. I was arrogant! You didnt know how wide this world was or how many talented people there were! After that, da Vinci gave up his pride. Instead, he gained people. * * * Isnt that right? Did you say that too much? It was a joke. By the way In response to Da Vincis reaction, Gong Yajang looked around and tried to change the topic. While looking at the sketches around him, his eyes were instantly fixed on one sketch. What is that? Its something I havent seen before? Oh, that one? I found this while organizing drawing tools for the illustration work Im doing these days. Ill look at it in a moment. Hmm What Gong Field Manager was interested in was a sketch of a helicopter that da Vinci had designed in Italy. No matter how you look at this roof-like thing, it looks like a drill bit attached to a bowsprit? Its not a roof. Its wings. By rotating the wings, you fly upward. Ah Gong Yajang, who was nodding his head at Da Vincis exnation, chuckled and joked with Da Vinci. Then these wings are an awl that pierces the sky. Is it? My wings are like awls that pierce the sky! What is this? Maybe? Haha! Hahaha! The two of them started outughing lightly, but before they knew it, they were seriously considering the possibilities. The wings should be covered with cloth, right? I guess so. In order to fly up properly, youd have to turn at an incredibly fast speed. Then I think a steam engine would have to go in. Considering the size and weight, can the cloth covering the wings hold up? Then how about using iron? Wouldnt it be too heavy? Hmm While the two were thinking about how to make a flying machine that actually flies, there was amotion outside. Gong! Gong! Quack, quack! Its apetition! Its apetition! The pinwheelpetition has begun! As the sound of gongs, gongs, and peoples shouts mixed together and became noisy, Da Vinci looked back at the ballpark. Whats going on? Was it an ident? No, its like a traditional event in Area 51. A childs fight has be an adults fight. Huh ? This was a way to y with a pinwheel. Another way was to hang wings made from thin pieces of bamboo or wood on the handle and then turn the handle to make the wings rise into the sky. In this case, the wing that rose the highest won. Here , A childs fight had be an adults fight. Regardless of the time and ce, there were bound to be children with a particrly strongpetitive spirit, and there were parents who would listen to whatever the child wanted. This was the same for the craftsmen of Area 51. Area 51 The artisans lived together in a vige around Area 51. Therefore, most of the children in the vige were the children of the artisans in Area 51. It all started when a child who lost apetition whined and an artisan made a pinwheel for the child. Even if it was roughly made, it was made by a skilled craftsman, so the workmanship was far superior to that made by children, and of course the victory was the childs share. And this made other children whine to their parents. So-and-sos father made a pinwheel. They said they made it for me, but what am I? Make me one too! Tired of the childrens constant whining, the fathers made pinwheels. But the winners and losers were still divided, and the loser children once again whined to their fathers. I lost to so-and-sos pinwheel! I heard your fathers skills are good! I heard its good! Oh my gosh! Are youing? Its good! Ill show you what I saw! In this way, it became an adult fight with the pride of adults at stake. As the matter grew, naturally the Hyang became aware of it and the Hyang issued orders regarding this. -I wont stop you, but I wont sit idly by and tell you the truth. C So, Imand you as follows: -Competition is allowed only once a year on the full moon of the first lunar month. -The use of all materials except gunpowder is permitted. -Participation is also allowed, not alone but in groups. -Anyone who steals or interferes with other peoples ideas will be disqualified from participating as soon as they are discovered. -The person who flies the highest will receive a prize of 3 taels of silver. Hyang smiled sinisterly while creating a contest like this. To create a moderatepetition that is neither too much nor too little, this amount of prize money is enough. And hopefully guess what? The helicopter wille out before Leonardo da Vinci? However, helicopters did not appear until da Vinci came to the Empire. * * * Da Vinci, who heard the exnation of the origin of Gyeorum from Gong Yajang, expressed doubts. Its been several years since I came to the Empire. Why didnt I know about it until now? Who is the person who locked himself in a studio and practiced Tao? Ah Da Vinci nodded without realizing it and stood up. I heard the story, so I guess I should take a look. Itll be fun. The two people left the studio and headed to the ce where thepetition was taking ce. But how do you judge who goes higher? If thepetition gets this big, a fair decision will be necessary, right? Thats why its done at the artillery test site. Theres a watchtower there, and they attach strings to their wings. Its to check the distance the string is loose. Ah Wow!!!! Wow!!!!! The shouts continued as people continued to talk. It flew. ! Its already started. Lets go. Yes. * * * Where the two headed, all the craftsmen and officials of Area 51 had gathered. As it was one of the things to see only a few times a year, Crown Prince Wu was also present to watch thepetition. The two people who paid their respects to Wu took a seat in an appropriate ce and began to watch thepetition. Gong Yajang exined to Da Vinci in more detail, Its already been several decades since thispetition took ce. Thanks to that, these days, everyone forms a group and participates. I see. Because I cant make something that big alone. Da Vinci nodded as he looked at the pinwheels that were as wide as the arms of a man with his arms outstretched. In thepetition that followed, the craftsmen showed off all kinds of pinwheels. Three or four wings. There were pinwheels with wings, and there were pinwheels with wings that looked like the des of a fan. Or there were pinwheels with wings that looked like trays. Wow! It flew! Every time those pinwheels rose into the sky, the craftsmen They shouted and pped. Among them were Crown Prince Wu and Da Vinci. Chuk-chik, chook, chook, chook! Huh? Steam engine? Why? Wu and the craftsmen expressed their doubts at the tow truck that suddenly appeared in thepetition arena. Im meeting His Royal Highness the Crown Prince! Yes, I hope to see good results. The craftsmen who paid their respects to Wu asked the parts attached to the tow truck. A pinwheel was connected between the pirs where the pinwheel des were installed. After confirming that the pinwheel was connected properly, the craftsman motioned to his colleague standing next to the tow truck. The co-worker operated the lever attached to the attachment. p! The attachment to the tow truck is powered by a steam engine. He began to turn the pinwheel violently, and the wings of the pinwheel began to spin so fast that they were invisible to the eye. At some point, the craftsman near the wing moved the lever connected to the Giduo, and at that moment, the pinwheel soared high into the sky. It floated. ! High! Its the best! The best hase out! As the craftsmen stood up and shouted, Da Vinci and Gong Yajang looked at each other. This is it! Chapter 990 Episode 990: The Clear-Eyed Madman (15) So this is how this scheme came about? Da Vinci answered the question about fragrance by bowing his head. Thats right. Hmm Hyang, who was looking at the sketch again while listening to Da Vincis answer, pointed out the problem to Da Vinci. It seems like Im turning this pinwheel to rise and fall, is that correct? Thats right. Then how are we going to move? Isnt this a flying machine? Whats the difference between a flying machine and a bhikkhu? A flying machine only needs to float andnd, but doesnt a flying machine work properly only when it flies in the direction you want? If it just floats andnds like this, doesnt it seem worse than a self-flying bhikkhu? Ah I will allow you to devise it. However, if this part is not resolved, it will only be a ything for wealthy people. In that case, no matter how much I do, I cannot ask the emperor for permission to produce it. Yes, I will keep that in mind. After receiving permission from Hyang, which was not permission, Da Vinci took the sketch with a stern expression and left Hyangs office. Hyang, who was watching Da Vinci disappearing through the window, muttered with an excited expression on his face. Now, I wonder what solution Da Vinci wille up with. But is it possible with a steam engine? In the case of self-powered flight, this was possible because of the enormous size of the air sac. However, the steam engines thrust-to-weight ratio was a problem. Because the power output was lowpared to its size, the flight speed of the self-powered airne was not very fast. Thanks to its advantage of being able to move in the desired direction high in the sky, it was only used by the military for reconnaissance ormunication. Self-flying monks were something that could never be used for transportation and could not be used for tourism, as they were crowded out by monks. Therefore, Hyang thought negatively about the adoption of steam engines as the power engine for flying machines. If that were possible, I would have made it first Even before the intervention of fragrance, Ennds George Cayley had envisioned an Aerial Carriage powered by a steam engine. It was a helicopter with four disc-shaped rotors and two propulsion propellers, but it ended up being a model. In addition, there were continued attempts to use steam engines as power nts for airnes, but they ended in failure. Eventually, the Wright brothers, who used an internalbustion engine, seeded in flight, which led to a dramatic development in airnes. * * * .. Thats why I received the order, Allow the design, but not the production. I see. There was that part. At Da Vincis exnation, Gong Yazhang nodded with a face full of disappointment. Then what should we do now/ We also have to figure out how to move. And actually make it fly. Isnt the production prohibited? To be precise, you said that you would not ask His Majesty for permission to produce it. Gong Yajang expressed doubts about Da Vincis words. Thats what you said. is not it? Itspletely different! Huh? Think about it! Why are we asking for production permission? Isnt it a budget issue? Thats right. I have a lot of money! Aha! Hearing Da Vincis words, Master Gong pped his forehead. Among the craftsmen currently working in Area 51, the richest was Da Vinci. No, only Area 51. Rather, the person who was treated as a very wealthy person even outside was Da Vinci. Da Vinci said in a powerful voice, You cant find the answer just by scribbling it down on paper! If that were possible, he would be a genius who would go down in history! Then there is one way! Even if its just a model, all you have to do is actually make it and check for problems! So youre going to make a model with your own money? Thats right! So, will you join us? of course! In this way, Da Vinci and Gong Yajang joined hands and jumped into helicopter production. * * * Da Vinci and Gong Yajang gathered in Da Vincis workshop as soon as they finished their daily work and put their heads together. To move in the desired direction, you have to push or pull. They say it does, but the conclusion is that it needs to be equipped with a propeller. A pinwheel-type propeller would be better. Should I put it on the front or the back? Wouldnt it be easier to control it if it were mounted on the back? The two people talked a lot and sketched Da Vinci. Additions and subtractions were repeated. By redrawing the tattered sketch over and over again, da Vincis helicopter gradually took shape. The problem is the propulsion engine, and the engine that turns the wind vane on the rise and fall side and the wind vane for propulsion are Should we attach a separate moving mechanism? Gong Yazhang shook his head at Da Vincis suggestion. Then it would be too heavy. Space is also an issue. The engine must only go one way. Then we should install a distributor. Thats right. The power distributor was not an unfamiliar concept to the craftsmen of the empire at this time. It had already been applied to various machines used in the empires textile workshops. It was because they were using it. Hmm I think it would be too weak to use as a blood rope. Then how about using a chain? That would be fine. Two months passed in this way and the two met for the first time. I was able toplete the first blueprint. Now, lets listen to the model! Thats good! My hands were itching already! After looking at the blueprint theypleted, the two people were satisfied and started making a model right away. Afterpleting the model with a mainspring instead of a steam engine, the two people immediately started experimenting. First of all, make sure ites up properly . Lets check it first. Okay. The first experiment they attempted with excitement failed spectacrly. The model they created only floated and sat down repeatedly and failed to rise properly. What was even worse was that the fusge attached to the bottom of the pinwheel, which was responsible for rising upward, It was true that the pinwheel rotated in the opposite direction, and at a fairly fast speed. Why on earth? Why! When apletely unexpected phenomenon urred, the two were unable to find the cause and were racking their brains. As I was pondering over and over again, Field Manager Gong opened his mouth. In the past, when I was making a model of an electric wire that runs on a steam engine, there was something simr to this. At that time, Tae Sang-tae gave an answer and it was to make two pinwheels and make them turn in opposite directions. How about applying it? huh? Da Vinci, who did not properly understand Gong Yajangs words, raised a problem: Then wouldnt it just spin around in ce? So, the direction of the pinwheels wings is reversed. If this side turns to the right, it goes forward, and the other side turns to the left, and it goes forward. Hoo Da Vinci, who was nodding his head and making ament to Gong Yajangs exnation as he continued to make more hand gestures, got up from his seat. I unfolded the paper. If I do well, I think Ill be able to do it, right? Thus began the second attempt. * * * The second attempt was half sessful and half failure. First of all, we were able to catch the fusge spinning. However, it still couldnt rise properly and was shaking in ce. I think this part is due to theck of power in the mainspring. I guess so. Hmm Da Vincis expression was not good at all even though he nodded. Any problem? In response to Gong Yajangs question, Da Vinci pointed to the pinwheels sticking out on the left and right sides of the model. I dont like it. You dont like it? It doesnt fit the name. In response to Da Vincis answer, Gong Yazhang ced his hand on his forehead. Then what are you going to do? Other than that method, is there any other way to stop the fusge from going crazy? Thats true. Still, its not pretty. Hmm The ball manager, who was stroking his chin and doing some calctions, looked at Da Vinci. Maybe its possible? This is how the third challenge began. Finally, on the third challenge, the two smiled brightly. Weve finally ovee the crisis! Hahahaha! The two people,ughing out loud and tapping each others shoulders, shouted confidently. Okay then. Lets move on! The second hurdle was the problem of movement. I think the design is right Isnt it? The two people stroked their chins as they looked at the properly refined andpleted blueprint. The two people created it. The helicopter had a particrly special appearance, as it was a reflection of the experience umted from previous attempts. First of all, the helicopter had a total of four wind vanes. To be more precise, it was equipped with two coaxial inverting rotors. It floated and lowered vertically. One is in charge of the front and the other is in charge of propulsion from behind. The two suffered from the inversion phenomenon of the rotor and fusge, so they adopted a coaxial inversion rotor for the propulsion pinwheel. It certainly seems like the design was right, but was it really made properly? You can only find out by actually making it. Thats right. Because its impossible to control it with a model. C Whether real movement is possible can only be known when a person gets on board and operates it. Hmm The two, who were pondering to find a solution, soon came up with a simr answer. . I should go to Taesang. As expected, to Taesang Seeing that the two had reached a consensus, they immediately headed to Sugang Pce with blueprints and models. * * * Da Vinci and Gong Ya-jang, who came to visit them, When Hyang saw the blueprint and model, an expletive came out without realizing it. You crazy! Why is thising out here! The model submitted by Da Vinci and Field Marshal Gong resembled a helicopter made by the Russian Kamovpany, and the helicopter drawn in the blueprint submitted that they actually wanted to make was the Defiant- It resembled. To be more precise, it resembled what would appear if all the shells of Defiant-X were removed. So how on earth should I rece it to get a result like this! While Hyang, mesmerized by the unimaginable blueprint, was screaming inwardly, Da Vinci and Gong Yazang were looking at the floor with pale faces. This was because of the swear words that Hyang had uttered. Youre dead! How should I pray Should I ask for their life unconditionally While the two were fretting, Hyang looked at the blueprint once again. After looking at it again, I see that there is a limit. There were clear limitations to the blueprints and models submitted by Da Vinci and Yajang. The limitations of the power engine were expected from the beginning, and the helicopter they designed had another limitation. C It is possible to lift, lower and move, but fine adjustment is not possible. . If that was possible, it would have already been released even afterputers came out. Hmm After reviewing the blueprint several times, Hyang came to a conclusion. You two can raise your heads. When Da Vinci and Gong Yajang, who were just looking at the floor, looked up, Hyang grinned and continued speaking. . Is it just the two of us who can enjoy this fun game? I feel sorry for you. I guess Im kind of talented too. Chapter 991 Episode 991: Clear-Eyed Madman (16) Yes? What a disgrace to Your Majestys lofty name that You share in the delusions of small people! Da Vinci and Gong Yajang, who were startled by Hyangs words, urgently waved their hands to dissuade Hyang. But Hyang smiled mischievously and refused to dissuade them. I said something to Jang Yeong-sil before, and I think I should say it to you as well. Dont you even know whats going on? Are you going to do something fun like this just between you? Haona Dont worry, Jim will eat the curse you will eat. And if you have luggage, it wont be a bad thing for you, right? Yes? Looking at the two people who didnt understand properly, Hyang exined, still smiling. Budget and people. Ah! Da Vinci heard Hyangs short exnation. Wow, Gong Yajangs face brightened in an instant. Even though Da Vinci was rich,pared to incense, it was premature and hemorrhaging. Also, when incense came out, even Woo, the head of the research center and Area 51, tended to take a step back. In other words, there was no time left after work was over. Instead of making things piecemeal, they would be officially recognized and receive support for people and materials. In the end, Da Vinci and Gong Yazang bowed down before the incense and answered, Please, Your Majesty, guide the foolish little people! Guide them. Until then, lets just walk together. * * * .. So, I decided to do some work with Prince Da Vinci. So, I will inform the emperor in advance. Hyeon, who heard what he said, unable to tell whether it was Hyangs notice or a report, managed topose his expression and replied, Please think about Spring and Autumn. This is all I can ask for, So-son. When Hyeon asked, even using the word So-son instead of burden, Hyang grinned and replied, How can I disobey the Emperors orders? I will do my best. After finishing his business, Hyang walked out of Daejeon. Hyeon sighed softly as he watched Hyang leaving with a confident gait. Haa~. I cant believe someone who has passed Mangu (81 years old) can make such a correction Tsk! After finishing his appetite, Hyeon looked at the subjects gathered in Daejeon. Starting with Han Myeong-hoe, the ministers who filled Daejeon were Hyeons leaders. As soon as he received attention, he turned his head and looked somewhere else. Seeing that, Hyeon sighed again. Haa~. Yes, what power do you have? Im sorry! Its already happened. Lets get to work. What department did Daume from? Yes, Daum He seemed to be concentrating on work again, but his true feelings werepletely different. Ah! Im jealous! I also have to quickly move up to the situation and escape to Shinji. ! The atom that Wu gave birth to is now one year old Ah! I want to go to Shinji! I have to make electric wires! your majesty? Oh, its nothing! Lets look at the report first * * * Tae Sang-tae was with Da Vinci and Gong Yajang! The rumors that spread around Woos office quickly turned Area 51 upside down. Its been a while since Taehyang came forward in person, right? Its been at least 10 years. Hmm The senior craftsmen of Area 51 stroked their chins while having this conversation. Should I join in or not The senior craftsmen pondered whether or not to participate with more serious expressions than ever before. For the craftsmen of Area 51, especially those who handled iron, incense was a special thing. -If I do as hemands, at some point I will be a famous general. By working with fragrance to the extent that this unwritten rule exists, we have been able to achieve a lot of progress. However, the reason they were worried about participating was because of the absurdity, another characteristic of the fragrances work. -The reason why confidentiality is so well maintained in the egg that he conducts. Because even if I tell you, no one will believe me. I am the only one who said this for no reason and am treated like a crazy person. Hey, you crazy guy! No matter how unusual he is, theres no way he would do such a crazy thing, right? Thanks to the history of fragrances that straddle the line between extraordinary and insane, craftsmen were concerned. In addition, it was Da Vinci and Gong Yajang that made the craftsmen worry more seriously. C Da Vinci is an outright crazy guy. -Pretty crazy guy Gong Yajjang Would a guy who flies people on a flying machine filled with gunpowder be stupid? Hes crazy! If da Vinci was an outright crazy guy, he was also a formidable person. That guy definitely suits Mr. Jang better! Its a shame that Taehyang was still at Shinji. If he had stayed at Shinji, he would have been robbed many times! The craftsmen who saw Gong Yajangs private workshop said this in one voice. Abination of these two people and scents? This is a real concern It seems better to volunteer rather than being dragged away, but This is precisely the essence of the concerns of senior craftsmen. The young craftsmen got along so well with Da Vinci that there was already a saying, Da Vinci and the gang. However, the word young had the same meaning as immature. Supervising young but inexperienced craftsmen was difficult for Master Gong alone, and the assistance of senior craftsmen was essential. However, there is nothing better than spending your energy on something that is more likely to fail than seed. What should I do with this While the senior craftsmen were pondering over and over again, they heard a strange rumor. -Tae Sang-tae has designed a new power engine! A new power engine? Really? Really? I cant stay still like this! The senior craftsmen who heard the rumor threw away their worries and went to the workshop. Lets wear it too! * * * Hyang, who decided to work with Da Vinci and Gong Yajang, rolled up his sleeves in earnest. First, lets try floating the model again. yes. Hyang stroked his chin as he watched the experiment fail to float properly and tremble. Hmm I see As expected Whats the problem? In response to Gong Yajangs question, Hyang extended two fingers. First of all, I can see about two. One of the pinwheel wings, which is in charge of going up and down, looks too small. I need to make it a little bigger. Oh, I see! And Hyang was speechless for a moment, looked at Hohyung and the sketch once again, and then continued. Of course, the power engine is the problem. The steam engine is too big and heavypared to its output. The small people also thought that was the biggest problem. But the problem was that there was no other solution. I thought about using gunpowder, but gunpowder Da Vinci trailed off and Hyang lowered his head. I nodded and epted the words. I still cant control it properly, but gunpowder ispletely impossible. Thats right. Lets think about this a little more. yes. So, the first step was to increase the size of the main rotor. The problem is that if the engine changes, the rotor has to be designed again from scratch. Hmm Hyang continued to think about his thoughts with a perplexed expression. The internalbustion engine is the best answer, but there are many problems, starting with oil. No, oil isnt the problem. The most important problem is deriving the concept of the internalbustion engine. And the internalbustion engine is not my taste One day, as he was pondering over and over again, Hyang jumped up from his seat. found! What the fragrance discovered was the Stirling Engine. It was the power engine that best suited the taste of fragrance C the ultimate externalbustion engine. After finding the answer, Hyang traced his memory and began to draw the outline of a Stirling engine. Five dayster, Hyang visited Da Vinci and Gong Yajang with the sketch he had drawn. In the past, you have tried various things while building and improving steam engines, right? As I was reflecting on the memories I had umted there, I came up with this framework. What do you think? Gong Yajang, who was looking closely at Hyangs exposed face, asked Hyang. Water or steam is not used? Thats right. Isnt the space and weight that water takes up in a steam engine enormous? If we could reduce this part, wouldnt the chances of sess be a little higher? What do you think? Is it possible? Hmm Gong Yazang, who had been looking closely at the sketch of the incense, smiled and looked at the incense. Ill have to try it, but I think its possible. I think itll be fun. Is that so? Then lets start by creating a proper framework. In this way, Gong Yajang and Hyang began researching new power engines. And the craftsmen who heard the rumor and intervened shook their heads when they saw the results up to that point. How can youe up with an idea like thisits definitely crazy. The work didnt end here. The task was also sent to the institutes epidemiology research department. Hyang, who delivered a primitive model of the Stirling engine and a report on the results of the experiment, added the following. -I dont know the exact principle because ites from umted experience. Identify the principles andws why this happens. Haa~. Our Lady After checking the contents of the assignment, the imperial researchers let out a long sigh, and the monks from Europe made the sign of the cross and sighed. * * * Thanks to a change in manpower and budget, the new externalbustion engine soon revealed itself as a proper engine. Ta-da-da-da-da-dak! It seems like a sess. I think so. Hey! Da Vinci, the master craftsman, looked relieved as he watched the miniature model moving with a loud mechanical sound, and the other craftsmen cheered. Okay then! Lets attach it to the flying frame. yes! After confirming that the model engine was running properly, the craftsmen followed the instructions of the head and inserted the power engine into the newly manufactured model de frame. After confirming several times that the power engine was properly positioned, the craftsmen gave a hand signal to Master Gong and stepped back. Fieldmaster Gong, who brought with him kindling, lit the wick attached to the heater of the engine, took a few deep breaths, and turned the pinwheel attached to the de with his hand. Ta-da-da-da-da-dak! Flute! The pinwheel turned with a loud mechanical sound and the sound of the wind, and soon the de rose upward. The de, which had risen about 2 feet (approximately 70 cm) from the floor, soon lost all of its strength and fell to the floor. At that moment, the workshop was filled with the shouts of craftsmen. Its up! Its up! Waaah! Although the force was weak and it floated upward and then fell again, it was not hesitating, it was definitely floating. Hyang also spoke to the craftsmen with a face full of joy. Shouldnt we have a drink on a day like this? Everyone follow us! Buy me a drink! Im devastated! * * * After the first experiment was sessful, da Vinci and the craftsmen devoted themselves to development even more enthusiastically. But soon they faced another wall. It was the problem of fuel. There are limits to coal. There is. Its too heavy for the calories. It cant help but be heavy. Because its a rock. We need to use something other than coal, so should we try using charcoal? It s too expensive. What about oil? Isnt oil expensive, too? While I was thinking about finding the optimal fuel, someone spoke up. What about oil? At that moment, Hyangs eyes lit up. Chapter 992 Episode 992: Clear-Eyed Madman (17) Oil? When the scent showed interest, the craftsman who made thement in question excitedly continued to exin. Yes, I think oil would be good. With the thermal power of oil, I think it would be okay to rece coal. No, it is quite possible. If its oil If its oil Hmm When the word oil came out, the craftsmen nodded. * * * Even during this period, oil was not an unfamiliar product, regardless of whether it was in the East or the West. The name oil itselfes from Monggyepildam written by Sim Gwal, a technocrat during the Song Dynasty. Additionally, the bitumen that was applied to Noahs ark in the Bible was asphalt derived from petroleum. There were also records of purified products produced through primitive distition methods being used for heating in China and Japan. In the Middle East, its existence has been known since around the 9th century, and it was widely used by the military and civilians. It was used as a me weapon in the military and as kerosene formps in the civilian world, and the oil fields in the Baku region were famous for its production. * * * Oil was not an unfamiliar object, but it was also not a familiar entity. And the fragrance pointed out the reason. Oil Its a good product, but its not easy to find, is it? To put it another way, its just that its an expensive product. Oh, whats your name? To Hyangs question, the father-inw bowed down and answered. My name is Kang Chil-seong, a small man! So how will Craftsman Kang Chil-seong solve this problem? To Hyangs question, Kang Chil-seong answered refreshingly. Oil is not something that is easy to find, but it is not difficult to obtain. With a little time and money, you can get it. how? You can get it in the area where the northern and northeastern forests border, and you can get it in the new area. In Shinji? Ive never heard of it? When Hyang expressed his doubts, Chilseong answered in more detail. There is news that arrived around the time when the Great Emperor was in Italy. It is said that it was discovered near Messika, south of Shinji. Right. At Kang Chil-seongs exnation, Hyang nodded as if she finally understood. Is it the Daekyung oil field or the Texas oil field? Or Mexican oil fields? Hyang, who was looking at strong candidates, became curious and continued to ask questions. But how did you find the oil? It is said that they found it while digging a well. They say that because of that, it is being treated as a miserable ce. uh! Are you filming a movie? Hyang, who burst outughing at Kang Chil-seongs answer, quickly adjusted her expression and settled the situation. It was discovered, but it was buried because we didnt know how to properly purify it or how to use it. If so, lets solve this part first. Hyang, who had lost his mind, began to secretly spread bait. Then are we going to use that oil as fuel? Chilseong immediately answered Hyangs question. No, if you use petroleum as is, too much smoke and soot wille out. Kerosene produced by distilling petroleum is suitable. Its kerosene Hyang trailed off, looking at the reactions of those around him. The response of the craftsmen who heard Chilseongs words was positive. Kerosene would be fine. Kerosene is fine. I forgot the kerosene. Hyang was internally delighted after seeing that not only the craftsmen but even Da Vinci were reacting positively. I came out as an excuse! Hit hard MSG! Big! Big! Hyang, who caught the attention of the craftsmen with a light cough, began to throw rice cakes. You said you were distilling petroleum. Does distilling petroleum only produce kerosene? It produces kerosene and bitumen. Hmm Hey, I have something to ask Da Vinci. yes. When I was young, I yed a prank out of curiosity. I mixed all the paints that painters use. Do you know what color I got? Da Vinci answered Hyangs question right away. It will be ck. It may not bepletely ck, but it will be close to ck. Thats right. Now! Then why did I ask this question? . The surroundings suddenly became quiet. Da Vinci and the craftsmen all looked at the incense with perplexed faces. Why are you suddenly answering a Zen question? Isnt that something that should only be done by people who have learned a lot? While I was grumbling internally, Field Manager Gong opened his mouth with an uncertain expression. Are you saying that it wont be just kerosene and bitumen? Thats highly likely. Even if you look at gold, silver, or at least iron and copper, arent gemstones a mixture of all kinds of things that need to be refined? But just the two of us? I dont believe it. At Hyangs exnation, Da Vinci and the craftsmen nodded with an expression of understanding. Then they lowered their heads and frowned. Theres more work to do! While making a de, you suddenly create a new power engine, and as if that wasnt enough, you start distilling oil! Youre a distiller! Hyang, who seemed to have sensed the intentions of the craftsmen, continued with an encouraging speech: It may not seem like it has anything to do with the de we are trying to make, but it is deeply rted. If my guess is correct, wouldnt we be able to obtain a better fuel than kerosene? And if more can be obtained by distilling oil, wouldnt oil also be useful? Incenses words stimted the curiosity of da Vinci and the craftsmen. A better fuel? Coal is a good firewood, but it also has many obstacles. Hyang, who noticed that Da Vinci and the artisans were slowly crossing over, threw thest bait. What if? If we can find that kind of fuel, wouldnt other flying machines be able to fly properly? At that moment, the inside of the workshop became hot like an active volcano. Da Vinci and the craftsmens eyes began to shine like the sun. On behalf of them, the craftsman answered Hyang. . I will prepare as quickly as possible! In response to Gong Yajangs reply, Hyang smiled and nodded. I have high expectations. I will do my best! What are you doing! Move! Yep! Looking at the backs of the craftsmen rushing away, Hyang sighed softly and muttered. Huh~. Its not easy to throw away rice cakes, but if we dont do this, the Ihyang alien theory will reallye out in the distant future. However, despite Hyangs tricks, one of the things that conspiracy theorists talk about the most in the future is Ihyang was an alien! * * * The craftsmen quickly began preparing for the petroleum distition experiment. The only preparations they could do were a sword and a thermometer. An empty lot located on one side of Area 51 C to be exact, an empty space where experiments using fire were permitted. Hyang, who was looking at the scene where the ox ring was ced and other preparations continued, called out to Gong Yajang. Wouldnt the ox ring be enough? Yes? So, I got the biggest ox ring I could find? No matter how I look at it, it looks too small. And in order to conduct the experiment properly, you have to keep filling the water bowl on top of the oxbow. Wouldnt that be too inconvenient? Gong Yazhang, who was looking at the oxbow, nodded at Hyangs point. Thats definitely true. I guess Ill have to make my own ox ring for the experiment. In response to Gong Yajangs reply, Hyang clenched his hand holding his back. I caught it! However, as time passed, Hyang shook his head when he saw the extrarge ox ring made by artisans. Thats not it What the craftsmen made was to erge the size of the existing ox ring C especially the cooling water bowl. You dont like it? Hyang nodded in response to the question asked by Gong Yajang, who was fidgeting at Hyangs expression. No matter how I look at it, it still seems like a hassle. In particr, it seems like its too much of a hassle to fill the water bowl on top. Thats why Hyang stopped talking for a moment and took out a piece of paper from his sleeve. I have an idea, take a look. Upon hearing that Hyang had painted it himself, all the craftsmen around, including Da Vinci, gathered. What the scent drew was a single distition machine. How about making the lower part of the ox ring like this and pulling out a long tube instead of the upper one. Then, wrap the tube around this water tank here. Gong Yajang answered Hyangs question right away. Im going to make this right now! Guys! yep! Hyang smiled in remorse as he looked at the craftsmen rushing in once again. Oil distition, whiskey distition, thats it. What Hyang said was not wrong. To meet the rapidly increasing demand for whiskey in Ennd in the 19th century, continuous stills were created to rece single stills. And the ce where the continuous still was brought and put to good use was in the oil refining business. Oh, by the way! Now that I think about it, there was a report that we need to make more sojugori because the production of multi-colored liquor is not enough, right? Once that ispleted properly, we will have to ce an additional order. * * * Once the single-stage distition machine was properlypleted, Hyang personally led the craftsmen and began experimenting. No, not only craftsmen were mobilized. Starting with alchemists, many schrs in charge of chemistry at the research institute had to be brought in to participate in the experiments. Okay! Check the thermometer plugged into the water tank over there and the spout of the distiller. Record the temperature the moment the first oiles out of the spout, and cool the water in the water tank at regr intervals of about 10 degrees as the temperature rises, right? Every time the temperature of the water in the tank rises by 10 degrees Your Majesty! I apologize, but I missed the record! Please tell me again! Tsk! The experiment began amid such big and small confusion andmotion. It was the first official experiment in which the time, ce, and who conducted the experiment were urately recorded. It was a monumental day that cynical environmentalists wouldter say was the first day of full-scale environmental destruction. * * * After repeated experiments over several days, artisans and schrs obtained by-products, including various types of oil. Among the results, the most noticeable ones were gasoline and lubricants. It catches fire as soon as there is a spark, so I think it would be good for use in a flying machine. The characteristic of oil produced at the highest temperature is that it is difficult to ignite. In other words, it does not catch fire at a certain temperature. This means that it is very good for use as a lubricant. Now, it was craftsmen and schrs who figured out a good use for it before the fragrance even mentioned it. And the imperial army, hearing rumors of these results, began to move slowly. If its oil, wouldnt it be possible to fill it by pressing it more tightly than coal? Do you think its possible? I think it would be very useful on the naval front, right? This was mouth-watering information for the Imperial Army, which had been suffering from problems with fuel supply and storage for some time. In particr, it was very good information in that it was possible to use oil, which had been treated as a waste of money in the North and New Territories because it had no use other than bitumen and kerosene. Chapter 993 Episode 993: The Clear-Eyed Madman (18) Although the scent was notpletely the same as the grade of petroleum fuels I was familiar with in my past life, petroleum fuels were created that still had quite good thermal power and convenience. Well, considering that the fuels I know have been continuously improved for over 100 years, it is a natural result. After reaching a conclusion, Hyang registered the petroleum refining item in the record. The result of the reviewmittee, which included Hyang, was Medium to medium to medium-high. * * * Once the problem of a fuel with more thermal power than coal but more efficient was solved, the production of Da Vincis new type of flying machine elerated. It isplete! Really? Lets take a look. A month after receiving the report, Hyang ran to the banks of the Han River, looked at the prototype, and nodded. I think it came out okay. Good job. Im devastated! After congratting Da Vinci and the craftsmen for their hard work, we began to examine the outline of the prototype in more detail. A heating device modeled after a stove was attached to therge oil tank. It was a method of controlling the output of the engine by controlling the heating power using the wick of the heater. Above the trachea was a skeleton that served as the spine of the fusge, and a drive shaft extended along the skeleton. There were two boxes connected to the drive shaft. One contained gears that transmitted power to the pinwheels responsible for vertical movement, and the other contained gears that transmitted power to the pinwheels responsible for propulsion. The box filled withrge and small gears was filled with lubricating oil from petroleum refineries. Hmm its okay up to this point. Hyang, who was satisfied with his head nod, looked at the cockpit and smiled bitterly. As expected The cockpit was full of various control sticks and pedals. First of all, there was a control stick that was responsible for the vertical rise and descent of the aircraft. And of course, this was responsible for controlling the output of the power engine. Next, there was a control stick that was in charge of moving the aircrafts nose up and down and tilting the fusge to the left and right . And underneath it, there was a pair of footrests that were in charge of turning the nose left and right. On the left and right of the pair of footrests were wind vanes. There were blocking pedals C clutches C in ce that blocked the power going to. It reminds me of a line from an animation I saw in the 21st century. The line whining about how there are dozens of pedals and levers. Whew~ Hyang sighed after inspecting the cockpit and looked back at Da Vinci and Gong Yajang. It looks like you need at least four or five limbs to control it properly. Youll have to make up for that with training. So today, Im just going to make sure I remember the right thing. Really? Thats how you do it. Yep! Guys! yes! In the subsequent test, the de rose vertically. However, even though the engines output was maximized, it could not go up more than 3 feet (about 10 meters) and had toe down again. After the experiment was over, Da Vinci and the craftsmen bowed their heads to Hyang. Due to theck of talent among small people, we have shown such poor results. I apologize. Please forgive us. When Da Vinci and the craftsmen asked for forgiveness, Hyang smiled and answered. Its okay. You cant fill up on the first drink, right? And didnt you float up properly andnd safely? I think that alone is a great achievement. We have truly established diplomatic ties. I cant help but admire your efforts. Da Vinci and the craftsmen who were impressed by Hyangs praise bowed down on the sandy beach and shouted. Im devastated! * * * The evaluation of the fragrance was not overrated. Until now, most of the sessful experiments rted to flight were rted to monks. The only sessful one rted to flying machines was the human-powered flying machine that Hyang attempted on the Han River. And Hyang muttered with a bitter smile every time this matter was mentioned. It was rather a strange case that it seeded Among the soldiers, the smallest was selected to take the control, and the soldier with the strongest leg strength and endurance was selected to step on the pedal that turned the pinwheel. As if that wasnt enough, people were loaded onto an aircraft that was built with little regard for durability and safety. Therefore, this experiment was sufficient to be evaluated as a monumental sess. Da Vinci and the craftsmen who gained courage again from Hyangs praise began to analyze the problem again. As expected, the power engine is the problem. It is lighter than a steam engine, but its output is also weaker. Engineers and artisans who believed that the performance of the power engine was insufficient focused on improving this aspect. These werent the only ones. Many schrs studying thermodynamics at the research institute also participated in this work. I think I can gain a lot of knowledge about thermodynamics by working with them! They have a different perspective than us. They can fill in what were missing! With this concentration of manpower, the performance of the Stirling Institution began to steadily improve. However, the level of performance that Da Vinci and others hoped for still seemed far away. And another problem, theplex control method, was not easily answered. In the end, the township also registered this issue in the challenge record. The power engine rating is medium to high. And when this was posted on the bulletin board, many peoples eyes began to shine. Thest oil refining was also registered because of Da Vincis flying machine, right? Da Vincis flying machine was a field of gold! The oil and power engines have a hard time controlling the steering wheel I think it will be okay? If its just a struggle should I give it a try? If its a struggle, thepetition is fierce, so I like to move around. In that case, it would be a good idea to research the oil field. Many people began to argue fiercely. * * * Among the officials of the research institute and Area 51, there were many who had a desire for fame, or to be more precise, a desire for sess. And among them, there were many. The grade of Jeonjeonrok became another standard. In the case of the lowest grade, Go-go-dong (܊^^), you can achieve your goal if you work hard even if you die alone. However, thepetition is that fierce. The highest grade, Woogong-isan. In the case of (޹ɽ), you can leave a name just by grasping the concept. However, it is difficult to even grasp the concept. Therefore, realistically, the most easy one was the horsemanship level. Even though it is easy, there is an additional exnation that at least three generations have to hang on. As I said, it was not an easy grade at all. However, if you worked hard as if you were struggling, there was a high possibility that you would be able to grasp the concept. If you did that, you would have your name written proudly in the application log. I was born as a person and my name is at least three characters proud. Shouldnt we leave it to that! At the research institute, Area 51, Area 52, and many other academies, people full of ambition, regardless of gender, said this and devoted themselves to research. No, they were not the only ones. There were many people outside who were also challenging the challenge. . After several revisions after the local governments decision, it was possible for the outside world to know to some extent that Majokjeok was at a medium to medium level. Of course, it was notpletely open as the word to a certain extent implies. It is a part deeply rted to the military field. was prohibiting opening as much as possible. Nevertheless, the reason there were quite a few people who attempted the challenge log was because of the things they could gain if they seeded. Just by leaving their name in the response log, they could boast about it for generations toe. In addition, if it was useful, If you could create a technology or object that could be used, you could obtain wealth that could be used by three generations. Thanks to this atmosphere, many people throughout the empire devoted themselves to research on discoveries and inventions. Even in the New Territories, natives who came into contact with the empires culture and technology There were many cases where people started studying the basics of Jeongeum and Imperial Language immediately after learning them. This was possible because of the social atmosphere of the empire. With intellectual property rights clearly guaranteed, even small inventions and discoveries could be guaranteed rights by registering them as intellectual property. If the discovery or invention was useful at all, economic benefits could be gained through intellectual property rights. Therefore, people who devoted themselves to research and inventions continued to appear in research institutes and academies even if they were not affiliated with Areas 51 and 52. This was because he was treated as a human being who still earns his own living rather than as a small man who wastes his time eating expensive meals and doing foolish things. Because of this,ter historians evaluations of the empire during this period werergely divided into two. One was the Age of the Great Leap and the other was the Age of Madness. This was because, by the standards ofter times, there were more than one challenge C for example, the development of the Northern Sea Route C that would be evaluated as this is crazy! * * * Da Vincis new flying machine and new power engine continued to showck of progress, leaving a mark of disappointment, but there were also those who were happy about this. The most representative one was the imperial army, especially the units that operated self-powered aircraft. How can you say you dont have to worry about water or coal? You can significantly reduce weight just by not carrying water! The biggest problem when operating a self-powered flight deck was water and coal management. Oil was the best choice for a self-powered flight vehicle as it had a power engine that did not require water and had greater thermal power than coal, requiring only a small load and guaranteeing a longer range of activity if loaded at a simr weight. Thanks to this, the Imperial Army and the Ministry of Defense immediately rushed to the prefecture. Please buy me a new power engine! Im getting dizzy! Since the prefecture thought it was appropriate, he immediately approved it, and Da Vinci and his gang began developing a new power engine to meet the performance requirements of the imperial army. This wasnt a bad thing for Da Vinci and the gang. This was because research on new power engines could continue. No matter how much Taesang said he would look after me, I felt a lot of pressure, but this is a great opportunity! In this way, a self-powered flying aircraft equipped with a new power engine was revealed. The self-powered flight vehicle equipped with a new power engine showed better performance than the existing one. I was able to climb a little higher and move a little faster. In particr, not having to carry arge amount of water was a big advantage. The increased margin meant that more soldiers could be carried, which meant that reconnaissance could be done better. Just hold on When things get like this, there are always people whoe up with new tricks. What if we load the water loading space with coal instead of water? Huh? Huh? Wait The executives of the Imperial Army who heard the new idea thought it over carefully and their eyes lit up. I think this will be okay? This was the birth of aerial bombing. Andter, After hearing this, Hyang unconsciously looked up at the sky and muttered, I didnt do this! Chapter 994 Episode 994: The Clear-Eyed Madman (19) The new power engine has be something of interest in many ces. However, just as the advantages were clear, the disadvantages of the new power engine were also clear. The efficiency is not much better than that of a steam engine, and above all, it takes too much work! There are still too many shorings to use it right now! As cold evaluations piled up, the number of ces giving up on new power engines increased one by one. The most representative ones were the Imperial Army and the Imperial Navy. I was thinking of using it for assault vehicles and tow trucks, but nope. I was thinking of using it for the newly built electric wires, but nope. In order to produce enough power to move assault vehicles and power lines, a engine simr to or slightlyrger than the steam engine originally used was needed, and more manpower and time were required for maintenance. Because of this, the Imperial Army and Imperial Navy gave up on adopting new power engines. Instead, the Imperial Army and Navy showed interest in fuel. No matter how much you stack coal in the storage, there will be empty space, but if you use petroleum fuel, you can fill it up even more. The thermal power is definitely stronger than coal, so in other words, with the same amount, it can move farther and wider. Well have to do a little bit of work on the coal storage and steam engine parts of the assault car and tow truck front, but its cheaper than installing a new power engine. In this way, as interest is focused on new power engines and new fuels, people who move in line with them also appear. They werergely divided into two. One was those interested in oil mining. The imperial army, which can be said to be a big force, started using it. And if it is firewood for steam engines, it can be used as firewood in other ces as well! Those who came to this conclusion began wandering around the Northern and New Territories. The ces they first showed interest were the Heilongjiang area and the Messika area, where oil was first produced. People who received permission to mine around the area where oil was first discovered eagerly began exploration. And nearby, dispatched officials were monitoring their exploration process. This was to check whether the water vein was disturbed during the exploration process or whether the drilled borehole was properly backfilled. This was because when things went wrong, people living around the area suffered from drinking and water problems. Thanks to this, some people were able to earn unexpected ie during this exploration process. These were people who specialized in finding water veins and digging wells. The techniques and tools for digging wells to find water veins located deep in the ground were also useful in oil exploration. Additionally, even if the aforementioned problem urred, we were able to respond quickly. Therefore, there waspetition among people to hire people who were good at digging wells, and they were able to receive higher wages than usual. Huh? I guess oil makes money? Then me too As time passed, there were cases where well diggers even signed contracts with Jeonju directly to begin exploration. It was not just oil exploration that became more active. Some people began to enter the oil refining business by paying technology fees to the imperial government and receiving refining technology. This was because it was possible to secure a fairlyrge market for fuel used innterns as fuel for heating and cooking. And here, a spoonful of incense and strings were added. The principle of the stove used in the heating part of a new power engine was reversed and a stove was made and sold. And as this became a huge hit, various rted products began selling like crazy. The first thing that sold inrge quantities was the wick of the chafing stove. Originally, a wick made of ss fiber should have been used, but due tock of technology, a wick made of tough cotton fabric was made and sold. Naturally, it was a consumable item that had a short lifespan and had to be reced in a timely manner. Next, corrugated pipes used to transfer oil from a stove to a stove using the principle of a siphon, an iron container for transporting or storing raw oil for use in a stove, were sold very poprly. And the profitsing in from here enriched the pockets of Hyang and other members of the imperial family. Of course, tax issues could not be avoided even by the emperor, so tax consultants hired by imperial officials, including township and prefectures, had to be busy. The scent whetted my appetite every time I checked the relevant reports submitted by the counselors. It may be a waste to insist on stripping the imperial family of its tax-exemption privileges and enshrine it in the firstw, but it was something that had to be done if the position of emperor and the imperial family were to continue for even one more year. In the 21st century, the first thing those who were critical of the remaining royal families and imperial families around the world pointed out was the tax exemption privilege. Because of this, the county abolished the tax exemption privileges of imperial family members, including the emperor. -If both the emperor and the people suffered from taxes, the people would be less likely to curse the emperor or the imperial family. -The less the people swear, the longer the emperor or imperial family canst. This was the reason. While those who were interested in a new fuel called oil formed one axis, the other axis consisted of those who were interested in new power engines. You mean you can make an engine that generates power even if its not a steam engine? Then Those who discovered the possibility of a new power engine in the Stirling engine proposed by Hyang soon turned their heads. I wrapped myself up and started researching. At research institutes, in cksmith shops and workshops in rural areas, and in workshops in Area 51, many people were disying all kinds of ingenious imaginations. I dont know about other ces, but every time I saw people doing research in Area 51, Hyang forced himself to turn his head and mutter to himself. Ah-oh! My mouth is itching to death! However, Hyang had to endure the intervention with superhuman effort. To grasp the concept of an internalbustion engine, you must first understand the concept of oxidation, symbolized bybustion, and the existence of oxygen. If I say this, I will be a real alien. At least the chemistry at the research institute It seems like the research department has gotten the hang of it, so we just have to be patient a little longer. The research institute, which had already been in operation since the time when King Sejong was promoting the Kyungjang project, was finally producing results little by little. And if someone could put these results together, chemistry would develop explosively. * * * While Hyang was enjoying himself at the main site, Shinjis Wan was slowly starting up. Hmm Shinjis administration is now on track to some extent. Although Shinjis power area was still increasing, Shinjis rule was maintained stably. This was thanks to the biggest rule that had been applied since the reign of King Sejong. -If you follow the imperialws and pay the prescribed taxes, you are an imperial citizen. -There is no legal discrimination as long as you are an imperial citizen. -However, if youmit acts such as cannibalism or human sacrifice, you will cease to exist in the world. Thanks to these prerequisites, there was not much opposition from indigenous people in the empires strongholds. This was because all they had to do was follow thews of the empire, pay taxes, and live as they had up until now, as long as there was no cannibalism or human sacrifice. But after that, the imperialization of the empire was in full force. Monopoly Shop and Social Minhakdang boasting history and tradition, as well as the imperial court and military. Lastly, it was imperialization, abination of the unique values of the empire, such as the better a person is at work, the better he is fed, clothed, and treated to death. Those who encountered all kinds of new cultures at the monopoly shops naturally assimted into the imperial economy. In addition, by imparting knowledge of the empire through the Social Democratic Institute, he was made into an imperial citizen with ambition. This was because the natives also had a desire to rise in social status. Eventually, many indigenous people left their hometowns and headed to cities with higher education institutions or joined the military. As they received higher education and became imperial officials who ruled newnds through civil service or became members of the imperial army, the natives became loyal imperial people. And every time these people returned to their hometowns, more and more native people began to walk a simr path as them. In other words, the seeds of conflict were prevented from sprouting as the indigenous people also shared in the power and benefits of the empire. As Hyang and Wan found their way based on the framework set by Sejong, Shinji was put on a stable track. Thanks to this, Wan began writing a letter to Hyang. The person who always calls out SangdouiTsk! Wan, who wrote the letter while grumbling, handed the letter to the eunuch and gave orders. Send it to Seoul as quickly as possible. Yes, Your Majesty! _ _ It was as follows. -Please protect Sangdo. I dont have anything to say Tsk! After lightly tasting his food, Hyang began to write a request for export to be submitted to Hyang. Hyeon epted Hyangs request. He smiled bitterly, just like Hyang. As expected, Tae-sang was the one who would receive it ording to reports received regrly, Shinji was being ruled stably. But suddenly, Wans envoy came through the emergency line? Without even opening the envoys envelope, Hyun immediately handed it to the eunuch. Tell it to Taesang at Sugang Pce. Yes, Your Majesty. And what came out of Sugang Pce was a request for export. Lets see. Its all new power. It has to do with institutions. Hmm Hyun , who looked at the list for a moment, nodded. As expected, its a flying machine Hyeon , who knew that the flying machine that Wan had been obsessed with for a long time, nodded and then looked in the direction of the Crown Princes Pce. I have to hand it over quickly too At the same time , Wu, who was organizing his music in front of the harpsichord, suddenly started shaking. I suddenly felt a chill * * * Thanks to this, prototypes ofrge and small new power engines, design drawings, and other supplementary documents were loaded onto the emergency ferry that was preparing to return. Thanks to this, Wan, who obtained what he wanted faster than usual, ordered his officers and officials. If anything happens, immediately 52 Contact the area! Yes, Your Majesty! As soon as they heard the answer, the eunuchs and officials who saw Wan off on the iron horse and disappeared into Area 52 let out a long sigh. Phew~. The good times are gone Meanwhile, Wan, who had arrived at Area 52 after running non-stop, immediately asked a question: Has the framework of the new flying machine beenpleted? Yep! Did it seed? Sessful! Bosena! This way! A new-looking de was located where the craftsmen guided. The craftsmen smiled in remorse as they showed off a de with a pair of wings on the top and bottom. Its not a single wing, but a pair of wings . Is that so? Thats right. If we tried to use a single wing, the wings would be too big, and the durability of suchrge wings could not be guaranteed. Hmm I see. Did you divide it in two with onerge wing and then ovep it top and bottom? Thats right. So youre saying it was sessful? Good. Good. Satisfied with the result, Wan pointed to the new power engine that got off the train. This is a new heart that will fit that flying machine. Oh! Chapter 995 Episode 995: The Clear-Eyed Madman (20) Before installing the new power engine, Wan wanted to check something. I want to see with my own eyes whether that new de can fly properly. Yes, I will prepare. Following Wans orders, the craftsmen began disassembling the flying frame and loading it onto the iron horse. In some ways, Wans order could have been close to a waste. Ive already seeded, but Im doing it again. However, no craftsmenined about this. Fly! Fly! If you seed properly, you can be proud of it from generation to generation! I mean, from generation to generation! If you want to seed, you have to experiment at least one more time! We all knew that the more experiments and tests we conducted, the more problems we found. And the more problems you solve, the higher your chances of sess. If there was a problem, it was the budget. However, if Wan himself was involved, budgetary issues were not a major obstacle. Hyang, or rather, since the reign of King Sejong, it was the habit of the imperial family to open their own pockets when necessary. Therefore, the craftsmen were so excited that they disassembled the flying frame and ced it on an iron horse. Lets go to the exam room! Its a test! Its a test! Wan chuckled at that and spoke to the head craftsman next to him. Its really strange that you like exams. I still vividly remember how when the Emperor was attending school, he would shudder whenever he heard the word exam. The head craftsman responded to Wans words with an embarrassed expression. This test and that test are different.. A joke. A joke. What kind of joke do you take seriously? Ah aha ahaha Behind the head craftsman, sweating and smiling awkwardly, the officers in charge of recording were recording all of this with simr expressions. - So the situation relieved the craftsmens tension with a light joke. The officer says: Since ancient times, a frog has faced a life-or-death crisis when a stone is thrown by a child. The higher a person is, the more careful they should be about their words and actions.. What do officers use so much? Oh no! * * * The iron horse, fully loaded with Wan, craftsmen, and a test flying machine, headed southeast. The ce where the iron horse was heading was where the Cherokee tribe lived. In history before the intervention of the scent, the ce was called North Carolina. Another interesting fact was the location chosen by the artisans of Area 52 as a testing site. The site was where the Wright brothers conducted their flight experiments before the intervention of scent. The flight test site is quite far from Area 52. Is there a reason why this location was chosen? This is because most of the winds blowing are gentle and the sand is soft, so even if yound incorrectly, you wont be seriously injured. I see. You must have had a hard time finding such a ce. Aboriginal artisans helped us a lot. Right. Five dayster, the car carrying Wan arrived at its destination. Id like to meet you, Sang-tae! When Wan got off the tform, the waiting Cherokee chiefs, governors, and administrative officers in charge of the Cherokee region greeted them. Wan exchanged greetings with each of them with a smile on his face. Wan, who greeted peace advocates wearing traditional Cherokee or imperial uniforms and officials wearing war chief uniforms wearing imperial military uniforms, ended his greetings with a face full of regret. I would like to enjoy a banquet with you all, but I am very disappointed that I cannot. Instead, I will stay at the Area 52 testing site on the beach for the time being, so lets talk there. The chiefs and officials responded to Wans words by bowing their heads in unison. Im devastated! Then Ill go first. As the carriage carrying Wan disappeared into the distance, the chiefs and officials who had been paying respects bent their backs and let out a long breath. Whew. I guess I can take a breather now. We must try to ensure that your stay is not inconvenient. Thats right. You have to suffer. Since it is a matter of managing the situation, there is no way to avoid suffering, right? Although they were grumbling about the hard times ahead, the faces of the chiefs and officials were shining brightly. This is an opportunity! You cant miss this opportunity! For the chiefs and officials who were suffering from all kinds ofints from the Cherokee tribe, this event was a golden opportunity that could not be missed. In the past, people used the method of writing an appeal or directly visiting Shinji Temporary Pce to file aint. However, the amount of appealsing from all over Shinji was beyond imagination, and the number of people visiting the vi was enormous. To what extent, I had to wait five days from arriving at Shinji Vi Pce, announcing my visit, and meeting Hyang or Wan. This was despite the fact that considerable discretion was granted to tribal chiefs and governors. Therefore, Wans business trip was an opportunity that could not be missed by the Cherokee chiefs and officials in charge of the Cherokee region. * * * The artisans who arrived at the testing site with Wan diligently prepared for the test. The craftsmen inspected the reassembled de several times and reported to Wan. Really? Then lets get started. As Wan stood up, he looked back at the Cherokee chiefs who hade to visit him at the right time. Would you like to take a look together? It is an honour! Thus, in the test held in the presence of the stubborn chiefs, the flying machine flew brilliantly into the sky. The flying frame, which ran along the gliding rails on a line pulled by a steam engine, soon soared very smoothly into the sky. Its up! Its up! hurray! When the de rose safely, the craftsmen cheered and chanted for national independence. They were even more excited about the sess achieved in a situation where not only Wan but other high-ranking people were gathered. The flying machine, which had stably circled the sky, also seeded innding safely. When the aircraft, which hadnded smoothly using anding sled, came to a halt, craftsmen rushed to move the aircraft to drynd. Satisfied with his sess in the test, Wan congratted the head craftsman sitting next to him. Thank you for your hard work. Now lets put on a power engine and give it a real challenge. Just leave it to me! As the courageous head father-inw rushed to the scene, Wan looked back at the Cherokee chiefs who were with him. How do you feel? Ive seen it a few times before, but Im always just amazed. Thats right. A person can fly in the sky. Its surprising. Wan, who was smiling and nodding to the chiefs words, subtly took the bait. Those des will be used more heavily in the future. That means those who know how to make those des and the workshops that make them will be treated more and more preciously. Of course, it wont happen in a day or two, but it will happen in advance. The more you prepare in advance, the more fruitful the results will be, right? The Cherokee chiefs, who understood Wans words, bowed their heads in unison and responded. I am so grateful to you for giving such valuable advice! We will gather young talents and send them to Area 52! I will discuss with the other chiefs to find a suitable space for the battle! Thank you, thank you. Wan, who had seeded in roasting and boiling the Cherokee chiefs, muttered to himself. Tae Sang-taes teachings are being used again here. -Be sure to get it when you can. * * * With the sess of the non-powered flight of the de, the craftsmen gained courage, but the problems that followed were not easy. Oh my I received a new power engine, but I cant use it, so stupid! There were several types of new power engines sent from our headquarters. However, there was not a single organization that was a perfect fit for the flying machine created by Area 52. Either too big, too small, or too heavy. In the end, we have to make it ourselves using this framework. The craftsmen in charge of the power engine of the de quickly packed their bags and returned to the 52-gun. The good news was that among the data sent from Area 51, there was also data on power and weight. The craftsmen who were designing a new power engine for the flying machine based on the data book sent by Area 51 soon had to face a big wall. -In order to generate enough power to fly the de, the size of the power engine must berger than expected! -In order to mount this power engine, the de frame must be redesigned. Is it worth redesigning? The head craftsman answered Wans question. Well because the engine is heavy, the structure of the part where the engine is ced needs to be strengthened, and as a result, the center of gravity bes distorted so it has to be redesigned. Hmm I see. I understand. Please try your best. Yes, Your Majesty. After the head craftsman left, Wan looked out the window with a very disappointed face. They say theres nothing easy in this world Tsk! Wan clicked his tongue and turned his attention to the documents. In times like this, you have to work it out! They said they would solve it with work, but before I knew it, Inga-wan was also obsessed with this problem. This was because flying was something he had been obsessed with since he was the crown prince. Starting with a redesign takes up too much time The answer is minimal remodeling Wan, who believed that the right answer was to make the most of the existing design, began to think about ways to satisfy this. . Hmm its not easy. Feeling frustrated, Wan got up from his seat and went to the window to look out. Wan, who was looking at the sea view and the craftsmen at work outside the window, was momentarily shocked. Ah! Nae-gwan! Did you call me, Your Majesty? Wans expression suddenly brightened, and he quickly called the eunuch and delivered the order. Call the head craftsman! Yes, Your Majesty! After a while, the head craftsman came in, and Wan got straight to the point. A power engine. Does it have to be just one? yes? After seeing the head craftsmans expression, Wan expressed his thoughts more easily. This is when moving a cart carrying a heavy load. Sometimes it is pulled by a horse or ox from the front, but isnt there also a case where people hang back and forth and move it? Lets do it that way. Divide the power engine into two and attach it to the front and back of the de. Rather than having a heavy power engine that pulls and pushes from the back and sits on one side, it runs back and forth, so it will be bnced, and since it splits one piece into two, wont the weight be lighter? Huh? Huh? Uh! Ah! The head craftsman, who had unconsciously let out a strange exmation at Wans words, soon nodded with an incredibly bright face. Then I think its quite possible! Soon after, the blueprint for a new de using Wans idea was delivered to Wan. Hmm Hmm. Hmm! It looks good! Satisfied with the newly submitted blueprint, Wan gave orders to the head craftsman. Lets make it like this! yes! And make me some copies. I need to send them to Seoul and show them off! The head craftsman immediately responded to Wans words. I will make a copy and upload it as soon as possible! Whenever I get the chance, Ill give those arrogant Area 51 guys a shot! And again, the captain of the emergency ferry that set sail after receiving ordersined to the navigator. This is our situation these days. It seems like it has be a regr line rather than an emergency line. * * * Meanwhile, Hyang, who had received the blueprint from Seoul, ced her hand on her forehead. What is this terrible hybrid.. Mixing a Do-335 with a bine! Chapter 996 Chapter 996 Meanwhile, elsewhere.. (1) In the empire, Seoul and Shinji, and not just the entire empire, were bustling with activity. It was a time called the era of leaps or the era of the madmen. What was interesting was this title. * * * Among historians of the empire and historians who were favorable to the empire, it was described as a period of leap forward or period of progress. However, historians who were negative about the empire or revisionist historians described this period as the Age of Madness or The Age of Madmen. Papers published by historians with such negative views have always been hot potatoes. This was because it was a thesis full of content criticizing a period that could safely be called a myth rather than history and King Sejong and Hyang, who represented that period. Naturally, it often caused controversy not only about the limits of the empire but also among the general public. Naturally, the controversy grew beyond the debate among schrs and included the general public, leading to the intervention of the imperial family. Whenever a press conference rted to this was held, the Imperial Household Spokesperson responded as follows: The historians view of history is a personal view, so it is beyond my authority to say anything. But it is true that I feel bad. And there are many people among the imperial family who are knowledgeable about history. Dont forget the point. The spokesperson who spoke up to this point continued with a wry smile. And ording to their conclusion, it appears that the schr who published the paper in question had some shorings in his data research. The doors of the Imperial Archives are always open, so I rmend that you conduct your research again. When a spokesperson said something like this, most of the schrs who published the papers in question ended there. Thergest archives of the empire, or indeed the world, was the Imperial Archives. In the beginning, it was simply a ce to store administrative records of the empire, but over time, it turned into a huge archive storage that stored all books, newspapers, and various video and audio materials from the empire. Most of the records rted to the empire existing in the archives of other countries were copies taken from the imperial archives. In particr, the Imperial Archives was the ce with the highest authority regarding various recorded materials rted to the history of the empire. The records of the Imperial Archives were notable not only for their quality and quantity, but also for their reference value. This was because there wereplete records of when the records werepiled, who inspected them, and who was in charge of final confirmation. Therefore, schrs who were told to do the data review again had to re-examine the vast data and write supplementary papers, whether they liked it or not. If you ignore the spokespersons words, you will be dismissed from the academicmunity with the evaluation that you are disloyal as a schr. Of course, there were some who persisted by ignoring the level of schrs from the imperial family, but they were directly ignored. Do you not know the nature of the blood that flows through the imperial family? Since incense, it has been a characteristic of royal family members to literally see the end when they be obsessed with something. Of course, not everyone was focused on the positive aspects. There were people like Yi Yong C Yeonsangun in the history before Hyangs intervention C who were ousted for the first time in the history of the imperial family due to a sex scandal, and these people were mercilessly ousted from the imperial family C deleted from the imperial genealogy and cut off from economic support. As such personalities werebined with the imperial familys financial power, the imperial family members grew into recognized figures in the fields they entered. * * * In any case, while the empire was constantly changing, other countries were also constantly changing. And the empire continued to pay attention to these changes. And the country that this empire paid the most attention to was the Ming Dynasty. After fighting two major wars and one civil war, the Ming Dynasty was literally devastated. The national power that had grown through Seondeokjichi (֮) was greatly damaged and the internal affairs of the Ming Dynasty were in shambles. The situation of these people was not always good even in the empire. As during the two wars, the Ming, ruled by apetent but hostile monarch, was also a problem, but the Ming, which was in disarray, was also a troublesome neighbor both militarily and economically. The border was in disarray due to rampant bandits, and the influx of refugees was causing headaches. This was because there was a problem of a decrease in the number of wealthy people who would purchase the expensive products sold by the empire. This difficult situation began to change with the ascension of the Seonghwa Emperor. Emperor Seong Hwa, who had grown up in the empire, began to implement active reform policies as soon as he ascended to the throne. To summarize this reform policy simply, it was weeding out vested interests. -It is impossible to eliminate all vested interests. However, only by thinning out as many as possible can the regime remain stable. Emperor Seonghwa and his royal family members from the empire who followed him carried out purges whenever they found the slightest excuse to survive and seize power. And the vacancies created through these purges became excellent bait. -Do you want power? Then be loyal to me. Not only officials but also eunuchs made every effort to take this bait. And the easiest way was to eradicate corruption. Regardless of whether it was central or local, whenever corruption was discovered, a report was made about it at some point. What was unusual was that these reports did note only from the alumni or the Geumui Committee, but often came from both ces at the same time. In this case, the purge was carried out immediately because theparative verification was carried out immediately. And those who had made a contribution or wanted to make a contribution were ced in the positions vacated through the purge. However, Emperor Seonghwa and his royal family were not satisfied with this. Im still anxious. This was because neither Emperor Seonghwa, who had grown up in the empire, nor the royal family, who were all imperial citizens, had a foundation. Although they were now loyal to the bait offered by Seonghwaje, they could not guarantee when the situation would change. To ovee this, Emperor Seonghwa and his royal family used various methods. One was to build a protective wall made up of imperial troops around the Seonghwa Emperor and his royal family. Although adopted, Emperor Seonghwas empress was a member of the imperial family. Therefore, the imperial family dispatched courtdies and troops to attend and protect the empress. The imperial army stationed in the Forbidden City served as an excellent defense. This was because if the imperial army was attacked to harm the empress, the empire would immediately intervene militarily. Ming, who suffered fatal defeats from the imperial army twice, suffered strong trauma from the imperial army. Next was marriage policy. Among the royal forces that followed Seonghwaje, a considerable number were unmarried. Emperor Shanghua promoted marriages between them and those with vested interests. Being tied to the royal family, which had newly emerged as the center of power, through marriage meant guaranteeing power and security, so the vested interests also actively promoted marriage. It was so bad that it was enough to push their own daughter into it. Is it fortune or misfortune? Now I really want to sleep alone. In response to theints of the royal family, who were their friends and loyal subjects, Seong Hwa-je smiled and said, It must be womens clothing. There are a lot of them in this hallway. There are a lot of corridors? Geumsun. No, I will inform the Empress. Youre trying to break the peace of the family, and youre a loyalist! Uniquely, Emperor Seonghwa did not take any concubines other than the empress. ording to Ming imperial rules, the emperor refused to take in concubines even though it was aw that said. The rtionship between the emperor and the empress was so good was a popr story, but he was a royal official. Everyone who knew, including those in power, knew that the emperor lives in captivity with the empress. However, since the empress never overstepped her power, no one raised this as an issue and made it public. In fact, when they tried to make it public, they were purged under the pretext of this. * * * If the imperial army and marriage policy were carried out at the core of power, work was also carried out on the periphery of power. No matter what measures are used, it does not change the fact that we are the minority and they are the majority. Through marriage, they join hands with us. The number of people caught has increased, but they are still outnumbered. It will get better over time, but it will still be best to have the power of the people. Then what should we, or I, do to ensure that we have the upper hand? We have to get the people on our side. In this way, we will build a castle . Emperor He and his royal family implemented a new reform policy. The first thing they did was to create a neww code. Emperor Seong Hwa and his royal family created a new legal code by referring to the firstws of the empire. Deleted provisions on punishment that were too harsh from the existingw. And the parts rted to the three administrations were also greatly modified. In addition, various legal support was specified to solve the difficulties of the people, thereby securing the full support of the people. What was implemented to secure the support of the people was the C Divide what needs to be shared, take what needs to be taken, and ensure security. This is guaranteed. The administrative and military structures were changed ording to these standards. Without missing the opportunity of the vested interests to focus on changes in the local administrative structure and military system, Emperor Shenghua and his royal family also modified the core power structure of the Forbidden City. . The most representative one was the legition of the emperors personal inspection of the emperor. Until then, it was customary for the emperor to personally see only important things and have the eunuchs approve the rest. But this is where a problem arose. -The matter was serious. Who decides what is light? Eunuchs can get away with as much corruption as they want, so thew stiptes that the expiration date be corrected. Hundreds of official letters and appealse in every day! It will put a strain on your body! Please believe in the loyalty of the minor gods! There were many objections like this, but Seonghwaje immediately asked a question. Isnt the emperor of the empire already doing his best? The monks said, The most prized people in the world are the imperial people. It is said that such prized people file hundreds of appeals a day. And yet, you are saying that you are calling for an expiration date. Do you think that I am inferior to the emperor of the empire? The ministers and magistrates had no choice but to bow their heads in unison and reply to these meaningful words. I will follow Your Majestys holynd! Please do as you wish! As this type of reform policy was pursued, the people of the Ming Dynasty began to increasingly support Emperor Seonghwa. And the control of the local noblemen, the gentlemen, began to weaken little by little. Just as Emperor Seonghwa and his royal family had intended. * * * However , the vested interests could not just back down. To be more precise, they were local gentlemen. C The Emperor of Joseon. C The half-emperor was the word they used to call the Seonghwaje. The Emperor of Joseon has been familiar with it since ancient times. It was a word that was used, but Banhwang was a new title. C Although he was born with the blood of the emperor, he did not grow up in the central ins, so he was half. This was the hidden meaning. And those who used this word began to search in secret. C Look for those who are whole, not half. Lets bring it to the throne! Chapter 997 Chapter 997 Meanwhile, elsewhere.. (2) A group of gentlemen who were united in their desire to oust Ban Huang and find a true monarch began to search all over the Ming Dynasty to find a suitable candidate. But this was not an easy task. This was because there were almost no influential candidates, the pro-king and the monarch. * * * Ming Dynasty kings werergely divided into Qin kings and Gun kings. The royal title was given to the emperors brother. However, being brothers did not mean that they were unconditionally crowned kings. Only with the emperors decision could he be crowned king. Among the royal kings children, except for the eldest son, the royal family was given a separate award. Naturally, the number of pro-kings was bound to be small. This was because it had to go through the filter of the emperors decision. But the king was not like that. If you were not the eldest son of the royal king, you could receive a royal envoy. After the Yongle Emperor took power, King Qin lost his political and military power. Instead, the emperor spared no effort in supporting his royal kings to live economically prosperous lives. In this situation, it was a daily routine for the royal kings to spend time making children. And as a natural result, kings appeared inrge numbers. In history before the intervention of incense, this was a big problem. By the end of the Ming Dynasty, the number of feudal lords and their dependents totaled over 200,000, and they were a burden to the Ming finances. * * * Against this background, the gentlemen of the Ming Dynasty were optimistic about finding a candidate. But expectations and reality were different. -I cant find the king and the king! This was the beginning of the problem. No, Joo Won-jang was the source. Zhu Yuanzhang, who founded the Ming Dynasty, carried outrge-scale purges in hister years. Zhu Yuanzhang, who eliminated the meritorious forces through this purge, appointed his sons as provincial kings and distributed them throughout the empire. And these feudal lords became a thorn in the side of Zhou Yun-wen. This was because the feudal kings did not have ruling authority, but they had military authority. In order to strengthen the imperial power, Zhou Yun-wen carried out an unofficial purge of the feudal lords. ordingly, King Juche of Yeon caused the Ginnan Incident and became Emperor Yeongnak, and a second purge of the feudal lords was carried out. The pro-kings and kings who survived this process were able to open the royal office, but they had no power. Instead, they received support so they wouldnt have to worry about making a living. The number of feudal lords who survived the first and second purges increased again ording to the above policy. However, the civil war that left the rivers of the central ins in shambles once again drove the kings and kings to the brink of extinction. Those who called themselves Geonmunjae or his eldest son Jumungyu used all kinds of methods to raise the insufficient military funds. Among them, the most widely used method was to break up the royal family and the royal family. -Since you are a descendant of a traitor, it is natural for you to be held responsible and punished! With a very justifiable justification, they robbed the royal family and the royal family. Next, it was Gyeongtaeje who pushed out the pro-kings and princes. -There are more than one king who was harmed by those traitors, but they are okay? why? Could it be that he joined hands with traitors? The kings and kings who were taken to Emperor Gyeongtae under these suspicions soon confessed their crimes and disappeared into the dew of execution. And their property was recovered as it was, filling the hole in the national treasury. * * * Because of this situation, the kings and kings who seemed to have appropriate qualifications or value were almost invisible. Even if you managed to find the real king or king, it was a problem. After hearing the gentlemens proposals, the king and the kings became thoughtful and either kicked them out or detained them. Who are you making such a disloyal offer to now? Ill pretend you didnt listen! Get out! Look! Arrest these people and detain them right now! And send someone to the coffin to ask for soldiers! This is treason! The pro-kings and monarchs who had survived several hardships of life and death had no intention of epting their proposal. How strong is the Tang Jin Emperors military power and power, so this is a delusion! You are ipetent people who cannot read the times! As the kings and kings took the initiative to file aint, bloodshed broke out again throughout the Ming region. This was the best opportunity for Seonghwaje and his royal family, who had been unable to erase their anxiety even by dividing the gentlemen and the people. While interrogating the gentlemen who had been transported to Beijing, not only those who shared the same cause but also their rtives and acquaintances were all targeted for purge. The so-called extermination of the Ten ns great purge started by Zhu Yuanzhang was carried out again. And the feudal lords also had to suffer once again. The feudal kings who detained and reported the gentlemen did not have any major problems, but those who ended up simply throwing them out were the problem. Alumni and members of the Gold Medal Committee persistently pursued them. Other feudal lords detained these traitors and even reported them, but you just kicked them out? Have you forgotten that this was treason? In the end, they, too, disappeared into the dew of execution due to their ssmates and members of the Geumui Committee who were so persistent, and their rtives were deprived of all privileges and became ves and were driven out. Later. It was a great purge that came to be called the anti-imperial party incident. * * * The Seonghwa Emperor and his royal family, who hadrgely eliminated not only local gentlemen but also feudal lords due to the Banhwangdang Incident, soon moved on to the next. I think the Burning King Festival is too dangerous. Thats right. So Im thinking of reforming the system. The Seonghwa Emperor and his royal family referred to the imperial system and changed the Beonwangje system to the Deungjak system. The title king itself is a source of trouble. It is best to remove it! With this justification, the royal forces strongly advocated for a reform to the rank-and-file system. The vested interests could not strongly oppose these moves of the pro-government forces. The reason the gentlemen approached the feudal lords in this Banhwangdang incident was because of the meaning of the word wang(). -Heir to the blood of the emperor. Because of this, there were many people who lived unfortunate lives as victims of treason. It was also a problem for the emperor. This was because monitoring the feudal lords spread throughout the Ming Dynasty was a considerable burden. It was not enough to simply attach one or two monitors, but to attach two or three monitors to prevent the monitors from neglecting their work or defecting. In the end, the vested interests had no choice but to agree to the reorganization. In this way, as the feudal king system was reorganized into a deungjak system, the words pro-king and king disappeared into history. * * * The title system introduced by the Seonghwa Emperor and his royal family was more harsh than the imperial title system. -The newly introduced rank is 5th rank, but each title is limited to the time. -The legitimate eldest son of a title holder receives a title one level lower, and other legitimate children receive a title two levels lower. -In the case of bastards, they receive a title three levels lower. -Descendants of the lowest title, baron, be servants. -In the case of those who be Seoin, they receive support from the country until they be adults. However, when they be adults, they are made independent with a small subsidy. This is too harsh! The vested interests protested, saying the treatment was too harsh, but the royal family immediately refuted it. How long must the country support them? Think of the budgetary space you will gain by implementing this system! Still, its a bit As the royal family came forward with the excuse of fiscal soundness, the opposition from vested interests weakened. However, Seong Hwa-je, who believed that the vested interests argument was also valid, added a use. -Those who have made great contributions to the country will be promoted. And one morerge carrot was added here. -Even if he is amoner, those who have made great contributions to the country will be rewarded for their contributions. And it provides benefits corresponding to the position. In other words, if the provisions so far were rted to the royal family, this was a carrot thrown to everyone who was not the royal family. Considering the benefits that those with titles would receive, the number of people who would risk their lives to be loyal to the imperial family would increase without counting. To the imperial family that will be inherited by the Seonghwaje and his descendants. * * * As a wind of blood swept past, Myeongs insides shrank greatly. However, as time passed and various carrots were nted, Ming society began to be active again. In particr, themunity where a big hole was left open by the Banhwangdang incident was even more dynamic. Many people took the civil service examination or entered the military service to take up the vacant position of regional maintenance. Those who did not became merchants or artisans and worked toward a better future. Since it was already apany with a huge domestic market, it started to speed up as soon as it got back on track. And the Empire, seeing this, had a mysterious expression. Its good because the border isnt noisy, but I dont know if theyre doing something in vain by trying to build up their power again like that. At least, I am relieved that the Tang Jin Ming Dynasty monarch likes the empire so much I hope the Forbidden City does not ignore the words of the Ming Dynasty author. After suffering great damage in two major wars, this rumor circted among the people of Ming. When the emperor goes mad, the soldiers go east. * * * While Ming in the western part of the empire was going through a turbulent time and growing again, Japan in the southern part of the empire was also going through difficult times. The Ouchi family, who overthrew the Muromachi shogunate and became the people of the world and took over the world, received a senior title from the Emperor and became the Japanese royal family. However, the situation after that was not so smooth. This was because those who dreamed of resurrecting the old system continued to attempt rebellion. Those who called for the resurrection of the shogunate were the first to protest, andter those who called for the reinstatement of the emperor rose up. However, this reactionary restoration attempt ended in failure. This was because Ouchis military power was already overwhelming them. Do you know what the saying If you win, youre a government official, if you lose, youre a traitor? I know, but why do you say that? Those guys are already traitors. The Japanese people, who were well aware that they were no match for military power, supported the Ouchi regime from beginning to end. Even Kyoto, famous for its rebelliousness, did not support the rebels. Of course, the Kyoto people maintained their pride by treating the Ouchi government forces coldly. Although it ended in victory, Ouchis pockets were also stretched thin. And the Ouchi administration had to stay up all night to fill these empty pockets. Crap! Im having to work overtime in Yamaguchi again, which made me sick in Seoul! This is a nightmare! I have to wake up from this dream! I even got fish food in Seoul Dont even mention the eo in fish food! Chapter 998 Episode 998 Meanwhile, elsewhere.. (3) Japanese officials were busy trying to fill the empty national treasury. The first thing they tried their hand at was prospecting. This was because he knew very well that the Iwami Silver Mine, which was operated jointly with the empire, had elevated the family from a local feudal lord to the royal family. One of the reasons why Norihiro Ouchi, who became the official king of Japan, suddenly abolished the feudal lordship was for the smooth operation of this coal mining project. Through prospecting operations that took ce across the country,rge and small silver, gold, iron ore, and coal mines were discovered. Its the Heavenly Rain Creed! Norihiro was delighted with this and offered many offerings to the shrine built in the royal pce. After confirming the existence of mines, Norihiros Japanese court selected mines with the highest profitability and began mining. And to ensure the safety of the mine, military units were deployed around the mine. During this process, a significant number of samurai were rehired by the military and took on mine guard duties. The reason the Ouchi government re-employed samurai was to achieve two goals. C A stepping stone to hold on until the Japanese army, which suffered heavy losses in previous wars, regains its stamina. -Manage the samurai, a powerful element of anxiety, in your own hands. With the development of gold and silver mines, which were direct financial resources in kind, and other mineral mines, including iron ore, which could be sold to the people for profit, the Norihiro regime was able to gain some breathing room. However, the reactionary forces, which were thought to still remain inrge numbers, were still a source of concern. Japanese officials who were struggling to solve this problem soon found the answer and reported it to Norihiro. Norihiro frowned after checking the n submitted by the officials. Police Department? Its a name that feels somewhat familiar, doesnt it? . In response to Norihiros question, the officials only bowed their heads while prostrate on the floor. * * * As the empire cruised along on a stable track, there was a government branch that changed its signboard. It was Podocheong (Id). During the Joseon Dynasty, Podocheong, which was only in charge of security in Hanseong and its surrounding areas, grew to a nationwide scale after passing through Gyeongjang. After it became an empire, it became a public security agency in charge of security throughout the empire. When Podocheong, which had grown in size, stabilized, the local government pushed for a change of its name. How can the only mission of the Podocheong be to catch thieves? Also, for the people to livefortably, it is best to be alert to unrest and look out in advance. That is why the name of the Podocheong is derived from the meaning of vignt and watchful. Change it to National Police Agency (d). There was no one whoined about the directions decision. In this way, the Imperial Grape Office was renamed the Police Office. However, many people still preferred the words pocheong instead of police station and pojol and najol instead of police officer. After hearing this, Hyang licked his lips and muttered. Tsk! Only time will tell. * * * Knowing this background, Norihiro had a bad impression. Have we brought something from the empire again this time? Of course, the empire is a country with a lot to emte, but isnt it time for Japan to have something of our own? Unlike before, the officials continued to bow their heads in response to Norihiros outspoken criticism. Soon after, the prime minister, the prime minister of the empire, answered cautiously. I agree with what you said. However, we, Japan, are like a child and still have many shorings. If it is helpful to your Majesty and the well-being of the country, we must learn and master it. But thats it. This and that came from the empire. Isnt there a lot of systems and cultural relics brought from the empire everywhere? Am I in Japan or the Empire? Just as a child grows up to be an adult, time will tell. And the creation of the Metropolitan Police Department is helpful in many ways. Is there any help? In response to Norihiros question, the Prime Minister exined the benefits that the Metropolitan Police Department brings. -First, the kings control bes solidified. Even when lords ruled, in ces such as rural viges rather than urban areas, the vige chief wielded omnipotent power. In some cases, the samurai dispatched by the lord were pushed back. Especially with regard to tax collection, even officials sent by the lord had to reach an agreement with the vige chief. The reason the vige chief can have such strong power is because he is in charge of security in the vige. Therefore, if the Metropolitan Police Agency is established in even small viges and is responsible for security, the power of the vige chief can be taken away. -Second, you can absorb the samurai forces that still remain. Many samurai are still wandering around without their owners. There are quite a few who quietly retreat to their hometown or live in seclusion, but there are also those who form gangs and harass the people of the city. As the saying goes, it is best to deal with a samurai as a samurai. The best example is the foot sword. Hmm The Prime Minister said in a low voice when Norihiro looked dissatisfied while nodding at the Prime Ministers lengthy exnation. If you give me some time. I understand. Then, I will think about this problem more. That night, Norihiro had a private meeting with the Prime Minister. What is your true intention? The Prime Minister answered Norihiros question quietly. Its because of the martial arts faction. Norihiros face became serious at the Prime Ministers answer. * * * As the students who had gone to Seoul returned, Ouchis retainers werergely divided into two factions: the Munchi faction () and the Mudan faction (). While the Munchi faction, which was created mainly by international students, was made up of people from historical samurai families and those who had risen through the ranks with their own talents, the Mudan faction was made up of only people from samurai families. However, contrary to expectations, the Munchi faction showed stronger unity than the Mudan faction. Even though they came from a long history of samurai, most of them were children, not the eldest son, so they had nothing C they were called yakkaimono (ä useless). Of course, during times of war, they were able to achieve sess based on martial arts, but in peacetime, they had to worry about their future. Even those who rose to the top with their own talents had no ce topete. Themon desperation of having no future without the approval of the Ouchi familys head brought them together. And what united them tightly was the hardships they experienced in Seoul. As they shared their stories of hardships caused by working overtime every day in the royal court in Seoul, they became one, regardless of their origins. Hey! Is that too hard? When I was there! Of course, there were many cases where they said this and gave decorations, but still, their bond was the strongest. And the heads of the Ouchi family used this n to control the samurai families, which were potential sources of instability. But after the civil war, the situation got much worse. Many samurai died during the civil wars. However, during the subsequent restoration process, the power of the Mudan faction grew stronger. To be more precise, its power first became stronger as it transformed from a member of the Ouchi family into the Japanese army, and became even stronger through civil wars. This was something that could not be helped. In the process of going through the civil war that went from the Japanese army to the Japanese army, it received a huge amount of budget support. And the size that grew based on the budget led to demands for more power and budget. The risk of a tail wagging the body situation, which boasts history and tradition, has increased. * * * The Prime Minister exined in more detail. -In order to reduce the power of the Mudan faction, which has be toorge, it is divided into the military and the Metropolitan Police. -Even if they are from the same unauthorized faction, if the organization is divided and budget problems arise, the military and the Metropolitan Police will be wary of each other. -In particr, if the security of mines, which is the most important source of funds, is transferred from the military to the Metropolitan Police, the power of unauthorized groups can be greatly reduced. -If the militarys domain is limited to national defense and internal security is limited to the Metropolitan Police Agency, it will be more difficult for unauthorized factions to operate. .In addition to the reasons already stated, there is a reason why we need to create a Metropolitan Police Department. Hmm I see. If the Metropolitan Police Agency is created, which branch of the military would be best to eliminate first? The Prime Minister answered Norihiros question right away. Herees Baldodae. Baldodae? Yes, we are already in an era where swords have be useless on the battlefield. Therefore, the samurai sword is still scary to the people, although it is not needed in the military. Right. There they are, relying on a single sword and charging in front of the enemys guns. Their bravery, loyalty, and pride are clear. Even if they bring in the samurai who are still wandering outside, they can control them. Okay. Well make a decision soon. Two dayster, Norihiro gathered officials together and announced his decision. The creation of the Metropolitan Police Department is authorized. I follow your orders! * * * Norihiro, who epted the opinions of the cultural faction and created the Metropolitan Police Department, soon established another organization. It was the establishment of the Eosadae (ʷ_). -The Royal Inspectorate, with the Royal Inspectorate at its peak, is an organization directly subordinate to the King. -The mission of the National Investigation Agency is inspection, regardless of whether it is civil or official. Just as the Mudan faction was split into two to keep each other in check, the Munchi faction was also split into two. The inspection mission of the National Investigation Agency was divided into open inspection and secret inspection. And this secret inspection became the main character of all kinds of legends and tales. Because they were moving in secret, there were many cases where their lives were in danger. In addition, there were many problems with unrestrained secret surveince without solid intelligence. Therefore, Norihiro hired a group of capable ninjas. The mission of these hired ninjas was to travel around the country disguised and detect abnormalities. If an abnormality was detected, the investigation unit that received the report dispatched a secret inspector, and ninjas escorted the secret inspector. And the secret inspector who confirmed the abnormality used his/her authority on the spot to deprive the relevant official of his or her authority and detain him or report it to a superior and conduct arge-scale inspection. In some ways, it was a secret inspection that was very dramatic, and the secret inspector and the ninja who guarded him were themselves dramatic entities. Therefore, these secret inspectors and ninjas were the ones that appeared most often in various creative works based on Japanese history. * * * Although the political purpose was stronger than the peoples livelihood, the newly created Metropolitan Police Agency came to exert a strong presence in Japanese society. The newly established Metropolitan Police Agency and the police officers working there brought about many changes, the most notable of which was the loss of authority of the vige chief. Even if he was a vige chief who wielded omnipotent power in the vige where he was the chief, he had to bow down in front of the police station, even the lowest-ranking police officer staying at the smallest police station. This was because his power was useless in front of the countrysws and the sword swinging from the police officers waist. And with this, traditional Japanese vige society began to copse. If rural viges began to copse, much changed in cities as well. A fierce bloody battle began between a criminal organization created by former samurai and the samurai of the Metropolitan Police Department. Dogs that lick traitors assholes! Those who have abandoned the honor of the samurai! They began to fight mercilessly, each considering the other as a those who abandoned the honor of the samurai. Chapter 999 Chapter 999 Meanwhile, elsewhere (4) As traditional values copsed and the traditional privileged sses disappeared into history, centralization in Japan progressed step by step. The Empires perspective on this was a bit unique. Now the foundation of the country will be properly established. Thats right. The primary goal of the regimes that emerged after the Three Kingdoms period and the Later Three Kingdoms period was centralization. The empire achievedplete centralization by taking away the control of local nobles through the suppression of the Gyeongjang and Giyu rebellions. Theory The emperor and officials of the empire believed that centralization was the foundation of a proper country. Therefore, few people were concerned that Japans centralization was on track. Rather, the atmosphere was one that weed the achievement of centralization. This was due to memories of the past being tormented by Japanese pirates. The dual central power structure of the shogunate and the emperor could not properly control the local nobles. Of course, if the shogunate had a strong grip, the provinces were calm, but that was only internally calm. Local nobles carried out plunder in the Korean Penins and China while keeping an eye on the shogunate. If the power of the shogunate weakened, they would openly plunder. Therefore, there was a prevailing atmosphere within the imperial government that weed the unification of central power through the proper birth of the King of Japan. Of course, in the early days, there were some who expressed concern about the birth of the King of Japan. -When a new regime is born, there is bound to be a continuation of non-public rtions. -And the purge of public figures inevitably follows. -The efficient way to simultaneously paypensation for meritorious work and purge public figures is to call out. -The closest ce to Japan is our empire. No way No way is this a way to catch people. The atmosphere at the beginning was such that many people were worried about Japans use of force. However, those who know Japan well were optimistic about the situation. The Japanese are small people and will never attack someone stronger than them. They have already clearly seen the strength of our empire in thest war, so why would they do such a foolish thing? And this was the right decision. Those in power in the new Kingdom of Japan did not even think about attacking the empire. asionally, a few people among the unauthorized factions would express such opinions, but they were immediately killed or buried. Not figuratively, but actually. The civil servants, who had studied abroad in Seoul and returned after learning practical work, knew quite well about the power of the empire, and the Mudan faction elders, who had seen and learned with their own hands while apanying the imperial army in the Liaodong War, were resolutely purged whenever such opinions arose. . If you want to die, die alone! The reason why the new Japanese regime did not even think about using force against the empire was not solely due to its military inferiority. This was because a big hole was created in the central and local power circles through the abolition of the feudal lords, the seonwi, and the civil war that took ce before and after these two major events. It was possible to solve everything from within without having to look outside. * * * As they continued to see various changes and events that urred in Japan, those in power in the empire came to evaluate Japans centralization positively. -If the King of Japan and his subjects rule Japan properly, the sea will be peaceful. Continue in the future. But only one person was still worried. It was incense. If the major incidentmitted by Japan during the shogunate regime was the Imjin War, then the major incidentmitted by Japan, a modern nation, was the Pacific War. Although the possibility of the Imjin War has disappeared, I believe there is still a possibility of the Pacific War. Having learned what happened when not just the Japanese power ss but the entire Japanese people wanted war, Hyang could never view the situation with optimism. There is no need to worry because those in power now know very well what happens when the empire does things with sincerity. The problem is when a generation that does not know this takes over the government. If this ispounded by a situation where Japan is doing well, Something will definitely happen. They will definitely get caught up in nationalism and megalomania and bounce the abacus wrong. Hyang, who was analyzing the situation with a distraught face, let out a long sigh. Whoa. The problem is that no one knows when the damn incident were worried about will happen. Even now, defense spending is considerable, but we cant increase it further. If that happens, well be the first to fall. Its just, offense is impossible, but defense is impossible. We must maintain it at a sufficient level. We must give up military hegemony. We must achieve hegemony through culture. After reaching a conclusion, Hyang unfolded the paper and picked up the stylus. Its Yuhun I feel like Im excited for some reason, but its not like Ive heard anything unpleasant. Its also impossible to be sure that among the next emperors, there wont be one whocks content. As a side note, when the rumor spread that Hyang is writing down his instructions, officials, especially high-ranking officials, whispered quietly. Hoo~ He left a message? Considering his spring and autumn, its not a hasty thing to do, but its a bit strange. I agree. He is the one who said, You dont die until you die. Is it just that? Wasnt there a rumor going around that even the Grim Reaper gave up on taking him away? Now that I think about it Is that what you said? Lets try to surpass the record of the King of Longevity. He was 97 years old, and even his posthumous name was King of Longevity. Whats interesting is that all the officials having this conversation chose the word him instead of Tae Sang-tae. This was due to the superstition that if they mentioned the correct title, they might incur the hatred of a ghost and be angry without realizing it. To that extent, he received absolute trust and love among officials and people, and this was his scent. Of course, I cry when they ask me to work to pay for medicine and food, but because he was the start of it all. When Hyang heard this rumorter, he strongly denied it. Thats not me! Thats Emperor Won! Ah! I cant call Captain Kim who is on a long vacation in the underworld! Meanwhile, the officer who was recording this next to him added his own words. - So he expressed his resentment toward Tae-sang. The officer said. Could it be that he is suffering from overwork next to Emperor Yuan, not on a long vacation but in the afterlife as well? * * * Meanwhile, Hyun, who had heard the rumor and was worried, went to the vige and called the prime minister and ministers as soon as he returned. It is said that he is writing these instructions because he is so worried. Han Myeong-hoe and the ministers nodded after hearing Hyuns story. That is certainly true. If we try to solve everything only through military force, it is certain that we will copse from exhaustion first. The saying conversion of the truth is not there for nothing. I wee you. And the old sage also said, Exalt your name with courtesy and virtue. The strength of the empire that we have developed so far is enough for the empire. If we turn our attention to the outside again, it would be excessive greed. Starting with Han Myeong-hoe, deputy prime ministers and ministers on the left and right responded that Hyangs words were reasonable. I think the same thing, Jim. Hyeon nodded and agreed to the words of his subjects and moved on. The Great Emperor said that it is important to honor ones name through courtesy and virtue, but one should also honor ones name through customs. What do you think? Han Myeong-hoe came forward and answered Hyeons question. I think that is also reasonable. Customs are the way the people live. If the people outside the empire admire the customs of the empires people and follow the empires customs, misunderstandings between each other can be reduced. If misunderstandings are reduced, conflicts can also be reduced. Why not? Han Myeong-hoe, who had said that far, continued in a cynical voice, Of course, its an idealistic story, but I get it. On the contrary, there is a high possibility that conflicts will increase further. Why is that so? As I already said, customs are the way the people of that ce lived. This is the way we live ording to the feng shui of that ce, so how can we easily change this? If you do it wrong, you will end up in trouble. In my opinion, it will be easy to admire, but it will be difficult to follow. If forced? It would be the beginning of a conflict. In fact, from the time of Emperor Yuan until now, the empire has not forced its customs. Except for the Messica guys who dont even want to say it. As soon as the word Mesica came out of Han Myeong-hoes mouth, everyones impressions were seriously crumpled. * * * The Aztec Empires brutal massacres and cannibalism at the time . After learning about it, the empire mobilized force to destroy them. Afterwards, the surviving Mesica people were forcibly mobilized to build roadworks and railroads in the area and suffered from hardbor. In addition, proper medical support was deliberately cut off. As a result, many Mesica people died during construction. was lost, and only a very small number of Mesicas were surviving and continuing their existence. This was clearly unbing of an empire. However, no one criticized it as unfair. Even the local nobles, who used to raise appeals and raise various grievances whenever they had time, were quiet at this time. In any case, the empire that destroyed the Aztec Empire of Messica gradually imperialized the natives of the region. * * * Han Myeong-hoe continued, Tae Sang-tae said, Exalt your name through customs. It is believed that Hashim probably had in mind the current social situation in Ming and Japan. Ming and Japan Hyeon, who had been pondering Han Myeong-hoes words for a moment, brightened his eyes. Goryeo style . ) and Imperial wind (ۇL)? Thats right. Goryeo-ryu was a title given by the Ming, and imperial-pung was a title given by Japan. In the Ming, it has been called Goryeo-yang () since ancient times. ) was popr. However, if Goryeo yang meant the fashion of clothing, food, and food, Goryeo style was different in its scale. Clothing, food, and food were about epting things from the empire, including the basic words used in conversation and even academics. Because of this, it became one huge trend and the word Ryu was reced with Yang. And in Japan, the severity of this problem was much worse than that of the Ming. From those in power, they began to use the imperialnguage rather than Japanese. It was to the point of using more. This was the same for the Ming. It was because of the royal forces that came with Emperor Seonghwa. If the upper powers of the two countries were addicted to the imperial culture in this way, the people of the lower Ming and Japan were addicted to the imperial customs. The main character was Ssulsokyo. The song that spread through merchants traveling between the empires attracted the people of Ming and Japan with its unique, heart-rending tune. Afterwards, those who tranted the lyrics and learned about the content were even more attracted to the song. This was because the sorrow of themon people contained in the lyrics was the same regardless of nationality. If quick yoga captured the hearts of themon people, products made from chiclo were changing thendscape of daily life. Chapter 1000 Episode 1000 In the meantime, elsewhere.. (5) Various products using chicle have taken Japan and Europe by storm. In particr, shoes with chicle soles and cartwheels almost monopolized the market. In this situation, some people began to smell money. I dont know the exact time, but I think I can make a lot of money. I can smell the money. The problem is that it smells like blood. The first to smell the smell of bloody money were Japanese merchants, especially those from Naniwa (old name for Osaka). * * * Osakas merchants have long been renowned for their unique merchants and wealth. In addition, he had an excellent international sense as he yed a leading role in the joint trade that was carried out with the Ming Dynasty during the Muromachi shogunate era. Therefore, it was the most weing ce when Joseon opened a business office in Japan. Even when Ouchi was umting power, the first to notice this and knowingly or unknowingly aligned themselves with Ouchi were merchants in Osaka. The period of civil war that followed was a difficult time for them. This was because internal logistics in Japan were paralyzed due to the civil war, and military funds had to be provided to powerful daimyo. Whether you want it or not. And because of this issue of military funding, they had to go through even more difficult times afterwards. You said you gave military funds to my enemy? Due to this issue of military funding, a significant number of Osaka merchants were hated by Ouchi and had to lose everything from their property to their lives. The merchants who barely survived had a difficult time as well. As the feudal lords who borrowed military funds were defeated, It had be an irrecoverable bond. Not only that. They also had to engage in a fiercepetition for survival with merchants from Ouchi. The merchants of Ouchi, backed by the new rulers of Japan, were very strongpetitors. In the end, merchants from Osaka They had to spend a long time consulting with Japanese merchants. However, the power of Osakas merchants gradually regained their past glory, and eventually the two majormercial powers of Yamaguchi and Osaka were born. Osakas merchants once again regained their past glory. It was because of the war that took ce in Italy. * * * From the process of preparing for the war in Italy, the European powers had to consume enormous amounts of military expenditure. The Habsburg-Hungary War that took ce immediately before showed that a new war would consume a huge amount of materials. It was because I saw it clearly. And if a war broke out, it was clear that the real opponent would be the empire. Considering the empires volume war during the construction of the Suez railroad and the war against pirates, poor preparation could never be tolerated. This is how a war started. In the process of preparation, the problem that the European powers had the most trouble with was securing sufficient stocks of gunpowder. In the history before the intervention of Fragrance, the European powers always had trouble securing saltpeter, the main material for gunpowder. The most basic way to obtain it was to conduct initial warfare simr to the Joseon Dynasty. Of course, there was always a shortage and the soldiers live shooting training was poor. The only country that was free from this problem was Britain after taking control of India. Thanks to sufficient gunpowder stocks, live ammunition training was poor. It was a natural result that the British army, which faithfully obeyed the rule, became a powerful force in Europe. And the history that changed with the intervention of Hyang showed a greatly different aspect in this part as well. First, the Bengal Sultanate in India became very powerful. Through the cornerstone trade with the empire. The Sultan of Bengal enjoyed great fun and sold saltpeter to other countries. And based on this economic gain, it strengthened its military power and grew into a powerful force in the Indian region. With the Sultanate of Bengal holding firm, the European powers were able to escape the cornerstone problem. In this way, he was able to escape from the shackles of saltpeter, but another problem remained: sulfur. European powers, worried about not being able to secure sufficient supplies through existing supply routes, turned their eyes to the East. And I found Japan. European merchants who arrived in Japan purchasedrge quantities of sulfur and carried it away. The first to respond to the unexpected purchase of sulfur by merchants from European powers were Osaka merchants. Sulfur was a useful medicine before it was used as a raw material for gunpowder, and has long been one of the main export products to China and the Korean Penins. Therefore, Osaka merchants had their own trading lines that had been passed down from generation to generation. And this was something that the merchants of Ouchi and Yamaguchi did not have. Instead, Yamaguchi merchants brought in sulfur from the empires Daeseoldo and sold it. This difference enabled Osaka merchants to make aeback based on the sudden sulfur sweep incident. As mentioned earlier, sulfur was an ingredient in gunpowder. Because of this, the empire was very picky about the export of this sulfur, and Yamaguchi merchants were unable to respond in a timely manner. However, Osaka merchants who had secured business lines within Japan were able to not miss the opportunity. Not enough workers? Then hire more! Dont worry about money! In this way, enormous amounts of gold bars and imperial currency came into the pockets of Osaka merchants who met the demand. * * * Osaka merchants who recovered through the Sulfur Sweeping Incident began to ask why this happened. I need to know if this is just this one time or if it will happen again. After a series of inquiries using all kinds of methods C the world of beauty is the basic one C Osaka merchants became aware of the increasingly dark war clouds in Italy. The empire and European powers are joining forces? Against the Empire? Are you crazy? These days, the number of European merchants inquiring about credit transactions is increasing, so I think we should stop doing business. The initial reaction was like this, but as various information came in from the empire, the expressions on the Osaka merchants faces became strange. You think the empires attitude is strange? Its sincere, but its not full power? What is this? It doesnt make sense, does it? I dont know. In a situation that was difficult to understand, Osaka merchants once again began asking around. Osaka merchants, who could not be tampered with by the empire, had contact with European merchants. Osaka merchants who analyzed the information received using alcohol and womens gold came to a conclusion. A vein of ore has burst that will provide enough ie for at least 10 years! And the expectations of Osaka merchants were correct. The war that took ce in Italy became a war of attrition beyond what the European powers had expected. Trade ships from European powers flocked to Osaka due to the consumption of materials, especially gunpowder, exceeding the consumption of people. Seeing the gold bars and imperial coins umting as European trade ships arrived, Osaka merchants once again recalled a maxim that had been passed down from generation to generation. -War costs money. * * * The War of Italian Unification ended with the creation of the Italian Federal State. However, the smell of gunpowder continued to waft from various parts of Europe. First of all, it was Spain. The loss of Gibraltar was fatal to Spain. Ceuta, a strategic point south of the Strait of Gibraltar, was taken over by Portugal, and Gibraltar and Algeciras to the north were upied by the empire, blocking Spains ess to the Antic Ocean. To solve this problem, Spain fought several battles to recapture Gibraltar and Algeciras. However, they werepletely robbed by the Imperial Navy at sea, and by the Imperial Army and Swiss Army, which upied the high ground. In the end, Spain had no choice but to give up its immediate attempt to recapture Gibraltar. Onnd, the troops were driven 2 leagues (approximately 9.6 km) away from the defensive line guarded by the Imperial Army and Swiss Army. It was even more humiliating at sea. While passing in front of Gibraltar and Ceuta, all Spanish ships had to move in groups of two or three at most, and all portholes on the left and right sides had to be tightly closed. The moment the three ships crossed over, the Imperial Navy from Gibraltar and the Portuguese Navy from Ceuta rushed out to monitor them. In the process, the moment it was discovered that even one of the portholes of the Spanish ships was open, it was assumed that they were willing to fight and they were sunk. In the end, Spain had to rely heavily on trade with its African colonies and the Mediterranean region. In this era when everyone else is crossing the Antic Spains powerful people gritted their teeth at the reality of not being able to escape the Mediterranean region, which was increasingly moving away from the center of the economy. Well see! Those in power in Spain, who were spending time consulting with each other, secretly made a line to France. Youre making new cannons and steam engine carts? Lets do it together! * * * France also suffered serious losses, but it was still not as serious as Spain. And France had ample potential to recover from this wound on its own. France was the country with thergest territory and poption in maind Europe. It also had ports with direct ess to the Antic Ocean. Thanks to this, France was recovering its losses with a little more time than Spain. It was a bit heartbreaking to lose in Italy, but we gained a lot in return What we gained on the Italian front was significant. The most representative example was a new gun salvaged from the Imperial Navys sunken ship on the northern coast of Corsica. Unlike Europe, where full-length cannons were still the main force, the imperial artillery was breech-loading. By analyzing the Imperial breech-loading artillery that had been saved at the risk of their lives, the French military developed a new artillery. The Imperial Navy in a first-line area rather than a second-line area such as the Mediterranean was unaware that breech-loading artillery guns with two-seater ports were already being deployed. Next was the armored assault vehicle used by the assault corps and the tow truck that pulled the artillery pieces. The imperial armored assault vehicles that confidently broke through the trench lines that they trusted and relied on, and the tow trucks that easily dragged imperial artillery that was muchrger than their own cannons, were things that they must have. We have a steam engine too! Lets make one! But its difficult If you just make it, youll be able to earn enough wealth tost you a lifetime! Lets start designing right now! There were also many changes politically. The fall of the nobles who had kept the king in check further elerated. Immediately after the end of the war, the generals whomanded the war were forced to retire due to the guilt of defeat. Since most of the generals who participated in the war were from the royal army, the kings personal guard, this was seen as a victory for the aristocratic forces against the king. However, for Charles VIII, this was one step back to take two steps forward. Now that I think about it, Gwain said at that time that he should not set foot in Italy out of consideration for friendship with the empire. But who was the one who strongly advocated participation in the war? Bring me the records of the general secretary. One of the butterfly effects brought about by the intervention of fragrance was the creation of an official historical office in Europe. Although there had been historians before, they were not at the level of recording every move of the king and his cab without missing a single word. But the newly created officer had to make this possible. It was the butterfly effect thatter caused the amount of research by schrs studying European history to increase severalfold. In any case, based on this record, the conservative aristocratic forces who insisted on participating in the war began to be driven out. Chapter 1001 Episode 1001 Meanwhile, elsewhere.. (6) When they were ousted from the court in Paris, the conservative nobles did not worry too much. Even though the kings power became stronger, their own power was also formidable. Lets think of it as returning to our hometown and resting for a while. This was the thought of the nobles who were ousted and returned to their hometowns. But this was their misjudgment. I had taken too lightly the impact of the existence of scent. * * * France had been maintaining exchanges with the empire since the time of its predecessor, Louis XI C to be exact, the end of Charles VIIs reign. C A monarch with absolute power. The emperors of the empire that the kings of France, starting from Charles VII, saw were the kind of people they had dreamed of. Even in history before the intervention of the French, French monarchs had tried to suppress the power of the nobility since the end of the 100 Years War. And the peak was Louis XIV, the Sun King. However, the intervention of incense gave a tremendous eleration to it. The King of Frances royal army, armed with imperial firearms, overwhelmed the private armies of the nobles. Exchanges with the empire drew absolute support from the city residents, who were responsible for the human resources of the Imperial Army. Having secured two of the three absolute ingredients for seizing power: force and the support of the people (albeit limited to urban citizens), the French kings were soon able to obtain thest one. It was to secure independent economic power through the Suez Railway. Through this, the kings of France were able to escape the pressure of the nobility based on traditional agriculture. Of course, the noble powers were not unaware of this. However, conservative aristocrats with agricultural-centered values downyed this change. Business? Trade? That too requires money! Where does that moneye from? Wheat and wool, that is, from the ground! Everything we eat and weares from the ground! Without these goods in kind, business is just a numbers game and a y on words! Conservative aristocrats had absolute faith in the value of goods derived from agriculture. But they forgot. Thend wasnt just in France. * * * Charles VIII was well aware that the nobles who had been ousted by him were conscientious of their benefactors and were aiming to gain power. Soon after, Charles VIII took away their traditional power one by one. The first and most passionate thing to do was to take away the right to collect taxes. -From now on, all citizens of France, regardless of their status, will pay taxes ording to the tax rate set by French nationalw. The nobles strongly opposed Charles VIIIs unprecedented announcement. However, the bacsh from those who were pushed out from the center was bound to have limits. Eventually, the nobles demanded the convening of the Estates General, and the Estates General was convened. However, this convening of the Estates General was the final blow that led to the downfall of the nobles. * * * The Estates General was a meeting held by representatives of nobles, clergy, andmoners. When convening this Estates General, the nobles had their own calctions. The first cards to be discarded were themoners representatives. The words were representatives of themon people, but their exact identity was the citys civic forces nicknamed the Third Estate. To be precise, these plebeian representatives of the citysmercial power were staunch supporters of the king. The next card to be discarded was something unexpected. Nobles like themselves, to be exact, were nobles who worked in the government of Charles VIII. With the session of Louis XI and Charles VIII, new aristocratic powers emerged in France. They were not orthodox nobles who boasted long traditions and history, but nobles who received titles based on achievements such as meritorious achievements in war. These new nobles, who did not have an economic base like the fiefdoms of the conservative nobles, had to give absolute loyalty to the king in order to survive. Therefore, these new nobles had to be considered a throwaway card. In the end, the people whom the conservative aristocrats regarded as theirst support were the high-ranking clergy of the church. And this was their mistake. Since the unification of Italy, the Vatican has lost most of its territory. The kings of other countries, seeing that the Italian unified government was safe despite confiscating most of the papal states within Italy, rushed to confiscate the papal states in their own kingdoms. Even so, it was safe. With the disappearance of the Papal States within the European powers, high-ranking clergy in each country were economically weakened. And as the kings were spared the confiscation of the Papal States, the political power of the high-ranking clergy also weakened. As the situation unfolded, high-ranking clergy were also faced with a choice. Either stand on the side of the nobles or on the side of the newly powerful citys citizens and king. This didnt just happen in France. * * * Thanks to this miscalction, the nobles reactionary actions through the Estates General ended in failure. However, King Charles VIII was not the only winner. -All citizens of France must pay taxes determined byw. -However, all matters rted to taxes, such as tax items, tax rates, and tax payment ranges, must be agreed upon by the Estates General. -In addition, decisions of the Estates General are made by majority vote. Of these three uses, the first use could be seen as a victory for Charles VIII, and the second use could be seen as a victory for the nobles. But thest use was truly a victory for citizen representatives. The ce where thergest number of people gathered in the Estates General was themon peoples representatives. In order to pass the first article, Charles VIII had no choice but to side with the plebeian representatives, and to keep the second article, the nobles also had to side with the plebeian representatives. * * * In any case, with the passage of this bill, French nobles were deprived of their tax exemption benefits. Because they too were the walls of France. By taking away the tax exemption benefits of the nobility, Frances pockets suddenly became richer. On the other hand, orthodox nobles with an agricultural-centered economic structure suffered from a double whammy. No, I fell into a vicious cycle. With tax exemptions abolished, nobles, whose pockets were tight, raised the rent they received from farmers in their manors and estates. ordingly, in manors and rural areas owned by nobles, many farmers began to run away at night with their families. Those who left their hometowns to survive soon gathered in nearby cities. As farmers left, a lot of farnd was abandoned, and a vicious cycle began where the pockets of thendowners, the nobles, became even thinner. In the end, in order to survive, the nobles had toe up with a new household policy. They raised sheep to supply wool to the French and Italian woolen industries and entered the wine industry, especially brandy manufacturing. During this time, the industry that the nobles focused most on was brandy. * * * Wine was a popr alcoholic beverage or beverage enjoyed regardless of status. However, if you are a little negligent about the wine, it will go away right away. At some point, brandy, a liquor distilled to prevent it from turning into vinegar, began to gain poprity. And with the discovery of the New World in the South, brandys poprity increased further. The arduous long-distance voyage was mentally and physically exhausting. To relieve this hardship, sailors enjoyed alcohol. However, the problem arose that the wine went sour quickly. But Brandy didnt have this problem. In addition, the significantly higher alcohol contentpared to wine made you definitely drunk even if you drank a small amount. Therefore, the beginning of preparation for a ship going on a long-distance voyage was to load oak barrels full of brandy. And this brandy became a new source of ie for French nobles. Among the French nobility, there was no one who did not have a wine farm. And the quality of the wine was good as it suited the nobles tastes. Therefore, brandy made from these high-quality wines boasted excellent aroma and taste, and soon became a strong challenger to multi-colored liquor. Here, nobles withmercial wealth went one step further. Instead of high-quality wines, they began to target the mid- to low-priced market by producing low-priced brandy distilled from medium- and lower-quality wines. Other aristocrats, seeing the poprity of these mid-priced brandies, soon made simr brands and entered the market. And this change once again made the scent appealing. * * * As brandy became more popr in the European market, the mills run by mills fell into crisis. The main liquor sold at Giru, run by wheat workers, was multi-colored liquor. Many wealthy people still enjoyed expensive multi-colored liquor, but as high-end brandies became avable in the market, the number of those leaving began to increase. ordingly, the guild leaders of Milwi tried to import brandy, but thepeting guilds tried to block this. ordingly, executives of the Militia Committee immediately sent an urgent report to Seoul. -Although it is not our main business, we will soon be in danger of closing down at this rate. -If the stoma is closed, there will be no base in Europe. After receiving Milwis urgent report asking for help, Hyun immediately went to Hyang. What should I do? The best thing is to gather skilled craftsmen, but it is not easy as it is a mill job. Hyang also responded to Hyeonsint with a frown. Hmm, that is a problem. I will try to think about this problem. I believe that Tae Sang-tae will give us the wise answer. After Hyun left, Hyang, who had been thinking for a while, let out a long sigh. Whew. In the end, this is the only answer, right? It reminds me of the Bacardi nightmare I had when I was a college student and almost died after blowing on the liquid without realizing it. Hyang, who shuddered slightly as he recalled the dark history of his past life, soon muttered quietly as he wrote down the distition method on a piece of paper. By the way, it was rum during the Age of Exploration, right? Soon, rum began to be produced in the southwestern provinces, which grew the most sugar cane in the empire, and in the inds off the east coast of Sinji. And these rums caused a sensation in the European distilled spirits market. Because it was an alcoholic beverage made from the by-products left over from sugar cane production C hence its name, sugar wine C the production cost was very low. In addition, it boasted a very strong alcohol content by selling distilled liquor directly without any maturation process. -Strong but cheap alcohol. -You can drink until you die for a small amount of money. Thanks to these characteristics, as soon as sugar liquor was released to the European market, it captivated not only sailors but also the citys lower ss. Meanwhile, Milwis Giru included a cocktail recipe based on sugar liquor and the highest quality crystal sses to match. -Until high-quality candy liquor is released, we will maintain our customer base by using mixed liquor and sses tailored to this recipe. And about three years after its release, high-quality sugar liquor that had undergone a proper maturation process began toe out and capture the tastes of the wealthy. Chapter 1002 Episode 1002 Meanwhile, elsewhere.. (7) As soon as candy liquor came out, it swept the European market. -The best virtue of alcohol is to get drunk. ording to this proposition, which all drinkers agree with, distilled liquor was the best alcohol. Compared to fermented drinks such as wine and beer that Europeans drink on a daily basis, the alcohol content of distilled alcohol was overwhelming. However, distilled liquor had one fatal w. It was expensive. No matter how cheap wine or beer was used for distition, considering the amount needed for distition, the price was bound to be high. However, Sangdangju was free from this problem. This was because it was made by distilling fermented liquor made from by-products from the process of making sugar from sugar cane. Naturally, it was released into the market at an overwhelmingly cheaper price than European brandy, and the lower sses of Europe became addicted to this sugary liquor. And as time passed, high-quality sugar wine that went through a proper maturation process became avable, and the upper ss began to enjoy it as well. As high-end candy liquor was introduced to the market, the liquor market targeting the European upper ss entered the Spring and Autumn Warring States Period. Following the traditional powerhouse of high-end wine, now another traditional powerhouse, multi-colored liquor, as well as brandy and high-end sugar liquor, sparked a fiercepetition for the market. Thanks to this, the ce where the money was collected was the Giru of Milwi. The only ce other than the banquet hall where nobles and the upper ss could enjoy drinks and conversation in peace was Giru in Milwi. Of course, existing guilds also created businesses simr to Giru. However, the weaknesses were that there were no gisaeng-like people who existed in Giru C courtesans, not prostitutes C and that there were no employees skilled enough to entertain nobles or the upper ss. Thanks to this, Giru was able to endure as the best ce for the upper ss. The upper ss carried out not only personal conversations but also serious political coordination at Giru. The so-called period of old politics had arrived. As the situation unfolded, the rtionship between Europes mainstream guilds and Giru turned upside down. Now, the liquor guild has expressed its wish to supply its brandies to Giru. This was because the upper ss who visited Giru separately purchased alcohol inrge quantities that suited their tastes. After hearing thister, Hyang muttered with an expression of bewilderment. Is it Giru Warranty, not Royal Warranty? * * * As sugar liquor took hold of the lower ss, serious social problems began to appear in Europe, specifically Northern Europe, including Ennd and France. Alcoholics began to overflow. Due to poor water quality during this period, alcohol reced drinking water. In order to solve this drinking water problem, the Giru in Milwi usedrge quantities of purification molds to make drinking water for cooking and drinking exclusively for the Giru. This drinking water problem created a situation where people could literally drink alcohol like water. Usually, wine or beer was used for this purpose, but sugar liquor soon took its ce. -Cheaper than any other alcohol, but stronger than any other alcohol. The greatest strength of the sugar liquor was fully demonstrated. For the lower ss in European cities, coal mines, and literally everywhere in Europe, candy was the best answer. When I was so tired after a hard day that I couldnt even sleep, a few sses of sugar wine helped me sleepfortably. The same thing happened when I couldnt sleep because of all kinds of problems, starting with taxes. Even if I fall to the ground the next day, I can sleepfortably today. It was the same when working. Even when my arms and legs felt heavy, I was able to move freely after just drinking a few sses of sugar wine. However, as time passed, it became a situation where alcohol consumed alcohol and you cannot live without alcohol. In the back alleys of the city, people drunk on sugary liquor were staggering around or lying all over the ce,ughing. The bigger problem was that this alcoholism did not discriminate between men and women of all ages. As already mentioned, due to drinking water problems, it wasmon to drink alcohol instead of drinking water. * * * Eventually, when alcoholism caused by sugar liquor became a major social problem, the church took action. -People! Dont drink alcohol! Dont drink sugar liquor! Think about tomorrow! One ss of sugar wine is dragging you and your familys tomorrow to the ground! Pastors went around the streets shouting Quit drinking, but the reaction from those involved was lukewarm. Tsk! Its the same as drinking rotten water or sugary liquor, but then sugary liquor is better! Life is already at rock bottom, so why worry about tomorrow? Itll be rock bottom! They appealed for abstinence from drinking until their throats bled, but when the response was not positive, the pastors turned to incitement. Candy liquor is a sin created by Satan! Isnt the name Satan in it? The candy bar was created by Satan to drag your souls to hell! Not only the lower ss but also the upper ss were dumbfounded by the pastors instigation. No matter how ignorant you are, you have to use such foolish tactics It should be appropriate to use force. Then, at some point, these signs began to stand in front of stores selling alcohol. -There is candy liquor that makes even Satan drunk! Soon, even kings became interested in the problem of alcoholism. When first reported, the orders issued by European kings were simr. Bring that candy liquor. The kings who tasted the sugar wine they brought in spit it out immediately and then turned to their subjects. Hehe! This isnt the sugar wine I used to know? Drinking something so tasteless like that? Has the peoples appetite been ruined? The answers of the subjects who were asked the question were almost simr. Because its cheap. Is that so In this skit, European monarchs thought about it and came up with an answer. The first thing to do was to limit imports. The amount of imports was limited to 50% in normal cases and 80% in extreme cases. What is interesting is that most of the remaining 50% to 20% of the volume was allocated to high-end candy liquor for the upper ss. When this policy was announced, the lower sses rose up. Are you the only ones who enjoy sugary drinks? Give me back the sugar wine! Give it back! Violent protests broke out in both cities and rural areas, forcing kings and officials to change their policies. Later, European historians evaluated this protest as the beginning of the European civil rights movement. In the end, the kings and officials who withdrew their policy of banning the import of sugar liquor turned to imposing heavy taxes on sugar liquor. At the same time, low-cost fermented drinks such as beer were exempted from taxes. There was bacsh this time too, but the intensity was weaker than when the ban policy was implemented. And over time, the low-priced candy liquor market targeting the lower ss was stabilized, shrinking by about 50% from its peak. Is it too much to reduce it further? If we raise taxes further, there will be protests again. Its a shame. Sigh! The kings, who could not hide their disappointment and lost their appetite, gave orders to their officials. Where should I make a strange drink so that I can write a protest to the empire? * * * After checking the protest letters that came rushing in, Hyun looked back at the officials who were with him. I think its the monarchs fault that the people fell into alcoholism and not the alcohols fault? Han Myeong-hoe came forward and answered Hyeons question. It is natural. The people tend to seek alcohol more in hard times than in happy times. In other words, the reason people fall into alcoholism is because their lives are hard, not alcohol. And the reason the peoples lives are hard is because the country We have to question the overconfidence of those who govern. Following Han Myeong-hoes words, Lim Sun-wook spoke. I apologize. ming alcohol is simply to avoid responsibility. Alcohol is just food, it does not cause anger. It is only the mind of the person involved that causes anger. Hyun nodded at Lim Sun-wooks words. I am reminded again of what the Great Emperor once said: What kind of crime is drinking? The one whomits the crime is the problem. That is why the imperialw stiptes that drunkards be punished more severely. Thats right. It was a truly appropriate decision. While creating the firstw with King Sejong and subsequently revising the criminalw, Hyang added prerequisites rted to alcohol. -In all crimes, if the criminalmits the crime while intoxicated, the highest punishment that can be imposed on that crime is unconditionally imposed. I will never let you say nonsense like mental and physical weakness due to drinking! After briefly talking about anecdotes rted to incense, the prefects and ministers returned to the main topic. The sugar liquor sold in Europe and the sugar liquor sold in the empire are different products, so isnt this a problem in our empire as well? Han Myeong-hoe stepped forward and responded to Hyeons point. It wont be a big problem in our empire. why? Its cheap, but its not cheap. And the biggest problem is that its so tasteless. Its cheap, but it doesnt sell because it doesnt taste good? Thats right. As Han Myeong-hoe said, sugar liquor was not as popr in the empire as it was in Europe. * * * The people of the empire, especially the people of the main and northern regions, who tasted sugar liquor for the first time, spit it out as soon as they put it in their mouths and cursed. Tsk tsk! This is Nigimi! Master! This is alcohol! Is this alcohol? Fuck! Id rather drink alcohol! No matter how much money I have, I cant drink this! The reason why sugar liquor was treated so poorly was because alcohol was abundant in the main and northern regions. Regardless of whether it was the main district or the northern district, each vige of a certain size had at least one drinking family. Each liquor store introduced its own unique Takju and Cheongju Soju to the market. He wasnt just a drunkard. In the main and northern branches of the family, there were liquors that were passed down only to the family. The family held ancestral rites, held a feast, and gave the liquor as gifts. And the Banga family, who had a famous liquor, was making quite a fortune from it. In addition, the position of sugar liquor in the mainstream of the empire, which even held the absolute power of multi-colored liquor, was bound to be low. Whats interesting is that this was a simr situation in Shinji. Shinjis alcohol, regardless of whether it was from the South or the North, was almost entirely primitive fermented liquor. To these natives, the imperial liquor was a powerful shock. Native people visited the monopoly stores eagerly to obtain the alcohol they sold there. And as time passed and the people who immigrated from the maind settled down, alcohol with Shinjimans unique characteristics began to be produced. Naturally, fermented liquor and Cheongju soju containing regional characteristics were brought out and took over. Because of this, cheap, high-alcohol sugar liquor came to be treated poorly throughout the empire. Chapter 1003 Chapter 1003 Meanwhile, somewhere else.. (8) Hyun, who heard the situation, nodded lightly. The peoples tastes, which are sometimes said to be excessively picky, are helpful at this time. Still, we must be wary of the fact that some people fall into addiction. I will keep this in mind. The prefecture and ministers evaluated it this way, but Hyang shook his head after hearing the report. Its not because the people have picky tastes. Its because they have to make a living. Otherwise, the toad wouldnt have been able to survive like that in his past life. The reason why Heuljeongju, which is only called Soju, was able to sell like that is because there were many people who were good at it. Hyang, who had been giving negative evaluations while recalling memories of her past life, had a strange expression on her face as she read the report again. Candy liquor has poisoned the lower sses of Europe Annual sales Lets see Sales of aged sugar liquor Analyzing the figures by looking through rted reports. Hyang Han shook his head. Sales volume has decreased due to various policies, but in absolute terms it is still a huge amount. This means that the letters of protest sent by the kings of Europe are not just a harsh assassination. This is true Hyang paused for a moment. looked out the window with a serious expression. Does it mean that it is not Cheong that is addicted to opium, but Europe that is addicted to sugar alcohol? Has the East and West changed? Hyangs expression became more serious as he muttered up to this point. It was an opium war in the end, right? There are plenty of possibilities. In todays international society, fists speak louder than words every day. It smells like war. No, something worse could happen. Hyang could foresee a situation worse than war. Hyang continued, tapping his fingers on the desk. Drugs.. * * * Sejong said. From the time of the Gyeongjang administration, drugs symbolized by opium were strictly controlled. -Opium can only be used for medical purposes. -Members of the National Assembly must check the amount of opium in possession and use records every month. -Except those who are permitted to cultivate it for medical purposes. Anyone who grows poppies is subject to a severe sentence of 10 years or more. C Anyone who illegally possesses or distributes opium is subject to a severe sentence of 20 years or more with all property confiscated. C In addition to opium, it causes confusion and addiction to the peoples minds. Anyone who makes anything that is ordered is charged with the same crime as in the case of opium. As an aside, thisst use regrly caused nationwide wars of words in the empire. The reason Hyang included this use was because of synthetic drugs such as philopon. However, the peoples The phrase everything that causes confusion and addiction was what ignited the debate. -Alcohol and tobo should also be prohibited as they cause confusion and addiction to the peoples minds! Ascetics and principled moralists said this and called for the prohibition of alcohol. and argued for the enactment of a smoking ban, sparking a nationwide war of words. Every time this war of words broke out, not only judges and judges, but also the public came forward to thwart the attempt to enact thew. However, if we can forget, thew was enacted again. Due to this problem, the examiner amended thew by adding the word psychoactive substance and an exnation, but those who advocate for a ban on alcohol and smoking continued to fight over each other. * * * Hyang was worried about this. Ill be happy if I just send a protest letter and pay taxes. Even if you implement an embargo policy, you can get away with it, but if you try to spread drugs throughout the empire, the worst thing will happen. Even though the Qing was weakened by the national disease, it was still worthy of being called a strong country. However, it was opium that brought down the Qing. . No, the entire responsibility could not be ced on opium, but one of the main factors that brought about the copse of the Qing Dynasty was opium. It is not Ki-woo. There is definitely a possibility. If you look at the trade bnce between the empire and Europe, or between the empire and all other countries, the empire always has a surplus. Of course, thanks to the sophisticated imperialist policy that each country has pursued, the other country is seriously affected. It wasnt enough to judge. But the total was enormous. Another problem was that there werent many countries that had fun exporting to the empire. The country that had the most fun selling saltpeter to the empire was the Bengal Sultanate, which sold saltpeter to the empire. However, with the discovery of saltpeter mines in New Zend, the quantity imported from the Sultanate of Bengal was gradually decreasing. India. The expression on Hyangs face did not change easily. C Even at this time, a lot of opium was being cultivated in India. -European trade ships are constantlying and going to obtain the cornerstone of the Bengal Sultanate. -Opium is flowing into Europe through these trade ships. -ording to a report from a wheatmittee in Europe, this opium is gradually expanding its influence. -India ording to a report by the Millennium Committee, the Indian emirates, including the Sultanate of Bengal, began cultivating poppies as a policy for economic gain. So, if you decide to nt poppies in Europe and spread them throughout the empire, it is entirely possible. hey. There are more than one route to bring in goods other than the trade port. Damn it! Hyang, who had been analyzing the situation up to this point, swore. Im still having a hard time because of those damn coca leaves! This became a problem in the process ofpleting the conquest of Mesica and imperializing the natives of the area. It was a coca leaf. Thanks to its analgesic and stimting effects, chewing coca leaves was a daily routine for the natives of the Messica region. However, after military doctors dispatched to the area confirmed that coca leaves were highly addictive, they were designated as a drug. And to this day, I am still struggling to prevent myself from chewing coca leaves. If you think about opium and coca leaves, the current era is quitex about drugs. In other words, if it breaks through, it can spread extremely quickly. If it is not a concern but a fact then it is also war. In the end, Hyang unfolded the paper and picked up the stylus. The stock traders in my past life said, It is better to have a stomachache than to be hungry. Same thing. Its better to be upset than to have your green onion exploded and your wallet stolen. Theyre making people fight among themselves. So that they cant even turn their eyes towards us. By the way. How should I exin the report on Milwis report on India? * * * Hyangs report, which analyzed the current international situation and pointed out various problems that are likely to arise, made the prefecture and ministers very nervous. Hmm. What do you think? Han Myeong-hoe, as representative, answered Hyeons question. Some may say Im overly sensitive, but I think the possibility is good. Jang Hang-seon followed Han Myeong-hoes words . He continued, If you think about the safety of the empire, you should never take even the slightest risk lightly. Im Sun-wook, who spoke after Jang Hang-seon, had a simr tone. Even if I have earned a lot of wealth, I see my neighbors earning wealth. My stomach hurts. Moreover, the amount of wealth earned by the empire is enormous, so it will naturally arouse jealousy. As the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers of the left and right spoke in a simr tone, the atmosphere in Daejeon became even heavier. This atmosphere continued. After returning from Italy, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Shin Suk-ju continued, I have heard many stories about opium. I heard that if you bring just one geun (about 600g) from Cheonchuk, you can earn enough money to eat and y for a year. And it is said that once you have tasted it, it is impossible to escape and you will have to pay whatever you ask for. Its serious While the prefectural government and the ministers were continuing their conversation with serious expressions, the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications expressed doubt, or even resentment. As far as I know, among the products of our empire, the only ones made and sold by the empire from beginning to end are expensive luxury goods and weapons. Most of them work with merchants from other countries to make and sell them in workshops set up in those countries and share the profits. Our empire is not monopolizing, but we are sharing with each other, so I am indignant because there are constantints. To that point, Lim Soon-wook immediately responded, Isnt it a shame that even sharing is a waste? Ah The Minister of General Affairs nodded and Hyeon summed up the situation. Do you agree that Tae Sang-taes concerns are not overly sensitive? I agree. Then, I would like you to devise various policies to prepare ordingly and present them to me. . I follow your orders. Then, lets discuss the Emperors n for Lee I-J. The n proposed by Hyang was to sell the sugar liquor distillery to other countries. C Sugar liquor is the people of the empire. Although it is not popr with the general public, it is very popr with people from other countries. -Therefore, if you sell this sugar liquor distillery, there will be more than one country that will be greedy. -The distillery in the southwestern province sells neighboring countries such as Ming, Japan, and Daewol. As a target, the distilleries in the newnd will start selling to Europe. -It is enough for the empire to receive onlynd use fees and raw material supply from the distilleries. -Other countries willpete to upy these distilleries. Even now, sugar liquor is sold in huge quantities. Because hes boasting about it. -Other countries, preupied with thispetition and the profitsing in, will fight with each other and the empire will be able to buy a little more time. After Anyway, my My notoriety will only grow. * * * A few monthster, imperial messengers visited the pces of the Ming, Japanese, and European powers. The messengers, who politely bowed ording to etiquette, delivered imperial documents to the emperor and kings. The monarchs who checked the document received by the county all expressed doubts: Are you selling a sugar liquor distillery? Why? To the monarchs question, the messengers answered calmly. The people of the empire do not like sugar liquor very much, so sales are difficult. But other countries love their sweet liquor. Thats why His Majesty the Emperor has decided to maintain good rtions with other countries. Really? i get it. I will give you the answer after discussing my opinion with the ministers. After sending out the messengers, the monarchs discussed their opinions with their subjects. Why? The ministers had to think hard about the simple and clear question of the monarchs. The reason foring out like that. It was as follows: -The Empire knows that our judgment is not good as only the Empire makes huge profits through sugar wine. -And they want us topete among ourselves for the huge profits that can be made through sugar wine. . Then is it right to give up the acquisition of the sugar distillery? To the question of the monarchs, the ministers unanimously answered, No! If we can have it, we should have it! We should at least prevent one country from monopolizing the distilleries! We should have at least one. Even if we cant sell to other countries and only sell domestically, we will have more money in our finances! Hearing from the ministers that they would have more money in their finances, the monarchs made a decision. Really? Then, lets try to join in on the empires n. Chapter 1004 [ Episode 1004 Meanwhile, elsewhere (9) ] And the Ming and Japan were making simr decisions. However, the reasons were very different from those of the European powers. Candy liquor? Cheap alcohol thats tasteless and strong? Is there a need to buy that distillery? The Ming Dynasty and Japan also had their own long brewing history, so they showed a weak response to sugar liquor. However, the reactions of some major merchants and financial officials were different. huh? really? This is an opportunity! Subjects who smelled money energetically contacted officials. If Your Majesty doesnt do it, if the government doesnt do it, the small people will buy the distillery! Here too, there was a difference between Ming and Japan. In the Ming Dynasty, there were several people who had enough financial power to participate in the sugar liquor distillery contractpetition with their own financial resources. But that wasnt the case in Japan. But you cant give up on the gold right in front of you! Several Japanese merchants C as few as 2 or 3 or as many as 10 C raised capital and knocked on the door of the Japanese government. As the situation unfolded, Seonghwaje and Yoshioki became interested again. When ites to money, merchants who die and then rise again cling to it like this? Is candy liquor really worth money? The financial officials who were waiting for the monarchs question opened their mouths all at once. Thats right! Hoo? okay? When Seonghwaje and Yoshioki showed interest, other officials opposed it. If you are considering taking over a sugar liquor distillery directly from the government, it will absolutely not be possible! Why? It is shameful for a monarch to make and sell alcohol! Thats not all! There will be usations that the monarch is disturbing the customs of the people by making them drunk! Even now, ces that make alcohol aremon, so it would be absolutely impossible for a monarch to step forward and make alcohol! We must even stop merchants froming forward! As this opposition arose, those in favor also raised counterarguments. Havent you heard the rumor that sugar liquor is making huge profits in Europe? Think about the countrys finances! Its something that frees up finances without causing harm to the people! Our people dont even buy and drink alcohol because it doesnt taste good! If its going to be a problem, it doesnt have to be sold within the country! As this fierce war of words continued, the opposing party presented a very strong argument. Why would Seoul decide to sell its sugar liquor distillery? Bad words have begun to circte in Europe as well, so its not because they think it wont help the monarchs reputation! . * * * During this period, the word for empire in Ming and Japan was Seoul. No matter how pro-imperial the emperor and his imperial guards were camped out, it was a matter of pride to call a country other than the Ming empire. However, calling it Joseon like in the past was also problematic. Japan was also simr. Even though it maintained good neighborly friendship with the empire and treated it almost as a superior country, its pride was pride. For this reason, Ming and Japanese politicians came to use the word Seoul instead of Empire. * * * When the pros and cons were fiercelypeting, the moderates proposed a mediation n. Both sides have a point. So, why dont we do it this way? how? There are several options. The mediation proposal proposed by the centrists was as follows. -The easiest way. Making merchants who want to open a sugar liquor distillery deal directly with Seoul. And adjustment means collecting taxes ording to thew. In this case, the government does not have to get its hands dirty, but its profits are reduced. -Another way is to choose one of these merchants and take the lead. It is not simply used as a sign, but the government participates in it through an unofficial joint venture. You can reap slightly more benefits than the first method. On the other hand, we must endure some degree of scandal rted to the government. However, the intensity and scope of the scandal will be less than if the government directly took over and operated it. The monarchs who heard the opinions of the moderates were concerned. Is it a question of whether to be satisfied with just taxes or to risk scandal and take action directly? Thats right. Hmm The monarchs, who were going through great deliberations, called their confidants separately. The opinions of the confidants were simr in both countries. Its best to just pass it on to merchants and be satisfied with taxes. Lets just give up more benefits? why? Its because of our rtionship with Seoul. ah. The sanctification ceremony is already the Heavenly Father of Joseon. It was a situation called the Emperor of Goryeo. And in the case of Japan, it was even worse. This was because most of the core power groups were students of the Empire. In addition, it was obvious that if the actions of the empire, which was evaluated as all business involvingrge sums of money, were carried out by the country, were followed, there would be considerable antipathy from the people. Even now, people are saying that we are imitating Seoul, but when there is a cough in Seoul, there are people saying that here, people are bedridden with body aches. Its a shame. In the end, the choice of the Ming and Japanese monarchs was not to let the country take action, but to leave it to the merchants. * * * In this way, three distilleries built in the southwest and seven distilleries built in Shinji were sold. Of the three in the southwestern provinces, two were acquired by merchants and one was acquired by a Japanese merchant association. Of the 7 in Sinji, 1 was acquired by Italy, 2 by Portugal, 2 by France, 1 by Ennd, and finally, 1 by the Ottomans. The county as well as the county that received the report all expressed doubts. Ottoman? Isnt that a country where you cant drink alcohol? It is said that they sell it to people who do not believe in Im and to foreigners who stop by the port. is it. Hyeon nodded, but Hyang looked cynical and muttered softly. Good luck Even in Imic countries in the Middle East, where people were obsessed with fundamentalism and lived by thew even in their previous lives, alcohol was popr. -The best gift from Ah to Arab drinkers. Desert and cars. It was a reference to the case of loading up a powerful andrge SUV with a lot of alcohol and going into the desert to eat ande out. * * * European powers that acquired sugar liquor distilleries began to utilize them properly. Of course, we did not forget about the social problems that arose after sugar liquor was first released into the market, so we did not forget to actively control it. Still, sales were enormous and the financial officials of the countries that acquired the sugar distilleries squealed with happiness. The problem was the export of this sugar liquor. Within the country, efforts were made to minimize problems by actively controlling production and distribution. But what about other countries? There was nothing like that. In the end, Spain, which lost the battle to take over the sugar liquor distillery and ignored it out of Habsburg pride, had to suffer again from the harmful effects of sugar liquor. Of course, in Northern Europe, such as Schwarzwald, there were schnapps and other brandies, and in Spain, there were fortified wines simr to sherry. However, it was pushed out by the overwhelming low price of candy stocks. Eventually, European distillers adopted a policy of premiumization. They selected the highest grade wines and fruit liquors as raw materials, carefully managed and aged by skilled craftsmen, and sold expensive products. Over time, these highly aged brandies became popr among the upper ss in the East. Meanwhile, Spain and Habsburg took a different approach. After banning the import of sugar liquor produced by other European powers, sugar liquor produced in the southwestern provinces was imported and sold. I admit that I failed to stop the sugar liquor! But I wont eat yours! Through this embargo policy and monopoly import policy, Spain and Habsburg were able to reduce national wealth outflow to some extent. However, this policy caused diplomatic friction with other powers. Abolish the embargo policy! Ennd was the first to speak out. But Spain and Habsburgughed. joy? What do you mean? Have you forgotten the woolen embargo? They scoffed at the im of Ennd, which can be seen as the first country in Europe to implement protectionist policies. This wasnt the end. The Habsburgs began to use even more daring moves. Sugar liquor from the southwestern distilleries acquired by the Ottomans began to be distributed to Eastern Europe. Because of the Ottoman expansionist policies and religious conflicts, there was little exchange between Eastern Europe and the Ottomans. Habsburg took advantage of this opportunity. Soon, Hungary also jumped into this blue ocean discovered by the Habsburgs. They began importing and selling sugar liquor by taking advantage of the line with the Ottomans created during thest Habsburg-Hungarian war. And as a by-product of thispetition, enormous amounts of goods began to flow into Ming and Japan. * * * Another major change urred in world history when the sugar liquor distillery in Shinji was transferred to Europe. This was the birth of the so-called Great Circr Route. It started with a map handed over to Portugal and Italy by the empire. Thanks to the map, which revealed the existence of a huge undeveloped area in the southern part of the New World,rge-scale exploration parties were organized in Portugal and Italy and crossed the Antic. As long-distance voyages became sessful, more and more exploration parties headed south to Shinji. After several challenges, the expedition team that circled the southernmost tip of South America entered the Pacific Ocean. But advancing north was not easy. This was because the Imperial Navy was holding out. Is there another way? wait? Because the Earth is round Those who were looking for a detour suddenly found another possibility. Terra! It was a route to the southern New World Terra (called Australia in history before Hyangs intervention), which was learned through information leaked by the Empire. Those who thought of the possibility immediately invited geographers and mathematicians. If we calcte it based on the known diameter of the Earth so far After calcting the estimated distance from the southern tip of South America to Terra with the help of mathematicians, the expedition team prepared and set sail. After many sacrifices and a series of challenges, the southern route to Terra was discovered. It was the birth of the Great Circr Route. * * * The discovery of the Great Circr Route was a groundbreaking discovery in logistics transportation. In order to bring home the gold and silver mined from the gold and silver mines in Terra, the most economical route was to head to Suez and then take an iron horse to the Mediterranean Sea to return to the home country. There was also a route to Africa, but it was not economical as it required arge detour. However, if the newly discovered great cirction route was used properly, excessive dependence on Suez could be reduced. And in this process, the value of the inds where the sugar distillery was ceded by the empire began toe into view. Ships from Portugal, Italy, France, and Ennd, which had taken over the distilleries on the inds, began to frequent the imperial ports created on the inds. [ Episode 1004 Meanwhile, elsewhere (9) ] End Chapter 1005 Episode 1005 Meanwhile, elsewhere.. (10) As the Great Circr Route became established as the official route, those who were most confused were the people of the empire. What? Great Circr Route? Daae~circr route? The people of the empire, especially the sailors of the navy and merchant ships, who heard the story shook their heads. In the decades since the discovery of Shinji, the empire has not been idle. Although the construction of a sea wall was a top priority, they never forgot to explore and survey Shinjis coastline. We have to stop the dog hole from opening! Finding the guano mine in the process was the best harvest. Therefore, the Empire had the best geographic information rted to Shinji, both in quality and quantity. Of course, there is a condition that it is limited to the coastline. Therefore, when the Great Circr Route became a hot topic in Europe, the people of the empire were confused. If we hadnt guided them from the moment they first came with a map, they would have all gone to the goal! * * * As soon as the war in Italy ended, Portugal moved quickly. They set off by entrusting newly builtrge ships topetent naval officers and sailors who were selected after careful screening. Of course, crossing the Antic Ocean relying only on a map was a dangerous task. To lower the risk, Portugal entered into a deal with the empire. Instead of sharing the Portuguese naval port on the Azores Inds, located in the middle of the North Antic, with the imperial navy, they asked for route guidance and a supply base. Since the Azores Inds were also needed by the empire, the empire readily agreed to this transaction. Soon after, the Portuguese expedition departing from Ceuta entered the imperial naval port of Gibraltar. Funnily enough, it was to receive a final inspection from the Imperial Navy. The Portuguese Navy was not without experience in long-distance voyages. However, thanks to changes in history after the intervention of Xiang, most of their long-distance voyages were explorations of Africa. Wine? Drink vinegar instead of water, or throw it away. Are we going to war? We are overarmed. It would be better to fill that space with more food. You know that water goes bad, right? Why dont you buy a distition tank and a water purification tank? Its not that expensive. In the meantime, the empire and its people did not forget about making money. While the Portuguese outside were conducting final inspections, going back and forth, a fierce battle of wits was taking ce at the Imperial Navys Gibraltar headquarters. -Who will be in charge of directions? Since it was certain that there would be more harm than good, the captains were in a situation where they were slowly retreating. In the end, three people were selected after a lottery. * * * The Imperial-Portuguese fleet departed from Gibraltar and crossed the Antic Ocean via the Azores Inds. The ce where the fleet arrived was the Empires Namsinji Inds C the area around what is now Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. The Portuguese fleet, which safely arrived at the Namsinji Inds and the Imperial Military Port, took a short break and resumed maintenance. Afterpleting rest and maintenance, the Portuguese fleet began heading south again, guided by the imperial warships of the Namsinji Fleet. As the voyage continued, the busiest people were the captains and navigators of the Portuguese fleet. -I will guide you to the safe zone at the southern end of the unidentified area. After that, you can take care of it. This was the promise between the Empire and Portugal. ording to this promise, the Imperial Navy of the Namsinji Fleet only provided guidance in silence, and the rest was left to the Portuguese Navy. Because of this, the captains and captains of the Portuguese fleet had no time to rest. The route was recorded based on the map provided by the empire, and the locations of suitable ces as intermediate supply bases were recorded. The work didnt end there. Even the amount of drinking water and food consumed during the voyage and the number of patients that urred were meticulously recorded. After sailing like a blind man relying on a guides cane to navigate, the Portuguese fleet was able to arrive at the southern end of the unidentified area. To be precise, it was the Rio Grande region located in the Tierra del Fuego Inds in history before the intervention of the fragrance. A little further down from here, at the southern end. That river is thest ce where you can easily get fresh water. Thats where our guidance ends. Portuguese Fleet Commander Bartolomeu Dias nodded at the words of the Imperial Navy Captain in charge of guidance. I understand. Thank you. Supplies will arrive in three months as fast as possible. Good luck. The Portuguese fleets mission was to check the route northward by circling the south. As expected from the empire, this part was missing from the map. Dias expressed his sincere gratitude to the words of the Imperial Navy captain. I am truly grateful for the Empires hospitality! I sincerely hope that Gods blessings will be with you forever! Did Dias heartfelt wishes move the captains heart? The captain paused for a moment and spoke to Dias. Im sure His Majesty will be pleased with themanders wishes. And as a fellow sailor, I have to say that there are three detour routes from here. So, thats enough. After speaking briefly but of immense value, the imperial captain got off Dias ship and returned to his own ship. Dias, who realized the meaning of the captains words, greeted the departing imperial warship with a bright face. Thank you! Thank you so much! Meanwhile, the military interpreter who apanied the captain looked at him with a face full of worry. Maybe I told you too much? Unlike the interpreter, who was full of worry, the captains expression was carefree. Wouldnt it be appropriate to repay someone who has prayed for Gods blessings on His Majesty? But After all, isnt it our empire anymore? * * * With the Imperial Navy gone, the lone Portuguese fleetnded its naval forces. After the blessing of the priest whonded together, Dias shouted loudly in front of the sailors. By the order of Joao II, the great monarch of Portugal, we hereby dere that from now on this is our Portuguese territory! From now on, the name of this ce will be Porta de oportunidade and the name of thisnd will be Glory. It will be terra da gloria! viva! viva! As soon as Diazs promation ended, everyone present shouted hurray. * * * Dias set up a base camp at the Gate of Opportunity and called the captains together. The Imperial Navy Captain told me there are three detours. It will be our mission to find those detours. One of the captains questioned Diazs words. Isnt that a lie? What does he have to gain by lying to me? In response to Diazs rebuttal, the captain who made the problematic statement kept his mouth shut. Dias red at him for a moment, then pointed his finger at the map and continued speaking. Of the three, the first would be a typical detour along the outside of Gloria. The other two would be Hmm If this ce were staying on was an ind, there would be a waterway. No one questioned Diazs point. After confirming that there were no objections, Diaz moved on. It is likely that at least one of those channels is here in the middle of the bay north of the Gate of Opportunity. So I will split the fleet in two. Diazs n was as follows. -Of the fleet divided into two, one is sent north to explore the waterway. -The other is to explore the existence of an unknown waterway and the possibility of a detour. None of the captains objected to the n, which was so simple and clear. Afterpleting maintenance, the Portuguese fleet was divided into two and went on an expedition. * * * Through the exploration of the fleet led by Dias, three straits were discovered and the Great Circr Passage was revealed. Depending on the location, it was given names such as East of the Gate, South of the Gate, and Inlet of the Waves, but in history before the intervention of the Fragrance, it was called Strait of Magen, Beagle Strait, and Drake Strait. The most infamous ce among these was Wave Entrance. During a storm with an average wave height of 10 meters, most sailing ships could not even dare to pass in the face of waves with a wave height of 30 meters. Of the two remaining waterways, the most popr was North of the Gate. This was because it was the widest. Thanks to these two waterways, Portugal was able to advance into the western part of the Gloria continent more quickly. And less than five yearster, Italy followed Portugals lead and advanced into the western part of the Gloria continent. For Italy, which had spent a huge amount of money in thest war of unification, advancement to Gloria was the only hope. This was because many vested interests had already been lost in traditional Mediterranean trade. While Portugal and Italy werepeting for colonies in Gloria, Ennd and France also entered Gloria. As the situation unfolded, a fierce battle for colonies began to take ce in Gloria. This battle for colonies was very fiercepared to the history before the intervention of the township. It was thanks to the empire taking over Shinji. As the huge northern and central areas of Shinji became part of the empire, the area that European powers could upy was greatly reduced. * * * In this fierce colonialpetition, what emerged as the eye of the typhoon was Shinjis sugar liquor distillery, which was ceded by the empire. The port, built to transport sugar liquor from sugar liquor distilleries, was an excellent supply base. European ships crossing the Anticpleted supply and maintenance at the ports of these distilleries and then set sail loaded with spirits. The destinations these ships headed were their colonies created on Gloria and Terra. As a tool to exploit the colonys indigenous people, sugar liquor was a more reliable and overwhelmingly cheaper means than force. Native people who were addicted to sugar liquor had to endure harshbor in mines and farms operated by Europeans in order to drink sugar liquor. Of course, many indigenous people began to die because they could not endure this harshbor, and Europeans began transporting ves from Africa. And here a problem arose. The empire had banned ve transport ships from entering the port. -Only ships transporting sugar liquor can call at ports located where sugar liquor distilleries are located. It was natural that the European powers rebelled against this cause of empire. But the empire was strong. -ording to what we have observed so far, ve transport ships are full of all kinds of diseases. For the safety of the people of the empire, the entry of ve transport ships had no choice but to be blocked. Those natives are imperial people? He is registered in the empires family register, follows the empiresws, and pays taxes to the empire, so he is definitely an imperial citizen! Are you dissatisfied? These are ves who work in the distillery! Didnt you read the contracts additional provisions? The workers working at the distillery are hired by local imperial workers! In addition, these workers are paid the wages specified by the empire! There were various disputes after that, but the empires position remained the same. -The distillery is yours, but thend and port are the Empires! Eventually, European powers had to bring ves to Gloria through the sea route from Africa to Terra. Chapter 1006 Episode 1006 Meanwhile, elsewhere.. (11) Considering profitability, this method of transportation was very uneconomical. Thats why when Europeans called it a great circr route and even added the word great to it, the imperialists tilted their heads. Of course, Europeans were not unaware of this either. If only I could use those ports at will Europeans were drooling over the ports of the Namsinji Inds, where sugar liquor distilleries were located. It was certain that if those ports could be freely used, not only the development of Gloria but also the operational efficiency of the Great Circr Route could be increased several times. But for now, all I could do was use the excuse of transporting sugar liquor to get in. Eventually, not only Ennd and France, but also Portugal and Italy began to have different feelings. Is there any way to make those inds ours? * * * The first method that the European powers came up with and the first to give up in order to im the inds of the Southern New Ind Inds as their own was force. We have to cross the Antic, but they are just a stones throw away, so we are at a huge disadvantage. The distance is not only a distance, but have you forgotten how vicious the imperial soldiers in Shinji are? Think about the war in Italy. They were people who were throwing shells like crazy when they were far away, shooting bullets like crazy when they got closer, and throwing axes when they got closer. The European powers gave up the use of force due to the distance being too great to project force and the difference in military power. Its impossible now, but someday For now. * * * The Empire did not ignore the use of European powers. Letters were constantly exchanged between the township, county, and Wan, and officials also exchanged opinions on this every day. I think it was the right thing to do to hand over the sugar distilleries. Many people say that it is small andrge. When Hyeon raised the issue on behalf of Wan and the ministers, Hyang nodded. It may seem so. But the sugar distilleries had to be passed over. The profits were too overwhelming. Are you saying they would have turned against the Empire if we hadnt handed it over? Maybe. Hyeon sighed in response to Hyangs response. Whew~. Prime ministers and ministers have also said simr things. They say theres even a rumor going around down there saying, They shouldnt have made it in the first ce. Hyang snorted at Hyuns words. Hmph! Pointing out problems like that after something happens is the mostmon characteristic of small people. A gentleman would have risked his life before something happened. If you are a great person, you will acknowledge the reality and find the best way to deal with it. Hyang, who dered like that, red at the officers. The officers, who flinched under Hyangs gaze, tapped hard on their typewriters. Hyang, who dismissed the rumors that were going around underneath, spoke to Hyeon. Im worried about the inds of the Namsinji Inds where the sugar liquor distillery is located, but arent they also good points? Hyeon , who was thinking about something at Hyangs words, brightened his eyes. The precepts of Emperor Dangrang. Is it? Hyang nodded when an old saying meaning a mantis is so preupied with targeting cicadas that it doesnt see the bird targeting it from behind was mentioned. Its simr. Hyang answered . It was exined in more detail. -The ce where the empires interests are most at stake is the maind of Xinji. -We are strengthening the control and defense of the maind of Xinji by taking advantage of the European powers being distracted by the inds of the Southern Xinji Archipgo. -Empire If this maind is firmly controlled, the European powers will not be able to covet the newnd for the time being. Then, the empire will not miss the opportunity to further strengthen its defenses. -If this cycle is repeated, the empires borders will be safer. -Ah! I see! Instead of seeing the problem that arose while handing over the sugar distilleries as a problem, they are using it as a stepping stone for a new n! exactly. Hyuns face, which had been answering Hyangs exnation with a bright smile, soon darkened. But the budget is the problem. Even now, there are manyints that the budget allocated to the Ministry of Defense is excessive. Hyang frowned and responded to Hyeons words. The problem is that those idiots are the loudest. At the end of each year and the beginning of the year, the imperial court posted budget-rted notices in government offices across the country. The post posted at the end of the year was to inform where and how much of next years budget would be spent, and the post posted at the beginning of the year was to inform how much was spentst year. And every time, appeals came in like a flood. Among them, the mostmon appeals were those criticizing that the proportion of defense spending was too high. joy! Hyang snorted and continued. What did you say? Even if the wall that protects the small mans hometown is low, a warrior cannot easily ovee it, and even if the moat is shallow, no one can jump over it. This empire is surrounded by a wide sea on all sides, so what else is this but a natural moat? No matter how powerful the artillery fire is, it cannot cross the sea, so what else is it but a fortress blessed by nature? Since ancient times, it has been said that those who rise by the sword will perish by the sword. The true royal road is to educate the four worlds by cultivating virtue rather than honing martial arts. Tsk tsk tsk! Seeing Hyang shaking her head and clicking her tongue, Hyeon asked a question without realizing it. Do you remember all that? It was so absurd that I remembered it. Well, no matter how powerful the artillery fire is, it cant cross the sea? You dont know its possible! Huh! Hyang, who had spoken her true feelings without realizing it, quickly shut her mouth. But Hyeon did not miss this. Is it possible? Maybe youve already thought of it? Ah thats Hyang, who was trying to stammer and evade his words, gave up when he saw Hyeons expression . Its my business! I had that thought while thinking about the magic sword. Hmm Just a thought. Hmm I understand. As Hyun, who had a strange expression on his face, stepped back, Hyang urgently said. He concluded, I believe that the European powers must not let down their guard as they are a group of people who do not give up when ites to their own interests. However, I dont think it should put a strain on the government and the peoples livelihood. The Emperor is probably already well aware of this, but I am telling you this out of old age. I will keep it in mind. After some time, everyone left and Hyang, who was left alone in the room, sighed. Whew~. It was breathtaking. By the way, is it time for me to go? A lot has been resolved. Anyway Hyang looked out the window with a worried expression. The smell of war is getting stronger again. If even one of the European powers produces smokeless gunpowder, it will be the start of a real race. Meanwhile, soon, rumors began to spread to Area 51 and across the sea to Area 52. C Tae Sang-tae is capable ofunching fireballs across the sea . He said it was possible with canvas! C No! He said it was possible with oxidation technology! So~? The craftsmen who heard the rumor began to light up. And then something they were worried about happened. Smokeless smoke in Ennd . Gunpowder was released. * * * The story began in a vige located on the outskirts of Southampton, Ennd. In Mar, where about 60 households gathered around a church, there was a unique presence. Bad people such as delusions, dreamers, braggarts, and crazy people He was an amateur alchemist with many nicknames. The neighbors clicked their tongues every time they saw the alchemist in question. Tsk! In the past, he was still a good friend. Thats right. Still, when he was working, he was a hard-working friend What is that guys wealth The most pitiful thing is his wife. It was in France that problems arose with Dobby, an amateur alchemist who made his neighbors click their tongues. This was after hearing a rumor that the person who made the silver was sitting on a money cushion. Dobby, who had always been interested in gunpowder, had a lifelong goal as soon as he heard the rumor. I became rich through the silver? Then gunpowder! Its gunpowder! They say the gunpowder of the Eastern Empire is powerful with less smoke, right? If I create something like that, I can be rich too! After setting a goal, Dobby devoted himself to research. And as time passed, there was constant discord in Dobbys family. This was because Dobby devoted himself to research and his wife took full responsibility for maintaining the household. For the first two or three years, Dobbys wife did notin much. However, as the five and ten years passed, Dobbys wife became unable to tolerate it. You damned bastard! Youre going to be stuck on something thats never going to work! Youre supposed to be working! Just wait a little while. I think I just need a little more. Its already been a few years! You damned squire! Work, work! Dobby continued his research even though he was caught off guard by this mistreatment. One day, Dobby, who was conducting research in theboratory C the kitchen and living room, to be exact C had an ident. Clink! The sulfuric acid and nitric acid bottles that had been ced on theboratory table were dropped. this! Dobby hastily grabbed a nearby towel with his chicle-gloved hands and wiped the floor. Dobby wiped the floor, enduring the stinging smell of nitric acid, and was horrified when he saw the messed up towel. It wasnt a towel, but the wifes favorite apron. How can I do this Dobby, who was staring nkly at the messed up apron, seemed to already be hearing his wifes swearing. And at some point, Dobbys reason was lost. Why me? I want to seed too! Dobby lost his temper due to the stress he had umted and threw his apron into the firece in front of him. Moment. pop! The moment the apron touched the mes in the firece, the mes exploded. Unfortunately, there were a lot of vehicles around the fire pit, and the fire spread here. Fire! Fire! As the fire spread inside the house, Dobby rushed out. Dobby, who was standing there devastated while neighbors who discovered the fire rushed to put it out, suddenly opened his eyes. Fire, like an explosion..explosion? explosion! At that moment, Dobby startedughing like crazy. Hahahahahaha! Youreughing because you did a good job! I cant take it anymore! Im getting a divorce! And over time, Europes first smokeless gunpowder, also known as Divorce gunpowder. Alternatively, gunpowder called D-gunpowder was born. European powers received intelligence and used bribes and spies to discover the secret of smokeless gunpowder in Ennd. And soon after, European powers began producing simr smokeless gunpowder. Aside from Dobby making a fortune with the smokeless gunpowder he developed, this also signaled the beginning of Europes second arms race. It was around this time that Japanese merchants in Naniwa smelled the smell of money mixed with blood. -War costs money. The Japanese merchants of Naniwa, who had this clearly in mind through past experience, began to move quickly. Chapter 1007 Episode 1007 Meanwhile, elsewhere.. (12) The first thing the Japanese merchants in Naniwa touched was polysilver. * * * Before and after the start of the Italian War, numerous European merchant ships entered and exited the open ports near Yamaguchi and Naniwa. Naniwa merchants who were doing business with European merchants discovered something unusual. The guns of the Europaeans have changed? Until then, I saw that sailors who had been carrying rifles with long guns or percussion caps were carrying breech-loading, single-shot rifles that looked simr to the rifles carried by Japanese government soldiers. Did the Empire sell new long guns? They must have been raising money again. But soon, the merchants of Naniwa learned the truth and their expressions changed. Did Pokyune out of Europa? The merchants of Naniwa who heard the rumor soon began to think. It is difficult to make a lot of money with sulfur alone. You can only make a lot of money by selling things that have been made by humans. In that sense, silver is a very good item. There is constant war in Europa. Naniwa merchants, who focused on silver as a new product, took advantage of European merchants. However, even in Europe, silver was a product whose manufacturing method was strictly controlled. In addition to the trust they had built up over the years, Naniwas merchants, who had tried to find out the manufacturing method by bribing and beauties, but had failed repeatedly, changed direction. Ill have to talk to the court. If that happens, Yamaguchis roons will get involved, right? I have to ept that. Arent silver and gunpowder things that can be made carelessly? Its better to give some away to the roons than to lose them all because they are used of being traitors. It is a situation where the word force majeure is appropriate. Yamaguchis roon dogs are happy to die. Although it was not satisfactory, Naniwas merchants chose the next best option and stood up to the Japanese court. Lets get the recipe for explosive silver from the Empire? Are you sane? Have you forgotten that what the Empire will never provide is the recipe for explosive silver and gunpowder? If I were one of those ignorant samurai, I would have cut off your heads right away. I just take it easy. The Naniwa merchants continued talking while bowing their heads in front of the young official who appeared to be about the age of their son or grandson. No matter how lowly the small people are, they are merchants who only care about money. How can you not know this? But the situation in Europa right now is unusual. Thats right. The Japanese government was not unaware of the growing war clouds in Italy. In particr, Yamuguchi Naniwa merchants were bing more interested as the taxes they paid increased. The merchants of Naniwa, who believed they couldmunicate, worked hard to persuade the officials. For some time now, the sailors of Europa merchant shipsing into the open port have been carrying new long guns. So I asked around and they said that Europa makes its own silver. The official, who had been sitting loosely as the merchants spoke, straightened up. Europa herself? Thats right. As you know, how greedy the Europeans are. We need the recipe for silver for the well-being of Great Japan. Hmm That makes sense. I understand. Ill report it to the top. Thank you so much! The Naniwa merchants persuaded various officials in this way, and on the other hand, they persuaded the Yamaguchi merchants with whom they were close friends and made contact with higher-ranking officials. Of course, the secretly rumored Naniwa glutinous rice mochi gift C a rice cake box with a gold bottom C was never missed. Officials believed that there was some influence of bribery and that the demands made made sense, so they made this issue public. Its a joke Yoshioki, who ascended to the throne of Japan in ce of Masahiro, who stepped down due to illness, pondered for a while and asked his subjects. Will Seoul really provide the recipe? Even if you dont want to give it away, you will have no choice but to give it away. why? Because Europa makes its own silver. This will be a great cause for us. Hmm Yoshioki, who was nodding his head while listening to the words of his subjects, nced towards the subjects of the Mudan Sect. I wonder who isnt the Mudan faction Thanks to their rivalry with the Munchi faction, they were the Mudan faction that roared at every agenda item. But now, he didnt even offer a rebuttal and just bowed his head. In other words, it was showing very strong support. Hmm Well, you cant lend a helping hand to the empire forever. Good! Form a group of envoys and go to Seoul. Be sure to get the recipe! * * * When the Japanese envoy visited Seoul, Hyeon muttered with an expression full of regret. Its a pity that Tae-sang is not there right now. When Japanese envoys arrived, Hyang was in the middle of a diplomatic mess against European powers in Italy. That is why Hyeon regretted the absence of a good advisor. However, Hyeon soon adjusted his expression. Anyway, I am the emperor of the empire now. All decisions must go through me. Advice is just advice. Hyeon, who had made up his mind, called his subjects together. * * * The ministers, who had already heard of the purpose of the envoys visit, gathered immediately upon Hyuns call. You already know why the Japanese envoys came. What do you think is appropriate to do? As soon as Hyuns question was finished, Han Myeong-hoe answered. It is considered good to pass on the recipe. And, if possible, it is also considered good to pass it on to people. Even people? Why? In response to Hyeons question, Han Myeong-hoe exined the reason. -The situation has already created a silver lining in Europe. -Considering the nature of Europeans, this could also be a threat to Ming and Japan. -Then, of course, Ming and Japan would also try to make their own money. -There are three ways at this time. One is to devise something yourself. These two are known from Europe. Three are things the empire tells us. -However, as seen in the case of Japan, the first thing to do is to ask the empire for help. Because it seems the easiest way. -If this is not epted, Ming and Japan will begin to develop animosity toward the empire. -However, if the empire willingly responds, they will try to maintain even closer friendly rtions with the empire. Please especially think about Lord Ming. If wee forward and tell him the recipe, it will be his achievement. I seewhat do you guys think? Jang Hang-seon came forward and answered Hyeons question. The Empire has already made much improved silver. It is said that the performance of the silver made in Europe is simr to the silver first made by the Empire. In that case, I think it is okay to inform the Ming and Japanese. No, it is said that the performance of the silver made in Europe is simr to the silver that the Empire first made. This is a great opportunity. Following Jang Hang-seon, Lim Sun-wook also came forward. I am not opposed to informing you, but intellectual property rights must be recognized. Should intellectual property rights be recognized? Are you asking for money? We must ept it. We must not leave a bad precedent. I see While the Prime Minister and the Left and Right Deputy Prime Ministers were all giving positive answers, the Minister of Education pointed out the problem. But the thing about Ming and Japan bothers me a little. At the words of the Minister of Education, Han Myeong-hoe stepped forward. If you make it think you are dealing with a hungry fox, it will do whatever it takes to climb over the fence and steal your livestock. However, if you give it a decent amount of food, it will actually wag its tail. Look at the example of the Song Dynasty in the past. Didnt they just throw away meat and fall into ruin? Song didnt have a club, but dont we have a very sturdy club? And even if we take over the recipe, we wont immediately cause trouble. What do you mean? Im Soon-wook took the ce of the Minister of Education. What they wanted was the manufacturing method for silver, so we will only hand over the manufacturing method for silver. What kind of pun is that? When the Minister of Education got angry, Hyeon shook his head. I see. Experience and yield were the issues. Thats right. ah! The other ministers all seemed to understand the conversation between Hyun and Im Soon-wook. Eventually, the empire handed over the manufacturing method of silver to the Ming and Japan. No, I sold it. * * * The response of the Ming and Japan was as expected by the empire. First of all, in the case of Myeong, I was delighted with the unexpected luck. Emperor Seonghwas royal guard, who received the silver manufacturing recipe from the empire, used it to agitate. -Thanks to the emperor, Seoul took over the city and passed on the recipe for making silver. -Through this, the emperors golden army will be more powerful, the borders will be safer, and the peoples lives will be more peaceful. -Isnt all this a virtue of the Emperor? Let all the people praise the virtue of the Emperor! The people of Ming, who had lost all wars against the empire, were well aware of the strength of the imperial army. Also, those who had some knowledge of gunpowder weapons were well aware of the importance of silver. And yet, you told me how to make the silver? There are two answers. One is that the Emperor really likes him and wants to be friends with him, and the other is that he is confident that we are strong enough not to worry even if we have the silver. Theres another thing. I like Cheonja so much that he gave me the recipe for making silver, so dont even think about touching him. If you touch Cheonja, Ill attack right away. Everyone who had been considering the empires intentions let out a long sigh. It would be mostfortable to just shout Long live the Son of Heaven. * * * In the case of Japan, Yamuguchi and Naniwa merchantspeted fiercely for the exclusive manufacturing of silver. After apetition involving pricepetition, bribery, beauty, and even violence, the Japanese government selected two tops, one from Yamaguchi and one from Naniwa. The problem was the next condition. -I will get the same amount for both sides in the first year. -We willpare the time and quality of delivery and then adjust the delivery quantity for the following year. -And I will keep repeating this. It was an outrightpetition. The two top teams had to make a desperate effort. -The bottom line is yield! If the yield was increased even slightly, it would be possible to overwhelmpetitors in terms of quality, time, and cost. The problem was that a very fatal ident urred during this process. In the process of handling mercury, a material for silver, many workers, craftsmen, and residents around the factory became acutely poisoned by mercury. In the case of incense, the Japanese did their best to prevent it from the first time they made silver, but they were unaware of it. In the end, Japan had to send a messenger back to the empire. And this became the first case of pollution disease recorded in history. However, thepetition between Yamaguchi and Naniwa merchants continued. The reason they sent a messenger to the empire through the government was because they had lost skilled craftsmen and workers due to the disease. And as the war broke out in Italy, Naniwas merchants were able to make huge profits. Sulfur was also a popr product, but it was because its poprity was very good. Even though it was a short period of time, the quality of the silver was quite good thanks to the fiercepetition. After returning to Seoul and checking the report, Hyang muttered with a bitter smile. Viva capitalism. Chapter 1008 Episode 1008: The name of firewood is the arms race (1) Naniwa merchants, who had a lot of fun selling military supplies to Europe, listened more actively to European trends. The East is like stagnant water, with little movement. But Europa is like boiling water, full of opportunities! Lets go to Europe! To thend of opportunity! Thanks to this, about two years after the end of the Italian Unification War, many Japanese merchants came to stay in Europe. Japanese merchants who settled in Europe did not only buildmercial buildings. Next to it, a Japanese-style kiru was built. Geishas from Japan soon became a hot topic among the European upper ss. And perhaps by coincidence, this Giru became a good source of information for Japanese merchants. * * * While running Giru, merchants were forced to use only Japanese, except for those in charge of greeting customers and paying bills. Since many Europeans were already visiting Japan, it wasmon for geishas and store clerks to be able to speak foreignnguages. Even the geishas brought to Europe were people who could speak French or Latin. I understand that you deliberately paid a lot of money to buy us because we know how to speak foreignnguages. But why? The courtesans expressed their doubts. The money paid by the merchants became the geishas debt. In order to repay this debt as quickly as possible, they had to capture rich customers as householders. In other words, they had to gently melt down the upper ss of Europe and capture them as householders. For this, conversation was absolutely necessary. To the gisaengs words, the merchants answered simply and clearly, We need ears that listen well, not mouths that can speak well. Then its hard to repay the debt Face. And there is a body. If you do as Im told and ask for good news, Ill reduce your debt further. Do you get what you promised? I promise. Nani and the merchants cunning strategy worked very well. The European upper ss who sought out the geishas were secretly seeking out geishas. We ended up sharing more intimate stories than the conversations we had at the base of . Can we have this conversation here? Its okay. Those girls dont understand us. Really? I bet. Oi ()! Uta ()! Hi (Ϥ). And the geishas reported to the merchants the stories they heard while drinking. The executives of the Milwi and Hyeonhyang, who learned of this information in the process of delivering the empires special multi-colored liquor to Kiru, Japan, or through agents nted in Japan, all smiled bitterly. Everything people think about goes there. In any case, through this process, Japanese merchants were able to secure European information more efficiently. It was through this article that information about the new gunpowder that had begun to spread throughout Europe, starting from Ennd, was obtained. * * * Japanese merchants, having received intelligence about the new gunpowder, once again contacted the government. After receiving intelligence from merchants, the Japanese government once again sent messengers to the empire. The imperial government, which had already received simr intelligence through the imperial troops stationed in Italy, came to the same conclusion as before. There is already gunpowder that is easier to handle and has stronger explosive power, so I think its okay to hand it over. Its a good time to show off since new gunpowder has already begun to spread. In this way, the empire sold the recipe for Deokgap-style gunpowder, an early type of smokeless gunpowder, to the Ming and Japan. Here, Japan did not forget its past experiences and carefully checked the precautions to be taken during manufacturing. This was to avoid repeating the mistake of once again losing arge number of skilled craftsmen and workers. Meanwhile, in the Ming Dynasty, this kind of conversation went back and forth between Emperor Seonghwa and the Imperial Guard. What should I say about this? What a fisherman? They had learned of the situation through secret lines connected to the empire. Should I send a messenger to Japan to express my gratitude? * * * In any case, Japanese merchants, rather than Japan, who imported the manufacturing method of smokeless gunpowder from the Empire, attempted mass production. Once they sessfully overcame the initial trial and error process and seeded in mass production, the merchants began to export it to Europe. The targets were weak European countries C the princes of the Holy Roman Empire and Eastern European countries. Unlike France, Ennd, Habsburg Spain, etc., theycked capital, especially capital. Therefore, they purchasedrge quantities of smokeless gunpowder from Japanese merchants. . After hearing the extent of the involvement, the imperial officials gathered in small groups and talked. Shall we sell it too? Simr stories also circted among high-ranking people. What do you think? In response to Hyeons question, Minister of Foreign Affairs Shin Sook-ju stepped forward and said, Unfortunately, this is something our empire cannot do. There are people who already look at us with unkind eyes. If war breaks out inside Europe, they will hold us responsible. Even though we didnt start the war? Thats right. For now, we have to be satisfied with Italy, Portugal and Switzend. * * * Italy, which took over the production facilities and technology of Florence long guns from the empire, has grown into one of the leading gun manufacturers in Europe. Surprisingly, it is currently the most famous gun manufacturer in Italy. It was a Beretta. Of course, unlike the history before the intervention of the city, this Beretta belonged to Florence. In the case of Portugal, it was famous for its powerful naval power. The size of the fleet was alsorge, but all of the battleships were guns made in the empire C after being salvaged from France. This was because it was armed with an early type of decorative artillery. In the case of Switzend, it was famous as an armed neutral country. Thanks to its control of the main transportation routes passing through the Alps, Switzend was receiving a lot of customs revenue. As a result, there were those who tried to protect Switzend. However, the Swiss army, armed with imperial firearms, made them give up this idea. For the European powers, the existence of Italy, Portugal and Switzend was a very painful thorn. * * * Following the generalization of gunpowder, the advent of smokeless gunpowder led to the emergence of smokeless gunpowder in Europe. The great powers entered into an arms race once again. The first things the great powers, especially France, tried their hand at were long guns and cannons. France put a lot of effort into producing the Florentine long guns and armored fire trucks acquired during the War of Italian Unification. Interesting Among these two, the one that the French Army put the most effort into was the armored fire truck. This was due to the terrible memory of being hit by the armored fire truck wielded by the assault troops in thest Italian war. A fire truck rather than a long gun! A fire truck rather than a long gun ! Fire trucks are better! This was the slogan going around among the French Army. If the French Army was working on Florentine rifles and fire trucks, the cannons were what the entire French army clung to. During the Battle of Corsica, the French either sank near the northern coastline of Corsica or Risking their lives, they salvaged cannons and shells from the stranded Imperial battle lines and transported them back to the home country. It was literally risking their lives. They approached the sunken Imperial battle lines, avoiding the highly poisonous eyes of the Imperial Navy, and used no special auxiliary equipment. This was because not only the salvage work, which relied solely on the lung capacity of the divers, but also the crossing of the sea carrying the salvaged cannons and shells required risking ones life. When the cannons and shells salvaged at the risk of their lives arrived in their home country, the French military gathered craftsmen from the military and began dismantling them. The task was to record every detail and shape, right down to the smallest spring and screw, and casualties urred in the process. This was because, while disassembling a cannon that was lifted with a loaded shell, an explosion urred while disassembling a shell equipped with a fuse. France, which seeded in disassembling it despite the loss of life, began reverse engineering based on this. However, the prototype created through reverse engineering showed performance that was significantly inferior to the original. why? It was made with the same iron and the same figures, but why? High-ranking officials in the French military, who could not ept the results, scolded the craftsmen. The answers the craftsmen gave to the advice of high-ranking people were the same. Its not the same iron! French steel was of very poor qualitypared to imperial steel. The French military confirmed the problem and immediately reported it to Charles VIII. After receiving the report, Charles VIII and his ministers chose one policy and one alternative. -Strengthen national support for the development of better steelmaking technology. -Adjust the values to match the French steel currently being produced. Both required huge budgets and trial and error. But it was unavoidable. The good news was that Frenchmercial powers actively cooperated to ensure the sess of the iron technology development policy. In order to make greater profits from the railroads that are still being built, better quality tracks and better-performing iron horses were needed, and for this, better quality steel was needed. Thanks to a kind of global support, the development of new cannons and shells was able to seed faster than expected. However, just when we were optimistic that everything would proceed smoothly from now on, a major ident urred. Spain had handed over key information, including blueprints for new cannons and shells, to Ennd. * * * Spain, which suffered heavy losses in the War of Italian Unification and lost strategic points in the Mediterranean region, including Gibraltar and Algeciras, to the Empire, joined hands with France again. The biggest cause of the copse of Spain, which had been actively cooperating with France by providing funds and personnel, was sugar liquor. France, which took over the empires sugar liquor distillery, exportedrge quantities of sugar liquor to Spain and made a lot of profit. Spain, which was faced with many social and economic problems, strongly protested against France and announced a ban on the import of sugar liquor. When the import of sugar liquor was banned, sugar smuggling began to increase on the Spanish border. As smuggling continued no matter how much they cracked down, Spain began to suspect the French government. Arent you ignoring it on purpose? Day after day, the Spanish ambassador visited King Charles VIII and French ministers to ask for a solution to the problem, but as progress was still sluggish, Spains suspicions turned into confidence. Eventually, Spain began to seriously consider colluding with Ennd. -If we think about the border issue, we cannot stay together with France forever. -France may be using smuggling to find a way to break through the border. -Ennd and France are known enemies. -If Ennd bes stronger, France will be so focused on Ennd that it will not be able to pay attention to the border with us. -Ennds sugar liquor is also a problem, but Ennd has to travel by sea. It can be blocked more easily. After reviewing these circumstances, Spain joined hands with Ennd to attack France. * * * Ennds development of new cannons, which had handed over key information to Ennd, did not slow down at all. Why? Why? Espa?a could not hide her frustration as the situation was much different than expected. And Hyang, who received information about this, smiled and muttered an answer. There are two answers. One is the quality of the steel and the other is the unit. Chapter 1009 Episode 1009: The name of firewood is arms race (2) Hyang continued to sigh while looking at the report. Foot! This unit problem is more troublesome than the quality of steel. The problem is that they are all vaguely simr. Hyang shook his head slightly as he lifted up the ruler ced on one side. Peoples ideas alle from there. * * * Vague simrity. This was the reason why we decided that scent was the biggest problem. Feet, pied, inch, and pouce were the units used in East and West at the time. And if you look at its origin, it was based on the human body, regardless of East or West. The problem was that, as Hyang said, these units seemed subtly simr but different. The feet were about 30.4cm, the feet were about 32.5cm, the chucks were about 30.3cm for Yeongjocheok, the inches were about 2.54cm, and the pousses were about 2.7cm, and the teeth were about 3.03cm. Because these were subtly simr yet different units, problems arose in the process of converting them to the units used in their own country. Errors continued to ur in the process of calcting numbers that changed slightly in decimal units. That wasnt all. The precision of measuring instruments used in weapon production, including rulers, was also a problem. There was no way the prototype made based on inurate measuring instruments and a design full of errors could have been ok. The best way to solve this problem was through time-consuming trial and error. * * * Unification of units and weights and measures is the best, but it is not easy. The scent brought back memories of the past. -In order to sessfullyplete the gyeongjang, unification of weights and measures muste first. Why would Emperor Qin Shi Huang first unify weights and measures? For a country to be strong, the three branches of government must be run properly. For that to happen, weights and measures must be unified! King Sejong and all ministers agreed with Hyangs argument, and unification of weights and measures was carried out. Perhaps by coincidence, it was during the reign of King Sejong that the weights and measures system was established in the royal history before Hyang intervened. Until then, the Jucheo (ܳ) established in the Zhou Dynasty was used as a basis, but it was a mess. In severe cases, the length of the chuck was different in each vige. Thats why King Sejong reorganized this mess of weights and measures. First of all, in the case of chucks, they are divided into main chucks used to measure distances andnd, Yeongjo chucks used when using buildings, Hwangjong chucks used to manufacture and match musical instruments, and fabric chucks used to measure the length of cloth at home and in stores. did. Afterwards, among the items carried by secret royal inspectors when they went out on secret missions, there was a brass ruler in the shape of a square pir, and each side of this pir had graduations corresponding to the above four scales engraved on it. Secret envoys who arrived at the government office of the town to be inspected used this person to check whether there was any corruption in the tax administration. However, with the intervention of the township, reorganization was changed to unification. Due to the strong insistence of the local government, both government and civil officials came to use only Yeongjocheok. What is interesting is the reason why Hyang imed Yeongjocheok. -Because it is the most familiar unit of length. At that time, the areas of virtue where incense was hung were weapons and iron horses, and here, Yeongjocheok was used. Therefore, the unit of length with which incense is most familiar was Yeongjocheok. Of course, Hyang didnt say this out loud. Think about what will be done in the country in the future. Of course, we will build more buildings, make more weapons, and decide on an army. Think about the iron horses and the railroads that the iron horses will run on. In short, Yeongjocheok will be used the most. Thats it! Thats why we must unify under Yeongjocheok! The ministers at the time considered Hyangs im reasonable and rmended it to King Sejong. Is that so? It wont be easy. But lets all work together to make it happen. I follow your orders! That was the conclusion, but Sejong red at Hyang with narrowed eyes. No matter how I look at it, it doesnt seem to be for those reasons, but no matter how I look at it, it seems like it was for convenience No matter what the intention was, reorganizing or unifying weights and measures was something that absolutely had to be done. Of course, the peoples response was not positive. It has been used well for generations and is still being used well! Annoying Three! I dont know! If I just hold on, Ill end up like Yuamu again! Even though the fate of fate was handed down, the people did not change easily. But this time, the country did not back down easily. What are you thinking about? Hello! Transport these guys away immediately! Oh my gosh, old man Sato! King Sejong and the government pushed for the unification of weights and measures, even imposing strong sanctions. This is the seconding of Qin Shi Huang! The people who had been happy until recently, saying, A prosperous king has emerged, protested, saying, A tyrant has emerged, but King Sejong pushed ahead to the end. Eventually, after about 10 years, a unified weights and measures system was finally established. * * * Despite all the trials and errors caused by problems with weights and measures and the quality of steel, Ennd did not give up. Theres a blueprint! All you have to do is try! This is a matter of survival! For Ennd, it was literally a matter of survival. It was because of Cis. We cant lose Cis! After the Hundred Years War, the only remaining English territory in maind France was Cis. And Cis was not just a territory. Even after the 100 Years War ended, the kings of Ennd called themselves Kings of France and their base was Cis. Cis was and that could not be lost, not only for political reasons but also economically. At that time, the wool exported from Ennd was collected in Cis, and 35% of Ennds fiscal revenue was provided here. -If we lose Cis, we will be a frontier ind again! In this desperate crisis, Ennd was desperately trying to develop cannons. After such desperate efforts, Ennd was finally able to obtain breech-loading cannons. Ennd, which had perfected not only cannons but also explosive bombs to go with them, began producing them inrge quantities. And when Ennd began mass production, Spain presented the bill. I have to do the calctions, right? . We have to do it. In the end, after fierce negotiations, the newly produced cannons were divided into 7 for Ennd and 3 for Spain. Whatever the circumstances were, as the new cannons began to be deployed, the military and authorities in Ennd and Spain sighed in relief. He exhaled. Whew~. With this, we will be able to stop Frances dominance. They were relieved as they deployed the newly developed cannons not only to the army but also to the navy. * * * While they were doing so, rted intelligence continued toe in to the empire. Imperial Embassy in Italy There was a lot of informationing in through the imperial army dispatched to the Italian army, but surprisingly, there was also a lot of information openly leaked from the French and English governments. Those in charge of the imperial army were in serious trouble over this information. Can you believe this? Still, if you think about the rtionship between the two countries The information openly leaked by the French and English governments was about the other country. In other words, France leaked confidential information about Ennd, and Ennd did the opposite. . The issue of the reliability of the information leaked by the two countries reached Hyun. What do you think? asked Hyeon, Han Myeong-hoe stepped forward and answered, I think you just have to believe it to the extent of about 60%. 60%. Thats ambiguous. But I think its appropriate. Lets do it that way. By the way, why do you think they are doing this? Shin Suk-ju stepped forward and answered, One is the rtionship between the two countries. There is no one who does not know that Ennd and France are enemies with each other. Neither country wants the other to be ahead, so they are leaking information to us. Are you saying that each side is holding the other back? Thats right. And the other one in English is Give & take. Give and take? Hmm Hyun, who pondered Shin Sook-jus words for a moment, sneered. Is what they want a deal? Is it a return favor? You dont think theyre doing us a favor by saying a few words like that, do you? Han Myeong-hoe stepped forward and responded to Hyeons sarcasm. They probably arent that stupid. But Hyang, who heard the storyter, shook his head. He stirred. The world is overflowing with idiots to that extent or worse. In any case, the officials of the Imperial Military and Finance Ministry of the prefecture and county smiled wryly at the reactions of the great powers to the intelligenceing in from Europe, especially regarding the new cannon. From now on , he said. Do you know that this is the beginning of a truly bloody time? You have to listen to the sound of money flowing out of the treasury like an ebb While working-level officials from the military and the Ministry of Finance and Economy were talking about this, Hyun Eun worked with ministers to do simr things. We were talking. Where do you think the noise will start? To Hyuns question, Jang Hang-seon came forward and answered, It will probably start with the navy. * * * As Jang Hang-seon said, the military of the European powers, especially the navy. The sound started from there. The newly created cannons were notpatible with the existing warships. Due to the inferior quality of steelpared to the Empire, the new cannons of the European powers wererger and heavier than the Imperial ones. In the end, in order to properly use the new cannons, battleships were needed. The interior of the ship, especially the framework and gun deck, had to be strengthened on arge scale. After calcting the budget for this, the Navys finance officers let out a long sigh. Whew~. It would be cheaper to build a new warship. But soon, rather changed to inevitable. It was because of the new shell that came with the new cannon. The Imperial Armys name armor-piercing grenade was the problem. * * * The artillery shells previously used by the European powers were iron or stone balls cast or carved to match the caliber of the gun. The stone balls were unable to withstand the explosive power of gunpowder and often broke as soon as they were fired , so iron balls became the standard for the European powers at that time. It was a cannonball. In a naval battle, these iron balls were surprisingly not very effective. They only made holes in the hull. Therefore, the survivability of not only the battleship but also the crew was quite high. The mostmon time for sailors to die in a naval battle was not during gunfire, but during hand-to-handbat on board. It was time. But the advent of the armor-piercing U-turn changed all this. The hull hit by the armor-piercing grenade had a bigger hole than before. Not only that, but many of the sailors nearby were killed or injured by the fragments and mes created by the shell. In other words, the survivability of the warship itself was greatly reduced. How to solve this? To the question of high-ranking people, shipbuilding experts immediately answered, Only an irond ship is the answer. If possible, arge ship with a steam engine is the answer. It has to be a ship. In response to the answers from the shipbuilding experts, the dignitaries immediately thought of a warship. Charge return ship? ..Yes. The dignitaries who heard the answer let out a long sigh. Whew~. Its a ship that even the Empire doesnt have. Chapter 1010 Episode 1010: The name of the firewood is the arms race (3) C Arge irond ship equipped with a steam engine. Shipbuilding experts argued that the new cannon was absolutely necessary for use in the navy, but high-ranking officials did not immediately give approval. No, I couldnt do it. How much money has been spent to build new warships so far * * * As the Imperial Navy became active in the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean and Terra was discovered, European powers also engaged in full-scale warshippetition. In particr, European powers, seeing the imperial navy roaming the seas, actively introduced new concepts to the warships they would use. -You will be able to use the colonels cannon. -Secure quick mobility. In order to meet these requirements, the attention of European shipbuilding experts focused on the shipyards of Suez, to be exact, Prince Henry Port. This was because the front lines of the imperial fleet stationed in the Mediterranean were being built at the time. The imperial ships built at Prince Henrys Portcked key designs such as the double hull characteristic of the imperial army, but their overall performance was still superior to that of the ships of European powers. ordingly, European powers designed warships with simr hull shapes and began experiments. After several trials and errors, a stable design waspleted, and the great powers, especially Ennd and France, began topetitively produce new ships inrge quantities. It was to take control of the route to Terra, bypassing Africa. And soon after, Portugal and Spain entered thispetition in earnest. Thanks to the same basic base, the ships of the great powers, which seemed simr but had slightly different appearances, roamed the eastern Antic and Indian Oceans. As a natural result, the ship catalogs created to identify enemy ships became increasingly thicker. * * * Because of this background, high-ranking people in the powers could not easily give the Go sign. This was because the costs incurred in developing new ships and building them inrge quantities had not yet been properly recovered. This was even more serious in France and Spain. This was because arge number of ships had been lost in the Battle of Corsica and subsequent hunting by the Imperial Navy, and mass construction had begun again to recover them. However, other powers were not properly aware of this. This was because France and Spain carried out a camouge operation to prevent other powers from finding out about their situation. They carried out camouge operations, such as changing the name te with the name of the ship and changing the captain and crew, to make the damage they would suffer appear smaller than it actually was. In addition, those involved were strictly cracked down to prevent the facts from leaking out. In the case of Spain, even though they joined hands with Ennd, they did not even say until the end how much damage they and France had suffered. However, the great powers ultimately had no choice but to request the development of new warships from their monarchs. If we fall behind here, something even more terrible will happen next. Ennd had no choice but to be conscious of France, and France had no choice but to be conscious of Ennd. The situation in Spain and Portugal was the same. And on the route through the Antic to Gloria, everyone except their own ships were enemies. Because of this back-and-forth rtionship, the great powers were not in a position to start developing new ships. The monarchs of the great powers heaved a long sigh after seeing the reports submitted by the prime ministers. Whoa. Its an unavoidable expense, but it makes me feel sick. I will do my best to make it a sess as quickly as possible. I look forward to it. However, among the European powers politicians and intellectuals, no one expected that this would result in something like falling into a swamp. Only the people of the empire who had already experienced it and were still suffering knew about it. Words like these began to circte among the empires working-level officials who confirmed the intelligence. When will that Cheadles crotch be torn? * * * As I said The shipbuilding experts of the European powers in charge of developing new ships also had headaches. The idea of a rge irond ship equipped with a steam engine was not just a matter of increasing the size of the ship, installing a steam engine, and covering it with iron armor. The shape of the hull and the skeletal system had to be reconsidered from the beginning. I cant help it. In the end, the Joseon experts of the great powers came to use the empires sudden return as a reference. However, the assault return ships staying at the Livorno military port were ssified. Joseon experts from the great powers visited high-ranking officials and suggested a workaround. Please obtain paintings depicting the Battle of Corsica at the time. The pictures? Why? Its because of the assault return. .I understand. As a result of this chain reaction, the prices of paintings depicting that time skyrocketed, and several artists were left with a lot of money. Although the uracy of the proportions cannot be measured, the engineers of the great powers, who at least knew what the shape of the hull was, began to design the hull skeleton and various other things based on this. The biggest hurdle has been ovee. Weve built big ships, so the rest will be smooth. Experts were optimistic about the future, but soon they faced a huge wall. -Level of technology inferior to that of the Empire. A wall that could not be easily ovee was blocking their path. The first thing that stopped them was low-quality iron. As a result, the output and efficiency of the steam engine decreased, and the size had to be increased to solve this problem. Asrge and less efficient steam engines were installed, the hull had to berger, and the framework had to be made more rigid to handle the hull. Then the weight of the hull had to be increased and a more powerful steam engine was required. In that case, a never-ending vicious cycle was created. The shipbuilding experts of the great powers, who were worried over and over again, had no choice but toe up with apromise. Thepromise they came up with was the gibeomseon (C). Lets set up sails like weve done so far. Lets use the steam engine only when we need high speed when we encounter spirit winds during battle. Thats the best thing for now. Shipbuilding experts, who had been drawing attention to the design of the ship, soon tilted their heads. You look kind of familiar? I think I saw this somewhere Where was it? The experts of the great powers, who were remembering, soon ced their hands on their foreheads. ck Mirror.. You said you were building a battleship, but did youe up with a transport ship? It wasnt long before the shipbuilding experts, who were suffering from a sense of self-destruction, felt a chill go down their spines. You mean the Empire has already passed this road? How far ahead are they? The Empire must be designing new warships Its a nightmare. Shipbuilding experts who understood the situation up to this point summarized it and uploaded it to the top. High-ranking people also became serious about this. The monarchs who received their reports also had serious expressions. * * * After receiving the report through the Prime Minister, Charles VIII looked at the Prime Minister, cing his hand on his forehead. So what do those in charge of shipbuilding say? Was there an alternative? There are two alternatives they have put forward. For the time being, they will maintain their power with existing battleships and continue to focus on research and development. The other is to adopt the model ship they are currently designing as their main force and then improve it step by step. What are the pros and cons between the two? The former must endure the current unstable situation, but if development is sessful, it can catch up in an instant. Thetter Wait. Charles VIII, who interrupted the Prime Minister, pointed out the problem. When will we see results from that research and development? Schrs and craftsmen are doing their best, so we will be able to receive good results soon. So, when does soon mean? It is impossible to know when it will end. Lets put our hopes on this and just hold on for now, shall we? With Ennd just around the corner? So, Your Highness, are you choosing thetter? Thats right. The empire I know is like a bear that sleeps when its stomach is full. As long as you dont touch it first, nothing happens, but if you touch it rashly, it gets angry. When it gets angry, even if it is full, it bites and tears the other person to pieces. I guess so. The Prime Minister nodded at Charles VIIIs words. When the chancellor agreed, Charles VIII made a conclusion. The situation that has arisen now is not only for us in France, but also for others, especially Ennd. So what is the best? Rather than catching up with the Empire, it is more important to suppress others nearby first. Other powers may purchase warships from the empire. Why did I call the Empire a well-fed bear? The Empire hates troublesome things. If it sells warships, it will sell them everywhere. Isnt it clear from what the Empire has done in Italy? The Prime Minister, who pondered Charles VIIIs words for a moment, soon nodded. * * * In the War of Italian Unification, the empire moved very actively. However, once the war was over and the situation was settled, the empire immediately withdrew. The powers that were analyzing the war policy after the end of the war soon came to simr conclusions. -The Empire was confident that war would break out in Italy. -If this was left unattended, it was certain that the empire would suffer great losses in various fields. -For this reason, the empire moved in advance and steered the situation in a favorable direction. -And as soon as the desired result was achieved, he immediately stepped down. -Instead, we gave strength to Switzend, Portugal, and Italy to equalize the probability of troublesome incidents urring. The European powers analyzed up to this point reached the following conclusions about the empire. -They are smart, butzy. -If ones own interests are maintained, one does not actively move. The imperial officials whoter heard this assessment were outraged. Lazy? You guys try taking charge of the empires administration! Are you calling mezy? We just stopped it from escting! In the end, Charles VIII chose Ki Beom-seon. And the monarchs of other European powers took simr measures. This was because it was more urgent to deal withpetitors right in front of us rather than a distant empire. As a result, they fell into a deeper quagmire. * * * The biggest reason why the European powers fell into the quagmire was mutual distrust. The European powers had a history of shing with each other at least once or twice. Because of this, they could not trust each other and had no intention of stopping the arms race. If it had been history before the intervention of the Hyang, the marriage alliance would have slowly begun, but with the intervention of the Hyang, the marriage alliance disappeared into the distance. As bordering countries became distrustful of each other, the arms race continued to inject energy. The next biggest reasons were outdated technology and insufficient capital. No, insufficient capital was the biggest reason. A continuing problem with new ships as well as new cannons was the lower quality steelpared to imperial steel. No, not just steel, but all iron materials were of lower qualitypared to the Empire. It wasnt just quality. Therge steel te that would cover the hull of the new warship was also much smaller than that of the Empire. This was because the steel mills capacity was insufficient. Perhaps this was the biggest butterfly effect brought about by the intervention of scent. The European powers did not have sufficient capital. Chapter 1011 Episode 1011 The name of firewood is the arms race (4) Although a considerable amount of time had passed since the steam engine was introduced, industrialization had not yet taken hold in European powers. This was due to the inevitable temporal background. It was a time when there were almost no propermercial powers except for the Italian city-states and themercial powers of the Middle East. Of course, there was the Hanseatic League in Northern Europe, but the main trading items were salt beer and various textiles. Industries that required heavy and heavy production facilities, such as steel, were very vulnerable. Of course, if we look at the overall characteristics of these fewmercial powers, they were small in scale. There were also huge capitals that controlled all of Europe, such as the Medici family in Florence. However, for the most part, it was simr to a union of small merchants C guilds C who had reunited. In other words, there was ack of capacity to project capital on arge scale and create huge industrial facilities. It was not just capital that wascking in capabilities. As mentioned above, their characteristic was that they were an association of small merchants. Of course, decisions had to go throughplicated procedures and were often overturned depending on the interests of each member. At least, they united as one and expressed active support for promoting a centralized system centered on the king. This was because the centralized system was more beneficial to them than the traditional aristocratic feudalist system. Theck of capabilities of themercial powers was one cause, but the power shortages themselves were also a problem. Both Ennd and France still felt the aftereffects of the 100 Years War. This was the same for Spain and Portugal. Both countries also still had the aftereffects of the Reconquista C Portugals Reconquista. It wasnt all the aftereffects of the war. In France, Spain, and Portugal, the core of the economy was agriculture. In the case of Spain and Portugal, they made great profits from the ve trade using ves acquired from Africa, but if you think about the overall scale, agriculture was still their main focus. To be more precise, the main focus was operating farms usingrge quantities of ves in colonies in Africa and the North Antic. Ennd and Italy were the countries with the basic capabilities to continue developingmerce and industry, but these also had limitations. In Italy, there wererge capitalists other than the Medici family, but they were unable to go beyond the boundaries of city-states. It was not a geographical boundary, but a boundary of thought. Although he traveled to every corner of the Mediterranean, traded, and made huge profits, his macroscopic view was that he could not leave his hometown city. This was the same for Cosimo de Medici, who had great insight. Although he understood the true intentions of the empire before anyone else, he was ultimately unable to escape from the interests of Florence and his family. After the unification of Italy, they were able to move beyond their own city and have a broader perspective, but this time, the aftermath of the unification war became an obstacle. In the case of Ennd,mercial power was able to grow thanks to protectionism that continued from Edward III. But Ennd had to ovee a major obstacle. The problem was a too small market. At this time Ennd was not united with Scond and Irnd. Therefore, it had a market that was too small and weak to grow properly. In order for European powers to ovee these obstacles and grow into powerful and wealthy countries, they eventually had to expand outside. The problem was that the incense blocked this path, half on purpose, half by coincidence, and 90% intentionally. * * * From the European perspective, it was a huge disaster for King Sejong and Hyang to take over Shinji. This was because a huge territory with abundant resources had been blown away. There were Terra (Australia) and Gloria (South America) that were handed over by the empire on behalf of Shinji, but most of these areas were barren C deserts and jungles. Compared to the overall size, the area where people could live was very small. There was also a way to pioneer barrennds. However, this was arge piece of history that required a lot of time and money, and the powers did not have enough funds. There were too many countries setting foot there. In Terra, known European powers had established colonies and were ring at each other, and in the case of Gloria, Ennd and France, who had secretly followed the Portuguese and Italian ships, were secretly preparing to nt their gs. * * * India and Southeast Asia were also scented with red pepper powder. The Sultanate of Bengal, which began trading with saltpeter during the reign of King Sejong, as well as therge and small Indian emirates were armed with guns and cannonsparable to the armies of European powers. It wasnt just India. Large and small sultanates in Southeast Asia, including Luzon and Mya, were also armed with guns and cannons. This was thanks to the Ming and Japanese hard work selling guns and cannons. In addition, countries such as Daewol (Vietnam) and Sumra (Thand) were even attempting their own production. Thanks to this, the European powers could not push in unconditionally. In some ways, the European powers were in dire straits, and their gaze naturally turned to the empire and the Ottoman Empire. However, both the Empire and the Ottomans were formidable opponents. * * * The Ottomans were the absolute power in the southern Mediterranean region. It controlled most of the territory of the Mamluk dynasty, which had once been its strongest rival, and was expanding its territory into the Arabian Penins and Persia. Funnily enough, the entity that had the greatest influence on Ottoman expansion was the empire. In ordance with the agreement reached when building the Suez Railway, the Ottomans stopped advancing north after Constantinople. Instead, the Ottomans, who had drastically reorganized their military, diverted their troops to North Africa and the Persian region of the Arabian Penins. It was thanks to Suez that the Ottomans were able to pursue such a bold expansion policy. For the purpose of securing the Suez Passage, France and Florence supported the Ottoman invasion of the Mamluks. This support was cut off with the outbreak of the War of Italian Unification, but it was enough for the Ottomans. After reorganizing North Africa, the Ottomans gradually expanded into the Arabian Penins and Persia. Ottoman, who secured the safety of trade routes leading to the empire by taking control of the Arabian Penins in North Africa and Persia, pursued exchanges with the empire even more passionately. The Ottomans not only imported weapons but also sent overseas students to adopt the empires learning and technology, bing a powerful force in the Middle East. The military branches of the European powers that were analyzing the Ottoman situation all shook their heads. Its hard to do alone. Then union? For what reason? By concluding the Suez-rted treaty, the Ottomans made Jerusalem a kind of semi-independent city. -Pay the prescribed taxes properly. -Do not force your religion on others. -Anyone cane and live in Jerusalem as long as these conditions are met. -Pilgrims can enter Jerusalem by paying a toll tax. Because of this, European Christians were also able to enter and exit Jerusalem without any inconvenience. Here, at the suggestion of the empire, which smelled of money, a railway jointly formed by France, Florence, Portugal, and the Ottomans wasid from Prince Henrys Port to Jerusalem. It was a bonus that famous resorts were created around this railroad, which was built along the scenic coastline. Of course, as it was famous, it became a resort area filled with all kinds of entertainment and decadence, and devout clerics of Christianity and Im cursed it as the return of Sodom and Gomorrah. As a result, Jerusalem, the most useful cause, became useless. Still, if you push things forward by force.. France, Portugal and Italy will never intervene, right? Itll be lucky if they dont be enemies. We must not forget Suez. France, Portugal and Italy will nevere together unless Suez bes useless. So whats left is the empire? Is it a spinning empire? Those who assumed the empire as their enemy shook their heads. Theres no need to calcte this. Its a sure loss. Its impossible for now. As time passes They did not know the reality of the empire. * * * The Ming Empire was the only country to achieve economy of scale during this period. With itsrge territory andrge poption in the central ins, the Ming Dynasty had already established an economy of scale. Thanks to this, even though it suffered two defeats and a civil war, it was able to once again establish its presence as a powerhouse in Northeast Asia. In the case of the empire, it was able to achieve economy of scale by taking control of the Northern Territory and the New Territories. The most symbolic example was the railroad and steel industry. After taking control of the northern territories, the empire passionately built railroads. The vast ins of the northern region were optimal for railroad construction. In addition to crossing the entire northern region from east to west, north to south, the construction of a railway connecting the northeastern forests to Lake Baikal led to a surge in orders for tracks to beid on the railway. It wasnt just orbit. Demand for iron horses and passenger wagons to run on railroads also increased rapidly. To meet this demand, the imperial court not only increased the size of existing steel mills but also built new steel mills. As a result,rge-scale steel mills were established not only in the headquarters of the empire but also in the northern region, and these mills produced steel inrge quantities. As production increased, the price of steel became cheaper, and other products made from steel could be brought to the market more cheaply. This was the same in Shinji. In the beginning of the process of building a railroad in the new area, materials were transported from the main site, but this was a bigger deal than the stomach. Thanks to this, Ministry of Finance and Economy officials waved a white g to Hyang. Even if someone wanted it that much, I was opposed to it because it cost a lot of money, but now I have no choice. If you consider the ferry fare and construction costs In the end, this was one of the biggest reasons why Area 52 was created in Shinji. And the steel mill built in Area 52 did its job well. Later on, Jinpyeong, who came with the incense that found Shinji, became the gship. The steel mill in Area 52, which waster established, became thergest steel mill in the empire. To some extent, just one steel mill in Area 52 produced about 30% more than thebined production of all steel mills located in the empires headquarters and the northern region. With this economy of scale achieved, the empire was able to take on the challenge of buildingrge iron ships. The best example was the iron armor te, which was the biggest problem faced by European powers in the construction of irond ships. At this time, the empire was producing steel tes with thergest area in the world. The same was true for the keel and ribs. This was not the only effect brought about by the steel mill in Shinji Area 52. Monopoly Imperial Army District 52 Steel Mill. This became a major means of quickly imperializing the indigenous people of Shinji, specifically the indigenous people of the northeastern region of Shinji. Chapter 1012 Episode 1012: The name of firewood is the arms race (5) In a way, I am addicted to the sweetness of capitalism. It was a self-evaluation full of self-deprecation, butpared to the European powers, it could be seen as the most refined and fair. This was the luck brought by the times. ording to the remaining records, at least the Korean Penins has had active exchanges with the outside world since the Three Han Dynasties. Although there were many problems due to the cries of Japanese pirates and Red Turban enemies just before the fall of the country, Goryeo was also a country with active foreign trade. Therefore, the people of the early Joseon Dynasty had rtively less resistance to outsiders than theter Joseon Dynasty. On the contrary, in thete Joseon Dynasty, which suffered a fatal blow from foreign powers during the Japanese Invasion of Korea and the Manchu War, extremely defensive poetry and painting were created. Not only the entire country but also each and every small vige worked together to block ess from outside entities. In a situation where everything was blocked, I ended up living my life satisfied with today being the same as yesterday and tomorrow being the same as today. Those who wanted toe out and break the society and system that had be hardened and had fallen into a vegetative state due to arteriosclerosis were treated as impurities and buried. However, since this was not the case in the early Joseon Dynasty, it was easy for people and cultures from outside, starting with the Jurchen people, to live together. Another piece of luck was outdated technology. The reason why European powers in the 19th century, which could be said to be the peak of imperialism, were able to operate vast colonies was because they had superior technology, especiallymunication technology,pared to their colonies. By taking advantage of their superiority inmunication technology, including the telegraph, the powers were able to effectively respond to the reactionary movements of the colonial natives. However, even the empire did not have themunication technology of Zhou Shun in the 19th century. In this situation, rule by force was impossible, especially in the newly secured territory, especially the new territory. With the strength of the empire at the time, symbolized by a small poption and still growing capital, the option of military rule was an impossible option. With the addition of the scent MSG to the above historical background, a refined and fair imperial style was created. * * * Whatever the background, irond ships became like a poison or holy grail to European powers. I think its too much for our current capabilities But other guys are making it, right? I cant help it. If you give up on building an irond ship because it is impossible in a prosperous situation where everyone is the enemy except me, you will be the only one left behind. No, it was a relief to end up just falling behind. It was clear that he would lose many things, including his territory, and fall into a miserable situation. This is an excessive leap! We have enough military power to protect our territory and people! Its a waste! Regardless of the country, counterarguments like this arose from time to time, but the answers from those in power were the same regardless of the country. Think colonial poetry! In order for our country to grow into a strong country, we must protect our colonial city and take away the colonial city of other countries! For that to happen, an irond ship is absolutely necessary! Thanks to the incense-sprinkled red meat powder and egg roe, thepetition between European powers to invade became more intense. This was because the remaining pie itself became smaller. Thanks to this, European powers were able to advance in the form of a colonial city rather than a new colony. As colonialism took the form, the situation became even more difficult. The ce where the colonial city was located was a bay area where ships could safely dock and drinking water could be obtained nearby. It would be even better if it was located close to a mine developed in the country. The problem is that ces with such good conditions are notmon. As a result, in the case of quiterge bays, there were cases where several countries divided the territory and built colonial cities. Naturally, conflict was bound to ur. This was to a lesser extent in Africa, where geographic information had already been secured in several countries. This was because it was easy to find suitable ces other than those already upied by other countries. However, the situation was serious in Terra C Australia C where geographic information wascking. This was because there was a very low possibility of finding a better one beyond the one that was currently being shared, as well as one that deep down one thought one was being shared with. In the end, the leaders and citizens of the colonial city came to think the same thing while ring at the colonial cities of other countries located nearby. We need to chase those guys out, but what should we do? After much deliberation, what came out was advance into the ind. If you find a good ce to raise cows or sheep, a good ce for farming, or a gold or silver mine, more people wille from their homnd, which means more troops. We and they alike had to wait at least a year for support toe from the home country that heard the news after the incident urred. In that case, if you prepare well in advance and work hard, you will be able to take over everything before the enemys support arrives. It is the best situation if the home countrys fleet subdues the enemy countrys fleet. I guess Ill have to write a letter to my home country. The various requests sent from Terra were in line with the wishes of those in power at home. Thanks to this, European powers more eagerly sent their people to the colony of Terra. And Terras situation was gradually speeding up toward a critical point. Terra wasnt the only one heading towards the critical point. The situation in maind Europe was also slowly picking up speed. It was because of Gloria C South America C that the empire had handed over to Portugal and Italy. * * * As Bartolomeo Dias built the first colonial city, Porta de oportunidade, in Private Gloria, Terra da Gloria under the orders of King Juan II, Portugal and Italy becamepetitive. We started targeting Gloria. Initially, Portugal was very far ahead. This was thanks to his extensive experience in ocean sailing and colonial city construction. But Italy had capital power. Using this capital power, he ordered a ship suitable for ocean sailing from the imperial shipyard in Prince Henrys Port and hired an experienced captain and crew. Italy, who bought time and experience with money, quickly caught up with Portugal. Althoughpetition was fierce, the rtionship between the two countries was amicable. This was because there was a link between the empire and the map it gave. Although it was an unfinished map, we were able to obtain considerable information from it alone. Thanks to this, Portugal and Italy were able to attack Gloria step by step, avoiding unnecessary conflict. However, as other powers intervened, Glorias situation becameplicated. * * * The two methods by which the powers other than Portugal and Italy entered Gloria were following and robbing. Through the first method, tailing, European powers learned the route to the Gate of Opportunity. European powers, having secured information on the route, attempted to build a bridgehead. But Gloria was a more difficult ce than Terra. It was because of the jungle. There were many instances where they attempted to build a bridgehead based solely on the lush jungle, but failed because they could not find a source of drinking water. In the end, the great powers chose the second method, robbery. The routes of ships traveling from Gloria to Portugal and Italy were roughly as follows. Eastern Gloria] Namsinji Inds Distillery] Azores Inds] Portugal or Italy. Gloria west] Terra] Suez. Gloria West] Terra] Africa] Portugal or Italy home country. Here, the ce where the European powers mainly ambushed was the road leading to the distillery from the eastern part of Gloria. The great powers were also well aware of the existence of the imperial navy. So the ships of the powerful powers disguised themselves as merchant ships going to and from the distillery and waited for their time. It was a gamble-like mission in which one had to be prepared to be sunk if caught by the Imperial Navy during a naval battle against Portuguese or Italian ships. However, if sessful, there was a huge prize money at stake, enough tost a lifetime. Even if its just one map, if you get the plete map, its a gamble worth taking! Thanks to this, the sea between the Namsinji Inds and northeastern Gloria has be a graveyard for those who dreamed of making a fortune. Then some people tried to hijack in another direction. He approached the captains and sailors employed in Italy and persuaded them by offering a considerable amount of money. Its okay to just bring a map, but its even better if you bring a boat too. ah! It would be great if it was loaded with cargo! No matter how you look at it, it was an unfair method, but after such a challenge, the powers were able to obtain Glorias charts. And this situation further emphasized the need for irond ships and the presence of the empire. This was thanks to the fact that many of the Imperial Navy warships patrolling the Namsinji Inds were reced by steamships that appeared to be irond ships. Looking at the Imperial Navy ships with enormous firepower, defense, and mobility, sailors from all powers muttered the same thing, regardless of country. If only we had a ship like that * * * In this way, the worst vicious cycle urred, with internal and external situations biting each other. -Making an irond ship requires arge amount of steel. -Arge steel mill is needed to supplyrge quantities of steel. -Building arge CJF mill requires a lot of capital. -In order to obtain capital, economic power must be supported. -Now we need to quickly grow our economic power. -In order to quickly increase economic power, more colonies are needed. -To secure more colonies, a stronger navy is needed. -For a stronger naval power, an irond ship.. (infinite repetition omitted below) Im embarrassed.. I feel like Sisyphus from old Greek and Roman mythology. The officials of the great powers, faced with a situation like dogs running around trying to bite each others tail, struggled to find a silver bullet. First of all, lets sort out the situation. We cannot give up on irond ships. This is for sure, right? If I say I give up, will my hair fall off my body the next day? Then the irond ship will go as is, and the problem is finding the financial resources for it. Thats right While the officials of the great powers were struggling to find a solution, Italian officials found the answer. Funnily enough, it was because of an appeal submitted by an imperial merchant. -ording to the treaty concluded during thest war, no additional customs duties or toll taxes will be levied within Italy. However, it has not yet been implemented, and the empires merchants are suffering a lot of damage. Is this anything other than looking down on His Majesty the Emperor and the Empire? We officially protested this through the embassy, which confirmed our appeal. In the end, in the process of solving this problem, Italian officials found an answer. Chapter 1013 Episode 1013: The name of firewood is arms race (6) Promises must be kept. Especially promises between countries. Lets be honest. We protect the empire because it is powerful. Shh! The Empiresints areints, but there has been a lot of talk about this within us as well. Its time to take action. In this way, the process of abolishing local tariffs, which can be called double taxation, has begun. Here Italian officials found a new source of finance. The method was simple. -Instead of abolishing local tariffs, raise the rate of import duties levied at ports. From the merchants point of view, this was still a decision they could ept. As the tax rate increased, the amount of tax to be paid increased, but it was a low amountpared to the amount paid every time one passed through the city or gateway. On the contrary, there was a bacsh from cities that suddenly lost a valuable tax source. But local merchants stopped them. Think of the taxes we paid every time we built another city! This will actually bring you great profits! profit? Do you think there are one or two merchants from the guild who only stayed in the city because of those damn tariffs? Now they too will begin to travelmercially! Aha! Most of the citys leaders wererge merchants or bankers. Thanks to this, they were able to immediately grasp the hidden meaning of that answer. -Merchants are bing more active . If so, more taxes wille in. C Immediate taxes are not everything. If this happens, merchants will also need more capital and will eventually have to take out loans from us! The citys leader concluded that it was in everyones interest . The Italian government no longerined and epted the central governments decision. Having secured financial resources in this way, the Italian government began to more actively pursue the construction of irond ships. This was the beginning. Italian officials became more active in reforming the tax system. This made the governments finances sound. As the governments finances became sound, the governments capabilities were strengthened and the Italian government began to act more actively. Meanwhile, Italian politicians and citizens who were observing the situation were monitoring the central governments officials. He praised: As expected, since unification, talented people have emerged! Its not just talented people! Now I can draw the big picture with ease! The people of the empire tilted their heads as they saw the Italians praising instead ofining. Isnt it strange that Europe, even though its one country, has separate tariffs for each neighborhood? Isnt it even more strange that they didnt know that there were many problems with their tax affairs until now? Although most people in the empire, except for a few experienced and knowledgeable people, did not know, the influence of the empire was beyond imagination. * * * Italys tax reform European powers, seeing the positive effects, soon tried it in their own countries. Here, there was a difference between sess and failure. Those who seeded in reforming were Portugal, Ennd, and France, and those who failed were Spain and Habsburg. Portugals sess was in some ways natural. It was Italy. To be exact, Portugal was the first country toe into contact with the empire, along with Florence. Naturally, it had early ess to the culture and various systems of the empire. It was not just the empire. In the process of traveling between the empires, it was also possible to interact with the Ming and Japan. This was the biggest reason for the sess of reform. At this time, the empire and Ming had the most advanced systems in the world. Therefore, Italy and Portugal were the first to begin exchanges with the countries of Northeast Asia, led by the empire. It was a sessful reform. It was perhaps natural that France was able to seed. Since the era of Charles VII, the prewar king, France had been reducing the power of the nobility and, conversely, increasing the power of the nation. In order to increase the power of the king, The support of the people, especially the urban merchants who held capital, was desperately needed. More capital brings more support. Knowing this well, the French nationalists and new power groups pushed for global reform and seeded. The biggest reason for the failure of Spain and Habsburg was the defeat in the War of Italian Unification. The Kingdom of Aragon, an axis of the Spanish united royal pce, was financially based on Mediterranean trade. Not only did it lose the War of Italian Unification, but it also expanded Gibraltar and El Harsiras into the empire . After being taken over by the Kingdom of Aragon, themercial nobility of the Kingdom of Aragon lost their power, and the pendulum of power shifted to the Kingdom of Castile, which was mainly dominated by agricultural-based nobility. Castiles conservative feudal nobility strongly opposed the abolition of internal tariffs. This was because they blindly believed that the right to collect taxes was the privilege of the nobility. -The right to collect taxes is our natural right! -We pledged loyalty, not submission! This was their belief. The case of the Habsburgs, or even the Holy Roman Empire, was simr. In terms of territory alone, the country with thergest territory in Europe was the Holy Roman Empire. The problem was that among the feudal lords who divided this vast territory, few were loyal to the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. There were constant attempts to escape from the Holy Roman Empire whenever they had the opportunity, and there were also people who disobeyed or protested the emperors orders. Because the environment was far from political stability, each feudal lord had no choice but to maintain strong military power. Maintaining a strong military force required a lot of funds, and the feudal lords had no intention of abolishing internal tariffs. In the end, the Habsburgs had no choice but to continue their reform policy only within their own territories. * * * What was surprising was Ennds sess. Ennd was the ce where the influence of the nobility became stronger after the signing of the Magna Carta. However, themercial power that grew over time became another axis of power. Themercial powers put Magna Carta to good use. -The contractees of Magna Carta are all free people! We also have natural rights! In this way, a triangr system of king, nobles, and citizens (gentrymercial power) was created. Ennd was able to sessfully reform its tax system by creating a rtively stable, although still sloppy, power structure. * * * As tax reform was sessful in Italy, Portugal, France, and Ennd, an industry was created that was lost to history. She was a tax collector. During this period, European administration was much less developed than that of the East. If you look closely, it was at a simr level to Japan during the Muromachi shogunate. The most problematic area due to underdeveloped administration was tax administration. Thats why the tax collectors wife appeared. A profession that appeared during the Roman province period was the tax collector, who first paid taxes and then collected taxes from the people in the area they were in charge of. The problem was that the tax collectors determined the amount of tax they received. The state or lord did not care how much the tax collectors collected as long as they received the amount they expected to collect. Because of this, tax collectors were able to raise a lot of money, and sometimes several people joined together to run a tax collectionpany. And as a natural consequence, many tax collectors also engaged in usury business. He lent money ording to the tax amount he had set and received a loan in return. Tax reform was a fatal reform for these tax collectors. No, administrative reform for tax reform was the beginning of the fatal blow. * * * Its difficult right now, but first, lets increase the number of officials. Look at the examples of the Empire and Kitai! An official must do what an official should do! Italy, Portugal, Ennd, and France, which significantly increased the number of officials, began administrative reorganization in earnest. The first thing I dealt with was family register. The registers of births and deaths, hitherto under the control of the Church, were copied and handed over to the authorities, and thend survey was again carried out more thoroughly. With family registers andnd records properly maintained, the European powers were able to move on to the next step. * * * The king and central officials were shocked as the tax collectors were driven out and the tax administration was run directly. I cant believe this much money was leaking! The king and nobles, who were surprised to learn of the enormous amount of money being embezzled by the tax collector, subsequently became angry. This was due to the fact that the tax collectors collected high taxes from the people and engaged in usury, but did not pay taxes themselves. Its safe to say this is treason! The king and the ruling ss were enraged and began arresting tax collectors. Most of the contract workers who were arrested had all their assets confiscated and were publicly executed. We just followed thew! The taxes we have to pay are just not set byw! We were justified! Many tax collectors protested like this, but the answer they received was simple. shut up! Cant you hear the people crying? In the end, the tax collectors realized why this was happening as they were showered with stones and dirt thrown by the people who had gathered on the way to the execution site. We were the victims. The purpose was to direct the dissatisfaction of the people who had been suffering from taxes towards themselves rather than the king or those in power. The n was to quell the publics discontent with their heads hanging on the pedestal, and then to cover the budget with the wealth they had umted. Against the background of blood flowing at the execution site, the era of tax collectors came to an end. In this process, many Jews suffered harm. This was because many of the tax collectors were Jewish. And Europeans hatred of Jews deepened even further. * * * Portugal, Italy, Ennd, and France, which secured budgets through sessive reforms, began to show enthusiasm for the arms race again. It was called the 2nd-1st Arms Race. And this time I was a little more clever. It was to create an investment institution simr to the imperial investment treasury. The history of joint ventures has been going on since ancient times, but the empire was almost the first to establish a system for trading shares. The capital raised through the investment institutions created in this way was invested in basic projects such asrge-scale steel mills, and a more economical military expansion was carried out. However, expanding military budgets was an endless war of attrition. Before we knew it, the enormous funds stolen from tax collectors were slowly starting to run out. Funds are the problem The great powers, who were looking for new sources of funds, once again began to swallow their saliva as they looked at the colonies of other great powers. If only we could upy those ces * * * Meanwhile, Hyang, who was analyzing the situation in Seoul, let out a long sigh. Whoa, something will happen again. The ministers were also worried. Is it to that extent? Hyang nodded to Hyuns question while they were talking together. Thats right. If you look at the current situation in Europe, its like a bowl thats almost full of water. The problem is that they keep pouring water in. If the water overflows There will be a big war. Thats right. Thats why we shouldnt neglect caution either. Arent there three countries that are currently tied up in a long-standing alliance? I will. Whoa~. Hyang sighed again, expressing his sincerity without even realizing it. If war breaks out, I hope it happens after I die. Or should I wish that? From Hyangs words, Hyeon could understand her feelings. It was a vige that had experienced all the great wars in which the fate of the empire depended. If it were war, it was a scent that would not be surprising if one were disgusted. The officer who was recording this next to him added this. -.The Emperor, who was observing the situation like this, was worried, and His Majesty the Emperor was also worried. C says the officer. What Tae Sang-tae had predicted came true almost exactly. If this time too, if thingse true as Tae Sang-tae said, the officer only wishes for one thing. Please live a long and healthy life. Officer? Are you writing down useless things again? Oh no! Tsk! Chapter 1014 Episode 1014: The name of firewood is the arms race (7) The reason Hyang was worried about a war that might break out in Europe was not just because of alliance issues. Worries about the Empire bing a direct target were even greater. While the European powers were engaged in a fierce arms race, the empire was taking advantage of what could be called a fishermans fortune. Symbolic examples include the export of new ships to Portugal and Italy and the export of iron horses to Italy and Switzend. * * * Looking at the situation in Europe during this period, Ennd and France in the west, where the Habsburgs of the Holy Roman Empire were located, were technologically advanced in their own way, and the north was following suit. Lastly, the eastern region, with the exception of Hungary, was still an agricultural country. In this situation, Portugal, Italy and Switzend had many inherent problems. First of all, in the case of Switzend, resources were so poor that the most exported products were limestone and rock salt. Even if they wanted to build a factory, it was almost impossible due to the harsh natural environment. The case of Italy was simr. Although it had capital power and Europeanmercial and industrial cities such as Florence and Venice, it was not until unification that the foundation for expansion was created. The only advantage was that there was an iron mine on Elbe Ind with a long history dating back to the Roman era. In Portugals case, the experience and colonies it gained from being the first to advance into sea trade C outside the Mediterranean C with Spain were its weapons. In particr, they were making great profits from sugar produced in the Madeira Inds in Africa. However, the heavy industry symbolized by the steam engine was a field that was just beginning. They began researching and investing in steam engines around the same time as other powers, but their small territory and poption held them back. In particr, Spain and France, which were several timesrger next door, were a problem. In the end, Portugal focused its capabilities on trade, not on fostering heavy industry. However, Portugals worries deepened as leading powers such as Ennd and France actively entered into an arms race and industrial structural reform, including steam engines. In the end, these three countries had no choice but to rely on the empire again. * * * The first country to lean on the empire was Portugal. Therge-scale steel mill that King Joao II and his ministers had built using the national treasury had only just begun operation. The problem at the shipyard was the same. There were many shipyards that built merchant ships traveling between Gloria and colonial cities in Africa, but there was no shipyard that could buildrge irond ships. To be more precise, there were too many ships that had already been booked for construction. It would be okay to wait, but there is not enough time for that. After much deliberation, the Portuguese government formallymissioned the empire to build an irond ship. -It will be equipped with at least 40 imperial ships currently used by the Portuguese Navy. -Adopt a steam engine. -It will be possible to cross one way from the Azores to the Namsinji Inds without resupply. The imperial military department that received the request immediately reported it to the county. This is exactly what I like? After seeing the contents of the request, Hyeon opened the drawer with bright eyes. He ran his fingers through the rolled up blueprints piled up in the drawer and smiled roundly. Which one is better? However, Hyeon could not present his blueprint. No, it wont work! Absolutely not! This was because all the ministers who heard Hyuns n stood up. Han Myeong-hoe, representing the ministers, came forward and exined the reason. -The blueprints designed by His Majesty apply the most up-to-date technologies possessed by the empire. There is a problem of technology leakage. -The battle lines designed by His Majesty are very challenging ships. Although the performance is excellent, there are also some ws that were not discovered. If even a fatal w is discovered while Portugal takes over and operates it, it will be a diplomatic issue. I like it, these are challenging, but gambling ships! If something goes wrong, well just use the dump! No, if you fix it before that, youll die! These days, there are craftsmen who want to move to private shipyards. How much time and money does it take to raise those craftsmen? Im really going crazy! Han Myeong-hoe refuted as calmly as possible, holding back the words that were about toe out at any moment. Thats why its best to deliver a ship built to the level they want! Thats right! Please ept it! Please notify us ! As soon as the word came out, Hyun had no choice but to step back. I understand. Then, order the shipyards in Wonsan and Shinji to draw up a blueprint that suits what they want. I will follow your orders! Ugh.. Hyun, who left work that day, looked for Hyang andined. It was a great opportunity, but Im so disappointed. What the ministers said is reasonable, so theres nothing we can do about it, right? It was a n for conversion drawn up while wasting time away Thats the way it is for all emperors. After that, Hyeonined to Hyang for a while, then bowed and left Suganggung. Hyeon, who was looking at the scenery outside the window of the carriage, muttered as he quenched his appetite. Ugh. I feel it every time, but this is why Tae Sang-taek and Sang-hang were elected without any regrets. Lets see, Wu Yas original son is now It was Hyun who was suddenly counting his fingers and calcting when he would be elected. * * * Against this background, four types of blueprints were uploaded from shipyards in Wonsan and Shinji. Since it was his area of expertise, Hyeon immediately brought in the blueprint and unfolded it. However, Hyun frowned as he looked at the blueprint. This Hyun, who had been looking at the blueprint with a frown, looked back at the people in charge who were very nervous and asked. Isnt this too old-fashioned to have a steam engine and a sail together? Jang Hang-seon stepped forward and responded to Hyeons point. It was tailored to what they wanted, just as His Majesty ordered. Still, using a steam engine and a sail together Isnt it a bit like that? It is said thatbining steam engines and sails is a trend in Europe these days. Still As Hyun continued toin, Soonwook Lim came forward. Competition in Europe is fierce now. In such a situation, if we sell electric wires that only run on steam engines, it will be a problem that will add fuel to the fire. And if possible, shouldnt we sell it one more time? Lets sell it one more time? Even manned men know very well that thebined use of sails and steam engines is not optimal. So, wouldnt it be possible to take the sails off one day and then sell them again? . Send the blueprints to Portugal and tell them to choose the one they like. I follow your orders. * * * When the blueprints sent by the Empire arrived, the Royal Pce in Lisbon became noisy. Experts of the Portuguese Navy Experts from the department andmand shipyard gathered together to look at the blueprints sent by the Empire. Which of the four designs is the best? In response to King Joao IIs question, Admiral Ricardo, Commander-in-Chief of the Portuguese Navy, who was looking at the blueprint, carefully answered, If you tell me to be honest, I would like to adopt all of them. Is that enough? Thats right. If this blueprint is followed, it will be the strongest battleship in Europe. In response to Admiral Ricardos answer, the Prime Minister who was present asked. What if we deal with the Empire? In response to the Prime Ministers question, Admiral Ricardo asked back with a puzzled expression. If you were an empire, would you sell the teeth that could bite you? But wouldnt there be something? .. If youre fighting an empire, a draw would be best. I see. I understand. After hearing Admiral Ricardos answer, the Prime Minister this time asked the shipbuilding experts. Can these warships be built in our shipyards? The experts immediately answered the Prime Ministers question: It is impossible. What is the reason? Not just one or two. .. Okay. The Prime Minister nodded with an embarrassed face and took a step back. As if there had already been some coordination in advance, as soon as the Prime Minister stepped back, King Joao II gave an order to Admiral Ricardo. It is difficult to adopt all designs . Therefore, choose the one you think is the best and submit it. I follow your orders. When Admiral Ricardo and the experts disappeared, King Joao II spoke with the Prime Minister. I gave you a chance, but I will ask you again. Even now, there are many other enemy countries, so why should we even consider the Empire as an enemy? In response to King Joao IIs question, the Prime Minister responded with an expression that said there was nothing he could do. It cant be helped. The Empire has too much and we need more. No, its not just us in Portugal. Great powers such as France, Spain, and Ennd are aiming for an empire. If they cant conquer the empire, they will target Portugal. We can only protect our homnd if we have enough power to even bite the empire. Then wouldnt it be better to further strengthen our alliance with the empire? In that case, we still have to buy time by holding out until the empirees. In the end, not only must we have powerful battleships, but we must also have the ability to build powerful battleships ourselves. * * * In this way, battleships built ording to the design chosen by Portugal began to be delivered to Portugal. Other powers built and deployed them. Whenrger, faster, stronger, and more powerful sailing ships than the original sailing ships appeared under the Portuguese g, the navies of the great powers all uttered curses: You damned empires! As soon as our ships came out, we were in trouble! And hell broke out for the ship designers of the great powers. Right now, design ships that are more powerful than the Portuguese ships! Really? Do you think thats possible? If you say do it, do it! Yes The designers who took on the homework all muttered simr words, regardless of nationality. Should I get rid of this job? * * * At the same time that the navies of the European powers were in an uproar due to the bomb thrown by Portugal, Italy and Switzend were also moving quickly. As a country dominated by merchants like the Medici family, Italy quickly judged its own strengths and weaknesses and moved on. What they chose was economy of scale. As soon as Portugal confirmed that the warships it hadmissioned from the empire were of excellent performance, Italy sent a messenger to Portugal and the empire. We will also buy the battleships sold to Portugal! Please lower the price a little! Huh? The more steel tes and other equipment and parts you make, the more you can reduce the production cost per piece, right? If we buy not only from Portugal but also from Italy, the quantity will berge, so of course we can lower the price, right? . Tell Captain Lim Soon-wook toe! Lim Soon-wook, the Minister of Finance and Economy, and working-level staff came together and fierce negotiations took ce. However, Italy was also a formidable opponent, and in the end, both sides were able to reach an agreement within a reasonable range. The next area where Italy made efforts was railways. First, Italy sent a messenger to Switzend. You need railroads too, right? Lets move together! We can save money! . Is that so? After joining hands with Switzend, Italy headed back to the empire. We will introduce iron horses that will be operated in Switzend and Italy! So, give us a discount! Oh, and we want to build tracks that will be used for maintenance in the future, not tracks that are currently beingid for railway construction! If only inside Italy.. No, well even make Swiss ones! Think of the cost of shipping from the Empire! Do you think poor Switzend will manage it properly? .. Tell Captain Lim Soon-wook toe! Chapter 1015 Episode 1015: The name of firewood is arms race (8) The rtionship between Italy and Switzend deepened. Most of thend transportation routes leading to Northern Europe and the Italian Mediterranean passed through Switzend. Therefore, the railway connecting Italy and Switzend brought enormous benefits to Switzend. Here, Italian working groups signed an agreement with Switzend on railway management. The idea was to reduce costs by jointly managing the iron horses and railways operated by Switzend with Italy. Through this agreement, Italy was able to realize economies of scale and Switzend was able to significantly reduce maintenance costs. Meanwhile, Switzend, which had confirmed that railways were profitable, risked its life to manage the railways. This was not an idiomatic expression, but reality. This was because heavy snowfall and avnches were frequent in the Alps in winter, and casualties constantly urred in the process of clearing blocked railway tracks. Since Switzend had no special resources or industry, they had no choice but to risk their lives on the railroad, which was a major source of money. Just as in the past they risked their lives as mercenaries for their families, the Swiss risked their lives on the railroad. * * * The region most affected by this railway was Northern Europe, where the Hanseatic League was located. The route from Italy through Switzend was fast and safe thanks to the railway. In particr, its biggest strength was that it was possible to move even in winter, when it was impossible to move freely in the past. Of course, as soon as we left the northern part of Switzend, the speed of movement slowed down to a turtles pace and we had to suffer from dirty inns and bandits. However,pared to going through France or other routes, costs C such as tariffs C could be reduced and some time could be saved. It was not only goods from the Empire, Italy, or Ottoman India that moved through this route. The culture of the empire and the culture of Italy and Switzend, which were strongly influenced by it, also moved together. And at some point, the monarchs and intellectuals of the Northern European princely states and the Grand Duchy of Pnd and Moscow, a union of Denmark, Norway and Sweden (different countries but serving the same king) began to be imperialized. Even the hillbillies in Italy and Switzend seem to live better than us. We need to change too. The movement of intellectuals who called for change and reform soon turned into a political movement. And, as always, this caused conflict with vested interests. Secrly, aristocrats and royalists shed, and religiously, the mes of religious reform slowly began to smolder. Meanwhile, the shock waves brought by the imperial irond ships began to spread throughout Europe. -War costs money. The words that the Japanese merchants of Naniwa had uttered as if they were chanting Buddhist prayers wereing out of the mouths of imperial officials. * * * Rumors and information about the irond ships that Portugal and Italy had begun to introduce also reached the monarchs of Northern Europe. After confirming the information, the monarchs of Northern Europe met face-to-face with their ministers. Should we also bring in irond ships? I think so. No! Its about the budget. Budget may be an issue, but you have to buy what you want! Have you forgotten Ennd and Scond? At this time, Ennd and Scond were still separate countries. And Hanseatic merchants were making significant profits in Scond. However, Ennd was gradually breaking away from the influence of the Hanseatic League and making independent movements, and its influence on Scond was bing stronger. In the end, the first to move was the Kalmar Alliance of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Ennd is a problem, but the Hanseatic League is also a problem! We will use this opportunity to push out the Hanseatic League! In this way, an envoy departed from the distant North Sea toward Seoul. * * * The envoys who arrived in Seoul immediately began consultations. How long have you been looking into it? If I were to express in a sentence the attitude of the officials of the Imperial Ministry of Finance and Economy in charge, it would be exactly the sentence above. The attitude was polite, but not friendly at all. The attitude of these Ministry of Finance and Economy officials was notorious. Im so busy right now, but if you want to buy it, buy it or go! This notoriety also reached Hyangs ears, and she muttered to herself as she licked her lips. Wow, it reminds me of bad memories from my past life? That luxury stores cheap stuff. When she was a civil servant, Hyang visited a department store luxury store to buy a gift for her parents. However, the employee who greeted him was particrly rude. In the end, Hyang ended up buying a gift for her parents at another luxury store. Andter, when I visited the luxury store in question again, the cheap person was not there. In the end, Hyang wrote a subtle but deep proposal to Hyeon. Still, you came to buy us something, so you have to be nice to us. Even though we had changed hands in that way, the attitude of How long have you been looking into it? emerged. After finishing their consultation with officials from the Empires Ministry of Finance, the envoys of the Kalmar Alliance had serious expressions. I think this is more expensive than expected. I agree. I expected to be able to buy five ships, but two ships would be the best * * * Imperial Finance Ministry officials looked troubled after confirming the amount the Kalmar Alliance could pay. You want an irond ship like the ones used by the Portuguese and Italian navies, right? exactly. Right now, for the amount the alliance says it can pay, two ships is the best we can get. Huh? ording to the information we heard from Portugal and Italy Of course, if you only consider the price of the irond ships, up to five ships are possible. Mathematically speaking, that is. Arithmetic? Have you ever handled a ship powered by a steam engine? What about breech-loading guns? Ah If you consider the training costs of the crews who will operate the irond ships and other costs, two ships are the best option for the cost that the alliance said it can pay. Well, there will be some spare change left over. How much change? That leaves the cost of building 1,000 and a half irond ships. Ugh The envoys looked despondent as the result turned out to be far from what they had expected. There should be five so that even France and Ennd wont act carelessly Should we recalcte from the beginning Or give up on steamships I wont give up. Its going to happen! But think about the maintenance costs! Its not like the imperial officials made wasted statements! Envoys from the Kalmar Alliance were even considering canceling the n, but imperial officials had no intention of letting them go. The irond ship I ordered from Japan has beenpleted. Would you like to take a look? japan? This is the same ship that Portugal and Italy ordered. Then lets go! Lets take a look! * * * The envoys who saw the new irond ship that had just begun trials at the shipyard in Wonsan were caught in a dilemma. Looking at its performance, I think I really need to buy it But two ships are not enough. The envoys who were contemting to find the best answer turned to the sea to cool their aching heads. At that moment, as if they had been waiting, two sea emergency ships glided past the envoys. Thats fast. Quick just go! One of the Shinigami opened his eyes and looked at hisrades. How about purchasing a sea emergency with the remaining cost? huh? -The sea emergency is a sailing ship. In other words, training costs can be greatly reduced. -Hae emergency is famous for its speed and firepower. The defense power is also considerable. As long as Ennd and France do not change their fleets to irond ships, they can be fully used. -Looking at the examples of Portugal and Italy, old battleships are being retired as irond ships are beingmissioned. The same would be true for the empire. -Then, you will be able to get a lot of reasonably old emergency cables at a reasonable price. It looks okay, but maybe the cannon to be mounted is the problem? That part needs to be negotiated! What is the purpose of using as envoys? Or, why do we want to buy an irond ship? Lets go back to Seoul and talk a little more. The next day after arriving in Seoul, envoys from the Kalmar Alliance began negotiations again with the goal of adding sea emergency ships to the two irond ships. Hyun, who received the report, shook his head lightly. He is truly a descendant of Dondok Kim Jeom. Ministry of Finance and Economy officials whoter heard the countys evaluation could not hide their resentment. The person who nned this time is Tae Sang-tae! * * * Lim Sun-wook and Jang Hang-seon sighed after hearing the officials protests. Whoa. How can you say that about Tae Sang-tae? Emperor Wen was also a great person. He was very knowledgeable in making boards andmanding people. Just think of Grand Master Hwang Hee. I agree. By the way, I felt sorry for Captain Hwang Hee every time Sajikso was rejected, but now that we are in that situation I think it is right to say, You cant steal seeds. Wouldnt it be more urate to say, I watched and learned. Come to think of it, Captain Jang was number 8? Yesterday was number 11. What about Captain Lim? Thats number 10. The two people who were talking about the number of times their resignation was rejected shook their heads. Your Majesty, you are Your Majesty, but Captain Han and Captain Seong are also very harsh people. I cant believe they havent submitted a resignation letter yet. It is said that it is not just the two of them, but among the four, there is not a single one who has submitted a resignation letter. They are truly poisonous people. Please think about the people waiting below. The four people who had to roll under the old incense were still flying around on the front lines. It was a kind of battle of pride for them to endure until the end. Except for themon feature of good ability, everyone had different personalities, which led topetition. I will never submit my resignation before those guys! I will not resign until I die! I dont know about dismissal, but there is no resignation! * * * Regardless of the behind-the-scenes stories, negotiations between the Empire and the envoys of the Kalmar Alliance went smoothly. As a result of the negotiations, two irond ships and three sea emergency ships were handed over to the alliance. The three sea rescue ships will be handed over as soon as the alliance crews arrive. The two irond ships will be built in Shinji and then handed over to the Azores. Would you like to change the location to another location? No, I will receive it in the Azores. After confirming minor details such as the timing of acquisition and means of payment, the negotiations were concluded and an agreement was written. As envoys from the Kalmar Alliance returned home, the empire secretly leaked rumors. -Sea emergency battleships were purchased from the Kalmar Alliance at the same time as irond ships. Huh? Emergency? ah! Navy officials from each country bowed their knees after hearing the rumor. Its your chance! Among the imperial navys battleships, the most coveted ship was the sea emergency ship. -Charge return? A ship that the Empire would put in the furnace and never sell. -Challenge level? Damn scoundrel. It is strong and sturdy, but it costs too much to maintain. -Emergency? best! Its fast, has decent firepower, and good defense. Although it has range issues, it is the most useful in many ways! -conclusion. With a small number of irond ships and a naval emergency team supporting them, there is no need to worry for the time being! Soon, envoys from as close as Japans Ryukyu Inds to as far away as France flocked to Seoul once again. Chapter 1016 Episode 1016: The name of the firewood is the arms race (9) As envoys from various countries flocked in, the Imperial Foreign Ministry was in a frenzy. There arent enough rooms in the Young Guesthouse! After receiving the report, Hyeon turned to Han Myeong-hoe. Didnt we greatly expand the size of the guesthouse? Does that mean its still not enough? Thats right. Following Han Myeong-hoe, Lim Soon-wook added his words. Since ancient times, a lot of gourmets flock to ces of power. Right. Hyun nodded at Lim Sun-wooks words, but his expression was not good at all. Gourmet thats a fitting word. Considering the budget spent at the guesthouse. * * * As the empire changed, Yeongjeopdogam was renamed Yeongbincheo, and the duties of Mohwagwan, Taepyeonggwan, Dongpyeonggwan, and Bukpyeonggwan under it also changed little by little. The ce whose mission changed the most was Mohwagwan. Now I dont need to take the Four Masters, so Im changing my name! ording to King Sejongs decision, Mohwagwan changed its name to Yeongbingwan and became a ce for envoys from Europe and the Middle East to stay. As Mohwagwan was renamed to Yeongbingwan, envoys from the Ming Dynasty began to stay at Taepyeonggwan (̫ƽ^). -Since the two countries want to continue their rtionship for a long time, the Taiping Pavilion is suitable. The next ce where the mission changed was Bukpyeong Hall. As the name suggests, wishing for peace in the north, it was a ce where envoys sent by the Jurchen tribe in the north stayed. Now that the northern part of the country has been incorporated into Bukji, Bukpyeong-gwan has be a ce to stay for envoys sent from Molgol, the west of Lake Baikal, and various khanates in Central Asia. However, there was a ce where neither the name nor the business changed, both past and present. It was Dongpyeong-gwan where Japanese envoys stayed. This is why it was called Peace in the East. As time passed and the empire grew in size and its presence became stronger, foreign envoys constantly came and went. Thanks to this, guesthouses for envoys were built along the northern border and at the Mokpo trade port. However, these were merely ces to rest for a while before entering Seoul. Because of this, the guest houses and Bukpyeong gwans built in Seoul gradually grew in size. Not only did the building get bigger. For envoys from countries who had to choose what to eat due to their religious beliefs, attendants who were familiar with the countrys cuisine were hired, and more and more people were hired to serve guests and maintain buildings. Naturally, the guest house had no choice but to request more and more budget. This wasnt the only thing. The empire was covering all costs for foreign envoys to eat, drink, and wear clothing at the guesthouse. The problem was the envoys from the far north and Mongolia and Central Asia. If the timing was wrong, we would have to go home through the harsh winter cold in the north. After experiencing several tragic idents, the envoys ended up spending the winter in Seoul when winter coincided with their return home. Naturally, the entire cost of their stay at Bukpyeong Pavilion was borne by the empire. And at some point, it became routine for them to spend the winter in Seoul. It just so happened that winter and the time of return home coincided with each other. I can only apologize to His Majesty the Emperor. no. The guesthouse officials muttered to themselves as they responded to the envoys who naturally expressed their apologies. I have a feeling, but no physical evidence Thanks to this, I was able to agree with andin about Hyeon being a foodie. * * * Having too many guests is a problem, but having too few is also a big problem. The empire is not the only one living in this vast world. Isnt that right? Thats right. But is Hae-eung the reason why envoys are flocking like this? Thats right. Hmm Hyun, who had been considering something while snorting at the ministers answers, returned to it. He asked a question: The number of sea emergency fronts that the empire has is almost over a hundred, and the number of ships requested by the visiting countries is at most ten, so I am curious as to why they are rushing in so quickly. In response to Hyuns question, Lim Sun. Wook stepped forward and answered, Its because the characteristics and timing of Hae-eung are right. Characteristics and timing? Yes. Lim Sun-wook exined in more detail. -The Hae-eung front line is abination of speed, firepower, and defense. Wonyang It is the best front line if you do not insist on sailing. -European powers and other countries are trying to build irond ships, but irond ships are expensive. The reason why irond ships are expensive is because the ironds themselves are expensive. However, this can be resolved over time. Like the great powers. This is because there are more than one country buildingrge-scale steel mills within their countries. C In other words, if the goal is to protect the countrys territorial waters until then, sea response would be the best answer. C In addition, how many sea emergency fronts are operated by our empire? They dont know. And theres no certainty that theyll sell all of the emergency wires that year. Thats why theyre trying to get the right number as quickly as possible. Hyun nodded at Lim Sun-wooks exnation. I see. Its not like were the first to go out and make a fuss about selling emergency wires, so were trying not to miss the moment. And the sea emergency battle line is very useful After hearing the storyter, Hyang nodded and muttered to himself, Even in the era of battleships, the second and third ss battleships were used better than the first ss battleships. You said it was? * * * But then. It is refreshing to see that there is no opposition to transferring arge number of sea emergency wires to other countries. To Hyuns words, Lim Sun-wook came forward once again and responded, If they are selling them at the right price, there is no reason to object, right? Thats right, Ministry of Finance and Economy. But thats because the Ministry of National Defense is quiet. In response to Hyeons point, Jang Hang-seon stepped forward on behalf of the Minister of National Defense. Although the Hae-Eung ss is said to be strong, it is weaker than the Challenger ss. There is no need to mention the assault return. And arent new fronts being prepared to seed the emergency front? There is no reason to object as more superior battleships than Haeung are being prepared. But wont the secrets hidden in Haeung or Challenger-ss battleship hulls be revealed? The era is already the era of irond ships and iron ships. But the secret is useless. I see. Hyun answered with a bright expression. I am truly relieved to hear the captains answer. I feel reassured that the new front lines are so reliable. Ill do my best. Ill do my best! The subjects in Daejeon answered, bowing their heads in unison. But inside, they were all grumbling. That s why His Majesty likes it because there are wires designed based on what he had nned. His Majesty the Emperor designed it, the Emperor Tae-sang gave it a name, and he yed drums and janggu Perhaps knowing the feelings of the ministers, Hyun excitedly continued, The first line of the destroyer will beunched soon. You did it, right? I will definitely be there at that time. I will follow your orders. Hyeon muttered to himself as he listened to the ministers answers. Anyway, what kind of battle line would suit the cruiser, another name given by Tae Sang-tae? Is it good? After all, it has to be big, right? Instead, it was Hyeon who was contemting something that would have been a threat if people C especially Lim Soon-wook and the Minister of Finance and Economy C had heard. Ah! Were running out of time! We need to hand it over to Wooya quickly, but this damn son of a bitch! Should we drastically reduce the budget of the Jangwonwon! Since when? It was the moment when the strongest weapon wielded by the emperor against the crown prince began to sprout. Do you want to be enthroned? Do you want to cut the budget? * * * While all kinds of gossip was overflowing in my mind, while the current issues of the empire were being discussed calmly on the side, an urgent report came. Minister of Foreign Affairs Shin Sook-ju, who confirmed the urgent report, immediately forwarded it to Im Soon-wook and Han Myeong-hoe. Han Myeong-hoe, who confirmed this, posted this to Hyeon. After checking the contents of the urgent report received from Han Myeong-hoe, Hyeon frowned. France came because they wanted to buy Hae-eung? France? Hyeons words caused a stir in Daejeon. * * * After the spat in Italy, the rtionship between the Empire and France was not very good. Thanks to this, French researchers and international students working at the Empires research institute were in a state of panic. Days were passing by, and the empire did not miss the moment and made a move. -Why not just be an imperial citizen? I will let you use your first andst name as is. If you want, you can bring your family. -Do you want to call your rtives? What kind of talent do you have? Do you have it? No, its okay even if you dont have any talent. I will lend farnd to Shinji and ask you toe. It was the empires trick to turn the rolled stones into studded stones, and a considerable number of French professors and international students became imperial citizens. Of course, this was French. This brought about a bacsh. Those working at the Imperial Institute were renowned in France for their academic achievements. In the case of international students, most of them are unknown right now, but the fact that the Empire allowed them to study abroad was itself a guarantee. Such talent . The Empire swallowed them up, causing a bacsh from France . I guess I expected that they wouldnt sell it. Huh~ Im really curious about their intentions. The ministers all nodded at Hyuns words. Shin Suk-ju then asked Hyun, Are you going to kick them out? What does the Minister of Foreign Affairs think? I think it would be a good idea to meet and talk first. Why? They are probably well aware that the rtionship between our empire and France is ufortable. Nevertheless, I dont think sending them is something to be taken lightly. Shin Sook-jus next words were as follows. C Since ancient times, it has been customary not to treat envoys or messengers carelessly, no matter how bad the rtionship is. Therefore, if you break this, you will give the other person a good cause. -This is the same in the East and Europe. This is the first reason to meet the French envoy. -Next, we need to understand why France is seeking a solution. If you find out why they are seeking a solution in this way, you will have other benefits besides money. Another benefit? If possible, we would like to obtain a promise from France that it will not recklessly engage in military action against the allies of our empire. Hmm Hyeon was lost in thought at Shin Sook-jus words, and Jang Hang-seon asked Shin Suk-ju. Would they easily make a treaty? And isnt a treaty just a treaty? For a country as big as France, wouldnt it be okay to just ignore treaties? Shin Suk-ju nodded at Jang Hang-seons words. Of course it is. But breaking that agreement means going to war with the empires allies, and then our empire will eventually enter the war as well. If thats the case, it will also be a good excuse to attract Frances enemies. Enemies of France? Ennd. Chapter 1017 Episode 1017: The name of the firewood is the arms race (10) When Shin Sook-ju mentioned Ennd, Jang Hang-seon expressed doubt. It is well known that Ennd is Frances archenemy, but not everything goes as expected, does it? In response to Jang Hang-seons point, Shin Sook-ju spoke again. Of course, thats a possibility. But Ennd has a reason to defeat France. That reason is Terra and Gloria. When Shin Suk-ju mentioned Terra and Gloria, all the ministers, including Jang Hang-seon, kept their mouths shut and considered the situation. Shin Suk-ju, encouraged by the silence of the other ministers, raised her voice more. From my experience as an ambassador in Italy, I know that Europeans do not like it when others get ahead of them. I am certain that they will turn their swords on our empire. I do not know when that will happen, but for the same reason. They regard each other as enemies and never stop fighting. Isnt that why the Great Emperor also used the precept of Iijei ()? Shin Suk-ju, who had spoken up to this point, bowed her head to Hyeon and continued. Your Majesty! What is the reason for handing over Taera to them during the reign of Emperor Wen and Tai Shang, and Gloria to them during the War of Italian Unification? Isnt our empire trying to further solidify Xinjis rule while they are biting each other over thosends? Are youing? This is the same thing. Considering their personalities, it is difficult to trust either Portugal or Italy to the end. In that case, the best solution would be to maintain a reasonable bnce of power between them. That way, they can keep each other in check. They wont be able to pay attention to us. No, they will bite each other even more fiercely. If that happens, our empire will be able to take care of its well-being without spending a lot of effort. Also, with the power saved, we will be able to protect our people even more. I can give you peace. No sooner had Shin Suk-ju finished speaking than Jang Hang-seon began to argue. Minister of Foreign Affairs! Have you forgotten why the Song Dynasty copsed? They said that diplomacy using tax money was cheaper than spending money on military expenses to strengthen the military, so they only focused on diplomacy and neglected national defense. No! I also believe that excessive military expenditures should be avoided! But I think the Roman adage, If you want peace, prepare for war is truly a golden rule! In response to Jang Hang-seons words, Shin Sook-ju raised her voice again. I am not saying that we should use the same method that Song took! However, I am saying that it is the worst way to think of all other countries except our empire as enemies and find a way! Of course, I think that the Roman proverb that the captain mentioned is correct. Hao! But its foolish to ignore the parts that can be saved! What! Idiot! This person! As Jang Hang-seon and Shin Sook-jus voices became increasingly louder, Hyeon intervened. Stop! Both of you, stay in moderation! Youve forgotten which sanctuary this is! Im sorry! Tsk tsk! When Hyeon clicked his tongue, the two became silent and fell silent. Hyeon, who was ring at the two people, opened his mouth. I do not know that the reason the two admirals are having a war of words is for the well-being of the empire. I acknowledge that both sides are right. However, it is also true that the results are slightly different. In that case, it is normal to coordinate. Is it normal to raise ? Please keep in mind that this is a ce to find the best path through discussion and coordination, not a battlefield to determine victory or defeat. The ministers, including Han Myeong-hoe, bowed their heads in unison at the prefects warning. I will keep this in mind! Still, Im d I stopped clicking my tongue twice! If it happened three times, it would have been bloody! The emperors who seeded Xiang all listened to their subjects and ced importance on harmony between the military and the people. But the blood didnt go anywhere. After summarizing the situation, Hyeon continued. Among the teachings given by Tae Sang-taeng, there is this: When continuing rtionships with other countries, keep this in mind. Tell the truth, but do not tell the whole truth. Trust the other person, but do not trust thempletely. And always keep the worst in mind, but do not be tied down to the worst. . As the Minister of Foreign Affairs said, assuming all other countries, excluding the empire, as enemies is the worst possible solution. However, relying only on IJ is also an inferior solution. Be sure to keep this in mind. I will keep this in mind! Okay. Then lets meet the French messenger. Lets hear what France is thinking. I follow your orders! Meanwhile, Hyang had a strange look on her face after hearing about the war of words between Soo-ju and Jang Hang-seon. Isnt the n that Shin Suk-ju came up with simr to the method used by a country nicknamed a hateful country to take over India in a previous life? The method used by Britain, led by the East India Company, to colonize India was simr to this. After understanding the situation in India, where India was divided intorge and small emirates and were fighting against each other, they used a policy of discord with weapons support. At least there is an indulgence that the goal is efficient national defense rather than colonial acquisition Whew~ Hyang sighed and muttered to herself without realizing it. Is that where all people think? And this self-talk created another rumor. C Tae Sang-tae was already thinking of the strategy that Admiral Shin Suk-ju had thought of. The eunuch and the maid official nearby were the start of the rumor, and everyone who heard the rumor nodded and said: . As expected, it is the situation. * * * ording to the order of the prefecture, the French envoys came to Seoul immediately after the quarantine period ended. .. Prepare well as His Majesty wants to talk to him in person. Please do so. I understand. Louis, Duke of Orlans, who responded to the message from the Imperial Foreign Ministry official, looked back at his aides and smiled bitterly. Howe I always end up meeting emperors? Is this good luck or bad luck? When he went as a messenger regarding the unification of Italy, he met Hyang, and this time he met Hyeon. Louis soon adjusted his expression and ordered his aides. What questions will the Emperor of the Empire ask? Then lets think again about what answer is best. Yes. I thought I could just say hello to the Emperor and have a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, but the matter has escted. It has grown. * * * After unpacking his luggage at the guesthouse in Seoul, Louis visited Gyeongbokgung Pce as soon as daybreak the next day and offered his greetings to Hyeon. Hyeon politely responded to Louis greeting. It was Louis who was most likely, or almost certain, to be the next King of France. It was because, You had a hard timeing this long way. We will let you know the date of the meeting today, so lets talk honestly about what France means then. I will do my best. Two dayster, a meeting took ce at Gyeonghoeru in Gyeongbokgung Pce. The scenery near Gyeonghoeru is really nice this time of year. It puts my mind at ease. Thats right with the palm. The meeting started in a slightly rxed atmosphere, but Hyeon got straight to the point. The Empire and France aimed their guns at each other in thest Italian unification war. But what is France thinking abouting to buy the emergency front, one of the empires main military forces? Louis smiled and answered Hyeons question. Of course, I admit that there is such a heartbreaking past between the two countries. . But wasnt that war fought because of resentment towards each other? It just happened because we had different thoughts. Therefore, at the end of the war, France clearly admitted its mistakes. As Louis answered, in the end-of-war agreement that was concluded at the time, France clearly admitted defeat and was able to end the issue ofpensation by adjusting it to an appropriate level. And even while the war was going on. Didnt you settle the Suez-rted settlement neatly? Whether its our France or our empire. If we think about that, wouldnt it be possible to say that the Empire is in the same position as France? Since this is arge empire, wouldnt it be better to be interested in the healthy future of both countries rather than dwelling on the past? Louis words, which continued like a stream of clear water, were wless, and the prefects and ministers smiled slightly bitterly. Its not that easy. . They say he is indeed the next King of France But Hyeon was no slouch either. Rather than dwelling on the past, we should be interested in a healthy future. Those are good words. But these words would have been empty if France had not followed suit. I am here because France has shown it through its actions. I am deeply grateful for Your Majestys decision. After exchanging light jabs with each other, the two people continued speaking again. France is responding to the emergency situation . I said I wanted to, but if France agrees to the conditions I mentioned, it will be eptable. What conditions? I want to sign a non-aggression pact with Portugal, Italy and Switzend. Louis, who had been thinking for a moment about Hyuns words, thought about Frances position. If Switzend remains neutral as promised to the Empire, France will not use force against Switzend. However, this is not possible in Italy and Portugal. ah! of course! France also maintains good rtions with Portugal and Italy. However, if there is a problem of national interest, we will use all possible methods. It is a matter of national interest Is it Gloria? Yes. In response to Louiss answer, Hyeon immediately followed up with a question. If it is Gloria, then I think the empire should side with Portugal and Italy? Your Majesty didnt give you territory, but just a map, didnt you? For a moment, Hyun was speechless. I made a mistake! Im going to get scolded by Halbamama for this! Hyeons ears seemed to hear Hyangs scolding. You bastard! I cant do business properly! Louis question really delved into Hyeons blind spot. What the incense delivered to Portugal and Italy was a map containing the route to the unidentified area south of Shinji. In other words, information was handed over, not imperial territory. If only information was provided, the Empire had no reason to pay attention to thepetition between the great powers taking ce in Gloria. However, if the territory was handed over, it would have dealt a fatal blow to the authority of the township and county. This was because historically there was no case in which a monarch who lost territory was evaluated favorably. Since France had already been defeated by Hyang and Empire once in Italy, Hyeon, who had been caught off guard, was dealt a serious blow. But Hyun was no easy feat either. Of course, I only gave you a map. But thats it. The empire is an alliance between Portugal and Italy. Of course, shouldnt we think about the safety of our allies? Thats obvious. France can also have a conflict with Italy and Portugal, but it does not want war. Thats an ambiguous expression. I dont like puns. Then Ill tell you right away. Please acknowledge that the Gloria Continent isndless. Chapter 1018 Episode 1018: The name of the firewood is the arms race (11) Interesting. There is a contradiction in the envoys words. As the envoy said, the empire only handed over a map. But why does Jim have toe out and say that Gloria is andless country? Jim Why does the Empire have to go that far? Oh, Ill tell you in advance, dont even think about using peace as an excuse. .. This time, Louis mouth was covered. I tried so hard and thought so hard! Is this the leisure of the strong? It was Louis who did his best until just before he met Hyeon for thest time on his way to Seoul before departing from Paris. With this bout, we will deal a diplomatic blow to the empire! This was Louis and Frances n. Although it had faded due to the exhaustion of its national power during the Hundred Years War, France was a country worthy of the title of the most powerful country in Europe. However, his pride was greatly injured as he was constantly being dragged around by the empire that suddenly emerged in the East. -I admit that there is a lot to learn and that it is a powerful country. But it is also true that my pride was hurt! Therefore, they thought of the negotiation to purchase the sea emergency as an opportunity to repay the humiliation they had suffered so far. -This is an opportunity to gain both utility and self-esteem! But now, it was a situation where both parties exchanged blows one at a time. If you make even the slightest mistake here, you will fail! No, Im d its just Pato. If I make a mistake, the power could be concentrated on Portugal and Italy! Hyun, who saw Louis with a frustrated expression desperately searching for an answer, was the first toe to a conclusion. In Jims view, Gloria is not something the Empire should be involved in. I think it is right for the European parties to resolve that issue. However, Portugal and Italy are allies of the Empire. If an ally falls into crisis, I have no choice but to help. Of course, It is assumed that the allies will not go to war first. Louis face brightened at Hyuns words. If that is the Empires policy, France will also respond ordingly. If Portugal and Italy do not go too far, France will not be the first to start a war. Thats enough to convince Jim and the Empire. Louis and Hyeon smiled and reached an agreement. The ministers watching the negotiations around them muttered to themselves. The saying Ihyeonryeongbihyeonryeong (⏱Ǒ) is an earring when worn on the ear and a nose ring when worn on the nose fits perfectly. The agreement that Hyun and Louis saw could be interpreted differently depending on their positions. If a serious conflict broke out between France, Portugal and Italy in Gloria, the Empire could view it as a war against the alliance, while France would insist that it was a simple dispute, which wouldplicate matters. The opposite was also true. Anyway, having reached an agreement in this way, Hyun and Louis moved on. I guess this is the real point. You want the empires sea emergency front? Hmm. Ill ask again. Why should I hand over the sea emergency front to France? Its for peace in Europe. Peace in Europe? What does that mean? Competition among European countries is fierce. If one person bes even a little stronger alone, it will lead to war. However, if everyones skills are simr, war will not easily break out. In my opinion, its not because of fiercepetition, but it seems like old benevolence or justice is more appropriate, dont you think? That may be true. But whatever the reason, if everyones skills are simr, war will be difficult to break out, so wouldnt peace continue? Hyeon lightly nodded his head at Louis words, but did not give in easily. That may be true. But the sea emergency front is a front in which a lot of the empires shipbuilding technology has been incorporated. Do you want to hand over such a ship to France? Wearing bad rtions between the empire and France? Louis also nodded his head in response to Hyuns words. As your Majesty said, the Sea Emergency Battleship is a battleship that stands out for the Empires shipbuilding technology. It is also true that something bad happened between the Empire and France in Italy. But! As I already said, the unfortunate events that happened in Italy were due to the differences in each others values. It was just a difference, not because of the benefactor. It is already a thing of the past, France has apologized and the Empire has received an apology, so there is no need to continue discussing it. This is what His Majesty himself said a little while ago. Louis paused for a moment and cleared his throat before speaking again. As I have said again and again, the Sea Emergency Battleship is a battleship that highlights the Empires shipbuilding technology. However, it is also true that the technology is not thetest technology. To put it more bluntly, it means that the Sea Emergency Battleship is outdated for the Empire. . Its be outdated? Yes. Even if the Empires enemies have sea emergency battleships or battleships with simr performance to sea emergency battleships, I think the empire has or has developed the technology and battleships to suppress them. Otherwise, the empire will not sell sea emergency battleships no matter how ally it is. It wouldnt have happened. Hyun smiled bitterly at Louis answer. You know us too well. Have I gotten too used to it? Decades have already passed since the doors were opened. Anyone who had been in contact with the empire so far had no choice but to know well how the empire behaved. In the end, Hyeon came to a conclusion that was not a conclusion. Hmm I listened carefully to what the envoy said. There were some answers that made sense and some that did not. Also, considering the gravity of the matter, it is not a good idea to make a decision at this point. I decided after discussing it with my subjects. Well take it down, so go back and wait. I ask you to give me the same grace as your Majesty. Hyeon smiled wryly as he watched Louis bow politely and retreat. Its only when you say thest word that you start wagging your tail. After Louis and his group left, Hyun, who wasing out of Gyeongheeru, looked back at Han Myeong-hoe. What do you think, Prime Minister? I dont think its bad. No, I think its good. I guess its working out ording to EJs n. Anyway, Im a little surprised that their greed has be so strong. So Hyun, who was looking around, asked Han Myeong-hoe again. Isnt the grave crime of ster cast a bit excessive? It was an unexpected question, but Han Myeong-hoe understood it right away and answered. Its too much. No matter what anyone says, Your Majesty is the Supreme. Whoa~. After hearing Han Myeong-hoes answer, Hyeon took a long sigh and gave an order to Han Myeong-hoe. Lets go to Sugang Pce together. Do you also have convictions? Han Myeong-hoe, who saw Hyeons expression of silently looking at him, spoke to his fellow ministers who were following him. Lets go together. Why us? Han Myeong-hoe responded with his facial expression. The ministers who saw that expression sighed and answered. Whew~. Lets do that. Whoa~. Amid sighsing from all over the ce, someone muttered softly. Its a good thing that its not a major sin * * * Your Majesty the Emperor has arrived! Pleasee inside. When Hyang heard that Hyeon had arrived, he got up from his seat and greeted Hyeon. So-son ( (СO) I ask for forgiveness from Halbamama! Wee? As soon as she entered the room, Hyang, confused by the sight of Hyeon kneeling down and begging for forgiveness, looked at the ministers who followed, especially Han Myeong-hoe. Han Myeong-hoe, who received the silent question, quickly knelt down and bowed his head like Hyeon did. I have brought trouble to His Majesty the Emperor by discrediting my beliefs. Please forgive the mortal sins of minor gods! Following Han Myeong-hoe, other ministers also knelt down and bowed their heads in unison. Please forgive the mortal sins of minor gods! Hyang was momentarily confused by the unexpectedmotion. I soon came to my senses and analyzed the situation. Both Soson and Halbamama used those words when young Hyeoni was acting foolish, right? By using those words, they caused a serious ident to the point of asking for forgiveness Hyunis schedule today. This Eunuch, what did the emperor do today? Yes, Your Majesty After hearing the countys schedule from the eunuch, Hyangs eyes sparkled. This is it! France I had an ident during my conversation with the Shinigami! After getting a rough idea, Hyang asked the officer who followed him. Ill ask the officer there. Yes? Please ask. Were you at Gyeonghuiru? Yes, I am. Then recite it. Yes, what? I guess they recorded everything that happened at Gyeonghuiru! Im telling you to recite it! The four records are records that not even His Majesty the Emperor can read without permission! So, Im telling you to recite them! I need to know exactly what happened, but I dont want to see all the nonsense written in that sand. Thats why Im telling you to recite it yourself! Hearing Hyangs words, Han Myeong-hoe cautiously opened his mouth. If thats the case, the minor gods will exin it themselves. So you cant. You may have personal opinions and excuses. I just want to know the facts without any personal opinions about what happened right then and there! The officials and judges who listened to the conversation between Hyang and Han Myeong-hoe, and who were recording it in the meantime, realized the gravity of the matter and gathered back for a moment to talk in small detail. After raising their voices several times, the officers bowed their heads in front of the incense and answered, I will transcribe and upload only that part separately. Why? I think Ill even read the gossip? ..Please let me know. Please write it and give it to me as quickly as possible. And the emperor can sitfortably. No! I will never be able to do that until Halbamama corrects my right and wrong! After hearing Hyeons words, Hyang looked back at the officers and masters. Did you hear? The longer you arete, the more difficult it will be for His Majesty. I will do my best! The officers and scribes began to desperately use their stylus to transcribe, and Hyun looked like he had really taken a hit. I will rmend you at least one more time. I thought you would . Under silent pressure from the prefects and ministers sitting on their knees, the magistrates and magistrates worked hard to copy. Thanks to this, a document recording what happened at Gyeonghuiru was uploaded to the vige sooner than expected. Hmm . The Emperor, please sitfortably. The same goes for the ministers. Thank you. Hyang, wearing magnifying sses, said as he turned his attention to the report. The prefectural government and ministers immediately expressed their gratitude and sat downfortably. If you talk nonsense for no reason, you will have to sit still until the end! Lets just sit down! Hyang, who slightly chuckled at the actions of the prefectural government and the ministers, soon began reading the record. Hmm Hmm I see I see. He looked at the field and opened his mouth. First of all, if we look at the results, I think Frances proposal is not bad as it fits the Empires n for IJ. On the contrary, if you use it well, it is a very good thing because it will help secure the budget for building new electric wires. But When the Hyang fell silent for a moment with the word but, the ministers became extremely nervous. The negotiation process is seriously wed. Why should the Emperor be dragged around by French emissaries? This must be the ministers negligence! Chapter 1019 Episode 1019: The name of the firewood is the arms race (12) In response to the incident, the ministers, starting with Han Myeong-hoe, bowed down on the floor again and bowed their heads. Please kill me! Do you really want me to kill you? Forgive me! Shouldnt I have done something to be forgiven in the first ce? Im sorry! If you apologize, you shouldnt have done what you need to apologize for! I apologize. Tsk tsk! Hyang clicked his tongue loudly and reprimanded the prefecture and ministers again. Have you forgotten the teachings of the old sayings of paramount rtive and one god, one god, one god? Are there one or two things in which there is a difference of understanding between the European powers and the empire? How long will the empirest? Do you think you can easily suppress them? Look again this time! If you think about the words uttered by the French envoy, you can clearly see how well prepared they were! However, the records show that the emperor was unable to do so, which is because the emperor was Its an obvious mistake on the part of those who are supposed to assist you! You didnt do your job properly! The ministers bowed their heads again in response to Hyangs reprimand. Forgive me! Do you think that all you have to do is ask for forgiveness? Do you think that all you have to do is ask for forgiveness? Hyangs reprimand continued. Now, no one canpare the strength of the empire to the world, and no one canpare its military power! This is an obvious fact! But look at the bull! It is so big that no one can beat it, and its strength is such that even if more than ten men fight against it, it cannot be beaten! Even such a bull is a tiger. If you meet them, you will be nothing more than food! Is that all? If you pull the reins on that huge bull, it will also be dragged around by a three-legged boy! Do you want to turn this empire into a tiger or a bull? The way I see it, you are turning it into a bull! Im sorry! Im sorry, but dont make it a point to apologize! Now that Ive said it, I should say what I want to say! Its because youve been socent that something like today happened! This alone is a big deal and a big mistake, but its an even bigger problem. Do you know what the big mistake is? Han Myeong-hoe! Tell me! Huh? Thats.. Lim Soon-wook! Tell me! Thats Have you seen these guys! As Hyangs voice got louder, the heads of Hyeon and the ministers got closer and closer to the floor. The roar of incense continued above the heads of the prefectures and ministers, who were almost stuck to the floor. Among those who im to be ministers or vice-ministers, quite a few people have grumbled because Sajikso has been rejected so many times that even I can hear the rumor in my closet! I really dont know why the emperor rejected Sajikso and why he had no choice but to reject it. Is it because you are not trustworthy! It is because your sessors are not trustworthy because they learned from seeing you handle things in such a way! Do you want to say no? Then, before something like today happens, something like this should have happened to the emperor, or even to you. I should have guessed that there was a high possibility that it would happen! But did it happen? Tell me! Han Myeong-hoe! There was none! Look! Are you onlyining about how much work you have to do, and are you socent that you only do your job and are missing out on important things? How can you trust these people and entrust the future of the empire to them! Forgive me! In European Roman mythology, there is a monster called Argos. It is said that Argos has 100 eyes and that all of his eyes never close. Those who assist the emperor and run the empire must be like this Argos! The peoples This means that there should be no stopping orziness in looking after ones livelihood and the movements of foreign forces! Military poweres next! But what kind of shameful situation is this? Didnt something like today happen because we trusted only in military power and neglected looking at the surroundings? Military power If you rely only on the empire, everyone will be your enemy. If you only rely on the wealth of the empire, you will be everyones prey. If you rely only on diplomacy, you will only spread empty mes! Do you want to lead the empire, which still has a long way to go, to ruin already? No! Absolutely not! But why did the emperor put us in such trouble? Are you having a hard time with a lot of work? Do you want to resign and restfortably? Then just give up everything! Its easy if you give up! You hand over your shoes and drums to others, and only take care of the palm-sized book and go to the door. Its okay to just close your eyes, block your ears, and live like that! Do you really want to live like that? Is that how you want to make the empire that Emperor Yuan and his subjects and people of the time worked hard to create! Hyang, who had been shouting loudly, flopped down on the chair next to him, and the prefectures and ministers who were amazed at the sight jumped to their feet. Halvamama! Bring the doctor! Its okay! Its just a temporary relief. Hahaona Is my life at stake now? The country is in shambles! When Hyang shouted again, the prefecture and the ministers had no choice but to lie face down again. Im sorry! Forgive me! Disposition is the emperors business! Ask the emperor for forgiveness! After drawing a firm line, Hyang looked back at Hyeon. I hope that the emperor will never forget what happened today. They are desperately chasing after us. You must never forget that. Force is not everything. If you let your guard down even a little, the empires face will be damaged in just three inches. You will lose your profits. I will keep this in mind. In response to Hyuns sincere answer, Hyang finished with a light sigh. I hope the emperor will never take this incident lightly. The same goes for the ministers. Comcency is one of the quickest paths to ruin. In some ways, thecency of officials is as serious a crime as treason and treason. Dont forget this. I will keep this in mind! I want to rest. yes. In response to the viges order to wee guests, the prefecture and ministers politely said goodbye and withdrew. Hyeon responded to the example posted by the medical doctor who had entered the room upon being called and took a seat next to Hyang. Why is the Emperor staying? I will look into the true vein of the fisherman. The emperor has something to do, Taishan, so there is no need to do that. Haona Tsk! As soon as the scent hit his tongue, Eui looked at Hyun with a puzzled expression. In the end, Hyun had no choice but to get up and go outside. After a while, the medical doctor, who had examined Hyang, told Hyang the results. Your energy and blood boiled for a moment, but there is no major problem. However, if you are concerned about Yeonchi, you must be especially careful. I understand. Anyway, its been a while since I screamed, so my throat feels a little sore. I will make some decoction for you. Please. * * * When Hyeon, who had been kicked out by Hyang, came out, the ministers who came out first and were waiting bowed their heads in unison. Your Majesty, because of your foolish beliefs, something like today happened. Please forgive us for our sins. Forgive me! Hyun, who was about to say something to the ministers apology, let out a long sigh. Phew~. Lets do well. Jaal~. I apologize. Dont even think about raising your resignation letter for the time being. Hyeon couldnt help but click his tongue at the sight of the ministers just bowing their heads. Tsk! -I heard His Majesty the Emperor and his ministers were scolded by Tae Sang-taek! -I heard that Tae Sang-tae was furious! In the authors story, a horse without feet can travel a thousand miles, but inside the pce, it was several times faster. Eventually, it wasnt long before the events that urred at Sugang Pce reached the ears of officials in Yukjo Street. The faces of the officials who heard the rumors did not look good at all. This is going to be very difficult for a while, right? It will just be a little difficult for us, but the guys at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs As the officials said, the faces of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials who heard the rumor turned from white to pale. We are dead now. Should I just resign? If you think about Admiral Shins temperament What made the Foreign Ministry officials very concerned was that the government in charge of this matter was the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs was none other than Shin Sook-ju. Shin Suk-ju had been traveling abroad ever since the early days of the empire, and had to go to Italy as soon as she returned to Seoul. Thanks to this, Shin Sook-ju was the one who had a particrly strong desire for promotionpared to other ministers. I will definitely sit down as prime minister before I die! The publics assessment was that Shin Sook-ju had a high potential because she had as much ability as she had motivation. The only problem was age. Shin Suk-ju also knew this well, so she showed special interest in archery techniques and health food to maintain health. Since Shin Sook-ju was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, this incident was a big blow. Of course, there was no way I could just ignore it and it did not exceed my expectations. Shin Sook-ju, who returned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building, screamed as soon as she passed the entrance. Everyone who is Deputy Director and above,e to my office! Ill give you a piece! Crash! As soon as Shin Sook-ju finished speaking, officials came out from all directions and gathered in Shin Sook-jus office. Close the door! yep! After a while, Shin Sook-jus shouting came out from the tightly closed door of the office. You bastards! Youre not doing your job properly! Why should I have to hear this at this age! sorry. A simr situation was happening in another government office around the same time, but the details were slightly different. You bastards! You cant do your job properly! Its because of you that I cant resign with peace of mind! You guys! I want to resignfortably and live with a pension! * * * Meanwhile, Hyang, who was left alone, made a strange expression while reviewing the daytimemotion. Could it be because of what I have done? The reason Hyang showed such doubts was because Frances diplomatic skills, symbolized by Louis, were more sophisticated than expected. It has changed so much since I saw it in Italy. Back then, it was more like stubbornness with clumsy logic, but this time it has be very sharp. Hyang, who was analyzing the development of France, for which the term remarkable opponent was appropriate, nodded. Is this also a challenge and a response? In any case, it will be more difficult in the future. If so, the empires stance As Hyang was contemting the diplomatic stance the empire would take in the future, a memory from his past life appeared in Hyangs mind. This was what the professor who taught Hyangs ss during his college days said. -If you look at the internationalmunity these days, this is true. The differences between China and other Western countries are very visible. To put it harshly, China is close to a strong, underdeveloped country. So thats the problem. He only believes in his own strength and neverpromises. And no respect. This is the difference between Russia and China. Its the same as China in believing only in power and never giving in, but at least theyre trying to save face. Look at the special military operation against Ukraine. And the rest of the West is simr to China and Russia when ites to countries that are far behind them. However, if you are a country that is simr to us or slightly behind us, you will be treated differently. How does it change? Its getting so cruel. Instead, I give up what I have to give in and try to keep the promises I make as much as possible. If that doesnt work out, just go through the back door. In some ways, it looks simr enough to be considered find the difference, but there is a big difference. In the case of China and Russia, they only make enemies, and in the case of the West, they make both enemies and friends. Chapter 1020 Episode 1020: The name of firewood is Arms Race (13) Hyang, recalling memories of his past life, chuckled and muttered. Now that I think about it, the reason I still remember this is because it was a masterpiece In ss at that time, as soon as the professor finished speaking, a student raised his hand and asked a question. Isnt there a case where you only make friends? I think our country should be like that. The professor responded with a slight smile to the students quite provocative questions and arguments. People decided to call it hukou. And it is not our country, but our country. To humble oneself is humility, but to humble ones country is servitude. The student in question had to keep his mouth shut as his face fell open as the professor responded with a finger-tapping gesture. After reflecting on the memories of her past life, Hyang came to a conclusion. I dont know about catching a tiger fish, but its something that shouldnt be caught. After catching up, Hyang began to write a report to deliver to Hyeon. Meanwhile, other whispers were continuing among officials. Tae Sang-tae said that the country was in a shitty state. Something didnt suit me. Why did you use shit there? What a mess? Hmm The official who heard the story thought for a moment and nodded. It definitely feels like Im wearing something that doesnt fit. In a wrestling match, if both yers fell to the ground at the same time, a fight would often break out over who fell first. At this time, it was an unspoken rule to restart the match, and this was called a revision. This spread so widely that the situation was so bad that starting over from scratch was called shattering. However, if you put that meaning into the word f***ing used in the word Hyang, something didnt quite fit. In the end, the officials who had been thinking about Hyangs words looked around and talked quietly. No matter how you look at it, it doesnt seem like the dog is the dog. Thats right. But theres no way Taesang would say such a frivolous thing I guess so? Although the officials were prevaricating in case someone else heard them, they were muttering something else inside. Under the circumstances, youre the kind of person who can write like that! And as time passed, the gae in gaepan came to be used with different meanings, meaning Ȯ rather than ġ. It was another butterfly effect created by scent. * * * Thanks to the imperial officialsing to their senses again after all the fighting, Louis and other foreign envoys had to sweat it out again. It seems like the meeting with the emperor was the problem. I guess so. Louis had to smile bitterly and nod his head at the aides report. This was because Louis also felt this keenly. Shin Sook-joos attitude as he continued the meeting with her had changed significantlypared to before the meeting. After the meeting, Shin Sook-joo had a smiling face, but her words were sharper than when she was in Italy. If Shin Sook-ju showed even the slightest weakness, she was ready to cut Louis to pieces. Thanks to this, Louis and Shin Suk-ju continued their meeting, which was worthy of the saying, There is a sword in a smile. Thanks to this, Louis had no choice but to receive results that were slightly lower than expected immediately after the meeting with Hyun. Isnt that right? Still, we were able to obtain non-interference with Gloria. We were also able to save quite a few sea emergency battleships. Although it was not non-interference in Portugal and Italy but non-interference in thepetition taking ce in Gloria, Louis was satisfied that even that was a significant achievement. * * * Louiss negotiations with the empire brought aboutpetition from other countries. The number of countries wishing to purchase sea emergency wires increased, and the number of them also increased significantly. -The Empire has ns to build a ship to rece the Sea Emergency. If we are ready, including the budget, we will start right away. -There are no ns to build additional emergency wires. The biggest reason was what Shin Sook-joo publicly stated in her meeting with Louis. Countries that learned of this information, either at the guesthouse or through other channels, once again pounded their calctors furiously. -It will take time until the new shippletely reces the sea emergency. C To put it another way, the empire also needs emergency response for the time being. -Considering that new sea rescue ships are not being built and the age of the ship, the number of usable sea rescue ships that can be purchased is limited. -In conclusion, if you hesitate, it will be sold out! The countries that came to this conclusionpetitively sent messengers to the empire. And this time, even Ennd and the Ottomans entered thepetition. Meanwhile, there were people who had different ideas. Its a wooden ship anyway, right? All you have to do is rece the wood, so the age of the ship doesnt matter, right? Upon hearing this proposal, all naval officials, especially naval generals who had experience with the Empires naval emergency and challenger-level battle lines, shook their heads. Its that damn tree thats the problem. Eh? * * * Unlike the early Hae-eung-geu, theter Hae-eung-geu was dried with Shinji oak from Shinji C the famous Virginia oak in history before the intervention of incense. It was not just the Imperial Navy stationed in Shinji, but allte-model naval emergency sses of the Imperial Navy. For this purpose,rge-scale shipyards were built in the northwest coastal area of Sinji, and timber harvested in eastern Sinji was transported via rail to shipyards in the west. A huge integrated production system was created. This was a project that required a huge amount of money. And the funds released in this way elerated the imperialization of more indigenous people. The person who actively pushed for all of this was Hyang. To Wan and the ministers who were worried about financial issues at the time, Hyang sent the following letter. -Money goes around and around and is called money! * * * These were battleships of the Imperial Navy that boasted superior defense capabilities thanks to being made of Shinji oak, which was even nicknamed ironwood, and because they had memories of being hit hard by them, the working-level naval generals raised the issue. I dont know where the damn empire got those damn trees, but theyre damn hard trees. I cant guarantee that they would have that kind of defense even if reced with wood from our country. But all you have to do is rece the wood? Thats bullshit. They say the trees growing in the Luzon region are hard, but that is not our kingdoms territory. Then The answer is simple. We have to move as quickly as possible and select the freshest ones and bring them in. That works the cheapest. Holy shit Once again, financial officials from each country were faced with a situation where they had to groan. * * * When the sea emergency was spreading, starting with the European powers, the Ming and Japanese reactions were slightly different. First of all, Myeong had no intention of making an emergency purchase. No, Seonghwaje had sufficient intentions, but the opposition from the ministers was enormous. Even the Holy Fire Emperors personal guards expressed opposition in this matter. why? One of the fronts that destroyed the Ming Navy in thest war, especially the Battle of the Yellow Sea, was the Haiyang River. If ships were brought in, the people would immediately rise up. is it? Of course, if its just an assault repatriation, things will be different. Would you like to sell that? .. It means we have toe to a conclusion. Thats right. If Mings reaction was like this, Japan was different. As soon as they received the information that the emergency response has been sent to Portugal and Italy, the first toe was Japan. Why does the Empire have to hand over the maritime emergency front to Japan? Have you forgotten what kind of trouble we went through back home at the end of the war? In response to the empires negative response, Japan persistently negotiated, even sending the crown prince. What happened in the past is a tragedy between our two countries that must not be forgotten. But we must also think about the future. We, Japan, will continue to be a faithful partner to the empire. I earnestly ask you to consider the future. Even the crown prince of Japan came forward and made an earnest request, so the prefecture finally came to a conclusion. The cause is good, and if its an emergency, we can suppress it now and in the future. So, lets at least show off. I follow your orders! In this way, the empire sold 20 sea emergency ships to Japan, and ultimately 40 ships. Hwang Eun is devastated! The Japanese Crown Prince, who was notified of the decision, bowed deeply and expressed his gratitude to the prefect. Ships made in Japan, regardless of whether they were warships or merchant ships, were still several numbers behind those of the empire. In this situation, the 40 ships on the sea emergency line were a great force, and the Crown Princes gratitude was natural. Although the matter was resolved in this way, Japan once again sued the empire. Ask for a challenger ss? And three new ships? Why? One will be used by the King of Japan when he goes on tour, and the other two will be used asmand ships. At Shin Sook-jus answer, Hyun chuckled and looked back at the Minister of National Defense. What do you think? Three Challenger-ss ships are not a big problem. What if we attack three Challenger-ss and 40 sea emergency ships all at once? They will not be able to cross Tsushima Ind, and on the contrary, their capital, Yamaguchi, will be reduced to ashes. Right. If possible, it would be the icing on the cake if we were guests with foreign currency. good night! In this way, Japans request was epted. However, the hull of the newly built Challenger-ss ship was made from native oak, not Shinji oak. Instead, the captains cabin and officers cabin at the rear of the ships hull were decorated with an unprecedentedly extravagant exterior and interior. * * * The shipyard in Wonsan was busy as countries in all directions requested the sale of emergency cables. This was because inspections were being carried out on ships that had been decided for sale among the marine emergency fronts deployed in the headquarters and the southwestern region. That wasnt all. The shipyard in Wonsan worked day and night to build the Heukyeong-ss transport ship and test ships for a new ship called a destroyer. Thanks to this, the imperial troops guarding the shipyard were also busy with their days. The parties to be delivered the sea emergency front were to wait in Yangyang or Mokpo and the Imperial Navy would bring the ship there. However, there were people who came to Wonsan making various excuses, so this had to be prevented. One day when things were so busy, Hyang and Hyeon visited the shipyard in Wonsan. This was because there was a report that the destroyers test ship fleet was finished and preparations were being made forunch. The two grandsons entered the shipyard under strict security and arrived at the shipyard where the test ship was located. Hmm Joson continued the conversation while looking closely at the test ship being prepared forunch. Its smaller than the Hae-Eung-gi, but it looks even more agile. exactly. But it looks like the firepower is a bitcking. No, its not enough. All there are are five double-barreled rapid-fire cannons All the naval officials who followed Hyeons words, full of regret, nodded. At that sight, Hyang smiled bitterly and muttered to himself. I wonder who isnt a fan of canvas Oh, I guess Im one of them. Chapter 1021 Episode 1021: The name of the firewood is Arms Race (14) Hyang continued, hiding his true feelings. Isnt this a ship whose mission is to destroy the enemy through single-hit attacks? Ill even put self-propelled bombs and torpedoes on it, so I think it has enough firepower. Still, its a bit disappointing. The design conceived by the emperor is the basis. My design had more artillery than that one Hyun, who was still muttering with regret, soon epted the reality. You cant fill your stomach on the first drink. Wouldnt you get good results if you start with that stomach and improve your stomach step by step? That would be best. After a while, theunching ceremony began. It was aunch ceremony that culminated with the Hyeon reading a rite praying for a safeunch and sessful operation, and the test ship floating safely into the sea. After theunch ceremony was over, Hyeon spoke to the officials gathered. I would like to throw a big party, but it is unfortunate that we cannot do so due to the importance of the matter and the number of eyes and ears watching. Instead, we will pay rewards and vacation days, so I will rece that with that. Hwang Eun is devastated! The cries of those expressing gratitude were louder and louder than ever before. Those around the shouts whispered quietly. Your voice is very loud? Its a reward and a vacation, wouldnt it be like you? Ah * * * The test ship named Sea Seal soon began various test voyages. Navymanders who were observing Haepyos test voyage could not hide their expressions of disappointment. The ne is so agile It would have been the icing on the cake if it could have carried a little more artillery The power of the rapid-fire cannon is good, but I feel like 10 guns is too few. To be exact, there are five doors. Two doors are tied together. Every time they heard these evaluations from navalmanders, the blood in the artillery and ship personnels faces would rush out. What kind of artillery is that rapid fire gun? The icing on the cake? It would be Hwasa Cheomjok (wearing the art of painting)! * * * The rapid-fire gun attached to the Haepyo was a test version of the 4th generation artillery developed by the Empire. Gun barrels made ofposite materials such as more advanced steel and wrought iron cables were able to withstand greater pressure. The breech closure device has also been improved, making opening and closing easier. That wasnt all. The reclining double-seat machine, which began to be applied from the 3rd generation, has evolved into the 2nd-generation reclining double-seat machine. This was thanks to chicle and lubricants produced during the petroleum refining process. The sealing te (gasket) using chicle and copper showed better airtightness than when only copper tes were used in the past. The lubricant was also able to withstand higher temperatures than the castor powder previously used. With the improvement of the artillery and retractable seat, the new rapid-fire gun was able to fire bullets with a diameter of 3 inches (approximately 10 cm) farther and at higher speeds. However, what made this new gun a rapid-fire gun was the rotating turret on which the gun was mounted. Inside the turret, which was armored on the roof and on all sides with steel tes 2 inches (about 6 cm) thick, was an elevator that supplied shells and charges. This elevator was connected to an ammunition dump in the lower part of the turret. As charges and shells were supplied through an elevator from a powder magazine surrounded by a strong protective wall that doubled as a firewall and armor te, the gunners in the turret were able to fire rapidly. Of course, there was a problem here too. First of all, like the 3rd generation, the integrated bullet thatbined the brass shell and warhead had a considerable weight. Therefore, the charge and warhead of the new artillery were separated. In addition, the charger was filled with a body made of thick grease, excluding the bottom te containing the detonator. It was a painful effort to reduce weight and at the same time save even a penny and escape from the pressure of the Ministry of Finance and Economy. Next was the elevator. The power source of the elevator was people. Efficiency was improved by using pulleys, but as long as the power source was human, there were clear limitations. Although it was a new rapid-fire gun with many limitations, its power was outstanding. It boasted simr power and range as the 4-inch (approximately 12 cm) 3rd generation artillery mounted on the second-floor deck of the Challenger-ss front line and the left and right side batteries of the assault return ship, and was superior to the 3rd generation artillery of the same caliber mounted on sea emergency ships. . Lastly, the second-generation naval guns that France acquired from Corsica and sessfully reproduced and installed on the sea emergency front, which are now being handed over to other countries,pletely overwhelmed them. Haepyos hull was also not easy. Although it was thinner than the armor te of the assault return ship, it boasted formidable defensive power using improved steel armor tes. The same was true for institutions. The steam multiple-wheel motor (steam turbine), which uses light oil obtained from refined petroleum as a raw material, is smaller in size than the existing engine using coal, but its output is slightly stronger. Thebination of a slightly smaller hull and more powerful engines than the Hae-Eung-Gyeong gave it mobility that overwhelms the Hae-Eung-Gyeong. Other advantages gained by using diesel as a raw material were a longer range than Haeung and all-weather capability. When all of these performances werebined, Haepyopletely overwhelmed Haeunggeung. It was able to move faster than Haeung, which was reputed to be fast, and hit Haeung from a greater distance than Haeung. And if done well, it couldpete with challengers. Because of this, themanders of the Imperial Navy could not hide their disappointment. It would have been nice if we had added about 10 more guns the size of artillery pieces Hyeon, who heard the imperial navysints, responded by licking his lips. Tsk. I understand themanders regret, but if we add more artillery, we will have to redesign the engines and hull from scratch. This is too much or too little too little. And Hyang answered more directly. Gong-o (ؕO saury) should be like a military fish, and military fish (ȹO cussfish) should be like a military fish. Now, they are saying lets make Gong-eo a military fish. Do you think that makes sense? Lets add a few more artillery pieces and make Haepyos gloves out of paper gloves. Is it! While building ships for the Imperial Navy, starting with the Challenger ss and Sea Emergency, thepany actively applied the concept of the Viral Part (Viral Part) intensive protection zone. And this method of incense was also passed down to the designers and prefects of the Imperial Navy. In their view, theints of the imperial navymanders were to destroy the merits of Haepyo. When they came forward and said something, the mouths of the imperial navymanders were tightly shut. Hyun added, looking at those navalmanders. Theck of firepower of the Haepyo ss will be made up for by self-propelled bombs. So,mander, stop worrying. I follow your orders! Although they said so, theints of navalmanders continued in private: Those self-explosive bombs are the bigger problem The self-explosive bombs, which had been developed by Leonardo da Vinci, were still a weapon with a long way to go. The strongest grip was the propulsion engine. The prototype of the self-propelled bomb created by Leonardo was a method of obtaining propulsion by burning gunpowder like a Singijeon. In other words, arge Singijeon, Sanhwasingijeon, was fired into the water instead of the sky. Commander of the Imperial Navy . This was precisely the part where they were reluctant to use self-exploited bombs. Starting with Hyang, many researchers and craftsmen in the empire are working together to create safer gunpowder, but gunpowder is still a dangerous substance. That is why Sanhwa Shingijeon had veryrge spacing between eachuncher. It was wide. However, the problem was that self-propelled bombs had to be ced on ships that were narrowpared to the ground. The problem is that if even the slightest problem urs here, it will immediately lead to sinking. Due to this problem that has not yet been resolved, navalmanders said, There are many more It was impossible to let go of the lingering attachment to mounting many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many powerful, very powerful artillery pieces. In this situation, a way to solve the problem of self-propelled bombs was discovered. No, an event urred that would make the empires science and technology leap forward once again. * * * After continuous improvement and improvement through numerous trial voyages and simtion training, the Haepyo-ss destroyer began to be built inrge quantities. Although it was not the first iron ship, Haepyo was the first iron warship to be built inrge quantities. For smooth construction, arge amount of steel was needed, and the steel mills in the main area and the new area in the northern area continued to devise ways to further increase production. It is not reasonable to simply use more iron ore and coal. There must be something efficient. There must be a new way to raise the level. While the steel mill and research institute were mulling over this issue, urgent news was sent to Hyeon and Hyang. A new response has arrived! Upon hearing Crown Prince Wus report, Hyeon and Hyang smiled and started a conversation. The number of responses has increased a lot these days, right? Yes. So, what is the grade? To Hyeons question, Woo answered with a bright face. Ugong Yi-sans upper, middle, and lower grades! What! Upon hearing that the answer to the problem, which can be considered the highest level of difficulty, has been found, Hyang and Hyeon left their seats. He jumped up and held out his hand. Report! Here it is! Hyang and Hyeon, who received the report, began to read the report with concentration. Hyangs face became brighter than ever after checking the contents. Finally! -It was the discovery of oxygen, a gas that promotesbustion and oxidation . Hyeon, who was checking the contents of the document, looked back at the vige with a bright face. I cant believe Wu Gong Yi-sans wounds and nder have been resolved. It seems that the quantity war that Tae Sang-tae talked about is finallying to fruition. I think so. * * * The first research institute that Hyang established was an industry-academia research institute. An industry-academia research institute alone is not enough. I cant be involved in the experiments every time. Thats why Hyang built more and more research institutes. However, Joseons talent alone was insufficient at the time, and eventually schrs had to be invited from Europe. However, the results were still sluggish. Hyang made a decision: I will not die of old age, but of a heart attack! If so, its a volume war! Make time with volume! After making the decision, Hyang began to recruit external talents more actively, and soon schrs from Europe and the Middle East began to flock to the research institute. Looking at this situation, Hyang looked confident. I muttered, This is the aesthetics of substance. Hyangs real goal was not just to recruit talented people. With various financial support and various rewards, young international students and Imperials full of talent and motivation became researchers at the research institute. The young people who became researchers in this way were taught by schrs. They received permission to conduct research together. However, it wasnt long before the researchers began calling themselves hakno (Wū) or hakja (W) . This was because the entire process was their responsibility, including preparing the various experiments conducted by teaching schrs, collecting the results, organizing the collected results, and making them avable for analysis by the teachers. They were able to endure difficult times because of the fame and economic benefits that came when the results were registered as intellectual property. Chapter 1022 Episode 1022: The name of the firewood is the arms race (15) Thanks to the Hyangs decision to use genuine quality, the number of people in the research center quickly increased. The number of schrs and international student researchers, who initially numbered a little over 100, had increased to a whopping 30,000 during the current era. But this was not reckless expansion. The reason why the pace of scientific and technological development was faster in the 19th century than in the 18th century, in the 20th century, and in the 21st century was because of the concentration of talent and capital. What Hyang used as a model was the Manhattan n. It was modeled after the Manhattan Project, which brought together prominent people, including manpower, and invested a huge budget to produce results in a short period of time. -Gather proven personnel in one ce andpete with them. -Everyone will make desperate efforts to grab the carrot of fame and money. -Then we canpress time. -conductor! This trick was carried out exactly as it was. However, the most important background for the sess of Hyangs scheme was the Hyang and the imperial familys deep pockets. The township and the imperial family spent at least half of the budget needed to operate the institute. Thanks to this, researchers at the institute were free from the pressure of coordination symbolized by the Ministry of Finance and Economy. Research costs a lot of money, so refrain from doing it? Rather, I thought it was right to focus on more helpful experiments and research Can you figure out what would be more helpful? . Ha! Then I will unpack my personal belongings! Because it was this way, the government could no longer interfere with the research institute. However, the imperial family did not just lose money. This was because, even if it was not a right-wing attack, even if it was only a struggle or a horsemanship-level response, if it was properly technologicalized, enormous profits could be recovered. However, there was one ce that was pushed out of this policy. It was a scientific research institute. It was a ce in charge of research on Neo-Confucianism and other Confucian ideas, but it only increased from 50 people at first to about 200 people. Rather, the Sahagwon (ʷWԺ) and Gyeongsehakwon (WԺ) established during the Wan period were on the scale of evenrger scale. Even the emperor and court had excuses. -The History Academy and the Gyeongse Academy have more than one department to deal with! In the case of private academies, various fields of history were being studied, including war history and architectural history. In the case of the Gyeongsei Academy,plex issues such as production and distribution, sound distribution of capital, and distinction between investment and spection were being academically studied. However, the biggest reason was that the shadow of the Giyu Rebellion still remained dark. * * * Regardless of this background, the discovery of oxygen could be seen as the greatest fruition. -Is air just one substance? Or is it a mixture of several substances? -Is this world really made up of the five energies of the five elements? Oxygen was discovered in the process of solving this problem listed in the challenge record. The township and county, which confirmed that the report was more urate, called in the schrs and researchers in charge of the study and greatly praised them. Afterwards, Hyang returned to his room with an expression on his face that made up his mind. Now that we have oxygen, lets rx a little more! * * * Hyangs first work was with steam engines installed on naval battleships, starting with destroyers. The oil produced from refining petroleum was more useful militarily than coal in many ways. -Much safer than coal. When using coal, thebustion chambers fire pit was always open. This was because stokers had to continuously supply coal through the crater. Naturally, there were many cases where sparks flew out, resulting in frequent safety idents. However, if refined petroleum oil such as diesel was used, it was safe because there was no need to keep the crater open. -Can carry more than coal. In the case of coal, no matter how much the warships storage tank was filled, it was impossible to fill it all. Even though it looked like it was full on the outside, there were quite a few gaps between the coal grains. But refined petroleum oils had nothing like that. But there were also drawbacks. -It is said to be safer than coal, but it is notpletely safe. Asrge and small idents urred during the distition and storage of oil, the empire had to prepare countermeasures. The officials in charge of thisined and grumbled. Is there no perfect fuel? I thought there would no longer be problems like those caused by coal As coal was widely used, starting with iron horses and as a heating fuel for houses, many idents such as dust explosions and gas poisoning urred. Of course, the county put a lot of effort into preventing these idents, but they could not bepletely prevented due to issues with peoples perception and technical limitations. However, in the face of such idents, many craftsmen created new technologies and devices to provide solutions, and officials createdws and systems. After hearing this, Hyang licked his lips and muttered. Tsk. Its not for nothing that the saying safety rules are written in bloodes about. People only know when they experience it And a simr problem urred again in oil. However, in many ways, refined petroleum oil was more useful than coal, so the Imperial Navy chose heavy oil among refined petroleum oils instead of coal as fuel. And the vor was like MSG. It has been a known fact for a long time that fire needs air to burn. Therefore, steam engines made from petroleum were equipped with blowers that supplied the air needed forbustion. The township gathered researchers and technicians in charge of manufacturing steam engines for the navy. It is said thatbustion requires a substance called oxygen in the air, and the more oxygen there is, the betterbustion urs. Is that so? The problem is that right now its difficult to collect just that oxygen. So I thought, wouldnt the more air you blow in, the more oxygen there will be? The researchers and artisans were lost in thought at Hyangs words. As the silence continued, one of the craftsmen opened his mouth. Come to think of it I think thats why I work with the bellows at the cksmith shop. aha! In this way, researchers and craftsmen began working on improving the blower that runs on thebustor. What came out was a kind of Supercharger. As Haepyo, whose engine was reced with a new steam engine created in this way, showed better maneuverability, the Imperial Empire The Navy adopted this new engine. * * * The second ce where the incense struck MSG was the self-igniting bomb. The incense that called Da Vinci got straight to the point. . Therefore, oxygen in this air is needed forbustion. It means that it will happen. What do you think? Well. Looking at Da Vinci, who tilted his head, Hyang exined in more detail. If you put a can full of air into the propulsion part of an autonomous bomb and load it with appropriate fuel .. Ah! Before Hyang could finish his words, Da Vincis eyes began to sparkle frighteningly. That way, we dont have to use gunpowder as a propent! Is that so? Lets research it. Yes! Da Vinci answered vigorously and immediately went back to Area 51 and called Kang Baek-du and Gong Yajang. After hearing the story through Da Vinci, Kang Baek-du and Gong Yajang stroked their chins and calcted the possibilities. It looks okay. Next to the field manager who gave a positive evaluation, Kang Baek-du ced his hand on his forehead. Why didnt I think of this? Anyway, Da Vinci and his group took a hint from Hyang and started working on the self-exploited bomb once again. Through much trial and error, Da Vinci and his team finally created a usible propeller. It consisted of a high-pressure air tank, a tank containing high-purity alcohol as fuel, and a multi-wheel motor that converted the exhaust gas from thebustion chamber into power. The newly created self-explosive bomb equipped with an engine was immediately put into testing. Maintaining depth of field is the problem Once that part is solved, it seems like almost everything has been solved After checking the results, Da Vinci and his group once again worked hard to solve maintaining depth of field. * * * The scent continued to spread MSG here and there. The first ce where incense hit MSG was in the Imperial Army. How about changing the steam engines used in assault vehicles and tow trucks? Its already being studied. okay? Watching what the Imperial Navy was doing, the Imperial Army was also seriously considering recing its steam engine. The problem of stokers supplying coal to steam engines was the same for the Imperial Army. C Even if only the stoker is removed, the size can be reduced and the defense power can be strengthened. -If you listen to the Navy guys, they say that the new steam engine is more powerful. If so, it means thatrger and more powerful artillery can be mounted. -Then I guess I should change it? This was the biggest reason why the Imperial Army decided to change its institutions. Later, after hearing the armys passionate background, Hyang ced his hand on his forehead. These deep-rooted canvas lovers * * * The touch of incense was not limited to the military. Area 51 also faced new homework. Hyang came to see Woo and got to the point. Now that I think about it, dont you think there might be a more direct way to use thatbustion? Yes, what do you mean? Didnt you say that a fire can start in an enclosed space as long as there is air, oxygen and fuel? Yes thats right. Then, is it not possible to use the power of fire directly? therefore. Looking at Wu, who still had an expression of uncertainty, Hyang spoke again. I thought about it this way. If you look at long guns or artillery, dont they use a little bit of gunpowder to make the bullets and bullets fly a long distance? Thats the firepower created by the explosion of the gunpowder. Wouldnt that explosion be seen as a kind ofbustion? ah! Only then did Wu understand Hyangs words and made a decision. I will register it in the challenge record right away! The grade is After thinking for a moment, Woo decided on a grade. It would be better if you dont use horseback riding. In this way, the Empire began full-scale research on internalbustion engines. Hyang, who was returning from doing business at Area 51, looked up at the sky and muttered to himself. This will increase my notoriety one more time But what do you know? I will already be dead by then. Are you going to kill me again? * * * Returning to Sugang Pce, Hyang looked over the reports and sighed. Whew~ All thats left now is electricity but progress is still slow. Its so unexplored that I cant even grasp the concept Hyang, who was contemting about electricity with his arms folded, muttered softly. . How should I solve the problem so that it can be known that I solved it well At that moment, the schrs and researchers studying thunder energy at the research institute simultaneously shuddered. What a chill all of a sudden * * * While Hyang was thinking about rice cakes, Hyeon had a different idea. If you look at the past Italian war, the effectiveness of naval gunfire to hit the enemy on the coast was great. It was also said that the naval gunfire was quite useful in the Battle of the Yellow Sea and the Liaodong War. However, the number of artillery guns loaded on the front was limited. What ifyou can pour in arge amount of bombs at once? Chapter 1023 Episode 1023 Alsace-Lorraine. (1) While Hyang and Hyeon were in the midst of drawing up a rough sketch of The Future of Schrs and Artisans C Hope and Despair, the embers of war were smoldering again in Europe. It was coal that rekindled the mes of war. * * * The concept of the steam engine was introduced from the Empire, and a craze for steam engine development urred in Europe. The steam engine was the best power source. At that time, there were no traditional power sources such as manpower, shaft power, hydroelectric power, wind power, etc., but there were many limitations. But steam engines were different. As long as there was a steady supply of clean water, steam engines could provide power 24 hours a day, regardless of location. The stable supply of power was not the only advantage. Steam engines could be rtively freely adjusted in size and output as needed. This was a tremendous blessing for the merchants and merchants living in the city. As time passed, European cities became filled withrge and small factories powered by steam engines, and railroads run by iron horses emitting ck smoke began to connect them. As life without steam engines became impossible to dream of, the European powers faced a new problem. It was a fuel supply problem. * * * At this time, Europes forests were on the verge of extinction. If we look at the history of deforestation in Europe, its origin was Rome. In the process of expanding the territory of the empire, Rome destroyed Europes forests to build weapons and fleets. It wasnt just military reasons. Bathhouses were built in Rome, the home of the Roman Empire, as well as in all the colonial cities they created, and trees were cut down to supply the bathhouses. After the fall of Rome, deforestation, which had slowed down for a while, soon picked up again. This was because iron weapons, symbolized by knights armor, becamemon. Thanks to this, huge forest areas near the Czech Republic and Hungary disappeared. As a result, catastrophic climate and ecosystem changes urred in Europe, and people suffered from famine. In the end, only after the European poption decreased significantly due to the gue thatter spread, Europes forests and ecosystems were able to gradually recover. However, with the introduction of the steam engine, forest areas were once again in danger of disappearing. * * * It was not only the steam engine that caused fuel problems for European powers. No, there was a bigger and more powerful being. It was a steel mill. A must-have in order to overwhelm others. Bigger cannons and bigger steel mills. In order to overwhelm the misceneous bordering the border, strong military power was needed, and to create that military power, factories that could produce powerful weapons inrge quantities were needed. In addition, powerful iron horses were needed to supply materials to the factory and transport finished products. To put this all together,rger steel mills that could produce more steel were needed. More fuel was needed to operate these steel mills, but the problem was that Europes woonds were already reaching their limits. Although there was no proper academic theory, Europeans who had already experienced it first hand could not carelessly touch the forests. Some of you have once again remembered Marco Polos Experiences in the East. -In Kitai in the East, coal is used as firewood! Not only those who visited the East but also those who had visited the empire said simr things, turning their attention to the existence of coal, which the European powers had forgotten. * * * Among the great powers, Ennd was the first to tap into coal. Ennd also used wood for fuel, so forest damage was serious. Ennd was an ind country. Unlike the major powers on the maind, the cost of supplying wood was prohibitive. Therefore, Ennds choice was inevitable. However, choosing coal was a turnaround for Ennd. Coal mines required a lot ofbor. In other words, a new job market was created. Those who received a fixed wage for a long period of time were excellent consumers, and the market targeting them became active. As they bit each other like gears, Ennds internal market gradually grew in size, and the industrial and industrial powers and capitalists grew increasingly powerful. * * * Other powers, seeing Ennds virtuous cycle of development, also recognized the utility of coal and began to quickly introduce it. For the European powers that chose imperial industrialization, coal was a ck diamond. No, its more precious than diamonds! As in Ennd, coal mining created new employment and consumer markets. As time passed, more and more people entered this new market. Many peasants left rural areas for mines or cities, and the market for providing them with food, clothing, and shelter grew even bigger. Many people entered themerce and industry to take a share in the growing market, and the capital market that provided them with money also grew. However, upon hearing this, Hyangs expression became uneasy. In this way, it is not Karl Marx who is writing Capital, but Marxs great-grandfather or great-great-grandfather, who is writing Capital? Or Rousseau or Voltaire. * * * Thanks to MSG, which was steeped in Confucianisms royal politics and love for the people, the empire had quite developed welfare and employment systems. In addition, the imperial system was being further refined as the mentality of the imperial people, which could be said to be progressive in some ways, such as awareness of the disabled, was added. But the European powers have not yet done so. Workers working in the citys factories and mines were receiving fixed wages, but from the imperialists perspective, it was at a very meager level. No, even cows are fed properly when they are made to work, but I think this is too much, right? Leave it alone. Then, if the cow falls down, they will say Ah~ and fix it. A funny thing happened after that. Contrary to concerns about the scent, improvement began faster than expected. And this was also a butterfly of incense. Europes colonial expansion almost came to a halt as the township and empire took control of a huge amount of territory, including the Northern Territory and Xinji. And this made ruthlessbor exploitation difficult as it was in history before the intervention of the township. In history before the intervention of fragrances, capitalists produced products by squeezing workers. And they made huge profits by forcibly selling the products produced in this way to the colonies. To put it another way, even if you ignore the consumer market created by domestic workers, you can still make significant profits. Therefore, there was no need for capitalists to care about the harsh working conditions or living conditions of workers. However, now that colonial expansion has been blocked by the empire, the first market that capitalists need to capture is the consumer market created by workers. As the imperialists said, it had be a situation where you have to feed the cows well and make them work to be full. * * * As industrialization progressed, the value of coal and steel began to skyrocket. The great powers scoured their territories to find coal mines and iron mines. However, not all of the coal and iron mines discovered were useful. It was a problem of profitability. It would have been good if there were more profitable mines than unprofitable mines, but if not, it would have been a big problem. In this case, there were two answers. Either put a little more effort into operating it or steal someone elses good mine. Most maind powers chose thetter. And the best examples were Alsace and Lorraine, especially Lorraine. * * * France began to pay attention to Lorraine when coal was started to be used as fuel for steam engines and steel mills. Until then, the main export product from Lorraine was iron ore. It was also a low-grade iron ore with a lot of sulfur mixed in, so the price was very cheap. However, as French industrialization began in earnest, the situation changed rapidly. It had be a nd flowing with milk and honey, producing coal along with iron ore. Naturally, the lords who ruled the Lorraine region and the ruling ss of the Free Cities benefited greatly from the export of iron ore and coal. As with everything in the world, when someone makes a big profit, someone else is bound to suffer a big loss, and the person who suffers a loss is bound to have their judgment screwed up. And there was no way that France, with its twisted judging system, would look kindly upon them. We need to fix those things somehow In this situation, there was something about fanning a burning house. This was Laurens location. If France took control of Lorraine and Alsace, they could create a natural barrier to defend Frances eastern border. On the other hand, from the Habsburg point of view, if this ce was taken away, the way to advance to the Antic Ocean through the Rhine River would be blocked. The Habsburgs were never good friends for France. This was because it was the Habsburgs who supported the independence of the Duchy of Burgundy in the past. In the end, Charles VIII and his ministers began the meeting, once again preparing for war. Where should I get my hands on it first? Lauren. Next is Alsace. Hmm Charles VIII nodded in response to the Prime Ministers answer. Louis, Duke of Orlans, who was sitting right next to Charles VIII, pointed out the problem. The problem is the cause. Sometimes a good cause can be as powerful as an army of 100,000. Louiss point was very valid, so Charles VIII and the ministers all nodded and muttered to themselves. Its growing increasingly entangled with the empire. Since all of the children of the current King Charles VIII died young, the likely next king was Louis, Duke of Orlans. It was reassuring to know that such a person was capable. The Prime Minister stepped forward and responded to Louis point. There is the best cause. It is the bishopric taken by the Habsburgs during the process of unifying Italy. In the process of Italian unification, the Vatican had to disgorge all papal and episcopal decrees within Italy. The only ce that avoided this was the Principality of Romagna, which quickly changed ships. The only things the Vatican spewed out like this were the papal decree and bishoprics located in Italy. But for the great powers, this was a good excuse. The great powers pressured the Pope to confiscate the Papal States and Bishoprics in his country and make them their own. .This is how the Habsburgs took the three bishoprics in the Lorraine region. However, these cannot be said to belong entirely to the Habsburgs. This is their justification. how? The Prime Minister answered Charles VIIIs question with a slight smile. Who will inherit the Frankish kingdom of the great Charlemagne? We are France. Legitimacy belongs to us. Louis pointed out with an embarrassed expression at the Prime Ministers words. Havent we gone too far? You have to start from there and consider it step by step. Isnt that the basics of bargaining? Aha! Charles VIII muttered without realizing it in response to the conversation between the Prime Minister and Louis. I wonder if this is the armistice of France or the armistice of the Empire Its so tainted. Chapter 1024 Episode 1024 Alsace-Lorraine. (2) The reason the French chancellor was confident was because of the history of France and the Holy Roman Empire. Due to the divided inheritance of the Pious King Ludwig I, the Frankish Kingdom was divided into three: East, Middle, and West Franks. After a history of repeated division and integration, the country was divided into two: France and the Holy Roman Empire. Here, the basis was created for France to im ownership of the Lorraine and Alsace regions. The repetition of division and integration brought about enormous bloodshed. Naturally, there were more than one family that were weeded out of this government office and went extinct. Considering the inheritance system symbolized by the Salicaw and theplex blood rtions, it was possible for someone other than the lord who currently upied the area C one that suited the tastes of France C to im ownership. Louis, who realized the Prime Ministers intentions, asked a meaningful question. Did you find the right ones? There are a few people who are paying attention. But it seems like there is a more convenient way to go there. At the Prime Ministers answer, the eyes of Charles VIII and Louis began to shine at the same time. Are you goingfortably? how? Is that possible? The prime minister who received the question answered with a slight smile. It is said that a new denomination is popr in the Lorraine region these days. In response to the Prime Ministers answer, Louis turned to Charles VIII. The Vatican will not remain silent, and the Habsburgs will not remain silent either. I see No, heresy has already been dered. Charles VIII, who was nodding his head while listening to the Prime Ministers words following Louis remarks, sighed lightly and looked back at the attendees. Should this also be considered help from the empire? * * * In the process of Italian unification, the Vatican lost its real power. They lost everything except the papal and episcopal states inside and outside Italy and a small amount ofnd surrounding the Vatican and Rome. The Popes authority, which was gradually fading, remained only as a religious symbol and became something that had to rely only on the faith of sincere Catholics. As the authority of the Pope and the Church faded, the religious world had no choice but to change. First, many high-ranking clergy returned to secr life. Most of them were bastards or illegitimate children from influential families in Italy and other European powers. What allowed them to be high priests was their background power, especially their financial power, rather than their religious beliefs. The more money the backers had, the faster they could be high-ranking priests. If he rose through the ranks and became a cardinal or bishop, he could recover his investment by receiving a papal decree or episcopal decree. And considering the political power that a sign that reads Catholic bishop or cardinal brings, this was quite a useful investment. However, as Rome became a toothless lion, it lost its investment value and many high-ranking priests returned to secr life. Another reason for therge-scale conversion of high-ranking priests was that more and more demands were ced on them. This happened in conjunction with the religious reform that was gaining momentum again. For those advocating Catholic reform, the promiscuity and extravagance of high-ranking priests were a good source of attack. -What a disgrace, for cardinals and bishops to take concubines and have illegitimate children! -Are they really faithful priests? C Even now, behave yourself properly and set an example as a priest! Due to criticism and demandsing from all directions, he abandoned his priesthood and returned to the secr world. * * * Another change in Rome was conservatism, principleism, and strictness. Among those who advocated reform of Catholicism, many began to deny the Pope and create new denominations. -What Catholics believe and rely on is not the Pope, but the character on whom the Word of God is written! -Wealth umted through hard work and sincerity is not a bad thing! Emerging sects C referred to as Protestants C with values that deny the Pope and affirm the umtion of legitimate wealth, began to rapidly expand their power. Rome also had to respond to the growth of these new sects, and those in charge of this task were newly appointed bishops and cardinals. The new people who filled the positions were, unlike their predecessors, frugal, faithful, and much more religious. And he was very stubborn. They expelled luxury and promiscuity from the Vatican and changed the atmosphere to frugality and faithfulness. Intellectuals of the time andter historians evaluated this period as follows. -Rome became Sparta! In the history before the intervention of incense, it began to change into a character simr to that of the Jesuits. Unlike the fact that they set an example and were respected by believers for their frugality and faithfulness, they had a very fundamental and rigid view of faith. Therefore, their view of the new sect was very cruel. -Just as Adam and Eve were expelled from Eden after falling for Satans temptation, those who believe what they say will not go to heaven! -They are heretics! In a way, their resolute decision was natural. The fact that the new sects denied the Pope was in itself a deration that they would not coexist with Rome. * * * there are several sects that have spread throughout Lorraine, and all of them have been dered heretical. If this happens, the Habsburgs cannot remain silent. Charles VIII and Louis nodded to the Prime Ministers exnation. Although he did not miss a moment and seized the internal bishoprics and papal decrees, Maximilian I of Habsburg was the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. And another name for the Holy Roman Emperor was Protector of Catholicism and the Pope. The territories that denied the Pope could not be left alone. Louis added to the Prime Ministers words. Roman influence is a problem, but it is also a great opportunity that cannot be missed for the Habsburgs, as it can reduce the number of noisy princes. I see. Then how should we move? In response to Charles VIIIs question, the Prime Minister looked at Louis. Louis, who received the Prime Ministers gaze, responded to Charles with a slightly bitter smile. I must move. I will let the lords of Lorraine know how merciful your majesty is. Even if theye over, isnt war inevitable? Instead, there is a justification. I see But the cardinal seems to be a bit noisy on our side, too. The Prime Minister stepped forward and responded to Charles VIIIs point. We can also do it the imperial way. . Imperial style? I dont care what you believe as long as you follow thews of thend and pay your taxes properly and dont force your beliefs on others. Its okay, nodded Charles VIII, finally concluding. Then the Duke of Orlans must go to Lorraine as quickly as possible and persuade them. The same goes for the Army. You must enter Lorraine before Maximilian of Habsburg. Lastly, the Prime Minister, together with the officials, will find a solution to the war budget issue. To Charles VIIIs order, all parties responded with one voice, As your Majesty wishes. After the meeting, he left the treasury and took his ce. Louis arrived at the office and was preparing for a business trip when he suddenly burst intoughter. Heh! Thats fun! Yes? Whats fun? The empire entrusts the operation of the research institute and Area 51 to the crown prince, right? He said, It lets you know in advance the importance of academics and technology and the heaviness of the budget. Thats right. Then we should leave diplomacy to us. The aides and officials who pondered Louis words for a moment soon burst intoughter. He began to burst out. While mocking the powerful next king for rushing around as a diplomatic envoy, he also implicitly expressed another intention. -I cant die alone. The duke has clearly been stained by the Empire. * * * After finishing preparations, Louis headed straight to Lorraine. Hearing the rumor that the Duke and next King of France was visiting, lordsrge and small visited him. What was interesting was that all of the lords who visited Louis were lords who supported new religions. .They also knew well that Rome had dered heresy and expected the Habsburgs to make a move. Therefore, they also knew well why Louis had visited here. Thank you for the wee. After the banquet to wee the visit, Louis and The lords got straight to the point. At a joint meeting with the lords, Louis expressed his intention toe to France. But the lords reacted very negatively. France was a very centralized country. If they became part of France, they would have their own rights. It was certain that many of its privileges would be taken away. It is certain that the Habsburgs will not stand still. Frances support is desperately needed. But that doesnt mean it can be subjugated to France. After all, we are lords of the Holy Roman Empire. I see. But the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire will not leave you alone, so you still want to remain a member of the Holy Roman Empire? Frances help is wee, but this is something we cant do anything about. Hoey continues to spin his treadmill. While they were there, Louis made a new suggestion. Okay. I understand your position. Well then, let me make another suggestion. In return for our support from France, we will take the bishoprics of Lorraine. What do you think? Wait a minute. Please give us some time. The lords were asking for time, but their expressions were not dark. The area that was the bishopric was quiterge, but Because it wasnt ours to begin with. Lauren The local bishoprics took up about 25% of the total area of Luren. However, the lords had no affection for these bishoprics because, as they themselves said, they were not theirs. After the unification of Italy, it became a territory of the Holy Roman Empire. They were bishoprics. Those who settled there as lords were families loyal to the Habsburgs. Therefore, even if France took the ce, they had nothing to regret. When it became a bishopric in the first ce, it no longer belonged to them, and a new lord took over the ce. Those who epted were not those who were close to them, but those who were even more proud of being part of the Habsburgs. The lords who passionately shared their opinions conveyed their agreement to Louis. I will ept the proposal. Instead, I ask for support in arms and troops. I will inform your Majesty so that he can provide support as soon as possible. Thank you very much. The Lorraine region is the territory of our Holy Roman Empire! Why did you enter Lorraine without informing us? This is diplomatic disrespect! To the messengers protest, the Prime Minister replied with an expression that it was no big deal. Ah! You mean that? Its not a diplomatic visit, its a personal visit. Personal visit? The Duke of Orlans is busy saying hes nning to open a small steel mill. He probably went to Lorraine about that issue. Ha! The messenger was taken aback by the chancellors naturally virtuous answer and did not know what to do. Chapter 1025 Episode 1025 Alsace-Lorraine. (3) In the end, the situation ended with the Habsburg messenger, who could not control his anger, kicking down the door of the office and leaving. Tsk, tsk, tsk. The person who came as a messenger is so rough. He is not a nobleman, but a ruthless person Ah! Bring me a cup of cafe. Yes, Your Excellency the Count. The subordinate officials who saw the Prime Minister drinking coffee brought by an attendant with a rxed expression asked cautiously. Um Does the Duke of Orlans really have ns to build a steel mill? That? Theyre building it in the Pompe area, arent they? What is being built in Pongpe is a state-owned steel mill The prime minister asked back with a rxed expression as his subordinate pointed out. Is that a problem? A bad rumor could spread that the state-owned steel mill was given to the dukes private business. That would cause political problems. The prime minister remained rxed despite his subordinates concerns that a political issue might arise due to his loose remarks. Who owns the national steel mill? It is the King. Who is likely to be the next king? This is the Duke of Orlans. Then whats the problem? .. The subordinate officials were silenced by the Prime Ministers question. It was said that if the Duke of Orlans became king, there would be no problem. However, subordinate officials were very worried. Arent state-run steel mills small steel mills? Isnt that the way it looks differently depending on the distribution each person has? If the distribution is small, it would be an unreasonablyrge steel mill, and if the distribution isrge, it would be a steel mill that is out of use. Seeing his subordinates expression of silence with an embarrassed expression, the Prime Minister delivered a lesson that was not a lesson. Those who work for the government must be honest and faithful to the principles. But what is just as necessary is flexibility. You are fine in everything else, but the problem is that youck flexibility. Hmm Would you like to go to Seoul for practical training? ? Oh no, Ill do my best here in Paris! The subordinate official became thoughtful and rejected the Prime Ministers proposal. Rumors spread even to the European powers, including France, that the imperial officials were busy with work. -It doesnt matter whether its a yellow cow, a ck cow, or a spotted cow, as long as you do your job well. Thats a really nice thing to say, isnt it? Ahaha Every time the high-ranking people of the European powers uttered the famous imperial proverb, their subordinate officials had to break into a cold sweat and force a smile. Later, as time passed, what the Prime Minister said became known to officials of the township and the current empire. After hearing the story, Hyang and Hyun Han Myeong-hoes eyes began to sparkle. Hoo? Hmm How old is the French Prime Minister now? ording to what is known, it has only been a few years since he passed the age of 40. Its the best time Hmm After thinking for a while, Hyeon looked for Hyang and asked for advice. I think it would be good to recruit him to the Empire. What do you think? The chancellor of France would be someone who leads a famous family, but will he respond? If you have the talent that is rumored, you must also have ambition. Even if you are in the same position as one of all people, wouldnt the difference between France and the Empire be different? Hmm Seeing Hyangs low opinion of the possibility, Hyun gave more weight to his argument. We are still epting international students and schrs as citizens of the empire, but in many ways, there are many regrets. So, starting next year, we n to officially ept immigrants from Europe. Wouldnt it be better to ept talented people as immigrants, saying, If possible, they will wear red skirts? Who? As you can see, if a great person immigrates to the empire, talented people will follow him. Hmm To be honest, I dont think the policy of preferentially epting talented people is a bad idea. However, I dont think recruiting a French Prime Minister is possible. There are two reasons for that. One is that he is already a person, but he is the leader of all people. The other thing is the workload of the imperial court. The emperors dirty personality is the default option. Hyangs words whetted his appetite. Ugh. Its a shame. Seeing Hyun immediately agreeing, the magistrates and magistrates added their words to the question. C So when Tae Sang-tae pointed out the blind spot, the emperor immediately agreed. The officer says: The workload of the imperial court was such that the emperor agreed and abandoned the n. It is truly bizarre that even though the number of officials increases, the work does not decrease. Please reduce the work! * * * Hyun nodded and retreated in front of Hyang, but the regret did not go away. In the end, Hyun called Han Myeong-hoe. ..How about we give this a try? As Tae Sang-tae said, it is close to impossible. If we were to put it in the record of challenge, it would be close to Wukong Isan. But Han Myeong-hoe, who paused for a moment, continued with a wicked smile. Still, I think it would be okay to push ahead. If it seeds, it will be a gain for us and a loss for France. Isnt that not just one gain and one loss, but France will only suffer two losses? In the meantime, France If you think about what youve done, its time to give him a scolding. Then give it a try. Meanwhile, Hyang, who was left alone in Sugang Pce, reflected on the situation and smiled bitterly. It will definitely match Hyuns personality. Is this really possible since its not headhunting betweenpanies? A person who has ess to all the countrys secrets goes to another country? If this happens, cyanide coffee mighte into the world instead of radioactive ck tea. . * * * While the historic talent acquisition operation was being prepared step by step in Seoul, the Lorraine region was bing increasingly unsightly. French army units, including artillery and cavalry, had begun to nest in the Forren region one by one. After receiving the report, the Habsburgs again sent a messenger to Paris to protest fiercely. However, the Prime Minister still exined the situation with an expression that it was no big deal. The security of the Lorraine region has been unstable these days. I couldnt have the coal and iron ore I paid a lot of money for being stolen, so I just sent a convoy. under! The messenger was astonished after hearing the Prime Ministers answer. However, the messenger who came this time was very different from his predecessor. They say those thieves speak French? The prime minister immediately responded to the messengers harsh words. Is there such a rumor in the Habsburgs? I heard they speak the Habsburg dialect, Latin, and Italian? The messengers expression became increasingly serious as the chancellor criticized the Vaticans heresy decision and the Habsburg military actions that followed. The heresy decision was made through legal procedures. The Holy Roman Empire, the protector of Catholicism, is just behaving properly. I guess it means protecting Catholics by blocking the swords of Muslims, but not killing fellow Europeans? There are people who cause as much harm as Muslims. Its heresy. Well I heard that the former emperor of the empire who came to Italyst time said this, right? People only go to heaven the way they believe. The lion let out a long sigh at the sight of the prime minister taking things step by step without being pushed back. Whew~. Now, lets stop ying with words. Lotringen is the territory of our Holy Roman Empire. If you do not withdraw immediately, the Holy Roman Empire will define France as an aggressor and enter into war. I am not making a joke, but am having a serious discussion? First of all, lets do exactly what we need to do. Lorraine, or Lorraine, is part of the Holy Roman Empire, but it is not part of the Habsburgs. And as you can see from history, we, France, also have the right to im ownership of the territory of the Holy Roman Empire, including the Lorraine region. Thats absurd! This is ridiculous! If you have a conscience. Ask Ennd about that. Ugh The lion couldnt help but groan at the prime ministers very rxed answer. The reason the prime minister mentioned Ennd. This was because he knew well. The 100 Years War broke out when Edward III of Ennd imed the right to inherit the French throne. In other words, since France and the Holy Roman Empire were separated from the same roots, France was able to im ownership. In the end, there was no further The messenger, realizing that the conversation was a waste of time, stood up. France will have to take responsibility for its excessive greed. You never know whether it might actually be excessive greed. Profit! He barely managed to utter an insult that was about toe out. The lion red at the prime minister as hard as he could, then turned and left the office. When the lion disappearedpletely, the prime minister erased his rxed expression and turned serious, saying to his subordinates, All thats left now is war! Well give those opportunists a real blow! Yes! Ill go tell your Majesty! * * * Maximilian I of Habsburg, who received the report of the messenger who returned empty-handed from Paris, immediately issued a promation. -Pope Rotring The new sect spreading in the Genie region was defined as heresy. C Not only was this an act of heresy, the lords of Lotringen evenmitted treason by epting French troops. C ordingly, Jim, the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, punished those who believed in heresy. We will mobilize the army to punish treason! C This is a message to the lords of the Lotringen region who have been infected with heresy! Convert yourself from heresy and return immediately! Also, expel the French army that has entered the territory and ask for forgiveness for your treason! Jim Ask for the generous mercy of! After hearing Maximilian Is promation, the lords of Lorraine, especially the lords of the new sect, became more dependent on France. Even if you are converted, it does not end with conversion. They will pay a huge amount of money to atone for their sin of believing in heresy. No, Id be happy if it was just that much. Our fiefdoms will decrease, and in severe cases, our fiefdoms may be taken away. Worried about their bleak future, the lords desperately clung to France. Thanks to this, we have been able to take a breather from the problem of war expenses. Charles VIII also said that he was in awe of the Jesangs report. It was an expression on his face. If there was no money, there could be no war. In particr, as gunpowder weapons became the mainstay of war, the cost of war increased exponentially. In response to Charles VIIIs question , How many troops do you think the Holy Roman Empire will have? He stepped forward and answered, It wont be more than expected. The opposition from the Imperial Diet is formidable. Immediately after issuing the promation, Maximilian I ced the mobilization of troops and support for war expenses on the agenda of the Imperial Diet of the Holy Roman Empire. However, progress was sluggish. The lords who believed in the new sect were in Lorraine. It wasnt just that. More and more lords throughout the Holy Roman Empire believed in the new sects. Thats why they vehemently opposed Maximilian Is request. C We are next after Lotringen! The reason for their opposition was the survival of this kind of sect. It was because of the problem of. The next problem was the antagonism between the Habsburgs, who attempted centralization, and the lords who refused. -epting the emperors request means tying a rope around our own necks! In terms of religion, Catholicism and the Pope The feudal lords who supported it also showed strong resistance to this issue. For these reasons, a war of words broke out in the Imperial Diet every day, and the dispatch of troops was pushed back further and further. Chapter 1026 Episode 1026 Alsace-Lorraine. (4) Eventually, Maximilian I, fed up with the sluggish proceedings in the Imperial Diet, began to act on his own. A forceposed of private armies from the Habsburg family and lords who supported the Habsburgs began moving towards Lorraine. But their march was not smooth. Most of the lords along the route were uncooperative. It was natural for lords who believed in new religious sects, and lords who believed in Catholicism also often refused to cooperate. -Because it was not decided by the Imperial Council, there is no obligation to support! This was the reason they gave. Therefore, the army departing from the Habsburgs had to obtain food and other necessary items at their own expense. This is treason! Maximilian I, who received the report, shouted and became angry, but that was all. If he went one step further, he would turn the entire Imperial Assembly into an enemy, which was the worst possible oue. And the Imperial Diet, including the seven electors, had already sent a warning to Maximilian I. -There is no obligation to support military action that has not been agreed upon by Congress. -No matter how emperor he is, he cannot force the lords. Damn it the enemy was inside. Maximilian I gritted his teeth after reading the Imperial Diets notice. Maximilian I, who was re-reading the Imperial Diets notice with gritted teeth, let out a long sigh and looked at his subjects around him. Whoa. Look. This is the treatment the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire receives. All of his subjects bowed their heads in silence at the anger of Maximilian I, which was clearly evident in his words. Whoa~. After another long sigh, Maximilian I gave an order. A word to Count Tilly: Win at all costs. Yes, Your Majesty. Themander of the Habsburg army heading towards Lorraine was Count Tilly. He was a faithful Catholic and a loyalist to the Habsburg family. Maximilian I, who gave orders to Count Tilly, looked out the window and muttered. We must win this war. Only then can we overpower the arrogant bastards who run the Imperial Council. Maximilian I gritted his teeth as he thought of the nobles in the Imperial Council who were holding him back at every turn. Meanwhile, Count Tilly, who received Maximilian Is order through a messenger, smiled bitterly. You have received a difficult order. The troops he currently leads are approximately 40,000, including cavalry and infantry artillery. Although it was a considerable force, the French army that entered Lorraine already numbered over 30,000 and was continuing to increase. The good news was that most of the French troops deployed were scattered across three regions in the Lorraine region. There was a chance of victory if the scattered French troops were defeated individually before they regrouped. But this was by no means an easy operation. This was only possible through quick maneuver and concentration of firepower. However, looking at the current situation of the Habsburg army, this was close to impossible. As mentioned earlier, there were very few people helping them. Count Tilly, who confirmed the order sent by Maximilian I, considered the situation of his allies, picked up a pen and began writing a letter. The summary of the letter to his lord Maximilian I was as follows. -I am confident that I will win the first 1-2 battles. But after that, I am not confident. -I will do my best to inflict damage on France. But we cannot be confident of victory. -In the end, the final battle lies with diplomacy. * * * When the Habsburg army led by Count Tilly arrived in Lorraine, the French army already had more than 50,000 troops in Lorraine. However, the French army was distributed in Metz-Wirten (B?rden) and Toul (Tuul). These areas were formerly bishoprics. And it was a ce that would be French territory in the future. -There is no need to scatter and shed blood needlessly to far away ces. -The Habsburg army has no choice but toe here anyway. why? Because we are here. Although unnecessary dispersion of troops was avoided, the 15,000 to 20,000 troops per location were inferior to the advancing Habsburg army. France was well aware of this, but they did not expect that they would be defeated. This was because there was something learned from the empire during thest Italian war. -Nowadays, street fighting is more popr than public election warfare. -In the case of a rotation taking ce in a wide open area, mobile warfare is impossible due to barbed wire and trenches. This kind of rotation must be won with firepower. Although it had to pay a high price of enormous human casualties, France transformed itself into an imperial army faster than anyone else. Armed with arge number of artillery pieces and fire trucks and fire trucks, the French army showed great vigor despite being outnumbered. -You might lose at least once. But even if they win, they wont win! And the battle that followed was simr to what Count Tilly and France expected, but proceeded differently. The first battle, fought at Metz, the easternmost of the bishoprics, was a fierce street battle. The Habsburg and French armies fought back and forth over who would own the bridges over the Moselle River that crossed the city of Metz. In this urban battle, the French armys secret weapon, a fire truck (submachine gun), shone. Although it was overwhelmingly smaller than a freight car, it was able to suppress the enemy by pouring bullets into it in a short period of time. However, the Habsburg army they were facing now was not the same Habsburg army that had defeated Venice in Italy. It was the Habsburg army that was armed with long guns that were copies of Florentine long guns and wagons that were copies of military wagons, and used the method of making roads with shells to deal with the French. In the end, after suffering heavy losses after a bloody battle that covered the roads and walls of Metz with blood, the French army had no choice but to retreat from Metz to Birten. The Habsburg army was also in bad shape. The standard of military strategy was to pursue the retreating enemy and expand the battlefield, but the Habsburg army that upied Metz did not have the stamina left to do so. Count Tilly focused onforting the tired and injured troops and restoring their physical strength, and at the same time sent a letter to Maximilian I asking for help. * * * Count Tilly did not just sit around. First, Count Tilly strengthened security to block the exact situation of the Habsburg army from being known. Next, spies were sent out in all directions and they began to spread rumors throughout the Lorraine region. -They say the French army suffered great damage in the city of Metz! -They say the reason the emperors army stays in Metz is to prevent unnecessary bleeding! -They say the imperial army will soon attack the area where the French army is staying again! -The emperor promised to show mercy to France as long as they did not cooperate! They say this is the end of the conversation with the Imperial Council! The rumors spread by spies shook the lords of Lorraine. It was clear that France suffered great losses and withdrew from Metz. It is said that the Habsburgs also suffered great losses, but it was unclear. ordingly, the lords once again weighed their profits and losses. -France is powerful, but the emperor is also powerful. -Currently we are at odds with the Imperial Council, but the situation will change once an agreement is reached with the Imperial Council. -then? The lords of Lorraine, who had been calcting their profits and losses here and there, slowly began to move. First of all, Catholic lords began to actively support the Habsburg army. Soon, carts loaded withrge quantities of food and medicine flocked to the city of Metz. On the other hand, the lords who believed in the new sect began to withdraw one by one and express neutrality. -If France wins, just hand over the bishopric as promised. If the emperor wins, you can ask for help from the Imperial Diet under the pretext of maintaining neutrality. France, whose support was cut off due to the decision of the lords, had to bring supplies from home. After receiving this report, the Prime Minister reported it to Charles VIII and added: I will prepare for negotiations soon. Were not going to bend down and go in, are we? no. Instead, I n to harass the lords who only care about their opinions. I will harass them for sure. Yes, Your Majesty. Meanwhile, Maximilian I, who had received Count Tillys report and request, was making a simr decision. I will provide the requested reinforcements. Please send it as quickly as possible. Also, supplies. Yes. And prepare for negotiations. Yes, Your Majesty. Do you really intend to show mercy? You never said that? Still, I think it would be good for you to show mercy. If you dont want the same thing to happen again, you should set an example and show mercy. At least a few of the lords. While Maximilian I was nning to cut off his head, one of his subjects pointed out another problem: Then what will you do about Count Tilly? He carelessly mentioned His Majesty and spread false rumors. This is a serious sin. Maximilian I expressed doubt at the subjects point. Count Tilly said that? Ive never heard anything like that before? Ah The subjects mouths fell silent at Maximilian Is words. Rumors circted as Maximilian I had said, but there was no clear evidence that Count Tilly himself had said those words. There was no evidence. Maximilian I had a stern look on his face and warned his subjects, You must not carelessly dishonor the general who is currently spreading propaganda on the front line. Maximilian Is strong warning made the subjects think and think. He bowed. I will keep this in mind! This conversation also reached Count Tillys ears through several channels. Count Tilly, who heard the story, smiled bitterly. I heard the poisoned chalice. Now, France and its lords. Because they were getting good results against the Germans, Maximilian I had given it to them without question. It was certain that if they had bad results in the future or if they were criticized, it would add to this incident and lead to even worse results. * * * After the Battle of Metz, France and the Habsburgs The confrontation continued on the road from Metz to Birten and Toul. After three months of small-scale shes in which both sides mobilized at most 2,300 troops, negotiations to end the war finally began. -Now France . The illegally upied area is the territory of our Holy Roman Empire! Move out immediately! -What are you talking about? We were staying for the safe supply of iron ore and coal when we were unexpectedly attacked! It was a surprise attack without a deration of war! Two countries . The representatives of the two sides continued their fierce war of words, drawing parallel lines endlessly. Amid continued adjournment and adjournment, cursing and shouting, the representatives of both sides red at each other and growled. Do you not realize that if this happens, it will be war again? Arent we still at war anyway? France is not afraid of our Holy Roman Empire! Why us? If it looks that ridiculous, lets get together again! While the two sides drew parallel lines, the nobles of the Imperial Council quietly moved. -Lets end here. If we end here, we will also try to maintain a good rtionship with the emperor. -It would be good if France could be greedy in moderation as well . So. If you continue, we will help the emperor with all our might. Through the subtle mediation and warnings of the great nobles who controlled the Imperial Diet, the Habsburgs and France came to an agreement. Chapter 1027 Episode 1027 Alsace-Lorraine. (5) However, the conclusion was not reached immediately. Even the nobles of the time said this when looking at the situation that followed. We just agreed to reach an agreement. It was because of the reparations that France and Habsburg again drew parallel lines. Both the Habsburgs and France imed the legitimacy and victors of the other and demandedpensation from the other. -France invaded the territory of the Habsburg Empire and we repelled it! We are the winners! -We also have historical ownership of the Lotringen region. So far, we have simply tolerated this for the sake of peace! Therefore, we only helped those whoined of suffering from Habsburg oppression! And the French army won against its oppressors! This is justifiable action! When the parallel lines were drawn again, the nobles moved once again. Eventually, France and Habsburg came to an agreement. -France recognizes the Lotringen region as territory of the Holy Roman Empire. -The Habsburgs transfer three bishoprics to France. However, it is clearly stated that this is not in the name ofpensation. -In addition, neither country imspensation. -France cuts off support provided to the secret lords of Lotringen. It also does not participate in the decisions of the Holy Roman Emperor regarding the region. With this agreement reached, France entered the Lorraine region. And as it entered French territory, the names of Metz, Metz Virten, and Beurden Toul were changed to Tull. On the day these three bishoprics became French, a grand banquet was held in Paris. This is just the beginning. We just need to expand it step by step. I will only believe in the scriptures. Unlike Paris, which was full of warmth, the Habsburg pce was full of cold air. Dont forget todays humiliation. Sirs, do your best to prepare for retribution. I follow your orders! * * * In an extremely contrasting atmosphere, France and Habsburg continued to move quickly. No matter what anyone says, we are a victorious nation! First of all, in France, these words were being exchanged internally, even if they could not be said openly. Although the battle actually took ce for a short period of less than a week, thousands of casualties were incurred, but the result was enough to confidently say that it was victory. In particr, I felt even more proud because the result was soparable to the memory of the crushing defeat I suffered in Italy. Thanks to this, the peoples loyalty to the king and trust in the officials increased like never before. Thanks to this high level of support and trust, the French government became more confident. However, unlike his usual rxed appearance, the Prime Minister lectured Charles VIII and Louis with a very nervous expression. If you let loose here, well be pushed back! is it? There are thousands of casualties in less than a week! You must not look down on these numbers! The Prime Ministers face was more serious than ever. This is the first time we have suffered losses of this magnitude since the Empire suffered in Italy! To put it another way, the firepower of the armies of neighboring countries has now be as powerful as the Imperial army in Italy! This is absolutely not a rxed situation! Charles VIII and Louis faces also became serious at the Prime Ministers words. I see. Lets take a good look at the results of this battle. Yes, Your Majesty. ording to Charles VIIIs order, the military not only reviewed the reports posted bymanders who participated in the battle, but also conducted actual interviews. What was highlighted there was a light car. * * * One of the things that bothered the French army in the Battle of Italy was light cars, but surprisingly, the French army took light cars lightly. -It is a bit heavy for one soldier to carry. -Its good that it overwhelms the enemy by firing arge amount of bullets in a short period of time. However, the firing time is very shortpared to a fire truck, and convenience, including weight, is much lower than that of a fire truck. -Conclusion There are more losses than gains. It seems to be a mistake of the empire. Following this judgment, France gave up its interest in light vehicles. Of course, this was not everything. Frances economic power and technological power also had their limits. However, this Battle of Metz The limitations of fire trucks and fire trucks were revealed again. C Fire trucks have outstanding firepower and firing rate, but they are heavy. In situations where they have to move continuously, such as in street fighting, they clearly have limitations. C Fire trucks are different, they arefortable and have good fire rate, but there are limits to uracy and power. . If the distance between the enemy and the enemy is even slightly distant, not only the uracy but also the power drops significantly. Also, if the enemys hiding ce is even a little hard, it is often useless. Of course, if the enemys hiding ce is a solid stone building, bullets from long guns or freight cars are also used. It was equally useless. However, in the case of fire trucks, even wooden doors were so thick that they could not be prated. And in Northern Europe, where winters were cold, thick wooden doors were installed in bulk. In the end, the French military decided to adopt light vehicles. I came to a decision. It wasnt the Empires mistake. My taste buds are bitter Here, Frances economic power and technological prowess, which I mentioned earlier, were once again hindered. It was because of the magazine. In order to properly make a magazine, thin but strong steel and high-quality spring were needed. No matter how much mass production was used, Even if the unit price was lowered, the materials had limitations. In addition, high technical skills were also required. Magazines were one of the products that produced defective products one after another if they were not processed and assembled properly. Therefore, each soldier using a French military light vehicle had up to 5 bullets. Only up to a magazine was issued, and empty magazines were made to be collected unconditionally. Of course, in actualbat, there was no such thing. In actualbat, the French army, which used light vehicles, went into battle with as many magazines as possible. Empty magazines were carried separately. They put it in their pockets, but when the situation was unfavorable, they often threw it away anywhere. The problem was that even if they wanted to hold them ountable, it was not easy. This was because most of the people carrying light trucks were executives. Although they had a high status, they passed around while writing reports. This was because they had concealed and manipted it. In the end, French engineers had no choice but to swear at the empire. Youre just throwing this away? Crazy bastards Contrary to what they said, the Imperial Army also recovered as many magazines as possible. However, there were no other restrictions. C It would be possible to storerger and heavier bullets safely while reliably feeding them. Conditions became more difficultpared to fire trucks. The French engineers who saw this had to change their thinking. Whatever the method, all you have to do is reliably feed long rifle bullets, right? I see In the end, what they came up with was Bandes portatives. . It was used by attaching a brass bullet te with 30 bullets firmly inserted into the feeding part. As it showed satisfactory performance in subsequent performance tests, the French Army and Navy officially adopted it. Over time, through various channels, it was used. After hearing the information about the light vehicles employed by the French army, Hyangs expression became expressionless. This is a stapler Does that mean France is France? I was looking for an answer. -Cannons are the clear answer! We need more bigger and more powerful cannons! -No, even if they are small, a cannon is a cannon! We need a lot of small but versatile cannons! -Conclusion: More cannons Cannon! ording to this conclusion, cannons of various calibers and powers began to be produced inrge quantities, and spies dispersed to all directions to acquire better cannon production technology. Many of these spies flowed into the empire once again. The millers began a bloody battle. The Habsburgs did not go all-in on cannons. If cannons were used in a traditional way, there were changes as well. It is difficult for the existing freight cars to deal with the freight cars that the French have. We also need new freight cars like that. The Habsburg army, which was hit hard by freight cars in the street fighting in Metz, thoroughly disassembled the French freight cars captured in Metz and began designing new freight cars. This was the beginning of the change that the Habsburgs took and the center of it. Count Tilly was there. After going through this battle, I see Count Tilly, who analyzed the battle of Metz, concluded the following: C Firepower is important in urban warfare. C The enemys crouching base is important. A cannon is the best for striking. -But it is difficult and dangerous to drag a cannon in an urban battle. -You must have a cannon that is covered with sufficient armor and can move on its own. -The same goes for soldiers. Even if it is impossible to go into a small alley, it is dangerous . It is necessary to be able to control the main road and transport arge number of soldiers safely. Can you make something like this? After hearing Count Tillys question, the engineers looked at each other and carefully answered the Count. Something like that already exists. Oh! Really! Thats the assault car made by the Empire. Count Tilly expressed doubt at the engineers answer. Assault car? As far as I know, they are made to break through trench lines? In fact, it was used that way. It is said that it was used very effectively in urbanbat. Is that so? If so, can you make it? To Count Tillys question, the engineers answered with a calm expression. We are currently researching it. But to be honest, its best to buy it from Seoul first. Oh Maximilian I, who received this report through Count Tilly, put his hand on his forehead andmented. Is it an empire again? ! Why on earth is there no ce like this in that country? Why on earth? Maximilian I, who had beenmenting for a long time, concluded with a helpless expression. I cant help it. Send a messenger to Seoul. Yes, Your Majesty. * * * Hyeon, who heard of Maximilian Is business through a messenger who visited Seoul, asked the ministers, What do you think? Both and regr types have already begun to be produced. I think its okay to sell it. I think its good because the money from the sale can rece the budget for producing a new assault vehicle. After a positive answer, Shin Sook-ju continued. The problem is Italy. In particr, Venice has a deep affinity with the Habsburgs. I need something to soothe this in moderation. What will I do to soothe it? We are selling an assault car. Of course, if we ask them to pay the same price as the Habsburgs, it is certain that there will be criticism. So if we give it to them at a reasonable price, we can show off and look good. In response to Shin Sook-jus answer, Hyun looked at Han Myeong-hoe. Hyun nodded at the sight of Han Myeong-hoe not expressing much opposition. It looks like weve already reached an agreement. Not a bad idea. Okay. Lets answer that to the Habsburg messenger. And secretly deliver the news to Italy as well. I follow your orders! Chapter 1028 Episode 1028 Alsace-Lorraine. (6) The day after sending the answer to the Habsburg messenger, the empire immediately sent a messenger to Italy. The imperial ambassador to Italy, who received information about the situation through the imperial messenger who arrived in Florence, visited the Italian unified government with the messenger. ordingly, the Italian government immediately summoned members of the unification parliament. ..Because of this situation, the Empire decided to sell assault vehicles to the Habsburgs. Nonsense! As soon as the Imperial Ambassador finished his remarks, the inside of the Capitol was filled with shouts from thewmakers. Bang, pound, pound! Quiet! Quiet! Be quiet! The chairman, who quelled the noise of thewmakers by striking the gavel, said a word to the imperial ambassador. Why did the Empire make this decision? Its not like they dont know about the rtionship between Italy and the Habsburgs. The imperial ambassador answered the chairmans question honestly. The Empire is in a situation where there is no choice. Its because of France. Dont you know the dynamic between France and the Holy Roman Empire these days? Hmm The chairman and members nodded with ufortable expressions in response to the imperial ambassadors answer. As France took over the bishopric of Lorraine, the dynamics of maind Europe becameplicated. As a result of the ongoing wars, especially the Italian unification war, Europe was in a precarious bnce. However, as France took control of the Bishopric of Lorraine, the center of gravity shifted to France. -There wont be much change right now, but the problem will be after Francepletely digests the bishoprics of Lorraine. All of Europe will have to pay attention to France. This was the prediction of intellectuals and politicians in France and other European countries. And while French intellectuals and politicians were soaring with pride, intellectuals and politicians in other countries stayed up all night with anxiety. When the Empire sells battle lines to France and assault cars to the Habsburgs, it is not because it wants war. It is to bnce things out. Following the ambassadors words, the chairman stepped forward and pointed out the problem. I understand the Empires will. However, considering the geopolitical position and historical rtionship between Italy and the Habsburgs, it is a very regrettable decision. The imperial ambassador immediately responded to the chairmans words. I repeat, the Empire does not want war, and for this it seeks bnce. You have not forgotten when our Empire sold the emergency front to France, have you? As soon as the ambassador finished speaking, the expressions of the chairman and members changed. Since most of them weremercial nobles, they immediately understood what the ambassador meant. Hmm So, the empire is nning to sell assault vehicles to Italy as well. ? Yes. Does the Empire intend to do business with both the Habsburgs and Italy? No way. The Empire has always valued its rtionship with Italy. Therefore, unlike the Habsburgs, preferential policies will be adopted. Because were an alliance. Because were an alliance so youre saying youll give us a price discount? That could be true, but there are also other things, like technical support. You cant do everything we can give you? Wouldnt that be a bit difficult? With this, the bloody bargaining between the Empire and Italy began. * * * The bargaining between the Empire and Italy was fierce. The Italianwmakers, most of whom were the citysmercial nobles, were willing to give even a little more. They tried to take care of it, and the Empire insisted on the right line. And the initiative was with the Empire. Wouldnt Italy try to overturn the situation in order to change the situation? The ambassador shook his head at the concerns of his subordinate officials. To the Habsburgs. As long as the assault cars go in, we have the initiative. But thats because the Empire has epted very few of Italys demands. Isnt that why I kept insisting on bnce? If Italy provides technical support at the desired level, the bnce could be upset. So our Empire cannot respond. Of course, we cannot stop someone from disassembling an assault car and then attempting to reverse engineer it. But the Habsburgs will do the same, and there is no need for the Empire to be responsible for thepetition that follows. Muttering such thoughts, the ambassador continued, The Empire must end with a condescending handover. In the end, the negotiations between the Empire and Italy ended as the Empire intended. C A 30% discountpared to the Habsburg sales price. -Technology transfer for maintenance. From Italys point of view, it was a very insufficient contract, but there was nothing they could do. Mn, who had been impressed by the Florence assault cars that had received help from the assault cars, naturally wanted the assault cars. If the Habsburgs were going to do it, Venice was very powerful. He insisted on the introduction of assault vehicles. The Italian government had no choice in response to the strong demands of the Northern Italian Alliance, which upied the core of the Italian economy. Thanks to this, the empire was able to obtain the desired result more easily. With this, the Ministry of Finance and Economy also Youll like it. Because it is more profitable than melting it in a road furnace. * * * Meanwhile, in Seoul, a war of words was going on over weapons sales. The war of words started when a bunch ofints were filed. There are a lot ofints about weapons sales. . Are there still people among His Majesty the Emperor and the court who criticize lowly trades, especially for selling weapons that kill people? Even though time has passed, there is no decrease in those who are stubborn. To Seungji Dos words, Seungji Jwabu replied with an embarrassed face. There is some content like that, but there is more content that is not that. Content that is not that? It is a content used by the imperial army. It says that selling weapons puts the imperial army in danger, so this should be prohibited. Huh? Through Jobo, the news that the empire was selling powerful weapons such as sea emergency weapons to other countries, including European powers, became known throughout the empire. Comints of opposition were starting toe in. -The weapons the empire is currently selling to other countries are unparalleled in their power. -Looking at the power of these weapons, there are many things that can be a threat to our imperial army as well. -The problem is the country. The rtionship between the two cannot be good forever. If the country that bought the empires weapons bes hostile towards the empire, the imperial army bes dangerous. -Conclusion: The sale of weapons used by the imperial army to other countries must be prohibited. They can be purchased for just a few pennies. Those who sell weapons to foreign countries should be put in the record office right away! Huh The prefectural government and ministers who checked the appeals sent through the Seungjeongwon looked embarrassed. The problem is that what you said is not wrong. Hyun nodded at Han Myeong-hoes evaluation. So the problem is that it causes more headaches. Hmm By the way, Those who sell weapons to other countries for a few pennies should be thrown into the record office right away! Should I go into the record center first? No sooner had Hyun finished speaking than Han Myeong-hoe. Starting with this, the ministers raised their voices in unison: I will order these people to be arrested immediately! We will interrogate these people and see if they have any sinister intentions! Hearing the ministers words, Hyeon raised his hands. I shook my head. Thats enough. These people just have different thoughts, so there is no need to me them. Of course, they probably dont know that it was Jim who gave permission, but The ministers all muttered to themselves at Hyuns slightly contradictory words. What can we do! Im telling you which beat to go to! While the ministers were grumbling under their breath, Hyeon opened his mouth: It goes without saying that the weapons of the imperial army are lethal even against the imperial army. Jim doesnt know that either. However, Mara is not the only one who has already created lethal weapons for the imperial army. It can be said that it is natural to give up the weapons of the imperial army for the sake of neighboring countries that are threatened by such people. Hyeon, who had spoken up to this point, cleared his throat for a moment and continued. Listen to Dao Seung-ji. Yes, Your Majesty. How can an empire be confident if it cannot hand over its sword for fear of being stabbed by the sword it gave itself? Jim believes that the imperial army is strong enough to handle this. Therefore, the people of the empire should also trust me and the imperial army. This is my sincerity, so Do Seung-ji will convey this to the entire empire by sending it on a treasure trove. I ept your order. As soon as Do Seung-ji finished answering, Han Myeong-hoe stepped forward and bowed his head. Your Majesty trusts the imperial army so much that you are a general in the imperial army. I will be very happy. Thats right. I will do my best to repay Your Majestys trust. Han Myeong-hoe was followed by Jang Hang-seon and the Minister of National Defense, bowing their heads. But their intentions were a little different. For the time being, Ill be so busy that it leaves a sweet taste in my mouth. Andter, the imperial troops, who heard Hyeons remarks through rumors or through assistants, all had the same expression on their faces regardless of rank and swore, Is there such a thing as this? It would be! I guess well be crying for a while! What kind of idiot made an appeal like that! Hyang smiled at Hyuns words and said, If we do that, all of our tricks will be caught? Thats right. Its cool inside, but its even worse when unnecessary variables are increasing. Most of the weapons sold by the empire, starting with Hae Emergency, were weapons that were relegated to the second line. In other words, although it was dangerous, it was a means for the empire to suppress it. It was said that there was this. Rather, what Hyang and Hyeon were more concerned about was reducing the urrence of variables. -From the moment they receive the weapons handed over by the Empire, they will thoroughly analyze them and attempt to replicate them. -The process of attempting replication . They will go through all kinds of trial and error, and this will all be experience for them. -And based on that experience, they will create something of their own. -Most of the experience they have umted is the path that the empire has already taken. Therefore, even if they create something new, the empire can find a countermeasure more easily. -But if the empire hides everything, they will create their own path from the beginning. This increases the possibility of finding unexpected paths that even the empire could not take. -So unexpected If Gall appears, the empire will have to put in a lot of effort to find a countermeasure. Thats why they shed it in moderation. The ministers also agreed with this decision of Hyeon and Hyang, and they dropped appropriate baits ording to the changes in the situation in Europe. But thats right. I dont think the French will sit still if they know that we handed over the assault car. To Hyuns words, Hyang responded with a sarcastic expression. Even if we hadnt handed over the assault car, they would have made a simr item. Ive already had a bitter taste in Italy. Isnt it natural that you want other people to taste the bitter taste you saw? Of course. By the way I think Ive seen a lot of work that France does in the Lorraine region somewhere. Arent you familiar with it? Yes. Chapter 1029 Episode 1029: Alsace-Lorraine. (7) The actions of France, which took control of the three bishoprics in the Lorraine region, were very different from those before. Until now, the practice of France and other European powers had been to allocate fiefdoms to trustworthy nobles. However, France dispatched administrators to these regions. It was not the fiefdom of nobles loyal to the King of France, but thend of the King of France. This was a simr approach to that taken by empires, not Europe. * * * The empire dispatched observers to all territories except Shinji. Of course, extremelyrge areas such as the northern and northeastern forests were divided into two or three areas and multiple observers were dispatched. Of course, Shinji was different. The situation was that while serving as the governor, he coborated with the inspector general sent from the headquarters. However, as time passed and Shinjis power area expanded exponentially, changes urred. Before we knew it, the number of governors managing the newnd had exceeded 15, and the number of high-ranking officials from the indigenous people or newnd had increased significantly. Thanks to this, five years before Hyang handed over the position of governor to Wan, the authority to appoint and appoint governors in Xinji was transferred from the emperor to the governor. Of course, nominally it still required the emperors approval, but in reality it was a posthumous approval. It could have been politically problematic, but thanks to the situation being that of the Governor-General, no one thought anything of it. * * * The administrators and officials who arrived at the Bishopric on appointment by King Charles VIII of France were not idle. Officials scattered throughout the diocese visited the cathedrals serving local dioceses and received copies of birth and death records. And based on this record,parison work began. Afterwards, the tax collector was detained and robbed. However, unlike when I did it in France, I shook it off quite gently. If he handed over his tax collection records properly, he could get at least half of his wealth. A tax collector who made a fortune could either leave the Papal States or find another job, usually investing. However, there was no mercy if tax collection records were deleted or if people refused to cooperate. All property was confiscated, and the tax collector himself was hanged or beheaded. And the remaining family members were exiled outside the boundaries of the Papal States. When administrators and officials took control of the administration of the Papal States, symbolized by family registers and taxes, surveyors and civil engineers also arrived. The reason they flocked to the Papal States was toy a railroad. This French move was a method that the empire showed in the North. And the ministers of the county and county who received rted reports all spoke simrly. If we have a reseller, thats our method, right? Its a little different from us. We started with the monopoly. is it? * * * France did not stop here. France immediately dispatched arge number of mining engineers to the Bishopric. They inspected existing mines in the Bishopric and scoured the Bishopric for new veins. Based on their reports, the French government hired miners on arge scale and began mining operations. Soon, carts filled with iron ore and coal were headed to Pompe, France. The three Papal States were more than just iron ore and coal producers. France used these ces as bridgeheads and opened trade lines with nearby lords. Iron ore and coal mined in the territories around the Papal States were collected in the Papal States and then headed to France. The lords of the Holy Roman Empire, including the lords around the Lorraine region, and Emperor Maximilian I of the Holy Roman Empire learned of Frances goals by watching Frances movements. -France is not simply aiming for territorial expansion! What France was targeting was Lorraines iron and coal! -It must be seen that Lorraine, not just the Papal States but the entire region, has already been taken over by France! -Frances momentum will be stronger in the future. What are the measures for this? Here, the opinions of the princes of the Holy Roman Empire and Maximilian I were divided. Maximilian I began to push for the strengthening of centralization, and the princes, especially those located in areas far away from the Habsburgs, began to dream of independence. Maximilian I, who noticed this, found himself at a critical crossroads. -Prepare for catastrophe and push for centralization. -We may have to make many concessions, but we will maintain the national structure of the empire intact. After much deliberation, Maximilian I chose thetter. * * * At the Imperial Diet held in Worms, Maximilian I raised his voice against the imperial nobility, the members of the parliament and the lords. If we continue like this, our empire will be torn apart and be prey to our enemies! This cannot go on! Maximilian I raised his voice and insisted on the importance of reform. This time, manywmakers nodded to Maximilian Is argument. This was because they were wary of Frances growth. Aswmakers responded favorably to Maximilian Is ims, the Holy Mora Empire also joined the changing trends of the times. Following the reform,ter named the Imperial Reformation, the Holy Roman Empire introduced significant changes. C Break away from the behavior that was close to living alone and organize an imperial province. Promotemon defense and secure imperial taxes through imperial provinces. -Build a railroad that spans the entire empire. -Abolish toll taxes and customs duties between territories within the empire. -Establish the highest court of the empire to deal honestly with various disputes within the empire. But this was only half of the reform. Although the creation and operation of a provincial army was possible through the imperial provinces, the creation of a Holy Roman Empire army was rejected. In addition, the key powers of the empire, the fiefdoms of the electors, were excluded from the imperial diocese. Since Habsburg territory was also excluded in this area, it was not my ce toment. Although it was only a half-reform, it was important that members of the Holy Roman Empire began to show interest in integration. What is noteworthy is that the princes who dreamed of independence actively agreed and cooperated with the creation of the imperial province. -It is difficult to create an independent country alone anyway. We need to gather people to work together. -The Imperial Province is the best opportunity and means to create such sympathizers! Because they had such a n, they responded favorably to the reforms of Maximilian I. And to further solidify the support of these lords, Maximilian I held an event. The coronation ceremony of the Holy Roman Emperor was held in Worms, where the parliament was held. The previous n was to go to Rome and have the Pope crown him, but this was reced by the Archbishop crowning him in Worms. This was to secure the support of the feudal lords who believed in the new sect, while at the same time revealing that he was a secr monarch who broke away from the Pope and Catholicism. * * * It was a half-reform that hid its own agenda, but once it started moving, it slowly began to gain momentum. The first thing to start was, of course, the development of the steel industry. For the Holy Roman Empire to be an empire, it must have iron! The world is ruled by steel! Under this slogan, the search for iron and coal mines became active throughout the Holy Roman Empire. At the same time, railroad construction began to get on track in earnest. The new Roman road is a railway! Railroads are the symbol of a great nation! The ambition to build a railroad was raised with loud slogans, but it was soon blocked by a wall. It was a problem with the iron horse. The Habsburgs and some pioneering princes studied steam engines and iron horses and produced their own results. But performance was an issue. In the case of steam engines, they were barely usable in mines or factories. But the iron horse was not good. It was slow and could not carry a lot of cargo and people across the vast territory of the Holy Roman Empire. The ones that have the capabilities we want are imperial, famous, English, French There is no need to even think about French, and English and famous do not guarantee durability The bottom line is, imperial. But wow~. Haa~. The working-level staff stopped talking and sighed. In some ways, it was the empire that held the Holy Roman Empire back as much as France. I did not feelfortable introducing iron horses made in such a country. Lets report to the higher-ups first, and then report the decision to the higher-ups. Thats right. * * * After receiving the report, Maximilian I ced his hand on his forehead and sighed. Whew~. Do we have to open our hands to the empire again? The report is that it is for the best. This and that empire I dont even have the energy to get angry anymore. Will I be able to catch up, let alone get ahead? You just have to do your best. Whoa~. Maximilian I let out a long sigh and looked back at the chancellor. I cant help it. Send someone to Seoul. But tell them to take as much as they can. Yes, Your Majesty. After finishing the matter regarding the iron horse, Maximilian I discussed the next agenda with the chancellor. What is Spains reaction? It wasnt bad. However, I would like the conditions to be modified a little more. It is a marriage between royal families. Its not a business bargain. Emphasize this part. Yes. Only when this marriage takes ce can we keep France in check. Tell me to emphasize this. Yes, Your Majesty. Maximilian I started the famous Hapsburg marriage diplomacy. C Spain is in an alliance with Ennd. If you be an alliance with Spain through marriage, you will naturally also have an alliance with Ennd. be an alliance. C Through this Triple Alliance, France is kept in check. This was one of the main reasons for pursuing marriage with the Spanish royal family. * * * Meanwhile, the local government and ministers who received the agenda through a messenger who arrived in Seoul responded to it. There was discussion. The total number of iron horses they want to save is 120. Among them, 60 units will be purchased in kind from the empire, and the remaining 60 units will be built in our own factories What do you think? Considering the extent of the Holy Roman Empire, 120 units is nothing more than a premature death. Im guessing they are nning to make it on their own using the technology they have umted while making the 60s. Hyeon nodded in response to Im Soon-wooks answer and asked again, Then would it be better to refuse? No. If you can sell it, you should sell it. Instead, I think it would be more profitable to sell it rather than have it stolen. It makes sense because imperial iron horses are alreadymon in Europe. As Lim Sun-wook said, imperial iron horses weremon in Europe. This was because Portugal, Italy and Switzend had already introduced imperial iron horses. France and Ennd took on the challenge of developing iron horses on their own. It was a situation where results were achieved each year. ording to various rumors, Italy and Portugal were attempting to develop domestic iron horses by thoroughly analyzing the imported imperial iron horses. Therefore, Lim Soon-wook proposed preemptive technology sales. Chapter 1030 Episode 1030 Alsace-Lorraine. (8) There were no ministers who expressed opposition to Lim Sun-wooks proposal. The Empires Iron Horse had already been developed up to the third generation. In order to connect the vastnds of Bukji and Shinji, iron horses that could carry more cargo faster were needed, so improvements and development continued at a rapid pace. Thanks to this, the ministers did not object much. The iron horses of famous countries, which are considered the best among the iron horses of other countries, were at the second generation level in the empire, while those in Ennd and France were at the 1.5 generation level. The iron horses sold by the Empire to France and Portugal were second-generation early models. Therefore, even if it provided this level of technology, it was very unlikely that it would immediately be a dangerouspetitor. So we are nning to sell not only iron horses but also technology to the Habsburgs, Italy and Portugal. What do you think? When Hyeon came to Hyang and asked for advice, Hyang looked slightly straight and asked back. Isnt that up to the emperor to decide, not you? Thats right, but isnt Tae Sang-tae the person who first introduced the iron horse to the world and has continued to be involved? Im asking because Im concerned that I may have taken things too lightly. Hmm Hyang, who thought for a moment about Hyuns words, soon expressed her opinion. I think it would be okay to hand it over if its a 2nd generation technology. Arent there more than one person who is tearing apart the iron horse we gave away and thinking about it? And its not something that can be made exactly like the iron horse just by knowing the basics. It will be a disaster right away. I dont think it is. Thank you for your wise advice. Ah. This may be a shame, but dont tell Duke Jinpyeong. If he were Duke Jinpyeong, he would be the kind of person who would go all the way to Europe andy a railroad Hyang responded with a smile to Hyangs words, which were a mix of jokes and sincerity. I will keep that in mind. After sending out Hyang, Hyang looked out the window and muttered softly. That son of a bitchdid he really beat up the Grim Reaper and chase him away? As Hyang muttered to himself, the eunuchs and courtdies next to him heard the words in their hearts. Are you talking about someone else? All of his brothers live long lives. It was rumored that not only Hyang, but his brothers and sisters above and below him all lived long lives. In rtion to this, an unidentified book called Imperial Longevity Method was even created and sold. Hyang, who was analyzing the cause, muttered as he licked his appetite. Since King Taejo lived a long life, his lineage also yed a role. Next, is it a matter of stress? Butterfly effect as an option? Lee Seong-gye, who lived most of his life on the battlefield, also lived until the age of 72. And the fact that many things changed with the full-scale involvement of fragrance also yed a role. By ensuring traffic control in the township, the brothers no longer had to experience political stress, and on the other hand, other stress was greatly reduced as they found jobs that suited their aptitude. Of course, it could be an overgeneralization to say that longevity was attributed to reduced stress, so Hyang doubted the butterfly effect he had created. * * * In any case, the empire ended up signing a formal contract with the Holy Roman Empire regarding the introduction of iron horses. ording to the contract, the Empire would help the Holy Roman Empire build an iron horse production nt. Of course, I definitely received what I received. In addition, the empire sent people to Portugal and Italy to resolve various issues rted to the iron horse. They secured evidence of an attempt to leak technology by robbing the Iron Horse repair shop, and based on this, they took control of the Portuguese and Italian governments. Thanks to having the physical evidence in hand, Portugal and Italy had no choice but to sign a formal contract to provide technology, and the empire was able to profit. And in the midst of this, Japan was also beaten. This was because Japan was also caught attempting illegal copying. Is the King of Japan returning a favor with vengeance? Ang! Starting with the prefecture, imperial ministers took turns putting pressure on the Japanese government, and in the sea between Tsushima and Japan, the imperial navy conductedrge-scale maneuver training using live ammunition. ordingly, the Japanese crown prince had to bow down to the prefecture in the garden of Geunjeongjeon. Japan, oppressed by the imperial loom, once again watched the empire, and the empire once again cautioned Japan. I dont say anything about things that were earned by paying a fair price or through ones own efforts. On the contrary, the empire will admire Japans efforts. One! I will never stand by and ignore actions that disrupt the rtionship between the two countries through unfair means! The Japanese crown prince responded to Hyuns threat by hitting his head on the floor once again. Hi! It was not a remark that conformed to royal etiquette, but it was an answer that came out without realizing it under the pressure of the strings. Japan, alert to the empires warning, immediately took action. In order to obtain the necessary technology, a negotiator was sent to negotiate with the empire and the technology was introduced by paying a fee. At the same time, the number of research institutes and educational institutions in the country increased significantly. Lastly, the ratio of international students dispatched to the empire also changed from administrative focus to technology focus. -If done wrong, it can give excessive power to the Japanese! What kind of people are they? To this objection, the prefecture and government responded as follows. -If you press too hard, it bounces back even more. -The more dangerous it is, the closer you need to watch it. * * * Maximilian I of the Holy Roman Empire, whopleted the iron horse factory by receiving technology from the empire, sighed as he checked the report. I heard in the East they use the phrase cheopcheopsanjung to describe a situation like this? The subjects responded to Maximilian Is question with silence. As soon as the factory waspleted, Maximilian I hired many craftsmen to work at the factory. The artisans employed at the factory repaired the iron horses sent from the empire or began producing them themselves, under the guidance and supervision of artisans from the empire. And a problem arose in its own production. The steel made in the Holy Roman Empire could not make an iron horse with proper performance. No, it wasnt just the iron horse. It was difficult to build a proper railroad. After checking the report, Maximilian I quenched his appetite. I cant help it. Send a messenger back to Seoul. Shin Suk-ju, who received the message from the messenger of the Holy Roman Empire who had arrived in Seoul, looked strange and muttered. Guys Is your wallet strong? Shin Suk-ju, who was well aware of theplex political situation within the Holy Roman Empire, was the biggest concern. Contrary to Shin Sook-jus worries about whether it was heavens help, the funding problem was easily resolved. Surprisingly, this was because the feudal lords moved actively. In particr, the princes of the Upper Rhine Province and the Rhine Estuary-Westphalia Province moved particrly enthusiastically. The area that wouldter be known as the Ruhrgebiet Industrial Zone had begun to sprout hundreds of years earlier. With the active support of the feudal lords, arge steel mill that received technical support from the empire appeared in Essen. Maximilian I, who was present on the day the first iron was pulled out of therge logo, clenched his fists. Through this steel mill, we will deliver a blow to that arrogant France! Meanwhile, Shin Sook-ju, who joined the event as a congrattory delegate, looked at the flowing red molten iron and muttered to herself. Now blood as red as that red molten iron will flow in Europe. The steel mill built in Essen was a symbol of the empires conspiracy. * * * At this time in the 21st century, the Nethends and Belgium were called the Low Countries and were French territory. Originally, this area was the territory of the Duchy of Burgundy. The Duchy of Burgundy, which dreamed of independence from France, copsed under the attack of Louis XI, and its territory, including the Low Countries, became French. And Essen was located just a stones throw away from this lond. It might be a little dangerous, but this area is perfect. Engineers and officials dispatched from the empire reported this to Maximilian I and the princes. Maximilian I and the princes who received the report were able to immediately understand its meaning. Gelsenkirchen, located right next to Essen, and nearby areas were home torge-scale iron and coal mines. And the water needed for industrial use could be easily obtained through the Rhine River located right next to it. It was literally the optimal location. The problem was that the londs controlled by France were right in front of us. After fierce debate, Maximilian I and the princes came to a conclusion. Lets build it in Essen! The background to the decision of Maximilian I and the princes was the assault vehiclesing from the empire. Count Tilly, who confirmed the performance of the assault vehicles that arrived in the first batch, reported this to Maximilian I. No one will be able to stand up to the assault cars on the insing from the londs to Essen! In this way, a steel mill was built in Essen. -We make railroad tracks, iron horses, and cannons using the steel produced in Essen. -If France is targeting Essen, lets defeat France with the weapons made in Essen! -And drive the French out of Lotringen! Maximilian I had not forgotten the humiliation he suffered at Portringen. The empire was aiming for this. -Coal and iron ore do note from just anynd. In particr, it is rare to find a ce buried inrge enough quantities to make it profitable. -Both France and the Holy Roman Empire need more mines. In that case, France will target Essen and the Holy Roman Empire will target Lorraine. -In the end, the two have no choice but to fight again. They say coal and irone from Alsace too? Where is it again? Between Essen and Lorraine. What a vicious position Theyre starting an open fight. Lets spread rumors in moderation. You are truly atrocious. And the ensuing situation went ording to the empires ns. Essens steel mills, which received technical support from the empire, soon producedrge quantities of high-quality steel. The Holy Roman Empire, which acquired various iron products, starting with high-quality steel, joined the rapid process of imperialization. Railroads connecting major cities of the Holy Roman Empire began to be built. The same was true for the military part. Starting with the Habsburg familys elite soldiers, they began to be armed with impeioales Langgewehr, which properly referenced the Florentine long guns, as well as freight cars and cannons. The Holy Roman Empire went one step further. Anyway, lets spend our money properly! Once again, the messenger with the purse headed to Seoul and introduced the light-emittingmunication system. Of course, not only hardware was purchased, but software C code developed ording to the alphabet of the Holy Roman Empire C was also introduced. It was the bestmunication system for the Holy Roman Empire, whose territory was mostly ins. As the Holy Roman Empire moved into full swing, European intellectuals looked full of worry. I dont know exactly when, but France and the Holy Roman Empire will fight again! The war will be so fierce and cruel that it will make the wars we have experienced so far seemughable! Chapter 1031 Episode 1031 Alsace-Lorraine. (9) The predictions of European intellectuals were quickly conveyed to Seoul. The ministers in Seoul who received this did not show much surprise. Its what we expected, so its not surprising. If you have the will to do it, dont you think you can do it? And thats why we worked so hard to make it so that they wouldnt turn their eyes to us. Meanwhile, Hyun, who visited Sugang Pce, asked Hyang for her opinion. What do you think? We will continue to growl for a while, but the war will not be easy. Why? Because I dont have any money. ah! Hyeon immediately let out an exmation at Hyangs words. Since ancient times, there have been problems in all kinds of areas regarding the state affairs seen by the king and emperor. Thanks to this, it was given the name Mangi (fC), and the monarchs direct review and decision came to be called Mangichinram (fCH[). Despite its grandiose name, most problems could be solved with just one method. It was money. Thanks to this, the bottom line is that state affairs starts with money and ends with money. The grandiose packaging was revenue and expenditure, and among these things where money was spent, the most frequently used one was war. Although Hyang was impressed by Hyangs words, Hyeon immediately pointed out the problem. Couldnt we n a short war? For a short-term war to be possible, one side must have overwhelmingly stronger military power than the other. But shouldnt France and the Holy Roman Empire be considered equal to each other? In addition, the situation on the battlefield has changed a lot. There are so many artillery pieces, so were going to fight a short-term war that requires less money? Thats a delusion. Or should I say its a gamble? But wouldnt it be possible to think of the Liaodong War, in which our empire could have be an empire? When I mentioned the Liaodong War, which turned Joseon into an empire, Hyang shook his head lightly. That war took over 10 years with only a short period of preparation time. If you think about the process, it is definitely not a short-term war. Isnt preparing for war the daily routine of the military? War begins with deciding who the war will be against. And didnt I already tell you? They say that a short-term war is only possible when one sidepletely overwhelms the other. This is the Liaodong War. No, to put it bluntly, the Liaodong War was lucky. If the Ming Emperor at the time had decided to wage a long war, no one knows how the oue would have changed. No, there is a high possibility that we were defeated. Ah Hyeon nodded at Hyangs exnation. Hyang lightly cleared his throat and continued speaking. As I said before, it is a war without long guns and cannons. The era has be unthinkable. And there were more casualties on the battlefield. ruler! Think of the emperor as the monarch of a country waging war. There were more casualties than expected, and a lot of war costs had already been spent. What will you do? Would you stop the war? If itsmon sense, wouldnt it be so? But looking at the other side, theyve suffered as much damage as we have. I think I can win with one good hit. What are you going to do? Throw awaymon sense and tell me your honest feelings. Hyeon, who had been thinking about Hyangs words for a while, opened his mouth with difficulty. Then I will give it a try. We will try it just once and if the results are not good, we will immediately enter into negotiations. Hyang shook his head at Hyeons words. That one attempt will lead to a long-term war. Wouldnt it take a lot of staff and budget to make that one attempt? But can we stop the war through negotiations? Compensation for dead or injured soldiers and their families How will you resolve the public sentiment of the people who are demanding responsibility for the financial consequences that have been devastated by the war? In such a situation, there is only one answer to protect the throne and power. Fighting until the winner is won. Even if the victory is full of wounds, if you win, the people will support the monarch and you will be able to extractpensation from the opponent. Ah Only then did Hyeon nod his head with an expression of understanding. Looking at it, Hyang muttered to himself, World War I followed exactly that kind of story. Who would have thought that a war that was expected tost six months at most would turn into such hell? Hyeon, who nodded at Hyangs words, summarized the situation. Then there will be no war between France and the Holy Roman Empire right now. Not right now, but there will be a war someday. The fact that other peoples rice cakes seem bigger is the same whether in the East or the West. The human heart is truly treacherous. Hyeon, who was smiling bitterly at Hyangs words, changed his words. What Tae Sang-taeng said is true. Its like gold and jade birds. I will tell this to the Ministry of National Defense and ask them to take note. That is too much praise. And the people working in the Ministry of Defense and the Imperial Army arepetent people, so you dont have to interfere with each and every one of them. Hyeon immediately responded to Hyangs words. There is a saying in the author that says, Be sure to beat on the stone bridge before crossing it. So far, the imperial army has written only a brilliant history. You may be intoxicated with it, so your vision may be blurred, so you must be careful. Hyang nodded at Hyuns words this time. That could be possible. No, Ive already experienced the bitter taste once Hyangs expression when he mentioned bitter taste was truly bitter. It was because of the memories of the Battle of Corsica, where he won but suffered greater damage than expected. Meanwhile, from the side, Hyang The officer who was recording the conversation between Hyeon and Hyeon added: -. It was truly nice to see His Majesty the Emperor and His Majesty the Emperor discussing the situation in Europe and the well-being of the empire like this. The officer said: It is truly dangerous to dream of turning the tables with just one victory as you said. But what is even more problematic is that there are not only those in the military who dream of this. I have to spend money like my own blood to catch the ry race and pay for it .. Officer, why are you writing such nonsense for so long? Oh, no! C says the officer. It feels like the friends in the military will have more and more homework. The officers prediction was right. Afterwards, the military Those who nned strategies and operations at the Academy, the Imperial Army Headquarters, and the Ministry of Defense had to keep the following words in mind: C In a war between countries, forget short-term wars from your mind ! There was no war. Both France and the Holy Roman Empire had too little money to even wage a war. Instead, there was no war, but minor disputes continued to ur. However, at most, it was a conflict at the level of a conflict between about 100 people. This did not develop into a major problem because the leaders of both countries did not want to make a big deal out of it. Instead, the leaders of both countries focused their efforts on improving the internal aspects. Ships equipped with steam engines developed by themselves. France, which seeded in development, began to focus more actively on the development of the Gloria (South America in the 21st century) and Terra (Australia in the 21st century). Not to be outdone, Ennd also seeded in developing steamships and became Frances most powerful ship in the Gloria and Terra. It became a strongpetitor. Whatever the situation, the strongest force in Europe at this time was France. To keep France in check, other powers began to form alliances. But this was not an easy task. The Habsburgs, who had concluded a marriage alliance with Spain, also pursued an alliance with Portugal. However, Portugal and Spain were in conflict and this was impossible. Italy also did not easily join hands with the Habsburgs. At least when Magyar I of Hungary died without an heir, stability was achieved by signing the Treaty of Pressburg with II. Ulszl, the new monarch of Bohemia-Hungary. Thanks to this, over time, the dynamic structure of Europe came to be divided into tworge groups surrounding France. One was Ennd-Portugal-Italy and the other was Habsburg-Spain-Bohemia-Hungary. As the situation unfolded, France, feeling a crisis, could not sit still and quickly began looking for allies. The person France was trying to make an ally was the German Knights Temr. And through this, Eastern Europe, following the Baltic region and Pnd, appeared in earnest on the European stage, which had been dominated by Western Europe. * * * Until the Italian unification war, Eastern Europe was far from the current trend of the time. This was because they were struggling to escape from the shadow of Mongolia, which remained dark until then. The first to stand up amidst these struggles was the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (multiple countries serving one monarch). Pnd-Lithuania began to grow by making the German Knights Temr a vassal state. Pnd-Lithuania, which used Gdansk, the capital of the German Knights, as its trading port, began to gradually build up its economic power by exporting grains. Based on this growing economic and military power, Pnd-Lithuania strengthened its influence on its surroundings. And in this process, rtions with the Habsburgs were established. This was because szl II, from the Jagie?ow dynasty that ruled Pnd and Lithuania at the time, was the monarch of the Kingdom of Hungary and Bohemia. In the end, it was predictable that Pnd and Lithuania would soon join hands with the Holy Roman Empire, and to keep this in check, France reached out to the German Knights. * * * Although it was subordinated to Pnd and Lithuania and became a vassal state, the German Knights Temr did not break its will for independence. Therefore, Pnd and Lithuania were constantly trying to break their will for independence. Frances intention was as follows. -The German Knights Temr are extremely self-righteous. Because of this, there are many enemies. -If the German Knights Temr rises again, neighboring countries will have no time to focus on other things to check or suppress them. -Gdansk, the base of the German Knights, is thergest trade port in Pnd and Lithuania. Through Gdansk, Polish grain is exported to other ces. -France is also a grain exporting country. -If Gdansk is taken out of Polish-Lithuanian hands, the Polish-Lithuanian grain industry will be hit hard. Instead, we, France, will upy that empty space. With this intention, France reached out to the German Knights Temr, whose symbol was the ck cross. The German Knights, who still dreamed of independence, epted Frances proposal. When the German Knights epted the offer, French long guns and freight cannons began to flow into the German Knights via the sea route. And the German Knights army, armed with French weapons, began fighting against Pnd once again. Chapter 1032 Episode 1032 Alsace-Lorraine. (10) When the German Temrs began an armed struggle again, Pnd-Lithuania mobilized the military to suppress it. In the battle that took ce near Gdansk, the German Temrs, armed with French weapons, defeated the Polish-Lithuanian army and were able to retake Gdansk. Pnd and Lithuania, shocked by the loss of Gdansk, thoroughly analyzed the causes of the defeat. The cause of defeat analyzed by Polish-Lithuanian soldiers was simple. -Outnumbered in firepower. Pnd-Lithuania had the upper hand in terms of troop size, but the German Knights were superior in firepower. In a way, this was natural. The main force of the Polish-Lithuanian army was the cavalry called Husaria. Of course, the rifle corps and artillery corps were also organized on a considerable scale, but the firearms they had were the problem. They were still armed with long guns and old cannons. On the other hand, the German Knights were armed with breech-loading single-shot long guns, mitrailleuse copies of Eulsik freight cars, and old cannons that were being retired from the French army. As a side note, after hearing Mitrayes information, Hyang looked embarrassed and burst intoughter. The Mitrayes I know arent like this I guess Dr. Gatring wont be the only one criticizing me. Although they were overwhelmed in firepower, Pnd-Lithuanias armament was by no means weak. To the countries surrounding Pnd-Lithuania during this period, Pnd-Lithuania was a fearsome invader. In particr, the Duchy of Moscow had already suffered greatly from Pnd and Lithuania. Its just that the military system in this region was much less developed than that in Western Europe. However, this does not mean that we havepletely turned a blind eye to what is going on in Western Europe. Because cavalry was more useful in dealing with the Khanate states that separated from the Mongol Empire. And the new weapons of France and the Holy Roman Empire were as expensive as their superior performance. * * * After analyzing the causes of defeat, Pnd and Lithuania had no choice but to immediately establish countermeasures. This was because the lost Gdansk had to be regained immediately. We must also be armed with new rifles and cannons. The subjects reacted to Sigmund Is decision with expressions of concern. Yes, but finances are the problem. As you know, Your Highness, the prices of new weapons are high. But we cant just sit back and rx, right? If we stay still, it wont end with Gdansk Bay. Soon the Principality of Moscow will also move. In the end, in order to survive under the strong will of Sigismund I and the rapidly changing situation, Pnd-Lithuania began to introduce new weapons. However, even though Sigismund I actively supported it and came forward with a fat wallet, importing new weapons was not easy. Where can I get it? No, where can I get it? This was the problem. The first country to be excluded was France. I cant buy something from a country that sold weapons to rebels from the German Knights Temr! Thats right! The first destination chosen by the working-level staff, excluding France, was the Holy Roman Empire. However, the Holy Roman Empires response was not appropriate. Hmm Do you want the weapons currently being deployed to our imperial army? Considering the rtionship between the two countries, it is possible to sell them. Really? Thank you so much! But it is impossible to sell it right away. It is difficult to supply it to our imperial army. Then always.. Keep it as short as possible and it should be five years. Five years Seeing the Polish-Lithuanian officials in confusion, an official of the Holy Roman Empire suggested another n. Weapons that are being retired from the Imperial Army can be handed over right away. Id like to see the performance. Polish-Lithuanian working-level staff who watched the Holy Roman Empire Armys demonstrationpiled it into a report and submitted it to King Sigismund I. King Sigismund I and his subjects shook their heads at the same time after checking the report. Not the best. Thats right. Its not easy to recapture Gdansk with the weapons shown by the Holy Roman Empire. We need more powerful weapons. There were a few dissenting opinions arguing for the introduction of retired weapons for reasons of time and finances, but they were not the majority. In the end, Sigismund I came to a conclusion. If the worst-case scenario arises from the Holy Roman Empires proposal, rethink it and look for other alternatives. Following Sigmund Is decision, the next destination for the working group was Italy. The Polish-Lithuanian working-level staff, who saw a demonstration of the Florence Long Rifle and Barrius Wagon used by the Italian army, were very satisfied and entered into negotiations. But even here, time hindered negotiations. Considering the current production capacity of the factory, supply will be possible in three years at the earliest. Three years But its better than five years. The Polish-Lithuanian negotiating team, which gave a positive evaluation, asked questions again. Assuming we receive it three years from now, how long will it take to fully receive the quantity we want? Even if I try my best, it wont take more than seven years, right? So, even if we sign the contract now, it will take 10 years. Cant it be done a little faster? As I said before, considering the production capacity of the factory, this is the best. Then, if we expand the factory. Impossible. Italian officials firmly responded that it was impossible. This was an unavoidable reality. The market for weapons, especially those used only by the countrys military, was limited and profits were low. However, not just anyone could make them. The scent was simple structure. Even the Florentine long guns, which are evaluated as , could only perform properly if they were handled by skilled craftsmen. And skilled craftsmen = expensive wages. Even though it is for national defense, it is not possible to hire craftsmen and incur a loss. It was thew. Therefore, unless it was a war-like situation, it wasmon to spend time instead of money. And we can sell long guns and freight cars, but not cannons. We also buy cannons from the empire. What should we do about this Unable to get a good answer from Italy, the Polish-Lithuanian working-level staff moved to look for other countries to produce weapons at the level Pnd-Lithuania wanted. There were five countries in total: France, the Holy Roman Empire, Ennd, Italy, and the Ottomans. However, France was excluded because of the German Knights. The Ottomans were excluded due to religious and otherplex issues, and the Holy Roman Empire and Italy were excluded due to a matter of time. The only remaining one was Ennd. The situation was not good here either. They too were in a difficult situation just producing the weapons used by the English and Spanish armies. Ha~. What should I do with this? Should we ept the Holy Roman Empires offer? When Sigismund I and his subjects were seriously concerned, Jewish merchants from Warsaw came with valuable information. There are rumors that the empire is possible right now! How about finding the empire? Is an empire possible? Thats a rumor. But looking at the items the Empire sells and what Italy has shown, I think its credible. The Jewish merchants answered with confidence. I will carefully consider your opinions. I am truly grateful for your loyalty. Under Sigismund I, Jewish merchants bowed their heads in response. It is an honour. After sending the Jewish merchants away, Sigismund I turned to his subjects. What did you think? Theyre Jews. Can you trust them? The faith of the Jewish merchants can be trusted. If you know the nature of the German Knights Temr, there is no reason for them to cheat. The self-righteousness of the German Knights Temr was famous. Not only were they Orthodox believers or believers in new sects, but sometimes they were the same. They were famous for killing and plundering even Catholic believers. You didnt have to look to see what they would do if they encountered Jews. On the other hand, although Sigismund I was a Catholic, he was also famous for being tolerant of Orthodox believers and those who believed in new sects. Then send a messenger to Seoul. Yes, Your Highness. * * * The Polish-Lithuanian negotiators arrived at Suez via the Holy Roman Empire and the Italian Mediterranean, looked for the fastest ship and headed to Seoul. Arriving in Seoul, the current The negotiators who had an audience with Shin Suk-ju met Shin Suk-ju and began negotiations. The Polish-Lithuanian negotiators, who ryed their business during the negotiations to the imperial working-level staff, looked earnest and prayed. Please, God Hmm. . First of all, the problem is the long guns, but the Imperial military-type long guns are sold only to Switzend. However, manufacturing Florentine long guns is a problem because there are no production facilities This is something that needs to be reported to His Majesty the Emperor, and if you leave that out, there doesnt seem to be any particr problem with boxcars and artillery. Oh, is the price the problem? The faces of the Polish-Lithuanian negotiating team brightened after hearing the answer from the imperial working-level staff, but soon became serious. This is what we have heard in other countries as well! The problem is time! I will ept as much as possible the price the Empire wants. The problem is time. When will you be able to receive it? The Polish-Lithuanian negotiating team couldnt believe their ears at the imperial working-level staffs answer. When will the North Sea, which you are avoiding, start thawing next year? I will send it to you at the right time. And if its the amount you want, we can send it all in about three years. The Polish-Lithuanian negotiating team was stunned by the answer of the imperial working-level staff, who seemed to think it was no big deal. After a while, the Polish-Lithuanian negotiating team came to their senses and spoke in earnest voices. He shouted, I will unconditionally grant any conditions the Empire wants! Please, lets make a contract! Hyeon, who was briefed on the situation by the working staff, immediately went to Hyang. So, they desperately want our empires military rifles. So I would like to allow the sale, but what do you think? Since you are the one who designed military food, I would like to hear your opinion. Hmm What do the ministers say? There are mixed opinions. Those who oppose it are worried that the design of thebined-type rifle could be leaked through them. The leak issue must have already been leaked in Italyst time, right? Nevertheless, havent you heard yet that a rifle with a simr design has been released? Those in favor also said the same thing that Tae Sang-taeng said. Hmm I think its okay to sell it. Because I think I know what the European powers are thinking. What are you thinking? Its needlesslyplicated. Aha! I understand. Hyun, who had finished the conversation, left and Hyang, who was left alone, chuckled and muttered, The straight-pull method is moreplicated than a regr bolt action. But thats the trap. Youre going to have to struggle a lot to go from a bolt action rifle to an automatic rifle. Chapter 1033 Episode 1033: That thrilling name Biography. (1) After receiving advice from Hyang, Hyeon decided to sell weapons to Pnd and Lithuania. The double rifle is a weapon that the imperial army also uses now. Selling it would jeopardize the security of the nation, so it is not allowed! Please inform us! Please inform me! When the subjects came out to shout opposition to Hyeons decision, Hyun smiled slightly and epted the words. Please inform me. Its been a long time since I heard that. The faces of the ministers turned white from the subtly exuding life. They say you cant steal seeds Even the slightest inconvenience makes you burst out with life But you still have to say what you have to say! Thats a subjects job! Hyuns face turned white, but when he saw the expressions of the ministers who did not give up their will, he slightly shook his head. Is that kind of kkojangkkojangham a tradition? Even though people have changed, kkojangkkojangham remains the same. Whoa~. Hyun sighed lightly and continued. Let me ask the ministers who im the opposite: Didnt the imperial army lose a single rifle in thest war in Italy? .No. Its been a long time since the war ended in Italy, but has a long gun simr to a military rifle been released? .There wasnt any. Do you know the expression rainy day (轑n useless worry)? All the subjects who were shouting against Hyuns words had to bow their heads. Please forgive my narrow vision and short thinking. Forgive me! Tsk! Its truly beautiful that the ministers are worried about the safety of the country, but Starting with clicking his tongue, Hyeons sermon continued for almost half a hour (about an hour). So proceed with your work in ordance with Jims decision. I follow your orders. With that concluded, the ministers moved and massaged their stiff backs and necks as they left Geunjeongjeon. Oh my, my back, my neck Its not easy to hold on like this anymore The ministers who were groaning and hearing the crackling sound of each joint red at the ministers who were shouting opposition. The ministers who had been shouting opposition hurriedly opened their mouths at the unusual looks of their colleagues. Im sorry. Buy me a drink! Tsk! Buy two drinks! * * * As soon as the Polish-Lithuanian deal was concluded, the empire moved quickly. As soon as the North Sea route was opened, a ck Light-ss transport ship loaded with ordered cargo arrived at Turso (now Elg) in Pnd-Pithuania. Guided by a waterway guide, the ck Light-ss transport ship passed through the narrow channel between the North Sea and the Vist Lagoon C only 250 sheets (about 750 meters) wide C and began unloading at Elk. Because there were no proper unloading facilities, Heukyeong-ss transport ships had to unload cargo using the wheel and crane attached to the ship. Themanders of the Polish-Lithuanian army, seeing this, turned their heads to the west. No matter what happens, I have to get Gdansk back. El k, located at the southern end of the Vist Lagoon, was safe thanks to thegoons natural embankment, but was very weak militarily. This was because it would have been useless if only one waterway connecting thegoon and the North Sea had been blocked. However, because Gdansk was located in a bay directly facing the North Sea, it was very easy for ships to enter and exit. * * * Seeing that Pnd-Lithuania was struggling to supply weapons, the Kalmar Alliance also approached the empire. As long as you pay the bill properly, there is no problem. After hearing the empires answer, the Kalmar Alliance immediately signed a contract and paid an advance fee. And ording to the contract, Heukyeong-ss transport ships quickly transported weapons and money across the North Sea and the Antic Ocean. The European powers, including France, were both shocked and horrified by the sight of the empire supplying weapons without any trouble. Supplying that much quantity without difficulty? Is that possible? How many weapons are in their arsenal? And what is their transportation capacity? If they have enough troops and the will, they can invade Europe at any time! Has Mongolia appeared again? No, putting that aside, ording to the rumor, they are all brand new. How is that possible? While the former was the opinion of those maintaining the regime and the military, thest was the question of business and industry. To produce weapons like that, you need as many skilled craftsmen as an army. Thats nonsense! Although the fragrance taught me things about the Florentine factory, I did not know the knowledge about standardization and division ofbor and mass production. * * * In the weapons factories of the European powers, many craftsmen were engaged in weapons production. They also divided the work between skilled and unskilled workers and provided continuous training for efficient mass production. The same goes for weapons. Skilled workers produced and assembled parts ording to the numbers written in the blueprint and specifications. This was the source and limitation of the problem. The parts were cut ording to the blueprint and specifications, but since it was handmade, errors urred in each part. In order to ovee this error, each craftsman had to be responsible for everything from part processing to assembly. Of course, there were tricks to increase efficiency. Unskilled craftsmen would make parts, skilled craftsmen would refine and assemble them, and unskilled craftsmen would do the final finishing touches and send them out. As a result, even if parts were from the same long gun, they could not be used for different long guns if the work crew was different. This was a critical problem in terms of production speed as well as weapon maintenance. However, the empire had already established a mass production system. This was because they had steel and steam engines that were far superior to the steel of the European powers. While European craftsmen were hammering and carving out each piece one by one, the Empire was putting iron tes into steel molds and stamping and carving them using steam pressure. Because of this, the empire was able to achieve an overwhelming production rate even though it had a much smaller number of peoplepared to the European powers. Of course, the empire also had its limits. Although it produced superior steel than other countries, it was inferior to those of the 20th or 21st centuries. As a result, the lifespan of the mold was short and it had to be reced frequently. And this problem caused headaches for those in charge of maintaining the imperial weapons. This was because parts made in the same production cycle (lot) as the parts used in the weapons that caused the problem had to be used. Later, for one reason or another, the ordnance corpsmen and soldiers of the countries allied with the imperial army responded in this way whenever they heardints from those in charge of the imperial army. Youre sitting there saying youre full! We dont know whether we are artisans or soldiers! Ordnance corpsmen and soldiers from other countries found it quicker and more convenient to cut and polish their own parts than to find recements for problematic parts. In any case, the sight of the empire smoothly supplying weapons to Pnd-Lithuania and the Kalmar Alliance caused European powers to reexamine their policies toward the empire. And the conclusions they reached werergely the same. -Make friends as much as possible. * * * While the European powers were once again in trouble over the empire, Hyang was in trouble in Seoul. I finally learned about electricity, but they asked for a change of name C Buy time by changing people and budget. Following this policy, elements were being discovered one by one, starting with oxygen. However, the electric field was still sluggish, and Hyang added methods. -The results are not good? If so, add more people. Leaving aside the cries of theb researchers, Hyang kept pushing and the results were finally out. There was a reason why the scent was so intense. This was because research on electricity did not start from nothing. The existence of electric fish was known in ancient Egypt around 2570 BC, as were schrs in Greek and Roman times. Even people like Pliny the Elder left records about electric shock and conduction. In addition, Thales recorded his observations on static electricity. And these records were also located in the research institute through the collection of books from the East and the West that began around the time Hyang was crown prince. This made the scent even more frustrating and impatient. No, you have all the knowledge of ancient schrs, so why cant you find it? Im not telling you to just head to the ground! With the pressure of that scentbined with the research enthusiasm of schrs, the concept and basic properties of electricity were finally discovered. And this is where the request for name change came to Hyang. I need to change my name? Why? David Gilbert, who was in charge of the scent, came forward and answered the question. The noe in the noegi (ך) given by His Majesty means thunder or a loud sound. If someone who does not know about noegi yet encounters this name, they will think that noegi has the nature of making loud noises. However, this brain When I studied energy, I saw light and me first, not sound. So I think electricity is more appropriate instead of brain. Hmm its a pretty good reason. Hyanghyang nodded and looked at Gilbert with a new expression. But werent you born in Ennd? Usually, people from Europe and Arab countriesin that it is difficult to learn the imperialnguage even if they quickly learn the correct pronunciation. I am surprised that you can even exin its meaning. Gilbert muttered without realizing it, as the scents words brought back memories of his past hardships. Its so difficulthehe! Yes, yes Even if you dont know the correct pronunciation, its really difficult to learn the imperialnguage. Still, its surprising that you were able to interpret the meaning. Its truly amazing. Gilbert, who regained his confidence thanks to the incenses praise, continued speaking. I came up with the idea because I felt that the younger students who came as researchers were having a hard time finding their way because of the brainy letters. I see Hyang, who had been nodding at Gilberts words, concluded. Since Department Head Gilberts opinion is reasonable, I will report it to His Majesty the Emperor and receive permission to change the name. Researchers from the empire expressed concern about the directions decision. Ha, it is a name that the Great Emperor himself created, so changing it is sphemous and could be criticized. Hyang responded right away. What is the problem with changing the name to a more appropriate one? Isnt this a bigger problem if ones high or low status bes an obstacle to studying thews of all things in the world? Due to the firm meaning of this scent, Noegi was renamed to Jeongi. And upon seeing this, Hyang smiled and muttered. If I think about it now, Noegi was a really clever naming. After all, Im not good at naming. Anyway Hyang, who was speechless for a moment, continued as he looked through reports rted to chemistry. Looking at the current situation, it looks like all the names of the elements that will be listed on the periodic table will be changed to imperial style If a second roundes out other than mine, that friend will also be in trouble Well, its none of my business, but . Chapter 1034 Episode 1034: That thrilling name Biography. (2) There was another round of talk about the name change issue, but this was resolutely blocked by the prefecture. The person who first came up with the name agreed, saying it was reasonable, and Jim gave permission because it was a reasonable reason. Whats the problem? The name issue was resolved with the prefectures decisive response. Afterwards, Hyeon and other ministers and magistrates of Jangan became curious about the characteristics of this new energy, which was named electricity. To summarize the paper published by the research institute, this energy called electricity had the following characteristics. -The characteristics of the energy of electricity are simr to, but different from, the energy of mas. -If you use this electricity well, you can make even a piece of iron that is not a ma emit the energy of a ma. -The lightning that struck the sky was also electric. -Some things like this electricity work, and some things dont. The imperialists who were reading the papers that crossed the bulletin board and upied one side of the government office wall let out a long sigh. What are you talking about? The white thing is paper and the ck thing is letters Meanwhile, those who were even slightly curious or had knowledge of the subject tilted their heads. Its simr to the energy of a ma, but different Its not like some kind of ghost is washing away Wait a minute If you use electricity well, even a piece of iron can have the energy of a ma? Do you think this could be put to some use? It smells like money Meanwhile, as things rted to electricity were listed in the response log, many rewards were paid to rted researchers. However, what saved the momentum of schrs and researchers was that their results were registered in the response log. All those people who have been calling themselves carnivores who only forget about the budget,e out! Especially industry and academia! When I think of the sadness Ive been through all this time, oh! The schrs and researchers in the Department of Electrical Engineering, who had expressed their sadness and resentment over theckluster performance, regained theirposure and began to focus on research again. We need more budget! The finance manager sighed at the electrical departments bold request. Whew~. How much more do you need? We need a lot! Please fill out the documents properly and upload them. We will review and make adjustments. yes! The person in charge let out a long sigh as he looked at Gilberts back as he proudly requested an increase in the budget. Whoa. Damn it The Electrical Department, which had secured additional budget, began to increase its staff in earnest. The most representative example was David Gilbert, head of the department. After reading the letter he sent, his entire family came to Seoul. Both of his sons had a deep knowledge of chemistry and physics, and, like their father, were also well-versed in electricity. MSG was poured into the Department of Electrical Engineering, which was gaining momentum again by securing personnel and budget. * * * Hmm, okay I read the paper they posted carefully. So I was curious and came to you. Is that okay? It is an honour. Gilbert wholeheartedly weed Hyangs visit. Hyangs visit was an event of great significance among workers at the research center and Area 51. In the East and West, and even in the Ming Dynasty, incense was a symbol of knowledge. Regardless of field. It was a great honor and recognition for the parties involved to discuss with Hyang. This means that the greatest intellectual of his time recognized himself and the studies he was exploring or the technology he was developing. As the scent settled into the lecture room of the Department of Electrical Engineering, the ssroom became crowded with schrs and researchers from the Department of Electrical Engineering, schrs and researchers from other departments, and even officials from the research institute. After themotion subsided for a moment, the scent slowly started. I have read the papers you have posted carefully. I was able to feel how much effort you put into it by seeing that what was previously only spection was established as a theory. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude once again. Under Hyangs reign, the schrs and researchers in the Department of Health Sciences all stood up and bowed their heads. Glory Comes 1 Hyang created a warm atmosphere and got into the main topic. One of the contents of the paper you posted said, If you use electricity well, you can turn an ordinary piece of iron into a ma. I would like to see that in action, but I think it is possible. Ill get ready right away! Under Gilberts leadership,rge quantities of ss bottles were soon lined up on arge desk, and wires were connected between them. When Hyang saw that, she muttered to herself. Is it simr to the voltaic battery I saw on the Inte? Are you making electricity with that bottle? Thats right. I referred to an old book I obtained from Byzantium. Hyang nodded at Gilberts answer. It seems that both we and the West lost arge amount of records of the past. After seeing that an electroma had been created through the subsequent experiment, Hyang stood up. It was a truly impressive experiment. It is an honour. I have an idea while watching the experiment. Hyang moved to the desk where the experimental device was ced, grabbed the connector of the wire, and attached it. I took it off and repeated it. And each time, the electroma and the metal attachment and fall were repeated. Do you understand what this is? Well well Hyang repeated his action after seeing the confused expressions of Gilbert and the others. As schrs and researchers were struggling to understand the meaning of Hyangs repeated actions, a military officer from the Royal Guard who came in to protect Hyang opened his mouth. Is it a luminous signal? Thats it! Hyang continued speaking while looking at the schrs and researchers in the ssroom. Although the luminous signal is fast and useful, there is a problem. The luminous signal may not be recognized properly due to various circumstances, such as on a foggy day. However, if electricity is avable, wouldnt most of this be ovee? ah! Then what are you going to study? Is it whethermunication is possible even if that electric line bes very long? Thats right! And one more thing. Hyang raised his hand and pointed at the soldiers. Try to find a way to make electricity other than using jars like that. I think electricity, if used well, can be very useful to the people. But wouldnt it be very inconvenient if we had to use jars like that? Thats true, but.. Ill push for listing it in the challenge log. The grade is Ugong Isan hahaha or it would be better to imagine a horsemanship. Gilbert cautiously expressed his dissatisfaction with Hyangs words. Your Majesty I think your level is too low. It is definitely not easy to find another way. Fellow schrs and researchers nodded at Gilberts words. This was because we had to go through a lot of trial and error while making those batteries. However, Hyang expressed doubts about Gilberts words. Huh? Why? Isnt there a better way here now? yes? The scent pointed to an electromaic device. It was said that electricity and maism are simr but different. But if maism was created using electricity, wouldnt it be possible to create electricity using maism? ah! At that moment, exmations from schrs and researchers shook the entire ssroom: Dont just look at one side of a phenomenon or result, but get into the habit of considering the opposite case as well. Then, surprisingly, the wall may copse easily. Ill keep that in mind! But Hyangs task didnt stop there. And thats it. Didnt you say that the lightning in the sky was also electricity? But isnt there a wire like that in the sky? So, youre saying theres a way to conduct electricity even if theres no iron wire like that, right? And if you know that method, wouldnt you be able to transmit light-emittingmunication even without that wire? Thats right. Think about it. Because the mountains are in the way and the rivers are in the way, the people cannot easily convey news to each other. Is it just the people? Even though you are running a country, there are many people who get newste and miss the right time. But what would happen if you could deliver the news right across the mountains, rivers, and even the sea? Ah! ah! Ah! As Hyang continued to speak, Gilbert and the others continued to exim in exmation. Hyang, who was looking at the schrs and researchers lost in the crucible of Hungbun, concluded: I will also register this part in the challenge record. But Im sure it wont be an easy task, so Ill give it a rating based on my imagination. Do your best. Ill do my best. Ill just trust you guys. It is certain that the lives of not only the people of the empire but also the people of other countries will be more convenient through this. We will keep this in mind! the schrs and researchers responded with loud voices. In this way, the scent that turned the electrical department upside down will return. As I was getting ready, Gilbert came up to me and bowed his head. After finishing my thesis, I couldnt find the way forward, but His Majesty the Great Emperor showed me the way. I will never forget this grace until I die. Thats too much praise. I was just talking about whatever came to mind. Of course, we will do our best to pursue the challenge record registration and grading issues. We will also do our best. * * * What Hyang did in the Electrical Department ssroom was immediately conveyed to the prefecture and officials. After hearing about the task Hyang had put forward, the prefecture said to the ministers: asked, What do you think? I think that if the tasks proposed by Tae Sang-sang can actually be used, it will be of great help to both the government and the peoples livelihood. Han Myeong-hoe bowed his head and responded to Hyuns words. That is true. Looking at past experiences, the light-emittingmunicationwork has been truly useful. But if we can ovee this, it will be many times more useful than it is now. Thats right. And looking at Emperor Taihang, who does not simply know the principles he did not know, but instead devises ways to use them to make the peoplefortable, it seems that there is a long way to go in the future. I must always keep the right to order and corruption in mind. Han Myeong-hoe urgently bowed his head at Hyuns pledge. Even now, there is no one who does not know that Your Majesty cares deeply about the people. Im worried that you might overdo it and harm the body. Dont do it! Dont embrace it! Dont increase the workload! Dont make me worry about the budget! * * * While the Electrical Department was busy working to solve the task given by Hyang, the Imperial Army approached the Electrical Department. We will help with the budget and add some people, so why dont you join us? Why? they asked. The electrical students who were present immediately nodded. Even now, the people who use the light-emittingmunicationwork the best and know its limitations well are the imperial army. If the problem posed by the scent was solved, the imperial army would be putting wings on the tigers back. Electricity For the department, the Imperial Armys proposal was not a bad one, so it was epted right away. And behind the scenes, Hyang was smiling in remorse. Now roll and grind. Lets hurry and get to the light bulb. At that time, everyone who was concentrating on research in the Electrical Department shuddered at the same time. I suddenly felt a chill Chapter 1035 Episode 1035: That thrilling name.. Electricity. (3) Other departments and academies of the institute also began to exert themselves in the oriental medicine reversal of the Electrical Department. Let us also take a look at Tae Sang-taes long face! It was the honor of a lifetime to be called directly to Hyang and Hyeon to give a lecture, and to have Hyang and Hyeone and listen to their lectures in person. No, it didnt end in glory. Recognizing the Hyang and Hyang, especially the Hyang, meant that ones aplishments were acknowledged. Immediately, the treatment changed and I was able to receive a much more generous budget. It was a golden opportunity to gain both fame and practical benefit. And if by any chance I received a research assignment from Hyang, things would change again from then on. If the grade of the task given by the scent was higher than horsemanship, it was worth risking a lifetime for. If I solve the task, my name will go down in history! The officials who saw these schrs shook their heads. No, I dont understand why you jump into a road that is clearly hell. Its really hard to understand because they want to get their assignments done on their own People who study physics cant figure it out If my child says he wants to study physics, Ill hit him with a stick. I have to break it to stop it * * * Amidst this craze, a major incident urred at the medical center. It was the discovery of cells. A fierce debate broke out over the existence of these cells, with opinions divided between the members of the Medical Center and those working on the front lines. Although high-ranking officials who believed that the debate had be so heated that it had deviated from its original purpose gave warnings several times, the debate amongwmakers divided into pros and cons still continued to be heated. ordingly, senior members of the Medical Academy and members renowned for their high medical skills joined hands and filed an appeal to the county. -.Because of this, the members of the National Assembly have lost their original intention and are only engaged in a war of words, so I believe that Your Majesty has taken care of them. Hyeon sighed involuntarily after reading the appeal for life extension. Whoa. Its not an easy task. why! Why! Why medicine! Im confident I could talk about steam engines and ships for three days and nights, but I know nothing about medicine! Hyun-eun looked at the ministers with his eyes darkened because it was not his field of virtue. What do you want me to do? In response to Hyeons question, the ministers kept their mouths shut and only bowed their heads. Like thest biography, everything thates up these days rted to physics is full of words that I dont understand Because of the circumstances, I had no choice but to give a general answer in the end. The gods have limited knowledge of medicine, so they cannot judge right from wrong. Therefore, it is considered a priority to call the doctor and listen to his story. I see. Go and call the doctor. After a while, thewmakers who had been called by the prefecture entered the Geunjeongjeon Hall. No, I called the royal doctor, but why did the maternal doctorse? In response to Hyeons question, the Taeui bowed down on the floor and answered right away. I heard that your Majesty called the royal doctor because of the cell. This part is controversial even between the royal doctor and the maternal doctor, so I came together. Please forgive the disrespect of the small people. So, youre saying that medical doctors and fetal doctors are arguing about this cell issue? So it is. Whoa~. Hyeon ced his hand on his forehead with a long sigh and immediately gave an order to thewmakers. Okay. Go back. Thewmakers quietly bowed to the prefects order and left Geunjeongjeon. Whoa~. Hearing Hyeons sigh, Han Myeong-hoe cautiously opened his mouth. How about asking His Majesty the Great Emperor for help? To Taesang? Hmm Hyun, who thought for a moment, got up from his seat. I think that would be best. * * * Hyang immediately moved after receiving Hyuns SOS. Arriving at the medical center, Hyang was guided to thergest lecture room. There are just cells! right! Bang, pound, pound! Situation over! Id like to do this, but I cant do it. Hyang sat down and looked at thewmakers and academy students filling the ssroom and opened his mouth. So who first imed that cell? The little man ising. He hesitated and looked at the front-linewmakers and asked the question again. What is the basis for iming that it is a cell? Chief people mainly deal with external injuries. When dealing with trauma The congressmans exnation was summarized as follows. -I had a question while treating broken and cut wounds. -I came to think that it would be more urate to call it something smaller, a bunch of cells, rather than just a lump of flesh or bone. -To determine whether this idea was valid, a craftsman created a tool and used this tool to confirm the existence of cells. Hmm What is that tool? Can you see it now? Yes! Ill get it now! After a while, Hyang saw the items the congressman brought and asked the congressman. Did you name it? What is it? I named it Microscope and the frame was taken from a telescope. This is because I thought that the principles of seeing things that are far away up close and seeing things that are small in a big way are simr. I see Hyang asked the doctor, holding a microscope that looked simr to a monocle. How do I use it? After learning how to use it from the doctor, Hyang held the microscope to his eyes and looked up for a moment. Is it because of my presbyopia? I cant see very well. At Hyangs words, one of thewmakers stood up and said to Hyang, Thats why small people deny cells! The only person who saw cells through the instrument called a microscope was this one, who argued for cells! This cannot be said to be solid evidence! Hyang nodded at the opposing members argument. Your opinion is reasonable. At Hyangs words, the member who first advocated for cells looked very disappointed. That member. Looking at the Hyang, Hyang continued, However, Rep. Lees argument also makes sense, and the process of proving it is also reasonable. However, there was no evidence that could convince everyone. I think this is definitely due to the poor performance of the tool. First of all, the performance of this microscope must be improved. That way, youll be able to tell whether its your illusion or whether those opposing you have weak eyesight, right? What do you think? I think its the best! All the members present agreed with Hyangs proposal. Hyang stood up from his seat and ordered the eunuch. Bring Da Vinci to Sugang Pce. Yes. Your Majesty. One of the council members asked Hyang a question as he was about to leave after making an inconclusive conclusion. With all due respect, what do you think about cells? I wont answer until a better microscopees out. Yes. * * * When Hyang arrived at Sugang Pce, Da Vinci, who had received the message and had been waiting, rushed over and paid his respects. Have you invited Your Majesty? Ah, I have a request for you to produce. Da Vinci responded to Hyangs order. His eyes began to sparkle. Just give the order! Follow me in. After receiving the outline of the microscope and the required performance from Hyang, da Vinci was confined to Area 51 and focused on manufacturing. After almost two months, he was not satisfied. Da Vinci, who produced a satisfactory result, reported it to Hyang. I havepleted the performance that your Majesty requested. But why didnt you bring it? To make it more beautiful.. Bring it to me right away. ! Yes. After receiving the microscope from Da Vinci, Hyang headed to the medical center with it. And the existence of cells was acknowledged. Your argument was correct. Congrattions. I am devastated! The congressman who advocated the cell theory under Hyangs reign expressed his gratitude with a face filled with tears. Returning to the Sugang Pce, Hyang muttered softly. The discovery of cells is important, but even more so. The important thing is that a usable microscope has been released. How many people would just leave that alone? And the trend went as Hyang had predicted. As the concept of cells and the existence of microscopes became known, many departments began to introduce and use them. However, the department that would use them most actively was, of course, It was a medical center. It was a microscope with better performance than the magnifying sses that had been used. The doctors made all kinds of specimens and observed them. Thanks to this, there was a rumor that all the meat in the meat barns around the medical center had run out. Such enthusiastic observation . As this continued, more and more medical knowledge began to umte. But the most groundbreaking among them was the discovery of capiries. With the discovery of these capiries, Galens blood theory, which had been considered certain, copsed. * * * The medical department that developed visibly after the establishment of the Medical Academy was surgery. At the same time, the most unconventional medical department that deviated from the tradition was the Department of Medicine. This was because the level of anatomical knowledge was very low in traditional Oriental medicine. Therefore, incense was widely used in Byzantine and Imic countries. Medical books were brought in, and surgeons unexpectedly had to learn Latin. As a result, surgery came to follow Western systems and theories rather than Oriental medicine systems and theories. However, this did not mean that they were followed unconditionally. It served as a kind of regional emergency trauma center. While treating many trauma patients through a military clinic, he discovered the gap between theory and reality and umted knowledge to find a solution. As the microscope was added to this umted experience and knowledge, Galens blood theory, which had been considered an immutable truth for a long time, was finally established. It had copsed. As the discovery and activity of capiries became known, the division of roles between Artery and Jeongbaek, whose roles had been ambiguous until now, became clear. One of the difficult problems in Daejeonroks Ugong-i-san level was solved. Hyang confirmed the report on this. I suggested to Hyeon, Since this is rted to human life, I think it would be good to publicize it widely. Bio asks the emperor for permission to spread the word about it. Hyeon immediately nodded to Hyangs petition. Sometimes, publicizing something more than hiding it can make it more valuable. All right. I will ept Tae Sang-taes request. Soon, ording to the order of the county, the articles tranted into Chinese characters, Latin, and Arabic were loaded onto ships and headed to the Ming, Japan, the Middle East, and Europe. The doctors and schrs who epted the articles were shocked. Galens theory . This is wrong? What is the basis? After checking the paper, the schrs ran to the nearby Imperial Chamber of Commerce and ced an order. Get me a microscope! Get me the imperial medical books! The most recent one! Everything! The schrs orders made the imperial merchants look perplexed. There is no big problem with the microscope since it is an item not used in the military The medical book is the problem. It is prohibited to take it out of the country. Its not, buthuu~ The imperial merchants who were talking sighed. Its extremely expensive and extremely abundant. Chapter 1036 Episode 1037: That thrilling name Biography. (4) The empires publishing and printing industry had grown enormously. Around the time King Sejong started making sutras, he started by printing and distributing books such as Nongsajikseol and Hyangyakjipseongbang inrge quantities. Afterwards, textbooks from various educational institutions, including the Social Democratic Institute, were distributed, and the printing press and printing technology developed once again. -This makes money! Merchants who smelled money here petitioned the government to allow the printing business. With King Sejongs permission, the empires publishing and printing industry began to grow rapidly. And the government made a lot of profit by selling type and printing presses. And printing-rted technicians emerged as a new profession. However, the biggest reason for the explosive growth of the empires publishing market was intellectual property rights and Jeongeum paper. As intellectual property rights were recognized for individual works, illegal copying such as copying became a crime, and people began to think that books can be bought with money. And as Jeongeum became popr, people in the empire began to look for things to read. To meet this demand, all kinds of rumors were poured into the stores. In order to survive in the non-fiction market that has already be a red ocean, business owners have begun to include illustrations. As time went by, illustrations that were ck and white began to contain more and more colors, and some artists began to make a name for themselves with their illustrations. Of course, most illustrators used pseudonyms to avoid the criticism that they were drawing pictures worthy of a vulgar story. Lastly, yellow paper, nicknamed lime paper, yed a leading role in growing the market. Traditional white paper and colored paper were expensive because they were made using paper mulberry as a raw material through abor-intensive process. However, the yellow paper made by Hyang was of lower quality than white paper, but it was cheaper because it could be mass-produced. For publishers who rely on simple materials, yellow paper was the best material. -Its only a short story, so theres no need to use good paper, right? The publishing market was not just about stories. Jobo () came into the sights of printers looking for a new market. The report prepared every morning at the Seungjeongwon and distributed to the king and high-ranking officials meticulously contained appeals, personnel changes in the government, and news from neighboring countries. Before Gyeongjang, official gazettes that copied this report were delivered to retired officials and influential noble families living in Hanseong. However, as the station was organized and the railroad wasid, the first thing in the morning was delivered to government offices throughout the main and northern districts on the iron horse. In areas such as Daeseoldo and Shinji, a weeks worth or several months worth was bundled up and transported on a regr basis. As the report was delivered every day, it became a new custom among the people of the empire to read the new report posted on the bulletin board and wall of the government office every morning. However, there were many people who were dissatisfied with this. I have face! How dare I cling to the wall and read without any shame! The people who were acting like they were acting in the neighborhood were dissatisfied with this. In particr, those who manage funds through investment safes had reasons other than Chetong. It was necessary to carefully read and analyze information rted to economic affairs, such as reports from the Ministry of Finance and Economy or news from neighboring countries, but it was not easy to read while stuck to the wall. Printers, seeing a new market, once again petitioned the country. As their petition was epted, a copy of the report was delivered to licensed businesses every morning at dawn. And private newsletters printed with the contents of this report were delivered to all directions on iron horses. As time passed, this jobo market also became a red ocean. This was because the government did not allocate regions to jobber printers. Therefore, job printerspeted fiercely to sell even one more copy. The first thing they tried was to add content. The goal was to encourage the selection of investors, who are major consumers, by adding content such as news of startups and business closures, investor recruitment news, and public construction announced daily by the Ministry of Finance and Economy and investment funds. To do this, printers hired additional people. Theypiled newsletters published by investment safes in the area where they lived and sent them to business owners. And others have distilled this information into attractive pieces. As more local information was included, more people subscribed, allowing printers to hire more people. And this was also Hyangs trick. * * * It was when Xiang was emperor that printers petitioned to print and sell Cao Bao. The subjects who confirmed the permission given by the township immediately pointed out the problem. If we do not allocate areas to businesses, it could lead to excessivepetition. Hyang responded firmly to his subjectsments. Competition is necessary. If the government allocates areas to businesses, it will be a monopoly. If that happens, listening to their petitions will be toxic. All the officials have to do is make sure that they trante the contents of the report properly. . They will be the mother of media organizations. You have topete. You cant just let yourself becent. As Hyang intended, newspaper printers made various attempts to win thepetition, and through those attempts, editorial newspapers evolved into a kind ofprehensive newsletter. As private news reports evolved like this, even high-ranking officials began to subscribe to private reports. * * * As the publishing and printing market grew, books, the main product, began to take on various forms, or even be prized. Most books were still printed on yellow paper. However, books began to appear that used the highest quality white paper, covered with sheepskin or cowhide, had straps made of high-quality cotton or silk thread, and wrapped around the edges of the covers. Most of these books, with their titles stamped in gold leaf, were books with a strong purpose of collection and disy, such asw books or scriptures. Other expensive books were major textbooks from various research institutes and academies. It was inevitable that they were expensive. Textbooks for majors, which were overflowing with Latin and all kinds of mathematical symbols, as well as Chinese letters and Chinese characters, had to be worked by professional typewriters and inspected by those who were familiar with the subject. And whenever I had time, I unfolded it. Because it had to be folded and folded repeatedly, durable materials had to be used generously. Because the market was small, mass production was impossible. In other words, major books were products that could never be priced cheaply. And the highlight of these major books was medical books, especially anatomy and herbal medicine. These were major books with fewparable books in terms of the amount and precision of illustrations. * * * As timeless scientific discoveries were made and Europe was once again struggling as an empire, the empire once again shocked the world. -We will ept immigrants! -Those who have learned Jeongeum and know the imperialnguage to some extent will be allowed to immigrate. -If you swear to follow thews of the empire and pay your taxes faithfully, we will allow you to emigrate! -I will allow you to immigrate if you pledge not to force your faith on others. -Schrs and engineers are preferred. The imperial announcement above was delivered to each country where the imperial embassy or imperial military base was located. Leaders of countries, especially European leaders, who confirmed the announcement delivered by the Empire, responded cynically. With so many things to discuss, who would want to go? Immigration is about going to enjoy a better life. But preferential treatment for schrs and engineers? Do you think schrs and engineers who have already established themselves, as opposed to peasants, will want to immigrate? However, there were some who expressed concerns about this. I dont know about others, but I think there are quite a few schrs. Look at the flock of schrs every time a notice is posted about the empire recruiting international students or researchers. Schrs and engineers are important talents to us, so we need toe up with a preparedness n. After confirming the empires announcement, the leaders of each country devised their own countermeasures. Although a considerable amount of time had passed since the empires announcement, there were surprisingly few people wishing to immigrate. This was the result of half of his own will. No matter how widely the name of the empire was known, it was still an unknown country located far away. Regardless of country, for people in remote viges, the empire was a country where dragons flew in the sky and all kinds of monsters were installed. Additionally, the empire was a pagan state, regardless of whether it was Catholic or Imic. There was a prerequisite of as long as you do not force your faith on others, but this could change into a situation where you can be forced to follow someone elses faith at any time. The response from schrs and engineers was not very positive. There were measures put forward by the leaders of the countries in question, but they also could not be confident of sessful immigration. Will my knowledge C or skills C allow me to go to the Empire and immediately settle down? The level of learning and technology of the empire, which everyone acknowledged was at least one step ahead, actually prevented them from deciding to immigrate. As the results were lower than expected, imperial officials analyzed the cause. What they were particrly interested in were the Ming and Japan . As it was a neighboring country, the empire expected that there would be many people wishing to immigrate from Ming and Japan, but instead, it had established an active control n. This was because of the past of the three countries. Japan is at least better. Ming is the most important issue. However, contrary to expectations, there were very few Ming people applying for immigration. The reasons why Ming people were not interested in immigration were as follows: -It is possible to make a living even within the Ming country. The wounds of the war have healed and physical strength has been recovered. The Ming Dynasty was able to live afortable life with its own domestic economy. In such a situation, there was no need to choose immigration with an uncertain future. However, even among the lower ss who were desperate for such an uncertain future, no one was interested in immigration. The country to which they immigrated was not. It was because it was an empire. Arge number of the people of the Ming Dynasty C at least more than half of the ordinary people C still harbored hostility towards the empire. In this situation, if it was known that they were immigrating to the empire, they could have suffered a misfortune before they even got there. Well, it would be good for us if people from famous countries donte, but. The imperial officials who analyzed the cause wrote a report with the expression that what is good is good. However, as time passed, unexpected people began to immigrate to the empire inrge numbers. They were Jews. * * * Most of the Jews who immigrated to the empire settled in Seoul and nearby areas. If you go to Jinji, you will receive better benefits. They went to Shinji in response to the suggestion of the imperial immigration officer. The Jews were from the rural areas of Eastern Europe. On the other hand, many of those who did not respond to the invitation and settled in Seoul and nearby areas were merchants or moneylenders. These people led to the emergence of new powerful people in the empire and the capital and investment markets. . Hyang, who received reports through various channels, had a strange expression on his face. Its Jewish capital this is so Chapter 1037 Chapter 1037: That thrilling name Biography. (5) When Jews suddenly appeared in the empires capital market, officials in charge of investment safes and the Ministry of Finance immediately requested cooperation from the Ministry of General Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of National Defense. Through the cooperation of various ministries, officials discovered the identities of Jews who had invested in the capital market and immediately reported this to the authorities. After receiving the report, Hyun looked back at the ministers. So, the property these Jews brought with them was put into an investment safe? The problem is their previous upation. There are many whoe from long-standing merchant families, but there are also many who made a business of usury? Thats right. Its usury Hyeon stroked his chin. One of the areas of peoples livelihood that the empire paid the most attention to was the private finance industry. * * * One of the first things King Sejong dealt with when he started making sutras was usury. It wasmon for people to sell themselves or their children as ves due to unimaginably high interest rates, which led to an overflow of ves. No, the sisters were in a better case. It was moremon to create borrowed documents full of all kinds of Chinese characters and hit people with short learning curves on the back. Whats worse is that they hired vicious thugs andmitted violence against those who borrowed money under the pretext of smoothly collecting interest or principal. As a side note, when Milwi was first created, people from the sword world joined as main members. Those who were immediately excluded from this selection process without asking or questioning were those who had been hired by usurers. Because the harmful effects of usurers were so great, King Sejong began arge-scale eradication. In this process, many local nobles lost all their honor and property and were forced to work in mines and were sentenced to hardbor or executed. This was because most of those who had enough capital to engage in usury business were local noblemen. King Sejong and the government, who actively cracked down on usurers, provided loans through the National Battlefield. However, usury private loans did not disappear easily. Even though the standards were set very low to solve the peoples debt problem, there were many who failed to pass the standards. It is the vice of Gwaine! Sejong, who was saddened by the situation, tried to lower the standards even further, but not only the ministers but also the prefectures opposed it. If we rx the standards any further, its not a loan, its just a red line! The money brought into the battlefield is also valuable property collected through the blood and sweat of the people! If you do not pay at least a minimum of interest to those who entrusted their money to the battlefield, the people will not entrust their money to the battlefield and will instead save it in the treasury! Then there will not be enough money to run the country! Faced with such strong opposition, King Sejong red at the government and ministers. Then what is the alternative? They are also our people of Joseon! It was Hyang that answered King Sejongsmand. Its about making private loans more positive. Private loans are being made benign? Yes, the private loan business is recognized as a business. Instead, collecting interest exceeding the interest rate set by the government is prohibited, and the procedures and methods of receiving principal and interest must also follow thews set by the government. Hmm King Sejong and the minister showed interest with sparkling eyes at Hyangs suggestion. In this way, a loan business emerged for those who could not receive loans even on the battlefield. However, as time passed, in addition to these official moneylenders, those who practiced usury like before began to appear. In order to crack down on this usury business that was going on secretly in the dark, the emperors and their subjects engaged in a bitter battle of wits with the usurers. * * * Because of these circumstances, the controversy over the origins of the Jews became serious. Are there any moves by them to restart the usury business in Seoul? Not yet, but the possibility is quite high. Hyun nodded after hearing the answer. Thats right. Its human to only follow the familiar path when finding a new path is difficult or scary. The problem is that the familiar path is usury. Han Myeong-hoe responded to Hyeons words. Robbers who believe only in their own strength and harass the people by lending money to usurers will appear again. Thats a problem too. But we cant impose sanctions based on his previous joblets wait and see. We cant step forward and break thew just because he was a former usurer. I follow your orders. The ministers all bowed their heads at the countys decision. -What is required of an emperor is the rule of virtue, and what is required of a country is the rule ofw. This was the philosophy by which the emperors governed the country. * * * The issue of Jewish moneylenders was dealt with, but the discussion continued. By the way. Among the immigrants to the empire, it seems that only the Jews have many people engaged inmerce or usury. Oh, there are also schrs. What do you think is the reason? Shin Sook-ju stepped forward and answered Hyeons question. I think its because of the perception of them. recognize? It is because of the tradition that the Jews were the ones who killed the Catholic doctrine that Europeans believed in. Hoo~. Is it guilt by association? It looks simr. Shin Sook-jus words continued. Afterwards, for one reason or another, they left their original home in Palestine and were scattered to all directions. However, as the author says, A stone that has rolled down is removed from the stone stuck in it, there are many people who wee people from outside the country, even people with different appearances and beliefs. I think thats why I got involved inmerce and usury. You cant run away withnd, but you can hide gold or jewelry and get hired. Right. Hyun nodded and pointed out another problem. Then why are there so many schrs? This time, Lim Soon-wook came forward to answer Hyeons question. In order to study properly, you need a lot of wealth. Why did you have the ability to learn snow and snow? So, youre saying that you used the money you saved to educate your children and turn them into schrs. Why? The disdain for merchants was not much different between us and Europe. It was the Jews who were looked down upon even more, so wouldnt it make no difference? However, schrs were treated differently, so it would have been natural for them to choose them. I see. As the author says, There is no tomb without a story. Hmm Hyeon, who thought about something for a moment, gave an order to the ministers. I will order the officers. Please give your order. Until now, our empire has selected and used talented people regardless of their origins. Therefore, the Jews are no exception. Please do not make any predictions in advance. I follow your orders. It is unfortunate that they had a hard time because of their ancestors, but that cannot be an iron fist. Never forget the word fairness. I will keep this in mind. The proviso iron fist was a type of indulgence that originated in ancient China. It was mainly given to founding contributors and was an official proof that they would not be charged with anything other than treason. In other words, to paraphrase Hyeons words, it was as follows. -They are looked down upon in Europe, so you should not discriminate against them based on prejudice. -But that doesnt mean we can feel pity for them and turn a blind eye to illegal activities. The reason Hyeon emphasized this was because of the imperial peoples way of thinking. When evaluating others, the imperial peoples values were pr opposites. -My ancestors were like that. Do you think that guy would be any different? -Think about what happened to those ancestors. How unfair would that guy be? Please take a look. For the most part, the county emphasized fairness. After finishing work that day, Hyeon found incense and talked about it. After hearing Hyeons story, Hyang nodded. Well done. Its unfortunate that they suffered persecution, but that shouldnt be their iron fist. If that happens, it will lead to even bigger troubles. If you say its an even bigger problem are you talking about a conspiracy? exactly. In response to Hyangs response, Hyeon quietly nodded and muttered to himself. The Emperor still has no intention of forgiving them. The they that Hyun thought of were those involved in the old Giyu rebellion by association. * * * All those who directly participated in the rebellion were executed, but all those who were tied up were made government ves and did hardbor in the mines. As time passed, Joseon became an empire, and most of those who were punished at the time died. And as there were very few descendants left behind despite being punished, appeals began to be filed to restore their identity. -The treasonmitted by their ancestors deserves death. But those who remain now are those who do not know that sin. It is appropriate to show mercy. -It reveals the emperors filial piety toward Emperor Won and Tae Sang-hang, who showed mercy to them. -Of course all the people will praise this. After seeing the appeal, Hyeon went to Hyang and asked him what his intention was. First, I want to see the appeal. After reading the appeals in question, Hyang responded to Hyeon. Its not worth thinking about. I still get shivers when I think about that day. Hyeon bowed his head in response to Hyangs reply that mentioned Beomgwol (I). I understand. But I am honestly worried that this will tarnish the reputations of the two of you. Emperor Wen once said this to me: I am not a holy lord. This is the same for me too. I am neither a saint nor a great prince. I just did my best. Show mercy? Thats just a pretense. In response to Hyangs response, Hyeon only bowed his head. And those mentioned in the appeal were not allowed to leave the mine until they died. * * * Hyun, who remembered the past, answered Hyang. I understand. I will order again to handle it fairly and without discrimination. That is the best. It is the same now, but the future empire will be a ce where people from different backgrounds, not just from the maind, gather and live. If discrimination urs because of different origins, then the empire will begin to copse. Keep this in mind. Its something you have to do. Ill keep that in mind. The conversation seemed to end like that, but both Hyang and Hyeon had other thoughts. The first person to speak was Hyang. Speaking of discrimination, somethinges to mind. I heard that Bukji and Shinji are busy with the goal of bing apanion for their eldest grandson. In response to Hyangs question, Hyeon smiled and nodded. Thats right. In the case of Northern Ji, I think it was very unfortunate that they were pushed out during Wus selection. Shinji thought that they couldnt be pushed out either. And Daeseoldo also joined in. Thats interesting. Thats right. Both Hyang and Hyeon looked intrigued. Thanks to Wus efforts as soon as he became crown prince, the event in question was now only a few years away. Chapter 1038 Episode 1038: That thrilling name Biography. (6) While the imperial court was paying close attention to the Jews who suddenly stood out in the imperial capital market, Jews also made their presence known on the other side. The field in which Jews showed their presence was academics. As already mentioned in the royal court, acquiring specialized knowledge was something that cost a lot of money. However, even Jews could be respected as long as their achievements were recognized. Because of this, many Jews became renowned as schrs. The reason why Jewish schrs with a solid social status immigrated to the empire was because of various research institutes and research institutes. Whenever several types of papers, textbook catalogues, etc. intentionally leaked by Hyang and Hyeon arrived in Europe, the European academic world was swept by a storm. Every time a theory that overturned the conventional wisdom or theory emerged from the empire, various attempts were made to disprove it. But most such attempts led to failure. The reaction of European schrs was divided into two. Either acknowledge or ignore the doctrines and theoriesing from the empire. -I havent found any counterevidence, but I still cant admit it. The theory that came from the empire is a wrong theory. -This is a theory that has been established as orthodoxy for hundreds of years. The empire is wrong. This was the response of the dismissive and denialists. In response, the positive faction criticized them by citing the following example. Then what is heliocentrism? The heliocentric theory is the symbol of a wrong theory! The geocentric theory is the correct theory! Lets not talk. Under these circumstances, Jewish schrs began to contemte emigration to the empire. -Even if a new doctrine or theoryes out from the Empire, it is toote considering the time it takes for it to reach Europe. And the Empire doesnt reveal everything. In other words, the intention was toe to the empire and directly encounter the sacred theory. There was also the advantage of being able to do research with budget support if you could get into the research institute. However, despite these advantages, they could not easily make a decision and only continued to deliberate. -What should I do if I go to the Empire and cannot enter the research institute? -Can I give up all the foundation I have built so far? While they were wandering around worrying over and over again, Challenge Rock made them move. * * * In the past, European schrs who had tasted the assignments of Jeonjeonrok that were deliberately leaked became addicted to Jeonjeonrok. I want to see more difficult problems and challenge myself. When I was struggling with this desire, these words were written at the beginning of papers recording new doctrines and theories that came out of the empire. -This is the answer to the task in the challenge record, and registration in the response record has been confirmed.. Is it also a challenge record? Dojeonrok is the holy grail of learning! In this craze, as new knowledge and discoveries such as the existence of oxygen, cells, capiries, and blood cirction theory emerged, many schrs stood up and left their seats. lets go! Following the movement of fellow schrs, Jewish schrs put aside their concerns and packed their bags. lets go! Lets move a little first and get a seat! What if I cant get into the researchb? If you listen to the story, youll have a chance to see the challenge log as long as you be an imperial citizen, so I can just research on my own! To seize the opportunity as quickly as possible, many Jewish schrs boarded ships heading to the empire. * * * The imperial court, upon seeing the Jewish schrs flocking to Seoul, hastily began the selection process. Language is not a big problem Most of the schrs who applied for immigration were fluent in Jeongeum and the imperialnguage. The reason it was possible was because of Jeonjeonrok. -If you want to see it, you have to see the original! Next was their field of expertise and their level of aplishment. Here was the problem. Just as the English expression for being knowledgeable is Renaissance Man, their main field was not just one thing. At least two or three double majors had religion or mysticism added to their basics. Or, if you are a religious person or a mystic who is interested in learning. So what is your major? Well, letse Whoa Whenever this kind of conversation took ce, the imperial officials in charge of screening ced their hands on their foreheads. Youre swearing In order to solve a difficult problem that was not a difficult problem, the officials reported to Hyeon, and Hyeon visited Hyang. Hyun, who was on his way to Sugang Pce, suddenly burst intoughter. Hahaha! I thought it didnt feel familiar to me, but then Tae Sang-taeng is like this. If you take out the religion and mysticism, you are Tae-sang Sang-tae. Everyone around them nodded at Hyuns words. After hearing the problem from Hyeon, who came to Sugang Pce, Hyang muttered to himself. It doesnt feel familiar somehow. Im used to it. This is what it felt like when I met a fellow fan in the 21st century, right? If you look at the behavior of schrs until the 19th century, it would be safe to call them nerds. Hyang, who was shaking his head as he felt a sense of kinship, soon came up with an answer. Why do we have to step forward? All we have to do is ask them what they want to research. Its up to us from there. Check how deep their knowledge is in that field and give them a professors position or a researchers position. All you need to do is give them a lesson. If thats not enough, you can make them learn it again at an academy or school. They are renowned as schrs, but if you ask them to learn again, they will be very resistant. Then tell them to go back. We brought them here? Arent they the ones who came because they wanted to? They say their education is too shallow to give them the position they want, so they rebel because they cant? Thats funny. It was a cold statement, but it was a correct opinion. Hyun nodded and epted Hyangs words. I think that would be best. The future of the schrs was determined through a revised review process based on the townships suggestion. Fortunately, because they were well-known schrs, most of them were able to be assigned positions as professors or researchers. With thisrge-scale influx of manpower, officials assigned to the research institute suffered from overwork. This was because, starting with the expansion of the building, all kinds of money had increased significantly, and as the amount of letters sent to acquaintances and rtives in Europe had increased, the amount of censorship had increased several times. * * * As the workforce increased, the research center became more active and began producing more and more results. What was most noticeable was the increase in the number of departments working together to coborate. A typical example was a case where a department researching electricity and a chemistry and industry department worked together. In the process of creating, storing, and transmitting electricity, newbinations of alloys have be necessary. And for this, cooperation with chemistry was essential. And in order to properly express the properties and capabilities of electricity, forms were essential. As already mentioned, because they were very knowledgeable people, at first, only schrs studying electricity worked on their work. However, the more I dug into it, the more difficult it became to do it on my own, and the more urgent it became to cooperate with other departments. And as time passed, more progressive results began to emerge. As the pace of scientific and technological development in the empire gradually elerated, unexpected and inevitable casualties began to appear. They were students attending the academy and graduate students attending various academies. Until I went to social school, I only learned basic arithmetic operations as before. However, those who started at Kihakdang or Middle School and then went on to academies such as Engineering Academy or Medical Academy had to learn increasinglyplex and difficult forms. Those who suffered most from this situation were those who challenged management. In the past, aspiring managers only had to study scriptures, but after bing an empire, going to industrial academies became a mandatory course. No, its hard to even properly dig up the scriptures, but its industry-academia! Industry-academia! In my grandfathers time, industry and academia were just entertainment, but they are essential! They are essential! No, you just have to be good at adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing! Why do you need suchplicated forms? What functions? Why draw pictures again! At the screams of aspiring managers, their teachers and senior officials could not help but smile bitterly. I need it. If youre not good at that, youll always have to live with overtime work, and youll miss out on a promotion. Oh, was overtime work always something youd enjoy? And at some point, it wasnt just management aspirants who said things like this. No! Im just nning to work at amercialpany, so why do I have to learn such things as industry and academia? I just need to be good at counting and keeping my ledgers urate! Why do I suddenly have to learn this strange thing called statistics! What is double-entry bookkeeping? As the society of the empire changed, more and more people entered industry and academies. The problem was that the number of industrial academies was limited. Therefore, thepetition to enter industrial academies has be increasingly fierce. The government, which sensed a problem in the overheated atmosphere, announced a response n after discussion. -Academies, such as industrial academies, are ces that train professional schrs to work in research institutes. -Schrs are people who devote their lives to their chosen field of study. -For this reason, additional expansion of industry and academia is not possible. -ordingly, we will train teachers to teach industry and academia and ce them in middle schools throughout the empire. I will also pursue private studies. -Thew will establish the minimum knowledge that a person in charge of teaching must have and the standards for the ce where teaching will be conducted, and permission to private schools will be granted to ces that meet these requirements. -If you pass the industry-academia exam conducted by the government in the future, you will be given the same qualifications as if youpleted the industry-academia academy. Shortly after the imperial promation was issued, requests for private schools began pouring in from all over the empire. ordingly, the government sent out officials to inspect it carefully and then granted permission. In this process, new jobs were created. He was an industrial school teacher. At first, they were mainly retired researchers from industry and academies, but over time, retired schrs or schrs who could not enter research institutes became teachers. In some ways, it was a blessing that schrs became teachers. This was because they were familiar with teaching students in Europe and the Middle East, so they were adept at teaching the students at the academy. However, it was still a difficult task for those who learned. This was because, as they learned from teachers who were more advanced than expected, the level of those who learned industry-academia at middle schools and private schools increased, and as a chain reaction, the level of sses at industry-academic schools also increased. After hearing the rted story, Hyang swept her heart and sighed in relief. Whew~. I never thought it would be so good to be able to just order a learned person to do it. In the beginning, I had to make various calctions because of the smell. However, as time passed, only the idea and basic design of the fragrance was left to others to handle the precise design based on urate calctions. And once I got my hands on Da Vinci, it was a scent that only gave me ideas. What should I do if you twist me? Im in a prenatal situation? Chapter 1039 Chapter 1039: That thrilling name Biography. (7) Through thebination of various necessities and coincidences, the problem of talent shortage in ces such as research institutes that require highly educated people wasrgely solved. But just as there is shadow when there is light, a problem also arose. In all areas that required mathematical expressions, such as statistics, as well as in advanced industry and academia, which could be said to be fundamental,rge quantities of Greeknguage (also ancient) and arithmetic symbols known only to those who first created mathematical expressions began to overflow. The reason why this happened was because schrs are also human and many schrs are mystics. Schrs from Europe and the Middle East working in research institutes and other institutions had simr feelings of pride or awareness. -Greece was the first to start devising the principles of all things in a rational way! -The wise men of ancient Greece deserve respect! Because of this pride or awareness, many variables in the form were expressed using the ancient Greek alphabet. This was especially severe among schrs who were monks from Europe. This was because the conservatives in the Vatican had a strong habit of going to various lengths to preserve and pass down the ssics. Another problem was that most schrs from Europe and the Middle East were mystics. Although there were many pure schrs from Europe and the Middle East, the overwhelming majority of schrs, especially in chemistry and physics, were alchemists. And most alchemists were mystics. Finding a way to turn lead into gold, or finding a way to make the Philosophers Stone or Elixir, most of these things were unthinkable without mysticism. Therge-scale influx of Jewish schrs there was a situation that would best be described as to make matters worse. Many of the new Jewish schrs were Kabbalists who believed in and studied Jewish mysticism. Whether in Europe or the Middle East, mystics were persecuted. Therefore, they used symbols and words that only they knew, and these habits created problems. The pride of schrs also yed a role. -Will you foolish people understand these forms created with My excellent knowledge and wisdom? -Only me and my students need to understand this form! Therefore, whenever schrs came up with a new form, there were longer footnotes exining the meaning of various symbols in the form. -Ill show you some generosity and at least exin the meaning. Praise my excellence! As time passed, this problem became more serious. Even though it was created by the same person, it reached a point where the same symbol had different meanings if the form was different, leading senior schrs to ask Hyeon for help. Isnt it okay for you guys toe forward? Senior schrs bowed their heads in response to Hyeons question. Its not easy because they all have sky-high pride. They wont be able to ovee their sense of entitlement and will see it as finding fault. I already think so. From the answers of the elder schrs, Hyeon was able to understand why the elders came to him. Pride is suppressed with greater authority, is this it? I understand. Let Jim think about the answer. Hwang Eun is devastated. After sending out the senior schrs, the county let out a long sigh. Ha~. Thats what I said, but ording to Hyeons experience umted since his days as the crown prince, this was not an issue that could be easily resolved even if he himself took action. Pride In particr, the pride of those who had achieved great heights in one field was unrivaled. Of course, there were people who were humble despite their high status, but the number of such people was very small. There is a reason why such people are respected by everyone. Therefore, it was certain that if the emperors authority was used to force a move, there would be a greater bacsh. The correct answer is that you have to press it with skill. Even though I think its pretty easy, I cante up with an answer because the white thing is paper and the ck thing is letters. Hyuns eyes lit up as he looked through various papers from the research institute. what? Even those who created arbitrary forms used the symbols for the four arithmetic operations that Hyang had created. Hyeon stroked his chin and muttered. Just if its the situation Even schrs with high self-esteem would bow their heads in front of incense and then fall to the ground. Something like the knowledge of scent. There was no one who could show off in front of the results so far. Hyun stood up and ordered the eunuch. Im going to Sugang Pce. Let Tae Sang-tae know. Yes, Your Majesty. * * * Hyang, who heard the story from Hyeon and heard more detailed stories through various channels, sighed and burst intoughter. Heh, everythinges from Greece. Its not even the Chinese origin theory of everything, youre saying something that would make Egyptians angry if they heard it. In the 21st century, Chinese people who are addicted to excessive China-first ideology have be a subject of ridicule by iming the following. Hyang, who briefly recalled memories of her past life, soon came to her senses and sighed as she looked at the papers posted by schrs. Whew. No matter how mystical it is, even a thesis is written in such a way Is this a thesis or a collection of poems? Since it was written like this, all kinds of conspiracy theories started popping up, like Freemasonry and Illuminati. In the end, Hyang called all the schrs to Sugang Pce. Large tents were spread out in the wide yard in front of Myeongjeongjeon at Suganggung Pce, and invited schrs sat on chairs and waited for the incense. After a while, Hyang appeared and opened his mouth to the schrs. The reason I have called you today is because I have something I want to tell you. First of all, when I look at the results you have posted so far, I cannot hide my satisfaction at seeing the effort you have put in. Because of your efforts, people have learned many principles that they were unaware of until now. I came to know this. Its all your fault. All the schrs gathered in the room bowed their heads to the scent. Thats too much praise! It is truly an honor for Tae Sang-hang to say that! It was truly an honor to receive praise from Hyang, who was considered the greatest intellectual of his time. In a warm atmosphere, the scent got to the point. But I am even more worried. You have probably heard many things already, but your thesis and forms are the problem. It is not umon for B or Byeong to not recognize the forms and thesis written by A. This must be resolved. . After pointing out the problem, Hyangs words began to raise eyebrows. Are you writing a thesis or a poem right now? A thesis is not something to brag about! A thesis is to have others evaluate what you have devised and think! Others may see it as correct or worth verifying. And until the same resultse out and are recognized through that process, everything youe up with is just a hypothesis! But what if you submit a paper using your own expressions and symbols that others cannot understand? Do you think you are confident? Do you want to be recognized as correct in your theory, or did you just write this paper as a way to show off? The schrs expressions hardened at Hyangs harsh remarks. But Hyangs reprimand did not stop. What is the duty of a schr? It is to reveal the truth of all things in the world! Then why do you have to reveal the truth? It is to teach the people who do not know the truth so that they do not fall into the wrong path! But you are exining the truth using words and symbols that only you know. If you reveal it, how will the people understand the reason and avoid the wrong path? The behavior you are showing now is neglecting your duties! The ce where you work now is a ce to devise a reason for the people, not a ce for your own entertainment. No! Those who seek only their own satisfaction should leave their workce immediately! Hyang paused for a moment, quenched her throat, and continued speaking. Are the words spoken by the ancient sages, the words spoken by Jesus, your founder, and Muhammad while preaching the truth, asplex and difficult as the thesis you wrote? Do you really believe that you are superior to the dogmas of your religion? ! Answer me! Oh no! It has been said since ancient times that the truth is concise, and the better those who know the truth, the easier it is to announce the truth. Are you revealing the truth now? Are you asking it into an even darker ce? Afterwards, Hyangs reprimands and advice continued. In the end, the schrs gathered at Sugang Pce that day agreed to unify the various symbols and terms used in the paper. * * * A newmittee was created at the research institute through arbitration rather than the townships arbitration. -Academic Terminology Integration and Standardization Promotion Committee. The task of the long-namedmittee was to standardize and unify various industry-academia symbols and terms that had been a problem for some time. Themittee began work in earnest as signs were put up and people were selected. No, we went to war. This was because even schrs who had published at least one paper containing their own forms came forward and insisted that theirs should be the standard. Controversy and verbal warfare broke out, sometimes even gang fights involving disciples, and political corruption and fraud continued to ur. In the end, themittee members and senior schrs who were tired of this ran to Hyeon again, and Hyeon passed to Hyang. Hello, Emperor. I am too old to do such an important task. Only Tae Sang-tae can do this. Huh Please take a look at me! This is Hwangmyeong! Eng! Hippopotamus! Eventually, the scent had toe out again. The way Hyang solved the problem was as follows. -First, decide on the symbol that symbolizes the variable. It is based on the ancient Greek alphabet. -Choose the following symbols with the same or simr meaning. And those who created the symbol exin why they created this symbol in front of all schrs. -Afterwards, the most suitable symbol is selected through a vote by schrs. -Repeat the above two procedures for other symbols. If a new symbol is createdter, the above two procedures are repeated. -Repeat the above two procedures for terminology. In this way, issues of terminology and symbols began to be quickly sorted out. What is interesting is that themittee also proceeded with simr procedures. However, the reason for the difference between sess and failure was scent and voting. The difference between the overwhelmingly high presence of incense and the choices of all schrs was what made the difference between sess and failure. As the work was almostpleted, the results were reported to the county and county. Do I see familiar things that gave me trouble when I was in school? I didnt know the scent, but it was a huge butterfly effect. Through this organizing work, trials and errors that hadsted for at least 100 years and nearly 300 years were reduced at once. But the scent was also something to be expected. Hyang looked interested as he looked at the papers that kepting to him. Well, it was something I did, but during this period, a lot of new technologies and knowledge emerged. If this continues, wont Newton announce the Theory of Rtivity and Einstein announce Warp Navigation? Hyang, who was imagining things with a face full of curiosity, opened a booklet hidden to one side and picked up a gold pen. The theory of rtivity and warp Should I write it down in my journal? Chapter 1040 Episode 1040: That thrilling name Electricity. (8) The standardization work of terminology and various symbols went smoothly on track thanks to a cheat called incense. Looking at the results umting one by one, Hyun expressed his gratitude to Hang. I was able to ovee a big crisis thanks to Tae Sang-hang. I am truly grateful. Thats too much praise. But this is the problem. Whats the problem? Hyang answered Hyangs question with a calm expression. Think about my age. If simr problems arise after I die, how will you solve them? Will you bring in monks or shamans who are said to worship all gods and perform a supersoul? Youre still in good health, but its a blessing in disguise. You should live a long life. Im already approaching my 90th birthday. And dont get sidetracked. Just like the research institute, the government is also simr. So this problem cant be avoided just by avoiding it. The next emperors should also think about it. sorry. Hyeons expression as he apologized for Hyangs words was not very good. Many people who were considered worthy had already passed away. And now, people like Han Myeong-hoe, Im Soon-wook, and Jang Hang-seon, who were swaying the major and minor ministers ording to the will of the prefecture, were in a state of despair and on the verge of retirement. Hereiny the problem of empire. Whether by luck or misfortune, the prime ministers, deputy prime ministers, and ministers of past empires lived as long as their outstanding abilities. Thanks to this, the empire was able to grow steadily while maintaining policy consistency. However, when long-serving prime ministers step down and new prime ministers and deputy prime ministers take their positions, problems big and small inevitably arise. No matter how worn and worn it was under the previous Prime Minister, the position of giving orders and the position of receiving orders were different. Thanks to this, big and small trials and errors urred and we had to work hard to correct them. Fortunately, so far, the sessors have had great careers and arepetent, so the bumps have not been that big. In addition, living databases such as Tae Sang-hyang and Sang Sang-wan assisted the emperor, so the rattle caused by the change of prime minister was weak to the level of a minor tremor. But this was the problem. -If Hyang and Wan disappear, or if the next generation and birth situation are 100, what is the probability of living a long and healthy life? -The problem is not just the situation and the actual situation. What if the ability and experience of the senior ministers who will form the prime ministers team do not support it? What would you do if you disappeared as soon as you became prime minister due to life expectancy issues? -In the worst case, among those who make up the court, the emperor may be the one with the longest career and broad outlook. ording to thew, the emperor is the one who has umted all kinds of administrative experience since his time as crown prince. * * * Hyeon, who sympathized with Hyangs point, ordered to call Han Myeong-hoe the next day and discuss this. I follow your orders. Han Myeong-hoe, who resigned after receiving the order, called Im Sun-wook, Jang Hang-seon, and other ministers together and began discussions. Its definitely a problem. I disagree. Plus, when I see young people these days, I feel so frustrated that I feel like Im about to explode. The talent these people have developed as they build their careers is not their ability to do things, but their talent for just rolling their eyes Im worried too. If you look at things these days, they are stuck close to the ground and rolling their eyes The story gradually changed to criticizing young officials. Why is the story going to the mountains? Han Myeong-hoe, who was smiling wryly at the endless things these days stories, hurriedly changed the topic to the main topic. Now! ruler! Isnt that whats important? Lets find the answer to the order given by His Majesty. Im Sun-wook immediately responded to Han Myeong-hoes words. Thats why Im talking now. Thats right! These days, things are like this Han Myeong-hoe hurriedly cut off the conversation as he was about to continue. Didnt the captains always hear the words, Its bad when they were young? In response to Han Myeong-hoes words, another minister said, They red at Han Myeong-hoe. Even though they said that, Han Myeong-hoes expression was the opposite. No, not only Han Myeong-hoe, but Lim Sun-wook and Jang Hang-seon also had simr expressions. Yes! This is a special treat for you! How can a person who passed the civil service examination in the past live in such a miserable way? So! Suddenly, an arrow was pointed at them, and Han Myeong-hoe hurriedly silenced the ministers. Stop! Please keep in mind that any further remarks are prohibited by nationalw. In the old days of King Sejongs time, ministers who had been engaged in a war of words would argue by putting not only the other persons past rank in the state examinations but also the well-being of the other persons parents, so King Sejong banned this byw. Ugh The ministers fell silent with faces filled with dissatisfaction at Han Myeong-hoes point. When the uproar subsided, Lim Sun-wook spoke again. Im sure young people these days are the problem. When faced with a problem that is difficult to find an answer to, it is standard practice to look to precedents for help. If there is no precedent, it is also standard practice to do your best to find an answer. Regardless of whether you fail or seed, only then will it be experience and career. However, these days, if there is no precedent, friends tend to give up and say, It cannot be done because it is unprecedented. This is a big problem. Our thinking is so rigid that there are people who are even older than us and are even more rigid than us. To put it simply, weck flexibility and adaptability. It is certain that people like this will face great trouble when they rise to high positions in the future. The ministers all nodded at Jang Hang-seons words following Lim Sun-wook. Han Myeong-hoe, who heard the story, let out a long sigh. Whew~. I also agree with that part. How did ite to this Seong Sam-mun, who had been sitting quietly in response to Han Myeong-hoesints, opened his mouth. Think about the situation with Emperor Yuan and the prenatal situation. And think about the people who were with them. Where were the ordinary people? Ah At Seong Sam-moons words, everyone in the conference room let out exmations at the same time. It is safe to say that Sejong, Hyang, Hwang Hee, Maeng Sa-seong, Kim Jeom, and Kim Jong-seo were beyond the scope of criminals. Those who are sitting here now are considered powerful people in their own way, but they pale inparison to the prominent figures of the previous generation. For those who grew up seeing the results created by such prominent people, it was a wall they could not ovee. No, it has be a wall that cannot be ovee. huh? Lets change what they decided? Should I change it? Are you that handsome? With these words, they had to undergo several times more rigorous screening and evaluation, and most of them were unable to ovee this hurdle and ended up holding up unprecedentedness as a shield. Seong Sam-moon continued speaking. And this issue has been discussed many times in the past. But everyone ignored it and covered it up, saying they were busy running state affairs. Big! Big! greatness! The ministers, embarrassed by Seong Sam-moons criticism, turned their gaze elsewhere and cleared their throats. Likewise, Han Myeong-hoe, who cleared his throat once, asked Seong Sam-moon. Then do you have any good ideas? It is my opinion but I think it would be better to create a council of elders. Council of elders? Seong Sam -moons thoughts were as follows: C Among the high-ranking officials above the vice minister level, those who have retired and members of the council to discuss the current situation. -It is the duty of the members of the Council of Elders to provide advice when the emperor and the court request advice. -However, as can be seen from the name Council, they are not given political authority. Hmm . Han Myeong-hoe, who was pondering Seong Sam-moons exnation, looked at Seong Sam-moon. Are you saying you want to change the name of Giroso? Since Sang-tae and Tae-sang are joining in, shouldnt we change it? Hmm While Han Myeong-hoe was thinking about it again, Lim Soon-wook pointed out the problem. Are you not aware of Girosos problem now? Isnt it an empty house with only a sign on it because there are no retired people? Giroso was created as a government office for friendship and courtesy of retired civil servants of the second rank or higher. However, as the Gyeongjang ended and it was changed to the Empire, not only civil servants but also military attachs became Giroso. However, the problem was that none of the qualified people, regardless of whether they were civil or civil servants in the empire, had entered the Giroso. Because they worked until they died. Seong Sam-Moon immediately responded to Im Sun-wooks point. Thats the point, the retirement age. Lets create a year. Retirement age? Seong Sam-moon continued his exnation again. C It is stipted byw that those who enter the military or civil service after entering the civil service must work for a certain period of time after entering the civil service and then retire. C This period of service is after entering the civil service. It is for 40 years or until the 60th birthday. -However, for high-ranking officials of vice minister or higher, the period is limited to 10 years after taking office. Unless it is a serious crime such as infidelity or treason, this period is guaranteed byw. .This is aw that has been handed down since ancient times. It is taken from 10 Years of Power. And if we do this, we can continuously change the water, so we can solve the problem of corruption and excessive rigidity. Hmm Thats okay. It looks okay. All the ministers who heard Seong Sam-moons exnation nodded. New. If those who became ministers or prime ministers werecking in ability, the council of elders could help, and it was okay to maintain the status quo for about 10 years and then rece them immediately. No, if they were to be noticed by all sides before that, they would resign on their own. And so on, the generations continued. It would also be easy to adapt to the changing times. If it was insufficient, the council of elders could help. When the ministers responded in a protective manner, Seong Sam-moon struck the final blow. And after reaching retirement age like this, he could spend the pension he had umted and live leisurely. Wouldnt it be good to just do it? At that moment, the eyes of everyone in the conference room shed. The best! Lets put it in writing right now! As I already said, retirement = death is not a tradition that has been handed down to high-ranking officials until now. Even the emperor ascends when the timees , so why cant we? In an instant, everyones agreement was reached, and the contents and sentences of the document to be submitted to Hyun were coordinated. Han Myeong-hoe, who was watching the process of creating a report full of wonderful sentences like never before, looked back at Seong Sam-moon. They say Im a trickster and a snarky snake, but the captain is. Its a real trick. * * * When Han Myeong-hoe and the ministers were putting their heads together to create something called the Seniors Council, Hyang was reading the report in his hand with a strange expression. Its good to advance the times, but this problem arises. What Hyang received was a collection of terms posted by the institutes electrical department. In this collection, Hyang felt something different. Volt-Ampere Ohm these things have all changed. The name of the unit that represents the strength of voltage, current, and resistance is Everything had changed. Hyanghyang, who had been looking at the glossary several times with a sense of confusion, sighed. They were all taken from peoples names, so it cant be helped, right? Hyanghyang, who acknowledged that there was nothing he could do, looked out the window. I guess this part is a matter of familiarity Chapter 1041 Episode 1041: That thrilling name Biography. (9) Regardless of ones feelings about the scent, schrs did their best to select the most suitable words and symbols. Their selection criteria were Latin and ancient Greek. They chose electron (?˦ŦʦӦѦϦ) and its Latin word elecricus as words symbolizing electricity. This word, which means amber in ancient Greek, was chosen to honor Thales of Miletus, who is said to have been the first person in history to study electricity. Afterwards, the selection was made bybining the initials of the word with the E of Electricus. To give a simple example, it was as follows. Voltage is written as voltage in the static sound, Electricus Intrare in Latin, and EI as the symbol. In the case of resistance, the static sound is Resistance and the symbol Electricus Resisitentia was created as ER. The problem was current. The Latin word for flow was Influun, and if the symbol was created ording to a setbination method, it would be the same as the symbol for EI voltage. The n proposed by themittee that was struggling to solve this problem was EF. I think Im okay but Im a little uneasy. Although the selection of words and symbols waspleted, themittee could not hide its anxiety. Although themittee members as well as professors and schrs in the Department of Electrical Engineering agreed, it was still uneasy. The reason they were so anxious was because of the memory of the uproar that calmed down only after the scent was released. In the end, themittee went directly to the scent and asked for their opinion. Hmm I guess its okay. But I dont think this is something you should ask me to decide? Themittee members, who were sighing in relief at Hyangs answer, looked slightly embarrassed at Hyangs subsequent question. Hyang guessed the whole story from that expression and continued speaking again. Looking at the results presented by themittee after the selection method was decidedst time, I dont think there was any bacsh from schrs? Thats true. But I was worried that this case would be cited as a precedent. Are you saying that on your own authority? Im sorry, but thats true. Whoa~. Hyang sighed and gave advice to themittee members. This is a bad precedent. You must create your own authority. How long will youe to me and seek the Emperor? Will you make those who seed you seek the Emperor when something simr happens? Those of you who found me Why were you appointed as amittee member? Isnt it because your authority was recognized? But what if that authority is undermined? I apologize. We will ensure that something like this does not happen in the future. I will do my best. Ill believe it. After hearing advice that was not advice from Hyang, themittee members left Hyangs office. The old eunuch who was seeing off themittee members outside the door looked around and whispered to themittee members. Cheer up. Still, you didnt hold your tongue. I see. Thank you. The members of themittee expressed their gratitude with brightened faces after hearing the inner officers words. Tongue clicking, a habit passed down to emperors since the reign of King Sejong, was established as a very clear evaluation standard. -Just criticize or point out. ]Just dont make the same mistakes. -Click your tongue once] Correct the pointed out part immediately or exin it in more detail. -Clicks ones tongue more than twice. ] Immediately plead guilty and fix everything. And he harasses his subordinates. The seniors who exined thisw, which is not thew, to their sessors concluded their remarks like this. From the second case, you and I are the ones who are suffering and getting criticized unconditionally. Are you saying no? There is nothing you can do. If you say no, you will be promoted. * * * Soon, new duties were added to themittee. -Recognition of review and verification of newly published papers. In any case, in order to establish new terms and symbols, doesnt the paper have to be reviewed, verified, and acknowledged? Why work twice? It was a decision made by the county regarding the MSG vor. ordingly, themittee, which was thought to be a temporary organization, changed into a permanent organization. All of themittee members who epted the order let out a long sigh. Whoa. My nose is three feet wide There is research going on right now Even now, papers areing in As time goes by, themittees Authority became higher and stronger. Whenmittee members seats became vacant for one reason or another, schrs from all over the empire gathered to elect new members to fill the seats. In this way, bing amittee member meant that the authority of the party was recognized. Passing themittees review was an evaluation that the paper was academically valuable. As time passed, themittees status and authority became higher and stronger. And eventually, it became the worlds most authoritative academic review body. * * * As theoretical systems were being established one by one, schrs were creating new problems. No, we were meeting. It was because of the generator that Hyang had mentioned when he first received a report about electricity. -If maism can be created using electricity, wouldnt it be possible to create electricity using maism? Hearing Hyangs words, schrs devoted themselves to research and work day and night to create a generator. It was a series of trials and errors, like finding a way through the fog, but the schrs did not give in. It was so bad that schrs and researchers from other departments shook their heads every time they passed by the Electrical Departments researchb, where the lights stayed on even at night. Those peoplethey are worse than the madmen from the industry and academia And every time they heard something like this, the academics and researchers from the industry and academia all got angry. What are we doing? Why! Is it a crime to study hard? Juste here with math problems! Theyll never help you! Even though it was too much to solve the assignments left by the schrs, I forced myself to take the time to help them, and then you say something like this! Juste! Ill sprinkle salt on you! Due to the opposition from academics and researchers from industry and academia, schrs and researchers from other departments had to pray hard. * * * All departments at the institute made the same effort to solve the difficult problems on the challenge list. However, the volume and level of difficulty of industry-academia was unrivaled. In the case of other departments, most of the difficult problems listed in the challenge log were original, with a small amount of those created by King Sejong and others. However, the industry-academic department was full of monsters, including Lee Soon-ji. And there were many difficult problems that such monsters were listed in the challenge log. Lee Sun-ji, who was as famous for his harsh words as King Sejong and Hyang, was also famous for his academic and industrial skills. There were more than one famous anecdote that Lee Sun-ji left behind. -huh? Are you saying you use Semptle and Semptle Tong? At this level, you should be able toe up with an answer in your head just by looking at it. If youre going to do that, wear a helmet instead of a head. -This is a friend who cant even count without his fingers and toes. -Do you want me to write down the solution process? When you breathe, do you breathe out while thinking about exhaling and inhaling this time? Is the solution the same as breathing? When you look at the form, the solution process should naturallye to mind! Im so busy already, do I even need to write the solution process? It was a harsh remark that could have made anyone who heard it grab their cor, but because it was Lee Soon-ji, most people just scratched their heads and groveled. Although she was so scathing and sarcastic, she also wrote down the solution process in detail when necessary, so most people did not take Lee Sun-jis harsh words seriously. Thats because that friend is surprisingly prim. If you show off just twice, it would be a good idea to get stabbed. When Yi Sun-ji died, Yi Sun-jis house was crowded with schrs and researchers who came to pay condolences, boasting a reputation of its own. My father told me to present it to His Majesty the Emperor and the Crown Prince. Lee Soon-jis son, who came to pay his respects to Hyeon and Hyang, held out a thick bundle with a careful gesture. About a dozen thick books popped out from inside the bundle, and Hyun, who checked the contents, handed them to Hyang without a word. Hyanghyang looked at the contents of the books Hyeon handed her and let out a long sigh. Whew~. I definitely have to register it in the challenge record. The minimum level I can get is horsemanship. It really is Seongbo (Lee Sun-jis pen name) to the end. On this day, Lee Soon-jis house was overflowing with cries from schrs and researchers. Oh my gosh! Among Yi Sun-jis difficult problems listed in Jeonjeonrok, there were some that remained unresolved even after hundreds of years. These problems wereter referred to as Lee Sun-jis difficult problems, and caused headaches for many industrialists and schrs around the world. * * * Suffering from overwork as much as industry-academic departments are famous for overwork, schrs and researchers in the Department of Electrical Engineering were working on generators. The really big problem is Then one day, while taking a break, the schr said to his colleague. The number of people is increasing, but why isnt the work decreasing? Because there is no answer. Ah Although arge number of Jewish schrs had been recruited, the schrs were frustrated by the situation where there was still no solution in sight. However, those who were as frustrated as the schrs were the craftsmen who cooperated with them. How are you going to make this? Is this a drawing or an amulet? Craftsmen who received rough drawings or sketchy drawings shook their heads andmented. In the end, those who suffered the most were the researchers caught in the middle. This was because there was back and forth between schrs who pushed for the results of the blueprints handed over to the craftsmen and craftsmen who took issue with the insincere blueprints. Hyun, who heard the story through several channels, immediately came to a conclusion without even going to Hyang. Teach schrs how to draw blueprints! Woo, who also serves as the director of the research institute, expressed his disapproval at the countys order. There are schrs who are busy with their own research. There may be bacsh. I learned how to draw a blueprint, and you, the crown prince, learned it too. Even the Crown Prince draws a proper blueprint himself when necessary. How dare a schr object? If a schr objects, call Jim! I will draw it for you! I will do my best to educate you! Tsk! As Wu expected, some schrs who heard Hyuns orders protested. But their opposition soon subsided. Hyeons words were scary, but Hyangs words were added to them. Your Majesty the Emperor is busy with state affairs, so wouldnt it be better for me to go? Eventually, schrs and researchers had to stop what they were doing and learn how to draw a blueprint. As the main contractor created a proper blueprint, the subcontractor craftsmen were able to work more easily. No, it wasnt just the craftsmen who were good. As proper blueprints emerged, experienced craftsmen quickly identified and pointed out problems in the blueprints, thereby increasing the level ofpleteness of the blueprints. As attempts and failures were repeated, the shadow of an answer began to enter the schrs field of vision. Chapter 1042 Episode 1042: The Age of Quasi-Controversy C The Age of Copycat. (1) While the empire was still busy internally, the mes of war were once again burning in Europe. France and Habsburg shed again. The reason France and Habsburg shed again was because of the Lorraine region. There had long been signs that France and Habsburg would sh again in Lorraine. Because it was a sh between the two great powers that upied the center of Europe, neighboring countries were very nervous and watched their every move, and dispatches continued to arrive in the empire. Are these people not even tired of war? Or are they suffering from a disease that will kill them if they do not fight even for a day? Han Myeong-hoe stepped forward and responded to Hyunsints after confirming the report. Its probably because they cant help it. I cant help it? Why? Ites from iron and coal. Iron and coal? Hmm Hyun, who was thinking about Han Myeong-hoes words for a moment, pointed out the problem. I understand that a lot of iron and coal are already being produced in the southern new continent they call Terra? The south is far away. And the road to and from the country is difficult, so there are many cases where you lose the coal and iron you worked so hard to get, as well as the more valuable ships and people. That is why the iron and coal mines right in front of you are even more desirable. No matter how much it is, when a war breaks out, many people lose their lives or be disabled Hyeon, who could not hide his regret, ordered Han Myeong-hoe. Tell the imperial troops stationed in Europe, especially the imperial troops stationed in Gibraltar, to be careful of Spains movements. Because there will definitely be people trying to take advantage of the chaos to do stupid things. I will follow your orders! Han Myeong-hoe, who had finished discussing the county and state affairs, looked up at the sky for a moment and let out a long sigh. Whew~. I thought I was just going to retire like this Phew~. Han Myeong-hoe, who was sighing repeatedly, looked back at the person following him. Hey,e on, dongji (֮ͨ). These are the things you will do from now on. Han Chi-hyeong, who was following Han Myeong-hoes words, frowned and said, The superintendent is still making corrections, so why are you already handing over the work? What? Think about my age. But theres still a lot to see and learn. I will just watch and learn from the events that the Vice President does. Huh, a dog passing by would dieughing that a person who is even the Minister of General Affairs has so much to watch and learn! ording to thew, I have to watch and learn from the side for a year. . And only three months have passed. * * * In the past, thew proposed by Seong Sam-moon was approved by the prefectural government after passing through an examiner. ording to thew, a new prime minister or minister can stay with his predecessor for up to one year and hand over work. It was supposed to be received. This was to prevent as much as possible the work gaps and trial and error that would ur before and after the handover. However, after the bill was implemented and the next prime minister and ministers were selected, a fierce battle of wits broke out. They wanted to hand over the work as quickly as possible and enjoy theirter years. It was a battle of wits between predecessors and sessors who tried to take over work aste as possible. In the end, Hyang and Hyeon had to move again. Tsk, tsk, tsk! I appointed them based on their abilities and loyalty. What a disgrace! What else is this but a delusion of military power! How ugly! Tsk, tsk! As Hyeon clicked his tongue and scolded without stopping, his sessors had to bow their heads in cold sweat. I apologize! I will do my best! I will never cause Your Majesty any trouble! If you are dismissed or exiled, thats good, but if you make a mistake, you will be a record holder for life! While Hyeon was tightening his sessors, Hyang called together his predecessors, including Han Myeong-hoe, and said, Tsk, tsk, tsk! What on earth are these people doing? And yet they are the ones leading this empire! Even at this age, I am still working hard for the empire, so where are you from? The old gods bowed their heads in unison at Hyangs reprimand. I apologize! He does it because he likes it! If you tell me to discuss poetry and prose while enjoying music, Ill do it while staying up all night! The old gods continued to bow their heads as they suppressed their fierce words. A warning from the incense continued over their heads. Do it properly! If you keep doing things like this in the future, Ill make sure you get an award at the record office! Tsk, tsk, tsk! At Hyangs warning, the old gods broke into a cold sweat and bowed their heads once again. I will do my best! If this person does it, he really does it! This is your final warning! If you make even the slightest mistake, you will be thrown into the real records office! Hyang and Hyeons warning seems to have worked. From then on, there was no visible battle of wits between the predecessor and sessor. In the open. However, behind the scenes, there was a constant battle of wits going on. Just like what is happening now between Han Myeong-hoe and Han Chi-hyeong. Anyway, now. Its your job. Lets go quickly. There are a lot of things to consider. Yes, Iming! Lets go. Han Chi-hyeong, who walked away in response to Han Myeong-hoes urging, grumbled inwardly. An old sage said, If the age difference is more than double, serve like a father, if the age difference is 10 years, serve like an older brother, and if the age difference is more than 5 years, stand shoulder to shoulder. Patience, patience! Meanwhile, Han Myeong-hoe, who was walking ahead, grumbled to himself, What a shame! People are said to be simple, calm, and upright, so how can they get away with it! Meanwhile, rumors about this game of wit among the high-ranking officials of the empire also spread to authors in Seoul. The people who heard the rumors all tilted their heads. Wow, this is strange What kind of positions are those? Isnt it literally a ce where one knows everything but all people know? If I had been in that position, I would have taken it in a hurry, but why is everyone doing that? Thats true. Everyone was anxious because they couldnt hear the word chief, and I really dont know. The official who heard the words going around among the people. The officials of the central court smiled bitterly. My predecessors were very influential people I dont know who those one-man people are. * * * The growing tension between France and the Habsburgs The report about the war clouds was also delivered to Hyang. After checking the report, Hyang made a strange expression and muttered, As far as I know, France and Ennd have a close rtionship like this whenever they get the chance. Is this also the butterfly effect? The scent suspected the butterfly effect, but France and Habsburg had a deep-rooted enmity. It was also a deep-rooted enmity that dates back to the period of division in the Frankish royal pce. In particr, the area called Alsace-Lorraine in Lorraine, which is now a hot topic, was an area where disputes constantly broke out between Germany and France due to its geopolitical location and underground resources. It was only after Europe was integrated into the EU that the conflict in this region subsided. * * * As it became clear that war would break out once again between France and the Habsburgs, tensions suddenly rose in Gibraltar. Immediately after the Empire took possession of Gibraltar in thest Italian unification war, Spain worked desperately to recapture this region. It was France and Habsburg who suppressed Spains attempts to recapture Spain. What created this unexpected situation was that it was the Empire that upied Gibraltar. Although it was creaking due to Frances backstabbing and Spains counterattack, the military alliance was still maintained. If Spainunched a military provocation against the empire, France had no choice but to join Spain. This was due to the public opinion of the French people, who cried out for revenge in addition to the justification of military alliance. The French could not forget the humiliating defeat they suffered in thest Italian unification war. For these French people, the actual deployment of new weapons and the acquisition of the Lorraine region instilled confidence and made them cry out for a battle of revenge. However, the reaction of French military officials was the opposite. Lets fight the Empire? Are you crazy? It was a French military branch that knew the empires military power well, thanks to encountering the imperial army in Suez and the Antic route. Because of this, France had no choice but to block Spain. The same was true for the Habsburgs. Spain and Habsburg became allies through marriage. This marriage alliance also led to a military alliance. Therefore, if Spain entered the war, the Habsburgs would also automatically participate. As things went on like this, an ambiguous rtionship was created between France and the Spanish Habsburgs. France and Spain are a little ufortable, but they are still in a military alliance. Habsburg and Spain are a marriage alliance and a military alliance. The Habsburgs and France had a hostile rtionship. Because of this rtionship, France and Habsburg had no choice but to pay close attention to Spains movements and suppressed Spains military attempts. But this time things were a little different. Thest war ended in a short-term war due to a surprise operation by France, but this time, the Habsburgs were also well prepared. Military officials and politicians from neighboring countries who knew this well were all saying the following. -What if war breaks out again in Lorraine? This time it wont end in a short fight! Thest war ended in a short war, so Spain did not have time to do anything foolish, but if it became a long war, it was certain that Spain would definitely do something. -What if Spain does something? When this topic came up, military officials from neighboring countries all made the sign of the cross. Then the whole of Europe will be a sea of fire. If Spain took action, the empire would move, and the empires allies, Portugal, Italy and Switzend, would take action. No, I was d it ended there. The Ottomans, seeking hegemony in the Mediterranean, would move and the Balkan Penins would be noisy. In the north, Pnd and Lithuania would move against the German Knights, who had lost the support of France. If the Habsburgs and France weakened while dealing with the empire, which was almost a certainty, independent factions within the Holy Roman Empire would attempt independence, and it was certain that the residents of the Low Countries, which were French territory, would also attempt independence. And Ennd, which had been quietly observing, expected to weaken France by supporting the residents of the londs. If France were to be weak, the French colonies of Terra and Gloria would be tasty prey for other powers. No, it wasnt just a French colony. It was certain that the European powers would once againpete fiercely over the colonies in Africa, Terra and Gloria. If that happens, it will be the end. Everyone expected that what happened next would lead to the worst oue, but France and the Habsburgs were increasingly headed toward war. The result was that both countries needed war right now anyway. Chapter 1043 Episode 1043: The Age of War C The Age of Copycat. (2) In the case of France, it was necessary to calm public opinion. Through the Hundred Years War, the awareness of being French French emerged and was already firmly established. From Charles VII to Louis France then healed the wounds of the Hundred Years War and achieved remarkable economic growth through major events such as the annexation of the Duchy of Burgundy and the acquisition of shares in Suez. Somehow, the French began to add the word grand in front of the words France and French people. The goal of France, which became confident enough to use the word great, was empire. -The only country in Europe that can be an empire is our great France! It was an argument that everyone from the king to the poor in the slums sympathized with. However, there were always ambitious people who made such a fuss for their own ambitions. -No, the only empire in the world should be ours, France! -How long must we hand over the glorious title of Empire to a country ruled by pagans? These radical ims were heard here and there, but the military and politicians simply ignored them. No, I ignored it. Because they knew the power of the empire. And with Frances crushing defeat in the subsequent war of Italian unification, the momentum of the radicals died. However, thanks to Frances still strong economic power, the wounds of defeat were able to heal properly. Subsequently, Frances economic power became stronger as it secured colonies in Gloria. Lastly, France was able to regain some of its military pride through its victory over the Habsburgs in Lorraine. The problem was that as this happened, the voices of those who insisted on getting revenge on the empire began to grow louder. And they were growing in power faster than the previous radicals. Radicals were not the only problem. The growing gap between rich and poor is also starting to be a problem. Gold and silvering from Terra and Gloria were a problem. Most of the gold and silvering from Terra and Gloria went into the pockets of the ruling ss and capitalists who invested in colonial projects. Terra and Gloria had little value in the consumer market, so there was little return for ordinary workers or small business owners. The situation of the poor, the rich, and the poor was slowly starting to be a problem. Ultimately, French leaders had no choice but to once again n war with the Habsburgs. -This time, we will definitely defeat the Habsburgs and prove that the loser of Europe is France. -In that case, national interests will be secured as much as possible through imperial-style diplomacy. -Satisfy the pride of the people through victory and secure jobs through the development of Gwansan and railroad construction. C Through this, the dissatisfaction of the people is calmed. This was the n of the French leaders. What is noteworthy here is imperial diplomacy. C Diplomacy in pursuit of utility based on strong military power. -We do not go to war unconditionally. However, all opposition can be silenced with just one exercise of power. -In other words, it reigns because it exists. This was the imperial diplomacy that France and other European powers thought of. The empire did not move its troops carelessly. However, once it moved, it clearly defeated the enemy. In particr, once he was hurt, he inflicted multiple times that amount of injury on the enemy. That too, absolutely. Therefore, the empire was never pushed back in any diplomatic negotiations. Through proper coordination, the empire always achieved the best results C what was best for the empire. That is why the saying it reigns because it exists came about. And France wanted to be that kind of person. At least within Europe. * * * If France prepared for war for this purpose, the Habsburgs also had reasons for preparing for war. The first was due to the political justification of recovering realnd. Although thend passed to France was a Papal Territory, it was clearly the territory of the Holy Roman Empire. If this was not recovered, the status of the Habsburg family would gradually fall, and if a mistake was made, the dynasty of the Holy Roman Empire could change. The second was an economic problem. No, it was a matter of loss of control in the economic aspect. As much of the iron ore in Lorraine was transferred to France, the Habsburgs had to find and develop iron ore in other regions. The problem was that most of the iron ore developed in this way was the territory of nobles who were uncooperative with the Habsburg family. As iron mines and steel mills were built in ces where Habsburg influence was weak, the center of the economy was slowly moving in that direction. This meant that the Habsburgs dominance in the economy of the Holy Roman Empire was decreasing. Therefore, the Habsburgs had to keep Lorraine as their own. In the worst case, the Habsburgs had to be able to survive on their own even if those uncooperative lords fell away. Lastly, it was the same reason as in France. -The loser of Europe. This was thest reason for the Habsburgs to go to war. Traditionally, the ruler of Europe was the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. This position could never be handed over to France. * * * When the anticipated war between France and Habsburg began to be increasingly visible, messengers from both sides rushed to visit Spain. The mission of the messengers who visited Spain was simple. -Dont cause an ident, just stay! -If the imperial army is called in, we will attack Spain first! Arent we allies? What kind of rudeness is this to stop an ally from helping them in their quest to restore their real estate? The co-monarchs of Spain, Isabe I and Ferdinand V, protested vehemently, but the French and Habsburg envoys were also adamant. Im giving you this advice because were allies! Youve never experienced what the Empire is like! I am giving this advice because we are allies! I am also giving advice for the safety of Europe as the loser of Europe! In the end, Isabe I and Fernando V of Spain, unable to withstand pressure from France and Habsburg, had no choice but to write a document. -No military action will be taken against the Empire without an agreement with France. -Do not engage in military action against the Holy Roman Empire without agreement with the Emperor. The French and Habsburg messengers, who had shackled the feet of Spain, left Spain with satisfied faces. When the messengers left, Isabe I and Fernando V, who could not bear their anger, fell ill with vases. The royal doctor, who was treating the suffering monarchs in bed, came out and informed the nobles. For faster and more reliable treatment, we need the imperial medical books and medicinal herbs. Damn itis there an empireing out of here too? * * * As word spread that France and Habsburg were putting pressure on Spain, all European magnates came to the same conclusion. It is certain that there will be war. Is it finally war? The attention of the magistrates who were convinced of war soon turned elsewhere. The Habsburgs must have prepared well this time. So what kind of weapons will they use? What will be the tactics? This was the same for the militaries of European powers. -This is the first regr war since the Italian Unification War. What happenedst time in Lorraine was not a war but a conflict. However, this time, it is a war for which both France and Habsburg are well prepared. -This is the first war waged by those who experienced the previous Italian war based on the lessons learned from that time. A lot would have changed in every aspect. Afterpleting this analysis, the military departments of various European countries C the Grand Duchy of Moscow in the north C persuaded their monarchs and dispatched military attachs to France and the Habsburgs. The military officers dispatched in this way soon expressed their thoughts in unison. What? They all copied the imperial army, right? Both France and Habsburg were following the imperial army that had run rampant in the previous Italian war. The first thing that caught my eye was the military uniform. During the First Lorraine Conflict, the French army did not wear uniform uniforms, but rather arbitrary uniforms C rather than casual uniforms. However, this time, both officers and enlisted men wore uniform uniforms consisting of ck jackets, white vests, and pants. They also wore helmets or hats covered with ck cloth. On the other hand, the Habsburg army wore dark gray tops and bottoms and helmets and hats covered with gray cloth. The same was true for the militarymander. Both sides used Florentine long guns or domestically made long guns modeled after the Florentine long guns, and formed fire support units with box fire wagons or imitations thereof. The same was true for both cannons and assault vehicles. France made its own artillery by imitating the imperial artillery captured during the Italian Unification War and made assault vehicles with its own technology. The Habsburgs formed their troops with imperial artillery and assault vehicles imported directly from the empire. The military officers who were observing the French and Habsburg armies shook their heads. Now, if only the monks show up, it will be safe to call them the imperial army. At that time, bhikkhus floated up into the sky. Seeing that sight, all the military officers were speechless. What was interesting was that this time the imperial army also sent out a military attach. Youre a fool to miss this opportunity! This was the result of the strings moving immediately due to the scent of MSG. Imperial military attachs dispatched to both the French and Habsburg armies continued to diligently observe and record. Imperial military officers who observed the uniforms worn by the French and Habsburg armies muttered to themselves. Now it has be natural to wear unified military uniforms. By the way, I heard that a new military uniform is being made this time. The Imperial Army military attachs who were observing the French and Habsburg armies looked cynical at the stories being shared by officers from other countries. They made it themselves, so what The period of time avable was limited to 30 years. This was in order topete for greater improvements and improvements. And 30 years had already passed since the development of the flying machine and the self-powered flying machine. Therefore, countries that had secured their own technological capabilities had already realized it. They were attempting to manufacture or mass-produce their own buddhas and self-powered flying buddhas. Meanwhile, the imperial military watch attachs who confirmed that the buds floating in the sky were sending out luminous signals all had a simr idea. Among the artillery pieces made in Europe, we should use the buddhas. Was there any artillery that flew so far that it needed to be adjusted for impact? I havent heard a rumor that our empire sold such artillery? Chapter 1044 Episode 1044: The Age of War C The Age of Copycat. (3) The military officers who observed the process of the French and Habsburg forces entering the Lorraine regionter said this. -It was a war between the imperial army and the imperial army. -Wear uniforms simr to those worn by the imperial army, only the colors are different. -Iron horses imported from the empire or simr to those from the empire move to the front carrying soldiers on railroad tracks that meet imperial standards. -Subsequent material supply also uses railroads. -Cavalry units and self-powered aircraft are constantly dispatched to scout the front lines and monitor enemy movements. -The monks floating in the middle ry the luminous signals sent by the cavalry or self-flying monks in the front to the main base. -The main base, which understands the situation on the front line through luminous signals, upies military strategic points as quickly as possible in ordance with the enemys movements. -For this purpose, assault vehicles and carts are mobilized as much as possible to increase the units mobility. Except for the sieges that took ce in Mn and Pavia, it was a mercenary technique that the imperial army used until it was worn out in the war for Italian unification. The mercenary skills of France and Habsburg shown in the Lorraine region were at a level that could safely be considered to have been led by imperialmanders. Imperial military officers who were observing the movements of the Habsburg army talked about this topic during nightly evaluations. Ill have to listen to the records and stories of those who went to Franceter, but I heard that France is also moving like this? Thats the rumor. Hmm Thats interesting. France has fought against our imperial army, so its hard to believe, but how did the Habsburgs know? They were the ones from Venice who quickly ran away before we arrived, right? Honestly, I doubt that. There were mercenaries behind the mercenary techniques that made the imperial military officers curious. After Switzend sided with the Empire, France and Spain had to recruit new mercenaries. The new people who appeared at that time were the Landsknecht. Among the Landsknechtmanders, most of whom were from the Holy Roman Empire, there were many who were secretly nted by the Habsburg family. And they returned and transnted the imperial armys mercenary techniques to the Habsburg army. The questions of the imperial military officers continued to arise. Whats even more curious is that in thest Loren conflict, neither side showed such mercenary skills. What is the reason? I think time is the answer. Time is the answer? Thats right. In thest conflict, we couldnt use it because we werent used to it, but now that were used to it, we should see it as a bold move. I see. Then is this a problem? As one officer said, the other officers nodded at the same time. I agree. It was not a good thing for the Empire to skillfully use the imperial armys tactics rather than insisting on the ssic close march as before. The imperial army selected the two as the most influential people who could emerge as hostile forces against the empire. One was Ming and the other was European. Surprisingly, the Ming insisted on ssic mercenary techniques. One reason for this was blind faith in the excellence of military methods handed down from ancient times, such as Sun Tzus Art of War, and the confidence that came from the enormous number of troopsing from a huge poption. In the second hypothetical case of Europe, it was considered more threatening than the Ming. Considering their strong desire to expand, Shinjis safety was at risk. It was never good news to hear that such a threatening being had learned the empires mercenary techniques and was putting them to good use. It will be a daily routine of staying up all night researching new strategies and tactics Haa~. They were military watch officers sighing at the prospect of their future suffering from overwork. At the same time, the imperial military officers at the French army camp looked perplexed about another problem. This makes us feel like testers evaluating military officer candidates. I agree. Why are they so observant? The people who perplexed the imperial military officers were the French militarymand and the officers of other countries. The imperial army was the first to demonstrate their mercenary skills. Therefore, while directing the soldiers, the French militarymand constantly monitored the opinions of the imperial military officers. If the facial expressions of the imperial military officers looked even slightly strange, the French militarymand immediately reviewed their orders and operations. This was the same for other military officers. They discussed the mercenary skills of the French army and the reactions of the imperial military officers observing them whenever they could. * * * While the imperial military officers were sighing as they faced a difficult situation in many ways, the French and Habsburg soldiers were emitting sweet smells from their mouths. Were moving again! Again? I think Ive walked more steps than Ive ever walked in my entire life Are we an army or mules? Damn it! Those in high positions dont know how hard marching is because they movefortably on horseback! The soldiers who received the order to move stood up,menting andining. Self-flying monks were behind the tiresome march of French and Habsburg soldiers. The movements of both sides were clearly visible from the self-powered flying sphere floating high in the sky. The leaders of both sides, who confirmed the information sent by the self-flying aircraft, constantly moved their soldiers to upy a more advantageous position to exploit the enemys weaknesses. As a result, both sides had to keep moving, changing directions several times a day. The soldiers are very tired. Wouldnt it be better to go into a nearby fort and prepare for a sit-in or dig a trench line in a suitable ce? Bothmanders shook their heads at the suggestions of the front-linemanders. Sit-in is not allowed. The forts here now were not built for artillery fire. If you enter such a fort, you will immediately be fodder for cannons. This has already been proven in past conflicts. You have to dig a trench line. But considering the assault vehicles and cannons the enemy has, you cant dig a trench just anywhere. You have to choose a suitable ce. Just as fighters circle around and check each others weaknesses before fighting in earnest, both armies turned and moved around, constantly targeting the others weaknesses. While the soldiers on both sides were constantly chasing each other, unable to rest, gunshots first rang out in the sky. * * * The busiest people throughout thend and sky of the Lorraine region were self-powered aircraft. These were the core of the reconnaissance forces possessed by both armies. Looking down from the sky, you could observe the opponents movements without missing them and urately identify the opponents location. This was because, unlike the sea, specific geographicalndmarks C mountains, rivers, cities, or specific intersections C could be immediately identified. Thanks to this, they became the object of resentment from both enemies and allies. This was because we had to move without resting because of the information they asked. Thanks to this, the atmosphere between self-flying monks on both sides became increasingly worse. In the beginning, it was still a good atmosphere. If they met each others self-flying monk in the sky, there were many cases where they simply waved goodbye to each other. It was because of a sense ofradeship or camaraderie in risking ones life to fly in the sky. And even if there were only a small number of people, since many people rode and moved, there was always amander, and most of thesemanders were lower-ss nobles or middle-ss people with higher education. Thanks to this, when we met someone in the sky, we exchanged polite greetings. However, as the intensity of the mission gradually increased and the alliesints were heard, the rtionship between them became increasingly difficult. The elegant and formal hand greetings disappeared and fists were thrown in the air and swear words began to be exchanged. Forward on the port side! Its the enemys self-propelled aircraft! Again! After receiving the report from the inspector, Knight Emilian gritted his teeth and turned his head to look at the direction of the problem. Emilian, who was ring at the Habsburg self-propelled flying aircraft approaching from afar, puffing out smoke, looked at his subordinates. Whose turn is it? Its Boop! Yes, Boop! Get ready! Yes! The soldier who was called held on to the bhikkhus railing and took a deep breath. Huh! hey! this! Taking a deep breath, Bjol began to pour out unspeakable curses at the other person. Just then. Taaang! Smoke rose from the other sides bhikkhu and a gunshot rang out. Get down! Emilian and his men quickly fell to the ground due to the gunfireing from nowhere. Taang~ Taang~. Hahahahaha~ You idiots! Hey! You cowards! Following several gunshots, curses andughter ridiculing Emilian and his subordinates erupted from the opposing monks. Watching the opposing monks disappear into the distance, leaving behindughter and the smoke of a steam engine, Emilian stood up and looked back at his subordinates. Who was injured? doesnt exist! Is there anything wrong with the hull? No! Bad! Come back! After hearing this, Emilien gave the order to return. After returning to the base, Emilian immediately reported to his superiors. Commander Baron Liesl, who received the report, asked with a serious face. There were no injuries or fatalities, and no damage to the aircraft? What do you think is the reason? It looks like a pistol was used. Since it is a self-powered aircraft, there is a limit to its weight. Right. Baron Liesl nodded. There was a limit to the payload due to the weight of the steam engine mounted on the self-powered aircraft, the coal used as fuel, and the water that moved the engine. But if you want, you can carry a few long guns. This is the problem. I may have only scared you this time, but next time I will use long guns. At the Barons words, not only Emilian but also the other men present nodded. The Baron is right. After confirming the consent of the men, the Baron thought about something for a moment and then came to a conclusion. First of all, we need five volunteers. Remove all the extra water and coal that is normally loaded, mount the wagons, and hunt down the Habsburg monks. Who will do it? At the barons question, all the mens hands went up, starting with Emilian. . I will do it! Thus, a fierce battle began in the sky between the French and Habsburg self-flying nes. * * * The battle between the self-flying monks was fierce. Loss in battle meant falling, and falling meant death. As the battle between the two self-powered aircraft intensified, both France and Habsburg began creating new self-powered aircraft and sending them to the front. And battles between self-flying monks also began to take their own form. -Do not engage in 1:1 battles. -A group consisting of multiple self-powered flying monks engages the opponent in a single formation. -The two sides approached in a single line, crossing each other and engaging in a gunfight. -In this process, self-powered flying monks who lost theirbat power immediately leave the battle line and return. As the battle continued, an unspoken rule was born. -Do not aim for the opponents acetabulums air sac as much as possible. When the air sac was damaged, Bhikkhu crashed immediately and all crew members died instantly. If this happens, what remains is mutual destruction, so an implicit rule was created. And themanders and military officers on both sides who were watching their battle on the ground had strange expressions. A fleet battle is taking ce in the sky Meanwhile, the imperial military watch officers looked like they had been taken aback. We didnt even think of that? We should inform Seoul as soon as possible! And when Hyang saw this information that arrived in a hurry, Hyang struggled with regret. A fleet battle between airships! This is a must-see! This is the essence of steampunk! A scene from a movie she had seen in the 21st century came to mind. In the movie adapted from The Three Musketeers, there was a scene where ships of the line clinging to airbags engaged in a gun battle in the air. Ah-oh! I should have been there! Chapter 1045 Episode 1045: The Age of War C The Age of Copycat. (4) Word of the air battle in Lorraine soon reached Area 51. The senior craftsmen who heard the story became thoughtful and ced their hands on their foreheads. Oh my gosh I feel dizzy Why are you doing that? Havent we also often talked about should we put a freight car on top? In response to the young craftsmens questions, the older workers answered with their hands still on their foreheads. If we put it on first, we wouldnt worry. That was a mistake. I should have put it on when it came out. So why is that? Wouldnt it be okay to put it on now? The seniors sighed in unison at the words of the young craftsmen. Whoa, you guys havent even been working here for a day or two, so you still dont know? Yes? Have you forgotten what the personalities of your superiors are? If they think its okay, they are people who say, Then what if we add artillery? regardless of whether they are civil or non-ss! But they say freight cars have already been loaded in Europe? What happens then? These are the people who will write orders that say, We willy fire! If you dont believe me, you can bet! Ah At that time, a gloomy voice from the ball field manager came from behind. You dont have to bet. The order hase down. Oh! * * * The craftsmen all screamed, but soon they all started working passionately. Our empire was the first to make both monks and self-flying monks! We cant fall behind! Whatever the reason, it was a matter of pride. As time passed, more detailed information arrived from Europe. -European self-powered flying aircraft are equipped with steam engines like the Imperials. -Air is supplied by steam engines. Filling the air sacs by heating and gaining propulsion is the same as in our empire. -The problem is the steam engine. Its performance is lower than that of our empire. -Therefore, the steam engine mounted on the self-powered flying acetabulum can only barely lift the acetabulum and move the acetabulum. -The speed is also slower than the Imperial, the range is short, and the payload is small. -If we look at the situation of the self-powered flying aircraft currently fighting in Lorraine, it is as follows. A. Coal and water are carried to a minimum. B. Steam engines. The engine part of the engine is also made thin enough to maintain the minimum level of safety to reduce weight. Instead, lifespan is given up. D. The freight cars loaded on the Bigu only have 2 to 3 doors. Craftsmen who confirmed the information expressed doubts. Hmm I understand ? and ?, but ? is a bit strange? Making the steel te of the engine part thin enough to maintain safety? Isnt that something you can just make thinner? Its only been a few months since the war broke out, so is that possible? Theyre so talented? No matter how much you give up your life, its not an easy task, right? If you do something wrong, it will drastically shorten not only the lifespan of the steam engine, but the lifespan of the person riding the acetabulum and the person building the engine, right? It takes a lot of experience to make the steel tes of the boiler of a steam engine and the tank thatpresses and traps water vapor at high pressure to an appropriate thickness. It was necessary. It wasnt long before additional information came in, as if they were aware of the curiosity of the artisans in Area 51. So, youve been studying our empires self-flying monks since then? Somehow Then thats right. It was a bit strange that we were only carrying the bare minimum of coal and water. Then Okay! Divide the cards! The craftsmen of Area 51 divided into two groups and began work under themand of Fieldmaster Gong. One group began improving self-powered flight equipment. The first thing they did was to remove the steam engine from the acetabulum and install a new externalbustion engine C the Stirling engine. Since Hyang first came up with the idea, new externalbustion engines have made significant progress. At first, all we could do was barelyunch a small model, but now it has developed to a point where it is quite usable. Its not good enough to be used on an iron horse or ship, but its good enough for a self-propelled flight. The best thing is that with the use of oil, there is no need to transport coal or water! As the craftsmen said, the new externalbustion engine went well with the self-powered flying machine. By using oil as fuel, it was possible to load less than coal. Not having to carry additional water was the best gift. In addition, by using improved steel, steel alloy, and balsa wood, the Bigus hull was able to be made lighter and more rigid. As these results came together, the new self-powered flight acetabulum became faster and more rigid. What the other group was clinging to was the canvas mounted on Bigu. You cant mount artillery pieces used by the Army or Navy. But its a bit weird to drive a freight car. Craftsmen who were worried over and over again looked for incense. Hmm Thats right. After hearing the artisansints, Hyang thought for a moment and then asked a question. What is the caliber of bullets currently used in long guns and freight cars? Its 20%. Its 20% of 1 inch, right? Thats right. Then lets raise it to 50% and increase the charge a bit. Keep the rapid fire performance intact. The craftsmen who heard the scents suggestion immediately got the idea and bowed their heads with bright faces. I will! I am devastated! Hyang muttered softly as he looked at the craftsmen leaving excitedly. Is the notoriety of cal.50 starting again? The scent provided direction, but development was not easy. A good bullet was found, but the problem is whether it is a gun or a boxcar to fire. The biggest problem that Hyang mentioned was maintaining rapid fire performance. When trying to increase the size of the side-by-side freight car currently in use, there was a problem that it became too heavy. However, when the size of the general artillery was reduced, rapid fire performance became a problem. In the end, the scent had toe out again. This problem is more about Browning than da Vinci, but it would take another 300 years for Browning to be born Tsk tsk tsk I squeezed out as much scent as I could from my memory, licking my lips with regret. By the way, at that time, old man Yang Deokpletely disassembled the M2 and showed it to me, what did it look like Hyang created a new weapon, making the most of his 21st century memories and past experiences. This was the birth of the Gap-sik heavy vehicle. When the new bullet, the new freight car to be used for it, and the bullet belt made of steel alloy werepleted, a demonstration was held with all the prefects and officials in attendance. After confirming the performance of the new weapon, high-rankingmanders of the Army and Navy immediately rushed to the county to file aint. Those heavy trucks must be mass-produced! Is it necessary for both the Army and the Navy? Thats right! -When fighting at sea, there are times when you encounter unexpectedly difficult situations. That is, when it is too close to use artillery or when the target is small, but when the distance is too far to use a wagon, or when you encounter an enemy that can only defend against the bullets of a wagon. The new heavy vehicle is optimal for solving such cases. -The same goes for the army. There are surprisingly many types of cover that can block bullets from long guns or freight cars. However, a heavy truck can break through this. Hmm When Hyeon looked slightly worried after hearing the remarks of the imperial armys high-rankingmanders, themanders immediately continued speaking. If we produce inrge quantities, the unit cost can be greatly reduced! Ill think positively. Im devastated! It was said that if the emperor, Hyeon, thought positively, he would approve it immediately. And in fact, the mass production and adoption of this new type of heavy armored vehicle was decided. It was a Gap-type heavy vehicle that was nicknamed the most imperial weapon and the veteran who experienced mountain warfare, heavy warfare, and heavy warfare thanks to the decision of the local government. * * * When the development of the Gap-sik Chinese vehicle was in full swing, Hyang received a letter from Wan. I knew it would be like this The contents of the letter Wan sent were simple and clear. -Now the sky will be ruled by flying birds hahahaha! When ites to flying, hes worse than me Tsk. Hyang, who lightly savored Wans letter, smiled strangely. But I cant give in. Anyway, I was the one who made the first decision. And I have a cheat key. Hyang, who was muttering softly and rummaging through a drawer on one side, shouted out. Is there a coffin outside? Did you invite me, Your Majesty? Go and get Da Vinci. Eh, Your Majesty. * * * After a while, Da Vinci arrived and Hyang spread the paper on the desk. Its a hack I was thinking of. Huh? Are you saying youre installing a new externalbustion engine? Thats right. Hmm Da Vincis eyes lit up and he looked at the concept map presented by Hyang. It is difficult to know sess or failure until the proper design ispleted and actually built. However, the chances of sess seem quite high. Is that so? Ill leave it to you. I understand. After receiving the assignment from Hyang, Da Vinci went straight to Area 51 and visited the ball yard. I heard Tae Sang-tae was looking for you? Whats going on? Thats what we expected. Fly? Fly. In response to Da Vincis answer, Gong Yazhang nodded silently. They were two people who heard news about Area 52 through regr flights between the main site and the new site. When Wan was appointed to Shinji and heard that more and more emphasis was being ced on flying machine research, Field Manager Gong looked as if he had expected that to happen. Its only natural that Sang-taes favorite thing is flying. In such a situation, news from the Lorraine region was delivered. It was natural that Sang-tae Wan would not stay still, and if that were to happen Tae Sang-tae is not the kind of person who will stay still. Therefore, Gong Yajang and Da Vinci were also making their own preparations. Gong Yajang, who had been carefully examining the concept drawing drawn by Hyang, looked at Da Vinci. Sounds like fun? Is that so? I guess we should get the kids together. Should we send someone to the industry-academia research institute to ask for help? Of course! There has to be someone who can calcte it properly! WaitHmmI guess Ill have to report it to His Majesty the Crown Prince. Everyone in theb has heavy hips and doesnt move easily. Thus, the development of the flying machine based on the concept map presented by Hyang was started again. As Da Vinci, Gong Yajang, and several other people were hanging on the flying machine and moving around, Hyang noticed something different. I was thinking, Lets see theres already a dogfight going on in Lorraine. And it may fail again, but flying machines with their own propulsion are alsoing out, and if that happens, there will be talk of attaching freight cars to the flying machines as well. Since thats how history goes then shall we make some pocket money here? With a strange smile, Hyang started drawing on paper. The device that Hyang thought was a pocket money earner was synchronized gears. It was the interlocking trigger used. Attaching a machine gun to the wing is impossible without an electric trigger. However, a machine gun mounted on the nose can be mounted as long as you have a quality cable and a gear wheel. No, there is no need for a cable because the pilot can pull the trigger himself if necessary. But if you put it on the nose, this linkage device is essential in any case. Chapter 1046 Episode 1046: The Age of War C The Age of Copycat. (5) Before we knew it, the development of a new flying machine had be apetition between Areas 51 and 52. We have a prenatal situation! We have a situation! How are you? Dont you know how great Tae Sang-tae is? What the hell? Dont you know how much you devote yourself to flying? Among the envoys passing between craftsmen, these debates ounted for almost 80%. And every time Sang-in Wan emphasized the sincerity of the de, the artisans of Area 51 were slightly speechless. Although the original scent was excellent, it was not the only one that had been retouched. Even now, when people are bored, Hyang is the one whoes up with ingenious items that catch people off guard and push them into trouble. The ignition device also yed a role. * * * The masters had to go through a lot of trouble to actually make the fire starter, which was designed to imitate the 21st century Zippo lighter. Although the framework itself was extremely simple, the quality required for the small parts that made up the ignition was formidable. The wick itself was not simply made by twisting cotton thread, but also had to contain copper wire However, the fire starter that came out after all this hard work became an unprecedented hit, following the golden pencil. Being able to easily start a fire was a huge advantage, regardless of whether it was in the East or the West. And the various price ranges also yed a role. One of the reasons it became a hit was that it was avable to suit everyones needs, from the cheapest with a in body to the high-end with gold and silver threads and iid techniques. However, this sess was not possible simply by being able to easily start a fire. People who needed items that were easy to carry and could start a fire right away were housewives, pilgrims, soldiers, and peddlers. These people did not need expensive fire starters with iid techniques. One of the few cultural ideas that started from Shinji and began to spread was one that made the wealthy open their wallets. It was a type of tobo that indigenous people called tobo. As tobo spread not only throughout the Empire but also throughout Ming, Japan, Southeast Asia, and Europe, fire extinguishers became a hugely profitable product. Okay it would be strange if it didnt spread After receiving the report that the tobo had started to spread, the scent showed an expression that it could not be helped. * * * When military doctors reported that coca leaves, which the natives of the Mesica region chewed for pain relief and other purposes, exhibited hallucinogenic symptoms and addiction as strong as opium, the imperial court immediately banned the chewing of coca leaves. This was not just a simple ban, but if vited, it was punishable by forcedbor along with the Messicans. The natives immediately threw away the coca leaves when they realized that they would be treated in the same way as the Messika people, the enemies of Buldaecheon. Even if there were no coca leaves, excellent medicines for pain relief and other treatments were being supplied, and this was because there was tobo. Of course, because tobo was also highly addictive, controversy arose in the imperial court. There are bad points, but there are also good points. And above all, isnt it better than coca leaves? ording to the decision of Wan, who was the emperor at the time, the use of tobo was permitted. And as time passed, as tobo began to gain poprity not only among the natives but also among the imperialists in the maind and northern regions, the imperial government, and indeed Lim Sun-wook, acted quickly. Tobo sales were made a national business. Cultivation is your heart, but purchasing and distribution are mine! The scent has given up on the explosive spread of tobo. .In the end, this is also something that cant be helped. And the vor got rid of MSG in a different way. Through the Wan, the establishment of smoking areas was legited. There are people who hate tobo as much as there are people who like it. But we cant take one side, so we create a separate space for smoking! Anyone who smokes in any other space will be punished! And the first ces to create smoking areas were administrative agencies, including Gyeongbokgung Pce. This was because if even a spark identally started a fire in a ce where papers were everywhere and all kinds of confidential documents were lined up, a huge disaster would ur. If you smoke tobo in a ce other than the smoking area, you will be thrown into the records office! * * * During the reign of the prefecture, as tobo spread worldwide, the scent was introduced. And as sales of this fire extinguisher skyrocketed, unauthorized copies of it soon began to appear. However, this was not an empire that would leave this as is. Thanks to this, merchants from other countries who experienced bitter taste took a detour. The framework of the imperial ignition was adopted, but apletely different shape was chosen. -Creating fire with a spark created by rubbing flint is a method passed down from ancient times, so this is not just for the Empire! It was a detour chosen because even the Empires Tribunal had already made this decision. But I wasnt worried about the scent at all. Its a way for printer manufacturers to make money. And thats why Ive finally brought out the fire starter again. What I thought was the real money maker in incense was the fuel that went into the fire starter. * * * In the past, when Hyang was a crown prince, I had already made a fire extinguisher once. Although it was maderge and clunky due to the limitations of the technology at the time, it was a popr fire extinguisher. But that poprity did notst long. It was because of a fuel problem. The fuel for early fire starters was alcohol. It had to be of very high purity so that even a small spark could ignite it. For this purpose, distition had to be repeated several times, which meant that a lot of raw materials C alcohol C were needed. And to put it another way, it means that a lot of grain is needed. There is often not enough grain for the people to eat! It is no use using so much grain just to use it for fire extinguishers! There was a lot of opposition and the reasons were reasonable, so King Sejong at the time ordered the sale of fire extinguishers to be stopped. And as time passed, it became possible to distill oil, and as mass production and defense became possible, the incense fire was attempted again and was sessful. * * * As Hyang expected, merchants from other countries were soon making and selling their own fire extinguishers. However, they also had to use imperial fuel. Using alcohol was not profitable for them either. However, it was not feasible to use a different oil. This was because it did not catch fire easily, or even if it did, a huge amount of soot was generated. No matter how extravagant they were, fire extinguishers that produced a lot of soot were not of interest to the wealthy. Therefore, even though a different ignition was made from the Empire, the fuel made in the Empire was used. * * * Because of this brilliant record of incense, the artisans of Area 51 were running out of things to say to the Mara of the artisans of Area 52. In the end, whenever this situation arose, the craftsmen of Area 51 insisted on Ugigi. However, the more realistic craftsmen, both in Area 51 and Area 52, muttered the following. Regardless of the circumstances or circumstances, the fact remains that we must bear all the hardships. Although there was such fiercepetition, there was something inmon. First of all, the most important propulsion system was that both adopted new externalbustion engines. At this time, the only power engines with excellent thrust-to-weight ratio were new externalbustion engines. Not really. I worked hard with Da Vinci and the craftsmen to increase the efficiency of thisbut wow~. Hyang sighed long and looked at the drawing with an expression full of regret. However, it is true that when ites to true efficiency, it cannot keep up with the internalbustion engine. In order to run the internalbustion engine properly, there are more than one or two technologies required, starting with electricity Hyang s concerns are faced with the topic of power engines. It got deeper. Turbines havee out, but gas turbines and jet engines are impossible. There is no technology yet to make alloys that can withstand high temperatures. Whoa. Hyang let out a long sigh and began writing a document to submit to Hyeon. Even today, the problems to be listed on the challenge record are piling up Besides the new externalbustion engine, the two sides had many things inmon. -Construct the frame of the fusge using steel pipes and wood. -The fusge shell uses plywood. -The area between the power engine and fuel tank and the cockpit is covered with a steel te to ensure minimum safety. -Finally, the pilot is issued a parachute. As monks and self-flying monks appeared during the time of Hyang as crown prince, research on parachutes was also conducted. What is interesting is that the development of this parachute was not initiated by scent. Craftsmen themselves recognized the need and began development. The reason things happened like this was because of the craftsmens desire to survive. We made that thing, but can you guarantee that it will float 100 times ande down safely 100 times? Nothing. So what if something goes wrong and you fall right out of the sky? Im just doing my job in the world. I need to find Sue. This was how the research on parachutes began, and when Hyang found out about it, he immediately gave permission. The use of plywood as a covering material for the fusge shell was due to experience gained on the Challenger-ss battleship. -By ovepping the boards so that the wood grains intersect vertically or diagonally, the defense power increased. -So, even if the thickness is thin, if multipleyers ovep, it will be stronger than a single thickyer, right? There was more than one experience gained from Challenger-ss battleships. The Challenger-ss hull was divided into several bulkheads andpartments to prevent flooding if the mes spread. Craftsmen who remembered this applied it to flying machines. Even if we cant do anything else, we need to block the space between the enginepartment and the cockpit to buy the minimum amount of time needed if something goes wrong. They were craftsmen who faithfully adhered to the survivability-first concept that was emphasized so loudly that the scent was deafening. * * * After such fiercepetition, several types of blueprints were finallypleted. There were three types from Area 51 and three types from Area 52. The reason it came out so diversely was because Hyang and Wan allowed it. It was quite natural for Wan, who had always been serious about flying, but in Hyangs case, it could be seen as unexpected. This was because there was only one concept that was initially handed over to Da Vinci. However, da Vinci was slightly dissatisfied with this. Your Majesty, I am very sorry to inform you, but Soin has a separate idea. Please allow us to devise it together. Really? Lets do that. Ah? Now thats the way it is, if anyone else has a different idea, let them share it. Yes, Your Majesty? In this way, various types of blueprints emerged. Chapter 1047 Episode 1047: The Age of War C The Age of Copycat. (6) The number of blueprints produced before 6 types of blueprints were selected by Hyang and Wan was several times that number. However, after seeing the designs, Hyang evaluated them as follows. Its aprehensive gift set of creative ideas, imagination, fantasy, and delusion. In my previous life, I had seen everything from models of airnes made by the Wright brothers to actual airnes, so the judging process was conducted calmly. But this is kind of interesting The designs posted from Areas 51 and 52 showed a big difference. While many of Area 51s designs fell somewhere between fantasy and delusion, Area 52s designs had rtively sound ideas. Its rtive, its rtive. While adding this evaluation, Hyang was looking into his own reasons and soon found the most usible reason. Is it because of Wan? Wan was a person who was obsessed with flying from a young age. And Wan seeded in flight by creating a flying machine simr to abination of a Do-335 and a bine. Because there was such a n, most of Area 52s designs appeared to be sound. No, it just seemed that way. I dont go where others have already taken! Originality is the most important! Area 52 was also filled with people who thought this way. In any case, Hyang selected six types of designs and meticulously wrote down the reasons for the designs that were rejected. I dont know everything. Surprisingly, I may have missed some things. Even in the 21st century, ingenious airnes have been released. However, among those six designs, there was one that remained for other reasons. Wan has to see this too! The blueprint in question belonged to da Vinci. * * * Because the sess or failure of the mission he had risked his life on depended on it, he returned from Wando Shinji to his headquarters just in time. Thank you for your hard working to the elders. I must be going through a lot of trouble. The emperor is going through a lot of trouble. Thats too much praise. After talking with Hyeon, Wan continued his conversation with Hyang. I am truly relieved to see that you have made amends. Youve aged a lot. I have already passed the age of 70, so there is nothing I can do about it. The young officials nearby muttered to themselves as they watched the father and son, who were over 90 and 70 years old, conversing with a straight face. It is said that the Duke of Jeonpyeong and the Duke of Anpyeong are treated like children if they live in front of the Great Emperor Could it be true that there is a secret to longevity that is only passed down to the imperial family? Could it be true that the rumor that the messenger sent by Sangje got tired of it and ran away? Before we knew it, the reigns of Inga Hyang and Wan had be known only through records. The young officials who saw the two people they had only heard about in real life lost their sense of reality. Anyway, Im very curious about the results of this review. I think its thest result Ill get from Shinji. Now that I think about it, there wont be much time left until the emperor ascends to the throne. Maybe thats why the number of private envoys asking us to expand the shipyard in Shinji has increased. Hahaha! Thats fun! * * * After unpacking his luggage at Changdeokgung Pce, Wan headed straight to Suganggung Pce as soon as he was relieved from his travels. This was because the final task was to select the most promising design among the six types of designs that had already been filtered out. Ive thought about it, but I cant properly judge the feasibility with just a blueprint. I think we need to make at least one physical object and verify it. Oh! I see! I see! I made a mistake! I think thats the norm! Thanks for pointing it out! If you look at the content of the conversation, it was a very healthy conversation. But looking at the rich mans expression, it was definitely not the case. Therefore, the surrounding eunuchs and officers who were listening to the father and sons conversation all muttered the same thing to themselves. Then thats right. These are not people who will just pass by without making the real thing. Then lets go ask the emperor! Thats right! Anyway, if we get permission from the emperor, what would you like us to make first? Of course its da Vincis! Isnt it? Hahaha! With all my heart! And Hyun, who heard Hyang and Wans words, smiled bitterly. You seem to be working very well together. It was Hyeon who immediately realized what the two people were up to. However, I couldnt reject it. But the reason itself is reasonable. And if you set a precedent like this, it will be easier for meter. Hyeon was already half conscious of Shinji. But the procedures had to be followed. Hyeon asked Prime Minister Chi Hyeong among the ministers present. What does the Prime Minister think? In response to Hyeons question, Han Chi-hyeong avoided a direct answer and grumbled inwardly. no! There is something else to ask! Taesang and Sanghang asked for it together, so what can I say? Do you think I have an iron suit around my neck? Han Chi-hyeong, who was pouring out all kinds ofints inside, immediately straightened his expression and told Hyun. I tell you that the reason is not justifiable, but the Lord Yunheo has granted it. Thats right. Anyone who has a different opinion, speak up now. .. Then I will ept the request. The ministers should actively help in this matter. I follow your orders. * * * With the permission from the county, Hyang and Wan began work in earnest. Hyang and Wan were also enthusiastic, but the most enthusiastic was the designer, Da Vinci. My designs are actually made! You cant do anything wasted! Da Vinci led the work, forgetting about erosion. The day the results came out. Hyang, Wan-hyeon, and officials fromrge and small gatherings gathered at the airfield built on the riverside near Area 51. I was surprised when I saw the blueprint, but I was even more surprised when I saw it in person. I agree. Hyang agreed with Wans words and muttered to himself. Its surprising. When Hyang first saw Da Vincis blueprint, he muttered this. What is this terrible hybrid an X-wing mixed with a TIE fighter The design that Da Vinci came up with was not only original, but even bizarre. First of all, the shape of the fusge and the location of the propeller were unique. At the center of the hollow, cylindrical fusge was a propulsion engine using a new type of smoke engine. A thruster with two pinwheels in front and back, like the flying machine made by Wan in Shinji, was located in the center of the fusge, and the cockpit was located in the upper part of the fusge. Additionally, four wings were attached to the fusge in an The scent was described as a bination of Hoo? It looks really interesting. Hyang was remarked upon by Hyeon, who had seen Da Vincis prototype, without realizing it. More funny than funny Hyang, who had suppressed the words that were about toe out without realizing it, ordered Da Vinci. Please exin why the designer designed it this way. yes. After receiving the order, Da Vinci cleared his throat for a moment and immediately began exining. Making wind with a pinwheel to raise the fusge is very simr to other flying machines. However, the reason it is made like that inside the fusge is because of the characteristics of the wind. Characteristics of the wind? Yes, Your Majesty, have you ever seen the movement of waves when a ship moves? If you look closely at the ripples created by the pinwheel pushing the ship, you can see that the ripples spread out in a fan shape. This is the same with the wind in the sky. The further away you go, the wider it spreads. I thought this was a waste, so I made the fusge into a tube shape and installed a thruster in the center. This is to use the wind generated by the wind vanes attached to the front and middle of the tube with as little loss as possible. Hoo~. That seems usible. Hyeon, who was nodding his head at Da Vincis exnation, asked a question. Then why are those wings mounted diagonally and why are they smaller than other wings? In order for the de to change direction, the fusge must be tilted left and right. However, whenever it is tilted like that, the size of the wing bes an obstacle and a lot of force is used. However, if the size of the wing is reduced like that and mounted at an It can be adjusted easily. Oh, I see. Everyone present nodded at Da Vincis exnation. This was also the case with incense. Among thetest submarines of the 21st century, there were some that were equipped with an X-type rudder for simr reasons. But Hyang soon pointed out the problem to Da Vinci. The reason the wings of a flying machine are big is to make it easier to float. The bigger the wings, the more power it has to float. If you look at it that way, the size of those wings is too small no matter how you look at it. Da Vinci responded immediately to Hyangs point. Its not just the wings that create the lift force in my flying frame. Most of the lift poweres from that fusge. In the fusge? It would be convenient to think of it as a round wing attached to another flying frame and then connected. Aha~ I see! Everyone in attendance nodded with admiration at Da Vincis exnation. Is it some kind of closed wing? Thats interesting. Hyang, who looked intrigued by da Vincis idea, soon moved on. I want to look at the actual inside in more detail. Ill exin. Hyang, Wan-hyeon, and the other attendees followed behind da Vinci and created a prototype. They looked at all sorts of things. The more they looked at the prototype, the more Hyang and Wans expressions darkened. The two people who sat back slightly had a quiet conversation. I already guessed it when I looked at the blueprint, but its tooplicated. It will be hard to make it, too. We will have a hard time during maintenance. Thats true, but the most important question is whether it can really float properly and get off safely. Wan, who had been examining Da Vincis de once again at Hyangs point, nodded silently. Hyang had a serious expression on his face. I looked at Da Vincis flying machine. Da Vinci may have made the calction, but really? Can a flying machine body made only of wood and fabric with a steel frame thinner than the infamous Zero Sens idiot frame be able to withstand it? Then lets do a test flight now. Who will control that de? In response to Hyuns question, the craftsman on one side came forward and bowed to Hyeon. Yes, I hope you seed. But the most important thing is your life, so never take unreasonable risks. This is my order. I will follow your orders! Hwang-eun is devastated! Thanks to Hyuns encouragement, the craftsman, who had gained courage, climbed aboard Saradhi and entered the cockpit located at the top of the fusge. Ready! The craftsman sitting in the cockpit shouted, and one of the craftsmen waiting on the ground came to the side of the fusge. I opened the door and went inside, then opened the firebox of the externalbustion engine and lit it. Ta-da-da-da-da! Craftsmen were working diligently in the cockpit and outside. Soon, the unique noise of the new externalbustion engine began to rise everywhere. Loosen the rope! Upon confirming that the engines output had reached its maximum, the craftsmen responded to the order of the master craftsman and untied the knot on the rope that held the de together. Chapter 1048 Episode 1048: The Age of War C The Age of Copycat. (7) Da Vincis flying machine, which was freed from the rope it was tied to, soon began to glide vigorously. Da Vincis flying machine, which glided across the hard-packed sandy beach of the riverside, soon rose into the sky. Oooooh~! Its up! The people watching shouted as they watched Da Vincis flying machine soar powerfully into the sky. As if to prove the saying, Rumors spread faster than bullets in Seoul, the cheers from the onlookers who gathered as soon as they heard the rumor echoed along the riverside. Hoo~. It seems very different from the flying machines Ive seen before. It hovers so stably Thats right. Wow~! It floats well! Thats right. It looks like a pufferfish and it flies up like a pufferfish! Its always been good to float! Older ministers and onlookers talked and made their own evaluations. It was thanks to the experience of seeing all kinds of flying machines, thanks to experiments with flying machines that have been passed down from generation to generation, starting with incense. The eyes of the older onlookers were quite sharp, thanks to seeing all kinds of amazing flying machines and even oundish objects. Therefore, disguised eunuchs were hiding among the onlookers to listen to their evaluations. Meanwhile, while the officials and onlookers were eximing, Hyang and Wan Hyeon-woo were recording their evaluations with cool faces. Hmm The take-off distance is short and it floats stably. Despite its appearance, it looks good. Hyun shook his head at Woos assessment. There has never been a flying machine that could not fly properly. The question is how freely it can move in the sky. And the biggest problem is whether itnds safely. Following Hyeon, Wan added the words, and Hyang was added to them. In addition, we need to look at its value as a weapon. Maybe this is the most important thing. Wu, who heard Hyun and Wan-hyangs words, looked slightly fed up. Its a big surprise just to think of something like that, but youre not satisfied with that? How can you be so cold-hearted? Is that what a monarch should be like? As can be seen from the fact that his field of interest was music, Woo was quite emotional. Haa~. Am I still far away? Ahdo I not have the qualities to be a monarch? Hyun, who was next to him, seemed to have noticed Woos self-destruction andforted him with a smile. I understand what the crown prince is worried about. But only time is the answer. How many of the burdens and situations have the Crown Prince seen so far? Thats why he is just being indifferent. Ah Wu nodded at Hyuns words andposed himself. The Minister of Finance and Economy, who was listening to the father and sons conversation from behind, grumbled inwardly. Thanks to this, how many Ministry of Finance and Economy officials live with headaches and stomach problems Other ministries say that tonics are over-the-counter medicines, but the Ministry of Finance and Economy says that headache and stomach medicines are over-the-counter medicines! While the skit was taking ce below, Da Vincis flying machine was floating in the sky, performing left and right turns, rising and falling. Wow~! Look at that! Its a very watery fish! While the onlookers who saw the flying machines maneuver were cheering, Hyang asked Da Vinci. Maybe you can do a somersault? It is impossible due to the limitations of externalbustion engines. Right. Thats right. Unlike internalbustion engines, externalbustion engines had clear limitations. No, its an impossible maneuver unless the internalbustion engine can be surprised to a certain level. Hmm.In addition to adding it to the challenge list, should I sprinkle some more carrots? As Hyang was thinking, the flying machine was slowly lowering its altitude and entering thending process. As the flying machine prepared tond, Hyang and Wan Hyeon-woo fixed their gaze with very nervous faces. Thending was sessful. Wended safely! Wow! When thending was sessful, not only the onlookers but also the craftsmen who participated in the production all shouted. When the craftsman, who seeded in safely putting the de in one ce and stopping the engine, got off the de, his fellow craftsmen ran up to him and patted him on the shoulder to congratte him. Hyang and Hyeonwoo also approached him and praised him. Thank you very much. Flying in the sky on an unproven aircraft is a truly dangerous task, but your courage is admirable. Hwang Eun is devastated. Under the reign of Hyeon, my father-inw bowed down on the ground and was in peace. After praising the craftsman, Hyang and his party looked at Da Vincis de again and had a conversation. As expected its already creaking. I guess so. One of the most difficult structures to ensure durability is the cylindrical structure. Hyang, who slightly shook the body of the de to check its condition, agreed with Wans point and asked the craftsman who was in charge of controlling it. Was the process of getting down on the ground easy? It would be difficult for anyone to do. Even small people get used to it after making mistakes many times. This flight was the first flight with a powered engine. Before that, there were gliding flights performed without engines and gliding flights performed with a piece of metal of the same weight and size as a power engine. Hyang pointed out the problem in front of Da Vinci and his father-inw, who was in charge of the control. I think the problem is where the seat that controls that flying machine is located. At the top of thatrge cylindrical body, a seat was created at the back. Even if you can lift it, will you be able to see the front clearly when yound on the ground? Corsairs debut was dyed because of that problem, right? Da Vinci protested to Hyangs criticism. The problem will be solved naturally once you get used to it. What will you do with those who will die or be injured in the process of getting used to it? Do you think the widowsints will be directed at you? They will be directed at the emperor. What will we do about this problem? .. Da Vincis mouth was tightly sealed at the question of fragrance. Seeing Da Vinci like that, Hyang looked back at Wan and Hyunwoo. Lets see the next fly. * * * Starting with Da Vincis flying machine, test flights of other flying machines followed. At the end of the three-day schedule, evaluations by officials were conducted, starting with the scent. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. Thats right. If you only look at movement in the sky, Da Vincis de is the best, but if you look at stability, Da Vincis de is the worst. Da Vincis de requires too much work in production and maintenance. However, the movement can be considered to be top-notch. Why are you only looking at Da Vincis flying machine? Isnt it because you have the most agile movements? Agility is important, but whats more important is how fast you are! Thats right! Speed must be a priority! Movement rather than speed! Thats right! Even if you say its fast, its not that fast! There was a heated debate over speed and maneuverability. The evaluation criteria of the officials were created by the scent. -On the battlefield, flying is like flying cavalry. Those involved immediately understood the analogy of incense. But here a problem arose. -The cavalrys greatest weapon is its speed! Use high speed to strike, then escape, increase speed again, and repeat the strike! This is cavalry tactics! -Speed is not everything! If speed is everything, why do cavalrymen practice horsemanship? Speed is important, but you must avoid enemy attacks and subdue them with quick and light movements! There was a fierce debate over what took priority between speed and maneuverability. Hyang and Wan Hyeon-woo was the one who made an interesting expression. Hey~. Is this fight already happening? Are you saying that all peoples thoughts are there? The war of words that took ce between air force officials of the major powers just before the outbreak of World War II was a war of words that went back in time. Wu looked at Hyun in a war of words with no end in sight. I feel like it will never end if things continue like this. Wouldnt it be better for someone to step forward and set the standards? Hyun, who was momentarily pricked by Woos words, looked at Wan, and Wan looked at Hyang. Hyang, who received an unspoken question, answered right away. Both sides have a point, so lets wait and see. Isnt it true that you cant act as a mediator forever? Even if it takes time, you need to increase your capabilities in this way. Hyangs voice was soft, but the expression he looked at his children and grandchildren was extremely sharp. How long do I have to step forward? Wont you do it right? Wan and Hyun turned their heads, pricked by the scent that was clearly visible on their faces even if they didnt say anything. In the end, after a fierce war of words, it was concluded that speed was more important. ordingly, an evaluation was conducted to select a suitable de, but the decision was not easy. I said speed was the priority, but this is too weak Even at a nce, the fastest flying machine had a poor structure. The flying machine in question came from Area 52, and peoples eyes were focused on Wan. Even if it looks like that, sufficient strength has been secured. Despite Wans protest, Hyang and Hyeon shook their heads. If you just fly calmly, youll be fine, but if you think about battle, youll feel uneasy. Thats right. The structure is too poor. I think we need to add more bulkheads and ribs. Look, Emperor! Im thinking of sending a wire into the sky! Eventually, a war of words broke out among the three generations. After an intense screening process, the people in charge selected two types of aircraft and added: -Redesign based on these two types of des. -Redesign should focus on the following: go. Increased speed and durability. you. Easy to manufacture and maintain. (Shortly) The reactions of the craftsmen who confirmed the official letter from above were divided into two. Whew~. What is this..is it going to be redesigned based on words only? Its going to bepletely new, right? But what can I do? If I have to do it, I have to do it. There were some who sighed andined, but on the contrary, there were others who were burning. The most representative person was da Vinci. This time, Ill show you who I am! * * * When the riots in Areas 51 and 52 were noisy, some people unexpectedly opened their doors. They were the ones who censored the correspondence of foreigners working at the research institute and Areas 51 and 52. Most of them were naturalized to the Empire, but rtives and acquaintances still remained in their hometowns, and letters were exchanged. Therefore, censorship was essential to prevent confidential information from being leaked through these letters. However, aspetition increased, the workload of those in charge exploded. Since it was a public event, everyone who witnessed it wrote about it in the letter. In the end, those in charge appealed to the county. -Please keep such events private! Hyun, who epted the appeal, smiled bitterly. I want to keep it private, but this also increases the pride of the people Experiments and development of things like gunpowder and artillery were still being conducted in secret. However, things like the de had a different texture. -purple! How is our empire creating things that others cannot even dream of? This is the empire you live in! It was an agitation to keep the empire, which was a mixture of variousnds and races, as one. Chapter 1049 Episode 1049: The Age of War C The Age of Copycat. (8) However, the content of the appeal is not unfair, so I would like to hear the opinions of the officers. The ministers began to deliberate upon the prefects order. But the answer was to some extent determined. This was because when an appeal was submitted, the royal office that received it copied it and delivered one copy to the emperor, another copy to the prime minister, and another copy to the minister of the relevant department. Therefore, the answer to the appeal was formted to some extent in advance through a meeting between the Prime Minister and the ministers. The emperors job was to listen to the answer and add his own thoughts or point out problems. Thanks to this, the answer came quickly. Prime Minister Han Chi-hyeong stepped forward, bowed his head, and spoke to Hyeon. The story about the flying machine is already known to some extent. Also, among those who witnessed this event were many merchants and sailors from foreign countries. It would be impossible to stop all of them. So, it would be too much too little to stop them all. There it is. I think its best to erase only the appropriate parts. In response to Han Chi-hyeongs answer, Hyeon immediately followed up with a question. What do you mean by an appropriate part? I think we just need to remove the part about the new externalbustion engine. Hmm I see. Then lets do it. Organize it in documents and send it to the censorship department. I follow your orders. Hyeons decision was refreshing. This was because Hyun had already made a simr decision. * * * Hyeon, who received the appeal through Seungjeongwon, discussed it with Hyang Wan. What do you want the emperor to do? Hyun answered Wans question right away. I think it would be better to delete only the new externalbustion engine part. Doesnt everyone already know about flying machines? There are more than one flying machine that Hansoo has flown so far. Both Wan and Hyang nodded at Hyeons answer. I think that would be good. The new externalbustion engine is still known only to our empire, so it is best to keep it hidden, but it is not a flying machine, is it? From what I heard, there are more than a few people in foreign countries who are already flying something simr. What do you think, Taesang? Hyang nodded to Hyuns question. I agree. In this way, the county also entered the meeting with its own initiative. Whats interesting is that although Hyang agreed with what Hyeon and Wan said, his intentions were slightly different. If you look at the current situation, whatever the empire makes, they are just copying it. Its no fun like this. To be honest, that new externalbustion engine is like that too. With a little more work, an internalbustion engine could be created, but its still messing around over there, right? Something externally stimtes me. The new externalbustion engine used in various objects made by the empire, especially the monks and des, could be seen as a type of O-parts. * * * When petroleum first began to be used as a fuel, the wick was used to ensure safe and efficientbustion. It was a method that used the frame of an oil stove to control the heating power by adjusting the height of the wick. Although it had the advantage of being easy to control and operate, there were also problems. It was said to be too inconvenient to be applied to the engines of assault vehicles or front lines. But you cant directly light a barrel of oil like coal If you make a mistake, youll be reduced to ashes in one hit, right? Researchers at the research institute and artisans from Area 51 and 52 worked together to create a safe and efficientbustion device. I think there might be something good While researchers and craftsmen were struggling, the existence and characteristics of air and oxygen became known. Hmm I think something could happen if I do this well In order to catch a vague clue, researchers and craftsmen devoted little sleep to research and development. And this was also true of scent. I feel like Im going to catch something This is going to be really crazy. Even though the scent was so broad that it was called Gwangdeok in the 21st century, it did not know everything. While I was wandering around like this, I finally got an answer from Area 51. -Some oil catches fire easily, while others do not. C Oil that does not catch fire easily can be ignited when heated. -If you spray hot oil like that like a fog, it will catch fire even more easily. Wait? What would happen if I mixed this hot oil with hot air, sprayed it, and then set it on fire? Thats it! The craftsmen who discovered the method began making all kinds of attempts to bring it to life. The framework that came out after all that hard work was as follows. -Use a preheater to mix heated oil with air, spray it into thebustion chamber, and then ignite it. -Add a high-pressure air storage tank andpressor for smooth operation. When Hyang saw the new steam engine made with this framework, he cried out inwardly. Ive seen this before! Its definitely there! At that moment, the scent brought back memories I had forgotten. When I lived in the 21st century, it was arge oil burner that I saw at a neighborhood party and a World War II British Navy training video that I saw on an Inte video site. In the case of oil burners, I only saw them briefly when I was young, andter on, Ipletely forgot about them as I only used gas burners. In the case of the video, it was a scene of starting the engines of a battleship. When exining the procedure for starting an engine, the example used was an oil burner. It was a video that I got caught, and it was a scent that I didnt pay much attention to because I was absorbed in other fields at the time. In any case, the newbustion device created by craftsmen showed very excellent performance, and the newly created steam engine based on thisbustor was used in the empires new battle line and assault vehicles. And the new externalbustion engine in question was applied by joining a closedbustion chamber to this newbustion mechanism. Thanks to the newbustion mechanism, the des equipped with the new externalbustion engine were able to tilt their fusges to the left and right significantly, and by taking advantage of this, they were able to change direction quickly. Of course, flying backwards or somersaulting was still impossible. And the incense made the costume explode. No, a closedbustion chamber and a mixture were introduced, so why stop here? In a situation where the notice is right there, but it has stopped, Hyang, who burst into tears, was in favor of easing censorship. No, it didnt stop there; it was a scent that thought of another trick. Wait a minute How about using the wheat to sneak it out? And if something good pops out, just use the mill to scoop it up! But Hyang stopped thinking there. This is it. If I were living alone, it would be worth it, but if I do it wrong, the empire will suffer a nosebleed. Lets stop thinking about it. * * * As the countys approval fell, letters containing parts rted to flying machines headed to Europe. It wasnt just letters. Foreign merchants and tourist crews who watched the test flight on the banks of the Hansu River were talking loudly. In the empire, bhikkhus without pockets fly in the sky! Its a joke, right? Its true! Most people who heard the story just reacted in amazement, but there were others as well. Huh? Are you saying that the crazy things that crazy guy in our town did werent just crazy? Are you saying that something that has only been rumored for a long time will finally be made? It means that if the Empire openly announces it, there is a high possibility of it bing a reality. In that case, I too Those who believed in rumors heard in the past and were obsessed with experiments were re-evaluated, and some started taking on the challenge btedly. And there were also those who thought of profit. All the objects made by the empire are These are things that make a lot of money. The Empire wont just create flying objects for fun. Im sure theyre doing it because it makes money. Then Those who thought they would make money contacted people who were said to be conducting simr experiments and invested. Those who had devoted themselves to research and development alone, enduring criticism and ridicule from all directions, shed tears over their investment decision. I was grateful. Thank you! Thank you! However, on the contrary, scams trying to take advantage of this to get a share of the investment money began to run rampant. A spective craze,ter called the flying bubble, began to spread both in the East and the West. * * * Information about flying was avable in each country. It also went into the military. Wait..You can fly even if you dont have air sacs? And is it more free to maneuver? Military figures showed great interest in the military value of flying machines. They had already witnessed aerial battles between self-propelled flying aircraft during the war between France and the Habsburgs. It is possible to maneuver more freely than that. It was impossible to just ignore this flurry of action. Among them, the first to move most enthusiastically were France and Habsburg. France and Habsburg stopped the fierce fighting and took a breather. France and Habsburg were keenly aware of the importance of securing air superiority. As soon as they received the information, they immediately gathered together schrs and craftsmen. We must control the sky to control the battlefield! Following France and the Habsburgs, it was Japan that showed strong will. Thanks to the characteristics of its territory as an archipgo, Japan was able to monitor the sea. He was sincere. However, it was unreasonable to rely entirely on the front. Not only did he have to keep an eye on the empire, but his economic power itself also had its limits. Fronts are not something worth a penny or two, but it is necessary to maintain a naval force bymandeering those fronts. It also costs a lot of money. In this situation, Japan showed interest in the empires self-powered flying aircraft. The small number of self-powered flying aircraft that were introduced showed excellent capabilities, and Japan, satisfied with them, continued to introduce more. Licensed production was also carried out. Japan was satisfied with therge-scale operation of self-propelled aircraft, but there were also things it was dissatisfied with. Its a trade-off They were dissatisfied with the range and speed and researched ways to solve this problem. As soon as Japan heard about the flying machine, they immediately took action. We cant just look at the empires back forever! At the very least, we have to catch up to the point just behind the empire! Japan focused the manpower it had trained so far on developing flying machines. And, following Japans lead, it jumped into the development of Mingdo flying machines. For scoutingrge areas bordering Mongolia, flying machines may be better than horses. there is. And since he will soon be crowned king, shouldnt he make a mark to hand over to the crown prince? Although it was for military and political reasons, there were no ministers who opposed it. * * * While the East and the West were boiling over in a heated battle, Hyun was looking through the blueprints at Gyeongbokgung Pce. Where was that? I definitely left it somewhere here Hyun, who was searching every nook and cranny of his personal studio, soon found a blueprint and smiled brightly. This is it! On the blueprint it was written Self-powered flight aircraft carrier. Chapter 1050 Episode 1050: The Age of War C The Age of Copycat. (9) Hyeon, who found the blueprint, sent someone to Hyang and Wan. You were looking for us? Did something happen? Ah, its no different. As I was looking at the flying machines, an interesting idea urred to me. First of all, I named it Self-powered Flight ne. As for what it is Ill think about it for a moment and guess. . Why do you have to do such a hassle? Wouldnt this be fun in its own way? After drying the strings, Wan stroked his chin and began to think. A flying machine, a self-propelled flight ne, and a mother ship Hmm, a flying machine, a self-powered flying machine ship, a mother ship Wan, who had been mulling over and muttering key words over and over, turned to a bright face and opened the string. I looked. Are you nning to make arge self-powered flying machine and then use it to fly in the streets? What a great idea! Huh? That wasnt it, right? Still, it looks better, right? Make the monks torso into a box Hyang suddenly saw the father and son talking while drawing drawings on a nk piece of paper, and his forehead fell. I put my hand on it. Why is there an air carrier here? Wait a minute.. Hyang stopped the conversation, which was appropriate for the word jeom-ip-ga-gyeong, and pointed out the problem. Lets say you are going to operate a self-propelled aircraft by loading a flying machine. How many flying machines will you be carrying? First of all, wouldnt three to five be enough? You have to carry people and cargo such as ammunition and fuel, so you have to be strong as well as big, right? Isnt that right? Then how big should the air sac be made? Then what is the size and weight of the organ that will supply the heat to fill the air sac and move the acetabulum? Ah After Hyang pointed out, Wan and Hyeon realized what the problem was. I was taught and taught to distinguish between creative ideas and fantasy, but I made a mistake. Me too. Wan and Hyun, who acknowledged their mistake, bowed their heads to Hyang. Thank you for teaching me a great lesson. Thats too much praise. Lets end this and take a look at the blueprint the Emperor has. yes. Hyeon answered briefly, took out the blueprint, unfolded it, and began to exin. It was something I thought about as self-propelled flight equipment became widely used. I thought it was especially necessary for the Navy. Hyang and Wan nodded to Hyeons exnation. It was much more advantageous to use a broom to look around than to look in all directions from a watchtower built at the top of a mast. However, it was not easy to load monks or self-powered flying monks onto the front lines. It was not easy to create a space to store the monks or self-powered flying monks, and safelyunching and disembarking them was also a problem. It was because of the wind and waves. Therefore, the main mission of the Navys self-powered aircraft was to float from a military port and scout the nearby sea. With this alone, the Imperial Navy was able to secure an overwhelming reconnaissance capability over other countries navies. Still, it would be great if we could use Bhikkhu in distant seas It was the Imperial Navy that could not hide its disappointment. However, it was not possible to ensure safety for both the flying aircraft and the self-propelled flying aircraft when operating in distant seas. Therefore, neither the monk nor the self-flying monk could leave the port. Hyun continued his exnation. But with the use of steam engines, the need for masts was eliminated. So, I thought that if we reduced the number of guns and adjusted the arrangement of the batteries, we could operate self-powered aircraft and flying machines in the ocean. Hoo~. Is the basic assault return line? Thats right. It seems like a good idea. After seeing Hyuns blueprint, Wan reacted positively, but Hyangs expression was not at all like that. Is it an air battleship this time Whew~. Hyang sighed and pointed out the problem. Its not bad, but there seems to be a problem. Since the self-propelled flight aircraft can rise and fall in ce, it may be possible to operate it by providing space like that. However, if the front line is sailing, it is difficult to utilize the characteristics of the self-powered aircraft. Continued So do you think it will be easy to get down at the speed of the front moving forward? Ah Wan nodded at Hyangs point, and Hyun suggested an alternative. Wouldnt it be okay to just stop for a moment to get on and off? You have to think about efficiency. And After clearing his throat for a moment, Hyang continued. How will you operate the flying machine? The des need to run to gain lift. Hmm I see. Hyeon nodded his head in response to Hyangs point, looked at the blueprint for a while and then picked up the stylus. In that case, you can move it to the left and right of the bridge like this . If we install a runway Hyeons idea of improvement was to build a V-shaped runway with the bridge at the center. If you do this, you can properly use artillery and fly aircraft, right? ? After seeing Hyangs n for improvement, Hyang unfolded a nk sheet of paper and drew a picture. I think it would be best topletely strip the front and back of the ship. Then you cant mount artillery, right? The artillery can only be used for self-defense at a minimum. I think its best to do so. But wouldnt it be dangerous to be on a front line without guns? Lets think of this ships guns as flying machines. The flying machine can fly much farther than ordinary artillery, so theres no need for this ship to be in the middle of the battlefield, right? Ah! Thats right! Hyeon, who changed his mind at Hyangs words, nodded with a bright face. Understanding Hyangs words, Hyun took out a nk piece of paper again and used the stylus to y with it. I wonder how far it will take for the improved de to beunched. I dont know yet but I think it would be better to use a ck Light-ss transport ship as a base rather than an assault return ship. If wey a t deck straight from the bow to the stern and move the chimney to the side Hyeons drawing was simr to an early aircraft carrier. Hmm How about fixing this ce like this? ? Hyang, who was looking at the ships design drawing, added a bridge to the right side of the hull. If you add a bridge like this, you can clearly see the flying frame rising and falling, and wouldnt it be easier to drive the battle line? It is so! Wan, who was watching his grandsons hands and feet fit together, joined the conversation. But thats it. Arent the wagons the only armament of the flying machine we want to make now? Although the wagons are powerful, they can be seen as useless against the front lines. In that case, they can only be used for reconnaissance, but if you make and operate a dedicated front line, you must There will be criticism that this is a horseshoe for overpaying and paying too little for development. If the right product is released, I think its only a matter of time before a de that can fire explosives is released. Wan, who was thinking about something in Hyangs answer, looked at Hyang. How about using self-propelled bombs instead of explosives? A self-propelled bomb? Dont you know how heavy that thing is? Wouldnt it be possible to reduce the size and improve the performance of the de while maximizing its power? There is a problem with the power engine, but as far as I know, they say it has been almost pushed to its limit. Wan responded to Hyangs point in a firm voice. We have to push researchers and craftsmen. Of course, we have topensate them sufficiently. Following Wans words, Hyun added his thoughts. Neither the flying machine, nor the flying machine carrier, nor the self-propelled bombs are things that will produce results right away. If we solve them step by step, one by one, we will be able to achieve the desired results. Hyang also nodded at Hyuns words. Thats a good thing. Lets join forces as three generations. great! I will do my best! The officer recording this on one side added: -So the three generations came together. It was truly a beautiful sight to see three generations working together for the safety of the country. The officer says: Since these extraordinary people havee together, I am very worried about what kind of amazing feat wille out. * * * Without knowing what kind of conspiracy was going on at Gyeongbokgung Pce, craftsmen and researchers were working hard to create a new de. Whilepetition was going on, the newly created des appeared simr yet different. Basically, like the flying machine Wan made in Area 52, engines and propellers were installed at the front and back, and thin but well-made plywood was used as the outer shell of the fusge. The surprisingly strong properties of plywood were used to strengthen the durability of the de fusge. Other than these simrities, the des had quite different appearances. The most noticeable difference was the number of wings. It was divided once into bine or triple de and again into the method of connecting the wings to the fusge. The thing that caught my eye the most was the flying machine that Da Vinci made. Da Vinci was the first to think of attaching trefoil to a new flying frame. The farther you are from the cockpit, the more force it takes to steer. If so, raise it even higher! With this in mind, I attached the three leaves. And, starting with da Vinci, craftsmen with simr ideas began to attach trefoil. There was a debate about whether to use simple straight wings or receding wings that move slightly backwards, resulting in the creation of simr but different looking wings. Those who created the result after working all night long carefully entered the test flight. We cant repeat what happenedst time, just getting pointed out by Taesang! As problems discovered during repeated test flights were resolved one by one, the level of perfection of the aircraft was further improved. However, as the level ofpleteness increased, there was also a problem that the de manufacturers became more concerned about. It was a problem with the power engine. The new externalbustion engine is good now, but this is not enough! We need to improve it further or create a new institution! In order to further improve the performance of the flying machines they or their colleagues made, researchers and craftsmen began to focus on the problem of power engines. After hearing this, Hyang and Wan Hyeon smiled in remorse. Youre doing great. Youre doing great. * * * Just as artisans and researchers in the empire were devoting their lives to the development of flying machines, many craftsmen and schrs abroad were also risking their lives to develop flying machines. Even though the first may have been lost to the empire, the best cannot be yielded to the empire! These ambitious craftsmen and schrs developed flying machines based on their own knowledge and experience, as well as information provided by those who returned from the empire. Thanks to so many people working on the development of flying machines, decent results were achieved fairly quickly in Europe and Japan. Now just a little more! Just a little more! Craftsmen and schrs who gained confidence in the results they obtained tried harder, but soon encountered huge obstacles. It was a problem with the power engine. For those who did not know the existence of the new externalbustion engine, the problem of this power engine was an extremely difficult problem. To solve this problem, the governments of each country took action, and many spies began crossing the borders of other countries. However, the final destination was the Empire, and a fierce battle with the Milwis took ce in the dark. Chapter 1051 Episode 1051: The Age of War C The Age of Copycat. (10) Foreign attempts to obtain confidential information about the empire, especially information about the power engines of flying machines, were persistent and persistent. -Anyway, the Empire seeded in taking flight. This means that the Empire has what we do not have! -The most powerful one is the power engine! -If there is a power engine that canunch a flying machine, it can also be used on ships and iron horses! It was a reasonable enough inference and not a wrong one. Because of this, Japan, which is famous for its pro-imperialism, and even the orders of Emperor Seonghwa were enough to move spies. Of course, there was a difference between the Ming and Japan in that the main focus was not spies, but diplomatic negotiations. Following this, Portugal, Italy and Switzend also began sending diplomats to negotiate with the empire. The country showing the most enthusiasm was Switzend. Because of its location in the middle of the Alps, it was decided that flying would be the best for quick and efficient reconnaissance. Finally, diplomats were sent to the Ottomans to begin negotiations. However, other major European powers ced emphasis on using spies. The problem was that the rtionship was not good because they had already fought with the empire once or twice. In any case, a war of words took ce at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno during the day, and a bloody fight broke out in the back alleys of Seoul at night. The Podocheong office in Seoul was in a state of emergency every day because of blood clots that broke out at night. How can the people live in peace if the nights in Seoul are so unstable? Even though His Majesty doesnt show it, he is very concerned. If His Majesty makes this public, will you take care of it? Hey, you bastards! Im like this. Do you have to listen to what I said? Captain Podo, who returned after being scolded by the Prime Minister, shouted the above and scolded his subordinates. The men who came back after being criticized by Captain Podo began to tear down their own men. In order to maintain public order in Seoul, the Podo Office strengthened security checks and strengthened night patrols by increasing the size of the night police force. As the Podocheongs inspections and patrols were strengthened, difficulties for not only foreign spies but also secret agents increased. Of course, there were also ways to utilize various secret certificates and qualifications received from the emperor. However, this was an almost unusable means. The problem was that among the low-level police officers with whom you would encounter the most, there were very few people who were familiar with these price certificates and certificates. If even the lowest-ranking police officers were trained to resolve the issue early, the existence of the Milwi would be revealed, and the value of the Milwi would be greatly damaged. The value of Milwis existence as the emperors hidden eyes and ears and the emperors hidden sword and shield was disappearing. Because of this, Milwi had to write an appeal to the emperor for the first time in a long time. * * * Hyeon, who received Mils funeral, immediately went to Wan and Hyang. Everyone stay out. At the Hyeons order, all the nearby officers, state officials, and courtdies said goodbye and went outside. I wonder if the three of you are trying to build something extraordinary They were fooled by the bundle of ns they brought with them to cover up their appeal. With only three men in the room, Hyun presented the appeal in question to Hyang and Wan. It seems a bit serious. Wan and Hyang nodded after confirming Hyuns appeal. I see, but that doesnt mean we can reveal Milwis existence. It will be revealed someday, but I think its still too early. Wan and Hyeon nodded at Hyangs words. The Secret Services main job was intelligence and counterintelligence, but it also had the characteristics of being the emperors secret surveince organization. It was certain that if this secret conspiracy were revealed, the government ministers and those in power would do everything they could to take control of it. Since we first created the Milwi, we have been creating and improving various measures to prevent this kind of thing, but the best measure was to reduce the number of people who know. Not only is it difficult to manage, but it is also a problem to replenish the talent that is being wasted. The speed at which we lose talented people is faster than at the speed at which we can find them again But that is a problem because we cannot hire just anyone. Thanks to the characteristics of milwi that do not allow open recruitment, milwi has always suffered from ack of talent. In the end, the three, unable to find the best answer, decided on a temporary solution. -For the time being, I will only y a leading role in surveince. -If you are certain that he is a spy, report it to the Grape Provincial Police immediately. -Direct exercise of power should only ur in the worst case scenario. * * * Hmm something shed earlier Wan and Hyeon left and Hyang, who was left alone, twisted his head and muttered. What was it As expected, as you get older, you be a bit slow and dark. Hyang, who was frustrated with thoughts that he couldnt seem to grasp, looked away. In times like this, its best to think differently. I trust my brain. As Hyang turned his gaze to look elsewhere, a bundle of documents caught his eye. These were documents sent by Woo, who asked for advice on the new registration of the Dojeonrok. Hyangs eyes, which had been examining the documents with an indifferent expression, shed for a moment. This is it! * * * A few dayster, Hyang called Wan and Hyeon to Sugang Pce. Im so d things havent gone back to Shinji yet. Is that so? Whats going on? After quenching her throat for a moment, Hyang grinned and began to speak. I thought of a little n to solve this problem and also make solving our problems easier. Hearing Hyangs words, Wan and Hyeon had the same thought at the same time. Were there any small things that Tae Sang-tae did? What kind of n is this? Do you understand when I say myeonmyeonjang (栝)? Did you say myeonmyeonjang? Myeonmyeonjang Wan and Hyeon thought carefully about Hyangs words. I started to understand the meaning. After a while, Wan looked at the incense with a surprised face. No way! Are you going to unlock the new externalbustion engine? Hyang smiled and answered Wans question. Thats the beginning of the ruse. Hyang exined his n in more detail. -Inform the world of the structure and operation of the new externalbustion engine. -At the same time, it is also revealed that the actual finished product is being sold. -If this happens, foreign spies running amok in the empire will retreat and additional profits can be made. France and Habsburg wille and buy it right now. Oh, I see. And this is the beginning. -If you know the framework ande into contact with the real thing, other countries will also know the limitations. -And at this time, we announce it to the world. -Search for a new type of power engine. go. All fuels except gunpowder are permitted. However, anything that goes against humanity is also excluded. you. There are also no restrictions on how it works. do. However, it must be more efficient than all power engines that have been developed so far, including manpower and axial power. -There is no limit to the deadline for submitting answers. In other words, this contest will continue until a power engine that everyone approves of is created. -The power engine or framework of the winner of the contest will be registered in the entry log. The grade is Imagination of horseback riding. -It will also be registered as intellectual property and rights will be recognized for 30 years as written in imperialw. -Thest winner will also be paid a prize. Prize money? How much do you think the prize money is? 5,000 gold nyang. Ugh! Cough! Hyeon and Wan, who were momentarily out of breath, coughed violently. Wan, who had managed to catch his breath, looked at Hyang. Are you going to make the world go crazy? Instead, we can get rid of those who are bothering the Imperial Night, and we can quickly and easily solve the power engine problem that was giving us headaches. If you think about that, 5,000 nyang of gold isnt a big expense. Especially considering thetter case, wouldnt it be a huge benefit? Consider the creation of silver and smokeless gunpowder in Europe. The world is wide and there are many geniuses. They say the world is wide and there are many crazy people. Are you saying that to me? No way! How could you say something so unfavorable? Wan strongly denied it, and Hyeon next to him nodded enthusiastically. They say strong denial equals strong positivity, right? Well, I dont think its normal. Hyang, who nced at Wan for a moment, finished. The above is the contents of the n that I named Myeonmyeonjang. Ah, so you were Myeonmyeonjang. Wan nodded at Hyangs words. This means. These words came from Confuciuss teachings to his son. C Only by studying and learning the Susin and Ji of the Book of Omens can one escape from the frustration of facing a wall. As the story of myeonmyeon-myeon from here spread among the authors, I must know myeonmyeon. A proverb was created. Wan and Hyeon were shocked at first, but soon nodded. It is the best way to resolve the issues that are causing headaches right now. Thats right. If you think about the waste of time and money that would be incurred if you follow the rules And so the Myeonmyeonjang n was implemented. The three people who reached an agreement put their heads together again. Without getting caught, To persuade his subjects A few dayster, Hyun detonated a bomb at Gyeongbokgung Pce. I heard that murders are rampant in the back alleys of Seoul every night these days. Im really worried. Im sorry. This happened because the gods were ipetent. Its a big problem because the people are anxious. Ill have to work harder. Ill keep this in mind! Huh? Why dont you click your tongue? Anyway, its a good thing if you just get over it! The ministers were puzzled when Hyeon, who normally would have clicked his tongue several times, just got over it, but didnt think much of it. However, following Hyuns words, the ministers med themselves for theircency. But what do you mean? If you look at the reports from the grape office, they say that all those who died were foreigners? Is that true? Thats true. I heard that there is a serious secret struggle between spies among the European powers. It seems that these incidents are also rted. The Soshi also think so. ording to information passed down from Europe, it is said that the de and its power engine are what caused the cancer fight. Then there must be many attempts to pry into our empires secrets? Yes, I have given an order to the military and the grape office in charge of security. You did a good job. By the way. There is a saying that goes around in the author, Ten police officers cannot stop a thief. Thats why Hyeon then told the ministers about Operation Myeonjang. . How about doing it this way? Hyun finished speaking, but everyone in Daejeon, from the minister to the eunuchs and courtdies, remained frozen. Even the eunuchs and jurists were frozen, unable to type on the typewriter. * * * Three monthster, the visitation of the incense-speaking contest was spread throughout the empire and throughout Ming, Japan and Europe. Everything written on the visit was the same except that the prize money was reduced from 5,000 nyang to 3,000 nyang. Huh? The country put up a new promation? What is it? We are looking for a new power engine The winner will receive a prize What is the prize Visit Everyone who was there froze. This was the same in Ming, Japan, and Europe. The winner receives 3,000 gold coins as a prize. You can receive it in imperial paper money, or in kind if you wish. The gold and silver coins in the imperial paper currency were the actual weight, right? How many pounds is 3,000 nyang? Approximately 250 Wow! Not only those who were talking but also everyone around them who was listening froze. Converting 3,000 taels of gold into kilograms, it was about 113 kg. Based on the 21st century, it was arge sum, fluctuating between a minimum of 8.7 billion won and a maximum of 11 billion won. Even in the 21st century, it was a huge amount of money, but at this time, it was an unimaginable amount of money. The prize money is not everything! They said it would be registered in the contest log! They said they would also guarantee intellectual property rights! This is an opportunity to win both wealth and fame! Soon, just as Wan had predicted, the whole world started going crazy. After receiving this report from Sugang Pce, Hyang looked out the window with a wry smile. What pirate cartoon did that say? You mean my treasure? If you want it, Ill give it to you, but find it! I left the whole world there! Hehehe! Later, this became the opportunity to create the saying, When three emperors get together, the world goes into chaos. It was an incident. Chapter 1052 Episode 1052 Aftereffects. (1) Contestunched by the Empire: Overthrow the world that has been abandoned. There was no need to say that things were heating up inside the empire right away. Among the research institutes researchers and the artisans of Area 51 and 52, all those with knowledge and experience rolled up their sleeves and participated in the contest. The prize is a prize, but its a reward! Its a reward! They were the ones who knew better than anyone else the value of challenge records and response records. Starting from the research institute and Area 51 and 52, talented craftsmen from outside also began to participate in the contest. Do you think theyre the only ones who are smart? I let them know that I exist! Those who were considered noble in their own way took on the contest for the sake of their own pride. This was simr in Ming and Japan. You think only Koreans are smart! I will make my name known throughout the world! In the Ming Dynasty, craftsmen who were considered powerful in their own right submitted their entries to the contest. The prize money was a prize, but pride was a bigger reason. In Japan, a slightly different reason was added here. The countries of the world may know the empire and the name, but they dont know much about Japan! Even if they do, they just think of it as a country that is good at making silk! If we seed in this as a flying machine and a new power engine, the world will know clearly about us, Japan! No matter how good our alliance is, when will we? We cannot remain buried in the shadow of the empire! In order to escape from the position of having the weakest presence among the three neighboring countries, King Ouchi Yoshioki of Japan decided to challenge the contest as a national policy and pushed it forward by crying out like this. * * * While craftsmen and politicians in the three Northeast Asian countries were taking active action, other countries were also showing various reactions. The first countries to receive the promation delivered by the Empire were Italy, Portugal, and Switzend. This is crazy Should I say its imperial-like? The monarchs and politicians of the three countries who saw the imperial promation all reacted in a simr way. When they saw the huge prize money to be paid to the winner, they immediately said that he was crazy, but then they came to ept it. The economic power of the empire and the power of the emperor and the imperial family. It was because of the wealth and the personalities of the emperors. But the first to seriously consider this were the Italians. It is a well-known fact that the emperors have entric personalities. However, they are not the kind of people who would casually spend this much money, or so much money that it is safe to say they are crazy. I agree. ording to rumors, the first thing emperors learn about national affairs from the time they were crown princes is budget-rted. They learned about budget and finance like that, so theres no way they dont have any ideas. Think about the previous emperor who came to Italy during thest unification war. Wasnt he aiming for at least three goals with one task? After reflecting on Hyangs actions during the Unification War as well as the behavior of the emperors who seeded him, Italian politicians came to a conclusion after careful consideration. C Hyang, the former emperor, and him. The reason that subsequent emperors pursued such projects was not simply luxury. C There was confidence that the power engine that won the contest would bring benefits beyond the prize money. C Considering the judgment of the imperial emperors, this event could not have been merely observed. No. In the end, Italian politicians began to ask about those among their countrys craftsmen who would challenge this contest. After evaluating the performance and technical skills of the challengers, they selected those with high potential and began actively supporting them. It wasnt free. Portugal and Switzend, seeing these movements of Italy, also began to make simr movements. Following the movements of Italy, Portugal and Switzend, Spain and small Northern European princes also began to move together. Meanwhile, they were as active in providing support as Japan. There were also countries that took action. In Europe, it was Ennd, and in the Middle East, it was the Ottomans. Ennd, which seeded in shifting its economic focus from agriculture tomerce and industry, was well aware of the pros and cons of the steam engine. Thanks to this, it received a promation from the empire asking for permission to distribute it. As soon as he saw it, King Henry VII immediately hit his knee. It is indeed an empire! If the winneres from Ennd, Ennd will be able to defeat France again! Cooperate actively with the movements of the empire! King Henry VII, who realized the future contained in the imperial promation, ordered active cooperation from his subjects. The country that showed as active movement as Ennd was the Ottomans. They actively imported the empires civilization and technology. It was the Ottoman Empire that had a great revival. * * * Although they were pagans, the emperors of the empire were outstanding people! These are not the people who would do something crazy just for their own luxury! There is a hidden meaning in it! The court was shaken by the words of the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid II. The Grand Vizier, who was presiding over the Diwan, the highest council, immediately bowed his head and asked Bayezid II. So then . Should I deny the request? Rather, confusion is growing among the people after seeing the promation that came from across the Mediterranean. While the decision was dyed in the Ottoman court, rumors about a contest were spreading among the people. There was amercial trip between Suez and the Mediterranean. It all started with the promations that the merchants brought from Italy and Portugal. Those who saw the promations and the Ottoman people who heard the rumors from them also began to be very agitated. In response to the grand viziers question, Baezid II came to a different conclusion. No, we must also actively inform the public. As soon as we find out what they want, we need to take advantage of it as soon as possible. So far, we have only followed the empire. But if we pull this off properly, we can start like an empire. The Grand Vizier bowed his head at the words of Bajjyed II. I will do my best. * * * This is going to be bigger than I expected. You lost? After hearing the report, Hyang looked slightly embarrassed and muttered. C Not only in Europe but also around the world, all talented craftsmen, schrs, and inventors will be clinging to it. C If so, the problem of the new power engine, which is currently at a standstill, will be quickly resolved. It will be possible. C I do not expect an organization that can bemercialized right away to emerge. However, if the right framework is developed, the next step is possible with the technology that the empire has now. C As a bonus, the empires nights will be a little quieter. That was Hyangs calction up to this point. However, the situation was changing on arger scale than Hyang expected. No, just opening my wallet is enough to make you call me crazy, so why are you guys even opening their own wallets! Ennd, Portugal, Switzend, Italy, and Ottoman actively supported their nationalspeting in thepetition, leading to a bigger problem than expected. This was not only Hyang grumbling. Wand, who returned from Gyeongbokgung Pce to Hyeondo Sinji, also grumbled at the growing problem. However , Later, after hearing the inside story through various channels, all three generations smiled bitterly. Its karma Its karma. Even if the situation and circumstances are the same, why me! And other countries in the imperial court also said, A simr story emerged: We also need to select and support those who challenge the contest. There are already many people in other fields who are working tirelessly with the goal of being listed on the entry list. However, I do not think it is appropriate to support only those who participate in the contest. Although the county expressed its refusal, the ministers repeatedly insisted on supporting. The gods do not have much knowledge about power engines. However, even if we look at the steam engine alone, there are more than one ce where it is useful. If so, it is certain that the new power engine will also have many uses. To put it another way, it means that great wealth is guaranteed. Since it is safe to call it a treasure rather than a piece of equipment, I believe that we should not allow other countries to obtain it first. Although it may be said that it is against fairness, given the circumstances, I think an exception should be made. your majesty! Please grant it! Please grant it! It is certain that the new power engine will be of great help to the future of the empire. But the same applies to other fields. Hyeon repeatedly refused, but the ministers again urged Hyeon. The future of the empire is at stake. Please inform me! Please inform me! Hehe, you are telling me? Hyunughed and muttered to himself. You said three or three times, so this should have been enough, right? I understand very well what your worries are. Come up with a proper policy and bring it. I will look into it and decide whether it is OK or not. Seong-eun is devastated! In this way, the Empire also joined the race. And upon hearing this, Hyang burst intoughter. Hehehe. They say, Childrens fights be adults fights Meanwhile, there were countries that suffered unexpected damage. France and Habsburg, who were in the midst of war. * * * A new externalbustion engine used in flying machines. As soon as they heard the Empires announcement that it was selling , France and Habsburg immediately sent messengers to the Empire: Shut up and tell me the amount! How much will it take? Will it be delivered? If the Empire delivers, they wont be able to touch it. Delivery is possible! Isnt quick delivery the Empires creed? In this way, the Empire delivered the new externalbustion engine that had been ordered. The problem was that the Empire did not only deliver the new externalbustion engine. The Empires promation that came with the new externalbustion engine was issued to France and This put the Habsburgs in an awkward position. The craftsmen who saw the contents of the promation rushed to leave the site. Leaving the workshop is a vition of the contract! Then czar! If done properly, you can gain both wealth and honor. This is a golden opportunity, but are you just wasting your time here? That cant be possible! Saying the above, the craftsmen left the self-propelled flight and de manufacturing nts. To solve the problem, France appealed to the craftsmens patriotism. This is for the great France! Come back! It was an appeal for return based on the sense of belonging to French people that had strengthened after the Hundred Years War. However, such a strong sense of patriotism and belonging had not yet taken root. ordingly, the French government began to make threats. . This is treason! The craftsmen responded as follows: Hmph! Did you read the contract properly? Did I sell some kind of state secret? What kind of treason is it that you quit work because you are unwell and for personal reasons? Do it ording to thew, do it ording to thew! As the craftsmen responded by filing awsuit, the French government became even more embarrassed. Compared to the Habsburgs, France was a little better. Still, some people came back. The Habsburg situation was the worst. Support the Habsburgs. The feudal lords had diverted their funds and artisans by developing a new type of dictatorship. This is treason! Isnt this war not the war of the Holy Roman Empire, but the war of the Habsburgs? I never agreed! Chapter 1053 Episode 1053: Aftereffects. (2) What was bad for the Habsburgs was that most of the princes who turned their backs were influential princes of the Holy Roman Empire. As they turned their backs on the war, their ability to wage war fell significantly. It was impossible to replenish the exhausted supplies and manpower with the sole ability of the Habsburgs and the princes who supported the Habsburgs. In the end, Maximilian I gave the following order to themander, Count Tilly: -Maintain the current battle situation. Esction of war is prohibited. -Avoid wasting soldiers and supplies as much as possible. To put it simply, Im telling you to sit back and not put in any unnecessary effort. Huh~. Count Tilly sighed as he read the order and looked outside with a gloomy face. With the current situation, its hard to sit still. If you make a mistake, the military will copse. Huh~. Count Tilly, who sighed with a grim expression, wrote a reply to Maximilian I. * * * Whoa~. After reading Count Tillys reply, Maximilian I ced his hand on his forehead and sighed. The summary of the reply sent by Count Tilly was as follows. -If you want to continue the war, please send us money and materials, especially food. -If this is difficult, it is best to stop the war immediately. Whoa. Damn it. King Maximilian I, who reread Tillys reply several times, sighed and cursed. It was because of the mercenaries that Tilly asked for money and food. As long as the wages were paid ording to the contract, the mercenaries were more reliable and courageous than anyone else. If only I could get paid properly. However, when wages were dyed, the mercenaries turned into a disaster. No matter how much they tried to restrain them from above, the mercenaries swept through enemy viges and cities andmitted looting, arson, and rape. The mercenaries who had already turned into bandits were a nightmare itself. In a situation like this, the party that hired them had to bear all kinds of criticism even if they were the winner. Therefore, when the front line became stagnant or military funds began to run low, it was best to terminate the contract with the mercenaries. However, looking at Laurens current situation, terminating the mercenary contract was a handshake. This was because many of the Habsburg forces in Lorraine were mercenaries. If the mercenaries were taken out here, it was certain that they would be pushed back by the French. Another problem was that there was a significant possibility of losing additional territory in addition to the territory lost so far. However, in a situation where the feudal lords had withdrawn, continuing to hire mercenaries was an even worse move. Sooner orter, the mercenaries would no longer be paid, and if that happened, the people of the areas where the mercenaries were currently stationed would face a catastrophic disaster. Then the only thing left is the end of the war But the end of the war also had many problems. This was because it was the Habsburgs who started the war first. Therefore, significant concessions had to be made to France to reach an agreement. And this woulde back as a political burden. What is the emperor thinking, ending the war without gaining anything? It was certain that even now, whenever the opportunity arises, the feudal lords who only think of escaping from the walls of the Holy Roman Empire would rise up and shout like this. Whew. If you are in a situation where you will only lose money no matter which one you choose, you should choose the one with the smallest loss. Maximilian I, who hade to his own conclusion, began to think about a better way with his ministers. Fifteen dayster, a messenger sent by Maximilian I arrived in Paris. * * * The messenger, who retired after an audience with King Charles VIII, told the main point to the French Foreign Minister, the Duke of Orlans. Lets talk about a truce. Truce? Truce. The solution that Maximilian I and his subjects came up with was a truce. -The end of the war will result in losses in many ways, but if there is a ceasefire, those losses can be minimized as much as possible. -In particr, the political pressure on Maximilian I can be reduced as much as possible. Because we are still at war. Its a truce hmm what do you think? Charles VIII, who heard the story through the Duke of Orlans, gathered his ministers and held a meeting. No truce! Just push a little harder and we can win! Military figures were firmly opposed to the ceasefire, but ministers from other ministries showed different reactions. Thats your opinion Have you thought about the issue of military funding? The Minister of Finance directly criticized the militarys opinion. As the Minister of Finance said, this war was a war for which we were not prepared. Of course, they expected that the Habsburgs would do something about Lorraine and were making their own preparations. However, the Habsburgs were unable to properly understand how much they would mobilize, and their preparations began to run out shortly after the start of the war. In particr, the Lorraine Air War, which mobilized arge number of self-powered aircraft, was a swamp of funds. The Minister of Financesments continued. Even if you leave out the issue of military funds, there are more than a few troubling issues. How are you going to continue the war? Are you going to charge into the enemy camp with spears and swords and hwachas? Because of the crazy actions of those crazy emperors in the East, there are no craftsmen left in the arsenal. You havent forgotten that there are almost none, right? . The military figures had no choice but to keep quiet at the Minister of Finances point. * * * Those who left the arsenal after seeing the promation issued by the empire were not the only ones from the Flying Wing and Self-Flight Club. Not only the craftsmen who built steam engines for assault vehicles and battleships, but also craftsmen in other fields left the armory. When the French government threatened to charge him with treason, the artisans and guilds filed awsuit against him. -It is illegal tobel someone who quits for personal reasons as a traitor! C using me of treason when I didnt even leak any confidential information is a false usation! -The sries of artisans working in armories are too lowpared to those of artisans in guilds. This is an unfair contract! In thiswsuit, the craftsmen and guilds who deserted won the case. ordingly, in order to recapture the artisans who had gained their freedom, the French government had to negotiate again with the artisans and guilds. -The treatment of the arsenal and rted research institutes has be much worse than when it was first established! Please improve this! -Do not interfere with the actions of craftsmen outside of designated working hours! I think these conditions are a bit excessive. When the French governments negotiators expressed difficulty, the artisans and guild representatives responded as follows. I heard this is how the flower kingdom does it? . Negotiations were still ongoing. As a result, the arsenals were not properly producing the weapons necessary for war, and the Minister of Finance was pointing this out. * * * The Minister of Finance was suppressing military personnel . Charles VIII, who was watching, turned to the Prime Minister. The negotiations are still not concluded? Im sorry. Is it unreasonable to put pressure on the guilds? If you do that, all the guilds in the kingdom will turn around. Whew. ~. Charles VIII let out a long sigh and nced back at the Duke of Orlans. The Duke of Orlans, who received Charles VIIIs gaze, slightly shook his head. Seeing that even the Duke of Orlans, the next king, expressed opposition, Charles VIII sighed again. He exhaled. I cant believe that an emperor far away in the East has made the war stop The situation ended with Charles VIIIsment. A monthter, an armistice was officially announced. -The period of the armistice was first It shall be for 3 years. Afterwards, it shall be extended by 3 years through negotiations or the war shall resume. With the truce in which the above was agreed upon, the French and Habsburg armies withdrew to their original stationed ces. And through this, a proverb simr to the other arose. -The Emperor of the Empire sits down and stops the war on the other side of the world. * * * With the truce concluded, Charles VIII of France and Maximilian I of Habsburg could not rest. If the Emperor of the Empire is willing to offer such a huge prize money, France You cant fall behind either. Yield what you have to give to the craftsmen. Because we cant waste time on useless things. Following Charles VIIIs decision, the French government made significant concessions, and many of the craftsmen who had left returned to the armory. It was reported that the armory has be normal again. After receiving this, Charles VIII ordered his ministers, I am worried that the guilds influence is too strong. Find a way to solve this problem and report it. The officials who received orders from Charles VIII ran here and there to find a suitable solution. The French officials, who had found a suitable solution after much effort, looked despondent. An empire again? .. The best answer they found was the Empires School. And Charles VIII, who received their report, also looked despondent. Is it the Empire again? What kind of country is the empire? Or, rather, was the person who came up with this system before him really sane? Arent there more than one system that breaksmon sense until now? At the same time, in the Sugang Pce, incense was burning my ears. Why are my ears itching so much? Who is ming me? * * * Meanwhile, the Count of Tyrol, who visited Maximilian I, immediately knelt down and asked for forgiveness. I was unable to offer victory to your majesty due to my ipetence. Please forgive my sins. You are innocent. The guilty party lies elsewhere. Those who are subjects of the Holy Roman Empire and enemies of the Holy Roman Empire are those sinners. Maximilian I gritted his teeth and promised to himself, Yes! This time, it will be your way, but there will never be another such humiliation. Once again! The Holy Roman Empire must belong entirely to Jim and the Habsburgs! Maximilian I, who pledged strict centralization, gathered his ministers and dered, Even though it ended in a truce, we were defeated! Why were you defeated! We have been defeated by the enemy within! Those who put their own interests above the victory of their country and the orders of the emperor! They are the enemy within! Therefore, first of all, we must unite the Holy Roman Empire! We must wipe out the internal enemies and be reborn as a true Holy Roman Empire! What we need for this is more iron and more gold! After a pause, Maximilian I walked to the world map hanging on one side, pointed out the empire, and continued. Look at the empire! That huge nation moves in perfect order under themands of a single emperor! How is this possible! This is because of strong military and economic power! Look again! A single promation issued by the emperor stopped the war! This strength is what we should aim for! To Maximilian Is deration, the ministers responded by bowing their heads in unison. As your Majesty wishes! And the first step toward this goal was winning the contest. -Empire The reason the emperor offered such arge amount of money was because he was confident that he would gain several times more than that! -If we take it, our status will change in an instant. -From someone who cares about others to someone who makes others notice! Later on, in many ways, Hyang, who heard the story through the route, took a sip of his food with an embarrassed expression. Ughits not like Im rolling a snowball Chapter 1054 Episode 1054 Aftereffects. (3) The prefectural officials and ministers also looked embarrassed. Prime Minister Han Chi-hyeong gathered other ministers in a conference room and held a meeting on this topic. It feels like the work has be bigger than expected since it is being carried out as a national project to France and the Holy Roman Empire. Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers all nodded at Prime Minister Han Chi-hyeongs remarks. Then how about we select it as a national project and actively support it? Left Deputy Prime Minister Ryu Sun pointed out a problem in response to Right Deputy Prime Minister Seong Juns suggestion. Support is already being provided to those who have applied for the contest. So, the idea is to be more proactive. What are you going to do if a problem of equity arises? Are you forgetting that Your Majesty has already pointed this out? As soon as Ryu Sun finished speaking, the Minister of Justice added. As soon as the support n is announced, there are reckless people who try to fraudulently exploit it. But if it is selected as a national policy? Those who look down on the governments work will flock in. Then wouldnt it be okay to catch them at the right time? Wait? Doesnt this seem like a good n to kill two birds with one stone? Everyone in the room had the same thought at the same time as Deputy Prime Minister Woo Seong-juns question and answer was answered. Do you think you are some kind of imperial majesty? Think of killing two birds with one stone! * * * Starting with Hyang, the characteristic of the seeding emperors was aiming for maximum effect with minimum expenditure. Of course, this was also the standard for establishing the empires policies. However, there was a difference between the emperor and the ministers. If the emperor ns to achieve at least two positive results with one policy, or to obtain multiple results by linking two or three policies, the ministers will say, Achieve one result with one policy and maximum effect with minimum expenditure. . It was nned and operated with a purpose. The reason for this difference was that the emperors leading to Hyang and Wan Prefecture had excellent qualities, but they also took advantage of the advantage of being able to see the big picture at the top. On the other hand, ministers had the limitation of looking deeply only at the ministries they were responsible for. Therefore, the qualifications of the Prime Minister and the Left and Right Deputy Prime Ministers became important. This was because he was in a position to coordinate the big picture right under the emperor. * * * In an instant, Seongjun, who received fierce res from the ministers, immediately reversed his position. Haha. I was joking for a moment. If you take it too seriously, your perspective narrows. But Seongjun paused for a moment and continued with a serious expression. Dont forget that if our empire falls behind in thispetition, it can safely be said that it is a national shame. Thats not a problem. Phew~. Ryu Soon, who agreed to Seongjuns words, sighed and turned his gaze to the ceiling. This is precisely the problem that the prime minister and ministers are currently concerned about. It was an empire that was ahead of other countries in all fields so far. But what if the winner of this contestes from another country? The pride of the imperial people would be seriously wounded. And it was certain that the wounded imperial people would criticize the government ministers as ipetent. -When there were former ministers and prime ministers, the empire was always at the forefront! But what a disgrace this is! This is because the current Prime Minister and ministers are ipetent! It was obvious that appeals filled with such content would flood in. No, it was better if only the subjects were criticized. If you make a mistake, you could end up criticizing the emperor. No, there was a high possibility that it woulde out. This was because the emperor would be reced in a little while. The fact that no deadline was set when announcing the contest meant that it would be difficult to produce results within one to two years. If so, it was certain that the results of the contest woulde out during the reign of the next emperor. The problem was Wus weakness. * * * Regardless of imperialists and foreigners, the exceptional quality of the incense was recognized by all. -A genius we will never see again. -The greatest wise man in the world. And Wan and Hyeon received direct instruction from this Hyang and were able to get advice directly or indirectly if necessary. But Wu wasnt like that. Hyang, who had be Taesang, stayed at Sugang Pce and taught, but that time was insufficientpared to Wan and Hyeon. Also, considering Xiangs age, it was almost impossible for Wu, who became emperor, to get advice from Xiang. To conclude, among Wan-hyeon and Woo, the one with the lightest scent was Woo. This was a factor of anxiety for the people of the empire, starting from King Sejong and continuing through the present. This was Wus greatest weakness. If Wu, who became emperor, made a mistake or the government became difficult, the imperial people would criticize him even more severely. Its because I didnt learn it properly! The previous emperors were all outstanding, so why are they like that Agh! Tsk tsk tsk Tsk tsk tsk! If this type of criticism were to umte, the emperors authority would be undermined, and in the worst case, the empire could be shaken. * * * Soong Jun even used the word national rule to point out this worst case scenario. And the Prime Minister and other ministers noticed this and sighed. Even now, a lot of support is being providedpared to the research institute or other departments in Area 51 and 52. Thanks to His Highness the Crown Prince doing his best tofort us, there have been noints so far, but if further support continues here, there will definitely beints. Thats why. If we just sit there and another country bes the winner, it will be an even bigger problem Han Chi-hyeong, who was organizing the situation, was unable to continue speaking. In the end, what came out at the end of the meeting to draw up the dodori table was a kind of stopgap measure. -Allocate a little more budget to support those who take on the contest. C We will identify and severely punish those who illegally receive this support. For this purpose, the Ministry of Finance and Economy conducts regr audits. Hyeon sighed after epting the policy prepared in this way. Whew. I dont know why you were struggling, so I give you permission. However, be sure to find and severely punish those who tarnish the favor given by the country. I follow your orders. And the officials from the Ministry of Finance and Economy who received the official letter mmed their desks and burst out in anger. I knew it would be like this! Our work just increased! Although they were outraged, Ministry of Finance and Economy officials faithfully carried out their duties. -If another country takes first ce in this contest, it will be a national disaster! This was because I strongly sympathized with this. * * * To ensure that the support received from the country was being properly used, officials in charge regrly visited the challengers workrooms. Its fortunate that the research institute and Areas 51 and 52 have dedicated departments. If I had had to go there, I would have really gotten caught up in the work and died. Is it luck or misfortune While grumbling like that, the officials searched for challengers in their respective districts and conducted an audit. As a result, there were times when interesting things happened. How do you feel? Did you get any good results? Jang Tae-soo, an official from the Ministry of Finance and Economy who came out to audit, asked his person in charge how he was doing, not how he was doing. To Tae-su Jangs question, the challenger scratched his head and answered with an embarrassed expression. Well it seems like something is going to work out, but it keeps failing. The design seems to be correct Really? Lets take a look at the n too. If its three years from Danggu Pungwol (ùL Seodanggae) Do you know what it is called (reciting the wind and moon)? Ah no way.. Give it to me. After receiving the blueprint, the Governor examined it carefully and pointed out the problem. I think the sum of the numbers written here, here, and here is wrong? Yes? Just a moment. The challenger, who was calcting numbers in his head while counting his fingers, shook his head. No, its true Look. Taesu wrote down the numbers on one side of the blueprint and then showed the answer by drawing a form. Look. Im wrong, right? Thats Still Even so, Im an official at the Ministry of Finance and Economy. The Ministry of Finance and Economy~. The Ministry of Finance and Economy starts with a number and ends with a number. Okay Then the governor took out a calctor, entered the numbers, and then shouted as he showed the results. See? Instead of doing that fancy mental calction, get a math machine or a calctor! No! If you need to calcte numbers,e see me! Thatll be easier! Oh my! I cant believe Im sitting there doing mental calctions while counting my fingers whilepeting in a contest with such a huge prize money! Oh my! My clothes are exploding! This is why my work never slows down! And as time passed, Tae-soo Jang joined forces with the challenger in question and began to challenge the contest. He did not give up his official position, but all he did was stop by the challengersb after work and help calcte numbers or organize and analyze the results. However, it wasnt long before Tae-su Jang went to work at the challengers studio until the holidays. And Jang Tae-sus wife looked at the sky and sighed. Suddenly I find myself in the shoes of a living widow Oh my, my dear~. * * * Meanwhile, at Sugang Pce, Hyang was looking at the reports with a perplexed expression on his face. Hyang, who was currently looking at the report recording trends within the empire and abroad, sighed. Whew~. Is this my fault too? The scale of the n originally conceived by Hyang was smaller than this. -It is a bigger prize than expected, but if it is enough, even the hidden masters who were buried in the wilderness wille out. -If theye forward, the power engine problem that has been at a standstill will be resolved in a short time. -But that doesnt mean things like 8 cylinders, 12 cylinders, or jet engines wille out right away. However, only basic principles and prototypes are required. -From then on, all you have to do is add plenty of MSG under the pretext of improvement and improvement. The problem was that as soon as the work began, foreign governments rolled up their sleeves and stepped forward, something that even Hyang had not expected. And Hyang, who analyzed the reason why things happened like this, said it was his own fault. And that was true. The promation announcing the contest was issued in the name of the emperor, Hyeon, but people could sense the presence of Sun Hyang behind it. -No one would offer such arge amount of prize money unless the circumstances were right! And if Taesang is worth such a prize, it is worth several times that amount! -Registering it in the response log means that even the Empire has not found the answer yet! If we find the answer first, it will be proof that we have caught up with the Empire! This is an honor that willst forever! As this chain reaction urred, the situation grew bigger. Hyang, who covered the report, shook his head. Is it the glory of the nation or national politics? Why are you so serious? You can either be ahead or behind, but why dont you know that the problem is whates next C Its not important to be the first to discover or invent, but how do you do this? The most important thing is whether you use it properly. For a fragrance with this way of thinking, these reactions were too extreme. Chapter 1055 Episode 1055 Aftereffects. (4) However, there was something slightly overlooked about the scent. The Republic of Korea in the 20th century also showed considerable obsession with acquiring the title of first. No, it was a global trend until the 20th century. It was not until the 21st century that this national obsession was diluted to the point where it was barely noticeable. And some schrs cited the end of the Cold War as the reason for this change. However, even in the 21st century, there were people who were obsessed with being first. It was industrial. In order to beatpetitors and dominate new markets, the industry was fanatically obsessed with the title of first. This was because there were those who won the titles of the first smartphone and the first popr electric car and then almost monopolized the market. * * * Meanwhile, Jang Tae-sus travels were reported to Hyeon. In some ways, we could justugh it off, but why did youe up to Jim? Han Chi-hyeong stepped forward and responded to Hyeons point. This is because those who receive support and those who monitor whether the support is used properly are together. Do not adjust your shoes in the cucumber field and do not adjust your hat strap under the plum tree. Thats right. That Tae-su Jang wouldnt know that, right? Did he forget where the official whomitted corruption was going? Is that possible? I went down from the Board of Audit and Inspection to check and found that the person in charge had changed. After looking into it more closely, I found out that Tae-soo Jang voluntarily applied for a transfer to the department and it was granted. Right. Hyeon nodded in response to Han Chi-hyeong and muttered to himself. The recorder is scary. The Record Office, which had the notoriety of being a letter hell descending on this world, was an object of fear for officials. After listening to the Prime Ministers story, it doesnt seem like it will be a big problem, but as I said before, why was the report even sent to Jim? This is because you shouldnt set a precedent. Even though it ended well this time, it could be misused as a way to ask for wrong results ormit injustice. The Emperor knows everything. Only when the perception that everything officials do is reported to the emperor is firmly established can we prevent injustice and corruption as much as possible. That makes sense. Have that Governor Jang issued a warning in your name. And warn all the officials once again. They say that unless a war or rebellion breaks out, first before second second is strictly prohibited. oh. I follow your orders. It seemed like Jang Tae-sus case had been resolved, but Hyun asked another question. By the way. Seeing that Governor Jang stepped forward like that, do you think the power engine that the person in charge was researching was okay? Looking at the record of Tae-su Jangs words, the reason he intervened is mysterious. Its bizarre? Hyun, who heard the detailed story from Han Chi-hyeong, looked dumbfounded. No, for objects withplex structures such as power engines, urate figures are essential, but the calctions are wrong? Can we still say that we are studying engines? ording to Tae-su Jangs words, The idea seemed usible, and after digging a little deeper, it seemed even more usible, but it seemed like the wrong calction would ruin what was supposed to happen. Thats why I got involved. To sum it up, the idea is great, but the problem lies behind it? Thats right. Hmm Hyeon was lost in thought at Han Chi-hyeongs answer. Hyeon muttered to himself, tapping the armrest with his fingers. Whoes to mind? The ministers who saw Hyeon like that all muttered simr things to themselves.? Your Majesty seems to be thinking of someone too. Meanwhile, the artisans in Area 51 who heard the rumors about Jang Tae-su spoke openly. You are in the situation. This is the situation. Every time, he brought a piece of paper on which he wrote or drew an unexpected idea and threw it to the craftsmen and said, Lets draw the blueprint properly andplete it. ..Is it possible? Maybe? No, you guys can do it. When Taesangin Hyang said this, none of the craftsmen would back down. Taesangwang trusts me like this! Until now, there has never been a craftsman who resigned because he couldnt do it! I cant be the first! ..I will do my best. With this answer, the bloody and tearful challenge began. Meanwhile, Hyang, who heard the rumor at Sugang Pce, muttered with a humble expression. Why did my ears itch so much * * * Contrary to the original expectation that it will take at least 5 years before you start to see results, the results came out a little over a yearter. However, as soon as Hyang and Woo, who were in charge of the review, saw the results in question, they called the submitter and gave orders in a stern voice. Lets find Jang Yeong-sils tomb right now and apologize! What the submitter created and submitted was a power engine using a spring. The problem is that Jang Yeong-sil had already made the actual power device using a windup, and Gihakdang and the Engineering Academy had a replica of the actual power nt. It was said that there was even a So-in didnt know! The boy has never even stepped foot on the gates of Kihakdang and Engineering Academy! The submitterined of injustice, but Hyang pushed him even more harshly. Are you saying its a coincidence? Thats right! You bastard! What are you looking at me for? Do you think I am a blind man with my eyes opened? Yes, the idea of using a mainspring could be a coincidence! But if you look at the blueprint you submitted and the blueprint drawn by Jang Yeong-sil, 80% of them are the same! In particr, the device that transfers the power generated by the mainspring to the desired location is exactly the same as if it were drawn face-to-face! How can this be a coincidence! I tried to be kind to him, but he turned out to be no good! Hello! Call the soldiers right away! As Hyang called for the soldiers, the submitter knelt down on the floor and asked for forgiveness. Please forgive me! The small man was blinded by greed and made a mistake! Ick talent, but I couldnt ovee my greed, so I made the wrong move! I was greedy, but I did it out of foolishness, so please forgive me! Imitted it even though I knew it was wrong, so I cant forgive it! Hello! Drag this person out and hand him over to the Provincial Police! Yes! Please save his life! The submitter cried out for his life at the top of his lungs, but was taken away by the hands of the soldiers and disappeared. I have done more than one thing with Jang Yeong-sil, but this is such a terrible thing. Doing something, no, doing something stupid. How can there be such idiots? Wu, who was next to Hyangs words, shook his head and replied, If Tae Sang-tae wasnt there, I could have been deceived. Huh? Why? Tae Sang-tae not only worked with Jang Yeong-sil but also saw all of his results, so he recognized it right away. But all Soson did was look at the actual objects on disy in theb and Area 51 and the blueprints hung on the wall! After hearing Wus words, Hyang asked back with an expression of understanding. So even if something is copied, you cant immediately tell if its copied or not? Yes, its because there are very few people these days who were actually with old people like Jang Yeong-sil. Ugh Hyang muttered to himself as he licked his lips. Suddenly I remember the title of the movie? I am Legend. I guess Ive lived a long time. Do I really think I can break the record of the King of Longevity? Hyang, who hurriedly cleared away the misceneous thoughts that suddenly came to mind, continued the conversation with Wu. I cant guarantee that this kind of injustice will end this time, so I need toe up with a n. Thats right. First of all, I need to find and collect old records about power engines. So, we will have to check whether there is anything simr to the power engine submitted, and if so, we will have to consider whether it is a coincidence or a copy. It will be a bitplicated, but that will be the norm. And Ill have to add a newbination to the contest rules. If it is discovered that a counterfeit method has been used, the entire subsidy will be refunded. And this recovery measure will be taken in the same way as a fine. In response to Hyangs words, Wu lightly shook his head and replied, There are probably a lot of people who cant do this or that. * * * Support for those who apply for the contest is free. It was not. Those who received the subsidy through illegal means or who gave up midway had to return the subsidy. Those who used illegal methods had to return the entire subsidy and be subject to legal punishment at the same time. On the other hand, those who gave up must first return the remaining subsidy. Then, the usage history was inspected. If it was confirmed that the money spent was entirely for the contest, it ended here. However, if it was confirmed that it was diverted elsewhere, the entire amount had to be disbursed. Anything that did not fall under this elsewhere It was all about maintaining the livelihood of the dependent family. In the process of recovering the support money, if the recipient said that it was impossible to recover the support money because they had already used up all of it, the same method of executing a fine was used. C The recipient was fined the same amount as the fine. Engage in forcedbor for the period of time required. -The standard forbor wages is the minimum wage set byw. -Food, clothing, medical expenses, etc. incurred duringbor are all deducted frombor wages. -The amount remaining after the above deduction process. is deducted from the fine. If you subtract from the minimum wage as above, at best, about half remains. However, in general, if you were to be forced to work because you could not pay the fine dered by the umpire, it was basic to work for at least 10 years. So, you dont have to do this or that. He was saying that there were many people who couldnt do it. The best tactic for those who just wanted to collect the support money was giarism. However, as long as the scent, the living history of Area 51, was holding on, it became an impossible method. * * * Thanks to the scent, many people Even as they coughed up subsidies and gave up, there were those who continued to work hard to achieve the goal of winning a contest. The most representative one was Da Vinci. I have been thinking about something for a long time! What Da Vinci was thinking of was a variation of the Da Vinci Engine. He had been thinking about it for a long time. It was burned by putting a high-temperature, high-pressure mixture of air and oil into an engine with an internalbustion chamber. What was different from the traditional internalbustion engine known to Hyang was that there was nopression process. If this is the case, I will definitely win the contest! Da Vinci looked confident after reviewing thepleted blueprint, but soon became anxious. But why am I so anxious? Why? Da Vinci thought for a moment and immediately thought of one person. Taesang situation! The scent that was always one step ahead of me was the source of my anxiety. Eventually, da Vinci began reviewing the blueprint again. This time, we must ovee the wall of the situation! Hyang heard Da Vincis story through several channels and smiled bitterly. Am I the final boss? If thats the case, tell me to get over Jang Yeong-sil first! Chapter 1056 Episode 1056: Aftereffects. (5) Da Vinci was not the only one like this. 51 Among the craftsmen in Area 52, Hyang and Jang Yeong-sil were walls that must be ovee for those who had seen Jeon Jeon-rok and his achievements so far. Whenever young and motivated craftsmen brought in ns or blueprints, calling them novel ideas, senior craftsmen gave advice that was not advice as follows. What did you think was novel? Before going to the challenge record, first go to the exhibition room and look at Jang Yeong-sils room. If its not in that room, Ill admit its novel. Is that really true? Do you know the story that the studio that Jang Yeong-sil used when she stayed in Shinji was sealed for 60 years? Why was it sealed for 60 years? Think about it carefully. Well~. Upon hearing these words, the young craftsmen who were looking into Jang Yeong-sils room immediately frowned. It was already there? I was just a puppy for one day? Every time I heard a rumor that young craftsmen are depressed, the vige called the older craftsmen andined. What if I step on the sprouts that are just growing? In response to Hyangs point, the senior craftsmen exined the reason with an expression that asked what was the problem. Dont you know stepping on barley? In order for barley to grow well, you have to step on it once in a while. Even those little guys who think theyre so proud will realize that stepping on barley once is not enough and they will try harder. Even small people go through this process at least once. If you dont go through it once, you will only end up being rude and making big mistakes in the future. And those who cannot withstand that difficult time and copse are the yellow ones. We have to weed them out early. In response to the senior craftsmens answers, Hyang had no choice but to step back. I understand. But dont step on it too hard. I will keep that in mind. After sending the craftsmen away, Hyang sighed softly. Its that answer every time, and its very difficult to refute it because it shows positive results. Its also seen as a myeonsinrye The myeonsinrye, an absurdity that wasmitted against newly appointed officials, was the result of King Sejong. He disappeared by order of . The fact that Myeonsinrye, which had not disappeared despite the endless efforts of the Joseon kings, was able to disappear thanks to the MSG of incense. It was a government that boasted of a murderous workload, but it was just a problem by pushing all the work away. After making it into a bowl of ink, it was thrown into the record office. In the end, Myeonsinrye, which boasted its persistent vitality, disappeared. * * * 51 If there were Hyang and Jang Yeong-sil as topic understanding tools for young craftsmen in District 52, there was Lee Sun-ji at the training high school, especially the industrial-academia research institute. Study industry and academia again? Even after all this, I was called a prodigy in my hometown! Even in middle school, I was always a member! Whenever a researcher with a high opinion of himself and overconfidence of his genius came in, the senior researchers presented various tasks that Sunji Lee had written down. Really? Let me try it Give it to me! The new researchers who were so confident soon became discouraged and gave up. I cant solve it. Its okay. Like I said before, you just have to learn step by step again here. I understand. Call me senior. Alyes, senior. New researchers whose sky-high noses copsed had to shut up and take supplementary sses. Senior researchers who had experienced this a few times went to the research institute director and pointed out the problem. It is unreasonable to have to take supplementary sses when there is not enough time to invest in research right away. Considering the time lost through supplementary sses, it is a loss for both teachers and learners. It is better to raise the level of industry and academia taught at social democratic schools and middle schools. see. If that happens, there will be no more people applying to industrial-academic research institutes? Ah * * * Those who entered the contest for wealth and fame did their best regardless of nationality. In the process, there were some novel, novel, and even delusional attempts, but most of them began to converge in a simr way. Hyang, who was looking at the rted reports that were steadilying in, nodded lightly and expressed his impressions. It means that everything people think about is there. Hyun, who was with him, nodded. The first thing that most challengers had inmon was fuel. Coal has its limits! After learning about the pros and cons of coal, challengers began looking for fuel to rece coal. The first thing that came to mind was charcoal. If its charcoal, its easy to find However, soon after, charcoal was excluded from the list of candidates. Charcoal or coal The next candidate that emerged as a strong candidate was alcohol. However, this too was immediately excluded. This was because both the East and the West used grains or fruits to produce alcohol. There is not enough grain for people to eat Since everyone was in a simr situation, Ju-jeong was also eliminated as a candidate. In this situation, the people of the empire were the first to choose oil as a fuel. This was because it was already being used as fuel for new externalbustion engines for front lines and assault vehicles. Since the private sector was already ustomed to using it as fuel for stoves and stoves, oil became the most likely candidate. Soon, oil was selected as a fuel in Ming, Japan, and Europe. And the Arabian Penins and Persia began to suffer. * * * As oil became the most promising fuel for new power engines, countries other than the empire began to look into this oil in more detail. So this oil is refined from that ck oil? This oil was not an unfamiliarmodity to the Ming or European powers. Even as early as the 9th century, crude oil was mined and exported from the Baku oil fields in Azerbaijan. Even primitive refining technology already existed there. Although it was limited to refining crude oil to produce kerosene used for wildfires. But the empire refined this crude oil more meticulously? If thats the case, then we too But the European powers were blocked here. Then where do we get crude oil? What came into sight at that time were the Iraqi region of the Arabian Penins, the Persian region, and Baku in Azerbaijan. Iraq has been a source of crude oil for so long that it is even mentioned in the Bible, and the same goes for Persia. Azerbaijans Baku region has long been famous for oil exports. Lets see.No one knows what kind of power engine wille out, but the most likely fuel is oil. So, if you upy a ce where oiles from, you can make huge profits! The European powers who made this judgment called together geographers. Geographers who received orders from monarchs pointed out the three ces mentioned above. The monarchs of the European powers sighed after checking the problematic areas on the map. Whoa. Ottoman Among the areas in question, Baku was already Ottoman territory. The Arabian Penins and Persia were not yet Ottoman territory. However, there was a problem that to get there, one had to cross Ottoman territory. If the Ottoman sultan and ministers were not all blind, they would have figured it out to some extent by now. Its a question of joint venture or war. Its not easy on either side. During this period, the Ottoman Empire was one of the powerful countries. To be more precise, it was the third powerhouse after the Empire of Ming. WaitEmpire? Empire? Where does the Empire get its oil? European powers investigated further on the topic of oil and empire and immediately found a promising candidate site. I think its Shinji Shinji There, the monarchs of the European powers all had simr thoughts. What are the odds that I can drive out the empire from Shinji and take over? If you look at the Empires army, its firepower is powerful, but its size is rtively small. Will Shinji have enough troops? If we do this well The monarchs of the European powers who had thought this far were momentarily shocked, but then shook their heads. The sea is the problem. If you think about the damn imperial navy and the Antic Ocean, even if you send troops, at least half of them will end up as meat for the Daeseongyang. Fighting the imperial army with the remaining half? Then half of it will be fertilizer. It was a European power that experienced the strength of the imperial navy during the Battle of Corsica and the development of Gloria. The monarchs of the European powers immediately gave up God. Shinji is a self-defeating thief. The moment you touch Shinji, the Empire will do everything in its power to retaliate. The problem is that dealing with the Empire alone is not enough, and there are more than one bastard looking to steal our backs. These were European powers that had already stabbed each other several times. It was certain that the moment one became preupied with dealing with the empire, one of the neighboring countries would surely attack them. The emperor of the empire is a heretic. What if we form a crusade using this as a justification? But this too had little chance ofing to fruition. There was no way Portugal, Italy, and Switzend, the countries with the strongest military power, would respond. To form a crusade there, an order from the Pope was essential. The problem was that the Popes authority had already plummeted to the ground. It was certain that not many countries would respond even if they called for a crusade with the Pope behind them. The monarchs and ministers of the European powers who had analyzed it up to that point let out a long sigh. It would be better to go to war with the Ottomans than to go to war against the empire. At least Even so, the Ottomans were by no means an easy opponent. If the empire had the Antic Ocean, the Ottomans had the Mediterranean Sea. Although it was possible to invade across the Mediterranean, subsequent supply was a problem. The Crusaders of old also suffered from this supply problem, but now that gunpowder weapons have be the mainstay of the battlefield, maintaining supply lines has be an even more difficult problem. What if we use the resurrection of Byzantium as an excuse? In that case, most of the supply route would have to be ovend and only need to cross the Bosphorus Strait. But this was also true for Ottomans. What was even more disadvantageous for the European powers was the subsequent share issue. The most likely supply route was through Habsburg-dominated Austria and Hungary. Even if the project was sessful, it was certain that the Habsburgs would seek to take the lions share. Then what remains is a joint venture, hmm Joint ventures with the Ottomans were not unfamiliar to European powers, especially France, Italy and Portugal. This was because they were still benefiting greatly from Suez. Hmm I think a joint venture would be the best If we have a closer rtionship than we have now, the chances will be even higher, right? The monarchs of the European powers, who were pondering the best way, all came up with the same idea when they saw Suez on the map. Shall we suggest digging a canal? Chapter 1057 Episode 1057: Gambling. (1) At this time, the Suez Railway was already saturated. This was thanks to the addition of logistics between Asia and Europe, as well as logistics between Terra and Gloria. * * * In the case of Terra and Gloria, there was a route to Europe and a route between Terra and Gloria. However, when heading from Terra to Europe, you had to go up the west coast of Africa, and when heading from Gloria to Europe, you had to go up diagonally across the Antic Ocean. This was not only a problem of time efficiency, but a bigger problem was that there was a very high possibility of encountering something dangerous during the voyage. There were more than one ship that disappeared while crossing the vast and rough seas of the South Pacific and Southern Indian Ocean. As they crossed the dangerous sea and approached Africa, pirates, not dangerous waves, were waiting for them. The existing sea routes, especially those patrolled by the Imperial Navy, rarely saw the shadows of pirates, but the problem was that the Imperial Navy could not be seen on the direct route connecting Terra and Gloria Europe. The situation improved slightly as the Imperial Navy, which took control of Gibraltar, patrolled the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea and the Moran area, but it was still a pee on my feet situation. Thanks to this, pirates who moved theirirs to southern Moro and Western Sahara and Mauritania in the 21st century targeted shipsing up from Africa and European merchant shipsing across the Antic. In the end, shipsing from Terra and shipsing from Gloria via Terra were headed to Suez. * * * In this situation, the Suez Railway was saturated. Cargoes from Suez to Prince Henry Port Suezs railway station and port wharves were in chaos due to various supplies being sent from Prince Henry Port to Suez. A chaos ensued as merchants and shippers were fighting to send their own luggage first, and workers who were demanding that they leave the luggage to themselves were all mixed up. In order to resolve this mess, the powers including the empire had toe together even in a difficult atmosphere. Diplomacy is diplomacy, and Suez is Suez. Lets focus only on Suez. Lets do that. Representatives of other countries also readily agreed with the words of the imperial representative. Diplomacy is diplomacy and money is money. cancer! As a result of the cooperation of the interests managing the Suez Railway, the size of the Suez railway station and port becamerger. Subsequently, a proposal was made to expand the Suez Railway, which is currently double track, to double track, and it was passed unanimously. Soon, arge amount of money was invested, construction progressed, and traffic control at ports and stations was also carried out. The area where cargo going from Suez to Prince Henry Port and cargo sent from Prince Henry Port to Suez were handled once again, and supervision was strengthened to ensure that only authorized workers could enter. This will give us some breathing room for now, but it wont be long before it bes a mess again. Looking at the ever-increasing volume of cargo, imperial officials presented a pessimistic outlook. I agree. It will be quieter once the expansion works arepleted. Portuguese officials shook their heads at the French representatives words. If we look at the increasing traffic volume now, it will be a mess not long after the expansion work ispleted. Then wouldnt we need some new measures? The imperial representative briefly answered the French representatives question. Canals. Digging big, beautiful canals. The French representative looked astonished at the imperial representatives words. Canal? Didnt they go by rail because it was too difficult to maintain? When there was talk of building a transportation route connecting Suez and the Mediterranean Sea, the first thing mentioned was a canal. There were records of a canal being built in this area even in ancient times, and since it was a tnd all the way from Suez to the Mediterranean, the canal was the first thing mentioned. However, the canal soon had no choice but to be excluded from the discussion. This was due to the huge construction funds and subsequent maintenance issues. The canal was abandoned right away because of the sand flying in from the damn desert. Who can afford the money we have to scoop out the sand that umtes on the bottom all the time? At the French representatives point, all representatives except the Empire nodded. The representative of the Empire also responded positively to the French representatives point. Its not wrong. Because of the sand, the money spent on maintenance of the railway is also high. But the railway clearly has its limits. Sooner orter, we will have to seriously think about the canal. * * * And as time passed, European powers began to worry about the Suez Canal. A lot of money goes into canal construction. But the situation is very different now from before. In the past, it was something that waspletely unthinkable, but now it seems like its okay to push a little harder, right? Thanks to their exploration of Africa and Terra Gloria, the economic power of the European powers had grown significantly. Of course, the war consumed a considerable amount of military expenditure, but unlike before, it did not take much time to recover. And the enormous profits from the Suez Railway made the canal a positive prospect. Even Italy, which has the smallest stake, receives a lot of profit. What if the Ottomans and we jointly sell the canal? How enormous would the profit be? Its not just about the profits from canals. Think about oil, oil! Soon, oil, not coal, will run the world! * * * There were already widespread rumors that the empire was refining oil and using it as fuel. In particr, there was talk that among the conditions put forward for the contest, petroleum had already been chosen, starting with the fuel condition. And both the artisans and schrs participating in the contest agreed with this hypothesis. Its hard to do anything other than oil. That mana gunpowder was as powerful as oil, but it waspletely excluded! In the end, oil is the only answer. With this analysis added, both the monarchs of European powers, capitalists, and schrs came to the same conclusion. You can only achieve hegemony if you control oil! It was impossible to mess with an empire that was already using oil well, and the Ottomans were caught in the middle of all other influential regions. So that means you just need to cook and boil the ottoman well. Once I get the canals and oil, hegemony will be mine! Despite this conclusion, the European powers could not move easily. The problem is that the current Ottoman sultan is not an easy person. * * * The current sultan ruling the Ottoman Empire was Bayezid II. This is what Hyang evaluated about Bayezid II: Moderate Imic fundamentalists. The problem is that they are fundamentalists. Whether they are moderate or extreme, fundamentalists are troublesome people. Unlike his predecessor, Sultan Mehmet II, who was pro-European, Bayezid II loved traditional Imic culture. It was never easy to deal with Bayezid II, who was a pious Muslim who was called the just Bayezid. Of course, Bayezid II showed a fairly tolerant attitude toward other religions. A representative example was the opening of Jerusalem to allow pilgrimage by Catholics and Orthodox believers, like his predecessor, Sultan Mehmet II. In addition, he showed a diplomatic moderation. Rather than focusing on expansion like Mehmed II, he was focusing only on stabilizing the territory that Mehmed II had expanded. However, that does not mean that Bayezid II was a soft person. Bayezid II seeded Mehmet II and reformed the military system with a focus on gunpowder weapons and strengthened the army. Thanks to this, the Ottoman neighbors, especially the countries of the Balkan Penins and Eastern Europe, could never feel at ease. Because it was Bayezid II like this, the European powers could not move easily. How can I persuade Osman to join hands with me? The monarchs and subjects of the European powers who were concerned about this topic soon found a solution. It was a question of Bayezid IIs age and session. * * * Bayezid II was already over 60 years old. Of course, there were people who, like incense, were still flying around even after the age of 90, but the general situation in this era was that if you were over 60, you would not have many days left to die. If so, it was certain that apetition for Bayezid IIs sessor would arise sooner orter. Choosing Osmans sessor was a bloody contest. The sultan dispersed his children to governors throughout the Ottoman region. When the sultan died, the children who heard the news immediately returned to the capital, and the first child to return to the capital became the sultan. The problem was that this race was absolutely not a fair race. As soon as it became clear that the sultan was growing old, his children entered intopetition. The first thing to do was to secure control over the region where he had been appointed governor and then begin carrying out all kinds of maneuvers against the surrounding brothers. And when the race started, as they headed towards the capital, they would engage in a civil war rather than a civil war with theirpeting brothers. And in this race, sympathy or unity was absolutely impossible. This was because the victor, who became sultan, immediately executed all of his brothers. Therefore, the brothers who lost the race had to be executed or escape from the Ottomans. It was a race of All or nothing. * * * The European powers weighed up this bloody race. Hoo~. If we do this well It was clear that if we selected the right candidate, joined hands, and seeded in the race, we would reap enormous benefits. Who would be better? European powers sent spies and merchants to the Ottomans to find suitable candidates. You cant be too powerful, and you cant be too unlikely. The person most likely to seed him would know full well that he was the most powerful, and this meant that it would be difficult to get his hands on one. However, choosing someone with a too low probability was also a problem. A low probability means that the power you have is weak and that you have to invest more than expected. Of course, if we seed, we can make a fortune, but The problem is that we are not the only ones who thought this way. The odds of victory were too low, as other powers were sure to be making simr calctions. So that means we need to select the right people among those in the championship bracket. After reaching a conclusion, the monarchs and powerful people of European powers waited for the information that spies and merchants would bring. And those who analyzed the intelligence information that came in shook their heads. Its a melee. To be more precise, is it a three-way battle? Bayezid IIs three sons were engaged in a secret but fiercepetition to seed him. The governor of Anatolia was Ahmad, the governor of Korkud Amasya, and Selim, the governor of Trabzon. European powers began to seriously weigh these three strong candidates. Who should I invest in to ensure sure sess? Meanwhile, secretaries established in Europe reported the movements of the great powers to Seoul. Hyeon, who received the report, immediately ced his hand on his forehead, and after receiving the report, Hyang swore. These damn bastards. What will be the point if they just quietly and conventionally engage in politics? Chapter 1058 Episode 1058: Gambling. (2) Two dayster, the prefecture gathered the prime minister, deputy prime ministers, and ministers and put this issue on the agenda. Looking at the intelligenceing in from Suez and Ottoman Europe these days, the situation in Suez is very suspicious. What do you think? Han Chi-hyeong came forward and answered Hyeons question. Even minors have seen the intelligence, but it is difficult to see it as anything more than a mere rumor. Your Majesty does not seem to need to be careful. Hyuns expression and voice began to be sharp at Han Chi-hyeongs answer. Its hard to see it as anything more than a rumor? Whats the reason? Han Chi-hyeong, who was very nervous because Hyeons spirit was unusually low, hurriedly exined the reason. First of all, digging a canal is not an easy task, especially considering the situation in Suez. To summarize Han Chi-hyeongs exnation, it was as follows. -The reason they are trying to dig a canal in Suez is to move cargo without unloading it from the ship. -For this purpose, the canal must be at least wide enough for two oing ships to pass without colliding. -But the ships currently traveling in and out of Suez are muchrger than the Panokseon. And its getting bigger. -Considering the ever-increasing size of ships and the environment of Suez, building a canal is not something that one country can handle. So, didnt we get intelligence that they were trying to join hands with Osman? Han Chi-hyeong responded again to Hyeons point. That is not an easy task either. -The battle to determine Osmans sessor is famous for being brutal. -The problem is the elimination of losers in the sessor-determination battle. It would be ideal if the elimination of the losers waspleted perfectly, but if not, it would be a big problem. This is the case with Bayezid II, the Sultan of Danggeum. As his younger brother Jem, his strongest rival, fled to Europe, he had to worry about the possibility of continued civil war. ..There is a story that Bayezid refrained from reckless expansion, unlike his predecessor, Sultan Mehmet II. This is because if he makes a mistake and provokes Europe, the European powers could instigate a civil war using gems. At least with Djems death a few years ago, the worries about civil war disappeared, but now Bayezid is too old. Han Chi-hyeongs words continued. -If we look at the session structure of Bayezid II, a three-way battle is taking ce. Korkud of Anatolia, the most powerful, was unable to properly suppress the rebellion that urred in Anatolia and fell into the White Middle Ages. -In this situation, it is difficult to see much benefit even if European powers intervene. -Also, as in the case of Djem, if the defeatedpetitor escapes from the Ottomans, civil war may continue. This is due to the nature of the European powers. This is because the resentment built up between countries is deep and they do not hesitate to attack their allies if it is beneficial. -Whats even worse is that there is no absolute powerhouse in Europe now. .No one wants to get involved in a gambling game where they have to keep pouring in their stake when there are people around who are trying to steal their real estate if they get the chance. So its just a rumor? Thats right. Of course, you might have thought that way at first. No, you wouldnt have done it. But those who run the country in name or in name would have quit as soon as they realized that the harm could be greater than the benefit. Thats because it is natural. Hyeon shook his head lightly at Han Chi-hyeongs words. I agree that what the Prime Minister said is natural. However, it is difficult to agree with the expectation that Europeans will not do something that seems reckless like that. Europeans are the ones who do it without hesitation if it is beneficial, even if it is not natural to anyone. Thats because. Or is it only Europeans who are like this? Look at the Warring States Period. Why did the sages emphasize benevolence and dream of royal politics? Han Chi-hyeong boldly asked back at Hyeons words. Do you think, Your Majesty, that they will do something even if it is not natural? It is true. However, even if a lot of wealth can be obtained from Suez, it cannot be considered a great deal considering the wealth that must be invested to carry out such a big project. Dont just think about the canal. Theyre not just after the canal. At Hyeons words, Han Chi-hyeong and the ministers all had expressions full of doubt. You said it wasnt just a canal? Then what was it? oil. Han Chi-hyeong immediately questioned Hyeons concise answer. Isnt oil just more useful firewood than coal? At Han Chi-hyeongs answer, Hyeon kept his mouth shut and looked back at Han Chi-hyeong and the other ministers. Hyeon, who saw that everyone was making simr expressions to Han Chi-hyeong, sighed and muttered to himself. Haa~. Maybe its normal to think like that. Even I wouldnt have known if Taesang had not pointed it out Hyeon sighed and opened his mouth. The use of petroleum is not just firewood. It also produces lubricants used in machines and steam engines used in workshops, and bitumen used as a waterproofing agent for roads and ships. If the method of refining oil bes better than it is now, more oil will be produced. Im sure we can get it. Are you saying that the European powers also know that? For now, they probably just think its more useful firewood than coal. But in time, they will know. So, do you think that even though I only see it as firewood now, I would do something that is close to gambling? Im telling you, the Duke of Hwanghao, but I guess its not a good idea? Sigh! At Han Chi-hyeongs words, all the ministers around him gasped in shock. Han Chi-hyeongs remarks just now were very provocative. Captain Han is crazy! You dare contradict the emperors words! Youre out of your mind! However, Hyun had a surprisingly calm expression and asked Han Chi-hyeong. Rain? You said rain? Why did you think that? If you look back at what Europeans have done so far, it is difficult to believe that Europeans can think that far. In other words, are they short-sighted? Thats right. Tsk! At that moment, Hyeon clicked his tongue and Han Chi-hyeong and the ministers shrugged their shoulders. Isnt the opinion of the magistrates as narrow as theirs is narrow? As the Prime Minister said, look at their form. They are the ones who have chased right behind the empire before you know it. Nevertheless, if weugh at their narrow opinion and do not take the first step, we will never attack them. Are you confident that you wont know? Are you not thinking that if you neglect attention like that, our empire will soon fall behind! In response to Hyeons words, Han Chi-hyeong bowed down on the floor and raised his voice. I swear to heaven that the minor gods have never neglected their attention! For the safety of the empire and the peace of the people, they have been forgetting day and night and clinging to state affairs! That is why I dare to tell you to lean on your majesty! Hyun gave a short reply to Han Chi-hyungs remark full of resentment. Its not just Jim who is worried. Taesang is also very worried. Sigh! At Hyeons words, Han Chi-hyeong, who was lying on the floor, froze. In the empire, and indeed in the imperial court, Hyang was a being who could be called a sage god. What he was worried about inevitably became a problem, and there were more than a few cases where he ended up in trouble if he did not prepare for it in advance. Tae Tae Sang-tae also Thats right. Please forgive me for my arrogance! In response to Hyuns response, Han Chi-hyeong fell to the floor and begged for forgiveness. Hyun clicked his tongue as he looked down at Hanchihyeong. Tsk tsk tsk Gasp! Three times! Damn it! If we make a mistake, our heads will be blown off! The frightened ministers all fell to the ground and raised their voices. Forgive me! Hyuns voice rang out over the heads of the ministers lying face down on the floor. The determination of the ministers who do not blindly follow the words of their subordinates and who consider right and wrong deserves praise. This is because it is the duty of a subject to speak frankly for the well-being of the monarch, the country, and the people. However, for these direct words to shine, excellent insight is required. This is a necessaryw. If an ordinary person is to think of one thing when he sees one thing, then a manager is to look at one thing and think of two, three, and five to ten. From the small scale of managing a household to therge scale of managing a country. . Hyun paused for a moment, cleared his throat, and then raised his voice. But look at what the Lords are doing now! Those in charge of running this huge empire are looking at the world through the eyes of criminals! Can I really trust the Lords? Will I be able to trust them and hand over the throne to the crown prince? From now on, the situation will be great. If the people who will fill this main hall when you are gone are people like you, will this empire be at peace? The ministers who prostrated themselves on the floor in response to Hyuns criticism lowered themselves even further and begged for forgiveness. Forgive me! Please forgive thecency of the minor gods! Stand up! Hyeon, who raised the ministers, warned Han Chi-hyeong. I will warn the Prime Minister. The world of yesterday and the world of today are always different. Lack of ability is understandable and can be taken into ount. But I can never forgivecency. I will keep this in mind! The same goes for the Lords. No, the same goes for those who will seed the Lords. I will keep this in mind! Then take another look at Suez and report back to Jim. As soon as possible. I will do my best. After the massacre, the ministers who came out of Geunjeongjeon red at Han Chi-hyeong. ..Ill buy you a drink. Starting from today, leaving the office on time has passed, but having a drink is a breeze Han Chi-hyung hastily changed his words as his sincerity came out from nowhere. Even if its just two or three, buy it! Meanwhile, after hearing about themotion that urred at Geunjeongjeon, Hyang smiled bitterly. The analysis and prediction part is where its all about if you get it right, youll be singled out if you get it wrong. Thats why we put the smartest people in it, but its also the part that gets the most criticism. Meanwhile, the officials who heard the rumor that the ministers were defeated by the emperor! were very nervous about the future. But this time there was no going down. Instead Bring all the data! Analyze this again! Work has increased again. * * * The ministers who had been shaken by Hyun analyzed the situation again. Ministers held daily meetings with the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers with reports analyzing the impact of what would happen in Haussmann on their ministries. There is certainly a possibility that Europe will use tricks on the Ottomans. If Tae Sang-tae said so, it is not a possibility, but it will definitely happen. Then Han Chi-hyeong, who was listening to the story, looked back at the ministers. What happens if we scatter the ashes? We made them get criticized for not having to eat them? Chapter 1059 Episode 1059: Gambling. (3) At Han Chi-hyeongs words, all the ministers focused their attention on Han Chi-hyeong. But it was never a good look. Ive been emptying my pockets buying alcohol these past few days, but have I lost my taste? Did you go crazy after being scolded by His Majesty? Have you taken any spoiled tonic medicine? Deputy Prime Minister Seong Jun asked Han Chi-hyeong on behalf of the ministers who were full of suspicion. Lets scatter ashes? Are you saying that our empire also wants to get involved in that troublesome gambling game? The ministers all nodded to Seongjuns question. If the empire intervened, it would definitely scatter ashes. If the empire announced its intention to participate, it was certain that the three influential candidates would take the initiative and offer their hands, and if that happened, it was clear that the European powers would be dogs chasing chickens. It was literally scattering ashes on the gambling table that the European powers had carefully created. If theres a problem The problem is that the empire also has to choose one person, and if you make a mistake, the empire will also fall into a quagmire. Han Chi-hyeong grinned and responded to Seong-juns point. Of course, I am well aware of the danger. And the people sent by the European powers will already be crowded around the governors in question. Then, the governors arrogance will be high in the sky, and the messenger sent on behalf of the empire may be humiliated. . At Han Chi-hyeongs words, the Minister of National Defense opened his mouth with a fierce expression on his face. If that happens, well have to turn the whole situation upside down. How dare you! Left Deputy Prime Minister Ryu Sun immediately intervened in the words of the Minister of National Defense. Its just an assumption. No matter how arrogant you are, if you had the brains to think, you wouldnt do such a stupid thing. You would just y tug-of-war to raise the ransom. Han Chi-hyung immediately nodded at Ryu Suns words. I agree. Of course, anyone who thinks will do so. But in the end, it is clear that it will be a boring situation in which our empire cannot lead. So the ce I n to scatter ashes is not the Ottomans. It is Persia. Persia? When Persia appeared out of nowhere, all the ministers expressed doubts. Wait.Persia.Hoo? The first person to react was the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Minister of Foreign Affairs looked at Han Chi-hyeong with shining eyes. The kingdom that ruled Persia copsed not long ago, and it is now Muju-gongsan. No, its not Muju Gongsan, but should we say its a difficult time? Do you want to use that ce? Han Chi-hyeong nodded at the Minister of Foreign Affairs words. Yes, thats right. We are going to select a powerful person among the nobles who created the turbulent times and make him the master of Persia. Hmm The ministers who heard Han Chi-hyeongs n had serious expressions on their faces and weighed the profits and losses in their minds. Just like that. While considering the profits and losses, Ryu Sun was the first to speak up. Even if you roughly calcte the amount of money involved, it seems like it will cost a considerable amount, right? And even if it seeds, it is unlikely to cause any damage to the Ottomans or the European powers. Itspletely separate from the battle to determine the sessor. To Ryu Suns point, Han Chi-hyeong immediately responded, If Suez is the only thing at stake in the gamble, then what the Deputy Prime Minister said is correct. But isnt there one more thing than that? You mean oil. Oil? Ill exin while looking at the map. Han Chi-hyung continued by pointing out the regions of Persia, the Arabian Penins, and Azerbaijan on the world map hanging on the wall. -Adurvadagan, Mesopotamia on the Arabian Penins. The Baku region (old name of Azerbaijan) has been an oil producing area since ancient times. -European powers have to pass through the Ottomans to get here. -The reason why European powers are showing interest and trying to intervene in the decision on Ottoman sessor is because of the Suez But there is also this very geographical problem C if ones chosen sessor bes an Ottoman monarch, the European winner will either gain the right to transit through Ottoman territory or try to take control of that region together with the Ottomans. Han Chi-hyeong turned to the ministers and asked a question: Now, heres a question to think about! What do you think would happen if a country other than the Ottomans were firmly entrenched in this area, which European powers covet? The Minister of National Defense immediately answered Han Chi-hyeongs question. I will scatter the ashes properly. But I cannot agree to doing anything just because of that. At best, I am getting my due. I agree. I agree. Other ministers also agreed with the Minister of National Defenses opinion. Looking at the ministers like that, Han Chi-hyeong continued speaking again. Our empire also needs oil from this region. The Minister of National Defense again raised a counterargument to Han Chi-hyeongs words. Oil is alsoing from our empire. Supporting the nobles in the Persian region may end with simple support of military supplies, but in the worst case, we must also consider dispatching the empire. Protecting His Majesty the Emperor and protecting the empires territory and people is important. It is the job of the Imperial Army. It is not the Imperial Armys job to get involved in the internal disputes of countries that are not allies of the Empire. Following the Minister of National Defenses remarks, the Minister of Foreign Affairs also raised a counterargument. I agree with what the Minister of Defense said. If you look at the European powers currently working in the Ottoman Empire, there are some who have an uneasy rtionship with our empire, but there are also those who are allies or maintain friendly rtions. If you make a mistake, you can end up in trouble with them. Yes. If that happens, there will be no benefit and only disappointment. Despite criticism from the Minister of National Defense and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Han Chi-hyeong did not give up his argument. We need oil too. The Minister of National Defense also said, Dont we also produce oil? What if all the oil that ising out now? Huh? What if the oil well that is producing oil now dries up in a few years? Huh? Have you heard such a thing? Thats an assumption. But think about it carefully. Oil is amodity that will be increasingly important and its value will rise. The European powers have also noticed this, so they are making moves to take advantage of the Ottomans. What if. What will we do if the local oil is in their hands and we have no oil? . The ministers could not easily open their mouths due to Han Chi-hyeongs assumption. Han Chi-hyeong continued to exin why he needed to intervene. Even now, prospecting and drilling are in progress in the headquarters of the empire, the northeastern region, and new territories, and indeed in all river areas of the empire. And the existence of new gold, silver, and other mines is reported several times a year. However, the mines that are actually mined are What is the reason for the minimum amount of oil? Isnt it not just for us to use, but to leave behind for our future generations? The same goes for oil. With the help of the gods of heaven and earth, we may be able to find new oil wells other than the ones we are currently using, but there is a possibility that we may not be able to do so. If we think about our future generations, is there only one more answer? No one opened their mouths easily to Han Chi-hyeongs words. After a long period of silence, Ryu Sun opened his mouth. Lets think about it a little more. After that, the meeting continued for almost fifteen days. This was unavoidable. Not only the empire, but also the European powers began to show interest in oil. And this was only the beginning. As soon as they knew its value, it was certain that sooner orter all the countries in the world would be interested in oil. If things went this way, of course the country would be interested in oil. It was certain that there would be a conflict of interest between them, and as the Minister of Foreign Affairs said, there would be a situation in which there would be trouble with the empires allies. Is it really worth going to such an extreme situation and proceeding with the work? Is it worth risking tarnishing the empires reputation? The ministers had a fierce war of words over this. And because of this war of words, the officials below had to work all night long. Bring me data on the locations of mines throughout the empire! The most recent one! Bring all the information rted to oil wells! The most recent! Bring me data on births and deaths from across the empire! The most recent one! ah! Also, bring birth rate records from across the empire! Nothing? You cant find it? Is the recorder just for decoration?{ The numbers here are wrong! Cant you even transcribe them properly? There were shoutsing from all directions and papers with information flying through the sky. Based on the data obtained and analyzed in this way, the ministers organized their thoughts. -Considering the current situation and future expectations of the empire, is it reasonable to implement the prime ministers idea? It was a battle of words to solve a seemingly simple but infinitelyplex problem. Meanwhile, Hyeon, who had received this report through various routes, went to Hyang and talked to him. Likest time, I was thinking of dismissing everyone and hiring new people. Hyang smiled and epted Hyuns words. Still, arent people like Han Myeong-hoe the ones they chose? If you feel like youve be toox sometimes, you can just give them a harsh word. I will keep this in mind. I will also inform the crown prince. Its natural. He was a grandson who shared stories that would make the people involved hear heart-wrenching stories. * * * Meanwhile, while a fierce war of words was taking ce above, strange stories were also emerging below. A representative example was the Ministry of Education. Why on earth do we have to go through this trouble? huh? What? My friend at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that this sad month is due to something that is happening or might happen in the Ottoman Empire right now? But we are the Ministry of Education, right? Its understandable for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, or at least the Ministry of Finance and Economy, but why do we, the Ministry of Education, have to go through this trouble? Really? Are you suddenly posting information about the promotion of imperial policies targeting students at the Social Democratic Institute? What does this have to do with Osman? As these words were exchanged among lower-level officials, middle-ranking officials with the status of government officials exined the reason to them. The reason is simple. This is because those attending the academy see and learn what we are doing now. If what we are doing now bes a bad example, the future of the empire will not be good. Ah If you understand, go and do your work! If I dont like the report this time, Ill throw it into the record office! Oh, I understand! * * * As the situation continued for nearly 15 days without an easy conclusion, Hyun talked to Hyang again about this. What do you think, Tae-sang-tae? What do you think? What do you think, Emperor? Hyang was silent for a moment before answering Hyangs question. I think we should consider the Prime Ministers proposal. You dont know the future. I agree. But there is also a problem. If you do something wrong, the empire could be isted. To put it in a good way, it means bing a maverick. To put it in a bad way, it means bing a loner. Yes, honestly, that is the biggest obstacle. Hyang, who was watching Hyeons expression as he answered, asked Hyeon. I think the emperor has thought about the answer to some extent, right? We I think the answer is to find someone who can move with you. The question is who is the right person. European allies are a bit puzzling. You keep it a secret even from us. In response to Hyeons words, Hyang shared her thoughts. How about finding someone in need and putting them in front? Putting them in front? You mean as a minion? Thats right. So, what about Japan? Chapter 1060 Episode 1060: Gambling. (4) Did you say you would put Japan in front? exactly. Hyang exined in more detail why Japan should join. -If you look at the current situation in Japan, it is very poor. Thend is slightlyrger than the main site, but the poption is alsorge. There are as few minerals as there are in the headquarters of the empire. -The same goes for household chores. We are following the Empires footsteps diligently, but it is not easy because there is a problem with our Empire and Ming right next to each other. -If we look at the trends of the world in the future, Japan will also need a lot of oil. -Considering theck of resources and livelihoods, Japan may pursue extreme measures. Are you talking about war as an extreme measure? exactly. With the military power of the empire, we can easily suppress Japan. But there are probably many people who lose their precious lives. Isnt war something that should be avoided if possible? Hyun raised a counterargument to Hyangs words. If we continue to take moderate measures, there is a risk that neighboring countries will easily view the empire. Isnt the fall of the Song Dynasty in the Central ins for a simr reason? I think its different from Song. Didnt the Song neglect the strengthening of the military and military power to the extent that suppression of the Wen Dynasty immediatelyes to mind? In the midst of all this, I think thats what happened because we fought with foreign powers. However, the bnce between civil and military affairs is not the key to an empire. The Song and the Empire are different. The Song also appeased foreign powers by giving them tax money. When our empire was Joseon, we sent a Segyeonseon to the governor of Tsushima to appease him. I get the feeling that the method proposed by Tae Sang-hang is arger Segyeon ship. Considering that despite sending the Segyeonseon, they suffered from Japanese invasion and eventually had to embark on a conquest It was a prefecture that continued to react negatively, and Josuns conversation continued. Among those European proverbs, there is one that I like the most. Yes. If you want peace, prepare for war. I believe the Empire is faithfully following this. Because Song used a moderate policy without proper power, he became a formidable opponent. And what are the characteristics of Japan? It is weak to the strong and strong to the weak. As long as our empire overwhelms Japan, Japan will faithfully follow our words. If you think about the characteristics of the Japanese people, thats true And as I said before, Japan is going further and further into a dead end. Its a crowded situation. Its been said since ancient times, Even a rat will attack a cat if it finds itself in a dead end. We need to make a suitable exit. Did you say exit? Hmm Hyeon paused for a moment, thinking about something, and called the eunuch. Go and call the crown prince. Yes, Your Majesty. After receiving the call and receiving the courtesy from Wu, Hyeon was on one side. He offered a seat and ordered, The crown prince, please sit here and participate in the conversation. How can I, who is not good enough, just barge in? No, thats enough. Because it wont be long until you take over the throne. Therefore, you must sit here, think, and speak. What you see and hear here now is not what you can hear and learn from the words of the librarians and the ministers who report on the scriptures. Rather, what is happening here now will be your daily life when you became emperor. Wu, who thought for a moment about Hyuns words, immediately bowed his head and answered, I understand. Im stillcking a lot, but Ill do my best. In response to Woos answer, Hyang looked at Hyang and Hyeon with a happy smile. However, the smile disappeared from Hyangs face as Hyun continued to say. Im very sorry, but until now. Would you please exin again? .I will follow the Emperors orders. A rebroadcast! A rebroadcast! And at the end of the conversation, Hyeon asked Wu, So what does the Crown Prince think? ording to what Soja learned and heard, the Japanese are said to have an extremely bad character and cannot be easily trusted. However, it is true that if you push yourself into a corner too much, there is a high possibility that something worse will happen. As Tae Sang-tae said, I think it would be good to give Japan some breathing space. You think its good to give Japan some breathing room? When Hyeon gave a slightly sharp response, Wu flinched. But he soon mustered up courage and answered, Thats right. Then, tell me the reason. At Hyeonsmand, Wu cleared his voice for a moment and exined why he thought so. -It is true that the Japanese are naturally weak to the strong and extremely strong and ferocious to the weak. -However, the power of the empire is stronger than that of Japan, and if they are given enough breathing space, they will be great sympathizers of the empire. The reason is because of their nature. -The Ouchi family, who currently rules Japan, are faithful coborators of the empire. Giving Japan some breathing room will be their achievement, and this will strengthen their power. If that happens, Japan will continue to make peace with the empire. .. That is why Soja should reach out to Japan . I thought about it. Hmm Hyeon, who thought about something for a moment after hearing Woos words, looked back at Hyang. What do you think? I think its okay. What does the emperor think? I agree. The crown prince should listen. It was a very good answer. I dont think there will be any worries if I hand over the throne. At Hyuns words, Woo fell t on the floor and raised his voice. Thats too much praise! Soja, theres still so much to learn and master! Anyone could see that these were words of humility. But everyone around them, including Hyang and Hyeon, had the same thought. I dont want to be handed over, Ill hold on as long as I can, right? * * * -The Emperor and the Crown Prince gathered to discuss national affairs. -The topic discussed is the one that the prime minister and ministers are fighting about every day! Ministers who heard the rumor immediately gathered in the Prime Ministers conference room. Have you heard the rumor? I heard. In response to the ministers questions, Han Chi-hyeong nodded. Seeing that, the ministers immediately asked questions. Did you hear what the results were? I didnt hear you. this! The ministers all looked disappointed at Han Chi-hyeongs answer. The emperor, the crown prince, and even the state of affairs were gathered together to discuss it. Even if only the emperor and the crown prince came together, he would be a powerful policy candidate, but is this the result of abination of circumstances? It had be a clear policy. The problem was that the result that the emperors thought was different from the result that the ministers thought of. If that happened, it was certain that a war of words would break out again between the emperor and his subjects. There was no possibility for the ministers to refute the results of the coboration between the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince. And if that happens Tsk, tsk, tsk! Its because the minds of the ministers are so short Having to be scolded to the point where your ears are pierced and you feel a deep sense of self-destruction is basically a matter of pleasing the emperor. It would be a situation where everything would have to be rewritten from scratch. Im still eating and sleeping in the government building, but this is going to take longer? This will never happen! I want to go home too! Hehe! This is such a big deal. Faced with an urgent situation, the ministers moved immediately. The ministers who secretly approached the officials working at Gyeongbokgung Pce and Sugang Pce, as well as the officers and governors who did not leave the emperors side, looked around and immediately gave up. Did you hear that conversationst time? Can you tell me a little bit about what the conclusion was? However, those who were questioned by the ministers all remained ignorant. I apologize. Dont you know that speaking out is prohibited byw? In the end, the ministers had no choice but to give in. The captain needs to step forward. Keu I wish you luck. In the end, Han Chi-hyeong asked Hyeon to be alone. * * * Hehe, theres something special about the Prime Minister asking me to be alone first. Is there anything special about it? Isnt it something that can be requested at any time for the smooth running of the empire? Thats right. Now! What did you ask for alone? Its because of the conversation you had at Sugang Pce a while ago. Please tell us your majestys intentions. Jims Assim? Why? Ill say it again, this is for the smooth operation of government affairs. To put it simply, you are saying that you will know what I mean in advance and fit it into that mold. Would you do that even if Jims thoughts were wrong? That is absolutely not the case. It is simply because if we can know His Majestys intentions in advance, it is natural to discuss whether it is right or wrong first. Isnt it because you dont want more work? In response to Hyuns point, Han Chi-hyeong urgently bowed his head and answered, Is that possible? Hmm Hyeon, who was looking at Han Chi-hyeong with narrowed eyes, gave an order. Tomorrow, all the ministers will meet . I will talk about it when we gather. Please do not leave out and gather together. Yes, Your Majesty. * * * The next day, at a gathering of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers, and Ministers, Hyun opened his mouth. .It is in the national interest of the empire to promote Persia. Think about it. Its the same reason to include Japan in there. Hyun finished speaking, but no one spoke immediately. Japan Japan Hmm Indeed, considering Japans habits and circumstances, it is a good number. It seems okay Most of thements were positive, but no one readily opened their mouths and expressed their approval. This was due to a deep-rooted sense of denial from the past. After meeting international students who had spent a long time in Japan, the Japanese king and ruling ss It was a feeling of reluctance that did not easily go away even though I knew full well that these were pro-imperial seekers. As the silence continued, the Minister of Foreign Affairs opened his mouth. I would like to inform you, the Emperor, that while you are involving Japan in the pursuit of Persia, it would be good to do the same. Name? In response to Hyun s question, the Minister of Foreign Affairs exined the reason. It is the same in the Ming Province that oil is not produced. There are many reasons why oil is needed for stopping. If you think about thend mass and poption, you will need more than you think. If so, it is certain that they will turn their eyes outside the Ming Inds and sh with our empire again. One is to avoid this in advance, and the other is to give power to the Emperor of Ming, just like Japan. Give power to the Emperor of Ming? Thats right. It is safe to say that Emperor Tang Jin Ming was born and raised in our empire. Therefore, the rtionship between the Ming and our empire is very stable now. The problem is the crown prince who will be the next emperor. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, who paused for a moment and cleared his throat, continued, The crown princes mother is from the empire, and the Emperor of Tang Jins entourage are all from the empire. But why is there such a thing as knowledge, knowledge, and knowledge? Since there are even more people from famous countries surrounding them, there is a high possibility that they will use oil as an excuse to create animosity against the empire. Therefore, I think it would be a good idea to have people join us in advance so we can share the profits. Chapter 1061 Episode 1061: Gambling. (5) It also attracts people Hmm Hyeon began to struggle with his words at the words of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. It wasnt just Hyun. Starting with Han Chi-hyeong, the other ministers also fell silent and fell into deep thought. To be honest with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, this is a proposal that is difficult to decide whether to ept or reject. You are well aware of this, right? The Minister of Foreign Affairs bowed his head and responded to Hyuns words. I know your beliefs well. But it is better to increase your friends than to increase your enemies. What could be better than if you could take on more risks instead of sharing the profits in moderation? If anyone among them has any sense, they would know our intentions, right? Anyone who can sense our intentions will know that this is an offer they cannot refuse. They may prepare a sword to stab us with the profits we gave away. How will we do this? What benefit will they gain by doing so? Rather, it will only cause greater harm. People with ideas would not do such foolish things. Han Chi-hyeong refuted the Minister of Foreign Affairs words. Is there one or two stories where you thought that way and ended up in trouble? In response to Han Chi-hyeongs rebuttal, the Minister of Foreign Affairs raised a counterargument again. Why does the imperial army exist? The empire is a power that is already difficult to find an opponent for. A power has its own management and diplomacy skills. Hyun showed curiosity at the Minister of Foreign Affairs words. Hoo? What is that? The Minister of Foreign Affairs responded immediately to Hyuns question. No matter how small or poor your opponent is, you must deal with it with courtesy and sincerity, but you must hold a club in your hand. And when you swing, you must swing without mercy. In response to the Foreign Ministers remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Ryu Sun immediately pointed out the problem. Do you see that it is not the duty of a gentleman? Doing the duty of a gentleman towards someone who is not a gentleman is not a gentleman, it is only a fool. What is the reason why Duke Yang of the Song Dynasty is ridiculed even now, more than a thousand yearster? But royal politics.. The world is not the era of kings, but the era of defeat! No matter how the trend of the world is, it is like that. If you have learned the words of the sage, you should strive to realize the royal road! Thats right! If you say you follow the trend because it is the way it is, then what kind of gentleman would you be? Reality is reality! Before we are gentlemen, we are ministers of the empire! If youre running an empire, you cant forget reality! As the voices among the ministers grew louder, Hyun raised his hand to block the conversation. Stop. Be quiet! It doesnt look good! At Hyeonsmand, the ministers all bowed their heads and fell silent. Hyeon looked at the ministers and continued, The ministers verbal exchange did not look bad. But isnt now the time for that war of words? Why are you so caught up in the side stories that you forget the main point? I apologize! The ministers bowed their heads and apologized to Hyuns point. However, Ryu Sun denied Hyeons words. Your Majesty, the Emperor, but your Majesty, the war of words that has just taken ce is I see it, not as a side note. This is considered an important battle of words that will determine how the empire conducts diplomacy. When Emperor Wen founded the empire, he dered Hongik Ingan as the national poem. What is the meaning of Hongik Ingan? The goal is to benefit people widely. How could that person be the only citizen of the empire? If you look at it that way, diplomacy is the best means to carry out national policy. As soon as Ryu Sun finished speaking, Left Vice Prime Minister Seong Jun stepped forward. Your Majesty, Hwang Gong-hao, but Right Deputy Prime Ministers words are very idealistic. No one can deny the beauty of what Deputy Prime Minister Woo said. But those words are just empty cries. I am using you of pandering to the current trend, but you cannot survive by ignoring the current trend! Your Majesty, your Majesty the Emperor When Ryu Sun opened his mouth to retort again, Hyeon raised his hand. It would be better to stop. Ministers, be careful. I am telling you that the Emperor is the Duke If you are the Emperor, do not say anything that will be the Emperor! Hyeons words instantly froze the entire Daejeon. Hyeon spoke to the ministers in a fierce voice. . Emperor Wen and Emperor Taisang both said this. Those who run a country must always have both feet nted on reality. Always be considerate. Even if its a good time, aim for the next best thing, not the best. Even if its a crisis, aim for the lesser evil, not the worst. Self-respect is the best for those who run a country. Do you not know what this means? .. None of the ministers opened their mouths in response to Hyuns question. Hyeon pointed to Ryu Sun. Deputy Prime Minister Wu, please listen. I dont think what you said is wrong, but I dont think its right either. Efforts to realize Hongik Ingan and royal politics aremendable, but we must not forget reality. Please keep this in mind. Ryu Sun bowed his head and responded to Hyuns order. I will keep this in mind. Hyeon, who cautioned Ryu Sun, ordered the ministers. The Minister of Foreign Affairs proposal is worth thinking deeply about. Ill give you two days. Sirs, please gather your thoughts until then. Lets follow my orders! * * * Hyeon, who had gone through such amotion, looked for Hyang andined. Why on earth is everyone so upset? I do not know. No, its okay to be in the clear water. I can only sigh as I leave the main topic aside and fight while holding on to the side branches. At the thought of it all, I want to fire everyone from their jobs. Is there anyone who can fill that position? Whew~. Thats the problem. So Im leaving it at that. Even if you fill it with a new one, it seems certain that the same thing will happen again. Hyang responded to Hyeonsint with a grin. Think positively. Its all because the empire can make a living. Are you saying its the era of peace? Im not sure if its the era of peace or not. Even at this very moment, there are probably many people in various parts of the empire who are hungry or shedding tears because of injustice. However, I can assure you that life has definitely be easierpared to before. Yes, that kind of debate is happening. Among the sayings that have been circting among authors for a long time, there is something like this. If a child goes without food for three days, even noblemen climb over the walls of other peoples houses. Now that the people of the empire have more room to live, they are able to consider what is right and what is good and bad. Do you think the people will consider morality when their lives are difficult? Before that, there will be a stabbing. At Hyangs words, Hyeon nodded with a brighter face. Seeing Hyangsplexion, Hyang asked Hyeons intentions. What does the Emperor think of the Minister of Foreign Affairs proposal? I dont think theres anything bad about it. It could give power to an emperor who was close to the empire, and if things went well, it could also increase the power of the pro-imperial faction within the Ming Dynasty court. If there is a problem, it is the people. Hyang nodded at Hyeons words. I agree. And this was the same for the ministers. * * * From a rational perspective, the Foreign Ministers proposal was a good one. However, emotionally It was a highly objectionable proposal. This was because the Ming and Empire had fought two wars that risked the survival of the country. However, as time passed, the volume of trade between the two countries increased significantly, and merchants from both countries actively traveled back and forth across the West Sea. There was amercial trade going on. However, there was still a high level of rejection and distrust between the ruling ss of the empire and the Ming elite. Japan is better than the Ming! was even said among the people of the empire. They suffered hardships due to Japanese pirates. Because of the memories, Japan also did not look good. However, the Japanese were literally bandits, and the hostility had been greatly diluted as their seed had dried up after the conquest of Tsushima Ind and Gyeongjang. But it was not the Ming. They still lost their families or were maimed in thest two wars. There were many people left behind. Under these circumstances, coborating with the Ming was not an easy task. * * * Hyeon, who had beenining a lot, passed away and Hyang, who was left alone, muttered to himself. Reminds me of the Yesong controversy? After the death of King Hyojong, the political dispute that took ce over the formalities of the funeral of Queen Jangryeol, King Hyojongs stepmother, was called the Yesong Controversy. It started as a debate over the rules of mourning clothes, but it soon developed into a political struggle. As Neo-Confucianism was the state religion of the Joseon Dynasty, the issue of the kings legitimacy was raised. It was because it had expanded. The same was true of the war of words that took ce today. It started with the danger of the proposal put forward by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, but soon it expanded into a question of whether it was in line with national policy or Neo-Confucian values, and a mess broke out. Now that I think about it, I forgot. Hongik Ingan was a national poem, but Silsagusi was also a national poem. Hyang took out a nk sheet of paper and began writing a document to send to Hyeon. And two dayster, at a meeting held to discuss the approval or disapproval of the Minister of Foreign Affairs proposal, the proposal was passed. This time too, There were formidable objections, but it was because of what Hyun said: In the national poetry of the Empire, there are Hongik Ingan, but there is also Silsa Gusi. Think deeply about what will truly be helpful to the empire and its people. * * * Not long after the prefecture made its decision, envoys from the empire visited Yamaguchi and Beijing. The proposals brought by the envoys were discussed at the official gatherings of Beijing and Yamaguchi. A fierce war of words began to take ce. This war of words was more intense in Beijing. As soon as Emperor Shenghua and his royal family heard the proposal, they immediately responded positively. The problem is those ministers. Another powerful group in the Ming Dynasty said, The question was whether the orthodox bureaucracy, or more specifically, the natives of the Ming Dynasty, would ept this. Therefore, Seonghwajes royal forces prepared thoroughly and kept an eye on the other partys movements. And soon, they were delivered with good news that was not bad news. Eh? The cards were divided? The orthodox bureaucracy in Beijing was divided into two over the pros and cons. * * * When they first heard the Empires proposal, most of the Beijing bureaucracy scoffed. Hmph! What a great proposal the Koreans have brought! Oil? What kind of oil is that, so why should we join hands with the Koreans? But soon, those well-versed in the trend began to think differently. -Oil is a more versatile resource than coal. -But it is something that does note from Ming. -Joseon has oil, but we cannot buy it from Joseon forever. -Myeongdo also needs its own independent and stable supply and demand channels. If you think about it this way, do you think it would be a good idea to join hands with Joseon? Because we can confidently build our own independent supply and demand route no matter what! Do not be ridiculous! In this way, it was divided into two factions. Chapter 1062 Episode 1062: Gambling. (6) Among the two factions, those who raised their voices most strongly were the opponents of the proposal. It is a matter of pride for our Daeming country to readily ept Joseons proposal! Even before the defeat in thest war, Joseon was a country that only bowed loudly to the generosity of our Daeming country! This is a matter of pride! What kind of oil is this that bends its pride to Joseon? ordingly, those in favor of the proposal also began to raise their voices. Thats oil! Because of that oil, the powerful powers of Europe are trying to join hands with the Ottomans, who can be said to be their greatest enemy! Its not about bending your pride! Its about pursuingmon interests! The empire is moving, Europe is moving! If we turn our backs on the world because of pride, we will only fall! When the two sides were fiercely opposed to each other, the military joined the pro-choice faction. -ording to the story, Joseon began using oil as fuel to power ships. -After importing and using refined oil from the empire, it was found to be more efficient than coal. -It is not just battleships used by the navy. Oil is also more advantageous than coal as fuel for tow trucks and assault vehicles used by the army. -Lastly, the flying machine that Joseon is researching. We also need to equip the objects we call airnes with improved power engines. Considering the characteristics of an airne, oil is essential. As the military joined the pro-choice faction, the scales tilted sharply toward the pro-choice faction. As the situation unfolded, many of those who were in opposition turned to the supporters. And here, the wind of blood blew once again. The few remaining opponents were the strongest of the strong. Wherever they gathered secretly, there was always a lot of talk criticizing the Holy Fire offering. Its all the emperors conspiracy that led to this situation! Thats right! Only the emperor could have made the still-quiet Jingun move! Ah! This emperor was bad from the start! Why did he bring in someone who grew up in Joseon? No matter how bad the situation was, I should have looked for more! As words criticizing the emperor burst out of everyones mouths, those with their own ambitions began to be greedy. wait? Although the people gathered here are small in number, they are all senior figures. If you do well? If I do this well Is there aw that says I shouldnt be in control? Should I not be able to sit in the position of one person and all people? With their ambition rekindled, they began to talk to theirrades gathered at the table. How about taking this opportunity to start over? Huh? Lets start again? Thats right. It means purifying the body. My colleagues were shocked when they heard that. How can you say that? Are you trying to plot treason? Its not a station. Its a purge. Honestly, look at the Forbidden City right now. Isnt it a situation where Koreans are surrounding the emperor, who can be considered a Korean? How can this be considered the court of the Great Ming Kingdom? The Dynasty of Joseon Its a matter of adjustment. Only by moderation can the thousand-year prosperity of the Great Ming Kingdom be possible! Even the emperor said that Seonwi is the only answer. Ill pretend I didnt hear anything! Its already toote! Just because you opposed Joseons proposal means you already have no future! It was a situation where it was too good to stay in that position! Even if you get demoted and end up as a provincial governor in a certain province, or if you hold on, it wont be long before youre in trouble. You will be found guilty and your head will be cut off! It is already toote! The opponents made up their minds when they heard the words, Its already toote! The intensity of the power struggle in the Forbidden City was beyond imagination. In order to upy a slightly higher position and a little more power, officials engaged in a bloody struggle rather than a bloody fight. The official residence in Beijing was a ce where there were arguments in the front and overflowing with nder and informing behind the scenes. Because it was a ce like this, if you were even slightly admired by the emperor, sess in life becamepletely impossible. Feeling that all that was left for them was a bleak future, the remaining opponents eventually decided to join hands with the ambitious people. And this brought bloodshed to Beijing. * * * At the time, they were swayed by the atmosphere and decided to join in, but as time passed, most of them regretted that decision. This is not possible! This is impossible! No matter how much they thought, the only result was failure, so a few quick-witted people secretly visited the Geumwiwi and alumni. I came because I have something to report. If youre a traitor, I already know. omg! Who do you think we are? The Geumwiwi and alumni were already aware of their movements. Seong Hwa-je, who confirmed the reports that came from the Geumui Committee and Dongchang almost simultaneously, gave orders with a very angry face. Bring in and interrogate all those who participated in the treason plot and their nine rtives! No, bring in all ten of their families and interrogate them! I follow your orders! ording to Seonghwajes order, all those who participated in the conspiracy and those who were rted to them through blood, regional, or school ties were dragged in and subjected to harsh torture. As the screams of those being tortured filled one side of the Forbidden City, Emperor Shenghua summoned the crown prince and gave him teachings. Whenever you discuss state affairs, it is impossible for all the ministers to have the same thoughts as you. That is why the emperor and ministers gather together and discuss it. Of course, there can be arguments for and against, and even proposals for arbitration. The emperor carefully listens to those words. It is your job to listen and adopt ideas that are good for the country. But look at those traitorous bastards. Are you plotting treason because they do not ept your ideas? Even if the crown princeter bes emperor, it is only for the sake of the country that such people are punished immediately. Keep in mind. I will keep that in mind. But why did they think of such a foolish thing? Emperor Seonghwa answered the crown princes question simply and clearly. Because they are idiots who are blinded by greed. Blind idiots who only saw what they wanted to see and decided without properly looking at their surroundings. After all this bloodshed, Beijing decided to ept the empires proposal. * * * Unlike Beijing, where the pros and cons shed fiercely and even resulted in bloodshed, Yamaguchis decision was made quite easily. The reason the word quite is added here is because there were no people who were unnecessarily greedy. I heard a rumor that, in addition to Japan, the Empire proposed cooperation with the Ming Dynasty. There is a saying that it is a water seal. Wouldnt it be better for us to move first? Lets move first, King Ouchi Yoshioki of Japan asked, folding his fan. Lets move first? Isnt that obvious? Our stake will increase if we move faster than Beijing. In response to Yoshiokis words, the retainer who first proposed bowed down and spoke again. Thats not right. We, Japan, should move to Persia first on our own. On its own? Thats right. Seoul is arge country and Beijing is also arge country. Naturally, Japans share is bound to be small. Thats why we, Japan, move first and take Persia to ourselves. No, even if it is impossible to have it all to ourselves, we want as much of it as possible, at least a majority of it. Its about taking care of it. Hoo~. Is it possible for us to take Persia before Seoul or Beijing? When Yoshioki showed interest, the subject responded with a brighter face, Its entirely possible! Since Seoul and Beijing arerge, it takes a lot of time to move around. If you use that time, you have a good chance of winning! Hmm Yoshioki, who thought for a moment while listening to the servants words, shared his impressions. Its like the Chinese zodiac. Are we, Japan, going to act like rats? Ah, thats Yoshiokis extremely cold retainer stuttered with a pale face. Yoshioki began to harshly criticize such a subject. Are you nning to turn our country into a rat? You are just like a rat, only focused on immediate profits and unable to look at your surroundings! Are you not seeing our countrys situation in your eyes? Thats not it My belief is just for Japans national interest National interest? Was it for the national interest? Yes, you bastard! How much do you know about Persia! No, we, Japans How many of your subjects know about Persia, and can you confidently say that its quantity and quality are better than those of the Empire? And does Japan have enough ships to transport Japans soldiers and supplies to Persia? That The Empire reached out in a situation where it was not equipped with anything properly! Even if it is not enough, what? Lets move first? Yes, you bastard! What is the difference between what you said and treason? What the hell! To Yoshiokis criticism, the subject responded by kneeling down on the floor. Im sorry! I was short-thinking! go away! As Yoshioki threw down the fan he was holding and shouted, the subject in question staggered out of the pce. You pathetic bastard, you stupid bastard After swearing like that, Yoshioki looked back at his other subjects. Is there anyone else who had the same thoughts as that idiot? No, no! joy! Yoshioki snorted at the frightened reactions of his subjects and ordered his attendant next to him. fan. Hi! Yoshioki, holding the fan brought by his attendant, spoke to his subjects. Think carefully about what I just said to that idiot. And dont forget that we have to move faster than Beijing. hot! Then lets move on to the next item After the meeting that day, the subjects gathered separately discussed the empires proposal. What Yamamoto said is true in some ways. Seoul is the proponent and Beijing is the major power. Then, it is clear that Japan will have a small share. Thats true, but its also impossible for us to move first and monopolize Persia. First of all, we have too little information. Isnt there just information? There are no ships. Do you think self-serving merchants will easily give up ships? If we all leave and make the first move, will the empire leave Japan alone? Will Japan be able to survive when dealing with the empire? At thest question, everyone in the conference room shook their heads in silence. The person who asked the question came to his own conclusion. It is true that it takes time for Seoul or Beijing to move. But it is also true that once they start moving, no one can stop them. Especially given the personalities of the people in Seoul, they will keep moving until the end. I will beat you until the end. Haa~. The conference room was filled with sighs at someones blunt expression. And that evening. The wakizashi sent by Yoshioki was delivered to Yamamotos house, which offended Yoshioki. The messenger spoke to Yamamoto, who was looking at the wakizashi engraved with the emblem of the Japanese royal family. Dont worry about the Dukes family. I am truly grateful that you have given me this grace. Chapter 1063 Episode 1063: Gambling. (7) After Yamamotos seppuku, those who thought or spoke of opinions simr to Yamamotos immediately silenced them. And the aftermath of this Yamamotos seppuku was more than expected. He was already the king of Japan with a very powerful royal authority, but from then on, he had a royal authority worthy of the word absolute. And Japan responded positively to the empires proposals. It was the empire that was rather embarrassed by Japans reaction. Han Chi-hyeong, who heard the story through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, shook his head. Ha~. The Japanese if something happens, they split their stomachs, so people are not like fish The Minister of Education, who was nodding at the sick leave of Hanchihyeong, asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs. But now something urred to me. Didnt the first Japanese king say that seppuku was prohibited? I said I would ban it, but I failed. The roots were too deep for me to ban it. Ah * * * It was known that Japanese seppuku originated from the Heian period. And with the Muromachi period, the number of people practicing seppuku increased significantly. Morimi Ouchi and Mochiyo Ouchi, who overthrew the Muromachi shogunate and became masters of Japan after being crowned by the emperor, continued to ban seppuku, but this failed time and time again. Following the example of the empire, the National Records Office was created, and officials whomitted crimes were punished by having their records organized in this record office. The problem was that all those who received this punishmentmitted seppuku. -He betrayed his masters trust and tarnished his familys honor. How can I breathe and be alive! In most cases, they left behind a suicide note or will simr to the one above and parted the ship. Rejecting the kingsmand andmitting seppuku? Have you ever seen these shameless bastards? Bring in the families of these shameless bastards and punish them severely! Morimi and Mochiyo, who were informed of the seppuku, were enraged and tried to carry out a guilt-by-association system, but each time, the ministers risked their lives to dissuade them. I paid for my sin through seppuku. Now that I have paid for my sin, it would not be wise to me my family! This is a tradition that has been passed down for nearly a thousand years! If you do it wrong, the public will turn away! If youmit seppuku, you dont dig up any more and you cover it up. This was an unwritten rule that had been handed down over and over again, and breaking this unwritten rule was dangerous. Although Japan had the values of the strong are thew and if the government wins, then the traitors, the Japanese kings power was not yet solid. In the end, this is how Seppuku survived. * * * Hmm, by the way. Looking at this incident, it seems that the King of Japan took advantage of this seppuku. The ears of other ministers perked up at Deputy Prime Minister Seong Juns words. Left Deputy Prime Minister Ryu Sun asked Seong Jun on behalf of the ministers. What does that mean? What kind of family is the Ouchi family, the royal family of Japan? Isnt it a family that has had a deep rtionship with our empire since the time when it was Joseon? They are the ones who know our empires capabilities best. But Japanese independence theory or Japaneseism Now that those who advocate theory of precedence havee forward, could we have left it alone? Of course, we have to block that muzzle. So, its a game thats hard to beat? Han Chi-hyeong responded to Ryu Suns point. Rather than a hard-fought game, its just one guy gets caught. This must have been the intention. Huh When Ryu-sun sighed and shook his head as if he was shocked, Han Chi-hyeong summed up the situation. It looks like Yamaguchi has been sorted out, so lets take a look at Beijing. It looks like things have been roughly sorted out there too, right? The Minister of Foreign Affairs nodded in response to Han Chi-hyeongs question. It seems like the Beijing side has also been caught. Although that side also saw a lot of blood. Im d its not toote. I guess I can use my time to attack Persia. Thats right. By the way, I have a question. The Minister of Education, who was listening to the conversation, joined the conversation with a look on his face that said he really did not understand. What are you curious about? Its already been several decades since the Ming Dynasty moved the capital from Beijing to Nanjing, but they still call it Beijing when they say the Ming Dynasty? I do the same, but I suddenly thought it was strange. Huh? Just Is that so? The conversation suddenly took a side turn at the Minister of Educations point. The result of the discussion that continued for a while was habit. -Since the time of Joseon, all the things that had the greatest impact on the empire came from Beijing. Therefore, Ming = Beijing. The perception was ingrained in me: Seppuku is not something to be scolded for. Habits are so scary. I think its a lot better than seppuku. Although they were sidetracked for a moment, the ministers, who had received some mental rest, resumed their discussion on pending issues. * * * About the scattered pending issues of state affairs The ministers who decided on the answer selected it and reported it to the prefecture. Hmm. I think their opinions are reasonable. Then, lets carry it out like this. I ept your orders. Hyun, who had ratified the agenda, cleared his throat for a moment and continued. By the way. This is the seppuku incident that happened in Japan this time. There seems to be some kind of conspiracy. As words simr to those already exchanged among the ministers emerged, Han Chi-hyeong stepped forward and reported the opinions expressed among the ministers to Hyeon. Hoo~. Right. It is reasonable to see it that way. Hyeon, who was nodding his head at Han Chi-hyeongs words, sighed a little. Whew~. Looking at this incident of seppuku, I dont think we should rx our guard against Japan at all. No, it would be a good idea to consider ways to strengthen it a little more. Han Chi-hyeong stepped forward at Hyuns words. I think it is inevitable that there will be talk of taking an independent step within Japan. This is because the Empire and Japan are different countries. And the King of Japan is already taking the lead in suppressing excessive opinions. In this situation, our strengthening of security could lead to a bacsh. The Prime Minister is referring to the right of the opposition, and that is not wrong. But What would you do if the Japanese independent theory was not advocated by ministers or the educated ss, but by the King of Japan? When ministers and educated people oppose the decision of the King of Japan, what will you do if the King of Japan urges seppuku to silence you like this time? Looking at the current behavior of the King of Japan, I think that will not happen. Therefore, if you do it wrong, you may face bacsh. Please consider this. Hyun nodded at Han Chi-hyeongs remarks. The Prime Minister has a point. But Can you be confident that the next kings of Japan will all have the same mindset as the Japanese kings of Tang Jin? If you make a hasty move at that time, not only will you miss the time, but you will also get noticed. Then, as the Prime Minister fears, it could lead to a bacsh. Thats why we need to move ahead from now on. We are strengthening it little by little so that Japan does not notice. Do you understand what I mean? Yes. I understand. Then, I will get moving right away. Han Chi-hyeong, who had paused for a moment to think about something, said to Hyeon. Considering the nature of the matter, I think it would be better to entrust the matter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense. Jim thinks so too . Yes. Then I will prepare ordingly. When the matter was about to be settled, Deputy Prime Minister Seong Jun stepped forward. Your Majesty. I think it would be a good idea to take this opportunity to create a new department that manages information. Huh? Lets create a new Buddha? Interesting. Please tell me in detail. As Hyeon gave permission with a twinkle in his eye, Seongjun cleared his voice and began to share his thoughts. To summarize Seongjuns thoughts, they were as follows: -Even now, all kinds of informationes into the various ministries of the empire. C The information received in this way may be necessary only for the relevant ministry, but there is also a lot of it that is useful to other ministries. C Also, obtaining information from inside and outside the empire is more efficient only when properly trained people do it. C Looking at the situation of the party , There are more cases where people who have received proper training just bring in rumors going around the author rather than information they have obtained. C Therefore, an organization is needed to train people in how to obtain information and how to analyze the information received, and to manage those trained in this way. -If the information brought by the trained people and the information flowing into the various ministries of the empire arebined and analyzed, the empire will be able to sit back and foresee the future. Hmm Hyun immediately came to a conclusion upon hearing Seongjuns suggestion. As the silence continued in the county, Left Deputy Prime Minister Ryu Sun stepped forward. Your Majesty. My Majesty, but Deputy Prime Minister Wus idea is quite dangerous. Dangerous? What is the reason? In response to Hyuns question, Ryu Sun immediately began talking about the dangers. -It is true that the establishment and operation of a department dedicated to obtaining and analyzing information is efficient. -However, only one department is dedicated to information work. If you do this, it is very dangerous. If you do it wrong, you will cover the eyes and ears of the emperor. If this happens, all ministries will only look at the intelligence ministries. It is no different from the Ten Shangshi that brought about the destruction of the Later Han Dynasty. ..For this reason, I believe that the establishment of a new ministry solely in charge of information is dangerous. That makes sense. Hyun nodded and ordered Han Chi-hyeong. I think the opinions of the two Deputy Prime Ministers all make sense. However, considering the future, I think it is necessary to establish a new ministry dedicated to information. Because in the future, the empire will need to know more and more. Prime Minister Hani, please work together to devise a way to avoid the dangers pointed out by the Left Deputy Prime Minister and submit a n. At the prefects order, Han Chi-hyung gritted his teeth and bowed his head. .. I will honor your order. Then lets stop here. After finishing the meeting anding out of Geunjeongjeon, Han Chi-hyeong red at Ryu Sun and Seong-jun and ordered, You two work together toe up with a n. One person came up with the idea and the other pointed out the dangers, so if the two work together, a good result wille out. I will trust you two. Prime Minister! Its not too much! This is too much of an emotional response! If not, you would be prime minister. You still have a lot of work to do I guess theres more than me? And if its too hard, Sajikso is like a eunuch. It means its too much for you. What is Sajikso Youre too much for your strength? Then, Ill send you some of my medicine. * * * Meanwhile, Hyeon, who visited Sugang Pce, smiled while talking about the creation of an intelligence organization. Now we have something good to hide Milwi from. Are you nning to hide Milwi there? yes. Hasnt it been said since ancient times, If you want to hide a tree, hide it in the forest? Its just the right ce. And there are many advantages. It will be easier to supply talent and inspection by the intelligence agency will be easier. Hyang nodded at Hyeons words. Just as the Intelligence Committee was hidden within the Intelligence Agency, the Intelligence Committee will be hidden within the new intelligence agency and be the eyes and ears of the emperor. Good idea. Chapter 1064 Episode 1064: Gambling. (8) Following the countys decision, the empires key bureaucrats began to move busily. Han Chi-hyeong, the head of the imperial bureaucracy, gathered left and right deputy prime ministers and ministers from each ministry and assigned them tasks. Deputy Prime Minister U will coordinate the cooperation of the three countries and at the same time seek someone who will represent our wishes in Persia. I understand. Seongjun nodded at Hanchihyeongsmand. Han Chi-hyeong then assigned tasks to Ryu Sun. Left Deputy Prime Minister, please consider the establishment of a new department in charge of information-rted work and a way to control it. Ill do my best. The Deputy Prime Ministers, who had been assigned tasks by the Prime Minister, consulted with the ministers of each department and began to divide the tasks to be done in more detail. This is an unprecedented event not only for us, but also for the Ming and Japan to work together. We must not forget that we must not create a bad precedent. Ill keep that in mind. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, a key ministry, responded, but Seongjuns attention did not cease. Japan never misses an opportunity when it sees it. The same goes for the Ming Dynasty. Although it has faded a lotpared to the past, it is still an empire that controlled all the surrounding countries. Keep in mind that if you look at it lightly, you will be in big trouble. I will pay special attention. The Minister of Foreign Affairs was the beginning. Seongjun also instructed the ministers of other ministries to do their work. Check the information rted to the weapons used by the Ming and Japanese armies. Ah! Check not only the weapons but also the troops. You can also send soldiers in the optimal number. And.Japan in our empire. Find out how much wealth is going into the empire. If that happens, we will have to use it to strangle Japan. Ah! Just as I was thinking, take a look at the number of international students who came to the empire from Japan and their tendencies. What made them side with the empire? If you do that, it will be easier in the future. Moving on Every time Seongjun issued an order, the aides standing behind the minister diligently used their stylus to record the order. Left Deputy Prime Minister Ryu Sun-i, who seeded the Right Deputy Prime Minister, added tasks for the ministers. Please prepare and submit records on the departments and personnel in charge of information at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense. The same goes for the Grape Provincial Office. Submit a report rted to the department that regtes civil administration. And the umpire shall report onwsuits rted to civil administration regtion, such as false usations or false usations. Please organize and report on the records of incidents such as extortion of money and valuables. Also, send a message to the review office in advance and ask them to consider bills for the newly created ministry in advance. And Ryu Suns work instructions were also long. It wasnt until the aides shoulders were getting sore from writing it down that Ryu Sun finished speaking. Then everyone, do your best. If this is a sess, we too will be able to properly engrave our names in the history of the empire. Ill do my best! The ministers responded to Han Chi-hyeongs words with shining eyes. Then I will only believe you. With those words, Han Chi-hyeong and the deputy prime ministers left. The ministers who remained in the conference room began coordinating once again with the records written by their aides in front of them. I think the Ministry of National Defense would be better suited for this part than the Ministry of Foreign Affairs I think the Ministry of Finance and Economy would be better suited for this part. I think it would be appropriate for our Ministry of Education to take charge of this part. Afterpleting coordination once again, the ministers dispersed to their respective ministries. * * * After that, imperial officials, regardless of ministries, were busy. Meanwhile, many officials flocked to the records office. There is no data! What are you going to do with the recorder? The numbers here and here are different! I dont know which one is correct! Im sure theres a corrected version of that! Find it! I cant find where it is! Recorder! yep! All remaining records from the Joseon Dynasty before the Qing Dynasty, as well as the predecessor Goryeo Dynasty and the Shang Dynasty that existed before that, were gathered, organized, and stored in the Record Center. Hell of corruption management. Although it was a ce with a terrifying reputation as a letter hell, the Records Center was a treasure trove for officials and schrs looking for rted materials. Mountains of carts loaded with reports and materials were rushing through Yukjo Street in Seoul, and officials carrying armfuls of documents were rushing through the hallways and offices of government buildings. It was busy before, but its really crazy these days. This is how Seoul residentsmented on the busy officials moving around Yukjo Street and the government building. Thats true, but somehow,pared to before, I feel more energetic. Thats right. Did everyone at least take a bowl of tonic and get some sleep? As the residents said, the faces of the busy officials showed a strange vitality. It was a kind of trickle-down effect. As the empire settled into orbit, its officials developed a kind of mannerism. Of course, it was a daily life where there was no time to rest, working overtime whenever possible, and staying up all night when it was possible to rest. But in the end, it was today the same as yesterday, tomorrow the same as today. The only time this kind of repetitive daily life was stimted was when an event like the Italian Unification War urred. But if you beg for a war to break out, youre the one who will kill me Even if its boring, peace and quiet is a good thing. In this situation, the Tripartite Alliance and Investment in Persia that were recently promoted were very attractive events. There is a possibility that military action will ur, but it is not high. And even if military action urs, the burden will not be great because we have Ming and Japan. Here, the minister and vice minister and the executives immediately below them had different calctions. -The past Italian unification war was the responsibility of former prime ministers and ministers. -But we are in charge of this matter! -If we pull this off, we can proudly record our names in the history of the empire! These are not just general-purpose people, but very capable people! -If this work is sessful, it will be our performance! Although peace and prosperity are good, it is unfavorable for sess. However, if you seed in this and turn it into a performance, sess in life is a given! This influence spread downward as those at the top, obsessed with the desire for fame and sess, rolled up their sleeves and took the lead. * * * Afterpleting its own preparations, the empire entered into full-scale negotiations with Ming Japan. Since the Ming and Japan were already well prepared, the negotiations between the three countries were very intense. -The three countries cooperate to pursue theirmon interests. As soon as negotiations began, an agreement was reached on the above justification, but a fierce war of words and a battle of wits continued over the provisions below. Ferry ships went back and forth between Nanjing and Yamugachi every day, with breaks taking ce whenever possible. Meanwhile, secret negotiations took ce between the Ming Empire and Japan. After such intense negotiations, the three countries were able to produce somewhat satisfactory results. -The three countries actively cooperate formon interests in the Persian region. -The three countries will establish a permanent negotiating body for this purpose. (omitted) -Profits secured in the Persian region are distributed in the following ratio. The distribution ratio is as follows: Empire 4: Ming 3.5: Japan 2.5 C This distribution rate is adjusted every 10 years. (Shortly) Hmmit seems a bit inconvenient to adjust the distribution rate every 10 years. Han Chi-hyeong bowed his head and responded to Hyeons point about confirming the negotiation n. It was inevitable in order tofort Ming and Japan. It was also a good move for our empire. Good move? Yes. Since we can adjust it every 10 years, we can prevent them from using tricks behind our backs as much as possible. Of course, that doesnt mean they wont use it, but its a good move because we can prevent them as much as possible. Its also good for our empire because those whoe after us cant let down their guard. It has be a number. Hmm I see. After hearing Han Chi-hyeongs exnation, Hyun nodded. It was assumed that no matter how fairly the shares were divided, dissatisfaction would inevitably arise due to greed over time. Therefore, it was certain that problems would arise if we insisted on that ratio until the end without any adjustments in the middle. Although the empire was now overwhelming Ming and Japan, the future was unknown. This was because the Ming Dynasty was clearly a great country in terms of territory and poption, and Japan was also growing rapidly. If the Ming and Japan join hands and engage in an arms race with the empire It would be more of a loss than a gain for the empire. After finishing counting, Hyeon spoke to Han Chi-hyeong. As the Prime Minister said, it is the best demand under the current circumstances. Let us pursue it like this. I follow your orders! The results of the hard work of the officers are visible. I hope that they will do their best until the end so that their names will remain in the government building. Han Chi-hyeong and the ministers all bowed their heads in response to Hyuns death. I will do my best! * * * Meanwhile, Hyang, who was being briefed on the goings-on at Sugang Pce, had a strange expression on his face. Hmm.Triple Alliance? Or East-West Cold War? The reason European powers took action against the Ottomans was because of Persia. If the Empire and Ming Japan moved together, the European powers would immediately notice and begin to respond. The most likely thing is to form an alliance of European powers, but it wont be easy. Even now, the European powers still fight against each other whenever they get the chance. Considering such circumstances, it was not at all easy for the European powers to join hands. But if its a matter of great profit, well join hands. It may take time, though. Even in the 21st century, it was the Arabian Penins, Persia, and Central Asia that used oil as a weapon to show off its presence. Even in the 21st century, this is a region where bloodshed over oil continues. Therefore, even if it took time, he was confident that the European powers would eventually join hands. Hmm Hyang looked at the map and thought about the future. Hyang, who had been counting or shaking his head for a while, unfolded the paper. At a time like this, it must be the British style C Just as Britain took control of Gibraltar and took control of the Mediterranean Sea, the Empire also firmly took control of Gibraltar and exerted influence on the Mediterranean countries. -Just as Britain used Japan to keep Russia in check, it uses Italy and Portugal to keep European powers in check. The scents summarized up to this point have expressions that revealplex emotions. What did Japan do after receiving such a buff from Ennd? There is a road not taken, but is there also an unavoidable road? It was a proposal written by Hyang himself and to be presented to Hyeon. It was almost impossible for the prefecture to reject the proposal submitted by Tae-sang-in Hyang. No, it was an offer that even Hyang himself could not easily refuse. This was because it was too sweet a proposal for a monarch who prioritized national interests. Rather than fighting your enemies directly, make your enemies fight each other. Thats how you earn time like a thousand gold. It was such a sweet offer. Even though the empire ends up joining the fight someday Chapter 1065 Episode 1065 Short story, Pseudo-religion Sorijangdo (Hide the sword inughter). It was the word that best suited the negotiations that took ce between the Empire and Ming Japan. In a fierce battlefield whereughter reced bullets, the three kingdoms reached an agreement by sharing moderate losses and moderate gains. The three countries that joined hands began to move toward Persia. While the prefectures and ministers were doing their best to respond to the challengesing from outside the empire, something was happening inside the empire as well. * * * The Militia headquarters established somewhere in Seoul. The old man of the headquarters. Whats going on? The head of the Militia Division, who was looking at the report with a tired face, raised his head when he heard the voice of his subordinate calling him. The subordinate carefully answered the general managers question. This is a report from Internal Affairs Department 2. Inner Chalice Section 2? After hearing the answer, the heads expression hardened. It was the Internal Affairs Departments job to look into what was happening inside the empire. The internal affairs departments duties were diverse, and it looked into not only political unrest but also things that were harmful to the governance of the empire C various frauds, collusion, and theft of wages. There were a total of five departments under the Internal Affairs Department, with Department 1 in charge of Shinji, Department 2, Main Department, Department 3, and Department 4 and Department 5 in Bukji and other regions. What was interesting here was that Department 1 was in charge of Shinji and Department 2 was in charge of Main Newspaper. It was a different arrangement from the imperial administrative organization that ced the main branch first, followed by the northern branch or new branch. However, considering Shinjis size and potential, it was inevitable. Because it was the headquarters where the core of the empire, starting with the emperor, was located, it was nicknamed Department 2 as equal to 1. If you see that it came up right away instead of the normal route, it means its not normal Give it to me. The head of the department who received the report frowned as he looked at the title. The title is a pseudo-religion? The evil acts of Buddhism that took ce in thete Goryeo Dynasty were still talked about among the poption. A pseudo-religion in a time of peace tsk tsk tsk Clicking his tongue at the astounding reality, the head of the headquarters opened the report. As the report was read, the heads expression became more serious than ever. Whoa~. The head of the headquarters closed the report with a long sigh, ced his eyebrows on his sped hands and was lost in thought. After mulling over it in silence for a while, the general manager finally straightened his posture and gave an order to his subordinate. Reported to Internal Affairs Division 2. Mobilize all avable personnel to investigate the groups in question. If there are not enough personnel, request support. Headquarters will provide full support. I will write up the order and send it to you right away, so tell them to move immediately. I want to report it to the Ministry of Defense or the Board of Audit and Inspection right away, but I dont have enough witnesses. Yes, then I will move right away. When the subordinate who received the order withdrew, the head of the headquarters began to write a report to be submitted to Hyeon. The head of the headquarters, who had spread out a nk piece of paper and held a gold pen, nced sideways at the report in question and swore. You bastards who dont even have the skills to do anything Are you going to mess with His Majesty Taesang since theres no one else to mess with? Two monthster, the imperial court was turned upside down due to a tip-off to Pocheong. No, the entire empire was turned upside down. As information about the problem reached Pocheong, a storm began to rage. The starting point was the department in charge of secretly receiving information. * * * The department in charge that received such a report first analyzed whether the report was a true report or a false report. This was because many false usations urred due to personal grudges. To prevent the overuse of false usations, false usations were ssified as serious crimes and subject to severe punishment. Nevertheless, the rate of decline in false usation cases was hitting rock bottom, and this was bing a headache for the emperor and ministers. * * * This ce is located in the Samnam region. A middle-aged man came to a small rural police station. II have something to tell you. The middle-aged man who came in looking around with an anxious expression bowed and announced his business. Hey,e sit here Boshu. The police officer who was guarding the police station with a bored expression looked pleased and offered the middle-aged man a seat, and his colleagues and superiors around him also quietly approached and sat down. Okay then give me your identity card. The police officer who was checking the identification card held out by the middle-aged man tilted his head. I live a hundred miles away from here, why are I here? The middle-aged man still answered the police officers question with an anxious expression. In a vige where small people live, there were so many people watching that I had no choice. At the middle-aged mans answer, the eyes of the police officers and missionaries began to shine. This is all or nothing! Hmm Then, tell me whats going on. Yes As the middle-aged mans words continued, the police officers face as he recorded them became increasingly pale, and the hand holding the gold pen began to tremble. That wasnt enough. The police officers and missionaries around him froze with the same expression. They were all thinking the same thing in their minds. Holy shit! The good times are gone! And this situation and reaction was the same even if you went up to a higher level organization. The head of the Podocheong Office, whose face turned white after reading the report, asked his subordinate. They havent sent the person in charge yet to check whether the usation is false, right? Yes, the grape master over there decided that it was not a matter of rash action and ced him on standby. Thank goodness. After hearing the answer, themissioner looked rxed. This is not something we can just send one or two people to find out whether it is a false usation or not. If we make a mistake, not only the Samnam region, but most of the Podo soldiers in the headquarters can be mobilized. I will go to the Prime Minister immediately. yes. * * * Boom! Is there such a tragedy? Han Chi-hyeong, who received themissioners report, was so angry that he hit the table with his hand and shouted. So, have you caught those whomitted this unspeakable crime? Not yet. I believe that the Podo leader in charge of the area is only adding personnel for surveince and keeping an eye on it. At themissioners answer, Han Chi-hyeong stood up immediately. Let us report this to Your Majesty immediately. Of course. As he left the office with themissioner, Han Chi-hyeong gave an order to the secretary. Tell the left and right deputy prime ministers and other ministers toe to Geunjeongjeon immediately. Yes, Captain. * * * After hearing the order delivered by Han Chi-hyeong, the left and right deputy prime ministers and ministers hurriedly entered the royal war. After confirming that everyone had arrived, Han Chi-hyeong bowed his head to Hyeon and began his report. Your Majesty, something truly unspeakable and tragic has happened. Disastrous? What happened? It is said that a pseudo-religion is spreading in the Samnam region. Pseudo-religion? There have always been those who are insensitive to the world. What does the leader call himself this time? Maitreya? Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva? Or Sangje? He calls himself the embodiment of the situation Have you seen that crazy bastard! * * * Following Han Chi-hyeong, the Commissioner of the Podocheong came forward and began to talk in more detail. -The cult leader in question is said to be a man who has ovee his fate. -He ims that he is the vessel that will contain the soul of Taesang, or rather the soul of Taesang. A bowl? Thats right. He said -Tae Sang-tae is a rookie. -Tae Sang-taes age and achievements so far are proof of that. How can someone like this suffer the same birth, old age, illness, and death as criminals? -If you look at European Catholic scriptures, their doctrine is that God is incarnated in a human vessel. -The situation is also the same. Hwanwoong appeared in the vessel of the great state of affairs! -Now that the vessel containing the fetal state is too old, a new vessel will soon be needed, and that vessel is me! -When my body contains the state of the womb, I will be the emperor of the empire, and you who follow me will ascend to the position of number one or above all! I asked the Podo Commissioner who had heard the exnation up to this point. No, the situation is still strong, so how can Oh, this is not the problem. Do those who follow that religious leader only believe what he says and follow him? It is said that a person named the leader actually created a steam engine and various other objects. It looks like youre more dexterous than Halbamama. Hyun suppressed the momentary thought and came to a conclusion. Hmm A steam engine is not something that is easy to make, but that doesnt mean its something that only Tae Sang-taeng can make Phew~. Hyun let out a long sigh and gave an order. The Commissioner of the Grape Provincial Government and the Minister of National Defense must immediately mobilize the military to suppress that cult leader and all those who follow him. I follow your orders! Order Balbonsaekwon and Sakchojegeun. This is not just those who are ignorant of the world and those who believe in him, but traitors! I will keep each and every detail in mind! After receiving the order, the Commissioner of Podocheong and the Minister of National Defense quickly left Geunjeongjeon. There were no ministers who objected to the countys decision. This was because it was not just a pseudo-religion, but a treason. Even if you go crazy, you have to go crazy in a nice way! Why are you messing with the situation because there is no one to mess with? * * * After finishing the meeting, Hyun immediately went to Hyang. Ive already heard this through the Militia Commission, but its truly upsetting. Seeing Hyun grinding his teeth, Hyang smiled slightly andforted his grandson. Stop your anger. Its bad for your health. I, the person involved, am not easygoing either! Haona.Keuung Seeing Hyangs rxed appearance, Hyun groaned and closed his mouth. Hyang lightly quenched his thirst with the ck bean tea in front of him and continued speaking with a rxed expression. Isnt it true that he has lived long enough to be remembered in history? ording to what Milwi has seen through this incident, it is not just the cult leader. Ah! Ill have to give an order to the provincial government for that as well. Milwi, once overthrown by the controversial pseudo-religion, soon began scouring the entire empire. Throughout the empire, there were many monks and shamans who worshiped incense as a god. The reason why such monks and shamans were created was simr to the pseudo-religion in question. -An incredible amount of aplishments that are unbelievable that one person did. C A longevity of such longevity that it is difficult to find records in history. It is not that there were no people who lived past the age of 90, but King Jangsu was almost the only example of a king living this long. Keep in mind that although being insensitive to the people and plotting treason are serious sins, you cannot be punished arbitrarily. You must follow thew. You must not set a bad precedent. The scent thatforted Hyun and sent him back gave him a small taste. Tsk tsk Even thinking about it again, its a bit disappointing. When I first saw the rted records, I was more curious than angry. Arent you in the second round like me? However, when Hyang saw the report sent by Milwi, he could not hide his disappointment. -The cult leader in question worked in Area 51. -He was a fairly capable craftsman, but he often caused strife with those around him. -Afterwards, he developed mania and went to his hometown. It wasnt the second session that Hyang expected. Chapter 1066 Episode 1066: Paving Stone (1) The negotiations took up a lot of time as there was a fierce battle between the introduction and the main meeting, but once the conclusion of signing the agreement was reached, things went quickly. In order to proceed with work more quickly and efficiently, the governments of the three kingdoms selected working-level staff and began cooperation. Ill give you full authority, so do your best. Yes, thank you! I will do my best! The Ming and Japanese officials responded excitedly, but the imperial officials actually looked worse. The expressions on their faces are really not good. What is the reason? Since I have taken over full authority, it has to be that way Isnt it a good thing that there is that much trust from above? The imperial officials shook their heads at the words of the Ming and Japanese officials. Handing over full authority means that the responsibility is entirely ours. huh? In response to the imperial officials answers, the faces of the Ming and Japanese officials also became serious. However, Ming and Japanese officials tried to think positively. That part is something we can do if we do our best and produce good results. Thats right. That is the standard and the right opinion, but the problem is that the affairs of the world no, the affairs of the country never work out that way. Huh? What do you mean? The higher-ups will never remain silent. It starts with, ording to my experience Theres also That was in my time. Ah Hearing the words of the imperial officials, the Ming and Japanese officials also became aware of the seriousness of the situation. Even the high-ranking officials of Ming and Japan were so proud that they called him the best of the nation. Of course, they were not unnecessarily proud because they had proven their performance, experience, and ability. And one of the characteristics of these people was that they distrusted their subordinates. If the subordinate you entrusted shows a clumsy attitude, your own knowledge will be questioned, and if the person you entrusted to you shows a foolish attitude, on the other hand, if you do an excellent job, your position may be in danger at some point. Either way, it wasnt a good thing, and the best way to prevent it was to interfere as much as possible. We decided to call this managerial instinct. At the words of the imperial officials, the Ming and Japanese officials sighed, theirplexions turning dull. Then what should I do Haa~. Looking at the Ming and Japanese officials who only sighed, the imperial officials shrugged their shoulders. What are you going to do? Like I said, Ill just have to do my best. You should do your best not to create anything that could be med. But if you say something like, Pursuing as much safety as possible, you will have a golden opportunity to be criticized by every single person in the empire, so you should avoid that too. At that moment, Ming and Japanese officials shouted in one voice. Then what! What can I do? I have to do well. Fuck! Oh~. You speak the imperialnguage fluently? * * * Although it was a little creaky at the beginning, the working-level team of the Three Kingdoms Alliance soon settled on track and picked up speed. What was interesting was that officials from all three countries gathered together and spoke only in the imperialnguage. -If an interpreter is involved, there are confidentiality issues and work progress is slowed down. The ostensible reason was this. But the real reason was different. -The only country with the most information about Persia and the Ottomans is the empire. Do you want me to trante it for you? Do we look that leisurely? Even though it was polite and packaged with fancy diplomatic rhetoric, the empires answer was that, and the Ming and Japan selected and sent officials who were fluent in the imperialnguage. And after seeing this, high-ranking officials of the township and the current empire came to have different evaluations of the Ming Dynasty. Its Japan, nine out of ten officials have studied abroad in the empire, so its possible, but the name is surprising. Isnt it? Han Chi-hyeong stepped forward and responded to Hyeons point. Thats right. Considering the importance of this matter, it is safe to say that the officials sent this time are those who will be responsible for the future of the Ming Dynasty. Looking at the current Ming officials, they are still trying to ignore our empire by calling it Joseon, which should be questioned as to whether they are doing double duty. I think so. It may be that while they admire our empire on the inside, they disparage it on the outside. Following Han Chi-hyeongs words, the Minister of Education continued. However, as soon as the Minister of Education finished speaking, Ryu Sun refuted it. It would be great if that happened, but I think its more likely than not. The possibility of not being so? What is that? It may be that I learned the imperialnguage in order to truly understand the pros and cons of the empire. Do you really know the pros and cons of the empire? Why go to such trouble? Isnt it to once again take the ce of the Shang Dynasty in the rtionship between the Empire and the Three Kingdoms of Ming and Japan? The Minister of Education looked surprised at Ryu Suns words and asked. Are you saying the Ming is going to war again? If we are talking about a war where guns and artillery are fired, I dont think the possibility is very high, but if it is a game ofpetition rather than war, I think the possibility is quite high. The faces of the ministers gathered at Geunjeongjeon turned serious as they heard Ryu Suns story. Looking at the ministers like that, Hyeon opened his mouth. I also think that what the left Vice Prime Minister said makes sense. As a subject of a country since ancient times, there is no one who does not dream of a wealthy country and a strong military, and there is no one who does not dream of being a loser. What kind of country is Ming? If it were not for our empire, it would still be in the position of a Shang country right now. Its me. Its a country that you can look at and look at again and again, and you wont find anythingcking. I will keep this in mind. After the meeting, Hyeon visited Sugang Pce and talked with Hyang about this topic. After hearing the whole story, Hyang nodded. The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty and Ming loves the empire, and although there is a growing number of pro-imperial factions in the Ming Dynasty, it is right to be cautious. Especially when you consider the habits of the Chinese people. Why would youe out? Hyun also nodded when he mentioned the words, A gentlemans revenge is not even 10 years toote. Thats right. Now that I look back at the old idioms, there are a lot of things rted to revenge. As Taesang said, I think its because of their habits. Looking at it that way, I wonder if it was pointless to involve them in this matter. Hyang smiled and responded to Hyeons words. You should keep your friends close and your enemies closer. ah! Hyeon couldnt help but be amazed by his brothers words. Your words are truly like gold and jade birds! Thats too much praise. Hyang muttered to himself with an embarrassed expression. Who did that? They say we learned everything we need in kindergarten. I should add this too. All the sarcastic remarks were made in the movie. Hiding her true feelings, Hyang continued speaking. We should not neglect our vignce, but if we continue to be hostile, that is also not good. Because on the contrary, we may tire first. No, it would be a good thing if we just be exhausted. There is also a risk of letting our guard downpletely. I admit it. So what should I do? Please think once again about the ny years of dissatisfaction with the noblemans advice. Hmm Hearing Hyangs words, Hyun closed his mouth and began to think deeply. Wu Tzu-seo was able toplete his revenge only when he became prime minister of the state of Wu. Wuwang Bucha and Yuewang Gucheon also had to work hard for a long time. Ny years of dissatisfaction with the gentleman, too Hyeon, who was thinking over the old idioms mentioned by Hyang, showed an expression that he would soon understand. Is it time? Its time to gain the strength to properly take revenge. My brother nodded at Hyuns words. Thats right. I think the important thing in the saying, A gentlemans revenge is not even 10 years toote, is not 10 years, but it is not toote. In other words, do not make a rash move until you are properly prepared. So, lets think about it here. . What do you think the object of revenge, that is, our empire, should do here? Hyeon answered Hyangs question right away. Waging war is the worst of all. As Sun Tzu said, it is best to win before fighting, and then fightter. Then, all you have to do is to keep moving forward like you are now. Then, the Ming will tire out while preparing for revenge. Hyang smiled and epted Hyuns words. Wouldnt it be more fun if we added a little seasoning to it? What if you say liver? Things like what is happening in Persia. If two people join hands, it will be mutually beneficial. Starting with this incident, if many simr incidents ur, they willmit self-destruction. ah! Do you understand what I said earlier about, Keep your friends close, your enemies closer? yes! This conversationter became a rumor among officials. All the officials who heard the rumor shook their heads. Tae Sang-taes insight seems to be getting deeper. I could never use the term old man in the back room. To Taesang, youre an old man in the back room? If you say that, well all be criticized for being bastards who have no ability but are just pretending to be good. Ive been thinking about this more and more often these days, but those cultists werent a cult at all Shh! Uh-hui! Shhh! Later, after hearing the reviews going around among the officials about him, Hyang chuckled and muttered to himself. This is what happens when you enjoy sagas and historical documentaries on cable or OTT. Ah! I almost forgot steampunk. Hyang, who was reciting the genres he enjoyed in the 21st century, suddenly made a strange expression. If a historical drama with me as the main characteres out in the future, will I believe it is a true story? Even if it were me, I wouldnt believe it. Hyang, who was asking herself, turned her gaze and looked out the window. Hyangs eyes lit up as he looked at the eunuchs, pce maids, and officials busily moving around the pce. Now that you think about it, its funny? Howe these rumors dont spread out? As Hyang said, all kinds of incidents took ce in Gyeongbokgung Pce, Suganggung Pce, and the Yukjo government offices, and rumors rted to Hyang and Hyeon spread. However, these rumors rarely spread outside. At the very least, rumors never leaked out, even at Giru, where officials frequented. No, Giru could do that. Because the officials who visited Giru said the same thing every time. Ah~. Im getting kicked from the top and kicked from the bottom and its dirty and hard so I cant eat it! Should I just appeal my resignation? Giru said that even if that were the case, there were hardly any rumorsing out of Banchon (a ce where a lot of Banchon nobles lived), which was another source of rumors. I say almost because there were other rumors that did leak out. However, rumors rted to the vige and county did not circte even in Banchon. After thinking for a while, Hyang soon found an answer. Oh, I see. Most of the rumors involving me or Hyeon were important national policies and top secrets. The punishment for leaking property was the same as treason, right? Even if this was a rumor, there was no big person in the neighborhood who would talk about it. Chapter 1067 Chapter 1067: Paving stones (2) In the annex attached to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building on Unjong Street, working-level officials from the Empire and Ming Japan were gathered to analyze the situation and prepare for the future. First, lets talk about the power that currently controls Persia. Ming and Japanese officials pretended to know what the imperial official said. As far as we know, the ruler of a sect called Safabia holds hegemony. Japan knows that too. Thats right. Then how much do you know about this Safabia? The Ming and Japanese officials were unable to open their mouths in response to the imperial officials question. How did thise to be overpowered? Not bad. The imperial official, who had easily seeded in suppressing the initiative, calmed his voice and continued speaking. First, lets learn about this sect called Safavidya, and then lets talk about the ruler of this sect and the person who took over Persias hegemony. First, lets look at this religious group called Safavidya -Starting with an Imic mystical sect . Afterwards, it transformed into a Shiite faction and settled in Ardabil. -Subsequently ousted from Ardabil by the ck Sheep Dynasty. At that time, Sheikh Junaid went into exile to the Baekyang Dynasty. -Afterwards, as they attempted to establish their own power, they were continuously oppressed, leading to a desperate situation. -Ismail, the ruler of Tanggeum, was 7 years old at the time. -Ismail, who had been living in hiding in Ardabil and seeking to regain power, formed the Qizilbashi and rose up again, taking advantage of the turmoil in the Persian region. seeded in taking power. The officials from Japan and Ming Dynasty who heard the exnation up to this point looked a little strange. Something looks very familiar? A founding monarch who rose through difficult times I feel all too familiar. Spring and Autumn Battle, National Seven Heroes, and Chohan Battle. If we consider that the shogunate was also a start-up Imperial officials muttered to themselves after seeing the reactions of Ming and Japanese officials. If you start a business in a time of peace, its a shame! Big! Big! The imperial official, who drew attention by lightly clearing his throat, continued speaking. Ismail, the ruler of Tangjin, has acquired the title of Shahansa. And the country he currently rules is gradually expanding its territory. Thats it for now. The rest is our job. The eyes of Ming and Japanese officials began to sparkle as they heard the imperial officials meaningful words. Thats right! The really important things happen after the founding! Am-am! Ming and Japanese officials nodded, making meaningful remarks. The founding monarch appears to have the greatest power, but in some ways he has the weakest power! There are more than one enemy of a start-up monarch! Inside, there are sessors who want session and meritorious subjects who demand their shares, and outside, there are people who distrust the Yushin of Jeonjo (the remaining subjects of the fallen King of Joseon) who do not give up on restoration and the new founding monarch! Hmm I can see the strands. Who is the biggest contributor to Danggeum Shahansa! To the question of the Ming Dynasty official who caught the thread, the imperial official immediately answered. Kizilbashi. Kizilbashi? Lets talk about the Kizilbashi item in the report we already delivered. The information about Kizilbashi that the Empire had ascertained was as follows. -A group of Shia mystics. -Turkish lineage. -The name Kizilbashi was given because of the red bandana worn on the head. -Boasts very strong solidarity andbat power. -Cavalry is the main ss. C Bows are still used more favorably than gunpowder weapons such as artillery and long guns. To put this in more detail, gunpowder weapons have not yet spread widely in Persia and nearby regions. The biggest problem is not being able to easily obtain gunpowder, and the next problem is not having money to easily obtain gunpowder weapons. Because they couldnt do it. Thanks to that, most of the long guns they have are still flintlock rifles. Thats why they prefer bows as long-range, rapid-fire weapons. In response to the imperial officials exnation, the Ming Dynasty officials lightly shook their heads and muttered. The bows of the Turks have been a troublesome problem since ancient times It wasnt the bows that were troublesome, but the stone pce itself. The officials of the Ming Dynasty, who had been mentioning the sudden upheaval that had gued the central ins for a long time, returned to focusing on the main topic. The unity is strong and the power is excellent I guess the problem is loyalty? Imperial officials responded immediately to the questions of Ming officials. There is no problem with loyalty to the monarch. However, I am notfortable with the monarchs review due to other issues. another pair of boots? Its a sectarian issue. The monarch is Shia and they are also Shia, so I dont think there will be a problem? The problem is that most of the people are Sunni. aha! The Ming people pretended to know right away, but the Japanese officials looked puzzled. Whats the problem with sects? The Ming Dynasty officials and imperial officials muttered to themselves as they looked at the Japanese peoples expressions as if they had no idea what the problem was. Ah, Japans ability to see the external situation is still immature. Big! Big! The imperial official cleared his throat and exined the situation in more detail. Sunni and Shia were divided over who should be the sessor after the death of the founder of Im. And they have been enemies for nearly a thousand years. And those Qizilbashi are the ones who openly say, All Sunnis should be killed. I heard that those Qizilbashi are still wandering around Persia and witnessing massacres. After hearing the imperial officials exnation, Japanese officials immediately showed understanding. The monarch of Persia must be in trouble. Just as the first Japanese king did, the newly founded monarch thoroughly rooted out his enemies to the point where it could be said that they were cruel. However, ordinary people without power werergely untouched. This was because the people were needed to run the government. Furthermore, the people who turned their backs were a more fearsome enemy than anyone else. And yet you go around massacring people just because they belong to different sects? That monarch named Ismail must be a pain in the ass. Japanese officials who understood the situation looked back at the imperial officials and Ming officials. From Ismails point of view, if his own safety and power were guaranteed, wouldnt he want to purge the Kizilbashis first? But the current situation is difficult, so we will leave them alone In that case, we can rece the Kizilbashis. oh? The Ming Dynasty official answered the Japanese officials question first. It would be a shame to rece Kizilbashi. You could end up like Kizilbashi. Following the words of the Ming official, the imperial official continued. The best thing is to give Ismail someone to fill Kizilbashis vacancy. Youre saying were going to create an army to fill the empty space? It will be Ismails army and our army. A Japanese official expressed doubts about the imperial officials words. I understand Ismails army, but I dont understand our army. The imperial official immediately responded to the Japanese officials point. If it is armed with weapons made by us, made up of soldiers trained by us, andmanded bymanders who have been trained by us, can it not be called our army? As long as the rtionship between us and Persia is notpletely broken, Ismails The army will be our army and protect our interests. After hearing the imperial officials answer, the Ming and Japanese officials knew immediately what the imperial official was thinking. The military is the most powerful means of protecting power, but it is also the most powerful force that threatens power. If things go as the Empire thinks, Ismail will have no choice but to move with us! Also, Ismails army will most actively protect our interests! The truly scary thing is that the other person has no choice but to ept it knowingly! Ming and Japanese officials, who had felt a chill down their spines due to the meticulousness of the empire, suddenly froze. Then what about us? There is no way an empire with that level of depth would have joined hands with us due tock of ability! then? then! We too were like Ismail! There was no way the empire did not know that Ming and Japanese officials would make this judgment after hearing the empires ns. Nevertheless, the exnation for this was that the Empires offer was an irresistible attractive offer. In other words, Japan could share significant benefits with one person holding the hand the empire extended. As long as we are holding hands with the empire. -The moment you let go, the sharing of benefits ends. No, its the beginning of a conflict. -Are you confident that you will win against the Empire? -Do you want to head towards a difficult time that may lead to catastrophe, or do you want to head towards a time of abundance, although you may have to be cautious? The choice is yours. Japan, who clearly saw the power of the empire next to Ming, which had already suffered fatal defeats twice, had only one choice. In the conference room of Unjong Street, not the battlefield, Ming and Japan had no choice but to wave white gs to the empire. The imperial officials, seeing the ever-changing expressions of the Ming and Japanese officials, smiled inwardly. I broke it. I broke it. It was a matter of the three countries moving together. First of all, the order of rank had to be clearly organized so that future work would go smoothly. Therefore, before starting work, the imperial working-level staff conducted thorough rehearsals. It was a rehearsal in which Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister took on the roles of imperial officials, and imperial working-level officials took on the roles of Ming and Japanese officials. The working-level officials responsible for managing Ming and Japan engaged in a fierce war of words with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Vice Minister and Prime Minister. In most cases, the working-level staff were refuted in this dry run. However, there were several cases of the opposite, and each time, the working-level staff and Vice Minister Jang put their heads together toe up with a countermeasure. And from the beginning, it broke the spirit of the Ming and Japanese people. * * * The empire, which had sessfully defeated the Ming and Japan from the beginning, began to n ording to the empires ideas. Then lets assume that the army to be dispatched to Persia will be centered around Ming and Japan, with the empire taking charge of logistics and artillery. Ming and Japanese officials nodded at the imperial officials words. The characteristics of the armies of the Three Kingdoms during this period were as follows. Myeong: What is in abundance is people? Japan: At least there are only people. Empire: Artillery Artillery Artillery! Or, there is everything except people. Thanks to the overflowing poption, they were able to mobilizerge numbers of troops, but heavy weapons were rtivelycking. -It is cheaper to mobilize more soldiers than to possessrge quantities of heavy weapons, which consume a lot of money. This was my decision. On the other hand, Japan, which stillcks many things, had no choice but to make up for its shorings with people. The empire has long been a country that started with artillery and ended with artillery, and thanks to these characteristics, it had secured a supply capacity that was more robust than anyone elses. Chapter 1068 Episode 1068: Pavement Stone (3) Hmm Lets start like this first. Imperial and Ming Japanese officials began to revisit the ns they had drawn up. -First, diplomatic envoys and troops to escort them are sent to Tabriz, where Ismail is staying. -Secure an appropriate beachhead while negotiating with Ismail from diplomatic missions. -The bridgehead connected to the sea route and thend route near Basra are secured at Ragai (near modern Tehran). -Afterwards, a railway connecting Basra to Tabriz and a railway connecting Ragai to Tabriz will be built. -Afterwards, the railway starts from Lagai and continues eastward, expanding into an east-west crossing railway connecting Beijing and Liaodong. The ultimate goal was to create one gigantic ring that connects airways and railways. If this were to happen, Ming and Japan would be able to reap stable and steady economic benefits throughnd and sea routes. Of course, the owner of arge stake was the empire. In addition, the safety ofnd routes would be lessened as Japan would take responsibility for the safety of sea routes. In particr, thend route that Ming would take charge of managing was the traditional Silk Road, so the empire would be able to expand its trade targets more easily. ..and the name of this n The title of the n created by the working-level staff of the Three Kingdoms Union was soon reported to the Emperor of the Empire, the Emperor of Japan, and received approval. Its okay Unlike the monarchs who gave favorable evaluations, Hyang ced his hand on his forehead after receiving the report. If anything The name chosen by the working-level officials was One Belt, One Road. C Surrounds it with one path, like a belt. As others say, these guys also have poor naming skills. Is this what writers make a living out of? As long as I dont get the results I know, itll be fine. Huh~. After letting out a long sigh, Hyang looked up at the sky and muttered. No matter how good our intentions are, lets not go as far as the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. I made a firm decision about what scent I was praying for that wasnt a prayer and unfolded the paper. No, now that Im thinking about it, it would be better to hit the yer in advance. Hyang began writing a proposal to submit to Hyeon. ..Lets make the word Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere itself a taboo that cannot even be spoken. The person who first coined the term Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere was an analytical philosopher who opposed militarism. However, contrary to his intentions, it has be a word that clearly symbolizes Japans militarism and imperialism. .Thats why were cutting it out in advance! The proposal sent by Hyang was immediately delivered to Hyeon. Hyun, who epted his brothers proposal, immediately gathered the prime minister and ministers. What do you think? Han Chi-hyeong came forward and answered Hyeons question. If you think about the exnation, it is a really good word. Just thinking about it, it is difficult for me to agree with what Tae Sang-tae asked me to forbid. However, considering the words attached after that, I think it is reasonable. Its just that the words have such a beautiful meaning that its hard to hide my regretful feelings. All the ministers nodded at Han Chi-hyeongs answer. Hyeon also nodded at the ministers reaction. Jim, I think the same way too. However, considering what Tae Sang-taeng added, it makes sense that Tae-sang Sang-tae rmended that it is better to abstain. Ha~. Hyun couldnt hide his disappointment and sighed. The contents of the proposal submitted by Hyang were summarized as follows: -Dong-Ah refers to the area east of what Europeans call Asia. It is roughly thend of movement. It means and country. C Pursuing themon prosperity of countries located in this wide area is truly a good thing. C But look at the reality. There are countries that are prosperous and others that are not. There are people who believe in Buddhism. There are countries and there are countries that believe in Im. -When many people gather together, it is difficult to unite their thoughts and actions. Why is there the saying 10 people and 10 colors? -Look at it even now. Empire and Ming. How much effort did Japan have to put in to work together? Even though it was the gathering of three countries who all equally pursued the kingdom politics that the old sages had spoken of C in the end, the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere was just a name to hide the separation. ). And the first country to say that word will be remembered as a country with two sides. C In the worst case, it may be a public enemy of the East. C Therefore, the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. It is reasonable to ban the word itself. Furthermore, it is best to look carefully at the reason for banning this word and refrain from it yourself. Haa~ Hyeon, who sighed in regret, concluded. It is unfortunate, but the suggestion made by Tae Sang-hang Lets ept it. An old sage also said to beware of the color of ones teachings, and one of the sayings passed down to Europeans is, The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Therefore, let us ban it. I obey yourmand. In this way, Greater East Asia Management Sphere became a banned word and was spread throughout the empire in the newspaper. And soon, a war of words broke out among those who read the content. I started. C I am well aware of how wise Tae Sang-tae is, but arent you worrying too much? C No. Tae Sang-hang is a person who never makes a mistake or makes a wish. The things he worries about have always turned into big troubles once or twice. Is it right? Its right to prohibit it! C Thats right. For these people who are so insensitive to the world, was there anyone who said bad things? Everyone shouted for paradise on earth! But what was the result? It was hell in this world! Thanks to the experience of living in the world and the achievements umted by Hyang, the people responded. The trend was to support the township. Incidentally, the story of the township rted to this policy was also spread to Ming and Japan. And soon, the word Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere became a taboo in Ming and Japan as well. What the township has done so far and its results are also known. It was Ming and Japan that I knew very well. It is best not to do what the state of the empire tells you not to do! In addition to this perception, Hyangsst words were the most powerful reason. C He uttered the words Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. It will be Ja Dong-yis achievement! The so-called curse of incense was born. And even after century after century, no one came forward to use this word as a slogan. It had be a taboo. * * * Enactment of a taboo Even though Gyeongbokgung Pce and Nanjing Yamaguchi were noisy, Hyang was busy. Tell this letter to the situation in Shinji immediately. Yes, Your Majesty. And find the materials written here and bring them back. Yes, Your Majesty. Watching the eunuchs and officials who received Hyangs orders moving around busily, Hyang lightly pointed his fingers and muttered, Lets see If we calcte the time when that letter will be delivered and Wani will arrive roughly the time. I guess I can guess it. Hyang, who was calcting a schedule for something, grumbled as he licked his lips. Phone. It would have been nice to have at least a full body Come! If this happens, itll just end Hyang, who was grumbling about themunication problem that still had a long way to go, unfolded a nk piece of paper and made up his mind. This will be myst paving stone for a possible war. After I do this, Im really going to retire! Politics and everything else, Im just going to get my hands dirty and be a fan! There are more than one blueprint of Jang Yeong-sil piled up in the warehouse! Da Vinci is getting older, too, so I cant just keep doing this! Without knowing the true nature of this incense, rumors began to spread around Suganggung Pce and Gyeongbokgung Pce. -Taesangwang began to think about something in earnest. -I looked at the things he told me to find . It was all rted to a big war! Then The faces of all the officials who heard the rumor became serious. Whenever Tae Sang-hang made a move regarding war, a war broke out! But a big war? A big war? .Then War, that is, a big war will break out The ce where war is most likely to break out is rted to the empire now Gibraltar? Hmm The officials gathered in small groups put their heads together and thought over and over again. For something to happen in Gibraltar, problems have to arise in Europe. No. Mediterranean Sea. Mediterranean What could possibly cause trouble in the Mediterranean? Gibraltar alone is weak. It has to be bigger. And Ottoman? Its Osman! I see. Osman is the most likely. Hold on? If its Ottoman, doesnt Persia also be a problem? Eye~. Persia is just beginning. And are we the only ones going into Persia? Ming and Japan The officials who had been analyzing up to that point froze. The Empire was a great power, but the Ming was also a great power. ording to what the Ministry of National Defense studied and considered, the Ming power alone could take on more than half of Europe. It was to the extent of appearing. And although it was far inferior to the empire, Japan was also a formidable country. And these three countries joined hands to advance into Persia. The rumor that problems were brewing in the Ottomans and Persia meant that there was a problem between Europe and the East. It was a sound that a problem was brewing. In other words. It means the whole world is divided into two and fighting. The officials who had analyzed that far looked at Su Ganggung. Are you really thinking that far? And this is it. A simr conclusion was being drawn between the prime minister and the ministers. Do you really think of such a great war? I dont know. Because you havent said anything yet. Isnt it just a guess? Looking at the data that Tae Sang-tae asked me to find, Im almost certain that I guessed it. Huh~ Han Chi-hyeong let out a long sigh and looked back at the Minister of National Defense. Just like the story that just came out . What do you think will happen if a war of such an enormous scale breaks out? To Han Chi-hyeongs question, the Minister of National Defense briefly answered, Unprecedented. Unprecedented? Thats right. This is unprecedented. War is a monster. War is something that cannot do the simple calction that if it is twice as big, it eats twice as much. In response to the Minister of National Defenses answer, Han Chi-hyeong and the other officials sighed. Whew. What did you expect, Tae Sang-tae? .. And as time passed, Wan returned from Sinji. Arriving in Wonsan, Wan went straight to Sugang Pce without any official wee ceremony. Not long after Wan entered Sugang Pce, Hyeon and Crown Prince Woo also entered Sugang Pce. From then on , the eyes and ears of all the officials in Seoul were focused on Sugang Pce. The reason I urgently asked you toe here is so that we can discuss this together. Hyang opened his mouth like this and distributed hand-made reports one by one. If anything , he said. I didnt know if it would be leaked beforehand, so I made it myself. At Hyangs words, Wan and Hyunwoo had the same thought at the same time. Then I guess I can keep it as an heirloom? Wan and Hyun, who checked the cover of the report while avoiding random thoughts that suddenly came to mind, simultaneously expressed their doubts: Total national war? Chapter 1069 Episode 1069: Paving Stone (4) Its an all-out war I understand that policies andws rted to this have already been prepared, right? Hyun, who was next to Wan, also nodded at Wans point. After two major wars, Hyang first proposed a n for all-out war,id the foundation and framework during Wans reign, and fleshed out and refined it during Hyeons reign. However, when all-out war was mentioned again, objections were raised. No way, even if hes senile. No! Lets not have any profane thoughts! When Wan and Hyeon were worried rather than worried, Hyang received a message. I know that part very well. Thats why I didnt say anything until now. I also thought this was enough. But Hyang paused for a moment and continued with a long sigh. . Phew~. But the world is changing too quickly. No, it has changed. I thought it would take about a hundred years to redefine the concept Such a write-up At Hyangs words, Wu tried to spit out a small swear word without realizing it, but quickly covered his mouth. Hyeon red at Woo, who was looking around in great confusion, and said to Hyang. Isnt an all-out war an all-out war? You can add and lose weight, but I think its unnecessary to start over from scratch. That is true because it is not the same all-out war. The all-out war so far can be called the all-out war of the government, and the new one to be considered will be the all-out war of the nation. huh? uh? At Hyangs words, Wan and Hyeons faces hardened and they fell into thought. It is subtly different between the government and the state something subtly Meanwhile, Wu looked at Wan and Hyeon with an expression that clearly asked, What are you talking about? Wu bowed his head to Hyang, who was looking at Wan and Hyeon, who had closed their mouths, lost in thought. So-suns learning is short, so he cannot properly understand what Tae-sang-tae said. Please teach me. Hyang responded to Wus request with a light smile. Its not that Im short on learning, its just that Ick experience. Its because I dont have much experience looking at the overall national situation at once, weighing its importance, and looking at the situation not only in the empire but also in other countries. As Hyang said, Wu stillcked experience. The empires policy was to develop basic skills through the operation of institutions traditionally handled by the crown prince, such as Area 51 and research institutes, and then experience actualbat through proxy administration. And Wu had just begun his proxy cleaning. I will exin why I am writing this proposal for the Crown Prince. This will be better than simply reading it in writing. Thank you! Wu expressed his sincere gratitude, and Wan and Hyuns faces brightened at the unexpected good fortune. The description of the scent was summarized as follows. -The reason why the current all-out war is called the all-out war of the government is because it can be seen as the private sector making up for what the governmentcks. -Lets give the easiest example. ording to the current n, when a situation of all-out war arises, civilian craftsmen will be summoned to the armory to make weapons. In other words, the shorings in coordination are taken up by the private sector. -But with the new concept of all-out war, the situation is the opposite. If an all-out war breaks out, everything that can be handed over must be handed over to the private sector, and the government must focus its efforts on carrying out the war while only managing and supervising. -Unlike the case mentioned above, in the new all-out war, the government entrusts all production to the private sector and dispatches artillery craftsmen to the private sector to supervise management. Thats roughly the difference. Why is this difference made? Hyang answered Woos question right away. The world has changed. Wagons and assault cars are no longer exclusive to empires. Some countries imported them from the empire, but many countries made their own. To put it another way, mass production and mass consumption will be a symbol of war. If you look at the report While listening to Hyangs exnation, Hyang and Hyeon-woo hurriedly turned over the report. This is aparison of the amount consumed in the Liaodong War we fought with the estimate of the amount consumed in the recent war between France and the Habsburgs in the Lorraine region. Oh my God After seeing theparison table, both Wan and Hyeon-woo looked disappointed. There is no significant difference in the amount of supplies consumed in the past all-out war, in which the fate of the nation was at stake, and the modern local war If this consumption rate were to be applied to the current all-out war The faces of Wan and Hyun, who had been calcting for a moment, turned pale. Woo asked Hyeon, who had a simr expression. Abama. When the report on the war between France and Habsburg came out, there were no ministers who mentioned the part you mentioned. Theres no way they didnt know this figure either. Hyang responded to Woos point on Hyeons behalf. This is because the empires governance has grown tremendously since its founding. No, not only its governance, but also its military power has grown immeasurably. The Ming Dynasty is the only country that can wage an all-out war against Tang Jins empire. Isnt it unique? In such a situation, it would be best to think seriously about such a local war. If you think about it seriously, you would say it is excessive. Still, missing this is considered problematic. Its force majeure. yes? Even Wan and Hyeon looked like they couldnt understand the word force majeure. Hyang, seeing the expressions of the three people, asked Wan. Do you remember the Liaodong War? Well I was young, so I dont remember much. All I remember is that at that time, Emperor Yuan and Tai Shang made serious faces every day, and the ministers spent every day with expressions of desperation on their faces. That is why it is called force majeure. Those who experienced the Liaodong War have already disappeared into history, and people today only know about the Liaodong War through records and numbers. Those who actually experienced it and those who only know it through knowledge have different judgments about the severity of the matter. It is an unavoidable force majeure. Hyang paused for a moment, lightly moistened his throat, and continued speaking. The same goes for the total war part. When it was first nned and the framework was created, there were a lot of people who had experienced the Liaodong War from top to bottom. They were people who had experienced a war that risked everything for the country in just one war. Hmm .. I guess thats what youre talking about, right? In response to Hyangs question, Wan and Hyunwoo both nodded. Yes, I understand. I will tell you to prepare for a new all-out war. I am truly grateful that you epted me without criticizing me as an old mans advice. Thats too much praise. How can we take lightly the Tae Sang-taes patriotism? Thank you. I think I can restfortably now. Please trust us. As Wan and Hyunwoo left, Hyang stretched out with a relieved expression. Ugh I guess Ive finished all my work. Now, lets just rx and do our homework * * * Returning to Gyeongbokgung Pce, Wan and Hyeon-woo put their heads together over the homework that Hyang had assigned to them. . I understand what Tae Sang-taeng is worried about Is there any possibility that an all-out war will break out at the level you think it will? Hyun answered Wans question with an ambiguous expression. Its hard to say that it doesnt exist. This is the problem. I see. Thats the problem. A ruler should not ignore any problem, no matter how small. Yes. And when I think back, the war was turning more and more into a war of attrition. Wan nodded at Hyuns words. A long time ago, General Lee Jing-ok said that. War first changes people, then supplies, and finally changes the country. That wasnt wrong. You left a famous message. Hmm I guess Ill have to hand it over to the Prime Minister. Wu expressed his disapproval at Hyuns decision. Its still overloaded. Then what will you do? Prince, will you do it? Huh? Sojas experience is too shallow to be entrusted with such a huge responsibility Hyeon cut off the conversation with a chuckle at Woos hasty evasive maneuver. Its not ability, its experience You never say youre ipetent, right? Youre confident in your abilities, right? Hmm I guess Ill have to leave it to you, the crown prince. Anyway, it wont be long before you take the throne. . From now on, its your time, so it would be better for you to take charge of it yourself. Oh no, Your Majesty! Soja, you stillck a lot! This is a good opportunity to fill that deficiency! The crown prince should take charge and do it properly. It is the emperors order. He responded to Hyunsmand with a tearful expression. I follow the Emperorsmand. You, the crown prince, are the ones who said that the prime minister and ministers are suffering from overload. So, dont be dependent on the prime minister and ministers and try your best. yes. Wan, who saw Woo retreating with a very tired face before he even started, asked Hyun with a look full of worry. Have you not entrusted the crown prince with too great a burden? This is the guy who will soon take over Bowie. I have to do this at least. But when I look at the gun, it looks so bad That guys expression is just like that. A guy with good skills is just trying to do what he tells him to do, so he uses a lot of trickeryTsk! Wan made a strange expression as Hyun clicked his tongue while mentioning Woos irritable appearance. Huh? Why do you look at it that way? Do you know why the emperor didnt do that? When I think of how he wasted his time building a steam iron ship .. * * * Meanwhile, Woo, who had taken on the homework, thought about it repeatedly to find a solution. For the first time . Doing everything from start to finish is the worst of all. Who said that? Finding the right person and handing over the work is truly the power of a high being. Hmm Who should I hand this to The easiest way was to hand it to the prime minister. . Then, the prime minister would distribute it on his own and pass it on to others. But this method was already blocked by the prefecture. Hmm What would be better? Wu, who was thinking about finding the best solution, fixed his eyes on the calendar hanging on the wall. No, Woos eyes suddenly began to sparkle as he looked at the daily schedule hanging next to it. This is it! Ive finally found people willing to pass it on. Ive found people willing to risk their lives to do it! The people Wu targeted were mid-level officials who had taken apetency assessment test. * * * Imperial officials had to be diligent in order to be promoted. They had to be recognized for their sincerity through excellent attendance, and they had to be recognized for their abilities based on the results of their assigned tasks. If you diligently and steadily built up your experience and performance, you could easily advance to level 6. When moving up from level 6 to level 5, a separate test had to be taken, but the test to move up to level 5 could be seen as a formality. The real challenge was the exam to go from level 5 to level 4. Only by breaking through level 4 could one be promoted to a truly high-ranking position. And Wu was targeting those who attempted this test. Chapter 1070 Chapter 1070: Pavement Stone (5) What Wu used as a means here was the second process of the test. The exam to go from level 5 to level 4 had to be taken twice. One was an individual exam taken over two days. It was a test that examined the candidates knowledge of studying abroad and work. Compared to the second time, its a piece of cake. Most of the applicants who took the test were recognized for their academic and work skills. No, only those people were encouraged to take the test. The real strainer was the second test Wu was aiming for. It was a test called One Month of Hell. -The test taker chooses one ball from the box whose interior is covered. -The test taker who chose the ball is ced in a ss with the test takers who have the same color ball. In this way, six divisions, one judge each, and one judge are created. -Test assignments are given to those who form the ss like this. The task at hand is to draft a policy to run the empire and create legal and statutory standards for it. -Cooperation, coordination, leadership, etc. shown in the process of solving tasks are scored. Of course, thepleteness of the answer is also an important grading criterion. -Three graders are assigned to each ss, and sess is determined based on the evaluation forms each student submits. -The process of taking the second test takes 15 days for 1 month of grading. It was a difficult test that made people say, Just hearing your name again makes me vomit. And most of those who took this test said this. If you take that test, you will know why munist distribution theory is nonsense. As leadership was included in the evaluation criteria, the battle of spirit and horns to be the leader was great. The problems that came down to the task were not easy. In other words, they were tasks that involved the operation of the entire empire and involved all 6 departments and the judges and referees. In other words, a sweet situation that only I amfortable with was a task that would never happen. Even though we coordinated with each other, we couldnt avoid the feeling that I was the only one taking on more, and fights often broke out over this. And the grader meticulously recorded and evaluated all of this. Because it was a test like this, Wu used it as the optimal means. * * * With this background, I will assign All Out War as an assignment for this exam. Hmm Hyeon, who was nodding his head while listening to Woos report, asked Woo. Did you choose this test just for that reason? No. All-out war is not something that will happen right now. It is a measure to deal with situations that may arise in the future. Those taking the exam now will be the ones who will move the government in that future time. From now on. Those who know and think ahead will be able to get through it well even when something real happens. Thats a good answer. Hyun, satisfied with Woos answer, stamped the n and continued speaking. While youre at it, make sure you exin it properly to the prime minister and ministers. yes. The next day, Wu exined his n to the prime ministers and ministers. .This is what happens. After hearing Wus exnation, Han Chi-hyeong and the ministers calcted the possibilities and the pros and cons. Han Chi-hyeong, who had been counting for a moment, came forward and told Hyun. The Crown Prince has really thought of a good way. I think it would be best to do it this way. Following Han Chi-hyeong, Seong-jun spoke. If those currently working with Ming Japan work at the front, those who pass this test will be the right people to support them from behind. If those at the front act proactively and those at the back provide strong support, the empire will have no worries. I am truly d that the crown prince has thought of such a good way to conduct national affairs. The crown prince is so wise, and the future of the empire is bright. Hahaha! It makes me feel good to be a father before an emperor because you treat him so favorably. However, the crown princes experience is still shallow, so I hope that the princes will do their best to help him. I follow your orders! Hyeon looked at Woo with a proud expression. child! They kept making me anxious, but now theyre doing it right! The ministers also responded positively, and the emperor gave his approval, so Wus method was chosen. And the applicants who took the test this time had a hard time sleeping at night. I heard that the second assignment that will be released this time is from Tae Sang-tae Ha~. Should I give up on this exam? Even if I lose out to my ssmates in career terms.. Its not easy either. Its the beginning. It may have been the case, but the execution is up to the crown prince. If you make a mistake, the crown prince could be punished. If that happens, your sess will be a disaster What should I do about this? Although the test takers had trouble sleeping at night, they ultimately chose to take the test. If you take the test and fail, youll be marked as bad luck, but if you give up, youll be marked as ipetent. The answer was fixed. * * * Even as the Unjong family was buzzing with tests to identify those who would be responsible for the future rearguard of the empire, the officials carrying out coboration with Ming and Japan were concentrating on their duties. Those who are with Ming Japan now will be responsible for the front lines of the empire in the future, and those who pass this test will be responsible for the rear lines of the empire. As Seongjuns words to Hyeon spread, these officials became proud and burdened at the same time. The fact that His Majesty the Emperor did not say anything to Admiral Seongjuns words means that His Majesty the Emperor also recognized the importance of what we are doing! If you dont show a good performance in the process ofpleting this project, your sess will be a cakewalk! Realizing once again that this was both an opportunity and a crisis, imperial officials began to work even harder. No, not only did they work hard, but they also began to improve Ming and Japanese officials. Come on! Come on! The sun is shining again today! Lets work. Work! Considering the time it takes for news toe from the Ottomans and Persians, we cant sit still and wait! We have to prepare in advance so we can respond right away! Lets get to work! The imperial officials rash actions left Ming and Japanese officials in tears. Did these people take the wrong medicine Its still too much for them Even after they started coborating together, the Ming and Japanese officials were busy keeping up with the pace at which the imperial officials worked. . However, when the speed was increased further, Ming and Japanese officials began to cry. Get some rest. Lets do it! Im going to die like this! Imperial officials frowned at theints of Ming and Japanese officials. Huh! What is the duty of a subject? Isnt he supposed to risk his life for his country? He neglects his countrys work just because its hard? What a disgrace! If youre having a hard time, file an appeal for resignation and ask for a new person to be sent. Its easier then. Eunuch Sajikso. Then you can feel at ease. Very well~! You can restfortably. In response to the imperial officials reactions, Ming and Japanese officials gritted their teeth and desperately clung to their work. This was because they also knew very well that this was an important juncture that would determine their future. If you get through this well, you will be sessful, but if you do it wrong, your life will end after just one job! If you voted to run for office, shouldnt you have a good reputation? In the end, they too piled up the tonics and ck bean tea next to each other and started working hard. * * * After sorting out matters inside Persia to some extent, imperial and Ming Japanese officials turned their attention to the Ottomans. Among the sons of Bayezid II, the Sultan of Danggeum, the most powerful are three. These three are called Khorkud Ahmet Suleyman or Selim. Who is the most powerful among the three? Both Korkud and Suleyman have experienced military failure at least once. Considering this, Ahmet is the most likely. However, for the same reason, Ahmet is at the greatest disadvantage. huh? The Ming and Japanese officials who were questioning the imperial officials answer soon understood what he meant and nodded. I see. Since they upy the most powerful position, they must have a lot to ask for. The other two will have no choice but to concede a lot to the European powers that are trying to help them. Is the conclusion that all is well? In the analysis of Ming and Japanese officials. The imperial official added, We must add one more condition. Janissaries. Ah. I forgot about them. The Ottoman Empires elite unit and the Sultans guards were the Janissaries. Before bing an empire, the Ottoman army consisted of warriors sent from the tribes that made up the Ottoman Empire. It was nothing more than a collection of soldiers. As a result, it was impossible to organize them to move in an orderly manner, and most of their power consisted of light cavalry. The Janissaries were created as a standing army that could correct this imbnce in power and move in an organized manner. And the Janissaries. It did its job brilliantly. As a result, the Janissaries of Danggeum became the sultans most powerful weapon and at the same time the one on which the sultan felt the most burden. The imperial official concluded the exnation of the Janissary items with the following words. The person who wants to be the next sultan will be the one who secures the support of the Janissaries or suppresses them, or seeds in one of the two. Is there any information about who the Janissaries are supporting now? It is not apparent on the outside, but it flows little by little. Based on the rumorsing out, it seems like they support Suleiman. Hmm Hmm Then the choice of the European powers is. After hearing the exnation, Ming and Japanese officials said that Europe The powers began to consider which candidate to choose. C First of all, Ahmet is the strongest based on the power he has right now, so it is certain that the preference for Ahmet will be the lowest. C In that case, the only remaining candidates are Korkud and Suleiman. Since both have suffered great military losses, it is certain that they will give up a lot. -Here, the variable of the Janissaries arises. In that case, Suleiman is also far from being chosen. -Korkud is the best opponent, but if this continues, the European powers will be in trouble. Aspetition among European powers arises, Korkud may end up in a superior situation. C If so, the best way to avoid this is The Ming and Japanese officials who have discussed it up to this point all use the same word. Purge . Purge would be the answer. Imperial officials also nodded at the words of Ming and Japanese officials. In Persia, the Kyzilbashii and in the Ottomans, the Janissaries will be the targets of purge. One of the officials of the Ming Dynasty, who had remained silent despite the words that were almost certain, raised a counterargument to his colleagues. The Janissaries are the most important group that protects the sultans power. Are you really going to purge them? The king is capable of purging. Have you forgotten that politics involves eliminating no matter how powerful a faction is if it is not mine? I agree. Especially if its something that makes the Sultan notice, its best to get rid of it when you have the chance. Have you forgotten Tosagupin? Chapter 1071 Episode 1071: Tosagu Feng (1) It was a very familiar word to officials of the Ming and Japanese Empires. To a monarch, especially a monarch who had seeded in starting a new business, the founding public figures were bothrades and enemies. Those who knew the monarchs heart best because they shared difficult times together were the people who contributed to the founding of the country. On the other hand, those who proudly demanded their share or looked down on the monarch were also contributors to the founding of the country. This was because we had seen many of the monarchs shorings while going through hardships and hardships together. Therefore, the founding monarch had no choice but to carry out purges as time passed. It was a necessary evil that must be endured not only for ones own power, but also for the sessors who would inherit ones position. This was the reason why the famous Tosagu Paeng came out. This is why the Qizilbashi of the Persian Safavid Empire and the Janissaries of the Ottomans had no choice but to be targets of purges. Kizilbashi is the most powerful force of Shahansa Ismail of the Safavid Empire, but its extreme religious ideology has worsened rtions with its people. The Janissaries were created to improve the abnormal power structure that was focused only on the guards and at the same time strengthen the power of the sultan, but at some point they became the core of power. Both the Shahansa and the Sultan were in a situation where they were being swayed by their most powerful hand. And this is where other countries found a gap. Officials of the Empire and Ming Japan, whopleted the kill book for the takeover of the Safavid Empire, submitted a document outlining the n and the kill book to their respective monarchs. And the orders sent by the monarchs of the three kingdoms were simple. -Do it. ordingly, new units began to be organized in Ming and Japan, and the Imperial Navy transport fleet to transport them entered final maintenance. * * * While Imperial Japan was preparing for its final approach to conquer Persia, the European powers were also making their final preparations. -Ottoman Sultan Bayezid is visibly weakening. As these rumors spread not only to the Ottoman Empire but also to the European countryside, the politicians and strategists of European powers elerated their pace even further. As the speed increased, the first two countries to surface were the two countries. One was France and the other was Italy. France was a powerhouse of European tradition and a country that caused many incidents and idents to protect its political position and interests. Of course, France suffered severely from Ennd during the Hundred Years War, but overcame this and returned to its position as a powerhouse. Therefore, very few people were surprised that France had moved. But Italy was something unexpected. The main assessment was that it was a new country that had just emerged from the aftereffects of the Unification War and that its capabilities were not great. However, Italys capabilities and motivation that rose to the surface were quite powerful. Italy was the country with moremanders and soldiers who had sufficient practicalbat experience and were ustomed to a new type of war through thest unification war. And as a new nation, it was highly motivated and had a cause. -Ottoman stability is absolutely necessary to ensure the safety of the Suez region. With this justification, Italy began to move openly. As France and Italy began to move openly, their allies and enemies also began to speed up their movements. As a result, conflict between European powers began to arise once again. The first to be closer were France, Italy and Portugal. France became distant from Italy and Portugal during the War of Italian Unification. However, with Suez at stake, France had to join hands with Italy and Portugal once again. No, it wasnt just Suez. The country that knew best about the situation in the Mediterranean region, including the Ottoman Empire, was Italy. And the country with the most interests in the Antic Ocean, which was also the coast of France, and the New World Gloria beyond that was Portugal, followed by Italy. In the end, the leaders of the three countries gathered in Paris and reached a historic normalization agreement. When France, Italy and Portugal joined hands, it was a natural reaction for Spain and Habsburg to join hands. This was because the Habsburgs had to deal with enemies like France and Spain with Portugal. Eventually, Spain and Habsburg concluded a marriage alliance. And here Ennd was caught in a dilemma. C Considering not only military power but also all the capabilities they have, the French-Italian-Portuguese alliance is the strongest. C In that case, it is safest to join forces with them. Of course, it will be difficult to ask for a lot of shares, but there is little chance of losing money. -The problem is that there is France. -But being on the side where Spain and Habsburg are, there are a lot of problems there too. -Spain, who starts a war and draws his sword at the sight of Im, and Habsburg, whose pride is sky-high while making a fuss about a topic that is difficult for him to handle. If you make a mistake, you will end up messing around and ruining yourself. -Moves independently? I like the idea that its all mine regardless of sess or failure. -The problem is that there is no connecting line inside the Ottomans. -France, Italy and Portugal built long and solid connections with the Ottomans, starting with Suez. -The Habsburgs also had connections with the Ottomans through the war they fought against Hungary. -In particr, with the merger of Hungary and Habsburg, the Ottoman connections that Hungary had built were added. In this situation, Ennd was caught in choice paralysis. In the end, in London, Henry VII and his subjects agonized over a solution to this problem. Ha~. Its definitely not an easy task. All the subjects and nobles nodded to Henry VIIsints. Following Henry VIIsints, a noblemanined. The world is changing so quickly. In the past, I was bored and thought, Today will be the same as yesterday, tomorrow will be the same as today, but these days, I am praying, Please just be the same as yesterday. Everyone nodded at the noblemansint. Just like thoseints, the world was changing faster and faster. With each passing day, a new merchant hangs up his deck or goes bankrupt and takes down his sign. In the past, distances that would have taken several days to travel by horseback, carriage, or on foot could now be covered in one night by iron horse. The same was true for trade. In the past, the only distance between the North Sea and the Mediterranean Sea was the Caspian Sea, but now ships travel across the Antic and Indian Oceans. As the world changed, international rtions also changed more rapidly. As a day, a month, and a year passed, allies and enemies often changed. Of course, there were unchanging hostile countries like France. But you cant justin forever. Considering the value of the Ottomans, the moment they fall behind here, Ennd will never be able to move forward again. Hearing Henry VIIs words, the subjects and nobles sighed and turned their attention to the report and world map again. I cant do this, I cant do that No matter which one you choose, the benefit will be small and the loss will be great I feel sick Are you just feeling upset? My hair loss has gotten worse. When everyone, starting with Henry VII, was in trouble, the door opened and a young official came in and bowed. Whats going on? We found out who the Ottoman sessor was with the Habsburgs. At the young officials answer, Henry VII jumped up from his seat. okay! Who is it! This is Korkud, Anatolia! The subjects and nobles present at the young officials report quickly flipped through the reports. Korkud of Anatolia Here it is! After examining the relevant reports submitted by his subjects, Henry VII looked at the subjects and nobles around him. First of all, it seems like the Habsburgs acted as we expected. Thats right. The Anatolian region was a region connected to the Balkan Penins in Eastern Europe. For the Habsburgs, this region was something they knew well. Because the starting point of Imic forces trying to advance into Europe, especially Hungary, was Anatolia. For that reason, it was the Habsburgs that knew well the tendencies of the Anatolian regions powers and leaders. Therefore, choosing Korkud was a reasonable move. Because I knew him well, it would be easy to deal with him in the future. The problem is Korkuds current situation If Korkud was in its current situation, it would have made many concessions to the Habsburgs. Henry VII nodded to his subjects answer. The situation in Korkud during this time was very bad. This was because they suffered enormous losses as they failed to suppress the rebellion of Shia mystics. Thanks to this, it was Korkud who suddenly went from being the most powerful candidate for the presidency to the candidate who would be the first to have his head cut off. In order to turn a crisis into an opportunity, it was necessary to capture the spirit of the Habsburgs. After reviewing the situation, Henry VII looked back at his nobles and subjects. Now we will have to choose a card depending on who France chooses. Who were we expecting? In response to Henry VIIs question, one of his subjects looked through the report and answered. Its not France, its Italy, but Italy is maintaining contact with Selim. I understand there is a problem there? The subject responded immediately to Henry VIIs point. Yes, ording to what we found out, there is a difference of opinion over the Janissary issue. Hmm.Is there anything known about what the Habsburgs will do with the Janissaries? The young official who first brought the report answered Henry VIIs question. We dont have it yet, but well find out as soon as possible. If necessary, send more spies. yes. Henry VII, who gave orders to the young official, looked back at his subjects and nobles. I think it would be best for us to decide our choice depending on who chooses the Janissaries or who the Janissaries choose. Of course, contrary to the Janissaries choice. Thats right. * * * While London was watching the situation closely, Italy was persuading Selim, who had made his home in Trabzon. I know very well what the Governor-General wants to do with the Crimean Khanate. But the governor is well aware that the sun is now setting on the Crimean Khanate. You dont know how helpless the cavalry is in front of freight cars and artillery, dont you? I know very well. At the Italian messengers point, Selim nodded with difficulty. Anatolia has joined hands with the Habsburgs, and Ahmad of Asaah has ample artillery and musketry. The Crimean Khanate is not enough. I know that to some extent. But your demands regarding the Janissaries are the problem. The reason Selim could not respond to Italian and French proposals was because of the Janissaries. Chapter 1072 Episode 1072 Tosagupin (2) The Janissaries were not a simple group of ves. It was a group of children selected from Christian families, the lowest ss in the Ottoman Empire. Although some children were forcibly brought here, there were many more who came voluntarily to gain a higher status. No, most children change that way after going through training and education courses. Children who achieved excellent results in training and education went straight to work in the imperial pce or as bureaucrats, clergy, or artists. Children with military talent were recruited into a fighting unit called Janniserry. And as time passed, the Janissaries gradually turned into a powerful power group. Therefore, those who wanted the position of sultan had to acquire the Janissaries. No, he had to be chosen by the Janissaries. Looking at the current situation, the Janissaries were friendly to Selim. No, it had to be friendly. * * * The biggest change since the empire began to move in earnest on the international stage was the mass distribution of high-performance guns and artillery. Guns and cannons manufactured not only by the Empire but also by the Ming, Japanese, and European powers were rolling around everywhere. In this situation, the Janniserry as an army that professionally used guns and cannons lost some of its luster. Of course, thanks to the characteristics of the Middle East and Central Asia, where tribal guards were traditionally the core of power, the Janissaries were still the sultans most powerful force. However, the Janissaries, who are increasingly part of the vested interests, have be an enemy rather than an enemy to the presidential candidates. -When you join hands, you are the strongestrade, but after that, you are the one who has to give up the most. -Even if you dont hold hands, your life is threatened, and even if you hold hands, your life is threatened. This situation, which continued until Mehmet II and Bayezid II, changed as firearms and artillery becamemon. There was the problem of used goods, but as the prices of guns and artillery became very cheap, it became possible to form independent rifle corps and artillery corps. The real money eater was gunpowder, but the Ottoman presidential candidates were willing and able to take it. In the end, two of the leading candidates for the presidency after Bayezid II, Korkud and Ahmed, formed their own musketry and artillery corps. Selim also formed musketry and artillery. However, only his own escort wasposed of the minimum number possible. This was Selims n. -Considering the size of the rifle and artillery forces that Korkud and Ahmed have, it would be difficult for the Janissaries to gain arge stake even if they join forces. -Then the Janissaries wille to me. -Then, I will be able to obtain the Janissaries with less concessions than I initially thought. * * * Although they formed their own rifle corps and artillery corps, subsequent events brought about a contrast between Korkud and Ahmed. This was because in the process of suppressing the rebellion by Shia mystics, Korkud lost arge amount of its military power, especially musketry and artillery. In addition, as the suppression of the rebellion failed, its political status plummeted. On the contrary, Ahmed was preserving his strength by managing and training his forces well. And here Selims n went awry. The Janissaries boldly demanded their share. -Now the only remaining opponent is Ahmed. However, with the power you have, you are no match for Ahmed. It looks like they will borrow the power of the Crimean Khanate, but the main yers on the battlefield are not cavalry, but musketeers and artillery. -What to do? There is not much time left now. Haa~. As Selim was pondering the Janissaries demands, the situation changed again. Korkud had made aeback and Italy was approaching. * * * Korkud, who had been pushed out of the race for the presidency after failing to suppress the rebellion, immediately joined the Habsburgs when they extended their hand. -Instead of giving up advancing into the Balkan region, advancing into the ck Sea and Caspian Sea regions will not be hindered. Based on the above mutual agreement, the Habsburgs began supplying Korkud with a huge amount of guns and cannons. It wasnt just weapons. An instructor group was formed with officers and soldiers who had experienced a new war in the previous war with France, and began training the soldiers of Korkud. As Korkud seeded in making aeback, Ahmed and the Janissaries also began to feel desperate. Ahmed again began to use his treasury to purchaserge quantities of guns and cannons, and hired European mercenaries to serve as instructors. The Janissaries sent Selim again and presented slightly better conditions than before. But Selim did not respond right away. It was because of Italy. Come join us. If you join us, you can be armed with new weapons straight from the factory, rather than those discarded used weapons. No, its not just military officers. I will even hand over the bullets, shells, and gunpowder for guns and cannons on credit. There is no kindness without a cost. What do you want? More gold from Suez and passage to Persia and Bark. Persia and Bakura From the words of the Italian messenger, Selim could understand what they wanted. Is it oil after all? It was Selim, aiming for the Ottoman sultan. Although he was the governor of Trabzon, the easternmost part of the Ottoman Empire, his eyes and ears were open to the west. Therefore, he also knew about the increasingly important oil. No matter which of the Italians or the Janissaries are captured, there will be losses. So then who will join hands with less losses? While Selim was literally thinking about the next best evil, the Italian messenger said something. We, Italy, are not the only ones moving. Portugal and France are also joining us. Selims face changed at the words of the Italian messenger. Italy, Portugal, France? Italy, Portugal and France were at war, but joined hands? how? Suez! For the Ottomans, Suez was a well of gold. However, three of the five countries that jointly manage Suez with the Ottomans joined hands. No, there is an empire behind Italy and Portugal, so that means they have all moved. Selim shook his head furiously. It hasnt happened so far, but if those countries all join hands, changing the sultan will be as easy as flipping the palm of your hand. The reason this has not happened until now is because the empire remained quiet and the sultans guaranteed their interests. But oil changed things. They needed a road not only to Suez but also to Persia. Hmm Seeing Selim not being able to give an easy answer, the Italian messenger added. We want to benefit together with the Ottomans like we did in Suez. I need more time to think. I understand. A few days after the Italian messengers withdrew, a Janissary emissary visited Selim. I heard a rumor that the Italians have visited your Excellency the Governor-General. Sir, are you really nning to join hands with those unholy European pigs? Everything that belongs to the Ottomans must belong to the Ottomans and cannot be shared with Europe. One Korkud is enough for such a foolish bastard. And Korkud will never be sultan. And he who does not need our Janissaries will also not be sultan. Selims eyes changed at the words of the Janissarys emissary. Its a threat. Korkud, Ahmed and the threat to make someone other than me sultan. They say they can do it. Selim, who understood the hidden meaning of the emissarys words, asked the emissary: What do you want? It is impossible for a foreign power to set foot anywhere other than Suez. What we want is to prevent the inflow of foreign forces. And our loyalty is recognized. Selim smiled and answered the emissarys words. I guess they want something in return for their acknowledged loyalty. I just want a little reward. i get it. I will give you an answer after further consideration. In response to Selims words, the Janissarys emissary issued a warning. We dont have much time. We will make a decision as soon as possible. The day after the Janissarys emissary came and went, an Italian messenger visited Selim. The Janissaries came and went, right? How to do that? Even the beggars in the back alleys know how loud it was. Selims eyes darkened at the Italian messengers words. Did these people intentionally make a fuss? maybe? Rumors have a way of making facts. They can also raise their own prices. Ugh Selim couldnt help but grit his teeth at the Italian messengers words. This was because he could know the intentions of the Janissaries. -If the rumor is spread as if it has already be a fait apli, Selim will have no choice but to ept the Janissarys proposal. -If you refuse, you will be a promise breaker and suffer political damage. -At the same time, Selimspetitors will also try to take control of the Janissaries. This is because it allows you to strengthen your own power and at the same time weaken yourpetitors power. -No matter which way the decision is made, the Janissaries will have nothing to lose. As Selim was forced to grind his teeth due to the Janissaries intentions, the Italian lion asked with a slight smile. What will you do? Do you want to be a sultan who is under the control of ves who should be under his control? Nominally, Janissaries were ves of the sultan. Originally, the Janissaries, who were supposed to be obedient and watch out for the Sultan, ended up paying attention to those who wanted to be the Sultan. But you cant ignore the Janissaries. The Janissaries are a powerful army. A powerful but outdated military. This is not the time of Mehket II. Its an army from the past.. Shouldnt we create a new army? Not the sultans ves, but the sultans army. Its the Sultans army At the words of the Italian messenger, Selim was once again lost in thought. Come back tomorrow. I understand. The next day, Selim asked the Italian messenger who came again. If I take your hands, how long will it be possible toplete my army? The Italian messenger immediately answered Selims question. Immediately. Immediately? When Selim made an expression of disbelief, the Italian lion responded meaningfully with a wry smile. It is important that it is the governors army. Isnt the origin of the soldiers important? Selims expression also became meaningful as he heard the Italian messengers meaningful words. Not really. What is important is the military g, not the color of the soldiers face. Chapter 1073 Episode 1073 Tosagupin (3) Like Europe, the Ottomans were no strangers to mercenaries. In the history before the intervention of Incense and in the history after the intervention of Incense, what destroyed the walls of Constantinople were cannons handled by artillerymen from Europe and made by European craftsmen. An interesting coincidence is that the makers of the cannon that destroyed the walls of Constantinople, both before and after the intervention, were Czechs. Because of this background, Selim did not show any objection. But Selim did not make a decision right away. You said you could do it right away. How much can you mobilize? We can provide 300 musketeers and 20 freight cars immediately. And within 15 days, we can mobilize 2,000 rifles, 300 freight cars, and 50 cannons. Its a bit small The Italian messengers answer made Selim look perplexed. Thats enough to deal with Korkud and Ahmet. But its not enough to deal with the Janissaries. The Janissaries guarding Constantine alone number over 60 Ortas (about 12,000 men). Within a month, 10,000 muskets, 30 cannons and 500 freight cars will arrive. Within a month? Hmm Hearing the Italian ambassadors words, Selim began to carefully consider the number of cases. Right now, damn Ahmet has the best advantage. Because its closest to Konstantinye. Hmm Selim looked at the map and made calctions over and over again. It was a top three lineup between Korkud Ahmet and Selim himself, but it was Ahmet who was the most likely. He was the eldest son of Bayezid III, and the region where he was appointed governor was the region closest to the capital, Constantine. On the other hand, he was the farthest region from Konstantinye. The fact that the Janissaries are not attached to Ahmet is also Ahmets weakness, but that can change the moment I join hands with Europe. Because Ahmet had a strong military power of his own, the Janissaries were in a situation where they excluded Ahmet first. As the Janissaries openly showed that they did not like Ahmet, the nobles in the capital were also hesitant to take Ahmets hand. This was Ahmets biggest weakness. Hmm The Italian lion opened his mouth as if he understood Selims inability to make a decision. We know very well how Osmans sessor is decided. The moment you join hands with us, the first person to enter Constantine will be the governor. how? Because we will step in and block Ahmets entry into Constantine. ah! Selims face brightened at the Italian ambassadors words. Thete troops promised by the Italian ambassador woulde by boat, and if so, they could go straight to Constantiniye. In that case, it was possible to block Ahmets entry into Constantine and defeat him at the same time. No, you dont have to arrive first. If they have the power they have, they can overthrow it even after another force enters. Selim realized that another case was possible. -The principle is that the first person to enter Konstantiniye is the winner. -But a principle is just a principle. The 6th Sultan, Murat II, also had to engage in a fierce civil war with his younger brother, Mustafa, who was supported by Byzantium and who imed to be Murat IIs uncle, before he established himself as sultan. Additionally, the current sultan, Bayezid II, also engaged in a fierce civil war with his younger brother, Djem. In other words, being the first to enter Konstantinye was half the victory. Only bypletely dominating otherpetitors would one be a true winner. France, Italy, Portugal and the power of the empire behind it After finishing the calction, Selim clenched his fists. The winner is me! Selim, having made up his mind, looked at the Italian lion. I will ept your offer. Wise choice! Instead, please guarantee it with clear documentation. Its the same for us too. One of the biggest impacts of the empire was documentation. -The closer you are, the more friendly you are, and if you want to continue that friendship, keep all your promises in writing. * * * While the merger of groups to seize power and protect vested interests was underway in the Ottoman Empire, something simr was happening in Tabriz. Whoa~. Its a pain in the ass. Ismails pce in Tabriz. Monarch Ismail,ter known as Ismail I, ced his hand on his forehead and sighed. Kizilbashi, Kizilbashi, these people are the problem. Ismails face was crumpled as he mentioned Kizilbash, who had been his strongest supporter andrade but had now be his biggest headache. * * * Qizilbashi became Ismails bane from the most glorious moment when Ismail established the Safavid dynasty. The first thing for the person who established a new dynasty was to gain the loyalty of the people he would rule. And the way to gain this loyalty was to select useful people among the people and appoint them as officials. This was a method that not only Ismail, but also the prime minister and high-ranking officials agreed to. But here the Kizilbashi rebelled. Those apostate Sunnis are in charge! This cannot happen! It is impossible to appoint a heretic as an official! The Qizilbashi, who openly opposed the decisions of Ismail and the vizier, began to sweep through Persia and massacre the Persians. Will you die or will you abandon heresy and convert? The problem here was not the rtively simple request to convert from Sunni to Shia, but the forced conversion to the Sufi sect, which was the sect of the Qizilbashi. In the end, an uneasy atmosphere began to spread in the Persian region that they had managed to control. And this, in turn, strengthened Kizilbashs position. This was because it was the only armed group that Ismail could trust and rely on. And at this time, messengers arrived from the East and looked for Ismail. * * * I have already heard the story about the East from which you came. Wee to Persia. The messengers of the three countries alliance responded to Ismails hospitality by bowing their heads politely. It is truly an honor to meet the Shah (King). I am truly grateful that the Shah has treated us so warmly. It is our tradition to wee people from far away. I hope to Ah that Persia and the East will continue to have good rtions in the future. Thank you very much. Ismail gave the envoys of the three countries a warm wee. He also knew well the rumors about the three countries of the East. The Empire, a powerhouse that even the arrogant Christians in Europe respect; the Ming, a powerhouse that is slightly inferior to the Empire but still a strong country; and finally, Japan, the weakest of the three, but stronger than most European countries. In order for my country to be even stronger, I desperately need help from these three countries! Never do anything carelessly! You must not miss this opportunity! Recognizing that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Ismail did his best to wee the younger messengers of the three kingdoms. * * * Two days after the grand banquet weing the messengers of the three countries, the full-scale talks began. okay. Why did wee to Persia from the East? It is to exchange with the Shahs country and obtain oil. oil? After hearing the exnation that followed, Ismail nodded. Ah, you mean that ck oil. Is that important in the East? It will be important for everyone in the future. So I ask Sha. Please allow us to profit together through ck oil. profit? The official from Myungguk, who represented the country, exined in more detail. -Petroleum itself does not have much use. -However, through the refining process, oils and by-products that can be used for various purposes are produced. -These oils and by-products are needed not only in the East, but also in Europe and other countries. -The problem is that there are only a few ces, including Persia, where this oiles from. .. Because of this, it is certain that the Ottomans and Europe will try to plot against Persia. Hmm The faces of Ismail and the prime minister hardened at the exnation of the Ming Dynasty official. Since they also had ears, they knew some of the rumorsing from the Mediterranean region. I also knew about the confusion that arose in the process of deciding on Osmans sessor and that the European powers were involved in it. So, is it because of this oil that the Europeans intervened against the Ottomans? Yes, Prime Minister. After hearing the Ming officials answer, the prime minister looked at Ismail with a serious face. The Prime Minister approached Ismail and whispered softly. If that is true, war is inevitable. I guess its true. After answering the Prime Ministers words, Ismail asked the messengers: The East asked to share profits with me. However, if you listen to the lions words, it is certain that there will be chaos. What will the East do? A Japanese official stepped forward and answered Ismails question. The East and Persia will be united. Tie it all together? yes. A Japanese official began exining the Belt and Road. As the officials exnation went on, Ismail and the Prime Minister became more absorbed in the exnation. * * * The meeting continued for a long time. I told you to prepare a banquet, but the banquet is not important right now. For now, Id like to just have a quick bite and then continue talking. The messengers of the Three Kingdoms Alliance responded to Ismails words with an expression that it was no big deal. I will follow the Shahs will. Isnt it difficult? This isnt that difficult. At the messengers answer, Ismail and the Prime Minister momentarily looked nk. Its not hard work? How many hours have I been exining this? It was said that officials in the East were crazy about work, and it was true! The Shah soon came to his senses and ordered the messengers. What you said, the path as one string, really resonates with me. But the messengers still did not answer my question. You probably dont know that. Are you talking about how to stop this invasion? right. At Ismails words, an imperial official stepped forward. We will create an army for the Shah. Ismail froze for a moment at the words of the imperial official. After some time passed and Ismail managed toe to his senses, he asked the imperial official again. Youre going to make me an army? Thats right. I will create an army for the Shah and an army for Persia. It is my army and the army of Persia As Ismail trailed off, the prime minister next to him urgently intervened. It seems the Shah is tired. Lets talk about the restter! Ismail, who came to his senses after hearing the Prime Ministers words, gestured to the messengers. As the Prime Minister said, I am tired. Ill leave it here for today. Go back and rest. I follow the Shahs orders. At Ismailsmand to wee the guests, the messengers bowed politely and retreated. C hello? This is Gukppong, who writes ck Enterprise Chosun. Rather, we would like to inform you that an error urred in a recent series and has been corrected. In the story, Selim was incorrectly written as Suleyman, so this was corrected. I made a mistake in researching data. We will try not to make this mistake again in the future. sorry. We will do our best in the future. Posted with soup. Chapter 1074 Episode 1074: Tosagupeng (4) When the messengers disappeared outside, the Prime Minister had a stern expression on his face and spoke to Ismail. This is a truly dangerous proposition. Dangerous? why? There doesnt seem to be anything bad about us and the East bing one and interacting, starting with oil. In particr, the joint construction of railways and ports looks very good. So where is the danger? Herees the military part. The Kizilbashi will not remain silent. Kizilbashi. When the Prime Minister mentioned Kizilbashi, Ismail gritted his teeth. It was the Qizilbashi who helped Ismail, who had been living in seclusion to avoid the clutches of assassins, rise again and be the ruler of Persia. But what came after was the problem. The stubborn and extreme Shia Sufism of the Qizilbashi was causing the Persian people, most of whom were Sunni, to choose rejection rather than submission. The strongestrade had be the strongest obstacle. The Prime Minister continued speaking while observing Ismails thoughts. The Shahs Army At first nce, creating a Persian army looks good. This is because an army that absolutely obeys the Shahs orders is the Shahs most powerful sword. Additionally, the process of training the army provides opportunities to many Persian people. To seize this opportunity, the Persians will be loyal to the Shah. And his family will be the Shahs faithful subjects. If you look at it up to this point, its not a bad thing at all. Its definitely not a bad thing. But the Kizilbashi are the problem. The Kizilbashi will not remain silent. They are also my subjects. If I give you an order, shouldnt you follow it? The Prime Minister responded to Ismails words with meaningful words. They have already be like camels. Ismail gritted his teeth again at the Prime Ministers words. I realized that it was an allusion to the story of the camel that stole its owners tent, which has been handed down in Arab society since ancient times. Ismail, who had been gritting his teeth at the Prime Ministers words, soon looked depressed as he received the words. The problem is that its not just a camel. Arent these camels that will bite their owners if they dont like them even just a little bit? Its even clearer when you look at what he showed this time. * * * When the messengers of the three-nation alliance arrived in Tabriz and asked for an audience, the Kizilbashis once stood up. Infidels must be prevented from entering the Shahs sacred pce! How dare you! The Prime Minister, seeing the Kizilbashis strongly opposing it, went out of his way to stop them. But doesnt that mean the Shah cant leave the pce? There are etiquette in diplomacy. There can be no diplomacy with infidels! They can only spread the truth or kill ording to doctrine! Stuck with infidels in the name of diplomacy is something only these heretic Sunnis do! Uh huh, thats too harsh! As the war of words between the Qizilbashi and the prime minister became increasingly heated, Ismail intervened. stop! Stop! What a disgrace! shaman! This is for the sake of Ah and the truth! We must not be swayed by the name of diplomacy! Diplomacy is essential when running a country! This must be acknowledged! This is mymand! At Ismailsmand, the leader of Kizilbashi gritted his teeth and stood up. If the Shah thinks so, then do as you wish. Instead, small believers will fall into that position. Because I cannot listen to the unclean words spoken by unclean pagans out of their unclean mouths. Ha~. Do it. As Ismail allowed his absence with a sigh, the Kizilbashis expressions became even more grim. They expected that if they took such a hard line, Ismail would step down, but the opposite result came out. The leader of the Kizilbashi stopped the Kizilbashi who were trying toe forward in anger with a wave of his hand, bowed to Ismail and warned him. I will follow the Shahs decision. Haona, it was Ahs will to put Shah in the position of Shah. This country is Ahs country before it is the Shahs country. As soon as the warning was over, the leader of Kizilbashi led his men and walked out of Daejeon with a confident gait. Ismail and all his subjects gritted their teeth at the sight of the Qizilbashi standing upright without bending their backs and proudly turning their backs and leaving. Ugh! With the Kizilbashis absent, the interview was held between Ismail and the messengers of the Three Kingdoms Coalition. * * * The problem is that there are the eyes and ears of the Kizilbashi even inside the pce. The Prime Minister nodded and epted Ismails words. Im sure it will be very noisy starting tomorrow. I just hope they dont mess with the lions. Just in case, as soon as the sun rises tomorrow, have the soldiers stationed near the lions quarters. I will carry out the Shahs orders. As soon as dawn the next day, the pce guards under Ismails orders surrounded the lodgings where the three kingdoms were staying C which was not a lodging, but rather a huge open space. Whats going on? Themander of the guards immediately answered the question of the imperial official representing the messengers. There was an order from the Shah to protect the lions in case of any untoward incident. At themanders words, the imperial official stepped back for a moment and talked with the Ming and Japanese officials. After a short conversation with Japanese Ming officials, all imperial officials who reached an agreement on something returned and spoke to the guardmander. I am beyond happy that the Shah expresses his concern like this. However, if this many troops are concentrated here, the people will be anxious. We can protect our bodies, so please hand over the soldiers. This is an order from the Shah. Then I will report it to the Shah. Lets go together. When an imperial official with a group of guards headed to the shahs pce with themander of the guard, those who stayed behind called themander of the guard. Was the barrier installed properly? yes. On the outside, it was disguised to look like just a pile of items. Its best if what you expect doesnt happen, but I guess it will happen. That would require andslide victory. Keep this in mind. Do not worry. Do we have enough ammunition and troops? Thats enough. I will only believe you. yes. After reassuring the messengers, the escortmander called together his officers and checked the situation. From the looks of it, I think I need to see blood. As expected, the main force of the enemies will be cavalry armed with single-shot rifles and bows. Please be thoroughly prepared. I understand. All right. But wouldnt it be better to return the disguised soldiers in advance? Lets refrain from returning until something happens. Because we have to lead our enemies to misjudge. All right. Then lets check the situation again. yes. After finishing the story, the guards officers dispersed to their assigned areas. Just as the officials of the three kingdoms gathered together to form the envoys, the bodyguard was also made up of the armies of the three kingdoms. The overallmander of the guard was an Imperial Army officer, but he was polite and courteous when dealing with his subordinatemanders. He told me to follow him, but it was because they were simr to him in rank and everything. When guarding the ce where the envoys stayed, the guards were divided into zones by country. -Theres nothing more stupid than mixing everyone up and running things when you cant evenmunicate properly! Based on this judgment, regions were allocated to each country. And here, apetition for pride broke out between the empire, name, and Japan. -We have to do better than those guys! Due to thispetition for pride, the barbed wire surrounding the amodation was erected more tightly and strongly. Additionally, barriers disguised as cargo boxes were erected more cleverly. If some enemy attacked, these cargo boxes would be transformed into strong positions. * * * Meanwhile, the imperial official who visited Ismail bowed politely to Ismail and then got to the point. I am so happy that the Shah cares about us. However, it is not good for the Shah to send guards to guard his residence. It is right not to worry about the well-being of the minor gods, but to protect the well-being of the Shah. At the words of the imperial official, the expressions of Ismail and the prime minister changed strangely. After briefly exchanging nces with Ismail, the Prime Minister stepped forward and asked the imperial official. Does the Lion of the East know why the Shah is worried? I know to some extent. Are you not afraid when the lives of lions are at stake? How can you not be scared? But since you are representing your country, shouldnt you risk your life when you have to risk it? In response to the imperial officials answer, the Prime Minister whispered softly to Ismail. It seems like they knew. I agree. Ismail agreed with the prime ministers words and asked the imperial official. If the centipede were me, how would I solve the problem that is bothering me now? The imperial official answered Ismails question without hesitation. It is right to slit the neck of a camel that steals its owners tent, and it is right to kill a dog that bites the sheep it was supposed to protect. Behead him and beat him to death While Ismail was pondering his answer, the imperial official continued again. It has been said since ancient times. It was said, The king should be like the sun, shining warmly on all the people. But how can those who prevent the Shah from shining warm light on his people be called the Shahs subjects? In the past, you could have been called a subject of the Shah, but now you are just an obstacle to the Shahs reign. Hmm Thisnd is thend of the Shah, and the people of thisnd are the people of the Shah. That is why the gods cannot argue with the gods. However, a decision is necessary for the Shah to truly obtain the title of Shahanshah (??????? King of Kings). Ismail responded sincerely to the imperial officials words without realizing it. Your tongue is sharper than any famous sword and sweeter than any womans lips. For you have cut off the bonds stronger than steel between me and the people I have shared through life and death and sorrow, and have shaken my heart so much. Thats too much praise. But you cant make a decision right now. Ismail paused for a moment and announced his decision. First of all, as you requested, I will withdraw the troops. May Ahs blessings be with you. I will do my best. We will definitely achieve the best results for Gods country and the Shah. The imperial official, who politely bowed to Ismail, stepped back and withdrew from the pce. When the imperial official disappeared, Ismail turned to the prime minister. They will move, right? ording to the rumor, their leader went on a rampage. Im going to see bloodhuu~. Ismail let out a long sigh and muttered in a small but earnest voice. Inshah Chapter 1075 Episode 1075 Tosagu Feng (5) Chief. Messengers from the Eastern pagans came out of the royal pce. Where did you go? The infidels have returned to their camp. is it? Have you heard anything from your friends at the pce yet? It hasnt been there yet. It is said that it is difficult to move these days due to the severe surveince of traitors who have conspired with the prime minister. So I guess Ille in the evening. I see After receiving the report from his subordinate, the leader of Kizilbashi was lost in thought, his words slurred. The Shah has be too engrossed in the world. Ismail was 15 years old when he went through a difficult period of struggle and opened the royal pce in Tabriz. Ismail was an Ismail who desperately wanted revenge for his parents and brothers who died as victims of a power struggle and followed Shia doctrine. Ismail was the one who disyed the qualities of the most ideal monarch who upholds the ts of Shia. If it is Ismail, we can create the Shia kingdom we desire! The Qizilbashi decided this way and took control of Persia with Ismail as their monarch. However, from the moment Ismail became the monarch of Persia, the rtionship between Ismail and the Qizilbashi began to widen. Damn the prime minister and ministers! The innocent Charles has been tainted by the secr world! The Qizilbashi cursed the prime ministers and ministers who ran the state together with Ismail. He did not even try to convert the Sunnis, who were cursed heretics, but rather attempted to appoint Sunni Persians as officials. Of course, the attempts of the prime minister and ministers were thwarted due to the strong opposition of the Kizilbashi, but the bitterness still remained. The bigger problem was that Ismail was getting closer and closer to the prime minister and ministers. How can you not covet heavenly things and only covet earthly things! The Qizilbashi raised their voices, but Ismail was not the same Ismail he used to be. I was gradually bing immersed in the mundane world of politics. In this situation, the confrontation between the bureaucracy symbolized by the Prime Minister and Kizilbash was gradually heading towards catastrophe. The problem was that the officials and ministers were also Shiites, even if they were from different factions. * * * Chief! Its urgent! Something! The Shahs soldiers are retreating from the infidel camp! The head of Kizilbashi analyzed the situation in response to an urgent report brought by those who were monitoring the camp of the three countries joint envoys. The Shahs army is withdrawing from its camp? why? The leader of Kizilbash thought about the reasons, but there was only one answer. -If the pagans in the East heard anything, they would be concerned about their own safety. In that case, there is no way the Shah would be happy about the soldiers being bitten. -Then, I dont know what it was, but overnight the rtionship between the pagans of the East and the Shah grew sour. After thinking this far, the leader of Kizilbashi stood up with a bright smile on his face. Its your chance! Tell your brothers! We will destroy those heretics! The Kizilbashi who were with them were shocked by the leaders order. stripe! No matter how pagan they may be, they are messengers! Even the shinigami will bepletely destroyed! There could be war! If the Shah can repent for his sins and return to the path of purity, war is a big deal! The Kizilbashis, who hesitated for a moment at the leaders firm answer, made up their minds. We will gather brothers nearby! Show no mercy to those heretics! yes! After a while, Kizilbashi began toe out from all over Tabriz and form groups. The leader of the Kizilbashi, wearing a half-moon sword at his waist and holding in his hand a chief-style rifle boasting a long barrel and ornate decoration, rode on a wless white horse. The leader of the Kizilbashi, holding the reins tightly in one hand, looked back at the Kizilbashi gathered around him and raised his voice. Brothers! The time of judgment hase once again! Let us exterminate those heretics who are disturbing the eyes and ears of the Shah! Let us destroy these infidels and prevent them from polluting the Kingdom of Ah! Oooooh! The Kizilbashi responded to the leaders words with shouts. When the shouts echoing everywhere subsided, the leader of Kizilbashi shouted again. Brothers! Do not be afraid of martyrdom! You will enjoy eternal happiness in Al Janna (????? Paradise)! Ooooh! lets go! Ooooh! With shouts, the Kizilbashi slowly drove their horses toward the envoys camp. The leader of the Kizilbashi muttered softly as he watched the Kizilbashis heading towards the envoys camp with great vigor. Pay for the sin of disturbing the Shahs eyes and ears with death. The head of Kizilbashi, who had made a decision that was not a judgment while looking at the envoys camp, turned his attention to the shahs pce. Repent for the sins you havemitted. War will be a path to penance. The head of Kizilbashi also judged that attacking the envoys of the three countries would lead to war. However, the leader of Kizilbash desperately wanted war to break out. -If we attack the envoys, Ismail will try to hold us responsible. But Ismail wont be able to do that. Because there will be war. -If war breaks out, Ismail will have no choice but to rely on us again. -At that time, the court, which had been tainted by the secr world, was once again purified. -And then properly build a Shia kingdom and convert all of Persia and Arabs to Shia. This was the Kizilbash leaders intention. Of course, he also knew well the strength of the three Eastern countries, especially the empire. But he was making a fatal misjudgment. -The reason the Shahs army withdrew from the pagans camp was probably because the rtionship between the pagans and the Shah had be soured. -The pagans of the East are powerful, but they have a long way to go. Of course, I cant give it my all. -Although the East and the Ottomans are close, the Ottomans are currently unable to move due to the dispute between the sessors. -The Shah will have no choice but to rely on us, and a situation will arise where the Eastern pagans will fight a war with one arm and leg tied. -If that happens, we who know the geography of Persia well will have an advantage. -A draw is natural and if we do well, we can win. This was his misjudgment. * * * A temporary watchtower built at the camp site. The soldiers guarding all around in the watchtower rang the rm bell and shouted when they saw the Kizilbashi approaching. Ding ding ding! The enemy! Enemy! Defeat! At the sentrys shout, envoys andmanders came out of the tent. They are such impatient people I thought they would at least show their interest for a day. Ming and Japanese officials smiled and nodded at the imperial officials words. Anyway, the incident happened, so its themanders turn to step forward. Please take care of me. Please leave it to me. Themander-in-chief answered confidently and gave orders to themanders who followed. Let us show them what fear is. Please leave it to me. We will make sure you never think of targeting us again. I wish you good luck. Good luck. Themanders gave each other encouraging remarks and raised their voices as they ran to their assigned areas. All-outbat deployment! Loosen your stomach! Check the status of the weapon! Okay then The imperial official, who had been observing the situation where the guards guarding the camp were preparing for battle, returned to the tent and began gathering weapons. Ming and Japanese officials were surprised to see him wielding long guns, short guns, and even bows and arrows with familiar movements. no! Are you going to participate in the battle? Isnt it obvious? This is a natural thing for an imperial official to go abroad. Of course? It is a long-standing tradition that has been passed down since long ago, when Grand Admiral Kim Jong-seo was carrying out royal orders in the northeastern region. Officers who go abroad in the empire must know how to use a gun, even if they are female. Huh In response to the imperial officials reply, the Ming and Japanese officials were unable to close their mouths for a while. Now that I think about itdid you say that one of the qualities an empress of an empire should have is archery and shooting skills? There was a joke going around that I didnt know how to do housework, but it turned out to be true! But why the bow The Ming and Japanese officials who were about to ask another question immediately fell silent. Among the pastimes enjoyed by the imperial people, the most representative one was archery. Did you tell the imperialists to quietly retreat if they had a bow in their hand? The Ming and Japanese officials, who were watching the imperial officials preparing for battle step by step, soon turned around and went to visit their own troops. If you have a spare gun, please give me some. Why the gun all of a sudden? Because sitting back and just watching is a disgrace to His Majesty the Emperor. The imperial officials are stepping forward to fight, but if they stay back, they will have no shame in seeing His Majesty the King. Wouldnt it be more honorable to be a warrior than tomit seppuku? After hearing the answers from Ming and Japanese officials, themanders handed over the long guns without hesitation. I will attach a soldier to teach you how to shoot, so make sure you learn it. Thank you. * * * While the soldiers and officials in the camp were preparing for battle, the Kizilbash ended the siege of the camp. When the siege was over, the leader of Kizilbash approached the camp apanied by a brother holding a white g. As the leader of Kizilbashi approached, the envoys of the Three Kingdoms Alliance also put down their guns and headed toward the entrance of the camp. The leader and envoys facing each other with the entrance to the camp in the center began their final conversation. Infidels from the East, leave this ce immediately! Is that the Shahs order? no. We are envoys who came here under the orders of the monarch. Only the Shahs orders can make us retreat! Your actions now are a disgrace to the Shah! Do not try to deceive with subtle words and actions! This is the sacrednd of Ah! Infidels cannot be here! Is that aw written in the scriptures? As far as we know, there is no such thing in the scriptures? Do not defile the Quran! This is the sacrednd of Ah! Unholy heretics cannot pollute this ce! So this is the Shahs order! Are you threatening the envoys when there is no order from the Shah? We will not give in to this unjust intimidation! When the imperial official dered on behalf of the envoys, the Ming and Japanese envoys also expressed their agreement. In response to the envoys reaction, the head of Kizilbashi also dered firmly. You unclean pagans! You will pay with your life for rejecting good intentions! After finishing speaking, the leader of Kizilbashi turned his horse around and returned to Kizilbashis main camp. At this, the envoys also turned around and returned to their camp. After a while, the Kizilbashi who were a little far away began charging towards the entrance of the camp, speeding up. As the Kizilbashi assault began, the imperialmander guarding the entrance gave an order. Wagon trucks, prepare for bombardment! Ready! Bangpo! Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-tang! The imperial armys freight cars forming a fire centered around the entrance to the camp began spewing fire all at once. It was the beginning of the day that changed the fate of the Safavid Empire. And it was the day that the East-West conflict began. Chapter 1076 Episode 1076 Tosagupin (6) That day was a nightmare day for Kizilbashi. The Kizilbashis who charged into the front entrance, which was in charge of the imperial troops belonging to the guard, were caught in the fire of the imperial armys freight car and copsed. retreat! retreat! At the Kizilbashi leaders urgent retreat order, the Kizilbashi stopped charging and retreated. Swim around and shoot! As soon as you find a gap, rush in! There is no need to insist on the entrance! At the order of the Kizilbashi leader, the Kizilbashis circled around the camp and began shooting. This tactic was a familiar one to the Kizilbash. It was a tactic that worked well when attacking a makeshift fortress without a properly built wall. However, the Allied Powers of the Three Kingdoms they were dealing with, especially the Ming and Imperial armies, were worn out from dealing with the nomads. In the Persian region, only wealthy tribes could manage to have two or three doors, and there were nearly 60 freight cars. In this situation, the Kizilbashi circling around the camp were nothing more than a moving target. It would be a shame to be worse than the Imperial and Ming armies! Imperial and Japanese troops are on the news! If you fail here, you will be a disgrace to His Majesty the Emperor! Do it right! We cant use freight cars like Ming or Japan! Ill let you take the freight car to the port! Aspetition broke out between the soldiers of the three countries, more and more Kizilbashi warriors fell to the ground along with their horses. stripe! We must retreat! Where are you retreating to? We have to go to the pce! We must speak to the Shah and receive reinforcements! I think the Shah will give up his troops! The warrior who had been urging the leader to retreat responded immediately. As long as we attack them, war will definitely break out! Thats right! The leader came to his senses after hearing the warriors words. Just before the battle, he had already predicted that a war would break out. However, he hadpletely forgotten about the battle going differently than he expected. good night! I will go to the Shah. The brothers were tying up the feet of those heretics, and at the right moment Boom! Quack! bang! The moment the instation waspleted, the Imperial Armys new toys C which were called mortars in history before the intervention of Hyang C began spewing fire all at once. Ming and Japanese artillery, developed independently by introducing the concept of the imperial armys new type of wagu, also began to fire. As artillery pieces joined the battle, the damage to the Kizilbashi warriors began to increase rapidly. In the end, the head of Kizilbash urgently changed his order. Retreat immediately! Everyone go to the pce! You mean everyone? Yes! We must use every means possible to persuade the Shah! And if it doesnt work out.. You have to take the pce and the Shah hostage! The leader of Kizilbashi swallowed hisst words and raised his voice. Retreat! Retreat to the pce! * * * The redheads retreat! It was the nickname Red Head given to Kizilbashi because of his unique red turban. The soldiers reports went up quickly. After receiving the report, the generalmander looked back at the envoys who had rushed in. Im thinking of sending out the cavalry to chase. Will it be a political problem? Which direction are they retreating from? Hmm towards the royal pce. In response to themander-in-chiefs reply, the imperial messenger immediately gave an order. Then pursue immediately! There is no need to sweep it up! Just stop them from entering the pce! All right. Send out the cavalry! Following the generalmanders order, the cavalry, which had been resting for a while, immediately mounted their horses and left the camp. The cavalry left the camp and began to follow the retreating Kizilbashi warriors. The imperial envoy who saw the cavalrys movements bowed slightly to the Ming and Japanese envoys. Im sorry. The situation was urgent, so I made an arbitrary decision. In response to the imperial envoys apology, the Ming and Japanese envoys looked as if it was nothing special. Wasnt this inevitable? Its okay. I understand. It was amon urrence in history that people in crisis attempted to escape the crisis or turn it into an opportunity by using the monarch as a hostage. In this case, there were two solutions. One was to not give time for such an attempt, and the other was to push in and suppress it, ignoring the monarchs well-being. In the current situation, where the condition of being a monarch of a foreign country was added, the rule was to block enemies from entering the pce as much as possible. What if they seed in entering the pce and the shah takes their side? The imperial messenger immediately answered the question of the Ming Dynasty messenger. We have to implement n B. n Im worried I shouldnt go there. At the imperial envoys answer, the Ming and Japanese envoys looked worried. -The Empire and Ming Japan will do their best to overthrow the current Persian regime and establish a new, cooperative monarchy in the three countries. This was the content of n B. It was a n that took advantage of the great antipathy among the Persians due to the brutal oppression of the Kizilbashis. But in any case, a foreign power overthrew the regime that controlled Persia. No matter how much the Persians had a strong antipathy toward the Kizilbash, foreign powers were a different story. If one made a mistake, there was a high risk that the three kingdoms would fall into a swamp. That is why this n became the second. We must avoid being criticized as much as possible! * * * What happened in the camp was quickly conveyed to Ismail. So the Kizilbashi areing this way? Yes, Sha. After hearing the guard captains report, Ismail turned to the prime minister. The Prime Minister, who received the silent question, answered right away. We must stop them from entering the pce. I think the same thing. Immediately close the pce door and block their entrance! This is mymand! yes! If you try to enter the pce despite hearing my order, attack immediately! yes! As the captain of the guard hurriedly left Daejeon after receiving the order, the prime minister bowed his head to Ismail and said, Just in case, we need to select reliable troops to defend Daejeon. Hmm..lets do it. Ismail, who pondered the Prime Ministers proposal for a moment, soon nodded and epted the Prime Ministers proposal. It was an open secret that the eyes and ears of Kizilbash were hidden throughout the pce. If that was the case, it was certain that Kizilbashs hand would also be in the Royal Guard. In the worst case, he could have disobeyed his orders, opened the pce gates, ande to capture him with the Kizilbashi. After a while, soldiers selected by the Prime Minister began to build a wall around Daejeon. Hearing themotion made by the soldiers guarding the barrier, Ismail put the sword he had unsheathed on his waist and put two rifles in their holsters. Ismail muttered softly while stroking the two six-shot rifles he had obtained with great difficulty. Inshah * * * Chief! The chase from the heretics is fierce! Pick up the speed! The Kizilbashi had no choice but to elerate their pace due to the pressure of the imperial cavalry pursuing them from behind. Its a pce! Its a pce! The Kizilbashis, who had been livid as they watched the Shahs pce approaching, soon turned to a look of despair. The pce gate, which should have been open at this time, was closed. The head of Kizilbashi arrived at the gate and raised his voice towards the gatehouse. Open the door! You must see the Shah! This is the Shahs order not to let anyone enter the pce! Do you not know me? grow! Hurry and open the door! Its the Shahs order! The head of Kizilbashi looked frustrated at the continued rejection and looked back. bang! Tatang! bang! As the gunfire of the imperial cavalry pursuing them got closer and closer, the leader of Kizilbashi once again shouted earnestly toward the gatehouse. O brother! Please open the door! Brother! The gatekeeper, who heard the leaders shout from the top of the gatehouse, began to worry. Although he was a member of the Guard, he was also a coborator of Kizilbash. But he soon bit his lip and cried out as if he was spitting out blood. It is the Shahs order! I cant open it for you! Brother! Its the Shahs order! The gatekeeper, who mentioned the Shahs orders,pletely turned his back. There were Kizilbashi coborators among the gatekeepers, but there were none who opposed the gatekeepers decision. This was because, in their view, the oue had already been decided. * * * When the tightly closed pce gate did not open until the end, the head of Kizilbashi turned his head. Brothers! We have been betrayed! Shah and his ministers have betrayed us! At the leaders scream, the faces of Kizilbashis warriors became filled with despair. Escape! Gathering brothers from other ces! Lets take revenge on the traitors! Lets get revenge! Lets get revenge! At the leaders cry, the warriors shouted revenge. Escape now with all your might! Let at least one person survive and tell the other brothers about this tragedy! And ask for revenge! lets go! Ooooh! As soon as he finished speaking, the surviving Kizilbashi warriors began charging towards the approaching imperial cavalry, following the leader. As the Kizilbashi warriors charged, the imperial cavalry split to the left and right and began a diversionary maneuver. bang! Tatang! Ta-ta-tang! Even during the desperate diversionary maneuver, the imperial cavalrys cavalry guns and light vehicles were firing fiercely. In response, the Kizilbash also opened fire on the imperial cavalry. However, the casualty rates of both sides showed a stark difference. After pulling the trigger, the Kizilbash had to stand up and reload. Of course, it was impossible to reload the Suseok-style rifle, which boasted a uniquely long barrel, on horseback. Therefore, what they used was a single-shot pistol imported from Europe or the Ottomans. Of course, a few used Imperial six-barreled cavalry rifles C full-length rifles with percussion caps. But the number was extremely small. Another problem was that the opponent was the Imperial cavalry. Since the Joseon Dynasty, horseback martial arts were a must for cavalry soldiers. Many martial arts disappeared and were transformed, but the one that survived to the end was Masangjae. The Kizilbashi were often taken aback by the imperial cavalrys skill of instantly disappearing on horseback. On the other hand, the new cavalry rifles and light cavalry carried by the imperial cavalry spewed fire at the enemies even when performing feats. * * * The bloody struggle between those trying to prevent escape and those trying to escape ended with a few Kizilbashi seeding in escaping. In front of the main gate of the pce where Ismail was staying, the bodies of people and horses who had lost their lives were spread out. Among them was the body of the head of Kizilbash. After the battle, the Imperial cavalry was collecting the wounded and dead. Soon after, messengers and soldiers from the Three Kingdoms Alliance arrived at the royal pce. While the soldiers who came with us were helping collect the remains of our fallen soldiers, the messengers arrived in front of the gate and shouted towards the gate tower. Let the Shah know of our visit! Wait a moment! Chapter 1077 Episode 1077: Tosagupeng (7) After a while, the pce gate opened. The Shah has given permission to enter the pce. At the words of the gatekeeper, the messengers of the three countries and the troops to guard them stepped forward. for a moment! The military cannote in! This is the minimum number of troops for escort! You can harm Sha! The demand is the same as that of the troops who usually apany us when we enter the pce! But the situation is no different! Did we create that situation? We are victims! The gatekeeper was at a loss for words after hearing the words of the imperial messenger who represented the messengers. As the imperial messenger said, the number of troops currently guarding the messengers was the same as before. The only difference was that unlike before, when he was armed with a long sword and a short gun, he was heavily armed with a long gun and a firearm I had never seen before, and had a murderous expression on his face. Just like the lion said, they didnt do it first, but it happened when those damn Kizilbashi warriors attacked. In the end, the gatekeeper ended up using the best method he could think of. Wait a moment! I will report it to the top and get an answer! After some time passed, the gatekeeper appeared again. The Shah said he would allow the escort troops to apany him. But the number of troops must remain the same as before! I understand! * * * While the troops escorting the messengers and Ismails soldiers guarding the Daejeon were staring at each other, the messengers who entered the Daejeon politely bowed to Ismail. See you Shah. I heard there was a big ident. yes. Many soldiers were killed or injured. I express my deepest condolences. Is this what the Shah ordered? The prime minister stepped forward on behalf of Ismail in response to the imperial emissarys strong remarks. I assure you that it was not the Shahs will. We, the three Eastern countries, can never overlook this. We demand strong punishment for the armed group that caused this ident. The Prime Ministers eyes sparkled at the imperial emissarys strong remark. If you listen to the lions remarks now, they are very strong-minded. But an armed group? During that short period of time, the Prime Minister shook his head furiously. -Messengers from the East are also well aware of the rtionship between the Shah and Kizilbash. -If they want to put pressure on us and interfere in our internal affairs, they can take advantage of it. -But now you used the word armed group. -This is an indication of distinguishing between Shah and Kizilbashi. Then The Prime Minister, who was wondering what the hidden meaning was in the imperial messengers remarks, soon came to a conclusion. I have no intention of losing to Shah! Instead, they are demanding the purge of Kizilbash! And the East will actively support this! then! The Prime Minister answered with a bright face. The Shah takes this matter very seriously! I will never let this go! At the Prime Ministers answer, the imperial messenger looked back at the other messengers. As the Ming and Japanese envoys nodded slightly, the imperial envoy continued his remarks. If the Shah does so, Persia and our three eastern countries will be good friends. Im going to head back today. Because I have tofort the soldiers. After hearing this, Ismail immediately gave an order. Let it be so. Once again, I offer my deepest condolences to those who died or were injured in this ident. thank you. * * * As the envoys retreated, the Prime Minister looked at Ismail with a brighter face. The opportunity has finally arrived! Now we can purge the Kizilbash! The Prime Minister then exined why he thought so. ..In other words, if I were to interpret their definition of Kizilbashi as an armed group and their mention of good friends, this is it. If the shah purges the Qizilbashi, I will consider the Shah and the Qizilbashi separately. And the East will actively support the purge of Qizilbashi. Ismails face brightened at the Prime Ministers exnation. Did you try to strangle me by strangling yourself? Thats right. Then you cant miss this opportunity! Ismail was also a survivor through difficult times and could never miss an opportunity that came his way. Bring the imam! yes! * * * Ismail moved quickly. First, the Kizilbashi were defined as a traitorous group because they attacked the camp of the envoys of the three countries. That wasnt the end. Imams from the Jafari school ofw, who favor a moderate and stable direction among Shiites, were called together. Imams of the Jafari School of Law, who sensed Ismail and the Prime Ministers hidden intention while they were antipathetic to the Qizilbashi due to their extreme fundamentalism and mysticism, defined the Qizilbashi as heretics and dered jihad against the Qizilbashi. Heresy is something more evil than heresy. They are the ones who pollute the will of Ah with their subtle words and drive Muslims into hell! Eliminating this heresy is truly a holy war! The deration of the Jafari sect imams soon spread throughout Persia. As the deration spread, many Persian men flocked to Ismails army. I will participate in the temple! What they shouted was holy war, but their true intentions were revenge and ambition. His ambition was to seek revenge for the massacres of Kizilbashi that took ce throughout Persia and to raise his status by umting military achievements. Kizilbashi did not just suffer from this. As soon as the Qizilbashi groups that were scattered everywhere heard of the incident that urred in Tabriz, they immediately began to rally together. But what came after was the problem. The issue of deciding who would seed the leader who died in Tabriz was beginning to fray. This was because all but a few of the heads of Kizilbashi and high-ranking officials who had stayed in Tabriz to keep Ismail in check were killed in this incident. As the leader died without naming a sessor, confusion arose over the next leader. The question now is not who the leader is! We have been dered heretics! Escape from the crisises first! There were people who shouted this, but they were the first to be silenced. Eventually, as internal factions split, the Kizilbash warriors split into several groups and split off. Although Kizilbashi was torn into many pieces, it was by no means an easy existence. This was because he was the one who made Ismail a monarch in a difficult time, so his military power was formidable. If they attacked without proper preparation, Ismails army would often suffer defeat even when the enemy was superior. In the end, Ismail called the messengers of the Triple Alliance back to the pce. The vizier stood before the messengers on behalf of Ismail and asked them for help. I need help from the East. What can I help you with? Everything possible. entire? entire. Soon after, a group of troops left Tabriz and rushed to the port where the transport fleet of the three countries alliance was anchored. At the same time, the remaining cavalry came out of Tabriz and began moving toward the Caspian Sea. Their mission was to defeat the most powerful of the remaining Kizilbashi groups. The Japanese messenger, who was watching the cavalry moving away, leaving behind a cloud of dust, turned to the imperial official. Are you okay? If the results they bring are good, the future work will be easier. The Imperial Lion smiled slightly and asked at the words of the Japanese Lion. I guess youve never seen the full strength of a properly organized Imperial cavalry? Its a shame, but yes. This is my first time seeing it. The imperial official grinned and epted the Japanese messengers words. The imperial cavalry did not give it their all in the battle that took ce in front of the royal pce. But those who are going out now are the ones who have properly formed their forces. It will never lead to any bad results. The Japanese lions expression became full of doubts as he saw the imperial lion confidently answering. Then the messenger from Ming Dynasty next to him added a word. There is a saying going around among the Mongolian tribes. If you shoot your cannons like arrows from a distance, its the imperial cavalry. If you shoot your guns like arrows from afar, its the Ming Dynasty cavalry. Oh,e to think of it The Japanese messenger recalled the sight of the imperial cavalry that had just departed and shouted loudly. I sympathized. The imperial cavalry procession included many carriages. Among them, only about 1/3 of the carts were loaded with necessary supplies. The rest were tow trucks loaded with artillery, fire bombs, and carts loaded with gunpowder. * * * A few days after the imperial cavalry departed to suppress the remnants of Kizilbashi, the cavalry that had headed to the port where the transport fleet was staying returned to Tabriz with ate detachment. After confirming the arrival of thete troops, messengers from the three countries visited Ismail. I have something to give to Sha. What is it? In response to Ismails question, the imperial messenger gave a nce to themander who followed. At the nce of the lion, themander left Daejeon for a while and returned with soldiers carrying boxes. The soldiers who put down the boxes in front of Ismail removed the lids of the wooden boxes with their ws and stepped back. this is! Ismail, seeing the contents of the box, jumped up from his seat. Inside the open boxes were long guns made in imperial and prestige Japan, as well as imperial freight cars. Ismail approached the box as if possessed, picked up the rifles inside the box and looked around. Looking at Ismail, the imperial messenger opened his mouth. The remaining boxes are in front of the pce gate. lets go! At the words of the imperial messenger, Ismail left the pce immediately, and the emperor and other ministers followed him. Dozens of boxes were piled up in front of the pce gate, and soldiers from the bodyguard stood guard surrounding the boxes. 1,000 rifles and 100 freight cars. First of all, we have one million rounds of ammunition. The imperial messenger who exined the contents smiled and continued. This is a small gift from the East for the Shah and his army. Thank you! Ismail expressed his sincere gratitude. * * * Ismail and the Prime Minister could not hide their joy and looked at the contents of the box one by one. Ismail, who was looking around, soon looked back at the lions with a face full of curiosity. By the way. The shapes of these rifles and freight cars here seem simr, but they are slightly different. Is there a reason? The imperial messenger came forward and answered Ismails question. Its because things made by the three Eastern countries were mixed together. huh? ah. The bullets used are all the same. There will be no problem with supply. The messenger answering Ismail muttered to himself. A kind of trick rather than a coincidence? All of the long guns in the box were made based on the Florentine long guns provided by the Empire in Florence. The freight cars were also made based on blueprints provided by the Empire in exchange for royalties from Ming and Japan. As a result, the specifications of the ammunition used were the same for all three countries. Of course, the power was all different. Chapter 1078 Episode 1078 Tosagupin (8) The reason the empire manufactured and sent Florentine long guns rather than the military rifles used by the imperial army was not simply because the Ming and Japan made and sent long guns based on the Florentine long guns. This was to prevent the simultaneous use of rifles used by the imperial army from being leaked outside. With just a few tweaks to the method of rotating the bolt in a back-and-forth reciprocating motion, it was possible to develop a long gun that could automatically reload. In fact, the new long gun Hyang is developing with craftsmen these days is a gas-operated automatic long gun. It was a new long gun capable of single and fully automatic fire using a 20-round magazine. And after receiving the information and performance of this new long gun, the Imperial Ministry of Defense put its head together and began researching new tactics. With a long gun like this, theres no need to use a separate light vehicle, right? I think we can make our tactics more varied. The problem is that each soldier must carry at least 200 rounds. Hmm.. When marching, the soldiers cry out that they will die from the weight of even a single leaf on top of their backpacks, but if you ask them to carry more than 100 rounds at once, there will be an uproar. Should we increase the number of assault vehicles? Magazinesincreased bullet consumptionsupplynot budgetbut two With the development of a new long gun, everything starts from tactics. Changes were required in many areas, including the supply system, and cries andints erupted from the Ministry of Defense and the Imperial Army Chief of Staff every day. Meanwhile, Hyang, who heard this news,ughed and muttered. Is there someone else who can fill the light vehicles seat? Having roughlypleted the development of a new long gun, Hyang worked on a new freight car that would seed the double-type freight car. And the new freight car was the GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun). The township nned to integrate the existing freight cars and light wagons into one with this new freight car. What is interesting is that the person in the empire who first thought of this new concept of freight train was not Hyang, but Jang Yeong-sil. It was designed and even produced as a prototype by Jang Yeong-sil, who ran Area 52 in Shinji. The items that had been sealed after Jang Yeong-sils death were being prepared to be released again into the world. Of course, it was not recreated exactly ording to Jang Yeong-sils design. Jang Yeong-sils design needed some improvements, and Hyang began developing a new freight car that improved on these. Because of this backstory, the Empire took out the molds of the Florence rifles that had been stored in the warehouse, made a new product, and sent it to them. Over time, other countries will create something simr. But theres no need to spoon-feed it to you in advance, right? As this consensus was formed, Florence long guns were produced and sent. The scent went one step further. If you look at history, there are a lot of weird and bad mistakes thatpeted for the lead with Japans 11-year light machine gun, so shouldnt simr kids appear here too? * * * Ismail moved quickly after receiving the gift from the messengers of the Triple Alliance. First, he took half of the rifles and freight cars he had received and armed the guards protecting himself and the pce. And began forming a new unit to use the remaining weapons. And the Prime Minister, who acted as Ismails representative, actively negotiated with the messengers of the Three Kingdoms Alliance. The brothers in the East said they would definitely support us. I wonder how certain that certainty is. In response to the Prime Ministers question, an envoy from Ming Dynasty came forward and asked a question. What part of support are you asking about? First, I want to know about the military part. First, we will supply long guns and fire trucks to arm about 10,000 people. 10,000 is too small. It should be at least 40,000. Do you think that 10,000 is enough to subdue Kizilbashi? The Prime Minister shook his head at the point made by the Messenger of the Ming Dynasty. Kizilbashi could do that. But Ottoman is a bigger problem. In response to the Prime Ministers answer, an imperial messenger came forward. Ottoman? Osman is close to us, so we can mediate. The Prime Minister shook his head again at the imperial messengers words. If its something like a border issue, mediation would be possible. But we are Shia and they are Sunni. Ah In response to the Prime Ministers response, the messengers from the three countries simultaneously showed a simr reaction. * * * The first thing the messengers of the Triple Alliance felt when they arrived in Persia was that the resentment between Sunni and Shia was quite deep. Through the period of small silver abolition and the great silver abolition, Shiites suffered a lot of persecution from Sunnis, and the Shiites did not forget this. Therefore, when Ismail took control of Persia, the Shiites attempted to reverse the current dynamic. The most extreme of these attempts was the massacre and forced conversion of Persians in Kizilbash. However, because it was so extreme, Kizilbash was overwhelmed. When Kizilbashi became the target of purge, it was the Jafari School of Law that took its ce. Despite the word jurisprudence attached to it, the Jafari school ofw was quite moderate and resilient. The problem was that even the Jafari school ofw was not willing to take a step back from the issue of converting Persians to Shiism. Of course, there was no way Osman, most of whom were Sunni, would just ignore this. Conflict between the Ottomans and Persians was already nned. Sensing this, the envoys of the Three Kingdoms Alliance let out a long sigh. Whoa~. I wanted to go a little easier somehow. I agree. It is truly a pity. * * * The messengers of the Triple Alliance, who knew the situation in the Ottomans and Persia, had no choice but to ept the chancellors request. I understand. But please dont forget the word minimum. If a conflict breaks out with the Ottomans, 40,000 could disappear in an instant. Is there any way to avoid war? Again, they are Sunni and we are Shia. Whoa~. The prime minister added words to the perplexed expressions on the messengers faces. If you dont want the Europeans to get the oil you want, youre going to have to choose well. I will keep that in mind. After that, negotiations between both sides continued fiercely. As the political shackles of Kizilbashi disappeared, the Prime Minister negotiated more actively. We underestimated our opponent too much. I agree. I thought they were all people who were buried in Im and would only seek Ah, but it turned out to be beyond my expectations. For someone to be that old and old enough to be prime minister of a country, he is definitely not an easy opponent. After reflecting on theircency, the lionsposed themselves again and entered into negotiations. However, as the messengers said, the Prime Minister was not an easy opponent. At the first meeting, the Prime Minister realized that what the Dongbang wanted was oil and wielded it as a weapon. Lets join together. Thats a good thing. However, since we in Persia are not yet rich, we will rece it with people rather than gold. Hire our people. -Persians are hired as workers for construction work toplete the One Belt, One Road. -And please recognize our Persian share in providing these workers. -Wage to be paid to workers? Of course it has to be paid. However, we in Persia are short on wealth, so let our brothers in the East provide the money. -Of course, please guarantee that workers and their families are paid wages at a level that will not starve, even if they are not wealthy. -Guarantee in writing that sufficientpensation will be paid to those who die or be disabled during construction. -Please provide sufficient support to build schools to educate the Persian people and hospitals to treat them. Isnt that too much to ask? The Prime Minister actually asked back when the three countries alliance envoys raised the issue. Didnt the East say that it wants to be a friend of Persia? Are you weighing whether or not a friend in trouble is asking for help? Is that what happens in the East even between friends? ..Thats not it. While answering the Prime Ministers question, the messengers of the three countries could not help but smile bitterly. You got another shot. However, the messengers of the three countries alliance did not just sit back and suffer. Instead, Persias share of the profits from oil will be 1/4. Look! Oil from our ownnd! But its only 1/4! You should get at least half! Who do you think will provide the technology to pump the oil, the technology to refine the pumped oil, the technology to manage the equipment and facilities needed for mining and refining, and the operating funds? Then 2/5! 1/4. Is there anything more that poor Persia can offer but people andnd? I can yield up to 1/3! Will you pay for all of the weapons we will supply to Persia minus 10,000? If you ept 1/4, I will only receive half of the payment for the remaining 30,000 people. And I will only receive half of the amount consumed or lost due to training or war, as well as the additional amount requested. Give me time to think. The Prime Minister, who returned to the pce and discussed his opinions with Ismail, eventually epted the proposal of the three-nation alliance. I will agree to 1/4 of the total share. Good decision. Afterwards, the prime minister and the messengers of the three countries continued their fierce war of words over various issues. However, rumors outside the negotiating room made the situation increasingly favorable to the three-nation alliance. This was because the imperial cavalry pursuing Kizilbashi sent news of victory every day. -The military power of the East is powerful enough to defeat the powerful warriors of Kizilbashi. -But even that powerful power is only a part of the power that the East has. -If negotiations with us are judged to be detrimental, the East will take over Persia by force. Through the Tabriz Street Battle and the subsequent Kizilbashi Chase, Ismail and the Prime Minister realized the potential of the three Eastern countries and gave up their excessive greed. In the end, the negotiations ended in a situation where both sides were moderately satisfied. After sessfullypleting the negotiations, the messengers of the three countries reported this to their home countries. Soon after the reports sent by the messengers arrived, ships filled with weapons and troops began to depart from the trade ports of the three countries. * * * With the arrival of new weapons and troops, the positions of the messengers of the three countries changed from envoys to ambassadors. Embassies of the three countries began to be built near the camp where the envoys of the three countries alliance stayed, and the newly arrived troops exchanged duties with the existing troops. Additionally, a group of troops became instructors and were in charge of training and tactical education for Ismails newly formed army. With the three-nation alliance firmly securing the beachhead, ships carrying all kinds of construction materials finally began to flock in. First, lets start by building a proper port and the construction of a railway connecting Basra and Tabriz. I agree. Finally, the long journey of One Belt One Road has begun. Chapter 1079 Episode 1079 Tosagupin (9) While great upheaval was taking ce in Persia, a storm began to rise in the Ottomans as well. It started with an earthquake. A huge earthquake struck Konstantinye. The final judgment has begun! The earthquake was so strong that the people who came out in shock cried out, The final judgment. Due to the psychological shock caused by the earthquake and the subsequent recovery process that consumed excessive mental strength, Bayezid II rapidly weakened, and this news was conveyed to governors throughout the Ottoman Empire. Either live and be sultan, or die or run away from the Ottomans. It was news announcing the start of a race in which one of the three must be chosen. * * * As the race began, the attention of those in power gathered in Konstantiniye was Who will be the winner? The most influential people now were, of course, Korkud and Ahmad Selim. This is a real melee All the nobles who were reading the situation shook their heads. This was because Korkud and Selim, who suffered heavy losses at the beginning of thepetition and thought they would be eliminated early, joined hands with Europeans to make aeback. Because of this, the nobles gathered in Constantine did not have a positive view of Korkud and Selim. Its passive. It was a good cause for Ahmed, who maintained his full potential despite being criticized for not being brave. However, their insistence on conserving all of their power became an obstacle. In a situation where the leading candidates all had ws, the nobles looked to the Janissaries. It depends on who they choose. Meanwhile, a war of words broke out within the Janissaries over who to support. Korkud doesnt even have to think about it, its right to choose between Ahmed and Selim. No Ahmed. Its too passive. A sultan shouldnt do that. The problem is not that we are being passive, but that we suffered a huge loss by acting so passively. thats right. If Ahmed bes sultan, we will literally be expendable. Then Selim? Selim has a problem too. They pretended to grant our demands, but ended up joining hands with the Italians. There is no trust. Trust. You cant do this or that, so you have to choose someone, then! Inshah~. hey! The race had already started and there was a war of words over who to support, but most Janissaries were in a rxed mood. -Even if you win the race, you must receive the Sultans approval to be a clear winner. -If he does not get our support, the Sultan will not be able to recognize it. -Also, the end of the race is the beginning of a civil war. -The winner who has suffered a lot of losses during the race has no choice but to give us his hand. -In the end, the final winner is our Janissaries. Because of this, the Janissaries were able to rx. Because it has been like that until now. But this race exceeded their expectations from the start. * * * As the race began, a French messenger visited Habsburg Vienna. There have been many unpleasant incidents in the past, but this time, how about joining hands? After hearing the messengers proposal, Maximilian I asked back with a sarcastic expression. Does that mean France will also support Korkud? No, I just want you to take your hands off Korkud. what! What a mockery we have of our Holy Roman Empire! I am not looking down on you, but this is advice and rmendation to your Majesty. The idea is to avoid doing things that are sure to result in big losses. under! France is proud to have had a little fun in Lotharingen! I need to properly show the true nature of the Holy Mora Empire! Something that is sure to result in a loss? joy! Although Maximilian I seemed to be trying to move in the opposite direction, the French lion did not show any signs of being intimidated. No, on the contrary, he looked at Maximilian I with an expression full of worry. Your Majesty, you might want to reconsider. Its not just France that is moving. Italy and Portugal are also joining us in France. huh? As soon as he heard the words, Maximilian I looked shocked. The French lion did not miss this and struck once again. ah! Didnt you know? Isnt this something that most people know? This was a very powerful herbal medicine. There are people who dont know that France, Italy and Portugal are moving together, but they dont know? Are you blind? Are you willing to bet in a situation like that? Youre a hot guy? Maximilian Is expression became serious at the words of the French envoy. -France alone is a military power on par with the Holy Roman Empire. Italy is an emerging military power, and Portugals naval power can be said to be the strongest in the Mediterranean region. -ording to the information provided to me, Italy is said to have joined hands with Selim. -So, it means that Italy, France, and Portugal are behind Selim. But how can France, Italy and Portugal be together? In thest war of Italian unification, France was the enemy of Italy and Portugal. At the time, a lot of blood was shed between the three countries on the battlefield, and thanks to that, a very uneasy rtionship continued between the three countries, France, and the Italian-Portuguese alliance. how? Maximilian I, who was pondering why three countries that were not easy to get along with, joined hands, immediately remembered the reason. Suez and oil! Maximilian I, who realized the reason, ordered the French envoy. I knew what you meant. However, it is not easy to decide right away. Go back and wait. Yes, Your Majesty. When the French messenger disappeared, Maximilian I roared at his subjects. Are you all blind and deaf! Is that so! * * * After scolding his subjects for a long time, Maximilian I took a breath and gave an order. Think about what is the best way to handle the current situation. Yes, Your Majesty. -Since France, Italy, and Portugal join hands, they are clearly inferior in terms of military power. -Of course, we also have Spain as an ally. But Spain is not of much help. -Korkuds political base is too weak as it was the first to be pushed out. If you look at it up to this point, it seems best to let go of your grip with Korkud. But But? Considering the investment made in Korkud so far and the diplomatic gains and losses, it is also problematic to let it go right away. Then what should I do? The subjects who were analyzing the situation again answered Maximilian Is question. It is best to attract the Janissaries. Janniserry? Arent they the first to break away from Korkud? youre right. We have to engage them. -No matter what anyone says, it is the most powerful military group in the Ottomans. -The value of the Janissaries has increased in the battle to determine the sessor that has continued from generation to generation. I understand why. But as I said before, the Janissaries were the first to break away from Korkud. But the fact that France, Italy and Portugal chose Selim is a variable. -As the value of the Janissaries bes more valuable, it is certain that they will demand more and more from their sessors in thepetition. -Until now, only Italy was known to support Selim. -However, if France and Portugal join in, Selim has less need to secure the support of the Janissaries. No, on the contrary, the Janissaries will be viewed as a nuisance. -If so, the Janissaries are more likely to support someone who can meet their demands to some extent. Hmm. Its a reasonable decision. But if that happens, wouldnt Ahmad be more advantageous than Korkud, who has already cut off? The Janissaries regard Ahmad as passive and greedy. -Many Shiites live in various ces, including the border areas between the Ottomans and Persians. -Rebellions frequently ur in this region due to sectarian conflict between Sunni and Shia. -In the process of suppressing this rebellion, Ahmad showed a very passive attitude, and on the contrary, the troops dispatched from the center, including the Janissaries, suffered a lot of damage. -For this reason, it is very unlikely that the Janissaries will support Ahmad. -On the other hand, the reason Korkud was evaluated as being left out of thepetition was because it suffered serious losses in the process of suppressing these rebellions. .This loss waspensated by our Holy Roman Empire. Then, as soon as we secure the Janissaries, Korkud will be the most obvious sessor. Hmm Maximilian I nodded to his subjects exnation, but soon red at them with an expression full of distrust. It makes sense, but I feel uneasy. Even though France, Italy and Portugal had already joined hands, we were unaware of that fact until now. So, can we be confident that the Ottoman n described by the scriptures is urate? In response to Maximilian Is criticism, the subjects protested with pale faces. The issues with France, Italy and Portugal are clearly our fault. But I can assure you that it is not Osman! Thats right! This may be an excuse, but I was so focused on the Ottomans that I just missed France! Osman can be confident! In response to his subjects words, Maximilian I stroked his chin and spoke. good night. I will trust the words of the gentlemen once again. But remember, this is thest time. yes! We will definitely make it a sess! Maximilian I came to a conclusion based on the pledges of his subjects. good night! Lets go to the end of this round. Two dayster, Maximilian I, who summoned a messenger from France, informed him of his decision. The Holy Roman Empire will reject Frances offer. You will regret it. Maximilian I responded to the messengers warning with a chuckle. Have you ever seen a fool who epts his opponents instructions win at the chessboard? But it is also foolish to hold out even when defeat is certain. The board has only just opened. No one knows yet who will win. In response to Maximilian Is reply, the French envoy quietly bowed and left the pce. * * * The Habsburgs worked diligently to win this gamble. The race has started, but no one can move in earnest yet! You must not miss this time! The Habsburg envoy secretly visited the Janissaries stationed in Constantine. The Habsburg envoy, who met with the Janissarymanders, announced his business. Please support Korkud. Then I will ept your offer. Why Korkud? Selim joined hands with Italy, Portugal, and France. So I dont need you. Ahmad only values himself and sees you as expendable items. But Korkud is brave and active, if not impatient. Isnt this the quality of a monarch that suits you? The Janissarymanders looked at each other with serious expressions upon hearing the words of the messenger sent by the Habsburgs. Themanders, who were eagerly exchanging whispers with each other, responded to the Habsburg messenger. I will give you the conclusion within two days. Chapter 1080 Episode 1080 Tosagupin (10) Two dayster, the Janissarymanders met the Habsburg messenger. I will support Korkud. Instead, we must never forget that we supported it. You will consider it a wise choice. Then can we move to Anatolia right now? No, please hold fast to Konstantinye right here. Please do not allow anyone to cross the gates of Konstantiniye until Korkudes. The Janissarymanders who heard the messenger responded with confident expressions. Dont worry about that part. No one will pass through these gates until Korkud of Anatoliaes. It was natural for the Janissarymanders to be confident. Their mission itself was to defend Constantine and protect the Sultan. They were just doing what they had to do anyway, but there was no one who would miss the opportunity to make a small profit. * * * While the European powers were betting on Selim and Korkud, Ennd, who was worried, also decided on her own card. The card they chose was Ahmad. Who is likely to be the next sultan? If there are already people who choose him, how much share can Ennd secure? Is the stake worth the investment? Some of the English people who were pondering over various issues changed their thinking. wait? Do I really have to be a sultan? What nonsense is that? Think about it, the reason we want the Ottomans is to secure a passage to Persia and Baku, right? yes. So, we are trying to make the person we support a sultan. To ensure the safety of the passage. Look at the map. Konstantinye is far from Persia and Baku. Considering the connection with Ennd, it is more advantageous to take control of Cyprus or Lebanon. Thats not true. Then lets change our perspective. Spending more than necessary to make us a sultan is not a good choice. And if people other than Ennd have also invested in the same candidate, the stake issue will cause headaches. In that case, lets make sure to leave out the part that makes him a sultan. First, start working with the goal of bing a sultan, but if it is difficult to achieve your goal, withdraw from thepetition and focus on securing the Persian transportation route. By making the candidate we supported the leader of that region. Even if you make him a lord, the new sultan wont leave you alone, right? Its like that every time. Think of Jem. Jem? The current Sultans younger brother? Hmm Cem, the current sultans younger brother, escaped to Europe immediately after losing the sultanpetition. Afterwards, he continued to be imprisoned in various ces in Europe, but it was the life of a criminal like a king. And Bayezid II gave up active external expansion due to Djem. This was because it was certain that if Europe was overly stimted, Europe would immediately put Gems at the forefront and cause an Ottoman civil war. I know what youre thinking, but theres a very big problem. That was possible because Djem fled to Europe, but your ns require you to remain in Ottoman territory, right? Again, will the Sultan just let that happen? There are threepetitors now. Its not two. If it were a 1:1 sub, it would have to jump out, but there are three. Wouldnt the other person who lost out in thepetition act simrly to my thoughts if he didnt want to die? Just hold on Those who were arguing against it stopped talking at this point and became lost in thought. It certainly is! * * * The first expedition of the new sultan was to find and kill the other brothers and their children who had fallen out of thepetition. If he failed to do this properly, he would end up in the same situation as the 6th Sultan, Murat II. At that time, Murat II was engaged in a civil war with his younger brother, Mustafa, and another Mustafa, who was probably his uncle. The problem here was probably Uncle Mustafa. When Mehmet, the previous sultan, became sultan, he killed all his brothers, but the whereabouts of the youngest son, Mustafa, were unclear. And when Murat II waspeting for sultanate, someone iming to be him Mustafa appeared. * * * So, those who are left out in thepetition have no choice but to actively cooperate to save not only themselves but their children. And if the only goal is defense, excessive spending is less likely to ur. I dont agree with that part. The Sultan would never spare his defeated rivals. The civil war will continue. If that happens, excessive spending will inevitably ur. As I said before, the current situation is not a 1:1petition. The new Sultani has twopetitors left. This means that you cant focus all your energy on just one person. Andwho said they would provide support for free? You have to get what you can get. Hmm Eventually, this new n went to Henry VII. Henry VII, who had meticulously lost the n, asked his subjects. How long will the civil war that determines the Ottoman sultanst? The longest period was 10 years. 10 years After thinking for a moment, Henry VII lifted the seal and stamped it on the n. I grant permission to implement based on this n. And if possible Henry VII paused for a moment and continued, ring at the map. I hope the civil war continues for a very long time. Let the high noses of those who proudly call themselves the leaders of the Middle East sink. If we copse like that, Ennd might be able to secure and route to India and the Ming Empire. Although Terra and Gloria were being developed step by step, the ces where the greatest wealth was gathered were still India and the Ming Empire. Therefore, there was talk about restoration of the Silk Road among some ambitious people. What was even worse was that the more radical among these people began to refer to Alexander the Greats Eastern Expedition. * * * Thus, Ennd entered the final stage of the race to determine Osmans sessor. Ahmad immediately epted Ennds offer. Unlike otherpetitors, it was an offer that Ahmad could not refuse, as he was isted and helpless. With the intervention of external forces, the battle to decide Osmans sessor took ce on arger scale than expected. As the return race began, carts loaded with weapons made by European powers began to move openly across thend routes and ports connected to the sessor camp. It wasnt just the cart. Under the pretext of protecting cargo, the armies of the great powers moved in, holding high the gs of the sessors they supported. In this situation, situations often urred where parades supporting differentpetitors faced each other. Themanders of the European powers, who stopped the Ottomans with the armies of the European powers from jumping out, exchanged graceful greetings ording to etiquette with themanders standing across from them. After exchanging graceful greetings, the two groups headed their separate ways. Why are you leaving them alone? Although the apanying Ottoman warriors were angry, the Europeanmanders responded with a calm face. Its not time yet. Once all preparations areplete and the order is given, then nothing like this will happen. Arent you really scared? So you dont want to fight? As the Ottoman warriors pointed out, the eyes of the Europeanmanders began to look alive. Are you saying that without knowing the enmity between us and those mean and cowardly bastards? .I made a mistake. As preparations to be the winner of the sessor decision battle that will be remembered forever in history progressed, European mercenaries also began to get busy. The mercenaries, who had been experiencing a recession due to the closure of their stores for a while, began to see color on their faces as the number of ces they visited increased. As the demand for mercenaries increased significantly, young people who dreamed of making a fortune began to flock to the mercenary units. They werent just immature people who didnt know anything about the world yet. City workers who suffered from low wages and runaway ves who wanted freedom from peasants also flocked to the mercenary army. As the size of the mercenary army grew again and gold and silver coins began to jingle from the mercenaries pockets, businesses targeting mercenaries also began to be active. depart! The mercenaries, who had properly filled their forces andpleted some training, left their garrison. The ce they were heading to was Ottoman. Behind the mercenary group, another group of carriages carrying prostitutes and pimps followed. What is interesting is that even though the heyday of mercenaries had arrived, Switzend, the homnd of mercenaries, remained quiet. This wasrgely due to the treaty concluded with the empire. -Switzend only provides troops to allied empires. ording to the treaty, Switzend was shackled, but surprisingly, the Swiss did not express anyints. The empire was steadily employing a considerable number of soldiers and paying them reliably. That wasnt all. Skilled craftsmen were able to immigrate to new areas of the empire. The newnd of the empire was literally a nd of opportunity. However, the empire did not just take money from Switzend. Educational facilities were established throughout Switzend to foster craftsmen, and workshops were established to make objects C most notably precision watches C to be sold in Europe. Thanks to this, Switzend escaped the image of a country that would starve to death if it did not engage in mercenary activities, and it became the country closest to the empire among all European countries. * * * After the short calm before the storm, the three mainpetitors began to move. Lets go to Konstantiniye! Wow! With shouts and banners engraved with the names of the candidates and verses from the Koran, the troops left the castle where they were staying and headed toward Konstantiniye. The soldiers took a confident stance amid cheers from the women who climbed the city walls and castle walls, shouting their characteristic cheers. Competitors in the center of the main camp confirmed the change in the situation with their confidants and Europeanmanders. The sentries have sent a report! Information from spies has arrived. Based on the information sent from all directions, thepetitors and staff pondered their choice. Shall we go straight to Konstantiniye? Or should I attack the others first? If I were to attack others, who should I attack first? Among thepetitors pondering the best move, Selim and Korkud made up their minds. Hit Ahmad first! The person closest to Konstantinye was Ahmad. Coincidentally, the ce where Ahmad was located was located on the route that must be taken to get to Konstantinye. Thanks to this, Selim and Korkudunched an unintended joint attack, and Ahmad was subjected to a joint attack. The situation is bad, but it is not hopeless. You just have to go through a lot of trouble. Ahmad had an ambiguous expression upon hearing the words of the staff sent from Ennd. Do you mean its good or bad? Chapter 1081 Episode 1081 Tosagupin (11) The English staff, who supported Ahmad, exined the strategy to Ahmad with a map in front of them. The ce where the battle will take ce is Bolu. Both Selims army and Korkuds army had to pass through here to enter Constantiniye. We will upy this ce first and then go on defense. After hearing the exnation from the English military staff, Ahmad looked back at his staff. One of Ahmads staff members, who had received the silent order, asked the English staff. If we want to focus on defense, wouldnt it be better to stage a sit-in here in Amasia? There is already a well-constructed wall, and supply problems can be alleviated. The English military staff who received the question smiled and immediately asked back. Are those walls stronger than the triple walls of Constantinople? And although it sounds good to be sit-in in Amasia, to others, it will be seen as a foolish act that is bringing about istion on oneself. Because the road to Konstantinye via Amasya is the fastest and easiest way, but not the only way. Ahmads staffs mouths were tightly shut at the words of the English military staff. In fact, there was a route along the northern coastline and a route along the hignds south of Amasia. However, it was very disappointing to abandon Amasia, where everything was well prepared, and move on. In the end, Ahmads staff argued again. Then how will you supply supplies? Our English fleet has already passed through the Bosphorus Strait. Dont worry about supplies. In the end, the war of words ended in victory for the English military staff. But the decision was Ahmads. Ahmad, who had remained silent while everyone present waited for his decision, opened his mouth. The decision will be made in Bolu. ording to Ahmads decision, Ahmads army and the English army were busy. Get it quickly! We must move as quickly as possible! Take care of your supplies! Especially dont forget ammunition and food! While the soldiers and officers worked together to prepare for the move, the English military staff gave Ahmad new advice. Osman must go with us. My son has to go with me too? If you leave it here, there is a high possibility that it will be a hostage. And since Osman has already grown up, I wont just leave him alone. .. In the end, Ahmads son Osman also moved along. * * * After confirming Ahmads movement, the armies of Korkud and Selim also moved towards Bolu. Korkud departed from Antalya and headed south to Bolu, bypassing the hignds along the coastal road. Selim, who departed from Trabzon, picked up speed. We must move to Bolu as quickly as possible! Dont give Ahmad the time of day! Although Selim elerated his march, he used the road close to the coast rather than the route through Amasia. Ihmad did not abandon Amasiah. In that case, if you get close to Amasia or follow Ahmads path, you may incur unnecessary losses. Abandon that path. For an important match, the three factions headed to Bolu, conserving as much power as possible. Looking at the routes the three factions took to Bolu, there was a characteristic that they had no contact points at all. -Do not do foolish things such as wasting time and energy with unnecessary contact. C All you have to do is take control of what you need when you need it. It was an army of three factions and European powers that showed the same tactical maneuvers that the empire had shown in the Mediterranean region. However, maritime transport routes showed the exact opposite. A situation was created in which the fleets of other countries supporting the three factions were seen passing by, but they were left alone. No, Im just sending that away! Arent you crazy? A situation that was infuriating to the imperial navalmanders arose because all the battleships owned by the European powers had be expensive. Battleships were expensive items, carrying dozens of expensive cannons, wrapping their hulls with expensive steel tes, and equipped with steam engines that were several times more expensive than the cannons. And sailors who were ustomed to steamships also boasted high prices. The Mediterranean is important, but Terra and Gloria are even more important. And were not fighting among ourselves in Europe right now, are we? But why do we have to send expensive ships into battle? Because it was not an all-out war between the European powers, with the survival of each other at stake, losing the battleships was a futile act. Therefore, almost simr orders were given to the navies of the European powers involved in the battle to decide Ottomans sessor. -Never attack first until you are attacked! There was an order like this, and most of the navies of the great powers who received the order had simr thoughts. Theres no need for us to fight in someone elses country, right? Thanks to this, although it was a tangled maritime transportation route for the great powers, no battles ever took ce. * * * The faction that was the first to upy Bolu, an important road leading to Konstantinye, was Ahmads faction. Korkud and Selim, who received information that Ahmad had taken control of Bolu, slowed down their attack speed. If you speed up and get involved with Ahmad first, you only end up doing good things to others! It feels even worse to get hit in the back in a situation like this! Korkud and Selim slowly headed towards Bolu, keeping each other in check. And Ahmads staff and the English army staff were delighted. Its exciting! Youd be a fool to miss this opportunity! Ahmads army, having gained time by choosing Korkud and Selim, began to strengthen its defensive positions. * * * Korkud and Selims advisors and advisors did not expect this situation to arise. Its not we who are stranded, its Ahmad who is stranded! -When Ahmad is obsessed with Bolu, he takes out the hidden card! The cards that Selim hid were the ground troops of France, Italy, and Portugal. The troops secretly hiding in Alova, south of Konstantinye, were tond in Gebze and advance to Konstantinye as soon as the order was given. -Ahmad and Korkud will get on each others feet, and even if they dont, I will make them get on their feet! This was Selims hidden card. Korkuds hidden forces were the Habsburg army and the Janissaries. -When the match against Ahmad Selim bes sluggish, the waiting Habsburg army joins the Janissaries moving south and secures new soldiers for the Sultan and Constantine! This was Korkuds n. And Ahmad and Ennds n was simple. -Aim for the moment when the two get tired from fighting! I know to some extent the movements of France and Habsburg. Eventually, violent street fighting would break out in Konstantinye. The problem is that all European yers have the same problem. What if its the same problem? You cant give everything you have. In that case, the one who saves the most until the end wins. The best we can do is to focus on defense until the end and make them impatient. Ahmad nodded at the words of the English military staff. I guess so. With Konstantiniye just around the corner, our bodies will get even hotter. * * * In the end, Selim and Korkud arrived in Bolu at almost the same time. To avoid unwanted contact, Selim and Korkud began attacking Bolu from opposite sides of their opponents. The English military staff, who understood the situation, reported to Ahmad with a smile. If the two were to cooperate sessfully, it could be said to be an ideal joint attack, but not now. This has greatly reduced our burden. As the English staff said, Selim and Korkuds attacks were a mess. This was because attention had to be paid not only to Ahmad, who controlled Bolu, but also to those encamped on the other side of Bolu. If it werent for that damned Selim, Ahmad could have been finished right away! Why is this guy who already forgot everything about Korkuding forward again? Selim and Korkud both hurled insults at each other. * * * In the end, as the standoff over Bolu continued for a long time, Selim and Korkud took out their hidden cards. This is an order to seize Konstantinye. Confirmed. After confirming the order delivered by the messenger who came aboard the speedboat, the Frenchmander looked back at the Italian and Portuguesemanders who were present. Lets get started. Lets do that. Two dayster, a fleet carrying soldiers and mercenaries from France, Italy, and Portugalnded in Gebze. The beachhead has been secured. Thending of the first group has beenpleted. The second group isnding now! good! The Frenchmander, who received the report, looked confident and gave orders. Thending troops of the second line will immediately begin defending the beachhead! The first group departs for Konstantinye immediately! yes! While the staff and messengers who received the order were moving diligently, the Frenchmander climbed on his horse. The Frenchmander, who was watching the soldiers begin their march on horseback, frowned slightly as he looked at the gs waving at the front. I dont like the g. The huge gs fluttering in the wind were Selims standard. It would have been even better if it had been the proud g of France * * * After confirming the intelligence that Selims army hasnded in Gebze!, themanders of the Beyrik Janissaries looked at each other with calm expressions. I looked at. Stupid Selim shook my hand. I thought you idiot would make a good sultan. Enough chit chat! It is our mission to protect the capital and the sultan! Focus on that now! At themand of themander, the Janissarymanders stopped chatting, took on a serious look, and began holding a strategy meeting. After the strategy meeting, the Janissarymanders returned to their units. Themander, who remained with his staff, gave orders to his staff. Where are the Habsburg troops stationed now? We are stationed in Bolu. Tell him toe to Konstantiniye as soon as possible. yes. Two dayster, the Habsburg army and mercenaries left Bolu and began heading toward Constantiniye. * * * While the Habsburg army and mercenaries were in full swing towards Constantine, the first battle was taking ce across the Bosphorus Strait between the French army and the Beyric Janissaries. Its our victory! The first war was a French victory. The Beyrik Janissaries who went out for defense suffered significant damage and immediately retreated across the strait. Victory! Congrattions General! His subordinatemanders and staff offered congrattions, but the Frenchmanders expression did not look good. They are cunning The Janissaries who fled across the Bosphorus Strait did not use their full strength. And a sufficient number of ships were already being prepared to cross the Bosphorus Strait as quickly as possible. This was because the Janissaries goal was to understand the fighting power of the French army through this battle. The real battle would take ce in front of the gates of Konstantinye. Chapter 1082 Episode 1082 Tosagupin (12) And as the Frenchmander expected, the real battle took ce in front of the gates of Constantiniye. The Janissaries preparing for the defense of Constantine were confident. What kind of castle wall is that? They had strong faith in the walls surrounding Constantine. In addition, the problem was the location chosen by the French army and the Italian army thatnded after them as the offensive point. It was the ce where the famous triple wall was located. * * * Although more than 10 years had been gainedpared to the history before the intervention, Constantinople had fallen and was called Constantine. At that time, when Hyang heard the news of the fall of Constantinople, he muttered to himself with a bitter look on his face. As expected, A bastard will be a bastard And the Ottoman monarchs, who became the new owners of Constantinople, brilliantly rebuilt the walls they had destroyed. It wasnt just a rebuild, it was made more solid. * * * But there was something the Janissaries overlooked. The existence of cannons developed crazily after the fall of Constantinople. European powers, especially France and Italy, who were influenced by the empire, made repeated efforts to create powerful cannons on their own. France realized the true power of cannons while being beaten by the imperial artillery, and Italy became addicted to cannons after seeing France being beaten by the empire right in front of them. Thanks to this, France and Italy were the first countries in Europe to seed in developing breech-loading cannons. Although the Empires hidden turret machine was not installed, of course the siege cannon was still of the battlefield type. Although its caliber was much smaller than the famous Ottoman Urban gun, its power was superior. The propulsion gunpowder was smokeless gunpowder, and everything from the gun barrel to the shell was made of steel. Above all, Urbans gun was only one gun, but the siege guns mobilized by France and Italy totaled more than 20 guns. And other general artillery pieces totaled nearly 100 guns. In order to operate such arge artillery unit efficiently and safely, arge in area was needed. Therefore, the area facing Theodosius Wall became the main offensive. There was another important reason. For Italy and France, the famous walls of Constantine were an excellent test subject. I havent been able to test its power properly so far, so lets test it properly this time! Anyway, since it has fallen to the heretics, we will destroy it cleanly! And afterpleting all preparations, the French and Italian troops began their attack. * * * Boom! Quack! bang! The wall has copsed! The wall has copsed! When the French and Italian troops began bombarding the triple wall, it began to copse so easily that it seemed like nothing. As already mentioned, the people who most thoroughly learned how to operate imperial artillery were France and Italy. The French and Italian forces concentrated thending points of 20 siege artillery pieces in one ce. The walls of the castle, subjected to intensive bombardment fromrge-diameter siege artillery, copsed to the point where restoration was impossible. The French and Italian siege guns that drilled holes in the walls then drilled three more holes elsewhere. The siege guns opened four passages in the outer wall and gradually attacked the inner wall. The important strategic point of the inner wall was the wall connecting the defense towers. The defensive towers on the outer and inner walls were arranged in a staggered manner. Because this arrangement was used to fire crossfire at the attacking enemies, the siege artillery of the French and Italian armies was aimed at the walls connecting these defensive towers. And the siege guns sessfully aplished their assigned mission. Although it was covered with rubble, four passages were created to enter Konstantiniye. While the siege guns were firing to create a passage, other artillery pieces were not just sitting idle. Taking advantage of the breech-loading cannons unique rapid-fire ability, they struck the battlements facing the moat and fired cannonballs at the defenders on the outer and inner walls. What was even scarier was that the shells used in these breech-loading cannons were incendiary shells filled with gunpowder. Every time the shellsnded, deadly fragments spread everywhere, and the Janissary soldiers fighting on the walls fell screaming. The road has been cleared! Forwards the engineers! Forward to the assault car! from now on! As soon as themanders order was given, the carts loaded with engineers and materials and the assault vehicles to escort them began to move forward. Fill the moat! Fill the moat! French and Italian sappers who arrived at the moat began unloading the wood from the cart and throwing it into the moat. Round wooden bundles made of trees cut down from the forest near thending site and wood obtained from tearing down vige houses began to fill the moat little by little. It wasnt just the sticks. bang! Tatang! Tsk! Aaaah! Although being pounded by French and Italian artillery fire, the Janissary soldiers desperately tried to hinder the engineers work. Some of the sappers who were shot by the Janissaries fell into the moat and became a piece of the moat filling. Themander of the engineering corps, who saw his men falling into the moat, jumped onto the assault vehicle and shouted. Properly provide covering fire! Our children are dying! If youre going to do this, Ill push the assault car into the moat! All right! Amidst the fierce battle between the two sides, the moat was being filled step by step. What contributed to it being filled faster than expected was the curtain wall across the moat. Even if an attacker drilled a hole in one side of the moat, the other part of the moat was made to be filled with water and able to withstand, but this time, it did the opposite. The wooden sticks thrown by the engineers were blocked by the wall and gradually filled the moat. * * * The moat is filled! charge! Wow! When the signal g went up on the assault vehicles escorting the engineers, the remaining assault vehicles and soldiers waiting behind them began to advance while shouting. Ta-ta-ta-tang! Ta-ta-ta-tang! The assault wagons that arrived ahead of the infantry poured bullets into the outer and inner walls. Kaaak! Ahh! Stop it! Stop the enemies! Where is our freight car! The Janissaries resisted desperately despite being under heavy fire from French and Italian assault vehicles. The Janissary soldiers, braving the hail of bullets, stood up and aimed at the enemies, screaming and falling to the ground. However, the remaining soldiers showed their will to fight to the death. Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta! bang! Quack! Finally, the soldiers who pulled the surviving freight cars crossed the moat and began pulling the triggers on the soldiersing in, and the cannons that barely survived even in the copsed defense tower burst into mes. Tell the siege batteries! Make sure it is demolished! ancient! Delivery to the field artillery! Put those freight cars to sleep! ancient! The messengers who received themanders order rode out on horseback, and after a while, the siege guns that had rested for a while opened fire again toward the half-copsed defense towers. Thanks to the active offensive of the French and Italian cannons, the vanguard of the Italian and French troops seeded in breaking through the triple wall and entering the city of Konstantiniye. And on top of the half-copsed defense tower of the inner wall, the standard symbolizing Selim was fluttering in the wind. * * * The enemy has entered the city! Send out the reserves! We must prevent further entry! ancient! Commander Enicheri asked his staff with a puzzled expression at the unexpected situation. There is no contact from Popsburg! Not yet! Its been five days since we left Bolu and its still not over! Even a turtle would be faster than this! Despite his anger, the Janissarymander maintained his sense of reason and continuedmand until the end. Have the reserves been sent out? yes! Then what about the remaining reserves? The troops guarding the pce are everything! The unit that protects the Golden Horn is used as a reserve unit. Tell them toe this way, leaving only the minimum number of troops! ancient! What should we do with the troops guarding the port? Im just waiting there, just in case. ancient! Once the situation was over, the Janissarymander red at his staff and said, For Selim to move like that means he wants to erase us. This battle is about our survival! Dont forget this! ancient! * * * Topkapi Pce. As street fighting broke out, many nobles took refuge in the pce. Bayezid II opened his mouth with difficulty as he heard gunshots and gunfireing from outside the bedroom window. Its noisy outside. A street fight broke out. Who and who? The Janissaries and France and Italy. France and Italy? Are they trespassing? ..no. They carry Selims banner. Selim Bayezid blurted out his words with a look on his face full of worry. At that time, one of the officials who was outside came in and told Bayezid. Herees a messenger from the self-proimed Army of Selim. The Janissaries are unfairly interfering with the legitimatepetition to decide the next sultan. The Sultan asked, Please stop the unwarranted interference of the Janissaries. Its unfair interferencehuh! After hearing the ministers message, Bayezid burst intoughter. Although he was so weak that he was bedridden, his eyes and ears were still alive. All three of them are in a situation where Seungnyang, both inside and outside, are joining hands with wolves. What is unfair and what is fair? Tell them to figure it out on their own. .I follow your orders. After hearing Bayezids answer, the minister went outside and Bayezid muttered softly. It would be a good time to organize what needs to be organized. * * * Following Bayezids decision, the street fighting became more intense. While a fierce battle of forward and retreat was taking ce, the same report came from the French and Italian army camps and the Janissary camp. -Hapsburg army arrives! -Half a day away! Upon receiving the report, cheers rose from the Janissary camp, and the expressions of the French and Italianmanders became serious. To avoid a pincer attack, we must stop the Habsburgs. Im going out! Im going out! As soon as the words were out, the twomanders stepped forward. The other French and Italianmanders nodded when they saw the twomanders who had volunteered. There is salvation for them. One was amander from a unit that had been fighting the Habsburg army in Lorraine, and the other was amander of a Vian regiment. The Second Lorraine Conflict ended in an awkward manner, but the damage was enormouspared to the first. Therefore, the resentment of the French army stationed in Lorraine against the Habsburgs was very deep. Venice? There was no need to mention Venice at all. Venice was not only betrayed by the Habsburgs in thest war of unification, but was also plundered. Even now, that resentment was strong. To put it mildly, the unit g of the Vian regiment had a picture of a double-headed eagle being stabbed with a sword. As the two Habsburgmanders stepped forward, themander-in-chief nodded slightly. I will leave it to you officials. Dont betray my trust. I will do my best. Move right away! The twomanders who paid the military salute went outside immediately. As time passed, crazy shouts rang out from the direction of the Vian regiment. Chapter 1083 Episode 1083 Tosagupin (13) The operation to intercept the Habsburg army attempting to enter Constantiniye could be evaluated as sessful. The greatest cause was the fighting of the Vian regiment. The Vian regiment rushed like crazy to the point where the word madness is appropriate. The French troops deployed together were also infected with the madness and, coupled with a sense ofpetition, attacked the Habsburg army fiercely. Arent they crazy enough to rush through artillery fire! The Habsburgmanders clicked their tongues as they watched the Vian regiment and French army rushing through the barrage of artillery shells. In the end, the Habsburg army, overwhelmed by momentum, had no choice but to give up entering Constantine and retreat. I won! Wow! The soldiers and officers of the Vian regiment shouted as they watched the retreating Habsburg army. However, the high-rankingmanders of the Italian and French troops who rushed to hear the news burst intomentation. Even if you win this, its still not a win! The battlefield was covered with dead or seriously injured soldiers of the Vian regiment and French soldiers. In the end, the French army units deployed together with the Vian regiment, which was evaluated as ruined, withdrew and new units took their ce. The surviving officers andmanders of the Vian regiment were severely reprimanded by the Italianmander. You officers have note to seek revenge, but to wage war! Isnt it so difficult to discern between right and wrong? Still, we drove out the Habsburg army! What will you do if I kick you out? I pushed my way back in and took my ce! .. You cant believe youre charging into a ce where artillery shells are pouring down! What did you learn at the military academy? If you were going to fight like that, why did you bring a gun? Just like the Roman soldiers of old, I will go out with a dius and a shield! no! Roman soldiers also used proper formations and tactics! What the hell! I already dont have enough troops, so Im suffering more losses than necessary! Im going back to the garrison and reflecting! At themand of themander, the officers andmanders of the Vian regiment gave a military salute and left the tent. Whoa~. The Italianmander let out a long sigh as he watched themander and officers returning to the regiments tent. I understand why the imperial army shook its head when it saw the Italian army * * * Themander of the Italian army dispatched to the Ottomans was a Florentine with deep experience in the previous unification war. When you ask the people of the empire who went through hardships together at the time about the Italian army, their answers are almost the same. Troublesome. There is no average. The average is -Its out of control. -If the fire is properly ignited, the term hot-tempered fits the bill and fights like crazy, but in the opposite case, it shows what the term rag-tag means. -The problem is that this trait is not limited to a specific unit or a specific origin, but most Italians are like this. C Because of this, the average cannot be estimated. In other words, its value as power is very low. Isnt this an overly harsh assessment? Every time I heard the imperial peoples evaluation, some people refuted it like this, but the imperial peoples answer was the same. This is also a generous evaluation. And as time passed, he too had no choice but to agree with the imperialists assessment. After unification, the Italian military had to make painstaking efforts to fix this problem. The Italian army was evaluated by the imperial army as having changed close to a plete transformation after sessive efforts over the generations. However, this battle showed the past Italian army. Whoa~. Its a good thing the people of the empire didnt see todays incident. No, should I say that it is fortunate that we managed to capture the Habsburgs even though we fought so foolishly? It was the Italian militarymander who gave an assessment of mixed embarrassment and relief. On the other hand, the French militarymander was giving a positive evaluation, unlike when he first saw the battlefield. We suffered some losses, but the goal of stopping the Habsburg army was achieved. This is a sess. It was amand that was very faithful to doctrine. great job. Themanders who led the battle under the Frenchmander bowed their heads lightly. thank you. Good job. Go back and get some rest. yes! The Frenchmander looked at the retreatingmander with a satisfied expression. After all, we win ording to the doctrine, right? This is a wrong doctrine? You idiots. So, we went through such hardships in Lorraine. The French militarymander firmly believed in the traditional doctrine of the French Grande Armee, offensive spirit (offensive outrance). * * * This spirit of attack was a doctrine that was born while watching thest war between Habsburg and Hungary. -Victory It is will. (La victoire cest volont.) The doctrine that emphasized the spirit of attack and the tactics that matched it had to suffer bitterly in the war of Italian unification. After experiencing bitter experiences in Italy, the prevailing opinion was that the French military should establish a new doctrine, and eventually the doctrine of firepower first was established. However, in the vicious war of attrition waged against the Habsburgs in Lorraine C the Second Lorraine Conflict C the new doctrine came under heavy criticism. Despite spending a huge amount of military funds, supplies, and soldiers, support is sluggish! This is wrong doctrine! Soon, a doctrinal debate arose once again in the French Army. Meanwhile, the evaluation of the Imperial Army officer who participated in the Second Lorraine Conflict as a military officer was slightly different. -Lack of artillery firepower. -The artillery was poorly prepared and operated very poorly. The Empire would have mobilized artillery at least twice the size. Thats the basics. Why is there an adage that says, If things are going sluggish, first check to see if you have a shortage of artillery? * * * As the Habsburg army failed to enter Constantine, the Ottoman civil war reached a stalemate. In Bolu, the three rivals bases were facing each other and unable to move, and in Constantiniye, France and Italy were facing off against the Habsburgs and Janissaries and were unable to move. If we reach a stalemate like this, it will be a war of attrition. Although allmanders participating in the civil war were worried about a war of attrition, norge-scale war of attrition urred. This was because themanders refrained from a war of attrition. Even French militarymanders who believed in the offensive spirit did their best to avoid a war of attrition. The reason the situation was like this was because the sea had be a mess. * * * Thanks to the Gentlemens Agreement on the Sea in the early stages of the civil war, none of the forces that entered the civil war experienced much difficulty in supplying supplies. However, as the war situation reached a stalemate, themanders in charge of the ground war began to criticize the navies in charge of supply. Shouldnt we block other peoples supply lines? We are here, shedding blood and fighting to the death, but you go around saying hello when you encounter enemy ships! In response to protests from themand in charge of ground warfare, navalmanders presented orders. Its an order. Damn it! Eventually, themanders of the ground forces, so feverish, began to write letters of protest and send them to their home countries. This is definitely a problem. High-ranking people in the world powers who received letters of protest from groundbatmanders agonized over finding a solution. -As ground armymanders say, victory is only achieved when the enemys supply is blocked. -But fighting against the opposing navy is not easy. -The battleships currently deployed to the front are all state-of-the-art iron-d steamships. The quantity is not yet sufficient. If you lose even one ship by mistake, the human and material losses are enormous. While struggling to find solutions to problems that were difficult to reconcile, the solution the powers found was blocking shipping routes. -Unlike riding a horse, a boat is difficult to change direction and stop sharply. The bigger it is, the more so it is. -In that case, lets use our ships to block the enemy ships path. In that case, enemy ships would have to detour long distances and supply would be difficult. -If done properly, you can cut off the enemys supply without having to fight. -What if the enemyunches artillery fire to break through? -Consider it as a deration of war and deploy all of your power. -The enemy knows this, so they wont be able to fire bombs carelessly. The great powers involved in the civil war all reached simr conclusions and ryed orders to their respective fleets. And the sea became a mess. When they discovered a fleet headed towards a rival of the candidate they supported, their respective fleets did their best to block it. The fleet whose route was blocked had to make a detour while shouting all sorts of insults using the light-emittingmunication device. But even this detour maneuver was not an easy task. When the French, Italian, and Portuguese fleets moved, the fleets of the Habsburgs and Ennd worked together to block them, and when the Habsburg fleets moved, the fleets of the other four countries worked together to block them. The same was true in Ennd. It was a coincidence that this chaos arose. In the end, as they bit each other, the Aegean Sea, the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus Strait became a mess. And the captains who were responsible for this mess were all thinking the same thing. Now its a battle of patience! The moment you pull the trigger, catastrophe begins! * * * As the sea became a mess, the stalemate onnd became even more difficult. As the inventory of ammunition and shells became critical, allmanders changed their tactics from offensive to defensive. As the situation unfolded, all threepetitors stood at a crossroads. -There are two ways. Do you risk everything in one go and attack, or do you wait for the attack toe and then respond? -Both are dangerous. In the former case, the rear is dangerous, and in thetter case, you may die while waiting. Hmm arent both of my cases now hopeless? .. At Ahmads question, not only Ahmads advisors and advisors, but also the English militarys advisors remained silent. As Ahmad himself said, it was Ahmad who faced the worst situation among the threepetitors. As the sea became a mess and supplies were not properly supplied, everything became scarce. In addition, unlike otherpetitors, they were unable to even set foot in Konstantinye. Those engaged in street fighting in Konstantiniye were all carrying the gs of Selim or Korkud. In terms of results, Ahmad was inst ce in thepetition. Hmm Anyway, should I just get over this and move on? In the East, in this case, is it called Oksae ()? In response to Ahmads words, the English military staff cautiously made a suggestion. Why not make an offer to Korkud? proposal? What offer? Instead of handing over Konstantinye to Selim, we will establish ourselves in the south. huh? Ahmad, it would be impossible if you were alone, but if Korkud is with you, even Selim will not be able to move recklessly. Ahmad was troubled by the suggestion of the English military staff. After thinking for a while, Ahmad asked the English military staff. Will Korkud respond? I willply. Objectively speaking, it is clear that Selim has the strongest power. Selim will definitely go on the attack, and he knows very well that if Ahmad falls, he will be next. Chapter 1084 Episode 1084: Tosagupeng (14) But why south? Ahmads strategist, who noticed Ahmads wavering mind, asked a question to the English military staff. Ahmad, your base is in Amasia. Why go somewhere with no foundation and start from scratch? And look at the location of Amasia. Its opposite Antalya from Korkud. Even if Selim bes sultan, wouldnt he be able to strike both at the same time? Then the rear will open right away. Everyone belonging to Ahmad nodded at the teachers point. After hearing the criticism, the English military staff nodded calmly. You have a valid point. But if Selim bes sultan, it would be a fatal mistake to split between the two sides. Fatal mistake? The number of troops that can be mobilized will be multiplied. In that case, we can only keep one side in check and attack the other. Do you mean that each person will be destroyed? Thats right. At the words of Ennds staff, Ahmad and his staff looked at the map once again. Indeed Even if Ahmad and Korkud returned to their base and regained their strength, it was difficult to deal with Selim, who had taken control of the entire Ottoman Empire. On the other hand, although it may be impossible for Selim to attack both at the same time, each individual attack group will be able to secure sufficient power. The English military staff, who confirmed the reactions of Ahmads brains and advisors, continued. Once we establish ourselves in the south of Korkuds base, Ahmad and Korkud will be able to defend each other. Even if Selim became a sultan, this would be beyond his power. If you use this well, you can get concessions from Selim. So where would you like us to be based? In response to Ahmads question, the English military staff pointed to a ce on the map with a pointer. This is Adana. Adanara After confirming Adanas location, Ahmad and his advisors all nodded. Its appropriate. It seems appropriate. Adanas location seemed truly appropriate. It was located neither too far nor too close to Antalya, Korkuds base. It was also reasonably far from Mersin, thergest port nearby, and there was a hignd area behind it. To summarize, it was a city that could secure time to prepare for attacks from the sea and from behind. Hmm Ahmad, who was thinking while looking at the map, gave an order to the guides. Send someone to Korkud. Korkud will ept the offer. yes. The next day, a messenger who had memorized Ahmads proposal headed to the Korkud camp. And two dayster, the messenger who went to Korkuds camp returned with the messenger sent by Korkud. After politely bowing to Ahmad, the messenger of Korkud discussed his business. My lord sends this message to Ahmad. I heard your suggestion well. I think its a good offer. The emissary of Korkud conveyed Korkuds demands. Afterwards, Korkuds and Ahmads armies continued tounch small-scale attacks against Selims army. Taking advantage of the opportunity for Selims army to defend itself against attacksing from both sides, the messengers of Korkud and Ahmad busily went back and forth between the opposing camps to coordinate. The Englishmander, who was looking at this scene, asked the staff next to him. As far as I know, they all know the alphabet, so why do they memorize everything? If I make even the slightest mistake, the problem will be even bigger, right? The staff immediately answered themanders question. This is probably in case we are caught by Selims army in the middle. The idea is to avoid getting things wrong by holding on to unnecessary documents. Then the guards job is not just a simple guard? Maybe so. As the English army suspected, some of the duties of the soldiers guarding the lions were rted to lions. -If escape is impossible, dispose of the lion. This was one of the traditional duties of the lion guard. And as firearms became moremon, it was a mission that saw the clearest results. When the worst happened, all you had to do was put it on the lions head and pull the trigger. And the lion also knew this well. Coordination between the two sides progressed quickly and an agreement was reached the day before the Sabbath of the week. After a surprisingly peaceful Sabbath, on the first day of the new week, the Korkud army rained down unprecedented bombardment on the Selim armys camp. While the Selim army was trapped in the Selim armys position under the shelling of the Korkud army, Ahmads army escaped Bolu and began to move south. Ahmads army, which bypassed the Korkud armys position amidst the heavy security of the Korkud army, began to quickly run south. As the Ahmad Army withdrew, the Korkud Army also quickly began to retreat. * * * The bolu is empty! Korkud forces have begun retreat! joy! Selim snorted after receiving the report brought by the soldiers. Ahmad yed a trick! Selim immediately realized who was leading this movement. The first to move in thepetition was Korkud. However, Korkud was a person who loved reading and thinking. Thanks to this, Korkud was the first to experience failure. On the other hand, Ahmad, as Bayezids eldest son, was a person who had learned royal studies. To put it another way, he was a political and cunning person. Therefore, it was Ahmad who strengthened his power and survived despite all kinds of criticism. Are you nning on running away and holding on? Selim analyzed Ahmads intentions. -Looking at the direction Ahmad is moving now, it is clear that Amasya has given up. -If Ahmad moves as he is now, it is certain that he is heading south. Then I think I will continue to hold hands with Korkud. It is an Ahmad-like judgment. Selim shared his thoughts with his advisors. After hearing Selims thoughts, the advisors asked him: Do you wish me to form a pursuit party immediately? No, not now. Selim clearly exined his intentions to his advisors. Right now, entering Konstantiniye is the priority. The first thing to do is to clear away the noisy obstacles in Konstantinye. The obstacle that Selim was talking about was the Janissaries. The staff, who understood Selims intentions, responded immediately. We will move towards Konstantinye immediately. They may haveid thorns, so prepare thoroughly. yes. * * * Ahmads withdrawal from Bolu opened the road to Konstantiniye. Selims army, having secured the route of advance, quickly moved towards Konstantinye. As Selims army began to move towards Constantiniye, the French-Italian-Portuguese army upying Gebze also responded. The French, Italian, and Portuguese troops stationed in Gebze began to advance east and prepared to greet the Selim army advancing west. The armies of both sides joined in Izmit and began moving towards Istanbul. After receiving the report, the Italian, Portuguese and French fleets moved quickly. Arge transport fleet was dispatched to enable the ground forces to cross the Bosphorus Strait, and at the same time, a messenger was sent to warn the English and Habsburg fleets that werenguishing nearby. -Retreat from the Bosphorus Strait and the Sea of Marmara, as well as from the eastern side of the Gallipoli Penins. -If they remain, we will do our best to sink them! Do you guys want war? The admirals of the English and Habsburg fleets who received the warning protested fiercely, but the messengers who delivered the warning responded with a calm expression. Theres nothing we cant do, right? Aye The English and Habsburg admirals could only groan and gnash their teeth at the messengers reply. It was a fleet united by three countries boasting powerful naval powers. It was obvious that if a real battle were to take ce, it would be the English and Habsburg fleets that would be destroyed. I will inform the home country! Please take care of that, but please leave immediately. Ugh! In the end, the admirals of the English and Habsburg fleets, who passed the Gallipoli penins and retreated to the Aegean Sea, sent reports to their home country. Ennd and Habsburg, who confirmed the reports sent by the admirals, sent messengers to France, Italy and Portugal to protest. The diplomatic officials of the three countries who received the protest filled with fierce criticism responded with a calm expression. Its a reasonable choice to prevent unnecessary sacrifices, but is there any problem? Do we want war? If you want, lets do it. Shall we take off other peoples gs and fight under the proper g? Keuung France, which can be said to be the strongest in Europe in terms ofnd power, was Italy and Portugal in terms of sea power. In the end, the lions of Ennd and Habsburg had no choice but to take a step back. The problem is the period. How long will you block it? If trade stops, many merchants will suffer. Representatives from the three countries responded immediately to the questions from Ennd and Habsburg envoys. Until a new sultan of the Ottomans is appointed. Hmm So, I hope you guys can help me. The longer it takes, the more it all loses, right? Keuung The envoys of Ennd and Habsburg could only groan at the seemingly virtuous request. Eventually, the English and Habsburg fleets withdrew to the west of the Gallipoli penins and stopped interfering with the French, Italian, and Portuguese fleets. * * * Once the interference from the Habsburg and English fleets ceased, thebined French-Italian-Portuguese fleet was able to demonstrate its original capabilities to the fullest. The fleet standing in the southern port of Konstantinye poured artillery fire at the Janissaries positions curled up in Konstantinye. At the same time, arge-scale transport fleet constantly transported Selim and the allied forces of the three countries to and from the Bosphorus Strait. Another convoy crossed Theodosius Wall and brought supplies to the advancing ground forces. The Janissarymanders, who were being beaten like crazy on the sea and on the ground, urgently requested support from the Habsburg army. However, the Habsburg militarymander who received the request rejected the request. Im sorry, but we dont have the resources either. I cant believe I dont have the energy! Thend route is not open! There are a lot of bandits these days Huh! The Janissary messenger, who heard the word bandit, looked dumbfounded. Hold on just a little longer. I will help you as soon as I can. Please help me. However, when the Janissaries messenger returned, the Habsburg army had retreated far away. Mean, mean, mean! Cowardly, cowardly, cowardly! Seeing the Habsburg army retreating far away, the Janissary lion screamed to the sky. * * * From the moment they confirmed the Habsburg armys retreat, the morale of the Janissaries plummeted. I cant help it now. How can this be The devastatedmanders soon ordered a halt to the battle and raised a white g. As the white g was raised at the headquarters, the fighting Janissaries put down their weapons one by one and raised their hands. When Janissary resistance ceased, Selim entered Constantine. The Janissarymanders who were taken by the French, Italian, and Portuguese troops bowed to Selim. Please forgive the disloyalty of your beliefs. Please have mercy Selim looked at themander begging for mercy and ordered with a cold expression. I dont need a dog that bites its owner, let alone choosing an owner. Chapter 1085 Chapter 1085: Tosagupin (15) Following Selims decision, an immediate purge of the Janissaries was carried out. The ce where the most persistent purges took ce was the Beyrik Janissary, which protected the capital city of Constantine. The ones who most actively blocked the Selim army in conjunction with the Habsburg army were the Beyrik Janissaries. As soon as Selims order was given, all themanders who had been dragged were put on the execution tform. It wasnt just themanders. The Janissary soldiers who were disarmed and confined in the camp were also attacked by the Selim army and the French, Italian and Portuguese armies. bang! Quack! bang! bang! Tatang! Ta-ta-tang! During the fierce street fighting, hostility had built up to the point where the French, Italian, and Portuguese troops fired cannons at the camp and pulled the trigger of the freight car. Escape! Escape! Fire back! Fire back! I cant die like this! The soldiers of the Beyrik Janissaries who were attacked took out their hidden weapons and resisted or tried to escape by finding an opening. However, the resistance of Enicheri, whose high-rankingmanders had disappeared, had no system and was almost a struggle relying on survival instincts. The Janissaries who escaped the camp after a fierce struggle headed to the Sultans pce. The Sultan has not changed yet! Let us ask the Sultan for mercy! OK! However, the army sent by Selim was already encamped in front of the Sultans pce. They are traitors! Kill it! shooting! Ta-ta-tang! As soon as themanders order was given, Selims army pulled the trigger. Selims army had no hesitation in pulling the trigger on the Janissaries, who were once its allies. Even though they were converted, they were pagans. The Janissaries were those who received higher wages than themselves and behaved arrogantly. On the other hand, the soldiers of Selims army were conscripted from the Sunni Ottomans. It was an experimental unit to gauge the reality of the new army (??? ????) envisioned by Selim. Ahh! You are the Sultan! Have mercy! Have mercy on us! Ahh! The Janissaries who were attacked by Selims army cried out for mercy at the top of their voices, but in the end, they had to lie on the ground bleeding. It was a purge called the Konstantiniye Massacre in Europe, which waster named an auspicious incident (??? ?????). Selim, who wiped out the Janissaries stationed in Constantine, who were the biggest worry, quickly took over power. The nobles of Constantine, who witnessed the Janissaries tragic end, rushed to swear allegiance to Selim. After hearing the news that even the nobles had surrendered to Selim, Bayezid had no choice but to acknowledge the reality. From now on, you are the Sultan of the Ottomans. Its an honor. Now I want to move to the vi and rest. Im so tired. Not yet. Selim immediately rejected Bayezids request. The unrest outside has not yet subsided. As soon as the uneasiness subsides, I will take you to the vi. .i get it. After finishing his audience with Bayezid, Selim headed to the main hall. After looking around at the nobles and subjects gathered in the main hall, Selim sat down on his throne and opened his mouth. As the new sultan, I will give my firstmand. First, restore the destroyed houses of Konstantiniye andfort the people. Yes, Sultan. Wouldnt it be better to restore the copsed wall? When one of his subjects suggested restoration of the walls, Selim clicked his tongue. Tsk! Did you feel anything about this report? Now the outdated castle walls have be useless. First, take a good look at how other countries, especially the Eastern empires, build castles and how they build castles, and then proceed with restoration. Eh, Sultan. Selim, having dealt with matters rting to the restoration of the wounded Konstantinye, got to the real point. Please convey my orders to the Janissaries, the Jemaat and Azemi On, who are still present. Now the Janissaries no longer exist. Join a new army ory down your weapons and return home. This is the sultansmand. If you refuse, you will be held ountable in the name of the Sultan. Yes. After hearing Selims order, the subjects called the scribes and put Selims order in writing. Soon, messengers carrying Selims orders ran towards the Jemaat Janissaries guarding the front lines and military strategic points. The first to respond to Selims orders was Azemi On. Themanding officer of the Janissaries was Azemi On. Although they were still inexperienced trainees, a significant number were drafted and deployed in the siege of Constantine and urban warfare. They were fed up with the sight of theirrades dying senselessly on the castle walls and in the city due to artillery fire from the French, Italian, and Portuguese troops. Not only that, they clearly saw them being dragged to the execution tform or even dying in vain while begging for mercy in front of the gates of the royal pce. In the end, all of the remaining Azemi On followed Selims orders and became soldiers of the new army rather than the Janissaries. This wasnt just about changing the g. After seeing the French, Italian and Portuguese armies moving together, Selim once again decided to change the system of the new army. Meanwhile, the Jemaat Janissaries who received Selims orders were divided into two groups, epting or rejecting them. The Jemaat Janissaries, who were fiercely opposed to each other, were eventually torn in two. The side that epted Selims orders disarmed and stayed in the camp. On the other hand, those who refused orders took what they had and moved to the hignds of Anatolia and the desert areas to the east. How about going to Korkud or Ahmad? Im sure they will use us as sacrifices to make a deal with Selim. The best way for us to survive is to hold out until the end and wait for Selim to get tired. After receiving the report, Selim gave orders without hesitation. Send officers tomand those who follow my orders. Traitors who refused my orders will be pursued and killed until the end. I follow your orders! It was the beginning of the Janniserry Struggle. This was also the butterfly effect brought about by the scent. In history before the intervention of Hyang, the Janissaries were the ones who provided the greatest help to Selims ascension to the sultanate. However, due to the butterfly effect caused by the incenses intervention, the Janissaries became targets of purges. This was not the only butterfly effect rted to the Janissaries. The Janissaries, who were about to disappear in the revolt that took ce in 1826, disappeared almost 300 years early, and a new style army emerged. The same thing happened regardless of Hyangs intervention. The Sipahi (??????), a regr cavalry unit of the Ottoman Empire, yed an active role in suppressing the Janissaries. The Sipahis, who were rivals with the Janissaries, devoted all their efforts to suppressing the Janissaries. * * * Although there was turmoil due to the Janniserry Uprising, Selim quickly stabilized the internal affairs. My governing philosophy is simple. It is the Circle of Justice. Ottomans traditional political philosophy, Circle of Justice, was left behind in the following poem. There is no power without troops, no troops without funds, no funds without prosperity, and no prosperity without fighting spirit and good administration. Selim continued speaking. The ipetent people in the pce, the snatchers, and those who are only greedy for wealth and possessions give gifts to the god of greed and serve him. A true ve of our pce is one who is loyal and devoted, willing to sacrifice his life for the cause of the Empire, and who offers uspanionship and service! Praise the Supreme God! Since he has made me a ve and given me the power of a monarch, mypassionate attention will be directed to the free people! My skepticism will be directed to a capable and outstanding warrior! Although the words were full of metaphors, the nobles and subjects gathered in Daejeon understood Selims intention. This means that we will guarantee a clear and fair punishment for personal injury and give priority to ability! Those with ambition sensed that an opportunity had arrived. * * * As Selim was gradually assimting Ottoman power, a messenger sent by Korkud and Ahmad came to visit Selim. Did you leave a will? I heard that the Sultan is merciful. Sultan Thats interesting. Yes, say it. Our lords told us to tell the Sultan that we will not be greedy. He said he just wanted to enjoy peace where he was. peace? Selim, who heard the messengers words, smiled and answered. If you want to enjoy that peace for a long time, tell him to crouch where he is now as if he were dead. Tell them that my eyes and ears toward where they are will never close or close, so the moment they make even the slightest mistake, that meager peace will disappear. I will definitely say that. go away. In response to Selims order to congratte the guests, the messengers repeatedly bowed their heads and left the pce. When the messenger left, the vizier bowed his head to Selim and asked: Sultan. Are you really going to leave the weightlifters alone? There will definitely be a return. Selim responded to the Prime Ministers advice with a slight smile. It is necessary for the time being. Please consider the ce where those weightlifters are located. The roads are blocked because of those weightlifters. Know. Adana, where Antalya Ahmad is located, where Korkud is located, was blocking the most important transportation route connecting Konstantiniye and Suez. The most important ce for the Ottoman Empire was Suez. Selim continued. Because I know, Im going to leave it alone for a while. A dull-witted person will not understand the Sultans deep intentions. Please have mercy. Selim answered the Prime Ministers request sinctly. We can use them as an excuse to grow our navy. ah! The prime minister eximed in exmation at Selims answer. In this civil war, France, Italy and Portugal distinguished themselves innd battles, but even more so at sea. Although they suffered slightly in the naval blocking battle that took ce in the middle, they wouldterpletely dominate the sea and dominate the battlefield. Selim was greatly impressed by this and began to work on strengthening his naval power. At the same time as ordering iron-d steamships from France, Italy and Portugal, simr warships were leased. The excuse given in this assumption was the existence of Korkud and Ahmad. Why do you need a warship? The road to Suez is blocked by those ungrateful weightlifters! In the end, we have to use a ship to transport it! If thats the case, it can be a merchant ship, but why a warship? There are too many pirates! If its a pirate, our navy will sort it out, right? Theyre just pirates with gs! Ah The civil war ended, but Ennd and Habsburg did not just back down. Where there were French, Italian and Portuguese warships, it was a quiet trading ship, but where there were not, it became a cruel pirate and robbed merchant ships, bing a headache for the Ottomans. To properly punish Korkud and Ahmad, we must attack from bothnd and sea. Its still not enough. You need to train a navy in advance using borrowed ships so that you can use them for full force as soon as you acquire them. The same goes for the Army. Right now, subjugation is not the priority, but growing a new army is the priority. The Sultan is so wise, this is a blessing from Ah! Thats too much praise. Dont be satisfied with what you have now and keep trying. I follow your orders! * * * While the bloody wind of the Tosagu Peng was blowing in the Middle East, three generations gathered for the first time in a long time at Gyeongbokgung Pce in Seoul. Hehehehe Hehehehehe Kkekekekekekekekekeuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu Chapter 1086 Episode 1086: Things keep happening (1) Hehehehe Hehehehehe Kkekekekekekekekeut Former and current position As the three emperors continued tough grimly, the eunuchs and maids who had been waiting for them retreated little by little with white faces. No, the eunuchs and maids, who still had little experience, had retreated far away and were huddled together, shivering. The only ones keeping their seats were the old eunuchs, courtdies, chief ministers, and officials familiar to the emperors. The officers and clerks gritted their teeth and took up gold pens with trembling hands and wrote down the records. And there were some who didnt mind at all. They were craftsmen who came with the object in question. No, he couldntugh out loud because the ce was different, but he was smiling a grim smile simr to that of emperors. Whether the people who came with them trembled in fear or not, the emperors did not stopughing as they looked at the object in front of them. HeheheYou have aplished a great thing. Where is my own credit? This is thanks to the hard work of the craftsmen. Anyway, I cant stopughing when I look at that guy. Hehehe No. Thanks to that child, Tae Sang-tae has less worries. If this is not filial piety, what else is it? Anyway, now that that child hase out, the only thing left to do is to go out with a bang, as if the dam had been cleared. If that happens, the ship I was looking for will soon bekkeukkeuk. The emperors looked deeply moved as they looked at the objects disyed and mounted onrge, solid iron pedestals. Of course, the sound ofughter didnt suit me at all. No, the act of rubbing ones hands while trying to figure out where to use it right away was not appropriate. The object that made the three emperors look like viins was an internalbustion engine, to be exact, a gasoline engine. * * * It was Wan who yed the biggest role in the development of the internalbustion engine, which could be called a revolution. Hyang enjoyed virtue in a variety of fields to the point where the term gwang(gwang)deok is appropriate. To put it the other way around, I was at the level of just scratching the surface or intermediate nerd in quite a few fields. Thanks to this, his fanatic acquaintances in the 21st century often made jokes like this. After all, if you say youre a fan, you have to see the end! Its heresy! Its a pseudo! Hang him on the stake! Its heresy! Every time I heard a joke like this, Hyang reacted like this. Fundamentalists, go away! However, unlike this scent, Wan was only obsessed with the flying machine. It was Wan who had umted such deep knowledge that he was evaluated as beingparable to incense only in terms of materials and power engines. However, the fact that I had this deep knowledge was only rted to the flying machine. -Development or discovery of materials with light, stic, and strong properties. -A power engine that is small but produces powerful force. -Development or discovery of materials that would make such a power engine possible. -Discovery of fuel suitable for such a power engine. As a result of setting this goal and working hard, Wan was the first to put the Stirling engine, which uses oil as fuel, into operation. It was a new externalbustion engine that showed much better performance than the existing steam engine, but Wan shook his head. Its useful, but it cant be said to be better than a bhikkhu. Wan, who realized the limitations of the new externalbustion engine, passionately devoted himself to research and development. Wans breakthrough came through papers disguised as reports sent from our research institute. The institutes report, delivered to Shinji on a regr basis, was filled with various academic papers published by the journal. Through these papers, Wan learned about the concept of bustion and the existence of oxygen. Does this look like something is going to get caught? While studying the paper, Wan picked up a weak clue and dug deeper into it. Meanwhile, information on the development of a new type of self-exploited bomb using an internalbustion chamber and mixture elerated Wans research. Does this look good? Would you like to try it? But Wans attempt failed. The power engine of the new self-igniting bomb was that gas burned in the internalbustion chamber turned a pinwheel connected to the propulsion shaft, and this power was used to operate the pinwheel-type propeller of the bomb. Wan changed the fuel here from alcohol (ethanol) to petroleum. This was due to political reasons such as unit price and supply and demand efficiency issues. Although it was an empire where words such as Spring Punggi only existed in records, it did not like to y with grain. It was possible to cover it up with various excuses, saying that it was a self-propelled bomb, but if it was used as fuel for flying machines, it was certain that it would be met with tremendous opposition. Because the amount of usage itself cannot bepared. Therefore, Wan changed the fuel to oil and then activated the propeller of the self-exploited bomb. But Wans experiment failed. The des of the wind vane used to generate power entering thebustion chamber could not withstand the high temperature applied for a long period of time. In addition, the soot generated during thebustion process clumped together and caused the shaft to break. It was the result of the empires technological level, which, although it had developed explosively, still had a long way to go. In the end, Wan had toe up with a new concept again. And as time passed, several papers began to appear in the field of electricity. And among those papers was one about electric ignition. wait? You can make sparks fly with electricity? Wan and the artisans stopped at this point as if they were possessed by something. Electric spark from the sealedbustion chamber mixture It looks like something will work If it seems like it will work, lets try to make it happen! In this way, a new power engine was created using the craftsmen of Area 52. Ha~. It was a truly difficult time. Looking at the newly created power engine, Wan expressed mixed emotions. Seeing Wans expression, the craftsmen who came with him nodded with simr expressions. It was because it reminded me of the vicious struggle I had been through. Still, I am truly grateful that I got to see the results before I left Shinji. Hearing Wans words, Hyun nced at Woo on one side. If I were to express the expression on Woos face in one sentence, it would be as follows. -It was a good day. * * * ording to thew, Hyeon had to hand over the throne to Wu a few years ago and go to Xinji. However, a major incident urred in which he secured oil from Persia through coboration with the Ming and Japan, and Hyeons seniority was pushed back a few years. So, I will perform the dyed appointment this time. got it? ..yes. Looking at Woo, who had an expression like a cow being dragged to a ughterhouse, Hyun continued speaking. Even if you make that kind of face, you cant avoid being judged. Isnt it time to give up? Yes So what will you do when you ascend to the throne? I will do my best to promote the well-being of the empire and ensure that the people enjoyfort. Does it sound like youre just going toplete 20 years without any major idents? . You know the saying, The tree wants to stand still, but the wind doesnt stop, right? yes. Is this only a story about filial piety? The same goes for all national affairs. look at me I thought I would just spend the next 20 years without doing anything major, but didnt this happen at thest minute? Hearing Hyeons words, Woo bowed his head and muttered to himself. Thats why I wasnt going to be the crown prince! These damn children! I just want to ascend to the throne! Its all a personnel change! Ill bury you in Lake Baikal in the far northeast and the perennial ice field further up there for 20 years! Hyuns voice reached Woos ears as he decided to take revenge on the brothers who had handed over the crown prince to him. Still, I know how you feel to some extent, so Ill try to help you a little. What do you think is most important in order to achieve the 20 years without extra years that you so desperately want? Isnt it military power? Military power is something that must always be considered important. The same goes for diplomacy. Governance is more important. Peoples livelihood is more important than governance. But for the future, there is something more important than this. Do you know what it is? Woo, who had been pondering Hyuns question for a while, bowed his head. Youngja is so stupid that I dont know. Please tell me the answer. Itsmunication. Communication you mean? Yes. Hyun exined whymunication is important. -Emergencymunication between the main branch and the North branch currently takes less than half an hour (about an hour). I can also receive urgentmunications sent from near Lake Baikal in the far northeast within half a day at thetest. -However, such fastmunication is not possible in areas that are not connected bynd to our headquarters. -Even if you use Jeonseo-gu, it takes several days and the probability of it arriving properly is not high. -For this reason, even if a dispute involving the interests of the empire urs in a country or region far away from the empire, it takes too long to be aware of it and prepare countermeasures. In the worst case, there are cases where the patient fails and ends up receiving a follow-up visit. -To prevent this as much as possible, a lot of authority is delegated to officials dispatched to distant foreign countries and a significant number of imperial troops are stationed there. -This is a method with many problems. There may be officials who abuse the authority granted to them and exercise their authority. Additionally, in the process of stationing and maintaining the imperial army, more expenses than necessary may be incurred. .. That is why I dyed abdicating to you as the Persian problem arose. Thanks to this slowmunication, things that the main office could find and implement in a day or two take a ridiculous half a year, and even if only 10,000 imperial troops are mobilized, there is a situation where at least 30,000 remain. And all of this costs a lot of money. Ah Wu nodded as if he finally understood Hyuns exnation. From what I have learned through watching from Hyuns side and acting as proxy, there were quite a few things that took up time due tomunication problems. If fastmunication bes possible, we can be elected in 20 years! This is for sure! And there is something else good besides that. If such fastmunication were possible, wouldnt we be able to find out more quickly what music and pop songs are popr in other ces? ah! Soja, Ill do my best! * * * Thats how it went, and it was Woo who was full of enthusiasm. However, while listening to Wans words, Woo felt the forced reality once again. good night! Thats how you end up as an emperor! No, I will do my best and do my best! Instead, no matter what I do, Ill just do it for 20 years! Additional thrones are out of the question! I wont do it even if I die! It was Woo who was firmly determined to defend his reign for 20 years! Then themunication problem will be solved unconditionally! The good news is that I now have people by my side who will be Tae-tae-sang-sang and Tae-tae-sang-sang. You cant miss this great opportunity! Chapter 1087 Chapter 1087: Things keep happening (2) While Woo continued topose himself, Hyang and Wan-hyeon were moving on to the main topic. Then can you show me how it moves? Of course I have to show it to you! Wan confidently responded to Hyangs request and gestured to the craftsmen. The artisans who saw Wans gesture approached the internalbustion engine on disy. Wan then exined the craftsmens actions. To start the new engine, a lever bent in that L shape is used. In response to Wans exnation, one of the craftsmen raised the lever in question high. Hyang muttered to himself when he saw the crowbar in the craftsmans hand. Is that something you often see in movies? This was because there were scenes in movies and dramas set in thete 19th and early 20th centuries where a simr-looking crankshaft was used to start a car. Domestic dramas and movies also used something simr to this in scenes where a cultivator is started in a rural area. wait. Now that I think about it some of those scenes were metaphors for pornographic scenes, right? Thats really Ah! Its gone too far! Hyang, who barely managed to prevent himself from falling into a side street again, hurriedly focused his attention on the demonstration. And as expected, the craftsman holding the crowbar inserted the shaft into the small protrusion that protruded from the new power engine. And then we open the switch on the chicle pipe that connects that engine to the fuel tank and send the fuel to the engine. ording to Wans exnation, another craftsman operated the opening and closing device attached to the fuel tank located above the head of the new power engine. This makes everything ready to start. Then start! Start! The craftsman recited loudly and began to turn the lever. Squeak, squeal, squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak ! Fu pung! Wind, wind, wind! The lever, which began to turn slowly with a loud, rapid friction sound that was annoying to the ear, soon increased its speed and began to turn rapidly. And in keeping with the rotating lever, smoke came out of the engines exhaust port. Then, at some point, the smoke almost disappeared and a haze began to rise along with yellow and blue mes. Bah bah bam~. The new engine, properly started, moved with a loud explosion. The power shaft of the new engine had a small pinwheel painted yellow. When the engine rotated properly, the pinwheel rotated quickly, creating an optical illusion as if a yellow circle was still there. Thats amazing! Then what do I have to do to stop that organ? In response to the question about the fragrance, Wan gestured to the craftsmen. After confirming Wans gesture, the craftsmen locked the switch on the fuel pipe. Food, etc! Food, etc! Food deuk. When the fuel was cut off, the new engine stopped making a loud noise. When the engine came to aplete stop, Hyang and Hyeon came forward and began to take a closer look. I want to see your face. yes. At Hyangs request, Wan motioned to the craftsmen again. At Wans gesture, the craftsmen came carrying arge table covered with a cover. When the cover was removed, there was a model showing the inside of a new power engine in its ce. Wan held up his pointing stick and pointed to various parts of the model, exining the structure of the new power engine. As Hyang listened to the exnation while looking at the structure of the model, his mind became confused. Its a little different, but its a typical 4-stroke, right? Which came first, the 4-stroke or the 2-stroke? Thats also true, but this was possible even without batteries! Didnt the first cars have batteries? As Hyang pointed out, the new engine did not have a battery in the imperialnguage. This was a word that meant a pond containing electricity, but results worthy of the name had not yet been produced. Thanks to this, the new engine was equipped with a generator that generated electricity. And the generator was connected to the power shaft. The generator, which ran on power received from the power shaft, supplied power to the igniter. Hmm So there are two ways to stop this organ? Either cut off the fuel or stop the generator. In theory there are two, but in practice we only chose to cut off the fuel. I see Hyang nodded after hearing Wans exnation. What do you think? You look okay. What Im a little worried about is when I restart an engine that stopped working This is the same for other engines Engines that go into the acetabulum C steam engine and Stirling engine C asionally, fires would stop in the sky due to idents. In the event of an ident like this, repairing the engine and starting it again was almost impossible, no matter how damaged the engine was. Therefore, crew members boarding a bhikkhu must have a parachute. It is inevitable that restarting will be difficult, but the unfortunate event of stopping mid-movement is unlikely to happen easily. We tested it, and even if we kept moving it non-stop until the life of the organ expired, that didnt happen. So how long does the organst? 50 hours (approximately 100 hours).. huh? her! Hyang and Hyeon both looked dumbfounded at the hesitant answer. Isnt it too short? Wan hastily responded to Hyangs point. Ive finallye out of the shell. You cant ask a child who cant even crawl yet to run, right? Well, it is said that as soon as the Buddha was born, he walked the Three Jewels and attained self-respect for all children in the world, but he is not the spark of this institution, is he? Thats right. Hyang nodded at Wans words and smiled bitterly inwardly. Buddhism is still criticized * * * The policy of pro-Confucianism and suppression of Buddhism, which had been strictly implemented since the founding of Joseon, continued even after it became an empire. Of course, they did not suppress it outright, but they created a religiousw and managed it very meticulously. And among the people of the empire, especially among the leadership of the main paper, Buddhism was still looked at first. Whats interesting is that Catholicism was added here not long ago. After receiving the surrender of the Vatican during the Italian Unification War, Catholics were able to obtain the right to missionary work. However, religiousws are strictly observed. There was a prerequisite, but as time passed, Catholicism was gradually expanding its power. In this situation, the leadership of the Imperial newspaperbined Catholicism and Im and discarded them all. Did you hear? They say that the one God that Catholics believe in and the one God that Im believes in are the same God. But werent Catholicism and Im bitter enemies? Are you calling each other infidels? So its funny. This is why religion is scary. Being a poor person is the norm The Confucian schrs of the noble ss, who yed a leading role in the founding of Joseon, were Shameless. No, I hated religion itself. From shamans and monks who worship all gods to Buddhism, Im, and the most recently introduced Catholicism, they were all seen as harmful acts of insensitivity. And Hyang, including the Confucian schrs of the nobility, was scamming everyone. joy! Is that why they made such a fusster by talking about serious behavior? It was a criticism of the dogmatism of the leaders and Confucian schrs of thete Joseon Dynasty in history before the intervention of Hyang. In the end, Hyang gathered famous schrs and Catholic monks and had them join the Institute of Science. I dont know if there will be delicious bibimbap or dog food, but lets fight hard. So, create a philosophy that will be helpful to the empire! * * * ah! I got sidetracked again! Maybe its because its almost time to go, but I keep getting sidetracked. Hyang, who was determined to get sidetracked again by Wansmand, asked Wan again. But have you tried mounting it on a flying frame? Do you think its useful? Wan answered Hyangs question honestly. I havent tried it yet. Honestly, there is still a long way to go. It certainly has many advantages over steam engines or new externalbustion engines, but it is still heavier than the power it produces. We need to improve some more. How do you n to improve? Not only do we need to improve the performance of the new power engine that has just beenpleted, but we also need to redesign the de. Hmm, I see But the biggest problem is the budget? Yes, budget. Hyang and Wan, who mentioned budget, looked at Hyun at the same time. Hyeon, who was attacked by the gazes of the two people, let out a long sigh and opened his mouth. Phew Yes, I will prepare the budget before the seniormittee. After all, you are the emperor. Im just grateful. But there will be a lot of opposition. It looks like your ears will hurt a lot. Hyang immediately responded to Hyunsints. Only when a usable power engine is created can a flying machine that can be used properly be created. Wouldnt it be possible for a drone frame to be created only when such a flying machinees out? ah! At Hyangs words, Hyeons expression suddenly changed. right! Only when a truly usable dees out can we make a de model that matches its size! If you make clothes carelessly and end up with clothes that dont fit your body, you will be a bastard! Hyeon, who realized that his virtue could be threatened, opened his mouth with a stern expression. We will do our best to pass the budget. If necessary, I use martial arts. I believe it. When Hyeon mentioned Kwon Do, Woo, who was behind him, joined the conversation. If His Majesty, who will soon be elected, uses authority, he may receive unnecessary criticism. Wouldnt it be better for me to ascend to the throne and handle the matter? It was clear that a huge budget would be spent on improving the new power engine to be able to use it properly. And without even a n for how long it will be implemented. Of course, the entire budget will not be executed at once, but the problem was that it was not possible to specify the by date mentioned above. Of course, it was clear that if Hyeon pushed ahead with this, words woulde out. I ammitting a foolish act in return for my abdication! This wasnt a good thing for Wu either. I left the work to the emperor for his own convenience! It was inevitable that word would go around. I will step in and prepare and execute the budget. Hyun smiled at Woos words and opened his mouth. Its not that I dont know why the crown prince is saying such things out of concern. But this is what Jim has to do. Haona Does the crown prince know the term myeonsinrye? yes. I know that Emperor Won C Sejong C strictly controlled this and eradicated it. Hyang and Wan, who were listening to the crown princes answer, whispered softly. It was a long and boring fight, wasnt it? Thanks to you, there was no shortage of people at the records office. What is that damn custom Thats right. * * * King Sejong banned the ritual of meeting people, and anyone who vited it had to be punished by being thrown into the record office. However, this tradition of Myeonsinrye went into hiding in the shadows and continued persistently until the era of Hyang and Wan. Did the Emperors name and thews of the nation seem ridiculous to me? Herees the custom! okay? Then Ill make it a practice to not even dream of Sungcha! Myeonsinrye again? Is it customary this time too? Not only will I send you to the records office, but I will also expel you from office, and I will make sure that the family of the criminal will not be able to see the past for the next 100 years! The purpose of deleting an official position was to take away the persons current rank and rank and to render all the experience and achievements he had umted so far into nothing. If this disposition was taken, the person involved would have his or her career erased and would not receive any of the various benefits, including pension, provided by the country after retirement. It was a huge punishment to lose the benefit of being buried in the Imperial National Cemetery after death, although it was a pension. This was because he lost the honor that would be with the emperor even in death. This was not only personal honor, but also family honor. In addition, the 100-year ban from public office was a punishment that influenced the rise and fall of the family. Nowadays, the discrimination between industrialists, farmers, and industrialists has long since disappeared, and we have entered an era where there are so many great magnates that even a decent nobleman would bow his head first. However, for many noblemen, the highest goal was to pass the civil service exam and enter the civil service. Because of this background, the 100-year ban from office was a humiliation that brought down the family. If such a punishment was received, King Munjong took measures topletely exclude the person concerned and his or her family from the genealogy. The purpose of this measure was to avoid being banned from appearing in the press and to remove the shame. Because of this, there are often people who lose everything and make extreme choices. However, from the emperor to the people, there was not a single person who felt pity for them. * * * But why are you suddenly bringing up the Myeonsinrye? Think of the first three years of bing emperor as a royal ceremony. yes? The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!